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THE 8BE7ICES

OP

LIEUT.-COLONEL FMNCIS DOWNMAN. R.A.

IN

FRANCE, NORTH AMERICA, AND THE WEST INDIES,
BETWEEN THE YEARS 1758 AND 1784.

— EDITED BY

COLONEL F. A. WHINYATES, late E.H.A.

WOOLWICH :
PRINTED AT THE EOYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION.
1898.

(1Z

TABLE OE CONTENTS
I NTRODIJOTION.

PART X.
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.
Chapter II.
Lieutenant Downman's occupations and amusements. A canoe voyage. The
peace of 1763. Return home. Voyage to America. A violent storm.
Letters on the outbreak of the American War of Independence.

PAXHT II.

Chapter I .
The expedition to Chesapeake Bay. The army lands at the head of Elk river.
Marches towards Philadelphia. Battle of Brandywine. Entrance into
Philadelphia. Captain Downman takes the frigate Delaware.
Chapteb. II.
The attack on Germantown. Preparations to attack the Port on Mud Island.
The rebels attack the battery at Province Island. The attack on Eed Bank.
News of General Burgoyne. Chapter III.
The attack and capture of Mud Island. The rebels abandon Eed Bank.
Various expeditions. La Fayette's affair at Barren Hill. The Mischianza.
Captain Downman leaves the army through illness and goes to New York.
Chapter IV.
Account of the evacuation of Philadelphia, the march through the Jersey's,
battle of Freehold or Monmouth Courthouse, and arrival of the British
Army at New York, as recorded in Brigade Order Book, No. 2.
Chapter V.
The army from Philadelphia arrives at the heights of Nave Sink. Cross over to
New York. A French fleet appears off the coast. Anchors off Sandy
Hook. Proceeds to Rhode Island. Manoeuvres of the French and English
fleets. 'Violent storm. Colonel Bolton's expedition.

Vi CONTENTS.

Chapteb VI.

Actions between the French and English ships. The naval and military
operations in and near Rhode Island. General Grey's expedition. Opera
tions in the Jersey's.

>?—

parx in.
Chapter I.
The expedition sails for the West Indies. The troops land at St. Lucia. A
French fleet arrives off the Island, and makes an attack upon the English
squadron. Chapter II.
French fleet enters Choc Bay. Land their troops. Attack General Medows on
the Vigie and are repulsed. French troops re-embarked. Their fleet
departs. The Governor of St. Lucia capitulates.
Chapter III.
The Man ceu vies of the English and French fleets.
Chapter IV.
The French capture the Islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Manoeuvres
of, and actions between, the English and French fleets.
CO NCLUBION.

PORTRAITS.

1. Lieut.-Colonel F. Downman, R.A.
2. Lieut.-Colonel T. James, R.A.

MAPS AND PLANS.
1. The country round Philadelphia. Part of New Jersey and New York, with
Staten Island and Long Island.
2. A chart of Delaware Bay and River.
3. Philadelphia and ports adjacent.
4. Sketch of the action on 15th December, 1778, between the English and
French fleets.
5. St. Lucia in West Indies, shewing operations at its reduction in December
1778.

CORRIGENDA.
Page 17, line 20, for inch read nip.
„ 20, „ 13, „ Guadeoupe read Guadeloupe.
„ 47, „ 20 „ 5,700 men read 3,500 fighting men.
Pages 76, 77, 80, for Zele read Zele".
Page 92, line 5, for Commadore read Commodore.
In title of plan of St. Lucia, for December, 1788, read 1778.

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LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, ROYAL ARTILLERY.

THE SERVICES

OF

LIEUT.-COLONEL FMNCIS DOWNMAN, R.A..

IN

FRANCE, NORTH AMERICA, AND THE WEST INDIES,
BETWEEN THE YEARS 1758 AND 1784.
, EDITEDBT
COLONEL F. A. WHINYATES, late E.H.A,

INTEODTTCTION

THE personal experiences of an officer of the Eoyal Artillery in
campaigns of more than 100 years ago may, it is thought, prove of
value to historical students of the present day. The services of Lieut.-
Colonel Downman were of a most varied character, both by land and
water, for though a soldier by profession, it is singular how much he
was associated with naval affairs. Before entering upon the narratives
he has left, it will be interesting to give some particulars concerning
him and his family.

Francis Downman was the second of the four sons of Francis
Downman, of St. Neots, Huntingdonshire, Esq., a lawyer by profession,
whose father, Hugh Downman, in the early part of the eighteenth
century, was Master of the House of Ordnance at Sheerness, where he
died in 1728. The writer of these diaries obtained a commission in the
Eoyal Artillery at the age of fifteen years, and was almost immediately
sent on active service. During his first tour of service in North
America, he married at New York, May 27th, 1772, Jane, daughter of
Francis Day, of Pontefract, Esq., by whom he had four daughters and
one son, afterwards Sir Thomas Downman, K.C.B., EoyalArtillery and
father of Captain J. T. Downman, late 83rd Eegiment and Captain G-.
Downman, late 66th Eegiment, to whose kindness we are indebted for
the use of their grandfather's papers. In the latter years of his life
Lieut.-Colonel Downman drew up a summary of his services, which it
may be as well to give, before entering upon the more detailed accounts

2 THE SERVICES OE LIEUT-COLONEL FEANCIS DOWNMAN, E.A.
he has left of some of the campaigns in which he bore a part. The
summary is given as far as possible in Lieut.-Colonel Downman's own
words, with only such alterations as may serve to make the meaning
clearer and more connected. The detailed accounts of his active
service it has been considered advisable to divide into separate parts
according to the different campaigns and events described, and which
are as follows : —
PAET I. — The expedition to the West Indies and taking the island
of Guadeloupe in 1750, and subsequent residence in the
island.
PAET II. — Campaigns in the American War of Independence,
1777-8.
PAET III.— The capture of the island of St. Lucia in 1778, and
subsequent evolutions of the English and French
fleets.
Lieut. -Colonel F. Downman's Summary of his Services.
He received his commission as a fire-worker in the Eoyal Artillery
on June 8th, 1757. During the summer he was encamped at Chatham,
and in the winter he worked hard in the Laboratory at Woolwich in a
canvas frock, marked No. 6 on the back ; Lord George Sackville1
frequently came to see the young subs at work.
In June, 1758, he was with the little army at that time annoying the
coast of France, which landed at Cancale Bay, under command of the
Duke of Marlborough.3 He was employed in the barning and destruc
tion of all the vessels and store houses' at St. Malo.
In July, the whole army returned to England, and the Duke went
with a portion to Germany. The remainder was placed under General
Bligh and sailed again for the coast of France. In August, Lieut.
Downman was ten days on shore at Cherbourg constantly employed in
mining and destroying the bason and works there. In the further
operations in September, he commanded the only two 6-pr. guns that
landed with the army at St. Lunaire Bay, and marched to St. Cas,
where he had the unhappiness to see so many gallant officers and men
lost in the embarkation in the Bay of St. Cas.3
In November, he went with the army, under General Hobson to the
West Indies in the fleet commanded by Commodore Moore.
In January, 17f>9, he landed with the troops at Martinico. The
army lost a number of fool soldiers and two field-pieces in the hurry of
running away in the night. In the same month he was actively
'Lieut -General of the Ordnance.
2 Charles, 2nd Duke, died 20th Nov., 1768, in Germany. He was Master-General of the
Ordnance and Colonel of the Eoyal Eegiment of Artillery.
3 While the army was embarking on Sept. lllh, the French, who had coUected a We foi-pn
under the Duke d' Aguillon, attacked the English rear-guard of some 1500 men and inflicted a 1
of over 700 officers and men killed, drowned and taken prisoners, including General Dmv irtf
commanded. J> wno
See Major-General Bligh's despatch, September 13th, 1758.

THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 3
employed in the reduction of Guadeloupe, particularly with that part of
the army under the command of two excellent officers, Brigadiers
Clavering and Crump. General Hobson died, but three weeks after
wards the island struck its white rag to Clavering and Crump in the
Capes Terre. Lieutenant Downman was ordered to remain in the
island and did so till the peace of 1763, when he was at the occupation
of Dominique and returned home in the December of that year. As
soon as he shewed himself at Woolwich, he was ordered to prepare for
service in America, but obtained leave of absence. In June, 1 764, he
went to New York and remained till November, when he was sent to
the Gulf of Mexico to receive over that miserable place Pensacola,1
from a few half starved Spaniards. He had the misfortune to be
ordered to remain in this province, and did so until 1771. He was
then ordered to St. Augustine in Florida and remained until January,
1772. In February, he went to New York and arrived after a dreadful
passage. He returned to England in December.
After some service in Scotland, he was again ordered to America,
reached New York in June, 1777, and joined the army under General
Sir Wm. Howe. He was constantly employed from the landing at the
head of the Elk river in August until the entrance into Philadelphia.
He was engaged with and took the rebel frigate Delaware. He was
the only English officer with the Hessian troops under Colonel Donop
in the attack on the works at Eed Bank in October. He was present
at the taking and destruction of the works on Mud Island in November,
for which he had the public thanks of the Commander-in-Chief. About
this time he was taken very ill from excessive hard service in the
Delaware and was obliged to go to New York in a hospital ship.
He remained in New York till October, 1 778, then sailed with the
army under General Grant for the West Indies, was much employed in
the taking of St. Lucia and had thanks for his conduct. He remained
at St. Lucia, except when visiting the other islands, until the peace of
1784. Lieut. Downman has left no detailed account of his experiences in
the expedition against the coast of France in 1758, beyond the
reference to them in the general statement of his services. In further
explanation we may, however, briefly state that owing to the French
encroachments upon our possessions in North America, war broke out
between the two nations in March, 1757, which, by the following year,
had expanded to all parts of the world. In 1758, Mr. Pitt projected
a series of descents upon the coast of France, the-objeet of this one, as
we learn from the articles of instruction being, " To carry a warm
alarm along the coast of France and to make descents on any part or
parts thereof, and attack anyplace that maybe found practicable from
the easternmost point of Normandy as far as Morlaix inclusive. And
that the utmost endeavours be made to land at or near Cherbourg on
1 Florida was ceded to Great Britain at the peace in 1763, in exchange for Havana. Pensacola
was head-quarters.

4 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
the coast of Normandy and attack the battei'ies and town, and, i£
possible, demolish and destroy the port and bason, together with all
ships, naval stores, and works, batteries, fortifications, arsenals and
magazines, and effectually destroy the same." Though in the main
the various expeditions successfully accomplished their instructions, yet
in England the feeling was that these attacks were rather more of a
buccaneering nature than the operations of legitimate warfare. Mr.
Pitt therefore, abandoned further action of the kind and the successes
about this time in America at Louisbourg, under General Wolfe,
restored the tone of popular feeling and confidence in the Prime
Minister.

PAET I

The expedition to the West Indies and taking the Island of Guadeloupe
in 1759, and subsequent residence in the island.
As Lieut. Downman only commences his diary from the point at
which he himself participated in the operations in Guadeloupe, it is as
well concisely to relate what had previously occurred. An expedition
to act against the French West Indian Islands sailed from Spithead on
Nov. 10th, 1758, and arrived off the Island of Martinico in January,
1759. The troops were landed on the 15th, but it was found that
little of consequence could be effected without a probable loss to the
land forces and the fleet, especially the latter, that might seriously
prejudice the more important operations designed against Guadeloupe.
The troops were therefore re-embarked by moonlight with some loss
on January, 17th, and the expedition proceeded to Guadeloupe, where
a landing was effected on the 23rd, and possession taken of part of that
portion of the island called Basse Terre. After some delay owing to
the absence of the English fleet in search oE the French squadron,
further operations were undertaken, and Lieut. Downman, in the
following pages, narrates what he saw and his subsequent experiences
in the island.

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.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.
On the 20th April, 1759, the army began their march towards Sfc.
Marie's, and I received orders to attend them with my two field-pieces.
We met with very little to molest our 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. Our 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 v f 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

6 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
concluded. They seemed to have everything in plenty about them,
and entertained us with coffee and chocolate. They live in huts, but
the spot they have chosen is most beautifully romantic, on. the very
summit of a mountain. The ascent to it is very steep and rugged, but
the top is level and entirely shaded from the sun by prodigious high
trees whose tops touch each other, and prevent even a ray of the sun
penetrating. In this delightful and pleasing spot their huts are built,
and, setting aside the fear they must have for their fathers and
husbands, they seem'perfectly happy.
April 30th. — I was informed that two French men-of-war had got
out of Fort Eoyal hai-bour in Martinique, given our active commodore
the slip, landed 403 men at St. Ann's, and were landing 600 more,
when they heard the island had capitulated. They immediately em
barked them again, except some that took the opportunity of deserting.
May 1st. — The capitulation was signed.
May 2nd. — A detachment of 400jmen under the command of Colonel
Barlow marched this morning to take possession of the Dos d'ane, a
mountain that lies between this place and Basse Terre, and which is
the only pass to that town from Capes Terre. It is a place of such
amazing strength, that a few men might maintain it against an army.
May 3rd. — I am informed that the commodore has let the French
fleet out of Martinico, and that he is in pursuit of them under easy
sail. May 5th. — I went to a French battery on the road to the Dos d'ane
called Les trois rivieres, and knocked the trunnions off three iron guns.
I found them loaded with two round shot and two bags of langrage
each. May 7th. — General Barrington has taken up his quarters at Monsieur
Poyen's, a man of great property in this part of the island. The
French ladies come in very fast.
May 11th. — General Clavering, Major Dundas and Captain Leslie
sailed from here yesterday in a sloop to join the fleet, and then proceed
with the express to England. Two hundred men marched from here
to Mr. Heeds, about five miles off, with orders to remain there. The
remainder of Elliot's regiment marched back to M. Penel's.
May 12th. — It was in orders that the troops should receive the same
allowance of provisions as the King allows in the garrison of Gibraltar.
May 14th. — A detachment marched in here from Les trois rivieres
under command of Major Teesdale.
May 16th.— The army marched from here to St. Marie's to embark
for the Island of Marie Galante, a French island which lies within
sight. I am now left at this place alone.
May 18th and 19th. — I heard a great deal of firing towards Marie
Galante, which made me imagine our troops had landed.
May 24th.— I was informed the Island of Marie Galante had sur-

THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 7
rendered. I now received orders to march from this place to Petit
Bourg, where I am to be quartered. The company of artillery I
belonged to has received orders to remain in this island, as have like
wise the 4th, 63rd and 65th regiments. I am appointed to Petit
Bourg with 20 men ; the 4th regiment is quartered in the village, and
by General Crump's being here, it is head-quarters. The 63rd
regiment and a detachment of artillery with Lieutenants Patrickson1
and Young3 are stationed at Fort Eoyal, and the 65th regiment is
appointed to Grand Terre.
It is not easily conceived what hardships and difficulties the troops
have gone through that were employed upon this service, viz., the
want of provisions, crossing of rivers, climbing of precipices, lying on
the bare ground in wet clothes, excessive heat of the climate, and
many other things which sufficiently shew the goodness and bravery of
our troops and the skill and perseverance of our leaders. For my own
part I believe I fared as badly as any soldier in the army. Very often
indeed have I been obliged to be content with a small piece of salt
pork or beef and a biscuit and a draught of water. Fresh meat on the
march was the greatest rarity. I did not from the day of my landing
till I returned to Petit Bourg but once lie up on a bed. Every night
my mattress was the bare ground or the -leaves of the sugar cane, and
yet notwithstanding I never had the smallest illness, though others
were attacked with many disorders. The flux was the most fatal, for
in a few days it generally carried off the person who was seized with
it. During these operations we took 45 pieces of artillery, which had
they been defended with any spirit, must have done great damage to
our army.
Before I proceed further with my journal, I will insert the letter
written by Brigadier-General Clavering describing our operations.
At Monsieur Poyen's,
Capes Terre, Guadeloupe,
April 24th, 1759.
Sib, On Thursday, April 12 th, at daybreak, I landed with the
troops which youput under my orders, consisting of 1300 men,
exclusive of the Antigua volunteers, at a bay not far distant from
Arnoville. The enemy made no opposition to our landing, but retired
as our troops advanced to very strong entrenchments behind - the river
Le Corn," This post was of the utmost importance to them, as it
covered the whole country to the Bay of Mahault, where the provisions
and supplies for the whole place were landed from St. Eustatius, and
therefore they had very early taken possession of it, and had spared no
pains to strengthen it, though the situation was such as required little
assistance from art.
The river was only, accessible at two narrow passes, on account of a
1 Kane's List, No. 251.
2 Kane's List, No. 304.

8 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL PRANCI DOWNMANS R.A.
morass covered with mangroves, and those places they had occupied
with a redoubt and well palisaded entrenchments defended with
cannon and all the militia of that part of the country. We could only
approach them in a very contracted front, which was at last reduced to
the breadth of the roads, intersected with deep and wide ditches. Our
artillery, which consisted of four field-pieces and two howitzers, were
ordered to keep a constant fire on the top of the entrenchments to
cover the attack made by Duroure's regiment and the Highlanders,
who, on this occasion, behaved with the greatest coolness and resolution,
keeping up as they advanced a regular platoon firing. This behaviour
so intimidated the enemy that they abandoned the first entrenchment
on the left, into which the Highlanders threw themselves sword in hand
and with part of Duroure's regiment pursued the enemy into the
redoubt. The enemy still kept their ground at their entrenchments on
the right, from whence they annoyed our people very much both with
- musketry ahd cannon, and though those who had carried the first .
entrenchment had got into their rear, yet, till a bridge could be made
to pass the river, they could not get round to attack this post. This
took us nearly half an hour, but however, we got time enough to take
nearly 70 of the enemy prisoners as they were endeavouring to make
their escape, amongst whom were some of the most considerable men
in the island. We found in ijoth the entrenchments six pieces of
cannon. Our loss was one officer and 13 men killed, and two officers
and 52 men wounded.
As soon as the ditches could be filled up for the passage of the
artillery, we proceeded on our march towards Petit Bourg. A con
siderable number of the enemy had lined an entrenchment about half
a mile on the left of the road, but when they perceived we were
endeavouring to surround them, they abandoned it, keeping always
about 200 yards in our front and setting fire to the sugar canes, which
obliged us more than once to leave the road to avoid any accident to
our powder.
The troops arrived late on the banks of the river Lezard, behind
which, at the only ford, the enemy had thrown up very strong
entrenchments, protected with four pieces of cannon on the hill behind
them. Having reconnoitred the side of the river, and finding it might
cost us dear to force the passage at the ford, I therefore kept up the
enemy's attention all night by firing into their lines. During this
time I got two canoes conveyed" about a mile and a half down the river,
where being launched, we ferried over, before break of day in the
morning, a sufficient number of men to attack them in flank, whilst we
should do the same in front. The enemy soon perceived their danger
and left their entrenchments with the greatest precipitation.
Thus we passed without the loss of a man, still pursuing them to
Petit Bourg, which place they had fortified with lines and a redoubt
filled with cannon.
We found Captain Uvedale there in the Granada bomb throwing
shells into the redoubt. The enemy did not remain in it Ions when
they saw our intention of occupying the heights around them but left

THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 9
us masters of that and the port, and all the cannon round the place.
We halted here the 14th to get provisions for the troops.
On the 15th, at daybreak, Brigadier Crump was detached with 700
men to the Bay of Mahault, and at the same time Captain Stiel with
100 to Guoyave, about 7 miles in our front, to destroy a battery there.
The panic of the enemy was such that they only discharged their
cannon at him, and abandoned a post that might have been defended
against an army. He nailed up 7 pieces of cannon and returned the
same evening to Petit Bourg ; Brigadier Crump returned likewise the
next day with his detachment from Mahault Bay, where he found the
town and batteries abandoned. These he burnt with an immense
quantity of provisions that had been landed there by the Dutch, and
reduced the whole country as far as Petit Bourg.
The heavy rains on the succeeding days had so swelled the rivers,
that it was impossible for the troops to advance ; however, this delay
gave us an opportunity of strengthening the post of Petit Bourg.
On the 18th, in the evening, the Antigua volunteers took possession
again of Gouyave. They were supported the next morning by a
detachment commanded by Colonel Barlow, who had orders to repair
the roads for the cannon.
On the 20th, after leaving 250 men to guard Petit Bourg, the
remaining part of the detachment, with two field-pieces, moved on
towards Gouyave, in order to proceed afterwards to St. Marie's, where
we were informed the enemy were collecting their whole force to
oppose us, and had likewise thrown up entrenchments and made
barricades on the road to prevent our approach to it. We were not
long before we perceived them ; but at the same time we found by our
own observation, as well as by the information of the guides, that it
was not impossible to get into their rear by roads the enemy thought
impracticable, and consequently had guarded with little care.
A detachment was immediately formed under Colonel Barlow for
this service, and orders were sent to hasten the march of the artillery,
which from the badness of the roads had not been able to get up.
The first shot from our cannon, placed very near their entrenchment,
together with the alarm that was given by our detachment in the rear,
made the enemy very soon sensible of the dangerous situation they
were in ; and indeed, only their precipitate flight saved them from
being all taken prisoners. We pursued them as far as the heights of
St. Marie's, where we again formed our men for a fresh attack on the
lines and batteries there.
Whilst the barricades were being levelled for the artillery, we
attempted a second time to pass the woods and precipices that covered
the flanks of the enemy's lines, but before we could get up our cannon
they perceived our intention, and began to quit their lines to oppose it,
which made us resolve, without any further delay, to attack them
immediately in front, and this movement was accordingly executed
with the greatest vivacity, notwithstanding the constant firing of both
their cannon and musketry. They abandoned here all their artillery,
and went off in so much confusion, that they never afterwards

10 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
appeared before us. We took up our quarters at St. Marie's that
night, and the next day entered Capes Terre, which is the richest and
most beautiful part of this or any other country in the West Indies.
Eight hundred and seventy negroes belonging to one owner surrendered
to-day. Here Messrs.. de Glainvilliers and Duqueruy, deputed by the
principal inhabitants of the island, met me to know the terms you
would grant them, and, as I accompanied them to Petit Bourg the
next day and there presented them to you, it is not necessary for me
to mention any transaction since that time.
I cannot, however, conclude without doing justice to those to whose
merit is due the success that has attended the King's Arms on this
occasion, to the troops who displayed so much spirit and constancy,
to Brigadier Crump, without whose concurrence I never undertook
anything, but chiefly to yourself, Sir, who planned the whole enterprise
and who furnished me with those means, without which bravery or
prudence can little avail.
To I have the honour, etc., etc.,
The Hon. General Barrington. J. Clavering.
I have already said that I was ordered to remain at Petit Bourg with
20 artillerymen. The first six or seven months I kept my health
exceedingly well, having not the least complaint, though living entirely
on salt provisions and without vegetables, but the 4th regiment and
my detachment were not "so fortunate." A fever and fluxes got among
them and carried them off with the most unrelenting hand; 12 or 14
men have I seen carried to the burying ground of a day, and many of
the officers likewise died in this place. The regiment, before a twelve
month was elapsed, were near all dead or sick. I have been on the
parade when they could not show above 20 men. For a considerable
time our drummer marched off and trooped home the guard. I lost
out of my detachment 16 men, yet during this dreadful mortality I
continued quite well for six or seven months. At last I was seized
with a violent fever one day when out shooting, and so severely that
with great difficulty I reached home. This continued upon me for
some considerable time, but intermitted. All this time I had nothing
to live on but salt provisions, the few fowls that were to be had being
at such a monstrous price that it was out of my power to buy any, and
on getting over the fit I was very happy that I had a piece of salt pork
and callivances (a kind of pea) to eat.
The town of Petit Bourg is most vilely situated, for in the front of it are
many little islands swampy and covered with mangroves. A vast num
ber of dead bodies were thrown ashore on them during the armies being
at St. Louis. The wind comes from the sea over these islands and blows
directly upon the town, and at the back is a vast quagmire perpetually
exhaling pernicious vapours. On the right and left are two hills
which almost prevent any wind from coming into the town. For what
reason such a place should be chosen for head-quarters is hard to

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 11
determine. During my abode in this miserable place I felt- three ,
earthquakes. The first one happened about 8 o'clock in the evening
after a calm and intensely hot day* I was quartered in a large; old
house, and every instant expected it to fall upon me. The moment
before we felt the shock, a most tremendous noise was heard, resemblino-
the noise of a large body of horse, or coaches3 galloping down a hard
road. On my first feeling it I was struck motionless, and did not make
the least attempt to run out of the house; indeed the Lisbon earth
quake came to my memory and I expected every moment to be swallowed
up. My fusee and other things that were hanging up in the room all
came tumbling about my ears, and so froze me with fear that I
remained in my chair till it was all over. No other damage, happened
from this shock (which lasted about a minute and a half) than, a. few
old houses being thrown down.
It was not long after this when we were attacked with another, but
it was nothing equal to the first. The third happened when I was
dining on board a vessel in the harbour. The shock we received was
just as if the" vessel was driven from her anchor and. had run violently
upon a rock. The master was frightened and exclaimed "By G  d
we have got among the rocks," but running upon deck he- soon found
what it was, for all the people of the town had run from their houses
into the street.
After I had been at Petit Bourg about a year, I got leave to go on a
visit to Basse Terre. I had not been long here when I was again
seized with the fever and ague, and was more than once given, over,
but being at this time blessed with a good constitution I recovered:
perfectly,gand during the remainder of my residence in this island had
not the smallest illness. While I was ill here, Lieut. Young was sent
to Petit Bourg in my stead.
I went from Petit Bourg to Basse Terre (by land, passed through:
that beautiful part, Capes Terre, which was by this time, quite recovered
from the devastation we had made. The plantations were again.
flourishing, and each of them seemed a little village, from the number
of slaves the planters possessed. They had now an English; market to
take their produce to, and every one of them was amassing a fortune.
This part of the island is inhabited only by Protestants, and they
maintain a clergyman for themselves; taking it alternately to, haye.
service in one of their houses where they dine and, pass the remainder.
of the day. I have often had the pleasure of being with them, and.
always met with the greatest civility and politeness. When, I left this
enchanting place, I found the remainder of the road very rough and
bad, being principally over rocks and deep gullies which are dreadful
to look at. The Dos d'ane, or asses back, is so very steep, in its. ascent.
and descent that the greatest care must be. observed, to, prevent your
falling. This place must be impassable to troops if the smallest
opposition is made, for even rolling stones down it would be, sufficient
to prevent their approach without making use of any. other, weapon.
I do not think it will be amiss, in the plan of my journal, to. give
some account of Guadeloupe, as well as I can from my own observations.

12 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
I was a resident in it from the time of its being takeii to the giving
The island is called Guadeloupe from a resemblance which it bears
to a chain of mountains of the same name in old Spain. To speak with
exactness, it is rather to be considered as two islands, divided from
each other by a small river, called the Salt river, which I have twice
been through. It is deep enough to admit pretty large vessels, but
the water at the two entrances is not so deep as. when you are in, and
the greatest width is not more than 100 yards at the widest place.
One of these islands is called Grand Terre, the other Guadeloupe, they
are together in a circle about 90 leagues. The first is nearly destitute
of fresh water, and not perfectly cultivated, but it is otherwise with
Guadeloupe. No part of the world is furnished with more or better
water, for no less than 50 rivers in that small circuit empty themselves
into the sea, many navigable by boats, not to mention the numberless
springs which rise among the rocks, and after a thousand meanders
lose themselves in the larger streams. I wish I was able to describe
the beauties of this country as they deserve. No part of the West
Indies, perhaps of the world, affords more agreeable and more romantic
scenes. It is full of high mountains, from which torrents of water are
seen falling from rock to rock till lost in some profound gorge. I have
often been in these places, and cannot imagine anything half so
tremendous and yet so enchantingly agreeable. You are obliged to
step from rock to rock, between which the water in some places is
deep, and here are to be caught the finest shrimps and crawfish.
Being in these ravines is being in another climate. The trees on the
edges of the precipice are so intertwined together that the sun cannot
penetrate, which makes it most delightfully pleasant. On the mountains
a great variety of birds are to be met with, and very good of their
kind, so that any person fond of romantic scenes and rural amusement
may in the highest perfection enjoy them in this country. There is
one very high mountain not far from Basse Terre, which towers above
the clouds, and a volcano continually emitting smoke and fire. From
this mountain considerable! quauLlLlULl 61! uwl'pliul' waiy U'e "had ; with
several of our officers I went up as far as we could with safety, and
found at a considerable distance from the great mouth a vast quantity
of sulphur in lumps and in powder, and large cinders had also rolled a
great way down the side of the hill. We found it extremely dangerous
after we were a good way advanced, not only from the difficulty of
climbing up, which we could only do by depending on small burnt up
shrubs and protecting rocks, but also from the number of holes in the
side of the mountain, which seemed to have no bottom, and made one
shudder to go near them.
To the northward of Basse Terre, near the river Bouillante are hot
baths fit for all medicinal purposes for which such waters are used
The land in the valleys is extremely fertile, it produces the usual West
Indian commodities, sugar, indigo, coffee, cotton, and ginger with a
variety of fruits, and the most of them very grateful to the taste The
pine apple of this island grows to a prodigious size, and is of the mpsfc

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWWMAN, E.A. 13
delicious flavour, far surpassing anything I ever tasted in any other
part of the world.
The French began to plant colonies in this island as early as the
year 1632. But for a long time this, together with all their colonies,
continued in a languishing condition. It was in the begining of the
present century that they began to emerge from their depression.
After the peace of Utrecht had given France time to breathe, she
turned her attention strongly to these islands. Guadeloupe partook
however less of this care than Martinico, and yet, by its natural
advantages it does not fall short of that island, either in the quantity
or goodness of its produce, if it does not greatly exceed it in both, as
it certainly does in its capacity to receive all sorts of improvement.
The importance of this island until its conquests was very little known
in England. The reason was that, by an old and very extraordinary
regulation, the people of Guadeloupe were forbid to trade direct with
Europe, bnt were obliged to send all their produce to Martinque, from
whence they had all their European commodities ! The change they
now experience is so pleasing to them that they heartily wish the
English may ever remain masters, for they are certain of being again
loaded with this heavy imposition when the island is restored to France.
They have now the satisfaction of disposing of their goods to whom
they please, they are always sure of a market, and the whole country
seems to have received new vigour from its late distress. The sides of
the hills and mountains, that before never felt the land of the husband
man, are now cleared and cultivated. By this happy change of govern
ment every planter is amassing a fortune.
The English made attempts on this island in 1691 and 1703, but they
were neither powerful enough, nor conducted with sufficient ability to
produce any permanent effect; the troops wasted the country and
retired with their booty. Chapter II.

Lieutenant Downman's occupation and amusements. A canoe voyage.
The peace of 1763. Return home. ' Voyage to America. A violent
storm. Letters on the outbreak of the American War of Independence.
In the beginning of July, 1761, I was ordered by Governor Melville
round to Fort George, with directions to transport an 18-pr. toMarigot
in Capes Terre, where Lieutenant Campbell of the Engineers had
erected a small battery. This piece of service took me up some time,
as a catamaran had to be made on which the gun was to be carried.
This machine, if well made, is of great use, for it will bear a vast
weight, and will go into very shoal water, which is very necessary for
the convenience of landing anything, particularly cannon. It is made
of large and small timbers, which are lashed together with ropes,
leaving vacant places for fixing empty casks, any number that you

14 THE^SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
please, according to the size of the catamaran or the weight that you
want to carry. A catamaran made in an oblong form long enough to
contain 20 hogsheads, five in each row, will, with great safety, transport
four ton and a half weight ; the bungs of the casks must be upwards
so that you may pump them if it should be found necessary.
In the month of February, 1762, I was appointed to act as Barrack-
Master of Fort Eoyal, but I did not enjoy the advantage of this place
long, for another person, who had more interest with the Governor than
myself, was put in my stead, and I received orders to repair to Grande
Terre to take the command of the artillery in that island. I immediately
set out by land for that place, passing over the Dos d'ane, through the
Capes Terre, St. Marie's, Goyave, and then to Petit Bourg, my old
quarters, from whence I took boat and crossed over to Fort Louis (now
Fort George) on Grande Terre. This place I found very different from
what it was at the time of the siege. Major Appleton, who commanded
here, had taken great pains and trouble to have the wood cut down
that was growing near the fort ; and likewise to have the water con
veyed away by ditches, which before used to lie in stagnant pools, and
besides the pernicious effect of such water, it used to breed innumerable
quantities of mosquitoes and sand flies, which are the only disagreeable
things to be met with in this country. -
Fort George is a very insignificant fortification, the walls being so
weak that the firing of its own guns is sufficient to bring them down
without the assistance of an enemy. However, there are very good
quarters in it both for officers and men, but from being entirely shut
out from the wind, the mosquitoes are intolerable. Just below the
fort we have erected a barbette battery, mounting 12 or 15 cannon,
but from the difficulty of getting stone it was not finished before giving
up the island. Very good barracks for the officers were made here
just under the fort, and a large house was built upon a hill near it,
wherein the commanding officer lived. This place was very unhealthy
at first, but through the improvements that were made, it became as
good a situation as any in the island. This island labours under the
irreparable disadvantage of want of good water ; except rain water,
there is none that can be drunk with any degree of pleasure, and
the only place where this can be had is in a wood about a mile from the
fort.. The rain water that is procured in the fort is preserved in a tank
or reservoir, which will contain a great deal, but you may imagine it
cannot be very good, as it is under the buildings, and of course
deprived of air which is the only thing that can keep .it sweet. Every
house in the fort has troughs under its eaves, which communicate with
each other and convey the water to the tank.
This place agreed with me very well, and it is well adapted to any
person who is fond of the diversion of either fishing or shooting. A
number of little islands lie between the fort and Petit Bourg, which in
the season abound with curlew and plover, and at other seasons you can
always find something or other to give you entertainment. A great
variety of fish are to be caught here, and very good, and there are a

THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 15
great many ways of taking them, either with the seine, cast net,
harpoon or dart, with a rod, or with a hand line, and by a method
which will at once supply 200 or 300 men, which is this. You observe
when it is low water, and on the flats that lie just within the harbour
you make a fence, either with boards or as a hedge. If the latter, it
must be very closely twisted together, and well driven down with
stakes ; it need not be above 3 feet high, but this depends upon the
rising of the tide. Your enclosure is to be in a bight, so that by
running a fence across it you entirely secure it, but some have been
made in the middle of the flat. You make it round or square as you
think best, observing to leave three or four openings. When you see
the tide at its height you must go carefully into the water and fasten
all your gates, or. if you will, lay a net or two at them, by which means
the greatest quantity of fish will be taken in them, otherwise they will
be dispersed all about your enclosure, and take up more time in
collecting. It is almost incredible the number of fish that may be
taken by this . means, and as we frequently had more than could be
used in one day, the remainder were put into crawls which we had
made for that purpose.
We. likewise caught fish here with pots made of wicker, indeed this
is the general method used by the French, for it needs little attention,
no more than to visit them every morning. The fish pots are laid in
deep water, being sunk with a stone and attached by a rope to a small
buoy. The best fish at this -place, I think, is the rock cod. Another
agreeable amusement is the striking the craw fish, which grow to a vast
size ; I speak within bounds when I say I have seen them of 20 lbs.
weight. Another method was to go in a boat or canoe, with a dart,
among the coral rocks that surrounded every one of the little islands.
The water is so excessively clear that you may discover anything at the
depth of eight or nine fathoms, but the craw fish are generally found
at four or five feet in the cavities of the rocks, and were very easily
taken. They are of the nature of the lobster, but I think their meat
more delicate. The oyster here is not to be found on the ground as
they are in other countries. The only places I could find them in were
up the lagoons, or in ponds, growing on the branches of the mangroves,
or on any other timber that was nearthe water's edge. They adhere so
strongly to the wood that you are obliged to use a hatchet to get them off.
I have found thern on stones and rocks likewise, but they are much
smaller than those that come from the trees.
Besides these diversions, you may pass your time exceedingly agree
ably in observing and collecting the other curious or extraordinary
productions of the sea. Had I at this time been sensible of the
attention that is paid to shells, I might at this place have made a most
admirable assortment, for the shores of these little islands are covered
with an innumerable quantity and a very great variety. Among these
pleasant little isles and in the harbour of Fort George, I spent a good
deal of my time. A small canoe I had served me for all these purposes
and in this I have some times gone to Petit Bourg, though when the

16 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DWONMAN, R.A.
wind blows even a little there is a disagreeable channel or two to pass.
The harbour of Fort George is the largest and most secure of any that
I ever saw or heard of ; it is entirely land locked, and no wind that
blows can effect any ship that is in it. The entrance into it is very
narrow, between some rocky islands and Hog island, directly opposite
the fort. The depth of water is about 23 or 24 feet. About a mile
and a half within the harbour is a little village, called by the French,
Point a Petre, but it is now called Pitt Ville, and is much improved
since the English have been here. A little further up the bay is
another village called Abymes.
Amongst the many amusements which this island affords, that of
goat hunting is One of the principal, both as to pleasure, (as difficulties
in hunting are accounted a pleasure), and profit. A very little distance
from the fort, towards Le Gosier, are very high rocks which overhang
the water and are almost inaccessible to us, but these cunning and sure
footed creatures have taken up their quarters here, and very good ones
they are, for nature, considering their inability to provide for them
selves, has furnished them with large convenient caves which shelter
them perfectly from wind and weather. I was one day out after these
creatures, and luckily came in sight of them browsing upon the hill
near the rocks. I daresay there were 30 young and old ; immediately
upon my firing, they scampered away to the rocks, and notwithstanding
the clumsiness of their feet, they jumped from the point of one rock to
the other without making the least slip; indeed if they had, they must
have tumbled headlong into the sea.
I was determined to follow them if possible, and therefore went the
same road I imagined they had taken, amongst monstrous broken rocks
and roots of trees, but I was obliged to take the greatest care in my
progress, for it was both difficult and dangerous. At length, after a
good deal of fatigue, I discovered a little path made by the goats,
leading under the precipice ; this I kept, but with much hazard of my
neck, till I came to the mouth of a little cave. I looked into it but
could not see one goat, but going further, I perceived by the track
that they had another way from these caves. I therefore thought it
best to sit down and wait till towards evening when they would be
coming to their lodgings. I had not waited long when I heard some
of them bleat, and in a few minutes I saw three or four coming in by
the way I had taken. I fired immediately and wounded one, but before
I could get to it, it had by its struggling fallen a great way down the
rock, and where it was impossible for me to go, and the night coming
on, I was obliged to get out of this dangerous and romantic place as
fast as I could. I was out another day with some officers when we had
better success, for we found the goats feeding in a wood, and before
they could make their escape, killed two. After this they became very
shy, and took so much care and kept so good a look out that we could
not get a shot at them again.
I must not omit to mention the land crab, which is, I think of all
creatures I know, the most ugly and forbidding ; they are made like

THE SKRVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 17
the sea crab, but grow to a great size, and all their legs and some
parts of their body are covered with long black hair. These creatures
inhabit the low marshy ground, and are mostly found among the man
groves, and numbers have taken up their abode in the burying ground.
Notwithstanding their frightful appearance and their filthy abominable
feeding, they are eaten with great gout by the inhabitants and by our
soldiers ; for my own part I never could be brought to taste them.
There is another crab which at a particular season frequents the
savannahs or meadows ; these are very small and of a reddish colour,
and are held in much estimation by the French. I have often dined at
their houses, when a most excellent soup has been served up, made
entirely of these crabs.
The large land crabs are very difficult to be caught except at night,
at any other time they are scarcely seen, and when they are, it is at so
small a distance from their holes, that before you can come up to them
they are gone. At night you have no more to do than to go into the
mangrove woods with a torch, and you may take as many as you please,
for by this light they cannot see their holes. You must be careful how
you take hold of them, for with their claws they give a monstrous
-inch. The negroes here are very dexterous at it, they tie them up in
half dozens and bring them to the soldiers, who purchase them for a
biscuit or two, or some such trifle, and either make soup of them or
roast them.
I do not remember that in all my walks about the island I ever saw a
snake, nor is there any other creature the least off ensive or dangerous.
I have seen one which had some resemblance to the racoon, but it is
harmless and is very * good eating. The iguana is to be found
frequently in the gullies and in the woods on the banks of rivers, it is
very like the lizard, but is very large ; I have seen them near four feet
long. These creatures are very often eaten by the French. The meat
of them is as white as veal, and when dressed is an excellent savoury
dish. After being some time at Fort George, I made an excursion to Lb
Moule, a place about N.E. from Fort George, and where a part of the
65th Eegiment were quartered ; it is situated near the sea side and is a
pretty little town without any fortifications, except a small battery.
In going to La Moule, I went through the town of St. Ann's, where
was another detachment of the 65th, and through St. Francois, which
had likewise a party of that regiment quartered in it. St. Ann's is a
pretty large town, but it had not quite recovered from the distress it
was in at the siege when General Crump visited it. St. Francois is but
a small place. Both these towns have very good roads belonging to
them where vessels may ride with safety, being -sheltered by small long
islands that lie before them. I thought the country all about very
pleasant and agreeable, but it is not equal to the other parts of the
island, either for the goodness of the plantations or the beauty of the
prospects. T)n my return to the fort, an officer of the 65th and myself agreed to

18 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
go the north point of the island. For this purpose I had my canoe'put
into good order, and with two men to row we set off, going down the
harbour and through the salt river, which parts the island. The river
we found very pleasant while there was any wind, but when it was
calm the mosquitoes and sandflies were enough to make one mad.
When we got out of the river we were in the open sea, which was at
this time rather too high to make our situation any way agreeable, and
the wind blew fresh, but luckily it was in our favour. After shipping
many seas and being in no small danger, we arrived before night at
Port Louis, where is a battery of 12 guns and an officer and party of
the 65th Eegiment. We lay here all night, and the next morning
entered our little bark and proceeded. The wind and sea were some
thing abated, and we arrived at Bertrand Bay without any danger.
We met with very civil and good entertainment both from an officer
who was stationed here and from the French. This is a pretty little
village and well situated close by the water side on rising ground.
There is a small battery here. We remained three days, and then set
off for PorfcLouis, but before we reached that place we encountered great
difficulty and danger. The wind, after we turned a point of land called
Antigua Point, blew directly against us. The sea was very high like
wise, and we were for two or three hours unable to gain anything
ahead, and what was worse, we were a considerable distance from the
shore. The waves wereevery moment beating over us, the men were
tired, and we could not get up to relieve them, it being very dangerous
to stir in a canoe, especially when there is any sea. We could not
venture to turn about to endeavour to regain the place we had left, for
the waves coming against the broad-side would have instantly filled'
her. We had nothing left but to keep her head to the sea, and do the
best we could. Wemade shift to give the men a dram apiece which
gave them new vigour, and after a vast deal of labour we reached our
port. I cannot describe the pain I felt all that night and next day
from my face and hands which were in one blister from the heat of the
sun and the salt water. We did not choose to leave this place till we
were quite recovered from our fatigue and the weather more calm. On
the third morning we re-embarked, and as it was very calm we soon
ntered the salt river, and arrived at the fort in the evening, where
everyone was surprised to see us, for we had been given up for lost.
My next trip was into Capes Terre. I set off in my canoe across the
bay and landed at Goyave, and then walked to Marigot, where Iwas
very kindly entertained by my friends of the 4th Eegiment who were
now quartered here in barracks built for that purpose. Petit Bourg
had proved such a burying ground to the regiment that they were
obliged to leave it. J
I had an opportunity while I was here of seeing a most extraordinary
method of catching fish. About the month of November a small kind
of fish resembling the sprat comes upon the coast in amazing- shoals '
On discovering these, two negroes, each with a cast net, go into a canoe

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 19
one standing in the head and the other in the stern. When they come
among the fish, the man in the head throws' his net and immediately
jumps overboard and dives after it, and the man in the stern does the
same. In a little while, one of them comes up with his net in his hand
full of fish, throws it into the canoe, and then gets in himself; the
other man directly pops up with his net full and does as the other did,
and thus they go on till they have caught what quantity they please.
What is very strange, they fish in this manner where the water is six
or eight fathoms deep.
After remaining a few days with my friends, I returned to the fort,
From this time to the giving up the island my time was spent as
agreeably as I could wish. I never was the least ill, and therefore,
could have nothing to make me dissatisfied with the place. The
commanding officer, Captain Eoberts, and all the others were extreme
ly good natured, and we lived together in the most sociable and friendly
manner. In the month of June, 1763,1 we were informed that a peace was
concluded, and that the island and Martinique were to be restored to
France. We directly set to work and embarked all our cannon and
artillery stores on board the " Loyalty," an old very large cat.2
On the 2nd July, a schooner arrived with French troops, a poor
miserable looking set of fellows. On the 4th, they landed and marched
into the fort, and we marched out and immediately embarked. One of
our men, by way of plaguing Monsieur when he struck the English
flag, cut the halyards, and they were a considerable time before they
could hoist their White n ~". .This, though very foolish and wrong,
occasioned a great deal of mirth to our people. On the 5th, we sailed
for Basse Terre. On the 6th, the French took possession of Fort
Eoyal, and all the English troops embarked. The lower sort of French
were exceedingly insolent to our people when they were embarking,
though the others were most sincerely affected on our going away, well
knowing the loss they would soon sustain.
On the 7th, all the English set sail for the island of Dominique,
which was ceded to England. Our ship sprung so many leaks that
with the greatest hard labour of everyone on board, we could not
prevent the water from gaining upon us. On the 8th, we came off
Prince Eupert's bay, but did not get in till the 9th in the afternoon,
and but for the assistance we received from the men-of-war, the ship
would have gone down before we came to anchor. Another ship was
ordered alougside of us, and all the guns and stores were taken out
immediately. I went on shore at this place, but was so bitten by the mosquitoes
that I was obliged to get on board again. There are no buildings
1 By the peice of Paris in 1763. Amoag other conditions, England gave up the islands
Martinique, Guadeloupe and St. Lucia ; also the principal part of Cuba with the Hav annah. In
exchange she received the promontory of Florida and th? countries east and south-east of tie
Mississippi. 2An old term for a collier.

20 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
here, except several huts where some English people live, who are
but lately arrived, and sell a few goods. In a few days after this I
went in a canoe two or three miles up a river to get' some plantain trees
for our ship. I met three Caribbs in a canoe in this* river, who were
killing1 fish with bows and arrows. I had the pleasure to see them
strike'several. They are so very dexterous at it that they will strike
them at seven or eight yards distance, and though the fish is swimming
very fast, and a foot and a half or two feet under the surface.
On the 12th, I received orders to remain in this island with a detach
ment, but on my remonstrating, as I had- been so long in Guadeloupe,
another officer who had but lately come out was ordered in my place.
On the 21st, in the morning, we sailed out of the bay, and in the
afternoon we lay to off Basse Terre, Guadepupe.
On the 22nd, we passed close by the island of Antigua and lay to all
night. On the 23rd, about noon, we lay to off Basse Terre in the island of
St. Kitts, and- caught a very large shark, which came from under the
ship and made a snap at the blade of an oar that was hanging over the
boat's side. We baited a large hook with a piece of pork and he
immediately took it. We had great difficulty to get him on board and
much greater to kill him. He lashed his tail about with such violence
that no one dared venture near him for some time, till one of the
sailors with a hatchet gave him a nick that quieted him. He was 11 ft.
long. On the 24th, in the morning, we passe.d by the island of St. Martin
and among other little islands, and in the afternoon took our leave of
land. Nothing happened of any consequence during the passage but
our being put on an allowance of water, and indeed nothing can be so
horrid as the want of water on board ship, and if we had had a much
longer passage we should have been in the greatest distress.
On the 29th of August I saw with the greatest pleasure and satis
faction my native land, after having been absent from it near five years.
On the 30th, in the evening, we came to anchor at Spithead. I
immediately went on shore and remained till the 12th September, and
then again embarked, on the 14th anchored in the Downs, and on
the 16th weighed and arrived at Woolwich.
A few days after my being here, I received orders to join my com
pany then in America. I thought this order rather unkind as I had
been so long abroad, but on my application to General Williamson 1 I
obtained leave of absence till the month of August following, when I
received a letter from the General at my father's in Huntingdonshire
ordering me to join immediately at Woolwich. '

i Kane's List, No. 81. Lieut.-Colonel Williamson commanded the R.A at the pimt *
Louisbourg and subsequent operations till the capture of Montreal in 1760 Wo J!;„j ^P™8 °r
Commandant 1781. at Woolwich. - " ¦ Aled a Colonel

Commandant 1781, at Woolwich

COLONEL JAMES, ROYAL ARTILLERY.

THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 21
On the 12th August, 1764, a large detachment of Artillery under
the command of Major James,1 embarked and went down to Gravesend.
On the 16th, we left this place and anchored at the Nore.
August 17th. — Weighed,, and the same evening came to in the Downs.
August 18th. — Exceedingly bad weather.
August 19th. — In the morning weighed anchor and set sail with a
good wind.
August 23rd. — In the evening, came to anchor in the Plymouth
Sound. Went on shore, eat and drank very heartily by way of taking
leave, and returned on board after purchasing a few things necessary
for the voyage.
August 24th. — In the afternoon we weighed anchor, a delightful
breeze filled every sail and soon wafted us out of sight of land which
I left with much regret.
Our passage to the 20th September glided smoothly on. We had
met with a sloop from Guadeloupe to Bristol and two large sloops near
the banks of Newfoundland. We had encountered no wind or sea
that made it the least disagreeable, but the time was very near at hand
that would show us how uncertain everything is in this world, and how
little to be depended on are the fairest appearances. We lay to on
the banks, but very unluckily could not catch any fish. The greatest
part of the day was fair and pleasant, but towards the evening there
appeared a vast change, angry dark clouds arose on every side of us,
the wind began to howl and freshened every minute, the portentous
birds were flying round the ship, and seemed to warn us of the
approaching danger. The master had paid attention to all those
signs and had put the ship under a reefed fore-sail and a close reefed
1 Kane's List No. 73. Major James and Lieutenant Downman were connected by marriage; Mrs
Downman being a daughter of Mr. Francis Day of Pontefract, Yorkshire, whose sister married
Major James. Major James served many years in North America, he was a man of taste aiid
good private fortune and owned a beautiful house and garden with a valuable library in New York,
which was burnt by the mob during the stamp act riots whilst the owner was on leave in England.
Among the Downman papers is a little note-book which belonged to James, in which he accurate
ly describes the features of the country and scenery in a passage down the Hudson from Albany
to New York. We will quote bis entry for Tuesday June 30th, 1767.
"Northward of Butter-milk fall, twenty yards from the shore, in 39 feet water, muddy
bottom, landed, ascended up an uneven rocky path, but continued through a maze and winding
way under the sylvan umbrage, but sultry hot ; the top a little cultivated by an old Comishman,
whose' sons have two other farms on each side and within half-a-mile of him. On the opposite
shore lives Beverley Robinson.2 The Cornubrian was at the taking of Gibraltar, in the year 1704,
then 23 years old. This old man has 1000 acres for which he and children pay a quit rent of half-a-
crown a hundred. They raise grain for themselves, though not sufficient ; with sheep, pork, cows,
etc. They are wood cutters. The boats fetch it for market at New York, and pay nine shillings
dear, and six or seven, cheap, a cord, market price sixteen cheap, thirty dear, oak. Think of a
man, a helper in the taking of Gibraltar ! one of the jewels in His Majesty's Crown ! to be
imbosomed in these high lands, where from the top, a ship, a skiff, a buoy, is almost too small for
sight." That James had a fellow feeling towards any one connected with Gibraltar, we can well
understand for in 1771, he wrote his most learned and exhaustive book, in two volumes, " The History
of the Herculean Straits, now called Straits qf Gibraltar," a work of much excellence. He also
mentions on his way down the Hudson, passing Ducking Island, reckoned midway between Albany
and New York and so called because unless passengers pay a bottle of wine they are ducked as in
passing the tropics. Major-General James died a Colonel Commandant in 1782.
2 Beverley Robinson's house still stands, from whence General Benedict Arnold conducted his
correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton, and where he met Major Andre, on September 22nd,
1780, to arrange the final terms of his treacherous proposal.

22 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A
topsail. The wind at length began to blow a gale and increased till
about 12 o'clock at night, when it blew with such astonishing violence
that the fore-topsail was torn to atoms in an instant, and the fore
mast in the greatest danger of going over-board. By this time the
sea had rose to such a height that the waves which rolled after the
ship were as high as the mizen top, find from tho darkness of the night
appeared rather as mountains of fire, threatening every minute to
burst in a deluge upon us and at once engulph the vessel and crew
beneath its torrents. "The stormy genius of the deep seemed to have
forsaken his cavern, to bid the tempest spread its blackest pinions turbid
and terrible with hail aud rain, pour its loudening blasts in whirlwind
forth, aud from the lowest depth upturn the world of waters." The
ship is in the greatest danger; several seas break over the quarter, she
is first down ou one side, then the other, she is wheeled in dizzy whirl
her helm with difficulty guided ; at" length she is thrown on one side
and in this torturer! condition remains a minute or two, no soul on
board expected she would rise again, but the supreme hand of Him
who is the disposer of all events raised her up, and with her our droop
ing spirits.. The storm continued all night, and the next day several
seas broke into us ; one in particular, determined on mischief, broke
upon the quarter, and drove upon the port. A deluge o£ water came
in and set every thing swimming that was in tho cabin, from hence it
found its way into the steerage and almost overwhelmed the officers'
wives and a number of children. The shrieks of the one and the
crying of the other, aud the condition everyone was in with the danger
of the ship, made our situation excessively distressing. . At length after
three days of this dreadful kiud of weather, that Providence which
had hitherto protected us, ordained that tho wind and sea should
have some respite, which gave us an opportunity of congratulating
each other on the recovery from such imminent danger. In this gale of
wind tho lading of the ship shifted, which gave her a considerable heel
to one side, aud as cannon was our cargo, it was impossible to remedy
this mutter at sea ; we were therefore obliged to pursue our passage in this
perilous situation. On the 4th of October, in the morning, we discovered
laud, but ou our nearer approach found to our no small mortification
that we were 30 leagues to leeward of our port, and therefore stood
out to sea, and ou the 7th October, we made the Navesink ; here a
pilot came on board of us and we brought to within side Sandy Hook,
aud remained all night. The next day, the 8th, we anchored at New
York,

During Lieutenant Downman's first tour of service in America
between 176 1 and 1772, tho agitation resulting from the measures
adopted in l/b3, by the Euglish Parliament to increase the revenue
hitherto collected from the North American colonies was in full force
His being in Florida, far away from the principal scene of discontent
and disaffection in Boston aud Massachusetts Bay, may be tho reas ""
he has left no record of the events. After his return to Englan(J he

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 23
appears to have kept up a correspondence with his relative, Colonel
James and other friends, and he has preserved some interesting letters
written at the out-break of tho War of Independence in 1775. As we
now come to his own experiences in the campaign of 1777, these letters
are inserted here. LETTER I.

It does not appear by whom this letter was written, but it was penned
the day after the action on Bunker's Hill. Bostm, 18th June, 1775.
We left Cork early in April, and after a very tedious and disagree
able passage of seven weeks, arrived here on the 2Gth of last month.
On our lauding we found eveiythingin the utmost confusion, partly
arising from the murmurs of the soldiery, the difference of opinion
among the superior officers, the want of fresh- provisions, the great
unhealthiness of the troops, and above all, the misery of the wretched
inhabitants, destitute of food, raiment, or property.
.Yesterday morning the troops were ordered under arms at 3 o'clock,
on a boat being sent from one of the ships of war to acquaint in that
the rebels were raising works in order to besiege us and put us between
a cross fire.
The troops destiued for service were landed on the Charlestown side
between 8 an I 9 o'clock, but on account of tho number of rebels, tho
troops did not begin the attack for a considerable time. In tho
prodigious confusion this place is now in, all I can tell you is that tho
troops behaved with the most unexauijjlod bravery, and that after an
engagement of nearly five hours, we forced the rebels from their posts,
redoubts and entrenchments one by one. The victory has cost us very
dear, as we have lost some of the best officers in the service, and a great
number of private men, nor do I see we enjoy one solid benefit in
return, or are likely to reap from it any one advantage whatever. We
have indeed learnt one melancholy truth, which is, that the Americans,
if they are equally well commanded, are full as good soldiers as ours,
and, as it is, are very little inferior to us even in discipline and steadiness
of countenance. Yours etc.

LETTER II.

Faoii Lieut.-Colonel Thomas James, R.A.
June 23rd, 1775.
Dbak Downman, — We are in thickness of war, we have had two
battles1 already, in the last we carried our point, took the lines and a
i Affairs at Lexington, 18th April, and Bunker's HiU, 17th June, 1775.

24 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
strong redoubt, with 2,500 men against 7,000. We have upwards of
80 officers killed and wounded, and the flower of the grenadiers and
light infantry ; some regiments have but five grenadiers left. We had
at one gun the officer and volunteer wounded, and but one man without
a wound. Lemoine1 is wounded, so are Huddlestone2 and Shuttleworth.3
We are well. My volunteer hands have been full. To-morrow I go on
another attack, covering the left in my gondolas, which I have made,
viz., three with a heavy 12-pr. in each prow. Adieu. Thomas James.

LETTER III.

From Lieutenant John Lenthall, 23ed Fusiliees.
to
Lieut.-Colonel James, R.A.
Boston, August 15th, 1775.
The news in Boston much the same as when you left it. I will
collect all I can. Imprimis. We took a captain of a company
belonging to General Lee's Virginia Riflemen, who attacked the
advanced-guard near to your friends' house in the front of our encamp
ment. They got between the guard and lines owing to the darkness
of the night, but ill-timed it, for they attacked us just as the relief
came down, which made our party formidable. The 0iscals called
out to us several times to surrender, but to no purpose, for Phil
Garlick was in the thick of it, instead of which I gave them a platoon,
the other officer did the same, which made them believe we had got
intelligence of their design, and had got a strong reinforcement. It
obliged them to fight their way back, and we ours up to the lines. They
never intended to have fired a shot had not we begun, but their
intention was to have taken us all prisoners. They had ^300, we 60
men. A narrow escape I assure you. We burnt Penny Perry' House
in revenge, and should have taken the whole guard and burnt the
barns up Mystick road, had our men behaved like men and soldiers
and obeyed orders, which were upon no account to fire even if fired
upon, instead of which, without being fired upon, they fired and to
mend the matter ran away without even having their fire returned
wounded Captain Sabine of the Marines, who is since dead and had it
not been for myself, who am sure to be in all the fun, thev had left him
to the mercy of the rebels, but I called to them, and swore I would
i Kane's List, No. 289. "
2 Kane's List, No. 277.
'Kane's List, No. 481.

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 25
fire upon them if they did not return, by which means I got sufficient
men to carry him home. Another officer of the same corps went with
a party to the lighthouse, was killed and all his party killed or taken
prisoners. Williams1 of the artillery, has burnt the King's Arms, Roxbury.
Boston is in an uproar, occasioned by a dispute between Admiral
Greaves, and H^Howell, the Commissioner of the Customs, about some
hay which the latter wanted permission to bring over from one of his
own islands, which the other refused to give leave for, unless Mr.
H/llowell would give the Admiral half. Admirable ! Mr. H. refused.
Mr. H. wrote a card, the Admiral sent a verbal answer. They met in
the street about 12 at noon, high words ensued, the Admiral gave Mr.
H. a box on the ear, Mr. H. returned the blow and knocked his
Admiralship down, he got up and was going, nay, had drawn his
sword, upon which Mr. H. closed with him, took his sword' and broke
it in several pieces, and told the Admiral it was not the first time he had
drawn his sword like a scoundrel on a naked man.
Since you left us the rebels have hoisted a flag on the high hill, on
one side is an appeal to heaven, on the other Qui transtulit, sustinet.
The devil a one of them come within shot of us lately. We have
tumbled down three or four ; not one of them appears, but we fire at
him as you would at a blackbird on a hedge. The day they hoisted
the flag they fired a cannon, and put out a pompous, and like all
other things, a lying advertisement, they say when the Israelites fired,
the Philistines put themselves in battle array.
We have thrown up a couple oifleches, one on the right and another
ou the left of the road side that we came along on the 19th of April2 in
front of the works. We neither know whether we winter on the hill,
or where, or what will become of us.
Colonel GSeaveland3 has put Mr. Martin under an arrest. Martin
told him he would bring him on his knees before the House of
Commons for his late behaviour. Cleaveland has offered him his
freedom, but he won't accept of it. Yours etc.

PART II.

Campaigns in the , American War of Independence, 1777-8.
The War of Independence had been two years in progress when
Captain Downman arrived in New York, in June 1777. But though
1 Kane's List, No. 268. Captain Lieutenant Edward Williams.
1 On the retreat from the affair at Lexington.
3 Kane's List, No. 83. Commanding the Royal Artillery in North America.

26 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
the army had been uniformly successful in its encounters with the
American troops, yet, as all the efforts of the Euglish Government to
conciliate the rebellious colonies had been fruitless, no real advance
had been made towards a settlement of the existing differences.
Before giving Downman's personal experiences, it will not be amiss to
give a brief outline of events previous to the commencement of his
narrative. The battle of Bunker's Hill, June 1775, was followed by a close
blockade of Boston, and at the same time an attempt was made by a
rebel force to seize Quebec and win Canada to the- side of the colonies,
but the inhabitants were thoroughly loyal and the enterprise entirely
failed. In March, 1776, General Howe, who had succeeded General Gage in
command of the army, evacuated Boston and retired to Halifax, Nova
Scotia, until the arrival of a fleet under Lord Howe, together with
reinforcements," enabled him in July to proceed to New York, which
Washington had meanwhile occupied with his army. In the operations
which followed, the Americans were defeated at the battles of Brooklyn
and White Plains, driven from New York and obliged to retire across
the Delaware river, while the English forces overran the Jerseys. At
the conclusion of this years' campaign, the fortunes of the rebels were
at the lowest ebb, and had General Howe utilised to the fullest extent
the victories he had won, it is not improbable the war might have been
brought to a conclusion.
For the campaign of 1777, a plan was adopted for General Burgoyne
to move with a force from Canada by the lakes and unite with one
under General Howe from Now York. The results contemplated
were : to overcome all resistance in the region between the lakes and
Albany, to gain undisturbed possession of the river Hudson, thus
severing the Eastern from the Western States north of New York,, and
to conquer Pennsylvania, whose capital Philadelphia was the metropolis
of the American states. With these objects in view, about the same
time in June that Burgoyne moved from St. John's towards Crown
Point and Ticonderoga, General Howe left New York and crossed
over to the Jerseys with the intention of bringing General Washinc- ;
ton to a general engagement, could he draw him from his. strongly
intrenched position at Morris Town. Failing to accomplish this, Howe,
at the end of the month, returned to New York, and in a few days em
barked his troops on board the transports, when, after a lon°- delay
he sailed for the mouth of the river Delaware, but finding the°naviga-
tion obstructed he steered for Chesapeake Bay. It is during this
voyage that Captain Downman begins to record his experiences as
follows : —

DIARY.

From August 11th, 1777, to October 25th, 1778.

THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 27
Chapter I.

The expedition to Chesapeake Bay. The army lands at the head of Elk
River. Marches towards Philadelphia. Battle of Brandywine.
Entrance into Philadelphia.- Captain Downman takes the frigate
Delaware.On board the Brilliant, at sea,, August 11th, 1777, being the 19th
day since we sailed from Sandy Hook, bound we cannot tell where,
but as is generally believed to Virginia. We have had nothing but
contrary winds since our sailing. Our fleet consists of 12 or 13 men-
of-war and frigates and nearly 300 of other vessels, and about 18,000
troops commanded by Lord aud General Howe.
August 12th. — This afternoon about 5 o'clock we saw land, but not
that part which we want, we being many miles northward of the Capes
of Virginia, and the wind is still contrary. In the evening about 7
the -Admiral made the signal to tack and stand out. The weather is
now insufferably hot.
August 14th. — About noon the wind came favourable, and we
are now standing towards Chesapeake Bay. In the afternoon we saw
the land, and in the evening after dark the Admiral made the signal for
the fleet to come to anchor, which they did in eight fathoms of water.
We were told by some gentleman who came on board to-day that we
were first intended for Philadelphia, but the Admiral learnt while we
lay off there that the rebels had a great number of fire stages and
other impediments in the river, which induced him to alter his first
plan. They said also that General Washington had arrived at the
Delaware with his whole force, two days before us.
August 15th. — This morning early the fleet got under way, and
are standing into the bay of Chesapeake. Our ship has just re
ceived orders from the Admiral to lead in the transports. He sent a
pilot on board, and desired we would hoist a white jack at the mizen
peak and fire a gun for the ships to follow us. We sailed a few miles
up the bay, and came to anchor in the evening, as did all the fleet.
The rebels made fires on the shore to give notice of our approach.
We heard to-day that four rebel ships ran out of the bay last night,
and that two of them were taken by one of our men-of-war.
August 16th. — This morning the whole fleet set sail,- and went up
the bay with a fair wind. In the evening we came to anchor near
Point Comfort. The fleet had just come to, when a very violent
storm of thunder and lightning, wind and rain came on. Our des
tination is said to be Annapolis, in Maryland. About midnight the
storm came on again with greater violence and continued the most of
the night, the thunder and lightning incessant,
August 17th. — This morning the Admiral made the signal for
weighing anchor ; about 7 o'clock the whole fleet were under way and
are standing up the bay with a fair wind. There does not appear to

28 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
have been any damage done last night. To-day is excessively hot,
and about noon it became calm, and the fleet came to anchor.
August 18th.- -This morning about 5 o'clock the fleet got under
way and stood up the bay with a fair wind, and about 1 1 we were
opposite Smith's Point. We can see several small vessels belonging
to the rebels in shore, also a row galley that keeps to windward ; she
came as near as she dare venture and fired a shot at the fleet, but it
fell short. About noon the whole fleet came to anchor near Smith's
Point, the wind being contrary. A packet arrived in the fleet yester
day from England ; she called at New York.
August 19th. — This morning about 8 o'clock the Admiral made
signal to weigh. Wind and tide in our favour, we continued our
progress up the bay till the evening about 7 o'clock, when the
signal was made for anchoring, and we came to in eight fathoms water
near the cliffs of Petuxen, about 32 leagues from Annapolis. A gen
tleman came on board of us to-day and told us that the Fox frigate
had been taken by the Hancock and Congress, two rebel frigates, after
au obstinate engagement ; that a little time after the three ships
were chased by an Eaglish frigate, the Flora, which was soon after
joined by another English frigate, the Rainbow, and that they re-took
the Fox and took the Hancock, the other making her escape. The
Flora had the resolution to give chase to the other three ships, for
the rebels had manned the Fox. During the chase the four ships
were discovered by the Rainbow ; she at first imagined them to be
rebels, but on the Flora ranging up alongside the Fox, and giving a
broadside and hoisting English colours, the Rainbow saw what they
were aud soon came up with them, when the Hancock of 36 guns,
commanded by. one of their best seamen, Admiral Manly, struck to
her with little resistance. The rebel frigate that made her escape
was the Boston.
August 20th. — This morning about 6 o'clock the whole fleet got under
way and stood up the bay with a fair wind. The country on each
side looks extremely pleasant. In the evening about 7 o'clock the
whole came to anchor opposite Poplar Island, a few miles from An
napolis, in about seven fathom water.
August 21st. — This morning at daylight the fleet g~ot under wayj
and continued up the bay with a fair wind. About 9 o'clock we
passed Annapolis, the metropolis of Maryland, a large town all ofj
brick. The rebel colours were flying on both points of the entrance
to the river, and there appeared to be some kind of works. Opposite
to the town is a little creek where are four or five small vessels at'
anchor. Our Admiral, we suppose, has given orders that they shall'S
not be molested, for none of our ships or boats have been sent in"
shore or fired a shot. About noon we passed Maggoty Creek and
about 3 came to anchor at Swan Point. All the morning the rebels
were firing cannon along the shore, we imagine to give the alarm'
and collect themselves. We heard yesterday that General Bumovne
had given the rebels a severe thrashing near Albany.

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 29
August 22nd. — The fleet got under way in divisions and sailed up
the bay as far as Sarafas Creek, and came to anchor not far from
Baltimore about 11 a.m. The water is here very shallow and the
channel narrow. Ships are sent on ahead to sound and place the marks
upon the shoals, which has been done all the way hitherto, so that
not one vessel has yet run ashore, though so numerous, and the bay so
full of sands. It is no doubt a wonderful sight to the Americans.
The country on both sides appears a good deal cultivated and looks
very beautiful. We came to anchor about noon a few miles from
Turkey Point ; in an hour after we got under way again and went
nearer to the Point and came to anchor.
August 23rd. — This morning we got under way and went up to
Turkey Point, and just at the entrance of Elk River we came to in
about three fathom water. The country up the bay towards Sus
quehanna River looks delightful. Several of our small vessels and
boats are sent in shore to sound the depth of water ; they go in shore
without being in the least interrnpted by the inhabitants, and it seems
worth remarking that we have not had a single shot fired at ns from
the shore since our entrance, though the ships have sailed and an
chored far within musket shot several times. We have seen
several of the rebels on the shore and about their houses, and
a good number of cattle, by which it seems they either did not ex
pect us here or are well disposed towards us. We are now expecting
orders to land every hour. Our guns and stores are all in readiness.
It is imagined by some of us that the General's plan is to land all
the troops at this place and proceed to Philadelphia, which place is
not above fifty miles from us, and that the shipping will return and
join us again up the Delaware. This morning early the Admiral
and the General went in their barges up the Susquehannah River
and other places, also up the Elk River to sound the water, and we
imagine to find a convenient place for landing. They were oat from
5 a.m. till 2 p.m. They went on board the Roebuck to dinner, as the
Admiral's ship lies off Sarafas River at some distance. A very
heavy storm of thunder and lightning this evening.
August 24th. — This morning about 9, the signal was made from
the Admiral to draw provisions, so that we shall land to-day most likely.
We were informed to-day that during the Admiral's reconnoitring
yesterday he saw 400 rebel horse up the Susquehanna. The army
under General Howe, Chesapeake Bay, Turkey Point, August 24th,
was composed of : — British Artillery ... 700
2 Battalions of Grenadiers
2 „ Light Infantry
2 „ Guards
Hessians.
Linsing Grenadiers
Minigerode „
Lengereke „
Loos „

30 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A,

Regiments.

du Corps. Donop.
Miabach. Chasseurs.
1st Battn. Anspach.
Jagers. Pioneers.

4th, 17th, 37th, 46th, 5th,
23rd, 40th, 49th, 10th, 27th,
42nd, 55th, loth, 33rd, 44th,
64th; 71st, 16th LtDrag'ns
August 25th. — This morning early the grenadiers and light infantry
got into the flat boats, proceeded up the Elk river, and* landed at the
ferry without opposition. I was ordered on board the Unity,' which
weighed anehor and sailed up the river. About noon we eame ta'
anchor, and the different brigades of artillery landed as fast as they
could. Part of the army were advanced about five miles into the coun
try j the rest were posted along the hills near the water-side. The
whole lay under arms all night, which proved a very bad one. I am
posted with four 3-pounders with the 71st regiment.
August 26th. — The army keep their ground. The artillery are land
ing their stores, etc. This night was exceedingly bad. The army
still untented.
August 27th. — The army still on their first ground:. We are; in
formed that Washington's army is strongly intrenched on Brandywine
heights. I received orders about noon to-day to quit my 3-pounders;^
and take command1 of the 2nd brigade of heavy> artillery, consisting o£
two medium 12-pound.ers, two light 12-pounders, and two 5^ inch how
itzers, with their waggons,- and to march directly. I set off about 3;
o'clock following the 1st brigade. We went about five milesand lay ¦<
under arms all night. The country is beautiful, not many houses, but
the ground that is cultivated seems to be in good order and yielding
corn plentifully. We have met with no enemy as yet; nor any friends.
The country is quite deserted. Cattle and other things have been met :.
with and found very acceptable. General Howe has given strict orders
against any kind of marauding, but it is not in anyone!s power to prfi-=
vent this where there is so large an army and such a mixture of troops..
The Hessians are famous and infamous for their plundering..
August 28th. — This morning about 4 o'clock the Hessiangrenadiers
began to move from their ground, and I followed them. We con
tinued our march till about 1 o'clock, when we came to Head of Elk,
about 12 miles, a most fatiguing march, the roads exceeding bad'
horses very bad, and the sun intensely hot, with nothing to eat or
drink but apples and water. This is the county town, and there are
several very good brick houses, but the inhabitants are all fled except
a Mr. Alexander at whose house our General resides; The grenadiers
and light infantry are advanced a few miles. I was informed by a
sick man who ventured to stay in his house, that General Washington
dined here the day before yesterday, and had with him 500 light horse
and that this morning a party of the rebels lett the town just before
we entered it. The rebel army are a few miles from us at Iron Hill or
thereabout. The light infantry, in taking possession of a hill about a
mile off, exchanged a few shots with some rebel light horse Th« nr.
tillery are formed into a park at the back of the town, and" ourselves"
and men are encamped. It seems we are to remain here a few davs to
SSSSpS" ^P^-^ » P^er order and^ee'd

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A, 31
August 29th. — We remain on our ground without molestation. The
weather intensely hot.
August 30th. — This morning a small party of dragoons, mounted
and dismounted, went out with General Howe reconnoitring; soon
after their departure we heard several shots fired' in a wood a mile
from the town. They saw some rebel light horse. Sent a letter
to Colonel James through Montresor.
August 31st. — A strong detachment under General Cornwallis
marched out this morning to destroy a small magazine. They met
with some rebels, whom they drove off. The 23rd regiment had a
man killed and four or five wounded, the light dragoons had a man
killed and three wounded. Several of the inhabitants have come into
the town. General Howe has issued a proclamation promising pardon
and protection to all who will accept of it It is said by some deserters
that Washinton with 7,000 men is at Iron Hill about four miles from
us. Two soldiers of the 71st regiment were found a little way from
the camp with their throats cut. It is supposed they were plundering
and were set upon by some lurking rebels. Three grenadiers were
taken also by the rebels, and four or five artillerymen are missing, sup
posed to be taken, or deserted.
September 1st, 1777. — Two men of the artillery went off last night.
There has been some skirmishing this morning. Two rebel officers
and three men taken and one killed, without any loss on our side.
September 2nd. — This day, about 12 o'clock, the two heavy"brigades
of artillery struck tents and marched from the Head of Elk about a
mile and a half, and then encamped with the Hessian grenadiers. We
are informed that Lord Stirling1 is at Iron Hill with a strong party of
1 William Alexander known as Lord Stirling, was bom at New York in 1726, the son of James
Alexander, an engineer officer in the army of the Pretender. He served as private secretary on
the staff of General Shirley in America and with him was present at the greater part of the war
against the French. When Shirley was summoned to England in 1756, young Alexander
accompanied him. During the five years he was in England ho prosecuted his claim to the
Earldom of Stirling, (as heir male to the 5th Earl, who died without issue) on grounds of descent
from John Alexander uncle of the 1st Earl. His claim was admitted "by a jury in Scotland,
but was disallowed by the House of Lords because he failed to show that heirs m the direct line
were extinct. Before this decision was arrived at, he had returned to America and adopted the
title which he retained to the end of his life. At the outbreak of the war of Independence,
-in 1775, he sided with the Colonists, served through the war and was made a Major-General. He
was an excellent officer. Previous to his visit to England in 1756, he married Sarah Livingston,
sister of Governor Livingston of New Jersey, and had two daughters. He died January 15th,
1783. A few words may be added about the- 1st Earl, the poet (1580-1640), the friend and pet of
Kings James I., and Charles I. who created him,
Lord Alexander of Tullibrodie.
Viscount of Canada.
Viscount and Earl of Stirling.
Earl of Dovan.
With these titles he received the following gifts, by charter or letters patent, in the New
World.— (1.) Nova Scotia.
(2.) Canada including 50 leagues of bounds on both sides of the St. Lawrence River,
and the Great Lakes.
(3.) A 'Tract' of Maine and the Island of Stirling (Long Island) and the Islands
adjacent.
The " Tract of Maine " embraced all east of the Kennibec River to Nova Scotia and included
Newfoundland. It was a prodigious gift.
He had also given him the power to create one hundred and fifty " Baronets of Nova Scotia,"
nearly fifty of which titles exist to the present day. An interesting memoir of the Earl of Stirling,
(from which these particulars are taken), has been published by Ludwig Schumacher. New York,
1897.

32 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
rebels. September 3rd. — This morning at 5 o'clock we began our march
towards Iron Hill. The grenadiers, light infantry, jagers and Queen's
rangers1 in front, the heavy artillery following the Hessian grena
diers. After marching a little way, a smart firing began in our front.
The rebels fired as usual from the fences and trees. It was briskly
returned on our side and they were pursued for some time. The
army went about six miles and encamped at the foot of Iron Hill.
The guards and 27th regiment are in possession of the summit. On
our march we saw a number of the rebels killed ; the wounded were
either carried off or crawled into the bushes for none were to be seen.
Between 40 and 50 of the rebels were buried by our pioneers, and it
is imagined many more are killed in the woods. I saw in a field a
corporal and five men lying near together, killed by grape shot. Five
others bearing captains' commissions aud a field officer, were carried to
the General. A General Maxwell commanded the whole here, and it
is thought they had upwards of 1,500 men. We had only two or
three killed and about twenty wounded. Some deserters came in
to-day. They mention Washington's being at Christian's or Brandy-
wine Creek with 13,000 or 15,000 men and a number of cannon,
strongly posted. We entered Pennsylvania this day, having passed a
large stone that is the boundary mark.
September 4th. — Remain on our ground very quiet. This afternoon
I walked up to Iron Hill, and had a view of part of the Delaware river
at the distance of about eight miles.
September 7th. — This day about noon the army received orders to
be ready to march at an hour's notice. We struck tents immediately
and got everything in readiness. Lay under arms all night.
September 8th. — About 4 a.m. the 1st division of the army began
their march ; the 2nd and 3rd followed according to orders. We
went through Newark, a deserted and destroyed village. The front
and centre of the army got to the heights of (blank) in the afternoon,
but the rear guard to which I belonged, with the 2nd brigade of artil
lery, did not reach our ground till 11 o'clock at night, after a very dis
agreeable march of 16 hours without anything to eat, and almost suf
focated with dust, owing to the vast train of baggage waggons and
cattle that were in front. We did not meet with the smallest inter
ruption in our march from the rebels, for we took a different road to
that which they expected, and where they had raised works aud col
lected a force. Mr. Washington , is now encamped about three miles
from us on a yery strong ground with 20,000 men. The Congress is
sitting at Philadelphia and have sent positive orders to him to come to
action. Our General and other officers are going to reconnoitre with
a very strong detachment. In all probability a day or two will decide
the fate of America.
September 9th.-A.bout 5 o'clock this afternoon we began to move
forward and made a forced march all night through bad roads
1 Colonel Simooe's Queen's Ranger Hussars, a corps of Provincial horse! 

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 33
September 10th. — About 5 o'clock this afternoon moved forward
and encamped.
September 11th. — This morning about 6 o'clock the army began to
move, one part to the left under General Howe, the other to the right
under Knyphausen with intention to divide the enemy's force and to
cross the Brandywine Creek at two fords. About 8 or 9 o'clock this
morning a very heavy fire began in front, which continued some time be
tween our advanced corps and the rebels, who were posted very strongly
in the woods and on the hills facing the ford of the creek. The heavy
artillery was ordered to make haste, and we galloped our horses some
time, but were prevented from continuing the road by reason of trees
being cut down and laid across. We turned into a wood and after a
little difficulty got into a road that brought us to a very advantageous
situation within shot of the rebel batteries on the other side of the
creek. We immediately bega'n to fire' upon them from our 12 pound
ers and howitzers, and they returned it very smartly. This continued
for some time, likewise a heavy fire of infantry and artillery in the woods to
our right. Presently atotalsilence ensued. General Knyphausen ordered
us to leave off. We began to be uneasy about General Howe, for a
great force of the rebels marched from the hills and woods before us
towards him, but about noon our doubts were eased, for we heard a
firing on our left, at first gentle, but in a little very heavy indeed both
of cannon and musketry. About 1 o'clock we saw the rebels running
in multitudes out of the woods. We now began again with all our
artillery to play on the flying scoundrels ; the fire was returned by
them from all their batteries. At this very time General Knyphausen
ordered the troops under his command to pass the creek, which they
did in the faceof the enemy's batteries and a heavy fire of musketry. We
now saw our brave fellows under Howe push out of the wood after the
rebels. We renew our fire from the artillery to scour the woods, they
fly from all quarters, and our troops rush on their batteries and take
them. By this time it has begun to be dark ; a few hours more day
light would have given us a more complete victory. As it is, their loss
in killed and wounded is very considerable. We have suffered likewise,
but not so much as might be expected from the strength of their situation
and their numbers, our loss being about 400 killed and wounded. It is
impossible to ascertain how many of the rebels are killed or wounded,
but they are to be seen all over the fields and woods ; they themselves
say 1,000 ; no doubt it is more. I have heard by some deserters that
their army with the militia amounted to upwards of 25,000 men, others
say 20,000. We have taken 1 0 pieces of brass cannon, one iron, and a
quantity of ammunition, and about 400 prisoners. We crossed the
Brandywine Creek and lay on our arms all night. The deserters in
form us that the rebel army is struck with the utmost panic, flying
along every road as fast as their legs can carry them, and that the
morning after the defeat, 27 waggons of wounded were seen going
towards Philadelphia, besides those which are to be seen in almost every
house you come to. One officer aud IG men of our artillery were
killed and wounded.

34 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
September 12th. — This day at 1 o'clock we advanced with the artil
lery as far as Delworth and there formed a park. A part of the army
encamped about us, head quarters being about a mile from us. One
part of the army are in possession of Wilmington and another of Chester,.
two places a few miles from us on the Delaware. Our sick and
wounded were sent to Wilmington to be put on board our ships. Gen
eral Howe returned thanks to the army for their excellent behaviour.
A long march of 16 miles, an exceeding hot day, a superior number of
troops strongly posted in woods and hills, with a number of cannon,
are obstacles which none but British troops can overcome.
The Roebuck and a number of our ships arrived at Wilmington in
the Delaware river some days ago.
Sent an account thus far to W. Downman.
Bought a horse for two guineas, two dollars.
From the 12th to this day, 16th, we have lain at Delworth without
anything of consequence happening. We have been busy in sending
off the sick and wounded, and collecting horses to put into the rebel
cannon and waggons. This morning early we left Delworth and had
a most miserable march to Goshen, where we lay all night. It rained
incessantly the whole day and night, and the rebels molested our
march by firing on us from woods and fences, but they were driven off
as usual with considerable loss. Washington is retiring as fast as we
advance. He beats us in running but in nothing else. His whole
care and attention is to keep out of our reach and our only wish is to
be able to come up with him. Deserters are hourly coming in to us.
A rebel general was killed to-day and a good number of men. Our
loss hitherto has been inconsiderable.
September 17th. — We again set forward about 10 in the moraine
through dreadful roads. We had advanced about a mile and a hail
down a hill, when word was brought that the artillery were in the
wrong road. We had to turn about in a narrow road, which took up
so much time that we could only get about 300 yards from the place
we had left when it became quite dark and rain came on. We were or
dered to remain all night.
September 18th.-ThiS morning at three o'clock we began our
march towards the Schuylkul m pursuitof Washington ; a little popping
in the front, some rebels killed. Deserters say Mr. Washington S
making off as fast as he can, and that his army is murmuring and dis
satisfied We imagine he is going to Virginia. A French General1 in
the rebel service was drowned m passing the Schuylkill. We took a
number of prisoners, among them a Lieut.-Colonel and a Major We
came to Valley Forge in the afternoon and encamped *
September 19th.— We have taken from the rebels a ™a™ • t
5,000 barrels of flour, a quantity of rum, 150 hors s, numbe? T1°J
gons, and other stores in abundance. We are' now flWtu ng"
fromaford on the Schuylkill, whioh is on]y l^^fe$£
1 The Marquis de la Fayette and several other French anrl Pni;^ 7~
American Army, and present at the battle of Brandywine, noblemen wore officers in the

THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 35
- September 20th. — The army received orders to march this morning,
but these were countermanded on account of the height of the Schuyl
kill from the late rain. This morning about 12 o'clock a strong de
tachment from our army, under the command of General Grey, sur
prised a body of 1,500 or 2,000 rebels who were intending to attack
our rear on the march. They were commanded by a General Wane.
Between 500 aud 600 were put to death on the spot witliout firino- a
single shot. The bayonet did the business completely. 160 prisoners
were taken. General Grey returned about 1 o'clock in the moraine
to his camp having lost only one Captain killed and 12 men killed and
wounded. September 21st. — The army marched very quietly over a branch of
the Schuylkill near the Forge and store houses called Valley Forge.
We lay all night. Some skirmishing in front.
September 22nd. — This afternoon two detachments passed the Schuyl
kill, the one above, the other below the headquarters at Fat Land
ford. They met with hardly any opposition ; some artillery was
ordered to cover their going over. At six o'clock this afternoon the
heavy brigade of artillery was ordered to march towards a ford on the
Schuylkill called (blank) ; the night was very dark. We recrossed
the little branch of the Schuylkill at the Forge with great difficulty
and lay on our arms till about one o'clock in the morning, fine moon
light, when we again set forward, reaching the banks of the river just
as the day began to dawn.
September 23rd. — We passed with tho cannon very well, and pro
ceeded to a rising ground where we halted for some time, then again.
proceeded to Norrington, where we halted for the night. The river at
the ford is about three feet deep, very rapid, and about 80 to 100
yards wide. If the rebels had the least' spirit or resolution they might
have defended this pass ; not that they would have prevented our get
ting over, but they might have killed us a number of men. I believe
there is not an army in the universe better disposed or in better order
to fight than this one. The rebels fly before us ; they run whenever
we advance. They say we are mad or drunk or we would never dash
in among them as we do. Our light infantry are the finest set of fel
lows in the world for this mode of fighting.
The country now begins to open out the nearer we get to the
metropolis, and there is some variety in the prospeGt. Cultivation is
more perceptible. Hitherto we have seen scarce anything but a
continuation of wood, with now and then a small farm house and a
field of Indian corn. The army, however, has been well supplied with
fresh meat and flour, and abundance of forage for the horses. Very
few of the inhabitants have remained in their houses, those who have
alone saving their effects. It is otherwise with the deserted houses.
September 24th. — We left Norrington and marched to Germantown
without opposition. The Aliens met their father and families at this
place, all well. We encamped here ; a very rainy disagreeable night.
September 25th. — This morning orders were given for six ^pound
ers and four howitzers, the British and Hessian grenadiers, and two

36 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
squadrons of horse to march to Philadelphia. The artillery were in
front, the day was very fine, we entered the town with drums and
music, the roads and streets were crowded with people who huzzaed
and seemed overjoyed to see us. Whether they were pleased or not
at our entrance, they must have been struck with the appearance of
a body of such fine fellows as the British grenadiers. It was a fine
sight. September 26th. — Early this morning appeared in sight over Glou
cester Point below the town, two frigates, five galleys, and a sloop,
beating up towards the town. I had the honour to command two
12 pounders and two howitzers. I had everything ready to receive
them in a little time. My guns were drawn down on the bank en
tirely exposed. I received the disagreeable orders not to fire at the
ships until they fired at me, which made me extremely uneasy.
They came very near us ; they still came nearer — within 300 or 400
yards. A shot was fired from one of my guns at them. They hoisted
rebel colours, and soon after began to fire. This gave me pleasure for
then I could fire with safety. We began a brisk cannonade from all
our guns ; it was returned by them with both round and grape shot,
and their galleys, which were at a greater distance, kept up a fire upon
us likewise, and fired many good shots though fortunately they did no
harm. One of the frigates called the Delaware came within musket
shot of our guns, and fired several rounds of grape. We plied her
very close and threw her crew into such confusion that they neglected the
management of the sails, and after a few more badly directed shot, she
ran aground close to our guns. We still kept up the fire, and in a short
time she struck her colours. We hailed her and desired her crew to
come ashore, which they did, and a party of. men was sent on board
her. Oar fire now was immediately bent upon the other frigate and
the row galleys, and our shot was so well plied that they were obliged to
to put about and stand down the river very much disabled. It was Com
modore Alexander's frigate we took; she mounted twenty-two 12 pound
ers and six 6-pounders, and had on board 152 men who were all landed
given in charge to the Provost ; they lost but very few people and we
not one. One of the galleys was obliged to run ashore on the Jersey
side to prevent her from sinking. The frigate was set on fire during
the action by our shots, but happily we soon put it out. The same
afternoon a number of rebel sailors entered voluntarily on board of her
to fight on our side. Strange work! She was very soon got
off into the channel and made ready for action. We expect every
hour to be at it again, for there are no less than 13 row gallevs and
other vessels to the tune of 26, about eight miles below us, and as soon
as our ships can pass the obstacles in the river we may expect them
up. A. great number of the rebel ships are likewise, above the town.
Sometnne in the afternoon a schooner attempted to pass the town
downward In a yery few shots we dismasted and so disabled her that
she ran ashore just opposite the town, but as we lacked boats to send
to her, they_ carried her away in the night after unloading her Thus
ended the msolent attempt of their boasting Commodore/with two

THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 37
frigates and five galleys, each carrying a 32 or 24 pounder, op
posed only by four 12 pounders and two howitzers, three of those
being drawn up on the bank without the least covering. We have
taken several iron cannon within a few miles from town, 12 and
18 pounders. We proved them; two 18-pounders burst to pieces,
but did no damage.
A copy of Captain Downman's report of the action with the frigate
Delaware being among his papers, it is inserted here : —
To Colonel Pattison,1
Commanding R.A.
Sir, — I have the honour to report that early in the morn
ing of September 26th, two rebel ships, five galleys, and an armed
sloop were seen beating up from Gloucester Point to Philadelphia.
I commanded at the lower end of the town four medium 12 pounders
and two 5^ inch howitzers, and gave directions for everything to be
in readiness for action. Captain Standish3 commanded the same num
ber of guns at the upper part of the town. In the preceding night
a platform had been laid for only two of the 12 pounders ; the other
two and one of the howitzers were therefore placed upon the bank by
the water-side as conveniently as the ground would admit. The ships
and galleys by this time were approaching very fast. I had received
orders not to fire till I was fired at ; the situation was disagreeable
for the largest ship was within 400 yards, and in another tack or two
would have been alongside our guns. She had hoisted before this
time rebel colours. A gun was now fired at her, the shot went on
board, and we could plainly discover threw the people into confusion.
She returned the fire, joined by the other ship and all the galleys.
The fire was become general and continued so for some time. The
largest ship still seemed inclined to push past our guns, but by receiv
ing some shot, and a shell which set her on fire, the people were
thrown into great disorder, neglected the management of the sails, and
she ran aground within 250 yards of our guns. In this situation she
remained several minutes and fired many rounds. She then struck
her colours. Whilst she was aground, Lieutenant Vaughan3 with
two 6" pounders was ordered to a rising ground retired from the water.
He fired three shots before she surrendered. A non-commissioned
officer was sent to hail her, and order their boat on shore, which command
was instantly complied with, and as no artillerymen could possibly be
spared from the guns, which were now all turned on the other ship
and galleys, ten of the grenadiers were sent on board, and with them
1 Kane's List, No. 55. Colonel J. Pattison commanded the R.A. during the latter part of the
American War. He was appointed Commandant of New York, July 6th, 1779. He died,
March 1st, 1805.
* Kane's List, No. 233.
3 Kane's List, No. 415. Lieutenant T. L. Vaughan was killed in the action at Freehold Court
house, New Jersey, June 28th, 1778,

38

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.

went Captain Moncrieffe1 of the Engineers, by whose activity and
cleverness the fire was extinguished. So far from any other soldiers
than artillery taking the ship, there was not one man to assist at the
guns; manv of the townspeople did, and were very serviceable. The
ship taken was the Delaware, a rebel frigate of twenty-two 12 pounders
and 152 men. The other ship carried 20 guns, some of them 18
pounders. The galleys had each an 18 or a 24 pounder.
I have the honor to be, etc., etc., etc.,
Francis Downman, Captain Royal Artillery.

CHAPTER II.

The attack on Germantown. Preparations to attack the Fort on Mud
Island. The rebels attack the battery at Province Island. The
attack on Red Bank. News of General Burgoyne.
September 28th] 1777.— General Howe came to town to-day. Lord
Cornwallis commands in town. Our chief commands the army en
camped. Washington, it seems, is hovering about us, but is afraid to
venture near. A great number of the inhabitants have remained in
town. I. don't know how their hearts are disposed but they carry
pleasure in their faces. Mr. Rocher, a clergyman, was taken into cus
tody to-day just as he came out of church ; he has been preaching
against the King, and influencing the minds of the people for this
three years, and this morning had the barefaced impudence to preaph
for His Majesty. His finesse would not do. A great number of the
rebels desert to us every day.
From this day to October 3rd nothing very particular has happened.
No vessels have attempted to pass the town. Colonel Sterling with
his regiment the 42nd, and the 10th, was sent to Chester ; from thence
he crossed the Delaware with the assistance of our men-of-war,
took and destroyed Billingsport, a fort of eight cannon on the Jersey
side, and then returned. A good deal of firing from the galleys at
our ships that are trying to move the .chevaux-de-frise% sunk in the
1 This able officer performed such meritorious services during the war, that it is of interest to
give the following particulars. Sir Henry Clinton thus mentions him in connection with the siege
of Charlestown, May, 1780: — "But to Major Moncrieffe, the Commanding Engineer, who planned,
and, with the assistance of such capable officers under him, conducted the siege with so much judg
ment, intrepidity, and laborious attention, I wish to render a tribute of the very highest applause
and most permanent gratitude j persuaded that far more flattering commendation than I can bestow
will not fail to crown such rare merit".
Of this officer it may be remarked, that he was not more happy in the possession of superior
talents, than fortunate in occasions to display them. The successive sieges of Savannah [October,
1779] and Charlestown famished him with opportunities of exemplifying his skill in the two princi
pal branches of his profession; the art of defence and that of attack ; in both, his masterly designs
were crowned with success ; nor is it easy to determine in which of them his great attainments in
his profession shone with highest lustre. Stedman's History qf American War, Vol. II, page 187.
2 The chevamx-de-frise consisted of three rows of immense beams of timber, bolted and fastened
together and stuck with spikes. It was sunk across the river a little below the place where the
Schuylkill empties itself into the Delaware. The upper line was flanked by a fort on Mud Island
and the works at Red Bank ; the lower, by works on the Jersey shore at Billing's Port. When the
fort was taken ; Captain Hammond in the BoebucJc, made an opening in the lower line Stedman,
Vol. I, p. 296. ' '

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 39
channel by the rebels. It is reported that Washington is near the
town with his whole army, and by intercepted letters we learn he is
collecting all his force, with an intention to make an attack on our camp
at Germantown.
October 4th, 1177. — In the morning during our march I heard a great
deal of firing of cannon near Germantown. I was informed that
General Washington with his whole army of 25,000 men had taken
advantage of a thick fog, and the supposed absence of a number of our
troops, to make an attack upon our advanced body, the 2nd battalion of
light troops. They sustained the enemy's whole force for a considerable
time till others came to their assistance. The fire then became pretty
general and very warm, and continued so for some time. At length
the rebels gave way in all quarters in the utmost confusion, leaving
behind them a great number of slain and prisoners, five of their gene
rals, 500 slain, buried by us, besides wounded carried off and 500
prisoners. Our loss is not very considerable. General Agnew and
Colonel Bird are killed; Colonel Walcot, 5th regiment, is dangerously
wounded, and about 350 officers and men killed and wounded, of these 60
killed, ahd between 300 and 400 wounded. ¦ The light 12 pounders and
fieldpieces had a share in the day's action, and had several men wounded.
Traille1, Stewart2 and Huddlestone3 were with the light 12 pounders.
During the engagement in Germantown, Colonel Musgrave had the
good fortune to throw his regiment, the 40th, into a large house,4 from
which he did very great execution, notwithstanding the rebels had four
pieces of cannon playing upon the house with round and grape shot,
making it like a riddle, and he lost but very few men. The rebel
army was pursued by some of our troops a good way beyond Chestnut
Hill, but they had taken the precaution of having a great number of
horses to their guns, by which means they escaped.
October 6th.~~The rebels have got about 40 vessels near the chevaux-
de-frise and have been firing all the afternoon, and till 10 o'clock at
night, at the Roebuck and other of our ships that are near them. We
learn to-day that Lord Howe is arrived in the Delaware.
October 7th. — The 8 inch howitzer and mortars are preparing for
service ; we suppose, to fire on the rebel fleet.
October 8th. — This afternoon at 4 o'clock Captain Standish marched
with the 8 inch howitzer, 8 inch mortars, and two medium 12 pounders,
escorted by some grenadiers and 10th regiment, down to the ferry
near the entrance of the Schuylkill, to destroy the rebel shipping,
to endeavour to land on Province Island,5 and to silence their forts on
Mud Island. About 10 o'clock this night we heard a great firing
from the rebel fleet, which continued a good while. They were firing
at our battery of two 12 pounders on the point of the Schuylkill.
1 Kane's List, No. 221. Captain Peter Traille.
* Kane's List, No. 247. Captain John Stewart.
3 Kane's List, No. 277. Captain W, O. Hu.ldlestone.
4 Chew's House.
5 Formed by the junction of the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers about three .miles below Phila
delphia.

40 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
October 9th. — I was ordered to march to the ferry to relieve Captain
Standish. I got there in the evening. He had not crossed the river.
October 10th. — I continued in the battery at the entrance of the
Schuylkill, the galleys now and then giving us a shot without effect.
We are situated in full view of their whole fleet of 30 differently armed
vessels at the distance of about a mile. A party of our men with en
gineers passed the ferry this afternoon, and during the night threw up
a battery. October 11th. — About 1 o'clock this morning Captain Montresor1 in
formed me that the battery on Province Island was ready to receive
the howitzers and mortars, and desired me to march and cross the
ferry directly. I got there about half past 2, and had got an 8 inch
howitzer in the flat, but for want of some care the flat went to the
bottom in an instant, with several men and horses, and one of
each was drowned. This accident prevented our doing anything
further for the night. In the fore part of the evening two 12 pounders
had been taken over, and one of them dragged up to the battery through
a mile of mud and water, for the whole island is a flat, and from rain,
and the rebels cutting the embankment, the whole was nearly under
the water. The battery is raised within 400 or 500 yards of the fort
on Mud Island and open to all the rebel shipping, and their galleys
can go within 150 yards of it. About 6 o'clock this morning the
rebels discovered our work, and began and continued a constant fire
from all their vessels and batteries upon it till about 4 in the afternoon.
About 10 in the morning they landed some troops who marched up
to the battery, attacked our people and for a little time were in
possession of it. Our force on the island at this time was very small,
not above 200 men; they were in great danger of being cut off and
losing the two 12 pounders. A Major V . . . . commanded ; he was
hurrying off the island in boats as fast as he could, and had he not been
prevented, the island would undoubtedly have been in the possession
of the enemy. He was ordered back to support those that remained,
and by the activity of Captain Moncrieffe the battery was re-taken, and
some soldiers. As it was, the rebels carried off 50 prisoners of the
grenadiers and 10th regiment, who, I am sorry to say did not behave
as they ought to have done. Four artillerymen were taken, and an
ammunition waggon was blown up by a shot. I was relieved by Capt.
Standish about 5 this afternoon. In the night one 12 pounder was
drawn off the battery and brought near the ferry house. The howitzer
that was sunk in the flat was got up again, and the two pieces with
the mortars and ammunition waggons all crossed the ferry, and remain
there till the battery is ready to receive them
October 12th.-This morning the rebels began again to fire and kept
™UP l WA TB tXT ?6y W killed and w°«"ted some of ours
They landed a party of men, but they were soon driven off again
The engineers are going to-night to strengthen the battery and E
some works. I rode from town this morning, crossed th/ferry and
1 Chief Engineer. " 

THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 41
walked to the shore within 400 yards of their floating battery, and re
turned to town in the evening.
October 13th. — This afternoon at 3 o'clock I marched from town
with a detachment to relieve Captain Standish on Province Island,
crossed the ferry and remained till 12 at night, when the Engineer in
formed me the' battery was ready for the howitzer and mortar. I set
off directly across the causeway, but horses and waggons falling over
the bridges through the badness of the roads, we did not get to the
ferry house, only a mile, till 3 in the morning. It was then thought
that daylight would be coming on before the things could be taken to
the battery, therefore we remained here all day.
October 14th. — This evening about 10 o'clock I moved from the farm
house with an 8 inch mortar and howitzer down to the battery facing
the fort on Mud Island, and got them into it after a great deal of diffi
culty from the shockingness of the road, which is nearly all under
water and has many deep holes in it. Everything here is carried on
by night, for in the daytime the rebels fire both round and grape shot
at anybody they see. This night was very favourable, for the island
was covered with a thick fog, and under this cover another battery
was begun and finished before daylight, to contain a howitzer and
8 inch mortar, which were also got down and ready to open as soon as
the fog cleared up. These two batteries are exactly opposite the fort
at the distance of about 600 yards. The batteries are 200 yards apart,
but have a safe communication by means of the embankment which
serves as a breastwork for the battery guards. The rebel boats were
rowing about a good deal in the night, and seem to be preparing for
some fun.
October 15th. — The fog did not clear up so that we could distin
guish anything plainly till about 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning, when
I fired the first howitzer into the fort. The other battery began dir
ectly after me, and we kept up the ball for some time without their re
turning a shot. At length they began and fired very briskly at us, but
djd no. damage. This morning another battery of ours, of two iron 18
poundei'Sj opened upon the rebel shipping and fort ; unfortunately one
of these guns burst and badly wounded two or three men. This bat
tery was begun and finished in the night ; its situation is on the point
of Province Island near the Schuylkill, and it is called the Pest-house bat-
terv. Immediately after our fire commenced, the whole rebel fleet moved
out of reach in great hurry and confusion, receiving some damage from
our shells. Their Commodore and large ships went near Gloucester Point,
and their floating batteries, galleys, fire ships, and rafts went under
the Jersey shore at Red Bank, where they are collecting forces and
raising works. I was relieved this evening by Captain Standish from
one of the most horrid commands that ever man was upon, the whole
place under water, and the battery itself knee deep, almost torn to
pieces by the rebel shot, and made so badly at first that several shot
have gone through, and we have no safety in it but by lying down on
the platform.

42 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
October 16th.~The batteries have been firing a good deal this morn
ing. This afternoon I relieved Captain Standish on the Island. A
rebel barge with eight men deserted to us this day.
October 17th. —We fired a good many shells from our batteries into
the fort.
October 18th. — I visited all the batteries on the island and fired
several shells, which the rebels returned, v-nf, did "g rm rnigp.h^f, "We
have it reported that General Burgoyne has been defeated,1 and that
General Clinton has taken Fort Montgomery and some other places on
the North river by storm.3
October 19th. — I went to the batteries this morning and began to
fire on the fort. The rebels opened all their batteries and blockhouses
upon us ; their grape shot' came so thick that we could not stand to
our guns. They damaged the middle battery so much that I was
obliged to desist altogether from firing from it. One of our shells set
fire to a quantity of powder in the fort. The rebels opened a battery
from Red Bank and threw several shot over our 12 pounder battery.
Two medium 12 pounders are fixed at this battery in lieu of the two
rebel 18 pojunders, one of which burst, the other was hauled off and
is not to be fired any more. I returned to town, and made my report to
the General of the damage the batteries -had sustained. Orders' were
sent down not to fire any more till they were put in proper order again.
An escort went last night to Chester to bring from the ships a 13 inch
mortar, etc. Lord Howe and the fleet are now there. General Howe
and the whole army are moved from Germantown close to Philadelphia,
where redoubts are throwing up and other works, quite from the
upper part of the town to the Schuylkill.
October 20th. — This morning about 4 o'clock a firing of cannon and
musketry was heard near Gloucester Point. We roused all hands up
and went to our batteries in town along the shore. We heard a num
ber of boats rowing. We thought the galleys were coming to- fire on
the town, and just before daylight they came within hail of our sentry.
They answered they came from our fleet. Twelve flat-bottomed boats,
under the command of Captain Clayton, had pushed up in the night,
and boldly run under the enemy's forts and batteries, and passed their
whole fleet with the loss of one man. These boats come up with pro
visions etc., we imagine to facilitate a landing on the Jersey shore.
This afternoon a great deal of cannon firing below, from our row galley
and some of our advanced ships, and the rebel galleys and the forts
and our batteries. This morning Major Farrington3 came to me from

The action of October 7th, in which (after a hardly contested fight against superior numbers),
a portion of General Burgoyne's intrenched position near Saratoga was earned at the end of the dav
The brave am able General Frazer was killed; 200 prisoners, ninl pieces of attfflery, a^theWipaTe
w^ere capTuTed g " ^ "nU"mt °f ammmiti(m (°f ^<* ** enemy we7re much Sf )
- Sir Henry Clinton on October 6th, stormed aud took forts (Th'Tit™ <,v,^i tut * -^ , -,
on the north branch of the Hudson. The object was to open communi^tio^rfT617- SltUa *&
Albany, which would be useful when Burgoyne had estabhXd bim™here Zhtfl ™e* ™th
was known of his difficulties. auwi uimseii tneie. At this date nothing

3 Kane's List, No. 84.

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 43
Brigadier-General Cleaveland1 to request that Iwould take thecommand
of two 5^ inch howitzers ordered for immediate service. I was not
ordered, he said, but the General, hoped I would go as the service
required a good officer. Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! They were to be ready to
embark at 4 o'clock in the morning. I had everything ready by
3 o'clock, the morning rainy and very cold at first, but cleared up as
the day advanced.
October 21st. — Three battalions of Hessian grenadiers, one ditto
Minigerode, one ditto Mirbach, with ten Hessian 3 pounder guns, and
myself with the howitzers, began to embark in the flat-bottomed boats
and other craft from the wharf at the upper end of the town, and
crossed over to the Jersey side, landing without the least opposi
tion. The whole were commanded by Colonel Donop. We began
our march as soon as the last artillery were over, and about 8 o'clock
at night came to Haddonfield, where we remained till 4 o'clock next
morning. October 22nd. — We again set forward and only had a few popping
shots between this place and Red Bank where the« rebels have raised a
strong fort with cannon. It is absolutely necessary that we be in
possession of this fort for it not only protects their vessels, but also
would annoy our shipping very much in passing whenever we are
lucky enough to get over their chevaux-de-frise, and it likewise com
mands Mud Island, so that should we take Mud Island, unless we had
this fort also we should be very much disturbed from it. For these
reasons General- Howe ordered a detachment to storm it. Colonel
Donop asked to be employed on this service, which Was granted him,
and myself and men were the only English on this duty. We arrived be
fore the place about one o'clock ; at noon we examined it, and saw the
rebels at work which showed that the fort was not finished, or that they
were adding something to it on hearing we were near them. I think,
therefore, we should have stormed it directly without the least loss of
time as it was to be done in daylight, but instead of an immediate
attack,.we did not begin till 5 o'clock in the afternoon. The advancing
of the troops was preceded by a brisk and close fire of all our artillery
which continued some little time. Colonel Donop then ordered the
whole to cease, and called to his troops to advance. They did so with
a quantity of fascines to fill up the ditch in front of the fort. Then
began a very hot and close fire from the rebels, both of cannon and
musketry which was kept up without intermission from the time our
troops advanced till they retreated again.' It is hard to say what was
the cause of this attempt failing, but so it did, and whether from in
ability of the troops to fill up the ditch and mount the breastwork,
from the loss of Colonel Donop and a number of officers at the first
onset, or from being flanked by the row galleys with grape shot,
whether from being tired from the march, or from want of spirit and
activity to push forward over those who were killed and wounded in
the front, is what I shall not presume to determine. It is enough to

i Kane's'List, No.

44 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
say that we were obliged to retire, and that in much confusion, for by
this time it was quite dark. We retired about a mile all in bustle and
disorder, then stopped about an hour or so to get the troops disposed
into some order, and to collect the wounded aud carry them in the best
way we could, for not a waggon was thought of, and had it not been for
the ammunition waggons a number must have been left behind. This
night's march was as melancholy and as disagreeable a one as ever I
experienced; it was dark and excessively cold-; the roads were deep
and narrow and enclosed with wood ; we lost our way twice and had
to turn about the guns and waggons in the narrow road ; the very
worst of all manoeuvres. The horses were very bad and almost tired
out, the drivers were a set of scoundrels. Add to this the groans of
the wounded ; the idea of being attacked in the rear by a sally from
the fort while pent up in a road where we could not possibly make use
of our cannon, and the probability of an encounter in front or flanks,
for until day appeared we had no flanking parties out. We were lucky
in meeting with no molestation except a few shot that did no harm.
About daylight of the 23rd we repassed Haddonfield and continued
our march to the ferry opposite Philadelphia where we arrived about
11 in the morning, so that, between 4 o'clock in the morning of the
22nd and 11 o'clock in the morning of the 23rd, we had marched
about 42 miles, and been well thrashed into the bargain, so much for
storming with  . I crossed the river and went home most
heartily tired and very low spirited, for the rebels not only gained the
advantage on shore, but they have had the satisfaction of seeing the
Augusta, a 64 gun ship, and the Merlin1 sloop blown up to-day. This
fatal acccident I was told was owing to their running aground or upon
the chevaux-de-frise in attempting to pass them, the galleys keeping
a constant fire upon them the whole time. I have not heard what
number of men were killed or wounded in the storm, or what number
the men-of-war lost.
October 24th. — A great many fascines are ordered to be made im
mediately and taken down to Province Island. I am informed to-day
that the Hessians had about 400 killed and wounded, and that Colonel
Donop is not dead but very badly wounded and prisoner. A great
loss for he is a brave and good officer. A great many Hessian officers
suffered in the attack.
October 25th. — I rode down this morning to Province Island. The
galleys had been firing a few shot at our ships. I observed the' rebels
repairing the blockhouse that was .blown up by our howitzers and
also at work at the battery at the lowermost point. We have now a
13 inch mortar on the island which is intended to throw pound shot
into the fort. r
, f1! I? T7 ^™ntly.reP°jted that General Burgoyne. has met with a
total defeat, that he himself is wounded and a prisoner, and that 5,000

1 These ships with others passed through the openine in the lower rj»„^„, j ,c- j  T
fastandhad to be destroyed* Such were ^l^rLt^^^t^^l^t

THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 45
of his army laid down their arms. Should this be true, I think we to
the north are in a ticklish situation, and our prospect here is not the
most pleasing. Our army is in want of provisions. We have no
possessions but three or four miles round Philadelphia which is drained
of everything. The rebels have cut off our communication to Chester
by placing themselves in its neighbourhood. We now get our pro
visions with great risk, as the boats in their way from the shipping
have to. pass the fort on Mud Island and their vessels, and the work
can only be done at night. The successes the rebels have met with
will give them good spirits and I make no doubt will be the cause of
a great many joining their army. If the river is not made passable the
consequences may be bad ; something must be done and that soon,
for the longer we delay the stronger they will be. Lord Cornwallis
and General Grant were over at the island to-day. I hope with inten
tion to plan something for bur good. The army will either be obliged
to leave this place, or starve if our ships do not soon get up. Major
Vatass and Captain Blackmore have been tried by a general court-
martial for their behaviour on the 11th instant on Province Island.
The Major commanded the whole, the Captain commanded on the
battery and scandalously suffered 60 or 70 rebel militia to take 50
English soldiers and two officers belonging to the 10th regiment and
grenadiers. It seems he would not suffer his men to fire, and absolutely
hoisted a white handkerchief as a signal of submission. The decision of
the court is not yet known. This is one of the most disgraceful events
that has attended us. Donald Maclean, a matross in the artillery, who
was that day in the battery, has received the thanks of General Howe
in publick orders, and ten guineas for his behaviour and conduct.
Maclean repeatedly pulled down the captain's white handkerchief, and
the captain at length exclaimed, " Will nobody, will no grenadier, blow
that artilleryman's brains out ?" The Major and Captain were per
mitted to sell out.
October 27th (Monday). This afternoon about 3 o'clock I went
down to Province Island and relieved Captain Scott.1 It rained when
I went and continued without intermission till Wednesday following
and was exceedingly cold. The island is entirely under water and so
deep in many places that the relief could not pass, consequently
many were obliged to remain in this dreadful situation for 48 hours,
without any cover, without any fire, and above their knees in water on
the platform. This is at present the situation of Province Island, and
it is expected that the trifling batteries on this island (notwithstand
ing all the improvements) are to silence a much superior fire better
situated on Mud Island.
October 29th. — This afternoon with great difficulty and no small
danger of being drowned, I. waded from the island to the town. It is
said a battery of some 24 pounders is going to be made on the island,
and also a floating battery or two and nothing will be attempted till
1 Kane's List, No. 274. —Captain A J. Scott died in Newfoundland, September 1779.

46 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FEANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
these are ready ; that, then ageneral attackwill take place, both from our
shipping and from land. This afternoon Major Cuyler, aide-de-camp
to Geneial Howe, embarked from the lowermost end of Province
Island with the mail and despatches for England. Sent letters to
Mrs. Downman, also £50 which she is to receive of Mrs. Standish.
October 30th. — Everything remains quiet about the town. Colonel
Donop, who was wounded at the attack on Red Bank, is dead, much
regretted. The Hessians at that attack did not lose any more than
180 men killed, wounded and missing. It would have been more to
their honour if their loss had been greater. It is now past a doubt
about General Burgoyne ; he has suffered himself to be enclosed on all
sides by the rebel army, and for want of provisions has been obliged
to surrender his whole army prisoners of war, to be sent to England
and not to serve during the present rebellion. Forty-nine pieces of
brass cannon with all their ammunition waggons, etc., are become an
easy prey to the rebels, besides a great number of small arms. This
is such a capital stroke against us that it is doubtful whether we ever
subdue them. This added to our failures here will give them the
greatest spirits and push them on (in all probability) to make an at
tempt on New York, or unite their armies and endeavour to retake
Philadelphia. We are informed by an officer who has brought the
horrid news that Captain T. Jones1 and Lieutenant Clieland,3 of the
artillery, are killed, and Blomefield3 wounded. General Clinton has
been very successful up the North River ; he has taken all the forts
and strong places in the highlands, aud opened a passage to New
York.

The disaster at Saratoga having so momentous an effect on the
narrative before us, it is opportune to mention here some of the causes
which led to it.
The plan of this expedition was wisely designed, but it was a mis
take to entrust its execution to General Burgoyne, who though a
brave and a skilful officer was unacquainted with the continent of
America, and had no experience of the kind of warfare peculiar to the
country. Had the command been conferred on General Sir Guv
Carleton, who so successfully defeated the rebel invasion of Canada
in 1775, and who thoroughly understood the kind of troops he would
meet and the peculiarities and difficulties of the country in which he
would operate, the campaign might probably have had a different
result. The composition of the army was carefully and well arraSS
but it was an error to send so large a train of Artillery (uoward! of
50 guns) to move about in a wild and trackless region thou A com
July eTh6!8 ^ N°- 460-L~ant leland was killed in the action at S.encsborough,
eom^lhe^r-wlK^f t^AtZt' *° ^f^ 1 ™»**
expedition to Copenhagen in 1807, LI was made a Baronet com™nded the R.A. in the

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A 47
of Minden renown. The guns, it is true, were used with signal suc
cess and admirably and gallantly served on various occasions, yet in
the end the train was an encumbrance, hampered the movements of
the army at the most critical moment of its career, and was one of the
causes which prevented its making good the retreat to Fort Edward.
General Burgoyne has been too severely condemned for this misfor
tune, and the view held by his adversaries is no doubt a more just
one than that of his own countrymen. The American historian Lee,
one of the best and most impartial, and who commanded a partizan
corps duriug the ' war, thus writes of Burgoyne : — " Where is the
General who ever more prodigally risked his life in his country's
cause than the unfortunate Burgoyne ? Where the army which more
bravely executed its loader's will, than did that which he conducted ?
What danger was avoided ? What efforts unessayed ? What priva
tions not submitted to ? What difficulties not encountered ? But all
terminated in disaster ; and the army from whose prowess so, much
was expected, yielded to its equal in courage, to its superior in num
bers." . _ . . General Burgoyne's force which had left St. Johns
on the river SoreJ numbering 7,200 men exclusive of artillery,
amounted to abouif5,700 juen when it surrendered on October 17th,
1777, to the 13,00(T"under the command of General Gates.
Sir William Howe cannot be held clear of all responsibility for this
misfortune. After his failure to draw Washington to a general action
from his position at Morris Hill and his return to New York in June,
he embarked a great part of his army during the hottest part of the
year, kept it in idleness for three weeks on board the transports, and
then sailed, when he was sure to meet contrary winds, around the
Capes of Virginia for Chesapeake Bay. If instead of making this ex
pedition against Philadelphia, he had. operated up the Hudson River
towards Albany ahd stretched out a hand towards General Burgoyne,
it is unlikely the Americans could have collected sufficient force to
have overpowered his army.
Some reference to the important results which the surrender at
Saratoga produced on the history of the American War will render
more intelligible the subsequent narrative.
The early and rapid successes of the Canadian expedition under
General Burgoyne at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, with the destruc
tion of the American flotilla on the lakes, had raised most sanguine
expectations in England respecting the results to be attained from its
favourable issue ; it was therefore with proportionate disappointment
and despondency that intelligence of the total loss of this army was
received. In this state of popular feeling the ministry decided to
adopt every possible means to put an end to the war, by repeal
ing the tax on tea, and appointing Commissioners with the fullest
powers to treat with the Colonists for the removal of all grounds of
complaint, and for opening intercourse with the mother country. To
frustrate these overtures, the court of France, which from the begin
ning of the rebellion had secretly encouraged the rebels, and clandes
tinely supplied them with money, arms,- and ammunition, now threw

48 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNVAN, E.A
off the mask, and in February, 1778, entered into a_ treaty of com
merce and a defensive alliance with the thirteen colonies of America,
the result being the rupture of diplomatic relations between England
and France in March, and <the out-break of hostilities without
declaration of war in June. Such were the political consequences
which attended the capture of Burgoyne's army.
At the seat of war the effects were not less important. The capture
of a whole army of their adversaries had a great effect on the moral of
the American troops. Hitherto the superiority of the British troops
in everything, and their almost universal success in the field had
caused the Americans even when on equal terms to meet them with
reluctance, but now the latter took heart, and animated with fresh .'
ardour and iucreased confidence in themselves renewed the conflict
with vigour, while at the same time the Congress was further stimu
lated to use its utmost exertions to recruit its armies and supply every
thing necessary for their efficiency.

CHAPTER III.

The attack and capture of Mud Island. The rebels abandon Red Bank
Various expeditions. La Fayette's affair at Barren Hill. The Mis-
chianza. Captain Downman leaves the army through illness and goes
to New York.
October 31st, 1777. — We are now making two floating batteries up
the Schuylkill intending to act against the fort. This should have
been done a month ago, but as in everything else we act like snails.
We have no spunk ; neither life nor spirits appears in anything we do.
By our delays and trifling attempts we point out to the rebels where
their works are deficient and give them time to complete them.
November 2nd, 1777.— Things are pretty quiet except a little pop
ping at the ferry on the Schuylkill between our advanced troops ,iud
some rebels on the other side. Six 24-prs. are come to Province Is
land from the Eagle man-of-war to make a battery against the fort
which will be set about directly. A few cannon shot were fired by our
ships at the rebel galleys this evening.
November 3rd.— I rode down to Province Island; thin o-s seem to
be preparing for a little fun. Our ships are nearer the chevaux-de-
frise than usual. Two floating batteries for 32-prs. are in forwardness
and fascines and planks are ready for the batteries. The rebel shin-
ping moved a little lower down towards Red Bank to-day Lord
Howe intends fitting out two or three vessels with large o-UUs to net
with the others now making ready. Less than a week will determine
who is to be master of the river Delaware.

THE SERVICES OF LlEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 49
November 4th. — I went down this morning to the 12-pr. battery on
this side the Schuylkill, and observed the rebel shipping were in reach.
I fire four shot, one of which went into the provision ship, and the
others went so near them that they immediately quitted their station
and went more over to the Jersey shore and higher up towards Glou
cester Point.
November 5th. — I went this day at 1 o'clock to relieve Captain Scott
on Province Island. I found tho six 24-prs. drawn up to Blakney
house. As soon as it was dark, so that we could work with safety, we
began to repair the road down to the battery for the guns. Several
rounds of round and grape shot were fired at us from the fort without
doing any damage. This afternoon about 5 o'clock all the rebel gal
leys drew up in form, and went down and began a very heavy fire at
our two uppermost men-of-war. They continued near an hour firing,
but at such a distance that they did little or no execution. Two or
three of the galleys felt more bold than the rest and ventured pretty
near the men-of-war that had hot yet returned one single shot, but
when he saw them at a tolerable distance John Bull began to speak
to them in so rough a tone that they tacked about and made the best
of their way back after expending a great quantity of ammunition.
The attack was very beautiful, the evening was fine and a dead calnij
the galleys rowed down in two divisions, and though the smoke had a
great effect their fire was incessant The rebels opened a two-gun bat
tery on the Jersey shore to-day aud fired several shots at our men-of-war,
but John Bull did not care a fig for them and lay immovable as a rock.
The day is not far off that wo shall repay them with very great interest
for all their incivilities. General Howe visited all the batteries on
Province Island to-day, and has given directions to repair those that
want it, and to push on the 24-pr. battery with all haste. Its situation
is on the right of the left hand howitzer battery aud nearly opposite
to the centre of the fort on Mud Island. I attempted to get down the
24-prs- to the battery, but the night turned out so bad, dark and
rainy, that, after trying from 6 in the evening till 2 in the morning,
I was obliged to desist.
November 6th.— I was relieved this afternoon by Captain Adye.1
November 7th. — This day Captains Traille, Standish, Stewart, aud
Huddlestono with three subs and 160 men were ordered down to Province
Island, thereto remain till further orders. They are to get the 24-prs.
ou the battery and see everything in readiness and order for the day of
opening. November 8th. — This morning I went down to the island. The
2 1-prs. not yet ready. Tho rebels seem very busy in their fort.
November 9th. — Two 32-prs. were got to the battery near the Pest
House. The 12-prs. were drawn off. Tliese guns began a fire on the
fort on Mud Island, and by their situation very much damaged it and
annoyed the rebels. I got down from town an 18-pr. and placed it
' Kane's List No 308. Captain S. P. Adye, Brigade-Major to Colonel Pattiecn, R.A. Ho
afterwards was appointed Judge Advocate Gcner.d to the Army.

50 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
near the 12pr. battery on this side the Schuylkill to disturb the rebel
shipping that lie at anchor off that point.
November 10th.— -This morning the 24-pr. battery and all the other
batteries on Province Island opened upon the fort and kept it up the
whole day. The rebel fire damaged our works and killed two men.
Before evening their barracks, blockhouses, and other work appeared
in a tattered condition, and one of their batteries was silenced. Two
brigs and two sloops with provisions from our fleet passed the fort in
the night and got up the Schuylkill without any loss, though the fort
fired both cannon and small arms at them.
November 11th. — As soon as daylight appeared our batteries began
again, and in a short time silenced one of the rebel batteries. A few
men were wounded to-day. By my application a battery was made
this evening for a gun on the wharf about halfway between the Pest
House and our batteries. It was made and a medium 12-pr. got on
by the morning. The gun by situation flanks the'rebel works, and of
course must much annoy them. It also commands a wharf opposite
to it on Mud Island and prevents the enemy from coming down to fire
on our boats that pass and repass every night with provisions and am
munition. November 12th. — The firing from our batteries in a small degree
kept up during the night and pushed on with vigour when day appears.
Our men-of-war are approaching nearer the chevavx-de-frise. The
Vigilant is to come up as soon as the tide will admit her. She is not
to come over or through any part of chevaux-de-frise, but up a creek
between Province Island and another small isle. Her station is to be
on the angle of the rebel grand battery and on the right of our bat
teries. A sloop, likewise, with three 1 8-prs. is to follow the Vigilant,
and after she is moored the sloop is to anchor just ahead of her. The
men-of-war are to approach as near the chevaux-de-frise as possible
and to keep up a fire on the fort and prevent their galleys from falling
on the Vigilant. The floating battery with two 32-prs. is to be sta
tioned on the left of our batteries, and a detachment of the guards is
to be in readiness to storm,
November 13th.— The wind blows exceeding hardly ; the Vigilant
cannot come up, nor the floating battery get down. Our batteries
keep up a constant fire with cannon and mortars. The fort appears
a perfect wreck ; they return our fire but very faintly. The wind
abated in the night. The floating battery went down and took her
station. November 14th.— This morning at daybreak the rebels discovered
the floating battery and directed all the guns they could against it and
in a very little time obliged the officer and men to quit her. The shot
went through and through but fortunately they lost but one man It
was now proposed to take the guns out of her and put them on the
wharf where I had made a battery. As soon as night came on, boats
went down and towed her alongside the wharf, and one gun was taken
out and put on the platform ; the other remained in her
November 15th.— In the morning early our batteries'renewed their

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 51
firo. The 32-prs. at my wharf annoyed their boats and galleys and
did much damage to the fort. The morning is fine, the wind moderate
and fair. Our men-of-war approach close to the chevaux-de-frise ; all
the rebel galleys go from Red Bank and attack them, but are obliged
to retire. The ships, our batteries, all are pouring a constant and
well-directed fire into the fort. The blockhouses are entirely demol
ished. Several explosions in the fort. They seem to be in the great
est distress aud confusion. They have made signals for assistance.
A number of boats go to them through our fire. About 12 o'clock
the Vigilant appeared, instantly brought to in her station, and began
to fire on the fort. The sloop drew up in her place and kept a con
stant fire. It was a glorious sight. On one side of the fort was to be
seen a number of galleys, floating batteries and ships keeping a con
stant fire on our ships ; on the other side, all our batteries, the
Vigilant and sloop pouring in a tremendous fire on the fort, and from
the men-of-war a no less vigorous fire was directed into the fort and
at their galleys. At length, after firing on both sides without inter
mission the whole afternoon, the galleys, floating batteries and xebecs
all moved away. The fort seemed to be totally in pieces; necessary
orders were given to storm in the morning. Before dark six or seven
of the rebel galleys rowed up towards the fort as if to attack our ships
again, but we soon perceived that they had some other intention.
They collected at the wharf on the other side Mud Island, and we
concluded that they were either landing more troops or taking off
those that were in the fort. They were in this situation about an hour,
small boats also passing and repassing between the fort and Red Bank.
Our cannon here did much execution in both galleys and boats for
they were quite exposed. The fort at this time was totally silenced.
The night brought en a cessation of firing, except now and then a few
shot and shell from our battery. About 12 o'clock at night we were
all surprised to see the fort in flames, and to all appearances every
part of it seemed to be on fire. We now concluded the rebels had
quitted it at the time the galleys were lying at the wharf, leaving only
a small party to destroy it. It burnt very fiercely all night.
November 16th. — At break of day we discovered the rebel colours
still flying and the fort almost totally destroyed but no appearance of
any person. In a little time the Vigilant sent her boat well manned
ashore; one of the jacks mounted the flagstaff, tore down the rebel
and hoisted in their stead English colours. I got a boat and went
over. One man was found upon the island who informed us that tho
rebels had suffered very much, losing about 50 mon killed aud between
70 and 80 wounded. The" fort is strong and had it been stormed a
very considerable loss would have been the consequence. Nothing
that could add to its strength was left undone. The island is nothing
but a marsh enclosed with a bank. They have cut ditches, they have
made trous de hup and stuck a frise in every part outside the stock
ades, which are very high and put close together, loop holes being cut
through these pickets from which they could pick off your men and
you could not possibly hurt them. The firo had not consumed the

52 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
whole buildings ; two ranges of barracks was all that suffered from
fire, but our shot had completely demolished every part of it. The
blockhouses were knocked entirely to pieces, a great number of their
guns and carriages were rendered useless by the shot they have re
ceived, in short it is in such a battered situation that it is past des
cribing. In almost every place you see blood and brains dashed about,
and hardly a spot in the whole place that has not a shot. The only
cover the rebels had was outside the fort under a stone wall. Here
it was I saw some of the guards (who had gone over under the command ;
of Sir George Osborne) digging up or pulling out of the ditches the
poor wretches that had been killed, most dismally torn and mangled
by cannon shot, and strippiug them of their shoes or whatever they|
had on them, and then dashing them into the holes again with as little
concern or feeling as a butcher shows in killing or cutting up an ox.
Their determination to quit the island has been precipitate for theyi
left some of their guns loaded and unspiked, and a quantity of powder
and ball and other stores. Twenty-eight cannon from 82prs. to 40prs.
and ten other guns sunk in a boat near the wharf.
A battery for four 24-prs. began this morning intended to keep off
the galleys from our ships while they are getting up the chevaux-de-A
frise. In the evening I went to town after being eight days upon
Province Island, a volunteer, and going through a very great fatigue.
night and day. All that time I had not my clothes off, nor got more
than an hour or two's sleep at a time. General Howe returned his ;
thanks to the artillery on this occasion.
November 17th. — A report prevails that the reinforcement of 3,000
men, which arrived a little time ago in the river, are ordered to land
on the Jersey shore aud to march towards Red Bank, and that another.
strong detachment from here will land also and proceed to the same
place. The junction of the parties will be the decisive stroke against
that place, for the very idea of being surrounded is what they cannot
bear. General Washington and his army are in or near Germantowji,
and their light horse and our advance pickets are daily skirmishing.
November 18th.— I went on command to Mud Island. I got two
18-prs. mounted on our new battery. Two 32-prs. are to be put on
this battery also. The rebel vessels, except the galleys, are moved
from Red Bank and gone near to Gloucester Point. The ^alleys this
afternoon were in motion ; we expected them down to the lort The
reinforcements from New York are landed on the Jersey's, and have
been joined by a large detachment from our army; ' their intention is
to invest Red Bank ; Lord Cornwallis commands.
November 19th.— Early this morning I observed the galleys in
motion and prepared everything to receive them, but instead of paying
us a visit they went and joined the fleet at Gloucester Point; at the
same time the rebel forces made a movement at Red Bank and from
everything we could discover such as ammunition waggons on the
march people carrying bundles, and boats being filled with barrels, we
conclude they were evacuating the fort and works at Red Bank, which
if true, our fleet may be before the town in a little time, as wo cannot

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 53
meet with any interruption in removing the impediments in the river.
I was relieved this afternoon and went to town. A report prevails
that the rebels have quitted Red Bank and intend destroying a num
ber of their vessels. Wrote to Colonel James by Captain Layard.
November 20th.— This morning about 1 o'clock we were roused out
of our beds. Some deserters from the rebel galleys had informed the
General that all the galleys intended to be up at town about daylight
to set fire to our frigate, the Delaware, and to cannonade tho town.
In a little time wo were prepared to receive them, having manned and
got our guns ready, but they did not come.
November 21st. — The rebels have abandoned Red Bank, have left
18 pieces of cannon, and blown up the magazine that contained a great
quantity of powder. A vast quantity of shot and other stores were
-found in their works. Lord Cornwallis's army took possession and
we are now destroying it. Mud Island is also to be destroyed and
the cannon and stores brought to town. This evening tho rebels set
fire to their whole fleet, except the galleys which, under cover of a
dark night stole past the town and went up the river. A brig and
sloop attempted to pass, but they were prevented by our batteries
and the frigate and ran aground just opposite the town, they were set fire
to, and after burning a considerable time blew up. The loss of this
fleet of 30 or 40 vessels, some of them considerable size, must be a
heavy blow to them, as almost all of them had a great quantity of
powder, guns, and stores on board. The explosion of some of tliese
was so immense that the whole town was shook as with an earthquake.
By the taking of Red Bank and Mud Island and the extinction of the
fleet, the river is now entirely free, and our vessels are coming up to
town every tide. The chevaux-de-frise will be instantly removed and
in a few days our men-of-war will be before the town. General Pat
tison and John Williamson's1 company are landed and are at Red Bank
with the army. Our redoubts and lines round the city are finished
and are very strong, so much so, that we need not be under the least
apprehension of Mr. Washington's attack, though he threatens hard
and some of his ragamuffins are firing at our pickets every foggy
morning, but are always driven back with loss.
November 22nd. — The artillery are ordered to be in the redoubts
every morning before daylight. Three hundred rebels made their ap
pearance iu front of our lines aud attacked the outguards, but were
driven off with the loss of seven killed and some wounded ; not a man
of ours was hurt.
November 23rd. — Our ships are coming up very fast and things re
main pretty quiet ; a little skirmishing indeed every morning between
our pickets and the rebels.
November 24th. — Lord Cornwallis's army have destroyed the works
at Red Bank, and are expected in town to-morrow or the next day. It
is rumoured an attack will take place on Mr. Washington in a few
days. Ammunition for all the field artillery is ordered to be put into
Kane's List, No. 219.

54 * THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
waggons, and the works round the town are being completed with
cannon and ammunition.
November 25th.— General Pattison of the artillery arrived in town
this morning. Williamson and his company are embarked in the Lord
Howe and expected in town. They arrived the 26th. Everything
remains pretty quiet about the town.
December 4th, 1777.— The army had orders to march this morning
at 6 o'clock in two divisions, but during the night countermanded ; j
everything has been pretty quiet.
December 5th. — The army marched this night towards Chestnut?
Hill. A severe illness prevented my being out with the army.
December 8th. — Nothing yet transpired about our army. It seems
by report of deserters that General Gates has joined Washington witksj
5,000 men, and the whole are strongly posted at White Marsh, a little
distance from Chestnut Hill. General Cleaveland and Major Farring-
ton went this day for New York. I wrote to Colonel James by the
latter. This morning about 8 o'clock the whole army returned without
doing anything, except losing a few men, about 50. They found
Washington in great force and strongly entrenched, and an abattis'be-
fore him, upon a hill above White Marsh. Our general saw that they
could not be forced without a great loss of men and without any
material advantage attending it. A successful blow at this juncture
against the rebels would be attended with perhaps no other circum
stance than driving them a littlo further back, which would answer
very little purpose, as all the forage both for man and beast is nearly
gone for many miles round this place. He therefore very prudently
retired after making several movements to induce the enemy to leave
their stronghold, but they were too wise.
December 10th. — I made application for leave to go to New York
for the recovery of my health, but General Howe would not grant.
it, — unkind, when I have got my illness by a fatiguing duty and can
not possibly do any this winter, and yet could not obtain an absence of
only three months. He told General Pattison he was sorry I was ill
and hoped I should be able to remain here, that I was a good officer,
and that he had good reason to bo satisfied with my behaviour. A
little flum not amiss now and then. A foraging party of about 7 000
men under Lord Cornwallis went over the Schuylkill, they met with
littlo opposition from the militia under General Potter and a part
of Washington's army whom they drove across the river over then-
own bridge, and who destroyed it that they might not be pursued by
us. As it was we killed a good number of them, took some prisoners
and returned to town the next day without any loss and with 300
waggons full of forage. Lord Cornwallis and several officers are
going to England The 71st and the Mirbach regiments are going to
T«!7 *¦?¦ Lu°rd Cornwallis went home in the Brilliant about the
loth ot December.
December 22nd.-A.hont 10,000 of the army under the command of
General Howe marched by the left over the pontoon bridge at Gray's
ferry, I hey extended themselves from two miles beyond Derby to

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A- 55
the side of the Schuylkill and remained there without molestation,
except a little popping, till the 28th December, when the whole re
turned and took up their usual quarters. They have collected a good
deal of forage, which it seems was the only intent of the Commander-
in-chief, though from his being with them it was imagined something
else was at first thought of. Ten or twelve light dragoon were sur
rounded by the rebels through venturing too far into the country and
were taken, and a few others were also captured in marauding. The
snow and cold weather begins to set in pretty severely.
December 24th. — This evening about 6 o'clock the rebels brought
down in the front of the 2nd redoubt two light field guns and fired a
few shots at the town ; our redoubts returned their fire and drove
them off with great precipitation, for the rangers advanced al
most immediately, but the scoundrels fled. Our lines were manned
throughout and remained in readiness the whole night, but everything
was quiet. What they could mean or intend by this trifling mis
chievous little spurt I cannot find out, unless one of their generals had
laid a bet that he would fire a shot into the town in spite of our re
doubts. The nights were very dark, tbe road hard and good, so that
it was no very difficult matter for them to bring a light 3-pr., fire
three or four shots and then gallop away again. It could answer no
purpose except to knock on the head a woman or child, for the shots
went far over the redoubts and nearly into the middle of the town.
If they had meant an attack during the night or at daybreak they
never would have been so imprudent as to fire a gun or give the least
alarm till they were ready, as they must know that such proceedings
must put us on our guard. I visited the different redoubts at 10
o'clock, and as everything appeared quiet, I went to my quarters fear
ful of getting a relapse of my disorder, as the night was very cold.
Our army are still out foraging. We do not hear they have met with
tho smallest interruption. A sentinel of the 40th regiment deserted
from his post last night. He was stationed between the 5th and 6th
redoubts ; the countersign was ordered to be changed by the advanced
pickets in consequence. Wo are informed by some country people
who are coming in daily, that the ridiculous spurt of the rebels was
quite a drunken frolic; it was proposed over night when drinking by
some of their officers, but not without first being informed for a cer
tainty that General Howe and his army were out foraging.
December 28th. — The frost is set in severely cold. The army re
turned from foraging. Many are surprised that it was merely em
ployed in the work; The Commander-in-chief being with them has
. given room for these conjectures and remarks. Several of our small
vessels, in coming up the Delaware or going down, have been driven
ashore by the ice, and some have been taken with clothing and officer's
baggage on board. The rebels ought to be very civil to us, for I am
sure we are very tender and considerate with respect to them. We
have dilly dallied and shilly shallied till the river is frozen up, by
which means several of our ships have been caught, stripped of their
cargo, and then set on fire.

56 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DQWKMAN, R.A.
January 4th, 1778.— It is only now that we have thought or at least
done anything about laying in wood. A good large detachment is
every day employed in cutting wood and bringing it to town. Ihey
bring it from the other side the floating bridge that is made over tho ?
Shuylkill between the 10th and 11th redoubts. Skirmishing every dayj
between our light horse and the rebel horse. They lost a major and
several officers killed, and 13 taken prisoners yesterday,
February 2nd. — Many deserters came in to-day. A colonel belonggj
ing to their army was seized by some of the cavalry people andbroughjl!
a prisoner to town. The river is now entirely free from ice, and tho J
weather is very fine.
February 6th. — Thirteen sergeants and a corporal of the rebel ar- '1
tillery came in to-day. An officer and many others deserted to us
yesterday. February 23rd. — The two regiments of dragoons made a long march
into the country, and' returned with 130 head of cattle and a number
of prisoners.
February 24th. — In the night about 11 o'clock the two battalions}
of light bobs embarked in flat boats, went down the river, and landed!!
at Billing's Port on the Jersey shore. It seems the General has re
ceived information of. the rebel General Wane with a body of men
under him being there or near collecting cattle etc. for the rebel army.i
February 25th. — This night about 12 o'clock the 42nd regiment
embarked in boats and crossed over to the Jerseys opposite the towni.1
We imagine the intention is to make a junction with the light infan
try and most likely by this manoeuvre they may surround Mr. Wano
and his cattle. It is reported with great confidence that the people of :
the Jerseys, finding themselves so torn to pieces with exorbitant fines
and penalties laid on them by congress, have sent to assure General*!
Howe that if he will. send them some troops to support them, they will?
unanimously take up arms against their lawless masters. Should this
be true it will be one of the most favourable circumstances that can
attend us.
February 27th. — The light infantry returned without doing anything.
March 1st, 1778. — The 42nd returned after destroying 12 or 14 of'
tho rebel vessels, and brought in some prisoners without any loss.
Geueral Wane made an attack on them in the evening, but they drov@|
him off in an instant and pursued him a great way, but he ran too fast.
The snow set in very severely and continued, till the 6th with hard
frost. March 6th. — This morning the 1st light infantry aud a party of
dragoons marched from town beyond Chesnut Hill, surprised a party
of the rebels and returned in the morning without loss, brin airier 20 or
80 prisoners.
March 12th. — A number of ships and small craft went down the
river to-day with the 17th, 27tb, and 46th regiments, supposed for
forage. Ten or twelve ships "from Rhode Island came up town to-day
with forage, very opportunely. The rebels have got at Wilmington
Creek several galleys and other vessels with which they annoy ours

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, B.A. 57
very much. They have just now taken two of the Rhode Island fleet
and destroyed them ; they have also taken the Alert belonging to
Captain Montresor, with several officers' wives and much baggage and
valuable things on board. It is no honour to our navy or army that
this nest of rebel vessels is suffered to do so much mischief. An at
tack both by land and water would be the means of effectually taking
and destroying the whole.
March 14th. — A large ship from Ireland with recruits came up to
day. The weather for this three days past has been remarkably fine
and so warm that fires are laid aside.
March 17th. — At night a party of light bobs and dragoons went out
about eight miles, surprised a rebel guard, killed four or five and
brought in near 20 prisoners.
March 20th — A party of jagers and Philadelphia light horse went
after a party of the rebels who had approached the Schuylkill to set
fire to some barns. They came up with them, charged them, killed a
captain and several officers and brought in 13 prisoners without losing
a man. I was told to-day that not less than 1,600 rebels have de
serted to us since we have been here, mostly Irish. We are informed
that Mr. Washington is making a bridge of boats over the Susque
hanna, near a mile in length. By this one would suppose his inten
tion is to leave this part of the country and to return to Virginia,
where we cannot easily get unless we again embark and proceed by
the Chesapeake, and then perhaps he would tack about and return
hither. March 25th. — -This "day Major Williams1 of Artillery, who was taken
prisoner with General Burgoyne's army, came to town from New York
through the Jerseys, accompanied by General Lee the rebel. It is im
agined a general exchange of prisoners will soon take place.
March 27th. — The January packet arrived to-day from New York.
I received a letter from Mrs. D., Miss Day, and Colonel James.
March 28th. — A number of vessels arrived to-day from England
with recruits and provisions, last from New York. The lion is roused
at last, all England is up in arms, every county is raising troops and
the whole nation seems determined to prosecute the war and to crush
this monster rebellion. It is a glorious ardour, every honest British
heart bounds with joy to find his country so unanimous. When Eng
land is determined and unanimous who can beat her ?
Tho three regiments that went down the river the other day re
turned the 28th, after collecting a great quantity of forage without any
loss and disposing of a few of the rebels, i.e. bayoneting them and
bringing some prisoners.
1 Kane's List, No. 131. Major Griffith Williams sailed with his company iu the ordnance
•tore ship Charming Nancy for the St. Laurence in March, 1776. There was published in " Notes
and Queries" in November, 1897, the regulations drawn up by the officers on board for preserving
harmony and decorum among themselves during the voyage. 'These regulations are both curious
and amusing, but too long to quote here. The record is.made by George Williams, a volunteer
and nephew to Griffith Williams. He served with his uncle throughout Burgoyne's campaign and
carried the flag of truce to General Gates on October 13th, 1777. After his reture home he entered
Parliament and was member for Ashton-under-Lyne, and J.P. for Lancashire. Died 1805.

58 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.,
Avril 5th ^.-Information being received that a body of rebels,..
conttl^f font 300 ^™^™^£*^
StTndtndeTarb U^W*£ waence they marched to,
throve town, but the rebels being apprised of their *£g*™£
orudently withdrew, except six who fired out ot a house, weio stormed
Fntheh castle and bayoneted, and a rebel light horseman met with tho
same Me. On the return of our party they heard that about 40 of
KTrebdswere lodged near Cooper's ferry, on which they directed
their march to that spot in such a manner as to surround them and,
after a short skirmish in which several were wounded, made 26 of
them prisoners, amongst whom were a major and two subs. Oar
troops received not the least injury in their excursion. Our light
troons are almost every night making excursions into the country,
sometimes 20 miles aud upwards, and as often return with 30, 40, or
50 prisoners, besides killing and wounding many without the least loss
to themselves. .
April 10th.— -The February packet arrived from England, some,
vessels from Rhode Island and from New York.
April 14th.— The Aldborough, a new frigate, Captain Keppel, ar
rived bere in 28 days from England. She brought dispatches for
General Howe. Poor old England ! and must you knock under to
April 22nd.— -The light bobs made a dash near Chesnut Hill in the
niffht surprised a captain's guard of 80 rebels, killed some and brought
in the lieutenant and 53 men without any loss. Lord Howe arrived^
from Rhode Island on April 16th. Two large redoubts are begun in
front of the others and are being carried on with great expedition;!
they are situated upon the rising ground at the distance of 300 yards.
This appears, I think, as if we intended to act upon the defensive.
April 30th. — This night a small party of the light bobs, dragoons,
Queen's rangers, and a few Pennsylvania dragoons left this at about 11
o'clock and proceeded up the Old York road. About a mile beyonll
the Billet they fell in with Lacy's brigade of rebel militia consisting of
about 500 men, and immediately attacked them. Lacy at first made j
some appearance of opposition, but in a few seconds his men were
thrown into confusion, obliged to retreat with precipitation, and were
pursued about four miles. They left between 80 and 100 dead on the
spot, and yesterday between 50 and 60 prisoners, besides waggonetfs
and 10 of their waggons laden with baggage, flour, salt, whiskey, etc.,
were brought in by our troops on their return. A good many of tho
rebels were wounded, but wo cannot ascertain the number. The wag-s
gons were burnt with all their huts and what baggage could not be
brought off. The loss on our side was seven men wounded and two
horses killed.
May 2nd, 1778. — Two regiments are gone across the river to the
Jerseys with some light cannon bpposite tho town. Redoubts are
likewise going to be erected there.
May 4th.— Sir Henry Clinton arrived from New York. He is to

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. £9
take the command of this army, and General Howe is soon going to
England. A number of vessels arrived also, some of them from Eng
land with provisions and recruits. We are just informed by dis
patches from London that a French war was declared the 17th or 27th
of March last. The French have entered into a treaty of amity and
commerce with the rebel Americans.
May 7th. — This night three of our row galleys, an armed brig, and
a schooner went up the river with a detachment of the 2nd light in
fantry on each side, and set fire to the Washington and Effingham
frigates, a large ship pierced for 24 guns, a privateer sloop, nine ships,
and 16 or 18 small vessels, all of which were consumed, also a quan
tity of naval stores, and some thousands of tent poles, pegs, etc. The
house of Mr. Borden at Borden town, Mr. Kirkbright's and the ferry
house were by some means set on fire and burnt to the ground. The
troops and vessels returned on Sunday without losing a single man.
May 15th. — Our battering cannon is ordered on board ship im
mediately. Captain Farrington's company is ordered to Halifax.
May 19th. — This evening intelligence was received that the Marquis
La Fayette with a large body of the rebel army had crossed the
Schuylkill at tho bridge lately built by them and was stealing a
march to German town. A detachment of the British army was im
mediately ordered to meet them or to get between them and their
bridge. This would have been effected, but, d  your buts, but the
officer who had the honour to command this detachment of the finest
-part of our army, after making a further detour than was necessary,
made also a halt. Now, sir, you can see why I d  d the buts. Gen
eral Grant made his halt very critically for it happened to be at the
very time ho ought to have advanced with all his speed. How fortun
ate is our most gracious sovereign to be blessed with such truly intrepid
soldiers, and such consummate generals. D  the buts, I wish he
were drowned in a butt of Yankee cider.

The affair at Barren Hill is here referred to.
General Washington had sent La Fayette with 3,000 men across
the Schuylkill to a position at Barren Hill, seven miles from his encamp
ment at Valley Forge. Dispositions were made by General Howe to
cut off this force. On the night of May 19th, General Grey with a
strong detachment marched from Philadelphia along the western
branch of the Schuylkill, and placed himself two or three miles in
front of La Fayette's right flank, while the remainder of the British
army advanced to Chestnut Hill. Meanwhile General Grant with 5,000
men had moved along the road close to the Delaware, and unperceived
gained the rear of La Fayette's position and a point nearer to Mat-

60 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
son's Ford, his only line of retreat, than Barren Hill. General Grant,
however, instead of at once marching to the Ford hesitated, and after
some delay advanced towards Barren Hill. La Fayette having by
this time become aware of his danger hastened with all speed towards
the Ford. Grant, on reaching the hill, discovered the enemy well on
their way to the Ford and marched in pursuit, but it was too late and
they escaped. It was a very badly managed affair. Had the advico
of the Quarter-Master- General, Sir William Erskine, been taken, La
Fayette could not have escaped.

On Monday the 18th a number of gentlemen of the army, possessed
of more money than wisdom, gave an entertainment to Lord, and Gen-i
eral Howe, General Clinton, etc., and the rebel ¦ • • ¦ of this town.
The managers gave it the name of Mischianza. It consisted of a
variety of matters, and I think might as well have been distinguished
by the appellation of shamfontic or anything else. It was given, very
mal apropos, just after we had heard the rebels to be supported by
France and that a war with that nation was inevitable. The following
is an account of it from first to last : —
The army, anxious to give Sir Wm. Howe a most publick and
splendid testimony of the high esteem they entertain of him aa a
general, and of the affection and attachment which 'his popular con
duct had secured to him from all ranks, both of officers and men, pre
pared a magnificent entertainment to grace his departure. It con
sisted of a variety of parts and was therefore called Mischianza. The
admission tickets were decorated with a sun just verging to the horizon'^
with the inscription Luceo discedens, aucto splendore resurqam. On
the lower part of the shield was the sea. At the top the general's
crest with the words Vive! Vale!, and at bottom and all round dif
ferent military trophies. The fete began at four o'clock in the after-!
noon, by a general grand procession on the river, consisting of
three divisions — a galley and ten flat boats in each division. In the
centre division was the Hussar galley with the General, Admiral Gen-1
eral Clinton and the ladies of their party. The flat boats, with bands!
in each, led the procession. They set out from Knight's wharf (so1
called for the occasion) at a signal from the Vigilant, and proceeded
till they arrived at the market place, when the Fanny, armed ship was
drawn off into the stream beautifully decorated with a variety of
colours, where they laid on their oars while the music played "God
save the King," then proceeded to the Old Fort where a landino- T,]ace
was prepared, and as soon as the General landed he was saluted with
19 guns from the Roebuck and the same number from the Viailant
The company as they quitted the boats formed themselves into a line of

THE SERVICES OT LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 61
procession and advanced between two files of grenadiers till they came
to a square of 400 yards railed in and prepared for the tournament.
In front of the square was Sir Harry Calder's house appearing
through two triumphal arches erected one in honour of Lord, the
other of General Howe. Two sofas in form of amphitheatres,
formed the advanced wing of one of these arches, on these the
ladies seated themselves, advancing to them through the centre of
the square. On the lowest seats of each were seven virgins dressed
in Asiatic habits and wearing the different colours of the knights
who chose them for their damsels. Here the tournament com
menced, when the elegance and richness of the different dresses
of the knights and squires (not one of them worth Sancho's little
finger), their horses' trappings and caparisons, the taste displayed in
their mottoes and devices, the various evolutions and revolutions and
feats of arms they performed, exhibited altogether a spectacle as rare
as it surpassed the most sanguine expectations of the beholders. ('Tis
very true indeed madam, for they did not expect to see anything so
ridiculous). As soon as the tournament ended, the valiant knights
and gentle squires, two and two, moved through the first triumphal
arch which was decorated with rare ornaments. At the top stood
Master Neptune with his trident, (but, poor fellow, he had got his arm
broke by the tail of a fish I suppose), in the interior were the
attributes of that god, and in a niche on each side stood a sailor with
his sword drawn (a marline spike would have been more ornamental).
On two wings were plumes of feathers with the inscription on the
entablature, Laus Mi debetur, et aime gratia major. An avenue of
500 yards in length and 40 in breadth, lined with troops and decorated
with the colours of the different regiments placed at proper distances,
led to the second arch, between whose columns the knights and their
attendants ranged themselves, and the company preceded by all the
music of the army, advanced in procession, and were led into the
house through the second arch erected in honour of the General.
This arch was of the Tuscan order. On the pediment was Miss Fame
with her trumpet, in the interior a column of feathers aud military
trophies, and on the entablature I, bone quo virtus tua te vocet, I,
pede fausto. The house within was painted in a light and elegant
style with festoons and several emblematical figures, while mirrors,
and girandoles, and chandeliers decorated with wreaths of different
coloured gauze adorned the walls. The company were entertained
with tea and refreshments and then danced till half -past 1 0 o'clock. '
The windows being then thrown suddenly open, a grand and beautiful
display of fireworks was exhibited. Towards the conclusion, the
triumphal arch near the house appeared magnificently illuminated, and
Fame blew from her trumpet in letters of light " Thy laurels shall
never fade." After the fireworks the company sat down to a supper
of 1024 dishes in a magnificent apartment built for the occasion,
decorated in the same style and elegance as the rooms in the house.
The herald of the Blended Rose in his robes of ceremony announced
by sound of trumpet the health of the King, the Queen, and Royal

62 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
Family, the Army and Navy and their representative commanders, and
the ladies. A salute of music and three cheers graced each of these
toasts. After the supper the dancing was renewed, and the whole
broke up at 4 in the morning.
The following lines were intended to have been declaimed by the
herald after the knights had approached the Pavilion, in which were
the General and the ladies. He bore in his hand a laurel wreath with
the following inscription, but in delicacy to the General this was
suppressed. Mars conquest plumed, the Cyprian Queen disarms,
And victors, vanquished, yield to beauty's charms.
(He hangs the Crown on the front of the Pavilion and proceeds).
Here then the laurel, — here the palm we yield,
And all the trophies of the tilted field ;
Here, Whites and Blacks1 with blended homage, pay
To each device the honours of the day.
Hard were the task, and impious to decide
Where both are fairest, which the fairer side
Enough for us, if by such sports we strove
To grace this feast of military love,
And, joining in the wish of every heart,
Honoured the friend and leader ere we part.
When great in arms our brave forefathers rose,
And loosed the British Lion on his foes ;
When the fall'n Gauls, then perjured too and base,
The faithless fathers of a faithless race.
First to attack, tho' still the first to yield,
Shrunk from their rage on Poictiers laureled field ;
Oft, while grim war suspended his alarms,
The gallant bands with mimic deeds of arms,
Thus to some favourite chief the feast decreed,
And decked the tilting knight, th' encountering steed.
In manly sports that served but to inspire
Contempt of death, and feed the martial fire.
The lists beheld them celebrate his name.
Who led their steps to victory and fame.
Thro' ev'ry rank the grateful ardour ran,
AH feared the chieftain, but all loved the man ;
And, fired with the soul of this bright day,
Paid to a Salisbury what to Solve we pay.
Shame to the envious slave that dares bemoan.
Their sons degenerate, or their spirits flown—
Let maddening Faction drive this guilty land
With her worst foes to form th' unnatural band •
In yon brave crowd old British courage glows '
Unconquered, growing as the danger grows
With hearts as bold as e'er their fathers bore
Their country they'll avenge, her fame restore.
Roused to the charge, methinks I hear them err
Revenge and glory sparkling from each eye,
Chained to our arms while Howe the battle led
Still round these files her wings shall conquest spread.
Loved tho' he goes, the spirit still remains
That with him bore us o'er those trembling plains
On Hudson s banks the sure presage we read
Of other triumphs to our arms decreed ¦
Nor fear but equal honours shall repay '
Each hardy deed where Clinton points the way.
There is a gap in Captain Downman's diary between Mav IQfU a
June 7th, caused apparently through some leaves of his ion™ 1 ut
being missing ; as it was the time when he was sick and )7a„- ??*
army for New York, the break in his diary js^gg? t^nn.
1 The Knights so distinguished. "

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A 63
A few days after the Mischianza, General Sir Wm. Howe, who had
resigned his command, quitted the army and was succeeded by General
Sir Henry Clinton. It must be acknowledged that on the whole Sir
Wm. Howe had been successful in the field, though it is true that his
forces were much in excess of those of the Americans, but whether
from political or other reasons, these successes were never followed up
or improved. At Long Island, in the Jerseys, at Brandywine, at
White Marsh, and at Valley Forge fortune placed the enemy in hia
power, but he failed to seize the advantage. Indeed the only result
of his campaign in 1777 was the acquisition of good winter quarters
for the army at Philadelphia.

June 7th, 1773. — This morning early the Trident appeared and
saluted the Eagle, which was returned, she soon came to ; the Com
missioners1 quitted her and got into a small armed sloop and proceeded
into town. They were saluted by the Trident on leaving her.
June 8th. — We left Newcastle and went down to Reedy Island and
joined a great number of ships waiting for orders to proceed some
where. June 11th. — We hear that our army is still in Philadelphia, and that
the Commissioners are gone out to treat with the rebels. A fleet of
12 or 13 sail of ships from Cork with provisions came to anchor here
to-day. June 13th. — I left the Lord Howe and went on board the Duke
William hospital ship. The latter is under sailing orders for New
York with a number of other ships. The former may stay much
longer, which is the reason I quit her.
June 14th. — Weighed anchor from Bombo Hook with a fair wind,
with about 60 sail, and on the 17th, in the afternoon, we anchored at
Sandy Hook. On the 18th we got up to New York.
The illness which compelled Captain Downman to go by sea to New
York, deprives us of any account from his pen of the subsequent opera
tions in the Jersey's in 1 778. There exists however in the R.A. Library
at Woolwich, a book indorsed "Brigade Orders, No. 2" which is in
reality a diary that details the operations with General Sir Wm. Howe's
army in the American war between June 17th, 1778 and December
24th, 1 779. This record gives what happened after Captain Downman
left the army until it arrived" at New York. The diary is evidently
written by an artillery officer, probably the Brigade Major, Captain
S. P. Adye, but be that as it may, with such a valuable record available,
it seems a pity not to utilize the portion that will complete our know
ledge of the campaign. That part has accordingly been extracted
and embodied in a separate chapter so as not to be confused with
Captain Downman's narrative. It is worthy of remark that the entries
iThe Commissioners were Lord Carlisle, Governor Johnstone, and Mr. Eden appomted by the
King with full powers to treat with the Colonists under the Act of Parliament of March, 1778.

64 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
in Captain Downman's diary and in this record on identical dates agree
in the most minute particulars, an- evidence of the trustworthiness
of both.

Chapter IV.

Account of the evacuation of Philadelphia, the march through the
Jerseys, battle of Freehold or Monmouth Courthouse, and arrival oj
the British Army at New York, as recorded in Brigade Order
Book No. 2.
June 17th, 1778. — The chief part of the artillery stores, provisions,
and baggage having been previously transported across the Delaware
to Cooper's Ferry on the Jersey shore, and put under the protection
of Brigadier- General Leslie's corps (consisting of the following regi- !
ments which had been detached some time before for the purpose of
covering the wood cutters) viz., the 7th, 26th, 46th, 55th and 63rd
with Colonels Clifton's and Allen's battalions of provincials, and Cap
tain Hovenden's troop of provincial dragoons. At 4 o'clock this
morning Lieutenant-General Knyphausen crossed over and joined
General Leslie with the following regiments, viz : —
Queen's rangers, provincials,
Jagers mounted and dismounted,
Hessian Grenadiers,
Two battalions New Jersey Volunteers'")
Maryland Volunteers / „ ...
Volunteers of Ireland f Provincials.
Caledonian Volunteers J
At 6 o'clock in the evening the remainder of the troops were put
under arms, and marched to the rear of the several redoubts, where
they lay upon their arms all night.
June 18th. — A little after, daybreak the troops were put in motion,
and abandoned the redoubts as well as the city of Philadelphia with
out the least annoyance or molestation from the enemy, marching in
three columns to Gloucester Point, where flat boats lay ready for their
reception, in which they crossed the Delaware and landed on the
Jersey shore, the whole having got over by 9 o'clock. Some few of the
enemy's dragoons entered the city immediately after the troops had
quitted it, and appeared upon the shore after they were in the boats.
About 11 o'clock the troops began their march towards Haddonfield
where they were joined by the corps from Cooper's Ferry, under the
command of Lieutenant-General Knyphausen. The whole' army ex
cept an advanced corps under Brigadier-General Leslie which had
pushed forward to Foster's Town, encamped at Haddonfield
June 19th— -The Commander-in-chief marched at daybreak with
the following corps, viz : —

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.

65

1st and 2nd battalions Light Infantry

Brigade of Guards
4th brigade of British
3rd brigade of British
17th regt. Light Dragoons

16th regiment Light Dragoons
1st and 2nd battalions British Grenadiers
Three battalions Hessian Grenadiers
Two medium 12-prs. and one 5£ inch howitzer.
At the same time Colonel Prescott was detached with the 28th and
55th regiments of foot, and two light 6-prs. to Billings Port in order to
bring off the 15th regiment and the provincial regiment of Vandyke
which had taken post there some time before. These regiments joined
him at Manto Creek, and the whole marched to Haddonfield in the
evening, having met with no interruption in the march, except from
a few stragglers supposed to be militia, who by a scattered and con
cealed fire wounded the surgeon's mate and a soldier of the 55th and
killed a dragoon's horse. In order to prevent delay, which would
have been occasioned by a deep ravine across the high road the troops
were to pass, it was judged proper (as the corps left under the com
mand of Lieutenant-General Knyphausen was to wait at Haddonfield
for the return of Colonel Prescott) to take advantage of this day's
halt to remove the park of artillery and provision train across the
ravine, which was accordingly done, one Hessian and two provincial
regiments being advanced to cover their front and flanks ; Lieutenant-
General Knyphausen's quarters still continuing at Haddonfield and
the remainder of his division of the army in their former position.
The first division of the army, which had moved forward the day be
fore under the immediate command nf the Commander-in-chief and
had taken up their ground near Evesham, marched this day, the 20th
to Mount Holly, a remarkably strong and defensible post' which it
was judged the enemy might have endeavoured to occupy, General
Maxwell having been long hovering about this part of the country
with 1,500 or 2,000 men and some Jersey militia, but they early re
tired towards Bordenton and Trenton. The advanced guard of
Brigadier-General Leslie's corps, which was in front of the 1st division
fell in with a small party of them, who exchanged a few shots with a
party of jagers, by which one jager was killed on our part, and a cap
tain of the militia on that of the enemy. The army in their march of
this day crossed Belly-bridge, Saw Mill branch, and Ancocas Creeks.
The 2nd division of the army, nnder the command of Lieutenant-
General Knyphausen, also marched this morning from their right in
half divisions wherever the road would admit of it, the country
which the army marched through becoming more open. The ad
vanced guard consisted of 200 British, followed by a detachment of
the 17th dragoons, the British and Hessian infantry, the park of
artillery, provision train and baggage, the rear-guard composed of
one British and one Hessian regiment of foot and a party of the 16th
regiment of dragoons ; the flanks of the artillery, provision train and
baggage being covered by the 10th regiment and the provincial corps
of Chalmers and Clifton. This division arrived at their new ground
near Moore's Town (where Lieutenant-General Knyphausen and the
General officers under his command fixed their quarters) about 9
o'clock in the morning, and very soon after their arrival a very heavy

66 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
rain fell which continued almost incessantly for 14 or 15 hours, and
not only rendered the situation of the troops, who lay in temporary
huts, very disagreeable, but also injured the roads, which had hitherto
been sandy, but now became clayish ; the division under Knyphausen,
notwithstanding, marched the next morning (Sunday, the 21st) at
3 o'clock, nearly in the same order of march as the day before, and
joined the other division which bad halted at Mount Holly, about
9 o'clock in the morning. The whole army being again united at
Mount Holly encamped in two lines, the division under Lieutenant-
General Knyphausen forming in the rear of that which had taken
post there the day before.
June 22nd. — The army marched again in two divisions, the 1st under
the command of Sir H. Clinton and Lord Cornwallis moving at 3 o'clock,
and the 2nd under Lieutenant-General Knyphausen at 6, and follow
ing the baggage of the 1st; the face of the country though much
better settled and more open than at the beginning of our route, not
admitting of the two divisions taking different roads. The army
again encamped in two lines near the Black Horse, where the Com
mander-in-chief had his head-quarters. One of the rebel party who
had fired upon the jagers on the 20th instant and was taken prisoner,
proving to be a deserter from the 28th regiment, was tried and '
condemned by a general court martial at Mount Holly, and this day
executed and left hanging on a tree near the high road.
June 23rd. — From this encampment the army marched in two
columns. Brigadier-General Leslie's corps consisting of the 7th, 26th
and 63rd regiments of foot, and reinforced by Hovenden's troop of
provincial dragoons forming the vanguard of the 1st division, which
formed the left column and marched at 4 o'clock. The 2nd division
under Lieutenant-General Knyphausen, led by the 2nd battalion of
light infantry formed the right, and marched as soon as the 1st
division was off the ground ; this column he ordered, to pay every at
tention to their right flank. The enemy had all along made attempts
to obstruct, or at least retard our march by pulling up the bridges
thrown across the small creeks and causeways, and felling timber
across the roads, but have never appeared with any troops to protect
or defend any of the passes, though many very strong by nature, and
which might have been rendered much more so by art, occurred in
our route. A party of about 50 men showed themselves at a mill in
Wreckels Town Creek, but upon the first appearance of the advanced
guard of General Clinton's column, went off without firing a shot
however, they exchanged several upon this column coming up to'
Crosswick, by which a captain of the Queen's rangers was wounded
and one rebel killed, one wounded, and another taken, but upon our
bringing up two 3-prs. belonging to the 1st battalion of light infantry
they again went off, and the 1st division advanced to Crosswick the
advanced corps under Brigadier-General Leslie being pushed towards
Bordenton. Lieutenant-General Knyphausen's division lav this
night at Wreckels Town. Brigadier-General Leslie's corps was this
evening fired upon with cannon from a work the enemy had erected

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 67
on Bordenton Creek, which he crossed the next morning, and marched
through Bordenton, exchanging some few cannon shots on the enemy
endeavouring to molest him by pulling down a draw-bridge in order
to prevent his effecting a junction with General Clinton at Crosswick.
June 24th. — The 2nd division, under Lieutenant-General Kny
phausen, marched at 4 o'clock in the morning, and formed upon the
heights above Wall's Mills, whilst a bridge over Crosswick Creek,
which had been destroyed by the enemy, was repaired ; this was com
pleted about 11 o'clock, and all the column over it by 12, bending
their course to Emely's Town, where they arrived about 3 o'clock and
lay that night. As soon as General Clinton received advice of General
Knyphausen's column having passed the bridge and destroyed it, he
moved forward with the 1st division from Crosswick towards Aliens-
town, thereby covering the left flank of Lieutenant-General Kny
phausen's column.
June 25th. — The whole army continued their route, Lieutenant-
General Knyphausen's division moving off their ground near Emely's
Town at 4 o'clock in the morning, General Clinton's column with
Brigadier-General Leslie's corps filing off to their right and falling
into the rear of Knyphausen's division. The army had now advanced
so far into Jersey that there was more reason to expect the enemy in onr
rear than in front ; some alteration was therefore made in the disposi
tion of General Clinton's column, the guards, grenadiers, and light infan
try forming the rear of the column instead of the front. The wholehalted
from 12 to 3 o'clock in order to refresh the men and horses and then
proceeded, Lieutenant-General Knyphausen to Thompson's meeting
house and General Clinton to the Rising Sun. The roads through
which the army marched this day were remarkably bad.
June 26th. — The army was again put in motion, Lieutenant-General
Knyphausen's division still continuing in front, moved at 4 o'clock in
the morning, and the rear division under Clinton and Lord Cornwallis
at 6 o'clock. The first division reached Freehold between 9 and 10
o'clock, and encamped with their right extending about a mile and a
half beyond Monmouth Court House on the road to Shrewsbury
and Middleton, and covered by the skirt of a small wood. The division
under General Clinton took up their ground about two miles on the
other side of the Court House, with their right towards the Court
House and their left to a thick wood and a morass running towards
their rear, the front of the whole covered by a wood and towards the
left by a morass. The first part of this day's march was through a
close and unsettled country, the latter through one more settled and
open, the village of Freehold standing on an extensive plain.
June 27th. — The army halted this day. Many straggling parties
of the enemy, both horse and foot, were seen hovering about, and some
of the King's troops were picked up by venturing too far beyond the
advanced pickets. The greater part of the village of Freehold was
abandoned, but some stands of arms were found, supposed to belong
to the militia.
June 28th (Sunday). — The army marched in two columns, the left
division led by General Clinton taking the high road from Freehold

68 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
to Middleton, and the right under Lieutenant-General Knyphausen,
having with it the whole of the baggage of the army, marched
through a close woody country for several miles without the least
molestation or annoyance from the enemy until about 12 o'clock, when
a party of 15 or 16 of their militia, taking the advantage of our flank
ing parties being too widely dispersed, broke through the provision
train and wounded two or three men and as many horses, without
halting at all, and another party of about 40 or 50 made an attempt
upon the baggage, but went off again upon the appearance of two
companies of the 40th regiment, which composed part of the rear
guard. Upon the alarm being given in front, the 10th and 49th regi
ments, which had been covering the flanks cf the artillery, provision
train and baggage, were ordered to the rear with two 3-prs., and the
2nd brigade of the British was halted to reinforce them in case of
necessity. The enemy, however, did not make any further attack
upon this column, but the engagement with the left column was of a
much more serious nature.
Mr. Washington, having crossed the Delaware at Correll's
Ferry with his whole force, marched to Hopewell township about
five miles from Princetown, when he halted till the 25th instant,
making large detachments under Wayne, La Fayette, and Mor
gan. - On the 28th in the morning he marched to English-town,
about five miles from Monmouth, having an advanced corps of
5,000 men under General Lee, which about 8 o'clock in the morning
came up with the rear of the ieft division, but were soon repulsed and
driven back with little or no loss on our part. General Clinton
being apprehensive in case of his not pushing them further, that they
might fall in with our light column, which was much encumbered
with provision waggons and baggage of the whole army, therefore
continued his pursuit and between 11 and 12 o'clock fell in with the
main body of their army, when a very heavy cannonade supported by
musketry took place on both sides for several hours, and the enemy
were driven from height to height beyond the village of Freehold,
but night coming on, General Clinton thought proper to make a
junction with his other column, which he effected about nine o'clock
the next morning, the troops having been 30 hours without halting or
hardly any refreshment for man or horse. Many more men died^
through fatigue alone than fell by the hands of the enemy. The loss on *
the part of the King's army amounted to about 340 killed, wounded and ,
missing, and fell chiefly upon Captain Williamson's and Standish's .
brigades of artillery, 1st battalion of guards and the two battalions of
British grenadiers. The most mortifying circumstance attending the
action was that notwithstanding the enemy was beat back in every
attack and our troops kept the field till 12 o'clock at night, we were
under the necessity of leaving a great part of our wounded officers
and men behind for want of sufficient waggons to bring them off
Lieutenant-General Knyphausen's column halted at sunset at a place
called Nut Swamp, about two and a half miles from Middleton where
he encamped in nearly a circular form with his rear to Middleton
June 29th.— Soon after General Clinton's division had joined the

THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. ,.69
other, Major-General Grant was pushed forward to Middleton with
the 1st and 2nd brigades of British, the 2nd battalion of light infantry
and the 16th regiment of dragoons, and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon
the Hessian brigades of Sterne and Walworth took the same route,
followed at 5 by the park of artillery, provision train, and baggage of
the army.
June 30th. — At 4 o'clock in the morning Brigadier- General Leslie's
brigade moved forward and took post with their left to Shrewsbury
river. The park of artillery also moved about 4 miles escorted by
the brigade of Sterne, and about 10 o'clock in the evening the
baggage was ordered from Middleton and followed by the troops who
had taken post there the day before.
July is£.— About daybreak the troops took up their new ground,
which had been reconnoitred the evening before by the Quarter-
Master-General, on tho heights of Nave Sink forming a camp of
nearly three fourths of a circle, the right extending to Sandy Hook
Bay, and the left to Shrewsbury River, and thus covering the embark
ation of the artillery, provisions, baggage, etc., and the transportation
of the horses which commenced this day.
July 2nd. — The army continued in the same position on the heights
of Nave Sink and the embarkation continued.
July 3rd. — -It rained very hard the greater part of this day, the em
barkation of stores and baggage, however, went on, as did the trans
portation of horses, first to Sandy Hook by swimming them over a
passage of about 50 or 60 yards in breadth, which the force of the tide
has lately made between the heights of Nave Sink and the peninsula
on which the lighthouse stood, and which is now become an island,
and from the Point they were transported to Long Island in small
vessels. July 4th. — This day also proved rainy, but did not retard the em
barkation and it being determined to make a bridge on flat boats from
the mainland to the lighthouse island, it was nearly effected this even
ing and completed the next morning.
July 5th. — The troops were under arms at 4 o'clock in the morning,
and moved towards the sea beach in four columns, from which they
doubled up, first into three, then into two, and finally into one, in
order to cross the bridge, the passage of which they effected in about
four hours and the bridge was broken down. The flat boats being
ready to receive them, the embarkation began from the beach of the
lighthouse island and was completed that evening, but too late for- the
transports to proceed to their respective destinations. The Com
mander-in-chief after having seen the passage of the troops to the
lighthouse island effected and the bridge broke, came up to New York
where he fixed his head-quarters.

70 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A ¦
The French, as soon as they had concluded the defensive alliance
with the Thirteen Colonies, began to arm by sea. They fitted out at
Toulon a squadron of 12 ships of the line and six frigates, which with
a considerable body of troops on board, sailed on April J 3th, under
Comte d' Estaing for America. Contrary winds delayed its progress
so that the coast of Virginia was not reached until the 5th July, the
day on which the British army embarked at Sandy Hook. Mean
while the English government equipped a fleet of equal strength, and
in May despatched it under Admiral Byron to America.
We now return to Captain Downman's narrative, at the point where
we left off.
Chapteb V.
The army from Philadelphia arrives at the heights of Nave Sink
Cross over to New York. A French fleet appear off the coast.
Anchors off Sandy Hook. Proceeds to Rhode Island. Manoeuvre's ?
of the French and English fleets. Violent storm. Colonel Bolton's
expedition.
June 28th, 1778.— I went to Jamaica, Long Island, to Colonel
James. At 10 o'clock the same evening an express arrived and in
formed him the bomb vessels were ordered round to Sandy Hook to
cover the embarkation of our army from Philadelphia. We set off
directly to go down to the Narrows. We lost ourselves in a wood
and did not arrive at Denyse's Fer,ry till six in the morning, where
we got a boat and went on board the Thunder bomb, from whence we
reached the Carcass bomb tender and proceeded to the Hook with a
number of other ships.
June 29th.— Our army is arrived near the shore to the rignt
of the Nave Sink. The flat and other boats are preparing to receive
them. June 30th.— Very early this morning the sick and wounded and
baggage were embarked, also the artillery that formed the park and
all the provisions and other waggons. Our army has taken post on
the commanding ground near the bay. They have had a most fatigp
ing march. They have not only had rebels to encounter, but intense
heat and ageneral want of water, for the rebels cut the ropes of all
the wells and filled them with rubbish, so that many of our men died
raving mad.
From the 1st to the 4th July, 1778.-The artillery horses, etc., have
been embarking _ The horses with a great part of the army chiell
embarked from Lighthouse Point. The rebel army fired a feu de iM
about 7 o'clock this evening, the anniversary of independence '*
July ^.-During the day the whole of our army embarked and
the vessels proceeded towards the Narrows The «™K i *¦ i
en, troop, was not a. all Rested by ^.wJ^^Z^-
The action commenced after a march of eight hours at 1 9 > i i
the hottest day imaginable. The British guards f0rmed?ho ^
the army, the rebels insulting the flanking parties It 11 o'clock

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 71
the General reconnoitred the enemy, and finding them in force
ordered a halt on the heights of Freehold, having given orders accord
ingly to the advanced part of the army on the march. The rebel
battalions showing a disposition to stand, the Commander-in-chief
ordered the rear of the army to join the front, and the light horse
to advance and charge those in front of the wood leading to Freehold
Court House, at the same time commanding the 1st battalion of
guards to support the cavalry and follow the charge with bayonets.
During the movement, while the guards were loading, the advancing
cavalry received a fire from 300 of the enemy in a wood on the right"
One of the most fortunate events that attended the British army since
their being in this country, was leaving Philadelphia and marching
through the Jerseys, for there would Tiave been so many delays at
tending the embarkation of an army, horses, etc., and in getting the
fleet out of the Delaware, that before it could have been accomplished
and the fleet could have arrived at New York, the French fleet would
have taken possession of the river Delaware, and totally blocked us up.
There we must have remained perhaps untihwe starved. What could
we have done ? If we had destroyed our transports, etc. and then
marched through the Jerseys where could we have gone to ? The
French would undoubtedly have taken New York, there being no
ships of force enough to have prevented their getting up.
July 12th. — A French fleet consisting of 11 ships of the line and
some frigates came to anchor off the Nave Sink, Lord Howe remains
in tho Hook, his force too small to attack them. Admiral Byron with
a fleet is expected every day, but until his ships or some others do
arrive nothing can be done against them. They have taken the
Carcass bomb tender that was driven out of the Hook by a hard wind.
Lieutenant Garstin,2 who succeeded Lieutenant Stephens3 in that com
mand, has lost everything he had in the world, and himself escaped
with three men in a small boat. He had just taken the command,
and while he went to Lord Howe to report the situation of the tender,
then lying nearer the French than our fleet, they manned boats and
took him. When were the British arms in such a situation as just
now ! An English army surrounded by that of rebels. An English
fleet blocked by a French !
July 13th. — Colonel James and myself went down to the Narrows,
and to Gravesend, and had a view of the French fleet. General
Clinton has fixed his head-quarters for a few days at Mr. Denyse's.
The 42nd and some other troops are encamped here.
July 20th. — Went to New York and paid Commissary Grant £30
sterling. Saw the Mingo Tyrant, he has allowed me to continue at
Jamaica a little time longer for my health. The French fleet are still
before our post, and have taken several prizes. The Leviathan, a 74,
has been fitted up and manned in a few days by volunteers only. The
masters, mates, and seamen in general have shewn much forwardness
1 This account ends abruptly, and was evidently intended to be carried to another page of the
diary, but cannot be traced.
2 Kane's List, No. 409.
3 Kane's List, No, 403.

72 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
on this alarming occasion and have offered themselves to go anywhere
Lord Howe may think proper to send them.
July 21st.— Returned to Jamaica. It is strongly reported that
three companies of artillery are going to the West Indies. It is im
agined to Jamaica to reinforce that island.
July 22nd. — The French fleet went this day from before our har
bour, whether from an appearance of blowing bad weather, or from
intelligence of Admiral Byron's being near, we are not able to deter
mine. We are in great apprehension for the fate of a considerable
Cork fleet which is expected daily. The loss of this fleet may be at
tended with fatal consequences.
July 24th. — Went to New York from Jamaica. For a certainty
the Cornwall, a 74, one of Admiral Byron's fleet arrived upon the
coast near the Hook, and the rest of them are hourly expected. It
is reported the French fleet are gone to Rhode Island.
August 7th, 1778. — Lord Howe and his fleet sailed from the Hook
in search of Mons. d'Estaing. It is imagined he has been joined, by
some of Byron's fleet, if so, the destruction of the French fleet is in
evitable ; they are now lying before Rhode Island, and we hear in
tend in conjunction with Washington's army to make an attack on
that place. General Pigot, who commands there, has written, to
Lord Howe informing him of it, and says he has a garrison of good men
all in health and spirits, in no want of provisions, and_in no concern about
the threatened invasion. Two of d' Estaing's fleet we hear have been
very roughly handled by a battery of ours. About twenty transports
with two frigates are gone up the Sound to the eastward, to be in
readiness to take troops on board from Long Island, and away at once.
The 16th dragoons are gone to Huntingdon on that island, the 1 7th
lie at Flushing, and the light infantry and grenadiers, with four regit-**
ments are encamped at Bedford. General Tryon with some provincial
corps has gone to the east end of Long Island.
In the night of the 9th, some rebel rascals set fire to the town of
New York, and before the flames could be extinguished, 60 or 70 cap
ital houses from Dock Street to Centre Market were 'consumed. On
the 10th, a sloop lying in the east river opposite the coffee house,
having on board 250 barrels of powder, was blown up, it is supposed
by lightning. Fortunately only one person was on board. The
shock was so great that almost every window in the town was broken,':
and the roofs of many houses damaged,
August 11th. — The wind began to blow about noon excessively ,j
hard from S.E., and continued with some variation for four days. *
We are under some disagreeable apprehension concerninp Lord Howe,
whether he has been able to act against the French, or Whether his
fleet has been dispersed by the storm.
August 15th.— We have just been able to learn the followinl
account of Lord Howe. t|
q 'fp0rlHQT^ ?6et Td.6 the high land off Rhode Island, on
Sunday the 9th of August at noon, and at 2 o'clock p.m. came in

*.

THE SERVICES OF LLEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 73
sight of the Light Hous.e ; in about half an hour the masts of the
French fleet could very plainly be distinguished anchored within the
land. About 7 p.m. the British brought to and came to anchor off
the mouth of the harbour, distance about five miles. The next
morning, Monday the 10th, about 8 o'clock, a very severe cannonade
commenced, which for half an hour at least we could not explain, and
continued for two hours. At last we could plainly perceive the
Languedoc (the French Admiral's ship) standing out of the harbour's
mouth and the batteries on shore warmly plying her and the rest of
the -fleet then getting under way, and they returned the fire. As soon
as Lord Howe observed the French fleet to be getting under way, he
ordered the British to slip their cables, which was instantly effected
and the whole were under an easy sail in a few minutes. His Lord
ship immediately directed the line of battle to be formed, the Eagle
leading the van with no more than her main and fore topsails set and
two top gallant sails on the cap, while the French fleet crowded all
the sail they could carry. Lord Howe carried no more than the
above described sail the whole day, with which he drew these perfidious
Frenchmen off the coast, and that too almost imperceptibly for no
doubt very wise purposes. His Lordship's approved abilities leave
great room to form the most sanguine expectations. About 8 o'clock
on Monday evening, the van of the French fleet was about a mile
distant from the rear of the British. The French fleet consisted of 12
capital ships and two smaller, one of 90 guns, one of 84 and ten of 74.
Lord Howe had with him only eight line of battle-ships, one of which
is. a 74, the others all 64' s, and five of 50, and two of 44 guns, with
some frigates and fire ships, galleys, etc. It was imagined that Lord
Howe would engage the French fleet in the night that he might have
a better opportunity of grappling them with his fireships."
The following is another account of the occurrences at Rhode Island.
" When the French fleet invested the place, the Comte d' Estaing
sent a message demanding its surrender to the . forces of the United
States and the French vice-admiral. General Pigot answered it from
the mouth of his artillery. A heavy cannonade from both sides
succeeded, which lasted two hours, notwithstanding the Comte had
pledged his honour with the rebel chief that he would in 25 minutes
silence the British batteries. During the operations, the Languedoc
by egregious bad management, swung round, presenting her stern to
a battery of large cannon, several balls from which went through her
fore and aft, in which position the lofty ship was raked without being
able to bring a single gun to bear upon the battery. Therefore,
under such an humiliating circumstance, the Comte, to save his ship
from imminent destruction, found it necessary, with his squadron, to
cut their cables and stand out of harm's way. The French fleet in
general, but especially the large ships, were very much disabled, and
their hands were employed two days in plugging the shot holes and
patching them up for another voyage. On Sunday the 9th, the Comte
entirely abandoned the enterprise against Rhode Island, left the
harbour and proceeded to sea, and presently came m sight of the

74 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
British fleet. Early on Sunday morning following, the fleets were left
within a very short distance of each other. The French lost a con
siderable number of men, and they landed a great many wounded.
The batteries lost but one man. There came on a violent gale of windt
about noon of the same day, whicb we fear has prevented his Lordship
from engaging the enemy. This gale continued with great violence
for three days blowing from S.E., or there about."
By a letter from St. Augustine we are informed that a body of
rebels attempted that place, but were driven off with loss, and that a
number of armed rebel vessels intending likewise to make an attack,
are blocked up in St. Marie's river, 70 miles distant, by some English
vessels. In the evening, several men-of-war, supposed to be part of Lord
Howe's fleet, came and anchored off Sandy Hook.
August 16th. — The Isis man-of-war of 50 guns, Captain Raynes,
being separated by the storm from Lord Howe's fleet, fell in about 12
leagues from Sandy Hook with the French rear-admiral's ship of 74
guns. The Frenchman bore down on the Isis, and when near gave
three cheers as if certain of her. The Isis answered her cheers with
a broadside. An action ensued which continued for a considerable
time, when the Frenchman was obliged to bear away and make his
escape. We hear from Albany that some time ago Colonel Bolton, with a
detachment of the 8th Regiment, some friends to government and a
number of Indians, assembled at Unadala in Tryon country, from
whence they proceeded to the settlements of Cherry Valley, Spring
field, and Anderstown and the back settlements of Schohary, where'
they destroyed about 300 houses, killed upwards of 1 70 rebels found
in arms, drove off a great many cattle, seized a sufficient quantity of
provisions to subsist the party, gave an opportunity to many loyalists
to join them and returned, to the place of rendezvous. Thence they
proceeded down the Susquehanna river to Wyoming in the province
of Pennsylvania, attacked that settlement, killed upwards of 400 rebels,
being all that were found in arms, but spared the women and children^
and sent them to their rebel friends. Upwards of 5,000 persons fled
in the utmost distress and consternation. The friends to government
take arms and join Colonel Bolton's party, which increases fast and
continues to spread terror on the western frontier of the province; of
New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The proceedings greatly
alarm the leaders of the rebellion in the province of New York, who
have lately passed an act to force the loyalists to abjure the British
Government. In consequence, an oath is tendered to those most^
notoriously attached to government, but they reject it with disdarf
and will be obliged unless soon relieved to abandon their families anffl
property and attempt to return within the British lines •*¦
The following reveries, byway of address to the ' inhabitnts of^
Connecticut, have been handed about by a rebel officer and have had
great effect upon the minds of the people.
TO ALL AMERICANS WHO AEE JEALOUS OF THEIR LIBERTIES
" What a situation have we brought ourselves to I Not till now have

5THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 75
we had a convincing proof of the tyrannous sway we are to expect.
Have we been fighting to support Washington, to establish him an
absolute tyrant ? He writes to Congress that he obtained a victory
on the 28th of June. Congress obsequiously thanks him as the
Senate did Tiberius. What was the victory ? Being beaten back
as often as we advanced, a few wounded men and officers unable to
be removed are prisoners. It is a notorious falsehood Washington !
Adulatory, obedient Congress, born to be slaves ! Vile Senate !
Infatuated Americans ! Washington, the General, the man of honour
and veracity can make you believe that black is white, victory defeat,
that is, compel your grateful Congress to vote him thanks for nothing,
and we deluded people must be gulled by it. Awake Americans !
awake ! It is now you are losing your liberties. I appeal to every
American officer, the General excepted, if this was a victory, and if
any man was more active, or in a more dangerous situation than your
real friend on that day,"
(Sd). A Colonel in the Continental American Army.
August 18th. — We are told by a vessel just arrived that eight sail of
Comte d' Estaing's fleet, one of which is dismasted, are at anchor off
Cape May (Delaware). Lord Howe with all his fleet are arrived at
Sandy Hook. He had much better be looking out after the French
men. It will hardly be believed that 15 two-deckers, eight of that num
ber of the line, eight frigates, two bombs, three fire-ships, four galleys,
and four armed sloops, all well manned, in great spirits, all Englishmen,
and commanded by Lord H., should run away from a French fleet of 12
line of battle-ships. Believed or not, 'tis truth ! On Monday, the
10th of August it happened off Rhode Island, on a very fine day, with
a gentle breeze and smooth sea, and with ships that could sail faster
than the enemy's. From 9 o'clock in the morning till 8 o'clock at
night did his Lordship bear the mortification of being driven by
Frenchmen, and even on Tuesday, before the gale came on, the two
fleets were together, and yet no fighting — tis wonderful ! tis passing
strange ! — and what excuse he can make for such unaccountable
conduct is not easily to be comprehended.
Since writing the above it appears that Lord Howe would un
doubtedly have engaged the French fleet on Monday, if he had been
to windward, and as he could not attack them with any hope of
success unless he had that advantage, he kept going on not doubting
but he would have his wish in the morning following. He had
hoisted his flag on board a frigate and prepared to engage when the
gale came on and separated both fleets. A list of his Lordship's fleet
follows.Cornwall, 74 guns Raisonable, 64 guns
Eagle, 64 „ Preston, 50 „
¦Trident, 64 „ Isis, 50 „
St. Albans 64 „ Centurion 50 „
Somerset 64 „ 32-pr. Renown 50 „
Ardent 64 „ Experiment 50 „ Vigilant 20 „ 24-pr.
Nonsuch 64 „ Roebuck 44 „

Phoenix,

A4> guns

Venus,

36 „

Richmond

32 „

Pearl

32 „

Apollo

32 „

Vigilant

20 „2<

Sphinx

20 „

76 THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
Thunder. "} bombs

Daphne 20 guns. Strombolo.^ Fire

}

and
_ T two tenders.
Carcass. J

Vulcano. r bM
Nautilus 18 „ Sulphur )
Four galleys, three armed |sloops, one armed schooner.
The Thunder bomb' is missing, supposed to be taken by the.
French, or lost. Nothing could happen more fortunate, for them, for
some time ago they took the Carcass bomb tender, so that they
now have two sea mortars and everything necessary for them. The;
Ferret, galley, Captain O'Brien, was cast away on the Jersey coast,
and all the crew made prisoners by the rebels.
Five of our frigates, two sloops of war, with some transports and
three galleys were 'burnt at Ehode Island to prevent their falling into
the hands of Mons. d'Estaing. We are very fond of burning what we
should not.

CHAPTER VI.

Actions between French and English ships. The naval and military
operations in and near Rhode Island. General Grey's Expedition.
..Operations in the Jerseys.
August 20th, 1778.— Lord Howe, with the fleet under his command,.
has obliged the Comte d'Estaing, and the rebel myrmidons, the respect
able allies of his magnanimous master, to abandon their design on
Rhode Island, and drawn the former with the formidable squadron "
under his command out to sea. His Lordship on Tuesday at mid
night, 12th inst., when about 15 leagues off the east end of-Lou^g
Island gave the signal for action, at which time the most dreadful
storm ever known on this coast at this season of the year, arose and
dispersed the two fleets. It continued without intermission until thef
Friday following, notwithstanding which, by his Lordship's magna|%i
imity, and the undaunted bravery of the British officers and seamen,
the following brilliant actions have been performed : —
On Sunday, 16th inst., the Zele, of 74 guns, a French rear-admiral's
ship, bore down upon H.M. ship Isis, of 50, shouting and huzzaing as
if she was already his capture. The French admiral at the same time
hoisted his flag. Captain Raynes, of the Isis, in the meanwhile
ordered the strictest silence to be observed, and finding that the
enemy gained upon him, took every precaution to receive her properly,
not permitting his men to fire till she was within pistol shot. He
then gave the French admiral so warm a salute that he was soon con
vinced of his inability to cope with the superior and well-directed fire
of the Isis, and there is great reason to imagine he would have struck,,
as he was observed to throw his papers overboard, but finding the

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. ?7

Isis not in a condition to follow him, he wore round, and by crowding
all the sail he could carry made his escape. During the engagement,
a French officer of rank, remarkably well dressed, being observed
animating the sailors who had deserted their quarters, some of the
light infantry on board the Isis took aim at and laid him flat on the
deck. Last Saturday, 15th inst., in the afternoon, about 20 leagues to
the S.E. of Sandy Hook, H.M. ship Renown of 50 guns, Captain
Dawson, fell in with the Languedoc of 90 guns, commanded by Comte
d' Estaing, which had been dismasted in the late storm. The Renown
immediately attacked him on the quarter and kept up a brisk and
well-directed fire from 4 o'clock till dark and the Languedoc's flag
staff was knocked down by the first broadside. During the night
she continued firing guns and making signals of distress. Next
morning at daybreak Captain Dawson observed six large French ships
bearing down to the French admiral's assistance, which made it pru
dent for him to get away. No less distinguished was the conduct of
Commodore Hotham, who in H.M. ship Preston of 50 guns, engaged
the Tonnant of 80, which had lost her bowsprit and foremast in the
Btorm, raking her fore and aft for a considerable time, and would
have certainly brought her in, had not some of her consorts bore
down to her assistance. Lord Howe's Order, August 17th.
"The bravery of the officers and ship's company of the Isis,
amongst which the volunteers from the transports, and the soldiers of
the 23rd regiment, have been particularly noticed, in a late action
with a French 74, bearing a flag at the mizen-top-mast head, by them
supposed to be the Zele 1 and the distinguished ability and resolution
of Captain Raynes shown on that occasion claims from the Admiral
the publick acknowledgment of their meritorious services, by which
they have furnished a bright example for the imitation of the
British fleet."
August 25th. — Lord Howe with his fleet put to sea from the Hook
in search of the French, who are it seems returned to Rhode Island
after repairing those of their ships that were damaged by the storm.
The Isis was obliged to come up to town, as her masts, sails, and rig
ging are all damaged. The Monmouth has joined Lord Howe.
A list of the French fleet under the command of the Comte d'
Estaing : —

Languedoc,

90

Tonnant,

80

Csescvr,

74

Zele,

74

Hector,

74

Marseilles,

74

Protecteur,

74

Guerrier,

74

1 It was the Casar, 74.

Fantasque,
Provence, Vaillant,
Sagittavre,Ghvmdre,
Engagement,Alcmene,
Aimable,

64

54
3026
26 26

78 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNHAN, R.A.
Besides this fleet it is reported that five French ships of force have
joined him.
August 26th.— Yesterday the Sibella, with seven ships from Cork,
arrived with provisions, after being up the Delaware as far. as Reedy
Island. They then took a French ship by which they learnt that the
British forces had evacuated Philadelphia. So negligent are the
people at home and such rebels at heart, that they did not inform the
little fleet of the British troops quitting Pennsylvania.
August 29th. — It is said that the number of rebels landed on Rhode
Island last Thursday amounted to 15,000 men, 5000 of which were
continental troops with about 100 light horse, the remainder were the
militia of Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Their
artillery consisted of 15 brass cannon, the largest of which were 12-prs,
On the preceding day they advanced within a mile and a half of the
front of the British lines. They began to break grounds at the dis*
tance of half a mile from Tammany Hill, a very commanding emin
ence well fortified, but were obliged to desist in consequence of several
well-directed shells from our artillery on the Hill. Their plan of
operations was to attack the lines when, the French fleet returned to
engage the batteries. The rebels are reported to have no less than
a thousand waggons transporting provisions, etc. to their army at
Rhode Island.
On Saturday last, the 22nd, the French fleet put to sea from New
Port, Rhode Island, and stood to the eastward, it is supposed to
Boston, to repair the damages they have sustained by the late storm,
the batteries on Rhode Island, and some of Lord Howe's squadron.
This day, 29th, six sail, all 74's, of Admiral Byron's fleet, arrived at
the Hook. The Monmouth and two others are supposed to have
joined Lord Howe, who is in pursuit of the French fleet. This fleet
have had a dismal passage; they are all disabled in some part or other
and their men are extremely sickly. Those in the worst situation are
now at Staten Isle undergoing repairs and recruiting their people.
August 31st.— -By express from Rhode Island, we learn that the gar
rison under General Pigot was in high spirits as late as last Friday, 28th,
and had not then lost a man, as the rebel General Sullivan and his
army had not dared venture near enough to do any mischief. A bridge !'
of boats was thrown across from the main to the Island, but it was,,
supposed that the Vigilant with her 24-prs. would be sent against it.
September 1st, 1778.— We hear that Lord Howe, having heard of
the precipitate departure of the French fleet from Rhode Island, des
patched the Vigilant, Sphinx and Nautilus to Newport, while he pro
ceeded in quest of Comte d' Estaing's fleet. By a vessel which sailed
from Rhode Island on Friday last and arrived here on Sunday, we
learn that the Vigilant and Sphmx were preparing to demolish 'the '
rebel bridge over which upwards of 20,000 of them had crossed but
dared as soon eat their fingers as attack our little garrison who are
in high spirits, and entertain a contemptible idea of these'invaders.
It is said that the dread of having their retreat cut off operates so
powerfully upon -these Yankees, -that they have begun to send back

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A 79
their heavy artillery and baggage to the continent, and it is presumed
will in a few days relinquish the expedition in their usual precipitate
disgraceful manner. Those ships of Admiral Byron's squadron now
arrived consist of : —
Royal Oak.— Admiral Parker.
Conqueror. — Captain Colby.
Sultan. — Captain Wheeler. . „ ,
Grafton.— Captain Wilkinson. [ 74 Suns eack
Bedford. — Captain Affleck.
Fame. — Captain Graves.
September 2nd. — Early on Monday morning a party of 20 jagers
were attacked near Valentine Hill by a body of rebels consisting of
several hundreds, who killed 13 of the jagers, the remaining seven mak
ing their retreat. Immediately some troops of the new corps ad
vanced, fell in with, and engaged a body of rebels and Indians of the
Stockbridge tribe, the latter under the command of their chief
Sachem Ninham, who with his son fought with desperation until a
great number were killed, and the enemy then fled in the greatest
confusion. Of 48 Indians only six, and of 60 rebels only eight re
turned. The British loss was only two killed and seven wounded.
Some prisoners are taken, among them two Indians and a rebel captain.
The Indian chief and his son were both killed. This action was about
two and a half miles from Colonel Cortland's.
September 3rd. — It is reported that a court-martial, constituted by
the rebels for the trial of their General Lee (who in some way or
other misbehaved himself on the 28th June last, in the action with
the British at Monmouth in the Jerseys) has sentenced him to be sus
pended 12 months for the petty crimes of cowardice and disobedience
of orders !
Nothing could equal the chagrin of the Comte d' Estaing when he
returned to Rhode Island after the storm, and found the garrison of
Newport unmolested, and much better prepared to give him a warmer
reception than before. The confabulation between him and the rebel
generals was exceedingly acrimonious. They accused him of making
an ostentatious parade with the powerful fleet under his command,
without doing any essential service, and he retorted by affirming that
after having facilitated their descent upon the Island, which they
never could have done without his assistance, their prowess and valour
had fallen so short of his expectations that he was reduced to the
necessity of putting again to sea before Lord Howe to find a post to
repair his shattered fleet.

The accounts of General Lee's conduct at the action at Freehold
Courthouse are conflicting. The English affirm that Lee having been

80 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
sent forward with an advanced corps of 5,000 men to attack the rear
of General Clinton's army, after crossing some narrow passes across a
marsh under the belief that he was only opposed by a rear guard of
two or three battalions, suddenly found himself confronted in a plain
by 6,000 British picked troops. As Lee considered his position, if
attacked and overpowered, would have been hazardous, he retired at
once before the enemy were able to form and attack him.. During his
retreat he met Washington with the main army advancing, who caused
a stand to be made by Lee's corps supported by his own troops.
Washington in his despatch to Congress dated July 1st, 1778,
makes no distinct charge against Lee beyond the fact of his having
retired, but states that he is under arrest.

Sth. — We are just now informed by accounts dated ;
August 29th, that the fleet under Lord Howe had safely effected the
very difficult passage of the south channel as far as latitude 40.51.
That H.M. ship Ariel had the preceding Wednesday taken a rebel
privateer of 16 guns, carrying 18 pilots as they acknowledged to meet
the French fleet under the Comte d' Estaing, and to navigate them
into Boston harbour. The pilots mentioned that the Zile, which the
Isis engaged, had again found the French fleet, and that she has suf
fered much. The commander lost his right arm, 20 seamen were
killed, and 50 wounded. When the informant left the British fleet
last Saturday, Captain Hyde Parker in the Phoenix hoisted a signal,
" four sail to the N.E.," on which the whole fleet immediately gave <
chase. General Hancock, the arch-rebel, writes thus to his brother
rebel at Boston, August 11th: "General Sullivan intends to ad
vance to-morrow, if the French fleet returns, to attack the next day."
The French fleet did return, but neither the admiral nor their general
dared risk an attack. Another rebel gentleman writes as follows :
" The advance of the army is commanded by Colonel Livingstone,) the
right wing by General Green, the left by the Marquis de Lafayette,
the 2nd line by General Hancock, and the reserve by Colonel West.
The army are in high spirits and are determined to return victorious,"
By a vessel which left Ehode Island last Monday, we are told that the
British transports that went from New York the other day through
the sound with the 3rd and 4th brigades of the army, the 1st grena;- 1
diers and 1st light infantry with their artillery on board under Generaf |
Clinton himself, intending for a dash on Rhode Island, from the shift-
ing of wind to the eastward were obliged to anchor off the harbour of
Newport. This occassioned a sudden adjournment of the above-
mentioned high-spirited army with its wonted celerity to the continent,
an insular position having ever since the Brooklyn and Staten Island
affairs been deemed hazardous to the operations of heroet thus deter-

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 81
mined to return victorious. The particulars of this bashful business
in which the united, powers of King Congress and King Louis have
been employed by land and sea, I hope soon to have a full account of.
Scarce a week passes without two, three, or more French and rebel
vessels being brought in here prizes to our frigates or privateers
fitted out from this place.
September. 6th.— No news has yet arrived of Lord Howe. A great
deal depends on him, as a good stroke struck at this juncture against
the French fleet might be of service to us.
September 7th. — It is confidently reported that at the time the
rebels were hurrying off from Rhode Island, General Pigot ordered a
detachment out to molest them as much as possible. The detachment
attacked them, and an engagement was brought on in which a
number of men on both sides are said to be killed.
September 8th. — General Clinton returned to New York this morn
ing from Rhode Island without having it in his power to chastise the
insolence of the rebels landed there, for they had heard of his inten
tion and very prudently given up their plan and all pretensions of re
turning victorious. The report of an action between General Pigot
and the rebels on Rhode Island is confirmed by the arrival of General
Clinton ; the particulars have not yet transpired, but it is said the
British have lost 250 killed and wounded, and the rebels 1,060. The
British artillery are said to have behaved, in this as in every other
affair, well, and have suffered much.1 This is the third time Rhode
Island has been attempted, and the third time the rebels have left it
with disgrace. They are at a loss to find out an excuse for the failure
this time, and therefore most bitterly and heavily accuse Comte d'
Estaing, charging him with perfidy and cowardice. We have just
got from Philadelphia the following funny report on the above sub
ject :—
When the news arrived there that General Sullivan had been under
the necessity of withdrawing the rebel army from Rhode Island, and
that he attributed the same to Comte d' Estaing's having shamefully
deserted them, it called to mind their former experience of the per
fidy of the French nation, and occasioned great murmurings among
the troops and the inhabitants in general. This coming to the ears of
M. Gerard, he immediately sent the following message to Congress in
order as is supposed to pacify the people : —
"M. Gerard takes the earliest opportunity of expressing to Congress
the indignation he feels for the conduct of Comte d' Estaing in de
serting the army of the United States in their attack upon Rhode
Island, and he will by the first conveyance lay the same before His
Most Christian Majesty. "
A committee was formed immediately to represent to Congress the
absolute necessity there was for some step to appease the vox populi.
They pledged their honour that in case M. Gerard's representation to
his king did not obtain proper satisfaction for the Comte d' Estaing's
1 Lieut, W. Pemble (Kane's List, No. 503) lost his right arm on the occasion.

82 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN. R.A.
conduct, they would do themselves justice in some way or other, stop
payment, change sides, and celebrate the 5th of November. The
committee resolved, that the late expedition against Rhode Island was
undertaken and determined on, in consequence of the Comte d' Estaing
having pledged his honour to Congress that he would block up the
harbour of Newport until the army of the United States should
reduce the garrison.
Resolved, " that the failure of the said expedition against Rhode
Island is solely owing to the shameful retreat of Comte d'Estaing at
a time when the fleet under his command was greatly superior to
that of the British."
Resolved, " that M. Gerard be requested to transmit the foregoing
resolves to His Most Christian Majesty, and beseech him to supersede
the Count, as from his conduct, Congress cannot place any confidence
in his honour."
What think you of all this nonsense ? I should not be much sur
prised to find ere long, Congress and the French go at it hammer and
tongs. Proceedings of His Majesty's troops under General Grey, i.e. those •..•
that went to Rhode Island with Sir Henry Clinton.
General Sullivan having by a timely retreat from Rhode Island
evaded the blow that was aimed at him. General Grey turned his
thoughts towards New London where he hoped to surprise a number
of privateers. When he arrived off that harbour, not more than
three or four small vessels were discovered in it. The General there- "
fore would not risk the lives of any of the brave followers under his
command for so inadequate an object. Having anchored there for
some hours in order to draw the attention of the rebels to that point, i
he again set sail, and in the evening of September 5th arrived off Dart-t
mouth, the river running into Buzzard's Bay. The troops were landed
immediately and proceeded to the town of New Bedford where they des
troyed several vessels and many rich stores without opposition. They
then proceeded to the mills above the town, where they burnt a consider
able number of vessels, and having crossed the river, demolished
all the stores at Fair Haven. The rebels having abandoned their
fort near this last town, a party was detached to it who destroyed 11
pieces of cannon and blew up their magazine. The troops then pro- j
ceeded to Sconticut Neck, where they were re-embarked by 12
o'clock on the 6th, having had only six men wounded. Above 170 sail
of vessels, 70 of them large, were destroyed, and nearly 10,000 head of
sheep and cattle brought from the island of Martha's Vineyard in this
expedition. September 10th. — Lord Howe and his fleet are returned to New
York. Monsieur d'Estaing has escaped him and got safe into Boston, -i
O shame ! shame ! upon us ; what the devil are we about ? At this
time there are lying snug in the harbour of New York, no less than
16 ships of the line of 50 and 44 guns, besides frigates, etc. Admiral
Byron with three of his have arrived at Halifax. One of his ships
was dismasted in the gale and was obliged to return to England.

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 83
September 15th.— We are informed that a number of transports
have arrived at Halifax from England, having on board the 70th, and
two highland regiments, the Duke of Hamilton's, and the Duke of
Argyle's highlanders, the former 1,000, the latter 1,100 men.
September 16ih. — Admiral Byron of the Blue, in the Princess
Royal of 90 gunsi and the CuUoden of 74, Captain Balfour, arrived off
the Hook, but not getting pilots to bring them in went for Rhode
Island. Our advanced new corps at King's Bridge under Simcoe, Emerick,
and Tarleton, surprised a body of 150 Virginian riflemen, killed and
wounded many and took 33 prisoners, among them three officers ; our
loss only one horse. We are informed of a riot happening at Boston
between some British and French sailors. The former were sup
ported by some townspeople. Comte d'Estaing's son was killed and
he himself wounded in attempting to quell it. Mass is celebrated in
one of the churches which causes unspeakable murmurs among the
conscientious people of the place. Mr. Washington has left the White
Plains, the scarcity of provisions it seems having obliged him to move.
September 22nd. — A strong detachment of our army of 7,000 men
under Lord Cornwallis crossed over to Paulis Hook to make an ex
cursion. Another party from Kingsbridge of 5,000 under General
Knyphausen have also gone out, and a party from Staten Isle likewise.
The intention or destination of these several parties are a profound
secret. Lord Howe in the Eagle left this place for England. He is made
a Vice- Admiral of the Red. The navy are much concerned at his
leaving them. He is undoubtedly an excellent officer, notwithstand
ing matters have not turned out so well as we could wish respecting
the French fleet.
Admiral Byron it seems is to command the fleet he brought out
with him as a fleet of observation, and Gambier is to direct all naval
affairs. September 27th. — A fleet of victuallers sailed for Ireland. Governor
Johnstone1 has gone to England ; he is out of the commission.
September 29th. — We have the following account from our army in
Jersey. Our commander having information that 700 rebel militia
were cantoned in the neighbourhood of Hackinsack, a little after 1 1
o'clock on Sunday night, ordered the troops to march, but two soldiers
deserting gave notice of our approach, so the enemy pushed off and
our intention was frustrated. However, we were more successful in
another object. The 2nd light infantry, the 71st regiment, and the
Queen's rangers who had passed the Hudson river at Dobb's Ferry,
were engaged in it. There they fell in with the 3rd Virginian bat
talion, a cavalry regiment distinguished by the appelation of Washing
ton's guards, consisting of 110, originally 180, very well appointed
cavalry with extremely good horses. Our troops dashed upon them
1 Governor Johnstone, who had been a strenuous advocate in the British Parliament for the
rights of the Americans, was accused of trying to bribe members of Congress by means of private
letters, he therefore resigned.

84 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
with their bayonets to such effect, that only three of their corps escaped.
Sixty including five officers were killed, with a number as yet unknown
of the militia. The prisoners consist of 50 Virginians, many of whom
are wounded. Colonel Baylor, their commander, is mortally wounded
and left on his parole. He wrote to General Washington, "that he
was very much mortified in being obliged to acquaint him that his
whole regiment was killed or taken by the British." All their horses,
accoutrements, etc. are brought in, with 300 head of cattle, a great
number of sheep, etc.. The action happened near Tappan. The
British did not lose a single man. Rebel officers prisoners.
Captains Swan and Crane, Lieutenant Randolph, Cornet Fitzhugh,
Ensign Gilchrist, Messrs Dale, Evans, Vanbrugh, Shutliff, and Kitty.
The following correspondence has passed between Sir Henry
Clinton and the American Congress. New York, September 19th, 1778.
To His Excellency Henry Laurens, Esq., President, and other
members of the American Congress at Philadelphia.
Sir, — Nothing but His Majesty's positive instructions, of which
I send you an extract, would have induced me to trouble you or the
American Congress again on the subject of the troops detained in
New England, in direct contravention of the treaty entered into at
Saratoga. The neglect of the requisition already made on the sub
ject is altogether unprecedented among parties at war. I now, how
ever repeat the demand that the convention of Saratoga- he fulfilled,
and offer by express and recent authority from the King, received
since the date of the late requisition made by His Majesty's com
missioners, to renew in His Majesty's name all the conditions stipu- 3
lated by Lieut.-General Burgoyne in respect to the troops serving in
America. In this I mean to discharge my duty not only to my King whose
orders I obey, but to the unhappy people likewise whose affairs are
committed to yon, and who I hope will have the candour to acquit me
of the consequences that must follow from the new system of war you
are pleased to introduce. I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient and most humble servant,
H. Clinton.
Please to observe the answer from these insolent scoundrels.
To his Excellency General Sir Henry Clinton, k.b., etc. etc. New
York. Philadelphia, September 28th, 1778.
Sib, — Your letter of the 19th was laid before Congress, and I

THE SERVICES OP LIEUT.. COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 85
am directed to inform you that the Congress of the United States of
America make no answer to insolent letters.
I am, with due respect,
Your obedient humble servant,
Chaeles Thompson, Secretary.

A remonstrance had already been made by the commissioners to
the Congress on August 7th on the subject of the violation of the
Saratoga convention. It is undeniable that Burgoyne's army was
treacherously detained three years in America in direct infringe
ment of the agreement entered into between Generals Gates and
Burgoyne. These troops were kept a year in or near Boston, then
marched a distance of 600 miles to Charlottesville, at that time a
village in the back woods of Virginia, and they were subjected to
most ungenerous and vindictive treatment.

October 10th, 1778. — The Raleigh frigate (rebel), Captain Barry,
of 32 guns and 255 men, was sent into New York by H.M. ship the
Experiment, Sir J. Wallace commander, and the Unicorn, Captain
Ford. She was discovered in Boston bay at 8 o'clock in the morning
of the 26th September, when after a chase of eight hours the Unicorn
engaged her, and the first broadside carried away the rebel foretop-
mast and main-top-gallant-mast. The action continued till 10 o'clock.
The Experiment coming up received a broadside which was instantly
returned, and the rebel finding he could not escape, ran his ship
aground on Sale Island, and made his escape in his boats with 102 of
'' his men. Sir James Wallace has taken and destroyed no less than
16 armed vessels, in his last cruise. The inhabitants of Boston ap
plied to Monsieur d'Estaing desiring he would clear the bay of English
ships, but Monsieur answered that he had no intention to divide his
fleet, and that as soon as he was properly fitted, he intended to pro
ceed to sea to fulfil the orders of the king his master.
Flour is so scarce in and round Boston, that the rebels are obliged
to employ an immense number of waggons to convey it from all parts
of the continent, at an enormous expense, to supply their great and
good allies, the rascally French.
October 12th. — General Washington and his army are now in and
about Peek's Hill, Fish Hill and Danbury. 8

86 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
An action happened on July 27th, 1778, off Ushant between tho
English fleet under the command of Admiral Keppel, consisting of
30 ships of the line, and the French fleet under the command of 1
Comte d'Orvilliers of 32 ships of the line. The English had 133 men
killed, three lieutenants, and 373 wounded. By most accounts, the
French lost very considerably both in officers and men, it is said
3,000 killed and wounded. They ran away in the night and got into
their own ports. When did it happen before that 30 British ships of
the line engaged the same number of French and not one vessel was
taken or destroyed ? Wonderful ! Passing strange ! No war was
declared at the time.1
A manifesto and proclamation has been sent by the British com
missioners to the Congress and to the 13 states of America offering
terms to be accepted within 40 days from the 3rd October, 1778.
Everything is offered to the rebels they can desire but independence j
if they neglect these fair proposals, the commissioners are to return
to England, and the country I hope will be laid waste from stem to stern.
October 22nd. — Some little time ago, a small detachment of H.M's
ships, two galleys, and four armed vessels under the command of Cap
tain Collier of the Zebra, having on board 300 men commanded by Cap
tain Ferguson, sailed from hence for Egg harbour, where after sur
mounting some difficulties in passing into the harbour, they destroyed
1 1 sail of vessels, among them a very fine ship, and others of consider
able size. The troops being landed proceeded to destroy the settle
ment and store houses of the committee men and of every person
notoriously known in the piratical vessels which have greatly annoyed
the English. The salt works on the bay were also effectually des
troyed. Captain Ferguson being informed that 600 rebels with four
pieces of artillery were coming to attack him, determined to surprise
them. Accordingly 250 men were landed on Mincock Island, and
at 4 o'clock in the morning he passed the bridge undiscovered, and
surrounded three houses in which the infantry of Pulaski's2 legion
were posted. These were instantly charged with the bayonet and 60
of them put to death on the spot, amongst them a Lieut.-Colonel, two
captains, and four or five other officers. Ferguson only lost one man
killed and one wounded. They embarked on board their ships, and
soon after arrived at New York.
October 25th. — French ships are sent in here almost every day,
prizes to our men-of-war and privateers. A cartel is settled betweei|
here and Boston, and many prisoners have already been exchanged.
Those artillerymen taken in the Thunder bomb and tender have
arrived at New York.

l It appears that the state of the wind and position of the respective fleets prevented Admiral
Keppel bringing the French, who were unwilling to join battle, to a decisive action. There was
also some mistake in our fleet in complying with the Admiral's signals. He and Vice AdnuM
Sir Hugh Palliser, Bart, were tried by courts martial, the former for misconduct and neeleot oi
duty, the latter for misconduct and misbehaviour, but both were acquitted.
2 Count Pulaski was killed in the unsuccessful assault mads by the Amerioan and TTranoh
troops at the liege of Savannah on October flih, 1779. 7 American and lfMOOU

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. ^ 87
PART III.

The capture of the Island of St. Lucia in 1778, and subsequent evolu
tions of the English and French fleets.

The season for active operations being over, it was decided to retain
at New York only such a number of troops as were necessary for the
defence of the different posts. An expedition of 5000 men was there
fore despatched to the West Indies under General Grant. Captain
Downman accompanied the artillery portion of the force, probably in
special charge of the ordnance and engineer stores sent with the
expedition, of which he has left an exact list which is appended. His
experiences of the capture of St. Lucia are detailed in his journal as
well as in a letter written to a friend. We prefer to give the letter as
it contains the fullest account of the operations.

Chapter I.

The expedition sails for the West Indies. The troops land at St. Lucia.
A French fleet wrrives off the Island, and makes an attack upon the
EngUsh squadron. 27th October, 1778. New York.
I embarked this day on board the Friendship ordnance store ship,
under orders for an expedition to the West Indies, at least so con
jectured. Captains Williamson's and Standish's companies are ordered
for this service, both complete in men, 100 each. The officers are
Captains Williamson, Standish, and Downman, Lieutenants Marlow,1
Yorke,8 Hamilton,8 Edwards,* Todd,6 Walker,6 and Lock.7 There are
four ships belonging to the artillery, having on board the afore men
tioned ordnance and stores. We have two sloops, on board of which
are about 30 horses. The civil branch consists of a Commissary
(Wood), Surgeon McLeod, Surgeon's mate Rollo, Clerk of Stores
Mansfield, conductors, artificers, etc., etc., the whole under Captain
Williamson.
. ' » Kane's List, No. 442.
2 Kane's List, No. 461. Brigadier General Yorke, when proceeding to the Cape in November,
1806 in command of three companies R.A., was lost in the wreck of the George transport.
» Kane's List, No. 600.
* Kane's List, No. 490.
5 Kane's List, No. 613.
• Kane's List, No. 620.
7 Kane's List, No. 669

88 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
Ten regiments of foot and fifty light horse are also embarked ; the
regiments are the 4th, 5th, 15th, 27th, 28th, 35th, 40th, 46th, 49th
and 55th, each about 500 men. The whole expedition under the com
mand of Major-General Grant.
The sea department is commanded by Commodore Hotham, and
consists of the Nonsuch 64, the St. Albans 64, the Preston, Isis and
Centurion of 50 guns each, the Venus frigate, and the Carcass Bomb
with her tender, Lieutenant Garstin, and about 50 transports. Lieu
tenant Pitts commands the Engineer line.
On the 29th of October, the fleet fell down to Staten Island, where
we remained till the 31st, when we went down near Sandy Hook
and came to anchor. The wind now began to blow very fresh from
the N.E., and sent in a heavy sea ; the weather was very cold, thick,
and rainy.
Orders for the ordnance ships by Captain Williamson
on board the Lord Howe, 28th October, 1778.
" The artillery on board each transport to be divided into watches
and those on duty to furnish a guard and post the following sentries
with side arms only, viz. : One at the cooking place to prevent fire.
One at the door of the magazine, if powder or ammunition is on
board. One at each gangway. The remainder of the watch to be
constantly on deck, and are to be relieved every four hours. If an
arm chest can be fixed on the quarter deck, twenty fire locks (or in
proportion to the men on board) should be stowed in it, with a like
number of cartouche boxes filled with ammunition. These arms not
to be loaded, but kept ready to be used by the men on duty in case
of any sudden emergency.
The officer commanding on board will order all the arms and am
munition to be examined every day, aud the state they are found in
to be reported to him. He must also take care that the arms are put
so as to be easily got at upon all occasions when wanted. When the
weather will permit, the men on board to be exercised. The com
manding officer to order a non-commissioned officer to attend the de
livery of all provisions and liquor for the troops, and whenever spirits
are delivered out to them, that it is mixed with water, as two to one.
The men's berths to be visited every day to see they are washed^and
swept when the weather permits, and are sprinkled twice a week with
vinegar. The ports and scuttles of the transports are to be kept open when
ever it can be done safely ; of this the Master is the best judge.
The roll to be called twice a day upon deck in presence of an officer;,
who is to see that the men's hair has been combed, that they are
washed and kept as clean as possible.
No smoking to be allowed between decks, nor lights of anv kind
except in lanterns, and these only in such fixed places as the1 Master
shall think safe.

THE SERVICES iOF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 89
All fires and lights between decks to be put out at eight o'clock
every night.
No fresh water to be used for washing during the voyage except by
order of the Commanding Officer on board.
The Commanding Officer of each ship will get from the Master a
copy of the daily allowance of provisions for the troops on board, as
the men, women, and children are to be victualled agreeably to the
instructions the Master of the transport has received from the Com
missary General's office.
The men not to appear on any account in their regimentals, but to
wear their canvas frocks aud foraging caps.
A report to be made to Captain Williamson this evening whether
the live stock and forage has been received agreeably to the order of
yesterday, and if the military and civil branch are all embarked on
board their respective transports."
(Signed) George Lewis Hamilton,
Lieutenant and Adjutant, R.A.
1st November. — The wind blew hard all last night, and continued
so the whole day, also very cold and rainy. During the night the
wind blew so violently that the men-of-war were obliged to strike
their yards and topmasts, and a brig belonging to the fleet was almost
driven on shore.
2nd November. — This morning is very cold, but the sky clear, and
the wind blows strong from the north. Afternoon turned out
very fine and the wind became moderate,
3rd November. — Very early this morning the fleet got under way
and stood to the S.E. with a fair pleasant breeze.
4th November. — The wind began to freshen and before night blew
strong, but continued in our favour. From this time till the 9th the
wind increased much and occasioned a mountainous sea, so that our
ship rolled and laboured prodigiously, more than ever I experi
enced before, which made it most uncomfortable to me who am always
sick ; perhaps the cause was our being very deeply laden with heavy
articles. The Solebay frigate with nine vessels which had sailed with
us thus far, took their leave and steered south. They are destined for
St, Augustine and Pensacola, having on board for those garrisons a
Hessian battalion and Allen's corps.
10th November. — The Venus frigate crowded sail ahead of the fleet.
We supposed her sent on to the place of our destination to reconnoitre
in that quarter and to give notice of our approach. From the 10th
to 16th, moderate weather, from 16th to 23rd, perfectly calm and
very hot. We are now in the lattitude of 26° 4'. From the 23rd to
29th quite calm, and very light winds and variable. This day we
discovered a devil fish playing round our ship. He appeared to be
about 15 feet from wing to wing. He had two sucking fish upon him
one about two feet long, the other about a foot. These fish were
quite white, and it seemed to us they gave him a great deal of un
easiness, for by tjhe different attitudes the devil put himself into, we

90 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, B.A.
concluded he wanted to shake them off, which he very often did, but
in an instant they were fixed on the same place as before. The devil waB
attended by a great number of pilot fish, such as are generally seen
in company with the shark. We caught six of these with small hooks
from the stem of the ship ; they were about one foot long, very hand
some, and exceedingly good eating. The devil fish is of a dark brown,
with a lighter colour running in irregular stripes across his back, the
belly and the whole of the under part being perfectly white. His
shape has a near resemblance to the skate or stingray, differing only
in the fore part where he has two arms or feeders or feelers about
three feet long, which he makes great use of when swimming, turning
them different ways, as if to see or feel for prey with, very often mak
ing their extremities meet together. He often turned himself on his
side, and then on his back, and in this position exhibited a most beau
tiful appearance, which was very much heightened by the lively and
variegated colours of the small fish that attended him. It was curious
and entertaining to observe how fearful these little aides-de-camp were
of losing the company of their general and guardian, for whenever
they ventured to the stern of the ship they scarcely stayed a moment,
and never came at all unless the devil himself swam near j when this
was the case they made a sally from their garrison and attacked our
baits with great voracity. I could not discover the situation of the
eyes of the devil fish, but I imagine they are between the feelers. He
has a long tail not unlike a coach whip which he whisks about with
much dexterity when on the surface of the sea. These fish, notwith
standing their enormous size, will often throw themselves several yards
clear of the water, aud do not be surprised when I assure you that the
fish above mentioned was not so long by several feet as some I have
seen off the coast of Florida. He remained about our ship from early
morning till late in the afternoon when a breeze springing up we lost
him. During the fine calm weather we have had for many days, we
have been much entertained with the variety and abundance of fish
that have played about us. We caught some flying and other fish.
I have taken a representation of the devil as he appeared in the sea at
the depth I believe of six or eight feet, with a sucker on one of his
feelers, and his attendants the pilot fish..
From this time to the 9th December nothing worth remarking hap
pened except our losing both the artillery horse sloops, and a brig
with horses belonging to the army. On this day in the afternoon we
saw the island of Barbadoes. Twenty years are past since I was on
this Island on an errand similar to the present one ; whether we prove
as fortunate as then time will determine. As it was late in the day
our Commodore made the signal for the fleet to heave to, which they
did, and remained so during the night.
10th December. — Early in the morning we filled our sails and stood
for the Island which appears as beautiful and as pleasing to the sight
as it did when last I saw it. Though my passage then was much
longer than this, every yard we advanced towards it at that time I
thought produced a new beauty, and now I think the prospect equally

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 91
pleasing. The conveniences and comforts to be met with on shore are
only truly enjoyed by people who have been confined a good while on
board ship, and I could wish that a number of the good people of
England who (though blessed with everything that is thought neces
sary to make life pass on agreeably) seem to be displeased and un
happy on shore, would take a sea voyage. Let them encounter hur
ricanes, seas mountains high, maggoty water, rotten bread, putrid
beef and pork, and in short let them feel and be perfectly sensible of
every danger and misery people at sea are subject to. When they
have experienced some of these hardships, I may venture to pronounce
that then, and only then, can they with a true appetite relish the many
blessings and pleasures they day by day receive.
About noon the fleet came to an anchor in Carlisle Bay, but not till
after a great deal of bustle and confusion occasioned by the ships all
crowding together when going in, but no great mischief was done.
Here we found Admiral Barrington with the Prince of Wales and
Boyne men-of-war, and several frigates, among them the Venus which
had arrived seventeen days before us. One of Admiral Barrington's
frigates had just taken a French ship bound to Martinique having on
board 300 soldiers, who are now prisoners in Bridge Town.
All this day and the 11th, we were busy on shore in procuring fruit
and other necessaries for another trip. Every person belonging to
the fleet was ordered to sleep on board their respective ships on the
11th, as we should absolutely sail on the 12th. At daylight the Ad
miral made the signal for the fleet to get under way, and by 8 o'clock
the whole were ready to proceed, Commodore Hotham leading the van
with his division of transports, Admiral Barrington with the centre
and in the rear.
In this manner we continued going before a pleasant breeze till
about sunset of this evening, when we saw the high land of St. Vin
cent at a considerable distance. The signal was now thrown out for
the fleet to heave to with their heads to the northward ; in this situa
tion we remained all night carrying but very little sail.
On the morning of the 13th, we saw the Island of St. Lucia at a
distance to leeward ; we now knew this to be our destined port.
The morning being very thick and hazy prevented our bearing down
till eight o'clock, at which time the clouds began to disperse, the sun
showed his face, his countenance was clear and promised a fair day.
I wish the island presented as fair an appearance, but far on the con
trary it exhibits the most unsociable inhospitable aspect I ever saw,
mountains piled on mountains in the most irregular and rugged
manner you can conceive, and clouds perpetually hide their summits.
When we had passed the north end of the island we were under its lee
and the sea became smooth and pleasant. As we proceeded along the
shore we sa v many white flags flying on little batteries, many cannon
were fired, and the Island seemed to have taken a general alarm. We
continued along shore till we came to a bay called the Grand Cul de
Sac; here the fleet came to an anchor,"and instant orders were'given
for the troops to land. It was not till after the Commodore and

92 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
several of our ships had dropped their anchors that a battery of four
guns situated on a high rock at the entrance of the Cul de Sac fired a
single shot. The Frenchmen were slow in their firing motions, but
in the motions of their heels they were very active, for almost im
mediately after the Commadore brought his broadside to bear upon
them and gave them a few shots they precipitately left their battery.
Before our arrival here the following orders had been given out by
the Commander-in-Chief on board the Preston, 3rd November, 1778: —
" Colonel Prescott, Lieut.-Colonels Sir Henry Calder, Bart, and
Medows1 are appointed Brigadier Generals on the expedition. Lieut.-
Colonel Musgrave of the 40th regiment, Deputy Quarter-master-Gen-
eral ; Major Brown, Deputy Adjutant-General.
The 4th, 15th, 28th, 46th and 35th regiments form the first brigade
under the command of General Prescott, to which Captain Smith of
the 5th regiment is major of brigade. The 27th, 49th, 40th, and 55th
regiments form the second brigade under Colonel Sir Henry Calder,
Captain Baker of 5th regiment being his Brigade Major. The gren
adiers and light infantry and 5th regiment compose the reserve under
General Medows, Lieutenant Ross of the 35th regiment appointed
his Brigade Major. Major Harris3 of 5th regiment commanding the
grenadiers, and Major Sir James Murray of the 4th regiment the
light infantry.
When the troops are ordered to disembark they are to take on
shore one day's provisions cooked and half a pint of rum each man,
and 36 rounds of ammunition only.
The detachments will be made in the following order, and the com
manding officers are to take care that the troops get into the boats
by companies. The grenadiers, light infantry, and 5th regiment with
four 3-prs. are the first debarkation. The first brigade with two
3-prs. is the second, The 2nd brigade with two 3-prs. is the third,
and the cavalry and artillery stores, etc., etc., constitute the fourth
debarkation. The sick to be left in the care of the women, and no
woman is to land on any account."
Artillery Orders. — "The following officers are to take the com
mand of the guns to disembark with the different brigades. Lieu
tenants Yorke and Edwards, with four non-commissioned officers and
thirty-six men with four 3-prs., with the first debarkation. Lieu
tenant Todd, with two non-commissioned officers and eighteen men
to the two 3-prs.-, with the second. Lieutenant Walker and two non
commissioned officers and eighteen men to the two 3-prs with the
third. Captain Standish to superintend the second and Captain
Downman the third debarkation."
Before all the fleet had come to anchor, and the flat and other boats
necessary for landing the troops were hoisted out, the afternoon was

1 Afterwards Sir Wm. Medows, Governor of Bombay.
2 Originally in the Royal Artillery (Kane's List, No. 376). In 1788, Harris went to Bombay
aa secretary and ^e-de-eamp to Sir Wm. Medows. In 1799, when in commldlfthe S
of^im0atkefnt.aD Se™<»»- ^ 1815, he was raised to the peerage as LordHaS

TH£ SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FEANClS DOWNMAN, R.A. 98
very far advanced, however, General Medows' corps was ordered to
land, which was effected on the south side of the bay, without the
smallest opposition, after the Venus frigate had fired a broadside or
two into the woods. They then proceeded by the head of the bay to
the road leading to Morne Fortune, where a few popping shot passed,
but it was soon over, and they remained quiet the remainder of the
night, though extremely uncomfortable for it rained almost the whole
time. General Medows issued the following order this day : —
"Brigadier General Medows is extremely sensible of the high
honour conferred upon him in having the command of the flank corps.
From the acts of gallantry in the light infantry, the determined
bravery of the grenadiers, and the confirmed discipline of the 5th
regiment success is to be expected, and he sanguinely hopes the
lustre of their actions in the field will not be tarnished by any irregu
larities out of it. The troops are desired to remember that clemency
should ever attend on victory, that an enemy in your power is an
enemy no more, that to be cruel and brave are almost incompatible,
and the glorious characteristic of a British soldier is to conquer and
to spare j acting on these principles they never can fail doing honour
to their king, their country and themselves."
14th December. — Early this morning the other part of the army
landed and took post on the high hills on both sides of the Cul de Sac;
they also took possession of Morne Fortune, a very high commanding
hill, on which are the Governor's house, ranges of barracks, an ex
cellent hospital, a tank or receiver for water, and number of other
buildings. When the light infantry first advanced to this hill they
were fired at by a few straggling Frenchmen who were on the rising
-ground above the hospital. Their fire was returned, and at that in
stant Monsieur Bevuaux, surgeon of the hospital, going to the door to
beg protection for the sick, received a ball in his head of which he
died soon after. We were concerned for the unlucky fate of this
gentleman for his death was accidental, so say the light infantry ;
however, be it as it will, he was pillaged of his watch and a consider
able quantity of money he had put into his pocket for preservation.
General Medows advancing, descended to the town of Careenage sit
uated at the head of a bay of the same name about two miles and a
half to the northward of the Grand Cul de Sac. He proceeded and
took post on the Vigie, a high commanding ground forming the north
shore of the Careenage, which is a peninsula, the neck not more than
150 yards wide. A battery of three 12-prs. [No. 1] was found here
pointing into the Choc Bav. The French had taken no pains to dis
able the guns they left on" their batteries, except by putting into a few
of them old nails and files which were soon taken out.
The 4th regiment was ordered to take post" on these high grounds
forming the south side of the Careenage immediately opposite the Vigie.
In this space of ground were found four batteries with many of the guns
unspiked and a good quantityof ammunition. There is a battery of two
12-prs. [No. 2] on a small detached rock (to which you ascend by a

94 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMA&, R.A.
rope ladder)., A little to the southward is another of three 12-prs.
[No. 3] on the slope of a hill en barbette, commanding a small sandy
bay on its left. A third one of five 18-pfs. [No. 4] , is strong and
well made with embrasures and entirely of stone. This battery is
well situated for the defence of the entrance of the Careenage, it is
nearly on a level with the water, and about 200 yards from the rock
battery. A fourth one [No. 5] of four 18-prs. is on the side of a hill
very high and steep from the water, about a mile further up the har*.
bour than the last mentioned one en barbette. , There is also a well
made stone battery on the opposite shore intended to protect the
entrance of the Careenage, but this has no guns on it ; this battery
would rake the ship fore and aft that was firing at the five gun battery^
The enemy did not attempt to defend any of these batteries, they only
left a man on each, who at the approach of the English struck the
white rag and ran off. They had several small cannon on Morne
Fortune, but made little use of them.
Every circumstance had hitherto turned in our favour as well as we
could possibly wish ; we were landed without loss, we are in possess
ion of the, enemies' batteries and strong ground, and nothing appears
to be in the way to prevent the capitulation of the island in a day or
two. But how uncertain are all human affairs, and how little ought
we to depend on anything in this world, even the fairest. appearances I
Our two commanders congratulated each other on the success of
their endeavours hitherto, but little did they think what a storm was
gathering over their heads at the very moment of their joy.
This afternoon two of our cruisers came into the fleet from the
windward, firing guns and making signals for a fleet. In a very little
time after, a numerous fleet was discovered standing from Martinique
toward St. Lucia ; half an eye was quite sufficient to distinguish it to
be French composed of large men-of-war, frigates, and small vessels
crowded with men.
I will leave you to form some idea of our thoughts and our situation
at this moment. Gloomy as you probably think they were, I promise
you most of us were in high, spirit's ; our little army was tolerably
well situated ; our navy could not be so for they had not time.
The Comte d'Estaing, for it was no less a person, sent most of his
small vessels into the Gros Hot, a bay a few miles to windward of us,
and cruised off and on with the ships of war till the morning. During
the night Admiral Barrington made every preparation in his power to
receive the Frenchmen handsomely and give them a hearty welcome.
Our transports as you will readily suppose were lying in great con
fusion some on the. inner and others on the outer side of the men-of-
war; these were also lying in much irregularity when the enemy first
appeared, but before Mons. d'Estaing did them the honour, of a visit
they were ranged ma line across the entrance of the Cul de Sac had
got sprmgs on their Cables, and presented their fair broadsides to
Monsieur, an inviting prospect to a Frenchman when the odds were
so much in his favour.
The French commander, however, merits the sincere thanks" of
every true Englishman for his politeness in not attacking us the in-

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-C0LONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 95,
stent be -arrived when we were jumbled together in this great disorder.
By not doing so he lost the fairest opportunity he ever had7'arXl
hope ever will have, of conquering. Nothing but the interposition of
Providence could have saved us if he had behaved as he ought to
have done, and I have the vanity to think, bad our situation's been
vice versa, destruction and ruin would have fallen on the head of «fack
Frenchman.1 Pn the 15th, early in the morning, I received prefers from General
Grant to land immediately with all |fche artillerymen I had. Captains
Williamson and Standish were at this time on bpard their ship the
Lord Howe, that had been tiie whole night attempting to get into tne
Cul de Sac, but being an indifferent sailor and having°but little wind,
she had fallen much to leaward, and if the Admiral had not sent all
his boats to her assistance this morning she would have undoubtedly
been taken. When I had climbed and waded knee-deep through
mud and clay to Morne Fortune', the General ordered me down to a
battery by the waterside. Thither I slid and tumbled through roads
worse if possible than that to the Morne. From thence I could see the
whole fleet of d'Estaing, all his small vessels in the Gros Hot, his line
of battleships ranging themselves in order, and coming down along the
shore toward us. We were ready to receive him before he approached.
About 11 o'clock he passed our batteries at "the Careenage. I saluted
each as they advanced, but they were too far distant to fire at with
any certainty' of striking, yet some of them were struck. They re
turned the fire, particularly the Languedoc with 42-prs., but it was so
wildly that i£ was hard to determine at what they aimed- On their
getting near to our men-of-war they were again saluted by a fyatteiy of
four 12-prs. [No. 6] the same that fired when we first entered the, Cul de
Sac. The enemy had spiked tiiese guns, but on the night of the 14th
they were made fit for service by Lieutenant Garstin who now com
manded the battery, and who was of so much service to Admiral Bar
rington during the engagement that he publickly gave him thanks.
When the enemy's ships were nearly opposite to tins battery they
bore away ip a parallel to ours, and now commenced a glorious thun
dering cannonade from the English and a no less tremendous, fire
from the French, which continued without thp smallest apparenj; in
terruption |iill their fleet, which consisted of eleven line of battleships,
ampng them two of 84 or 90 guns each, had passed in regular suc
cession. After going before the wind till quite but of reach of our
cannon, thp enemy hauled their wind and stood towards the Gros Hot.
Every British heart was beating with transports, pf joy, and (defied
d'Esteing even should he come again w.ith double tiie number of: sj}ips.
We were soon informed that pur fleet had received no damage, nor
had they any men killed.
jfn the afternoon about 3 o'clock, the French admiral had gof; far
enough to windward tp form his fleet ip the same order qf battle as in
the morning. In this order he again came on with twelve ships.
He was again received with the 'warmth of all our hearts, and
1 Twenty years later Nelson demonstrated the soundness of this opinion at the battle of the
Nile,

96 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
again was he driven away, notwithstanding he and his officers had
dined, and had taken sans doute an extra bottle. It was this bottle I
believe that spirited several of them to venture nearer than they did
in the former attack, by which some of their ships were a good deal
disabled in their rigging and hobbled but lamely from the combat.
This rough true English mode of treatment so displeased our
Frenchmen, already I fancy devilish sick with noise and smell of sul
phur, that they determined both for their own welfare and from the
regard they generally pay to their master's ships, not to adventure
another attack. Had Byron arrived at this fortunate juncture, no
longer should we call him the unfortunate Byron.1

CHAPTER II.

French fleet enters Choc Bay. Land their troops. Attack General
Medows on the Vigie and are repulsed. French troops re-embarked.
Their fleet departs. The Governor of St. Lucia capitulates.
On the 16th December, 1778 at daylight, we saw the French fleet
some miles to leeward of the island. In the afternoon it was close
in shore to the north-westward. We concluded the enemy in
tended to have another brush at our ships, but they had got such a
beating by our batteries and men-of-war that they dared not venture
again. In the evening they stood into Choc Bay about three miles to
the northward and came to anchor. As soon as it was dark we saw
fires on the shore, and three rockets were discharged. This we right
ly concluded was the prelude to landing their army. Their small craft
left Gros Hot Bay that they first went into, and came into Choc Bay
and before morning all the trcops they contained were landed.
On the 17th, as soon as the dawn of day appeared and objects were
to be distinguished, we saw the French army on shore and advancing
in large columns. All our pickets and guards posted on the heights
on the north side of the town came in, and the enemy took possession.
From thence they fired a few cannon shot at the 46th Reeiment
stationed on an eminence m the rear of the town. The 46th retired
immediately and none now of the British remained on that side but
General Medows, who still kept ground on his Peninsula
Early this morning I was ordered from the Wta-T, \.l ±\. -j
[No. 4] „ tU o„e of fo„r 18-p„ [No. $&\ S^^gg?

?C* 1778, BETWEEN THE FRENCH FLEET UNDER
\ET UNDER ADMIRAL BARRINGTON.

&

NCH FLEET OF II LINE OF BATTLESHIPS

g. <^i. <$&

Town
TERIES ON SKETCH.  —
N° 4 ...... Four 18 Pr?on Waters edge at Entrance to Careenage
Harbour, Captain Downman's post, on the 15$
N° 5  Four /8PC? on Hillside. Captain Downman's post on 18$
/V° 6,  Four 12 P$ at mouth of GnandCuldeSac, Lieut. Garstinspostoni5^
IV? 7.  French Columns of Mack on I8*&.

-3- 4

'*<?A-

'Jk- -Mt

Three M'-f-

(2 P"-

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 97
situated on a high ground, the hill from it down to the bay side being
almost of a perpendicular steepness. It not only commands all the
harbour, but also the Vigie, the town and all the ground on that side
the Careenage. I believe the width of the Careenage to be 600 yards,
and the distance from the entrance to the town a mile and a half!
The instant I got to this battery I saw an occasion to use a few car
tridges I luckily had brought with me to good effect, forcing a column
of the enemy to retire that seemed inclined to take post in the skirts
of the town.
The French army were now in possession of all the range of hills
from above the town down to the Choc Bay side with a number of
small cannon placed here and there. We had left the town entirely,
but we had a post of the 46th Regiment within a hundred yards of it,
immediately at the bottom of the road from the Morne. We had left
the town in a violent hurry, for what reason I know not, because if we
had chose to prevent it, a Frenchman could not live in it, but so it was.
The Commissary, frightened out of his senses, ran away and left some
provisions, which were useful to the French. Other people not know
ing clearly what they were about left a number of boats and canoes in
the town, though at this time we had not such a convenience to send
across to General Medows or to do anything else that might be neces
sary. The enemy, I believe, conceived from our retiring so peaceably
as they advanced, that we meant not to dispute any ground with them,
but in this they found themselves egregiously deceived. It was in the
middle of this night that a body of them silently entered the town,
proceeded over the bridge and attacked the pickets of the 46th Regi
ment ; they were soon repulsed with some loss; we also lost men, two
killed and six wounded.
On the 18th, at daybreak, we observed the French army in motion,
seemingly as if they intended an attack on General Medows. They
were marching in strong columns from the hills opposite to us through
rthe woods to their right, and taking post along the seaside and all the
ground in our front. About eight o'clock we were convinced of their
intention, for through the breaks in the wood we plainly saw three
columns directing their course to the Peninsula. One approached by
the Choc Bay side, the others proceeding through different roads
| terminating near an old redoubt, between which and Choc is a low
level piece of ground. It was on this ground the enemy formed from
their columns before they advanced to the foot of General Medows's
hill. Five companies of our light infantry were advanced to the re
doubt, and near it, part of whom narrowly escaped being surrounded
by the French, who, much favoured by the thickness of the woods,
had got close up to them before they were perceived, and but for an
exertion of their usual agility a great many must have been taken.
As it was Captain Downing, 55th, and another officer and eight men
were made prisoners.
The French army in forming on so small a space of ground jumbled
the right of one column on the left of another, and were in some dis
order, which was not a little increased by the well directed fire of our
artillery. However, they soon recovered in some degree, and began

98 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT..COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A
their attack assisted by four small cannon. One part of them soon
gave way, but were replaced by others, and in this manner, with little
alteration of plan and manceuvring, they continued the action for two
hours at a distance of not less than 280 yards. At length, after a
slaughter and resistance, they were taught not to expect, they retired,
some few in confusion, but the greater part in excellent order, bring
ing four guns to cover their retreat. In a critical moment for the
British, the French determined their retreat, for at the time they
effected it we had scarcely any ammunition left, the men having col
lected even what they could from their dead and wounded comrades, and
our fire of course was nearly at a stop. General Medows had, how
ever, prudently reserved to each man three or four rounds which, if
the enemy had attempted the Hill, were to be given them, and then
they were to charge with bayonets. This was the determination of
General Medows (though wounded) and his officers. Glorious resol
ution, truly becoming British soldiers !
You will observe in General Grant's orders that the troops were to
land with thirty-six rounds of ammunition only ; the field pieces also
by his orders had but a small proportion. This security, or inattention, i
or whatever you may please to term it in our Chief, was very nearly
being attended with the most serious consequences — the destruction
of 1,300 or 1,400 of our best troops, and perhaps, had they fallen, the
whole armament. Why was not more ammunition sent to General
Medows when there was an appearance of his being attacked ? It
was not thought of till it was too late to be of real service, and if it
had been, it was to be sent for from our shipping by land, a tedious
piece of business, and then a boat had to be found to transport it to
the Vigie'. It never once occurred to our Wisdoms, that a boat or
two would be necessary and useful to us in this bay till the very in
stant one was wanted, and then everyone bawled out *' Where are the
boats; where are all the boats?" Says Colonel Chin, " no sir, by
mere accident, only one boat secured on this side the bay; very extra
ordinary." At this very moment there were lying at the town three
or four small sailing boats and several canoes, within half musket i shot
of our advanced picket, but we did not think it a matter of any
moment when we were in possession of the town to move "them to a
place of safety, and now it would be dangerous, though undercover
of our own posts, to attempt it. •
Why would it be dangerous ?
Because the French troops are so near us.
How near pray ?
Not a yard less than half a mile.
And, pray sir, why did you leave a quantity of powder and other
stores in houses on your own side the water so long at the option of
the French, either to set on fire or carry away, when you might in
open day have taken them away yourself ? "
In truth sir, I can assign no cause for such neglncb but the one just
mentioned — mere accident.
Just about the time the French army was retiring from the field of
action, two of their 74 gun ships came to anchor off the harbour of

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 99
the Careenage and began a heavy cannonade on our batteries ; their
object no doub't was to cut off communication with General Medows
but the fife was so well returned that in about half an hour they
were both obliged to retire, leaving behind them their anchors and
cable's. The battery of four 18-prs. [No. 5] which I had the pleasure of
directing this day, was, I am proud and happy to say, of great service
to the British and destructive to the French troops. I not only galled
the latter when advancing, but during the action when the flanks of
their several columns were presented to me, and also in their retreat.
General Meadows did me the honour to call me his grand ally, and
General Grant told me he was much obliged to me. It is a mere
feather, yet not unpleasing.
The battery of three 12-prs. [No. 1] on the Peninsula was com
manded by Lieutenant Walker and did much execution, though he
could not bring all his guns to bear on the enemy, and was in some
want of ammunition. The five gun battery [No. 4] at the entrance
of the harbour was commanded by Lieutenant Todd, who struck one
of the French ships a great number of times. The battery of two
12-prs [No. 2]1 on the rock should have been commanded by Lieutenant
Lock. Lieutenants Yorke and Edwards were with the field guns with
General Medows, and contributed not a little to the effusion of French
blood this day. They had each some men wounded and only wanted
more ammunition to have added much to the slaughter of the enemies.
It now remains to mention our loss in these two actions. The navy
sustained no greater than ten or twelve men killed and wounded and
no damage worth speaking of done to any of the ships. This is won
derful and to account for it we can only say the French ships fired
badly and- kept at 100 yards distance, yet a great number of their
shot went over ours. What the French men-of-war suffered we
know not, this only, that several went away lame in their rigging, and
the ,Comte has his nephew killed by a shot from one of the batteries.
The loss of the French army in the action of the 18th, was very few
less, if any, than 400 killed on the spot and 1,200 wounded. The for
tunate British had only 10 killed and 150 wounded ; the officers
wounded were, General Medows, Major Harris, and Lieutenants
Pratt and Harris 5th Regiment, Captains Daly and Hay (since dead)
28th Regiment, Lieutenant Ross (Brigade Major) 35th Regiment, and
Lieutenants Forbes and Gomm, 46th Regiment. We sent a flag of
truce in the afternoon desiring them to come and bury their dead.
Their boats were all the afternoon going backwards and forwards from
the shore taking off as we imagined tlieir wounded. To find a cause
for this amazing disproportion in numbers, we must confidently say
the British artillery did their duty well on that day. It is not a usual
tiling with the army to allow much credit to the artillery, let them do
ever so much, but on this occasion they have deviated from the
common path, and have done us the favour to say our guns were well
' > For the various batteries referred to see Plate facing page 96,

100 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
pointed We did not want their words to verify this, ocular demon
stration is stronger, a more convincing proof. Heads^ legs, and arms
knocked off, and bodies torn to pieces are not the effect ot musketry
balls fired at the distance of 300 yards ! I have my reasons for
saying the army are very sparing of their encomiums on the artillery.
Many times officers have been heard to say on the march, " go on, go
on, never wait for the artillery," but I always observed when these
un'soldierlike words were pronounced, the enemy were at a consider
able distance, and no sooner does the popping begin in front than the
tone is altered, " Where are the guns, where are the artillery ?; halt in
front and clear the road for guns ! ! " is then the cry. I have often
remarked that the army in general look with an envious jealous eye
on the artillery, from what cause I know not unless from an idea they ,
entertain of our having more advantages and conveniences than them
selves. We go through the same fatigues, often times abundantly
more, we are exposed to the same dangers, sometimes greater, by their
running away and leaving us to shift for ourselves, when half our men
and horses are killed and wounded.*
When artillery are engaged and their fire effectual nothing is too
good for them, politeness and attention is carried to 45 degrees, and
praises and plaudits ring on every side of us, but, alas the day ! when
the General's letter to the Minister appears in publick, no more men
tion is made of the Artillery than if there were no such people in
being. J These are mortifying truths, particularly to a corps which
upon every occasion when employed have behaved as well, if not better
in general than any corps in the King's service.
I shall now proceed with my journal, but first must mention a few
matters I think not unworthy of notice, matters which make one
wonder we are not prisoners in Martinique instead of being at liberty
in St. Lucia. One would think in running them all up that we are
the favourites of the Supreme Being, or that a few good ones are
amongst us for whom the whole are preserved, or that God is highly
displeased with our enemies, for that he has been our guardian, our
protector, ever since we left New York there remaineth not the small
est doubt. To make you understand this preamble I must acquaint
* With General Burgoyne.
X General Clinton's letter of Freehold jn the Jerseys.
[The above notes are Downman's. The first refers to the action fought near Saratoga on Octo
ber 7th, 1777. Lieutenant-General Burgoyne in his despatch from Albany, October 20th, after de
tailing his operations subsequent to crossing the Hudson River on September 14th, and in camp
near Saratoga, the enemy being in the neighbourhood at Stillwater, describes that portion of the
fight on the 7th in which the guns were lost, in the following terms : —
" The danger to which the lines were exposed becoming at this moment of the most serious
nature, orders were given to Majors-General Philips and Reidesel to cover the retreat, while such
troops as were not ready for the purpose, returned for the defence of them. The troops retreated
hard pressed, but in good order. They were obliged to leave six pieces of cannon all the horses
having been killed, and most of the artillerymen either killed or wounded ; the latter had behaved
as usual with the utmost bravery, under Major [Griffith] WiUiams."
The second note refers to General Clinton's despatch dated New York, July 7th, 1778. In
this he reports his sharp action with General Washington on June 28th. at Freehold Court
House. No mention is made of the Artillery, though we know the brigades of Captains William
son und Standish were amon? the troops chiefly engaged and which suffered heavy losses.
Lieutenant Vaughan was killed.]

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A 101
you of matters and things which we ourselves were ignorant of till
this moment.
We sailed from New York on the 3rd of November with a fair wind
and pleasant weather. On the 3rd of November also sailed from
Boston the Comte d'Estaing with his whole fleet, both fleets bound to
the West Indies and destined within a very few miles of each other.
A remarkable interposition of Providence in our favour happened on
the 17th of the same month, or thereabouts, when in or near latitude
26°. Commodore Hotham in the evening made the signal for the fleet
to tack and stand to the eastward. This was done by the whole except
a horse brig, which not paying attention to the Commodore, continued
the course she was in and at daybreak in the morning was taken by
d'Estaing's fleet. Had our Commodore been told, or by divination
known that this formidable enemy was so near him, and had been de
sired to change or alter his course as he should think best, so as to avoid
the danger, it is ten to one he had run directly into it, but as it was,
being totally ignorant of the matter, he went Providentially the way
that proved to be right. This I think, Master Alexander, was an al
most hair-breadth escape, and our not falling in with this French
Gentleman during the remainder of the passage was another instance
of good fortune. Our arrival at this island in a happy moment of time ;
our landing instantly ; our army being well posted ; our fleet being even
in the readiness they were ; our finding ammunition on the batteries ;
the French cannon being so badly spiked ; our repulsing the different
attacks, though so very superior to us in numbers, and the very trifling
loss we sustained by those attacks are matters I think that very fully
evince what I have before mentioned, that we are assuredly the favour
ites of some good creature above. Had we been 12 hours later in our
arrival, which might easily have happened ; had we not landed directly
— it was wonderful we did for it was just about dinner time — or had the
. Comte d'Estaing made his attack in a proper manner, and the instant
,he came to us, all had been lost.

We now continue the narrative from the diary.

December 19th. — We remained very quiet all last night. The
French army was in the same situation they were yesterday. Their
fleet is augmenting every day ; there are now at anchor no less than
twenty-six sail of ships of war and fifty sloops and schooners. One of
our transports is taken ; by some accident she drove out of our fleet.
We have taken one of their vessels with a number of troops on board.
The following letter from General Grant to Brigadier General Medows
with General Medows' remarks was published to the troops to-day :—
10

102 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
"I cannot express how much I feel myself obliged to you and the
troops under your command, in repulsing with so much spirited bravery
so great a body of the enemy. I own it was just what I expected from
you and them, and am convinced under your command they always
will behave in such a manner as to do honour to you, themselves, their
country, and their King, and I must beg of you to express my thanks
and gratitude to them in the strongest manner."
" General Medows has the highest satisfaction in communicating, so
flattering a letter from the Commander-in-Chief to the troops under
his command, and begs leave to mark to the officers and men his great
admiration of their gallantry and good conduct in the affair of the,
18th inst., he feels too much to be able to add more than that at the
head of such troops he must be pleased to live and ready to die."
December 20th. — This morning very early we discovered to our
right a body of the French seemingly going from the wood at the foot
of the Morne Fortune". We imagined they had been out during the
night endeavouring to find an accessible road up to our head quarters,
or to see if they could occupy the hills about the Cul de Sac where
our shipping are. The force consisted of their marines and grenadiers
and appeared to number about 800 men. They were sent by d'Estaing
the day their army landed and had been poking about the woods ever
since without being able to do anything against our posts. Last •
night and this whole day has passed without any popping from either
side. Their army remains in the same position as before. They are
very busy landing provisions, tents and other things, and are either^
mending the roads or are raising some kind of works on their emin
ences. We hear that on the 18th, Comte d'Estaing commandedHthe •
right, the Marquis de Bouille the left, and Comte Lovendahl (whoiit ,
is said was mortally wounded) the left of the French army. Their
fleet is as quiet and inoffensive as lambs.
Every night and day that we have been on shore on this horrible island
has been excessively windy and rainy, I never saw a part of the world
a tenth so bad as this. The whole island is a jurable of ragged
mountains thrown upon one another with the utmost irregularity.;;!
Our troops go through inconceivable fatigue in transporting provisions/
etc. from the shipping.
December 21st. — Everybody quiet last night. Wind and rain as
usual. I have now been seven days on shore, have not had my clothes 1
once off, and have been wet through every day and night. The
French army and fleet remain as usual. They landed a small body of
men in a bay to leeward, with the intention, we imagine, of possessing
themselves of the hills surrounding the Cul de Sac where our shipping ;
General Medows issued the following order to day : 
" Whenever the pickets are attacked the drums to beat to arms,
and the lines to be manned immediately. As soon as our gallant and
generous enemy are seen to advance in great numbers, the troops are

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THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 103
to receive them with three huzzas, and then to be perfectly silent and
obedient to their officers. Whilst they are cool by day and alert bv
night they have nothing to fear. If the. enemy want our arms let
them come and take them. During the attack some of the drums to
assemble round the colours of the 5th Regiment and beat the grena
diers march."
December 22nd. — Quiet all last night. The enemy began yesterday
to raise works on some hills in our front, and are going forward with
them now. They are within reach of my guns, but I am not
allowed to molest them. " It will not answer any purpose to prevent
the enemy throwing up batteries and entrenchments," says our General.
The Ceres sloop of war is taken by the French ; she is now at anchor
with their fleet.
December 23rd. — All quiet last night. The French army and fleet
in the same position as before. They seem very busy carrying on
their works which appear to be made entirely for defence, for they are
at too great a distance to do any mischief to us.
December 24th. — This morning early a rebel privateer carrying 18
gun and 130 men was taken. She came by mistake in the night to
our fleet, and in her fright and* confusion could not get out of reach of
the shot from the ships and Garstin's battery before several had
struck her. She is called the Bunkers Hill.
About 8 a.m., the French fleet began to get under way and continued
till the whole was under sail standing to the northward. Their army
is also in motion, retiring with their cannon, and makino- works as
they move, which leads us to conjecture they have either learnt some
thing of Byron, or are about to make an attack in a different manner
from what they did before. In the afternoon the .French fleet, after
standing off and on, came to anchor about half a mile to windward of
its former place, and in a more compact manner ; their small craft re
main as usual, except getting a little nearer to the shore.
December 25th. — This is the third day without rain and the weather
has been very pleasant and cool. The hill I am situated upon com
mands a fine prospect both of sea and land, the eye never wants
entertainment. Beneath us the French army carry on their works
with ease and in perfect security, for we are polite enough not to molest
them though much within the reach of our cannon. Their fleet is
another entertaining object, it exhibits a fine and formidable appear
ance, and by their different signals and manoeuvres amuse our sight,
and make us form a thousand conjectures about their intentions.
One moment we expect them to attack, the next we conclude they are
going to leave us, but cannot believe they will be such cowardly rascals.
The mountainous, rugged, irregular appearance of the island forms a
very wild and savage picture, and the distant shore of Martinique
adds a not unpleasing background to the whole. We only want
Byron's fleet to make it a valuable and highly finished piece*
All this day the greatest part of the French fleet have their main and
fore top-sail yards hoisted up which I think is a convincing proof they
expect an enemy, and from everything we observe amongst them,
their small craft and their army, we conclude that M. d'Estaing means

104 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A
to stay here till the arrival of our unfortunate hero, or to make his
escape. If he has taken the former resolution, it in some measure
accounts for his lamb-like behavour with respect to onr little fleet, for
should any of his ships get disabled, particularly in their masts, he
would be quite unfit to risk an action with such a fleet as Byron's and
Barrington's united. He would not only lose (most probably) a num
ber of his large ships, but all his small craft, and thereby expose and
leave open to us all the French islands, for these small vessels are the
only transports they possess in this country. Let us even suppose
while their present army (which by most accounts is 8,000 or 9,000
men) remains in this island, we should be unable to conquer them,
yet if we beat their fleet we command at sea, and if occasion required
our quitting the place for one of more consequence we might easily
do it, and by the vigour of our naval force totally prevent their return
to Martinique or any other island. From the movements of the
French fleet and army it is natural enough to conclude that d'Estaing
is either about to act a very spirited part, or the contrary, that is,
that he means to fight Byron, or to run away on the first intimation
he may receive of his being in these seas. I hope with all my soul he
will stick to the former.
We are informed that Byron met with a gale of wind on the coast
of America, that the Somerset was lost on Cape Sable and the Bedford
dismasted. December 26th. — The French army remain as usual hard at work in
strengthening their situation as they retire. Their fleet remained at
anchor all last night, but this morning got under way and are stand
ing off and on, their small craft as before. In the evening the fleet
again came to under the shore, but more to windward than before.
A very rainy day.
December 27th. — Rained all last night. All hands very quiet. The
French fleet remained as they were last night. This morning very
thick and rainy. About nine o'clock the French fleet showed a num
ber of signals and hoisted their colours, and four of their frigates
are going leeward ; they returned about noon. Their large boats are
on shore and ranged along the beach as if to receive troops on board.
Their small vessels have got nearer to the shore than usual, and their
army have been making many movements, such as denote a re-embark
ation or a resolution to maintain themselves on the heights opposite
their shipping, to which they have moved several of tl eir cannon and
have made new works. This afternoon the wind blew fresh. Much
rain. December 28th. — Quiet all last night, which was very windy with
rain, this morning the same. The French fleet is in the same position.
A part of their army either embarked during the night or is gone to
some other quarter, as many tents are struck from the wood before us
and many of their flat bottomed boats or launches are ranged along
the beach. This afternoon is very fine. The French army seem to get
further from us, and it is believed they are preparing to re-embark
their troops. The fires made by the French army this evening burnt

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 105
for a little time very fiercely, but as the night advanced dwindled
away. December 29th.— As soon as the dawn of day appeared we found
our conjectures respecting the embarkation of the French army to be
true, not a French soldier to be seen on the shore, and all their
small craft and boats are gone from the shore to the fleet which is
still at anchor. What the intention of the French can be now we
must leave a few days to determine. I am much afraid they will
return from whence they came and again give Byron the slip. If
they are destined to any of our islands they still leave themselves
exposed to our fleet, that is, if ever that unfortunate fleet should come
to this country. At eight o'clock this morning a flag came from the
Governor with terms of capitulation. Some light infantry from General
Medows's post went and took ground on the hills in our front where
the French were yesterday. At ten o'clock some of the enemy's ships
of war got under way — also their small craft and are turning to wind
ward under the lee of the island and others are standing over towards
Martinique. About 12 o'clock the whole fleet were under sail and
shaped their course for Martinique. — 0 Byron thou unfortunate dog I
This is the third time thou hast lost a glorious, golden opportunity of
immortalising thy name. They are gone, the birds are flown, there
fore go and hang thyself; an unlucky planet reigned when thou
wert born ! Thou never will have in thy power such another moment
to serve thy King and country.
The dastardly d'Estaing before he took his leave, told the Governor,
M. de Micoud, he would wait in the harbour six hours after the troops
were embarked, and told him to send to us directly and get the best
terms he could. The Governor took his advice, for d'Estaing's boats
had scarcely left the shore',when the flag came in. We are well in
formed that the French did not lose less than 2,000 men during their
stay on shore, and a very great number of them by cannon shot. The
battery I had the*|honour to command on the attack of the 18th, did
great execution. I received the thanks of Generals Grant and Medows,
the latter called me his best ally. I had a fine situation for galling
the French army as they marched to the attack in columns, I had them
then charmingly, and while forming, and after being formed, and also
in their retreat. I kept up as heavy a fire as I could on their flank
which was presented to me the greatest part of the action. My shot in
this situation swept them off by the dozens at a time, and Frenchmen's
. heads and legs were as plenty and much cheaper than sheep's heads
and trotters in Scotland. Three of my guns were cracked during the
action, one of them is rendered totally unservicable, the others will do
at a pinch.
It is now evening. That poltroon d'Estaing and his fleet are totally
out of sight, they are all safe in the harbour of Fort Royal. What a
despicable figure has he made of himself I He attacked us the day
after our arrival before we were prepared to receive him and reckoning
the weight of his guns and ours, he had more than double our ships,
and many of our transports were not got quite out of the way when
the action began. Twice the same day did each ship of this formid-

106 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
ablejfleet ( to look at ) thunder their broadsides on our brave ' little
squadron, but what was the result of this seemingly destructive fire f
Not more than three or four men killed and ten or twelve wounded,
and no damage done to any of our ships. It is astonishing, but it is
no lesB a fact. The loss of the French we are quite ignorant about,
we only know that several of their ships received damage in their
rigging and that d'Estaing's nephew was killed by a shot from one of
our batteries. The battery commanded by Lieutenant Garstin did
much service to the English fleet by keeping the French at a distance ;
his guns damaged several of their ships. Admiral Barrington and
General Grant gave him thanks for his behaviour that day.
December 30th. — The capitulation was signed.
December 31st. — An officer and thirty-five poor looking wretches of
French soldiers marched into the town with a drum and laid down
their arms at the bridge.
Janua/ry 1st, 1779. — A ship of ours went with French officers and
men to Martinique to be exchanged. From this day to the 5th noth
ing happened. Our fleet lay as usual, and our army are busy in mak
ing and mending roads. The French people are getting into the town
and opening a few miserable shops. The situation of the town is
horrible, it is in a bottom and almost surrounded with stagnant water.
The inhabitants look more like bodies just crept from the grave to
frighten one, than living creatures. The mulattoes and negroes are
much better looking folks. The island produces the same articles as
others of the West Indies, but the coffee and chocolate seem to be the
principal care of the planters near this place. There are good fish to
be caught with the hook and line in deep water along the shore, and
up the harbours are abundance of mullet, but the rockiness of the
coast prevents their being caught with nets except in a very few
places. On Wednesday, January 6th, about seven o'clock in the morning,
we saw with great joy several large ships coming round the northward
of the island towards us. We soon discovered them to be friends, and
that they were no other than the fleet of our long lost, unfortunate
Byron, consisting of nine line of battle ships only (including his own
the Princess Royal of 90); several frigates and small craft were with
hirh. He did not stop at Barbadoes, and had been only three weeks
from Rhode Island.
When I give myself time to think seriously of the great force the
French have in these seas, particularly the armament we have driven
away, and the many hair-breadth escapes our little army and navy have
had, I cannot help exclaiming, we are a most fortunate people 1 The
Comte d'Estaing with his tremendous fleet sailed from Boston the
same day, or near it, that we sailed from Sandy Hook. The narrow
escape we had on the passage almost assures us we are the favourites
of the Supreme Being, and that the cause we are fightine for is iust
andgood. s 5 J
We are well informed that on the night of the 17th November' when
we were in latitude 26°, or thereabouts, the Comte d'Estaing was
within a very few leagues of us. Our Coiriinoaore madiS a tact that

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL ERANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 107
night and stood to the N.E. One of our vessels, a brig with horses
did not attend to the signals, and kept her course, finding herself at
daybreak in the midst of d'Estaing's fleet. This was a providential
escape, and our not falling in with him during the whole passage was
equally fortunate. The two commanders had not the smallest idea of
one another's situation. Our arrival here at a happy moment of time
for had we been twelve hours later all had been lost — our landing in
stantly, our being well posted, our fleet being even in the readiness
they were, our finding the French cannon so badly spiked and having
them ready to make use of just by the time the French arrived, our
finding ammunition, our repulsing their different attacks though so
very superior in number to us, and the very trifling loss we sustained
in those attacks are I think circumstances that very sufficiently evince
we have a good angel attending upon us.

CHAPTER III.

The manoeuvres of the English and French fleets.
January 7th, 1779. — Admiral Byron on the passage fell down and
broke two of his ribs and is not yet recovered enough to venture on
shore. His fleet is very busy watering and preparing to pay a visit
to M. d'Estaing.
January -9th. — A frigate, the Weasel, sailed for England with des
patches. I sent Lord Townshend1 a sketch of the different attacks of
the enemy on our fleet and army. Wrote also to Mrs. D.
January 11th. — The ship that went to Martinique with French
prisoners returned to-day, bringing the men and officers taken in the
Ceres. In the transport also came Captain Downing and the light in
fantry men with him, and two artillerymen taken in one of our horse
Bloops. We learn by this ship that the people of Martinique are very
much dissatisfied with d'Estaing and the officers of his fleet, so that
they will hardly suffer them to walk the streets.
January 12th. — About noon we saw a fleet standing out of Fort
Royal harbour ; it directed its course towards us. A frigate of ours
went out about 2 o'clock, and after a little while made the signal for
an enemy. We could discover about sixteen sail, — twelve large and
four small ships. Everyone of us is in high spirits ; we flatter our
selves that d'Estaing is at length determined to attack the British
fleet. Jarmary 13th.— At 3 o'clock this morning Admiral Byron made
Bignals to unmoor ships, at daylight they got under way, and at 7 tho
whole, consisting of thirteen line of battle, one fifty, and three frigates
'Master-General of the Ordnance.

108 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.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 Baw 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 waB
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 Hot 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 16th. — 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
Hot 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-

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 109
ment, are both dead of the fever of this country, and many others are
not expected to live.
Our fleet and army are both lying, idle, for why or wherefore is best
known to the man of Morne Fortune"1 and the unfortunate man.1 I
am told the fleet is sickly, both officers and men ; that the army is so
I know for. certain and dread the consequences of remaining here
three or four months longer, which we are told will be the case, or
until we hear from England.
Melancholy prospect ! Death seems to stare us in the face which
ever way we turn. Why do we stay here, now we command the sea ?
Why not move to some other island ? Why not to Dominique ? It
were better to die attempting to retake that place than to perish here
and do no good. We ate too late they say, we should have set off the
moment Byron arrived. We have given the French time to recover
the beating they got here and to reinforce and fortify that island, so
that we are not able to attack it with any prospect of success. It
were better we were doing anything than to remain here inactive.
Men's minds as well as their bodies should be employed ; when that is
the case you need not be apprehensive of sickness. Our men are
employed, but at what sort of work ? Why, in mending roads up
and down hills almost perpendicular, when perhaps it is raining the
whole time they are at work, and, what will appear very extraordinary,
they are ordered to work till 12 o'clock and to go on again at one!
This is not only dreadful on account of the heat of the sun, but the
poor wretches have scarce a moment to themselves after eating their
morsel of pork.
January 19th and 20th. — Rain and wind. Admiral Byron's cruisers
have re-taken several vessels taken by two rebel privateers that keep
in the latitude of Barbadoes to intercept the English ships.
'i January 21st. — Rain as usual.
January 22nd. — More rain. The devil take this country !
.January 23rd. — Rain encore. Admiral Byron has sent the Bunker's
Hill (now the Surprise) with two frigates to look for the rebel
privateers, who know nothing of her being taken. She is to hoist
rebel colours, and the frigates French, and as they know the Bunker's
Hill and expect to fall in with her every day, as they told the mate of
one of the ships they took, it is probable the device will answer.
January 24th. — Very severe wind and rain all night. This morning
a fleet of 13 sail appeared round the north end of the island, they lay
to for some time near Byron, and then made sail as if for Jamaica.
I received a letter from Bobby Day from Falmouth, dated October
16th. No war. Strange doings !
January 25th. — Rain and wind almost the whole day, and in the
night both were excessively severe. In no small danger of being
carried away, tent and all, down a precipice of 400 or 500 feet.
Taken ill this afternoon, a violent commotion and desperate battle
internally, and a fever during some part of the night.
1 General Grant and Admiral Byron.

110 THE SERVICES OF LHSUTi-OOLONEL J-RANOIS DOWNMAN, B.A.
January 26th.— Wind very high,rbut no rain. I am a little' better,
but find myself very weak from the effects of my illness of yesterday.
Violent rain and wind has continued from the 26th fc>; this day,
February 2nd, which was brilliantly fine though not without rain.
This morning four or five French men-of-war sailed out of Fort
Royal harbour and stood up along the island to windward. Admiral
Byron sent some of his ships after them. The Frenchmen put about
and scampered into port again. We are informed that the Weasel,
sloop of war, that was ordered home with despatches, is taken by a
French frigate and carried into Guadeloupe. This day arrived from
England the Pomona frigate, she left England on January 5th and
parted from the West Indian fleet on the passage.
February 3rd. — This morning 500 men from the different regiments
embarked on board Byron's fleet. Sickness on board is the cause of
this manoeuvre. From this day to the 13th perpetual rain and wind.
February 13th. — This day arrived Commodore Rowley with seven
line of battle-ships. He came to anchor with Admiral Byron off the
Gros Hot. It is now five weeks since Byron arrived. It is not im
probable but he will remain five weeks longer in harbour. We are
told that many of the enemy's ships have lately got into Fort Royal
and St. Pierre, Martinique. Very possible, for though we are now
again master of the sea, and have ships enough to draw a line round
that and the other French islands, yet we do nothing but lie at anchor
in our own harbour !
Commodore Rowley sailed from England with the West India fleet.
From the 13th to 23rd February, every day and night an abundance
of rain and wind.
Commodore Rowley, who has been out with seven ships cruising
two or three days, returned this morning.
A fleet of French ships has got into Martinique, to the shame of
Byron, who feared d'Estaing would make a sally upon him in his Gros
Hot; notwithstanding he has 16 or 17 ships of the line, he sent in a
great hurry to recall Rowley.
February 24th. — It is a shameful circumstance that an English
admiral with 24 line of battle-ships and a number of frigates should
suffer five or six French men-of-war to get into a harbour that lies
within our sight. We are just now informed of eight more French
men-of-war getting into Martinique last night, which, if true, will
make M. d'Estaing's fleet 25 sail of the line and 17 frigates. All the
transports, except 20, sailed for England. This number will more
than contain us if we remain much longer in this country.
Rain all the morning.
February 25th.— -Rain all the morning, last night and this whole
day. Struck my tent and retired to a hut which I have just finished.
From this time to March 2nd things have been much as they were,
that is to say, a great deal of wind and rain. Byron and his fleet are
just where they were, immovable, except now and then a ship or two
sent out for an hour,  ~  r -¦-

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. Ill
March 3rd, 1779.— To-day the fourteenth officer, since our landing
was buried. But little rain to-day.
March 4th. — A fine day. In the evening, a quarter before eight
o'clock, a shock of an earthquake was felt, which continued about four
seconds. Some thunder and lightning in the afternoon.
March 5th. — A fine day. Thunder at a distance. Fourteen sail of
Byron's fleet at length went and shewed themselves before Fort
Royal harbour and returned in the evening, d'Estaing not choosing to
come out.
Captain Packenham, of 27th regiment, died this day. A soldier of
the 28th regiment was attacked and bit by a very large snake, and
died in 24 hours afterwards. He described the snake as being as
thick as his thigh and its mouth so large that it grasped the calf of
his leg. He was only half an hour before he got assistance, yet a
mortification came on quite up to his groin. Had he got immediate
application, probably his life might have been saved.
March 6th. — Our fleet did not come to anchor on its return, but
cruised off and on the Gros Hot, and in the night returned close under
Martinique and continued about there the whole day.
March 7th. — The rain not so abundant as usual, the weather is also
much hotter. Our fleet continued cruising sometimes to windward of
Martinique, and at others before the harbour where d'Estaing lies
with his fleet.
March 10th. — An exceeding hot day, the clouds and fog are close
upon the earth, and not a breath of wind. A night of incessant rain
thunder and lightning. Several cannon were fired at sea, or at the
Gros not.
March 11th. — A fine morning. Two or three more ships went out
last night from the Gros Hot and joined the cruising fleet, they are
not to be seen this morning, being to windward.
March 12th. — A fine day. The fleet cruising off Fort Royal
harbour. The weather to this day, the 16th, has been variable, generally rain
in the 24 hours. Our ships of war that were cruising off and on, all
came in this day and some others went out. This morning very
early we discovered one of our ships making signals for an enemy and
standing from Martinique. Our whole fleet were all out of the Gros
Ilot and under way by about 9 o'clock. We now can perceive the
French fleet off the harbour of Fort Royal, the weather is hazy and we
Cannot distinguish their number. Our fleet are all standing with
moderate sail directly over towards them; they weighed in three
divisions. Our fleet Jay to for a long time when the French fleet was
near them. Strange ! D'Estaing ran into his harbour again, and
our d'Estaing came away directly.
Jfarcfe 21st. — Our fleet is only now come to anchor from driving
d'Estaing into port again, the currents drove them much to leeward.
I was attacked with a fever, but thank God was quite recovered in
five or six days.

1 1 2 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
The Venus, frigate, has taken the General Trumble, a rebel ship of
20 guns, and brought her into Gros Hot.
April 2nd, 1779. — A sloop was taken to-day within our sight by a
schooner of ours, we are told she is a rebel vessel from Charlestown
loaded with rice and flour, a good prize at this time.
Our amazing fleet of men-of-war are still lying in the Gros Hot, and
what Admiral Byron can be dreaming about is a matter of much
astonishment to everybody.
April 5th. — We learn that Colonel Campbell, of the 71st regiment,
is in possession of all Georgia and has killed a great , many of the
rebels. We are informed for a certainty that the last time d'Estaing passed
out of his harbour, he was induced thereto by being told by a person
who called himself a relation of Dr. Franklin, that the English fleet
then at St. Lucia was in a very sickly condition and unable to man
the few ships that were there, and that the remainder of the fleet was
out on a cruise. D'Estaing, being assured by the relative of his old
friend and ally Franklin that this was actually true, treated his
informant with much respect and attention, embarked 4,000 men
aboard his fleet and was certainly about to pay us another visit that
day. The Comte might have been taken in had not Byron, Byron-like,
always wrong, sallied out with all his fleet against the enemy's 14.
As matters were, I am credibly informed that Byron that day could
have taken or brought to action seven of the enemy's fleet. 'Tis
strange ! 'Tis passing strange I 'Tis wonderful ! You won't believe
me perhaps when I tell you, that either French or Rebel privateers
have taken an English vessel or two within a few miles of us (near
the Soufriere). Not long ago I was down at this Soufriere, a place
well worth seeing, about 12 miles from the Careenage. I then saw a
vessel taken that only left us an hour before. You would naturally
conclude from these facts that we had no vessels to cruise, but, take
my word for it, I have before my eyes at this moment about 30 sail of
ships of war.
A good story of Monsieur Byron.
He went out the other day after d'Estaing. While cruising he fired
a gun to call attention to the signal flying at the same time on his ship,
and summoned the next in command, Admiral Parker, to come on
board. On his arrival Byron asked what he was about that he did not
form the line according to the signal.
Admiral Parker said he had seen no such signal.
" No such signal ! " replies the Admiral—" Look aloft and see the
signal." Says Parker, "No sir, I have no such signal in my instructions."
Admiral Byron cast his eyes aloft, lo ! and behold ! it was a dream,
or something like one, for his signal officer had rendered the signal
unintelligible by hoistmg in mistake a Dutch Jack instead of an
Janglish one I
KZfe/fl'T11 fl/6fc u°rm!d }ine t0 leewai"d under «» sk°re. The
English fleet made a bow to them and came back, and now for fear of

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 113
making any more mistakes, are determined to remain in port
April 19th.— Our admirable Admiral is informed that within this
week upwards of 60 vessels, escorted from St. Eustatius by three men-
of-war and ten frigates, have got safe into Martinique and Guadeloupe
with provisions for d'Estaing's fleet and army which were in great
distress till their arrival. Had the English admiral done his duty this
fleet must have become the prize of our fleet. He has also learnt that
several French ships are off Nevis and St. Kitts, the inhabitants of
which islands are watching night and day expecting an invasion.
April 21st.— This day five of Mr. Byron's fleet got under way and
stood over to Martinique and returned to anchor in the evening.
April 22nd. — The packet arrived from England, but no letters for
the army, except a very few.
April 26th. — This morning four frigates came into the fleet from
the windward, and in the evening several other ships. They are the
Cork fleet with provisions.
April 27th. — Four of our men-of-war went last night from the Gros
Hot, and this morning one sees them off Fort Royal harbour. I begin
to suspect d'Estaing has again given Byron — a Bye-run.
This morning Admiral Byron has had the flag flying for all boats
and everyone belonging to the ships to be on board. Eight sail of
large ships hove in sight to windward and kept down under the shore
of Martinique, standing to Fort Royal. Afternoon. — The four ships
above mentioned prove to be French, now joined by five more and are
cruising off and on their harbour. The eight ships that are to wind
ward are English, they went out last night and are now returning into
harbour, the French ships are still cruising about. Admiral Byron is
lying as still as a mouse. I wonder at his philosophy ; to command
siich a powerful fleet and yet suffer d'Estaing to go in and out of his
port as he pleases, 'tis scandalous to say the best of such behaviour.
April 29th. — We are informed this day that several men-of-war, five
of which are absolutely French, are lying off St. Kitts and Nevis.
Some are of opinion that Nevis is at present, or will be in a short
time, in the possession of the French, or else destroyed and pillaged.
April 30th. — To-day there appears by the signals, etc., amongst our
fleet in Gros Hot, an intention of moving soon. This evening a frigate
came to the Careenage and received from the different transports a
number of volunteers, who went with loud huzzas and in the greatest
spirits on board those ships of Byron's that wanted men.
May 1st, 1779. — At length the fleet of Byron is roused from its
slumbers. At 8 o'clock a.m. the whole were under way and standing
over towards Fort Royal harbour in order of battle, and about one
o'clock they were off the mouth of the harbour. In the night some
people heard cannon and saw flashes of fire at a great distance ;
imagination sees and hears many things that never happen.
May 3rd. — All day yesterday an abundance of rain and continued
through the night. This morning the wind blows from the S.W., a
very uncommon circumstance ; this is the second time it has happened
since our being here. Nothing transpired yet of what Byron has done.

114 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
The Boyne and Medway of the line, the Venus, Diamond and Aurora
frigates, with two or three prizes and some store ships, being all that
are left here by Byron, all left the Gros Hot and came into the
Careenage as a much safer place in case M. d'Estaing should pay us
another visit in the absence of our mighty Mingo. The Centurion of
50 guns came in from the windward this afternoon.
May 4th. — This morning early we saw to our astonishment six French
ships of the line, two frigates and a sloop at very little distance from
the Gros Hot. The sloop looked into the Cul de Sac and Careenage,
the frigates into the Gros Hot, they then stood from the shore to the
large ships, upon which the whole of them immediately wore round,
and about 8.30 a.m. stood towards Martinique in a regular line. The
atmosphere very thick so we can see but a little distance from the
shore. The Boyne, Medway and Centurion are drawn in a line across
the entrance of the Careenage, behind are the batteries ; the frigates
and all other vessels are warped up much within the large ships. Can
the Devil, or anybody account for the wonderful and extraordinary
management of this mingo of the great canoes ? He left us three or
four days ago with twenty sail of the line and . his back is no sooner
seen than we are again blocked by the French.
May 10th. — This morning early we saw a large fleet off the north end
of Martinique beating up. In the evening they were not far from the
Gros not. 'Tis our friend Byron come back again, he has shewn him
self to our islands to leeward — he looked into Martinique, saw there
17 sail of the line and a number of frigates, also into Dominique and
Guadeloupe where many vessels might have been taken without loss,
but it is beneath the dignity of a vice-admiral of the Blue to attack any
thing less than a ship of war !
May 11th. — This morning his whole fleet anchored in the Gros Hot.
The ships that were in the Careenage are ordered to join him directly.
He is afraid d'Estaing will come out and eat him at a mouthful.
May 18th. — This afternoon the frigate Porcupine from England ar
rived. By her we learn that the Pearl got to England on March 24th
with the general's despatches on taking this island. The frigate sailed
on the 27th, she has brought money for the army, but no letters to
relieve us from an anxious suspense. No letters in answer to the Pearl.
May 19th. — Very early this morning we were roused by cannon
firing from our fleet at Gros Hot. Commodores Rowley and Graves
are made Rear-admirals of the Blue, and Rear-admiral Barrington vice
of the Blue.
May 24th. — Five hundred of our recovering soldiers with their officers
went on board Byron's fleet. This afternoon a small ship entered the
Gros Hot from windward, supposed to be the packet or ship with des
patches in answer to General Grant's letters by the Pearl. She saluted
the Admiral with 13 guns. About 12 o'clock at night the mail and
General Grant's despatches arrived at head-quarters from Gros Hot.
May 25th.— This morning at day-break signals were made in the
fleet at Gros Hot for all boats, etc. to be on board and the top-sails
loosed; at the same time a frigate came down to the Careenage to re-

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 115
ceive volunteer sailors from the transports, which she did and returned
immediately. About 3 in the afternoon, the whole fleet got under sail
and stood to windward.
May 26th. — This evening the packet and several other ships sailed
from the Careenage bound for England. Orders were given out by
General Grant for the three following regiments to be left on St.
Lucia : — 27th, 35th and 49th, under command of Sir H. Calder. The
5th and 46th to go on board Byron's fleet as marines, and the 4th, 15th,
28th, 40th and 55th to go to America under General Prescott.
Generals Grant and Medows go for England. Artillery orders are for
Captain Downman with four subalterns and 80 men, with surgeon,
clerks of stores, etc., etc., to remain in St. Lucia. Captains Williamson
and Standish with the remainder of Artillery to go to America.
June 1st, 1779. — It began to rain most violently with very high wind
and continued for four days, except some short intermissions.
June 4th. — A French prize brig came into the Careenage this morn
ing taken by Byron's fleet. A cutter from France with despatches is
also taken, by which Byron is informed of a reinforcement of seven
ships and 5,000 men being on their passage for d'Estaing under
M. de la Motte Piquet.
June 6th. — This morning, early, a fleet of 26 sail appeared in sight
to windward which we suppose to be Byron ; soon after the whole of
them sailed close along shore, passed the Careenage and went away
to leeward with a press of sail, the Princess Royal the headmost ship.
June 7th. — A fine morning. We can perceive a fleet of about 50 sail
to leeward at a great distance. We imagine it is Byron convoying the
Granada fleet out of danger from Martinique : we also observe four
French men-of-war off Fort Royal harbour which have taken a look
at the fleet and are now going into'port again.
June 8th. — This morning four French men-of-war came from Mar
tinique, looked into the Gros Hot and Careenage under English colours,
then wore round and stood away. They did not come within cannon
shot of us.
June 10th. — Early this morning we discovered eleven or twelve sail
of French vessels standing from Fort Royal towards us; five of them
were men-of-war. About 3 o'clook in the afternoon two of them after
standing in almost close to the Gros Hot and into the Choc bay came
down opposite the Careenage, but at not less distance than a mile or
more from the rock battery, from which I fired a shot at a great eleva
tion which fell on the further side. They immediately hoisted English
colours and stood to windward, and in the morning after lying off the
Gros Hot returned to their shore. We were apprehensive they meant
to take off Mr. Byron's 800 sick sailors and marines lying at the Gros
Hot, with nothing to protect them but two 6-prs. lately sent from the
Careenage. Mr ByrOn has gone, the Devil and the French know
where, for no sooner is he away than we are braved by them and any

116 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
vessel coming to us is liable to be taken, for he has not left us a single
sloop of war. If his fleet does anything of the smallest consequence
while he commands it, I'll eat one of his 74 gun ships.
June 11th. — Four or five of the French ships came and looked at us
again to-day.

C H APTEB IV .

The French capture the Islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Manoeuvres of, and actions between, the English and French fleets.

Jwne 19th, 1779. — We are just informed that the French have
landed some troops under cover of three frigates in the Isle of St.
Vincent. Governor Morris has written to General Grant for some
assistance, but how the devil is assistance to get to him when Byron
has not left us even an armed boat ? When the Admiral returns he
may get succour but not before, and then most likely it will be too
late to save the island, for if the French have landed but a very small
number of men, yet assisted by the Caribbees, whom I am told
amount to 1,100 men and are armed and supplied with ammunition by
the French, it will not be an easy matter for us to take it.
June 22nd. — This morning a French frigate passed us in going
from Martinique to St. Vincent, and on the 23rd, early in the morn
ing, we saw the same vessel returning towards Martinique. We now
begin to fear not only for St. Vincent but the Grenadines also. We
cannot learn anything ef M. Byron, only that he is conveying the
West Indian fleet to the latitude 24° north, so that d'Estaing can
have nothing to fear, for this week or ten days, in which time, if he
plays his part with spirit and vigour, he will cut out an entertainment ,
for our army and navy.
June 24th. — We are now informed for a certainty that St. Vincent is

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 117
taken, the rascality of the Governor and a Colonel Etherington hav
ing accomplished what the French when they landed had not the
least thought of. They landed not 250 men, irregulars, ragamuffins,
anything, from three small ships and remarkably enough all English,
the Lively, the Weasel and a Bristol -man, their only intention we learn
was to spirit up the Caribbees against the English, and on their landing,
about 400 of these came down from their woods, but almost immed
iately returned, being dissatisfied at something or other. The enemy
were scarcely on shore when the above poltroon of a scandalous Colonel,
though commanding 370 English soldiers, sent to the Frenchman to
know what terms he would grant. A question so unexpected surprised
the French exceedingly, but as the island seemed determined to sur
render, they allowed our pusillanimous Governor and Colonel most
things they demanded, except some matter relating to the Caribbees.
July 1st, 1779. — As Byron came in sight this morning to the north,
14 sail of French ships were in sight to leeward. He was told
of them, he saw them, yet never went after them ; astonishingly
strange ! Byron is at length come back, he hove in sight early in
the morning to windward, and soon after the whole fleet came to
anchor, some in the Gros Hot, and some in the Choc bay. This has
been a most dismal day, incessant rain, violent gusts of wind, and
loud claps of thunder. In the afternoon all the men-of-war came and
anchored opposite the Careenage. A French fleet of 15 or 16 sail
were also in sight to leeward. Byron never stirred an inch after
them. The army, except the three regiments and artillery ordered to stay,
have orders to embark immediately, the whole are in a bustle and
confusion. July 2nd. — Army, baggage, horses, asses, goats, women and child
ren embarking, all bustlo, all noise. St. Vincent must be re-taken.
July 3rd. — The fleet are under way and going towards the island ;
good luck go with them. D'Estaing they say is joined by six ships
of the line, eight frigates, and 6,000 or 7,000 men — poor old England !
I wish Byron well over the bridge. I this day took possession of my
quarters on the Morne and commenced Commandant.
July 4th. — Getting stores, &c, from the Careenage to the Morne.
Taken ill with fever and violent pains in breast and bowels.
July 5th. — We are in a great bustle on the hill, and are not with
out our doubts of d'Estaing paying us a visit. Getting our stores
from the town as fast as possible.
July 6th. — We are told our fleet have got a thrashing, and that
d'Estaing has gone to the Grenadines — very fine indeed ! Vile Byron 1
Unfortunate John Bull !
July'7th. — Brought the two 5^-inch howitzers from town to the
Morne this morning with 52 negroes and our own men. Byron's last
trip of five or six weeks is the cause of the loss of St. Vincent and
the Grenadines, and the defeat of his own fleet, because it was in his
own power had he acted right to prevent d'Estaing being joined by
M. de la Motte Piquet ; had he remained to windward of Martinique

118 THE SERVICES OF LLEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, E.A.
the islands could not have been lost, and he might have interrupted
the French re-inforcement. In all that long cruise he took not a
single vessel, nor did he even see the West Indian fleet after they left
St. Kitts, where he lay eight days inactive with his whole fleet, though
he went with an intention to escort them to a certain latitude.
July 10th. — We are informed this morning by a sloop that Admiral
Byron is beaten, and that the Grenadines are taken. The master says
he saw the action and that they were engaged six hours. This is the
direful consequence of Mr. Byron's last trip. He has lost St. Vincent,
the Grenadines and perhaps many of the transports. The French
fleet, considerably larger than his (as they were just joined by the
14 above mentioned) were drawn up in line of battle near the
Grenadines. July 17th. — A fleet of very large ships, upwards of 30, passed this
day to leeward towards Martinique. We are certain it is the French
fleet. Who knows what is become of ours — we have heard nothing
from them, but by French and others we are assured they have been
beaten by d'Estaing. Of course they are dispersed and gone nobody
knows whither. We are in daily expectation of a visit from Martinique
and are making every preparation in our power to receive the French.
July 26th. — A French gazette from Martinique, mentions the tak
ings of the Grenadines the  instant, with the loss of about 1 00
men killed and wounded, also the attack of the British fleet on the
French wherein they claim the victory, but at the cost of 1,000 men
killed and wounded. We are told only eight of the British ships
were engaged, the French having 24 in the action. Admiral Barr
ington behaved gallantly and is wounded. We cannot hear a syllable
of news of our fleet, suppose they have gone to Antigua.
August 5th, 1779. — The Maidstone frigate and the Surprise sloop of
war arrived this morning ; they left St. Kitts on Saturday last and bring
us the following information. That part of our fleet has been rather
roughly handled by the French one, owing to that part bearing the
chief of the fire from the whole French fleet. Our fleet did not get
into action all together, as it was necessary to protect our transports.
The enemy notwithstanding their superiority (for they had 26 or 27
sail of the line and a vast number of frigates), gave way when our
ships attacked them, but they afterwards made a double as if to get
at our transports. This manoeuvre obliged Byron to alter his situation ;
in doing this and protecting his transports his force was much lessened,
and some confusion or mistakes seem to have followed. Those of our
ships that were hotly engaged were not supported and two or three
of them suffered a great deal. The French fleet re-fitted at the Gren
adines, and our fleet, except the Lion which is missing, went to St.
Kitts. The whole French fleet, while ours was lying at anchor at St'
Kitts bore down upon them until within half a cannon shot, then
hauled their wind and went away and have not since been seen. Per
haps they are gone to Jamaica in conjunction with the Spaniards
perhaps they are gone to some other of our islands. Their intention
was to have taken St. Kitts if Byron had not been there ; they have

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 119
7,000 troops on board their fleet. The'English fleet has been joined
by the Vengeance of 74, two ships of 50 guns, a frigate or two, and
two bomb ketches. The regiments that went from here are divided
between St. Kitts and Antigua. The Artillery and stores from all
our ships are landed at St. Kitts and will be dispersed for the pro
tection of those islands.
Lord Macartney, governor of the Grenadines behaved exceedingly
well ; he is sent a prisoner to France.
Admiral Barrington went on July 15th to England in the Ariadiie,
some say in disgust, others say on extraordinary business. The whole
business is extraordinary. Faults there are, and not a few. Who is
right, or who has done amiss may soon be discovered, I wish some of
their caputs may not be in danger.
A transport, the Savile with Colonel Ogilvie and 150 men of the 4th
regiment is taken, which is the only one of our transports that is
missing. General Grant is gone to England to give an account of his
stewardship. August 20th. — Byron and his fleet have arrived at Barbadoes.
d'Estaing is gone, but no one here knows whither. Byron is gone to
England. September 1st, 1779. — The troops are exceedingly sickly and die
away fast. Since General Grant went away, we have lost in all Lieut.
Walker and six of the artillery, and upwards of 30 are sick. Since
the first part of the army landed on the island (?) officers and rank
and file are dead, and a vast number of women and children. The
Comte d'Estaing, we are informed, is gone to America. Our fleet are
cruising somewhere or other. Admiral Parker has taken 14 St. Dom-
ingomen. The Sphinx, with the bomb and tender sailed from Barba
does ; a French frigate left Martinique the same day, and in a few days
afterwards we were told the Sphinx and tender were taken and carried
into Martinique. This is the second time poor Garstin has lost all his
baggage. October 17th, 1779. — 1 was taken exceedingly ill, and in a few days
was given over, however, I disappointed the doctors, and recovered
just when they thought me going and boards were asked about for
my coffin.
November 21st. — Just able to get on a horse.
Extremely busy on the hill in finishing our redoubts and getting
everything ready for an attack which we have expected for some time.
The Marquis de Bouille, Governor of Martinique did certainly collect
all the troops he could with an intention to pay us a visit, but some
thing prevented him.
November 28th. — Five men-of-war and a frigate of Admiral Parker's
fleet came to anchor in Choc Bay to wood and water. We are informed
that Comte d'Estaing has been beaten off from Charlestown, with
considerable loss of men, and himself wounded in two places, but that
his fleet had taken or destroyed four of our ships.
December 4th. — Admiral Parker and the remainder of his fleet came
here and anchored in the Gros Hot. We are told d'Estaing's fleet has

120 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
got into Martinique, although ours has been on the look out for him
for some time, but as usual cruising in the wrong place.
- December 17th. — This morning a fleet of 20 or 30 sail appeared in
sight to windward of Martinique. We fired a gun from our hill and
hoisted the colour up and down 30 times to let our fleet know of it,
which directly afterwards made signal for all boats to be put under
way. The fleet above mentioned is a French one and is now going
close along the Martinique shore to get into Fort Royal. Our fleet of
18 sail is crowding across to intercept them. At about one o'clock
the headmost of ours fired several shot at one of the French ships,
but it being hazy, we cannot distinguish objects clearly. At about
half past one several of our ships seemed to be amongst the French
and fired a good deal and from what we can discern at the distance,
several of the French ships must be taken. If our fleet had been out
one hour sooner the whole of them probably would have fallen into
our hands. In the evening two ships were seen on fire on the shore of
Martinique, which burnt very fiercely the greatest part of the night.
December 19th. — A very fine clear morning, we can see our fleet at
and near the entrance of Fort Royal harbour. Their number is
augmented to 25 or 26 sail, so that they have taken several prizes.
This morning two more ships were set on fire on the shore of Mar
tinique. The weather very fine and clear all day. Two prizes came
to anchor in the Careenage and several others with two men-of-war
went to the Gros Hot. The remainder of our fleet are near Fort Royal
harbour. December 20th. — Very fine and calm morning. Our fleet are going
to windward except two or three ships that are attending the prizes.
We cannot yet learn what number have been taken or destroyed. One
of the men-of-war at the Gros Hot, the Conqueror, fired 45 half-
minute guns this morning on the death of her Captain, Griffiths,
who was killed on the 18th, when he was in Fort Royal harbour. His
ship was considerably the headmost of our fleet and made a frigate
and seven ships strike to him. Three French men-of-war went down
the harbour, seeing him alone, and began a heavy fire upon him, but
at a great distance, which he returned and continued the engagement
with them all for near two hours before any of the other ships got to
his assistance. The shot that took Griffiths killed also three other men
which were our total loss — very unfortunate — he was a brave officer.
Nine ships of the French are taken and five burnt. A French 20
gun ship-of-war is among the number, and a frigate did strike to the
Conqueror, but when the French men-of-war engaged the latter, the
frigate and some others got up the harbour away from her.
December 21st. — The prizes are all at anchor in the Gros .Hot. A
division of our fleet of 14 ships under Admiral Rowley are cruising to
windward, and another to leeward, under Commodore Collingwood.
Admiral Parker with the others in the Gros Hot are going to anchor.
This day remarkably fine and very hot. About half past three this
afternoon I saluted the Admiral with 13 guns just as he came to anchor.
He did not return it till the next morning at sunrise, the reason of this

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 121
delay being that he did not hear our guns, as he was distant 10 miles
to leeward.
December 28th. — A fine day, showery towards night. This after
noon fired two guns and hoisted a flag to inform Admiral Parker of
our seeing a fleet to windward of Martinique. He did not seem to
take any notice of it. This night very rainy and windy in squalls.
December 31st. — A very fine day. We can discover six or seven
sail to leeward of the island.
January 1st, 1780. — A very smart shock of an earthquake this
evening about 8 o'clock made the house shake very much. The ships
seen yesterday, prove to be Admiral Rowley with three French
frigates and two sloops all of which he has taken since he went out ;
they are the three we saw to leeward on the 21st, one of them is
La Fortune of 42 guns, the other La Blanche of 32 guns, and the
third is the new Ellis privateer of Bristol, copper bottomed, 28 guns,
which had been taken by the enemy and made a frigate of. These
three ships had been carrying the few remaining troops (after the
affair at Charlestown) to the Grenadines. We saluted Admiral Rowley
as he passed, which he returned. We are informed that d'Estaing lost
four frigates on the bar of Charlestown, and upwards of 1,000 of his
troops killed in the attack he made on the English. May he ever
meet with the like misfortunes when he takes the part of rebels.
I sent the following letters and amounts the 10th December, 1779,
by the packet : —
1. A letter to Cox and Mair containing three bills for £70, £50,
and £40. A letter to Colonel Farrington, and an account of
late Lieutenant Walker's effects.
2. Letter to the Board (duplicate) about Lieutenant Edwards.
3. Letter to the Board with medicine account.
4. Muster rolls and pay list for my detachment for Sept., Oct.,
Nov., and Dec, 1779.
5. Letters to Mrs. Hunter, Mrs. D., and Miss Day, with order on
my agent for £10.
6. Letter to Donaldson.
January 2nd, 1780. —A fine clear day. Two of the French prizes
are at anchor in the Gros Hot, the other one is in tow of one of our
men-of-war, having lost her mizzen-mast in attempting to escape. It
is by no means an unpleasant prospect that we now enjoy from our
mountain, a number of prizes at anchor in our harbour and three very
fine frigates going in. Admiral Parker makes use of his ships, which
Byron never did. Parker has taken nine or ten St. Domingomen, he
has also taken and destroyed 15 ships within our sight and he has
taken three frigates.
/, January 3rd. — This morning very fine and clear. We can see six
or seven sail of ships to leeward of Fort Royal harbour. We fired
two guns from our hill, and hoisted the colours to inform the Admiral,
who, soon after, got under way with his ships. Commodore Colling
wood with his division came down from the windward and joined
Admiral Parker ; the whole, consistingg of 16 sail are at 12 o'clock

122 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, B.A.
standing towards Fort Royal. In the evening we could perceive that
some of them stood into the harbour. When the Admiral left the
Gros Hot he ordered all the prizes down to the Careenage, where they
soon arrived and anchored off the mouth of it, not a very grateful
sight to the Frenchmen who are constantly going in and out in their
canoes to and from the town. A remarkably fine night.
January 4th.-^A most beautiful morning. The island of Martinique
is exceedingly free from clouds and fogs, and the houses are dis
tinguishable with the naked eye. Our fleet are lying off the mouth of
Fort Royal harbour, seemingly becalmed ; late in the evening it
returned to anchor in the Gros Hot.
January 5th. — As fine a morning as the last and Martinique equally
clear. There is not a French ship of war in Fort Royal harbour.
January 6th. — Remarkably fine day. All the prizes left the
Careenage and came to in the Choc Bay.
January 7th. — A clear delightful day. Admirals Parker and
Rowley, and Commodore Collingwood dined on the Morne. The
Admiral set sail with all his prizes for Antigua, and intends to look
after M. de la Motte Piquet and his fleet. Nine ships of the line
under Commodore Collingwood are left to protect us.
January 10th. — A fine day but hazy. Martinique is not to be seen,
and our prospect is much abridged by the thickness of the air, but the
days are cool and pleasant notwithstanding. In the evening a smart
shower of rain fell, but it did not continue long.
Janua/ry 12th. — Commodore Collingwood got under way from Choc
Bay and continued off and on the shore all day. He was joined by a
large ship from the windward. A good deal of rain this day and
during the night.
January 13th. — A fine clear morning. Our Commodore and his
fleet are off Fort Royal harbour ; in the afternoon they returned to
St. Lucia, but did not come to anchor. This day has been remarkably
fine, the night equally so.
January 14th. — The fleet is separated and a good way to leeward.
We imagine this is owing to the currents, which are, on this coast,
very strong and very variable. One day setting to the northward, the
next night perhaps to the southward, and in a few hours to the west- '
ward and north-west, and if the breeze is not pretty strong, ships are
very soon carried a considerable distance, whichever way the current
sets. January 15th.— A fine day. Our fleet are attempting to get to
windward, but go on but slowly. I this day received a very ex
traordinary letter of no older date than on the 14th December, 1764,
directed to Lieut. D. at New York. On the first page are written a
few lines from my late aunt Price and a few from my friend Doctor
Hicks. On the 2nd and 3rd is a long letter from the Doctor's sister
for whom I had a sort of penchant. This letter was entrusted to a
friend, who promised to take a great deal of care of it. I think he
performed that part of his promise for the letter is really in high
preservation, considering it is only fifteen years since it was written.

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, B.A. 123
This is the general consequence of trusting friends with letters. By
other letters I am acquainted with the promotion in our Regiment, by
which I at length get a company. A good deal of rain in the night.
January 17th. — A windy, hazy morning. The Savage, a sloop of
war from Antigua, anchored at the mouth of the Careenage ; she is
looking for Admiral Parker to acquaint him that the French Admiral
de la Motte Piquet with five or six sail of the line and some frigates
is off St. Kitts. We are told he is going to St. Eustatius for a convoy
of provisions for Martinique. The Savage sailed again. Some rain
fell this evening and in the night.
January 18th. — A hazy but pleasant morning. Two ships are to
leeward, supposed to be the Savage and a ship which sailed with her
driven down by the current. This being the birthday of our English
Queen, 21 cannon were fired. Gentle showers through the day and
night. A week of very unsettled weather. About noon on the 27th,
Commodore Collingwood and his fleet got under way from the Gros
Hot, and stood to windward.
January 28th. — A fine morning. Commodore Collingwood and his
ships are off Fort Royal harbour. The afternoon turned out very
rainy and windy. A great quantity of rain fell during the night.
January 30th. — A windy morning, but without rain. We discover
our fleet under Commodore Collingwood lying off Fort Royal harbour.
Admiral Parker with his division is supposed to be looking for the
enemy about St. Eustatius. A quantity of rain fell in the afternoon.
A brig and a sloop taken by the Commodore came into the Careenage
to-day. February 3rd. — Received a letter from Captain Williamson. He
informs me of the death of Captains Carter1 and John Scott.8 I am
appointed captain of a company in England* and to be relieved by
Captain Wright.* Our fleet is not in sight. A fine day.
February 10th. — A fine morning without rain. Small showers
through the day and night. This evening a ' man-of-war of Admiral
Parker's division came to anchor off the Careenage, having in company
a store-ship which had parted from Admiral Rodney's fleet on January
28th. She did not call at Barbadoes, but fell in with Admiral Parker's
fleet to windward of that island.
February 11th. — A fine morning. Two large ships are seen to lee
ward. They came off the Careenage in the afternoon, and prove to be
the Venus frigate and a line of battle-ship of Collingwood's division.
Before dark we saw the remainder of his fleet off Martinique. A
" Snow," thirty days from Boston, intended for Martinique, came from
_ ' Captain John Carter (Kane's List, No. 180), one of General Burgoyne's army died during
its detention in America on May 17th, 1779.
2 Captain Alexander John Scott (Kane's List, No. 274), died in Newfoundland, September
atth,1779. 8 Captain Downman's promotion dated November 11th, 1779.
" * Captain.Jesse Wright (Kane's List, No. 335).

124 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
the windward, and ran down amongst our ships off the harbour's
mouth. She considered this to be the island she was bound to, and
the ships of course French. She was brought into port directly*
Rain in the night.
February 13th. — A rainyibad morning. Collingwood's fleet are off
the Gros Hot. We are told he has driven M. Piquet a great way to
leeward, and that the Venus silenced a battery on Martinique, landed
some men, spiked the guns, and destroyed two French ships that were
at anchor. 0
February 14th. — A very fine day. Two ships of the Commodore?!
division are at anchor at the mouth of the Careenage. The remainder
are blocking up M. Piquet, who is in Guadeloupe with five sail of the
line and three frigates. I am told by a navy officer that one of the
ships destroyed by the Venus was from Glasgow with a rich cargo on
board, absolutely bound to Martinique. The papers which were found
on board shewed that she was cleared from Glasgow and intended for
the island where she was destroyed, which I hope will be the fate of
every traitor to his country. H
February 16th. — A remarkably fine morning. We can distinguish ;
the houses in Martinique with the assistance of a glass. A great deal
of rain fell in the night. Cannon firing was seen in the night on the
coast of Martinique, and our fleet was seen close to Fort Royal harbour
this morning. A vessel arrived yesterday from Barbadoes, which in
forms us of General Vaughan, with troops and a large convoy of
merchantmen, being arrived at that island from England.
February 20th. — Very fine through day and night. This afternoon
a frigate with six victuallers arrived from Barbadoes. General Vaughan
brought with him two regiments from England ; one is to remain at
Barbadoes, the other is gone to Jamaica. He is gone to Antigua to
look into the state of the island, from thence he will visit St. Kitts,
then Tobago, and lastly this island. Admiral Parker with his division
attended the General from Barbadoes, Commodore Collingwood is still
guarding the entrance of Fort Royal.
February 24th. — A cold day with intervals of rain and sunshine.
Rain fell in the night. M. de la Motte Piquet with his fleet has got
into Fort Royal and is joined by four sail of the line in spite of the
vigilance of our Commodore, who has been four or five times in chase,
but could never catch him. Wonderful ! A few nights ago one of
their ships in pushing in got a peppering by some of our fleet.
February 26th. — Admiral Parker with his division of Bhips arrived
and anchored in the Gros Hot. The whole fleet are now very busy in
wooding and watering, and two frigates are cruising near Fort Royal.
M. de la Motte Piquet has now 9 or 10 ships of the line in harbour.
Sent to England by the packet which sailed on February 25th :—
To Messrs Cox and Mair, pay-lists and abstracts for January and
February, 1780. J
Pay list for Delaware prize money and bill on Cox for the amounts
Muster rolls for January and February, 1780, to the board. *
A letter to Cox and Mair on bill enclosed on Board for £120/17/-

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 125
Letters to Mrs. Grosvenor, Mrs. Hunter, Mrs. D. and Uncle D.
February 29th. — The fleet as before, and fine weather. We are told
that a French army of 10,000 men, convoyed by 15 sail of the line,
are on their passage from Europe to the West Indies. Admiral Parker
is preparing to intercept them.
March 8th, 1780. — A sailor was hanged this day on board the fleet
in the Gros Hot, for desertion. The whole fleet is still there.
March 21st. — Admiral Rodney has arrived at Barbadoes with three
sail of the line. A fine day.
March 22nd. — A frigate arrived from Barbadoes informing us of
four regiments being arrived from England. I went to the Choc this
morning on board Captain Williamson's ship. He commands the
Artillery on the present expedition, which we are now told is against
the Grenadines. In the afternoon, a fleet of 30 or 40 sail were seen to
leeward, not far distant from Martinique, supposed to be the French
fleet that has been expected some time. They have managed well, for
Admiral Rodney's ships are cruising between this island and Martinique
to windward, and Commodore Collingwood with four or five ships be
tween Martinique and Guadeloupe to leeward. A very windy day.
March 23rd. — Admiral Parker and his fleet got under way this
morning from the Choc. He is too late. The French fleet are certain
ly got into port, for we cannot see anything of them from the hill.
Our whole fleet anchored in the Gros Hot, and all the transports, bombs,
&c, came into the Careenage. A hazy, windy day.
March 24th. — This morning a fleet of men-of-war and frigates, 28 or
30 sail were seen standing from Fort Royal harbour towards St. Lucia.
We soon found them to be French. Two of their ships went very near
the Gros Hot and made signals. Our fleet kept snug. In the after
noon, Captain Williamson and his men landed at the battery at the
entrance of the Careenage, and all the transports warped up into the
hay. In the evening the Cyclops and consort sailed with a detach
ment of troops to strengthen St Kitts and Antigua. A great many
guns were fired in the night from the French fleet.
March 25th.— A fine morning. The French fleet are a few miles to
leeward, except two ships which are very near the Gros Hot. Mortify
ing enough no doubt to Admiral Parker and his officers. The whole
fleet have their topsails loosed. Admiral Rodney we are told is expect
ed this very day from Barbadoes. About 8 o'clock a number of ships
were seen to windward coming down ; Admiral Parker and his whole
fleet got under way and stood to windward. The French fleet was to
leeward of him on the same tack. About 12, the French fleet tacked
and stood to the southward ; about one o'clock the English did the
same, at this very time near 30 sail of shipping appeared in sight round
the Gros Hot, the whole of which soon came to anchor at the Careen
age. They are last from Barbadoes, and have on board four new
regiments from England. As soon as the admiral saw the transports
out of danger, he returned to the Gros Hot, and came to anchor in ex
ceedingly regular and good order. Admiral Parker has much merit
on this occasion, his determination being to fight the French fleet,

126 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
though so very much superior, rather than lose a single transport.
But the French fleet did not seem inclined to come to action, notwith
standing their advantage in number, that is, they did not crowd sail as
ships would do that had that intention. During the remainder of the
day the French fleet kept beating to windward. We imagine they
have heard of Admiral Rodney's five ships and are striving to get to
windward of the island to cut him off from Admiral Parker, but the
plan is better laid, for on the first appearance of Rodney, Parker's
whole fleet will be under way and out to join him. An action seems
inevitable as soon as this juncture is made. A number of guns were
fired during the night at sea.
March 26th. — A fine morning. The French fleet are beating be
tween the Gros Hot and Martinique, and some of their frigates are
considerably to windward.
March 27th. — A rainy, hazy morning. Many guns were fired this
morning early from the French ships. They are more to windward than
yesterday. Admiral Parker remains as before. About 10 or 11 o'clock
we observed the French windwardmost ships bearing down and mak
ing signals to the rest of the fleet. In a little time after, the whole of
the fleet bore away and went into Fort Royal harbour. About this
time we saw signals made from the hill at Gros Hot, and between
two and three we saw five large ships from the windward1 coming
round the Gros Hot. We soon discovered them to be Admiral
Rodney in the Sandwich, a 90 gun ship, and four 74 gun ships ; they
anchored in the bay and were saluted by Admiral Parker.
April 1st, 1780. — Fine morning. Gentle showers during the day.
About 10 o'clock the fleet got under way from the Gros Hot and stood
over to Martinique shore.
April 2nd. — Rainy, cold disagreeable morning. The fleet not in
sight. Several reports of cannon at a distance. In the afternoon we
saw our fleet under Martinique.
April 3rd. — Fine day. The fleet is off Fort Royal harbour. Strange
doings ! Yesterday the British fleet was braved in this harbour, to
day the British fleet block up the French.
April 4th— A fine clear day. Our fleet are standing over towards
St. Lucia ; about noon they returned to the Gros Hot and came to
anchor. Admiral Rodney is very ill.
April 5th. — Rain early this morning, the other part of the day clear
and agreeable. Three French ships got into Fort Royal this afternoon.
The signal was made from our hill to inform the Admiral of their
being seen, but no notice was taken of it for an hour and a half, and
then it was too late. Thus the great advantage of the Morne is lost
by the inattention of the navy.
April. 6th— A fine morning. Several transports left the Careenage
and went to the Gros Hot. A movement of some kind or other seems
to be on foot, for small vessels and men were collected at the Careen
age yesterday and to-day.
April 7£ft.— A fine^and cool morning. Our fleet remains as usual at
the Gros Hot. The bombs and tenders, with Captain Williamson, left

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT<-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 127
the Careenage and joined the fleet. We are now pretty strong on the
hill, (if sickness does not get amongst us) by being joined by part
of the 89th, 90th and 91st regiments.
April 11th — Showery and cloudy day. Eight of our fleet are cruis
ing off and on the shore of Martinique.
Jipril 15th. — A fine day. The cruising ships are driven by the
current a great way to leeward. About 8 o'clock this morning the
whole fleet from the Gros Hot got under way, and after a little time
bore away to leeward and joined the cruisers. We are just informed
that the French fleet with all their transports have got out of Martin
ique and gone. We do not know whither. Antigua and St. Kitts,
I quake for you ! We are now left again, except the Fame (which is
condemned) and the bombs which are now in the Gros Hot. It is not
unlikely that we have a visit from the French soon. We are told they
are determined to have this island, and the other day when their fleet
came over they intended attacking, if Admiral Parker's whole fleet had
not been here. They lost no time,for the day after the reinforcements
arrived at Fort Royal, they came over to St. Lucia, and had not less
than 12,000 men on board their ships.
April 18th. — A close cloudy morning and a shower early. We learn
that the French fleet were seen north of St. Eustatius, and that our
fleet are between the Diamond rock and Fort Royal harbour, but as
the day is thick and hazy, we cannot discover anything of them.
April 21st. — A fine morning with gentle showers of rain. We are
informed that Admiral Rodney fell in with the French fleet on the 17th,
a few leagues to windward of Martinique ; that an action ensued, but
nothing decisive on either side. We are told that several of the British
captains did not behave on that day with their usual fire and spirit,
otherwise the day would have been glorious to Britain. Admiral
Rodney we are informed acted most gallantly ; he almost destroyed
two of the enemy's ships before he was attacked by the French Admiral,
who was obliged to sheer off, being so roughly handled and thrice on
fire, and many of his people threw themselves overboard in despair.
It is allowed the fleet was admirably brought into action, only from 15
to 20 minutes elapsing between the headmost and the sternmost ships
being engaged. Admiral Rodney's ship was on fire during the engage
ment. The British ships that are found fault with are the Ajam, Mon-
tagne and Medway. It is positively asserted that had the above
captains acted with the spirit of their chief, half of the French must
have been destroyed or taken, notwithstanding their superiority in
number of ships * "
^ April 22nd.— A fine day, but very hot with gentle rains. This morn
ing, early, five ships appeared to windward of Martinique, bearing this
way. April 23rd. — Early in the morning the above ships came to at the
Gros Hot, they prove to be the Actseon and four frigates from a cruise.
Rain in the night.
April 24th.— A warm close morning, the other part of the day clear
and windy. A frigate appeared to windward. Four frigates from the

128 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A.
Gros Hot weighed and went down and spoke her, and then bore away
towards the lee end of Martinique, the other, the Pegasus, came to anchor
in the Gros Hot. General Vaughan came in her from the fleet. In
the night the Actseon and all the frigates sailed from the Gros Hot.
The Pegasus is ordered to England immediately. Colonel Musgrave
went in her.
April 26th. — An agreeable day with pleasant gentle showers. This
morning early, saw a fleet of ships off Fort Royal harbour;
April 27th. — Rainy morning. The fleet seen yesterday is English
and is now about four miles off the Gros Hot. I went thither about
noon, at which time Admiral Rodney and most of the ships came to
anchor ; a good many appear to have had a number of shots through
them. The report respecting the Captains of some of the ships not
doing well is confirmed. One of them is under an arrest.
April 29th. — A clear day. A French fleet is seen to leeward this
evening not far from Fort Royal.
April 30th. — Our fleet got under way and stood over to Martinique
on a fine day.
May 1st, 1780. — Our fleet is a little way to leeward of this island,
standing towards it ; in the afternoon about four o'clock, the whole
came to anchor, some in Choc Bay, and others opposite the Vigie
and Careenage. We saluted the Admiral with 19 guns, he re
turned 17.
May 6th. — A fine clear morning. The fleet got under way and stood
towards Martinique. The Cyclops frigate brought in a rich French
ship, which informs us of the French fleet being to windward of
Martinique. May 7th.— Hazy weather. We can just discover the English fleet
under Martinique shore.
May 11th. — A rainy cool morning. Our fleet is not far distant
from the Gros Hot. A fleet of 10 "or 12 sail of large ships are seen
to windward, which we suppose to be part of the French, waiting
there to intercept Commodore Walshingham. A ship came from
Barbadoes yesterday, which left Cork on April 1st in company of a
number of others, conveyed by the Triumph man-of-war; they are
safely arrived at Barbadoes, and have 1,300 men on board, the remain
der of the new regiments that arrived some time ago, and a few
recruits. In the afternoon we discovered upwards of 20 sail of large
ships to windward of Martinique. Our fleet is striving all they . . .

The diary ends abruptly, carried on apparently into another book

THE SERVICES OF LIEUT-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 129
which is not forthcoming. We know however that Captain Dow nman
remained in St. Lucia until it was restored to France at the treaty of
Versailles in 1 783, and that he sailed from Grenada for England at the
end of the following year. He retired upon full pay in May 1 790,
until appointed in December 1792, captain of an invalid company.
In March 1796, he was promoted a Lieut. -Colonel, and finally retired
on full pay in March 1819. The latter days of his life were passed
at West Maling, Kent, where he died, aged 85 years, August 1 6th,
1825.

APPENDIX

SPECIES OF STORES.

A proportion of ordnance and ordnance stores ordered from New York
for an expedition to the West Indies under Major-General Grant.
The troops on this service consist of two companies of the Royal Artill
ery — two hundred men. Ten British Regiments about 5,000 men.
New York, 20th October, 1778.^
.   .  ;   - — >'
Fixed with

-ppT 1 3 .

"Mr

Hooks

powder*To wood bottoms onl^ 3-prs.
11 and for shells of
sorts, prs.
Slung with hood
beams
Square 
Triangle

! Cutting for sod <
wads. (. 12 
Of sorts'— tons .
Priming
Junk for wads — tons
Jacks—ordnance

Keys.

C Fowlocks

Spring
Camp with frying pan covers.

Kitt with trivet of iron ...
¦p. . (Cutting  :,.
JS-nives. | For j^ ^^ blo(jts
( Muscovy
1 Tin
t Dai

Lanthorns.

Limbers spare,.
cnngreves, shafts.

ita
Dark

12 .
6 .
3 .

Line Eambno-skeins ..  ,.
Locks pa'd for travelling mag....
Ta„.i_„1„ C With locks ...
Lfcstccks. [ With8tit ___
Linch pins, spare 
Marline tarred, skeins ......
f Slow, lbs. ...
«-*• [ Quick. {°*a^r.: 24  ;„
12 
8 lbs to £ oz.
Field officers!
Officers
Laboratory ...
Horseman's...
French 
Bell 

Copper sets,

Tents
complete.

Tubes tin— -fixed

Tools eels

Miners 
Carpenters ...
Coopers Collar-makers
Smiths 
Wheelers ...
Tin mans ...

900
304

12

1
6960 4
100 20

1212
20 1 11
1
IOO 12 S
92
20 30 5060 31 1 1

6000

* It is noticeable that at this date a cart
ridge containing shot and powder was in use
for 6 and 3-pr. guns— one of the features in
modern quick-firing guns,

6

ST. >

[ Clout...
V Dog ...
Horse Copper
Plank battery feet super. "
10-inch plank . .
r Fine ... ...
Paper Reams. < Cannon ...
(. Brown
Pack threads, lbs 
Pails 
Pikes for chevaux-de-frise ...
t, , C Corned whole barrels
Powder. | Mealedj lbs
Pins, tug, spare 
Perpendiculars, new pattern...
Pincers for drawing fuses
Portfires, dozens 
Petre, salt, lbs . ... ... ...
Plummets  ' 
Pickets park  ...
Punches for vents 

14,000 000
1,414 121

20ap
2,500 5012 42
130

100 60

ENGINEER DEPARTMENT.
Sand bags different sizes 
Ballast baskets.
Balks of 9" by 9", 18 ft. long ...
Other timber 25 ,,
Cansas 
Helves for pick-axes 
Mantlets ... 
Battering plank

Saws.

Pitt 
Cross cut..
Hand ..

Sealing ladders
files for saws 
Axes, hand 
Wheel-barrows 
Earth rammers ... ...
Hand-bills and hatchets
Mauls 
Shovels 

1 Wheel harness.
| Leather straps for binding loads on beasts
of Durden.

mi

I^DlilX

Page

Page

Adye, Captain S. P., Eoyal Artillery, ... 49 (') 63
Agnew, General, killed at Germantown  39
¦B
Barren Hill, action at  69
Barrington, Admiral, commands fteetin West
Indies, 91 j action with French fleet, 95,
96; returns home 119 
Bird, Colonel, killed at Germantown  39
Blomefield, Captain, B.A  46 0)
Bolton, Colonel, his expedition  74
Boston, Blockade of, 26 ; riots in, S3 
Brandywine, battle of  26
Brigade Order Book, Mo. 2 (i)  63 to 69
Brooklyn, battle of  36
Bnnker'sHill, battle of  23, 26
Burgoyne, General, his expedition from Canada
26 ; at Saratoga, 42, 44, 46 ; results of his
failure, 46, 47 ; treatment of his army by
Congress, 84 
Byron, Admiral, sails with a neet from
England, 70; reaches Mew York, 78, 79;
sails to West Indies, 106; manoeuvres
against French fleet, 108 to 118; good
story of, 112; returns to England, 119
C
Calder, Colonel Sir Henry  „61,.92
Careenage Bay -„^r.Tr.7T.irn777r„  93, 94, 97
Carleton, General Sir Guy  46
Choc Bay, Frenchland in  96
Clavering, Brigadier-General, his report of
operations in Guadeloupe  7 to 10
Cleaveland, Colonel, B.A  25 (J)
Clieland, Lieutenant, E.A., killed at Skenes-
borongh  46 (})
Clinton, General Sir William, successes in the
Morth river, 42(1) . succeeds Sir W™ Howe
in command of the army, 58, 63 ; at Free
hold Courthouse, 66 to 68 ; his protest
against the treatment of Burgoyne's army
by American Congress, 84 
Cornwallis, General, Lord, in the operations
against, and evacuation of Philadelphia 31 to 67

Dawson, Captain, E.M., gallant action  77
Delaware, frigate, capture of •  36, 37
D'Estaign, Admiral Comte, arrives off Hew
lork with French fleet, 70; attacks Ehode
Island and engagements with English
fleet, 72 to 82 ; attacks the English fleet
in the Grand Cul de Sac, 94 to 96 ;
manoeuvres against English fleet, 101 to 120

Donop, Colonel, commands expedition against
Eed Bank, 43, 44 ; dies of wounds, 46 
Downman, Lieut.-Colonel Francis, E.A., bio
graphical sketch, 1, 2 ; summary of his
services, 2, 3 ; expedition to and capture
of Guadeloupe, 5 to 20 ; letters at begin
ning of American War of Independence,
23 to 25 ; returns to America in 1777 and
joins expedition to Chesapeake Bay, 27 ;
battle of Brandywine, 33 ; occupation of
Philadelphia, 35 ; captures rebel frigate
Delaware, 36, 37 ; operations against Mud
Island and Eed Bank, attack on German-
town, 38 to 53 ; goes sick to Mew Tork,
63 ; sails with au expedition to the West
Indies, 87; lands at St. Lucia, 93 ; a
French fleet arrives with troops, 94; his
excellent services, during French attacks
¦by sea and on shore, 95 to 102 ; promoted
to captain, 123; return home, etc., 129
E
Erskine, Quarter- Master-General Sir WiUiam,
at Barren Hill  go
Ferguson, Captain, his expedition against Egg
harbour  gg
Freehold/ or Monmouth Courthouse, action
at  67 to 69
G
Gambier, Admiral, succeeds Admiral Lord
Howe in command  go
Garstin, Lieutenant, E.A., 71; his effective
service during attack of French fleet 95, 106
Germantown, attack on  ' g9
Grant, General, at action at Barren Hill 59 .
commands expedition to West Indies' 87'
orders' as to quantity of ammunition to be
issued, 92, 98 
Grenadines, The, captured by the French.....'. 118
Grifflths, Captain, E.H., his gallant conduct
and death  jgo
Guadeloupe, expedition to, 4 ; capture of, 6 to
10; description of 12, 13 
II
Hotham, Commodore, his distinguished con
duct  77
Howe, Admiral Lord, in command of English
fleet 26 ; manoeuvres against French fleet
at Ehode Island, 72 to 78; returns home 83

132

INDEX.

Page
Howe, General Sir William, commands ex-
• pedition against Philadelphia, 26 ; at
battle of Brandywine, 33; returns home 63
Huddlestone, W. O., Captain E.A., at Bunker's
jHill, 24; at Germantown, 39 
H
James, Major T., B.A., 21 Q) j his letter about
, ibattle of Bunker's Hill,23 
Jones, Captain T., E.A. killed at action at
Stillwater 46 0 
i
Knyphausen, General, at battle of Brandy
wine, 33 ; at evacuation of Philadel
phia, 61 to 69 
I»a EJayette, Marquis de, at Barren Hill  59
Leo,U.merican Historian, tribute of praise to
General Burgoyne's army  47
Loe, i General, at Monmouth Courthouse, 68 ;
^conflicting opinions of his conduct, 79
Lemoine, J., Captain B.A,, at, battle of
Bunker's HiU  24
M
Maclean Donald, Matross, his distinguished
conduct  45
Medows, Brigadier-General, 92 ; repels French
attack, 98, 99 ; his orders to his troops, 102 103
Mischianza, description of  60 to 63
Moncrieffe, Lieutenant, B.E., 28 (*) ; at capture
oi Delaware frigate. 38 
Mud Island, attack and capture of  39 to 53
Muagrave, Colonel, at Germantown, 40 
P
Pattison, Colonel, E.A  37 (i
Pigot, General, his defence of Ehode Island 72 to 81
Province Island, works on, for attack of Mud
Island  39 to 50

Raines, Captain, E.M., his gallant conduct 74-
Lord Howe's order. 77... 
Eed Bank, attack on, by Hessian troops, 43
44; destroyed, 53 
Rhode Island, operations on and about by land
and sea  72to82
S
Shnttleworth, A., Lieutenant, E.A., at battle
of Bunker's HiU  3$
Standish, D., Captain E.A., in operations
against Mud Island 39 to 49 ; at battle of
Freehold Courthouse, 68 ; in West Indies gjp
Sterling, Colonel, destroys Billingsport  , ffl'-
Stewart, J., Captain E.A., at Germantown ... 39
Stirling, Major-General Lord  31 (1)
St. Vincent's, Island of, captured by French 116
Sullivan, General, at Ehode Island  78, 80,81
rr
Traille, P., Captain, E.A., at action at
Germantown, 39 ; in the operations against
, Mud Island, 49 

Vaughan, T. L., Lieutenant R.A., at capture
"of frigate Delaware  37(l)
•vsr
Walcott, Colonel, wounded at Germantown'... 39
Wallace, Sir WiUiam, Captain E.M., his active '
services  85
Washington, General, at battle of Brandy
wine, 32 ; at Germantown, 39 ; at Free- 1^
hold Courthouse, 68, 69; his conduct
criticised, 76: 
WiUiams Griffith, Major E. A., 57 ('), 100 (i) ...
WiUiamson John, Captain E.A., at Freehold
Courthouse  68

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