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1 2 3
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QjE
OJl G^.JJT.
A COMPLEAT
H I S T O R Y
L A T
O F T H E
E W
OR
A R,
ANNUAL REGISTER
OF ITS
Rife, Progrefs, apd Evgnts,
Europe, Ajid, Africi, a^ 4merica.
AND/ExHIBITlfe
The State of the &lligerwi Powers aC
and Objefts iit lOTHtinuance :
Inteiiperfed with
The Characters of the able and difinterefted
and of the H.ROES, to whofe Courage and Conduct
we are indebted for that v^onduct
NAVAL and MILITARY
Succefs, which is not to be equalled in the Annals
ol this or any other Nation,
Illuftrated with
A Variety of He ADS, Plans, Maps, and Charts.
LONDON:
Printed for David Steele, at the Bible and Crown m
King-Street, Little To-u^eri-HilU
M.DCCXXxY/
(
IP**'
,•«)*!,'
^
THE
PREFACE.
^ E have taken the earlieft opportunity that a
judicious infpeaion, and mature confidera-
tion of events could give us, ofprefenting to the
PUWiC, A COMPLEAT HiSTORV OF THE LATe'
WAR, not lefs important than, we hope, ufeful
fl^nnuT^u writtenpith an impartiality which
fliould be the guide' ^everyhiftorian, and from
rffedion''^ """^ ^^""'^^^^ '^"""^^ "^''''''^
We have taken up our History from th©
commencement of the war, and have bcftowed
all thd pains upon it, fo interefting a fubjea re-
quires, which, however, we muft acknowledEC.
deferves much more ikilful workmen. None
was ever more formed to excite curiofity, from
tlie importance of events, the dignity of the per-
fons engaged, the greatnefs of the anions Ser-
tormed, and the amazing revolutions of fortune 5
tor the Reader will here find the fcattered ac-
counts of this war, which has been carried on in
the four quarters of the world, united in one
connedcd narrative, and continued to the peace.
» 2 Tq
ri^ P R E F A C E.
-To effedt this from the materials that ofFered;^
has been a work of more labour, than may at
firft appear, and to render thele tranfadions
(which have not been Icfs our amazement, than
the world's in -eneral) the more confpicuous and
clear, we have added, in Notes, the accounts
tranihiitted from the commanders of our fleets
and armies, and publiflicd by authority^ when
fads were recfent, and the immediate objed of
univerfal attention. Thefe will illuftrate and
confirm the Hiftory 5 and our readers muft be
pleafed to fee fo many curious and important
pieces, which while they give the cleareft evi-
dence, fupport the national charader to future
ages. In many places we find them filled with:
the anions of inferior officers, which, with lefs
care in their fuperiors, wo^ have been loft in
^e multiplicity of events f This care, not lefs
commendable than ufeful, will excite officers to
feize every opportunity of immortalizing their
fame, and doing honour to their refpedive corps.
Some of thefe letters muft be ufeful in forming
the young foldier, as they are very exprcffive of
that charader, pointing out the care, circum-
/pcdion, anxiety, and perfevcrance to form ^
yVQi^t pr a Gi^AN^v, v «
THE
aaaMbMmiiMtfaiiii^^
^tl»
THE
CONTENTS.
portant
;ft evi-
future
;d with
ith lefs
loft in
lot lefs
leers to
J their
! x:orps.
Drming
live of
ircum-
orm ^
THE
ORIGIN of the troubles in
North America, page I
M.DCC.LV.
Admiral Bo/cawen and General
Braddock font to Amtrica, a
Different operations under-
tstken, ^
Two French men of war taken
by Adnk. Bo/canueH, ib.
Gen^ Braddock defeated near
Fortdu^e/net 5
^- DieJ^au defeated, and taken
by Gen, Jubnfon. lb*
Serzure of the French trading
ihips, ib«
M.DCC.LVIi
\ French threaten an invafion, 6
Fort St. Philip in the iffand of
Minorca^ befieged, and taken
by the French, ib.
Sea-fight off Minorca, betwren
Admiral ^^wj, and M. Ga-
liffqniere, ■
Treaty with Ru^a,
■ M.DCC.LVll.
Alliance with the King
PrfJTa,
Ground of the quarrel between
her Imperial Majejlj and the
King aiPruJpa, 9
Treaty of Peterfiourg^ i o
—-—of Fer/ailUs, 1 1
King of Pruffia enters Saxony,
, and Bohemia, ib.
Battle of Lonuofitx, \ z
Saxon army furtenders, ib.
State oftheEngJiJh Miniftry,
»3
ib.
of
ib.
The charaAers and defigns of
the feveral faAions, ib.
A coalition of parties, 1 y
0/kueg$ taken by the Frencb,\h.
Calcutta taken bv the Naioh, 1 8
Anvria reduced oy Adih. Wat-
Jon, 19
State of the confederacy .n gain ft
the King of Prtt^«, ib.
The French pafs the Wefer, zz
King oi Pruffia enters Bohemia^
ib.
Battle of i»r<i^i«/, lb.
Pragut itlvefted, 25
Count Daun taked comihand
of the Aujirian army, ib.
Battle of Colin, 24
Confcquences of the battle of
Colin, 25
King of Pruffia evacuates Bo-
hemia, ib.
Battle of Haftenbeck, 26
Convention ofClo/ler-feven, ib.
Expedition to Rorch/ort, ib,
Rusftans enter Prusfia, 27
Auftrians befiege Schnueidnitx,
ib,
French and Imptrialijis make in-
curfionsintoJ?ra/r</fn^o«r^/6, ib
Swedes enter Pomeraniu, ib,
Bittle of Norkitten, 28
General Lehnuald defeated, ib.
Melancholy ftate of the King
of Prusfia, ib.
Battle of Rojbach, 30
Schiveidnitz taken by the Au*
firians, 3 %
Prince of Be-vern tttacked in hia
*3
Cft-
The CON
entrenchmentii, jj
£rt/tau taken by the Ju/frlam,
King of PriKjla maj-ches into
Si/ejta, - ,
Battle of £/^, , ,b.
Brcjlau retaken, ^5
Juftrians driven oat of Sittfia,
Jius/ians and Swr^jV/ retire, ib.
Hano'vtriant rcfume their arms,
36
Cruelty of the French^ j b.
Condition of their army, ib.
Caftle of Harburg beficged, 37
Preparations for an expedition
to Louijioargt ind laid afide,
39
Fort William Henry taken, 41
M.DCC.LVIII.
Exploits of Adm, fVat/o» and
CofoMrl dive in /»<//«, 42
Cbandenagcre, a JTir/rf-t fort
taken, .^
Viftory over the NahoBy 44
JVflio^ taken and beheaded, ib.
Kevolation in Bengal^
Treaty advantageous to
Eafl India company.
Admiral Pf^at/on dies,
French retire to Hanover^
The taking of Hoja,
MinJen taken,
Diarefs of the French^
Generoiity of theDukcde^««^
dan^ ib.
The Fvemh retire beyond the
Rhine, ib.
Recovery of Fmbden by Com.
Holme s, ^Q
Alterations in the Frentb Mi-
niftry, J,
The Uaie of the £»f //)!& affairs.
TENTS.
SebnuiidnitK taken by the Kini
ofPrus/ia, ,1
He enters Moravia and invefll
OlmutZf ib.
Conduft of Count Z)aj<«, 59
He attacks the Pruj/San convoy.
Si<^eofO/w«/jBraifed, ii?
King of Prir^fl marches into
Bohemia,
Allies pafs the Phine,
Battle of Cre'velt,
Aftion at Sangerjhau/en,
-at Meer,
62
63
65
66
ib.
70
the
ib.
ib.
46
47
48
49
53
Subfidy treaty with the King
of Prus/ia, ,-^
Affairs of Sweden & Rus/ia, ib.
Allies repafs the Rhine,
Retreat from Bohemia,
Meafures of Count Daun,
Battle of Ci{/?r/«. ^^
King of Prusfia marches into
Saxony, and joins Prince
Henry, 7 ^
General Ohtrg defeated at Lan-
'wirenhagen, nr
King of Prtisfta furprifed at
Hohkircben, 77
M. A>//A and Prince Francii of
Srun/wuick kiHed^ ib.
Affair at Gorlitz, f o
M. i3ai/» invefts Dre/den, 82
King of Prusfia raifcs the fiege
ofNeis and Ce/J/, 84
Death of the Duke of jj/«r/i«.
_.'"«1^- ib.
Difpofitions for the winter, 86
The burning of the fliips at St.
Malo, j,o
Taking of Cherbourg, g %
Defeat of 5/. Ca J, 94
Operations in Ameriea, 95
Siege and taking of Louijbourg,
97
Englijb army defeated at Ticon-
deroga, m
They take Frontenac, 1 25
The French abandon Fort du
^'/^e, ib.
Geree taken| 1 27
The
I '
5r*# C O N
M.DCC.LIX.
The inclination of the powers
at war at the clofing of the
laft campaign, i^t
The King of Sj>Ain't death ap-
prehended, i^j
Condition of the King of Pruf-
fia, Empri''' i^ein, Siutdeti,
HollaHt/, France and £jig/anJt
The allied army moves, 141
Battle of Btrgen, ib.
plan of the campaign, 143
General Af^ffa/r* defeated, 144.
^aw^^rj- pillaged, ib.
//^abandoned by the allie?,
ld.e
Expedition to the fTe/f India
under lfoj>/oH and Moere, 146
Account of Martiuicoi ib.
l-'ailure there, j^^
Cuadaloupe invaded, and dc-
fcription of that ifland, 147
Brife Terrt attacked and burn-
^^* 140
General Hop/on dies, 1 Tq
Operations agaihft Grand Tern,
•I
The inhabitants capitulate, 151*
Letters to the Government on
theoccafion, jb.
Bravery of a French lady, 1 c 2
Mariega/ante t^kem jIa
Progrefs of the Frencibifter the
battle of ^.r^,,,, 160
Munjer and other places taken.
Motions of Prince FtrdwanJ,
Battle of M/W^a, J5J
Hereditary Prince ofSninfiukA
defeats theDuke o(Bri/ac,\h.
Prince Ferdinand's order after
the battle of Minden, 167
TheZ-r^wr^paathe/^V^r, ib.
Lord G«r^* Sacki'ille refigns
the command of the Britijk
t E N t S,
forces; Marquis of Granfy
fucceeds him, 170
The French driven to Mafpnrg^
Siege of Afi,»/f,r, fb.
Prnjeft cf /'r<t«f^ for an inva-
fionj 17,
flflT/r/ bombarded, 17*
Aftion of Cape Lageu 1 74
Admiral Bo/ca^en*» accftUnt of
the aAion, jb.
Count f>(»A*tf difgfaced And fud
ceeded by ^^dV/^ ,77
Battle of Zulichau, il^
Rusfiant take Franckfott On the
Battle Cunnerfdorf, 175
King of i»r«//fa repa/fts the
^''"' i8z
Soltikof and DauH cominuni-
cate, ,3,
Parallel of the King bl °rA'/>
and Prince Fndiriand of
Brunj-wick, ib.
Plan ,.f the campaign in North
America, | g^
Ticonderega dnd Crow* />«/rf
abandoned, 186
Colonel f<„iy„/*^«j/ killed^ 18;
Expedition to Niagara, \%C.
Sir William Johnjon'a accoun
^°^"' ib
Colonel Prideatix killed, loc,
Sir /F////««| 7o^,/o, defeats the
Takes the fort of Niagara, ib.
The expedition againft i^^^/f,
Defcription of the town all
harbour of^ehec, ,q^
Aftlon at the Falls of Mont/ai
fftch ig5
General ff^c/fe fickens, igS
His remarkable letter, iga
Admiral 5««»^#r/5 letter, 206
The battle of ^i„i^f, 2,,
General mi/e killed, ib.
* 4 rreneSt
H
The C
frtifcb dere4tfJ.
M. /«< Montcalm killed,
Sijf0iic furreiiderj.
Gen. Mo/i(i/o»'i account,
Admiral SaumJtn's
O N
ai2
ib.
ib.
214
218
TENTS.
^ ers concerned, 24a
Great Brtiain and /»r*i/fa pro-
pofe an «ccommodation, 254
Difficulties in concludine a
, peace, ,
Sute of the £*^/,)jJ garrifon at
Movements of Gen. jtmLtrfi,
rnnct H,j,ry', m^rchinio Sax. Preparations for a fieJe iV
..>. and Ocn. W« defeated. Gen' AL^rra/s reSlon, oti
ir «f D r » /• •,. ^^+ the occafiofls, 2C7
A.<>«/ dcfcMtd at ;!/«„,, a.,<„'bef,egt'd'; 'J*
Mifn_fier furrendcrs to the allies,
Hereditary Prince of Pr«»/ac/4
defeais the Duke of ft^urtem-
herg at Fulda, ib.
The preparations at Fannet and
w^'-'>*. .'.31
Remarkable behaviour of Adm.
SaunJers, and Gen. 'J oiutt-
JhenJ,
French fleet defeated near Bel-
Itijle, 2 77
Admiral «awi's account of Jus
M. Levi raifcs the fiegc, ib.
General AfHrra/a letter on the
occafion. jj,
Diftrcfs of 5<iA^o«^, 267
Preparations for opening the
campaign, ib.
LofTes fuftained by the King of
Prui/ta, 268
Theatre of war in the Eaft of
Germany, ._j
Battle of Z<»/,^«/, ly^
Prusftan army under Fouquet
dellroyed, jb.
cngagcmca, wi,h M.* CW The ^uftriL ,ak. G/.,^. .','';
W_s and repulftd „ W ir„/„ befi^d by S.*;^?
Nothingdecided';"; war, and et"'"""'' ''"•" ^'" ^°""f
the ftate of the feveral pow- Surprife and defeat of M. Glol
bitx
liti
id!
^Wl
Tbi CON
iitx at Ermtitrf, • 383
AAion at iVarhourg, 285
Prince Ftrdtnand'CitWtx on the
occafion, 286
The Marquifs of Cranhft let-
ter, 288
Prince Fert/inaHd'a order after
the clay of battle, 290
LauJohn blocks up Sch'twadnita,
293
March of the King of PruJJia,
from Saxony to Lignitz, 295
Laudohn defeated near Ligtiitx.,
296
■Daun forms the blockade of
ScAivtidnitz, and coispclled
to raifc it, 298
Action between General Hu/Jea
and the army of the Empire,
299
Intercepted letter from the King
of Prujfia to the Marqui*
d'Argtns^ 300
Situation of \\it French and En-
gliJhAxm.fi. 302
Hereditary Prince furprifes a
boJy Qi French in Zierenherg,
ib.
General Bulow takes Marpurg
307
Defeated by Monf. StainvilU^
ib.
Hereditary Prince marches to
the Rhine, pa/Tes that river,
308
CUves taken and ^^/befieged
ib.
Battle ofCampen, 3 1 3
Allies defeated, ib.
Hereditary Princt repaffes the
Home, 112
Siege of ^<r/J/raifed, ib.
Death and eulogium of George
n. ib.
Acceffion of George III. and his
refolut>,on of iupporting his
allies, ib.
TENTS.
RtiJ/iamt and Aujtrietns entw
Brandenburgh, 315
General Huljen retreats from
Saxony t.0 Btrlitt, 316
Evacuate* it, and the city capi-
tulates, j|v
Enemy retires out of Brau'
dtnlurgb, after having pil-
laged It, 318
Impirialijis make themfelvts
ni a lie r s o f Mi/nia, 3 1 n
Ruffians bcfiege Colbtrg^ 320
Batile of T'or^B, oix
M. Daun wounded, ib.
vSiege of Co/^irrf raifed, 324
The allies raife the ficgecf Co/-
tingen, 326
Winter quarters and foffcrinj^a
of the Britijfj troops, ib,
Populardebates in England zon-
(.crning the Crrwtfw war, 328
Thurot fails from Dunkirk, 335
Puts into Gottenburgb and Ber-
gt"* ib.
Puts into the IJle of Ilaf, ib.
He tikes' Carrick/trgus, 33^
Sails from thence, ib.
He is killed, and whole fqua-
dron taken, 335
Capt. El'iot\ account of the
engagement, 336
War in America, ib.
General Amherjl goes down the
rivtr St. Laivrtnce. 337
General Murray marches from
^lebec, ib.
Montreal furrenders, . 3^0
Cherokee war, 34.1
Affairs of the Eajl Indies, 344.
Lallj defeated by Colonel Cootet
345
Col. Coote'i account of his pro-
ceeding in the Eaft Indite,
346
M.DCC.LXI,
Preliminary remarks, 353
Treaty propofcd and entered
into
^.
^e
ihto by rlie belligerent pow
*"♦ 3-7
Mr. Stanley knt \o Paris, and
CONTENTS.
M. .ff«^7' to London, 358
/"•vf/zf^ machinacions in Spain,
Difficulties in the negotiation,
Defign of the campaign inHrp,
and of the expedition toi>V/-
^ '"A 360
---lies enter into //^ and TAu-
ringia, -5
Arf»f^ retire, - Jb
Hereditary Pr'nce repjlfed at
Fritz/ar, -5,
Fritzlar taken, 36^
Blockade at Maipurg and Z/V-
.?<?«%«, ,5
Siege of C«^:./, ibl
D^n\e of Langenf/iUve , 366
^'•c^// reinforced fr;m thcZflw-
Jkr'<Vitary Prin.t defeated at
8 1 anger ode, j[j
Siege of C^7>/, &c. raifed, and
the allies retire behind the
^ Dymel, ^gg
The negotiation continued, ib.
Propof^tionof uti pos/idetis, 370
Debate concerning the periods,
BelleiJIe defcri bed, 271
Englijh repulfed at Lochmaria
Gin. Hodg/hn and Commodore
Keppd's account of their pro-
cee.'ing at BelleiJI,, ^7,
They make good tJicir landing^
Palais befiegcd, 377
Town abondoned, 573
Citadel capitL-jPtes, jl)
England and Frc^nct agree ta
treat of a feparate peace, 370
Epochas propofcd by England,
380
Co u i t f Vienna agree, j g^
Objeds of the negotiation, 381
Propofals of France with regard
to Et'rofie, jfia, Africa, and
. AiKtrica^ ,82
/"/•^//fA memorial concerning
Spain, ,ge
indignation of the Englijh IVIi-
niltei, jb.
ii«jf///» anfwer to the French
memorial, jgg
Motions of the French and al-
lied armies, ,g-
Generjl Sporcken attacked, 388
French pai's thi Z)jffl(f/, ib.
Pofition of Prince Ferdinand,
Junftion ofBroglio aadSouhi/i,
Battle rf Kirch Denhrn, and
the Jrffy/f^; defeated, ib.
Prince Ferdinand^ account of
the battle, 301
French threaten Hanonjer, 393
Rernarkable behaviour of Lord
6V0. Lenox, and ]VIajor^<a^,
I'rince ^«/rjr of J?r««/w;Vi( kill-
Taking of Z)cr//,», ib^
Various movements of the ar-
mies, jb,
Defl.uaion of Scharts/elis-cu-
^^'' 395
^nn^e Xa'vier of Saxony takes
iVolfenbuttle, and inverts
BrunMuk, 356
detachments from Piince ^p^-
^{/ff take and abandon Emb-
den, ^b.
Attempt on Bremen, 307*
Sufferings c:Lo'wer Wejlphalia,
f> J" • '^*
Condiijon of theKing of Pruf.
n/*> 398
Motions of the Rusjiam and of
Laudchn, ^qq
Iliy
The CON
Brejlau cannonaded, ib.
TqttUbeu removed, and Colberg
befieged, 401
Rusjian magazines in Poland
deftroyed, 402
War transferred to Tomeraniot
King cf Prujia quits his ftrong
camp, ib.
Schiueidnit% taken by a coup
de main, ib.
Gen. Platen repulfed, 405
• Knoblock made pri/bner at
Treptonut ib.
Prince ^arf^«^«r^ retreats, 406
Colberg taken, ib.
Rusjianj winter in Pomeranian
ib.
The negotiation refumed, 407
French conccflions, 408
DifFerence concerning the Ger-
man alliance, 409
■ concerning the cap-
tures antecedent to the de-
claration of war, 410
Treaty breaks off, and Meflieurs
Uanlej and BuJJy recalled,
411
Conduft of 5/fl/« during the
negotiation, 412
5//ifl//2>minifter's memorial, 413
Treaty between Frame and
Spain, ib.
DifFerence in the Fnglijh mini-
^-ry. 414
Mr. Pitt refigns, 4 1 5
Lord GranvilU^s Speech on the
occafion, jb.
Difpute concerning the refig-
nation, 418
AddreiTe?, *ig
Mr. Pitt's letter to a perfon of
eminence in the city, 420
Parliament meets, 423
Difpute with Spam, ib.
Reprefentp.tion ot the Earl of
Brijiol. 424
TENTS.
Difpofition of the court ofilf^r-
dridn ib.
Treaty between France and
^ Spain, 426
England Ac^tcs a communica^
tion, 427
Court of 5/«i«refufes, ib.
The Minifters mutually with-
draw, 42(J
Blockude of Pcndicberry, 430
Fleet diiperfed in a Ilorm, but
returns again. 431
Gen. Lal/y'a letter on the occa<*
fion. 4ji
Town furrenders, 433
Ma&ie taken, ib,
Enterprifes of Mr. Law, ib.
Mogul army defeated by Major
Carnac, 434
Nabob of Bengal depokd, 435
Coaft of <Su;n/i/ra ravaged by the
Count d'Ejiaing, ib.
Dominica taken by Lord R«\lo
and Sir James Douglas^ ib.
M.DCC.LXII.
State of Europe in the begin-
ning of this year, 4^6
111 Hate of the Britijh alliance,
437
Condition of the Northern Pow-
ers, ib.
War reaches to the Southern^
Family Compaft, ib.
Some articles from it, 440
Obfervationi upon them, ib.
Confequences of this treaty to
Europe 441
War declared again ft5^fl;«, 44a
State of Spain and Great Bri"
tain at the beginning of the
war between them, ib.
Advantages and difadvantatyes,
on each fide, ib.
Portugal threatened, and the
melancholy flate of that king-
dom. 44'j
/ A»««j-
The CONTENT
Arrogant propofition of the
French and Spatti^ Minifters
to the court of Z//2o», 4^5
Anfwer of that court, 446
Refolution of the court of For-
_ '"M 44g
French and Spanijh Minifters
depart. jb^
War declared by thofe powers
H^mO. Portugal, jb.
. Death of the EmpreA Elizahetb
of RuJJia, and her charafter,
s.
c 449
StAte of the power of Rujffia on
her df ceaifc. 450
Her nephew Peter III, fucreeds,
Entire change of fyftem, and
peace with PruJ^a, 45,
Peace between PruJ/ia and Snve.
^^'"> ib.
The Czar enters into an alii.
ance with the King ofPru£ia
. War with Denmark threatened,
- and its caufe, Jb.
Campaign between Prujians
and Auflrians opens, 455
Prusftans obtain advantages in
Saxony and Sile/iay 456
Sudden revolution in Rmfia, ib.
Caufes of the revolution in Ruf-
A» 457
Czar irritates the clergy and
foldiery, 4^3
Differences with the Czarina,
Czar depofed by the Senate,
V • T 4^0
His imprifonment & death, 461
The CKariaa declared Emprefs,
Effcft of the revolution in Ru/.
Jta on the King of Prusjia's
v. ''^'*!"' 463
Wtuation of the new Emprefs,
464
Rusfian conqueft reftored, tfit
Rusftans quit the Prusftan camp,
King of Prusjia draws Marflial
Daun from Buckerfdorf, ib.
Schixieidnitz befieged, 466
Marflial Laudohn attacks the
Prince of Severn and is re-
pulfed, 467
Difpofition of the French and
allied armies, Jb,
Battle of Gr«^««/««, 468
Lord Granby drives the French
from Homhourg, 469
Prince Xavier of Saxony de-
feated, and Gottingen evacu-
ated, 470
War in Portugal, 47*
Miranda, Braganza and Cha-
•ves, taken, 474
Jilmeida befieged and taken,
475
Count of la Lippe arrives in Por-
o "'■^^' 476
Surprife of Valentia d' Alcanta^
ra by General Burgoyne, ib.
Affair of Villa Velha, 478
Spaniards retire, ib.
Expedition againft Martinico\
479
Troops land at CasNavire, 480
Attack of the pofts near Fort
Royal, 4g J
Fort Royal furrendered, 48a
General Moncktonh and Admi-
ral Rodnefs letter relative to
the conqueft of Martinico^
C r 'b.
•y/. Z««^, the Grenades and St.
Vincent taken, 401
Preparations for war againft the
Spanijh Wefi Indies, 493
Commanders in the Expedition
againft the Havannah, and
departure of the fleet, 495
Paffarre through the old ftreights
of Bahama^ 405
Town
The CON
Town and harbour o£ ffavan-
nah defcribed, ib.
Troops land, 498
The iiege of Fort Mora, ib.
piftrefs of theiE'«f///& forces, 501
Succours arrive from North
Amtricat ^02
The Fort ftormed, 503
Operations againft the town,
504
Taeffavannah furrenders, 505
Ji.etters from the Earl oi Alie-
mark and Admiral Pocock re-
lative to their operations, ib.
An expedition againft the Phi-
lippine IJlanJs, Undertaken by
Gen Draper and Adm. Cor-
f'A* 510
Departure of the forces, 5 1 1
City of Manila inverted, 5 1 3
The place ftormed and taken,
514
Gen. Draper and Adm. Cor-
»/>'s account of the expedi-
tion, ^,6
Propofals for peace, ^ 24
State of the Miniftry and par-
ties, -25
Pukes of Bedford znd Niver-
nois employed in the negoti-
ation. ^a8
TENTS.
Newfound, and taken and re.
taken, j^^
War in Germany, ciz
Hereditary Prince defeated at
Jfihannisherg, ^8
C«j^/invefted, 5^^
Remarkable cannonade atSuc/t-
er Muhl, ib.
French take Amfneherg, 540
Cajfel furrendered to the allies,
^M itiWeJiphalia cpncluded*
Lord Granhy's letter of thanka'
to the army, Jb.
Siege and furrender of Schweid-
nitx, .
War transferred to.Saxfiny, 544
Auftriam defeated at Freyherg, .
_ _ ib.
Pruffians ravage .the- Empire,
Preliminaries" of peace between
Great Britain and France, 548
Mr. Fox comes into adminiftra-
*'?"'. 556
Preliminai^ies approved by par-
liament, .-_
Peace of Hubertsbourg between
Juftria and Prujpa^ 558
ConciufioB, jj,
A liji
^ Lifl of Heads, Maps, and Plans,
in the CoMPLEAT History of the
I.ATE War.
n. The Head of Admiral Bofcawen, Page 4
III. -
IV..
V. -
VI. .
VII. .
VIII.
IX. .
of General Amherft,
of Prince Ferdinand,
of the Marquifs of Granby,
of General Wolfe,
- of Admiral Hawke,
- oftheKingofPruffia,
ofthe Right Hon. Wm. Pitt, 420
of Geneul Monckton, 48c*
95
164
170
220
232;
300
MAPS and PLANS.
XI. Plan ofthe Siege of Louifbourg,
XII. - - of the Ifland of Goree,
XIII. View of Montreal,
^I7',v^^'" ""^'^^ ^^'S^ °^ '^^ Havannah,
AV. Map of Germany, at the End.
XVI, - - of America, at the End.
no
128
339
458
4iliji
^li/fef FRENCH, ENGLISH anJ *iV a \r r c ,»
SS^f. of War taken, .e^oje^, crlX^ZlliVJ'^
FR
Taie/i.
Formidable
Foudroyant
Centaur
Tcmeraire
Achill«
Alcidp
. Belliqueux
Lys
Modefte
Orphee
Raifonabl^
St. Anne
Arc en Ciel
Or^amme
E N C H Z/«/ of Banff Shifs,
Guns, Df/ireyed.
3o Ocean
80 Soieii Royal
74 Bein Aime
74 Entreprennant
64 Heros
64 Prudent
64 Redoutab
64 Thefee
64 Jufte
64 Superbe
04 Capricieu]^
64 Celebre
50 Alegon
53 Apolloa
Taiea.
Abenquais
Panae
•Arethufe
Bellone
Blonde
Boufonne
Brune
Commette
Biaae
Hermipne
Sirene
Veftale
Emeraqde
La Folic
Opale
Galathee
Terpfichore
Tygre
2Se|>hire
FRENCII FRIGATES,
(?»«/. Taken.
44 Guirlande
40 Hardie
32 Mignonne
32 Efcarboucle
32 Anemone
32 Epreuve
32 Sardoigne
3«
32 Defiroytd,
32 Aquilon
32 Atalante
32 Felicite
28 Fidelle .
24 Rofe
24 Fleur de Ly«
24 Nymphe
24 Pomona
24 Cltonc
2^ Bicii'^
Guar,
74
74
74-
74
74
74
70
o
4
50
5»
?:
Gt/Hf,
22
20
20
16
H
4«
36
36
30
16
ENGLISH
ENGLISH. Men ij^War taken and defirtytd i^ //&» FRENCH
this nuhole War. *
Taken.
Warwick, retaken
Greenwich, fmce loft
V/ UK i.cllea, retaken
B'andford, reltored
Hawke, retaken
FREN
Northumberland
Opiniatre
Leopard
Aigic
Greenwich
Gu»s. fTaken.
60 Merlin, retaken
50 Stork
24 Deflroyed.
to Bridg^water
16 Triton
ENGLISH
Ramalies
Prince George
Invincible, F.
Refolation
Conqueror
Buc d'Aquitaine
Effex
Mars, F.
Aaifonable, F.
Sunderland
Tilbury
Litchfield
Newcaftle
Chcllerfield
SPAN
Taien.
Tigre
Reyna
Soverano
Infante
Aquilon
America
Conqueftado
San Genaro
San Antonio
N. B. There were
the Havannab,
C H Ships Itfi ly Occident.
Cant,
70 Concord
64, Sauvage
60 Harnionie
50 Zenobie
50 Minerve
Shtfs loji this War By Accident.
go Humber ]
Haflar
Leofloffe
Lyme
Tartar'fl prize, F.
Biddeford
Mermaid
64. Queehborough
64 Ferret
Pheafant, F.
Peregrine
Diligence
Scorpion
84
74
70
70
64
60
60
SO
50
44-
Cunt,
H
»4
%o.
Cun/i.
26
H
I S H Line of Battle Ships.
Guns.
70
70
70
70
It
60
60
60
Sunk,
Neptuno
Afia
Europa
Taken,
Vinganaza
Thetis
Marte
Frigates,
40
28
26
20
, ^*
16
16
H
H
Gwu,
70
64
60
24
24
18
two fliips of war jaken on the flocks, at
THE
w
t i 1
THE
ANNUAL REGISTER
OR
HISTORY
F 1* H £
W A r/.
C H A Pi I.
Origin of the troubles in North America. Mmiral BoC-
•Ti/^^d'^'"';^^ ^'^'^"'^ /'«' thither Oplrat'L
7Z*t' ^f"": 3'Mon repulfes the French. Fremh
threaten an ,m>a0„. Fort St. Philip hefieged andtaTZ
f^SofPrufui. Ground of the Quarrel between her iZ
penal Majefty and that XkonarchT treaty of P^teVLiTr
treaty y hrfailles King of Prujfu, eni^fZfyZJi
Bohemta. Battle of Lowojitz. Baxon army furre>uSs.
TrtE original plan of this work propofed no more
than that each volume ihould contain a narra-
Year ^^.f ^^'^^'^^ ^^^'"^"'^ '^^ °wn
I ear. iJut, becaufe we have entered unon our
undertaking in the heat of an almoft general and v^ry im
gprtantwar, I thought it would not be unnecS^;
aj^greeable to look a little farther back. rwoul7be
difficult, perfeaiy to underftand the operation! of the
reveral powers at war, without revievvinKthe tran!
faams of the preceding years ; nor wou"^ it be w^;
■B to
N;f r
B I
«■ ne History of the War. 175^,
to enter into the fpirit of ihcfc, without examining
the caufes which more nearly or remotely operated to
produce thofe troubles that have mvolvcd fo many parts of
the worJu in one common diftraaion.
be fo perfea y blended, arofe from caufes which originally
ftT(t ^^J'[^^ft^°"«^.«^>n: the uncertain limits^f the
i-nglifh ;}nd French ternt(^ncs in America ; and the mutual
claims of the Houfcs of Auftria and Brandenbourg on tl^
dutchy of S.lefia. It is no winder that the two former
frirnf?h^'"^.''",V?"!l'''>' '" which ;hey confidered the
right of the natural Inhabitants as nothing/ Should find Jt a
neither of thefe powers were fufficiently acquainted^ with
the geography ot America, to enable them to afcertain th«
l.mits of their fcveral preteiifions with any tolerable exaft-
nefs; nor, indeed were thefc matters deemed of fuffici-
ent moment to call for a very laborious difcuffion. At the
or'wLf ^'''1!''' whilft fomany more important Interefts,
nm^^cnf K " c""'^ '""T '"^P«^tant, were difcuflbd, the
limits of Nova Scotia, then called Acadia, were expreffed
foot^n^ C7tr '™'' ""^ ^'^' ^° ^' P"^ °" ^ "^^^ certain
footing l,y fubfcquent negotiations. Thefe negotiations
Iff \ ^'""1 °"^^ '° '"^'"^^^''' ^he former confufion.
After the acce/no„ of the prcfent Royal Family, a FreS
orthe Z; """f'n "^"?^>^ ^'-^"^ '^^ icumftances
of the time, and afterwards a certain negligence of al!
affairs but thofe of our domeftic polity,^ fufFered this
dSr' ^n" • '° l'"^^ ^^"^^ JoMy^^nt of our conf^!
Le Wh^i? *" ^T^^^ '^^'"'^'-"^ themfelves on every
^\La ^^^^ ^g^'^ulture and the maritime commerce flou-
rifhed on their coafts, the Indian trade drew feveral of our
wandering dealers far into the inland country, and beyond
tXf^l'rT^'''^- ?.r ^^'=>' f°""^ them^-elves in aTe-
h^htful climate, i„ a foil abundantly fruitful, and watered
•^ nedTo ^h^ r^^f ?':;-S'^^^ ^^^'^'■^- ^hefe advantages,
joined to thofe of tlie Indian trade, appeared to compenfate
for US remotenefs from the fea. It Jas judged, that as the
■fouiurv .'IT irV'f ' r ""'' -^ eood^riglt t'o the inland
uhlri ^.' ,' ^°i '° i^'" navigation of the Miffifippi,
Mhich opened another door to the ocean. With thef^
views.
'!(
m now to
^ySB' fhe History of the War. ^
cwi\%L°T"^?!i'"'M^'"'^f^^ P'^"*«"» obtained a
charter for a confiderable trait of land near the river
Si iin Thet"^^"" fi<^^ of the Alleganey .rnt^ins/b:
aan o f'.H ^ °'r"" ""^ ^i'^'"'" ' ""^ '^^ adventurers be-
gan to fettle purfuant to the terms of their patent
Now began to ihoot forth the feeds of another difoute
whjch had long lain unobferved, but ^^hich proved alto-
gether as thorny and intricate as that concerning the limits
Of Acadia. The French pretending to have ift E
vered the mouths of the Miffifipji, claimed the whoi;
adjacent country, towards New Mexico on the eaft, nj «
^ the Apalachian or Alleganey mountains on the weft
They drove ofFthe new fettlers, and built a new fort cXd
duQuefne on the forks of the River MonrngaLla a
Tituation which commanded the entrance into all tlie coun
try on the Ohio and Miffifippi. ^°"""
The reader will obferve, that I do not pretend to decide
concernmg the right of either nation in this conteft I t
m';?h".r'"/'^» '^^' '^' confideration of the right had
much kfs influence on both parties, than the con fideratLn
the Engh/h colonies muft-lofe all ihare in the Indian trade
in time of peace ; and in time of war be expofed to coml
frontier .r* X' *° '"' '"r""^ "^^''^'^'^^ defence of a
frontier m... tjian 1500 miles in length. If on the con
"■'T,: '^ J^^"'^^ ^o"^'^ f-^1 to make good thlfe ddms"
on the Ohio and thofe on Ndva Scotia? their two coiT ,
yics entirely difunited, and the entrance into one ftiut u^
ntW^r^lr-^^t". ^>^^^^^* ^"d the erance into, he^
^heMf/^?" '" f ^""^^"^ ^y t^^^'^'^'ks at the mou?h of
theMiffifipp. muft certainly lofe ail theirvalue to France ■
?elrn^:i/?L'^:i^^^^^^^^^^^
Rri-lTr'?T ,?^"^'y f^"t off from Breft. General
Braddock failed to Virginia with about , coo rep ular
're'n'anIS "'^^^ ""/^^ ^'^^ AdSs C .755.
Tceot^t V ^V'"''^ "".'.^^''^ to America, to in- ^^^
tercept the I^rench lupplies. Orders were fent to our
^ coloni.;s
iu
4 the History of the War.* 1755.
colonies to arm j and three operations were aftually under-
taken, one againft Fort du Quefne under Braddock » the
other two againft the French forts in Nova Scotia, and
the fort of Crown Point on the Frontiers of New York
1 he two courts in the mean time breathed nothing but
peace, and exchanged reciprocal ptofeffions of friendfhip,
and good will, which deceived neither party.
They who are of opinion that thepaflions andcharaaers
of the ruling men influence all public concerns as much as
the public interefts themfelves, thought they faw other
caufes operating to haften this brtjach. On the death of
a great Minifter, which happened fome time before, the
adminirtration was new moulded. Some pcrfons then taken
in, were confidered as belonging to a party not perfeaiv
united with the remains of the old adminiftration. It was
thought, that die leading man of this party propofed to
work out the old Servants of the crown, in order to make
way for a more uniform fyftem. As long as peace fubfifts,
govcn^mcnt is fupported W itfelf j and any change is dif!
Sn ftr.^"VK',"'!!^"'^r^/. * ™» ^^ * th'ingcri;ical to a
miniftry. The leader of this party therefore, confcious of
his own talents, which all m«n acknowledged to be con-
Ipicuous, and of his conneftions which were confiderable. :
warmly puflied on a war, feconded by the fairnels of the
public motives, and the general voice of the people. In
this war his friends relied, that things muft neceflarily befo
embarrafTed, that the old party would find themselves
obliged to retu-e, and to leave the ftage clear for them to
lervc their country according to their own plans, and on
their owii terms. This ddign was believed to be puflied
forward by another great man of that party, who had play-
ed a game nearly of the fame kind before, and in whom
an advanced age had nbt abated any thing of his natural
nre and love of violent councils.
Things came to a crifis by the taking of two French
T "*"' "iy^^ ^y *^^ Admirals Bofcawen and Mof-
June 10. tyn. The operations by land were carried on with
vigour ; but whether conduced with equal iudcr-
ment, we ftand too near the time to decide. However, the
French fort at Beaufejour was taken, and foon
June 16. after thofe on St. John's river were abandoned;
by which we remained mailers of all Nova Scotia.
1 Jie prmcipal expedition was that agaiaft Fort du Quefne,
under
u ^^
h
W'
17 SS' ^be History of the War. 5
under General Braddock. That General abounding too
much m hi« own fen fc for the degree of military knowledge
he poflcfTcd, commanding in a country which he di J not
know, and cargrmg on a foecies of war in which he had no
experience, fufferca himfeff, when he had advanced within
J^aTVv^T *^"Q?5'"«^» t? be furprifcd by an ambuf-
cade of French and Indians. His army was fciz-
ed with a panic from the unufuaj appearance, and July o.
horned cries of the favages , they fled in confu- ^
fion } they were totally defeated with a confideiable flaujrh-
trr,ffpeci:, My of their officers. The General himfelf, aFter
having in c horfes killed under him, was mortally wounded ;
wiptngawa^r all the errors of his conduftby an honourable
deam for his country.
The nation was Something confoled for this lofs in the
fignal advantage gained by General Tohnfon, who com-
manded the expedition def.gned agafnft Crown
Point. He was attacked in his intrenchments by Sep. 7.
the French General Diefkau, but the affailants ^ ^
SJ'S ?T?' '"? ?i'."§ ^~'" '°^ «'■«'' « diftance, were
^tally defeated and DiefJcau himfeltwas made prifoner.
This viaorjr, tho' very honourable for Mr. Johnfon and
the provincial troop, under his command, yet as "t Tas
gained late in the feafon, and as the army was in ^o vc^
good condition, it had no confeouences. ^On the whol7
jve feemed, after allowinig for this vidlory, and for the di?
lodgment of the French from Nova bcotfa, to have had the
worrt part m the campaign 5 conf.dering the (^n^u\ne t^
peftations which had been formed, and the greatCeriort
ty of ftrength which we exerted, or were alle to have ex-
erted, in that part of the world.
wait"thTi?r ' •^'"""'"■' '*"'■ ^°"" *°°^ * refolution not to
wait the precarious operation of our arms in America for
Tblnt^^ *he grievances complained of, but to ftrTke f/ch
a blow as would at once put a fecurity into our hands for
the evaluating the places the enemy had fortified in ou.
merchlnr f^? '"■ ''^^^' *"^ ^^^'' ^^^'^en, Thei?
hlen ^ %s were every where attacked, as if war had
been aftually declared, and vaft numbers b ough i^to our
ports. The trench made all Europe refound wi h com
plamts of what they called a proceeding runi^ft and I
Violation of the Jaw of .lations I fia.ranl^S "^ceSent!
-> td.
, ii:
^ 7"/^^ History ^/ /^, War, ' ,755,
ed. But, whether it was that they were .cally in no co.-
courts m the,r favour by aihew of extraordinary modera-
^ on, they co:Uente<4 themfelves with this, and r either de-
dared war nor made any fo.t of rcpr.fal for fevera! month,
i7c6 ^f T ^^^^\ ^^^y ^^g=" ^^ ^^ ' ^^veral bodies
1750. Qt troops moved to the coafts or Picardy, Nor-
inv.finn T^^ ^""^ ^^'"y ' ^"=^ ^11 things threatened an
cfth^-rft /''"'' P' u' °^ ^^'^ ^^*'^g'^°'"- Under the <hadow
ffli^ ^'?Sem, they got ready in the harbour of Toulon
a fleet of twelve men of war of the line, with the utmoft
ADril.R ^f''^^''^"' Which convoyed an arm /of about
Apnlib. 11,000 mer., under command of the Duke dc
i^ichlieu to the iiland of Minorca, In a few
the trenchcc before Su
April 25. te /hey opened
\ / rhihp's fort.
1 his w^s done whim the nation trembled under a fliame-
f^n"^^' .'°t ^ '^'^ ^ concealed, too fata) in its con-
ic ffe no nt? ''f J°^g^"^«- The real invafion did not
InnfMfi n i'^'r 2-^ '5' ""aginary one ; it threw us into a
confufion that fuffered us to be fenfible of nothing but pur
own weakncfs. We did not look upon ourfelvea fuVcient^y
Shir'h Ih ^ *"' '"'^"'J ^^/!^' Hatxoverian and Heffian troapsi
^nce, 1 he mmiftry feemed to hawe been infeaed with the
common terror; for though they had very eai!y notce
pf the French ^efigns, fuch was the apprehenfion of the
hnTt"' -^ 1 n'^ '^'' ill-contrived difpoiidon of ournafy!
befo:t tilth 'o7 T r ""'n''^' ^° the Meditenanea^n
piore tnan 10 ihips of the line.
The engorgement with the*French fleet under M. Ga-
Jilloniere ; the retreat of Byng by which the aar-
May 12. nfon of fort St. Philip was^cu^ oLrom al? hfpes
oi relief; the furrender of that garrifon after
June 29. nine weeks open trenches ; the fentiments of th
th. . ''''"''* J , ^^^ P^^^i*"* on the diflrerent merits of
the governor and the admiral ; the oppofition of fome, . ,0
^'c^ifr". ^-A^^ly honour^^, and the oThc. ;:
Iwio^^ . ? '""^ d.fgraces, than a cool fenfe of th1n<vs
were n I'lh ''r ' ^^"T" ^" ^" ^^^^-l^' ^ur affai?
T/^erc. in fuch a CondiUon that wf were driven to the expe-
dient
1757' ^^^ History' of the War.. -7
dient of a court martial to revive the Britifh fpirit, and to
the unfortunate neccffity of fliedding the blood of p ,
an Admiral, a perfon of a noble family, as a fa- '^*
crifice to the difciplineof our navy. '757*
From this melancholy pidlure, let us turn our eyes ano-
ther w^ay, and review the fteps by vi^hich this war came
to involve the reft of the contending powers. The
French, amongft the other plans they formed for diftreffing
- our affairs, made no fecret of their defign of attacking
his Majefty's German dominions. Thefe countries evi-
dently had no fort of connexion with the matters wh<ch
^ave rife to the war. But being under a Sovereign fo
remarkably afFe6lionate to his native country j they judged
he might be terrified into a relaxation of his rights in
Anierica, to preferve Hanover from the calamities with
which it was threatened. Their politics, however, in this
inftance proved as unfuccefsful as they were unjuft. No
motion was made towards an abatement in our claims with
regard to America j his Majefly took other methods for
,the prefervation of the peace of Germany. His Britifh fub-
jedls by^ their reprefentatives, not more generoufly than rea-
fonably, refolved to defend the Hanoverians if attacked in
their quarrel. To anfwer thiis purpofe, the nriiniflry enter-
ed into a fubfidy treaty with the Emprefs of lluffia, in
virtue pf which fhe was to hold 55,000 men in readinefs
to be fent on a requifition wherever the Britifh fervice re-
quired.
The alliimce with Rufjia was chofen for reafons which
were then fufliciently plaufible ; though it is to be hoped
they can never fubfift again. The long ill underftanding
between the King of Pruffia and our court, and his clofe
connexion with that of Verfaiiles, raifed no i)l-grouxided
apprehenfions that he might be induced to adt a dangerous
part on this occafion. Ruffia was therefore a proper ally,
who had both a political and perfonal enmity to this mo-
narch, and who would be fine to employ a great power
with great vigour in fuch a caufe. But this fyitem was in
a fhort time totally reverfcd. The King of PrufTia had
been too well apprifed of the clofc conjunction of the courts
of Peterfburg and Vienna, and of the real motive to that
coniunaion, to have the Jeafl defign of embroiling himfelf
with England. Matters were therefore very foon explain-
ed, and the treaty between his Pruffian majefty and this
B 4 ?purt.
* ne History of the War. ,757^
court, to keep all foreigners out of the Empire, was figned
a It Ta "- -^'""u^y V756. The(e treaties were cenfurel
as inconfiftent w,th each otherj but ip reality they were
onnffe?h "i^^' ^'""i^S P-cifelv at the far^e obj^rtp
fo,iL'M'^'"^°*'i''/^"'*"^"^^'^^*^<«^o"'-ts, there was
fomething unexpefted in the alliance between great Bri-
TnJZi-'f^ K '' ^^' ^°J?" ^°"°^^d »>y another^alljance of
^ nature mfin.teW more furprif.ng. The Emprefs Queen
lnh.rTP' ^"u '!1^ ^"Sland in no difpofition to co-operate
in her defigns had recourfe to other meafures. The houfe
of Auftna which had formerly united Europe to prefcrve
Jier from thp powpr of France, now entered herfelf into the
mplt intimate union with that power. By this extraordinary
InlTfLK''^''^'' P.'^'i'"^ ^y^'"" °*" Europe alTumeJ
tha^ weS..l/ L "^a-^i'-^ ' revolution fo extraordinary,
^hat we fhall be juftified if we interrupt the courfe of this
narrative, to Jo^k back at the caufes which produced i^
tnZ. ■ °f ^'■^"denbourg, a little piore thap twocen-
n^rtl.T' J^'' T ^ ''^'y ^""^^^^ condition. • But by the
« K- uT ^^ ^^^, ^^"ton'c order; by a marriage froni
which fhe acquired the duchy of Cleves; and by^an rnv^
<:ommon fucceffion of able prfnces who carefully Lnroved
every f^rmn the affairs o? Germany to their LTamage
i!c,!!!l ^"f^^ il ^'^'^'' '^ ' considerable ftate, to^an
nnw.r %k"V' ^f.'^^'S^r^^Y^ not only in name but in
power. The late King of ^uffia, in order to ftrengthen
this power, though he paft almoft his whole reign in the
moft orofonnd peace gave his whole attention to his army -
frugal in all other refpefts, in this alone he was expenf^ve'
itwashisbufinefs and what was perhaps of greaVer mo-
ment, itwashisonlydiverfion. Thus in a reigifappareX
inaaive, there was always kept up an army of near ,00,000
men, in as much exercife as they could have in war, and
formed with the moft perfe^ difcipline. ^ '
When his prefentMajeftycame to the throne, he imme-
diately (hewed a difpofition of employing effeaually t^at
military force, which his father had ?pent his life only i„
Bifhop of L.ege by the fummary method of force: and
f«.uned difpofed to carry all things with fo h;gh an ha^d, "s
made
%756. rhe History of the War. 9
made him indeed much refpefted, but much dreaded too
by the Princes of the Empire, who faw that there was
another power to be feared . in Germany, befides that of
Auftria. But thefe were fmall matters, rather figns of the
flifpofition of this Prince, than exertions of it. He medi-
tated much greater things j and only waited an oppoi tu-
iiity to make good the antient claims of his family on the
moft conftderable part of the dutchy of Silefia. I'he right
%o that dutchv had been a very intricate afFair j but the
houfe of Auftria availing herfelf of the greatncfs of her
power, and of a diflention between the Elcaor Frederick.
II. and his fon, prevailed with the Eleftor to give up that
right for an eijuivalent ; then {he perfuaded his fon to con-
firm the treaty j and at the fame time for a trivial confi-
deration to give up the equivalent itfelf. The King of
Pruflia, not thinking himfelf bound by thefe afts, though
confirmed be a long pofleffion, took advantage of his own
power, and tiie embarraflld circumftances of the houfe of
Auftria, to refume what their power and the cmbanafTed
circumftances of his family had formerly deprived him of.
For immediately on the death of Charles the 6th,
when the Auftrian greatnefs feemed irrecoverably Dec.
loft, he entered into Silefia, and made himfelf mafter 1740!
of the whole country with little oppofition. Then
uniting with the French and Bavarians, he fecured his
conquefts by two decifive victories, and by a trea-
ty which yielded him the greateft part of Silefia J""^ ''•
and the whole county of Glatz. But the cAufe '742>
of the Emperor which the King of Pruffia had embraced,
foon caufed a renewal of hoftilities j the Queen of
Hungary faw herfelf defeated in three pitched June 2
battles J her new allv the King of Poland, driven 1744 *
from his German dominions, and the King of
Pruffia entering Drefden in triumph, where he gave the
law in a treaty, by which Silefia was once more
folemnly confirmed to him: in return to which Dec. 174c
he guarantied to the Qiieen of Hungary the reft
of her dominions.
The Qiieen of Hungary could not eafily lofe the me-
mory of the wqund fhe had received in the lofs of one of
the fineft and richeft parts of all her dominions. Silefia,
which ftie had juft yielded, extended in length 200 miles
along the courfe of the iarge and navigable river Oder.
A
10
TkS IhSTQ^Y <?/ /iJ'^ WA'R,
...viui^..- ..n^ yi?iaing a cie,ir yearly revenue of 806,000
pounds fterlin^ Tb? peace was hardly coixcluded by which
ihc rcfigned this valuable territory, than Ihe fet on foot
pr^iticcs tor recovering it. She entered into a tieaty with
the 90urt of Peterfboure;, of an innocent and fimpjy defcn-
five nature^ (o far as appeared to the public j but
May 22, Cix fccret and; fcparat? article? were added to If
1746, one pf which provides, that in cafp his Priiflian
j;iaj(;fty (hould attack hermajefty the Emprcfs
Qijeen, or the E;ni>rer3 of Ruffia, or even the repubjic of
Poland, tkat this attacH (hould be confidered as a breach of
^^''^^.''B' '^^ Preftlen ; that the right of the Emprefs Queen
• to hikfia ceded by that treaty Ihould revive ; and th^ the
contiaaing powers fliould mutually furnifti an army of
60,000 men to re-inveft the Emprefs Queen with that
dutchy.
To this fo extraordinary a treaty, the King of Poland
was invited to accede ; and he did fo far accede to it, as to
Jhew he perfeaiy agreed in his fentiments with thefe courts,
iiut his fituation in the jaws of a formidable enemy, and the
experience ot paffed misfortunes,* had rendered him fo
vearj-, that he declined figning the treaty; but ftill, with -
the confcnt of the parties concerned, whom he fully con-
vinced ot his rcfolution to co-operate in all their meafures.
He dchred and they agreed, that in the fuccefs of their arms
he Ihould have a fhare in the fpoil, on the footing of a
T^;r o n^^5 ("'■ ,^he eventual portion, of the Kins; of
May i«, IruiTias dommions made in the laft war. On
1 745. thefe eonditions the King of Poland without a^u-'
ally figning, was underftood, and received as a
party to the treaty of Peterfbourg.
Jn confequence of thefe meal^rcs, all fort of means were
employed to embroil the King of Pruflia's affairs in the
iNorth, and particularly to render him perfonally odious to
the Lzarina. When their machinations had taken full ef-
tcct, and Ruffzawas fixed in an unalterable enmity to that
monarch, preparations of ma<;azines and armies were made
in Bohemia and Moravia i and the King of Poland, under
pretence ct a military amufement, drew together about
2 6000 men, with which he occupied the ftron<T and im-
portant Poft of Pinui. The Qiiecn of Hungary f^w that fhe
itood
175^' ^^e History of the War. it
Hood in need of yet . ftroiiger fupports than thefe in the
arduous bufinefs fhe had undertaken. She found that Great
Britain, which had often done fo much for her diftrefs,
would do little for her ambition : fhe therefore had recourfe
to France, who joyfully accepted an alliance, that promifed
to. confound the whole Germanic body, concluded a treaty
with the Emprcfs at Verfailles the ift of May 1756, a re-
markable aera in the political hiftory of Europe.
The fecret articles of the treaty of Peterfbourg, the
fountain of the prefent troubles, and the fteps taken to put
that treaty in execution, though formed and carried on
with as much fecrecy as earneftnefs, could not efcape the
vigilance of his Pruffian majefty, who watched all their mo-
tions, and had perfeft intelligence of their moft hidden de-
figns. When, therefore, he perceived that by the brfeach
between England and France, the Emprefs Qiieen would
take advantage of thefe troubles to avail herfelf of her al-'
Jiances and her armament; he ordered his minifter at Vienna
to demand a clear explication, and proper alTurances con-
cernmg the preparations he faw making: and receiving only
a dry and equivocal anfwer, that the Emprefs had taken
meafures for her own fecurity and that of her allies and
friends, the King believed himfelf no longer bound topre-
ferve any terms ; a dangerous war was to be l^ept out of his
own territories at any rate ; and being alwJiys in perfed rea-
dinefs for adion, he fell upon Saxony with a confiderable
army.
At firft the King of Pruffia feemed only to demand a
free paffage for his troops, and an obfervance of
the neutrality profefled by the King of Poland ; Aua.ag.
but as he had very good reafon to diftruft fuch a °
neutrality, he demanded as a fecurity, that the Saxon
troops Ihould quit the ilrong poft they occupied, and dif-
perfe themfelve immediately. This demand was refufed,
?nd the King of Pruffia in confequence of that rtfufal,
immediately formed a fort of blockade about the Saxon
camp at Pirna, with a view to reduce it by famine, fince
Its inacceffible fituation rendered an attack unadvifeable.
1 here were in Bohemia two Auftrian armies under M.
iJrown and M. Picolomini ; to keep them in awe, U.
aUT!^ entered Bohemia from the county of Glatz j
^!?a;K- . '■'"^x.^^'^ penetrated into that kingdom on the fide
• u r"^V ?"t the King of Pruffia, not entirely confiJina;
}ii thefe difpofitions ? and ftil] apprehenfive that M. Browfi
mi"-ht
'til:'
12 ^he History of the War. 1755.
might be able to convey feme relief to the Saxons, rcfolv-
cd to bring him to aaion, to the fuccefs of which he knew
h.s own prefence would greatly contribute. He therefore
left the blockade of the Saxon army, joined his forces under
Keith, and engaged the Auftrians at Lowofitz.
JJec. I. Here he obtained a vidory, which though it was
not undifputed with regard to the field of battle,
yet with regard to the confequenccs it was as decifive as
could be wilhed. M. Brown found it impraaicable to re-
lieve the Saxons, notwithflanding the judicious efforts he
made for that purpofe, and that Army, after a vain attempt
to retire from their difficult poft, which had one fault, that
It was as difficult to leave it as to force it, were obliged to
furrender prifoners of war. The King of Poland quitted
his Lrerman dominions; and the Pruffians took up their
winter quarters in Saxony, feized upon the revenuesjevied
exorbitant contributions, and obliged the country to furnifh
recruits 1 his unhappy people faw their country exhauft-
ed, and forced to bear the burthen of a war againft itfelf.
It was then that the King of Pruffia confulting the rules
of policy more than thofe of politenefs, made himfelf maf-
ter of the archievcs at Drefden, in doing which fome rough-
nefsMjas ufed towards the Queen; but he made himfelf
amends for the clamour induftrioufly raifed on this pretence,
by acquiring the originals of thefe pieces, which evinced
to the world the reality of the defign againft him, and
which therefore in a great meafure juftified the means he
had taken to come at them, as well as the extraordinary
fevcnties he ufed towards the unfortunate Saxons,
C H A P. II.
State^ ef the Englljh minijiry.. The charaSffrs and defigns
of the jcveral Jaaiom. A coalition, Ofwego taken hv
the French Cakutta taken by the Nabob. Jngria r/.
iluced by Admiral Watfon.
VI7HILST the King of Pn.ffia pafTed the winter
▼ y m the moft vigorous prepaations for carryino- on
the war, his ally Great Britain prefented a very different
face of things. The lofs of Minorca plunged the people
into the utnK.ll: grief mixed wif.h fliame, for fuch a blot
on the nutiojKil honour, and vith indignation not only
againlt
1757- *^^^ History of the War* 13
againft thofe who had adkd weakly, but thofe who had
proved infufficiently for the lofs of that important pofreflion
The public refentment which at firft feemed to have
no ^her objea than Byng, was foon turned againft the
miniftry. The clamour in parliament was great ; without
doors it was exceflive. Addrcfles praying a ftridl: enquiry
into the caufe of our misfortunes, were prefented from
all parts of the kingdom. The miniftry, notwithftandina
this general difcontent, had a real ftrengthj and they
might have flood, had they agreed amongft thcmfclves.
The commons could not be brought to any ant^ry
votes J and the refult of the enquiry into the lofs "of
Minorca, was as favourable as they could have wifticd
But Mr. F X thought it not advifeable to bear a large
proportion of the odium caufed by counfels, in which he
had little (hare. Perhaps he thought this embarrafTment,
a fituation not unfavourable to the arrangement he had
always aimed at ? he therefore fuddenly threw up an em-
ployment, which he hoped to refume augmented with
greater power.
On the removal of this principal prop, the whole ftruc-
ture of the miniftrv fell to pieces. The D. of N. the
J^d. Ch. the firft lord of the admiralty refignedj and
the chiefs of the party by whofe manceuvres they
were difplaced, naturally fucceeded to the ma- Dec 4.
nagement of affairs. Thejr who had refigned 1756;
gave them no apparent oppofition in parliament ;
but whether it was, that the new miniftry were them-
felyes too frefti from oppofition, and fomeofthem too
full of the popular manners that introduced them to court
to be perfeaiy agreeable in the clofet, or that they had
made their bottom too narrow, after holding- their em-
ployments for fome months, to the great concern of the
public, they in their turn were obliged to quit
their pofta. Thus was the helm of government April e
a fecond time abandoned. The cafe of the 17C7
King and the nation was at that junfture truly
deplorable. We were without any ally who could do us
the leatt fervice, engaged in a war hitherto unfuccefsful.
with the moft formidable power in Europe; we almoft
delpaired of our militarv virtue; public fpirit appeared
utterly extinguiftied, whilft the rage of faftion burned with
the utmoft violence; our o^jerations were totally fufpend-
ed: ,
ri The History of the War.
i
\%i
757-
cd : and having no miniftry eftahliftied, we had no plan to
follow.
Three faftions divided the ruling men of the nation,
for the grofs of the people feemed to have no further views
thafi a redrefs of their grievances, by whatever means ,
that could be brought about j the firft of thefe fadions
was compofed of thofe who had grown to place and power,
or had formed their connexions under the old miniitry.
They were fome of the moft refpeftable perfons in the
nation, and had undoubtedly the greatcft parliamentary
intereft. They had at the fame time another intercll
hardly lefs confiderable, that of the monied people j but in
fome points, and thofe material too, thoy were weak.
TYity were not at all popular j a matter of great confi-
deration in a government like ours ; and they were fup-
pofed by the grofs of the people, not to be under the
direction of great political abilities.
The fecond fadion, though not fufpedted of the want
of fufficient ability, was yet more unpopular than the
former ; they had not attempted to preferve even the ap-
pearances eflential to popularity; and to them the more
eflential, as their parliamentary ftrength was, however
refpeaable, much inferior to the firft. If their influence
at one court was able to ballance that of the old miniftry,
l^y niearis of a then powerful connexion, that very con-
nection made them far worfe at another court, and worfe
with the generality of the people, who entertained or pre-
tended at leaft to entertain, fufpicions of a nature the more
dangerous, as they were only dropped in hints and whif-
pers, and never could come to a full and open explana-
tion.
The third party, had little parliamentary and lefs court
influence J but they had a prodigious popularity, which
fupplied every othei defeft. The abilities of their leader
were of the moft (hining kind ; his application equal to
his :ibilities; his difintereftednefs was confefTed by his ene-
mies ; and though it would have fhined in the days of h6-
roifm, was now the more valued, and fet off to the greater
advantage by the general felfiflinefs which prevailed among
the men of bufmefs. The nation repofed the moft perfeft
confidence in his integrity and love to his country. This
-- confcious where its ftrength lay, cultivated with
care the popularity which was the bafis of their
power -J
narLy,
great
^ISI'
7:&^ His'TbRY of {he WAfe.
perhs
^5
poivcr; even perhaps fo as to impair oh feme, occafion
the dignity of government.
Thefe three facSlions rfifFered from each other extremely
with regard to power, the grand o'bjedt of all faaions. But
in the general fdhemc of their politics, the two firft were
pretty much aereed. Looking on France as the nipfl con-
ftant and moil dangerous enemy of Great Britafn, they
dreaded the increafe of her power hnd influehce amont^ the
neighbouring nations as the greateft of all evils. To°prc-
vent fo dangerous an aggrandifemerit, they tHdugKt it
abfolutely neceflary to preserve a conftaht attention to the
ballance of power, and to feek our pai-ticular fafcty and
liberty m the general fafety and liberty of Europe. A
clofe connexion was therefore to be kept up with the
powers of the contirierit, not only by continual n^<rotiati-
oi.^, but by large fubfidies, and even by aflifting thehi with
our troops if the occafion fhbiild require fuch affiftahce.
For this purpofe, as well as to fee u re the more effeaually
our prefent happy eftabllfhmeiit, a cohfiderable reaular
land force ought to be conftantly maintained. Our iVavy,
they thought, ought bv no means to he riegleaed ; biit
It was only to be cultivated and employed fubferviently
to the more coiiiprelienfive contiiiental fyftem. Thefe
parties were fai- from being friends to arbitrary power
or in any fort ^y^xi^ to parliaments ; they loved the conflil
tution ; but they were for preferving the authority of go-
vernment entire, and in its utmofl lawful force. To mtke
government more eafy, knowing that many would difturb'
It, from difafFeaion or difguft, or miftaken notions of
liberty, they thought it Juft to rule men by their intereft«
if they could not by their virtues, and they had lonff
K .k" i'/f •?''^"'^ of procuring a majority in parliament,
by the diftribution of the numerous lucrative places and
emplo>'incnts which our.conftitution leaves in the difpofal
of the Crown. Several believed that no other method was
pradhcable, confidering the nature of mankind, and our
particular form of government.
But the third and popular party, was influenced by
different principles. They looked indeed on the power of
France in the fame light with the two former, and were
ot the lame opinion concerning the neceffity of fettins
bounds to it. In the means of attaining this end they
<Jittercd. Our fituation they thought didated a narrower,
but
tS the HisTORy of the War. ijgj,
but a more natural, a fafcr, and a Jefs expenfive plan of
politic*, than that which had been adopted by the othe*
party. We ought never to forget, faid they, that wc arrf
an i/land : and that this circumftance, fo favourable both
to our political and to our civil liberty, prefcribes to us a
condua very different from that of any other nation.
Our natural ftrength is a maritime ftrcngth, as trade is
our natural employment; thefe muft always go hand in
hand, and they mutually fupport each other. But, if
turning our back to our real interefts, and abandoning our
natural element, we enter that inextricable labyrinth of
continental politics; if we make ourfelves parties in
every controverfy; if we exhauft our wealth in purchaf.ng
the ufelefs and precarious friendfliip of evety petty prince
or ftate; if we wafte the blood of our people in all the
quarrels that may arife on the continent; fo far from go-
ing in the right way to reduce France, that we attack her
on the ftrong fide, and only deftroy ourfelves by our ill judg-
ed efforts againft the enemy That we can have nothing To
fear from the fuperiority of France on the continent, wKilft
weprcferve our fuperiority at feaj that we can always cut
the finews of the enemy's ftrength by deftroying their
traffic ; that to fear an invafion from a power weak in its
marine, is the idlcft of all fears ; that in cafe an invafion
were poffible, a well trained national militia, fupplyingbv
their zeal the defeds of their difcipline, would pr/veVur
beft proteaion ; that a ftanding army is in whatever fliape
dangerous to freedom; and that a government like ours,
conneaed by its very effence with the liberty of the fub-
jea can never be in want of the fupports of defpotic power
As little IS parliamentary influence neceffary. A eovern*
mcnt pleafing to the people, as evcty good government
muft be, can never be generally oppofed; and men need
no bribes to perfuade them to their duty.
Thcfc notions, fo oppofite in their extreams, might be
reconciled in a medium, and ufed to temper each other,
l-or as, on one hand, it would be vety abfurd to make no
fort of advantage ofourinfular fituation, but to engage in
a 1 the bufinefs of the continent without referve, and to
plunge ourfelves into real evils out of a dread of poffible
mifchiefsj fo on the other hand, to think ourfelves wholly
unconcerned in the fortunes of our neighbours on the
continent, or to think of aiding them in any cafe, only
s by
175^ The HisTORv of the War; ,.
by the way of divcrfion with our fleets would h^ o
there (opics were fandied Tl j /'"" 'V™' '" "^^'^^
"fry, only increafed ,hcir ^X^» I^IT"" "'';
diftontent; the neoDle cni,?,l n„, k 7' . '"° S^wal
fures could be oSed wkil^i r • ™ *« good mea-
con^ded, were n'ot emJioTcd aW'ft'"n"'S°'" '''°"' *ey
nation wai^aLoft LTC"'' uVj^^V''^'' ""<' '"«
quite proper, .o attempt to trace LrC'&hlchrt"''^
py a coaliton, as we hav<. (W,n ..^ •? '^ ""^" "^ ''V-
about. But it was form,/ • ? t''° ''""' """^ •"'ought
could not'htfCd'^' r. ^rn,f 'T'ii^ J""'^'-
S "trn"1°S'' '° *= »«« oTfecreu^rf ""•
5rv!''wSa;ie7;a'';xrj^tK^^^^^^^
thejr party had inrnir;^ -T ^^'' '''°'^"' attachment to
,<^; .«y to-arr-:r„ 't^S^^'Q^Xt
compS'lf ,:;?■' tor/°™«- ''iTentions ftould be
world, in which we hT "'' '''"'"'^'" of "■«
of no.ii„j;;t«-ra'„ ■'c£Z"'^Tn!l=^''' ^"^•14.
^d ':f tt t;'th ' rr^-o "^" '-'^- '" ■
^ -.odiouT^:; - rth?aut" 5trs
t by
i8 'the l^isTORY of tlpe Wab. 1756.
by GcneraJ Shirhry, and dcfigncd to cover the country of
the Five Nations; to fccure the Indian trade i to interrupt
the crtmmunication between tbe French northern and
fouthcrncftablifhmcnts i and to open a way to our arms to
attack the forts of Frontenac and Niagara. For thefe
purpod's, feme fri^tcs had been ^tted out for cruizing,
and a number of boats prepared' for the tranfportation of
troops; but they all fell to the enemy with the fort, whcr^
100 pieces of cannon were, and aconfiderable quantity of
provifion. r6oo men were made prifoners of war. The
place made but a trifling rcfiltance, fcarce holding out
threq days j the attempts to relieve it were too late. The
French demolished tlic fort.
Our loflcs were not conHned to America. The E. India
company received a blow, which would have Ihalccn an
eftablifhment of Icfs ftrength to its foundations. The news
of the war between France and England had not yet reach-
ed India, but a new and very formidable enemy was raifcd
up in that quarter. The Nabob of Bengal (the Nabobs
are a fpecies of viceroys to the Grand Mogul, grown
almoft independent in their feveral province?,) irritated at
the proteftion given to one of his fubje£ls in the Englifti
fort 0/ Calcutta, and, as it is faid, at the refufal of (omc
duties to which he claimed a right, levied a great army,
and laid fiege to that place. The Governor, terrified i^
the numbers of the enemy, abandoned the fort with feve-
ral of the principal perfons in the fettlement, yrho faved
themfelves with their moft valuable efFe<aa on board the
(hips.
Thus deferted. Mr. Hollwel, the fecond in coi^and,
brav?Iy held the place to the laft extremity, with a few
gallant friends, and the remains of a feeble garrUbn. A
very noble defence was infufficient to keep an untenable
place,, or to afFe6t an ungenerous enemy. The fort wasi
taken, and the garrifon being made prifoners,
June 26, were thruft into a narrow dungeon. Hollwel,
with a itvi' others, came out aiive, to paint a
fccne of the moft cruel diftrefs which perhaps huiQan
nature ever fuffered. The Eaft India company loft their
principal fettlement in Bengal, and a fort, which fecured
to them the moft valuable part of their trade.
In the fpace of this unfortunate year, we were ftripped
of Miiiorca and Ofwe^os, we apprehended an invafioi\
of
»9
to pieces
where in
fidered as
principal
had beeh
the Kaft
Watfon
^757' ^be History ef the War.
of Grrat Britain itfcJf : our councils were torn
byfaaionsj and our military force was cvcrv
P.K ,, ^°"^<^'"Pf- Amidrt thcfc iolTes, we con
feb.13. fome advantage, the redu^ion of the
fort of Angria, a piratical prince, who
many years troublefome to the Knglifh trade in
in /h"'k • •' 'c'?" "^^^ performed by Admiral
in the beginning of the year.
CHAP. III.
\'aftt}ytr^"l- "S^'f^f^'/'^S ofPruJpa, French
tfprJ ^p ^'"^ 'f ^'■^•^"^ ''"'^'■^ Bohfmla, Battle
of Prague Prague tnvejied. Count Daun takes the cZ
mand of the Aujhlan army. Battle ofCoZ
W ^. V ^"""^ ^^^ ^¥'^ P°''^'" w^re like to take
f r m the year 1759, feemed for fome time uncertain
The new mmilby did not feem well eftablilhed ; nor was
It well known, whether they would purfue the plans Tn^J
preferve the connexions of the old. Abroad eve tthinf
eXnillrrr^"^ ''' campaign^w;;rt;?utmoff
«.ciac. All turopp was i;i motion.
!• ranee, in ord^r to demonftrate to the Queen of Hun
Slf with >1?'T7^ ')f' ^^ ^^'^ •^^drfrconta^^^^
herfelf with thehoufe of Bourbon, formed two great ar?
mies. The firft ;yas compofed of near 80,000 men the.
flower of the French troops, attended with a vaft arUlIerv
cftinr?'"^'*^ ^-^ H: ^'^^^^«' ^ General of the S
Utablifjied reputation ihe had in her fervice ITn^„ u-
grved M. de Contades, M. Chever" and he Count es"
that em?nence Thl' f ^'''.^l^^ ^°* ^^n appointed ta
Pnim^'[ A ^- ^^"P^a''a. 'n order to invade the King of
operations a^ainft fh.lr- rn 5.^^ >'"'S<:i *3' ">='■•
and .hcT fcK™"f TdrtT/KLf oVf"',^ '=. '''^";='''
tonceffions with rpa-,rj , a ■ ^ °' *-"g'='n<l "«o fome
*■/ one ZtU^Zi:J'"'^r} -is*" ''- -"P'-ted
ui;. iame Diow.^ 1 he fecond army was comw
^ -^ mandcd
Hii
20 ^he History of the War. 1757*
manded by the Prince de Soubifej it confiftcd of about
25,000 men. This army was deftined to ftrengthen t^if
Imperial army of execution; but before it had paffed
the Rhine, it jnade itfelf mafter of Cleves, Meurs and
Gueldres, whilft a detachment from d'Etrees's army feized
upon the townofEmden, and whatever ejfe belonged to
Pruflia in Eafl Friefland.
As foon as the King of Pruffia had entered Saxony in
the beginning of the preceding fummer, procefs was com-
menced againft him in the Emperor's Aulic council, and
before the diet of the Empire. It is not difficult to con-
ceive how the afFair muft have been decided ; when thofe
who feared the Kipg of Pruffia, believed they had a fair
ppportunity to reduce him : and when thofe who feared the
houfe of Auftria, were, by that very fear, obliged to fup- .
port the power they dreaded : accuftomed as they were
to the influence of a family in which the Empire had fp
iong been in a manner hpre4it^ry j and over-awed by the
appearance of a confederacy, the moft formidable the
world had ever yet feen. Accordirigly the King of Pruffia
was condemned for contumacy: and the Fifc^l had orders
to notify to him that he was put under the ban of the
Empire, and adjudged' fallen from all the dignities and pof-
feffions which he held under it. Tl>e circles pf the Em-
pire were ordered ^o furnifh itheir contingents of men and
money to put this fentence in execution ; but the contin-
gents were colle<fted flowly, the f;roops were badly compor
fed, and probably this army had never been able to aft, if
it had not been for the Affiftance offered under the Prince
de Soubife. # • 1 1
The Auftrians, who were principals m the quarrel, were
not behind their auxiliaries in, the greatnefs of their pre-
parations; they made the moft ftrenuous eftorts, by whjch
they aflembjed a body of upwards of 100,000 men in
Bohemia, and compiitted the command to Prince Charles
of Lorrain, affifted by M. Brown. In the north all thmgs
threatened the King of Pruffia. Jhe Czarina true to her
refentments and her engagements, had fent a body of 60,000
men commanded by M. Apraxin, who were m full march
to invade the Ducal Pruffia, whilft a ftrong fleet was equip-
ped in the Baltick, to co-operate with that army. Altho'
the King of Sweden was allied in blood and inclmation to
his Ffuffian majefty, yet the jealoufy which the Senate en-
-- • . Y ■* tertuined
¥i\
1757' ^^e History cf the War; it
tertained of their fovcreign j the hope of recoveririg their
antient pofTeffions m Pomerania by means of the prefent
troubles and in fine their old attachment to France, newly
cemented by intrigues and fubfidies, made their ill in-
dinations to the caufe of Pruflia more than fufpicious.
Hither o indeed nothing more than the tendency of theii
councils was fully known. Thb Duke of Meck^nbour^
took the fame party and agreed to joih the Swedifh arm?
when It fliould be alTembled, with 6boo men ; a proceed-
,ng which he has fince had reafon to repent bitterly Thus
were the forces of fiye mighty ftates*; each of which had
in their tyrn been a terror to all Europe, united to reduce
the heir of the MarquifTes of Brandenbourgrand in fuch
a point of danger and glory, had the greatli^d formidable
abilities of his Pruffian majeftv placed him, with little! i^
comparifon, that could enable iim to fuftain the violence of
fo many fhocks, except what thofe abilities fupplied. But
fin.ncr'?H "f •r'^T^'"^' '^' incomparable o?der of his
finances, the difcipline of his armies beyond all praife a
every thing, a conftancy that no labour could fubdue -a
courage that no danger could difmay, anTntuit vetla'nce
that catches the 4ecifive moment, alAhefe f^med tlform
thewifhloltsfLV^ ^-' °--"
tne wilhes of his friends into hopes, and made them deoend
htion '" '^"' ^'' "°' ^'^'^'" '^' P°^^^ «f caTc-
The only army that appeared in his favour was a body
of between 30 and 40,000 Hanoverians and Hefllans who
Trli %"^\r^'"f«/'^«'^ents of his own troops, Sed an
the puke of Cumberland ; this army was ported on ths
Wefer, to watch the motions of M. d'Etrees Th^ t
and unwieldy body of the French,' encum ered a die
French armies always are by an immenfe baa.aae^ and an
innumerable multitude of mouths without handf made a
very flow progrefs through the rough and b^ ren country
that lies between the Rhine and the Wefer All f h?!k-r^
ties of theFrench general were employet b find ntfubf f"
S' ?; ^' r^"^'^- ^'^ Royal Hfghnefsort the otL;
hand difp ayed great abilities in throwing all pomble im
femoveS h'\K'7'^-- ^"^ ^'^^" thefe i^ediC s we^;
removed by the fuperioritv^ot numbers, the HanovcTfan
* Aufliia, Ruffia, France," Sweden, the Empire/"'"^*^'
2Z The History of the War. 1737.
army gradually gave way, yieiaing to that fuberio»ity,
Ttt ^''^°^^ ^ the Wcfcr without oppo-
In the mean time, his Pruffian majefty being determined
according to his ma;cim, to lay the cloth as frcm home
as poflible ; made his difpofitions for carrying the war into
ischemia as fpecdily as the feafon would admit. Three
great bodies of his troops entered into that kinedom by
three very different ways, but nearly at the fai^e time.
M bchwenn penetrated into it from Silefia, The Prince
of Bcyern entered with the corps under his command from
l^ulatia, and defeated as a preliminary to a more decifive
):'V^°fy» a body of 28,000 Auftrians who oppo-
Apr.2i. fcdhim. The Kin^ himfelf pi^epared toTnter
Bohemia at a great diftance from the corps com-
manded by thefe Generals j and as he feemed difpofed to
march towards Egra, the enemy imagined he intended to
execute fome defign diftind from the objea of his other
armies. W,th this idea they detached a body of 20,coo
men, to obferve his motions. The King of Pruflia find-
ing that this feint had all its efFcd, made a fudden and
malterly movement to his left, by which he cut off all
communication between that detachment ^nd the main
army of the Auftrians. Spirited with this advantage, he
puft.ed onwards with the utmoft rapidity to Prague, where
he joined the corps under the prince of Bevern and M
bchwenn, who had advanced with inconceivable diligencJ
to meet him. Never were operations executed with more
judgment, celerity and fuccefs.
The Auftrian army was little fliort of 100,000 men, and
the lituation of their camp, fortified by every ad-
May 6. vantage of nature, and every contrivance of art,
luch as on common occahons might iuftly be
confidered as impregnable; but the Pruffians, being near-
ly as numerous as the enemy, infpired by a fociety of dan^
ger with their King, and filled with that noble enthufiafm,
which, whilft It urges to daring enterprifes, almoft enfures
heir fuccels paflcd morafTes, climed precipices, faced
batteries, and after a bloody and obftinate refinance, totally
defeated the Auftrians. f hey took their camp, military
chcft, cannon, all the trophies of a complete victory. The
lofs on the (ule of the vigors, as well as thevanquifhed,
was very great; but both fides had yet a greater lofs iu
the
1757- f%r History of the War. 23
the death of two of the beft generals in Europe. M. Schwe-
rin was killed at the age of eighty-two, with the colo-
iiels Itandard in his hand at the head of his regiment M
Brown received a wound, which, from the chagrin he
lultered rather than from its own nature, proved mortal
About 40,000 of the Auftrian army took refuee'in
Prague. The reft fled different ways. The King of FrufGa
Joft no tune to inveft the place, and to cut off all fuccours.
°? ?i^\r^^" ^"^^ ^ immenfe garrifon made an attack
unidviftable, on the other that formidable number itfelf
Teemed to make the redu^ion of the place by famine the
more certain The King of Pruffia not relying folely on
this, prepared to bombard the town. On tlic 2Qth of
May at midnight, after a moft dreadful ftorm of rain and
thunder, as if it were to difplay how much more ruinous
the malice of men may be, than the greateft terrors of na-
ture, on the fignal of a rocket, four batteries, which dif-
charged every twenty-four hours two hundred and ciehty-
eight bombs, befides a vaft multitude of red hot balls be-
gan to pourdeftruaion on that unfortunate city, which was
foon in flames in every part. The garrifon npde a vigo-
rous defence, and one well condufted and defperate fally •
but they were repulfed with great lofs. The principal
magiftrates, burgdfes, and clergy, feeing their city on the
point of being reduced to an heap of rubbiih, made the
moft moving fupphcations to the -ommander to liften to
terms. The commander was deaf to their prayers. Twelve
thoufand of the moft ufelefs mouths were driven out of
S'tSeLnTr' ^"^'"' ^° -"^ '^'"^ '" ^g^''"- The affairs
ot the emprefs feemed verging to inevitable deftrudion : a
•whole army was upon the point of furrendering prifoners
of warj the c,p tal of Bohemia on the point of beingta!
ken and with t all the reft of that flourifhing kingdom.
The fanguine friends to the King of Pruflia began to comi
pute the diftance of Vienna. ^
_ In this defperate fituation of affairs, Leopold Count
?fthewa;"'TH-'r '''^^' ^"' l^San to turn'the fortune
m the war. This General never had commanded in chief
before ; but he was formed, by a long eourfe of experierce
in various parts of Europe, under the greateft X fs
ahd in the mof^^ illuftrious fcenes of aaioSs. Though of a
very noble family, he had, withom the leaft aff iWe from
court favour, ri/en infcnfibly by the flow gradation of nT^
^ 4 merit
24 pe History of the War: i;57.
merit, with much efteem and without any noife. This
Oeneral arrived within a {^v^ miles of Prague, the dav
after the great battle. He collefted the fugitive parties oV
the Auftrian army, and retired to a poll of great ftrength.
from whence he fed the troops in Prague with hopes of re-
11 P ""'^^"0"^an better underftood the fupe; 'ority of
wK; i!".u ",''°TV ^""^ ^* "^^ ^^^ ^"^"^'ble of the imprelhon
which the late defeat had left upon his men, he carefully
avoided to precipitate matters by an hafty adion. Hb
knew that the fituation he had chofen woulcf embarrafs the
^ruffians J that a large party of their army muft be always
employed to watch him j that this would weaken their ef-
forts aga.nft the great body fhut up in Prague, whilft his
own forces gained time to recover their fpirits, and to in-
cxmed'nll r^'^ ^^'^' daily fuccours, which his court
exerted all their powers to fend him : with thefe ideas he
SddLa/"''''''^''^"'"^'' ^°^'"' '^ ^^ ^ ^^^"'«
The King of Pruffia was not lefs fenfible than Count
Daun of the efFefts of this conduft. He determined at all
adventures to diflodge him from the poft he he d bu
^'IX ^ "^S ;^'' '^^ ^'"g ^'^'^^ to weaken h'sarm^
which had aaually an army to bef.ege, or whether he wL
Winded by a train of uniform fuccffs which made Wm
believe his arms irrefiftable under every difadvantage, o^
t^T^^"^-^'^ ^' ""T"' °^ «eceffities, thewhole^^my
employed in this undertaking, including the Prince o^
Bevern's corps, did not exceed 32,000 men, cavalTy and
infantry i and with thefe he was^^ attack 60,000 men
Tune T 8 II ?"' °^ ?5 ^'""JS^. fituations which could be
June 18. chof;;n, and defended by a vaft train of artillery.
Whatever the moft impetuous and well regula-
ted courage, whatever an ardor infpired by the rcmem-
eveTki d' -anv viaories could do'towar/s overcoming
Th.^L ? °f difadvantage, was done by the Pruffians on
thisoccafion Thev returned to the attack feven times :
m none of their vidiorious battles had their bravery been
more confp.cuous Both the King's brothers were in the
held; and theydid.every thing that could be expeflcd from
the King of I^ruffia's brothers. The King himfelf at th^
chaL F '''> "^'^^ "^^ ^"^^°"^ ^"^ concluding
charge Every thing was tried, and every thing was un-
fucccfsful. The want of a fufficiently numerous infantr^,
in
iys?' ^^^ History 9/ the War. 25
in a ground where his cavalry could not fupport them, the
want of an equal artillery, the advantageous fituation of the
enemy, their numbers, their bravery, their General, obli-
ged the King of Pruflia to quit the field. What his lofs
was is not fo certain j it was undoubtedly great in the ac-
tion, but ftill greater by defertions, and the innumerable
ill confequences that follow a defeat.
Though the King of Pruffia was defeated in this battle
and though he brought on his defeat in a great meafure
by fome errors of his own, yet whatever fmall blemifli his
military Ikill might have fuffered, his reputation was raifed
higher than ever, in the opinion of all judicious men,
by the noble and candid manner in which hfc acknowledged
his miftake, by the firmnefs with which he bore his mif-
fortune, and by thofe aftonifhing ftrokes of genrus and
heroifm, by which he retrived his lofs. The fmiles of
fortune make conquerors i it is her malice which difcovers
heroes.
C H A P. iV.'
Confequence of the battle of Colin. King of Prujfta evacu-
ates Bohemia. Battle of Hajlenheck. Convention of
Clojier-feven. Expedition to Rochfort. Rtijjians enter
Prujfta. Aujlrians hefeege Schweidnitz. French and
Im'^erialijls make incurfions into Brandenburgh. Swedes
enter Pomerania. Battle of Norkitten. General Leh-
wald defeated. Bad condition of the King of Prujfta,
Xj" EVER was the old obfervation, une hataille perdiu
a un mauvais cu, more verified than in the confe-
quences of the unfortunate battle of Colin. Though the
King retired unpurfued by his enemies, he was obliged to
rejoin his own army before Prague without delay, and to
raife the blockade of that place. The imprifoned Auftrians
with joy received Count Daun their deliverer, and their
united forces became greatly fuperior to the P'-uflians.
The King was in a fhort time obliged to evacuate Bohemia'
and take refuge in Saxony. The Auftrians haraffed him as
much aspofliblej but their armies, notwithftanding their
great fuperiority, were npt in a condition from their late
fMftermgs to make any decifive attempt upon him, as the
frontiers
■ ;H 'i
^t ne HiSTORV of the Wa*; 175^.
fended'^^ ^^ ^^''^"^ **^"'^'* ^**^ ftiawwns eafily ^I
fcjJ^J; ^'"^ of Piuffia's mtsfortwrrts ndw jjoured in utooh
Iiim at once, and from every quaf^r. The army com-
manded by the Dukeof Cumbiriahd, ^o toni\^l\lyZ
tired btfore the French, aftw they had paffed the Wefer
came hov/ever to a refolution to trnke a ftand at Haften^
beck, within a few Mrfcs of Htfmmekn, where it was
judged that the fuperior numbers of the enemy mifiht be
^^J?^^J'^)''^'^'^*y^^^<i^^thi^nd[it^ ^he advantages
condua of the Duke, the alJieu ,,s drivenVrom tte
neld of battle, ahd retrt....d toward- Stade. Bv
July 25. taking this route his Royal Highnefs was driven
to retire, or by his flrength to advance, he was compelled
to lign the remarka-ble capitulation of Clofter^
feept.7. feven, by which 38,000 Hanoverians laid down
their arms, and were difperfed into different
PJTT.'^^ cantonment. The French army had a
little before this changed its conrtnander. D'Etrees,
the favourite of all the military men, was lemoved from
the command, which was conferred on the Duke de Rich-
i""» S° """^^i'*" ^"d a" mankind in the profeffion of
«n7niwl IT l?^"°T'*"' ^^""^ "ow quite fubdued,
and a 1 the French force, let loofe by this treaty, was ready
to fall m upon the King of Pruffia'i dominions! ^
of Fr^^Il^'f " T ^°"^^''?^ '" England againft thecoaft
of France, to make a diverfion in his fevou?, by drawing
co^n'^v ELirr' ""//° ^'^ defence of 'theirrf
country. Eng and propofed to compafs another ereat dc
fign, and which fhe had equally at heart, by the^xpedl
SJ TK^^'J 2 ^''- '" "^^^"^1 ^^«^ ^« '^' "marine of
^ ranee The defhnation of this armament was kept a pro-
found iecret, and vvhilil it excercifed the penetration of all
the politicians of Europe, it filled France with the moft
fcnous alarms The Engiifh Fleet at laft appeared ^^0
Kochfort. Some time was fpent before it could
i>ep.2f. be refolved what plan was to be followed in the
Jn^ of A • ^"f ' ""l ^^^^ 'I "^^^ '^f°^^'^'^ f° f^cure the fmall
!?.K • 'f' from whence feme obftrudion was apprehended
their landing. The ifland was foon reduced : but as
a good deal of time was confumed in thefe deliberations and
a^HonSj^
r757* ^^^ HisTORV of the War; kj
aiSion*, the militia of the country had time to gather, an4
there was an appearance of two camps on the (bore. Tiit
commanders now took into confideratioh the badnefs of the
coaft, the danger of landing, the time the enemy had to
put the place in fuch a pofture of defence, as might make
any fudden attempt, or coup de main, Unfuccefsful : ift
confequence of thefe dcliberati6ns, they unanimouHy re-
folvcd to return without making any attempt.
Sep. 29. The difappointment of the nation Wis equal
to the fanguine hopes we had conceived ; nothing
could exceed the general difcontent. The military mci^
blamed the plan of the expedition. The Miniftcrs, and
with them the public voice, exclaimed at the execution,
A court of enquiry^ of officers of reputation, cenfured tlw
commander; a court martial^ of officers of reputation,
acquitted hini. The expedition ferved only in England ed
increafe and imbitter our diffentions, and to turn our at-
tention to vain dii^utes. It did nothing towards rclievine
theKincofPruffia. ^
The Ruffians, who had teade for a long time a dilatory
march and feemed uncertain of their own refolufi n, all
at once haftened their motions. They entered the Dacal
Pruffia under M. Apraxin and General Fermer, arnd marked
their progrefs by a thoufand inhuman cruelties. A large
body of Auftrians entered Sildia, and penetrated as Ht as
Breflau. Then they made a turn backwards, and laid fiege
to the important fortrefs of Schweidnifz, juftly confidered
as the key of that dutchy, whrfch was the caufe of the War.
Another body entered Lufatia, and made thcmfelves maf-
ters of Zittau. Twenty-two thoufand Swedes pierced
into the Pruffian Pomerania, took the towns of Anclam and
Demmein, and laid the whole country under contributions,
Richlieu, freed from all oppofitionon the fide of Hahover,
made his way into Halberftad, and the old marche of
Brandenburgh, firftexaaing contributions, and then plun-
dcrmg the towns. The army of the Empire, reinforced by
that of the Prince de Soubife, after many delays, was at
laft on full march to enter Saxony ; this left the Auftrians at
liberty to turn the greateft part of their forces to the reduc-
tion of Silefia. General Haddick pierced through Lufatia,
pafled by the Pruffian armies, and, fuddenly prefenting
hunfelf before the gates of Berlin, laid the King of PrufTia's
capital undeiF contribution j and though he retired on th*
approach
Ht.i
«i^ The History cf the WarV 17^7
approach of a body of Pruffians, yet he ftill kept poffeffion
of h.s former poft, ,n order to interrupt the commun ca"
hZ t "^^ ^'."^ r'i ^'^'^''' Th« f-te which fe"med to
have threatened the Lmprefs fome months ago, was now
looked upon as the certain lot of her antagoniit MlZ
endeavours to retrieve his affairs had hitherto beencqualJv
brave and unfuccefsfu]. General Lehwald had^rSer, a^
hjJ^T^ .'° u?S^F ^^ ^"^>^"«= ^i^^ thirty thouLid
he attacked double that number ftrongly entrenched, at a
place called Norkitten j but after feveral of thofe
Aug. 30. wonderful efforts, which the Pruffians alone
knew how to make, he was compelled to retire-
L vTfc'' '^""^"' ^^^^^' without being purfued;
havmg killed five times more of the enemy, th^anhehad
han th^ R^'r ""'?' '"u '^°'' formidable aVter his defeat,
thanthe Ruffians after their vidory. The King of Pruffia
exerted himfelf upon every fide j hfs enemies alJoft alw^s
fled before him j but whilft he purfued one body, anothS
gained in fome other part upon him, and the wi^nter cam^
on faff as his ffrength decayed, and his adverfaries mult !
pUed from every quarter. The following letter which ap-
peared in the public papers about this tim?, paints the con-
I Si °n ^'' ^'^"^^^ r"^^^^> '" ^^ f"" ' manner, that
I fhall attempt no other defcription of it.
" Many perfons, who faw the King of Pruffia, when
II ^:^tred^ The ^r ''?'"' --otiprefs hovJ mucj
lie is altered. 1 hey fay he is fo much worn away, that
they fcarce knew him. This, indeed, is not to be won
dered at; he hath not a body of iron, lik. 'arlesXiT
and he endures as great fatigues as he did. H. m 'u
on horfeback as Charles was, and often lies u m the
ground His inward fufferings cannot be lefs than h t!
ward : let us caft our eyes oh a map of the Pruflian d
nions ; and meafure what he hath left of the many fair no,
femons he had in the month of April laft, of which a fnace
of feven months hath ftript him. Whence can he h^ave
men ? he is fhut out from the Empire ; and from whence
can he draw money the dutchy of Guelders, theduchv
of CJeves, the principality of liloers, the countv of Li7
faff Frfn""rV^^"P^^^^' '^' pHncipality o Mind ""
7u If^^"^' Embden, and its infant company, part of
he archbifhopnck of Magdeburgh, fome othe^r' p^art of
the marche. Ducal Pomerania, a%reat part of Silefia, a
great
J 757- The HiiTOViY of the VJak: 29
great part of .he kingdom of Pruffia, Berlin itfclf, almoft
all his dominions, in ihort, are either taken from him, or
laifl under contribution, and poflefled by his enemies, who
colleft the public revenues, fatten on the contributions, and
with the money which they draw from the eleftorate of
Hanover, atd other conquefts defray the expences of the
war. This picture certainly differs greatly from that which
the King of Pruffia might have flcetched out, the day he
took arms to enter Saxony. Add to this the Duke of Cum-
berland's convention, which deprived him of all his allies,
and left him without any affiftance whatever, excepting
four or five hundred thoufand pounds fterling, which the
Britifli parliament may give him. Add likewife fome do-
meftic uneafmcffes."
. C H A P. V.
Rattle of Roftfachy Schwaidnitz taken hy the Aujirtant,
Prince of Bevern attaekefl in his entrenchments. BreJJau
.taken by the Aujirians. King of Pruffia marches /*
&Hefia. The battle of Lijfa. BreJIau retaken. Aufiri-
■ ans driven out of Silefta.
rpHIS was the King of Pniffia's fituation, when the
:'*' will of Providence, and his own wonderful abilities,
as wonderfully changed the fcene. His majefty deferred
%o bring on a decifive aftion, diftrefled as his affairs were,
until the approach of winter ; had he marched to attack
the Imperial army, whilft it was at a confiderable diftance,
he muft either have left Saxony expofed to the infults of
the Auftrian parties, or have greatly weakened his own
forces employed in the principal adion. He therefore fuf-
fered the army of the Empire to advance to the frontiers
of Mifnia, and even to threaten the fiege of Leipfic,- be-
fore he began to aft againft them: he however moved to-
wards them, leaving an army in Lufatia to obferve the
Auftrians. On his firll motions, the enemy retired with
precipitation. But when they, had reinforced themfelves
with numbers and courage fufficient to perfuade them to
advance, the King of Pruffia in his turn retired. His re-
folution feemed to have been to fight as near Mifnia as pof-
fible, and as deep in the winter, as he conveniently might;
ior if he fliould have the good fortune to fucceed againft
the
3<» 7>Jtf Histoi^y 6f the Wap.. 1757.
<^o J»^P«;"*J,afn^y> <"ch a blow, at fuch a ibafon, would
«ffeaually djfablc them from aaing any thing tohij preiu-
i^^'/^'/.i^^Jyear at leaft; but if, on the contrary, he
»©uld fad, Swuony was at hand, in which it would prove
difficult for the enemy to make any imprcffion whilft the
Winter cont-qued. As for the time to be loft by followini
t*i.»» plan, and the advantage it would afford the AuftrianS
u» tbeir deAgna on Silefia, they were not to be compared
With the advantages which the King received from it. Ht
knew thai Schwcidnitz was ftrong, and excellently provi-
ded j the prince of Bevem was ftrongly pofted near it to
oWtrudt the enemy's operations j the winter would leari
heavier <m the befiegers; and on the whole, he had reafoji
totruftthat his troops, animated by his own prefence and
cxampe, would prove far fuperior to the enemy, in endu-
ring all the hardfhips.of a winter campaign.
After fome time fpent in various movements, between
th^alUed army of the Imperialifts and French on one fide
jnd the Pruffians on the other, the King refolved to give
battle to his enemies, who were now advanced to the con^
hnesof Mifma. On the 24th of Oaober, the King had
taken his refolution j at that time his arpiy happened to be
divided into feveral corps, fomeofthem ata diftance of no
Uis than twenty leagues afunder J yet fucK were the fpfwlt
^d excellent difpofitions of the Prufflans, that the jundtidn
of all thefe corps were fully cffcaed on the 27th, and the
^ing advanced towards the enemy. The enemy fell back
at hjs approach, and repaffed theSala; they were followed
Nov. c. S.'°^^* '^^^ 'wo armies met near the village of
■' Roibach.
The united army, commanded by the prince of Saxo
Hiiburghaufen and the prince of Soubife, was 50,000 men
compieat. But the troops of the Circles were new raifed,
and majjy of them not well affefted to the fervice, nor to
their trench allies. The Pruffians did not amount to
25,000 ; but then they were Pruffians, and led on by th^
King of Fruffia. As foon as the armies were formed, and
the battle gomg to begin, which was to decide the fate of fo
maaj nations, and to determine between force and virtue,
the ii.mg of Prulfia addreffed his troops nearly in the foU
Jowing words.
^^ " My dear friends, the hour is come, in which all that
xs, and all tliat ought to be dear to us, depends upon
«« the
1757' ^^^ History <?/ ^ht War. "^
« the fwords whiqh are now drawn for the battle. Tim«
** permits me %q fay but lit;tle j nor is there occafion to
" fay much. You know that there is no labour, no hun-
** g«r» no cold, no watchi;)g, no danger that I have not
« ihared with you. hitherto j ^nd you now fee me ready tq
« lay down my life with you, and for you. A\l I aft, ia
« the fame pledge of fidelity and affedtion that I give. And
** let me add, not as an incitement to your courage, but
« as a teflimony of my own gratitude, that ftom this
«* hour, until you go into quarters, your pay fhall bo
'* double. Acquit; yoMrfclvcs like men, and put your con-
« fidence in Qod." The effeft of this fpeech was fuch a«
cannot be defcribed. Th,e general emotion burft in an uni-
verfal ihout, and the |qoks and demeanor of the men were
tmimated to a fort ^f h?roic phrenfy. In this difpofition,
which prognofticaled the fuccefs, engagement began.
In the beginning pf the adtion, the French cavalry came
on with great fpiiit, but they were repulfed j fome regi-
ments having gained an eminence, defended themfelves
braveJy, but in the end they were totally routed. The in-
fantry, bPth trench and Imperialifts, made but a faint re-
u'^n^c ^^ ^^'^^ ^^ Pr\kaM. in perfon, expofed to the
hotteft fire, led on i^is troops i the enemy gave way in every
part } th^y wefe fej^ed with a panic, »nd fled in the utmoft
diforder. They left 3000 men dead on the field of battle;
63 piece? of cannon, and many colours. Eight French
generals, 250 officers of different ranks, and 6000 private
men were taken. Night algne faved from total deftru<ftion
the fcattered reip^ins of an army th^kt in the moaning was fo
numerpus and fo formidable.
I h^ve not undertaken on this, nor (hall I undertake upon
any other occafion, in thefe preliminary chapters, to enter
into the dietaij ojf ^U the various manoeuvres of every battle •
vhey are matters little underftood by, and little intercftinff
to, the generality of readers. Befides, the accounts are
fcmetjmes inaccurate, and feldom oj never confiftent with
each other.
The glorious fuccefs of the battle of Rofbach, was fuch
as hardly wanted to be improved ; the enemy was left to-
tally incapable of aaion. The King was fet free on that
Ude i but It was a freedom which gave him no refpite from
m labours i It only gave him a^i opportunity of undergo-
ing
32 Hhe History of the War.' T757."
ing new labours in another part. The Auftrians had a vaft
force, ami hnd now begun to make a proportionable
progrcfs m Silefia. The dependance which the King-
had upon the fidelity of his Generals there, fcemcS
Ihaken by fomething which then appeared, and ftill fcems
ambiguous in their condu^. The Auftrians after a ftegc
from the 27th of Oc%ber to the nth of November,
earned on under infinite difficulties and with a prodigious
lofs, had reduced Schweidnitz, and obliged the Pruffian
garrifon of 4000 men to furrender prifoners of war. Soon
after, as they had intelligence of the vidlory ofRofbach.'
*". r ?''o-^r '^\^'''^ '^fPn.ffia was on full march to the
relief of Silefia, the Auftrians refolved to lofe no time to
attack the prince of Bevern in his ftrong camp under the
walls of Breflau. A treble fupcriority incited them to this
attempt. They attacked the prince's army with great refo-
lution, and their attack was fuftained with amaz-
Wor.22. ing intrepidity. The flaughter of the Auftrians
was prodigious. A great part of their army had
retired from the field of battle, and the reft were preparin-^
to retire; when all at once the Prufliari Generals unexpea-
edly tbok the fame refolution. A part of their army had
fufFercd a great deal in the engagement. Thev became
apprehenfive of a total defeat, in cafe their intrenchments
ihould be forced in any part, With thefe ideas they re-
treated from the ftrong poft they occupied, and retired be-
hind the Oder. The Auftrians returning, with aftonifti-
inent faw themfi-lves mafters of the field of battle, which
they had but |uft been-obliged to relinquifti. What is re-
markable, and what gave rife to many conjedures, the
J'nnce of Bevern going to reconnoitre without efcort, and
attended only by a groom, was taken two days after the
battle by an advanced party of Croats, a fmall body of
whom had crofted the Oder. ^
Thisadvantage, though dearly bought, was immediately
Nov. 24. ^f '?Y:^^ ^\^h many others. Breflau, the capital
ot bilefia,^ immediately furrcndered, where, as
well as r>.t Schweidnitz, they found vaft ftbres of provifion,
ammunition and money. All Silefia was on the point of
falling into their hands. Fortune fe^ms every where to
have thrown the King of Pruflia's affairs into diftradion,
Ln^' ^u '^'■^' ^r^* ^' '* ^^'■^' ^o '"O""^ his glory in efta-
blUhing thcms and to have been even fo jealous of his ho-
nour
l75^ 7**' HrstORV of the War.* ^^
nour as not to permit his own excellent generals and incom-
parable troops to triumph any where but in his own pre-
lencc. *^
The King immediately after the battle of Rofbach, with
thofe troops which he had a few days before collcaed from
places an hundred miles diftant from each other, bc^an a
march of upwards of two hundred more, and led them
irom engagmg one fuperior army, to engage another ftill
more fupcrior; from danger to hardfhip, and from hard-
Ihip to renewed danger. In the moft rapid march he palTed
through Thuringia, through Mifnia, through Lufatfa, in
ipite of the efforts of the Generals Haddick and Mar/hal
who were ported in Lufatia to obftrudl him; and entering
Silefia arrived the 2d of December at Parchwitz upon the
u '"• )r?l!^ ^.^' J°'"^'^ ^y ^^'^ P""ce of Bevern's corps
who crolied that river to meet him.
About this time an incident happened which was very
remarkable; one of thefe agreeable adventures that relievi
the mmJ amidft the perpetual horror that attends a narra-
tive of battles and bloodfhed. The garrifon of Schweid-
nitzhadfcen, with the greateft reJudhnce, the capitulation
which bound their hands from the Service of their King
and Country. Whilft the Auftrians were conducing them
to prifon, on their route they chanced to hear of the vidlorv
their matter had gained at Rofbach; animated with this
news, they unanimoufly rofe upon the efcorte which con-
ducted them, and which happened not to be very ftron-r
and entirely difperfed it. Thus freed, they marched o^n
not very certain of their way, in hope to rejoin fome corps
them \.l r TK; ^^l ^^'"^ ^°^^""« ^h'^f^ fr^e<»
fcfn^'J- r ^"'Ji'u'^^'y ^? ^>^ ^'■'"y commanded by the
King himfelf, which was haftening to their relief. Great
was thejoy on both fides at this unexpeded meeting, for
Thif >,"'•' ^f ^^^«i nothing of his Majefty's march.
Th s htde incident whilft it added a confiderable ftren-rth
to the army, added likewife to its fpirit, and feemed^an
happy omeii of fuccefs in the future engagement.
trian'. ^nnfi J"^'" TJ'^/ ^PP^^^^^ed to Breflau, the Auf-
camn ^th. f^^ ^n their ((iperiority, abandoned their ftrong
Bevrrif n ?"" rT^'f ^^^ ^''" ^^^"P^^'i by "-"^^ Prince of
Severn) and refolved to give the King battle. He was
marching with the utmoft diligence not to difap-
^ec.5. point themi and they met near the villaae of
■'•' JLeuthcn.
34 ^^^ History of the War. 1757.
Leuthen. The ground which the Auftrians occupied was
very advantageous, and every advantage of the fituation
was improved to the utmoft, by the diligence and fkili of
Count Daun j who remembrin^ that he was the only Ge-
neral who had ever carried the held from the King of Pruf-
fia, knew better than any body how difficult it was to ob-
tain fuch a vi£tory. All the difpofitions were made ac-
cordingly i the ground they occupied was a plain, except
that in lome part it had fmall eminences ; thefe they fur-
rounded with artillery; the ground was alfo interfperfed
with thickets, which they fought to turn to their advantage.
On their right and left were hills on which they planted
batteries of cannon. The ground in their front was inter-
fedied by many caufeways; and to make the whole more
impra(fticabie, the Auftnans had felled a vaft many trees,
and fcattered them in the way. The King of Pruflia was
not terrified with this fituation, nor with the confcioufnefs
that above 70,000 excellent troops, commanded by Count
Daun, were fo pofted. The Pruffians, who did not ex-
ceed, as it is faid, 36,000 men, attacked them with their
ufual refolution. It was almoft impoffible, . at the begin-
ning of the engagement, for the Pruffian, horfe to a<a, on
account of the impediments we have juft mentioned, but a
moft judicious difpofition of the King himfelf overcame
that difadvantage ; he had in his firft difpofitions placed
four batallions behind the cavalry of his right wing, fore-
feeing that General Nadafti, who was placed with a corps
de referve on the enemies left, defigned to take him in
flank. It happened as he had forefeen ; that General's
horfe attacked the King's right wing with great fury j but
he was received with fo fevere a fire from the four battali-
ons, that he \yas obliged to retire in diforder. Then the
King's flank well covered and fupported, was enabled to
a6t with fuch order and vigour, that the enemy's right was
obliged to give way. The Pruffian artillery, which was
incomparably fcrved, and filenced that of the enemy, con-
curring to maintain the King's infantry, and to enable them
tp a£l: in grounds where their horfe could give them but
little affiflance. The Auftrians made a gallant refiftance
during the whole battle. The panic of the enemy did not
here, as at Rofbach, do half the bufinefs ; every foot of
ground was weil difputed. The Auftrians rallied all their
forces about Leuthen, which was defended upon all fides
with
1757* ^e tllstoRY ef the War. ^"#
with intrertchments and redoubts. After re iterated attack?
made with the utmoft impctuofity, and fuftained with great
fimincfs, the Pruffians maftered the poft j then the Auftri-
ans fled on all parts j they were entirely routed. The
King purfued them to Lifla. 6000 of the Auftrians were
flain, 15,000 were made prifonersj and an immenfe artil-
'^% ^P^^''*^^ °f 200 pieces of cannon were taken.
This great and decifive aflion was fought on the very
feme day of the next month after the no lefs important antf
dectfive battle of Rofbach. The confequences that follow-
ed the aftion of Leuthen, declared the entirenefs of the
vi<aory. Notwithftanding the rigour of the feafon, the fiege
of Breflau was immediately undertaken, and profecuted with
ftich fpirit, that by the 29th of December it furrendered ;
?nd with It furrendered the garrifon of 13,000 men prifo-
ners of warj the blockade of Schweidnitz was formed as
^T^}^ ^' «^* inclemency of the winter would permit:
TcMT V"?^" P*""^" "°^ °"'y re-poffeffed thofe parts
of bilefia which belonged to the King, but penetrating into
thQ Auftrian divifion, reduced Jagerndorf, Troppaut and
Tetfchen, and left to the Emprefs Queen, except a forlorn
garrifon m Schweidnitz, no fort of footing in that countiY,
^^T a l^^^i""^^ ^^^'* ^« reckoned her dominion per-
fcdtly cftablifhed. ^
CHAP. VI.
Ruftans and Swedes retire. Nanoveriam refume their arms,
Crueky of the French. Condition of their army. CafiU
ef Harburg befteged. Re-capitulation of the events oftht
year 1757. "* •'
^\*!)? '"^'/?'",'.""" of his Pruflian M.jefty, after the
battle of Colin, came on him all at once, fo his fuc-
him al.:f ''^^'f^-f '' ?°^^^^ ^"^ Liffa, 'flowed upon
him all 3t once hkewife, and in a full tide. The Ruffians
though they had repulfed General Lehwald, fuffered fo
much in that aftion, and their barbarous method of mak-
ing war had fo deftroyed the country, that they feemed to
themfelves to have no way of fafety left but in retiring out
Of the Pruffian territories. This extraordinary retreat of
fo great an army, and fo lately viftorious, and rfill pofTefled
Ot a good fea-port m the country, could fcarcely be ac-
^ 2 counted
3^ The History of the War. ty^y,
counted for on thofe motives we have afligned, and aftonifhed
all Europe, whilft ,t left Gen. Lehwald at liberty to turn
his arms into Pomerania againft the Swedes. The Swedes
on this occafion did nothing worthy of their ancient military
fame; but every where retiring, left the Pruffians an eafy
conqu^ not onl^r of the Pruffian but of every part of the
bwedifh Pomerania excepting the port of Stralfund ; they
left their allies of Mecklenbourg quite expofed to all the re-
fcntment of the King ofPruiTia, who chaftifed them with
the molt fevere contributions and levies. The French,
who had been ravaging the old marche of Brandenburg,
evacuated that country immediately after the battle of Rof!
bach, ^ut one of the greateft revolutions of fortune in the
war, and one of the moft glorious and important confe-
quences of that viftory, was, that the Hanoverian troops
were enabled to refume their arms. , '^
From the moment the capitulation of Clofter-feven ^vas
figned. the Duke the Richlieu, who came to the command
only o reap the advantages, and fully the honour of an-
other s conqueft, feemed to think of nothing but how to re-
fn^'' fr^-^.fJ^e plunder of the unhappy ifanoverians, the
fortune which he had fliattered by a Shoufand vices. The
moft exorbitant contributions were levied with the moft in-
flexible feverity . every exaftion, which was fubmitted to.
only produced a new one ftill more extravagant j and all
the orderly methods of plunder did not exempt them from
the pillage, licencioufnefs, andinfolence of the French fol-
diery. However, in juftice to merit, we muft exempt from
this general charge the conduct of the duke de Randan,
^^^^T1 ^^,«l"°^e^f°r the French ; who faved the ca!'
?l,P/.T ^'^t'^^^te from I'tter ruin by the ftrianefs of
his f/f^!Pl'ne by the prudence, the juftice and moderation
of all his conduaj a conduct which does more real honour
n^l "S^^' " '^^ "^°^ fplendid viaories.
The Duke de Richlieu's rapacioufnefs ?nd oppreflion.
whilft they leaned fo heavily on the conquered people, did
the conquering army no kind offervice. Intent only on
plunder, which he did not confine to the enemy, he relaxed
rv^KPAT?4'"'^'''[y^'^''P^'"^' ^"'J that numerous army
which M. d Etrees had fuftained, and brought in health anH
fpints through the difmal defarts of Weftphalia, under all
theoppofition of alkilful adverfary, M^ere now, in full peace,
m the quiet polTeffion of a conquered and plentiful country.
reduced
1757- ^^^ History (?/ /^^ War: 37
reduced in their numbers, decayed in their health, and their
J nts without deaths, without fubfiftance, without ordeJ,
without arms. In this condition they began at laft to per-
ceive that the Hanoverians, with the yoke^f the capkSL
t.on about their necks, were ftill formidable. As they ha^
llffn :r^ "r^ r'^^f ?^ '^'^'^^^^y^ they made no%:r^.
pie to ^d another breach in order to fecure them in all Se
reft. They attempted aftually to take their arms from the
Hanoverian and Heffian troops. Thefe gallant troops, who
their rl.'/'''' ?"'^'"^ indignation Ln the diftfefrelof
.tn2 I ^°""^'-yr r/"^/aviftied to find that the viftory
at Rofbach encouraged their fovereign to refent at laft this
and an the other indignities they had^fufFered. They befa^^^
Prinn f "a'^ ^V^^* ^"^ unde/the Command oftheWa„"
P .fflL ."■^""""'^u"^?''"."^^'^^' ^^'"f°^<^^d with a b^dy of
Pruffian troops, they broke from their confinement, -fhev
caftlf^ tT" l^^'"^"^^' ^"^ ^^'^ -lofefieg; to thJ
caftle, which It niuft be owned was defended very braWlv
In all other refpefts the French did not (eem in a^condition
to mamtam their ground any where. Thofe troops?wh ch
a few months before had fo fubmitted as to make^ft ^ecef
fary to declare that they were .ot prifoms ofv.a\ in order
lels and h s abours. His domin ons were freed • his all,',,
were enabled to affift him ; and his enemies dcfeed, broken
win vf :VhSS"'''='°^^ "'"■• '"-hat light Vofterk;
»iii view thele things is uncertain; we; under whofe eves
we hadTL'"^"? "r "?"'"'''' '"'^^'"'y believJdS
^mrfl f c t P^'*"'?' '" "" 'he reeori of time, the
compafs of a fingle year, on the fceneof a r,n.,k cou,. v
ofPruffiaaffiJ'ft, ■ uP ''''y '■"^^ imagined. Tl,c Kino-
S tt lf<,efe™eS';''rhV- 't'"*°'' 'V""' "--A"-
.u • ^ .^""y.^^cated ; their hopes utterly niincd : then
andtheKingofPruffiainhist.rnhuricc
cirannirs vi<rtorious,
i <!own; defe: tfd;
ab'.Mid'jjicd
w
H' < «
$t The History of the "W AH. 1757,
abandoned by his allies; furrounded by his enemies: on
Jhe very edge of defpair: then all at once raifed beyond all
hope, he fees the united Auftrian, Imperial, and French
jjower levelled with tlie groMndj 40,000 Hanoverians, a
jyhole army, fubmit to 8o,coo French, and are only not pri-
foners of war. The French are peacable mailers of all the
country between the Wefer and the Elbe : anon, thefe fub-
riued Hanoverians refume their arms ; they recover their
country, and the French in a little time thmk themfelves
?iot fecure to the eaftward of the Rhine. 500,000 men in
adtion. Six pi^tched battles fought. Three great armies
annihilated. The French army reduced and vanquiihed
without fighting. The Ruffians viaorious, and flying as if
they had been vanquiihed. A confederacy, not of fmaller
potentates to humble one great power, but of five the
greateft powers on earth to reduce one fmall potentate: all
the force ot thefe powers exerted and baiHed. It happened
js we have related ; and it is not the hiilory of a centu'ry.
put ofaiingle campaign. ' ^
CHAP. vn.
Preparations for an expedition to Louijbmrg. Laid aftde,
tort mUtam-Hcnry taken. Exploits of Admiral JVatfon
md Colonel Cltve m India. Chandenagore a French fort
taken. Vt£fory over the Nabob. Nabob takm and beheaded.
Mevolutton tn Bengal. Treaty advantageous tg the Eafl^
India company. Admiral Watfon dies.
W^T?'*^^^^** *? *^^ P^^' ^^ ^"^ »n the tranfaftiona
ofth.syear, though it was not fo full of ilrikine
events, nor does it afi^ord fuch a fpiendid fubjea for narra-
tive, yet It IS as interreiling to an Engliih reader, and may
perhaps prove more inilrudivej as it ihews us in fo ilrong
a light, the miferable confequences of our political divifions,
Which produced a general unileadinefs in all out purfuits,
and mfufed a langour and inaftivity into all our military ope-
rations. For, whilil our commanders abroad knew not who
were to reward their fervices or puniili their neekas, and
were not aiTured in what light even the beft of their aaions
would be confidered, (having reafon to app-ehend that they
nught not be judged of as they were in themfelves, but as
tJicir appearances might anfwcr the end of fome ruling fac-
tion j
1757- '^^e History of the War. ^^
tion i) they naturally wanted that firmnefs and that enter-
prizing refolution, without which the beft capacity, and in-
tentions the moft honefl, can do nothing in war. The at-
tachment of moft men to their parties, weakened their af-
feaion to their country. It has been imagined that mini-
vers did not always wifh fuccefs even to their own fchemes
left obnoxious men fliould acquire credit by the execution
of them J as it was fufpedted that officers even at the ex-
pence of their own reputation, did not exert their faculties
to the utmoft, left a difa^reeable minifterial fyftem fhould
eftablifh the credit of its counfels by the vigour of their
operations. For my part, I think that thefe refinements, in
which there is often as much malice difcovered as penetra-
tion, have carried the matter infinitely too far. But certain
it is, that the fpirit of perfonal parties and attachments, ne-
ver carried to greater lengths than at that time, proved of
very bad confequences, if it had no other efFeft than to
raife and to give a colour to fuch fufpicions as we have firff
mentioned. Whatever was the caufe, it is moft certain,
that our fuccefs in America this year, no more anfwered to
thegreatnefs of our preparations and our hopes than it did
in the two preceding.
The attack upon Crown Point, which had been a princi-
pal objea of our attention in the beginning, feemed at this
time to be laid afidej and an expedition toLouiftourg, un-
doubtedly a more confiderable objea in itfelf, fupplied its
place. Lord Loudoun was to command the land forces in
this expedition J Admiral Holbprn the navy. The former
left New York with a body of 6000 men, and
failed to Ha ifax, where he was joined by the latter, July o.
who had failed from Corke on the 7 th of May with
a confiderable fleet, and much the fame number of land
forces, which his Lordfhip had brought from New York
When the united armies and fleets were on the point of de-
parting for Louifbourg, news arrived at Halifax, that the
Breft fleet confifting of feventeen ftiips of the line befides
frigates, with great fupplics of military ftores, provifions,
and men, were arrived at the harbour which they were prel
paring to attack. This news immediately fufpended their
preparations Councils of war were held one after another.
1 he refu t of the whole was, that as the place was fo well
reinforced, the fleet of the French rather, fuperior to our
navy, and the feafon fo far advanced, it was the more pru-
^ 4 dent
L: '!i I
If- 't • w
4x> ne History of the War. ,7.^
Dortlnit"J^' 'Vh-^'' '^' r •''■P";^ '"^ ^ ">^^^ ^^^°"^^We op I
^1° ui ^' . . " refolution feems to haye been moft
digibe in their circumftances, bccaufe the LnrU of war
was almoft unanimous in it. ^ *^
nnw°flVr"'*°""u''^'"''"'*^ to New York, and the Admiral
now freed from the care of the tranfports Vet fail for Lou f,
bourg, m hopes as it was faid, of drawing the French fleet
fonTe^eriTonf f Y "^^^ 7^^^ ^^^^'^ ^ '"^'^ ^^ -
^?ned fh'.. r p ^' \".""°' ^'^"' ^« '^ ^°"Jd not be ima-
|ined, that the French fleet having no fort of occafion to
KdoTo'T •" P"^^"" Louifbourg', would chu^e o^°of ^
^^TLlh'■^r r """^'^.^fl'^'-y battle. However it
hZl ^''f.,^"g''^/q"2dron continued to cruize off that har-
bour until the 25th of September, when they were overtaken
by a terrible ftorm, in which one of our fhips was loft, e levS
tered condition. This was the end of the expedition to
iTt"'^ a'"" 7^''^ ^° '""^h was expeaed. Bu Tt w2
not the worft confequences which attended it.
bince Ofwego had been taken, the French remained en-
^1 K .' '"??>'.?" 'he country of the Five Nations th;
triendlhip to us. The forts we had at the Great carrrmo^
£'ned"'" i7fJ^'!^'' ^-^ Creek was nuftrio'ufl?
flopped up and filled with logs ; by which it became evident
wi^ ou'r altd T^r '^'' ^^^^^^^^ '^'' «- commu^k t „
with our allied Indians was totally cut ofFj and what was
iWion^of te°^' ''^""'^^ '''' P'^^^^'y uncovered toTh
f Ives of our er^orrT'"' /'"'f ^' ^^° ^°^" ^^^'^^^^ ^^^m-
leives or our errors. For after the removal of thefe barriers
Tptk p^etX ° he"^ Y'^'r ""IV' of whi^h weTa 1
ipeaic prelentJy they deftroyed with fire andfword th- hne
fettlements which we pofTeffed r,n the Mohawks river and
on thofe grounds called the German flats. Thus w th a
vaftmcreale of our forces, and the cleareft fuperioritTove;
the enemy, we only abandoned our allies, cxpofed our peo
pJe, andrchnquifhcd a large and valuabk trad of coZr"
The
1757' ^^^ History of the War. 41
The French foon made us feel efFedlually the want of what
yre had loft, and what we had thrown away.
A confiderablc fort called Fort William-Henry, had been
built on the fouthern edge of the Lake George, in order to
command that laly:, and to cover our frontiers j a garrifon
of 2500 men defended it. General Webb with about 4000
men was pofted at no great diftance. No fooner had the
French learned that my Lord Loudoun with the body of the
army was gone on the Louifbourg expedition, than they
prepared to take advantage of his abfence. They drew toge-
ther all the forces which they had at Crown-Point, Ticon-
deroga, and the adjacent pofts j they added a confiderablc
body of Canadians, and a greater number of Indians than
they had ever yet employed j the whole made near 8000
men. With thefe and a very good artillery, Monfieur
IVIontcalm prepared to befiege Fort William-Henry. It is
faid that the advances of this commander were not made
with fo much fecrefy as to prevent General Webb from
having early mtclligence of his motions j but unfortunately
jio credit being given to this intelligence, orders were not
fent to colle<Sl: the militia in fufficient time, which in con-
jiuiftion with his own forces, and with thofe in the fort had
FiTher obliged the French to relinquifh their attempt, or to
have made it a very great hazard. But the fiege being
pow regularly formed, and the befiegeri meeting
but little oppofition from within, and no diftur- Aug. 3,
bance at all from without, the place was in fix
days furrendered by the advice of General Webb ; gth.
whofe intercepted letter M. Montcalm fent into
the fort.
The garrifon marched out with their arms, and engaged
not to ferve during eighteen months. The French favages
paid no regard to the capitulation, but falling upon our
men as they marched out, dragged away the little effcds
they had left, bawling the Indians and Blacks in our fer-
vice out of their ranks," fcalping fome, carrying off others,
and committing a thoufand outrages and barbarities, from
which the French commander endeavoured in vain to
reftrain them. All this was fuffered by 2000 men with
arms in their hands, from a diforderly crew of favages.
However, the greateft part of our men, though in a bad
condiiyon, got to Fort Edward, fome by flight; fome
Having furrendered thcmfelves to the .French, were by
them
il3EJ
liiiiii
I
42 ne History of the W/r, ,7.7
them ff nt home. The enemy dcmolifhcd the fort, car-'
r-nl oft the prcvinon. ammunition, artillery, and the vef-
ftl which we had prepared on the lake,^'and departed
vv hout attempting any thing farther. Neither wrsanl
the thud campaign ,n North America, where we had'
TerytiptT^het:^^^" "^^^^^°"" °^"^-^^-^
the wond Not content with inflaming Europe and Ame-
rica, the difTentions of the French and Inglift^purfuedTh;
tt : '^'" ^^-^r"' ^"i^he Gengesfeh tL fatal ef!
kds of a quarrel on the Ohio. But here the fcene is
y^ty of Admtrai Watfon and Colonel Clive, rc-eftabliflied
Is'itT d7 ^°^°"^f ^\^ E"gl'ft. which w^s fmking here
as It had done m all other places. Admiral Watfon with
«o more than three fhips of the line, failed from Mad^afs,
Dec r wll/ • \*'^,^!°"^, ^oy^ge arrived at the port of
i^ec. 5. Balafore ,n the kingdom ofBengal, where ftrenffth-
f o...., l"'"^ force with what recruits he Could draw
together, he entered the Ganges, and after a (hort refiftanc^
made himfclf mafter of Bufbudgia fort which
Jan. 30. commanded that part of the river This opened
him a pafTage to the fort of Calcutta, the late orin-
co^nt™ A^"'"^'. ^ • [° "^'"y '^ ''"^ unfortunate
coun ymen. Animated with revenge at the affefting fight
Oi this p ace, our fhips and land forces attacked it with fo
much fpn-its, that the Indians furrendertd it on the fame
day It was approached. A few days after Hugly, fituated
higher ijp the Ganges, was reduced with as little difficulty
1 fee Nabob, who faw that the torrent of the EnaJiflj va-
10,000 horfe and 12,000 foot, to drive them from their
conqucfts Infinitely inferior as our troops were in number.
F.h . ^V t "°' ^l^^'^^'^ ^^ ^"^'^'^ «he Nabob's army'
X*eb. 5. J hough our forces did not entirely rout the In-
♦u A^^' T\ ^}^^^ "^^^^ ^ g'"eat flaughter amongft
them; and they had fo much the advantagi of the field
oth. ^T\ ''^''^ ^^^ '" ^ ^o''^ t'"'^ glad to con-
clude a treaty of peace, by which the Englifh
Eaft-
i757» ^*' History of the War.' 43
Eaft-India company was rc-eftablifhcd in all its antient pri-
vileges ; an immunity from all taxes was granted, and %
reftitution promifed for all that the trade had fufiered in the
talcing of Calcutta.
When all obftru(Slion on the fide of the Indians was re-
moved, and the company's officers had taken pofTeffion of
their antient eftablifhments, the Admiral turned his arms
againft the French. He refolved to attack Chandenagore,
fituated fomewhat higher on the river than Calcutta } a
place of confiderable (trength and the principal fettlement
pf the French in that part of the £aft-Indies. In this ex-
pedition Colonel Clive commanded 700 Europeans and 1600
Black foldiers. The Admirals Watfon and Pocock com-
manded the fleet, if it may be called a fleet, which conflfted
of no more than three fhips of the line, the Kent, the Ty-
ger, and the Salifbury. The French prepared in the beft
manner they could to receive them, and funk feveral large
veflels both above and below their fort ; but the Admiral
having by carefully founding found a fafe pafTage without
being driven to the neceility of weighing up any of the
ihips, made fo fevere a fire upon the fort, in which he was
feconded by Colonel Clive's batteries on the fhore,
that the place capitulated in lefs than three hours. May 24*
500 Europeans and 700 Blacks furrendered prifo-
ners of war; 183 pieces of cannon were found in th^
place, befides a confiderable value in goods and money.
I'^our forts coil our troops no more than four days to reduce
them.
The judicious timeing of thefe feveral operations, as well
as thofe which followed, was not lefs laudable than the
fallant fpirit with which they Were executed. Before the
rench were alarmed, cure was taken to re-pofTefs all the
pofls we formerly held j to humble the Nabob by fome ef-
fe«Stual blow; and by a treaty tie up his hands from afting
againft us. This Prince had ihewed himfelf from the mo-
ment of his figning that treaty, very little inclined to abide
by the ftipulations he had made. He indeed promifed
abundantly, but always deferred the performance upon fuch
frivolous pretences, as evidently demonflrated his ill inten-
tions. The Englifh commanders underflood this proceed-
ing perfeiSlly well; but they refolved to difTemble their fenfe
of it, until they had broken the French power in this pro-
vince, which they had greater reafon to dread, fmall as it
v^as.
1
H
1
1
1
K jij^g ^nlll!
i ^'KlifWHilB
i *{Min|P
9m
fl
* 1
^^ Ibe History of the W*.
been attended with ^reaf . i 2: , " '" *^^ affirmative had
fortunate incidentl^d no, hfp^S^:^^"? ^^?g^^ if a m,^^
The Nabob Suraja DouJa K V *"^;!''^ ^"^«'»-
taken Calcutta, had Aewn fnl^ fame who had the Jaflyear
ent and perfidous f^r^ Itch T ^'1"^'^^' '^' ^'"^^ vL
jHe hnsVA His Generals wer.T^^/"^ «'" diftre/Ted
fome of them entered in^I '^^;e Softly difcontented anH
Ali Cawn one of h pHnc^ '^''^'^^ him? j'afe
and intereft, was at X hTa j o^^?'* ' "^" °f great power
as their defigns were rtned LJl^^^^^ As'foo„
j^eEnghA government bCaicJttJ ""^""""'J^'^^ them to
The chiefs there did not hS' f ^'"^ '^^"" ^^^ance.
ftouldtake; theyenteredimn!. '^°".S ^^^^ party thev
jnd the confpiraLs ?nd rcon^^'y ""''^ J^^er Ali^clw^
■ troops immediately took th. fi ?J *^"''"" °f ^his treaty, our
Admiral undertook T \^^^^, ""er Colonel Clive Th.
with his feam^rL oX"! Teat t °' ^^-<iSag^o e
land forces for the expedition ^"^/^'^ g'-^ter numbe? of
f^cn with their officerfwere aided .?'^'"""' ^^^^y fea,
twenty gun fhip was ftat oned 1 ° "' f ^"""^"- A
tjevtd^^n^;^^^^^^^^^
NaUb's army of about 20 ooo men evT ?'>^' ^'""^^^^ ^hJ
T favoured the confnl^,. exclufive of thofe who
J-eaa. dcciflve in flvrtfteln^r'^r ' ^'^'^^ -'
. able bodies commanrfr^ k f £^* ^^o-conf.der-
[cmained inaftive in theT." ^^ ^^^^' ^"^ Roy Dolub
'"mfelf ruined by the treachf ^""Jl"'* ^^' Nabo6 kZt
ardice of his trolps nTj^Sl'the^f'' °*u^^" ^"^ ^^e co^! .
ful to him. ^ * "^"^ '^'^'^ the few who continued faith.
Jaffier Ali Cawn now declared h,Vr if
tering Muxadavat th Ip^^^fe^ '. «nd en-
20. anarmyofhisfr.nn^ T .i°t the provmce with
J^abobs, and received the LmalV /^f ^""'"* f'=«t of the
Suba of Bengal, Baha and S/xa T.''^^ "^P^^P^^ ^^
- roon af.. -^eprifoner,Xt tl tSs^t'
by
i75^« Ttg History cf the War.' 45
by the conqueror. In about thirteen days this great revo-
Jution was accomplifhed J and with lefs force and troubJe
than 11 often required to take a petty village in Germany,
was transferred the government of a vaft kingdom, yielding
in Its dimenfions to few in Europe, but to none in the fertit
Iity of Its foil, the number of its inhabitants, and the rich-
nefs of Its commerce. By the alliance with the new Nabob,
and bvthe redudion of Chandenagore, the French were
entirely driven out of Bengal and all its dependencies. Thia
was one of the articles of the treaty. By the other articles,
a perpetual alliance offenfivc and defenfive was made be-
tween the parties. The territories of the company were
enlarged, and upwards of two millions fterlin? was ftipu-
lated to be paid as an indemnification to the Eaif-Iruiia com-
pany, and the fufFerers in the taking of Calcutta. The new
Nabob, full of gratitude to thofe to whom he owed hisdi<r-
nity, gave, befides the above large fums, about 6oo,ooSo
pounds, as a gratuity to the fea fquadron and the troops.
However Ihort of expecSation our enterprifes in America fell
this year, thofe in the Eaft-Indies greatly exceeded every
thing we could hope from the forces which were employe/.
And It may be doubted whether all the great powers en-
gaged in the prefcnt bloodv wars in Europe, in which fuch
torrents of blood were fpilfed, and fo many millions of trea-
fure are wafted will in the conclufion reap amongft them fo
much folid profit as theEnglifh Eaft-India company did with
Ln "J ^^ r r" ,"]- ' ^^'T "'"P^^'g"- '"he joy of the na-
T.u f f ? %f 1 fuccefles, wa. not a little damped by the
death of Admiral Watlon, who loft his life bv the ^
"^"Iil J"""'^' ""^ the country, in which Ke had Auo-. ,6.
r^r ' Jn'^.? great and lafting reputation. Colonel
Clive ft.ll lives to enjoy the fortune and honour he has ac-
quired by his gallant adions.
CHAP. viir.
French retire out of Hanover. The taking of Hoya. Min^
^n taken, D^Lfs of the French. cUofitylf the Duke
ff"f"'j l^.' ^"-^^^ retire beyond the dine! Recovery
of Emden by Commodore Holmes. ^'^"vcij
J^hL the bloodfhed of the laft campaign in
Germany, and thofe lofTes which both the '7S8.
vidonous and vanquiflied felt fo very feverely, produced no
overtures
INI
46 The History of tht Wai. 175?,
overtures towards peace from any of the powers at war.
And perhaps nothing (o Angular ever happened, as that (c
many ftates, united, if not againft their real interefts, yei
a^ainll all their former habits of connc6tion, full of foma*
nv occafions of jcaloufy, abounding with matter of com-
plaint againft each other, and even involve in misfortunes
which ufually deftroy a mutual confidence, that not one of
thefe powers either from fear, or hope, or wearincfs, o*
levity, dcfifted from their hoftilities againft the King of
Pruwa ; nor did that monarch acquire one ally more by
the admiration of his fucccfles, than he had formerly gained
through compa/lian to his misfortunes. All the confe-
dernteii prcferved the fame attachment to each other, to
him the fame animofity. It is equally a matter of great ad-
miration, how the refources even of thelc great ftates,
could keep pace with their ambition, and in a very few
months fuppjy the place of great armies almoft wholly dc-
llroyed. The King of Pruffia by his vi<ftorieiJ had added to
his natural refources. Thefe refources were more confide-
rable than is commonly imagined ; and the pofleflion of
Saxony which yielded him great fupplies, faved his owri
revenue. He was indeed not quite fo frefli as at the be-
ginning of the war ; but then the condition of the enemy
was in many refpe<Ss far worfe than bis. His troops had
bcfides acquired a high reputation and a clear fuperiority
over all others. The confideration, however, of an army
greatly harrafled, and a moft fevere winter, obliged him
to reftrain his ardor, and to attempt nothing againft the
Auftrlans in the months of January, February and March.
The fame inadtion owing to much the fame caufes, pre-
vailed amongft the Hanoverians for a little time : but hav-
ing been reinforced about the middle of February by a body
of Pruflian horfe, they put their whole army once more in
motion.
The Duke de Richlieu had been recalled, and the Count
of Clermont now commanded the French troops. This
was their third commander in chief within the fpace of a
year; a circumftance alone fufficient to (hew the unfteadi-
nefs of their councils, and the irregularity of their opera-
tions. In effedl, they every where retreated before the
Hanoverians, whofe main Body marched on the right to
the country of Bremen ; whilft a fecond body Under Genfe-
ral Zaftrow kept on the kit towards GifForn. They puftied
the
1758. <rh4 History of tbt War. 47
the French n-om port to port. They abligcd them to cva-
cuate Otterlberg Bremen and Wcrden. The caJHe of
Kotterbcrg was ulcen in f.x hours. A confidcrable detach-
nicnt under Count ChRbot was pofted at Hoya, a iitom
fort upon the Wefer and r. phfce of fuch L.aueocf
that pnnce I;crdin;uid refolved :o diilodge the entn.y from
It. He appointed for that fervice the hereditary Prince of
Bfunfwick with four batalions of fool and (.mc Iwht
horlc. This Prince, not twenty year of age. had ahead/
entered .nto the courfe of glory u.ider the Lrpice, T\L
uncle and full of ardor to f.gnalize himfelf, w.th joy en -
braced the occafionj and here he gave an earnelt of his
in the war The firil fruus of this young hero were fuch
as would have doiie honour to the maturity of the moft
experienced foldier. ^
The Prince had a broad and deep river to pafs. He had
no means of tranfporting his men, but a fingle
float; fo that a long time muft be fpent in g?t- Feb. 2q.
ting them over : what was worft, before half his ^
trcH>ps were paired, a ftrong wind arofe, which rendered the
float unlerviceable, and entirely cut off all communication
h sTar^u ' l\T\ '""^ '^' ""^^ confiderable number of
Snce the p'^ ^'^ ^^°'' ^""^y bcei^ together. In this
hiS H /',"'! "'"^ '° ^ refolution worthy of
temni r ''^^ °^ ^J' "'^^P''' '""^'^ ^"^^ ^o make any at-
tempts to return to them; but to urge on boldly, in fuch
ftreTth^and T ^^'"^'^ ^ ^"^"^^ ^^»^ ^ opinL of ht
undefined Tu'''"f^ '^^ ^"^^^^ ^^^°^^ ^»^ey could be
undeceived. Therefore, between four and five o'clock in
the morning, they marched with the utmoft fpeed direftly
Tmiirandr/a^T/H T'^" ^hey had approa'clW wS
a mile and a half of the place, another accident was on the
Zdhi mt'l;"^ ''' ".'°^^ ?^^^P"^^- ^^^'^^ ^^»-h™ nt
werenrtro I ' Tc .^''"'" °^ '^^ enemies dragoons, who
7Z7tLat^' the firing was caught from one to another,
and at laft became general. This feemed more than enough
to difcover their motions and alarm the enemy. But the
fame fpirit influenced the condud of every pa^rt of this af!
off- * A I countenance became neceffary, and it was
affumedi they marched with the utmoft diligence to The
town
ll
'I *\
.1.1'
4^ The History of the War; 175^.
town, and encountered the enemy at the bridge; a fierce
fire well fupportcd on either ftdc, enfu^. the ground
was fuch, that the Prince could not bring up his whole de-
tatchment equally. Senfible of this difad vantage, he form-
Ik^k ^"/° °''^'' u"*""^ '^' as judicious, asitwasrefolute.
t^ execu^' ^to turn the enemy by attacking them in the rear
!L . ? . '^" '^^i.S"' '^ ^'^ "^"fl'^'-y ^<> "^ake a circuit
. about tne town. Every thing fucceeded : The a:tack on
the enemy s rear was made with bayonnets fixed, a terrible
daughter enfued. The French abo'ndoned the bridge, and
fled in confufion : The Princf^ having cleared the town of
rl ^uTl' J**'"5*^ !*^e party-he had left. The Count de
Chabot threw himfelf, withttwp batahions into the caftle.
With a refolution to maintain himfell there j but in a little
time he capitulated, furrendering the place, his ftores.
and niagazines, his troops being permitted to march out
L K i'"r^* who had no artillery, and who, on account of
the badnefs of the roads, defpaired of bringing up heavy
cannon, fuffered them to depart. Six hundred and fevemy
men were made prifoners in the aftion, and a place oV
much importance, and which opened a paflage over the
Wefer, ftcured to the Hanoverians, with tHfe lofs of lef^
than 1000 men killed and wounded. I have dwelt on this
aaion, and defcribed it as particularly as I could, though
nothing dec.five ,n itfelf, becaufe it is not in pitched battle,,
^oITa ^'"1 a^n^ies where the moft mafterly ftrokes of
condua are always difplayed; thefe lefler affairs frequently
call for as much or more of fagacity, refolution, and pre-
flJ^M ?Tl* "" '^^ commander; yet are they often
llighJy palled by, as matters of no confequence, by the
generality of people, who rather confider the ereatnefs of
the event, than the fpirit of the aftion.
Prince Ferdinand continued to advance, with his ri-^ht
on one fide of the Wefer, and his Jclt on the other; fhe
i;rench continued to retire, and fucceffivdy abandoned all
the places they had occupied in the eleaorate, except
Mmden. A garrifon of 4000 men defended that place-
Mar.h J ." ^^^^'"'"^'y '"vefted, and in nine days the
■^March who e garrifon lurrendered prifoners of war. Se-
* 14. veral fkirmiihes happened between the advanced
' parties of the Hanoverian army and the French,
always to the advantageof the former. The wretched con- '
ditiou of the I .ench troops is hardly to be defcribed or ima-
gined :;
t7S». «« HrsTORv »/rf, Wak. ju,
tnce, fulIhofDitels ,n7. '. ■''^/"''iiers their obedi.
ro„ a'nd M coCS^! ,t7l^^ magazmes j a rigorous fea-
harafling, pi„agi„„ and c" ,°„g ,^1:/'"^^^""""'? '>'
viation to their miferv ^■Ka^ ♦v. • u i • "^^ ^^^ "o alle-
which they aran'dS, w etditd ^^^^^^^^
ties. The favaee behL'uZ\fr r . • ^^""^ extremi-
departure, took awav a 1 r 5?" °0^'''' '^°°P^ ^^ '^^'''^
bu^ this was ntt Sr? . "^re'Suk " ^R^'f ^""l^^
commanded ip, Hanover aultteTth. ^ Randan, who
virtue, that he halifr/onl held tt P^? ^^'^ ^^e fame
power to perfwade hL , V • / ' • ^^^^ntment had no
turn of thTSch rirs'l'^''i''-^°!l'*' ''" *^^ ^^^^^^f-
in their profpeHty When he haS' ^'^^" °^ '°"^"'^ ^^^
place, there wer^^ervrnnfLl u, °'''^" ^° ^^^^"^^^ '^e
forag^, ama/rrd;ortSuffo;'?h ''"'S''i"'l^ ^"^
to burn them, and he had 'r/r.^^ f ""^ ' ^^ ^"^ ^"" ^^'"e
^ed the aaion- but he1.f?Tf' . '"""^h to havejufti-
magiftrates, t^be m£nn 7a •[' '''. '^' ^^"'^^ ^^^he
employed aJJ his vSiSr^ ^^''^"'''^ *^ ^^^ P^^^''^ he
amongft hL trooos an3 J^'T.".' ''^^ ^'^^ ^'^order
mariedou of?he'tbWn ThisH^^^ ^t? "^" ^^^^
honour to his name anTcoum^^ \trde h"^ ^^''"/^
ever dear to the HanovPrSr,. T ^^ ^'^ memory for
tude from hs enemies "d t7 ''Tf^^^'^ -«<1 Sr.tl.
genej.us Prince agarftVhtre'iSre!?^^^^^^^ ''^^ ''^
wardfthe R\t^1rtte?rZ^^ "'-^^^^ ^-
hodies, which had un ted at M J^^^'"'''''^ Scattered
The body, which came fro' pT^'"' ^^'"^'^ '^^ 'k^''
commanded by the pn4f o?rf. ''°'"' ''^"^ which tas
cd in the middle. -iPheforcLwhrh^l 'J P"^""' '"^•■^^-
were on the Jeft In fV ^ l^^ ^""^ occupied HefTe
which they all oafTed I. '''^"' ?7 ^^^^^^'^ ^^e Rhine,
mont who^lll^/ell^cTaTW^fe tn^'ri^^T"^ ^^^^'^"
tarn that poft. The Frrnlh ' ""^ refolved to main-
months before hid I ffTtt n^^' ' "^^''^ ^^^"^ f°"r
condition to makethrS r'?^'" numbers, ajid in a
«ut any adverfe ftroke of ''- -'"'"''^ ^^^h-
^^-^o.depior.bie,?:t^^::^^s:si/^^^^^^
number.
March
14.
19.
^0 The History of the War. 1758,
number, and clofely piirfued by the enemy, which they had
obh'ged to lay down their arms.
The fame ill fortune, and the fame defpair of their afr
fairs followed them every where. On the arrival of a
fmall Englifh fquadron, commanded by commodore Holmes
before Embden, and their taking an advantageous
fituation, which cut off the communication be-
tween the town and the mouth of the river Ems ;
the French garrifon, confilting of 4000 men, im-
mediately evacuated the place. As foon as Mr.
Holmes difcovered their defign, and that they were tranf-
pqrting their artillery and baggage up the river, he order-
ed out a few armed boats to purfue them. Thefe took
fome of the enemy's veflels, in which were the fon of an
officer of diftin6lion, and a confiderable fum of money.
The commodore without delay relbred the fon to his fa-
ther, and offered to return the money, on receiving the
officer's word of honour, that it was his private property.
This affixir is mentioned, not only todojufHce to "the judi-
cious conducfl by which a place of fo much confideration
was fo eafily carried, but alfo to that generofity of fpirit,
which fo nobly diftinguifhes almoft all thofe, who hold any
fank in our fervjce.
CHAP. IX,
Jlteratlons In the ' French mhijiry. The'Jlate oftheEngliJfs
affairs in the year 1 758. Subfidy treaty with the King
of Pruffta. Affairs of Stvedcn and Ruffta. Schtvcidnitz
taken ^ King of Pruffta enters Moravia and invejis 01-
mutz. Conduit of Count Daun, Attacks the Pruffian
convoy. Siege of Olmutzraifcd, King of Pruffta 7narcbcs
into Bohemia.
"'nrr H I L S T the French arms fuffered fuch difgraces
abroad, they endeavoured by an alteration of their
councils at home, to reftore their credit. Their miniftcrs
had been long the fport of female caprice; it was their
power of pleafing a miftrefs who governed their King, that
alone qualified them to fcrve their country. Some of the
moft able men were turned out of their employments with
difgrace; others retired from the publick fcrvice with in-
dignation i a certain low character had for a long time, ap-
1 pcarcd
175B* The History of the War; 51
peared in all the proceedings of France, both within and
withoMt. Even m their domeftic dif^utes^d where
fomething of a free and manly fpirit apSd hi, fn.V^^
evaporated and fpent itfelf upo^n 'unworT/rnd deSSwe
objeas rhefe contefts which involved tL church the
law and the crown, weakened them all • and thTV .
feh all the ill efFeds of difunion of iTs ordeVs, wittoutl":'
ing .'. augmentation of power thrown into the fcale of anv
But now taught by their misfortunes and difgraces the^^
were Ob .ged to an alteration in their conduaT they wer^
obi ;,ed to call men to th« public fervice upon public^Tfn!
c.plcj : at a t.me indeed, when in many refpea Xn"s
could.only be altered, not mended: and wife and able mf
Fp'i r H^an' 'r'''Vr" ^y 'y^' Penetr^lL'a'n ^^b" ;
ipint, than to fee and lament the ruin, caufed bv the want
of thofe virtues in their predeceflbrs. The duK Belle
i/le, known to all Europe for his creat abilJfie! / i^"
great exploits, was at I'ngth placed ^^TlLtrf\h\lin^
tary department, as fecretary at war. '
fcrvcd hU Ki/g and coun^tr hlo^-^? rinf be^. •
" fvil of ,h, !lT T ■' "?<•'?"«»'": for befides the real
" wh ch it r^fli" "■ '"^'f' "■= '"'S^"" ^d inftmy
" ^at on /ftil. °" °"!: fe"''<=™»^'>t. and on the whole
< "ffi :"' : .? ' ™;! '° "-f Wrehendcd. The choice of
(C
--, .- ..w, „,^,v, lu ut: apprenended. 1 he rhniV«
officers ought to be made with mature deiberation
know but tnn «r«ll f« ...U-. 1. ., , uciiucrdClon.
<c 1 1 t. ' "" "'' uiauc witn mature del beration T
" Pillaginrarrlb-'^f ^'^^"^ ^^^^"^ °"^^^^"*-e
♦« fn^ ? ^ "* "^"^^'"^ '^^^^ been carried on by the officers
" JenerX'Tt '"'"'•/'" '^' example fet thL i; the
generals It mortifies me to think I am a FrencLan
my principals are known to be very different from thofe
- The'eft/emTr'^T.*- ^ ^ad th^fatisfaalonTr^at
« the Irin^el '^^^"^"^^^'P f^ ^he confideration, of a
^ ^ " that
5*
'J'he History of the War,"
lIS^x
♦• that every body is difpirited, and that many officer? pubn
*« lickly fay things that are criminal and highly pupilhable,
♦* The evil is fo great that it demands immediate redrefs,
** I can eafily judge, by what paflcs in my own breaft, of
^' what our generals feel from the fpeeches they muft daily
* hear in Germany, concerning oyr condu<St; \vhich
«t
** indeed would lofe much to be compared with that of our
** allies. I muft particularly complain of the delays an4
*' irregularity of the pofts ; a fervice which is very ilj pro-
** vided for. I am likewife difpleafed with the negligence
■** of our generals returning anfwers ; which is a manifeft
** breach of their duty. Had I commanded the army, ^
thoufand things which are done, would not have been
done; and others, which are negleded, would have
been executed. I would have multiplied my communi-
cations; I would have had ftrong pofts on the right, ou
*« the left, and in the centre lined with troops. 1 woul4
** have had magazines in every place, The quiet and fatis-
*' fadtion of the country fhould have been equal to their prer
^* fent difaffeaion, at being harrafled and plundered ; and we
*' fhould have been as much beloved, as we are at prefent
*' abhorred. The confequences are too apparent to need
«« being mentioned. I muft infift on thefe things, becaufe
*' late redrefs is better than the continuation of the evil."
M. de Belleifle being eftabliftied in his office, turned a^l
his attention to the cure of thv jvil§, which he lamented ;
?nd exerted all the power that remained in the nation, to
put their army in Germany pnce more upon a refpedable
footing. The expedition into Germany was originally a
meafure as contrary to the true interefts of France, as it
was of juftice and equity ; but having adopted that meafure,
the confequences which arofe fcemed to demand that it
fhould be purfued with vigour. Therefore the connection
with the Emprefs Qiieen was drawn clofer than ever, and
nothing was omitted to give a greater ftrength, and a better
prder to the armv on the Rhine. But thefe endeavours
which ftrained all the fmev/s of France, already too much
weakened by the almoft total ruin of feveral eflential bran-
f:hes of their trade, drew away all the refources neceflary
to fupport their navy. It was then in a fufficiently bad
condition, from a want offeamen and ftores; and there
were no means found, or little attention ufcd, to reftore it :
fp tliat from a deficiency in the marine, it fccsaed tp be
equally
t758i 'I'he HlSTOR^^ of the War; ^j
fequally imj>rafticable to feed the war in America, dr to
preferve the coaft of France itfelf from infults. Such was
the condition of our enemies, at the opening of the cam-
paign of 1758. *
j.r^'.'^,?"SJa"^, farfrombeingexhauftedbythewar, or
difpirited by our ill fuccefs, oUr hopes rofe from our difap^
pomtments, and our refources feemed to be augmented bv
our expences ; with fuch eafe and alacrity were the neceffarv
fupphes granted and raifed. Many errors and many abules
which the war difcovered without making fatal, were
corrected. The fpirit of our officers was revived by fear
or by ihame. Our trade was well proteaed by the fu-
penonty, and prudent diftribution of our naval force.
Ihe revenue was frugally managed, and the whole ftate
well cemented and bound together in all its parts, by the
uniorj of the adminiftration, by the patriotifm which ani^
mated it, and by the entire confidence which the people
^^'V'^/^eprefiding abilities and intentions. As France
perhlted in her attachment to the enemies of his Pruffian
majelty, Great Britain entered into ftill clofer engagements
with that monarch, the luftre of whofe virtues, fet ofFbv
his late wonderful fucceffes, quite turned our eyes from the
objedlions which were raifed againft the confiftency of that
alliance with our intercfts. How far it is confiftent with
them, IS I think, a much more difficult point to fettle,
than the adherents to either party feem willing to allow!
But It ought to be conf.dered, that the circumflances of
affairs in the beginning of the war, hardly admitted of any
other choice; it had been the height of madnefs, to have
been on iH.terms with his Pruffian majefty at that timer
and It was impoffible to have kept good terms with him!
without being on very bad ones with Vienna. Thines
were man ill fituationi and the ballance of Germany wis
in danger of being overfet, what party foever fhould pre^
yail. It was impoffible that England coujd have flood neu-
ter in this conteft : if fhe had, France would not have imi-
Se Kin'J y'^^^^i!^'""^.^^ would gladly have Joined with
^e King of Pruffia to diftrefs Hanover, and reduce Auftria.
1 hefe two powers fo exerted, would doubtlcfs compafs
their end, unlefs we interpofed to prevent itj and we muft
tnmJ Tr T ^""^^ i'^erpofed, unlefs we were refolved
tamely to fee France and her allies giving laws to the conti-
nent, ixi a word, I ranee would certainly have joined with
^ 3 one-
54 ^he UnTOKY of ih War; 1758
one party or the other, and the party which fhe joined,
would certainly, by that union, prove dangerous to the
common liberty, and miift thcrefort be oppofed by us ; we
muft have been in fpitc of us engaged in the troubles of
Germany, as we ever have been, and ever fliail be, as lono-
as we are a people of confideration in Europe. The alliance
with PruiTia was pointed out to us by the circumftance of
his aaing on the defenfive. The King of Pruflia medita-
ted, no conquefts. But her imperial majefty indifputably
aimed at the recovery of Silefia, which was to difturb the
fettled order of things ; and this defign was the only ciufe
of the troubles in that part of the world. I am fenfible
that this is notwithftanding all that may be faid, a queftion
of fome intricacy, and requires a confideration of many
more particulars, than the brevity of our defign will allow.
But whether we chofe our party in this alliance judicioufly
or not, we have, I imagine, very great reafon to be pleafed
with a meafure, which has induced France ro engage fo
deeply in the affairs of Germany, at fo ruinous an expence
of her blood and n-'fure. Our miniftry was at this time
fullv convinced ot the prudence of the choice that had been
made, and fefolvcd to fupport his Pruffian majefty, and
the army under Prince Ferdinand, in the molt effedual
manners ico,ooo 1. were voted for the Hanoverian and
Heflian forces; and a convention between the
Ap. II. King of Pruflia, and his Britannic majefty, was
^ ^ figned in London, whereby the King of Great
Britain engages to pay his Pruffian mgjefty the fum of
670,0001. ftcrling; and each of the contrading powers
engaged to conclude no ppacc without the participitation of
the other.
The northern courts made no alteration in their fyftem.
In Sweden, fome real plots to difturb the eftablifhcd con-
ftitution ended in the ruin of their contrivers ; feme fidi-
tious plots were fet on foot to give a fandion to meafures
againft the crown party, which anfwered their ends; and,
as the ruling power continued the fame and the internal
diffenfions the fame, the hoftilities againft the Kino- of
Pruffiawere refolved with the former animofity, but pro-
mifed to be purfued with the former languor. In Ruffia,
the Emprefs did not think her intentions well feconded by
her minifters. The great delays, and the unaccountJibls
retreat in the laft campaign, gave ground to fufpea, that
ihe
iy5^' ^^^ History of the War; "^g
{tie had been betrayed by her minifters, or her generals.
M. Apraxin was moved from the command, and was put
under arrcft. He jultified his condudl by exprefs orders
from Count Beftuchef. Beftuchef was removed from his
office, and put luider arrefl alfo. Count Woronzoff fuc-
cccdcd Beftuchef in his employment, and the generals
Brown and termor took the command of the army in the
place of Apraxin. ^
As foon as the feafon permitted the King of Pruffia to
re-conimence his operations, he laid fiege to
Schwcidnitz, and pufhed it with fo much vigour, April'-?
that the place furrcndered in thirteen days, ^hc
garrifon reduced by fickncfs during the blockade, and by.
their lofles during the fiege, from feven to little more than
three thoufaiui men, yielded themfelves prifoners of war*
By this ftrokc, the King of Pruffia left his enemies no foot-
ing in any part of his dominions. His next confideration
was how to guard againft their future attempts, and at the
T'^ 'a"- *"" '"^^^ ^ vigorous attack upon fome part of
the Auftnan territories. His forces were well ftationed for
both thefe purpofes; for befides the troops which Count
Dohna commanded on the fide of Pomerania, a confiderable
body was polled between Wohlau and Glogau, in order
to cover Silef.a from the fury of the Ruffians, in cafe they
fhould make their inroad that way. An army, in a little
tune after was formed in Saxony, commanded by his bro-
t'l f ?"*? He^ry which confifted of thirty Ltalions,
and forty-five fquadrons. It was deftincd to make head
againft the army of the Empire, which by amazing efForts
made durmg the winter, and by the jundion of a larpe body
ot Aultrians, was now in a condition to aft ao-ain A
^eady communication was kept up between all thc'^Kin'r of
I'ruffia s annics, by a proper choice of pofts. ''
ihe King refolved to make Moravia the theatre
of the war this year. Moravia was frefh grourd •
a country, as vet untouched by the ravages of war! If he
Ihould iucceed in his operations in this country, his fuc-
ceiles by opening to him the neare/t road to Vienna, muft
prove more deci^ve than they could any where elfe. If he
ihouldfail, theAuftnans were atadiftance from the centre
of h.s affairs, and would find it difficult to improve their
Ir'ZV^ ^'' T""; ^^''' '^'' ^^^^"^^«" of Schweid-
iiitz, the King ordered two bodies of his troops to poft
*^ 4 themfelves
56 rbe HisTORV cf the War.' ,..o
away the cne^^s attention from the"":;] o^^^t tl
Mav , il^H °"'l '^' "^^'^ °*" ^'^ ^rniy »>y a very
May 3. rapid march, entered into Moravia in two cZ
iumns, and made themfelves Maftcrs in a (^..n-
before that city ^ ^ ^ ^ """'''" *"' "P"'"!
tr,,!,;, " ' vr" ™ '""'^ •"' '■oute throuEh Bohemia
arinft ,h 1?? . cndfavouis tb affcnible a large army
fhii ?"''"'*='' ;''? Milancfe and Tufcany, and f^ent un
no. ye* 7;T? '",■"•" '^^"'""■"" '"^"°"« M. Daun'^wa?
«ot yet m a condition to g ve the Kino- of Pri.ffi, K,*.i
ne-ther did his charaacr iJd hi„/,„ .nf/.h^.f f^«t'
Thi^ wY ""^ ' J"*^"?' "■°"S'' "><"•'= lowly, by cMd"a'
a mountamous country, in a lituation where it was imLo?
fflbletoattaclchim. f/c had thefertile country oTboKI'
fron, whence he readily and certainly drew Jpplifs" at hu*
K. ^:p^raXtss;rran£-^^^^^^
£p:^fn^ti^n-:^;--^^^^^^
i^^;rutt;raS.%,;S;c^'ti^^^
ore the King s invafion of this province, had deftroved all
wLohf T ^'?.^"^'ShbourhoodofOlmutz. Thehorfi
S :^ Si ° ^^^Jf'^j^^ ^ great diftance, which harraflbd
CMuXnc^^^'Tt w '"'' ^°ok advantage of all thcfe
^"'""-i"Co. It was MX vam that the King of Pruffia
eiidea-
1758. The History of the War: '^7
endeavoured by all the arts of a great commander to pro-
voke or entice him to an engagement. He profited of the
advantages he had made, without being tempted by them
to throw out of his hands the fecure game he was plav-
in^
The great obie^ of M. Daun was the Pruffian convoys.
Un receivmg advice that a large and important one was to
leave Troppau on the 2Sth of June, he took meafures to
intercept it. He ordered general Jahnus, who was at
Mughtz on the left, to advance towards Bahrn, and a de-
tachment which was at Prerau at a confiderable diftance to
the right, to march to Stadt-Leibe j fo that thefe two
corps fhould on different fides attack the convoy at one and
the lame time. To further the execution of this projea,
Al^n"u- ""^^'^ approached the Pruffian army, and di'
retted all his motions as if he intended to give them battle
However, the King was too great a mafter in the game of
generalfhip, which was now playing, to be deceived by
this feint. He detached a confiderable party under general
-iiethen, to fupport his convoy, which was already about
7000 Itrong. Before this detachment could come up, the
convoy was attacked, but the Auftrians were repul fed. But
M. Daun, who provided for every thing, quickly reinforced
^i ^''Tar'^}'' renewed the engagement the next day.
1 hey hrft fufFered the head of the convoy to go unmoleft-
cd ; but as the centre was ftill embarraffed in a dangerous
defile, they eafily cut off the head from the reft, and then
they attacked the centre with the greateft fury. The
I'ruffiansmade as good a refiftance as the nature of the
ground would fuffer. General Ziethen did every thin^
which could be expeaed from an accomplifhed officer j but
In the end they were entirely routed j all the waggons in
that divifion were taken ; the rear was pufted back towards
1 roppau ; the head alone with great difficulty arrived at
the rruffian camp.
This was a fatal ftroke, becaufe it came at a time when
it was impoffible to repair it. The fiege of Olmutz had
been all along attended with great difficulties: and now the
pews which every day arrived of the nearer and nearer ap.
proach of the Ruffians, called the King loudly to the de-
fence of his own dominions. Already the Coflacks and
Calmucks made incurfions into Silefia, and by their ravages
and cruelties, announced the approach of the great army.
The
58 the History of the Wajr. j^.g
t.on, fuel, as a vidoty inrpircs Mother He toofl"
vantage even of the exceDent movement of M Tin, L
wh.eh .h,t able general had advanced hi qu^^^.oPo/
was obliged to uneo,e'r L fron u^ of B^h'emTa '"Vh:
Kmg of Pruffia, whom nothing eould efcape wa VenfiM^
of this advajitage. and therefore ;,,»;, I f Tir '"\"'''^
the Auftrun army mto his dominiom, he dctLSd toTe
Th« ^Vr P'f' °/^^^ ^"^'"•^'^ territories uoanothe/
The day before the fiege was raifcd the firing of thrPn?'
fiansconunuedasbriflcasever, and fhewcd f^ol J^f fi^^^^^
Tulv , wLT '"''"''"". '°u^^P^^^^' b"^ '" the night fie
feated feme corps/f Auflria^: K atmptX"d fturb
hnn n, his progrefs, and arrived at Koni<.feraz one of ^i^
moft important pofts in Bohemia, with aM hi r ? !
ifS d'riv'i,? 's ""rbSro'r^^oo'tfe^ r ""'''
ra-S^dl^Sun^: ^->ed.U' > I:id^t'S; L^Xe^!
m.tt anV"eth"ert;crS. "r jh^r,]:!: fes t
" oiieiia, and marched with the mof} amazina rlill
to
1758. The HiSTonY of the War. '59
to Ciiftrin. The reduction of this place couhl leave them
but a few days march to Berlin ; Count Dohna was not in
a condition- to oppofe their progrefs, the King was ftill at
a great diftance. But it is neccHary to break our narrative
of his affairs, however interefting, to take a view of the
operations of the armies on the Rhine. We leave the King
of Pruflia in full march, do give one body of his enemies
battle, after executing a retreat from the other, in a man-
ner that did his military genius the greateft honour. So
that on the whole, it is difficult to fay, which gained the
greateft glory, the King of Pruflia by his retreat, or M.
Daun by the meafure which obligi J hnn to it.
CHAP. X.
Mies pafs the Rhine. Battle of Crevelt. JSlion at Sanger/'
haufen. A£iion at Meer. Allies repafs the Rhine.
P R I N C E Ferdinand had it not in his power to cut
■*■ oiF the retreat of the French over tlie Rhine ; but he
prefled them clofely, and prepared himfelf to crofs that ri^
ver in purfuit of them. His defign was to carry the war
beyond the Maefe, and thereby oblige the Prince de Sou-
bife to abandon the enterprize he was preparing againft
HefTe CafTel. His Highnefs executed the j. ifage
of the Rhine at Herven with the corps immedi- June i.
ately under his command ; then he fent the
bridge with which he ferved himfelf fo well up the river to
Recs ; the roftof the troops pafled there ; the whole army
were over before the 7th of June. The flattery of the
Jaft age faw with aftonifhment a paflage of the Rhine by a
French monarch, unoppofed, at the head of a mighty-
army. We faw that river pafled by the enemies of France,
in the prefence of an army of 50,000 of that nation ; it
was an adion which did not need the exaggerations of
rhetoric.
The French arr ; retired as the Prince advanced, and
took an advantageous camp which threatened to retard the
operations of the allies : their right was under Rheinberg ;
but the Prince by his well-judged motions turned their left
flank towards the convent of Campe, by which the French
found themfelves obliged to quit thcii advantageous poft,
and
Ibe MisTORY of the War; t'^^9,
to retire into Mcurs : they ftiH kept towards thff
66
and
Khine : the Prince advanced on the fide of the Macfe
It was evident, that whiUl the French continued only to
retire, It would prove imponible for them to hinder the
allies from executing the plan they propofed : they there-
Th'ev h!?r 11 1 t^'}!'^^^! ^° ^^.^"g^^ '^''' countenance.
They had failed back as far as Nuys ; they now returned
on their fteps and advanced as far as Crcvelt, within a
few miles of Prince Ferdinand's camp. I'he Pnnce made
the difpofitions for a battle, with his ufual vigour and pru-
dence. He carefully reconnoitred the fituation of the
enemy He found that their right was at a village called
Vifchelon i their left extended towards Anrath, where it
vras covered with a wood: Crevelt, which was in the
front of their right was occupied by a party of their troops.
His highnefs refolved upon three attacks : the firft and
real attack was on the flank of the enemy's left winei
the other two were dcf.gned to divert their attention, and
prevent their fuccouring the objeft of his princr ,al attack j
Z ;?'^V"JP.f' ^u""^""'"''"'^"^ '° ^'' g^'^^^Js to make
the beft ufe of their hcavv artillery, and not to advance too
far unlefs they were perfedlly affurcd of the fuccefs of the
main operation.
Having made thefe wife difpofitions, and perfeftly learn-
ed the beft routes by which the enemy might be
June 23. approached, his highnefs put himfelf at the head
«n M,. r . cl S'-enadiers of his right wing, and advanced
on the fide of Anrath in two colums. A canbnading vio-
Jent and well fupported opened the aftion : the Hanove-
. rian artillery was greatly fuperior to that of the French ;
but though the trench loft many men, they loft no ground
in this way and their pofition in the wood made a clofe
.attack ablolutely necefl-ary : the hereditary Prince of Brun^
fwick put hinifelfat the head of the firft line of foot, and
with h.s ufual fpirit, advanced with the whole front direft-
Jy to the wood. Here a furious fire of fmall arms com-
menced, which continued without the fmalleft intermiffioa
for two hours and an half. All the Hanoverian battalions
threw themfelves into the wood : two ditches well lined
with infantry were oppofed to their fury : they were forced
one after another: the enemies battalions were pufhed
back, they were entirely broken, and fled out of the wood
in a dilorder which was irreparable ; their cavalry, who
kept
i-'i
r
!
r
f75^' T'A^ History r/ /^tf War. $^
Jccpt the beft countenance poflible, jn fpitc of the terribly
fun of the Hanoverian artillery, and in fpite of the vigo*
rous attempts of the Hanoverian horfe, who had by this time
found means to gain the plain, covered the retreat of their
fcattered infantry, and faved them from utter ruin : the
right wing and the centre, though they fufFered '^rievoufly
by the cannonading, were no where broken, but\etreated
towards Nuys in the moft perfect order.
Seven thoufand of their bcft troops were killed, wound-
ed, and taken prifoncrs ; but there was nothing in this
battle fo grievous to France, and fo affedling even to the
enemy, as the fate of the count de Gifors. This young
nobleman, the only fon of the duke dc Bclleiflc, not above
twenty-rtve years of age, newly married to the heirefs of
an illuftrious houfe ; himfclf the laft hope of a moft noble
familv, was mortally wounded at the head of his regiment,
which be brought up with the moft heroic courage, and
jnfpired by his example to make incredible efforts. He
1 . uV''"'^^^^^ ^'^^^ ^'* ^^^ """^^ »" excellent father
could beftow on a fon of an uncommon genius, who was
alone able to fupport the reputation of his family. To the
pureft morals he had united the politeft manners ; he had
made a great proficiency in learning; he knew many
branches ot it, and loved all ; he had ken every part of
turope, and read courts and nations with a difcerninjr
pye ; and wanted nothing to fulfil all hope, and to make
him a perfea and lafting ornament and fupport to his coun-
try, but a kiiowledge in the military art ; he entered that
courfe of glory and danger, and fell in his firft campaign.
1 he unhappy father and minifter faw his private m^isfor-
tunes keep pace with the public calamities, and the tears of
his family mingled with thofe of his country.
Prince Ferdinand gained a viftory -.t Crevelt, which did
the greateft honour to his military capacity, and to the
bravery of his troops. But it was a viaory neither entire
nor deciave : the French army on their own frontiers was
quickly and ftrongly reinforced ; fo that they were not
only m a condition in fome fort to make head againft the
allies, but were enabled to detach a confiderable reinforce-
TU! 'Sut"^ ^'""y °^ ^^^ ^'"'" ^^ Soubifeon the other fide
or the Khine.
Althq' the Prince had reafon to Imagine that he fhould
r,ot be able ^ kepp his grqu|i4 on this fide of the Rhine ft.r
any
62 T/je History of tJheWA^: tysS.
any confic'c'rable time, this did not hinder him 'from im-
?.Tu.^ u" i^^ "i^""^!^' '^^ advantage he had obtained.
Whillr the French, diiabled by their Jate delcat, were in
no condition to oppofc him, he pafTed the Rhine with a
Jarge detachment, and appeared on the 28th of June before
iJuiieidorp,a city advantageoully fituated on the river, and
be ong.ng to the Elcaor Palatine. A fevere bombardment
obliged It to capitulate on the 7th ot July : the garrifon,
confifting of 2000 men, marched out with the honours of
war. Prince Ferdinand placed here three 'battalions of
Hanoverians, and threw a bridge of boats acrofs the river •
by that means he multiplied his ports and communications
on both fides of the Rhine ; and threw a new and no fmall
impediment in the way of the French, to retard their pro-
grefs, in cafe he Ihould find himfelf compelled to retire
After this, the army of the allies and that of France fnent
feveral days in making various marches and countermarches
as if they both propofed to bring on an adion, to which'
however, it does not appear that either party was very
ftrongly inclined. ^ ^
Prince Ferdinand ftill retained his hopes that the Prince
? 7?"d '^ ^^° commanded the HefTian troops, would
hnd the Prince of Soubife employment for fome time He
u AT^i"''''y ^^'^ ^'^ P^^" ^" ^"""^^ ^ manner, that by paffin?
theMaefe, and transferring the feat of war into the enemies
country, he might draw the French from the Rhine, and
perhaps oblige the Prince of Soubife to come to the aifif-
tance of the main army under M. de Contades, who com-
manded in the room of count Clermont, being now the
fourth commander of the French troops fince they entered
Germany. But whilft Prince Ferdinand pleafed himfelf
with thofe hopes, and ftill continued to aft as far as circum-
ftarces would admit, inpurfuance of this plan, he received
an account which difconcerted all his meafures.
The duke de Broglio, fupported by the corps of the prince
de Soubife, with a much fuperior force, attacked
July 23. and defeated the Heffian army of fcven thoufand
men near Sanf.'-erfhaufen : this opened to them
the pofTcfnon of the Wefer : they might ad in Weftphalia
on v/hich fide foevcr they pleafed, and it was to be feared,'
that if they availed themfclvcs of the advantages they had'
they might be able to intercept the Britifh troops. Thcfc
troops having been landed at Embden, were now on their
march
hC
1758. The HiSTOkY of the War. 63
inarch under the command of the duke of Marlborough to
reinforce the allied armv. The prince in this fituation of
affairs, had no option left but an engagement with the
French army, or a retreat over the Khino : the former
was not eafy to compafs, as the French induftriou/ly de-
clined a battle,, and it became extremely dangerous to re-
main long ill a pofition with the enemies army on his hh,
and the { rorjg forrrefs of Gueldre on his right. In this fitu-
ation his fubliflencc became everyday more difficult. To
repafs the Rhine had its difficulties too ; the roads which
led to that river were rendered almoft impafllible by the
heavy rains; the river itfelf was fo fwelled with them, that
the bridge at Rees had been for fome tin^^ ufelefs.
Thefc difagrceable circumftances of the allied army did
not efcape the penetration of Monf. de Chevert, one of the
ableft commanders among the French. He formed a plan
upon them, which, if it had fuccecdcd, muft have put the
allies into the greateft perplexity. This general had fome
time before pafled the Rhine, with an intention of making
himfelf mailer of DulTeldorp, and he had prepared all 'things
v/ith great ability for that enterprife: the rains ufualfy
' ■: -avy for that feafon, and fome other crofs accidents, had
jftrated his intentions. But perceiving that the fame ac-
cidents which defeated his defign proved alfo unfavourable
to the enemy, he refolved to turn his difappointment into
an advantage, and from the ruins of his firll: projcft to
build another of yet greater importance. Baron ImhofF was
pofted to the right of the Rhine in a llrong fituation near
Meer. He was to cover the bridge at Rees; to fecure a
coniiderable magazine ; and to keep open communication
between the Engiiili reinforcements and the main army.
The plan of Monf. Chevert was to dillodge Imhof?, to
burn the bridge at Rets, to make himfelf mafVer of the
magazine, and to render the iuncHon of theEnglifli troops
with the Hanoverians impraciicable. To execute this ju-
dicious fcheme, he united feveral detachments from the
garnfon ofWefcl, to aconfiderable corps which he intend-
ed to have employed in the fiege of DufTeldorp. The
whole made near i2,oco men : the troops under ImhofF
were but fix batallions, ind four fquadrons, hardly ^000
in. all. ' -^
_ When that General was apprifed of the defigns and mo-
tions of the French, he faw i .-was in vain to expcd fiiccours
from
i ^1
I'!,
€4 The History of the War. 175^,
from the army of Prince Ferdinand: the fwell of the river
had rendered all relief impoffible ; all his hopes were there-
fore in hjs genius and the bravery of his troops. He
confidered that though the poft he occupied was fufficient-
\y ftrong, the enemy might make themfelves mafters of
Rees, by turning his camp, and thus execute one of the
prmcipal parts of their defign ; he confidered the great
r!^ j"*^^ between attacking and being attacked ; he con-
lidered the efFea of an attempt altogether ulexpe^ed by
J^he enemy ; he therefore took the refolution of abandoning .
his poft, and going out to meet them. Perceiving that the '
irepch \yere marchmg into difficult ground, he did not
lofe a moment to begin the adtion. He ordered
April 5, a fmall party, which he had pofted in a little
coppice, to fall upon the enemies left, which hq
obferved to be uncovered ; and appointed the fire of this
party, as a fignal for all the reft to advance, and make the
onfet with bayonets fixed. The French thus vigoroufly
and unexpeftedly attacked, fell into confufion ; their cou-
rage jll feconded the wifdom of their general j they did not
ftandhalfan hourj they left on the field of battle eleven
pieces of cannon, many prifoners, and much baggage to
the Hanoverians, who drove them under the cannon of
Welel.
This iignal advantage over fuch a prodigious fuperiority
■was nof- more gallantly obtained than well purfued and im-
proved. ImhofF faw that the rains had increafed to fuch a
degree, as to leave no hopes for the allied army to pafs by
the bridge of Rees. Having taken proper care of his ma-
gazines, he quitted his poft at Meer, and being reinforced
by fome parties, who pafTed the river in boats, he marched
with the utmoft diligence towards the route of the Engl-ih
forces,, and happily efFeaed a jundion, which had hitherto
been attendei with fo many difficulties.
Prince Ferdinand in his retreat met with no obftrudion,
but juft what was fufficient to difplay more fully the gal-
lantry of his officers, and the fpirit of his troops. A town
called Wachtendonck was on his left, as he retreated j this
place, though not fortified, is a poft of much importance,
and being an inland furrouiided by the river Niers, is ex-
tremely difficult of accefs : the French had thrown a body
of troops into this place. The heiecitaiy prince, the firft
in cwery aftive fcrv;ce, was employed to forc^ it. Thq
bridge
t75^. The HiisTORy of the War; 65
bridge on his approach had been drawn up. The r rince fee-
ing that if he attempted to get down this bridge, the ene-
my would gam time to recoflea themfeJves, threw himfclf
into the river; his grenadiers, animated by fo gallant an
example, plunged in after him, and furioufly attacking the
enemy with their^bayonets, in a few minutes drove fhem
from that poftj this advantage, joined to that gained by
general ImhofF and the uncommon refolution which ap!
peared in both thefe anions, awed the French. They
found that their troops, raw, undifciplined and little fit for
hard fervice, were not to be relied upon; and they feared
to bring on an aaion, which by being decifiveagaiiift them
Trtl '"'^Vu'S'f ^^'^^ confeq'^uences. L that the
pnnce repafTed the Rhine in a moft excellent order, evert
wi S tir^'^V'''" ^'^^ ^l^^^ P^^^^ '''■' «"d indeed
with Jittle moleftation, but what he met with from the
weather. Such exceffive rains had fallen, that he in vain
attempted a palKige at Rhineberg or at his bridge ,
n fA'-'^l^^^'-'^^^ '^ ^ ^^"^^ ^^wer at a pla?cf ^"S- 9-
called Griethuyfen. and lO;
Although Prince Ferdinand was obliged to pafs the
Khine, and to ad more upon the defenfive for the future •
tohfm "^T"' '°?^"'^ '" '^' beginning was very glorious
iwh ni"^'! advantageous to the common caufe. The
French faffered greatly in their military reputation ; the
fo mnrh" r.K^'^ S''"'^ " fuperioritv over them, and now
he i^rln.r f ^P^'g" T^ ^^ft«^d, that notwithftanding
the greatnefs of their numbers, it was not probable that
they would find themfelves able to make any confiderabic
progrefs in their defigns againft the King's eleftoral dom !
nions for this yean The advantage gained by BrogHo and
mi"hi h'^'^r' attended with rhe'confequLcesr which
might have been apprehended. Prince Yfenbura kept fo
good a countenance in a ftrong poft he had chofbn, that
the French did not choofe to attack him again; and fince
CHAP.
66
^be History of the War,
CHAP. XI.
1758.
Retreat from Bohemia. Meofurcs of Count Doun. BattLr
of Cu/hin. King of Prujfta marches into Saxony, and
joins Prince Henry.
BY the retreat of the Pruflians from Moravfa, the war
had aflumed a new face. The Generals who conduc-
ed it had changed hands. The King of Pruflia was obliged
to aft upon the defensive; M.Daun was now in a condition
of difplaying his talents in an oftenfive war. The aftairs of
the King ofPrufliawerc fearcc ever in a more critical fitu-
ution than at that time. 'IMic Ruflians fccmed at firft dif-
pofcd to enter into Silcfia \ but now they had united their
jViverai disjointed corps, penetrated into the New Marche
of Brandenburgh, and having commenced thefiegeof Cuf-
trin, a place that threatened them with no great oppofition»
they were arrived within a few days march of Berlin
Count Dohna ported with a greatly inferior force at Frank-
fort on the Oder, watched without being able to obftrudt
their progrefs. In Pomerani*, the Generals Wecdel and
Mantcufel oppofed almoft the fame incffcdual efforts to the
arms of Sweden. The army of the Empiir, and a conft-
derabie body of Auftrians under General Haddick, advanced
into Saxony, and poflcfling thcmfclvcs by degrees ofthofe
itrong pods, which compofc the frontiers of Mifnia, they
continually ftreightencd the quarters of Prince Henry. That
Prince was ftrongly encamped at Dippolfwalde, with about
20,000 men, in order to cover Drcfden, and command the
courfe of the Elbe. Thus circumf iced, the King could
not find his account in remaining long in Bohemia, where
it was impoflible to effcft any thing decifive. Everything
depended upon his being able to drive the Ruflians out of
his territories, who with a mighty force ruined every place
they arrived a,t, and feemed not only to make war againil
him, but againft human nature itfelt.
M. Daun was foon apprifcd of the King of Pruflians in-
tentions: but he confidcrcd that if he was to purfue the
King into Silcfia, he moft encounter with difficulties almoiV
infuperable; fevcral ftrong places ftood in his way, and it
>vould prove cafy for the Pruflian troops loft for the defence
of that dutchy, to take an advantageous camp un(kr oneoi"
thofe places, and thus oblige them 10 wallc ujiprofitably the
time,
i75^' ^h History of the War. 67
lime, whicK might be employed in the execution of more
\i:Tr ^\T^'' t^'''' '^'' ^" '^'^^ '-""-^ -^ prodd-
ing he could never aft ,n concert, nor prcferve any dFedtual
cornmumcation with the feveral bodies orhi. alLs To
puft J,nvaH with his whole force diredtly to BerlhT/ could
IthfJ^ T'"!'^ t' ' "'^^ ^' ""'^"^ ^^'^^^1^ ^on\i prove
nothing dec./Ive m the campaign, even fuppofing the proieft
ftould fucceed, but it was rather probable that it would
t" e Rniltl I'f"' ^r^ "^ ^^"i^^ '"'g'^^ '^^'^ his hands of
nfAra ' '''^■'■' ^.''' "'■'"y ^^ ^- ^^"" could, for want
of fubfiftance arrive in the Lower Lufatia. Every conf?-
deration therefore pointed out the reUef of Saxony as the
great objeft of the Auftrian operations. It was an obi i?
apparently to he compafled with greater eafe, and f com-
paired, produa.ve of more folid advantages than any otW
1 he army of the Empire already fuperio? to that ofVr na-*
Henry could co-operate in the def.gn, and the recovery of
Saxony once effefted, the King of Pruffia would fee hiS
cTuLn^f hf "" of the 'principal refources he h'fto
linfthJ.h \^ ^^.^ for money, provifions, and forage;
Whim his hereditary dominions ftripped of this ftron<r htr
nor defence efs in themfelvcs, and SLulted on hr^e^fice;
the end of the campaign. ^ ^
tered the K ng of Pruf^.a to continue his march towards the
Ruffians, without any moleftation : he contented himHf
with leaving a conHderable body of Troop:, unde theSe
^ iwder^' '; ""'> ^'^- '''' '^"^^-'•' ^^onucZrln::
ha in order to form fome enterprife on that fide, which
as oombic froni tlicgreat objed of his operations. When
he had made thele difpofitions he marched toward Saxony
through the country of Lufatia, by Zittau, Got i^. "L'
t^'^r- S'^S'-^p-i-^^^-boJd^ Hep;opo"^t;\^'^^^^
Dref j^n a'nd f T ' '^ Z't' ^'^ —-ica'tiln between
l^rclden and Leipfic would be cut of at one ftroke. Then
hepropofed to attack Prince Henry in his camp atSeidhtz
quarter. Thus the Prince was 10 be. put between two f^res
iM. Uaun r.iled^ed that the tortrcfs of Sonnefldn, of which
F 2 j,^
68
7 be History cf the War.
1758.
was not yet in poflcflion, would prove no fmall
Sept. 3. impediment to his defigns. He confidcrcd that
the pofition of Prince Henry oppofitc to the army
of the Empire was too advantageous, to make an attacic upon
him advisable: and unlefs the Prince could be induced to
attack the Imperialifts firft, a point not to be cxpc£ted in
his circumftances, he might always find it eafy to throw
himfelf into Drefden, and by proper motions to preferve a
free communication with the King. M. Daun was obliged
to renounce his firit dcfign, but he was left at full liberty
to form and to execute fuch other plans for the relief of
Saxony as his prudence could fuggeft.
About that time the imperial court elated with their re-
cent fuccefs, began to fliew with what moderation they
were likely to behave if it continued and increafed. They
entirely threw of all the iittle appearance of refpefl they
had hitherto retained for tiu. King of Great Britain, and
ieveral others of the moft rcfpcilab'e Princes and perfons of
the Empire. They made the abufe of their authority go
hand in hand with t'le fuccefs of their arms. On the 21ft
of Auguft a conclufuuT af the Aulic council was iflued againfl
the King of Great Britain, as Elector of Hanover, againft
the Landgrave of Hefle CalFel, againft Prince Ferdinand of
Brunfwick, the Count of Lippe Buckebourg, and in general
againft all the Adherence to the King of Pruffia, threatening
them with Penalties indignity, perfon and eftate. In con-
ft quencc of this decree, letters avocatory were iflued, no-
litj'ing to the fovereign Princes, that if they did not within
a Vmited time difperfe. their armies, break oft' their con-
nect ion with the King of Prulfia, pay their quota of Roman
months, and fend their contingents to the army of execution,
they were to be put under the ban of the Empire. To all
other perfons who held any dignity in the Empire, orders
were given and penalties were threatened fuitable to their
condition. They in fhort went all lengths, but that of
atflually and formally putting them under the ban, which
they would not have ifailed to do, if their fuccefs had an-
fwered its beginnings. So little regard had the court of
Vienna to ^former fervices of the moft interefting nature ;
and fo entirely did ftie feem to forget that fhe owed to the
King of Great Britain, not only that power which flie
now unjuflly and ungratefully turned againft him, but al-
moft tlie vcrv bt-ng of the Houfe of Auftria. So entirely
did
f3~tl
175^' ^^ History d/ the War. 69
did fhe forget that this Monarch had expended his trcafares,
employed his armies, and even expofed his perfon in her
caufc, when it was not only abandoned, but attacked by
almoft aH the reft of Europe. However the violent pro.
cecdmgs of fhe Aulic council, drew no one State or perfon
trom the Kings of Great Britain and Pruffia; they rather
had a contrary efFea, in roufing the whole Evangelic body
to a fenfc of their own danger. Much lefs were they able
to ftop the progrefs of the allied arms. ^
The King of Pruffia conduacd his retreat out of Bohe-
mia in admirable order. The Generals Jahnus and Laudohn
for feveral days hung upon his rear with two ftrong bodies.
i hey took advantageous pofts, fometimes on one fide, fome-
times n the other, fometimes together, fometimes fepa-
i-ateljr, and threw all poffibly impediments in his way. But
the vigour of the Pruffians drove them with lofs from every
poft. So that by the 6th ofAuguft, they were obligea
entirely to defift from their purfuit. The King of Pruffia
freed from all moleftation, marched with the utmoft dil iKcncc
by Wifpca, Po htz, Landfjjut, and arrived on the 20th at
franckfort on the Oder. Here he joined the troops under
yount iJohna. The army was now in a condi-
tion toa^l, and they did not lofe a moment's time Sept 22
to march againft the enemy. All their vigour and
expedition was not more than necclTary. The Ruffians had
befieged Cuftnn from the 15th. Though thefc people
Icarcely emerged from barbarifm, had not the moft perfect
Ikillm operations of this nature, they fupplied that deficien-
cy by a ferofity that fcrupled nothing, by numbers whofe
lives they did not regard, and by a moft formidable artillery,
which rudely but furiouHy managed, only fpread the more
general and indifcriminate deftruaion. In efFed they
threw fuch a multitude of bombs and red hot balls \n.^ that
unfortunate city, that in a fliort time it was on fire in every
quarter. Of the wretched inhabitants feme were burned,
fome buried in the ruins, fome killed by the balls that fell
like hail in the ftrcets: the furviving majority fafe neither
withm nor without their houfes, abandoned their homes
and their fubftance, and fled, many of them almoft naked,
out of the fide which was not inverted. Never was beheld
a more deplorable fpeftacle ; nor was it eafy to fay which
formed the more wretched appearance, thofe who perifhed,
pr thofe who efcaped. Mean while the Governor firm in
^3 hi.
J* I?
I
'i
70 7^^ HisTop.y . (?/ //^tf War. 173^<
his courage and fidelity, did every thing for the defence of
the walls and ruins of the place j but the walls built in the
old manner did not promife a fuccefsfu! defence; the enemy
had ported themfclves in the fuUrbs, and in the firing
of the town, the principal magazine of the |?e(icged wal
blown up.
The prote^or and avenger of his dominions,, was now
however at hand. On the 23th, the King of Pruflia'ij whol?
armypaflbd the Oder at GiuftebifTel, about twenty Englifl)
miles to the north-eaft of Cuftrin. The Ruffians on the
firfl: notice of his approach, broke up the fiege of that pjace,
and marched towards the villages of Zwicker and Zorn-
dorff. It was the King's intention to wind round the left
flank of their army, and to take them in the rear, by which^
he hoped to throw them into confufion. But in this he
found himfclf difappointed. The Ruffian Generals haci
lorefeen his mirpofe and made excellent difpofitions. A?
the ground did not admit them to extend greatly in length,
they threw themfelves into afquare body compofed of four
hnes, forming a front almoft equal on every fide, and oi^
every fide furrounded by cannpn and chevaux de frize. In,
this formidi/jle difpofition they waiced the attack of the
Pruflians.
It was on the 25th of Auguft that the King of Pruffia,
after a march of 56 days, from the midfl: of Moravia,
brought his army in prefence of the Ruffians. The King
had never been pcrfonally engaged with that enemy before^
His troops had never obtained any advantage over them.
The whole fortun; ^f the war depended upon the event of
this day. The Pruffians were now in the clofeft fenfe to
fight for their country, which was ready to fall under one
of the ievcrcfl fcourgcs with which Providence has chaftifed
a nation. Nothing was wanting which could infpire thq
foldicrs with revenge. Every where the marks of the
enemies cruelty were before their eyes; the country defo-
lated on every fide, and the villages in flames all round the
field of battle.
At nine o'clock in the morning the battle began bv a fire
of cannon and mortal's which rained on the right v/ino- of
the Ru^ans without the leafl intermiffion f(?r near Iwo
hours. Nothing could exceed ;he havotk m.-.^e by this
terrible fire, nor the conllancy with which the Myfcovite
foot, raw and unexperienced, fuflaincd a flauo-hter that
would
1755- ^'he History of the War. yi
would have confounded and difperfed the compleateft vetc-
^ns. They fell in their ranks; new regiments ftill preflcd
forward to fill their places, and to fupply new flaughter.
When the firft line had fired away all their charges, they
rufhed forward on the Pruffidns, That firm body of the
PrufTian infantry which had often flood, and often given fo
many terrible ftiocks, by one of thofe unaccountable move-
ments of the human mind, that render every thing in war
fo precarious, gave way in the prefence of their Sovereign,
and when they had in a manner fecured the viftory, retired
in diforder before the half broken battalions of the Mufco-
vites. Had the RufTian officers known how to profit of this
diforder; had they immediately thrown in their horfe with
vigour to compleat it, and entirely break that body ; this
had probably been the lafl day of the Pruffian greatnefs.
The King was not fo negligent. For jufl in this ai^xious
moment, whilfl the battle was yet in fufpenfe, by a very
rapid and maflerly motion, he brought all the cavalry of his
right to the centre, with which General Sedlitz at their
head, burfling in upon the Ruffian foot, uncovered by their
horfe, and difordered even by their advantage, they pufhed
them back, with a mofl miferable flaughter. The repulfed
battalions of Pruffia had time to recoiled, and to form
themfelves; and now returning to the onfet with a ra^e
cxafperated by their late difgrace, they entirely turned the
ballance of the fight. The Ruflians were thrown into the
moft horrid confufion. The wind blew the dufl and fmoke
full in their faces.- They no longer diflinguifhed friends or
enemies. They fired upon each other. In this diflradion
they plundered their own baggage which floo* between the
lines, and intoxicated themfelves with brandy. Orders
were now no more heard nor obeyed. The ranks fell in
upon one another ; and being crammed together in a narrow
fpace, every fhot difcharged by the Pruflians had its full
cttea : whilfl the Ruffians kept up only a fcattered fire,
without diredion or efFedl, and quite over the heads of their
eneinies. It was now no longer battle, but a horrid and
undiftinguifhed carnage. Yet flill, (which is a wonderful
circumflance) the Ruffians thus diflraded and flaughtered,
kept their ground. The aaion continued without '
inter-
million from nine in the morning until fcven atni'^ht, At
}^J^_theji»ghtitrclf, the fatigue of the Pruffiaus, an'd a judi-
""""" ------ ■ jg^ which drew their attention
^^ 4 ca
cious attack on their ria:ht wins,
'"a-
72 ^he History of the War. 1758,
fm that fide, gave the Ruffian army fome refpite to recoveP
?heir order, and an opportunity of retiring a little from the
• .u'^r u'" u '^;^^*-''- ^^" ^^^•''' ^'^^ "^'^r '«^>ooo fe" upon
tne ipot, they had more than io,doo wounded, mofl of them
mortally: 939 officers, not including the inferior, wera
i^jlled, wounded, and taken prifoncrs; of two particular re-
giments confiftmg before the battle 0^4595 efFeaive men,
Pnly 1475 were left: their whole lofs on this bloody d^i
way 21,529 men. That of the Pruffians in every way dij
not amount to 2000, / / ^
The Gazettes of both parties warmly difputed the vain
honour of the field of battle. On the moft diligent cZ
Sea7;hi' J^'"'? '^^ ^""'^ K"""''^'^ ^P""^ ^^« "ig*^^ «" °r very
^?o2nf. ^a' ^'"5^'"' S"'^ "" '^^ ^'•"'^«» ^"d moll of the
tram of artillery taken, tl^e military cheft, a number of
pn oners, many of them officers of high rank ; "^retreat
r .n. ^"/''" "'1"^' '*^" "''^^ «"^ ^he following days ; thei
Genera 1-ermor's requeft for leave to bury the deld • the r
incapacity to advance or form any new ente^HfeTTh; Kin J*
all ti'f^l' "«"lo^efted operation^ againft his othe'r nemies^:
Viaorv^if aluf "°^ '^^ ^^'^ ^ '"^'" demonftration of a*
>?2k ?• P.°'",''' ^^'^ "^^'^^ a viaory is defirable.
Nothmg lefs indeed, than a very complete viaory co- Id
have done any eflential fervice to tL King's affair ^ that
wTv'toon?. '""'" ^fJ^is enemies w'ere making their
r/rf f S TT"" ""^ETf' ""^ threatened to unite^in the
?he rI!::!'"^"^^. The Kingrenewed the attack oi,
had iewin .h "'f '"?'■"'"«• '^^'^^ ^^^«^ "f the laft day
retreat TnH.a^ tV^'"'' ^^^ "° ^'-^X o*" f^^^ty but in a
fa as Lanrfr '^ u*"'^ ''^i""^'^^ ^^^^'^ ^^e Pruffians aa
tai as Landfperg on the frontiers of Poland. The King of
ablf rhr?'""""^ '^'' '^''' ^''' '^'^^ -"ft wholl^^dif-
ablc them f-oin attemptmg any thing material aeainVt his
tZTin\z:''r ''' \"^' ^' ''^ ^^-^^y that iT:fev;
tl,.fc^.r ^u '""^n" by improving. his advantage a-rainft
nenics " mir "^ '""V"' "°^^V allowing 'his^^^r
fati?e! h ? ?\P'T'^' °" '^' ^'^^ of Saxony. He
t?oo" ,ndc?C '^n^r ""^^ ^"-^^^"^g ^ ^'"^Jl t,odv of
Si, . ^"""^Pohna, topbfervethe motions of the
Mulcovite arn)y , and m.rched with the grcatefl part of hi'
forces
>758. , T'Atf HiSTORv of the War. 73
forces and the utmoft expedition to the relief of Prince
Henry.
M. Daun having laid afide his firft projeft for palTingthe
Elbe at Meiflcn, cnterprifcd nothing new on the fide of
Saxony for fome days j he contented himfclf with taking a
pofition at Stoipen to the Eaftv/ard of the Elbe, by which
whilft he preferved to himfclf an eafy communication with
the army of the Empire, he interrupted the communication
between Bautzen and Drcfdcn ; he favoured the operations
of General Laudohn, who had advanced through the Lover
Lufatia to ^he confines of Brandenburgh ; and by drawin>
the attention of the i flian forces which were left in Si-
Jefia to the northward of that dutchy, he facilitated the
progrefs of the (iencrals Harach and de Villc in the fouthern
parts, Admirable difpofitions without queftion, if the time
bad not called for more vigorous meafures, and if the refcue
of Saxony from the King of Pruffia had not been the great
pbieil of the campaign ! It i« not impoffible that the court
of Vienna had ftiJl fuch an hankering after Silefia, as in-
duced them to Haken their efforts on the fide of Saxony ia
hopes, that if M. Daun could protrad the operations there
foas to find full employment for the King of Pruflia, their
other forces might reduce Silefia with great facility ; and
thus perhaps by aiming at two fuch difficult objeas at onrc.
as it generally happens, they loft them both. Upon any
ptber fuppofition, it is not very eafy to account for the
feemmg inadbvity of M. Daun, v/hilfl he had fo fair a
game m his hands. However advantageoufiy Prince Henry
might have chofen his poft, or however ftrongly he miaht
have fecured it, yet the prodigious fuperioiity^of the com-
bined armies feepis to have more than over- balanced thair
i^dyantage, and to have juflified, nay to have demanded
4ome bold and decifive attempt.
In flia, this appeared at length to be the Marfhal's own
ppmion. For when the ftrong Fortrefs of Sonncftein mcfl
unaccountably furrendered, with a garrifonof r^oo men, to
the Aultnan General Mac-Guire after the refif-
tanccof nomorethanafingleday; M.Daunpro- Sept. <.
pofed that the Pnncc of Peux-Ponts fhould attack ^
1 rmce Henry, whilft the grand army of the Auftrians lavin-
bridges between two fires, at a fmall diftancc from cacn
other, fhould pafs the Elbe, and fallin- at the fame
timeonthePrufTums fecond the attack of the Im- Sept. ,0.
V-ciialifts, and cut off the retreat of their enemies
towards
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7.4 ^'Zv HisTORv of the War. 175^,
towards Diefdcn. This was to bring matters to a fpeedy
decifion. But now the King of Pruffia by the moft rapid
marches had reached the frontiers of Saxony. The whole
dcfign was difconcerted ; and far from beins; able to diflodge
Prince Henry, they found themfelves utterly unable to pre*
vent the King his brother from joining him, with
Sept. 11. his whole army. On his approach General
Laudohn abandoned his advantages in the Lower
I.ufatia, and fell back upon M. Daun ; who himfelf retired
from the neighbourhood of Drefden and fell back as far as
Zittau. The armv of the Empire poflefled of the ftrong
poft of Pirna, which the Savons had occupied in the begin-
ning of the war, kept their ground ; but did not undertake
any thing. Thus in fifteen days the king of Pruffia, by
his unparallelled fpirit, diligence and magnanimity, fought
and defeated a fuperior body of his enemies, in one ev:re-
mity of his dominions, and baffled without fightinc. noiher
fuperior body in the other extremity.
Thefe advantages, glorious as they were, wire r. jt tlie
t)nly ones which followed the viftory at Zoi ndorF. The
Swedes who directed their motions by thofe of their Ruffian
allies, haftened their operations when that army had ad-
vanced into Brandenburgh. General Wedel was detached
from Saxony, to flop their progrefs ; and the Prince of Be-
vern, now Governor of Stettin, gave them fome oppofition.
All this, however, had proved inefFejStual, if the news of
the defeat of the Ruffians had not alarmed the Swedes in
fuch a manner, as to make them return with more expedi-
tion than they had advanced. Tho' the King of Pruffia's
affairs began to put on a better appearance by thefe efforts,
the fortune of the war ftill hung in a Very dubious fcale.
The enemy was ftill fuperior. The Swedes and Ruffians
had ftill fome footing in his dominions. The Auftrians and
Impcrialifts were yet in Saxony ; and if the King's armies
had it in their power to take ftrong fituations ; the enemy
had the fame advantages. The condition of t|jing$ was ex-
tremely critical, and the leaft error or misfortune threat-
ened ftill to plunge the King of Pruffia into an abyfs of
calamities,
C H,A P.
4 758'
Tke UiSTOKY of ihe'WAK, '
CHAP, XII.
7$
General Oberg defeated at lanwerenhagen. King ofPru/na
furpried at Hochkirchen, M. Keith and Princf franc'u of
Brmfwtch killed. Affair at Gorlitz, King of Pruffm
rnarches mt9 Silejia, M. Daun invejli Drefden, The
fuburbs burned. King of Prufta raifes the fiegt ,f Neifi and
Cojel, He returns into Saxony, 7he jfujirians retire into
Bohemia. Difpofitions for the winter,
n^HE operations of the armies in Weftphana, feemed
_* foralongtimetolanguifh. The grand army of the
French under M, de Contades, was wholly unable to driv»
l^rince I-erdmandfrom thepofts which he had chofen fo ju^
dicioudy along the Lippe. The other divifion of the French
forces under the Prince deSoubife, had made no great pro-
^u A?.'?^ fide of Heffe-Caftle,againft the Prince Ifenbiifg,
who ftill kept his ground in that principality, in order to
proteft the courfe of the Wefer, and to cover the elefto-
rate 1 he French were fenfible that an attack on the prin-
cipal army of the allies, would prove a very dangerous at-
tempt, in which even if they fiiould have fome fuccefs,
their progrefs into the King's eleaoral dominions muft he
ployed in He/Te-Caftle was far the wealJeft, and as an ad-
vantage on that fide promifed them the command of the
Wefer, and a better paffage into the heart of the enemiesi
country, they determined to make an attempt there. To
further this defign a confiderable detachment was made
from the army of M. de Contades, which increafed the
Prince of Soubife's corps to at leaft 30,000 men. Prince
Ferdinand, who was (ufficently aware of the enemies plan,
had fome time before fent General Oberg with a ftroncJ
reinfc,rcement to join the Prince Ifenburg t but notwith!
ftaiid.ng this reinforcement, the whole force of the allies in
lleffe did not exceed 15000, This body was attacked by
the French at Lanwerenhagen, and their great ^
fupenonty, efpeciaily in point of cavalry, obliged Sept. 70.
the alli« to retihe with the lofs of about 1500 ^
ZH: ^5^^"u'.""^^'^^°'^^^P'*^^ fi^Jd, had however
fome woods ,n their rear which covered their retreat, and
.Great
11
:6
The History of the War.
*758.
Great confequetices ra cht have been apprehended from
this. affair. But the vigilance of Prince Ferdinand, who
had eftabhibed the moft ready communications all along the
Lippe, AhT-iud tiie victorious army to reap but little ad-
vantage from their vidory. That accompliihed General ad-
vanced With the utmoft expedition towards Rheda, and the
r. Ifenburgh having fallen back upon him, they joined in fuch
a manner as perfeiHy to fecure the Wefer, without lofing
any thing on the fide of the Rhine. And although thefe
neceflary motions, in fome fort uncovered the eledtorate,
fo as to lay it open to the incurfions of the enemies light
troops, who penetrated even to the gates of Hanover j yet
the French were not in a condition to eftablifli any confi-
derable body, or to take any poft of moment in that part.
*^"""g this time, the armies of the King of Pruffia and
M. Daun, made no very remarkable movements. The
Marfhal kept his advantageous camp at Stolpen, by which
he preferved a communication with the army of the Em-
pire. The army was fecured by its inacceffible fituation,
but It enterpnfed nothing of confequence. The King of
Pruffia on the other hand, having taken pofleffion of the
nnportant-poft of Bautzen,, which lies fo oppo*rtunely for
commanding at once both Mifni^ and Lufatia, extended his
right wing to Hochkirchen. By this pofition he preferved a
commnnication with the army of his brother prince Henry,
he protefled Brandenburg from the incurfions of the Auf-
trians, and at the fame time that he fecured thefe intereft-
ing objecSts, he was better fituated for throwing fuccours
into Silefiaj than he CQuld he any where elfe confiftently
with his general plan. The two armies kept the moft
watchful eye upon each others motions. The principal aim
of the Kin? of Pruffia, feemed to have been the preventing
M. Daun from communicating with Bohemia. The great
intention of M. Daun was to cut off the King from Silefia.
Things were fo ballanced, that it did not feem poffible by
mere fkill in marches and pofitions to anfwer thefe ends
very fully: therefore a battle feemed inevitable. But it
feemed too that confidering the fituation of both armies, a
battle could not be attempted without extreme danger to
the partv who fhould begin the attack.
M. Daun faw that if any more time was loft without
adbon, the very feafon muft oblige him to evacuate Saxony,
and thus give up all the fruits of the campaign. He came
tQ
1758. The History of the War... ^7
to a refolution of giving the King of Pruflia Battle. But
even m the vigour of this refolution, appeared, the extreme
caution which charadterifes that able General. Havirt?
communicated his defign to the prince of Deux-Ponts, and
fettled meafures with him, he marched in the dead of a very
dark night, in three columns, towards the right of the King
of Prulha s camp. Notwithftanding the darkncfs of the
night, notwithftanding the neccfTary divifion of
the Auftrian army, the greatnefs of their num- Oft. 14
bers, and the length of way they had to march,
yet fuch was the wife conduft and great good fortune of
this defign, that they all arrived at the fame time at the
ITuflian camp, none having loft their way, without difco-
very, without confufion, and began the attack with the
Aitmoft regularity and refolution at five o'clock in the morn-
How the King's out-guards werfe kept fo as to make fuch
a furprife pradicable, is hard to fay. It is hard to accafe
the vigilance of fo able a commander, or the attention of
fomany finifhed officers as ferved under him. TofpeaV
of treachery is a way of accounting for misfortunes, mcry
common than reafonable. However it was, the Pruffians
had not time to ftrike their tents, when they found the
enemy m the midft of the camp, and an impetuous attack
already begun. Scarce had the battle J ..-gun, when a de-
feat feemed certain j not fo much 'from the confufion of
the troops, as the irreparable lofs of two officers in the
higheft command, and of the greateft merit. M. Keith
received two mufquet balls, and fell dead upon the fpot.
Prince Francis of Brunfwick had his head fhot off by a
cannon ball as he mounted his horfe. The King of Pruffia
had then the whole of affairs to fuftain alone, at the time
when he moft wanted affiftance. But his prefence of mind,
his firmnefs, his adivity, remedied in fome meafure the ef-
fefts of this unforfeen attack, and the loffe^. and diforders
It had occafioned ; he was every where prefent, and infpi«
red his troops with an ardor like his own. The King or^
dered fome detachments from his left, to reinforce his rigjht
„,.«^. but in the moment the orders were received, the
itfelf was furiouily attacked. General Retzow who
wingi
left
commanded in that quarter, with difficulty repulfed the
Auftnans, and was not able to afford any confiderabk affif-
tance
7^ Theni^rojLYoftheV^A^. 1735.
tance to the right, which was alone obhged to fupport the
whole weight of the grand attack.
The Auftrians in the beginning of the engagement had
beaten them out of the village of Hochkirchen j as the fate
of the day depended upon that poft, the hotteft of the dif-
putc was there. The Pruffians made three bloody and un-
fuccefsful attacks on the village j on the fourth they carried
It; but the Auftrians pouring continually frefh troops upon
that fpot, drove them out at length after reiterated efforts,
and a prodigious flaughter on all fides. Then the Kino:
defpairing of the fortune of that field, ordered a retreat 1
his troops, which had been fuddenlv attacked in a dark
night by fuperior numbers, and had run to arms fome half
naked, and all in the utmoft confufion, had, notwithftand-
jng, made a moft vigorous renftance j and maintained the
fight for near five hours. They made their retreat in good
order without being purfued, fupported by the good coun-
tenance of their cavalry, and the fire of the numerous and
well ferved artillery, which was placed in the centre of their
camp. They loft in this bloody adion at leaft 7000 men,
kilied, wounded and prifoners, together with many cannon.
The Auftrian account allowed their own lofs in killed and
wounded to amount to near 5000.
The King of Pruffia, in retiring from Hochkirchen, in
fadtonly altered the pofition of his right wing, which fell
-back as far as Weiflenberg. His left ftill remai^ied at Baut-
zen. This pofition was nearly as good as the former. The
great lofs was the lofs of reputation, which always attends
a defeat, and the lofs of two great generals which attended
this in particular. M. Keith was a Scochman born He
engaged with his brother the Lord Marflial in the Rebellion
of 1715. Being obliged to relinquifli his country on thi$
occafion, he entered into the troops of Spain, and after-
wards pairing into Jluflia, he obtained a confiderablq com-
mand, and performed many fignal fervices in their wars
with Turkey and Sweden ; and ferved them alfo in peace by
feveral embaffies. But finding the honours of that countrvr
no better than a fplendid fervitude, and not meeting with
thofe rewards, which his long and faithful fervices deferved,
he left that court for one where merit is better kndlwi and
better rewarded ; and having been employed fince the be-
ginning of the war in adiftingulfhed command in the Kix\^
of
175^- '^^ History of the War. »j^
of Pruffia's armies, he fell at laft in a fervicc that was wor-
thy of him.
If the King of Pruffia loft fome reputation in fufferlhg
himfelf to be furprifed in this affair ; he fully retrieved it
ky his extraordinary conduft in the tourfe of the adion, and
his admirable efforts after it. On the whole, perhaps,
when all circumftances are confidered, the King of Pruffia
will appear greater in this defeat, than in any vitSlory he
ever yet obtained. The wing of his irmy that was attack-
ed, was furprifed at a diftance from him, the two General!^
that commanded it {lain in the flrft onfet, his other princi-
pal Generals wounded, the whole wing in confufion with-
out a leader ; to come, in thefe defperate circumftances, in
hafte from another quarter j to recover all j twice to re-
pulfe the enem)r, and at laft to retire, overborne only by
numbers and fatigue, without being purfued, is fuch an
inftance of great Generalfliip, as perhaps has never been
exceeded.
Whilft thefe things were doing in Saxony, the Ruffians
made no farther attempts on the Side of Brandenburgh ;
they remained in their camp near Landfperg, until the 2ifl
of September ; when after feveral feigned motions, made
to cover their real defign, they began their retreat towards
Pomerania, where they arrived on the 26th.
It was impcffible that they ftiould keep their ground in
tkat province during the winter, unlefs they could fecure
fome fea-port, from whence they might he fupplied with
provifions. The little town of Colberg was very opportune
for that purpofe, as it is a fea-port on the Baltick, and fo
meanly fortified, that the reduftion of it appeared to be as
eafy a^ expedient. On the third of October, they formed
the fiege of this inconfiderabic place, with a body of 1500Q
men. But fuch was the bravery of Major Heydon the
Governor ; and Cuch the incapacity of the Ru/Eans for ope-
rations of this nature, that this little town, defended only
by a rampart, without any outwork, and lined with a very
feeble garrifon, held out agamft the repeated attacks of the
enemy twenty-fix days, and then obliged them to (^r.
raife the fiege, without any fuccours whatfoever * ^9«
from without. This was the laft enterprife of the Ruffians.
Their vaft army retired with difgrace, flrft from Branden-
burgh, and then from Pom«ran.iu ; not being able to mafter
one phice of ftreli-th in either cou,^tryJ but having de-
ftroyed
So Th History of the Wah. i^^'^.
ftroyed with the moft favage barbarity both the open
towns and defencelefs villages; leaving as ftrong impreffi-
ons of contempt for their incapacity, as of horror for their
cruelty.
After the defeat which the King received at Hochkirchen,
he omitted no meafures to prevent the enemy from making
any material advantage of it. He perceived clearly, that
the advantage theypropofed to derive from it, was to cover
the operations of their armies in Silefia; and that they had
no longer any ferious defign upon Saxony during this
campaign. The King therefore, made no Icruple to rein-
force his army by confiderable detachments from that of
Pnnce Henry, which were brought up by that Prince him-
felf. And as he faw that Neifs, the fiege of which had been
already formed and profecuted with great vigour, muft
certainly furrender if it were not fpeedily fuccoured, he
refolved to march into Silefia.
To the execution of this defign, the greateft difficulties
ftarted up on all fides. The army of M. Daun, lately vic-
torious, had no other bufinefs than to intercept him. To
fight was dubious ; to avoid it hard. If he could even
avoid a battle, he had tnuch to apprehend from the cfForts
of the enemy to harrafs him on his march. If he fhould be
fo happy as to efcape or conquer thefe difficulties, yet his
inarch entirely uncovered Saxony, and abandoned that moft
mterefting poffeffion, very poorly defended, to all the force
of two powerful armies.
On the other hand, if the confideration of Saxony fhould
detain him in his prefent fituation, Silefia ran the fame rifque,
and the fame or greater difadvantages muft enfue to his af-
fairs, bv fuffering the Auftrians to obtain a footing there.
This dilemma, which would have rendered a meaner genius
entirely inadlive. and hindered him from taking any refo-
lution, only obliged the King of Pruffia to take his refo-
Jution with the greater fpecd, and to execute it with .thq
greater vigour.
On the 24th of November at night, he quitted his camp
at Dobrefchutz, and making a great compafs he arrived,-
without any obftruftion from the enemy, in the plain of
Gorlitz. A body of the Auftrians had in vain endeavoured
to fecure this poft before him ; thofe that arrived were de-
feated, with the lofs of 800 men. By this happy march,
all the advantages of M. Daun's ftudied pofition, of all the
Iruit*
p5^' The History of the WaH. ff
aa.vc general continually harrafled his rear guard but thl
K.ng continued his mar/h without interruptfdn aAdfufflr
a large body of horfe and foot by another rou'f toT^Tnforc*
the army wh.ch under the Generals Harfch andDe ViKchra
formed the f.ege of Neifs, and the blockade of CofeH»*
tSaTV'h-^" theem,,,„,,3 woutptbaty prti
Sf K ^1 I ^", ?^""''P''^ P'*°i^»^' which was to cove?
t^lh Q*"^ *"'" ^'^^'**'^- He therefore turned h^s vimf
T^llf^dZ' 'I' !r*'^'^'"S ^i-r.lf with detaching S:-
^hoL Anft? ' '^^'"'^ "^'^ht create an opinion thft the
SSierfhart r" ?Tl ^^•'^'''^^ ^'' ^^"^^^^ the K--
andhavlnrh f JL^^ P'""" ^' immediately
Drcfd^n AVfu r !? ^ ^""^ advanced towards Nov. 6.
Dire W';.. *^^ finite tttiethe army of the Em-
extrimtlv w";°t'°"L^r'"S.^^''^^^ '^^ P^"^''^" «rmy then
d^iwrtfLT/'^'^.^^r^^^^ fh^t ha/ been
is'toTe w^S^f r '■^,^P°^''^^'-\D-rden, fomS
cation with LeTpfTcwhilftM^ '" ' .f their comrpuni-
their communiS wW^^reliir^^^^ *S '"' °^
to throw fh«r«r^i \^"n i-reiaenj but they found means
'o h oTh rTd.t"he Elb^'ijl' ""''/""''-<'' '» '"'r^
ifts be^an Ir^n «he tlbe. The Auftrians and Imperial-
•
King no
quitted,
it 7Bi History cf the War* ^75^'
the King of Pruflia obliged the Auftrian3, on the jft. of
November, to raifc the fiege, leavinga confidcrable quantity
of military ftorcs behind them. The fame terror obliged
the parties employed in the blockade ofCofel, to leave
that place at liberty, and tu full back, together with the*
urmies of the Generals Harfch and De Ville, into Boberoiii*
and the Auibtan Silefia. r'-'f^fM
i The King of Pruflia, when he had thus by the report of
his march, without fighting, driven his enemies
IsTov. 9. out of Silcfia, loft not a moment to return by th«
fame route, and with the fame expedition to the
relief of Saxony. Two bodies of his troops had moved for
fhc fame purpofe out of Pomcrania, one under Count Doh-
na, and one under General WcdeL The corps under We-
del had thrown itfelf into Torgau, repulfed the Auftrians»
who had attempted that place, and purfued tbem as far as
Eulenburg. The grand operation of the Auftrians Was
againft Drefden. M. Daun, with an army of 6o)000 men»
came before that city, on the very Day on which the King
of Pruffia began his march to oppofc him, fo that he might
well imagine his fuccefs certain againft a place meanly for-
tified, and defended only by 12,000 men. The fame day
he began to cannonade it, and his light troops, fupported
by the grenadier?? of the army, made a fkarp attack upon
the fuburbs. The Governor, Count Schmettau, faw that
from the weaknefs of the fuliurbs it would prove impoffible
for him to prevent the enemy from pofleifing themfelves of
them by a coup di main, and if thev fucceeded in this at-
tempt, the great height of the Houies, being fix or feveii
Dorics, and entirely commanding the ramparts, would ren-
der the reduilion of the body of the place equally eafy and
certain. Thefe qonfiderations determined him to fet thefe
fuburbs on fire.
It Is well known that the fuburbs of Drefden compofe
one of the fineft towns in Europe, and are greatly fuperior
to that which lies within the walls. Here the moft wealthy
J>arts of the Inhabitants refide, and here are carried on thofq
everal curious manufactures for which Drefden is fo fa-
mous. Count Daun forefaw this confequence of his at-
tempt. He endeavoured to intimidate the Governoi; from
this meafure, to which he knew the cruel reafon of was
would naturally lead him, by threatening toniake him per-
fonally anAterablc for the fteps hj; ihould takej but Couir,
Schmettau
1758. y^tf History <?/ /^<f War; S3
Schmettau anfwcrcd with the firmnefs that became a man
of honour and afoldier, that he would anfwcr v. hatcver hif
fhould do, and would not onlv burn the fuburbs, in cafe
M. Daun advanced, but would likewifc defend the city it-
felf ftrcet by ftreet, and at laft even the ca(He, whicli was
the royal rcfidence, if he (hould be driven to it. When
the magiftrates were apprifed of this rcfolution, they fell at
the feet of Count Schmettau, ;.nd implored him to change
his mind, and to have mercy on that devoted part of their
city. The part of the royal family, who remained in Dref-
den, joined their fupplications to thofe of the mao^iftrates;
they prayed him to fpare that laft refuge of dillreflcd royal-
fy, and to allov/ at leaft a fccure relidence to thofe, who
had been deprived of every thing elfe. All entreaties wertf
vain. Schmettau continued firm in his refolutiort. Htf
told them that their fafetv depended on themfclve9,'and on
M. Daun j that if he made no attempts, the fuburbs flioul4
be ftill fecure J but that if hp took any farther Itops, th(^
neceffity of his mafter's fervice, and his own honour, wouM
compel him to acft very difagreeable to the lenity of his dif-
pofition. The magiftrates retired in defpair. . Comb'uttibles
were laid in all the houfes.
At three a clocjc next morning, the fignal for Nov. 10,
firing the fuburbs was given, and in a moment
a place fo lately the feat of eafe and luxury, flourilhing in
traffick, in pleafures and ingenious arts, was all in flames.
A calamity fo dreadful needs no high colouring, However,'
as little mifchief attended f4ch a combuftion, as the Nature
of the thing could admit. Very few loft their lives j but
many their whdle fubftance. When this was doHe, tha
Prufflan troops abandoned the flgmipg fuburbs, and retired
in good order into the city,
M. Daun faw this fire, which, whilft it laid wafte the
capital of his al|y, made it more difficult for him to force
it, he fent in fome empty threats to the Governor. But
the Saxon minifter at Ratifbon, miade grievous complaints
to the' Diet, of what he reprefenteS as the moft unparalleled
adl of wantpn and unprovoked cruelty, that had ever beert
committed. The emiflaries of the court of Vienna fpread
the fame complaints 5 and they made no fcrupie to invent,
and to alter fafts in fuch a mamier as to move the greateft
pity_ towards the fufferers, and the ^reateft indignation
iigainft the King of Pruflia. All thefe, however, were in
Q 2< afliart
84 nt HiiTORv of the War. ly^^.
ltZ^!?'^s '''""•'*"^'y ^°"^"f^d. hy the authcnlick certi-
ficates of the mag.ltratw of Drefdcu, and of thofc oncers
action. Ijy thefe certji.catfs it appears, that onlv izc^
houk-s were confumed. 'i'hoi.^h thi wa. a tern be c. if
rnity; .t was nothing to the acc<runts given in t^e laz -ttVs of
flfthrrvT^ 'i • ""^'-'l'f«<«-d, but had luffiticnt notice
1 ? Ibf' .7; '"''""T^» to enable them to provid. for
a^! na /u ^ D n, "* "^""'^^ ^" t^^e charges of cruelty
Srown.^"'"*" cominandcr. a..d fold.iy ^.^^i^j
This fire made a coup de main irrpraiticabJe; regular
operations demanded t/me, and the King of P uiTwai
Ule thi "i'''*" '"^Y^^ ^^'^'^y* ^- ^aun miixd from
U^ a 'p^^^^^^^^ .J^^K'"?' a^tercroiBng
Drefden on the 20th. The armies of M. Daun an7the
thinV f^rth! ^S H '■"'•^^'*^'^» ^"hout enterprif.ng^ any
..^^ * u ® . C^'^erg, earned on by General Palmbach
auarl?«' '!!f T^ 'u'^ ''^'^ Auftrian. retired into winter
St ed hem?"? •^'^. "^^"^'^ ^"^ '*^^ Hanovlf^ I
fni^l f A ^° i"" 't Without moleftatiau, the feafon be-
iVand kSe fifM ?^"' operations J and Prince Ferdi.
occafio?nf r , •"'' ^^"Ser. The Britifh troops had no
fh^r ,f^»g"^'^'"g their bravery this year; but without
toucS wi:hT°" r""^/ co'nfidera'Lle lofs^nd Taa
touched wuh a very deep and general forrow. The Duke
a f^ef t^rfa' 1 "k^^^'^' ^^^ aoth of Oaobe^r'of
did Ihe*nanon ^?f • ^ '**' ^'"S"'' ^^^*^^ Campaign. N^ver
b«,evoIenr '" °"^ '"'"' ^ ^^"^Per n^ore candid and
benevolent, manners more amiable and open, a more pri-
arx7h"rr;.^rier^rtr^'^°^^ ^ '"^ -t^
eyci
The History o//fo War.
'758- •""• nisTORy 0/ /*, War. 8-
To it-ft ihlfe fi,r,h' /'"'■''• T!"" 8'"^"' » '""m-rftic life:
it' defence „ hi h 'T'v" ."i "■ ' """"y* """i Ji^'J f<"
pineft h^d-l'ved for its ornamct and hap-
fumething lef» of that aftoniS;; gVc eVt: /b^dc'"''^
. "*/"^.''»»t year, the King of Pruflia was the h/>rr, «f »k-
blow, but he difablefth^ ' V "^.'V.'"^'ble to follow his
part;fhisdo.itntwhrhLTsl\^^^
he IS engaged with the Ruffians on the frontk s of i>oln I
the Aufrruns and Imperialifts enter Saxony Befo"^h
nroiS ^I^ by h.s prcfe„ee at once difconcerts all their
TKmD at Hocht- '?^"'" ''^"^Sed, they furprife hf;^
with a formidable armv N^! Ika' ,■ >' "'"'^'' '"'=^''»
notwithftandLrtheTeat A,„eH •^"'';'5 ''" '"' ^'^'">
withftanding .L adS/r'^r.h^r, otT"'" I ""•-
of th°at ptfncf Then'hVfl""" "r"" Pf-P""-" out'
:^.'eK'^d-a™h^?S«
march, he obC them r/T' ^''''''u'!"' ^^" ""'■"S'^d
B..heWia„f;'Xi:dt7;!r;o^TuS^^^^^^
^ 3 ta^ea
^ ■-r.
i,., »
m
I'll*
'-rf':'
m-
- 1
Uii:
k%
S(S r/'^f History 0/ /Z'^ Wax. 1758.
tao es to^ the moft compleat viaory. He guarded all his pof-
lelliuns in fuch a manner, as to e-iable them all to endure
his i.bfcncc for fome fliort tirr.e; an J he condudkd his
marches »ith fuch fpirit, as did iaot make it ncce/Tary to
them to hold out any longer ; he made twice the circuit of
his dominions, and in their turn he relieved them all.
Nor was the condj^ of Prince Ferdinand of Brunfwick
Icfs worthy of admiration. Placed at the Head of a body
oftroopj, who were but lately obliged to lay down their
arms, he fcur.d the enemy in pofleflion of the whole open
country, and of all the flrong places in it. Commencing
the campaign In the midft of a fevere winter, without any
tilace of itreiigth in ' o hands, he drove the enemy from all
thofe they held. Hj obliged them to repafs the Rhine, he
followed and defeated them in a pitched battle. Being af-
terwards obiig.d by the great force 0*^ France on its own
frontier, and the numerous armies they had in different pla-
ces, to fepafs the Rhine; he defended Lippe againft num-
bers grcatiy luperirr, aiid though vhey defeated a part of his
army, they were not able to turn their vidory to the leaft
advantage. Prince Ferdinand s c.-^.mpaign may well pafs for
?. pcrfca: model of defenfive operation .
l^he Auftrians, in taking winter ^ju-.rters, difpofed their
forces fo as to form r. chain of an rimazing length, from the
frontiers of Moravia paffing through Bohemia, all along
the fkirts of Silefia and the borders of Saxony. There the
Jmpciial army jointd this chain, and continued it through
Ihunngiaand Franconia, where it was united to the quar-
ters or^ the Prince dc Soubife. Thefe troops had fallen back
from Hclic Caflcl, finaing themfelves unable to maintain
their ground m the landgraviate. The Prince de Soubife's
cantonmcnLS extended weftward along the courfe of the
rvTauie and Lahn, to meet thofe of the M. de Contades
which ftretchcd to the Rhine, and c ntinued the chain be-
yond It quite to the Maefe, fo as to command the whole
courfe of the Rhine, and both fides both upwards and down-
vyard. Prince Ferdinand was unable to extend himfelf to
inch a length J and efpeciaiiy found it impradicable to efta-
biifii quarter* on the other fide of the Rhine; but he dif-
IKvftd his troops in the moft advantageous manner in the
bifhf.prics of Munftcr, Paderborn, and Hildefheim, and
in the landgraviate of He/Te Caflel. The feveral hndios
may all unite v/ith e;iic, and fupport each other. To pre-
fervQ
.fTPTT-
175^' 2"-*^ History of the War. 87
krvt a communication between this and the Pruffian army,
as weJl as to break fome part of that formidable chain of the
enemy, the King fcnt fome bodies of his troops into Thu-
ringia, who difpolleired the army of the Empire of fevcral
of their pofts there, and tliey now threaten to penetrate ftill
farther.
The King of Pruflia, when he had a fecond time driven
the Auftrians and Imperialifts out of Saxony, refoivcd to
keep no meafures with that unhappy countiy. He declared
that he was refolved no longer to confider it as a depofit,
but as a country which he had twice fubdued by his arms.
He therefore ordered thofe of the King of Poland's privy
council, who ftill remained at Drefdcn, to retire at a very
(hort warn'ng. But if the King of Pruflia had a right, as
perhaps he i^ad to confider Saxony as a lawful conqueft,
he cei;tainly feemcd not to confider the people as fubjedls,
when he continued to exadt the moft fevere contributions ;
and in ?. manner too, very little becoming a lawful fovereign ;
for he furrounded the exchange with foldiers, and confi-
ning the merchants in narrow lodgings on ftraw beds, he
obliged them by extreme fufFering, to draw bills on their
foreign correfpondents for very large fums. This city had
been quite exhaufted by former payments, and had not
long before fufFered military execution. An enemy that
aded thus, had adled fevercly j but when a country is en-
tirely poiTeflTed by any power, and claimed as a conqueft,
the rights of war feem to ceafc ; and the people have a claim
to be governed in fuch a manner as becomes a juft Prince j
eipecially when no extreme ncceffity in his affairs compels
him to th.ife rigoroiis courfes. To retaliate on thefe mife-
rable people fome part of the cruelties committed by the
Ruflians on his dominions feems to be very unreafonable,
as it is but too obvious, that the barbarity of that people
could not be rcftrained, however it m!a;ht be exafperated
by the total d'.-ftruaion of Saxony. Such retaliations arc
odious and crueL We heartily wifh we could praife tha
King of Pruflia as much for his temperate ufe of his con-
queft, as for tiiofe wonderful and heroic qualities by which
he obtained it. We might be confidered as partial in our
account, if we had omitted to take notice of what is alledg^
ed agaii^ft the King of Pruflia, when we have fpoken To
fully oi the outrages committed by his enemies. It is now
tiiue to turn our eyes from this ^rcat theatre towards ieiler
^ 4 events,
01 The History of the War. 1758.
- fluents, but fuch as will employ us altogether as agreeably',
the operations of the Britifh fleets and aLies in Europe and
America againft the French. ^
''chap. XIII.
The burning of the flnps at St. Makes. Taking of Cher^
' §\ i^'^'f /-^ ^'' ^'''' operations in A^nctica. Siege
anei taking ofLomJbourg. Englijh army defeated at Ti-
^ondenga They take Frontenac. The Aench abandon
tort au ^uefne. Conclufion of the annals of the year 1 758.
JN the beginning of this year, the good condition of our
navy and our army $ the fpirit and popularity of the
miniltry; the wife choice of commanders, in contempt of
to fnT? ''''''^ T''^' ' "^^ prevalence of the contrary
to all theie amongft the enemy; gave us the beit grounded
fcelt "r°"' '"^ fuccefsfuf campaign. Concerning
the theatre of our operations there was fome doubt, ft
was the opinion of fome, that our pufh in hurope (houic
he made on the fide of Germany ; and that we mieru :o
foeafhl'^K 'a" ""r^ of Prince 'Ferdinand with fuclfa re
^edtable body of troops, as m^ght enable that finilhed com-
mander to exert all his talents, and to improve to the utmost
^e advantages he had already obtained over the French
They imagmed, that if an early and confiderablereinforcel
V rinT'V'fl-i^ '"^^l']---^ ^hilft the French army wL
yet in a mftrefled condition, and if in this, condition that
extreiwTffi' T ^^"^^^.^^^le blow, they would hnd
extremely d fficult to retrieve it : and receiving this blow
carrv th^^"''"'"^ '"^r °^" *^'"^°"«' "^^ Prince S
carry the war into France itfelf ; and thus very probablv
e^cludedTl ''^ '^' ^^^^ °^ ^"^^"^ ^«« by no means
be atten ed witl'' "\ ''' '""'"''n '' '""^^ ^n this plan
than r. M u'^"".'^"'"^"' infinitely more importanj--
than It could otherw.fe; that otherwise, France miZ
laugh at the httle defult^ry efforts of an handful of m!n
t^r^^X be embarked a'nd dif-embarked vvith Ireat dl'
i t^the firft'f ' '"1"';^' "^"'^ ^^-^J« beo1,l : d to
V u u . , approach of an enem.^. fhat whilft the
ga^e on the fide of Germany, they would always find them.
felvcs
1758. The History of the War. ^
fdves well able to aa abroad, and defend themfelm at
iiome. f>\if ,* =
On the other hand it was ftrongly urged, that we ou<»ht
*t- "^^^ ^''^ deftruaion of the French marine our great
objea, and to confider all continental operations only in a
fecondary light. That by fending a large body of Engli(h
troops to the King's army on the Rhine, we muft neceffa-
Tily weaken our efforts in America, and on the coaft of
France; and by drawing away all our forces, wemuftfhake
that internal fecurity, which invigorated all our operations
abroad. That whilft we maintained an army of 50,000
tore^gne^s m Germany, it would be the greateft imprudence
to fend alfo a large bodv of our own national troops into
the fame country, and by that means not only fquander
away our men, but employ almoft every penny granted for
the Land fervice, out of Great Britain ; a method which
could not fail of exhaurting us in a very fhort time. That
the force already in Germany was fufficient to keep the
French engaged, and that the propofed expeditions to
France would, by attackinp; the coaft, now in one part, now
in another, and keeping all parts in continual alarms, necef-
larily detam a very confiderable part of their forces at home
and thus make a powerful diverfion, whilft it was purfuin?
What _ought to be the grand perpetual objedt of all our
opmtions, the deftruaion of the French maritime power.
The latter opinion prevailed; but it was however fo far
modified by the arguments on the other fide, that after
fome time a few regiments were fent into Germany, as we
have before related. Thefe and better reafons, no doubt
determined the operations on the coaft of France ; but
whiKt the neceflary preparations were making, their defti-
nation was kept an inviolable fecret; and now, asthevhad
the year before, infpired France with no little terror. Two
Jquadrons, by the latter end of May, were in readinefs for
bailing. The greater under Lord Anfon, the fmallcr under
Commodore Howe, which was fo defigned to convoy the
tranlports and to favour the landing and re-imbarkment.
Ihe land forces confifted offixteen battalions, and nine
troops of light horfc : they were commanded by the late Duke
of Marlborough. They failed from Portfmouth •
but as foon as the flerft fet fail, the fquadron of June i
mv Lord Anfon feparated from the reft, and bore
Pii to the Bay of Bifcay, in order to fpread the alarm more
widely.
'fl,'
QO 7'be History of the War. 1758.
widel/, and to obfe. z the French fquadron in Breft. The
other part of the fleet, wliich was commanded by Commo-
dore Howe, with the tranfports, arrived without any acci-
dent in Cancalle Bay, at a fmall diftance from the City of
St. Maloes. Here the troops landed without op-
5th. pofition, and having fortified a poft near Cancalle
(a poft by nature well fitted for defence) for the
fecurity of their retreat, they marched in two columns to
St. Maloes. When the army arrived there it was foon vi-
fible, that the town, ftrongly fituated on a peninfula, com-
municating with the main land only by a long and narrow
caufcway, was by no means a proper object of a coup de
main; and though for want of outworks, it was ill qualified
to fuftain a regular fiege; yet our forces were, for want
of ftrength and artillery fufficient, altogether as ill qualified
for fuch an operation. They were therefore contented with
fetting fire to about an hundred fail of (hipping
8th. many of them privateers, which lav under the
cannon of the town, and to feveral magazines
filled with naval ftores. The damage was very confider-
able ; yet, what is to be remarked, the enemy did not fire a
fingle {hot on the detachment employed in this fervice.
Having nothing more to do on this fide, they retired to
Cancalle ; and reimbarkcd with as little oppofition
12th. as they met with at landing; the land and fea com-
manders having made all the difpofitions with
great judgment.
Before the fleet returned, they reconnoitred the town of
Granville on the coaft of Normandy ; but finding that a
Jarge body of troops were encamped in the neighbourhood,
they made no attempt there. From thence they moved to-
wards Cherbourg, ajid made the proper difpofitions for
landing near that place j but a hard gale blowing into the
Ihore, and the tranfports beginning to fall foul on each
other, it became extremely hazardous to attempt landing.
Befides, the provifion was near exhaufted, and the foidiers
by being fo long cooped up in the tranfports, were grown
fickly. It became highly neceflary to return home, and
they arrived at St. Helen's on the 29th of June.
The fuccefs of this expedition, by which the French fuf-
fered. largely, with fcarce any lofs on our fide, though it
fufficicntly anfwered the intention of the armament, fell
fomewhat iliort of the expcdktions of the public, who
had
ty§S. 7'he History of the War. ^i
had formed much greater hopes, than it was poflible for
the nature of fuch enterprifes to fulfil. However, their
hopes were again revived ; by feeing that every thing was
prepared for. another expedition, and that our armies imd
fleets were to be kept in conftant a<Slion during the f^mmcr.
The time was noVv come when we were to turn the tables
upon France, and to retaliate by real attacks, the terrors
which had been raifed by her menaces of an invafion. The
Duke of Marlborough had now taken the command of the
Engliih forces in Germany; and General Bligh fucceeded
him in this command. Prince Edward refolved to go upon
the expedition, and to form himfelf for the fervicc of his
country under fo brave and able a commander as Howe.
It is eafy to imagine, how much the fpirit, the prefence
and example of the gallant young Prince, who went with
the utmoft chearfulnefs through all the detail of a midfliip-
man's duty, infpired both the feamen and the troops.
On the firft of Auguft, the fleet fet fail from St. Helen's.
In a few days they came to anchor before Cherbouiii.' The
French had drawn a line ftrengthened by forts, along the
mofl: propable places for landing. They had drawn down
three regiments of regular troops, and a confiderable body
of militia to the fhore, and had in all appearance threatened
a very refolute oppofition to the defcent of the Engiiflli
forces. But the Commodore difpofed the men of war and
bomb ketches fo judicioufly, and made fo liiarp a fire upon
the enemy, that they never ventured out of their
entrenchments; fo that the landing was effe^led Aug. 6.
in excellent order, and with very little lofs. The
French, who made fo poor an oppofition to the landing, had
ftill many advantages from the nature of the ground which
they occupied ; but they neglected tliem all ; and abandon-
ing by a moft fliameful defpair their forts and lines on the
coaft, they fuftered the Englifh to enter Cherbourg the
day after the landing, without thr -wing the leall: oblbclc
in their way. It muft be remevni
number of the Englifli farces on i
Ihort of 6000 men.
Cherbourg is on the I.^.n ' - :,; ,
it very itrongly defeiidc.I f.ov/anls the fea. The harbour is
nat'irdly bad. I3uc the place h v/el.! fituated, in the midlc
of the cnannr!, ro.'.- ui-oi.c.'.liri;^
the Kn'.rlilli commcrco ia ^lm^^
"d too, that the whole
expedition'was rather
open town; neither is
'he French, and annovino-
r JO
of war and peir ^ for fa-
cilitating
^t ^^e HisrojiY of f^e War. jy^s,
cilitatlng an invaf.on on England itfelf. Monfieur Beiidor
the famous engineer, had demonflrated its importance, and
propofed a plan for the improvement and defence of the
harbour, as well as for the fortifications of the town. 'Ihts
plan was approved and partly put in execution by the build-
Ing of a niokS digging a bafon and making fluices and flood
gates With excellent materials and a valt expence. The
work had been for a conf^derable time difcontinued j but
m this expedition, that work of (o great ingenuity, charge,
and labour, was totally "deftroyed. Whiifl our humanity
regrets the unhappy neceffity of war, we cannot help think-
ing that the f.nglifh nation was freed by the fucceff of this
expedition, from what might one day becaufe of no trivial
alarms.
_ When this ^york of deftruaion was over, all the velTels
m the harbour burned, and hoftages taken for the contribu-
tions levied on the town, the forces reimbarked,
i6th. with great fpeed and fafety without any interrup-
tion from the enemy, and with the fame expedi-
tion, care and conduct, as they had been firft landed - the
armv having continued ten days unmolefted in France.
1 he Nation exulted greatly in this advantage, efpecially
as It almoit accompanied the news of our glorious fuccefles
in America. Nothing was omitted to give the adion its
utmolt eclat ; the brals cannon and mortars taken at Cher-
bourg, were drawn from Kenfington to the tower, quite
through the city, in great pomp and order, adorn-
bcpt.i6. ed with fireamers, attended by guards, drums,
muhc, and whatever el fc might draw the atten-
tion of the vulgar. They who ccnfured this prociTion as
too oltentatio.us, did not confider, how forcibly things of
this nature ftnke upon ordinary minds, and how grt-atlv
they contribute to keep the people in good humour to fup-
port the many charges and lolles that are incident to the
molt luccelsful war.
I^'A^'S''^",'^ left Cherbourg, was driven to the
5oalt of England J but the troops were not difcmbarked •
It was relolved, that the coaft of France fhould have no
rcfpite; and accordingly they failed towards St. Maloes,
and anded jn the bay of St. Lunar at a fmall diftance from
the town of St. Maloc-s. This choice of a place for land-
ing, muft neceiranly have furpriled all thofe v/ho remem-
bered upon what reafons the attempt ag-ainft that place ha.d
been
1758. the History of the War. 91,
been fo recently lai.l ufide. Tlj^iq was no other objea of
fuiEcicnt conlidcration near it. The, town was at leaft in.
as -cod a poiture of defence as it had been then ; and the
forci; whicn was to attack it had fince then been conAdcr-.
ably leflened. There \s undoubtedly fomething very unac-
countjxblc as well in the choice as in tUc whole conduct of
this affair. The perfons in the pdncipal. commands, Shifted'
the blame from one to another. Thexc is nothing more
remote from our defign, than to fct up for judges in mat-^
ters of this nature ; or ungeneroufly to lean en any ofiicer,
who, meaning v. c:ll to the fervice o"f his country, by fome
muifortunc or miftake fails in fuch hazardous and intricate
enterpnfcs. We fhall be fatisfied with relating the fads as.
they happened.
t As foon as the troops were landed in the bay of St.
Lunar, it became evident that the delign agatnft St. Muloes
was utterly impraaicable. Other projeds were then pro-
pofed, but they all feemed equally liable to objeaion. 'Whilii
they debated .concerning a plan for their operations^ the
fleet was in the greateft danger.. The bay of St. Lunar U
extremely rocky; and the experience of the people of the
country, together wi^h what he Giw himfelf, convinced the
Conimodore that it was impoffible to remain any longer
in this road with tolerable fafety., Therefore Kemovea
up to the bay of St. Cas, about, three leagues: to 'the
weft ward. ^Wf .-iY, ^ ^?^;
The fleet was feparated frpW the land forces; Vut it
was ftill eafy to preferve a ccmmuniciition bctweaitHem t
and as no attack was yet apprehended, they made .no ifc^ruple
to penetrate farther into the country. In two days they
arrived at the village of Matignon, having had feveral flcir-
miflies with fmall bodies of thq/pnc^r.y, who frpm time.to.
time appeared on their flanks, a;ul wha always diflippeared
when they were brifkly encountered. By this time the
Duke d Aiguillon, Governor of Britanny, was advanced
withm fix miles of the Englifh army, with a body of
twelve battalions ^nd fix fquadrons of regular troops, and
two regiments of militia. This determined the council of
war to retreat ; they wanted but three miles to the bay
ot bt. Las. But in this little march a confiderable time
was confumed, and the French army was cloie upon them
before they could be compleacly reimbarked. A very fleep
hiJl formed a fort of amphitheatre about the bay of St.
Cas,
94 ^-^^ History of the War.'^ *^ 175?/
<^as, where the embarkation was making ; but before the
laft divifion, which confifted of all the grenadiers of the
army, and the firft regiment of the guards, could get off,,
the Freneh had marched down this hill, through an hoR'
low way, and formed themfclves itt a lohg hne againft
the few Engjifli troops that remained. There remained
in this exigency only the expedient of afTiiming a bold
countenance, and attacking them with vigour. The bra-'
Very of our troops on thiJ defoerate occafion, was wor-'
thy of a better fortune. The ihips and frigates feconded-
their efforts, and made afcvere fire upon the enemy. j!\ll
was to ho purpofe; their Ammunition was at laft fpent;
the enemies numbers prevailed ; our little bqdy attempted
to retreat, but they fell . into confufion, they broke, an'
horrible (laughter follow?dj many ran into the water and
met their fate in that element. The (hore was covete?
with dead bodies. Genera) Drury was drowned. Sirjfohij'
Armitage, a young volunteer of great fortune and hopes?;!
was fhot through the head. Several officers, men of large'
fortune and confideration fell: At length the firing of th^'
frigates ceafed, and the French immediately gjive quarter.
About AGO were made prifoners, 600 were kilkd- and'
WOitrtdedSf-^:t^'. ■<■."-. , .ac.r/
In the tnidft of this carnage, in the midft of a fire tW'
itaggei-idtheajravcft feamen who managed the boats, Com-
modorp Howe exhibited a noble 6xampTe of intrepidity and
fortitilde, by ordering himfelf to be rowed in his own boat
through the fhickeft of the fire, to encourage all that were
engaged xp. that fervice, ind to bring off as many men- as
hiji veflcl could carry. ■ -
This affair difpirited the people of England, and elated
the peoplp of France far more than an affair of fo little
confequence ought to have done. It was in faft no rnore^
tjian the cutting off a rear guard. There is often more
bloodflied in Ikirraifhes in Gtermanjr, which mdke no figijre
ip the Gazettes. And certainly, if our expeditions tcvthe
cbaft of France were planned with any judgment, on our'
part we had rather reafon to congratulate ourfelves that
we were able to land three times on that coaft, with fo in-
confiderable a lofs. The French indeed had reafon to mag-
nify this lofsj and they did greatly magnify it in order tp
confole their people, who had feen their trade fuffer fo
much, and -their country fo long infulted with impunity.
Whatever
i^,;
'*ji«-''
m
■'Bl
)
Mb-JJov General AM HE R ;S T
1758. the History of the War: 95
. Whatever our fuccefles were on the coaft of France, they
did noi afFe<5t us in the fame manner with thofe which W3
had in America. From this part of the world we had long
been flrangcrs to any thing, but delays, misfortunes, difap-
pointments, and diigraces. But the fpirit which had been
roufed at home, diffufed itfelf into all parts of the world
where we had any concern, and invigorated all our opera-
tions.
Admiral Bofcawen with a powerful fleet of men of war
and fcveral tranfports failed for Halifax from England. Feb.
the 19th. He had the chief command in the expedrtioi)
againft Louifbourg, and in particular the diredtion of the
naval operations. Geperal Amherft, from whofe charafter
great things were expefted, and who juftiried thefe expec-
tations, was to command the land forces. Thefe amounted
to about 14000 men, including fome light troops^ fitted for
the peculiar fervice of the country. The whole fleet con-^
fifting of 151 {hips, fet fail from the harbour of Halifax,
Qn the fecond of June they appeared before Louifbourg.
The)r were fix days 6n the coaft before a landing was found
praaicable ; fuch a prodigious furf fwelled all along the
0iore, that no boat could poffibly live near it. The French
not trufting to this iobftacle, had drawn iritrenchments in
every part where it jnight be poffible'to lahd^ fupported
them with batteries in convenient places, and lined thenar
with numerous infantry. At length the fiirf
though violent at beft, was obfen'ed to be fome- June Si
what abated, and the Admiral and General did
not. lofe a moment to avail themftlves of this oppartuni£y
of landing; they made all theii? difpofitions for it with the
higheft judgment. They ordered the frigates towards the
enemies right and left, to rake them on their flanks. Then
the troops were difpofed for landing in thHee divifions.
That on the left was commanded by General Wolfe, and
was deftined to the real attack. The divifions in the cen-
tre to the
draw the
defence.
When the fire of the frigates continued about a quarter
of HI) hour. General Wolfe's divifion moved towards the
Kind 5 the enemy referved their fhot until the boats were
near in Ihorc, and then directed the whole, fire of their
cannon and mufquctry upon them. The furf aided their
fire.
ncu CO me xeai aiiacK. i ne aiviiions in tne cen-
; right, were only defigned for feigned attacks, to
enemies attention to all parts, and to diftradl their
i«i
$6 The HtsT<»RY c/ the War. ,75^.
fJrc. Many of the boats overfct, many were broken to*
pieces, the men jumped into the water, (ome were killed,
fome drowned ; tk- rell fupported and encouraged in a]
difficulties, by the cx^plo, fpirit, and condu^ of the""
truly gallant commander, gained the fhorc, took' port, fell
foon obliged them to fly in confufion. A . foon a. thi, poft
rtht'f±^°^^'^""^"T^'^^^°--J^ ^he left and'the
nght followed the cer,tre, fo that the landing ias com-
pleated, though not without much time and trouble, in an
excellent order, and with little lofs. '
to ml!t.???'?"'r°u* '*"«*' "■\*^'' "'""^^ »"*i interefting
to make a detail of them agreeable to readers, who are not
converfant .n the art military. The operations againft
Iou.(bourg for feveraJ days went on very flowly, owing en-
tirely to the prodigious furf and the rough weather, wlich
made It extremely difficult to land the artillery, ftoresTand
mftrumentstobeempldycdinthefiegej however, the ex-
cellent conduft of the Generals AmWft and Wolfe, L
dkgrres overcame all the difficulties of the weather, whic^
Tw n7^ unfavourable, the ground which was rugged
n fome places and bo^gy m others, and the refiftan^ of
the^amfon wh.ch^was conf.derable. The French had five
rnen of war of the Ime an the harbour, who could bring all
rr l"5M° X "P°" ^^"^ approaches of the Englifh troops.
1 he firft thing done was tofecure a point called the light-
houfe battery, from whence they might play upon thefe
Sen ;;i wTf ''' Y'^'7 ?" ')' other' f.deVthe'^harbout
General Wolfe performed this fervice with his ufual vigour
and celerity, and took poffeffion of this and all
June 12. the other pofts Ih that quarter. His fire from thig
poft on the 25th filenced the illand battery, which
was that moft immediately oppofed to his ; but the fhins
ItiJl continued to bear upcUi him until the 2iflof the follow-
ing month, when one of them blew up, and communicating
fumed to the water edge, this was a lofs not to be repair-
ed ; the approaches drew near the covered way, and things
were in a good condition for making a lodgment in it : the
enemies fire was confiderably flackenedfthe town was
fuffIr.T *°K -^ g[°""iin many places, and the works had
fufFered much in all. Yet the enemy ftill delaying to fur-
tender, ^vt occafionto add one brave a<5tion to the others,
which
t7S9' The Hut OK^ of the W An, oy
1 he Admiral who had all along done every thUtyr poffibJt m
leventy of the weather, refolved on a ftrokc, which bv be
.n? dccinve of the poffcffion of the harbour, m.htLk;
the redua.on of the town a matter of little difficult^ h!
refolved to fend in a detachment of 600 feamen in boat, tl
?he fl. '".?;'' ^T'^'P ""^'^^ line which remained and
If he fliould fuccccd in this, he propofed the next dav I«
fend m feme of hi., own great (hip«, who might Tatt^he
town on the f.de of the harbour. This was not more wife^
planned by the Admiral, than gallantly and fucceftfuX ex
ecuted by Capta n Lnforey. fn fpite of the fire ^ ""
trom the flupsarJ th batteries, he made himfelf Tnlvo*
maftcrofhoththefelmps; one he towed off the "^ ^ ^*
^^u-^!i i •'»" aground, was fet on fire.
Ur.\r ^^ ^' '" ^"PP^*"^ °f ^^^'^ <P'"ted advances of the
land forces, was conclufive. The town furren-
dered the next day. The garrifon were prifoners July 26
fcam:n\;5^3r"""' "'' ^'^ '"''^'' ^"^
The taking of Louifbourg (a) was an event the moft
" defired
raj Major General Amhcrfk Journal oftbe/i,g,of Louifbourg.
*. whoir'corna 'r,7,t[* *»,'?'p' -« '°^?V"'
into Halifax. ^' ^ ^''^''" ^«n' ^^'7 fickly
grel/i; 'difpcJftd""' '''" '*'' ^" ^''^ ^^«'-0" '> ^he (hips were
: s'lew'freV.'^'' ""*^ ''"""'"" ^°"^"y' obliged us to tack, and
theWbolt^::£P4- ?a?d' I" ^^^.^•'^^'^ came from oiF
that there were , iSTfthe trb^ur C'/ «'k ^" '''^ ^oth;
Gabarus at night. ^a'^our. We faw the entrance of
S ana tne mips m the harbour. Thf fleet, with about a third
of
»
^8 Tk£ History of the War. 1758.
^efired by all our colonics ; that harbour had a* ways been
a receptacle convenient to the enei. ies privateers, who in-
fefted the Englilh trade in North America. It was the nrioil
effeduat
of the troops, anchored uxGal/arus bay; and this evening, with
Brigadiers Generals Lawrence and fFolfe, I reconnoitred the
Ihorc as near as we could, and nvade a difpofttion for Landing in
throe places the next morning, in crife the troops arrived.
The enemy had a chain of pcils from Cape Noir to the ilat
Ptint, and irregulars fiora thence to the bottom of the Bay ; fonie
works thrown up at the places which appeared prafticable to
land at, and fonae batteries. , ,, ,,
On the 3d mcft of the tranfports came xn this mormns;, all well
prepared for landing ; but the furf on (here was fo great, it was
impDlfible to land. This day Brigadier General Whitmore arrived
■ from Halifax, at which place I have left Col. Minckton to com-
mand. As one Bay wns found to havelefs furf than the others,
a di^fjtion was made to land the next morning in one place in-
llead of three. .»,.,„/.
The 4th the wind and furf were fovery high, A^mitslBofca'wejz
tol i me it was imprafticable to land. ^
The 5th a great fwell and fog in the morning, and the Admi-
ral declared ic Hill iroprafticable to land.
The 6:h an appearance of change of weather, in the morning
early : 1 was refolved to feize the firft opportunity ; the fignal
was made to prepare to land between five and fix o'clock, and at
eight all the men were in the boats : The fog came on again, and
• the fvwU encreafed daring the time the men were getting into
the boats, and the Admiral again declared it impraaicable to land .
I ordered the troops on board their refpeftive Ihips, firft acquaint-
ing vhem with the reafon for fo doing.
The ych the wenther bad in the morning, in the afternoon the
. fwell rather decreafed, and gave us great hopes of landing at day-
break the next morning, for which orders were given : and
JBragg's regiment, who were in a number of flcops, to fail under
convoy, by the mouth of the harbour to LoremUc ; fending at
ihe fame tipie a proportion of artillery deflined for the light
houfe Point, with orders to make all the (how they could of laud-
ing, but not to land till further orders, intending to draw the
enemy's attention on that fide.
From die 24 to this time, the enemy have been reinforcing
their potts, adding to their works, cannonading and throwing
fiiells at the fliips, ai.d making all the preparations they can to
' oppofe our landing. Seven tranfports were now milling with
'^'^ troops
■I
1758. ^h History Y the Wah. 59
tffeaual blow which France had 1-eceivfed from the com-
jnenccment of the war. By the taking of Louifbourg, Ihe
loft the only place from Whence (he coiiW tarry on the cod
H n • filheryi
troops on board, three of which came in at nl^ht. The Admiral
gave all neccflary orders for the fcigates to cover our landtng.
On the 8th tht troops were aflemblcd in the boats before break
Of day, in three divif;ons; and Commodore Z)«rf// having viewed
the coail by o; der of the Admiral, and given me his oprnion the
troops might land, without danger from the furf, in the bay ch
our left, the Kennington and Halifax fnow began the fire on the
l«t, followed by the Grammont, Diana and Shannon frigates ih
the centre, and the5«/^^r.'fl«^and SquirreU^on the rightf When
the ftre had continued about a quarter of an hour, the boats upon
the left rowed into the Ihore, under the command of Brigadier
General fTolfe, whofe detachment was compofed of the four eldeft
compahies 6f grenadiers, followed by the light infantry, (a corps
of 540 men, chofep as markfmen from the different regiments,
lerve as irregurars and arecommanded by Major Scott, who was
Major of the Brigade)- and the companies of rangers, fupported by
the /^/^A/W regiment, and thofe by the eight reihaining fcomoa-
nifis ot grenadiers. s »
r T^rri'-'''^'"" °" *?A "S^*' ^"'^<^'' '^^^ comm'atixi of Brigadier
Ti ^^^''««7' confined of thei>.j^/. La/ceVcs, Monckton, Forbes,
AnJlrutherzvidL Welb, and rowe,^ to our right by the white Point,
^s if intending to force a landing there.
The centre divifioo, under the command of Brigadier General
lan^^rcnce was formed o^Jmherfl*^, Hopfon\, Ot'wayh, mitmoreh,
Laurence s,^r^dmarSurJon% and made, at the fame time, a
flow of landing aV th. fre!h water C.w. This drew the enemy's
attention to eve; y part, and prevented their troops, polled along
the coaft, from joining thofe on their right. ^
The enemy aafed verv wifely, did not throw away a Ihot, till
the boats were near n. (liore, and then dircfted the whole fire bf
heir cannon and mufketry upon them. The furf was fo great,
that a place could hardly be found to ge^ a boat on Ihore. Not'
Vrt^A^'^I^fr" ^'' °^l¥^«'^"»y> ana the violence of the furf.
Brigadier l^o!/, purlued his point, and landed juft at their left 6f
JluZ7''^^^^ '' ""''■'''^ the enemy, and forced them to
[he r^l'n .^^-"^"y ^l"«^« «^'"^^t, fevcral broke to pieces, and all
the men jumped into the water to get on fhore.
th.JT "' '.' ''^"' '^''^'''^*'" ^^^ '^"'^^d. the lirft detachment of
h^r^l T /'k'' '"■"P"' ''""^ '° '^^ ^'^''^ *n^ followed; then
the remainder of the centre divifion, as faft as the boats doiild
fetch
* I
lOo 7he History 6/ the War. 1758,"
fifhery; and the only place (he had in a convenient fituation
for the reinforcements that wen^ fent jto fupport the war in
the other parts of America i and with Louifbourg fell the
ifland
fetch them from the fliips ; and the right divifion followed the
centre in like manner.
Jt t(jok up a great deal of time to land the troops ; the enemy's
Tctriaf, or rather flight, was through the roughcll and worft
ground I ever favv; and the purfuit ende<' with a cannonading
from the town, which was fo far of ufe, that it pointed out how
near I could encamp to invert it: On which the regiments
marched to their ground, and lay on their arms. The winu en-
creafed, and we could not get any thing on Ihore.
The lofs of his Majcfly's troops at landing is, Capt. 5.»'7/iV and
Lieut. Cut/jSert, of the Highland regiment; Lieut. Nichol/on of
mine, 4. fcrjeants, 1 corporal, and 38 men killed, 21 were of
my regiment, (the grenadiers) of which 8 were (hot, and the
reft drowneJ in trying to get on fliore.
Five lieutenants, zferjeants, 1 corporal, and 51 men wounded;
and of the five companies of rangers, 1 cnfign and 3 private
killed, I wounded, and i miffing.
On the enemy's fide, 2 captains of grenadiers, and 2 lieutenants,
are prifoners; i officer killed, and an Indian chief: Several men
likewifc killed; and, I imagine, about 70 men taken prifoners:
They were fent on board as faft as poffible. By feme of the pri-
foners I had intelligence, that M. St. yulien. Colonel, command-
ed in the Coije: That there were 5 battalions in th' iown, name-
ly, Bourgogiie, Artoisy Key al Marine ^ Cambi/e, and Volontairts
Etrangerst with about 700 Canadians. The three firft regiments
wintered in Louijbourg; Volontaires Etrangers came there not
long fince with part of the fleet, and Cambi/e the night before
we landed.
We took from the enemy three 24 pounders, feven g pounders,
and feven 6 pounders, two mortars and fourteen (wivels ; all
v/hich were placed along the ihore, to prevent om landing; with
ammunition tools, and ftores of all kinds.
The 9th. Lieut. Gen. ^/-fl^jf's regiment returned in their floops
from Loremhec. The weather continued extremely bad ; the
furfio great, that we could get only fome of our tents on ftiore
\\\ the afternoon.
The loth the furf ftill continued, and it was with great diffi-
culty that we ^ot any thing on fliore.
The iith the weather grew clear and better, and the light 6
pounders, which i had ordered on fliore immediately after the
troops
1758. the History of the War. loi
ifland of St. John's, ' and whatever other inferior ftations
they had for carrying on the fifhery towards Gafpefie and
tJie bay deChaleurs, which our fhips foon after this event
^ 3 entirely
troops were now only landed, and feme artillery ftores with
them.
On the 1 2th, from intelligence I had received, that the enemy
had dellroyed the grand battery, and called in their out-pofts, I
detached Brigadier IVol/e with 1200 men, 4 companies of grena-
diers, 3 companies of rangers, and fome light infantry round the
N. E. harbour to the Light Houje Point, with an intention to
filence the IJlan J hAttery, and, at the fame time, to attempt to
deftroy the fliips in the Harbour; fending, at the fame time by
iea, the proportion of artillery, tools, &c. that had been ordered
lor this fervice.
I received, this day, a report from Brigadier m//e, that he hid
taken poflcffion of the Light Houfe Point, and all the polls on that
iide the harbour, which the enemy had abandoned, leaving fe-
veral cannon, which were rendered ufelefs, tools, &c. and a great
quantity of filh at Lorembec. The weather continued extremely
bad; but we got fome tools on fliore this nighr, fo that, on the
13th. we began to make a communication from the right to the
left in front of the camp; and I ordered three redoubts on the
moil advantageous ground in the front. A party of the enemy
came out this day towards our camp, but were foon beat back by
the light Infantry, before two picquots could well get up to their
affiftance. We worked at three redoubts in front al night,
rri/ f '/*'' *'*^ enemy cannonaded us a great part of the day.
The furf llill continued fo great, that it was with the greateft
difficulty we could land any thing. The fleet, under the com-
mand of Sir Charles Har^iy, which appeared yefterday for the
hrft time, was in the night blown oft' to (cm.
The 15th r fent four more niort.us i;i a floop to the Light
Houfe, but we could not get any artillery landea on this Ihore.
At night two deferters from the Folontarn Eirnnven came inj
faid they had 5 killed and 40 wounded in tiie ikirmi;!) on the 1 3i:h.
1 he 16th, the firlt fine weather, we landed \z diivs prov^fion,
and got many things on fhore, but could not land .wiy artillery.
The lytli 1 ROt Colonel Baliick on horfehick, ai)d. vvitli Col.
Utlltamjon and M.ijor M'KcUar, we rccnnnoined the whole
ground as far as we could; and Colonel Bailuie was determined
10 his opinion of makins: approaches by the Grc.cn Hill, and con-
fining the deftruaion of the Ihips in the harbour, to the Light
1^ The History of the War. 1758.
ciitirely deftroyd. It i« incredible how much this fuccefs
in America, joined to the fpirit of our other mcafuics, ope-
rated to raife pur military reputation in Europe, and to finic
that
Hui/e PotHtt and the batteries on that fid<}. I added twa 8 inch
mortars and three royals to the light H.u/e batteries.
^The 18th w^ !\ad fl«^ weather. Some Indiam took three of
t|c tranfports nveaa,tthe bottom otGabana bay who landed there
contrary 10 orders. The road for the artillery was pufhed on as
fall as poflible. -^^ got three 23 pounders on flwrc, though the
furf was great the begfnning of the day.
The i9,th ihf batieries on the Ligb{ Hou/ewQtfi intended to
have been opened this night, but could not be got ready (o foon.
I^Echo, a French frigatq^o/ 3^ gurvs, was brougk in to- day ; had
got out of the harbour the 13th at night, and was bound to
ipehec : By her wc have iiitel%efjce, that \.\\eBiKane. got out the
day we landed, and the Cemctte fincc our arrival off the harhour, •
The 20th the IJland Buttery and fliips fired at the batteries on
the Ihore, who began their fire this laft night. The enemy
burnt an old ihip at the bottom of the harbour.
The 2ift very bad weather, and the furf high. The enemy
dafccvered us making the rpad for the artillery, and cannonaded
us ; threw fome ihot into the left of the camp, but did not
oblige me to decamp any part. An advanced redoubt towards
Green Hill was thiown up this night.
The 22d the bad weather continued ; we were employed on
the road, and getting up a Block Ha/e on the left by the Mirav
road, to fecure the communication to the N. E. hii hour and
/,f|/'^ Hon/e, ^nd to hinder any parties from going into the town,,
The 23d the Admiral afiured me there were above a hundred
boats lott in landing the troops and provifions. I'his day fine
wejiher; and we now have on Ihore twelve 2+ pounders, and
fix 12 pounders. The enemy fired a great deal from their
ihippmg and T/Z/tW 5ajf/r;-V, and threw iome Ihot into the lef'j
of the camp. Colonel M^iffhr-uey, .nnd moft of his carpenters,
taken jU of the fmall-pox, which is a very great Icfs to the army.
Gabioiis and fafcines are landed, and earned forward as faft as,
po/Iible, to^maltc an epaulement to Greeri Hill I'lie batteries at
\.ii^Ligbt Houfe fire with fuccefs againft the Ifmnd Battery, and
I hope will foor; filence it.
Oil the, 24th the enemy fired on the light lloufc Batteries from
the town and flupping, and on our advanced redoubt, which wa&
finiflied, they fired from the town. Colonel Bjj'IiJe remained
tued in his opinion of aJv.uici.ig by Greea I^_J, We had this
> day
The ftiSTORY of the War.
1758. y*tf Mi STORY o//ib^ War. iO.^
that of France, and confequcntly how much it influenced
our moft cfl'ential interefts and thofe of our allies.
The plan of our operations in America were, however,
H 4 by
day in the park of artillery thirteen 24 pounders, and (even iz '
pounders.
The 25th the cannonading continued night and day : Tn the
evening the Ijland Battery was filenced ; therr own fire had helped
to break down part of their works: Fafcines and gabions vwre'
forwarded to Gretn Hilt tui fiiftas pOffiWe.' AH- the men employed
at work, and making the oecefTa^loinnnmicathms. The enemy
fired a good deal at our adv4nCe(r're(feiibt.
The 26th a finall alarrar on thrf leftof a pirty that had advanc-
ed from the town; hid got up to the Jjfw^ ^<;///J, which was
not quite iinidied. They had with them a barrel of pitch to fet
it on fire : 'the guard on it was noefufflcient to oppofe a large
party ; but a detachment was fent out {6 quick, that they were
forced to retreat without effeifting their deri»n, though two of
the men had been in the Block Houfe, and they were drove back
iato the town very faft. Three hundred pioneers ordered to
Green Hill. Admiral Bo/canven landed 200 marines, and took
the poll at KettningtoH Ctmr, which is a great eafe to the army.
I defircd of the Admiral four 32 pounders and two 24 pounders
to leave at the Light Houfe^ to keep the Ijland Battery in ruin,
that with a proper number of rtrcn intrenched there. Brigadier
Wolfe, with hifl detachment, mi^ht be able to come round the
harbour, bringing his artillery with him ; and to try to dellroy
the fhipping, and to advance towards the Weft Gate.
The 27th one brafs 24 pounder was loff in 12 fathom water,
by flipping off the f^/a»iar««*,. as they were coming from the
Ihip to land it. The cannon I afked of the Admiral were landed
this night at the Li^^ht Houfe.
The 28th a great many popping (hots and cannonading. As
the pod: at Green Hill was covered, we began the road over the
bog, and thtowing up an epaulemen't. Qo\<iX\t\MeJfer'vey^xA\i\i
fon both died this day; and of his company of carpenters of
108 men, all but 16 in the fmall-pox, who are nurfes to the
fick. This IS particularly unlucky at this time.
The 29th cannonading continued ; the frigate fired conftjntly
at the epaulement; we porfued working at the road which coft a
great deal of labour: At night the enemy funk 4 (hips in the
harbour's mouth ; Al>ollo, a two deck'd one, la Fidelle of 36
guns, la Che'vre, and la Biche, of 16 guns each, and they cut
cif
* 'A kind of raft much ufcd at f^-a.
|1
t04 The History of the War, J758.
by no means confined fold y to this objca. important as it
was Two other attempts were propofcd : the firft at!
tempt WW wuh a great force to drive the French from Ti-
condcroga
The 30th, at night, fome firing at A:^«/,;W/,« Cao;^,. The ma-
nnes thought they faw Indians : The frigate fired all nigh at^he
epaulement. as the men worked ia the night time. ^
' fon, Am °f / "i ^' *''J' *'^^'"y *=''"P'='^ °'^^ '" tlie morning to get
fome old pahfade, and wood. Brie, IFolfe and Major Scat', li|h
infantry pulhed them in with a vcty brii fire ; and the BriUler
took poll on the hills, from whence it was 'intended tolryi
dpmohil, theihippmg j we inarched forward on the right : forced
the enemy back to Cap, Ncir with a fmart fire. ^
-vf r.L K j'^V^^'r^^?*"' *"^ '■''•■^^ ^^<=n' on heavily, from the
extreme baduefs of the ground; The enemy confinued their
cannonading and threw fome fliells : We flcirmilhed all day with
parties out of the town. - ^ ^
*\Jt\?^' '^ 2 n''? """0»a^^'ng from the town and Jhipninir on
tke batteries. Crig. m/f. was making an advanced wo^k on the
Ji??;on r"A>' '"' ^^°y^'^' ^^°"» '^' '^^'''^ ^^y^ ^vith an in!
tcntioR of ereaing a battery to dcftroy the defences of the place
wou[fh-^/i-r^'°"-''^^^°'" ^^'^P'*"' *°*«'ds the work":
would hinder d.fcovenng as much of the works, as would be ne-
ceffary to do them any confiderable damage. In the evening the
f. oihccrs thought fome of the (hips would try to get out of the
Larbour. The batteries on the left immediately played on°hem
but u grew fo dark they could not continue. ^ ^ ^ '
The 4th » great fog; when there were glares of light. th«
cannonading began ; 500 men kept conrinualty making faYcincs
The cth very bad weather; the epaulement was haftened on
•? much as poflible, itfwallowed up an immenffnumbTr of frf-
wafing. "'"' *' '^' ^"^"' cannonaded on it without
♦« T^''^^^ f '^r^P ^"'^^"^ °"' °^ *J»« J'^fbour with a flag of truce
«„?/ ^^7 difficulties of landing every thing in almoft a conti.
nual furf the making of roads, draining and paffing of boJ
jnd putting ourfelves undercover, renlcr our Tpprofch to t^J
place much longer than I could wilh. ^
Pn the 7th we had very foggy weather; cannonading conti-
nued
1758. 7he History of the War. 105
conderoga and Crown Point j in which, if we could fuc-
ceed, the enemy would lofe thofe pofts from which they
were in the belt condition to molell our colonies, and by
loiing
nued all day, and a good deal of popping (hots from the advanced
path.
The 8th 1 intended an attack on fome advanced pofts at Cape
Noir, but it did not take place. Col. Baftidt got a contufion by
a musket ball on his boot, which laid him up in the j*out.
The Qth, in the night, the enemy made a Sortie where Briga-
dier Lawrence commanded : they came from Cape Noiff and
though drunk, I am afraid rather furprifed a company of grcna-
djiirs of Fori's's, commanded by Lord Dundonald, who were
poltcd in a Flcuke on the right. Major Murray, who command-
ed thiee companies of grenadiers immediately detached one, and
drove the enemy back very eafily. JVhitmore'& and Bragg's gre-
nadiers behaved very well on this occafion. Lord Dundonald w^a
killed, Lieut. Tew wounucd and taken prifoncr, Capt. Bonteia.
of the engineers taken prifoncr: i corporal, 3 men killed ; i
ferjeant.ii men mifling ; 17 men wounded : The Sortie was
of live picquets, fupported by 600 men; a Captain, Chevalier
de Chawvelln was killed, a Lieutenant wounded and taken pri-
foncr : 17 men killed, 4 wounded and brought off prifoners,
bcfides what wounded they carried into the town, one of which,
a Captain, died immediately. The enemy fent out a flag of
truce to bury their dead, which when over, the cannonading
brgan again. _ The frigate was fo huit, fhe hauled clofc to the
town J tlic (hips fired very much againft Brig. Wolfe's batteries.
The loth, the road at the epaulement went on a little better;
the enemy fired a great deal, and threw many {hells.
The nth, a waggoner was taken off by fome Indians between
the block-houfe and the left of the N. E. harbour.
The 12th it rained very hard all night ; not a man in the de-
tachment could have a dry thread on ; we made an advanced
work to Green Hill; at night the waggoner who had been taken,
lockily made his efcape, faid, they were z^o Canadians. The
Citadel Bajiion fired very fmartly.
The 13th, the enemy threw a great many Ihells ; we perfedt-
ed our works as fall as we could ; bad rainy weather ; the ene-
my was at work at Cape Noir to hinder us taking pofleflion near
that point, which is of no confequence; fome deferters came in,
faid a floop q{ Miray got in three days ago.
The 14th, the batteries were traced out laft night, with an
intention to place twenty 24 pounders, divided in fcur different
batteries,
m6! Tbd History of the War. ly^s,
iofiog them, would lay open an cafy road into the very
heart of their fettlcmcnts in Canada. The fecond attempt
was to be made with a confiderable, though an interior
force.
hattenes, to deftroy the defences, and a battery of 7 mortars,
with fome 12 pouiiders to ricochet* the works and the town.
The ijrh, the cannonading and firing continued ; the enemy
tn«d; to. throw fome ihells into camp, fuppofed to be intended
againft our powder magazine : Ai ten at night the Lifrht Hovfe
bflttery fired fome rockets as a fignal of fhips failing out of the
harbour f ; Sir Charier HarJy anfwered it ; the frigate got out,-
and S:r CtiarUs Hardf^ fleet got under fail and went to fea. Be-
fore day break, Capt. Sutherland, ported at the end of the N.E.
harbour, was attacked, and there was a creat deal of firing •
the grenadiers of Brig, mifeh corps marched tofuftain him, and
all the light infantry ; it was over before they could get up, and
by a dcferter from the enemy, they were only 100 men come
trom M/r«y, where they lefr Monf de Bojhiert, who had, on the
other fide the water, 300 men with boats to pafs. Major Scott
with the light infantry, pu:fued, but could not get up with
them. I encamped a corps forward.
The 16th, towards night. Brig. Wolfe ^^^^z^ on a corps and
took poffeffion of the hilis in the front of the Barofoy, where we
made a lodgment; the enemy fired very brifkly Irom the town
and (hippjrg.
The 1 7tb, a great fire continued from the town and fliipping ;
we refolved to extend the parallel from the right to the left. The
fleet returned.
The 18th, all laft night the enemy fired musketry from the
covert way, and tried to throw fhells into the camp.
The 19th, I relieved the trenches by battalions, the 14 batta-
lions forming 3 brigades ; a fmart fire' from the covert way, the
batteries on the left fired againft the baftion Dauthint with ereat
fucccfs. /■ 6
The 21ft, one of the (hips in the harbour, that had fome pow-
der blown up m her, made a grejt explofion, and ftt the (hip on
hre, which foon caught the fails of two more ; they burned very
felt, and we kept firing on them the whole time, to try to hinder
the boats and people from the town to get to their afliilance ; the
,.,,.., . , EtitreprennantX,
Is half charging a gun, by which the bullet skips upon the
ground like Itcnes when skimm'd upon the water.
r\ '^i'' ^^T. P''°''»^'y' 'l^e Ihip which brouoht news to Frame
of the hngiijh landing, and efcaped notwith Handing the vigilance
of fo great a fleet. tOf74gunl ^,
^758. 1'h$ History of the War. 107
force, from Penfylvania awainft Fort du Quefnc : the fuc-
<:efs of this attempt woyTd *ftaWiih us in the pofleffion of
the Ohioj (.!>>< the maf of America at tbt latter end) and
break
JSntreprcttnant, Capria'<u;i*, and Syfterb *, were the three burned
ihip2 ; the Prudent and; Bienfaifant remained.
The 2zd, two l?ai!ieric& on the right opened with thirteen 24
pounders, and another of 7 morHiars, and fired with great fucaefa i.
the enemy fircJ very well from the town for fome time, and threw
their ihelh into our work?. Our fliells put the citadet in flaraefl.
I ordered: Ccl. Williamfan to confine his fire as much as he could
to the defences of the place, that we might not deftroy the hou-
fes. A Lt. of the Royal Amcricansy. going his rounds oa an an-
vanced poll, loft his way, and wss taken prifonernear C^/f AWr.
A battery was begun on the left for four 24 pounders.
23dt the. cohoxn^ were ufed at night» an4 t\ie French mortari
fent to throw ftones from the trenches. The enemy fired all
fcns of old iron, and any ft niF they could pick iip. Col. Bajliele
was out to day for the firft time fince he neceived the contufion.
Our batteries fired with great fuccefs. This night the fiiells fet
fire to the barracks, ana they burnt with great violeace.
On tjhe 24,th,.tbe fire w<iis very brisk on o'lr fide, and the ene-
my's decrcafed. The Admir.il gave me 400 feamen to help to'
work at the batteries, &c. and 200 miners added to a corps of
too already eftablilhcd, that we might make quick work of ie,
p;nd they were immediately employed. The 4 gun battery,
opened, and another of 5 erefting. One of the men of war ia
the harbour, the Bhnfaifant^ fired at our trenches at high-water,
and the Citadetan^i Rafiion liiaupbine fired againft the 4 gun bat-
tery 1 but our men fi:ring fmall aj-ms into the embrazures, beat
tiie enemy off their gans.
The 25th, the batteries fired with great fuccefs. The Admiral
fent me word, he intended to fend: in boats with 600 men, to take
or dellr">y the Prudent and the Blenfnifant in the harbour. I or-
dered all- the batteries at night to fire into the workb as much as
pofiible, to keep the enemy's attention to the land. Tlie miners
and workmen went on very well with their approaches to theco-
mcred way, thoup^h they had a continued and very fmart fire from
it, and grape (hot, and all forts of old iron from the guns of the
ramparts. We continued our fire without ceafing, and & Ricochet:
The boats got to the fhips at one in the morni.Tg, and took them
both : they were obliy ed to burn the Prudent as (he was aground j
and they towed off the Bienfaifant to the N. E. harbou.-.
The
* Of 64 guns each
/
»08 Tbe History of the War. ,7^
iacn. Abercrombie, commander in chief of our forces In
America, conduaed tlie firft of thofe expeditions. He em"
barked
led lending 6 fliips into the harbour the next day. luft at this
lnAlT7f ' '''''' ^^^^ '^' fi^^^"'^^' offering to capitulife
and the articles were agreed upon. * ,»f«uj«ic,
• /^.S^'frStTh-^'^'tf "-^^^P^ Breto„,VUuilbourg'
tie tjlandof St. John, and their appurtenances.
I. The garrifon of Louijbturg (hall be prifoners of war and
ftali be earned to England ifthe Ihips'of his/rLl^'Mc-
nri!\f '^ the artillery ammunition, provifions, as well as the
arms of any kind whatfoever, which are at prefent in the town of
boa H r.th^ c ^°^'" f"'^ "' appurtenances, ftaJl eo on
them P ''^'■'.'' '^' ^^""^"^ ^^" ^'="d ^o --^ceive
trni^; nTl^^^l'^^ ""'1 ^'"■'' ^''"/^'■"^ fl'all be given up to the
troops of h,s Br:tannjc^ Majefty, to-morrow at eight o'cloek ia
the morning, and ,h. garrifon, including all thofe th^t carried
arms, drawn up at noon. On the £/p/anade, where they ihJ ut
AndttVT' r\r'' in'Plements. and ornament^ of waT
11 J? °"^'" go onboard, in order to be carried to
ii»?/tf»d^ in a convenient time, v.*riieu lo
V. The fame care ihall be taken of the firt a^^ j .
<,r!!!!'Ju\'""/^'°" ""'' ">"' ''"'"• 'l»' have not carried
Z«////2o«r^^, 26th July, 17^8.
(Signed) Le Chevalier de DRUCOUR.
4
\
175^' 5"^^ History of the War. 109
barked upon Lake George with near 16, coo troops, regu-
lars and provincials, and a numerous artillery on the 5th of
July i and after a profperous navigation, arrived the next
day
ji De/cription of the Toiun and Harbour of Louifl)Ourg, fwitb
References pointing out the approaches cf his Majejifs Forces.
A. The Town of LouiyZ>ourgl>.
B. The citadel
C. A. lake, where the fiihing-
barks winter.
D. Stages for drying fifli.
E. A. battery of 20 guns, ereft-
ed fince 1748.
F. The Dauphin battery of 30
guns, which defends the
Weft - Gate, bein^ that
which was iirft delivered
to the Englijb.
G. The liland-battery of 40
guns, filenced the 24th of
Junet by the Light-houfe
battery at I, under the di-
reftioa of Major-General
Wolfe.
H. A fmall battery of 8 guns.
I. The Light-houfe battery ta-
ken by Major Gen. Wolfe^
June 12th, from whence'
the (hips in the harbour
were deftroyed, at X.
K. A battery of 1 5 guns, ufed
for the deftrudlion of the
fhipping.
"L. The grand battery of 40
guns deftroyed by the
French the 12th, when all
the out parties were or-
dered into the works of
the town.
M. A battery of 15 guns, de-
ftroyed the fame time.
N. Houfes inhabited by filh.
ermen.
O. A lake.
P. Rivers, from whence the in-
habitants have their frefh
water.
Qi A pond, which defends part
of the works, and makes,
this part very difficult of
accefs.
R. The grand beach.
S. Rocks under water.
T. The Careening place de-
fended from all winds. ■
V.The green hill, from whence
the town was annoyed by
a redoubt caft up the 21ft
of June^ under the direc-
tion of Col. Baftide.
W. The place where the enemy
funk 4 (hips on the 29th,
njiz, the Apollo, a two-
deck'd (hip, la Fidelle of
36 guns, le Chevre and
la Biche, of 16 guns each.
X. The ftation of the French
men of war that were de-
ftroyed from the Light-
houfe and other batteries,
eredlcd for that fervice.
y. The place where the Pru-
dent was fet on fire, by the
boats from the fleet, June
25th.
Z. The north eaft harboar, to
which place thcBtenfaifant
fliip of war was towed by
the boats of the fleet from
Y.
A a. Capt.
fit) The MisTORV (f tht War. ijs^.
4ay at \iht place wh^rc k had been propofcd to rtakc the
landing. 'I'hey landed wfthout ojvpofitiort. Th* enemies
advanced guoixls fled at thek appewancc. The EiiglKh ar-
my
"fc a*
Ai,Capt.5«/A#r/<z;»</'3poft that
wai' attacktd before Z)tf)r,
on the 15 th oijuh, who
made a gallant defvnee,
and cloared himfelf of thte
cnemy^ without any aflif-
tance, the reinft>roement
coming too )at6.
Bb. Where the block-hoitfe was
eredled, the tad of June^
near Miray • road, to fe-
cure the comnunicbtidh
to die North Eaft bart>oilr
and Light-boa(%. J i .'.'
C c Cape Nviir Bitfihn^ where
the entniy made a Tally hi
their pnc^eti the $th of
Jufyt fapported by 600
chofen m«o 1 by them Ld.
DunJ^ttaU waa oMfortu-
nately fttrprifed. He w6s
poftcd on the right of the
Grtn-hiU, with a com-
mand of Ftries's grena-
diers. On this occafion
*'''^^'« »nd VF'hilemore'*
grenadiers behaved with
Uncommon intrepidity,
(they were detached by
H-^oT Murray) and repul-
fed the Frtnch,vi/\\o in this
expedition loft feme able
Officers with many fot-
diets. It ^^i after this
affair the enehiy fent a flag
of truce tobtiry the dead.
Mifay, « Me fame vxiay fn
lani firim Lottilbonrg harbour,
ijfng btt'wktH t-hi totvti and the
North ikifi htirtcktr: here Monf.
de Boiftiere haA tn the other Jidt
of that lake 302 men, with hoais
^pMfievir.
^'^f^y ° ^''"*' f^*^ Admiral BofcawW). /« tht Rijrh Hon,
Mr. Secretary fin, dated li&m^t, Gabrttife Bay, imof lulv
1758. J i J*
I Will not trouble you with a pitfticftWi- d*^a?t of t^e iandiim
and ficge, but cannot help merftloning a particular gallani
aSion in the night between the 25 th and 26th inftant: Thti boats
of the fquadron were in two divifions, detached under the cam.
mand of Capt. Lafbrey and Balfour, to endeavour either to take
or bnrn the Prudent of 74 guns, and BitHfaifam of 64, the only
remaining French ftjps in the hirbour ; in which they fucteeded
fo well, as to burn the former, fhe being a-grbund, and take the
latter, and iow her into the N. E. harbour, notwhhftandinp they
were expofed to the lire of the cannon and mufquetry of the
JJland battery, point Rochefort, and the Toivn, being favoured
with a dark night. Our lofs was inconiiderable, 7 men killed
and 9 wounded, , ' . •
I havQ
t coni-
vore*t
I hav9
A PLAN of 1
ISLATVi
A PLAN of ihe Harbour and Toav^n c
lSLAiN;rD of Cape BREToisr Dn
.•«cr:;t,„
Etnd To^v^N of
LE T OlSr Dra^
OUISBOURG mihe
on the Spot.^
/. :>'S.
^o loo su}o ^oo -^co 5'*'|
or TatAcnu each iih>ut {>'.F^e^.
irL':;^'::y..
1
1
;.
^
.■S
\
Mm '
WB^uii
I
ml
I
^^HHpf
m
sys^' ^^^ History of the War. in
my proceeded in four columns to Ticonderoga. As the
country through which their march lav was difficult and
woody, and the guides which conduced the march to this
unknown country, were extremely unflcilful, the troops
were bewildered, the columns broke and fell in upon one
another. Whilft they marched on in this alarming difor-
der, the advanced guard of the French, who had lately fled
before them, was bewildered in the fame manner ; and in
the fame diforder fell in with our forces. A fkirmifh enfu-
ed, in which this party was quickly defeated with the lofs
of near 300 killed, and 148 prifoners. The lofs on the
Engliih fide was inconfiderable in numbers ; but great in
confequence. Lord Howe was killed. This gallant man,
from the moment he landed in America, had wifely con-
formed and made his regiment conform to the kind offer-
vice which the country required. He did not fulFer any
under him to encumber th^mfelves with fuperfluous bag-
gage ; he himfelf fet the example, and fared like a common
foldier. The firft to encounter danger, to endure hunger,
to fupport fatigue ; rigid in his difcipiine, but eafy in his
manners, his officers and foldiers readily obeyed the com*
mander, becaufe they loved the man ; and now at the
moment when fuch abilities, and fuch an example were
the moil wanted, was fatally loft, a life which was long
enough for his honour but not for his country. It adds in-
deed to the glory of fuch a death, and to the confolation
of his country, that we ftill poflefs the heir of his titles,
his fortunes and his virtues, whilft we tremble to fee the
fame virtues expofmg themfelves to the fame dangers.*
Excepting
I have given the command of the Bienfalfant to Capt. Balfour^
■ and the Eihot a frigate, to Capt. Laforey ; Mr. J^eck and Mr.
Bickertouy Lieuts. who boarded the Bienfai/ant , fucceeded thofe
gentlemen in the j^tna firefhip and Huntrr floop.
I have only farther to a/Ture his Majefty, that all his troops
and officers, both fea and land, have fupported the fatiTue of
this fiege, with great firmnefsand alacrity,
• Soon after the news of Lord Honvi's death arrived, the fol-
Jowing advertifement appeared in the public papers ; an applica-
tion wof thy of a Roman matron, iu the virtuous times of the re-
public.
i I
* j
112 The History cf the Wau. i7B^*
Excepting this lo(s, the army had hitherto prnrccdcd
fucccfsfully. In a litild time they appennd hcf'orc Ticon*-
dcroga. I'his i;; a j^'cry important pofl, and as
July 8, ftronjfly fccurcd. The fort is rmiaird on a tongue
of land between Lake (Jcorgc and a narrow gut,
' which communicates with the I^ake Champlain. On three
fides it is furrounded with water ; and for a good part of
the fourth it has a dangerous moral's in front ; where that
failed, the French had made a very firong line upwards of
eight feet high, defended by cannon, and fecured by 4 or
5000 men. A great fall of trees with their branches out-
•ward, was fpread before the entrenchment for about an
hundred yards.
The (jcncral caufed the "-round to be reconnoitred ; and
the engineer made fo favourable a report of the weaknefs of
the entrenchment, that it appeared practicable to force it
by mufquetry alone. A fatal refolution was taken, in con-
fequcnce of this report, not to wait the arrival of the artil-
lery, which on account of the badnefs of the ground, could
not be eafily brought up, but to attack the enemy without
lofs of time. They were confirmed in this precipitate re-
folution, by a rumour that a body of 3000 men were on
their march to join the French at Ticonderoga, and very
ihortly expected to arrive.
When the attack began, the difficulty of the ground, and
the
public, and which could not fail of fucccfs, where the leaft fpark
of virtue exifted.
* To tbe Gentlemen, Clergy, Freeholderi, and But^ejfcst ef the
* Toiutt and County of the "i oiun of Nottingham,
* As Lord Hoivt is now abfent upon the puhlic'fervice, and
* Lieut. Col. Howe is with his regiment at Loui/hourg, it x^A^ up-
* on me to beg the favour of your votes and interell, that Lieut.
* Col. Ho'we may fupply the place of his late brother, as your
* reprcfentative in parliament.
* Permit me thertforc to implore the proteflion of every one
* of you, as the mother of him, whofc life has been loft in th«
* fervice of his country.
4lhemarU Street, Sept,
14, 1758.
CHARLOTTE KOWE.
1758. TbB History ef fheWAk: iii
the ftrcngth of the enemies lines which had been fo little
forefecn, was but too feverely felt. Although the troops
behaved with the utmoft fpirit and gallantry, thcy fufFcred
fo terribly in their approaches, and made fo little impreflion
on the entrenchment, that the General feeing their reitera-
ted and obftinate efforts fail of fuccefs, being upwards o^
four hours cxpofcd to a moft terrible fire, thought it necef-
fary to order a retreat, to fave the remains of the army.
Near 2000 of our m(Jn were killed, wounded and taken pri-
foners; the number of the taken being very inconfiderable.
This precipitate attack, was followcdby a retreat as preci-
pitate} infomuch that our army gained their for-
mer camp to the foufhward of Lake George, the July. g.
evening after the z&Aiin. (b)
To
(h) General AbcrcrombieV jiceount of bis Exptdition againjt
Ticondertga.
Camp at Lah Gtorget July 12, 1758.
TH E embarkation of the artillery, Itores and provifions being
compleated on the evening of the 4th inftant ; next morn-
ing at break of day the tents, were ftruck, and all the troopj,
amounting to 6367 regulars, officers, light infantry, and rangers
included, and 9024 provincials, including- officers and batteau
men, embarked in about 900 batteaax, and 135 whale boats, the
artillery to .cover our landing, being mounted on rafts.
At five in the evening, reached Sabbath Day Points (25 miles
down the Lake) where *ve halted till ten, then got under way
again, and proceeded to the landing place (a c^ve leading to the
French advanced guard) which we reached early next morning
the 6th. ' »
Upon our arrival, fent out a reconnoitring party j and having
met with no oppofuion, landed the troops, formed them in four
columns, regulars in the centre, and provincials on the flanks,
and marched toward the enemy's advanced guard, compofed of
one battalion, polled on a logged camp, which, upon our ap-
proach they deferred, firft fetting fire to their tents, and deftroy-
ing every thing they could; but as their retreat was very precipi-
tate, they left feveral things behind, which they had not time
either to burn or carry off. In this camp we likewife found one
prifoner and a dead man.
Tbe army in the foregoing order continued their march through
Q. ie
I i
1,22 The History of the War. ^75^-
To repair the misfortune of this Lloody defeat, General
Abercrolnbie detached Col. Ilradftreet with ubout 3000
provincials againft Fort Frontenac. The Colonel with
great
y
the wood on the weft-fide, with a defign to invert Tuondtro^a,
but the wood being very thicic, impaflable with any regularity to
fuch a body oi men, and tl c guiues itrficiiful, ti\e troop5 wcrt be-
wildered, and thd culumns broke, falling in one upon a-
Lord Ho'we, at the he* d of tho rigiit centre calunn, (^,j. >
by the light infantry, being advanced, fell in with a French ^ . . ■,
(iippoied to confill of about 400 regulars, and a few Indiatu, ss \\o
had likewife loft themfelves in the retieat from the a vanced
guard; of thefe our flankeri killed a great many, and took 148
J)rifoner5, among whom were five ofiicers and three cadets.
But this fmall fucceii colt us very dear, not as to the lofs, of
numbers, for we had only two ofiicers killed, but as to confe-
^dence, his lordlhip being the firi^ man that fell in this fkirmifii;
and as he was, very delervedly, univerfally beloved and refp.'dled
throi|ighout the whole army, it is eafy to conceive the grief and
confternation his untimely fall oeealior.ed; for my part, 1 cannot
help owning that I felt it moll heavily, and lament him as fin-
Cerely.
The 7th, the troops being greatly fatigued, by having been
©tie whole night on the water, the following day conllantly on
foot, and the next day under arms, added to their being in want
of prpvifion, having dropped what they had brought with them,
hi order to lighten themfelves, it was thought adviltable to return
to the landing place, which we accordingly did about eight that
morning.
About eleven in the forenoon, fent off Lieut. Col. Bradjiveett
with the 4^th regiment, fix companies of the firll battalion of the
toyal Americans, the batteau men, and a body of rangers and pro-
vincials, to take pofiieffion of the Saiv-rnill, within two miles of
ff(DKdero£(»*, which he foon efFedled: as the enemy who v.'ere
polled
n<
• A fort built about two years ago on the narrow paflage or
communication between Lake George ai.d Champlain. It has all
the advantages that nature or an can give it, being defended on
three fides by water, which is fuirounded by rocks, and on the
iiAli of the fourth fide by a fwamp, and where that fails, there
the French had ereiSed an entrenchment and breaft word about ^
feet high. It is in the way to Crowan Point, atid mull be taken by
owr forces before they can march thither, (Set the Plate.)
^15^' 7*^^ History ,j//^^ War; 123
great prudence and vigour, furmounted great diiBcuIties,
brought his army to Ofwego, where he embarked on the
l-ake Ontario, and arrived at Frontenac the 25th of Au-
guft.
pofted there, after deflroying the mill and breaking down their
bndge, had retired feme time before,
Lieut. Col. Bradjlreet having laid another bridge a crofs, and
having fent mc nonce of his being in po/Teffion of that ground. I
accordingly marched thither with the troops, and we took up our
quarters there that night. ^
1 he prifoners we had taken being unanimous in their rep6«S,
that thQ French nid eight battalions, fome Canadians and colohy
troops, in all about 6000, encamped before their Ibrr, whb wets
intrenching themfelves, and throwing up a breall-work,' and that
they expeded a reinforcement of 3 000 Ca««^/«»/, befides Indi-
ans, who had been detached under the command of Mon.'". de
Lfvy, to make a diverfion on the fide of the Moha^wk river ; but
upon intelligence of our preparations and near approach, had been
repeatedly recalled, and was hourly expeftedi it was thought
moft adv.feable to lofe no time in making the attack; wherefore
early m the morning of the 8th, I fent Mr. Clerk, the engineer,
acrofs the river on the oppofite fide of the fort, in order to recon-
noitre the enemy's intrenchments.
Upon his return, and favourable report of the prafticability cf
carrying thofe works, if attacked before they were finiflied, it was
agreed to ftorm them that very day: Accordingly the rangers,
light infantry, and the right wing of Provincials, were ordl-red
immediately to march and port themfelves in a line, out of can-
non fhot of the intrenchments; the right extending .to Lake
George, and the left to Lake Champlnir,, in order that the reguUr
troops, dellmed for the attack of the intrenchments, might form
on their rear. ^ ■
The Piquets were' to begin the attack, fuftained by the rrena-
diers, and by the bat'alions: the whole were ordere^l to march
up bri&ly. runi upon the enemy's nie, and not give theirs, until
they were wuhiJTthe enemy's breall-work.
After thefe orders ifiued, the whole army, except what had
been left at the landing-place to cover and guard the batteaux and
whale boats, and a Pro-vincial r.gnnent at the 5«av-w7/, were
put m motion, and advanced to /.fW.,^^, where rhev unf-r-
tunarely found the intrenchments, not oniy much fuo.ger than
had been reprefentcd, and the breaft-work at leaft eiglr or nine
feet high ; but likewife the ground before it covered with /el cd
trees, the branches pointed outwards, which fo fatigued ana re-
0.2 tarded
ia4 ^be Hist OKY of the Wak. »758«
euft. This fort ftands at the communication of Lake On-
tario with the river St. Lawrence, the entrance into which
river it in fome manner commands. However, for a poft
of fuch moment, it was poorly fortified, and poorly garri-
foned. It was taken without the lofs of a man on
Aug. 27. our fide, in lefs than two days after it had been
attacked. The garrifon, confifting of 130 men,
were made prifoners; nine armed floops were taken and
burned: and a large quantity of provifions amaffed there
for the ufe of their garrifons to the fouthward, was deftroy--
<pd. Col. Bradftreet having performed this important fer-
vice, returned. Many were of opinion, that fo fine a poft
ought to be kept and ftrongly garrifoned ; others thought
that it would be impoflible to prcferve a place at fuch a
<]iibnce from our own eftablifhments. (c)
It
tarded the advancing of the troops, that notwithftanding all their
intrepidity and bravery, which I cannot too much commend, w|5
fuftalned fo confiderable a lofs, without any profpeft of better
fuccefs, that it was no longer prudent to remain before it ; and it
was therefore judged neceHary. for the prefer vaiion of the re-
mainder of fo many brave men, to prevent a total defeat, that we
Ihould make the bcft retreat poffible : Accordingly, after feyeral
repeated attacks, which lafted upwards of four hours, under the
moll difadvantageous circumftances, apd with the lofs of 464 re-
gulars killed, 29 miffing, 1 1 17 wounded; and 87 Provindals kil-
led, 8 miffing, and 239 wounded, officers of both included, I
retired to the camp we occupied the night before, with the bro-
ken remains of feveral corps, fending away all the wounded to
the batteaux, about three miles diftance; and early the next
morning we arrived there ourfelves, embarked, and reached this
place the evening of the 9th. Immediately after my return here,
I fent the wounded officers and men that could be moved, to fort
Edtjijarti and Albany.
(c) Colenel Bradftreet'/ Letttr to General Amherft, on the Redu3i-
en of Fort Frontenac.
OfiuegOf Aug. 31, 1758..
I Landed with the troops within a mile of fort Frontenac with-
out oppofition, the 25th. The garrifon furrendered prifonet*
of war the 27th, between 7 and 8 ia the moriing— — — It was
a fquare
1758. The History of the Wak'. I«5
It is very poflible, that the .iccefs of Co!. Bradftreet
greatly facilitated that of the expedition under Gen. Forbes.
The General had had a very tedious and trouLlefome march,
through a country almoft impaflable, very little known,
and continually harafi'ed on his route by the enemies Indi-
ans. An advanced guard of this army, confiiting of about
800 men under Major Grant, had moft unaccountably ad-
vanced to Fort du Quefne, with a delign as it Ihould feemi
of reducing the place by a coup de main-y but the garrifon
fuddenly Tallying out and attacking them warmly on all fides,
killed and made prifoners many of this party, and difperfed
the reft. This was, however, their laft fuccefs ; for the
body of the army being conduced with greater (kill and cir-
cumfpe£tion, baffled all their attempts j fo that the French
being convinced by fcveral (kirmilhes that all their effort*
to furprize the troops, or interrupt their communication were
to no purpofc, ^nd being confcious that their fort was not
tenable againft a regular attack, they wifely aban-
doned the place after deftroying their works ; and Nov. 24.
fell down the Ohio, to the number of 4 or 500
men, towards their more fouthern fettlements. Gen. For-
bes once more ereded the Englifh flag on Fort ,
du Quefne. Without any renftance we became -5 *
maftera
a fquare fort of 100 yards the exterior fide, and had in it 1 19
men, fome women, children, and Indians^ 60 pieces of cannon,
{half of which were mounted) fixteen froalt mortars, with an im-
menfe quantity of provifions and goods, to be fent to the troops
gone to oppofe Brig. Gen. Forbes, their weftern garrifons, IndiaHt,
and to fupport the army under the command of M. Ltvy, on hit
intended enterprize againft the Mobatuk river, valued hy the
fnch at 800,000 livres. We have likewifc taken 9 vet
fe. from 8 to 18 gans, which are all they have upon the lake,
two of which I have brought here; one richly laden; and the reft
and the provifions I have burnt and deftroyed, together with the
fort, artillery, (lores, i^t. agreeable to your excellency's in(lra£ti-
ons, Ihould ( fucceed. The garrifon made no fcruple of faying,
that their troops to the fouthward and weftern garrifons will fuf-
fer greatly, if not entirely flarve, for want of the provifions and
veiTels we have deftroyed, as they have not any left to bring
them home from Niagara. The terms on which the
garrifon furrendered were prifoners of WW, until exchanged for
(^ual numbers and rank,
ti6 TbeMi&roKY of thV^AK, 1759.
mafters in the third year after the commencement of
hoftilitiefi, of that fortrefs, the contention for which had
kindled up the flames of fo general and deftruftive a war.
This place wiih its mafters has changed its name, and 1*8
called Pitt(burg, with a propriety which does not need to
be pointed out. (d)
Notwirhftanding the unhappy affair at TiconJeroga, the
campaign of 1758 in America was very advantageous, and
very honourable to the Englifh intereft. Louiflx)urg, St.
John's, Frontenac, and du Quefne reduced, remove from
our
C^iJ Brigadier Central Forbes V Letter on hit taking of Fori du
Quefne.
* • T Have the pleafure of acqaainti'ng you with the fingal
J. fuccefs of his majefty'a arms over all his enemies on the
Ohio, by having cbliged them to burn, and abandon their Fort du
^e/nc, which they efFefted upon the 24th inft. and of wkich
I took pofllffiop with i^y light troops the fame evening, and with
my little army ihe next day. The enemy made their ef~
cape down the river, part in boats, and part by land, to their forts
and fettlements upon the Mijjtfippi, having been abandoned, or,
at leafV, not(t:con'ied, by their friends the Indians, whom we had
previoufly engaged to a£l a neutral part, after thoroughly convinc-
ing them, in feveral fkirmifties, that all their attempts upon our
advanced pofts, in order to cut of our communication, were vain,
and to no purpofe; fo they now feem all willing, and well difpo-
ied to enibiace his majerty's moft gracious protcdlion.
Give me leave, theiefore, to congratulate you upon this impor-
tant event, of having expelled the French from Fort du ^c/ne^
and this prodigious tradlof fine rich country ; and of having, in
a manner, reconciled the various tribes, and nations of Indians^
inhabiting it, to his majefty's government.
So far I had wrote you the 26th, but being feized with an infla-
jnation in my flomach, end liver, the fharpefl and moft fevere of
all diffempers, I could proceed no farther; and, as I have athou-
f«nd things to fay, have ordered Major Halkett down the country,
Jn order to explain the motives upon which I proceeded, and the
various, and alraoft infurmonntable difficulties I had to grapple
with.
I fball leave this as feon as I am able to {land ; bat God
knows when, or if ever I reach Philadelphia.
I expeft the heads of all the Indians in here to morrow, whan
I hope very foon to finifh with them.
,1
1758. Tie Unr OKY of the Wak. n#
our colonies all terror cf the Indian incurfions, draw from
the French thofc ufeful allies, free our frontiers from tl^
yoke of their cnem.es forti, make their fupplies difficult,
their communications precarious, and all their o'efcnfivc oj
oftenfive operations uneffedtive; whilft their country unco-
vered of its principal bulwarks, Jies open to the heart, and
Ms the muft pleafmg profpedts of fuccefs to the vigorous
mcafures which wc may be afllired will be taken in the next
campaign. Gen. Amherft is now commander
.f !L'^''-^^a^' "^"'"^^ great injuftice to the fpiritand conduA
of the mmiftry, not to obfervc, that they omitted to diftrcfs
the enemy in no part, and that their plan's of operation were
as extenl.ve as they were vigorous. i^iHonwcfO
Two (hips of the iine with fomc frigates, were
fent early ,n the fpring to the coaft of Africa, to Mar. o.
drive the French from their fettlements there. ^
tIrf^'"T '^' "T ^'"'g^^' ""^ '" ^P»^^ of the obftruc.
t.on of a dangerous bar, which the fhips of war
could not pafs, they obliged the French fort May i
which commands the river to furrender. And on ^*
^kh'ttJa ""i'r' ^°"°^'"g* Commodore Keppel,
Lk^tcfv7^""''^^''r^'''''^' ""'^^^ the command of
Lieut. Co . V/o-gc, made himlelf mafter of the irtand of
Goree and its forts j the garrifon furrendering at difcretion
to his majefty's fquadron (e). By thefe fuccelfes, we hlyc
taken
OJ Commdore Keppel'. Z:.,/.. to Mr. Secretary Pitt, on bis taking
the Ijland of Goree.
SIR,
the fort a»d ba,Mr.e. on ,h. ifland of G,r.,, which w°,e foonTe
De allowed to mart h the tnnth troops out of the rarrifon ,vl.h
feO. aS ° c''^'- h"" "™L' ^tl^l-'ly-ieftelStgra
ih. i<1. f ' '■?"'""■ b"' of" very Ihort duration when
tXi:^;or^- ""•■ '"'"■""'' « .ii'c,e.io„"'.o"1S
Luiit. Ul. r,rj, had hi, troop, embarfd iu the fiat-bottomed
boats.
iiS The HtSTOKY of the "WaH' ^75^'
taken from the enemy one of the moft valuable branches of
their
boats, in good order and readinefs, at a proper diftance, with the
tranfports, to attempt a defccnt, when it fliould be found pra£li«
cable or requifite.
Two days after the furrender of the ifland, I ordered it to be
delivered up, with the cannon, artillery, (lores, and provifions,
fsfc. to the officer and troops Lieutenant Colonel Ifor'gt thought
fit to garrifon the place with; and the colonel is taking all ima-
ginable pains to fettle and regulate the garrifon in the bell man-
ner, and as faft as things will admit of.
The indofcd. Sir, is the ftate of the ifland, with the artillery^
ammunition, ^nd provifions, found in the place at its fur-
render.
Fretteh, made prifoners of war, 300»
Blacks, in arms, a great number ; but I am not well enough
informed as yet to fay precifely.
Thelofs the enemy fuftaincd, as to men, is (o very differently
fiated to me by thofe that have been alked, that I mull defer fay-
ing the number till another opportunity.
Iron ordnance of different bores, 93; onebrafs is-pounder;
iron fwivels mounted on carriages, 1 1 ; brafs moftars mounted
on beds, two of 13 inches; ditto, one of lo inches; iron, one
of 10 inches. In the magazine, powder, 100 barrels. Provi-
ilona of all fpecies for 400 men for four months.
Explanation of the Plan of, the I/land of Goree.
A. The negroe village.
B. The company's gardens, tjff.
C. The flavery.
D. The negroes fountain.
E. The company's fountain.
F. The governor's fountain.
G. Thehofpital.
H. The chapel.
I. The officers houfe unfinifli-
ed.
K. Hutts for labourers.
L. The barracks for carpenters.
M. The apartment for bombar-
diers.
N. Officers, ftore-houfes, and
barracks for foldiers.
O. The pharmacy aad engi-
neer's laboratory.
P. The armourer's apartment
and forge.
Q_ The governor's apartment
and garden, i^c.
R. A ciftern. R. R. A ciftern
unfiniOied.
5. A powder magazine.
T. Shades for water caiks,
W. The landing beach, and en-
try into the parade.
V. The court of the fort of St.
Francis.
X. The ihambles.
Y. The burying place.
Z. Ditto for the negroes.
6, A rain water ciftern.
£xflanatioit'
175*' 7*' History i>//i< War; 129
»«■.", wMdmg 200 l„g.e. «» ,hc riv«. The princiil cl.
*^ moditie*
'758. y^c History «/'*< War; ,2«
-'Tie /• )
sxoditie»
fl8 ^he HtsTOKY of the WaH: ^75^*
taken from the enemy one of the moft valuable branches of
their
in
1 lie apartment lor bombar-
diers.
N. Officers, ftore-houfcs, and
barracks for foldiers.
O. Th« pharmacy and engi-
Francis.
X. The ihambles.
y. The burying place.
Z. Ditto for the negroes.
&. A rain water ciftern-
Explanatitn,
»758- ^itHtirog.Yt/ lie -War: ag
From
Explanation of tht Batteries.
* ■ IJ* S™"** battery 9 gums,
z. Thefalute battery )
(fmall) I 10 guns.
3- St. Philip's battery 5 guns.
4.. St. Peter's battery c »uns
5. Citadel of St. Mi- }, '
chael. eft barbet \ ° «""»•
6. North point baite- 1 9 guns.
. '.Xr . i ' ^Pl«-
^ JJ^'f ^ ^»«e'y 8«uns.
8. Weft point battery 5 guns.
9. A battery unfinifh'd 3 guns
10. Negroe batteries loguns!
5 Four half moon ^
batteries en bar- V 1 1 guns*
beton the hill. )
iz.TwoflankiBgbat-l
teries for the bay } + S«ns«
13- Three pafTage )
batteries } 7 gun»-
14. Three brafs one \ 4mortar3
iron mortars J 1 damag.
15. On St. Francis 7 12 guns,
fo'' t ifplk.
Total
iiopieces.
the\7ver;":,f bfUTch'^^^^^^^^ »« one of thore channel, of
into the AaLu oc'ean ' The r vXt 'a'ccf J*"^^ "' ."r^
maps, rifes in the eaft oTJr- ^I' according to the belt
mile*, nearly due weft L/ ' *"^. ^''^' * *^°°^^« of 30o
northerly of wh?chTsfhei-V"'° t'"" ^'""*^*'"' '^^ ^^^
G-«i'^! or GaJ.ira'^^^^^^ '^i «'^dle is the
«'ial empties irfelfin*o the ^°\.^''^'^"\ ^'o Grande. Si^
Theentranceon isJuardedl ? w'" '" ^^^ ^^^^^ »«•
Which h Fort L!l IS 1 L tfl^'i ^r;* V^^ P''"*^'?^ of
is a quadrangularfort w h ? k a^"*^ °'^ *''^ ^^™^ "»«"«• It
rable ftrengtr At the mnnr ?'u'°"'' ^"^ of no inconfxde-
feafon for paffinf it 1.T ' ?? '*? """ " * ''"' the beft
orratherfroTX VVwrbf'7*K" "^T^' ""' ^'P'"-'^'^'
The En.lijh had f^merTfitri^lt \' ''^^^^ «- ^^en higheft!
were driven by theT"J whlT ^'"'^''^^^'^ whicifthey
from Cape BlInrJZ:t:^^}2l 'Tf- '^^ ^^°'« '"<^^
The Dutch were the fiJi "ho ^t? 7 o''** " "^ar 500 miles,
farts. The/'r.«./;ladethrmL ^^f'^^^^^^ ^^x\t t^o
In 1692 the £«./i ?eted X^^ ''^ *''•'» ^" '67^.
aioditie»
130 ^be Hiiro9.Y of the y^AK. 1758,
From the Eaft Indies we have this year heard nothing
remarkable. It docs not fecm that the French, notwithftand-
ing the great ftruggle they made to fend out a ftrong arma-
ment under Gen. Laliy, have been in a condition to enter-
prifeany thing. It i$ faid, and probably with good founda-
rton, that the grcatcft part of that force was dwindled away
with ficlcnefs during the voyage. Our navaj force was ex-
erted with fpirit and cfTeit in the Mediterranean. The
French found that the pofleflion of Minor;:a could not drive
m from the dominion of the Mediterranean, where Admi-
ral Ofborn gavs the enemies maritime ftrcngth fuch blows,
as they muit long fcel, and which merited him the greatcft
of all honours, to be joined with the conquerors of Louis-
bourg, in the thanks of the rcprefKntative body of their
country.
Thecomirig year fecms big with great events. In Ger-
many the! affairs of the rival powers of Pruflia and Auftria,
appear to be more nearly balJariced than at any time fmce
tht beginning of the war. This force is as great as ever,
and their animofity is no way leflened. Great fteps are ta-
ken to aflemble powerful armies on the Rhine? whilft Great
Britain has fentout two oOnfidcrable armaments, one to the
Weft Indies, the other to Africa; the fuccefs of which muft
go a great way towards determining the iflue of the war.
Other great preparations are alfo making on the part of
Great Britain. In the meantime, the Dutch enraged at
the captures of their fliips, make complaints, and threaten
armaments. The death of the Princefs of Orange, which
happened at a moft critical juncture, adds more perplexity
to affairs in that quarter. If we look to the fouthward, the
clouds feem gathering there alfo. The imminent death of
the Kinp; of Spain, will be an event fruitful of troubles. In
this affair the King of Sardinia, t!ie houfe of Auftria, and
the houfe of Bourbon, will find thcmfelves concerned ; to
fay nothing of the maritime powers. In a word, the flame
or war threatens to fpread in every part of Europe.
modities which the Frtnch import from this fettlement are, that
valuable article eum fcnega, hides, bees-wax, elephants teeth,
cotton, gold duft, negroe flaves, oftrich feathers, ambergris,
ludigo, and civet.
At
they pleafe on it. B.,t as H^c trade to J/ ^^ ^" ^^'' P"'"*
this imponant acquifuio" [J: ^Sof thf ^TuJblcTur"!.'?
3?^
R a
THE
>l
II I H III I
[ '32 ]
THE
'T ■ ■ I 1 1 H
ANNUAL REGISTER:
O R
HISTORY
O F T H E
WAR.
For the YEAR 1759.
CHAP. I.
The inclinations of the Powers at war ot the chfwg the laji
campaign. The King of Spain's death apprehended. Con-
ditton of the King of Pruffia, Emprefi ^ucen, Ruffu,,
Sweden^ Holland^ France, and England,
WHOEVER reflecSts upon the conclufion of the
fcveral campaigns fince the year 1755, wilj
eafily perceive that at the end of the laft, the
fortune of the feveral powers at war feemcd
more nearly upon a ballance, than it had been at the clofe
of any of the former. The campaign was rather lefs
bloody, than that which immediately proceeded itj and it
was not concluded with any adion of fuch an eclat, as could
greatly raife, or dcprefs the hopes of any of the contending
parties. All parties became more cautious; becaufe it be-
came every day more evident, that the fortune of war was
not to be decided by any fjngle ftroke, however confiderable.
The
N
1759' ^-^ History of theV^AK. 133
The prize was rcferved for the player of the fkilful pamcx
for the molt attentive patience: for the grcateft depth of
rcfourccs. An equality of this kind fecmed at laft to pro-
mife Lurope fome repofc. All fides might now give and
receive honourable and equitable terms j and pea?« might
be fettled on that footing, on which it has been ufually m^e
for lome time paft, in our part of the world. But thcereat
ddigns entertained by each power; revenge imbittered by
the blows which gll had felt in their turns, the confideratioh
of the vaft expences that fell upon all, and which a peace
at that time would have made fruiilefs; even the hopes
arilingfrom the equivocal appearances of the laft campaiorn
eltrangcd every court from the difpofit ion to peace. l,°o!
much that there were no terms directly ofFercd by any of
the belligerent powers; nor did any of the neutralinterLfe
their mediation. Befides thefe, another cayfe oper«ed
powerfully i a great event was hourly expeacd about this
time; aa event which threatened to involve the SoMthern
parts of E;urope in the calamities of that war, that had fo
ong wafted the Northern; and which, whenever it flioud
take place, threatened to render the political fyftcm infi-
nlw^tuTn." """''''' '"^ ^'^"^'^'y '° Sive the war quitea
The late King of Spain, by the force of a conjugal affec-
tion, rarely feen m that dignity, fince the deafh of hi
aueen had been given up to a melancholy, which preyed
upon his health, and affeded his underfta/ding. His S
or incapacity appeared inevitable within a ihorl time. The
Kmg of Naples, Don Carlofs, was next in the order of fuc!
ceffion. In the treaty of Aix la Chapelle, it had been
agreed that the dutchies of Parma, Placentia and GuaftaUa"
ftould be reftored to the boufe of Auftria, in cafe Don
Carlos fliould ever come to the crown of Spain. Thefe
Emnr?r"o "■' '^ '^t ""'J.P^ '^^' ^^'•> '" ^^e hands of the
Emprefs Qiieen, or her allies. Her imperial Majeftv had
fet up a cla.m to the reverfion of thefe dutch es, on the e^
tinaion of liTue male in the houfe of Farnefe C t^I
ambition of the Queen of Spain to make aTl L child e„
Sovereigns, put powerful bars in her way to it Thi a^
bition was one ot the caufes which made the laft fo tenS
a war. The peace of Aix la Chapelle, which nut a^S
% '^i ^''■' ,-fter fettling thefe cont'eftTd dut^ch es as aa
eftabhfhm^nc for Don Philip, fecond ion to theKing of
Spain,
134 ^^' History tf//;^^ War. ,;.«
Spain, provided, that whenever the event, which we have
5nm V M , ^^'"'°^^° the crown of Spain, then the Kin--
PhUin f ? ?^ u^^"y ^°"'^ P^^^ t" ^'^'^ infant Dol,
^hihp and the dutchies which farmed his eftabiifhmeu
Ihould refer to the houfe of Auftria. ""mmciit
*w *?•'"? "^ Naples, not without reafon, looked uoon
ir^ thk rJr. ?J"!'^^" "'T. '''"'^"^ ^° '^- No method
n thit. cafe could be feen, which might prevent matters
^m commg to extremities, except theiuaLn of the In!
prefs engaged as fhe was with a powerful advcrfary, who
conl- font"' ^'''"''' '° '^' "*" '^ P'^^'^- S»^- -«« in "o
Si • u ^"S^g^i" a new war, however interefting the
Sh ^'^^-^ r'- "''■ '"^ ^■'^^"^^' ^ho fo ineffeaudly
f^^JX •" h""';i?'' ^°"^^ "°* P^°bably affift her with
Sr left .h^ ^f ^^ Ae therefore feemed to'have no other
lUence a more favourable opportunity to affert her claims.
The event of the Kmg of Spain's dea[h has fince happened
llnTJZT'^ none of thefe immediate effeas which were
apprehended; andth.s probably proceeded from the caufe
which we have juft now hinted. A dead calm at prefent
broods over Italy. But in this tranquility and filence there
»re materials gathering, which may in no very diftant period
burlt in a terrible tempeft over that delightful country,
rhey are very nearly the fame that produced the laft trou-
bles there and may not only revive then^ but fpread the
horrors of war once more over all Europe.
buch were the inclinations of the powers at war at the ■
opening of this year; their ftrength feemed alfo very entire •
IV^'l^ '' therefources of the King of Pruffia appeared
aftonifhing, after the great blows he had fuffered ; and after
the advantages he had gained, but gained at fo high a price.
He was ftill able to fliew himfelf the father and benefrflor
as well as the proteftor of his people. In the midft of the
devouring wafte of fuch an expenfive war, from the funds
oi his oeconomy^ he was enabled to remit the taxes to thofe
parts of his dommions, which had fufFered from the Ruffian
barbarity ; he even advanced money to thofe which had
fuffered the moft confiderably.
rhl^d^K^ ^''f'^' V^"^ ""^ ^'' ^^tuation, wemuftobferve,
that the whole kingdom of Pruffia ftill remained in the
hands
one campaign wrefte<l lom the h"Jd.*?tt AuftlnT "* J3
to th,., ,J,e renewal of the fubf-d. t,,,,^ *i,h G„« «; ■,^'"
on the advantageous terms of the^brraTrTear Ttefe t^^'
u„do.:.tedly great fupports; and the Kingfemed as .S
m^wer, and more advanced in reputatiln th» evlr '
rk-^iv^' -VEr^irti:i:it^i
ana tair, within there was a decay of fubftance and an
hollownefs that rune at the fli^hteft tn..rh n-k ! ?
parable body of troops ^^.hichTl^u -^^^l l"^^*"*
had given him 7o TL^I^T •»eg'n"'"g of the war
the fame Lfom fw . '"P'T'-'^' "'^ ^°"g" ^'^^^ in
Jong f^Hefo Taive fe;:ir?h^^^^^ ''^"^^^^^ ^''^ ^
on fhe fide of the enemv V ^^ff ^'^ ^"''^ ^»»^»r
is to be beaten .nH?-^* ^'.""^ ^^^ '''^°^" ^h" »*
and 4an:gart'o':r^~^^ l^^^r't
hoard!- ^;^^\:\^^^^ ^^
time muft'have been intirelv fnon? u- j •'• ^^ ***'*
have been gre uiy exh'uS: te^f'^nTnT" nf
•i^axony couJd no Joncer vieJd fl.rh ?. T r '"^"ey-
:L^fe;"o;'th'''=''^^^^^^'^''"^^^^^^^^^
Brita^?^; 1^ ^' conqueror. The fubfidy of Grea?^
blows. T^atpow^fh ; tt«h f"*"!"'"^'' S-«er
able and peculiL to herfelf. S'defiSt r"""""'-
luouit, and to do confiderable thiflgs without them.
iff
MM'
1
•
. 4 ^
■ J'
1
s
1
1 36 TZ*^ Hi s TOR Y (?/ /^^ War. 1 y^^ ,
For by a long habit, the whole ftatc is fbrmcd to its neceP
fiticb; and the (ubjed is more ready to fupply free quarter*
and to indure military licence than any other. Tljc coun-
try IS abundantly fruitful in all its parts. And whilft the
war IS earned on near home, an arbitrary government,
operating on fo extenfive an objea, can hardly fail of (uch
rcfourccs, as muft ferve an Aultrian army; which is ftill
paid in a great meafure, as Tacitus defcribes the troops of
the anticnt Germans to have been ; they have a plentifui
table m lieu of pay. (a)
And indeed it mull be owned, that theie is no Sovereign,
who is more highly honoured in his dominions, or obcj ed
with a greater mixture of love and reverence, by all his
fubjefts, than her Imperial Majefty. So that having a very
ample power, very willing obedience, a larj^e territory and
many men, not fufficiently employed in the^arts of pcaa , it
perhaps may be guelFed, in what manner flie has been
able to fupply her many and great loffes, and to contir.ue a
war, like the prefcnt, better than ftates more abundant in
money. She is befides, and this is a matter of no fmall
confequencc, fupported by the countenance, the authority,
and the forces of the Empire. And fhe has for her allies
the firft, and moft formidable names in Europe. In the
wars which this power carried on in the laft, and in this
century, though ufually not very fuccefsful, fhe has always
been the laft to defire a peace; thouah frequently flow
m her operations, flie makts amends by an extraordinary
perfeverance. ^
This flownefs could not efcape general obfervation, in
the adions of the lafl: year. That the Auftrians did not
play with lufficient fpirit, the great game which was iir
their hands, after the battle of Hochkirchen, and the entry
oi the Ruffians into the New Marche of Brandenburgh,
leems hardly dilputable. Perhaps it was that the court of
Vienna, by an error common to many courts, but particu-
larly lo to this, and often fatal to it, interfered too much
ana too minutely, in the operations of tha campaign.
It IS not impoffible that the charadler of iMarflial Daun
himfelf, might have had feme fhare in this inaaivityj a
charadcr almoft in all things the direa reveife of that of
his
(aj Aam efuU, et quanquam incompti, largi famen aptaratvt
prajltpemte adunt. Tacit, dc moribus Germ. §. 14.
'759- T'-^tf History tf/M^ War. 1,7
his Prufllan Majefty. He faw that the Kin^, a^ive refo.
Jute and advantageous, wafted himfelf even t t£t ad Lt^
ShoutjTheAuftrt' '^ °"^' il'^ -oft brilKlc^eS
tney mignt lutter in the fame manner, without beintrVvpr
abJe to equal, much lefs to exceed that grSt Morrfh ;„
a ftiJe of aaion peculiarly his own fiaun ^er.fL * k"
principle, feems to have kept hrirmv frL ^ ^'^ ^^
aaion, in order to oppofe aTr.nlth I f °"""« *°
by a long reft, to thTo^h: xfng^ S:; wafted W^thf
eftorts It was ob i^ed to make 1nr^(r,^I j ^ *^
condua, acondua which probabl. l^A S ""' •"'''."^
very late to aaion "'' °"' """*"• ""<> ""»!
in Tpi,; 7i:L^tii^ '^r'lir T, °',1 f =".•
lir^.,d''fee,: t-d t= ht°LTat thl^ .t '-" '<-*
"7''r/''^%«p--ofo£.;?h r tain of"r„rar
fo dreaded, and fo hated a rival as the Kins of Prufl i, fn rf
the opportun.ty of the forming her ,rooA^o fer^L and
tided i,K CO. .^^^^^^ •" "^^^^ J'«^« refpeaable. Dil
d f^ft d tSe P-ln '"^"/'^^?'y ^« Pnvate interefts, Ihe
P ivateers, X his prodoced loud compfaints in Holland,
^ »n<J
III i; 1:1
138 The His roRY 0/ iheWAv., 1759.
and warm rcmonftrauccs to the court of London. Thefe
compiaints met with little attention, being iji many rcfpcfts
but mdifFercntly founded. The affair was drawn out ia
len^h, until the difpute was cxtinguiflied by the dcllruaion
of itsobjeft; fomeof the French colonies were reduced^
and the trade in the others, grown too fmall and too hazar-
dous to be continued longer with any hope of advantage.
The afFairs of France and England were partly conncded
with the general fyftcm, and partly diltinit and independent.
!< ranee perceived that the llrength of the Englifli, and the
«certion of that ftrcngth, increaled continually in America ;
Ihe knew from the natural inferiority of her colonies, and
the feeble ftate of her tuvyy that fhe could not in rcafon
hope for ereat fucccfs in that quarter; for which reafon,
althoueh (he fent a fleet under Monf. Bompart into the
Weft Indies, ajid fome men of war, with as manv ftore and
tranfport {hips as fhe could fteal out of the river St. I.aw-
rerice, her great efforts were to be made in Europe i {he
had two objccls, the recovery of Hanover, and the invafion
Of thefe iflands ; in either of which if fhe fucceeded, there
could be no doubt, but that it would prove a fufficient bal-
lance for all that {he had fuffered, or had to apprehend in
any other part of the world.
With regard to the firil obje^, though it was difficult
to attain it, and though if it {hould be attained, it did
not promife to anfwer her purpofes fo well as the latter,
yet It was upon that fhe chiefly depended. Hitherto in-
deed the fuccefs which France had in Germany, was not
at all proportioned to the prodigious efforts which {he
made; {he began to Hnd herfcif much exhaufted. The
wants of the French obliged them to pay little refped to
neutral, or even to friendly powers ; Co that the efteem
and afTiflance which they had in Germany, dimini{hed con-
tinually. They eat up the country, and feized on fuch
towns as were convenient to them, without any ceremony:
yet freed from all thefe reffraints, their army had made very
little progrefs; their generals had not difplayed any great
abilities, and their army, in itfelf very badly compofed,
^»s deficient in difcipline, to a degree which is fcarcely
credible. They kept neither guards nor ports, nor cen-
tinels; a great part of their troops wandered from the
catnp into the neighbouring towns, and returned drunk.
Their councils of war were held in atumiiltugusanddifor-
derly
'759- n- History c/ the Was i j.
t"llTZ'lf"S^. ^'Ithcirdefignswcrc pcrMly known
The Sh r „ ° u "■ '■'g"'»"'y ""J '""tion.
!n.e becauft it is the fafliion to do (o.
having K to o^^^^^^^^^ tafk; and
more than abiea v; S Zi rK ? °'"'"°" "^^" ^""^ ^'«I°
which ix, theii ten V i..t r '^'^''^ ^'"' ''^^^ ^igh fpirit
knowledge andfmduhr A ^^^ T'"^^ ^^'^ ^^^ want of
left without a ; reft r; t/ ^^^"- "'^^^^h" they' are
ftnte of v^s" r :r s'r" if ^^^i- ^ ^-^ '--
fuppofed natur!?llv n /hir r M-' ''"'^. ""^^^ '^'"'^'^^'^ be
more robuft.ndhudv h '''^ ^'"' ^^''''" ^''^'" ^'"'^
diia^Iin ; i^a" ;7r^''""'^^^^ which makes their
ftat?:^£''fi„tce"'''?^"""/"^^^''^^^^ ^ythe low
very iJJ naid T f t ' '!''''^' ^^'^^^^^^ ^^cir troops to be
finances, .„ J the farme ^.. T '"'^' ^^'^P^roIJer of the
forn^er employment of Lfn^?K7'■^'•■'"°^^'' ^'^"^ ^h"'"
wercdivired,ChTch^^h^^^ the fupj.l.es. New methods
finances, until their T^t ^t'^^.^^the entire ruin of theii-
. until their aunies ,n Germany could itrike (ome
^ 2 effectual
ii^'l
HO ^i>fHiSTOKY of the War. ,750.
dFcaual blow, or their projea of an invafion, which
quieted the minds of the people in fome degree, fl-iould be
put in execution.
■fnZtV'.^u'^u'' ^^^ latter projea. France had formerly
found that the bare report of fuch a defign had ferved many
material purpofey but in England things had fince then,
been greatly changed. The threats of an invaf.on increaf-
cd ourinternal llrength. without raifing any apprehcnfions :
they ,n a great meafure executed the militia aft, which
hardly any thing elfe could have put in execution; they
incrcafed the regu ar troops, both in their number and their
&?f' /"|!;"^ ^°f '^^ fi^ft ^'-"^ ''^^ light horle and
light foot. There reigned in both houfes the moft perfed
and unprecedented union. Among the great meu there
was no difFereiice that could in the leaft aleft the conduft
rLfjn "^f ; V^^'^Pute concerning the preference of the
heTiT}^^ the marine fyftem, was entirely filenced ;
becaufe a fyftem took place which comprehended both, and
operated in both as fully as the warmeft advocates of either
of and forces on foot, on the continent of Europe, in
±-ngland, in Amehca, when Ihe turned all her power to her
fori-^Ki" r^y- ^^'" ^'^ ^^ ^^^^'^ the feas with fuch
formidable fleets when her navy alone engaged her atten-
IZn /5"f '^ Jhe effea when power and patriotifm unite;
when//^.r/;,W.r.^r/f,/,j and when a nation fits with a
happy fecurity under the (hade of abilities which flie has
tried, and virrues in which ihe dares to cpnfide.
C H A P. II.
The allied army moves. Sucafsful Jkirml/he^ on the fide of
f^fes Battle of Bergen. Prince Ferdinand retires
to mndeken. Blan of the campaign. General Wober-
Jnows expedition into Poland. Prince Henry's into Bo-
hemia and Franconia. General Macguire defeated. Bam-
berg pillaged. Prince Henry returns to Saxony. ' PMe
abandoned by the allies. •"
THE feizing of Francfort in the laft year, by a moft
flagrant violation of the liberties of the Empire, had
given the French and their allies the moft material advan-
tage they had acquired in the campaign; for it fecured to
them
them the Courfe of the Mainp anrl f»,„ uu- .
eafy to them to receive ev"y Wnd of^^i'T '"'^ "'^^^ '^
Tupply. It fecurcd likewife ^rhnt . '^^*"!^*>^cement and
them; the Imper a] and he '^"'^.^°«^'""'\''-at,on between
that djain. i" wl.fch tt; ttT nTSll^b' '^r1
mutual luccorr and concurrenre fn ^L ^''"'''^^ °^
depend.! upon theirS^Sd^ ^0!^;^^^
well with regard to the forfune ofins BriTannic "Cr k f
army, as to that of the King of Pruflia ^ ;^,""''l ^^^J^%'s
neceffarily have the greate/influe "ce on rh ' ^''^^^ "'"^
whole eiifuin^r camoairm p""'''''^ °",.thc events of the
this, as foon\s tirS,, pennLc/t""'*'' ''"'''^^ «^
aaion, drew his troops ou o^/th 1 . ' ' '"''' "P°"
theheadofthirtvthouLd rLn/p parH to^ ^^ ^^
before they coufd receive the fuDolier nf . u°'^P '*^''^'
in da.lycxpcaation. The reft nfi' "^^"^ '^'"^ ^^^^
about L 'or twelv'e th^ufand'^mt ^eTf^^^^ ^^
eleaorate, and to watch the bifhop icTof M ,,^""'5 '^'
detachments of Hanoverians and Pr /? . ^""'^'''^- Some
end of February, driven the m • rl"' ^'^''' '" '^'^ '^^ter
the pofts, which thevoccuoT/rF^r'\^^"^^^
and W places in the coun^- *■" F"''^ ^"^ ^'^'"^'^^h,
body of the enemv intn rW ^ ^^u?^' '^'^ ^'^^ a ftron/^
but'the hereS/ idnce ^ Knf"'".' ^tl ^^^"^ ^-^^
of the allies thro^ugh wavs h/fn 7'^' 7-^° ^"^ '^^ ^'^Y
army, defeated thenTrVomlr '*'''".'^- ""P^^^"'^''^ ^° «^^
placis of importance w re tTen l'' I'^^t? ' ^^^^^^^
were made ^rifoners,"::!th tSr Ss " The'r '^f
alarmed at the vivacitv of ^v,;. u • "r"'^^' ^ he French,
prelude to fomethTng ^^^ d ifivfT^' 'f^^ '' ^"' ^^^
of Broglio took an^arantaSous noft''^ '''^^"^^
village between Francfort and H. ' * .-^^ ^''S'"' ^^ ^
fary the Allies fhouM r^after h^"' ^1^ it was necef-
to his line. This Sacrhrh.'^ before they could penetrate
bis flanks and c n re in fuch a 1^'''' ^'1^'^'^^' ^"^ ^^^^"'■ed
only be made at that village ""''' '^^' '^^ ^"^^^ ^°"ld
-/pace Of ^bo. tw. t- t7d ^J^^^Z^t
Prince
142 t:^. History.//^, War. r.^o
n .noT' Ferdinand now obferved that the enemy ftilJ keot
hemadefuch movements, asftrongy indicated a de^^nnf
gained as much honour, and difplayed as much S"
occ fion'^Th"" "'^T'^' °^^^'"" "P°" - more foSa e
occafion The event however was, in its confequences fir
ens which were carrying on the fide of Bohemi? and"
Trt ce Zcll ^'^'/'^'f'^' '- -ncur with thoTe if t e
prince, in fome grand and comprehenfive fcheme Therr
it
. -.-«« 4 \JK. Y Of noe Wad'
;t may not however be unpJeafant tr. I '^^
med from the tendency of e-h^"^^^ -^^ '^' ^''^^'^ de-
w the fummer, by the HeftrnA- r* ^5" *"^ latter end
i^oland. That^7the other florin '^^^^ i"
attempt to drive the Frer^rh toward^/th.%K'''^'"'"^ ^^"''^
between them and the armVnf fk V ^^'''''^' and to get
thus loft its communkati^J^L^u ^"'P"'"' "^^'^^ having
fliould rufh out ofSaxonv and VS' ^''""'b P'''"^^ H^n"f
and Franconia, and cuTVal L^^^^^ ''^'".'" ^^^emil
the great body of the A^iam Th^^'ll^T'^'^" ^'^h
would find themfelves fifuateJ htk " '^'^ Imperialifts,
Perior armies J wh 1ft in Rnh ^^^?V^o hoftile and fu-
either obliged JJ/fi^^^J^^'^'^^Mar^^^ Daun would be
Kingof pfuifia' o^eo jfe with the
which it was in 'the powX tt p^^^ ^'^^S^om, into
pofite parts at once. i'ruiTians tc enter, in op-
and^lL'ccet ^'Sot^^^^^^^^ with great fplHt
general Woberfnow march.J • ^^ °o f '^''^"ary the PruLix
iiilefia, withfortyX7quadron "'"^-^ "'^ ^'°"' Glogau a
where they routeVbmSd^s 'rc'r?^""'"^^^"^^'^^^
ing deftroyed feveral immpnr^ Coffacksj and after hav-
at Pofen, iid to be fuZfen^ J^^g^f 'nes, particularly one
thoufand men for three mo h' u^^ fubfifteace of fifty
iois into Silefia, ^nVhT^^ '/A^rlT ^""^^' ^'^''^^^ -/
^^^^Sr^^,f^-f-f^ydra^^^
morcftriking than the firft P.- r?''''' ^""^^ advantages
Pruifian troo% in Saxony whkiTth.^'K? ^^'"'"^nded ti
forty thoufand men. Sd cm.n ''^ ir" '"°""^^ ^^^'^d
movements, which had nnrlr u '"^'^^^'Sence, that fome
of PrufTia; had draw„'th?t Left'" "'''^! ^^ '^' ^ing
troops, which had been noftfJ^ P'" °^ '^^ Auftrian
towards the frontiers of Sifefia h/'^^''^?. "P°" Saxony,
the otherrwhkh ^^,7^;^ ^^wards Peterfwade: April i,
HuJfen, made tTway bv pT"^'^ > General ^ '^•
' way by Pafterg and Conunottau. The^
firft
!' i I
J44 TJbe History of the War. 1759.
firft penetrated as far as Lobofchutz, and Leitmeritz, the
enemy flying before them, and every where abandoning or
burnjng the vaft magazines which they had amafied in all
thofe parts.
The body under General Hulfen did asmuch fervice, and
it had a more a£live employment. The pafs of Pafberg,
ftrong in itfeif, was defended by a confiderable body of
Auftrians. General Hulfen having condu6lcd his cavalry
by another way, fo as to fall dircdtfy on their rear, attacked
them with his infantry in front, and drove them out of all
their intrenchments; one general, fifty-one ofHcers, and no
lefs than two thoufand private men, were made prifoncrs
on this occafion. The PrufTnuis iofl but feventy
April 22. men killed and wounded. They returned into
Saxony with hoftages for the contributions they
had exa£led.
After this fatiguing expedition, the prince gave his troops
a few days to reft, and then led them once more to action .
He diredted his march through the Voigtland, towards tjie
army of the Empire; they entered Franconia by the way
of HofF; they attacked General Macguire, who command-
ed a body of Auftrians a-^d Imperialifts. Here they were
bravely refifted for the whole day; but the numbers and
ipirit of the Prufllans prevailing, Macguire gladly took
advantage of the night to make a retreat, havirg; loft about
five hundred men. A few fkirmifties more det.,vied the fate
of Franconia. The army of the Empire retreated, as the
Pruflians advanced, and abandoned the rich bifhoprics of
Bamberg and Wurtzburg to contribution. The
May 16. town ot Bamberg furrendered upon terms; but
fome confufion happening before the capitulation
was compleatly finifhed, a party of Croats came to blows
with a party of Pruflians, who had by this time pofTeflion
of one of the gates; this wag refented as an infringement of
the capitulation. A pretence was given to plunder the
place; it was given up to pillage, by order of the comman-
ders, for two days, in a very unrelenting and licentious
mann'.'r. This produced loud and juft complaints againft
the Pruflians, and in due time a fevere retaliation. Prince
Htnry had puftied back the army of the Empire, as far as
•Nuremberg; he had difabled a great part of the circle of
Franconia from giving them afiiftance; and thus far he
bad accompliftied the obje£ls of his expedition. But as
th»t
m
«"?"=" td^f ';'!."■■ "■"''^^ •'"■"'== ^■"''i"^"'' ""^ to have
booty and contribution, returned to their ol/fituation Tht
Auftnans retired into Bohemia at their approach
Appearances were hitherto favourable enough to the
it-di^ag^hcdeftruatrofrh^^^^^^^^
march towards Silefia. Count DohS, who had a fed ,«1^
contributions and levies in the dutchyWMeckleiburl^wL
preparing to oppofe them on the fide of SenSrI
other parties under other commanders, were pXlt^^^^^^^^^
places where their irruption was th^ZoVtlr^^n^^
tra'cX'Thl?" T{,'r^^'''^'"S^ nearefandnea er"
formidrble, becaufe th^ pr'oX;f he ?S ^Lm^ "
very rapid after the battle of Bergen ""' "^^^
Prince Ferdinand finding that another attack was not a.?
vifeabie, retreated continually. The French DoflS^h^T"
^ Ives of Heflb without oppjfition; they m^t af il^^^^^^
making their way through the bifhoprick of Paderbom ai^S
whilit their grand army, under Mar&al de Contades! JuiW
the allies in that quarter and on the fide of HefTe" M
d Armentieres was polled by Wefel, to advance on that Sa^
as occafion fhould require'. The' condition of theaiHel
army was extremely dubious; whilft the French ncreafed
reafon to hope for a campaign as fortunate as that of ly^
CHAP,
I, '
I 1
146
The History of the War.
CHAP. III.
759*
Expeditton to the JVeJl Indies under Hopfen and Moore. Ac-
count of Martinico. Failure there. The Caufts of it,
Guadatoupe invaded. Defcription of that ifland. BaJJh
Terre attacked and burned. Gen. Hopfon dies. Opcruti-
m ogainji Grand Terre. Several pajjes forced. The in-
habitants capitulate. Bravery of a French lady. Mary-
galante taken.
GREAT Britain was not content with the efforts which
ihe had made in Germany: America, the intercfts
of which had given rife to the war, was the objea which
principally engaged her attention. This was indeed the
jroper objea of her natural ftrength, and by her fucccfs in
this quarter, fhe mofl cffedtuMly laid the axe to the root of
the enemy snaval power, and cut away one great part of
the refources which fed the war. A fquadron of
Nov nine fh.ps of the line, .vith f.xty tranfports, con-
1758. taining fix regiments of foot, in the end of the
■ laft year, failed for the Weft Indies, in order to
attack and reduce the French Caribbce iflands. General
Hopfon commanded the land forces; the fleet in the ex
pedition was to be under the orders of Commodore Moore,
then in the Weft Indies.
^Iit''^'"VJV'*5lr'^''''J"'"°' '^^ ^'^ '^ reputation
^ n^K r^ ^""r^l^'J^ '^^^^^^ of government, the centre
ot all the trade which Prance carries on with thofe iflands ■
ftrong both by nature and art. This ifland lies in the i cth
degree N lat. 1 he fhore is on every fide indented with
very deep bays which they call Cul de'sacs, and the fands,
only difcoverable at low water, form in many places a hid-
den, and almoft infurmountable barrier. A lofty rid<.e of
almoltimpaflabje mountains, runs north weft and foutheaft
quite through the ifland 5 all the fpace on both fides is inter-
ledtcd at inconfiderable diftances with deep gullies, throu-h
which the water pours down in the rainy feafons, with
fndfnZr'^'^M I"«^herrefpeas, theiflandis pleafant
4nd fruitful; well watered, and well cultivated, aboundins:
with plantations and viUages all along the fea coaft. The
two principal places are St. Pierre, and Port Royal ; both
towns.
'759. «' History «/ /fe War; ,4,
oppofcd th?„,fe vli t They we'Je'.h."^"" "f"""/
of regular troops They have at aU .'r a „f„^^,„"„7,'^
that they ca„ bring ^^^Tfl Tu^^, ^ Ve^rS'
tney found that the n^tturt- «f ♦!,» «"uujj^,
cannon ThT, °^"'? .'""I"' "'^ ""= ""veyanee of
.haTSri'tuu'b Ze^at's^t^!'' 4'' "^ '.'^^''
t:^ !r^ '''"■' " ' wh^n'th^^ad^a Lr'^-^'y
ties arof^' Tt T"""f *= '^°^'*' ■■™ difficul- ,q
agreed to abandn" ^^^ ""'^ °" ''''''" ^°""'''^' ^^^^Y
#ut .w^gir?,:^;; rs «e^-«^
^ ^ refolved
i
r
148 The History of the War. , 75,,.
rcfolycd not to return with the difgrace of having done
nothing worthy ot the greatnefs of the armament, and the
expeaation of their country. They conlidered, that the
jflandof Guadaloupe was an objcd, though not of luch an
•clat, of full as much real confcquencc as Martinico ; and
they knew, that it was neither fo ftrong in troops or forti-
hcations. Their firft failure might lead to an advantairo, as
confiderable as that which they had milTcd. In purltancc
ol thefe refolutions, they fet fail for (niadaloupe.
The .nand is called Guadaloupe, from a refemblancc
which It bears to a chain of mountains of the fame name
in Old Spain. To fpeak with exaftnefs, Guadaloupe is
rather to be confidered as two iflands, divided from each
other by a fmall arm of the fca, or falt-water river, not
above three hundred feet over where it is wideft. One of
thefe iflands is called the Grand Terrej the other more
particularly and by diftin6?;ion, Guadaloupe; they are to-
f !ft f '/" r ^f""!^ ''''*'"^ "'"^*y ''^•'»g"^«' I'l^e firft is nearly
deftitute of frcih water, and not perfedly cultivated; but
It isotherwife with Guadaloupe. No part of the world
IS furnifhed with more or better. No lefs than fifty
xivcrs, in that fmall circuit, throw themfelves into the fea-
many navigable by boats, for two, fome even for three
leagues into the country. Not to mention the numberlefs
Jprings which rife among the rocks, and, after a thoufand
beautiful meand;:rs, lofe themfelves in the larger flrcams.
• "^"'■Jt accounts which we have of that country, are lavifli
in the defcnption of its beauties J and the lateft airrec with
them, that no part of the Weft ladies, perhaps of the
7uc u'Z "^"""^ agreeable and romantic fccnes. It is
tulJot high mountains i one of which towers fr.r above the
relt, and is a volcano, continually emitting fnioke and fire
*rom hence they have conftderable quantities of fulphur!
1 hey have alfo hot baths, fit for all the medicinal purpofcs
in which inch waters are iifed. The land in the valleys is
extremely fertile? it produces the ufual Weft India com-
modities, fugar, indigo, cofFee, cotton, and ginger: the
mountains abound with game: fo that there is nothing in
the liland wanting, for the convenience and delight of life
jn an air more temperate and falubrious than is commonly
breathed between the tropics.
The French began to plant colonies in this ifland as early
as the year 1632. But for a long time this, together with
all
'ii: 'ji
all their Other coJonies rnnnn..»i • i .« . *^
tion. It was in th^tJZnlJZ n' 'r^"'^'"^ condi-
thcy begaii to emerge^ r^Ahenr'"V'TT'"''>'» ^^^'
given FTance time to hrclZ I ^ " °/ ^^'^^''^ ^ad
tagcs. it does not fa]] fhort of tS ZnA -u^ ''^'""-
quantity, or th. goodncfs of t^pro t^^^^^
greatJy exceed it in both- as \t r,.r.o; i i ' ^.' '^"^ "ot
to receive all forts TiCLmef^^^^^^
this iHand, until its late rnn? T^"'" ^^^ ''tiportance of
people of GuadaloupT wc e fo;bfdM" r/T''i'°"> '»''^
J-;rope, but were obliged t^ftnd all '^,ll ^'"'^> ^'^'^
Martmico, from whence tL had all h'-/r'^"" ^°
commod ties. A ftrange regltion To hi *'"''T^'^
a" age lb enlightened as this h v T ' ! r *^°ntinued in
as Ffancc. '^ ^'"'' ^^ ^ "^''O" fo enlightened
The Engli/h made attempts upon this iflr,n^ : c
^7(^3i but they were npi^hl. r , "^"^ '" '^^i* and
duaed with fuffic^n ab"lTv . ^""Z'^"^^ '"^"g''* "'^ ^on-
fca J the troop^wf" J the L T"^""" . '"^ P'^^'^ancnt ef-
booty. But on h;';e,'rLn J' vl '''"'''^ ^'^'^ '^^'^^
fpealc, they were more abkLntt^^^^^ ^°'"« '°
On the 2?d of TanuoT* .u fl S' ^"'^ ^®""nate.
of Ba/Te TeS, the caS lf\S''-/T ^'^^^^'^ '^^^ 'o^»
cierable extent/jarge trade fndl^^ of confi-
trefs. This f^rcrel in th/-^ defended By a ftrong for-
was not to be reduced bvlLT'^" °^ '^f. "'^'^^ ^"g'n^er.
Moore, notwithftandin^^tl ?, o^'^^'^^l ^"' Commodore
war to bea.- upofthe cLdd • t^h."'°"A ^''^"^J^* ^°"^ '»^" °f
*^- town, an'dthfba SUj ;1%^^^^
About nine in the morning a fire ffom'^all r^' '?^'"S-
During tL tnl^dV^b^^^^^^^^ « --"
fliowercd upon the town Tt ;? c ^'^^^^^^^ continually
burned without interr^";:!'' iT ^u'V" ^'^*^ P^^^^«- I^
j^^wing day; whenTr almoftttIS;' h'" !."' ^^^i^^"
7JlcIofs was prodigious from fhl L^ ^^^"''*'^ ^° afhes.
the town, full of rfh l„tT u a-m ^'^ °^ warehoufes i.»
couJd be mo e ftri W thL°'".^"^^^ "''''"'^'' Nothing
"^e itriicing^ thaq the horror of the fpeaacle,
from .
150 The History 0/ the War.' 1759;
from the mutual and unremitted fire of fo many great fliipt
and batteries, heightened with a long line of flames, which
extended alonw the (hore, and formed the back ground of
this terrible pidtui c.
In this lively ciigagcmcnt, our lofs was very inconfidera-
ble. The next day the forces landed withoit
Jan. 24. oppofition, and took pofTc/Tion of rlie town and
citadel. Notwithftanding this fuccefs, the ifland
was far from being reduced, Th« country is rugged and
mountainous, and abounded with pafles and defiles, of a
difficult and dangerous nature. The inhabitants had retired
with their armed negroes into the mountains; and ill
feemcd prepared to defend their pofTcflioiis bravely, ^nd to
the laft extremities.
General Hopfon died on the 2';th of February, and Ge-
neral Harrington fucceeded him. He embarked part of his
forces for the Grand Tcrre, where Colonel Crnmp attack-
ed and reduced the towns of St. Anne, .and St. Francois ;
whilft th.. attack diverted the enemy's attention, the Gene-
ral fell upon the flrong poft of Goficr, and poireflcd him-
fclf of It; and thus the Grand Terre was in a manner re-
duced, and difabled from fending any relief to the other
part.
There is a confiderable mountain, not far from the town
of Bafle Terre, called Dos d'Afne, or the Afle'sBack; thi-
ther a great part of the enemy had retired. It is a poft of
great flrength, and great importance, as it keeps a watcli
upon the town, and at the fame time forms the only com-
munication there is between that town, and the Capes
Terre, the plaineft, pleafanteft, and moft fruitful part of
the whole ifland. It was not judged pradlicable to break
mto it by thi3 way; and all the reft of Guadaloupe was in
the enemy's polFeffion. Therefore a plan was formed for
another operation, by which it was propofed to furprize
Petit Bourg, (^oyave, and St. Mary's, and by that way to
march into Capes Tcrre, which might be cafily reduced.
But this dcfign fliiling, it was neceffary to attempt thofe
places by mam force. Col. Clavering and Col. Crump
landed near Arnonville, and attacked the enemy, ftrongly
intrenched at a poft, ftrong by nature,- called Le Corne.
This was forced ; another mtrenchment at Petit Bourg had
the fame fate; a third near St. Mary's yielded in the fame
maimer. An opening being at laft made into the Capes
Terre,
^759- «' History .//fo War. ,„
a«er, and on the Tame terms ^ '^w.
fquaj^^nTdc^'lS' b1'".^'^^'^"^^? when the French
and landed at sf Anne's ' I ""^^''V ^'^'''' '^'^ ^^"d,
nil of the l^Ven'h Sb; s wVtrn J^^ ^^' «--
troops, two thoufand buccaneers and a f "'^''^ '■'^^"^^'■
arms and ammunition Th^.n v , • ^^'Sc quantity of
•"Oft critical ti^ for iL ,h? " " ^'^ '"'''^ ^^' '^^
a day fooner X' who i ',•''""* ^'^^'"^^^ ^'•">cd but
j^^^ y oner, the whole expedition had probably been
valS;e^SVrrfcaa'^f ^%''^G Britain, this
which the Englift trooosTl?" f "T '^''' '"°"^'«» '«
"ge and perfeverance t?' I''^ ""''^ " ^'•'"^^^^•» ^o"-
Intolerablc^eat:rnti;: ri -i^r^ ^^ai" f'^ '°^^"^^"r*
tomed climate, a country fnU^i I- " ^'^ ^" unaccuf-
Precipices, pofts ftrono bv "- ^"^T,"^°»ntains and fteep
nien who fough forier^ th ' "l"^ ^^ '''' ^^^^"^^^ by
all thefedifficStSSi^^^^ ^ ^T ^" ^'^^'"^
who thought nothinL^ InnT. 5 '"■'^°"' °^°"'" forces,
were not^more difti'uX^f' '.k ''•''• ^°'"'"^"'^^«» who
than their zeal fr hf Svfi r^? •'"''"'^P'^'fy ^"d /kill,
perfea harmony ZdZofjnLa 'I^''' ?""^^>'' ^"^^ '^«
tweeiithem. thcrcfs ?lh "J^'"- ''^^^ ^^^^fted be-
rpire confidence into tie bTdi"^ '^'^U? "'^"^^ '^ •""
W have a pe^fc^ confi^nSn're atZ r^" ^'^ «^-
9. 1759. ^ -^ /'•^^^r-Z/z/f/ «^ Guadaloupe, May
I'l^^^nl^l^^^^^^^^^^^ ' ^^^ the honour to ac
rort /fe>«/} were alj embarked, with
their
.sfcs U
!i ^i|
1^2 The HtiTORV cf the Wak. 1759;
It muft not be omitted, that many of the inhabitants
exerted themlclves very gallantly in the defence of their
country. A woman, a confiderablc planter in the ifland,
parti-
thei'r baggaj^e, ifff. without the lofs of a man. The fleet failed
the next morning for Fort Zo«i/, but from the very great difficul-
ty of turning to windward, were not able to reach it till the nth,
at four in the afternoon, when all the (hips of war, but only 2?
of the tranfports« came to an anchor; the others were either
driven much to leeward, or prevented by the winds and ftrong
currents from w eathering the point of Saintes.
I went on fljore at Fort Leyis that evening to fee the Fort, and
the works carrying on by the detachment that had already been
fent thither from Bajftterre.
On the 1 2th, I went in a boat to reconnoitre the two coafts of
this Bay, as well the Grand Ttrre fide, as that of GuaJaloupe, to
find a proper place for making a defcent ; but Commodore Moon
liaviitg acquainted me in the evening of that day, thai he had re-
ceived certain intelligence of a French fquadion of Ikips of war,
confifting of ftine fail of the line and two frigates, being feen to
the northward of Barbadots, and that it was therefore neceflary
for him to quit this plaCe, with all the (liips of war under his com-
mand, and go into Prince Rupert's Bay, in the ifland of Deminict,
as a fituation more advantageous for the proteflion of Bujfeterre,
and this place, as well as the Englijh iflands; i thought it advifc-
able the next day to call together the General Officers to confider
what, in our prefent fituation, was bed to be done, and it was
determined; notwithilanding the divided Hate of the troops by
the reparation of the tranfports, the weak ftate of Fort Louis,
and the impoflibility of fupplyingit with water but from the fnips,
and the many difficulties which then appeared, that it would be
moll for his Majcfty's fervice, and the honour of his arms, to do
the utmoft to keep poffcffion of the Fort, and to wait fome further
intelligence of the motions of the enemy.
Commodere Moore failed the next morning for Prince Rupert's
Bay, with all the (hips of war, except the Roebuck of 40 guns,
which he left, as fome proteftion to the tranfports.
From this time to the 17th, I continued to direft works to be
made for the fecurity of the camp, and for the finjfhing, as well
as (Irengthening the lines, when, thechief engineer, who was on
board one of the tranfports that could not before get up, being
arrived, and having made to me a report of the weaknefs of the
Fort, I thought it nccelTary to call a council of war to confider
the Aate thveof; and it being debated whether the Fort might
not
'759- ne HrsTORv of the War" ,.•
particularly diftinguifhcd herfcli-j /he was called A^ f
Ducharmey: this amazon put herfclf at rhl h. !i r u . '"
vants and flaves, and acqiit ed herfHf "^ °^ ^" '^'■-
fcrior to the braVeft men '" * "'*""«^ "«* '«"
Soon
ble to keep it in the p^titltl. ^f ."^''a* "PP"'*^'* ''"P°'G-
cd. after much confXtioilhlff^ "'"^""V "^"determin-
to it, as well as the irreat Hiffir-.r/ '7*=™"5'&nti very contiguous
bilit;) of procurKrthfr,ref/n "''? 'a'^?^ '"^^ 'h«^''4offi-
rupJ; of fv^ter. aL other rl„'c^^^^^ f conftant
ancf defence of a garrifon in thi, n?r? ? ( '''"'gf /or the fupport
nable. However Srr w»^ ^^ ^ °^ *^^ ^°'''^' "^t to be te-
future event mTgh't ctVincTme wtr'"'^V°a''°'? "' """^^"'"=
M«j9fty's fervicf '"''" *"" ^^« »o ^e done for hi,
reducing the coun tr^y by the troon/rh".*'''"? ^^ ''">' «"'='"?' "^
ofthe/h%sof.artocLlrthrm?^.nH-* ^"*If"' ''"^ ^^^ance
termined to make a defcent o„7k a^^'r^ ^"' ^o**'^" ^ de-
happily executed wtSZ/mdeZr "'' """""• ""«"»«
after he failed, <h'e o ir/oo £t ° h^fe ' "Li"'''- '"l""''
tranfport,, a„d lye oiTthat .own Lrf :r,i ? P°' """ '"■""'
/ wen, .„ reconnoij he baue'rv and i„,° """k™"* "''''" 'S'""-
ceiving ihat the enemv ,„„., j7 f ""trenchmenls, and p...
the town: ^ deltroyed the cannon and battery, with
Jts way t'o&f ^^ IS'^I' ,^ f -«^. ^J^« detachment to fore.
y tort U,ns, and, at the lame time, ftnt orders for the
garrifon
154 ThelhsroRY of ihV^AR, 1759;
Soon after the reduftion of Guadaloupe, the
ifland of Marigalante furrendered itfelf upon May 26.
terms fimilar t* thofe which were granted to the
former
garrifon to make two fallics, one to the right, in order to put the
enemy be'v^een two fires, and the other to attack their lines, as t
knew that which 1 had juft made would oblige them to fend troops
to o^pofe our pa/Tage on that fide. The firft was made, but the
latter, by fome miitake, was not executed ; which, had it been
done, we muil have inevitably been in pofTeflion of their lines.
The detachnient from Gojer forced their pafTnge with fome lofs,
notwithftanding a very fhong pafs that the enemy were po/Tcnbd
of, and took pofleffion of a battery of three 24-pou'.iders, which
would, the next day, have played upon our camp.
Governor Defirifay^ whom 1 had left at Fort kosal in Bajfeter^
ft, haying been killed by the blowing up of feme" cartridges that
took fire from the wadding of a 24-pounder that was difcharged
from the upper baftion of l^'ort Royal, at a body of the enemy,
on the 23d oi March, i appointed M:ijor Mehlll, who command-
ed the detachment of the 38th rogimcni from the Lcenxjard IJlands,
to be governor in his room. Major Trollone, a lieut. of the 63d
regiment, and two pi-ivate men, were likewife killed by this ac-
cident; and a capt. another lieut. and 3 men wounded: And the
parapet of that baftion levelled with the ground by the explo-
iion. ^ ' ^
At the fame time that I was acquainted with this accident, I
was told^ that the enemy had eredled a bomb- battery, and thrown
feveral fliells into the fort; and that they had, for fome time
paft, been working, as the garrifon fufpcdled, upon another bat-
tery; I therefore ordered Govenor Mehill to caufe a fortie
(fally) to be made from the garrifon in order to deftroy it. Ac-'
cordingly a detachment of 300 men fallied out under the com-
mand of Capt. Blomer, on the ift of April, and without much
difficulty forced the enemy's intrenchments, and got into the work,
which proved to be a battery of one i8-pounder, and one iz
nearly compleaied. Our people fpiked the guns, and returned to
the garrifon with the lofs of only fix men killed, and fix wound-
ed.
A3 1 thought the fort, by this accident, might want the aflift-
anc6of the chief engineer, I fent him thither immediately, as well
as the commanding officer of the artillery, that no time might be
loft in putting it again in a proper ftate of defence. ,
The rffiiaining part oir the iranfports, with the trOops, being
now
1759- T*-^^ History <?//<6^ War." j^g
former ifland. This is a fmall place, but the conqueft is of
confequence, as the French by this are left no footing in the
Leeward iflands: Martinico [, one of thofe to the^wind!
ward.
now arrived; nine having come on the 23d of MarcJ^ and th«
others oy one or t^vo in a day; as I had loJg intended.' fo foon
as ,t was ,n my power to make an attack on^he GauI^Iolpe fide
as the enemy ad there feme polls of iafinite confequence Tfoxt:
5uft?h?/^' '"formation of fome m^»s, whop?omifed o c^,
duft the troops ,n flat-bottom boats by night, a dcfign of furpriz-
rLfa ^'""-^V^"^'-" ^"^ S'- ^-«'« ^' ^hl fame tCe
hadmadehimielfmafterofit, was^ to ir.arch to bay Ar«*««r. and
dellroy the batteries there, as well as a large magazine of prov^S
ons that the enemy had collefted from thf Duub. and toBer
any more arnving: The latter, under Brig. CW/^^/afte? he
had furpr,fed St. A/^r;V's and Guoya^e, was to march into the
Cafejlern, and reduce that fine country. The fucrefs of this ap!
peared not only to me. but to the gentlemen who were to exe-
cute u. almoj.nfallible: But the night p.oved fo bad, and the
^hfZ f "S° V^'' fo frightenel. that they run feveral of
th boa s on the fhoals of which that coaft is full; fo that tho'
Br g CW,«^ d.d land w.th about 80 men. yet the place was
fo full of mangroves, and fo deep in mud. that he was obliged
'■r?"'l, i""' """"""^ ^^^ ^"^'"y's difcovering our defign
This obliged rne to attempt by force, what could not be effeft-
ed upon a fafer plan : But as I then was laid up in a moft fevere
fit of the gout m my feet. head, and ftomach.^I fent Brigadie '
Ua'vmng and Ou,.j, to reconnoitre the coaft near Jr„<»,i//,.
and upon their report, I ordered 1300 regulars, and icooThe
J^n^.a volunteers, to land under the proteftion of the Wool-
rlr" r''^ ^^^ happened afterwards, you will fee by
the following letter which [ received at Petu £oL from Brie
Uavering, on the 25 th of Jpril. ^*
AtM. PoyerCs, Capejltrre, Gaudaloupe, Jprili^, ly^g,
SIR,
ONnur/day the 12th of Jpril, at day-break. I landed with
the troops which you put under my orde.s. confifting of
diit?n.T"' T^"^«°^'l^e^«"i- volunteers, at a Bay n^f fa
datant from Jr»cv:/h. The enemy made no oppoiiuon to our
U 2 land-
'■ *
i /m
m.'w ^"
r- :V
t( 'V
„' •>
w
156 7'-^<? History <?/ //&^ War. 1759
ward. Thefe beginnings were happy emens of the fuccefs
ot the more important undertaking, which was to be carried
on in another part of America. The reputation of our
arms
landing, but retired, as our troops advanced, to very ftrone in-
trenchments behind the river Le Corn. This port was to them of
the greateft importance, as it covered the whole country to the bay
M«^fl^/, where the provifions and fupplies of all forts were land-
edtrom St. Eujlatia, and therefore they had very early taken pof-
leffion of It, and had fpared no pains to ftrengthen it, though
the fituation was fuch as required very little affiitance from art.
The river was only acceffible at two narrow pafTes, on account
Ot a morafs covered with mangroves, and thofe places they had
occupied with a redoubt and well pallifaded intrenchments, de-
fended with cannon, and all the militia of that part of the coun-
R- », could only approach them in a very contrafted front,
which was at leaft reduced to the breadth of the roads, interfeft!
f with deep and wide ditches. Our artillery, which c®nfitted of
tour field pieces and two hawbitzers, were ordered to keep a con-
ttant hre on the top of the intrenchments, to cover the attack
made by Dmc^Arit, regiaeut and the Highlanders, who, on this
occafion, behaved with the greateft coolnefs and refolution, keep-
ing up, as they advanced, a regular platoon firing. This behavi-
our lo intimsaated tiie enemy, that they abandoned the firft in-
trenchment on the lefl, into which the Highlanders threw them-
lelves, Iword in haod, and purfued the enemy, with part of Du-
remits ttgimsnt, into ihe redoubt.
The enemy ftill kept their ground at their intrenchments on the
ngm, from whence they annoyed our people very much, both
with mufquetry and cannon ; and though thofe who had carried
the hrit intrenchments had got into their rear, yet, till a bridge
could be made to pafs the river, they could not get round to at-
tack this poft. This took us up near half an hour ; but however
we got up time enough to take near 70 of the enemy prifo-
ners, as they were endeavouring to make their efcape, amongft
whom were fome of the moft confiderable inhabitants of the
iHand.
We found in both the intrenchments fix pieces of cannon. Our
lofs was one officer and 13 men killed, and two officers and cz
men wounded. ^
So foon as the ditches could be filled up for the paflat e of the
artillery, we proceeded on our march towards Petit £our^. A
conhderable pumber of the enemy had lined an intrtnchment
about
1759- "^History 9//;JsW4R. ,„
no. 3ppoi„.=d. and '^o^hS-.atrxrd^'sr/,:
wc
about half a mile on the left of the road but wh^n »i,. , • ,
we were endeavounng to furround then. ^'eTaS^n^^^^^^
keeprng always about 200 yards in our front, dinr^te^ott
to a/oid any accident to cur powder. ^^'^
The troops arrived late on the banks of the river Z^^W ha
ta-lc themtia I '?'°^"'"S:' a fufficient number of men to at
round the pl-ee. * ^" ^"® cannon
battery there. Trianick of T '" °"'" *'°";' '^ ^««'-°>' «
abandoned. Thefe he b^rnt whh «n" ^' ;°^" '"^ ^^"«"«
fions. that had been landeS iherfbv^heTr^^^^'^^/^P^^^'^
wMe country, as hx.^F^l^lX ' '^^^'^-^^<^ ''-
The
df
WW
da
15S . TBeBiiTORYof iheWAK: 1759.
we poftponc the narrative of thefe very intercfting events
to confider thofe which intervened on the continent of Eu-
rope, in which too we are to fee our arms no lefs diftjn-
guifhed i
The heavy rains on the fucceeding days had fo fwelled the ri-
vers, that it viras impoftblc for the troops to advance ; however,
this delay gave us an opportunity of flrengthcning the poft at
Petit Bourg. *
On the 18th in the evening, the ^/rr/g-aa volunteers took poflef-
fion agam ofGuoyave; they were fup^orted early the next morn-
ing by a detachment commanded by Lieut. Col. Mar/ow, who
had orders to repair the road for the paflage of the cannon.
On the 2oth, after leavin 250 men to guard Petit Bourg, the
remaining part of the detachment, with the cannon, moved on to
Cueyave, in order to proceed afterwards to St. Marie's, wheru
*ve were informed the enemy were colleaing their whole force to
oppofe us, and had likewife thrown up intrenchments, and made
birricadoes on the road to prevent our approach /to it. We were
aot long before we perceived them ; but, at the fame time, we
found, as well by mr own obfervation, as by the information of
the guides, that •> was not impoflible to get into their rear by
roads the enemy thought impradicable, and confequently had
guarded with very littb care.
A detachment was immediately formed under Col. Barlow, for
this fervice, and orders were fent to hallen the march of the ar-
tillery, which, from the badnefs of the roads, had not been abl(;
to get up. The firfl fliot from our cannon, placd very rear their
intrenchment, with the alarm that was given by our detachment
in the rear, made the enemy very foon fenfibie of the dangerous
fituation they were in, and indeed their precipitate flight only fa-
ved them from being all taken prif«ners.
We purfued them as far as the heights of St. Marie%, where
we again formed our men, for a frefh attack oh the lines and bat-
teries there.
Whilft the barricadoes were levelling for the artillery, we at-
tempted a fecond time to pafs the woods and precipices that co-
vered the flanks of the enemy's lines; but, before we could get up
our cannon, they perceived our movement, and began to quit their
lines to oppofe it, which made us refolve, without any further
delay, to attack them immediately in front; and it was accord-
ingly executed with thegreateft vivacity, notwithllanding the con-
ftant firing of both their cannon and mufquetry. They abandon-
ed here all their artillery, and went off in fo much confufion, that
they never afterwards appeared before us.
We
'759-
ig events.
It of Eu-
:fs diftjn-
guifhed i
led the ri-
however,
le poll at
»ok poflef-
ext morn-
"/oow, who
ion.
hurg, the
3ved on to
''s, wheru
le force to
and made
We were
time, we
nation of
rear by
ently had
s, where
and bai-
U we at-
that co-
ildget up
^uit their
' further
s accord-
the con-
ibandon-
ion, that
1759- "The History cf /^^ War; ,.m
guifhed; and to behold England emerging from the rub!
not unworthy the moft ili:^:!::^^;',^^ o7he" hiCy""^^
CHAP.
We took up oul- qua>:ersat St. Jlf^nVs that night znAth^
Here Meir. y, Glainmm,r, and fl.,„™, depoied W it,.
r Xa."^hr.''a°/d'''' "',""'• ""« ■»= ""^-owKU Z
> oiim grant them j and, as I accompanied them to Pan rLZ.
the ne.;t day, and there prefented them to yo" ki! no/nlfr'^
wh'.rm^"'; rdre"heTS;hT;traf,°'Ti""r ;»•■''''■'' "
0,. .hi. occafion ; I m an Sf 0>t' a'n'5 r£c ^c'f'^l^tr
wHich. neither bravery oJpurncrcanlLletir"'' "■*"'
1 havt tht homur to bi, Uz. '
T. CLAVERING.
i^\Zlu%t%S '^'"'"- "• *Capeilerre, Gua-
t'octd"nr:£:£^^^^^^^^^^
of men ^ '^ ''^'^ •""" performed by fo fmal) a body
felf l!ie honoir of'S"''''-^°" ^"^ ^'^^'^''^ »^ ^ J'^- done my-
only fay in" e/eral tha^tl.;' *° ^°" ^T>' °^^" ^' - ^ ^ ^^^^
trenchments.
S^9
(f I ' SI
Ti>e History of the War.'
CHAP. IV.
^759-
Progrefs of th^ French after the battle of Bergen. Munfler
and other places taken. Situation of the French, and of
the Mies. Motions of Prince ^ Ferdinand. Battle of Min-
rT> .^'"-'^'Jf/y^P^'"^-^ of Brunfiuick defeats the Duke
of Brifac. The French pafs the Wefcr. L. G. S. refims
the command of the Britijh forces; Marquis of Granh
Jucceeds him. The French driven to Marturg. Siei
of Munfler. M. d'Etrees arrives at the French camp
rj'^ % ^'''"'"r f°'' ''^ *»'^4<^n. Havre bombarded.
Adtion off Cape Lagos. French feet defeated.
WE left the army of Prince Ferdinand upon the retreat,
ever fince the battle of Bergen. The French ad-
vanced with great vivacity j their light troops made incur-
/ions
trenchments, and flrong paffes; took ^o pieces of cannon, and
advanced as iar as the Capejierre, the imy remaining unreduced
part of the country. This at latl brought the enemy to terms.
My fituation was fuch, that it was abfolutely neceflary, that what
was done (hoald not be procraftinated, as I was determined to
grant no truce for time enough for the inhabitants to recover from
their fears. Mr. Moore was abfent, the thing pre/Ted: and
fome refoiution was to be taken immediately. That, which I
took, was according to the beft of my uuderftandina, and I
Dope, bir, you wi.l approve of jt.
i believe. Sir, tl e infinite confequence and value of Cuada-
loupe, and Qra.d l.rre, is not perfedly known in En^lafid, as
(Tt am rightly informed) there is more fugar grown liere than
in all the i«if«r./ //Z^^j put together ; befidts great quantities
Of cotton and coffee. The country, efpecially the Cape/hrre,
the fineh [ ever faw, watered with good rivers every mile or
two ; and a port belonging to it, where all the navy of England
may nde fafe from hurricanes. All this can be explained much
better, than I can by letter, by Brig. Cla^erhg, whofe infinite
5:eal for his Majefiy's fervice, and talents as a foldier, I hcpe will
recommend him to proteaion. Such men are rare; and I tliink
I may venture to aflbre you, there are few thing- in our profefli-
on, that he is not equal to, if it (hould be though: fit to honour
him with the execution of any fu urc comraandi.
I kave
iHil
lions almoft to the gates of Hannv*.r Tu d • «...
linued to retire buTh7l?>f^ T T*V^ ^"nee ftilJ con-
grefs :
I have appointed Col. LVk-w* »» ♦i—
governor /£V*»neft„s^ have '/d^^^ *'''*• ^«"<=e
merit is very great. bo?h as a foLTr ' J " ^"««*^'«'= «"
He i, of thi, part of the lorld nZcr^t/ IJ'" ^^ Judgment;
and genius of the people • and 1; h^lul t ' L*?' *'**^*'' ^"^O"".
ediyfhe would noK a'ccepted o? hil ' "°'''^ «"d defintereft!
of advancing himfelf in^T^hl^k!^^^^^ ^"^''^^°P"
how very ufeful, and h-^w mudf our fIS, l" ^ """"" ^"J''
good condua, and great zeaT ^""efles are owing to his
As I have now nothing to fear from th*. lanJ r
as well as lean. Fort Louij anj^l.v t" .' ^ *"» ''epairing,
the greater fecuriV^of thThaTblJ^^ ff '^''^'''^ """^""^ ^'
in a miferabJe condition but I S^^*''P°°[P'=°PJ« here are
to procure them the th^^gslly'^wanf ° ""^ '^'"^ '" '"J' P°-"
goIerrorttTa^tLtf tr'"h^2"'^' the capitulation of the
haved. in all th ir deal ne, whh "'"^'^ The latter have be-
juilicelowethen,, u:^jZi;S:.r''-^^' '' '' *
reepirre:t^p^.^^at-^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^"S^;^ Of hi.
^ho ji Beg i^^\:z^t::^zt.^- ^"-'-^ ' ^-^^
whU^t;rtrb!ti/;:di fo;ffr' ^^'^ °^ ^^^ ^^-^^^
artillery and ftores (wh'ch have been d.l?v^'°.'"'' • '"'"^'^ °^ "«^
of the capitulation to fend bv rHJcn "^^ up. mconfequence
able to ha^ve the H^roo^of^ntyKyTi;' '" ' '"^^ ^°^^
p-^::i'^tS^S"c;tSd£S^
^are ar.s .r th/iit::;: jU ^Sy :::i ^^ ri! t .^f
^ the
gt 'In
4' 3 *^
162 The Bi&TOR Y of the "W AH. 1755.
grofs: their principal defign llrmcd to be be to cutoff his
retreat to tlie VVclbr, to which he kept vcrv dole, as he
knew the inhiuteconlequence of" that communication. How-
ever, it the enemy lailcd to conipals that object, all the
prc-
thc convoy of M. Bompart's fquadron. This fupport, had it
arrived there an hour (boner, mull have made the conqucll of
that idand very difficult, if not impoffiblc. As foon as he heard
the capitulation was figncd, he reimbarked again.
Cc^nmcJor, Moore'. LiUer to tht Right Hon. Mr. Seortary Pitt,
. ^/^^ Cambridge. /« Prince Rupert'/ Bay. Dominique. May
11, 1759. ^ '
Ti Y the Crijin, which arrived here on 17th of Jpril, I
XJ vvas honoured with your letter, fignifying his Majefty's molt
gracious approbation of my condudt. and of the behaviour of
thole under my command, which I took the liberty to commu-
nicate to thole gentlemen: And give me leave to lay. Sir, no-
J'nT '^°""'^"'« '° """^h t" 0"r happinefs. as being honour-
ed «ith, and executing orders to the honour of his Majefty's
th^iUZT iT^'f]'' '° congratulate you on the capitulation of
the ifland of (W«.W/. and Cran>i .jerre, which Major Gen.
ZT'T"" ■'^'. '° C ^y '•'" ^''P''^'^' in gaining which,
g eat honour is due to the troops. The ftrong hold, the enemv
^lultn "" conquered but by great conduct and r.fp,
pear!' w mf ' '""^"'^ "^'^ ^''"'^ ''' ^'"^ '" acquifition as it ap-
It is with great pleafure. I think . may fay, Sir. that on this
. expedition, great unanimity has been kept up between the two
corps, as. well in obedience to his Majefty's commands, as from
our own inclinations It has ever been my'wilh to have Vuch har
mony fubiu-t, and 1 Hatter myfelf I have ahvays fucceeded.
iJn % 7 to acquaint you, Sir, that, on the 2d inft. bein?
tZ :J^' T '"'"'^^''^ °^ MaHgalante, I put to fea in the
«ight, and endeavoured to get up with then,; but. after beating
I h J T:.^!; 4- '"^^ ^''"''* ^""y ^'"'^' '^^" °f °"'- ^'•"i^e.s, thai
th.m fr ^'k'-"I' '''^'' '° ^"^^'^ ^h'^ ^"^">v's motions, faw
& '.^'^^^^"'l- ^'^'"'•" betwixt the two iflands into Fort
Royal from the almoft conftant lee currents, it bemg very dif-
,£cultforih.pstoget to windward, it muft always be fnrheene-
^y ^ choice, whether they will come to a general aftijn or not.
Thsir
'759- 7"*. History o/,fo War. ,6,
".after" of the c,, ;,h^^„t^!' ""'''' '*'™''="' J"')" ^5-
;^™^at;-; LSS -^r--
fair appe,™„c „, ,h I *t : ^TP' ^'^^^ »"'"' 'h^
MarfhaJ Coneades, fpeat onlv of 'fh' '" *"' '"'"^ '" ""=
their coiiGueft a„J „™ ? ^ '^i'"'' ""^at" of fecurin?
..over ■ H^Slor Thl'^enT""'' 'r^V '"^P"^''"'" f™." h"!
Mcce on .hat of the French Th' "">;'• ^''"'' ^'"^ """
Liable moveable,, were fen'off froniH ""' '."^ ™'* -""
thi,.gs feemcd haft-nini- m ,tr -T" '° ^""^''- All
■he Lous capituSr^tfttler; ''""''■''^'' """ ™
ail.';' beSTe tu,iSfT"''''^="1 ''-^ f"-- "f the
Wou-s, which he bad pro-.al ly " efc " ^'d tt" ^f'^' ^
quences ot which he knew h/,.r . ' ^ '"^ ''' ^^^nfe-
the French army afte The 7^ ^'%VJ' ^^^' ^^'^Y «f
extended; their left wis' rotjied bv a"' ^' ''^ ""^
their front was a lar^e mo^If; l^Y •'''!'^ ^''^ '^'^ > '" '
rear. Nothing could be rnTrl'/ '' "^"^'^ ^"^^'"^d their
terprilbd a^ainft he / 7^^. '" 'J' ""^^^'"S ^ould be en-
' .,an at Jaft to advance, and fixed their
^^irfquadron confi.U of „,„, fti, „f „, ,,.„, ^„j ,^^^^ ^^._
««t'i;x'';o™iTot;i* fti^r-^'-' ^'- -^^ »«=..
i .,;: -J
m
164. The History 0/ the War. 1755.
camp altogether as advantageoudy at Petcrihagen, a place
about three leagues from the enemy.
Things were brought to that pafs, that nothing tut a
battle could hinder the French from rakin- winter quarters
in the eleaorate. There was no poffibility uf attacking
them with any hope of fuccefs in the camp which they then
occupied. I he point was to draw them from that poft in-
to the plam; but the movements neceffary to ef{^dt this
were extremely hazardous to an inferior army, in fight of
the enemy The operations of Prince Ferdinand, on this
occalion, difplayed fo penetrating and uncommon a genius,
luch a guarded boldnefs, fuch a certainty of the grounds he
went upon, fuch a perfed poflcffion of himfelf, that per-
haps there is no inftance in hiftoiy of generalfliip fo com-
pleat and finifhedj. for which reafon we (hall endeavour
from the beft lights we have, to draw out at length the
leveral parts that concurred to form this remarkable piece -
we could indeed wifli that the authentick accounts of fo vel
ry memorable an event, had been more clear and explicit:
but we muft content ourfel ves with' the materials we have.
Un the 29th of July, Prince Ferdinand forfook his camp
onthe Wefer, and marched towards Hillen, a tillage con-
hderably to his right, with the greateft part of bis army •
However he took care to leave on the brink of that river/a
body under General Wangenheimj which extended to the
town of Thornhaufen, where they were intrenched, and
lupported by a confiderable artillery. He had the day be-
fore detached the Hereditary Prince of B'runf-
JuJy 28. wick, with 6000 men, to make a compafs to-
wards the enemy's left" flank, and to poft himfelf
in fuch a manner, as to cut off the communication of their
convoys from Padcrborn.
The French were not inattentive to thefe movements;
their (jenerals immediately held a council of war; and the
relult was, that they gave completely into the fnare that
was laid for them. They faw, -s they imagined, the allied
army divided and disjointed; and now the happy moment
prefented itfelf, for the attack of General Wangenheim,
Who they knew was not ftrong, and who feemed at a great
diftance from the reft of the army, fo that it appeared im-
poffible^that he could be relieved. This body being routed,
asiteafilymight, it was obvious that they fhould then be
able to place themfelves between Prince Ferdinand's army
and
u
JJrunswjckLunenburjg;.]^^, /
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'^^■- Vv ^
.V.
173^ 'I'he History of the War. iS^
and the Wefer, and cut ofF his communication with that
river } the great objea at which they aimed, throueh the
whole campaign, and in which was involved the certain de-
ftruetion of the allies.
Full of thefc ideas they left their advantageous poft, and
in eight columns pafled the morafs in their front
and advanced into the plain. TheDulceof Brog- '^"S- '•
lio was to lead the attack, by falling upon that body that
Jay near the river, which feemed to prefent him an ilured
and eafy viaory. He marched on, therefore, with j^reat
conhdence ; but as foon as he had gained an eminence which
lay along his front, he was ftruckwith theutmoft furprife
when, inftead of a few pofts weakly guarded, he beheld the
whole army of the allies drawn up in excellent order, ex-
tending from the banks of the Wefer, quite to the mirafs,
in the front of the late French camp. This was a ftroke en-
tire y unexpeaedj they believed the Prince to have been at
Hillen; but he had marched up, and the whole army was
joined ,n the night. This difcovery for a while put a ftop
to the motions of the French; they were hemmed in be-
tween the allies, the morafs and the river. Their fituation
was difagreeable, but it was now impoffible to recede.
i he allies, finding the French flower than they expca.
^, began to advance, and threatened the eiemy's centre
rhis was compofed almoft wholly of horfej but it was the
flower of their cavalry, who anticipated the fliock of the
alhes, and began the engagement. The brunt of the battle
was almoft whollvfuftained by the Engl i(h infantry, and
feme corps of rianoverians, which flood the re-iterated
charges of fo many bodies of horfe, the ftrength and glory
of the trench armies, with a refolution, fteadinefs, ani
cxpertncfs m their manoeuvre, which was never exceeded
peAaps never equalled. They cut to pieces or entire?;
routed thefe bodies. Two bHgades of foot attempted to
^pport them, but they vanifhed before the Englifh infantry.
Waldegrave's and Kmgfley's regiments diftin|uiihed theml
mini'" 'i ^''^J'a"' ":^"^^'" '^'' *^*y' °°'- ^«^« their com-
manders lefsdiftinguilhed. The enemy's horfe, wh.^h
Sr h-*;'"" ""rA?;'"g ^"^•'■*'y difcomfited, and the^
right, which attacked Wangenheim, having made no for
of impreffion, they thought of nothing but a retreat
At this point of time the Prince fent orders to Ld. George
SackviUe. who com^ianded the whole Britifh, and ftverll
brigades
i66 The History <?/ the War. ^759*
brigades of the German cavalry, to advance. That caval-
ry formed the right wing of the allies, extended to the mo-
rafs, and if it could have charged at the inftance of the ene-
my's retreat, iuch a flioclc at that time, and in that fitua-
tion, would in all probability have left the French without
an army in Germany. But the orders were not fufficicntly
precife, or they were not fufficiently underftood by the En-
glifh commander ; fp that there was fome delay in waiting
For an explanation. The critical minute pafled away ; the
liritiOi cavalry loft their (hare in the glory of the adtion^ and
the French retreated in fome order, favoured by the fpiri-
ted and well-judged efforts of the Duke of Broglio, and
the advantages which the pofleffion of Minden gave
them.
What is remarkable, the French attributed their misfor-
tune in this battle to the fame error in their difpofition, which
Io(t them the battle of Blenheim j that of compofing their
centre almoft wholly of cavalry, without any proper fup-
port of foot.
The battle was over ; but then it was that the effects of
Prince Ferdinand's admirable difpofitions appeared in their
full luftre. The F'rench not having been nlolefted by the
Bntifli cavalry in their retreat, had an opportunity of regain-
ing their former advantageous poft. They had, indeed,
lolt the honour of the day, and miffed the ftroke which they
had meditated. They had likewife loft a great number of
men. But all thefe loffes and difgraces might be repaired,
and there feemed nothing decifive in the day of the Minden.
It had certainly happened, as it then appeared, if the
Prince who forefeeing this, and neglecting nothing which
could be provided, had not formed the plan of detaching-
away the Hereditary Prince In the manner already related.
At five in the morning of that day, this young hero attacked
a large body of^he French under the Duke de Brifac ; this
body, though pofted in a moft advantageous manner, he
entirely defeated, and obliged them to take refuge in Min-
den. The news of this blow came with an ill omen to M.
de Contades, in the inftant when the Englifli infantry began-
to engage his centre. The enemy himfeif could not help
admiring the dexterity of the ftroke under which, he funk :
and full of aftonifliment at a condudl at once fo daring and
judicious, paid the juft applaufe to a General, who could
tictach with fecurity fo large a body from hi* army, when
. he
'759- ne History „/ tie Vr AS.. • ,«,
curetbSen'cl '"'■'^'' ""^ "'^ -kelno'S^:^ t^t
when, were n,a„T"ffi'^'„rZ , ^b /;:^r ^i-^f?
of the allies was not more than two Aoufa^d tI^F '
battle paid thedVhonoirsl thd""nrr '"= ^'y '^'" •"=
as tofeveral of th,.H»„„ • '"""''""<"■?»' =s we !
ftme gallant manner He diT' '?''-"'^'' '"''■aved in ,he
officers; he diftfruTfted ,h -'""'^^ '<> 'he m.-.t of the
rifed folowascaSs V"'-''' "™'''.' '"" ■""'"''"■
ner he fent conflS fc prTfcnt'"'''„'dr'''' •'''¥"» """-
to (hew that he knew what t 'r. L welir"'? ''5*J"S
to encourage the traon/,nJ /i ■ '*™''''' ="«' 'i""'
Ipirit and chearfuLefT °*''='=" '" '''' ""='■• ''"'X ""h
ao;^rof°l'£.fitf a'lf S-'^ft ft-e i„ the ho-
.l.eirmcrit i/tt'Sgc^' e „; T'^^'T r^f^'^'^^'
loiigtu terms, (u^ yet a cloud was call
over
M Pnn. F„Mn.nJ: Or,.. ,i. Da, ,fl„ ,i, Saul. ,f
ttrday, pankulZ7oZi'"^^^^^^ behaviour yef-
//.«.-.;.L ' uX ^"^ ^-° battalions of
Gen. ff-aneeMeZ': cL! ^''^^^r^'-y °f ^he left wing, and to
"w i,m« to all the brigades of heavy artillery. Hi,
Serene
i68 The History of the "WAKi ^759*
oyer their triumph. There were fome cxprefEons in the
orders for the rejoicing, which were fuppofed to convey a
very feverc reflexion on Lord G. S. commander in chief
of
Serene Highnefs declares publicly, that next lo God he attri-
butes the glory of the day to the intrepidity and extraordinary
good behaviour of thefe troops, which he aflures them he (hall
retain the (Irongeft fenfeof as long as he lives; and if ever upon
any occafion he Ihall be able to ferve thefe brave troops, or any of
them in particular, it will give him the utmoft plcafure. Hit
Serene Highnefs orders his particular thanks to be likewife given
to Gen. Sporcken, the Duke of Holftiin, Lieutenant Generals
Imhoff and Vrf. His Serene Highnefs is extremely obliged to
the Count Jt Bucktburg, for his extraordinary care and trouble in
and the three Englijh Captains, Pbillif$, Dnimmend, and Foy.
His Serene Highnefs thinks himfelf infinitely obliged to Major
Generals fVuldtgrave and Kingjlry^ for their great courage and
good order, in which they conduced their brigades. His Serene
Highnefs further orders it to be declared to Lieut. Gen. the Mar-
quifs of Graniy, that he is perfuaded, that if he had had the
good fortiine to have had him at the head of the cavalry of the
right wing, his prefence would have greatly contributed to make
the decifjon of that day more complete and more brilliant. In
Ihort, his Serene Highnefs orders, that thefe of his Suite whofe
behaviour he moft admired be named, as the Duke of Pichmotiii,
Col. Fitxrcy, Cap. Ligonitr^ Col. Wat/on, Capt. Wil/on, aid de
camp to Major-Gen. Ifaldegrave, Adjutant Generals Erjhff,
Buloiv, DurendolU, the Count Tobe and Malerti; his Serene
Highnefs having much reafon to be fatisfied with their condud.
And his Serene Highnefs defires and orders the generals of the
army, that upon all occafions when orders are brought to them
By his aid de camps, that they be obeyed pundually, and without
delay.
Princt Ferdinand, in the orders of the zd of Augvft, having emit-
ted Captain Macbean, fent the folUtK-ing, 'wrett in hit own
hand,
^ S I R,
IT is from a fenfe of vour merit, and a regard to juftice,
that I do in this manner declare I have reafon to be infinite-
ly
/(^V ^^' History of the War. ,6a
of the EngHfli forces. The Prince required with an em-
phafis, wh.ch feemed particularly pointed, th« his ordTr
bv h.s aids de camps for the future fhould be rr^re exX
exojld h^" ' ""'""Y ^'^ '^''■^ '^ ^ mifu^le flood hJ
exprefled his concern that the Marquis of Granbv had nn^
^Lfl TTl^ f ^^'^ Briti(h\..alry Had he com
manded his h.ghnefs made no doubt that the fuccds «fX
% had been much more complete and brilJ anl ' T^ fe
vere mfinuat.on concerning the difobedience to orders ami
deV"detrionr'™^"^ '^ ^ ^"^-^^-^ ^l' ^t
celfureT^A-r ' "'f^y ^'^ ^lorious to our troops, and of a
EnlZlt fc "' -^ *heir commander, camVat once to
fngiand. In proportion to the joy which filled all he^rt^
on LS ,hl 7 ° f , " "" advantage, was their indignati-
f,?k ! J L ">= ""'"""nate commander to whom it wts at
tributed that this advantage was not ereater Thl TJ
•s ufual, judged definitiv^ upon aI firft chale ^n!i
never pardon a general wLle^rror it i to fall ftort I^
foning m his favour, not fo much a defence of h^s condnS"
as the exemon of eloquence and artifice to paniate a n" glelt
of
g 5;f 'li^etni^frdens;"^^
j^oX^;«:^XT„w'dtir';trr^^
Teur det'oted and
entirely affiaionatt firvant^
^ FERDINAND.
170 The Hi&TORY of the "War. *759'
of duty. This indeed makes the cafe of officers particular-
ly hard; but then it al^rays (hews them what they have to
Jo.
The merits of the matter are ftill rccardcd in the fame
light by the public. But the heat, the eagcrncfs, and cu-
rioHty of the fuft movements being over, the matter will
be heard, whenever it comes to be again difcull'ed with lefs
attention, but with lefs pafTioii too. It is not for us to de-
liver any opinion in fo nice a contfovei fy. We have in points
of lefs moment hitherto declined it; and wefhall always de-
cline it until the proper judges before whom it probably will
Come, fliall have taught us what to think. There is in-
deed no doubt that if the cavalry of the allies right wing,
fituated as it was, had been brought to ad at the critical
time when it had orders to move, the battle of Minden had
proved as decifive as that of Hocfted. But whether it was
a fault in the giving or the delivering of the orders, or whe-
ther it was fome mifapprehenfion in him who received
them, we cannot but fincerely pity a commander ol fuch
admirable talents, who by the error or the misfortune of a
moment, loll an opportunity that would have ranked him
for ever with the Marlboroughs and the Brunfwicks.
A few days after the battle his lordfhip refigned his com-
mand and returned to London. He >ivas but a few days in
London when he was deprived of all his military employ-
ments. The Marquis of Granby, whom the opinion of
Prince Ferdinand, and the defires of the whole army had
pointed out, fucceeded him in his command. A generous
and ardent courage, an affability of manners that flowed
from no artifice, a manly freedom and opennefs of foul, a
chearful and unreferved converfation, a munificence that
knew no bounds, fo many qualities of the man and of the
foldier, endeared him to the whole army, and rendered En-
glifh and foreigners, his inferiors, his equals and his fuperi-
or in command, unanimous in his favour.
Whilit thefe changes were making. Prince Ferdinand
loft no time to improve his victory, by the purfuit of the
French, who retired in the utmoft diftrefs. The allies were
not Indeed able to overtake the main body of their army,
but they haralled them extreme^, and the French were
obli^^ed to facrifice a great part of their army piece-meal to
preferve the refl entire. The necefliity of providing fubfif-
tence drove them towards Caflel. The Prince purfued
thein»
»759-
rticuUr-
have to
the fame
and cu>
itter will
with lefs
js to de-
in points
ways de-
ably will
e is in-
ht wing,
e critical
nden had
it it was
, or whe-
received
r ol* fuch
ine of a
iked him
.s.
his com-
irdays in
employ-
}inion of
rmy had
generous
It flowed
f foul, a
;nce that
id of the
leied En-
is fuperi-
^erdinand
lit of the
Hies were
At army,
ich were
;-meal to
ng fubfif-
purfued
thein»
THE Mar aris of Granby
'759* 7'^f History <?//^^ War. 171
them, obliged them to evacuate that place, and once more
treed that poor diftreflid country from the French tyranny.
1 he cattle of Zicgenhayn, after an hour's defence, gave
the allies about 400 prifoners. After this the He-
reditary Prince of Brunfwick, equally confpicu- Aug. a«.
ous in the greater and the lefler operations of war,
made a private march at night in order to fur- 27.
prife a corps of French irregulars, commanded
by the famous partizan Fifcher, which were poftcd at
Wetter, where it was convenient for the allies to encamp.
• 1 his corps he entirely routed, killing a great number and
taking 400. The French threw a garrifon into Marpurg,
in hopes of putting fome ftop to the rapid career of the allies.
In effea this did prove an obftacle for fome days, but at
length the caftle furrendered, and the garrifon,
confifting of between 8 and 900 men, became Sept. 11,
prifoners of war.
Here abound was fet to the progrefs of the allied arms.
JJot that they were ftopped by any confiderable obftrudlion
from the main body of the French in that quarter, but frorti
fome etteas in another quarter of the unfuccefsful begin-
ning of the campaign, from which the battle of Minden
had not yet perfeary difengaged them. Munfter was ftill
behind them, and ftill in the hands of the enemy, who had
a, powerful girrifon in that city. M. de Contades, who
even after his defeat exceeded the allies in numbers, and
had now no further view of an ofFenfivc campaign, fent a
ftrong body under d'Armentieres, which was reinforced by
fome troops from the Lower Rhine, to near 15,000 men.
to cover that place. Prince Ferdinand had before detach-
ed General ImhofF from Caflel in order to reduce it. On
the approach of d'Armentieres, ImhofFwas obliged to raife
the fiege. But being foon after reinforced, the
1- rench commander retired in his turn towards Sept. 6.
wefel, the pofleffion of which place had all along
proved of infinite importance to the French in all their ope-
rations. I he fiege of Munfter was again refumed, but
the bufmefs threatened to be difficult and tedious. This
however was the only xub which the allies encountered. In
ail other refpeds they were perfedly fortunate. They had
driven their enemy two hundred miles before them, ahd at
th« end of the campaign, after all their eflibrts, and all their
. ^ fanguina
17a The HnromY cf the \Wak, 1759.
ianauinc hopes of conqucft, fct them down juft where they
had begun it.
The event of the battle of Mindcn, and the fubfcquent
misfortunes of the French arms, threw Vcrliiilk-s into the
utmofl confufion. Ths news of that defeat arrived juft as
the King was taking horfc to hunt. He retired filcnt and
dejedted into the apartment of Madam de Pompadour, and
for fomc time faw none of his miniflers. The Duke of
Broglio and M. de Contadcs mutually accufed each other,
for the ill conduit of that day. The public acquitted Bro-
glio. Jielleiflf and his General Contades loft all reputati-
on : but the duke ftill preferved his employment and a con-
fiderable part of his influence at court.
As foon as the firft confufion and furprizeof fo unexpeft-
ed an event was a little abated; it was rcfolvedto fend re-
^inforcements to their army in Germany, and at the fame
time to fend thither fome officer of experierice and authori-
ty, who might judge, and compofe, if poflible, the difter-
ences which fubfifted between the commanders ; as well as
to aflift in the deliberations for retrieving their affairs. Pub-
lic misfortunes call great men from their obfcurity. M. de
£trees was chofen on this occalion, and inverted with an au-
thority which he unwillingly accepted. When he
Sept. 25. arrived at the French camp, he could not avoid
a figh on viewing of the ruins of that army, which
had triumphed under his command at Haftcnbeck. How-
ver, his behaviour to M. de Contades was polite and gene-
rous. The old Marcfchal told him that he was not come
to take his command, but to fcrve under him ; and whilft
he aiTiftcd him with his advice, he would receive his or-
ders.
Whilft the French endeavour to piece up their broken
fortune in Germany, they made fome fliow of puflilng the
other part of their fcheme with vigour. All their ports
were full of the preparations for an invafion of the Britifii
dominions. Mtn of war, trafports and flat-bottomed boats,
now almoft a word of ridicule, were prepared with great di-
ligence. They talked of a triple embarkation. M. Thu-
rot was to command a fmall fquadron and feveral tranfports
from IKinkirk, which it was believed were intended for
Scotland. This man from a mafter of !^ merchant fhip be-
came a captain of a privateer, in which capacity he greatly
annoyed the Englifh trade, and acquired a reputation. At
a time
1759' The Hmatiy of ibg War. 173
a time when France docs not abound with great men, his
fervces .n th.s way amJ his daring fpirit, recommended hi^
to a command in the King's fervicc.
Thcdefign againft England, as the voyage hither is the
; was to be attempted from Havre, and fume other
ports of Normandy, m flat- bottomed boats. The third
cmbarkauon, which was fuppofcd againft Ireland, was to
Le made from Vannes in the Uwer Brittany, where I
Jarge body of troops was aiTcmblcd, commanded by the
Duke d Aiguillon governor of that province. Tiiis cmbar-
kation was to be covered by the fleet under M. de Conflans
which was preparing with great diligence in RrcfJ. HaJ
this defign been fuch as u was rcprefentcd, and had it been
put into exccuuon, there is no doubt but fuch an attempt
upon both kingdoms, at three different places at once r^nft
have thrpwn the whole into no ImaiJ confufion. But excel-
lent meafures were taken on the part of England to fruf
trate their defigns, whatever they might haveC
Dunkirk aV"""".' ^T'''^^"' ^""y ^^^ ft*^'^"^' before
whJnK f ..A^-^'f^' Rodney was fent to bombard Havre
which fervice he performed with fuccefs. Admiral Hawk:
whilft a leffer kept a watch upon that of Vannes Thefe
precautions were continued the whole fummer, during which
b^tleof Mmden had deftroyed their hope in Germaiv
ffu^ t S '" Tn^'^f ""' '""^ g-ater'attcntion WhI;
il ue It had we ftall relate m its p.oper place. But their
A great fleet was equipped at Toulon, which fome defi-
ned for America, whilft others believed it was defi^ned to
unite 1 felf with that of Breft to favour the invafioir. Ad^
miral iiofcawen who commanded in the Mediterranean
blocked upthis fquadron^ until fome unfavourab Iweath J
raltar to refit. 1 he French took this opportuni-
ty to fail out, an J they proceeded with great dili- Auff i±
gence to the ftrci-rhts. ^ ^* ^*
They had arrived very near Gibraltar before the admiral
had notice of their approach; but notwithftandin<. thrm^
(hips were not perfe% prepared to ikil. the adSii^alu fed
fuch
174 fbe Hir,TiH.v cf the W AK. 1759."
fuch great expedition chat in two hours after the account ar-
rived the Englifh fleet wa& out at fea.
The Engifti fleet was compofed of fourteen Ihips of the
line b.-'ftdco frig.ites. The enemy had twelve of the line.
They were fuperior in the bulk of their (hips and in the
number of men, if they were inferior iii the number of vef-
fels; and it is the opinion of many perfons of judgment,
that if they had formed a line of battle, and fought Mr.
Bofcawen in order, they might very well have hoped for a
better ifluc of this matter than they found. But the evil
genius of France operating on the co'.vardice or incapacity
of th^' commander, induced them to feparate their fleet
and fly. The Englifli fhips were newly refitted; they pro-
ved better failorsj and the men, animated with the fpirit-
ed example of their admiral, engaged the French fhips as
they could overtake them ; and they overtook fome of them
oft- Cape Lagos in Portugal. A briflc engagement enfu-
ed. Two of the eaemy's fhips, the Ocean and the Re-
doubtable, were run on fhore and burned. The firft was
the fhip of M. ae ii Clue, the French admiral, who efca-
ped to land; but beinr grievoufly wounded, and, as it is
faid, having loft both hi.« legs, he died foon after. Two
other capita? fhips, the Centaure and Modefte, were
taken.
The fcattered remains of their fleet with difliculty got
into the harbour of Cadiz, where they were foon after
blocked up, and where they ftill remain. This adion hap-
pened on the i8th of Auguft; and it gave a grea*- eciat to
the Britiih arms, which, in the fanrte month, had triumph-
ed fo fignally both by fea and land (b).
CHAP.
^l/J Jdmiral Bofcavoen s Letter to Mr. CU'vland, Stcrtfary to
the Admiralty^ dated, Namuret off Cape St. Fincentt Auguft
20, 1759.
«(
I Acquainted you in my laft of my return to Gibraltar to re
fit. Asfooii as the (hips were near ready I ordered
tae
time and Gibraltar frigates, the firft to cruize off Malaga, and
the laft from Epptrna to Geuta Point, to look out, and give me
timely notice of ihc enemy's appro: :h.
On the I7ih, at eight in the evening, the GibraliAr made the
fignal
1759^ T*.^ History*//^* War. 175
CHAP. V.
Ccunt Dohna dlfgraced. Wedel fucceeds him. The RulR-
aus enter Silefia Battle of Zulichau. Ruffians fake
Fra^jort on the Oder Gen. Laudohn joins tfem. King
of Prujfta jotm JVedel Battle of Cunnerfdorf King of
Pruffia repaffes the Oder. Soltikoff and Daun rommuJ-
cate. King of Prujfta detaches General JVunfch inta
Saxony Parallel of the King of Prujfta and PrCnce Fer^
' dinand of Brunfwtck.
A S the King of Pruffia»s viftory at Rolbach had given
jTIl the -Hanoverians an opportunity to free their coun-
try, It might be expeaed that the affair at Minden would
have
I got underfaUas faftsspoffible, and was out of the bay be-
1IJ rh ? ""^ pW/«r, and foon after feven fail l(
large fliips lying to; but on our not anfwering their fignals
hey made fail from us. We had a frefli gale, and came uf w" th
them fall, till about noon, when it fell little wind. About half
anhourpafttwo. fome of the headmoft Ihips began to engage •
but I could not get up to the Ocean till nea? four^ In abouf half
an hour, the i^«^„„r's mizen malt and both top-fail yards were
ihot away; the enemy then made all the fail they could I S
ed my flag to the AWr^. and foon after the cJ/L of 7.1
^w on y four fa.l of the line Handing ,„ for the land, (two of the
beft fadors having altered their courfe in the night) ^ We were
not above th^ee miles fron. them, and not above five .agues fToS
he br. "' '7 l'"'!^'"'- '^^""^ "'"^ 'he Ocean IZoZ
the breakers, and the three others anchored. I fent the /TrS
and J„encajo deftroy the Oce.n. C.pt. Fratun havinr^^
V^ce alone. On his firft firing at the Ocean fhe ftruck Cant
£oke and'^hf :r' '" ^°Yi' ^^ '' ^' ^'- having on. Teg
broke, and the other wounded, had been landed about half af
.... finding i.in.poffi^.''?rti„g'^r.Sr;rf«"t;Tt"'.
Capt,
%';6 Tb€ HiSTOR v #/ the War. ly^^:
have fcrved to free his Pruffian majcfty from fome of the
numerous armies th^ opprtflfed him. But as this battle
was fought in the middle of the feafan for adion, and as
Munitcr Itill continued in the pofleffion of the French,
Prince Ferdinand could not venture at that time, to make
any detachment from his army in the King's favour, with-
out rirqumgall the advantages which he had obtained from
bis viaorjr.. The King of Pruflia was therefore left alone
to ftruggle widi the Auftriati«, Ruffians, Iraperialifts, and
awcdes.
The Ruffians, whofc motions governed tbofe of all the
other armies, left their camp at Pofna in Poland, and quit-
ting the Viftula, drew nm to the banks of the Oder. They
were
Capu ^/yi, of th« W^i^ght, was ordered againft the 7m,-
ratr, of 74 guns ; and brought her off with little damage, the
officers and men all on board. At the fame time Vice-Admiral
Bredtrick^ with his divifion burnt 'Jie RtdouhtabU, her officers and
men having quitted her, being bulged; and brought the Modtjie,
a 64 guns, off very little damaged. • ••= •
I have the pleafurc to acquaint their lordlhips, that moft of his
majefty s fhips under my command failed belter than thofe of the
enemy.
Inclofcd I fend you a lift of the Frtncb fquadron, found on
board the Medefte.
Heretirith vou will alfo receive the number of the killed and
wounded on board his majefty's Ihips, referring their lordfhips for
further particulars to Capt. Buckle.
tifi of the TrtHch Squadron under the command of M. de la Clue.
Ships, Guns
L'Occan 80
LeRedoutable 74
Le LViitaure 74
l.e Souverain 74
LeGucrri.. 74
Le Temeraire 74
Le Fantafque 64
Le Modelle 64
burnt.
burnt.
taken.
efcaped.
elb^ed.
taken.
loft comp.
taken.
Ships.
Le Lion
Le Triton
Le Fier
L' Oriflamme
LaChimeie
La Minerve
La Gradeufe
Gums,
64
64
50
5
2
HJ
r.
loft compa*
ny coming
the
Streigbts.
In this cngagcmettt Ow Emgl^ had 56 mm killed, and 106
wounded.
'759- I'he HrsTORY of theV^AK. ijf
S^^.\.nff"r" '^nT"'^ °^ * ^"^»^" nobleman, Count
them L £^.1^°^"'' K^^° '^^^ ^"" °^^"^d ^^ °PPo<-<'
them, raw that their numbers were too confiderable and
tbe,r ports too ftrong to be attacked with any profoea of
advantage, fo that he contented himfelf with oKSel
n^otions and haraffing their march. This conduft Lmed
more dilatory and timid than the circumftances, cr th^^n-
chna tions o/ the Kine could bear. He is faid to have rel
proached that Gcnerafin fo fevere a manner, for a condS
iook the fir^'' '" '". P^^^^^i^'^y very jufHfiahle! that hi
took he firft opportunity to refign his command, and, unl
li, '^^4^.^^"°^ 'J-'^'T''^ ^''' ^''^'^^ retir'ed to' Ber-
lin. 1 he Kinc immediately put General Wedel into his
all events fo enable him to obey his commands, he re*
enforced h.m with feveraldetachme'nts from his own army
LhaSf;r'"f °^. '^t ^ "S'^ °/^^" ^'^ ^his occafion S
perhaps be ccnfuredj but it myft be owned, that the time
required a courfe next to dcfperate. His he editary do^!
nions were ,n the utmoft danger, and nothinnL Z^I
great and fortunate rtroke co;id%ffcauaTly freven 'tTe
junaion of the Auftrian and Ruffians armlpf L ! !
" For'tifiJd^" f "^' '' 'r^' ''^ » ^^ -ad""'
Fortified in fome meafure by the reinforcements he had
received, and in confequence of his orders, Gen Wedel
r^folved to attack the Ruffians on their i^arch
They had got to Zulichau and direfted their Tulv 27
courfe to CrofTen in Silefia, to get before the Pruf- ^ ^'
iian army and to make good the paflage of the Oder
rhe fituation of the Ruffians was veryadvfntageou!; poff:
ed upon eminences, defc^nded by a powerful artillerv ^^nrf
a"nT ?h'''r ^°"^" T-'^^ ^^"^-" arry Ten ftort^^^^^^^^^^
and they had greater difadvantages than their inferior ty of
number to get over Thej^ had a bridge to pafs, and Lh
hZlZ c'^H '" ^'im^'^^^ougK thftfcar'ce a'thfrd of a
bat alion could march m front. The ground was fuch
li h .if thT'T^'°f "°u' ^"PP°^' ^'^^'^ '"f^""y Ye?
With all thefe difficulties the attack was long and Jefolute
But this refolution made their repulfe, which^ aU thefe df'
a vantages had rendered inevitable, far more bloody and
P rifone s the"' '^'"1^"^ ^'^^^^ "^""^^^^ -^- I^'H^d or
IW ?; t '^T'^'^ ^'"'^ ^° 3000. General Wobcr-
<now, an officer of great ability, was killed, and General
2 MantcufFel
I
178 The History of the War. 1759*
Manteuffcl was wounded. I'he Pruflians were obliged to
retire, but they were not purfued, and they palled the
Oder without moleftation. The Ruffians fcizcd upon the
towns of Croflen and Frankfort on the Oder.
The King of Pr.uffia, fince the beginning of the war,
had never hitherto obtained an advantage where he was
not pcrfonally prefent. His prefence now became more ne-
jceflary than ever. Since the aftion at Zulichau, the Ruffi-
ans had penetrated a confiderable way into his territories,
and had taken pofTeffion of the important city of Frankfort
upon the Oder. He therefore marched with 10,000 of his
befl troops, to join the broken army of Wedel, in order
to drive this formidable and determined enemy from his
country. Prince Henry commanded the remainder of his
army, which was too well pofled to fear any infult during
his abfence. The eyes of all were fixed upon his march,
and his foldiers, who remembered Zorndorf, eagerly long-
ed to try their Itrength once more with the fame anta-
gonifls.
M. Daun was not unapprifed of the motions of the Ruffi-
ans, or the defigns of the King of Pruffia. lie knew that
the gr^at fault of the Ruffian troops, was the want of a re-
gular and firm cavalry, which might be depended upon in
a day of aaion. This defeft was a principal caufe of their
misfortune at Zorndorf in the laft year; a misfortune which
difconcerted all the operations of that campaign. As this
was the only want which the Ruffians were under, fo it was
that which Daun was befl able to fupply at a fhort warning.
With this view he feleded about 12,000 of his horfe, and
there is no better horfe than that of the Auflrians, which
with about 8000 foot, he placed under the command of
Gen. Laudohn, one of the ablefl officers in that fervicc.
This body was divided into two columns, one of which
marched through Silefia, and the other through Lufatia.
By extreme good fortune and conduft, with little lofs or
oppofition, they both joined the Ruffian army, and were
received with tranfports of joy.
■ In the mean time the King of Pruffia, who was unable to
prevent this flroke, joined General Wedel at
Aug. 4. Muhlrofe, and took upon him the command of
the united armies. But ftill finding himfelf too
weak for the decifive a£lion he was preparing to attempt,
he recalled General Finck, whom he had fent fome time
before
■fJS.
i759\ ^-^^ History <?//^, War. 179
l1kth^tlT.yl ^' V'^^ ^'^""^^"'^ '"«"»^'" order to op!
mcnt he wJr?; l;" ^^^^^,^"«T• With thefe reinforce-
compleat. That of the Ruffians fince the iunaion of T a..
was extremely difficult and hazardous to atttmM Z^
Coum nT.m'f, "",''' '?'"• ^^' <i«achments from
whrch he"r ::Q ,Xtl e=f h!,t"> ^"O"^'
.0 the I^perialiftsr and tl7RXlf',^^J":^t^ ^
i^?.'t 'hrp°e,?rt dSs;: hf:: i:J""^' "•>•'-
live of honour and of fafetv dema„S?„ '^'' ""3""?"
sratfc:t,?h\r°P^^
in.ngrariner could be done by marches and choice of Doft<!
Cr '"« '''"^ -"• ^-^ tttaL^'d^^f iiM'
llalhter^"f" "•^■"^'■nients were forced with Ereat
be maftered. which coveXt^' 'ir '^''/"^'^''"'''•B to
There were attacked w^rhi ? "'"'gfof Cunnerfdorf.
one after another Th?? '^""f '^'^l""''". »nd taken
village, aT eS-eavIfr d .rpr^r'^-Tir" """■!, "I '"^
bypurhing forward fevera,}aSns o/ hoffc td t?!
. ^ ^^ but
i8o TheHi^TQUY of theV^AK, 1759,
but their refiftance there, proved not more effeaual than
It had done every where el (ej they were driven from poft
to poft, quite to the ]aft redoubts. For upw;*rds of fix
hours Fortune favoured the Pruffians, who every where
broke the enemy, with an unparallelled flaughter. Thev
had driven them from almoft all the ground which they
had occupied before the battle, they had taken more thai
half their artillery; fcarce any thing feemed wanting to the
moft complete decifion.
The King in thofe circumftances wrote a billet to the
queen to this efFca; *• Mad:.m, we have beat the Ruffi-
ans from their entrenchments. In two hours expeft to
« hear of a glorious viaory." This news arrived at Ber-
lin, juft as the poft was going out, and the friends of the
King of I'ruiria throughout Europe, exulted in a certain
conclufive viaory. Mean time, Fortune was preparing for
him a terrible reverfc. *
*u '^^? /nejny, defeated in almoft every quarter, found
their left wing, fhattered as it was, to be more entire than
jny other part of the army. Count Soltikoff therefore af-
fembled the remains of his right, and gathering as many as
he could from the centre, reinforced that wing, and made
a Itand at a redoubt which had been ereded on an advan-
tageous eminence, in a place called The Jews burying
^rW. Nothmg was wanting to finifh matters in favour
ot the King, but to drive the Ruffians from this their laft
hope. But this enterprize was difficult. It is confidently
laid, that the Pruffian generals were unanimous in opinion,
that they fliould not endeavour at that time to pufh any fur-
ther the advantages they had obtained. They reprefented
to the King, that the enemy was ftiJl very numerous, their
artillery confiderable, and the poft which they occupied of
great ftrength; that his brave troops, who had been en-
gaged for fo long a time, in the fcvereft aaion, perhaps,
ever known, and in one of the hotteft days ever felt, were
too muchexhaufted for a new attempt j an attempt of fuch
extreme difficulty, as might daunt even troops that were
quite frefh. That the advantage he gained would be as de-
cifivc in Its confequences as that at Zorndorfi and whilft
the enemy filled the gazettes of their party, with frivolous
difputes of the field of battle,, he would be reaping, as he
did then, all the efFefts of an unqueftioned viaory. That
the enemy would be obliged to retire immediately into Po-
land,
IL,^
1759' 7'-^^ History o//<^tf War. jJ,
land, and to leave him at liberty to aft in other quarters.
where his prefence was full as neceffary '
Thefe reafons were very cogent ; and for a few moments
they feemcd to have fome weight with the King. But his
charaaer foon determined hi.n to a contrary refolution He
could not bear to be a conqueror by halves. One effort
more was alone wanting to that viftory, which would free
him for ever from the adverfary, which had leaned hcavieft
on him during the whole war. »«.*vi«c
Once more he put all to the hazard. His infantry, ftill
refolute andfupported by their late fuccefs, were r;adilr
brought to aa again. They drew on their bodies faindnJ
with heat and labour to a new attack. But the cnterS
was beyond their ftrength. The fituation of the enemvTa^
impregnablei and their artillery, which began to b^ fune
riorto that of the Pruffians, on' account of^the diftLlty of
the ground, which made it impoffible for the latter to brC
up any other than a few (mail pieces, repulfed thefe S
haps, with a blameable perfeveranc«, the Pruffian i^dtZ
was brought to a fecond attack, Jnd were a fecond^2
repulfed, and with a lofs greater%han at firft? TWe rf!
forts being unfuccefsful, th6 affair was put to thecSal^
rhey made redoubled but ufelefs attacks ; the horSwc^;
fpent, as well as thofe they carried
a Tl J"u^/' ^i?'' ' '"^' ^hen the Pruiflan horfe was
wafted by thefe unfuccefsfuJ efforts, that the greateft Tr
wu ^"5T' ^"4^»^^^hole bodyWthcAuftHaTcavairv
which had been hitherto quite iLaive, and which wS
herefore quite frefli, rufhed down upon them, Cketh^m
to pieces, forced them back upon their foot, and threw th^
whole into irreparable diforder. The whole army w^s feS!
ed with a panic; and in a few minutes thof^ troops fo
[l^jf^'^TK^-^Z'^f''^'^ were totally difpeS 'and
hazardL J ' r'"^ "^'^ ""'/y '^'"^ "^ ^eftore the field,
hazarding his perfon, even beyond his former daring and
P od.gal of a life, which he feemed to think, ougl^? not to
be feparated from conqueft. Thrice he led on his fr^ns
to he char^e,|^ two horfes were killed under him S
baUs were in his cloaths. The efforts of fkill, courage and
defpair, were made, and proved ineffedual ; a fmglf error
outweighed them all. Scarcely a general, hardly a„ infer br
officer w the vmy was without f^ wound. That of Ge-
neral
1 82 The History of the War. 1759;
ncral Seidlitz was particularly unfortunate; for to that
wound, the failure of the horfe which he commanded, was
principally attributed. It was to the fpirit and condud of
this able officer, that a great part of the fucccfs at Zorndorf
was owing, and the laft campaign. It is known, that if it
had not been for a feafonable movement of the horfc, the
whole Pruflian army had then been in great danger of a
defeat.
The night, and the prudent ufe of fomc eminences,
which were defended as well as circumftanccs would admit,
preferved the Pruflian army from total dcftrudtion. How-
ever, this lofs was far greater than any which they had fuf-
tained from the beginning of the war. All their cannon
was taken, the killed, wounded, and prifoners, by the moft
favourable accounts, were near twenty thoufand. Gene-
ral Putkammer was killed on the fpot. Thefe generals
whofe names are fo diftinguiflied in this war, Itzenplitz,
Hulfen, Finck, Wedel, and Seidlitz, were among the
wounded; as was the Prince of Wurtenburg, and five ma-
jor generals. The enemy could npt have fewer than ten
thoufand killed on their fide. For hardly ever was a more
bloody battle.
When the King of Pruflla found himfelf obliged to quit
the field, he fent another difpatch to the Queen, exprefled
in this manner, " Remove from Berlin with the royal fa-
" mily. Let the archives be carried to Potzdam. The
" town may make conditions with the enemy." We
fhould in vain attempt to draw the pidiure of the court and
cit^, on the receipt of fuch news in the midft of the joy,
which they indulged for that which they had received but
a few hours before. The terror was increafed by the indi-
ilin(Sfc relation that foon followed, which gave them only
to underftand, that their army was totally routed; that
there was no account of the King, and that a Ruflian army
was advancing to take pofleflion of their city.
The day after the battle, the King of Pruflla repafl'ed
the Oder, and encamped at Retwein. From thence he
moved to Fuftenwalde, and placed himfelf in fuch a man-
ner, that the Ruflians did not venture to make any attempt
upon Berlin. He continually watched their army; a part
of which, inftead of turning towards Brandenburgh, march-
ed into Lufatia, where it joined that of the Auftrians. Here
the viaorious General SoItikofF, for the firft time, met M.
Daun,
^759' ^-^^ History </ /^^ War ,•,
-her ddiberlJ^'if/r: tant/X^^^^^ ^^^^
^om,n,ons they mould take pofleffion The Kin^ ^'"^'"
defeated with a vaft Jofs. 4 was cut nff fr ^..'^*' '^'^^
nication with the army of Ss Toth.r P • """o" ^°'"'"»-
to the aftoniftment 71 the world th^T'' "'"'T ^^
torious and united army aiSed ^^n rh.^ ^P?""'* ''^^ ^'^-
curbedin all their Sfs^nTfrXtl^t^^^^^^^
figns, by the inferinr ,1,. k . j . ^. '" *" '•""r de-
cver hlcived .he geSof Ae ^w'"? p'^i"*- ^othmg
than W"o„d„a?friheVa' le'lfT/nSrT 'T'
days after fo terrible a defeat ^„o. *u" "*. ^" ^ ^^w
his camp. He fZliedVhf ' r ''^7u**""S ^'^ '» o^^cr in
ftores inV"n. T ?ecaL^^^^^^ ^om his
five thoufand men frorpia^L- ^'?^' ^"^ ^^*>«t
armies as thofe, of M^Damran3 r"^'''?^?^^''^^^^"^'*
tached fix thoufand men from .'."^,^°""t S°ltikofF, he de-
of Saxony, where thTarmv^f^.^ ?'".^°^y' *° ^"^^ relief
of his abfence, to redu^^rL , .^'"P"'" ^"^ ^^«"^d itfelf
temberff, Leiofic tZ ^j^^l^country. Hall, Wit-
openedJki;gt; cl^ Vplllftf ^^^'^ '.^^
the enemv'! ilcwZ fj r I' '^^'r"^ *»» *« objeft of
ftanding Ihe,r?r'vSo Jroi^r/''"" "f'"-' "«*'*-
Polandf and .o Ieave"ht"£ ?"f e ^"ft He '^''" '"'»
What was dojie bv the R-Jn^ ? d i. /"^ campaign,
will be the fubjea ofC^hfr' fa? ef-'atr' we' T '"^^^
J^ut we cannordLi?sraVrstf T"^"'^"'^^^^"^'°"'
two fuch battles as thofe of £. ^ermany, in which
fought, with events fo df^t'fo" h^""""''°^^ "-^
without obfervine fomerh nf • common caufe,
who conduaed tlfem? "^ concerning the two general,'
wh7c^prXw^nt^^^ LTf"" '""^ «^ft - E-ope,
they differ as much 7n fhdr K '^ ^'''''' ""'^ ^ ^^ough
talents they poffeff as thev a.r "'^"'i' '"^ ^" ^^'^ ^ind of
abilities for war ThVtenf'p^ ^^' S'"^^^"^^^ ^^ ^^^ir
1 ne l^ing of Pf uffia, rapid, veherr.ent,
impatient.
i84 The Hi iTOKY of tbg'W AH. ^759.
impatient, often gives decifive blows; but he often mifTes
his fholce, and wounds himfelf. Prince Ferdinand is cool,
deliix-ratc, exa(Et, and guarded; he fees every pofTible ad-
vantage, be takes it at the moment, purfues it as far as it
will go; but never attempts to pufh it farther. Nothing
in the man dillurbs the commander. In him, we do not
fee a perfon who is a great folditr; it is the idea of a per-
fect General ; it is a general in the abflra£l. Ferdinand
fufters his temper to be guided by his bufinefs. He never
precipitates matters ; he takes them in their order and their
courle, and trufts nothing to fortune. The King on the
other hand, leads, and even forces circumftances; he does
not endeavour to remove but to over-leap obftacles ; he
puts all to the rifque; and by fufFering Fortune to play her
part in his defigns, he acquires a fplendor and eclat in his
adtions, which mere wifdom could never give him. Prince
Ferdinand is ftmous for never committing a fault. The
King of Pruflia is above all the world, in repairing thofe
he has committed. Like fome of the great mafters in
writing, when ever he makes, or feems to make a mif-
take, it is a fignal to the obferver, to prepare for fomc
great and admirable ftroke of fpirit and conduct. His er-
rors feem to be fpurs to his abilities. He commits an er-
ror, he repairs it; he errs again; and again aftonifhes
us by his manner of efcaping. We ftiould often condemn
the commander, but that we are alwayc forced to admire
the hero.
C H A P. VI.
Plnn of the campaign in North America. Three expeditions.
Ticonderoga and Crovm Point abandoned. Colonel Town-
Jhend killed. Expedition to Niagara. Colonel Prideaux
killed. Sir TFilliam fohnfon defeats the French. Takn
Fort Niagara. Confequences of this.
TH E theatre of our operations in America, is of fuch
a va{} extent, that if we had perfevcred in the courfe
wc purfued for fome time, in attacking but one place at
once, the war would inevitably be fpun out to an extreme
length, without bringing on any thing decifive; and it
would have rendered our natural fuperiority of little ufe,
by fufFering the French to colle61:, as they had hitherto
done.
«759- The History ef the War. i%s
them lo''Lt?f^ 'T ''"" ^"S'*^ P°'"^ ^hich enabled
fcrvTce h, rht '"''*' "'V^-"^ > force fufiicient for the
foWd T^ "**""^'->^- Jhis year another method was
follov^d. It was propofed to attack the French in all
their ftrong ports at once; to fall as nearly as poffible
at the fame time upon Crown Points, Niaiiara and Vh^
forts to the fouth of Lake Erie, whilft' a gr! t naval ar
mament, and a confiderable body of land forces foould
attempt Quebec, by the Ri.er St. Lawrence. ''"^'*
1 his plan was very advifable, as it tended to weaken
by diftraaing the refiftance of the enemy, and whflft wJ
adhered to It, it was clearly impoffible fcr the French to
mamtain their ground in iiy of thofe places which were
attacked, without very weakly' defending, or even defer^!
ing fome of the others; an^ if, by thi means of fu3i
diverfions, any of thofe places fliould fall into our handt
the campaign could not be faid to be fpent to no purpofe
But belides the end in dlftrading the enemy's defence;
there was another propofed of no iffs confequfeLe: S
tTat whHft^r 'Trr'^ '" ^" '""^ ^^"-' operations, fo
s;p'ltLht:'^' ''' "^"^' '""'^ "^'^'^^ ---'^
■n ^m!!? "' ^H'^u^' "^i"" commanded the Amdrican foitis
m chief, with the moft cohfidcrable body, amounting, in
regulars and provincials, to about twelve thoSd Li^
was to attack Ticonderoga and Crbwn Point by Uke-'
George; the redudion of thofe forts would naturally lav
Sri^: Lake Cha„,p,ain, where, having eftabli^n
fufficient naval force, he was by the River Sorel, whicji
forms the communication between this Lake and the gre^t
J-! . ^/r^'^''^"*^^' ^o proceed direaiy to Quebec, the
caiSital of Canada. Here he was tO make a ju^aKVh
General Wolfe and Admiral Saunders, who h^ng ent^ed
tne Kiver St. Lawrence at the oppoftte quarter, would pro-
bably have commenced the fiege of Quebec, by the time
hat General Amherft might find it praai^able to join
eS.^ If was not doubted, that if this junftion could' be
efF^ed the redua.on of that city would follow of courfe.
near tLZ\ fw^ ^'^"'^ operations was againft the fort,
near the Fall of Niagara; a place of very great confequencc
mi t JtrR'"^'" ^'A'"' T^V^^"^»°" °f this was com-
Wut %.?"f ^'^^ G^n^^l Prideaux, under whom Sir
William Johnfon commandfed the prov indials of New York,
A a and
i8^ TheHiiroKY of theVJAK. 1759.
•ni feveral Indians of the Five Nations, who wrre engaged
in our fervice by the credit that gentle/nan hml obtained a-
monj; their tribes.
The objea of this operation lay too rcm(.tc from the o-
thers, to expcd, with any great conlidcnct, that they
could be afliltcd by its fuccefs in any other manner than by
weakening the enemy's forces. However it was hopcti,
that if they ihould be fortunate enough to take Niagara,
early in the feafon, the troops might be embarked on the
Lake Ontario, and finding no longer anv obftrudion from
Fort Frontcnac, which was dcrtroyed ia'ft year, might fall
down the River St. Lawrence, and poffibly either make
themfelves maltcrs of Montreal, or by their approach
at leaft, draw fuch a force to th:it part, as greatly to faci-
litate our dcfigns upon Quebec and Crown Point. But if
this fchcmc, in addition to its own end, ftoujd not facili-
tatc either fif the other two capital undertakings, it would
probably, as it was the mofl important place the French
had in that part of the world, draw all the troops they had
upon the Lakes to attempt its 'relief, which would leave
the fort, on thofe Lakes expofed to a fourth, though infe-
rior expedition, which was made againlt them, under Ge-
neral Stanwix. In reality, it afterwards had that effea.
^ The army under General Amherft was the firft in mo-
tion. The Lake George, or, as the French call it. Lake
Sacrament, Is a long, but in proportion, narrow water, a-
bout forty miles in length, and enclofed on either fide with
marlhy grounds. This communicates by another lono- and
very narrow (height with Lake Champlain. This llr'^ight
is fecured at each fide by a fort; that to the fide of Lake
George, is called Ticonderogaj that to the Champlain
Lake, is called Fort Frederick, or Crovn Point; both
extremely ftrong in their fituation ; and the former of which
had repulfed our troops with a very confiderable flaughtei,
as has been related amongft the events of the laft year.
_ General Amherft, after he had pafled Lake George, ar-
rived with very little oppofition from the enemy before Ti-
conderoga; at firft the French made fome apporaiue, as
if they meant to defend the place; but as they '^ncw uj,
ftrength of our forces, as they faw that the p^cparacions
for the attack were making with as much judgment as vi-
gour, and as the enterprize which was preparing againft
Quebec, did not leave them a force fo confiderable as they
had
1759. The History of the War. i%j
fort ?n '"thiV'^K PT"^""« campaign, .hey abandoned their
fort in he njght, havii.g damaged it an much a«
ehc^ could, and retired to CrowS Point! J"'/
Ucncral Amherft immediately fet himfdf about renair
ngthefornficatiunsof thi. port! which eftifauall^VXed
the Lake George} covered our colonies, and was of fuch
vart imp rtance, to enable him to pufh forward his off^n
l.^e operations, or to favour his^etreatTn cafe of a "'
he hnghO, army fufFered, in making this vallb e acquifi
t.on, was the death of Colonel Townfend, who was kU ed
.n reconnot ,og, by a (hot from the fo t T^e ftS
oi'twVt P^^'rfg ^-'-> «"d the agreeable nannis
o th,s .fficer caufed th.s lofs to be conlidered as a vei^v
^hT/"!; /t^'y,«''"P^'-ed thi« melancholy event S
the death of Lord Howe; they remembered how m^ch
thefc young foJdiers refembled each other both in rh.^.
virtues, and in the circumfta.ices of their Lfimh H
Skion rT.' S"' ^^'"^ ^"^^ loft thc'r ivt'cn an ext:
aition againft this place. expc-
wh,ch l,.l,„ped <o pr>...e„t the pro^rdi of the E„CK(h Tn o
nc nad taken polleflton of Crown Point, ufcd every .
and hwh' ""•"'" " "r"' '"Fi-ionty on t!>e lake, ^ug. 14.
and ,n the meaj, ttme began to fortify this iwft a., h, h.J
X^^""::: f" •"ri-'-eFre^c"'; „'°aa f
ajiy eitablilhed in the heart of our territories. /X ^Ko.. j
2:^Tif ;"■•" ^;^"' >- ^^^ inSrei, tif a'at;
on the defenfive. It was on the day on which Mr Am^ •
"erft took poMon of Crown Point.' .^J^^l^^'^^Z
^ ^ ^ agreeable
i88 The History of the Wa^. iy^'>
agreeable jews of thj redudion. of Niagara, by the troops
under Sir WiUiar Joiinfon ; and he had the pleasure and
encouragement of feeing two of the great obieits of the
campaign accompliflied, whilft he prepared ' himfelf to
co-operate xn, the accomplifhment of the third, which was,
to h,e derifive of the whole. The body \ hich had been
appointed for Niagara, under General Pridcaux, without
any accident arrived at the fort, which lies at the bottom
of the lake, towards the fouth-Wv°ft (a).
(a) Sir William Johnjon's Letttr to Majer-General Jmherjl, on hit
Cofrquefi of the Fort at Niagara^ Z^th July^ »7S9«
SIR.
I Have the honour to acqu?int yoo. by lieutenant Montcritff, Ni-
agara furrendered to his iri'ajefty's arms the zjth inftant. A
detarfement of 1200 men, with a number of Indwns, under the
command of Meffrs. Jubry and dt Ligniry, collefted from Detroi,
Venango, and PreJ'que IJle, made an attempt to reinforce the gar-
Wion, the 24th in the merning; but as 1 had intelUgencc of them,
J made a dijpofition to intercept them. The evening before, I
oidered the 1 ght infantry and picqucts to talce poll on the road
upon our left, leading ixom Niagara Falls to the fort: In the
mo/ning, I jein^orced thefe witJ» two compai>ies of grenadiers,
and part of the 46th regiment. The aftion began about h^lf an
hour afte- nine; but they were fo well received by the troops in
front, and the Jntiians on their flank, that, i.-. an hour's time, the
wnole was complcatly ruined, and alUheir oiRcers made prifo-
ners, among -.vhom are Monf. Aubry, De Lignery, Marin, Re-
tentini, ^c. to the number of 17. I cannot afcertain the num-
ber of killed, they are fo difperied among the woods, but their
Ipfs is g-rai.
As this happened under the eyes of the garrilbn, I thought
proper to fend my laft fummons to the commanding officer for his
foircBderjng, which he liitcned to. M. MoncrifJ' will inform
you of the Hate of our anununition and provifions; I hope care
will be taken to forward an immediate fupply of both to 0/kvego.
As the troops that were defeated yefterday were drawn from thore
pofts, which he in General Stanwix's route, I am in hopes it will
be of the utmoft confequence to the fuccefs of this expedition.
The public ftores of the garrifon, that can be fitv^d from the
Indians, I fliall order the afliilant quarter- raafter-general, aod the
clerk to take an accou;it of, as foon as poiUbJe.
As
^1b9' 1'h.e History of theWA,K. ign
This is without exception, the moft important poft in
America and fecures the greateft number of communica-
tions tor ,t IS fituated at the very entrance of TEht
by which the L,ke Ontario is joined to'tlxat of Erie, which
IS conneaed with the other three great feas of freft water
by the courfe of the vaft river St. Lawrence, wSch^S
through them alJ, and carries oiF their fuperfluLswIten
to the ocean A little above the fort, is the catarS^ nf
Niagara which is efteemed the moft renurlab le if thl
fall, Th,s fall would interrupt the commerce between he
Jakes, but for a road which the French have mad^ u" ?«
hilly country that hes up the ftreight j fo that thereof her!
agoodca^rying-place, and not ver/tedious • for aL; ^
portage of about eight miles, you reimb^k again, and nro
ceed without any interruption to the Lake frie ^
, As the great communication of thofe who go by water
IS along this ftreight, and carrying olace r« twka "^ ^^**^
ppfed, th« without a fon?ewhat haz^dous vaya/e thein
dians ca^ot any otherwife p.fs from the nSwk to th^
The fnf ? M- ^^ ^^^'^-^rnnc., for rn JirhSndred miles
The fort oT Niagara, thus naturally commands all the S
Nations and al.f thofe Indian tribes th.oTe to the nor h!
ward of the lakes, as well as thofe thai- ^.r^r .. j .
the bank, of ,;.e Ohio, oXte! a^d' M Mp^ld'T/
cording as :t « poffelfed by th? Enelift or X' F- I'
VZt "'r"^'' "" "l»i^^ "f & and LJnana'
protefls or lays open our own, and is in all refnefls of fi
much confequence, that it was the opinion of pSs the
lyM cotiverfiuit m American bufineft fhaf /k;. . '
ought to hav« been made much etTe^ and tt^. TK
^n a»en,p, made at fuch a time, had flcceeded t wo„M
t»ve con.r.b„,ed very much to th. fecurhy of tbie Ta/tt
— , of
to purfue the late rlZ..f^ ■ ^^ >'^*>*. I endeavogred
.f 'whiS heUfcr^ztyr""' """""' w°fA^^:
t(jo Ths Ht STORY of the "Wak, 1759.
of our colonies, which were the moft cxpofed, and would
have, at the fame time, greatly facilitated all our ofFenfive
meafures, and fhortened the war.
From the time that the French were acquainted with
this place, tliey were fully poflcfled with an opinion of its
importance, both with regard to commerce, and to domi-
nion. They made feveral attempts to eftablifh themfelves
here; but the Indians who feemed more fenfible of the con-
fequences than we were, conftantly oppofed it. They
guarded this fpot for a long time, with a very fevere and
prudent jealoufy.
^ But whilft we negieaed, confiding in-our flrergth, to cul-
tivate the friendfhip of the Indians, thf* French, fenfible of
their weaknefs, omitted no endeavour to gain thefe favage
people to their interefts, and they prevailed at laft, under the
name of a trading houfe, to creft a ftrong fort at the mouth
of the ftreight, on the very bcft harbour, not only on this,
but on any of the lakes j an harbour which is fafe from e-
very wmd, and open for the whole year. A French officer,
an able and enterprifing man, had been a prifcner among
"^">quo«s for a long time, and having, according to their
cuftom, been naturalized, he grew extremely popular a-
mongft them, and at laft acquired his liberty. He com-
municated to the then Governor of Canada, the plan of an
eftabliftiment at Niagara, and he himfelf undertook to exe-
cute it. He returned amongft the Iroquois, and pretending
great love for their nation, which was now his own, told
them, that he would gladly come to make frequent vifits
to his brethren ; but it was proper for that purpofe, that
they fhould allow him to build an houfe, where he might
Jive at eafe, and according to his own manner: at the fame
time, he propofed to them, advantages in trade from this
cftabliflim.ent. A requeft, which feemed a compliment to
thofe to whom it was made, was readily granted. The
houfe was built. By degrees this houfe extended itfelf ; it
was ftrengthened by various additions; and it grew at laft
to a regular fortrefs, which has ever fmcc awed the Five
Nations, and checked our colonies.
The fiege of this place had not been long formed, before
July 20. ^^"^'■^* Prideaux was killed in the trenches, by
■ the burfting of a cohorn. As (oon as this accident
happened, which threatened tp throw a damp on the ope-
rations.
t«i nothing ,„ continue the vigo o„?ml£ of^L"?"-
Oeneral, and added to them. ?verv thi^f» K '""
""Id fuggert. Refpeaed "I be ^j'Lf tin.:" !«"'""
the provincial,, alm^ft adored by thllndiam Toflfff'. 'r
poftTaroltTS' rn-Jt'^b^"-"!" Potan f bt
ravages, in orde to tittle En .bffi'ZH ' 'YS--- bojy of
'"'^f^^ben'^G' '""rh ^" ^' » • - - ■* '" "°
"nd regular foot! to Take Zft '^'^ L"* ''y, '^'"= grtnadiers
which fbe French :::f;P,°t7h^y-^ •°He^'''l3 ^
Indians on his flanks WhiU^h.! u • "^ P'^'^^ ^'«
the French, wireame vl r 7*" T*'"*""^ to receive
ftrong body, h fuch , m "'' '''' P'*"' '^^ P^^^^ a
fVom!ny ar't mpt of the Sn'd'^ '° '"'"^'^ ^'^ ^^^-^'h^*
In thi: difpoffcion hfwf;;^r o r cdvf fhe er^^"^^'"^*
•ny. At n.ne in the morning the engagement be J ^^7 '•
gan, byaviolent and horrid fere, mlf>hT.. r
according to their barb rous c. ftZ I^ '^f^'"" ^r''^''*
perhaps the moft horrid found hT* u ^^* ^'"' ^^"'■^'""»
is faid to have ftruck a n n" • I" ^^ 'magined, which
Braddock, and was one of he'"'" '•' f^^^^ °^ ^^'^^^-^
feat, by ^hich our endeavours Ta^ ''"^^ °^ ^"^'^ ^^-
the /ndian. on t^eiS^ If L S^L'^a^^Xi^r^^^^^
their
1 I
t^ft The HistORy of the War. >759'
their whole army was ruined. The {lurfuit was hot and
Bloody J and it continued for five miles. Seventeen offi-
cers were made prifonerS) among 'whom were the firft and
fecond in command.
T « This ailion was fought in fight of the fort j
•'" y ^* and it was no fooner concluded it favour of oiir
troops, than the General fummoned the garrifon to fur-
render; fending a lift of the prifoners, and remonftrating
on the ill efi^dls of their holding out longer, particularly
with regard to the Indians. Thfe capitulation was figned
that night. The garrifon, confifting of abour 600 men,
furrendered prifoners of war, and wfere conduced to New
York. The fort and (lores were given up to the Englifli
troops.
This was the fecond very important fervice performed
by General Johnfon in this war^ and a fecond time he had
the good fortune to mak<e the commander in chief of the
enemy his prifoner. It muft not be omitted, to the ho-
nour of this gentleman, that though he was not regularly
bred a foldier, the moft compleat officer could not have
made more excellent difpofitions for the battle, or have
condu£led the fiege from the beginning to the end, with a
more cool and fteady refolution, or with a more compleat
knowledge of all the neceffary manoeuvres of war. The
taking of Niagara broke oflF effectually that communication,
fo much 'talked off, and fo much dreaded, between Ca-
nada and Louifiana, and by this ftroke, one of the capi-
tal political defigns of the French, which gave occafion
to the prefent war, was defeated in its direct and im-
mediate object.
CHAP.
'759- ^^ History of the War. i^j
CHAP. VII.
pted. Defcrtption of the town and harbour of 9uebee
8rtuav.n of the French am^, J^ion at t^ Ss'^
yea to Fotnt Levi. The troops go up the river 7%.
id Af ie Montcalm killed. Quebec furrenders. JfLe-
^nts of GeneraUmherJi on LakrCharnpfain,
THE confequences wliich attended thei^uaion ofthc
fort of Niagara, as well as thofe upon Lake Cham-
plain were veiy mterefting} but the great and central
operation to which all the reft tended, and to whicreven
thofe were to be only fubfervient, was that againft Que-
bec, the capital of Canada j and as this was to be thJdc-
cifive ftrolce, it was proper that the greateft force fliould
have been employed againft it. If we^eckon the maritim^
force, there ,s no doubt that we employed a greater num.
forts ; but the land forces, from fome caufe, fell much
Ihortof the number originally propofed, for they did not
exceed 7000 men, regulars and provincials, though the
original plan intended 9000 for that expedition, indepen-
dent of thejunaion of thofe under Gen. Amheril, whofe
affittance on the occafion was taken for granted. In this
expedition Gen. Wolfe commanded the itnd forces. The
fleet was under Admiral Saunders.
'/: u J^e whole embarkation arrived in the latter
26th. end of June in the Ifle of Orleans, a few league?
^ from (Quebec, without any accident whatfocrer
notwithftanding the ill fame of the river St. Laurence, and
the reports of its dangerous navigation, probably fpread
for political purpofes. They landed upon the iHe of Or-
leans, which is formed by the branches of the river St.
Laurence. This ifland is about twenty miles in length,
and feven or eight in breadth, highly cultivated, and af-
fording every kind of refrefhment to the foldiers and failors
after their tedious voyage.
As this ifland extends quite up to the bafon of Quebec.
It was neccflkry to poffefs it in ordei to aa agabft thi
^ ^ town J
194 The History cf the "War. '759'
town } for the moil wefterly point of this ifland advances
towards an high point of land on the continent, called Point
Levi. Both of thefe {hut up the view of the northern and
fouthern channel, which environ the ifle of Orleans, fo
that the harbour of Quebec appears to be a bafon landlock-
ed upon all fides. The pofleffion of both thefe points were
neceffary, as they might be employed either with great ad-
vantage againft the town, or much to the annoyance of the
befiegers; for whilft the enemy continued mafters of thofe,
it was impoflible for a (hip to lie in the harbour of Quebec.
When thefe pofts were poflefled, which was done with
little difficulty, the harbour and town of Quebec appeared
full to the view, at once a tempting and difcouraging
fight. For no place feems poflefled of greater benefits of
nature ; nor any of which nature feems more to have con-
iulted the defence.
. Quebec, fays F. Charlevoix, can boaft of a frelh water
harbour, capable of containing an hundred men of war of
the line, at one hundred and twenty leagues diftance from
the fea. It lies on the moft navigable river in the univerfe.
The riveir St. Laurence up to the ifle of Orleans, that is for
about 1 12 leagues from its mouth, is no where lefs than
from four to hve leagues broad ; but above that ifle it nar-
rows, fo that before Quebec it is not above a mile over.
Hence this place got the name of Quebeis or Quebec,
which, jn the Algonquin tongue, fignilies a ftrait.
The f ity is the feat of the governor and the intend-
ant, and the fupreme tribunals of juftice for all the French
North America j it is alfo an epifcopal fee, and a plac^ of
confiderable trade. It is large in extent, and elegant in
many of its buiUings both public and private. It confifts
pf an upper and lower town j the lower, which is narrow,
is built upon a ftrand, at the foot of a lofty rock, upon
which the upper town ftands. This rock extends itfelf,
and continues with a bold and fteep front, weftward along
the river St. Laurence for a confiderable way. Another
river from the north-weft, called St. Charles, falls here in-
to the former, wafhing the foot of the rock on which Que-
bec ftands j the point on which the town is built, thus be-
comes a fort of peninfula by the junction of thefe rivers j
fo that whoever attacks Quebec, muft either make his ap-
proaches above the town, and overcome the precipice which
1 have mentioned, pr crof$ the river St. Charles, and at-
• „ tempt
•I759* The UnroKY of f be Wak: tf^
teinpt it upon that fide. The former of thofe methods muft
appear to a prudent commander wholly unadvifeabie, and
the Jattcr extremely difficult. If the former method fhould
be attempted, they would have that dangerous precipice to
overcome, defended by the enemies whole force, which
the attack would draw to this quarter. On the other hand
the country from the river St. Charles to the northward,
for more than five miles, is extremely rough, broken and
difficult, full of rivulets, gullies, and ravines, and fo con-
tinues to the river of Montmorenci, which flows by the
foot of a fteep and woody hill. On the fide of the river St.
Laurence is a bank of fand of great extent, which pre-
vents the approach of any confiderable veflel.
In this advantageous fituation was the French army poft-
cd, upon what was deemed the only acceffible fide of Que-
bec, all along from the river St. Charles to that of Mont-
morenci, entrenched at every attackable fpot, with the ri-
ver and fandbank abovementioned in their front, and thick
impenetrable woods upon their rear. It is impoffible to
imagine a ftronger po'ft; a poft at once more defenfible in
itfclf, or better calculated forfuccouring a city, on which
fide foever it fhould be attacked. Thus ported, they great-
iy exceeded in number the befiegers, being about 10,000
men, under an able, and thitherto fortunate commander,
M. de Montcalm, who, though he was fuperior in number
to the Englifh, refolved to rifque nothing, and wifely relied
on the natural ftrength of the country.
When Wolfe faw the fituation of the town, the nature
of the country, the number o.' the troops, and their pofiti-
on, though of a fanguine temper and highly adventurous,
he began to defpair j but, however anoth r commanded
mi^ht have thought inadion in fuch circumftances juftified
to himfelf, or even to the world, by fuch ftrong appearan-
ces, Wolfe refolved to leave nothing unattempted, but
amidft the choice of difficulties which lay before him, to
pitch upon thofe where the valour of his troops might be
employed with the beft profpeft of fuccefs.
As foon as he had fecured the weft point of the ifle of
Orleans, and that of Levi, he eredted batteries there of
cannon and mortars, on the high ground, from the point
of Levi, which looks towards the town,; thcfe fired conti-
nually upon the place; Admiral Saunders was ftationed be-
low in the north channel of the ifle of Orleans, oppofite to
B b 2 Montmorenci}
1^6 The History of the War. 1759.
Montmorenci; Admiral Holmes was ftationed above the'
town, at once to diftraa the enemies attention, and to prc-
"Xl^l^nT". "* '^* ""'"^y "8»inft the batteries \hat
piayea upon the town.
After this wife difpofition was made of the fleet. Gen
Wolfe caufed the troops to be tranfported over /he north
channel of the river St. Laurence, to the north-caft of Mont-
morenci, with a view of palTing that river, and bringine
TJaTI '° •" .«"§»g^'n"t- Some heights which ctm!
S. K I *"T'*^ 'ntrenchments, and a ford above, and
another below the falls, encouraged him to this attempt ,
found fo ftcep and wood;, that he could not hope to put his
S/fS ^"'^'■^w^hem to an engagement. To bring
toe * rench to an aAion was his fTnglc objeft. He had
found that any attempts to affault the city would prove to
liopurpofe, whilft the fleet could only^atter the lower
fervlrf ^f * i;''^ /^%^l'-5 '='"Pl°y'=d in this inefltaual
fJZV fu' '''^'"' ^^'^ ''^"'^•°" °^ ^*^« '°w" town, the paf-
wf?entrenchTrK?:K- ^T"^'^^ ^^P' ''"^ '"°^<^°^" ^^
ISr!l!i!5^- '***'?'.' advantage would prove little to-
wards the reduftion of the place. " '^ '"
enrll!*;^ f ^ ''^ u' '''^'' therefore, was by every means to
entice or force the enemy to an engagement /and to this
end no means were omitted, by fenling detachments up
the river, and by every appearance of a defign to attack
the town on that fide. But the Marquis de 4ntcalm; in
chufing his poft, was well apprifed of its importance. He
heTuftl?^'' ".''^ ^' "?"'^^°^ '^"^ ^°""*^y "P^he river, and
A^r ?"l.^"** ^^'^^^'^ kept himfelf clofely in hU
poft, difpofing h,s parties of favages, in which he was very
llT!' ? •? *,.?f""f» " ^"^ "^^ke any attempt upon
fZ?^^P"^V^£!"*'^^yrP°^''^^- I" 'he mean time"
from the town, firefhips and boats were let down the ftream
to deftroy the fhipping, which, as they almoft wholly filled
the channel, were greatly endangered. But bv the ex-
^itTl^^ Tc "«"*k^ °^ ^^'"•-J SaundJrs every
The
1759- y^ History tf//^tf War. ,^7
The general finding that all his efforts to decoy thi; enrmr
to an engagement had proved unfucceftftil, aid, fenfibfc
that they dchrcd notlm.g mom than to adt deVeX'ely un-
til the (.afon itfelf fhould fight for them and obli^ "he
Enjihfti to retire, he came at laft, in fpitc of all difficdtie,
to the rdolut on of attacking them in their entrencS
on the nde of Montmorenci. The place where the S
was to be made, was chofen with great judgment, a the
only place thereabouts m which the artillerif could be brou^b^
intoufe; as there, and there only, the greateft oarr «.
even the whole of the troops, mi£ ad ro^^, Z\C
there the retreat m cafe of a repulfc was fecurc, at Mf^
a ccrtam t.me of th. tide, fia.ing determined urn tte
place where the attack was to be, which was at the mouth
of the nver Montmorenci, the beft difpofitions for nlc^
made, both on the part of the Admiral and of the
General But notwithftanding that the whole July ,0.
was conduaed with equal vigour and prudence, it ^ ^
was totally defeated by one of thofe accidents which fo fre
quently mterpofe to the difgracc bf human wifdom^ 'nd
The Engliih grenadiers, who led the attack, had ordera.
immediately after their landing, to form themfelv<^ o„ tte
beachi but inftead of forming themfelves as they were d*
reaed, from the hurry and noife of their landing or fnm
an ill-governed ardor, they rufhed impetuoufly towards T
enemies entrenchments in the utmoft diforder and confuS
on, without Waning for the corps which were to fuSn
then, and join in the attack. In this diforder, they weie
met by a violent and fteady fire from the entrenchmintsT bv
Uiem to fhe ter themfelves behind a redoubt, which fhe
French had abandoned on their approach.
The General perceiving that it was impoflible for thefe
grenadiers to form under fo feverea fire, that the night drew
on a violent tempeft was gathering, and the tide b^egan to
make, faw clearly that he had nothing further left than Z
order a retreat, with as little difadvantage as poffible He
therefore ca led off thofe troops, and having foKd behind
Brig. Monckton's corps; which was on thibeach in excel-
lent
li
1
1
m
I
i^S The History of theWAti': 1759;
lent order, the whole repa^cd the river without moleftati-
on, the General expofing his perfon with that intrepidity,
which diftinguiftied him both during the attack, and the
retreat.
The lofs in this check was not inconfiderable; and the
event on the whole was fuch, as to difcourage any further
attempts upon that fide. They returned to the old meafures.
The General again Tent foiVie bodies above the town, and
fome men of war failed up the ftream for more than twelve
leagues. They received intelligence that the enemy had
amaffed fome magazines of provifions in the interior coun-
try, and they propofed by getting between them and the
town, to draw the French army from their entrenchments,
to the long-defired engagement ; but if they failed to com-
pafs this, they might at ieaft dcftroy the (hips of war which
the enemy had in the river, and help to open a communica-
tion between them and Gen. Amherft, on whom their laft
expedations were fixed, and who, they flattered them-
felves, was on his march to their affiftance.
iiut though they fucceeded in deftroying fome of the ene-
mies magazines, there was nothing of great moment in
this. They could not come near the men of war. How-
ever they received intelligence from fome prifoners, of the
fuccefs of Sir William Johnfon againft Niagara; they
learned likewife, that the French had foothed the difficul-
ties in the way of Gen. Amherft, by abandoning Crown
Point and Ticondcroga. But this intelligence, otherwife
fo pleafing, brought them no profpeiJi of the approach of
any affiftance from that quarter. The feafon wafted apace.
The General fell violently ill, confumed by care, watching,
and a fatigue, too great to be fupported by a delicate confti-
tution, and a body unequal to that vigorous and enterprifing
foul that it lodged. It was not enough for him to efcape
from fo great an expedition uncondemned and unapplaudedj
to be pitied, was he thought but a milder cenfure ; and he
knew that no military condu£t can fhine, unlefs it be gild-
ed with fuccifs. His own high notions, the public hope,
the good fuccefs of other commanders, all turned inward
upon him, opprefled his fpirits, and converted difappoint-
ment into difeafe. As foon as he had a little recovered, he
difpatchcd an exprefs with an accouns of his proceedings to
England,
»759- ^^l^iSTotLY e/theWAR. ,95
w,th fuch perfp.cu.ty, clearncfs, and elegance, as would
exploits had not placed h.m among our greateft command-
H«
rO Major General Wolfi, Letter, and Admiral Saunder^s to
Mr. Secretary Pitt, reiati-ve to ,bc Operations at ^eZ.'
Head Siuartn, at Montmrenci, in the Ri^er Saint Laurence
Sept. 2, 1759.
SIR, '
T S ^ ''°""' "P"" '^}' °""''»«"' ^'^^e the honour of tranf-
10 O ^r ^ l?'""'.'' ''L''* ^""°"" °^ ^" kinds had been thrown in-
he^tnf ^^^r^'^^^^li^"? of regular troops, comple ed ?rom
the beft of the inhabitants of the country, fome of the tro«m ^
the colony, and every Canadian that was^'aWeto Sear a™ ^ he
vanllr^'r"'" •"' °^ ^"^^«"' ^^^ »«ken the field ij a ve ' ad
^We founft"^ -^^ * "'^^^y •"'g*'^ ^'■'P^'fi' '^'«'»
»W ,^ c «h«nnncamped along the fliore of £eaufort from
in^ nf n / I P*"' . ^^'^ =*7'h of June we landed upon the
t"I^:TelnlTT^ ' -efTage^rom the AdlS tiat
upon tL poLt of /^ rV^' .'"J o^ ''"^ ^"'"*^'^' ^"^ a force
tTo«rr/?L r ' ,^ '^^'«<=''«d Br.g. M^«f^/.„ with four bat-
« nignt, and marched the next day to the point • he nW:«*,l »K-
ifL* i th the^ C^^^^^^^^ th's occafion had two o^ three flcir-
^^mes wua the Canadians and /W,^^., with little loft on either
Colonel
. h
II
•oo The HisToi V •/ th War. 1759,
He refolved, when he fent iway his account, to conti-
Hue the campaign to the laft poflible moment i and after •
4«Ubcr*tion with his officers, xietermined, that any further
attempt*
Colonel CarUtoH marched with a detachment to the Wefter-
jnoft point of the ille of Orliam, from whence our operations
were likely to begin.
It wa« abfoluiely neccflary to poffefi thefe two pointi, and for-
tify them ; becaufe from either the one or the other, the enemy
might make it impoffible for any fliip to be in the haibn oS^tUct
or even within two miles of it.
Batteries of cannon and mortars were ereAed with great dif-
patch on the point of Livi, to bombard the town aad magazines,
and to injure the works and batteries : The enemy perceiving
theie works in fome forw»rd«ef«, pafTed the river with 1600 men
to attack and deftrov them. Unluckily they fell into confufion,
fired wpon one another, and w(U>t back again j by which we loft
jin opportunity of defeating this large detachnent. The effeft of
ibis artillery has been fo great (though acrofs the river) that the
npper town isconfiderably damaged, and the lower town entirely
deftroyed.
The works for the fecurity of our hofpitals and ftores on th«
ifle of Qvltans being finifted, on the 9th of July at night, we
paflcd the North channel, and incamped near the enemy's left,
Ithe river MontmrtHti between us. The next morning Captain
i>«»i's Company of Rangers, polled in a wood to cover fome
workmen, were attacked and defeated by a body of Indians, and
had fo many killed and woHnded, as to be almoft difabled for
the reft of the campaign : The enemy alfo fufFered in this affair,
And were in their turn driven off by the neareft troops.
The ground, to the eaftward of the falls, feemed to be (as it
real)y is) higher than that on the enemy's fide, and to command
it in a manner which might be made u^ful to us. There is be-
fides a ford below the falls, which may be paffed for fome hours
in the latter part of the ebb an^ beginning of the flood tide; and
4 bad hopes, that poffibly means might be found of paffing the
river above, fo as to fight the Marquis tie Mcntca/m, upon terms
•f Icfs difadvantage than dire^y attacking his intrenchments. In
xeconnoitring the river MtHtmorend, we found it fordable at a
place about three miles up } but the oppofite bank was intrench*
ifid, and fo fieep and woody, that it was to no purpofe to attempt
a paffage there. The Efcott was twice attacked by the la Jiaxs,
who were as often repulfedj but in thefe rencounters we bad 40
l(o0icen and men) killed and wounded.
The
'759- 7*^^ History c//;^<; War. ^t
attempts at Montmorcnci wcrr to little purpofc, and that
the.r prmupal operations Ihould be above the to^n, in o -
tier, it poilMc, to draw the enemy to an adion. Bu" the
dcfign
The i8th of July, two men of war, two armed flooo, and
two tranfports wuh fome troops onboard. pafTed by the town
wahout any lofs. and got into the upper rive^. Thi. tabled m!
to reconnoitre the country above, where I found the fame attend!
on on the enemy's fide, and great difficulties on our,, arifin. from
the nature of the ground, and the obftacles to our coma unicati^
„1h .T ^•^•=i°*V"'J '»'« "V". Capt. Rouge, the body firft
Inelv' ."°' ^' '"'"'^"^"•^ ^'^""''^ '^'y >vere attaclced by the
enemy's whole army. ^
inJ1°aT St^AA i'^^/'^'^l'^'^'u'"""' I '^°"«^^ °"" of attempt-
ingitatSt A/,.Ws. about three miles above the town; but
perccivjng that the enemy were jealous of the defign. were prepa
'/ITT- "' r^ ''' ^''"f y. '^""S*^' artillery' a'nd a Er
(wh ch bemg fo near to ^ueiec, they could iicreafe as they
ti:i\ '° S'7 "P°" 'he fjMpping; and, as it muU have S
many 1 ours before we could attacic them, (even fuppofinc a fa"
vourable n.ght for the boats to pafs by the town unhu^rt Kem
ed fo hazardous, that I thought it bell tu defift.
t.!^?r''"u' u '^'1'^^ '*** "''"y'" ^°'''' ^"^ to draw their at-
tSn*. fr P ^'=^^:5''2]'^"' ""^•^'•'he command of Col. CarUro»,
o land at the Po.nt ^e Trynpe, to attack whatever he might find
I / u^ "■" '"'"^'"'^'^ 'hat a number of the inhabitants of
%.^.r. had retired to that place, and that probably we7ouM
find a maga/me of provifions there.
The Colonel was fired upon by a body oUndiam the moment
he landed, but they were fuon ciifperfed and driven into the wo^S
he fearched for magazines, but to no purpofe. brought off feme
prifoners, and returned with little lofs ^
rhJ^S" ''$ ''"^"'^'■s; I came back to Montmorcnci, where I found
^at Brig r.av.A W had. by a fuperior fire, prevented the Frelfb
^o,n ereamg a battery on ,he bank of the river, from whence
they intended to cannonade our camp. I „ow refolved To take
L! It °PP°^^""'fy ^^hich prelented itfelf of attacking the cne-
S'r'eceiv^e'ts^ '° ^'"' ''^''"^'^'' '"^ '"''^ where^reparcd
As the men of war cannot (for want of a fufficient depth of
water) come near eaough to the enemy's intrenchments to annoy
^ « them
^m-^n
202
r^^ History e/ //&^ War. 1759.
dcfign of Wolfe was deeper, and more particularly diica-
cd than it had been before. The camp at Montmorenci
was broke up, and the troops were conveyed to the louth-
caft
them in the leaft, the Admiral had prepared two tranfports (draw-
ing but little water) which upen occafions could be run a ground,
to favour a defcent. With the help of thefe veflels, which [ un-
derrtood would be carried by the tide clofe in Ihore, I propofed to
make myfelf mafter of a detached redoubt near to the water's
edge, and whofe fituation appeared to be out of mufquct Ihot of
the intrenchment upon the hill : If the enemy fupported this de-
tatched piece, it would neceflarily bring on an engagement, what
we moft wiflied for; and if not, I {hould have it in my power to
examine their fituation, fo as to be able to determine where wc
could bed attack them.
Preparations were accordingly made for an engagement. The
31ft of Ju/j in the forenoon, the boats of the fleet were filled
with grenadiers, and a part of Brig. Moncktori's brigade from the
point of Levi: The two brigades under the Brigadiers Tonjun-
Jhend and Murray were ordered to be in readinefs to pafs the
ford, when it fliould be thought nece/Tary. To facilitate the paf-
fage of this corps, the admiral had placed the Centurion in the
channel, fo that flic might check the hre of the lower battery which
comtnandcd the ford : This (hip was of great ufe, as her fire was
very judicioufly direfted. A great quantity of artillery was placed
upon the eminence, fo as to batter and enfilade the left of theii
intrenchments.
From the vcflel which run a-ground, neareft in, I obferved
that the redoubt was too much commanded to be kept without
very great lo(s ; and the more, as the two armed (hips could not
be brought near enough to cover both with their artillery and
mufquetry, which I at firlt conceived they might. But as the
enemy Teemed in fome confufion, and we were prepared for an
aftion, I thought it a proper time to make an attempt upon their
intrenchments. Orders were fent to the Brigadiers Generals to
be ready with the corps under their command. Brig. Monckton
to land, and the Brigadiers ToivnJhenJ and Murray to pafs the
ford.
At a proper time of the tide, the fignal was made, but in row-
ing towards the fhore, many of the boats grounded upon a ledge
that runs ofFa confidcrable diflance. This accident put us into
fome diforder„ loll a great deal of time, and obliged me to fend
an ofiicer to ftop Brie;. Toiujhend'i march, whom I then obferv-
ed to be in motion. While the feamen were getting the boats off,
the
1759- ^he History of the War.' 205
eaft of the river, and encamped at Point Levi. The fqua-
cJron under Adniiral Holmes made movements up the river
for fcveral days fucceflively, in order to draw the enemies
attention
rlkir<4 '' "^ a nuniber of fliells and (hot. but did no confide-
rable damage As foon as this diforder could be fct a little to
Kffi/ tje boats were ranged in a proper manner, fome of
he officers of the navy went in with me. to find a better place
to land : we took one flat-bottomed boat with us to make the ex-
periment, and as foon as we had found a fit part of the Ihore the
I'teTtempr ''^ '° '^''"""^"''' '^'"'^'"^ '' "°' ^^ '°° ^*'« ^^'
The 13 companies of grenadiers, and 200 of the fcond Ronl
^/«m.*« battalion, got firft on Jhore. The grenadiers were or-
Zilllf '^'""^'JT T? ^°"'" ^''^'"'^ ^'^d'", *nd to begin
he attack fupported by Brig. Mcduns corps, as foon as The
rZJ T "°J^' ^"^ ^""y " '^"'^'■"g' «'• ^'orh fome other
came, the grenadiers, inftead of forming thcmulves as they were
dir efted. ran on impetuonfly towards thi enemy's in trench men tt
InUT'* d'rorder and confufior. without waiting ^0^"
Zi7 ^"e to fuftain tkem. and join in the attaclc. Brit:
Sltr; "°^'^"ded, and Brig. 7i...A«</ was Itill at a coit
fide: able diftance though upon his march to join us, in very
great order The grenadiers were checked by the enemy's firft
fire, and obliged to Shelter themfelves in or about the redoubt
which the Frenc/. abandoned upon their approach. In this fitua-
t,on they continued for fome time, unable to form under fo hot
ahre and having many gallant officers wounded, who (carelefa
of their perfons) had been folely intent upon their duty. I faw
he ab olute neceflity of calling them off. that they ^f^ht form
hemfelves behind Brig. M.«rWs corps, which was no-y^andeT
and drawn up on the beach, in extreme good order. ° ^ '^"''"''V
By vhis new accident, a«d this fecond delay, it was near night,
a fudden ftorm came on. and the tide began to make; fo that I
tack. left (in cafe of a repnlfe the retreat of Brig. To'wnlhend'i
corps might be ha/aidous and uncertain. ^ ^"'"^^penU s
Our artillery had a great effeft upon the enemy's left, whce
Brigadiers 7.<«,«/&,W and Murray were to have attacked ; and
U IS probable that if thofe accidents I have fpoken of had no!
happened, we Ihould have penetrated there, whilft our left and
^s^^s::^;^ ''''-^^ -^ ^- ^- »" ^^'
C c 2 Th«
i04 1'h 1 IrsTOR Y of the War. i y^«^.
ptiauion ni (Ui iVotn il»r town a.i poflihlf:. This fnccccdcil
ill loino mcaliiici lot, {\\u\\^\\ \( louKI not pnCnmlc tlio
Mari|ui,s lie Mi.iitcjUm t«. »iuit liiii poll, it indiical hitu k.
tktiich
I he I'Vciuh dill noi atlcinpt to tnieitnpt our man li. Some of
their (AvaMfs cunic down to murder Cm h wmindfd ai icuild not be
brmiuhi v[\\ aii,i lo {cilp the dc<id. m thrii luHotii is.
The place where the att«ck was intruded, has thric ndvanta-
pit over all others heicuboiit. t)iir artillery could he hiotifrin
intoulie. rhe ^'leatell part, or even the whole ol the troops,
inightaiM at once. And the retreat (in cafe o» rcpullc) wai (iv
curc, at leall for a certain time ol the tide. Neither one cr other
ol thcJc advantages can any where clfc he found. The enemy
were indeed poUed upon a commanding eminence. The hracli
upon which the troops were drawn up, wa-* of drop mtid, with
holed, and cut by ievcral gullies. The hill to he afccnded very
lUcj>, and not every where pradlictthle. The enemy numerous in
their intrcnchmcnts. and their tire hot. If the attack had fuc-
cccded, our lofii muft certainly h.we been great, and thcir's in-
conhdcrahle, horn the (heher whloh the neighbouring woods af-
forded them. The river St. CbarUs llill remained to be pafled.
liefiMc (hctown was invclled. All thcfc ciicumllances 1 confi^
dcrcd ; but the deliic to i\t\ in eontoiniitv to the K.mjT's intenti-
ons, niduccd me to make this tiial, pciluadcd that a vidorious
army hnds no dilliculties,
l he rnemv have been fortifyinn; ever lince with care, fo as to
make .1 fecond attempt ilill more liangeious.
Immediately after this check, I lent Hritj. Muna\' above the
town wiih I :oo men. diieding hioj to aflillReur Admiral Hohna
in the dciliudion of the FnHcj) (hips (it they could be got at) in
order to open a communication with Cen .-{mhtrfl. The Briga-
dier was to rceke\ciy favour.iblc opponunitv of lighting fomeof
the enemy's dctathmcius, provided \\c could do it'upon tolerable
terms, and to uic all the means in his power to provoke them to
attack him. I ie made two di/Kcrcnt uttemptji to and upon the
North Ihore without fuccefs; but in a third was more fortunate.
He landed unexpeaedlv at D,- Cbamlh:u,jy and burnt a mag.izinc
there, in which weir iomc proviiions. lome ammunnion, and all
the fpare tlore.s, clothing, arms and baggage, of their army.
Finding that their (hips were not to be got at, and little prof-
ped of bringing the enemy to a baitlc, he reported his fjtuation
to me, and I ordered him to join the army.
The priloncrs he took informed him of the furrcndcr of the
fort of Nut^nra ; and wc ditcovcrcd, by intercepted letters, that
the
i759- Ti>e]J[rrcmY of theW/\R. 205
detach M. (Ic noiifrninvillc wi»h 1500 men to w:itrli fhcir
mctioiiH, aiul tr. pioiccd al.iDg the wcflcrii (lioic «,f tin-
rivrr, whillt the |':n}.rh(h army dircdtcd its march the llimc
way on the callcru bank.
When
the enemy had abandon 'd Can//ofi and CVaww l'oi»f, were reti-
red 10 ihc ilk .'h,x Nnix ; and tlirit Gen. Jmherjfw&i mnkint' pre"
paraiioiu to pals the i,«kr Champlain, to fall up.,,, M, ,1,- liZrle
mnqui^ corf)«, which roniilb of three battalion.s of foot, and as
niapy V.anaaians m make thr'wholi; amount to 5000 nvn.
Ihc Admiral's dilpaichcj and iniiio would have imnc dcht or
trn days (onncr, if I had not bcc-n prevented from'wntin J by a
K V. r. I found myfclf fo ill. and am Hill fo weak, that 1 betrged
the general ofliccri. to confult together for 1 he public utility,
i hey arc oil of opinion, that (as more fnips and pmviiions have
now got above the town) they fliould try. by conveying up a
corps of 4 or 5000 men (which is nearly the whole llren«-th of the
army, after the points of Uvi and Orleans are left in°a proper
Hate of defence) to draw the enemy from their prcfcnt fituation.
and bring them to an ailion. I have acquiefced >n their propofal
anil wc arc preparing to put it in execution. '
The Admiral and I have examined the town, with a view to a
general artault; but. after confulting with the chief cncineer.
who Ks well acquainted with the interior parts of it. and, after
viewing It with the utnioft attention, we found, that though the
batteries of the Lower Town might be ea ily filenccd by the men
of war. yet the bufincfs of an affault would be little advanced by
that, fince the few paflages that lead from the Lower to the Up-
per I own. are carefully intrenched ; and the upper batteries can-
not be arteaed by the (hips, which mutt receive confiderable da-
m.ige f;rom them and from the mortars. The Admiral would rea-
tlily join 111 this, or in any other meafure, for the public fervice •
but I could not propofc to him an undertaking of fo dancerous a
nature, and piomifing fo little fuccefs. t> *
To the uncommon llrength of the country, the enemy have ad-
dcd (for the defence of the river) a great number of floating bat-
teries .ind boats. i;v (he vigilance of thcfe and the /W/a,» round
our dilh-rent polh, •. !,as b.en impoflible to execute any thine by
furpn/e. Wc ha^ . h.ul almoll daily fkirmilhes with thefe Sava-
our fldc"^ *" ' S«n"a"y defeated, but not without lofs on
By the li)^ ofdifabled officers (many of whom are of rank) you
may perceive. Sir, that the army is much weakened, ^y the na-
ture of the river, the moll formidable part of this armament is de-
prived
\
206 ngUnroRxofiheWAK, 1759;
When Gen. Wolfe faw that matters were ripe for aftion,
he ordered the fhips under Admiral Saunders to make I
femt, as if they propofed to attack the French in their en-
trenchments,
pnved of the power of adling, yet we have almoft the whole force
of CWa to oppofe. In this fjtuation, there is fuch a choice of
difficulties, that 1 own myfelf at a lof. how to determine. The
attairs ot Grtat Brttatn, I know, require the moll vigourous mea-
fures; but then the courage of a handful of brave men Ihould be
exerted only where there is fome hope of a favourable event.
However, you may be aflured, Sir, that the fmall part of the cam-
paign which remains, Ihall be employed (as far as I am able)
for the honour of his Majclly and the intereft of the nation, in
which I am fare of being well feconded by the Admiral and by
the Generals. Happy if our efforts here can contribute to the
fuccefs of his Majefty's arms in any other parts of America.
I have tbt Honour to be.
With the greateft Rifpea, Sir,
Tour moft obedient , and moft humble Servant,
JAMES WOLFE.
Stcrling-Cafik off Point Le-vi, in the Ri^er St. Laavrence, cth of
September^ ^7S9>
SIR,
I^^l ^*"" f ^^^ ^"^ °^>*'' ' acquainted you I was then
oSScutar,, Handing for the river St. Laurence. On the 26th
I had got up. with the firft divifion of the fleet and tranfports, as
far as the middle of the Ifle of Orleans, where I immediately pre-
pared to land the troops, which I did ;he next morninff. The
feme day the fecond and third divifions came up, and tlfe troops
trom them were landed likewife.
Igotthusfarwithoutanylofs or accident whatever; but, di-
reaiy after landing the troops, a very hard gale of wind came on,
by which many anchors and fmall boats were loft, and much da-
mage received among the tranfports, by their driving on board
each other. The Ihips that loft moft anchors I fupplild from the
♦^r 1 ^u'a'iV ^ ^^^ ■^'*^' *"^ '« «il other refpeas, gave
them the belt affiftancc in my power. ^
On
« 759- ni HiSTOR V of tit War. joj
-.„y which i. pombfy coul^ wL^'^l •/''u^rnt!
... 'ng
damage from them. Thc^S^ntht Ge„° V"!"'"« ^''^ '"^^
river, andlanded with hJs BrSde on ?hl\ Tt" "°^*^ '^«
port at Point U'vi; and Gen 1??/^, .Jt ?"''' ^°'''* ^"'^ took
Point of the Ifle of OrW ^ ^ ^" °° '^« W*'ii'«°ft
low the falls M^rJ^rYturT °u '''" ^°«'' *°'-e. be-
ty's floop the PoZfZ Zi thtZ °" '"' ''V"^- '^^ Wajef.
channel between 0,w'Jd J' N^-^tT '""'*^ ^'^^'' '" '»»«
ing. which took place at Hight ^°"' '° ^°^^^ ^^^^^^nd-
Z-eSec, and io take with h m hJ^ -^a '''t' ^^°^« '^^ 'o^^n of
re/, with two armedlaoLr. ^'^'"^J^'^y '^ ^^'^P^ ^/«>^<z and V^>-
provifions. "°°P'' *"*^ ^*^° ""« armed and loaded with
gaSct ^^^/a^o^tninirof rfcLT-"^ t^^'^- ^^'
thofe ihips having caS fS trZ^""*^"""^ ^^^^ the town,
pofe, ;/>eZ>/.Jran;/jteupoX' o^^^^^^ P"-
received fo much damage that r hJZ r I ^°^"' ^"^'> and
fail of ^;»,„V^« tranfpom nhnlTu'"' ^" '° ^"A" *«h 27
the gale of the 27tho?7;i'^i^J^'J received molt damage ii
and the Dia.a, havL^ rSiid J' V ^^ ''' '° ^' difcharged;
^«^W. taking with irTmaft L 1''"'^!^' t '° P'°^"d to
ready to accompany her P'* ^"'^ ^^^^t trade may be
C. tf ne:^a" s&t :"T T; '°^" ^ -^' °^ «- .
than the fire-fliips. ^^deaux, which fucceeded no better
lines ; to cover which^ I Xced 'the C^lf •"■ '° -""f ^ ^''^ ^"^^■"v's
tweenthelfleof Or/.UxVdthrfl£T^^^^^ '" the channel, be-
water, two catts which I had arm5 f u "" °" ^°'^' « high
fmall batteries and two redoub ? ^ '**"' P"'P°^^' ^^ainft tv?o
About fix ih the even?ng1hey I'nde/ h Tu''%'P' "^"^ ^^ ^^nd.
•nsi.prope.toperfevefeni^Sk?"^^^^^^^^^^^^
r«»
ao8 The History of the War. "^759*
Ing made below the town, the General embarked his forces
about one in the morning, and with Admiral Holmes's di-
vifion went three leagues further up the river than the in-
tended
re-embarked, and the rell crofled the FalFs with Gen. Ifol/e)
upon which, to prevent the two catts from falling into the ene-
my's hands (they being then dry on fliore) J gave orders to take
the men out and fet them on fire, which was accordingly done.
On the jth o'i Augufi, in the night »■ fent twoiiy flat-bottom-
ed boats up the river, to the Suthe. . embark 1260 of the
troops, with Brig. Gen. Murray, fro*. .c he had taken on the
fouth ftore I fent Admiral Holmes up co the SuthtrJand, to aft
. in concert with him, and give him all the afliftance the /hips and
boats could afford. At the fame time I direfted Admiral Holmes
to ufe his bell endeavours to get at, and deflroy the enemy's fhips
above the town ; and for that purpofe 1 ordered the Lonjue/hji,
and Hunter {loop, with two armed flocps and two catts, with pro-
vifions, to pafs ^eiec and join the Sutherland; but the wind
holding wellerly, it was the 27th oi Auguft before they got up,
which was the fourth attempt they had made to gain their paf-
fage.
On the 25th, at night, Admiral Holmes and Gen. Murray,
with part of the troops, returned ; they had met with, and d"e-
ilroyed a magazine of the enemy's cloathing, fome gunpowder,
und other things ; and Admiral Holmes had been ten or twelve
leagues above the town, but found it imprafticable at that time
to get farther up.
Gen. Wolfe having refolved to quit the camp at Montmorenci,
and go above the town, in hopes of getting between the enemy
and their provifions, (fuppofed to be in the fhips there) and by
that means force them to an aftion, I fent up, on the 29th at
night, the Seahorfe and two armed (loops, with two catts laden
With provifions. to join the reft above ^«r^ff; and having taken
off all the artillery, from the camp at Montmorenci, on the 3d
ind. in the afternoon the troops embarked fiom thence, and land-
ed at Point Lei'!. The 4th, at night, I fent all the flat-bottomed
boats up, and this night a part of the troops will march up the
fouth flio!-e, aiiove the town, to be embarked in the (hips and vef-
fels there, and to-morrow night the reft will follow. Admiral
Holmes is alfo gone up again to aflift in their future operations,
and to try, if, with the affiftance of the troops, it is prafticable to
get at the enemy's fhips.
As Gen. Wolfe writes by this opportunity, he will give you an
account of his part of the operations, and his thoughts what fur-
thc*
1759. ne History of the War. 200
tended place of his lanrlino- ;« 1 , "
and conceal hi real de k f' Vh ', '^ 'T'^ ''^^ ^"•^'^^'
and fell downfilentir^^^^^
French cerfinl / . . ^' ^"'^'' ""obferved by the
xrencn centinels ported a ontr the fhor^ "Tk • ."
landing
tber may be done for his Majefty's fervice Tk^ -„
Before Admiral Z)«rf// got into th*. mV— i. r •
feventcen fail, with provffions ftor.c a 'V" ^"2'*"' =^"^
defces I would fend .ranfpor" ' aflf co'nviv'^aT"' ^^^ r''
^oLt" r '"" " '■°°'' "' «'- '^■P^ -■' O've the ho.
^///& /^^ greatejf Re/pea,
SIR,
rnr mofl ohdient, and mofi humble Servant,
D d CHARLES SAUNDERRS.
Bic- The History of theWA^. ^759.
landing. ConfiJcring the darkuers of the night, and the
rapidity of the current, this was a vtry criiical operation,
. and it required excellent kcads both on the part of" the
marine, and the land fervicc, to prcfcrvc a communication,
and to prevent a diicovcry and confuGon.
As (he troops could not land at the fpot propofed, when
they were put on Ihore an hill appeared before them ex-
tremely high and fteep in its afcent ; a little path winded
up this afcent, fo narrow that two could not go abreaft.
Even this path was intrenched, and a captain's guard de-
fended it. Thefe difficulties did not abate the hopes of the
General, or the ardor of the troops. The light infiintry
under Colonel HaAve laying hold of ftumps and boughs of
trees, pulled themfelves up, diflodged the guards, and
cleared the path; and then all the troops furniounting eve-
ry difficulty, gained the top of the hill, and as faft as they
afcendcd formed rhemfelves, fo that they were all in order
of battle at day break.
Montcalm, when he heard that the Englifh had afcendcd
Sept. I-?. ^^'^ ^^''' ^"'^ ^^"^^ formed on the high ground at
'^ ' ■^' the iack of the town, fcarccly credited tiie intel-
ligence, and ftill believed it to be a feint to induce him to
abandon that ftrong poft, which had been the objed of all
the real attempts rhat had been made fince the bcginnin':r
of the campaign. But he was foon, and fata'iv for him,
undeceived. He faw clearly, that the Englifh fleet and ar-
my were in fuch a fituation, that the^ upper and lower
town might be attacked in concert, and that nothing but a
battle could poffibly fave it. Accordingly he determined
to give them battle, and quitting Beaupo'rt, ^. '' d the river
St. Charles, anJ formed his troops oppofite to oi
He filled the bufties that were in his front witi^ ^ach-
ments of Indians, and his beft markfmen, to the n Her
of about 1500 ; his regular forces formed his Jeft ; his 1
was compofed of the troops of the colony, fupported b
two battalions of regulars. The reft of the Indians and
Canadians extended on that fide, and attempted to out-
flank the left of the Englifh, which was formed to prevent
that defign, in a manner which the military men call Po-
tence ; that is, in a body which prefents two faces to the
enemy, here Brigadier General Townfhend commanded
fix regiments, and the Louifbourg grenadiers were difpof-
ed in a line to the right of this body, extending to the ri-
ver.
'759- 7'i>e History of th War: an
fe'rv/ T'r^"^'"f vvas drawn up behind the right for a re-
elais ^'j:^'' ,.^"^'?^.'=^ '" «=ig''t fubdivifions, with large in-
I7£'r ^"'^^ 'Sht infantry underCoJonel Howe, protea-
ed the car and th. left. The difpofuions on both fides
S/^iri'r"' ^"^ *h^ -^-g^--t^n both fides began
The Englifli troops were exhorted to rcferve their fire •
and they bore that of the enemy's light troops in fro^^^^
wh.ch was ga I.ng, though irregular, .^ith the^tmoft pa!
tience and good order, waiting for the main body of thee-
nemy, ^h.ch advanced faft upon them. At forty yards di-
full\ T 'T^' f '' '^''' ^'''* "^^'"'^ ^o^k place in its
full extent, and made a terrible havock among the French.
Itwasfupportcd wuh as much vivacity as it was begun,
moment, when the fortune of the field began\o declare
itfe f General Wolfe, m whofe life every thin^ feemed
included fel: General Monckton, the next tl himln
roTl* fJ '"r''^^^'^ '"'^'^ ^"^ both were convTy 3
outof the hne; the command now devolved on General
Townfhend It was at a very critical time. For, though
he enemy began to fall back,' and were much broken, the
Jots of the two generals was a very difcoura^inff circum-
fuppor the advantages that had been gained, and to pufe
himself n l' rr 'T''- ^'^"^'■^^ Townfi^end fliewed
himlef equal to fo arduous a duty; the troops preferved
the.r fp.nt, and each corps feemed to exert itfelf with a
. V.CW to ,ts peaihar chara^er. The grenadiers with their
reTnT h / "'Shianders with their broad fwords, and the
the en '"'' T'^\' ^^^^y ^"'^ ^°"^'""«=d fi^e, drove
ed their defeat. Durmg the whole adion. Colonel Howe
w.th h.s light mfantry covered the left wing in fuch a man-
dTns^^'nTr ^'° ^'•"^'■^^^5^^ -«-Pts of^he enemieX
dians and Canadians upon that flank.
The field now feemed to be compleatly decided, when a
new enemy appcan-d, which threatJi^ed to bring onrfrefh
engagement, and to put all again to the hazafd M de
IIZT^a' ^''°" 'l!' ^^'Sned movements of the Englife
troops had drawn up the river, turned back on difcoverine
with Tb a'^T' '"'^ "°^ ^PP^^^^^ «" -he rear of theTmy?
With a body ot 2000 men. But fortunately the main bS
D d 2 ^i
212 the Hi^TOHLY of the V^AK, 1759.
of the French was by this time fo broken and difpcrfed,
that the General was able to eftablifh his rear, and to turn
fuch an oppofition on that fide that the enemy retired after
a very feeble attempt.
In this decifive adion our troops loft about 500 men:
on the fide of the enemy at leaft 1500 were killed. But
however glorious this vidtory was, and however important
in Its confequences, it muft be admitted that it was very
dearly bought. Soldiers may be railed} officers will be
tormed by experience; but the lofs of a genius in war, is a
Jofs which we know not how to repair. The death of
Wolfe was indeed grievous to his country, but to himfelf
the moft happy that can be imagined; anti the moft to be
envied by aJl thofe who have a true relifti for military glory.
Unmdcbted to family, or conneaions, unfupported by in-
trigue or fadion, he had accomplifhed the whole bufinefs
of life at a time, when others arc only beginning to appear:
and at the age of thirty-five, without feeling the weaknefs
ot a^e or the.viciffitudeof fortune, having fatisfied his honeft
ambition, having compleated his charafter, having fulfilled
the expeaations of his country, he fell at the head of his
conquering troops, and expired in the arms of viftory.
i he circumftances that attended the death of fuch a
perfon, are too interefling to be paffed over in filence, and
they were indeed fuch as fpoke the whole tenor of his life.
He hdt received a wound in his head; but, that he might
not difcourage his troops, he wrapped it up in his hanker-
' chief, and encouraged his men to advance : foon after he
received another ball in his belly; this alfo he diffembled,
and exerted himfelf as before; when he received a third in
his breaft under which he at laft funk, and fufFered himfelf,
unwillingly, to be carried behind the ranks. As he lav
Itrugglingwith the anguifh and weaknefs of three grievous
wounds, he feemed only follicitous about the fortune of the
battle. He begged one, who attended him, to fupport him
to view the field ; but as he found that the approach of
dMth had dimmed and confufed his fight, he defired an
officer, who was by him, to give him an account of what
he faw. I he officer anfwered, that the enemy feemed
broken; he repeated his queftion a few minutes after with
much anxiety, when he was told that the enemy was totally
routed, and that they fled in all parts. Then, faid he,
1 am fatisfied i" and immtdiately he expired.
Without
1759. T--^^ History er/-&^ War. 21 a
their defeat. M de MonTcdm' """ ''''"^'; ^?'^^^'buted to
killed on the /pot an offiriT' ^T"."!" '" *^^'^'^' ^^«
engagement. It Is fomethinff remarkable thf^ k "! '*'*'
their future condition Thl / ^f""'^ P'^" ^^"'"^ d«^'"de
in tolerable orde;heTnnf°"'^''T^ °^ ^'^^^'^X ^^^e
A garrifon of 500^ men underr > T^^ '^^'"'^l''fl^ed.
into the place, w^aiTolntvnf"'?^ ^""''^y^ "''''^ P"t
for the winter The fle^^^^^
fearing left "hTfettiL in of ^hr'\'°/"«^^"^ ^°°« «fter,
in the^iverSt.Laufer rl!)^''^''^ "^^^'^ ^°^' ^^^"^ "P
Thus
SIR
/-'^v^r^. a little above fhefowno? ll ^^"^ ''^?^ °^" '''^ '
ertin, himfelf on the rVht of our lE -^'r'*' ^"'-^'^ «'
early of which he diedfoon after i„d r"h '^^^ %T"? P^^^^
misfortune of receivin^one „ ' ■ I ^t^ '"^^''^^ '^^ 8^<^«
went through pa t of 2 \ZT(TZ 't\ u'"? ^^ « ^^" ^^«
der the blale b'one of % Z d )1uft t' the^"'''!'"^ °"' ""
.ng wa,, which obii^dL to ^ J^^df f'i;::^ Sff ;:;
. - Sir
214 The History of the War.' '^759}
Thus the capital of French America was rendered to the
Enghlh, after a moft fevere campaign of near three months ;
aiid perhaps, if the whole be confidercd, there never was
an
Sir, defircd General Toixinfitend, who now commands the troops
befoic the town (and of which 1 am in hopes he will be loon in
poflcflion) to acquaint you with the particulars of that day, and
of the operations carrying on. I have the honour to be, Ac.
_ ^ „. ROB. MONCKTON.
P. S. His Majefty's troops behaved with the greateft lleadincfs
and bravery.
As the furgeons tell me that there is no danger in my wound,
I am in hopes that I fliall be foon able to join the army before the
town. • '
I
The HuneuiahJt Brigadier General towonfiend' s letter to the Right
Honourable Mr. Secretary Pitt, dated Camp be/ore Pueiec,
Sept. 20. 1759.
SIR,
IHave the honour to acquaint you with the fuccefs of his ma-
jefty's arms, on the 1 3th inft. in an aftion with the Freuch, on
the heights to the weftward of this town.
It being determined to carry the operations above the town
the pons at Point Lew, and PlJIe d'Orleans, being fecured, the
General marched with the remainder of the force, from Point
Levi, the 5 th and 6th, and embarked them in tranfports, which
had pafled the town for that purpofe. On the 7th, 8th, and gth,
a movement of the Ihips was made up, by Admiral Holmes, in or-
der to amufe the enemy now polled along the North (hore; but
the tranfports being extremely crowded, and the weather very
bad, the General thought proper to captoon half his troops on
the South (hore; where they were refreihed, and reimbarked up-
on the 12th at one in the morning. The light infantry, com-
manded by Col. HonuetihttegimenXso^ Bragg, Kennedy, La/celles,
and Anftruther, with a detachment of Highlanders, and the
American grenadiers, the whole being under the command of
Brigadiers Moar/f/o« and Murray, were put into flat -bottomed
boats, 9r,d, after fome movements of the fhips, made by Admiral
Holmes, to draw the attention of the enemy above, the boats fell
down with the tide, and landed on the North Ihore, within a
league of Cape Diamond, an hour before day-break: the rapidity
of the tide of ebb carried them a little below the intended place
of attack, which obliged the light infantry to fcramble up a
woody
'7J9- «' History »//*, War. tit
from . fewi"t,, a"d Ti, • T"' ""} " '"^ «"1« '"I'.
b«ck fi,, .L Cnd.jbtk^r^hich'vzs'-.T'' <■'."
Brigader A/wrrav who \^Su j '^"/ 'mmediately mac «.
ba.falion to attack the Four Gun"S *^""^'^ ^''^'^ ^"A^.r',
called by the GenJra . X ^o^ 'C7heT t ''''' "" '^-
his line, having h" rig^t co tTt tt^T *"«"" ^° ^''^-
on the r.ght of thefe l^^iS^lTtfS^^^^^^^
the left of thegrenadis wLS'r, ;''^^^^^^ ^°
Hisblanders, -'^ VX'sT the gift of1^;rK^> '''•^"''''^'''
J^.andcd by Brigadier. V/.v.^,.;, Z\ f eft bv Brit / "'V. '°'"'
h.s rear and lefc were proteft^d by Col 1^ ^ ^f'^I.".^"'''''-^'
who was returned fro/the Four Gun BatferTh t'^^'-'^'^'^'^V^
which was foon abandoned to him ?,^""y,^t'^'-«-'nenti')ned.
collefted the whole of his tore, f ^^V^ Montcalm having
vancing. ihewed h°s imeS ^n fl^'t ^'T;:' ^'^'' »"^ ^^^
imraedfately ordered Ji^hr ^ J'*," "^ °"'" '«^'' ^^'"e f was
formed..^;' MvlmtrT^^f^^^ ^^ich
arrival ot'the twoZtalion/ 7w ^ '''" '"""'!'' ^>' '»>«=
was drawn up by the General L ^J^i '^'^'?'"'" i and fTeSi's
with large in erva Is Thlln f-''?'"^^' '" '^'2'^' f"bdivifion,
with .5?0/X.7and?! T'"^^'"f'^r '> ^"'^" '" '^eir fro"
irregular, fir. upon our wh2 lT„ ° ?' J * '">^ galling, tho'
elt patience, and good order Zf "^ '° \^'^ '' ^"'^ the'great-
hody now advancfng ThTs^rl^JfT^''' ^"^ ^""^ '''«•"«'"
checked by our polls in our frl? ^ u *"*"'^ ^^' *'°«'ever
our own line. The r .h^of L ' ''^ ^'""''^'^ '^' ^"'■'"ing
the troops of the coon v the h'^^^^^^
and the remainder o? heir' CW^l °". ^ }"" ^"''^ ^^"^"'-^"^
was a column, and forrSed bvit K .?r ^'"^^'" Their centre •
2i6 The HisTOn Y of the War, i759»
be attacked. An army greatly fuperior in number to the
befiegers, was ported under the walls of that city in an im-
pregnable fituation. That army was to be forced to a battle
againlt
two pieces of fmall artillery againft us, and we had been able
te bring up but one gun ; which being admirably well ferved,
galled their column exceedingly. My attention to the left will
not permit me to be very exaft with regard to every circumftance
which pafTed in the centre, much lefs to the right; but it is
tnoH. certain, that the enemy formed in good order, and that
their attack was very briflc and animated on that fide. Our
troops referved their fire, till within forty yards, which was fo
well continued, that the enemy every where .gave way. It was
then our General fell at the head of Bragg's, and the Louifiourg
grenadiers, advancing with their bayonets : About the fame
time Brigadier-general Monckton received his wound at the head
of Lafcelkih. In the front of the oppc.'^te battalion fell alfo
M. Montcalm; and his fecond in command is fince dead of his
wounds on board our fleet. Part of the enemy made a ibcond
faint attack. Part took to fome thick copfe wood, and feemed
to make a Hand. It was at this moment, that each corps
feemed in a manner to exert itfelf, with a view to its own pecu-
liar chara£ler, The grenadiers, Bragg's, and La/cellci's, prefled
on with their bayonets. Brigadier Murray, advancing with the
troops under his command, brilkly compleated their rout on
this fide; when the Highlanders, fupported by Anjiruther^,
took to their broad fwords, and drove part into the town, and
part to the works at their bridge on the river St, Charles,
The aftion, on our left and rear, was not fo fevere. The
houfes, into which the Light Infantry were thrown, were well
defended, being fupported by Col. Ho^we, who taking port with
two companies behind a fmall copfe, and frequently (allying upon
the flanks of the enemy during the attack, drove them often mto
heaps, againft the front of which body I advanced platoons of
Amherji''s, legiment, which totally prevented the right wing from
executing their firft intention. Before this, one of the Royal
American battalions had been detached to preferve our communi-
cation with our boats, and the other being fent to occupy the
ground which Brigadier Murray's movement had left open, 1 re-
mained with Amher/'s to fupport this difpofition, and to keep
the enemy's right, and a body of their favages, which waited
ftill more towards our rear, oppofite the polls of our Light In-
fantry, waiting for an opportunity to fall upon our rear.
This, Sir, was the fituation of things, when i was told, in the
adion,
»759. T'^^ History.//^, War; 2,-
againlt the inclinations of ■^ «-;r,. ..„ 1 • '
A tl.ea,r= of „,ore th „t ht:"^:^:''^^^^^^"!
ope«.a„, of .h«cx.„e ,o ^^^^^ t.'^l^'l^
fuperior
S°fi'i''^'^.*'°°""*"'^*^'^= J '"mniediately repaired to th.r. .
and findinp; the purfuit had n,.^ ,,o,» ^f *u ""P""^^" Jo the centre,
formed them as foon as noffib I ^ J ' "■?"' '" ^''""^d^'-. I
appeared in our rear. I advanS t.o ^es T a" ,1?°° "'";
two battalions towards him • „««« k- if "" ?^ artillery, and
»o.. I fla«=, -yfelf taJicr Lt „ nVS''-,, ^°'' -"
ground, and ridcing ,he fate of fo deS f dav 'b 7'1?'°°'
S^rvf;rot'a::^f-;?="-^'»^""™-'*^^^^
Sbon, ,,-00 ™e„r „M.h fell chi;fi,?;f ;;',:::;;?''"'' '<> be
1 have been emp oved frnm ^k/j r ^. "^^S^'^rs.
capitulation, in red'ouSg t? ca'npb'evtf 'T, '° ^'^^ "^ '^«
road up the precipice for lur cann^ ^'y""^.'"'"'f. '" taking a
preparing th'e batLries and'c t ""oiFThSc^^:' ^'^ ""■"^^^'
the country. The 17th at nnnn k r ^""^"'"^'0" with
ereaed, or could havV 1 L two orl"' T ^'^ ^^^ '^^"^'^X
came out with propofals of opituL^nn l ^r*/ ^^^ °^ '^'^'^^
to the town, allEwine them fon ho ° ' " ^ ^'"' ^^"^ ^S^'*!
treaty. The AdTifa td at th^re IT'f' °^ T ^^' ^'^-■
fhfpsasintendingtoattack the own The^Wnfr"^ ^" ^^^^5
at night with terms of canitul/fJn? ^, . V f , °^'"'" returned
were confidered.lre d to anj fi- "^ ' '- '^' '^'^'"'^*''
the 1 8th inltant The terms if "^ ''^^m '" '''•= "'^'"'"S
be approved of by h s mS cLf^'"^' u^'" ^ ^«'^^ "-^^
in our^ear. and Uat i fa/;. " f ""I m " ""^'"J' ^A'emblin;
cold feafon which threlteneH. ^"^""^^b"^' ^^e very ^et and
fleet with fome accide t It had maT°P^ ""^. •"'^"^^"^' -^ 'h«
not bring up a gun forVome tin,^ L°" '^.''^ ^° ^^'^^ *« ^^^"Id
entering^he^oinrwhh'X ;Xi„^' d^^^^^^^^^^
being able to put a earrifon thlL a "^"^""ble ftate. and the
furpri^e. ThL. I fo^f wil t d em^f "ffi"^' ^° P/^" ''^^
for granting them the terms uZT.t I ^"^'^'<^"«co"f»der«ion«
The inhabLts of the'oun' y came' fn^ to" ^^i^"?"" '°y°^-
their arms, and taking the oaths offid^vu^tf''^' '^""^'"^ '"
determines their fituafion ^' """^ ^ ^"""^'^^ P^ace
2iS The History of ibe War. ^75^-
fuperior army, by lefs than 7000 men. In this conteft with
fo many difiiculties, one may fay with nature itfelf, the ge-
nius of the commander Ihewcd itfelf fuperior to every thing.
All
to get it ; and a lift of the artillery and ftores in the town as well at
thofe fallen into our hands at BtUnport in confequence of the vic-
tory. By defertcrs we learn, that the enemy are re-aflembling
what troops they can, behind the Cape Reuge; that M. dt Le'vy is
come down from the Montreal iide to command them ; fome fay,
he has brought two battalions with him ; if fo, this blow has
already aflilted General Amberjl. By other deferters, we learn»
that M. de Bougain-ville, with Poo men, and provifions, was on
his march to fling himfelf into the town the tSth, the very morn-
ing it capitulated, on which day we had not compleatcd the in-
veftiture of the place, as they had broke their bridge of boats, and
Tiad detachments in very (Irong works on the other fide the river
$t. Charles.
I fhould not do juftice to the Admiral, and the naval fervice,
if I negleded this occafion of acknowledging how much we are
indebted for our fuccefs to the conftant affiftance and fupport re-
ceived from them, and the perteft harmony and correfpondence,
which has prevailed throughout all our operations, in the uncom-
mon difficulties, wliich the nature of this country, in particular,
prefents to military operations of a great extent, and which no
army can itfelf folely fupply ; the iromenfe labour in artillery,
ftores and provifions; the long watchings and attendance in boats;
the drawing up our artillery by the feamen even in the heat of
aftion ; it is my duty, fhort as my command has been, to ac-
knowledge, for that time, how great a (hare the navy has had
in this fuccefsful campaign.
I have the honour to be, &c.
GEO. T0WN6HEND.
Tite Admiral Sautider's Letter to the Right Homwrailt Mr,
Secretary Pitt.
S I R,
I Have the greateft pleafure in acquainting you that the town and
citadel of ^«/t^^^<.furiendered on the i8th inftant.and 1 inclofe
ycu a copy of the anicles of capitulation. The army took pof-
llfiion of the gates on the land fide the fame evening, and fent
fife guards into the town to prefcrve ordc, and to prevent any
thing from boing deftroyed; and Capt. Palli/er, with. a body ©r-
feamen, landed in the lower town, and did the fame. The next
day our army marched in, and near a thoufand Frtnch ofikers,
' iibldicra
1759- *^ l^i&roKY of theVJ AK. 219
nei'snetv^^^'l'T to that daring but judicious attempt,
^elltlV "^^"^^^ '^^ ^'■'-'^ Montcalm from his en.
trenchmeats, were fo many mailer-pieces in the art of war.
But
feldiers and feamen, were embarked on board fonie Enpli/h catt,
fh! n. J T^ ' "'«"''«"^d 'n that letter, imbarkcd on board
ana at four jn the morning of the 13th began to land on !h«
north (hore, about a mile and a half Ibove fhe to J GeneS
Monua!^ wuh b,s whole army, left the.r camp at Ba.p^T^f^
marchea o Hicct h„„. A little before ten bothVm.esX fbrm-
ed and the enemy be.an th. attack. Our troops received thd
fire, ana referved their own, advancing till thev vZlJfl^
a, to ruj in upon them and puO, th^'til^thdrbafonr:
by wh.ch. m a very htle time, the French gave way, and fled
.I.',**? '""'' 'j "'^l"^'"' y"". 'hat Gentral UVfi »,s killed .'»
ihemght of their landing, Admiral «b/«i*r u/uK »i,- n,-
Lo.t! «nH 7 Vf'' "^"^ ^^""' ''■■'l^'i''' troops, fetofFiS
•long the CO , It The ,1,, „, f .1 j . "iittnels, polled all
thic ., o-ii-Kneisot Uie night, and the rap d.tyot the current
<!.« w« , V.,, „,t.„l o,«a,io„ and ver, pfoperiy imd lucceft:
^ • ' full,
K, .|^.
$I20 y-^if History <?//i5^ War. 1759;
But it is certain, that thefe things, notwithftandihg the ex-
traordinary abilities of the general, could never have been
compafled, had not the marine co-operated with an unani-
mity, diligence, and fkill, which never could have taken
place, but from that perfedl love to their country, that ani-
mated all thofe that were concerned in this expedition!
^cre was no murmuring nor difcontent, nor abfurd jealou-
iyj no mean competition between the land and fea-fervicej
but the moft zealous endeavours to fecond each others ef-
forts, and the moft generous inclinations on each fide, to
give a due praife to their mutual fervices.
When the news of this decifive action arrived in England,
we all remember, though it is very difficult to defcribe, . th?
various and mixed emotions with which every one was af-
fected. ^ But two days before this came, was received th$
exprefs which General Wolfe had fent off after the afFair
pf Montmorenci. When the general doubted, the public
thought they had reafon to dcfpair. But whilft this gloon*
was frefh and in the midft of the general defpondency; a
fecond exprefs arrives, and brings all a,t once in account of
the
fully conduaed. When General IFol/e, and the troops with him,
kad landed, the difficulty of gaining the top of the hill is fcarce
credible: it was very fteep in its afccnt, and high, and no path
where two could go a-breaft: but they were obliged to pull them-
felves upby the flumps and boughs of trees, (hat covered the
declivity.
Immediately after our viflory over their troops, t fent up all
the boats in the fleet with artillery, and ammunition ; and on
the 17th went up with the men of war in a difpofttion to attack
the lower town, -s foon as General To'wnJh,nd Ihould be ready to
attack the upper; but in the evening they fent out to the camp
and offered terms of capitulation.
I have the farther plealure of acquainting you, that during
this tedious campaign there has continued a perfeft good un-
derftanding between the army and the navy. I have received
great affiftance from Admirals DurelUnA Holmes, and from all the
captains: Indeed every body has exerted themfelves in the excca-
tion of their duty; even the tranfports have willingly affifted me
with boats and people on the landing the troops, and many other
fervices.
I have the honour to be, &c.
CHARLES SAUNDERS,
■%..
»759- The History of theWAR: 22i
nf Wo^ 7^1''j?i°^S^".'^^? r^ '^' ^^^^h of Gene-
fucha de ;.c>,if ' '^f*^ ^'^ '^J*^y^"J "«^s» immediately on
uch a dejea.on, and then the mixture of grief and oitr
which attended th> public congratulations^nd applaS
was very finaular and aftcaing; The for^ nf ^P'^"!"'
A little circumftance was talked of at that time, and it r!*.
ferves to be recorded, as It £hews a firmnefsTf fentimem
and ajuftnefs ot thinking, in the lower kind of Se'
for n-r ^''"f ^' T°^^^ ^'^ ^" o^j'^'^t "larked out
SercT? hT ^'•''i ^'T' P^^^Ji^.^ diftrefs ; the public wound
peri u.ed .he dutiful fon, the amiable domeftic chari(?^er
Whillt .he world admired the accomplifhed Xer Wi?hTn
a few months fhe had loft her hufband ; Hie now Joft .hU
fon her only child The populace of\he Xg ^the^^
fte lived unanimoufly agreed to admit no illuminfdons or
firings, or any other fign of rejoicing whatfoeTr nea" her
houfe, left they fhould feem by an fll-tlmed IrTumph to
^fult over her grief. There ias a juftnefs in tW? ^anl
whoever knows the people, knows W they made no
fmall facnhce on this occafion. ^
The nation, which never fufFers any public fervirp tr>
pafs unrewarded, proceeded to honour Tmerhs of th^
mot? "f ?l- ''' ^'i- '^'^^ '"•"•ft^^ himfTnude he
tt forcrnf 7"P°^"'" **^^^?"^^ ""^ commons, and all
was voted for the 'deTafed^Generd .ri^lftSftTrTbr'
the living Generals and Admirals receVvelTe g^fte^^^oj
honours, the thanks of their country, by theirTprefen,
p::^^:i^^.i^^^^^^
duced to make towards the recovery of Sc ii. he
VWttr, the country along the river'^^ras iS wSJ'for a
very
fit The History of the War. 1759;
very confidcrable extent. A meafure, which for the faka
of humanity, wc could have wilhed not to have been found
neceflary.
^ Whilft the operations were thus fuccefsfully carried on
m the river St. Laurence, General Amherft was not want-
ing in his endeavours on the fide of Lake Champlain,
Though the retreat of the French from Crown Point and
Ticonderoga had left him entirely mafter of Lake George,
be found that the command of Lake Champlain was ftill
an obje<9t of fome difficulty. Mr. Bourlemaque, who com-
manded in that part, had retired to the Ifle de Noix, at the
bottom of the lake, where he had three thoufand five
hundred men ftrongly entrenched j he had likewife four
^out armed floops, by which he could eafily defeat any
jttempts by boats.
General Amherft found it necelTary to attain a naval fu-
pcriority upon the Champlain, before he could hope to pufli
his operations any further; but this was a work of (o much
time, that it made it abfolutely impoffible to attain the
great end of the campaign, the communication with Ge-
neral Wolfe, who was left in the manner wc have feen to
the exertion of his fingle ftrength. The naval preparation*
were not perfedly accomplifhed before the loth of Odo-
ber. They confifted of a great radeau, eighiy four feet in
length, and twenty in breadth, which carried fix twenty-
four pounders j the reft confifted of a brigantine and a
floop.
Covered by thefe the army was embarked in boats in a
moft excellent difpofition, f nd proceeded a confi-
0<a. II. derable way up the lake; but as the feafon was
far advanced, and the weather growing cold and
tcmpeftuous, he judged it highly dangerous to venture his
troops much upon the water in open batteaux j for the
wayes run as high on this lake as at fea in an hard gale of
wind. Befides, he could not hope at this advanced feafon
to aa at fuch a diftance as the Ifle de Noix with any efFeft ;
he therefore wifely poftponed his operations on that fide to
another year, and contented himfelf for the prefent with
the efforts of his little marine, which exerted itfelf with
great adivity ; they blocked up two of the enemies ftrofjg-
eft vefTels in a bay, but the French abandoned
U^-. 15. them in the night, and funk them in a deep wa-
crews making their efcape; thefe they
were
ter, ths
the faka
:en found
arried oj>
lot want-
lamplain.
'oint and
George,
was ft ill
/ho com-
ix, at the
fand fiv9
A/iCe four
feat any
naval fu-
e to pufli
fo mucii
^tain the
i'ith Ge-
e feen to
parationj
of oao-
ur feet in
twenty-
le and a
loats in a
I a confi-
afon was
cold and
nture his
; for the
J gnle of
ed feafon
ly effect ;
at fide to
bnt with
felf with
s ftrofjg-
)andoned
deep wa-
lefe they
were
^759' ^-Jp History *//^? War; 21$
ZZX^Tr\'^''^^u "P- ^^' ^''^'^ appearing m,
Zcrll °pPP° V^'^"^' ^he armed floops returned ^
dif^nr^T • "' '^"^ '^'''' '^" '""^^P^* which were Oa. 21,
oilpofed in winter quarters.
n,,!?'? "[memorable and vigorous campaign of 1750, whiclr
made full amends for the inadivity of the former' wartC
happily clofed By the taking of Niagara, TicoXI«o
Part^feii^"^'^^**^^^^'"^'^' ^"*^^^'"J« -Sng
S?K- u S ^""^ ^'^ '"^^'^^'^ "P°" every fide. The trooJ
ha?; ^^,"°'""?""'c?'on with France being cut ofF. So
that m the opening of the next campaign, if they are at-
tacked with vigour from the fide of QueVc, whiirGcne-
wi.Vh"'K''K''^''"''t^'^^ ^'^ ^°^7 by Lake Ghamplain, of
which he has nbw the entire domrnion, the refiftance ^.m
cueft.Tnd^•.'''"^'f'="!;'^°g'^^ reputation to tl^ecl"
queft, and It will depend more upon our own fentiments
of convenience what part of North America we fhall leave
to France, than to any efforts they may make in that part
of the world; happy if our European fyftem flioull fo
far concur, as to leave us free to conclude a peace in
America upon its own merits.
CHAP. VIII.-
Prtncf Henry's march into Saxony, General Vehh defeated. •
f»g of PruJ/Ia enters Saxony. Prufftans defeated at
Maxen Agatn defeated at Meijfen, M Daun occupies
ffredttary Prtnce of Brunfwid defeats the Duke of
Wurtemburgat Ful^a. March of the Hereditary Priti,
- of Brunfwick to Saxony, ^
WE took notice, in the preceedin|r part of our narra-
wh.Vh h. ;k "'ov!r"e"t of the king of Pruffia, by
which he got between the Ruffians and Great Glosau and
thereby baffled their defiga upon that important plafeTht
tTS'' ^J°"" t'-""^' .P^"^'^"^ and necelTary, hindered
bt V. /[ 7 "^ '"''•"S '^'"'''* *^"^"^" •» his dominions;
tion with' Z^ """' r r.'^^'l^^^^ ""' °ff *" communical
tion with the army of Prince Henry,
That
144 ^^f HiSTORv ef the WaH^, ^759*
That Prince, feeing that he could not fccond the opera-
tions of the King, his brother, on the fide of Silefia, con-
trived another expedient of co-operating with him, which
^as irrimediatcly to diredt his march towards Saxony*
There was no obje£l, the poflcflion of which was more
intereftlngj on that account it was very proper; but this
march anfwered alfo another endj for it drew the attention
of M. Daun to the fide of Saxony, and difabled him
from affifling the defigns of the Ruffians againft Glogau,
either with his whole army, or with any confiderable de-
tachment from it. The whole country of Lufatia, through
•which this proje<Sed march lay, was in a manner overfprcad
with the enemy. M. Daun, with the itiain army of the
Auftrians, lay at a place called Sorau, oppofite to the prince's
camp. Five bodies of Ruffians occupied as many advanta-
feous pofts between the Bober and the Neifs. General
,audohn pofTeffcd the whole country along the Spree, with
ievefal Auftrian corps. To get round M. Daun, it was
neceffary to make a vaft circuit, and to rnarch between
the Auftrian and Ruffian armies for more than fixty Englifh
miles.
Before the prince entered upon this arduous defign, by
fevefal bold movements he obliged M. Daun to retreat
from Sorau to Gorlitz, and from Gorlitz as far as Bautzen,
keeping himfelf as much as poffible between the pfince and
Saxony. But his Royal Highnefs having perceived the
direftion in which M. Daun was moving, made a com-
pafs to the northward of the Auftrians, into the Lower
Lufatia, paffed the Neifs at Rothenburg, and marching
with the utmoft expedition arrived at Hoyers
Sept. 25. Werda in two days from his leaving his pofts near
Zittau. This rapid march brought them quite
iinexpefted upon a body of five or fix thoufand Auftrian
irregulars, commanded by General Vehla, who were iltu-
ated in all fecurity behind the town. They were routed
with no fmall flaughter. Having diflodged this corps, the
prince's army had leifure to rcpofe themfelves aftei" fuch a
fatiguing march, for two days; and then continued their
progrefs towards the Elbe, which river they
0£l. 2. crofted at Torgau, having received notice that
M. Daun had crofibd it before them near Drefden.
Thus was the grand theatre of the war once more trans-
ferred into Saxony, and that miferable country, continually
harralied,^
■759. ?■*' History «/ /A, War. ,j,
harrafed, continually tofled from hand to hand, Ac fDor.
inc enemy, in lo Ihort a time, and with fa lif^l* ur. *
perhaps one of the moft extraordinary, and the befttn"
duaed, of the marches, that have beei made bv the Pruf
fian^ or any other army. ^ '"* ^'^"*"
RiSn/^ff" "5'^. ?''°''^' ''^S*^*'^^'' ^Jth the retreat of the
V aory gave them the pofleffion of every ZZTi^ It
oia^SiVe^Td'ar ;^f ^-t^ » ^hfx;
pming himfelfto thofe; whe^af er oU^igTe Nov .a
back ,pwrds&e„A7r r '""'•. 55' I^""" f'"
ce ary detachments, .le ftjJJ faw himfeJf at the hlT ^t
ftanding tKvan«dfiif ''''"? "l '''= <"-<l"=. "ot^ith-
thecolf. "' '^"''"' ""'' "•^ 8'^« «'«mity of
P f It
286 ThfHliTO^YefthiWAR. ,759.
h i» trae, that M. Daun was fuperior to him in num-
t,J.'* " n- /?'' '"?' ? 'r '''"'''""• "^ ^^^"''l «» any time
take pofleflion of the famous cj^mp at Pima, vhcre he
could not b« vtacked with any profpea of fuccefsi but
thenthehcx.zjng of the Elbe, the fnow on the mountains
which div.de Bohemia from Saxony, and the continual mo-
Jeitations which might be expected from the Pruffian par-
ties, made this Situation as dangerous, in fome refpcfts, as.
It was defirable in others.
;l^>j^'"'i^? opinion of many, that thcfe advantages on
the fide of the iCing of Pruffia, weJl.purfued without aim-
ing at more, would in a fhort time infallibly have obliged
M Daun to rel.nqui/h his Itrong poft, and to retire into
Uohemia, abvidoning Drefden, and with it all the fruits
of his viaorious campaign. But the King, pofleflbd by
«n idea of the i|i fituation of the Auftrians, thought that
advantages of greater moment, and more decifive! mieht
wer/r^-S""". "• u^'.H"^' '^''' '^' P^'^" intoBohelia
were fo difficult that by fome ports properly chofen and
Wrongly guarded, the fubfittence of the Auftrians might be
made impraaicable,, and ewn their retreat rendered fo
difficult, that M. Daun. would find himfelf compelled to
K^*^*i. ^•''^"^^Se, and to put to the hazard of the
held all that^is caution .and prudence had been fo lone
and fo painfully procuring. ^
Upon this plan the King, having obliged M. Daun to
retreat as^far^s PJauen,. qdvanced himidf as far as KeiTel-
dorfj and ordered General Finck, with a ftrong corps, to
turn the Auftrians, and fcize the defiles of Maxen and Ot-
tendorf, thrDugh which alone it feemed poffible for the
MiUim to communicate with Bohemia. This was fo
fuccefsfully executed, that there appeared no doubt that
the King had effedtually fecured one of his principal ob-
jects,, and, had placed Daun between two fires.
Whiliithe Pruffians enjoyed this fecurity, M. Daun,
who was aw?re of their defign, had fo occupied all the
eminences about this rough and dangerous place, and all
^he palTes into It, that the Pruffians were hardly attacked,
When their defeat feemed inevitable. It is probable that
they had got too far into thefe defiles, and had not taken
proper meafures to fecure a retreat, or any fort of com-
munication with the grand army. They became too late
ienlible of their fituation, and they made, for a whole day,
the
r-~~
^759' t^e'flnTOKY of theV/AR. 22>
he moft intrepid efforts to difengage thcmfelves from it I
but they were foiled in every attempt, with confiderablc
M- u"^^"' and of the moft part of their artillery.
Night put a ftop to the cngagcmfcnt j the Auftrians em-
ployed .t cffeaually, to cntingle the PrufTians, by guarding
with double ftrength and vinrtJance, every avenue throuKh
which It was poflible for them to cfcape. So ■
that when the morning appeared, they faw the Nov. 26.
hills covered upon every fide with great bodies
of their enemies, and every defile prefentcd a w?ll of '
bayonets, through which it was impoffiblc to ptnetrate.
1 hus galled with the loffes of the preceding day, in which
It IS faid they had exhaufted almoft all their ammunition,
Itripped of the greateft part of their cannon, furrounded by
the enemy on all quarters, no refource, no profpcft of re-
lief appearing, the army loft all hope, and all fpirit. To
make any efforts in this condition, General Fincic thought
would only be to throw away unprofitably the lives of many
brave men, which might be referved for a more hopeful
occafionj he therefore, notwithftanding the known rigour
of his mafter, the apparent fhame of the thing, and the
thoufand circumftances of embarraffment that muft have
arifen to a man of honour at fuch a jutiaure, came to a
refolution of furrendering the whole army prifoners of war.
Nineteen battalions and thirty five fquadrons, compofing
near twenty thoufand men by the Auftrian account, above
twelve by the Pruflian confeffion, fixty-four pieces of
cannon, many ftandards and colours were taken on this
occahon. •
It was unqueftionably the greateft blow which the Pruf- "
lians had felt from the beginning of the war; confiderine
the critical time, the numbers taken, and the lofs of repu-
tation, which arofe from the manner in which they were
taken. It is „o wonder, that fuch an extraordinary advan-
age thus cheaply obtained, ftiould greatly have elevated
the friends of the houfe of Auftria.^ They had put the
cheat upon the Pruffians. they had caught their enemy in
the very trap which they hacf laid, as they thought, with
fuch addrefs for them. They had now received a Lu iZ
demn.fication for the capture of the Saxon army, which
narfh^'i'^^'''-^'""'^^ '^' ^^'"^ «"«""«'•. and very
near this place, in the year 1756. ^
f' f 2 The ,
/
tiS ^ The HisTOHY of the 'Watl. 1759.
The King of Pruflia had not time to recover from this
roke. under which he was yet ftaggering, when he receiv-
tner blctw. and a feverp oup ri«.„.,oi rk 1
ftrokc
cd another blc.w. and a fevere one. General Durceke'was
pofted at the right of the Elbe, oppof.te to Meif-
Uec. 4. fen ; but on the approach of a large body of Au-
• » u V"^"^» ^^^y P''epared to retreat over the river
into that place into which they thought their retreat fecure :
but having been obliged by an hard froft to withdraw their
' bridge of boats, a thaw fupervening, when they attempted
to lay a bridge of pontoons, fo many great fragments of ice
floated m the river, that they found it impr^aicable: they
were therefore under the neceflity of paiTuig over their
army in boats. Whilft they /^ruggled wirh thefe difficul-
ties, their rear guard was attacked by the Auftrians with
greatfury, and all the men that compofed it, together with
the Creneral, were killed or made prifoners. 'I'he lofs of
the Pruflians on this occafions is faid to have been three
thoufand killed and taken j and this fecond furprize brourrht
a new difcredit, as well as a great detriment to the Pruffiaa
arms.
M. Daun was not fo carried away with this flood of fuc-
cefs, as to depart in the leaft degree from his ufual cauti-
ous rnanagement. Two advantages were now obtained,
Which, with a very fdw efforts, might be improved, to the
entire deftruaion of fhe King of Pruffia. At leaft, many
Generals would have thought fo j but M. Daun thought
that the fame condua, which, with no rifque, and with
Jittle Jofs, had reduced the King fo low, was the moft likely.
It purfued, to bring on his entire ruin. He refolved to give
that monarch no fort of chance to recover his fortune •
IJaun, after the two great viaories he had himfelf newly
obtained, retired behind Drefden ; and as if he had been
beaten, as often as he was viftorious, he took refuge in
the impregnable camp at Pima, having fo difpofed matters,
that the King of Pruffia, now to weak to fend out any
great detachments, could not prevent his communication
With oohemia.
Whilft the King of Pruffia carried on his unfucccfsful
campaign in Saxony, through all the rigours of the fevcrcft
winter for many years felt in Europe; the army of the al-
lies kept the field with better fortune. It is true, things
had been fo difpofed by the obftinatc refiftance of Munfter,
and
«759- ?*« History «//i, War. jjg
ade, now broken off, and now refumed af I^ft m
Hi,";;'"'''' "'' "" S""f"" capiSSrS '''"■ '°-
M^J! 'r^ f''"?''' "■' ""'-"'"ry Prince of Brunf^ick
all whofe enterpnfes are diftinguifted with a peculiar^daj
Munfter Prlnl ct ^'^"=''' 0="'° ""»« '!>»" the loft of
this defign. '^''"'" "^ ^^''"" ™ "'f» «"g'g=<l in
Wurtemburgers enjoyed themfelves i^i full fecurity A tl
dejoye had been ordered for that dav thp tr^^^' "^n
plaui before the town, l^he HleditaVy PrTnce'^fell unnn
them unawares in their froi.* anH flltu ?! "P°"
without the town they were met by Prince Charle. of r *
covered b^Se SSof L" 'k'"','' *= °''''' '>i"''"='f.
.» efcape/ Ab^faXulrpriS'^; ^d: l^
occafion.
230
the History of the War. 175a:
occafton; and the Prince returned to the camp of the allies
after having efFe£tually dtfabled this corps from performing
any thing confidcrable ; and this aftion was of the LM-eateU
confequence, as, by the difpofition of that corps at^ulda
there was an appearance as if the French meant to form a
communication with the army of the Empire, for the
mutual extenfion and fccurity of their winter quarters.
This enterprife was only the prelude to another, which
promifcd to be much more extenfive in its conftqucnces.
The feafon was now grown too fevere to fufFer the allies
to pufli any further the advantages they had obtained over
the French } at the fame time it difabled the French from
attempting any thing confiderable againft them.' Befides
thefe advantages of the feafon, by pofTefllng Munfter, the
allies were no longer obliged to keep fo large a body of men
m Weftphaha. Thefe were the confidcrations which fuf-
fered Prince Ferdinand to turn his eyes to the diftre/Tcd
ftate of the King of Pruflia's affairs. After the two great
blows which that monarch had fufFered, there was no hope
of diflodgmg M. Daun with his fingie force j and he was
utterly unable to avail himfelf as heretofore, of the rigour
of the feafon, to ftrike a dccifivc blow. Prince Ferdinand,
diftant as he was from his diftrefled ally, and fo near to an
enemy fuperior in numbers, did not hefitate to fend him
^occurs, to enable him, if poflible, to make a final effort.
He detached therefore 12,000 of his befl men, and placed
them under the command of the Hereditary Prince, with
whofe vigour and diligence he was perfedly acquainted,
and under whom he knew the foldiers would endure any
Oa. n. IJ?'"^^'P with chearfulnefs. They marched from
KorfdoriT, and in the depth of the late fevere
feafon, without lofing a man by fickncfs or defertion, in
fifteen days, marched near three hundred miles, and join-
ed the King of PrufTia at Freybourg.
This junilion raifcd for a while the fpirits and hopes of
the Pruffian army, but, in efFea, it did more honour to
the abihtiOG of the Hereditary Prince, than fervice to the
King. The feafon which fought equally againfl all fides,
the macceffible camp at Pima, and the caution of M. l)aun,
rendered it impoffible for the King, notwithflanding this re-
inforcement, to make any attempt. So that after feveral
movements in hopes of bringing the Auftrians to an en-
gagement, he was obliged at length to defift, and to fufFer
the
nZ f h"" r'^"'^' '" ""'''^ '" 'he allied army tI
charaaer of ll d= C.^l.^ ISlia '^Z^":^
_ Prwce Ferdinand by furorife R../fini ?<
Dec. Z4. Pjff'y prepared^ a'nd aSt po^'ft ^efel^d"'
nand the glor, of tali,;; Mu£ ;nKfr„-ir:f f "<•'•;
:&S TeVa^^fr^a'' -7" '^^^^^^^^
CHAP. IX.
French fleet under M TrZk . ■ f*^ ''^'" " '758-
Me, Art StDatiJ-r A """I t""'"- ^- * ^''h
fuse t, MadrJ^ oi'J", "¥i "'r "^""J""-- ''"P
upon ehroperatio" at fea IS"' " ^^'^ ".» more effefl
rpight of ';i,e i,Kle„" „c>of he Son" ^f,"?''"^ '"
projeSed by France whirh Ikf ^^e invafion
La^os had rLrdcdr;ast;'„ota„TSS °'' ^""^
JSrelt, and for tranfporting , body of forces from
Vannes,
23* ^^ History of the War; 1759.
Vannes, went on continually. The winter did not delay
thefe preparations, becaufe it was hoped that in that feafon,
the Britifli fleet might be obliged to take refuge in their
own harbours ; and thus might afford an opportunity for
the French fleet to come out unoppofcd, and to execute the
objea of their deftination before the Britifli navy could be
in readinefs to encounter them.
In fadt, they were not wholly difappointed in their ex-
pedations. A violent ftorm forced Sir Edward Hawlce to
quit his ftation ofF Breft. He came with his whole fleet to
anchor in Torbay.
The French fleet availed itftif of his abfencc
Nov. 14. to put to fea. The whole Englifli nation was
alarmed ; but it was an alarm which produced
no hurry or difturbance, but vigorous, cool, and fettled
methods for defence.
And now the event of the whole war was put to the ifliie ;
for upon the good or ill fuccefs of this ftroke every thing
depended. Admiral Hawke loft not a moment's
Nov. 14. time to put again to fea, and to feek the French
fleet. Both fquadrons put to fea on the fame
day , Sir Edward Hawke from Torbay, M. de Conflans
from, Breft. There was a difference of but one ftiip of the
line in their forces.
It is impoflible here to nafs over the gallant behaviour of
one of our Admirals, as ii uelps to mark the genius and fpi-
rip of this happy time, and as this is one of the fineft inftan-
ces of it. Admiral Saunders came into port from his Que-
bec expedition immediately after Hawke had failed. After
fuch a long voyage and fo fevere a campaign, unbroken by
fatigue, and ftill infatiated with glory, he determined im-
mediately to fet fail again, and partake the honour and
danger of the coming engagement. For this purpofe no,
time was to be loft, and he had no orders. But he thought
the exigencies of his country fufficient orders; and'^he
knew that at this time the letter of military dilcipline would
never be fet againft its fpirit. He therefore fet fail without
waiting for orders with ten ihips ; but fortune did not fa-
vour the generofity of his intentions, and he did not join
the Britiffi fleet time enough for the engagement.
As Sir Edward Hawke concluded that the firft rendez-
vous of the enemy's fleet would be at Qurberon, he ilired-
ed his courfe with all diligence for that bay. But here
again
S'^Edw-'^Hawke Adniir'of dieWhite
'759- ^^^ History p//^^ War. 2,,
again fortune for a while fccmcd to declare for the French
for a ftrong wind blown in an eafterly point, drove th! En '
glifh fleet a great way to the we/ward j ^,ut at W^h ii
became more favourable, and bore them fn ^Jr^Vi ^ u
fhore. About eight o'clock the^L^Jrorfh^slL'^e'l
the enemy bearmg to the northward, between the fl^I^f
Belle.fle and the main land of France ^t""^ °^
Hawke faw at laft what he had (o long, and fo ardentiv
w.fl.ed for, (though hitherto in vain) the enemy in 2
would have checked a very cautious commander, orV-
haps any commander in circumftances Jefs criticalto h^
pubhc fafety 0„ the flighteft infpeaion of he ctart' k
w,Ii appear that all this fea is fown thick with fands Ld
flioals, and fhallows, and rocks; our pilots were by no
means well acquainted with itj and the winrblew^ttte
lefs than a violent ftorm, and the waves ran moun tah^
high. In thefe circumftances they were to attack a veJv
ftmng fquadron of the enemy on their own coaft w t^
which they were perfeftly acquainted. All thefe diffk^]
ties on y animated the Englifh Admiral. In one of he fi
neft fhips in the world, commanding the flower of the Britiih
navy, andfecondedbyfome of the moft tried and braveft
?eff"V '^A ^TT'.'^^ ^^°^^ ^" "-^ dubious of I Im
felf He ordered the flnps neareft the enemy immedia dv
MConflans had two choices, cither to fly, or to ftand
and fight it out. But he followed neitherV^ah. for
fome time he appeared as if he meant to fiJ^tb.t after
giving the Britifh (hips time to come near him, when t was
too late he crouded all the fail he could carry'j at the fame
time he (hewed an attention to keep his fjjadron t.gt
At half an hour after two, the aftion began with sreat
fury. In two hours the enemy had loft thrfe (hh of the
ms Ih p to referve her fire, to pafs by all the others anH tr.
be laid along fide of the Soleil Ropl the bef^ ft ^ ^'^Je
French navy and commanded by U. de Conflans the mafter
rw\tanfwere"d ^« Yo"t 'h'''' ^-gei^^f t'^aft!
nawKe 3niwered, You have done your duty in this re-
monftrancei now obey my orderi, and ^ me along
^ e « fide
aj4 The History of ibe'WAR. 1759.
" fide the French admiral." A French (hip of 70 guns
gcneroully pjt hiinfclf between thcin; Hawkc was obriged
to beftow here the fire he had rcfcrvcd tor a gicafer occa-
fion, and at one broadfidc funk her to the bottom. 'Fhc
headmoft of the Englifti Ihips fired ou the enemy as they
came up to them, and then palled on to otherc, leaving
thofe behind to improve their fucccli), and dcftroy or take
them; and by this method they had got up quite to the
van of the enemy, and would have totally dcftroyed their
fleet, had not night intcrpofed to fave them. Before night
came on, the enemy's fleet was much difperfcd ; but in the
cagerncfs of the purfuit, two of the Englifli ftiips unfortu-
nately run upon a fand, called the Four, and were loft.
The enemy fled in to their own coaft. ^Seven (hips of the
line threw overboard all their guns, and efcapcd into the
Ri'.er Villaine; about as many more got out to fea, and
made for other ports.
Nothing could bp conceived more dreadful than the night
which fucccedcd this action. A violent ftorm blew all night
long. It was a pitchy darknefs; a dangerous coaft fur-
rounded them on almoft all fides. A continual firing of
diftrefs guns was heard, without knowing whether they
came from friend or enemy ; and on account of the badnefs
^ of the coaft and the darknefs of the night, our people were
equally unable to venture to their affiftWe.
When morning came on, they found the French Admi-
ral had run his fliip, and another called the Heros, on fliore ;
the firft was fet on fire by the enemy, the other by our
feamen. Thus concludei this remarkable adtion (c)^ in
which
(c J Sir Edward Haiuh's Litter to Mr. CUvknd^ Secntarj to tbt
Admiralty.
Royal George, off Penris Pointy Nov. 2^.
SIR,
IN my letter of the I7ch, by exprefs, I defired you would ac-
quaint their lordlhips with my having received intelligence of
18 fail of the line and three frigates of the Brefi fquadron, being
difcovered :'bout 24 leagues to the N. W. oi Belleijle, fleering to
the eaftward ; all the prifoncra however agree, that on the day
we
fi ?he Iafrhl?^?T .'-'"'^^'''<^ "-y. in which co„.
anperlcd. I he long threatncd invafion which was
to
Concluding that their firll rtndtvous Ihould be 4>„im. .k.
I9.h, .hough .arUble.^, proved mo^Wabir „ .'h'." '^f
■he .and M .hree r^l^h^-Arninfrr/e figtl'tnTnt!
."';„?„?,;;'"£„:? 7 <'•[""'•••'«']"•'■ "»■ 'her mad. of, J
and LTi ,: a fine'-oXtr. aZj'Sf """*."""", ■" "'"'"'•
al o ,0 fornj a, .hey ch.fed, .ha. no ,ime ™igh. be /oft in ,he pS"
which joined me a wltn'^^lT: Z"Z".>,T' '"'•• t"
" M- c- r " *• ^- ^ »"h"-V?;:n,I""' "" '""" «"""
could Sfrir/lTfi? «r« ''*:°"''" '■'"'■ ""»" " l>i. fijuadro..
/'r^«f/^ admiral headmoft, foon after led rn»nA fuTr v- .
while his rear was in aaion. Abo t fot ^Tock fh. F '"f\}
ilruck and alittle after, .he n^. a„;i;.t;'cr:!'Lk:^lt^^
• Rocb fo called. '
® 2 ^ five
236 The HisTORV of the War. i 759.
to repair their lofTes in every part of the world, was difli-
pated, and the credit of their arms broken along with their
forces. The behaviour of the' EngHih captains and feamen.
on
/5ve the //>•"!- 1 ,;ck, r.«tl came to an anchor, but it blowing hard,
no boat couJd be feut on board her. Night was now come, and
being on a part of the coaft, among iHands and nioals, of which
we were totally ignorant, without a pilot, as was the greataft
part of the fquadron, and blowing hard on a lee fhore, I made
the fignal to anchor, and came to in fifteen fathom water, the
Jfland of Dumr Bearing E. h i-,. bci.vc.^n two and three miles,
the Cardinals W. half S. and the Ileeples of Crozie S. E. as we
round next morning.
^ Jn the night «ve heard many guns of diftrefs fired, but blow-
ing hard, want of knowledge of the coaft, and whether they
were fired by a triend or an enemy, prevented all means of re-
lief.
By day-break of the 21ft, we difcovered one of our (hips dif-
mafted afliore on our Four^, the French Heros alfo, and the Soleil
Koyal,vjhich undercover of the night had anchored among us,
cut and run afliore to the weftward of Crozie. On the latter's
moving, I made the EJfexh fignal to flip and purfue her. but fhe
unfortunately got upon the Four, and both (he and the Re/clution
are irrecoverably loft, notwithftanding we fent them all th." uiTift-
ance that the weather would permit. About fourfcore of the
Rr/oluhons^ company, in fpite of the ftrongeft remonftrahces of
their captain, made rafts, and, with feveral French prifoners be-
longing to the Formidable, put off, and I am afraid, drove out to
lea. All the EJfexh are faved (with as many of the ftores as pof-
lible^ except one lieutenant and a boat's crew, who were drove
on the /W Ihore, and have not beenheard of: the remains of
both /hips have been fet on fire. We found the Dor/etjhire, Re-
•venge, and De/c/,2ce, in the night of the 26th put out to fea ; as
1 hope the Sxviftjure did, for flie is ftill miffing. The Dorfctjhire
zt^ Defiance returned next day, and the latter faw the Rcn,e»^t
without. 1 hus, what lofs we have fuftained has been owing \o
the weather not the enemy, feven or eight of whofe line of battle
Ihips got to fea, I believe, the night of the aftion.
As icon as it was broad day-light in the morning of the 21ft, I
difcovered feven or eight of the enemy's line of battle fhips at
anchor, between Feint Penris, and the river Fillaine ; on which
1 made the fignal to v^tigh, in order to work up and attack them:
but It blowed fo hard from the N. W. that inftead of daring to
caft the fquadron loofe, I was obliged to ftrike top gallant mafts.
§ A Sand Bank Moft
i759- y-^ History ef/>&,f War. 271
captaiij
under the Jaid/a 1 0x1^:^^ '^^^ the advantage of the wnd
/«/« ' ''"P' '^° 8«' '*>at night into Che river f^ij.
1 lie weather bein? moderar/* on fk« - j r r
The/^....^. on thtCproach «f n"" V^' ^"/^'//-y-/ and HerZ
foon after the la i met Te faL f .^'f* '" ^''^^ '^"* °" ^'•«' -'^
mean time I got XZZ Z l'.""" ""i" P'^'P^'' J" ^^e
as well for the fake "fTt^bettTV r'^ "^ T'^'" ^"""'^ ^-■'"•
poflible. the two ftiiDs of I, ^ ■?/ '■°''^' "* '° dellroy, if
could get near them, being q he iitt nnn/T '^!^ P"^P°^«
they got in. ^ ^ S"'' a"'* 'v"'* 'he tide of flood,
.hat" SrihicTrv^rnair a„d"r""7 •'■""''-"f
the bar, at low wa«r W^ j y "!;'>' '*''" '«' ™Kr on
eight, line of baXftip Jfc' fLT/""-," l'?" '■'=™' 'f "«
and ,„„ ,„g., frigate. Sed^rofrdlrJ'f;"' ''"".° '«'"•
e-?;i;it:SSl?^?--^^^^^^
and companies of fuch as d rcot!"^*^' .^° '^: ■ ^he commanders
on the 2oth, behaved whhttr P^"" '^^ "^'-^f the/'r./.r^^,
ftrongeft proof Of a" ue ^ ^^ ^^' i^-Pif 7. and gave the
fati.fied. would thofe have acauC J r,^ ^"""^ ""'""" ^ ««»
'ngfhip.,ort4,ediWthe;i ';t^^^^^^^ "*^°^^ ^^'^ g^"
f'o.n getting, up. ur lofs hi 7hll ■ "^O'""'"^. prevented
in the ihipa^vhfch are now7ithirTC?"S*=°"^''^^^^^^^> ^^^
and 39 Lmen and marTnes kilt!,' ^^^^"'^ ^"^ "eutenaat.
When i confider the fTafon of /hi ' "^.'''P"' 203 wounded.
hVc„.d be d.„e, h.:'bird;::"'',f - f «4V.j;« Pojj:
tained, -
I
8^8 The History of the War. 1759;
captain was accufed, nor even in any degree fufpedted of
mtfbehaviour or cowardice; in which thofc who engaged,
and thofc who did not, eavc proofs that they were equplJy
ardent iii the fcrvice of their country.
Thofe
tained, let it be placed to the neceflity I was under of running all
rifles to break this ftrong force of the enemy: had we had bur two
hours more day-light, the whole had been totally deftroycd or
taken, for we were almoft up with their van when night overtook
us.
Yefterday came in here the Pallas, Fortune floop, and the Pro.
ftrpint fire-fliip. On the i6th I had difpatched the Fortune to
^eiec, with direflions to captain Duf, to keep direflly on his
guard. In his way thither he fell in with the Pheie, a Frincb fri-
gate of 40 guns, under jury-mafts, and fought her feveral hours.
Poring the engagement lieutenant Stuart, ad of the Ramilies,
whom I had appointed to command her, was unfortunately killed;
the furviving officers, on confulting together, rcfoived to leave
her, as (he proved too ftrong for them. I have detached captain
Touiig to ^iberoM bay with five (hips, and am making up a flying
fquadron to fcour the coaft to the ifle of Jix, and if pradticable,
to attempt any of the enemy's ihips that may be there.
I MMt Sir, iSfc.
EDWARD HAWKE.
L I S T of Ships tuitb Sir EdvearJ Hanuke, Nov. 20, 1759. ,
Ships. Guns. Men. Commanders.
Royal George, 100
Union,
Duke,
Namur,
Nlars,
Warfpight,
Hercules,
Torbay,
Magnanime,
Refolution,
Hero, .
880
90
770
90
750
90
780
74
600
74
600
74
600
74
700
74
700
74
600
74
600-
[ Sir Edward Hawke,
[ Capt. Cambell.
[ Sir Charles Hardy,
[ Capt. Evans.
Capt. Graves.
Capt. Buckle.
J. Young, Efq; Commodore
Sir John Bentley.
Capt. Fortefcue.
Hon. Capt. Keppel.
Right Hon. Lord Howe.
Capt. Speke.
Hon. Capt. Edgcumbe,
Swiftfure^
7^*^ History tf//^^ War.
lurrender of the Pruffian ,rZ °, M '"e^™"'. "«
■ This
Shipi.
Swiftfure,
Dorfetfhire,
Burford,
Chichefter,
Temple,
Revenee,
Mtx,
Kingfton,
Intrepid,
Montague,
Dunkirk,
Defiance,
Guns. Men. Commanderi.
70
70
70
70
70
6^
60
60
60
60
520 Sir Thomas Stanhope.
520 Capt. Denis. ^
520 Capt. Gambler.
520 Capt. Willct.
520 Capt. Wafh. Shifley.
480 Capt. Storr. '
Capt. O'Brien.
Capt. Shirley.
Capt. Maplefden.
Capt. Rowley.
Capt. Dig by.
Capt. Baird.
480
400
420
420
420
420
rv./Wv^.*««>w..^..^^,,,„_ ^^^^,
Rochefter
Portland,
Falkland,
Chatham,
Minerva,
Venus,
Vengeance,
Coventry,
Maid (tone,
Saphire,
SO
50
SO
SO
3«
36
38
28
38
33
3SO Capt. DufF.
350 Capt. Arbuthnot.
350 Capt. Drake.
350 Capt. Lockhart.
220 Capt. Hood.
240 Capt. Harrifon.
200 Capt. Nightingale.
200 Capt. Burflem.
200 Capt. Diggs.
220 Capt. Strachan.
LiSTo/th. French SjuaJron n.hich came cut of Breft, K<n»em
ter 14, i7jg.
J: !!'"■"'■"'"'• «» ■"= M.Co„«.„..Adn„-„,.
A-eTonnant. 80 1000 j*^- ?""frcmont, Vice-Ad-
- C miral.
i-e Formidable, 80 1000 I ^- «!« St. Andre da Ytrgtr, '
I Rear-Admiral.
Lc Orient,
«40 . Sr&^ History <?/ //&tf War. 1759.
This was the conclufion of the French afFairs in Europe.
The ilTue pf the campaign in America had not been more
favourable to them. Although the events in the Eaft Indies
belong properly to the laft year, yet, as the accounts did
not arrive until this, and that the anions there were of
great importance, and equally fortunate on our fide, it is
proper that we fliould take fome notice of them here.
The
Ships.
Le Orient,
L'Intrepide, '
Le Glorieux,
Le Thefee,
L'Heros,
Le Robufte,
Le Magnifique,
Le Jufle,
Le Superbe,
Le Dauphin,
Le Dragon,
Le Northumberland,
Le Sphinx,
Le Solitaire,
Le Biilliant,
L'Eveille,
Le Bizarre,
L'lnflexible,
L'Hebe,
La Veftale,
L'Aigrette,
Le Calypfo,
Le Prince Noir, a
look out.
Guns. Men. Commanders.
5o
74
7+
74
74
74
74
70
70
70
64
64
64
64
64
6+
64
40
34
36
16
iaiall
1 000
8.5
315
8,5
815
.85
8,5
800
800
800
750
750
750
750
750
750
750
{
M. Guebriant, Chefd'Efca-
drei
veflel to
The above fliips were all in company wlien the aftlon began,
except the Hebe frigate.
Admiral Saunders was not prefent at the engagement, which
be fought with fo much honour, as he did not join Admiral
fia-wke until fometime after.
General Itrwnjhend came from the fleet with the exprefs, the
fate of the enemy being determined ; he refufed to b*. put on
ftiore when the Admiral declared his intentions of feeking the ene-
my, but went with him as a volunteer.
in Europe,
jecn more
Eaft Indies
counts did
re were of
fide, it is
here.
The
^^ History 5/ /^rf War.
:hefd'Efca-
ion began,
ent, which
n Admiral
tprefs, the
be put on
ng the cne-
•■•••'»V«-ir vj toe WAR 9 At
was here the French {^m^V^yl^^ ^^ !" America. It
cnce them here. M d'Ache !n L "^' ?^«*" ^° '"^•*-
was worfted, and prevented ^0^^*" "*^'^ engagements,
land forces for the ^^Iflt /f "^ ^O'^P^ating with the
ef^ll, de.ro-^fn tr^rs^ ^^ -/ ^ ^^n as
£av£lK"^R^'^' ^^'^'^^^ ^*' ^^« «^<^^fi^''y that M
Fr^Te^ t. an^e^er^antTf ^ ^'^ ^'^Ff ^^^ ^^
hi. operations. A pVnro? hrcoun ^r^hY K^^^^^^^^
jour, appeared the only refource whTch waf oi„ ^
this prhce he aoDlied ^Ar ^ nnlcA i^ ^^ °P*"* *^0
which being abfZjy rrfufbd hi '^^^^^ ["•" of money,
dominions, and iSLe to hL > f"^ '''I. ^"'" '"'^ *^'«
ieveraJ days before it^^fnd.ftlr h^'-'^ '"^- ^"' ^^^^^ lying
ticablebrLch, treftiiroffom.F'''^^^^^^^ '^^ * P^^
of provifions ^nd%mti:nido„' ^a"n^ '^hf dT^' ^'^ ^""t
i-c^ned in his armv «m; j I- ojforders which
place only fo„ified af JS^IS "^"^'"^ '
my, and a fo raiation I! Z"? '«''"" "1 -^'"^"" ™-
I
242 ptf History o//>&tf War. 1759^
was iio better than at Tai.jour, though their ftrength was
greater, and their efforts much more obftinate.
Colonei Draper and Major Brereton defended the place
with the utmofl fkill and bravery. Mr. Pigot likewiie with
equal generofity and prudence, feconded their endeavours,
oy the fupphes of ftores and ammunition, which were ad-
mirably diftributed, and co-operated with the military with
a firmncfs and intrepidity, by which he obtained an honour
equal to any in the defence of the place. Whilfl the town
was defended with great fpirit within j parties were con-
tinually fent out, which fo infcfted the roads through which
the enemy's convoys were to pafs, that their army in the
trenches were injinitely weakened by the detachments
which they were obliged to fend out. After a fiege of more
than two months, they were obliged to abandon their en-
terpnze, and by that means renounce for ever all thofe faa-
guine hopes, which tjiey had entertained from the forces
in this part of the world. The Englilli, on the contrary
went on from fuccefs to fuccefs. Whilfl they defeated the
French on the Eaflern coaft of the great peninfula of India
on the weflcrn they took the great and opulent city of
burat from the powers of the' country, with very li:tle lofs
General Lally left Madrafs in the utmbfl tranfports of
rage and defpair, which a man of honour and ability in his
profefTion can feel, who is ill feconded by his troops, neg-
leaed by thofe who ought to fupport him, and cheated hv
the villainy of contraftors, and of all thofe who turn war
into a low traffic (a). His letter is a flrong and very ftriking
, pidlure
/aj Gen. Lallfs Letter to M. de Lyrit, dated Madrafs, the \^th
■^ of February, 1759.
A Good blow migiit be flruck here : There is a (hip in the
_ road of 20 guns, laden with all the riches of Madrafs,
which It is faid will remain there till the 20th. The Expedition
IS juft arrived, but M. Gorlin is not a man 10 attack her : for ftie
-has made him run away once before. The Brijiol on the other
hand did but juft make her appearance before Sr. Thomas ; and
on the vague report of thirteen (hips coming from Porto Novo,
-ihe todk fright; liand after landing the provifions with which fhe
.was laden, (he wouid not rta/ iong enough even to take on board
4w#Ive of her own guns, wnjch fhe had lent us for the fiege.
If
^759' r^eHiBTORY of f he War, 24?
remark lat'f "^''T'' u^'^^ ^^'"^^'"ly ^^ '« ^o^thv of
eifential
get to the windward ;?^f in The L-fh/ T ^^^^Se/o.s to
/'V'-are faid to be good men • «n^^ f ««^'W/^ and 7>m/7..
tranfport 200 wounled m^n 'th.^ ""k ^^^^ ^'"W^y^^i only to
would be of importance ' ' ""' ^'^" ^'''' '^'" ^^^'ice
i recKon we Ihall at our arrival ^, d j- i
kar„ ro.« other trade, for"L „ wL '^'".''"'"•■'J endeavour to
employed upolj .hc"o f,„" irrJl^j'^^r. "'" '°° '"
aad other good, , a„,J as for ,h7c2 tferairall S "T/'
4raq7z.T;rp:3e;ti,lr '" '" "- - ---'-^
S^: :e'.SwS;;;:: .t- /„° ^Wdcrer.er. and ,co
withilanding the exaggerated ac-oun, 1 '"= """»«• °°'-
.he,n, a^d you tvill be .,{,'l ^, ,',"", f,^rif'^n" ''"rf
were u not for the two combat, nn^ f u ', ^ "^'' y°"' '''^N
for the batteries wh ch Skd o " r' u'"'" ^' ^"'^^'"^'l' ^"^
were unfkilf.lly made we !„ ^^SeToTcS"^"'^/ "^'^.'^
commencement of the f,,ge to thisdaf ^ "*'"' ^'■°'" '^*
herVj;: Zt-U r^;^™ttn;t' ttte^' 7 "-' T'°«
r;i^u^l;';;=y5;llr-^^^^^^^
but
1 ' (
244 ^ifeHmotiY cf the WAfk. 175^.
eflential and radical fauU in fome fuperior part of their
government, more rafily indeed vifible in its confequcnces,
than difcoverable in its caufe.
In Europe they received offers of peace from the Kings
of vjreat Britain and Pruflia. But as they did not exped,
ftom their fuuation, very advantageous or honourable
terms, they refolved to aft, in one inftance, the Roman
part, and ftill hold out, determined to hazard the laft ex-
tremities } perhaps, hoping fomefhing favourable from tho
fortune of their allies, fince thci- own had dcferted them j
and refolving to contra^ their plan, and to make one ftrong
wort in one part, rather than unprofitabiy to wafte their
ftrength upon fevereal inferior objefts. This effort could
be made with any profpeft of fuccefs only in Germany, (a)
• * But
but the fire of the EngliJ^ muft deftroy. fooner or later, eren
tacngh that from Heaven fliould not.
IJluivt tit icnaar to ht^ ^e. £jff,
Signtd, h ALLY.
P. S. I think it neceflary to apprize you, that, as M. de
,*^T T ,** '*'^"'®** *° '"''* "P°n ^^^ *^e command of this army,
which I have offered to him, and which he is impowered to ac-
cept, by having received from the court a duplicate of ray com-
aiffion, you muft of nsceffity, together with the council, take
at upon y9u. For my part, 1 undertake only to bring it back
either to Arcotte or Sudra/ie. Send therefore your orders, or
^th« "'*'^ w command it; ifbr I fliall quit it upon my arri-
(*J The Due Je Mliijk's Letter to Marftal Contadesy dated
VerJatlUs, July 27,, 1759.
J'Ar tou^ours pear queFifcher
ne foil parti trop tard : II eft
cependnnt bien important, et
bien eifentiel que nous puiffions
tircf de groffes contributions. Je
ne vois da reffources pour nos
Depen.ei les plus urgentes, et
pom les reparationsdes Troupes,
gue dans I'Argent que nouspour-
rous
I AM ftill afraid that Fifcher
fet out too late : It is, how-
ever, very important, and very
eftential that we Ihould raife
large contributions. I fee no
other refource for our moft ur-
gent expences, and {ot refitting
the troops, bat in the money
we may draw from the enemy's
coMntry;
1759. T^ HiiTOKY of tkeWA^, 2^s
But the fupplies neceflkry for thi« gieat charge wer«
difficult to a nation, whofe trade w» wholly dSroyed
On tbi» occafton they, did not fc«,ple to br.ak in upon
the
rouj avoir du Pais enemy ; d'oii
il faudra egaletnent tii er des Aib-
nftancesdetoucesEfpeces, inde-
rindamment de TArgent, c'ell
dire des Feins, des Failles, des
Aroines pour KHyVer.des Bledi,
des Belliaux. des Chevaux, et
meme des Homines pour recru"
ter toutes nos Troupes Etran-
^reg. La Guerre ne doit pas
etre prolongie, etpeat etreiao-
drat-il, fuivantles Bvenemens
?ai arrivermt d'id I la Fin de
eptembre, fiure un writable
Deifert en avant de la Ligne des
Quartiers, que I'on jugera a pro-
J>»s de tenir pendant I'Hjver,
afin que I'Ennenii fe trouve d»M
Bne Impoffibilita reellc d'en
pouvoir aprocher en nous re-
I'ervant de la Subfiftance feule-
ment fur la Route qui pourra
noui convenir oe prendre dane
Je milieu de I'Hyver, pour cu3»
buter.ott enlevert nous memes
lesQuartic^des Ennemis. C'eft
pour pouvoir rempHr cct Ob-
jet, que je fais travailler fans
Kalache a tout ce qu'il faut poHr
que toutes vos Troupes, fans
Exception, foientbien habillees^
bien armees, bien equipecs, et
bien reparecs, en tout Point,
avant la l-in de Novembre, avcc
des Tcntes neuves, pourque fi
tela convient aux Affairs Poli-
tiques ou Militaifc. da r^yy^
Tous puiiies afSemkhit k. tout
•upairtiede votre ^m cc poar
agir o^Kmfiveincnt et «ve Vi-
country; from whence wemuft
Ijkewjfc procure fubfiftence of
all kinds, (independently of the
money) thatis to fav, hay. ftraw^
oats for the winter, bread, corn.
cattle, hones, and even men ta
recruit our foreign troops. Th#
war muft not be prolonged, and
perhaps it may he neceHkry, ai^
cording to the events which may
happen between this time and
the end of Sfptmhr, to make
a downrigh^ defert before th»
line of the qaarrers, which ic
»ay be thought proper to l<ee»
during the winter, in order that
the enemy may be under a real
impoffibility cf approaching us:
at the fame time referving for
ourfelves a bare fubfiftence on
the route> which may be the
inoft convenient for us to take
in the middle of winter to beat
«P» or feize upon the enemy'$
quarters. That this objedl may
be fulfilled, J caufe the greateft
affiduity to be ufed in preparing
what is neceflhry for having all
your troops, without exception,
well cloatbed, well armed, well
equipped, and well refitted in
every refpeft, before the end of
November, with new tents, in
order that, if it /hall be advifea-
ble for the king's political and
military affairs, you may be able
to affemble the whole, or part
of your army, t» aft oFenfively,
and with vigour, from the be-
giniHBg of Jmiumrj, and that
yoa
.' t-
^,^^4\.'
tm
r''- '*;* m.
246 TheHx&TOKvof the'WAR, ly^g:
the public faith, and to find fupplics for one year in an
expedient, that ftruck at the fources of all future credit
They flopped the payment on many public hills and funds *!
1 he King threw in his own plate into the public ftoclc
^ as an example, and a requeft that others ftiould contri-
bute in the lame manner from their private fortune to the
neceffities of the ftatej tho' feveral of the nobility, and
many churches and convents fent in their plate, there was
yet a general backwardnefs to give into this method of fup-
ply, and to truft the public with fo confiderable part of their
fubftancc at the inftant when they faw it fo notorioufly
break its faith in other particulars.
However,
guer, des le commencement de
Janvier, et que vout ayez la
S3ti3fa£lioa de montrer a nos
Ennemis, et a toute I'Europe,
que lea Francois fcavent agir et
faire la Guerre en toutes Saifons,
quand ils ont m-. general tel que
vous, et un Miniftre Militaire
qui frait prevoir et fe conccrter
avec le General.
Vcus fentez, Monf. le Mare-
chal, que ce que je vous dis
peut devenir non feulment utile
et honorable, mais peut-eire
meme neceffaire relativement a
ce que vous fcavez, et dont je-
vous parlerai encore dans ma
Lettre particuliere.
(Signe) M. Due. de
you may have the fatisfaAion to
Ihew our enemies, and all Eu-
rope, that the French know how
to aft and carry on war, in all
feafons, when they have fuch a
general as you are, and a mi-
nifter of the department of war,
that can forefee and concert
matters with the general.
You muft be fenfible, Sir, that
what I fay to you may become
not onlyxufeful and honourable,
but perhaps even necefij./y with
refpefl to what you know, and
of which I (hall fay more in my
private letters.
Belleide.
The French court ftopt payment of the following pub-
lic debts, vjz. I. The three kinds of rents cieated on the polls.
2. Thofe conliituted upon the cheft of redemption. 3 The
coupons of bills on the fame cheft. 4. Thofe of the two royal
lotteries. 5. The reimburfement of bills drawn to bearer on the
fams cheft. 6. The bills of the two royal lotteries. 7. The
rents created on the two fols per pound of the tenth penny 8.
Vun"?-5l'^''"'"^"^ °^ '^® ^^P'**'* "^ •■«"^«- 9- The payments
iu difchargeable in nine years, under the name of annuities.
10. Thofe of the new aft ions on the benefit of the farms. 11.
All the bij s d.awn by the colonics upon the government, amount-
ing to 1,333,000 1.
V'^'^J'
. >75V f'f' History »/ /i. War; j>-
r-hcy propofe alfo another army under the prince deT
t-fe; ,f they can compafi this latter pro La 'aTin', Lr
ed .hey may, the fyftSn of Germany S Z verv^mli"
nent danger. For notwithftanding the tried VoJ'efiTf
our troops, and the admirable commande at ttad of
l^'Th,■^x^4S^d^r^™te--^^
.:r^„rst^troT„Tht --'^"■' -''^" '^p'--
are'u:rr;sLuft:r"Ttera";e''fUs"'' ?"?■-''•<'--
and government, which that monar" ^offefg I'nd X
we confider even the events of the laft rm S' c "^
campaign, whereafter ha.int tft^eVl'™ ^.t dSf
ll'tytLVZ' °' 4 «'°'=' "- havT heroic :
try, w^i^irtiiT^j rrr;"7„T.:;rr''e;r.:;th"""-
ternal adminiftration, it fuiKces to H y thaTwhilfl Frl^;!;
became banicrupt, without delay or ..LmurinTther. hf
Wen more than fix millions borLwed i^ En^Sdat a ^y
cziy
ij'
i
.siii'»A''i,'
14« "The HtsTOR V ef the Wa h. tj^^,
•afyrate; and that the intereft on this immenre Turn has
been made good bjra fingle tax upon malt, which will
feajce be felt by the people. By this the refourccs of
Engl;^nd may be imagined ; e^eciaily if we confider, that
highly as we are taxed for the ncceffary charges of the war;
we have not been prevented from great and expenfive vo-
luntary exertions of public fpirit and beneficence. 'The
cities of Loiidbn and Weftminfter, and after their example
other towns made a large iubfcription for enlifting foldiers.
Subfcriptions were alfo carried, on to a great amount, for
doathing the enemies prifoners, abandoned through the
n^iea or poverty of their- foveroign ; and for adminifter-
kig to the relief of the families of thofe who had fallen in
the battles of Ctuebec and Minden. Thus a<ftuated by the
warroeft patriotifm, which far from extinguifliing, feemcd
to kindle a beneficence towards our enemies in their diftrefs.
The conditbn of Europe, which all people thought
would have been decided in this campaign, is nearly as du-
bious as ever; and the difRcuhies which oppofe themfelves
to a peace are rather augmented than diminiihed. Here
then \ft clofe the fcene, and conclude the events of the
prefentyear; in the next we hope, notwithftanding appear-
ances after fc many fcenes of horror, to have the more
pleaTmg talk of relating the fteps taken to a^general peace,
on terms as particularly advantageous to our own country,
as the mixed interefts of Eufope, and the various fortunes
of the powers embarked in the fame caufe,. will admit.
T hi;
itsiiiin
: Turn has
rhich will
fources of
rjd«r, that
f the war;
infive vo-
ce. The
r example
g foidiers.
lount, for
rough the
dminifter-
d fallen in
ted bfy the
g, feetned
:ir diftrefs.
B thought
irly as du«
(hemfelves
ed. Here
Its of the
ig appeaf-
the more
:ral peace,
I country,
s fortunes
admit.
t 249 ]
T Hf:
THE
ANNUAL REGISTER:
ox
H I S T O R Y
OF T HE
W A R.
"Pot the YEAR 1760.
CHAP. I.
^ruj/,a. Treaty fat/ ,o be between Ruffia and Aujlria!
IF all the wars which have harrafled Uurope for more
than a century had not proved it, the events of th?
aft campajgns muft have fatisficd cv'e y th7nlb/m f,
whiVh h. /ff-"""^ • ° f ^PP<=arance moft ruinous defeats
.»pt .he favour 'of fonu^'ernS^ct™^ ''" '"
^ To
2,^0 y-t^ History c/ /i&tf War. 1760.
To carry our attention a little further back ; who could
have imagined, that when the French had compelled the
Hanoverian troops to lay down their arms, when they had
thruft them into a defencelefs corner, had bound them down
with the yoke of a ftri<St and fevere capitulation, and had
pofTciTed themfelves of every place which could boaft the
imalleft fhare of ftrength in the king's German dominions,
that in a few months they fliould find themfelves compelled
to fly before their captives ; and after having fufFered a
confiderable defeat, (hould be pufhed back almoft on their
own territories.
On the other hand, it might have been fuppofed that
the effects of thefe advantages under the management of a
very great commander, who was befides largely reinforced,
could have been fruftrated only by the lofs of fome great
battle. But the fail was otherwifc. The Hanoverians,
without any adverfe ftroke in that campaign, were obliged
to repafs the Rhine and the Lippe ; and fince that time,
fortune having decided nothing by the events of five years
war, has given to Prince Ferdinand the polTeffion of a great
part of Weftphalia in the manner of a conquered country,
and yet fees him abandoning Hefle, and with difficulty co-
vering the borders of Hanover.
In fliort, the vi<f:iory of Crevelt could not enable the
Duke of Brunfwick to defend the Rhine. The battle of
Bergen did not give M. Broglio an entrance into Hanover.
The great victory of Minden did not drive the French
from the- Maine. -We have feen armies, after complete
viaory, obliged to aft as if they had been defeated ; and
after a defeat, taking an ofFenfive part with fuccefs, and
reaping all the fruits of vi£lory.
Thefe reflexions are ftill more flrrongly enforced by the
fortune of the King of Pruflia. Covered with the laurels
of Lowofitz, Prague, Rolbach and Lifla, when he began
after fo many compleat triumphs, to purfue his advantages,
and to improve fuccefs into . conqueft, the fcene was Aid-
dcnly altered. As foon as he attempted to penetrate with
efFedt into the enemies country, without having fufFered
any very fignal blow, without any confiderable miftake
committed upon his fide. Fortune, who hath as it were at-
tached herfelf to the defenfive, immediately forfook him.
He was not able to take a fingle place. And thofe advanta-
ges which at other times and fituations, would have laid
the
ii[i!ii!lli
t-]6o. thikiuoRY of the War!
XS'n'r" "^ Y:?^ ^"^P'^^' '^^^^ '" h's care oiilv
abfeTbH^ruporhll "'" ''^ '^""* '^^^ "^ ^^ X"
ori3^n!l^"''"" °,^ P"'^^'' ^^^ P^'^*^ of modern policy, arid
fcldat^ f"r"''^ topreferve the general peace as wellai
has bel" hf "'P'' has openly prefcrved its l.bcrty ?
rLf M r ^''8'nal of innumerable and fruiuefs wars
That pohtical .rtqre by which powers are to be enhTcd
curatelv ^'^; ''T^'"S *° ^ ^^"^-^1' Perhaps n6t ve H^^^
cuatey .m^ginecl, ever has beeri, and it is to be feared
Wl£y^ ^r T •' ""^l ^/ /"«-^^ contention "d
pioodihed. The foreign ambamadors conftantly refidintr
m all courts the negotiations ince.Tuntly carryin" on Tpre J
hate > S., ;?i''ir^ 'a"„?:'^.,''S''ef ^^S'T'
mlj^ ^■f f '°":^'' P"^^^^"^ ^he falutary efFeds which
might refult from th s exoerienrp ^h^r^ ^ ^nccts wnicii
of peace, the frUits not^^demion^W n^clmty^r^^
engagements contra^ed when all the mffjl 7'
ned a d „,„, ,,,^,^,^ ^^^^^^^^^all ^the pa, 3 .re wea.
J^toT ^1 r^""''^^' ^^^^^^ af.er havWfouVht n
Vam to compel, they are content to over-feach them fn ti
very moment thev are formed, an^f om the ve^jy ^?
ormmg them, with the feeds of new ^ifT.n.j ^ ^ °^
settle the peace of Germany, Silef.a was yielded in 1745
jT'
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252 The History of the Wat^, 17^6.
to the King of Pruffia, and that ceffion gave occafion for
the war of 175&.
The kings of Great Britain and Pruffia chofe the jmo-
tnent of fucccfs, to propofe aft accommodation ; and they
«!cfired that the oppofite powers (hould concur with thenn
in nominating fome place for a congrefs. Some fpoke of
Leipfic, as a means of indemnification to that unfortunate
city ; the States General would have given a town of theirs ;
King Staniflaus offered Nancy, his capital : but the time of
peace was not yet cbme. The two kings made a difplay of
motloniiion ; and they had reafon to think that if their pro-
pofals fliould be accepted (which probably they did not then
rxpccl) threy muft naturally take the lead in that negotiation,
and muft give the whole a turn to their advancage. But
the advcrfe alliance unanimoufly rejefted Iheir efforts, and
the retufal of fome of its members was couched in terms
lufficicntly hailghty.
To fpcak impartially, they could not at that time have
accepted propoHtions for peace. France had fufFered in
every quarter : in her prefent condition flie could fcarcely
look for every favourable terms. As they had now aban-
doned in dcfpair all attiempts by f^a, artd confequently all
efforts in North America and both the Indies, all their
hopes were centered in Germany. Hitherto their fortune
in that country had not been very encouraging. But ftill,
in that country lay their beft and indeed their onlyprofped.
The ftrength and perfeverance cf the two emprcfles, the
wafted condition of the King of Pruffia, the enormous ex-
pence of the German war to England, which muft gradually
cxhauft the refources of her credit, and with them the pa-
tience of an inconftant people, had infpired with no fmall
hope. All thefe confiderations confirmed their refolution
of hearkening to no terms, until by acquiring fuperiority,
or at leaft an equality, they might be aflured of procuring
fuch as were not very difadvantageous or humiliating.
The emprefs queen upon her part had a moral certainty,
that fhe could nol: procure, by a treaty propofed at fuch a
jun6ture, thofe objec^ts for which fhe had begun, and with
fuch fteadinefs in every fortune had carried on the war. In
reality, her circumftances then were, and they ftill continue,
very intricate and embarrafled. ' It was neceflary that flie
ihould have allies of great power ; but if they have done
her great lcr\ iccii, they have formed high pretenfions ; in-
deed
■^
,'Tr V u u "°^^ '^'^' ^^^- »5J
all be in an, degrteSed' " ™P°'"'''' '*« '"'^ '^""■''
ceffion of all Sil.fiV ?"° '"'''"'g °f Ptuffia. Even the
J that monarch 't^J'd'' ^r^"'' T"°' P'°™'' ^ P"«
hord of theS Pruffi? "' *"" """• '« loofe their
arms a ;s:™if;:i rr/trSglt^ftts"
views than tS '?Pf"'''='' '" a ""ar entered into for other
cS n ratted^'ratXr "' T"^"' '' ""' ^""^
r&tT!ii^-s^l£s^^^
not altogether improbable, wfmay bete thatT/uVh
dei^ves his royaiTide anSwh!^^^^
^. Lve w^ »te;f ii'p-- isi:^.
Jd"b'e"\t„iLTfuES= tfefe h'' ^?="" M^-i^"^
sr-^iirot^'^l^Slr^--^^^^^^
what it wiii;t''hi"'is'';;bab /Se's rti '"""'■^''- «= "
whole. ^ y ^"^ ^^^" perplexing part of the
But fome indemnification^fo, ,h, j,,.^^ ^^p^,^_^^^ _^_^
V 2 whofe
354 The HisTotiY of the WAjt.. i-j6ck.
whofo dominions the greateft calamities of the war have
fallen, feems abfolutely neceflarv ; and on what principle
can Auftria ever exped an ally, if fhe fliould fccure all the
benefits of the pacification to herfelf, and leave to her con-
federates nothing but the fufferings of a war in which they
were involved purely in her quarrel ?
This variety of demands^ all to be fatisficd out of the do-
niiiiions of a fingle Prince, muft necefikrily perplex the
work of peace with almoft infurmouptable difHculties. It
<^u?;ht not indeed to be concealed, that there are circum-.
dances wKich feem to lead to fo<ne folution of this embar,
ran'mciu. But if they are attentively coAcerned, they will^
i believe, be rather found to increafe it.
Great Britain has had remarkable fuccefe againft France
at Hm, in America, and in the Indies. On the continent of
Europe, her fortune is even at this day, tollerably ballanced ;
the two weak parts> therefore,^ in the o^pofite alliances, (I
g>eak only with regard ta the events of the prcfent war) are
France and Pruffia. As therefore France will exped fome
«ieffions from Great Britain, it is reafonable that they (hould
be bought by fome moderation of the rigorous terms which
btherwife w^outd have been impofed on Pruffia.
All the facrifices to peace muft be made -out of the ad-
vantage acquired by Auftria and Great Britain. But when
Great Britain fhall have confented to fomc conceffions, to
forward this great work, what return can the Emprefa
Qiicen make, but an abatement of her demands upon Sile-
fia ? That is, by giving up that grand, favourite, and in-
deed to her fole objcdl;, for which fhe has brought upon
fierfelf a heavy war, difgufted her antient and natural al-
lies, and purchafed the aid of her natuiai enemy, at the
price of places which the beft blood of Europe has been fo
often fhed to preferve in her family. To all who confider
the charafter of that court, it will appear very plainly that
fhe will hazard almoft any thing, and even rifque thofe con-,
fequences to which her imprudent alliance with Frartce has
^xpofed her, rather than accept a peaqe which muft deprive
her of her hopes of Silefia.
When thefe things are weighed, it will not appear won-
derful that there have been fo f(?w ferious overtures for
peace ; and that the longer the war continues, the greater
difficulties feem to opnofe themfelves tg any conclufion
©fit, .
Thft
17^0. The HisToTiY of the War. 255
The only hope that remains of any happy conclufion, Is
that fome of the great members of the alliance, wearied and
exhaafted, will at length fiy ofF, and thereby throw the reft
into fuch confufion, that a peace will be fuddenly huddled
Up ; and all difficulties not removed, but forgotten, by not
allowing time to weigh and ftudy what may be gained or
lul: r u? ?"^- P-""^"*]^.*. ^y*^'" °^ pacification, the na-
ture of which it is impoffible to forefeej becaufe it cannot
be faid upon which fide this defe<aion will begin : but prin^
Vr^f^'^tTu *^ "^^^ ?'" ^°»tinues, in the event of which,
m fpight of all that can be conjeaured from the ftrengthand
prelent condition of the powers concerned, fortune will
that the firft overtures will be between Great Britain and
!• ranee : for they never think of peace in Germany.
CHAP. II.
Sme of the EngUjh garrtfon at Quebec. Defigm of MonL
Levs, Preparations for a fiege. French^ army marls
from Montreal Their Jireigth. BattU of slery Qen
Murray defeated. Shiebec hefieged. the S/7i / I
under Lori CohiUe'^arrlves, ^ 'Fr;„cb lejetil^el
Levi raifes theftege. '" '*yfroyea^
THIS was the pofture of Europe at the clofe of the
campaign of 1 759. And all thoughts of peace be.W
entirely removed the t^ar was profecuted in t^'s part of
tt^jlt ^''^ '^^ utmoft vigour as foon as the YeafSn per-
mitted them to recommence operations. ^
But m America, the fcveritv of winter was not able whol-
h to interrupt the progrefs o/the war. Canada had been
ruppofed conquered^ by the taking of Quebec Indeed
without the pofleffion of that place, it hadTeeTlmpoffible
to reduce that country ; but ftiU a great deal remS f^
compleat the advantage to which & taking of Quebec had
^ly given an opening. The French troops afteTtheir de-
itk '"'''t '."'° '^^ ^^"« °f '»»*^'' country. And th;
Enghfh navy having provided the town fuScienrfr^Jth
SoWrrt^kl^bTt^^^^^^^^ "^^t^ ^^
companies of the artilir/oL'S^^.]^^^^^^^^
m aU about 7000 men, /ormed the garrifon which w« left
^4 io
»56 ThiHtsro^Y ef ibe War, 1760.
in Quebec to command Canada during the winter, and ta
facilitate the entire redudion of that province in the enfuing
campaign. They were under the orders of General
Murray.
As the river St. Laurence Is commonly fhut up by ice,
for the greater part of the winter, all communication with
Europe was cut off. The conquering army was therefore
fubjea to be inverted in Quebec. The French command-
er, M. Levi, was fenfible of this advantage ; and he faw
thfit ft was the only refource by which he could have any
chance of preferving Canada. He accordingly prepared to
make ufe of this lalt, and only opportunity j and he was not
without fome profpe<Sl: of fuccefs.
• He knew that the fortifications of Quebec were weak
and incomplete, without any kind of outwork ; that the
town w^ almoft a general ruin, fince the fate fiege ; and
that the Englifh ^arrifon had been much enfeebled, and
greatly reduced m their numbers by the fcurvy. He
knew alfo, that by fome misfortune, no provifion had been
made to prevent his attaining a fuperiority on the river ; as
no veffels had been left, on a fuppofition, that they could
not be ufeful in winter.
The winter had paffed in flcirmifties always terminating
m favour of the Englilh, by which they enlarged the fphere
of their fubfiltence. M. Levi had indeed propofed, during
the rigour of the feafon, to attempt the place by a coup de
main ; ^nd had made preparations for that purpofe. But
the adivity of the garrifon was fuch j and all the outpofts
Jo well fecured, that he thought it more prudent to abandon
that defign, and to poftpone his operations, to the opening
of the fpring, when a regular fiege might be formed.
The forces which ftill remained in Canada, were not un-
equal to the attempt. Ten battalions of regular troops,
amounting to near 5000 men ; 6000 of experienced militia
of Canada ; about 300 favages. This was the force which
M. Levi had colleaed at Montreal, and with which he
took the field on the 17th of April, 1760.
His proyifions, ammunition, and heavy baggage, fell
down the river St. Laurence, under the convoy of fix fri-
gates from 44 to 26 guns. By this fquadron, which there
was nothing; to'oppofe, he acquired the undifputed com-
mand of the river, a point of the greateft importance to
the
t7€o. The History of the War. 257
the whole defign. In ten ^ays march, the French armv
arrn^ed at the he^hts of Abra^m three miles fromQueiTc!
When Gen. Murray perceived the approach of th^ enel
my, he had two parts to take, either to keep within the
town, and confidmg in his troops, which though weak ai
an army, were ftrong as a garrifon, to fuftain ?he fiege to
the utmoft extremity j or to march out, and by tryini the
fortune of the field, to avoid the tedious haPdS Vf !
fiege, ,n a place which feemed to him fcarcely tenable
Herefolved on the latter part. But when he came t«
review his abihty for this undertaking, he could nofflki
draw into the fiefd no more than 3000'me;. HL'vef^J
was not frighted by the enemy's great fuperiority. He de!
intifhabit'oft^^^^^^^
train of field axtillery! that toZ't tlm e JeTu/ V one.'
within the walls, was putting all upon the fingle^chance of
holding out fora confiderabfe time a wretched fortificatbn-
a chance which an aftion in the field could hard y alteTaJ
£^. ""' T' *^' ''u^ave an additional one, and wJaps a
better; and in fine, that if the event was no profperourhe
""i^^'A,^^,? ^'''^^.'"S °"' '° '^^ laft extremityf rSwith
what (hould remain of the garrifon, to the iS^'o^SXanTor
Coudres, and there wait for reinforcements
f\.. " ''^i fl^^ *° comprehend the prudence of engagine in
L Xaler armv" h'lTl'' "k''?^" '"P^^'°^ ^ efpecifl f ^1 ^
«ln1 it the^t-f Xfc ^h£^^
be leflened after a defeat of thefroons wh?rh' . "^ r T
garrifon, who muft rieceffari y fX bv Sh ^ <=on>Pofe the
in numbers and in fpirit ; it fs equ"ll%^tu^t^^"Jnc^^^^
from O T'^"' 'f.'l!'* 8^"'^°"' whU Cld be SrTven
ieans or L^oudrefs, or have remained in fithar^f *u«r 1
with any tolerable fecurity, wS the .«: ^ P^^?."'
' greater
«58 yAf History 9f the War. ,760,
*JT' '"1"*^"« fr°"» the charaaer of the general ; a man'
of the moft ardent and intripid courage, pfffionate y dS
xous of glory and emulous of the repfta'tiSn Wolfe Ld^I
qii.red. He knew that a bold and fuccefsful ftrolcV and
wel purfued. might fo difable the enemj , who were n no
Fra'^ tl f . ;;cceiving fpccdy or conHdcrVble fucLurs from
J ranee that the way to conqueft would lie plain and open
before h.m ; and he might cxpeft the honour of the S
reduaion of Canada, before the arrival of the reft of the
Jting's forces to his affiftance. ^^^
^ Thus depending on fortune, on the tried goodnefs of his
troops, anJ h.s own courage to animate them, he marched
out of the c.ty, and defcended from the heights of Abra-
ham w.th the army mentioned above, and twtnty field-pie-
Scs of y:ffr./'''"L''^^"^"y'^^'^ poireVdthe'm.
leives ot iome fmall woody emmcnces ; the main armv
S^^Kl'^'^'r** ,«f St/Foix; and formed themfcH
under the belter of the woods. Whilft the body of the
enemies army was yet unformed, the Englifl, troops attack-
moft ,w7"V.^°'^ T f"^ "Sht and left, with the ut-
. moft impetuofity, and drove them from the eminences
though they were well maintained, the advanced S:;-
un^n?l"- *^"'?*''^g^^«^y> without a blow, and fell back
upon their main army.
V^i^'^l '^^ ^°"r^ f^"^"" ^^'^ ^ favourable to the
tnglifli ; but now the advantages they had obtained brought
them full on the main army of the /rench, which for Jed
W colunrins, and advanced with great rapidity to fupport
fhe,r broken vanguard. The fire became very hot, andC
ped the progrefs of our troops; whilft thofe of the enem^
Wing fiipported their centre, wheeled round the flanks of
theBritifl, army to the left and right, and formed a femt
circle, which threatened to clofe upon our rear Prober
movements were made to protea the flanks, but it ,^s
evident the army was in the greateft danger, not only oTa
defeat, but of feeing itfelf Wounded, and its rejeai to
Quebec int,rely intercepted. Near one thoufand men! fo !
^Z'^^tA^^'T^^^^^'l^ ""^ '^^ ^y) had been? T; his
orhn^' ' r "^t '^'*""'^'^- ^""'^H ^°«^<1 1>^ now though
were diL& VT"" P P?^^^^> ^"^ '" '^^ ^^fre
^ere difficulties, which nothing but the bravery of thefol-
diery and the (kill and fpirit of^the officers coul^ overcome
They gamed Quebec with little lofs in the purfuTt'bu;
they
17^0. ^hi Ui^ronY of the Wav.. 25^
they were obliged to leave thHr cannon, which they couH
not bring ofF, on account of the wreaths of fnow/ which
^Jf'^" '"^r/s advanced feafon, and in the temperate latitude
ot 47, Itill lav upon the ground. The French loft at kaft
?iooo in the aaion.
When the account of this viaory arrived in Europe, the
Jrench were for a while infinitely elated. The blow was
fenhbly felt in England. Our fanguine hopes were at once
lunk. If Qiiebcc was loft, it was evident that the grcateft
difficulties muft have arifcn to our aft'airs in America, Jmd
the redudion of Canada muft become the work of more
than one campaign. Nobody imagined that the town could
hold out longer after fuch a defeat; and the fleet fent from
ii.urope to reinforce the place was then at a great diftance.
Weverthelefsall things were prepared at Quebec for a vi-
gorous defence. The late check he had received, only
roufed the governor to more ftrenuous eflbrts. He knew
that the lofs of the place would be attributed to the teme^
rityof his councils; he was fenfible that in proportion to
the honours paid by the public to thofe who had conquered
)??^ S ^^o"^'^ ^l^eir indignation fall upon thofe by whom
It fliould happen to be loft; and that in general nothing
makes a worfe figure, than a rafhnefs whicli is not fortu-
pate. Thefe thoughts were perpetual flings to a mind like
his, paffionatelydefirousof glory; and that very difpofiti,
on which led him to fight unfuccefsfully with a weak army
gave him aftivity and fuccefs in the defence of a weak forti'
iication.
The French, whofe whole hope of fuccefs depended on
perfeaing their work before a' Britiih fquadron could ar-
me, loft not a moment's time to improve their viaorv,
1 hey opened trenches before the town the very nieht of
the battle. But it was the nth of May before they could
bring two batteries to play upon the fortifications. Thev
were greatly deficient in this refpeft. Their accounts fay,
they had no more than twelve pieces of iron artillery!
which earned twelve^pound balls. The Englifli train, waj
without conipanfon, fuperior. Before the French had
opened their batteries, 132 pieces of cannon were placed
on the ramparts. The fire of the befiegers was therefore
always flack, interrupted, and of little effba.
Notwithftanding the wtfaknefs of the enemies fire, the
fopwonty of th? EngUfh artyiery, ^4 th? refolution of
tb9
26o The History of ih War.
17^0;
governor, and garrifon, the relief of fhr nl.ice denrndcd en-
tirely on the t-arly arrival of the Britifh fleet, which was
looked out for every ho„r with the moft anxious expectati-
on. Had any French fliips of force come before the Fn-
ghfti. It was the pcnoral opinion that the place niuft inevi-
tably havcfallen into their hands.
^P ^v^?*.*" '^^ ^"7 ^""^^^ g'"^ i^y of the garrifon.
an Lnglifh frigate anchored in the bafon and brou^Tit them
an .account that the Britifh fquadron commanded by Lord
Colyille, was then in the river. On the i6th, a ftip of
the line and a frigate arrived; the next morning the twa
frigates were fent to attack the French fquadron above the
town. Thev executed their commiflion fowcll, that in a
moment all the French vcH'els of whatever kind were dif-
pcrfcd, and the greateft partdeftroyed or taken.
M. Levi, who had the mortification to behold from the
emmenccB this a£tion, which at one llroke put an end to
all the hopes he had conceived from the late viftory was
perfuaded that thefe frigates by the boldnefs of their man-
ner, muft have been the vanguard of a confidcrable rein-
forcement ; and that too clofe at hand : He therefore raifed
the fieee in the utmoft hurry and precepitation, leaving be-
hind all his artillery, and a great part of his ammunition
and baggage, although Lord Colville, with the reft of the
fquadron, did not arrive at Quebec untill two days aftcrf^).
Thus
(a) Ut Horn. Jami$ Murray^ Lttter to Mr. Secretary pin. dated
SIR,
TTAVING acquainfed General ^«^.ry?, three weeks age, that
*•» ^tiec was befieged, by an army of 15.000 men, 1 think
rt neceffary, to domyfelf the honour of addreffingdireaiy to you.
the more agreeable news of the fiege being raifed, left, by your
receiving the former intelligence, before tie latter, fome incon-
venience might arife to his Majefty's fervice.
By the journal ofmy proceedings, fince I have had the com-
mand here, which I have the honour to tranfmit to you, you will
perceive the fuperiority we havemairtained over the enemy, du-
ring the winter, and that all Lower Canada, from the Point Ju-
IrtmbU, was reduced, and had taken the oath of fidelity to the-
King.
17^0. 7he HisTORV of tbt War. tCt
aI!IT T' ^""'T^'^b, P'-'^^'ervcd from the moft i,nminent
war; and tliat wh.ch gave us tHe moft dccifivc advantage,
rhe
ul nf'lU T^"^, ^ '!i '""*=i ^'''>'" ^'^' "^^"' 5 the exceffive cold-
«cfs of thr rlmiate, and conftant Jivinpuf^i fait provifions. with-
out any vegetables introduced the fcurvy among the tr^m
tvh,ch. getting the better of every precaution oft! oL Td
every remedy of the furgeon, became as univcrfal as it was hlve^e-
rate, .nfomuch. that, before the end of April. looo Were S
and above 2000 of what re„.aiaed. totally unfit f^fcrWce. '
In this ituation. I received certain intelligence that the Che
ya her Je L,.u was alTembling his army, whici, S bee^ camonei
u. the neighbourhood of ;i^.«/rW; that he had comdeaS W,
eight battahons. and forty companies of the TroSpXuioni"
fiom the choice of the M>n,r,alift, , i.ad formed thefe fo jJ
companies into four battalions ; and was determ nad to befiele
us. the moment that St. Laurence was open, of which he wJseS!
tjrely inallei by means of four Kings frigates, and other craft
proper for tins extraordinary river. *
As I had the honour to acquaint you formcrlv that S>u»h^
could be looked upon in no other light thanTh^r of a ftron.
tonment^ and that^ works I ihSidd to 1 ,2^
^lu'd/^'" °r t'^'"" ^^'' '° '^"^^ the earlieft opportm^Sy of
entrenching my felf npon the heights of Abraham, w 1 ic 1. emirehr
commanded the ramparts of theplace at the diftance of 8oo yaSs
and might have been defended by our numbers a^ainft /h.rJi
army But the Chevalier Ae LeJu £d not give ml? me to tafe
the advantage of this fituation ; the z^d.z^hl^d^^^^^
1 attempted to execute the projefted Imes, L whkh a pro^S
?n«li''> •'' ^"i°^^y^^n«eirary material, had been made. Vut
found it .mpraft.cabJe. as theearth was ftil cover'd with fnov;
m many places, and every where impregnably bound up by the
Jztv!!nil7r/t^^'' ^ '''' '"^°^"^^^' '^''^'"^y h'-^d land-
ed, at foint Au Tremble, lo.ooo men. and coo barbarians The
port we had taken at tiie embouchure of thi riverS."^* (the
Td frfmSS.r '°/ difembarking their artiller/aiiftoVes!
d?dVromSi|[':"r ^^-- to land 'where they'
Tlie
4«i 7hi History cf the Wai. i;^o»
'J'hc triumph of the French, and the anxiety of Encland.
were but fhort. I he account of the fiege, ind the raifinj
Jt, followed clofc on the heels of each other. And there
was
The 27th. having broke down alltlie brldRci over the C«;rMr/.
and fecurcd the landing places at Si/Urj, and the f«/»«. I march-
ed with tlie grenadiers pimicti, yfmi„rfs regiment, and twd
field piecM, and took port to advaneageoufly, as to fruftrate the
fJiemes they hadlaid of cutting off our ports. They had begun
to form from the defile they were obliged to pafs, but thought
proper to retreat, on reconnoitring our pofition ; and about fouf
fhjs afternoon we marched back to town, having withdrawn all
our polls with the lofs of two men only, though they did everV
Hung in their power to harrafs the rear. ^ ^ '/
The enemy was greatly fuperior in number, it is true; but
when I conhderedthat our little army wasm the hahit of beating
that enemy, and had a very fine train of field artillery ; that Ihut-
ting ourfelyes up at once within the walls, was putting all upon
the fingle chance of holding out for a confiderable time, a wretch-
ed fortihcation ; a chance wliich an aftion in the field could hard-
ly alter, at the fame time it gave an additional one, perhaps a
better, I refolved to give them battle ; and if the event was not
profperous, to hold out to the laft extremity, and then to retreat
to the ifle of Orleans, or Coudres, with what was left of the ear-
iifon, to wait for reinforcements.
This night the neceffary orders were given, and half an hout
after lix next morning, we marched with all the force I oould
intifter, viz. tliree thoufand men, and formed the Army on the
heights, in the following order; AmAtr/i's Anftiiuthirs i^ },^x-
i3.hon of Royal Americans, :in6imbb\compok6. the right Bri
gade, commanded by Col. Burtcn t Ktnnenys LafcelUi's. Hhi.
JaHden, and foy^nj^end's, the left brigade, commanded by Col.
Frf/ir : Otivays, and the third battalion of Roya/ jfmencans, were
the dorps de referve. Major Da/l>ng\ corps of light infantry co-
vered the right flank, andCapt. Hazztn's company of rangers,
With 100 volunteers, under the command of Capt. Donoald Mac-
donald, a brave and experienced officer, cover'd the lefn The
battalions had each two field pieces.
\Vhile the line was forming, I reconnitred the enemy, and
}>erceived their van had taken pofTeffion of the rifing grounds,
three quarters of a mile in our front, but that their army was upon
the inarch, 111 one column, as far as I could fee. I thought
this tJie lucky moment, and moved with the utmoft order to at-
tack them, before they liad formed. We foon beat them from the
heights
-ie, who b/',it -r/'t;: r- i-^'i*
^ tack
of. to coVtU^]li^^^^^^^
wrre wounded ; h s men hcw«^ ' ' '!."^/r'^"J of his officer,
con>s winch were norfonnrd foV^ft' • ''^'''*^ ^T^'^« ^° »»'«
and difperfed alone he fron/i *''^'"- They halted,
on the enemy's left. ThcKadimlll^J^^^^ ""^^ ''«* "^^'de
regain the ink, but, „ atteZrTn^ .r ^ °'.^"' K'^^" ^
thrown into diforder ret?red »^»f *^ this, they were charged,
officers kiUec' id wCded IJu '^"' '"** ^'"^ '^''^ ""-"b^r cf
during the aftion^ ^"-t's'wa? fnZ^^t ^J^ ^'^'^^ "P*
and Aiftain the right winirwl,rhti"*^y 'l'"'^"^^ ^o advance^
tempts to penetrat^ (fi ttfei'/?''"'''^^^^^^^
grenadiers c{ O/W, were Hifl^"'^"^' SfP^' '"''• ^'^^^ the
there, the left were not S ^^'T!?''''*- ^'"'« t^'^ palfed
two redoubts and fuftalnS ' ^^ ^'^ difooffdred the enemy of
tmited effort 'of tl^eXri^r^^*^^^^ ^"""^^ »'^<^ l^W
till at laft fairly fought d^rJrP^^"- J'"^""'f ="^ C««a^-'r,,
fuftained by the 3d fattatr'orw'JS'^ • ° " 'i^"'^^"' ' ^^'^"g'^-
and i:/W>'s from the r^«,/ T "''"'"'•"' ^'O"* the referve
iheywereobliiroliLTr ' '^^''^''^ ^'^ "°t»"ng to f«r'
of W^w/wS^^^^^^^ ""•"b^"' ^d a fre^ coC'
but tt Itlfre^tii^^^^^^^^^ ^; S-fated to. the right ,
tore upon a brift purfuit. wl S'mlft / ^n^'ny did not ven-
roughnefsof the ground and the wZf *»S?' "'^"°"' ^s the
poffibletobring them off Vhat^^^^ ^Z/''^' '"^de itim.
nailed up. ^ «» on , what could not be brought off were
fieldTffif'tl^e^ryXThe^^^^^^ ^^^^J?'^^ of thofeinthe
nien; vvhich may beT«diirconL-'^"^''°"^'^^^ «*^<^«'»'' ^joo
hour and three quartet ^ conceived, as the aftion Wan
tify
Bit'
I
ij
lt€4 7"*'? HistoRY e/ /i&* War. 17^64
tack thofe parts of it which ftil! remained to France. In
the mean time that haughty power was obliged to fit the
impotent fpeaator of the ruin of her colonies, without be*
ing
tify it, which we never had in our power to attempt fooner, from
the feverity of this climate during the winter, and the abfolute ne-
ceffity of executing works of more immediate importance iaft au-
tumn, before the froft fet in. I wanted thr. afliftance of Major
Maciti/er, the chief engineer, dangeroufly wounded in the aftion ;
|iis zeal for, and knowledge in tiie fervice, is wtU known ; bit
t'ie alacrity of the garrifon made up for every defeft.
My jouinal of the fiege. which accompanies this, fels forth In
'full what w*is done ; and I flatter myfelf, tlie extraordinary per-
forrnances of tlie handful of brave men I had left, will pleafe his
Majefty, as mucli as they furprized us wlio were eye witndTes to
«hem, '
Great praife is due to Commodore Swanton, and the Captains
SeiomSgrg and Deafi; I have not words to exprefs the readinefs
vivacity, and valour they fhewed "in attacking and deftroyin<» the
enemy's fguadron. Capt. Dean has loft his fhip ; but it was^in a
good caufe, and he has done honour to his country.
The morning of the 27th of May, I had intended a ftrong for-
tie, to have penetrated into the enemy's camp, which, from the
information of the prifoners I had taken, and the concurrent ac-
count of tlie defei ters, 1 conceived to be very prafticable.
For this purpofe, I had ordered the regiments of Jmitrjf
^ovinjhindy Lafctlht, Anftrutbir, and Highlanders^ witlj tlie
grenadiers and light infantry under arms, but was informed by
Lieut. iyrAlpiit, of my battalion (whom I fent out to amufe the
enemy with fmall allies) that tlieir trenches were abandoned.
^ I inftatitly pulhed out at the head of thefe corps, not doubting
tut we muft have overtaken and forced their rear, and had ample
revenge for th? iSth of ^/r//; but I was difappoinled, for they
had crolTea the river Cafrougi, before we could come up witli
them. However, we took feveral prifonerr, and much baggage,
which would otherwife have efcaped. They left their campftand-
iiig; all tlieir baggage, ftores, magazines of piovifions andam-
■iumtion, 34 pieces of battering cannon, four of which are brais
12 pounders, 10 field pieces, 6 mortars, 4 petards, a large quan-
titg of fcaling ladders and entrenching tools beyond number ; and
have ictired to their former afylum, Jacques Car tier. From the
information of prifoners, deferters and Ipies, provifions are very
fcarce : aminutation does not abound ; and the greateft part 6i the
^^t^^i^^i Jiave defeited them. At prdeot they do not exceed
5000
}y€o^
f^ History of the Wah. ^6j
It was then fke
ing able to fend them the fmalleft fuccour.
vi^cA^^c(^n^\^^^^ *^!!'"' ^^« w« Have «.
thereof Eur^?**'^' ^*2*" *^«»' 'His time to open on ±^
CHAP.
■M«ta
convinced, becaufe from Ihe infHii™?LT '■*!" "" ""»=
/rfrMf,, of iS .naSA H,«i^. ^?" forwarded to him Uft
pTad,i»- '^^"»*.«^^»'^;'^?^^
ourtrinfaftionsherei hehasa Xm^^b i.i'?!?'"''?* *'"' »"
try, and can eire v™ ,h» iS» i- u. "n''"'*''"'s« "' "•= '"un-
*i'r„;%£"l^ lX"i!l^r^"" »^"''"?^-^-'> I
to by his feSwo«'tol?^j!'"' '"• >'"' """^Pl^fci
1.
Itavititiumrtth,
JAMES MURRAT,
ASSrahf-OjIia. Jmi »7, 1760.
C*ffid*S2*andC^ *? "r''^'*'? ■*'*"-=•■"
it, tki> ^ ""^/;«'»'"«. ana Uommodore Swantim, dated at 9ar-
wait for fXof hi fmi^r and /)/.««. Habere he intended to
lor luch of his fquadrenas had fcparated from him in his paf-
fagc
,- -,|i(
iWt fki HisToiY of the War".
1766,
CHAP. HI.
ptMf 0/ Siffffitiji, M> $r.»glk tmmands ike main htufy of
the French army. St. Germain commands oii the Rhine:
Ai^HJh army reinforced. King o/Prufia's lojis. Thea-
tre of the war in the eajl of Germany. Pofitiom of the
Aujirian and Prujftan armies. Battle of Landjhut. Pruf-
. fian army under f9^q^^t defiroyed,
Wjntpr rtmarkablv fevere Aicceeded the bloody cam-*
paign of 1758. At Bareith in the niaht of the i6th
lecember, the cold was infupportable. Reamur's
ther-
h
fagc UomEnglaMi hyX having on the 14th, received advice
fiom Jlrig. Geii. J»f«>^r^, that th« eiiemy hadbcfieeed ^f4/r, he
got undpr fail i^ith th^ utmoft difp^tch. aiid anchorSl above Point
Xwi the ijth in the evening, where he found the Leoftoffe, one
of his Iquadtpn, xyhich arrived a few day^ before, ^ttd whofe ^om-
plunder, Capt. Dean^, immediately came off to him wiUi aweirage
tr9m the Gener:^!, c^yncftly reconvn^nd^ng the fp«:dy tepoval ol
the i-r/vf* nav^l fprce above the town, confifting of two frigates,
two^rmed ftips, and many Ihialler veH^Js.; in confequence of
which he orderM Capt. Schombtrg of the Dia^a, and Capf.i)#<w
♦ Jvu T"-^'' '^'^'P ^^^'^^ "P^^^^'i <^«r*y the nc^t mpffling, and at-
tack the ehemy ; bvtthey woje i^ofponer in motion, than theenc^
iriy fled m the greateft liurry and diforder : the Pemna, one of
the frigates, was driven on Ihore above C^^ Diamond ; the Jta.
/«•/«, the other frigate, run afliore, and was burnt at Point jfu
Tremb/e, about ten leagves abQve the town; and mod of the
defho ed '*" ^ **"* likcwifc driven aflzore, or effeftually
The night following, the enemy raifed tlie fiege of i^/^/c
I*u^ P'*"? 'P^ately, Jiving their cannon, fmall arms, flores, &c,
behind them.
The Leopfe run upon fome unk^pj^n rocks, in purfuit of the
enemy, and was irrecoverably loft, but the oHicers and men were
laved.
Lord Cohi/ie failed from Halifax, with tlie fquadroi| Mnder his
command, the 2 2d of /ipn/, but did not arrive at ^tec tiU the
18th of A%, having been much regarded in his paffage by thick
fogs, ^reat quantities of ice, aiid contrary winds. .
[ Gazette Extraordinary, ]
tneromcter was Arnk ta ri< i^u- u • ^
<!eg«e it fell to ^,00 ^A ^i^'ri," .?•'"?? ^ ''^^ ''"»«
<fropped dead in their Srih. L t !• J^^y °^ ^^- B'^*"
froze to death An in& A* Lt.pfic ten cintinels ^rd
armies, diffufed hftlf"Sfon^' Jl^'f kTS-^'** '"^^" *« *he
and made a dreadful havoT^ A oek wT** ^ ^^'^^X'
g«d amonjjr the cattle T.- P^VJ^ntial contagion li^
cf their cSamitL, an d^r'"' v^ ^^" »^^^'* *<> *hd reft
kind, was pourerouTunon'^r^'^/^*^ "" 6ffli«ft biah.
themolVlib^trallafure.%?'' unfortunate people #lth
levation of thefe^S "S^ oTZ"' "^P^fl^i^f an al-
ngsofthepfcoplernfy*;^.^^ r*"®"*^^^^^^ ^« ^"ff*^'^
fe^ revenge, Jnd ou •??h. '' [°^"«»8n» »nore earneft
to their afJcsTX^,re\L^ZT^ ""T, ' "^^^'^^^^ ^^«<*
caufe the fcanti naVand fi.kfiA a°'^ J"^.' J" Recruited, be^
•bjea orenvy VthVwretS^^^ J'^^^*^^ ««
countries; J,d death fcem^^ P^*^'"?^ ^" "^°^«^ «hefil
certain by the fwoTthi'T ^^'^ »»on6urable and left
France and Sfa;,fv?M>lPl^^^ ^ I
their forces in oSy M $^'^1^'^?" *°^«g"*«^«
mand of thfcwandTr^r ^^* ^'^l^^ **^** ^^^''^ the cftm^
rieral plan of onertton/* and the fole conduft of the g*i
thing was omitted t« »;vi 1 T i ^ ?• *^'^.'**^- And no-
^urnEb, him w th ter^I! ^"^7 *° ^" winmahd, and ti
torps was aurment!7 ""' ^"^ ^'''''^"g *»«* «J*rtts. Hli
Clerks, ColoJ^tdW-eM '1 ^I"^"*'^'^ I^uffrfdorpi
from France, formed ^l^' f"** ^^'•"P^wted by draUgS^
ihe Count de KriS^^^^T^^!? i^^**^ «^^^
not only to divide ih^I^^^:; ^^l <*»fpofition wi ihidt,
prevenf^he ill confeaue^^^^^^^^^^ *'«^ *»«' «^
confideraWettf&^^V'trfi^^^^^ ^«« «^t l.ft
ral Griffin, ^?rrfortilSfl!^ ^ajor Gentf-
Atthe openine rf thl-!^^^-^*^^^^ foll«#ecf fteft^.
twelve reSim^i 2 fc;"^Pi'S"» ^^^»** « O^'**")^
8 wms «f heavy, wd tnt tf Jijht h#rfe , anj
* ^ twelve
26Jr 7*** History 4^ /i&* War; V^^o/
twelve regiments, vith two Highland battalions of toot i
the whole amounted to near 12,000 men. In the courfe of
the fummer, they were further reinforced to near 25,600,'
Such a number of Britifli troops, ferving in one army, had'
not been feen on the continent^ for two hundred years ^aft.
The allied army indeed fell (bortof the French in numbers;
but they exceeded it in the quality of the troopS. Thofe=
newly arrived from England werefrefli but not undifciplin-.,
ed J the old were indeed harrafTed, but (hey had been ac-'
puftomed to vidory.
- In the beginning of the year, the death of the
Jan. 31. Landgrave of Hete Caflel had excited fome ap-
prehenfjons ; the difpofitions of the fucceflbrwere
uncertain ; and his withdrawing himfelf from the eaufe of
the allies would have made a breach in their army, that it
would have proved almofl impoffible to ftop. But thefe
fears were foon diffipated. The new Landgrave among
the very firft a£ts of his government, gave the ftrongeS
proofs of hisflcady adherence to the fyftem of his father,
and even agreed to add confiderably to the Heffian troops
in the pay of Great Britain j fo that all things promifed as
favourably to the allies, as from that irremediable inferiority
in numbers could have been expefted.
The king of Pruffia was under far greater difficulties!
he had felt the heavieft blows, and was moft fcanted in the
means of healiqg them.
His loffes were not to b^ reckoned by the men killed and
prifoners,, but by armies deftroyed or taken. Forty gene-
rals had died, or were flain in his fervice, fmce the ift of
Oftober 1756, cxelufive of thofe who had been wounded,
<lifabled, or made prifoners. And this alone would have
been a lofs not to be repaired, if thefe murdering wars
which cut off fo many experienced officers, did not at the
fame time, form fo many more to fupply their places. The
Jring had renewed his alliance on the former terms with
Great Britain. By his indefatigable induftry, no gaps were
/een in his armies. But they were no longer the fame
troops, and if the king of Pruffia had formerly the merit of
ably commanding the moft excellent armies j he has now
to fill up the moft . remarkable deficiency on the part of his
Jroops by his own heroifm ; a|id to undertake far more ar*
dwous enterpriaes, than.his fifft, with infinit-^lr weaker in-
itruincnts, {^8 jiffairs w^rc a ba^l afpe^ ||» . ' - «»peping of
«76o, yi»HisTOKY»//i« War, ig^
thejormer y„,. I„ «,;, ^.^ f„„^, ^„^^^^ ^^^_
The Ruffians had fuffered ; but thev werf «.«-• -i
reinforced. The Swede, who had bS ««rafe,"^J
to give ground in the winter, had In thai of I,;^?k ^^"'
vantage in feveral fmart (kirmiftes and h.rf "' *°^"'''
prifoner the P™ffian general M Sffel?'' A ''.o'X Au?
and that his Jominions would be Inu^ftJj ^ ' ""1"8
As there operations werr«7y exteSfive 1„T" "','7 «''!•
st'|/;Srt!irw:teBi^?-
clam, Demmein and Paflbwalk Rn^ ^«>«»ficatwns, An^
army is not numerous, andTfL ftld «temn. ^'^'^
trate far into the country, thev muft l« Jl c! ?P' ,'° P*"^'
there is alv^ays a ftron^^arrwJnT?- T u^'^'*"' '" ^^ch
f.;:^^u,*" ™^' -» ^"^ ""y Ha« ^^'"oSz^
this quarter is the town of S~ '""'f ft^ngth in
fharertgi:i;S:J§?^^^^^^ ti
they have neJertenS^f!', ', l"" f""' "''''' ^-fe why
Kin'g of Pru<S? dtfni^^ ° e'f TSn^ IK" '"*'
hey fa^ SeTol'^S^'' 'W««™\>..:li«r'''lo;
five
■r, -S
27% 7** History 9f tU War. 1760,
five and inhofpitable dcfert of WalUow 1 and this with the
urtocrtalh difpofitioh of the city of Dantzick, renders their
iupphcs of provifipn from Poland difficult and precarious."
Ncithfer IS it poffible in thefe circumftances, to unite their
forces with thofe of Sweden acting in the fame country.
The Oder flows between them j which is fo commanded by
*J* city of Stetii;, as to make all communication between
thefe armies in a great mcafure impracticable. Infomuch.
that on the fide of Pomerania, the force of thefe two pow*
«ra is compelled to a^ feparately, without concert, anii
therefore weakly and ihefFedtually.
To the Weftv/ard, the King of Pruflia is Aifficiently co*.
vered by the city of Magdebourg, the ftrongeft place in hit
<|oqiinions, and in that part of Germany. Here are his
gftateft magazines, and his principal founderies ; and this is
the rtpofitory of whatever he finds neceflary to blace out of
the jfe4ch of fudden infult. J v ^
' T6th* fouthward he is obliged to defend Sax6ny and tw
Mii. Bdth of thefe countries on their frontiers towards tio-
hemfa, rife into very r6ugh» broken, and mountainous
grounds, abounding in advantageous pofts and ftrong fitua-
tions. Lufatia lies between them j a level fandy plain, (in-.
terr)perfed with pine- woods,) extending without any obAa-
cle \^ the very gates of fierlin. Through this country the;
king's communication between Silefia and Saxony muft be
kept up, and therefore it has been from the beginning of
this war, the great fcene of thofe remarkable marches and
<;6Untef-marches, by which his Priiffian majefty has acqui-
red Co great a reputation j and alfo of thofe bold and fudden
attempts which have diftinguifhed fome of the generals oJ"
the adyerfe party. As an army cannot be advantageotifly
pofted in this teiritory, it has iiot been ufual for 4 conftder<>
ably body to remain there long; and it is particularly un«
favourable to defenfive operations. This country may be
coiifidered as the curtin, and the frontiers of Saxony and
Silefia as the baftions, that flank the fort of fertiiication,
which the king is to Maintain. ,
No part of that monarch's territories are naturally rtofe
^fencelefs than the eaftern ; it the fame time that it is at-
tacked by the moft powerful of his enemies. A country al*
(o^ether fandy and level, extends along both fides of the
Ouer, from the northern frontier of Silefia. uAtil it meets
Pomerania, a country of the fame kind. There is no re*
fjpc^a1)Ic
«7fto. ^eHisroRY of, hWAt .;.
above the neceffity 9fym\S^^^\v^t^ ^*"*^*^|th as tq bJ
before then,. InSwdVu^^K^'^f ^™y"»a< «ppew.
which has diftinguiOfcd this wrr K ^^ ^^"^ **^ ^«^'«
J length and ext?nt, in whch fewer r' "^'J ' ^^^ *^<''^»»
haveWn formed : and X lat. r •^^' .°/ confequenc*
large afield forexperTenceinev^^^^^^^^ f^^' ^^
operations, afFor4i^ very little malfi'/f ^P^cies of military
.« of reducing o] def.jljbg ^^^^^^^ in xg
1 he Kmg of Pruifia's dp^«« r ^ P«ccs.
himfclf as luch ; pofflu^^^^^^^^^ to fave
the only time wh,n hi, H^^ceft miX K "^/^'r "«P^*ff«*
Ill-fortune; not rufnous. He heTe& f ^^^^j^ve, aSd V
plan. Inpurflianceofthishewrhd^L^'"^^ ^ defenfiy.
foreftofVharandt on &s rilht ?o tL Fi?"*!!""**
Mvantagepus camo beSn T^^B'^^ »»! ^^ a moft
2^^anUgeV;rc7.;^^^^^^ S^J^V^Ibe, he't^^ra mS^
fcondyVrenching it X^^^ ^^ Malta;
»«»ery, that they reckoned ;„»K-r^ ^^ numerous aaar-
vf cannon. ^ '^<?^«>ncd m th«r front only 350 piece
In this fituation he covered t\^P. n.
8i^xony,kept the atLS of M D W '"'''"^ P^*'^
andwasenabledtofendoutr^nf • "^ ^^'"y «nJiage<L
•r elfewhere, a^ occTfioX ?J ""?*^"** '^ ^'^^^^
l»ia,Pr;nceln;;^^^^^^^ ^" c<,„queft, In Mif.
on the Oder, an/tiS^ variSfs lofitj'^^^ l^"**' ^^^«^^
andCroflen. In this noEn f^ °"' *^°«* t^at PUcc
cipal communicatiot,Tnrch^^m^^^^ '»»«^ P^
•nceSilefia, the New Marche 0^^'/^ '° P^-ot^a at
avenues to BerUnj all wh^^ch wtre .1? "'^'"]'i»'8^' *«»<» <*»«
was
'•if;i
]■::.,
! if;'!
' H:'
'$7a Ti# History •/ /i&# War. 1760,
was fo difpofed as to fend to or receive fuccours from him^
as either party (hould happen to be prefTed.
M. Daun, as foon as he faw that the King of Pruflia hact
fortified himfelf in his poft, he too buried himfelf in en-
trenchments, and kept the moft attentive eye upon all his
inajefty'i motions. Whilft he confined himfelf^ in this po-
lition, in order to tie down the King of Pruflia, general
Laudohn, with a ftrong but light and difincumberedarmy^
moved from the camp he had occupied during the winter m
Bohemia, and prefenting himfelf alternately dh the fide of
Lufatia, and on the frontiers of Silefia, threatened fome-
times to penetrate into Berlin, fometinles by a bold ftroke
to effefl a junction with the Ruffians, ana attack Prince
Henry, fometimes to fit down before Glatz, Schweidnitz,
or fireflau; and thus the alarm was fpread upon every fide,
not knowing where the f^orm would fall.
At length he declared himfelf. Having by feveral feints
perfuaded general Fouquet that his intentions were againfi
schweidnitz, that general marched thither a confideralilc
tiody of his troops, and left Glatz uncovered. As foon as
Laudohn perceived this movement, he on his fide made
another, and pofleffed himfelf of Landlhut } and when he
had taken Landfhut, he pretended a defien of fecuring this
poft by leaving a fmall body of troops there. This feint
alfo fucceeded, and drew general Fouquet from Schweid-
nitz back again to Landfliut. He drove the Auftrians from
that place without difiiculty ; but in the mean time Lau->
.dohn made himfelf mafter of feveral important pafles, by
which he was in fome fort enabled to furround the corps of
General Fouquet.
The commander finding himfelf in thofe dangerous cir-
cumftances, had nothing left but to fortify his poft, for-
merly made a very ftronjg one, with, adaitional works 3
which he did with fuch ettedi, that it had more the refem-
blance of a regular fortification than an entrenchment. How-
ever, the army he commanded was fair from numerous; and
he was obligcf*. to weaken it ftill farther by a detachment of
2000 men, to preferve, if poifible, a communication witk
Sqhweidnitz.
Laudohn longed to diftinguifh himfelf by fome capitidl
ftroke } he had now by a feries of very artful movements
Procured a moft favourable opportunity. Firft, therefore,
e fliut up with great dexterity the pafles on every fide, and
rendered
'^)^o. fheVLn^otY of the WaR. 27^
S^glran a^lc^^^^^^^^^^^ retreat imprafti cable. Then he
the X,T f i • ^^^P'""^^" entrenchments in ,
Th.J ir'^'I'Sht in.thret diffdrent places. J""^ 23.
iucu in rne air. i he Auftrians f-ufhed to the attack- w.Vh
entren'.b ?*^'''^"'"'^"°''^" ^^^' ^^^ two ftroneeft
Tn W' Th^'p T"^^» ^"1^ '^^ "- «f communicftt
Puft^ back lom hmT''*l^f ^'J-^^^*^ Z""*^'^ ty^omkU^s
puinea DacJc trom hill to hill, and ne to ine to their ua-
entrenchments. Their refiftance was all Ing brave ind
tage at the deareft rate ; but at laft prefTed ubon everv S^
worn down bv a terrible flaughter, ?her general d^^aJli
nte ThT'L"^"'^' ^1 ^'S^' '" ^'^^ moSg the rem'
oTtLle'dV/Std'"" '°"" ^'^'^ ^^- ^^' '--<S^-<i
Th^^DnTon^l^"^ '*"' vanquiihed the flain were about^ooo "
Never was a more entife and'decifive viaory The whnl
army general, officers, every thing was delved 9^ ^
^ree hundred of the body inLnchId by LandL; c&
The corps alone which was to preferve the rnmm? ^^.•
•n, together with fome bodies of cavX who hT .'k'^'"
engaged with difficulty got into TcSd^'^'^tr hey
cxpedted every moment to be befieo-ed T-^L J ^
.oft the Auft^ans above «ooo S-tlnied aTSVull^^
C H A P. IV.
^ like
274
The History of the Wa«*
t'}6o»
like a dorm upon Glatz. Glatz confifts of two fortreflcs,
the old and the new. The old was taken by ftorm ; the
new furrendercd at difcretion. Two thoufana brave nien
and fome ffood works could not defend it acainft the impe-
tuofity of the Auflrians. One hundred and one pieces of
brafs cannon were taken. Immcnfe magazines of provifi-
on and military ftores piled up in this frontier place to fa-
vour in better times an irruption into Bohemia, fell into the
hands of the conqueror. Every thing gave way. The
poflcnion of Glatz laid all Silcfla open, and the Auftrians
might turn their arms upon any fide without the leaft dan-
cer to the freedom of their retreat. Neither was there any
fort of army to give the leaft obftru£tion. The King of
Pruflia held down by M. Daun, was in Saxony. Prince
Henry was alfo at a great diflancc towards Cuftrin. If that
Prince attempted to move to the relief of Silefia, he laid
open Brandenburgh, and even fierlin itfelf tothe irruptions
of the Ruffians. If he remained in his poft, Sildia was in-
evitably loft. Even his fpeedieft march feemed by no means
a certam way to releive it. The King was yet further dif-
tunt i and any motion of his threatened to uake and un-
hinge the whole fcheme of his defence; expofmg at once
Saxony and Berlin. The lofs of his third army, fmall as
that army was, laid him under difficulties that feemed in-
iuperablc.
Favoured by thefe circumflances, Laudohn had only t9
chufc what diredlion he (hould give his arms. Sitefia, as
has been obferved, lay open before him. He had threat-
ened Schweidnitz ; but he faw that Breflaw was a place of
greater confequence, much more eafily reduced, and that
the pofTeflion of it facilitated a jun£lion with the Ruffians;
a point on which the ultimate improvement of his viftory
wholly depended. The place belides is of fo great extent,
and the works of fo little comparative ftrength, that he
had no fmall hopes of mattering it before Prince Henry
could come, if he (hould at all attempt to come to its re-
lief.
He therefore delayed no longer than the march of his
heaw artillery and the neceffary preparatives required, to
lay fiege to the capital of Silefia, of whofe fafety the moft
fanguine friends of his Pruffian majefty began to difpair, ^
But in the interval between the battle of Landfhut and
the commencement of the fiege of Breflau, the King of
. Pruflia
tl^o, TheUisroRY of the War. 275
Pruflia was not idle. His thoughts were continually em-
& a'^u.'P'"". ''^i' ^*^^"'^''' ''" ordinary refourc^we^c
Kff '"vL' K. '".?.'^^^"^'- Hi» genius alone could cmer
nhmei^ hear ' » /°«T'. **' '^'."^ *»^"^^°^« »»'» C
draw eten fmm 7n r^ ' ^'""? '"*^ ""^Pe-^ed ftroke, to
SaradvTnTa^:, '"' ' ""^°"""= ^^'"^ "^" '^' --«
f J"iF"I!!?"" ?^ '''*' P'*" ^*= '^^^ 'a'«^» he difpo- July 2
i.VnV^TJ?:^ r""*^^ ^^^^--^^ Silefia, an^ "^ ^
had pafTed the Elbe and penetrated through z woody coun-
try without oppontion ; had the enemy \een apprifed of
h.s mtrch as early as he began it, it had^been attended wi°h
fooner'h.1^ ""^V'-'"°""t^ble difficulties. Marftial Daun no
fooncr had advice of his march, than he alfo immediately
nioved with the utmoft expedition at the head o^T^^s main
a b7dv rf r "'^"', 'r •"« '""^ ^^-y of '^' emp^ ,Tn J
rlZ" ^'"'"' ^^'^'/o "^'^ Sixony in his\bfence.
thJof r i.^7"" 7"t'""ed their route AroughLufatia;
?f MarftJn '"^^^..^'f \^ ^'"^^ ^° '^« nortSward, that'
ot Marfhal Daun to the fouthwardj both apparentlv oufli
:ng towards the fame objedt and wi'th equat'e3s.Tu;
as the army of the marfhal had rathel the (Sorter cut to
^aed diligence, he got my conf.ferably the ftartofthc
6'
When his majefty was apprifed that M. Daun
K!i^!'"A ^n" ^"^9 ^^y '"^'■^h "Pon him i that July g
he had aftually arrived at Gorlitz, and was pjfhing ^ ^
tamed. Immediately he ftruck into M. Daun's track but
wheeled mto the oppofite direftion, repafled the Spree near
tlrs nT Sil"r t'^^r .T^ T ''"^g'"^'* h'"» <>" 'he f^n!
Drefden T^ ^"/I'^i^ ^P.''""^ "P ^''^^ ^ "^'^^^ before
JJrefden. The army of the Empire retired. Lacy's corns was
obliged to (hift its fituation. ^he Pruffian ge/erals HulTea
ce't wkh ^he^ ''• ^"Jl'^y tn" P^^P^^'^ toaaincot
cert with the King, joined him before that place.
and knowing there was no room for delay, began July 17
the fiege with the utmoft vigour. ■>'' B » J^'YU-
fed to'?J? ^^''V"'"^ unfortunate city a third time expo-
fed to the fury of war. The inhabitants fufFered in their
habitations for the weaknefs of the works ; and there were
.arnv« both without and within of fuch mutuaj and d^er!
^ 2 mined
S. ♦(■
Ilhl'il
■MM^BTHH
IH
MUF'^T
HI
1
mm
HI
■
BBQiKi
i
■n
91
276 7*^^ History 0/ /-6* War. 1760.
mined rage, and (o carclcfs of all things but their enmity,
that they little fcrupled to ftrikc at each other through
the bodies of the fufiering Saxons. All Europe had now
its cjres turned to the event of this mafterly mamruvre j and
certainly through the whole courfc of this eventful war,
nothing appeared nnore worthy of rcgardi nor at any time
Itad there been exhibited a piece of gencralfliip more com-
pleat, than the conduit of the King of Pruffia's march.
Since Drefden had fallen into the hands of the Auftrians,
it had been ftrengthtned with the addition of fevcral new
works. The burninj^ ot the fuburbs by the Pruflians, in
order to keep them out, became an adyantage to them
when they came to pofTcfs the town. In fhort, the place,
was rendered mi all /cfpcdls more defenfiblc than formerly.
It had aifo a very largo garrifon under General Macguire,
an officer ol courage and experience, who refolvcd to main-
tain it to the laft extremity : when he was fummoned to
furrender, he made anfwer, ** That it was impoflible the
king could have been apprifcdwith his being entruftcd with
the command of that capital ; otherwife fo great a captain
as his majefty would not make fuch a propofal to an offiter of
his ftandine : that he would defend himfelf to the laft man;
and wait whatever the kingfliould think proper to attempt."
Both parties being therefore infpired with the utmoft
rcfolution, the one to attack, the other to defend, the fiege
was pufhed on by every method of force and addrefs; there
was icarce any intermiffion of aflaults, furprizes, coups dc
mains, failles, and all kind of adions ufed on fuch occafions j
and all the moft vigorous in their way. In the mean time
three batteries of cannon and mortars played continually,
but with much greater damage to the buildings than efFe6t
on the fortifications.
■ Marfhal Daun was in Silefia when he heard all at once
of the deceit put upor^ him by the King of Pruffia, of his
return to Saxony, of the fiege, and the extreme danger of
Drefden. His return was as rapid as his march had been.
On the loth he appeared within a league of Drefden. Hi$
approac.i only cayfed the Pruflians to redouble their efforts;
that day they had received reinforcements of heavy cannon
and mortars, and battered the place with new fury. The
cathedral church, the new fquare, feveral principal ftreets,
fonie palaces, the noble manufa(5lory of porcelain, were all
entirely reduced to aihes,
Tha
7^ History of tbi War.
was in vain to con^m I . """'T' '"*" E)refden. ij
thc want of fuccefs cnf, .Irfr ,M h""""'. """K^""- But
.he mMfurcBv drawing lU T >!;'' '^""" 'S« -lerit of
Silena he gai„c7,hrufc"lf "t^il^TjT KO^^.^ ""
from the enemy's prand irmJ^ «• u ^ J " ^^ obftruition
j;ou« and everirine;f,';;cari!,'.i''T"''^"
had certanlv a chance ar I^^A^r j '*^r- ^^ ^his time he
the poMon^of that daci h. m"u'"S ^'^^^^^ ; «nd by
finitely bet^rawt^P : y^^^^^ J^t:-"^ »^-^-lf in^
part of hU tfrrX*^.- /^ l ^° *be defence of evcnr
Ution by having made it. °' '^"*" '" «P"-
return 'f MaXl K ZfT ^ V""'"' f"' *' 'Pecdy
turn; fo neither neracoulSthfMrff/f •'•««-
imputation in having been deCivrfw'^hi v^". '"^ J""
He knew that there wre Z-r^ \rx.,^ ■ """S' march,
even to prefs h m olove th« waf h""";'™ "L'^'"."'"'
king fliould get intHnena „TZ , "° ''"™ ?« "■ "«=
l>im,Laudohn miZ not onT„r 5 • "7 ?PP°«'i<>n from
<»ges he could hooe for fZ,\^ ^''""i "f"" "« ""Ivan-
atfacked by the utted Lmi" 'o? he%'f;7n'd''h"? "7 ""re
S'^f LTnd'Lt!'^'"' "' » -'^- .^a?"^^S?l^i;^:*-
Jer.rSctnTit"r/e:u^^SLtTK™'"'''"™S'-'
Merablc obftruaion Laudohn met no con-
"attd'ett'didti '21 ':;2\rrV'" »" ""«■•-
▼res. He fent a leffpr ?i L ^"^ bis m,htary manceu-
.0 in««e hU i;x'Sii^^nrhi'^zi'i-jiffS
forth.
,X-i>i
178 ^he History of the War. iy(i6,
forth, that his forces confifted of 50 battalions and 80 fqua-
(drons j that the Ruffian army of 75,000 men were within
threii days march ; that it was in vain for the governor to
expert fuccour from the King of Pruffia, who was then
at the other fide of the Elbe, that it v/as ftill more vain
to look for relief from Prince Henry, who could fcarce
hope to ftnnd his own ground againft the grand army of
the RuflSans ; that in cafe of obftinacy he could expea no
reafonable terms : and that thefe were the laft that ihould
be oiYered. Moreover he reminded him that the place
was a mercantile town, not a fortrefs ; and that he could
rot defend it without contravening the laws of war.
Thefe rules, by which honour is reduced to a£t, not
by its own feelings, but according to intrinfical circum-
ilances ; rules by which tKey have attempted to determine
txaclly and mechanically that niceft of all lines which dif-
criminates courage from raftinelJs, form one of the ftrongeft
inftances of tl*e great difference between the antient and
modern methods and ideas of war. In the antient times,
a brave commander would have anfwered this threatning
U.eiiage in general terms of defiance. But Count Taven-
zien refpeited thefe imaginary laws. He took care to
prove that in defending the town, be did not infringe
them ; and fpoke as Laudohn had done in the character
oi a military jurifconfalt, as well as a foldier ; he gave
for reply. That the town of Breflaw being furrounded
with works and wet ditches, was to be confidered as a
place of ftrength, and not fimply as a mercantile town.
That the Auftrians thcmfelves defended it as fuch in 1757,
after the battle of Liffa. That the king had commahd-»
«d him to defend it to the laft extremity, that therefore
General Laudohn might fee it was not from humour he
had refufed to liften to his fummons. That he was
not frighted with the General's threats to deftroy the town j
for he was not entrufted with the care of the houfes, but
the fortifications.
Laudohn had alfo fent in a memorial in the fame menac-
ing ftile, where he thought it might have a greater efteft,
to the civil magiftrates, hoping that the ruin with which
the town was threatened, might induce them join with
the inhabitants, to pcrfiiadc the governor to a fpeedy
furrender.
All thefe menacing meafure^ feemed to argue a fear in
Baron
il^o, y^^ History tf//^ War; t&^
Baron Laudohn, that the Ruffians were not fo near :l. h^
pretended, and that the town might poffiWy be rele ved he
fore the.rarnval However he (hewed them, at nne of the
IvVltrTv! ""^J^l^'^^B^^ that his threats* J^^Un
by a terribre difcharge of mortars and red hot baHs th^J
havockinfK.^'^^ bombardment, that made a drellfui
fiavock in the town, he attempted the out- works bvaS
with the ufual impetuofity of thofe brave irregular h.!;
ttfr Zn' Tr^ r' "P?^^ ""'^ ^ refolutioreqUlM
tfteir own, and with more fteadinefs. ^
1 his operation of this dreadful night havine made no Im
preffion on the inflexible determination oTfhTlovernr
Baron Laiidohh had once more recourfe tonemiaK Si
fiow changed his ftile, and held out the moil flSl
pofitions ; offering to grant him what capLla^^^^^^^
l^tJZ' T^' r' ^^^" V Jeave?iimfelfTo'dr?;"up
rne articles, [he governor replied that the firing the towS
tkh firmer f 'T ^" ^'' '■^^°^"^^°» > ^"^ ^^ -<^uW w^t
he could not help obfefving it was contrary to the laws nf
Sts' T '':n?^«^ of'a fortrefs, by 7uilg its Tnha-
woM?K i*^« '"^enger made anfwer, that thi treS.
Th^dt^Sr'- Thegave.no. faid, it wr^lTa:
the out-works for three days fuc«ffl»=lTTk fa "<""
poft bravely defended , r'Str^dd ''not "aX7
but they now begwi to perceive the ap Joach rf a/ort,/;
amy lefs agreeable ; th« of Prince Hei^ whtnfc hf ■
S:tfr™!',eT^f2^r''^^* °' Auguft?reS
the management of time, to theiffue of a'bat^fe ^Te he^^^
fore decamped and made his retreat in good ord'; bu with
fufficient quicknefs : having orocurpd fr^ Ih' . -J*
only the ^?retched fLtisfaaTonT^inra g^eT T ^
the city to a heap of rubbifh, and of having revenged Tm«
Breflaw fome part of the fuidrings of Drefden ^ ^"
C ZS A
\^ i.1 n
M^o
Itbe HrsTotiY of th War.
C H A P. V.
:i76o^
(tHaufe of the flownefs of the Allies and Frehch, Advantages
en the fide of the Prtnch. Differencei between BrogUoand
St. Germain. Marburg and DiUenburg taken by the
Frenth. Battle of Corbach. Hereditary Prince wounded.
Swprize and defeat of Monfteur Glaubitz at Ermfdorf
^he Allies thange their tainp. Ailion at JVarbourg»
THE French and allied arinies had been reinforced iit
the manner we have already mentioned. But thd
vigour of their operations did not altogether corr^fpond with
what might have been expected from their ftrength and
mutual animofity* The campaign, at leaft in any efFeftive
manner, opened late. A country which had been fo long
the theatre of fo ruinous a war, had been too tnuch wafted
to make the fubfiftence, and confequently the free motion
of the armies eafy. The winter had been fevere and long ;
and it was not untill the green forage appeared plentifully
above ground, that thofe great bodies of cavalry, which
make fo large a part in our modern armies, yrttt in &
condition to aft. The fufFerings of the Englifh horfe,
from a want of dry forage, during a great part of the
winter^and the fpringiiad been extreme j this obliged them
to fall much farther back from the French cantonments $
and to moleft them lefs than they otherwife would have done.
, It was befides a lofs, that at the opening of the campaign,
they had fo extenfive a traft between them and Hanover;
which by an artful choice of pofts might have been yielded
ftep by ftep, and the campaign fo managed and fpun out,
that the feafon of aftion muft have expired, before the
French could have reaped any decifive advantage from their
fuperiority.
Although the French were during the winter fupplied
far better than the allies with all neceflaries by the com-
mand of the Maine, the MofeUe and the Rhine ; and that
the countries at their back had been much lefs confumed
by the war ; yet the fame difficulties embarrafTed them as
foon as they thought of taking the field, and quitting their
advantageous cantonment. Therefore there was a flow-
nefs in the principal armies upon both parts, until the mid-
dle of fummer.
Not
l^lSoi^ fbe History of the Wa A., %^f.
Not however, but that fomething was attempted in this
interval by leffer parties. On thellde of ,the Rhine, fome
adtions happened between the army of St. Germaii, and
the corps of General Sporken, who was pofted at Dulmen,
to obferve the French in that quarter/ Dulmen foS
the right flank of the chain of cantonments made by^he
allied army, which extended its left to the fout^-eaft fron!
tiers of the country of Hefle, above an hundred and fiftv
miles diftant The Hereditary Prince who was on that
Wing, exerted, as muth as circumftances would permit, his
ufual aaivity and enterprize. He threw himfelf into the
^"u^?^^"^^'» ^^^^^^'^^ under an. heavy contribHon
and bi^ke up feveral French corps that were polled the e
Thefe aaions decided nothing. The French army fu^
perior in numbers and in fituation, advanced; an? he
billies, who feemed to have chofen the defenfive, graduallv
retired In effea, if the French had purfued thJiforS
plan, It would have proved almoft impoflible for the al ied
jrmy to maintam its ground. If St. 6ermain, pofTeiTed of
Cleves, Wefel, and l3ufleIdorp, had advanced In the f.de
of Munfter ; and M. Brcglio moving forward through the
country of Hefle had made a ftroSg detachment fo S«
eaftward of the Wefer, whilft with h^ main body he en
gag«d the attention ofPrince Ferdinand, the allies would
ftortly have found themfelves enclofed upon three fides .
and nothing could have extricated them but a capital vic-
tory obtained under every difadvantage.
The French army was fufficiently numerous for thefe
XffTl- ^"' V'T'"' ^"^P^*^^'^ '^^' the jealoufy which
fubfifted between M. de St. Germain ani the ^ule of
Broglio prevented their being carried into execution. Th°s
mifunderftanding daily increafed. Infomuch, that M
Brogl.o thought fit to order the corps of St. Germain to
unite itfelf with the grand army. The count, who could
not brook obedience to a younger officer, and one befides
With whom he was not on the bell terms, re-
tired from the fervice. He had only ferved be- July 2,
fore upon condition of commanding an army en- ^ ^'
firely d.ftma, and under his own particular orders. This
difference deprived France of one of its moft able general
^peratior"" '" °' ''' "°^ ^^""^'^^'^ fXes of
Before this mifuoderftanding had produced thefe effeas.
' II
iii the UisTdRr rf the \^ai(.
t-j^e.
the affairs of the French went on with all Imaginable
profperity. The principal army not retarding itftlf, by
tonlideration of the places of ftreneth which the allien
bollefied in their front, the caftles of Marburg and Dillen-
Dourgj poihed forward into the landgraviate of HefTe^'
leaving detachments to reduce thofe fortrefles* The fiii):
of which furrendered on the 30th of June, the latter held
out to the i6th of July > but the garrifon» of both fur*'
rendered prifoners of war.
In the mean time whilft tA, Broglio advanced^
July 10. on the fide of Hefle j the corps ©f St. Germain
had penetrated through the datchy of Weftphalia^
and the tivo armies joined near a place called CMiiach.^
The alli«d[ army had fallen back from t^ poft they occu-
pied at Fritxlar, and were retreating towards the rive?
Dymel. As yet they had received no advice of the dreaded
junf^ion of the French armies ; but as it was imagined that
the corps of St. Germain only moved that way, and the
vanguard only of that corps could be arrived at Corbach^^
which could not be eiltmated at more than io/300 foot^
and 17 fquadrons at the utmoft« the Hereditary Prince
formed a fceme of attackiiftg and drivhfig them ^om that
ftoft.
When he had begun the attack, contrary to his expect
tation he found the enemy already formed ; but it was novr
impoflible to recede. The a6):>on grew every moment
more furious and bloody. The French ftood their ground!
with firmnefs, and the qiain army being extremely near^
inflead of being wafted in the action, they grew more nu<*
inerous by the reinforcements that were continually fent.
In this fituation it was necelTary that the Prince ihould
make as fpeedy a retreat as poffibfe ; but the difficulty of
drawing out of the field in the middle of the day^ before aiu
enemy quite frefh, and every inftant reinforced, may be
cafily imagined. To compleat this difficulty, fome bodies
of the German troops both horfe and foot fell into great
confufion. The enemy faw it at the firft glance, and tm
increafe it to the utmoft diforder, puflied forward upon
• them with a numerous artillery and a large body of cavalirya
The allied army feemed to be in the way of inevitable ruin*
In this exigence the Hereditary Prince^ as hifr laft re-
fource, put himfelf at the head of a fquadron of Bland'»,
•nd Howard's regiments oC dragrggnsi By thefe the un-
. ' - cotnmoa
[7^'
0«
7be History of the War.
28|
conunonheroifm of their young leader was pcrfeaiy fe-
conded. They charged the enemy with the utmoft fury,
ftoppedthetr career of their viaorious horfe; and enabled
theaJied battalions to make an undifturbed retreat
The Hereditary Prince was wounded in thLi adion •
about 900 men were killed, wounded, or prifoners, fifteea
pieces of cannon, the whole of the artillery, was left to the
«nemy, but ftill m their circumftances to have avoided a
total defeat, was in fome fort viaory. The well-timed
impetuofity of the Hereditary Prince, and the fpirit of the
JsngJiih horfe, could not be too highly praifed. The Prince
Ta'^u!1t^ ™^'", "^""V ®^'^ ^^i^» w*»o had now poffef-
fedthemfelvesofthc ftrong poft of Saxenhaufen: whilft
the l-rench continued oppofite to them in the no lefs ftront
poft of Corbach, which they had acquired by their viaoryt
*"lr''t, ^*^™« t^">« **»«7 watched each other.
The Hereditary Prince differed more by this check than
from the wounds he had received. His mind, forgetful of
his pain and weaknefs, only brooding over his defeat, feek-
mg out with anxiety an opportunity of. revenging his loft
by forae bold, fignal, and unexpeaed ftrokc alainft the
itfelf ''* ^'^ "*" '°"^ ^*°" ^ opportunity prcfented
Advice had been received, that among the detachments
'!?•*'? i ,f '■T^ ''"P^oy^^ to «duce thofc fortreffet
which the allies had garrifoned on their retreat, there wa*
^e very confiderable, formed of Fremrh and Saxon, under
Monf. Glaubitz, movmg towards Zigenhagen, a place of
importance in the landgrave of Hek the Hwditarr
Prince undertook to relieve it, and for that pur- '
pofcfeleaed fix battalions of the German trJ^ps, 14 July,
two brigades ofhunters, a regiment of hufiak ^ ^
and Ehot slight dragoons. Although this laft corps was
t. if 77r^*. **^^ t"!l "*^^y '^'^""^^ and had nevS feen
anykindoffervice, the Prince was fo well pleafed with
their countenance, that he chofe them preferably to aU
other for his difficult cntcrprizc, and the event proved that
he was not miftaken. ^
Monf. Glaubitz remained in the moft perfea fecuritv s
K!r!fri^' "^^T ""^ aPP'^ehenfion of being molerfed
by a detachment of an army fixty miles diftaHce, under
HJe eye, and as It were, guard of a fuperigr body which
*^ * demanded
284
The History ef the War.
•1766.
demanded all its attention ; when on a fudden he
July f6. found himfelf attacked with the utmoft violence.
The Hereditary Prince having reconnoitred his
pofition, made a detour of two leagues through woods and
mountains, fell upon his left, whilft the reft of his troops
climbed the mountains on the oppofite fide, and • ruflied
with the fame fpirit upon the right.
Glaubitz had fcarce time to form his troops ; and they
were only formed to be immediately broken. They retired
with precipitation, leaving their camp and all it contained
to the enemy. The Prince had fo difpofed his cavalry as
to cut ofF the retreat of fome j but the moft confiderable
part gained ground upon him. On this occafion he relied
entirely on Elliot's horfe, as it was altogether impoffible
for the infantry, already harafled by the adion, and a moft
fatiguing forced march of two days, to follow them. At
the head of this horfe he overtook the fugitives as they
came out of a wood, charged and broke them five different
times, feperated a body of 500 from the reft, furrounded
them, and obliged them to throw down their arms. Hav-
ing routed this, with the like rapidity, he flew to another
body who had taken poft near a wood, furrounded them in
the fame manner j fummoned and received them all prifo-
ners of war. A regiment of the enemy's huffars was en-
tirely cut to pieces. Nothing was wanting to compleat his
vi(ftory. Elliot's light horfe, proud to be led on by the
Prince himfelf, and worthy of that hpnour, had the greateft
fliare of the glory and fufFerings of that day. So young a
corps had never fo eminently diftinguiflied itfelf. No more
than 79 of the allies were killed in this aftion, but of thefe
71 were of this fmgle regiment.
The numbers of the enemy killed is not known, but for a
time the flaughter was terrible. General Glaubitz himfelf
was made prifoner, together with the Prince of Anhalt.
There were befides 177 officers, and 2482 private men.
A greater number of prifoners could fcarely be expelled
from a vi£l:ory in a general engagement. The trophies
were nine pair of colours and fix pieces of cannon. In all
the Petite Gurre of this campaign, (and the campaign be-
tween the French and the allies was almoft wholly made up
of fuch,) this was by far the moft billiant action ; and alone
might have eftablifhed the reputation of the Hereditary
Prince, . if any thing had been wanting to eftablilh him the
firft
il6q. 9'he History 0/ the W AH. jg^
firft man of his age, in that fpeqies of war. He returned
landgraviate and even Hanover/lay tooopen to thernemie!
jncuraons. He therefore took his^amp^t a p ace S
KaUe m a fiuation nearer to Caflel On this M. BrogHo
fort en^M^JT' "^^'"^ '^' g^^^^"'^''^ °f ^'« ^^^y in fom^
commanded m the room of the Count St. Germain wJi
c^nnft','^ r'^ ''^ ^^"^! '' s^^*^-g-' with "r eC:
confiftmg of 35,000 men, in order to?ut off the allies from
the Fr'enTT':^"" T' Weftphalia. Whilft the reft of
the m?" ' "^'"'^T^ >?T^'^^" •"*« f^o bodies, moved
camoat^Kln'' "?^" ^' ^""^^^r '°^^^^« ^^^^^^ Ferdinand's
towrrd'sCati: ^^^ ^^^^^^ -^- Prince Xavier of Saxony
TetTfmfdfT.' -""^ movements obliged Prince Ferdinand ta
fet himfelf alfo m motion ; and as he was not in a condition
to make detachments of fufficient ftrength, he croffed he
Dynjel^wth h.s grand army, in order to ifghj the ChevaHer
His Serene Highnefs formed his main bodv on
the heights of Corbach, and moved toward/ tSe 31 Jul^
enemy, who were advantageoufly ported near Warhnnr^ .
m the mean time the Here^ditar/pLce with two coS
wheeled round the enemv's U, and began aT^orous at
?' n.h .°"'' "T *^^^4"^>-nd upon^hefrre^n Th;
An hnt "r""'"^'' P""'""? reinforcements on that quarter
An hot engagement was there maintained with equ?l obft[
nacv for near four hours. Whilft this combarcontbued
witK uncertain fortune on the left. Prince Ferdfnand caufed
fome bodies to file ofF towards the French bXs on the
^IThl'f^^''' '?^'^ ^y ^^'^^ ^' P^«P°f^d to aftack alfo
on that fide, and intercept them on their retreat- at the
SZ?' r" °'.^" ''""y ^^^^"^^d with the'u moft
ex^dition to charge the enemy in front.
A.L f ? . "T ^^^ themfelves in the moft imminent
danger of being furrounded. Already their left TtwS
W.V "h- '."^ I'" ^y '^' ^^^'^-^^^ry ^nce, began to givf
wav : his fire became every moment fuperior : aid the far!
Jieft jretreat was the fafeft. f * , inti tne ear-
As
2%6
7be HiJTOEY •/ tie Wa«.
1769.
As foon as Prince Ferdinand perceived the enemy to re-
tire, he faw it abfolutely in vain to think of bringing hi*
infantry upon their front. The Engliih cavalry alio, upon
which he chiefly confided, was too diftant to give almoft
any hope that they could be made to ad. But the Englifh
cavalry out-did his expeAations, and indeed all former ex-
amples. They confidered themfclves as defrauded of their
ihitrc of the glory of Minden : and they panted for an oc-
cafion of fignaliiine their courage i and their commanders,
X.ord Granby and Moftyn, forwarded their ardour, know-
ing that great adions are commonly tranfgreffions of oidir
nary rules.
They came up five miles on a full trot, (the Germans
called It a gallop) without being blown, without the leaft
confufion or diforder, and attacked the enemies cavalry and
infantry feveral times. The greateft part of the cnemict
jhorfe fell back and did not ftand the charge. The Englifh
artillery were brought up with the fame furpriiing quick-
uds, and employed with the fame powerful effect. Captain
Phillips had done more with artillery than bad been thought
poflible at Minden; and he exceeded it at Warbourg.
The Engliih foot vied with the cavalry and artillery, and
made fuch earneft efforts to come to aftion, that in ftrain-
ing their paffage through moraflv ground and in burning
weather, feveral foldiers dropped down on their march.
But they were too late to engage, arid probably in their
wafted condition it was well that it fo happened.
The French made a precipitate retreat towards Statberg j
feveral were drowned in pafling the Dymel ; 1500 were left
on the field of battle ; as many were made prifoners. Tea
pieces of cannon were taken ; but they confoled themfelves
in having loft no colours. The lofs of the allied army in
genera] has not been, that I can find, publiflied. That of
the Englifti in killed, wounded, and miffing, was 590, but
then the battle lay chiefly on them, and the killed included
in that number were but about 130 (a).
(a) Priatt Ftrimand •/ SruvftvicVi Litttr /• Hit Mi^t/lyt
farU(uimrifi»g tbt BattU of Warhturg,
S J R, Warh9urg, Ang, I.
I Have the honour of acqntiatii^ your Majefty with the defeat
of the Kferrc uoder the Chevalier it Muj ^ whq Imving palled
t^^o. The MisTORt of tbt Wak. alf
So brilliant a fuccefs following clofe on the heels of tiL
former, ra. fed the reputation of the allied arms As Ln
fiderable an advantage might have well been expea^' fZ
iti
the Z>,«w/ at */«4*/r^«, extended his corps down the banfc, «#
Jatr,ver, in order to cut me off from ^(A/^-L whilft M H
Bro,i,o was advancing with his main army Awards' my «mp A
»£''« was advancing
^&, and J'-ce^^^^-;^^- -X ^^^-^
Cafe. Hereupon I dTterSn!'.*'^" *^*"" ^*^^ ^^^^^--d*
tJ»e rlehr tS ^L^ ? ♦mI!*^ '° *'*'^^"'*^ ^^^^ ^^e cavalry of
and particularly the IS tL i ! *^°oP? have done well,
numerous, ret^^ted a^ W « ^ T* *'*::*^'y' ^'^^^S'* ^^TT
wont and rear, retired wifh th^ ..f^^A "r""."«cir iwo nanKs, in
«.. loft rfnui, ^t." wc^'Ure OTSi.S'^rS
fro«|
Sid oS7nrH rV:^^"J5'^« to confirm what Colonel SUper
fcft « u ^-^ 't"al,That had the front of the cavalrv mnJ^
XTf^^'^st'^'^'^f'' -P;r ^ ^^ commandete::^
and wn«M K iu P"*'®" '* "^^"^'^ *^a^« come up fit for bufineft
inS.r^'^'^^^^^y^h.ee -Fr.«* fquadtons it could S^'
m
the HistoftY of the WaA.
1766*
it ; but according to the ufual play of fortune in this war^
the firft account that followed the defeat of fo large a part
of the French army, was, that with a rapid and unrefifled
tid«
from the attacks of the cavalry. Many were drowned in the
Dymtl in attempting to ford it. The enemy's lofs in men is very
confiderable : I cannot exactly afcertain it, but iti» fuppofed, that
they have left fifteen hundred men upon the field of battle ; and
the amount of the prifoners we have made, probably exceeds that
number. We have taken ten pieces of cannon, with fome colours,
^"he lofs on our fide is very moderate, and falls chiefly upon the
trave battalion of MaxnutU^ Englijh Grenadier j, which did won-
ders. Colonel Betkwith, who commanded the brigade, formed
of Englijh Grenadiers and Scotch Highlanders, difllngulfhed lum-
felf greatly, and has been wounded in the head.
My Lord Granby, with the Englijh cavalry, has contributed
extremely to the fuccefs of the day. I charge Capt. Faucitt, his
Lordlhip's Aid-de-Camp, with this letter, to be delivered to your
JViajcfty, and to give your Majefty a more particular account of
the aftion from his own mouth, till lean have the honour of lay-
ing at your Majefty's feet a more extenfive and circumftantial re-
lation.
/ am, luith the mofi frtfound reJ^tS^
Sir, Tour Majejiys mo ft oheJient coujk atidfervant,
Ferdinand Due 4e Brunfwic isf de Lunetiturfi
*the Marquis of Grant/ s letttr H the Earl of Holdertiefe,
IT is with the grpateft fatisfaftion, that I have the honour of
acquainting your Lordlhip of the faccrfs of the Hereditary
i'rjW* yefterday, morning.
General Sporkt^ corps marched from the caihp at Kalle Lie^
benau, aboul fold; in the afternoon of the 29th; the Hereditary
Prince lollowedjf the fame evening, with a body of troops, amoiig
which were tw;b; Englijh battalions of Grenadies, the two of
Highlanderff aptt four fquadrons of Dragoons, Cope's and
Conway's, •?'
The army was under arms all the day on the 30th ; and
about elevenat night, marched off" in fix columns to Liebettau,
About five the next morning, the whole army aflembled, and
formed on tlie heights of Corbeke. The Hereditary Prince was^
at this time, marching in two columns, in order to turn the
enemy's left flank ; which he did, by marching to Donhelburg,
leaving KUin-Edir on his left, and fgrajing in two lines, with his
left
^^6i Tie kiSTORY^/ ih WaA. i^g
tide of fucccfsi they had reduced Caflel, Eimbach, and
Si.egenhayn ; by which they became maftir., of the wholl
lancT^raviute ot ^elie, that they had puOied into the kingV
territories,
' II . ■ ■
jcft towards /;*/;/. and his right near Grimiect, oppofite to tl.e
hgh lull near 0/,W«r/ and their rigl.t to /f ^rA.«,^, into wh ch
rlace they had flung Fi/chr^s corps. The H^r^^it^n P,JeiZ
rute, obliged tl.em to give way ; and, by a continual fire kent
forcng then! to fall back upoi ff^ar^L The army wasat
th.stnne inarch ngwi(]» the greateft dfligence tHuack the
enemy .n.front ; but the infantry .CQiad not gciup in t hhe Ge!
as much as polWble ; no droops could flieW more eaeemfefs to cet
w'e^t ;r97o?.f«rl* .^^!y<>!:r '"en,frorti tl.'e ieaf of t1 e
weatlier, and ov6r-llrainjng themfelves to g^t on, through nioraflv
Sine!',! f ^^°^"^' "^'^^P'^ ^^""^ °" th^^ '"^^X ^
tl,.. wa / -^r* l'''^ ^•''^ ^* ^^^ ^'^^^ of tJ»e /?r//v!5 cavalry
i laJ/ltT^ °" *'*' ' 8ht of our infantry, on the other fide o^f
the'cf^aTr^as' K/Si"^ '^'',^"/'' °'^^ ^« come up with
fi,f^ ^ / fi ^^ P^^ble, made fo much expedition, brhiKina
times bo h the eoemy's cavalry and infantry. ' '
alfure his maipft^ th^t 7^'- ^'^."ot beg your lordflnpwouJcl
•to ^TVcllL^'t tn'' ""'*■"<'" """ "^ '^""O"' «
«.l,ni;,^ ^m?f ?? n 'J^', " ^ '=^"= cannonade, to obJige ibofc
irnirr\:ttr^:r^r^ja|j-4'S4^
grand army is encamped. *^ ^'^' ""^ ''^'''^' ^'^^"^
he k'vtn^J^ i' "°T a'"'."? S from the heights oiVolkin^Jfcn, wheiti
lnm,^c, G R A N B y.
'^ P.S.
290 th Misto^Y of the War*. i7^0i
f^rritoHes, fclzcd upon Gottingcn artd Mun.dcn, ai^.tl threat-
ened Hanover itfclf. In (hort, almoft the worft confc-
quenccs which could h^ivc arifen from a defeat followed a
vi(^oryi
P. S. Saturday morning fix o'clock, t have julV jolifed tli«
grand arnriy Wiflj jhy delachment.
[Capt. Frtidtt arrived at Lomion in the afternooa ^ugu/B, and
according to a fhort account of this aftion rublllhcd in a gazette-
extraordinary in the afternotni of the 9th, M. Muy'j corps was fup-
jiofcdto bcupwardsof35,oooimn ; the hereditary /»ri»f*'s corps,
when joined to tliat of Gen. Sporkt, confifted of 24battalions and
iz fcjtiadrons.")
Total' fofs fuflained m the cavalry in killed, wounded and mif-
fing, 164, Total lofs Aiflained in the Grtnaditrs and H!fhlardtr$
in killed, Wounding and miflTtng, 41J. Boitibaidiers, gilnilers,
and matroffes, killed, woUndcd and rtiiffing, li. Totil 590.
Hit Sirtttt HigtktfsPrinu Ttrdinantt's Oritnafttr tbt Battle, ''
Warlourg Camp, FrUfiy, AuguJI 1, 1 760.
HIS Sirtm tttghnefi agaui renews tli© compliments of fhanks,
that lie gave irt general terms yeftcrday to the generals, officers,
regiments, and corps, who were then engaged, and?who, by their
valour and excellent conduft, gained fo complete a viftory over
the enemy; and orders his thanks to bepublickly given to lx)rd
Granby, under whofe orders the Britijb cavalry nerformed pro-
iligies of valour, which they could not fail of dolog, having his
Lordfhip at their head, and theolher general officers of tlvc Britifi
cavalry, who by their examples fliewed the tropps ihey led to
ihe charge, how much they afted with an aftonifhlng couragfe,
and a prefence of mind not to be equalled. His StrtntHighneJs is
much oligf d to them, and gives infinite thanks as wclF to them,
as to all the officers in general, and' in particular to the whdlc
£ritijh cavalry, and principally to Lieutenant-Colonel Johnfqn of
Cffi7Wfl»'j reg^nent ; the family of Lord Granby, in particular
Capt. Vaugban, are hereby defired to receive the fame compli-
ment of tlianks, as they conftantly attended Lord Granby in tli^
different attacks of the cavalry, and executed lus J-ordlhip's
orders in the moft pundlual manner.
The corps of brave Grenadiers, who fa much contributed to
the g^orfous fiiccefs of the day receive by this the juft praife
due to them. His Strmt Higbntfi cannot enough ackuowkdge
how much efteem and regard he has for them : He orders his bell
tlianks to Lieutcuaut-Colonel Utckiuuh and Major Maxwell, as.
alia
1760. f^* History fl/ /*&# War. 291
vi<ftory } and whilft in England wc gave loofc to our jojr
on the fucccfs of our arms, the French were taking the
moft important places of our allies.
The fa<a was that Prince Ferdinand muft have been fon-
fible, that in quitting his camp at Kalle, and taking port to
the norttiward of the Dymcl, he In a great meafurc, Ijid
open Caflcl and the whole territory of HefTe to the French ;
nay, that by this movement nothing was left to hinder their
entering the Hanoverian dominions on the right of the
Wefer. But notwithftanding thcfc riitiucs, inc ftep he
E 2 took
'; - ,
alfo to tlw: three Captains of the Briti/b artilltry, Pbillipt, M'Baint
and Sttvim^ who fo well managed their artillery. All the re-
giments uuder the conunand of his Sertut HigbneJ$ the Htrtdiiary
i*riMci, and Lieut. Gen. Sptuktn, from the Generals down to the
private men, are particularly thanked by his Sirtni tUghntfs,
for the good condudl and courage with which they fought
yefterday.
Major-General Bridtnbuk, atthe l»ead of Ctft's regiment, who
fipnalized himfelf fo much, if efpecially tlunked, as is Colonel
HunJ of the Hf^mn actillen by whofe ^are his artillery was fo
well managed.
Major tuloWf with the Britijh Legion manoeuvred the whole
day in the face of the enemy, and who did tjiem infinite damage,
his Sirent Highne/s returns him many thanks,' and alTuret him that
he fhall, onaU occafions, retain a proper fcnfe thereof. In fine,
his^ertMt HighKtfi gives many thanks to tliofc who accompanied
his peilon, as well as thofe qt" his Aiite, particularly rothe brave
Capt. IVinJknrotd, who is very much wmmded ; Capt. C»rptnttr,
greatly contributed tothetakingoffeveraloftheenemy's cannon ;
Count Daunaiu, who was inftnimcntal in making prifoners a great
number of Fifch*r''i corps ; Capt. S/optr, Major of brigade Hor-
Jinburg ; and Capt. Mailer tit ; who at all times executed with
•alacrity and exaftnefs the orders they received from him.
His Sirtne Highntfs dclires that on the firft occafion the army
will return thanks to the Almighty for the fuccefs of yeftcrday,
and flatters himfelf that by hisafliftance and the bravery ihewed
yefterday, we ihall in tJie cud overcome every obflacle that offers.
Warhourg Camp, Saturday^ Augnft, 9, 1760,
His Serme Htghne/s orders that a particular complimemnt be
made to Lieutenam-Colond Sloper, for his behaviour and bravery
in tiie affair of ihe jifl of July : he likewife defires his thanks to
he given to Lieutenant-Colonei Clinton^ afting as aid-dc-camp tot
Jills Strene Highnejt the Hereditary Prince,
29-.
The History of the War.
1760,
took was prudent, and even neceflary. Had he fufFered
the progrefs of the Chevalier dc Muy, o|i the Dymel ; had
he permitted hjm to ftrcngthen his pofts upon that river,,
his communication with Weftphalia had been inevitably cut
off, and of courfe his fphere of jfubfiftence greatly ftreigh-
tened. It would have had. a worfe effeft. For he muft
have entirely loft the command of the Wefer, without
which he could not have flood his ground a moment ; and
he woyld on that lofs, have found himfelf compelled to retire
into the heart of Hanover, where he muft necefiarily bp
ftreightencd in his winter cantonments, and where a blow
of any confequence muft be decifive againft him.
He therefore fought the battle of Warbourg though h<*
Joft alHiefie by his victory ; and he would not quit his ports
on the D)'mel, though he faw Gottingcn and Mundcn in
the hands of the French. He was not to be frighted from
his fteady and well chofen plan, by vain rumours or threat-
ening appearances. He was by no means in a condition to
make large detachnrients ; it was therefore neceflary to fa-
crificc fomcthihgjand he made the fmallcft facrifice that
circumftances would admit. For he forefaw that the French
army whilft he kept his pofition on the Dymel, could not
poffiblytake up their quarters in Hanover, or even a6t there
in any confiderable body, and for any confiderable time,
without (\ibje£ling themfelves to the fame or greater incon-
veniencics than thofc to which he would have been himfelf
liable, had he in defendiiig Hefle fufFered them to occupy
thofe criti.«fal pofts on the Dymel. He knew farther, that
it would prove extremely dangerous for them to hazard
themfelves beyond Gottingen ; and that it would be more
difficult fpT the French army to fupport themfelves in th^t
advanced'poft, than for him to annoy them there.
It is poffible that reafons foniewhat like the foregoing,
together with others probably far more cogept, might havje
determined that great commander to this condu^. But
whilft he fecured that middle communication and a£ted upon
the defenfivc plan, the troops were not idle ; his detaciv-
ments adlcd in marly parts with fpirit and efteft, But we
muft defer for a while the narrative of thefe adtions, being
called from this part of the theatre to the eaftern parts of
Germany, where about tjijs tjme fc^nes pf greater ecl^^
were opened, ..
gHAP,
I7^0f ^i>eiiisroj(Y of the Wa^^ 9^3
C H A P. VI.
UMn hloch uf Schweldnitz. Rujftam enter SUe/ta.
March of the King of Pruffia from^ Saxony to LiJtz
Junaion of the Auftrian armies in Silcfta. The RulTiam
pafi the Oder. Plan of M. Dam, ' LaudoLZZi
near Ligmtz. Daun firms the blockade of Schwefdnit^,
Compelled to raife it. Aeiion between General Hulfen and
the army of the Empire. Intercepted letter from the Kinw
ofPruJfia to the Marquis of Ar gens. :^
FROM the time that the King of Pruffia found himfelf
compe led to raife the fiege of Drefden, it was evident
that he could have no hopes of afting in Saxony to any
good purpofe. 7 he bufy part of the campaign came on fuft.
Though Prince Henry had obliged Laudohn to retire from
Brcflaw ; that general, able, and lately vicSorious, was ftill
formidable ; he kept Neifle and Schweidnitz blocked up-
and wanted to efFea a junftion with the Ruffians, by which
he propofod to give the final blow to the king's power in
bilelia, 1 he Ruffians had now adually arrived in the fron-
tier parts of that province, and wanted but a very few davs
eafy march to compleat that fatal and long dreaded junaion.
At the fame time another body of Ruffiane had penetrated
into Pomerania ; laid all the defencelefs parts under con-
tribution, and threatened the fiege of Colberg: The Swedifii
army, faid to confift of 22,000 men, commenced alfo, tho'
with lefs vigour, their operations. In all that country th^
King of Pruffia had not 5000 men to oppofe them.
In thefe circumftances apian of mere defence would have
proved altogether without efFea. The King of Pruffia had
but two armies ; and it was neceflary that one of them, at
leaft, fhould make the moft rapid and fudden movements to
oppofe fo many combinations. On the fide of Silefia the
danger feemed more preffing, and accordingly he
marched to its relief j advanced near two hundred July 3c.
miles, and left Marfhal Daun, who had confider-
ably the ft..rt, far behind him, This march would have
been thought an aftonifhing exploit in a partizan at the
head of a fmall and difencumbered corps ; but that a nume-
rous army clogged with its artillery, with above two thou-
fand waggons, {hould in -that time |rav?rfe fuch a fpace,
ftould
294 97»* History tfJT /i&^ War. 1760.
fliould pafs the Elbe, the Spree, the Neiflc, theQiieifs, aijd
the Bober, five confiderable rivers j that they Ihould efFed:
;ill this, with one army of the enemy on oiie fide of its
flanks, another behind, and virith a third in its front {the
a£tual pofuion of the Auftrians in Lufatia) was an aoton
feferved for, and only to be expe<5ted from the King of
Pruffia. The attempt itfelf could have been juftified only
hy neceffity -, and the neceflity was urgent. The Ruffians
■approached. M. Daun followed towards Silefia j and the
king could hardly promife himfelf fuccefs, but from a
march of fuch rapidity, as might enable him to try his for-
tane with General Laydohn, before tiie triple junftion he
apprehended had made his enemies irrefiAablc. But not-
withftanding the hopes conceived from this march, bcjore
the king could come to an a^lion three bodies of Auftrians
had joined, Laudohn's, Daun's, and Lacy's ; and extending
themfelves along the'Katfbach, a river which falls into the
Oder, occupied all the ground from Parchwitz to Coffen-
^au, a fpace of little lefs than thirty English miles. But in
this extent thetr pofts were every where ftrong, and their
communications cafy. The king's camp was at Lignitz.
It was in vain that for feveral days he attempted, by various
devices, to detach one body of the enemy from the reft, or
to turn their flanks and attack them at difadvantage. The
nature of the ground or the ikill of the oppofite generals
always difappointed him.
At length Mr. Daun took himfelf the ofFenfive party. The
advantage of his fitoation, and the fuperiority of his num-
bers, prevailed over his cautious nature to rifque an attack.
It was therefore refolved, aft«r the fituation of Lignitz had
been well reconnoitred^^all circumftances maturely weighed,
and the defign communicated to the other generals, to at-
tempt the King of Pruffia in his camp, with the united
ftrength of the three armies. To enfure fuccefs beyond a
doubt, it was determir>cd that this attempt (hould be made
Jby furprize, and therefore in the night, M. Daun remem-
bered the bad guard which had been kept by the Pruffians ;
and the advantage, which in the year 1758 he derived from
a night attack at the battle of Hochkirchen.
In confequence of this plan the whole army, as foon as it
/hould begin to grow dark, was to march from their feveral
pofts to fuch fituation as were marked out for each corps ;
tbey 'Were to ftrike their tents, but yet to keep up the fires
■' in
sifs, aqd
Id efFed:
e of its
Mit {the
n aaion
King of
led only
Ruflians
and the
from a
r his for-
ftion he
But not-
h, beibre
\uftrians
xtending
; into the
I Coffen-
But in
and their
Lignitz.
»y various
e reft, or
;e. The
: generals
rty. The
hisnum-
n attack,
gnitz had
weighed)
lis, to at-
he united
beyond a
I be made
n remem-
Pruffians ;
ived from
Toon as it
eir feveral
:h corps i
p the fires
in
IT^o.
'The History of tU W^if.
*9i
in their camps, and to have the drums beat the tattoo
HS UlUAl«
Some dme after Marflial Daun had begun to move to
hiraftonifhrnent the patroles he had fent out returned with
the account, that they had met no out-pofts. As ibon^
day broke and the army had advanced, their apprehenfioni
^ere confirmed. The'y were difappointedL tE defign!
there was no enemy m the camp; but when they caft tlfeir
eyes from thence they could perceive at a diknce the
nfing of a thicfc fmoke, which left them no room to doubt
that tkeir fortuae was then on the point of dccifion, by a
part of their Torcea oi>Iy, and that the King and Bai-on
Laudohn were at that moment hotly engaged ;,^Daua couli
ojily look on and wait the event.
^^n the xsthofjulj, the king was in his camp atLignitst
wlien be received advice that the Ruffian army of aloS
*nen, under Count Czernichew, had thrown Wdges over
the Oder, at a place called Auras, and that they were to
M ^e river on that veiy day. He fufpefted alfo, that
the enemy had formed the defign of a general attach
Troops which have been a fong time oppofed to each oth^
can reciprocally guefs at each other's defigns, the R«th«l
ufed by the enemies generals grow familiar, and the kaft
inotion they make difclofes their defigns ^
This « the account the Pruffians gave of the me«ii'^
which they came to a knowledge of M. Daun's proje<sS^
The Auftrians attributed this difcovery, not to the Priffian
fagac.ty, but to intelligence given by ieferters.
Whatever the means were by which the King of PruiTa
became fufpicio^is of this defign, it is certain, tbat he took
the moft early, the moft vigorous, and the moft efFeaive mea-
fures to defeat it He was thoroughly fenfible of thedanger
heranofbeingfurrounrfed. if he continued in his poft\t
Lignitzj out or that very defign, which was caulculated for
His ruin, his genius drew a new means of fafety. He im
at a glance, that the plan which the enemy haS formed to
furround him, at the fame time, neceflarify divided their
own armies And this divifion was the grei objea he ha4
purfued fo long, and thro' fuch difcouTaging {lifappoim!
ments. His only bufinefs was to prevent tLi? reunitL in
Lfnl" ^"*?^ "/r" ^'l ^""''"' Therefore in the fery
evenmg calculated for the attempt on his camp, he quitted
It with as much privacy as the enemy had propofed toatta.ck
i9^ ^*' HisToHY of tht \Vax.
I'^Soi
[II:'
St, marched and took an advantageous poft On the wa^
through which Laudohn was to pals.
' And now the decrfive hour aproached, in which he was
to put to the rifque as a great a flake as hdd heen played fof
fince the heginning of the war. No Vulgal- advantage
would fuffice in his fituation, and that very fituatlon in fome
fort difabled him from attaining a great one. After four
bloody campaigns, and the viciflitudes of a fuccefs in all its
changes exhauftin?) his old corps was nearly annihilated.
Thpfc who fuccceaed to their places, had fcarcely feen the
brilliant times of the kings foftune \ and they inherited
neithef the fevere difcipline, nor the undaunted ipirit of the
firft companions of his hopes ; they were new to fervlce.
yet difpirited with defeats. The king himfelf gave life to
•the whole, he alone v^as to rectify a thpUf^nd faults, and to
fupply a thdufand deficiencies.
The poft which he chofe, was fuch^ as whilft it flopped
'the progrefs of Laudohh In front, if Daun (hoiild attempt
•his rear, would from the nature of the ground lay him un-
der great difficulties. This rear he nirther ftrengthened
with feveral batteries. As foon as his army was drawn up,
he divided it, leaving his right on the gi-ouiid, where it had
- been formed to obferve Marflial Daun and to maintain that
J)oftj whilft with his left he turned in order to fall upon
the corps undeh Laudohn. No difpontions could have beert
•made with a more petfeft &ill. ' ,,!
^ Mean time Laudohn WaS advancing faft to the fnare which
had been laid for him. Already he . had pafled the Katf-
bach, and was moving towards Lighltz, full of the hopes
of no fmall fliare in the gloty of giving the final blow to
the King of Pruffia, and had advanced as far as the village
of PfafFendorf, when by three in the morning, the day-
light began to dawn j a thick fog that had covered all tne
sldjacent grounds fuddenly cleared up, and like the opening
of a great fcene difclofed at once the whole Pruffian army,
tegularly embattled, advantageoufly pofted, furhifhed with
a dreadful and well-placed artillery.
He was now come full upon his enemy. It
Aug. 15. was impoffible to recede j the furprize he intend-
ed was turned upon himfelf. But this able gene*
rai, though furprifed, was not difordered. Thft beft difpo-
fitions were made that the time would admit j a ftiarp and
pbftlnate eombat began ; which continued without giving
way
the way
he was
layed for
ivantage
1 in fome
fter four
in all its
lihilated.
feen the
inherited
ritof the
fervlce.
velife to
Sj and to
i. flopped
attempt
him un-
hgthened
awn up,
re it had
itain that
*all upon
t^ave heeii
are which
he Katf-
he hopes
I blow to
le village
the day-
ed all tne
e opening
ian army,
(hed with
lemy. It
ie intend-
ible gene*
left difpo-
fharp and
mt giving
way
*^^o» the Hiitot.Y fif the \y Am 297
jvay on either fide ijntil fix. The King of Pruffia exerted
himfelf with incredible diligence to preferve an uniform
ilu^j in every part of his line, and hazarded his own life
with a daring, which nothing but his fituation could excMf ji
from temerity His cloaths were fhot thlough in feveral
P aces, his horfe was killed under him. But all thefe trou-
b es ' and dangers were fully compehfated by the efforts of
ms troops, who maintained fo fteady a fire, and pufhed tho
^rntT' T^ ^° ^"'*^ ^'•^°"^' 'hat they at laft gave
ground, and retreated with precipitation, though not with-
out fome order, towards the Katfiiach.
Mi«!!?v r^ P"'"!'"^'* ^^^ *^ ^^'' river, and no further.
tohnu^?^^^ ^%" "^^^ S.^'"'^ hy ^^^ "^oft vigorous fteps,
io bounds were fet to the ardour of improving it with
tc"f:lr;.f > ""r^- .^^ ^^^^^^ if he puffued hW
luccefs too far, it might disjoin the part of the army en-
anfnerW '''' "t'^' ^' ""^^ ^''' '« o^^"- M. Taun ;
and perhaps give that general an opportunity of takinff a
No'twithiranT ^-'K''^'''^ ''' th'e'fucceffJsof the ifft!
wanT?f w^^^^^^^ referve of the king, (areferve, the
S nh ^ r^' formerly the only failing in his mi-
Iml t'f."l'- ^f ^*^'^^ ^''' "Misfortunes had now pe -
fedtiy taught him,) notwithftanding, I fay he did not pufh
his good fortune againft Baron faudohn to the utmoT
S tt"L"VT'*^^^'S'°"^"^ ^"'^ adorned with al
inLSf /'^ ^y *^^"" °^" confeffion, the Auftrians loft
bilitv fn f' "'^'l^ '^ ^'^°""*' ^"^ not without proba-
rals and 84 officers j 82 pieces of cannon and 23 plir of
hunZV''' *l^n"-. ^" '^' «^^ °f '^^ conquerors, five
hundred were killed, and 1200 wounded.
With regard to Silefia, the viftory nearLignitz produced
fome moft immediate, and moft ufjful effedl. AThouah
^iv fT'/'"''' '^'^P'"'^^ ^'^h ^'' ^^'^ mifadventure, and
onh.follic.tous to repair his lofs, had detached a ftrong cor^
under Prince Lowenftein, and Gen. Beck to ftrengthen th«
Ruffians and encourage them to advance. Coun? Czerni!
chew was fo intimidated with the late defeat of the Auft
K^d^?:i;TrlV^! ""''' ''''' ramebridg^i^Ltth
•btained. He prevented the dreaded jundion of thofc two
*■ " powers.
i
I
^efi" y*tf History of the Wak^ i'^6a»
powers. In the other part of his defign, he did not fo
^rfeftly fucceed. M. Daun fince the action of PfafFendorf,
tould indeed make no progrefs in Silefia ; but on the other
hand, the king was not able entirely to drive him out of
that province. The Auftrians even after their defeat, far
fuperior to the king, had been befides largely reinforced.
The emprefs exerted all her power, to remove the ill efFeft
this late check might have had on the reputation of her arms ;
tt the fame time that fhe augmented her troops, Ihe com-
forted and encouraged Baron Laudohn, and by a very gene-
rous and gracious letter let him fee, that Ihe was not a fove-
reign, in whofe mind a }ate misfortune cancels the memory of
paft ferviccs. In the praifes which this letter beftowed on
Laudohn, feveral were of opinion, was couched an indirefb
cenfure on the conduct of Count Daun, the (lownefs of
whofe temper fo ill agreed with the ardour of her ambition,
and with thefe great hopes, which the number ot her
forces,, and the ftrength of her alliancs'had encouraged
her to entertain.
The king after this vi^ory Joined his brother Prince
Henry at Newmarcke. One part of that Prince's army
under General Goltze bad paned the Oder to obferve the
Ruffians, who fxnce the repaffing that river, feemed to direft
their motions northward. The king being ftrengthened by
this jundtion, and having his communication with Breflaw
clear, marched againft Daun, who bad begun to form the
blockade of Schweidnitz, fell upon a corps under General-
Beck ; made two battalions of Croats prifoners, difperfed
feveral fquadrons,andby this lively affair obliged the enemy's
grand army to raifc the blockade, aivd by a precipitate re*
treat, to take refuge in the mountains of Landfliut.
Whilft his majefty was thus exerting the moft heroic ef-
forts in defence of Sileiia ; Gen. Hulten, who commanded'
for him in Saxony, ieconded his endeavours in that quarter
with uncommon bravery and fuccefs. The army of the
empire had formed a defign of cutting him off from Tor-
gau. To fruftrate their .ntentions, that general quitted his
camp at Meiflen, and marchedi:o Strehla. The enemy
divided into two bodies j one attacked an advanced poft
about a cannon fhot from his camp upon every fide, with-
the greateft fury from day break to fix in the
Aug. 20. morning, whilft another corps was fo placed as
to keep his camp in awe, and to prevent hi*
attempting
ijHo, ^be Uuro^Y of the W AH, 499
attempting any thing for the relief of the advanced poft.
Gen Hulfen faw that unlefs he could fpeedily do fomething
for its fuccour, that body muft inevitably perifh. He there-
fore in this exigency, gave orders to his cavalry to make a
circuit round an height } and to charge if poffible the ene-
mies flank. This 6rder was executed with the utmol^
promptitude and fpirit. The Imperialifts were charged on
their flanks ; their battalions and horfe were thrown upon
one another in confufion, and 41 oflicers and 1200 men
were made prifoners. The lofs of the Pruflians was incon-
fiderable. Gen. Hulfen by this advantage, was enabled to
encamp under Torgau, while he retreated through an ap~
prehenfion, as the grand army of the Imperialifts was cpm^
'"g up, that he might be cut off from his communication
with the Elbe. This retreat made the Auftrians magnify
the affair into a vidory on their fide ; but the circumftances
render the Pruffian account much more probable.
Fortune feemed once more to have fmiled, after a long
interval of gloom on the King of Pruflia's affairs ; and the
reputation of his arms began to revive. But the viftories
he obtained, though glorious, were decifive of little more
than the field upon which they were foughl. They were
far from having lowered the power of the enemy to an
equality with his. And the movements he made to gain
thofe advantages, and to proteft one part of his dominions
neceffarily expofed the reft. The enemy vras able to de-
tach without end j and whilft bodies of Ruffians traverfed
the Lower Silefia, fevefal corps of Auftrians fcoured Lufa-
tia i and thus together they broke off all regular commu-
nication between the king's army and his hereditary domi-
nions, and of courfe between him and his general Hulfen,
who with very unequal forces was ftruggling to fecure
Saxonv j a country in which there are towns indeed forti-
Aed ; but fortified for the greater part in fuch a manner,
as to be little more than fnares for increafing the number
wf prifoners, by betraying defencekfe garrifons into the
liands of an enemy fuperior in the field.
In this fituation, the king is faid to haye wrote a letter
to the celebrated (i) Ma'rq. d'Argens, very pathetick, and
very defcriptive of his condition, and of his frame of mind
under tltefe preffures. This letter is faid to have been in-
F 2 ^ tercepted
(i) Author of the Jewiih Spy, &c. and now refidcnt at Berlin.
300 The History of the WAji. 1760,
terccpted by a Ruffian detachment, and induftrioufly fpread
about in order to dif-fpirit his friends. On that account fom?
have fufpccaed its authenticity. But the letter is furely
highly confonant to his circumftances, and fufficientlyagree-
ablt> to his general ma.iner of writing : fa.that we do not
think ourfelves difpenfed with inferting it in this place.
' " Fortncrly, my dear marquis, the affair of the 15th of
** Augull: would have decided a campaign. At prefent that
" adion is no more than a fcratch ; a great battle muft
determine our fate. We fhall have one, according to all
appearances, very foon, and then, if the event is favour-
able to liS, we may rejoice. It required many flratagems
and much addrcfs to" bring things to this pafs. Don't
" talk to me of danger ; the laft action cofl me only a fult
" of cloaths and a horfc. This is buying vidgry very
cheap. ^
** I have not had the letter which you mention. We
are in a manner blocked up, in regard to correfpondencCj
" by the Ruffians on one fide the Oder, and by the Au-
<* flrians on the other. A fmall fkirmifli was necefFary ta
clear the way for Cocceii (2) j I hope that he will deli-
ver you my letter ; I never was, in the courfe of my
life, in a more embarraffing fituatiojt than in this cam-
paign. Believe me, nothing lefs than a miracle is fliH
necefl'ary to extricate me from the difficulties that I fore-
♦* fee. I ihall certainlj^ do my duty when occafion offers,
" but, my dear marquis, always remember that I pretend
*' not to command fortune, and that I am obliged, in my
" projects, to leave too much to chance, for want of be-
«« ing atle to form any thing morefolid. I have the labours of
** a Hercules to undergo, at a time of life when my flrength
*< fails mc, my infirmities increafe, and, to fpeakthe truth,
** when hope, the only confolation of the unhappy, begins'
'' to defert me. You are not fufficiently aCquairited with
*' the circurtiflanccs of affairs to have a clear idea of all the
" dangers which threaten the flate j I know, but conceal
" them ; I keep all rfiy fears to myfelf, and only commu*- ^
nicate to the public my hopes, or the little good pews
«' that
.((
■c«
<<
(C
(2) The aid-de-camp, who was charged with this letter, and
who came lo England with the news of the above inenth)ne4
aflioa : In our papers, it is iranflated Stao;e Coach| from the fimi-!
Ijuide, prpbibly, of the word Cocher,
]^orn 14 January 1711 1%.
•- /
«
K
C(
It
N
" d».a „, to,; „,X """P'fl^'l bad new" thoTi
;; I knowno. iht fu^r/e Airr^r-'f ''"'■I«'1«
" days in retirement i^Tlf^l V " P"*^ ""= «» of mv
" friendftip. '"'• '" *« •'"foro of pliilofophy a"5
•' "o&Z S""!'"/ "■=" ■'' -- °P". you'll
lawwedeftroyed by the blh J '^^ '""''■" « ««<-
" Sh-e "?]: '^'"8> -* % ra„"d,i,e°''' r""='
breathe. They muft however l^f ^"V"® ^"' ''^'^t we
•'We,f^V'irrarr""f^^^^^^^^^^
•■ with Frlnee^ y^nS *■""." ''«°"« "f «l>e peace
;: you imagined. tU:ZIC.cI' T''".^J"'^''>''^
" n, to pTeafe the Queen MdthiV''*' "J Pon<H'--her- .
" that Prince FerdiMndm^„^^'""=- Heaven urant
"zeaJ. Th.omZ:"tnZZ'otST^'^''" fo^S
diers, will be made'the v»?l J V"''> '"^ *« fol-
" ders will fuffer nothing ™'' "'"' "■'i'l-ftrious offen -
;; iwasi;;vai,';:g^",t*:?s "t 5"-^='- '<">■*.
" left I ftould tire fou and „ll !f """ ^ ""■« conclude.
•• ». *-^ -?»/ril"/t:^f^ -y-"„buru,e6. ^*,,:
Ji'.«^tS*;;irBlS„i'S'''TC,oadd .. That
And 2. That the coppy hei „ri?,tJ"'*°",'>yM. Cocceii hirafrif
. fneud a, Ma^debS^bt^^l™'^^ -^« ;» thetranflator'^-
■ffj
III
CHAP
S02
She History of tht War^
CHAP. Vil.
I76»i
Situation ef the Frtnch and Englijh armies. Hereditary
' Prince furprizti a body of French in Xierenherg. General
Bulow takes Marburg. Defeated by Monfieur StainvilU.
General fVaftgenheim paJJ'es and is obliged to repufs tl)t
Wtfer. Trench retire from Mulhaufen to CaJfeU Here"
ditary Prince marches to the Rhiyie^ P^Jp^ '^•'^' river.
Cleaves taken. JVefel beftegtd. Englijh Expedition. M.
Cqjiriis forms an army on the Rhine. Battle of Campen,
JliUcs defeated. Hereditary Prince repajfes the Rhine.
Siege ofiVffel ftiifed. Death and eulogium of George the
II. jiccejjion of George \\\. and his refolution of fupporting
his allies.
WE leave tlic King of Pruflia to thefe thoughts, in or-
der to return to the armies on the Wefcr. Prince
Ferdinand was not miftaken, in imagining that Gottingen
would prove the utmoft bound of the French progrefs into
Hanover. After they had fecured that place with a ftrong
garrifon, the grand army of M. Broglio moved towards the
referve which had been defeated, and pitched his camp at
Dierenberg, a pladc within a fmall diftance of the allies,
who ever nnce the battle continued to occupy Warbourg,
the Dymel running between the two armies. In this fitu-
ation they continued for about a menth.
■^e Hereditary Prince Who was ever in motion, and
continually hovering now on one fide, now on the other of
the French camp, in one of his-excurfions had perceived
that the Frtncti, according to their ufual negligence, were
"hot very exaft in their out-pofts and patrols. He had alfo
receiyed intelligence, that they had thrown a corps of'horfc
and foot, confifting of fomething more than two thoufand
men, into the town of Zierenberg, a place furrounded
with fome damaged walls.
From thefe lights, he refolved upon the furprize of this
body, and accordingly made his difpoTitions for this bold
attempt, in the manner following ; firft, he ordered a body
of his light troops to turn the town of Zierenberg, and to
take poft between it and Darienberg, in order to intercept
?ny that fhould attempt pafling to the camp of the enemy.
Next he polled at proper diftances ej^ht fquadrons of dra-
goons^
»7^<>* 5-^ History ortbt War. ^j
C"';n ?h>"']'\"' "^ grenadiers, and one regiment of
foot, on the road between his own camp and the Dlact
Which was to be atlacked, with a view to cSvelhis "elrea^
In cafe he fliould be repulfed and purfued: W^h thlr^ft
of h.s foot, confifting L the greater part of E Jlift 't
jnarched wHh the ut^oft cautio'n and d^ligent^; ^^
When they had arrived within two miles, they Sent r
divided into three bodies, which took three differ^- ^ ^'
ent routs, by which the place was compleatly furrounded
At eight in the evening, they fet out from l^a 3r ti
came before this place at two'the following r^ol^n^Sot
withftanding the precautions taken, the%ramplin| of thZ
troops over the gardens gave the alarm toagWrf ofthe
enemies dragoons, who immediately b^an to Ire IJ^^
orders had been given to proceed w^fh as little alarm a^
poffible, and to referve their Le ; and fuch was L 171
nar^^r* i;-\the pe,fea difci;! of the EngJiK:'
Jurpnze more compleat. *^«:vcr was
n.J^^^*^"'"",''^ '**? ^"g'''*» grenadiers having forced th«
gate, advanced regularly with their bayonets^ fiTed'nJ
Th l^r ^'^A^f ?"?"^^' ^y '^'^ ^o ftrJets that led tot^
>inde„,ved i a fierce encounter with bavoneb ^XJT"
1.h,eh the French were quickly obHged to Sve tay ''' '"
.lom as fortune and the night dSeaed,' made tKfca^e"
■§©4 ^heUistOKYo/ the Wavh IJ^o^
at the fcvjeral breaches of the wall. The prince was maf-
ter of the place in about an hour; ^ut the nearnefs of the
French camp and the approach of day prevented as long a
continuance in the place as he wifhed for reaping the mil
fruii;;s of his vi<5lory ; rtherefore about three o'clock he be-
gan his retreat, carrying off two pieces of cannon, 36 offi-
cers, and between four and 500 private men. The flaugh-
ter of the enemy was confiderable. The prince reached his
camp without the leaft molcftation in his retreat.
If we confider the difficulty of this attemptj very few
have been bolder ; if we examine the difpofitions, none
could be conduced with greater wifdom j if we attend to
the behaviour of the troops, we fhall no where find an ex-
ample of more exa6t obedience, difcipline and courage.
To attack fo large t body of the enemy, fo ftrongly polled,
-within a fmall league of their grand camp, to march fo far in
that critical fituation, and in a very dark night, to divide int«
fo many parts, yet to aft with fo much order and fp entire
a concert, was certainly an exploit of the very firft rank ;
and though not of any great importance in its confequencqs,
is fo admirable in its conduft and execution, that it well
jdeferves to b? told at the length we have given it^ , This
added greatly to the reputation of the Britifli foldiers a$
troops, and no lefs to their honour as men, by the huma-
nity they (hewed to their prifoners, and the generous fen-
timents of the common fort with regard to , money ; as
there were feveral noble inftances that night of their refu-
fing to take any thing from their prifoners, who had offer-
ed them their purfes. They loft but ten men*
From this time the operations of the two. armies^ which
for a time feemed to languifti, were renewed with frefh vi-
gour. Prince Ferdinand perceived, that whilft the French
communication with the Rhine and with Frankfort on the
Maine continued qpet), it muft prove to little purpofe t«
attempt any thing either for the relief of Gottingen or Caf-
fel. Their progrefs indeed into Hanover bad been check-
ed J but whilft ever they continued in fo advanced a pofiti-
on, it was evidently impoffible to prevent their making ve-
ry ruinous inroads into that country. To force them to a
battle againft their inclination, would be difficult, and the
attempt itfelf dangerous. Thfire remained but one method,
which was to make frequent and ftrong detachments into
the fouthern parts of Heffe and Wetteravia, and thus ren-
der
^1^0. The History cf the War. jo/fc
With this intention, he detached general Bulou- it fh.
head of a ftrong corps, who puflied forward towards Mar
iLite^rr^^ndtv::-^^^^^^^ r f^^-
connderable ,uantit ^f^Il-^^ an^^^i^/laVret 1^
the mean time, his light troops Icoured the coun rv Jn r I
a manner as for a while .nfwercd thT. tt e„d 7f t^L^^^^
Frrfort"p"''>^ ^'^^ ^^'-^"^^ -mmunica:i?„';!^^H
and falling upon them at thil difadv^tage S ^'
It was to be apprehended that he might have nurfupH fM«
advantage, to the entire ruin of M. BKrdSmrn/^
mit:h?dtor -^^^-^ 'y ^ ^^^^^'^ -arcTof tfc^rm .^
miles had not arrived time enough to funport him On /h«
c7a ft onT^li'^-iS^i'ti' ^-N -"--^ PO^-'S^
Whilft fK r ^^' '" ^^'" f° attack him.
nication to the fouthward of theirTuTrter fit. "'"^
were made to the northward, to oil ge h f 77^^-
to relinquilh their hold on Gottin^en R .T-' ^ x^r^^^'
fh" irfr"''' f" r" ""= ^'■"' of harrairtg t French
obferved fh-Jr rr,^^- c ;'^'-'" ^'0'<- J and the better to
.0 tho7/o,^;e ~' '"'' ""^ """"'^^^ « ""^ « he could
.».>]
'3o6
Tit^ History cf ihe Wa**
fjt^Oi
■'^i'-kl-i
But whilft the grand armies thus watched each other,
the Eyes of Europe were drawn to a different quarter, by
a movement equally aftonifhing for its rapidity and myfte- '■
rious for its defign. The Hereditary Prince of Brunfwick,
Whom we have feen but a few days before in the furtheft
part of Hefle, fuddenly appeared on the frontiers- of the
United Provinces, with an army of twenty battalions and
ten fquadrons. One detachment of his troops which had
proceeded on the fide of Dufleldorp, pafles the Rhine
above Roeroot ; another which had marched through
Munfter, pafles it nearly about the fame time, but a great
diftance below, at Rhees ; thefe two detachments move to-
meet each other, and as they proceed, feize all the French
pofts along the Rhme > the enemy's guards are every where
taken or abandon their redoubts. This puts into their
pofTeffion a number of boats, by which they are enabled
to tranfport all the reft of the troops, which are intended to
a<5l upon the left of the Rhine. Then they proceed with-
out delay or oppofition, direftly to Cleves ; the
Oil. 3. garrifon takes refuge in the caftle, which is vigo-
roufly attacked, and in three days furrenders 500
men prifoners of war. Whilft this was performed by one
body, another had laid fiege to Wefel, and battered the
place with io much fury, that the I'edudlion of it appeared
certain ; and with it the entire pofleflion of the Lower
Rhine almoft from DuflTeldorp to Cleves.
The fecrecy, and the rapidity of the march, together
with the vigour of the fuMequent operations, were fuch as
might be expefted from the character of the Hereditary
Prince ; but on what defign this rapid march was made,
and thefe vigorous fteps taken at that particular time, gave
room for a great deal of reafoning. During a good part of
the fummer, very great preparations had been made in
England for a conjunft expedition ; a powerful fleet was irt
readinefs ; and they had embarked a large train of field
and battering artillery, a confiderable body of foot, and a
regiment of light horfe.
As this armament was fuppofed in readinefs to fail about
the time of the Hereditary Prince's march to the Rhine,
cpnjedlure united thefe two defigns together, and fuppofed
the fleet at Portfmouth and the army in Weftphalia, were
to acl on the fame plan. On this fuppofition it was judgect
that the ftorm would probably fall on the Auftrian Nether-
lands 5
I
ti6o. The History of ihe War. 307
lands; and that Oftend, which theEmprefs fo unpolitically
lor herfelf, and fo ungratefully to her former friends, had'
given into the hands of France, would be the firft objea
ot thofe forces which were to unite from fuch a diftance.
1 his defign of the expedition from Portfmouth has, we
underltand, been formerly difavowed. Whether in ftrid-
nefs, not being a principal in the war, with her imperial
majefty, England ought to have made fuch an attempt,
though Oftend was defended by a French garrifon, we
Ihall not take ujpon us to determine j but without the
aid of fuch conliderations, it is evident there were fuffi-
cient objeaions to it from the fide of mere prudence,
Almoft infuperable difficulties occurred in fuch a fcheme ;
and It would Icarcely appear to moft men advifeable to add
a J^Iemifh to our German war.
But we think it poffiblc to give fome reafonable account
of the expedition of the Hereditary Prince, independent of
any connexion with the Britifti armament. For a confide;,
rable tune the French had feemed refolved to refume their
former plan of an army on the Lower Rhine j fuch motion*
were made as ftrongly indicated that this deiign would fliort-
ly be put in execution ; and the allied army had every
thing to fear from it. For as the French were checked
from proceeding to the compleat conqueft of the eledlorate
by the allied armv on the Dymel, if this army fhould itfelf
be fo checked, by one of the enemy advancing from the
Lower Rhine, there would be then nothing to hinder M.
firoglio from fending forward fo ftrong a referve as might
finally reduce Hanover. In thefe circumftances nothfnfc
but a very deafive vtaorv could poffibly fave the allied ar-
my, thus furrounded and deprived of its fubfiftence, frorti
perifliing in the moft miferable, or furrendering in the moft
jnameful manner.
There was one ftep only which might with certainty pre-
vent this defign, and even in fome mcafure turn it upon
the enemy J the taking Cleves and Wefel into the hands of
the allies. This would not only defeat the fcheme of the
l-rench for aaing on the Lower Rhine, but greatly em-
barrals their operations in every other quarter. Even the
attempt, though it fliould not be attempted with fuccefs,
would neceflkrily draw the attention of the French that
way, and thus fave Hanover at leaft for one campaign.
I hjs alone had been a fufficient reafon for the march. But
G a had
3oR 5"/&^ History cf the War. 1760,
had the Britifh armament at the fame time been intended
for fomc part of the coaft of France, or had England poli-
tically kept up fuch a rumour, -^vhen fhe had in reality a
more remote objc£l for her armament ; in either of thefe
cafes it would undoubtedly have co-operated with the He-
reditary Prince's dcfigns, by detaining a greater body of
the French troops at home to defend their own coafts.
Wc do not pretend to penetrate into all the motives.
But it is evident, that in the German entcrprife every thing
depended on the celerity of the operations. The ficge of
Wefcl was canicd on with great vigour, by that part of
the prince's army which was on the right ,of the Rhine,
whilfl: the prince covered it on the left. But before the
enemy could difturb him, nature declared againil his fuc-
ccfs by the fall of immenfc rains, which fwelled the Rhin?
and Lippe to fuch a degree as greatly interrupted the pro-
grefs of the fiege, having rendered the roads of Weftphalia
impalTable, and therefore prevented the arrival of thefe
reinforcements which were intended to pufli the fiege with
the greater efleiiL Thefe rains alfo made it very difficult
for the prince to preferve his communication with the be-
ricg.crs, which however he made a fhift to keep open by
one bridge above and another below the town.
In the mean time, the French with all the expedition
they could ufe, had collected an army under M. de Caftries
of thirty battalions and thirty-eight fquadrons, partly from
the great army in HefTc, partly from the Low Countries.
This body advariccd as far as Rheinberg, and after a ftrenu-
ous refiftance drove out a detachment of the allies which
had been ported there. From thence they marched by
their left, and encamped behind the convent of Campen.
The Hereditary Prince now faw at the fame time <he fea-
fon and a fuperior army acting againft him ; to fight this
ejierriy, fully prepared to receive him, with the troops
•vvhich he could fparc from the fiege, might be a defperate
attempt. To break up the fiege would have of itfelf an-
fvyered the intention of the enemjes march. There was no
medium but a furprize ; which was refolved, and all the
difppfitions for it made with the judgment by which the
great prjnec who commanded is diftinguifhed upon fuch
' difficult occajioiis. This attempt became the more neceflary,
^nd the Jefs time was to be loft in making it, as intelligence
}js4 been r^ccivfd that ^h? French army was fbortly to be
gugmente4
1760. rbe History of the War. 309
augmented by powerful reinforcements. The prince be
gan his march at ten in the evening.
To reach the enemy's camp, it was ncceflary to^ diflodjre
F.fcher s corps of irregulars, who had occupied the con!
vent of Campen m their front. This produced
Jome Ihot, and this fbot alarmed the whole Oa ifi
French army, which immediately got underarms
and pofted themfelves in a wood. The allied troops pufhed
forward, twice repulfed the French, and with the moft
noble perfeverance reiterated their attacks on the wood
and kept up a terrible and well fupplied fire for fixteen
hours without intermiffion, that is from five in the morn
ing to the fan>e evening at nine. There have been few exi
amples of fo obftinate a combat. But at length finding
night approach, the troops harrafTed, their ammuniticf
fpent, and all hopes vain of diflodging a fuperior en^my
from an advantageous poft, the Hereditary Prince having
had an horfe killed under him, and being himfelf wound-
ed was with regret compelled to retire Eleven hundred
and eventy of the allies were killed and wounded in this
bloody aaion; about 500 were made prifoners. The lofs
ot the Wench was far greater but they had tl. field.
Un this occafion, the Englifh nation regretted the loCs
ot one ot Its moft ihining ornaments in the death of Lord
Downe, whowhilft his grateful fovereign was diftininehim
to higher honours, received a mortal wound in this battle
He was a perfonof free and pleaCurable life: but of an ex-
cellent underftanding, amiable manners, and the moft in-
Si'^T^^^' ^." the beginning of this war he had a
confiderable fhare in roufing a martial fpirit amongft the
young people of rank in England, and having longLwed
them by a gallant example how to fight, he at lift bv a
melancholy one, fhewed them how to die for their counL!
As the bntifli troops had been the greateft fufFerers fn
this as well as in moft other aftions of the campaign great
murmers were raifed againft the commander of the allied
army, as if upon all occafions, even the moft trivial, he
had wantonh. expofed the lives of the Britifti, in order to
preferve tho/e of the German foldiery. Some carried this
comprint to a ridiculpus length. But could it with reafon
have been expeaed, that where 25,000 Englifh had ferved
pr a whole campaign were engaged in five fliarp encoun-
tsrs (fom? Qf them a fgrt of pitched bjittles) iji all which
they
■gio 7*i&* History of the War. 1760.
they acquired the whole glory, that they fhoul J lofe a fmaller
number than 265 killed and 870 wounded, which is the
whole of their lofs in all the encounters of this campaign ?
It isjtrue, the life of a man is a facred thing, andof value to
his country. But in fome circumftances it is ridiculous for
a nation to think of fparing even a greater cfFufion of blood
to acquire reputation to their arms, and experience to the
troops and the officers. The Englifh defired the poft of
honour with equal fpirit and wifdom, they were entitled to
it, they had it, and they purchafed it more cheaply, than
on the .whole might have been expedted. Neither was
their blood laviflied on every trivial occafion, as had been
falfly fuggefted. The only affairs in which they fuffercd
any thing worth notice, were thofe of Warbourg and
Campen ; both anions of the higheft cbnfequence.
, After the difappointment and lofs the Hereditary Prince
had futFered in the late engagement, he was fenfible that a
iiege could no longer be carried on with any profpe6l of
fuccefs, in fight of an army fo much fuperior ; the Rhine
every day fwelled more and more, and his communication
with the troops before Wefel became every hour more dif-
ficult. Befides, as the whole country was by this time
overflowed, his men mufl have been expofed to the grcat-
cfl hardfhips and the mofl fatal diftempers. Thefe confi-
derations determined to repafs the Rhine without delay.
Notwithflanding the extreme nearnefs of the French army,
the late repulfc the Prince had met, and the great fwell of
the waters, fuch was the impreffion he had left on the
enemy and the excellence of his difpofitions^ that they did
not even attempt to diflrefs his rear; and he paffed the
Rhine without the leaft moleftation, not only under the eye,
but as it were within the grafp of a fuperior French army.
From this the operations of the armies became gradually
more languid ; for as nothing decifive happened on either
fide during the whole campaign, it was impoflible to think at
this advanced feafon of undertaking any very fignalenterprife.
As if by common confent they began to move towards
winter quarters. So that whatever happened after this
was not connefted with the general plan of the campaign ;
and were the fudden zSts of detached parties, who attemp-
tempted fome advantages of furprife. Of thefe we Ihall take
fome notice before we conclude, but we pafs them by at
f refcnt J th« attentioa of »U men being at this time more
\ ' engaged
il5o, 7be HisroRY of f be Wa^, ^^f
engaged by an event of the greateft importance, and whicl*
many were of opinion would make no fmall change in .ne
nature of the war, and above all in the general fyftcm of
pacification. This was the death of Georee II. kin^ of
Great Britain. ^
He died fuddenlv in his palace at Kenfington in the 77tf»
year of his age and 33d of his reign. The immediate caufc
of his death was the rupture of the fubftance of the rkhe
ventricle of his heart, by which the circulation was ftoo-
ped in an inftant. This was preceded by no fort of appa-
rent illnefs Hismajeftyenjoyed an uncommon degree of
health and ftrength for that age; but it was believed that
he had fufFcred, by expofing himfelf too much to the cold^
m reviewring fome troops that were to be embarked for thi
expedition. He had been extremely folicitous about th^
fortune of this expedition. He had been no lefs anxious
for the fate of the enterprife under the Hereditary Prince
an account of the ill fuccefs of which he had received tho?'
It was not at that time made public. This was believed t<*
have touched him deeply, and to have been one of th«
caufes of a death fo afflifting to all his people.
When future hiftorians come to fpeak of his late majeftr.
they will find both m his fortune and bis virtue, abnndanfi
matter for juft andunfufpeaed panegyric. None of b«
predelTors in the throne of England lived to fo great an
age ; few of them enjoyed fo long a reign. And This long
courfe was diftinguiflied by circumftances of peculiar fell-
city, ^ hether we confider him in the public or the private
charadter. His fubjefts, allowing for one fhort and as it
were momentary cloud, enjoyed perpetual peace at home,
and abroad on many occafions accq uired great glory There
tvastothelaftaconfiderable increafe in their agriculture
theircommerce, and their manufaftures, which were daily
improving under the internal tranquility they enjoyed, and
the wife regulations that were made in every fcffioa of his
parliaments. By a wonderful happinefs, he left thefe em-
provements no way checked, but rather forwarded, in one
of the moft general and wafteful wars that has raged in
the world for many centuries.
He lived entirely to extinguifh party and the fpirit of
par y in his kingdoms ; it was not till the clofe of his reign,
that his family might have been confidered as firmly and
immoveably feated on the throne i but he, having baffled
all
$11 ^be History cf the WaA. 1760.
all the private machinations of his enemies policy, fub-
dued at length the utmoft effort of their force : and though
on that menacing occafion, he experienced in the fullcft
meafure the afFet^ion of his people, yet the completion of
this great fervice to his family, he owed folely to the capa-
city and bravery of his own fon.
He lived with his queen in that kind of harmony and
confidence, that is feen between the beft fuited couples in
private life. He had a numerous iflue, in which he had
great caufe of fatisfadion, and very little of difquiet, but
what was the almoft necefiary conlequencc of a life pro-
traded to a late period. He furvived fcven of his children.
He had the fatisfadtion to fee in his fucccffbr, what is very
rare, the moil efFedlionate obedience, the moft dutiful ac-
quiefcence in hiswill; and what is no lefs rare, contrary
to the fortune of moft old kings, he never poffefled more
perfeaiy the love of his fubjcfts than in the laft years of
his life. And he died at the very point of time when the
terror of his arms, the power of his kingdoms and the wif-
dom of his government, were all raifed to almoft as high
a pitch as they could poflibly arrive at; they were indeed
at that height of profperity and glory, as never had been
exceeded in the reign of the moft fortunate of his prede-
ceflbrs.
His parts were not lively or brilliant ; but the whole of
his condudt demonftrates that he had a judgment both fo-
lid and comprehenfive. He underftood the interefts of the
other fovereigns of Europe ; and was particularly (killed
in all the recefles of that political labyrinth, the fyftem of
Germany; of the liberties of which he was through his
whole life a moft zealous aflerter. In the year 1741, he
took up arms, and even rifqued his own perfon, when by
the projeded difmemberment of the houfe of Auftria^ they
were in danger of falling a facrifice to a French fadion.
He afterwards refifted with equal firmnefs that very houfe
of Auftria, which he had expofed his life to defend, when
th? liberties of the empire were threatened from that
quarter.
The acqulfitions of his father, were by him confirmed,
improved and enlarged. He was enabled by his ceconomy
always to keep up a confiderable body of troops in Hano-
ver ; by which means, when the war broke out, there was
a difciplii;ed force ready to oppofe the comi»/?n enemy ;
and
tydo* er** History of the Wa^. Jr jf
and we do not harard any thing In afTerling, that if it had
armvwJ;Jh\'^'r'''"J fore5\ght of thf; meafurc the
wh?h have fi-* K '' ^'" ^°'T5 ^"^ ^»^^ S''^''* ^^ings
ence. bo that if we only examine what he has done in
ttg%^:te7;^^^^^^ ^e a!,oU3
rnn3„A I?- ^u ^^^^f'^^^ ^^^de no impreffion on hi,
tentte .o m"^ "^ •' "'^i^' '""^^^'^^tly deliberate and at-
tentive to hrsown mterefts andthofe of his fuSjeas.
«r,Hvf T 5-^'" t"**.'''""^ '" ^'' intentions; true to his
wordi fteadym his favour and proteftion to his fervant
?n tSS^fwr?^ '5'™ ^'"'W' ^»^" appeared dear?;
wL« K r^** ^^"^^^ *""« in^mediately oS his perfon
W?th"ii'r„'''r5;r7-"'"r'''. •'"^ '^^y g^^- -'d ^long
fort comnel?^ K '" .'^''J P^?"^- ^"^ ^^^'"g been in f
for wS K. K J '''''°^^2.'^^'^'°"' *° relinquifh\ minifter
S,n.?- T? ^^"^^T^' '^ afterward, beca.tie a matter of
more indifference to him by whom he was ferved in thi
affairs of his government.
we^as'^fn fn''f "' '" ^' difpofition, but not to fuch a de-
ler^Lr h ^°u "? <^"c«"rage offences againft his go-
hfS.;^ 9" the fuppreffion of the rebellion in Jl
^tytZL^:^'''''^^'^ remarkable difpl ay either of If, I
Tn J f/.^'*'"^"<=y- . Many were pardoned, many punifhed-
exaSstnrh^^"^^^ '''f^^ requires viaimsjuft ice
examples, and hunianity pardons. But though the law in
X^l '.f *"'" ^'^ "^ ^^'^ ^°"^^^' *b- excfffes commit"
ted m the rage of war, were by him neither commanded
ne retained no bitter remembrance of it, either to thl
country in which it unfortunately began, o ev n to many
of theperfons who were aftually concerned in it. ^
AS he came into England in a riper aee and n( i^r.^r.
quence never had been>ble to attai^aTeW a
of the force and beauties of our language, he never ftewfd
re^fnT'T^.!?^^^ E"S''«^ '^^-^^ture, whTchTn'ht
re.gnd,dnotflour,fh: and this muft be co^idered as the
H
p-reatpfl-
3U
^^^ History of the War.
1760*
greateft, or rather the only blcmifli that lay upon his go-
vernment.
He has been cenfured, as a little too attentive to money j
and perhaps in feme minute things this cenfure was not
wholly without foundation. But there are two confidera-
tions which greatly enervate this obje£lion to his character.
Firft, that this difpofition never fhewcd itfelf in one ra-
pacious adl ; and 2dly, that it never influenced his con-
du^ on any important occafion. For it is now well known
that he ihewed no improper parfimony, when this war
broke out. In faft, he expended fo much on that occa-
sion, that on his deceafe, his private wealth was found to
be far inferior to what had commonly been imagined.
Though it is true, that during his whole life, he had
fhewn a remarkable affection to his Hanoverian fubjecSls,
yet the laft adl: of it demonftrated that vthey were far
from engrofling the whole of his regard ; and that in
reality his German pofleiTions held no other place in his
confideration than what their relativ e importance to the
reft of his dominions naturally claimed. For when that
truly fevere trial came, in which the interefts of England
and Hanover were feperated, when a war began for an ob-
je6l wholly foreign to that country, a war in which Hano-
ver muft fuffer much, and could hope no advantage, even
there his majefty did not hefitate a moment to expofe his
German dominions to almoft inevitable ruin> rather than
make or even propofe the fmalleft abatement from the im-
menfity of the Englifh rights in America. A conduftthat
iTiore than wipes of everv fufpicion of an improper par-
tiality ; and which furely ought never to be mentioned
without the higheft gratitude to the memory of that mag-
nanimous monarch.
If the authors of thefe (heets were equal to fuch a de-
fign, it would perhaps be impoffible to exhibit a more
pleafing pifture than that which might be formed from a
juft view of his late majefty's condudt, to thefe two fo
differently conftituted parts of his dominions. His virtue
was proved by two of the greateft trials to which the na-
ture of man is liable; the truft of abfolute and unbounded
power i and the moft exalted ftation limited by the ftridt-
eft laws. For thefe two fo very different fituations, very
different and almoft oppofite tempers and talents have been
,al ways thought ucccffary. But that king had a mind per-
fectly
1760. ^"^^ History of the War. ^ig
feftly adapted to both j for whilft in England he kept the
liberties of his people inviolate, and like a wife magiftratc,
was fatjsficd to make his authority co-operate with law
and his will freely fubfervient to the wifdom of ages, in
Hanover like an indulgent father, afting oply from the
feniments of a paternal heart, his affeaion and his equity
iupplied the want of law and conftitution. He has indeed
left to his illuftrious fucceflbr, an admirable example-
which he not only promifes to follow, but in many re*
fpedts to exceed i. and his fubjeas take the greater intci ft
in his virtues, as they look upon them as more peculiarly
their own ; and they now boaft of a prince, who neither
has, nor can have any partiality but the beft, and who is
in birth as well as inclination Britifh.
As foon as his prefent majefty came to the
throne, arid had met his parliament, he in the 18 Nov.
moft public and folemn manner confirmed the
hopes of his allies, and gave the moft undoubted afTuran*
ces of his refolution to continue the war on the former
plan, and with the former vigour $ and he found his par*
liament no ways changed in their refolution of fupportine
It with the fame liberality aiid fpirit. Infomuch that S
there was no apparent change either in the fyftem of the
alliance, in the difpofition of the king, or in that of the
nation, or in the general plan of the war, we have only to
pafs again to the tranfaaions of tbe coruinent, thinkine
it unneceflary to apologize to our readers for having beeS
diverted from the courfe of the narrative for a fliort time
by an event of fuch melancholy importance to Great Bri!
tain and to alj ^lurope.
CHAP, VIII.
Ruffians and Jupians enter Brandenburg. General Hul-
Jen retreats from Saxony to Berlin. Evatuatei it» Thf
city capituiates. Berlin defcribed. King's talacei plun*
dered Enemy retires tut of Brandenburg efier having
ft //aged It, ^ ■* *.
THE King of pruffia's letter, with which we clofed
the 6th chapter, exhibited a true pidure of that mo-
narch s apprehenfions ; the events which immediately fol-
lowed proVW that thefe apprehenfions were but too well
ft 2 grounded
3i6 Til/ History «//*# War. 1760,
grounded. Ti.-; vitftory near Lignitz, indeed, gave fomc
relief to Silcfia j but wbilft the enemy had (o many and fo
numerous armies in the field, even (name independtnt of
their intercft exaded from them fome ftroke of confe-
quence.
The late manoeuvres had neceffarily drawn the king of
Pruflia into the fouthern parts of Silefia, and confequently
to a great diftance from ]3raiidenburg, with which country
his communication was much interrupted, or rather wholly
cut off. The RufHan army, which after it had rcpafled
the Oder at Auras, began to move out of Silefia, pufhcd
lorward a powerful detachment under Count Czernichew
towards the March of Brandenburg. A body of 15000
Auftrians under the Generals Lacy and Brentano from
the army of Count Daun, and the whole united corps of
Auftj ians- and Imperialifts which a£led in Saxony, ;^egan
their riiarch in concert with the Ruffians, and propcfed to
unite at the gates of Berlin. Thefc armies amounted to
forty thoufand men.
General Hulfen, who was altogether too weak to op-
pofe the Imperialifts in Mifnia, fell back upon Berlin.
General Werner who had lately been fent into Pomerania,
returned with incredible fpeed and joined the troops under
Hulfen ; but when they viewed their combined ftrength,
they found it confifted of no more than 15 or 16000 men,
4 force far too weak to oppofe to thofe powerful armies
that were marching againft them. Wholly unable to pxo-
tecSl; a place of fuch immenfe extent, and fuch imperfe<ft
fortification, they faw that to attempt a defence, would
be only to" involve the troops in the inevitable fate that
waited the city, without being able to add any thing effec-
tual to its fecurity } therefore after having defended it
againft the advanced guard of the Ruffians under Tottle-
ben, who attackfd the gates and bombarded the town,
when they found the grand armies advancing ; they made
their retreat ; leaving only three weak battalions in t^e
place, to enable it to make fome fort of capitulation with
the enemy.
Berlin is compofed of five towns, which have ftretched
toeachother and grown into one yaft city upon the banks
of the river Spree. It has been augmented to this gran-
deur, by having long been therefidence of the eledors o€
Brandenburg ^ .^"'g^ of Pruifia, who as |hey hav? en-
larged
^
"to*
to op-
Berlin.
il6o. The History cfth \yAt. gr^
largcd their dominions by inheriuncc, force, or Doiicv
have all contributed fomething to the grandeur anfrnaj!
n^cence of thi, their capital.*" The fifuation of the Tow,
on fo noble and navigable a river a, the Spree, communi '
eating on one fide with the Oder, by . c.na /thrmoft
KhrEX'h' H-fovereigns) ;nd'on\rit&rn^
he rcUnln f I**'? ha, contributed moft of all. has b?en
the reception of the French refugees, to which this city ha«
a wavs been. moftalTured and favourable afylum, as U h«
anvoaTt^of'r °'' proteftants who hav. beeii per fee u ted i.
his ohn ^L '"'"•>' ' *"^ '^' P"''^"' '^'"g by enlarging
h oredV.^(? ""parting an extent of toleration unknown to
wLrhrhff"' *"'" '^ll """[Sduced Roman Catholics,
whom he has encouraged by fuffering them to build a moft
magnificent church in the heart of &rlin. By this m«n,
moL th"^*'' *^? moft oppofite fadions to coLur in p o!
caufes^Berl!n*"K'^'"' °^ ^'' ^^^ ^^^»'*^""- ^^'^^ ^^efe
^nEuro^ 's become one of the moft cc^fiderable citie.
in Europe -vaft in its extent j confiderable in its commerce
and magnificent beyond moft others in its public anZfvate
Jew t'oTn 't h'.' r^^'u" ^'^1'^"^'°" °'*»»* ftreetsTthe
new town. It had long been the feat of the greateft mili-
tary arrangements in tie world; and it was made by the
f.7.^" r -"^ ^-^ ^''^^ °^*'''' ""^ ^^'^n"»» and the place of
f^m ° "^""°"' '"*^"' '" ^""^"y ^•^'^^n"* «n every irt, and
trom every quarter.^ ^ *
Such is Berlin, which at this time being defertcd by the
greateft part of its garrifon, was abandoned to the mercy of
a mighty armv of Auftrians, Ruffians, Saxons and Im^er^ia-
ft J'J.rjr -^ "''^x.S^ ' exafperatcd by injuries ; and in-
crfternarLr;;?K '^u^V^'^S *^^"^^ excW the tmor and
confternation of the inhabitants on this occafion. Thev
were acquainted with the favagc charader of o^e part o^f
the enemy, and with the violent animofity of the reft and
they knew that they did not want pretenLs for coVourtng
In TflJ} "^r'^'^' «PP"ranceof a juft retaliation. ^
Droached i^'^*'^"'' °^^^« inhabitants, the enemy ap-
Lte W.•^K /• K^^"'^" """mediately propofed to capitu-
werL rZ v^P"^ Y" '^""' *be terms were fhort ; they
were made prifoners of war. But with regard to the inha!
morf ^oiIm 'i' ^''i' ^'"«^^ '*/' *be%onditions we?c
more toU«b<cthan they e^peae^i they were promifed
the
3ig
The History of the War.
17^0.
the f re 3 exercife of their religion; and an immunity from
violence to their goods and perfons. It was alfo agreed that
the RuiTian irregulars fhould not enter the town ; and that
the king's palace (hould be inviolable. Thefe on the whole,
were favourable terms ; and they were granted principally
on the mediation of the foreign miniftcrs refiding iii
fierlin, who interpofcd their good offices with great zeal
and humanity. The difficulty was, how to fecurc the ob-
fervance of tnem.
Thefe conditions being made, the army of the
9th OiSl. allied powers entered the town j totally deftroyed
the magazines, arfenals, and founderies, feized
an immenfe quantity of military ftorqs, and a number of
cannon and arms ; called firft for an immenfe payment of
800,000 guilders, and then laid on a contribution of
1,900,000 German crowns: not fatisfied with this, many
irregularities were committed by the foldiery ; but on th
whole, though fome Ihocking adions were committed, a
far more exadi difcipline was obferved than from fuch troops
could have been expected upon fuch an occafion, where
there was every incentive which could work upon the licence
of a conquering army. Their officers no doubt with great
difficulty prefcrved even that degree of order.
But though their behaviour vras tolerable, with regard to
the private inhabitants, there was fomething {hocking and
ungenerous in their treatment of the king's palaces. The
apartments of the royal caftle of Char!ottenbu.-gh werei
entirely plundered, the precious furniture fpoiled, the ;>ic-
tures defaced, without even fparing the antique ftatues
coIlecSted by Cardinal Polignac, which had been purchafed
by the houfe of Brandenburg. The caftle of Schonhoufen,
belonging to the queen, and thofe of Fredericksfeld, be-
longing to the margrave Charles, were alfo plundered.
The palace of Potfdam, the famous Sans-fouci, had a
better fate j Prince Efterhafi commanded there ; it was pre-
ferved from, the fmalleft violation. The Prince on viewing
the palace oniy afked which picture of the king refemble^
him moft, and being informed, defired that he might have
leave to take it, together with two German flutes which the
king ufed, to keep them, he faid, in memory of his majefty.
This was a fort of taking very different from pillage.
They ftaid in the city four days, but hearing that the
jking, apprehejifwe of this ftroke. was oioyiog to the relief
9i
1760. ^he History of the War. ^i^
^f his capital they quitted it on the 13th of Oaobcr- and
having wafted the whole country rou^d for a vaft extent
and driven away all the cattle and horfes they could find
retreated by different routs out of BrandenbLh, feavh?;
t^t^^^^' ""'^^^ ^""--^ an/hard^'y-ef
Wc do bv no means undertake to authenticata the rava-
ges which tjie Pruffian accounts charged upon the An^^Z,
and their allies, in this incurfion j nor whether fheymav
not have been m general much exaggerated, or i^frme
calcs abfolutely feigned. We have aQdant eafon to f^f'
pea the exaa veracity of many pieces of that nature whict
have been pubhfhed on all fides ; and which are but t^ fre
quently a fort of ftate libels, where the powe« at w^r no^
content to deftroy each other in the field, purfue tl^eiJ Td
vcrfarjes reputation, and endeavour mutually to pain' each
tZ T-r""^^'' ^<l"^»y devoid of jufticc and compaffion
Indeed If we were to give credit to 'all the writings of th^.*
kind that have appeared, it were hard to fay wS of the
parties have by their condua br<^ght the gr^e^eft difLace
upon human ,?ature. It is, however, certain, thanS
country of Brandenburg fufFered nu>reVeverelyV?h s oc
aSstftV"^'"'^-"'.*"^'"- ^" ^" dirciplUarmyi
. P H AP. IX,
Imperiaiyis tnake'^themfilves majiers of Mfnia M St^ln
, vtle enters Halberjladt, Ruffians V^S/i.^* ITu
Mn he/uses CoM. King J' PruJfiJ aid MDaun tnh
.. ^^o Sa.ony, ^attU of ^orgaut' M. Daun Zmded
THE King ofPruflia atlaft faw his capital taken by his
moft cruel enemies, and put to ranfom ; his nS
he" s^uTth"'^'' \ '""P '°°'u "P ^^^''^ ^"-"- in 1^3 Pl!
When G n HuTn "■ ^'Ta'^' ^^°^^ n°^ ^'^ misfortun^es.
^w nen Lien. Hulfen marched to cover Brandenburg therp
mained no Pruffian army in Saxony. So that the Impe!
and with little oppofition, made themfelves matters of Leip-
' • ' fick-
^2d 7he "Biiiotr c/ ibe Wa«.
i^6<:^
lit' '■
if
iRck, Tdrgau, Meifferi, and at laftofWlttemberg; inwhichr
city they took the grand magazine of the Pref-
15 0^. fians immenfely ftored. The king was now
totally driven out of Saxony, in which he had no
IdAffcf a fin|k place,
M. Stalnville with a detachment of Broglio's army, a*
f66h as Wangenheim had been obliged to repafs the Wefer
(as we have related in the feventh chapter) pufhed into th<J
King of Pruffia's doi^iniorts on that fide, and laid the city
and dutchy of Halbeif-ftadt under contribution. In the eaft-
^n Pcmei'ania, th* Ruffians had invefted Colberg, both by
land aridfea, and prdffed that city with a clofe and unremit-
ted fi^*. Th6 king could fcarcely hope to relieve it. In
<he weftei'n Pomerania, the Swedes urged forward with un-
cdmmori vigouf , hoping to partake in the Plunder of Ber-
lin; and they advanced virith fuccefs. In Silefia, the king
hjwi no fooner began his march to the northward, than
Baron Laudohn proiited of his abfence to rufti again into
that coiirltry, and t!a inveft the ftfong and important fortreft
of Gofel. Whilft the king's dominions were thus attacked
in fo many parts, he was himfelf attended every ftepof his
ma^ch by the fuperior aifmy of Count Daun, who moved
rfong with him and witched him with the moft attentive
vig:rlante. His condition feemed extremely to refemble that
to which he had been reduced in the autumn immediately
preceding the battle of.Rofbach. In Silefia, his condition
was at that time worfe; but he Was then in the pofleffion
of S^xpoy, of which, in this campaign he was wholly de-
prived.
" Saxony was, howeter, ftill his great objeft, and knowing
that the enemy had' evacuated Brandenburgh on his approach,
he left that country on his right, and continued his march
to the Elbe, which he pafs'd on the 25th of Odlober. M,
Daun pafled it the fame day. The two champions were to
engage once more for the fo often contended prize : but
now every difadvantage was on tht fide of the King of
Pruflia, who had no longer any place of ftrength in that
country, and all the magazines he had amafled were in thi
hands of the enemy. But being joined by his generals
HttWen and P. Eugene of Wirtemberg, with the corps un-
dei their command, he advanced up the Elbe, whilft M.
Daun fell back to cover Leipfic and Torgau ; but finding
the Pruffians directed their march towards the Elbe, he
encamped
eSinI rJ'^l" P,K^ u°^ '^u^.'Sau, one part of his army
Tde aidVhilft I, '' ^>^ l^'J"^ ^' ^^^ ^°^^^^d on that
nnnrl. KM i"^ "^^f protcaed On evcrv other quarter by
ponds hills, and woods, i' .yas impoffibfe to chufe a morS
advantageous fituation, in which above 80,000 men were
pofted w.th everv precaution that could be taken ^ a weak
army m the moft unlucky pofition. ^ ^
ftrenifh^I"^/ ^'"^'^ "^^^ extremely fenfiblc of th*
M j!^.; K ''",*iT°"' P^^""""' ^"^ *^^ precautions of
^nmS 3 ' / "^^"1^. **^^" ^^« *^°P^ «f d'-awing that wary
fiX?n'"i-' '^'^'^ u'^ P°^^ ^"^ yet he faw a neceffity 2f
fightmg h,m even there. The winter was now far ad^an-
r^^-A ?°°P' "^f •■* extremelyharr afTed W fuch Ion- and
te? tTih " '' '"^ ^^ ^^^ T"^ PJ^^^ ^°^ '^^»^ winte^^uar.
tersbuthis own country, already wafted by the enemies
^ZT:'' '"^^^'^ ft-ightene'd for fubffftence, cu^^off
from a Ipower of recruiting, he was to expeft to be attack-
ed, as it were, in a narrow corner by the combined force
Tn T7 ^"^"'•^^^ ^"^ exafperated enemies. '^
tie Sf L^r'^T-^""""' ^^ ^"« '^^^"^'^^ t° <^omc to a bat-
hem t?a ml'?;' ''"^y '° ^^ ^"^"^^'J 'h^t »^<^ ^« to lead
Animated by this declaratiort he began his
march ; but having taken a refolution as^ darinl ,d Nov
as could be didated by defpair, he made all thf ^
Jl T' "^f '^ "^"^^ ^" ^"^ care as could be fu.^eft
fed by the moft guarded pl-udence. He divider! Vjc^^
into three columns , Gen'eral Hul'fen with o'^etas' oTk^
poft in a wood that lay on the left of the Auftrian armv
^d had orders not to move until he found the reft ofThl
Pruffians engaged. General Ziethen was to charge on t
right ; the great attack in front was to be made by^the k n^
rear' and .f'^/v. ' ''^^r °^ ^'^' """^ '^^e the ener?"
rear and clofe them in, fo as to difable them from unJer
taking any thing againft the part where he intended to effeK
TS rr'- T'^^ "" '""^ ^'"g'^ difption.^'^
m. IJaun as foon as heperceved that the ICmo- ^f Pr../r
non, lent all hn baggage ever the Elbe, acrefs which he
^ threw
H
ii l'
322 The HisrojUY of the \Yatl4 17^,.
threw three bridges to be ready in cafe a retreat fhould be
found neceflary. At the fame time he caufed Torgau to be
evacuated. And then extending his firft line to a village
called Zinne on the left, he ftretched it to another called
Grofivitz on the right ; fupporting the right of his fecond
line, upon the Elbe.
In this difpofition he was found, when about two o'clock
in the afternoon the king began his attack, and was receiv-
ed with the fire of two hundred pieces of cannon, which
were difpofed along the Auftrian front. Three times the
Pruffians were led on; they perfcvered in their attacks
with uncommon refolution, but were every time repulfed
and broken with a moft terrible fiaughter. The king at
length ordered afrefhbody of his cavalry to advance, which
at hrft compelled the Auftrians to give way ; but as frefh
reinforcements were continually poured on that part, this
cavalry -was in its turn obliged to fall back, and the battle
ilill remained at leaft dubious, or rather inclined againft the
King of Pruffia, whofe troops, as they had made aftonilhing
efforts, fo they fuffered beyond all defcription^ But whilft
the Pruffians fuftained themfelves in that quarter with fuch
extreme difficulty. General Zicthen, with the right wing
took the enemy in the rear, repulfed them and poffeffed
himfelf of fome eminences which commanded the whole
Auftrian army. Encouraged by this fuccefs the Pruffian
infantry once more advanced, maftered feveral of the
enemy's intrenchments, and made way for a new attack of
their cavalry, which broke \n with irrefiftibie irapetuofity
upon the Auftrians, and threw feveral bodies of them into
irreparable diforder. It was now about nine o'clock, the
two armies were involved in a pitched darknefs ; yettheifire
continued without interniiffion, and the battalions with a
blind rage difcharged at each other without diftinguifhing.
friend or foe»
M. Daun did every thing in the difpofition and the aflion,
that became his high chara£ter. But he was obliged to
yield to the miraculous fortune of the Ki»g of Pruffia. Ife
received a dangerous wound on the thigh, and was carried!
from the field, which probably difheartened the troops, and
haftened the defeat. The command then fell on the Counfi
O'Donnel, who finding a great part of his troops in difor-
der, the night advanced, and the enemy poflefled of emi-
nences which commanded liia camp, and of which it was
17^0. 7*^^ History e//^/ War: 32^
Tain to think of difpofTeffing them, ordered a retreat, which
was conduaed in this darknefs and acrofs the Elbe with
wonderful order j none were loft in paffing the bridges, and
far the greater part of their artillery was preferved. The
Fruffians remained mafters of this well-fought and bloody
lieJd. I he darknefs hindered them from moleftine the
enemies retreat or improving their viaory, which they
bought at the expence often thoufanrf killed and wounded,
and about three thoufand prifoners. But even with this lofs.
the advantage was well purchafed : it was a neceflary and a,
glorious viftory. It re-eftablifhed the reputation of their
arms ; it fecured their winter-quarters ; and gave them
again the pofTeffion of a great part of Saxony.
Probably of all the King of Praffia's battles, this was the
molt important j and it was that in the condu^ of which
he ihewed the greateft Ikill, intrepidity, and perfevcrancc.
tns troops behaved with a firmncfs which would have done
honour to thofe which he formerly led into Bohemia. In
this aaion where they were to furmount every obftade and
encounter everv difficulty and danger in order to attack fo
great and excellent an army as the Auftrian, under fuch an
accomphlhed commander as M. Daun, their number did
not exceed fifty thoufand men.
v\7^^ 1°^^ °^ *^^ Auftrians was very great ; the number
killed and wounded is not indeed accurately known. Pro-
bably It did not much, if at all exceed the lofs on the fide
ot the viaorious army ; but the prifoners were far more
numerous, two hundred and fixteen officers of the Auftri-
ans were taken, among whom were four generals, together
with eight thoufand ol the common fort. The kingin this
battle, in which he every moment expofed his life to the
greateft dangers, received a flight contufion in his breaft by
a mufketfhot. '
The Auftrians difputed the viftory in the Ga2ettes. But
the King ofPruffia reaped all the fruits of it; he recovered
allbaxony except Drefdten ; it had been the extremity of
ralhnefs to have commenced the fiegecf that place in the
depth of winter, and in the fight of an army ftrongly pofted,
and which though it had been beaten continued after its de-
feat, more numerous than his own. His troops had alrea-
dy full imed fatigues almoft beyond human ftrength; and
the moft prudent part now left was to permit them to en-
joy a little repoie j and in the iwurval of aftion to prepare,
I 2 by
i.)
324 ^^f History cf the War, 1760,
by employing the means his viaory had put into his hands^
for the arduous work of the enfuing campaign.
Indeed the face of the Pruffian affairs had been prodi-
gloufly changed fmce the day in which their enemies had
entered Berlin. It was obferved that the taking of that city
had been before this ominous to the Auftrian caufe : and
that General Haddick's expedition againft it in 1757, had
been followed by the viaories of Rolbach and Liffi, as thi«
irruption was bv that of Torga^i. There was fome differ,
cnce between the former viftories and the latter, But the
Pruffians drew motives of confolation and hope from thefo
coincidences, There was alfo fomething folid in the advan^
tages they had acquired. After the King of Pruflia's march
had delivered Berlin, General Werner marched into Pome-
rania j and on his approach, together with that of Winter
the Ruffians raifed the fiege of Colberg, (which they had
kept fo long blocked up by fea and land) and then retired
intQ Poland, not having been able to effeft in Pomerania by
the operations of the whole year, more than the devaftation
of the open country. Then Werner having freed the
Eaftern, flew to the relief of the Weftern Pomerania, where
the fuccefs was as rapid, and more brilliant. He defeated
a body of Swedes which was pofted near Paffewalk, com-
pelled them to retire with the lofs of a thoufand men, in
killed and prifoners ; and purfuing hjs advantage with fpirit,
the Swedes were at length compelled to evacuate the Pruf!
fian Pomerania, and to fall back upon Stralfund.
. All the armies of the Ruffians at length quitted the king's
territories. General Laudohn abruptly raifed the blockade of
Cofel J and afterwards abandoning Landfhut, he retired into
the Auftrian Silefia, and left all the Pruffian part in quiet.
M. Daun after the battle of Torgau, feeing the King of
Pruffia attempt nothing againft Drefden, placed one part of
his army in that city, and cantoned the reft in thofe ftrong
pofts which lie to the fouth and weft of it, by which he
commanded the Elbe and kept open his communication with
Bohemia. The army of the empire retired into Franconia,
»nd placed its head quarters at Bamberg,
The King of Pruffia omitted nothing to re-eftablifli his
affairs; and the recovery of Saxony gave him great oppor^
tunitie* for that purpofe. We may judge of the importance
of that poffeffion by the refources he was able to draw fron^
it, He dem»nd?d of the circle of Leipfick for the coptribu^
tions
17^0. thi History cf the War. ^,-
iVTh °^ i-^ *'"^"'"S y^^'"' 'wo millions of crowns, excluftve
iviecicien burgh, which he taxed at fome millions of rmL.
Zl^^rTlTcT-l^^^^^^ -^ a'tTrumbHr
S that ihe duki f^r!']^"^ ^''^u' °" '•^"'^'"g immediately;
.eatA t:X^^ XilCXf ctXS;\^'
been from the beginuing of the war^hTworft that c " h«'
unarmed. For his fituftion is fuch, juft bSd th« Prf-r
dominions, and out of all DoffibnjHrif!! • • '^^^'^
the grand armies of HsIlCtKcTnr^^^^^^^^
byany advantages which they acquire ; on the contrail hi
fuffers almoft equally, whether the Kiig of Pruffia be^iic
torious or defeated ; and his dominion's muft^rnifti th^
PHnt; !^^^K'"g of P^"ffia has made a treaty with^h«
maieftvwr''"^^^^^^^^ ''' almoft wLr in h'
majelty s favour, and that he has taken care thaf L fl, »
thisbiamoShinll • 1 '"/^^'f; circumftances: he clofed
the re^ut^^^n^L?!?''"^ ^""^ moft glorious viftory, by which
to 11 f^r ? ^^}" ^""^' g^^tly tarniflied, was Jeftored
10 Its former brightnefs, and whicj in its cokZences has
fh ainrc.''^'-'rK'"'"P.'^ °^^"^«f« ashecanTve, whnft
ly th ?al fn?oTcf th '' ""^ '" '""'l'^^ ^^8^^- ^e'aS
SeTh.l! ^ f°/ '^^ "^^^ inconfiderable member or
the ab,tem.m of th. fmalleft degree of their anSty!'
CHAP,
III
II
■326 7h History ef the War, 1760;
C H A P. X.
17?f Allies raifs the fiege of Gotttngen, irinter quarten
ami j'uffer'mgs of the Brttijh troops. Popular debates in
England concernlug the German War.
•^T^HE allied army in Weftphalia after their failure on
X the lower Rhine, turned their attention to the ealt-
ward of tiie Wefer, and made a vigorous attempt upon
Gottingen. which from the 22d ®f November, until the
12th of th^ following month, they kept blockaded. But
the French made a brave defence, and having taken a ftrong
Eoft of the allies in a fally, they compelled them to raife the
lockade. They were before heartily weary of it, having
fufFered incredible hardlhips, both in this and all the other
fervices of the campaign, in which they had fo often tra-
i^erfed that great tradt of country which lies between the
Maine, the Wefer, and the Rhine : and though the winter
continued very temperate and open, fuch unufual rains
had fallen, that the waters were every where out, and the
roads fo damaged, that their provifions could fcgrcely arrive,
or their communication be preferved.
At length therefore, they fubmittcd to go into winter
quarters, leaving the French in pofteflion of Hefie, and the
whole country caftward of the Wefer to the frontiers of
ihe eledtorate : by which they communicated with the
Auftrians and Imperialifts, and prevented the fuccourswith
which the King of Pruffia, after the battle of Torgau, had
intended to reinforce the allied army. The Englifh troops
were cantoned for the winter, in the biftiopric of Pader-
born ; and Lord Granby eftablifhed his head quarters in
the city of that name. But thefe quarters proved a very
indifferent place of repofe for the Britifh troops, worn out
xvith the fatigues of fo laborious a campaign, partly from
the natural penury of the country ; and partly from the
Vaft numbers to be fupported, at a time when the fphere of
their fubfiftence was extremely ftreightened ; and even that
narrow fphere exhaufted by having been four years "the feat
of war. This fcarcity was increafed by the difficulty of the
roads, and probably in fome degree by the avarice of con-
tractors, over whom, feveral were of opinion, as ftri6t a
watch had not been kept, as is at all times neceflary for that
fort of people
But
nil
1,7(50. y^^HistoRY of the \^'At, pf
But whatever were the caufesof this fcarcity • it was hit
which thuined them extremely. This raifed a Jneral d if
content in tne army, which was fpcedily communicated to
Lngland, where the people durin/the preccdi.r J'r nS
diS.i^"T^"'^'^ ^'^°^^ '^^'"-"^ advantli/e ;h?cH
D S tn rh^ f'^ campaign, did not confine their com-
p aints to the condua of the war, but began to fall intoTn
^^J^^^^^ of the very fyfte^ .po„ V^hTt
*.u!'^^ ""^ '^* ^"'"^ ^'^P"*^ ^'^^^'^^" ^'^^ "^val and contincn-
al fchemes was renewed ; and enforced with many add il
Uonal top.cs. The alliances of the war in Germany were
feverelycr.tic.fed « We are purfuing, faid they, a fyiTem
by wh.ch we muft certainly lofe all the advantages Whid,'
we acqu.red for the fhort time we followed one^that wt
more national and fuitable to our circumftances ; a fyC
1. /?''?u''l"?°^."^^"^^5 '^^J^^^ in which defeats a^
a tended jvuh their ufual fatal ef/efts, and in which eve,^
viaory itfelf cannot fave us from ruin. We will not enter
kid they, into that ong and vainly agitated queftion'me!
ther we ought to take any part in the differences whkh
d^?/..,'^;-' ^"T"' *^' P^^^'-^ °" '^^ continent? Thb
d.fquifition ,s foreign to the prefent purpofe; and it is be!
fides of too vague and general a nature to admit any precife
determination; but this undoubtedly may be affertid that
r„?c':n:-"".7"^'^'"^^5^ "^''^ com^mon^prudencT, e^ige
n our Tavour o1 The T"^ ^""^^' "•*»^'"' ^^ con'ourrf^f ^
in our ravour ot the other powers on the continent Thid
was the continental fcheme'of the great King Wll L and
nrn;/A'"/'P''/^' foundation of the graml alliance whlh he
th ^K f "'^P^' ^^ '"^^^ '^^ "^°ft ^"guft appearance to
which human nature can be raifed. It^vas on this ^^0^
the war with fo much honour and fuecefs affainft France
under the Duke of Marlborough. But to engage in aeon
^nental war with that power, lot only unaffilefb^ 00^-'
then J %^'T'^ P^^t of thofe ftates w ith whom we TJe
col fT '"'^1 '^^ '"^P^ "^^^'' '^ ^^ juftified by any
comparative calculation of the populoufnefi, the reve^nues^
or the general ftrength of the two nations It i' a def*
perate ftruggle, which muft finally end in ourrl^u.
But
i
Jj
ft
7 he History of the WaH;
But what is the fccne which we have chofen for this
firuggic ? We have chofen Germany ; the very fpot of all
others which the French, if they had their choice, would
have pointed out to us. By making Germany the theatre
of war, they fee that country wafted and deftroyed, thd
ftrcngth of which has always proved the grcateft bulwark
againfl there overbearing ambition. They fee the fwords
of the Germans, from one end to the other of thatvaft and
populous courtry, turned a rainft each other; and they fee
with joythe Englifh, whofe intereft it is to fave them as
much as pofllble, co-oporating with hir blood and trea-
fures, to compleat the difunion, and confequently the de-
iblation of Germany. In a war in that country France hat
many advantages : fhe fu^jports her armies in a great degree
by pillaging thofe whom in dvery refpeft it is her intereft to
iveaken. She is not very remote from her own frontiesj
from whence (he is eafily provided^ eafily recruited j and by
means of which a gteat part of the public money is expend-
ed in the country where it is raifed. Is fhe unfuccesful ?
Ihe is brought thereby but the nearer to her frontiers, fup-
ports her troops with ftill the greater facility, and exhaufts
Itill lefs the natural wealth of her people. Even fuppofe
the French army driven into France ; even then thefe ad-
vantages on her fide are increafed ; arid veiry obvious cir-
cumftances render it impoflible for the allieo arm to pufli
their fuccefs on the German frontiers of France to any de-
cifive confequence.
But to the Engliftij every thing is unfavourable ui fuch
a war ; their grcateft fuccefTes will only carry them to a
greater diftance from their refources, and every ftep of
iheir progrefs muft makethetranfpoftofprovifion, artillery,
ammunition, and the infinite impediments of a large army
more difficult, and in the end altogether impra£licable. This
is not fpeculation ; the events which followed the battle of
Crevelt have proved it. Prince Ferdinand, victorious in
that aftion, was obliged, rather from the difficulty of fub-
fifting» wian the fuperio? y of the enemy, to repafs the
Rhine, and to bring back to Germany that war v»?ith which
he threatened France. It is thus, that upon this plan, vic-
tory itfelf cannot fave us, and that all our fuccefles ferve only
to accumulate new diftrefles, new difficulties, new charges.
Whilft France, who has only c6ntra£led her cxpences by
the lofs gf her navy, encourages ua to enter deeper and
deeper
lyCo. 74<HisTORy ^yr/i. War, ,-,a
Hanpver.ans and Heffiam contribute oourferviceonW.
afford aay reJiff toour armier h r" ^f^^,'" be.ng able tQ
former as ithVni u *'"' ^"""" '^ ^^^'''e than the
noTealbVte en ^^Jjy^^^^^^^^ compenfated not only with
Indeed he is In alTv th. 1^ ^''"r"' °',.^'^^ advantage.
chofen on Account of h i '" """ "^""^^^ ^^ ^^g^^ to hive
When h/e"te"h, '"tTp"''"^" '"*'"S ■"^"■'"•"l-
.ha, religion ^oly/mole'fted tt^'"','""""^ ^' ^"""^
been eftfbiifted ^Zl^ui^" ^tlf^^Z} t'Jit 1' 1"''
Even in the Pooifb ^nm,,,: u r ^ "^ Weftphalia.
ibmething of itfX^^^^^ perfecution began to lofe
tc&nr Kr, u g .* "^'^ ^^ ""''er the name of its nm
^ (the
^p fbt Hint on Y of tU War. *76a
(the whole funds of which would be fpent at home) a»
Frtnce has «o grow weary in the prefent manner of carrv-
ing it on. If the powers on the continent were k^t wiM»-«
out our intcrpofitfon to do their own bufinefs they v/oftld
probably better underftand and better defend their own
rights. At worft let France enter, let them conquer, Jet
them poflefs Flanover ; there is no mifchief they can do that
country greater than it fuffcfs by the prefent war ; and we
jlot exhaufting ourfelves by a fruitlefs defence, fhould in the
end by the entire pofl'cflion of the French colonies, be able,
befidcs the fccurity of our own juft claims, to reftore the
Hanoverlah dominions to their lawful fovereign, and even
tt) procure Tome indcrhnificatioh for what they might have
fuffered in our quarrel."
1 hi.«! is pretty nearly the fubftance of what was urgecf
igainft the German fyftcm ; and the argument was con-
du(^ed with great management and addrcis, and interfperfed
with a number of topics well calculated to fpread difcontent^
and to place in an odious light every ftep taken in thofe al-
liances and in that war. Many, however, ftf on gly adhered
to that method, and they anfwcred " That the beft rea-
fons on the other fide were more fpecious than folid ; and
that the chief writings againft our German conneftioiis were
declamations rather than arguments. That the complaint
cf the expence of this war was in fome meafure juft; but
if the advantage was in any degree equivalent, the expence
was incurred to good purpofe. That France by engaging
fo heartily as fte has done in the German war, has drawn
away fo much of her attention and her revenue from her
navy, that it enabled us to give fuch a blow to her maritime
ftrength, as pcffibly Ihe may never be able to recover. Her
engagement in the German war, has likewife drawn her
from the defence of her colonies, by which means w* have
conquered fome of the rnoft confiderable (he pofleffed. It
has withdrawn her from the protection of her trade, by
which it is entirely deftroyed, whilft that of England has
never in the profoundeft peace been in fo flourifliing a con-
dition. So that by embarking in this German war, France
has fuffered herfelt to be undone, fo far as regards her par-
ticular and immediate quarrel with England. But has (he
had in Germany fuch fucceffes as will counterballance this
lofs ? Far from it. At this moment (he is infinitely left ad-
vanced than ihe was the year the entered Germany, after
haying
^^!l
1 760.*
7i>i History of tbt War.
513 »
haviinf fpcnt fuch immenfc fums of money, and loft by the
fword, by difeafe, and by dcfertion, at leafi 100,000 of hw
people.
On the other hand, the account ftands thus with rcgar4
to England j deeply embarked as fhe has been in this Ger-
man war, in her particular auarrel with France, (he has
been carried along with an afmoft uninterrupted tide of fuc-
cefs. She has taken many of the French colonics j fhe ha$
deftroyed their navy and their trade, and having infulted
the enemies coafts, has ruined an harbour which might one
day prove very obnoxious to us. Then how ftands the ac-
count in Germany ? The French have been there frequent -
ly defeated : Hanover has been recovered and protefted :
The King of Pruflia has been preferved fo long at leaft
from the rage of his enemies, and in general the liberty of
Germany has been hitherto fecured. So that if we have
incurred a great expence, we have done "by it infinitely
inore than Fnince has done at an expence much greater
than ours. For the advocates who declaim ?.gainft the
King of PruOia, feem to have forgot that the charge of
the l<rench army muft exceed ours, as the number of their
troops to be paid, exceeds the difference between French
and Lnglifh pay. Thofe on the Engliih eftablifhment in
Germany, have at no time exceeded 25,000, and the reft
of the confederates ferve very nearly on the fame terinj with
the French. Not to mention the fubfidies fo greatly fupe-
nor to ours, which that power pays to ftates from' whom
Ihe hasnot afingle regiment to augment her armies. Thus*
although by our vidtories, France is relieved from the
charge of her navy, and that of the defence of fomc of
her moft confiderable colonies, the German war alone has
fcxought her finance* to a diftrefs of which the whole world
has been witnefs. And nothing lefs could have happened ;
the expence however contraaed was ftill enormous; and
the refource of every war, trade Was almoft wholly de-
ftroyed. In England, the expence was alfo undoubtedly
great : but then, the old trade iliU remained to fupply it.
and new channels were opened. Had we lain by and tame.
Jy beheld Germany in part poflefled, and the reft compel-
led to receive laws from France, the war there would foon
have been brought to an end; and France ftrcngthened by
vidtory, by conqueft and alliance, would have the whole
twee and whole revenue of her mighty monarchy free to
m againft us alone. K 2 They
'332 ^^^ History cf the War. 1760;
They argued further, that coiiimon faith obliged us to
an adherence to our engagements both with Hanover and
PruiTia } and that the pleaded incapacity to aflift them ari->
iing from the greatnefs of the charj^e could not excufe us ;
becaufe the incapacity was not real ; and if the expenco
was inconvenient, we ought to have looked to that when
we contradted our engagements. That it was not true,
that we received no advantage from our alliance with the
King of Pruflia; for if it be once admitted, that we en-
tered with any reafon into the German war (which they
fuppoftd proved) then the King of Pruffia has been very
materially ferviceable to us ; becaufe it was his vi<Story at
Rofbach, and the reinforcement from his troops, which
has enabled us to do all that has fmce been atchieved. In
the like manner. If the fupport of the proteftant religion
be any part of our care, that religion muft fuffer eminent"^
ly by the ruin of the King of Pruffia ; for though the wri-
tings attributed to his Pruflian Majefty be fuch, as if really
his, reflefl on account of their impiety great difgrace on
his charadler as a man, yet as a king, in his public and po-
litical capacity, he is the natural protedor of the proteftant
religion in Germany j and it will always be his intereft to
defend it.
We fhall not prefume to determine, which party has the
right fide of this queftion ; it was once undoubtedly a quef-
tion very fit to be difcuiVed with great care ; but having
chofe our party, it is at prefent little more than a matte^"
of political fpeculation.
CHAP, xn,
^ /jurat fails from Dunkirk. Puts into Gottenburg and
Bergen. Puts into the Ijle of Hay. He takes Carrick-
'■ fcrgus. Sails from thence. He is killed and his whole
■ fquadron taken. War in Jmcrica. General Amherjl
* goes down the river St. Laurence. General Murray
marches from ^ebec. Montreal furrenders. Cherokee
war. Affairs of the Eaji-Inc'ies^ Lall^ defeated b^
Coote,
BEfore we refume the account of the war In America
it will be neceflary to take fome notice of the attempt
ot the celebrated I'hurot, It happened much earjier in the
.yea>j
17^0. ^^'HisTORY e/'/-&^ War. 33^
year than the events which we have juft related. But to
avoid breaking the thread of the more •'important events in
Germany, we have referved it for this place. ^
The reader will remember, that in the French fcheme
foi invadmg thefe illands, (which was defcribcd as itihcH
appeared to us in the 4th chapter of the annals of i7cq ) a
fmall fquadron was prepared at Dunkirk, under Monficur
1 hurot, the deftination of which moft people at that time
imagined to have been for Scotland, fiut, i^ has fmce a^
peared, that this little fquadron was intended to make a dil
''"^ A^ 'r ' north coaft of Ireland, whilft the grand fleet
under Monfieur de Conflans, made the principaldefcem in
tZw,L.l ^T^''"" Pf"'.^^ '^^' klngLm. "^The manner
m which the latter and principal part of this projeft failed,
has already been related among the tranfaaiohs of that
^^u-'u i!/^'"^'"^ "ow to give fome account pf the part in
which Thurot was concerned. «^
His fquadron, confifting of five frigates, on boaM of
which were ,270 land foldiers, failed from the port rf
Dunkirk on the 5th of Qflober 1750. They had been
bJockea up until that time by an Englffh fleet; but under
favour of an hazy ni^ght, thev put out to fea, and arrived at
Gottenbi^g m Sweden ten (fays after. From thence they
made to Bergen in Norway. In thefe voyages, the men
were reduced byficknefs, and the veflels Vemfelves Tal
Jo fuftered by ftorms, that they were oblijred to fend one
«.f the moft confiderable of them back to f ranee. It wa!
jot until the 5th of December, that they were ab e to fall
direaiy for the^ place of deftination. But their old ill for-
une purfued them with freft difappointments. For near
three months they beat backward and forward amongft the
weftern irtes of Scotland, having in vain attempted a conve!
nient landing near Derry. In this tedious interval thev fuf-
fered every poffible hardftiip. Their men were th nneS and
difheartened. Another of their (hips was feparated from
hem ef which they never heard more. The now rema^
mg thres were extremely Mattered, and their crews fufFer-
ed extremely by famine. This obliged them to
put mto the ifle of Ilay^; where they refitted and Feb. 16.
took in fome cattle and provifions, which were
eH nn7 ^K A' ^^1^-^ generous adventurer who command-
Here
j^4 ^^^ History cf the Wai. 1760^
Here they heard for the firft time of the defeat of Con-,
fian's i'qiudron. This was a circumftance of great dif-
coura'^cmcnt. But as Thurot could not be fure that this
intelligence was not given to deceive him ; he pcrfiikd in
bis refolution to fail tor Ireland. Indeed he had fcarcely
any other choice ; for he was fo poorly vidtualled, that he
could not hope without fome refrefliment, to get back to
France. And he was further urged on by his love of glory,
no fmall (hare of which he was certain to add to his cha-
racter, if he could ftrike a blow of never fo little impor-
tance on the coaft of Ireland : For by this he might make
fome appearance of having revenged^ the many infults
which had been offered to the coaft of France-
Full of ^hefe ideas, he arrived before the town of Car-
rickfergus on the 28th of February ; and landed his troops,
now reduced to about 600 men, the day following. They
■were augmented by draughts from his feamen to near 1000.
Thefe he formed on the beach, and moved to the attack of
the town. Carrickfergus is furrounded by an old wall ruin-
ous in many places. Colonel Jennings commanded about
four companies in the town, moftly of new raifed men, ex-
tremely ill provided with ammunition, and no way prepa-
red for this attack, which they had not the leaft reafon
to expeih However, they fhut the gates, fent off" the
French prifoners to Belfaft, and took all the meafures their
circumftances would admit. The enemy advanced and
attacked the gates. There was no cannon j but the gates
were defended with effcS: bylnufquet Ihot, until the am-
munition was fpent. Then the garrifon retired into the
caftle, which having a breach ii' the wall ne^' 50 feet in
extent, was no ways tenable. They therefore furrendered
prifoners of war with terms of fafety for the town.
Thurot as foon as he was mafter of Carrickfergus, iffued
orders to Belfaft to fend him a quantity of wine and pro-
vifions ; he made the fame demand to the magiftrates of
Carrickfergus, which they having imprudently refufed to
comply with, the town was plundered. Thurot having
victualled, and gained as much reputation by this a«Stion as
cpuld be expected from a fleet which was ro more than a
fort of wreck of the grand enterprife, fet fail for France.
But he had not left the bay of Carrickfergus many hours,
when near the coaft of the ifle of Man, he perceived three
fail that bore down vpon him. Thefe were three Englifii
frigates
111'
f]6o, the History of the War. 3^5
"frigates which happened to be in the harbour of Kinfale
when Thurot made his defcent j the duke of Bedford, lorJ
lieutenant, difpatchcd orders to the commander of the fri-
gates to go in queft of the French armament. The Englifli
frigates were one of 36 guns commanded by Capt. EUwtt t
and two of 32.
_8uch was their diligence and fuccefs, that they overtook
1 hu>-ot's fquadron before they could get out of the Irifli fea
They were exadly three frigates to three. The Frencli
Ihips were much the larger, and their men much more nu-
merous; but both ihips and men were in a bad condition.
A fharp and clofe engagement began. None of the French
tould poflibly efcape, and they muft take or be taken,
Thurot did all that could be expeaed from the intrepidity
1 ^r^n^"*'^^'"' ^^ ^°"Sht his fhip until (he had her hold
almoft filled with water, and her decks covered with dead
bodies. At length he was killed. The crew of his fliip,
and bv her example thofe of the other two, difpirited by
this blow, and preffed with uncommon alacrity by the fig-
ml bravery of Capt. Elliott, and thofe who commanded un-
der hini, ftruck, nnd were carried into Ramfay Bay in the
Ifle of Man. Evea this inconfiderable aaion added to the
glory of the Englifii arms. None had been better conduft-
ed, or fought with greater refolution. This fole infult on
our coafts was feverely punifhed j and not a veffel concern-
ed in It efcaped. The public indeed lamented the death of
the brave Thurot, who even whilft he commanded a priva-
teer, fought lefs for plunder than honour ; whofe behaviour
was on all occafions full of humanity and generofity;
and whofe undaunted courage raifed him to rank, and me!
rited diftinaion. His death fecured the glory he always
fought : he did not live to be brought a prifoner into En-
gland ; or to hear in France thofe malignant criticifms,
which fo often attqnd unfortunate bravery. This was the
fate of the laft remaining branch of that grand armament,
which had fo long been the hope of France, the alarm of
i^ngland, and the objed of general attention to all Eu-
rope (a).
In
(a J Capt. Elliott's Account of his Ergagemtnt tuith Man/. Tbmt,
tn a Letter to bit Grace the Duke of Bed/erd.
JEaluSf
S3«
Tbe History of the War.
I7^d.
i \
Igfe^H '
]
^1
is: i
In America, the French had no great reafon to boaft of
their fuccefs. The adion of Sillery only gained them, by
an immenfe eftufion of their blood, a victory which was
attended
/Eolus, in Ramfay Bay, Feb. 29> 1760.
My Lord^
I Had the honour to Write to you on tl:e 26th inft. off Duilt\
but very incorrcftlv and in great hafte, as I that minute had
information from the fifhermen, that the enemy we re then at Car-
fickfergus, I made all the difpatch poffible to attack them there,
and got off the entrance of the harbour that evening, but the wind
being contrary and blowing very hard I could not get in.
On the 28lh, at four in the morning, we got fight of them un-
der fail, and gave chace ; about nine I got up along fide their
Commodore, and, in a few minutes after, the engagement be-
came general, and corttinued very brifkly for an hour and a halfj
when they aU tliree ftruck tlieir colours.
They proved to be the Marjhal BelUiJlt^ of 44 guns and 54J
nten, M. Ihurot^ commander, who is killed ; the La Blonde, of
32 guns and 400 men, and the Terpfichore, of 26 guns and 300
men (including the troops in this number). I put in here to refit
the fliips who are all greatly difabled in their mads aird rigging ;
the Marjhal Belli ijle irt particular, who loft her bowfprit, mizen-
maft, and main-y«trd in tlieaftion, and it is with much difficulty
we keep her from iinking.
I have acquainted my Juords Commiflioners of the Admiralty
with the particulars by exprefs, and I purpofe returning to fome
port in England as foon as the Ihips can poilibly be repaired.
Subjoined is a lift of tlie killed and wounded.
I atitf.
Mj Lorit
Tour Grace's
Mojl humble, and mojl obedient Servant,
JOHN ELLIOTT.
In his Majefty's Ships. Killed. Wounded,
Aolus,
Dallas,
Brilliant.
4
I
o
»5
5
*75(?. y^^MisTORY tf//^^ War. 33^
jttended with no advantageous confe^uences. VaudreuiL
the governor of Canada, after Levy had been compeUed
to raife the fiege of Q^tcbec, fixed' his head-qaarTs ^
^r°^hTt '" '^f'V^ P°?^^^ ^ ^'^ ft^"^ in that p LI
to leaed the whole regular force that remained in cZld^
M the fame time he fought to k^ep up the fpirits of the peol
pie by various rumours and devices, which he praaifed OA
fheir credulity. But Monficur Vaudreuil's greateft hor?j^
A^as not in his artifices, nor his force, but in the fit^tU
when the enemy has entered it, to be conquered. 6n thfe
fide where the moft confiderable part of the Britifi forcfe
was to a<a, it is covered with vaft impenetrable Wood-.,
riiorafles, and mountains ; the only tolerable entrance for ah
^rmy,^ is by the river St. Laurence; r.nd the navigation of
his river « rendered extremely difficult and hazardous by
the nuniber of fallows, rifts and falls, that lie betv^reeft
the difcharge of Ontario and the ifle of Montreal. Vau-
dreuil vvas in expcftation, that the preparations necefliarv
for conducing an army through fuch a long and dimcuft
-vvay, would necetoly coftfume fo much of the fummer
as not to leave fiifficient time for the operations abfolutel^
neceffary to reduce the remainder of Canada. He did not
apprehend much danger frorh the earrifn/i of Qaebed
which had been weakened by its defeatm the fprinp-r^hefe
tonfiderations gave him fome confidence that hfe might pro-
Sli "^^ Somewhat longer, and another ytnt riiight
favour ^'^"^ ^'^""^ ^"^ opportunity to take fome tu^n in his
But Mr. Amherft, whofe calm and fleady refolution no
^culties couM overcome. Was taking the moft effeauai
meafures to deteat his expedlatfons. His plan Was difpofed
S.:h Vi?''^'' ,®''^' ^'^''' ^"^^^ h^ °r^f^ to .civaace
fowards Montreal, on his fide, with ail the troops «vhich
co«ld fee Jpared^from the gariifon of Quebec. Colonel
Haviland failed from Crown Point, and took poileffion of
I ^".•^^J'^' ^^'^^ ^""^ ^<^<^" abandoned by the ^.ncmy
ort the^28th of 4uguft. and from thence had ovdersS to pro-
^eed dircaiy Jo thf city of Montreal. His owti army
jonhl^mn of , bout f 0,000 men, he propofed to tranfport
fc^ the Way of Lake Ontario rmo the river St. Laurence
X hm he fjropofed e^^irely to fijrrotjjid fhe laft place of im-*
i* portance
Ills
ifsKr
^33 fi't History cf the War. 'i1^^4
portance which the enemy poflefled, and by the motion of
]tl}e three armies, in three fuch different routs, to render it
impoflible for them to form an effc<ftual oppofttiop to any of
his corps.
Having laid this general plan, he left ^heneita-r
June ^i. dy on the frontiers of New York, and pafled up
the Mohawks river and down that of the Oneidas,
fo Ofwego, where he arrived on the 9th of July. The
army he had colletSted there, confifted of about 10,000
men, regulars and provincials. Sir Wm. Johnfon brought
1000 favages of the Iroquois or five nations j the greateft
number of that race of men which was ever feen in arms in
the caufe of England.
It was a matter of the greateft diffici|lty to tranfport fo
numerous an army, the whole of its artillery, its ammuni-
tion, and all its provifions, over the expanfe of that vaft
lake in open boats and gallies ; it required the greateft cau-
tion and the exadeft order, left they ftiould fall foul upon
one another, left they ftiould be drivfsn out too far to gain
the land on the firft threatniqg of a ftofm, pr left they (hould
come too near the ftiore. But all the difpofitions were
made in the moft admirable method, and with that regula-
rity of military arrangement, which makes fo confiderable
a part of the character of that able commander. So that
the whole army embarked on the loth of Auguft. A de-
tachment had been fent fome days before to clear the paf-
fiige of the river St. Laurence of any obftfudiop, and to fin4
.the beft paffage for'the veflel$,
On the 27th he had entered that river, taken pofTefllop
of Swegatchie, and made all difpofitions for the attack qf
L'Ifle Royale, a fort lower down in the river which com-
manded it, and by fhis command is the moft important poft,
and as it were thp key of Canada. The troops and boats
were fo difpofed, that the ifle was compleatly invefted, .and
the garrifon was left no means of efcape. The batteries
A were then raifcd and opened, and ^fter two days
•^"S" ^5' fharp firing, the fort furrende^-ed.
This being a poft of importance both to commarid Lake
Ontario and to cover our frontier, the general fpent fome
(days here in order to repair the fort, and at the fame tinie
to fit out his vefiels, and to prepare all things for paffing his
troops down the 1 iver, the moft dangerous part of which
fee was now t^ encounter, as all the rapids lie between this
placf
notion of
render it
to any of
3hene<Sta-:
pafl'ed up
Oneidas,
ly. The
It 10,000
n brought
le greateft
in arms in
anfport fo
1 ammuni-
f that vaft
eateft cau-
foul upon
ar to gain
hey (houlJ
ions were
lat regula-
^nfiderablp
•. So that
ft. A de-
ar the paf-
and to rin4
n poffefllop
e attack qf
'hlch com-
jriant poft,
i and boats
vefted, .and
le batteries
;r two days
marid Lake
fpent fome
: fame time
• paffing his
rt of which
etween this
plac|
}/u ^ e //o?itn'a/ ui (jci/7zi(Ai
jr-'
I760. Tie History of the War, 339
place and Montreal ; but notwithftanding all precautions,
near 90 men were drowned in pafling thcfe dangerous falls,
and a great number of veflels broke to pieces. This lofs
from fo large an embarkation, in fuch circumftances, is to
be regarded as very inconfidcrablc. At length, after a tcdi-
oiis fatiguing and dangerous voyage bf tvv'o
months and Seventeen days fmce they left Senec- Sept. 6.
tady, the Englifh Taw to their great joy, the ifle
of Montreal, the object of their ardent wifhes, and the pe-
riod of their labours.
They were immediately landed in th6 beft order ; and all
difpofitions were made for attacking the place. So excel-
Ibntly was this plan concerted, and fo faithfully executed,
that Gen. Murray landed from Quebec that very day ; and
Col. Haviland with his army from Ifle au Noix the day
following.
Montreal (b) is the fecond place in Canada for extent,
building, tramck,andftrength. Its middle fituation between
the lakes and Quebec, hath made it the flaple of the Indian
trade ; but the fortifications before this war were mean and
inconfidcrable ; fomething has been fmce added ; but no-
thing made the taking of it an enterprife of difficulty, ex-
cept that here was collefted the whole regular, and no fmall
pdrt of the provincial force which remained in Canada.
However, by the difpofitions which at orice brought againft
' » L 2 them
(Bj An Explanation of the Rtferrttice$ to the Per/ptaive Vienut nf
Montr lal.
i. The river St. Laurence.
2. St. Peter's river.
^ 3. A bridge over St. Peter's
river.
4. M. de la CalUere's houfe.
5. The general hofpital.
6. A dry ditch encompaffing
the town, except that part to-
wards the river; it is about
eight feet deep.
• 7. Tiie glacis.
8. The ftnall gate.
'* ' 9. Market-gate.
10. St. Mary's-gate.
11. Water-gate.
12. The fally-port.
13. The Recollets convrnt.
14. The parifti-cliurch.
15. The nunnery-hofpifal.
16. The Jefuits church and
fcminary.
17. The palace of M. Vau-
dreuil. Governor-general of Ca-
nada.
18. M. deLonguevil's houfe,
19. The citadel.
20. The wlurf>
{>/Me f%nm ^^nc^ f^orff/a^a^^ (j/\ //o?itrca/ lu' ^'anac/a
vtniff^iYe U I II in ■
^
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Sciences
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23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, N.Y. 14SB0
(716) ' i-ASOS
■■■
Uo-
tbi History tf thf War.
^^
them three armies, the greateft part of the flower of the .
J3ritj{h troops in America, Monf. Vaudjreuil faw himfelf
entirely enclofed ; he cJefpaired of defending the place ; ani
therefore furrendered the garrifon of Montreal as ♦ prifo"
ners of war, and the inhabitants of his government as fub-
je<Jls to the King of Great Britain oa the ^ pf September
ijCjo.
And thus, in the fixth year of riie war^ and after the moft
fevcre ftrugdes, was the vaft cojintry of (panada reduced^,
to the King s obedience. In this time ixi. battles bad been
fought, the fortune of which wa$ equally divided ; in three
the French had been vi^orious j in three the Engliflj.-
The firft pf thofe in which ^^he French had the tetter, wa»
fpueht id the meadows near Fort 4u ^lefne, where Gen^
Br^dock was killed} the other at TiCQBdcrqja, where
Gen. Abercrombie commanded ; the third at SilKry, where. '
Gen. Murray was rcpuJfed. The viiftories of the Englilh
iVere, ift. that near Crown Ppint, where Gen. Johnlbof
commanded, and I>ie(kau was made prifoner ; the zd near
Niagara, where Gen, Johnfon alfo r^ommanded ; and the 3S
and principal near Ckebec, where Wolfc gained the vi^o-
ty and loft his life. Trom the Engliih ^o farts \^ been:
taken* OfwegQ and Fort William-Henry. The EngUfc onf
their fide took three citie? ; Louljfbourgh, Qyebec, and
Montreal \ and live priricijpal forts, which commanded, f?
many important communicatioi^. Reaufejour, Niagara^
Frontenac, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Ifle-Royale j
befides kms otih«r8 of inf«{ior eenfideration.
Taking the whole war in America into one vietir,.Canad?i
had been defended with bravery and conduct fu^cient t<»'
crown the Generals Wolfe and Amherft, and the Admirals
JBofcawen and Saunders, who finally ):e4uced it> wi*h the
greateft glory. And without queiftion, the cp^du^b of
Gen. Amner^ in his laft expeditipn^ by wlii(^ he pi^liged
Montreal to fujri«uder without a blow, and finally port-r
quered Canada widboyt eflFuftoa of ttlood', defervcs every
hpnour and every cecompence a grateful people can-beftpw*
The humanity with whkh he beh^v-ed to the ccmquered-
both^French and Indians, though the one had perpetrated;
* Tliey were not in ftriftnefs prifoners ; but fent to Fraace
upon condition not to ferve during the war.
j jk' i ll ii i lfi f r'
J)A>.v tig HisTony */ the War;
and the other at leaft connived at the moft horrid crueltUr
on the EngUih prifoners, adds a high luftre to his conqueft.
His troops fet not one houfe qii fire, not one haWtstioa
was plundered, not one man was kiUed (except in the at-
tack of Iflc-Royal). None was more diftingwiftied in this
refpea than Sir William Johnfon j he led into Canada aa
army of looo of the fierceft and moft cruel favag«s which
are bred m America, without doing the leaft damage to
the coiwtry, or offerine the fligbteft injury to the Perfons
of the inhabitants. 1 o effba this he was obliged to exsrt
the moft unwearied endeavours, and the whole of thofc unn
common talents which give Wm fuch power oyer the minds
of all forts of men. The great viaori«# by which lie has
advanced the mtereft of the nation, have done bim lefs ho«
nofir than ^is condu^, by whi<jbbtlwMa§B««b'advaw:ed
us charaaer for humanity and moderation. It were ta
bewailed that the fame might be faid of the army, whklr
marched from Quebec ; who finding that the inhabitants in
loroe patts were outfn s^tms, were under a neceffity of fet-
twjg fire to, the villages ; the tendernefs of Gen. Murray's
Aauire revolted when the giving fuch orders became a ne^
ceflvy part of His duty. In the courfe of tbr»
fummer^ Lord Byron with three of his majefty's July q*
fiups deftroyed a fcttlement of French where
pone had ever been fufpedled, m the Bay de Chaleurs
Jhcr^^he dlCo took three frigates j and about ao (^ of vcf,
UU which contained a reintorment of troops and military
ftpres for the relief of Montreal; but wlien they had re'
mved inte^Ueence that Lord CoIvUle's fleet had got inttf
the river before them, and of courfe entirely eommgndci
It, tt<eydil^mba^ed in this place to attemot, if poffible, a
tjray to their principal army by land. But they w«re dtfco*
vered; the who'.e armament was taken ; and the whole de<>
V^ difconcerted*
Before we take our leave of the American afl'airs of tbi*
year, we ought to make feme mention of a war with thv
Javase Indians, wtwch broke out o» the back fettlements of
PUT fouthern colonies. The Cherokees, one of the moft
nunarous and powerful nations of thefc barbarians, had int
the beginnmg, and during the greateft part of the progrefs
Of the war, appeared to be heartily engaged in our interefts j
at their defire a fbrt had been built in their country called
O-ort Loudon, from the then comnmn^jr ja chief of the
. Britifh
i i
f4i the Mi STORY tf the War.' t^b6.'
Britiih forces in America. Some parties of them had ap-
peared incur favour on the laft expedition againft Fort du
Quefne. But it is thought that on that occafion they re-
ceived fome infults, and had been treated in general with a
negleil which made the deepeft impreffion on the minds of
ia vindiftive a people. Thefe difcontents were fomented
by the French, who hoped to caufe a diverfion of a part of
our forces in this quarter. At length they commenced hof-
tjlitics in their ufual manner, by cruel ravages and murders
on the frontier of their neighbouring provinces. And there
was very great reafoh to "Apprehend that the fame artifices
of the enemy, and the fame opinion of ill ufage, would
draw the neighbouting and powerful nation of the .Creeks^
iiito thfe like meafures.
1; Mr* Lyttleton, who was then governor of Carolina,
fc having in vain endeavoured to pacify them, took
;' Oft. • the refolution of marching with all the force, re-
- ^759* g"'^'* ^nd provincial, which he could raife, into
- . . ' the Cherokee country. This army in all did not
exceed iioo men, but it was conduced ,with fuch ft>irit
and^difpatch by Governor Lyttleton, that in a very fliort
time, he marched 300 miles through a vaft defert which
lies oetween the Indian caftle of Keeowee and Charles-
town. He was advariCed into their country before they haji
made preparations to receive him. They faw their towns
in cafe of obftinacy on the point of being delivered to fire
and fword. They therefore defired a conference, in whicK
they acknowledged themfelve? to blame ; and confented to
, f^ fuch a treaty of peace as the governor was pleafed
Dec. 26. to diftate. They gave up the perfons guilty of
the moft flagrant murders, and put into his handsl •
twenty-two hoftagefs, as a fecurity for their adherence to
the treaty.
The governor had all imaginable f eafon to be fatisfied
with the effeft his expedition had produced ; a:nd having
as every body believed efFeftuallychaftJfed the former info-
lenceof the enemy^ and fecured the future traquilHty of
the fouthern provinces", he I'eturned.to Charles-town. But
thefe perfidious barbarians, equall regardlefs of their faith,
and of the fafety of their countrymen, whofe lives were
pledged for their fidelity, broke out as foon as the arm^
was removed, into their former ravages ; blocked up Fort
Loudon, which ttands in the middle of their country, and
made
%^6o, Thi History of the War. 54J
piade fome attempts on Fort Edward, which lies nearer t«
^he fettlements. Their total want of Ikill in carrying on
fieges prevented them from any hdpfr ttf maftering thef«
places, otherwife than by treachery or ffimine. They fail-
ed in the firft inflance ; and the laft required time.
The imminent danger of two Englim garrifons, and that
-whole tra^l of her colonics, being made known to General
Amherft, he detached Colonel Nlontgomery to their affift-
ance, with a regiment of Highlanders, a battalion of the
^oyal Americans, a body of grenadiers, and the provincial
troops. He marched into the enemies country. He mad^
war upon the Indians after their own manner. No other
would have been cfFedual. He burned Eftatoe the capital
pf the Lower Cherokjees, confifting of 200 houfes, an Indian
town of the very firft magnitude ; and then proceeded to
the fame execution on all the towns and villages of that di^
ftrift of the Cherokees, which were numerous, populous,
and wealthy. The inhabitants generally fled on the apr
proach of our troops ; fome however were burned in their
hoUfes, and fome w<j;a^n and children were made prifon«>
SIS.
This univerfal deftruiSlion of the lower fettlements being
compleatcd. Col. Montgomery pafled on to the
piidd'e Cherokees : but as the army marched June 27,
through a dangerous ground, favourable to the
Jnd'un method of fighting, they were fuddenly attacked
upon all fides by this favage enemy, with the greateft fuiy,
jind with the ufual horrible fcreams and outcries. The
troops .ere fo well difpofed with a view of this kind of war,
^hat. they flood the charge with firmnefs ; they were not
intimidated with the covered fire, or the fcreams of the fa-
yages. The fight was long and well maintained on both
fides. But at length the Indkns fled. A neighbouring
town (one of the niioft confiderable) was entered that night.
The enemy made fpme attempt to moleft them ; but to lit-
tle purpofe. The Englifh loft in this action 20 killed, and
about 80 wounded. The Cherokees had near 40 killed.
The number of the wounded is not known.
Though Col. Montgomery was victorious on this occafi-
on i yet it was neceflary to retreat on account of his wound-
ed, for whom he had no place of fiifety. For if he ftiould
attempt to proceed, he had to apprehend frequent fkir-
;IRJIh?s as he had advanced, and the number of wounded toge-
ther
■wnmvipMWC
w
i44 '** HrstoRY #/ tbi Wak. <76*
ther with the difficulty of his march, vrould be hourly in^
creafed. This retreat ^zs certainly naceffary. But When
CoL Montgomery had arrived at I-ort St. George, he dif-
covered part of his orders, vrhich threw the whole cmintry
into confternation j which was, that when he had chajltfe/t
ihe enemy, he was to return to New-York with the troops
under his command, and rejoin the graod ^f»«y- .^^l^
orders without delay he obeyed; not however with f«c^
rigour, but that the earneft entreaties of the pro^'J^* pfe-
vailcd on him to leave about four hundred men fbf their
^'clroiinkand the neighbouring cobnies were again expofcd
tothefuryofafavageenemy, not fo much weakened as
cxafperatid by thtir late fu/erings ; the fate of the garrifort
of Fort Loudon was but too certain. For fevefal months
thev had fufFered a clofe blockade; at length feemg no
hope of relief their provifions being totally con-
Aug. r fumed and the enemy (hewing fome pacific dil-
^ ' pofitions, they were reduced to furrender upon
honourable coftditions. , ,. . , . _.•
BTthe enemy, equally regardlefs of fjith and humam-
tv. fell upon th^i in their march, butchered all the offi-
cers but Sie, killed feveral of the private fold lersaftd car
riot thee reft into an horrible captmty. Thefe ««»trages on
the fouthern colofties threw fome damp on the joy wmcn
i^as felt avtt the Engliih America, ort the entire conqucft
*^?nE^^ the fortune of th« campaign Was nt^tlyl^'
kneed. In*A«ieric*, except fhfe ''^^"fe^J^^.^^X^!^
it was entirely trhwnph^nt. In '^\l^']^'''J^ ^
sained glory wd new advantages. A^g^ t^^"^*^*"! *r
^ <&te of Fort St. George, in Pcbftiary 175^. the
Arr»i6w EneMi army took the few uftiki' Major Htere.
^Trsl ^^ pfeffed tl^e^feWe. ef tji* important
^^^ towiaTi(*&fti<rfConj*veram. A^"t A« feme
tmtP *YtA ciw of Marulipataw was ftorme* an* men by
^SomandeTW ^or^^^^ foJ^rietryjnA,^ m-
-confiderable phces. Am* ttmck6f the wbok ftjw for
an. extent of 8co m«es of 4 poputeus and SS^^^L^
country, was entirety in the l»n<l*<rfth«Engkfhcompany.
THismft )oi«fi toWrith province <S| Bengal j o^
iySo* Tiif History 4/ th War; 345
which alio the French were entirely driven by the heroic
a<Slions of Col. Clive.
; Encouraged by thefe fucceflfesi a body of about 1200
men, Europeans and Seapoys, under the command of f^a-
jor Brereton, advanced further, and attetnptecl to diflodge
an armv of French and their confederate Indians, encamp-
ed under the cannon of a fort of that country con-
ftrui^ion. The acquifition of that place had been
i valuable advantage. But here our army wa« Sept*
oblked to retire, with a lofs of between 3 and
400 Killed and wounded.
Gen. Lally animated wit^ this and fome flightef advanta-
ges, threatened the fiege of Trichendpoly^ a|id the French
affairs fecmed agam to revive. / Bui it was only a momenta-
ry gleam. To check His pr'dgrefs. Col. Coote at the head
of the greateft body he cOuld draw together on that coaft,
inyefted Wandewafh, took the place in three days,
and made the garrifon prifoners of war. From Nov. 30.
thence he pftfled with rapidity to Carongoly ; the
fiege of which town he prefled with fuch diligence, that in
Four days frbm the bpenmg his batteries, he oBli- y^
ged the garrifon to march out. ., ^^*^* '0*
This prpgrefs alarmed Gen. Lally j he called large de--
tachments in from every fide ; and knowing the importance
of Wandewafli, made all his efforts to recover it. He
puttied forward the fiege with the utmofl vigour ; hoping to
^ke the town before Col. Coote could arrive to its relief.
But the Colonel marched with equal diligerice and
sirrived about the time when the French had July 22,
ihade a prafticable breach. His army cohfifttfd
of 1700 Europeans, and about 3000 black troops* Lally's
amounted to 2200 Europeans,, and betweeii 9 and 10,000
blacks. The engagement was long and obflinate j but at
length, tpe French gave way. It was a total rout ; they
abandoned their camp, their canrioh, and all the imple-
ments of the fiege* They left 1000 killed and wounded on
the field of battle. Among the prifoners were Brig. Gen.
BufTy; the Chevalier Godeville, quarter -mafbr general;
Lieut. Col. Murphyj and eleven inferior officers, who
were all wounded. Lally fled with his broken troops in
defpair to Pondicherry.
Of the Englifli in this aftion near 200 were killed and
wounded i in particular the death of the gallant Major Bre-
M ^eton
r
reton was much regretted. Of the blacks about 70 vd-cre
^1".ce^VtSie of Paifly, followed by th. reVolutlo«
in Bengal, this aaion was the mpft confiderable In its con-
ftquenJes, of any in which our troops had ever been engd-
geiinlnia. this was fought i" PJ^/f'?^ ^XStV.
lodps headed by an able General the d^PO^^^^^^^J^V?*/
battle, and the conduft of Cd. Coote m the engagement,
merit every honour. ,, .. ,^ t,^
This viaory was purfued with a fpirit equal to that by
which it was won. Chittiput was taken m a ^^l^^^l^J-^l^
and the army alloiving itfclf no repofe, marched dir^ly
Jrom thence^o Arcotf the capital of this immenfe prbv.nce.
The fiege Was opened on the 5th of February, and the fort
Surrendered on the loth i near 300 Europeans were made
prifoners of war (e), ^^
(,) Colonel tju Coott't littir to Mr, Secretary Pitt, dated, Arcot
yHl0ge,titbo/ February, lybo,
¥ Ha/etlfe honour to acquaint you of the fituation of ol>r affairs
. J on the coaft of Coremandel frnce my arrival, and oij^tham
fucceffes. Soon after I arrived, the governor and «<«;««» off*l
dras being informed, that Gen. L«Uy had fent « <i«f '1^?^**^^
{is army To the fcutlnvard, and that that party had taken Vj
tfn, and tlireatned Truben^foly with * fi^, it was thought ?d-
vifeible. that I fhould take the field with the a"ny» and by tha
means eAdcavour to draw the enemy from the fou Jward. Ac-
cordingly on the 25th «f November-, 1759. 1 took th« field, ad
on ti^i^th. invefted IFcndi'u^.Jb, and «*^^f <* ^^^^ .^^^e "t
Saving made a breach by the 30th, took the place and made tie
earrifon (whick confifted of five fubaltern officers, 63 private
S and 80c feapoys.) prifoners of war. There were m the
carr fon 49 dieces £f cann^. and a great quantity of amihumtion.
&V the 3d. 1 inverted Carang.fy. On the6th. I openeda
two gun batte'ry. and on the 7th another, artd »^an to wry on
the approaches. On the ,oth. being '^^^^^^1)5**'"?^^;^^^^^
and having difmounted aU their guns but four. ^^J^^[
who commanded, fent out a Aag.of truce, and. on the accmm^^
of his gaUant defence, I granted him the fo"o^ing terms ; That
the £«V-« ftould have leave to march out with their arms,
two rounds per man, drums beating, and fix f XJ .P^ Wj/
The Seapo/to be difarmed, aixd turned about their buiiwis^
At Tea Admiral Pococlc fecQnded the extraordinary efforu
pf Col. Cpote with his own ufual ftill and intrc- ?
piditv. A^ain he engaged the fleet of MonAeur Sept. a,
d'Ache, a brave commander, who has in fome 175^.
degree fupported the declining leputation of the
Freneh
The gjirrifoo coiiftfted of 100 Sttropmnt, (officers included) 599
$*af«jn, (ir)d nine guns. Having intelligence that Bii^. Gen. Bu^
^^VS arrived 4t Arc»t frofp the noftliward, with 300 Bur»ptu»t\
and a lar^ black army, and thai the army ,which lay at Chiitiput,
was to jom him, and tiiat the force from the fouthward were on
Iheir march towards Jrctt,l therefore thought it advifuble U)
crofs the Pal/a, and encamp the army oppofite the ^r ar, having
the Pa/la between us. Three tlioufand Moratta horfe about thjf
time jqjaed the enemy, which put me to the greatelt diflrefs for
vant of p^ovifioRS^ as the^ plundefed all the country. On thf
«7th, Lieut. Gen. Lullj arrived at Jrc»t, and took the command,
yenuarji the 9th, the eiffmy were all in motion. On the 10th,
Geti.Latly marched wi^h ^W his army towards Weniiuuajb, and |
moved with our army along the bank of the river, ia order to
obferve |lieir naotions, and cover our own country. On the nth*
I received a letter from the commanding officer at Coujfvtram,
that 500 (^ ^he en^y't Ewfftani^ and a large body of boife, ha4
entered the town : aiul tlut the f eit of their army lay at Jango^
Imm, thfef mlle« diilance from it: 1 therefore put the army i^
motion»,an4 en4eaYoured, by a forced march/to iave that place,
which was y^ry wealf (butof confi^uenceto us) and happily ar-
rived, there ^hc 13th l^iPtirc day-light. The enemy quitted the
placp, their army moved towards Irondiwti^, The x 5 th I croffed
th^ fafli^yf\\\i a^tbe army, and on thf 17th arrived at Oifiremth-
U*r, about fourteen mi)es fsov(\ If^vuUwa/h, y(\\\dii place I found
M. M^ ha4 invetlc4» and began to raife batteries, The z ift, I
went with all the cavfdry to reconnoitre, haying received a letter
froin thp commandmg oiQR^r of the garriico^i that a breach was
ptjjde^ Ithfsrefore determined to engage the enemy the next
mornjiu;. ^ccofdAp^y, I fent orders badk to thf army to joip
me at Mmhqnugb^ nmp miles ffom #'W»»«"'/, where I had ta-
ken pjpft with the ca^vafry. ' (^ ^c «fd, the a^my marche4, at
^x o<;lqcV in the mocniiigf ai;re«able to the orders I had given
inut tne day before for th^t purpofe. A^ut 7 o^clock, our ad-
vanced guard of horfe, and that of the eqemy, began to fire at
each other ; upon which t otd^red Captain Bafon dc yafftnt,vtho
cqmnianded the cavalry, to form them in order of battle; He
was &i|iported by five companies pf Uaft^i \ and, at the fame
M 2 ». time,
jjfl f/&f HisTOiY tf//** War. 1760
French -marine j but though fuperior in the number of bis
{hii)S, and more than in thit proportion fuperior in gunt an4
tn*n, he was obhged alter upwards of two hours fcvere and
J , ■ ' ^ • t . bloody
time, I or 'ered up two nieces of cannon, and advancing myfelf
with two com^)anies of S/ «;«,/, obliged tl>e enemy t« retire tp
thoir niaiii body of horfe, >vhich cohfifted .of 200 luftftdnt, and
3000 Mtrat^as, on their le»t. ' iTpon the >vholc of our cavalry's
advancing, that of the enemy retired in pretty good order, till
our cannon began to play, W lich was extremely well ferved, and
obliged them to retire precipitate y. I then ordered the major
of brigade to tnc army, which was about three quarters of a mile
in the rear, with orders for t'.iem to form the line of battle, but
ttot to advance till 1 had joinel them., Soon after, having taken
polfe • on of a tank, which the enemy's cavalry had occupied, t
i^etMinea to the line, wl.ich by tliattime was formed according t©
my oulcrs. After reviewing the wliolp, ^nd finding the men in
f'reat fuirit, and eager to Engage, 1 ordered the army to move
oriivard. , , , .
' About nine t/clock we arrived at the poft we had driven the
^neiny from", which was about two miles from their camp, and
haltcii in their View, near half an hour ; during which time, I
went very near to them, and reconnoitred their ntuatien. Upon
finding they were ftrongly pofted, and our flanks expofed to thi
fencmy s cavalry, which was va^Jy fupprior to ours, 1 ordered
the armv'to mirch by'the righf , in orderto gain the advantage of
a hill three miles from us, and about two miles from H^ovdiva/b'
'for' ; and the horfe, which was then In the front, to wheel to the
t\4\t and left, and form behind the fecond line, in order to make
thi rear guard, and cover the baggage. By thh motion, I co'-
veied 'my right' flanV with the hill, and had fome villages in my
Tear/where I then ordered the baegagc to. This obliged the
enemy t6 altertheirdifpolition. During all thistime we cannona-
ded each other, and fkirmiibed with their advanced polls, and
JWar-z/fl horfe; The latter difappeared about 11 o'clock. The
en«;my, after making their fecond difpofition, moved towards us
aboxit the diltance <A three quarters of a mile, under cover of a
bank The cannonading theh began to be Ihtart on both fides;
9nd iipon feeing 1 he enemy coming briflS^ly up, 1 ordcr«(| the army
to march forward At 12 o'clock tlje enemy's Bufttan cavalry
pufhed witt> a great deal of refolutlon, in order to iorce our left,
and come roun • upon our rear. Immediately I orderjed up feme
companies of Setpon, and two pieces of cannon, which were to
fuftain our cavalry, who h»d been ordered ^o oppofc them. Up-
T., ^.. • .: ... - - ••- -.1 <■■■'■ , pi^
1760. Tbi History of tht War,
H9
bloodv confli£l to give way before Admiral Pocock, and to
fake flielter under the fort« of Pondicherry. During thi?
engagement eight of the Engliflx fhips ftood the fire of tho
whole
e men m
on the cannon and Seaf»yi flanking Iheip. they broke. The ca,
valry then had orders to charge, who drove them a mile from our
left, upon the rear of their own army. We continued all thi$
while advancing towards each other, the enemy's flank being ve-
ry well covered by a tank. It was one o'clock when we arrived
williin reach of mufquetiy, when a Jhot from us ftriking one of
their tumbrils, it blew up. I then immediately ordeied Major
Burt «H to wheel Col. Draptr*i regiment to the left, and charge
their left flank, which was executed with great order, and mucl^
honour to that corps. Seeing that regiment likely to fuffer from a
body of black troops, together with their marines, who were un-
der cover, and fired very brifltly upon them ; and at tlic fame
time, findmg they had reinforced tlicir left with a piquet from
Laliy s regiment, I ordpred the grenadier company ot Draptrt
which was on the right of the fecond line, to fupport their own
regiment ; and having lik«wife two pieces of cannon playing upon
the enemy's flank, compleated the rout of that wing, who aban-
doned their cannon, and fell upon their own center, which was
J3y this time, together with their right, clofely engaged with our
left. I then ordered up IVIajor Men/en^ with the reft of the fe-
.cond line, and placed him fo as to be able to fupport any part of
our line, at the fame time flanking the enqny. About twoo'cbck
riteir whole army gave way, and ran towardstheir own camp ; but
hnding we purfued thepi, quitted it, and left us intire matters of
^he field, together with all their cannon, except three fraall pieces,
which they carried off. riie number of cannon taken is as follows*
One 32, one ?4, thrpe 20, two i8, ope 14, fwo 3, and two 2-
pounders, iron. Three 6, four 4, one 3, and two s-pound-
ers, brafs. In all 22 pieces. Round Ihot 3204. Grape
110; befides tumbrils, and all other implements belonging to the
train. 1 he prifoners we have taken are Brig. Gen. Bufy, le che-
valier G«^*v/7^, qjiartcr-mafter general. Of ia/A's regiment/
Lieut. Col. Af«r^*y, two Captains, tyio Lieutenant*,. Of the
Lerram regiment, one Captain, one Lieutenant. Of the Indian
battahons two Lieutenants, two Eufigns. Of the Mmrintt, le
chevalierTePor/*. knight of V«//«,who is fince de^d of his
yirounds All the above gentlemen were wounded, but M. Buffy,
and an enfign of the l-^ian battalion. The French repkon they
had 800 killed and wounded, 200 of which we buried in the field.
We have taken abovfe 200 ^ojpded prifpwers, befides 40 not
>vounde«|
|$o ^^ H»?TOlVY c/ th War. il^Of
whale French flf ct. whiqh 9qnfiAc4 of * 6 (ail, The fljipj
were greatly fhattcroti i 560 of pur fciya4ron were \f.\\\t^
4n4 W9mi4cai and qii thu fi4« of <t\c Ffcn^h the loU wajj
not
wounded. Oiirlofs i» .is UiU'n^- 0( col -P^fl/r ^ TCB»'nP'}N
cnfign CW/i« kllUd, and n private men, \Vp\indpd, maj"T
Jtr,rtf9«, andUcut. Br^wn {(mce dead of their wounds) capt.
KnMtral, cnfign lUl/t'inr, Thvfh" ?nd W"^'"- ^^nd 66 pri-
vate. Of my^reiTimcnt, Villc4 cnfi^n ^<«*r/, find iiPHv^tg.
^Voundcd} iicMts. fr*>/-and O*', cnfign /f*/-'", ^i\d P private.
The honoMrabjc company's troops, killed, enfign Evu^u 9na i3
private. Wounded, gpwet Kuhn, ^ud 29 private. Among P\u-
black tfoops, about 70 killc4 and wounde^ . 1 he tncnjy s army,
commanded by ^.knt. Q<fn, Lulj, confided of 2200 Eurtfti^-s
including artillery and cavalry ; joocoffcries, and betwctn gand
lo.ooo blapk troops. Twenty pieces of caHnoii in the lield. and
five in their batteries againft tnc fort.>rl\c« they blew up a Urge
wagasupe of powder upon tj^eir retreat. Qm a^my an^unted to
1700 £j(/-'^*«/, including artillery and cavalry} 3500 black
troops : 14 pieces of cannPn» »n4 one howit?. 1 he enemy coi-
leftcd themtehes vndeir »he wa»i« of t>//^i;««/, a^ut i8 miles
from the field of ^"le, aqd th,p next day pwrphed mtp t»»»4*jr.
iOur cavalry behig gf'eatly fatigued, put it ovt pf my power tp
purftie the enemy as far as I poxjld nave wiOicd. Dur|ng the
whole engagement, and evpr fincc I Jiave had the honour of con^
Biandinglh^ army, the officers ^nd men have Hiewn the greatest
fpirit ; nor can I fay too muCh (p( the behaviow of thp U-
S* next day I fent put a detachment of wvalrv. to harafs
the enemy. >»*«rj, ?6. Finding t^at Gen. ^«/{r had lemed
with his broken tropps to Pei,4i(b«rry, I f^t WPt. « f <'if»"(.
Vrith loob horfe, and jop Sfapoys, Upwards Pon4ubirrj» tP de-
ftrey the Fremcb country, and marched the awy tP tefiege Lbtm-
nt \ and on the 28th at night, e^e^ed a two gu» t)attenr, and
\px in one 2 4 and one ap W)under, and Played «Pon tjiem from an
l-inch ho\vitz. Thi; nejct'day, after m^Km^ ^ hiiz^, Le Che-
vailer ^fTiV^, with his gar W furfen^ered p^oW of war.
The garriibncon^fledoffowr officers J 4 private, and 3P0 ^f*'
kih with n ^""/f-w woMnded in the \mm- }wm^ w tne
fort 9 gvns, and a goo4 quantity pt amm\>Bit»oq, -mVJOg »"<«'?■
gcncepfa party of the enemy gpingfrpm ^'■^•^ ^ ^'A^'h ■!!
cant, ^miib with a dctav-lmient tq ip^ crcept Ihem, On the 3Pt*,
nwfched the arn[^ tpw^ds 4fcVx \^% g^itaWtt\e Ffpv^nce. w or-
1760". tbi tlistoiiY »/ tti War.
m
hot Icfs than 1000. Admiral Pocock ihimediatf ly got him-*
felf again in a B^Kting condition, and braved the Frcncll
Beet before pAndichcrry, who lay under their cannon, and
rcfulcd a new Oheagcmcnt.
It has bfcdnobTerved thathiftory can hard-y produce aa
inilanccof two Iquadrons fighting three pitch'd battles, un-
der the fame commanders, in 18 months, without the lofs
of a fhip on either fid<*. After this engaj»cment Admiral
Cornifh arrived on the coaft of Coromandcl and joined Po.
cock, by which we attained fo decided a fuperiority in
ftrength, as We had befo^Ji|j|^cmrage and ability, that: the
French no longer appftarcd"Tn*ThlMe feas. Moft of their
fhips went off, as it was thought, to Mauritius. Then the
French affairs went rapidly to ruin. Qn the 5th of April
the important fortrefs of Caracal furrendered to the fca and
land forces under Admiral Cornifii and Major Monkton.
By the taking of this and two other places of lefler confi-
dcration, the French were actually reduced . the finglc
port
der to befiege if. T'lis day capt. 5mi/^ joined me, having taken
the party I had fent him after, which confided of 10 Emrepians,
50 Stap$yt, and twc brafs 8 pounders ; and foon after he took a
captain of the Urrain regiment, and three Frencir commif-
laries.
On the ift of Ftbruary, I fet out from the army for Jrett,
leaving orders with major M»n/on to throw a few Ihells into 7"/«-
ftry, and to fummon the garrifon. Ftbruary 2. The army
marched and encamped within two miles of Arret. Mi'pr Men/bit
reported to me this day, that the garrifon of 7Vi»m<ry had furren-
dered prifoners of war. There were In it, fix guns, one ferjeant,
2Q EurepttiHj, and 60 Stapoyt, Ftbruary 5. I opened the batteries
againft the fort of Arcot, viz. One of five 18- pounders, and ano-
ther of two 18 and one 24-pounders. On the 6th, began to car-
ry on approaches to the fouth weft and weft towers of the fort ;
and having by the loth, got within 60 yards of the creft.
of \\\t glacis, the garrifon furrendered prifoners of war. It
coniifted of three captains, eight fubalterns, 236 private, and be-
ttfiCtt z and ^oo Seapors. There were in it, four mortars, 2 a
pieces of cannon, and a great quantity of all kinds of military
itores. We had during the fiege, feven non-commiffioned and
private, killed ; andenfiga Mac MatoM, who aAed as engineer,
and 16 wounded.
M thtiisioKir ef the VJAik4 iiSo*
port Ox Pondicherry j which was when thcfc accounts came
away, clofcly blocked up by land and fca. The ftrongclt
hopes Arc conceived that this capital of the French Indid
|>owcr and c<Mnmcrce will (hortly be brought into our pof-
feffion i and with thef^ plcafmg nopes we conclude tl*e hif*"
tory of the war of 1760;
^.M^
^'%^
THE
li<
■ [ 353 ]
i.t
III I » ■ I I 1 1 1 fit)
THE
ANNUAL REGISTER:
O R
HISTORY
OF THE
W A R.
For the YEAR 1761.
CHAP. L
Preliminary remarks. Treaty propofed and entered into by
the belligerent powers. Mr. Stanley fent to Paris^ and
Mr. BuJJy to London. French machinations in Spain.
Difficulties' in the negotiation. Deftgn of the campaign in
HeJU'e-i and of the expedition to Belletjle.
AFTER a general war of five years, carried on with
tiie grcateft effufion of blood, and the moft ex-
traordSnary cxpence ever known to attend a war of that
continuance, it was hoped that, if the animofity of the
belligerent powers was not abated, st leaft a great part of
the fuel of dJfcord had been confumed ; and that the time
was arrived for giving pfcace to Europe. Some propofitions
for that purpofe had been made in the clofe of the year
'759- Th©fe who rather wifticd for peace, than very
N atten
' Hi
2^4 *Ih£ Uisro-KY of tbe "W AH, t';6t»
attentively confidered the probability of efFeaing it, feem-
ed to think it might then have been expefted. T3ut whilft
the> public was flattered with thefe hopes, the atuation of
affairs would not fuffer us to believe that they had any folid
foundation. We accordingly ventured to point out thedif-
ficulties which then obftruacd any fcheme for peace *.
And as thefc diffictiltics were fuch, as did n«t attend that
particular conjundture only, but muft fubfift as long as the
fortune of war continued in the fame train, we were from
the beginning apprehenfive that the new negociation which
we have fince feen opened, and for fome time carried on
with fuch pleafing appearances, might in the iflTue bo at-
tended with no better fuccefs.
There are indeed but two fituations in which peace dan-
be very rationally expedled. The firft fituation is that of
equality ; and this is, erther where nothing is gained on any
fide } fo that when ever mutual wearinefs, and unprofita-
ble hoftilities have calmed the ardor of the wartring powers,
no intricate points intervene to fruftrate the fim pacific
difpofition ; or it may be where the loffes are fo equal, that
exchanges may eafily be made, or the parties may reft mu-
tually fatisfied vrith their advantage over each other.
The fecond fituation is that of necejftty ; where one of
the parties is fo entirely broken and reduced, as to fubmit
to receive conditions on the footing of conqueft, and to
purchaie repofe by humiliating and enfeebling conceffions.
A peace upon this latter bafis is always the grand popular
obje<ft. In every war we ftatter ourfelves with the hope of
it, againft an experience almoft uniform. In faft, it is to
the laft degree difficult to reduce any of the great powers of
Europe to this difgraceful neceffity. For to reduce anyone
of them to this ftate of fubmiffion, you muft, in a manner,
reduce all of ♦^hem to it. The war if it continues, draws
ftate after ftate into us vortex until all Europe is involved.
A fort of baUance is then produced,^^ and the peace of con-
queft becomes impra6licable.
It would prove of the utmtoft moment to the tranquility
of mankind that this point was fufficiently regarded, and
thatthey would willingly adopt that fyftem of equality, to
which fooner or later, with more or fewer ftruggles, they
are lb often compelled to fubmit. When, feldom, a. treaty
• See Hiftory of the War 1760, Chap. I. p. ^3*
v;6t.
it, feem-
ut whilft
uation of
any folid
ut thedif-
peace *.
tend that
ng as the
irere from
ion which
arried on
ie bo at-
eace can-
is that of
ed on any
unprofita-
g powers,
rft pacific
iqual, that
reft mu-
Ler.
e one of
to fubmit
(i, and to
mceflions.
d popular
le hope of
b, it is to
powers of
:e anyone
a manner,
es, draws
involved.
:e of con-
ranqiiility
ided, and
ualky, to
gles, they
I, a. treaty-
is
17^1. The Hist oviY of the \^AR, §55
is concluded on other terms, as the King of Pruflia has
found by fevcre experience, and as we observed on a form-
er occafion, fs only a fhort ceflation, and not a perfect
peace. But it muft be acknowledged that this fituation,
the moft comcident with their true intereft, is at the fame
time the moft contradiaory to the paffions and prejudices
of nations. It appears hard to loofe upon every fide every
objea of the war. A peace on this foundation will be cen-
Aired, but it is the beft, on the fame principle that the
ihorteft follies are the beft j and that no injured pride is
left to brood over a future war. , Contrary to the opinion
of the warm patriots on all fides, we therefore imagined
that the year feventeen hundred and fifty-eight, in the clofe
of the third campaign, was the happy moment for negocia-
tion. At this time, however, no propofitfons had been
made. The propofitions of feventeen hundred and fifty-
nme were but flightly regarded, and obvioufly could end in
nothmg. But in the beginning of the year, of which we
are now going to treat, the fcene of negociation was opened
with far greater folemnity and parade j and as it was car-
ried on with great diligence, it ncce/Tarilv makes a principal
part of the hiftory of this year. It is indeed fomewhat for-
tunate both for the writers and the readers of thefe events
that this treaty has intervened. The narative otherwife
had proved extremely barren and uncntertaining. Fof
though the animofity of the belligerent powers was not, as
we ob(er\'ed, abated, their efforts, however, had confide-
rably flackened, and their operations began gradually to de-
generate Jnto the Petiteguerre. Thofe vaft everits that
aftonifhthe mind, or hold it in a pleafing fufpence ; thofe
important battles andfiegesi thofe rapid and well conduft*
cd marches, and thofe lively enterprixes which diftinguiih
the former years, except in a very few inftances, fcarc©
make any part of the hiftory before us. But though the
operations of the field had fallen into a ftate of Ungour,
the cabinet became full of bufinefs, and negociation flou-
iilhed. In this fituation candour obliges us to acquaint our
readers that we are ftill more liable to miftakes, than when
we attempt to defcribe the tranfaftions of the campaign.
It very frequently happens, that the accounts of the military
operations come authenticated from the hands of thofe great
generals who have conduced them, and when we have al-
lowed for the partiality of the account, there is nothing to
N 2 1^
! If"
. HI
i^l
g^5 5*^* History 0/ /i&* War. 1761^
be detrailed from them for want of fufficient information,
Even in the cafe of partiality, we are often able to corredl
the mifreprefentation or over-charge of one of the parties
by that of the other. Thefe things are done in the eye of
the world. But the motives either to peace or war, and
the ftens taken in a negociation, are all behi|id the curtain.
They do not appear for a long time, and, fometimcs they
never appear completely. There is however, ap advantage
in the prcfent conjunaure. For one of the powers at war,
in order to juftify to its fubj efts and to the world, its part
in the continuance of a war fo fatal to both, has publilhed
an account of the late negociation j artful indeed, and pro-
bably in fome rcfpeils unfair ; but containing at the fame
time many valuable and illuftrating pieces, the authenticity
of which is not difputed. The point in fuch cafes to be
dreaded is not the publication of falfe pieces but the wn-
cealment of feveral that are real and important. The
public information is probably rather incomplcat, than un-
true. We wait with impatience for that full and authen-
tic narrative of fo important a negotiation, which undoubt-
edly our court propofes to publifli. We have delayed the
letting out our work the longer, in hopes of its appearance,
by which we might have been able to pcrfe^ and corrcft
our account of this tranfaftion. The account of the Spa-
liiftj negotiation has appeared late, but we have not failed
to make ufe of it. At prefent we engage in our work, un-
der thofe difficulties, which it is juft the reader Ihould
know and allow for. In the fucceeding year we Ihall
take c^e to profit of whatever further lights may be im-
parted, r -n n. \.
■ Very early in th^ year 1761, the courts of Peterlburgh.
Vienila, France, Sweden and Poland, agreed feverally and
Tointly to offer propofals tswards renewing that negotiation
"(or peace, which had abruptly been broken off in the clofe
6f the year 1759. France was the principal and firft mo-
^er i for as it was her ambition which had made the war
fo general, and her revenue which in a great raeafure fup-
porteditj the former being now humbled by a fenes of
unfortunate events, and the latter reduced by moft enor-
mous expences, Ihe began at length to relent, and appa-
rently to defire peace in earneft. The other members of
the grand alliance could no$ decently, nor fafely oppofe
thcfe difpofitions qf France. T^^? ^ourt of Sweden "} par-
I75r.
TA* History lif the War.
357
icarancc.
ticular was given to underftand, that the exhaufted condi-
tion of France was the true motive of her moderation \
that in fa^, (he was not able any longer to furniih the
ftipulated fubfidies, nor to adhere to the letter of her en-?
gagements with her allies. Thcfe circumftances, which
Jhe was neither able, nor feemcd difpoled tp conceal
formed the fureft guaranty of her fmcerity. *
The five parties to the war on that fide, made as many
tjeclarations, which were figned at Paris on the 25th of
March, and delivered at London on the 31ft of the fame
month. The counter declaration of Great Britain aivd
Pruffia appeared on the 3d of April. Augfburg, as the fitu-
ation moll commodious for the powers at war, was appoiiit-
ed for the congrefs. * •
Lord Egremont, Lord Stormont ambaffador in Poland,
and general Yorke our ambaffador in Holland, were nomi-
pared as the Englifli plenipotentiaries. On the part of
France, the count de Chpifel was appointed. Augfburg
now became the centre of attention to all Europe, and each
court prepared ever;^ thing towards this important meeting
which It could furnifh of fplendor for the difplay of its dig-
nity, and of ability for the fupport of its intercft. The
public converfation was for a while diverted from fcenes of.
horror, bloodfhed, and pillage j and every min4 was enw
ploved more agreeably on the public fcene of piagnificcnce,
and the private game of policy, which was to epfue.
In the firfl place, it was unanimoufly agreed, in order
that a negotiation, in itfelf fufficiemly intricate, (hould be
the.lefs embarraffed, to admit to the treaty none but the
parties principally concerned, together with their allies.
Although this exclufion of the neutral intcrefts tended
greatly to difembarrefs and fimplify the negotiation, yet
.^,^^./^® variety of feparate and jjidepcndent matters^ ;
which ftill rerpained to be difcuffed, that it became advife-
able to make a further feparation, if they hoped to treat
upon them with any tolerable eafe, or with any profpcct of
coming to a fpeedy decifion.
For this purpofe it was neceflary to bring back the mo-
tives to the war to their firft principles ; and to difen^age
thofe feveral intcrefts which originally, and in their own
nature had no conneaion, from that mafs, in which mutual
jnjurit: ni a common animofity had blended and coni
foundca tuem, Thi« progofitioii ^atne firft fiom France,
and
m
'358 Jj&tf History «/ /A^ War," t^6t^
and it was an early and happy omen of her inclination to
peace. ^
The war, which was truly and originally German, evj-
dentlt had but a fingle, though this a very difficult objeft,
to determine the fate of the King of Pruffia. So many
powers were concerned in this determination, and their
views of aggrandifemcnt, indemnification, and revenge, fo
various and difficult to be reconciled, that this alone feeraed
matter enough for a feparate and very arduous negotiation.
In effea all the powers of the north were concerned in
it. For this reafon, the other great objeft of the general
war, the limits of America, which by that ftrange cham
of hoftile conneaions, which even unites the various inde-
pendent quarrels and enmities of Europe, had been mixed
with the German difputes, was again fct upon its proper
and peculiar bafis j and whilft the truly German intereftg
were handled at Auglburg, it was propofed to treat on this
«hcad feparately in London and in Paris. For this purpofe,
minifters were mutually fent from thofe courts ; Mr. Stan-
ley on the part of England i and Mr. Buffy on that of
This propofition was alfo exceedingly prudent; for there
is no doubt that if thefe potentates could fettle their claims
to their mutual fatisfadion, and (hould carry to Auglburg
the fame candour and good faith, and the fame fincere de-
fire of peace, their influence muft neceflarily tend to mfpire
principles of moderation into the reft, and muft contribute
largely to accelerate the great work of pacification.
Things were thus fet upon the bift footing poffible, and
the negotiation fcemedto be in the happieft train that could
be wiflied. But unfortunately the plan and difpofition of
the treaty were much more eafily adjufted, than the matter
and the fubftance. It was very obvious, that France if Ihe
was willing even to pretend to a defire of peace, could fcarce
avoid making conceffions, which to her were fufficiently
mortifying. The moment her proper quarrel came to be
feparated from the general caufe,- (he had everv difadvan-
tageinthe negociation, becaufe {he had fuffered eveiy dif-
after in the war. On the fide of Germany indeed fhe had
afted with fuccefs ; but even there the advantages Ihe had
acquired were ftill precarious, as the chance of war was ftill
open : no propofition for a ceflation of arms having been
admitted. As flja knew therefore,, that great (acnfices
might
1l!
lyfifi 7ifHistojLY of the WAii, ^g^
might be expeaed from her, (he did not fo finally reft her
hopes upon the negotiation, as not to look cut for another
rcfource ; and this rendered on her part the whole proceed-,
ing lefs effedlive and Icfs fincere.
The refource fhe foueht was in Spain, who flie hoped
could not look with indifference on the humiliation of the
principal branch of the houfe of Bourbon. Hitherto in-
deed the king of Spain had obferved a tolerable exatft neu*
trality in his condud, and in his declarations had fpared no
expreflions of good will and friendfhip to our court. He
feemed to be wholly intent on the internal oeconomy of
his^^ominions, on the improvement of their long neglefted
police, on the advancement of their commerce, and the re-
gulation of the finances. But notwithftanding thefe do-
meftic attentions, the French miniftry did not defpair of
drawing his regards abroad. They thought that the offer*
which France in her prefent circumftances would find her-
felf obliged to make, muft extremely alarm all good Spani-
ards, who could not fee without the raoft ferious apprehcn-
nons, the French power wholly annihilated in America. By
this event, their colonies, though fo much fuperior to all others
in opulence and extent, muft in a manner be at the mercy
of England : no power being in any fort able to afford them
affiftance, or to hold the ballance between them and the
power of England. At this time indeed, the French court
had not abfolutely fucceeded in her defigns at Madrid r but
flie was in hopes, that every ftep ftie took in the treaty
and every conceffion flie fliould make, would prove a freS
incentive to the jealoufies and apprehenfions of Spain.
Thus in effeft all the motions which France feemingly
made towards peace were in reality fo many fteps towards a
new war j and whilft at London fhe breathed nothing but
moderation, and the moft earneft defire of putting a period to
the calamities of Europe, at Madrid fhe was taking the moft
vigorous meafures for fpreading them further, and continu-
ing them longer.
On the fide of England, though there was far more
good faith in the public procedure, there were alfo, it muft
be admitted, many circumftances which co-operated to re-
tard the peace. The great and almoft unparallelled fuccefs
which attended our arms in this war, had raifed a proporti-
onable expeaation, and infpired very high thoughts into
the minds of the people. They thotght it unreafonable to
make
1^6 the UUTOtY of the Wa*. i^^ii
inake almoft any conceffionstoa nation «vhofe ambition and
violence they had always found to correfpond with its power,
and whom they now confidercd as lying at their mercyj
I'hat this was the time for reducing France, which if w«
let pafs, we could never hope again to recover. In thefe
fentiments it mutt have fared ill with that adminiftrationi
who fhould make a facrifice of any of thofc objeas on which
the people had fet their hearts. , , . . u *
On the other hand it could not have efcapcd them, that
the fituation of affairs in Germany, however they might be
artificially feparatcd in the difcuflion, rhuft neceiTanly have
fen influence on the final detcrminatiori of the treaty. They
faw, that after a fevcrc ftruggle of five years, the affairs of
our neareft aJlics were only not ruined. To fay nothmg of
the condition of the King of Pruflia, the whole country of
iieffe was in the aaual poffeflion of France ; they hkewifc
held the county of Hanau ; and bv their occupation of Got-
tingen, the Hanoverian territory lay open to their arms. If
this quarrel fhould be confidered as a caufe not ftriftly En-
clifh, (though the French in their memorials contended it
was), yet certainly the Heffians, and principally the Hano-
verians, were allies of fo near a conncaion, and had done
and fuffered fo much in the common caufe, that it muft
have appeared Ihocking to all Europe, if folely attentive to
our own peculiar advantages, we ftiould patch up a peace
without any provifion in their favour : and it was tery evi-
dent, that this provifion could hot be made in the fituatiort
in which the latt campaign had left them, tinlefs our govern-
ment purchafed it at a price that would be very grudgingly
paid by the Englifh fubjeas. .
The miniftry, perplexed between the natural expeaatr-
ons oftheir country, and the reafonable expeaatioAs of their
allies, mutt have found it not a little difficult to know what
party they ought to take. In order to reconcile, as much
as poffible, thefe contradiaory dfefiree, the only folution
which could be found was to pufti the war with the utmoft
vigour ; and in the mean time not to hurry the negotiation :
in hopes that during its progrefs things might take fuch a
turn, as to enaWe them to purchafe peace for their allies
out of the acquifitions they Ihould have made after the com-
mencement of the treaty, and without being obliged^© have
recourfe to their cooquetts, previous to that aera. On this
footing they propofcd to fa^isfy the demands of the puWic
t7^i» rh History of the War. 3^1
faith* and at the fame time to prefcrve the reputation which
was fo neccflary to their affairs at home. Accordingly the
duke of Brunfwick was to profecute with the utmoft vigour,
the operations which he had begun in the depth of winter i
and an expedition, the objca of which was then fecret, wa«
prepared with equal diligence in England.
In thefc equivocal difpofitions, and in this odd mixture of
hoftile and pacific meafures, began the year 1761, a year
more remarkable, p«rhaps, than any of thofe we have hi-
therto defcribed, for events which will be radically decifive
Of the future profperitv or mifery of Europe, but lefs, for
thofe matters by which the imagination of the reader is
commonly affeded. Having in this chapter laid down, as
far as we can conjefture, the political motives for the un-
common effort which was made in Germany, In our next
chapter we fhall give an account of the military plan of this
effort, the execution and the fuccefs of it.
C H A P. II.
Prince Ferdinand* s plan. Jilles enter into Uejfe and thw
rmta. French retire. Hereditary prince repulfed . at
Frttztar. Fritzlar taken. Several magazines taken.
Blockade of Marpurg and Ziegenhayn. Siegt of CaJfeL
Battle of LangenJaJtze. Broglio reinforced from the
Lower Rhine. Hereditary prince defeated at Stangerode.
S*ege of Cafel, ^c. raifed. Mes retire behind the
DymeU
AT the clofe of the laft canipaign, the ^rehch had the
c « ^"'*'"*^ undifturbed poffeffion of the whole territory
•f Heffe : a country tolerably provided, and which contains
many tenable places. Some of thefe, they had ftrengthened
with additional works ; and they had amaffed immenfe ma-
gazines in the moft convenient fituationsi This was their
conditipn in the front of their winter cantonments. On
their left they had driven the allies from the Lower Rhine,
where they kept a confidei'able body of troope, which
ftrcightened pur quarters, and checked our efforts on that
iide. On their right they poffeffed the town of Gottingen.
in which they had placed a very ftrong garrifon ; and thus
theylhut us up on this quarter alfo,whilft the king's German
dominions lay entirely open to their enterprizes.
O If
lyil
a^i. ^he ttlsto^V 6f the Wa«. l?^*-'
If we confider the fituation of the French armies, ihey
^i 1 p4fent u, with the idea of arv i'T ^"^%?!"d Wefel
tv^o advanced points of which were at Gott.ngcn and Wetel
i:S thTbod^^^^^^^^^ inHeffe: ^ that be.ng ^rfeft ly
well provided with magazines, and mafter ^^f^^.^^^^'
romm^unications, necefery for ^heir . current fubf^ftence^
with ftrong places m their rear, and m both thc^ ««"*» J
in the itext campaign they had only to advance their feverar
Tol^sinTmareJtoenclofe the allied army, wh.ch, w^O^out
fome ficn^ fuccefs (from their numbers and fituation, hard-
[y^o bf expeaed) would find itfelf entirely incapable of
"v';r"/ertla^:f^^^^^^
cics of his fituation, and of the advantages the enemy had?
ov« lim It was extremely difficult to fettle a plan for ac-
Tn butno.aaioncould'be attended with mudi worfe
confequences, than inaftivity in a bad condition. He knew
from experience, that the French were ill qualified for win-
[e? derations in Germany, and that his own fold.ers,befides
their fuperior hardinefs, and their being inured to then-
lour of ?he climate, could fuffer but little more from field
fervce/efpecially if attended with fuccefs, than thejr nriuft
cndurcViom the tadnefs of their Winter quarters. It is true
that Ae e wasfomething difcouraging in the attackof.yery
fuper^r body of the enemy, pofllffed of every advantage
IS him f but it was clekr, that this fuperionty, and
Se advantages would not leffen as the futnmer approach-
ed It was clear, that every ftep the enenriy gained on him,
tould render his defence weaker and his refources more
Sty 5 and that if the enemy found themfelves in a conditi-
on to commence this campaign wh*r* tfcey had concluded
the laft, and that nothing LSld hinder their proceeding m
Z ^rlieft feafon, he cluld never r-fonably »^^^^^^^^^ pro-
traft the war to another year. For to fpeak the truth, this
wa" the utmoft, which ii his circumftances h« «>"" pro-
mife himfelf from the moft judicious fcheme of condu^^.
Having therefore refolved to aa, he k)ft no time to aft
with vigfur. He appointed three places ^^J^^^^^^^^^l^
theDv^el, the Rhine, and in. Saverland. His armyaflem-
bled J^ the 9th of February without fuffenng the enemy
to have any previous notice of their intentions. T*^^ "f ^
4ay the troops halted, and the duke ^^ommunicated^^o^ his
?7«i.
Tht History of the War.
3«5
generals the difpofition he had made for the motions of the
yvholc.
The centre was led by his fercnc highncfs in pcrfon i it
penetrated directly into Hc(re,and marching by Zicrenberg
and Durenberg, made its way towards Callel. The right
and Jeft of the army were each at a very confiderable dif»
tance from this body •» but they were fo difpofed as fully to
co-operate in the general plan of operation, which wa«
very extenfive. The hereditary prince commanded on th«
right : he marched by Stadbergen for Mengeringhaufen 5
and leaving the country of Heffe to the Eaftward, as the
alarm was to be as fudden, and as widely difFufed as pofli-
ble, he pufhed forward with the utmoft expedition into the
heart of the French quarters. General Sporcken com*
manded a corps at a greater diftance to the left, and pene-
trated into Thuringia, by Duderftadt and Heiligenftadt.
The defign of this movement was to break the communi-
cation of the French with the army of the Empire, to open
one for ourfelves with the Pruflians, and to cut ofF all inter-
courfe between the grand army of the enemy, and their
garrifon at Gottingen.
By this fudden, extenfive, and vigorous attack, the
French were thrown into the utmoft conftemation : they
retreated, or rather fled upon every fide. It tould fcarcely
have been imagined, that this was the Came army which
had but juft clofed the campaign with fo much fucceft.
Such has been the fport of fortune m this wax, even beyond
all former examples of her caprice, that the inftance* are
numerous of inferior and beaten armies, without any appa-
rent change in their circumftances, driving the conquerors
before them. So remarkable was the revolution of fortune
at this time, that it is highly credible if the French had had
their quarters in an open country, their army had been to-
tally deftroyed : but happily for them, they had very fuffi-
cient means of fecuring their retreat. For as the allies ad-
vanced, they were obliged to leave Caffel and Gottingen at
their backs i into the fornwr of which the enemy had
thrown a garrifon equal to a moderate army i and in the
latter they had 7 or 8000 men. Beyond thefe again were
Fritzlar, Ziegenhayn, and Marpurg, places of a tolerablp
degree of ftrength and well garrifoned, befides fomc othef
1?He
[I
II ll
3^4
7i&# History cf tbi Wai.
17^1.
The hereditary prince, whofe party was thamoft advanc-*
ed, ftruck the firft blow, by an attempt to furprize Fritz-
Jar. He had received advice that it was not prepared to re-
ceive hirn. He accordingly took only a few battalions and
no cannon, in hopes of being able to carry that place at
onee. But unfortunately he was deceived in his Intelligence,
The garrifon was prepared and refolute, and though the
hereditary prince attacked it with his ufual foirit, he was
oblieed for that time to defift, and to draw off with noin-
conhderablc lofs.
About this time, Marpurg was attempted in Mif fame
manner, and with no better fuccefs. Gen. Breidtn jack, an
Hanoverian officer, of great bravery, experience md " pu-
tation, who commanded there, loft his Hie i/i the attack.
Thcfe two fevcre checks at the entrance into :idion,did not
however difcouragc either the parties that fuffered them, or
the reft of the army. They advanced as expeditioudy, and
with more caution. Cannon and mortars were brought be-
fore Frilzlar, which, after a defence that was rather made
for the credit of the commander, than from any
Feb. 15. hope of faviqg the pl.icc, furrcndered on honour-
able terms. A large magazine was found here.
The marquis of Granby was employed, with fuccefs, in
reducing the forts and caftles in this neighbourhood. The
allied army refolutcly advanced, and as they advanced, the
French continually retired, abandoning poft after poft, and
fell back alnjoft to the Maine. They fired their niagazines
as they retreated ; but the allies purfued with ft> much ra-
pidity, that they faved five capital ftores ; one of which con-
tained no lefs than 80,000 facks of meal, 50,000 facks of
oats, and a million of rations of hay, a very fmal) part of
which had been deftroyed. Thefe were acquifitions of the
utmoft advantage, as they wonderfully facilitated the pro-
grefs of the army ; which, as it advanced, ftill found its
lubfiftence ; provifion w?" nlfo thereby made for the caval-
ry, which othcrwife, it <.ci. ; ic".;r have been fupplic.! with
in fuch a feafon, apd at usch a v .ildiftancc fiom our origi-
nal quarters. .
Notwithftanding this fuccefs in front, it was not here the
grand ob«e«St: of our operations lay. Caftel was to be redu-
ced. The French had in that town a garrifon of 17 batta-
lions, befides fome other corps, under the command of the
CPtiut de Broglio j and there w^s no doi^bt, that he would
defe«4
1761. Tht History of ihi W AH, 365
defend the place m the utmoft. The fortifications of C;»fl€l
arc moftly in the old manner; they conftil of very high,
hut ftrong walls. Some works indeed had been newly ad-
ded ; but the great hope of the enemy was in the ftrcngth
•f the garrifon and the rigour of the feafon. The fiege of
this place was not to be delaved ; however it was neceflary
previoufly to clear all the adjacent country of the enemy,
and to cut ofFthc communication of the garrifon with their
grand army.
Therefore when marfhal BrogHo had been driven quite
out off Hefle, and had retreated towards Frankfort, prince
Ferdinand ceafed to advance j and having ordered two bo-
dies to the blockade of Marpurg and Ziegenhaivn, which
Aill obftinately held out, he formed that part of the arm^
which was with him into a chain of cantonments, makings
front towards the enemy which extended from the river
Lahn to the river Ohm, and from the Ohm to the Fulda ;
thus he propofed to watch the motions of marfhal Broglio'«
army, to cover the flcge of Caflel, and the blockades of
the two fortrefles juft mentioned. The fiege of Caflel was
carried on by the count of Lippe Schaumburg a fovcreign
prince of the empire, reputed oneof the ablelf engineers in
Europe. His management of the artillery at Thornhaufcn
was a principal caufc in the acquifition of that great vidory ;
and it was not doubted that his abilities would be exertetf
as efFeftively at CaflTel. Trenches were opened on the firft
of March. All eyes were now direfted to this point j for
on the fuccefs of this ftroke depended the whole fortune of
the campaign. It was very apparent that if Caflel and its
I wfpn ihould fall into the hands of the allies, Gottineen
and the inferior places muft inevitably fall along with it 5
and this misfortune would be more than equivalent to the
lofs of a great battle.
Whilft the war w^ thus carried on in Hefle, M. Sporck-
en who commanded the detachment to the left, on the fide
of Saxony, advanced with an intrepidity equal to the reft ;
hevvas foon joined by a corps of Pruflians, and the united
army loft no time to clear the Werra and the Unftrutof the
bodies of French and Saxons which occupied the moft im-
portant poft upon thefe rivers. As thefe bodies were ad-
vantageoufly ported and could be fiipported on one fide by.
the garrifon of Gottineen, and on ,.he other, as they pro-
piif(?d themfclves, by the army of the empire, they main-
tained
7
SMI
^^6 Th B 1ST o^r of the Wav,. 1761.
• tained their ground } and this foon brought on
Feb. 14. a fhiirp adtion. The allies attacked a large body
adv?ntageoufly polled at Langenfaltz upon the
Unftrut i the event was entirely favourable. Three wholv
batulions of baxcns were made prifoncrs by the Pruffians j
]M. de Sporck.cn took two battalions. The enemy's lofs
was con-iputed at fivt thoufand men; feveral pieces of
cannon were alfo taken, and a large magazine was aban*
doned'. This blow was well followed ; one body of the
combined army pufhed to Eifcnach and Gotha, whilft
another by forcfd marches got forward to Fuldaj the
French gave way on their right ; and the army of the
empire on the left ; the latter fell back to Bamberg, tOt
tally abandoning a very large tra£l of country.
Hitherto the affairs of the allies proceeded almoft in an
uninterrupted courfe of profperity. It was indeed a degree
<>f profperity altogether aftcnifhing, and which as atfirft it
could fcarcely have been expedcd, fo there was no reafon to
ima-gine it would have any long continuance. For the allies
on me fide of Saxony, where M. Sporcken a<Sled, in pro-
portion as their activity and fuccefs carried them forward,
left the countries on their rear more and more uncovered,
4nd expofed, without any or with a very infufficient defence,
to the attempts of the powerful garrifonof Gottingen. The
count de Vaux, who commanded that garrifon, is a v-ry
»ble and en**erpri»ing officer. And he no fooner perceived,
that the allies were wholly intent upon driving their enemies
from the Werra and Unftrut, and on pulhing the advantages
they had acquired to the utmoft, then he marched out of
Gottingen with aftroaig detachment, attacked and routed an
Hanoverian convoy, feU upon the town of Duderftadt with
the utmoft violence i and though he failed in his firft at-
tempt, he repeated it with fo much fpirit, that at length he
carried that town, and afterwards forae of the rooft confi-
derable places near it. Bv thcfe fucceffej he prevented M.
de Sporcken's cprps from returning by the way they had ad-
vajaced, and indeed abfolutcly difquaiified them from a^ing
jfeperately from their main army j to which foon after thefe
events, they wretc obliged to join themfelves. This junc-
tion now became tveceflary on another account,
Marlhal BrogUo towards the clofe of the laft campaign
had been obliged, by the enterprises o£ the hereditary
Prince, to detach Ccon* hi* arnw ia HeCie a. laige body tQ
the
VjSx.' TleUisroR'ir ef the ^^^Aty ^S>"
the lower Rhine. He now found it equally proper t6 re-
call this body together with furtherreinforcemcnts, in ordef
to maintain his ground in the country northward of the
Maine, where he was clofely preflTed by the allies, ind
which he muft be Cornifclled ihiiftiefully to relmauifli, if'
Caflel was not relieved in time. Senfible of thjs» with
whatever difficulty, he called ift his ffjoft diftaftt pofts, em-
bodied his army, infpired them with neW fpirits, and made
them capable, by a more exa£l order in their difcfpline and
a great fuperiority in their rtumbers, cf attempting fome-
thing confiderable.
On the other hand, the hopes of the allies, depended on
the effect of their firft impreffion ; they were obliged to
attempt too many objefts at the fan^e time, and thefc tod
arduous for the number of which their army confifted. Foif
it was neceflfary that they fhould keep one army, and that
no fmall one, employed on the fiege of Caflel ; anothef
Was occupied in the blockade of Ziegenhayn j a third Was
employed to the eaftward of the Fulda ; and ftill a fourth
was neceflary to cover and fuftain all thefe various opera-
tions, and to oppofe itfelf to the attempts of Marfbal Brog-
lio. It was but too plain, that wh€n the whole of the
French force was colleftcd- in one point, it couW never be
refifted by a part only of the allied army j if they (hould
attempt to draw away any of the feperate corps from the
critical fefviceupo which it was employed, the entire pur-
pofe of their labours was given up. In a Word, Prince
ferdinand had three ftrong pofts of the enemy on his rear,
and their grand army now perfeftly united on his front, aind
his fituation, which was far from advantageous, obliged him
to call in M. Sporcken's body which had efFe£ted its pur-
pofe and could beft be fparea. HoWever the prince kept
his pofition as long as poflible j and the fiege was carried
on with as much vigour as a winter operation, and the fpi-
'/ited defence of a great garrifon ably commanded, would
admit.
But Marfhal Broglio, as foon as he had colledled his army,
advanced without delay. He caufed the troops under the
hereditary prince to be attacked near the village of Stange-
rode, in the neighbourhood of Grunberg, where he was ad-
vanced in front of the before-mentioned line of the allied
army. The attack was made by the enemies dragoons, the
very firft fliosk of which broke the whole foot, confifting »f
nine
368 4be History of the War. t;©!*
'jme regiments, Hanoverians, Heflians, and Bruiifwickers.
The French on this occafion made two thoufand prifoners,,
and poffeffed thcmfelves of feveral trophies of vidory ; k^tt
were killed or wounded on either fide.
• After this blow the allied army could no longer think of
making head againft the French, or of maintaining their
ground in Hefl'e. They broke up the blockade of Ziegen-
hayn j and foon after raifed the fiege of Caffel, after twenty-
fe ven days open trenches. They evacuated the whole coun-
try of Hefle, retired behind the Dvmel, and falling back
nearly *a the quarters they poffefled before this undertaking.
Thus ended an expedition which was carried on againft
many difficulties, with much fpirit, and which at firft excit-
ed great hopes. It failed indeed in fome of its objeils ; but
it produced its efFedi in the total of the operations of the
year. The French, by the deftrudion or feizure of fo many
of their principal magazines, were for a long time difabled
from taking any advantage of their fuccefles in the p reced-
ing campaign, or from their late viftory. It vas not until
the feafon was a good deal advanced that they were in a
condition to aft. This ceflation was not dearly bought
even by the lofs we fuftained at Stangerode, and the ex-
treme nardftiips the troops had endured during the whole
fervice ; for circumff^anced as both armies were at their
quitting the field, without this feafonable check it is proba-
ble we fliould have at this day no footing in Germany. Both
armies as it where by confent lay qUict in their winter quar-
ters. During their inaftion, the negotiation at London and
Paris, whofe commencement we have related in the firft
chapter, was purfued without interruption*
CHAP. IIL
The negociation continued. Propofttiom of uti poffidetis. Dt'
bate concerning the periods. Belletjle defcribed. Englijk
repuljed at Lochmaria bay. They make good their land'-
ing. Palais befiegedi Town abandoned* Citadel CU'
pitulates,
IT muft be obferved^ that after the judicious feperations
which had been made of the interefts of the feveral pow-
' ers at war, there ft ill remained a fufficient fund of intricacy
and altercations in each particular difcuifion< In ordef there-
fore
/
i'jBi. fife nistoKlr of the WAiL, 36*^
fore to make the way to peace as fmooth as poflible, it was
l-efolved previoufly to eftablifh fome certain and fimple points
that might ferve to direft artd keep fteady the whole nego-
tiation. Thefe points were but two j indeed they we^e fo
infeperably connefted with each other, that they feemed
father members of the fame propofition than feparate arti-
cles. The firft was, thai the two crevms jhould remdin in
^ejjion of what ihn have conquered one from thi. oiher.
The fecohd imported that, the fituation in which they Jhall
Jland at certain periods^ fimll be the pojiiion to ferve a$ a
hafti for the treaty which may be negoHdte^ between the
iWA powers. .
As Frihce was knowrt to havi^ had the worft in the war>
* propofition of ^tf/« guo^ coming from her, mull have ap-
peared ah iriftance of moderation, altogether fiirprizifag to
tour minlfters. It is certain, that haS peace been concluded
at that inrtant, and upon the fole foundation of this article,
Enfflaftd would then have polfefled all the cooquefts flie had
tnade, every olie of which was in a very high degree advan-
tageous to her commerce aiid her power, and none of which
could be conftdered as a fubJeiS of future difcuffion. On,
the other hand, France contmuiftg in poflefl^on of the places
Ihe had conquered, would have acquired ho advahi age that
fcould at all countervail ihe expehce of keeping them j at
the fame time that fhe would be expofed to endlefs alter-.
4;ations, and would afford matter «f the higheft jealoufy in-
dignation, and difcontent, even to her neateft allies. This
bafis being therefore fettled, although it was evident, that
the treaty could not reft upon this Dafis folely. England
had certainly a great fuperiority in the negotiation, and
might rationally expe£l (when they (hould come to talk of
reftitutions) to purchafe the evacuation of the French con*
quells in Germany, at a niuch fmaller price than their ap-
parent magnitude might feem to demand. ^lowe ver thefe
were ftill a matter of fo much anxiety, and the nature of
the precifd (lipulations were ftill fo uncertain, that the ne*
gotiation, though it proceeded with ftrong appearance of a
defire for peace, met with very frequent checks and delays.
Both parties were indeed unanimous in the article of uti
pa^detis i than which, it muft be admitted, there could not
be a better ground to treat upon. But as the war ftill conti-
nued, and whilft it continued might make a daily alteration
in the fortune of the contrading powers, it was neceflary
3^0 The HistoRY <f the War. 17^*.
to fix upon fome epochas to which this pofleffory article
fliould refer. . ■ , , ,/...• j^^
The French on this head propofcd, thai the fttuatton tn
which they Jhall Jiand, on the firft of September in the year
il6i in the Eajl-lndiei, oh the firft of July in the fame year
in the mjl-lndtes and in Africa, and en the firft of May
following in Europe, Jhould be the pofttton, which Jhould
ferve as a bafts to the treaty which may be negotiated be-
tween the two powers. They added further, that as thefc
epochas might feem too near or too diftant for the intereft
of Great Britain, they were extremely willing to enter into
a negotiation upon that objeft. . . 1 /»
The Englifli miniftry received this propofition with lefs
fathfjtaJoti than its apparent fairnefs deferved. They en-
tirely felefted the French epochas j arid declared that they
could fl6t admit, without prejudice to themfelves, any other
epochas than thofe which have reference to the /'V "fJ'^''
ing the treaty of peace. Had this refolution been ftriftly
adhered to, it was evident that the negotiation was that
moment at 4n end. For though what was aflerted in the
French memorial in reply to this declaration, (that the bafts
of the propbjiiton 6f uti poffidetis was neceffarily conneSted
with the particular epochas propofed) is by no means to be
admitted i it is on the other hand not eafy to deny the va-
lidity of their fubfequerit aflertion, « that if not thefe, at
leaft >«(? certaih periods during the war ought to be fixed ;
and that the uti poftdetis could not reafonably have reference
only to the time of figning the treaty of peace. ' For if the
contrary principle was once admitted, it would become
difficult to know, or even with probability to guefs, at the
mature or the value of the poffeflions which by fuch an ar-
ticle ftiould be mutually given away. And if thefe difficul-
ties occurred in the fimpficity of a, pofleffory article, they
hiuft be increafed tenfold upon every other, and muft come
to fuch an height as to preclude all poflibility of negotiation
on things of fo intricate a nature as exchanges and equiva-
lents. The French in their memorial inUfted fo ftrongly
on the propriety of ?ftabliftiing thefe periods, that they
threatened to recal the whole propofition if they were not
agreed to. « . , . • ^ r -
it muft doubtlefs appear at firft view furpnzing to fee
Trance, whofe aftual fituatlon was very indifferent, con-
tending for a near period, and England, whofe affairs were
y article
uetton tH
the year
ame year
of Mav
ch Jhoutd
tiated be-
: as thefc
B intereft
inter into
with le(s
They enr
that they:
any other
fn'4f^y
\ was that
-ted in the
7at the bafts
f conneSied
eans to be
ny the va-
: thefe, at
) be fixed ;
! reference
For if the
[d become
lefs, at the
uch an ar-
:fe difficul-
rticle, they
muft come
negotiation
hd equiva-
fo ftrongly
that they
y were not
izing to fee
:rent, con-
afFairs were
at
fj^t.
The History cf the War.
37»
at that time apparently in a profperous fituation, poftppning
the uti poffidetis to one more remote. But the truth ^s, that
in that particular neither party confulted their prefent con-e-
dition. They afted wholly on forefight. For though the
£nglifh, on the 25th of March, when this propofition was
made, were carrying on the fiege of Caflel, and the other
llrong places in Hefle, and the enemy had no army in tha(
country to oppofe them, it was notwitnftanding evident tha^
from. the flow progrefs of thofe fieees, and from thealacijty
of marflial Broglio in colle£iing his troops, they muft b^
Ihortly obliged to abandon the enterprise ; it wai evident
that France muft be reinftated in the ab(b!ttte pofieflion of
her former conquefts long before the epocha of the firft of
May, the period which they fixed for Europe. Both courts
were fully apprized pf this. It was therefore the intpreft
of France to offer and of England to r^eA this near period ;
cfpecially as the fate of the defign on the coaft of jPrance
was then depending, and our adminiftration feemed to have
conceived no mean hopes of its fuccefs, and 00 final! o|4ni'*
on of its importance In the negotiation.
The fleet employed in this expedition ikiled frphi Spit»
head on the 19th of^Mnch, and it was ibon difcovered that
Belleifie was the objetS^.
fielleifle, the largeft of all the European iflandsbelongiifi,
to the French King, is between X2 and 13 leagues in cii^
cumference.
The ifland originally belonged to the earl of Cornouaille,
l»ut has been fince yielded to the king : it contains only one
little city, called Le Palais, three country towns, 103 vil-
la^, and about 5000 inhabitants,
^ The town of Palais takes its name from a caftle, belong-
ing to the duke deBelleifle, in its neighbourhood, which is
now converted into a citadel, which is a regular and ftrong
fortification, fronting the fea, compoTed principally of horn*
work, and is provided with two dry ditches, the one next the
counterfcarp, a^d the other fo contrived as to fecure the in-
terior fortifications. This citadel is divided from the largeft;
part of the iow^i by an inlet of the fea, over v^ich there
is a bridge of communication j from the other part of the
town i and which is moft Inhabited, it is only divided by
its own fortifications, and a glacis. There are three no-
minal harbours in this ifland, Palais, Sauzon and Goulfard ;
every one of whkh labours Mnd«r f«nie capital def<i£i, either
Pa in
3^7i
9te HisTOHV cf tbt Wa«,
Vl(>U
in being expofed, (hallow, or dangerous at the entrance,
The only branch of trade carried on here is the curing
pilchards.
From thfs ftate of the jfland, poor in itfelf, capable of
little improvement, and fo ill circumftanced in point of harr
boi^rs, a fort of a didike to the expedition began to arife.
Several djd pot ifec of what confiderable fervicc fuch a con-
<jueft coulfi be of to England in time ofpeace, or of what
prejudice to tl^c enemy in time of war. They forcfaw that
it could not be t^ken without confiderable lofs, or kept
without confiderable expence j and on the whole they ap-
preherided that when exchanges came to be made, Francq
would Jay no great ftrefs upon >t. Qn the other hand it was
lU-ged, that thqugh the harbours were bad, yet fmall priva-r
teers might i flue from thence, greatly to the moleftation of
the French coafti^g trade; apd that the 6eet of England
might ride between it and the cpnttnent in a well protected
road. They imagined the ppflieffion of this ifla,nd, if not
o/ great detri pient to the intcreft of Erance, would be a
grievo4s wound to her pride j an4 that thofe circumftancej»
which had formerly induced her to expend money on the
fortifications there, and on the ap^rehenfion of an invafiorni
to fill them with a powerful garrilbn, would likewil'e per-f.
fsade her to fet a value on |:he plac^ when ft came to be
eftirpated in the treaty, .^j/d ci,v- -
Whilft they jreafojned in thjs manner In Epeland, the
9^iQl ^nder the jqpmmand of commodo.e KeppfcT, and the
land forces under general Hodgfon, arrfved before ^elleifle:
on. .the 7 th of. Api^ilt and on the 3th agreed to attempt 4
landing on the fbuth-eaft of the ifland in a fjindy bay neat
Lochmaria point. Here the enemy were in poffeifion of a
Httje forti they had moreover entrenched themfelves ori
an hill excefliyely fteep, and the foot of which was fcraped
away. The attempt waj made in three pjaces with great
refolution : a few grenadiers got on (bore, and formed them-^
ielvesj but as they were not fupported, they werie £or the
grejiter p^rt made prifoners. The reft of jche army, after
fcveral very braye and repeated efforts, being wholly qnable
to force the enemies lines, or make good their landing, were
obliged to retire with lofs j what added to the difafter was,
that feveral of the flat bottomed veffels were deftroyed or.
damaged in an hard gale which followed on our retiring,
from fhe fliore, This made the profpe^ of any future at-
I7^««
Tbi History ef the WaH,
'371
tempt more unpleafing even than the firft. In this attack
we loft in k\\\cd, woundpd and prifon«j:s, nc^ five hundred
men.
Neither commanders nor foldlers were however difpirlt-
cd by this mortifying repulfe. They refolved, if poihble,
not to return without eflre£l, and then determined diligently
to fearch the whole coaft» in order to find a ptace more fa-*
vourable for another attack. The view indeed was not en-
couraging. The ifland is naturally a fortification; an4
what nature had left undoiie %o majce it fuch, had been
amply fupplied by art.
It was a long time after this firft failure before the wea-
ther would give our commanders an opportunity of a fecond
trial J however thev perfifted with the utmoft* fteadinefs,;^
and found at lengtn a convenient fituation. Not that it
was a part of the coaft lefs ftrone than the reft ; on tha
contrary, they built their principal hopes on the exceflive
fteepnefs and difficulty of the rocks, which had rendered
the enemy rather lefs attentive on this quarter. This ar.^
duous attempt was made at a bold rocky fhore, near the
above-mentioned point of Lockmaria. Befides the princi-
ple attack, two feints were made at the fame time to diftraft
the enemy, whilft the men of war direfted their fire with
great judgment and efFeft on thfe hills. Thefe manoeuvres
gave brigadier general Lambert with an handful of men,
an opportunity of climbinff up a very fteep rock, without
moleftation. This little body having thus profperoufly
gained the top of the hill, formed themfelves in
good order, and without delay. They were im- April 2^4
mediately attacked by three hundred of the
French, but they maintained their advantage with refo-^
lution until the whole corps of brigadier Lambert, which
pow had afcended in the fame manner, arrived to their
^Mance, and repulfed the enemy (a)
Thtf
(«) Uttefj/rM Major Gtn. Hodgfon, and tht Hon, Commoitrt
Keppe), to the Sterttaries oj Statt, r*lativ» to thtir ixpttlitien
againji the ^a»i0/'B(sUeiiIe.
J
o I jj f 0« hard tie Valiant, off.
* I BtUtifle j§pril itt 1 761.
Have the honour to acquaint you, that his Majefly's fleet mdcf
the command of Conk Kepptl^ and ^ Uanfjpoits with his
Majefty's
^it#HisToiiY *//** War. i)(5f.
The landing of all the forces was made good in a (hort
6xne afJcer. The lofs in this daring a4id fuccafsful at-
tempt, was inconfidcrable. In one or two places the ene-
]■.:'.'[■. ' my
Mjefty's forces on board, came to an anchor in this road on
^ntfd^y, the 7th inft. about twelve o'clock. Soon after their ar-
rival, I went with the Commodore to take a view of the coalt ;
and we agreed at our ret(trn, that the port of St. Andr» appeared
to us to be the beft place to make a defcept ; and it was fettled,
Uiat Sir 7hamas Stanbipt^ with fome of his Majelty's ftips, and
the tranfports, with Stuart' % and Gra/s battalions and marines on
board, JhouM make a feint at S««Ke», at tlie fame time that wc
made a real attack at 'Sa. Andro. Then it was too late in the day
to do more than give the neceffary orders for the troops deflinea
to land firft, to be ready to embark early in the morning in the
flat bottomed boats, that I might attempt a landing as foonasthe
Ihips had filenced a four gun-battery, which commanded the en-
trance of the bay. This was foon done by tlie Acbillti^ after flie
took her ftation. No time was then loft to go in with the boats,
with tlie grenadiers, and the regiments ordered for this fervice.
But when we entered the bay, we found the enemy fo ftrongly in-
trenched on each fide of the hill, which was exc^lTively fteep, and
the foot of it fcraped away, tliat it was impoflible to get up to
the breaftwork. After feveral unfiiccesful efforts, feeing it was
Imprafticable to force the enemy from their lines, 1 thought it ad-
vifable to defift. Maj. Gen. Craiv/erJ and Brig. Carleton exerted
tiiemfelves as much as pofTible on the occafion : the latter is
wounded in the thigh, but in a good way of doing well. The
lofs we fuffered in our retreat, was very incbpfiderable, as the f re
of the ihips covered it. The weather has been fo bad ever fince
the 8tl^'that I have not been able to get returns from the fe-
veral corps, fo I cannot afcertain*our lofs; but I bdieve there are
near sookilkd^ wounded, and prifohers. I ihall desire Mr.
Ktppil to go along Iwith me to rfccDnpitre the iflaud once
more, and if we can difcover any part whereon an attempt can
be made with theleaft probability of fuccefs, we Ihall make a fe-
cond trial. I cannot help obferving to you, that the whole ifl-
and is a fortification ; and that the little nature had left undone^
to make it fuch, has been amply fupplicd by art j the enemy
having been at work upon U ever fince Sir Edward Hmwkt ap-
peared before it laft winten ■ 'A
I have the honour to inform you, the greateft harmony has
liibfifted between the two fervices ; and 1 Ihduld not do juflice tq
the commandei and ofiwjetsof Uis Majefty's Aeet, if J dJ<i not at
tha
iy6f. Tht HistcffiY cf'ihe WaJt^ ^7^
my Teemed difpofed to make fome fland ; but the body of
light horfe, which was embarked in this expedition, Soon
drove them tp the town, and Jaid all quite open to the in-
trenchments
the fame time I inform you, that they have aflifted me to the utmoil
of my wifhes in carryuij; on the operations, purfuant to his Ma»
jeAy 9 Inilrudlions. ' •■•'
icf 1i l£ J havtththtiMur to bi,l^e,
SHEDHOLM HODGSON,
SIR,
f Valiant in tie great rtad 0/
I Btiieijfe, Jfrii 13, 1 761.
I Had the honour of writing to you the 29th of March, when
* I left Spitbead. It was from that time to the 6th inft. before
the wind came to the i^^flward, to enable the fleet to fteer in
witli thecoaft oi France ; and that evening I detached fix frigates,
ill hopes they might in the night get fo ftationed, as to cut off
tlie enenw's communication with the main land. The next morn-
ing the fleet pafled the foMth end of ^///r^^.clofe along the fhore;
And at one of the bays by Point Lmaria, the General iind my felf
thought a defcent might be tried : but as the wind was foutkerly;
It could not 'poflibly be attempted at that time. At twelve
o'clock the whole fleet anchored in the great road ; when imme-^
diately I went with Gen. Hodgfen to the northern part, of the ilt*
and, to be as well informed of the ftren'gth of the enemy's «|rork9^
tliere as the time would admit ; and while we were upon tmsne^*
ceflary fervice, the fhips of war in the road were preparing the
jflat boats for the rtceptipn of the troops; but by the time we
got back, it was too late in the day to make any trial.
The 8ih the wind north-eafterly, the 'boats being ready lor
the reception of the troops, the iignal was made very early in the
morning for them to aflemble at 3ie rendezvous ; and three ftiips,
with two bomb- veflels, were ordered to proceed round the point
of Lomaria, at the S. E. part of the ifland, and' attack the fiMt
and other works in th^ Sandy Bay round the before-mentioned
point, the place the General and myfelf had agreed to liave
attacked,
Capt. Barringten^ in the jtcbilleSf got placed firft, and foon
ftlenced the fire from thefort and from the Ihore; and then, as
he was direfted, made the fignal of his having done fo ; when
the troops in the boats were pulhed to the landing, with great
briflcnefs and fpirited behaviour, at three different places neartc»
each other, by Capt. Barton , whom I ordered to command the
boats
f 7f 7*# HisTonv of thi War. f^Ui
trenchments before it. The great difficulty how confift.
<d in bringing forward the cannon, which were firft to be
dragged up the rocks^ and afterwards, for two leagues,
along
boats. But the difficulty of gettine footings and the enemy be-
ing ftrongly intrenched on the heights, ana in the little fort, the
Vroops foon met with fuch a repul^, that it became neceffary, as
weU as prudent, to deiift from the attempt for the prefent, and
retire with the flat boats ; in which they were well covered by
the Ihipe and bombs.
On^ of the flat boats landed lixty of Eniim's grenadieis, who
got up a very difficult place to the top of the hills ; wh^re they
|orm^ with great (kill, bat were fo Immediately routed by i
much more numerous body of the enemy, that all attempts to
Aiccour them was ineifetftual, any further than the boats bringing
frotm the rocks about twenty of them.
■I ^Whije all this was tranfafting, S^' Timas Stanhoft, with four
(hips of war» the battalions of Graft and Sti$art% with coo ma<
lines in tranfports, were oppoiite Sa»mti, at the noslhern part of
th^ iiland«^ thefe troops were emb2|rkedin the boati^ if poflible
to divert vSfi enemy from th« principal objeft.
A gale pS \iiad, coming on very quick after the retiring from
thf i&ore,,'has occasioned fo much damage among the tranfports,
by the lo& of an^prs and flat boats, that it takes up a very
^onflderal^c time <to put thii^ in away to attempt what further
may be thought pra^ic^ble* Thelofsofflat boats in the gale
is i^wenty-two, which wiU reader the Ibrce of landing much infe«
rior tp what it was firft attempted with.
While the repairing and adjufting of thefe defeats are in hand,
I hope fome fpot may be agreed upon, where we may be more
fucoefsful in the attempt, than we were on the 8th; but if not fa,
]L hope his Majelly will believe I have had nothing more at heart
than the exerting the force intrufted to me, in a manner mofl
conducive to the honour of ius arms.
/ have tbi honour to h, l^e^
t , A. KEPPEU
, at>
j Belliiflt.four o' Clock in tbt
'^ tnornittg, April tit 1761.
A% I havejuft had a note from Com. Keppel, to inform, me,
that a frigate will fail this day for England, I have only
time ta acquaint you, that his Majefty's troops under my .pom-
Sluad lauded yefterday at five. The enemy's attention was fo
, diftrafted
I7^f#
7li History «/ ih Wab.
SI 7
along a very rugged and broken road; Thi« necefTarilytook
up fomc time. However the fiegc was commenced witb
vigour : and the garrifon, commanded by th^ chevalier dc
St. Croix,
diftrafled with our attempts of landing at different places,
where there was the leaft appearance of our being able tofucceed,
that it gave Brig. Lambtrt an opportunity of climbing up a lock
with a corps Iliad left with him for thatjurpofe, if practicable.
The difficulty of mount inghad made the enemy leaft attentive to
that part. fi^-Kf^r-t'j grenadiers, with their captain, Paitetfu., got
up before they faw what was intended They immetiiately match-
ed a body of 300 men to attack him. The grenadiers maintained
their groun I till the.reft of Brig. Lumhert\ got up. V^'e took
three brafs field-pieces, and fome woimdcd prifoners. If is im-
pofTible for me fufficiently to commend Mr. fnmiert*^ conduft
and gallant behaviour on the occafion ; and take the libety to
beg you will permit me to requeft you will recommend him to the
King, as an officer defervinghis maiefty's favour. Capt. P ■ "r/o*
has loft his arm. I believe our lofs is not above thirty killed. I
am afraid you will not be able to read tliis fcrawl, as 1 write it in
lite iield, the troops being on their march.
S IR,
\
1 ftm, tfr,
^ S HODGSON.
Valiant, in tbt Grtat-RoaJ of
BilUiJlt, /Iptlii, 1 76 1.
J Had the honour to fend you a letter by the Aaoen frigate, in
which I gave you but little hopes. Since which time the
General an.i I having confi iered, that by attempting a place
where the mounting the rocks was juft pollible, and where the
enemy were no otherwife prepared, from the impradicable ap-
pearance it had to them, than by a corps of troops to annoy
the boats in the attempt, that it carried fome degree of hopes
with it; and by making a difpofition for the attic of their
intrenched bays, and at Sauxon at the fame time, which the ar-
rival of the tranfports with the light horfe enabled n-'C to do,
\\t might poftibly gain a footing; I have now the greateft plca-
fure in acquainting you, that his Majefty's troops have made
good a landing on tiie rocks rear Point lamaria ; and cannot
iiifficiently commend the fpirit and good behaviour of the troops
•in the attempt, and the judgment with which Sir Thomas i'/,./.«
**«'/>^and the reft of the captains of the king's fliips, diret'tedthe
fire upon ihe hills.
Q^ Capt.
37«
7/&I History •ftU WaA.
1761*
on
St. Croix, a brave and experienced olRcer, threatened ^..
their fide a long and obftinate defence. Nothing in h&.
was deficient on either part. The enemy made fome fallics ;
one of them with confidcrable efFe£t. Major Gen. Craw-
ford was made prifoncr on this occadon. But our troops
were only animated by thcfe checks. A furioui attack was
made upon the enemies lines which covered the town, and
they were carried without much lofs ; principally by the
vncomnton intrepidity of a company of marines which had
been but newly ralfcd, No a£tion of greater fpirit and gal-
lantry had been performed during the whole war.
The town was now entirely abandoned, and the defence
confined to the citadel . It was obvious, that as our fleet
prevented all communication with the continent, and there-'
by cut off all hopes of relief, the place muft necelTarily be.
reduced ; but the chevalier de St. Croix was refolved to pro-
vide for his own houour, when he could not for the pre-
fervation of the place entrufled to him, and, fince he could
not maintain it, to fell it as dear a pofllble< Accordingly
there was no mention of yielding, until the 7th of June,
when there was no longer the flichteft profpeft of fuccour,
and the place was by no means fafely tenable. Then he
capitulated, and the garrifon marchea out with the honours
of war.
Thus was the ifland of Belleifle reduced under the En-
glifli government, after a defence of two months. In this
expedition we had about eighteen hudred men killed and
wounded. The lofs moft regretted was, that of Sir William ,
Peere Williams, a young gentleman of great talents and ex-
peftations, and who had made a diftinguifhed figure in par*
Jiament. He had but newly entered into the fervice. He
was ihot in the night, by having; carelcfsly approached too
near a centinel of the enemy. He was the third perfon of
family whom in this war, the loveof enterprjze hadbrought
to an honourable death in thefc expeditions to the coaft of
France.
Whatever
Capt. Banington having been employed in many of the ope-
rations of this fervice, I have fent him home with this lettetft;
and beg, Sir, lo refer you to liim for the particulars*
/ hai'e tht honour to ht, ^e.
. A. KErPFL.
17^1. TbiHisTav^Y fif tbi War, 379.
Whatever difference of opinion might have been en-
tertained conccrnino; the value of this conqueR, or the
price which was paid for it, the rejoicing in London wm
great and fincere. The general and the land and fea offi-
cers employed in the expedition were the fubjed of very
juft applaufe, who with fo noble a pcrfeverance had ftrug-
glcd with, and had overcome fuch great difficulties, and
who had the fpirit, after fuch a difafter on their outfet, to
renew an attack under circumiHnccs nearly as unfavourable
as thofe by which they had been at firft foiled. The city of
London addreiTed the Kin| on the occafton. And it was
gcnerallv expe£led that this new proof of our fupcricNrity
muft influence the negotiation in our favour. Some how-
ever were of opinion, that it would rather exaiperate the
French, and irritate their pride to renew theiib efforts which
their misfortunes had flackened when they 0iw us in the
midft uf a treaty making attempts, and carrying places in
Old France, and as it were, in the prefencc of that haughty
court. However as there was nothing done that was
not ftriitly juftifiable, no complaint was made, and the
treaty proceeded, t(xall ^pearance with as much g^od hu-
mour MS before,
CHAP. IV.
England and Frame agree to treat of a Jeperate peace. Epo-
chas propofed by England, Court of nenna agrees. Oh'-
je£l$ of the negotiation. Propofals of France with regard
to Europe, Afia, Africa, and America. French memorial
toncermng Spain. Indignation of the Bnglijh minijler^
Englijh anfwer to the French memorial,
jTmuft be obfeived, that though the courts of London
* and Verfailles treated feperately, it was hitherto by no
means propofed, that this feperate difcuffion ihouid lead to
a feperate peace. It was no more than a previous arrange-
ment for the removal of thofe difficulties, which miglit
prevent the peace of France with England from being uni-
ted with the general peace of Europe. But in proportion
as the treaty advanced, it became obvious, that the fettling
of any terms, which had no reference to the fignature of
fomething obligatory between the two crowns, could at
beft be only void and illufory, and might in the end. even
Q.2 prove
380 TJbe Uisto^Y of f be Wak. 1761.
prove the fource of dangerous and captious altercations.
The Englifli minifter therefore, before he would agree to
that definitively upon any point, and particularly upon the
epochas, infilted upon two preliminary conditions.
Firll, that every thing, which fhould be happily adjufted
between the two crowns in relation to their particular war,
Ihall be made obligatory, final, and conclufive, indepen-
dent of the fate of the negotiation of Augiburg.
Secondly, that the definitive treaty of peace between
Great Britain and France, or preliminary articles to that
end, fhall be figned and ratified between the date of that
memorial and rhe firft of the following Auguft.
■ If thefe conditions were accepted, then England on her
part confented to name determinate epochas, to which the
utipoffjetis fhould refer ; the firft of July for Europe j the
firft of September for Africa and America ; and the firft
of November for the Eaft Indies. The French miniftry
without contefting the epochas* themfelves, complained of
the conditions ; of the firft, becaufe they faid it departed
from the letter and fpirit of the memorial of the 26th of
March, which was the foundation of the whole treaty ; of
the fecond, on account of the extreme fhortnefs of the
time allotted for the difcufllon of fome difficult and momen-
tous points } and the adjuftmcnt of matters which regarded
a war extended over the four quarters of the globe ; for the
memorial which contained thofe conditions, was dated ort
the 17th, and was not received at Paris until the end of
June, fo that little more than a mdmh wis left to obtain
the confent of the court of Vienna to a feperate treaty, to
fettle the terms of this treaty, and finally, to ratify it.
If a very uncommori good urtderftanding had not fubfift-
ed between her imperial Majefty and the king of France,
it muft have been very difficult to have received this con-
fent. But in fadt it wa« immediately received, and upon
one very fhort and apparently reifonablt condition, ** That
nothing might be ftipulated to the prejjudice of the houfe
of Auftria." But when this condition came td be explain-
ed, as we ftiall fee prefently, it was fo far from faciliating,
that it created newobftacles tO the peace. However, this
acquiefcence of the principal of her allies, enabled France
^ to accept of the firft condition without referve ; and to the
. laft fhc verbally, though not in the cleareft terms, agreed
alio. -.:'.. -\ ■ -v;
•' : Things
ifSi, T'i&^HisTORY of the Wak. 581
Things feemed for the prefent in the beft fitiiatidn,
which in this ftage of the treaty could be expefted. The
bafis of the negotiation was folidly eftablilhcd. The article
uti pojftdetis, fince the taking Belleifle, was a matter of lefs
difficulty, and the epochas were in general fettled in fuch
a manner, as to coincide with the defigns and defircs of both
parties. The treaty was confined to the two powers, and
It was to be perfedly definitive as to them. A time for
concluding it, was alio in a great meafure fettied ; a cir-
cumftance, which if it did not admit fufficient leifure for
accurate difcuffion, cut ofF however the opportunities of
chicane, and feemed to be the moft fuitable to a candid
proceeding, and a fmcere defire of peace.
The foundation being thus laid, the fupcrflru£lure was
the next confideration. This fuperflrudture confifted in
the adjuftment of thofe compenfations which were to be
made for the reciprocal conquefts (and here the difficulty
lay) of the two powers ; a punililio of honour ftiight have
intervened at the very firft fetting out, extremely pernici-
ous to the falutary work in hand ; from which party the
firft propofition fhould proceed ? But in this refped: France
gave way, and that conceffion afforded no inconfiderablc
proof of her pacific intentions.
We muft apprize the reader that we do not mean to
enter exaftly into the whole detail of this negotiation, ttor
undertake precifely to defcribe all the turns that were taken
in it. This, we imagine, would prove a tedious and un-
acceptable performance. We fhall attach ourfelves to the
capital o^efts which were contended for in this game of
policy : We flial! endeavour to point out the matters which
firft obftrufted, 2nd then finally broke off the treaty j and
we (hall reft on thefe things in fuch a manner, as (eems to
us fitteft for marking out the true fpirit of the negotiating
powers. Our own obfervations fhall be very fparingly
Interpofed. We are hiftorians, and not adv6cate?.
The uti pJfidetis being fettled a» the bafij of the treaty,
ftothmg coold reafonably be claimed by either party, that
was not to be counterpoifed by fome equiva'-nt from the
other ; and confequently it was neceffary to adjuft and va-
lue their feveral pofleflions, pretenfions and demands.
There were fix principal objefts in this negotiation. Firft,
the limits of the two crowns in North America. Secondly,
the conquefts of Great Britain in the Weft-Indies, (toge-
ther
SSi
The History »/ tbt War.
1761.
therwith the Neutral Iflands there.) Thirdly, our con-
qucfts in Africa and in India. Fourthly, theadjuftmcnt of
the particular afFair between the En^lifti and French in
Germany. Fifthly, the condudl which the two crowns
were to hold with regard to their rcfpeilivc allies in Ger-
many. And laftly, the reftitution of the captures made by
England, previous to the declaration of war.
On the firft of thcfe articles, France propofed to cede
and guaranty all Canada to England ; ftipulating only that
the free and publick excrcifes of the Roman Catholick reli-
gion Ihould be permitted under the Englifh government,
and that thofc of the old French colonifh who chofe to re-
tire might have leave to tranfport thcmfclves from thence,
and take away or difpofe of their effeds. In compenfation
for this, they required a confirmation of the privilege of
what fifhing they enjoyed on the coaft of Newfoundland,
under the treaty of Utrecht ; and that this fiftiery might
be carried on with advantage, they likewife required the
reftitution of the ifle of Cape Breton, excluding thcmfelves
in return from ere(Sting on that ifland any kind of fortifica-
tion whatfoever.
The affairs in the Weft-Indies, which make the fecond
capital objciSt, they propofed to fettle in this manner.
They offered to exchange Minorca for Guadaloupe and
Mangalante ; and as to the four Neutral Iflands, they in-
fifted that two of them, Dominica and St. Vincent, were
held by their natural inhabitants the Carribees, under the
proteftion of France, and that they ought ftill to remain in
the fame condition. With regard to the two others, they
propofed to make a fair divifion ; that St. Lucia fliould re-
main to France, and that England ihould enter into poffef-
i^on of Tobago. On this head it is fufficicnt to obferve,
that in the opmion of fome people, our miniftry did not,
In this treaty, fet the juft value on the acquifition they had
made ; when they looked upon Canada as the great and
leading obje£t, and only confidered Guadaloupe and Mari-
galante in a fecondary and fubordinate light. This is a
queftion of difficulty, and has been much agitated. Thofc
who dread a frefh American war from the ambition of
France, and were ftruck with the idea of extended empire,
preferred the former conqueft j thofe who folely confider-
ed our Intereft as a cgfjimercial people, were generally in
favour of the latter,
' On
1761. 7be History of the V^AtL, gJT^
On the fide of Africa, France fatisficd herfclf with de-
mandmg either the fettlement at Senegal, or the iflc of
Goree: for which (together with the reftoration of Bcllc-
ifle) thev confented to evacuate Gottingen, Heffe and Ha-
nau, and to draw off their army to the Maine and the
Rhine. This was certainly a full equivalent. But with
regard to the Eaft-Indies, they had no tolerable equivalent
to offer. They expatiated much in their memori.nl upon
the difadvantages which muft arife to the companies of the
two nations, from their entertaining views of conqueft, fo
contrary to the true fpirit, and the real intereft of thelfe
trading eftablifliments ; and they concluded by propofing
the treaty, formerly fettled between the fieurs Godcheau
and Saunders, as a bafis for the re-eftablifliment of peace
in Afia. It muft be remarked, that this treaty had been
•bncluded at a time when the affairs of France in the Eaft
Indies made a figure very different from their prefent fitu-
ation } and therefore it feemed unfair to make this treaty a
jlandard under circumftances altogether inapplicable.
The war, which has been fo long, with fo much blood-
Ihed and fo fruitlefsly carried on in Weftphalia, the French
ftrenuoufly contended, was from the time of (what they
called) the breach of the capitulation of Clofter-Seven, a
war purely En^lifli; and therefore that their conquefts in
that part of Germany, formed a proper compenfation for
the Engliih conquefts in the other quarters of the world.
Our minifters did not attempt formally to refute this affer-
tion J they rather feemed to admit it j and they agreed ac-
cordingly to receive the evacuation of thefe places as an
equivalent for ceffions to be made on the footing we have
already mentioned. On this point there was little diffi- '
culty.
The intricate and knotty part was on what we have fta-
ted as the fifth obleft j the conduft of the two crowns with
regard to their allies. Here was a real, a capital difficulty.
From the beginning of the negotiation, England had de-
clared that they would inviolably preferve their faith to the
King of Pruffia, and would aft ftrenuouAy in his fupport.
This picqued the French minifters ; who, in their turn,
thought thenifelves bound to make a declaration equally
ftrong in favour of the emprefs ; and they had, moreover,
recently conditioned with the court of Vienna, to admit
nothing in the treaty to her difadvantage ; words of great
latitude.
3^4 7^* History «/ /i&# War. 176U
latitude. However, in this difficulty, they found out a
Iblution, which it muft be confeffed, had a very fair and
captivating appcrrancie. They propofed that both armies
in Germany (hould obferve an cxadt neutrality j and fliould
be reciprocally bound to afFord no fort of afliftance, nor to
give no fort of offence to the allies of either of the parties.
And they propofed further, that as armies in this ftate of
inert neutrality muft be a dead and ufelefs expence to the
power who maintains them, thg French king, from the
time his Britannic majefty recalled the Englifli forces from
Germany, would caufe double the number of French for-
ces from the armies of the Upper and Lower Rhine to re-
turn into France ; and that no French troops /hould remain
in Germany but in proportion to thofe which the king of
England fliould keep in his pay. It might certainly be
urged in confirmation of the propriety of this offer, that in
reality thefe armies, whilft they continued in aftion, though
they worried each other abundantly, afforded no kind of af-
fiftancc to their allies, and therefore, when they came mu-
tually to entertain pacific fentiments concerning their own
particular quarrel, and were to give an example of modera-
tion to the reft of Europe, there feemed to be no reafou
why they fliould make efforts in favour of any ally which
they had not made, or been able to make in the hotteft
time of hoftility.
The laft article had its difficulties alfo. The French
infifted, as a poiwt from which they were refolved never
to recede, upon the reftitution of the captures made before
the declaration of war. This demand, they were of opini-
on, was grounded on the cleareft principles of the law of
Iiationsj and the moft exprefs ftipulation of treaties. With-
out entering into thefe various arguments with which this
pofition might be maintained and attacked, it appeared to
many that the honour of both nations was almoft equally
concerned, the one to claim, the other as refolutcly to re-
fufe this reftitution.
On the whole, thefe propofals, which the French fent
to J-ondon in a ^memorial of the 15th of July, formed, tho'
in fome refpeits undoubtedly exceptionable, a very agree-
able plan for a' treaty of peace. A better could not have
be^ cQcpeiSted in the firft projetS: of an enemy, and it might
be hibped, that a negotiation thus favourably begun, could
not fail «f adjufting eafily whatever appeared wrong, or
iupplyir.g
17^1. The History ef thWAJL, jg^
fupplying whatever was defeaive in this firft draught of
the propofuions. Bi^t fatally for th. repofe of mankind, in
the very inftant t;hat this fair propofal was made, at the ve.
xy n)oment when t)iefe ftrong den>onftr9tions were given,
an a<a was done which blew up at one explofion, th« whole
bafis of the treaty that had been Jong and carefully laying
fcattered the materials which had been fo induftrioufly col*
h6ied, and fo cautioufly arranged, and inftead of extin*
guifhing, fprcad the flames of war more widely, and made
them ra^e with new fury. From this time forward all the
tranfanSlion was full of axinnofity, refentment and miftrufl'.
The reader has been apprised of the meafures which
France had been invariably purfuing at the court of Ma-
drid, and the arguments (he employed to iiifufe a jealoufy
into that court. Hitherto however, there was no appear*
ance that thefe meafures had any effe^ ; but to the infinite
furprize and indignation of the Britifli minifter, together
with the memprial which contained the above recited pro*,
pofitions, Mr. Bufly, the French agent, delivered a private
memorial, fignifyi^jg, that in prder to eftablifh the peace
upon folid foundations, not tp be Ihaken by the contefted
interefts of a third power, the king pf Spain might be in-
vited to accede to guaranty the treaty, and that to prevent
the difFerence? which fubfifted between Great Britain and
this monarchy from being a ineaiis of producing a frefli wir
in Europe, with the cpn^nt »nd communication of his Ca-
tholic majefty, be prpPPft?. that in this negotiation, the
three pomts, whi^h had been difputed between ^he crowns
of England and Spai^, osight be finally fettled. Firft, the
reftitution of fome captures made uppn the Spanifli flag.
Secpndly, the privilege pf the Spanifii nation to fHh on the
banks of Newfpundliand. Thirdly, thedcmoH^ ofthe
Enghfli f^ttlepientj sjgde 90 the fipanifli territories in the
bay of Hopdurgji.
It may be eafily jmagine4, from the fharafter of the
then fecretary pf ft»te, in" what manner he received thefe
proposals : he reje^ed wii* the utmoft fcom, the offer of
yegotiating, thro)*gfe an enemy humbled, and almoft at his
feet, the difpute* pf hjj nation, with a power aftually in
friendfl^ip with va. He called upon the Spaniih minifter to
difavow the propofitipns, which had been faid to be made
with the knowledge pf his court. He returned as wholly
inadmiffi^lc rtu$ wepfiyeniemprial, deciding, that it would
R "be
I
'386 7beRisT0Vi^ of the Wavl. -17(31.
be looked upon as an affront to the dignity of his mafter,
and incompatible with the fincerity of the negotiation, to
make any further mention of fuch a circumftance.
, And now he prepared, without delay, an anfwer to the
principal memorial, in a ftile rather dictated by the circumT
/lances which accompanied that paper, and which fuffici-
entljr indicated the defigns of France, than what the pro-
;?. "-PJ themfelves ftriitly deferved. Indeed, as he had
T • time conceived an incurable fufpicion ofthefince-
ri.^ jif France in the whole proceeding, it would not have
been prudent to have made thofe advances, which on ?
fuppofition of good faith and pacific intentions, might pofli-
b]y Kave been advifeable ; for though both powers had over
and over declared, that their refpeftive propofitions, if the
treaty ftiould by any accident be broken off, would be con-
fidered as retraced or never made; yet it is certain, that
things once fettled' and agreed to, unavoidably ftamp their
own impreiHon upon any future negotiation, relative to the
fame fubjeft.
Mr. Pitt's anfwer, which is ddted on the 29th of July,
.agrees to the reftitution of Guadaloupe, Marigalante and
•Belleifle, on the cbmpenfations propofed by France. It
agrees alfo to receive Canada, but without any new limits
or any exception whatfoever ; and it adds to the French
offer of all Canada, <« its appurtenances." It admits the
propofal of the partition of the Neutral Iflands. It rejedls
the French demand of Cape Breton, or of any other ifland
in the gulph or river of St. Lawrence ; or of any power of
fifhing in that river, in that gulph, or on thofe coafls ; and
.it allows the privilege of fifliing on the banks of Newfound-
land, only on confideration of the demolition of Dunkirk.
But the propofed reftitution either of Senegal or Goree, is
jjtterly refufed. The German neutrality is rejected with
difdain ; and it is declared that Great Britain is unalterably
rtifolved to fuppoft the king of Pruffia with efficacy and
good faith. In addition to the offer made to evacuate Heife,
'&c. it is infifled that the French fhall make a general eva-
cuation of all her conquefts in Weftphalia, and all its coun-
tries, including its conquefts from the king of Pruffia on
the Rhine, though France had before declared, that they
•were conquered for the queen of Hungary, that they were
adlually governed in her name, and that fhe could not, con-
Mendy with, good faith, agree to deliver them to the king
©f
1761. The History of the Wajl, 387
of Pruffia. The treaty between Saundefs and Godcheau '
was not admitted as a proper bafis for a treaty relative to
the Eaft Indies. But it was agreed, that the two compa-
nies fhould negotiate concerning their refpedive interefts,
as the king of Great Britain could not difpofe of the rights
of the Englifh Eaft India company without their confent.
As to the reftitution of the captures before the war, thia-
was moft pofitively refufed.
In this period we leave the negotiation to follow the mo-
tions of tlie armies in Germany. It is certain, that the dif-
pofitions of the two courts grew daily more unfavourable :
their confidence in each other, and their mutual good-will -
wore away ; and it was to be feared, that this negotiation,,
if it broke off in an unfatisfadory manner, muft leave im-
preflions on the minds of the two nations of fuch a nature,
as might ctufe them to wifli they had never engaged
ifi it. .
HAP. V.
Motions of the French and allied armies. General Sporcken
attacked. French pafs the Dyntel. Skirmijhes. Pofiti-
on of prince Ferdinands JunSiion of Broglio and Sou-
hife. Battle of Kirch Denkern. French defeated. French
threaten Hanover. Prince Henry of Brunfwick killed.
Taking of Dorjien. Various movements of the armies.
Dejhu£iion of Schartsfelts-ca/lle. Prince Xavier of Sax-
ony takes fVolfenbutttey and invejis Brunfwick. Detach-
ments from prince Soubife take and abandon Embden,
Attempt on Bremen; Sufferings of Lower- PTeJiphalia.
ALthoiigh the great purpofe of the early and ftrenuous
effbft made by the allies was not fully anfwered, it
neverthelefs produced, as we have before obferved, a very
confiderable and ufeful efFea. The deftrudion of the
French magazines retarded their operations in fuch a man-'
per, that the greateft part of the month of June was fpcnt
before their armies found themfeives in a condition to aft.
But as foon as they had taken proper meafures for their' fub-
fiftence, the prince of Soubife caufed his troops to pafs th»
Rhine, and to advance on the fide of Munfter, not far
from which city the hereditary prince of Brunfwick was
pofted t® oppofe hicn. Marfhal Broglio alfeaibled the for-
R 3 CM
3*1 ^betiisi6'RY ef the WAk, i-jd,
cfs under his command at GafTel, and moved towards the
Djrmel, in order to effe£l a junction with the body under
the prince of Soubife. They made no doubt that their con-
joining ftrcngthwoulrf fooit attain a decided fuperiority over
the aUies, who had ended their late enter prize with a lofs
which was confiderable, and which int thciir ch-cumibnces,
they could not well bear, nor eafily fupply.
Thefe hopes were fupported by tne fuccefs of their firft etv*
eounter. Gtiieral Sporcken with a ftrong detachment had
been pofted in an advantageous fituatton on the Dymel, and
in the front of the allied army. On the approach of Mar-
ihal Broglio, he attempted to retire with all that expedition
which his inferiority made neceflary. But the
June 29*. French came upoft him with fiich rapidity, that
they overtook and attacked his rear, which was
inftantly routed j they took 800 prifoners, 19 pieces of can-
non, 400 horfes, and upwards of 170 waggons. The fame
dlay they pafled the Dymel ;. and whilft prince Ferdinand,
difcouraged by this check, fill back to- the Lippe,,
July 2. thev made themfelves matters of Warburg, Drin-
gleourg, and Paderborn.
The allies, however, foon recovered their fpirits j and
the main body of their army being well fecured, they fent
out feyeral detachments. Their finall bodies were conduc-
ed by General Luckner, and other able partisans, who un-
dertook fevcral bold and very diftant enterprizCs, attacked
the enemy '^ -re they were leaft upon their guard, routed
their con vqyb, '^^oyed feveral of their magazines, carri-
ages and horfes, ' carried off their prey even from the
gates of CafTcl. 'x '"'- lively aftlons (bemed » prelude ta
fome more importan. d decifive attempt.
The French became nfible thit a ftroke of fofne im-
portance was expe<aed h^ the greatnefs of their force,-
andthatit was not for the redit of their arms only, but
for their fccurity from the minute, but continual and galling
attempts of parties from the allied army.
For fome time prmce Ferdinand had been pc^ed to the
ibuth of the Lippcj between Ham and Lipftadt. This po-
fition he took, in all probability,^ becaufe M. Broglio had>,
by occupying theplaces on the Dymel, got betVirefen him
and Hanover. Therefore he judged it expedient for him^
in his turn to ^et between the prince de Soubife artd the
Rhine. . In this fituation, if the enemy attempted any
move-
I76r. Tie UmoiLY of tbt WAVi, 5!'^
movement towards the king's dominions, he was ready to
fall direftly on the places they occupied by that nvef,
which) in the prefent circumftances» were full as impor-
tant to them as the Hanoverian territory was to us. Thus
whilft he feemfed to retire from that territory, and in ;i
manner to abandon it, he in reality provided with the
greater cfFea for its fecurity.
Marfhal Broglio, when he had refolved on the attack of
the allied army, united his troops to thofe of the prince dc
Soubife, at a place called Soeft, between Lipftadt and Ham.
On the other hand, as foon as the general of the allies wa»
apprized of their intention he pofted his army in a very
ftrong and advantageous manner.
The river Aeft rums for a confiderable way, almoft paral-
lel to the Lippc, from which it i^ not diftant in fome pla--
ces, much more than half a mile. The high road from
Lipftadtj to Ham pafTds between thefe rivers; and it ivas of
the utmoft moment to prince Ferdinand to fecure that im-
portant communicatbn by which, alone he could hope an
advantageous retreat, or in any degree propofe to command
the adjacent country. With a view therefore to proteft
that communication, he eftabliflied his left wing on the
Ifthmus between the rivers. The left extremity of that
wing under General Wutgenau, leaning to the Lippe, by
Which it was perfectly fecured, as the right was fupported
fcy the village of Kirch Denkern, fituated immediately on
the Aeft. The marquis of Granby commanded in that
wing, with the affif^ance of lieutenant general Heward and
the prince of Anhalt, who were pofted towards the above-
mentioned village.
At that village another river called the Saltzbach, fmall,
but very deep^ join* the Aeft almoft in a right angles Be-
hind this river on a confiderable eminence was (Saced the
centre commanded by general Conway ; and on the con-
tinuation of the fame eminence, the right wing, under the
hereditary prince, ftretched out towards the village ©r
Werle, and it was well defended on the flank by rugged,
bufljyy and almoft imprafticable ground. Nothing could
be more advantageous than this difpofiticm of the army, by
tvhich the whole centre and right wing were covered m
front by the river, and the left Uipported by rivers on both
its flanks. In the left indeed was the ftrength and flower
of the army j the count of Lippc had placed alfo in this
wing.
I
»75r. iift History of tht War. 390
wing, the grcateft part of the nrtillcry, as he knew that It
defended the mod important fituation, was the molt expo-
fed in front, and confcqiiontly would bo the object of the
enemy's moll confiderablc ed'oi ts.
He was not millaken in hiv conjcilurc. On the 15th of
July, in the evening, a very furious attack was made on
lord Granby's polis, which was fullaincd for a long time
with all the intrepidity and fnmncfs, which Britifli troopu
always exert, and which that gallant officer knows
fo well how to inCpirc. The dilnofition we have jull men-
tioned, was not then compicated \ fo that they had the
whole torrent of that impctuofity, which diftinguifhes the
French in their firft attacks, to refill for fomc hours, until
Wutgenau, according to the plan oricinally projcdled, ar-
rived to their afliftancc, and then with efforts united and
redoubled in a long and obftinatc combat, which continued
untill it was quite dark, they icpuHcd the French and drove
them into the woods.
By the next morning, the difpofition of the al-
July 16. lies was perfeaed j and it was evident that the
French, far fromlwing difmayed by their misfor-
tune, were preparing for a more general and better fuftain-
cd attack than the former. M. Broglio commanded againii
«ur left, which, as on the prcceeding day, was the princi-
pal obje«Sl of the enemy. The prince dc Soubife led their
centre on their left. I'hc engagement began at three in
the morning, and it was a levcre and continued fire for
upwards of Hve hours, before the leaft efFe£l could be per-
ceived on cither fide. The weight of the attack this day
lay on Wutgenau's corps, which fupported it with a degree
of bravery, that rivaled the ftand which had been lately
made by the Britifh forces. But about nine, the prince
difcovcred that the enemy were prepariiig to crec'A batteries
on an emminencc, in the front of the Marquis of. Gran-
by's camp, which he had not been able to enclofe within
his lines. Senfible of the prefling necelTity there was of
preventing the enemy from feiiing on an eminence, from
whence they might cruelly gall his army, he called in are-
ferve, which had been placed at the other fide of the Lippe
under general Sporckcn. Strengthened by this fupply, and
encouraged by the irrcfolution which now began to appear
in the motions of the enemy, he commanded the troops
which were nearcft at hand to advance upon them.
This
39* '^^f History cf thi War. i;^i.
. This movement wan dccifivc, the enemy gave way, fell
into til (order, and retired ^vith precipitation. 'Ihcir tcntr*
and left, which had not been able to pa(8 the Salt/.bach,
ttttcra long and cHbdtual cannonade, retired with the reft,
and covered their retreat j fo that lavour'd by thi» circum-
llancc, and the clofcncd of the country, which was full of
hcilgca, they marched off in tolerable order, and were pur*
iicd but a little way. However, their lofs wa> conftdera-
I'lc : the Regiment of Rouge, confifting of lour battalioni,
with itti cannon and colours, wai entirely taken by the fm-
gle battalion of Maxwell. Their whole lofs in killed
wounded, and prifoners, has been cftimated at 5000. Tho
allies had about 300 killed, 1000 wounded, and about 20a
pi ifoncrs. This a^ion was the climax of the campaifm of
1761 (a), in Wcflphalia ; it did the grc.itcli honour to the
wifdom
(a) Prinet FirJinand^ Ltilir it hit Majijiy frtm th, Fi,U of Bat-
tit, datii^ Kirch DtHtk$rn, >/; 1 6, 1 76 1;
J Ilavc the honour to congratulate your majcfty upon ti vcty
ligiial jjdvantage, which your inajcrty's arms have this day
gamed. It js impo/lible for mc to fet down every particular of
tins glorious day. T!ic Inrarcr of this, an officer of very diflin-
giiilhcd merit, and who has greatly contributed to the happy fuc-
ccfsofflusday. will give your majeHy an exaft account of if.
1 have the honour to rcconijTicnd liim to your majcfty's royal fa-
FERDINAND, Dukt of Brunf'wiik and Lumbturg,
What follow, it tit Attiunt giviH h Mytr WitUtrbourne,
QNtheisthof7«/y the Fr^neh attacked the light troops in
the front of Lord ^.ranby^ corps, which was encamped ou
the heights of A^irf A iJ/«,^,,«, His Lordlhip ordered the regi-
sncnts of Corn'wall,t,Ktith,Campbtll,ind Manbtrg, to fh6 left
to fupport the ports. There was an unintenipted fire of cannon
and finall arms, f jU nine at night, wlicn it ccafed, without any
Jinprcfhon having been made by the enemy upon Lord Granb/t
In the morning of the i6th, about three o'clock the canno-
nading began very briflcly on both fides, and continued till
fluie, when the encn.y gave way in great diforder. His moft fc-
f cne hjghnefs llic Duke, thc» ordered ti^c corps of the prince of
i9»
Tht History •/ tbi War,
17^U
w'lCdom «f the accomplished commander in the dirpofition,
«nd to the bravery of the troops in the combat ; but it was
fit from dccifivc. Notwithftandin^ the lofs the French
buffered, they were ftiil much fuperior, in their numberi.
On this misfortune the old ill underllanding between Sou-
|»if(9and Broglio broke out with frelh animoiity. Narratives,
memorials, and replies, conceived with great bittcrnefs,
were mutually remitted from both marfluls to their court.
Marflial Broglio allcdged, that his misfortune was owing to
the prince de Soubifc\j delay, who did not begin the attack
till it was too late for him to continue it } the prince dip
Soubife, on the other hand, fuggcfted, that Broglio began
his attack earlier than the time that had been fixed, in
hopes of forcing the allies without Soubife's afllfbnce ; and
when he found that point |oft, obliged Soubife to ^etrc^t,
ehat he might not have the honour of recovering it.
The allies after this battle kept their ground for fome
time, whilft the French retreated. It is impoflible rcgular-
Jy to account for all the unexpefted turns which have hap-
pened, perhaps, more in this campaigr>, than in any of the
former. It is enough to know that the original fuperiority
of the French, together with their opportunity of con-
tinual reinforcement, may very tolerably explain the rcafon
of
jfik'^f, Lord Graniy and WutgtnaUf to attack them on their
retreat ; which they did with fo much vigour that the enemy ne-
ver attempted to fvrm before them, but threw down their arms
and ran off* in the titmoft diforder.
When nujor Widderboum came away, there were fix ^ours
already taken, eleven or twelve pieces of cannon ; many officers,
amongft whom the Comte dtRougt, and great part of the yeg?-
menti of Dt Rougt^ Dauphin, and Proviuct, to the amount of
3000 men.
After havinz purfue4 them about a Il:ague, fi\f duke ordered
the troops to rorm upon the heights of Kirch Ptnc^trn. The he-
reditary prince was ftill driving the enemy oi^^eir left. Pfifon-
crs and cannon, were coming in every .ij}OQiep|.
It was faid. that the Marfhal Jut dt Bregih commanded on the
right of Uie frtncb army, oppofite tp |he jviw* Pf ^iihalt, Lord
CroHbf, and Lieutenant General ff^utgtnaut where his ferene
blmnefs was in perfon.
Major ^/i/ifr^ovrff adds, that this ^ea^ v^^ory w^ o^^^iaed
wlthlcarceany lofs oBtbepart of the allied army.
17^''
7be History */ th War.
393
of the advantages which thcv (o often obtained after very
COnfidcrablc defeats. This is a point which it is nccqAary
the reader fhould continually keep in his mind during the
whole narration of this Grange war* After their late lofj
and retreat, the French foon advanced again. The party
under the prince de Soubife pad'cd the Lippe, and made
difpofitions for the fiege of Munfter, whilft marfhal Bro-
glio's army turned off on the other fide, crofl'cd theWefcr,
and threatened to fall in upon Hanover.
This divifion of the enemy compelled pHnce Ferdinand,
though lit,tle in a condition tor it, to divide his army alfo.
The hereditaiy prince polled hinifclf to cover Munfter ;
whilft prince Ferdinand continued in thie country towards
the W^fer, to obferve the potions of marfhal Broglio.
Whilft thefe various pofjtions were mutually taken, as
the armies were, continually moving near each other, a
number of very (harp fkirmifties enfued. Marftial Broglio
jcautiouny avoided a battle whenever he faw that the duke
of Brunfwick, by calling together his troops, had prepared
for, and was defirous of it ; fo that there was no way left,
butif poflible, to check his motions, and wear down his
force, by reiterated Icfter actions (b). Thcfe aftions were
almofl:
(tj TranJIatioH of Princt Ftrdinanets Litter to tht Marquii of
Granby,
, " My Lor J,
Convent at Buhrtttt Augvfi 6, 1761,
¥ Think it my duty tb dc<iuaint your lordfhip how much I ad-
^ mire the valiant and brave condu£V oflordGor^* /,*««*, with
the picquets, and of major /^a///{', with his battalions of grenadiers
yefterday in tlie attack ofthe poft and village of fi^ejien, I beg
yourlordfhip will be pie? fed to fignifyto them my moft crateful
acknowledgements, and that thefe two gentlemen would do the
fame to the brave troops who were led on by commanders of fuch
dlftinguiflied valour.
I have the honour to he.
L.. .„
ff^iti tie mojl perfia reffeS,
^yLordt^c,
Caff
J9^4 ^he History of the Wait. t*j6t»
almoft always to the advantage of our troops. In one of
tRem however, the young prince Henry of Brunfwick wa*
mortally wounded ; and the whole army faw
July 20. with regret, the difappointment of fuch great
hopes as were formed from the rifing gallantry
©f a prmce, who fo nobly fupported the martial fpkit of hi»^
family, and had fallen whilft he was emulating th^ heroic
adions of his brother the hereditary prince and his uncle
Ferdinand.
On the fide of Wcllphalta, the prince de Soubife perfe-
vered, notwithftanding fomc checks, in his dcfjgn of laying
fiege to A(f unfter ; thece was great reafon to apprehend that
be might fncceed in that cntcrprize, as it was always \t»
marfhal firoglio's power, by taking fomc fteps on the fide
«>f Hanover, to make it neceflary to draw away the great -
eft part of the fofcc deftined to the fuccour of Munfter. Hi
therefore began to mak« the previous arrangements at Dor-
ilen. The hereditary prince, who knew that he was con-
tmuall;^ liable to be called off, took the firft opj
Aug. 30. portunky of attacking this place. A battalion of
French troops formed its garrifon, and made a
fcrave defence, but k was aflaulted with fo much r^folution'
and perfeverance, that they were obliged to furrender pri-
foners of war. The prince totally deftroyed the ovens
which
Ctf)io/tbtMarfuii efGranby*s Litir to Major Walfi, cmmMtk
ing the firfi Battalion of Britijh Qrtnaiitrs.
{<
S IR,
Camp at Haarn^ Augufi 7, 1761,
YOU will perceive, by t&e copy of the letter I have the plea-
fure to enclofe to you, how much his Serene Higlinefs ad-
mired your behaviour, and that of the firft battalion of
grenadiers under yourcommand, at the attack of the poft and
village of Wtfitn^ on the 5 th.
" You will, thei^fore, according to his Serene Higlinefs's de-
fire, teftify to the troops his extreme approbation of tlieir diftin-
guilhed bravery and firmnefs, and likewife my thauks in the
ftrongeft raajwer,
/ -am^ luilb the grtateft regard, Sir, ^c.
' . G R A N B Y».
tl^t4
7*tfHistoRY ef the Wa«.
395
which were eftabliihed here, and by this means not only
fruftrated their defign of befteging Munfier, but compelled
^em for a time, to retire from the Lippe.
As to prince Ferdinand, he faw clearly, that the inten-*
tions o^ marfhal Broglio were to make himfelf mafter of his
majefty's, and the duke of Brunfwick's territories. To at-
tempt to follow him, and to beat him from thence, wouU
pnly be irrecoverably to transfer the ieat of war into thofe
countries, and wholly -to abandon "Weftphalia tothc enemy.
Diverfion therefore, and not direct; oppofition, became his
object. He refolved, that as often as be perceived marfhal
Broglio making any progrefs on the fufpedted quarter, h^
ihouid throw himfelf as far into Hefle as the enemy had adi*
vanced towards Hanover, and by flopping their fubfiftenccj
oblige them to quit their enterprize. This plan at firft
fucceeded to his wifhes, and drew back marfhal Broglio
into ^e(re, upon whofe approach pnnce Ferdinand retired
to his old quarters at Paderborn, and ready for a
new movement as foon as Broglio ihoul4 return 0£l. 19*
to the execution of his former defign.
Accordingly he foon returned to the Wefer. Then the
hereditary prince, who had by this time re-joined the grand
army, advanced into Hefle, and pulhed to the farthelt ex-
tremities of that country, even as far as Fritzlar ; but tho*
he fuwceeded fo far in his attempts as to deftroy all the lef-.
fer magazines which he found in the open country j yet as
all the fortreiTes were in the hands of the enemy, as the
garrifons had been newly reinforced and the grand maga«-
zines were well fecured m thofe places, he kept his ground
in his advanced pofition.
It was on this occafion principally that prince Ferdinand
found the difadvantage of not being able to form two ar-
mies, which might aS feperately. For on one hand, mar-
ftal Broglio, when he had perfe(Aly fecured his pofts ia
liefTe, took a fituation in which he watched all the modons
of prince Ferdinand, and kept himfelf in readinefs to fall
back into Hefle, ot to advance into Hanover, as might beft
agree with his defigns. From hence he fent out fome pow-
erful detachments which afted with great effedi. One of
thefe detachments entered the Harts Foreft (the remains
of the great Hercynian, fo famous among thc^ntients) and
• bcfieged the flrong caftle of Schartsfclts, which they took
awi Ocjnplilbt'd. Then they laid the whole traft of country
S 2 undes
39^ Th History ef tie War. t-jSt*
ZtltT.^ contribution. Another, and ftill more powerful
detachment under pnnce Xavier of Saxony appeared be-
O^ r a .^S'lf^^buttle, a conHderable city, and
^tt. 5. ftrongly fituatcd, as It is wholly furrounded by
th. tntvn ;c m 'u •, ^f '^^/'^''^^y as they knew that
tinn u ""^^"y bu.lt of wood. Commenced their opera-
lrA^i,\.^ r^ 5a'' b°'"bf'-«l^«ent. This had fi.ch an
^t'i^^^ ^f fc'5!,!^!'^ PJ-! -- not proportioned-
tn ite Vi.r-.,~*u ''""r""'V ""."7 r'"''^ witsiioi proportioned'
to Its ftreneth ; in five days it fi.rrendered, and waTfubiea,
"> 5° ^ grievous contribution. ■.
, i
like the rel., .^~ g,..w,„„c, ^.vy.,wiuuiioii
blow"^^'^ "^J'^ tk fuccefs, the French followed their
b ow and advanced, keepmK ftill the courfe of theOcker,
to Brunfw.ck ; and began alfo to inveft that city. ThJ
re.gn.ng pnnce, unable to proteft his fubjeas, or to fecure
h.speiionin his dominions, fled to Hamburgh, where he
rnet the landgrave of HeiTe, whom the rageTwar had in
the fame manner driven from his territorrls. This free ci^
Sri V o?r *"'"''? '' T ^'^ \" bette/ times done by the
XT:?Xtft^^:;,fS" P^'-, 'and fevial othe"J
eaft\^.'rVSl' w"?''^'^"'^ progrefsof the French to the
Prince Fe?^- Y'^'l' 7^V^ the highclV degree alarming.'
fachel fh. L ". '^'•'^ '"« '^' expedition in his power, del
^ched the hereditary nrince to the relief of Brunfiick
Thismeafure fortunatefy faved that very important pTce
This aaive commander compelled the enemy not only to
raile the fiege of Brunfwick, but to abandon WolfenbutteK
and to make a precipitate retreat with the lofs of fome of
fm^hl L 7^^'f ' ^^^^^'"^"fs proceeded thus in diftrcf.
fmg thecoun^/y to the eaftward of the Wcfer, the prince
Brunrw^;^'.'^^'' \'^' '"'"^^^^ ""^'^^ hereditary prince of
Brunfwick to another quarter, faw no longer any thine ca-
rver aHW^^t?- ^•'"'/P^-^ ?•? «rmy%y /etacEts
ner tZ tl'A*r ' u^ '"''"Sed it in the moft cruel man-
were nl i2n.J 5^/"'^'^? l'"^ **^^^"^^ '^^ contributions
p. aged by their troops, who ridei the miserable inhabitants
without mercy. Another body pufted as far as Embden
1 his important town was imn^ediatply furrendered by th'e
garrifo^
IttM-
I 1"
'fjSt. y*-*^ History e//^MVAR. 39^.
garrifon (two Englifh companies of invalids) at the dcfire
of the timid inhabitants, and the promife of a favourable
treatment : notwithftanding this capitulation, and the merit
of lo eafy a furrender, the town, as well as the whole coun-
try of Laft-Frieftand, was laid under a ruinoMs contribu-
on. But their exorbitances grew to fuch an extremitv
that the boors were at length compelled to rife, and witlJ
lucharms as a fudden rage fupplied them, to drive thcfe
opprellors out of their country.
^ A more confiderablc corps commanded by the prince de
t.onde, laid fiege to Meppen, a place on the •
Ems, pf fome confcquence, and where we had 0£t j 7 '
fome magazines. In three days it was reduced, * "^^
and the garrifon of five hundred men were made prifoneis
pfwar. *^
The city of Bremen was defended by a weak garrifon.
1 his jv{is a pla-e of far Greater moment than Meppen, the
allies having amaffed their immenfc magazines, as- it was a
great and trading town, advantageoully fituated on the river
Wefer J and the poffeffion of this place muft undoubtedly
have given to the French the command of that river, thro'
u i^ *i* V V« ^e"ved all their fubfiftence. If the Englifh
had Joft Bremen, they muft have leen themfelves invefted
and locked up in a barren counrry, in the heart of Germa-
ny, iurrounded by their enemies, and deprived of every re-
lource. Fortunately the inhabitants of this city proved as
brave as thofe of Embden were timid. They were exafoe-
rated by the example of the French rigour, which they
had feen on every fide of them. They therefore joined the
garrifon, inftead of difcouraging them in the defence of the
place. 1 he French were obliged to retirfe precipitately;
and a ftrong reinforcement was thrown into Bremen, to fe-
I^^J^^^J'^^^'J^y '™PO«antcity from the like enterprizes/or
_ Whilft the two French armies In this manner ravaged all
the country held bv the allies, prince Ferdinand, who ^w the
rage of war fpread all around him, with his ufual firmnefs,
kept that central pofition which he had <aken foon after the
Cattle of Kirch Denkern ; no movements of the enemy-
could terrify or allure him from it. He had fettled his head
^""te" at Buhne, and his army extended from thence to-
)vards Hammelen. Ported in this manner, he fecured the
courfe of the Wefer, by preventing the enemy from making
themfelvc^
:i A
^t Tie HiiTOKY ef the WAKi iyf,t*
themfelvcs mafters either of Hammelen or Minden ; he lay
in the befi. fituation in which it was poffible to place a fin-
gle armv, that was to a<Sl againft two j and knowing that
fie could not follow their movements with the body of his
armjr, without hazarding the king's elc<ftoral dominions,
and indeed every objedl of the war, he contented himfelf
tvith fending out fuch detachments as he could fpare, fuc-
^effively to the relief of the places which were attacked. He
ftiw that the winter approached, which had always been a
circumftance fayourable to him ; and it was ev;ident that
Whilft he continued with his main body immoveably fixed as
it was, and his detachments adive on every fide, it was im-
l^oflible for the enemy to keep any of thofe places, they had
Seized in their incuruons.
C H A P. VI.
ttnditbn f the King of PruJJia. His inaalon. Motions of
the RMjfians and Laudohn. Brejlau cannonaded. Tattle-
. hn removed. Colberg hefieged. Ruffian magazines in
Poland dejroyed. (Fan transferred to Pomerania. Kmg
cf Prujfia quits his flrong camp, Schweidnitz taken by a
£oup de main. General Platen retulfed. General Knob-
mk made prifoner at Treptow. Prince IVurtenburg re-
treats. Colberg taken. Ruffians winter in Pomerania.
UNTIL this year the operations of the Pruffian armies
took the lead in intereft and .importance before all tha
other events of the war. The firmnefs and a^ivity of their
illuftrious monarch, the number and animofity of his ene-
mies, the blows that he gave, and thofe that he fufFered,
hift diftreffing and terrible falls, his amazing and almof^
miraculous recoveries, kept all eyes fixed on his motions, as
the great centre of public attention. Undoubtedly nothing
that has ever been afted on the fcene of human affairs, at-
tradted the minds of men to it with greater jufticej none
perhaps afforded at once more entertamment to th^- imagi-
nation, and furnifhed more copious materials for political
and military inftruftion j and probably, therefore, this part
of all our modern hifVory, will be the mofl carefully ftudied
by poflerity, when it comes to be properly known, and wor^
thily written.
» To judge of ^ importance of this brapcb of the general
I7^t. The HisToltY of the Wa«, ^g^
war, -it will be proper to recollca that, befidcs a number of
fiegM which were profecutcd, together with innumerabb
and bloodv (kirmifhcs, no lefs than nineteen pitched battles,
or capital anions, have been fought on his part fmcc the
clofe of the year 1756, when the king of Pruffia firft fdzed
upon baxony, and made an iruption into Bohemia. In
eleven ef thefe battles, the King or his generals were de-
feated. He was viaorious only in eight. Ten of them
were fought under his own command j and fcven out of the
eight viaones which were gained, wene obtained by him-
»eit in perfon; of the eleven defeats, he was prefent onlv
at three. '
.f fif'^^x?*^'' circumftances fome judgment may be formed
©f the aaivc and enterprizing charaaer of this monarch,
and of the amazing refource he had prepared, or formed!
or feized,and in feme inftances, one may fay, almoft creat!
cd. We have obfcryed that the laft campaign had ended
more to his advantage than the one preceding had done •
for thofe two great viftories of Lignitz and f orgau, with
which he then ended his operations^ had not onlf refoied'
his affairs in Silcfia and Saxony from impending deftruaion
but had enlarged his field for Lruiting^^id pVpared hi,?;
to all appearance, for more early and vigorous aaiofi, than
could have been expeaed in mbft of the preceding cii!
paigns. But every one was furprized to obferve, ^at this
nfcZlin L*"^"°; was diffulid over all his proceedings^
He feemcd to have adopted the caution and flownefs which"
had been fo long oppofed to his vivacity by M. Daun. The
fummer was almoft wholly fpent, and the^King of Pmffi^
had fcarcely been mentioned. ^ •
It wae not fufjpeaed that the propofed negotiation at
LIohT'*"^** 'i^^' Hf"^*^' if ^P inCfceuponhb
Zf^t^ ^""'^'^t"^^' ^^° particular' propofals ha^l bce^
made concerning hrs affairs, nor indeed arjy other marks ^
a pacific difpofitH.« towards him ftewn, except X wc?e
contained in thofe general declarations, whic£ a^LTS
common decency had exaaed. It muft have added to the
anxiety of his fituation, that Great Britam and France wSI
at that time engaged in a feparate treaty, in which the latter
LTpT.^' ? a condition to'make fo Siiny flattering S
I wtS. ^- ^"Tu^^ '^1t ^' "'ight^iell have dreaded
tbe withdrawing of that affiftance which had hitherto been
hid
4o6 7i>eHisT0T^Y of the W Alii I7'6ri
Ills great fupport againft all attacks, and his final refource
in all his diftrefles. Perhaps he was well affuredj that the
faith of Great Britain was pi;oof againft every offer, hbwever
alluring ; in fadl it proved to be fo j for in rejecting the
German neutrality, which the French propofed in the late
negotiation, our country afforded as convincing a proof of
an unfliaken public faith, as any people had ever given to
their allies.
However, whilft this point remained in any decree of
fufpence, it would have appeared natural, that tne King of
fruflla fhould make fome uncommon exertions to confirm
Ae faltli of his allies, as well as to put himfelf upon a more
xefpe<£table footing at the ertfuing congrefs. It is, notwlth-
ftanding certain, that he contented himfelf with a(Sting
wholly upon the defenfive ; a CQnducSt, which perhaps his
circumflances had rendered abfolutely unavoidable. Prince
Henry commanded an army in Saxony, which intrenched
jtfelf ftrongly under Leipfic. M. Daun continued near
Drefden ; and thefe two armies did no more than watch
ea<^h, other during the campaign. The King was alfo in-
trenched in a very ftrong pofition i.i Upper Silefia, not far
from Schweldnitz, whilil the fortrefles in the lower part of
that country were filled with fuch garrifons, as put them
out of the reach of any fudden infult. j
. This pofition was pointed out by the motions and appa-
rent defigns of his enemies. The Ruilian army was this
year, as well as in the former, divided into two ftrong bo-
dies J one of which, led by Tottleben, direfted its march
towards Pomerania : and the other under M. Butterlin, en-
tered into the upper Silefia, advancing towards Breflau.
Baron Laudohn entered that province in the part oppofits
to them, and they propofed to unite their armies, in order
ito attack the King, or to take Breflau or Schweidnitz in his
pjefence. The remarkable drought in the beginning of the
f(?afon, which had greatly lowered the Oder, facilitated their
junction. The Ruffians fpread themfelves over all the open
, country of Silefia ; and exacted heavy contribu-
Aug. I. tions. A body of them s^ppeared before Breflau,
suid began to cannonade the tov/n from feven bat-
teries. Laudohn exerted the whole of his (kill to draw the
king from his poft, and to engage him in a difadvantageous
a£tion. Sometimes he advanced, as if he meant to join the
Ruffians : fometimes his motions indicated a defign on Sch-
weidnitz i
li , ' « '
i7^f.
7 he a
I STORY cf the War,
401
weidnitz ; thefe attempts failing, he turned ofF and made a
femt asifhepropofed tofall upon the Lower Silefia, in
hopes that he might at leaf! oblige the Ring of Pruffia to
detach and divide his forces j but the King continued im-
moveable in his poft. y ..i, .
Whilft thefe various movement* were making with littTe
effe«, on the fide of Silefia, the other grand divifion of the
Ruffians advanced without oppofition into Pomerania ; and
It was expeiled that their proceedings would be attended
with greater effea fince the removal of Tottleben, and the
appointment of general Romanzow to the command. Tot-
tleben had been long fufpeded, and, it is faid, at length
convided, of a fecret correfpondence with the King of
Pruffia. The fituation of this MoAarch obliged him td
fight with every fort of weapon ; and Tottleben, a foldier
of fortune, without any national attachment or particulai-
allegiance, wais a fit objeft for the King of Pruffia's pecu-
niary ftratagems. He did notfucceed fowell in the attempts
Of the fame kii d which he is faid to have mdde upon Lau-
dohn. Every circumftance concurred to reridel- the method
Ot corruption lefs fuccefsful in that quarter.
Colberg, regularly befieged, orclofely ftreightened every
campaign, fince the Ruffians made themfelves maftcrs of the
kingdom of Pruffia, was now alfaulted with greater and more
determined force than ever. A ftrong fleet confifting of
forty fail of all kinds, blockaded it by fea, whilft the arnfy of
general Romanzow formed the fiege • land. On theothef
hand, the place threatened a defence Worthy of its former
cttorts. This city was from the beginning of the war of
greater fttength than it had commonly been reprefented :
every attempt of the Ruffians, by demonftrating where
any weaknefs lay, taught the Pruffians, who were fully
Jcnhble of its importance, in what part and in what man-
ner it was necefTary to add to its works; and they had
omitted no opportunity. In addition to this defence, the
frince of Wurtenburg was ftrongly intrenched under the
cannon of the town, with a body of fix or fcven thoufand
men.
The King of Pruffia was extremely alarmed at thtf
«fanger of this momentous poft, the key of his dominions
to the north, from the relief of which he was removed,
and, as it were, chained down, at fuch an immenfe dif-
tance. Though Laudohn and Butterlin* found r.bundant
T employment
4oa 7'he UisroTLY cf the W AH, i'j6t,
employment for his forces, he rcfolved to fend a confider-
able detachment under general Platen to the afliftance of
Colberg. The fertility of his genius propofed two end*
from this fingle expedient. He ordered Platen to direft hi*
march through Poland, and to deftroy the Rufltan maga-
zines, which had been amalTed on the frontiers of that king-
dom, and from which their army in Silefia drew its whoio
fubfiftence. This fervice, might, he hoped, be performed
without any confiderable interruption to the progrefs of the<
detachment towards Colberg. The event was entirely
aiifwerable to his wifhcs. General Platen ruined three
principal magazines of the enemy. He attacked a great
convoy of their waggons ; deflroyed 500, and burned or
^ifperfed the provifions they carried. Four thoufand men
who protected this convoy, were, for the greater part, killed
or made prifoners. General Platen, after this ufeful and
brilliant exploit, purfued his march with the utmoft dilli-
gencv.^ to Pomerania.
Intelligence of this blow was no fooner received by the
Rufliaois in Sile/ia, than they were ftruck with the utmoft
confternation. They had lately efFe£led one of
Aug. 25. their purpofes by their junftion with the Auftri-^
ans ; but this ftroke compelled them at once to
fever this union^ fo lately and with fuch difficulty compaflTed,
to drop all their defigns upon Breflau, to repais the Oder,
and to retire without delay into Poland, left their remaining
magazines ihould fliare the fame fate with the three above-
mentioned, and thcie future fubfiftence be thereby rendered
wholly precarious.
So unfortunately circumftanced were the affairs of the
King of Pruflia, that his wifeft fchemes and happieft fuc-
cefles could hardly anfwer any other end than to vary the
fccne of his diftrefs. The ftorm which had been diverted
from Silefia by general Platen's expedition, was only remov-
ed from thence to be difcharged with irrefiftible fury on
Colberg. The Ruffians, when they faw that the meafures
the king had taken, rendered the completion of both their
dtfigiis impraclicuble, re'blved at all adventures to fecure
one of'them. Colberg was the obje£k of their choice, not
only as the place furtheft from fuccourbut as the poffeffion
of It would be an advantage fitteft for anfwering thofe ends
>vhidi were more nearly and properly Ruffian. M. Buttur-
l;n, therc'tbie, as ioojv aa he had eftablifhed his convoys, di-
rected
4^3
i76f. 7/6^ History e/'z-t* War.
redted his courfe towards Pomeran'ia, and being mafter of
Lanfpcre, he fent detachments from thence, that crqejly
wafted all the adjoining Marche of Brandenburg, without
at the fame time diverting himfclf by thefe ravages from
his main intention.
A force of Ruflians was by this time affembled in Pome-
rania, to which it was impoffible for the king of Pruffia to
oppofe any thing that was in any degree aWe to contend
with them in the field; of courfe he could not promife
himfelf that immediate railing the fiege could be the effeft
of thefe fuccours. All he could do was to fend another de-
tachment to that part under general Knoblock j and hoped
that by the union of thefe feveral fmall corps, and by their
fnterceptine; or at leaft diftreifing the Ruffian convoys of
provifion, the place might be enabled to hold out, until the
fevere fetting in of winter ihould render the operations of a
fieoe imprafticable.
He was providing in this manner, and ftudying new me-
thods for the relief of Colberg, to the danger of which place
his whole attention was drawn, when an event happened
juft by him, and, as it "were, under his eye, almoft as dif-
trefling as the taking of Colberg would have proved, and fo
much the more diftreffing, as it was entirely unexpefted.
On the retreat of the Ru3ians under Butturlin, the king
of Pruffia imagined himfelf at liberty. He found a want of
provifions in his fhong camp near Schweidnitz, and to be
the more eafilv fupplied, he aproached nearer to the Oder,
He was fo little in fear of th? enemy, that on making this
movement he drafted 4C00 men from the garrifon of Sch-
widnitz: he thought that the preparations neceflary to a
fiege would give him fufRcient notice, and fufficient leifurc
to provide fpr the fafety of that important place, from which
after all, he had removed but to a very fmall diftance. Lau-
dohn, who through the whole campaign had watched the
king with ^ moft diligent and penetrating affiduity, and
hitherto had found no part open and unguarded, thought in
this inftant he percetved an advantage. It was indeed an
advantage which would never have appeared as fuch, but
to a general as refolute »s fagacious. He refolved to at-
tempt this ftrong place, by a coup de main. On the ift of
Odober at three in the mornings the aflault began. An
attack was made at the fame time on all the four outworks
Wliich the troops^ oi dered oi? this important cntprprize ap.
' T 7, prQach^d
'tr:
.5.1 ! '
404 7i6^ History «/" /^rf War. 1761,
preached with fo much precaution, that they were not per-
ceived by the garrifon. I'hey fcaled all the four at the fame
time J and the troops which defended them had fcarcc time
to fire a few cannon fhot. On the fide of the aifailants,
not a gun was difchargcd : but in one of thofe out-works
the fire of the fmall arms fct fire to a powder magazine,
which blew up, and on this occafion about 300 of th? Au-
uriiins, and about the fame number of the Pruffiians were
killed. As foon at the out-works were carried, they pre-
pared to aflault the body of the place, which they entered
by bi^rfting open the gates, and at day-break they found
thenifclves mafters of the town after firing a few (hot.
five battalions, making about 3000 men, and lieutenant-
general Jiaftrow, governor of tlic fortrefs, were made pri-
foncrs. The conquerors found here a great number of can-
non, and a large magazine of mc^l. Their lofs in the whole
of this bold and fortunate undertaking amounted, by their
accounts, to no more than 600 men.
In a manner fo unexpeded, and confidering the nature of
th e forjific;jtions, fo unprecedented, Schweidnitz fell for
a fecpnd time in this war into the hands of the Auftrians ;
and that city, which in the year 1758 had coft the Pruffians
a blockade of fome months, and a fiege of thirteen day§
open trtncheB to recover it, was again loft in a few hours,
and with k very inconfideiable d^niage to thofe who under-
took this daring enoirprize.
Tbc kin^of PruiTia felt this grievous blo^vto the quick,
By theif poBeiTipp of Schwcidnit» he faw the Auftrians en-
abled to winter jn Silefia j he faw that whilft they held thi?
place, be couJd pol)5))ly m^kc no motion for the reliefpf any
other part of his dominions, without expofing Brefl^q, and
along with it the whol^ of Upper SiJefia, to a certain and
irrecpverabie cqnqueft. In the firft agitations produced by.
fo pxtraofdlnarjr ;»nd affipaing a dif^fter, he was difpofed to
attribute this misfortune to the treachery of the governor,
but he lyas too generous to harhouf fuch a fufpiqipn, for
any time, againft an officer who h^d hitherto ferve4 him;
with fidelity^ apd who might have been furprjzed with an
attack of fo unconamon 3 nature, and which the king him-
felf had ijs little fufpefted as the governor. He ipimediate-
ly recovered his temper, and faid wjth a fmile, »* It is a fa-
*' tal blow ; we muft endeavour to remedy it." Rewrote.
to general ZalkpW| yfho comm»iwle4 t^ere, " Wq msy
J* now
nSi4 the HisTOKY c/ the \XAVi. ^(j^
«* now fay, what Francis I. of France wrote to his mother
^ after the battle o/ Pavia, ff^t havt hji all txcept our Z,^
♦ n9ur. As I cannot comprehend what hath happened t»
' you, I fhall fufpend my judgment j the thing is verr
" cKtrapid/iuiry." '
Schweidnits wae loft fuddenly ; but Culbcrg made a moft
obftinate and noble defence. At length, however, the car-
rifon bpgan to be iorely diftrefled for provifions. General
flateu quitted the intrenchments, which he had maintained
in conjunction with the prince of Wurtenburg, in order t«
cover the reinforcements, which the numerous and ftronir
detachments of the Ruffians, who overfpread the whole
country, had hitherto kept at a diftancc. But he had th^
misfortune to meet an infinitely luperior body of the cne^
my, t9 be beaten, and to lofe part of his convoy ; and '%t
was With difficulty he pfcaped with the remainder tm
Dtettm.
The other (general Knoblock) had eftabliflied himfelf a«i
i reptow, which was to ferve as a reftjng place for the con*
voys J but as general Platen had been rcpulfed, in the man-
ner we have juft feen, Romanzow advanced with a lare^
force tp Treptow. Knoblock, hopelefs of affiftance in a
town which had fcarceiy any walls, and invefti -I by a body
fo vaftly fuperior, yet made a vigorous and gallant defcnci'
(\( A^i'^^ ' ^^ ^^' ** ^^"S^h compelled tQ furrendcr him.
leltand hjs body of about 2000 men prifoners of war.
Thefe fucceffive difafters were ©ccafioned by the necef-
'"^y j^^ere was for reviaualling Colberg, coft what it
would, for that end, of difperfing the Pruffian troops in the
face of a Ruffian army of 50,000 men. The reviaualling
in thefe circumftances could not be effeaed withoMt a fin"
guJar piece of good fortune ; and, in order to get intp the
way of this good fortune, every rifque was to be run.
Thefe advantages over Platen and Knoblock raifed the
fpints.of the Ruffians, and enabled them to contend with
the extreme rigour of the feafon in that northern latitude,-
they puihed the fiege with redoubled efforts. A|l hope of
a fupply from the land was abfolutely at an end ; and tho^gh
theiluffian fleet had been by a violent ftorra driven off the
coaft, the fucGour from the fea was too precarious to be
depended on. In this defperate fituation the prince of Wur.
tenburg became apprehenfive, left his army, which had
leen unable to relieve the H>wn. by delaying any longer
Uflder
4oS 7heHtironY of tbi V^A< lyCi,
under its walls would only fliarc its fate, and that famine
|Bi^ht alio oblige i.im to furrender. He therefore rcfolved,
whilft his men retained their vigour, to break through a'
part of the Ruffian army, and to leave Colberg to make the
bcft terms its circumftanccs would admit. This dcfign he
accomplilhed happily, and with little or no lofs.
And now Colberg, hoplefs of all relief, the
^Dcc. i6th. ^arrifon cxhaufted, proviUon low, the fortifica-
tions in many places battered to pieces, after a
long fiege of near fix months, furrcndered to the Ruffians.
The governor and the earrifon were made prifoners of war.
This place was defended by the gallant Heydcy who to
this time had maintained it fuccefsfully againft all the efforts
•f the Ruffians during the war ; and as he was diftinguifhwl
by the king his mafter, for his merit in the fuccefsful de-
fence of it, he had likewife as full affuranccsof his favours
after having on the late occafion conducted himfclf with
his former bravery, though it was not with the former good
fortune.
The lofs of two fuch places as Schweidnitz and Colberg,
at the two extremities of his dominions, was decifive
againft the king of Pruffia. It was now impoffible for him
t make any movement by which the enemy could not pro-
fit to his almoft certain deftrucSion. To form fieges, with
an army like his, inferior in the field, was impoffible. The
Ruffians, by pofTeffine Colberg, poirelTed every thing. They
were mafters of the Baltic ; and they now acquired a port,
by which their armies could be well provided, without the
neceffify of tedious, uncertain, and expenfive convoys from
Poland, The road lay almoft open into the heart of Bran-
denburg. Stetin alone ftood in their way j but it was ob-
vious that nothing but the advanced feafon could fave Stetin
from the fate of Colberg. The Ruffians, now for the
firft time, took up their winter quarters in Pomerania.
It is remarkable, that this whole year pafled without a
regular battle between the king of Pruffia and any of his
enemies, yet none of the moft unfortunate of his campaigns
liad been fo ruinous to him. He had fuffered four terrible
defeats, without having ballanced them with a fingle ad-
vantage of confequence in the campaign of 1759. Yet in
thefe circumftanccs it is almoft incredible how little he
really loft. He was able to take the field again the enfuing
j£ar in a very refpe<;iable maimer, and tp majje hegd
againft
^l^t* rbi HistoRY cf thi W;iK. 407
againft his enemies. In that year he loft a whole arm.
«carLandft»uti ftill he wa. far Vrom being brSj^
Z^f^ZtL^'^V:':^''^^ Hegavefi.eSes .to
IiKnal defeats, and ended his operations advantaR^iouflv and
without fuffcr.nc any confidcrable blow in the field, w.XuJ
crumbled away. 1 he moft calamitoui defeats could not
fink him lower. And in the fituation in which he ftlj
after the taking ofColberg,we may ?afdy7ay,tha there
was fcarcely a poflibility tliat he could be%referved from
e£fo" s.'^ "^ ''"S ''^' ''' ""'•" ^^« "-'^ «^ ^"^^^
CHAP. VII.
The neiottatton relumed. French cmceffions. DifTerence
concerning the derman alliance. D^erence comJ^^Zi
the I'^Ptures antecedent to the declaratioLflar Tel
breaks. ff. Mejfuurs Stanley and Bufy reciUed. ^
AFT E R having been /b long detained on the theatre
of war, It IS time we fhould return to take a view of
the negotiation for putting an end to the miferies it occa-
^Zt ;i"^"y *^%^'*=^' "^^^^ °^ ^»»« ^cene, was very
glooming and unpromifing. The confidence and good hi-
mour of the two courts being fubverted, all that ^foHowed
was rather an altercation tha? a treaty, 'it is true, that Pa-
pers paffed backward and forward ; and the pretenfions of
h y r/e^detS /'"^.J^"^' '" "'^' *«' thofe which
explicit. But all that cordiality was vanifhed whirK :« f*
neceffary towards fmoothing anS clearing a roaT,wti"h^
long hoftihty had broken u^,, and fo m^ intricartopica
had contributed to embarrafs. ^
Without involving ourfelves in the detail of the fevera!
memorials which were delivered in and without rJ.rrl^
wX2"C?h%'^^^^-^^ ^^^'^.^l' it wflltt^i^nrra?
nttrbtk^/r^*^^ ^' ^-^^ ^'^'^^^^
After fome difcuffions concerning its proper limits, it was
agreed.
•ereed, that all Canada fhould be ceded to the Engllft
This ceffion comprehended, on one fide, all the iflands ancf
countries adjoininR to the gulph of St. Lawrence. On the
the Ohio, to Its difcharge into the Miffifippi. A territory
lufficient for the bafis of a great empire.
In drawing this line of divifion, another queftion arofe
concerning the bounds of Louifiana, and the ftate of the
intermediate Indian nation between the lakes and the Mif-
fifippi, who inhabit, or are rather fcittered over an inimenfe
country, that lies along the back of our colonies all the way
from Penfylvania to Georgia.- It was therefore very proper
that fomething definitive fliould be fettled on this atticle,
as it might otherwife eafily be made produaive of a new
war, England propofed that all thofe nations fhould con-
tinue, as fhe contended they had heretofore been, under the
proteaiOn of Great Britain, without faying any fhinfe nre-
cife as to the dominion of the foil.
France controverted this propofition ; (he on her part
propofed to divide thefe nations; that thofe to the north-
ward of the line drawn to afcertain the limits of Canada
Ihould be independent, under the proteftion of England, feuf
that thofe, which were to the fouthward, fliould enjoy the
fame independence, under the proteaion of France. No-
thing was perfeaiy fettkil in relation to this point ; but it
does not fecm as if there cCuld have been any material dif-
agrecment upon h had the other matters in debate been ad-
jufted to their mutual fatisfaaion.
n.JH ^-^2^^^ *^^^*^ feemtd to have been attended vtith
ftill lefs difficulty. The French Gonfented to give up both
Senegal and Goree, provided Anamaboo *nd Acra Were
guarantied to them.
The momentous queftion of the fifliery was likewife de-
termined. The French gave up theif claim to Cape Bre-
ton and St. John's, and were fatisficd to receive the little
lOand of St, Pierre oo the coaft of Newfoundland; but even
this they were to receive on conditions fufficiently humilii
atmg. They werd to erea no fort of fortification, nor to
keep up any military eftablifhtnent there. Aft Englifli com-
miflary was to refide on the ifland, in otdet to fee that thefe
itipulations were adhered to. As to the reft, the French
were to have the fame privileges on the coaf* of Newfound*
land, checked with.thc fame reftriakwis, which before the
war
een, under the
••/^f . 7fe History of the War. 409
UtrVc^hT^ ll?lT'^ "^'^^^ '^^ 15th articleof the treaty of
iJtrecht. In conform.ty to another article of thattreatv
?nd .n compenfation for'the privilege of the fiCv thJ.
confented that Dunkirk (hould be lemolifted ^' ^
iiorca" an^J'^iS"*"^' °^ Guadaloupe, Marigalante, Mi.
iiorca and Belleine, no great controverfy had fubfiftcd
from the beginning. It had all along been agreed tha^
ih^ Fr3f S«^J be reciprocally feftored. ffeUhe rd' d
Che French ferule to adopt our Fopofal concerning the
;»ffairs of the Eaft-Indies, nor to make fatisikaory defwa
tion concerning Oftend and Nieuport. ^
;. aI "'^"y.^f "*« a^d interefting points wre fettled, that
It does flot firft appear what it was that could have re-
tarded the peace. A difcuflion of the fcperate interefts of
two powers only, that are in earneft to agree, may be fet.
tied without any very confiderable difficulty. The hard
^nd almoft mex^ricable part of the knot, is tLt wherein the
x:rofs concerns and interefts of allies intervene. There were
two pomts upon wliich, if we may form a judgment from
appearances, this negotiation unfortunately Voke off. The
fcrft was upon the manner in which England and France
flight be at liberty to affift their refpedive allies j and on
the reftitution of Wefel, Gueldres, *i.d fuch other place"
as the French had conquered from his Prufllan majefty
r.r?l^ fi/ft member of this principalpoint, the' repeated
jropofak of Franc^ for a neutrality in cTermaiy had been
muformly and pofit.vely rejeaed' by our adrhiniftration"
thlT ^'ij ^" Z*^^^""* therefore, not being admitted
they would or could come to no agreement, afd fcarcely
to an mtelhg.ble explanation ei the? of the mode or the
juant.ty of the affiftance which they ihould be at h!
berty mutually to impart to their German dlies or of
he^ace.„ which fuch fuccours ihould be employed. As
reft^r.'^:i7^?"'^^'"^u'^*^ ^^^"^^ cbftinately Tfufed to
xeftore thofe places. They declared that fuch a ceffic^
would be direaiy againft th4 faith by which they wer. bot"
that^K^S^nl '*^r?v''^^"^Sai7, fox whom^hey infifted
that thefe places had been conquered, and in whofe name
W^eF?.nTh a «""""'> ^^°"S^ '^'^ had been reduced
As tp the fecpxid point, namely, the icftitution of cap,
^ tures
7he History */ the War,
tyOt,
t^jpes made previous to the declaration of war, the nognti*
flting powers were eqtuliy pofitivc, the one to demand, the
other tp ref'ufe it. 1'he EnglHh argued that this claim had
MO fort of foundation in the law of nations, neither was it
grounded on any particular convention. That the right of
ull hodilc operations refults, not frohi a formal <Icelaration
6f war but from the hoftilities which thcaggreflbr has firft
oft'crcd J that the contrary of this propofition is at Icalt ex-
tremely eontelUblc ; and fince, it can by no means be clearly
clUbliihed, it foll-ows that the detainment of thofe captures
n\\il\ be confidcrcd, on the fulc of England, as part of the
uti l>oJfitietis^ originally propofcd as the bafis of this treaty.
• trance on the other hand, fccmed as fully convinced of
the juflicc of her prctcnfions, and (he deemed the arguiVients
with which fhe fupported th^'m to be fo unanfwcrable, that
<he otFercd to fiibmit them to thejuftice of the Englifh tri-
bunals. They urged that this claim of reftitution was
bounded on the law of nations, and upon particular conven-
tion ; by the ryth article of the peace of Utrecht 5 and by
the fecond article of the treaty of commerce} and that this
was strengthened by the third article of the treaty of Aix-
la-Chappclle, whicn renews and confirms thofc articles in
tlic preceeding treaties.
By thcfe articles a protcflion is allowed to the refpe<^ivc
fubjcds who may have fhips in the ports of cither of the
powers, becaufe having no opportunity of knowing that a
• ruptute is fallen out, they failed under a fccurity of peace,
and under the faith of treaties. By a parity of reafoning,
the fhips not actually in thofe ports ought to enjoy the fame
fecurity j elfe, astheyare mcluded in the fame parity ofcir-
rumitances, it would follow, contrary to the principals of
humbnity and right reafon, that the lovereigns had provided
for the prefervation ort" one part of their fubjcfts from the
mifcrics of a fuddcn rupture, to which they cxpofe the reft.
> The particular conventions of thcfe treaties, they faid, had
their foundation in general equity at\d the law of nations j
fince, as it is impradUc.iblc for belligerent flates to agree
amongft themfelves which ii the agreflbr, it is proper that
•the fubjeits Ihould receive previous notice of the rupture,
' in order that they may be able diftint^lly to know when they
•arc, or are not in fccurity, or when they may, or may not
rely on the treaties which fubfifi between their fovereigns.
Thefe topics were iis ufua!, bandied to and ffo with great
-• . ^ heat
X?^'* 7**^ History ef the War. 411.
heat and little effedt ; and as in fuchdifruffions theargumenrs
on both hdes arc plaufible, and there can be no authoriied
judge, the weight of the Icvcral prctenfions commonly de-
pends upon the power of the parties to enforce thefh. On
alii In Jr /°/"u'' therefore, the renunciation of German
fromH!'l, ^''"^^''""""n''^' captures, the nepotiatlon
rom the beginning was at a Hand ; and on thefc at length'-
to all appearance, it finally broke off. . ^
o„ th,?"' ^'^ arc fully fatisfied that the difagrccmeht tvctf
o thcle points might have been only the oltniftblecaufeof
the rupture I he true caufc of the Wach fecms to have
f' r . i7v''^^"l^^' intcrpofttlon of the Spanifli claims.
peace, as her
peace, that .s, to dcfire fuch a r.afonahle ,,...., ., ,„,
c cumftances might demand, when (he officioufly Jin-
gled With our particular debate, the affairs of a foSn
tthl^^JXT'' ^hfch had not the fmalleft conneSioa
a icnd^o h . P°^'^i^ ?'"^'°"- ^'^« I'^^^^'nefs was to put
fh n M L ^^Z' J^^'^'' *^'=" ^•-'tually fubfifted ; and L
th.ng could be f^inher from affifting this defign than to n
creafe the fub eds ofdebatc. France muf! Ie Mbl .^of
rlvZf^ ?* this argument, who herfclf propofed in'the
rcry beginning of this treaty, as means almoft neccfTarV fnr'
carmng it on with effeft, that their particuTardrfrutS^^
itclT'l'i^?" '^''^' of their German allies, with S
LTr Kr/^J'u "^°'""*'"^^' connexion than wth^S
that fubfifted between England and Spain • as allXfi
parties were then cngaged^direaiy or iX'l kl' tL wu
to which Spam had then no manner of relation. ^"'^
the tto «ota? ";!";ftry finding the French immoveable on"
tne two capital points above mentioned and having no ol\
S^^^%1anll^^trY°'^'%PT^'^"^^' ^-^ dSnX"
r il h ^° "turn to England, andtode-
firctliat Mr. Buffv fhould on the part of hi, ^AfJ,<J
court, receive the fame orders. An end'vJaslus "''''^''''
put to this negotiation, (from which Europe had conceived
luchfaagume hopes of the alleviation of its mifer^es^ afV,
It had continued near fix months-. So far indeed it was frn'
producing the happy effeds that were p opofed from i[ S
i^ was u t^om appcafing the auimofuies of the powTrs 'orU
■ ^ giuaJiy
4t2 Ibe HistoftY of the War. 1761;
ginally engaged, or from e:cting;ui(hing the old war, that
the parties feperated with intention more hoftile, and opi-
nions more adverfe than ever ; and the war was foon fprcad
to a much greater extent by the taking in of a new party.
and maypoffibly fpread, ftill more widely, by laying open
newfources of contention which may gradually dfaw in
ether powers, and finallv involve every part of Europe. It
wasalfoameans of producing changes in Errgland, which
Zt a time of lefs tranquility, and in circumftances of lefs
internal ftrength might have been produftive of the moft
tatal confetfuenccs. But thefe matters are refervcd for the
lubjedl of the enfuing chapter.
T**® leading negotiation in London and Paris being thus
broken off, that which was propoifed at Aagfbarg never
took plaice. ,
L. . CHAP. VIII.
Canduil If Spam during the negotiemn, Span^ mlnifler's
memorial Treaty between France and Spain. DifFer-
erice tn the Engli/h minijiry. Mr. Pitt rejigns. Mr. Pitt' ,
tetter. Dtfpute concerning the reftgnatim, Addrejti,
rarh::me7it meets. The Germamvar continued,
AS nothrng^cTMM h?.'.'e been more unt>recedentcd, fo no-
thing was more alarming than the proceeding of the
court ot bpain in the negotiation. It was altogether extra-
V^?al u° ^^ ^ Propofal for accommodating difputes that
fuhMed between friends coming thro' the channel ofaa
enemy. It was extremely fingular to fee points of fuch
conlequence formally communicated and propofed for de-
liberation by a French agent, commiffioncd only to nego-
tiate a particular and diftin<a bufinefs, when the Spaniards
had an ambaflsdor refiding in London, ftom whom no fort
ot intimation had been previoufly received of fuch a defign.
^ Ihatpropofal not only marked out a want of finceritu
on the part of P ranee, but it manifefted fo ftrange and ir-
regular a partiality on the part of Spain, that it would very
Jitrle have become the digxutyofthe kin^ of Great Britain.
or his attention to the fafety of his fubjeas, to let it naft
without a full and fatisfaaorv explanation. Accordingly
the Spanifh a.r.bairador was c'a lied upon todifavow this ir-
regular procedure ; but he returned a verbal, and foon after
was authoriled by his court to return a written anfwer, i»
whicb
i7<3i. The History «/ the Wak. \i^
which^he openly avowed and juftified the ftep taken by the
Irench agent, as entirely agreeable to the fentiments of hi*
malter. He declared that the kings of France and Spain
were united not only by ties of blood, but by a mutual in-
tereft. He applauded the humanity and greatnefs of mind
which his moft Chriftian majefty demonffrated in the pro-
pofition that was complained of. He infifted much on the
iincerc defire of peace, the only motive which influenced
the condudl of the two monarchs ; and he added, haughtily,
that if his mafter had been governed by any other princi-
ples, « His Catholic majefty giving full fcope to his great-
nefs, would have fpoken from himfelf, and as became
" his dignity."
It appeared evidently from the whole of this paper, that
the court of Spain was regularly, rs a fort of party, ap-
prifed of every ftep that was taken in the negotiation ; that
her judgment was appealed to upon every point, and her
authority called in aid to force the acceptance of the terms
which were offered by France J in a word, that there was
a pertedt uraon of afFeftionSjinterefts, and councils between
thefe two courts j and the minifter of the former, fo far
tfom denying or palliating this conduft, fecmed to glory
m It. ° '
r 1^*"; ?l"7^'' ^^*^" ^ooJ^ t^e Jead In the miniftry, was
tuJly fatisfied the intentions of Spain were by no means
equivocal, and that this partiality, which they ftrong-
Iv avowed not only by declarations, but by faAs, would
drive them into all the meafures of France. That a
war on that account was abfolutely inevitable; and
It, tor the prefent inoment, the Spaniards rather delayed
their declaration of war, than laid afide their hoftile inten-
tions, it was in order to flrike the blow at their own time
and with the eregter efFed; that therefore their reafons foJ
fleiaymg to aft were the Very motives, which ought to in-
duce us to aft with the utmoft fpeed, and utmoft vigour.
1 hat we ou|ht to confider the evafions of that court as a
retufal of fatisfaaion, and that refufal, as a declaration of
war. That we ought from prudence as well as from
ipirit to fecure ourfelves the firft blow j and to be praftically
convinced, that the early and effeaive meafures, which had
10 large a ftiare in reducing France to tbis dependence upon
»pain, would alfo be the fitteft for deterring or duabling
J>pain from afFording any proteftion to France. 1 hat, to
carry
4'4 7*^ HisTpKY of the WASi
1761
^.^fy oi> tliis war with vigour, it was only neccflary to cdn-
^aue our prefcnt efforts ; no new armament would be ne-
jellary ; aiid that if any war could provide its own refources,
It muft be a war wi;h Spain. That their flota had not yet
arrived, and that the talcing of it, would at once difable theirs
and Ilrengthen our hands. This procedure fo fuited to the
Jignity of the nation, and the infuhs it had received, would
ke a lefTon to Spain, and to every other power, how they
ftould prefume to diaatc in our afFairs, and to intermeddle
^"P ^ menaci^ig mediation, and an ofticioufnefs as infidious
as It. was audacious., That he wpuld allow our enemies,
^^e^e^ Secret or declared, no time to think and recolleft
themfelves.
Thefe fentlments,- fo agreeable to the refolute and en-
tcrprifmg charaaer of this miniftcr, appeared (hocking to
a^moft all the reft of his collegues. They admitted that we
ought not to be terrified from the affertions of our juft de-
mands, by the meiuces of any power. They owned fhat
ipaui had taken a Very extraordinary and very unjuftjfiable
^^%y °"t that we ought to admit and even to wiih fo;^, aa
explanation; this coHrt ^pcn a foberyet fpirited rqmon-
ltrance,_ might recall i;hat raih propofition into which they
ttad been perhaps unwarily feduced by the artifices of
f ranee; that to (hun Mraroipon a juft ocqafionwas coward-
ice, but to provoke or court it was .madnefs. Andi if to
court a war was not in general a very wife meafure, to de-
sire it with Spam, if poffibly it coMld be avoided, wa? to
overturn the moft fui)dan;iental principles of the policy of
W^ nations. ,TUat , this defire of adding war to war, ajid
^nen^y to enemy, whilft we h^d ^ur hj^ijds already a? tufj ^^
tjey could hold, and whilft all oUr faciilties were ftrained to
the utmoft pitch, was. ill to calciilate t^e national ftrength
of . our country, which, however grcati. had its limits, and
Wasnot able to contend with all the world; that whilft w6
were calling for Aew "enemies, no motion was made of he\*,
allies, nor indeed of any new refource whatfoever. To plunge
into fuch meafures, in the manner propofed, ai>d upon
no better grounds, gould not fail to fcandalize and alarm all
liuropc ; and wc could poffibly derive no advantage from
this precipitate coudud, which would not be more than
counter-balanced by the jealoufy and terror it would nccef-
fanlv create in every nation near us. As to the feizure of
the flota, It u-as not. to be r<;ckoiied upon, as at the very
time
w our enemies,
k and recolleift
17^'- 7*^-? History <?//^^ War. 4,^
time of that deliberation it might be cxpefted to be fafe m
.ts harbour ; and perhaps if we could fu^ced in feiz n^ k
we might perform a fervicc not very agreeable to neutrll
nations, and as little adyantageous^o our own commerce
If Spain, Mind to her true interefts, and mined by 7!^
councils, fhould give in a more decifive manne/into tS
defigns of that court and obftinately refufe a reafonaWe fa-
tisfadhon, It would be then the trid time to decfare war
when all the neighbouring and impartial powers were ^n'
vinced that we a^ed wfth as much temper as r^fofutTon'
and when every thinking man at home ftould be fadsficj
that he was not hurried into the hazards and expences of
war, from an idea of chimerical heroifm, but from Svf
table neceffity ; and that in fuch a cafe ^c miXdenend
upon the utmoft fupport which the nation couWve to an
adminiftration that depended upon its ftrength and *^
dreadedtowafte it wantonly, or to employ it S&^^^
rninifter warmed by this oppofition, deelLd th^at, ?* This
7Z\"lr ^'' ^""'^^^"S '^' ^^°J^ ««"^- of Bourbon
that if this opportunity was let (lip, it might never b«
-covered; and if he /ould not prevail in tIVs inftance
he was refolved that this was the laft time he would fij
« T^ffil ?^'^%PO'-t J f^»^ he was himfelf called to the
dered himfelf as a. countable for hiscondua; and that
« J^',^°f^"oJonger remain in a Htuation which madeWm
« gutde"' ^"' "'''^"'^ ^^'^'^'^^ longer allowed S
The noble lord, who precided in this council tn « J,«,«
years have added the wifdom of exper nee, whhl abaN
ZI\"Z-^T ^"'^ ^'' 'J y°"^^ ' ^"d who'wa himfelf
S i,^'"f •'' ^'r^' ^'"'^^"^ '^^ aff^i" of this nat on
to leave us, nor can I fay I arp forry for it, fince he
would otherw.fe have certainly compe^lled u to leave
" V fmi h * '^-^a ^' 'ft'^ '^ affume the right of ad-
" wJr^to wh^'^^' T'^ direaing the operatiLs of the
« When r.> ir'PfK'-'''^^ H^"^ *°^»^'^ council?,
«^krth?i ''^''r! ^fO>onfible to the people, he
« «ts th.. iTfh-^? ""^'^t ^°"'"^ of commons, and for-
M W L 1""^^ u^ '' °"^y refponfible to the
Jtmg. However, though he may ppffibly have convinced
*« himfelf
Iv'i^^
If
Id
4«$
^he History of tbt War.
1761.
*^ himfctf ofhis infallibility, ftill it remains that we (hould
•* be equally convinced before we can refign our underlland-
f ' ing to his direction, or join with him in the meafure he
•• propofes.'* (a)
On the div'tfion, the minifler himfclf, and a noble lord
iclofely conne£ied with him, were the only voices in favour
of the immediate declaration of war ; the reft of the board
were unanimoufly againft it.
The reader will obferve that together with thofe matters,
which have been publiihed, relative to this very important
deliberation, with fome appearance of authenticity, we
have added fuch arguments as have been agitated among
the people i a liberty ncccflary to place the matter in its
iFuJl light.
Mr. Pitt and lord Temple, adhering to their firfl opinion,
and having delivered their reafons in writing, refigned their
employments. This reiignation feemed equal to a revolu-
tion in the ftate. An univerfal alarm was fpread ; a thou>
land rumours flew abroad, and the firft fuggeflions were,
ihat this great minifler, endeavouring to avail himfelf by hi^
iirmnefs in negotiation of the advantages he had acquired
by
«»r— ^1^^...— I I I I II .11. . .
(a) This fpeech has been fince difcovered to be one amcngft
the number of contrivances that were formed and publiflied by
the oppofite party to prejudice Mr. Pitt in the eyes of the public;
for ener Mr. P/// and lord Temple had taken their leaves nt the
third and laft council fummoned to deliberate on tlve coaduf) of
Spain, the late earl GrannjilU, then lord prelident of the council,
roiexipto fpeak/rrtreflinga very high opmion of Mr. Pirt'swif-
dom, penetration, abilities, lionour and integrity, and in a very
particular, and emphatical manner, fpoke of the innumerable and
almofi infurnountable difficulties, whicli Mr. Pitt and loid Templi
had to flruggle with ; thefe, he faid, were the fentiments he tlien
delivered, and in juflice to himfelf, feveral times declared, tliat tk
fpeech fent abroad, (as fpoke by him ou that occafion) was no
mher than a vile forgery, calculated toferve a purpofe as bafe as
ij was ungrateful it may not be improper to deted anoTher in-
ftance of their bale condua, propagated with no left avidity; that
Mr. Pitt in his heart was not an enemy to penfions, " witnefs his
"^* letter to a noble duke folliciting bis grace's intereft, with his
" late majefly for a penfion :" By the nobk duke is lAeanl the
duke of hevxaftte^ who, oM all occaiions publicly declared, he
]ud never received any fuch letter.
Rtvitiv e/ Lord butt's Adminiftration.
#V Adminiftratien.
il^u ThHistaviYoffhWAJii 417
by his vigour in war, was oppofcd by thfe whole council^
who were refolved to have a peace at any rate, and that
this oppofition had driven him to refign the feals. But th«
true caufc of the refignation very foon came out ; and on
this point a violent conflict enfued» in which the popular
caufc was worfe fuftained, and the minifterial better, (thai
js, with greater cfFea) than is ufual in fuch difcuffions;
borne circumftanccs contributed not a little to this fucccfs*
When Mr. Pitt rcfigned the feals, the great perfon to
y^hom they were delivered received them with cafe and
firmnefs, without requefting that he fhould refume his of-
nee. His majefty exprefled his concern for the lofs of fa
able a fervant ; and to fhew the favourable fenfe he enter-
tained of his ferviccs, he made him A moft gracious and un-
limited ofFcr of any rewards in the power of the crown to
beftow. His majefty at the fame time expreffed himfelf
not only fatisfied with the opinion of the majority of his
council^ but declared he would have fcund himfelf under
the greateft difficulty how to have afted, had that council
concurred as fully in fupporting the meafure propofed by
Mr. Pitt, as they had done in rejeAing it* A fentimcnt
(in the light in which hia majefty confidered this meafure)
grojinded upon the iirmeft principles pf integrity and ho-
nouTj and which muft raife the higheft veneration for his
royal charaaer hot only among hiii own fubjefts, but
amongft all nations, when they fee a power which has fo
little to fear from a|iy human efFortj fo very fearful of the
Jeaft infringement of the ftriaelt and moft critical rules of
jufti.ce.
■-i-%'.P'? was fenfibly touched with the grandeur and
condefcenfion of this proceeding. * I confefs, Sir, I had
but too much reafon to expeft your majefty's difpleafure.
4 did not come prepared for this exceeding goodnefs. Par-
jlon me. Sir,- — it overpowers, it opprefles me.' He burft
into tears.
We are far from an attempt to add any colouring to fo
exquifitely afFeaing a pidure. We are indeed far from be-
ing able to do juftice to perhaps one of the moft pathetic
and elevated fcenes which could poffibly be difplayed, the
parting of fuch a princcj and fuch a rainifter.
The next day a penfion of three thoufand poumis a year
was fettled on Mr. Pitt for three lives, and at the fame time
a title was conferred upon his lady an^^er ilTue j a penfion
X the
jii
f
<ll 7h Uiito^Y cf the \Va«. 1761.
the beft beftov/ed, aiid* a ncbilit/ the moft hohdurably ac-
^mied, and moft truly merited. Imtt^^diatcly the Gazette
gave notic« to the public of all thcfe t^ahfaftions. The. re-
ftgnation made the firft article ; the hortours and rewards
the next ; and they were followed by a fetter from our am-
bailador in Spain, containing an account of the favourable
and pacific language of that court, and of the ftrong afiii-
ranees they gave of a dtfire to accommodate zV differences
in an amicable manner.
h -. -ift be owned that this manceurre was very flcilfully
executed. For it at once gave the people to underftand
the true motive to the resignation ; the infufficiency of that
inotive, and the gracioufncfs of the king notwithftandint
the abrupt departure of his mini(Vcr. If after this the late
mmifter fliould chufc to enter into onpofition, he muft go
'JI*°.'^J®^^^^ ^"^ oppre/Ted with the imputatkwi of the
blackeft ingratitude ; if on the other hand he ihould retire
from bufinefs, orftould concur in fupport of that adminif-
tration which h& had left, becaufe he difapproved its mea-
furcs, his acquiefcenfce woiild be attributed by the multitude
10 a bargain for hi* forfaking the public, and that the title
and the penfion were the confideratibns.
Thefe were the h&rncrs that were oppofed agatnft that
torrent of popular rage, which it was apprehended wbuM
j)roceed from this refignation. And the truth is, they ah-
Jwered thc.r end perfeflly ; This torrent for fome time was
*eatlen back^ almoft diverted into an oppofite courfej and
when afterwards it returned to thofc objeas, againft which
Jt was originally dir«aed, and wh?rc it was moft dreaded;
it was no longer fh*t impetuous and ifrefiftiWe tide, Which
^mthe year 175; had borne down every thihg before it: it
was weakened, divided, and ineffc£tiye.
On this occafion the clamour* and inferior members of
«ach party went lengths, which undoubtedly were neithel-
authorifed uor approved by their leaders. The ■ friends oif
<iVlr. Pitt raifed the moft violent 'amours for difplaciiig 2
Trtiiufter, whofe meafures had raifed the nation from the
moftabjea ftate, to the higheft pinade of glory. They
4aid, that «' he was in ha difplaced, when he vi^as coml
" pclied to refign, by not being fuffered to carry into ex-
^' ecution thofe meafures which he knew to be neceflary to
•** the honour and fafety of his country. That the check
j** which this minifter had rfceivcd^ would moft unfeafon-
ibly
%*^*
((
iyUf Th History of iJht Wait, 41^
ably
the droopi
^ ^ _ - _- France. ^ ,.„
*• vigour of our military operations, and the firmnef* of
•* our councils under his adminiftration, and would fl»cvr
** Spain with what impunity (he might infult the honour of
•* the Britifti crown, and violate the property cf its iub'
*' je^s. They reckoned up the difgracts which the natt*
** on had fuffered before Mr. Pitt had t nterf d into the
*♦ management of affairs,, and th»- vidoucs and conqucfts
" which were the fruit of his councils."
In confequence of thefe reafonings, addrclFcs, rcfolutions
?nd inftrudtions were fet on foot in the great corpcDC atiofts j
and it wa« believed that the example would be followed, af
on a former occaH* n of the fame kind, by all the other ait
tics and boroughs of the kingdom. But the progrcfs of
this mcafure, though commenced with much alacrity, wa$
flovir and languid : a few only of the corporations entered
into it, and fome even of thefe few in a manner Icfs warm
than was expefted. A ilrenuous defence was made on the
part of the remaining miniftry.
** Wa« it ever heard, faid they, that a fovereign tas
** been cenfured for Jiftcning to the whole body of his
** council, in preference to the particular opihicns of a fin-
** gle man f On the contrary, this uncontrouled fway of
** a fingle minifter has been often thought dangerous, and
** was a ways odious in our free con^itution j and is the
** more juftly to be difliked, as perhap$ inconfiftent with
** the true fpirit, either of aKpIute monarchy, or of limi-
** ted ^pvcfjiment. Let the merit of thi$ m*^ft?i be what
** it w\|J, ihall his mafter therefore be forced to receive
'^^ hinji upo» any terms ? Muft hi« prjn^e, tp gratify his
*' ambitipms views, or if you pltafc, his virtuous intentions,
.** difmift hi* whole coiincil, and annihHate his prerogative
** as a king, his reafpn and judgment as a man ? Was it
*» ever heard before, that a counfellor has profeffed with-
** out any referv« or any mafk, :hat becaufe he eould not
♦* guidi in tpvernment, he would not po-operatc i This
•« has nnqueftionably been the true motive for the conduft
•* of manjr minifters, but never was the avowed motive
" until this QCCafipO- Mr. Pitt has had the freeft fcopefor
** the eXehion of his genius j he was, perhaps, the only
*' Engliih ijiinii^r that never met with the flighteft oppo-
*' fuipn i he has ba4 the treafures and the forces of the na-
'* iion %t ms siftft «^lMi9 «f>iem«n4 i Itt him, in bis turn,
X 2 "da
420 7*1 History of thi War. 1761,
*rdp that juftice that has been done to him; let him, if
the favours of the crown conftitute no obligation, be
M tT !u '^ V '^^ It' ^*" '^"'»y ' »"d if he will
•.- Ta *;'« u i";*^',^""^'"^ of the prefent moft intricate
., 5"''.^'?.?;''^ **"^'""^^ ^f adminidration, let him not rcn-
der It ftiH more intricate and more difficult by his oppa-
♦ fuion; and Ice him not ftudy to find a juftification o^
u rl "^^/'*^"'^,^' from the ill fuccef. of thofc' whom he has
left, when that ill fuccf, will bte owing to his own dcvi,
''> CCS.
^ _Thu« far the points feem to have been urged with pro-
frjety and weight A tqrreut, however, of iSw and illibe-
ral abu(e wai alfo poured out on this occafion (a). His
whole
C'J J Litltr fnm the Ri-ht Hon. Mr, Pitt, /, a Ptrfin of EmU
lenct in ibi tify.
iDtuf Sir,
Lt^Jon, Oa«htr 17.
PINDING, to my g,Mt fiirpriw, that the cawfe and manner
of my refignisg the feais, h groHy mifreprefented in the citv
as well as tlot the raoft gracious and fpontaneous marks of his ma^
jefty s apiTobation of my fervices, whjch marks followed my re-
fakmg tlie pMbhc, I am unrfer aneccffify of declaring the truth
ef both thefefoth, in a manner which | ^am ftire „o Vntl "ap
will contradj^r atiiffprencF of opinidft with rcMtd to meafmes
to be taken agaiMf 5>W., of the htgheft importance to tl^ehoX
of the crown, and to the molt eflenrial national interefls, (and this
foimdel on wfwt j?y^/. had already done, not on what hat co«
may farther mtend to do) was the caufe of my reficjnirtff the fca Is
mofthiimblefcntiments tohis majefty, which being over ruled by
the united opinion of all the reft of the king's fprvants, I refigned
liYoontrV^^""^/ """ ^1' f ;J-moath,1no'derVt tcreS
j^fpoflfible f«r meafures,whicii I was no longer allowed to guidt.
Moll gracious public marks of ^s majefty's approbation Zi my
S o'f foveJel^ns '"' '' ^""^^'" ^ve received tl4 from tUp
I will now only qdd, my dear Sir, that I have explained thefe
matters only for the honour of trtith. not in any view^o court re-
tuva of conndence from any man j who with a Cfcdulify, as weak i%
i\
let him, if
)!igation, be
id if he will
loft intricate
Mm not rcn-
by his oppa-
fti/ication of
I'hom he has
is own dcvi-
ed with pro-
^and illibe-
n(a). His
whole
*trfin of Emi.
0/ltU
'r I*
and manner
d in the city,
rks of his ma-
lowcd my re-
in for my forc-
ing the truth
gentlemap
1 td meafuies
tothelionour
rfls, (and this
lat that court
»irtg the (eals.
d by us, our
»ver-ruled by
ts, I refigned
»ot to remain
tred to guide.
)ation of my
d ^qd unfoh-
leq) from lUp
(I •
jlalncd thefe
to court re-
y, as m»k a$
jS^aRj^.^:dMy:/^:rjr.
A
-«»," tai^i.*VJ
\
I7«'. Tie History tf ih War*: -j^if
whole life, public and private, wa. fcminixed with tk.
utmoft mahgmty ,„ tn,niSk matter of calumny a^ShiiT
honours fo juftly con"fKl«C b'y W^ teJS^^'w'Se
roT.iZf«'^i3-fcetf?5"^^^^
made to appear reafonable, If lie wa^romt^; • ^^'''^
fc6i he was never vuigar. fometimcs incor-
His power, as it was not acauirefl fo r.<.;*t,
ercifcd in an ordinary manner wTthVSvS T' *^^-
tary, and with lefs ciurt influence he fw^vrf 1^.?: r'"'
greater fplendour^ ^d ^^t^^^r'c tZhtTi'V', "*"-
enjoyed at the he^d of the nwft^werful aUi^n^! "1 f ™
.h.s ifland feen.e.- to ballance't^r^ft of'lu „" "^ ^"'=
In the condua of the war he never fuffered'.he enemy to
breatiie.
!••- j/i/- P ."\y"""^^^2cJ^«owledgments for all -our kJn/i
in^adfhip, and belieye me ever with truth and efteln/
^X^ The HisyoRY of the War. ll^h
^re^at|)^^ut overwhclmjed theun with r^Titerated blows, an4
kept up^thealarm in ev^ry9u^rteii. ' tfone.of his cxpedi-
fions was not fo wejl cal,9i4hted or (b i\iccef«fully executed,
amends were made by another, and by a third. The fpi-
rit of the nation once rouled, was not fuft'ered for a mo-
frtent to fubfide j and the French, dazzled, as it were, by
the multitude and celerity of his enterpri/es, feemed to
have loft all power of refiltance. In fhort, he revived the
tnilitary genius of our ppqple; he fupportcd our allies ; he
extended our trade \ he raiied our reputation ; he augment-
ed our dominions ; and on his departure from adminillratif
on, jeft the nation in no other danger than that which ever
muft attend exorbitant power, and the temptation which
may be, to the invidious exertion of it, Happy it had been
for him, for his fovereign, and his country, if a temper
lefs auflere, and a difpofi^tipn more pra£iicable, mcnre com-
pliant, and conciUatlr^g, hiad been joined tp his other great
virtues. The wantof theffe qualities difabled him froma(5t-
ing any othcrwife than alone : it prevented our enjoying
the joint fruit of the wifdom ^f many able men, who might
mutually have tempered, and mutually forwarded each
other } and finally, which was not the meanefl lofs, it dcr
prived us of his own immediate fcrvices. ;
Thofe who cenfured his political conduit the moft fe?-
verely, could raife but few exceptions to it j none of thenji
fingly and perhaps, the whole united, of no great weighj
againft a perfon long engaged in fo great a fccne of aitian.
Whether the part, which under his ?idminiftration we
rather continued to adl than newly took, with regard to thp
afFairsofGermany, be for the real intereft of Great Bri*
tain, is a queftion of the utinoft difficultyj and whi<;h perr
haps will never admit a fati$fa£|:ory folutio|). To condemn
him on this he;^ we muft be fure of tl>is fpl|i^jLoo. It .has
been obferved in favour of that contefted meafure, that
France demonftrated, through the whole progrefs of the
late treaty, the moft eafneft defirc, that we mould abandoit
the German conne<5tion ; no trifling argument, that our
enemy did not look upon it to be extremely prejudicial to oi|!r
interetts. If he has carried on that war at a vaft expeucc,
a prodigious ftand has been made againft the intire power
of France; had lefs been expended, thij whole expe.nce
might have been loft. How far this part pf his condi*CT vi'^s
agreeable to his former declarations, is a ctifcufnon which
can avail but little: He fodnd tfre' htrtiirtf eijWdTti^tfftlg
extricate hrmfelf from tliem j Us Irt proceedfed: h<i 'difcrfl
vered by experience the advantages of that plan dJ'aS
and hi^ opmion was changed, ^ ^'^ ?!^T*"»
nn hptr^"^'^'"'r'nS'*^''» *^ «tain the endsof otfobfitf^I
the'n h. t ''"" ^'"'" "P^" P°P"^»r ^opi«> which even
then be knew were not tenable, it can form but a veri fmaS
blemifh ,n a public charader, however wrong tSbVbV
with ftIS *^ '^'t ^'^/^ ^"^^^ of morality. l!l woulJ hfZ
with ftatefmcn if this fort of confiftency we« to be cxbfeS!
4*?"; *^e moft confiftent of them. ■ ' ' *^ ^»
Sk at .L ri^ )" necelTary What eye cannot diftl^!
4e exctnr^ K." ^^f" r' .''!'' difference between this and
wtththSliV •' What Briton,
Wufe fo/Ss eoiS^^^ and gratitude, but murf
from the nnhrT^''*^/"^?^"'^« '^^''^^ unrewarded
be whatthfevw/'LT^ *o*^^« retirement
could h^tK-^ ?"*** • .'* '^^'^ "°* poffible that his foverdgn
Tsdien w.!?LTV^^^^^^^ P^^^ unrequited i the furnth^a
tTe liZ . ''*''^°^^'^''^y *"^d^^"^te t^ l^is merits; and
fere\rSX,'* '"^'7^S«lated bythe "Moderation of th.
whI£'f."''"^**'u?^''-^^*^^^^^"*^^P^fl'»»n«nt met, lA
fn. the conr^' f^'' own juftificaticn, without impeich-
f«i tK«. 1- ifr'^*"^' °^?^' colleagues, or taking one me^-l
l^t a tl u;iS'l^Th:?X^ '"" '^'^' ^^ ^^P^^''^^"' "^^^
CHAP. IX.
DIfpute wjih Spain Repnfentatton of tht iorl tf SriJioL
^fPfitton of the_ court of Madrid. Treat/ hetieeH
CaZ fit ■!^'"r r ^^/^^^ deftrn a confmunication,
JruptCe '"'^"^''* '"'''^'" '""'"'''^ i^ityraw:
THE unfortunate intervention of Spain in the late ne-
gotiauony raifcd fo many difficulties, and created fo.
much
f' il
I. J,
4«4 TM'HiiTp^r of the \Yai^. l•jSi^
mueh mtTcbief hoth abroad and at home, that it becomes
an mxA in this hift^ry, and it is ^eceflary we fhould purfue
that obje£l from the poiat at which we left it, to its final
and fatal determination.
' The anfwer which had been received from the Spanift
minifter in London was far fjrom being fatisfadlory to our
court. Orders were immediately given to the earl of Brif-^
tol, oui: ambafladdr in Spaiii, to rcmonftrate with energy
»nd firmricfs on fo extraordinary a proceeding ; to adhere
to the negative put upon the Spanifh prctenfions to fifli at
Newfoundland j to reft the article of difputcd captures, on
the juftice of our tribunals ; to continue the former profef-
iions of our defire of an amicable adjuftment of the log-
wood difpute J and of our willingnefs to caufe the fettle-
jnents on the coaft of Honduras to be evacuated, as foon
as ever his Catholick m?ijefty fhould fuggeft a method for
bur enjoyment of that traffic to which we had a right by
treatjr, and which was further confirmed to us by repeated
promiles from that court.
At the fame time that the earl ofBriftpl was author! fed
to proceed with that fpirit, which the offended dignity of
our court required, and to bring Spain to a categorical and
fatisfadlory declaration, concerning her final intentions j
yet if he perceived on her part any intention to difavow or
even to explain away tips offenfive tranfaftion, he was rea-
dily to accept it, and to afford to that court as handfouie a
retreat as polfible. The letter which conveyed thefe in-
ftru(?tions was written by Mr. Pitt, and dated on the 28th of
July, a few days after the fatal memorial had been dcliver-
cd'lbyMr. Bufly. / ■
The eai'l of Briftol punftually obey d thofe orders. He
found General XV all, the Spanifh minifter, much in cold
blood, and in very equivocal difpofitions. He heard with
great patience the proper and energetic reprefentation that
had been very ably made by the earl of Briftol. He ap-
plauded the king of Great Britain's magnanimity in not
fufFering Franc" as a tribunal, to be appealed to in his dif-
putes with Spain ;' and declared, that in the propofition
which had been made with the confent of his court, things
were not confidered in that light; afked whether it ccuJi!
be imagined in Englcind, that the Catholic king waS feel-
ing to provoke us^ in our prefent moft flourifljing and moil
exalted fituadon, ."nd after fuch a fcrics of profperous events
a$
ife orders. He
as no fingle nation had ever met with ? He valued, and
and our defirc of amicable adjuftment. But thefe favoura;
itances, that had a very menacing appearance, For in
the firft place, he declared that at thartimc the uLnS-
harmony fubfifted between the courts of FraTce and Sn^n^
djat u. confequence of their perfeft agreement, there ^"*
mutual unrefervcd communication of every ftep takcTin
their feveraj negotiations with England ; [hat France hid
with us Ihould grow j/»to a rupture } and that this offer was
•onndered in a friendly light. Such an intimate union of
a third power with one of the parties at war, forebodes no
vTtLhror^ 'J friendftip,or even to' its neutrality
with the other. If Spain uftified the proceedings of France.
that^aTi^^ft^''^'""'^.''"!'! '" '^'"'' '■' ^^« »St one, ani
that a /hort» ftep, to a jun^ion with her.
As to the three matters in difpute, the Spanifh minifler
efo utely adhered to them all ^and as to the laft (Tat^
r Ta'""^' ^"'.^^'' '^^y ^^^ ^°"g fincebeen tired ol
fU%c^S^T''''''?V that this rhatfer had been already
fuHv difculTed • and t :at on this head Spain had given the
mpft convmqng proofs of her define to be on the beft term!
Fn.1 hW ^ ^'''''''^^ ^^g'""'"g ^f ^h« ^ar, before
England had grown terrible by her fuccefTcs, when thei?
Amencan governors had endeavoured to diilodge the En!
rt ttThlT' t'7 '^'^^?}^'^^^ on the coal of Hondu-
ras, they had, at the complaint of our court, in order to
take away all caufe of miftruft, ordered th; governor to
dcfiftfromfojuftifiable an ertterpri^. That ol th. oft^
man^r l°v T T^f'"^' '° ?"^' '"^^^^ '" ^" '^«>5«ble
fiv ". 17 f ^"'if""/ agreed to that method. But that
fix years had ebpfed without their receiving he leaft fatis!
f*aion. They even alleged that the Englifh encroacn-
mcnts on their coafts in that time increaf^d. *^""'^*^'^-
mat"e. nfThT'' '^' ^/'"'"'^^^ vindicated the form and the
matter of their proceeding : they fhewed no fon of difoofi-
tio 11 to relax rrom their claims /but at the fame tisrc^hey
ol Ta It^"^ ?,^^j^"<^'"g t«g«Her th. feveral difcuffi!
^rm/a Vr'^^ P/"*^'"'^ '" g*^"^'^^' *^°"g^ ^^t very warm
««nns, a dcfirc of continuing in amity with us. "With re-
* gard
M'^M
'r'm
*^I;V:
f .:■■■
^m
426
^bt History cf^thi'V^At^,
1761.
gard t6 the matter in difpute, the pretenfions of both posw-
ers ftood in this pofture throughout the whole difcuffion j
except that they were urged with more or le{s afperity, ac-
cording to the flu£tuating difpofition of the court of Spain,
which fcemcd to rert upon no furc and fettled principals.
There were probably two factions in her councils who as
they alternately prcvailcd,changed the language and (Counte-
nance of the Spanifli tninifter. However, for fome time the
afpeft of things continued on the whole to be rather fa-
vourable ; and even an exprefs declaration was at length
madC) that Spain had been, at no time, more intent on
cultivating a good correfpondence with v But ftill the
French intereli filently gained ground at Madrid ; the con-
fidcnt^l communications of that court with Spain ; her af-
fected moderation in the treaty ; the dangerous greatnefs of
Eng'and ; the common intereft of the houfe of Bourbon,
«verv part of which muil fufter, both in its dignity apd fafe-
ty, by allowinc the principal of its branches to be pruned
to the quick : tnefc points were urged with continual folli-
citation j and they aflured the Spaniards that even the fign-
ing an alliance between the fovereigns of the two nations,
would intimidate England, already exhaufted by the war,
and apprehenfitre of lofmg the valuable commerce fhe car-
ried on with Spain.
Thefe arguments and fuggcftions at length prevailed,
; and a treaty was ftfued between the two courts, the pur-
•.pofe of which was to preferve from oppreffion, and to
■maintain the interefts of the houfe of Bourbon. This al-
liance Was of a nature the more dangerous, as it turned iip-
X)i\ family not national intereft, and becaufe not ftating ex-
actly its objeds, it might be made juft of what extent they
pleafed. We make. no mention of any other treaty than
this," of itfclf fufficiently ahrming, becaufe whatever fuf-
picions maybe entertained,', there is no certainty that any
other has been concluded between thofc powers.
France had obtained in this treaty almoft all that flie
aimed at ; by it Ihe entered into the clofeft connexion with
Spain ; this connciftion did not indeed fecm directly of nc-
• ceffity to conclude a breach with Kngiand ; it led to it how-
ever, almoil inevitably. At firit the whole tranfadion was
. kept a profound fecret ; the inferiority of the marine of
.i^pain, and the precarioulhefsof their fupplies from America,
in c^i'ii they. came to a prcfent rupture with England, obliged
them
rV^i. TbeHisTokYcf the War: 427
them to this temporary referve. France took care that this
tj-eaty ftiouldnot tranlpire untill the negotiation was broken
off ; and Spain, whilft Ihe was under thcfe apprehenfions,
exhibited thpfe occafional proofs of a pacific difpofition,
which we have juft now fcen. But as foon as France had
loft ail hopes of concluding the negotiation in the manner
flie had wiftied, and had failed in the ufc fhc made of
the intervention of the claims of Spain, (he circulated with
great induftry a report, that Spain would immediately de-
clare againft Great Britain, in confequczice of a treaty lately
concluded among the Bourbon courts.
England found that thofc boafts of the French were too
confidently made, and too generally believed, to be altogc-
thcr without foundation. In confcqucnce of thcfe appre-
henfions, orders were fcnt to Spain, to dema-nd in the moft
moderate terms, but in a manner not to be evaded, a com-
munication of this treaty, or at leaft a difavowal that itcCn-
tained any thing to the prejudice of Great Britain. But
before thele orders could reach Spain, lord Briftol had him-
felf received intelligence of the treaty, and of the hopes,
which the French made no fccrct of their deriving from
that fource. He therefore thought himfelf under a neceffity
of defiring fatisfaition from the Spanifti fecrctary of ftate
concerning it.
Upon this application there appeared on afuddcn fuch a
change in the countenance, language, and fentiments of
that minifter, as indicated but too fully the juftnefs of the
fufpicions that were entertained. The Spanifti flota was
now fafely arrived with a very rich cargo ; the French arms
had made a confiderable progrefs in the king's eleitoral do-
minions i the fuccefs of the Imperial arms was no lefs flrik-
ing ; the icafons for their former fhew of moderation no
longer exifted. They therefore gave a loofe to thofe move-
ments which they had hitherto concealed. M. Wall, evad-
ing a dire<ft anfwer, entered into a long and bitter com-
plaint, not only of the treatment which Spain had received
from us, but of the haughtinefs of our late proceedings witb
France ; that it was time for them to open their eyes, and
not to fuffer a neighbour, an ally, a relation, and a friend,
any longer to run the rifque of receiving fuch rigid laws as
were- prefcribed by an infukiog conqueror j that we were
intoxicated with our fucceffes ; and a continued feries of
victories had elated us lb far, as to nuke us rejeii the rea-
y 2 ibnablc
*■ J
;ffl.. ■
418 ne History ef $be Was. 1761.
evident that our def.gn ,n ruining the French power, was
he moreeafilv to crufh Spain i that we propofcd entir^y
W?IV.*''fi^'rS.^-^T*"*^^^=°^°^'" •" America t
fhof. ^n. ll' ''? '" ^"^*"S on the Spaniih dominions in
thofe parts therebv to fatisfy to the utmoft of our an.bition,
hewouK-^^r?/K ^^^^ *^''-^ of conqueft; therefor^
fh J? lypfclf be the man to advifc the king of Spain,
tha tW f^" dommions were to be overwhelmed, at leaft
and no^to ^"^?- ""'^T^ ^'^ ^''"™'' '" ^'' ^"^jeas hands
^1^.^,^'''^''''''^^'''^''^''''''''^^^^^ hadflithcrto ap-
peared in the eves of the world. ^
The Englifti ambaflador, though aftonifhcd atfoextraor^
tivcs, and With firmncfs to the menaces of the Spanift mir
a^id fupported our prctenfions i after anfwering in the bcft
SKfnd"^;'^-,^''^" '^ "^Sed,he returned oht
nf J- J!^' ""." ^'^Pj^nation concerning the treaty • as often
put' and a^I^VK '^'^^'^ '""^ f-'e qucftion^L agl^"
M^^ntlll'dt o^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^"^ no farther fatif-
1 his revolution in the appearances of things in Spain,
was too mrereft.ng not to be immediately communicated
l^^^tV"''r''^''^\^'^^' '^' moJeraticn t£ y had
hitherto difplayed, might be attributed to fear, and that the
hTKl^'r^r'^'^??''^-^"^^ P^-'^ no doub 'of
Iti feu »."'?^»*'"s- O'ders were therefore given to
and th ° (f "^' ' conformable to dignity of the^natl, k
and the juilice of our clami. He w^s ordered to renew hi
^n tances copce^ung the treaty ; to demand an explanation
o vi7i};tr^^'"""'''^^ ' apdtof.gnify,that a p.re«p!
TfT^^'"^' T' ''°'' J^roughtto a fingle and precis point
The demand was maae in the terms of ths ofder Th^n
.t w,s, that the pnde of Spa.n entirely threw ofthe remat^
I'jBi, qei History of tht War. 42^
der of thsit mafk, which her policy had perfuadc^ her to
aflume ; the fecrctarv, M. Wall, replied, " Th»t
« J;^'P'"* of (»a"ghtine<s and of difcOrd, which Dec. 10.
didtated this inconfiderable ftep, and which for
Untift government, is what has rtade the declaration of
r^'i? 'a '^i ""^'J^'^ '^"^ '''"?''' **'g"'*y » *"^ 'hat the E;Sl
of Briftol might return wlcn and in what manner was
" convenient to him/' ^^ J
The Earl of Briftol parted from Madrid the 17th of De-
cember; and thus was brought on a rupture Wch hal
prod.giouihr extended the operations, and confequently the
miferies of war, and threatens to protea them to a very
Jong duration. Europe unfortunately found herfeJf plunecd
jnto the gulph of 3 new war, at the time ihe hoped to
emerge from the old one, and by the very mean, which
were ufed to draw her out of it. A ppint oY honour alone
fcemed to have been the laft and* immediate caufe of the
breach ; but wrhoeycr has diligently attended to the SpanilK
affairs from the memorial prefented by Bufly to the final
anfwer de vered by Wall, will fee tha? the LrivSwere
however ill undcrftood, of a much more ferious arid impor-
tant nature, *^ :;
Fn^ri^*" two powers had now come (o extremitie., and the
i^nghfl, ambaffador had departed from Madrid, the Spanifh
mimfter nlfo quitted London ; but before his departure he
left a paper, mthe nature of a manifefto, of venTh'ttlc im-
Enl S/'''''' ^^ argument, but filled with'inveftivcs,
charg,„g (he war on the haughtinefs of the late Errglifo
mmifter, and on the little refpea with which his courtTiad
,n7f ***!?•* ^°3 "^"""'."S ^^"^ adminiftration of that minifter,
and fince his ref,^nation. That had the purport of the
treaty been defirtJ in a manner lefa offenfive^o the dlg^ty
L u\ "*^'"' '^ 'it'' »» "^'^X »»*v« ^een obtained, as ft
could have been tuftiSed j for th'e treaty, which was belfev-
ed to have b(rcn Wd on the jjth of Auguft, contamed
only a reciprocal guaranty of the dominions of the fevcral
branches 0/ ri^e hou(e of Bourbort, but with this particular
which ftiall remain to France after the prefent war.
♦« f!.TJl t ''^"'''^^*'* ^*^^*> ^^" P^P^'"' ^^"ft if pretends
» let fcrth the purport of a treaty dated the icth of Auguft,
^m not deny the eitiftencir ^f any other rrc;rty, w%ich
mipht
»■
SjfTT
^$ 7'heUistotLY ef /he Wav^. i-jCu
mightmore offenfiveiy concern the intcreftof Great Britain.
ft was however anfwered in every article with the utinolt
moderation^ perfpicuity and force, in a memorial of l©rd
Egremont. Hercweclofe the Spanifh tranfa6lion i as this
is the whole of what belongs properly to the year we treat
•C All that remains for us to do, is to touch upon tho
^aJTS of |he Euil Indies and America.
,11.;:.'
C H A P. X.
r
PUekadt of Pondlckerry, Dijlrefs of the French. Fleet dif"
ferfed, in a Jiorm._ Fleet returns. 'I own furrenders.
Mahit taken. Enterprifes of Mr. Laiv. Mogul's amy
dtfeated by Major Carnac. Nabob of Bengal depojed.
^^. ilpajisf Sumotrarnviiged by the count d'E/lahig. JJami-
uiea taken by lord Rollo and Sir James Doughs.
^fT E R; the defefit of the French near Wandewafh,
the taking of the city of Arcot, and the reduction )s>f
the fortrefles of Chitteput and Carrical, Pondicherry was
the only.fpace of confequence which remained to our ene-
mies in In^ia. - This^tpwn, beautifully built, ftrongly forti-
fied, and four leagues in circuit, feemcd rather the capital
of a kingdom^ than a trading cilablifhment. It is fituatcd
on the coaft of Malabar, about forty miles from our fettlc-
ment at Madrafs, whjcji in the days of its profperity it ri-
valled, if not exceeded in trade,opulencc and fplcndor ; and
it ftill remained the depofitory of whatever wealth was left
to the French, after the reverie of their fortune in war.
As foon as the fortrefles adjacent to this important place
had been reduced, and the inland country brought perfectly
to our interefts by the total expulfion of the French, the
blockade of Pondicherry was commenced by the land forces
under colonel Coote, and the marine under admiral Stevens.
A reguliar fiege was at that time impracticable on account
of the periodical rains, which were daily expected j and
even under more- favourable circumftanccs it would have
proved a taflc of infinite difficulty to attempt any army that
could be fupported in India, the taking of a place fo ftrongly
fortified, defended by a good garrifon, and by an officer able
and rcfolute, and wnofe pride and obftinacy, fo prejudicial
on all other occafions, would have made, him, as in effeA
they did make him, p^rfeyerc to the, very laft moment, in
■ ' ' ' ■ ' the
175/. fi>^ History c//i&i' War. 431
the defence of the lalt ftake, which the French had 1( ^ in
India.
The blockade being therefore chofen as the moft eligible
for the time, was continued with the beft difpofitions, and
the moft extraordinary patience on both fides, for full fevcn
months. In this time the garrifon and inhabitants fufFered
forely by famine. Col. Coote, in order to augment their
dirtrcfs, creeled batteries at a diflancc, not with a view of
ruining the walls, but to harrafs the enemy by an encreafc
of garrifon duty.
At length when the weather appeared fettled, four batte-
ries were raifed at fome diftancc to enfilade the ftreets of
Pondicherry, whilft others were advanced nearer jn order
to play upon the works. Thefe operations, though the fiege
was not yet formally undertaken, commenced on the 26th
of November, 1760, but as the feafon of the rains and winds
was not yet quite over, much was fufl^ered from ftorms,
which ruined the batteries and approaches. They were
however always repaired with the utmoft alacrity and fpeed,
and the fiege fufFered no intCimiflion. So that the befieged,
who eagerly expeded the arrival of their fleet to their relief,
were reduced to the moft extreme diftrefs. They lived on
camels, elephants, dogs, and cats. The extreme fcarcity
and dearnefs even of this wretched provlfion, increafed their
niifery. Sixteen roupies (half crowns) had been paid for
the flejfh of a dog.
In themidft of thib diftrefs their hopes were fuddenly re-
vived, and thofe of the befiegers, notwithftanding the pro-
grefs they had made, almoft totally deprefled. On the firft
of January. 1 76 1, one of thofe terrible ftorms, fo frequent
in the Indiaii fea, and fo ruinous, drove the Englifli fquadron
from before Pondicherry. Two /hips of the line were
wrecked, and their crews, with the .exception of two or
three men, entirely perifhed. Two others of the fame clafs
were driven aftiore, and beat to pieces. The men fortu-
nately efcaped. The real damage which our fleet fuftaincd
on this occafion, together with the idea of a far greater,
fiiggefted by their own defires, and juftifiod by the violence
of the ftorm, elevated to the higheft pitch the fpirits of the
garrifon, funk by difeafe, famine, fatigue, and an uninter-
rupted train of adverfe fortune. General Lai ly feeing the
port clear, fent an exprefs without delay to the French
agent in the neighbouring neutral fettlcmeuts, that this was
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the tif*ilK to throw in fuccoar^i -, he feemed (mgaiat and full
of vigour. The letter^ which was intercepted, is printed
below ((i)f as it may lead to furniih Tome idea of the cha>
tai^er ctf this {tnzxilu man^
But admiral Stcvenfi, aod thofe who commanded under
him^titerting themf<Sves with unparalleled diligence and ce-
lerity, appeared again before Pondiqherjy in lefs than four
days after the ftorm, with eleven ihips of the line and one
frigate, and the blockade was as comjpleat as ever. No fuc-
cours had been thrown in, and admiral Stevens in order to
f>revrht the ill impreffion which the l^ediiaAer might have
occafioned, fent amcliage to the neighbouring Dutch and
Danifh fettlcments, of the good conditiOB and ftrength of
the remainder of his fleet, and aflured them he would make
prize i>f fuch veftels as he found infringing the neutrality by
attempting to fupt}ly the enemy.
. Notwithftanding this mortifying difappointment. Mi
tiaUy made no piopofai to furrender^ The fi^ge was carried
(siftwtth. redoubled alacrity; and at length a large battery
hein[^ advanced within four hundred iM 6fty yards of th<!
ptmpart»^ a breach beiilgiOfifei^^i a^dnot more than oi^e
X3a U^ni ■ ■:'.,, 1: ■ . . day's
.tiim
Kayniond, the French rejidtnt at PuUicat, duNd ?oni^«|)or?y«
> ^ «i&» xa^ ^January 1 761/
.IJS
■ n
v'JVIn JLavaiokd,
fT*HE Englifif fquadron is no more, Sir; out of the twelve
^ flujps they hajd in our road^ feven are loft> crews and all;
l^e four others difmafted ; and it appears there is no more thafi
fiiie tfigi^^ tliat has efcaped ; therefore don't lofe an lAftflnt ro
Tend usoKelingoes upori-dhdingoes loaded with tioe; the Dutch
ha\'B abthiiigto fear flow ; befides (accordhtg to the law of iia^
fions) tl^ are only to -fend i» ito jwoVifkJris themfelv«9, and we
areno *icliw Wfocftfed w by fea.
- The fa^ng et ^MMk^ 1ia« been in your power once alrea-
dy; i^ybu mife tlw^feiisnt opportanity, it wrll be entirely vour
fault; do not forgeit nUb fome fmall tiheQagoCs : offer great re-
wards : 1 exped fdventedn tlioufand Mirmttott within thtk fc jr
days. In J8ioFt» rifqlie all, attempt aU, force ail, and (end us Ibme
Tice, fl;>9y}4 it,^ bHt,4i# a g^Ce at atime,
S'^gned, LALLY,
day*$ provUkmof any kwiremiiining, t fign^WW ili«4ft^
a c«"tioii of arms j th« priiici|>^ of the Jefuiw, togeilKff
with two Civihans came ottt« and ofiend termt of capi-
tuUtiOtt. The governor prderving all hit hatwhtUieik
which nei%r his errors nor mislbrtunes could in^
the leafi abate, decHned to ofier any terms } lie Jaa, t<*
fcnt out a paoer fiiU of inteaives aeunft the En-
glilh, tor the breach of treaties relative tolndias be alledged
that thofe breaches difqusdified him from propofing Snr
terms ; and in confequence he rather fufiered our troops to
take pofleffion of the place, than formally funender it. As
the governor refufed to capitulate, the propoikl of the in-
habitants was little regarded, and the city of Pondicheiry,
with a garrifon of about fourteen hundred European fol-
diers, a vaft quantity of military ftores, and great riches*
WM given up at difcretioa to our viaorious armt.
Nothing can be fatd too highly of the condud, perfevc*
»ance, and unanimity of the land and fea ftrvicea duriiig a
tedious fiege and blockade of eight months, in a clijiate io
unfavourable to all military operations. Colonel Coote gave
the final blow to the French power in India ; he was Adw
wdifputcd mafter of the rich coaft of Cocomandel f the
French power was wholly extirpated ( the neutral nations
were contemptible ; the princes of the country confidered
us with an aweful regard, and nothing but a little French
fc^cment on the coaft of Malabar, called Mahie, (and
which was foon after reduced) oppofed our commanding the
whole trade of that vaft peninAila of India from the Ganges
to the Indies, the moft extenfive and profitable fphere of
commerce in the world.
Whilft every thing was oving way to our arms in the
foutiiern parts of this peninTula, the affain of France, which
Ml iSen^al had been to all appearance totally fupprefied, rofe
up a«un for a moment from a quarter, and in a manner,
which was little expeaed. After the taking of Chandena-
«ore by admiral Watfon in the year 1757, Mr. Law, (ne-
'J^ w!^?*'^*^ ^*»® ^** ™»*e himfelf fowril known by
^e Miffifippi fchetoe) put bimfelf at the head of a party of
French fugitives, which was augmented from time to time
to about two hundred men. With this finall party he
threw himfelf ^nto the heart of the country, andjoining
himfelf fometimes to one, fometimes to another of the na-
^vepjinces, as hi» intereft led him; he/sndered himfelf
Z confidenblc
isil
114 ^Af Riitdiivijf iIi'Wa*, x%6u
]^Mt^%tt|itfi(m iofiihe MarraStsi, %td'- d^g (bin aitei*, ont
of his r<»»j^Bli« ZaddahvV^niffiedtWtitfe^afMtwaifup.
I&)l-Mdby'iimtfo«theiAtot)<Mb«8'<jf that cxttnflM to4 dir«
united emtflit; lie wm aj^MA by Mmts ; <|i4 thtfufh h«
^' «t ^ jMftd^ ft ro)^ WMiyiof his n«itH« ful>i«a«,
ftt^ fi the^^afte df tho mditarf in that part «fth« 4v6fld»
Clkat.he cojffidordiftn handftiri' of Eurppbftn Aigkives^ as ail
•oqui/lUoh of tli« igreateft ^{)Qnaii«e^ 4n4 luch at Wieht
tutnthabMlaqeea^ainftanit weight of Indians, which
it^if^i >bei}ft<i^rt Uvto the ofpofm ii^. In raft, it was m
lifr.LiM7 iM ^ttfitiuted tike tcdnaumoffrveraloMifiderablc
fMrovir(c6»tqu:hiii:(A>odienee.;u-Ji!:.'' 'i^ v^i'.-' -.<;. W- * i: ,,-. .
Elated wi«)^tii«fe focafiiM^ {jaw perfuide^ :him to turn
«Sv Am^^alnft Stft^aS^tHiUh had not a(<knowlad««4iiHn i
*twmk i^tWani llDbiJAiing Mdoumry, and tl»* poitifibn of
4^,3«aida>iin*>uliii«}]3r oaq^litttti 1^ than aH tl^ t<e<l to
41ee|)(iifoq't^etiff;^o^th»^M<»a)«. Itcre, unlbrtyrtacely
l^titM tli^ <iv4l «bnius of t»aw Inr^dtitidlriA to ctKOUHtx^
if^inwtch llw^iims^ hf Whith the intereft of his coimtrV
ImiltMisAtMfeft ifjiincd ihttiti vartt^oT the wot4d, and which
tfidiutiiwtip^fMt only, from whiich lie had a ^mat d«al to
itHit^ Stia iZaddah «nttt«l i^c 4c4ngdom of BtmgA «t th^
liMtd o<^aii| ariiiy' of 8o^» tndialys and IbaMthW Ipore
tMii&-'B60''Fwh«li'«< - ' ■•••..>(!'*.. ..^■•.•. ■: .-I'.s /:.■!•! ^
^ 5TJU F4iMft'ru^^%t^iM<Mif<)>^ttdiMal^d ltfi'e}<!« In
«a «iyekdrtf^!£ligfifh^ thsm any «itli«r ^jeaioti; «ndas
they were now become the arbiters of erowhs ilitlie Eaft,
•»^y jdil*ad iht Nab€)t» M'i^pk Woe/pofeWiprogreO.
About so,tf€>(» litaeki fvtp^intd >y 500 Englilfaf foWjcrj,
^»rtned th« arnoy agalAft 1ril»v A major (nM^Cismac)
'iceihtnahded'tlittC Mj^ '^hhlK'iMgHjg^j «nd fbtbHy ibiited
an ar^y 43l^^>4»Mi^lli ttoiilknd %««, comMantfedlby i!te
Mdgal in oMi^r That i»<A<« WM talken f^^ifehi^; Mr.
;lia«» was 41^tttlc«ti> «Mid Waatty 4rF«McH'«BWji^iirers
^i^jtrftd for '«*ai-,- If 'ir fi«i^1lnt>«l*ll %ith et^i^, m
II "^W TM««rth«(j^t«i^'ng te'-'Mie «MiisAiiftl«n 6r^s-great
ItVeW, Aii* i«(1ii^»f»6n(kl4n fh««<tok;4ay4n Whidk'liM F«nch
>ij^reedt*ll!le«i*eMk!^IHrPBhflieh«*ty. t ~3. :;.:;:
'^yi Jiitia SlH^jIflthiiy |i«fe# jiffi^Oawn, th? Na^^
in
iJo-'
in 17^7) had been placed in that dignity by general Clive.
^°??_^"J,'*?_'^'"J? ^^" terrifying fiyair"'*^ ^^ *»' '^'•»/ii.r>(
8 airi ii ii ft »» eiiiuMii^ Jit w oil Uiiiifeif the
hatred of his fubjedb, and loft the proteaion of the Engliih.
But as his ambition was tlge fcrb|eft of his paifions, he con-
fented quietly to quft the throne. The revolution was ef-
fe^ed withoMt blood{)ied,i^ft pan-in-^v^. w^s, apD^inttd in
l(is>4o(ft,i #idasdie^WhQkt^fa6Uln£«tai>iMCth^<i&
fent iind co-operation of the Englifh governor Vanfittart,
the old privileges of the coi^aMf were confirmed, and new
were acquired : the Englifh in Bengal were become neceiTary
tp tj^ govepmient o^hat ccuu^ry, and^very^bangegi^r^^
dudfed iomMng tc^'SMr adfalage. " .: XJ
.it is c#in, thittVe periqipf thi^W in Jie EailJii
dies, has been marked by as many ftriking events, uncom-
mon circumftances. andfc Ullgvlar fervfes of fortune, as any
that have happened from the time of our knowledge of this
partofthe if»|rld» ,» ^t*
ItcanhaMy b^ faidj tl|*i,this feries of j^^erity was
interrupteSTby the fuccefsful'attempts of the count d'Eftaign.
This lively advei^^t^rer, yfith 4iif^om^ v un^ of no more than
two ordinary fri^tiw, h«d^WOaofjef if^y token and de-
ftroyed the En^lifli fettlement of Bender- Abaffi, on the Per-
ii> ii gul ph I h e th e n - ftruck oy er to t h e ifland ufSumaiu r ,
where we carry on our moft confiderable commerce in pep-
per J and before the f^ifkd fl( |ihe fojliowing April, reduced
Bencoolen, the principal fettlement, and all the reft of our
^'■lVJ>Kf*^ww pmthatiaand, whi^^^a^cA ^efaiqcj^
Jbal oft^caujltd'ElteJ^gn w;jisJ^^ i^ tlfe^^rt^ c^{his
?5»HMr^T ^.*n A»f ^r«.'^^. '>o^i^?c|^"ff«>- few-
5T??^.^9.#..not d^airf4i?.^puc|iltoiv)m frfiim tl^ vigour of
*h*^ fP^^'A**'^"/*^ p7^™» if what ^« .feidjjs'tivia W he
was at the vefy time a prifoher upon parofe. .-^vi ,\,, ^
In America the ifland of Dominica, one of tlioie iflands
criM jq^utral, butsiducMh^ Fxejict^Jh^^t^-aii^K
^^m^MwcAhy 9, fr^aU aj:m»mpi^,,^tfid^r lord %)llo
^* wV J*Pfes Eloug^, p<irih Amtirij^f j'is .perfleiy.
Jteauced them, to this n/?c^^, . by ,,peiie^r|ttpag. with jgf^
courage and jierfeveraiicc^into tbieir country, and deftrpyifg
fcfteea of their towns, an^ almoft their whole harvelt/
Z a THE
C«3«]
mtm.
Mm
. 1 - .'If
ttmmmmmmmdmm*m
^•••ii*-'*^
.... ..x . ly no:;
•«■■■.'
tHE
ANNUAL REGISTER:
wail
H I ST OR Y
?*-
e'^
OF THE
W A
For the YEAR 1761,
R.
■ " ' . f 'l . ' ^ 'ii-
i^.i.:.-t,U,ciA jn,. c H A P. 'I, '
Sftrf* »fEi&9J^h ihi hertmm^Hfthit year, fit Jfmt #/
" /*# Britijb alliance. Condition of the northern tmert.
''Wat rtaehet U ih fiuthem. Family tmpaet^ Some
r^artieks from iV. Obfervatim upon them. Conjemien"
*' iet of thtt treaty to Eutitbi. Wiir declared arainff Spain.
■'l^ Statrof Spain and Great Britain at the bennning tf tho
-^'wat between them. Adfoamtagn md SJadvantartt §n
. ea(b *''-
ic.
? to srif» .
fTT-^HE clofe of the jrcar J761 left the af&irs of all Eu-
v'\ rope, both military and political, in the moft in-
'^ terefting fituation, in ^ich they haveftood, at
perhaps any period of our modem hiftory. The endea-
vours which had been made to bring about peace amongft
the belligerent powers, ferved only to increafe their ani*
mefity.
tjSu «f History ef/AeWAit. 4ff
mofit;r. And at the fame tim^ they brought into lieht ami
jxertion, thofclatent motim Ind X(£ofiS,n«S wfwiSh
had long lurked in other powers un<G- the veil of niutSu
fy i and^had only been kept down fometimes by Irrefoluti-
on of temper in perfons, and fometimet by want of fvftem
in Dolitic^. Thefe ineffeaual cndeavburs for^McTpJSS!
SfobSl7«J..''"^°"* "^'*"*^^ *"^ ^^'^' "^^ ^
To the north there was noappearan«eofrd#ntinginattT
one of the powers engaged. It was not to be expedeZ
that the confederacy, wSich had held together fo WHS
under fuch difficulties and difappointmlnts, flioul? nX
break to Dieces, juftat the moment when the ftates which
eompofed it feemed in a condition to reap the mature fruits
df their unanimiltj and perfcverance. The kineofPruffia
was not m a ftat«i^thcr to aUure or to intimid^e. Great
Britam ccjild not incrcafe his fubfidy. nor reinforce his ar-
mies. The allied army in Weftphalia played a defiiifivc.
and onthewhole^of the campaign, a lofinggame; and
there was nobody fo fanguine as to think th5 Great Bri-
.tain could mcreafe her ftrength in Germany, where flie
paid already 100,000 men, and expended five mfllions an-
nuaiiy.
.Although nothing feems morecertain in a general view
Jf the polmcal fyftem, than that the king of I^a is not
the natural and neceflanr ally of this nation ; yet his fortune
rilJSrTinte^^ce K^^^^ ^'** ^"' '''' " '' «-
The late Mr. Shippin was of opinion, that the power of
rnnce i«js become an objea of much lefs terror fince the
rojj* of the power of Ruffia. But he never imagined it
poffible, th>t all the great continental powers of Europe
ihould ever be united with France j and that Aey ihoiSd
cpnfpire to loid her fcale inftead of ballandng it. fee never
c«Jd forefee, what hasaftually happened i? this war, that
Als very power of Ruffia could cooperate with F^ice,
and even wth Sweden ; and what is full as extraordinary,
ftatboth thefe latter could co-operate with Auftria to de!
Tl '"i r «?!i W:"*» ^*»«*=*» *>»«* *>"« «ftabliflied by
AetreatyofWeftpKaUa; thatfyftem, which it had been
£!u^5 "'^ of ooHcy, and the great objea of war to
Both * ranee and Sweden in the lalf century to eftablifli and
to
^
11
fp(;pi)fo|i^>iMl to^thchoufcof Auftria. f»niUrjUy to op«.
pct^ \ Tac <ieffcu^bft ctf the, ^iau of HruJ(» i^wed to iiu,
cWctftq Wruaion olftlif UWty. of W^ifRWia^ be«i«.»
bd i*thc onljr power ixi Ap wipw^capiblf .ftjaiTeftlnfi. tKc.
ifid,iipep4fi^^y of its i^(^«^ and fu^jwrtiiig tfic decfininft
, ,T)jd tf talrtiin of- ,Saxpp.y> wjth fueh cvcumftanoes ; of
imparrforiable cruclty'Sy that prince fiimtelt,..ana 4Jie esB-^
^^jVljft^fti^^j rof- all tb&. other ProteftsUi,tj jijicinticrst of ihe
tlnMeu'T^avetiuxrpwed tftat;intoreft mofc am ipore to the
fci^3$|e^ of Fruffia* , • A» li»»8 intere£ was ftrft fwmed
wil^^,omji|Wfc, & itapw\dJuon-.thcre catu>ot.ii*H of \i^n3^
tjie.jppiSb fef^fiblfe m^?nc6^.alllhe potcataitca of the fa9»«
coiiam wwn^ $vw fn.tjfiis Ught^ Epj^ndrM ?l4 jntef^
fiw; tl^e.kmg qf Pjrt^ffia (hQuTd not bq .ftnujfglx . cxHfted; yl^<
' tlie pi^va^toce of a; qon^^iqaj^ifii cotoj^Oofltxip ^qcttaofdv
narv, ;ar n?anneif» that itsTuc«;efs» xaxA, .necplUuVy PK>attce ,f
tpt^txOT^UtionlnitAejfyftra-jqr^^ f&fw w j^
lejics of.wnfcflfwn^cs, (.vrmdx, tho^l^^lt ; ir.^mfoOibio to
pafticularnje; muft h^yc.fijiaoijAUedly.bfi^^fjf -the lupft iqi?
^vUi^ffjCiWa^aa inte|:ett:J:ct nwer,~to,.»^^jUxe.iate:4tf
ouir own army in Germjiny, whfch couW'nbt Turv'ive. ,l|^^
dcfti;uaioB^ o/the kiiijr,9f4*fl#a for ajiJ^Oji^n ifTietof^ir-
(Ci^fUriflf«i,rtndere4,9i^-pr^pea of tW .RMfipaj^ m,^
jonany vcre gloom/ $ ,af rinfBPf„w»6.no UMt^prgr^und to iuf*
bqJc tKstti4"^ P7".c^s ^W^i ^^^^ 'f te/oi, BRfin^. im|jortwU
mterefts immecliately depe/wfed, <j6uid liiolifiut; lia the mid-
^le. of funiaifr. ■ ,B?ftd«^3r Pfflmark, fteW ..|io favourable
(JWjpofi^u? towards ti$,},Aiid Hcllatoa . wi^vpted evidfyrt
laWl^pJri^ldners, it noJ^pf ^bfohtte ^Ueaauoo^ . ^^uck \p«
t]b,e|^jjjil^ipn of the paw;e^ in the north* -■,: . • -^
Vi *?S^ W#«fO fipwei:s,jat,|j«ropei A^iofe^a^ -i»¥«*«»^
Ijonjjwflfi the ca^ev.a'pdWJofe great remoteweti fcoath^
ieai cij war;>tt?ijKt appjcar Tu|K<:iciH:.to enlWe'.their tnnuml^
%? IfgjWlP cntpr:ut?t)iaaW wi^ at'fo^^^^ io "^^
ko^ mthcf atties,,if^jbo l^ad ifom the .ocaw»mg. a4a;ed.as
h^MiapaJa t /new fewel was heaped upoa tKe,iixi» o* coptear
4»pn^ rWpMcfr ha^ w^ftf 4 )k> fl^aiiy nfitio^, ;iivt4W 4t, feefl^eo
n, 'Tr
^ '^iut ^lumee J)etWeen the hr*»<^"^' "9f '^^ f^^ ff
d6oufb«»}. of which we We fjpokcn lafl: year, and which js
lo well thovvn by the name of the Family Compa^, is one
of
tj^S. (rair't!r«To« Vk $f She Wii*. 9^
«f the moft €«#a«r*narir ti*irt«<Jlioii« ©f fM#,-i^ ^litps.
»f ^ny timetr It has already f)ptf«goe«4bM«» <ffyi£U WWor!
«ble » it« flefiiti , itinayjM-«d«0««hi»i»ll 4riWI%|«itr.
tant I uid en tht w4i»k muft ke con^dettd a» ^ ^rinVoT
ihejnoft exttrtfive, klftmg, «ii4 aiamrfn* iriteeMt.- ; ^ ^ .^
Tho treaty <jf Vie««« in ^^56, Mween fV^cfe:^4
Auftna, hascemiiily cofttrawHditot.a ««!« <o ifcb^ Xt
new turn to^a«Urt, by whteh hktwft all' th* <&«|J^
that hafe hKfctrtobeen written on the tittvcfts -iX^ Winced
are rendmd trroBteous. andofllttkJ'ttfclii futitfe^fedfeta^
Jons. Tk«6 titwrty, however, thoafehlt fe»«*Wftk«^;cto
have dlsjotirted <h* antlent fr«««^ a!Ml«<fe fty -jSic*
mnce was fcrmerfy counttsrpolM, nfcty, ^offiMf. adi 'bp
to flMcb a laftmg €ha«ge, as A 4ieffl]»e^ary «iid tjefeentritf 4ew
viation from the (phere in which the hoMfe of Adftifi' Infl
lormeAy moviai tmd ineo wfcWhitife^tnte JTe ftfiBSie tb' her
natuiWjiJid BWniiMient iiteereftt<i marn. TW* feoufboii
<JtompaAWal<Bffei^,»tw^cv*«^ it fettihi <bW^
tength fro<iueed that istire imtem bett^weii «he T^fcm* -imd
5pahW»-*ijlrtrdhi«8, ^i«* was fe^^iriudi ^rei^dtf on thfe
4ealh of -CWiifes n. aftd wfhieli 4t wi« «hfe grert ;tturrioftr of
<heJtreiity«riM«i*wf. ^uitf tftws '«u^ bf th? *r*ttS iShaitJe
fo^revent. 'JWeOMHre fisen it-tike (iiliK:e4ttbor^at^I.toih'-
1«m<m«y <#Mi>my Httfc nptree j' f» mtidt greM4> is* t)ar
l»i«ftistftrertj;fh'j'toj' fo much gi^t«^ ^vis «fc^ Wclfe*-'
OH frt^hoTe days, «htt^the'^^i<^f^e aftdd fc^
preient. . .1.-:. ,„>n-.(; ..nc ^sofjnhr ;;ynM3i(:a ;::;:- ,•
IMM fuceeft wiptt^dii-d;;feiiri^S «t*<:(dfe tyf'^h' feifdrtri-
j^aMy of her pf6werh»slM?gah iq-ibate; Stfi^ijrfete
*citri<7,'«ni!-pn)b^b!yto»*«*T,y^eiri t«ll Oie-grt^^-
creafed by thb very ci^rcumftsyic^. Inftead(«yf i«5iffii£riich
•#nohJea ^ iaatmtd iiiankrhd^^nifeliiff'J^WclrSlii-
rjge «fedt^ uiHtfl; fliie ij'hertfelf'bp^e tjie .ctlr» VSfXi
^tffiaft^e, Whfch extends fiipiji j!i^ Ttprthern'tb ' *hei ' ' "
JJS^^^ '» 't6 -fey 'fto^Mng <^0^hnivk, ^#W»^Wwrf?>i«
With
S^ fAf History ^ /i(# War. 1761;
IVlttk other nations, however, her ties are comparative.
h flight : but the engagements of the Bourbon compa£l
iorm rather an zA ofincorporation than an alliance. It
contains ftipulations hitherto unheard of in any treaty. By
the 234. and a4th articles, the fubjeds of the feveral branch-
es of the houfe of Bourbon are admitted to a mutual natu-
f alization, and to a participation of fuch privileges and im-
munities, as if they were natural bom fubjeAs of the coun-
tries, of their refpeaive foverei^ns. The direct trade to
America forms the only exception to this comprehenfive
.communitive of interefis. The tenor of this article is of in-
^|iite confequence to the general tradingintereft of Europe;
all the ftates of which, by the 25th article of the fame al-
liance,' are excluded from any profpedl of obtaining fimiiar
advaBtafl«s«
Thisforms a civil union in almoft the ftjrideft fenfe } the
political union is even moreperfeft. By the i ft and 1 6th
articles, the two monarchs of France and Spain agree te
look upon every power as their enemy, which becomes an
enemv of the other ; that a war declared againft either,
ihall be regarded as perfonal by the other ; and that, when
they happen to be both cngaflred in a war againft the fame
enemy .or enemies, they wUl wage it jointly with their
whole forces } and that their military operations ihall pro-
ceed My common confent and with a perfeA agreement.
By the 26th article, they agree reciprocally to difclofe
to each other their alliances and negotiations'.
By the x?th and 18th, they formally eng^ not to make,
.or even to liften, to any propofal of peace from their com-
mon enemies, but by mutual confent ; being refolved, in
time of peace as well as in time of war, each mutuaify to ctn-
JUtr the inttrejls of tb* allied crown as its sum ; to compn^
fate their fefm-allojfif and advantages^ and to aSt as if the two
nunarebiesforsnedmy one and the fame power. The king of
.the Sicilies, and the infant duke of Parma are comprehend^
cd in this treaty.
Here is the model of the moft perfeft confederacy.
There is but one reftri^on to the extent of this fcheme ;
but this particular reftri£tion is a key to the whole treaty j
as it (hews, in the moft fatufa£tory manner againft what
obje£^ it was principally dire^d. For by the 8th article it
is provided^ that Spain ihall not be bound to fuccour France,
when ihe is engaged in a war in tonfeguence of her engage-
ments
17^2* Tbel^mokY cf the \\a^. 441
merits by the treatv of Wcfbhalia, or other alliances whh
the princes and Itatcs of Germany and the north, u/i/fji
Jome tnmtlme power takes part in thofi wars^ or Franco
be attacked by land in her own country. This exception
of the maritime powers indicates fufficicntly that the ten-
tlency of this article is to affcdl P:ngland, and fervcs to point
Out clearly, though obliquely, to the other powers of Eu-
rope, that their connexion with England is the great cir-
cumftarice which is to provoke the enmity of Spain.
It ftiould feem that this treaty alone, when once its true
nature came to be difcovcrcd, if no other caufe cxirtcd,
would have been fufficicnt tojuUify Great Britain in a de-
claration of war againft a monarchy, which had united it-
Iclf in fo intimate a manner with her enemy, that it was
rendered impofliblc to diftinguifh tho one from the other.
in this point, however, prudence was to interpofe, and
circuniltances to dircdt It was not therefore, luitill eve-
ry attempt to bring Spain to a clear declaration of pacific
int&ntions had been tried without fuccefs, in the manner
/he have already fecn, that war was aaually declared againft
her. This declaration vi/as made, on our part, in London,
the id of January of the prefent year.
Since Great Britain was a kingdom, fhe never was in
furh a doubtful and dangerous fituation ; for at this time
we Was engaged, dirc6>ly or indireaiy, in a war, not only
With all the ereat continental powers, but, what is more
material, with the moft confiderablc part of the maritime
llrength of Europe. According to the ordinary computa-
tions, the navy of Spain confifted of more thaii loo men
of war ; and though the French navy waS greatly reduced,
it^ became of confideration when added to the Spanifli.
Great efforts were made to render it refpedable. Several
communities in France engaged to fit out men of war at
their own expence ; and in general that whole people felt,
after having been fuok underu long defpondency, a momen-
tary glow of hope and animation from this alliance, fo pow-
erful in its real ftrength, and in its principals fo flattering
to the national vanity. The glory of their royal houle, wr<s^
on this occafion, united with the fafety of their country.
They wj-re reinforced by the moft cardial amity ofa power
untouched in its refources of men, money, and ftores ;
•vvhilll Great Britain was exhaufted of men by her many
A -a vi(5k)ii4u
m..
fit f!.
442 7bi History 0/ thi \V At, 1762.
vii^orlfs, ind her refourccs were finking under a debt of
more than one hundred millions.
Befidcs a rude fhoclc had been lately given to the fyftem
of the EngliHi minillry, which might be fuppofcd, in fomc
degree, likely to aft'ed public credit. The part which Mr.
Pitt might finally take, and the confequenccs which might
refult from his adtions, were extremely undetermined j nor
was it at all clear, what degree of harmony and real confi-
dence continued amongft the fevcral parts of the fubfilHng
adminillration. All thefc confiderations could not fail of
infpiring France with great confidence.
(ireat Britain, under thefe ciroumftances, had, however,
fome things in her favour. The hope of plunder which
always attends a Spanifh war, difpofed the minds of many
towards the prcfent ; and was fure to call forth a very vigo-
rous exertion both of public and private ftrength. Ihis
circumftance alfo infured the fupplies.
With regard to the adminiftration, their delay in entering
into this Spanifh war, contrary to the ideas of Mr. Pitt,
his refignation in confcquenccof this delav ; the neceflity,
which fo foon after appeared, of engaging in hoftilities,
and which, to the bulk of the people, feemed to juftify the
fentiments of that miniftcr, together with a recollection of
the Angular fpirit with which the French war had been car-
ried on, muft neccllarily have excited them to the moft
ftrenous efforts, and to every a6l of laudable emulation.
There was a ncrcffity of fhewing, that the fpirit of the na-
tion, and the wifdom of its councils, were not confined to
a fingle man ; and it was (hewn effeftually.
We had alfo, to ballanccthc great ftrength derived from
the extraordinary combination of our enemies, that uni-
form tcuor of fuccefs on our fide, which made our people
believe thcmfclves invincible. This was not an unground-
ed prcfumption, or a dream of enthufiafm ; their juft opini-
on of fupcrior courage, together with the folid experience
-derived from fuch a variety of fervices, and fo many fharp
conflids by fca, and land, all combined to make our forces
feem, and be, almoft irrefiftible.
Spain, on the other hand, had, in the very conftitution
of her power, an eflejBtial defeat, which expofcd her on
this, as upon all other occafions. Her refources, though
very.great, arc not within hcrfelf; and confequrntly arc
liot always at her command, being fubjciSt not only to be
intercepted
17^1. fbiHisTOj(Y cf tbi Wat,
443
intercepted bv the operations of the war, but to be de-
Itroycd or loil by the cafuulty of long voyages i and, in
every event, arc liable to delay and difappointmcnt,
C H A P. II.
Portugal threatfnrrf. Melancholy Jiate of that kingdom.
Arrogant proportion of the French and Spanijh minivers
to the court of Li/ion. Anfvvr of that court. Several
memorials. Refolution of the king of Portugal. French
and Spanifl) minijlers depart. War declared by thoft
powers again/1 Portugal.
SUCH was our fituation, both at home and abroad, at
the breaking out of this new war. Something extraor-
dinary was to be expected from the confederacy of the
houfe of Bourbon. It was not, however, altogether cer-
tain where the ftorm, that was gathering, would fall.
There were apprchcnfions for the peace of Ualy ; Holland
had fome caufc of dread ; and menaces were ufed in that
quarter. But Portugal feemed to be moft endangerci, on
account of her dole and natural connection with Great
Britain, her internal weaknefs, the antient claims of the
Catholic king, and the opportunity of invafion ; that
kingdom being on all fides, except to the fea, in a manner
inclofed by Spain.
Public conjedlurc was not miftakcn in fixing upon Por-
tugal. No mention was made, indeed, of thcSpanifti pre-
tcnfions to that crown ; but a refolution was taken not only
to oblige her to renounce all friendfhip, but to violate her
neutrality with Great Britain.
No attempt was ever defigned with lefs appearance of
juftice ; no propofitton was ever made with more arrogance
and defpotifm to an independent fovereign ; and no fchemc
feemed, according to every human appearance, fo certain
of fuccefs.
The kingdom of Portugal, on the recovery of her li-
berty; which happened in thfe year 1640, found herfelf
ftripped of the greateft part of thofe acquifitions, in both
Indies, which had been the principal fourccs of her power,
and the great monuments of the captivity of her former
kings and commanders. During the interval of her fub-
jedlion, new commerical powers had rifcn, fome on the
A a 2 ruins
444 T.h History cf iU Wa-r, 1762.
ruins of hoi fortune, and others upon difFerent but not lefs
ftfbllantial tcundations, though the Brazils were rrcovcr-
cd, arid Qqh and Ibme other places in India reinuincd ftill
fo Portugal, her mr.ritime power, and the fhare of trade,
(Hi which it depended, Avere not recoverable. Contrary to
the fate o" other nations, who have fhaken oft' a foreign do-
njjition, Ihe did not owe her liberty to great abilities.
Wliill!: the United Provinces were Hrft freed, and after-
wards aggrandized, by the cp-pacity of the princes of
Orunge, and whilft PrulSa, from an inconfiderablc and de--
i/eudcnt principajity,. grew into 2 formidable monarchy by
.iC genuis of her fovercigns, Poitugal continued to lan-
jAuilli in a ftate of mediocritv. V/ithout any fymptoms of
ilanger to hfcr exigence, Ihe'fuffered a gradual decay of her
power and confidcration. l"he charader of her govcrn-
n;ejit was narrow andbiggoted, and the whole fyfteni of her
comjnGrcc pre oofterous. "if, on the one hand, a long peace
C.dded to the refourcrs of her revenue, it, on the other,
ablolutely annihilated her military j and no country in the
world had nn army fo complete in numbers, fo ill furnifh-
cd u-ith arms,.fr 'clicient in difcipUne, and fo wholly un^
provided of abl.* ar;l experienced officers.
In this cop;nuon (he fuflcred a faial blow from the earth-
quake m 1756. The wealthy and flourifliing city of Li{boa
was laid level with the ground j r.ear 30,000 of the inha.
bi_:ant!5 were buried in the ruins j and'thp'fe who rcmamed,
with the court itfelf;, were reduced to the utmoli diltrcfs
snJ miftry.
As if this earthquake, which overturned their capital,
had alio fliakcn and deftraded the frame of their govtrnnici^t,
■M\d the temperof their minds, the moft dreadful diitempers
troke out in tlis itatc, A ferics of horrid crimw, and of
ciud punifhmci :s, fucceeded to this calamity. 1"hc molt
nohle and \v.alt.hy fa^rnly of Portugal, having engaged it-
tdt in a facrilcgious attempt on the life of their lovereigii,
was cutoff at once, \v.:h little diilindion of fex or age, 'by
;i bloody nnd jjreadful exertion of juftjcc. Many other',
WHO were ace ufcd er fulpcded, fuffered d-eath, or exile,
or impnionirier.t. Amongft thefe, ai J from the fame cau-
fes, one ci the ra«ft confidcraMe reiig-ous orders for wealth,
influence, and policy, was Gripped of its pofleilicns, and
intire]ydr!veri out of the ccuntry.
AH ihefe tircuD;|iaiticcs left thjs uphappy kimgdom in thp
utmoit
t-j^ii The HrsTORY ef ike War. '^^^
utmoft weaknefs and confufion. All thpfc. and they were
not a tew, who were attached bv conneaion of blood or
lutereft tp the nobles that bad fuftVred, or by religious pxe-
liidica to the Jefuits who had been expelled, could never
be cordially relied upon by the crown, and were probably
as little inclined to any extraordinary efforts in favour of i
government, which their reientments mufl have reprefent-
ed to them as no better than a bloody tyranny.
1 he Bourbon confederacy had iome ground tp fuppofe
• Li 5"S*^» "1 this fituation, would not have courage to
withltand their menaces, and much lefs ability for any long
.me to refill their efforts. The Spanifh army overspread
the frontiers of Portugal the commerce of corn betweea
tne two kingdoms was prohibited, and every thine threat-
ened a fudden invafion. In the midft of thefe
holtile preparations, the French and Spanifh mi- Mar. 6.
miters prelented a joint memorial to the court of
Lilbon which was followed by feveral others. The pur-
port ot thefe memorials was to perfuade his moft faithful
majelty to enter into the alliance, and co-operate m the
meafures of the two crowns, againft Great Britain.
Itwasnoteafy to find very convincing arguments to in-
auce Portugal to adopt fo extraordinary a change of fyftem.
i lie united crowns, in a memorial which was figned by
the ambairadors of both, infifted largely on the Tyranny
which Great Britain exerted upon all powers, efpecially the
maritime., and upon Portugal among tne xci\:i on the par-
ocular infult which had been offered to her jurifdiaion by
Bofcawen s attack on de la Clue's fquadnon in a Portuguefe
harbour^ on tha^ affinity, by which the two monarchs of
ipain and Portugal are as ciofely conneaed by the ties of
Dioodj as all powers ^re by a common intereft, to oppofe
tne ambitious defigns of the Engliflj. ^
Wl^atevex thefe arguments were deficient in reafon, was
made up by a ftrong infinuation oi force. The memorial
concluded with a declaration, tli.-vt, as foon as bis moft faith-
tui majesty had tiken liis refolution, which they doubted
m would prove favourable, their army w»s jready to enter
rortugal, and to garrifon the principal ports of that king-
dom, in order to prevent the dangers to which they might
be expofed from the attempts of the Englifli.
I I, ^^"^ roiniflcrs added to this extraordinary memori-
W} that thejr were cur.dered by their courts lo demand a ca-
' tegorjcal
S|.5: The UiSToviY cf the War, 1762;
legorical anfwer in four. days; and that any delay, beyond
that time, ihould be confidered as a negative.
The fituation of Portugal was at this time certainly wor-
thy of compaffion. If, contrary to her known interefts,
contrary to her antient connedtions, and to the faith of
treaties, fhe (hould engage in this oftenfive alliance, ihe
mult expedl to fee her territories and her colonies expofed
to the formidable navies of England. This however dan-
gerous condefcenfion was not to fecury her, by her own
aft, {he would have put herfclf, bound hand and foot, into
the power of the Bourbon alliance ; and paving received
foreign garrifons into all her places of ftfength, would
have reduced herfelf to the condition of a province to Spain.
On the other hand, if fhc adhered to her faith, and at-
tempted to maintain her independency, an army of fixty
thoufand men was ready to enter her territories, which
contained no place of real ftrength, and which had not
twenty thoufand troops, and thofe ill armed, and worfe
difciplined, to defen-^ it.
In this emergency, the firmnefs of the king of Portugal
was eminent, and fuch as muft deliver his name to pofterity
with the moft diftinguiftied advantage. He refolved ftea-
dily to adhere to his antient and natural alliance, and to
brave all dangers and difficulties, that he might preferve
his fidelity inviolable ; following that generous maxim of
king John of France, that if good faith were to be baniflied
from all other parts of the world, it ought to be found in
the breart of fovereigns.
His anfwer to this infulting propofition was humble and
moderate, but firm : he obferved, that the ties, which
equally united him to Great Britain and the two crowns,
rendered him as proper a mediator to them all, as they
made it improper for him to declare himfelf an enemy to
any of them ; that his alliance with Er.gland was antient,
and therefore could give no offence at this conjundure ;
that it was purely defenfive, and therefore innocent in all its
Circumftances ; that the late fufferings of Portugal difabled
her (in cafe (he were willing) from taking part in an offen-
hve war, into the calamities of which, neither the love his
faithful majefty bore to his fubjefts as a father, nor the du-
ty by which he was bound to them as a king, could fuffer
him to plunge them. Finally, he reminded the catholic
king of his pacific difpofuions, by which, on farmer occa-
fionsj
1762. 7he History of ihd W At. "44^
fions, he had yielded fo much, to preferve peace between
the two kingdoms.
This reafonable and moderate anfwer drew on replies
which more and more difclofed the true charafter and fpi!
rit of the Bourbon confederacy. They denied that the al-
liance with England was purely defcnfive, or intirely inno-
cent; and for this unheard-of reafon, that the defenfive al-
liance is converted into an offenfive one, /rem the Jituation
of the Portugucfe dominions, and from the nature of the
Englijh power: the Englifh fquadron, faid they, cannot
keep the fea in all feafons, nor cruize on the principal coafts
, for cutting ofF the French and Spanilh navigation, without
the ports and the afliftance of Portugal j that thefe ifland-
ers could not infult all maritime Europe, if all the riches of
Portugal did not pafs into their hands ; that therefore Por-
tugal furnifhes them with the means to make war ; and
their alliance with the court of Great Britain is offen-
five.
Certainly, the fttuation of a country was never before
given as a reafon, however it might have ferved as a fecret
motive, for declaring war againft it. Nor was it before
heard, that the common advantages of trade, derived from
a neutral nation, could be deemed an zSt of hoftility. Thefe
were rather infults than arguments. And the whole pro-
ceedings of the united crowns were in the fame ftrain ; they
undertook to judge for Portugal of the pretended yoke which
was impofed upon her by England, and which fhe could
not herfelf difcoverj to refent injuries for her, for which
flie had received and accepted fatisfadion ; and, as if this
had not been indignity fufficient, they infultingly inform
the king of Portugal, that he tught to be glad of thenececeffi-
ty which they laid upon him to make ufe of his reafon, in
order to take the road of his glory, and the common mtereji.
This neceflity was the immediate march of their army to
take pofleffion of his dominions.
So extraordinary a treatment neither intimidated the king
from the firmnefs of his refolution, nor provoked him to
change from the moderation of his language. He main-
tained, that the treaties of league and commerce, which
fubfifted between Portugal and Great Britain, are fuch as
the law of God, of nature, and of nations, have always
deemed innocent. He intreated their moft chriftian and
catholic majefties to open their eyes to the crying injufticc
Of
ut
Tift HiJtoAV of tbi WaR<
Pdrt-ti
1761.
ftfpurfuiitg againft Pdrt-tugal, tht war kindled ..^_
Britain ; he defired them to confider, that they were giving
*rt example, which Vi^ould produce the deftrtiftion of man-
kihd ; that there v^as an end of the ptiblk fafety, if neutral
nations were to be attacked, becaufe they have defenfive
ti^eialies with the belHgercAt powers ; that a maxim fo de-
iMru<aivfc wodd occSfion defolation in all Europe, the mo-
fn^ht a war was kindled between any two ftatcs ; that, there-
fore, if their troops fiiould enter his dominions, he would,
ii\ ^effence of his neutrality, endeavour to repulfe them with
all his forces, arrd thbfe of his alTies ; atiii he concluded with
VhiS ntagnanimoits declaration, that ^' ivotdd affeSt him lefsy
ihmtgh reduced to the hji extremity^ Vf inhiih the Grctit
Jttdge ii the ftfld mhitfy,, tb lei the bfi tik of hi^ palace
pUi rntd to fei hh yhiihful fuhjmr jpitl the Ihji drop of
Hheir hlood^ thun tbfacnfice^ tv^eihei- -with the honour of
■hh tf-otm^ ttft that Pbriugdl hofdi mfl'dedr-y and to fub-
niity hy ftich extraordinary tneans, to become an unheard-of
'iXifmfle to all Piicift "p^'en, whd Will nti knger bt able to
'e^iy the bertefit of he'uirality^ ivhiriiver a war fl>ttll he
^iitdted between 'otkef^ powers^ ti^lth ^hith the formtt are
eoiiftcaed l^ dfpnfhetrmies. Wh'ett this final refolution
was thus^ fptritedly declared, paflports wiere ^e-
April27. manded '^^^ i^c jcmbafla'dors of the two crowns,
^ ; who iKftiftiediately d^panet^ \ atttl, in a Ihtle thnt
'ifteri France and' Spain jointly declared war agamft Pottu-
^a3.
-: We hatfe dwelt fome time upt)n this tl-anfaAion : we
liope the rea(5er ^fA1\ ftot think thfe harrative drawn into a
MameabJc Ifen^t*!. The fubjea is interfefting, the ptOce-
dttre anconimoy., and the exampre alaniiihg. This war
. againft Portcigal was the firft fruit of the *Bou3)on compaA:
they fliewed very fearlj^ to the World, what it was to expeft
frcWi the ttiaturtfy of this league ; when tHty were fo ele-
vated by the fupeiiori^ they imagined tliey had attained,
even in forming it, that iTiey thought thcmlelves difpertfed
ifroVn thoft decOnVms, and plaufible appearances, which the
rnoft ambitious princes commonly make ufe of, in the exe-
cution of their moft ambitious defigns. If they had invad-
e'd Portugal without aiiy declaration at all, it might, per-
haps, be confidered as a piece of convenient injuftice, which
they left to the previous ncccflity, and fubfcqucnt fucccfs of
their affairs, to juflify as they could- j but fo many nierrio-
rials
t7^2. The History cf the War. 445
rials and reafonings on the fubjea, (hew that thisoppreffion
was deliberate, and that they had not been driven to it by a
fudden emergency, but that it became a regular and avowed
part of their political fyftem.
' Having laid open the manner in which the fouthern part
of Europe fo furprifingly became engaged in this war, it is
now our bufinefs to relate in what manner fome of the
northern parts were as furprifingly extricated out of it.
CHAP. III.
D4^h of the emprtfs Elizabeth of Raffia. Her <hara£ier,
btateofthe power of Rujfta on her deceafe, Hernephew^
Peter III. Jucceeds. Intire change of f^^em. Peace with
, itrujjta. Peace between Prujfa and Sweden. Prujftan
conquejis rejiored. The czar enters into an alliance with
the king of Prujfta, War with Denmark threatened. - Its
caufe. Extorted loan from Hamburgh. Campaign be-
tween PruJJians and Auftrians opens. PruJKans obtain
advantages m Saxony and SiUfia. Sudden revolution in
Rujfia,
WE have feen, in the clofe of the laft year, that by the
takmg of Colberg, on one hand, and Schweidnitz,
«n the other, the king of Pruffia's dominions were entirely
at the mercy of his enemies : his forces were worn away,
and even his efforts had gradually declined : a compete
vidtory, tho' this was an event not at all probable, could not
lave him. The Ruffians, by winteriYig in Pomerania, and
by the pofleffion of Colberg, which infured them fupplies
by a fafe and expeditious channel, were in a condition to
commence their operations much earlier than ufual, as well
as to fuftain them with more fpirit and uniformity. No
refource of policy could be tried with the leaft expeaation
of fuccefs. After fuch a refiftance (ox nve years, of which
the world never furnifhed another example, the king of
Pruffia had nothing left but fuch a conduft, as might clofe
the fcene with glory, fince there was fo little appearance of
his concluding the war with fafety.
In the midft of thefe gloo:ny appearances, his inveterate
and inflexitle enemy, th^ ^ir.prefs of Ruffia,
died, in the fixtv-third yet. . * her age, and the Jan. 2.
twenty-fecond other reign.
B b This
4^^ ^»f Histoid Y of the Wah. 1762.
This princefs was fccond daughter to Peter the Great,
and a dcfcendant not altogether unworthy of that illuftrious
founder of the Ruffian empire. From being little better
than a prifoner, fjie hecame in a moment a defpotic fove-.
feign. At the acccfTion of this princefs, the RuOlan power,
fo new'y created, feemcd to be in danger of a decline, from
the many revolutions to which the empire had been fubitiS j
and the inftitutions of Peter the Great, \>y which that ex-
tcnfive part of the world was drawn out of barbarifm, be-
gan pcrceivably to decay, until her acceffion to the throne,
when the foiijier \vas put out of all queftion by the vigour
of her government, and the latter chcriflicd and promoted
by the encouragement which (he gave to every valuable art
ajid fcjence. The academy at peterlburgh in at prefentone
of the moft flourifliing in Europe, and has already enriched
the learned world with confiderabledifcoveries.
In fact, file governed the Ruffian empire with more
lenity than any of her predeccfibrs j and, perhaps, carried
this amiable difpofition to an impolitic acctTs. ohe regu-
lated and increased her finances ; kept alive, and evenin-
creaffd, the difcipline of her armies; and in all her tranf-
ai^ions with forcigri ftates, and in the various faces whic>i
her politics afl'unud, (he always fupported the dignity and
iipportance of her country at the higheft point. For her
private pleafures, indeed, Ihe has been much cenfured ; but
as they were merely pleafurev, and of fuch a nature that {en~
timent had little (h aire in them, they had little influence on
her public conduit:, which was always manly and firm.
The part fte took in this war, though it might in fome
meafure have been didtated by refentment, was at the fame
time the refult of the foundeft policy. No power, but that
of the king of Pruffia, was capable of checking hers. He
was, rot only from his ftrength and character, but from the
fituation of his dominions, the only prince in Europe from
whom it could be materially her intereft to make cohqueffs.
By the retention of Pruffia, and by the dominion which in
another name, fhe held over the dutchy of Courland, fhe
poflefTcd a very great ftare of the Baltic coaft, and thereby
poflefTed the means of becoming a maritime power of the
firft order. With thefe advantages, fhe might eafily com-
plete all that had been wanting, towards eflablifhing an uii-
^ontroulable power pver Poland. By the fame means fee
Plight entirely over-awe Denmark and Sweden } arjd whe,
by
'7^2. X^ Hist OKY ef the W/lR, 451
by her vicinity, (he would be enabled to intcrpofc in the
concerns of Germany, with much more authority than ftie
had hitherto polTclled j although her intervention had
always been ©f confcquencci
In reality, the houfe of Auftria fcemed to make far greater
facrifices of her intereft to her refcntment than Ruflia did,
with whom thofc two principals went hand in handj and
lupported each other. For nothing is more evident, than
that Ruflia would fet up for a defender of the liberties of
Germany, if ever fhe got any footing in its neighbourhood ;
that ihe would animate the powers there to aflert a greater
degree of independence than they do at prefent j that (he
would render, by her machinations, the empire in the Au-
ftrian family very precarious ; and might even find means of
letting fomc feeble prince on the imperial throne, in order
to embroil the whole Germanic body, and to keep it in en-
tire dependence upon Ruflia. On the whole, if the projeas
of Auftria had fucceeded in their full extent, (he would have
very foon found in Ruflia a more powerful reftraint than
ever fhe had either in France or Sweden, even in the great-
eft heights of their power and credit in Germany. She
would, indeed, have ruined the king of Pruflia j but (he
would have purchafed his ruin with her own independency.
Thefe were theprofpefts that lay before all political rea-
fonersatthe time of the death of the emprcfs Elizabeth.
Charles Peter Ulric, of the houfe of Holftcin, who had
been created grand duke of Ruflia, and appointed heir ap-
parent to that vaft empire by the late czarina, fucceeded,
under the name of Peter III. None but thofe who were
intimately acquainted with the charader and difpofition of
the new czar, could have any reafon to imagine that he
would abandon the fyftem of his predeceflbr, which was
certainly founded on the true intereft of the country he go-
verned. I'he king of Pruflia himfclf feemed for fome time
to have entertained no great hopes from this change. The
czar had, however, fometimcs difcovercd marks of efteem
for the chara6kT of this monarch. He had the black eagle,
of which order the king of Pruflia is grand mafter. But the
king of Pruflia could place very little confidence in this :
however, with that air of plealantry, which never entirely
forfook him in all his misfortunes, he faid in a letter to Mr.
Mitchel, the Britifli minifter at the Ruflian court, " Is not
this a very extraordinary knight, to feed 80,000 men at my
B b 2 expenccj
11
4^^ , TBe HisTORt of ibt Waip. ry^i/
expenec ? He is the only one of my knights that takes that
liberty. If every knight of the garter did the fame, your
J-ngland ( England though it is) would be devoured by them.
I peg you would endeavour to make my knight more trac-
table, and tell him it is againft the inlUtutes of the order^
ibr a knight to eat up his grand mafter."
I he eyes of all Europe were now fixed upon the fteps
which the czar might take. With r-egard to the govern-
ment of his country, nothing could be more popular and
aufpicious than his frrft mealures. The eirlieft ufe he made
ef his abfolute power, was to fet the Ruffian nobility and
gently free, and to put them on the fame footing with thofc
of their rank in the other more moderate governments of
iurope. Almoft all the exiles were recalled to court, and
amongft the reft the unfortunate count Eiron, who, from a
fovereign prince, had been reduced to the moft wretched
condition, in the moft' wretched country on the globe. He
had been mahy years a peafant of Siberia, and may very
probably once more become a fovereign prince. It is in
thofe defpotic governments we fee the moft ftriking excefles,
and difmal reverfes of fortune ; in which one day a perfon
IS raifed to fomething almoft above man, and the next is
perhaps in a moment degraded to the loweft ftation of hu-
manity.
The new emperor proceeded in his reformation to abolffh-
fome fevere and tyrannical jurifdidions, and intending the
fame benign difpofition to all degrees of his fubjefts, he
leflened the tax upon fait, to the very great and unirerfal
relief of the poor.
Thefc beginoingi? gave the moft favourable impreflions of
his domeftic government. But Europe was principally con-
cerned in his foreign politics. It was not long before his
difpofitions to peace became apparent. What aftoniflied
the world, was the high rate at which he valued this bleffing.
In a memorial, which he caufed to be delivered on the 2?d
off ebruary, to the minifters of the allied courts, he declar-
ed, that, w order to the tjtablijhment of peace, he was ready
to jucrjjice all the conquejh made by the arms ofRuJfta in this
tiar^ in hopes that the aUicd courts will on their parts equally
frffer the rejioration of peace and tranquillity, to the advan-
tages whuh they might expcSf from the continuance of the
Um-y but zvhtch they cannot obtain but by a continuance of
ttie '■•j^ujion of human blood, "^
The
17^2. The Hi STORY of ihe War,' 4^^^
The allies praifcd the difintereftednefs, fpirit, and Kum^-
"u^^rj f^'^ declaration ; but recommended to his attenfiort
the fidelity to treaties, which conftitutes a no lefs valuable
part of the royal charafter, and a no lefs confiderable brinclv
of the duty of a monarch to his fubjefts. They fheWed a
difpofition to imitate his defire for peace, but by no means
to follow his example in purchafing it bya ceflion of all the
advantages, which they had acquired, or hoped to acquire
by the war. ^ ^
The Czar haying thus far complied with decency, and
being of a charaaer littk fitted to wait the How procedure
of a joint negotiation, gave way to his ardent defires for
peace, and to the fentiments of that extravagant admiration.
Which he had conceived for the king of Pruffia. A fufpen-
flon of hoftilities was concluded between them on the i6th
0* March ; and it was followed not long after hy
a treaty of peace and alliance. Nothing was May <.
ftipulated by the czar in favour of the former con-
federates, whom he entirely abandoned. He evea agreed to
pm his troops to thofe of the krng of PrulTia to aa againft
them. In a little time a Ruffian army was feen in conjunc-
tion with one of Pruffia, to drive outofSilefiathofe Auftri-
ans, who had been a few months before brought into that
province by the Ruffiaji arms.
This was a miraculous revolution. Fortune who had fo
long abandoned the king of Pruffia to hisgenuis, after ha-
ving perfecuted him for near five years, and overpowered
film vvith the whole weight of her anger, at length made
amends by a fudden turn, and did for him at one ftroke the
onUr thing, by which he could poffibly be faved.
Sweden who fince fte has recovered her liberty has loft
her political importance, and for a long time aaed entirely
under the direaion of Ruffian councils, followed on this,
as on all other occafions, the example of the courts of Petcrf-
burgh, and figned a treaty of peace with the king of Pruffia
on the 22d of May. ' *^ ^ ""**
In order to account for whatever was not the refult of
mere perfonal charaaer in this extraordinary revolution of
politics m Ruffia, it will be necelTary to remind the reader,
that the czar Peter the third was duke of Holftein ; and that
tne dukes of Holftein had pretenfions tothedutchyofSlef-
Wick. Thefe pretenfions were compromifed by a treaty ir*
1732. But as the ceffion made by the houfe of Holftein in
this
4S4 tU History cf the War. 1-^(^2.
thU treaty was the cfFc^ of ncccfTity, it had been always
a|)prchended that rtic would makr u|c of the firft fiife oppor-
tunity of reclaiming her antjcut righrs. The czar Icifcd
eagerly on the great oiip, which the pofTcflion of the whole
Rufljan power afforded hini, and he rcfolvcd to enter into
Jn immediate war for this objcd, to which his predilcaion
for his native count! y gave in his eyes a far greater impor-
tance than to all the conquefts of his prcdeccdbr. As long
as this war with the king of PrulTia fubfiltcd, it was impolli-
ble that his dcfigns aarainft Denmark could be profecutcd
with any hope of fuccefs. Wholly indifferent therefore to
all others, and paiTionately fond of this objeft, as foon as
he came to the throne, without any dlfpute or negotiation,
he offered the king of PrufTia in his great dirtrefs cverr
thuighecould have hoped from a ferics of viaories, and
whillt he joined his arms to thofc of that monarch in
Siildia, he caufed an army to march towards Holftein.
Thus the peace with Ruflia, far from conducing to/the
general peace of Kurope, did very little more than change
the face of the war. It brought in new fubjeas of difpute-
and new parties, and by threatning Denmark, left not a fin-
glc power in the north in a ftate of allured tranquillity.
1 he king of Denmark, though threatned by fo formida-
ble a power engaged in purfuit of a favourite objed, was
not terrified into any mean conceflions. He recruited his
army, repaired his fortifications, and prepared for his defence,
with temper and magnanimty. As money muft be much
wanting for the fervices of fo important a war, as his coun-
try could furnifti no great fupplies, and the borrowings in
every part of Europe, together with the fudden invafion of
his dominions, could enable him to form no fanguine hopes
of public credit, he turned his eyes towards the city of Ham-
burgh, which had enriched itfelf by its induftry and neu-
trality during the whole war, and by the number of wealthy
perlons who had fled there for refuge from tl^e calamities,
vhich all the neighbouring countries had fuffcred.
His Danifh majefty had always kept alive a claim of
fovereignty over that city, which (whoever founded) he
excrcifcd whenever he found himfelf able. He thought
the prcfent one of thofe conjunftures. Therefore without
any previous notice he appears with aftrong army
June 18. before Hamburg, foizes the fuburbs, threatens
the city with an immediate fiegc, if they did no?
immediately
'i7<^2. 7*^' History <?//^^ War. 4-^
immediately fubmit to a loan of I, coo,oco of rix dollars.
I he mag,/ rates of thi. trading city, little prepared for, or
jtccurtonjed to war, having no ally at hand, a,^ who would
be equal y endangered by the ftrength of anv ally able to
protedt them prudently fubmittcd, and furnilhcd the kin«
with fuch a fupply as his affairs required. *
The king of Pruflla loft no time to profit of this creat
^fi^l^'n '^iM^l'^r '°." '" ^'' ^^^'""^' '^he neutrality
^ri! • ^^,!''''^"\<^'" '^'ft the Auflrians much fuperior to hirj
I heir alliance brought him to an equality. Two Auftiian
armies in Silefia and one in Saxony, were prepared to aa
and It was not clear which fide would begin to aft on the
oftenfiye; the Auftrian armies threatened Glogau and Bxcf-
law with a ficgc, and the king of Pruflia's threatened Sch-
weidnitz.
The aaivc charaaer of the king of PruiTia, and the
caution of marlhal.Daun, foon determined the part which
the feveral armies were to take, and the fpirit oi
the feveral operations. Very early in the camp- May i j
paignprmce Henry made a vigorous pufti on the
imperial pods towards the frontiers of Saxony. The Im-
perialifts were obliged to evacuate Dippolfwalda with fomc
lols m killed. About four thoufand men were taken nrifo-
("ro'Vic? "^^Sgons were alfo taken, and feveral miJitar/
Bv this fignal advantaoje, all the part of Saxony, pofTeflcd
by the Pruflians, was eff?aually fecured 5 and any attempt
which might hereafter be thought proper for the recovery
of Drefden, was much facilitated. Although the Auftrians.
fcnfible of the confequence of this lofs, and largely rcinforca-
cd from the armies in Silefia, attempted to recover thcfc
ports by feveral lively efforts, they were repulfed with no
fmall flaughter on both fides ; and prince Henry remained
fo much mafter of Saxony, that it was necclTary to keen
a large army from the war in Silefia, to prevent if poffiblc
his making irruptions into the very heart of Bohemia.
His Pruffian majefty derived advantages from the condti(fr
ot his brother, which he did not negleft to improve It
was not until the latter end of June that he was joined by hk
new Ruffian allies. As foon as this junftion was formed, he
rcfolvtd to make a tryal of what thefe men could do in his
hvour, whohadafted fo ftrenuoufiy againft him. Mar-
m l^aun s army occupied feveral ftrong, but detached cmi^
r.encci.
45<3 Ti-tf History o//^< War. iy62.
ncncca, which enabled him to communicate with and pro-
ted Schwciflnitr from all attempts o( the enemy.
July 21, The king of Prufna undertook to ilillodge him
from thofe advantageous polls. In fomeoVhisat-
tcinpts he fuccecdcd, in others h^ was baffled with fome lulls.
This was no regular battle ; hut the king of Pruflia,
though he did not fuccccd immediately in his attack, yet by
his judicious manoeuvres he attained all the advantages he
Dropofcd from his cnterprifc. For marfhal Daun, apprc-
ncn five from the motions of his army, that the king of
Pruflia intended to fcizc upon his principal magazine, and
JEvcn cut off" his communication with Boheniia, abandon-
ed thofc important ports which he had hitherto maintained
with' fucccfs, fell back to the extremities of Silefia, and kit
Schwcidnitz entirely uncovered.
• ,Thc king of Pruflia immediately prepared to invcft that
city whilft different detachments of Pruffians, fome on the
fide of Saxony, others on the fide of Silefia, penetrated deep
ijato Bohemia, laid many parts of the country under contri-
bution, and fpread an univcrfal alarm, h was about five
Years fince they had been driven from thence by the victo-
rious arms of marfhal Daun, who no.w found himfelf unable
to protcil that kingdom from their ravages. A confiderablc
body of Rufllan irregulars alio made an irruption into Bo-
hemia, and began there to retaliate on the Auftrians thofc
cxceffes, which they had themfelves fo often before com-
mitted on thePruflian dominions,
Whilft the king of Pruflia was thus playing with fpirit
the great game which fortune had put into his hands, he
was all at once threatened with a fuddcn reverfe, by ano-
ther revolution in Ruflia, which bore all the appearance of
being as unfavourable to him, as the former had been be-
yond all hopes beneficial. The variable political climate of
Kuflia, under whofe influence all his fortune decayed or
flourifhed, was covered ;yith a fudden cloud by the'depo-
fition, followed clofe bv the death, of hi:, .w'i iW nd, and
faithful ally, the C7,ar oi Mufcovy.
CHAP,
•l;^:.
nun, appre-
thHtsro^Y of ihe War.
C H A P. IV.
457
Ciufts of tht revolution iri Rujia. Czar Irritates the clergy
and foidtery. lYifferencei with the cxarwa. Conjpiraey
agamji htm. Czar dep»f,d hy the fenate, Jttemfts an
tjcape. Hit imprifonment and death. The czanna declared
*mpre/s. Her politic condu£l. Ingratiates Lrjclf with tht
People,
F
A OM the moment of the late czar's acccfllon to the
throne of the Ruflia's, fomcthing extraordinary was ex-
. :d. His difpofition fecmed to lead him to make altera-
tions in every thing, and having fct before himfclf two great
examples, that oftheking of Pruffia and of his prcdcceflbr
Peter I. it was expefted that this vaft empire was going
ftncc more, almoft within the life of a man, to afllime a new
face ; a circumftance which could not fail of having a feri-
ous mflucnce on the affairs of Europe. Peter III. made
more new regulations in Ruflia in a few weeks, than wife
and cautious princes undertake in a lone reign. It was to
be feared that his aftions were rather guided by a rafh and
irregular turn of mind, and the fpiritof innovation, than by
any regular and well digeftcd plan, for the improvement of
his extenfive dominions.
His firft actions on coming to the throne, it is true, were
laudable, and feemed well calculated to acquire him theaf-
feaions of his people. But if in fome inftances he confulted
their intetefts, in many helhocked their prejudices ; and he
loft thereby that opinion,which is oft all occafions neceflhry,
but is particularly fo for carrying fuch uncommon defigas
as. his into execution.
The power of the czar's though abfolute and uncontrou-
lablc in hs exercife, is extremely weak iri its foundation.
There is not perhaps in Europe a government which de-
pends fo much on the good will and affcdion of thofe that
are governed ; and which requires a greater degree of vigi-
lance and a fteadier hand. The regular fucceflion which
has been fo often broken, and the great change of manners,
which in leij> luan a century has been introduced, have left
in Ruflia a weaknefs amidft all the appearance of ftrcngth,
and a great facility to fudden and dangerous revolutions.
Peter ill. paid little attention to thofe difficulties, which
C c to
4$^ th HisToRV of iht vVar. i^iu
to him ■'Ntrt the greater, as he was a foreigner born. Thev
were augmented By the fup.rior m^ invidious regard he
rr^rl ^k'^'"" foreign intcrefts, and foreign perfols. The
Vn!ZT u ^° '»^"'^<^'y g»ve to the uncertain hope of
l^lll :n''? ' "*:>Sy\'" Holftein over the (bhd and valu-
hin' ^^^r ^^A-c^"'h ^?[T" ^^^'^ P'-^J^-'^^efTor had left
him, muil have difgufted all the politicians of his country.
H.s intunatc conneaioi, with, anil boundlefs admiration of
that prince, with whom RufTia had been fo lately, and fo
cr.g in a Uate of the moll violent hoftility., could not add
fuffiri;?,^)""" 1}^'\ »f/"^':""- ^^"^^y ^^^ not think he
fufHccntly confultcd h,s d.gtiity, in Eliciting with great
an::,c y a command in the Pruflian fcUfce. When he re
cc.vcd .t he drefTed himfclf in the PrufHan uniform, made
a grand fellu^xl, anddifplayed all the marks of an immX
n rhi? P"7;'^/^^'«'^;'^'"o". He pufhcd his cxtravaganc;
rtm7ft"a^:'o?hT' ^^;^' ^^ --^^^ P-P-ations in thif im!
nature Itatc of h.s government to quit Ru/fia, and to go
into Germany for the fake of an interview with that gre^at
Although this proceeding was, almof! in every refpea
extremely impohtic, it did not threaten fo dangerous conlt
quences as the other fleps, which he took abfut the fame
tnne. Nothing requires fo much judgment^ and fo n ce a
hand, as to el^ca a change in theVettled eftablifhmen s of
;mv country. Above all, there muft be fomething fayour-
ab e in the conjundure ; or fomething fo uncommon and
over-ru?n.g ,n the genms of the conductor of thofe changes
as Will render hrm fuperior to all difHculties. This laS
^.-jis the cafe of Peter I. who had indeed very little favour
•.ible .n the conjunaure; but he did every thing by his ca
parity, courage, and perfeverancc. The foldicry and the"
.xclei.alhcs are the great fupports of all abfolute rule and
they are ccrtamv the lalt bodies, upon which a pr" n c of
this kind would ehufe to exert any invidious ad of ""ho-
nty. But the car was Indifcreet'enon.h, very early Tht
rcign, highly to provoke both thefe bodies ; the foldiery
by th.mu,jtc.ft preference he gave to his Hdftein gu S*
-andtoall offKcrs^of that nation; and by the change ^
made infavourof the P.-„man uniform to^he cxcffin of
that .n which the Ri.Hiansbelieved they had foo^^ Xrt-
cd the honour ot rhur country, and gaiAcd many fignai ad-
vaiitatif.s
>763. 7i« History ,//foWA«. 4,0
;rcT:°^l':;Slf ""«"''''•'' ^^ ">»'•' "S'-"-'
prince harb"c,?cd''?^^^^^ "'"i' ''»"S"0"'- Thi,
whom it w7stk^3;f-,''«'"''>L°' '•■'''■'= ''°'''".*itl<
rome thouZ! of thrw l-' "°^ Wehended he had
cftablifteltd «Sr wolMrjb"'"'/"' ^""'«'°" '^
the punaual obKrVTf r w ''"''ofnoconfequences
haye^e4edttTu\fonht dtrX^Z^'' "*
.^X^i^7a"ua r-rr "lit ';r£3
'4^0 sr/)^ History of the War. 1762,
prejudice, proceeded with his ufual precipitation to new
changes. In the mean time a moft dangerous confpiracy was
forming apainft him. T^^c cruel puniftiments jnflitSKd in
Kuflia on ihite criminals, have only an cfFett to harden tho
minds of men already fierce and obdurate, and feldom deter
$hem from the mort dcfperate undertakings. Rofamoufki,
Hftman or chief of the Coflacks, a pcrfon of importance by
that command, Panin, governor of the grand duke Paul,
niarflial Butterlin, the chamberlain Tepfow, the attorney
general Glcbow, baron Orlow major of the guards, and
manjr others of thv great officers and firft nobility of the
Empire, engaged in a confpiracy to dethrone the czar,
who was now unjverfilly hated j and, what was more fatal
so bun, univerfaljy dcfpifcd.
They affurcd themfclves that their a<5lion5 could not be
difagrceablc to the emprefs ; whofccondudt had always been
the very revarfe of th.'it of her confort. This princefs find-
ing that th« affections of her hulband were irrecoverably
alienated, endeavoured to fet up a feparatc and indepen-
dent interelt in her own favour, and for afFcrtingfhe rights
of her fon. She therefore afllduoufly cultivated the affec-
tions of the Ruffian nation, and paid a rcfpctft tp their man-
ners and religiorr, in the fame degree that her hulband
feetiied tocotemn them.
So ill was thcc'/ar ferved.that this confpiracy was growri
general, without his receiving the leaft notice of it, and
he remained in perfect fecurity, whilft the fenate
June 28. and the clerpy were affcmblcd to pafs the fentence
of his difpohtion. At this time the emprefs and he
were both abfent from the capital at different country feats,
*I'he emprtf!^, a^ foon as flie found that thedefign was declar-
ed, got on horfe-b^ck, and with all poffible fpeed arrived at
Peterlburg. She immediately harangued the guaras, who
chcarfully and unanimoufly declared in her favour, and pro-
claimed her emprefs of Ruffia independently of her huiband.
She then addreffetl herfelf to the clergy, apd the chief of the
nobility, who applauded her refolution ; and all orders im-
mediately took the pathofalleaiance to her as fole emprefs.
She was no fooner acknowitdged iii this manner, than,
without lofmg u moment's time, (he marched from Peterf-
t)urg towaKds the emperor at the head of a body of troops.
This prince was indulging himfdfin indolent amufe-
mentsy and lulled in the moft profound fecurlty at a houfc
■^. ■ t^i ^.\.
't^6^» J*i^ History »/ the War. 461
ofplearure, called Oranlcbaum on the fea fhore, when a
foldicr brouj;ht him an account that his kingdom was taken
Away from him,
Aftonifhcd, and wholly unprepared for this event, he was
fometimc fcnfclefs, and entirely at a lofswhat part to take
When he was rouzed from this trance by the approaching
danger, his flrft fuggeftion was to defend the place with hi$
Holltein guards ; but tho' fatisficd of their attachment, he
doubted their Itrength, and he knew it was in vain to hope
for any effort in his favour from the Ruflians.
Nothing then remained but flight, by which he mWht
^cape to iiolfk'in, and wait fome favourable turn of fortune.
This late lord of powerful fleets and armies embarked in
a fmall veflel, and with a few attendants, rowed towards
Croiiftadt j but he had not proceeded very far, when he
was informed that this fortrefs-was in the hands of his ene-
mies, and that every avenue for efcape was fhut againtt him.
Dejeded and defponding he returned to Oraniebaura. Af-
ter fome Ihprt ^nd tumultuous deliberation, he refolved to
abandon all thoughts of defence, and to thro at himfelf on
(ne compaflion ofthe emprefs.
On her marph fee met his meflTengcrs, who brought let-
ters containing a renunciation of the empire, and ftipulating
no other terms than leave to retura to Holftein, and the
/atisfadtion of taking with him, as the companion of his re-
treat, the counted of WoronzoflF and otie fingle friend.
Reaioiis of ftate could not permit the emprefs to confenf
tothefirft of thofe terms, andtbelafl could not be very
flattering to her. His terms were rejeaed j and he was re-
.t^uired to fign an unconditional refisnation of his crown, ac-
cording to a form that was prepared for him. Not fatisfied
with depriving him of his crown, it was thought fit to make
him the murderer of his own reputation ; and this unfortu-
nate prince, moved with the vain hope of life, figned a paper
declaring his convidion of his inability to govern the empire,
pither as a ibvereign, or in any other capacity, and his fenfc
of the diflrefs, in which his continuing at the head of affair-;
would inevitably involve it. After he had figned this abdi-
cation, he gave up his fword, and was conduced
to prifon, where in a (hort time, but according to July 6.
what had been univerfally cxpeacd, he died. The
lliforder, which killed him, was called an hemorrhoidal
jcholic.
Thu*!
4^^- 7be History c/ the War." , yCz
edln^rfirLVr'^^'r ^'^J'"^^ ''"•^^"'■^ importance efFeaJ
^/n^ -f-T "^^J^it and Without flieddini; a finde dron If
monarch. ^ '^' '' "''^ ^^''^ ^Y ^n ^ledive
felf frequently copdeVSj eTI^pe ""', f '^^ cu"'
,(,„. ,
CHAP,
J76i. ^^^^tSTOl^Y cftheWAK, 45j
C H A p. V.
dohn Mack, th, prim, of Bmrn l,\ Jl^fi"' '■'••'-
Battle of GrahenHiln F^^,k jc. j ""S'" removed.
^rive>,l French frZ-HamlZth ^P^dce /"^^ "^'-"h
op defeated. Ltingen ZcuL.Zj"""' '^Hl'
from the Lower Shine. '* """y '"'I'i
and alliance w th the kin^ of Prla-r ' '^^e peace
and intimate conne^'on whfch h^f? ura j^f '^^ ^1°^
king of Pruffia and the ^76 czar r« M ^^'^1 ''"^"" ^^«
him to the fucceflbr And Ti.' " ^'^^^'^ recommend
volution muft have beenl a Jeat T'e?'"''^ '^^' '^^' '''
machinations of thofe courts JZl^'^^ T'"? *« ^l^'^
by withdrawing from tEuTate, ttrfwa'thr^^^^'
reafon to apprehend that theoower JhfJk ^^ ^''^^^'^^
would be exerted in their favour ' ^ "^'^ "°^ ^^^ "P»
iftleXTeTftoddno^hte^^ ^" ^^'^^^^ «^R"^a.
late hu Jnd to be bin^' on W 'aTn^ne'of h'^' '^ '^'^^
were at this time evacuated Srv .V / '^^ ^°"<iuefts
fpire towards plunging the kin. nf^i"^- ^""T^ '« ^O"'
his former ^i^VeraVer^e hfdlX'fro^m^^^^ °'
ly for fuch a time, and in fuch a m^rff *^^'"» °^-
niore bitter and infuppor"abTe "''' "' '° "^^^^ ''^^ni
<iinary manner thTwe hive L" '^f"" !" the extraor-
felf as fufficiently fec^re to ' S u "''^ "°' '°°^ "P°" h^''-
importance as tVrZlhi^^AZ^^^^^^^^
-cefTary, for feme t!:;.' atttrtC rt'li '' ^
her attention folely to her owf fa^^^. Vere^lTtt:
expedient
4^4 i"** MisTORY 9f the War. I7CI
expedient to colle(ft, within itfelf, all the force of the em-
pire, in order to oppofe it to the defigns of the many mal-
contents, with which that empire always abounds, and
who, though not attached to the intcreft of the late czar,
and little inclined to revenge his fate, would find now both
inducement and opportunity for raifing troubles and at-
tempting new changes. Very pUufible pretences for fuch
attempts exifted from the time of Peter the Great ; who,
whilft he improved and ftrcngthened his kingdom, left
in it, at the fame time, the feeds of civil wars and revo-
lutions.
• ^ Thefe confiderations, whatever her defires might be,
induced the czarina to continue ^o much of the fyftcm of
her prcdeceflbr, as coincided with her fituation. She there-
fore declared to the king of Pruffia's minifters, « that fhc
was refolved to obferve inviolably, in all points, th« perpe-
tual peace concluded under the preceding reign, that never-
thelefs fhe had thought proper to bring back to Ruffia, by
the neareft roads, all her troops in Silefia, Prufliaj and Po-
mcrania."
It was not the critical fituation alone of the czarina
which produced this moderation \ the prudent behaviour
of his Pruffian majeily, during the time of his conne<ftion
with the late czar, had a confiderable fhare in .reconciling
the mind of this emprefs to him, and of perpetuating fome-
thing like the fame friendfliip, with intcrefts fo very differ-
ent. The Ruffian fenate, flaming with fefentmcnt againft
this monarch, and againft their late fovereign j and the
emprefs, full of fufpicion that the conduft of the latter
might have been influenced by the councils of the former,
_ fearched eagerly amongft the papers of the late emperor
for elucidation or proofs of this point. They found indeed
many letters from the king of Pruffia ; but in a ftrain abfo-
lutely different from what they apprehended. The king of
Pruffia had, as far as prudence would admit, kept a referve
and diftance in regard to the raih advances of this unhappy
ally. Too experienced to be carried away by his inconfi-
derate impetuofity, be gave him much falutary, though
fruitlefs, advice ; he counfelled him to undertake nothing
againft the emprefs his confort ; to defift from the war
with Denmark ; to attempt no changes in the religion and
fundaiiicntal laws of tiie country; and not to think of com*
irig into Germany,
Oft
tl6u ThiiiiTo^^ of the W At, -4/^5
On hearing thcfc letters read, the cmprcfs is faid to have
burlt into tears of gratitude, and made in confequence the
ftrongeft declarations in favour of this prince. They were
not without effea. Order, had been given with relation
to mifia, which threatened a renewal of hoftilities. Thcv
were foon fufpended. The army of the Ruffians was in-
deed feparated from that of Pruffea ; but all the important
|)laces, which the Ruffians had, with fo much bloodfhed*
and through fo many difficulties acquired, and which gave
them the command of every thing elfe that remained to the
king, were faithfully reftorcd.
This change from a ftrift alliance to a cold neutrality,
though It made no Onall difference ih the Pruffian affairs,
yet, all things confidcted, mufl be regarded as an efcape,
and as a deliverance almofl as wohderful as his former!
However, this circumflrance could not fail of infpiring fome
degree of confidence Into his enemies, which the king of
Fruffia endeavoured above all things to prevent*
On the 21A of July, the orders arrived at the allied
tamp from Peterfburg, for the Ruffians to feparate them-
felves from his army, and return without delay to their owii
country. The king, without being confounded by this
fudden order, and inflead of flackeriing his efforts on ac-
count of this defertion, refolved to fall with vigoilr, and
Without delay, upon marflial Daun* and to attack him be-
fore the ne^Vs of this change could reach him. Since he
could no longer profit by the arms of the Ruffians* he en-
deavoured to profit at lead by their appearance in his camp.
The very next day therefore he attacked the Auflri&n army,
whofe right wing occupied the heights of Buckerfdorff;
drove them from that eminence, and from fome villages
Where they were advantageoufly ported. The fuccefs was
not owing only to the fpirit of the aaual attack, but to an
apprehenfion of the Auftrians, that the whole united army
of the Pruffians and Mufcovites was on the point of engag-
ing them. The king of Pruffia made an ufe of thofe allies,
m the moment they dcferted him.
This lively attack was made with a lofs only of three '
hundred men on the fide of the Prufllans j the number of
the Auflrians killed is not known. The prifoners amount-
ed to one thoufand ; and fourteen pieces of cannon were
taken. It was indeed no more than an afFair of pofls j but
its confequences were import.mt } for the communication
i^ d to
4^6 ^»e History of the War. 1752*
of the Imperialifts with Schweidnitz was now entirely and
finally cut off; they could not attempt any thing confide-*
rable for the relief of that place. Prince Henry held them
in continual alarm for Bohemia, and a great part of their
attention, and no fmall part of their forces were kept con-
tinually engaged upon that fide.
The king of^ Pruflia having thus pufhed back marfhal
Daun, invelted Schweidnitz, and laid fiege to that impor-
tant fortrefs before his face. This was the fourth time
which that place had been befieged fince the beginning of
this war ; and this circumftancc alone might fufRce to mew
the many and extraordinary changes of fortune which dif-
tingui/hed thefe campaigns. Wc apprehend no inftance
has happened before of any place like this of real ftrength
-being fo often fucccflivcly taken and retaken in the courfc of
a finglcwar..
As Schweidnitz is the key of Silefia, and, though not
quite a. regular place, is notwithftanding well fituated and
well fortified 5 as the garrifon amounted to nine thoufand
men, commanded by a good officer, and aflifted by a very
experienced engineer, and as two great armies of the ene-
my obfcrved all his motions, it was neceflary to make the
difppfitions for the fiege with uncommon care. His infant-
ry were encamped on the heights behind Schweidnitz. His
cavalry formed a chain in the plains of Keintzerdorf, to be
nearer the camp of the prince of Wirtemberg, which was
fituated fo as to prevent any enterprize from the county of
Glatz. The prince of Bevern commanded a ftrong corps,
which ported itfelf advantageoufly near Cofel. One under
general Werner did the fame at Noifla.
By thefe difpofitions the Pruffian convoys were protect-
ed, the principal places in Silefia guarded, the fiege of Sch-
weidnitz covered, and an cafy communication preferved be-
tween all the detached corps employed in thefe feveral fer-
vices.
The efte^s of this wife difpofition were foon felt. Mar-
fhal Daun, defpairing to fucceed againft the army, which,
under the king inperfo-n, covered the fiege of Schweidnitz,
endeavoured to break this chain, and by that means diftrefe
the Pruflians who were carrying on the fiege. Laudohn
was therefore detached, with a very fupen'or force, to at-
tack the prince of. Bevern, and to drive him from the ad-
vantageous poft he occupied. This attack was made with
all
17^2- ne History of the War. 4*67
ail the celerity and refolution, which diftinguifti the opera-
tions of this brave officer. But the prince, mindful of the
difgrace he had formerly fufFered in this province, oppofed
him with fuch conftancy and perfeverance, that the king of
I ruffia had time to come to his relief. The Auftrians were
then put between two fires, routed, and purfucd with a ter-
rible flaughter.
This attempt being defeated, the king of Pruffia met
with no difturbance in his preparations for the fiege, and the
trenches were opened on the night of the 8th of July.
Whilft the king of Pruflia was making this advantageous
life of his fortune, the armies of the French and the allies
in Weftphaliawere not inaftive. Among the commanders
of the former a great difunion had long prevailed. The
marfhals de Broglio and de Soubife had mutually accufed
each other j the camp and the court were for fome time
entirely diftrafted with the cabals of the partizans of thefe
officers. The refult was not favourable to marfhal Broglio.
In him the French court was obliged to recal, and in fome
raeafure to difgrace, one of the very beft of their officers.
A fufpicion, and that not weakly founded, prevailed againft
this general, that unable to bear a competitor in fame, or
an aUbciate in command, he had often, in order to difgrace
thofe with whom he was to ad, negleaed to improve his
favourable opportunities ; and that in fome inftances, by his
conduct, he had purpofely occafioned fome failures, and
even defeats. This was a fault which no great qualities in
an officer could compenfate. He was therefore removed
from his command, and the condua of the army left to the
prince de Soubife, who was infinitely beloved by the fol-
diers for his generous and benevolent difpofition ; and mar-
mal d'Etrees, who has been fo often mentioned in the courfe
of this hiftory, was aflbciated with him.
The plan of the campaign, on the part of the French,
did not differ much from that which had been formerly
purfued. They had, as before, two armies j this under the
prince de Soubife and marfhal d'Etrees on the Wefer, and
another under the prince de Conde on the Lower Rhine.
The difpofition oftheallieswasalfo but little varied. The
hereditary prince was pofted in the bifhoprick of Munfter,
to watch the latter of thefe armies j and prince Ferdinand in
perfon, with the body of the army, lay behind the Dymel
ta make head againft the former. So little had the French
D d 2 profited
4^9 ThtUisroKY ff the \Va^, 1-^62,
profited by their fuperior numbers, and fuperior refources
jn this continental war, and fo little decifive ufe had they
made even of fome advantages in the field, that this cam,
paign commenced very nearly in the fame place, and they
contended for pretty much the fame objefts, which they
Jiad ftruggled for in the two preceding year..
So fuperior was the genius of prince Ferdinand, that un-
der many difadvantages he was thefirft to commence often-
live operations. The ftroke he ftruck on this occafion would
fuffice alone to rank him with the firft commanders of his
age. His abilities throughout the war have never (hone
out with more luftre than in this campaien, which con-
cluded it. " ^ ' .
The French army was moft advantageoufly ported, both
for command of the country, and for ftrength, near a place
called Graebenftein, in the frontiers of Hcfie ; their center
occupied an advantageous eminence; their left wing was
almoft macceffible by feveral deep ravines, and their right
was covered by the village of Graebenftcip, by feveral ri-
vulets, and a ftrong detached body under one of their beft
officer^, monfieur de Caftries.
In thi^ fituation they imagined they had nothing to fear
from the attempts of prjnce Ferdinand, whofe army, be-
Jid«s the ?nfenor% of its numbers, was feparated in fuch a
"^^"f' antl iti fuch dilbnt places, that they judged it im-
poffible It could unite in any attack upon their camp. But
whilft they enjoyed tKemfelves in full fecurity, the ftorm
was prcpanng to fall upon them from all quarters.
A confiderable corps of the allied army, under general
I^uckner, was pofted to the eaftward of the Wefer, near
-timbecke, on the Leine, He lay there to qbferve prince
Jlavier of Saxony, who was encamped between the Werra
3nd Gottingen. But if he watched the prince, the prince
alfo watched him. When, therefore, he had orders to
quit this poft, that he might co-operate in the grand defign,
Je left a fmall party of his corps in his ftation, by which he
deceived the prince of Saxony ; and marching in the night
with t,he utmoft fpeed, he crofTed the Wefer, turned fhe
right of the French army, and, without being difcovered.
placed himfelf upon their rear. General Sporcken at the
^ame time placed himfelf fo as to attack the fame wing in
nm. ^rm^ Fer.d|n3;id croffed the Dymel, in order to
faU
qS'.
fall
fbe History of the War.
4«9
upon their center. The attack on the enemy's left was
commanded by lord Granby.
Thefc preparations were made with fo much judgment,
celerity, and good order, that the French had not perceiv-
ed the approach of the allies, when they found
thcmfelvcs attacked with infinite impetuofity in June 24, -
front, flank, and rear. The battle wa« fcarccly
begun, when they thought of nothinij but flight. The
corps under mounfieur dcCaftries had time to retreat in to-
lerable order, and without any great lofs. But it did not
fare io well with their center, and their left, which were
oppofed by the calm refolution of prince P^erdinand, and the
generous courage of Granby.
As the French placed all their hopes rather in retreat
than combat, an entire rout muft have enfued, if monfieur
Stainville, who commanded on the left, had not thrown
himfelf with the flower of the French infantry into a wood,
which enabled him, at the cxpcnce of the beft part of it, to
coverthe retreat of thearmy. Here this brave and accomplifh-
cd officer made a refolute ftand, and for a long timefuftaincA
thewholeweightoftheallies.Hiscorpswasadevotedfacrifice.
All but two battalions were cut to pieces or made prifoners.
The other bodies, covered by this refolute manc^uvre',
made a fhift to cover themfeles under the cannon of Caf-
fel, or precipitately efcaped to the other fide of the Fulda.
Thus did the French army, by the virtue of monfieur
de Stainville, efcape a total defeat ; but the confequences
of the adion were not recovered during the whole cam-
paign. They loft much credit both in point of refolution
and generalfhip. Their infantry, in this engagement, con-
fifted of one hundred battalions, when that of the allies was
compofed but of fixty. The common men made prifoners
by the allies on this occafion were two thou fand feven hun-
dred and fifty, and no lefs than one hundred and fixtv-two
officers were taken. The Englifh loft but a few men killed,
?nd noofficerof rankbutlieutenant-colonel Townfhend (a)[
(a) This col. To'wnjhend was fecond fon to the lion. Thtmaf
li'wtijbind, Efq; He had diftinguiflied himfelf on fever.il .v;<;>
lions. Guadaloupe he was puflied overboard in tiie hndinc*
of the troops, but his black faved his life by jumping' afrer him.
in the laft campaign in GVw««y, he was Ihot througli the arm,
and in this engagement he loft his life, feeking the poU of homm
piat his duty did ijot require
470 The Hi SI oKY 0/ the War, 1762,
who fell with great glory to hinifclf, and to the regret of
the whole army.
Every thing in the comhia of prince Ferdinand appear"?
t}ic tihci of a well digc(k-d plan ; and oik- great adion
compleated always helps to dilclolc a Icrics of bold, mafttr-
]yr, and conncdcd defigns.
As foon as tlie enemy was din(i[rC(! from their flrong pofl,
ufe was made of this advantage (whillt tlie French, \indcr
the hurry and confufion of their late misfortunes, were un-
able to provide againll: unexpeaed accidents) to puih for-
ward a body of the Englifli under lord (Jranby and lord Fre-
derick Cavendifli. 'Ihc French could fcarcely imagine,
that, whild they were in pofieffion of fo flrong a place as
Callcl, and commanded an army fo fuperior in numbers to
the allies, that, wbilil prince Ferdinand braved them in
front, they fhould find one of his detachments upwards of
thirty miles behind them. In this emergency, monficur de
Jlochambean perceiving their motions, haflily colleacd
fome brigades of infantry and cavalry at Horn-
July 6. bourg, to prevent, if poflible, the communicati-
on of the grand army with Franckfort from being
cut off. ♦ But they were charged with fo much vigour by
the two cnglifh commanders, that, though they defended
thcmfclvcs with fpirit for fome time, they were in the if-
fuedifpcrfed with confidcrable lofs. They were obliged to
evacuate that tradt of country. Fritzlar, Feltzberg, and
Lohr ; and almoft all the important pofls in thq fouth part
of Heflb were occupied by the allies. The communicati-
on with Franckfort, from whence the French drew their
whole fubfiftence, was abfolutely intercepted.
To the north of Helle alfo the allies were not lefs aaivc,
nor lefs fuccefsful : they obliged prince Xavier, with his
.Saxon detachments, to abandon his advanced poft on the
Leine, and unite himfelf to the grand army. They got
between him and Gottingen, by which the French garrifon
there was lett without fupport. This garrifon, feeing its
communication interrupted, blew up a part of the fortifica-
tions, and attempted a retreat ; but finding no avenue
open, thev were obliged to return in confufion. Defpair-
mg ot their ability to hold this important place, they thought
themlelvcs happy, when at length, with much
Aug. It. management and difficulty, they were able to eva-
cuarc it without oppofitioi).
11^1^ ne HisToftY eftht War. 471
Prince Xavicr. after having, as wc faid' before, quitted
h.s advanced ftfuation at Mori.ngcn in the territories of Ha-
nover un.tcdh.mlclf to the right of the principal army,
which was pofkd to the eaft ward of the Fulda, not far from
the place where that river forms an angle in its \nna\nn
wuh the Wcrra. In this angle Hands tL town o? I^uLtn"
a fortified place, m which the French had a garrifon. Full
of confidence from this fituation, they were under no an-
prchcnfion : but the generals Zaflrow, Gilfac, ^
and Waldhaulen, pa/led the Fulda in their fight, lulv 27
and under a heavy fire of their cannon. The ^'
corps of the two former officers pollcfll-d themfelves of a
yvo(ul on the enemy's right flank. General Waldhaufen
in the mean time, had feized the village of Bonnevert'
which enabled him to keep the garrifon of Munden in
check, and gave him alfo an oportunity, whenever the
occafioii required it, of falling on the enemy's rear.
J he bold paflage of the Fulda, and the judgment of the
fiibfequent difpofitions, infured the viaory. Prince Xavier
for a good while, defended himfelf with an obftinate refolu-*
tion; but finding his flank gained, he began to give way
In th.s Inflant Waldhaufen, who had hitherto only watchl
cd the ilTue of the engagement, threw in his horfc upon
the rear and complcated the defeat.
General Stainville, who occupied a ftrong entrenched
camp in the neighbourhood, feeing the party of the prince
of haxony m danger of being totally cut to pieces, quitted
h.s mtrenchnients with his whole army of ten thoufand
men, and haftcned to their relief. Prince Frederick of
Urunfwick, attentive to this movement, with great quick-
nefs leized this critical opportunity, entered their camp the
moment they had left it, and entirely deflroyed all their
works. In this adion 1 100 of the enemy were made pri-
The French finding their communication deftroyed
their army furrounded and harrafFed on every fide and
without intermifTion, were neither able to advance with a
proipeaoffucccfs, orto retreat with any hope of fafety.
in this diftrefs they had nothing left but to call their army
h T/t '^«^^'- Rh'"e to their afT.flance. No time was to
he loft. Exprcfs after exprefs was fent to haften them. I„
confequence of thefe difpatches, the prince of Conde ad~
vancedby forced marches i the hereditary prince fluck
clofc
472 The UistoKY of the Wav.. I'jbz,
clofe to liimj and kept himfelf in readinefs to fall upon his
corps, when a favourable opportunity Ihould ofFer.
, In the mean time prince Ferdinand preffed upon Soubife'a
lirmy. Advantageoufly as they were fituated, he offered
them battle for a whole day. Rather than rifque an en-
gagement they decamped in the night, and quitted, with-
out an action, thofe advantageous grounds called the height?
of Mulfingen, where they could not be attempted without
the greatelt difficulty and hazard ; and thequitting of which
gave prince Ferdinand the moft important advantages over
tnem.
, Never were military operations puflied with more viva-
city, whilft the negotiation for peace was in great forward-
ness. The two great contending courts had opened confe-
rences, whilft their armies were cutting one another in pie-
ces : but prince Ferdinand on that account, rather ftrain-
cd than flackened his efforts. He knew that the negotiati-
on for peace is always much forwarded by the opperations of
the campaign, and that a fuccefsful adlion often haftens the
decifion of a contefted article. Perhaps too he was willino-
to fliew in England, that the necefTity of making peace
ought not to be attributed to the circumftances of that part
pf the war which had been committed to his care. People
imagined they could difcern fomething like coldnefs to-
wards this great commander in the new Britifli miniftry ;
and that he, on his fide, feemed rather to favour that party
in England which was for prolonging the war,
CHAP. VI.
IFar in Portugal Plan of the Campaign. Mirand^ Brag-
an%, and Chaves taken. Almeida befieged and taken.
Count of La Lippe arrives in Portugal. Surprize of Va-
Imtia d' Alcantcra^ by general Burgoyne. Affair of Villa
, Velha.. Spaniards retire*
THE events oi the war in Germany, though its objetS
was not more interefting than that in Portugal, feein
to rank far before the actions of the latter in dignity and
importance. They naturally occupy the firft place, and
jiiftify a more minute detail in an hiftory of military opera-
tions. It is in Germany that the great efforts of all the
great powers in Europe were made from the beginning-
Here
lyBi,
7he History of the War.
473
Here the moft confiderablc armies were maintained ; here
the great battles were fought ; and on this theatre the great
commanders gave a full fcope to their genius. Germany
feems, as it were, the natural foil of hoftility ; but Portu-
gal, which had long languilhcd in a tranquil obfcurity,
could fcarce furnifhout a faint image of war.
Of the ftatc of the military in that country we have fpo-
ken in a prcceeding chapter. The marine was not on a
much more refpeitable footing. About fix or feven fhips
of the line, and a very few frigates, compofed all the naval
force of Portugal that was fit for fcrvice ; of that Portugal
which had formerly been one of the firft maritime powers
in ^wope. The fortifications in that kingdom had been
alfo long negle<5^ed, and fcarce any of them were in a con-
dition to fultain a regular fiege.
Portugal, however, polTefled fome advantages j but they
were only fuch as (he derived from her weaknefs. The ex-
treme barrennefs and poverty of thfe country, made it very-
difficult for an army, cither of friends or enemies, to fub-
fift in it. The badncfs of the roads, and the frequency and
fteejpnefs of the mountains, which occupy the greateft part
of that kingdom, made it no lefs difficult to advance with
rapid marches, and to improve the advantages of the cam-
paign with proper expedition. The nature of the country
alfo rendered it not unfit for that fpecies of defence, which
the bcft force it had was beft qualified to make ; that is, in
the way of an irregular war, by its, armed peafantry ; for the
defiles in many places are offuch a nature, as to be capa-
ble of being mauitaiuqd by a fmall and undifciplined body,
againft very numerous and very regular forces. And the
Portuguefe, from the higheft to the loweft^ were animated
with fuch a fincerc and inveterate hatred to the Spanifh
name, and were filled with fo much terror at the prdfpedl
of failing a fecond time under the government of that nati-
on, thaf great hopes were entertained of their exerting
thcmfclves to the utmofton this occafion, and of their rou-
fing that natural courage in which the Portuguefe are not
deficient.
Thefe advantages, however, did by no means balance
the dangers to which that kingdom was expofcd, from the
joint hoftility of France and Spain, All the hope of Por-
tugal was centered in England, for whofe fake, and in whnfe
tjuiirrcl fhc had been drawn into this unequal contcft. The
great
rr
474 T^« History of the War. lySi,
greater the weaknefs of Portugal was, the more eonfpicu-
ous were the magnanimity and refources of Great Britain
whomademtheclofeof/oexpennve and ruinous a war'
luch aftonifhmg efforts and who was in a condition by her
Jtrength to prop up, at leaft for a time, fo very feeble a fyf-
tem bhe fent to Portugal, officers, troops, artillery, arms,
miJitary Itores, provifions, and money, every thing which
could enable the Portuguefe to exert their natural ffreneth
and every thmg which could fupply that ftrength where it
was deficient. . **
When the Bourbon courts maSe war againft Portueal.
the declared objea was to prevent Great Britain frorfi the
military and commercial ufe of the ports of that kingdom.
As It was impoffible to attain this objea by naval operati-
ons, they attempted it by military ones, and aimed their
Sr ^"^^^^?,"^s ^5 ttie two great ports,, to which the
l-nghih prmapally refort. Oporto and Lifbon. The pof-
feffion of thefe two objeds would probably have finiflied
the warm their, favour ; the pofleffion of iither of them
would have given them the moft decifive advantages in it.
With this view three inroads were to be made, one to
•fW^ ".u-T ^'^, ^.*' propofed more to the fouth, whilft
the third was made in the middle provinces, in order to
^uftain thefe two bodies, and prcferve the communication
l)etwcen them. The reader muft confiderthis as whatap-
pears from their d^ftgns, and f-om the fteps they took to exe-
cute them to have been their general plan ; not that it was
Tf p'fi'j: T'^^i"" '" ''' P^^'^' ^^ ^' '^' ^^^^ time!
' \f J 1. r°^y ^^^'^^ commenced hoftilities was c'om-
tTnoi ^, a ''^TK'^I ^'"'"- 'r^" ^^'"y '^"t^^^'l into
M^r^ni? "4^"g^^ °^ Portugal, and marched towards
S? h Jf'' Tu"' ^^'.^"Sh in no ^ood ftate of defence,
might have delayed them in their progrefs j but a powdeJ
magazine having blown up by accident, the fortifications
TVTo, ^-7! ■ ^'"''''Ij ^"'^ the Spaniards, before they had
May 9, raifed their firft battery, marched into the town
by the breaches in the wall.
Animated by this eafy and fortunate fuccefs, they pro-
cepded to Braganza, aconfiderable city, from whence the
royal family of Portugal derived its ducal titles. This town
niade no greater defence than Miranda. From
iAlay J5, thence a detachment- marched to Moncorvo.
which w<l5 i'urrendered in t!ie like manner j and
every
[762.
S'A* History of the War.
An
every thing was cleared before them to the banks of the
Douro. A party under count O'Reilly made a
forced march of fourteen leagues, in two days, May 24.
to the citv of Chavea, which was immediately
evacuated. By thefe fuccefles they became mafters of aU
moft the whole of the extenfive province of Tralos Montes,
and their progrefs (pread a general alarm. Oporto was al-
moft given up as Joft j and the admiralty of England prepa-
red tranfports to carry off the effefts of the Bri'tifh faaory.
However, the body which had traverfed this province with-
out refiftance, attempting to crofs the Douro, had its pro-
gress checked on that fide. The peafants, animated and
guided by fome Englifli officers, and feizing a difficult pafs,
repulfed and drove them back to Torre de Moncorvo. They
are faid to have been guilty of fome cruelties to the Spanifh
prifoners who fell into their hands. Thefe cruelties Were
afterwards feverely retaliated upon them. Thefe people,
on both fides naturallv ferocious had not been fufficiently
inured to war, to moderate its fury, and reduce it under
laws J they hated mutually, and they gave a full fcope to
their hatred : they did not fee each other as foldiers, but as
enemies.
I The fecond body of the Spaniards, which we have men-
tioned as the conneftive link between the two others, en-
tered into the province of Beira, at the villages called Val
de Mula and Valde Coelha. They were joined by ftrong
detachments, amounting to almoft the whole army in Tra-
los Montes, and immediately laid fiege to Almeida, which,
though in no good order, was the ftrongeft and beft provi-
ded place upon the frontiers of Portugal. Befides, it was
of the greateft importance from its middle fituation, as the
pofTeffion of it would greatly facilitate the operations upon
every fide, and would efpecially tend to forward an attempt
upon Lilbon, which was the capital obje<ft, towards whicTi,
at this time, all the endeavours of the Spaniards feem to
have been direded.
Almedia was defended with fufficient refolution ; but its
fate was forefeen as foon as it was attempted, there being
no means of affording relief to any of the places
befieged. It furrendered however, upon terms Aug. 25.
honourable to the garrifon.
The Spaniards, having made themfelves mafters of this
place overlpread the whole terriority of Caftle Branco, a
E e 2 principal
\
ft:
4?6 ni HistoRY of the Wak. J762..
prindpal diftria of the province of Bcira, making their way
to the louthward, until they approached the banks of the
i agus. During the whole of their progrcfs, and indeed
duruig the whole campaign, the allied troops of Great Bri-
tain and Portugal had nothing that could be called a body
of an army m the Held, aad they could not thi..k of oppo-
iingtheenemy in a pitched battle. All that could be done
was by the defence of pafles, by (kirmifh, and by fur-
By this time the count of la Lippe Buckeburg had arriU
vcd m Portugal. Lord Tyrawly, who had been fent, at
the defire of the court of Lilbon, thither before the break-
ing out of the war, being difguftcd by the behaviour of
Jome perfons at court, and much difappoiuted in his expe^t-
atipns of the exertion they had promifcd to make of their
own force, and even of the ufe they had made of the fuc-
cours from Lugland, had been recalled very early in the
campargft, and probably not contrary to his ovvn incli-
nation.
It is impofnble tocxprefs the joy which filled the whok
nation at the arrival of fo celebrated an officer as the count
laLippe to their affiftance. More unanimity was now ex-
pedted, as the count had nothing to complain of, and
came an entire ftranger to all the fubjeas of debate, which
had hitherto exifted between the Britifh general and the
court of Lilbon.
1 J-^^\ ^/'"^l ^^^^^^ ^^ *^^^* mcBtroned as the third cor^<5
dcftined for the invafion of Portugal, an'embled on the
frontiers ot Mremadura, with an intention of penetratinvr
into the province of Alentcjo. Had this third body beeil
joined to tne others already in Portugal, it would probably
have formed fuchanarmyas might, in fpight of ^ny ob!
Itruaion, have forced its way to Lilbon : had- it aded fe-
paratcly, it might have greatly diftraaed the defence, fo as
to enable fome other body to penetrate to that city. It was
ncceilary to prevent, if poffible, their entrance inio Portu-
gal ; hnce their mere entrance would have been almolt
equal, in its confequenccs, to a viaory oa their fide.
1 he count la Lippe, therefore formed a defign of ati-
tack.ng an advanced body of the Spaniards whi?l^ lay on
their frontiers in a town called Valentia de Alcantwa, as
hf heard that they had here amaflcd confiderable maga-
ziiic$.
■"»
1762. 7he History of the Wak. ^y-^
zincs. The condu(n: of this important entcrprizc was com-
mitted to brigadier general Burgoync.
This gallant and able officer, though at a diftancc of five
days march, and in fpight of all the dilappoi|itments and ob-
Itructions to which fcrvices of this kind are fo liable when
they cannot be executed immediately j yet cft'eft- *
cd a complete furprize on the town 0/ Valentia Aue.27.
de Alcantara } took the general, who was to have
commanded in the intended invafion, one colonel, two
captains, and feventecn fubaltern officers. One of the
beft regiments in the Spanifli fervice was entirely de-
ftroyed. ^
Although they were difappointed in their expc^ations of
finding magagines in this place, the effca of this well-con-
duacd cntcrprize was not loft. The taking of this general
was probably the caufe which prevented,the Spaniards from
entering into the province of Alentejo. This feemed to
have been for fome time the deftination not only of that
particular body, but alfo the great objea of the Spanifb
army, which had hitherto aded in Beira. The former of
thcie provinces is a plain, open, fertile country, where their
cavalry, in which confifted the chief of their army, and ia
which lay their moft marked fuperiority, might have afted
and aded decifively ; whereas the latter was a rough moun-
tainous region, in which the horfe were fubfifted with dif-
ficulty, and could be of little fervice. To prevent, there-
fore, the entry of the Bourbon army from any quarter, into
Alentejo, feemed to be tJie great and fuigle objea of the
campaign on our fide. General Burgoyne, by his expedi-
tion into the Spanift territories, had already prevented it on
one part ; and the vigilance and aaivity of the fame officer
had no fmall fhare in preventing it alfo on the other.
That part of the Bourbon army, which aaed in the ter-
ritory of Cartel Branco, had made themfelves mafters
of feveral important palTes, which they obliged fome
bodies of the Portuguefe to abandon. They attacked the
rear of the combined army, which was paffing the river
Alveito, with the appearance of a retreat ; but. in reality,
with a view to draw them infenfibly into the m'ountainous
traas : here they were repulfed with lofs ; but ftill they
Continued mafters of the country j and nothing remained
but the pafl*age of the Tagus, to enable them to take up
tixtxx quarters in Alentejo,
Burgoyne,
47^ ne HistoRY of the War. lyCi,
Burgoyne, who was pofted with an intention to obftrua
them in their partage, lay in the neighbourhood, and with-
in view of a detached camp, compofed of a connderable
body of the enemy's cavalty, which lay near a village cal-
led Villa Velha. As he obfcrved that the enemy kept no
very foldiery guard in this poft, and were uncovered both
©n the.r rear and their flanks, he conceived a defign of fal-
Jng on them by furprize. He confided the execution of
njx c in ^^" *® colonel Lee, who '.urned their camp,.
^tX. b., fell upon their re 'he night, made a confider-
able flaughter, d.. ^ the whole party, dcftroy-
ed their magazines, and r. ned with fcarce any lofs.
I»urgoyne, in the mean time, fupported him by a feint at-
tack in anothc^r quarter, which prevented the enemy's be-
Jng relieved from the adjacent pofts.
^J'^Tl^^'^T^^''' ^^'"S obtained in^ a critical moment, was
attended with important confequences. The feafon was now
tar advanced i immenfe rains fell at this time j the 'roads
wercdeltroyed; the country became impradicable ; and the
Spaniards, having feifed no advanced pofts in which they
could maintain themfelves during the winter, and being e(-
pecially unprovided with magazines for the fupport of their
Jiorfe every where fell back to the frontiers of Spain, where
their fupplies were at hand, and where they were not liable
to be harraffed by the efforts of the combined army<
In this manner Portugal was faved, at leaft for that cam-
paign, by the wife condua of count la Lippe, and the dif-
tinguiOied valour of the Englifh commanders and foldiery :
i-/i jV'^^\'^^-."*'"S towards their deliverance was accom-
pliflied by the fuccefs of the Englifh army in more diftant
quarters, and by the peace, in which fo valuable and fo ex-
poied an ally was not negleaed. There never was proba-
bly lo heavy a ftorm of national calamity, ready to fall upon
an unprovided people, fo happily averted, or fo fpeedily
blown over. Every thing, at the beginning of this cam-
paign, bore the moft louring and ominous afpea to the af-
tairs ot Great Britain. As it advanced, the iky continu-
aly cleared up ; and the fortune of no nation, towards the
clole of It, was enlivened with a more brilliant and more
unclouded profperity. We fhall now proceed in the rela-
tion ot thole fuccelFes, and of the progrefs of the Englifli
arms in other parts of the world, where new fcenes of dan-
ger and honour were now opened to them.
CHAP.,
17^2.
7ke History of the Wa;
CHAP. VII.
479
^fafdZ r^"'t ¥''''"^('.- ^^'•-^ M thither. Troops
land at Cas Navtrc, Nature of the country. Attack i,f
the pojh near Fort Royal. Fort Royal fur rendered St
Pierre and the whole i/land capitulaL St .Lucie' Gre'
nades and St. Vincent taken. Preparations for war
"gmnji the Spanijh JVefl Indies. ^ ^ """"^
'Owards the clofe of the laft year, it was determined
to relume the fcheme of operations in the Weft In^
djesi where nothing had been attempted fmce the year
1759'. DiftrefTed as the French trade to their iflands had
been, it ftill continued a refource to that nation. On the
other hand, nothing could poffibly furnlfh u« with place,
of more importance, either to retain, or to exchange upon
a peace, than our fuccefs in this part of the world. Ano-
ther confideration had probably no fmalj fliare in -'.ireain^
out arms towards that quarter. From the time that the
difpofitions of Spain had become equivocal, it was necef-
fary to take fuch fteps, as would put us in a refpe£lable
htuation in cafe a war with that kingdom fliould become
unavoidable. It was therefore very prSper to have a ftron^
armament in the Weft Indies, that fide on which Spa n^
moft vulnerable and in which every wound afFeds a pa t
of the quickeft fenfibihty. Accordingly the force which
was fent into the Weft Indies on thiroccafion waTvirv
great ; and, if we take the naval and military together, it was
fuch an armament as had never been before feen in that
part of the world. It was certainly very right to leave as li?
tie to hazard as poffible , and wh'en, ii th^e moft frugarme:
thod of proceeding, a great many men muft have been
employed, and a great deal of money fpent, it would have
been an unpardonable error, from a conWation of almoft ^
any faving, to have left any thing imperfedj efpeciaH^ at
a time, wheu the efFeft of every operation became a Iff
hourly, more and more critical and decifive.
, Lvery thing which had been an objea of war in North
America, was by this time complete/y acquired. It w2
therefore eafv to draw a very confierable part of thi
army from tlience. Eleven battalions were drawn frmn
New York i a draught was alfo made from the gaTr"fon of
Belleiile.
^^^ History of the War. i-r:
^cllcifle. Thcfc were reinforced by Ibmc troops which
t ^^') *^''"':''-*J 'if"""& the Leeward lilands ; lb that
the whole land armament did not fall very fljort of twelve-
thoufand men. General Monckton, who had acquired lb
much reputation in North America, and had received a
very grievous wound at the taking of Qiiehcc, command-
c<l the land forces in this expedition. The marine was
under rear-admiral Rodney.
^ The failure in 1759 ^^^- "ot difcouragc our adminiilra-
tion from making Martinico the objed of another attempt.
i he tnglilh fleet, after haj'ing rendezvoused at Barba-
docs, came before this ifland on the 7th of January, 1762.
I he troops landed at a creek called Cm l^avirc without
the lols of a man ; the fleet having been difpofcd fo pro-
perly, and havnig direaed their fire with fuch eftba, that
the enemy was obliged in a fhort time to abandon the bat-
teries they had ereited to defend this inlet.
When the landing was efFefted, the difficulties were far
from being at an end. It is true, that neither the number
nor the quality of the enemy's regular troops in the ifland
were very formidable. But the militia was numerous, well
armed, and not unqualified for fervice in the only kind of
war, which could be carried on in their country. Bcfides,
the whole country was a natunal fortification, from the
number of ravines with rivulets between them, which lay
from djftance to diftance. Wherever thefe grounds were
pradicable, the French had pofted mards, and crciled
batteries. It is eafy from hence to u -y what obrtruc-
tions the progrefs of an army was liabu i, particularly
with regard to its artillery. Thefe obftruc. ns were no
where greater than in the neighbourhood o. c place,
agamft which the firft regular attack was propok>
This town and citadel is overlooked and comma d by
two very confiderable eminences, called Morm To ijm
and Morm Gamier, Whilfl the enemy kept poflbflion of
thefe eminences, it was impo/Tible to' attack the town;
if they loft them, it would prove impofTible to defend it.
Suitable to the importance of thofe fituations were the
meafures taken to render them impregnable. They were
protefted, like the other high grounds in this ifland, with
very deep ravines ; and this great natural ftrength was im-
proved by every contrivance of art. The Mornc Torteufin
WHS hrff to be attacked.- To favour this operation, a
body
troops whith
Ills ; lb that
ort of twelve
acquired lb
d received a
:, command-
; marine was
r admin id ra-
her attempt.
:d at Barba-
luary, 1762.
virc without
^ofcd (o pro-
^ effect, that
don the bat-
tics were far
the number
in the ifland
nerous, well
ynly kind of
y. Bcfides,
n, from the
, which lay
rounds were
and crcilcd
hat obrtruc-
particularly
ns were no
e place,
feu
lima d by
rue To, 'fan
poflcffion of
the town ;
defend it.
ns were the
They were
ifland, with
igth was im-
rwt' Tortenftn
operation, a
body
TkeHon^^
RqbIMojntckt ox .
* i i
Ml''
Jf
:-^
nil
RlltiN
■oaPd
£ARii Temple
m
I
17^1. 7be History of the War. 4!*
body of regular troops and marines were ordered to ad*
yance on the right along the fca-fide, towards the town,
in order to take the redoubts which lav in the lower grounds!
A thoufand failors in flat-bottomed boats, rowed clofe to
the fhore to affift them. On the left, towards the country
a corps of light infantry, properly fupported, was to gij
round the enemy's left j whilft the attack in the centre was
made by the Britifh grenadiers and the body of the army
under the fire of batteries, which had been erefted on
the oppoiite fide with great labour and pcrfeverance j the
cannon having been dragged upwards of three milA by the
leamen. ^
^ The difpofitions for the attack of this difficult poft hav-
ing been made with fo much judgment on the part of the
commander, it was executed with equal fpirit and refolu-
tJon by the foldierv. The attack fucceeded in every quar-
ter. With irrefiftablc impetuofity the enemy's works were
fucceffively carried. They were driven from poft to poft ;
until our troops, after a ftarp ftruggle, remained maftcrs
ot the whole Morne ; fome of the enemy fled precipitately
Jnto the town, to the very entrance of which they were
purfued. Others faved themfelves on the Morne Gamier
which was as ftrong, and much higher than Morne Torteff!
Jon, and overlooked and commanded it. Thus far had they
proceeded with fuccefs ; but nothing decifivje cou|d be
do-ae, without the pofleflTion of the other eminence, our
troops being much moleftcd by the enemy from that fune-
nor fituation, *^
It was three days before proper difpofitions could be
made for driving them from this ground. Whilft thefe
difpofitions were making, the enemy's whole force defcend-
u p "^1 i^ ^''^' ^'■^^'^^^ °"* °^ '"<^ *°wn, and attacked
the Enghfh in their advanced pofts j but they were imme-
diately repulfed : and the ardour of the Brititfi troops hur-
rying them forward, they improved a defenfive advantage
into an attack, paflbd the ravines, mingled with the enemy,
fcaled the hill, feized the batteries, and pofted themfelves
on the fummit of Morne Garnier. The French regular
troops efeaped into the town. The militia difperfed them-
felves m the country.
Ali the fituations which commanded the town and cita-
«lel were now fecured ; and the enemy waited no ^ .
longer than until the batteries againft them were *'^°' ^'
F f
com-
in
7J&* History of the War. 1762,
completed to capitulate, and to furrender this important
place, the fecond in the idand. (a) w.
^ The capital of the ifland, St. Pierre, ftill remained to be
reduced :
(a J General Montktoifrlttttr, to tb$ Right Han, tbt Earl of Egre^
mottt.
Headquarters in the IJland of Martinico, Jan. 20, 176a.
il/r Lord^
I HAVE the honour to acquaint your lord/hip, .that we left
Barbadoes the jth Innant, anchored in St. Jn„e'i bay in this
Ifland the 7th, the Ihips of war having filenced fome batteries
which the enemy had ereded tliere, and where I was in hones to
have been able to have landed on the wc^ern fide of the bav. and
to, have croffed over to Port Royal bay ; but the difhculties that
would have attended our being fupplied with provifions aad ftorcs.
jdded to the fcarc.ty of frefli water in that part, made me defift!
I then thought tliat if I rould get poffeffion of Pidgeon I/land
a fecure anchorage might be had for the fleet and tratifports in
je^rt R,yaJ harbour, tor thispurpofe, I detached txvb brigades of
the army, under the command of bdgadkrs Ha'vi /and and Grant
♦o. ^nce X)ar/« where they landed, and marched to the ground*
oppofit^tothe Ifland ; but finding the road impaffablefor <Snjion
wJiich were neceffary for the redu^ion of that ifland, I judged it
Ijeft for his majefly s fervice, to proceed (having previouflv recon-
noitred the fliore)and land near the Cajidei Navires- which we
cffeOed on the 16th, without any moleflation, the fliips of war
havmg filenped the batteries above us. I had forgot, my lord
to mentjon, that^vith the above command, were the hVht infan-
try imder lieutenant colonel Scott, who were advanced the night
the command romamed there, and were attacked in the ni&ht bv
three companies of grenadiers, fome free-booters, negroes and
mulattocs, winch tlie cneiny had parted over from Fort Royal- but
they were fo warm/y received, that they tetreated precipitately'
Jeavuig fome de^d ; and a ferjeant and three of their grenadiers
taken prifoners, witiiout any lofs on our fide.
_\Ve are iiow encamped upon the heights, above Cafe da Na.
I-Vfnand I xyas ,n hcpes, before this time, to have given your
lorafhipmore fafisfaftory accounts of our operations? But the
ravmos or gullys we have to pafs, are of fuch depth and difficulty
of accefs, and, that m the face of many batteries and redoubts.
wtth the whole country, as well mulattoes and negroes, as inlia-
pjtauts ill arms, and without being able to propure any matorfal
In-
ne HistoRY ef tbt Wak, . jfl^
1762.
and"!;'!; *^'' ''u"'^"; \ P^"« ^'^ "^ contemptible ftreng'th!
coiiiiderabld, if the ftrength of the garhfon in any degree
cor-
However, my lord, I have the pleafure to acquaint vou tl„f
M^lj';ile1a5l]er.!S.''""^^^^^^
m.l,'i?'""°;'.S'*?' P'^fuf' fo acquaint your lordlhitf liow
.^^i^t-xra/^^^^^^^^^
/ ^tfvr the honour t» bti f^a
ROBERT MONGKTOX
' S7 K jfi5»/r«/ ^fl««/yV £f//rr /o Mr, Clfvtland.
a J Ca/eNawre Bay^ Mattinm, Jm. 19, 1762.
d^T towlfTr;7hi^ '^''.^^'l' ^"^ l'^^ing'remai«ed a TJ
pSons for n V^ ^' '"'' ' *'"" men, and make neceflary dif-
ifiio, 1 ,oM o " . ^,^'' '*^^ ^" anchored in iV. ^«».'. ba/ • the
"urfortuie L ofe tie P.Y »'''/°""'"g °^ ^-hich, we Jud the
uuuiie 10 loie the Rat/o,,uhh, as Ihe wa? icadini in for one
^^* * cf
jfi4 T*#HiiTORY of tbt Wah, 1762*
eorrefponded with that of the fortifications, and with the
liatural advantages of the country. Our troops therefore
were
of the enciny'i "balfprlcs, owinp to fhc piWs being ienorant of a
^ittle reef of rocks, which topk her up. We have laved aU her
jppDpIc, all her Acres, and I hope ibon to got all her cuns.
Having by the motion of tlic fleet and army, talien poiTeiTion
of an excellent harbour, and fecured a landing on the weather-
mod part of the illand, which might be made tenable at any
time, as likewife thereb;^ greatly alarming tlic enemy.
.,, yit general Monckton $ requeft, 1 difpatched commodore SivaK-
t9ttf with a fi^uadron of Ihipf, and tw» brigades, to the bay of'
Pttitt Ancty in order to take poll there. Captain Htr'ot;) of'^the
Qva^n having filcnced the battery of the Grand Ana, landed his
mawne* and feamen, who attacked it alfo from the (hore, and took
poiTeffion of the fort| ?n<l, on the I4fh, I followed witli the
whole fleet and army, aJFter deilroying the enemy's batteries at,
5/, >f««#'s bay, when (having reconnoitred the coaft with the ge-
neral) we caine to a refolution, to make an atrempf between Point
Nigraf and the Cas dt PUottt, which I ordered to be attacked oh
the i6th ; and having very fucoeffively»and with little lofs filenccrf
the batteries, I landed general MoHcktoH with the greateft part of
his forces by fun- ct j and the whole army Was on fhore a little
after day-ligkt next morning, without the lofs of a man (the boats
being commanded by commodore Snuuaton in the centre, capt.
Shuldham on tlve riglit wing, and capt. Hirvey on the left) witlt
j^ch neceflaries as they were inoft immediately in want of, and
had all the hips and tranf^rts anchored as much in fafety, as^
this coaft will adniit.
I alfo landed two battalions of marines, confifting of 450 "men
eich.
The anny are now carrying on their approaches to the height*
of Mount Grtnit and Mount lorttnfon, which tlie enemy have
made as ftrong as art can do, and from; whence the general pro-
pofCS to lay fiege to Port Royal.
1 have the happinefs to add, that the army and navy continue
inpcrfeft heahh; and carry on the fervice with tlie greateft fpirit
and liarmony.
Ctnerat Monci ton's feconi tetter to tht Earl of Egremont.
Fort Rojalitt Martinico, Ftb, 9, 1762-.
My Lordf
J ll:id the honour of writing to your lordfliip tlve 2
u)-), when4 aciiuaintcd yon that I intended to att
otli of Janu.
attack the ene-
my
t-y^** Tie WistoftY cf the War. ^^f
wer^ ftill under fome anxiety fof the final fuccefs of their
work, and feared, if hot difappointment, at leaft delay.
But the rcduftion of Fort Royal had ta greatly abated the
enemy'a
my In the ftrong ports thev occupied on tlie oppofite heights, and
tite M«r». rarti„ro«, lea/lng to Fcrt Royal, asfoon as 1 had irc^-,
ed batteries (which were thought neccflary) to aflift us in the
paUing a very deep and wide ravine*, or guUy, which feperated
us from them. '
My difnofition for the atfaclt feeing made pn the 24th of 7«-
«*«>>, at break of day the troops advanced under a brift fire o£
pur batteries. Tlie gr?n?diers under brigadier Grant firft falling
in with the enemy's advancfd ports, began tlie attack : brigadier
'infant on tlie right, with his brigade, and the marines, was to
advance and attack the redoubts along .the coaft; looo feamen
HI the flat-bottomed boats, rowed us as he advanced: hoxd R»Uo'%
°"|a«'wpported the grenadiers: Brigadier ^a^with his bri-
gade, (fupportlng the light infantry under lieutenant colonel Scatt)
tQ attack the left of a plantation, and to endeavour to get round
the enemy. The light infantry effefted their attempt, and while
the grenadiers werfc driving the enemy from poft to port, they
Sot ui^on their left, which helped to complete the event of the
ay. ^ The enemas works were now fucccffively attacked with the
mart irrefillible impetuofity, fo that at nine o'clock we were in
M ^^^^i^^ PoffertK)n of all their works, and the flrong ground of
Mornt Tarttn/on, confifting ipf many redoubts mounted with can-
non, and advantageoufly fituatcd to affift the natural llrength «E
the country. The enemy retired in the greateftconfufioh, to the
^1^\a J ^"y"^' ^"^ *° ^'"■" Garnhr (a ftill higher hill than
the M4i-»e Tarttn/en, and feperslted frbm it by a deep ravine, co-
vered with a very thick bruflj, ^nd a rivulet at the bottom) from
whence they thought they were never to bcdiflodged, both item
^ largt holleit) made btt<u/eiH two hills, oecajionti hy a fuddim
Current of naatfr, itihitb it very frequent atid rapid at the time of
the Eauinox. It is of a confiderable depth, end not lefs difficult to get
into than to a/ctnd as it is tufted with trees, brufh-nuood on every fidt,
^[nd in many pUcet covered over Theft the French lined with i«-
fan/rjii but our forces refolute, and determined to carry the batteriet
on the other fide, let each other dovinfrft flinging their muskets ; when
they got to the other fide, clambered up as f aft as poffible, formtd,
and carriei all befoTf them. Some were lit down p,ecititately, by
the banks giving way, tui they font rtcovtrtd tbtmfelve's and joined
their corps.
4tf r^tf History of the War, 17624
enemas coniidence, that the militk defpaired of makine
jny effeaual defence. The planters alfo, folicitousfor their
fortunes, were apprcjicnfive of having their eftates ruined
,;. by
4=
Its natural itrengtli, and the works and batteries they had on it.
T^fpint of the grenadiers in this attack was fuch. that fomeof
them even purfued the 6aemy to the bridge of the town, and
Brought oft prifojiers from thence.
While this was doing on this ftde, brigadier fiavilanJwith his
^«f /?°K¥?^!i°>"'°^?«^*«^''''' and a corps of light, in^
tantry (which I had formed from the feVeral regiments and riven
the qpinmand of to major UanJ) had orders (from the reported
K! w. '7 °^^!?^ P^^'S^) *^ ^^'•^fs the ravine a good deil to
*?i!ft.!^u^"^*^''i^°'^y°^*'^« enemy who «rere poUed on
^^^>rf^*'°P''.°'^H*^ *'''"' and to try to get into their left,
and by that meansdivide their force. Yet. although they began
their march at two o'clock in the morning fuch was the difficulty
S:,S ft ur'^^ ^ ^"^ convinced every means were tried, that
«^,Jjs"te before they effeaed it.
«.K?ii^^""^^'^^V^h^*"<^'"y^«'"« giving way on aU fides, 1
ordered lieutenant colonel y«//'slight infantry, brigadier fTai/b^s
T3^/ \ u ^ ^'/^''wn of the grenadiers, to a plantation more to
rncieit. Where bngjdier Haviland was to have come down:
they drove off fome of the enemy pofte^ there ; and thp light in-
fantry poffeffed themfelves Qf a very advantageous poll oppofite
to Morne Garmer, To fupport them, I orde ed brigadier H»vi.
«?^l^iK^"^J'"?":^*.*^P^^^) to their right: the divifion
of gi enadiers under brigadier Grant, and ff'aps brigade, kept
pol^JIionofthe upper plantation, and Communicated with HarCi-
.«/rjrs corps. The marines, which I had taken from brigadier
{S':\ P°V^^ *° '^^^^ the road between the two plantations,
uivtne 2sth, webeganto ereft batteries on Mornt Tarten/tn,
agamft the citadel of Tort Royat, but were muoltsnnoyed on that
and the following day, by the enemy from Mtrni Gamier. Find-
ing that it wasabfolMte neceflary to attack this place to tlie left
where tlie corps of light infantry, and brigadier Hanjitand's bri-
gade were polled, I determined immediately to erreft batteries
agamftthefeof the enemy which annoyed us, and which midit
alfo cover our paffage of the ravifte. ^
,.„?J'/*'*' ^7th, about four o'clock in the evening, the enemy,
under cover of their batteries, and with the gre.teft part of their
torce .,ad the temerity to attack the two corps of light infantry,
and brigadier ««^,7Ws brioade, in the p^fts they occupied I
butwere received with fuch fleadinefs, that ^ley were immedi-
ate^
•
plffinir: ™SS--^; -perhaps of loflng „, ^J
JlUg«>
£>«■."='». M„S '^"'fe'"d bTdadfe f^r:./^."' r- '""'"ok
the divifion of erenadiVr. ,.n^{ ^^''g'iuicr *»^(/» s brigade, and
ately on the attlck had m^i '^ ^Z'?"^'" ^'^'"' >^ho i.nmed^
nowco«.eon . butmSlT'^^ to fupport them. Night wi
light infantry; andt S nttn n"'°7?« °" ^° ^''^ ^'^' ^^^L h"
wards the enemy" redou^t^, wwSt T' '°"*'^"^^ ^^'^ ^°"' »«-
foners) having abandoneVthem^ t1^ ^''^'''^'*^"' who were pri-
trtwn a'nd citaVel7a?S"S?mnlH; dTfnTr !f°°Pf '"'^'"** »"t° ^!«
diers ^«/>, Gr««/ and ^ •/ ^.'^P^rfed in the country. Briga-
port the light infantry t^fc immediately moved up,o^.
jefty's troojs were Koffe^^!. ?,?'."" *» ^*°-=l^ ^^ night/his mi-
tirely commanded l^eS?" 1 "' '-'^ ^^°"S P°«' ^^ichZ
flight, that they ieft a Sori^nf?.r''^io'' *^' *»^^ «"««y^
with aquantit/of ammTm ?on?nd'^' ^"?^ °' 9 guns unfpiked.
mortar were turnedTffS H?r/-?'!,P,'?^'?°"'- ^^« <^""on and
Havine cained thS \ ^'^^^^^ '" *^^ morning,
had fo miral^oyed us aSSv^"' ^°"' ^'^^'^ ^^^^^ ^''^ ^"emy
Morn, 7-«r/.„>,,"Xfift,'nfnf JnnT^ c°"^pl«ed two batteries ok
we opened them o7 hr/oth S finH^""!^""^ ^^rtars.
too great, andhavinrn^owM..tSX^''' '"^'^ ^*^
more than 4covardsd!ft?n>f.r^r"'*" ""^ Power, not
iion of the townTimmed?!^^^^ 'r^^^'j' "^ ^^" ^^ «»« poffe?
both thefe Places fllr^^y refolved to ereft batteries i
eaner convey^^^^^^ of oS?// '^ u"^""'' '^ ''''^^'^ ' b"' for the
with his li^tt^m^Tto^^^^^ Iprderedmajor illy"
The enemy percdv iWo nr d&? " ^^!'.''^' '""">'"••
to themfelves, ^S^n. o? £'' 'i"^-^a ''"^'^^ ^^ ^^^'^^
made; in confequcncrof wM.k ^ ^^^ *"?'"*' ^^^^^ ^^^ d.a-
livered up to hi? rSSvW ' ^?^ ^^^^ ""^^^^ *='tadel was de-
nine o'clock n' S;^ ^^^^^^^"'^ the 4th. and at
of the capitulation. It "Sed o^ ^^^^^^^ °"*' ^" *^^ ^^^'"^
"'arines, militia, and ke Ws a^^^^^^ '^'?' grenadier.,
jere killed and wounded in tl e Le tL ^ '^ *^^ ,«''""^°"
kept us much longer, as it wo, Mi,^ u ^.^'^^ "^'S^^^ ^'^ve
tp have made two o^hree Eli?-, m"* "^^^^"^^^y "^^^^"^^
time. ■ -^^ brcache^^ which muft have taken feme
h th, i.v,r^ attacks, lam credibly informed, that the enei^
had
iX 1
4gg The HisToKY of tii Wa^^ tjhi,
misfortunes n^hich had attended the French arms here and
in all Qther parts of the world, they refolved to hdld out
-'.SVilO;
no
liadnot lefs than looo men killed ,W5uhd6?r, and taken prlfbiiefS:
among the latter, feveral of their prtBcioal olPccrs of the mi-
litia, taken the 24th. Our lofs your lordUup will fee by the re-
turn. You hav« alfo my lord, a return of the artillery and ftores
taken from (iie enemy on the 24th an^zvth of January ; and in
the citadel at its furrender on. the 5th inftant.
* 1 cannot find words, my lord, to render that ample juftice due
to the true valour and perfevering ardour of his majefty's troops,
which I have the honour to command The difficultiesthey had
to encounter in the attack of an enemy, poffeffed of every ad-
vantage tliat art or nature could give them, were great. Their
perfeverance, in furmounting thefe obftacles, furnilhes a noble
example of Britifh fpirit.
The brigadiers Haviland, Grant, Rufane, Lord Rollo, and
Wallh, and all the officers in general, deferve the higheft ap-
plaufe for their animated and foldierlike conduft.
Trie grenadiers of the army, in three divifions, headed by the
lieutenant colonels Fletcher, Maffy, and Vaughan, and the light
infantry and rangers, m three bodies, commanded by lieutenant
colonel Scott, niajor Lcland, and captain Kennedy, particularly
diftinguilhing themfelves, the warmeft part of the fervice having
fallen to their lot.
M. la Touche the governor general, after leaving a garrifon in
tbrt Royal, retired with the remains of his grenadiers, and is now,
as I am informed, at St. Pierre, We have not as yet had the leaft
correfpondence together, nor has he fo much as fent to enquire
after his killed, wounded, and prifoners.
Immediately upon the fort furrendering, the admiral ^nd I re,
ceived a deputation from moft of the quarters of the ifland, de-
firing likewife to capitulate, M. La Touche having refufed them to
enter into any terms. On the 7th inflant we agreed upon the car
pitulations, to which we have every day fome of the other quar-
ters of theiflaud acceding. St. P/Vrr<r, and the neighbouring quar-
ters, are the only ones which hold out, owing to the prefencc of
M. La Touche ; but Ihould they not come in, in a day or two,
which I am told I may ejcpeft every hour, I purpofe moving that
way, and do not the lea<l doubt but that I lliall foon reduce
them to reafon. .
On the 7th inftant. Pidgetn IJlanJ, one of the defences of this
liarbour, furrendered by fummous on the fame terms of the citadel,
(cannon excepted.) . ■ , , ^_
»7^2. The History tff the War. 489
no longer ; and general Monckton, juft as he was
ready to embark for the reduaion of St. Pierre, Feb. ij.
was tortunately prevented by the arrival of depu-
ties
«v^° M ^^f ^.'P.n^ay ^°^^ "Pon the capitulation for the ifland as
Jixed, the admiral and myfelf being refolved not to make the leaft
aiteration. The other quarters muft accede to it.
We hope both the capitulations will receive his majefty's au-
probation, as it has been our earneft ftudy to obtain, on our part
every advantage to the nation, that could accrue from the con!
quelt of this i/land.
The day after the affair of the 17 th, learning from one of mv
T^TUes that M. Nadau Deutruil, late the Frtnei governor of the
Ifland of Guadaloupt, was at a houfe about two leagues from
my quarters, I thought it neceffary to fend; and bring him in.
aiid he is nortrwithmeaprifoner. Ipurpofe fending him to
trance by fome opportunity thatmav offer hereafter. The Frtncb
troops are all aboard, and will foon'iail fox Franci accotdim to
the capitulation. *
I liave given orders for the repair of the citadel, and for every
neceffary work. The inhabitants, who had all quitted their
iioufes, and retired to the heights, are now returning to them;
and as foon as I have iL^ed the inhabitants of St. Pitm, I (hall
purfue tlie other parts of his majefty's inftruftions.
I muft repeat to your lordlhip the harmony that fubfifts between
the fleet and army, and the cordial affiftance we have received
from admiral Rcdnn, in every part of the operations where his
aid could be ufeful.
This vyillbe delivered to your lordfhip by major Gatts, one of
my aid-de-camps, who will inform your lordlhip of any particu-
lars you may defire to know. I muft beg leave to recommend him
to hisinajefty s favour, as a very defervinff officer, and who has
now ferved upwards of twelve years in Jmtrica with much
^reait,
/ bavi the benmr to h, ^r,
R. MONCKTON,
itear Jdmiral Rodney' f /tfon J Lflttr to Mr, Clrvs/and,
«
Fort Royal Bay, Martlnicot Feb, 10, 176*.
SINCE my letter of the 19th of January, fent exprefs by
c^ptam ITalfingbam, acquainting their lordftips with my
arrival and landing the army at Ca/i Navir9 j I have the honour
Gg td
49* ^iff History cf tht War.
I-Jbt,
ties, who came to capitulate for the furrender of that place,
and of the whole ifland. *^ ?
The furrender of Martinico, which was the feat of the
fuperior
to congratulate them on the furrender of the moft important ci-
tadel of Fort Royal, and Pidgion Ifland; which has given hi;*
jnajeftys forces poffe/Iion of tlie nobleft and bcft haibour in thefe
parrs of the Weft India,
The alniofl infurinoimtable difficulties the troops had to ftrug-
gle vvitli^and the furirizing ftrength of the country, improved by
all that art could add, will be belt explained by general Monckton,
tut tins I iinift fay, in julHpe totjjofe I have the honour to com-
mand, thai the iiitrppidity and gallant behaviour of the officers
and troops employed on tliis expedition, could be equalled only
l)y the eager and chearful adivity of the olficersand feamen ; who
coiitributed every thing in their power towards the redpaion of
tjie place, and made no difficulties in tranfporting numbeis of
tJie heavte(t mortars and fhips cannon, yp the ftcepeft mountains,
at a very confiderable djflance from the fea, and acrofs the ene-
mys liue-of fire.
Iliave the pleafure to acquaint their lordfhips, that we have
tykcn, jn rlus port, fourteen of the enemy's Left privateers ; and
m.jny more which are in the other ports of the ifland, will beim-
mediately deUveredinto rny hands, agreeable to the capitulation
ot the inhabitants : and for all further particulars, I muft refer
tlieir lordliiips to captain Darby, who is charged with thefe dif-
patches. ^ . o
It gives me the fmcercft fatisfaftion, that I can alTure their
Jordlhips, the moft perfect harmony has fubfifted between the navy
and army, each vying (in the molt friendly manner) which Ihould
iSfve his majelly and tiieir country beft.
Qjmal Mgncklon's tlWd Letttr, dated, St, Jeter's, Martinico,
My Lord. • •
IHadtbe honour 6)f writing to your Lordftip the 9th inft.from
I /•! ^V ^'^^"^'' "^'^"^ ^y '»y aid-de-camp, m^novGata,
'.or?. • a 'f"\''''''"'^"' hismajelty's fhip Nightingale, on the
^oth mft. a dirphcate of tliat letter I now inclofl
Ja.t Yiien.l was about to cnLark for tlie reduftion of St. Peter^^
J" -H •' ^'r ''^'! ^^ ^"'"■' ^'y^ °" the 1 2th inft. offering terms'
^ r;?p}tylafion for the whole iiiaad, on the part ofM. La VaJJor
ffi^ii^cfjf, thci Gpvfertior.Guieral on the 13th. They received
ii^i. r-6tf History of the War. '^^i
fupcrior government, the principal mart of trade, and the
centre of all the French force in the Caribbces, naturally
drew on the furrcnder of all the dependent iflands. Gra-
nada,
tliuZi . "'^ "ty jnfwers. to their propofals, which they car-
ried to buPitir's ; and on the 14th returned with the capitulation
figned. In confequence of whicli, I left F»rt Royal on the i c th
wjrh the grenadiers of the army, and the 2d brigade; and on the
to lowing day took poffefliort of this large and opulent town, witli
ail the ports HI the neighbourhood. The enemy marched out about
320 grenadiers, who are embarked, and will fail immediately for
t^rance. M. Le Va£hr Delatouche, the Governor-General, IVT.
Ae«//r, Lieutenant Governor, and the (laff wiU Ihoitly fol-
•n 'nc^ofed I fend yotlr Lordlhip a copy of the capitulation for the
illand, which we humbly hope will meet with his MajeHy's ap-
probation. Commodore Swanton is now off the Grenada with a
r^!^^"y^ ^^?1 °^"'^'' ' ^"^ ' P^opof*^ lending immediately Erijr.
Gen. IP'alJh with the jth brigade, and the corps of light infantry
inder Lieut. Col. Scon, in order to reduce that and the other
iHands. 1 havetmdoubted intelligence, that the number ofwliire
men ,n the Grenad,, do not exceed 500 ; and hi the other iflaiida
not quite fo many.
I Ihould have proceeded upon this fcrvice myfelf, had I not
thought it of more confequence, for his JVIaiefty's fervice. mv
remaining here at this critical time, when, by what we can learn,
a ruptxire with Spain may be daily expefted ; and here I am alfo
at hand to fettle many material affairs relative to the fecurity of
this conqueft. =*
. Indeed, I have good reafon to believe, that Brig. PFa/A will
meet with very little obrtruftion in his operations. However,
mould lie not immediately fucceed, I ftall move that way with a
larger force, and make no doubt to compel them to a fpeedy fur-
It was not my intention to have fent home an exprefs until I
could have informed your Lordfhip of the reduftion of the other
iflands mentioned in his Majefty's inftruftions. But as
this lOand is now completely reduced to his Majefty's obedience I
was apprelienfive that a delay, in fignifying tliis interefting event,
might be attended with fome bad confequences at this critical
junfture. I therefore fend this by my Aid-de-Camp. Captain
/irf««/, who can inform your LordJhip of any particulars you may
defire to know ; and I beg leave to recommend him to your Lord-
ilnp's couuienance, as a very defeiving and good o^cer.
49* The HiiiovLY »f /he W AH. 17^2^,
luda, a fertile ifland, and poflelTed of fome good harbours*
was given up without oppofuion. St. Lucia, and St. Vin-t
(ent, the right to which had fo long been objects of eon*
tention
As It was neceflaryfor liisMajefty's fervice, immediately to fill
fome civil employments here, I have, accordingly, appointed
proper perfons to art until his Majefty's pleafure be Known.
Your Lordlhip has, herewith, a return of the artillery, and
warlike ftores, found in the town> the Rtduitf and the other dif-
ferent poUst
/ ha've tbt iofiouf to be, Isfe,
ROB. MONCKTON.
Admiral Rodneys third Letter, dated, St. Piirrt'i Riad, Martinice^
February zS, 1762.
glXCE my difpatches of the loth inftant, by Capt. Darbv, ac-
quainting their Lordfliips with tlie furrender of Fort Royal,
and the capitulation of the greateft part of the inhabitants, I have
the additional pleafuie to congratulate their LordHiips on the con-
quell of the whole ifland of Martinico ; M. Delatoucbe having
thought proper to fend his brother on board tlie Marlborough,
Arith articles of capitulation, juft in time to fave the town of St.
Fierre from deftruftion ; a copy of which capitulationj I have the
honour to inclofe.
As this great iHand is now entirely fubjefted to his Majefty's
obedience, I can only repeat, in this public manner, my entire
approbation of the conduft of all the officers and feimen of that
part of his Majefty's fleet, which I have the honour to command,
all having exerted themfelves in their proper ftations, with an or-
der and refolution becoming Britilh feamen.
Immediately on the furrender of St. Pierre's, T difpatched Com-
modore Sivanton, witli a fquadron of his Majefty's ftiips to join
thofe already before the ifland of Granada, and block up that
port as clofe as poffible : The iflands of St. Vincent and St, Lueia
are likewife very clofely blockaded ; and I make not the leaft
doubt, but that all the Caribbee iflands will, in a very fliort time,
be fubjefted to his Majefty,
On the 4tli inftsnt, Capt. Ourry, of his Majefty's ftiip the
Aaeon, cruizing o^ Tobago, fell in with and took a large Spanifi
regifter Ihip, laden with cannon, powder, fmall arms, and ordi-
nance ftores, bound to La^uira,
Admiral
1762. 7be History of the Wa«. ^t^^
tention between the two nations, followed its example. The
Engl ifh were now the Ible and undifturbed poflbflors'of all
the Caribbcas, and held that chain of innumerable i/lands
which forms an immenfe bow, extending from the eaftern
point of Hifpaniola almoft to the continent of South Ame-
rica. And though fome of thefe iflands are barren, none
of them fery large, and not many of them well inhabited
they boaft more trade than falls to the lot of many rcfpea*
able kingdoms.
The time, in which Martinico was reduced, was a clr-
cumftance of almoft as much confequence as the reduiliori
itfelf i for the war againft Spain having been declared in the
beginning of the year, it became advifeable Jo ftrike early
fuch an effedlive blow againft tha* nation as might incline
them to a fpecdy peace, or might influence the fortune
of the whole war, if, contrary to our wifhes, the war
ftiould continue. It was, on this plan, neceflary to employ
a very great force, and, of courfe, to call away a very con-
fideraWe part of that which had been employed at Mar-
tinico, whilft the feafon permitted them to a<5l.
When the Britifh adminiftration determined to trans-
fer the war into the Spanifh Weft Indies, with great
judgment they fixed thev eyes at once upon the capital
objedt (a) : and refolved to commence their operations
where
Admiral Rodnefs fourth Lttttr, dated, Sf. Pitrrt't Road, Martinicol
March I, 1762.
1 Have this moment received an cxprefs from Captain Htrviyl
that the ifland of St. Lucia is furrendered at difcretion.
(a} At the merit efprojt^tng this expedition has been variouty
rdatedy the folloxving particulars may not be improperly given here.
•-—-Admiral Knowles sn bis return from Jamaica in 1756, took
an opportunity of vifiting the Havanna, and infpeeiing its fortifi-
cations^ of which he made plans ^ and other material obfervations ;
thefe at the requefl of the duke of Cumberland^ were laid before
him for his infpeSiion^ who knowing the merit of the ad?niral as an
engineer^ confulted him on the moji probable means of putting them
into execution ; thefe his royal htghnefs formed into a regular plan
for extQutioni which hefent to the mini/lry, who held them under
con-
494 the Huro'BiY of tht Wajh, 1762,
where others of lefs ability would have chofen to concjudc
them. In an attack upon fabordinatc places, the coi queft
would not have been much more certain j when obtained,
it would be far from decifive ; and a failure would have
been fatal, as it would include a lofs of reputation. The
failure of an armament in a fubordinatc attack is a bad pre-
parative for a greater attempt. The plan, therefore, of the
war of 1740 in the Spanim Indies, in which wc began
with Porto Bcllo, and fo proceeded to Carthagena, &c.
was mean, becaufe the fuccefs in one of thcfe attempts
did nothing towards infuring fuccefs in the other ; and if
we had fucceeded in both attempts, our advantage would
have had but little influence on a third* But the plan of
the war, juft now concluded, was great and juft; becaufe
we began with the Havannah, in which the whole trade
and navigation of the Spaniih Weft Indies center, and
^without which it cannot be carried on. If wc (hould ac-
quiefce in this conqueft, this conqueft alone would almoft
have finifhed the war ; becaufe it would have utterly in-
tercepted the enemy's refources. If we chofe to purfueour
advantage, it cxpofed the whole Spanifli America.
etmjiderattonfor form time ; bavever^ this plan was difapproved
of by lord Anjon^ then firjl lord of the Admiralty^ who formed
another, which was carried into execution ; but as his royal high^
nefs had very ^arly intercjied himfclf in the expedition, the ap-
pointing of a commander of the land-force was left to him, which
naturally fell on the earl of Albemarle ^ whom he had in amanmr
tutored from his earlicjl years.
C H A Pj
17^''
TheUiiTORY cf the Wab,
495
CHAP, VIII.
Comwamhn in tht expedition againji the Havannah. Fleet
Juth from Port/mouth. Pajjage through the old Jlr eighty
ef Bahama. Town and harbour oj (he Havannah dejcribej,
Tr oof % land. Difpofition of the troops. Siege of Fort Mo*
ro. Captain Harvey cannonades the Mora. EngUjh batte-
ry fired, Dijhefs of the Englijh forces. Succours arrive
from North America. A tally. The fort formed, Qpe-
rations againfi the town. The Havannah fur renders. Ad-
vantages of this acquiftion.
I
T being determined to commence with this entcrpriw,
fach commanders were to be chofen, as could be fafely
rafted with the condud of an undertaking fo weiehtv.
intra
and on the fucccfs of which fo much depended. Lord Al-
bemarle, the friend and difciple of theduke of Cumberland,
commanded the land forces. Admiral Pococke, who having
contributed by his valour towards that fovereignty which
his country had obtained in the Eaft Indies, was now chofert
to extend its empire and its honour in the Weft.
They failed from Porefmouth on the 5th of March, the
day on which the Grenades wel-« furrendered. A fleet had
failed from Martinico undej- the command of that fpiritcd
and intelligent officer, Sir James Douglas, in order to rein-
force them. The fqiiadrons very happily met, without de-
lay or difperfion, at Cape Nichola, the north-weft point of
Hifpaniola, on the 27th of May. After this junaion, the
armament amounted to nineteen fhips of the line j eighteen
fmall veffels of war; and near one hundred and fifty tran-
fports, which conveyed about ten thoufand land forces. A
fupplyof fourthoufand had been ordered from New York,
and was expecfted to join them very near as early as they
could be fuppofed able to commence their operations.
There were two choices before the admiral for hiscourfe
to the Havannah. The flrft and moft obvious was the com-
mon way, to keep to the fouth of Cuba, and fall into the
track of the galleons. But this, though by much the fafcft,
would proye by far the moft tedious paflage ; and delays,
above all things were to be avoided, as the fuccefs of the
whole enterprize would probably depend upon its being in
forwardnefs before the hurricane fcafon came on. He there-
fore
I
-^9^ The History of the Wa-r, t7^2«
fore refolved to run along the northern fhore of that ifland,
purfuing his career from calt to weft through a narrow paf-
lage, not Icfs than feven hundred miles in length, called the
old ftreights of Bahama.
This paflage, through almoft the whole of its extent, is
bounded on the right and left hy the moft dangerous fands
and (hoals, which render the navigation fo hazardous, that
Jt has jil'ually been avoided by fingle and fmall veflels.
There was no pilot in the fleet whofe experience could be
depended on to conduft them fafely through it. The ad-
miral, however, determined on this paflage ; and being pro-
vided with a good chart of lord Anfon's, he refolved totrult
to his own fagacity, conduiSV, and vigilance, to carry fafely
through thofe ftreights a fleet of near two hundred fail. So
bold an attempt had never been made ; but every precaution
was taken to guard this boldnefs from the imputation of te-
merity. A veflfel was fent to reconnoitre the paflage, and,
when returned, was ordered to take the lead ; fome frigates
followed ; floops and boats were ftationed on the right and
left on the fhallows, with well adapted fignals both for the
clay and the night. The fleet moved in feven divifions.
And being favoured with pleafant weather, and fecured by
the admirable difpofitions which were made, they, without
the fmalleft lofs or interruption, got clear thro' this perilous
paflTage on the 5th of June, haying entered it on the 27th
cf May.
The Havannah, the obje<ft of their long voyage, and of
fo many anxious hopes and fears, was now before them.
This place is not denominated the capital ©f Cuba; St. Jago,
iituated at the fouth-eaft part of the ifland, has that title :
but the Havannah, though the fecond in rank, is the firft in
wealth, fize, and importance. The harbour, upon which it
ftands, is, in every refpe£l, one of the beft in the Weft In-
dies, and perhaps in the worjd, It is entered by a narrow
paflage, upwards of half a mile in length, which afterward^
expands iivto a large bafon, forming three cul de facs ; (a)
and is fafficient, in extent and depth, to contain a thoufand
fail of the largeft ftiips, having almoft throughout fix fathom
water, and being perfe£lly covered from every wind. In
this bay the rich fleets from the fcvcral parts of the Spanifl^
(a) Deep Bays%
11
t^Sz, ^hUtsto^Y of th Wa^, 497
Weft Indies, called the Galleons and the Flota, aflemble,
before they finally fet out on their voyage for Europe.
1 his circumftance has rendered the Havannah one of
the moft opulent, flourifhing, and populous cities i«i this
part of the world. Great care was taken to fortify and fe-
cure a place, which, by being the center of fo rich a com-
merce, would naturally become the faireft mark for the at-
tempts of an enemy. The narrow entrance into this har-
bour IS feeured on one fide by a very ftrong fort, called the
Moro, (L) built upon a projefting point of land : on the
other. It IS defended by a fort called the Puntal, (D) which
joins the town. The town itfelf, which is fituated to the
weltward of the entrance of the harbour, and oppofite to
the Moro fort, is furrounded by a good rampart, (AA)
flanked with baftions, and covered with a ditch*
The Spaniards, who had been for fome time prr uinff
lor war, had formed a confiderable navy in the Weft Indies •
this fleet^ (q) which was near twenty fail, moftly of the line!
lay at this time in the bafon of the Havannah j but they had
not, when our armament appeared before the portj received
It feems, any authentic account from their court concernine
the commencement of hoftilities between the two nations
Whether the Spaniards were rendered inaftive by the
want of inftruaions, whether all their (hips were not in
fighting condition, or whatever elfe was the caufe, this
fleet lay quiet in the harbour. If fome of the above rea-
sons did not oppofe, it may be very rationally f-ppofed,
that their beft part would have been to come out, and fight
our fquadron. They were not very far from an equality -
and though the ifliie of a battle might have proved unfa-
vourable to them, yet a battle tolerably maintained would
have much difabled our armament, and perhaps have been
a means of preventing the fuccefs of the whole enterprize.
The lofs of their fleet in this way might poflibly have faved
the city ; but, the city, once taken, nothing could poflibly
iaye the fleet. It is true, they muchtrufted, and not wholly
Without reafon, to the ftrcngth of the place, and to thole
aftonifliing difliculties which attend any military operation,
that is drawn out to length hi this unhealthy climate. In
other refpedts, they were very far from being deficient in
proper meafures for their defence. They made a ftrong
boom (p) acrofs the mouth of the harbour j and almoft the
H h only
498 7i&^ History «//;&* War. i^to
only ufe they made of their (hipping, in the defence of the
place, was to fink three of them (n) behind this boom.
. When all things were in readinefs for landing, the admr-
ral, with a great part of the fleet, bore away to the weft-
ward, (s) in order to draw the enemy's attention from the
true objed, and made a feint, as if he intended to land up-
on that fide ; while commodore Keppel and captain Har-
vey, commanding a detachment of the fquadron, approach-
ed the fliore to the eaft ward (t) of the harbour,
June 7. and efFefted a landing there in the utmoft order,
without any oppofition, having previoufly filenced
a fmall fort, (F) which might have given fome diftur-
bance.
The principal body of the army was deftined to aft upon
this fide. It was divided into two corps; one of which was
advanced a confiderable way in the country, tov/ards the
ibuth-eaft of the harbour, in order to cover the fiege, and
to fecure our parties employed in watering and procuring
provifions. I'his corps was commanded by general Elliot,
'I'he other was immediately occupied in the attack on Fort
Moro, (w) to the reduftion of which the efforts of the En-
glifli were principally dire£led, as the Moro commanded
the town, and the entrance of the harbour. This attack
was conduced by general Keppel. To make a diverfion in
favour of this grand operation, a detachment, under colonel
How, was encamped to the weft ward of the town. This
body cut off" the communication between the town and the
country, and kept the enemy's attention divided. Such was
the difpofition, and it was impoffibk to make a better, of
the land forces during the whole fiege. (a)
The
(a) Explanation of the Plan of the fiege of the HAVANNAK,
drawn by an oflicer on the fpot, Augufl 15, 1762.
A A Extent nfthe ivall.
B The Land Gate,
C Moor Cape,
V> Puntal Fart.
E The Fort, or Cover not* s
F Fart Cojimar.
Kj Fort Cbo'tra.
H TMe CaJiU of Bacama,
References to the P I A N.
a Where his majejiys troop firji
landed, June 7, 1762.
b The march of the army immi'
Hsufe, diately after landing,
C His majejiys Jhip Dragon
againfi Cojimar.
d H'bcre the arm) frji encamped,
e Wbtft
; of the
m.
e admr-
le weft-
rom the
and up-
in Har-
p roach -
larbour,
ft order,
filenced
: difiur-
i6k upon
^lich was
ards the
cge, and
rocuring
il Elliot,
on Fort
■ the En-
numanded
lis attack
lerfion in
r colonel
1. This
I and the
Such was
►etter, of
The
ANNAK,.
32.
PI AN.
troops firji
r62. _
ir«rv immt'
r ^
\ Dragon
7 encatn{>^d,
""^^
APlatst ofthe 5IEGB of the Havana
Drawiib>raii OFFICER .l^^Augufl 176^41 .
4lfe.4li,
|h
r
1762. ^he History of the War. 499
The hardfliips which the Englilh army fuftained, in car-
rying on the fiege of the Moro, are almoft incxpreffib'le :
the earth was every where fo thin, that it was with great
difficulty they could cover themfelves in their approaches.
There was no fpring or river near them j it was neceflary
to bring water from a great diftance i and fo precarious and
fcanty was this fupply, that they Were obliged to have re-
courfe to water from the (hips. Roads for communication
were to be cut through thick woods ; the artillery was to be
dragged for a vaft way over a rough rocky fhore. Several
dropped down dead with heat, thirft, and fatigue. Birt
fuch was the refolution of our people, fuch the happy and
perfea unanimity which fubfifted between the land and the
fea ferviccs, that no difficulties, no hardfliips, flackened fqr
a moment the operations againft this important, wrona,
and well defended place. Batteries were, »n^'P»te of all
difficulties, raifed againft the Moro, and along the hill upoh
which this fort ftands, in order to drive the enemy s ftips
deeper into the harbour, and thus to prevent them from
molefting our approaches.
The enemy's fire, and that of the befiegers, was for a
long time pretty near on an equality, and it was kept up
with great vivacity on both fides. The Spaniards in the
fort communicated with the town, from which they were
H h 2 recruited
e Where the cannon and ftores
tuere landed.
f 7 he batteriet againfl the Moro,
g The Dragon, Cambridge, and
Marlborough, againft the Mo-
ro,
h 7be bombs againft the Puntal.
I His mayfiys jhip BeUtiJle
againft Chorerafort.
k 9he batteries on the tweft-fide
againft the Puntai.
1 the bdtteries on the Cavannes
hill.
m The hoftxers againft the fttip-
fing,
» -The Neptune of 70, ^fta of
64, and Europa «/ 60 ^«»/,
fttnk at tbi entroMCt of the
harbour.
One Company s ftiip owrfet.
The chain and bomb.
, The Spanip Admiral and fitit,
t'wo jhipt on tbtftockt.
Sir George Pocotk, nuitb tbs
men 0/ war and tranjf arts.
t Commodore Keppel nuitb tht
men ofiuar and tranfports,
u Camp at thetuater-mlU,
w 7be bifieging eampt,
X Fortified houfes,
y Head-quarters, .
z A merchant Jhip finuk wttb
lightning, wbttb hitw up.
I
$09
The History of the Was^.
i-jSi,
recruited and fuppliedj they did not rely folcly
June 29. on their works ; they made a fally with fufficient
refolution, and a confiderable force, but with lit-
tle fuccefs, They were obliged to retire, with a lofs of
two or three hundred men left dead on the fpot.
Whilft tbefe works were thus vigoroufly pufhed on
ftore, the navy, not contented with the great afliftancc
which they had before lent to every part of the land fervicc,
refolved to try fometbing further, and which was more di-
reaiy within tjicir own province, towards the reduSion of
the Moro. Accordingly, the day the batteries on Ihore
were opened, three of their greateft fhips, (g) the Dragon,
the Cambridge, and the Marlborpugh, under the condua
of capt. Harvey, laid their broadfides againft the
J'lly J. fort, and began a tcrrihlp fire, which was returned
with great obllinacy. This firing,one of thewarmr
eft pver feen, continued for feven hours, without intermif-
fion. But in this cannonade the Moro, which was fituated
upon a very high and ftecp rock, had great advantages over
the Ihips, and was proof againft all their efforts. Bcfides,
the fire from the oppofite fort of Puntal, and the batteries
ot the town, galled them extremely. Infomuch that, in
order to f^ve the ihips from abfolute'deftruaion, they were
obliged fit lepgth, tho' unwilling, to bring them all off.
l.vcn this retreat was not effefled without difficulty, as the
fhips were very much (battered in this long and unequal
contcft. They had one hundred and fifty men killed and
wounded ; ajid one of the captain?,, captain Gooftrey of the
Marlborough, a br^ve and experienced officer, was alfo
killed. The captains Hafvey and Burnett gained, with
better fortune, an equal honour, hy their firm and intrepid
behaviour throughout the whole operation.
This bold attempt, though it had very little efFeft upon
liie works on that fide of the fort which the fhips attacked,
was neverthelefs of confiderable fervice. The enemy's at-
tention being diverted to that fide, the other was a good
deal neglefted : our fire was poured in the mean tjme with
redoobfed fury from the batteries j it became much fuperi-
pr to that of the enemy, and did no fmall damage to their
works. But the mpment the Spaniards were releafed fror^i
their attention to our men of war, they returned again to
the eaftward face of the fort : their defence was revived
vith as much vigour as before i on both fi Jes ^ conftant un-
i:cmitte4
17^2* TieUisTofLY of the Waji. 501
remitted Rre was kept up, with a fierce emulation, for feve-
ral days. It now became evident, that the reduiftion of
this fortrefs was to be a work of time. Never, from the
beginning of the war, had the Englifh valour been fo well
matched. Here was at length an adverfary worthy of our
arms, and our whole military Ikill and fpirit was put to the
fevereft trial. *^ .
In the midft of thh fharp and doubtful contention, the
capital battery againft the fort unfortunately took
fire ; and being chiefly conftrufted of timber and July 3.
fafcines dried by the intenfe heats and continual
cannonade, the flames foon got a-head, and became to^
powerful for oppofition. The battery was ahnofl: wholly
confumed. The labour of fix hundred men, for feven.
teen days, was deftroyed in a moment i and all was to be-
gin anew.
This was a mortifying flroke. It was felt the more fe-
verely, becaufe the other hardfhips of the fiege were be-
come by this time almoft infupportable. The ficknefs,
fomething of which the troops had brought with them from
Martinico, and which increafed infinitely in this unwhole-
fome country and rigorous fervice, had reduced the army
to half its number, at the fame time that it doubled the fa-
tigue of thofe few who flill preferved fome remains of
ftrength. Five thoufand foldiers were at one time down
in various diflempers j no lefs than three thoufand of the
feamen were in the fame miferable condition. A total want
of good provifions exafperated the difeafe, and retarded the
recovery. The deficiency of water was of all their grievan-
ces the greateft, and extremely aggravated all the reft of
their fufFerings. The procuring from a diftance this wretch-
ed fupply, fo unequal to their wants, exhaufted all their
force. Befides, as the feafon advanced, the profpeft of fuc-
ceeding grew fainter. The hearts of the moft fanguine
funk within them, whilit they beheld this gallant army
wafting away by difeafes j and they could not avoid trem-
bling for that noble fleet, which had rid fo long on an open
Ihore, and which muft to all appearance, be expofed to in-
evitable ruin, if the hurricane feafon fhould come on before
the reduction of the place. A thoufand languifhing and
impatient looks were caft ©ut for the reinforcement from
North America. None however as yet appeared ; and the
fxhaulted army was left to its own endeavours. Many fell "
into
^2
7be History of the War,
[7(5;
If
iiii
derpajr, and died, overcome with fatigue, anguifh and
into ucipaii,
difappointment. i-n n-
But in the midft of thefe cmel delays and diftrefles, the
ftcadinefs of the cotnmandcrs jnfufed hfe and aftivity into
their troops, and rwM :.' a. to incredible exertions. The
rich prize, which was before them ; the ihame of returning
home baffled ; and even the ftrenuous refiftance which was
made bv the enemy ; all thefe motives called loudly on their
intereft', their honour, and their pride, and obliged them to
the exertion of every nerve. Nobody could imagine that
it was this reduced and (lender -wn^^ uy wiiich thefe aito-
nifliing efforts were made, and this extenfive fphere of duty
fo perfeaiy filled. New batteries arofe in the place of the
old ; the fire foon became equal, and then fupe-
July 20. rior to that of the enemy. They by degrees ft.
lenced the cannon of the fort, beat to pieces all the
upper works, and made at length a lodgment in the covered
way. There hopes were now become more lively. Some
, . days before they had gained this grand advantage,
July 12. jj^g Jamaica fieet appeared in its palHige toEurope,
with feveral conveniences for the fiege. Not many days
, , Q after this they received a confiderable part of the
July 2». -j^fg^ York reinforcement. Some of the tranfports
in their paffage thro' the old Bahama Streights were loit,
but the men were faved on the adjacent iflands.
Thefe favourable events infufed double life into their ope-
rations, in this advanced ftate of the fiege j but a new and
srand difficulty appeared, juft at the feeming accomplilh-
ment of their work. An immenfe ditch yawned before
them, for the greater part cut in the folid rock, eighty feet
deep, and forty feet wide. To fill it up by any means appeared
impoffible. Difficult as the work of mining was m thofe cir-
cumftances, it was the only expedient. It might have been an
impraaicable one, if fortunately a thin ridge of rock had not
been left, in order to cover the ditch towards the fea. On this
-, , narrow ridge, the miners wholly uncovered, but
July 20. ^jjj^ ^gj.y jijjig j^jfg^ pjjfled the ditch, and foon
buried themfelves in the wall.
It now became vifible to the governor of the Havannah,
that the fort muft be fpeedily reduced if left to its own
ilreneth. At all events fomething muft be done m this ex-
° jgencc
1762. 7be HisTOKY of tbi VJ AH,
501
I
igence for its immediate relief. Accordingly be-
fore break of day a body of twelve hundred men, July 2i«
moftly compofed of the country militia, Mulatto«3
and Negroes, were tranfported acrofs the harbour, climbctl
the hills, and made three attacks upon our ports. But the
ordinary guards, though furprifed, defended themfelves fo
refolutely, that the Spaniards made little impreflion, and
were not able to ruin any part of the approaches. The
pofts attacked were fpeed ly reinforced, and the enemy,
who were little better than adiforderly rabble, and not con-,
dufted by proper officers, fell into ten -r and confufion.
They were driven precipitately down the hill with great
llaughter ; fome gained their boats, others were drowned,
and they loft in this well magined, but ill executed fally,
upwards of four hundred men.
This was the laft effort for the relief of the Moro ; which,
abandoned as it was by the city, and while an enemy was
undermining its walls, held out with a fuUen refolution,
and made no fort of propofal to capitulate. The
mines at length did their bufmefs. A part of the July 30.
wall was blov/n up, and fell into the ditch ; leaving
a breach, which tho' very narrow and difficult, the general
and engineer judged pradticable. The Englifh troops, who
were commanded on the moft dangerous of all fervices, re-
joiced that it was to be the end of labours much more
grievous to them. They mounted the breach, entered the
fort, and formed themfelves with fo much celerity, and
with fuch a fpirited coolnefs of refolution, that the enemy,
who were drawn up to receive them, and who might have
made the affault an affair of great bloodfhed, aftoniihed at
their countenance, fled on all hands. About four hundred
were flaughtered on the fpot, or ran to the water where
they perilhed. Four hundred more threw down their arms,
and obtained quarter. The fecond in command, the mar-
quis de Gonfales, fell while he was making brave, but in-
effedlual efforts to animate and rally his people. Don Lewis
de Velafco, the governc , who had hitherto defended the
fort with fuch obftinati bravery, feemed refolved , in this
extremity to {hare the fame fate with it. He collefted an
hundred men in an entrenchment he had made round his
colours. But feeing that all his companions were fled from
him, or flaughtered about him, difdaining to retire or call
for quarter, he received a mortal wound, and fell, offering
his
w
Tbi HistoitY of tbi WaA,
176
ti
h
It is fword to hi
The Englifti wept with pity
„ ...^conquerors. ^ . ^ ^
juid admiration over that unfortunate valour, which had oc-
cafioncd them fo many toilfome hours, and coll them (o
many lives.
1 hus the Moro came into our poflcflion after a vigorous
ftrugglc, forty-four days from the time the firft operations
had been begun againll it. No time was loft to profit of
this great advantage, notwithftanding that the fickncfs Itill
jaged lilcc a pcftilcnce, and that many new and great works
were to be undertaken. Not only the fire of the fort was
turned againft the town, but a line of batteries ( 1 ) was erect-
ed i^Iong the hill of the Cavannos, on the extremity of which
the fort ftands. By thcfe batteries which mounted three
and forty pieces of cannon, and twelve mortars, almoft the
whole caftcrn fide of the city was commanded from one end
to the other. Preparations for an attack were alfo made,
and batteries erected to the weftward of the town, which on
that fide had hithcto been only watched. Some
Aug. 2. time before a part of the fccond divifion of the
troops from North America had arrived. A part
bad been taken by a fquadron of French men of war ; but
tliofe who cfcapcd, came very feafonably, and were of fig-
nal fervice.
When thofc preparations were perfe£lly ready
Aug. 10. to take efteiSt, lord Albemarle by a meflage repre-
fented to the governor the irrcfiftible force of the
attack, which he was ready to make upon the town, but
which, in order to avoid unnecefl'ary effufion of blood, he
was willing to fufpenil, that the Spaniards might have lei-
fure to capitulate. The governor in a refolute but civil
manner returned, that he would defend the place committed
to him to the laft extremity, and began inftantly to fire.
To convince the governor that the menaces employed
were not an empty boaft, lord Albemarle the very next
. morning ordered a general fire from the batteries, which
was poured from all fides, with fuch continued and irrcfifti-
ble fury, that in fix hours almoft all the enemy's guns were
filenced. To the inexpreflible joy of the fleet and army,
flags of truce appeared from every quarter of the town. A
capitulation enfucd, in which the eftabliftied religion, the
former laws, and private property were fecured to the inha-
bitants. The garrifon, which was reduced to about feven
hundred men had the honours of war, and were to be con-
veyed
MS
176:
I'eycd to Spa i
Tbt HisTORy cf tbt War.
505
diftri^l of an hundred and eighty miJes
weft ward of thcHavannah was yielded along with the town,
'I he Spaniards ftruggled a long time to fave the m'tn of war ;
but this was a capital point, and wholly inadmifliblc. They
alfo made fomc attempts to have the harbour dcclarca neu-
tral during the war ; but this was no Icfs eflcntial to the
complctencfs of the conqucft, and was ftcadily tefufed.
After two days altercation, they gave up thcfc points, and
the Englifh troops were put in pofl'effion of the Havannah
on the 14th of Auguft, when they had been before it tw»
months and eight days.
Although wc have not purfued in cxa£l order all the de-
tail of the more minute operations of this memorable fiege,
we have dwelt on it a longer time, than we have on out
plan generally allowed to fuch tranfatSlions ; bccaufe it was,
without queftion, initfelf the mofl confidcrablc, and in its
confequenccs the moft decifivc conqueft we have made fince
the beginning of the war ; and becaufe in no operation were
the courage, fteadinefs, and perfeverance of the Britiih
troops and the conduftof their leaders more confpicious.
The acquifiton of this place united in itfelf all the advan*
tages which can be acquired in war. It was a military ad*-
vantage of the highcft clafs j it was equal to the greateft
naval vi<Elory, by its efFeit on the enemy's marine j and in
the plunder it equalled the produce of a national fubfidy.
Nine fail of the enemy's fhips of the line, fome ofthefincil
veflels in the world, were taken, with four frigates. Three
of their capitarfhips had been, as already mentipned, furJc
by themfelves at the beginning of the fiege j two more were
in forwardncfs on the ftocks, and thefe were deftrpyed by
the Englifh, The enemy, on this occafion, loft a vyrh^e
fleet. In ready money, in the tpbacco cplleiled »t the If ar
vannah on account of the king of Spain, and in other valu-
able merchandites, the plunder did not perhaps f^li (hort of
three millions ftcrling (a)
Spain
"*"*~*~'~" ■ ' ■ ' — - —
(a) Utttrjrm fbt Earl of Albemarle /• thi Earl 0/ Egrcmontj
Jated btad fuarttrt near tit HavanWiU, Auguji 2|, 1762.
My Lord,
I HAVE the honour of informing your Lordlhip, that the towa
* of the «««<i»»«^,with all its «lcp«odcncie^an4themcnofwat
li in
^o6 The HisroKY of ibe War, 1762.
Spain now began very fenfibly to feel the inconveniences
and mileries flie had vohintarily drawn on herfelf, by enter-
ing into a war fo fatal to her. No fooner had the news of
this
in the harbour, furrsndered to his majcfly's arms by capitulation
on the i;^th iuftant.
Inclofcdisa copy of thecapitulation, various returns, and the
chief engineer's com iiiuat ion of the journal of the fiege of tiie
Aiero foit, which was t -ken by ftorm on the 30th of lait month,
fo iinicl\ tf) the honour and ertdit of liis majefty's troops, and to
n'.ijor gcntial Keppel, who commanded tlie attack, (hat I ihould
do them injuliicc if I did not mention ihcm in a particular maiir
ncr to your lordlhip. Our mines were fprung about one o'clock,
and a breach made juft piifticable for a file of men in front. T he
enemy was drawn up on the top of it, in force with a fecming de-
termination to defend it ; the attack was fo vigorous and impc-
tuoui, that the enemy was inllantmcoufly drove from tlie breach,
and his majefty's liandaid planted upon the bartion.
I did not fend a paitirular exprcfs Avith this good news to your
lordlhip, becaufe 1 flatteredmyfelf, that what has happened would
ibon be the con{qe\ience of our fuccefs at Fart Mora.
U\\ the nfhinthe morning, by a llgnal from the fort, we
opened our batteries againli the town, and Punta fort : The guns
and mortars yvere io well ferved by tlie artillery and failors, and
their efffrt fo great, 'hat in Ith than fix hours all the guns in the
fort and noith baflion Avere fiknced, Tlie governor hung out the
M'hite flag, and beat a parley ; and at the fame time fent out an
ofF/cer to propofe a ceffation of arms for twenty-four houis in or-
der to prepare tlie articles of capitulation.
I fent ©n board the Namur to the Admiral, to inform him of
the governor's propofals.
Sir George Pocoek immediately came to my quarters, aiid wc
agreed to a fufpenfion of IiolUlitiesto the i 3th at twejve o'clock.
I fummoned the governor on the lotli. His anfvver was very
civil and proper ; at the fame time faid he would defend his
town totlic lad extremity.
The difficulties the officers and foldiers ha>'e met with, and the
fatigues they have fo chearfuUy and refolutely gone through iince
jthe arpiy firll landed on tiiis illand, arenot to be defcribed. They
defeive from me the greateft commendations ; and I muft intreat
vour lordfhip fo take ttie firft opportunity of informing hismajefly
how much 1 tiiink myfclf obliged to lieut, general Elliot, and tlie
<e<l of tlie gfcnernlofnct'rs under my command ; to e*. ery officer
»ud foldier in th^i unny ; aud to the officers and failors of hisma-
jefty's
iy62, 7-&^ History of the War. 567
this important capture reached Madrid, than an univerfal
tlejcdtion appeared in every countpnancc,- and the high-*
towering hopes they had formed at the beginning of the war
entirely
jcfty's fleet, for the zealous manner with which they have carried on
the fervice, and for the great aliiflance I have received fromtliem,
Happy we ihall all tliink ourfelves, if ourcondud meets with his
majclty's approbation.
iilr George Pococi and commodore Keppcl have exerted them-
fclvcs in a mofi particular manner : And I may venture to fay,
that there never was a joint undertaking carried on with mor»
liarmony and zeal on both tides, whicii greatly contributed to
thefuccefs of it.
Capt. Nugent, one of my Aid-de-Camps, wlio has the honour
of delivering you my difpatches , can inform your lordlhip of any
particulars you are pleafed to learn from him. He lias been very
adive, andprefent at every material a tiair that has happened fince
the landing of the troops. I mult beg througli your lordlhip *o
recommend him to his majefty as a very deferving young man. He
carries with I'im tlie Spanilii enfign taken at the Mora.
Colonel Carli'ton, wiio lias zi\td as brigadier fince lord RoUa
left tlie army, had the misfortune of being wounded on the zid
of Ju^y, when tiie enemy made a fortie : He is at prefent in a.
fair way of doing well,
I think it but juRice to major Fuller, who is my elder Aid-de-
Camp, to fay, tiiat I fliould have fent liim to England, if 1 had
not thought it would be more agreeable to his majefly to receive
the news by one of his own fervants.
I am, &:c.
ALBEMARLE.
Letter from Sir George Focock, to Mr. Cleveland, dated off' Cho-
rea River, near the Havauuah, the 19/A5/ Auguft 1762,
S 1 K,
IVicfxic you will acquaint their Lordlhips, that it is wi'h the
grcatelt pleafurel now congratul.-.tc them on tlie great fuccefg
of his majelly's arms, in tlie .edudion of the Havannah with
all its dependencies.
Tlie Mora fort was taken by ftormon the 30th of laft month,
after a iicjrc of twenty-nine days ; during wliich time the enemy
loH above a tlioufand men, and a brave ofHcer in Don Ltivii de
I i a Va'.afio
5o8 The Hist OJKY of the \YAiL, i-jSz,
tntirtly vanifhed ; the prodigious advantages they had vain-
ly expeAcd to flow from t\it family compaSt^ were now ren-
dered abortive, and grief and defpajr were th* melancholy
offspring of jnjuIUcc and rafhnefs.
Great
Valafco, captain of one of their men of war, and governor in the
Mora, mortally wounded in defending the colours fword iu hand
in the liorm : And on the i ith inftant, the governor of the Ha-
vannah defired to capitulate for the town, which was granted, the
articles agreed to. and ligned, (a copy of which I cnclofe) and we
ivere put in pofleirion of the Punta and land gate the 14th. With
this great and important acquilition fo his majefty, have alfo
faljcn twelve men of war of the line, as per lift, three of which
ivere funk, with a company's fliip, in the entrance of the harbour ;
nine are lit for fea, and two on the ftocks; a blow that I hope
will prove the more capital to the enemy, as they receive it fo
earlv in the war ; and, I may venture to fay, will leave all their
feitltments, in this part of the world, expofedtoany attempts that
may be tho;io;ht proper to be made on them. But however trivial,
with the pcii'eflion of theHavannah, it may appear, yet I cannot
help mentioning the difcovery and poflelTing of the harbour of
Mariel, about feven leagues to the leward of this, and which we
had made ourfelves mafters of, though the enemy had endeavour-
ed to niin it by finking ftiips in the entrance: and we had lately
fent near one hundred tranfports with fome men of war there, for
feciirity againft the feafon, in which we are already advanced.
It will boas necdiefs, as almofJ impolTible, for me to exprefs or
dcfcribc that perfeft harmony that has uninterruptedly fubfifted
between the fleet and the army, from our firft fetting out. Indeed
it is doing injtifticetoboth, to mention them as two corps, fmcc
each has endeavoured, with the moft conftant and chearful emu-
lation, to render it but one ; imiting in the fame principles of lio-
flour and glory for their King and Country's fervice. I am glad,
on this occafion, todojuftice to the diftinguilhed merit of Com-
wiodore Keppel, who executed the fervice, under his direftion,
on theCoxmarlidc, with the greatett fpirit, activity and dili-
gence; and I muft repeat tlat the zeal of his majefty's fea officers
and feamc'.i exerted in carrying on the fervices alloted to them, is
higlily to be commended.
I fliallnow bef; leave to rcfe • their LordOiips to capt. Harvey
for all further particulars, who I fend with this letter, and who
lia>; approved hi:nfclf a bruve and defer\ing officer in tliis expedi-
tion^
17^^2. 7'^^ History <?///&tf War. 509
Great Britain, on the contrary, as prudent in the cnjoy-
fnent of victory, as brave in gaining it, feemed not (o elated
with her good fortune, as to make her indulge in the luxu-
rious
tion ; therefore tliink myfelf obliged to defire their lordfhips wiU
recominejid liiin to his majefty.
J am, Sir,
Tour mofi obeJitnt humble Strvant,
G. pocock;
A Lift of thejhips ofnxiar that tuere in the harbour of the Havannall^
unJer the command of the Maiquis del Real Tranfporte, cmmo-
dore and commander in chief oj all his Catholic MajcRy's /hip/ in
America, and fur render ed tvith the city the i»/'&«/'Auguft, 1762.
Tigre
Keyna
Soverano
Infante
*Neptuno
Aquilou
*Afia
America
Gtins.
70
70
■ 70
70
70
70
64
60
*Europa - - -
Conqueflado - <
fSan Genaro
fSan Antonio —
Frigates.
JVinganaza -- -
^Thetis - --
iMarte
Guns.
• 60
- 60
-- 60
- 60
24
24
28
* Sunk at the entrance of the harbour » f Newjhips. % Taken
hy the Defiance. § By the Alamain.
N. B. There are two Ihips of war on the flocks, and feveral
5:ierchants Ihjps in the harbour.
Letter from Sir George Pocock to Mr. Cleveland, dated of
Chorera Hiver, the ibth fl/ Ayg. l']6Ztinclofedinthefore'
g9tT>g of the icjtb.
QN the 28th of July the htrefide arrived, with 1 1 fail of tran-
fporrs, with troops from Newa Tork. They failed from
thence the i ith of June. The Chejlerfeld and four tranfports rwn
on Cayo Comfte, the entrance of the Bahama Str'iights on the
Cuba fide, the 24th of .7«/v, an hour before daylight, and were
branded, but lott no fcamen or foldiers. The htrepide met the
Richmond the day after, who was looking out for the convoy.
Qi'pl.E'phivflon returned with rhe three tranfports which were
cleared, in order to bring awav *he feamen and troops who were
on Ihoie j and, to make ail pofliblc difpatch, I fent away WxQEcho,
Cyinit,
gio The History of /he War* 1762.
rious lap of indolence, but determined by the profecution of
the war in the fame able and vigorous manner, to compel
her enemies to fue for that peace they had, when offered,
haughtily refufcd.
To effeil fo great, fo dcfirable a work, it was thought
the redu(3:ion of the Philippine iflands would not a little
contribute ; that cnterprize was therefore formed, and en-
trulled to the execution of two great men, who had on many
occafions before, fignalizcd thenifelves in the fervice of their
country, and appro-ed themfelves equal to the greateft
thin as : thefe were General Draper, and Admiral Cornifh.
The'troops allotted for the fervice, were the ygth reg/ment,
and a company of the royal artillery, 30 of the artillery
furnifhed by the gentlemen of Madrafs, 600 Seapoys, a com-
pany
Cygnet and Thuniler bomb, to meet the Richmond, and to take the
men out or her ; and oiJercd captain Elphinjlon to take the Cygnet
with liim, and proceed up the Streights to meet the fecond divi-
f.on of traiifpoi ts.
Tlie 2d inftant, the Echo nnd bomb returned with the fecond
diviliori, conlilting of Ldcven fail of tianfports, which faikd from
iV^iw York the 30th of June. l he Richmond^ Lizard, Enterprize,
Cygnet^ and I'arcufine fioop, arrived the 8th, bringing with them
all the feamen and foldiers from the Uiips tliat were wrecked.
Captain Bat.ks informed me, that, on the 21ft oi July, at three
o'clock in the afternoon, being near the paffage between Maya
Guanna, and tlie North Caicos, he difcovered tvro French Ihips of
the line, three frigates, and fix fail of brigantine and floops ; that
the men of war and frigates gave cha -^ to the convoy ; and that
five of the tranfports were taken with 3 jo regulars of J»Jiruthef^
reo-iment, and i^o provincial troops on board of them. All tliti
ret^ of the troops arrived ana landed in perfeft health.
I have thought it necefiary to order x\\e Sutherland znd. Dover
JO be fitted as Hags of truce, t-iking out their lower tier of guns in
order to nccommodate the late Sf.mijh commodore, the governo?
of the Ha'v.mnah, the viceroy of Peru, and the gov.'?rnor of Car-
thagena,ro Old Spain, and then return to England. Tranfports arc
getting ready for the Spamjh foLiiers and failor?, agreeable to the
capitulation, which I hope we Ihall be able to dilpatch in a few
days.
1 have not been able to cnlleft an account of the killed and
wounded fcamcn belonging to the different ihips fmcethe begiii-
nsM;; of the fiege, who were einployed at the batteries on fhoie^
but \i fl;al' go by the firi^ oppor* unity.
1762. The History of t/je War. gn
pany of Caffrces, one of Topazes, and one of Pioneers ; to
which were added, the precarious afliftance of two compa-
nies of Frenchmen, enlilled in their fcrviicc, with fome hun-
dreds of unarmed Lafcars, for the ufe of the engineers, and
park of artillery. This little fupply of men was farther re-
mforced with a fine battalion of 550 feamen, and 270 good
marines ; fo that the whole force amounted to 2300 men,
who, with the neceflary ftores, were embarked on board of
his majesty's fquadron, and two India ihips employed as
tranfports.
As it may appear furprizing fo important aconqueftfhould
be attempted with fo fmall a force, when a greater might
be employed, it may not be amifs to obferve, that if more
were drawn from the coafts the fettlemcnts would be in dan-
ger ; and therefore, it may be thought advifeable, rather to
attempt with a few brave men, a place that was unprepared
(as imagined) for fuch a vifit, than by employing a greater
force to fubje£l our own colonies to hoftile attempts, and,
perhaps, to give the enemy time to be aware of our defigny..
On the firft of Auguft the forces fet fail, the Seahorfe,
Capt. Grant, having been previoufly difpatched through the
itreights of Malacca, to the entrance of the China fea, to
ftop all veiTels that might be bound to Manila, or {tat from
any of the neighbouring fettlcments to give the Spaniards
intelligence of the defign. On the 23d of the following
rnonth they anchored in Manila bay, and found that their
vifit was unexpected, and the enemy unprepared. To in-
crease as much as poffible their vifible confufi'on and confter-
nation, it was determined to lofe no time in the attack of the
port of Cavite, as at firft determined, but proceed direilly
to the gr.> -«d objed, the city of Manila, the general and
admiral rightly judging, that their conqueft of that impor-
tant place would of courfe occafion and draw after it the
fall of Cavite.
In confequence of this refolution, a fummons
was fent to the governor to furrender the town, Sept. 24,
but it had no efFeft on him ; wherefore the admi-
ral and fome other principal officers examined the coafi, ia
order to fix upon a proper fpot for landing the troops, ar-
tillery, and ftores. About two mMe.i to the fouth of Manila
a convenient place was found. Accordingly all the boats
were prepared, and the frigate-, fent in very near the fhore,
to cover the defcent, Tiiefe latter kept up a very brilk
* ;. / •
5^2 The Hist O'KY of the \\ A-R, 1762,
fire to the right and left, to proteft the flanks, and difperfe
the enemy who were aiVembled in great numbers, both horfe
and foot, to oppofe a defccnt. It had the defired effed:.
The Spaniards retired, and left a clear coaflj but a violent
furf arifing, many boats were daflied to pieces, the arms and
ammunition much damaged, but providentially, no lives
were loft. The troops then formed upon the beach, march-
ed, and took pofleflion of the Malatta, fixed their oiit-pofts,
and palled the whole night underarms. The Spaniards in
the mean time, were employed in burning of their fuburbs.
The next day a fort, named the Polverifta,
Sept.25. which the enemy had abandoned was feized,
which proved a moft excellent place of arms for
covering the landing of the ftorcs, and fecuring a commu-
nication with the fquadrcn. Colonel Monfon, who had
been detached by the general with 200 men to view the
roads and approaches to Manila, occupied the Hermita
church, which was large jnd commodious, and about 90Q
yards from the city. Orders were then fent to major Moore
to march up with the yqth regiment, to fecure and maintain
that port, which was performed with great activity and good
conduct. Pofl'eflion was then taken of St. Jago's church,
near the fea, it being looked on as a place of infinite impor-
tance towards the carrying on their operations.
On the 26th, the admiral fent on fhore the battalions of
feamen under the command of the captains Collins, of the
Weymouth, Pitchford of the America, and George Ourry
'«rom the Panther. The reft of the company's troops of all
forts were likewife landed, and put under cover. The Spa-
niards advanced out of the garrifon, under the command of
the chevalier Fayet, with 400 men, and two field pieces, and
from a church about 200 yards to the right of St. Jago's
church, began a cannonade upon the right flank of the
troops pofted thcic. Some feapoys, under enfign Carty,
were fent to fkirmifli with them, fupported by three picquets
of the 79th regiment, and 100 feamen, all under the com-^
mand of colonel Monfon, who foon drove the enemy back
into the town.
The fuperior fkill and bravery of the Engllfh troops were
fo evident from this affair, that k occafioned a fecond fum-
roons to the governor, but to no purpofe } the anfwcr was
riiuch more fprrited than their conduft had been. The
cbvuch from whcAcc the Spaniards had l)<^» dxivcn, colonel
• 7^2- 7*if<?HisT0Bv 0/ the War. ^t|
Monfon had orders to keep poflcffion of, if- he found it tena-
hie, from the top of which a pcrfcdl view was had of ?he
^nemv's works. The front they were obliged to aunck
W8S cTefendcd by the baftions of St. Diego an! St. Andrew
wuh or. Ions a..d retired flanks ; a ravelin which comM
he royal gate, a wet ditch, covered way, and glacis, but all
thefe works were out of repair, except the balion which
were m excellent order, and lined wit^h a great number of
fine brafs cannon. It became absolutely nieflarv to four^
the duch, and which might have proved^a ve^ p?ri bus e^
terpnze, had the Spaniards been careful in p7ft,W centrie^
on the covered way but their omiffion and negligence made
Iv. r"T ''^>'-r I' ^'' '^"'■'^°^^ undertaken and effeaed
x!■X?^. \ ^f'^y"/'^! 79th regiment under captain Fletcher,
with the lofs only of three men. *
The city of Manila being of groat extent, and the num.
ber ot men employed to reduce it very fmall, it becaL
impoifible to inveft it on every fide; two Hdes therefor^
were conftantly open to the enemy to introduce fuppHes 5
nven and provifions, and carry out'their effeds. iCLf.
nfon coniifted of 800 men o/the royal regiment under^the
command of themjrquis of Villa Mediana, brigadier Je^e!
ral, which was fa,ther reinforced by a body of^o,ocl Inl
dians t IS evident from hence, that the difadvantag« unl
Jior could there be any reafonable ground for fuccefs, but in
botIb'v?hJ wf""'"^ 'i^'. ^"^'^'^' ""^ ^^'^ cannonaded
both by the batteries erefted, and the frigates, which were
brought up till the 2d of Oacber, whena battery f^r J !
y-four pounders was completed, and a mortar battery for
food 3l^'"'f ''" and twelve inches, which mJd a
good parallel, and communication from the church to the
gun battery, and eftablifhed a fpacious place of arms on he
eft of It, noar the fea, Thefe were greatly facilitated by
the roaring of the waves, it being very Tempeftuous weather^
and which prevented the Spaniards trom Searing ZZTfc
of the workmen, who gave no fort of interruption, but
feemed to truft entirely .0 the elements. In the mean d me.
the governor who was an archbifliop, gave out, that an
Angel frorn the Lord was gone forth todeftroy tlie Englifh.
i^ke the hoft ^ Senacherib. In the afterngon the feamen;
-^ ^ With
^f4 fhe HisTOny tf the War. 1761.
■ with great aftivity and indefatigable labour had
QSi. 2. hiought up and mounted all the guns in the bat-
tery, which were malked.
A Tally was snade the 4th by 1000 of the Indians, who
attacked tbecantonmtntof the feamen; but upon the alarm,
t:olonel Monfon and captain Fletcher, with the picquets,
being difpatched to their afliftance, the enemy was repulfed,
and forced to fly, with the lofs of 300 men. Had the flcill
and weapons of thefe Indians, who are a wild and barbarous
people from the province of Pampanga, been equal to their
^rength and ferocity, the difperfion of them might not have
been fo eafy j for though armed chiefly with bows, arrows,
and lances j they advanced up to the very muxzies of their
enemy's pieces, repeated their aflaults, and died like wild
beafts, gnawing the bayonets. In this (kirmifti, captain
Portpr, a brave and experienced fea officer was flain. Scarce
wejrc the Indians thus routed, when another body of them,
with part of the Spanifli garrifon, attacked the church, and
forced the feapoys from their poft in it, neareft the town,
took ppfleffipn of the top, from whence they killed and
wounded feveral of the Englifli, who were entirely expofed
to all their weapons. Notwithftanding their difadvantage-
ous fituatiqn, the European foldiers maintained their, poft
Ischind the church with great patience and firmnefs, and at
laft diflodged the enemy, with the lofs of captain Strahan, of
ihe 79th regiment, and 40 private men wounded or killed.
i\\Q Spaniards left 'O dead behind them in and about the
church. This was their laft effort. All their Indians, ex-
cepting 1800, difcouraged by the lofs, returned home, and
' thefireofthebefiegers continuing with unremitted f5Jry,the
next day a breach appeared pradticable, and it was thought
the Spaniards, fenfible of their danger, would think of giv-
ing up the town : but they were obftinate without bravery,
or any generous refblution of defending the breach.
The next day, at four in the morning, in confequence of
a refolution formed the preceding night, the
Aug. 6, troops hied oflf from their quarters in fmall bodies
to give the lefs fufpicion to the enemy, with an in-
tention of ftorming the town, and by degrees, iiTembled at
St. Jago's church, obferving the utmoft filence, and conceal-
ing themfelves in the place of arms, and parallel between
the church and the battery, while in the mean time a brifk
f\^p was kept uo uoon the wp'-ks, and i^ofe places where the
enemy
1762. The ttistoRY of the Wa».
5i<
enemy might be lodged or irttrenchdd. At day break a large
body of Spaniards was difcerned, formlhg themfelves on the
baftton of St. Andrew, but upon the explofiort of fome (helU
that were thrown amon^ them, they went off. Taking Im-
tnediate advantage of this, and by the fignal of a general
difcharge of artillery and mortars, the troop* ruihed on to
the aflault, under cover of a thick fmoke that blew diredlly
upon the town. Sixty volunteers of different corps undef
lieutenant Ruflel of the 79th led the way, fupported by the
grenadiers of that regiment. The engineers, ^with the
pioneers and other workmen, to clear and enlarge the breach,
and make lodgments, in cafe the enemy ihould have been
too ftrongly intrenched in the gorge of the baftion, follow*,
cd. Col. Monfon and major More were at the head of twd
grand divifionsofthe 79th ; the battalion of fcamen advanc-
ed next, fuftained by the other two divifions of the 79th :
and the company's troops clofcd the rear. They all mount*
ed the breach with amazing fpirit and rapidity, and difperfe^
the Spaniards with the greateft facility. Little refiftartce
was given, except at the Royal gate, and from the gatfe-
ries of the lofty houfes which Jurrounded the grand fquare.
In the guard houfe over the Royal gate, 166 of the Spa-
niards and Indians who would not furrertder, wei'e put to
the fword ; and according to the enemy's own account,
300 men were drowned in attempting to efcape over the
river, which was very deep and rapid. The governor and
principal officers retired to the citadel, and were glad to
furrender as prifoners at difcretion, as that place was in no
good pofture of defence j the marquis of Villa Mediana^
and the reft of the Spanifh officers, were admitted as pri-
foners of war on their paroles of honour, and to conciliate
the afFedions of the natives, all the Indians taken prifo-
ners, were difmifled in fafety.
The joy on taking this important place was greatly cloud-
ed by the lofs of major More, who being transfixed with an
arrow near the Royal gate, died immediately, univerfally
lamented for his good qualities. A few officers only were
wcjnded, and no more than 30 private men killed or wound-
ed. In confequence of the terms given to the Spaniards,
the port of Cavite, and the citadel, with the iflands and forts
dependent on Manila, were given up to his Britannic ma»
jefty, and they were to pay four millions of dollars for the
prefervation of the town and their efFeds.
K k 2 SucH
. Such lucrative conquefts as tUe Hava«na!h antj the PhiUip-
|)me Iflands, had never before been made fii;. But thele
jmmcnfc captures though they inriched individuals, contri*^
butcd nothing directly to the public fcrvicc. However,
they
•^^
(a) B)igadi(f Ctn. Draper's Litter t» iht Earl t/ EgTcmont,
i/a/r^^ Minil*, Novciubcf £, 1762,
My Lord,
2 DO myfelf the lionoTH" of fending lieut. col. Sent, late adJHtanf-
gcneral, to inform your Lordfliip of the fiiccefs of his Majefty's
arms in the conqueli^ of Manila, the furrender of the port of U-
'vite, nnd the cefhon of the PhiUippine iflands.
On tlie 6th of Oaeber we took the capital by ftorm, after 12
days operation, wiiieh are detailed in my journal Our lofs upon
this occafion would have been trifling, but for the death of major
iWf'f , 3 valiant good officer ; and it is with particular fatisfadion
1 <yin aiTure your Lordfliip, that the firm bravery and perfeverance
of the troops, could only be eq%ialled by their humanity after vic-
tory. Ont of refneft and deference to Admiral Cormip, we wa ited
till he came on (hore, and being defirous to favn fo fine a city
from deflrufti6n, we jointly dictated the annexed conditions to
the governor general (the Archbifliop) and the chief magiflrates,
who moft readily embraced them.
Confidering their critical fitiiation, and vaft opiilence, the terms
were as reafonable for them as beneficial to us. We allow tlie
India company a third part of the ranfom, the whole of which
amounts to a million fterling ; and, according to my inftruftions,
I have this day delivered up Manila, one of the riclieft cities and
iflands in this part of the world, with the port oiCavite, to Daiu.
(an Draie,E{q; and the other gentlemen appointed to receive thent
on behalf of the company, with all the artillery, ammunition, and
warlike IJores found therein, agreeable to the inclofed inventories.
I have appointed major Fe/J of the 79th regiment to be com-
mandant of tlie garrifon, which muft confift of all the troops
trought from Madrafs, as tiie great extent of the place, its very
nmnerous inhabitants, and unfettled country, with the importance
of the Cavi te,deirtknd at leafl, tliis force for an effcdhisl fecurity.
The feafon of the year, and condition of the fquadron, oblige
ws to defer the taking polTefTion of the fuborjlinate places ceded to
the crown, imtii the thips haveliad a fuflicient repair ; and I have
the pleafure to acquaint your Lordfhip, that the large quantity of
naval ilcres taken in the royal magazines at Cavite, fupply moft
:.- - excellent
i7S2,
7ht History ^ tit Wai,
ff^f
they mij^ht be faid to contribute fomethiiig to it indircaiy i
by mcrcafing the ftock of th« nation, and fupplying that
prodigious drain of treafure, which for fevcrnl yetrs had been
made
excellent materials for this purpofe, in which the Admiral is inde-
fatigable, whofe zeal for kis majt-fty* s fcrvice, great cordiMlitv, and
conftant attention to us during the whole couife of the expedi-
tion, and fatijRuing progrefs of ilie fiege, are beyond all praife.
The otlier officers of the fiee. erted themfelves to the utmoft
npon every occafion. As a faull acknowledgment of our many
obligations to Mr. Kmpin/tli, the Admiral's captain, I begged his
ncceptance of the government of the citadel and port of Cavitt,
till it was given up to thecompaay ; his prudent and excellent re*
gulations there were of infinite utility to the public fervice.
The captains Collins, Pitckfor/i, and Giorgt Ourty, who com-
manded tlie battalion of feamen, behaved with great fpirit and con-
duft, and capt. Jtctlyn, who was intrufted with the care of the
difembarkations, gave us all tlie afliftartce that could be wifhed or
expcded from a diligent good officer. The marine officers and
corps were of great fervice, and the feamen aftoniflied us with
moft extraordinary proofs of aftivity and valour, particularly
thofe who affiftedat our batteries.
The reduftkm of Manila has been fo much owing to the cort-
fummate (kill and bravery of Col. Af»»/o»,that I feat my faint re-
prefentations cannot do juftice to his merit ; and I moft humbly
beg leave, through your Lordlhrp, to recommend him to hisMa-
jdty, together with the following officers, viz. Lieut. Col. Scott,
Major Barker, who commanded our artillery ; Capt. Fletcher,
Ma^or of Brigade ; the engineers. Captains Stepbtnfen, vind Catt/orJ,
andEnfign i/^'«i»r4'; the Captains Moorland Pm*/f,aids-de>-carap,
Who have all afted in tlieir feveral departments witli extraordinary
merit, and greatly facilitated my good fortune. Both the royal
and the company's artillery, with their other troops, behaved very
well. In the laft place, may I prefume to point out the fervices
of the 79th regiment, which, from the good conduft of their for-
mer and prefent field-officers, has the peculiar merit of having fiiil
flopped the progrefs of the French in India, and not a little con-
tributed to the h3ppinefs and decifion of that war under Col Coote,
and lias finer extended the glory of liis Majefty's arms to the ut-
moft verge of j^Jia. Twenty-three officers, with upwards of 800
men have fallen in thecaufe of their country, fince the regiment
left England : Numbers of the furvivors are wounded. Your
Lordihip's goodnefs encourages me to mention them as objcfts o£
companion
-^aj
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET {MT-3)
1.0
I.I
1.25
■ 56
2.5
1^
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^ 1^ I II 2.0
1.4
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1.6
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Sdences
Corporation
23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580
(716) 872-4503
t/u
$i9 7U HuTcJRY 9f the WaK; f/C^^
owile from this kingdom for foreign fubfidies. and for ♦!..
m«nt«nance of arSics abroad. If it had no been fof itt
pecuniary f«pplics, with which the uncommon fucceff^^^^^
this
^Th^i^/eftyT^'^ Captain F/..*.. has ninecoloursto
Bxigadrer Gen«al, ahd Commander in cLV^ ^^^^^^
^^"J">»^"'^^;^'iCoTnmi,ta Wr. Cleveland, Jaud in tbi
^eir lordft»ps with the fuccefs of his nuijcfty's arms in die re*
morning of the glhinflant. In my letters of the 2 id and 31ft of
Jult, I acquainted their lordihips with my proceedin« to thS
S'l^h' l''7^••*^^ ft** every WiblemeaLatiSiSS, for d£
Sr/: ^° P^°"'^^f this end. I compleatel the £/«.^4
mrit{i;^ft.T' '^r""''^**"** ^'^^'^ *'»'*^"<* ^^ the troops and
^LtT.^^^T'^^' '.^f c«'"'nand of Commodore TidJman^to
S^t^r.1 ^«'f ''^w'"' a view that they might compleat their
SSrmT ^ ^^ ^°"''* *'"^*^ ^^^^ ***' remainder of the
Having accomplilhed the embarkation of every thing defigwed
as we had from the whole time of my being there a violentfurf to
intend with, I failed the Jrft of Auguft with theihips undermen-
tioned, viz. JV^^a/^. P»„tbir, Ammca, SeafcrJ, S,uib.Sta Cuftk
florefhips, AdmiraU//w'sftore.fl,»p, Ofterly Company's fti»,
leaving t\it Falmutb Si\. the requeft of ll»e prefidentand couoeil,
to convoy the Efex India flup. who was not ready to fail. Iming
the treafure to take on board the China cargoes, and to brini
to Manila fuch of the company's fervants, as %vere to be put ia
ix^leffion of that Government, if the expedition fucceededT
#: J ^^ iVI'''^^ "^^ Mallacca. and wasdifappointed in not
findmgMr.Tiddeman there, who did not join me tiU the zift
having met with long calms: tlie difficulty of watering the fqua.
dron at this pl«:e made it tiie 2;th before I could leave the road.
Uji the ;d ot $$fUmbtr I air ivgd offP«/# limtan^ aJid was join.
1762. The HistoRy ef itg War^ ifk
this war were attended, it nevero)uld have been m^rntain.'
ed in the extent to which it was carried, notwithftSwI
theincreafeof tiade, whi,h ha. been u^oS^ptSl
for
ed by eapt, Grmi, in the Sntitr/t, whom I had detachi>/l ««^^
my Jrft arrival at Madraf., toc^ize ^ween thIsSdiJS?
Onthe.tgth I made the coaft of Ue^iM, but was drove off
:: ^* ***V3«* we recovered the land acrain : the nextdaventerS
«^ Uy of MWa and inthe clofc of thi evwingSoJJi off^
(^^/lie and Admiral 5/ wm, the A/)w«r* and £Jijt hTvinT^S
tTe ?i'-i' T^ JVthe night I fent the m^rf ^o ffi^
m^hr^e^^Sdiyr^^"'' 'y "-^ -^^ ^-^ ^^^
tarl^lti^r*" '"Z*"? ""ojn'ng. the wind not being favourable to at->
Srir'a^Tflil?^ T''^'^'' ^'«**«' ^"^ with g^eSt
i^r«/*r and fome other officers, reconnoitred thelhore abdut Ma.
mla: and obfervedfome churches and other buildin«toS n«r
fw^'^a-'' '^'^S^'^ 5^; °^ ^''^ *°^' particular^ to^" d SI
L^'h^f r* ^^* ^'^ ^°T <i^%" of attacking Sm^u, firfl, to
fiH^f^i ,1 *J!u*'°"''u"l.^"*=y «^ *''^* J^« for the flUpping.butcon.
fidered that though the atfack Ihould be attended with aU X
Wfs we could hope, yet it would caufe a deky at leift of ^
days before we could land at Manila, which timJ would aSd
opportumtjrtotheenemytodemoliih thofe Sings ne/?te
works, and to prepare many obftacles to our landing indperhaw
jecover from that confternation our unexpeftedarrivffi^tS
Sr^^jldt S;<;ie^ct^^ ^^^-^ ^heVal^ir that fell/^^
lTLtLf^%^^\u'" .'^X'.' ^°''''' ^J^i^h, if eifeaed, would
greaUy facihtate the reduftion of thecity.
(;„n".i^"!!?"?*if c^'t*^!.'5^°^'"'*'"''I immediately made the
troops to prepare to land. About feven in the evening the 7Qth re-
giment, with the marines in the boats, under the diFeftion of the
^TZfr':^^'"^ ^Tf\' ""^. ^"^"""^ P"*«=d for the feore^
WMl under the fos of tjietlirfe frigates, cffefted the landing at a
church
for the hft three y?ar^. It has in ^ loofe way been com,
puted, that the fuccefc ofour arms in the Eaft Indies, inde-
pendently of thcgrea^i^gnfc of. valuable inerchandiM,
(which
^wehjMHed the Moratta, about a mile and a half from the walls.
We ha4 no oppofition from the enemy, but feme difficulty from
the Curt, which ran high, and bilged all the long boats, but hai>.
pily loltnomen. » f r-
The oexr morning thegeneral took an advanced pofl aVout aoo
yards from the glacis, and there, undercover of a blind, intended
^18 hatterjp againft the fece of the S. W. baftion. The number of
troops being fmail, \ landed a battalion of feamen, emiiftijiff of
^houi TOO men, nndei the conmuud of the Captains Collins,
f itchford, and Geor,;e Ourry.
The afth I difpatched three armed boats af^er a galley, comini?
ttp the bay to Manihi ; they came up with her, re(<^tely boarded
ker.andtoQk her, notwithtiandingihe kept up a finart fire with
patteraroes and mufltets ; Ihe mounted twocarriag and feventcen
beaft ftvhfel ^uns, and had e^hty men. By letters found in her,
we diieovertd flic was difpatched from the galleon 5/. Pbilippnm,
from ^f*$uif0,ind whom fte had left the loth of Stfumier, at
Ca;ayagmn, between the ErnhMadtru and Cape5^'/i/« Santm. Up-
on this difiovery, I came to a refolution to Idid the Fantim' and
A^ga in queft of her, but it was the 4th of Q&obtr hdott the wea-
ther permitted tJieir (ailing.
The 28th of Septtmhr tie General acqtiainted nne, that lie was
beginnmg ta work on the battery, and that if ibme ftips could get
i»ar enough to throw fhot on the works of the town oppofiie to it,
it might take rfffome of the enemy's fire and attention, and there-
by Militate its conftrudion. In confequence of this, I ordered
Commodore lUdmn, with the EJirahtA and Fa/mutJk, towards
the town, as near as the depth of water would permit, and to place
the fhips in fuch a polit ion as would beft anfwer the purpofe in-
tended, which was accordingly done the next day, and their £re
had a very good effeft.
On the 30th, the SmthSta Cajlie arrived with flores which
were much wanted, partictUarly the entrenching tools, for want
of which the army had been fo greatly diftrelTed, that 1 was oblig*
cd to employ all the forges in making fpades, pickaxes, tee. for
tkem. The firft of Oatbtr it began to blow frefli, and in the
night increafed to a hard gale, which drove theSautJ^ Sta CaftU
afhore near the Putverifia, a little to the fouthward of «ir camp.
This accident, hewever, had fomeconiiderable advantages attend*
ing it, as the fituation flie lay in n»de het cannon a proifAipn foi
IhB
i-jbi. The History cf the War. g2i
irll'^F^JV^-^' ^"""''^J^ '''^* ^°^" P^°^"^^ ^«d advantage
of the Eaft India commerce,) has brought into England
during the war, near Hx millions in treafure and jewelf.
The
li'^ ftf«.°^°"' """P '■ i^"^^' ^'^^^'^^ ^''^ means fhaf all her mill,
taryftores were got on board with fafety and difpatch and ».«
were art.des they flood m immediate need of. and wiiich could
for frv^ M " V''^ ^y ^^"'^^ '^ ^0"«""*=d blowing weatler
for feveral days after, and the A.rf breaking very high on the beach.
This gale was from the W.S.W.direaiy on the Ihore wS
fo^fh^^'p^r " k' ?"^^;!Lfor the fafety of the fquadron, particulady
fe t/ '?^''' ' K^ Falmouth, who were only in four fathom wa^
Sr.? 1 .^'^ "^9 '",V'^ morning, the General opened the
battery which was fc well manafred, and feconded by the Ihips
before the town that in four hours thedefences were taken off and
the next day .« llie evening tlie breach was made pradicable.
wifh" hJ>rtfAl-5' ^^''* '" ^hemorning. the general's regiment,
with .he fea battalion, mounted the breach, made the attack, and
foon got poifeflion of all the baftions, which completed the con-
queit. 1 immediately went on fhore.and with the General, had a
iijeetmg with the bpanilh Governor, and fome of the principal
oftcers, when a capitulation was agreed on, that the town and
E. UK "^^ "''^'' theiflandsand forts dependent on Manila,
Jhouldbe gtyen uptohisBritannickMajefty.and-thattheyfliould
iSr eTS '?*'' °^ '^^l''' ^'" '^'' P^^f^^vation of the town and
tiiur ettedts, (a copy of which capitulation I have inclofed )
CJn the loth I fenf eapt. Kemptnftlt in the hlorfolk, y,\i\y tiie
VSui!^ t :{'' '° ^^^/ P^^^^"^" °f Cavite, a^greeable to the
capitu ation; by this acquifnion we are in poffeflion ofavery large
quantity of naval ftores ; and befide the advantage of almoft ev<:ry
Sf!lT' ^"l' ^^^"'"g* i^Awx^, the people are fuppli.a
with frem meat and vegetables in gieat plenty.
• The fiege, though Ihort, was attended with many difficulties and
great fatigue, in which botli the officers and men exerted themfelves
with the utmoftcheatfulnefs. We had conftant frefh gales, a lee
Ihore, andconfeqiiently ^ high furf to contend with, which made it ^
always ditticult, frequently Iwzardous and fometimes imnoffibJe to
land with boats 1 he rains fell very heavy, and our littJe army
were furrounded and harraffed by numerous bodies of Indians,
wno, though uudifciplined, and armed only with lances, bows and
^ ^ ^ arrowy.
522 Thi History of the Was. 1762.
The capture of the Spanifh regiftcr (hipj th«
May 21. Hermione, which happened foon after the com-
nienccment of the war with Spain, and juft as fha
was on the point of catering one of the ports of Old Spain,
and
arrows, yet by a daring refohition and contempt of death, they
became not only troublefomc birt fr.rmidable. I have the fati^
feftion of acqiraintrng their' lordfliips, that thronghont the whole
<xpc(lirion, the mod perfedl: harmony and unanimity have fub->
fiftcd between his majefly's land andfea forces.
You will recejvewiih this, an account of the number of officers
and men, both feamcn and marines, that were landed from the
fquadron, rs likewife of the killed and wounded in each corps. It
is with concern, I acquaint their lordfliips with the lofs of com-
modore Tyrf^Vwaw, iwho, in attempting to enter the river in his
barge, the morning after the redudion of Manila, was drowned
with live of his people, by which tinhappy accident, his Majefty
has loft a brave and experienced officer.
Captain Kimpmftlt^ by whom I fend this (and will prefent to
you for their lordfliips a plan of the town of Manila, and the port
of Cavi/^) has been of the greateft affiftance tome during the
courfe of lliis enterprize ; he is very capable of fumifhing their
lordlhips with many particulars neceffary for their information ;
and his great merit makes it my dutytoreeommcud hhn as a very
able and good oihcer,
I am, &c.
S. C O R N I S H.
Xf/z/r/z-flui T/V/.y^i/fflwVfl/Cornifli /o Mr. Cleveland, datii in tbt
Boy of Manila, Hov. 10, 1 762.
IN my letter of the 3 ift ofOaoher, I acquainted you of my hav-
ing fent Captain Parker with the Panther and ^rge, in queft
of the galeon St. Philifpina, from Acafulco, boiind to Manila.
The i\\\ inllant capt. King in the Argo^ retujaied with a letter
from capt. Parker, acquainting "Jne, that, in confequence of my
orders, having the 3otii of Oilobtr got the length of the ifland
Cdful, near the entrance into the Embotadtra, in purfuit of the
St. Philippina, where the Argo had coine to an anchor (and which
he intended to do for that night) juft as thedayclbfed faw a fail,
and ftandingtothenortl\ward ; at eigiit in the evening he got fight
of the chafe, about two leagues to leward, but unluckily by the
i*piility of a counter current, to what tlie ciiafe was in, drove
among
, they
fati^
whole
: fub-
1762. Tie UinTony 0/ tie W AH. 52:^
and that of the Santiffimo Trinidad, a Manila fhip, muftbe
added to thefc refoiirccs. The firft of thefe was worth lit-
tic d3 than a rnillionfterling, and the other at leaft three
millions of dollars. The taking of theie {hips is not altoge-
ther unworthy a place in hiftoryj becaufe it had no fmall
influence on the affairs of the Bourbon alliance, and confi-
.derablyt^
among the Narrango's in the utmoft danger of being loft, and
obliged to anchor ; the frigate having efcaped the danger, got up
with the cliace, and engaged her near two hours; but was i5
roughly handled, that capt. King was obliged to brirgtoo tore-
pair his damages. By this time the current llackeiied, which en-
aWcd capt. Parker to get under fail with the chacc in fight-
about nine the next morning he came up with her, and after bati
tei uig lier two hours within half muflcet fliot, fhe ftruck. The
enemy niade but little refiftance. trufting to the immenfe thickaefa
of tlie fides of their fhip, which the Panther's fliot was not ableto
penetrate except her upper works. Capt. Parker was nolefs dif-
appointed Mian furprized, when the general fcame on board, to
Jmd, that inftead of the Saint Philippina, he had-engaeed and
taken the Santiffimo Trinadad, who departed from ManilJthe firft
1/"^":? for -^.«M^ and had got three hundred leagues to the
ealtward of the Bmbocadero ; but meeting with a hard gale of
wmd, was dlfmafted and put back to refit. She had eight hundred
men on board, and pierced for lixty guns, but when Capt. Kim
engaged her, had only fix mounted, and but thirteen when taken •
ihe draws thirty-three feet water, and is a much larger Ihip thaii
the Panther. I cannot afcertain the value of the cargo, but there
IS to he amount of one million and a half of doUars reeiftered.
and Ihe is reputed fo be worth three millions.
Capt. King left the />««/Arr with her prize at anchor about
three leagues fouth of the CtrngiJcw, at the mouth of this bay •
and as I have fent a reinforcement of men with launches and warps!
1 hope very foon to have her in fafety. I am, ice.
S. CORNISH.
0/Hcers killed and wounded, iic. belonging to the Norfolk Lieut.
Piter Porter, and Mr. mUe, furgeon's ftcond mate, killcd.'^-
^"'oxii,omajSpeanng,{ccond lieutenant of marines, wounded.
^y^™'^°^<^^",feamenand marines landed, 1017. Killed, 17.
•n^f'i^'j^-''^*'"^^.^^"'''""^*'"^"'''^"^ other artificers, are hot
included in the above account.
molk,offCa'vua, s. CORNISH,
524 7^f History ef the War. i-^gj,
dcrably funk thofe refources of money, which were the
principal objeas to France, when flie formed that famous
treaty. All thefe advantages were without any confiderable
allay on the fide of Great Britain ; they would have ferved
to ballancc any pofTiblc fuccefs,whichthe enemy might have
had in Portugal. But their fuccefs in that quarter, where
•hey had entertained the moft fanguine hopes, was by no
means confiderable, and very far from tending to any thing
ilecifive. Thefe confiderations helped to difpofe the Bour^
bon courts to peace, almoft as foon as they had jointly en-
tered into the war ; and Europe, after having been deceived
fn the hopes of tranquillity, which were entertained from
the late negotiation, and plunged apparently deeper than
ever into war, was in reality approaching faft to peace, and
the public repofe was preparing, when it feemed to be at the
•^reatcft diftahce.
C H A P. IX. ' ^
Tropofals fw f?ace. Stnte of the tnhnjiry and parties.
pukes of Bedford and Nivernois employed in the negotiation.
Newfoundland taken and retaken. IVar in Germany, He-
reditary Prince defeated at lohannijberg. French repulfd.
Cajfel inve/ied. Remarkable cannonade at Bucker Muhl.
^renchtake Amonebourg. Cajfel furrmdered to the allies.
War m Wefphalia concluded.
WHEN France had found' experimentally, that the
prefent at leaft was not the favourable time for
drawing from her alliance all thofe advantages with which
ihe flattered hcrfelf, ftie inclined in good earneft to peace,
1 he fmceritv of her procedure in the former negotiation
might be juftly queftioned ; becaufe fhe had prepared an af-
ter game in cafe of its breaking off. And fhe fo much re-
lied on It, that it is very pofTible the negotiation itfelf wa?
but a feint made to cover and to prepare that projea. But
finding that Great Britain was neither intimidated by the
threats of that formidable alliance, nor at all likely to be re-
duced by the exertion of its forces ; flic came in good ear-
neft into thefe pacific fcntiments, which formerly fhe had
only counterfeited. The Jlowprogrefs of the Bourbon troops
\^ Portugal, the retrograde mofion of the French army in
Germany^
*?;3toi:3*Wi--.irt»«i
i7^«» ^ the History of the War. ^2^
^^r^u'^' the taking of Martinico and its dependencies,
and the imminent danger in which they beheld the Havan-
Pf tielorbSli'nce"''^ ^'^ ^''^' ^"' ^'^ ^^^'^^P-
oeSr K ' ^"'' ''^ ^'f'' ^'''''" '''''=^''^^' ^t^ difpoHtions to
peace became much more cordial. No people were ever
lefs .ntox.cated with thei, fuccefles. ViLrie' were be-
come familiar to us, and made but little impreffion. The
marks of public joy on the moft confiderable conquefts,
r^^L K ""^ •'""^*' ^'gh^^'" ^"^ ^^l^e'-' th^n were fhewed
bU/ ^^g'""'"gofthewar, upon very trivial advantages
;r!5 1! l^^ "'^'°" '^^^ °^"^'«" fo'- Pe^«- Though her
«.mnl! f " ^uf^'^> augmented, a circumftance without
example favourable, and though many of her conquefts, as
we nave feen, were very far from unlucrativc, her fupplies *
ZT^T^'^ri '' '^^"^ r'"' ^'^ "°' ^''^ P^" ^''^ her ex-
f,.rnJfK\k /["PPJ^ °^ men too, which was neceflary to
mT/? i^ "^^.^ °^^° extenfive a war, became fenfibly di^
T^Tu ^"? ^^"^ ?°°P' ^"^ "°t recruited but with fome
^.fficultv, and at a heavy charge. It was time to clofe the
war. When every end, jve could rationally propofe to our-
1! y? '"i '^^'^'■^"g 't on, was anfwered ; we had enough in
our hands to anfwer all our demands, and almoft all our ex-
pectations ; and as it is grown into a fort of maxim, thac
rif^"*^^**'^ viaorious, muft cede fomething on a wace
ftm.M r ; -^ °"xt"' ^u^' ^"^ only what, and how muVh wc
lHould retain, Not that there was a doubt, but whatever
Choice of acquifition could be made upon any rational prin-
ciples, a great deal would ftill remain to give the fuileft
iWl^'^ fentiment of equity and moderation,
^ All thefe were fufficient inducements to peace. But other
thl"iti.T'^-''!a^' f "/?• ^" alteration in the fyftem of
cne isntilh miniftry had begun this war j another alteration
put an end to it.
The whole council had been almoft unanimouf to oppofe
mr. ntt, in his fchcme for precipitating the declaration of
war againft Spain. They thought his principles too vio.
ient, and they did not perfeftly like his perfon. When he
retired from publick bufinefs, it feemed as if they breathed
more freely, and had got rid of a burthen that oppre/Ted
jnem. But he was not long removed, when it appeared
mat the remaining part of the fyftem, was framed upon
prmciples fo very difcordant in themfelves, that it was by
|?o means likely to ft and. jj^J
526 Tie HisroT^Y of the WAni 1*^62*
The duke of Ncwcadle, firll lord of the treafury, byhis
early /.oal in favour of the protcilaiit fucceflioii, by tlic libe-
ral and politic ufe he had made of a great fortune, by the ob-
Jigations which in a courfe of many years, and in a fucccfli-
on of great employments, he was enabled to confer on fome
of the moll conftderable people in the kingdom, had attach-
ed a great number to his fortunes, and formed an intcrcll in
the parliament and the nation, which it was extremely dif-
ficult to overturn, or even to fhake. He came to be conli-
dered as the head of the whigs ; and he was in reality well
qualified in many refpcds for the chief of a party, from his
unbounded liberality, from his affability, magnificence, and
pcrlonal difinterelledncfs. Even the defers and faults,which
might have appeared in his charader, were rather of fcrvice
to hun, as they often tended to foften refcntments, and
helped to give that great power, of which he was poficll'ed. aii
appearance Ie(s formidable.
During a great part of the late king's reign, his family
had direaed all things without controul. On the acceffion
of his prefent majefty, his fituation feeincd more doubtful.
But ni a little time he appeared outwardly as well cftabli{hed
aa ever, not ojily in his former high employments, but in
that fhare of influence which is commonly Tuppofed to at-
tend it. There was, however, very little reality in this fpe-
cious appearance; for he did not poflefs the royal confi-
dence, upon which all the eflential of power depends. Nei-
ther his age, nor his fituation in the former reign, had al-
lowed him the opportunity of cultivating an intereft with
the prefent king. Another noble perfon (a) had been in
an employment near his perfon } and having formed his
mind with much attention and fuccefs to thofe virtues which
ttdorn his ftation, deferved and obtained a very uncommoii
Ihare of his confidence.
This nobleman was firfl: groom of the ftole : afterwards,
taking a more open fhare in the conduft of aftairs, he accept-
ed the fcals as fecretary of ftate. On the removal of Mr,
Pitt, who prefcrved a fort of union in the adminiftration by
their common dread of him, the only competition was be-
tween the duke of Newcaftle and lord Bute. The former
could not well endure that decay of influence, which, on a
thoufiuid occafjons, he mull have fenfibly fejt, and which
faj The Earl of Bute,
the great rank he held muft have rendered only more pain-
ttJ:7 \^'"\ ''\'>' "^'^^ h^'"'J' ^""1^ "^t bear to fee
tl^AA''"^- u^''^' ^**'^'^' ""^" whatever limitationV wH
s mdccd a denartment, the entire conduft of which is abfo
ftlf obliged to rcftgn, and lord Bute became firft May 26
comm.moner of tSe trcafury. This refignation ^ '^-
was followed by that of others of great confidcration for
whlch'Jnf '",^ ' • ''"T'l- ^° °"^^^^ furprifedat the fermenj
which cnfued ; m which perfonal refentment, party violeTice
and national or rather local prejudices, we e allWed t*
throw every thing into confufion. ' ***
VlwJ^'^ y^°l^'}T^ ""[ P^'*'"' ^ ""•"^c'" <^ thofc called
Whigs, whQ had loft their places, being highly irritated at
H I^L'l'''^''* "'^l'.^^" many ofthofewL JilUontinu.
n?.h.TE ''Tht"*'' ^i "S ^"PP"''^'' ^"^c^'^d to the intcrcft
of the duke of Newcaftle, anf therefore not to be depended
on by the new adminiftration, it became neceffarv to hav^
" Fit lhfb°''""^' '^A'^^' '' countr;p7mJn.'"'
From the beginning of this reign it ^ad teen profeflcd
with thegcnerarapplaufe of all good men, to abolifh tS
odious party dift.nftions, and to extend the royal favour and
proteaion equa ly to all his majefty's fubjefts^. The ne"-
fons called 1 ones had, bef.des, been be/ore aftive in Ami
port of fome of thofe, who now clamoured atthHervn Si
^res which they had themfelves, more than once, a/on ed
STT'T'rT-^?*^'^^" ^••°'" 'hence to «idcavou;
at the revival of this almoft exploded diftinftion. There
eve" ^IJe' anT:"'"'? T" ''°^" '"^'^ ^ comb uft ion by
every art, and every inftrument of party, that had ever
P'-°i;^def<aualuponfimilaroccaf,ons. ^'
warbeim^^r'?" "^"^ thus diftraaed, theconduaofa
war became difficult ; ,ts continuance unfafe : and its fun-
wouldb'lT'';"- If the adminiftration failed their faife
would be conftrued into incapacity j if they fucceeded, their
fuccefs would be converted into d argume^nt for fuch t rmJ
Abo^vT.11 :V' ^°"'^ ^>,^i•"PoffibIl for them to procure
chi^f. 'f ;k '"'""i .'"^ ''r^" conneaion between the
cUiefs ot the moneyed mtereft and the principal perfons in ^
the
fj23
yi*^ History of the WAk.
17^2*
the oppofitidn, muft have been a fubjcdl of great anxiety to
the adminiilration.
Thcfe caufes co-operated to render the intentions of the
Britifli miniftry towards peace altogether cordial and fin-
ccrc i and they thought thenifclves abundantly juftified in
their wiihes for it at this juncture, both from the fuccelTcs
and the burthens of the nation j from the flourifhing ftatc
of fome of their allies, and the doubtful ftate of others }
and in general, from thofe arguments of humanity, which
made it high time that Europe fl)oul4 enjoy fome interval
of repofe.
Both courts thus concurring In the fame point, all diffi-
culties were fpeedily fmoothed. It is faid,that the firft over-
tures were made under the mediation of his Sardinian ma-
jefty. As foon as terms were propofed, in order to give a
pledge to each other of their mutual finccrity, it was agreed
that this treaty Ihould not be negotiated, as the former
had been, by fubordinatc pcrfons j but that the two courts
fhould reciprocally fend to London and Verfailles a perfon
of the firft confcquence and diftindion in either kingdom.
Accordingly the duke of Bedford was fent to negotiate on
the part of England, and the duke de Nivernois on that of
France ; the great outlines of the treaty were very foon ex-
plained and adjufted. The detail of fome articles took up
more time.
During this mixed interval of war and treaty, the French
obtained a temporary advantage ; but which neither fuf-
pended nor influenced the negotiation. It was the laft of-
fenfive eft'ort, which they made j and though this enter-
prize was attended with a temporary fuccefs in the execu-
tion, it was in the defign not fuperior to any of thofe that
had failed. Monfifeur de Ternay, with a fquadron of four
men of war and a bomb ketch, and M, d' Haufonville, with
a proportionable number of land forces, arrived the 24th of
June at the bay of Bulls in Newfoundland » and finding the
ifland little prepared to refift them, took without difficulty,
the forts of St. John, Trinity, and Carbonear, deftroyed the
two laft, and like wife the ft ages and implements of the fifh-
ery, to a confiderable value. The immenfe extent of our
military operations, rendered it little wonderful or blame-
able, that this particular part was found weak.
The French prefumed by far too much on the fupine-
nefs of the na4;ion, when they hoped fuch aa advantage
could
t^6u thi MtJtoUt of thi WaK. 42^
could havt any great efFc^ on the negotiation. In hGL L
foon as the news arrived in England, a force wt/fir/.i^ !
to retake thofc place.. But fuel, wa. the vTgii:„^?a" j °^^
that itfuperfcdedthemceffityofthis arihamcnt TlJ ? *
tached colonel Amhirrft with 1 body of forces and LnH
WIS valuable ifland. 1 he land forces attacked fomc detach
r. h '^^/^^'''■'^?<=h, advantageoudy ported in the S*
it?eTf wtrh'f ^'" Jf "> ^"*^ prcpare'd'to atuck S . Joh^n-I
villi' wl V7^^ ''^°"' ""'^ "*^'^'^y» '»»*t M- d'Haufon!
vile who had remafned there as governor, thought 0,0^
Jer to dd.ver up that place, and furrenderedhim- ^ ^^
Iclf and gamfon prifoncra of war (a), before Sept; 18.
Jord
7obH\ Ntmf,un4la»J, ^,pt jo, 1762.
I Pr^eera f^;.°i'"^'r^r'' t^^'^'^^'P ''^^« bc?n Informed
aru^^'jh'er^T/ro.^^^^^^^^^^^ ttf ex^^iSof Y' ^
The men of war being failed, who were to have taken Dirt of
I had every thing embarked, rfady to fail the agth. but coii-
tlUn^^ ^T us in the harbour till the ,ft of &," wl^,^
we got out, and arrived at Loui/iaurg on the 5th. The next daV
I had the good fortune to joifl Lord C«/*i7//s fleet on the t tth
gence his Lordlhip had received, I was obliged to changp mv r«.
clofe to the harbour of St, JoinX the enemy having entirclV
Zi Jf 'u^^f^'' ^^ ^'^'"^ «^^"°P^ •" ^»'^ channeT ?"
,v!?^ , niformationl could get, it appeared that r<»r%.
about liree leagues to the northward of St. j^it„'s, was the place
to land the troops at, within that diftria. . ^
M m Loj4
53® ^'he History of the \y AH, 1*52^
lord Colville could arrive from the place where the troops
hid been landed, to co-operate with them. M, de Tcrnay
efcaped with the fleet, partly by having gained a conffdera-
ble
Lord Ca/vi/It fent the Syren man of war into Ttrbay with the
tranfports ; and it was late at night on the i2tli, before they ali
came to an anchor. Capt. Doug/as of his Majefty's ihip Syren,
went With me to view the Bay, and we foimd a very good Beach
to land oh. It blew hard in the night, and one of the tranfports,
with the Provincial Light Infantry corps on board, was driven
out to fea.
I landed the troops early the next mornirtg, at the bottom of
the Ba5', frorfi whence a path led to St. y-im's ; a party cf the
enemy fired fome Ihots at. the boats as they rowed in. The Light
Lifantry of tlie Regulars landed firft, gave the enemy one fire,
and drove them towards St. Johns. The battalions landed, and
we marclied on. The path for four miles very narrow, tlwougli
a thick wood, and over very bad ground.
Capt. M'VonneU's Light Infantry corps Ih front came up with
fome of the party we drove from the Landing Place: They had
concealed themfelves in the wood, fired upon us, and wounded
three men. A part of M*Donneirs corps rufhed in upon tliem,
took three prifoners, and dro^'e the reft off.
The country opened afterwards, and we marched to the left
of Kitty Vitty : \t was necelTary to take poffeffion of this pafs, to
©pen a comm»mic?.tion for the hading of artillery and flores, it
being impra<^i6able to get tliem up the way we came.
As foon as our right was clofe to Kitiv Vitty river, the enemy
fired upon us from a hill on the oppofite Me. I fent a party up i
rock, which commanded th ^ paflage over, and undercover of
tlieir fire, the Light Infantry companies of the Royal and Mom..
g»mtry\ {nppoitcd by the grenadiers of the Royal, pafTed, drove
the eiwmy up the hill, and purfued them on that fide towards St.
j^ohh^s : when I perceived a body of the enemy coming to their
fiipport, I immediately ordered over Major Sutherland, with
tl»e remainder of the firft battalion, upon which they thought
proper to retreat ; and we hud juft time, before dark, to tak«
poft.
Capt. Matkenzie, who commanded Montgomery's Light Infan-
try, was dangeroufly wounded. We took ten orifoners ; the
troops lay this night on their arms.
The next morning, the 14th, we opened the channel, where
the ^neniy had funk the Jliallops : they had a breaft-work which
commanded the entrance, and a battery not quite finiilied.^
Lieut,
»76ft. fh HisTORV ef the War, '^^
We diftance, before they were difcovered, by means of a
tt\tl ' dlfc^ ^T'^ ^^^'^ ^t'"^' ^^'- ""'' h-v!
■weVrenem;"^^^^^^^ '^^^ apprehend that they really
It
command "K"e«i„:.rh T."'"j'i''' »"<» Capt/f^.yi.'
7»*»'s whicl. t»^ I .^°™«'* F?*5' »nd ftp oll)pr pcar» to St
from KXmo si %ffr"l^ '- ""^'5.'' "•« *W E "u.d
on tin. lull. ^ Capt i^^^,l/'^°.^^^^ fj^':?'^ *« ^^rprffe the enemy*
guards, and was Lft ^.t*"""" f^^^d thpir cen^ies and advanced
as h^ came^nm,^ '^'^''T'^'* ^^ thqr main body on the hiU
^ained'eceivt^ tK?„!5f, T^^^ JTV^^ fumnJt,\S?ch he'
enemy gave way^ ^ ' ^'^* "* ^^"^ *» »»» ^«i and the
The enemXd three rn«nl ""'/"•* *'?'>***" wounded.
at this i-ft;'coi^i;SeT^^^^^^
comniand,vvhowaswounded- TSnt^?n«^-h '"J?' f"**"** <"
and takeu prifoner -Ts Ueuf k;n?!i r*"^^?*^^^^^
wounded, an'd "Ske^pr'fS^"^^' '^"^^^^ ^^" ^'"^^ "^
iheTls7t'ri'?&,^^^^^^^^^^ ^»>»«H th«y threw fome
wall piece"! ^ * ^ ^'''"P*""**" not moMntpd. ao4 two
rte S we\T *^JT'"8' "°™'^»«'*« the harbour,
the enemy trq.^T'^^^^^^^^ "^'^ I^T ^'' ^<^-V which
withartilirrandiores dTS; ,'"5 *'"°P' 5^'"" ^"t^'l^y
bay, which »ve unloaded T£ J"tl"™P '{^"JP*^* ^~"» Tor-
from
$St pi History q/ thi War. lyCt,
It was in Gcrman^r that the greateft efforts were made
^ven aftpr the ntgoiiations had been confidcrably advanced*
the military operations were in that country no way flaclc-
ened.
-ry
from the fort, made the road from the landing for the artillery,
pad at ijight opened the mortar battery, with one eight inch mor-
Ir5flrw .r2^°''^''-i"? rix royals. The enemy fired pretty
bnflcly from the fort . and-threw fome fhells. * '
Tj})? ^^il^' r' ^,h5/"°"J'"g' I received a letter from Count de
f^^HffffV'ile, of whicK 1 do myfelf the honour to inclofe to your
le^^lf \^V' ^i ^?°, ^^ "^y. '"/^" ' ''''^^ <^<'Pi« o^ °tl^er let-
ters that paired, apd of the capitulation.
.«^\}:^'\^^'^^*'''^ !^'.' *'."^^' "'^^ ^°"^e diftaneeoff the coaft.
^^ i>l1'- 'l"°*P^"^^'"'^S 'r ^*^'^^'P ^o ft3"d in, to honoM
rne With his Concurrence m the terms to be eiven to the earrifon
i thought no time /hould be loft in fo adva^ceS a !£foi?anci
JRereforetook upon me to determine it. hoping to meet with his
Lordfljips approbation; and he has given me the greateft plea-
**"? A'?'"''' y appioving of eveiy thing I have done. ^
^.J^'l^r?! Tr *°r^^y' 'J'y Lo-^d, .that every affiftanceM-e
tmu^^\ff'^ ^'°'" ^^^ ^'?'' has been given us. Lord
CoM^lle^^n the flrort notice he had of our joining hjm, having
laboured to gfet togjthferall thefhallops hecoul4,and with whicf
Z^^VXt """Pi^^ f"PPl'ed, was a meafure of effcmial fervice:
etarded °"^ operations mull have been confidcrably
•t •X^'^jP^^^^^'gable labour and perfevering ardour of the troops
1 have the honour to command, fo neceffary towards compleatinir
the conqutft before the bad feafon fet ii. did indeed exceed
what I could have expedfed. Lieqt. Col. ^ullikin feconded me
in every tlung as I could wifli. c^ouaca me
^S?^!; ^*^'»'^'li» 0^ Col. fr«z/r's regiment, having Sir Jeffer.
jtmBerftsltkyt to go to Eng/aoJ, was to have delivered thif to
yoijr Lord/hip ; but his leg is broken by the wound he received.
Which keeps hirt here: may I humbly prefume, my Lord,
to recommend this gentleman to your Lordfliip's proteftion. as a
fe^I, brave and good officer.
Lord G»/^;7/* intends fending his Majefty's fiiip Sjren immedi-
• -}^ *? r 1^"': J ^'^^ ^^P^- C^"'P^'^^» of the 22d regiment,
:yuh thef? difpatrhe?, who will inform your Lordfliip of aSy par-
liculars you may defire to know. ^
.1 ,4ftmyfelf tlie .Vnoyr to ti aufinit (o your Lorcjfli ip fuclx yeturns
" ■ as
llSz. sr^r History tf//i^ War. 533
k"^*^; «'^K^°^y "n^^er the marihal d'Eftrees and Soubifc
being ftreightened, in the manner we have fecn, by the in!
cpmparable judgment of prince Ferdinand's ipeafLs, had
becq:
/ «« nviti thi moft frojouni re/peil, my Lord^
rour li,r4/hifi moji bumble, and noji obtdient Sir>vant,
WILLIAM AMHERST
^?r^l^'?'?^'"^^l ^'°^e''* ^'^^ ''^"1 ^''f- ^''^^ colours wMcii
V'ere hoifted on the fort of St. Jobu't. ^"wwrs wmcft
Zcrd C^hilU^s Litter to Mr Chn^eland, dated, St, Jobn\ U^.
joundiand, September 20, ijbz,
SIR,
I Had the honour of fending you an account of my proceedinw
/;« tor ^»^W at that time; and on the 22d I foiled with his
Bav On tL ?u ' ^^°"gi"f to the province of MaJfachifetA
Bay. On the 25th. we chafed a fchooner off St. Jobn'sznA. took
was fiLnned Lfh .??^^ ^*^ "«^' "'"'g* gwnsitiotmtei and
?«/!Sr. ■ '^''^y ^rm^«*», commanded by aa enfign d,
7.Sf ^ITL**!? ^^* »vay great part of the inhabitants of St.
7'^» s, men, woihen, and children, by giving them veffels and
inlL« th^r w' ""'/"'! "^''^ ""^ '^' '°"^' *"d took twcntVthre?
iS «i!L f ^ 5"^^^ ?^" °"^ °^ ^»^^"»' »o replace in part the
!?;S"5i5f ^^^;« ?*i ^^"'^ l^^ ^n garrifon at Piace.tia and
heb^offe Thefe /r.^»|.» faid, that if I would go into
and ente? it:* ?!?%' o^jhiir Countrymen would refort ton;e
T^of^i- ?J^v'***''^ fquadron; but during two days which
that ?e1^!ne^ h*"i' ""'• » «?,f ined me. The few inhabitants
ind vu^^ki'^f ^' quietly followed their bufinds of fiflung,
J^l ^ £? ^'^^ ^^'^^ ''''^*y P'*^^'»*<^«i *"y others at St. 7<,bni
ftom coming. ^ -^
Mt, Qarland and Mr. Dm;h, two of the principal inhabitants of
Harbour
A
? J
5^4 7i>eBuTQ-RY ef the WaKs 1762*
been obliged, to call that under the prince of CoriJc from
the J^owcr Rhine to their afliftance. In order to complete
thcjr jundion with this corps, the grand army uncovered
Caflel,
h^ri^ur Greet and Carbontra, in Cvncepihrt Bay having acquaiilt-
c.l me that a number of men in their neighbourhood were willing
■ to fcrve in the fquadron during tiie prefent <a(igency, I fent the
armed fchooner for them, andlhe returned with hfty men. which
I have diftnbuted among t!'e Ihips. And tlie fame gentlemen re-
lucfentmg, that the enemy fometimes fends fmall parties by land
lo Portugal Covf,^M\\\c}^ have threatened to molcll them in fhal-
lops from that place, defired, in belialf ofthemfelves andall their
neighbours, that the fchooner might be ftationed in Conception Bay.
for their proteftion and defence, which requelt I complied vi'xWv
The ifland of Carbonera. in Conception Bay, has had bo other
garnfon for many years but a few old men of the artlljery, to
take care of the gyns and ordnance ftores. Had fome of the in-
habitants of the adjacent coaft taken poft here, they might eafily
have defended it againft any force, except one narrow landing
place.and no fafe road in the neighbourhood for great Ihips; but
the enemy landed in boats, and deftroyed the whole without re-
liftance. And the ille of Boys, near Ferryland, would probably
have Ihared the fame fate, ha4 it not been poffeffed ia due tisne
by Ihe Syren*s marines.
In frequently paffuig the harbour's mouth of St. John's, we
rould plainly fee that the fort, which fronts the entrance, was
fortifyed all round the new works ; and that a redoubt, or fome-
thing like one, was raifed at the little harbour of Kit/y Vitty,
The old battery at the Soutli-fide of the harbour's mouth was re-
paired with additional works, and a new oneereftedon the fame
fide nearer the entrance. All thefe were to be feen from the fea ;
and 1 could not karn that the enemy intended any thing more
than the tinilhing thefe works.
On the 8th of September I received by a floop exprefs from
Halifax, letters from Sir Jfjery Amherft at Neiv York, acquaint-
ing me, that he had come to a refoluti6n to fend a body of troops,
in order to dillodge the enemy as foon as poflible from St. John's ;
and that Lieut, Col. Amhtrft was to command thefe troops. The
fame conveyance brought me letters fror.; Col. Amherft, acquaint-
ing me with his arrival at Halifax pn the 26th of Augujl, his
departure from thence on the firft of September, and with his in-
tention to call at Louisbourgiot the troops there, and then proceed
round Cape Race, to join me on this coaft. Upon receipt of thefe
Jetters, I fent the floop >yhich bf«ught thejp tp jpok cut for Coh
Amherfi
»762. The t^isToRY of the War. ^^
^fc\' ^^ui^^'ra^' Hanks of the Fulda, and fell back to a
c«,inderabled.ftance The hereditary prince of Brunfwick
who had attended this corps all aloniShought atlengJh i "
fair
^«^*r/?andthetranfportsoff Ca*/J?af/. aiiH .-n «r^- _
tl)emthefooner. to concert meafures for'the Pn?. • ' ^"^ -^'"^
before theenemy could have . otkc of he ' arS^ ?T''°!S
down with the fquadron to Cap, Wr but M,' lil^'"*?^
John, who had been fent out of the town in a c^J\ f\ ^''
twodays before, fendingoff adviceS ^r^S'^tat h^w".;'
lure the enemy intended to fail in a verv lirtle t.w t \
»vith the fquadron to our nation off Sr9i/«'s ' '''"'"'^
On the I ith we were joined by Col. jlmherfi with ti,. f
in ten tranfport veffels ; and I propofed T^hTj Z}\ '°°^
l^lace to land at : It is to the noEfd oS V^s "J^^^^^^^^^
miles by land, and the roads pretty pood but ihlhlli \ f*
.ned fafe anchorage being o'pen U^t^^^^^'^l '^^^^
aUy begin to prevail at this feafon. By oneofEanf7x,rtsfrc«^
to repair myfcif, or fend a fufficiew KtreS^C^^f V"^ ""^
by M.r&^" '''-' "■' "^"^ of ^f "ton'irnSS
On the 1 2th we proceeded to Torbav I frnf ,«,«* r» » .
of'tlST ^° -'^hor^.ith thetranfp^rt^cL'^^^^^^^^^
of the fquadron, and a number of Ihallons orfifh „,;Sll i^l
hf rlr f :f ^'o5"V'^"^"^ p-^-^^^^^^^^^
Ihe reft of the fliips I returned to my aation clofe to sf S
harbour. Next morning Col. ^«Wla,X/w.u h * "^ ?*
tant bufh-firing of the enemy. He marched diredly toS ^V/f"
and made lumfelf mafter of that important nnft in \l^ ^ - ^'
ivithout having a man killed, anHnly two^f^ thrle%Se5*
tyery tlung belonging to the army was carrieH frn^-^Tr "*•
Ki^FUry in IhalloVf efcorted iy b^tsSl Tqll^of^nd
this fervice^ was conduced with cfiligence and care?by Mr ^«7
tu'.A '"^ ^' * Lieutennant. Cz^t. Douglas having Wd^fe
[ri °"(rT/,"- . ^i" '""'"y'^ «^^^ ^^^ t° have failld tie Lrn!
wfreto'^bSTn f %^^^^^ the tranfports , and 300 men onTy
theriL'd^edlhe/r'g^f^^^^^^^^ '^"^-P- ^-"^ -^
«'e^'"/^H?M^^'"'^-°"^^'"^^°^*S-E. with thick rainy
I reue., and thick fog. At hx next morning, it being calm, with
a great
i|3^ ^hHi&ro^Y of tbi^^AVL. ty6ii
fair opportimity hat) occurred of ftriking a decifive
Aug. 30. blow againft it. With this aid he attacked, with
his ufud vivacityi thjtpart of the French army,
which
agreatfwell, wefawfromthe ttiaft-Head, biit fcould brihgthem
down no lower than half way the topmaft fhrouds, four fail, bear-
ing S. S. E. diftaut ftfven leagues ; tlie mouth of St. jitn's har-
bour at the fame time bore W; four leagues. We loft fight of
them about feven, though very clear ; and fOme time after, a
fmall breeze fprlnging up in the S. W. quarter, I ftood in towards
^orbay, in oyder to cover the ihallops that might by going from
thence to Kitty Vitty.
In the afternoon I received a note frorii Col. ^»»&/r^, acqtiaint-
Jng me that the French fleet got out laft night. Thus, after being
blocked up in St. Juhn*^ harboiu for three weeks by a fqtiadron of
equal number, but fmaller fhips, with fetver guns and men, did
M. Ttrnay make his efcape in the night by a fliamefiil flight. I
beg leave to obferve, that not a man in the fquadron imagined
the four fail, when we faw them, where the enemy ; and the pi^
lots were of opinion, that they miift have had the wind much
ftfonger than with us, to overcome the wefterly fwell in the^ar-
liour's mouth. I fent the King George round Capt Rate, as fir
as Trepa£y, to bring me intelligence if the enemy Ihould ftecr to^
wards flatetitia ; and I direfted Capt. Douglas of tlje^r*» to
get the trahfports moved from tot bay as A very linfafe road to
th?|bayof J?a//f.
A bomb battery was opened againft the fort, in the night of the
X7th, add next day it capitulated, before any other battfcry began
to play.
I'he fquadron got into the harbour yefterday morhing ; and in
the evening I received their Lordfliips order of the 3d of ^ugufti
fent mc by capt, Palli/tr of the Shrewsbury t who, U^ith the Su-
ferbt, Bedford, and Minerva, had juft arrived oh the coaft. I
have dircfted capt. PaiUfer, with the other ftiips, to come into
the harbour, as foon as a convenient opportunity offers for fc
doing.
\\t have about eight huridred prifoners, grenaditrs, piCquets,
and feme marines, bfeing a very fine body of men, and nearly
equal in number to tlie regulars of our army. I am now preparing
tranfports to carry thejii to Brr^.
The enemy did not intend to leave fo great a part of their force
here ; their grenadiers were ready for embarking, but M. de Itr^
nay feeiued determined at all events to gtafp an opportunity,
which, if once loft, might never be regained ; tlierefore, in the
utmol*
i7^2« ^ti HisToiLY tf the W At, 537
wWch wat potted at a place called the heights of Tohan-
nifterg, near the banks of the Wctten At firft his fuccefa
was anfwcr«blc to his own cxpeftations, and the courage
Mmoftconfufion, he left behiiid his grenadiers, anchors, and
turned h s boats adrift when they had towed him out Thi fJe
r^/ri' -Mk*' ^^~'-^°^' ™''''"' ^ho was pohed on aS
cmmenct m the narroweft part of the harbour's mouth, could hear
tlieir npife. but could not difcern arty of their fhips. The fo.r
even altered the direaion of the fouid, which feezed to comi
from another part of the harbour, whUft they muft have been di-
Koly under lum.
,f I^o^i " * con^ieraWe quantity of provifions and other goods
ftlrShiSfi: ''°?*^«** "^ t"«Wed promifcuoufly into different
ftMchoules by the enemy Many of the Irifh ferVants have alfo
heen robbmg andplunderuig their rtafteirs. To af<iertain proper-
ty, m order to m^e reftitutfon Us fat as can be, and tb reftore re-
SKL "*•«? "^[^'^ fo loh| diftrafted by being in the enemy's
poffeflion, wijlbetheparticulkrcare of governor Graves, who.
SXTr"'. Al'*''^!.''*"!"^*^ ^"^ ^"^^'^ *» o^^ i «n* « he will
itey here, he will be able, in a great mearure,to reftorethe affairs
ofvthis country. «-•"»»
»„??*• ?y^" °^ *?* *-^f ^ hOaytd with fpirit and aftivity.
InA f!!^Z\^^' *''""' ""^ * 8*^ *»^^^' d"'i"g this ocpediticn
and (without adding any more officers to the corps) I am happy
ui the opportunity of fending him to wait on their lordfliips.
^^A^h^J"? ^"''. ^^'"i'^Mithing imtbtm itiry partitmkr,^
Jb»a[»bjnn tbim itre, Uawngovr Rtaim it iaah /s$eh d/trvu-
tions at may tccur, ''
' I v""^]*'"? ""^e{ ^"me doubt of St. johifi and flactntU In
^A ,^'*5f'.'"'«'"»^ this fummer, as the fcjuadron from Brtfi is fail,
cd, 1 read m the news-papers whither can they go but to A^nw.
/flwi^Mi, and as a loyal fubjeft to his majefty, and a great friend
to trade, in which I have fuffered much by being too enterpriaing ,
1 do therefore moft humWy offer my thoughts for the good of my
king and country ; that is, I really think from my heart that iaid
^r/tf fquadron is gone to Ni'wfoundland, many of our Ncwfimnd^
/••rffliips being taken the laft year. The common enemy muft
*now the flenderforce of our New/eundlandQonroY in thofe parts j
and.wasafmUfquadronofhismajefty's Ihips to ge foon to
c^fwfQundlani^ and return again after examining info the fafety
N n o.
of his troops. He drove the enemy intirely from the high'
grounds into the plain •, butwhilft hepurfuedhis advantage,
the bod)r ht attacked was reinforced by the main army.
The aaion which began fo favourable for the allies, ended
in a defeat. They left above three thoufand men in killed,
«vOurtded, aricT prifdners. The hereditary prince, who had,
through the whole a^ion, made the moft powcrA»l efforts*-
and expofed himfelf to the greateft dailger^, received a
wound from a mufket-ball in his hip-bone, from which hi*
life was a long time doubtful", and his reoovery lingering
and tedious. Whilft his life continued in danger, the con-
cern was unttfual, and common to both armtes ; bothtakin^
an mtereft in the prefenration of a prince, a^mnch endear-
ed by his humanity, as admired for his valoiii- artd military
genuis.
A viaory of the greatefl: importance could not have more
fully difplayed the fuperiority of prince Ferdinand's capaci-
ty, in the condufliof a war, than his meafures after this de-
feat. The French were not fuffered to derive the fmalleft
■y.. ■ .., h' . advan-
;ii \.:
-Ji^
of tb?t valuable ifland and trade^ may likely fave many of hifr'
majefty'sAibjefts from ruin, /af«A^ prevent the common enemy a-
footing in the NfwftuitJUmd filhery.
* You will pleafc to corartiunicate thefe my thoughts to their
lordfhipsi which> I humbly ihlnli with fobmiflion, is worthy at
this time of their conficleration.
* I haye by long experience, feme judgment in fea affiirs ; as
'aifo a willingnefs to fervemy king and country, thefe will plead
an exeufe in my behalf to their lorfhips for this trouble.
* Xqjohii Citvtlandt Efq;
Anf<wtrl
l»m^ ^c
-ax .
Mmirahy-Offite, Jtmt li/*, 1762*
S I R,
^ T Have received and communicated to my lords commiflloners
of the admiralty your letter of the 8tU inftant, with refpeft
to the apprehenfion you are under, that the Brtft fleet is gone for
Newfowndland^
^ Tour vtry humhltftr'uant,
J. CLEVELAND.
559
foot
«7^t. ne HisTOKY of tbi War.
advantage from their vi<aory ; nor did the allies lo(e a looc
.or ground. 1 he copimunication with Caflel was ftiU at the
mercy of the a^U.cs.. The French, in their retreat, ha4
thrown a garnfon of ten thoufand men in that place j and
tne prmce made immediate and vigorous preparations to
When the prince had adjufted his army to cover the
«ege the iTench took advantage of his movement for that
purpofe, to repafs the Lahan near Gieflen, and advanced
towards Marpurg. But as they advanced, the prince drew
Ais army from the ficge, and made fuch difpofitiow as ena*
bJed him tofald at once upon their flank and rear, Mt.
drove them from all their pofts, and oMiged them Sept. 26*
once more to fly with precipitation belund th»
i->abne.
After this fiiccefsful afl^air, the body of tfljearmy refumed
their preparations for the fiege of Caffcl, which was nowbe-
«ome the grand objeft of the campaign ; and the great pur-
pofe of the eadeavours of both armies was, of tSe one to
open the communjcat^on vwth Caflel, of the other to cut
Jt oir.
A number of ikirmifces happened in thcfc movements,
ihe moll lemarkabk among them was the af-
fair ofBuckerMuhl, not fomuch for the confe- Sept. QO.
quences, which were not extraordinary, but for
the unciMnmoh Iteadinefs of the two partie* engajred. It
"^.l P?*fif ^' moment, the forcing of which w1>uld fa^
t^^^^ ? ?' P""?. "^^ '^^^^on of Amoncbourg, a
foiall fortrefs, but of importance, 46 ft eommanded a paft
which led into the country which they propofed to enter.
aJ^I^Tau^ nodiing more than a bridge over ^e Ohmci
the nfhtf ^y *,«»«»;,Vedoubt on one fide,\„d by a mill oij
«n If ^u^ *^^^* ^^ "*» ^"^^'^ ^'^c^Pt »« redoubt ,
^^ fi ftl^/*"'^» ^''^/P' *^^ *"'"• T^« engagement began
at firft between two fmall bodies, and an artllfery ' propofti-
onably fmall j but as the aftion warmed, the artiMory wa«
gradually augmented, until it amounted to about five and
twenty heavy cannon on each fide, The attics had originally
but one^hundred men in this poft j but before the bufineft
fnn.^ T^'r"^?*"?'?^ battalions were engaged, who
fi^cceffively relieved each other, after each detachlnelit had
made fixty difcharges. The artillery fired at a diftance of
tftxee hundred paces, and the mufquctry at thirty. Befides,
N 11 a V ' the
I
54® Thi Hi%ronY of ihi W AH* 1762,
the allied troops, as they pafled to and from the redoubt,
were, for a length of four hundred paces, expofed to all the
enemy's cannon loaded with grape ihot.
The fituation of the French was nearly the fame. A
dreadful fire was fupported between thefe refolute bodies,
without a moments intermiflion, or the leaft flackenine on
one iide or the other, for near fifteen hours, from the dawn
of dav to dark night. Neither fide gave^ay ; and this moft
bloody conteft for a moft trifling objeil in the end left thp
allies m the pofleflion of their redoubt, and the French of
their mill. The whole compafs of military hiftory furniflies
no inftance of fo obftinate a difputc. The allies loft fix hun-
dred men in killed and wounded ; towards the clofe of the
day, the dead bodies ferved to raife a parapet for the re-
doubt, in the place of that which had been beat to pieces
\)y the cannonade.
The French are thought to have fuffered more in this
action than the allies. However, though they did not fuc-
ceed in their attack upon the bridge, they bs^teredr at the
fame time the caftleof Amonebourgwithfomuth fury, that
in a ihort time they efFefted a breach, and obliged the gar-
rifori to furrender. By this advantage they gained a good
deal of ground, and even got en the rear of the allied army.
JBut with this advantage, conltderable as it was, they were
able to do nothing decifive : they were able neither to raife,
nor materially to difturb the fiege of Caftel, which vwnton
without interniptio|i; nor wherp they able to throw the leaft
relief into this place, where their garrifon already began to
fufTer for want offurovifions.
. This capital of an unfortunate principality, which has fo
often been taken and reta)cen during the courfe of this war,
difpairing of relief, at length furrendered to the
Nov. I, viaoripus arms of the allies, after a fiege of fif-
teen days open trenches. The garrifon made an
honourable capitulation. And now prince Ferdinand might
confider himfelf as mafter of Hefle, no place of ftrength in
that country remaining in the enemy's hands, except Zie-
gcnhayn. Advanced as the feafon was, the prince prepared
to lay fiege to that fortrefs; and as he was now able to draw
down his whole army into that quarter, there was no quef-
jioft but he would have madp <»imfplf mi^er of the place
without
17^2. TbiHiiTonY cfihi War. £^i
without any difficulty. But the figningof the pre^
liminaries of peace, at this time notified in the Nov. 15.
two armies, put an happy conclufion to all milita-
ry operations.
Thefe preliminaries had very little to do towards com-
pleting the relief of our allies j except that they fet the feal
on their good fortune, and picvented their being expofcd
any longer to the chances of war. This campaign, though
It was not diftinguifhed by any great decifive viZkory, yf»a
not the lefs honourable to the commander or the troops. A
connefted feries of judicious and fpirited operations produced
all the effeiis which could be propofed from a fingle and
brilliant ftroke. At this period, the French, after having
for fix years exerted almoft the whole undivided ftr«ngth of
their monarchy upon this fingle obje<ft, were, i;i the end,
very little more advanced than they were the day they firft
fet their foot in Germany. The pofleflion of tjiree or lour
poor unimportant places was all they had purchafed hy ma^
ny millions of t^eafure expended, and poffibly near two hun-
dred thoufand lives thrown away.
The whole body of the allies acquired greatandjuftglo*
ry in this war ; but the EneliHihad all along the p^ 0^0*
nour, and obtained the higheft reputation. As to their com-
mander the dujce of Brunfwick, having begun his operati-^
ons almoft without an army, having continued the w* with
an army always inferior in numbers, having experienced
every variety of fortune, his capacity and his firmnefs carri-
ed hifn vyith credit through all; and enabled hint to con-
clude the war with a triumphant fuperioyity. He may now
enjoy in the honourable repofe which his exploits have
purchafed for himfcjf and his country, the beft of rewards,
the confcioufnefs of public fervice. Pofterity will confidcr
him as the deliverer of Genoany.
The Engliih troops^ after fo many fatigues and dangers^
at length enjoyed the profpeft of a fpeedy return to their
country } but a genefa] damp was caft fuddenly on their
joy by the illnefs of lord Granby j ^ho was attacked by %
very dangerous and long continued feyer, (a) It is impoffi-
(aj Ibt Mar^His t,'Granby's Ltutr •/ Tbankt to tbt Britijh Forc$$
im Germany, dattdMyxtifieifJan, 1, 1763.
^' T ORIXGranby hoped to have had it in his power to have
^ feen and taken hiJ| leave vf the troops, before their embar-
kation
54* 7ii HisTOTKV of tht W AH. 1761,
ble to exprefs the concern of the whole army during thia
anxious interval, or the joy which enlivened every breai
on his recovery. No commander had ever been more dif-
tinguifhcd for an enterprifui^ and generous courage } and
none half fo much for an unlimitted benevolence. The fick
and wounded foldier, the officer whofe income was unequal
to his rank or his neccflities., in him found a never failing
and never burthenfome rcfource. Whatever could be done
to animate the foldiery, to make them chearful in the fcr-
vico, to alkvi.-'lc the hardfhips of war, was exerted beyond
what could be thought polfible in the limits of h p/ivate for-
tune ; and the fatista£lion of the giv< r vvcnt always be-
yond the adlual benefit, becaufe in his gn iteft liberality.
It was evident that he wifhtd to do a thoufand times more.
By his whole condudl he inlpircil foreigners with a favoura-
ble idea of the Engliflj nobility. His charadler is, indeed,
fuch as we are apt, in romantic ideas, fondly to conceive of
,«ur old Eiiglilh barons. It is with pleafurc we attempt,
-5.f{ovjL:x^- however
lutioofor England ; but a fevere illnefs having detained him at
Warburg, and his prefent Qateof heahh obliging him to take an-
other ivute, he could not li^ave this country without this public
l;eftin»flpy of his entire approbation of tlxeiz conduft fmce he has
l^ad th* honour of commanding them
" TJiefe (eiitiments naturally call for his utnioft acknowleffg-
jmcnts ; he therefore rettu-ns hiswarraert thanks to the generals,
pflicers, and private men. compofing the whole PritiJh corps, for
the bravery, zeal, difciplfne, and good cpnduft he has conftantly
experienced from every individual ; and his mofi particular and
perfonal thanks are due to them for their ready obedience, upon
all occafions to fuch orders as his (lation obliged him to give.
«' His beft endeavours have always beeodirefted to their good,
by every means in his power ; atd he b^ the fatisfaftion to think
he has fome reafon to flatter himfclf of their being convinced, if
Hot of the effic . lea'X of the fmcerity of jr«s intentions, if he
may judge by tlio- iwblc jctyrn the! b :?iaviour has made lum ; 3
behaviour, th- >; It ds him with gratitude, has endeared
them to their king and' country, and has covered them with glory
and honour.
" Highly fenfiblp of their merit, he fhaU continue, while he lives,
to look upon it as much his duty, as it will for ever be his inclina-
tions, to give them every poffible proof of his affieftion and efteem ;
which he Ihould be liappy to make as apparent as their v aloitr ha'i
been, and will be confpicuqus and e^famplary to aftcr-pgcs."
^f^2\ nt HisToftr af tbt Wak. m^^
however fccbW, t5 do juftice to the merit of thofe men.
I.v.nt or deacT, who, in this memorable war. have comri'
butJto raifc .hi,, country to a pitch of glory, iiwhTch U
las not been exceeded by any other in antrent or modera
C H A P. X.
vag, the £mpir,. Prelimmarht of peace hetwln Great
Bntmn and Pra'nce. Difputes nncernL them, Mr.F,*
tomts tntoadmnijfration. Prel'minariet approved by t>ar-
pZ'HL /T/-^ Hubertjhours betweei AuflrL\ni
frujjta, Conctufiotu
■f¥;r H I L S T thfe courts of London and VerfaHlcs were
rt,Tf7«f V "* . conftderable a progrefs towards peace,
.nnlf "" c' »«<» »"'i« feemed to remit nothing of theiJ
mZV^T^'L J*'* .''•"S ofPrUffia, depriredff the af-
th.T.Vil'*!*^^!'^^*'™*' ^'•'*^ ^^°'"*he hoftilities of
the ^"«^a«» d>re«ed his whole force and attention to Arards
rhe nngle objca of driving the Auftrians out of Silefia.
I nnce Renry who cpmmanded in Saxony, contented
h.rnftlf with a^m. upon the rfefenfive. The fing in per-
ibn earned on thejiege of Schweidnitz, almoft in the prc^
IW I^ T\ i ^^"">7^ f"'^^ '"ade any attempts tore
tl^'c • ;;* y'l"' '^" d^ficiericy there night haU beert^
•h the fp.r,t of the grand army of the Auftrhins. it was am-
iJly compenfated bv the obftinate bravery of the garrifoL
wh.ch refifted all tie attack, of the Pruln, for nTtw^
months from the opening of the trenches. It is faid that
l^Ltr k'^'uT^".'^*^^' *"^ ^^^'^ ^*^'"*^n" '"ad^ by twoen.
Sn?; "J r ^""^ "^"'i? ^'^ '^'' ^"^J^*^ «f ^he attack ani
rirxJi?!,*' / ^'^^ *. """"^l^iy ^"^ "°^ praaically engaged to
iJrove the fuperionty of theiv feveral fyftems.
However this may be, Schweidnitz coft thektngof Pruf-
hlr\fT deal of time, many laborious efforts, and a num^
oer of men. The brave garrifon, to the number
Gt eight thoufand men, were at length obliged to Oft. o-
fun^nder prifoners of war. Their ill fortune pur- ^
lAied them every where. A great part of this body of gal-
lant
m
7*''HisrokY of th WAfti
1762,
ant prifoners were drowned at the mouth of the Oder, on
their paiTage to their intended confinement at Koniglberg :
only nme men of the whole number efcaped.
The king of Pruflia now matter of Schweidnitz^ and
eonfequently of Silf.fia, turned his attention to Saxony,
Vherc he confid-irably reinforced his brother's army and
made preparations which indicated a d'^fign of laying fisge
to Drcfden.
In Saxon/ alfo the Auftrians began to exert themfelves
with great fpirit ; and made fome progrefs under the gene-
rals Stolberg, and Haddick. They obtained confiderable
advantages, in feveral encounters, over the army of prince
Kenry j and even pufhed them back to Freyberg ; the pof-
feffion of which place they prepared ta difpute with <he
Pruflians.
But here fortune, which has feldom proved long conftant
to their arms, entirely forfook them. The united
Oik» 29. armyoflmpeialifts and Auftrian^ wa$ attacked by
prince Henry, f who took advantage of the abfence
fif general Haddick, ) in the neighbourhood of Freyberg, and
totally routed. Great numbers were flaip. The PruiTians
took near fix thoufand prifoners, among whom were about
two hundred a id forty officers of all ranks, thirty pieces of
cannon, and feveral ftandardsv The viftory was co.nplete,
and, as far as regarded the evertt of the campaign, decifive.
The Auftrians attributedthis defeat to the treachery oT
one of their fuperior officers, who was foon after taken in-
to cuftody. But whilft they were inquiring into the caufe
«f their difafter, ;^nd preparing to punifh the author of it,
the Pruffians were puihing the advantages which their vic-
tory aflrord?d them with afi imaginable alacrity. And this
^hey were enabled to do with the greateft efFe£t, by means
of a partial ceflation of hoftiiities, which tlie Auftrians were
fo imprudent as to conclude with the king of Pruflia for
Silefta and the eleftoral Saxony only,withoutforefeeingthe
danger, or providing for the fafety, either of their own im-
mediate dominions, or of tbofc members of the Empire,
which were the moft attached to their interefts, and which
were now expofed to the attempts of a bold, rapacious,
and exafperated enemy. ^
One body of the Pruflian army broke into Bohemia,
pufhed on almoft to the gates of Frague, and deftroyed a
capital magazine. Another fell upw the fame country on
another
i^-.S
*7^ii ^^'ttisTORVc//^ WAft. 54^
another quarter, and laid the town of Eera almoft in .i\Z
fey a bombardmeht and a cannohade of red hot bults*
Some extended themfelves all ovet Saxony .other, „i„.'
trated Into the furtheft parts of Franconfa; anS eve^:;
far asSuabia, ravaging the country, exafting the moft «
orbitant contributions! and fp^aS ng difmfv ,„? rn„f
Ratifbon did not think themfelves in fafety j but were be-
gmnuig tofly and prenarih. to remove th Jr tecordT
HSnL • a\^''^ °^ Nurem%erK, fo famous for th; i„ae.
hious induftry, and pacific difpofitioh of its inhabitant!
fufFercd the moftby this inVafiorij having been obliJS 1*
pay contribution to' the amount of twHuXd thfufan?
pounds of our mohe;. It has been fuppofed! that in tW,
expedition the Pruflfans raifed a fum equaf to the ann^?
fubfidy, wh ch ha^ formerly been paid gy Great Britain to
their Sovereign. Many of the ftates fou/d themS oh
^blJ^'t'^'^^^^" ^y *^'« neutrality, entirely d'f*
abled by the late defeat, Or'exhaufted by thefubfSt in
curfions were no longer in a condition to furnKn arm;
The preliminaries had been figned by the Brftifli on^
vember tdt? " ^ri^^^ °" 'he th^d'o'? No^
thTtwe' Jhn .M r'^^^'y ^;?'"''^' completion of our defign,
tr^l ^u^^ ^f ^ g'^^ ^^'^e account of the definidvi
treaty which was built upon them. aenniti;«
t Jr sr^^I" ^*!l '«c°"«^» that, in the negotiation of
1761, It was laid down as a principal by the tw o courts that
t 7de/n. *"' '''°^" < ^*'"* .^^^ ^« confi/ered as tl
traded or never made. At that time we rem arked that
thefe propofitions would probably have their influ ence, Jol
^ <» with
.54^ 7*#Hi»TtRY <)/ /in War. 1761,
withibnaingtijii juovilioii j hccaulc, m wc then olWcrvt'd,
thmBsdncc Iculeil i»nd ngrrd to, unuvoidiibly rtamp their
jwn ImprrHion upon any future negotiation relative to the
faine (ul)jc(JK It happcnrd vtry ncaily, »« wm then forc-
fpcn I l\)r, rtN far as wccan j\idi>c, ihc negotiation did not
fct out upon any new or peculiar principle ot its own, but
feemcdto allunie as a halis thole points, which were near-
eft to an adjiilhnent in the preceding treaty j and to com-
incnee wheie that tranraiMionconchuled.
The fpirit of the two ncaotiaiions, fo far as regarded the
"|»ecnliar intoicft of CJreai Mriiain, fecms to have been pct-
tr«.".ly (imilar. 'I'here was fcarccly any other diftcrcnco,
than that Great Britain, in eonfequcncc of her fucccffc*
fince that time, act^uired more than flic then demanded ;
hni flill the general idea, on which (he acquired, was near-
ly or altogcilier the fame. Uut with regard to fomc of otir
allien, the principal -^'as greatly varied i and wc imagine
that this chappc was fufficiently juflificd by the alteration
which happened in the affairs of Germany, during the in-
terval between the two treaties. Thofc who conducted the
negotiation in 1761, were fteady in rejcfting every propo-
iition, in which they were not left at liberty to aid the
kin^ of Pruflia, with the whole force of Great Britain j
thole, who concluded the peace in 1762, paid lefs attention
to the interefts, ihough they did not wholly ncglett the
fafety of chat monarch. At the beginning of the year, and
before they had entered into the negotiation, they rcfufcd
to renew that article of the annual treaty, by which our
court had engaged to conclude no peace without the king
of Pruflia ; though at the (lime time they decl.nrcd thcmfclvcs
willing to affift hfm with the ufual fubfidy. He on his part rc-
fufed the fubfidy unconneacd with that article. Some cold-
iielsgicw between the two courts, from this time forward.
1 ne adjurtment of affairs in the Empire, feemcd to form
no material impediment to the progrefs of the treaty.
Both parties readily agreed to withdraw themfclves totally
from the German war. I'hcy thought and rightly, that
nothing- could tend fo much to give peace to their refpedive
allies, as mutually to withdraw their afliftancefrom them ;
and to flop that current of ?jiglifh and French money,
which, as long as it ran into Germany, would be lure to
feed a perpetual war in that country.
Circumftanccd as affairs then wcie, this condudl on our
fide
..<Mf«i»«rjiJt
1762. 7hHiiroKY o/tbt Wah. 547
fiilo wttH jN (Icfcnfiblc iM the condiia which wc hdd in
ll^u' 1 ^^ '''•'//'•"/-• <hc aft-auH of the king of I'rufTm were
tt the owcft 01, J he was ovcrp.iwcrcd by the whole weight
of A.^n;, oi Swcdrn, of the Empire, ^nd of RurtiaM
tictcimincci uHcvcr, m her ciiniily, and then fucccfaful t to
lay nothinij of l<rancr. Neither gencrofity, nor pcrhapi
loiind policy, oiitfht to have permittee! uu to dcfcri liim m
that htiiaiion. Hut when the lu(t treaty was made, the con-
tlition of hiN affairs wa^ abfoliiicly rcvcrfcd. He had tot
nd of the moll powerful, and one of the moA impUcaBle
«f his enemies. He had concluded a peace with Sweden.
Ihe treaty itfell heed him from all anprehcnhonji of France,
lie hiul then nunc to contend with, but a nominal army of
the lMnp'rc,andoncofAu«ria, which, though fomctbing
more than nontinal, was wholly unable to oppofc his pro!
urds. Ills htuaiion, Irom being pitiable, wa» become formir
<lablc. It was good policy to prevent the ballancc ofGer-
many from being overturned to his prejudice. It would have
liern the worfl in the world to overturn it in hii favour.
I hde principlcN fufficiently explain and juftify the dif-
n-rciu coiulua of this nation, at thefc two periodi, towardf
w r Wm '''■"^'•. J^"" '''='"*"'^ «^ *hc evacuation of
We cl, Clcves, and Gucldres, which had been made in
the hrft negotiation was then juftly excepted to, bccaufc
we rdufcd to put an end to the German war. In this laft
the French agreed to it, and with reafon, becaufe we aerecd
in common with them to be neutral in the difputei of the
l^mpirc. And on thcfe principles, the peace of Germany,
fo far as lUepended on Great Britain and France, was rc-
Itored. The reft of Europe was pacified by the ftipulation '
for the evacuation of Portugal. This was indeed, with
regard to the contrading courts, the primary objca.
What remained after the concerns of the allies were
provided for, was the adjuftment of what related to the fct-
tleincnts and commerce of Great Britain and the Bourbon
courts. 7 he difficulty, which prevented this adjuftment
in the preceding negotiation, was the intervention of the
claims of bpain. The attempts of the Bourbon powers to
intermix and confound their affairs in the preceding nego-
tiation, had a {hare in making the war more general : on
this occafion it had a contrary effeft. As the whole waa
negotiated together, it facilitated the peace, by affording
Pfilicr methods pf adjuftiag the fyftcm of wmpcnfation, anS
O 2 fur.
548 The RisTQjiY cf thiV/ AH, 176a,
furnifhipg more largely to the general fund cf eqivalents!
1 he great objeft, and the original caufeofthe war, had
?i!* c2* [^tlcment of limits in America. This was therefore
the firft objea to be attended to in the treaty. And it muft
^ obferved, that this point was much more accurately, as
vrell as beneficially, fettled, than it promifed to be fn the
negotiation of the foregoing year. iFor the French, not
havii^ afcertained the bounds between their own feveral
poffeffions with great exadnefs, than they had thofe be^
tween their poffeffions and ours, it was not clear in cedine
panada, how much they ceded to us. Difputes micht
fu\TJ'^'"K' r!r^ ^'i '"^'."'* i-^mediately arife*^ upon tlis
fubjea, befides, the weftern limits of our fouthern conti-
nental colonies, were not mentioned. And thofe limits
Juch difcuffions contained in them the feeds of a new war,
i"jLf ^«ft/^f fy '; was agreed, that a line drawn along the
v.rT»l''M/^^ river Miffiftppi, from its fource to tKe ri,
ver Ibcrvjle, (a fmall but navigable branch of the Mifflfip-
PN ) and thence along the middle of this river, and the laket
Lwwl"?!?' • «"^ /onjc»^artra'n.(which lakes communicate
J*^ith both rivers) to the fea, fhould be the bounds of the
fwo nations in North America.
Nothingcould be more diftipa than this boundary. It
gave us, in addition to what was properly Canada, a very
large traa of territory, which the French ufed to include
under the name of Louifaniaj to which our claims were
^^^^^^^*y^f<^^rtzmtdyznd much lefs eftablilhed by any
polTeffion. The French have had for a long time forts and
lettlemcntaiii that country} whereas the Englift never had
either tile one or the other 5 and this is a confideration of
?uch a* a"**"*^"* *" ' ^**"**^ conqering rights in a country
* ^^'^^^^^^^fotothc rounding of our territories, and
cutting off the occafions of limitary difputes, was the cef-
Mn of Florida on the part of Spain. This country indeed
makes no great /igqre jn the commercial world ; and cannot
De therefore put m competition with the other conquefts,
JBut from the fituation of its harbours of Penfacola and Mo-
OUe, It affords fome advantages in the time of peace, and very
confiderablconesintimeofwar; by conneaing our fu-
ture ftttlements on the Miffifippi with thofe upon the At-
lantic ocean, and by enabling us greatly todiftrcfs, if not
wholly
17^2. TAtf History tf the War. 54^
wholly to deftroy the trade of the Spaniards in cafe of 1
rupture with them. The navigation of the Miffifippi w»
made common to both nations.
By the treaty of Utrecht, which fettled our northern
limits, and by this treatv which afccrtained thofe to thfr
welt, our poffeffions in America are as well defined, as the
nature of fuch a country can poffibly admit. They com.
prehendm their extent the foundation of a vaft eranire.
they have many advantages of foil and climate ; and man^
ptintercourfe and communication, by the number of noble
Jakes and navigable rivers, with which that part of the
world abounds, Thefe circumftances afFord, though a di-
ftant, a fair profpeft of commerce to Great Britaio, when
this immenfe country comes to be fully peopled, and pro,
Kflir T'*^- Some advantages alfo we Jerive from this
fZf'Si' -^ arc notonyconfidcrable but immediate;
among the principal of which muft be reckoned, the mono!
poly of the furr and peltry trade of North America, muc^
the grcateft trade of that kind in the world, and whicMs
ffin'?fr^^7''T''*^yJ"uT^"^^- B«fid«the pof!
took frl tlllp '"k'^"** '^"^ ^P^^'*^ ^^ °"' fi^^T. «n*
i^.K; r J***^'"^'"*;^ »n opportunity of trade, wjiich ibe
might employ greatly to our detriment.
Such are the s^lvantages fairly, and without an^ exa^m-
ration, for which we are indebte'd to this part of the trlt?^"
In which the interefts of Great Britain were well we?ehTd
and fohdly provided for. weighed
The next point we fhall confider, is the araneement
made concerning the Newfoundland fifhery, TWs wm a
pointofiniin.te importance, and a fubjea of much "n*
troverfy. In a commercial view it ii certainly of ^t
eftimation, But it has been confidered as even more ^
tcnfive fifteries are the life of many maritime places, which
would otherwife be of no fort of value ; that they are the
pat nurferies of feamen, and confequently the great Z
rources of the marine. Scarce any objeft could beTmore
"S~v::r "'"'"'' "^^ -me^ndedfora fuperioritj
The more clearly therefore it was the intereft of Great
^ritain, to acquire the exclufive exercife of this fifliery, the
more ftrongly and evidently it became the intercftof /ranee
to oppofe tWfelves tofuci a pretenfion. Not only a large
farj of her fpreign trade depcQded on this m^jyy but a
jrr#»af
w
BBo 7bi History of the War, ,7^2;
great part of her domefticfupply. Bofides every hope of
the Itrength and almoft of the exiftence of a naval cower
muftvanifli with the ceffion of this fifhery. *
The Englifh adminiftraticn probably faw, that France
wouJd rather run all the hazards of war, than totally relin-
quift this objea. Sincethciefore they defpaired of driving
the French entirely frori^ the fifhery, they endeavoured a!
much as poflible to diminifh its value to them. In this re-
Ipedt they followed the plan of the former negotiation, ex-
cept that fome improvements were added.
^" n'^f.^n^P^*"'^^^'^"'*^'^ °f the treaty of Utrecht
was eftabhflied, by which the French were admitted to
* and to dry their fift, on the north-eaft and north-weft
parts of Newfoundland, from CapeBonavifta to Point Bichc
and excluded from the reft of this ifland. They were alfo
permitted to fift within the Gulph of St. Lawrence, but
with this limitation, that they fhall not approach within
three leagues of any of the coafts belongingto England,
This precaution was taken, nqt only with a view of
abridging the French fifhery of dry cod, but principally in
order to prevent their landing, and on that pretence forming
lett f mems on thofe extenfive defafts, which furrounded thi
Oulph of St. Lawrence. Otherwife this privilege might
become a means of exciting new controverfies between the
two nations.
In compenfation. for the ceffion of the ifles of Cape
^r<Jton and St. John to England, we agreed tofurrenderto
iTaiure the fmall ifland of St. Pierre and Miquelon, fitu-
ated to the fouthof Newfoundland. The ceffion of the
two former iflands was, unqueftionably, more than an equi-
valent for the two latter, though the latter are bv no means
either incommodioufiy fituated or ill circumftanced for car-
rym^ on the fifliery. The French ftipulated to ereft no
tortihcations on thefe iflands, nor to keep more than fifty
foid.ers to enforce the police. In this inftance thg plan of
the former negotiation was purfued. The ideas of a refi-
dcnt commiflary, and the occafional vifitation by a fhip of
war were omitted ; as regulations, which were in truth more
humiliating to France, than in any rcfpeft advantageous to
our interefF. ^
The fifhery was, as it had been at the treaty of Utrecht,
divided between France and England, but with lefs equali-
ty on this than on that ocpafion. The Frcpcl) are not
wholly
thnisT6KY of the Wa«.
7 • «^.^.MJvi vj fpg WAR. fc>i
whcJlly deprived of their (hare; but this fliare k ronfi^
rtU fiA."' "t?*"" -^'''"""""oed f we have adTa„,?r •!
expreffion could h,vf bee^ wSled?^ U had b en of 1-2
importance, in what terms a right was renoun^^J ?",.'
for along, toe h,d never been eYercTfed "''* *""'*
.1, K ,. ""' ""^'^ °f ">« W«ft Ind'M came to be kuUJ
fn the n'e'Stn 'wTh H t"' ™'"j<'»rg«atdi^culty
J|.dhe„!rr.adY rt^c'oTceSot. ^'^^ Sf'
Havannah, with a conffderable part of the i(land"?r„vr
.flandsof Tobago.Dominicrsrvrnce«. Td "t^e' G«'
nades. To the three.formcr, of which, f m well ,\Z, ^T
J^f^tteafl raTue"""'"™ ' """ "" '"^ "*"» «««
of a maritime and coramerical pov/er Th^f Vh F^
vo„il r,, *'^''"^'"."' "R"" innumerable multitude of
young feamen i and that the Weft India trS. , I
them when they were trained Th,,p trade employed
gained a decide^dTupS^st AU l' "'f 'T""'^.'
.ommod»,es, wh.ch are produced only i„ Lt part of The
world
■|
$Sz ^k$ HistoRV •/ iht Wxi. i^ii;
world » By this commerce, faid they, (he enriched her
merchants and augmented her fihances} whilft from a
want of fugar land, which has been long known and fevere-
h felt by England, we at once loft the foreign tradtti iiA
iufTered all the inconveniences of a monopoly at homt.
That, at the clofe of fo expenfive a war, we might very
letfonabiy demand fomething towards our indemliineation^
as well as towards our fecurity. It is evident faid they,
that our conquefts in North America, however, they may
^provide for the one, are altogether inadequate to the other
of thefe ends. The ftate of the exifting trade of thefe con-
<[uefts is extremely low ; the fpeculations of Uieir futui^
arc precarious, and the profjped, at the ^tty beft, very re-
mote. We ftand inneed offupplies, which will have an
effca, certain, fpeedy, and confiderable. The retaining
both, or even one of the confiderable French iflands, Mar-
tinicpor Guadeloupe, will, and nothing elfe can efFe^ually
anfwer this tripple purpofe. The advantage is immediate^
It is a matter not of conjecture but of account. The trade
with thefe con'queAs is of the moft lucrative nature, :lnd o?
the moft confiderable extent ; the number of Chips employed
by it are a great refource to our maritime power ; the mcf-
xiopoly at home is corre^ed, and the foreign trade is reco-
vered. And what is of equal weight, all that we estih on this
ffftem, is made fourfold to us, by the lofs which enfues to
France. But our cohquefts in North America, hoivever ad-
vantageous they may prove to us, in the Idea of fecurity^
(for in that refpeit alone they arc of any moineiit) are <rf"
very little detriment to the commerce of France. On the
Weft India- fcheme of acquifition, our gain and her lofs goi
hand in hand.
. They infiftcd upon the obvious connexion of this tradcj
with that of our colonies in North America^ and with our
commerce to the coaft of Africa. The African trade, faid
they, will be augmented, by the demand for flaves. That
pf North America will all center in ourfelves< Whereas if
the iflands are all reftored, a great part, of the benefit of
the northern colony trade muft redound, as it has hitherto
done, to thofe who were lately our enertiies, and will al-
ways be our rivals.
They obfcrved, that there was nothing extraVagaAt or
overbearing in this demand. That though we ffiould re-
tfiii either Martinico or Guadeloupe, er even both thefe
iflands
*»^6i. The ttistoAY if the Wak. %^-
SfriS % f *?^'?>y °"'' '"«<J«=r^tion in the ceffion of
njt rcit. 1 o% nothing of odr niartj conccflions in the
h?A!i'''"^'* ^'^'?' lirovinees of commerce the French
Jhare of which tfcey were reftorcd by the treaty. But if
furthfer conccffion, muft be made (-for ^hich however thcv
faw no neceffity) let the prodigious demand in North Amc-
ftca be fDmewhat contra^ed ; %y this method we loofe no-
tftihg to our commerce ; and we do not hazard our fecuri-
;ty, as We fllalllHH be infinitely fuperior in ftrength , and
' ZuT^'^'^c^ '*'" ^'"^' °"*» ''^^^ P''^^^ w»» be moll f^cure,
. Whdfe refourccs arc ihbft confiderable. *
' «ri«;!^^ iT Sli'^^'/^'y' ''"^' ^^ ^^"^^ Qurfelves, foirly, the
^kET *"?*^^ <^P-the<^ueftion ; they were replied to by the
'beft;whtert:cl«the^<Jther, lipon the following principles
: Thatthe ongmil objeft of the war was the fccurity of
_ our colonitsunJon the continent ; that the danger to which
^efe colonies were cxpofed, and in confequ^nce of that
dartgcr, theimjittifcwafte of blood and treafure which en-
S!! r ^''V ?'^«''*' together with the calamities, which
; Wei<e from the faAte fource, derived upon the forxr qum-
■T °K ?\''''^'^» ^"^^ "° ^°^^ °f doubt ?hat it was not^ dnly
bur beft, but our only policy, to guard againft all poffibili-
tybf the return of (dch evils. Experience has Lwnus
• thatwhileFi-ancepoffelTes ahy fingle place in Arn^?ca
from whence (he maj^ moleft our fetdements, they can ne-
rerenjoyanYrepofei and ofcourfethat we are never fe^
cure from bemg plunged again into thofe calamities, from
Which we have^t length, and with fo much difficulty, hap-
flXT"^^^^'^"^ ""^^^^ ^'"^"*^« f''«'" our neighbourhood
■ »n Artienca^ or tocbntraft her power within the narroweft
^ Jimits poffible, IS therefore the moft capital advantage we
f^ns" " ' ^"^ " ^°"^ purchafing by almoft any concef-
They infif^d that the abfolute fecurity derived from thfs
• plan, included m itfelf an indemnification. Firft ; by fav-
ing us, more effbaually than any other method could,
from the neceffity of another war, and confequently by
giving us an opportunity of increafmg our trade, and low-
ering our d;bt. Secondly ; by permitting our colonies on
^ P the
%
*1
S54 7beHiiTQ%Yftf ibi'WAn^ ,t*j6i»
he. continent to extend thcmfelvcs without jd^ngtr oi ,fl»^
Jeft^tion. They {hcv/cd ^hje. great i^f^ieafe p£ poppulatiop
in tl^ofc colonies within a (ew year^f.Tjicy, mewed tha^t
.*^^*'■ : ""ade with the mother couiUjjrhaji ,^i»fQrmly,;i^^-
crenfc^ with this population. That.hpl^g now ,fr^
^^P'^.th^.niolcftatiop of enemicp, a'n4, the emulations of
rivds, unlimited jn their ,pofleiiip;is, ^nij fafc i» their
pcrfoH«, pur American planters wouR|3iy,tkc very (?qu,nc
of the^r natural propogation in a very ^iQrt;,tiine, furnjj^i
out a demand of our niHnufadlureg,, a^ l^rge as all die
worjcjng hands of Qr(fat Britain could noi3ii>ly fupply. That
there >y4^s therefore no rcafonj to drcadithait wanf ,9/ trade,
.■wh'cji fhcir a^verXaries infM^uatqd, fixice North _ Ain'erica
alone would fupply the d'cficicnqes ot pur. - trade .jn .every
<^te.P3r;tpf the world. ,, ,- \',,v,; , ,. .,
rj-A^cy e;(patiated on the, great, va»44;;X 9^ cjlmates, Ayhjch
that OJU^itry contained, and the vnlt. jtelouijCjeg; whjch would
thence arifc to .commerce. . That theyalue ^ifjouriconqv^s
; ^hereby qught not to h^, eftimatqd by tW;Wf?fent produce,
j.but by. their probable .increafe,.; Neit(y:^J]Di^ght the value
of amy country to be folely tried, on ^ts. ppjipijifjrpial advan-
tages i that extent of territory and inmjjib^, pf fubjea$, are
^matters of as much confidcration to ajftajtef atlerjt>ive to tlie
fources, pf rca] ,grandeur, as the mer« advantages of tr^fl^c j
fhat fuch ideas are rather fuitable to -^ :li(nite4 and petty
. commonvveaUh, like HoUapd, than tp a ere at, powerful
i i^nd warlike nation. 7'hat on thefe prrpciples, having made
,very large demands in North America, it was' neceifery to
relax in other parts. Thjit France would.never be brought
to any confiderable ceffion in the "W^ft Indies i but that
, hex power and increafe ther^e coulcj ne^yer, become formida-
. ble, becaufe the exiftence. of her fett;\e(nents, depended up-
;on ours in North America, (he not being anyi longer left a
•place from whence they can be fuppjied ; with pr^ifions ;
that in lofing fomething of the fugar trade, we loft very lit-
- .tie elfe than a luxury : as to the other produce of the Weft
Indies, it might be in a great meafure, and in part already
, 'tvas fupplied by our pofkffions on the continent, which dai-
. ly increafed not only in the quantity but in the kind pf its
, produce.
, We do not pretend to pafs any judgment on the merits
-of the feveral fides of this queftion, which is certainly a ve-
.ly difficult one,. We relate opinions, as well as fails, hif-
tprically. The
>762; Tit HiiToiLY of ti>ei War, 555
ix/^/i'1 ^'"^^ ^^"^' ^^^^^ rcmaiiKfcl ta.he luljuftcd m ifhe
Weft Indies^ was the logwood trude. Spain con fcnted' not
to difturb the Englifti in their occupation of cutting log-
wood m the bay of Honduras, and to permit them to occu-
py luch buildings as may be necedary forthemin this occua
patioji. Great Britain, on her fide, ftipuhited to deftroy
rhc fortifications which had been ercded on that bay*.
By this article the Englifti acquired a folid rigliti'n this
long conteftcd trade 5 but fcemcd at the fame time, to loft-
all che means of proteaing it. It is, however, difficult to
point out a better method of adjufting a claim of fuch a pc-
,culiar nature. The right wc claimed was not a right tothe
territory, nor dircdly to the produce ; but only a priviloi^'C
ot cutting and t:iking away this wood by indulgence, 'fo
have infixed on the right of creating fortifications, would
have been making the llrongeft claim to an abfolute, direft
and cxclufivc dominion over the territory itfelf ; a point, to
which I do not find that our
ever been carried.
moit extcnfive claims have
In Africa, Goree was rcftored to France, and Senegal
rennuned to Great Britain f. I'his regulation feems to
have divided the trade on this river, and the adjacent coalt,
between the two nations. The Englifh as they are now
i ircumftanced on that part, feem to be the moft advanta-
gc'oully fituated for the trade in time of peace j and the
i<rench for carrying away the whole of it in time of war.
Witii regard tothe Eart Indies, all the French faftories
and Icttlements are rellored to that nation in every part
ut India :|:: Although this muft be regarded as a very
gicat conceffion, it does not however afford all thofe
-jdvamages to France, which might be imagined at the
lirit View. Firll, becaufe the fortifications erefted at
iuch a vail expence in all thofe fettlements have been
totally deftroyed ; and it cannot be exp«1fted, in the pre-
fent lituation of the French company, that they can, in
the courfe of many years, if at all, be rcftored to their
former ftate; in Bengal, (including, by an explanation an-
jicxed to the definitive treaty, the kingdom of Orixa.) they
have engaged to ereft no kind of fortification, nor to keep
::ny number of foldierswhatfoever. Secondly, they have
iigreed to acknowledge the prefent reigning fubas of Ben-
'gal, Decan, aad the Carnatick, as the lawful fovercigns of
'" P p 2 thefc
* Dc.f. tr, art. xvii.J f Def. tr. art. x. \ Def. tr. art. xi.
III 1
» »
I »
pf
iiWuIa o^ India: they arc m our intercft, .nd moft of them
owe either the acquihtion, or depend for the prcfervatiou
nM,i"r'^*'""P°"°'"" '»''"•''• by which means our com-
\^L of ^1'°'"'' *" "'i'*^*' ^'■'''^" °^ '^' commerce and po-
Sc ^r^''']^""**°P"''^"'°°^^^ extending from the
the other from the fame cape to the mouth of the Indus.
1 li.rdly, during the courfe of our fuccelTes, the traders
onrilr!i'"*""^'"^^"!:"''^'''*=''^"'°^«**^^o'n »he French to
"not m!"^Ki P"i°' Protc-a.on ; and it will be difficult,
Ta ""P^^»*^'«^' to hring them back.
pollciior* If. The fortifications and harbour of Dunkirk
This is the general outline of the late treaty. The naiw
fca n? f,! K^,!^'' tranfaaion. which has betn the fub-
lut.1.1.-"" n''n'"^'°"*''*''''''^y' and which nothing
! infant /''" can deny to be productive of many vcrj
grcHt and efkntial advantages to this kingdom. '
<rJ,. T"^''''^*''^.'^ remained in agitation, formed a
great crifi« not only in the affairs of the nation, but in the
^utuneof the new miniflry, Towards the latter end of
he fummer Mr. fox was called in, and engaged in their
iupport. Though he continued in his old place of paymaf-
tcr, he undertook to conduct the affairs of government i^
the houfe of commons. Mr. Grenville, whofe employ-
incnt would naturally have engaged him in that tafk, re-
S'i W^f' f /^^rcu^y of flate, and was appo nted
t% i ^hc4dm.ralty. The great experience and known
pari amentury ab.htu-s of Mr. 1.\,x, feemed to give new
1. e to the aftans of the adminiftration. A more^igorous
and detemuncd conduc't was from that time adopted. ^ Ma-
ny of thofe, who were not perfedly attached to the new
ivltem, were immediately removed from their employ-
ments; and meafures were taken to clear every department
Qt every friend of the Duke of Newcaftle. ^ ^
. rhefpir,tpt thele prqccedings feemed to augment; that
jl Def. tr, arr. viil a^d xii, i Ppf. U, art. xiii.
%
ri« woujS undergo . ^iZtZf^ *"!.' ^' Pr^^lnM^.
.w«rccriticift>d without mircv Th?„ ^V'f'"' «^P<^»cJ
inglorious. mdcquatc/and^lfe^L ^'^''■''^"^''^d to be
fucccOcs of the war and h- " »^ •' -"'''^"' '° *^= <ff«t
nation ; that our cc^UcL tj ^e'a/."? «pc^ation. of the
«ba„doned. Public •WtaTilS^ £l^'^' ""^ «"r allies'
appoiitcd. Thenr^lTn? ^**"«wcvcr entire! vdlf
qu!:iific.,i;,Ji;\''„tc-;r-xr^r'''-'^
out any d vifion . bv tU^. ^ • ? '**'^» ^"h
"11 the Tori«, were ™™LT l."^''' ''"='•"'«' "iS
•ration. The*.h« chifft^^f i' ^ '"p" of the admS
•greed among .hemfelves Mr PKh™ ""' ."»' *"'
» P»rty in himfelf, had no. iohted w h i°7",:"""''""' «•
tie, nor feeraed difpofed ,0 lit wirT -^ "«<lukeofNewcaf.
The fa„,c general pbn of ^.^c- ;hich Lr"''"'" . ^"^Y-
ofpofition had formerly approved had u.i """' '" ""»
prel.minarie., and cvid'LntTy ?" tSeS '"T.tT'^ '^'^'^'
been objeaed, that our additiZlfi.r;.n-r *'■"''• " ''»'>
gave us ground to expeft be ° ' term/ h ,* """ "'''" *'•""'
eJ, that our national burthemand'hi • "?' '"'""''-
had increafed in, at Icaft »„ i 1 "'"'of the war.
peace wa,hee„m;l';l',;rri,aff"'°"' '^ "■«
.HeL^::Crrcr4rftis:^^ -'«•>? - .-«
were rather retorted than for !L 2 i ' • "P°" ^^^om they
altogether ^^.re.^^tol^ ^^^^^^ bein^
pofition had always purfucd and Jti. r •">" "°^ '" op*
them had publick-ly Lowed; Tnd trhaprS'T.T ""^ ^ '^
tamed. 6n the whole, it was eWdent fk ^*''vf">' '**
queftioncameon,thedifcontenL * "*^' w^«n the
ry well unitec:,ai;d\\S;^^^^^^^^^ notvc-
rcheme of oppofition. HowcveT?hn u ^'Z ^"^ '"^g^^ar
occafion,ithasrmcebegunTrr;vive "^5 ^'^'^ ""'hi.'
though peace is happily feXredSf^ '° ""'^'^i «"<«
^omeftic quiet is ftill Lf"^^^^ Power«, our
With regard tXpo^^^^^^ '^^^"^^^X ^ft^blift'ed.
tween Engfand and France and Sl/r^'^^-' ^^" P'^'' ^^
.fPruai..Mhe.ior.orth^cX'l;;;^^^^^^^
though
^^«rzr ^^
n
I
:ti
I
t
J
it.
It !.'■
1: i
yi
1^
55f^ !rA# History »fc<^# ^l^fJ 1762-.
though URwillinffly, k ; di(pafition to peace.)! j(Di]i|iferentcs
wej'C. opened at Hubertibergi^ and >jti trca^. concluded be-i
ta^een hi^Pnifltan majeflyaErd.'the.empie£i spioen, ' As.'af4
f#trs in this treaty, were fpeedU^ adjuited^ fo ItHey may be
vi^ jcontifelyi related. : Thcfubilanpe of.it' Jwis^ no more
thAnith^t a mu(;aal rcftitution. ahd oblivion' (hould rake
pkc&« andiekch party fit down at the end of the war in the
iame fituationin which they began it* Thus the king of
JRruiBftr after having for ilx years contended a^'ainfl the ef-
forts of almoft all the ereat powers of Eurdpev by whofe
Cinn^ity he -could be ane£led^ having iloo4 proof againil the
moft terrible blows of fortune, enfoys atlengththefuU re-
ward' of his luncommbn mdgn^nimity. He retains his do-
minions in fibdr utmoft extent ; and having ddivered his
cpuniry by his incomparable talents for war, he now en-
loys leifureto recover it hy his no lefs admirable talents for
governments Scarcely was the war concluded, when he
began to difpliay his attention to domeftic policy, and his
^tfe £01* the happinefs of his people. He imediatdy dif-
' tributed lands to hisdifbanded foldiery ; and gave them tlie
hprfes of bis artillery to aid them in their cultivation.
. Europe is new pacified; and fhe begins to refpire, after
^ more general and a more bloody war than any the world
, had experienced fince that ^which was concluded by the
peace of Weftphalia. As far as it is fafe to judge concern*
ingja fjrfteip which is jfubje^ to fo great and unforefeen va«
riations, and fometimes from very ilight caufes, ' this peac?
promifii^ a iconfiderable duration. The king of PruiTia will
^ardly again commit his affairs, fo miraculoufly retrieved
to- the chanced of war. Hie fees how dearly he has a fecond
^ime purchafed his conqueft of Silefia, and he -will hardly
|iun at new ac^oiiitions. The emprefs, fince (he failed to
reduce Silefiiv or even to recover the fmalleft particle of
her lollies, with fu^h an. exertion of her own strength, and
with fuch an.aUiaxi(;e as never was feen united before,: and
with which (he ckn never flutter herfelf again, muft be con-
vinced how vain it is to attempt any change in the prefent
fyftem iniGermany. ^' i .>;
• WJtilftRuflia remainodvcJrcumflunced as fhe feepis to be
at prefent, there is a Very gobdprofpe6t for the'trau<)uillity
of thc-Northi'J ,•.■,•,.,: i .i) m '■jrsA'i'q ■ .' ". \>,f^'y\. r:.'. ■■'
Franoe:has turne([l her' thoughts to a much wajit^d ceco-
?iomy knd the re-eftaljjtiftiment; of her mariiw. ^ "fl»e has
.'!«. > ., reduced
te-e'.f^
1
1
1762;
luded be-i
■.';'Asi;af4
ymay be
noi more
ftuld rake
war in the
s king of
ft the ef-
by whofe
gainil the
[lefuU re-
ts his do-
ivered his
I now en-
talents for
when hs
', and his
ately dif-
; them tlic
ioii.
pice, after
the worU
ed by the
; concern*
refeen va-
this peace
'ruffia will
retrieved
IS a fecond
ill hardly
failed to
larticle of
hgth, and
efore,: and
uft be con-
[6 prefent
sepis to be
ranquillity
jit4id ceco-
i-^ilie has
reduced
53
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Difcribing thePoftRca38,fc])iflance#
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7 A MAP of
BRITISH
OldTIlSriOiN g
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Treatj^of Ibaco
'v^"?:
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v: JitW^f Si-o ■
1
■jat^BB^^WW-WflB^ n wi ffiirK H
559 ^^^ HistoRY of the Wai. 1762.
j-educed her land forces, by above one half. England, with
out leffcning the ordinary eftablifhment of her navy, has
augmented her military, in confequence a the extent of
her conquefts. Both nations feem fenfible of the neceffity
of being prepared, and yet miiet. The Bourbon courts
are united but weakened. The mutual jealoufy of the
nations, whicR have been lately at war, continues ; but
their fubie^s of difpute, and occafions of animofity, are
much leflened. This is as good a fituation as could rea-
fonably be expelled. . r -
We have thus accompliflied our defign of laying betore
the public a connefted narrative of the evertts of the
late moft remarkable war, which we have purfued from
its commencement to its conclufion. We have omitted no
care to make it as perfed as the nature of fuch an under-
taking would permit j and we flatter ourfelves, that it will
be thought as impartial, and fatisfaftory, as any work o^
the kind extant.
m
FINIS,
^'1
m
m
M