UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES A HISTORY OF THE LATE SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. W I T H A DESCRIPTION AND ACCOUNT OF THAT GARRISON, FROM THE EARLIEST PERIODS. B Y JOHN DRINKWATER, CAPTAIN IN THE LATE SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT, OR, ROYAL MANCHESTER VOLUNTEERS. THIRD EDITION, CORRECTED; WITH A COPIOUS TABLE OF CONTENTS. VOLATILE TZRRUM 5PAROITUR, ARVA NOVA NEPTUNIA CJEDE RUBESCUNT. Viro. DUBLIN: PRINTED FOR MESSRS. COLLES, WHITE, BYRNE. M'KENZIE, AND MOORE. M,DCC,LXXXVI. 81.5 X TO) Ty9 >B^'-- T H E KIN G. SIR, WHEN I foliated the honor of being permitted to place under Your Majefty's protection the ; following Work, I was not impreffed with the idea, that the excellence of & g the compofition, but that the impor- C9 tance of the fubjecl:, might in fome degree entitle it to that diftin&ione The Hiftory of an Event which re- flects fo much luftre on Your Majef- ty's Arms, could not, I apprehended, however feeble the execution, fo ^ properly appear under any other aufpices. That Your Majefty may never be lefs faithfully ferved, nor lefs fuccefs- ful againft the Enemies of your Crown and People, is the fincere and fervent wifh of YOUR MAJESTY'S much obliged and moft devoted Snbjeft and Servant, John Drinkwater, PREFACE. 1 HE following Hiftory (as I have prefu- med to call it) is compiled from obfervations daily noted down upon the Spot, for my own fatisfaCtion and improvement ; affifted by the information and remarks of feveral refpeCta- ble Characters, who alfo were Eye-witneftes of the tranfaCtions therein recorded. Difappointed in my expectations of feeing this fubject undertaken by an abler Pen, no- thing lefs than a conviction that an accurate detail of this extraordinary Siege might beufe- ful, both in a military and hiftorical view, could have induced me, at this late period, to publiuh. In the profecution of this deflgn, one prin- cipal difficulty has occurred. The work is addreffed to two claffes of Readers: thofe. whofe principal object in the perufalof it was entertainment, I apprehended, might find the. relation too minute and circumftantial ; and that, from the infertion of many particulars, which thofe of the Military Profeffion would greatly blame an author for prefuming to, curtail, or omit. With the former, it is hoped that the ne- cefTary connexion of fome Events (which at firft may appear trivial) with the great buli- nefs of the Hiftory, will be fome apology j and I have endeavoured to diverfify the nar- rative, by fuch Anecdotes and Obfervations as will occafionally relieve or awaken the at- tention. To the latter I fhall not attempt any apology. The late Siege of Gibraltar afford-^ ed many inftancesof very fmgular exertions in the Art of Attack and Defence, the minutiae of which cannot be without their utility to thofe Officers who make a fcience of their pro- feflion ; and they muft be fenfible, that with- out pointed exadnefs, this Defign could not have been accomplifhed.-^ In fhort, it muft be remembered, that the Hiftory of this Siege is not that of a Month, or of a Tear, but that it embraces a period of near FOUR YEARS, exhibiting a ferics of operations perhaps un- parallelled. To MAJOR VALLOTTCTN, the Governor's Firft Aide-de-Camp, and Lieut. HQLLOWAY, Aide-de-Camp to the Chief Engineer, I have particular pleafure in this opportunity of re- turning thanks for the favour of many kind communications ; alfo to other Officers of Rank, whofe names I have not their permif- fion to infert. I muft alfo acknowledge hav- ing derived confiderable affiftance, in the two introductory Chapters, from the Hiftory of the Herculean Straits. Great additions have how- ever been introduced ; and I flatter myfelf ( vii ) upon the whole, that thofe Chapters will not prove an unacceptable part of the Work, fince they will render it as complete a GENERAL HISTORY OF GIBRALTAR as mod Readers will require. ADVERTISEMENT To the Second Edition. A T was my wifh to render this Work as com- plete, at the firft, as my abilities and informa- tion would permit : I omitted therefore no material circumftance, which, previous to the publication, came within my knowledge. Some improvements, however, have fince oc- curred j and, though the omiffion of them in- the former edition, by no means afreets the general object of the Hitfory, I thought it my duty to infert them in this. lam chiefly indebted to the candid criticifm of fome refpectabte Friends, for whatever cor- rections in the ftyle there may be in the pre- fent Volume ; nor could I, without difrefpect to them, and indeed to my Readers in gene- ral, neglect an opportunity of rendering the narrative more perfect and agreeable. The kind reception with which this attempt has been favoured by the Public, was., I muft confefs, beyond my moft fanguine expecta- tion. It is in compliance with their judgment, that I have been tempted to venture upon a Second Edition. I fend it forth, however, with all that diffidence which a confcioufnefs of my own powers ought to infpire ; and, however flattering fuch fuccefs may be to a young Author, I truft, I fhall not be found fo ignorant of myfelf, as to be unreafonably ela- ted, or attribute to my own merits what I am certain is rather to be afcribed to the interefl- ing nature of the fubject. GENERAL TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAP. I. PAGE .HISTORICAL Account of Gibraltar - i CHAP. II. Defcription of the Garrifon 33 CHAP. III. Communication between Gibraltar and Spain inter- rupted 6 1 Strength of the Garrifon at that period 65 A Spanifli fquadron appears off the Garrifon 69 Intelligence firft received by the Garrifon of hoftili- ties having commenced between Great Britain and Spain 72 The Britifh Admiral mifcarries in an attempt to inter- cept a Spanifh convoy laden with provilions 73 Spaniards blockade Gibraltar by fea 74. Mr. Logic, the Britifh Conful in Barbary, narrowly efcapes being taken, in his return to Tangier ibid. General Eliott orders the Garrifon to mount guard with their hair unpcwdered 75 Spaniards encamp before Gibraltar 76 Spirited conduct of the Captain of a Swedijfh frigate 77 General Eiiott appoints his Staff-officers ibid. Inhabitants begin to leave the Garrifon 78 Governor permits thofe inhabitants who remain, to erect Ihecls at the fouthward 81 Spaniards reinforce their camp, and are very active in their lines 83 General Eliott OPENS his batteries on their workmen 86 Small fhells recommended to be fired out of guns 88 Engineers complete a battery on the furr.mit of the Northern front 9Q Spaniards open embrafures in their lines for thirty- five guns 92 The Peace and Plenty, Britifh privateer, run afhore, and burnt 94 Anecdote of the Governor 95 Blockade of the Port fufpended, by the noble behavi- our of Captain Fagg in the Buck cutter privateer 98 Defcription of the btraits of Gibraltar ; with the opinions of different writers on the phenomenon of the current 99 Anecdote of a Moor 103 Blockade renewed ibid. Seafonable fupply of fire-wood Jo6 Inhabitants greatly diftreffed. Price of Provifions 1 08 Curious mode of rearing chickens 109 Spaniards fire upon a funeral-party of the Garrifon 1 10 fire upon the Town, and wound a WO- MAN ill Troops curtailed in their allowance of provifions ibid. Garrifon receive information of a relief 1 1 2 Admiral S'r George Rodney, with the Britifh fleet, arrives ; after defeating a Spanifh fquadron, and capturing the Admiral Don Juan de Langara, with four fail of the line 1 1 4 Defcription of Tetuan in Barbary i 1 8 Anecdotes of his Royal Highnels Prince WILLIAM HENRY 1 19 Garrifon reinforced by the 2d battalion of 73d re- giment 122 Spaniards much diftreffed by the prefence of the Britifh fleet 124 Defcription of Ceuta in Barbary 125 Don Langara returns on his parole into Spain, and Admiral Rodney quits the Mediterranean 127 CHAP. IV. Spaniards renaw the blockade of Gibraltar 1 29 General Eliott proportions the provifions to the Gar- rifon 132 Dishonourable conduct of the Spaniards in detaining the Britifh prifoner 3 133 Mode adopted by the Spaniards for recruiting their Army 137 Spaniards fail in an attempt to deftroy -the Britifh men of war and tranfports by NINE FIRE-SHIPS 138 firft fire upon the Garrifon from their gun-boats 142 Defcription of a gun-boat 143 Provifions again extremely fcarce in the Garrifon 147 Spaniards break ground in advance from their lines ibid. Scurvy prevalent. Troops relieved by the fortunate arrival of a fhip laden with lemons, &c. 1 5 1 Mode of ufing the vegetable acid 152 Parlies by land between the Garrifon and the enemy fufpended 154 Supplies from Barbary effectually cut off. Garrifon fend boats to Mahon for provifions 155 Spirited action between the young Sabine, an Englifh privateer, and the Enemy's cruifers 158 Spaniards begin a communication from their lines to their advanced battery 159 oblige the Garrifon to quit the gardens on the Neutral ground if>o Defcription of Tangier in Barbary 163 The Speedwell, King's cutter, Lieut. Gibfon, arrives, after a warm engagement with the Enemy 164 A Spanifh delerter difcovered to be a fpy 165 Mr. Logic, the Britifh Conful, with all the Britifh fubjedts reiident in Barbary, conducted by a flag of truce to the Garrifon 166 Caufe of this event, with the cruel treatment they experienced previous to their difmiffion 167 Officers of the Garrifon prefent a memorial to the Governor, requefting him to reprefent their litua- tion to the King 177 Garrifon have intelligence that a Fleet had failed to their relief 1 8 I fail in their attempt to cut out three fire- fhips 182 CHAP. V. Admiral Darby, with the Britifh Grand Fleet, re- lieves Gibraltar 184 Spanifh gun-boats in danger of being totaly deflroyed 186 Spaniards BOMBARD Gibraltar ibid. Singular ceflation in their firing, with a correfpon- dent anecdote 188 Soldiers very irregular, with a remarkable inftance of their wanton extravagance 191 Town evacuated. Troops encamp at the fouthward 1 93 frequently on fire. Stores in danger 1 95 Enemy's gun-boats very troublefome to the fleet 196 Britiih Admiral, anxious to quit the Mediterranean, orders the colliers to be run afhore, that they might be unloaded at leifure ; and returns to the Weft ward 198 Unfortunate circumftances attending the death of Lieut. Cunningham, of the 3pth regiment 199 Garrifon further relieved by the arrival of a convoy of victuallers, under charge of Captain Curtis, from the Eaftward 201 Lieut. Lowe, cf the 1 2th regiment, wounded : fin- gular circumftance attending this cafualty 205 Anecdote of Lieut. Wetham, of the 58th regiment, (now of the ift regiment of guards) 208 Uncommon long range and effecl of a fplinterof fhell 209 Melancholy confequences of an attack from the gun- boats ibid. The Flora and Crefcent Britifh frigates pafs the Gar- rifon, in chace of two Dutch frigates 2i I Anecdote of a foldier 212 Inhabitants much alarmed by the frequent attacks of the gun-boats 214 One of the Enemy's magazines blown up 215 Engineers adopt wooden caiflbns to repair the upper batteries 217 Governor fires upon the Spanifh Camp from the Old mole-head 2 1 9 alfo conftrucls prames to defend his Camp from the gun-boats 22o Engineers repair the Queen's batttery, at Willis's 222 The Spanifh Fleet, which afterwards blockaded Ma- hon, pafles the Garrifon, from Cadiz 224 Narrow efcape of two foldiersof the 58th Regiment 225 Spirited engagement between the HELENA floop of war and the Enemy's gun-boats 226 Singular fyftem of firing from the Enemy 227 Anecdote of a party of foldiers '1 1 c ( xiii ) Melancholy fate of an Artillery-man 232 Enemy's arrangement of their cruifers to continue the blockade 233 erect additional batteries 236 Wonderful recovery of a wounded foldier of the 7jd regiment ibid. Major Burke killed 238 Gallant behaviour of a working party in repairing Prin- cefs Caroline's battery, at Willis's 239 The fafcine capping of the Enemy's Eaftern Fort, burnt down 240 Governor directs the non-commiffioned Officers to be inftructed in applying the tourniquet 243 Mutiny prevented on board the Speedwell cutter 245 nfign Stephen^ of the 3pth regiment, killed 247 General Eliot t, at the requeft of the Commandant of Artillery, attempts to deftroy the Enemy's batte- ries, by a very animated fire, but proves unfuccefs- ful 250 Several Britifh Cutters, laden with ordnance-ftores, taken in attempting the Port 25 2 255 General Eliott projects a fally, which is attended with unoarallelled fuccefs 259 Strength of the Garrilbn at this period 261 Anecdote of the Commandant of the Guard in the St. Carlos's battery 268 CHAP. VI. Spaniards prepare to re-eftabliflithe batteries deftroy- ed by the Sortie 271 Anecdote of the Baron von Helmftaclt ibid. The Baron von Helmftadt dies 275 Mode of ufing the fhip-timber, as adopted by the En- gineers, in repairing the damaged batteries 276 Gallant behaviour of two Artillery-men 278 The Governor pardons another Spy, difcovered on board a Faro boat 280 Two Cutters (Viper and Lively) appear off the Garri- rifon, and are chaced to the eaftward by the Ene- my 281 Governor mifcarries in an attempt to deftroy the Ene- my's new batteries 283 ( xiv ) Viper and Lively Cutters anchor under the guns of the Garrifon 284 Defcription of anew deprefiing gun-carriage, invent- ed by Lieut. Koehler 287 Lofs of an Irifh brig, laden with provifions 289 Spirited conduct of Captain Heington in the Mercury ordnance-{hip 292 Fortunate arrival of the Vernon ftore-fhip; alfo a Con- voy, under charge of the Cerberus and Apollo Agates, with a reinforcement of the 97th regiment 296 oacommon effect of a fhot 298 Singular qualification of quick fight ibid. Enemy complete the batteries deftroyed by the Sortie, having been FOUR months in re -erecting them 299 Lieut. Wetham, of the i 2th regiment, killed 301 Garrifon have intelligence that the SPANIARDS had determined on a vigorous Attack upon Gibraltar, and that the Duke de Crillon was to command at the Siege 304 Navy launch their firft gun-boat ibid. The firft twenty-four hours ceflation in the Enemy's firing for near THIRTEEN MONTHS 305 The {hips which were afterwards converted into BAT- TERING-SHI PS arrive at Algeziras 306 Three Englilh ordnance-fhips, by a politic manoeuvre, arrive without oppofition ibid. A party of Corficans offer their fervices to act as vo- lunteers during the Siege 3^ Engineers begin to blaft a gallery, to communicate with a new projected battery, above Farringdon's battery, (Willis's) 309 Enemy's army reinforced by a numerous convoy, full of troops and military {lores ibid. Governor Eliott's laconic fpeech when he expected the Duke de Crillon had fent to fummon the Garri- fon 310 Death of Brigadier General Stanton 3 1 1 Navy launch their laft gun-boat. Their names ibid. Unfortunate cafualty in practifing the firing of red-hot fhot 3 1 2 Magazine at Willis's blown up by a fhell from the Ene- my- 3*3 Critical fituation of a Spanifh xebeque 315 Befieging Army reinforced by a French detachment 3 1 6 The DUKE DE CRJLLON aflumes the command of the COMBINED ARMY, and fufpends for a time the cannonade. 3 1 8 CHAP. VII. Two French Officers difcovered reconnoitring 321 Imprudent conduct of the Matter of an EnglifL brig, which was taken at the entrance of the Bay 323 Extraordinary inftance of great prefence of mind in an Artillery-man, named Hartley ibid. Singular mode of annoyance, adopted by the Garrifon artillery 3 24 Engineers open an embrafure in the 1 gallery, above Farringdon's 325 Garrifon fire a feu-de-joie, on being informed of Ad- miral Rodney's victory over Count de Graffe, and the French Fleet, in the Weft-Indies "128 More Corficans arrive in the Garrifon ibid . Garrifon receive fome intimation of the Enemy's plan of attack 329 Corficans formed into an independent corps, com- manded by Signer Leonetti, nephew to the cele- brated Pafcal PaoJi 33! Influenza appears on board the men of war, and com- municates with the Garrifon. 374 The Duke cle Crillon, unperceivccl by the Garrifon, commences his additional batteries ibid. The COUNT D'ARTOIS and DUKE PE BOURBON arrive in the Combined Camp, and infpectthe Pre- parations of the Befiegers. 33- Letter from the Duke de Crillon to General Eliott, accompanying a prefcnt of game and fruit 338 General Eliott's anfvver, accepting the prefent, but politely declining any in future 340 Beliegers batteries, by accident, fet on fire ; which draws a warm fire from the Garrifon, and provokes their artillery to protect them by a temporary can- nonade 343 The Britifh feamen prepare to encamp at Europa 346 Governor withdraws the prames from the Bay 347 Enemy's fquadron reinforced by fix fhips of the line ibid- Artillery make a new arrangement of the ordnance ( xvi ) on the Northern front 348 Two French men of war join the Spanifh fquadron, and the battering- {hips remove from Algeziras to the Orange-grove 352 Lieut. General Boyd recommends the immediate ufe of red-hot {hot againft the Enemy's batteries 356 General Eliott makes additional arrangements in the Garrifon detail, and eftablifhes new alarm-pofts to the different regiments ibid. Strength of the Garrifon at this period, with the number of workmen employed by the Engineers ; alfo the ftrength of the Garrifon guards 359, 360, 36 1 Governor accedes to General Boyd's propofal, by which the Enemy's works are confiderably deran- ged. The Mahon battery is total'y deflroyed, and other works greatly injured 362 Narrow efcape of two Artillery officers 3 64 The Duke de Crillon OPENS his land-batteries 365 Navy Ikuttle the frigates, and the feamen are formed into a marine brigade 369 Major Lewis, Commandant of Artillery, wounded 371 COMBINED GRAND FLEETS of FRANCE and SPAIN arrive within the Bay of Gibraltar 372 Recapitulation of the Enemy's naval and military force ibid. Omen of an eagle 374 The GRAND ATTACK 376 BATTERING-SHIPS deftroyed by the irrefiflibk fire of red-hot fhot 380 Anecdote of General Boyd 384 Names of the battering-fhips 389 Mode of heating red-hot {hot, as praftifed by the Gar- rifon 390 Garrifon have intelligence of a relief 391 Curiofities collected from the wrecks of the battering- fliips 393 Anecdote of the Count de Rufigniac ibid. of an Hanoverian Cadet 396 Enemy's fmall craft difperfe 397 CHAP. VIII. Captain Curtis vifits the Combined Camp to eftablifli a cartel 403 ( xvii ) The. Spanifh prifoners taken in the battering-fiiips are exchanged, except the Walons, who preferred re- maining in the Garrifon, and were incorporated into the 3yth and 5 8th regiments, and Coriican corps 404 Enemy advance additional works towards the garrifon 405 General Eliott difpatches a boat to Leghorn, with of- ficial accounts of the deftrution of the Enemy's battering-fhips 407 Combined Fleets greatly diftrefied by a fudden hurri- cane. One fhip of the line is driven under our guns, &c. 408 LORD HOWE, with the BRITISH FLEET, appears hi the Straits, but the convoy unfortunately pals the Reck 410 Letters to General Eliott from the Miniftry 414 Combined Fleets follow the Britifh fleet, but avoid an action 4 1 6 Lord Howe conducts the convoy into the Bay, and landing a reinforcement of two regiments, the 25th and 5gth, returns to the weftvvard ; the Combined Feets purfue 418 421 Officers form a Committee in the Garrifon to fix a reafonable price upon frefli proviaons 423 Prices eftablifhed, contrafted with the fums for which various articles were fold during the blockade. See Appendix, No. 3. Enqmy renew their attacks with the gun-boats 424 begin to fhip off their military ftores 429 Engineers re-erect with mafonry a considerable flank of the line- wall, though expofed to the powerful artillery of the Enemy 4^1 Enemy form the chimerical idea of blowing up the north front of the Rock 432 Anecdote of a Lieutenant of the Navy 433 Mode of annoying the Enemy's party under the Rock 434 Gun and mortar boats attack the St. Michael, and do confiderable damage 435 Enemy's men of war quit the Bay for the weflvvard, laden with ftores 430 Strong wind, and diftrefs of the St Michael ibid. Enemy make another powerful attack on the Garrifoa with their gun and mortar-boats, on Chriftmas-day, and areoppofed with great gallantry by Sir Charles Knowles with the gun-boats of theGarrifon, 4.38 ( xviii ) General Eliott increafes his fire on the Enemy's batte- ries 440 Navy weigh up feveral guns from the wrecks of the Battering-fhips 442 Gun-boats renew their attacks ; but one of them is funk, and others are greatly damaged 443 Governor again retaliates on their camp from the Old- mole head 444 Enemy make their laft attack on the Garrifon, with the gun-boats 447 The Duke de Crillon informs General Eliott, that the PRELIMINARIES OF A GENERAL PEACE had been figned : HOSTILITIES in confequence ceafe 448 Spaniards withdraw the ordnance from their advan- ced batteries 450 Emperor of Morocco fends a letter with a prefent of cattle to General JEliott ibid. Governor has official acounts of the Peace, by the ar- rival of Sir Roger Curtis in the Thetis frigate 4$ i Interview between- General Eliott and the Duke de Crillon 452 Governor vifits the advanced batteries, and dines with the Duke at San Roque ibid. Duke de Crillon returns the vifit in the Garrifon is furprifed at his reception. His obfervations, &c. 453 Anecdote of the Count de Rufigniac 455 The Duke de Crillon quits the Combined camp, leav- ing the command to Marquis de Saya ibid. Sir Roger Curtis goes on an embafiy to the Emperor of Morocco 456 Preparations for inverting the Governor with the Moft Honourable Order of the Bath ibid. General Eliott's SPEECH to the GARRISON on com- municating to them the thanks of the KING and both HOUSES of PARLIAMENT for their gallant defence of GIBRALTAR 457 Ceremony of inverting his Excellency 459 Concluflve Remarks 461 APPENDIX. General Return of Cafualties 463 Expenditure of Ammunition 464 Eftimate of Price of Provifions 4^ Proportions of Prize-money 469 HISTORY OF THE LATE SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. CHAPTER I. General hiftory of Gibraltar , fince it isoasjirft noticed. Fortified under the Saracen empire. Reduction of the fortrefs by Ferdinand y of Caftile.* Retaken by the Moors. Finally re* covered by the Chriftians. Taken fy the En- glifh. Befieged by the Spaniards in 1705; afterwards in 1727. Succeffton of Gover- nors to theprefent time. GIBRALTAR is fituated in Andalufla, the moll fouthern province of Spain. The Rock is feven miles in circumference, forming a promontory three miles long ; and is joined to the continent by an iflhmus of low fand ; B 2 HISTORY OF THE LATE the fouthern extremity lies in 36 2 30" N, lat. and in 5 15' W. long, from the meridian of London. Hiftorians, from very early periods, have noticed Gibraltar, or Mons Calpe, by a well- known mythological fiction, denominating it, and Mons Abyla, on the oppofite coaft of Africa, the Pillars of Hercules. It does not however appear that the hill was ever inhabit- ed by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, or Ro- mans, who in the firft ages of navigation vi- fited the bay, and buih cities in its neighbour- hood j or that it ever engaged the attention of thofe intrepid and fuccefsful Barbarians who fo violently fubverted the Roman em- pire, and eftablifhed a new government in pain. The period when it began to be re- markable for the natural ftrength of fituation, feems well afcertained to be in the beginning of the eighth century when the Saracens (then beqome a powerful nation in the eaft, and along the coafl of Africa) invaded Spain, and foon after made themfelves mafters of the whole country. The Gothic kingdom, which had exifted in Spain for 300 years, was, previous to the inva- iion of the Saracens, diffracted with inteftine diviiions : the nation in general were become effeminate, totally rieglecling the military difcipline of their anceftors : and their monarch Roderic, a profligate prince, not a litle acce- lerated their ruin, by ravifhing the daughter of Count Julian, a nobleman of great wealth and influence, and governor of Ceuta, in 3 I G E OF GIBRALTAR. 3 Africa. Count Julian, to avenge the difho- nour done to his family, combined' with other difcontented chiefs, who had long complained, and were ripe for a revolt. The tyrant was however too powerful for whatever oppofition they alone could raife ; the Count therefore fecretly retired with his family into Africa, and acquainting Moufa(the Saracen governor of the weftern provinces) with the divided ftate of the empire, promifed, if he would attempt to dethrone Roderic, to afllft him with his own intereft, and that of* his friends. Moufa, cautious and prudent, communi- cated the project to his fovereign the Caliph Al Walid Ebn Abdalmalic, who agreed to try the practicability of it, and to infpedt more accurately the ftate of affairs, by fending over a fm a 11 detachment. One hundred horfe, and four hundred foot, were accordingly embark- ed in the year 711, under the command of Tarif Ebn Zarca, attended by Count. Julian, and other Gothic noblemen: this fmall force foon patted the Herculean Straits, and landed on the coafl near the prefent town of Algezi- ras, where finding no oppofition, and the country almoft defencelefs, the Saracen gene- ral ravaged the neighbouring towns, and re- turned laden with fpoils, to report the fuccefs of his firft expedition. Moufa, elated with the flattering profpedl, the following year aflembled an army of 12,000 men, and Tarif was appointed to the chief command. Having fupplied himfelf with provifions and ftores, Tarif once more B 2 4 HISTORY OF THE LATE embarked on the rapid Strait, and landed on the ifthmus between Mons Catyt and the con- tinent. The object of this invafion being 6f a more ferious nature than that of the for- mer, he determined to fecure an intercourfe with Africa, by eftablifhing a poft on the coaft : and, preferring the ftrong natural fitu- ation of Mons Calpe, gave orders to erect a caftle on the face of the hill, which might an- fwer the original purpofe, and alfo cover his retreat, in cafe he fhould be unfortunate in his future operations. The fuperior part of this once magnificent pile at prefent remains ; and, from an infcription difeovered over the principal gate, before it was pulled down, the period of its being finiihed is afcertained to be about the year 725. Tarif, leaving a garrifon at the foot of Mons Calpe (which was now called by the Saracens, in compliment to their general, Gibel-Tarif> or the mountain of Tarif, and thence GIB- RALTAR) marched into the country, and fur- prifed many towns, amongft which was He- raclea, or Carteia, Situated on the coaft of the bay, about four miles diftant from Gibel- Tartf. King Roderic, receiving intelligence of Tarifs approach, afTembled a numerous body of troops to oppofehisprogrefs. Both armies met, after feveral flcirmifhes, near Xeres, in Andaluiia, and a bloody conflict enfued. The vidory was for a long time doubtful; but the Gothic army being raw and undifciplined, and 'part difaffeded and joining the Saracens, Tar if SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 5 at length prevailed, and by this victory was left in poffeffion of the whole kingdom. The Goths, or Spaniards as we will now call them, were driven by the rapid conquefts of the invaders into the provinces of Aflurias, Bifcay, &c. where, like the ancient Britons, they maintained a ftrenuous and refpectable opposition. By degrees t|iey re-afTumed their former difcipline and valour, while their con- querors declined into luxury and effeminacy : they made feveral excurfions from the moun- tains, recovering, after many obftinate actions, great part of the northern provinces. This fuccefs encouraged them to attempt the total rejection of the Arabic yoke. Meafures were concerted among the chiefs, to act with union and with vigour. The Infidels were attacked and routed in fucceffive engagements ; and the kingdoms of Afturias, Galicia, Leon, Na- varre, and Caftile, erected under different monarchs, Gibraltar, during thefe tranfactions, increaf- ed in importance, though not in an equal de- gree with the neighbouring city of Algeziras, which had been built, pofterior to Gibraltar, on the oppofite fhore of the bay, and was then become a fortrefs of great magnificence and ftrength. This celebrated city fcems to- tally to have obfcured Gibraltar in the hifto- ries of thofe times, flnce very trifling men- tion is made of the latter, till the beginning of the fourteenth century, when we learn, that Ferdinand, king of Caftile, in the courfe of HISTORY OF THE LATE his conquefts, firft took it (with a fmall de- tachment) from the Infidels. Gibraltar could not at this period be very ftrong, as it fell fo eafy a prey to the Chrif- tians, whofe army had been, and at the time was employed in the liege of Algeziras. It does not however appear that Ferdinand was equally fuccefsful in his operations againft that city j for we find, in the year 1316, the Moors of Grenada applying to the Emperor of Fez for fuccour : and to facilitate their re- ception, Algeziras, and other cities on the coaftjWere put into the hands of the Africans. We may therefore conclude, that Ferdinand was obliged to 'withdraw from before Algezi- ras, and that he 'afterwards directed his force againft the Infidels in a more vulnerable part, which induced them to apply for the affiftance juft mentioned. Gibraltar continued in the pofTeffion of the Spaniards till 1333, when Abomelique, ion of the Emperor of Fez, was difpatched with further afliftance to the Moorifh king of Gre- nada, and landing at Algeziras, immediately laid fiege to Gibraltar", whilft the Grenadians were making diversions elfewhere. Alonzo XI. was then on the thrbae of Caftile ; and in- telligence was immediately fent to inform him of the deftent of the Africans. He was, however, prevented from marching to its re- lief by a rebellion ir? his kingdom, and by the approach of Mahomet, king of Grenada, to- wards his frontiers, Abomelique commenced his attack on the caftle with great judgement SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 7 and bravery, and Vafco Perez de Meyra de- fended it with equal obftinacy ; but Perez having embezzled the money which was ad- vanced to vidual the garrifon, the troops and inhabitants fufTered great diflrefs ; and no profped of relief offering, he was compelled, after five months liege, to furrender. Alonzo having quelled the rebellion, and obliged Mahomet to retire, was then march- ing to his afliftance, and was advanced within a {hort diftance of the place, when he was informed of the capitulation. He was re- foived, neverthelefs, to attempt its recovery before the Moors could vidual and repair it ; he accordingly proceeded on his route, and encamped before the town five days after it had furrendered. Alonzo parted his army into three divifions ; the main body occupied the ifthmus, the fecond he fent by boats to the red fands, and the third climbed up the north of the hill above the town. Several ferious attacjks had been made on the caftle, when Mahomet, king of Grenada, joining Abomelique's forces, their combined army encamped in the rear of the Spaniards, ex- tending acrofs the ifthmus from the bay to the Mediterranean. This pofition hemmed in the befiegers, debarred them from for- aging, and cut off their communication with the country. Alonzo, though thus critically iituated, ftill maintained the fiege ; but at length, driven to great difficulties for want of provisions, and -hearing that fome of his fubjeds, taking advantage of his S HISTORY OF THE kATE abfence, were again in arms, he hearkened to an accommodation, and was permitted to retire with his army. To be thus difgracefully compelled to raife the liege, did not agree with the ambitious and impatient temper of Alonzo : he fecretly meditated a new attack, whenever an oppor- tunity Ihould occur j and this intention was not a little ftrengthened by his fuccefs in tljie year 1343, when Algeziras was taken, after a moft memorable liege. In 1349, the tu- mults and civil wars in Africa afforded him the opportunity he waited for : great prepa- rations were therefore made for his expedi- tion a which was not efteemed of inferior con- fequence to the preceding fiege of Algeziras, as the Moors, lince the lofs of that city, had paid great attention to the completion of the works, and to the rendering of the place considerably ftronger, by additional fortifica- tions: the garrifon was alfo numerous and well provided, and of their choiceft troops. Alonzo encamped before Gibraltar in the beginning of 1349, and immediately laid wafte the delightful groves, gardens, and houfes of pleafure, which were erecled in its neighbourhood. The liege was commenced with great bravery $ and though the camp of the Caftilians was much haralTed by the flying fquadrons of Grenadian horfe, yet the caftle, in the courfe of feveral months, was almoft reduced to a capitulation. At this, critical period, a peftilential diforder fwep^ away numbers of the befiegers 3 and, among SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 9 the reft, Alonzo, who died, much lamented, on the 26th of March, 1350; and the Spa- niards immediately afterwards raifed the fiege. The defendants of Abomelique continued in quiet pofTeffion of Gibraltar till 1410, when Jufaf III, king of Grenada, availing himfelf of the inteftine diviiions which pre- vailed among the African Moors, took pof- feflion of the place. The inhabitants how- ever, not relifhing the government of their new matters, the following year unanimoufly revolted againft the Grenadian Alcaide, drove him with his garrifon out of the town, and wrote to the emperor of Morocco, to be taken again under his protection. The em- peror difpatched his brother Sayd, with 1000 horfe and 2000 foot, to their affiftance. The king of Grenada, being informed that Sayd had garrifoned the caftle, marched with an army, and fending his fleet round to the bay, appeared before the place in 1411. Sayd advanced to meet him, but, being wqrfted in feveral fkirmifhes, was obliged to retreat within the caflle, and being clofely befieged, and reduced to great diftrefs for want of provifions, was at laft compelled to fubmit. In 1435, Henry de Guzman Count de Niebla formed a defign of attacking Gibraltar by land and fea ; but, imprudently fkirmifh- ing with the garrifon, from his gallies, before his fon John de Guzman arrived with the land- forces, he was defeated, and forced to a pre- xo HISTORY OF THE LATE cipitate retreat , in which confufion he him- felf loft his life, and many of his followers were killed and drowned. In 1642, a civil war breaking out in Gre- nada, great part of the garrifon of Gibraltar was withdrawn, to aflift one of the competi- tors for the crown : the governor of Tarifa had intelligence of this by a Moor, who had left the town, and embraced the Chriftian faith. An army was accordingly aftembled from the neighbouring garrifons, and Gibral- tar was befieged. The inhabitants defended it with great refolution^ but frefh troops joining the befiegers, the garrifon furrender- ed to John de Guzman, Duke de Medina Sidonia (fon of the unfortunate Count de Niebla) who, hearing that the place was reduced to great diftrefs, hafted to the camp, and arrived juft in time to be prefent when the Moors capitulated. From this period it has remained in the hands of Chriflians, after having been in the pofTeffion of the Maho- metans 748 years. The news of this con- queft was fo acceptable to Henry IV, of Caf- tile and Leon, that he added it to his royal titles, and gave it for arms, Gules, a caftle, with a key pendent to the gate, or, (allud- ing to its being the key to the Mediter- ranean) j which arms have ever fince been continued. Pedro dc Porras was appointed governor; but the fucceeding year King Henry made a journey to Gibraltar, and fu- perfeded him, giving the command to Doi} SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. n Bertrand de la Cueva, Count Lederma, who placed the truft in the hands of Stephano Villacreces: the Duke de Medina Sidonia, however, afterward recovered, and enjoyed it, till the reign of Ferdinand and Ifabella, when it was annexed to the crown, in 1 502. In the year 1540, Piali Hamet, one of Barbaroffa's captains, furprifed and pillaged Gibraltar, making prifoners many of the principal inhabitants ; but being met on his return by fome gallies from Sicily, the Cor- fairs were all killed, or taken, and the pri- foners redeemed. In the reign of Charles V. the fortifications of the town were modernifed, and feveral ad- ditions made by Daniel Speckel, the Empe- ror's engineer ; after which the garrifon was thought to be impregnable. From this time there appears a chafm in the hiftory of the garrifon till the year 1704, when Gibraltar was wrefted (moft probably for ever) from the dominion of Spain, by the Englifh, under Sir George Rooke. This Admiral had been fent into the Mediterranean, with a ftrong fleet, in the fpring of 1704, to affifl Charles arch- duke of Auflria in obtaining the crown of Spain j but, his inflruclions being limited, nothing of importance was done. Senfible of the reflexions that would fall on him, for be- ing inaftive with fo powerful a fleet, he held a council of war, on the I7th of July, 1704, near Tetuan, where feveral fchemes were propofed, particularly a fecond attack upon it HISTORY OF THE LATE Cadiz, which however was found imprali- cable for want of a fufficient body of land- forces. At length it was refolved to make a fudden and vigorous attempt on Gibraltar. The 2ift of the fame month, the fleet ar- rived in the bay ; and 1800 men, Englifh and Dutch, commanded by the Prince of HefTe D'Armftadt, were landed on the ifthmus. The Prince then fummoned the garrifon ; but the governor refuting to furrender, pre- parations were made for the attack. By day-* break on the 23d, the fhips appointed to can- nonade the town, under Admirals Byng and Vanderduffen, with thofe that were deftined to batter the new mole, commanded by Cap- tain Hicks, were at their feveral ftations. The Admiral made the fignal to begin the cannonade, which was performed with great vivacity and effect, fo that the enemy, in five er fix hours, were driven from their guns, efpecially from the new mole-head. The Admiral confidering, that by gaining that fortification the town might fooner be reduced, ordered Captain Whitaker, with the armed boats, to poffefs himfelf of it ; but Captains Hicks and Jumper, who lay next the mole, pufhed afhore with their pinnaces, before the reft came up ; whereupon the Spaniards fprung a mine, which 'blew up the fortifica- tions, killed 2 lieutenants and 40 men, and wounded 60. The aiTailan^s neverthelefs kept poflfefTion of the work, and being joined t>y Captain Whitaker, advanced and took a SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 13 fmall baftion *, half-way between the mole and the town. The Marquis de Salines, who was governor, being again fummoned, thought proper to capitulate : hoftages were therefore exchanged, and the Prince of HefTe, on the 24th, took poffeffion of the gates. Notwithstanding the works were very ftrong, mounting 100 pieces of ordnance, well appointed with ammunition and ftores ; yet the garrifon, at moft, confifted only of 150 men, exclufive of the inhabitants. The Marquis marched out with all the honours of war, and the Spaniards who chofe to remain were allowed the fame privileges they had en- joyed under King Charles II. The lofs of the Englifh in this attack was, 2 lieutenants, i matter, 57 failors, killed j I captain, 7 lieu- tenants, i boatfwain, 207 failors, wounded. The Prince of HefTe remained governor, and as many men as could well be fpared from the fleet, were left as a garrifon. Sir George afterwards failed for Tetuan, to wood and water. This being performed, he fleered up the Mediterranean, and on the 1 3th of Auguft, off Malaga, engaged the French fleet, under the command of Count de Touloufe. The adion was long and warm ; but many of the Englifh fhips, having expended a great quan- tity of ammunition in taking Gibraltar, were foon obliged to quit the line ; which gave the enemy a decided fuperiority. The engage- ment ended in a drawn battle j and Sir * The prcfent eight-gun battery. r 4 HISTORY OF THE LATE George returned to Gibraltar, where he flayed eight days to refit ; and then fupplying the Prince with what men and proviilons he could fpare, failed thence on the 4th of September, N. S. on his way home, leaving 18 men of war, under the command of Sir John Leake, at Lifbon, to be in readinefs to fuccour the garrifon, if there fhould be occafion. The courts of Madrid and Paris were greatly concerned at the lofs of fo important a fortrefs as Gibraltar ; and, confidering its recovery of the lafl confequence to the caufe, the Marquis de Villadarias, a grandee of Spain, was ordered to befiege, and endeavour to retake it. The Prince, apprifed of their intentions, and being further informed that they were to be alfifted by a naval force from Toulon, fent advice to Sir John Leake, re- quefting afliftance and fupplies. Sir John prepared for this duty -, but in the mean time a fleet of French fhips arrived, and landed fix battalions, which joined the Spanifh army. After difembarking their reinforcements, the French fquadron proceeded to the weftward, leaving only fix frigates in the bay. On the nth of Odober, the Marquis opened his trenches a^ainft the town, and foon after Sir John arrived with 20 fail of Englifh and Dutch fhips : hearing, however, that the enemy were preparing to attack him with a fuperior force, he thought it moll eligible immediately to return and refit, that he might be in a better condition to fupply and aflift the garrifon, in a fecond expedition, SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 15 for which he had very prudently directed preparations to be made at Lifbon in his abfence. The 25th Sir John again put to feaj and on the 2Qth unexpectedly entering the bay, furprifed three frigates, a fire-fhip, two Englifh prizes, a tartan, and a ftore-fhip. He then landed the reinforcements, and fup- plied the garrifon with fix months provifions and ammunition, at the fame time detaching on (hore a body of 500 failors to affift in re- pairing the breaches which had been made by the enemy's fire. The arrival of the Admiral was very opportune and critical j for that very night the Marquis had refolved to attack the place by fea and land at five different points ; for which purpofe he had afTembled 200 boats from Cadiz, &c. Though difappointed in their defigns, the Spaniards ftill entertained hopes of taking the fortrefs j and fuppofing the troops would be lefs on their guard while the fleet was in the bay, they formed the defperate fcheme of furprifmg the garrifon, though the Britifh Admiral was before the town. The 31!} of October, 500 volunteers took the facrament, never to return till they had taken Gibraltar. This forlorn party was conducted by a goat- herd to the fouth-fide of the rock, near the cave-guard (at that time called the pafs of locuft-trees.) Fortune, in the beginning, fo far favoured the enterprife, that they mounted the rock, and lodged themfelves unperceived the firft night in St. Michael's cave ; the fuc- ceeding night they fcaled Charles the VthV- i6 HIS TORY OF THE LATE wall ; furprifed and mafTacred the guard at Middle-hill, where afterwards, by ropes and ladders, they got up feveral hundreds of the party who had been ordered to fuftain them ; but being difcovered, a ftrong detachment of grenadiers marched up immediately from the town, and attacked them with fuch fpirit, that 1 60 of them were killed, or driven over the precipice, and a colonel and 30 officers, with the remainder, taken prifoners. Thefe brave, but unfortunate adventurers, were to have been fupported by a body of French troops, and fome feints were to have been made below to engage the attention of the garrifon j but the commanding officers difa- greeing, they were left to their fortune. Sir John Leake was no* idle whilft he re- mained in the bay, but was continually alarming the enemy on their coafts. The 22d of November he had information, by one of his cruifers, that a ftrong fquadron was fitting out at Cadiz, which would be foon ready for fea ; and receiving further intelli- gence, that a convoy, fitted out from Lilbon, for the relief of Gibraltar, was on their way, he prepared to join them off Lagos, in order to protect them paft Cadiz ; but was confined within the Straits by a wefterly wind. The Prince, in the mean time, redoubled his ex- ertions to prevent the enemy's defigns, who flattered themfelves, that on the arrival of their fleet from Cadiz, Sir John would be obliged to retire, and the garrifon furrender to their united attacks. Their fire was con- SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. \-r tinued with additional vivacity, many cannon in the place were difmounted, and the works were materially injured in different parts. Affairs were in this fituation, when part of the long-wifhed-for fuccours arrived on the 7th of September j and two days following, the remainder came in with near 2000 men, with proportionable ammunition and provi- lions. They failed from Lifbon under con- voy of four frigates, and thought themfelves fafe on difcovering, off Cape Spartel, a fleet of men of war, under Englifh and Dutch colours : expecting to meet Sir John, with the combined fleet, at the entrance of the Straits, they endeavoured to join them, but fortu- nately were becalmed j they then hoifled out their boats to tow the fhips, when, perceiv- ing the men of war extend themfelves in form of a half-moon, in order to furround them, they began to fufped fome deception, and accordingly made a private fignal, which to- tally fruftrated the enemy's meafures^ who were thereby difcovered, and, ftriking their falfe colours, endeavoured to fall upon the tranfports; but thefe latter, being lighter vefTels, efcaped by their oars, and, night coming on, fleered for the bay, w'th the lofs only of two tranfports. It was now thought no longer neceflary to detain the fleet in the bay, or on the coaft j efpecially when Mon- iieur Pointis was fo near, with a fuperior force. Sir John accordingly arrived at Lif- bon the latter end of the year. C /* HIS TORY OF THE LATE The Spanifh General being reinforced with a confiderable body of infantry, on- the i ith of January 1705, made an attack with 60 grenadiers on the works at the extremity of the King's lines; but, two officers, and feve- ral others being killed, the refl retreated. This repulfe did not, however, difcourage him ; for early the fucceeding day, the at- tack was renewed by 5 or 600 grenadiers, French and Walons, fapported by 1000 Spa- niards, under Lieut. Gen, Tuy. Their dif- poiltion was to ftorm a breach which had been made in the Round tower, at the extre- mity of the King's lines, and another in the intrenchment on the hill. The retrench- ment which covered the latter breach, with part of the intrenchment joining the preci- pice of the rock, was defended at night by a captain, three fubalterns, and 90 men but it was cuftomary for the captain to withdraw, with two fubalterns, and 60 men, at day- break. 7'he Round tower was defended by 1 80 men, commanded by a lieutenant-co- loneL The Marquis, by deferters from the garrifon, had obtained intelligence of the ftrength cf thefe pofts, and concerted his attack accordingly. The detachment for the upper breach mounted the rock at dead of night, and concealed themfelves in the clefts till the captain had withdrawn. They then advanced to the point of the intrenchment, and, throwing grenades on the fubaltern and his party, obliged them to retreat. At the fometimc 500 men flormed the Round tower, SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 19 where Lieut. Col. Barr made a vigorous de- fence, though the enemy, having patted the breach above, annoyed him on the flank with great ftones and grenades : obferving, however, the Spaniards marching down to cut off his re- treat fromthe town, he retired, and by getting over the parapet of the King's lines, defcend- ed into the covert way, where the Englilh guards were pofted. By this time the garri- fon was alarmed; all their regiments aflem- blcd at their proper ports ; and Captain Fifher endeavoured to flop the progrefs of the enemy with 17 men, but was repulfed, and himfelf taken prifoner. Lieut. Col. Moncal, at laft, with 4 or 500 men, charged them with fuch bravery, that they were repulfed, and the tower was retaken after it had been in their pofleiTion upwards of an hour. Soon after this attack, fix companies of Dutch troops, and 200 Englifh foldiers, were re- ceived by the garrifon, with provifions and ftores. The Spaniards and French were ftill ob- ftinately bent on the recovery of Gibraltar. The Marquis de Villadarias was fuperfeded by the IVIarfhal TefTe, a French general j and Monfieur Pointis was directed to co-ope- rate with the Marfhal, in blocking up the port with his fleet. The Marfhal joined the army with four freih battalions, befides eight companies which had been fent before. The ordnance, which from conftant ufe had been greatly injured, were totally exchanged j and C 2 *o H I S T O R Y O F T H E L A T E the works, as they then flood, were put in the beft repair. The Englifh miniftry had been informed of the enemy's new arrangements ; and, fenfible of the importance of Gibraltar, ordered a reinforcement under Sir Thomas Dilkes, and Sir John Hardy, to join Admiral Sir John Leake at Lifbon. The jundion being effect- ed, and his own fleet refitted, Sir John, on the 6th of March, failed with 28 Englilh, 4 Dutch, and 8 Portuguefe men of war, hav- ing on board two battalions. Happily for the befieged, the inceiTant rains about this period had retarded the Marlhal's operations, and greatly diftrefled Monfieur Pointis, eight of whofe i-hips were forced from their anchors by the ftrong wefterly wind, and obliged, on the 9th, to drive aloft. Thus were they fitu- ated when the Britifh Admiral entered the Straits, and about half paft five, on the morning of the loth, was almoft abreaft of Cabrita Point. The few remaining Ihips of the French fleet on his approach put to fea -, and Sir John, difcovering five fail making out of the bay, and a gun fired at them from the earrifon, concluded that the town was fafe, and immediately gave chace. Three French (hips of the line were taken, and the Admiral's ihip, and another, run afhore and burnt. Sir John afterwards looked into Ma- laga, where the fhips that had been driven from the harbour had taken (helterj but, hearing the report of the guns, they had made the beft of their way to Toulon. Sir SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 2I John, finding the purfuit of them in vain, returned to Gibraltar, which was now fo well fupplied, that Marfhal TefTe withdrew his troops from the trenches, and formed a block- ade; drawing an intrenchment acrofs the ifthmus, to prevent the garrifon from ravag- ing the country. In the courfe of this fiege, the enemy did not lofe fewer than 10,000 men, including thofe who died of ficknefs, &c. The gar- rifon loft about 400. The Prince of Hefle remained in the place while the batteries were repaired: he made alfo fome additions to the fortifications, and left the garrifon much ftronger than it was before the liege. The Prince then joined the Arch-duke Charles at Lifbon, where the com- bined fleet of England and Holland were af- fembled, to fupport that Prince in obtaining the crown of Spain, As the Arch-duke was refolved to try his fortune with the Earl of Peterborough, in Valencia and Catalonia, the Prince of Hefle was fent back to Gibraltar, to prepare part of the garrifon to embark, and foon after was followed by the fleet ; upon whofe arrival, the Arch-duke was received by the garrifon as lawful fovereign of Spain. Having taken on board the Englifh guards, and three old regiments, leaving only two new battalions in the town fas there was no danger to be ap- prehended from the enemy), they proceeded, on the 5th of Auguft for Valencia. His Ma- jefty then appointed Major-general Ramos, 22 HISTORY OF THE LATE who had been prefent during the fiege, go- vernor of Gibraltar; and fent with him about 400 men for its greater fecurity. General Ramos afterwards refigned his government, and was fucceeded by Colonel Roger Elliot ; during whofe government, Gibraltar was madf a free port, by a fpecial order from her Maiefty, Queen Anne. The following was the Governor's mani- fefto on the occafion. " By the Hon. Roger Elliot, Colonel of one of her Majefty's regiments of foot, and Governor of the city and garrifon of Gib- raltar. " Whereas her Majefty of Great Britain, &c. hath been graciouily pleafed, by her warrant to me, dated i9th February laft, to confirm her former declarations for the free- dom of this port, and to regulate and com- mand me, not to permit any duty or impofition whatfoever to be laid or received for any fhip or veflel, or for any goods, wares, merchan- dife, or provifions, imported or exported out of this port ; but that the fame be free and open for all fhips and veflels, goods, wares, merchandife, and provifions : Thefe are to make known and publifh her faid Majefty's royal will and pleafure : and all perfons con- cerned are hereby ftridly required to take no- tice thereof, not pre fuming to demand or re- ceive any duty or impofition whatfoever for any fhip or vefTel, or for any goods, wares, SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 23 merchandife, or provifions, as they will an- fwer the contrary at their peril. " Given at Gibraltar, April 1706." Colonel Congreve was governor before 1714. He was fucceeded by Colonel Cotton. In 1720 Gibraltar feems to have been threat- ened by the Spaniards. Ceuta, a Spanifh for- trefs in Barbary, had then been befieged many years by the Moors ; and a formidable force, commanded by the Marquis de Leda, was affembled in Gibraltar bay, under pretence of relieving; it, but with a fecret intention of firft furpriiing Gibraltar ; for which purpofe they had procured fcal ing-ladders, &c. &c. This armament was not fitted out fo fecretly, but the Britifh miniftry had timely notice ; and, fufpedling forne fineffe, difpatched orders to Colonel Kane, governor of Minorca, imme- diately to embark a part of his garrifon, and repair to Gibraltar, under convoy of the fleet in the Mediterranean. On his arrival he found Gibraltar in a very critical fituation ; the garrifon confirming of only three weak battalions, commanded by Major Hether- ington, who, except Major Batteroux, was the only field-officer in the place. Many officers were abfent, only fourteen days pro- vifions in the ftores, and many Spaniards in the town, with a fleet before its walls. Such was the feeble pofture of affairs when he op- portunely arrived with 500 men, provifions, and ammunition. The Britifh commodore acled afterwards in fo fpirited a manner, that the Marquis de Leda was obliged to fail for 24 HISTORY OK THE tATE Cueta, though he continued of opinion that the garrifon might have been taken by a ge- neral aflault. This fcheme proving abortive, Gibraltar remained unmolefted till the latter end of the year 1726, when the v Spaniards, who had kept a watchful eye on the garrifon, affembled an army in the neighbourhood of Algeziras. The 20th of January following, they en- camped on the plain below St. Rogue, and began to erect a battery on the beach to pro- tect their camp. Admiral Hopfon was then at anchor in the bay, with a very formidable fleet j but, as he had not received any intelli- gence of hostilities having commenced be- tween the courts of Great Britain and Madrid, he was with reluctance compelled to overlook the tranfporting of provifions, artillery, and ammunition, from Algeziras, where they had formed their depots, to the camp. Brigadier Kane, who had been a fccond time ordered from Minorca to Gibraltar, lay alfo under fimilar embarraffments with the Admiral. The operations of the enemy, however, tending towards a direct attack upon the gar- rifon, he thought it prudent to order the Spaniards out of the town, and forbid their gallics anchoring under his guns. It muft be underftood that Gibraltar had undergone confiderable alterations fince the liege of 1705 : feveral works had been erected on the heights above the lines, called Willis's batteries; the Prince's lines were extended to the extremity of the rock ; and an inundation S.ISGE OF GIBRALTAR. 25 was formed out of the morafs which was in front of the grand battery. The Count de las Torres eommanded the Spanifh forces, amounting to near 20,000 men ; and foon after his camp was formed, he advanced within reach of the garrifon. The Brigadier thereupon difpatched a parley, to deiire, " That he would withdraw from u the range of h\s guns, otherwife he fhould " do his utmoft to. force him." The Count anfwered, " That, as the garrifon could com- " mand no more than they had power to " maintain, he fhould obey his Catholic Ma- " jefty's orders, and encroach as far as he was u able." The Brigadier (till waved com- mencing hoftilities, till the Spaniards, by their proceedings, {hould oblige him, in defence of his command. In the beginning of February, Brigadier Clayton, the lieutenant-governor, arrived with reinforcements, on board Sir Charles Wager's fleet, and a council of war was im- mediately fummoned, but the refult w r as a determination not to fire upon the Spaniards. The roth of February, the enemy brought materials for batteries, to the old wind-mill, on the neutral ground -, upon which the Lieutenant-governor again collected the fenfe of the Admirals and Field-officers ; when in the fecond council it was unanimoufly agreed, that the Spanifh General had made open war, in encroaching fo far on the liberties of the garrifon. This being their opinion, Brigadier Clayton fent a parley to the Count, to know 26. HISTORY OF THE LATE the reafon of his breaking ground: to which the Count replied, " that he was on his " matter's ground, and was not anfwcoble to " any other perfon for his conduct." As this anfwer in fome meafure indicated the hoftile intentions of the Spaniards, the Lieutenant- governor, in the evening, withdrew the out- guard, and, the fucceeding day in the after- noon, opened the Old Mole, and Willis's, on their workmen. They perfifted, neverthelefs, in carrying on the work ; and at night a large party marched down to the Devil's tower, where they immediately broke ground, and began a communication with their other work. This party were greatly annoyed in marching to their poft, but were foon under cover of the rock, where the guns could not be depreffed to bear upon them. Numbers of the enemy deferted to the gar- rifon, by whom, on the I7th, the Lieutenant- governor was informed that they were con- itrucling a mine, in a cave under Willis's, with an intention, if poffible, to blow up that battery. The engineers, on this intelligence, reconnoitred the cave j which, after fome dif- ficulty, they difcovered, with a fentry at the entrance; and a party was immediately Ra- tioned .to annoy the communication with mufquetry. On the morning of the 22d, the Count opened on the garrifon, with 17 pieces of cannon, befides mortars. The day fol- lowing, Brigadier Kane left the garrifon, to detach a reinforcement from Minorca. In the mean time Sir Charles Wager and Admiral SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 27 Hopfon, with the fleet under their Command, were conftantly diftreifing the enemy, by in- tercepting their homeward-bonnd fhips ; and the prizes which were brought into the bay greatly benefited the befieged. The 3d of March, the enemy opened a new battery of 22 ,guns on the Old Mole, and town ; and on the 8th, another of 1 5 guns, bearing alfo upon the Old Mole, which, it feems, proved a troublefome battery to the weftern flank of their approaches. The Lieutenant-governor continued a con- {tant and well-dire&ed fire from all the bat- teries that bore upon their works : but the ordnance in general, being old, were daily burfting on the batteries j by which accidents the garrifon experienced more cafualties than from all the fire of the enemy. The 27th, Col. Middleton's regiment arrived, alfo fix companies and a half of Col. Hay's, with two engineers, a captain of artillery, and feveral bombardiers, gunners, and matroiTes j with 140 recruits for the other regiments. The Admirals, the zd of April, formed the defign of bombarding Algeziras, whence the enemy were conftantly fupplied with various articles of ammunition ; but the fliips, after getting under way, were becalmed, and ob- liged to come to anchor ; after which the navy never gave themfelves any further con- cern about annoying them in that quarter. On the loth, Colonel Cofby arrived in the Solebay, with 500 men, from Minorca; and two days following, the Admirals failed to the 28 HISTORY OF THE LATE weftward, leaving Commodore Davies, with fix men of war and the (loops, behind. Sir Charles did not return during the liege. The 1 6th, the Lieutenant-governor ordered two ferjeants, with ten men each, to advance from the fpur-guard, under the rock, and along the caufeway, and alarm the enemy in the trenches j giving them directions to retire when they found their guards fufficiently alarmed, when he intended to falute them with grape, &c. from Willis's, and the lines. Thefe orders were executed, and the enemy inftantly beat to arms ; but the bombardier appointed to give the fignal to the batteries, firing too foon, the enemy faw through the defign, and retired without any considerable lofs. Lord Portmore, the governor, arrived, the 2 1 ft, with a battalion of guards, and ano- ther of the line ; alfo Colonel Watfon, of the artillery, with fevcral noblemen as volun- teers. The 26th, the Count opened a new battery, againft Willis's, and the extremity of Prince's lines. Their batteries now mounted 60 cannon, befides mortars. In the beginning; of May, the garrifon had intelli- gence that the enemy defigned an afTault: precautions were accordingly taken, and the guns on the lower defences loaded with grape The Spaniards added ftill to their approaches, and raifed various communications from and to their advanced batteries. Towards the 1 6th and 2Oth, their firing abated; but their engineers proceeded in advancing their SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR 2 p trenches. On the 31 ft, a veflel arrived with 375 barrels of powder from Lifbon. June the 3d, the Solebay came in, with a iupply of 980 barrels of powder, and 500 thirteen-inch fhells, from Mahon. The firing continued till the I2th, when, about ten at night, Colonel Fitzgerald of the Irifh brigade, beat a parley, and, being admitted into the garrifon, delivered letters to Lord Portmore, from the Dutch minifter at the court of Madrid, with a copy of the preli- minaries of a general peace ; whereupon a fufpenfion of arms took place, and all hofti- lities ceafed on both fides. The garrifon loft, in the whole, about 300 killed and wounded j and 70 cannon, with 30 mortars, burft during the fiege. The enemy's cafuals could never be ascertained. In killed, wounded, &c. it was computed they loft near 3000 men. When Lord Portmore and the Count agreed to a ceflation, the Spaniards of courfe were compelled to forfake the mine under Willis's : their parties, however, taking pof- feffion of it a fecond time, his Lordfhip con- fidered it as a breach of the articles of cefTa- tion, and reprefented it accordingly. The Count afterwards withdrew : the works were difmantled and levelled, and the troops re- treated to their different cantonments. The Spaniards during this fiege never made the leaft attempt to cut off the communica- tion by fea ; fo that the garrifon was regu- larly fupplied witji provifions and faftines jo HISTORY OF THE LATE from Barbary and had a regular correfpon- dence with England. In 1729, the Parliament of Great-Britain addreffed his Majefty King George II, to take effectual care, in the treaty then pending, to preferve his undoubted right to Gibraltar, and the Ifland of Minorca. Overtures had been made by his Majefty George I, to reftore the former to Spain, if the Parliament would have confenled to fuch reftitution ; but the Minifter, finding an oppolition, declined the bufinefs. In 1730, Lieutenant-general Sa- bine was governor of Gibraltar. The Spa- niards in his government erected the forts and lines acrofs the ifthmus, about a mile from the garrifon : thefe effectually prevent any communication with the country, and, as we have experienced, are of considerable advan- tage in cafe of a fiege. The weftern fort y called St. Philip's, entirely commands the befl anchorage on the fide of the bay next the gar- rifon. General Columbine fucceeded Gene- ral Sabine, and he was fucceeded by General Hargrave. General Bland was appointed governor in 1749, and a general relief of troops took place. The eflablifhment at that period was, four battalions of infantry, and a company of artillery. Lord George Beauclerk, and the Hon. General Herbert, were feverally commandants in the abfence of General Bland j and in 1753 General Fowkes was de- puted governor. Lord Tyrawly fucceeded him, in whofe abfence the Earl of Pan mure SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 3 i was commandant. Earl Home was after- wards governor, and died there in 1.761. During the government of this nobleman, about the year 1760, an incident occurred, which, as it alarmed the garrifon very much at that time, is deferving of notice. Two Bri- tifh regiments had been a very considerable time oil that ftation, and, from the continu- ance of the war, faw little profpecl of being relieved. Amongft thefe a confpiracy was formed, by fome difafFecled perfons, to fur- prife, plunder, and mafTacre the officers, and in fhort, all whom they judged to be averfe to their defigns. Ater fecuring the money which was intended for the payment of the troops, they meant to purchafe for themfelves a fecure retreat, by furrendering this fo much wifhed-for fortrefs into the hands of Spain. The numbers who joined the confpirators were not fewer than 730. An accidental quarrel, in a wine-houfe, defeated this dan- gerous project, and produced a difcovery. Reed, a private in the feventh regiment, was executed on the grand parade, as the ringlea- der ; and ten others were condemned. After the death of Lord Home, Colonel Tovey and General Parflow were each commandants, till the Hon. General Cornwallis was appointed governor. During this general's abfence from the garrifon, Colonel Irwin was com- mandant ; and on General Cornwallis leaving Gibraltar a fecondtime, Major General Bo YD, lieutenant-governor, commanded. In this General's government, the garrifon was con- 32 HISTORY OF THE LATE fiderably flrengthened with three new baftions on the fea-line, and additional improvements at the fouthward. In 1776, the RIGHT HON. GENERAL GEORGE AUGUSTUS ELLIOT was appointed Governor of that important fortrefs, and join- ed his command in 1777. SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. CHAPTER II. Defer iptions of the Rock, "with the fortifications and town of Gibraltar. Remains of Maori] h architetfit re. Natural Cur ioji ties. Cli- mate. Vegetation. Fijh j and whence fup- flied with cattle, &c. Military eftallijh- ment. Defcription of the Bay. Algeziras. Some accounts of the ancient city of Car- teia. St. Roque. Conclujive remarks. A S the Hiftory which is to be the fubjed of the following pages, will be more in detail than the preceding narrative, it may on fome accounts be necefTary, and cannot on any, I flatter myfelf, be difagreeable, to prefent the reader with a fhort defcription of this celebrated Rock, and the fortifications which have been erected for its defence. The Promontory, or rock, at the foot of which ftands the town, is upwards of 1 300 feet in height ; projecting into the fea feveral miles from the continent, to which it is con- nected by an ifthmus of low fand. This ap- pearance makes it not improbable that Mons Calpe has, in former ages, been totally fur- rounded by the fea. The north front of the peninfula, which prefents itfelf to the main land, is of various heights. The breadth of the ifthmus, at the foot of the rock, is about 900 yards j but it grows confiderably wider D 34 HISTORY OF THE LATE towards the country. Acrofs this Ifthmus, (which, with Gibraltar and the oppolke coaft, forms the bay) the Spaniards have drawn a fortified line at about a mile's diftance from the garrifon, extending 1700 yards, and em- bracing both fhores: a fort of mafonry is creeled at each extremity, mounting 23 or 24 guns each : they are of different conftruc- tions, and are called St. Philip and St. Bar- bara. t The former of thefe forts commands the beft and the ufual anchoring-place of our Shipping and fmall craft, and, by forming a crofs-fire with fort St. Barbara on the neutral ground, prevents all communication between the garrifon and the country. The Rock, as I have mentioned before, is upwards of 1 300 feet perpendicular, above the level of the fea j and is feparated by a ridge from north to fouth, dividing it into two unequal parts. The weftern front or divifion is a gradual Hope, interfperfed with preci- pices i but the oppofite frde, looking to the Mediterranean, and the north front, facing the Spanifh lines, are both naturally very Iteep, and totally inacceffible. It is this pe- culiar circumftance, which forms the chief firength of Gibraltar. The town is built at the foot of the north- weft face of the hill, and is fortified in an irregular manner. The communication with it from the ifthmus, is by a long narrow caufeway, (ferving as a dam to an inunda- tion) which is defended by a curtain, with two baflions, mounting 26 pieces of cannon, a dry ditch, covered way, and glacis well SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 3S mined. Thefe, with the caufeway, are warmly flanked by the King's, Queen's, and Prince's lines : works cut in the rock with immenfe labour, and fcarped to be almoft in- acceflible. Above the lines are the batteries at Willis's, and others at different heights, until they crown the fummit of the rock, where fe- veral batteries are creeled for cannon and mor- tars. Thele batteries, the loweft of which is upwards of 400 feet above the neutral ground, mount between 50 and 60 pieces of heavy ordnance, and entirely command the ifthmus below. Exclufive of what are here men- tioned, additional works of a fingular nature were projected in 1782, and partly executed the year following, which, when finifhed, will render Gibraltar (almoft) impregnable in that quarter. The Old mole, to the weft of the gr,and battery, forms alfo a very formida- ble flank, and, with the lines, a crofs-fire on the caufeway and neutral ground. This bat- tery has been found fo great an annoyance to the befiegers, that, by way of diftinclion, it has long been known under the appellation of the Devil's tongue. Indeed, the ordnance in the lines upon the Grand battery, and the Old mole, all together exhibit fo formidable an appearance to a fpeclator on the caufe- way, that the entrance into the garrifon is called by the Spaniards, the Mouth ofjire. From the Grand battery, along the fea- line, looking towards the bay, the town is defended by the North, Montague's, Prince of Orange's, KLNG'S, and South baftions ; the D 2 36 HISTORY O F T H E LATE line-wall or curtains between which, mount many cannon and mortars. Montague's, Prince of Orange's, and King's baftions have been erected lately. The latter is a very complete piece of fortification, commanding; the bay from New to Old mole heads, and mounting twelve thirty-two pounders, and four ten-inch howitzers in front, ten guns and howitzers on its flanks, and has cafemates for 800 men, with kitchens and ovens for cooking. Montague's is much fmaller, mounts only 12 pieces of cannon, but has a cafemate for 200 men, communi- cating with the Old mole. In 1782 the en- gineers began a cavalier upon this baftion for two guns ; but it was not finifhed till after the grand attack in September. Another work of this nature was likewife creeled in the beginning of the blockade, for five guns, on the north baftion of the Grand battery. The town on the fea-l,ine is not lefs protected by natural defences, than by fortifications. A fhoal of fharp rocks extends along the front far into the bay, and prevents (hips of large burthen from approaching very near the walls. From the South baftion (which is confi- derably higher than the reft of the works, in order to protect the town from the eminences on the red fands) a curtain extends up the face of the hill, and concludes, at an inaccefllblc precipice, the works of the town. In this curtain is the South port gate, before which, and the fouth baftion is a dry ditch, with a SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 37 covered way and glacis. At the eaft end, on the declivity of the hill, above the gate, is a large flat baftion, connected with the cur- tain, and mounting 13 guns, bearing on the bay, &c. This work is covered by a demi- baftion that joins the precipice. Above the precipice, an old Moorifh wall is continued to the ridge of the rock^ in the front of which a curtain with loop-holes, and redans (built in the reign of the Emperor Charles V, and called after his name) extends to the top, ef- fectually cutting off all communication in that quarter. Between the Moorifh and Charles the Vth's walls, is the fi2;nal-houfe ; whence the guard, on a ferene and clear day, have almoft an unbounded view of the Me- diterranean, and can juft obferve a part of the Atlantic ocean over the Spanifh moun- tains. Signals formerly were made at this poft, on the appearance of top-fail vefiels from eaft to weft j but foon after the com- mencement of the late war, we difcovered that the Spanifh cruifers were more frequent- ly informed of the approach of our friends by our fignals, than by their own. The lignals were therefore difcontinued. The above comprehends a general defcrip- tion of the fortifications of the town, avoid- ing too minute a detail of each work. I ihall therefore proceed in dcfcribing, in the fame general manner, the works to the fouth- ward. From the South baftion a line-wall is con- tinued along the beach to the New mole 3S HISTORY OF THE LATE where an irregular fort is erected, mounting 26 guns. This line-wall is divided by a fmall baftion of eight guns; and in its rear is a re- tired work, called the Princefs of Wales's lines ^ in which are feveral ftrong batteries for the fea. Near the South baftion, though without the town, is a wharf called Ragged Staff, where the fupplies for the garrifon are ufually landed, being convenient from its vi- cinity to the victualling-office and ftores. The communication to this quay, is by fpiral wooden flairs, and a draw-bridge opening into the covert-way; in front of which is a fmall work of mafonry, mounting two guns. At the foot of the flairs is the bafon, where ihipping take in water. Two tanks are alfo appropriated to this purpofe, near the Eight- gun baftion, having a connexion with the grand aqueduct. In the New mole there is depth of water fufficient for a fhip of the line to lie along-fide the wharf, and heave down. At the mole- head is a circular battery for heavy metal, joined to the New-mole fort by a ftrong wall, fraifed ; having a banquet for mufquetry, with two embrafures opening towards the bay. This mole, with the old mole at Waterport, were built for the accommodation of tradin^- veffels : the former however is generally oc- cupied by men of war; and the latter, not having more than fix feet at low water, only admits fmall craft to the wharfs : merchantmen of large burthen are obliged therefore to an- chor about half or three quarters of a mile SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 39 from Waterport, in feven or eight fathoms. But in time of war this anchorage is com- manded by the Spanifh forts : they are confe- quently, in cafe of a rupture with Spain, under the neceffity of removing to the fouthward of the New mole, where the ground is fo rocky and foul, that they are often in immi- nent danger during the ftrong foutherly winds. From the New-mole fort, to the north end of Rofia bay, the rock is difficult of accefs ; neverthelefs a parapet is continued, and bat- teries are creeled, as fituations dictate. The works at Rofia are ftrong, and act as ilanks to each other. They are clofe along the beach, which is low, and have a retired battery of eight guns in their rear. The rock continues to afcend from the fouth point of Rofia Bay, by Parfon's Lodge (behind which, upon an eminence, is a new battery, en barbel, on traversing carriages) to Camp-guard, and Buena Vifta ; fo called from the beautiful profpecl of the bay, and neighbouring kingdoms of Barbary and Spain, which is there prefented to a fpeclator. A line-wall is raifed, notwithstanding the rock being inacceliible, with cannon at different diftances. At Buena Vifta there arc feveral guns en barbei, which have great command ; and the hill towards Europa is (lightly for- tified, which gives it the appearance, at a diftance, of an old caftle repaired. The rock then defcends by the Devil's Bowling- green, fo named from the irregularity of its furface, to Little Bay. At this poft, which is 40 HISTORY OF THE LATE totally furrounded with precipices, there is a barbet battery, flanking the works to the New mole : thence the rock continues natu- rally fteep for a considerable diftance, when the line-wall and batteries recommence, and extend in an irregular manner to Europa Point, the fouthern extremity of the garrifon, though not the fouthern point of Europe. The rock from this point is regularly perpen- dicular to Europa advance, where a few bat- teries, and a poft at the Cave-^uard, termi- nate the works. The fortifications along the fea-line at Europa do not however conftitute the principal ftrength of that part of the garri- fon. The retired and inaccefiible lines of Windmill Hill have great command, and being iituated within mufquet-fhot of the fea, are very formidable, and of great confequence in that quarter. The preceding defcription, it is hoped, will be fufficiently explanatory, though the fcale of the garrifon-plan, for obvious rca- fons, is very minute, will yet point out the improvements that have been made within thefe few years. The new baftions on the fea-line were planned, and executed, by and under the diredion of the prefent Chief Engineer, Major-general Green. Lieuten- ant-general Sir Robert Boyd, K. B. laid the foundation-ftoue of the King's baftion, in the abfence of General Cornwallis, the gover- nor. The garrifon alfo underwent confider- able alterations whilflhe commanded : Wind- SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 41 mill Hill was fortified, and other changes were effected at the fouthward. The im- provements on the northern front were carried on under the direction of Sir George Auguf- tus Eliott, K. B. fince he was appointed to the government. The communication, or gallery leading to St. George's Hall, above Farringdon's battery ; Queen's-line battery, and communication ^ two works of the fame nature, which under the Queen's battery, Willis's, and in the rock above Prince of Hef- fe's baft ion ; are all fo fingularly contrived, and of fo formidable a nature, that all direct attacks by land, henceforward, may be confi- dered as quixotifm and infanity. Before the interior part of the place is de- fcribed, it will not be improper to conclude the defer iption of its outer works, by infert- ing an abftrad of the guns, howitzers, and mortars mounted upon the different batteries. The original, from which this was copied, was taken in the beginning of March, 783- Cannon. Mortars. Howitzers, \ Prs. 14 . . . 4 inch . . Si In. . . Nature of Ordnance, 3 z & 18 iz 9 6 & 13 10 84* iO 8 s i 26 3 4 Serviceable Ordnance,] mwnted. j 77 ' 12r 104 70 16 25 38 19 ' 6 34 19 9 - Field Artillery, . 4.68 .Serviceable Ordnance, 4 S 7 9 . . .15 4 7 31 * 77 '49 113 74 tiS 31 61 29 3 13 65 '9 9 4 Totii ietvueable in the garrifon, 663 pieces of" artillery. 42 HISTORY OF THE LATE The Town is built on a bed of red fand, fimilar to thofe eminences without South port, which originally extended from Land port to the foot of the afcent to the fouth barracks. The buildings, before the town was deftroyed in the late liege, were compofed of different materials, principally of tapia* ; though, fince the Englifh have been in poffeHion of Gibraltar, many have been built of the rock- ftone, plaftered, and painted on the outfide, to break the powerful rays of the fun, which otherwife would be too glaring, and prejudi- cial to the eyes. The modern houfes were in general covered with tiles ; but the flat ter- raced roofs remained in thofe erecled by the Spaniards, and in fome, the mirandas or tow- ers, whence the inhabitants, without re- moving from home, had a beautiful and ex- tenfive profpecl of the neighbouring coafts. Of the buildings that are rrioft deferving notice, the old Moorifh caftle is the moft con- fpicuous. This antique ftruclure is fituated on the north-weft fide of the hill, and origi- nally confifted of a triple wall, the outer in- clofure defcending to the water's edge : but the lower parts have long fince been removed, and the grand battery and water-port fortifi- cations creeled on their ruins ; and the firft, or upper wall, would lonsj ago have fhared the fame fate, had it not been found of fervice in covering the town from the iflhmus, in cafe * A cemect confiding of mortar made of fand, lime, and fmall pebbles, which being well tempered, and wrought together in a frame, acquires great ftrength and folidity. S I KG E O F G I B R A L T A R. 43 of a fiege. The walls Handing at prefent form an oblong fquare, afcending the hill, at the upper angle of which is the principal tow- er, where the Governor or Alcaide formerly refided. The ruins of a Moorifh mofque, or place of worfhip, can be traced within the walls j as alfo a neat morifque court, and re- fervoir for water : but the latter cannot, with- out great difficulty, be difcovered by a ftran- ger. A large tower on the fouth-eaft wall has long been converted into a magazine for powder ; and in different places quarters were fitted up, before the late fiege, for of- ficers and two companies of foldiers. This .caftle was erected, as I have mentioned before, by the Saracens or Moors, on their firft in- vading Spain ^ and the prefent venerable re- mains are inconteftable proofs of its magni- ficence, whilft it continued in their pof- fellion. The other principal buildings are the Con- vent, or Governor's quarters -, the Lieutenant- Governor's houfe, which is a modern flruclure ; the Admiralty-houfe, formerly a monaftery of white friars ; the foldiers barracks, Viclualling- office, and Store-houfe. Befides thefe, there are the Spanifh church, the Atarafana, or galley-houfe, and fome other buildings, for- merly of note, but now in ruins from the fire of the Spaniards during the late fiege. At the fouthward, are the South Barracks and the Navy Hofpital. The former a ftately building, delightfully fituated, with a parade in front, and two pavilions detached j the 44 HISTORY OF THE LATE whole capable of quartering 1 200 men, and officers proportionate. The latter a capacious pile, well adapted to the purpofe for which it was intended : it has an area in the centre, with piazzas and a gallery above, by which the fick may enjoy the fun, or fhade, as they think proper: there are apartments for 1000 men, with pavilions at each wing for the ac- commodation and convenience of the furgeons and their attendants. This hofpital was originally erecled for the navy, in cafe a Bri- tifh fleet fhould be Rationed in the Mediter- ranean ; but, on the Spaniards bombarding the town in 1781, the Governor removed into it the fick of the garrifon. At fome diftance, in the front of the barracks, are two powder- magazines, in which the fupplies from Eng- land are ufually depofited, before they are diftributed to the other magazines. Thefe laft conclude the chief, I might fay almoft the only buildings remaining on the rock after the late fiege ; and their prefervation was owing to their being kept in conftant repair by work- men purpofely appointed for that duty. Befides the remains of Moorifn architec- ture which have already been mentioned, the following have been efteemed not unworthy of notice : Within the town we find the Galley-houfe, and part of the Spanilh church ; alfo theBomb-houfe, adjoining the line-wall: and at the fouthward, ruins of Mooriih build- ings are difcernible on Wind-mill hill, and at Europa. The former are fituated on an eminence, but no antiquarian can determine SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 45 to what ufe they were appropriated : fome are of opinion they were burying-vaults for per- fons of rank j others fuppofe them a prifon, whilft, in the garrifon, the whole is generally known by the name of the Inquifition. At Europa, oppofite the guard-houfe, may be traced the remains of a building erected by the Moors, but ufed by the Spaniards as a chapel, and called Nueftra Senora del Europa. Along the water's edge, without the fortifica- tion, are alfo feveral ruins of Moorifh walls ; and towards Europa advance is a Moorifh bath, called by the garrifon, the Nuns-well. It is funk eight feet deep in the rock, is 72 feet long, and 42 feet broad, and, to preferve the water, has an arched roof, fupported by pillars. To the left of this bath is a cave, under Wind-mill hill, known by the name of Beeffteak-cave -, which was a common refi- dence for many of the inhabitants, during the late fiege. The hill abounds in cavities, that ferve as receptacles for the rain. None, however, is fo ilngular and worthy of notice as St. George's cave, on the fide of the hill, in a line with the fouth barracks, about 1 1 oo feet above the level of the fea. At the entrance are the re- mains of a ftrong wall. The mouth is only five feet wide ; but on defcending a flope of earth, it widens confiderably , and, with the ailiftance of torches, the openings of feveral fmaller caves are difcovered. The outer cave is about 200 feet long, and 90 broad. The top appears to be fupported by pillars of vaft 4 6 HISTORY OF THE LATE' magnitude, formed by the perpetual droppings of petrifying water, the whole bearing great refemblance to the infide of a gloomy Gothic cathedral. The feveral gradations in the progrefs of thefe petrifactions are eafily difcovered. In fome may be obferved fmall capitals, defcend- ing from the roof, whilft proportionable bafeo rife underneath : others again are formed of very fmall diameter j and a third clafs, im- menfely large, feem to fupport the roof of this wonderful cavern. Few ftrangers vifit Gibraltar but are conducted to view this cave ; and numbers, with the afMance of ropes and torches, have attempted to explore the depth - 9 but, after defcending about 500 feet, they have been obliged to return, by the grofs va- ppurs which iffued from beneath. It was in this cave that the Spaniards concealed them- felves in the fiege of 1727, when a party of them, unperceived, got into the garrifon, a-t the Cave-guard, near Europa advance, but afterwards failed in their enterprife. There are feveral other caves on different parts of the hill, in which the water pofTeffes the fame petrifying qualities. One under Mid- dle-hill, called Pocoroca, was fitted up, previ- ous to the bombardment, for the Governor's re- ception ; but was afterwards converted into a powder-magazine, being very convenient for the batteries on the heights. Amongft the natural curiofities of Gibraltar, the petrified bones, found in the cavities of the rocks, have greatly attracted the attention SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 47 of the curious. Thefe bones are not found in one particular part, but have been difco- vered in various places at a conliderable dif- tance from each other. From the rocks near Rofia-bay, (without the line- wall) great quantities of this curious petrifaction have been collected, and fent home for the infpec- tion of naturalitis. Some of the bones are of large diameter -, and, being broken with the rock, the marrow is eafily to be diftin- gu iihed. Colonel James, in his defcription of Gibraltar, mentions an entire human fkeleton being difcovered in the folid rock, at the Prince's lines ; but the miner blew it to pieces : and in the beginning of the late blockade, a party of miners, forming a cave at Upper All's-well, in the lines, produced feveral bones that were petrified to the rock, and appeared to have belonged to a large bird : being prefent at the time, I procured feveral fragments ; but in the bombardment of 1781, they were deftroyed with other fimilar cu- nofities. The hill is remarkable for the number of apes about its fummit, which are faid not to be found in any other part of Spain. They breed in inacceflible places, and frequently appear in large droves, with their young on their backs, on the wcftern face of the hill. It is imagined they were origrnally brought from Barbary by the Moors, as a fimilar fpecies inhabit Mons Abyla, which, on that account, is generally called Ape's-hill. Red- legged partridges are often found in coveys : 48 H I S T O R Y O F T H E L A T E woodcocks and teal are foraetimes feen ; and wild-rabbits are caught about Europa and Windmill-hill. The garrifon-orders forbid officers to {hoot on the weftern-fide of the jock j parties however often go in boats round Europa-point to kill wild pigeons, which are numerous in the caves. Eagles and vultures annually vifit Gibraltar from Barbary, in their way to the interior parts of Spain. The former breed in the craggy parts of the rock, and, with the hawk, are often feen towering round its fummit. Mofchetoes are exceedingly troublefome to- wards the clofe of fummer ; and locufts are fometimes found. The fcorpion, centipes, and other venomous reptiles, abound amongft the rocks and old buildings 5 and the harmlefs green lizard, and fnake, are frequently caught by the foldiers, who, after drawing their teeth, treat them with every mark of fond- nefs. With regard to the climate of Gibraltar, the inhabitants breathe a temperate and whole- fome air, for moft part of the year. The fummer months of June, July, and Auguft, are exceflively warm, with a perpetual ferene and clear iky : the heat is however allayed, in a great meafure, by a conftant refrefhing breeze from the fea, which ufually fes in about ten in the forenoon, continuing till almoft fun-fet; and, from its invigorating and agreeable coolnefs, is emphatically called the Doctor. The cold in winter is not fo ex- tern" ve as in the neighbouring parts of the SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 49 country. Snow falls but feldom, and ice is a rarity : yet the Grenadian mountains in Spain, and the lofty mountains in Africa, have fnow lying on them for feveral months. Heavy rains, high winds, and moft tremen- dous thunder, with dreadfully-vivid light- ning, are the attendants on December and January. The rain then pours down in tor- rents from the hill, and, defcending with great rapidity, often choaks up the drains with large ftones and rubbifh, and fometimes does great injury to the works j but thefe ftorms never are of long duration : the fky foon clears up j the heavy clouds difperfe ^ the chearing fun appears, and fufficiently compenfates for the horrors of the preceding night. It is during this feafon that the wa- ter that ferves the garrifon for the enfuing fummer, is collected. The aqueduct, which conducts it to the fountain in the centre of the town, is extremely well executed , and was conftructed by a Jefuit, when the Spa- niards were in pofTeifion of Gibraltar. It is erected againft the bank of fand, without South port, beginning to the Southward of the eight-gun baftion, and, collecting the rain-water that filters through the fand, con- ducts it to the South port, and thence to the Fountain. The water, thus drained and purified, is remarkably clear and wholefome. The appearance of the rock is barren and forbidding ; as few trees or (hrubs, excepting palmettos, are to be feen on the face of the hill: yet it is not entirely deilitute of vege- E S o HISTORY OF THE LATE tation ; wild herbs, of different kinds, fpring up in the interfaces of the rocks, when the periodical rains fet in, and afford fomc trif- ling nourifhment to the bullocks, fheep, and goats, that brow r fe upon the hill. The firft rains generally fall in September, or Odober, and continue at intervals to refrefh the gar- rifon till April or May. When they ceafe, and the powerful rays of the fun have wither- ed the little verdure that appeared on the hill, nothing offers to the eye but fharp uncouth rocks, and dried palmetto bufhes. The foil collected in the low ground , is however ex- tremely ricrl and fertile, producing variety of fruits and vegetables. Colonel James, in his elaborate hiftory of Gibraltar, enumerates no lefs than 300 different herbs, w r hich are to be found on various parts of the rock. Gibral- tar confequently muft be an excellent field of amufement to a botanift. The garrifon, before the blockade of 1779, was chiefly fupplied with roots and garden- fluff from the gardens on the neutral ground, which,, being on a flat, could almoft con- ffontly (even in fummer) be kept in a ftate of vegetation. The proprietors of thefc gar- dens were obliged totally to relinquifh them when the Spaniards erected their advanced works : from that period General Eliot en- couraged cultivation within his own limits, by every poffible indulgence. Many plots at the fouthward were inclofed with walls, the ground cleared of ftones and rubbifh, and foil collected from other parts : fo that with SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 51 afliduity and perfeverance, after fome times the produce, during the winter feafon, wa, fo increafed as to be almoft equal to the con- fumption ; and probably, in the fpace of a few years, the garrifon may be totally inde- pendent, in this article, of any affiftance from the neighbourhood. Gibraltar, by being nearly furrounded by the fea, is exceedingly well fupplied with fifh; the John-doree, turbot, foal, falmon, hake, rock-cod, mullet, and ranger, with great variety of lefs note, are caught along the Spanifh fhore, and in different parts of the bay. Mackarel are alfo taken in vaft numbers during the feafon, and fhell-fiih are fbmetimes brought from the neighbouring parts. The Moors, in times of peace, fup- ply the garrifon with ox-beef, mutton, veal, and poultry, on moderate terms j and from Spain they procure pork, which is remark- able for its fweetnefs and flavour. Fruits of all kinds, fuch as melons, oranges, green figs, grapes, pomegranates, &c. are brought in abun- dance from Barbary and Portugal : and the beft wines are drank at very reafonable prices. The prefent military eftablifhment* of Gi- braltar confifts of fix companies of artillery, eight regiments of the line, and a company of artificers, commanded by engineers j com- poiing an army of near 4000 men, officers included. Before the late bombardment, the * id of January, 1785. E 2 5 2 HISTORY OF THE LATE troops were quartered in the barracks at the ibuthward, and iri quarters fitted up out of the old Spanifh buildings in town. The of- ficers were diftributed in the fame manner - 9 but in cafe of reinforcements, and that go- vernment quarters were not fufficient for their accommodation, billet-money was al- lowed in proportion to rank, and the officers hired lodgings from the inhabitants. The regiments, on their arrival in the gar- rifon, are entitled to fait provisions from the rtores, for the following proportion. One ration in each ferjeant, corporal, drummer, and private, confiding of 7 Ib. of bread, de- livered twice a week, beef 2 Ib. 8 oz. pork i Ib. butter 10 oz. peafe half a gallon, and groats 3 pints : every commiifioned and warrant officer, under a Captain, receives two rations, a Captain three, a Major and Lieutenant-Colonel four, a Colonel fix. In times of profound peace, officers generally receive a compenfation in money for their provifions, or difpofe of them to- the Jews, of whom there are great numbers in the gar- rifon, and who are always ready to purchafe, or take them in barter. The troops are paid in currency, which, let the exchange of the garrifon be above or below par, never varies to the non-commiffioned and privates. A fer- jeant receives weekly, as full garrifon-pay, one dollar, fix reals, equal to nine- pence fieri ing, per diem\ a corporal, and drummer, one dollar, one real, and five quartifs, in flerling about fix-pence /w diem^ and a private, feven reals, SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 53 or four-pence half-penny -fterling, per diem. Officers receive their fubfiftence according to the currency : thirty -fix pence per dollar is par. During the late bombardment, the ex- change, for a confiderable time, was as high as forty-two pence, by which thofe gentlemen who were under the neceffity of drawing for their pay, loft fix-pence in every three Ihil- lings ; and it feldom was lower than forty- pence whilft the fiege continued. The coins current in Gibraltar, are thofe ufed in Spain. All accounts are kept in dollars, reals, and quartils: the two former, like the pound fterling, are imaginary ; the latter is a copper coin. The Bay of Gibraltar, formed by the headlands of Cabrita and Europa Points, is commodious, and feems intended by nature to command the Straits : there are opportunities, however, when a fleet may pafs unobferved by the garrifon ; for fuch is the impenetrable thicknefs of the mifts, which ufually prevail during the eafterly winds, that many (hips have baffled the vigilance of the cruifers, and gone through unnoticed : the fouth-wef- terly winds, particularly at the equinox, are alfo often attended with fuch thick and rainy weather, that vefTels have patted through and got into the Bay without being feen. Since Gibraltar has been in the pofTeflion of the Englifh, the Spaniards have creeled, in different parts of the Bay, feveral batteries and forts for the protection of their fmall craft in war, and to prevent their coaft from 54 HISTORY OF THE LATE being annoyed. At Cabrita, which is a bold rocky point, are a barbet-battery and watch-tower, whence, during the blockade, fignals of flags by day, and lights at night, were made to inform the Spanifh cruifers at Algeziras, &c. of the approach of any veflel towards the Bay. Thefe watch-towers are diltributed at fhort diftances, along the coaft for a confiderable extent, to alarm the country, in cafe of a vifitfrom the Algerines, or when any other extraordinary circum- Itance happens. To the northward of Ca- brita are two others, with a fort at the nor- thermoft tower, which is called San Garcia : the point on which the latter are creeled, project with a long reef of dangerous fhoals and rocks, conliderably into the bay. The town and ifland of Algeziras, with their batr teries, then appear in view. Algeziras lies oppolite to Gibraltar, about 5 ? miles acrofs the Bay; and, fmce the late iiege, has greatly increafed in confequence and wealth. The town was built and forti- fied by the Saracens about the year 714, two years after their eilablilhment at Gibraltar. It is remarkable for being the place w^here thofe invaders firft difembarked, when they fo rapidly overturned the Gothic empire in Spain ; and, as well as Gibraltar, was erect- ed to preferve a communication with Africa. Whilft the Moors maintained their conquefts, it confequently became a city of great im- portance and ftrength. We find, during the fucceflive wars which took place between the SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR 55 Moors and the Spaniards, Algeziras was fre- quently befieged by the kings of Caftile ; and, wlien Gibraltar fo eafily fell into the hands of the Chriftians in 1 3 10, this city refitted all their efforts. At length after a moft obftinate fiege in 1344, Algeziras was compelled to fur- render to the victorious arms of Alonzo XI. The fiege continued 20 months, and moft of the potentates in Europe interefted them- felves in the event, by fending fuccours to the Chriftian befiegers. The Englifb, under the Duke of Lancafter, the Earls of Derby, Leiceiler, Salifbury, and Lincoln, particularly diftinguifhed themfelves by their gallantry and conduct during this memorable conteft. It is worthy of remark, that cannon are faid to have been firft made ufe of in this fiegc, by the Moors againft the affailants , and the Englifh profiting by the knowledge gained on this occafion, afterwards ufed them at the glorious battle of CreiTy. The Spaniards continued mailers of the town till 1369, when the Moors of Grenada furprifed the city; but being unable to retain it, they de- molifhed the works, and carried away the in- habitants captives. Whilft the Moors kept pofieflion of Gib- raltar, which was now in its turn become a city of importance, the Spaniards never at- tempted to rebuild Algeziras ; and ftill Icfs did they etfeem it an object worthy their at- tention, after Gibraltar fell into their hands. The town, therefore, remained in ruins and defolate, excepting a few fiflierrnen's huts, till 56 HISTORY OF THE LATE the Spaniards, in the beginning of the pre- fent century, thought proper, after the cef- fion of Gibraltar to Great Britain, to re- people and fecure it by a few batteries towards the fea, which alfo might occafionally protect their cruifers in time of war. Since that period, from the conftant intercourfe and trade between it and Gibraltar, Algeziras is become a tawn of fome confequence and wealth ; and, as a late writer has juftly ex- preiTed, that fhe had touched at Minorca, and had on board two English difcharged foldiers, and two women paiTengers. The boat returned, and foon af- " ter went on fhore at Fort St. Philip, where it remained about half an hour. In the even- ing the enemy fired a (hot at the veffel j upon which fhe fent her boat a fecond time afhore : we anfwered the fhot from Willis's j never- thelefs at night (he went over unperceived tc* ^Algeziras. In the beginning of March, three regiments decamped from the enemy's army, and took different routes. On the night of the 2d, two Genoefe failors, who had formerly belonged to a privateer of the garrifon, came over to us in a fmall boat from Algeziras. The follow- ing day a Spanifh convoy under a Commodore arrived in the Bay, from the weft. The Go- vernor, on the nth, ordered the garrifon to be victualled monthly (bread excepted) in the following proportion : t for a foldier, each firft and third week, i pound of pork, 2 pound and a half of fait fifh, which had been pur- chafed from the Newfoundland fhip; 2 pints- of peafe j i pound of flour ; quarter of a pound of raifins ; i pound of rice ; 5 ounces of but- ter ; i pint and a half of oatmeal. Second and fourth week, i pound and a half of beef, 2 pound of fifh, 2 pints of peafe, i pound of rice, 5 ounces of butter, i pound and a half of wheat, quarter of a pound of raifins. The fait cod being indifferent in its kind, and the Mar.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 133 foldiers not having proper vegetables to drefs with it, proved very pernicious. This article continued to be delivered for near feven months, and undoubtedly, in a great degree, promoted that dreadful diforder, the fcufvy ; which, before Sir George Rodney arrived, had made its appearance, and afterwards be- came very general and fatal. The Governor, however, in this new diftribution, confidered the hofpital, whofe proportion of fait meat was lefs, and more nourifhing articles iflued in ftead. Notwithftanding the repeated aiTurances from the Spaniards, that the Englifh prifoners in the neighbourhood fhould be exchanged for thofe taken with Admiral Langara, none were yet fent in agreeably to that Admiral's promife : Commodore Eliott was therefore un- der the neceffity of making a formal demand, and to enforce it told them, if they did not comply, he fiiould exped the Spanirfi Admiral would return with the officers then upon their parole. This convinced them the Commo- dore was no longer to be trifled with : accor- dingly, on the 1 2th, about 390 Britifh fea- men were received on board the Fortune floop, and diftributed amongft the men of war, whofe crews, as I have mentioned before, were fent to man the Spanifh prizes. The fame day a Moorifh floop came in from Mala- ga, and brought intelligence that the Enemy had fitted up feveral fire-lhips in the Bay. In the evening, three of the 7 ad abfented them- felves from their corps : fearch was made the 134 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, fucceeding day, and two of them difcovered afleep in a cave, behind the Sugar-Loaf-Point. They had cut up their working dreffes into fhreds, which were tied together to favour their defcent down the rock; and it is ima- gined the following night they would have repeated their attempt to get off. One of thefe men' was afterwards executed, but the other was pardoned. The Fly packet arrived the 14-th, with an Englifh mail. In the afternoon the Maidftone came in, with a fettee prize, which the Cap- tain had cut out of Malaga road. A priva- teer, called the Alert, beat in from the Weft on the 1 5th, notwithftanding an eaftcrly wind. A prize following her was taken off Cabrita Point. The i7th, the Enemy fent in 41 Britifh feamen, who were diftributed as before. The Enemy at this time were not particu- larly employed. Some new arrangements were made in their artillery-park ; and in. their camp they were bufy, collecting brufh- wood for fafcines, which caufed various con- jectures in the garrifon concerning their fu- ture operations. A falnte and feu-de-joie were fired in their camp on the igth, fup- pofed to be occasioned by the birth ot a fon to the Princefs of Afturias. The night of the 23d, the Alert failed with difpatchcs for Eng- land ; and on the 2Qth we received from the Enemy more Englifh prifoners. In thecourfe of the month the Garrifon loft four men by defertion. April] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 135 April was not remarkable for any events of moment. On the zd, the Porcupine frigate, Sir Charles Knowles, Bart, failed to the eaft- ward on a cruife. The $th arrived the Fly packet ; (he reported that a merchantman, bound to the Garrifon, had been obliged, by a north wind, when fhe was almoft arrived in the Bay, to pafs to the eaftward, and put into Tetuan, where fhe waited a favourable op- portunity to renew her attempt. The For- tune (loop, on the 6th, took over to the Ene- my 300 Spaniards, who had been confined as prifoners for fome time in our Navy-hofpital. She returned with nine Britifh, and two days after took over 280 prifoners. The night of the 1 2th, a floop, with two fettees, came in from Tangier : the former brought a packet from Mr. Logic ; and the latter, cattle, and other acceptable articles. The following day we obferved the Enemy forming a bridge of pontons acrofs the mouth of the river Gua- daranque. At night, the Hyena frigate, Capt. Thompfon, arrived in thirteen days from England. She was chafed by the Ene- my's cruifers, and fired at, but received very little damage. The 2Oth, the Edgar, Com- modore Eliott, aad the Hyena, with a priva- teer, failed to the weft, notwithftanding the Enemy's fuperiority in the Bay. Admiral Barcelo feemed to fufpecl their intentions j for inftantly on their appearing under fail, he made a fignal for his fquadron to purfue. The Edgar and her confort were, however, out of 136 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, fight before the Spaniards got .abreaft of Ca- brita Point. Towards the conclufion of the month, the Enemy were more active in their camp, and fbmetimes in the lines - 9 to which place they brought down a great quantity of, fafcines. They were chiefly employed in raffing the boyau, and making repairs, which were how- ever fo trifling, that our artillery did not dif- turb them. Befides the arrivals already noted, we received fupplies by two or three boats from the Barbary coaft ; and in the courfe of the month, three deferters came over from the Enemy, one of whom fwam from Tefle's battery to Land port. May was not lefs barren of interefting oc- currences than the preceding month. Several deferters attempted to get in, but fome were fo unfortunate as to be overtaken by the pur- fuers. Thefe wretches were generally execu- ted the fucceeding day, but the example did not deter others from fimilar attempts. The 4th, the Fly returned with fowls, leather, and fruit. Two days following, the Enemy's army were under arms in two divifi- ons, and performed a fharn-engagement. One divifion took poft on the eminence above the Stone-quarry, under the Queen of Spain's Chair, and was attacked by the other from below. After a fmart cannonade, and briik difcharge of mufquctry, the party above gave way ; but the night prevented our obferving the conclufion. The fucceeding day, the Fortune received from a Spanlfh flag of truce May] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 137 47 prifoners, very few of whom were Britifh. At night fmall arms were difcharged on the neutral ground, fuppofed to be at fome defer- ters who were coming off. One Walon reached the barrier, and informed us that fe- veral of his comrades agreed to follow him. The loth, two men were executed in the Spa- nifh camp ; probably, the fame who were re- taken. Another deferter, belonging to the regi- ment of Eftremadura, came on the nth, and was remarkable for being the firft native of Spain who deferted. The Spanifh infantry in general is raifed upon a local eftablifhment. Each diflrid is required, by an ancient law called the Quinta, to furnifh a certain pro- portion of troops ; and the men are enrolled for about feven or eight years fervice, after which time they are permitted to return to their refpeclive provinces: and, as the Spa- niards are all ftrongly attached to their native fpot, defertion is confequently lefs common with them than with any other troops. Mod of the men who deferted to us, came from thofe regiments in their fervice which are compofed of foreigners. A Swede was brought-to from Europa, the 1 5th, and obliged to come in. We were much difappointed in her lading, which was fait. We had a few days before received fome fupplies from Tangier ; and on the 1 8th two boats arrived from Tetuan, with fowls and oil : the latter reported that the Fly packet, which had left us on the nth, was 138 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, driven afhore on the Barbary coaft by the Enemy's cruifers, who, after the crew had quitted her, took pofTeffion. We were much concerned at this intelligence ; for the Fly was a fail failer, and had been very fortunate in frequently palling in and out unobferved. The 20th, came in aMoorifh (loop from Ma- laga, with butter, raifins, and leather : the latter article was much wanted ; indeed, fo fcarce was it become in the garrifon, that fe- veral officers, and mod of the men, had been neceffitated to wear fhoes made of canvas, with foles of fpun yarn. A Letter of marque arrived on the 25th from Leghorn, with wine, oil, and other ar- ticles: a very valuable cargo to the garrifon, On the 3oth the Enemy's army were again under arms. Their manoeuvres on that day, were the attack and defence of a convoy. Their parties, as in the laft month, continued arranging the ordnance in their artillery-park, and bringing down to the lines, materials for the repair of their works. Our artillery, however, took little notice of them. In the beginning of June we received fome feafonable fupplies, by the arrival of three boats from Tetuan, and one from Tangier. By the latter we had intelligence, that the Fox packet, from Faro, and a (loop, were at that place, waiting an opportunity to get in j and by this, or one of the former veffels, Mr. Logic gave information that the enemy had prepared feveral fire-fhips, to burn our fhip- ping in the Bay. Two months before, he June.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 139 had intimated to Commodore Eliott, that the Spaniards had five fire-fhips in readinefs for immediate ufe ; and that they had once made an attempt to fend them over, but the wind failed. Repeating the intelligence, therefore, at this time, was peculiarly fortunate, as the next night they attempted to put in execu- tion their defign. The fame day, a Spanifh fhip of the line failed from Algeziras, to the eaftward. Our naval force at this period, confifted of the Panther of 60 guns, Captain Harvey, (who, fince Commodore Eliott's departure, commanded in the Mediterranean) j the En- terprife frigate, Captain Lefley ; two armed veffels commanded by lieutenants, with feve- ral armed tranfports ; and other fhips, belong- ing to merchants. On the morning of the ^th, a little after midnight, the Enterprife, which was anchored to the northward off the New-mole head, difcovered feveral fail ap- proaching her from the oppofite fide of the Bay : they were hailed - y but before fatisfac- tory anfwers could be received, feveral fire- works and inflammable fubftances were thrown on board, and fix-fire fhips fuddenly appeared in the form of a crefcent, bearing down upon her and the ordnance-fhips in the New-mole. Captain Lefley, with immediate prefence of mind, mftantly fired three guns to alarm his friends, and cutting his cable, drove clofer in fhore. The Panther and fhipping, on the appearance of the Enemy, immediately commenced a brifk cannonade to i 4 o HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, retard their progrefs ; and, manning their boats, the officers and feamen, with their ufual intrepidity, grappled their fhipsj and, notwithftanding the fiercenefs of the flames, towed them clear of our veffels under the walls, where they were afterwards extinguifh- ed. Befides thefe fix, which were intended for the New-mole, three others were lighted, and directed towards the Panther, at anchor off Buenavifta ; but one was towed off by the boats, and the other two were at fo great a diftance that they drove out to fea to the eaftward. The Garrifon was as early alarmed as the Navy. The drums beat to arms ; the guards were all upon the defence ; and the picquets, with the different regiments, afiembled at their pofts, and continued under arms till day- break. The artillery from the batteries fe- conded the fire from the fhips; but the dark- nefsof the night prevented any certain know- ledge of the effect. The wind, which was favourable for their purpofe in the beginning of the night, fortunately grew (till when they were moftin need of it. The largeft of them, neverthelefs, would certainly have got into the New mole amongft the ordnance-tranf-" ports, had not a few bar-fhot, from a thirty- two-pounder at the Mole-head, turned her round, and the current carried her into Ro- fia Bay. The navy, on this occafion, cannot be too highly commended for their courage, conduct, and alertnefs. Their intrepidity overcame June] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 141 every obftacle ; and though three of the fhips were linked with chains and ftrong cables, and every precaution was taken to render them fuccefsful, yet with uncommon refolution and activity, the Britifh feamen fe- parated, and towed afhore the veiTels, with no other injury to themfelves than a few bruifes. The defign all together, to do juftice to the ingenuity of Don Barcelo, was well projected ; and his fquadron judicioufly Rationed at the entrance of the Bay, to intercept our men of war in cafe they had attempted to efcape from the fire-fhips. We afterwards were informed, that Admiral Barcelo propofed to Don Alvarez, to draw off our attention from the fouthward by opening his land-batteries on the Town. Without doubt fuch a pro- ceeding would have diverted the attention of the Garrifon in fome meafure from the (hip- ping : but, as the Navy had the principal, nay, I may fay the fole honour of oppoling the fire-fhips, their endeavours would not have been lefs ftrenuous, nor of courfe lefs fuccefsful. The hulls of the fire-fhips were foon after broke up and fold to the inhabitants for fewel, and proved a moft feafonable relief. Firing was become a more important article than before ; which may appear very extraor- dinary to the reader, when he looks back to the (hort time which had elapfed imce the de- parture of Sir George Rodney's fleet ; but it is neceffary to inform him, that the colliers 142 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, intended for the Garrifon were too late, in coming round from the Downs, to join at Spit- head : Sir George Rodney therefore failed without them. The morning of the 8th, arrived the Fox packet and another veffel from Faro ; and in the courfe of the loth and I2th, four boats came in from Tetuan and Tangier, with va- rious cargoes: the Patrons reported it was current at Tangier, that we killed 14 or 15 men in the attack of the fire-fhips, and that the Spaniards had feveral more fire-fhips ready in the Bay, with which it is not improbable they might make a fecond attempt. Our Navy were confequently very vigilant, and kept a good look-out. For fome weeks paft we had been remarkably fuccefsful in receiv- ing thefe fmall and very acceptable fupplies. Their cruifes, however, now began to be more alert, and appeared to be ftationed with better judgement. On the I5th, a boat was taken coming in, but her confort efcaped j and on the 2Oth, another arrived from Tan- gier, which brought intelligence, that a large fhip, with coals and butter, bound to the garrifon, was captured by the Spaniards, two days before, under the guns of Tangier. The 24th, feveral broadfides were exchanged between four of the Enemy's fhips, pafling to Algeziras, and our {hipping and batteries at the fouthward. Some few fhot came afhore, but no particular damage was received. The Enterprife had eighteen failors burnt by the explofion of fome powder. June.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 143 Early on the 27th, four Spanifh gun-boats, with a xebeqne and two gallies, approached under cover of the night, and fired upon the Panther. A brifk difcharge was however returned, and they foon retired. One (hot ftruck the fouth pavilion, and three were fired through the Panther. This mode of annoyance the Enemy afterwards greatly im- proved upon. Thefe boats were ftrongly built, but ill finifhed : they had a fmall maft inclining forward from the center of the boat, almoft over the bow ; upon which was hoifted a latine yard and fail, which, at an- chor, ferved as an awning to the men on board. They rowed aftonifhingly fwift, and each carried a twenty-fix-pounder in the bow. We never had a good opportunity of making any fatisfaclory obfervations on them, but judged from their fize, that they were about 70 feet long, and 20 broad. In the beginning of July, the Panther man of war receiving upwards of 100 En- glifh prifoners from the Enemy, Captain Harvey failed for England. Some alterations and additions took place the fame day in the Garrifon detail. The 4th, the Fortune brought over more Britifh prifoners. We had received fome fupplies in the courfe of a few days by two Moorifh boats ; and they were followed, on the 1 1 th of July, by one from Tangier, which informed us of a fleet having been feen off that coaft, and that two boats had been taken, coming into the Bay. The fleet here mentioned was the 144 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, combined fleet of France and Spain; which foon after captured our outward bound Eaft and Weft India fleets, and carried them into Cadiz. The recent attempt of the Enemy to burn the fhipping and ftore-houfes at the fouth- ward, added to the intelligence which the Governor had received of the Enemy's fleet being off Cadiz, caufed him to direct particu- lar attention towards that quarter of the gar- rifon. Batteries for heavy metal were made on the rock above Parfon's Lodge, at Rofia j and directions were given for the New Mole to be cleared of fhipping, that the ordnance might have more liberty to play. Other aU terations alfo took place in that neighbour- hood. Early on the morning of the lyth, five gun-boats and four gallies fired upon the Enterprife, and fhipping in the New Mole, One of the frigate's forecaftle-guns was dif- mounted, and her fore-flay cut : fome fhot came alfo on fhore. During the remainder of the month, our firing, which had been continued at inter- vals, was brifker on their parties, who were principally employed in forming confiderable depots of fafcines, cafks, and timber, in the lines, and in collecting brufh-wood from the country ; they were like wife very bufy in difembarking ftores which had lately arrived. Several empty tranfport-veflels, in the courfe of this month, left the garrifon for England, A man of the 5 8th regiment deferted to the Enemy : one alfo came in from the lines. Aug.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 145 In Augufl few incidents occurred on either fide. Our provisions began to be bad, and extremely ofTenfive. What few fupplies we received, were rather luxuries than fub- liantials : wine, fugar, oil, honey, onions, and articles of the like kind, compofed chief- ly the cargoes of thofe craft which arrived. Sugar was rifen to two fhillings and fix-pence per pound, and every thing elfe fold in pro- portion. About ten in the forenoon of the ^d, a fettec, coming in from the weft> was chafed by the Enemy, and taken into Algeziras, We imagined it was the Fox packet, which we then anxioufly expected with an Englifii mail ; and our conjectures afterwards were confirmed. The loth, weobferved the Ene- my laying a bridge of boats acrofs the river Palmones. Two days following, brig was boarded almoft under our guns, and conduct- ed to Algeziras. It was thought to be the fame, of which we had Intelligence fome time before, and was laden with variety of articles much wanted : her capture was there- fore greatly lamented. The night of the i ^th, fix failors deferted, in a boat, from the New mole. The fucceedirig day, the For- tune floop received from the Enemy 64 pri- foners* Eniign Bfadfhaw, of the 56th re- giment, and feveral who were paflengers m the brig taken on the I2th, were of the number. At night, five more Tailors, who were rowing-guard, went over to the Enemy. In the night of the a$th, a Micorquin boat JM J4 5 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, came in with wine, tea, and fugar, in eight days. The 27th and 29th, a foldier and four failors deferted to the Enemy. It was ima- gined the failors forced with them the mid- (hipman who commanded the boat. Colonel Mawhood, of the ^2d regiment, died on the 2oth. A fmall boat arrived from Barbary, on the 3Oth, with information that the Moors per- mitted the Spaniards to capture every Bn- glifh veffel which took refuge under the pro- tedion of their guns; that the Spaniards would not allow an\ r boats to leave the Bay of Tangier, and only waited for orders from Admiral Barcelo to burn and deltroy v hat remained. This intelligence very fenfibly afYeded us. To be cut off from what we had always considered our domeftic market, was a ftroke we little expeded. We waited, however, more authentic proofs of this ex- traordinary condud, before we could impli- citly believe the defedion of thofe whom during the prefent conteft we had eonfidered as our firm friends. September was as barren with refped to material incidents, as the preceding months. The Enemy finifhed their ponton bridge over the river Palmones on the zd. About a week afterwards, two faldiers of the 56th deferted. On the 23d, a flag of truce brought over the midfhipman carried off by the failors who deferted the latter end of Auguft. The 29th, a deferter came in in the habit of a peafant : he fpoke feveral Ian- Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 147 guages fluently, and faid he had been a fer- jeant in their fervice. Some fufpicions arif- ing, he was charged to remain with part of the 58th regiment at Windmill-hill. The following day we remarked, that the Enemy's guards in the lines, at the hour of relieving, amounted to about 300 infantry and 70 ar- tillery, befides cavalry. The fituation of the Garrifon by this time was again become very interefting. The blockade was, if poflible, more ftrid and vigilant than before. Chains of fmall crui- fers were {rationed acrofs the Straits, at the entrance of the Bay, and on every fide of the rock; and the late difagreeable intelligence from Tangier feemed now confirmed, by our having never heard from that quarter during the month. What little affiftance we there- fore received, came from Minorca ; but the fupplies from that place were fo trifling, and fold at fuch enormous prices, that few were able to purchafe them. We had not been favoured with a cargo of cattle for a long period, and the fcurvy began to gain confiderable afcendency over the efforts of our furgeons. Our diftreiTes, in fhort, pro- mifed to be more acute and fatal than thofe we had already experienced. The Enemy's operations on the land fide had been for many months fo unimportant, as fcarcely to merit our attention. However > on the morning of the ift of October, we obferved they bad raifed an epaulement, about 6 or 700 yards advanced from their lines, L 2 148 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1786, The preceding night, our out-guards had been alarmed with an unufual noife on the neutral ground, like that of men at work i feveral large fires alfo appeared, and fome attempts were made to burn our advanced barriers with devils, and other combuftibles, which were foon thrown off without taking effect: and notice was given to the Lines,- Land-ports, arid other guards. This^ alarm, however, was not general m the Garrifon. As the morning advanced, the noife ceafed 5. and we difcovered that they had fet fire to- the fifhermen's huts in the gardens : but when the day permitted us to examine fur- ther, we obferved the above-mentioned work, The epaulement was about 30 yards in extent, of a fimple eonftruclion, compofed of chandeliers, fafcines, and a few fand-bags j. and was erected near the windmill or tower on the neutral ground, diftant about uoo yards from our grand battery. The Enemy's guns were elevated, and batteries manned j which, with other preparations, in the lines, feemed to argue that they expected we fhould fire, and were determined to oppofe it. Thefe appearances, probably, induced the Governor not to take any particular notice of their work fn the day : but at night, or- ders were fent to 1 throw a few light balls, to difcovcr if they were making any additions. The inhabitants immediately took the alarmy upon being told that the Enemy had thrown up .an advanced work, and that their batteries Oft.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 149 were manned; and at night very few re- mained at the north end of the town. It now feemed evident, the Enemy had determined on a more ferious attack, in cafe the fecond blockade was unfuccefsful ; but we were at a lofs to imagine what motives could influence them to act fo oppofite to the eftablifhed mode of approaching a belieged garrifon, by erecting a work fo diftant, and which had no connection with their eftablifh^ cd lines. The Enemy's batteries continued to be manned till the adj and in the afternoon of that day, Don Alvarez, accompanied by an officer, fuppofed to be the Count D'Eftaing, who was expected in the Spanifh camp when the laft deferter came in, vifited the lines. They remained three quarters of an hour at Fort St. Barbara, viewing the rock with glafles. On their return they were fainted from Point Mala; and as they paiTed the front line of the camp, the regiments turned out without arms. On the night of the 30!. a frnart engagement was heard off Cabrita Point, fuppofed to be 'between fome veffel attempting to come in, and the Enemy's cruifers j and the next morning, a {loop, with Englifh colours reverfed, was obferved at Algeziras, Early on the 4th, our advanced guards dif- covered the Enemy endeavouring, a fecond time, to fix fire-faggots on our barriers. A fmart difcharge of mufquetry was immedi- ately dire&ed from thefe potts, and from the i 5 o HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, Qpeen's lines ; on which they retired. At day-break we obferved they had carried away vail quantities of vegetables from the gar- dens, and trampled others under foot : but little, if any, addition was made to the epaulement. A parley came in on the th; and foon after, the Fortune iloop received upwards of forty Britifh prifoners, many of whom had been taken going from the Gar- rifon. In the evening of the 6th, the Spa- nifti General came to the lines, at the head of the relieving guards. Soon after he ar- rivrd. thr ians were again elevated, and rreo-vition made, as if they had re- folved to open on the Garrifon, The 8th, the Town-major, Captain Burke, went out with a parley, intending to proceed to the Tower, the place appointed by cuftom for the officers to give and receive packets. When he got abreaft of the new w r ork, the fentries by motions informed him he mull not advance. He pointed to the Tower; but they continued inflexible : on his turning round however to return, one of them came up with his arms, and proceeded with him to the Tower, whilft another ran to acquaint the officer in the lines. The meiTenger after fome time returned, and both remained appa- rently as a guard over Major Burke, till the officer arrived; when delivering his pac- ket, the Major returned to the Garrifon. The Enemy did not appear very anxious to complete the epaulement ; their parties were employed in railing and finishing the Oa.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 15: merlons of the batteries in the lines, raifing the merlons of Fort St.. Philip with fafcines, and erecting a new battery near the guard- Jioufe on the beach. The nth, a fmall fet- tee arrived from Minorca : the patron inform- ing us that two others were (landing for the Rock, the navy manned their boats to affift them, in cafe the Enemy oppofed their en- trance ; but on getting round Europa Point, no fuch veiTels appeared. A Dutch convoy was however palling: the boats therefore boldly advanced, and boarded a -dogger which had got, during the fog, pretty near the Rock. She was a Dane from Malaga, laden with lemons and oranges, which the Governor immediately purchafed, and distributed to the Garrifon. Few articles ever arrived more feafonably than this cargo of fruit. The fcnrvy had made dreadful ravages in our hofpitals, and more were daily confined : many however, unwilling to yield to the firft attacks, perfe- vered in their duty to its more advanced ftages, It was therefore not uncommon at this pe- riod, to fee men, who fome months before were hale and equal to any fatigue, fupport- ing themfelves to their pofts upon crutches, and even with that afiiftance fcarcely able to move along. The molt fatal confcquences, in fhort, to the Garrifon, were to be appre- hended from this terrible diforder, when this Dane was happily directed to our relief. The lemons were immediately adminiftered to the iick, who devoured them with the greater! J52 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, avidity. The falutary effects were almoft inftantaneous : in a few days, men who had been confidered as irrecoverable, left their beds to congratulate their comrades on the profpecl of once more becoming ufeful to their country. Mr. Cairncrofs, a furgeon of great emi- nence, who was prefent at this time and the remaining part of the fiege, has favoured me with the following information relative to the fcurvy, and the mode of ufmg this vege- table acid j which, with his permifTion, I infert for the benefit of thofe who may here- after be under fimilar circumftances. e The Scurvy which attacked the Garrifon f of Gibraltar, differed in no refped from ' that difeafe ufually contracted by failors in ' long voyages; and of which the immediate * caufe teemed to be the fubfifting for a * length of time upon falted proviiions only, * without a fufficient quantity of vegetables, * or other acefcent foods. The circumftance * related in the Voyage of that celebrated cir- * Cum navigator, the late Lord Anfon, of * confolidated fractures difuniting, and the * calloiity of the bone being perfectly diflblv- * ed, occurred frequently in our hofpitals: ' and old fores and wounds opened anew * from the nature of the diforder. e Various antifcorbutics were ufed without * fuccefs, fuch as ncid of vitriol, four crout, ' extract of malt, eiTence of fpruce, &c. but ' the only fpecific was frefhlemons and oran- * ges, given liberally ; or when they could Oft.] S-IEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 153 not be procured, the prefer ved juice in fuch quantities, from one to four ounces per diem, as the patient could bear. Whilft the lemons were found, from one to three were adminiftered each day as circumftances directed. The juice given to thofe in the moft malignant ftate, was fometimes diluted with fugar, wine, or fpirits ; but the con- valefcents took it without dilution. Wo- men and children were equally afFecled, nor were the officers exempted from this alarming diftemper. It became almoft ge- neral at the commencement of the winter feafon, owing to the cold and moiflure ; and in the beginning of fpring, when vege- tables were fcarce. f The juice was prefer ved by adding to fixty gallons of exprefTed liquor, about five or ten gallons of brandy, which kept it in fo wholefome a ftate, that feveral cafks were opened in good condition at the clofe of the fiege. The old juice was not how- ever fo fpeedily efficacious as the fruit, though, by perfevering longer in its ufe, it feldom failed.' The fame day that the dogger was brought in,, a parley came from Don Alvarez, to in- form the Governor that all intercourfe or correfpondence .betwixt them, in future, was to be conducted by flags of truce in the Bay ; which regulation continued till the peace was notified in 1783. The I4th, two gun- boats, from the Orange-grove, ranged along the front of the garrifon, and drove in our I 5 4 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, fifhing-boats ; and OR the i6th they again ranged off the Mackarel-bank, and forced our fKhermen to retire. We did not much approve of this conduct, as the boats, by this means, were prevented from bringing any fiih to our market. They continued, however, this practice at intervals for fome time. The 2 1 ft, the gun-boats fired upon the Enterprife and town. Captain Lefley, not chufing to remain the object of their fire, withdrew the frigate into the New mole; where the navy, under the direction of the engineers, had begun to lay a boom of mafts from the New-mole head to the watering- tank. This boom, though it was coniidered as a difficult operation on account of the fwell of the fea, was foon completed. It was not till the night of the 21 ft, that the enemy threw fand in the front of their epaulement, to cover it againft our fire-balls and carcafTes ; and on the 26th they length- ened it to the weft about 30 yards, and ftrengthencd it in front with fand. The night of the 28th, they erected two large traverfes in the rear for magazines. It now prefented a very compact appearance ; whence we concluded that it was intended for a mor- tar-battery. Though it was generally imagined in Eng- land, that the garrifon had been amply pro- vided with every article and neceiFary of life, when Sir George Rodney arrived with the tranfports and relief from England, our SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. i SS wants, in reality, were far from being fup- plied. In the articles of ammunition and fait provifions, the garrifon had probably as much as they could difpenfe with 5 but of frefh provifions, wine, fpirits, fugar, &c. we began to find a great fcarcity j and the price of what remained was confequently much en- hanced. The afliftance we received formerly from Barbary had now been fufpended for feveral months-, the enemy feemed determin- ed to prevent our deriving fupport from the element that almofl furrounded us j and their cruifers were too numerous and vigilant to expect any thing from the weft. Thus fitu- ated, the garrifon turned their eyes on the ifland of Minorca, whence we already re- ceived fome very acceptable fupplies. The productions of that ifland arc various; and thofe articles which it did not afford, could be purchafed from the prizes that were daily carried thither by the privateers. Befides this, from the great fcope of fea-room, there was a greater probability of their being able to efcape the enemy's cruifers. Several Gar- rifon-boats were therefore fent to Minorca, fome of which returned, in the courfe of October, laden with the w T ine of that Ifland, fugar, (an article become exceedingly fcarce) and cheefe ; with fometimes a few live flock. Thefe articles were all fold by auction, ac- cording to a regulation eftablifhed by the Governor j and, though they feldom were purchafed by the lower ranks, yet afforded 156 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, upon the whole a temporary relief to the garrifon. The 3oth, we obferved that the enemy had pofted an officer's guard in the Mill-battery, which was the name we gave to the new work. Montague's baftion was therefore opened on it in the evening, and, by forming a crofs-fire with the batteries on the heights, confiderably annoyed them, and much retarded their opera- tions. The fame night, two foldiers of the 56th and 72d deferted from Upper All's- well, in the lines : they were fentries at the fame poft, and got down by means of a rope ; but, previous to their defcent, had the precaution to wet the priming of their firelocks. We alfo loft another man by defertion in the courfe of the month. The Governor, in the beginning of Novem- ber, made an arrangement of the troops, that in cafe the Enemy bombarded the Garrifon, each regiment might know the quarters and Nations which they were to take up. The rft of the month was rather unpropitious to us : an Eneliih fnow was taken to the eaft of the rock: at night, a foldierof the 56th regiment deferted, during a heavy fhower of rain ; and the following evening, two others, of the 1 2th and 56th, attempted to get off by fwim-r ming round the Old-mole head ; but a few days afterwards, the body of the former was wafhed aihore near the King's baftion: we therefore concluded his comrade had (hared the fame fate. In the evening of the 7th, a fmart cannonade was heard in the Straits : afterit had continued for fome time, a fudden Nor.} SIfcGE OF GIBRALTAR. 157 flafh appeared, and a report was heard, like the blowing-up of powder. The next morn- ing we obferved that the Enemy had captured an Englilh vefTel, and were at that time tow- ing in a gun-boat j which accounted for the exploiion. Our fire, about the 7th and 8th, became more animated j yet the Enemy, almoft every night, made fome interior additions. We had obferved, for feveral preceding mornings^ deep ruts in the fand, leading from the princi- pal barrier to the Mill-battery ; which led 113 to imagine that they brought at night, heavy timber, and other materials, from their depots in the lines. The artillery were therefore or- dered to dired a ricochetting fire of fmall fhells along this track. In the evening of the loth, a large party, followed by a number of carts and mules, laden with different mate- rials, advanced along the beach, from the fal- ly-port of the ditch of Fort St. Philip, to the Mill-battery. They were perceived by the artillery at Willis's, before they had proceeded half-way ; and a briik fire was directed to- wards their route, which threw the mules intoconfufion, and obliged fome to return, after having left their burthens on the beach. The batteries being reinforced, the firing was continued with great vivacity the whole flight. The fubfequent evening our artillery were prepared, and, immediately on the par- ty's appearing, faluted them with a warm dif- charge of (hot and fhells, which feemed to have greater effedl than the fire of the prece- i 5 8 HISTORY OF THE LATE ding evening. This circnmftance convinced us of the effect of the ricochetting fire from the lower batteries, along the track from the barrier : but the Enemy were not fo foon driven from the new track as from the former ; and continued, notwithftanding our fire, (which muft have killed and wounded many of them) to bring materials in this expofed manner, till a line of communication was finifhed from the lines. An Englifh armed polacre, called the Young Sabine, arrived on the I2th, after a fpirited engagement in the bay with feveral armed vef- fels and three gun-boats. The Enemy at- tempted to board her, but were as often re- pulfed by mufquetry : at length fhe beat them off, and anchored under our guns. Her car- go was cheefe, hams, and potatoes ; the lat- ter of which fold at forty-three dollars per cwt. which, according to forty-two pence per dollar, (the exchange at that time) are equal to 7!. i os. 6d. fterling. Other articles fold in proportion. In the afternoon, a Minorquin fettee arrived with the ufual cargo : a Spanifh gun-boat boarded her on her paffage ; but the patron (hewing papers from Majorca to the camp, the Spaniard took no further notice than keeping her company as a convoy. The Minorquin afterwards feizeda convenient op- portunity, and flipped in. In the courfe of the I4th, a Minorquin tartan, bound for the garrifon, was taken by the Enemy : the crew however quitted her, and got afhore. The enemy the fame day Nov.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 159 mounted twelve guns en bdrbet, in the battery near the Guard-houfe, in the vicinity of Fort St. Philip ; which we had fuppofed was in- tended for mortars ; and about a week after- wards they eredted merlons to this work, ad- mitting the embrafures to open upon the gar- rifon. Two nights following, the gun-boats, which were now increafed in number, fired upon the town and {hipping. Three, that direded their fire on the former, were ftation- ed off the Old-mole head, and threw feverai fhots into the town. Several men were wounded in the Enterprife frigate. The night of the lyth, the Enemy threw up t\\'o places d'drmes for mufquetry, on the flanks of the Mill-battery the parapets form- ed femicircles joining the battery, but after- wards extended in an oblique direction to- wards the lines. Thefe additions appeared very flight, being only a row r of calks or gabi- ons, ftrengthened with half-chandeliers, and fand in front j covered on the top with faiid- bags. The i8th, we were vifited again by the gun-boats : in returning their cannonade one of the thirty-two-pounders on the King's baftion burft, killed an artillery-man on the fpot, and wounded three others. The man who fired the gun efcaped, but was a little fcorched with the powder. A great number of mules were employed on the 22d, bringing forward cafks, chandeliers, and other materials, from the camp. The night of the 23d, the Enemy began an ap- proach from the lines, to the Mill-battery *. itfo HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, it confided of fafcincs, with fand banked up in front, and commenced near the weft an- gle of the weftern fourteen-gun battery, ex- tending about 1 20 feet towards the advanced Guard-houfe in front of Fort St. Philip : the following night, notwithftanding our fire, they lengthened it about 100 feet, with chande- liers placed in a trench and filled with fafcines. The enemy endeavoured to draw our attenti- on from this quarter by another falute from the gun-boats, but in vain. As it was not impro- bable that the gun-boats were direcled in their firing by the lights in the houfes along the line-wall, and thofe looking towards the Bay ; orders were iffued ' that no lights in fu~ ' ture fhould appear in any houfe, barrack, * or guard-houfe, towards the Bay, after * feven o'clock in the evening.' We had hitherto derived occafional aflif- tance from the gardens on the neutral ground, though vaft quantities of vegetables had been removed from thence by the enemy. On the 25th, however, they determined to expel our people altogether from the gardens ; which in the courfe of a few days they accomph'fhed, notwithftanding the markfmen under Lieut, Burleigh were {rationed at Willis's, and in the Lines, in order to prevent them. From this period, our refources in refpeclto- vegetables depended entirely upon our own at- tention to cultivation j which, happily for the garrifon, was crowned with tolerable fuccefs, especially during the winter months, at which time the produce was increafed to be almojl Nov.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 161 equal to the confumption. The fupplies from the gardens had indeed begun to fail for fome time before - y and we foon had little reafon to regret their lofs. We had, befides, the addi- tional fatisfaclion of reflecting that the Enemy were now cut off from a channel, through which it was not improbable they had been in- formed of every occurrence which happened in the garrifon. The 26th, a Frenchman, one of the crew of the Young Sabine, deferted in a boat to the enemy. The night of the 27th, the Danifli dogger, which brought us the cargo of le- mons, failed ; and the next morning we ob- ferved her at anchor off Algeziras. By the 29th, the Enemy had finifhed the fecond branch of the line of approach, and begun the return for the third towards the weftern beach. Our fire, as they advanced, became more fpirited than ever, and muft have been feverely felt by the enemy in this expofed duty. The 3Oth was only diftinguifhed by the arrival of a polacre from Algiers with foap, oil, wine, and candles a very valuable cargo. December was introduced with bad wea-^ ther. The ift, arrived the Anglicana priva- teer from Smyrna, and two nights after file continued her voyage towards England : Lieutenant Gage, of the Enterprife, went home paffenger with difpatches. The 2d was particularly ftormy, with thunder and light- M i62 HISTORY OF THE LATE [178$, ning, which happily did not continue long, or the works of the garrifon might have ma- terially fuffered. The rain poured down with fuch violence from the heights, forcing with it vaft quantities of rubbiih, ftones, and loofe earth, that the ftreets leading from the hilt were inftantly choaked up, and confidcrable damage was done to the buildings. The Enemy, notwithstanding the florin, completed their third branch, and raifed the return to- wards the eaft. Though the ftorm did not retard their finishing what they had begun in the evening,- yet the chandeliers were very much funk in many places, which employed their parties five or fix of the following even- ings to repair. They alfo made fome altera- tions in the direction of the fecond branch, and repaired the batteries in the lines. A brig ar- rived from Leghorn on the ioth^ alfo three fettees from Minorca, From the loth, the Enemy added every night fo confiderably to the fourth branch of the approach, that on the I4th at night they joined the extremity of the eaftern place d'ar- mcs ; and two nights following, began a fifth branch, which on the i9th was extended to the eaft flank of the Mill-battery. Their ope- rations had not been wholly confined to com- pleting this line of communication j a mortar- battery for the fea was creeled to the- north of Fort St. Barbara ; and large and fmall traver- fes were raifed within both forts, to protecl their men from our upper batteries. Dec.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 163 About noon on the iyth, a cannonade was heard towards the weft. A. cloud of fmoke was obferved near Tangier, and we after- wards learned that the Moors were firing a falute on account of the arrival of their em- peror. Three hundred and ninety rounds were numbered, and it was repeated the next day. The reader will probably recollect, that the Garrifon of Tangier is to us an objeft of fome curiofity, as having formerly been in the pofTeffion of the Englifh. It was ceded by the Portuguefe (who had been matters of it for fome time) to King Charles II. as a part of the dowry of the Princefs Catharine of Portugal, and remained under the Englifh dominion till 1684, when, the nation refu- fing to pay the heavy expences attending its maintenance againft the repeated attacks of the Moors, the fortifications w r ere blown up, and the garrifon ordered to abandon the town. The Moors, after the place was de- ferted, returned $ and it has ever fince con- tinued in their pofTeflion. When the Englifh were matters of Tangier, the works on the land fide were conlidered as almoft impregna- ble ; and, for the accommodation of fhipping, a mole of confiderable extent was advanced into the fea. The prefent town is built at the bottom of a bay, on the fide of a hill, overlooking the fea. The Moors have, in fome meafure, repaired the males, and endeavoured to re- ftore the city to its former importance ; but their efforts go flowly on towards accomplifh^ M 2 1 5 4 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1780, ing that work, Tangier was the refidence of a Britilh conful, and, in conjunction with Tetuan, in times of peace, (applies Gibral- tar, Cadiz, Lifbon, and other ports on the coafts of Spain and Portugal, with fowls, betf, mutton and fruit. It was about this time the fcene of fome interfiling tranfac- tions, which will fhcrtly be related. The Enemy, on the 2oth, began to erecl fmall traverfes in the rear of their approach. On the 2 1 ft, the Speedwell cutter, Lieutenant Gibfon, arrived with government difpatches, after a warm engagement with the enemy off Ceuta, in which the Spaniards attempted to board the cutter, but were repulfed. Lieutenant Gibfon was dangeronfly wounded in the action ^ which was the only cafualty on board. The 23d, arrived a privateer brig, called the Hannah, Captain Venture, laft from Lifbon. She brought fome excellent fupplies ; and the day following, two other vefiels from Liverpool got in with variety of provifions : the cargoes of thefe (hips were fold by auction for 300 per cent, profit. It was about this period, fome letters of a curious tenor were difcovered in the poffeffion of the deferter who cams in, the 2gth of Sep- tember, in the drefs of a peafant, and faid he was a ferjeant. They were directed to Colo- nel Nugent, of the Hibernian corps, in the Spanifli fcrvice j and the purport of them was, c that Europa was the moft eligible place ' to attack the garrifon : acknowledging hav- Dec.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 165 c ing received feveral fvjms of money, and ' concluding with expreffing his fears left he f fhould be difcoveredj therefore ^Mfred the * Colonel would concert fome meafures for his ' efcape.' The man was immediately order- ed into clofe confinement, and remained a pri- foncr for fome time, till, an opportunity of- fering, he was fent away from the garrifon. We were afterwards informed by other defer- ters, that he was fent in as a fpy, and liberal- ly rewarded for this hazardous iervice. The Enemy, having completed their ap- proach to the Mill battery, were employed in dreffing the communication, and raifing faf- cine traverfes in the rear, for their greater pro- tedion. The 26th, and following nights, their carpenters braced with head-rails the chandeliers, which, owing to the late rains, had given way in feveral places. They were fo very noify in this duty, as to induce a briik fire from our batteries. The 3Oth, a fettee,, becalmed off Europa, going from Algeziras, was boarded and brought in by our boats. Many private letters w r ere on board, which mentioned the confiderable lofs the Enemy fuftained from our fire. There was alfofome money, and a quantity of clothes. The next day a fettee got in from Minorca. Our carpenters, in the beginning of Janu- ary, were very bufy in creeling ftages and temporary cranes, in Camp and Rofia bays, and upon the Line-wall, above the Navy- yard i which led us to imagine, that the Go- 1 66 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781 vernor had received intelligence by the Speed- well, that a convoy might foon be expected. The reafon for erecting thefe machines fo far to the fouth, and at fuch a diftance from the garrifon ftore-houfes, was the apprehen- fion of being annoyed in difembarking the provifions at &agged-ftaff, &c. from the ene- my's advanced battery, which was now finifh- ed, and reported to mount eight thirteen-inch mortars. Thefe precautions will appear to be very prudent and efTential, when the reader, on a farther pernfal, is informed of the range and effect of the enemy's fire. Some alter- ations were alfo made in the works at the New mole. The nth, a Spanifh flag of truce, with two Moorifh gallies, came over from the Orange-grove, having on board Conful Logie, his Lady, and all the Britifh fubjecls who had been refident in Barbary. We had long complained of a neglect in that quarter, but were now convinced, to our forrow, that fuch accufations, were premature and unge- nerous. The mercenary and avaricious dif- pofition of the Emperor had been bribed by the Spanifh Miniftry, with a prefent of one hundred thoufand cofo>, {atout .7500 fler- ling) and a promife of the fame fum annually,, with the redemptionjof a hundred African prifoners j on condftion that he fhould de- liver up, for a certain period, the ports of Tangier and Tetuan, and banifh from his do- minions the Conful and fubiects of Great Jan.] SIEGEOFGIBRALTAR. 167 Britain. Befides the prefent of money, and the redemption of a hundred prifoners, the Emperor had permiffion to import from Spain, grain, which was fo remarkably fcarce in Barbary that a famine was apprehended. Without this circumftance to urge as a pal- liative for entering into a treaty with his avowed and natural enemy, the Emperor would probably have found it a difficult tafk to perfuade his fubjecls to defert their old Allies. As this defection of the Moorifti Monarch was of much importance to the garrifon, and was in itfelf an object not undeferving politi- cal remark, I fhall fubjoin a ihort relation of fome tranfaclions previous to this event j with an account of the injurious treatment which Mr, Logic and the Britiih fubjeds experienced before they quitted that country. I had formerly occafion to mention, that in the early part of 1779, overtures were made by the Spaniards to the Moors, to farm the ports of Tangier, Tetuan, and Larache. Of this General Eliott received immediate information, by a confidential meffage from the Fmperor of Morocco. It did not appear that the Emperor, in this inftance, was actu- ated by any other impulfe than friendship. But fince, by refufing to accede to their of- fers, he might fubjecl his coafts to be infult- ed, it would of confequence be prudent to arm his cruifers, in order to enable him to at on the defensive ': he therefore requefted that the 168 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781 Englilh would fupply him with naval ftores for three new veflels which he had lately built, the value of which, on calculation, did not amount to fifteen hundred pounds. Such apparent difintereftednefs," and fo modeft a demand, had a proper effect with the Governor, who, considering the Empe- ror's alliance of the firft conft-quence to the welfare of the garrifon, recommended to Go- vernment to double the quantity of ftores, that they might fecure his friendfhip. Mini- fters at home, however, did not confider his alliance in the fame light with the Governor and Conful, as Sir George Rodney arrived the January following without ftores, or as much as an anfwer : and the Spaniards, (having then declared war) increafing in their propofals, the Emperor, after repeated applications to Mr. Logic, to knew when he might expcd the fupplies he had given him to underftand were corning from England, at length, by degrees, permitted the Spaniards to capture all Britifh veflels under the protection of his ;uns. The Conful re m on ft rated againfl fuch pro- ceedings, but in vain : the anfwer generally received was, that the Spaniards had the Em- peror's leave ; and if they chofe to take him from his own houfe, the Emperor would not. oppofe them. Thefe indignities Mr. Logie was neceflita- ted to overlook. He found the Spanifh in- fluence daily gaining ground ; he had there- fore no alternative, but tacitly to fubmit to the evils of his fituation. He contrived, ne- Jan.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 169 verthelefs, to acquaint General Eliott with this change in their affairs. Though there appeared little profpecl of doing further fervice to the garrifon of Gi- braltar by remaining in Barbary, Mr. Logic ftill continued to refide at Tangier. The natives were partial to the English, and perfonally attached to him j and thefe cir- cumftances he imagined might probably be improved to fome advantage. Thus matters proceeded till the beginning of October, 1780, when a party of the Em- peror's black troops, which were quartered in the neighbourhood of Tangier, came to Mr. Logic's houfe, and, being introduced, in- formed him they had orders from their ma- fter to abufe and infult him in the groffeft manner ; which they immediately put in ex- ecution, by fpitting in his face, feizing him by the collar, and threatening to ftab him with their daggers. Two days after this tranfadion, Mr. Logie was ordered to attend the Emperor near Sallee. The 1 3th, he began his journey, guarded by one . of the Emperor's chamberlains, and a party of horfe. They arrived at the camp on the 2Oth ; and the fame evening Mr. Logie was ordered into the Emperor's prefence. After various queftions relative to Gibraltar, to which fuch anfwers were given as were leaft likely to pleafe, the Emperor addreffed himfelf to his tfoops, and a great mob that were afTembled on the occafion, faying, c the * Englilh were an avaricious, proud, head- I 7 o HISTORY OF THE LATE rr ; g f> ' ftrong people ; they always attacked the * head : but when people came to beg, they c ought to crawl up by the feet. He had ' however deprived them of every benefit c they formerly derived from his country ;' con- cluding with ordering the Conful to be taken to Sallee. Mr. Logic objeded to this man- date, informing the Emperor he was ready to attend his camp ; but that his Sovereign's fer- vice did not permit his trifling away his time in vifiting towns. The Emperor, after this interview, feem- ed to relax in his feverity to the Conful ; al- lowing him to return to Tangier, and confol- ing him with the promife that the Britifh fub- jecls fhould not be molefted by the Spaniards. The 26th of October, Mr. Logic arrived at Tangier, and found the Emperor had not deceived him. Affairs remained quiet till the 26th of No- vember, when an order came to fit up all the Britifh boats, at the Emperor's expence, as he was determined to fend the Englifh away fatisfied. The Conful however anticipated his intention, by getting them completed himfelf by the fucceeding evening. The night of the 28th, the Spaniards, informed of the Emperor's refolution, fent a party on fhore to burn the boats. They were difco- vered .by the guards, and confined : but in confederation of a fum of money, they were the next day liberated. Two days following, the Conful attended to hear the Emperor's orders, which were brought by two of hit Jan.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. I?l fecretaries : they expreffed, that the Emperor had fold the port of Tangier to the King of Spain; in confequence of which, every Chriflian, except of that nation, was to quit the Town and Bay , awarding flavery as the punifhment of thofe who remained after the i ft of January, 1781. Mr. Logic was no fooner acquainted with this order, than he departed for the Em- peror's camp, then near Tetuan, in order to reprefent the impofTibility of removing their property on fo fhort a notice. He arrived on the 2d of December, but could not procure an audience. The 4th, he had intelligence from Tangier, that a fecond order had com- pelled the Britifh fubjeds inftantly to remove to Marteen. Mr. Logie made feveral at- tempts to have this cruel order reverfed, but in vain. He at length procured a friend to mention this delicate point to the Emperor, who apparently relented, faying, the En- glifh fhould have permiflion to remain twen- ty days to collect their effecls ; and fo far flattered them, as to make them believe they were not to be removed till the Britifh fleet arrived, if it might be expecled foon. Mr. Logie was however afterwards convinced, that the Emperor at this time was informed his orders had been executed, as the Britifh fubjecls, amounting to 109, arrived at Mar- teen, a few miles from Tetuan, the fubfe- quent evening; having been forced to aban- don their veffels, houfes, and all their pro- perty j and compelled to fubmitto the greateft i 7 2 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781* impofition, for the ufe of camels and mules. to remove their bedding and wearing-apparel. The value of the effects left behind, Mr. Logie computed to amount to upwards of iixty thoufand pounds. The heavy expence attending their re- moval from Tangier, with their ftay at Mar- teen, to their arrival at Gibraltar, Mr. Logie was obliged to difburie. The Emperor's or- der on the 26th of November, having fo much impofed upon them, they had laid out what money they were poffefled of, in pur- chafing fuch articles as they judged would be ufeful, at Gibraltar, imagining they were to be conducted immediately to that garrifon. The Emperor removed on the I7th of De- cember to Tangier ; whence he ufually fent, once or twice every week, fome infulting mefiage to the Conful, charging the Englifh with having cheated his Ambaffador, and being indebted to him feveral thoufand cobs for maintaining the garrifon of Gibraltar; with others equally falle and abufive. Mr. Logic, on the 26th of December, was informed that the Emperor had given up all the Britiih fubjecls as prisoners to the Spa- niards, and that the fuccceding day they were to be removed to Algeziras. Being allured of the truth of this intelligence by one of the Emperor's fervants, he burnt all his public papers, to prevent their falling into the ene- my's hands. The 28th, the Conful em- barked with Mrs. Logie (who had attended him through all thefe troubles) and about Jan.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 173 twenty more, on board a fchooner, without being allowed time to take in any refrefhment for their voyage. Others, under fimilar cir- cumftances, were put on board other veiTels. They were guarded by two Spanifh cruifers, and for the firtf night put into Ceuta Bay : the next morning they proceeded acrofs the Straits, and about noon anchored off the Orange-grove, but foon after were ordered by Admiral Barcelo to moor at the entrance of the river Palmones. Here the Conful was detained till the i ith of January following, by which time an anfwer arrived from Ma- drid concerning their future destination. During this period, no offer was made to fupply them with provifions or neceffaries, though the Moors were permitted to purchafe whatever they wanted. Mr. Logic therefore applied to the French Charge des affaires at Al- geziras, who very generoufly difpatched fuch articles as he judged would be moil acceptable. The nth, they were conduced to Gibraltar. The removal, or rather expulfion, of the Britifh fubjecls from Barbary, was attended with other unfortunate confequences befides depriving us of provifions : our connection with Portugal became afterwards more preca- rious j and the Governor was cut off from a fource of information, by which he was ac- quainted with the Enemy's operations both in camp and at Cadiz. Mr. Logic had always contrived to procure pretty certain intelligence of the Enemy's motions, by thofe Moors who were in his intereft; for, the Spaniards allow- ing them to bring various articles to the ar- 174 HISTORY OF THE LATE i}gr, my before Gibraltar, and the fleet at Cadiz, and Mr. Logic lending them money to carry on this advantageous trade, they faithfully communicated whatever came to their know- ledge. The laft information Mr. Logie was the bearer of himfelf, which was that the enemy had a great number of fire-fhips in the rivers, ready for immediate ufe. The 1 6th of January, a brig came in from Madeira in four days with feventy butts of wine. The mafter had left London with a cargo to exchange at Madeira ; but a violent gale of wind had driven him to fea with his cargo incomplete, and half his crew afhore. The fame day, the Moorifh veflels which brought over Conful Logie, returned to Alge- ziras. Two days following, the Tartar priva- teer arrived with various articles from Eng- land : fhe brought His Majefty's manifefto for commencing hoftilities againft the Dutch. On the igth, fome experiments were made at Algeziras, from two new Spanifh boats, with mortars on board. We had fome time before learned that they were preparing fuch veflels, and that they intended foon to try them againft the garrifon. Their conftrudion was upon a plan fimilar to that of the gun- boats : the mortars were fixed in a folid bed of timber, in the centre of the boat ; and the only apparent diftindion was, that they had long prows, and braced their yards more athwart the boat when they fired. The 2 1 ft, the ferjeant commanding one of onr out-guards, deferred to the enemy : he Jan.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 175 went towards the Devil's tower, and once flopped, as if undetermined to proceed or not.' He belonged to the $6th regiment, and left a wife and family behind : he had always been cfteemed of good character, and was much confided in by his officers. Some pecuniary matters were fuppofed to be the reafon of his deferting. This was the fourth man which we had loft in this way within the courfe of a month. The 28th, a (hip arrived from Leg- horn with various articles. In her paffage fhe picked up at fea the long-boat of the Brilliant frigate, Captain Curtis, which we had been anxioufly expecting for fome time with dif- patches from England. On the 2 $th and 2yth, three of Harden berg's brigade had deferted ; and this day a rope was found near the Signal- houfe, by which we imagined the laft two of them efcaped. The 2Qth and 3Cth, two or three fettees arrived, from aloft, with the produce of Minorca. By them we were in- formed that the Brilliant was got fafe into Ma- hon, having been chafed through the Straits by the enemy's cruifers in the night. The enemy's working parties had for feve- ral weeks been lefs numerous : their occupa- tion was principally confined to repairing the damages done by the weather ; fecuring them- felves againil the effects of our firing, by fplin- ter-proofs and traverfes; and collecting depots of different materials, in various parts of their lines. Their advanced patroles frequently ap- proached very near our out-pofts, but feldom waited a fecond difcharge from the fentries. 176 HISTORY OF THE LATE 1781, On our fide the engineers were indefatigable in putting every thing in the beft ftate of defence. The enemy, it muft be confeffed, dealt open- ly in warning us, fo long before-hand, of their intentions j and the Governor was exceeding- ly active and diligent in preparing againft whatever circumftances might occur. The i ft of February, we found, behind the the rock, the bodies of two deferters, who, in attempting to efcape from the garrifon, had been dafiied to pieces. One of them was a man of the 56th, who was miffing the day preceding; the other, a ferjeant of the 73d, who deferted fome months before. The 3d, we obferved the Enemy's artillery examining the ordnance in their lines-; The morning of the 8th, a deferter from a Catalonian regi- ment came in, and reported, that the Enemy ported every night a chain of fentries along the fkirts of the governor's meadow, which were conftantly vifited by patroles of cavalry, to keep them alert j and that a captain's guard, befides artillery, mounted in the St. Carlos's battery, as they called the advanced work. He faid the camp was well fupplied with proviiions, &c. but that the men were fickly, and numbers of them deferted. It was about this period, that the Officers in Gibraltar prefented a memorial, through the commanding officers of the different regi- ments, to the Governor, requeuing his Excel- lency, as he muft be convinced of the truth of the contents, tofupport it with his approbati- on and intereft. Feb.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 177 The memorial ftated, * That the Officers of his Majefty's feveral regiments of foot, ferving under his Excellency's command, had been neceffarily expofed to a great variety of inconveniences fince the commencement of the blockade, independent of the additional duties which they had been required to dif- charge : That, in particular, their pay, which conflituted their chief, if not their fole fupport, had, at different times, fuffer- ed a great diminution by the exorbitant rate of exchange j* which they ftated to have fluctuated, during a certain period, between 40 and 42 pence per dollar, G ibraltar curren- cy : ' That every article of clothing, and ftill more, thofe efTential to life and health, were fo advanced in price, that, with the ftrideft economy, their pay was totally ina- dequate to the expences abfolutely indifpen- fable in their prefent fituation j a fituation which, they apprehended, precluded them, in a great meafure, from participating with the officers at home in the extenfive promo- tions which had of late taken place in the army. They therefore appealed to the pa- ternal feelings, the juftice, and the humani- ty of his Excellency ; trufting that, through his recommendation and intercefllon, fuch affiftance and protection might be granted them, as their fituation and fervices defer- ved :' Concluding with a requeft, ' that His Excellency would be pleafed to lay their prayer, \vith all humility on their part, at His Majesty's feet/ This memorial was fe- !73 HISTORY OF THE LATE [>7&i, conded by another of a fimilar import j but no official anfwcr was received to either. It mult be confeffed, that under thefe cir- cumflances, the ftt nation of the officers was- by no means flattering. Whatever obftacles might be in the way of their promotion, they could not help feeling the peculiar hardfhip of their fituation : nor was the inactive and tedi- ous fervice of a blockaded garrifon at all cal- culated to divert their minds,, or to foothe them into an acquiefcence with their fortune. They refle&cd, with no very agreeable fenfa- tijns, upon the preferment which had been liberally beftowed upoa yo-ung officers in Eng- land ; whik many fobaherns in Gibraltar had ten or twelve years,, orupwards^ of $rit duty and fervices to- pkad. Nay, the fituatkm- of fome of them was peculiarly difcouraging : for their friends had repeatedly oifered to raifer companies to fecure their Fan-k v bat of fuch confequence was the fafety of" Gibraltar ef- teemedby the Mkiftry, that orders were fent to forbid any officers leaving ibe garrifon, tfn- lefs replaced by others from England,- It is? but juftiee to them, however, to obfcrve,. tfhat? they in general Submitted to the evils of theip iituatioia without murmur or repining ; and* that, preferring their country's good to every partial cor/fideration, they never publickly teftified their difcontent, except in- the twa refpedful: memorials which they preferred to their Governor. A privateer, on the 9th of February, arri- ved from Mahon.: (he ran through ten cruifersj Feb.] SIEGE Of GIBRALTAR. 179 befides fix gun-boats, and was chafed by a xebeque, but efcaped them all. The lyth, fhe continued her courfe for England. Mr. Logie, who carried home difpatches, was a pailenger, with feveral others. The iQth, and 20th, arrived two polacrc fhips from aloft. Our fupplies from the eaftward were now pretty regular, and the boats and vefTels in ge- neral very fuccefsful in their voyages. When the reader confiders the variety of difficulties and dangers attending this intercourfe, he cannot but admire the perfeverance of thefe foreignerSi Their veffels wefe generally of light burthen, and open, excepting a fmall fcuttle abaft, which, with the other parts of the veflel, was ufually filled with part of their cargo. Their paffage was feldorri performed in lefs than five days, and fometimes it ex- ceeded ten, and fourteen. Their courfe was all the way along the Enemy's coaft ; and even when arrived within fight of the Port, the danger was greater than before, from the' number and vigilance of the Enemy's crui- fers : the horrors of a Spanifti gaol flared them in the face, w r ith the chance of loiitig proba- bly their ALL. One circumftance indeed Was in their favour ; their veflfels, in the figging, reiembled thofe of the Enemy. To the chance of deceiving them they were neverthe^ lefs unwilling entirely to truft : it was their cuftom therefore to make the Rock, if pof- fible, about fun-fet ; then ftrike fail, and lie-r- and at night pufh for the Bay. By manoeu- N 2 i8o HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, vring in this manner they frequently arrived fafe ; and in that cafe, it muft be confeffed, they were amply recompenfed. The 26th, the regiments m garrifon began to be reviewed : after the review, each regi- ment marched to its alarm-poft, and difchar- ged feveral rounds of parapet tiring. The 28th, a brig under Genoefi colours came over from Algebras : the crew reported, they had injured their maft, and put into Algeziras for another, but that the Spaniards had iJl treated them ; they therefore came over to remedy their loft*. To this ilory the Governor did not give implicit credit : a guard of a fubaltern and twelve men was fent on board, and after being forfome time detained, her cargo, which was fruit, was fold. The want of bread in the beginning of March b^gan again to be feverely felt : many families had not tailed any for feveral days. The poor foldiers, and ftijl more the inhabi- tants, whofe finances would not allow them to purchafe articles from the Minorquin vef- fels (the cargoes of which, by the way, were chiefly luxuries,) were in intolerable diftrcfs Bifcuit-crumbs fold for lod. and is. per Ib. The allowance of the troops was alfo curtail- ed, and many Portuguefe fifhermen left the garrifon for want of this article. Towards the conclufion of the month, the invalids of the garrifon embarked on board the Enterprife frigate, and St. Fermin armed (hip. The 27th, the former, with the Fortune floop, failed for Minorca ^ and the St. Fermin was Ayr.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 181 to have accompanied them, but in getting out of the New-mole fome accident befel her, by which flie was detained. In the courfe of the month, feveral fmall craft arrived from Mi- norca ; and we loft two men by defertion. The beginning of April, the Spanifh Ad- miral called in all his cruifers, and fome movements took place in their difpofition, which feemed to indicate the expedation of a fuperior force. The 2d, we obierved their artillery laying the mortars in the Mill-bat- tery ; which confirmed us in the conjecture. The fucceeding day, a BritilTi cutter, called the Refolution, arrived with rum, coals, and fugar, in twenty-nine days from Plymouth. The matter informed us, that he left A FLEET, which was coming to our relief, at anchor in Torbay. Our joy at this news was greater, if poilible, than when we were told of our former relief. The exigencies of the garrifon, fince Admiral Rodney's departure, had been as fevere, if not more fo than be- fore. Since the foldier, for himfelf, only re- ceived weekly 51 Ib. of bread; 13 oz. of fait beef, r 8 oz. of pork, both of them almoft in a ftate of putrefcence ; 2$ oz. of butter, which was little better than rancid cortgeal oil; i2oz. of raifins; la pintofpeafe; I pint of Spanifh beans ; j pint of wheat, wh-ich they ground into fldnr for puddings; 4 oz. of rice, and of a pint of oil : what then muft be the fufterings of thofe who had a family of fmall children to fupport out of this pivlance! or what muft be the diftrefs of the inhabi- tants, who had no ailiftance from the {tores ! i8 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, The night of the 30!, the St. Fermin, with, the Brilliant's tender, which had been forced by a gale of wind to put into Gibraltar, fail- ed for Mahon : two xebeques immediately gave chace, and, we afterwards learned, cap- tured the former. It being obferved that the enemy had fta- tioned at Cabrita Point, (though at fome dif- tance from the land) a {loop and two light brigs, fuppofed to be fire-ihips, the Captains of the privateers propofed cutting out the Hoop, and burning the other vefTels : the plan was mentioned to the Governor by an officer of the garrifon, who had permiilion to take with him a. party of volunteers from the different corps, and join in the expedi- tion. About eleven o'clock on the night of the 4th, they proceeded in four boats. When they fet out, the night was very favourable for the enterprife; but before they reached the veffels, the moon fuddenly (hone forth , and they reluctantly returned. Whether the Spaniards difcovered the boats or not, is a matter of doubt ; it is probable they did,' as the next morning four gun-boats joined them from Algeziras, and the (loop removed far-' ther to the fouthward. The enemy, on the $th, fcaled feyeral of their ordnance in the batteries round ! the Bay ; two frigates were alfo placed in front of eight vefTels, fuppofed to be fire-fhips : thefe motions convinced us that the enemy were aware of the fleet which was expected. The evening of the 7th, the Eagle privateer, of Apr.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 183 fourteen guns, arrived in fourteen days from Glafgow; a xebeque, a iloop of fourteen guns, a galliot, and eleven gun-boats, en- gaged her in the Bay ; but by warm fight- ing, and good feamanfhip, fhe efcaped. The Captain informed us, that the fleet had fail- ed, and he was much furprifed in not finding them arrived. The following day, the Spa- nilh General vifited the lines and advanced works. The ^.th, only two xebeques and the gun-boats were at Algeziras, the reft of their cruifers having left the Ration. The nth, a felucca came round Cabrita, with oars, and with a prefs of fail ; immediately upon entering the Bay, (he made a fignal, which was anfwered at Algeziras by an En- gliih enfign at the rnain-top-gallant maft- head. Soon after, a boat went over to Ceuta, and the xebeque which was ftationed at the point was called in with the gun-boats. In the evening many fignals were made from the weft; and about midnight arrived the Kite cutter, Captain Trollop, with the joyful news that the Convoy was at the entrance of the Straits, under charge of ADMIRAL DAR- py, with the BRITISH GRAND FLEET. 7*4 HISTORY OF THE LATK [ I7 8i CHAPTER V. Adtniral Darby relieves Gibraltar.-^ Spaniards bombard the town. Soldiers guilty of irregu- larities. Town frequently on jire, and greatly injured. Gun and mortar-boats very troublejome to the. Navy. .Admiral Darby returns to England. --Captain Curtis arrives with a convoy of victuallers. Town in ruins. ru,. bjais renew their attacks on the Gar- r'lon. Fatal effefts. Inhabitants, much alarmed by their attacks. One of the Ene- my s magazines blown up. General Eliott adopts a mode of annoying the Enemy s ca?np 9 and conftra : r p: ernes to oppofe the gun-beats. Bombard,, :, :.< abate j. The Helena Jlcop of ii' ar arrives, after a ivarm ad ion with the Ene- my. Singi'l / - Jyftem of firing, from the Enemy. *'~cl.incholy. fate of a matrofs. Enemy make additions to their works. Firing increafes. on both (ides. Death of Major Burke.' Gallant belies -'our of a working party. A confpiracy difcovercd in the Navy, Enewy> by their operations^ demon/irate their intention of be/iegiig the G err if on in form. Ineffectual attempt to dejiroy their batteries. Several cutters taken. Enemy finijh their butteries. General Elzott. pro- jects a fatty ^ which p eves fuccejsfuL /V.T day-break, on the i2th of April, the much-expe&ed fleet, under the command of Admiral Darby, was in fight from our fignal- Apr.] SIEGS Q? GIBRALTAR. 185 houfe, but was not difcernible from below, being obfcured by a thick mift in the Gut. As the fun, however, became more power- ful, the fog gradually rofe, like the curtain of a vaft theatre, discovering to the anxious garrifon one of the moft beautiful and pleaf- ing fcenes it is ppiTible to conceive. The Convoy, confifting of near a hundred vefTels, were in a compact body, led by feveral men of war : their fails juft enough filled for fleer- age, whilft the majority of the line of bat- tle fhips lay-to under the Barbary fhore, hav- ing orders not to enter the Bay, left the ene- my fhould moleft them with their fire-fhips. The extafies of the inhabitants, at this grand and exhilarating fight are not to be defcribed. Their expreffions of joy far exceeded their former exultations. But, alas! they little dreamed of the tremendous blow that im- pended, which was to annihilate their pro- perty, and reduce many of them to indigence and beggary. As the convoy approached the Bay, fifteen gun-boats advanced from Algeziras, and forming in regular order under the batteries at Cabrita Point, began a fmart cannonade on the neareft fhips, feconded by the gun and mortar batteries on the land. A line-of-battle (hip and two frigates, however, foon obliged them to a precipitate retreat ; and, continuing to purfue them, the crews of feveral deferted their boats, and took refuge amongft the rocks. Had our fhips advanced at this critical junc- ture, and manned their boats, the whole i86 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, might probably have been deftroyed, and the Garrifon by that means been rid of thofe clif- agreeable neighbours, which afterwards fo harafTed and annoyed us but the frigates having difperfed them, thought no more of the bum-boats > as fome Naval officers contemp- tuoufly called them, and left them to be rc- pofTefTed by the fugitives. The enemy, on the land fide, were far from being idle fpeclators of this relief. On the firft intimation of Admiral Darby's ap- proach, preparations, it is imagined, were made in the lines, and a reinforcement of ar- tillery ordered down from the camp, as at day- break, before the fleet was well in fight, we remarked that their cannon were elevated, and the fpungcs and rammers reared againft the merlons. Thefe, with other appearances, indicated an intention of opening on the gar- rifon. Our private letters had, for fome time be- fore, mentioned that the Spaniards propofed to bombard Gibraltar, if the garrifon was a fecond time relieved : but the truth of this intelligence was doubted, it being conceived that no beneficial confequences could arife to them from fuch a cruel proceeding. We however overlooked the predominant charac- teriftic of the nation, which particularly in this inftance, feems to have influenced them more than any other motive, and even to have carried them beyond that line of prudence and caution, which in military affairs ought to be ftriclly attended to. Apr/) SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 187 About three quarters pad ten o'clock, the van of the convoy came to an anchor off the New mole and Rolia bay ; and, as if this was the iignal for the enemy to open, a fmart fire immediately commenced from Fort St. Philip, followed by all the batteries which bore upon the garrifon. The number of ordnance bearing on the place was as follows : the King-s, or Black battery, mounting 14 guns, 12 bearing on the garrifon; Fort St. Philip, 27 guns, 1 1 bearing on the garrifon 5 Infanta's battery, of 7 guns ; Prince's and Princefs's batteries, of 14 guns each ; Fort St. Barbara, 23 guns, 6 bearing on the gar- rifon : thefe, with about 50 mortars, mounted in the lines, and in St. Carlos's battery, amount to 114 pieces of artillery; all of heavy metal, being twenty-fix-pounders, and thirteen-inch mortars. The enemy's cannonade was inftantly re- turned from the garrifon ; but our artillery had orders to difregard their lines, and notice only the St. Carlos's battery, which confe- quently foqn flackpned its fire. The mifera- bie and terrified inhabitants, who juft be- fore were congratulating each other on the arrival of the fleet now changed their exulta- tion to forrow, and flocked, old and \oung, men, women, and children, in the greateft confufion, to the fouthward, leaving their, property, unfecured, to the mercy of the fol- diers. The fhells from the St. Carlos's battery were direled towards the New mole : the Convoy, however, had been warned not to i8fr HISTORY OF THE LATE [178:, anchor within the range of their fire : the Shipping, therefore, were not in the leafl mo- Llkd. A fettee was funk near the watering- tank, and numbers of (hells fell on. the red lands, and m tne neigbourhood of South-Port, which added no little to the alarm of the fu- gitives from town. The enemy's other batte- ries were chiefly direded to Willis's, the Lines, and particularly the ground upon which the troops were intended to have been encamped. Between one and two o'clock their firing abated, and in a fhort time ceafed. Of this favourable cefFation the Inhabitants availed themfelves, to fecure fuch valuable property as could be expeditioufly removed - t but the heavier articles, which the avaricious and hard- hearted hucksters had kept concealed in their ftares, to bring forth in fin all quantities when the prices fuited, were all deilroyed in, the courfe of the bombardment. About five o'clock, the batteries of the enemy again opened, and the firing continued, without intermiifion, the remainder of the day, and the fucceeding nigh& It did not, however, interrupt the difembarkation of the fupplies. Five hundred men, with a propor- tion" of officers, were ordered for that duty : they were afterwards confiderably augmented; and fuch was the labour and diligence of the garrifon, that the 1 ftores were landed, with the aififtance of the navy, Ln nine or ten days. Our cafuals, on the 1 2th, were but few : Lieut. Boag, of the artillery, was wounded ; Apr.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 189 alfo feveral non^commiffion officers and privates. The bombardment was continued the I3'th, and feveral foldiers were killed and wounded in their quarters. In the courfe of the day, a hundred and fifty men were ordered to re- move ammunition to the magazines on the hill, and an additional number to join the party employed in landing the f applies. The 1 4th, the gun and mortar-boats fired upon the Shipping, but were foon obliged to retire. Several barges attended, having officers in them, who feemed to give directions how to point their cannon. Our batteries ceafed firing this day, but the enemy's ordnance were kept going with great vivacity. They appear- ed to have got the exad range of the heights ; even the Royal battery did not efcape their {hells. Enfign Martin was ilightly wounded with fplinters of ftones. No arrangement of the troops was yet known 5 and the former cliftribution, given out in .November, was totally overthrown by the exteniive range of the enemy's fire. Officers, however, whofe quarters were damaged, received marquees from the public ftores, to encamp at the fouth- ward ; and the diftrefTed inhabitants were ac- commodated with tents. It being remarked that the enemy's fire con- fiderably abated about noon, the Governor ordered the town-guards to affemble at twelve o'clock j by which regulation lefs danger was apprehended in relieving the men on duty. The night picquets were likewifc ordered to occupy the cafemates under the I 9 o HISTORY OF THE LATE Grand battery, that they might be at hand to reinforce the northern guards, in cafe of alarm. The total ftrength of the picquets, at this period, was two captains, nine fubalterns^ nine ferjeants, nine drummers, and three hundred and ninety-one rank and file. The caufe of the cefiatkm in the enemy's fire at noon, arofe from a cuftom, pretty general in Spain, and common, I believe, in moft warm climates, that of indulging themfelves with a meridian nap. This luxury the Spaniards could not refufe themfelves, even in war; and it was invariably attended to during all their future operations againft Gibraltar.* Vice-Admiral Darby, with the (hips of waY, continued cruifing in fight of the Rock : the fervice however requiring difpatch in landing the fupplies, he detached Rear-Admiral Sir John Lockart Rofs to fuperintend that duty in the Bay -, and the garrifon party was augmented to upwards of a thoufand men, bsfides officers. The evening of the I4th, the enemy's fhells were very profufely diftri- buted ; fome that did not burft we examined, and on drawing the fufe, found inflammable matter mixed with the powder : thefe combuf- tibles fet fire to a wine-houfe in the green * This will not appear fo extraordinary when the reader Is informed that, during the infurreftion at Madrid, in 1766, thn infurgents, as mentioned by Major Dalrymple, in his Travels through Spain, regularly indulged themfelves with their Jfe/fa, and then returned to their different places of rendez- vous. Government did the fame ; fo that there feemed to be a flecpy convention, for a few hours, every day, between ad- miniftration and the naob. Apr.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. igi market, near the Spanish church ; -and before the fire could be extinguished, four or five houfes were burnt to the ground. Detach- ments from the regiments and guards in town were immediately ordered to quench the flames ; but the enemy's cannonade became fo brifk, that great confufion enfued. From this moment, we may date the commence- ment of the irregularities into which, through refentment and intoxication, the foldiers were betrayed. Some died of immediate in- toxication, and feveral were with difficulty re- covered,, by oils, and tobacco water, from a dangerous flate of ebriety. Though riot and violence are moft con- trary to that fpirit of regular difcipline which fhould always prevail in military affairs, fomething may yet be urged in extenuation of the condud of the troops, which has been fo- much the fubjed of reprehenfion amongft the people interefted. The extreme diftrefs, to which the foldiers had been reduced by the mercenary condud of the huckfters and liquor-dealers, in hording or rather conceal- ing their flocks, to enhance the price of what was expofed for fale, raifed amongft the troops (when they difcovered the great quanti- ties of various articles in the private ftores) a fpirit of revenge. The firft and fecond days, they conducted themfelves with great proprie- ty ; but on the eve of the third day, their dif- cipline was overpowered by their inebriation ; and from that inftant, regardlefs of punilh- rnent, or the intrcaties of their officers, they i9* HISTORY OF THE LATE [i 7 Sr, were guilty of many, and great excefTes. The enemy's fhells foon forced open the fecret re- ceffes of the merchants -, and the foldiers in- ftantly availed themfelves of the opportunity to feize upon the liquors, which they convey- ed to haunts of their own. Here, in parties, they barricaded their quarters agamft all op- pofers, and, infenfible of their danger, re- galed themfelves with the fpoils. Several ikirmifhes occurred amongft them, which, if not feafonably but a ftop to, by the interfer- ence of officers, might have ended in ferious confequences. It did not appear through all their intem- perance, that thefe irregularities arofe from any caufe fo much as a fpirit of revenge againfl the merchants. A great quantity of liquor, &c. was wantonly deftroyed j and, in fome cafes, incredible profufion prevailed. Among other inftances of caprice and extra- vagance, I recollect that of roafting a pig by a fire made of cinnamon. The offenders were at firft confined and reprimanded, which the Governor judged would have a greater ef- fect than punifhment : but relapfing a fecond time, he was convina d his lenity was difre- garded ; and he was therefore compelled to ufe more rigorous meafures. I have thought proper to digrefs a little upon this fubjed, not in juftification of the foldiers, but to acquaint the world with the truth ; as fome, who have related the occur- rences of this period to their friends, have emitted doing the garrifon the jufticc to annex Apr.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 193 the account of their former hardships. Be- (ides, had the troops been in the higheft de- gree abflemious, the enemy's fire would foon have deftroyed what was only thefooner con- fumed by their extravagance ; for the inhabi- tants were too much alarmed for the fafety of their own perfons, to attend to the fecurity of their effects. I forgot to mention in its place, that, previous to the bombardment, the fick in town had received orders to remove when the firing commenced : on the 1 3th, therefore, the men were conveyed to the Naval hofpital at the fouthward. The i gth, the bombardment was conti- nued with greater vivacity. Not content with di (charging their ordnance regular, they faluted us almoft every inftant with a volley of eight or ten cannon, befides mortars. Our batteries remained filent, and the guns at Willis's were drawn behind the merlons, to fecure them againft the enemy's fhot, It was obferved, they directed a great number of fhells, towards the working-parade, and about the Victualling-office. In the morn- ing, the gun-boats again attacked the (hips of war and tranfports ; and the Navy return- ed a fmart fire. About noon, Lieut. Bud- worth, of the 72d regiment, and Surgeon Chefholme, of the 56th, were wounded by a fplinter of a fhell at the door of a northern cafemate in the King's baftion. The former was dangeroully fcalped, and the latter had one foot taken off, and the other leg broken, befides a wound in the knee. The troops in O >$H HISTORY OF THE LATE fi 7 gf, town, in the afternoon began to encamp at the fouthward, and to be regularly diftributed amongft the caft mates in town. The fol- lowing was the arrangement. To the Hano- verians were allotted the bomb-proofs under the Grand battery, occupied by the piequets, which in confequence removed to Land-port gate-way, and Prince of Heffe's cafemate. The 1 2th, 39th, and 56th regiments, were ordered to pofTefs Montague's cafemate with the Galley-houfe, and Waterport gateway r thofe who could not be accommodated in thefe quarters, encamped above the South barracks, and Navy hofpital on the declivity of the hill : the 720! regiment totally with- drew into the Kind's baftion, and the 58th and 73d regiments remained in the fouth bar- racks : the artillery and engineers were dif- pofed of on the fame plan. Several days- elapfed before the troops were properly fet- tled. Trie ground on which they were to en- camp, was very fteep and rugged : it was ne- celTary to level it into terraces, before the men could pitch their tents. The regimental {lores were alfo to be removed, and other duties of a flmilar nature executed, before the troops could be confidcred as properly eftablifhed. The gtm-boat3 attacked the fhipping on the i6th, and endeavoured to moleft the par- ties employed in landing the provifions : but a line -of- bat tie fhip> and two frigates, foon obliged them to retire. In the courfe of the day, the women and children who had taken refuge with their hufbands and friends in the Apr.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 195 cafemates in town, were ordered to remove, and encamp at the fouthward. Though this order, from motives of humanity, was not flriclly enforced, yet it greatly relieved the men,' and in a meafure removed our appre- henfions of fome infectious diforder being generated from their crowded and confined fituation. The officers were under the necef- fity of participating with the men iri thefe" accommodations ; and by their prefence, often retrained them from excefles into which they otherwife would have entered. The fame day, the Queen's lines, Main, New-mole, and Rofia guards, were ordered to be Cap- tain's guards. The enemy, on the iyth, firft reached the Rock gun with fhot from the feven-gun bat- tery. Colonels Rofs, Greeri, and Piclon, were appointed- the fame day to rank as Bri- gadiers; and Captain Wilfon of the 72d re- giment, Lieutenant Holloway of the engi- neers, and Captain Pi&on of the i 2th regi- ment, were appointed their brigade-majors. Two field-officers, with a captain from each regiment, and one fubaltern for every fifty men, were ordered to fuperintend the dif- embarkation of provifions. In the afternoon, the (hells of the befiegers fet fire to the ftores in the Spanifh church. Parties were in- ftantly detached from the main guard, 724 regiment, and other corps in town, to re- move the provifions. The Lieutenant-Go- vefnor with his Aide-de-camps was prefent, encouraging the men to perform this dutv O 2 i 9 tf HIST DRY OF THE LATE [i 7 Si, with expedition. The enemy's fire at this time was remarkably fpirited , neverthelefs the greater part was laved by the adivity of the parties. Many cafks of flour were brought into the King's baftion, and piled as temporary traverfes before the doors of the fouthern cafemates, in which feveral perfons had been killed and wounded in bed, Thefe traverfes, however, did not continue kmgj for the men, when the fpoils in the town became fcarce, eonfidered thofe barrels, which the enemy's fhot had pierced, as lawful prizes. The contents were fooit fcooped out and fried into pancakes, 3 difh which they were very expert in cooking y and the upper cafks,. wanting fupport from below, gave way, and the whole came to the ground. Though the flour by this means was in a great meafbre loft to Government, yet the number of accidents which thefe traver- fes prevented, greatly overbalanced the va- lue of the article. Traverfes of another nature were afterwards creeled in their room. The gun-boats, on trie iSth, fired again upon the Ihipping and men of war cruifing in the Bay. The Minerva and Monfteur,. fri- gates, had feveral men dangeroufly wound- ed j and the Nonfuch had a maft crippled. The Navy, after this attack, no longer con- fidered thefe boats in the fame defpicable light as on their firft entrance into the Bay, In the courfe of the day, a fhell fell through the arch of the galley-houfe, where part of the 36th, and fome of the rzth regiments Apr.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. r 97 were quartered : it killed two, and wounded four privates. In confequence of this unex- pected cafualty, the troops removed thence, and joined their regiments at the fouthward. Our batteries, efpecially at Willis's, by this time exhibited the fatal effects of fo vigorous a bombardment. The ordnance had been withdrawn on the artillery ceafing to fire : but the merlons were now confidcrably da- maged, and fome of the cannon difmounted and injured. The Lines were almoft choak- ed up with loofe ftones and rubbifh, brought down by the fhot from the rock above ; the traverfes along the line wall were greatly in- jured ; and the town every day approached towards a final demolition. The engineers, however, were ordered to prepare materials for repairing the Queen's battery at Willis's, and parties of workmen were employed at night in carrying up from below fand-bags, and other rcquifites for that purpofe. New traverfes were alfo be^un along the different communications, higher, ftronger, and at ihorter distances, than the old ones. The gun-boats renewed their attack, the igth, on the (hipping, but were foon obliged to retreat. In the courfe of the day, the ter- race ftore-houfe was fet on fire. The camp- equipage of the garrifon being in an adjacent houfe, parties from the regiments in town were ordered to remove them with the greateft expedition. The men generally received fome gratuity from the Governor for thefe hazardous duties. The following day, the : 9 * HISTORY OF THE LATE [ I7 &i, fupplies being landed, the Fleet in the even- ing prepared to return to the weft ward. Be- fore they weighed, their good friends the gun- boats gave them a parting falute, and did fome damage. By fix o'clock the whole were under way. Many merchantmen, freighted with merchandize, and articles much wanted in the garrifon, returned with their cargoes ; the irerchants refufing to take them, on account of the bombardment, Great numbers of the inhabitants, and officers' ladies, likewife em- braced this opportunity of leaving the garri- fon. The impatience of the Britifh Admiral to difembark the fupplies, that he might notlofe the opportunity of the eafterly wind to return from the Mediterranean, had prevented the garrifon from unloading the colliers that had arrived with the fleet : thefe fhips were there- fore Ikuttled in the New mole, to be difchar^ ged at leifure. The ordnance tranfports were alfo ordered within the boom for the fame purpofe. In the courfe of the aoth, the Vic- tualling-office was on fire fora fhort time ; and at night, the town was on fire in four different places j but the public {tares being fafe, no at- tempts were made to extinguish trie flames. The enemy's cannonade and bombardment continued ft ill very brifk. The 21 ft, forty - two rounds were numbered in two minutes, between fix and eight o'clock. The garrifon flag-ftaff on the grand battery was much inju- red by their fire : the upper part was obliged to be cut off; and the colours, or rather the Apr.] SIEGE OF GIB R ALT A R. 199 glorious remains, were nailed to the flump. The evening of the 22d, the combuftible matter in their (hells fetting fire to fome faf- cincs at Waterport, Lieut. Cunningham, of the 3Qth regiment, was wounded in .extin- guifhing them. The fate of this young gen- tleman may be confidered as extraordinary. On examining the wound, which was in the head, it appeared fo trifling that the furgeon judged his fkull unhurt j and his feeming re- covery confirmed the opinion. Something more than a fortnight elapfed, when he com- plained of a pain in his head : he immediate- ly took to his bed, and in a fhort time expired. After his deceafe, a confiderable fra&ure was difcovered, with a quantity of extra vafated blood encircling the brain. The gun and mortar-boats, on the 23d, fired upon our parties ranging the provifions at the fouthward. Two hundred and fixty (hot and forty ihells were difcharged, feveral of which fell about the camp and magazines. The wife of a foldier of the 58th regiment was killed behind the South barracks, and fe- veral men wounded. The bombardment from the lines was now in ^ fome degree abated, in confequence of their 'batteries being fhaken and injured by their own conflant cannonade. We obferved, during this day, a number of mules, with carts, bringing materials to the lines to repair them. Our artillery, at night, annoyed them with a few rounds from the batteries above Willis's. 2a.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 243 giments were ordered to attend the Hofpital, to be taught by the furgeons how to apply the tourniquets ; which was afterwards pro- ductive of very beneficial confequences. Tourniquets were alfo diftributed to the dif- ferent guards, to be at hand in cafe of ne- ceffity. The enemy, for feveral days, had made very little addition to the new communication, and the third return appeared ftill unfiniihed. A party of the enemy was however difco- vered from Willis's, on the evening of the i ft of October, working to the weft of the Mill-battery 5 and they perfifting in their labour, our fire was increafed from the bat- teries below ; which brought on a warm re- turn. At day-break we obferved, at the extremity of the new approach, a lar^c epaulement, of forty-five gabions long, two in height, and four or five in breadth. On the top were feveral layers of fand- bags, and fand was banked up to protect it in front. It was iltuatcd within the weftern place darme s of the St. Carlos's battery, towards the beach, in a direction forming a very obtufe angle with the front of the Mill-battery. Our engineers immediately agreed that this epaule- ment was intended for mortars ; which in- duced the Governor, in the courfc of the sd, to order two embrafures (mafked at the Old-mole head, to cover the mortars which we ufually fired into their camp) to be open- ed, and two howitzers to be kept in action from thence. At nis;ht, our firm? at inter- R 2 244 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, vals was fo aftonifhingly briik, that the whole north front, from the Rock-gun to the Mole- head, was obfcured in fmoke. This fire was continued, with little intermiflion, till day-break 5 and though the enemy did not return it warmly, they made up for their filence the fucceeding day. During the twenty-four hours they difchajged twelve hundred and fixty-three rounds, and the preceding day, one thoufand nine hundred and forty-eight j which to ns was a proof that they were considerably galled by our fire. We had obferved, for fome weeks, a party of the enemy creeling a building upon an eminence, near the Stone quarry, under the Queen of Spain's chair, which at length turn- ed out to be a fignal-tower ; but no ufe was made of it till the beginning of this month, when we difcovered that it was intended to give information to their batteries in the lines, when our working-parties were going up the hill. On their marching up the morn- ing of the 3d, a fignal was made from the tower, and their batteries immediately increaf- ed their fire on the heights : on their return in the evening, the fignal was repeated. This practice they continued for fome time. At night, the body of a foldier of the f 2th regiment, who attempted tofwim to the ene- my from Waterport, was difcovered floating near the Repulfe prame. The failors on the watch, imagining fome large fifli had got foul of their cable, darted a harpoon into the body, Ot] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 245 but foon found out their miftake. The fuc- ceeding morning we obferved that the enemy had thrown up a cover, from the eaftern fhoulder of the new battery, to the weftern magazine of the St. Carlos's : they alfo raifed a fhoulder on the weftern extremity, and ercfted five traverfes in the rear. Our firing, on the 4th, was ordered to be diminifhed ; only Montagues's and the Hill batteries were kept going : few fhot were now ufed, as the enemy feemed to pay little attention to them ; and we had ocular proofs daily of the annoyance from the fmall fhellsj which immediately made them defift, and get under cover. The fame day a mutiny was difcovered on board His Majefty's cutter the Speedwell, Lieut. Gibfon; and four of the ringleaders were feized and confined. The plan of this con fpi racy was, to murder the officers of the watch, cut the cable, and run away with the veiTel to Algeziras, where they computed fhe would fell for a handfome fum, which was to be equally divided amongft the people interefled, who were then to depart for England. Near half the crew were con- cerned j and the fame evening, if the wind continued favourable, the fcheme was to have been put in execution. Happily one of the party, (I believe, a Spanifh deferter) con- fefTed in time to render the whole abortive. It was fomewhat fmgular, that Mr. Gifcfon had been fo unfortunate, when in England, as to have the cutter he then commanded run *4<5 HISTORY OF THE LATE . [i 7 Si, away with by the crew, into a French port, whilft he and his officers were afhore. The enemy, on the night of the 4th, threw up a line of cafks and fand, extending upards of fixty feet in a parallel line to the front of St. Carlos's. Some additions were alfo made to the new battery. The raifing of the former work induced many to believe, that they were come at laft to the determina- tion of befleging the garrifon in form; and that this, with other works to be erected, would be the firft parallel of attack. It was a lucky circumfiance, in fome refpecls, to have an enemy fp tardy in their operations. Our troops were now accuftomed, by fix months bombardment, to the difcharge and effect of heavy artillery : their firing had pointed out our weak places, which the Go- vernor and engineers had been indefatigable in ftrengthening, fo that the garrifon was now really in a better ftate of defence than at the commencement of the bombardment. In the nights of the 5th and 6th, the parallel, as we called the line to the eaft, was extended about a hundred feet, nnd the new mortar- battery raifed with fafcines. Small traverfes were alfo made in the rear of the new ap- proach from the fourth branch. The gun and mortar-boats had now been abfent fome time ; probably owing to the repairs which the mortar-boats necefTarily demanded. On the evening of the 7th, they however renewed their vifit, much earlier than was cuftomary, and ftaid upwards of Odt] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 247 two hours. Their fhot feemed all direfted at our prames, whilft their (hells, the fufes of which were remarkably dark, were thrown alhore. They fired about three hundred fhot, and twenty-three fhells, killed one of the 73d, and wounded two of the I2th. We returned forty-three fhot, fixteen grape, and two hundred and feventy-nine ihells. The 8th, two mortars were mounted in the new mortar-battery ; and from the pickets marked for the platforms, we concluded it would mount eight mortars. In the after- noon, a (hell fell into a houfe in town, in which Enflgn Stephens, of the 39th, was fitting : imagining himfelf not fafe where he was, he quitted the room to get to a more fecure place ; but juft as he pafed the door, the ihell burft, and a fplinter mortally wounded him in the reins, and another took off his leg. He was conveyed to the Hofpital, and had fufFered amputation before the furgeons difcovered the mortal wound in his body. He died about feven o'clock, much regretted as a promifing young officer. The enemy's parties appearing numerous within the new works, our firing from the garrifon was increafed on the I ith, and was as briikly returned. The Governor however ordered the artillery to be lefs profufe in fu- ture, unlefs fomc cafualty demanded an ad- ditional fire -, for their lofs, he was of opi- nion, bore no proportion to our expenditure. Our fmall Ihells were alfo decreafmg very fa ft j 248 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, and the enemy appeared too well covered with traverfes in the new works, to be much annoyed by them. The fucceeding day our fire fcarcely exceeded a hundred rounds j and the enemy's was equally diminifhed. Their naval force before Gibraltar at this time was rather infignificant, though perfectly fufficient for the blockade. Moft of their xebeques had left the ftation, as we imagined, to block up Mahon ; and only one line-of- battle ll-ip, one frigate, one xebeque, and two bomb-ketches, with the fmall craft and gun-boats, remained in the bay. The I3th, the Governor ordered our lower batteries to be filent, in order to prove whether the enemy could be diverted from firing on the town, as their batteries, contrary to the ufual praclicc of befiegers, feemed to be guided in a great meafure by ours ; and the manoeuvre had the defired effect. Their parties were now em- ployed chiefly in finifhing the interior part of the new mortar-battery. The garrifon, on the i $th, fired only forty rounds j and the enemy did not exceed twice the number. The night of the i8th they were heard hard at work ; but this circum- flance produced no additional fire from us, as our artillery had been limited to a certain quantity fince the Governor ordered the firing to decreafe. The fubfcquent morning we obfervcd they had erecled a battery, of fix embrafures, joining the fecond branch of the new communication, and bearing on Water* port and the town, about twelve hundred SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 249 yards from the grand battery : only four mer- lons appeared fmifhed : the other three were in a rude {rate, with a number of fafcines, pickets, and planks lying about the work, and at the debouchure of the fourth branch. The Governor, in the morning of the i9th, or- dered a warm fire on the new battery, which the enemy inftantly returned. One of our circaffes fet fire to the firft branch of the new approach, and it burnt for fome time. The following morning we found they had re- moved the fand to extinguilh the fire, and difplaced many of the fafcines, which, with other materials, were lying in a confufed manner in the vicinity of the breach. The night of the 2Oth, we were vifited by the gun-boats ; but their ftay was much fhorter than ufual, owing to a brifk eafterly wind fpringing up : one of their (hells flight- ly wounded Affiftant-engineer Evans. This attack we imagined was intended to engage our attention from the land fide, where the e- nemy were heard bufily at work: it had rot however that effect, as our batteries dip an additional fire, and continued it the "whole night. At day-break we found they hac re- paired the breach made by the fire, and ftrengthened the merlons of their gun-battery with gabions and fand heaped up in front . The fituation of this battery afForde a more ferious appearance than any operation yet undertaken by the enemy. Colonel To- vey, the commandant of artillery, therefore recommended to the Governor to open upon 2$o HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, it, without lofs of time, from fuch heavy guns and howitzers as might be foon brought to bear upon it ; aflifted at the fame time, with fome thirteen-inch {hells, and a few red-hot fhot from an eighteen-pounder or two. The following morning theenemy had almoft com- pleted the battery ; the Governor was there- fore induced to comply with the reprefentati- on of Colonel Tovey, and ordered the upper batteries, &c. to be opened on the enemy's works, and to continue to fire from his direc- tion. About four o'clock in the afternoon of the 22d, (a captain and two fubalterns, with the artillery picquet, manning the lower bat- teries) the firing commenced, and was conti- nued with unremitting fpirit and regularity the remainder of the evening and nia;ht. The enemy, fn return, difcharged repeated vollies from their lines j but to little purpofe. Our artillery foon drove them from the batte- ry, whicji frequently was fet on fire by the carcafles, but extinguished. On the morning of the 23d we had the mortification to find, that, notwithftanding the heavy fire kept upon it in the night, five of the embrafures were maiked with fand-bags, to enable the whole better to refifl the effect of our fhells. The work was nevertheleis coniiderably damaged, though not in a degree equal to our expence in ammunition. The firing at noon was therefore ordered to ceafe, as we had expend- ed fifteen hundred and ninety-fix (hot, five hundred and thirty (hells, (moft of a heavy nature,) ten carcaffes, and t\vo light balls. SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 251 It muft appear almoft incredible, that a bat- tery at fuch pittance fhould be able to refift fuch heavy ordnance, without being levelled to the ground ; but indeed few works were ever ere&ed fo ftrong and compaft. The St. Carlos's battery was filent the whole time ; and from the lines they returned a thoufand and twelve fhot, and three hundred and two fhells. Our lofs was not very great ; but on the enemy's fide, many were obferved to fall, and feveral to be carried iftto the lines : their gallantry, we may therefore imagine, coft them dear. The fucceeding night they repaired the da- mage done by our fire, and eredled two tra- verfes in the rear of the gun-battery : it is probable they were working alfo on the plat- forms : and during the two following nights they ftrengthened it with other additions. The 2 ^th the enemy's fire was rather fingular. In the afternoon, about nine, their batteries, for near an hour and a half, difcharged re- peated falvos from both cannon and mortars ; not directing their fire to any particular objed, but fcattering their {hot in every direction to- wards the garrifon, and burfting the fhells principally in the air. In the afternoon, about three, this mode of firing was repeated, and continued nearly the fame time. The 26th Lieut. Vicars, of the 56th, was flightly wounded in the lines. The night of the sgth, a brifk cannonade was heard towards the weft ; and foon after by the moon we difcovered a cutter engaging 252 HISTORY OF THE LATE [178-1, a frigate, a xebeque, and feveral gun-boats. The cutter anfwered a fignal made from the Brilliant at the commencement of the action, by which we knew her to be a friend. After the engagement had continued very warm for a considerable time, the firing ceafed, and ihe was obliged to fubmit to fo fuperior a force. The fucceeding night, the Unicorn cutter arrived, and four boats from Faro : the former informed us, that fhe parted company with feveral cutters bound for Gibraltar. The fruit, &c. brought in the Portuguefe boats, was immediately purchafed by the Governor, for the ufe of the fick in the Hofpitals : and fome of the crew were confined, being fuf- peded to come as fpies. The 31 ft, the enemy's engineers were obferved placing pic- kets to the wefhvard of the fix-gun battery ; apparently with a view of extending that work. Since our laft attack upon it, the firing on both fides was much diminifhed. In the courfe of the month, three men de- ferted from the gnrrifon. The night of the 2d of November, the fig;- nal was made for the approach of the enemy's gun and mortar-boats, which for fome time had not paid us the regular vifits they for- merly did ; owing, as I have remarked before, to the repairs which the boats, we imagined, muft necelTarily demand : but the Vanguard and Repulfe prames firing feveral (hot, they retired. The $d, the Fortune prame, mount- ins: five twenty-fix-pounders, was towed out, and moored to the fouthward of the Vanguard Nov.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 253 The next day, about feven in the evening, thirteen gun and fix mortar-boats fired brifkly upon the garrifon, feconded by the Lines : they ilaid near an hour and a half, and threw a vait number of fhells ; but few were direct- ed towards our camp. Lieut. John Frazcr, of the 73d, had his leg {hot off on Montague's baftion j and Lieut. Edgar, of the 56th, was wounded with fplinters of fton-s. Two of the 5 8th and y^d were likewife wounded. The enemy continued, on the 6th and yth, to make fome few alterations, and collect faf- cines, gabions, and other materials at their lines, and various parts of the approaches. The parallel they alfo ftrengthened ; but th fix-gun battery ftill remained malked with fand-bags. As it appeared of greater confequence, at this period, to annoy the enemy from the Old- mole head, which formed an excellent crofs- fire with the other batteries, than to fire into their camp ; the mortars ufed for that purpofe were removed, and the embrafures at the ex- tremity, with two others adjoining, were or- dered to be unmafked, and fo altered as to admit of four howitzers bearing on the new battery. During the night of the nth, the enemy erected an additional battery of fix embrafures, weftward of the other, where the pickets were obferved at the clofe of laft month. This work was retired a few yards, but joined the extremity of the fhoulder of the old battery, and extended almoft in the fame direction towards the beach. It appear- 254 HISTORY OFT HE LATE [i 7 8r, ed very ftrong, and feemed to be intended againft the Old-mole head, and Water-port. During the night of the I2th, many fig- nals were made in the Gut and along the Coaft. In the morning we obferved a cutter ftanding for the Bay: a xebeque and three gun-boats attempted to intercept her, but (he got in without firing a gun. She was called the Phcenix, and was laden, on government account, with ordnance llores. Col. Rofs, who had left the garrifon fome months before, was a paiTenger, and returned to take the command of his regiment, the 72d, or Royal Manchefter Volunteers. The Lieutenant who commanded the cutter, informed us that he parted company with two others, deflined for the garrifon, on the iith, at which time one of them was engaged with two of the enemy's cruifers. In the afternoon fome fig- nals were made at Algeziras : a cutter was obferved ftanding in for the Bay, chafed by a frigate ; and we confequently concluded it muft be one of the two mentioned by the Phcenix. At this time feveral gun-boats were cruifing off Cabrita Point and at the entrance of the Bay, waiting; to intercept her. In the Straits the wind was W. but N. W. in the Bay, and not very ftrong. About fix in the evening (he came up with the gun-boats and an armed xebeque : a fmart engagement im- mediately commenced. Whilft (lie was re- tarded by thefe, a fecond divifion of gun- boats from Algeziras cut her off from the gar- rifon j and the. frigate coming up, after a rnoft Nov.]. SIEGE OF GI-BR ALTAR. 255 vigorous and refolute refinance, {he ftruck. On her appearance, fix barges were ordered from our frigates to affift her, and a fignal was hoiflcd on board the Brilliant, which fhe anfwered. The boats rowed out a conlider- able way, and, the evening being dark, found themfelves amongft the enemy's gun-boats, whence with fome difficulty they extricated themfelves. The fubfequent morning, we had the mortification to fee the cutter towed into Algeziras by five gun-boats, with colours flying, and other marks' of exultation and triumph. The enemy about this time adopted the mode of cutting the fufes of their (hells, fo that moft of them which were fired for a long range burft in the air. They continued their practice of making fignals at the tower above the Quarry, whenever our parties were aflembled, or appeared at work : and the fhot were in general better directed than before ; but their effects againft the works were confi- derably weakened by pieces of junk hung over the merlons of the batteries. Our work- men were chiefly employed at Willis's, in re- pairing the Tower-battery, &c. and at the Old-mole. Other detachments were alfo en- gaged in various duties on the north front. The night of the i 5th, the enemy lengthened the parallel confiderably, and, the fucceeding night, made further additions. In the fore- noon of the 1 6th, a long-ranged fhell, from the St. Carlos's battery, burft in the air over r-town, and a fplinter of it flew into 2 S 6 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, the fea, beyond Buena-vifta, a diftance of more than three miles. Another fliell fell, in the courfe of the morning, at the foot of a wine^houfe, fouth of the barracks ; and fe- veral burft high in the air over fouth fhed. We attributed theie uncommon long ranges to the force of the wind, which, blowing in the fame direclion in which the (hells were thrown, undoubtedly increafed their velocity* Mr. Tingling, afiiftant engineer, was wound- ed the fame day at Willis's. A boat arrived on the 1 8th from Faro : the crew were fepa- rately examined, before they were permitted the liberty of the garrifon. The patron of this boat informed us, that feven cutters, de- ftined for Gibraltar, had been taken by the Spaniards. Two deferters came in, about feven in the evening of the 2Oth ; one a corporal, the other a private in the Walon guards. The former appeared to be very intelligent, and informed us of many circumftances with which we were not before acquainted. The new mortar-battery, he faid, was called St. Pafchal's ^ and corroborated our intelligencs, that it mounted two mortars and fix elevated guns. The two fix-gun batteries were named St. Martin's. He further acquainted us, that the camp was principally compofed of militia regiments : that the men were much difTatis- fied with their fltuation, and greatly harrafTed in raifmg the additional batteries : that they had fuffered lately very fevere loffes from our fire j particularly inflancing the 2%d and Nov.] SIEGfc OF GIBRALTAR. 257 of the preceding month, when feVen officers and eighty men were killed and wounded. One of the latter was an engineer of rank, who died three days afterwards. We had re- marked, in the courfe of the above firing, an officer to be particularly adive, which we now found to be this engineer ; he braved, for a confiderable time, the dangers of the day, but at length fell, and was carried off. This deferter gave the Governor further informa- tion, refpeding the ftrength arid arrangement of their guards ; and the next morning was conducted to Willis's, where be defcribed to him various parts of the enemy's works and camp. It had always been cuftomary for the Governor to detain the deferters at the Coil* Vent a few days, till he was fufficiently in- formed of every particular $ but thefe he im- mured fo clofe, that, excepting fome general information, the Gafriion had an opportunity of learning but few circumftances, till an event took place, which will prefently be related. The firing from both rides varied as objedls offered. Many of the enemy's fhells ranged as far as the fouth barracks ^ and others, agreeably to their newly adopted plan, burft in the air. The morning of the 22d, a fol- dier of the 5 8th regiment, who had been milling feveral days, was feeri to go into Fort Barbara, from behind the rock. The following day the enemy mounted guns in the St. Martin's battery ; and a party was employed in completing the fix eailern em- S 15* HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, brafures, which were now unmaiked. We kept upon them our ufual fire of fmall {hells from Willis's and the upper batteries j but the lower ordnance were filent. In the courfe of the day the Governor reconnoitred the enemy's works j and it was reported that all the batteries were to be again opened upon them, as foon as the four embrafures for the howitzers, at the Old-mole head, were com- pleted. The night of the 23^, the befiegers added to the parallel a return of cafk-work to the weft: it appeared very flight and trifling. The two fucceeding days, their parties were very active in finifhing the batteries, which, on the 26th, exhibited a perfed and formida- ble appearance. This was the crifis which the Governor confidered as proper to fruftrate all their views, by destroying thefe ftupend- ous works, the conftrution of which had coft them fuch immenfe labour and expence. By the deferters, who came in on the 2Oth inftant, he w r as acquainted with the inacti- vity which prevailed throughout the enemy's camp, and with the ftrength of their ad- vanced guards. Lulled into fecurity by their fuperiority of force, they never fufpe&ed the garrifbn capable of attempting fo bold and hazardous a coup-de-main. The Governor, however, fecretly conceived this important ctefign, and never imparted his intention till the evening in which it was put in execu- tion. Nov.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR, 359 The gates were no fooner (hut, after firft gun-firing, on the evening of the 26th, than he ordered a conliderable detachment to af- fembie on the Red fands at midnight, with devils, fire-faggots, and working implements, to make a fortie on the enemy's batteries. The General, Field, and other officers to be employed on this fervice, were convened in the interim, and the difpoiition of attack communicated : but, left fome matters might have efcaped him in the multiplicity of ar- rangements, the Governor defired every per- fon to propofe, without reflraint, whatever would, in his or their opinion, further pro- mote the fuccefs of the enterprife. The folio wing are the heads of the orders ilTued on this occafion. < EVENING GARRISON -ORDERS. Gibraltar^ Nov. 26, 178-1. * Counterfign, STEADY. ' All the grenadiers and light infantry of the garrifon, and all the men of the I2th and Hardenberg's regiments, officers, and non-commiffioned officers now on duty, to be immediately relievecl, and join their regi- ments : to form a detachment, confiftingof the 1 2th and Hardenberg's regiments com- plete, the grenadiers and light- infantry of all the other regiments, (which are to be completed to their full eftablifhment from 82 2o HISTORY, OF THE LAtE ' the battalion companies;) one captain, three ' lieutenants, ten non-commiflioned officers, ' and a hundred artillery 5 and three engi- ' neers, feven officers, and twelve non-com- 1 miffioned officers overfeers ; with a hundred ( and fixty workmen from the line, and for- ' ty workmen from the artificer company. * Each man to have thirty-fix rounds of am- ' munition, with a good flint in his piece, f and another in his pocket. No drums to go * out, excepting two with each of the regi- * ments. No volunteers will be allowed. * The whole to be commanded by Brigadier * General Rofs ; and to affemble on the Red ' fands at twelve o'clock this night, to make 4 a Sortie upon the enemy's batteries. The * 39th and 5 8th regiments to parade at the 6 fame hour on the grand parade, under the s command of Brigadier General Piclon, to ' fuftain the fortie if neceflary.' Thefe were the principal orders for forming the detachment. At midnight the whole were afTembled ; and being joined by a hun- dred failors, commanded by Lieuts. Muckle and Campbell, the detachment was divided into three columns, agreeably to the following difpofition. NOT.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. .1 ! i s 3 ^ j O O O O H SO * r^-vo N ^*- E s I s 2 -x g S M*o 111 u o o 8 Jn &i D> O O O OHO N rt J2 co CO"* * g HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, 4J U S-S ** ^" ** III c3w SWUIUItUQ \n o o suEijug Jf "* ! - o o os O O t simsanrpv ^ o t^ I t s I s i o u 5*" e^ a - e i -aii i J< tiO OQ Nov.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 363 The detachment being formed in three lines, the right column in the rear, and the left in the front, tools for demolifhing the works were delivered to the workmen, and the following directions for their deftination communicated to the principal officers. c The right column to lead and march * through Forbes's barrier, for the extremity * of the parallel ; keeping the eaftern fences * of the gardens clofe on their left. The f centre immediately to follow, marching * through bay-fide barrier, and directing their * route through the gardens for the mortar- < batteries. The left column to bring up the rear, marching along the ftrand for the gun- batteries. No perfon to advance before the front, unlefs ordered by the officer com- manding the column : and the moft pro- found filence to be obferved, as the fuccefs of the enterprife may depend thereon. The 1 2th and Hardenberg's regiments to form in front of the works, as fuftaining corps ; and are to detach to the right and left, as occafion may require. The referve to take poft in the fartheft gardens. When the works are carried, the attacking troops are to take up their ground in the following manner. The grenadiers of Reden's ard La Motte's behind the ,paralkl ; the 3-9 th and 73d flank companies, along the front of the fourth branch and the 726. grenadiers and light-infantry, with their right to the fourth branch, and left to the beach/ 264 HISTORY OF THE LATE By the time the deftination of the columns was made known to the different officers, and other arrangements had taken place, the morning of the 27th was far advanced ; and as the moon had then nearly finimed her nightly courfe, the detachment, about a quar- ter before three o'clock, began its march, by files from the right of the rear line, for the attack. Although nothing could exceed the filence and attention of the troops, the ene- my's advanced fentries difcovered the right column before they faffed Forbes's barrier^ and after challenging, fired upon them. Lieut. Col. Hugo, finding they were alarmed, immediately formed the attacking corps, and pufhed on at a brifk pace for the extremity of the parallel ; there finding no oppofition, he took poffeiiion, and the pioneers began to dif- mantle the works. Part of Hardenberg's. re- giment, which was attached to this column, miftook the route of the grenadiers, owing to. the darknefs of the. morning ; and in purfu- ing their own, found themfelves, before they discovered their error, in front of the St. Carlos's battery. In this dilemma, no other alternative offered but preflmg forwards, which they gallantly did, after receiving the enemy's fire. Upon mounting; the parapet, the enemy precipitately retreated, and with great difficulty they defcended the itupendous work, forming with their left to the tower. They were thus fituated, when Lieut. CoK Dachenhaufen, at the head of the 39thfIanH companies, entered the St, Carlos's battery. Nov,] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 265 and naturally miftaking them for his oppo- nents, fired, and wounded feveral. Further mifchief was however prevented by the coun- terfign ; and the Hanoverians joined the re- mainder of their corps, which now formed en potence, in front of the parallel. The 73d flank companies were equally fuccefsful in their attacks ; and Lieut. Col. Trigge, with the grenadiers, and light company of the 72d regiment, carried the gun batteries with great gallantry. The ardour of the afTailants was irrefiftible. The enemy on every fide gave way, abandoning in an inftant, and with the iitmofl precipitation, thofe works which had coft them fo much expence, and employed fo many months to perfect. When our troops had taken pofTefHon, the attacking corps formed, agreeably to their or- ders, to repel any attempt which the enemy might make to prevent the deftruclion of the works, whilft the 1 2th regiment took port in front of the St. Carlos's battery, to fuftain the weftern attack ; and the referve, under Ma- jor Maxwell, drew up in the farther gardens. The exertions of the workmen and artillery were wonderful. The batteries were foon in a ftate for the fire-faggots to operate ; and the flames fpread with aftonifhing rapidity into every part. The column of fire and fmoke which rolled from the works, beautifully il- luminated the troops and neighbouring ob- jects, forming all together a cduprcF&il not poflible to be defcribed. 1$6 HIStORt OF THE LAT-B [1781, In an hour the object of the Sortie was ful- ly effected ; and trains being laid to the ma- gazines, Brigadier Rofs ordered the advanced corps to withdraw, and the fuflaining regi- ments to cover their retreat : but, by fome overfight, the barrier at Forbes's was locked, after theflank companies had returned - t which rnight have proved of ferious confequences to Hardenberg's regiment, as they were, from that circumftance, under the neceflity of fol- lowing the 1 2th regiment through bay-fide.* Several fmall quantities of powder took fire whilft the detachment was on its retreat j and juft as the rear had got within the gar- rifon, the principal magazine blew up with a tremendous explofiort ; throwing up vaft pieces of timber, which, falling into the flames, added to the general conflagration. Although the enemy muft have been early alarmed, not the fmalleft effort was made to fave or avenge their works. The fugitives feemed to communicate a panic to the whole; and, inftead of annoying our troops from the flanking forts, their artillery directed a ridiculous fire towards the town and our upper batteries, whence we continued a warm and well-ferved difcharge of round ihot on their forts and barrier. Only two bfHcers and fixteen privates were taken pri- * It was not a little fingular, that thefe rwo regiments, which at the memorable battle of Minden had fought by each other's fide, arvl, according to the natural courfe of events, could never expeft to meet again, fhould be employed a fecond time on the fame occafion, and be the onJy entire regiments out. Nov.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 287 Toners ; and little ^oppofitign being made., very few were killed in the works. The guard, from the bell information, confifted of one captain, three fubalterns, and feven- ty four privates, including the artillery. Thus was this important attack executed beyond the moft fanguine expectations of every one. The event challenges greater admiration, when we reflect that the bat- teries were diftant near three quarters of a mile from the garrifon, and only within a few hundred yards of a belleging enemy's lines, mounting one hundred and thirty-five pieces of heavy artillery. The detachment had four privates killed j Lent. Tweedie, of the 1 2th regiment, with twenty-four non- commiffioned and privates, wounded; and one miffing, fuppofed to be left wounded in the batteries. Of this number, Hardenberg's regiment had two killed and twelve wounded. The ordnance fpiked in the enemy's works amounted to ten thirteen-inch mortars, and eighteen twenty-fix-pounders. General Eliott's anxiety on the occasion would not permit him to wait the ifTue with- in the garrifon j but acquainting the Lieu- tenant Governor with his intention, he ac- companied the Sortie, and exprefTed the higheft approbation of their behaviour by the following public orders : that " the bravery " and conduct of the whole detachment, " Officers, Sailors, and Soldiers, on the glori- ous occasion, furpaffed his utmoft acknow- Cements." *68 HISTORY OF THE LATE f, 7 8r, Although the attack was not totally ex- empted from thofe little derangements which naturally attend night expeditions of this nature, yet, to the honour of the whole, neither mufquet, working tool, nor other implement, was left behind : a volunteer in- deed of the 73d regiment loft his kelt in the attack, which the Governor being acquainted with, promifed him a fubftitute in return ; and not long afterwards prefented him with a commiflion in an eftablifhed corps. When our troops entered the batteries, the written report of the commanding officer was found in one of the fplinter-proofs, which, when the guard was relieved, was to have been fent to the Spanifh General. The report exprefled that " nothing extraordinary had " happened ;" which, it muft be acknow-* ledged, the captain had been a little prema^ ture in writing. Before the detachment returned from the Neutral ground, Lieut. Col. Tovey, of the artillery, died. He was fucceeded by Ma- jor Lewis in the command of that depart- ment. The night of the 27th the enemy were alarmed with an explofion in the ruins of their batteries; and immediately direded a fmart difcharge of muf ;uetry, with ground and grape fhot, towards the fpot. We im- agined they fufpecled that we had made a fe- cond folly, to finifh the deftruftion of what remained ; and their error probably would have continued fome time, had they not been Nov.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 269 undeceived by our throwing a (hell amongft the ruins; after which they inftantly ceafed. By the number of lights feen in their camp, we had reafon to conclude that their army af- fembled on the alarm. The enemy had not yet thought proper to take any meafures towards extinguishing the flames, but avenged themfelves by a brifk cannonade upon the town. In their camp feveral men were exe- cuted, who probably might be fome of the unfortunate adors in the late difgrace. The 3Oth, their batteries continued burning in five different places : when they ceafed to fmoke, the works feemed completely deftroyed, no- thing but heaps of fand remaining. Five difmounted mortars could be feen in the St. Carlos's battery from the fummit of the rock ; one gun alfo in St. Pafchal's, and three in the St. Martin's. At night we fired feveral rounds of grape at their horfe-patroles, which, fince their late misfortune, appeared more numerous than before. HISTORY OF THE LAT [1781, CHAPTER VL The Spa?iiards determine to re/lore their batte- ries. Eftablijh fever a/ defensive pojls. Repair their works - y but are conjtderably re- tarded by the befieged. Defcriptionof a new*- invented deprejjtng gun-carriage. Gallant behaviour of the Mercury -, ordnance-Jhip. The Fernon, ftore-jhip arrives with feveral gun-boats > in frames -, alfo the Cerberus and Abollo frigate $) with a reinforcement of men. Singular quality of quick fight in two boys be- longing to the garrijon. Spaniards refolve to make & vigorous attack upon Gibraltar , under the command of the Due de Crillon.- Begin io convert large veffels into BATTERI.NG- SHIPS at Atgeziras .A party of Corficans arrive^ and offer to acl as volunteers in the garrifon during tliefiege.-~ Enemy s army re- inforced. Unfortunate accident in a maga- zine at Willis's. A ftrong reinforcement of French troops joins the enemy s army. -The Due de Crillon affumes the command of the Combined Forces -, and the Bejiegers batteries forfome time are Jilent. 1 HE Spaniards, for feveral days, appear- ed totally at a lofs how to ad after their re- cent difgrace. Their batteries continued in flames ; nor were any attempts made to ex- tinguifh the fire. In the beginning of DC- Dec.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 371 cember, however, they fcemed as if fuddenly roufed from their reverie ; upwards of a thou- fand men were at work, making fafcines, &c. for which purpofe large quantities of brufh- wood were collected from the country. From thefe operations we concluded that they were refolved to retiore their works, when fuffi- cient materials were prepared. The i ft of December, a flag of truce brought letters from the Englifh prifoners lately captured in the cutters bound to the garrifon. Not a fy liable was mentioned by the Spanifh 'officer of the late tranfa&ion 5 nor did he even enquire whether we had taken any prifoners. As we had obferved the enemy to poft ftrong guards in the ftone guard- houfes on the neutral ground, particularly in the centre one, the Governor ordered the artillery to endeavour to diflodge them. An- fwers were returned, on the 2d, to the letters brought the preceding day : letters alfo were fent from the prifoners taken in the fortie, to their friends in camp. The Spanifh officer, on receiving the letters, appeared much fur- prifed, put them in his pocket, but was filentj and the beats parted. One of the officers taken prifoner was the Baron Von Helmftadt, an Ehfign in the Walon guards, with the rank of Captain : the other was Don Vincente Freefe, a Lieutenant of artillery. The Baron was dangeroufly wounded in the knee, and not without many intreaties fubmitted to amputation. When the furgeons firfl in- formed him that an operation was abfolutely 27* HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, unavoidable, he refolutely oppofed it : ampu- tation, he faid, very feldom fucceeded in Spain; befides, he was then betrothed in marriage to a lady, and would rather rifk his life than prefent himfelf before her with only one leg. The Governor, being told this de- termination, immediately vifited the Baron, and ufed every argument to perfuade him to comply. His miilrefs, the General faid, muft undoubtedly efteem him the more for the ho- nourable wound which he had received in the fervice of his country ^ and, as to the opera-^ tion being fatal, he might almoft aflure him- felf of a certain recovery, fince, in the many fimilar cafes which had occurred in the garri- fon during the fiege, our furgeons had been generally fuccefsful ; and, to convince him by ocular proof, ordered feveral mutilated convalefcents into the room. This generous attention of the Governor had a powerful ef- fecl on the Baron, who, no longer able to re- lift his importunities, at length confented to the operation. The enemy, the night of the 3d, repaired the damage done to the third branch of approach ; and did fome trifling work at the fourth branch. The next day, a flag of truce from the enemy brought letters of thanks from the Spanifh General, Don Martin Alvarez, and the Walon guards, to the Governor, for the humanity (hewn to the prifoners taken in the batteries. In the boat came fome poultry for the wounded Baron ; alfo clothes and money for the officers. Their guards in the lines now appeared to be about Dec.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 273 eight hundred infantry, with a hundred artil- lery, befides fixty or feventy cavalry for pa- troles. The Governor, on the 5th, ordered, " that no officer of the line, commanding at " a poft, fhould interfere in the mode of " loading, pointing, or firing the cannon. " If at any time he judged it neceflary to fire " upon the enemy, he was to point out the " object to the artillery, and fubmit it to their < opinion, whether it was practicable or not." The morning of the 7th, a cutter appeared from the weft, and after an obftinate action with the enemy's gun-boats, was obliged to ftrike. In this engagement we obferved that the enemy had made fome alterations in the conftruction of their boats, which before would not allow the guns to be deprefled. Notwithftanding our fire, the enemy feemed determined to eftablifh themfelves at the Centre ftone guard-houfe, round which, on the night of the ^th, they made a trench, and alfo lined with fafcines part of the fourth branch of approach. Our firing continued to vary, as their operations were more or lefs noticed : in the day we directed it principally to parties obferved near the Tower, and at night to the Centre guard-houfe j againft which they had heaped up fand, and conti- nued every evening to make other additions. The garrifon at this period was fo extremely iickly, that a hundred men were curtailed from the working parties ; and the officers fervants, with others who ufually were ex- empted from thefe duties, ordered to affift, to T 274 HISTORY OF THE LATE % leiTen the fatigue of their comrades. Near feven hundred were at this time on our hof- pital lifts. The Unicorn cutter failed, in the night of the I2th, with difpatches for Eng- land j and the following evening*, the Phosnix > with duplicates. The operations of the enemy fcemed now entirely defeniive. The Weilern ftone guard- houfe, on the beach, was unroofed in the fame manner as the Centre guard-houfe, and ftrengthened with fandj with a trench dug round at fome diflance in the front. We imagined that ilrong guards were ftationed every night at thefe pofts, to protect their remaining works. The evening of the i6th, about ten o'clock, one of the enemy's ad- vanced fentries, near Bay-fide, fired h?s muf- quet; w ? hich was taken up by others in the gardens, and the alarm fpread to the lines, and! thence to the camp. Lights were immedi- ately obferved moving about, and the drums beat to arms. After fome hours confufion they were calm and quiet. Their works, particularly the St, Pafchal's battery, conti- nued to fmoke in fcveral places, on the i8th. No ordnance could now be fcen in any of the batteries : their fire was rather fmart, but no particular objed feemed to engage their notice. Brigadiers Rofs and Green were appointed, in the orders of the soth, to be Major Ge- nerals in the army ; and the next evening General Rofs failed in a boat for Faro, on his return to England. General Green fome toecO SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 27$ time afterwards received a letter of fervice, and Lieutenant Holloway, his Brigade Major, was appointed his Aide-de-camp. The fame day a flag of truce brought over feveral let- ters, with money and clothes for, the prifon- ers. At night the enemy extended the fourth branch, in the fame direction, towards the Weftern ftone guard-houfe j and feveral pick- ets were driven, and fafcines laid in the ruins of the batteries, in order to retain the fand, and prevent it being wafhed down by the rains. The night of the 23d, they raifed an epaulement on the top of the Centre guard- houfe, and finished the firft line of the new approach from the fourth branch* Two foldiers of Hardenberg's, and the 72d regiment, on the 25th, attempted to de- fer t by a rope from Mount Mifery : the for- mer got down, though the rope broke ; which accident was the caufe of the latter being re- taken. A few days after, a ferjeant of the artificers was ordered to reconnoitre the place where this deferter defcended j and he got down far enough to difcover the unfortunate man dafhed to pieces at the foot of the pre- cipice. The night of the 2yth the enemy made feveral additions to the Centre guard- houfe. The Baron Von Helmftadt being dangerouily ill about this period, (not in confequence of the operation he had under- gone, but from fome inward malady) flags of truce were daily paffing and repaffing, to inform his friends of his dangerous fituation. The 2 8th, the Baron died; and the follow- T 2 276 HISTORY' OF TtfE LATE [1781, ing day his body was carried to the New male, accompanied by the grenadiers of the 1 2th regiment, with the ufual honours of war, where two barges waited to convey it to the enemy's camp. The Governor, and principal officers in the garrifon, with Don Vincente, attended the ceremony. The fowls and other refreshments fent by his friends, with the money not ufed by the Baron in his ficknefs, were alfo returned, to the moft minute article. The enemy, on the night of the 3Oth, added to the trench in front of the Centre g;uard-houfe, which a few evenings before they had altered from its original form. Our engineers the fame night erected a blind of canvas, &c. in front of Princefs Anne's bat- tery (Willis's) which the engineers afterwards caifToned, when their fire became lefs warm on this new objecl. Another was afterwards placed before the Princefs Amelia's, for the lame purpofe. The materials with which the works at the northward were now re- paired, were colle&ed from the coal fhips that had been run afhore m the new mole after Admiral Darby's departure. The fides of thefe veffers were cut rip, under the di- rection of the engineers, into large folid pieces of fuch form and dimenfion as the purpofe dictated, to which they were to be applied. Of thefe materials the batteries at Willis's were at this time formed ; the angles being connected and fecured by ftrong knees and bolts, having tranfverfe pieces within, Dec.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 277 which were alfo kneed. When the caiiTons for the merlons were thus framed, they were filled in the front with layers of junk, and fand-bags behind. The height of the mer- lons were between ten and eleven feet ; and the upper parts were fupported by ftrong beams acrofs the embrafures, forming hoods (as the engineer called them) over the muz- zles of the cannon : thefe hoods were three feet deep, and extended about fix feet -in length over the embrafures ; by which im- provements the guns were preferved from being broken by the ihells in their defcent, and the artillery-men on duty were well co- vered. The folid contraction of thefe new works, and the adoption of a fimilar mode in repairing the other defences of the garri- fon, will account in a great meafure for the general cafualties of the troops not being fo numerous as might otherwife be expected; and, to evince the permanence of them, no other proof, I imagine, need be adduced, than that upwards of one hundred (hot-holes have been plugged up in the front of one merlon, and yet the battery was not mate- rially damaged.* * When the Enemy's proceedings afterwards rendered fome alterations neceflary in the works at Willis's, the fhip- timber was found very ufeful in further fecuring the upper batteries, and in prote&ing our artillery. The height of the parapets permitted the engineers to ered fplinter-proofs be- tween the guns, of curved pieces of timber cut from the bottom of a fhip, which were placed againft the breads of ^he merlons, and made bomb-proof by layers of iancl h js, which alfo formed a traverfe acrofs the battery. By t.,de additions the communications between the ordnance were Co- vered, and the batteries well traverfed againft the e.^.u/'s eaftern enfilade fire. a 7 8 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, Two ordnance-fhips arrived in the courfe of December. As we are now arrived at the clofe of the year, it may not be impertinent to infert a return of cafuals, from the 1 2th of April to the 31 ft of December, 1781, that the reader may have an idea of our general lofs in that period. Cft G E C (A p (2 ^ of Wounds, 3 10 I 108 122 Difabled, 2 7 I 36 46 Wounded, 13 22 6 359 4OO The New Year's day of 1782 was remark- able for an action of gallantry which is worthy of being refcued from oblivion. An officer of artillery at Willis's, obferving a fhell falling towards the place where he flood, got behind a traverfe for protection j which he had fcarcely done, ere it fell into the tra- verfe, and inftantly entangled him in the rub- bilh : one of the guard, named Martin, ob- ferving his diftrefs, generoully rifked his own life in defence of his officer, and ran to extricate him j but finding his own efforts ineffectual, called for afliftance, when ano- ther of the guard joining him, they relieved the officer from his lituation ; and almoft at the fame inftant the fhell burft, and levelled the traverfe to the ground. Martin was af- terwards promoted, and rewarded by the Jan.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 279 Governor; who at the fame time told him, *' he fhould equally have noticed him for " relieving his comrade." Several iimilar in- ftances of heroifm occurred during the fiege, which were equally honourable to the gar- rifon. The enemy perfevered in carrying on their works ; the Centre guard-houfe now began to affume a regular figure. The ditch form- ed three fides of an hexagon, extending to the rear in obtufe angles with the front ; and the fafcine-parapet, joining the building, was lengthened each way. Materials conti- nued to be daily brought down to the lines, and advanced works. Their workmen were however confiderably annoyed from the Old- mole head and Montague's baftion, in repair- ing the fourth and fifth branches of the ap- proach. The (hip, St. Philip's Caftle, in Government fervice, arrived on the 4th from Mahon, with difpatches from General Mur- ray : on board her came feveral prifoners taken by that General in a fally made from Fort St. Philip's. The enemy endeavoured to cut her off from the bay, but could not accomplish it. She returned to Minorca on the ioth. Since their army had landed at Minorca, the enemy's attention to the eaft- ward was vifibly abated'; nor did they make fo many fignals from the tower on the Qjaeen of Spain's chair, as had been their cuftom formerly. The fubfequent evening our prames made the fignal for the approach of the gun- boats: an eafterly wind however aSc HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, fpringing up, they threw up their rockets, and retired. We could not othcrwife ac- count for their not firing in an eafterly wind, than by imagining they were apprehenfive of fome accident in their magazines, which, being in the ftern of the boat, might run fome danger of being blown up by the fparks from the difcharge of their ordnance. The night of the 7th, belides making additions to the Centre guard-houfe, the enemy debouched from the fifth branch, and dug a trench about fifteen or twenty yards towards the eaft. A court of enquiry, on the 8th, fat on Antonio Juanico, the fpy who was dif- covered in the Faro boat ; and fome time af- terwards he was ordered to prepare for ex- ecution. The Governor however at laft par- doned him. The enemy, about this time removed fe- veial guns from the camp to the lines, taking others back. Moft of their cannon (we had reafon to imagine for fome time paft) had been greatly damaged by the firing ; as the fhot, at periods, were obferved not to fly with the fame velocity as at firft. The laft defcr- ter faid they had fpoiled three fets of guns from the comrrencement of the bombardment. In the night of the 9th, they raifed the e- paulement joining the Centre euard-houfc ; and opened four embrafures, two on each fide of the building. They were all mafked with fafcines, and appeared folely for defence. The night of the 1 2th, the enemy formed a trench from the debouchure of the fifth branch, Jan.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 281 to the front of the ruins of the St. Carlos's battery, towards the weftern beach : part of it was lined with fafcines. They alfo raifed a place armes on the eaft flank of the St. Carlos's battery, joining the fifth branch. At night failed the Henry and Mercury ord- nance-fhips to the weftward. Don Vincente Freeze went paflenger in the former for En- gland, with the priibners taken in our fortie, and thofe fent by General Murray. About the i4th, or I $th, the enemy raiftd another place cT armes on the weft flank of the St. Carlos's battery, and joining the ruins of the St. PafchaPs battery j and the fubfequent evening ftrengthened and capped it with faf- cines. In the night, ilgnals were made in the Gut, and at day-break two cutters ap- peared at the entrance of the Bay ; but the wind blowing fomewhat northerly, and dying away, they were driven to leeward by the cur- rent : a frigate and eleven gun-boats from Algeziras immediately gave chace, and foon after they were joined by a frigate and xebe- que from Ceuta. The cutters rinding it im- poflible to make the bay, and obferving the force of their purfuers, prudently crowded fail to the eaftward. In the afternoon fome of the gun-boats got within range, and a few rounds were exchanged ; but the wind frefh- ening towards fun-fet, the cutters evidently left the enemy coniiderably aftern. When night prevented us from continuing our ob- fervations, they had indeed gained fuch a -.82 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, diftance, that we did not in the leaft doubt but they would efcape. The enemy had made for feveral preceding evenings confiderable additions to the centre redoubt ; and on the night of the I7th, they raifed a work embracing each extremity of the fafcine-ditch which was in the front of it : this poft now appeared finished. They like- wife raifed and threw fand in front of the place (farmes, and brought vaft quantities of different materials to their advanced works. Their firing was not at this period remarkable j but, as they directed their ordnance principal- ly among our working parties on the hill, we experienced a few cafuals. Our batteries in return were well ferved -, and the fire pointed to all quarters. In the morning of the i8th, juft after gun-firing, fignals were made from the enemy's advanced works, which were re- peated to their camp. The batteries at the fame time kept up a brifk fire, all in a low direction. This gave us reafon to think they were apprehenfive of another fortie : and the following morning the four embrafures in the centre redoubt were unmafked, and animated with four howitzers ; and a confiderable num- ber of troops left the lines foon after day- break : all which circumftances ferved to countenance our conjecture. In the evening of the 2Oth, the artillery at Willis's difcover- ed a party of the enemy erecling a fine of communication from the fourth branch to the centre redoubt. The Old-mole head and Montague's were immediately opened on Jan.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 283 them, in addition to the upper batteries ; and we plied them fo brifkly, that the party were obliged to retire about midnight, leaving the work, as the morning evinced, in great con- fufion. The fubfequent night, notwithftand- ing our fire, they raifed and flrengthened the new communication. In this duty they were well covered by a brifk fire.jfrom their lines j and which, from the repeated vollies difchar- ged, afforded room to think that their work- men had fuffered materially the night before. The night of the 23d, they repaired the pa- rapet of the St. Carlos's battery nine fafcines in height, and began to rebuild the magazine in the rear. Great quantities of fafcines, &c. were in and about the battery. The fucceed- ing afternoon, about four o'clock, the Gover- nor opened the lower batteries on this work, and our fire was exceedingly well ferved for fome hours. The carcavtes feveral times fet fire to the fafcines, but the enemy as frequent- ly extinguifhed it. At firft their batteries re- turned our fire fparingly ; but receiving a reinforcement of artillery-men from the camp, the cannonade became warm on both fides. Our lower batteries ceafed in the evening. The next day, the Governor renewed his en- deavours to burn thefe works. The carcaiTes were equally fuccefsful as the preceding dcy, but their guards and workmen foon extin- guimed the fire. The Spanifh lines returned the cannonade with great vivacity, having in the twenty-four hours difcharged one thou- fand and forty-five ihot, and eighty-three 284 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, fhells : our batteries dirainiflied their fire about four in the afternoon. The carcaiTes ufed by the artillery on this occafion were made of the enemy's blind fhells, in which were perforated three large holes, and the cavity filled with compofition. They were found to anfwer extremely well j fome of them burning frelh a quarter of an hour after the enemy had fmothered them with fand, which was the mode they adopted to put them out. We obferved, on the 2yth, four large piles of fafcines at the eaftern extremity of the pa- rallel. We were not at all at a lofs to guefs their meaning in placing thefe fafcines to the eaftward ; as it was evident, that they wifhed to draw off our attention as much as poflible from the St. Carlos's battery. The manoeuvre did not however anfwer. The following; evening about ten o'clock arrived the two cutters, which had been purfued by the ene- my's cruifers to the eaftward ; the largeft of them, called the Viper, was of four hundred and ilxty tons burthen, mounted twenty- eight guns, and was efteemed the largeft vef- fel of her kind ever built ; the other was the Lively, of fourteen guns ; both laden with ord nance- ft ores. They informed us that the evening of the day they' were chaced through to the eaft, feveral of the gun-boats got up and engaged them, but were foon beaten off: at length the windfrefhening, the boats were left aftern. The breeze, they faid, increafed to a brifk gale, which, as the gun-boats were fome leagues from land, might greatly diftrefs Jan.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR, 285 them. This conjedure appeared confirmed by none of them being obferved to have re- turned to the bay. The night of the 28th, the enemy took down half of the old tower, or windmill, which they probably thought was too confpicuous an objecl of direction for our artillery in the night : they added alfo confi- derably to the St. Carlos's battery, and made fome alterations in the centre redoubt, which they palifaded in the rear, and within it hung a barrier-gate. The fame night, arrived the Dartmouth Tartar cutter with ftores. The night of the 3Oth, our opponents were obferved very bufy to the eaftward of the centre redoubt. We inftantly opened upon them, and drove them from the place. At day-break we found they had traced out a work of five (ides, with a large opening in the rear, and erected before it a fcreen fimilar to ours at Willis', but fo injudicioufly placed, that the workmen behind were not at all con- cealed from our upper batteries. This work was never carried on ; and the fcreen fome time afterwards was knocked down, and re- moved. Our engineers, of whom little has been mentioned for fome time, were indefa- tigable in repairing the fpl inter-proofs, maga- zines, traverfes, and communications, along; the north front, which were damaged by the enemy's fire : the King's, Queen's, and Prince's lines, had likewife a (hare in their attention, Parties were alfo engaged in fecuring and re- pairing the fkeleton traverfes, formed of tim- ber and fand-bags in front of the doors, win- 286 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, dows, &c. of the grand magazines near the New-mole; and depofits of fafcines, fand, and other materials, were collected in different parts of the garrifon. In the beginning of February, great num- bers of mules continued bringing fafcines, &c. to the enemy's lines j and by the number of gabions milling from their fafcine-park, it was thought they had concealed them in dif- ferent parts of the approaches for new works. The St. Carlos's battery appeared nearly com- pleted : it confifted of an epaulement with two flioulders five dodging traverfes were erected in the rear, and behind them two larger ones for magazines : the latter, howe- ver, were not of the fame form as thofe erect- ed before. A gate was alfo hung at the open- ing of the fifth branch, and the places quickly drove them under cover. They made feveral attempts to proceed, but were as contfantly obliged to retire. The fucceeding morning, we obferved they had employed parties in other parts of their works. The communication to the centre redoubt was raifed; many traverfes were creeled behind the fourth approach, and a coniiderable quan- tity of fafcines and other materials brought down to their works. In the forenoon of the 3 9 .8 HISTORY OF THE LATE [17*2, 2 5th, the Spanifh officers belonging to the Santa Catalina, who were brought to the gar- rifon in the Vernon, were fent by a flag of truce into Spain on their parole. In the courfe of the day, a fhot came through one of the capped embrafures on Princefs Amelia's battery, (Willis's) took off the legs of two men belonging to the 72d and y^d regiments, one leg of a foldier of the 73d, and wounded ano- ther man in both legs : thus four men had Jkvtn legs taken off and wounded by one fhoL The boy who was ufually Rationed on the works where a large party was employed, to inform the men when the enemy's fire was directed to that place, had been reproving them for their carelefTnefs in not attending to him ; and had juft turned his head toward the enemy, when he obferved this fhot, and in- frantly called for them to tak^ care : his cau- tion was however too late ; the fhot entered the embrafure, and had the above-recited fa- tal effect. It is fomewhat fingular, that this boy fhould be pofleffed of fuch uncommon quicknefs of fight, as to fee the enemy's fhot almoft immediately after they quitted the guns. He was not, however, the only one in the garrifon poffefFmg this qualification 5 another boy of about the fame age was as ce- lebrated, if not his fupcrior. Both of them belonged to the artificer company, and were eonftantly placed on fome part of the works to ebferve the enemy's fire : their names, were Richardfon and Brand 5 the former was repu- ted to have the beft eye. Mar.] SIEGE OF GIBR ALTAR. 299 The night of the 2$th, the enemy extend- ed their parallel in a continued direction with the old work about one hundred yards, with calks and fafcines, banked up with fand in front. The fucceeding evening, we perceiv- ed feveral guns in the St. Martin's battery ; and it was imagined, that ordnance were brought forward for the other batteries. The night of the 26th, they began merlons for fix embrafures in the eaftern redoubt, two in each face opening on the Devil's tower, Lines, and Old-mole : they alfo lengthened the parallel, and ftrcngthened that part which was raifed the preceding night. The 28th, they fcaled feveral guns and mortars in the ad- vanced batteries ; and the following day we concluded they mounted all their ordnance, as their working parties gave a general huzza, and then withdrew for the day. Our opponents at this time fcarcely expend- ed more than two hundred rounds in the twenty-four hours j but we frequently faluted them with double that number in that period. The night of the aSth and SQth, the enemy lined with fafcines the prolongation of the pa- rallel, and creeled five traverfes in the eaf- tern redoubt. Their batteries near the tower now appeared to be completed ; the fourth month being jnft expired fince they had been deftroyed. The 31(1 being a grand feftival, our batteries were double-manned, expecting the befiegers would open their advanced bat- teries j but not firing, the reinforcement was remanded at noon. In the evening, about fix 3 co HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, o'clock, a fhell fet fire to the flank of the eaftern redoubt, and the flame being affifted with a brifk di {charge, burnt rapidly for fome hours : at laft, however, the enemy extin- guifhed-it. The fucceeding morning, we per- ceived that they had covered with fand the part which had taken fire, and a number of fafcines were lying in great confufion about the work. The fame night, a boat came in from Portugal with fheep, oranges, lemons, and fowls : two others alfo arrived in the courfe of the month. On the evening of the ift of April, a foldier of the 39th regiment deferted from Land-port ; feveral hundred rounds of mufquetry and grape were difcharged at him, fome of which it is imagined took place, as he dropped juft before he got to the St. Carlos's battery, and was carried into the work by feven of the guard. At dufk, a Volunteer of Arragon came over to us: he brought his arms and fome necefTaries, which, with other cir- cumflances, occafioned a fufpicion of his be- ing a fpy. He reported that the enemy had fufTered confiderably in refroring their bati teries ; upwards of four hundred being kil- led, and nearly as many more wounded. The eaftern redoubt, he informed us, was called the Mahon battery. The enemy, on the ^H, bes;an to pitch tents in rear of the Walon guards: they were afterwards increafed to (ix double rows, capable of quartering a battalion of infantry. Apr.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 301 As grates for heating (hot were diftributed on the different northern batteries in the beginning of this month, we imagined the Governor intended applying red-hot {hot kgainft the enemy's works, which appeared now complete. We were however difap- pointed : they were ftill referved as a bonne bouche^ for the clofmg of the fcene. The night of the 5th, the enemy erected, at the extremity of the parallel, a. place d' armes of four fides, one of which was the parallel lengthened, the other three extending in ob- tufe angles to the rear. The 6th, Colonel Stanton was appointed a Brigadier-general; and Capt. Blanckley, of the 97th regiment, his Brigade-major. The 8th, we perceived fome tents pitched upon the plain beneath the ruins of Carteiaj and the following day this camp was increafed with five double rows of tents : a regiment in white took poffeffion in the evening. The gth, a regiment in blue marched into the new cimp, pitched the ad of this month. The fame day all the carpen- ters of the regiments in garrifon (thofe of the 97th regiment excepted) were ordered, with a hundred additional real-men, into the King's works. At night the enemy made fome alter- ations near St. Pafchal's battery, and ftrength- ened the place d' armes at the extremity of the parallel. The loth, Lieut. Wetham, of the 1 2th regiment, was killed by a fplinter of a {hell, marching at the head of a fpur-guard up the ramp, from Land-port-ditch. Hisfer- va'nt alfo loll his arm, and the drummer had. 3 oz HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, his drum broken to pieces : but the reft of the guard efcaped. The death of this young Of- ficer was much regretted ; and it feemed par- ticularly unfortunate, as the enemy only fired that fatal fhell and one ihot in the earlier par! of the day. A Faro boat arrived on the i ith from Por- tugal, with difpatches for the Governor. A private letter fent from Lifbon by this boat, mentioned, that great preparations were mak- ing at Cadiz, and in the Mediterranean ports, for a moil vigorous attack on Gibraltar ; and that the Due de Crillon, who had lately taken St. Philip's, was to command with twenty thoufand French and Spanifh troops, in addi- tion to what were at prefent before the gar- rifon i with Monfieur D'Arcon, a French en- gineer of great eminence and abilities ; and Admiral Don Bonaventura Moreno, with ten- fail of the line, befides floating-batteries, gun and mortar-boats, &c. &c. The truth of this intelligence we little doubted, as many circumftances now occurred daily, that ferved to confirm it. The enemy's cannonade, in the courfe of the 1 2th, was fingular indeed from fix in the morning to fun-fet, they fired every two or three minutes a fingle gun or mortar; and being the anniverfary of their bombardment, it appeared (till more extraor- dinary. Some jocular perfons in the garrifon remarked that perhaps they were commemo- rating the day with fafting and prayer, and by their minute -guns expreffing their forrow, that fo many thoufand barrels of powder, and Apr.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 303 rounds of ammunition, ihould have been ex- pended to fo little purpofe. Their firing from the 1 2th gradually decreafed, for about a weekj when, for a few nights, they fired brifker than ufual. It afterwards diminished to about a hundred rounds on an average in the twenty-four hours, and fcarce exceeded that number during the remainder of the month. Their fafcine-parties continued to be actively employed preparing materials in their parks 5 and long firings of mules were conftantly removing them to the lines and advanced batteries. Throughout their camp new life feemed to be infufed into the troops-: inftead of that inactive languor which had fo long prevailed in all their operations, every perfon now appeared in motion. The morning of the i6th, we remarked that the enemy had repaired the eaftern part of the Mahon battery, burnt down the latter end of the preceding month. Some other trifling additions were alfo made to this work. The aoth, arrived the Antigallican ordnance- ihip from England. The nights of the 2ift and 22d, the enemy's parties added fome fur- ther repairs lo the Mahon battery : they alfo raifed a fmall work near the tower, and erected feveral traverfes in various parts of the parallel. The 24th, one of our new gun- boats, which had been launched on the i8th, was tried with an eighteen- pounder on board; and the pra&ice met with the approbation of the Governor and Officers of the navy. As a perfon was fent out in the Vernon to fuper- 3C4 HISTORY OF THE LATE intend their conftrudion, the keels of feveral other boat? after his arrival were immediately laid on the flocks-; ^and the carpenters, being now acquainted with the marks, proceeded with confidence and expedition ; four or five more therefore were in great forwardnefs. We obferved, about this time, numbers of boats paffing and repafTmg, between Algeziras and Point Mala, and two (hips in the river Palmones, which we imagined were fitting out as fire-fhips ; precautions were therefore taken to render them ineffectual, in cafe they refolved on another attempt to burn our fri- gates. The 2 $th, a little after day-break, a deferter came in from the enemy : he was a native of Arragon, and comrade to the laft : he confirmed our information from Lifbon, reflecting the intended attack, under the command of the Due deCrillon j adding, that they had refolved to make the principal attack by fea ; for which purpofe large (hips were to be fitted up with cork, &c. The new camp, near Rocadillo-point, he faid, was occupied by the regiment of Cordova infantry, lately arrived from Ceuta. Though their camp had been confidently reinforced within the preceding fix weeks, yet we could not obferve that they had made any addition to their guards, which continued to be about the fame number as mentioned fome months before. The 28th, they raifed the merlons of the Mahon battery with fand- bags. In the courfe of the day, they brought down two guns from their artillery-park to May.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 305 Fort Tonara, whither they had carried four the preceding day. The 3Oth, they began 'laying platforms in the Mahon battery : on the fame day we launched our fecond gun- boat. Seven more were on the flocks. In the beginning of May, the enemy re- paired the weft branch of the St. Carlos's, which fell down fome time before, and made fome alterations in the Black battery. Seve- ral hundred mules came likewife with clay to the lines. From feven in the evening of the 4th, to the fame hour the fucceeding af- ternoon, both the garrifon and the enemy were filent. This was the firft twenty-four hours in which there had been no firing for the fpace of nearly THIRTEEN MONTHS. The evening of the yth, the Cerberus and Apollo frigates, with four tranfports and four ordnance-fhips, failed for England. The fucceeding morning we obferved that three of the tranfports were captured, and in company with the enemy's cruifers were then turning to windward. In the afternoon of the 9th, a line-of-battle fhip, with feven large veflels 5 and a few polacres and tartars, arrived in the Bay from the weft, and anchored at Algeziras. At dnfk, the large veffels, which appeared to be old men of war, or galleons, hauled clofe in fhore. The Governor,, at night,, ordered a picquct to reinforce Waterport guard. The enemy ftill continued difcharging about a hundred rounds every twenty-four hours j -and their parties as well as ours were employed in making trifling additions and repairs. "The X 306 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, arrival of the ihipping above-mentioned at Algeziras, occafioned various conjectures ; from many circumftanccs, we had reafon to imagine they were intended for the attack by fea, which was meditating againft the garri- fon. The Governor and chief engineer's at- tention confequently became engaged towards the fea-line : the beach behind the Old mole was fortified with a row of (loping pali fades ; Waterport gateway was well barricaded, and a chevaux-de-frife ordered to be got ready to place at the foot of Land-port glacis : the ramp in the ditch was likewife removed - 7 and thofe batteries on the fea-line, w r hich they conceived might probably be oppofed to the enemy's attack, were infpecled, and put in the beft order of defence. The enemy, about the 1 2th, removed, and made a new arrangement of their ordnance in the forts and batteries along the coafts : we fnppofed they were changing them for others of a larger calibre. The I4th, feveral of the large Ihips at Algeziras ftruck their yards and top-mafis, and a great number of men ap- peared on board them ; which movements left us no longer to doubt, that they were in- tended to be fitted up as FLOATING BAT- TERIES for the grand attack: this opinion was confirmed in the afternoon, by their be- ginning to cut down the poops of two of them. The fubfcqucnt day, three ftore- fbi-ps, the Queen Charlotte, Leonora, and Charles, arrived from England, with powder, fhclls, bedding, and timber. Three gun- May.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR, 30; boats, on their appearance in the Gut,' went from the point to fpeak them ; but the (hips hoifting French colours, and {landing for Algeziras, the boats were deceived, and re- turned : the falfe colours were foon after ftruck, and Britiih difplayed ; and they ar- rived without oppofition. The new gun- boats w r hich were launched, were on this occafion of particular fervice ; and before night, nineteen hundred barrels of powder were fecured in our magazines. The ene- my, on the I yth, opened thirteen large port- holes in the larboard fide of one of the fhips at Algeziras, and feven in another. Their operations now in the advanced works almoft totally ceafed j their whole at- tention feemed occupied by the (hips at Alge- ziras, and by arrangements in their camp. Cannon and variety of military flores were landed beyond Point Mala, and a ftrong par- ty was employed in creeling a large building near the landing-place, which we conjedur- ed was for an hofpital. The firing on both fides -varied as circumftances directed. Three men of the 58th regiment were miffing on the io,th; and a party being immediately fent in queft of them, their bodies were found dallied to pieces behind the rock the rope by which they were to have defcended being many yards too fhort. The enemv were very adive about their fhips ; eleven. port-holes were opened in the fide of a third - and on the 2. lit, they began to ftrenj>thcn their larboard fides with forne materials which X 2 3o3 HISTORY OF THE LATE [17*2, appeared like junk. The elafticity and refift- ance of this article rendered it very eligible for the purpofe. On the land fide they con- tinued collecting brufh-wood from all parts of the country, and had itrong parties at work, making fafcines. At the landing-place, flores of every fpecies were daily difembarked. On the other hand, the garrifon, with un- wearied affiduity, made various difpofitions to repel their attack. The Jltying palifades at Waterport by this time were finifhed, and the gateway barricaded, excepting a fmall paflage for the wicket. To this poft the Go- vernor feemed particularly to attend. The intentions of the enemy were no longer my- flerious : every preparation was therefore made to give them a warm reception : an additional number of grates for heating fhot, were made and diflributed along the Line wall ; and the navy lowered their yards and top-mafts, to be in readinefs to ad on fhore at a moment's notice. A privateer xebeque arrived on the 25th from Leghorn, with a Corfican officer and twelve privates, who came to offer their fer- vices as volunteers during the approaching at- tack ; which the Governor accepted, and or- dered them to be entertained by different regiments till the others arrived, who, they informed us, were on their paflage. In the evening, a large building, to the eaft of the Catalonian camp, took fire, and was totally confumed; it had formerly been a barrack, but was now, as the deferters informed May.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 309 us, a granary for forage and corn. We numbered at this time upwards of a hundred pieces of cannon in the artillery-park of the enemy. The 25th, the engineers began to mine a gallery from a place above Farring- don's battery, (Willis's,) to communicate through the rock to a notch or projection of the rock, below Green's Lodge, in which the Governor propofed to make a battery. The 26th, another veffel arrived from Algiers, and brought letters, acquainting us that it was univerfally believed in Spain, that the garri- fon, from the magnitude of the preparations for the attack, inevitably muft be taken be- fore the end of July. The fame day about noon, a large fleet appeared from the eaft, upwards of a hundred fail of which we ob~ ferved in the evening enter the Bay, and anchor between the river Palmones and Al- geziras. The fucceeding morning we were enabled to make our observations on them : three were large and armed, one of them with a flag at her mizen : the reft were fhips with troops on board, and fmall polacres and fettees, fuppofed from their appearance to be laden with ftores. In the courfe of the 2yth, 28th, and 2Qth, they landed, it was imagin- ed, about twelve battalions, which, calcu- lating at about feven hundred and fifty to each battalion, amounted to about nine thou- fand men, if the regiments were complete. As the troops difem barked, they encamped in the rear of the fecondline, extending towards the horfe-barrack now called Buena-Fiflc 3 io HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, which, we underitood from the laft deferters, had been fitted up for the commander in Chief's quarters : others of them occupied the ground on the left of the firft line, and on the right of the Catalonians, in an obtufe direction up the hill toward the Queen of Spain's chair. Large parties were detached to land the military {lores. A flag of truce came from the enemy on the 28th, with a letter from Mr. Anderfon, a merchant who had left the garrifon feme days before, and had been taken on his paf- fage to Faro. Before the purport of the flag was known, the Governor, (peaking to the officers near him, faid " he was fuppofed the " Duke was arrived, and had fent to fummon " the garrifon j but he fhould give him a (hort and their advanced fentries and guards were reinforced. At Algeziras they ftill continued to work bn feven fhips ; and in camp numerous parties were employed in landing great quantities of ftores, and in ranging ordnance, &c. in their artillery-park. Early on the morning of the 2yth, the Cap- tain of the Oueen's-lines guard challenged two perfons who had approached to Forbes's barrier; one of whom, finding they were Y 322 H ISTOR Y Or THE L ATE [17821 obferved, cried out in French, " Don't fire!'' after which both inftantly ran away towards the lines. In their retreat one of them fell* and his cloak coming unfolded, our fen tries could diftinguiih that his uniform was white ; which circumflance, added to that of their fpeaking French, induced us to conclude they were officers of that nation. A perfon of dif- tindion, fuppofed to be the Duke de Crillon, on the 3Oth, vifited the lines and advanced works. Our artillery fired a (hot over him and his fuite, to (hew them that they were obferved. At night, a foldier of the 56th, attempting to defert from the fignal-houfe guard, was dafhed to pieces in his defcent. The next day his body was expofed as a pub- lic fpeclacle, to intimidate others from pro- voking a fimilar fate. In the beginning of July, the TENTH fhip had been in hands two or three days ; and the enemy's artificers were at work on the lops of thofe which were in the greateft for- wardnefs, placing ftrong timbers, in form of a dos tfane, to ferve as bomb-proofs. At night they raifed their parallel feveral fafcincs in height, and banked it up in front with fand. Though the enemy's batteries had continued filent fince the 22d of June, the garrifon per- fevered in abrifk difeharge, directing their fire to all parts of the lines, as well as the advanced works. The evening of the 2d, a party of the enemy advanced to Bay-fide barrier ; but Several rounds of grape, which were fired from Willis's, foon forced them to retire. July.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 323 The fucceeding evening they again attempt- ed to take poft there, and met with a fimilar reception. Our navy, under the diredion of an engineer, about this time repaired the boom of Waterport, and funk anchors in the Shallow water at the back of the Old mole. The enemy, though we expeded it, never molefted them in this duty : indeed they feemed too intent upon their own operations, to pay attention to any of ours. The fuccefs attending our progrefs in the gallery above Farringdon's battery, produced the idea of making a communication from the extremity of the King's, to the Queen's lines ; and on the 6th, a party of miners began this new fubterranean paffage. Early the day fol- lowing, a brig coming in from the weftj was taken by a xebeque, and carried into Alge- ziras. If the mafter of this vefiel had aded prudently, he might probably have efcaped. On his firft appearance he coafted under French colours ; but being abreaft of the point, and obferving a felucca ftanding out to fpeak him, he hoifted Britiili, and fired a fhot. This circumftance fpread the alarm : four or live gun-boats immediately rowed out s and oppofed her paffage, till a xebeque came up and ran her aboard. The afternoon of the i8th, an extraordi- . nary inftance of gallantry and prefence of mind occurred at the laboratory adjoining the South baftion. An artillery-man (named Hartley) was employed in the laboratory, fill-- ing fhells with Carcafs compofition. and driv- Y 2 324 H I ST OR Y OI THE LATE [1782, ing fufes into five and half, and fix-inch ihells : one of them, by fome unaccountable accident, took fire in the operation ; and al- though he was furrounded with unfixed fufes, loaded (hells, composition, &c. with the moft aftoniiliing coolnefs he carried out the lighted fhell, and threw it where it could do little or no harm j and two feconds had fcarcely elapf- ed before it difploded. If the (hell had burft in the laboratory, it is almoft certain the whole would have been blown up -, when the lofs in fixed ammunition, fufes, &c. &c. \vould have been irreparable, exclufive of the damage which the fortifications would have fufTered from the explofion, and the lives that might have been loft. He was handfomely rewarded by the Governor. The night of the loth, a foldier of De la Motte's, who had been miffing from the ^th, was dif- covered by v the quarter-guard of that regi- ment ftealing bread from the men's tents : he was inftantly purfued, but could not be over- taken : the next day however he was found concealed in a cave. Two others had alfo been retaken' within a few preceding days. Such attention had been paid to fcarping the back of the rock, that it was little fhort of inadnefs in thefe wretches, at this psriod, to attempt defertion. Some experiments were made, in the be- ginning of this month, with large ftones, cut to f[t the calibre of a thirteen-inch mortar. The ftones had a fmall hole drilled in the -centre, which being filled with a fufficient July.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 325 quantity of powder, they were fired with a fhort fufe, to burft over the enemy's works , and the fragments were expecled to do fome damage, as well as alarm their workmen. It was an vmufual mode of annoyance, and for its novelty was ufed for fome time, but was foon laid afide. The nth in the after- noon, four failors, under pretence of vifiting fome fifhing-pots, deferted to the enemy. Two of them were concerned in the conipi- racy to run away with the Speedwell cutter, as mentioned, fome months before. The following evening, a ferjeant of the yad re- giment, who had abfented himfelf feveral days from his corps, and who, previous to his abfence, had left a letter dignifying his intention to defert, was retaken half way down the rock, between Charles the Vth's wall and Mount Mifery. He was fo fituated as to be unable to defcend or return, and was at length obliged to cry for affiftance j which being heard by the guard at the former poft, fearch was made for the unhappy man, and he was afterwards executed. A deferter from the regiment of Becbart came in on the I4th : he acquainted us, that the Duke de Crillon had afTumed the com- mand of the fiege, and that General Don Alvarez had quitted the camp ; that the combined army confifted of forty-five batta- lions of infantry, including eight French bat- talions, two battalions of Sp.inifh, and four companies of French artillery, befides ca- valry i but, owing to defertioc their nnm- 326 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, bers were considerably diminished. The battering-fhips, he faid, were to have on board French artillery j and it was reported they would be completed in about fix weeks, the time we had calculated, ourfelves, from obfervations on their progrefs. About this period, additional forges for heating (hots were efiablifhed in different parts of the garrifon, with all the proper apparatus. The I5th, the enemy laid a boom of fpars from the breakers north of the iiland at Algeziras towards the northward : fome few days afterwards it was considerably lengthened, and the gun-boats were ranged in front of it : a boom was alfo placed between the ifland and the main land. We concluded thefe obstructions were in- tended to defend their battering-fhips from nny attempts we might make (before they were completed) to deftroy them, The fame day, an embrafure was opened in the face of the rock, communicating with the gallery- above Farringdon's : the mine was loaded with an unufual quantity of powder, and the explofion was fo amazingly loud, that almoft the whole of the enemy's camp turned out at the report : but what muft their fur- prife be, when they obferved whence the fmcke iSTued ! The original intention of this opening, was to communicate air to the work- men, who before were almoft Suffocated with the fmoke which remained after blowing the different mines } but, on examining the aper- ture more clofely, an idea was conceived of mounting a gun to bear on all the enemy's July.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 327 batteries, excepting Fort Barbara : accordingly orders were given to enlarge the inner part for the recoil j and, when finiihed, a twenty-four pounder was mounted *. The 1 8th, a foldier of the 56th regiment, who had efcaped from the quarter-guard fome days before, and who, it is imagined, had endeavoured to defert, furrendered himfelf voluntarily to the main-guard. One of the 58th, and another of the 97th regiment, had got off in the former part of the month : the difcouragemer.t, however, which had of late attended thefe deluded wretches, we were in hopes would now deter others from attempt- ing to abandon their colours at this critical juncture. Our artillery, as the firing was very Jncon- iiderable, were now chiefly engaged in pre- paring (hells and carcaffes to be ufed againft the enemy's fhips. The engineers were alfo equally indefatigable in their department. On the part of the befiegers, multitudes of mules were conftantly employed in different duties in their camp, and large parties conti- nued to land military ftores and powder at the Orange-grove. The 25th, the St. Philip's * This work was profecuted with fuch fuccefs, that four, if not five guns were mounted in the gallery, before the fubfe- quent September : and in a little more than twelve month.5 from the day the engineers commenced, it was advanced to the projection of the rock, where the Governor purpofed to make a battery; which afterwards was effeclcd, and is now diftinguifhed by the name of St. George's Hall. As thi> wonderful work was not however finifhed during the author's icGdence in Gibraltar, he will not pretend to give the reader 'Aiiy further particulars concerning it. 3 i8 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, Caflle and Hector cutter arrived from the eaftward, and communicated the agreeable news of the entire defeat of the French fleet in the Weft-Indies, by Admiral Sir George Rodney, with the capture of the Ville de Paris, arid the French Admiral the Count de GrafTe. In confequence of this victory, a grand falute was fired at noon j and in the evening a feu-de-joie by the troops drawn up from the Grand-battery to the New-mole fort. Signor Leonetti, nephew to Pafcal Paoli, the celebrated Corfican general, with two officers, a chaplain, and fixty-eight volunteers, came as pafTengers in thefe veffels, to offer their fervices to the Governor. In the courfe of the fame day, our engineers began to fix a chevaux-de-frife from the foot of Land-port glacis, adjoining Waterport, to the doping palifades on the caufeway j and thence to be continued acrofs the inundation to the ad- vanced covert-way, leading to Lower Forbes's barrier. The enemy did not moleft the party on this duty ; which to us appeared very extraordinary. A boat arrived, on the 26th, with two packets from Faro, which mentioned, that the enemy's preparations for the attack would be complete by the middle of Au2;uft, and that all the boats along the coaft Si the vici- nity of Cadiz were already engaged to embark troops for the expedition. A private letter by this boat gave us fome general information of the immenfe preparations which were making, and fome idea of the conduction of July.] SIEGE Of GIBRALTAR. 329 the new-invented veflels, which had infpired the enemy with fuch confidence of fuccefs. It recited, " That ten fhips were to be forti- " fied fix or feven feet thick, on the larboard " fide, with green timber bolted with iron, " cork, junk, and raw hides ; which were to " carry guns of heavy metal, and be bomb- " proof on the top, with a defcent for the " fhells to flide off : that thefe vefTels, which " they fuppofed would be impregnable, were " to be moored within half gun-fhot of the " walls with iron chains ; and large boats (e with mantlets were to lie off at fome dif- " tance, full of troops, to aflift, and be ready " to take advantage of occurrences : that the " mantlets of thefe boats were to be formed " with hinges to fall down, to facilitate their " landing : that they were to have forty " thoufand men in camp, and the principal " attack was to be made by fea, to be covered " by a fquadron of men of war, with bomb- " ketches, floating-batteries, gun and mor- " tar-boats, &c. and that the Count d' Artois, " brother to the King of France, with other " great perfonages, was to be prefent at the " attack." Towards the conclufion of the month, our atention was engaged for feveral nights fuc- ceiTively by a great noife on the Ifthmus, like that of a large body of men at work : a few light balls were thrown in different parts, to difcover whence it proceeded, but we could never difcern any men, except their patroles : it was therefore imagined thefe parties were 330 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, employed within the lines. The 29th, the wooden buildings in the navy-yard, at the New mole, were taken down, and remov- ed to Rofla, where they were afterwards re-eftablifhed on an enlarged plan. As the communications along the line-wall, &c. to the Northward, were expected to be much expofed to the enemy's fire, when the fhips were brought before the walls, the Engineers, about this time, began a covert-way along the rampart, from Orange's baftion to the grand parade, and thence to be continued to South port: this was done by clearing away the rubbifh from the old houtes immediately under the works, and filling others up, which alfo ferved as traverfes againft the land-batteries. Another covert-way was likewife made, to communicate from the Prin^ cefs of Wales's lines with the South barracks. The 3 ift, upwards of a hundred covered wag- gons came to the enemy's line from the camp, fuppofed to be laden with ammunition and ftores for the batteries. Appearances became daily more important, in the month of AugufL The enemy's ar- tificers were remarkably diligent at Alge- ziras, and the cruifers became more attentive to the blockade. They were particularly fufpicious of every veffel which came in fight from the weft ; and the gun-boats were Rati- oned out as night-cruifers j which probably was the reafon why we had not been for fome time vifited by them. In their camp every perfon fee mod employed j and their Aug.] SIE,GE OF GIBRALTAR. 331 depots of fafcines and pickets were very cori- liderable, notwithstanding the quantities con- tinually removed to the lines. Nor were we lefs active in taking advantage of this inter- val: large and lofty traverfes were raifed along the line-wall; new communications were made at Willis's ; the flank of the Princefs Anne's battery was rebuilt, and heavy metal mounted, to bear over Water-port. The 4th, the Coriican Volunteers were formed into an independent corps, under Signer Leonelti, who was appointed Captain Commandant. The company confifted of a Captain, and Captain Lieutenant, firft and fecond Lieute- nants, one Adjutant, one Chaplain, four Ser- jeants, four Corporals, two Drummers, and iixty-eight privates. They were armed with a firelock and bayonet, each a horfe-piftol Hung on the left fide, and two cartridge- boxes. The Governor quartered them on Windmill-hill, and committed that poft to their charge. As the completing of the fubterranean communication from the King's to the Queen's lines appeared (from the difficulty at that time attending the reinforcing of the latter, in cafe of an alarm) to be an* object of great importance, the Governor, on the $tb, order- ed all the miners in the diffcrcntr egiments into the King's works, to profecnte it with greater diligence, and affift in the gallery above Farringdon's, which now extended a hundred and forty feet in the folid rock. The 332 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, fame day, the enemy removed the old mails out of feveral of the battering-fhips, fubfti- tuting jury-mafts in their places. Three hulls now appeared nearly finiihed. The evening of the 6th, the Governor thought proper to detach a truily ferjeant, with four men, from Land-port, to a recefs in the rock under the Queen's lines, near Lower Forbes's, with or- ders to advance a fentry to the barrier, who was to liften attentively to what was tranfad- ing upon the neutral ground ; but by no means to fire, except in his own defence. This party was to withdraw at the grey of the morning, that they might not be obferved by the enemy. The 7th, came in a deferter w T ho had been formerly in our fervice at Minorca. He fvvam from behind Fort Barbara, and landed at the Devil's tower- near which place he met a patrole of cavalry, but throwing himfelf on the ground, was not obferved. He faid the Duke was refolved to fire the 25th infhmt; and from the prodigious number of mortars mounted in the lines, reports were induftri- ouily propagated in the camp, that our ord- nance would foon be filenced by their fupe- rior fire, and the batteries beaten 1o powder. He further acquainted us, that there were thirty- four thoufand men incampj and but lit- tle intercourfe betwen the Spaniards and their Allies, who were principally new levies, and very little difciplined j concluding with ? % con- firmation of the laft intelligence, that the fol- diers in general fo difreliihed the bufinefs, Aug.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 333 that many daily deferted with their arms into the country. We continued to fire a few light balls at night, for fear the enemy fhould make any addition to their advanced works, which, from the immenfe quantity of mate- rials brought to the lines, we fufpecled would be commenced very foon ; and as it was ap- prehended their advances would be made to the eaftward, the guns at Willis's and the heights bearing towards that quarter, were loaded with grape, to be more effectual in the execution, in cafe they were difcovered. On the nth, the 72d regiment, which was quartered in the baitionsin town, independent of their quota towards the other duties of the garrifon, voluntarily offered to affift in making the new covered-way from the grand parade to Orange's baftion , and a hundred of them were immediately employed. The Governor however, as a compenfation for their zeal, ordered them to be paid as real- men, (that is, to receive two reals each per day j which is equal, at par, to about yd. fterling) with the addition to each man of a pint of grog. The enemy, on the 1 3th, got up the mafts and yards in feveral fhips, and bent the fails of two : but from the appearance of the whole, we did not think they could be fininV ed by the 25th. Some few days before, they lined the upper port-holes of the two-deckers with tin to protect, as we imagined, the cheeks of the ports from being burnt by the conftant firing of the cannon. In the even- 334 HISTORY OF THE LATE [i?-g2, ing, the 971)1 regiment furnifhed, for the firft time, a working-party of a hundred and twenty men, to remove fhip-tirnbers from the New mole, to Montague's baftion, where the engineers intended to erecl a cavalier for two guns. About this time, a fpecies of influenza made its appearance on board the frigates in the Mole, and foon communicated with the garrifon. Its general fymptoms were fudden pains, accompanied with a dizzinefs in the head ; though others were affected in a diffe- rent manner. For feveral days near a hun- dred men were daily taken to the hofpital ; but bleeding, and a night's reft, ufually re- moved it. It was attributed, at that time, to the extraordinary heat of the atmofphere, which was unufually warm, owing to the pro- digious fires made by the Spaniards on the neighbouring hills, and the ftasjnant ftate of the air : but we have ilnce learned that it was univerfal over Europe ; and we had reafon, at that time, to think the enemy were notlefs affeded by it. A general officer, fuppofed to be the Duke, viflted, on the i$th, the advanced works j which, we afterwards fuppofed, was to re- connoitre the ground, previous to entering upon the fucceedmg additions which were made to the parallel 5 for the fubfequent morning at day-break, to our great aftonifh- ment, we difcovered that they had raifed, during the preceding night, a very ftrong and iofty epanlement, in extent about five him- Aug.] SIEGE OF GIBR ALTAR. 335 dred yards, connecting the parallel to the eaf- tern breach, with a communication near a thoufand three hundred yards long, extending from the principal barrier of the lines to the eaft end of the epaulement. Their works now embraced each fhore of the ifthmus, and fully completed the firft parallel. The com- munication, or boyau, (as it was diftinguifhed by our engineers) confifted of cafks filled with fand, which was alfo thrown up in front, having traverfes at equal diftances in the rear, made of cafks and fafcines : but the epaule- ment appeared to be raifed entirely with fand- bags, from ten to twelve feet high, with a thicknefs proportionable ; and all together was a moft ilupendous work. Its purpofe however was not immediately pointed out. To ered thefe new additions in fo fhort a time, we computed, at a moderate calcula- tion, muft have employed ten thoufand men; which was afterwards confirmed to us by their officers: and for fo numerous a party to be at work within eight hundred yards of the gar- rifon, and not be difcovered, muft appear to a perfon not prefent almoft incredible. We threw a few light balls whilft they were at w r ork, one of which, we afterwards learned, greatly alarmed them ; but, finding they were not difcovered, they refumed their occupa- tion, and withdrew in the morning unob- ferved. The Spanifh gazette defcribed this parallel as of two hundred and thirty toifes* * A toife is equal to our fathom, or fix feet. 336 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, in length ; and added, that a million fix hun- dred thouf and fand-bags were ufed in raifing it. Tne communication it mentioned to have been in length fix hundred and thirty toifes, and formed of fafcines and cafks. The Governor at night did not order an increafe of firing on the new works : a few rounds were difcharged, with feveral carcafTes and light balls j but the latter were almoft immediately extinguifhed. The night of the lyth, the enemy brought a great number of cafks, pickets, and faf- cines, to the rear of the eaftern communica- tion, which was raifed forne little near the barrier. They alfo ereded three epaulements with fhoulders, of fand-bags, for mortar-bat- teries, in the parallel. Two were to the weftward, and the third to the eaftward of the Mahon battery. The morning of the i8th, we obfervedone of the battering-fhips at anchor off Barcelo's battery. About noon, the men of war at Al- geziras were decorated with flags, as was cuf- tomary on the celebration of a feftival and, what did notefcape ourobfervation, the Eng- lifh enfign was at the main-top-gallant mafU head of the Admiral's fhip, with the Spanifh enfign flying triumphantly over it. Soon af- ter, feven barges with crimfon awnings rowed from Algeziras to the Orange-grove, where they received on board fome great perfonages, and returned to Algeziras, efcorted by fifteen gun-boats, which repeatedly fired falutes, as did the men of war: on their return Aug.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 337 the Shipping, the battering-fhips hoifted their enfigns, and falutes were again fired by the men of war. The barges then proceeded to the batter irig-ihip which was anchored apart from the reft, where they remained fome timej and on the company's quitting the (hip, fhe fired a falute of eight guns, and the boats went along-fide the Admiral. About three, the battering-fhip got under way, and failed to the northward, paft the flag-fhip : fhe en- deavoured to fail back, but in vain, and was obliged to be towed to her ftation by ten gun- boats. At fix o'clock, three barges only re- turned from the Span ifh Admiral to the Orange- grove, and were faluted and reconducled with the fame ceremony as before. We now ima- gined that the Count d'Artois was arrived, and thefe compliments were paid in confequence of his dining on board the Spanifh Admiral. Our firing at night was very brifk. The fuc- ceeding morning we perceived that the enemy had confiruded nine traverfes adjoining the eaftern part of the epaulement, and had raifed the boyau with fafcines. The epaulement for another mortar-battery was likewife erec- ted in the parallel oppofite the centre re- doubt. At night the enemy were heard hard at work : our firing was confequently in- creafed by the addition of the lower batteries; the enemy did not return a Ihot. On the i Qth, a fmall magazine blew up in the enemy's camp, near Buena-Vifta, which fet a hut on fire. About noon, a flag of truce came from the Duke : the officer appeared to Z 338 BIS rRY OF THE LATE [1782, be a perfon of rank, as the boat had a crim- fon awning, and the rowers were in uniforms. After paffing and repairing feveral times, our boat returned with a prefent from the Duke to the Governor, of ice, fruit, vegetables, &c. The officers informed us that the falutes fired the preceding day were in compliment to the Count d'Artois, &c. The following was handed about as a genuine tranflation of the Duke's letter on this occafion ; therefore, without vouching for its authenticity, it is here inferted to gratify the curiolity of the reader. Camp of Eusn a-Pifta, iqthof Auguft, 1782, SIR, < HIS Royal Highnefs Count d'Artois, who * has received permilTion from the King his * brother to aflift at the fiege, as a volunteer * in the Combined Army, of which their * Moft Chriftian and Catholic Majefties have c honoured me with the command, arrived in ' this camp the 1 5th inftant. This young ' Prince has been pleafed, in palling through * Madrid, to take charge of fome letters : which had been fent to that capital from * this place, and which are addrelTed to per- ; fons belonging to your garrifon : his Royal c Highnefs has defired that I would tranfmit c them to you, and that to this mark of his : goodnefs and attention I (hould add the itrbngeft expreliions.of efteem.for your "per- Aug.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 339 c fon and charatei\ I feel the greateft plea- * lure in giving this mark of condefcenfion in c this auguft Prince, as it furnifhes me with a ( pretext, which I have been anxioufly looking ( for thefe two months that I have been in ( camp, to affure you of the higheft efteem I 1 have conceived for your Excellency, of the c fmcereft defire I feel of deferving yours, and c of the pleafure to which I look forward of * becoming your friend, after I (hall have * learned to render myfelf worthy of the ho- * nour, by facing you as an enemy. His 4 Highnefs the Duke de Bourbon, who arri- * ved here twenty-four hours after the Count ' d'Artois, defires alfothat I fhould afTure you * of his particular efteem. ' Permit me, Sir, to offer a few trifles for * your table, of which I am fure you muft c ftand in need, as I know you live entirely * upon vegetables : I fhould be glad to know ( what kind you like beft, 1 fhall add a few c game for the Gentlemen of your houfehold, 6 and fome ice, which I prefume will not be c difagreeable in the exceffive heat of this 6 climate at this feafon of the year. I hope 4 yon will be obliging enough to accept the ? fmall portion which I fend with this letter, j ( I have the honour to be, &c. * B< B. Due i)E CRILLOS.' His Excellency 346 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, The barge which brought the letter and pre- fent, ranged at a (hort distance along the town, from off the Old-mole head toRagged- ftaff, where fhe was flopped by our flag ; but being thought rather too near, as they might thence make what obfervations they chofe on our batteries, a {hot was fired over her from the Repulfe prame i upon which fhe rowed further out in the bay, and waited at a conii- derable diftance for the return of our flag. The night of the i9th, the enemy raifed the femicircular parapet of thtp/ace farmer join- ing the eaft flank of the St. Carlos's battery, with fand-bags eight or nine feet high, ap- parently for a battery : they alfo made fome confiderable additions to the eaftern works. The day following, a flag of truce went from the garrifon with an anfwer to the Duke's polite letter of the preceding day : the Go- vernor's letter was reported to be to the fol- lowing purpofe. ( Gibraltar, Augufl the 2Oth, 1782. 4 SIR, * I find myfelf highly honoured by your obliging letter of yefterday, in which your Excellency was fo kind as to inform rne of the arrival in your camp of his Royal High- nefs the Count of d'Artois, and the Duke de Bourbofl* to ferve as volunteers at the fiege. Thete Princes have fhewn their judgment in making choice of a mafter in Aug.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 341 c the art of war, whofe abilities cannot fail * to form great warriors. I am overpowered c with the condefcenfion of His Royal High- f nefsj in fuffering fome letters for perfons in * this town to be conveyed from Madrid in his e carriages, 1 flatter myfelf that your Excel- ' lency will give my moft profound refpecl to c His Royal Highnefs, and to the Duke de ( Bourbon, for the expreffions of efteem with "' which they have been pleafed to honour fo c infignificant a perfon as 1 am. * 1 return a thoufand thanks to your Excel- * lency for your handfome prefent of fruits, * vegetables, and game. You will excufe me * however, I truft, when I allure you, that in * accepting your prefent I have broken s through a refolution to which I had faithful- ' ly adhered fince the beginning of the war 5 * and that was, never to receive or procure, * by any means whatever, any provifions or f other commodity for my own private ufe: * fo that, without any preference, every * thing is fold publickly here j and the private * foldier, if he has money, can become a e purchafer, as well as the Governor. I con- c fefs, I make it a point of honour to partake ' both of plenty andfcarcity in common with the loweft of my brave fellow foldiers. This * furnifhes me with an excufe for the liberty I * now take, of entreating your Excellency 6 not to heap any more favours on me of this e kind, as in future I cannot convert your pre- c fents to my own private ufe. Indeed, to be * plain with your Excellency, though vege- 342 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, tables at this feafon are fcarce with us, eve- ry man has got a quantity proportioned to- the labour which he has beftowed in raifmg them. The Englifh are naturally fond of gardening and cultivation j and here we find our amufement in it, during the inter- vals of reft from public duty. 'The promife which the Duke de Crillon makes,, of ho- nouring me in proper time and place with his friendship, lays me under infinite obliga- tions. The intereft of our Sovereigns being once folidly fettled, I fhall with eagernefs embrace the firft opportunity to avail myfelf of fo precious a treafure. *, I have the honour to be, &c. 1 G. A. ELIOTT.' ' Hit Exce'leney the Duke de Cri'.hn, feV. Our Artillery, on the nightof the 2Oth, fired with great vivacity from the upper and lower batteries, in all di reel ions for the objects now were fo divided, the parallel being upwards of half a mile in extent, that we could not always be certain where they were employed. In the morning we found they had railed the boyau, and made fome alterations in the Weftern works. The enemy's operations were not now carried on in the fame flow manner as formerly : the Duke feemed de- termined to aft with vigour, and aftonifh us by the rapidity with which he raifed bis bat- Aug.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 343 teries. His army was numerous, and his or- ders (if we may credit report) with refped to materials, unlimited. Every exertion was therefore ufed tx> complete them with expedi- tion. Whilft our opponents were fo active, we were not on our parts indolent, or in-' attentive to the defence of the garrifon. The late additions of the enemy made confi- derable alterations necefTary in the works at Willis's, &c. Our parties were therefore augmented, and employed in ftrengthening the communications, repairing the fplinter- proofs, and on other important duties of the fame nature. Green's lodge and the Royal battery were ordered to be caiffoned with fhip-timber: the intrenched covert-way from the Princefs of Wales's lines was continued, and doping palifades placed under thofe parts of the line-wall, from the Eight-gun baftion to the new mole, which were not well flanked from above. A boom of mafts was likewife laid from the former to the head of the wa- tering-tank, and anchors funk in the (hallow water between that baftion and Ragged-ftaff. The afternoon of the 21 ft, a carcafs from Willis's fet fire to fome loofe fafcines in the rear of the Eaftern boyau, which foon com- municated to the work itfelf ; and the line for a confiderable extent was involved in the flames. On the appearance of the fmoke our lower batteries immediately opened, and a rooft animated cannonade was directed from the garrifon. A pafty of the enemy endea- voured to extinguifh the firej but finding 344 HISTORY OF THE L AT E [1782, their efforts to flop its progrefs in vain, they gallantly pulled down the line on each fide, to prevent the flames from fpreading; which they at length effected, but not without con- flderable lofs from our artillery. For fome time we imagined the enemy would remain ftlent fpedtators of the conflagration -, but an Officer arriving at the lines about fix o'clock, their batteries inftantly returned the fire, fe- conded foon after by the new thirteen-gun battery near the Tower : the latter, however, after four or five difcharges, was filenced by the Old-mole-head howitzers. Our fire was fo briik, and fo well ferved, that it exceeded theirs by four to one. About half paft feven the flames burnt out : and our additional ord- nance, as well as the enemy's battery, ceaf- ed. In this fhort firing they returned feven hundred and forty-three fhot > and thirty-eight fhells; and we expended in the twenty-four hours, including what were difcharged on this occafion, ninety barrels of powder. We had three men (lightly wounded. In the prior part of the day, thirteen feluccas arrived in the Bay from the eaft : fome ima- gined they were intended for additional gun- boats j others, for debarking troops. The 22d, the enemy had repaired the damage done by the fire the preceding day j but in the afternoon a firnilar nccident had nearly happened : a carcafs was thrown into the St. Martin's battery, and took efFed : but the guard exerted themfelves with fuch ac- tivity and bravery, that it was foon extinguish- Aug.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 345 ed, although our lower batteries were again opened to fupport it. The enemy were on this day totally filent. The fucceeding night, they drefTed and raifed the new commmuni- cation, and made forne additions to the eaft- ern part of the parallel : they were alfo at work in their new mortar-batteries ; and great quantities of materials were brought down to the lines, and into the advanced works. The 24th, the inhabitants in Hardy-town began early to remove their bedding, &c. towards Europa : they were confident, from the information of the laft deferters, that the enemy would again open their batteries the fucceeding day, being the anniverfary of St. Louis ; and no perfuafions could banifli their apprehenfions. They were however convinced, the following day, that the Duke was not prepared, whatever his intentions might have been fome weeks before. The enemy being heard at work, on the night of the 24th, drew a warm fire from our batteries. In the morning we found they had raifed additional traverfes to the fand-bag epaulement, which now prefented a formidable battery of SIXTY- FOUR embra- fures, divided into four batteries of fourteen embrafures each, and one of eight ; leaving a fpace at the eaftern extremity, as we con- cluded, for mortars. The original epaule- ment remained entire, the additional merlons joining at proper intervals the front work, which ferved to mafk the embrafures till the batteries were finifhed. Several embrafures of the eight-gun battery they had already 34 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, lined with fafcines. Some additions were alfo made to the St. Carlos's battery, the pa- rapet of which was lengthened towards the weft. The following night, the enemy, not- withftanding a warm fire from the garrifon, ere&ed three large magazines, and began a fourth, in the rear of the fixty-four-gun bat- tery: they likewife lined many of the em- brafures with fafcines, and raifed a fand-bag traverfe to cover the communication from the weft flank of the fixty-four-gun battery to the parallel. The 26th, the Qpeen Charlotte, Leonora, and Charles ordnance-fhips, with the St. Philip's Caftle, were ordered into the Mole to be run afhore till the attack was decided. The feamen belonging to the frigates were em- ployed alfo, about this time, in carrying fails and yards to erecl: tents for a camp at ]5uro^ pa, where they were to be ftationed when the Governor would think proper to order them on fhore. In the evening about tea o'clock came in a defertcr, an Irishman who formerly had been in our fervice : he fwam from the beach beyond Fort St. Philip, and attempted to land at Bay-fide, but was fired upon by their advanced fentries. He inform- us, it was reported that the Duke had intend- ed firing an the 25th, but was prevented from finiihing his batteries fo foon as he expect- ed, by the heavy fire from the garrifon ; that in their endeavours to extinguish the flames on the preceding 21 ft, the party had fuftained very confiderable lofs .:. a colonel and feven- Aug.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 347 teen men of the regiment to which he be- longed were killed. He corroborated the intelligence, by the lad deferter-, concerning the number of men in camp, and refpeding the prevalence of defertion. We did not difcover any material additions the morning of the 2yth : a fifth magazine was ereded; alfo feveral traverfes in the rear of the parallel. Another of the batter- ing-fhips anchored the fame day off Barcelo's battery, apart from the reft : as fhe fwung round with the tide, we had an opportunity of viewing with glafTes the ftarboard-fide, which we perceived was not finished like the oppofite; the bomb-proof only extending about three parts over, leaving confiderable openings between the ftrong uprights which fupported it from the deck, for the conveni- ent reception of men, proviilons, and am- munition. We obferved, the fame day, a great number of boats ranged along the Ihore at Algeziras. In the afternoon, the Repulfe prame came into the New mole; and the fucceeding morning the Fortune and Van- guard were likewife withdrawn from the bay. At night the enemy ereded a number of traverfes in rear of their parallel and battery, and finished fome interior work, as they had done the preceding night, though we kept up our ufual fire. The enemy's fquadron was reinforced on the 23th with fix Spanifh line-of-battle fhips and a xebeque, under a commodore from the weft. In the courfe of the day, two twen- 348 HISTORY OF THE LATi. [1782, ty-four-pounders were taken up the hill to the gallery above Farringdon's, for the em- brafures already opened ; and four hundred additional workmen were ordered into the works. Upwards of fix hundred men were at this time daily employed at Willis's, cover- ing and ftrengthening the flanks ; likewife in forming new communications, with fpl inter- proofs, traverfcs^ &c. as the new battery en- jildded mod of the old covered ways, and rendered a thorough change neceiTary in thofe works, before the artillery could be properly covered. The communications in town and at the fouth were therefore difcontinued, till the above were put in the bed Hate of de- fence and fecurity. At dufk, three ferjeants were ported upon the NORTH, KING'S and SOUTH baftions, to obferve and report the enemy's fignals in camp, and along the coafL At night a deferter from the Walons came over in the fame manner as the laft. He re- ported, that a very ftrong party was ordered for work that evening; which induced the Governor to increafe the firing from Wil- lis's, the lines, and lower-batteries. He fur- ther acquainted us, that we killed numbers of their workmen - t and that the i 5th of next month was fixed for opening upon the garri- fon j but that all, even the volunters, were difheartened at the very thoughts of the at- tack. Ninety pieces of cannon, he likewife faid, were brought into the fixty-four-gun battery which number was to be increafed, to fupply the place of thofe which might be Aug.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 349 damaged, or over-heated. The night of the 28th, the enemy raifed more traverfes, and began communications to tneir magazines: a hundred and fifty -three of the former were ereded behind the long boyau. They alfo worked upon the mortar-batteries. It was about this period, that the Spanifh twenty-fix-pounders, with other guns of the fame heavy nature, were diftributed on the fea-line in room of ordnance of fmaller cali- bre, which were mounted in their places againft the enemy's batteries. By this difpofi- tion, the Duke would not have it in his power- to return any of the fhot we fired, as his can- non were all twenty-fix-pounders ; and the governor was enabled to retaliate on their (hipping, thofe fhot which he had received from the land j annying them by this means with their own weapons. Towards the con- clufion of the month, the influenza had almofl difappeared : the working-parties were there- fore reinforced, though the heavy duty of the guards would with difficulty permit it : on the 29th, the engineers paraded upwards of feventeen hundred workmen, including non- commiflioned officers. The enemy, on the night of the 29th, raifed merlons for four em- brafures, joining the femi-circular fand-bag epaulement, eaft of St. Carlos's battery. Six battering-fhips were at anchor off Barcelo's battery on the 3oth. The fame day, our feamen were ordered on fhore, to encamp at Europa. At night, the artillery, in addition to their former fire, opened the Grand bat- 350 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, tery : it did not however prevent the enemy from platforming the (ixty-four-gun battery, and making further additions to the mortar- batteries. They alfo lined with fafcines the embrafures of the femi-circular four-gun bat- tery. Many hundred mules were ftill em- ployed in bringing clay and fafcines to the parallel. Our fire was very deftruclive amongft thefe animals, as well as their work- men ; two, three, and fometimes more of the former, being frequently feen dead on the fands at day-break. Our engineers, by the clofe of the month, had extended Landport chevaux-de-frife to the caufeway, and begun the other acrofs the Inundation. Carpenters were alfo engaged in caifToning the Royal and Green's-lodge batte- ries, and raiting new traverfes at thofe polls. The enemy's fquadron in the bay at this pe- riod was as follows: four line-of-battle fhips, and one of fifty guns, (on board of which was the flag) two frigates, three cutters, four bomb-ketches, and fmaller armed vefTels, were at Algeziras : two ftiips of the line were at anchor off the Orange-grove ^ and a fri- gate, with an armed brig, was at Cabrita. To thefe we may add the batter ing-fhips and gun-boats. Since two of the men of war had removed nearer the enemy's camp, boats full of foldiers were frequently obferved go- ing on board them ; and as the guns were feen to be drawn back from the ports, and fuddenly run out again, whilft the troops were on board, we fufpecled that they were Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 351 pradtifing to work the guns, previous to their embarking on board the battering-fhips. Affairs feemed now drawing to a crifis : and, as every appearance indicated that the attack would not long bs deferred, the inhabi- tants, apprehenfive of the confequences, Were wonderfully a&ive in fecuring them- felves and their property. The befiegers wrought hard the night of the 31$: two crofs-communications, lined with fafcines, were thrown up from the long boyau, leading to the parallel ; one to the weftern flank of the fixty-four-gun battery, the other to the weftward of the Mahon battery. Five tra- verfes were alfo ereded within each of the new mortar-batteries, and magazines for am- munition began near them, joining the pa- rallel. We imagined they were likewife em- ployed in bringing down ordnance to the ad- vanced works. Our artillery amufed them with a brifk fire ; but the Governor rather objected to fuch a quantity being at this time expended, as he was of opinion they were now too well covered in their batteries to be much annoyed , and we might afterwards have more occafion for the ammunition. The evening of the ift of September, a fmall boat, manned with Englifti failors, failed for Portugal. Lieut. Campbell, of the navy, failed in her with difpatches from the Gover- nor for England. At night, the enemy ered- ed an epaulement of fand-bags, apparently for two guns, adjoining the weft flank of the Mahon batter)* - t and raifed, feveral 352 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, in height, the new communications, Some additions were likewife made to the maga- zines. Long firings of mules fli 11 continued bringing down fafcines and other materials, which were depofhed in different parts of their works. We imagined thefe animals alfo brought down fhot and {hells, as their piles in the artillery-park were confiderably diminished. In the garrifon, our engineers were indefatigable in raifing defences againft thefe formidable batteries ; and coals were diftributed to the grates and furnaces for heat- ing (hot. We perceived very little alteration in the operations of our opponents on the ^d : they lined the embrafures of the new two-gun battery, and added to the crofs-communica- tions. In the courfe of the day, their fqua- dron was reinforced with two French men of war from the eaftward j which were con- ducted into the bay by a Spanifh frigate. The 4th, the enemy removed the guns from the t\vo fourteen-gun batteries in the lines, and difmounted moft of the ordnance in the mortar-batteries ; probably to repair the beds and platforms. The removing of the cannon from the former gave us no fmall pleafure, as we had experienced more fatal effects, during their late wanton bombardment and canno- nade from thofe batteries, than from any other in their lines. The guns, we fuppofed, were brought forward to the parallel , for we ob- ferved ten in the eaftern extremity of the (Ixtv-four-eun batterv. In the forenoon, fix- Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 3S3 teen boats, with mantlets or barricades in the bow, came from the river Palmones, and an- chored off the landing-place beyond Point Mala : thefe, \ve concluded, were for the fea- attack. About fun-fet, thofe battering-fhips, which were finifhed, removed from Algcziras to the Orange-grove : they failed rather hea- vily, and ufed fweeps, notwithftanding the breeze. About the fame time, two grand fa-' lutes were fired by the French men of war. During the night of the 4th, the enemy's parties mafked the fix weflern embrafures of the St. Martin's battery, and raifed the para- pet with fafcines, intending, as we imagined, to convert it into a mortar-battery, as fix mortars were feen, the preceding day, lying in the rear. The howitzers were alfo remov- ed from the Centre-redoubt, and fomc addi- tions made to the epaulement, in front of the St. Pafchal's battery, which was now com- pleted for eight mortars. They likewife funk four deep excavations behind the eaftern boyau, as refervoirs for water, in cafe of fire. At night, another battering-fhip joined the others at the Orange-grove : fdon afterwards, the enemy fhipped powder on board them from the pier. Early on the $th$ a large body of men marched in a very irregular manner from Algeziras to the camp. We imagined they were the artificers who had been employed upon the {hips, and xvere en- camped fouth of the tower - half of which camp was now firuck. During the day, twenty-nine fquare-failed boats arrive-(un- A a 354 HISTORY OF THE LATE Li 7 2> der convoy of an armed brig from the weft) and, with upwards of a hundred and twenty from Algeziras, affembled in a line off Roca- dillo Point, at the mouth of Guadaranque. A large floating battery was alfo towed out, and anchored at the entrance of the Pal- mones. Towards evening, about five hun- dred men, efcorted by a body of cavalry, embarked from the. pier, on board the batter- ing-fhips: the fingular mode of conducing them to the beach could not fail to attracl our notice, and to caufe in us fome degree of furprife. About eight in the evening, a de- ferter came in from the regiment of Naples : he reported that the 8th was named for the grand attack, and that all hands were aclively employed in completing every thing in the feveral departments. Few additions were perceived on the 6th : fome fand-bags were placed on the mortar- battery of the St. Martin's. In the forenoon, more boats joined the others at Rocadillo, from the welt : the floating-battery was like- wife towed to the pier near Point Mala. The Governor, the fame day, made fome new arrangements in the garrifon detail. Aa additional field-officer was ordered to mount in the lines, to be independent of the field- officer in town ; and the field-officers of the day, in future, were directed to make fuch difpofition of the guards, picquets, and ord- nance in their feveral diftrich, on every oc- cafion, as appeared to be moft for the benefit of the fervice. A fubaltern was added to the Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 355 New- mole guard, who was at ni^ht to be de- tached with twenty men to the Mole-head ; and the picquets in future were ordered to mount fully accoutred, with ammunition complete. The 39th regiment was alfo or- dered to town : the battalion companies to encamp' in Southport ditch, and the grenadiers and light infantry to be quartered in the pic- quet-yard bomb-proofs, before occupied by part of the 7 ad regiment, who on this difpo- fition joined the reft of their regiment in Montague's and King's baftions. The enemy's works on the land^-fide were now every hour advancing to perfection ; but the Duke's attention towards completing them feemed fo entirely to engage him, as in a great meafure to prevent his taking the prudent precautions necefTary for their defence. The advanced batteries in the parallel Were either unfinished (though nearly completed) or un- dergoing fuch alterations, that the materials in their vicinity greatly obftrticled the ufe of the ordnance which were mounted ; and their batteries in the lines (except the forts) were in a fimilar fituation ; the cannon, to permit the neceffary repairs, being totally removed from fome, and the mortars drawn back or difmounted in others. The forts, and fome few mortar-batteries, were therefore the only defences left to protect thefe immenfe works from infult and attack. This ftate of theft works prefented an opportunity, in fome re- fpecls not unlike that which General Elictt had embraced in the preceding year, when by A a 2 ;JL> II [ S I O R Y O F T It L A I L LS ;8v, an unexpected fally he glorioufly deftroyed the labours of fo many months. The honour, however, of caufing a fecond dif^race, was referved for Lieutenant General Boyd, the Lieutenant Governor, who, in the forenoon of the 6th, recommended, by letter to the Governor, the immediate ufe of red-hot fhot againft the land-batteries of the beiiegers. General Eliott acquiefced in the propofal, and immediately ordered Major Lewis, the com- mandant of the artillery, to wait on Lieute- nant General Boyd for his inftruclions and commands, fubmitting entirely to him the ex- ecution of the attack which he had projected. In confequence of the Governor's ailent, pre- parations were inftantly made ; and in a fhort time every thing was properly arranged for the fervice. In the interval, we rnuft not however omit to take notice of the enemy's operations. Early the morning of the 7th, feveral gun- boats were difcovered ofi the Old-mole head, retiring; from the garrifon ; which we ima- gined had been founding under cover of the night. The garrifon-orders of this day con- tained the following arrangements : c The marine brigade (which compofed a corps of about nine hundred men) to take rank on fhore according to the King's regulations ; Captain Curtis as colonel with the rank of brigadier, Captain Gibfon as lieutenant- colonel, Captain Bradfhaw as major, eight ; lieutenants as captains, eighteen midfhip- Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 357 * men as enflgns j and the brigade to mount * Europa- advance, and Little-bay guards. e A picquet of the line to be detached every ' evening to the Prince's-lines, and an addi- * tional fubaltern at the fame time to Land- c port. One captain and eight privates to be * added to Waterport-guard, whence a de- * tachrnent of a fubaltern and thirty men was * to be ferit, at fun-fet, to the Old-mole head ; * which at fecond gun-fire was to be joined 6 by one of the captains. Twelve privates * to the main-guard. One ferjeant, nine ' privates, and a gunner, to Ragged-ftafT ; detaching a ferjeant and fix men, with the * gunner, at retreat-beating, to the Wharf- 4 head.' The alarm-ports were alfo fixed as follows : ( The 39th flank companies, to ' take poft on the North-baflion town : three ' battalion companies of the fame regiment, * the South-baftion the remaining five, at ' Ragged-ftaff j extending towards the eis;ht- ' gunbaftion. The y2d regiment : right, the ( North-baftion town ; left, Orange's-baftion, ' extending as far further towards the King's- 4 baftion as poffible. The 7jd regiment, ' (which was quartered at the fouthward) to ' take poft on the left of the 72d, towards 6 the South-baftion. Captain Martin's com- ' pany of artillery, the Grand-battery and ' Waterport. Captain Lloyd's company, ' the King's and South baftions. BRI- f GADIER GENERAL 1 PlCTON to Com- ( mand the corps in town. The Hano- 3 5 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, e verian brigade, from the eight-gun baftion ( fouth, to Prince Edward's battery inclu- 6 five, under the command of Lieut. Colonel ' Dachenhaufen. The $6th regiment, South e parade. The I2th regiment, New-mole * parade. The 97th regiment, Rofia parade. * The 58th regiment, in front of their en- c campment, detaching a flank company 4 through the hole irv the wall upon Wind- ( mill hill, to reinforce Jsuropa-advance ' guard/ (This regiment was to receive or- ders from Brigadier Curtis.) ( The engi- f neers and artificers in two divifions, one to ' affemble at the Efplanade town, the other 6 at the Efplanade fouth.' It was recom- mended at the fame time to the commanding officers, to have a fufficient refer ve in cafe of deficiencies, and to pay particular atten- tion to the flanks and redans which com- manded the front of the Line-wall. As the above exhibits the Governor's dif- pofition of the troops, it will not improper to infert in this place a detail of the guards which mounted in the garrifon at this period, with the ftrength of the garrifon, and men daily on duty. The ftrength of the garrifon, with the marine brigade, (including the of- ficers) in September, was about feven thou- fand five hundred men j upwards of four hundred of whom were in the hofpital. The number daily upon duty is ihpwn in the fol- lowing abftrafi. Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 359 Guards *o9i Men, including Offic. Picquets, (including the addi-1 6 ditU) tions of the izth) j Working-parties, under the ) f exclufive of the Ln Chief Engineer and the > 1726^ gineers and Over- Quarter-mafter Genera!, 3 C fcers. Total 3430 befides many who were conftantly employed as orderlies and afliftants in the hofpital, and in other departments in the garrifon. 360 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, >, f 1 II 0d 2Z SaittAUJ r O O O VO e* w O O -OOOOON-O S33BAJJJ o^ccnoo^vo co O.ON*^O^VOO> :j3tumtUQ OOOO-N- N N-OOOOOOO Sjr.iod.103 0~~OON^VO rhrt-NNNO o - - o o >o- * N--O-~ OOON-rj-i- --OOOOOOO OOO-O-O N -OOOOOOOO OOOOOO O COOCOOOOG to EO i ,. C ^ ir -|*i , ? vl 8 - {- O "^^ ;* rt rt 1C Q o M v ^ ? y * o ^ !J.\f i-2 f* ^^^111 ^ 6.SPJ1-I 3 J o^JHs.&.'S > SwU^w<^w> Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 361 s. CL, rH o 2>Z O O o * r- ' ^ OCO-*--cr>OOOOOOOOO 2 o o O 0--OOOONOOOOOOOO CO 00 N Q n O O x/"\ w* r*^ O N O CO O O O^i'O O^N vr^^vo O>OO co cs W) n-) m ?< r- o o o> ***> OVO -4-cl ^ o o VO" - oooooooooooooo 0^ o o - O O -ooooooooooooooo * Patroles, Orderlies M I I S H T =3 i l.ii'fM^-3 IB "rli^HfiiiPii 36* HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, In the evening of the ^th, a little before midnight, two large lights appeared on the fhore weft of the Orange-grove, forming a right line with our grand-battery j and at the fame time, two fimilar fires were feen behind Fort St. Philip j whence, if a line was pro- duced, it would to appearance have interfecl:- ed the former, about eight or nine hundred yards to the north-weft of the Old-mole head. Thefe unufual fignals made many conjecture that the enemy were founding in that quar- ter. A few rounds were accordingly fired at intervals in that diredion from the N6rth baftion. By the morning of the 8th, the prepara- tions, in the department of the artillery, under General Boyd's directions, were completed j and the fuccefs of the attack in a great mea- fure depending upon embracing the favoura- ble moment, it was no longer deferred. At feven o'clock^ the town guards being reliev- ed, the firing commenced from all the north- ern batteries which bore up the weftern part of the parallel, and was fupported through the day with admirable vivacity. The efTed of the red-hot fhot and carcaffes exceeded our moft fanguine expectations. In a few hours, the Mahon battery of fix guns, with the bat- tery of two guns on its flank, and great part of the adjoining parallel, were on fire ; and the flames, notwithftanding the enemy's ex- ertions to extinguifh them, burnt fo rapidly, that the whole of thofe works before night were confumed. The St." Carlos's and St Sept.] SIEGE OF GIB R A LT A R. 363 Martin's batteries however on this occafion efcaped the fate which they had formerly ex- perienced. They were neverthelefs fo much deranged by the breaches made to obftruct the effects of the carcaffes, &c. that the enemy were under the neceflity of taking down the greater part. The enemy, for near an hour, continued filent fpectators of our cannonade. About eight, they fired a few guns from the St. Mar- tin's batteries ; and between nine and ten, returned our fire from Forts St. Philip and Barbara, with the feven-gun battery in the lines, and foon after from eight new mortar- batteries in the parallel. This tardinefs in returning our fire, in fome degree we attri- buted to the works being confufed with ma- terials, and fome of the batteries being de- ficient in ammunition. It might however be owing to want of difcretionary orders, as an Officer of rank was obferved to enter the lines about the time when their cannonade became general : a reinforcement alfo march- ed down from the camp. The aftonifhing bravery difplayed by the enemy in their repeated attempts to extin- guifh the flames, could not fail to attract our particular notice. Urged on moft probably by emulation, they performed prodigies of valour ; fo that their lofs, under fo well-di- rected a fire, muft have been very confidera- ble. The French Brigade, we afterwards underftood, had a hundred and forty killed and wounded. If the Spanifh cafuals bore }$j HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, n equal proportion, their united lofs muft have greatly exceeded our calculation. About four o'clock in the afternoon, the cannonade abated on both fides, and the enemy foon after were totally iilent, though we continued our ufual fire. The garrifon had two or three killed, and feveral wound- ed. Lieut. Boag, of the artillery, and enfign Gordon, of the c8th regiment, were of the latter number. The former officer had been wounded before : on this occafion he was pointing a gun from Hanover battery in the lines, when a (hell fell in the battery. He had fcarcely time to throw himfelf down in an embrafure, when the (hell burft, and fired the gun under the muzzle of which he lay. The report immediately deprived him of hear- ing, and it was fome time before he recover- ed a tolerable ufe of that faculty. Major Martin, of the fame corps, had likewife a very fortunate efcape from a twenty-fix-pounder, which fhot away the cock of his hat clofe to the crown. I infert this anecdote, becaufe it is commonly believed, that if a cannon-ball of this diameter pafles fo near the head of a perfon, it is generally fatal. The Major was considerably ftunned with the wind of the fhot, but experienced little further injury. In the forenoon of the 3- h, two more fhips of the line removed to the Orange-grove, follow- ed fome time afterwards by twenty-two gun and mortar-boats ; and in the evening, one of the French men of war joined them from Al- geziras. In the courfe of the day s a number Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 365 of troops were embarked on board fuch of the battering-fhips as were finifhed j and at night, our artillery replaced the ammunition in the expence-magazines, which had been ufed to fuch good purpofe in the morning. This unexpected infult, undoubtedly, pre- cipitated the Duke's meafures^ and by pro- voking him to the attack, before the prepa- rations in the other departments were ready to combine with him in a general and power- ful effort againft the Garrifon, ferved greatly to frustrate the enterprife. Apprehenfive, pro- bably, that, elated by our good fortune, we might renew our attempts finally to deftroy thofe works which had efcaped, the Duke de- termined to avoid the blow (which alfo might be in other refpecls fatal in its confequences) by opening his batteries, even in their unfi- nifhed ftate. Actuated, moft probably, by thefe motives, the embrafures of the new bat- teries were unmafked during the night of the 8th ; and the fucceeding morning, at day- break, we were furprifed to find every ap- pearance in their works for firing upon the ^arrifon. Two rockets from the forts in the lines were the fignals to begin ; and the can- nonade commenced at half paft five o'clock, with a volley of about fixty fhells from all their mortar-batteries in the parallel, fucceed- cd by a general difcharge of their cannon, amounting, in the whole, to about a hundred and feventy pieces of ordnance, all of large calibre : a Difcharge, I believe, not to be parallelled: Their firing was powerful, and 366 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, entirely directed againft our works ; but was not, after the firft round, altogether fo tre- mendous as we had reafon to expect from fuch a train of artillery. At intervals, from ten to twenty (hells were in the air at the fame moment ; their effects though were not equal to the numbers expended. The town, fouthward of the King's baftion, was little affected; but the northern front, and line- wall leading from the grand parade to the North baftion, were exceedingly warm; and the lines and Land-port were greatly annoyed by the fhells from the howitzers, which were diftributed in various part of their parallel. Montague's and Orange's baftions feemed to be the centre of the enemy's crofs-fire ; whilft the line- wall in their vicinity was taken a revert, by the fhot which palled over the lines from the fixty-four-2;un battery. Not imagining, from the rough appearance of the enemy's works, that they could poflibly retaliate fo foon, the guards and picquets at the north end of the garrifon were for fome time expofed, and fome cafuals occurred : but we foon difcovered whence we were chief- ly annoyed, and confeqAjeMly became more cautious. Lieut. Wharton, of the 73d regi- ment, was dangeroufly wounded at Land- port. Whilftthe land-batteries were thus pouring forth their vengeance upon the northern front, NINE line-of-battle fhips, including thofe un- der the French flag, got under way from the Orange-grove, and, paffing along the garrifon, Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 367 difcharged feveral broadfides at the works, and particularly at a fettee which had juft ar- rived under our guns from Algiers. When this fquadron had got round Europa point, they fuddenly wore, and, returning along the Europa, Rofia, and New-mole batteries, com- menced a heavy fire upon the garrifon. The marine brigade and artillery returned the falute till they paffed, when the men of war return- ed to the eaflward. About the fame time that the enemy were thus amufing us at the fouth- ward, fifteen gun and mortar-boats approach- ed the town, and continued their fire for fome time 5 but the artillery giving them a warm reception from the King's baftion, two of them were towed off with precipitation, and the reft retired in great diforder. One was thought to be very confiderably dama- ged and fome imagined that her gun was thrown over-board to fave her from finking. This mode of annoying us on all fides ex- actly correfponded with the accounts which we had received of the plan of attack dictated by Monfieur D'Arcon, the French engineer, who fuperintended the enemy's preparations. They hoped probably to confound and over- whelm us, by prefenting to us deftruclion un- der fuch various forms, and by the enormous quantity of fire which they poured in upon the garrifon. The Governor however did not approve of his troops being thus fubjecled to be harrafTed at their pleafure, and refolved therefore, if poffible, to put a flop to their fea-attacks. For this purpofe^ the furnaces 368 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, and grates for heating {hot, at the New-mole, were ordered to be lighted; and fome arrange- ments took place in the ordnance upon Wind- mill-hill. Towards dufk, the enemy abated in the fire from their cannon; increafing how- ever in the expenditure of fhells, which, being generally fired with fhort fufes, broke in the air. This practice feemed well calculated for the purpofes in view. In the day, they could obferve with greater certainty the effect of their (hot, and alter as circumftances directed ; the firing at night muft unavoidably be lefs depended upon ; {hells were therefore burft over the heads of our workmen, to prevent them, if poflible, from repairing at night the damage received in the day. It did not never- thelefs obfiruct the duties in the department of the engineers ; and the artillery were not hin- dered from further completing the expence- magazines with ammunition. The 97th re- giment was now fo far recovered, as for fome time to aflift in the fatigue and duties of the garrifon ; and this day the officers, with a hundred men, were added to the general rof- ter. The town guards were alfo ordered in future to afTemble in South-port ditch. The enemy's men of war (as we expected) repeated their attack very early on the morn- ing of the loth. Each {hip carried a light at her mizen-peak ; but they did not approach near enough to produce much effect. We re- ceived them with a well-fupported fire ; and the next morning obferved one of them at an- chor, with her bowfprit unfhipped, at Algesi- Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 369 ras. The remaining eight renewed their can- nonade about nine in the forenoon, and killed two of the marine brigade, and wounded a ferjeant of artillery and two others. After they had paiTed as before, they wore (hip, ap- parently with an intention of continuing their vifits, but fuddenly put about, and anchored off the Orange-grove. We were afterwards informed, that the difcovery of a red-hot fhot on board one of thefhips, was the immediate caufe of this hafty manoeuvre. The enemy continued their firing from the ifthmus, recommencing at morning gun-fire on the roth from their gun-batteries. At feven o'clock, including the expenditure on the 8th, they had difcharged five thoufand five hundred and twenty-feven fhot, and two thoufand three hundred and two (hells, exclu- five of the number fired by the men of war and mortar-boats. The garrifon, on the con- trary, took no further notice of them, than to return a few rounds from the terrace-batte- ries at their working-parties, who were re- pairing the damage done on the 8th, and completing the reft of their works. In the courfe of the day, the Brilliant and Porcu-* pine frigates were fkuttled by the navy in the New-mole ; and at night the engineers, with a working-party, cleared the lines of rubbifh, and reftored thofe traverfes which had been demolished. At night, the enemy's fire was under the fame regulation as the preceding evening. Bb 170 HISTORY OF i'llLLATE [1782, The next morning, when our guards werq relieving, a fignul was made at the Tower, near the quarry, under the Queen of Spain's chair j and the enemy's cannonade became excelTively briik : fortunately few cafuals occurred. Their firing, when this object ceafed to amufe them, feemed to be princi- pally directed againft the obfhrudions at Land- port, and in that part of the garrifon. Many of the pali fades in the covered way were deftroyed, and the chevaux-de-frife confidera- bly injured : artificers were however con- ftantly detached to repair thofe breaches j fo that the whole were kept in a better ftate than might be expected. In the afternoon, we began to conclude, that the attack with the Battering-fhips was no longer to be de- ferred. Several detachments of foldiers em- barked from the camp, and others were ilanding on the neighbouring eminences ; which, with the appearance, in the evening, of fignals like thofe which we obferved on the night of the 7th, led us to imagine that every preparation was complete ; and the wind at that time blowing; gently in the Bay, from the north-weft, favoured our conjecture. Land-port and Water-port guards were im- mediately reinforced, the furnaces and giates for heating fhot were lighted, and the ar- tillery ordered to man the batteries. - Thus prepared, we waited their appear- ance (for it feemed to be the general opinion, that the Battering-fhips would advance, and be moored in the night, that they might be lefs expofed to annoyance in this duty, and pen with greater effect together at day- Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 371 break). Our attention was however called off from the Bay to the land-fide, where the enemy had fet fire to the barriers of Bay- fide and Forbes's; and the whole of thofc pali fades to the water's edge were inftantly involved in flames. The northern guards and picquets were immidiately under arms, and a fmart difcharge of mufquetry was directed upon feveral parties, which by the light of the fire were difcovered in the meadows. The enemy increafing their bom- bardment, and nothing new happening in confeqnence of the conflagration, the pio quets and guards were remanded under co- ver; but the Artillery continued upon the batteries, We had fcarcely recovered from this alarm, before the gun and mortar-boats^ with the bomb-ketches, began to bombard the Northern front, taking their ftations off the King's baftion, extending towards Fort St. Philip. They commenced about an hour after midnight j and their fire, added to that of the land-batteries, exceedingly annoy- ed Waterport and its vicinity. The out- picquets were again under arms, but pro- videntially our lofs was trifling. We return- ed a few rounds from the Sea-line, but ftiU difregarded the batteries on the Ifthmus $ ex- cepting when their workmen appeared, or were thought to be employed. Major Lewis, Commandant of the Artillery, was unfortu- nately amongft the wounded. The confine- ment of this aclive officer at this critical junc- ture, might have been highly prejudicial to the fervice, had not his Seconds been of con- B b 2 37* HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, tirmed ability and experience : owing to their united exertions, the feveral duties in that com- plicated and important department were conducted with harmony and fuccefs. When the gun-boats retired, nothing new occurred till the morning of the 1 2th : their firing continued to be fupported at the average of four thoufand rounds in the twenty-four hours. About eight o'clock, reports were received from Europa guard, that a large fleet had appeared from the weft ward. The wind was brifk, and we had fcarcely time to form any conjectures concerning them, ere they approached the Bay ; and proved to be the COMBINED FLEETS of FRANCE and SPAIN, confining of feven three-deckers, and thirty-one (hips of two decks; with three frigates and a number of xebeques, bomb- ketches, and hofpital-fhips; the whole under the command of ten admirals, and a broad pendant. In the afternoon they were all at anchor, between the Orange-grove and Alge- ziras. This great accumulation of force could not fail to furprife, if not alarm the garrifon. It appeared as if they meant, previous to their final efforts, to Itrike, if poflible, a terror through their opponents, bydifplaying before us a more powerful armament than had pro- bably ever been brought againft any fortrefs. Forty-feven fail of* the line, including three inferior two-deckers ; ten battering-fhips, deemed perfect in dellgn, and efteemed invin- two hundred and twelve guns , Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 373 innumerable frigates, xebeques, bomb-ketch- es, cutters, gun and mortar boats, and fmaller craft for difembarking men ; thefe were af- fembled in the bay. On the land-fide were moft ftupendous and ftrong batteries and works, mounting two hundred pieces of heavy ordnance, and protected by an army of near forty thoufand men, commanded by a victori- ous and active general, of the higheft reputa- tion, and animated with the immediate pre- fence of two Princes of the Royal Blood of France, with other dignified perfonages, and many of their own nobility. Such a naval and military fpeclacle moft certainly is not to be equalled in the annals of war. From fuch a combination of power, and favourable con- current circumftances, it was natural enough that the nation fhould anticipate the moft glo- rious confequences. Indeed their confidence in the effect to be produced by the battering- ihips patted all bounds ; and in the enthufiafm .excited by the magnitude of their preparations, it was thought highly criminal even to whif- per a doubt of the fuccefs. In drawing thefe flattering conclufions, the enemy, however, feemed entirely to have overlooked the nature of that force which was oppofed to them ; for, though the garrifon fcarcely confifted of more than feven thoufand effective men, including the Marine, brigade, they forgot that they were now veterans in this fervice, had been a long time habituated to the effects of artillery, and were prepared by degrees for the arduous conflict that await- 374 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, ed them. We were, at the fame time, com^ manded by OFFICERS of approved courage, prudence, and ability ; eminent for all the ac- compliihments of their profeffion, and in whom we had unbounded confidence. Our fpirits too were not a little elevated by the fuccefs attending the recent pra&ice of firing red-hot fhot, which in this attack, we hoped, would enable us to bring our labours to a pe- riod, and relieve us from the tedious cruelty of a vexatious blockade. Before the garrifon had well difcovered the force of their new vifitors, an occurrence happened, which, though trifling in itfelf, I trufl, I fhall be excnfed for inferling. When the van of the combined fleet had entered the bay, and the foldiersin town were attentively viewing the fbips, alled^ing, amongft other reafons for their arrival, that the Britifh fleet muft undoubtedly be in purfuit on a fudden, a general huzza was given, and all, to a man, cried out, the Britifh Admiral was certainly in their rear, -as a flag for a fleet w-as hoifted upon our fignal-houfe pole. For fome mo- ments the flattering idea was indulged ; but our hopes were foon damped by the fudclen d i fa ppea ranee of the (ignal. We were after- wards informed by the guard at that poft, that what our creative fancies had imagined to be a flag, was nothing more than an Eagle y which, after feveral evolutions, had perched a few minutes on the weftern-moft pole, and then flew away towards the eaft. Though lefs fuperftitious than the ancient Romans, Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 375 many could not help fancying it a favourable omen to the garrifon ; and the event of the fucceeding day juftified the prognostication. In the morning of the I2th, the Governor reinforced the picquets of the line ; nine of which, in future, were Rationed in town, and diftributed as follows ; two at Waterport, two at Land-port, two in the lines, and the remaining three in the picquet-yard, with the field-officer of the town diftrift. The other picquet of the line was Rationed at the fouthward. The following return fpecifies the ftrength of the picquets at this period. s. D. R.F. ' i 35 i i 54 i . 76 I I 6 The Aitilltry, ami Hanoverian brigide, ea.h corps . The iith, 39th, 56ih, and j8th regiments The 7ld anil 73 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, put to the fword ^ which they had been per- fuaded would be the confequence, if they fubmitted to the garrifon. Being left however fome moments to the horrors of their fate, they beckoned thx boats to return, and refigned themfelves to the clemency of their Con- querors. Whilft the navy were thus humanely re- lieving their diftreffed enemy, the flames reached the magazine of one of the battering- fhips to the northward, which blew up, about five o'clock, with a dreadful explofion. In a quarter of an hour following, another, in the centre of the line, met with a fimilar fate.. The wreck from the latter fpread to a vaft extent, and involved our gun-boats- in the moft imminent danger. One was funk, but the crew were faved. A hole was forced through the bottom of the brigadier's boat, his coxfwain killed, and the ftrokefman wounded; and for fome time they were ob- fcured in the cloud of fmoke. After this very fortunate efcape, it was deemed prudent to withdraw towards the garrifon, to avoid the peril arifing from the blowing-up of the re- maining fhips. The Brigadier however vifited two other (hips in his return, and landed nine officers, two priefts, and three hundred and thirty-four private foldiers and feamen, all Spaniards j which, with one officer and eleven Frenchmen, who had floated in the preceding evening, made the total number faved amount to three hundred and fifty- feven. Many of the prifoners were feverely, and Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 383 fome of them dreadfully wounded. They were inftantly, on being brought on fhore, conveyed to our hofpital, and every remedy adminiftered necefiary for their different cafes. Darin? the time that the marine brigade were encountering every danger in their en- deavours to fave an enemy from perifhing, the batteries on the Ifthmus (which ceafed the preceding evening, moft likely for want of ammunition, and which had opened again upon the garrifon of the morning of the 1 4th) maintained a warm fire upon the town, which killed and wounded feveral men ; and three or four fhells burft in the air, over the place where their countrymen were landed. This ungenerous proceeding could not efcape the obfervation of the fpedlators in their campi and orders probably were fent to the lines for the batteries to ceafe 3 as they were filent about ten o'clock. Notwithftanding the efforts of the marine brigade in relieving the terrified victims from the burning fhips, feveral unfortunate men could not be removed. The fcene at this time exhibited was as affecting, as that which had been prefented in the acl of hoftility, had been terrible and tremendous. Men crying from amidft the flames for pity and affiftance ; others, on board thofe (hips where the fire had made little progrefs, imploring relief with the moft exprelfive geftures and figns of defpair ; \vhilft feveral, equally expofed to the dangers of the oppofite element, trufled 384 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, thernfelves, on various parts of the wreck, to the chance of paddling to the fhore. A fe- lucca belonging to the enemy approached from the Orange-grove, probably with the in- tention of relieving thefe unfortunate per- fons ; but, jealous of her motives, the garrifon fufpeded that (he came to fet lire to one of the battering-fhips which appeared little injured, and obliged her to retire. Of the fix fhips which were ftill in flames, three blew up be- fore eleven o'clock ;the other three burnt to the water's edge, the magazines being wetted by the enemy before the principal officers quitted the fhips. The Admiral's flag was on board one of the latter, and wasconfumed with the vefTel. The remaining two battering-fhips, we flattered ourfelves, might be faved as glo- rious trophies of our fnccefs ; but one of them unexpectedly burft out in flames, and in a fhort time blew up, .with a terrible report ; and Capt. Gibfon reprefenting it as impradi- cable to prefer ve the other, it was burnt in the afternoon, under his diredions. Thus the Navy put a finifhing hand to this fignal de- fen five victory. During the hotteft period of the enemy's cannonade, the Governor was prefent on the King's baftion, whilfl Lieut. General Boyd* * It will not be improper in this place to repeat, that Ge- neral Boyd was the founder of the King's baftion, as it will be an apology for introducing a remarkable fpeech of the General on that occafion. In 1773, General Boyd, attended by Colonel Green, the Chief Engineer, and many Field Of- ficers of the Garrifon, laid the foundation-don's of that work, A-ith the reremony ufual OH fuch occafions. Upon p Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 385 took his ftation upon the South baftion, ani- mating the garrifon by their prefence, and encouraging them to emulation. The ex- ertions and activity of the brave ARTILLE- RY, in this well-fought conteit, deferve the higheft commendations. To their {kill, per- feverance, and courage, with the zealous afiiftance of the Line, (particularly the corps in town, the 39th and yad regiments,) was Gibraltar indebted for its fafety againft the combined powers, by fea and land, of France and Spain j and the Marine Brigade, though they had not fo confiderable a (hare in the duties of the batteries, yet merit the warmeft praifes for their generous intrepidity in refcu- ing their devoted enemies from amidft the flames. Whilft the enemy were cool, and their &ips had received little damage, their prin- cipal objeds were the KING'S baftion, and LIN-D-WALL, north of Orange's baftion. Their largeft fhips (which were about four- teen hundred tons burthen) were flationed off the former, in order to filence that im- portant battery, whilft a breach was attempt- ed by the reft, in the curtain extending from the latter to Montague's bafh'on. If a breach had been effected, the prifoners informed us, that f their grenadiers were to have ftormed the (lone, " This " faid the General " is the firft ftofte of a " work which I name the KING'S BASTION : may it be as " gallantly defended, as I know it will be ably exec uted ; ancf " may I Jive to fee it refift THE UNiTkD tPFoRTS or FRANCS- " AND SPAIN ! " Cc 3 86 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, ' the garrifon under cover of the combined ' fleets.' The private men complained bit- terly of their officers for defcribing the Bat- tering-fhips to be invulnerable, and for pro- mifing that they were to be ieconded by ten fail of the line, and all the gun and mortar- boats. They further told us, that ' they * had been taught to believe the garrifon * would not be able to difcharge many rounds * of hot balls ; their aftonifhment, therefore, * was inconceivable, when they difcovered * that we fired them with the fame precilion f and vivacity as cold (hot. 5 ( Admiral * Moreno,' they faid, 'quitted the Paftora, * which was the flag-ihip, a little before ' midnight ; but other officers retired much ' earlier/ The lofs fuftained by the enemy could never be afcertained j but from the information of the prifoners, and the num- bers feen dead on board the fhips^ we efti- mated it could not be lefs than two thoufand men, including the prifoners, The cafuals of the garrifon, on the contrary, were fo trifling, that it will appear almoft incredible, t-hat fuch a quantity of fire, in almoft all iti> deftruclive modes o'f aclion, fhould not have produced more effect, with refpedl to the lof& of men. The return {lands thus : Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 387 SEPTEMBER I3th, 1782. Killed. Wund*d. RtciMENTs O. S. D. R.&F. O. S. D.R.&F. Royal Artillery I . . 5 3 . . 21 1 2th Regiment 2, 39th ditto .2.2 ... 5 56th ditto ... 2 ... 2 58th ditto - ... i I . . 4 72d ditto - ... 2 ... 12 73d ditto ... . i . . 8 97th ditto ... . ... 2 Hardenberg's - .... . . . r Reden's - . De la Motte's - I Engineers with the? Artificer Comp. $ ' Marine Brigade ... I ... 5 Total i 2 o 13 5 o o 63 Officers killed and wounded f Artillery, Captain Reeves killed; Captains Groves and Siward, with Lieut. Godfrey, wounded, 58th regiment. Lieut. Wetham, (who had permiffion to acl as an Artillery officer) wounded. 73d regiment. Captain M'Kenzie I wounded. The diftance of the Battering-fhips from the garrifon was exactly fuch as our Artillery could have wifhed. It required fo fmall an elevation, that almoft every (hot took efFecl$ and the cannon thus elevated did not require the (hot to be wadded. A circumftance not unimportant ^ as the time, which at point- Cc 2 333 HISTORY OI -THE LATE [1782, blank would have been expended in doubly wadding, was employed in keeping up the cannonade with greater briiknefs. The damage done to our works held no proportion with the violence of the attack, and the cxceffivc cannonade which they had fuftained. The merlons of the different batteries were dif- ordered, and the flank of Orange's baftion was a little injured : but the latter was chiefly done by the land-fire, and was not of fuch confequence as to afFord any room for appre- henfion. The ordnance and carriages were alfo damaged; but by the activity of the Artillery, the whole fea-line. before night, was in ferviceable order. The enemy, in this aclion, had more than three hundred pieces of heavy ordnance m play ; . whiift the garrifon had only eighty cannon, feven mortars, and nine howitzers in oppolltion. Upwards of eight thoufand three hundred rounds^ (more than half of which were hot Jkot) and SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN barrels of powder were ex- pended by our artillery. What quantity of ammunition was tffed by (he enemy, could never be afcertahied. The following was handed about as an authentic lift of the bat- terinsj-fhips. A fedlion, to fhew the inlt-rior ccnftruclion of thefe extraordinary vefTels, was intended to have been added, but no op- portunity occurred of making further obfrrva- tions than what were curfory and fuperficial. Sept] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 3*9 a .e Names of the '* 8 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, CHAPTER VIIL The combined fleets remain in Gibraltar Bay, being determined to oppose the relief of the garrifon Captain Curtis vifits the enemy's Gamp to, eftablifh a cartel Enemy raife ad- ditional works -The combined fleets greatly diftreffed by a hurricane A Spani/h line- of -battle Jhip is driven under the walls of Gibraltar, and fubmits to the garrifon At this juncture the Britifh Fleet apppear in the Straits, but the convoy unfortunately pafs the Rock to the eajiward Letters received from the Briti/h. Miniflry by the Governor ^The combined fleets, after making repairs, follow the Briti/h Fleet, but avoid an affion Lord Howe conduces the convoy fafe into the Bay, fails to the weftward, and is followed by the combined fleeets -enemy's cannonade dimi- nifhes, and the fire from the garrifon increafes - enemy ejlablif/i a pojl under the rock near the Devil's tower Repeat their attacks from the gun-boats The Duke de Crillon acquaints General Eliott that the preliminaries of a GENERAL PEACE had been figned HoftW- ties in consequence ceafe The Emperor of Morocco fends a prcfent of cattle with a let- ter to General Eliott, who foon afterwards receives from England official accounts of the peace Interview between the Duke de Crillon and the Governor The Governor views the Sept.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 395, Spani/h batteries , and dines at San Roque-~- The tyuke returns the vi/it, in the garrifon Ceremony of invefling the Governor with the order of the Bath Sir George Augujlus Eliot? s Jpeech to the garrifon, upon commu- nicating to them the THAN.KS cf the and Parliament for their D $ F E N c .E BRALTAR. NOTWITHSTANDING we might rally infer from the difperfion of their fmaji craft, that the enemy had at length relin- quifhed the hope of taking Gibraltar by force of arms ; yet the continuance of their can- nonade, and the prefence of the combined fleets, (though frequent opportunities had offered for their return to the weftward) ren- dered their conduct fo ambiguous, that we could form no idea what line they purpofed to puffue in their future operations. We knew a relief was intended by the Britifh Fleet j but we could never imagine, if there was any thing of an equality, that the enemy would venture an oppofition, even though a victory might make them matters of Gibraltar. We waited therefore a few days to obferve the movements of our adverfaries, and by their actions expected to folve the difficulty. The evening of the 26th of September, the w r hole of the combined army were under arms, formed in one line (which extended about four miles and -a half) from the river 400 HISTORY OF THE LATE [(782, Guadaranque to very near Fort Tonara. Some perfons of high rank, attended by a numerous fuite of cavalry, paffed along the front ; and they were not difmifled till after fun-fet. In the evening, Major Horsfall, of the y2d regiment, was wounded by a fplinter of a (hell. At night, another of our work- men in the Prince's lines fell from the extre- mity, and was killed. A party was detached from Land-port to bring in the body, and the Qjieen's-lines and other guards ordered to protect them : the enemy however remained quiet. The 2yth, their parties began to col- led brufh-wood tor fafcines. This circum- ftance ferved the more to increafe our doubts relative to their future conduct. The fame day, our navy got up the Porcupine frigate, the Engineers alfo finished the Royal and Green's-lodge batteries. The former is thir- teen hundred, and the latter nine hundred feet above the level of the Ifthmus ; yet, not- withftanding this elevation, the enemy's fire, during Don Alvarez's bombardment, was found to be fo galling, that the Engineers were under the neceffity of covering "them with caifibned merlons. Several launches full of troops were obferved, on the SQth, going on board the combined fleet. They were fuppofed to be Marines who had been landed from the men of war previous to the grand attack. A flag of truce, the fame Jay, brought clothes for the prifoners. Ear- y on the morning of the ^oth, a foldier of '.he 7zd regiment deferted from the ferjeant's Oft.] SIEGE Ofr GIBRALTAR. 461 party at Lower Forbes's. His own brother was one of the guard. The fame day, the combined fleets were joined by a line~of- bat- tle 'fhip. The enemy's cannonade ftill con- tinued to be about a thoufand, or eleven hundred rounds of (hot and ihells in the twenty-four hours. Willis's batteries, and the extremity of the Prince's and Qiieen's lines, were much damaged from the fixty- four-gun battery. A flag of truce went from the garrifon with a letter, and two parcels, which had been fent on the 29th, direcled for perfons who could not be found amongft the prifoners. In the evening of the 30th, the mortar-boats bombarded our camp. At flrft we imagined they were alone, but the gun-boats foon afterwards fired upon the town from the northward. Two < fhells fell in the Hofpital, and wounded feveral of the fick. Other cafualties alfo happened in the garrifon. The priioners upon Windmill-hill were alarmed on two or three- fhells fal'ing near their camp; and it was not without fome feverity, that their guards could kjep them within the boundaries. Early on the (irft of October, a boat came into Little Bay, with a Coriican on board, who had efcaped from Algeziras. He had been mate of a neutral veflU; but hearing that fome of his relations were in the Corfi- can corps, he' was determined to join h's countrymen. The intelligence which he brought was, that Lord Howe only waited ionic reinforcements to fail for the relief c D d 402 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, Gibraltar, and that the combined fleet were refolved to oppofe him. Thus confoled with the hope of preventing the intended fuccours, the enemy flill flattered .'themfelves that Gi- braltar muft of neceflity fubmit, through the mere failure of pfovifions. In the courfe of the day, the corpfe of a Spanifh Officer was walhed afhore under our walls : a purfe of piftoles, and a gold watch, were found in his pockets. He was buried with refpedtj two navy officers attending his funeral; and the following day, a flag of truce delivered the watch and money, to be returned to his friends. The ad, feveral men were wounded by the enemy's fhot, in the gallery above Farring- don's, which continued to be profecutedwith diligence ; and Serjeant Harrop, of the 7 ad regiment, (a man univerfally admired for his gallantry and condud in the works) was killed at Willis's. We obferved, the fame day, feveral boats, which formerly had man- tlets in the bow, returning from the river Palmonesj having, as we imagined, under- gone fome alterations, to enable them to al as gun-boats. In cafe of a vifit from the latter, fignals were now determined upon, to intimate when the artillery were to man the batteries. Two guns qiiiek, and a red flag lioiiled upon a flag-ftafY creeled on the South baftion, was to be the day-flgnal j two guns quick, and a light, the fignal for the night. In the evening, we had an opportunity of pradifing our new fignals, by the approach of the mortar-boats, which bombarded the Oft.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 403 garrifon for about two hours. The gun- boats, though perhaps attending them, did not fire. Previous to their vifit, fome muf- quets were difcharged, and fome fignals made amongft the fleet -, but we could not obferve any particular movements. In the forenoon of the 3d, a Spanifh fri- gate, with a flag of truce at her fore-top-gal- lant maft-head, anchored within gun-fhot of the Old-mole head, and immediately Capt. Curtis went on board her. In the forenoon Capt. Curtis returned, and the frigate failed back to the fleet. The wind at the time was fo ftrong, that fhe was obliged to leave her anchor behind; which being mentioned to the Governor, orders were fent, not to fire upon the boats when they returned to fifh it up. The following day, Capt. Curtis, accom- panied by the Governor's fecretary and a na- val officer, went in his barge to the Orange- grove; where a carriaged waited and conduct- ed them to Buena-Vifta, the Duke's quarters. The intention of this vifit, we afterwards underfto6d, was to eftablifh a cartel with the Spaniards for the exchange of prifoners. Capt,, Curtis was introduced, by the Duke de Cril- lon, to His Royal Highncfs the Count d'Ar- tois, who thanked him, in very handfome terms, for his humanity and gallantry in re- lieving the unfortunate prifoners from the burning battering-fhips ; requeuing Capt. Curtis at the fame time to inform the Gover- nor, that he entertained the higheft efteem and refpeft for him, for his benevolence and Dd 2 4 o 4 HISTORY OF THE LATE [178 liberality to the prifoners upon the fame oc- cafion. Before Capt. Curtis returned, which was in the evening, the kilns for heating (hot were lighted and other preparations made, as if fome attack Was expecled. During this correfpondence, the enemy's batteries ob- ferved a proper filence, in refpecl to the flag. Capt. Curtis informed us, that Lord Howe, with the British fleet, was [on his paffage to the Mediterranean. The garrifon did not however feel that indefcribable fatisfaclion and pleafure on this intelligence, which we had experienced when Admirals Rodney and Darby were announced in 1780 and 1781. A French Rear-Admiral, in a three-decker, with a /rigate, and feveral fmaller armed vef- fels, joined the combined fleet on the 3d. The man of war had many fignals flying when fhe entered the bay, which were anfwered by the Spanifh Admiral. The enemy's cannonade was ftill continued, with fuch variation as their caprice dictated. The number of rounds of fhot and fhells ufually exceeded eight hundred in the twen- ty-four, hours, and fometimes amounted to eleven or twelve hundred. We amufed them with a trifling return, directed chiefly to their parties, who, to our aflonifhment, were ftill forming confiderable d6p6ts of fafcines and materials in the lines. Lieut. Kenneth M'Kenzie, of the 73d, was wounded on the 4th in the communication from the King's to the Qpeen's lines. Two days afterwards, agreeably to a flig of truce of the preceding ft.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 405 day, the Spanifh prifoners excepting ten fick in the hofpital, and fifty-nine Walons and foreigners who requefted to ftay behind) were fent to the combined camp. The Walons who preferred flaying in the garrifon were embodied into thofe corps which chofe to re- ceive them. The 3gth and 58th regiments entertained ten each ; and the remainder were incorporated with the Corfican com- pany. Two of the enemy's engineers had been obferved, on the 4th, picketing out a work, extending from the ruins of the Mahon battery to the weftern beach, eroding the north-weft angle of the fartheft gardens. We were at a lofs what to conclude from this appearance of a determination ftill to profe- cute the fiege. They did not however let us remain longer in fufpence; for, on the morn- ing of the 6th, we difcovered that they had creeled a ftrons* boyau of approach, extend- ing, in the line before mentioned, about four hundred and thirty yards- near a quarter of a mile. It was raifed with fand-bagsj and from its refemblance to the original epaule- ment of the SIXTY- FOUR -gun battery, fome imagined it was intended for the fame pur- pofe; though the Engineers were of opinion, it was only a communicatibn to fome addi- tional works in embryo. Although the enemy, by throwing up this extenfive work, gained by ftealth a fecond advantage upon the garrifon, yet the Governor was determined, if poffible, to prevent them completing it. 4 o($ HISTORY OF THE LATE [178* The Old-mole head howitzers, with a warm fire from the heights, were opened at night upon this new object j and, as the former almoft entirely enfiladed it, the enemy were fo much annoyed, that it was never finifhed. The night of the 6th, they made good the communication to the parallel, from the ex- tremity of the boyau, near the ruins of the Mahon battery, which was left imperfect the preceding night. The following day, the St. Martin's bat- tery took fire frdm the wadding or difcharge of their own cannon. One merlon was de- ftroyed, and another confiderably damaged before the flames were extinguished. We threw a few fhells from below to difturb them in this duty ; but otherwife no particular no- tice was taken of the accident. The enemy found their iituation fo extremely warm in their new boyau. that on the night of the 7th they threw up a ftrong fhoulder at the extremity near the beach, to protect them' againft the howitzers of the Old-mole head. The fhells were neverthelefs fired with fuch judgement and dexterity, as juft to clear the traverfe, and fcemed to do as much execu- tion in the interior part as before. Great quantities of fafcines, &c. were fcattercd in the rear; whence we concluded they purpo- fed working in the night, but had been pre- vented by the vivacity .of cur fire. They alfo repaired the St. Martin's battery. A flag of truce brought over letters for the Governor and Capt. Curtis on the 8^h ; and at night, a Oft] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 407 boat failed for Leghorn with a midfhipman and fix failors, bearing home difpatches from the Governor, This was the firft boat or veflel which left the garrifon after the victory of the preceding month. The enemy, about the 8th or oth, adopted a new plan for the regulation' of their bom- bardment 4 ur i n g the night : every ten or fifteen minutes they difcharged five, feven, and fometimes ten mortars at the fame time, directing the fhclls principally to the fame qb- jeS. After a filence of the above period, they faluted us with a fecond volley, and fo on -till morning gun-fire. The number of rounds continued variable, from four to fix hundred fhots, with almoft the fame propor- tion of fhells, in the twenty-four hours. They were enabled to expend thefe immenfe quantities, of ammunition by receiving con- ftant fupplies^ The parties in the fafcine- park appeared now to be confiderably increa- fed, and an universal activity feemed ftill to prevail through the different departments. A perfon ignorant of what had pa (Ted, and fud- denly brought to view their proceedings, might therefore naturally conclude from their operations, that they were elated with forne fuccefs, rather than deprefTed by a defeat. On the niglit of the gth, fame fignals were made at Cabrita-point, which were anfwered by the combined fleets, each ihip (howing a light. . % The wind blew frefh wefterly on the loth j and two frigates and a cutter joined the conv 408 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1781, bined fleets from that quarter. In the even- ing, a number of fignals were made by the Spanifh admiral, which were anfwered by va- rious (hips in the fleet. After fun-fet the gale increafed, and at midnight it blew a hur- ricane, with fmart fhowers of rajn. Signal- guns were repeatedly fired by the combined fleets j and from their continuance, and the violence of the wind, we concluded fome of them were in diftrefs. At day -break, a Spa- nifh two-decker was difcovered in a crippled tfate, clofe in fhore off Orange's baftion : fhe was under clofe-reefed courics, and had loft her mizen-top-mafl. Obferving her danger upon an enemy's lee fhore, (lie fuddenly luffed up, and endeavoured to weather the garrifon : as fhe paffed, feveral fhot were fired through her from the King's baftion, which killed two, and wounded two others -, and foon after- wards fhe grounded near Ra^ged-itafF, and llruck to the garrifon, hoifting an Englifh jack over her own colours. A boat from the Speedwell cutter immediatelv took pofTeulou of the San Miguel, or St. Michael, of feven- ty-two guns, commanded by Don Juan Mo- reno, a Chef d'Rfcadrc. The officers and men, to the number of fix hundred and thir- ty-four, (many of whom were difmounted dragoons,) were immediately landed, and con- dueled to the quarters before occupied, by their friends upon Windmill-hill. The Governor was prefent when they were brought afhore, and generoufly permitted them to take their baggage unfearched, and the officers their Ot.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. ' 409 ftock of frelh provifions. When the morning cleared up, fo as to admit of our obferving the ftate of the combined fleets, we difcovered the whole in great diforder. One was on ihore near the grand magazine : a French fhip of the line had loft her foremaft and bow- fprit: one, a three-decker, was miffing, fup- pofed to be driven from her anchors to the eaftward ; and three or four were forced half- bay over (two within range of the garrifon) where they all feemed to be in a very precari- ous iituation. Many of the parapet-boats, and other fmall craft, were alfo driven on fhore near the Orange-grove. If the ftorm had continued a few hours longer, it is not improbable that a three decker, with feveral other fhips, would have fuffered the fate of the St. Michael. The wind, however, aba- ted as the day advanced ; and, when the fwell would permit them to aflift the difabled (hips., the boats were bufily employed in carrying put anchors and cables to thofe which appear- ed moil in diftrefs. The garrifon were not idle fpedators of thefe movements : feveral . fea-mortars were foon brought to bear on the neareft fhips, and one was in a fhort tii-re obliged to move; but anchoring ns^in off Point Mala, we continued annoying her with (hells and red-hot (hot, till (he warped out of our range. The prifoners were no fooner landed from the prize, than the feamen began to lighten the veffel, by removing her powder afhore, and cutting away the mizen-mafl : but re- 4 io HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, maining ftill aground, they carried out anchors to prevent her going further afhore, intend- ing to renew their exertions to warp her off at high water. The St. Michael was efteem- edone of the beft failers in the Spaniih navy. She was a new (hip built at the Havannah ; very lofty between decks, which were of ma- hogany, and .her beams of cedar. When the combined fleets appeared in the Englifh chan- nel, the St. Michael was one of the leading fhips, and was alfo in the fquadron which fired upon the garrifon the Qth of September, when the Duke de Crillon opened his batte- ries. The Spanish officers informed us they had received intelligence, the preceding day, of the approach of the Britiih fleet; which had induced Admiral Cordova to order the combined fleets to lie at fingle anchor, and prepare to weigh at the fhortefV notice : that they were thus fituated when the gale came on; and, the hurricane ftill increafing, a three-decker, early in the morning, ran foul of the St. Michael, and forced her from her anchor : that fhe immediately fet fail, but, ns the event had evinced, found it impofliblc to weather the rock. The intelligence of Lord Howe beina; fo near, now, for the firft time, gave us feniible pleafure ; not fo much on account of cm perfonal fituation,- as of the advantage, which the enemy's recent misfortunes would give his lordfhip over his opponents, as well towards accomplishing the objecl of his orders, as af- fording him a further opportunity of acling SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 411 as his Lordfhip's well-known abilities might didate. We were fo elated "by our enemy's diftrefs, that fome were fo fanguine as to an- ticipate the moft glorious conclufion of the war, and our own fufferings. Our hopes however were foon depreffed by intelligence of Lord Howe's great inferiority in number. Thirty-four fail to oppofe forty-two, which ftill remained at anchor in ,the Bay, gave us reafon to be apprehenfive for the fafety of the Britifli fleet. 'The navigation of 'the Straits was fo precarious, that, if his Lord- fhip once entered the Mediterranean, he might probably be prevented from returning for a confiderable time j and the enemy, though now diftrefled, might, by the afliftance of the camp, foon refit, and attack him under every advantage. By this digreflion I am however anticipating the regular narrative. In the af- ternoon, a French two-decker failed to the eaftward ; and foon after, a fettec came in from the weft, and fired feveral g;uns as fhe entered the bay. At this time it was fo very hazy in the Straits, that we could not fee the oppofite coafts. About fnn-fet, feveral large /hips were difcovered through the haze ; and foon after, the Latona frigate, Capt. Conway, anchored under our guns, and informed us, that the (hips in the gut were the van of the Britifh fleet, commanded by Lord Howe, con- lifting of thirty-four fail of the line, including eleven three-deckers, with fix frigates and thirty-one ordnance tranfports, and a rein- forcement of upwards of fixteen hundred men 4 i2 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, for the garrifon. Capt. Con way further told us ot the anxiety which prevailed at home, relative to the fituation of Gibraltar; and that it was only off the fouthern coaft of Portugal that Lord Howe had his doubts removed, by receiving intelligence of the enemy's late de- feat. This welcome information, he faid, was accompanied by advice, that, * the com- * bined fleets had taken their ftation in the bay * of Gibraltar, refolutely determined to pre- * vent, if poifible, the intended relief.' We learned, that upon receiving the latter intelli- gence, the admirals and principal officers were fummoned on board the Victory ; where particular inftruclions and orders were commu- nicated, in expectation of an engagement, which was confidered as unavoidable. Although the enemy's iignals for the ap- proach of the Britiih fleet were made early in the afternoon, yet the Spanish admiral exhibi- ted not the leaft appearance of opposition to any reinforcements being fent into the bay. This favourable opportunity was however loft; owing, as Lord Howe expreffes in his official letter, ' to the want of timely attention to 6 the circumftances of the navigation.' Only four or five tranfports reached the bay ; the reft, with the fleet, paifcd to thecaftward into the Mediterranean. At night, or early on tl e 1 2th, Capt. Curtis failed in the Laton,a,"toin- form Lord Howe of the calamity which had befallen the enemy's fleet. At noon, the Bri- ti(h fleet appeared in good order off Eftepona or Marbella ; and the tranfports, with thefri- SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 413 gates, were working to windward to gain the bay. As they approached the Ifthmus, the enemy faluted them from their mortars, and fired upon them from behind the eaftern ad- vanced guard-houfe. Whilit theBritifh fleet, with the tranfports, were thus critically fituated, the combined fleets were very active in repairing their da- mages, and in forming a line of battle along the fhore. In the evening, a number of troops were embarked on board them from the camp. Their xebeques, cutters, armed brigs, and gun-boats, alfo aflembled in Sandy-Bay, with an intention probably of picking up our ftraggling tranfports. In theclofe of the day, however, this fleet of craft returned to their main fleet. At night, the Panther man of war, and feveral tranfports, anchored in the bay. The enemy on the land-fide perfevered in their cannonade, and, obferving that the St. Michael had run aground within the range of their batteries, threw great numbers of fhells, with an intent to deftroy her. Many burft over her> and fome fell very near-, but, as their artillery could only be directed by her mafts, none fell on board. They pointed their ufual weight of fire againfl our works, which the Governor (now that a profpecl of fupplies appeared) returned with unufual vi- vacity. Their new boyau feverely felt the ef- fect of our ordnance. It was confiderably de- ranged, and the enfilading howitzers at the Old-mole head prevented them from ftrcngth- 414 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, ening it with any additions of confequence. In the garrifon-orders of the I2th, the follow- ing extracts were inferted : , G. O. c Extratf from a letter to the Cover- ' nor, from the Right Hon. the Earl of ' Shelburne, principal Secretary of 4 State to his Majefty. Dated St. * James's, July loM, 1782. * I am alfo honoured with his Majefty's command to affure you in the ftrongeft terms, that no encouragement fhall be want- ing to the brave officers and foldiers under your command. His royal approbation of the paft, will no doubt be a powerful in- centive to future exertions j and I have the King's authority to allure you, that every diftinguifhed ad of emulation and gallan- tr,y, which (hall be performed in courfe of the fiege, by any, even of the loweft rank, will meet with ample reward from his gra- cious protection and favour. Thefe his Majefty's intentions you will communicate to every part of your garrifon, that they may be perfectly fatisfied their royal mafter feels for the difficulties they are under, ad- mires their glorious refiftance, and will be happy to reward their merit/ s Extraff froma letter to the Governor , from 1 the Right Hon. General Con way, Com- ' mander in Chief of his Majefty's Forces, ' Dated Ait guft ^\ ft, ^782. SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 415 ( I am now to add, that I have the King's command to inform you, that he is in the greateft degree fatisfied with the brave and fteady defence made by your garrifonj and his Majefty is defirous of {Sowing them every mark of his royal approbation. It is in this light that his Majefty has been gracioufly pleafed to confent to granting bat and forage-money, as a proper indul- gence to your officers.' Thefe extracts were perufed by the garri- fon with great fatisfadion, as they demon- ftrated, that the fafety of Gibraltar was ef- teemed a matter of the firft importance ; and flattered us with the agreeable hopes, that our late fer vices would be acceptably received by our friends and countrymen. The Britifli fleet, at day-break on the I3th, was ftill off Marbella, with the wind at weft. About nine o'clock, A. M. the Spanifli Ad- miral made fhe fignal for the combined fleets to weigh anchor. By one o'clock the whole were under way. At three, a French rear- admiral, being the laft of the rear divifion, cleared the bay. Their number in all amounted to eighty fail, of which the follow- ing, I believe, is an accurate account : fix three-deckers, thirty-eight two-deckers, in- cluding feveral fifties (total forty- four men of war) ; five frigates, twenty-nine xebeques, cutters, armed ihips, and brigs ; alfo two, imagined to be flre-fhhps. Notwithftanding little doubt was to be entertained of the ene- my's intention .of leaving the bay, the Pan- 416 HISTORY OF THE LATE [178^ ther man of war remained at anchor with fe- veral officers of the garrifon on board, whom the Governor had permitted to act as volun- teers in the engagement. When the com- bined fleets had cleared the bay, they flood fome time to the fouthward, and leaving a line-of-battle fhip and two frigates to prevent the Panther from joining her Admiral, drove with the current fome leagues to the eaftward. They then appeared to edge down towards the Britifh .fleet, which was in clofe line of battle upon a wind, with their heads to the fouthward; the tranfports, with the frigates which had been beating up, falling behind them to leeward. Thus were both fleets fituated at the clofe of the evening. Before the enemy had totally quitted the bay, Cap- tain Curtis landed in a fmall boat from the Latona frigate, with twenty thoufand pounds in fpecie for the garrifon, having narrowly efcaped being cut off by the combined fleets, He told us the Britifh fleet were in high fpi- rits, and impatient to engage notwithftand- Jng the enemy's great fupcrrority. When the combined fleets iirft appeared in motion, the Spanifh prifoners who had been landed from the St. Michael, were fo ovdrjoyed, that they could not forbear expreffing their ecfta- cies in fo riotous a manner, as to call for fome feverity, to confine them with the li- mits of their camp. As our obfervations on the manoeuvres of the fleet were interrupted foon after fun-fet, we- impatiently waited for the fucceedirrg SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 417 day to be fpeclators of the adion, which was now confidered as impoffible to be avoided; and orders were therefore given for prepar- ing feveral wards in the Navy-hofpital for the reception of the wounded : but on the dawn of the Hth, the fleets, to our afto- nifhment, were fome leagues diftant from each other ; the Britifh being to leeward in the fouth-eafl quarter, whilst the combined fleets appeared off Eftepona. In the evening, the Britifh fleet could only be difcovered from the fummit of the rock.. It feemed to the garrifort, that the Spaniih Admiral, by hav- ing the weather-gage, had it in his option to bring the Britifh fleet to adion if he pleafed. The fleets being thus feparated, the Pan- ther, about noon, endeavoured to join Lord Howe, but put back for want of wind. Se- venteen gun-boats came from Algeziras, ap- parently to prevent her leaving the bay ; but, obferving her caft anchor, they returned. The enemy's cannonade on the land fide was continued with great vivacity. A few days, nay, probably hours, were to turn the balance for or againft their future hopes of obtaining the grand objed of their wifhes : they were not therefore economical in their ammunition; nor was the garrifon in the leaft behind with them in the brifk ufe of their ordnance. Lieut. Gromley, of the Royal Artillery, was mortally wounded in the evening, at Willis's, and died foon after he was brought to the Hofpital. E e 4 iS K I 3 T G R Y O I< F H L L A T E [i 782, Part of the combined fleets, in the morning of the 1 5th, were feen, though the weather was very hazy, off Marbella. The Britifh fleet was out of fight , the Panther neverthe- lefs attempted to join them About eight A. M. the wind came about to the eaftward. In the forenoon, nine placres failed from the Spanifh camp, with iroops on board, for Ceuta, This brought to our recollection the critical ftate of that garrifcm, bath as to men and provifions, when Admiral Rodney was in their neighbourhood in 1780 j and the enemy, from embracing this opportunity of fending fupplies, appeared not entirely to have for- gotten it. About noon, the Britifh fleet was difcovered in the offing, ta the fouth-eaft of Centa, fknding under an eafy fail towards the rock. At night the Latona, with eight or ten tranfports, anchored in the bay. They in- formed us, that the RufTalo rrian af war, with the remaining twelve fhips, had feparated (by order) from the fleet, but had not after- wards joined. This intelligence gave us fome uneafmefs for their fafety ; but we flattered ourfelves they were gone, agreeably to in-* ftruclions, to the Zafarine Iflands, the place of rendezvous in cafe the fleets engaged. Capt. Conway, after a (hort conference with the Governor, returned in the morning of the 1 6th to the Britifh fleet, which were cruifmg to the eaftward of the rock., with the wind at Caft. The combined fleets were not in fight : we concluded therefore that they were gone into Malaga to make further repairs, and join Oa.J SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. ^ 9 thofe mips which had left the bay on the I ith. Since the arrival of the firft tranfports, the garrifon had been bufily employed in difem- barking the fupplies. The former fleets had principally brought us provifions j this brought us only men and ammunition, which proba- bly might, without this fupply, have become as fcarce articles as the former had been. The exertions of the navy not being fuc- cefsful in floating the St. Michael, a hundred foldiers were detached on board, on the I7th,- to- their affiftance $ and not long afterwards, (he was anchored off the New-mole. It was peculiarly fortunate that fhe grounded on a bank of fand, though fhe was furrotmded with rocks : her bottom was therefore little injured. Sir Charles Kndwles, bart who had been formerly on this ftation, was appointed to command her. The wind had noW chang- ed to the fouth-weft ; and in the forenoon of the fame day, a Britifh frigate appeared from the weft. She made a fignal when off Europa, which being anfwefed by our fleet, fhe immediately joined them. At night, the gun-boats being heard in the bay, our batte- ries were manned to receive them ; but, upon a gun being fired from the St. Michael, they threw up their rockets, and returned. Some were of opinion that they meditated an at- tempt to cut her out. The 1 8th, the wind aa;ain came about to the eaft ; and the Buffalo, with eleven of the miffing tranfports, arrived in the courfe of the day. Thefe {hips, as we had conieclufed, had feparated from the fleet, 4 ze HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782 and were proceeding to the place of rendez- vous, when, not hearing the engagement, and the wind veering about, they returned, and were very near joining the combined fleets, but difcovered their error time enough to rectify it. The miffing veiTel, they in- formed us, had been taken by the enemy, fome days before, off Malaga ; and having on board, the wives and baggage of the two regiments which were on board the fleet, and were intended for our reinforcement, her cap- ture greatly diflreffed thofe corps, and the garrifon heartily condoled with them. The Latona, in her return to the fleet, chafed and boarded a veflel, which proved to be aSpanifh fire-fhip. The crew deferting her, were con- dueled, by tw r o gun-boats attending, to a xe- beque at fome diftance, which afterwards went into Ceuta. The prize was fent into the bay. About noon, four or five men of war arrived from the fleet, with the 25th and 59th regiments. Lord Mulgrave, who com- manded the difembarkation, landed the troops with the greateft expedition under the line- wall at the New-mole, Rofia, and Camp bays, and returned to Lord Howe off Tetuan. The two regiments were encamped before ten o'clock at night : the former behind the bar- racks, the latter upon Windmill-hill. We now learned that the Admiral, having accom- plifhed the object of the expedition, intended to embrace the favourable opportunity of the wind, and immediately return to the weft- ivard. In the courfe of the night, the fire- SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 421 (hip brought in by Capt, Conway was pur- pofely fet on fire, and being anchored apart from the (hipping, blew up without doing any damage. The Latona foon afterwards joined the Britifli fleet. Capt. Vallotton, the Go- vernor's firft aide-de-camp, embarked in her to bear home the public difpatches. Capt. Curtis alfo went in her, to communicate a meflage from the Governor to Lord Howe ; and did not return. At day-break on the iQth, both fleets, to our great aftonifhment, were in fight ; the combined fleets being fome leagues to wind- ward. When the Britifh fleet was a-breaft of Europa, Lord Howe difpatched the Tifiphone fire-fhip, with a further fupply of powder collected from the fleet. The Britifh fleet afterwards put before the wind, and flood, under an eafy fail, in clofe order to the w r eft- ward. The van of the combined fleet, com- pofed of French (hips, followed with a prcfs of canvas at fome diftance. By two o'clock P. M. Lord How r e was out of fight -, but, the Spanifh (hips failing heavily, it was night be- fore they difappeared. Though fully con- vinced of the prudence of his Lordfhip's con- duel, it was no very pleafina; profpecl: for a Britifli garrifon to behold a Britifh fleet, though inferior in force, lead the enemy. At nigjht, the wind changed to the fouth-weft; and the fucceeding day, a brifk cannonade was heard from that quarter. This however could not proceed from the adion which af- terwards took place between the fleets, as the 422 HISfORY OF THE LATE [17*2, firing was heard early in the morning. Some time on thp jgth, a guard of two fubalterns, and ninety-fix men, was ordered ftem the 25th and 59th regiments on board the St. Michael, where they remained till fhe was completely repaired. Several large fhips were obferved, on the 2Oth, to be anchored at fome diflance from Algebras ; and as fix or feven were conjec- tured to be fire-fhips, precautions were ac- cordingly taken, and the batteries from South baftion to Europa ordered, in cafe of alarm, to be doubly manned. The enemy, the fame day, got off the man of war which ran afhore near their grand magazine. In the evening, fome movements were obferved in the French camp ; and on the fucceeding day moft of the tents were ftruck. In the afternoon, the Spanifh prieft was confined to his houfc, for holding converfation with fome of the pri- foners on Windmill-hill. The enemy's caw-, nonade was ftill continued, upon an average of about five or fix hundred rounds in the twenty-four hours. They lined fome part of the new boyau with fafcincs, and raifed a few traverfes in the rear, notwithstanding our brifk fire : they were, however, prevented from making any additions of confequence, On the 22d, a polacre arrived from Algiers, with intelligence from the Britifh conful, that Lord Howe had failed for the relief of Gib- raltar. Happily his lordfhip had effected that bulinefs, and probably before they at Algiers SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR 423 were informed of the Britifh fleet having left England. The extreme diftrefs which the garrifon had experienced in the clofe of the years 1779 and 1780, and the great profits which from the exigencies of thofe periods had ariferi to the adventurers who ran the hazard of a voyage with provisions for our relief, were, by this time, pretty generally known at home. The favourable opportunity of a fafc convoy under the Britifh fleet, prompted, therefore, many mafters of tranfports (fome of whom had been in the garrifon before during the war) to lay in a flock of various articles, with the profpect that the diftrefTes of \\ie\r frie?jds might afford thefe truly humane and generous patriots an occafion to fell them, on their arrival, at their own price. Although thefe fupplies were mod highly acceptable, yet the garrifon was not at this time in fuch abfolute need of their affiftance, as to pnrchafe them at thofe enor- mous prices which before had been given with pleafure j nor in juftice did we think, from the little rifk the adventurers ran, that they deferved fuch immenfe profits. A committee of officers from every corps aflembled on the .23d, to coniider what meafurcs to purfue in order to prevent fuch impositions in future j and, as every article brought to the garrifon was fold at public audion, it was unanimoufly agreed, that a certain price fhould be fixed upon each article, allowing fuch profit as might reafonably be thought adequate to the hazard ; and when the^iuaat-'" was published, 4?4 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, every officer (I believe) pledged bis honour not to exceed the terms therein fpecified*. The prudent and manly regulation of the committee was {triclly attended to for about a fortnight, but it had not that immediate ef- fect we expecled : many of our generous countrymen, rather than difpofe of their ven- tures for a profit of a hundred and fifty, and in fome inftances three hundred per cent, very liberally determined to fell them for a trifling advantage at Lifbon, or elfewhere, in their way home. We fhould neverthelefs have foon got the better of their obftinacy, had we continued determined and confident our- felves : but fome individuals, who preferred felf-gratification to the public good, beginning to evade the agreement, the WHOLE was cancelled, and the demands of the adven- turers became afterwards equally as exorbi- tant, if not more fo than before. So little dependence is there upon the adherence of a multitude to any fumptuary regulations, how- ever efTential to their real intereft. The mortar r boats, on the night of the 23d, paid us a vifit, and did conflderable damage. Their fhells w 7 ere chiefly directed towards the New-mole. The Heclor cutter, in Go* vernment's fervice, was funk by a fhell, and every thing on board loft. Several other vefTels narrowly efcaped the fame fate. We fired upon them from Willis's and the Old- mole j but their gun-boats were file nt. The * See Appendix. SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 425 24th, we obferved that the enemy had ftruck the tents of four or five battalions, and two regiments were feen this day marching along the beach. The day following, fome bag- gage was obferved removing from the Duke's quarters ; which gave us great hopes that his Grace was preparing to leave the camp, and that matters were verging towards a conclu- fion. In the evening a dfeferter came in, a native Catalonian. He informed us there had been an engagement between the Britifh and combined fleets, but could give us no particulars. He further told us that . their camp was breaking up: flxteen battalions had already marched away, and others were preparing to decamp: that they had ceafed to work in their approaches -, and that their night-guards confifted of four thoufand men, under the command of two brigadier generals ; concluding with acquainting us, that the win- ter-camp before the garrifon was to confift of twenty thoufand men: that additional gun- boats were building to conftantly harrafs us; and that a corporal and twelve men were ftati- oned in the gardens to prevent defertion. The 26th, the tents occupied by the Duke's corps encamped before Buena-vifta were ftruck ; which ferved to increafe our hopes, that the profpecl was not far diftant of an end to our fatigues. Don Juan Moreno left the garrifon the fame day, with a flag of truce. Our boat could not learn any further account of the engagement j but the officers were in- formed, that a general peace was expeded, 426 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, as the Americans had been acknowledged in- dependent by Great-Britain. More battalions left the enemy's camp on the syth : their cannonade nevertheless was continued, and feveral fhot ranged as far as the entrance of Windmill-hill * a diftance of about five thoufand yards. Their camp was ftill decreafing on the 28th and 2gth ; and we judged from our obfervations, that about twenty-three battalions, with a brigade of artillery, had marched into the country. The laft deferters faid many had taken the route to Cadiz. The 3Oth, we obferved the enemy had ftationed a guard under the rock near the Devil's-tower. They were taken fome notice of by our Artillery, who endea- voured to annoy them with fmall projectiles from the fummit of the Northern front. The Tifiphone, Captain Sandys, with five or fix ordnance-fhips (haying a hundred and fixty Jews on board) failed for England early in the morning of the 3; ft. The fame day, a foldier of the gythr regiment was killed at Rojia, by a long-range {hot from the Ifthmus. Three deferters- came in on the 2ci and 4th of November, but could give no fatisfaclory information relative to the adlion between the fleets. They faid the French troops 'had quitted the camp with the Royal Volunteers. The enemy's camp continued to break up on the yth and 8th, though fome of the re- giments, it was imagined, took poflTeflion of the large building eaftward of Point Mala t which had been built for a hofpital. On the Oft.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR; 427 7th, two men of war and a (loop (fuppofed to be French, from the Weft-Indies) pafled to the Eaftward, The Spanifh gun-boats feemed to fufpecl they were enemies, and intended to come in ; as they were in mo- tion, and appeared to be preparing for an attack. The 8th, twenty-three gun-boats paraded at a fhort diftance from the garrifon, extending in a line a-head to the fouthward; We expecled an attack upon the St. Michael > but an eafterly wind fpringing up, they re- turned. They had fcarcely got back, when a fignal was made at Cabrita Point, and they again put about. Our attention was engaged- by this manoeuvre-, and upon in- vefiigating the caufe, we difcovered a floop landing towards the garrifon from the eaft- ward. If this veflel had continued the courfe fhe then Peered, (he mi^ht undoubtedly have reached the rock : whether, however, it was owing to the wefterly current off Enropn, or the ignorance of the crew, we could not determine i in the courfe of an hour fhe drove fo confiderably to leeward, as to be out of the protection of our 2;uns, and after receiv- ing feveral difchargesof round and grape from the gun-boats, was boarded by the enemy. Sir Charles Knowles, Bart, (who fince Cap- tain Curtis's departure commanded in the bay) ordered feveral barges out to her af- fiftance, but to no purpofe. A boat, with five of her crew, efcaped to the garri- fon, and informed us fhe was laden with fu- gar and tea from Fal mouth. Soon after- 428 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, wards, a Danifh dogger was brought to an anchor in the bay, by a gun from Europa : flie was laden with rice and pilchards from England. A flag of truce, on the 9th, went with a letter to the Duke ; and in the even- ing, another brought over Enfign Lewis, of the 58th regiment, with the Quarter-matter and a volunteer of the 25th, who had been taken in the Minerva brig, with the bag- gage-, &c. of the 25th and 59th regiments. This flag alfo brought over other prifoners. By thefe gentlemen, we learned that an en- gagement had taken place between Lord Howe and Admiral Cordova, and that the latter was returned into port with his fleet much {battered. After the departure of the fleets, little at- tention was paid by the enemy to the block- ade. Not one cruifer was now to be feen in the Straits, or to the Eaftward j and few vef- fels of force were flationed at Cabrita Point. The idea of gaining Gibraltar, either by force or ftratagem, feemed at length to be totally relinquished. Their cannonade from the land neverthelefs was continued j but as it gradually diminifhed, and fcarce exceeded at this time two hundred and fifty rounds in the twenty-four hours, we imagined it would in a fhort time totally ceafe. The St. Philip's Caftle, and feveral ordnance-fhips, had left the bay the evening of the 8th ; and on the roth and I2th, two light veffels came to Algeziras, which from their appearance were thought to be of the latter. On the Nov.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 429 1 2th, a flag of truce went with a letter to the Duke : whilft it was out, the enemy's gun- boats commenced a fmart cannonade upon the St. Michael, (which was now refitted) whilft their mortar-boats bombarded our camp. We returned their fire ; and two of the mortar-boats retired very early, the others following them in about an hour. Three or four (hot were fired through the St. Michael, but no other damage was received. Our flag returned juft as the cannonade ceafed. As it appeared probable that the enemy might re- new their attacks upon the prize, Colonel Williams, who commanded the artillery, ordered more mortars to be diftributed along the fea-line, from the King's baftion to the New-mole fort. The I5th, a regiment quit- ted their camp; and at night their workmen raifed about twenty traverfes in the rear of their advanced boyau, extending from the parallel about half the length of the work. Our fire at this period was variable. The day following, between twenty and thirty tranfports, with troops on board, failed un- der convoy of two frigates for the weftward. Their artillery alfo about this time removed moft of the ordnance from their park to the landing-place ; where we numbered thirty cannon and five mortars, with a great quan- tity of fhot and fhells ready for embarka- tion. The i yth, a xebeque, and feveral armed vefTels and gun boats, anchored at Ca- brita Point, as if they had determined to re- new the blockade. Three days after, all the 430 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, Spanifh prifoners taken in the St. Michael, excepting a few who chofe to remain behind, Were fent to the camp. The Spanifh officers., on this occaiion, informed us that there had been an engagement between the Britilh and combined fleets, which had ended to the ad- vantage of the former. In the evening of the 20th, a party of about a hundred men were feen to go from the eaftern part of the enemy's parallel to the back of the rock. We could not at that time account for the march- ing of thefe troops. The fmall craft conti- nued at Cabrita Point, the men of war and larger veffels being at anchor off the Orange- grove. Four fail of the line and three fri- gates, befides xebeqnes, &c. were now in the bay. The enemy, on the 2ift and 22d, em- barked a vaft quantity of powder from their grand magazine on board the men of war. Moil of the fpare ordnance had already been fhipped on board, and others were removing daily toward the beach. Two boats arrived on the 23d from Por- tugal : they brought certain intelligence of the preceding aclion between the fleet?. The particulars of this intelligence were, that a partial adion had taken place between the Britifh, of thirty-four {hips, and the combined fleets, of forty-fix fhips of the line ; that, though the latter had the wea- ther-gage, they ftudioufly avoided a clofe en- gagement ; and after a cannonade of feveral hours, hauled their wind, and directed their courfe to Cadiz. The fame day, Lieut, Nov.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 431 John M'Kenzie, of the 73d, was dangerouf- ly wounded at Willis's. The enemy's fire now fcarcely exceeded a hundred and fifty rounds. Two more boats got in from Faro the night of the 26th. Our fuccefs, in ob- taining thefe welcome fupplies, rendered the enemy more vigilant and active to intercept them : every boat, even friends, which ap- proached the rock, raifed their fufpicion. Though every appearance in their camp in- dicated that they had given up all hopes of fubduing the garrifon by force, their parties on the Ifthmus continued to be very bufy, and fome evenings they made additions of traverfes to their works. Heavy timber was alfo brought forward to the parallel, but for what purpofe we could not then imagine. Their advanced parties hadlikewife the auda- city frequently to approach half way upon the caufeway from bay fide ; but the artillery having orders to [cower the gardens, and the neighbourhood of bay fide, with grape from the Old-mole, their curiofity in a fhort time was pretty well cooled. Towards the clofe of this month, the enemy's fire became more faint, and ill directed, whilft ours was more animated and effectual. Our engineers con- tinued to be conftantly engaged. The fe-^ building of the whole flank of the Prince of Orange's baftion, a hundred and twenty feet in length, with folid mafonry, (which was now nearly finiihed,) in the face of fuch pow- erful artillery, can fearcely be paralleled ra- r*.ny fiege. 432 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, In the beginning of December, the Achilles ordnance-fhip with two or three boats, arrived from England and Portugal. The 6th, a Ve- netian fhip was driven by the current under the guns of Europa : we fired to bring her to, and the matter inftantly came afhore, and in- formed us fhe was bound to London j but, be- fore he could return, his vefTel was boarded by three gun-boats, which towed her to Alge- ziras. The matter then came into the garri- fon, and at night was permitted to follow his veiTel. The following evening, a German de- ferted to us from the Walon guards. He in- formed us, that the enemy ttationed every evening a guard of three hundred men near the Devil's tower, where they had miners at work in a cave^ hoping to form a mine, to blow up the north part of the rock. We paid no kind of attention at firft to this intel- ligence } fo ridiculous, and even chimerical, the fcheme appeared. Recollecting however that a party had been obferved to march that way fome evenings before, and remarking, upon a clofer infpeclion, that every evening a numerous body of men approached along the eattern fhore towards that quarter, we be- gan to give fome credit to this {insular infor- mation.* The above deferter alfo informed us, that the enemy had removed fome ord- nance from the parallel, and that their guards and advanced parties were ttiil very ttrong. * In 1727, the Befiegers formed the defign of blowing" tin Willis's batteries by a mine ; but it is imagined they found it impracticable, as they never attempted to fpring the mine, though die Journal of that Siege fays it was loaded. Dec.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 433 By this period, our engineers had penetra- ted a confiderable diftance in the gallery above Farringdon's battery, and had opened five em- brafures to the front of the rock ; and to have a more fecure communication to this fmgular work, a covered way was funk, by blaiting the rock from the above battery, to the en* trance of the gallery. The fuccefs with which this work had been profccuted, and the confiderable advantages which promifed to refult from it when finished, induced the Governor to order that a fimilar battery, but only for two 2;uns, fhould be made in the rock near Crouchett's battery, above the Prince of HeuVs baftion ; and the workmen had now made fome advances therein. On the 1 2th, a guard-boat of :he St. Michael, with two officers and feven failofs, went over to the enemy. We afterwards learned from the officers, who returned in a flag of truce, that the failors rofe upon them, faying they were refolvcd to go over to the enemy : that Lieut. Small, who commanded the boat, drew his hanger, and attempted a ilroke at the man who was fpokefman upon the occafion ; but that he was knocked down by the c.oxfwain with the tiller of the rudder : that, whilft he was thus fenfclefs, they had- it in debate to throw him overboard but, by the intercefiiou of the young midfhipman, he was preferved, and, when taken ashore, was fome time before he recovered. The enemy's parties under the rock, near the Devil's tower, began now to engage our Ff 434 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, curiofity. Every part of the north front was explored, to endeavour, if poffible, to difco- ver what they were about. At length, on the 1 5th, a place was found above Green's-lodge, whence we could diftinguifh a part of their work. The communication w r ith this poft, being along a level beach, was greatly expofed to our fire. When their parties were difco- vercd advancing from the eaft flank of the fixty-four-gun battery, our artillery at Willis's and on the heights prepared to falute them. They w r ere permitted to approach unmolefted within two or three hundred yards, when a general volley was difch?irs;ed of cohorn-fhells, with grape, feconded by the mortars on the Levant battery, loaded \vith hand-fhells, or grenades, quilted together. A chance, or mine, was fometimes fprung upon them from the top, when they had nearly got under the rock ; theftones from which added not a little to their confufion and lofs. Notwithftanding they were in this manner obliged every even- ing to pafs the gantlope of our fire, they con- tinued to bring materials, and maintained their poft with farpriiing obftinacy. Some of the guard were feen frequently, in the day, to advance from their cover : a parly of Corfi- cans, who hitherto had done no other duty than guard the prifoners on Windmill-hill, were ordered therefore to the poft above GreenVlodge, to fire wall-pieces upon thofe that appeared from below. A flag of truce went from the garrifon on the 1 7th. The Spanifh Aide-de-camp in- Pec.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 43; formed us, that preliminaries of a general peace were expected to be figned in the courfe of the month. The fucceeding day, another flag went from the Governor with letters to the Duke ; it had fcarcely returned, when twenty-nine gun and mortar-boats commen- ced a fpirited attack upon th6 St. Michael, and other fhips, at anchor off Buena-Vifta. Since thefe boats had made a cuflom of firing upon the garrifon, we never remarked them to be arranged with morejudgment, or to be- have with greater gallantry, than they did on this occafion. The mortar-boats compofed the centre divifion, and a divifion of gun- boats was arranged on each flank ; their line of battle extending about two miles. They got their diftance thc firft round, and retained it with fuch precision, that almoft every fhell fell within fifty yards of the St. Michael, which was the chief object of their attack. The fe verity-fourth fheli fell on board, about mid-fhip, pierced the firft, and broke on the lower deck j killed four, and wounded eleven failors, three of them mortally. After this accident, Sir Charles Knowles, being appre- hen five of the moft fatal confequences if a fliell fhould fall into the magazine, removed the powder, through the oppofite port-holes, into a launch, which was immediate! v towr ' under the rock ; eighty barrels, which cpi not be removed, were thrown into th The enemy ftill maintained a war fj it is imagined, did not obfervr ''. board. Several (hells ., Ff 3 4 3<5 HISTORY OF THE LATE [1782, ornaments and parts of her rigging : fortu- nately however (he received no further injury. Not one fhell came afhore from the boats. Captain Gibfon, at the commencement of the adion, rowed out with eight gun-boats from the New-mole, and very warmly attacked their northern divifion. On his appearing in motion, three parapet boats advanced from the Orange-grove to take our boats in flank. One of this number was however foon difabled by the garrifon, and the other two joined the main body. When the enemy had expended their ammunition, the mortar-boats retired, and the gun-boats covered their retreat in a moft beautiful manner. They ftood towards the Orange-grove, and embarked fome of their crews on board the men of war. Three of the line-of-battle Ihips, two frigates, and a xebequej with fe\ r eral bomb-ketches and other vcflels, which were all laden with mili- tary {tores, failed to the weft ward. The ene- my's land-batteries, as is mentioned before, were gradually diminishing; in their fire ; but upon this occaiion, they Supported the boats Irom the bay with a very animated additional cannonade. The remainder of the enemy's fnips, laden with military ftores, failed on the night of the iqth from the Orange-grove to the weftward. The wind continued eafterly ; and on the fucceeding night, or rather the morning of the 2 1 ft, blew fo ftrong a gale, that the St. Michael was driven from her anchors more than half-bay over : every exertion was made Dec.] SIEGE 1782. ' Refolded, nemine contradicente, that the thanks of this houfe [Com- mons] be given to Lieut. General Boyd, Major General De la Motte, x Major General Green chief engi- neer, to Sir Roger Curtis, Knt. and to the Officers, Soldiers, and Sailors, lately employed in the defence of Gibraltar/ The Governor then proceeded : e No ' army has ever been rewarded by higher na- ( tional honours ; and it is well known how ' great, univerfal, and fpontaneous were the * rejoicings throughout the kingdom, upon ' the news of your fuccefs. Thefe muft * not only give you inexpreffible pleafure, * but afford matter of triumph to your deareft * friends and lateft pofterity. As a farther ' proof how juft your title is to fuch flatter- * ing diminutions at home, reft afiured, from ' undoubted authority, that the nations in { Europe, and other parts, are ftruck with * admiration of your gallant behaviour : even * our late refolute and determined antagjonifts * do not fcruple to beftow the commenda- 4 tions due to fuch valour and perfeverance. . ' I now moft warmly congratulate you on c thefe united and brilliant teftimonies of ap- ' probation, amidft fuch numerous, fuch * exalted tokens of applaufe : And FORGIVE ' ME, FAITHFUL COMPANIONS, IF I HUM- Apr.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 459 ELY CRAVE YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF MY ' GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. I * ONLY PRESUME TO ASK THIS FAVOUR, ' AS HAVING BEEN A CONSTANT WITNESS f OF YOUR CHEERFUL SUBMISSION TO THE c GREATEST HARDSHIPS, YOUR MATCHLESS * SPIRIT AND EXERTIONS, AND ON ALL * OCCASIONS, YOUR HEROIC CONTEMPT OF * EVERY DANGER/ A grand feu-de-joie was then fired by the line, each difcharge commencing; with a royal falute of twenty-one guns. Three cheers clofed the ceremony. The commander in chief, general and field-officers, afterwards withdrew ; and the detachments (formed two deep) marched into town, and lined the ftreets leading from the convent, by the Spanifh church and Grand-parade, to the KingV baftion. About half paft eleven o'clock, the proceflion began in the following order: ALL uncovered, and two deep, except the troops under arms, MARSHAL. Muflc, 1 2th Regiment, Playing, " Sef the conquering Hero comes" ARTILLERY. QUARTER-MASTER-GENERAL, and ADJUTANT- GENERAL, TOWN-MAJOR, and DEPUTY; With other STAFF OF THE GARRISON. Firft Divifion of FIELD OFFICERS, youngeft firft. Mufic, 58th Regiment, THE COMMISSIONER'S SECRETARY, Bearing on a crimfon velvet cufhion the commiflion. 4 6o HISTORY OF THE LATE [1783, THE COMMISSIONER'S AIDE-DE-CAMPS. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL BOYD, THE KING's COMMISSIONER. THE GOVERNOR'S SECRETARY, Bearing' on a crimfon velvet cufhion, the Inilgnia of the Order of the Bath. THE GOVERNOR'S AIDE-DE-CAMPS, AS ESQUIRES. GENERAL ELIOT T, THE KNIGHT ELECT ; Supported by Generals DE LA MOT TE and GREEN. Aide- de-camps to the Major Generals. MAJOR GENERAL P1CTON. His Aide-de-camp. THE BRIGADIER GENERALS, eldeft firft. Their Brigade Majors. Mufic, De La Motte's. Second Divifion of FIELD OFFICERS, eldeft firft. Mullc, 56th Regiment. The GRENADIERS of the GARRISON. No compliment was paid to the knight clecl: ; but, as the commiffioner paused, each regiment, with the officers, faluted. When the proceffion arrived at the colonnade, the general and field officers placed themfelves on each fide of the throne > the artillery formed under the colonnade, and the grenadiers, fronting the baftion, along the line-wall. The proper reverences being made to the va- cant throne, the commifiioner defired hi: fe c.etary to read the commiiTion: which being uone, he addrefTed the knight elect in a Ihort complimentary fpeech, taking the ribband at the- conclufion, and placing it over the Go- Apr.] SIEGE OF GIBRALTAR. 461 vernor's fhoulder, who inclined a little for that purpofe : three reverences were then a fecond time made, and each took his feat on a crimfon velvet chair on each fide of the throne, the commiffioner fitting on the right hand. The Governor was no fooner invefted, than the mnfic flruck up, God fane the King. The grenadiers fired a volley, and a grand difch-.rge of a hundred and fixty pieces of cannon was fired from the fea-line. The proceiiion then paiTed forwards through the colonnade, and returned in the fame order. The detachments were afterwards difmifled, and each non-com miffioned officer and private received a pound of frefh beef and a quart of wine. The generals, with their fuites, and the field-officers, dined at the Convent. In the evening, the colonnade was illumi- nated with different-coloured lamps, and tranfparent paintings in the back fcene : and Sir George Auguitus Eliott, with the Lieute- nant Governor, and principal officers of the garrifon, aiTembling at the King's baftion about nine o'clock, there was a difplay of fire-works from the north and fouth baftions, and the Spanifh church -, the principal of which were fired from the latter, being op- pofite to the company. Thus, in feftivity and with honour, ended the labours of the garrifon of Gibraltar. During a period of three years feven months, end twelve days (that is, from the commence- ment of the blockade to the cefTation of arms) we had experienced a continued feries of 4*2 HISTORY OF THE LATE, gen. watchfulnefs and fatigue, the horrors of fa- mine, and every harrailing and vexatious mode of attack, which a powerful, obftinate, and revengeful enemy could devife. On review- ing the tranfaclions of this period, two cir- cumftances cannot fail to ftrike the attentive reader j viz. the very flow manner in which the enemy proceeded in their operations, and the impoilibility of maintaining fo Uriel a blockade, as to prevent all communication by fea. To evince thefe, and other circum- ftances not unimportant to military readers, I have been reduced to greater accuracy and minutenefs than ordinary hiftorians are oblig- ed to obferve j and inftead of the acutenefs of inveftigation, or a fplendid fententiouf- nefs, I have been neceffitated to purfue the narrative, almoft uninterruptedly, in the te- dious form of a journal. I have not pre- fumed to interfperfe many animadverfions of my own : the only merit to which I can lay any claim, is that of a faithful narration of fads; and I confefs, I would at any time ra- ther walk in the beaten track of truth, than miflead the judgement of my readers in the wilds of fancy and conjecture. A return of cafuakies is annexed ; alfo the expenditure of ammunition, both by the enemy and the garrifon. The papers, as well as the eftimate of provifions, I thought better to throw into the form of an appendix, than to interrupt the narrative by their infer- tion. APPENDIX. i!P i**-' 11 S, H ^ O Ji 3 O = ^ fw ???i?!?5?.15'*>'5-^i| ll f? O ooooooo~ooo~o o*- OOO k^^MMvni-iOOOOO O O O O O OOO"*O*OOOOO OJO>OaWOJ->lO 0\t^. 3O w "f-2 OOOOOOOOOO--OOOO Us -5 flR93 4^4 APPENDIX. , and ending It < 3 J3f 3 IS <; " )w c 1 f 1 MONTHS. ^ 6 to ST1VH J.HOD * t> " "1 " I" I" U-J SHELLS. , 5 - ?>0 > M 10 *^ ^ O 5- tC^- M ~ v,_ ' MN M ti "^ JC ^ O X w vo^ r^wsco so M ^ A 1 U MONTHS. 8, APPENDIX. 465 ~ J* ft? all * , *t O O >0 woo >o m o rr o\oo v5r>r<- -vo-mwivn C^ * * ii Hh 04 ^ 00 .>? APPENDIX. "o-"-^^- ~ tr> r^ Q ^-^^-OOOO.N-^r^^.Tf W .v OO~-NOOOOOOO I S 8| I 1 ** o g S S S o ^ 05 o o o c'-r Q ! * i KouHdo Salt Bee b i^ 18 Z -Irt o o O S s " . ^^ ** IS 8 r 13 -s ^j r\ X ^S | S ^^ a a, c J2 oooooooc I O I ? I 8/3 .g .S APPENDIX. ON"Oo-*-OO"OOO te'S.S 2 o a c ^-* u. "es g S, ^ sw ss lli tftfii ii^Pli^EiS 15