Some Account of the Public Life of the Late Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, Bart Part 12

"GEO. BECKWITH, Com. Forces."

"_Martinique, Heights of Surirey, Feb. 2._

"Sir,

"In conformity with your orders, I disembarked on the 30th ult. with the Fuzileer brigade of the 1st division of the army, at Malgre Tout, in the Bay Robert, at four o'clock, p. m. and proceeded from thence to De Manceau's estate, where I arrived late, in consequence of the difficulties of the country, and the unfavourable state of the roads for the movement of cannon. Before the dawn of the next day, I reached Papin's, and proceeded from thence with the advance, composed of the Royal Fusileer regiment, and the grenadier company of the 1st West India regiment. The enemy retiring before me, I reached the heights of De Bork's estate towards evening, where I was joined at day-light on the 1st inst. by Brigadier-General Hoghton, with the 23rd regiment and the light infantry battalion, under the command of Major Campbell, of the Royal West India Rangers. I lost no time after this junction, and pushed forwards the Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Pakenham, with the Royal Fusileers, to possess himself of Morne Bruno; this movement I supported by the light infantry battalion, under Brigadier-General Hoghton, who was ordered, after uniting the two corps, to proceed to force the heights of Desfourneaux, whilst I held the Royal Welsh Fusileers in reserve, to strengthen such points of attack as might require it. On my coming on the heights of Surirey, I had innumerable proofs of the valour and judgment of the Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Pakenham, of the excellence of the Fusileer brigade, and of the spirited and judicious exertions of Lieutenant-Colonel Ellis, and Majors Pearson and Ostley, of the 23rd or Royal Welsh Fusileers; also of the bravery of Major Campbell and the light infantry battalion; all of which have enabled me to retain this valuable position without artillery, within 300 yards of the enemy's intrenched camp, covered with guns. The officers belonging to my staff distinguished themselves by their zeal and activity during the heat of the action. I have to lament the loss of Captain Taylor, Acting Deputy-Quarter-Master-General, who was severely wounded whilst rendering effectual services to his country.--I cannot omit acknowledging, that to Lieutenant Hobbs, of the Royal Engineers, I am indebted for the rapidity of our movements, and ultimate success, from his acquaintance with this country, which enabled him to guide and direct our movements.

"GEO. PREVOST, Lieut.-Gen."

(Private.)

"_Downing-street, May 25th, 1809._

"Dear Sir,

"I beg to congratulate you on the successful termination of the operations in Martinique, in which you bore so distinguished a part. I hope that this will find you safely returned to Nova Scotia, without having suffered in your health from your West India campaign.

"I remain, dear Sir,

"Your faithful and obedient servant,

"CASTLEREAGH."

"_Lieut.-Gen. Sir G. Prevost, &c. &c. &c._"

No. XVIII.

_Addresses presented to Sir George Prevost, on his Arrival at the Islands of Dominica and St. Christopher, p. 11._

_To His Excellency Lieut.-Gen. Sir George Prevost, Bart. &c. &c. &c._

"May it please your Excellency,

"We, His Majesty's loyal subjects, the Members of the House of a.s.sembly of the Island of Dominica, avail ourselves of the occasion of your Excellency's visit to your late government, to repeat to you the a.s.surances of the high esteem which we have ever entertained for the character of your Excellency, and to express our most grateful sense of the unabated zeal which your Excellency has evinced, on every occasion, to promote the welfare and prosperity of this colony, as well as to add glory to the arms of your country.

"With every anniversary of the 22nd February, will the services rendered by your Excellency recur to our memory, not only from the gallantry displayed by your Excellency upon that occasion, when opposed to so superior a force, but for your subsequent exertions in favour of the unfortunate sufferers by the fire, to which may be chiefly attributed the relief afforded them by the mother country.

"We beg leave to congratulate your Excellency upon the brilliant result of the operations against the enemy's most important colonial possession, and by which, an opportunity has been afforded you, of acquiring fresh laurels, in addition to those which already grace your Excellency.

"We most heartily and sincerely wish your Excellency a prosperous and pleasant pa.s.sage to your government, and we antic.i.p.ate that reward which awaits you (ever most pleasing to a soldier)--the approbation of your sovereign.

"JNO. HY. HOBSON, Speaker."

"_House of a.s.sembly, 15th March, 1809._"

_Reply of Sir George Prevost._

"Mr. Speaker, and

"Gentlemen of the House of a.s.sembly,

"I feel flattered by your expressions of personal consideration, and highly gratified that my exertions in favour of the sufferers on the memorable 22d of February, 1805, were attended by some success.

"I thank you for your congratulations on the favourable termination of a short, but brilliant campaign.

"GEORGE PREVOST."

"_Government-House, 15th March, 1809._"

_To His Excellency Lieut.-Gen. Sir George Prevost, Bart. &c. &c. &c._

"May it please your Excellency,

"We the merchants and inhabitants of this His Majesty's Island of Saint Christopher, beg leave to approach your Excellency with the warmest congratulations on your arrival in this colony; and to a.s.sure your Excellency that could any circ.u.mstance enhance the satisfaction we receive upon this occasion, it must proceed from the happy contemplation of the recent success which has crowned the exertions to which you have so pre-eminently contributed in the reduction of the Island of Martinique to His Majesty's arms: a conquest which has at once given additional splendour to the British name, and added another signal example of your merit, perseverance, and intrepidity.

"Although pre-eminent as your Excellency is viewed, by every cla.s.s of your heroic brothers in arms, we cannot, however, but a.s.sure your Excellency, that the high and general estimation which every inhabitant of the sister colony (hitherto entrusted to your command), feels toward you, (and which colony you so gallantly defended against a superior force), contributes most powerfully to endear you to every individual of this island, in the united character of a brave soldier and a good citizen.

"We trust your Excellency's stay amongst us will be protracted for a time equal to the wishes of this community, who anxiously express the most ardent desire of offering to your Excellency every testimony of the high consideration they entertain of you, and the brave soldiers under your command.

"A great and good King, who can appreciate merit and bestow reward, will add stability to our expressions, and p.r.o.nounce to the world, by his commendations, that we have not presumed to announce your merits, but from the truest heralds of your fame--men who have shared your dangers and received your smiles--the British soldiery."

"_Ba.s.seterre, March 21st, 1809._"

_Reply of Sir George Prevost._

_To the Merchants and Inhabitants of the Island of St. Christopher._

"Gentlemen,

"Highly flattered as I feel by the address of the merchants and inhabitants of His Majesty's Island of St. Christopher; the gratification I derive from this testimony of their consideration, increases my very sincere regret that the interest of the public service deprives me of the opportunity of indulging my private feelings in making a longer stay than my duty will in the present instance permit;--I shall ever most eagerly and joyfully avail myself of every occasion of testifying to this island, my sincerest and best wishes for its welfare and prosperity.

(Signed) "GEORGE PREVOST."

"_Ba.s.seterre, March 21st, 1809._"

No. XIX.