An Account of the Campaign in the West Indies, in the Year 1794 Part 11

GENERAL ORDERS. _July 6, 1794._

The Commander in Chief has just received another letter from the secretary of state on the subject of postage of letters to this army, of which the following is a copy.

"SIR, _Whitehall, May 8, 1794._

"As I find the post master general is restrained by law from discharging any letters from the payment of postage, I have, in order that the officers and soldiers under your command may receive their letters free of expence, notified to the different army agents, that all letters for the said officers and soldiers, if sent to this office, will be forwarded to them. I have accordingly directed that such letters shall be put in a separate packet or bag, and addressed to yourself, and transmitted by each mail.

(Signed) "HENRY DUNDAS."

_Extract from another Letter from Mr._ DUNDAS _to Sir_ CHARLES GREY, _K.

B. May 21, 1794._

"It is peculiarly grateful to his Majesty in directing me to signify to you his most entire and perfect approbation of your conduct, and of the gallant behaviour of all the officers and soldiers who served upon this occasion; and which you will convey to them in the most particular manner, and that such important conquests have been attained with so little loss on the part of his majesty. I take this opportunity of inclosing you the votes of thanks to you and Sir John Jervis, which I moved yesterday, with the unanimous concurrence of the House. You will observe they are to be officially communicated to you by the speaker. Similar votes were unanimously pa.s.sed by the Lords."

_Extracts from the Votes of the House of Commons._

"Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this House be given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the most honourable order of the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies."

"Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this House be given to Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Major General Prince Edward, and Major General Thomas Dundas, and to the several officers of the army under the command of Sir Charles Grey, for their late gallant conduct and meritorious exertions in the West Indies."

"Resolved, nem. con. That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge the services of the non-commissioned officers and private soldiers in the army serving under Sir Charles Grey in the West Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the commanders of the several corps, who are desired to thank them for their gallant behaviour."

"Ordered, That the speaker do signify the said resolutions to Sir Charles Grey and Sir John Jervis."

Colonel Colin Graham, of the twenty-first regiment, is appointed brigadier general from the 26th of May, 1794.

_Head Quarters, Martinique, July 13, 1794._

Parole, NORTHAMPTON. C. S. BURFIELD.

A General court martial to a.s.semble at St. Pierre's, Martinico, on Friday next, the 25th instant, at eight o'clock, for the trial of Brigadier General Sir Charles Gordon, lieutenant colonel of the forty-first regiment of foot, and such other matters as shall be brought before them. The witnesses, both on the part of the prisoner and prosecution, to attend; lists whereof to be sent to Major of Brigade Lorraine, at St. Pierre's, immediately. The above general court martial to consist as follows.

Lieutenant General Prescott, president.

And such other members as shall be hereafter ordered.

_Boyne, off Pointe a Pitre, July 20, 1794_.

Parole, BRITAIN. C. S. ----

The Commander in Chief orders a _feu de joie_ to be fired this evening at six o'clock, to celebrate the most signal victory that ever was gained over the French fleet, on the 1st of June last, by Earl Howe, in the English channel. The French fleet consisted of twenty-six s.h.i.+ps of the line, the English fleet of twenty-five. Of the French seven sail of s.h.i.+ps of the line were taken, one sunk, and many of them dismasted and crippled; so that most probably many more would fall into the hands of the English. In short, the General has the satisfaction to announce to the army the total ruin of the French fleet.

_Head Quarters, St. Pierre, July 28, 1794_.

Parole, JERVIS. C. S. ----

The Right Honourable Lord Loughborough having transmitted to the Commander in Chief the votes of thanks pa.s.sed by the House of Lords to himself, Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Prince Edward, and Major General Thomas Dundas, and all the other officers of this army; the Commander in Chief loses no time in giving out the following copies of those votes in general orders.

"_Die Mercurii_.

"Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, in parliament a.s.sembled, That the thanks of this House be given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the most honourable order of the Bath, for his late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies."

Signed, G. ROSE, Clerk of Parliament.

"_Die Mercurii_.

"Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, in parliament a.s.sembled, That the thanks of this House be given to Lieutenant General Prescott, his Royal Highness Prince Edward, Major General Thomas Dundas, and to the several officers of the army under the command of Sir Charles Grey, for their late able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies."

Signed, G. ROSE, Clerk of Parliament.

_May 21, 1794_.

"Ordered, nemine dissentiente, by the Lords spiritual and temporal, in parliament a.s.sembled, That this House doth highly approve and acknowledge the services of the non-commissioned officers and private men in the army serving under Sir Charles Grey in the West Indies; and that the same be signified to them by the commanding officers of the several corps, who are desired to thank them for their gallant behaviour."

Signed, G. ROSE, Clerk of Parliament.

The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London having transmitted to the Commander in Chief the unanimous vote of thanks of the Common Council of the city to this army, he takes the earliest opportunity of communicating the following extract thereof in general orders.

"At a common council holden in the chamber of the Guildhall of the city of London, on Tuesday, May 27, 1794, Le Mesurier, Mayor,--Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this Court be given to Sir Charles Grey, Knight of the Bath, and the officers and soldiers serving under his command, for the signal services they have rendered to their country by their able, gallant, and meritorious conduct in the West Indies."

Signed, RIX.