Naval and Military Memoirs of Great Britain, from 1727 to 1783

of a man. They so fcoser had poffeffion of that hill, than the troops under Major Pierion attacked the French in the town, with the courage and intrepidity of British troops, fupported with equal ardour by the militia. Captain Frater with his detachment came down the hili, and attacked them on the other fide of the market-place; for there they had made their fland, placing cannon at each venne. The fre was beavy whilft it lafted; but the French were i prefed on all Edes, that they were foon beat. Their commander, the Baron, had his lower jaw broke by a mufket-fhot, one foot through his neck, and one or two through the thigh; he died that it of his wounds. He was buried with military honours. The Baron held our Governor by the arm, and kept him in the fire the whole time. Several of their officers were wounded; no other ed there ;—they bad near 100 privates killed, and about So wounded, and 280 prisoners.

On our fide, we suffered the irreparable lofs of poor Major Pierfon, who was shot through the heart juft as victory declared herself for him, to the regret of every body: no other ccer killed or wounded; very few privates killed or wounded.

Note 254. Captain Mulcaster's Letter to Lord Amberit, relative to the attack on the Island of Jersey.

MY LORD, Jerfey, 7th Jan. 1781. I am forry to inform your lordship, that this land was furprized, the Lieutenant-Governor made priioner in the capital of Jeriey, in prefence of the enemy, before feven o'clock yesterday morning. Matters being thus circumftanced, I threw myself into Elizabeth Castle, and being commanding officer, I ordered the neceflary arrangements for its defence, which with the affi.tance of Captain Crawford of the Invalids, and other officers, was foon effected. About nine o'clock, I was informed that a capitulation was on foot for the island and its dependencies. The garrifon to march out with the honours of war, and their arms to be lodged in the town-house. I called a council of war, but before I had well laid before them the contents of the meffage, I was informed the enemy were advancing in force: no time was to be loft for opinion. I took a decided one, spurned at the terms, and fent a verbal answer that 1 should defend the Castle to the last extremity. The meffenger was no fooner out of the gate, than I ordered a shot to be fired wide of them, as a refpect to the flag of truce, as I would confider the messenger in no other light, but the enemy fill advancing, I ordered one to be directed at them, which killing two men, and taking off the leg of n officer, had the defired effect; they returned to the town: at a ter paft nine, I fent to Captain Lumfdaine, commanding the 78th ent, to send me some gunners from the militia, and at the fame

time acquainted him of the determined refolution to defend the castle. I was happy to hear in a fhort time, that he had already made a fimilar reply to a like meffage, and he fent the gunners required. I fent a meffenger to Major Pierfon, now Commander in Chief, of the step I had taken. About half an hour after ten o'clock, Captain Aylward of the Invalids, got into the Caftle, and being the eldest officer, I gave up the command, having acquainted him with the difpofition I had made. A quarter before eleven o'clock, a trumpet came in, attended by a gentleman, he brought the French general's proclamation, and the other articles of capitulation, and an order fimilar to that which I had first received, to deliver up the caftle; neither the proclamation or capitulation were read, but an answer fent of the fame nature as before. Thefe, my lord, were the proceedings in Elizabeth Castle. Upon the firft alarm of the enemy being in poffeffion of the town, and of the Lieutenant Governor, Captain Lumfdaine, commanding the 78th regiment, affifted by his officers, in a very handfome manner, took poffeffion of the Gallowshill, on the N. W. fide of the town, having with him their cannon. Major Pierson with the 95th regiment, was at five miles diftance, but appeared as soon as time would admit. Capitulation, &c. were rejected with indignation; he was no fooner informed of the fituation of the enemy than his plan was fixed. He ordered captain Hugh Frafer, with the light companies of the 78th and 95th regiments, to get poffeffion of the Town-Hill on the S. E. fide of the town, which by taking a circuitous route was effected with great dexterity: this great object obtained, the main body entered the town. Major Pierson, at the head of the 95th regiment, forced the back street, and came upon the enemy's flank in the market-place, at the moment that Captain Lumfdaine attacked them in front from the great street. The detachment upon the Town-hill, at the fame time, poured in a heavy fire, and Captain Frafer, with part of the light infantry, defcended the hill, and attacked in rear, fo that the enemy being attacked on all fides, they threw down their arms. Major Pierfon juft lived to see the fuccefs of his well concerted plan, he fell in the moment of victory, by almost the last shot, to the infinite regret of his brave comrades, who had fo gallantly fupported him. The Lieutenant Governor again affumed the command. The rear-guard of the enemy being near Grouville Bay, in the neighbourhood of the 83d regiment, were attacked with great fpirit, and defeated by the grenadier company, commanded by Lieutenant Robertson; they diftinguished themfelves exceedingly. The face of affairs being in a few hours thus changed, the enemy's veffels quitted the island, the troops they had landed being drowned, killed, wounded, or prifoners. The militia had alfo their fhare in the events of the day. Their conduct merits great praise. The bearer, Lieutenant M'Rae, of the 78th regiment, a deserving young officer, will have the honour of delivering this letter.

I have the honour to be, my lord, &c. &c.
F. GEO. MULCASTER.

Note

Note 255. Lord Amherft's Answer to Captain Mulcafter.

SIR,

Whitehall, 22d Jan. 1781.

I take occafion of Lieut. M'Rae returning to Jersey, to thankyou for your letter of the 7th inftant, which I received by him. Your account is very clear and fatisfactory, and I was very glad to receive it, as at the time, I could not but be in doubt, from the uncertain accounts before received, which yours fully explained. Had I known that you were in Elizabeth Castle on the 6th, my mind would have been much more at eafe; but Mr Budd feared the enemy had furrounded your house, and could give no account of your having escaped. I therefore thought it neceffary, for Lieutenant-Colonel de Ruvijnes, to proceed directly to Jerfey, but he met the good news (which followed) at Portsmouth, and returned here. The account you give of Major Pierfon's difpofition of the troops to attack the enemy, encreafed much the regret I felt on the first account of his being killed; his lofs is much to be lamented, while the behaviour of the officers, who feconded him in his disposition, and attack of the enemy in different parts, is much to be commended. What fell immediately to your share, in Elizabeth Castle, while you commanded, was perfectly well executed, as your letter was the cleareft and fulleft account I had feen. I laid it before the King, and his Majefty received it graciously.

I am, Sir,
Your moft obedient, humble fervant,
AMHERST.

Captain Mulcafter.

Note 256. Lift of the French Fleet under M. de la Motte