Star. — London, England, 1810-03-16 00:00:00

THE EVENING STAR. LONDON. FRIDAY, MARCH 16. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. S per Cent. Cons. for money, 68W—acc. 65+4 5 per Cent. 984f—Ex. Bills 17s. 22*. pre.—Bonds 155..165. The particulars of the Capture of Guadaloupe were published this morning in a Gazette Extraordinary. —The length of this Gazette—four sheets—obliges us to compress some of the less important documents, but we have abridged nothing necessary to the eluci dation of the event. LONDON GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY. FRIDAY, MARCH 16. DOWNING-STREET, MARCH IS. Captain Wilby, Aid-de.Camp to Lieutenant General Sir George Beckwith, K. B. commanding his Majesty's Forces in the Windward and Lesward Islands. arrived this morning with a Dispatch from the Del:tenant Gener,l`. to the Earl of Liver pool, one of his Mnj.qy's Principal Secretaries of State, of which the following is a Copy : c!iiclatoure, February 9. MY Lonn--In c.bedic:nce to -the King's command to attack this island, as pointed nut in your Lordship's dispatch of the 2t! November last, I have the honour to report, for his Majesty's information, that having taken the necessary measures to collect such a force as circumstances admitted, and as I judged adequate to this important service, and having made every ne cessary arrangement with Vice Ad:niral Sir. Alexan der Coch. ane, I sailed from Martinique on the 22d ult. to the place of general rendezvous, at Prince Ru pert's, Dominica, where we were detained 48 hours, some of the transports having fallen to Leeward.. The army was formed into five brigades. The First Brigade, under the command of Briga dier-Gene, al Harcourt, was composed of 500 light infantry, SOO of the 15th foot, including their flank companies, and 400 battalion men of the 3d West In dia Regiment. The Second Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Barrow. consisted of 300 grenadiers, 600 men of the 25th Regiment, including their flan!: com panies, and 350 men of the 6th West India Regiment, including their flank companies. The Third Brigade, commanded by Brigadier- General Maclean, consisted of 500 light infantry, 500 men of the 90th Foot, including their flank companies, and 4'. 1 0 men of the Bth West India Regiment, inclu ding.their flank companies. The Fourth Brigade, commanded by Brigadier. General Skinner, was composed of a battalion of 600 Men formed from the 13th and 63d Regiments, a detachment of 200 men of the York Light Infantry Volunteers, and the 4th West India Regiment. - The Fifth Brigade, under the command of Briga dier-General Wale consisted of 500 Grenadiers, WO men 9f the Royal Yolk Rangers ; to this force was • added 300 Artillery, under the command of Colonel Pnirton, with a cernpany of military Artificers. These Brigades were formed into two divisions and a reserve. 'the First Division, commanded by Major-General Hislop, was composed of the 3d and 4tfi Brigades; the Second Division, under the command of 13riga dter-General Harcourt, consisted of the First and SeCond Brigades. The fifth brigade ender the command of Brigadier _ _ General Wale, formed the reserve. The second divisiom sailed from Dominica on the morning of the ‘26th, and anchored at the Saintes. The first division, with the reserve, sailed in-the course of the afternoon, and anchored on the 27th at Isle Cosier Grande Terre, and early in the - morning of the 28th,' proceeded across the bay to St. Mary's in Capesterre, in the smaller vessels, of war, other craft, and flat boats, where a landing was effected without opposition in the course of the day ; and in the after noon, the first division, under the command of Major- General Hislop, moved forward, the third brigade to Capesteri-e, the fourth brigade to Grande Riv:ere, the reserve remained to cover the landing of the necessary provisions, and other objects. On the 29th, the first division marched to the Ban-, naniers river, where it took post. The reserve at the same time abandoned the landing place at St. Mary's, and reacl - .e.d the Grilnde Riviere that night, with two days provisions for the corps acting to windward. On the 30th, the first division advanced by the strong pass of Trou au Chien, which was not defend. ed, and the head of the column reached Three Rivers Alibotit eleven o', lock, pushing small detachments on 'bout enemy with. the light troops. Te reserve march ed early in the morning from its position, gaining Three Rivers about sunset. The enemy marked a disposition to defend the Heights, D'Olet and other places strengthened with field artillery, b-at in the afternoen lw abandons all his posts with precipitation, leaving his oidivance behind. It became necessary for the rest division and the reserve to remain at Three Rivers until the morning of the 2d instant, to land five days previsions from the fleet, which, owing to the uncommon ext. tions of Commodore Faliie, Captains Di!!ce, and Dowers, with other Naval Officers, (whose activity on this occasion, as well as at the landing at Saint Mary's, was most conspicuous,) was promptly effccted. The corps marchc.l in two columns, the reserve forming the right, and advancing by the mountains took possession of Palmiste, at his upper extteinity, whilst the first division marching by D'Olet, and the great road to Basseterre, subdivided at the foot of I this height, the fourth brigade ascending it near the centre, the third brigade at its lower extremity, the reserve found the posts of Langlais abandoned, and the guns spiked. The possession of Morne Hone - 1 being of the highest importance, I directed Brigadier General Wale to march with the reserve at four o'clock in the afternoon, who occupied it without re sistance about eight at night, the cannon being spiked and dismounted, and the ammunition in general w:: steel or destroyed. On the morning of the 3cl, the first . division marched frf:m Palmiste, crossing the river Gallion in one column at the only ,practicable pass, the fourth brigade taking post in the centre, about a mile from the bridge (1 Noaiere on the river Noire, and the third btigade occupied MT. Peltier's home, where the enemy abandoned a magazine of provisions. In the course of the 29th, the second division, un- ' 'der the command of Bt weighed from the Saintes, and Three Rivers, gave the enemy quarter, facilitating the advance army, but in the night bore - morning to leeward near the _ marching immediately towards inclining to his rear, excited l• degree as to induce him to Three Rivers, Palmiste, Morne tire beyond the bridge of Noziere, putting the river in his front, and extending his left in such manner into the mountains as in his opinion to secure his posi tion. • 'The second division was enabled, from the m oire of the country, to land two royal hoWit z .rs and two field-pieces, and to mount them in battery, to which two 6-inch howitzer mortars were afterwards added. 1 The enemy being now compressed within narrow limits, the difficulty (and that a considerable one), Was the passage of the' river Noire, to the defence of which he had paid the utmost attention ; it appeared to me to be necessary to turn his left by the moun tains, notwithstanding all the obstructions of nature and of art which opposed this decision. I therefore gave the necessary orders to Brigadier-General Wale, commanding the' Reserve, to carry this important service into execution during the night of the Sd ; but, after my separating froth. the Brigadier-General, he i nbtained intelligence of a nature so important as not, in his opinion, to admit c-f consulting me upon an al teration in the time; and he proceeded to execute his orders, although by a shorter route than we possessed the kilowlete of at the period of my quitting him. I entirely approve of the Brigadier-General's deter mination on the grounds on which he decided, although it created a temporary embarrassment. This important service was greatly and successfully executed, as will appear more gully by Brigadier- General Wate.'s separate report ; and my sentiments of what is dice to Major Henderson, commanding the Royal York Rangers, who was wounded upon this occasion, and to the officers and soldiers 'of this regi ment, are fully expressed in my public order for warded with this letter ; which I request your Lord ship witl be pleased to lay before the King, with my earnest hope,„that his Majesty will promote Major Henderson, whose merits are beyond my praise. I lament on this occasion the loss sustained by this young corps, which has suffered considerably, amounting to no less than four Lieutenants killed ; one Field Oaicer and fear Captains wounded, with upwards of ei,ttitty men killed and wounded ; but the effort decided . the campaign, the enemy being, so con founded in finding his flank turned, and the heights occupied, that the Captain General instantly hoisted white flags at his own • . (prarters and other places, whilst the troops were advancing ; and indeed this officer's person was greatly exposed in his position. I - am concerned to add,. that Brigadier General Wale commanding the reset ve, and Captain Grey, an . Assistant in the Quartermaster General's department; were wounded on this service. Commissioners appointed on both sides baying met the next morning (the sth) a - Capitulation was agreed !upon, which was ratified 'on the morning Of the 6th, And which I trust will be bOnoured with his Majes ty's approbation. I have the honour to Inclose the following Docu ments: No. t. The Proclamation addressed by the Admiral and myself to the inhabitant:: of Guadeloupe. No. 2. Major-General Hislop's report of the first division. No. 3. Brigadier-General Harcourt's' report of the od No. 4. Brigadier-General Wale's report of the attack made by the Royal York Rangers, with the feint of the second battalion of Grenadiers, upon the bridge of Nuziere, on the evening 9f the Mend morning of the 9th. , No. 5. The Car:ulation. No. R. Conies of my public order; of the Stb, 6th, and 7th, to the army and nary :•;rving on shore. No. 7. Returns of killed, wounded, and missing; also, Medical Report of wounded. No. 8. Return of tae General OMeers serving in the field. When the uncommon strength of this country, ge'-' nerally, is considered, :lad, the nature of the enemy's position, which had been selected with greatarut atten tion, covered with redoubts and furnished lery, I trust the advance of one column ?If the army. without a single field-piece, and of the oilier equally unprovided, until within range of,the enemy's princi pal works, will be held by military men a bold and arduous .enterprize, where the defence possessed a force, in the first instance, of 5500 men, notwith standing which, the campaign terminated in 'eight days. This force underwent a gradual dimiaution, and latterly a very extensive one, by the falling off of the Colonial troops, and by the increase of the sick and wounded, whose numbers (independent of the killed and missing, which are considerable,) are stated tb rite tp exceed six hundred men. I hope the services of this at my will be honoured with his l‘ljesty's approbation, and the confidence of their country. Captain Wilby, one of, my Aides-de-Camp, who 'was intrusted•with the Eagles taken 'from the enemy at Martinique; last r: , nipaign, has the litinour to be the bearer of this dispateb,- and of die Eagleof the 66th regiment, which has fallen into our possession on the present occasion, to be laid at the King's feet. I beg leave to recommend this officer to his Ma., jesty's favour, and your Lordship's protection for the rank of. Major in the army. • • The Co-operation of Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, of Commodores Ballard and Fable, the Captains and other Officers of the Navy, which are expressedin detail in my inclosnre, No. 6, has been in cessant and effectual, and AVACRit such exertions a service of the present description, if at all practicable, must have been drawn into length The services of Captain Kemp, principal Agent for Transports, la- , booting under ill health, of Captain Parry and of other Officers of the same department, .have been highly laudable, and the exertions of Mr. Matthew King, a merchant of consideration, but bred a sea man, who without remuneration has superintended the dispokition of upwards of fifty vessels hired in tile West Indies, for the transport of troops and stores, have been ex&emely important, and are now conti nued much to the benet of his Majesty's service, I have the honour to be, ecc. (Signed) G. BECKWITH, Commander of Forces. No. t.-Translation.) Proclamation by their ExcellcneiesLieutenant-GeneralNir George Beckwith, K.B. and Vice-Admiral the Honourahie Sir.Alex znder Cochrane, K.R. commanding the Land and Naval i'nt ces of his Britannic Majesty, it the Windward and Leeward Islands, /k.s. otanien and Inhabitants of cuadataepet .• . • I i Force, formidable to anon who Would moose it, but offering protection to thosvpOst act attaslled to p 04284 to their own interests. We order an iitelnantere and Inhibitanai Towns to return to their hon l9 .they will And themselves protected there in their persons sad►• We Craft etta-eiviliCommissiouers to repair to their posts,- and to remain , at area tomaintaio internal order, for which they are responsible, nano execute each instructions as they shall receive from the persons delegated by us. All Planters and Inheitauts taken in Arms, will be treated as Prisoners of War, of whatever description they May be. Masters will be responsible for the acts of their Slaves. Ministers of Religion ! do not forget, on so critical an occasion, the duties imposed upon you by the divine religion you profess. It is His Majesty's intentiou that it should be mathtained and respected, and that its Ministers should be protected, if they preach obedience and fide:ity to the Monarch we represent. Done at Head Quarters, Goadaloupe, 27th January, 1810, in the fiftieth Year of His *Majesty s Reign, (Signed) G. B!CKWIT11. A.COCHRAKr. By Command of Their Excelien i 4 W. II; Vizi.sr.---J.S.TRACIT. No. 2. anadaloupe, February 8, IMO. Reptirtof the Marcia and Operations of the First Division of the Army.from the period of its landing to the suspension of hcs• &glag, January 28.—The 2d-battalion of light in fantry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, of the Bth West-India Regiment, effected its landing by nine o'clock this morning at the 'nay of St. Marie, without opposition, and immediately possessed itself cf the commanding heights, thereby covering the dis embarkation of the third brigade under the comrnand of Brigadier-General Maclean, to which it belonged. The Commander of the forces landed at the same place before ten, as I did immediately after. The whole brigade being ashore between twelve and one o'clock, and, having formed on the heights, I reported the same to the Commander of the Forces, who ordered the light battalion to march and take a forward posi- H tion, for the purpose of keeping open the communica tion, by the high road with Cabesterre, and obtaining information of the situation, force, Tic. of the enemy. Brigadier• General Maclean was at the same time or dered to put himself at the head of the light batta lion, which had then become the advanced guard of the army that landed to windward. .ie in. Irthat Aboutifita o'clock, I received orders from the Commandei'of the forces to follow the march of the Idv;uiced guard with the other battalions of the third brigade, marching by my right ; and having come op-with it at the position it bad taken and halted at, I • ordered it forward, directing Brigadier General Maclean to pass the river (called Rivieres des Peres Blancs,) beyond the village of Marigot, and to halt on the most advantageousgroundfor maintaining him self during the night, that he Could discover near it. At five in the evening I reached Marigot, in the immediate .vicinity of wh ich the troops-took up their ground, and la: - on their arms for the night. The troops marched this day, with three days' provisions in their haversacks, which had been pfeviously cooked on board ship. The weather extremely favourable. Monday, Jan. 29.—The 'brigade was under arms an hour before daylight, and, in conseculence of the' orders received from the Commander of the forces, I awaited his arrival at my post before I moved for wards, and which having taken place between ten and eleven o'clock, the troops were soon after put in motion ; the Commander of the- forces directing in person the march of tl - e advanced guard. The fourth brigade, .under the orders of Brirdier-General Skin ner, having come up before the rear of the third had moved off its gfound, the whole division marched this day in one column, arriving at Bannaniers before sunset, where it baited, taking up its ground in two lines, and bivouacking for the night. Lieutenant- Colonel Stewart, commanding the light battalion, was ordered immediately to possess himself with two companies of the strong pass (above our position) at Lacasse, where we yesterday could perceive the ene my had a post,-but which he abandoned last evening. The weather had been very hot during the whole Of this day's march, but it began to rain soon after the troops arrived on theWground. Tuesday, Jail. 50.—The light company of the Bth West-India Regiment, in pursuance of the orders of the Commander of the Forces, was detached this morning at two o'clock, to relieve Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart :old the two companies at Lacasse, which were ordered to return with him to his battalion. The division having been under arms as usual, an hour be fore day-light, formed at that column of march by the right, when, on the arrival of the Commander of the Forces at the dawn of day, orders were given for the light battalion to march forward, and for the two brigades to follow at their proper distance, the Com-, minder of the Forces placing himself between the advanced guard and the head of the third brigade. The former having, between nine and ten o'clock, de scended the heights on the side of the Trois Rivieres, came up with the rear of a detachment -of the enemy, which appeared not to have had timely notice of our approach, in consequence of which they were exposed fora short time to some shot from our riflemen, from which they sustained some trifling loss. The ad vanced guard pursuing its march, reached the open ground or Savannah at Loriols Trois Rivieres about eleven, when the Commander of the Forces, arriving at the same time, ordered it to halt, and the men to rest themselves, until the column should come up. In consequence, however, of tke enemy being still in possession of the Sea batteries commanding the an: chcrage the the Grand Ance, and from both of 'which they continued to fire on our men of war, the light company of the 70th was sent to dislodge them, which was instantly effected the party of the enemy escap ing along shore. - A company of the Bth West India Regiment was at the same time detached to take possession of the battery De la Pointe, which was already abandoned, and by which the security of the anchorage was in sured. The enemy's position, which was defepded by a line of redoubts. intrehchments, St:: on the com manding heights of Petrizel,. was now before ut, atid in front of which the Commander of the forces ordered the army to take up a position, the light battalions' Moving to the left, and the third and fourth brigades . is Re; riztadier-General att‘lrc .)li. nee, itseutnrifiencemeat of die Irene n ludowiltaChave and standing acrosi enemy some jealousy to vgn ---1:41146 in iitilet d . " kt Y' l l" ldg " tian at times a lt a et sag" 4 , t r. Wary, at (Oen atrocious, and at all thnes rapacious/ advance of the re l it or me i . •I'Dieovlttt:.: ct has at length decreed, that a scandal 'll.4tit has lrire up, landing the next" lmted too long should cease, by the removal from these countries the River du Piessis ; ao dl of the pernicious influence orthe man who bus wad mourning and wretchedness throughout Europe. towards the enemy's right, .„ i_r• 1,4„. • VI 6-come is; ..i5.......puty statue tssalossonheu..youe fate, and cited his attention to such a ,seal amongst you days of happiness, iiiinialditg you participate to abandon his defences at in the prosperity eojoyed by the countries subjected to the King's . . . . , . . Morne Houel, awl to re-; I Paternal g overnment. . - . 1 - ' _.• .I._ ..:___ These beneficent intentions are supported by a Land and Sea , extending along the heights on its tight. In the ex c . cution of this order, the light battalion advaut:ing up. on the high road leading towards the enemy ' s pos : tion, alarmed him to such a degree as to ie.duce him to open from all his batteries and intreptched lines, with cannon, zunrtars and musketry, as well fro m Petrizel as from his post at Dole, from Which he kept ap for some time an incessant fire, wit&ilt d'i'ng us any other injury than killing one man Ind wounding another. The troops took up their_ position in the meantime without any further inConvenience. To wards the close of the evening numbers of the enemy were seen ascending the mountain aboVe their works at Petrizel. The heat this day was excessive, a n d the country through which the troops marched er. tremely difficult, the strong pass of Tron au Chien lying Wednesday,in their Jan wa7 :3l—Nothing extraordinary occur. red during the preceding night to occasion alarm or disquiet, but at daylight not a soul was to be seen is or near the enemy's redoubts or intrenchments. As the day, however, advanced, some of our own rifle. men were plainly perceived on the parapets. The evacuation of them by the enemy being inconsequence ascertained, the Commander of the forces ordered the light company of the first West India regiment to march at 12 o'clock this day, to take possession, fol. lowing immediately himself, and escorted by the light i company of the 90th, Regiment. On his return to head-quarters, the light company Of the 46th was de. tached to possess itself of the batteries at - Dole, which were likewise evacuated by the enemy. Thursday, Felt-limy I.—The troops remained in the same position they occupied yesterday. One Oft . provisions was issued fort ' leir immediate consoniption, and three days for the march, which vas accordingly booked this afternoon. Friday, Feb, 2.—This morning, purntant to the orders of yesterday, the division marchedbfdte right in one column, but previous to being put in motion, the light battalion was placed at the bead of the 4tb brigade, the detachment of the York I,lotlnfantry Volunteers replacing it at the head of the Sd, with , which I received orders to proceed by *the pass of Walkannar, to turn the Palmiste by its right, and gain possession of the heights thereof, while the Com mander of the forces at the head of the 4th brigade, was, by a shorter but more difficult ascent, to reach the summit of the same heights about the centre, — Accordingly, the heads of both columns ' (of the 3d and 4th brigades) arrived nearly at the same time at the points intended, and mere ordered to take up their ground, on which they remained until day-light the next morning, without any particular occurrence taking place.' Saturday, Feb. 3.—At day-light the Commander of the Forces being on the ground, ordered the division to be put in motion, the 3d brigade leading, followed by the 4th, in the same order as they moved yesterday, himself being at the head of the 4th. Having descend ed with the 3d, the north-side of the Palmiste, passed the river Gallion, and formed on the opposite heights,t directed the Captain, commanding the detachment of I artillery attached to the Sd brigade, to examine two pieces of ordnance, which were in a vedoubt in our front, and in which none of the enemy, append. This officer (Captain Clewe) returned, and Reported Ins having found an howitzer, and an I 8-Ounder, both spiked. At this moment I was ordered by the Comm eider of the forces to march forwards, and take up a position along the rising ground, on which Pelletier's estate is situated ; by doing which I should find myself placed so as to intercept the communica tion by the great road, between the town of Bas. seterre and the enemy's camp, which was accordingly immediately executed ; my right resting on the build ings of the estate before mentioned, and my left ex. • tending towards the ravine, which separated it from the enemy's position at the park. Having placed a strong piquet in a redoubt, eva cuated by the enemy at this point, about five o'clock this evening, my attention was drawn towards the eight by a heavy musquetry fire in the woods, be. tween Morrie Houel and the posts occupied by the enemy on the sameheights, as well as from the quick fire he kept up from his batteries commanding the road towards the bridge at Voziere. Accordingly, I instantly ordered the York Light Infantry, supported by the flank companies of the 90th regiment, com posing the advanced guard of the third bligade, to move forward for the purpose of diverting the atten tion of the enemy towards our side, from any opera tions which might be car , ring on against his left by our reserve, a conjecture which tunled out to be correct. The advanced corps before-mentioned maintained its position, without molestation, during the night, every thing remaining quiet in the enemy's batteries in its front. St Feb. 4.—At the dawn of day, I directed the lest of the advanced *guard to be thrown back, and placed out of sight of the enemy's redoubts at the park to which it was exposed, and taking with me a small covering party from the York light infantry, I approached as near as was necessary (in company with Brigadier General Maclean) the enemy's post at the bridge, and for some time unperceived, and withou being molested, but a picquet of the enemy moving along the opposite side of the ravine,,,cOm tnencing a loose musketry fire upon the covering; party, which gradually augmented by the, increase of • their numbers, it was necessary to order forward the whole of the York light infantry detachment, under Major O'Hara, to disperse them, which was soon el; fected, and it was said with some loss on their side only one man of the York light infantry was woun ded, taut it was fOund he was badly so. While, reporting this circumstance to the Com mander of the Forces, the white flag was perceived to be hoisted at General Ernoue's quarters, at • Matouba, from Which moment a suspension of arms took place. I cannot close this report without bearing testi mony to the good ordr and discipline of the division which I have had the honour to command, the same having been in every respect highly meritorious and exemplary ; no complaints having reached me, Provost Marshall, since I took the command of it. As the zealous and effectual services of Colnnel Soter, who accompanied the division, in the distri bution of the Guides, 'as well as in his own person" l :exgrtions could rot fail to fall under th e notice of Co commander ith a vii* o attet of the f Forces, ra tilrieg it must be mentioning Isuphel. piqousi but ritt to my own personal f e a ng s, not Lo . • - r I