acility to the operations the _Boyne_ landed
some of her guns, and a party of sailors were ordered to draw them up, or
rather they volunteered to do so. The guns were placed in an advanced
fascine-intrenched battery, made by the pioneers and artillerymen during
the night, within half a gun shot of the enemy. In getting them up they
were either placed upon field carriages or sledges made out of the trunks
of trees. The sailors, who were harnessed by twenties, soon had them in
their places, and when they were mounted they gave three hearty cheers,
which must have astonished the enemy. The guns soon after opened a most
destructive fire on the nearest work, as we could see quantities of the
wall fly like showers of hail. During the night we expected a sortie from
the fort, and were provided for such an event. A constant fire from all
the batteries was kept up all night; the shells were well directed, and an
explosion took place in the enemy's fort. At daylight we perceived that
the advanced sailors' battery had effected a considerable breach in the
fort, and a consultation was held among the superior officers. When over,
they acquainted the sailors and soldiers that they were determined to
storm it the following night. The three cheers which followed this speech
must have been heard for miles. At 10 A.M. we discerned a flag of truce
advancing towards our lines, and shortly after a French superior officer
with his aide-de-camp requested to speak to the commanding officer. As the
enemy had ceased firing, we did the same. The purport of the flag of truce
was that General Rochambeau, finding it useless holding out any longer,
wished to treat on terms, and requested a cessation of hostilities for
twenty-four hours. The following morning the capitulation was arranged. At
10 A.M. the enemy marched out of the fort under arms, with drums beating
and their colours flying, when we marched in and soon hoisted the colours
of Old England on the flag-staffs. The island was now entirely in our
possession. The French garrison marched to Fort Royale, where they
grounded their arms in the market-place. Their superior officers were met
by the Admiral, Sir C. Gray, and the Duke of Kent, as well as other
officers of the Navy and Army. In a few days afterwards they were embarked
on board some of the transports and sent to France, the officers on
parole, and the men not to serve until regularly exchanged.

CHAP