from which ship, after being engaged in a variety of active services, he was removed into the Victory, a first rate, bearing the flag of Lord Hood; by whom he was entrusted with the command of Fort Mulgrave, during the defence of Toulon
Boats reach the sea from the castle in a day and a half; but their navigation back, even when unladen, is the labour of nine days. The British, after marching several miles, and transporting the stores and provisions through woods almost impassable, appeared before it two days after the capture of St. Bartolomeo. Nelson’s advice was, that it should instantly be carried by assault; but Nelson was not the commander; and it was thought proper to observe all the formalities of a siege. Ten days were wasted before this could be commenced. It was a work more of fatigue than of danger; but fatigue was more to be dreaded than the enemy; the rains set in; and, could the garrison have held out a little longer, disease would have rid them of their invaders. Even the Indians sunk under it, the victims of unusual exertion, and of their own excesses. The place surrendered on the 24th; but victory procured to the conquerors none of that relief which had been expected. The castle was worse than a prison; and it contained nothing which could contribute to the recovery of the sick, or the preservation of those who were yet unaffected. The huts, which served for hospitals, were surrounded with filth and with the putrifying hides of slaughtered cattle – almost sufficient of themselves to have engendered pestilence; and when, at last, orders were given to erect a convenient hospital, the contagion had become so general that there were none who could work at it; for, besides the few who were able to perform garrison duty, there were not orderly men enough to attend the sick. Added to these evils, there was the want of all needful remedies; for though the expedition had been amply provided with hospital stores, river craft enough had not been procured for transporting the requisite baggage; and when much was to be left behind, provision for sickness was that which of all things] men in health would be most ready to leave. Now, when these medicines were required, the river was swoln, and so turbulent that its upward navigation was almost impracticable. At length even the task of burying the dead was more than the living could perform; and the bodies were tost into the stream, or left for beasts of prey, and for the gallinazos – those dreadful carrion-birds, which do not always wait for death before they begin their work. Five months the British persisted in what may be called this war against nature; they then left a few men, who seemed proof against the climate, to retain the castle till the Spaniards should choose to retake it, and make them prisoners. The rest abandoned their baleful conquest. Eighteen hundred men were sent to different posts upon this wretched expedition; not more than 380 ever returned. Of the Hinchinbrooke’s crew, 87 are said to have taken to their beds in one night. The castle when taken, contained one brass 5½-inch mortar, and 20 pieces of brass ordnance, besides swivels, mounted; and 10 or 12 iron guns dismounted.
