es were repulsed beyond Baccum, after having sustained a very
severe loss; and as they were unable either to advance or to draw any
resources from the country in their possession, their supplies were
necessarily obtained from the fleet. The Duke of York, therefore,
assembled a council of war, whose decision was, that the allied forces
should fall back and wait the instructions of the British Government. As
the season was so far advanced, as the approach of winter was daily
making the navigation of the coast more dangerous, and as there was no
time to effect diversions or to change the plan of operations, the Duke
of York was ordered to evacuate the country. In the meanwhile, as the
English and Russians concentrated themselves behind their entrenchments
at the Zyp, the enemy pressed upon them, and the Duke of York sent a
flag of truce to General Brune, proposing a capitulation on the basis of
an armistice, or of the free embarkation of his army. This was agreed to
at Alkmaar, on the 18th of October, and thus ended this memorable
expedition, the most considerable that had been attempted in modern
times up to that period. As the introduction of foreign troops into
England was prohibited by the Bill of Rights, the Russians were sent to
the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, the season not admitting of their
return home. About 6,000 were quartered in the latter island, where a
disease, contracted by exposure to the marshy grounds of Holland,
carried off some hundreds, who were buried at the foot of the hill on
which stands Vale Castle, and where their graves are still to be seen.
Their conduct in Guernsey was at first peaceable and orderly;--the
inhabitants were surprised at seeing them eat the grease from the cart
wheels, and they were also excessively fond of ardent spirits; and,
having plenty of money, they indulged in them freely, swallowing large
draughts in a raw state. But in June, 1800, while the transports were in
the roads to convey them to Russia, a soldier, who was robbing
vegetables on a small farm, which had been frequently plundered by his
comrades before, was fired at and wounded by the proprietor. This so
exasperated the whole body, that fears were entertained of their
revenging themselves on the inhabitants generally; and as the British
garrison was very small, it required all the tact and conciliation of
the lieutenant-governor, Sir Hew Dalrymple, to prevent an outbreak. The
Russians embarked, but the guns at C