dred sick men to
the island of Antigua, where they might be properly attended.

{GEORGE II. 1727-1760}

FORT-LOUIS REDUCED, &c.

In the meantime, the reduction of the islanders on the side of
Guadaloupe appearing more and more impracticable, the general determined
to transfer the seat of war to the eastern and more fertile part of
the island, called Grandterre, which, as we have already observed, was
defended by a strong battery, called Fort-Louis. In pursuance of this
determination, the great ships were sent round to Grandterre, in order
to reduce this fortification, which they accordingly attacked on the
thirteenth day of February. After a severe cannonading, which lasted six
hours, a body of marines being landed, with the Highlanders,* they drove
the enemy from their intrenchments sword in hand; and, taking possession
of the fort, hoisted the English colours.

* A reinforcement of two or three hundred Highlanders, had
joined the fleet immediately before the troops landed on
Guadaloupe.

In a few days after this exploit, general Hopson dying at Basseterre,
the chief command devolved on general Barrington, who resolved to
prosecute the final reduction of the island with vigour and despatch. As
one step towards this conquest, the commodore ordered two ships of
war to cruise off the island of Saint Eustatia, and prevent the Dutch
traders from assisting the natives of Guadaloupe, whom they had hitherto
constantly supplied with provisions since they retired to the mountains.
General Barrington, on the very first day of his command, ordered the
troops who were encamped to strike their tents and huts, that the enemy
might imagine he intended to remain in this quarter; but in a few days
the batteries in and about Basseterre were blown up and destroyed,
the detachments recalled from the advanced posts, and the whole army
re-embarked, except one regiment, with a detachment of artillery, left
in garrison at the citadel, the command of which was bestowed on colonel
Debrisay, an accomplished officer of great experience. The enemy no
sooner perceived the coast clear than they descended from the hills,
and endeavoured to take possession of the town, from which, however
they were driven by the fire of the citadel. They afterwards erected a
battery, from whence they annoyed this fortification both with shot
and shells, and even threatened a regular attack; but as often as they
approached the place, they were