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LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE.
VOLUME I.

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PobTiatLK]. "by John "Murray, Albemarle Strrci,1833

THE LIFE

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL
SIR JOHN MOORE, K.B.

BY HIS BROTHER,

JAMES CARRICK MOORE.

IN TWO VOLUMES.
Vol. I.

LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEM ARLE-STREET.

MDCCCXXXIV.

LONDON ;
I'RINTED Uy WILLIAM CLOWES,
Duke Street, Lambeth.

l^'O^^

M'^

A STATUE HAVING BEEN ERECTED
TO THE
OF
JOHN MOORE,
BY THE INHABITANTS OF HIS NATIVE CITY,
THIS HISTORY OF HIS LIFE,
COMPOSED WITH FRATERNAL PIETY,
IS MOST GRATEFULLY
DEDICATED TO
GLASGOW,
BY THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

Page
CHAPTER L
Birth and education . . . . 1
CHAPTER II.
Entrance into the army — Minorca — Penobscot . 1 6
CHAPTER III.
Peace — Moore in Parliament — Promoted to the rank
of a Field Officer — Ordered to Ireland, and to
Gibraltar . . . . .32
CHAPTER IV,
Arrival at Gibraltar — Sails to Corsica — Operations in
that Island ..... 45
CHAPTER V.
The Siege of Calvi — Corsica won and lost . .71
CHAPTER VI.
Moore repels an accusation — Is advanced to the rank
of Brigadier General — Sails to the West Indies —
St. Lucia . . . . . 101
CHAPTER VII.
Moore Governor of St. Lucia — Conquest of that Island
— Yellow fever ..... 131

Vlll CONTENTS.

Page

CH.\PTER VIIL
Campaign in Ireland . . . . 172
CHAPTER IX,
Departure from Ireland — Campaign in Holland . 226
CHAPTER X.
The Expedition to Cadiz ... 253
CHAPTER XI.
The Campaign in Egypt .... 266

¦;•.()

THE LIFE

OF

SIR JOHN MOORE.

Chapter I.
BIRTH AND EDUCATION.

Sir John Moore was born at Glasgow on
the 13th of November, 1761, and, in conse
quence of the death of two other sons in early
life, became the eldest. Their father. Dr.
Moore, a physician and moral writer, was the
only son of the Reverend Charles Moore, mi
nister of Stirling ; whose father was an officer
who served in the wars of King William III.:
and the family by tradition was considered to
be a younger branch of the Moores, or Mures,
ofRuellan, which lineage, however, cannot be
traced. Doctor Moore's mother was the eldest
daughter of John Anderson, Laird of Dovehill,
and of Marian Hay, This lady, entitled, ac-
VOL. I. B

2 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1772.
cording to the usage of that time, the Lady
Dovehill, was a reputed descendant of the
Earls of Kinnoul. The Andersons of Dovehill
are an ancient race, whose estate has been
sold, reserving the feudal superiorities, which
descended to Sir John Moore, and since to his
brother. The doctor married a daughter
of Professor Simson of the university of
Glasgow, who was niece of Robert Simson
the celebrated geometrician.
John Moore, who is now to be considered,
was entered at the high school of Glasgow ;
and Thomas Monro, afterwards so distin
guished in India, was one of his school
fellows. In his boyish days he was fiery and
untractable, which faults were gradually sup
pressed by paternal reproofs, and by his own
masculine understanding ; so that he acquired
a complete command of temper, and a mild
disposition. His figure was tall, and graceful,
his features were regular, his eyes hazel, hair
brown, and the expression of his countenance
cheerful and benign. In the year 1772, Dr.
Moore was engaged to take charge of Douglas,

1772.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 3
Duke of Hamilton, during a tour and resi
dence on the Continent of Europe ; and John,
at eleven years of age, was taken with them.
They had hardly reached Paris, when a mis
chance occurred, which might have had serious
consequences. John, having been left alone,
began, with childish curiosity, to examine the
locks of a pair of loaded pistols. Being igno
rant of their mechanism, he accidentally
snapt one of them ; the ball pierced through
the wainscot, and wounded a maid-servant in
the adjoining chamber, who screamed aloud.
The doctor, alarmed, ran in, but found his son
safe, and the servant's hurt very slight. John
was deeply affected at having so nearly killed
this poor girl ; and his father observed, that
he was thenceforth less heedless.
Not long after this, the Duke of Hamilton,
though five years older, played a similar
prank. It was the custom of the times to
wear swords, and the duke happened to have
on a small hanger. In an idle humour he
drew it, and began to amuse himself by fencing
at young Moore ; and laughed as he forced
B 2

4 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1772.
him to skip from side to side to shun false
thrusts. The duke continued this sport until
Moore unluckily started in the line of the
sword, and received it in his flank. On feel
ing himself wounded he exclaimed, 'Ha!'
and looked the duke in the face, who, struck
with horror, dropt the sword, and rushed out
of the room for Dr. Moore. The father on en
tering saw blood flowing from his son's side :
he stript him, and found that the broad blade
of the hanger had pierced the skin, and
glanced on the outside of the ribs, without
penetrating inwardly ; the wound was conse
quently exempt from danger. His agony
being relieved, he calmed the terror of the
duke. After this event, a warm friendship
between the duke and Moore ensued, which
only terminated by death. The wound was
scarcely closed, when an incident occurred of
a less formidable kind. Dr. Moore took his
son to walk in the garden of the Tuileries,
and while he was looking at some of the sta
tues, John strayed aside to gaze at some
French boys whose dress diverted him»

.1772.J XIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 5
French children in those days were wont to
be equipped in full formal suits, like little
gentlemen ; their hair was powdered, frizzled,
and curled on both sides, and a bag hung
behind : whereas Moore's dress was simple,
according to the custom in England, so the
contrast to each seemed preposterous. The
French boys stared, smiled, and chattered to
-each other, while Moore, not understanding a
word of French, could only express his displea
sure by gestures. Mutual offence was taken,
and the parties proceeded to hostilities ; but
as French boys know nothing of boxing, they
were thrown to the ground one across the
other. Dr, Moore, hearing the outcry, hastened
to the scene : he raised up the discomfited,
and endeavoured to appease their rage. Then
he reprimanded his son for his unmannerly
rudeness, and led him back to the hotel.
Only a short stay was made at Paris, Dr.
Moore being impatient to reach Geneva, a
city better adapted for education, and the ac
quisition of good morals, than Paris. The

6 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 1X773,
Duke of Hamilton and the doctor were re
ceived into the family of a clergyman, emi
nent for talents and learning ; and John was
boarded in a house of education.
By the letters of Dr. Moore to his wife at
Glasgow, which have been carefully preserved,
it appears that young Moore, before he was
twelve years of age, had taken an inclination
for th^ army, which his father did not disap
prove of, and resolved to have him taught
mathematics and engineering, as soon as he
was fit to learn them. The doctor was well
satisfied with the progress which his son made
in his studies; for, in September 1774, he
wrote to Mrs. Moore, * You may enjoy all the
' pleasure that a mother ought to feel in the
' certitude of having a most promising son.
• Jack is really a pretty youth ; his face is of
* a manly beauty, his person is strong, and
* his figure very elegant. He dances, fences,
' and rides with uncommon address. His
? mind begins to expand, and he shows a great
' deal of vivacity, tempered with good sense

1774.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 7
' and benevolence. He is of a daring and
' intrepid temper, and of an obliging disposi-
' tion. ' He draws tolerably ; he speaks, reads,
' and writes French admirably well. He has
* a very good notion of geography, arithmetic,
' and the easier parts of practical geometry.
' He is often operating in the fields, and in-
' forms me how he would attack Geneva, and
* shows me the weak part of the fortification,
' The duke and every body are fond of him ;
' and he is distractedly fond of his mother
' and sister, and never tires talking of his
' brothers.' In the above letter no notice is taken of his
knowledge of the Latin language, which was
moderate ; but the advantages derived from
his father's superintendency were great. He
prompted him to the study of history, poetry,
and writers of the first class ; and by pater
nal precepts instilled those principles, and
formed that character, which were afterwards
manifested. A tour into Germany was commenced this

8 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. £1775.
autumn by the Duke of Hamilton, accom
panied by Dr. Moore and his son.
At Strasbourg they were entertained by
Marshal Contade,the governor, and they after
wards proceeded to Carlsruhe. At this court
the Dowager Margravine of Bareith, niece of
Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, took great
notice of young Moore. She often ques
tioned him. ' You were at Strasbourg,—
did you see Marshal Contade?' ' Yes,""
said Jack, ' I had the honour to dine with
' him.' ' And what did you say to him V He
replied, ' I did not say one word to him of
' the battle of Minden, nor of the Prince of
' Brunswick.' The Margravine was delighted
with this answer, and often repeated it.
Dr. Moore did not think it advisable to
hurry through Germany, but prevailed on the
Duke of Hamilton to remain for some time
at the principal cities. On these occasions
young Moore studied the German language
assiduously. By a passage in a letter from him to me,
dated Hanover, May 2, 1775, his passion for

1775.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 9
the army had increased, for he writes, — ' My
' father is constantly with Field -Marshal
' Sporken, who is a fine old soldier, with grey
' hairs, and has been in many battles. He
' loves the English, and is very good to me.
* At Brunswick, the duke got a Serjeant, who
* came every day, and taught us the Prussian
* exercise. We are both pretty alert, and
* could fire and charge five times in a minute.
* We fired thirty times each the last day of
' our exercise.'
Towards the end of the month they reached
Berlin, and were received with distinction by
Frederic II. The Prussian army, organised
by that great tactician, was considered the
best disciplined in Europe. The Duke of
Hamilton and his friends readily obtained
permission to be present at the reviews. These
continued for three days on a grand scale ;
for nearly forty thousand infantry, cavalry,
and artillery, were manoeuvred in imitation of
a real action. The splendour of the spectacle,
accompanied with martial music, and the

10 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1773.
thunder of the guns, fascinated young Moore ;
and his father wrote,—' If Jack had hesitated
• about being a soldier, this glorious scene
' would have confirmed him.'
Among the King of Prussia's generals, there
was none in higher estimation than the old
Earl Marischal of Scotland, who is so finely
eulogised by Rousseau. As he retained a
warm attachment to his native country, he
was delighted with the arrival of the premier
Scottish peer ; and he had many conferences
with Dr. Moore, who in his youth had seen
the Highland army under Prince Charles
Stuart, at the siege of Stirling. The re
membrance of that memorable expedition,
with its disastrous consequences, greatly af
fected the earl ; yet he frequently renewed
the subject, having had so deep a share in the
fallen fortunes of the House of Stuart. He
took a considerable liking to young Moore •
and finding that the love of arms was riveted
in his mind, he presented him with a pair of
Prussian pistols, and also a small pocket

1775.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 11
Horace, which classic became his favourite.
These valuable testimonials continue to be
carefully preserved by me.
In the month of August, the travellers
reached Vienna, and obtained introductions
to the Imperial Court. At that time the most
brilliant expectations were entertained of
Joseph II., which vanished before the termi
nation of his brief reign. He was singularly
curious respecting foreigners, and sometimes
deigned to converse familiarly with Dr.
Moore, who made so favourable an impres
sion on the emperor's mind, that he offered
to take his son into his service, and gave
assurances of his advancement. This pro
posal, however flattering, was declined : in
deed, Moore had too much love for his native
country, to consent to live and serve in an
other. His natural bias appears in the fol
lowing passage of a letter to his brother
Graham, at Glasgow : —
' I am please^, my dear boy, that you wish
' to be a sailor, for I am sure you will be a
' brave one. I hope that, in some years after

12 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1775.
' this, you and I will thresh the Monsieurs,
* both by sea and land ; but I hope we won't
' make war with the Spaniards ; for the
* Spanish ambassador is the best and kindest
' man I ever saw.
'Vienna, Oct. 21, 1775.'
Italy was lastly visited. Their stay at
Venice, at that time a city of great dissipa
tion, was short. Towards the end of Novem
ber, the party reached Rome, and Dr. Moore
was filled with those vivid emotions, which
the recollection of its former greatness is
calculated to excite. In a letter to Mrs.
Moore, he writes : —
' I have not yet time to give you my sen-
' timents on the wonders I have seen ; only,
' I must assure you that the Roman history
' never gave me such a high idea of that
' amazing people, as the remains of their
' grandeur, which are still to be found here.
' The first day I ran to the Capitol, to Tra-
?jan's Pillar, to the Pantheon, and to St.
Peter's, that I might satiate myself with a

1776.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. IS
'general view before I could wait for mi-
' nutise.' The son was too young to be equally
affected as his father with the sight of
Rome, once the centre whence radiated to
the world, arts, knowledge, and civiliza
tion. The acquisitions derived from travel
ling on the Continent of Europe by dif
ferent individuals are various. Some return
sprinkled with affectations, or stained with
vices : while others bring back polished
manners, elegant tastes, and enlarged under
standings ; and, perhaps, the greater number
acquire such a portion of each, as to render
it doubtful to which side the balance inclines.
In order to seize the good, and eschew the
evil, on such occasions, paternal watchfulness
is peculiarly useful.
Naples, one of the most delightfully si
tuated cities in the world, was next visited.
In a letter from the doctor to Mrs. Moore,
he "states, —
* As Jack expressed a great desire to
' attend me to Naples, I took him with me,

14 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1776,
' and he visited with attention and relish the
' many curiosities of the place. We ascended
' Vesuvius together, when that mountain was
' in a very angry mood, and his eagerness
' led him a little too near the mouth of the
' crater, when it happened to vomit up a
' great quantity of lava, and burning stones.
' A gentleman in company called to Jack to
' run, and showed him the example. As they
* were running away upon the glowing cinders,
' Jack fell, and wounded his knee and thigh
' so much as to be laid up for some days. But
' he was well quit, for the lava and stones fell
' in such a quantity, on the place from which
' they had run with so much precipitation,
' that, in all likelihood, they would have been
' destroyed had they remained. Jack, on
' the whole, was in as much danger, and as
' well wounded, as if he had stood a tolerable
' brisk siege.'
When at Naples the glad tidings arrived
that the Duke of Argyle had obtained an
ensigncy in the 51st regiment for young
John. His joy was boundless, but as he was

1776.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 15
only fifteen years of age, leave of absence
from the regiment then at Minorca was ob
tained, and he continued some months longer
with his father, and acquired the Italian lan
guage. The party repassed the Alps in mid
summer, and after some stay at Geneva
reached Paris. There the ensign quitted his
father, to fly to Glasgow.
I still recollect his mother's transports on
embracing her eldest son, who had left her
when a wild schoolboy, and had returned an
accomplished youth. Absence had stamped
filial and fraternal love deeper in his heart.
We, his brethren, looked with surprise at the
alteration years had produced ; and wondered
that our brother should already wear a sword.
What happiness did he then bring to his
mother ! What a reverse when she lost him !

16 [1777.

Chapter II.
MOORE'S ENTRANCE INTO THE ARMY.— MINORCA.
—PENOBSCOT.
Before two short months had flown past.
Ensign Moore quitted his mother and family
at Glasgow, and hastened to Marseilles, where
he embarked for Minorca, which he reached
early in the year 1777.
In the fortress of Port Mahon, commanded
by the veteran General Murray, he was taught
the rudiments of military discipline ; the drill,
the manual exercise, regimental duties, the
nightly watches, and all the military forms to
prevent surprises, and secure the garrison.
Murray was a man of high character, and a
strict disciplinarian, but of a violent temper.
Moore, however, acquired his good, opinion by
the exact performance of his duty. He was
superior to the fopperies of many young offi
cers, who deviate in dress as much as they

1777.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 17
dare, from the precise uniform : and love to
display a false spirit by disobeying orders
whenever they believe they will escape detec
tion. In letters to his father, he commended
highly his regiment and the officers. He was
pleased with the island, and expressed surprise
that some officers should think it dull;
which irksome feeling, his cheerful temper,
and the studies prosecuted by his father's
admonitions, entirely prevented. In a letter
to his mother, he observes, ' I am very
' intimate with two or three of the officers,
* and I am upon a bad footing with none of
* them. I never have had the misfortune to
' have a quarrel with anybody since I
• joined the regiment ; so never was I happier
' in my life, save those seven weeks I passed
• with you, dear mother ! in Glasgow.'
As there was no appearance that Minorca
would be attacked, and as the American war
was then raging, Moore cast a wistful eye to
that scene, and wrote his wishes to his father.
These were gratified in a manner he scarcely
expected ; for his friend the Duke of Hamilton
VOL, I, c

18 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1778.
became fired with a transitory passion for the
army, and sent in proposals to government to
raise a regiment for immediate service. Lord
North, the prime minister, accepted the off'er;
the regiment was raised, and the Duke ob
tained the commission of captain; he also
seized this opportunity of getting promotion
for his young friend, who was immediately
sent for, and advanced to the rank of lieute
nant, and was also appointed paymaster. By
this double appointment, which was then
usual, a knowledge of regimental accounts,
and of other military details, was attained.
The command of the Hamilton regiment
was given to Brigadier-general MacLean,
who for some years had held high rank in the
Portuguese service. He was an officer of rare
merit. As soon as six companies were raised
and trained, they were embarked for Halifax
in Nova Scotia, but the Duke of Hamilton
did not accompany them. The passion of
glory was superseded by that of love ; his
Grace married, and resigned his commission.
These young troops, among whom was

1779.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 19
Lieutenant MoOre, reached their destina
tion in safety, where they continued in garri
son, until more actively employed. Sir Henry
Clinton, Commander-in-chief of the British
army, thought it advisable to take possession
of the Bay of Penobscot, and to build a fort,
as a maritime station, to interrupt the trade
of Boston. Brigadier MacLean was ordered
to perform this service, who emba,rked with a
few troops, among which were the six compa
nies of the Hamilton regiment. In June,
1779, this detachment sailed with a favourable
wind, and proceeded to the river Penobscot.
The troops were landed on a woody and de
serted coast, and the General, after examining
the country, selected the proper spot upon
which to erect a fort. The officer of en
gineers was ordered to draw out a plan ; but
the General detected numerous imperfections
in his designs. It was not without difficulty,
and after many alterations, that a tolerable
one was procured. Then the felling of trees,
and the construction . of the fort commenced.
with alacrity. This; operation excited a very
c 2

20 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [l779.
serious alarm among the citizens of Boston,
ever jealous of their commerce ; who, having
intelligence that the British were few in num
ber, resolved to overwhelm them with a supe
rior force. The exertions made on this
occasion by that city were extraordinary : for
in a few weeks six large frigates, thirteen
stout privateers, and twenty-four transports
were equipped and filled with 3000 troops,
and stores of every species requisite for a
siege. On the 25th of July, this fleet was descried
steering to the mouth of the river Penobscot,
when the walls of the fort were not yet breast
high. The General, experienced in resources, in
stantly reduced the plan of the works, and
hastened their construction, to render them
in some degree defensible.
During this bustle ashore, the American
fleet sailed up the river, and anchored nearly
opposite to the unfinished fort ; but the inter
vening woods concealed the operations of the
British. Next day, after a cautious examina-

.1779.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 21
tion of the coast, some troops were put into
boats to make a descent. But, on approach
ing the shore, they were fired at by a party
concealed behind trees, which arrested the
Americans, who rowed back to their ship
ping. Similar ineffectual attempts to land
were made on the two subsequent days. At
length the Americans, instructed by these
miscarriages, made preparations to overcome
all opposition, and to disembark their whole
force. Early in the morning, three ships of
war, arranged with their broadsides towards
the shore, opened a heavy fire of round and
double-headed shot upon the wood. The
roaring of the guns, the falling of the trees,
and the crashing of their branches, astounded
the young soldiers : when suddenly the can
nonading ceased, and boats full of troops were
rowed off" to the beach. It happened on that
day, that a company of the Hamilton regi
ment formed the picket to oppose the landing,
and Lieutenant Moore was posted on the left
with only twenty men under his orders. The
captain who commanded, unused to action,

22 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1779.
ordered the soldiers not to fire until the enemy
landed ; so the Americans undisturbed rowed
briskly till their boats grounded, then, giving
a shout, they sprang on shore. The British,
who Avere only recruits, saw the great supe
riority of the numbers of the enemy ; they
fired a volley, and ran back in disorder.
Lieutenant Moore called to his small party,
' Will the Hamilton men leave me ? Come
' back, and behave like soldiers.' They
obeyed, and recommenced firing. The Ame
ricans returned the fire, without venturing to
advance into the wood. Moore observed their
commanding officer flourishing his sword, and
encouraging his men. He levelled his piece,
for subalterns then carried fusils, and he be
lieved that he could have killed him ; but he
replaced his firelock on his shoulder without
discharging it. While this resistance was
persevered in on the left, the rest of the de
tachment reached the fort, and the cap
tain reported to the general, that the enemy
had landed in great numbers, and forced the
picket to retreat. 'But where is Moore?'

1779.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 23
said General MacLean; ' He is, I fear, cut
'off".' 'What then is the firing I still hear?'
' He could not tell,' The General then com
manded Captain Dunlop with his company
to march to the shore, and repel the enemy,
or bring off" Lieutenant Moore, Moore was
found by Captain Dunlop at his post, still
holding the Americans at bay. But as they
were advancing on both flanks, Dunlop saw
that it was necessary to retire to prevent
being surrounded. He therefore ordered
Moore to form in the rear of the column the
remains of his party, for seven out of the
twenty had fallen ; and the detachment
marched back to the fort in good order. In
a letter to his father, Moore wrote, ' I was
' upon picket the morning the rebels landed,
' I got some little credit, by chance, for
' my behaviour during the engagement,
' To tell you the truth, not for anything
' that deserved it, but because I was the
' only officer who did not leave his post
' too soon. I confess that at the first fire they
' gave us, which was within thirty yards, I

24 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1779.
' was a good deal startled, but I think this
' went gradually off" afterwards.' On the
return of the detachment, the general
learned from Moore the particulars that had
occurred, and he expected that the Americans
flushed with success would immediately
storm the unfinished works, when the garri
son were in consternation by the cannonade,
and the repulse of the pickets. Measures
for defence were immediately adopted : the
works were lined with troops and instructions
given to the officers on every event. The
General gave Moore the command of fifty
men, posted in reserve, with orders, ' that
' should the enemy rush forward, as soon as
' they got into the ditch of the fort, he should
' sally out and attack them on the flank with
' charged bayonets,' But the Americans were
not so enterprising, for being somewhat dis
concerted by the loss which they had sus
tained, they took up a position out of the
reach of the guns of the fort, and remained
tranquil. For some days they were busied in landing

1779.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 25
artillery and stores, for a regular siege, and
only skirmishing occurred. At length they
broke ground, and raised a battery at about
twelve hundred yards from the fort: this
opened early in the morning, and the new
levies, of which the garrison was composed,
were much alarmed. The General, hearing
this, came forth from his tent, and observing
that the officers and men, none of whom had
ever seen service before, were stooping their
heads at every shot, he reproached them
sharply ; and calling for his aide-de-camps
went to the gate, and commanded it to be
thrown open. Then walking erect towards
the battery, he examined it with his spy
glass : ' You see,' he said, ' there is no dan-
' ger from the fire of these wretched artillery-
' men.' After this observation, he returned
deliberately, and ordered the gate to be
closed. This behaviour of their General in
spired the garrison with so much courage,
that there was no risk afterwards of their
shrinking from their duty.
The approaches of the Bostonians were

26 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1779.
much retarded by the skill of General
MacLean : yet a train of heavy artillery, and
superior numbers, might at last have pre
vailed. But after a siege of three weeks.
Commodore Sir George Collier, apprized of
the danger, arrived off" Penobscot bay, with a
line-of-battle ship, and a few frigates. Before
this squadron could be seen from the fort, it
was discovered from the topmasts of the Ame
rican ships ; a,nd in the course of the night
the besieging army hastily reimbarked. Next
morning the American fleet drew up in line,
making a show of resistance : on the approach
of the British, however, this resolution was
relinquished, and an attempt was made to
escape up the river. But their ships of war,
intermingled with the transports, were closely
chased and driven on shore. Some were cap
tured, others set fire to by their own crews,
who leaped out and fled into the woods.
Yet these disasters did not soon terminate ;
for the seamen ahd soldiers accused each
other of cowardice. They fought : many
lives were thus lost, others perished by

1780.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 27
famine, and the remainder reached Boston in
a miserable plight. General MacLean having
finished the construction of the fort, left in it
a sufficient garrison, and returned to Halifax
with the Hamilton regiment. Moore's senti
ments on commencing the rudiments of war
are thus expressed in a letter to his father : —
' You may conceive, dear Father, how
' happy this siege has made us, independent
' of the success we met with ; as to see a
' little service was what all along we had
' been wishing for. Your friend, Dunlop,*
' who happened to command the regiment
' during the siege, got very deservedly credit
' for his activity : he exerted himself more
' than anybody there.'
In this first essay of arms, Moore acquired
the warm friendship of General Francis
MacLean, from whom he was wont to say he
had derived much instruction. This expe
rienced officer had a library of the best
military books in the French and German
* This excellent officer died a brigadier in the West Indies.

28 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1781,
languages, and had studied his profession
thoroughly. But merit is often lost from
being unknown. In this instance it was re
cognised too late, for he was about to be em
ployed in a conspicuous station, when his
health failed. Previously he had resided
long in Portugal, which had rendered his
constitution unable to sustain the frigid cli
mate of Nova Scotia. He perished that win
ter deeply lamented, and never forgotten by
his young friend.
After this, Halifax being remote from
active warfare, became a spiritless quarter
to Moore, He, however, was promoted to the
rank of captain, and then applied for leave
to go to New York, the head-quarters of the
commander-in-chief. Our brother Graham was about this period
engaged for the first time in action, being a
midshipman in Lord Byron's fleet, when
he fought the Count D'Estaign, near Gre
nada; and it happened that I had gone
to America, as a medical officer, a safer em
ployment. On returning from Virginia, I

1781.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 29
landed late at night at New York, in a very
melancholy mood, as I did not imagine that
there was a single individual in that city who
knew me. I went to a coff"ee-house to seek a
bed for the night, where, to my astonishment,
I found my beloved brother John.
' O, qui complexus et gaudia quanta fiierunt !'
Mv vexations were now reversed. We lived
together, first at New York, and after a few
weeks at a Dutch farmer's house on Long
Island, while eventful public occurrences were
proceeding. For Lord Cornwallis's army,
which I had j ust left, was invested by the com
bined forces of France and America : every
attempt to relieve him was frustrated ; and the
capitulation at York Town, in Virginia, put
an end to the American contest.
That winter a large fleet being about to sail
for England, my brother and I procured pas
sages in a transport with invalid soldiers. We
had scarcely sailed through Sandy Hook, when
a hurricane arose and dispersed the fleet:
some ships were blown to the West Indies, and
a few were taken by the enemy, or lost at sea.

30 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1782.
Our transport was a stout vessel, with a good
crew which stood the tempest well. At the
mouth of the British channel we were chased,
early in the morning, by a privateer ; which
being ascertained by our glasses, the officers,
among whom was my brother, prepared the
ship for action. The British flag was dis
played, the guns were loaded, and those in
valids who were able to fight were arrayed
with their firelocks on the deck. In the mean
time, the privateer, Avithout shewing colours,
came dashing on under a cloud of canvass,
and got into our wake. The crew were all
kept concealed, the captain only appearing.
I watched him from the poop, expecting every
instant a broadside to be fired off". Instead
of which, seeing our soldiers and prepara
tions, he hailed us with his trumpet, put a few
frivolous questions, and then dropping astern,
sheered off". The military men might be
vexed, but I was contented with this blood
less conclusion of the chase, contemning the
glory of beating off" a paltry privateer.
Next day we anchored in Falmouth bar-

1782.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 31
hour, and my brother and I posted to London.
Our father was then busily engaged in writing
Zeluco, and our mother, who knew we were
on the seas, was listening day and night to
every gust of wind that blew. When she saw
us both rush into the house, she could hardly
trust to her dazzled sight. Except Graham,
who was cruising on the Western Ocean, the
family were all again assembled. The re
union of the dispersed members of an aff"ec-
tionate family creates heartfelt emotions
never experienced by insulated individuals.

32 D?83.

Chapter HI-
PEACE.-MOORE IN PARLIAMENT.— PROMOTED TO
THE RANK OF A FIELD OFFICER.— ORDERED TO
IRELAND, AND AFTERWARDS TO GIBRALTAR.
In the year 1783 peace was proclaimed with
France, Spain, Holland, and the United States
of America. This event, beneficial to the
nation, was regretted by those merchants,
contractors, and artificers who were engaged
in furnishing warlike stores, and by naval and
military officers panting for promotion. The
Hamilton regiment being disbanded, Captain
Moore was reduced upon half-pay. This was
a critical period; for idleness is often the
cause of hapless propensities which debase
the mind, and of slothful habits which hinder
future exertions. But Moore lived with his
family, and his time was not mispent. He
resumed the studies of field-fortification and
tactics ; and he augmented his general know-

.1783.J LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 33
ledge by reading the works of good authors.
He was also introduced into society by his
father, and his own manners were so prepos
sessing, that he easily extended his acquaint
ance, for his disposition tended to form
friendships. In conversation he was neither
voluble nor obtrusive, but unassuming
and sensible; with his intimates open and
cheerful, but in large companies rather re
served. He usually spent a couple of months
in autumn with the Duke of Hamilton, in
Scotland, and visited there his relatives and
early friends, whom in his highest prosperity
he never neglected.
Th^ bad success of the American war occa
sioned the downfal of the ministry ; and a
violent contest occurred for the settlement of
a new administration. After several changes,
William Pitt obtained the ascendency ; to
overwhelrA whom, Lord North and Charles
Fox formed the notorious coalition, a poli
tical fault which blighted the fame of both :
for both having long professed opposite poli
tical principles, their union proved that
D

34 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1784.
these had either been assumed, or were now
abandoned. But over-confidence in their
rhetorical powers persuaded them that they
could excuse to the nation this gross incon
sistency ; and, relying on a majority in par
liament thus acquired, they attempted to
seize the patronage of India, and almost to
wrench the sceptre from the King's hands.
In this emergency the genius of Pitt shone
forth : whose eloquence roused the indigna
tion of the country against this political
junto, who were dismissed from their offices,
and the parliament which sanctioned the
coalition was dissolved.
In the new parliament, Captain Moore
was elected a representative of four Scot
tish boroughs, through the influence of the
Duke of Hamilton, but was left freely to fol
low his own judgment on every measure.
Indeed, unless unfettered, he wduld have
declined the seat: for, though his circum
stances were narrow, the qualities ofhis mind
rendered him independent. By regular
attendance in the House, and by listening to

1784.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 35
the orations of the most eloquent men which
this country has yet produced, he improved his
knowledge of the fabric and spirit of the con
stitution, and gained an insight into the con
duct of statesmen. Being convinced that
Mr. Pitt was animated with the love of his
country, and that his measures were directed
towards its welfare, he generally voted for
them ; and his political conduct was such,
that Mr. Burke, though then of the opposite
party, commended him highly to his father,
with whom he was intimate.
It is obviously the interest of every minis
ter, that the nation should prosper ; but of
his opponents, unfortunately, that it should
not ; which accounts for the usual conduct of
the two parties, and of their frequent incon
sistency when in and out of office. This,
which is in the nature of things, has been
often complained of: it explains why^ even
bad men have sometimes proved good mi
nisters ; and why honourable men, when
leaders in opposition, and contending for
wealth and power, have become so irri-
D 2

36 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOOREi [l786.
tated by disappointment, and transported
by ambition, as to be tempted to rouse
up popular discontents and tumults, reck
less of their consequences. The subver
sion of the ancient democracies proceeded
from this cause; but the British constitution
had been preserved from a similar fate, by a,
happy mixture of monarchy and aristocracy.
Should these be subverted and democracy
predominate, experience evinces that anarchy
and despotism will follow. The moderation
of Moore's character prevented his becoming
a violent party-man. He was acquainted
with persons of opposite political opinions,
and being in the heyday of youth lived gaily
and in good company. He even had the
felicity of becoming acquainted with the
Duke of York, a prince ever constant to his
friends. But neither civil contentions, nor all the
pleasures of the capital altered or diminished
his ruling passion ; he continued anxiously
desirous of military rank. No opportunity
however occurred until the year 1787, when

1787.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 37
two new battalions were added to the 60th
regiment, to one of which he was appointed
Major. Then escaping from London and all
its allurements, he flew to Chatham where
the recruits were assembling. His spirits,
which from lack of employment had become
languid, were now stirred up by the drum and
fife ; and the drill became his morning busi
ness. The complete command he possessed
over his own temper qualified him peculiarly
for disciplining troops. Towards the officers
under his command his conduct was friendly,
yet firm ; towards the soldiers kind, but
strict ; and to both impartially just. The
battalion which he formed after a few
months was reviewed, and its appearance
and discipline were extolled by the reviewing
General, Next year Moore was appointed
Major to the 51st regiment, that in which he
had got his first commission. It was quar
tered at Cork, to which city he soon repaired.
The regiment at that time was a very indif
ferent one, but every attempt or suggestion
he threw out for its improvement was

38 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1788-9.
thwarted or disapproved of by the Lieutenant-
Colonel, from jealousy of interference. On
perceiving this, he neither spoke nor entered
into any cabal against his commanding
officer, but relinquished all hope of amelio
rating the state of the regiment. He per
formed his own duty precisely, and by living
in the mess on familiar terms with the officers,
he had the opportunity of discovering their
respective talents and defects. Ensign An
derson, who afterwards became his insepa
rable companion, was among them. There
were several others with whom he formed'
friendships, and whose advancement he sub
sequently promoted.
Ireland was in a state of tolerable tran
quillity and contentment, as the caballers of
that period had not decided on rebellion.
The frank hospitality and diverting humours
of the Irish gentlemen, and the beauty and
lively manners of the ladies, were exceedingly
agreeable to Major Moore, Jollity and re
velry abounded, in which he joined freely,
not being much impeded by regimental

1790.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 39
aff'airs ; for, to avoid giving off"ence, he took
little share in them.
In the midst of this dissipation a rumour
suddenly arose of a war with Spain, in con
sequence of a trifling mercantile dispute, on
the bleak coast of Nootka Sound. Our mi
nister was then young and sanguine ; and
being emulous of his father's fame, was more
desirous of restoring the glory of Great Bri
tain, somewhat faded in the last unhappy
war, than of shunning contests with foreign
powers. He raised an armament; projected
• an expedition against South America, and
demanded from Spain satisfaction for an ag
gression asserted to have been committed on
some British merchants at Nootka. On this
occasion orders were issued to the 51st regi
ment, among others, to prepare for foreign
service. This annunciation was received
joyfully by all except the Lieutenant-Colonel,
who being a family man, perceived that a
campaign in Cuba or the Caraccas might
be incommodious. He, therefore, applied at
the War-office for leave to retire. This was

40 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1790,
acceded to, and Moore purchased his com
mission, thus acquiring the rank of Lieute
nant-Colonel. The command of the regiment, which was
in a very disordered state, now devolved upon
Moore, whose character improved by ad
vancement. He immediately commenced
rectifying the discipline ; but in the execu
tion difficulties were necessarily encountered :
for the British youth, being less accustomed
to restraint than those of other countries,
yield more reluctantly ta subordination,
which is indispensable in an army. To over
come this repugnance, without exciting ani
mosity, requires considerable address. Some
commanding officers, by too great familiarity
with those subordinate to them, lose their
authority ; others by arrrogance stir up
hatred and opposition. It requires propriety,
combined with dignity of manners, to enable
a commander to live on amicable terms with
his officers, and enforce strict military regu
lations. Moore, who was bent on forming the
regiment for every military duty, inspired his

1791.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 41
officers with the same desire ; and gradually
rendered the soldiers dexterous in the use of
arms,, and rapid in their evolutions. In all
points of discipline which are useful on ser
vice he was rigid : but in other matters,
being desirous of gratifying the soldiers,
and of increasing their comforts, he was in
dulgent, and even disposed to overlook slight
neglects. At that time the practice of ex
cessive drinking was prevalent in the army,
and even among the officers. This he re
solved to abolish in the regiment without
delay. He signified in very strong terms his
determination on this subject to his officers,
who expressed their approbation and assured
him of their concurrence. Yet one untractable
Lieutenant, in spite of warnings, appeared
on the parade staggering from, intoxication.
He was compelled immediately to quit the
service, and no more examples of that kind
were requisite. There were, however, a few
others accustomed to relaxed discipline, who
did not relish the change of system. These
successively exchanged into other corps, and

42 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1792.
were replaced by young gentlemen of supe
rior energy.
The character which the 51st regiment at
tained, and the spirit it afterwards displayed
in a long war, on a variety of perilous occa
sions, were proofs of excellent training.
Spain being in no condition to cope in war
with Great Britain, gave the satisfaction that
was demanded, which put an end to the pre
paration for invading South America,
The 51st regiment remained in Ireland
until 1792, when it was ordered to embark
for Gibraltar. In a letter to his father he
gives the following particulars : —
' Brunswick Transport, Cove of Cork, 8th March, 1792;
' My dear Father,
 ' I have been hurried
' to death with the embarkation ; the new
' serjeant-major I had been obliged to ap-
' point, not being conversant with the busi-
' ness. But I have been much pleased with
' the behaviour of the regiment. Their or-
'derly conduct upon leaving a town like

l^OZ.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 43
' Cork, in which they had formed many ac-
' quaintances, was more than I could have
' expected. Upon the parade, the evening
' before we marched, I told them they might
' enjoy themselves, and be jolly with their
' friends till nine, when I expected every
' man to be in his quarters ; and that at
' seven next morning they should come sober
' to the parade ready to march. They were
' glorious that night : however, with a very
' few exceptions, they retired to their quar-
' ters at nine, and came next morning (to
' the parade) perfectly sober. We lost one
' man only by desertion since we received
' orders to embark, and we recovered him
' yesterday  It rained during the
' march (to the Cove), and the roads were
' very deep ; but whilst the commissary was
' mustering us on the beach, it cleared, and
' turned out a very fine afternoon,
' Two other regiments were arranged upon
' the beach waiting for the return of the boats,
' the sun was shining and the sea perfectly
' calm, I ordered none of the boats to put off"

44: LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1792,
' till the whole regiment was embarked, that
' all might proceed together. By signal we
' gave three cheers, which were answered by
' the regiments on shore : the bands playing,
' colours flying, &c., the whole forming a
' lively, animating scene. In ten minutes we
' were rowed aboard our difflerent ships. . .
' and at day-light to-morrow, if the wind con-
* tinues fair, we sail,'

1792.] 45

Chapter IV,
ARRIVAL AT GIBRALTAR— SAILS TO CORSICA
—OPERATIONS IN THAT ISLAND.
To attain eminence in any profession, the
mind must be intensely fixed upon its prin
ciples, and the individual experienced in
its practice. For military improvement,
Gibraltar is a less favourable school than a
camp, yet it presents some advantages. For
the garrison is numerous and is daily drilled,
manoeuvred and employed on various duties:
while the bomb-proof casemates, the ram
parts, and the cannon pointed towards the
sea and shore, together with the Spanish
lines across the peninsula, fill the imagi
nation with martial ideas. Moreover, the
memorable defence which this fortress main
tained for seven years, against the fleets and
armies of France and Spain, aided by formid-

46 life of sir JOHN MOORE, [1792,
able floating batteries ; which last were de
stroyed by red-hot balls, with a piteous loss of
lives, has converted this Herculean pillar into
a stupendous monument of British prowess.
That terrible catastrophe was so fresh in re
membrance, that Buonaparte never assailed
this citadel, which is deemed impregnable,
Moore, on his arrival, wrote as follows :
' Gibraltar, 26th March, 1792.
' My dear Father,
' I have only time to tell you that, after a
' most delightful passage, we anchored in this
' Ray, the eleventh day from our leaving Cork.
' We only landed yesterday, and every thing
' is so completely opposite to the arrange-
' ments in Britain or Ireland, that we are
' much at a loss, and must continue so for
' some time, in spite of every exertion on my
' part, I have been up at daylight ever since
' we anchored, and seldom off" my legs till
'bedtime. The weather is that of a hot July
' in England. Oranges, green peas, &c. are
' in perfection ; and notwithstanding the de-

1793.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 47
' scriptions I had of the rock, it surprised me
' more than any place I ever saw. Sir Robert
' Boyd (the Lieutenant-Governor) acknow-
' ledged me as an old acquaintance, and has
' been extremely civil.' ....
But after the novelty of the views from this
extraordinary place was over, and when his
regiment was brought to perfect discipline,
the monotony of garrison duty began to be
felt. Colonel Moore had already travelled
over a portion of America, and a great part of
Europe ; but travelling does not soon produce
satiety, and the neighbouring cities of Spain
were tempting objects. He accordingly ob
tained permission, and visited Cadiz, Xeres,
and Seville, This excursion gave him great
amusement, after which it appeared that he
returned to his duty with fresh ardour. But
he was not fated to repeat jaunts of pleasure ;
for in this very year there arose, consequent
to a revolution in France, a war the most
memorable that ever happened, from the im
mensity of the treasures expended, from the
vast space to which the warfare reached, and

48 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1793.
from the multitude of forces by sea and land
which were engaged and destroyed during its
continuance. Not only Europe, but a great
portion of Asia, Africa, and America were
convulsed by this contention : and the vicissi
tudes of fortune were so remarkable, that
France at one period gained by many victo
ries such augmented dominion and pre-emi
nent power, as to force into a league against
Great Britain, North America and almost
the whole of the European States, But the
latter, at length, bursting their chains, poured
forth their forces against their vanquisher,
who, was repulsed and discomfited ; and
France, being in her turn invaded, and the
capital taken, was compelled to yield to the
terms dictated by her enemies.
Soon after the commencement of these
transactions, a body of French loyalists occu
pied Toulon, and invited a British and
Spanish force into that city. These were
presently besieged by a numerous army of
French republicans ; and in December, 1793,
the 50th and 51st regiments were embarked

1793.] LIFE, OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 49
at Gibraltar to reinforce the garrison of
Toulon : but before they, could reach their
destination, the besieged were repulsed in an
unsuccessful sally, and General O'Hara, the
commander, was wounded and captured; on
which the garrison, being- too weak to main
tain the works against a much superior army,
embarked on board their ships. The greater
part of the French men-of-war were then
burned in the harbour, and the unhappy roy
alists, to escape from the fury of the repub
licans, took refuge in the British fleet, which
sailed to Hieres Bay,
Intelligence of these disastrous events were
received by the convoy with the troops frpm
Gibraltar, which therefore proceeded to the
same place : but a frigate, which had on board
the baggage of the 51st regiment, separated
from the fleet in the night, and the captain,
deceived by the English colours hoisted on
the ramparts of Toulon, sailed into the har
bour and was taken. This was a severe loss
to both officers and men ; for Moore had or
dered every thing to be procured and put on
VOL. I. E

50 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE, [1793
board that could contribute to their" conveni
ency, and be useful on service. It was late in
the evening of the last day of December, that
the transports entered Hieres Bay, when im
mediately Moore went on board the Victory,
Lord Hood's flag-ship. He presented a state
ment of his regiment, together with the orders
which he had received from Sir Robert Boyd,
to his Lordship, who expressed some surprise
at the smallness of the number of men, and
said, ' You have come rather late.' He then
turned to a navy officer with whom he had been
transacting business. Moore, after this dry
reception, retired into the outer cabin to join
General Dundas, the commander of the army.
Every part of the Admiral's ship was crowded
Ivith French men and women of the principal
families of Toulon, who had made their escape
the night the town was evacuated, Moore
hearing the sound of a violin and of dancing
in the ward-room, made some enquiry, and
was much surprised to learn that the French
were dancing out the old year merrily. Yet
few of them had anything but the clothes on

1794.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 51
their backs, and the prospect before them
was most gloomy. They contrived, however,
to forget the past, to suppress all thoughts ot
the future, and, for the present, to make
themselves happy.
Consultations took place between the Ad
miral and the General respecting future ope
rations, and Corsica became the principal
subject of their deliberations. This island
had revolted from France, and the aged and
patriotic chief, Paoli, placed at. the head of
their aff'airs, had applied for succours to Eng
land. It was at length resolved, that Colonel
Moore and Major Koehler, an excellent artil*
lery officer, should be sent to Corsica, to
examine how far an attack upon that islarld,
with the small military force embarked, was
advisable. Sir Gilbert Elliot, the King's
commissioner in the Mediterranean, was to
accompany them, to communicate With Paoli
on political points.
This deputation accordingly sailed (Jan.
I4th) in a frigate, and landed in the little Isle of
Rossa, whence they proceeded to Murato. The
e2

52 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1794.
inhabitants of every village through which
they passed saluted them with voUies of mus
ketry, and exclaimed ' Viva Paoli, la patria, h
la nazione Inglese !' This reception was very
amiising; and they found that Paoli had
taken up his residence at a convent of Re-
collets, which had been abandoned since the
revolution. The convent was surrounded
with armed peasants, who came voluntarily
from diff'erent parts of the island, and served
without pay. They carried on their backs
ten days provisions, consisting chiefly of
dried chestnuts; and returned home, when
their food was consumed. But others suc
ceeded, from the strong attachment felt by
all the natives to Paoli, who had com
manded their armies in former wars against
the Genoese and French, After the first
compliments, the subject of the mission
began to be discussed ; when General Paoli
addressed himself to the two military gen
tlemen, to explain to them the operations
which he wished to be adopted. But Co
lonel Moore informed him, that Sir Gilbert

1794.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 53
Elliot was the King's Commissioner, with
whom in the first place the business must be
agreed upon. To this Paoli made some odd
answer, that he was tired with ministers
and negotiations. He then, however, turned
to Sir Gilbert, and said, ' I wrote long ago to
' the King and to his ministers, that I and
' my people wished to be free either as sub-
'jects, or under the protection of Great Bri-
' tain, as the King and the country may
' think most convenient. I wish before I
' die, to see my country, after various strug-
' gles, during these three hundred years,
' settled and happy, with a proper degree of
' liberty, under the protection or government
' of the British nation.' The General was so
much aff'ected whilst he spoke, that tears
gushed into his eyes. The conference was
conducted amicably. Sir Gilbert giving as
surances of assistance for the expulsion of
the French. Next morning, Moore and
Major Koehler rode out to reconnoitre St.
Fiorenza and the neighbouring country.
The Signer Pozzo di Borgo accompanied

54 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1794,
them, and an escort of above forty volun
teers. They fell in with a French party and
a slight skirmish ensued, in which the Corsi
cans acted well. When the French were
driven off', St. Fiorenza, the works of Mar-
tello, and the fort of Fornelli were accurately
examined, and Major Koehler made sketches
of the ground.
After their return, the landing of the troops
and the military operations were canvassed
with General Paoli, and Moore was struck
with the intelligence he displayed ; indeed,
he reminded him of his old friend General
Francis MacLean. Paoli was then very aged,
and much afflicted at the recent loss of his
brother ; a man so much beloved and vene
rated by the Corsicans, that they believed
him a saint, and were convinced that by his
intercession in heaven they would gain their
independence. The principal business being
agreed upon. Sir Gilbert sailed to the Isle of
Elba, to make arrangements respecting the
French royalists, who had been landed there.
Moore remained for some days to examine

1794.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 55
the coast, and particularly the town of Calvi.
After which Lord Hood's fleet appearing, he
went off" in a boat at night, though it blew
hard, and got on board the Victory, Major
Koehler was left with Paoli, Moore then
presented to Lord Hood and General Dun
das a full statement of the intelligence he
had obtained, and the observations he had
made on the state of the French fortresses,
together with drawings made on the spot by
Major Koehler. According to the Corsican
accounts, the number of the French troops
amounted to about two thousand, to which
should be added the crews of four frigates.
He then observed, that with so small a land
force as that of the British, it would be fruit
less to attempt a descent without the hearty
concurrence and aid of the Corsicans, But
with these, if the attempt was made instantly,
before the enemy were more prepared, there
was reason to hope for success. Should this
be resolved upon, he recommended that, for
the security of the fleet, possession should
first be taken of Martello bay ; and he par-

56 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1794.
ticularized the operations which would be
requisite to accomplish this, Paoli had de
sired him also to signify that he required for
his auxiliaries four thousand pounds, and a
hundred barrels of gunpowder, to enable
them to co-operate with the British,
It afterwards appeared that the Corsicans
were grossly mistaken as to the numbers of
the French, who had actually seven thou
sand men in arms in the diff'erent garrisons.
The whole of the report being approved of
by the commanders, they sailed to Porto Fer-
rara to assemble the troops, and collect ord
nance stores for the invasion. During this
passage, the captain of the ship one night
burst into the outer-cabin where General
Dundas, Sir James St. Clair,* and Moore were
lying ; he exclaimed, ' Rise, gentlemen, for
' the ship is driving on a lee-shore :' he then
passed into the inner cabin, and repeated
the same alarming news to Lord Hood;
adding, that he feared the ship would soon
strike. Moore, from the position of his cot,
* The present Earl Rosslyn,

1794.] .LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 57
could see into Lord Hood's cabin, and he
observed that his countenance was no way
discomposed. He saw him also carefully
draw on one pair of worsted hose over ano
ther, to protect his thin legs from the cold.
This precaution tranquillised Moore, who
being aware that a landsman could do no
thing to avert the danger, remained in bed,
and fell fast asleep. On awakening next
morning he learned that the ship had wea
thered the lee-shore.
The fleet sailed to, and anchored at Porto
Ferrara, where preparations were made for a
descent on Corsica ; but much delay occurred
from the disordered state of the ordnance.
At length the troops were embarked, and
reached the Martello point on the 7tli of Fe
bruary. On that evening, conformably to
orders from General Dundas, Moore landed
on the coast with six hundred and fifty sol
diers, one hundred and fifty seamen, and
two light guns. Early next morning he
marched forward to turn and attack the
enemy's works. It was with extreme diffi-

58 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1794,
culty that the seamen and soldiers could drag
the guns over the rugged ground. This, how
ever, was eff'ected, and he pushed on, with an
advanced party, getting into the rear of the
fortifications, which he carefully reconnoi-
tered. He soon discovered that the three weeks
which had elapsed since he last examined
them had been busily employed by the French.
A large redoubt had been erected in front of
Martello, and well supplied with cannon.
The tower of Fornelli had also been strength
ened by embrasures cut around, and fur
nished with artillery. In addition to which,
there were low batteries, and in front, a strong
enclosed work, named the Convention Re
doubt, had been erected, and also planted
with guns. On viewing these formidable
entrenchments, Moore paused : for he per
ceived that if he proceeded as had been
planned, the detachment must be destroyed.
He sent for Major Koehler, who, having in
spected the works, was of the same opinion ;
he then wrote to Sir David Dundas the state

1794,] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOOBE, 59
of things, and took up a secure position on
the heights.
The situation of the fleet was almost as
embarrassing as that of the army; for the
ships were anchored on the open coast, being
prevented from entering the bay by the Mar
tello tower. Lord Hood conceiving that this
might soon be silenced, ordered a line-of-
battle ship and a frigate to attack it. These
ships anchored within point blank shot, and
cannonaded the tower ; but the stone walls
being circular and of great thickness, threw
x)ff the balls ; while the two guns of the
tower (there were no more) swept the decks of
the men-of-war, and made fearful havoc. At
last red-hot shot set fire to the line-of-battle
ship, on which both sheered off', to escape
conflagration. As nothing could be done
against this tower by sea, a land battery was
erected ; but the guns, being six-pounders, had
no effiect. An eighteen-pounder was then pro
cured from the Victory, which battered the
walls, and the infantry firing continually into
the embrasure, the garrison, consisting of only

60 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1794.
one midshipman and thirty-six men, surren
dered. These few defied for a week the whole
British fleet. This Martello tower was the
first of that species of fortification, and the
model of many'erected since.
When General Dundas had inspected the
French fortifications, and found that they were
much too strong to be carried by assault with
the handful of British troops under his com
mand, he was exceedingly at a loss how to
act; for the Corsicans, who had joined, could
be of no use in attacking works. Moore,
however, with Koehler, examined every place,
and especially a steep, rocky hill, about seven
hundred yards from the Convention redoubt.
This height had not been occupied by the
French, who deemed it impracticable to drag
cannon up so precipitous a crag. They knew
not the energies of British seamen, and Moore
recommended to the General to make that
attempt, which Sir David said he would try.
After two days hard labour, by the help of
blocks and ship-tackle, two eighteen-pounders
were hauled up, and mounted upon the top of

1794.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 61
the rock, from whence the shot plunged into
the redoubt. Another battery of smaller guns
was also established upon a neighbouring
eminence. In a couple of days some of the
French cannon were dismounted, and the
rampart shattered. The General then gave
Moore orders to storm the redoubt. The
troops were divided into three columns ; a
central one to advance in front, another to
move on the right flank, and the Corsicans
on the left, and to get into the rear to cut off'
the retreat of the French, in case of success.
Moore, placing himself at the head of the
grenadiers of the centre column, advanced
quickly and silently through the thick brush
wood by moonlight. When within fifty yards
of the redoubt, he noticed that he was screened
from the fire by the brow of the hill. He
halted there for a few minutes, to give the
men time to recover breath, and to restore
their order, somewhat broken by hurrying
over rough ground. Then, by his command,
whose spirit was transfused to the soldiers,
they rushed up the height and leaped into

62 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1794,
the entrenchment. The first traverse was
carried; then he made for the second, and
sprang to the embrasure, where a French gun
ner, who had a match in his hand, fi'om some
lucky chance, neglected to apply it to the
cannon. A few soldiers followed Moore, but
the enemy fired briskly, and charged with
bayonets. The British, for the first time,
began also to fire, and were fairly checked
by the firmness of the enemy. They stepped
back, yet without attempting to turn, and the
bayonets of both crossed each other. While
Moore was encouraging his men to break
through, which he had no doubt they would
have done, he heard voices in the rear crying
out that there was another passage to the
right; he immediately made for it and got
in. He was encountered by a French sol
dier, and, evading his bayonet, made a
thrust at him with his sword, which bent ;
but a second thrust instantaneously followed,
which passed through his enemy's body. The
British continued to pour in ; some of the
French fought bravely,, and were bayonetted;

1794.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 63
Others threw down their arms, surrendering
themselves prisoners. A captain presented his
sword to Colonel Moore, and asked for quarter.
This was given, and he was directed to go
into the rear ; when, finding himself in safety,
he exclaimed, ' Quel malheur pour un gallant
' homme qui voudroit se distinguer et s'elever,
' d'etre flanque dans une fichue batterie com-
' me celle-ci!'
The column on the right, which had been
impeded by the difficulties of the ground >
now crowded also into the redoubt, strewed
with the wounded and the dying, and where
the victors and vanquished were mingled con
fusedly. Hardly were the British masters
of the place, when grape-shot were fired upon
them from the tower of Fornelli ; on which
Moore drew back the soldiers, entrenching
tools were employed, and abundance of sand
bags being found in the redoubt, these were
arranged to cover the men. Before this vs^as
eff'ected, the firing ceased, as Fornelli was
evacuated. The loss of the French in this storm was

64 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1794.
about two hundred men. Had the. Corsican
column obeyed their orders, and advanced
into the rear, not one of the fugitives could
have escaped.
The capture of the -Convention fort
alarmed the French commander so much, that
next day he evacuated the town of St, Fio-
renzo, and all the neighbouring entrenched
posts, and retreated towards Bastia, Paoli,
with his Corsicans, had undertaken, to inter
rupt this communication, but the Corsicans
were unequal to opposing regular troops ;
they could only skirmish, or harass a retreat
ing foe. By this failure Bastia received a nu
merous reinforcement to its garrison. After
taking possession of St, Fiorenzo, General
Dundas moved towards Bastia ; but at the
same time a sally was mad^e by the French,
who drd-sre the Corsicans from a strong height,
where they had been posted ; which was the
ground that General Dundas intended to
occupy, as it was from that height alone that
Bastia could be successfully assailed. This,
together with the escape of the garrisons, were

1794.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 65
serious disappointments, and the general had
now a better opportunity than before of learn
ing the strength of Bastia, Before this for
tress could be invested, it was necessary
that the French should be driven from the
high ground, where a strong detachment were
entrenching themselves. The ascent to tlijis
was extremely difficult, and it could only be
taken by storm, which would occasion a great
loss of men, and the attack might fail. Were
it to succeed, batteries might be raised there ;
but the ramparts of Bastia were protected by
Strong redoubts, with abundance of artillery,
which could not be mastered without more
slaughter : — and the garrison could then retire
into the citadel, which commanded the town,
and would require another siege.
Added to these "bbstacles, the troops wdthin
the town were far superior to the united Bri
tish and Corsicans, On weighing these cir
cumstances. General Dundas conceived it
would be extremely imprudent to attack
Bastia by force. But Lord Hood slighted all
his arguments and statements, yet advanced no
VOL. I. F

66 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1794,
reasons in reply. Instead of which he made
many bold assertions, and this among others,
that six or seven shells thrown in would do the
business of Bastia ! Surely the compulsory re
treat from Toulon might have instructed him
to appreciate more justly French troops. But
he was inflexible, and paying not the smallest
respect to General Dundas, an able and expe
rienced officer, he* dispatched three naval
captains to Lieutenant- Colonels Moore and
Villette, to know their opinions of the practica
bility of attacking Bastia ; to which Moore in
stantly answered, that ' after his commander
' had declared that he considered it impracti-
' cable, it seemed to him a species of mutiny
' for a subordinate officer to deliver any opi-
' nion,' This mission not succeeding. Lord
Hood wrote to General Dundas a letter,
stating plainly, that ' upon the evacuation of
' Toulon, he conceived the general's command
' to have ceased, and from that moment he
' (Lord Hood) had the supreme command of
* From the M.S. Journal.

1794.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 67
' the fleet and army, and itwas from courtesy
• only that he had admitted the general to
' interfere,' The general answered this, by
thanking him, ironically, for his courtesy,
and by requesting him to show his commission
from the king, appointing him to the supreme
command of the army. The general then
assembled the commanding officers of corps,
to whom he read this correspondence, all of
whom agreed in considering Lord Hood's pre
tension to command the army as unfounded,
and they resolved to resist any such attempts
Sir David then informed the officers that some
months previously, on account of bad health,
he had written home for a successor, and that
he now resolved to quit the command, and to
return to England, In a few days after this,
he gave up the command to Brigadier-General
D'Aubant, an engineer officer who was next
in seniority. The brigadier's knowledge of
fortification made him even more averse than
General Dundas to undertake the siege of
Bastia. Astrict blockade was all that he judged
proper to be established for the reduction of
f2

68 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1794.
the place, and the positions of the troops and
disposition of the Corsicans completely pre
vented the entrance of provisions by land.
Lord Hood, however, was so fixed in his own
notions, that he resolved to attack Bastia with
the marines of the fleet, and those troops who
had acted as marines. About seven or eight
hundred soldiers, which was about half the
British force, were then embarked, and the
command given to Lieutenant-Colonel Villette.
On the 2nd of April they sailed, and were landed
on the north side of the town. These troops,
together with a body of seamen under Captain
Nelson,* took post on a hill at a considerable
distance from the outworks, where they erected
batteries, and fired shot and shells, wasting
uselessly much ammunition. The enemy
paid little attention to this cannonade, only
returning a shot occasionally. But an event
of real importance occurred ; a safe anchor
age for the fleet, near the mouth of the har
bour, M^as fortunately discovered ; by Avhich
* Afterwards Lord Nelson.

1794.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 69
the entrance of victualling vessels into the
town was rendered impracticable. The attack
on the land side availed nothing; for the
troops never durst approach beyond the para
pet of their batteries on the summit of the
hill. But famine at length was felt in the
town, by which the garrison was compelled
to capitulate on the 23rd of May. On that
very day, an aide-de-camp of the French
commander came over to the British ad
vanced picket, and requested to speak to
Colonel Moore, He told him that he had
orders to deliver up the post in front of the
English immediately, and therefore wished
some troops to be sent to take possession
of it,
Moore entered into conversation with this
officer, who informed him, that there were
six thousand men in arms in Bastia; four
thousand five hundred of whom were well
trained; consequently they never had the
least apprehension of being taken by force,
but that want of provisions compelled them
to surrender.

70/ LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE.. [1794,.
A few days after this Moore was intro
duced to General Gentile, whom he asked,
why, with his numerous garrison, he had never
made one sally. He replied, ' Because no
sally could bring us in bread,'
A short time before Bastia yielded, six
hundred recruits arrived from Gibraltar ; and
soon after General Sir Charles Stuart came
commissioned from England, to whom Ge
neral D'Aubant resigned the command of the
army.

.1794.] 71

Chapter V.
THE SIEGE OP CALVI-CORSICA WON AND LOST.
The arrival of Sir Charles Stuart, who was
endowed with superior military talents, was a
most agreeable event to Lieutenant- Colonel
Moore. A confidential and friendly inter
course was soon formed between them, and
the General resolved upon undertaking the
siege of Calvi, the only remaining place
which the French possessed in Corsica.
About this time General Trigge reached
Bastia with eight hundred men, and was
appointed to the command of that town. All
the flank companies were then formed into
one corps, denominated the reserve, the
command of which was given to Moore;
and the army, amounting only to about two
thousand men, sailed in transports, and were

72 LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOORE. [1794.
landed, on the 29th of June, near Calvi, where
they were joined by a body of Corsicans.
In the front of the town there was a strong
stone fort, named the Mozello, and upon a rock
towards the coast, another, flanking the first,
called Mollinochesco. The town itself was
surrounded with entrenchments, and had a
garrison exceeding the British in numbers.
This enterprise was a very arduous one : for
independent of the strength of the fortifica
tions, the town is situated in a marsh, where
the ague is endemic, and the weather was then
sultry and most oppressive to northern sol
diers. The General perceived that, if he pro
ceeded by regular approaches, sickness would
waste down his force, and compel him to with
draw. Success could only be hoped for by
daring and precipitate measures. He, there
fore, pressed forward the landing of the ord
nance, ammunition, stores and provisions;
and not having sufficient means, he made
repeated representations to Lord Hood for
naval aid : at last fifty seamen were ob
tained, commanded by Captain Nelson,— re-

1794.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 73
nowned subsequently for his glorious achieve
ments. While these preparatory measures
were advancing, the French were labouring
incessantly to strengthen their works ; and
before the first battery was raised against
the Mollinochesco, they sallied forth, assisted
on their flank by a gun-boat, and attacked the
advanced Corsican post. The Corsicans fell
back, but the General dispatched Moore, with
some British light infantry and two field-
pieces, to their assistance, who, after a sharp
skirmish, repelled the French,
On July 4th, a battery opened against the
Mollinochesco, and preparations were made
to erect a strong breaching battery as near
as possible to the Mozello. The General
had fixed upon a spot within seven hundred
yards of the fort ; and upon the success of
this operation the fate of the siege depended.
The attempt was made on the night of the
6th of July, and Sir Charles went himself to
see what progress was making: but found
that, owing to the negligence of an officer of
engineers, the battery could not be finished

74 LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOBE, [1794.
before day-break : on which he ordered that
the ground which had been broken up should
be smoothed down for concealment, and the
party retired undiscovered by the enemy.
Next night the attempt was resumed. On
-the approach of darkness a false attack was
made on the Mollinochesco by the Corsi
cans, supported by a British regiment, and
cannon fired incessantly. The French
were so much alarmed on that side, that
they surrounded themselves with light
troops, dreading a serious assault, and fired
briskly on that quarter. But as soon as it was
quite dark, the reserve, followed by a working
party, moved silently towards the ground
where the failure had occurred the previous
night. Moore advanced a line of soldiers in
front, and made them lie down on their arms
behind an enclosure. Under their protection
a body of soldiers and sailors worked hard to
raise an entrenchment, and to drag into it a
heavy battering train with the necessary am
munition. To mislead the enemy, a small bat
tery was also constructed on a more conspi-

1794.] LIFE OF SlE JOHN MOOBE. 75
cuous place at some distance in the rear.
This at dawn was first seen, and was fired at,
as was expected. But at six o'clock in the
morning, before the principal battery was
finished, the design was discovered, and imr
mediately the French commenced a furious
cannonade of round and grape shot intermixed
with shells from the Mozello fort, and from
redoubts on each flank. For two hours little
return could be made by the British : but
when the guns from the battery opened, the
enemy's fire was somewhat checked; yet
during the whole of the < day it had the
advantage. An English officer and a number
of men were killed and wounded, and two of
the battering guns were dismounted. When
night came, the enemy evacuated the Mollino-.
chesco fort, which gave an opportunity to the
general to practise another feint. Some tents
were pitched there, as if it had been occupied
by troops, which attracted a portion of the
enemy's fire ; and in the course of the night,
the battery fronting the Mo^iello fort was re-

76 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1794.
paired, the guns remounted, and traverses for
their protection thrown up.
The general, who was both adventurous and
indefatigable, passed the night with Moore in
the work, to give encouragement and excite
exertion. The cannonade never ceased, and
when daylight appeared, became hot and so
well aimed, that almost every shot struck the
new-raised rampart. Bombs were also thrown
in, and one blew up some cartridges and set
on fire the fusees of a heap of shells, which
burst in quick succession. The explosion was
so tremendous, Ishat Moore imagined some
strange new-invented combustible engine had
been thrown into the redoubt. The General
received a blow from a splinter, but, what was
quite marvellous, no person was materially
hurt ; though the enemy, imagining that all in
the rampart were blown to atoms, gave a
shout of joy.
By degrees the fire from this breaching bat
tery gained the superiority, and that of the
enemy lessened. On July 10th, another

1794.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 77
battery, two hundred yards in advance, was
erected, which silenced the guns of the Mo
zello ; a brisk fire, en ricochet, however, opened
from the town. One ball struck some stones,
a splinter of which knocked down Moore's
bat-man standing at his side, and some rub
bish was dashed upon Captain Nelson's face,
by which unfortunately he lost the vision of
one eye.
As Sir Charles Stuart slept every night in
the trenches, and reconnoitred the eff'ects of
the cannonade very frequently, Moore ad
monished him against exposing himself so
much. His reply was, that he considered it
the peculiar duty of the commander to exa
mine personally the state of the breach, lest
he should expose others to the more imminent
danger of storming before it was practicable.
This answer, characteristic of Sir Charles
Stuart, was never eff"aced from Moore's me
mory. On the 18th of July it appeared that the
cannon had made an assailable opening in
the rampart of the Mozello fort, and the

78 LIFE OP SIB JOHN MOOBE, [1794;
following day was fixed upon for the
storm. The troops were assembled at one
in the morning, and arranged in three co
lumns. The reserve was to assault the Mo
zello, a second column a work on the left,
and the third to follow in the rear to give
support wherever wanted. At dawn, Moore,
at the head of the grenadiers of the reserve,
marched to the breach under a heavy fire of
cannon and musketry. They advanced with
steady bravery to the palisades, which some
artificers hastened to cut down. But before
this could be eff"ected, Moore and Captain
Macdonald* got through an opening which
had been made by shot, some soldiers fol
lowed, and giving a cheer, ran up to the
breach. They were opposed by shot, by hand
grenades, and by lighted shells rolled over
from the rampart, which burst among the as
sailants. A fragment of one of these struck
Moore on the head ; he was whirled round,
and for a minute stunned. On recovering

Captain of the Royals, who was severely wounded.

1794.] LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOBE. 79
his senses, he mounted the breach along with
the grenadiers.
When Sir Charles Stuart, who watched the
event with intense anxiety, saw the shells
rolled down, and heard their explosion, he
was much alarmed. But, on descrying the
storming party with charged bayonets rush
ing into the fort, his trouble was changed into
gladness. He ran towards the breach, climbed
over the rubbish, and seeing Moore, whose
face streamed with blood, surrounded by the
grenadiers, huzzaing at having chased out the
French, he caught him in his arms, and could
hardly utter his fervid congratulations.
This important post being gained, new and
powerful batteries were raised upon it ; though
the excessive heat of the weather, and the
destructive sickness that prevailed, retarded
the work : but when the guns opened, they
made great havoc, and set the town on fire in
diff"erent places. As no return could be made
by the garrison, whose guns were silenced,
a capitulation was signed on the 2nd of
August, on terms dictated by Sir Charles,

80 LIFE OP SIB JOHN MOOBE. [1794.
By this time two-thirds of his troops were
in the hospital, and officers and men were
dropping down daily from sickness. If the
town could have held out for another week,
the siege must have been raised, from the
ravage caused by the endemic fever.
The obstacles to success were surmounted
chiefly by the talents, the energy, and valour
of Sir Charles Stuart ; and his disinterested
ness at the conclusion was also remarkable.
For he gave his share of the prize money,
arising from the captured shipping and pub
lic stores, to be divided among the troops
and the widows of the soldiers who had
fallen in the contest : he also paid great at
tention to have the sick and wounded care
fully tended, and settled the troops in good
cantonments. His acquaintance with Moore began on this
occasion, and he continued henceforth one of
his warmest friends. Yet he regretted that
it was not in his power to bestow upon him
any adequate reward for his services. But
as Sir James St. Clair, the adjutant- general.

1791.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE, 81
was about to return to England, Sir Charles
pressed Moore to accept of his office, which
might lead to further advancement.
In the government dispatches relative to
the surrender of Calvi, the list of killed and
wounded given in by the superintending sur
geon was subjoined; but Captain Nelson's
name was accidentally left out, as he had
gone aboard his ship to be treated for his
hurt by his own surgeon. Some weeks after
wards, when he read the printed gazette, he
was highly off"ended at this trivial omission,
but consoled himself by saying that 'one
day he would have a gazette of his own,'
This prophecy was frequently and gloriously
fulfilled. After the proper arrangements were settled.
Sir Charles proposed to Colonel Moore their
making a tour through the island, to gain a
knowledge of the country, and of the man
ners and sentiments of the inhabitants. Sir
James St, Clair, and two other officers, were
invited to accompany them. In travelling
from Calvi to the interior of the country their

82 LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOORE, [1794.
way lay through uncultivated grounds, and
woods principally of the holm-oak. They slept
the first night on the open field, although
it rained the greatest part of the time ; but
the preceding campaign had hardened them.
Next day, after a fatiguing journey, they
reached Otta ; on approaching which village
a number of the inhabitants came out to meet
them, cheerfully shouting ' Viva il Generale !
Vivano nostri Inglesi!' &c., and accompanied
them to the house of their chief, the Signor
Benedetti, who, together with his Signora,
received them with much hospitality. The
situation of Otta is singularly romantic, and
the surrounding mountains magnificent. The
hills in the vicinity are planted with vines,
olives, and figs ; which culture shows what
great improvement might be made if the
people were industrious. But they are averse
to labour, and prefer living scantily, and
strolling about with a gun listlessly.
On leaving Otta the travellers ascended a
steep mountain, named Spelanca, and passed
through several villages on the way to Vico..

1794.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 83
The country around abounds with chestnut
trees, the fruit of which is the principal food of
the inhabitants. This district is considered
healthy, probably more so than the coast ;
yet the pallid countenances of the Corsicans
give an impression that no part of the island
is salubrious. The General and his friends
took up their abode in a convent of monks,
who received, them kindly. In this village
the French formerly kept a detachment of
troops, and the inhabitants expressed an ar
dent wish to have an English garrison, which
astonished Sir Charles. But many sensible
persons assured him, and he found it almost
the universal opinion, that nothing but a mi
litary government would suit Corsica ; as the
people would submit to no other, and the laws
could be enforced by no milder means. All
around Vico there are extensive vineyards^
and the wine is excellent.
The party next travelled to Ajaccio, by far
the best town in the island. It is enclosed
with a wall, and has a fortified citadel ; but
there is no water, except what is preserved iu
g2

84 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1794.
cisterns, an irremediable defect. Yet the har
bour is good, and the town well adapted for
commerce. The British officers were invited
to the house of Signor Peraldi, a nobleman
of distinction, who assembled the principal
persons of the place to meet them, whose
manners were altogether French, and the
ladies more polite, and handsomer, than any
they had before seen ; they . danced with
them every night,
Benefaccio and Porto Vecchio were next
visited ; the latter is uninhabitable for half
the year, from unwholesome vapours. While
these prevail, the inhabitants retire to the
neighbouring mountains. Corte, which is si
tuated in the centre of the island, was lastly
visited ; it is considered the capital, and the
Provisionary Council resided there, who en
tertained them ; but they appeared to be per
sons of very little cultivation. Corte is a small
town, with a cheerful aspect, surrounded by
three rivers. From Corte the travellers re
turned to Bastia, on a road made by the
French.

I7!J4.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 85
After their return an unpleasant collision
occurred between Sir Charles Stuart and Sir
Gilbert Elliot, The latter, not contented with
the civil authority, which in so disorganized
a country required abundant employment,
began to interfere with military matters. This
Sir Charles resisted, declaring to Sir Gilbert
that having been appointed Commander of
the British Forces he would yield him no
obedience, in any business respecting the
army, until Sir Gilbert had a commission
from the King, empowering him to command.
But on the 9th of October it was announced
officially that Sir Gilbert Elliot was ap
pointed Viceroy, which astonished the Cor
sicans, who had neither recommended nor
contemplated such an appointment. Sir Gil
bert now stood upon high ground, but did
not compose his diffierence with the General.
As an invasion from France was appre
hended, it was judged expedient to raise a
corps of Corsican troops, and to place them
under the command of British officers. The
General considered the business maturely.

86 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1795.
and presented a plan to the Viceroy, who,
without the slightest regard to the General's
opinion, altered it in a number of essential
particulars, and appointed the officers with
out his recommendation.
Sir Charles, who possessed a lofty spirit,
was indignant that a military plan meditated
by him was rejected, and that his opinions
for the defence of the island were unceremo
niously set at nought by a person ignorant of
such subjects. He would not for an instant
endure this treatment ; but sent in his re
signation, and soon after returned to England.
The impression made on Colonel Moore by
this event is thus noticed in his Journal* : —
* The departure of Sir Charles Stuart is a
' blow which the army feel severely. Never
' had a general gained more deservedly the
' aff"ection and confidence of his troops. His
' absence will be most sensibly felt, if ever
' the French attempt a landing in this island.
' From a pretty general acquaintance ainong
* MS. Journal, vol. ii. p. i.

1795.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 87
' the Corsicans, I have many opportunities of
^knowing the high esteem they all have for
' General Stuart.'
The passion for inventing political consti
tutions was at this time rife in Europe, and
Sir Gilbert Elliot composed one for Corsica,
which was assented to by deputies assembled
from various parts of the island. The scheme
was an imitation of the British constitution,
whose complex and costly machinery was
imposed upon a poor semi-barbarous people,
who could not comprehend it, and with whose
habits and institutions it was discordant.
Their parliament was summoned on the 6th
of February, to meet at Bastia : thus trans
ferring the seat of government from Corte
in the centre of the island to the sea-coast.
The inconvenience of this change to most of
the members in a country where the roads
are execrable, occasioned discontent It was
natural that the conduct of the new and fo
reign governor should be scrutinized, espe
cially as it was suspected that he had ne
glected their admired compatriot, Paoli.

88 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1795,
The parliament commenced their proceed
ings by the election of a president, and Ge
neral Paoli was instantly chosen by acclama
tion. A rumour arose that this choice had
alarmed the Viceroy, which was augmented
by an order issued next day to stop the bag
gage-waggons of a British regiment, which
were to have marched from Bastia to Corte.
Strange surmises were thus excited, and Paoli
received an intimation from a member of the
council to advise him strongly not to accept
the chair of president. The good old man
accordingly, to prevent any commotion and
to avoid giving umbrage to the Viceroy, de
clined the office, alleging, as an excuse, his
great age. This was a very inauspicious be
ginning, as the Corsicans regretted it exceed
ingly, from their warm attachment to Paoli.
An incident, which occurred soon afterwards,
tended to foment rising discontents. The
streets leading to the citadel being dirty, the
Viceroy directed that a party of the Corsican
battalion should be ordered to cleanse them.
It was represented to him that they might

1795.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOOBE. 89
object to this, but he continued peremptory,
and insisted on obedience. When the men
were assembled, and told what they were to
do, they in anger threw down the shovels,
and dispersed, saying, that ' they were en-
' listed for soldiers, and not for scavengers,'
This was passed over, but the battalion be
came afterwards very troublesome. The Vice
roy, most unfortunately, could not perceive the
necessity of conciliating the Corsicans, or of
acting in unison with their feelings. Soon after
this, he made a visit to Ajaccio, when the offi
cers of a Corsican corps resolved to give him
a ball. The hall of the municipality was
chosen for that purpose, in which had been
placed a bust of Paoli. Some of the officers
assembled there to consult about the decora
tions, when an aid-de-camp of the Viceroy,
pointing to the bust, asked, ' What business
' has that old charlatan here ?' He then pulled
down the bust, and threw it into a small closet,
Avhere it was broken to pieces. This insult to
their revered chief was soon reported all over
Corsica : yet no punishment was inflicted

90 LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOORE. [1795.
upon the officer, who remained attached to the
person of the Viceroy. These proceedingSj
and others of an unpopular nature, gave deep
concern to Colonel Moore, but he had no in
fluence whatever with the Viceroy, who from
the period of the rupture with Sir Charles
Stuart had behaved with marked coldness
towards his friend, Moore, therefore, occu
pied himself with his military duties, which
were very important, as, from the movements
of the French fleet in the Mediterranean, a
descent on Corsica was expected. General
Trigge, to whom a chief command had been
for the first time confided, was a respectable,
well-meaning man ; he consulted Colonel
Moore most confidentially on the proper de
fensive measures, who advised their examin
ing the whole coast, and they made a tour
for this purpose together.
There are few or no inns in Corsica, but
in travelling through the country the hospita
lity of the inhabitants supplies this defect.
When in the middle of the day they stood in
need of refreshment, by the direction of their

1795.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOOBE. 91
guide, without any recommendation, they
rode up to the principal house of any village
they reached. This was generally that of
the magistrate or of the clergyman. In the
evening they did the same, and were always
received with the greatest civility, and every
thing produced which the village could afford.
This consisted sometimes of a little meat ;
but often only of cheese, milk, bread, and
wine. In the most remote parts inquiries
were constantly made for General Stuart,
and when he was to return ; so great was
the attachment felt by all the people towards
him. During this journey, and two others, in
which Colonel Moore traversed almost
every part of the island, he remarked that a
great portion of Corsica was barren and un
cultivated, but many parts were beautiful
and romantic : for there are mountainous
and woody tracts, with rivers and torrents,
which form exquisite scenery. The trees are
chiefly the white oak, the ilex, the pine, the
chestnut, and the olive ; the myrtle and arbu-

92 LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOEE. [1795.
tus also grow wild in profusion. In many
places vines are cultivated, and the wine is
good; but there is a great deficiency of
grain, for which chestnuts are the substitute.
The Corsicans are generally well made, but
short in stature, ill-favoured and pallid ; and
are in a more barbarous state than the pea
santry of almost any other part of Europe,
except in the neigjiboiiring island of Sardi
nia, Few of the women are good-looking,
except at Ajaccio and Bastia, where there
were some ladies both handsome and per
fectly well-bred ; in these towns French man
ners are prevalent.
The island is thinly peopled, and the inha
bitants all live in towns or villages. No single
house is to be seen in the country, which
would be perilous ; for family feuds are he-
I
reditary, and perpetuated. Revenge is even
considered a duty.; and sometimes many
years after an injury has been received, ven
geance is taken by a descendant. Indivi
duals, therefore, consider themselves safe in
proportion to the number of their kindred.

1795.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 9.3
Every Corsican has a musket, which he car
ries on his shoulder even when he goes to
tillage, or to tend a flock of sheep; and if
provoked has no scruple in using it. The
government is too feeble and disorganized to
prevent this ; and is seldom able to punish
any delinquents, even murderers. The
trades-people in general are very dishonest
in traffic, demanding in payment for goods
not what is just, but what the purchaser is
likely to pay. On one occasion Paoli hap
pened to observe some British officers saun
tering about the country. He advised them
against venturing without a guard, as their
epaulettes were so great a temptation, that
they might be shot on their account. The
only religion in the island is the Roman
Catholic, and the people are very bigoted.
Perhaps the absolution from crimes and
vices, too easily obtained from their priests,
may have prevented the moral benefits of
Christianity. Yet these wild people are won
derfully attached and faithful to their chiefs';
in defence of whom they boldly encounter

94 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE, [1795.
dangers and sacrifice their lives. They
greatly admired the valour of the British
troops, which they had witnessed, and whose
frank good-humour pleased them ; and they
often expressed gratitude for their aid in
expelling the French. Moore was a con
spicuous favourite, because he was strong,
hardy and active, both on foot and on horse
back. He slept on the ground, fed with
them on chestnuts when necessary, and
talked with them familiarly. By the free
dom of habitudes, and of conversation with
the best company of both sexes, he learned
that the nation generally entertained a strong
aversion to their former tyrants, the French,
and a warm attachment to the British, Had
this been fostered by wise and generous
treatment, Corsica might long have remained
a portion of our empire.
The parliamentary representatives of so
rude a race were unqualified for devising
prudent measures. Yet taxes were urged on
them by the Viceroy, passed by the majority,
and Paoli was totally neglected. The crown

1795.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 95
which he had bestowed on Great Britain was
repaid with ingratitude ; and he retired to
his native village in the mountains, excluded
from public aff"airs.
Unpopular transactions, which hurt the
feelings of the Corsicans, raised up dissensions
in their parliament, and discontents through
out the country, which Moore lamented
exceedingly, He occupied himself in concert
ing measures with General Trigge for the
defence of the island in case of invasion,
and lived in strict intimacy with the principal
officers, especially with Colonel Hildebrand
Oakes and Lord Huntley, who had arrived
with a fine regiment of Highlanders. On
one occasion, along with these two officers
and Colonel Giampietre, he paid a visit of
respect to Paoli ; who received them politely,
but poured out all his griefs. He expressed
himself, however, with great moderation ;
but dreaded unhappy consequences from the
irritation ofhis countrymen. His words and
venerable appearance moved all : Moore be
held him with respect, endeavoured to console

96 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1795.
him, and took his leave. Soon after this visit.
General Trigge sent for Moore, and expressed
great sorrow at being obliged to deliver a
message from the Viceroy, that his con
nexion with Corsicans inimical to his mea
sures, and the countenance and support which
he gave them, made it impossible for him
to carry through the acts that were requisite :
that the Viceroy had represented this to the
Secretary of State at home, who, in reply,
had empowered him to dismiss Colonel Moore
from the island ; and unless he would promise
to break off" all connexion with the people
who opposed him, and support his measures
as far as he could, he should enforce the power
given to him,
Moore expressed to the General great in
dignation at the Viceroy's having represented
to the Secretary of State, and consequently to
the King, what was utterly groundless ; and
added, that he would consider of what reply to
make. After reflecting, he returned to Gene
ral Trigge, and requested him to say to the
Viceroy, that he felt much injured by his

• 1795.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 97
having given to the Secretary of State a
representation of his conduct void of founda
tion ; and he thought, before taking such a
step, that he ought to have been apprized of it.
He now desired an interview to learn what part
of his conduct was objected to, and to have
an opportunity of replying in the presence
of General Trigge, The audience was ap
pointed for the next day, when, accompanied
by the General, he met the Viceroy, and Mr,
North, the Secretary. The substance of the
conference was this : — The Viceroy, after
paying Colonel Moore many compliments as
an officer, complained of his having taken,
for what reason he knew not, a decided part
against his measures ; and of his influence
among the Corsicans being so great, that his
opposition rendered it impossible for him to
carry on the government. Then he added,
that if Colonel Moore would promise to be
no longer connected with his opponents, and
never to express sentiments of disapprobation
of any acts of his government, but, on the
contrary, give him his support, he would then
VOL. I. H

98 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1795.
postpone the execution of the power vested
in him, to send him from the island,
Moore, in reply, positively denied that he
had ever taken any part in the politics of the
country, and defied the Viceroy to point out
one action of his, authorising him to make the
representation which he had sent to the Se
cretary of State, As to the condition which
was required, he said, that neither Sir Gilbert
Elliot nor any man whatever had a right to
exact from him a promise to approve of mea
sures of which he was ignorant, and that were
to be brought forward in future ; and that no
interested motive could induce him to come
under such an engagement, which he thought
unbecoming. The Viceroy then declared
that he must execute the power given him.
Sir Gilbert was a practised speaker, and
had the advantage of being in high office,
and in the confidence of the ministers ih
England. But the elevation of Moore's mind
would not suff"er him, from any personal con
sideration, to submit to an arbitrary demand,
A few hours after this conference, General

1795.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 99
Trigge, with expressions of great regret,
transmitted the Viceroy's command, that
Moore should leave the island in eight-and-
forty hours.
This expeditious departure was impracti
cable ; he, however, sailed for Leghorn in a
week. Before setting off", he went to Corte,
to take an afflectionate leave of the 51st regi
ment, who declared towards him their un
alterable esteem. The Corsican battalion
which was quartered there waited upon him
in a body, and the supreme council also paid
him a respectful visit, to intimate their deep
concern at his departure.
But an act more unjustifiable, even than the
above, quickly succeeded. An intimation was
sent to General Paoli, that he also should im
mediately leave the country. Moore, in his
journal, observes on this most impolitic exile
ment, that* 'The great object of Sir Gilbert
' for a long time has been to bring this about.
' But I fear the consequence will be the
' reverse of what he expects. I think Gene-
* Journal, MS., vol. ii. p. 69.
H 2

100 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1795.
' ral Paoli's presence curbed his countrymen,
' and prevented their acting with the vio-
' lence to which they were inclined from
' their dislike to the Viceroy and his mea-
' sures. I think it probable that, upon Paoli's
' departure, there will be immediate confu-
' sion,' The above prediction was soon fulfilled.
Tumults and revolt broke out in various
places, as reverence for government was re
versed. Sir Gilbert in vain issued proclama
tions, and marched troops to suppress them.
The good-will that the Corsicans felt for the
British made them unwilling to proceed to
open hostilities ; but their abhorrence of the
Viceroy surmounted that regard, and even
their hatred to the French. The whole
island soon rose in insurrection ; a few
French troops landed, and the combined
forces surrounded Bastia. In conclusion. Sir
Gilbert was driven from Corsica, and the
island was lost to Great Britain, and gained
by France, precisely in one year from the
expulsion of Paoli.

1795.] 101

Chapter VI.
MOORE REPELS AN ACCUSATION— IS PROMOTED
TO THE RANK OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL.
A YOUNG Lieutenant- Colonel who is dismissed
from his employment abroad, and ordered
home on a charge of misconduct, is in an
embarrassing predicament ; and this was
augmented in Moore's case by his accuser
being a Viceroy, and a friend of the Secre
tary of State, to whom the cognizance of
the business officially belonged. Yet it has
been shown that he braved the Viceroy ;
positively denied the charge, and defied him
to the proof. In this defence it was not his
military abilities that were to be exerted, but
others of a diff"erent description. His feel
ings on the occasion were manifested in the
following letter written to his father.

102 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1795.
' Florence, 13th October, 1795.
' My dear Father,
' If you have received the letter which
' I wrote to you from Bastia some days ago,
' it will prevent your surprise at the date of
* this. I have reason, however, to doubt if
* you will receive it.
' In consequence of a representation from
' Sir Gilbert Elliot to the Secretary of State,
' that I had taken a part in the politics of
' Corsica hostile to him, I received the
' King's order to return home ; there to re-
' ceive his Majesty's further pleasure. I left
' Bastia accordingly upon the 9th, landed at
' Leghorn on the 10th, and arrived here yes-
' terday. I hope the day after to-morrow to
' be able to proceed to Cuxhaven, and expect
' to be in London the first or second week in
' November. ' I can enter into no particulars in a letter
' which goes by post. I have written to
' General Stuart. Be so good as to call upon
' him, and endeavour to be quiet till I see
' you. Do not commit me, for my line is

1795.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 103
' already determined on. I do not think in
' my life I ever did an action unworthy of
' you or of myself, and least of all does my
' conscience tell me that I deserve blame in
' the aff"air which occasions my return. I
• can say no more. Remember me aff"ection-
' ately to my mother, &c., and believe me,
' my dear father, your affiectionate son,
' J. Moore,'
In travelling over the mountains of the
Tyrol, Moore was much amused, and im
pressed favourably with the character of the
Tyrolese. The remarks in his journal on pass
ing over a part of Germany, which he had not
before seen, indicated perfect composure of
mind. At Cuxhaven, being detained by a
contrary wind, he was joined by his banished
friend Paoli, who informed him that, to shun
Bastia, he had taken shipping at Fiorenza ;
but that Sir Gilbert had visited him there
twice, and poured out upon him much sooth
ing flattery.
On the 20th of November, the wind be-

104 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1795,
coming fair, Moore sailed from Cuxhaven,
and reached his father's house in London in
five days. His arrival never failed to bring
joy to his family ; nor was this damped by
the cause of his return, — for even his mother
scorned an accusation brought against her
son. His first visit was to Mr. Pitt, the prime
minister, who received him, as he imagined,
with some stateliness. Mr. Pitt signified
that the statements made by Sir Gilbert
Elliot were so strong, that it was impossible
for the ministers not to acquiesce in his recall,
although they did so with regret ; and that
he should be happy to hear his justification,
as no officer's character stood higher. Moore
replied, — * ' Corsica is the place where I should
' have been tried ; there are the witnesses of
' my conduct ; and I must represent to you,
' that I have been deprived of my situation
' without a trial. Here, I have nothing to
' off"er against Sir Gilbert's representations but
* Journal, MS., vol. ii, p. 74.

1795.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 105
' a complete denial of them, and to reply that
' he has been instigated by private malice to
' state what is utterly false ; and unless I am
' immediately employed, or have some mark of
' His Majesty's favour, as a proof to the army
' that my conduct was not disapproved of,
' I shall feel myself injured,' He spoke with
great warmth; and on his intimacy with
persons hostile to Sir Gilbert being adverted
to, he said promptly, * ' Had I associated with
' such only who approved of Sir Gilbert's
' measures, I must have lived alone ; for I
' know no persons, Britons or Corsicans, ex-
' cepting those in his immediate pay, who did
' approve of them,'
Mr. Pitt finally told him to wait upon the
Duke of Portland, whose peculiar busi
ness this was : and he advised him not to
speak to his Grace the language of passion,
but to say everything he considered requisite,
calmly. It is well known that the Duke was
the intimate friend of Sir Gilbert Elliot, and
* Journal, MS,

106 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1795.
it was generally understood that it was chiefly
through his influence that His Grace had
abandoned the parliamentary opposition, and
accepted his present office. These were un
favourable circumstances. When Moore was
introduced to the Duke, he presented the
order he had received for his return, and said,
that he now appeared to receive His Ma
jesty's further pleasure.
The Duke paid him some compliments;
but added, * ' That the confidence reposed in
' Sir Gilbert Elliot's situation rendered it
' impossible for ministers not to comply with
' his request, — as officially they must suppose
' him in the right ; but that the matter no way
' aff'ected his military character.'
The Duke's manners were polite and
obliging, Moore observed,* ' If the recall has
' not aff'ected my military character, it how-
' ever has aff'ected essentially my military
' situation. And that it was treating an
' officer of my rank rather cavalierly, to dis-
* Journal, MS.

1795.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 107
' miss him upon such general grounds without
' a trial. I felt the insult, and did expect
' immediate employment, as a reparation of
' the injury done to me, and a mark of the
' King's approbation.' He then argued on the
accusation ; and His Grace was either silent,
or repeated what he had before said, aud
appeared much embarrassed.
His next interview was with Mr, Dun
das,* who received him well, and after
hearing him, spoke out frankly. He said,
that Sir Gilbert on several occasions had
displayed a degree of jealousy he had not
thought him capable of; and then assured
Moore, that what had happened did not aff'ect
his character in any respect, and if he wished
for employment he should be employed,
Mr. Dundas also informed him that Mr,
Pitt had spoken very favourably of him, and
had said that Moore had been harshly
treated, and his wish was that he should be
employed.
* Afterwards Lord Melville.

108 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796.
Moore likewise learned that the Duke of
York had written to Sir William Fawcet,* that
he was surprised at Sir Gilbert Elliot's con
duct, and was determined to speak to the King
about employing Moore immediately. The
result was, that he was suddenly advanced
to the rank of Brigadier-General in the West
Indies ; a promotion which far exceeded his
hopes, and was ample atonement for his
wrongs. This was the first occasion in which
Moore had any intercourse with the ministers.
It brought forth some display of the strength
of his character ; and from that period he was
always favoured by Mr. Pitt. Thus by the
very means designed for his depression, he
wrought out a way to fame.
The brigade which he was appointed to
command ^as then assembling at the Isle
of Wight, and he joined it after four weeks'
stay in London ; for the urgency of the
war prevented his parents and his family
ever enjoying, for more than short intervals,
* Sir William Fawcet was Adjutant- General, and there being
no Commander-in-Chief, had great sway.

1796.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 109
»
after long absences, his much-loved society.
His brigade consisted of foreign corps, chiefly
French emigrant loyalists, who had been
driven from their native country by the san
guinary revolution. The officers were highly
polished and honourable men, whose society
he found very agreeable.
In the beginning of the year 1796, the
West Indies were thrown into a lamentable
condition by the pseudo-philosophic decrees
of the National Assembly of France. These
false philanthropists, reckless of the ruin of
their fellow-subjects, roused up the negroes,
who perpetrated the most barbarous atrocities
on the whole white population. In the
French portion of St. Domingo hardly a
white human being was left alive. St,
Lucia was desolated ; and the negroes in the
other colonies were in arms. These horrors
spread to the British islands. In Jamaica,
the Maroons had revolted. In St. Vincent,
the Negroes and Charibs were murdering
every white man or woman that fell into their
hands ; and a revolt had also burst out in

110 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE, [1796.
Grenada. It was therefore judged requisite
to send an army under Sir Ralph Aber-
crombie for the preservation of our own
islands, and to subdue, if possible, some of
those appertaining to our enemies. A fleet,
consisting of above a hundred sail of trans
ports with troops and stores, and a strong
convoy of men-of-war, commanded by Ad
miral Cornwallis, took their departure from
Spithead on the 28th of February. Moore,
with the foreign brigade, was in this fleet.
In sailing down the channel, with a fair wind,
a disastrous accident occurred, not unfrequent
in large fleets. The Admiral's ship ran
down and sunk a transport full of troops ;
by which one hundred soldiers, half the com
plement, were unhappily drowned.
Part of the fleet having reached Barbadoes
on the 15th of April, Moore waited on the
Commander-in-Chief, Sir Ralph Abercrom-
bie, who received him with cordiality, and
conversed with him on the objects he had
in view with great openness. His duties
were multifarious ; and both the British and

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. Ill
French islands being in combustion, it re
quired sound judgment to dispose of the forces
to the best advantage.
In the following day two strong detach
ments, including some of the foreign corps,
were ordered to sail to St, Domingo, and
another to Demerara and Berbice ; but
Moore's name was not mentioned. On per
ceiving this, he again waited on Sir Ralph
to learn his destination. Some conversation
arose, when Moore said, that he was ready to
go wherever he pleased, but was most desirous
of commanding a brigade with the body of the
army under him. This was exactly what Sir
Ralph wished ; so he replied, that he would
with pleasure agree to his request, and would
always be happy lo do what was agreeable to
him. Moore, on leaving England, knowing
that his friend Anderson, who had served
with him in the 51st regiment, had sailed in
this expedition for the West Indies, kept the
situation of Brigade-Major open ; and con
ferred on him the appointment as soon as he
arrived at Barbadoes,

112 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1796.
On the 22d of April the army was reim
barked, and sailed to attack the island of
St. Lucia. That island is mountainous, re
markably strong by nature, and had been
fortified by skilful French engineers. There
rises from the sea, near the harbour, a high
hill called Morne Fortun6, on which a strong
fortress had been constructed. And at the
basis of the hill along the beach, and on an
island called Pigeon Island, there was a
range of batteries, rendering it dangerous for
ships to approach the shore.
It was resolved that a body of troops should
be landed in a bay, called Ance le Cap,
situated at some distance on the right of the
Morne Fortun6, and that these should march
round to gel into the rear, and storm the
sea batteries. Sir Ralph had promised
Moore to give him employment, and he kept
his word on this the first opportunity. He
placed a corps of nineteen hundred men, for
this operation, under the orders of Major-
General Campbell; the first division of
which, under Moore, was commanded to

1796.J LIFE OP SIB JOHN MOOBE, 113
eff"ect the landing. Some ships of war were
directed by Admiral Christian to aid the
troops ; but in maritime expeditions great
uncertainty occurs, as a variety of incalcu
lable accidents often frustrate co-operations.
On the present occasion some of the ^hips were
blown to leeward ; a line-of-battle ship got on
shore, and an ordnance sloop was lost. In
consequence of these untoward accidents, the
transports which contained two regiments
alone reached the bay in the morning, while
the others were still at a considerable distance.
But as the enemy, who had begun to fire at
the shipping, were now apprised of the
design, and would spCedily be augmented,
Moore landed at once with the 42nd High
landers, and took up a good position, to cover
the remaining disembarkation. He was
assailed, and skirmished for some hours with
parties of the enemy, keeping them at bay.
Before noon, General Campbell came ashore,
and informed Moore, that the whole of the
troops could not be landed until the evening,
and that orders had been received from Sir
VOL. I. I

114 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1796.
Ralph to postpone the descent altogether, as
the Admiral was not ready to co-operate. This
counter-order came too late ; for Moore con
sidered that it would be both dangerous and
disgraceful to retire and reimbark in the face
of the enemy. He, therefore, prevailed upon
General Campbell to send an officer to Sir
Ralph, to explain their situation; and to
obtain leave to march forward in the night,
to turn the enemies' batteries at Trovillac and
Brelotte. Sir Ralph, confiding in the repre
sentation, sent back permission to act as
they judged best. General Campbell, who
was extremely ill, then begged Moore to issue
the proper orders for the march. In the
course of that evening, the other regiments of
the detachment landed on the beach, and
made their junction. At three o'clock in the
morning they moved forward in a long co
lumn, by moonlight, and soon fell in with a
party of the enemy, who fired upon them
and fled ; then, without further opposition;
they reached the heights above Choke bay.
This movement so alarmed the enemy, that

1796.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 115
they evacuated their batteries on the shore
and retired ; notice of which having been
sent to the Admiral, the fleet stood in and
anchored, and the troops on board landed
undisturbed. Sir Ralph, with his staff", pro
ceeded to the heights where Moore was
posted; and having ordered a company of
grenadiers to drive back a picket of the
enemy, he went forward to reconnoitre the
grounds around with Moore, who writes,
' Sir Ralph is very short-sighted ; without a
' glass he sees nothing, but with one he ob-
' serves ground quick and well. He has the
' real eagerness of youth, and for his age has
' much activity of body and mind.' After
this inspection it appeared to the General,
that the preferable course for investing the
Morne Fortune was to march a body of
troops into the country, who should ascend
another high hill, named the Morne Chabot,
situated behind the former. It was foreseen
that this would be a very hazardous enter
prise, as Morne Chabot was occupied by the
enemy. Sir Ralph, however, resolved to
l2

116 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796.
attempt it ; and on returning, gave orders
that Brigadier Moore, with a column of a
thousand men, should march at twelve
o'clock at night, and that *Brigadier Hope
should follow an hour afterwards, with
another column of the same number, to
drive the enemy from Morne Chabot. This
sudden call for fresh exertions, left Moore
little time to repose from the fatigues already
undergone. At half-past eleven at night, he
paraded the troops and concerted with Ge
neral Hope, that he should march on first
until he reached the foot of the hill, there
halt, and wait for Hope's arrival ; and that
at dawn both should simultaneously storm
the Morne, He moved off' precisely at
midnight, the grenadiers and light infantry
heading the column. The road was much
broken, and so narrow, that in many places
there was only space for marching in a single
file. The moon, however, shone bright, and
he pushed forward. At about four in the
* Afterwards Eari Hopetoun,

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 117
morning, when traversing a thick wood, the
advanced party was challenged and fired at ;
a number of voices were then heard, and more
shots succeeded, on which the party, accord
ing to orders, fell back. A soldier who was
killed, in falling caught hold of Brigade-
Major Anderson, and both rolled down a de
clivity; but Anderson soon rose, and re
turned to the front. The plan of lying con
cealed, and of attacking in conjunction with
Brigadier Hope, was thus frustrated ; for
Moore thought that to remain waiting in file,
in an unknown wood, would be much more
perilous than to attack alone ; therefore, with
out a moment's hesitation, he gave orders to
advance, and the path soon widened suffi
ciently to admit seven men in front. The
enemy's picket, consisting of about fifty men,
fired a volley ; some men fell, but the rest
advanced, and drove off" the enemy, Moore
quickly arranged the grenadiers on the ground
on which the enemy's picket had been posted,
and the light infantry were drawn up to cover
them. Then leaving orders for the rest of
the column, as it came up, to form on that

118 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796.
spot, and follow, he exhorted the grenadiers
not to fire, but to advance and use their bayo
nets. They were soon stopped by a strong
fence, which he directed them to pull down,
but this they could not do with all their
strength ; he then commanded them to leap
over it, and on their hesitating, showed them
the example, which they followed. The
enemy, who crowned the hill above them,
fired with great eff'ect ; and, notwithstanding
all Moore's eff"orts, he could not prevent his
soldiers from returning the fire, and induce
them to advance with their bayonets. They
received repeated discharges from above,
within twenty or thirty yards, and as his
men in the rear began also to fire, no situa
tion could be more distressing. The grena
diers and light infantry, though much disor
dered, continued however advancing slowly ;
and Moore was hoarse and exhausted with
calling to them ' Forward! we have almost
' gained the heights!' with similar exhorta
tions. At last they reached the summit of
the hill, and bayonetted such of their enemies
as had not time to escape.

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 119
In this attack, a grenadier, who had thrust
himself forward, received a ball levelled at
Moore, and fell dead in his arms. His
Brigade-Major, Anderson, as he was gal
lantly encouraging the soldiers to mount
the hill, was severely wounded in the side.
The loss in this conflict fell heavily on the
grenadiers and light infantry of the 53rd
regiment, who fought bravely, being com
manded by the General's son, Lieutenant-
Colonel Abercrombie. Not one of them drew
back, though under a most heavy fire. Had
they given way, the whole column might have
been thrown into disorder, and carnage and
discomfiture would have ensued. Moore, who
was keenly sensible of this, wrote — ' I don't
' know that I ever felt more satisfaction than
' upon gaining the heights ; I had almost de-
' spaired of it. The consequences of a failure
'were strongly imprinted on my mind*.'
General Hope, on his march, heard the firing,
and hastened on with ardour to participate
* MS. Journal, vol. iii. p. 21,

120 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796.
in the danger, but could not reach the basis
of the hill until the summit was gained.
When he had brought up his column to
Morne Chabot, he and Moore reconnoitred
.the place, and they observed another hill
extremely commanding, called Morne de
Chasseau, the possession of which would
greatly facilitate the approaches to Morne
Fortune. As officers when detached should
employ their judgment, and act according to
the spirit of their orders, rather than adhere
to a literal obedience, Moore determined to
seize upon Morne de Chasseau immediately,
before the enemy could recover from their
panic. Accordingly, along with General
Hope, he marched to the top of that hill,
posted there a strong detachment, and threw
forward pickets to within twelve hundred
yards of the entrenchments on Morne For
tune, The next day Sir Ralph visited Moore on
his post, shook him by the hand, thanked
him warmly, and highly approved of all he
had done.

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 121
While the enemy's attention was entirely
turned towards this quarter, Major-General
Morshead quietly landed a considerable
body of troops under his command to the
left of the fortress, and Sir Ralph, beirig very
desirous of getting possession of the sea bat
teries at the basis of Morne Fortun6, made a
disposition to storm them, chiefly by this
reinforcement ; but as General Morshead fell
sick, the command devolved upon another
officer. The troops were formed into co
lumns, one to attack a battery on the left,
and the principal corps to storm that on the
centre : and a third column, under General
Hope, was ordered to move down from Morne
Chabot, to attack the battery on the right.
The whole moved off" at midnight to avoid
cannon shot ; and before day-break, General
Hope, with his usual bravery, carried the
work against which he was directed. The
column on the left, commanded by Colonel
Riddle, had equal success ; but the central
column, from some unexplained cause, never
came into action. The two other corps.

122 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796.
therefore, remained unsupported, and were, in
the military phrase, in the air. At day-light
they were furiously cannonaded from the
fortress above, and, being attacked by the
enemy's whole force, were constrained to
return with considerable loss to their former
positions. Sir Ralph was much disappointed by this
failure, but did not renew the design. In
stead of which, he extended General Mor-
shead's division around the back of the Morne
Fortune, in a chain of posts reaching to
Morne de Chasseau ; and thus cut off' the
enemy's communication with the interior of
the country.
Sir Ralph then determined to make his
approaches from Moore's post at Morne de
Chasseau, and ordered a road to be made in
that direction for dragging up cannon and
ordnance stores, A party of seamen also
were landed to give their assistance in this
laborious work, and in erecting batteries on
the heights. To intercept these operations, the
enemy made frequent sallies, skirmishing with

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 123
the pickets, and the fire from the outworks
gave great annoyance. The work, however,
proceeded ; sixteen pieces of ordnance were
mounted on the batteries, which opened on
the 16th of May. As the distance to the
Morne Fortune was great, the fire had less
eff'ect than was expected, and was briskly
returned. The guns, indeed, were so ill-
directed, that after cannonading two days, a
cannon in an advanced outwork, not six hun
dred yards distant, was not dismounted. But
Moore observing that the men were compelled
to hide themselves, on the reverse of the hill,
ordered fifty soldiers, supported by double that
number, to ascend by a concealed path, and
carry the work. To prevent their being dis
covered, a twelve-pounder was fired constantly
until the first party were near the entrench
ment, into which they rushed, bayonetted
some of the enemy, and drove out the rest.
The gun was then spiked and thrown down the
hill, and the party returned without the loss
of a man. On examining the place, Moore
found it too much exposed to occupy it, but

124 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1796.
he established a post for a battery on an
eminence less forward, but two hundred yards
in front of the other batteries. By the same
manoeuvre, another harassing gun in the
flank was spiked ; but the officer who com
manded rashly advanced too far, which brought
on a sharp skirmish with a strong party of
the French, who were at length repelled.
On the same night an unsuccessful attack
was made on another point. There stretches
out, on the right side of the harbour, a penin
sula with a narrow neck, named the Vijie ;
the ground gradually rises, and was fortified.
As this work commanded the principal
anchorage. Sir Ralph was desirous of getting
possession of the place, and ordered a regi
ment to assault it. The soldiers advanced
with spirit, and carried the first battery; but
a shower of grape-shot from a second threw
them into confusion, and they took to flight ;
after which the design of attacking the Vijie
was given up.
On the 18th, Sir Ralph came to Du Chas
seau, and appeared much chagrined both at

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 125
the above repulse, and also at the slight eff'ect
produced upon the enemy's entrenchments
by his batteries. From the experience Moore
had acquired at the siege of Calvi, he sug
gested that guns of a larger calibre should be
employed, and pushed nearer ; accordingly
some twenty-four pounders were ordered to
be dragged up to the most advanced post, as
soon as the road was made practicable. More
troops were also encamped around, as it was
intended that the approaches against the for
tress should be made from that quarter.
Moore then found that, with all his vigilance,
he could not sufficiently superintend the
various posts, working parties, and nightly
watches under his direction ; he therefore
signified to Sir Ralph's aide-de-camp that he
wished General Knox to be appointed to take
a part of the duty. Sir Ralph went up, took
Moore aside, and told him that he had never
thought of sending any one to supersede him,
and he was much surprised to learn that he
had applied for an officer his senior in rank.
To this Moore answered, ' I have asked for

126 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796.
' another General, because another is requi-
' site for the numerous duties. I ventured to
' propose General Knox, because he is a man
' of good sense and an excellent officer : for it
' is of the utmost importance that the service
' should be well conducted, but of none which
' of us commands.' The novelty of this senti
ment surprised Sir Ralph, and when it was
divulged to the army, it excited amazement.
Next day, however. General Knox was put
in orders, and he and Moore acted in perfect
harmony. On the morning of May 24th two new bat
teries, with twenty-four pound cannon, toge
ther with all the other batteries, opened upon
the fortress. In the front there was an ad
vanced outwork, named a Fleche*, full of
troops. Some guns were directed against it ;
and after battering it for some hours, Moore
moved forward with the grenadiers and light
infantry of the 27th regiment, and carried the
work by storm. But no sooner had he driven
* Or Arrow, an angular work not inclosed.

1796.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 127
out the enemy than a shower of grape-shot
was poured upon him from the Morne For
tune, only five hundred yards distant. Hav
ing determined to keep possession of the
fleche, he ordered the soldiers to reverse the
parapet, and to raise a trench to cover the
flanks of the rest of the regiment, which
came up to their aid. While working with
the spade and pickaxe, under a heavy can
nonade, a numerous body of the enemy
sallied forth, who had the means of covering
themselves by some houses, and by the ine
qualities of the ground ; and their fire was
deadly. Moore ordered the flank companies
to charge, and drive them back. Colonel
Drummond gallantly led them on. He en
gaged with his sword a French officer, whom
he killed ; and the enemy was repulsed by
bayonets. But these brave troops, in return
ing to the fleche, suff"ered much from grape-
shot fired from the batteries.
The French Governor, seeing this advan
tage, reinforced his party, and impelled them
to make another sally with greater resolution,

128 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1796.
They advanced boldly close up to the British,
who, from the confined nature of the ground,
could present only a narrow front. The
enemy's fire was, consequently, superior,
officers and men were falling" fast, and Moore
.apprehended every instant that the regiment
would give way. In this distress, two com
panies were again ordered to charge, which
was done daringly; but Major Wilson and
Captain Dunlop fell wounded, and many
valiant soldiers were killed in this assault.
Yet the others, undismayed, drove their ene
mies before the points of their bayonets, and
pursued them with great slaughter to the fort.
They were then recalled, but when retreating,
exposed, as before, to the guns of the rampart,
Moore then commanded the houses in front
to be set fire to, and the entrenching to be
proceeded in. He rallied his few remaining
soldiers, and prepared them to repel a third
sally, which he momentarily expected. But
the fire from the enemy's cannon ceased, and
when the smoke was dispersed, instead of an
armed band of soldiers, there issued from the

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 129
gate of the fortress a train of negro bearers
carrying biers, to collect and take in the
wounded, who, moaning piteously and crying
for help, were strewed among heaps of the dead.
This havoc had daunted the enemy, and
turned their thoughts from further fighting :^
and the mournful procession and melancholy
occupation of the bearers was a conclusive
proof of discomfiture.
Entrenching tools only were then wielded to
erect a powerful battery in the Fleche, which
had been- won at such expense of blood.
These conflicts had been clearly seen, both
by the besieged from Morne Fortune, and by
the besiegers from Morne de Chasseau, as
from an amphitheatre. Sir Ralph stood in
the centre battery, and viewed the whole
with deep interest. When all was over,
Moore went up to him to make his report,
and attributed the success to the valour of
the 27th regiment. The General ardently
clasped his hand, and said, ' he could never
' requite the obligations he felt for his eff"orts
' on that day.'
VOL. I. K

130 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. U'^^S.
The spirits of the besieged were so com
pletely sunk by their defeat, that before night
they sent out a flag of truce to solicit a Sus-
pensioh of hostilities; and next day their
commander Capitulated. The survivors of
the garrison, amounting to two thousand men,
most bf whom were negroes and mulattoes,
marched out of the works, and laid down
their arms : when Moore took possession of
the citadel with his division, at the head of
which was the 27th regiment, whose colours
were planted on the ramparts.
Sir Ralph immediately appointed him
Commandant and Governor of St. Lucia, an
office he accepted with extreme reluctance,
as he would have greatly preferred conti
nuing to serve With the principal army.. But
the General pressed it, on the grounds that
his talents were necessary for the complete
subjugation of the island. He also promoted
Captain Anderson to the 31st regiment, who
continued, notwithstanding, to act in Moore's
staff" as before.

1796.] 131

Chapter VII,
BRIGADIER GENERAL MOORE, GOVERNOR OF ST.
LUCIA— CONQUEST OF THE ISLAND— THE YEL
LOW FEVER.
On June 4th Sir Ralph Abercrombie sailed
with the army, escorted by a fleet com
manded by Sir Hugh Christian, to reduce
the revolted islands of Grenada and St. Vin
cent, and left Moore invested with the mili
tary power and civil administration of St.
Lucia. Although the Morne Fortune, and
the posts adjoining the harbour, had been
captured, the rest of the island remained un
subdued ; the woods and fastnesses were
filled with armed negroes and mulattoes ;
and multitudes of the prisoners, after the
capitulation, being ill guarded, escaped and
joined them.
The French agents, who had been sent
forth to the West Indies during the frenzy
of the revolution, were sanguinary men from
K 2

132 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [179G.
Paris, a city then resembling Rome in the
reign of Nero, ' quo cuncta undique atrocia,
' aut pudenda confluunt, celebranturque*,'
The negroes and mulattoes, who acquired
the name of Brigands, were armed, and de
clared free by those political fanatics, whose
frantic decrees and atrocious exhortations
kindled their fury to the height. Indeed, the
ferocity of these emancipated slaves became
direful. They threw off" all compunctions of
humanity to put on the savage nature of the
wildest animals. A resolution to defend their
liberties would neither have been unnatural,
nor reprehensible, but this was sullied by
deeds too horrible to be related.
The corporal frame and mental qualities of
the negroes fit them peculiarly for desultory
warfare. They are stout, agile, expert in the
use of arms, and can endure patiently the
scorching sun, and the torrents of rain of the
tropical climate. They can live on the roots
which grow spontaneously, or with little cul-
* ' Where all atrocities and pollutions are assembled and perpe
trated.' — Tacit, lib. XV.

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 133
ture, in the fields ; and being bold and cun
ning are ready to oppose their enemies by
force, or to deceive them by stratagem. With
brutal fury they had murdered many of the
white inhabitants, sparing neither women nor
children ; and those who remained alive had
fled for safety into the towns. But none of the
survivors, nor of the slaves who had continued
faithful to their masters, durst give any intel
ligence to, or have any communication with
the British : and Victor Hughes, the French
Commandant of Guadaloupe, contrived, in
spite of the British fleet, to send by small
vessels frequent supplies of arms, ammuni
tion, and provisions, to these ferocious Bri
gands. The British troops, who had been left
with Moore to contend with all these diffi
culties, were 'chiefly recruits, with inexpe
rienced officers ; for the jealousy of parlia
ment against a standing army hinders such a
military force being kept up in peace as
would form the basis of a good army at the
commencement of war : therefore, when this

134 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796,
breaks out, sudden levies, at a vast expense,
are enlisted ; and the raw recruits, ignorant of
their business, and without the habits of sol
diers, are sent out on foreign service. From
the same cause the various military depart
ments were inefficient ; even their chiefs were
totally inexperienced on occasions where men
of great resource, and capable of uncommon
exertions, were wanted.
The negroes in St, Lucia had not only
been active in deeds of cruelty, but in every
species of vill any. The conflagration of
houses had been so extensive that there were
not sufficient buildings remaining to shelter
the troops, or even for an hospital ; and the
rainy season having set in, great sickness
already prevailed. Altogether, the condition
of the island was lamentable ; but Moore
struggled against the difficulties with all his
faculties. One of his first measures was to
publish a proclamation to the inhabitants,
granting pardon to all who would come within
the British lines, and deliver up their arms.
Passes were also given to whoever wished to

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOOBE, 135
return to their habitations, and all were pro
mised protection, if they remained quietly
attending to their private aff"airs. Royalists
and Republicans were exhorted to refrain
from mutual recriminations, as both should
be treated with indulgeuce, and have equal
justice. The Brigands were not, however, to be
quelled by pacific measures ; intelligence was
brought daily to the Government House that
they were laying waste the country, and so
licitations were made for soldiers to protect the
plantations ; but as the detaching tropps in
separate bodies was a hazardous measure, the
Governor judged it expedient, before he came
to a decision, to make an excursion, and visit
the four largest towns,-r-Souff"rier6, Choiseul,
Laborie, and Vieux Fort, In these places
he had an opportunity of conversing with the
principal people of the country, whom fear
had driven thither. He addressed them at
public meetings, encouraged them to return
to their estates, and gave assurances that
troops should be posted to protect their plan-

136 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796.
tations. He recommended them strongly to
treat their slaves not only with lenity, but
with kindness, — as men who had borne arms,
and had been told they were free, would not
without reluctance return to slavery and la
bour : but that, if those in the woods saw the
others on the plantations well fed, comfort
able, and happy, they might be induced to
join them. That no harshness ought to be
employed ; as all mankind, of whatever co
lour, were entitled to justice, and would meet
with it from him indiscriminately.
The spirit of the instructions from Sir Ralph
Abercrombie was of a defensive nature, for
he imagined that, by guarding the Morne
Fortune and the harbour, the sovereignty of
the island would be preserved. But from per
sonal inspection^ and mature consideration,
Moore was convinced that if this plan were
adopted the whole country would quickly be
devastated, and the negroes and men of co
lour would universally rise up and occupy
the woods and eminences around the fort.
He would then be environed, and in a manner

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 137
besieged in a most unwholesome spot, where
his troops would melt away so rapidly by
disease that he would be forced to abandon
the island altogether. These consequences
appeared so certain, that he resolved to fol
low an opposite scheme, — to establish a line
of posts for the protection of the plantations,
and to act offiensively by attacking the Bri
gands wherever he could find them, and com
pel them, if possible, to surrender their arms
and live in peace.
Some few known agitators were then ar
rested, the principal of whom, Rupez Roche,
had been one of the Republican agents. He
possessed some property, was clever and am
bitious, and had been active in stirring up
the negroes. When sent for he protested
that he was innocent, and confiding in his
eloquence for his defence, he declaimed with
theatrical gestures. But certain information
had been procured of his communicating with
the Brigands, He was told that he should
be tried, and was ordered into confinement.

138 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796,
Some others, whose turbulent conduct was
notorious, were shipped off" from the island.
After having carefully examined the coun
try, Moore marked out, towards the foot of the
mountains, proper spots for the establishment
of a line of posts to protect the principal
plantations from the Brigands, who lurked in
the mountains, which were covered with wood,
and thence issued out to burn the dwellings,
and to plunder and murder the inhabitants.
The coast was also guarded by detachr
ments, for the important object of preventing
supplies being sent to the enemy by sea.
Orders were given to the officers to patrole
from post to post for mutual aid, and to send
in parties occasionally to scour the woods.
Vigilance and strict discipline were also
strongly inculcated. Before these measures
were arranged, intelligence was received that
a body of Brigands had approached near to
Prasline, on which a corps was sent to oc
cupy that place. The detachment, which
amounted to eighty men, was attacked three

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 139
times by near three hundred Brigands, who
were repulsed, with the loss of twenty or
thirty, Moore was, however, much dissatisfied with
the officer for not charging boldly t^his as
semblage, — an opportunity which he thought
ought not to have been lost. About the same
time he himself marched forward in the night
to drive some corps of Brigands from the
plantations near Dauphin, But on his ap
proach they set fire to some houses, and fled
away, ahd neither by rewards nor threats
could any negro be induced to give the
least information of the route the enemy had
takeU) so apprehensive were all of being
afterwards murdered. Indeed, the conduct
of the negroes, even to each other, was mer
ciless, for they put to death, without hesita
tion, all men and women who refused to join
them. A guard was left at Dauphin, and he
proceeded to Demarie. On the way he
mounted a height, and saw the whole country
on fire, and a few negroes running off".
Some women then approached, begging pro-

140 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1796.
tection. They said they had been in the
woods, that their houses were burnt, and they
had narrowly escaped with their lives.
When a few of his men were next day col
lecting Cattle, they were assailed by a party
of Brigands who rushed out upon them from a
neighbouring wood. The soldiers fell back ;
but when the Brigands had swept together
a quantity of cattle and other provisions,
Moore advanced upon them, recovered the
booty, and chased them to the mountains.
He then marched towards Prasline, and learnt
on the route that some companies of his
black corps had defeated a party of the
enemy. The black corps were indeed found
the very best troops for that country ; for the
heat of the sun did not distress them ; and
they could march with much greater celerity
than the British soldiers. He had occasion
when near Prasline to reconnoitre a post, and
was accompanied by an escort of only twenty
men. In passing a river he was fired at by a
party in the rear. No notice was taken of
this, and he continued his march, which the

1790.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 141
Brigands mistook for a flight, and they pursued
with loud shouts. They amounted to about a
hundred, of whom one-fourth had muskets,
and the remainder pikes and other weapons.
When they came pretty close, Moore ordered
his men to halt, face about, fire a volley, and
charge with bayonets. The Brigands had
not firmness to resist this, they ran off", and
left their ammunition boxes. In this aff"air it
was only by great exertions that he could
prevail on the soldiers to make the charge,
as they were alarmed at the numbers of the
enemy. He then went to Vieux Fort, and formed
a plan to surprise a camp of the Brigands on
Morne Forcieuse, This would have com
pletely succeeded, when a musket acci
dentally going off", gave the alarm, on which
the enemy fled and dispersed ; however,
twenty or thirty were killed, and the camp
burned. In another quarter, by shameful negli
gence, a small British post was carried, and
twelve soldiers killed and wounded ; and.

142 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, ['796.
although the firing was heard at the neigh
bouring posts, no aid was sent. Moore was
indignant at this conduct of his officers.
Orders were then issued to destroy all the
ground provisions, and to burn all the huts
in the woods wherever found : he considered
these measures of the greatest importarice
for reducing the enemy.
Thus he continued visiting every post iri
succession, to keep all on the alert, and at
tacking the enemy whenever an opportunity
could be found. These assaults he generally
made in person, to inspire activity and zeal,
but his conduct will be understood by the
following letter to his father : —
' St. Lucia, 20th August, 1796.
' My dear Father,
' I have often reproached myself with
'not writing to you; I know-how anxious
' you all are about me ; but since I have
' been left in this island, I have never had a
' moment I could call my own ; and am at
' times so worn out, as notwithstanding my

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 143
' honours, being addressed as his Excellency,
* &c., I am infinitely more an object of pity
' than of envy.
' I received a short letter from, you lately
' of the 18th June. You had then heard of
' my successful attack on the enemy, at the
' height of Chabot, and General Abercrom-
' bie's approbation of the mode in which
' that attack was conducted ; but still more
' of the movement I made immediately after
' it to the heights of Chasseau. Your
' satisfaction was damped by the rumours
' which had reached you, of unsuccessful
' attacks afterwards, loss of officers, &c.
' Your letter, together With one I received
' the same day from Nesbitt, representing the
' state he had found my mother in, aff"ected
' me so much, that I cried like a child.
' There is nothing I dread so much as your
' receiving accounts during an attack. The
' attack made upon our advanced post,
' where I commanded, the day before the sur-
' render, was more bloody than that at Chaboti
' I dreaded more than once that we should

144 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796.
' have been repulsed ; the ground was against
' us, and we were under the grape-shot of the
* fort. Nothing but the gallantry and good
' conduct of the officers and soldiers of the
' 27th regiment saved us. The poor fellows
' when lying on the ground mangled were
' encouraging the rest ; your friend Drum-
• mond cut down an officer with his sword,
* and did himself great honour. I hear he is
' so ill at Grenada as ¦ not to be expected to
* live — it is a thousand pities. Old Major
' Dunlop's son is since dead of the wound he
' received. My usual good fortune attended
' me, I escaped ; and though now the sickness
* at this place is perfectly alarming, I have
' not once had a headache. Many of the
' Blacks, previous to the surrender, escaped
' with their arms into the woods and interior
' of this island. For some time they remained
' quiet, but since, encouraged by white people
' attached to the republic, and who were
« very improperly allowed to remain in
* the island, they began burning houses, and
' villages, murdering people of all ages and

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 145
' both sexes, so that it became highly neces-
' sary, not only from humanity, but for the
* safety of our posts and the colony, to march
' against them. They were joined by num-
' bers of blacks from the plantations ; all of
• that colour are attached to them. I have
' not only these Brigands to subdue, but the
* coast to guard from succours which may be
* thrown iri, in small boats from Guadaloupe,
' and I have unfortunately very few officers
' upon whom I can depend. The regiments
' are ill commanded, the composition of the
' inferior officers bad. Under these circum-
' stances I saw the necessity of my presence
' in every quarter; These last six weeks
' have been employed in eternal movement
' round the island ; visiting the diff"erent
* posts and attacking the Brigands wherever
' I could get intelligence of their being as-
' sembled. The difficulty of this country is
' prodigious — mountains, deep and rugged
' ravines, and woods. These are extremely
* favourable to such an enemy. The coun-
* try, particularly the interior, abounds in
VOL. I. L

146 LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOBE, [1796.
' ground provisions, upon which the negroes,
' who are extremely temperate, live, and are
' satisfied. It was my wish to have governed
' the colony with mildness ; but I have been
' forced to adopt the most violent measures
' from the perverseness and bad composition
' of those I have to deal with. After being
' out six weeks, I returned here a few days
' ago. In that time I have undergone more
' fatigue and inconvenience, than most officers
' suffier in as many campaigns, yet it agrees
' with me, for I never was better.
' The Brigands are at least humbled ^
' many have returned to the estates, and
* above three hundred have been killed.
' Whether I shall be able to establish tran-
' quillity I know not. I have ordered all the
' provisions on the heights to be destroyed ;
' and I wish to be able to embark every black
' I take, or who surrenders. Their hatred
' to us and attachment to the Republic,
' which they think had given them liberty,
' is great. They are encouraged and sup-
• ported by white people, enemies of good

1796.] LIFE OP SIB JOHN MOORE. 147
' order, and who hope to benefit by the con-
' fusion they create.
' What I have to fear is succours from
* Guadaloupe, of arms, ammunition, and a
' few officers. If I were obliged to withdraw
' the troops from the country and outposts,
' I should be instantly besieged in a bad post,
' where the troops are beyond conception
' unhealthy. By keeping them out, I not
' only protect the inhabitants, but preserve
' the soldiers. The inconveniences I have to
' combat are great. The representations I
' made to Sir Ralph, before his departure,
' made him angry, and I was so provoked I
' requested to be relieved from the command.
' His answer was not very gracious ; but
' before his departure, perhaps he repented,
* for he wrote to me a very kind letter. I am
' now become used to difficulties. If I ex-
' tricate myself from this command with
' credit, I shall be easy the rest of my life."
' If I am besieged, do not fear the event. It
' will rather be a relief to me ; everything
' will then be concentred, and I do not think
l2

148 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE, [1796
' they can take me. But this is a horrid
' war, which, together with the bad manner
' everything is conducted, the degeneracy of
' the troops, &c, &c., makes me think that
' the sooner it is over the better,
' The Journal goes on badly. The events
f are too numerous, and I have not time to
* insert them.
* I am allowed thirty shillings a-day as
? Commandant, I have not time to be ex-
' pensive, and it will ill pay every necessary
' expense. Sir Ralph wrote to me on his
^ departure, that he had recommended to
' Mr, Dundas to give me a larger salary. If
' he consents, tant mieux', I shall in that case
' have something for a future day,
' I long to hear from you, and from Gene-
' ral Sir Charles Stuart,
* * * *
' The army we had last campaign is, or
' will be, entirely knocked up before the end
' of the hurricane weather. If Guadaloupe
' is intended to be attacked, the army must
' come from home. It is not the climate

1796.J LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 149
' alone that kills the troops in this country ;
' it is bad management. We seem as igno-
' rant as if we had never before made war
' in it. A Roman army would have gone
' through their military exercises in the West
' Indies and have been healthy, I diff'er
' from most people I meet with on this sub-
' ject ; but I am sure I am right. As for my-
' self, I rise at daylight, go to bed at nine,
' and am during the day in eternal action, I
' have not time to be ill ; I wish my mother
' and you but saw me, to be perfectly at ease
' on that score. If you Avish for anything,
' wish the hurricane months over, and that
* the reputation of my activity may deter
' citoyen Victor Hughes from molesting St,
' Lucia. It may be said, how well I should
' have defended it were he to land ; and that
' reputation will satisfy me. Farewell, I
* hope everybody continues well in Cliffbrd-
' street ; in their well-being is my happiness
' concentred. Ever, my dear Father, your
' aff"ectionate son,
' J. Moore.'

150 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796.
The account in the above letter represents
his condition in too favourable a light,
lest he should alarm his family : for the
mortality among the troops had diminished
their numbers so much, that he applied to
Sir Ralph Abercrombie for a reinforcement.
But Sir Ralph, from the same cause, refused
this application ; and in a manner which
hurt General Moore. But some addition was
quite requisite : so he repeated his request,
and complained ofhis treatment. Sir Ralph,
being then convinced of the necessity of
complying with his demand, sent three hun
dred black troops with a kind and flattering
letter, to which Moore made the following
reply :
• (Private.) Fort Charlotte, St, Lucie, 2nd Sept. 1796.
• Dear General,
' Your letter of the 17th July made me
' very uneasy, I was not conscious of having
^ deserved, and I was extremely sorry to find,
' I had incurred your displeasure, I can
* assure you, that my exertions to fulfil the

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 151
' duties of my station were unremitting : it
' was my ambition to execute your orders,
' and to restore tranquillity to the island you
' had intrusted to my care. But from the
' little attention which I thought, was paid to
' my representations, the shameful ignorance,
' and want of zeal in the principal officers '
* under my command, of which fresh in-
* stances provoked me daily, made me de-
* spair of success, and was perhaps the cause
' of that impatience which appeared in my
' letters, and of which you complain. So
* many circumstances at that time combined
* to irritate and vex me, that a temper less
' warm than mine might have yielded to
< them. Had you been present, I think you
' would have been more inclined to pity than
' to be angry with me, I soon after received
' your letter of the 20th July, and I can
^ never forget your attentions in writing thus
' kindly to me immediately previous to your
' departure. The arrival of Druault's corps,
' which your letter announced, was not a
• greater cordial. From that time to within

152 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796.
' this fortnight, I continued absent from the
' Morne. I have directed the destruction of the
' ground provisions ; and taking every means
' to find out the camps and retreats of the
' Brigands, I ordered them to be attacked ;
' and generally attacked them in person.
' In order to inspire some activity and zeal,
' it was necessary, I found, to show a great
' deal. The Brigands, from being extremely
' insolent, frequently approaching, and even
' attacking our posts, soon became less enter-
' prising. They have had, upon the whole,
' I suppose, between three and four hundred
' people killed, wounded, and hanged ; and
' are, from every report, much disheartened.
' Many have returned upon the estates, driven
' by fear and hunger, but still equally disaf-
' fected. The greater number, however, con-
' tinue in the woods, and are encouraged to
' bear with every inconvenience, from the
' hopes of being soon succoured from Gua-
' daloupe. ' Many have lately had communication
' with that island, I do what I can to guard

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 153
' the coast with troops, but it is too extensive,
' and too rugged to be guarded eff'ectually
' by other means than shipping. Every
' representation has been made to the Ad-
' miral, but hitherto the windward coast has
' been completely open. The Brigands have
' been so driven, and must be so much dis-
* tressed for provisions, that I am convinced,
' could all communication be intercepted for
' three weeks, the business would be over,
' and tranquillity restored to the island ; but
' any succours from Guadaloupe will throw
' everything back, and may be attended with
' serious consequences, from the dispersed
' and sickly condition of the troops.
' I have lately arrested many individuals
' who had remained in consequence of the
' terms of the capitulation, and of the first
' proclamation. There was every reason to
' suspect them of having assisted the Brigands
' with provisions, ammunition, and intelli-
' gence, I have been forced to adopt other
' violent measures, which at first I had flat-
' tered myself would not have been necessary ;

154 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE, [1796.
' but true republicanism seems, at least in
' this country, to be an excuse for every
* species of treachery, want of faith, and even
' of common honesty ; and I begin to think
' that harsh measures, to which the republic
' has accustomed them, can alone be effi-
' cacious. Whether I shall succeed or not
' in finally restoring tranquillity, I cannot
' say ; it depends so much on accident and
,' the effbrts of others,
• As far as my abilities go, I have, and
' shall continue to exert them, I have under-
' gone a degree of personal inconvenience
' and fatigue, which circumstances rendered
' necessary, but which few constitutions are
' equal to ; mine has hitherto resisted, and
« I am perfectly well, I wish I could say as
* much for the officers and men under my
' command. These have ^uff'ered severely.
' The sickness is so much greater upon
' Morne Fortune and its immediate depen-
' dencies, than at the other posts, that I de-
' tain upon it a nmnber only sufficient for the
* daily duties. The troops, I observe, which

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 155
* have been most active, are the most healthy,
' a proof that the sun is not the cause of the
' sickness. There are local situations in
' these islands (Morne Fortun6 is unfortu-
' nately one of them) which are so unhealthy,
' that perhaps no care or management could
* totally counteract. But in general, the
* greater part of the sickness proceeds from
' the want of interior discipline and economy
' in the regiments.
' Great attention should be paid in this
' country to the cleanliness, and even neat-
* ness of the soldier's person, and the regu-
' larity of his diet ; an addition to the eating
* part of the ration, instead of rum ; sea, or
* river bathing, constant activity, and move-
' ment. In short. General, (excuse the
* pedantry of the expression,) but with a
* Roman, instead of modern exercise and
' discipline, the troops in the West Indies
* might, I am convinced, be kept healthy.
• A parade twice a day, consisting of a mere
' inspection and exercise of arms, is easy for
'- officers; it leaves them what they call more

156 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1796,
' time : but it leaves the soldier also to
' lounge the whole day in a barrack, where
' the air cannot be good ; and where, from
' indolence, his body becomes enervated and
' liable to disorder.
' The army you left in this country is
' almost entirely melted away. The officers
' and men are dispirited ; the former thinking
' only of getting home, and framing excuses,
' in many instances the most shameful, to
' bring it about.
' I fear the same fate (should the war con-
' tinue), will attend whatever troops are sent
' out, unless serious attention is paid to get
' proper officers to put at the head of regi-
' ments, who will re-establish discipline, and
' inspire those under them with some of that
' zeal and ardour, which I am not too young
' to have seen, but which you must recollect
' so much better to have existed in the
' service. Such officers, I am sure, still exist
' in the British army, though they are not to
* be found exclusively amongst those who
' have most money, or most political interest.

17Q6.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 157
' In this country, much may be made of
' black corps, I have had occasion to observe
' them of late. They possess, I think, many
' excellent qualities as soldiers, and may,
* with proper attention, become equal to any
' thing ; even at present, as they are, for the
f West Indies they are invaluable,
' I ought to apologise to you for this long
* discursion, into which I have been led in-
' sensibly. What I have observed of the
' state of the army since I came to the West
' Indies has made an impression upon me,
• and I much fear, if strong remedies are not
' applied, that the British army will lose
' even that character for spirit which has
' hitherto distinguished it.
' I write to you with a degree of freedom
' to which I am not entitled, but which I
' hope you will excuse.
' We have had no intelligence from
' England this long time, the 18th or 19th
' June are the latest.
' I have the honour to be, &c. &c, &c.,
John Moore,'
' ' His Excellency Sir R. Abercrombie.'

158 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1796,
Soon after writing the above, intelligence
was received that supplies from Guadaloupe,
for the Brigands, had been landed on the
coast. Moore immediately set off" for Vieux-
Fort, and as it was unsafe to go by land
without a strong escort, he went in a six-
oared canoe, with Brigade-Major Anderson.
After proceeding some leagues, the coxswain,
a sharp-sighted negro, saw a canoe, a great
way a-head, advancing from the shore, and
bending towards them. This excited surprise,
as strict orders had been issued to destroy
every kind of boat ; and assurances were re
turned, that those orders had been punctually
executed. One of the rowers next saw
another canoe pursuing from behind, which
rendered it impossible to return. The negroes
in the boat were terrified ; they had no arms
on board, and well knew, that if the fell
savages overtook them, they would murder
them all and cast their bodies into the sea.
The coxswain, who possessed some intelli
gence, signified to Moore, that he could
neither proceed nor attempt to return to St,
Lucia, without being overtaken with certainty 5

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 159
and that the next island, though out of sight,
was St, Vincent, Moore then said, ' To that
' shore direct your course.' They immediately
put out to sea, and the negro rowers plied their
oars with all their might. The chase continued
till near sunset, when the coxswain, whose
eyes were fixed on the pursuers, observed that
they had slackened their speed ; and soon
afterwards he gave the glad tidings that they
were returning to the shore. The negroes,
almost exhausted and breathless, then rested
on their oars. After it became dark, the
original course was resumed, and by taking
a wide circuitous sweep, and rowing all night,
they reached Vieux-Fort safely in the morn
ing. It was learnt afterwards that a spy at
the Morne had transmitted intelligence, and
that this was a premeditated plot to intercept
the Governor.
On his arrival, he visited all the posts,
searched for the camps of the Brigands, and
sent out detachments in various directions,
to assail and harass them. Although his
constitution was excellent, the fatigue he

160 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796.
sufflered, together with the burning heat of
the sun, threw him into the baneful fever of
the climate. It was a disease from which
few recovered : but, after lying three weeks in
a most dangerous state, the fever remitted,
ahd he was moved to Fort Charlotte*, by sea.
There he relapsed, and was for a week in
most imminent danger ; when unexpectedly
he got the better of this second attack also,
although he was reduced to a very weak con
dition. During this illness he received let
ters from General Hunter, who commanded at
St, Vincent, stating that Marin Padre, the
Commander of the ,Charil?s and Brigands of
St, Vincent, had surrendered upon terms :
he had brought in most of his men, and
peace was nearly restored to that island.
This mulatto, Marin Padre, was a small pro
prietor of St, Lucia, and had great influence
with the blacks there, Moore, therefore,
wrote to General Hunter, that if Marin would
undertake and succeed in inducing the Bri
gands here to surrender, all his property
The Citadel at the Morne.

1796.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 161
should be restored to him. This man readily
accepted the proposition, and General Hunter
testified, that in several negotiations, he had
acted with good faith, and that his character
was noted for honesty and humanity,
Marin Padre was then sent over to Fort
Charlotte, and when questioned by Moore,
answered with great apparent ingenuity : he
said he should be most happy if he could
persuade the Brigands to surrender upon the
same terms as those in St. Vincent, and he
thought they would, if the Governor would
promise to pardon them. He added, that,
for his own part, he wished of all things to
see tranquillity restored to the island, where
all his relatives were.
The Brigands having lately received con
siderable supplies, Moore considered that
moment unfavourable for negotiating : but
after defeating them repeatedly in several
encounters, and discovering and destroying
their deposits of ammunition, Marin Padre
was despatched to try what could be done
by a negotiation. In a few days a letter was
VOL, I. M

162 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1796.
sent in, signed by La Croix, Commandant
rArtn^e Frangoise dans les bois, who off"ered
to treat, but wished to know on what terms.
It was answered, that he and the armed men
should be Considered as prisoners of war ;
and that the negrOe^ who had quitted the
estates must return to them, and should
be treated with humanity. He asked for a
month to assemble and consult his people,
and duririg that time hostilities should cease.
Instead of a month, forty-eight hours were
granted. He then wrote that he would consult the
chiefs, and in eight days send an answer;
none, however, came. Yet Marin Padre,
who had seen La Croix frequently, assured
the Governor that he was in earnest in wish
ing the negroes to surrertder. The teriri,
however, elapsed without any answer beirig
transmitted : when a young emigrant officer,
trusting to the truce, imprudently went into
the woods to shoot; and fell iri with soriie
Brigands, Who murdered him. Marin Padre
declared that this frightened La Ci'oix,

1797.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MoORE. l63
who dreaded retaliation, and had prevented
his approaching our posts to communicate ;
so he Avas sent again in search of him. But
no further communication being made, Moore
suspected that La Croix only intended to
gain timCj or put him off" his guard. He,
therefore, recommenced hostilities with vi
gour ; and while he was thus hotly engaged,
a vessel arrived from Martinico, with a letter
from the Commander-in-Chief> who wished
to see him immediately.
He went aboard a vessel on the 10th of
January, 1797, and had the pleasure of join
ing his friends, Sir Ralph Abercrombie and
General Hope, the same evening. Sir Ralph
then expressed great regret at his having
been so long detained at a post of such ex
treme anxiety and fatigue as St. Lucia ; that
it was only just he should be relieved, though
he owned he knew not Whom to send in his
place. He then signified that the govern-,
ment of Grenada was vacant, which Modre
might have if he pleased ; or, as it was in
tended to join the Barrack Department to
M 2

164 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1797.
the Quarter-Master General's office, which
would be permanent, even in peace, he might
have that lucrative appointment if he pre
ferred it. Moore replied,* ' that his greatest
' wish was to be useful to him and to his
' country ; that the island of St. Lucia might
' still be lost, if not closely attended to ; and
' as he was now thoroughly acquainted with
' the country, perhaps he was more fit to
' preserve it than any one he could at present
* find. He did not court money, and was
' satisfied with his approbation ; but were
' any active military operations to be under-
' taken, he should certainly wish to be em-
' ployed with him, otherwise he was content
' to remain at St. Lucia,'
That very night he received letters, stating
that the post of Prasline had been surprised
by the Brigands ; the commanding officer, and
most of the men, killed, and consternation
spread over the whole country.
Moore communicated this intelligence to
* Journal, MS,

1797.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 165
Sir Ralph, and sailed back immediately to
his government. On his arrival, he learned
that the officer commanding at Prasline had
become negligent ; that his men were almost
all bathing in a river, and he himself asleep,
when the Brigands set upon them. He then
roused himself, got a few men under arms, but
most of them were frightened, and ran off", as
is apt to happen in unexpected alarms. The
Commander himself fought courageously, and
received two wounds. But perceiving that his
men would give way, and being resolved not
to survive the disgrace incurred, he drew out
a pistol and shot himself.
The quick return of their Governor diff'used
spirits among the disheartened troops, and
restored confidence to the island. Vessels,
which were seen watching opportunities to
land more supplies to the army, were pre
vented by increased vigilance. Prasline was
re-occupied, a detachment surprised the Bri
gand camp, killed some, dispersed the rest,
and regained the provisions which had been
captured.

IQQ LIFE QF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1797.
Other corps were sent out in various direc
tions to scour the wpqds, aud to root up every
esculent vegetable.
When Moore was hastening with a small
escort from the post of Gros-Ilet to Marquis,
an express brought him intelligence that De-
nerie, distant six hours' march, was attacked
by a horde of Brigands, A small corps from
Marquis was moving to reinforce that post ;
and Moore's escort being over-fatigued,
he took twenty of the freshest men of the
other corps, with whom he pushed on to
Denerie, He arrived near that post at nine
at night ; deep silence prevailed, and several
bouses were on fire. As it was prudent to
ascertain first in whose possession the post
then was, he took precautions, and advanced
cautiously in the dark. The ground in front
x)f the palisades was strewed with the bodies
of dead negroes ; and British sentinels were
seen behind the parapet. When he entered.
Lieutenant Le Brun received him exultingly,
happy at having sustained, with only fifty
men, the furious assaults of above three hun-

1797.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOQRE, 167
dred Brigands for three hours. He had not
only repulsed them, but sallied out and pur
sued them into the woods, with considerable
slaughter, Moore bestowed deserved encomiums on
this gallant youth, a French emigrant, and on
his brave garrison.
About a year after this, my brother intro
duced me to the above officer, who had re
turned from St, Lucia in bad health. He
was wan, pale, and dejected: but my brother,
by urgent recommendations at the Horse-
Guards, obtained for him a company in a
foreign corps, which highly gratified him.
While Moore was engaged in the per
plexed aff"airs of St. Lucia, Sir Ralph Aber
crombie proceeded against Trinidad, and
afterwards against Porto Rico : and he apo
logized to Moore for still leaving him behind,
declaring that he knew not by ^rhom to
replace him. Notwithstanding which, it was
a mortification to Moore not to share in im
portant enterprises ; and he was also appre
hensive lest the enemy should take advantage

168 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOOBE, [1797.
of the absence of the principal fleet and army
to land supplies. He took every precaution
in his power to hinder this, by guarding well
the coast; and his detachments defeated the
Brigands in many skirmishes, and harassed
them with inroads on all sides. By these
unceasing operations, and by famine, their
obdurate tempers began to yield, and num
bers surrendered : and some of the few who
remained in the woods were daily coming
in to submit ; so Moore had the certain pro
spect of soon restoring tranquillity to that
unhappy island. But during this time the
troops were sinking by disease ; and his own
constitution proved incapable of sustaining
the exertions he made. He rose usually at
six in the morning, was occupied in business
till mid-day ; then marched frequently in
that sultry clime thirty miles a-day, and slept
in his clothes on the~ ground. He was thus
in continual exercise, until again seized with
the yellow fever ; and was well acquainted
with the usual fatality of secondary at
tacks of that malignant distemper. Indeed,

1797.] LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOBE, 169
though young, he had witnessed all the va
rious ghastly forms of death, and concluded
that his own mortal career was now about to
close. The malady being infectious, he was
shunned by all, except by his faithful friend
Anderson, and a trusty servant. Every
remedy failed ; he sunk into a state of insen
sibility, and in this last extremity, his me
dical attendant not being at hand, Anderson
went in search of another physician, who
refused to visit the Governor, when his case
was hopeless, on the plea that he ought to
have been sent for sooner.
Anderson returned, and from the appear
ances doubted whether his friend had not
breathed his last. But finding some warmth
in the body, he poured down a little wine, and
continued administering more and more, from
observing that the breathing became percep
tible, and that animation seemed to revive.
The Attendant-Surgeon then came in, who
was astonished at finding him still alive. Wine
and other remedies were persisted in ; the
fever ceased, and an unexpected amendment

170 LIFE QF SIB JOHN MOORE, [17?7,
ensued- When lyiiig W the last extremity,
a report was carried to Martinico that he
had died, - and Colonel Drummond arrived
tp take the command, He found the Go
vernor somewhat better ; but oiily enabled to
give verbal instructions, and quite incapable
of acting, He was lifted from his bed, carried
abpard a vessel, and transported to Marti
nico, There hp communicated with Sir
Ralph Abercrombie, and pointed out the
measures requisite to complete the reduc
tion of St. Lucia ; which plan was followed,
and soon proved successful. Sir Ralph, on
witnessing Moore's feeble and declining
health, recommended his immediatp return
to England. Thus his toils in St. Lucia ter
minated, and with success. But fame is only
won on great occasions, as by that memo
rable battle, when an oft-victorious Emperor
was chased from the field and dethroned.
Whereas, in a petty warfare for an inconsi
derable island, whatever military skill may be
exerted, whatever difficulties surmounted, or
perils from a barbarous enemy and pestilential

1797.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 171
clime encountered, they remain unknown or
unheeded. In sailing homewards, the fresh sea-breezes
renovated Moore's strength, and exhilarated
his spirits. He landed at Falmouth, and
reached his father's house, in London, in
July ; when his sallow looks and emaciated
form were sad indications of the dangers he
had passed.

172 [1797,

Chapter VIII,
A CAMPAIGN IN IRELAND.
Moore's return to his paternal home spread
joy among his parents, his sister, and bro
thers ; and as happiness is as salutary, as
misery is deleterious, by sharing their feel
ings, his eyes brightened, his colour cleared,
and his strength was restored. Yet little
leisure was allowed him for domestic plea
sures, for tranquillity and ambition are in
compatible. Whenever, by promoting the
public- weal, distinction is aimed at, ease
must be relinquished, toil embraced, and
anxiety endured.
Moore was received by the Duke of York
with a friendly welcome, and Mr. Secretary
Dundas made particular inquiries respecting
St. Lucia, requesting from him a detailed
opinion in writing of the value, and of the
force requisite for the defence of the island.

1797.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 173
A memorial was accordingly drawn up and
delivered to that minister.
As an invasion from France was then se
riously apprehended. Major Hay, of the En
gineers, was directed to make a survey of the
eastern coast of England, and Moore accom
panied him on that duty. Every part, where
a landing by the enemy could be eff'ected,
was carefully examined, and a full report
was given in by the Major.
Hitherto Moore had served against his
country's foreign enemies, but it now became
his lot to be called out to act against intes
tine foes. For soon after the beginning of
the war with France, some perfidious Irish
men had commenced a secret correspondence
with the French Government, and had urged
the invasion of their country. To favour a
descent, secret societies, bound together by
treasonable oaths, were organized; and as
surances were transmitted to France, that
whenever an army should land, multitudes of
the Irish Catholics would join them,
France was then ruled by the depraved

174 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1797,
Directory : whose government the misguided
Irish were taught to believe was preferable to
the British, and that the presence of a French
army in the heart of their Country was de
sirable. To take advantage of this infatuation, and,
by the aid of traitors^ to conquer Ireland, a
fleet and army wete assembled at Brest.
Secrecy was so well observed, that neither
the time, nor the plaCfe for the disembarkation j
was communicated even to the conspirators.
But the depth of winter was fixed upon for
the attempt, to have the better chance of
escaping from the British fleet.
On the lOth of December, 1796, trarisports
containittg tWenty-five thousand soldiers,
escorted by eighteen ships of the line and
thirteen frigates, sailed from Brest. The
British Admital lying at Spithead received
intelligence of their departure, but learnt
nothing of the bourse they had taken. He
steered his course towards Brest, and missed
the French fleet, which encburitered A storm,
arid was much dispei-sed.

1797.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 175
The frigate, on board of which Hoche the
commander had embarked, was blown far to
the westward ; while the other ships reached
in succession Bantry Bay, in the south of
Ireland. But no one, in the absence of the
Commander, had instructions What to do.
So after a short stay the French fleet sailed
back to Brest, losing two ships of the line,
and several frigates and transports. Which
foundered at sea, or were captured.
The project, though thus frustrated, was not
abandoned ; and the Irish malcontents, con
vinced by the attempt; that the . French were
in earnest in offiering them assistance, became
more turbulent and outrageous than before.
Upon which reinforcements of troops were
sent over to Ireland ; and the inilltia and
the well-aff"ected were arrayed. As the
loyal inhabitants were in general Protestants^
and the disaff"ected Catholics, religion was on
this occasion, as on others, made a pretext
for taking up arms; The divine doctrine, to
iPte our neighbours as ourselves, was re
versed ; hatred iticulcatedj and political

176 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1797,
enmity was exasperated by religious rancour.
In the collision of these furious passions, many
atrocities were committed by the Irish on
each other; and when the military were
called in to restore peace, they were always
insulted, and frequently opposed. Provoca
tions excited retaliation, and the soldiers also
became guilty of illegal acts. Such was the
dismal state of Ireland, when a second
hostile expedition was fitted out at the
urgent instigation of the Irish rebels. This
armament was secretly assembled in Holland,
and a fleet of Dutch men of war sailed from
the Texel in October, 1797, Admiral Duncan,
who commanded on that station, proceeded
vigilantly in quest of the enemy. He de
scried, overtook, and discomfited the Dutch
fleet : one half of which was captured, and
the rest escaped in a shattered condition.
This defeat rendered all immediate suc
cours from France very doubtful ; yet it did
not discourage the disaff"ected Irish from
their determination of breaking out into
insurrection. The plot was communicated to

1798.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE, 177
government, and the chief command of the
army given to Sir Ralph Abercrombie, who
applied for Moore to be appointed Brigadier-
General under him. This was immediately
acceded to, and both reached Dublin on the
2nd of December,
Previous to this, the military force had
been scattered over the country in separate
detachments to assist the civil power. This
dispersion gave the agitators an oppor
tunity of debauching the soldiers ; many of
whom were tempted to take oaths contrary
to their allegiance, discontents were fomented
against their officers, and discipline and
subordination were impaired. The Com
mander-in-Chief, resolving to correct imme
diately the disorders in the army, began by
collecting the troops into large bodies. He
then issued an order, in which the Generals
and Commanding Officers of corps were
enjoined to pay strict attention to their
duty, to correct the licentious state of the
troops, and to restore order and obedi
ence, VOL, I. N

178 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1798.
As the generals of districts, and com
manders of Irish corps, had been accustomed
to be complimented, they could not bear the
truth. They first murmured, and then de
claimed against this ordei-, which surrep
titiously got into the public newspapers. It
was there virulently commented upon with
factious malignity, as a libel upon our brave
army, whose conduct, it was asserted, merited
the highest praise. And the opponents to
government artfully quoted it, as a complete
proof, or indeed, an acknowledgment, that
the riots and disaff"ection which had prevailed*
were solely owing to the misconduct of the
soldiers. One sentence was particularly
dwelt upon, in which the General enjoined,
' that the military should not act, except in
' the presence^ and by the authority of a
' Civil Magistrate,' This injunction was
noticed as contradictory to a proclamation
from the Lord Lieutenant, issued before Sir
Ralph had the command. Sir Ralph had
not been aware of that proclamation, and
having newly arrived in the country, con*

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 179
ceived that the tumults and irregularities
might be suppressed by lenient means. The
ferment against him at last rose so high,
that apprehensions of a serious nature be
gan to be entertained. On which a fresh pro
clamation, similar to the first, and a corre
spondent order were issued ; and Sir Ralph
Abercrombie, who was devoid of political
circumspection, judged it prudent to resign
the command, which was conferred on
General Lake.
But before his resignation, he visited, along
with Brigadier Moore, the southern coast,
where an invasion was chiefly apprehended.
The harbour of Cork, Bantry Bay, and
the fortifications along the adjacent shores,
were all examined ; and the defensive pre
parations were found in a very defective state.
They were also not a little surprised to find
a volunteer corps clothed in the French uni
form. The commanding officer was sharply
reprimanded, who alleged in his defence, that
he knew not that it was the French dress.
The chief command of this district was
N 2

180 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [l79S.
given to Sir James Stewart, who was in a
bad state of health, and resided in the city
of Cork. Moore fixed his quarters at Ban-
don. The troops under his immediate com
mand exceeded three thousand, and were
considered the advanced southern corps of the
army. They chiefly consisted of Irish mi
litia ; the officers were Protestants, and most
of the men Catholics, who bore ill will to their
officers, and were exceedingly disaffected.
To check the irregularities of those men of
lawless habits, and to form them to obe
dience, was a difficult task. But notwith
standing their faults, they were a fine body of
soldiers, and remarkably good tempered ; so
by kind, yet strict management, Moore
gradually brought them into tolerable order.
Ainong other regulations, he never suff"ered
the bands to play tunes grating to Irish
feelings ; and to prevent the jarring of the
discordant parties, the soldiers were marched
to church without music. Severity was very
rarely had recourse to, but could not always,
with these unruly men, be dispensed with.

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 181
Once a plot of a dangerous kind was de
tected in a militia regiment. On its discovery,
three men deserted, and eight or nine were
arrested. They were tried, punished, and
sent abroad.
Anonymous letters of complaint from
another regiment were received, on which
Moore addressed the men on the parade.
He spoke to them mildly yet authoritatively :
and told them, that if they thought them
selves aggrieved, they had a right, by the
articles of war, to state their grievances
openly to him. This was accordingly done :
when it was found that there were, in fact,
some grounds for the discontents ; and these
were consequently redressed. He also fre
quently received reports, both publicly a,nd
privately, of conspiracies and intended risings
of the people ; and accusations were made
of individuals against each other, which were
sometimes true, and at other times false.
Patriotism prompted the first, party zeal,
mingled with the most malignant animosity,
stimulated the latter. A younger brother

182 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798,
of a good family informed against his elder,
who possessed a considerable estate, that he
had secreted a great quantity of arms in his
garden. All the premises were carefully
searched, but no arms were found. This
instance of fraternal treachery reminded
Moore of the Roman proscriptions, when
kindred affections, and all moral principles,
were extinguished.
As in various parts of the country tu
multuous meetings, training to arms, and
assassinations of public functionaries aug
mented, government, in the month of April,
proclaimed that rebellion had broken out,
and orders were sent to Moore to disarm the
inhabitants near the coast. He proceeded
himself to the most disaffected part, with five
companies of light infantry, and a party of
dragoons, and sent another detachment in
another direction. But instead of suffering
the soldiers to live at large, the parishes were
summoned to bring in the exact rations
requisite, and no waste was made. Strict dis
cipline was observed ; and the soldiers were

1798.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 183
not allowed to wander from their posts ;
which hindered them from plundering, or
injuring the people. Notice was then pro
mulgated to the inhabitants to bring in arms
of every kind. The people were at first
stubborn, and denied that they had any;
but after four days a number were given up,
Moore then proceeded to other places, and
exhorted the inhabitants to deliver up their
arms, as otherwise he should be forced to
permit the troops to live at free quarters.
These measures occasioned great terror. But
the troops were immediately removed from
those parishes which obeyed. He thus ful
filled his orders with as little violence as
possible, and collected three or four hundred
firelocks, and about eight hundred pikes.
The Protestant landholders, who had been
in serious alarm, were much pleased with the
disarming ; but instead of attachment, great
animosity subsisted between them and their
Catholic tenantry and peasantry. Moore
counselled them strongly to moderate their
resentment, and to endeavour to acquire

184 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
the good will of the people, for otherwise
the pikes would soon re-appear. The pru
dence and humanity of his treatment of
the Irish was censured by some hot spirits,
who called aloud for vengeance, yet it proved
successful by being accompanied with un
ceasing watchfulness. Wherever assemblies
were intended, or risings threatened, he
either suddenly appeared there, or sent a
strong detachment of cavalry and infantry,
which overawed the malcontents ; by which
conduct, though his district was considered
to be the most disaffected of any, no insur
rection broke out in it.
Certainly, the brute creation, who are
merely guided by instinct, never act so
preposterously, as the rational frequently
do. For it appears from history, that
nations at certain periods became frantic, and
brought misery upon themselves. The poets
explain this by inventing the allegory of the
Furies armed with snakes and torches, burst
ing out of hell, and instilling madness into
the people. But in plain truth these Furies

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 185
are wicked and ambitious men ; skilled in
the art of deceiving the populace, and of in
flaming their passions, in order to obtain for
themselves wealth, power, or fame. This
was now strikingly exemplified in Ireland ; in
which island, agriculture, commerce, and
manufactures were more prosperous, than in
any former age ; and the arts, sciences, and
civilization, were also progressively ad
vancing. But instead of allowing this ame
lioration to proceed, the nation was instigated
to open rebellion ; by which all improve
ment retrograded, and the people were in
volved in misery. As traitors fortunately are
rarely trusty to each other, certain informa
tion of the plot was conveyed to government
a few weeks before the revolt broke out.
Several of the conspirators were instantly
seized and cast into prison ; and it is pain
ful to relate that there was one man of
quality, who, forgetful of his high birth and
station, was fired with the mad ambition of
being a chief of rebels.

186 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798,
When his accomplices were arrested he
concealed himself; but his lurking place was
discovered; and in resisting the police
officers he was shot, and thus escaped dying
on a scaffold.
When these transactions were taking place
at Dublin, Moore remained at Bandon and
the neighbourhood, watching events. No
mail arrived on the 26th of May, nor on the
subsequent days, but abundant reports were
brought in by some persons evidently fright
ened, and by others secretly glad, that Dub-r.
lin and the whole surrounding country had
risen in arms. On the 28th, a letter was de
livered to Moore, from Sir James Stewart, to
desire that he would come immediately to
Cork, which it was feared would break out in
insurrection. He went there and stayed two
days, and measures of prevention were
adopted. He then returned to preserve tran
quillity at his own post at Bandon; and
as this was the moment when an invasion
from France was' to be expected, the troops

1798.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 187
were kept on the alert, and orders were sent
to all the outposts on the coast to be vigilant.
After some days of anxious expectation,
accounts from Dublin were brought by sea ;
the land communication being interrupted.
It appeared that the arrest of Lord Edward
Fitzgerald, and other leaders of the rebels,
had disconcerted their plans ; and the revolt
was neither general nor well-conducted. It
was at Kildare, in the vicinity of Dublin,
and in the King and Queen's County, that
the infuriated peasantry first rose up. Some
were armed with fowling-pieces, others with
muskets privately conveyed from France,
and many with long pikes secretly fabri
cated at home, which in determined hands
are formidable weapons.
On the 23d of May, multitudes of these
wild men, congregated into bands, under
ferocious chiefs, burst simultaneously in the
middle of the night into several towns in
Kildare, At Claire* and Neis, the Com-
* History of the RebeUion in Ireland, 1798, by the Rev,
James Gordon,

188 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
mandants being vigilant, the assailants were
repulsed. But the rebels stole into the little
town of Prosperous unperceived. Some sol
diers were savagely murdered in their quar
ters ; the barrack was set on fire, and twenty-
eight militiamen with their Captain were
consumed by the flames, or stabbed with
pikes in attempting to escape. Two days
after this, a dreadful retaliation was perpe
trated by their countrymen at the town of
Carlow ; for a column of rebels who had
assaulted that place, being put to flight, some
of the fugitives took shelter in the houses,
which were immediately set fire to. Several
other towns were also attempted ; but fire
arms and discipline prevailed over brutal
fury. As a considerable body of troops were
prudently quartered in Dublin, where ammu
nition and stores had been accumulated, that
city was prevented from revolting, which
gave the opportunity of sending forth de
tachments against the insurgents elsewhere,
before their leaders could reduce them to
order. They were consequently defeated in

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 189
several small encounters, and great num
bers of these misguided men were miserably
slain. The remainder, being quite disheart
ened, dispersed; and that part of the country
was tranquillized. But affairs wore a far
more menacing appearance in Wicklow and
Wexford : for in these counties very few
troops were stationed, as the inhabitants were
less suspected. But they also flew to arms
in great bodies, and cut off several small
parties, who moved against them without
concert. Even two small detachments, which
were pushed on from Duncannon Fort, by
General Fawcet, were surrounded and mas
sacred. By these successes the rebels ac
quired arms, and two pieces of cannon ; and
were so greatly encouraged, that they drove
out the garrisons from Wexford and Ennis-
corthy, and ravaged the adjoining, country.
Wherever the insurgents reached, they
burned and plundered farms and dwelling-
houses, sparing neither age nor sex. For in
this advanced' age of the world, during the
French Revolution and the Irish Rebellion,

190 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
hostilities were not confined to those bearing
arms. Even peaceful persons were often
dragged from their domestic homes, and
cruelly massacred ; while the ruthless mur
derers derided the wailings and agonies of
their dying victims.
These horrible consequences ought to
induce statesmen vigilantly to prevent, or ex
tinguish, the first sparks of civil commotion :
for, unhappily, there are sullen, malignant
spirits ever at work, to kindle discontents
among the people, and, when the fire has
caught, to fan the flame.
The number of the insurgents continuing
to augment, they were emboldened to at
tempt the conquest of New Ross, a consider
able town garrisoned with twelve hundred
regular troops, commanded by General John
stone, It was projected by the rebels to
attack the town on three sides at once; but
this plan was ill-executed by these disor
derly men. One dense mass, however,
rushed into the heart of the town, with
levelled pikes, driving before them the sol-

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 191
diers who were posted to oppose them. But
Johnstone rallied the troops with military
skill ; he planted cannon in proper places,
and when the rebels were thrown into con
fusion by the fire, he ordered a charge, and
pushed them out of the town. The rebels,
being very numerous, were not dismayed,
but exasperated by this repulse : they re
newed the contest, and made several des
perate assaults ; yet they were finally dis
comfited, with the loss of nearly two thou
sand men.
Another great body of insurgents received
a sanguinary defeat at Arklow ; after which
they adopted defensive measures. They
retained possession of Wexford and Ennis-
corthy, and formed a large camp on Vinegar
Hill, as their strong hold, where they com
menced training ; and great numbers poured
in from the surrounding country to join
them. The vicissitudes which had occurred, and
the accumulating strength of the rebels,
prompted General Lake to assemble all his dis-.

192 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOOBE, [l798,
posable troops before he marched against
them. Besides calling in other detachments,
he sent for Brigadier Moore, who was lying
at Bandon, near two hundred miles distant
from Dublin, On receiving his orders, he
hastened, with a small corps of light troops,
to Cork, where Sir James Stewart com
manded ; but alarms of a rising in that
neighbourhood induced Sir James lo detain
Moore three days. At length, in consequence
of peremptory orders, he was allowed to pro
ceed. By rapid marches, he arrived, in a
week, at New Ross, when General Johnstone
resolved, Avith this reinforcement, to attack,
next day, the enemy's posts, who were assem
bled on Carrickburn mountain, close to the
town. The insurgents were drawn up on
heights, and in several actions had boldly
encountered the regular troops.
The British advanced early in the morning
to attack them ; Johnstone led the central
column, and Moore advanced with the light
troops towards the left : but on coming within
cannon-shot, the rebels drew off: they were

1798.] LIFE OP SIB JOHN MOOBE. 193
pursued, and about seventy of them were
shot by Moore's riflemen. General John
stone then returned to New Ross, and di
rected Moore, with six field-pieces, and a
thousand light troops, to proceed on the road
to Wexford, to a place called Fook's Mill,
where he would be joined by two regiments,
commanded by Lord Dalhousie, newly landed
from England ; and with this reinforcement
march to Taghmon, seven miles from Wex
ford, where he would receive fresh instruc
tions. His march was through a fertile and beau
tiful country, yet entirely deserted by the
inhabitants, and many of the houses were in
flames. The spectacle was mournful. On
the 20th of June, Moore encamped in a gen
tleman's park, near Fook's Mill, and sent out
parties to patrole for several miles, on all
sides, to obtain intelligence of the enemy,
and of the regiments that were to join him.
No information was procured ; but as it was
in General Johnstone's plan, that Moore
should that day reach Taghmon, he resolved,
VOL. I. o

194 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOOBE. [1798.
lest any disappointment should ensue, to set
off for that place, without Waiting longer for
Lord Dalhousie. He began his march in the
evening, but had not proceeded far, when he
descried a cloud of dust blPwn towards hiin,
and soon discovered that this Was raised by
an army of rebels advancing in his front.
He had before reconnoitred the ground, arid
knowing it well, made his disposition accord
ingly. He pushed forward some Yager riflemen
to commence skirmishing ; then planted his
field-pieces on a commanding eminence, and
drew up his light troops in the fields On both
sides of the road.
The enemy amounted to between five and
six thousand men, partly armed With fife-
loCks, but the greater nuriiber with long
pikes. They rushed impetuously on his right
flank, in spite of the cannonade ; and the
soldiers, who had never been engaged before,
hesitated. Seeing this, Moore dismounted,
leaped over a high ditch on the right side
of the road, and putting himself at the head

1798.] LIFE OP SIB JOHN MOOBE. 195
of the line, charged, and drove the enemy
down a hill and over a bridge in their rear.
While thus engaged, his troops on the left
were furiously attacked by another strong
mass of the rebels. He sent a reinforcement,
with a field-piece, in that direction, being
unwilling to leave his post, as the enemy
threatened to repass the bridge. But mes
senger after messenger came for more aid,
and the fire on the left became hotter and
hotter. He sent Major Anderson to learn the
true state of things, who quickly reported
that his presence and a reinforcement on the
left were absolutely necessary. He galloped
towards the spot, and found the Yagers, the
infantry, and dragoons, all mingled together,
falling back in confusion along the road, and
the enemy pursuing them closely. He rallied
his soldiers, and made some quit the road to
form a front on each side of it. By his ex
hortations order was in some degree restored,
and they fired briskly. When they appeared
emboldened, he rode forward, commanded
them to charge, and the rebels were instan-
o2

196 LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOORE. [1798.
taneously routed. Many fell by the bayonet,
and the rest were chased from the field.
They made some ineffectual attempts to col
lect, and make a stand ; but were hotly pur
sued until they dispersed.
Towards the conclusion of the action news
arrived of the approach of Lord Dalhousie,
who, hearing the firing, had hastened on,
but was too late to share in the victory ;
which was gained, not without the loss of
several gallant officers, and a number of
brave men.
As the day was far spent, and the soldiers
much fatigued, Moore allowed them to rest ;
and they lay that night on the field of battle.
Early next morning he proceeded to Tagh
mon ; adopting on the march the necessary
precautions against any surprise.
The country was totally abandoned : the
houses had been burnt or plundered by the
rebels, and furniture, pictures and libraries
were destroyed, or strewed on the ground.
At length a few pikemen, bearing a flag of
truce, were seen approaching to meet the ad-

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 197
vanced guard. Major Anderson, who com
manded, ordered them to halt, and send
forward an officer, whom he saw in a red
uniform. This person proved to be Lord
Kingsborough, who had unfortunately been
captured. He presented a letter from Keough,
who had assumed the title of Governor of
Wexford. It contained a proposal, that the
garrison should deliver up the town of Wex
ford, and lay down their arms, on condition
of a general pardon being granted, and their
property being secured to them,
Moore returned for answer, that he had no
authority to treat ; and Lord Kingsborough,
having given his parole, was necessitated to
return with the pikemen.
By this means, and by the arrival of a
troop of Irish yeomanry, the miserable con
dition of Wexford was learnt ; on which
Moore judged it expedient to push on directly
to the relief of that town, instead of march
ing, according to his orders, to Taghmon.
On the way he got upon a high dyke, with
two of his aide-de-camps, to examine the
country ; when he saw five or six stout fel-

198 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
lows with long pikes lurking behind. A fiery
young officer drew his sword, leaped down
among them, and was stabbed in the arm
with a pike : the Irishmen ran off and es
caped, the General not permitting the sol
diers to fire at them.
When he came in view of Wexford, and
was winding his march along the side of the
mountain called the Forth, he saw by his
eye-glass, on its summit, a multitude of
armed men. He detached forward a strong
advanced guard to gain possession of the
top of the mountain, and to hold it until the
main column, together with the artillery
and baggage, had all passed along the low
road securely.
The rebels, on seeing the approach of the
detachment, abandoned the heights, ran
headlong down the hill, and through the
town. Such was the terror inspired by the
late defeat. And as one house was already
in 'flames, Moore was apprehensive of the
town being burnt, or of some horrid outrages
being perpetrated. The yeomanry, alarmed
for the safety of their relatives, drew their

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 199
swords and galloped on; and Moore sent
forward Lord Dalhousie with a body of
troops to release all the prisoners, and to
preserve the town and the inhabitants. He
followed himself, as soon as he had posted
his forces properly, and beheld a scene of a
most affecting nature.
The prison-doors had been thrown open,
and in the streets were seen wives with cla
morous transport embracing their husbands,
or fainting in their arms ; and children
screaming and clinging with their little hands
to their fathers' necks, who had been doomed
to death. While others, who had discovered
the certain fate of their dearest relatives,
were bewailing their loss with bitter tears.
For on the day before, seventy prisoners had
been hauled forth from their dungeons to
the bridge, stabbed with pikes ; and the dead
bodies stripped naked and cast into the
river. The merciless rebels had determined
to execute all the other prisoners on that
very day ; who amounted to some hundreds ;
many of them were persons of the first rank
and respectability in the country. Moore

200 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
had, therefore, the singular good fortune,
by exceeding his orders and hastening to
Wexford, to rescue from a miserable death
these innocent persons, who hailed him as
their preserver.* Could the bulk of mankind
profit by-history, surely the preachers of the
benign doctrines of Christ, and lay-political
agitators, would curb their zeal and ambition,
and cease to stir up and inflame the igno
rant multitude, with the pretexts of religion
and liberty. For experience has often
evinced the horrible events which thence
ensue ; together with an augmentation of im
piety, immorality, and the loss of rational
freedom. The operations of the principal army under
the Commander-in-chief were also crowned
with success. He formed a junction with
General Johnstone, and stormed the rebel
* This conduct of General Moore was duly appreciated by the
Commander-in-chief, who stated in his despatches, ' That General
' Moore, with his usual enterprise and activity, pushed on to this
' town (Wexford), and entered it so opportunely, as to prevent it
' from being laid in ashes, and the massacre of the remaining pri-
• soners, which the rebels declared their resolution of carrying into
' effect the next day.' — London Gazette Extraordinary, June 26,
1798.,

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 201
camp on Vinegar-Hill, destroying great
numbers of the enemy, and putting the
rest to flight.
These victorious troops all assembled at
Wexford, and the three Generals dined to
gether. To complete Moore's satisfaction at
the felicitous service he had performed, his
brother Graham, who commanded a fine
frigate, cruising on the coast to intercept
succours from France, came ashore to meet
him. This delightful meeting of the brothers
did not exceed half an hour, as Graham was
constrained to return on board his ship ; such
is the rigour of discipline !
General Lake had now to perform the dis
tressful duty of making examples of some of
the most iniquitous conspirators ; and courts-
martial were summoned to try them, Roche,
a catholic priest, was among the most ardent
of those rebel chiefs, and was found guilty.
He had impiously abandoned his holy office
to carry a pike ; and commanded the bands
of insurgents who fought at Fook's Mill,
Keough, the counterfeit Governor of Wex-

202 LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOORE. [1798.
ford at thp time the murders were perpe
trated, was the next in conspicuous infamy.
When led to execution, he requested permisr
sion from Brigadier Moore to address the
people. This being granted, he declared aloud*,
' that he had never been an United Irishman.
' In the early part of his life (he said) he had
' served in the army, and had never then, nor
' since, deviated from the path of honour.
' Now as he was about to appear before his
' Redeemer, it was not likely that he should
' assert what was false ; and he positively
' declared that he never was concerned in
' any plot or conspiracy against the King
' or the Constitution of his country ; but,
^ on the contrary, that previous to the rebels
' taking Wexford, he had exerted himself
' against them in its defence. After the
' King's forces retreated, and the rebels, to
'the amount of twenty thousand, entered,
' they compelled him, at the point of their
' pikes, to be their commander ; and in that
* Journal, MS.

J798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 303
' compulsory office he had acted with hu-
' manity,' He spoke with so much firmness and ap
parent truth, that Moore was greatly moved.
He whispered to the officer who was charged
with the executions, to delay ; and to take
care that this should be the last. He then
ran to General Lake, and told him what had
passed. The General thanked him, and re
plied, that it was natural he should be af
fected by so solemn a denial. But he as
sured Moore, that he had seen a number of
Keough's intercepted letters to the other
chiefs, which were of the most horrible de
scription ; and it was completely ascertained
that he had been a principal leader in the
rebellion. Notwithstanding this, the clergy^
man who attended the impenitent criminal to
the gallows, told Moore, that he had perse
vered until death in denying his guilt ; and
his conduct was such, that he had not offered
him the last sacrament. It may appear
strange, that he did not ultimately seek for
consolation in confession and repentance ;

204 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1798.
but falsehood is the cloak usually put on to
hide wickedness, and the most obdurate never
cast it off", from the fear of shame.
The British Minister, anxious to put a ter
mination to these miserable scenes in Ireland,
sent thither Earl Cornwallis, a humane noble
man, skilled in civil and military affairs. On
his arrival at Dublin, the rebellion being
suppressed, he issued a proclamation of the
most conciliatory nature. The people were
exhorted to lay down their arms and return
to their homes, and their work ; and assu
rances given, that if they remained tranquil,
they would be protected. The orders issued
to the army were in accordance with this
pacific design, in the hope of composing the
frenzy of the people.
Brigadier Moore was at this period pro
moted to the rank of Major-General, and the
number of troops placed under his command
were augmented. It became his duty to wait
upon Lord Cornwallis, and he went to Dublin
for that purpose. This much-experienced
general and statesman behaved to him with

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 205
singular regard, and conversed familiarly,
as if of long acquaintance. He inquired par
ticularly of the conduct of the Irish militia
and yeomanry, both in the field and in
quarters; and of Irish affairs in general. To
the information solicited, he gave an attentive
ear; and at the conclusion of the conference
informed Moore, that he meant his corps
to be a moving body, and always ready to be
sent to whatever point danger or commotion
was threatened.
Moore had several other interviews with
the Lord Lieutenant, who had greatly re
trenched the usual pomp and ceremony of
the court. Moore remarked his plain de
meanour, the solid sense of his conversation,
and his judicious method of transacting bu
siness. As soon as his affairs were arranged,
he took his leave and returned to Bles-
sington, where his corps was assembled. The
armies of the rebels had all been defeated,
but considerable numbers of refractory men,
entertaining hopes of aid from France, still
persevered in hostilities. Large bodies of

206 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
them lurked in the mountains and glens of
Wicklow; from which they frequently issued,
and spread devastation around. Moore was
employed against them, and first tried by
mild means to restore peace; but some of
the gentry and yeomanry were so highly ex
asperated by the murder of their relatives,
and the injuries they had suffered, that they
were too much disposed to retaliation. This
he restrained by his counsel and authority ;
and spread widely the Lord LieUtenarit's hu
mane proclamation. He himself spoke to
the country people, always with kindness,
recommended them to give up their arms,
and assured them of good treatment, if they
would return to their occupations, and reside
at home. By these means, in a very short
time, upwards of twelve hundred men sur
rendered their arms, and sought for protec
tions ; which being granted, others crowded
in daily for the same purpose. But as, in
the hot-bed of civil war, vices multiply and
attain maturity, there still remained hordes
of irreclaimable rebels, meditating verigeance.

1798.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 207
Many of these lay in wait in the mountains
of WicklOw, and in boggy places, from
whence they issued to plunder and burn pro
perty, murder the farmers arid proprietors,
arid wage a cruel desultory war. Moore
drew up a plan to put an end to these heinous
deeds, which he carried to Dublin, and laid
before the Lord LieutPnarit. This being
approved of, he proceeded to put it in exeCU^
tion. In order to occUj)y a Wider range of country,
he divided his troops into four parties. The
commandants of each received orders to keep
Up, as they advanced, a regular communica
tion with each other, — to preserve strict dis
cipline, — and to prevent the soldiers from
injuring the unarmed inhabitants, who were
to be treated amicably.
He then moved forward against the rebels,
who were active and vigilant. They rarely
iattempted Open resistance, cunningly evading
all attacks ; but fired from covers, flew from
hill to hill, from fastness to fastness, and
escaped actoss the bogs by narrow paths.

208 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
known only to themselves. The pursuit was
rendered very harassing by continued rains ;
and Moore, as well as the soldiers, slept on
the ground without even a tent. He gave
his enemies no respite ; he occupied the vil
lages and glens where they might procure
food; pushed on wherever they assembled,
chased them from their hidden holds, and
kept them continually on foot. This cease
less flight becoming insupportable, some
threw away their arms and dispersed ; but
the greater number submitted, and solicited
protections, which were still held out to them.
In three weeks the country was quieted, and
the inhabitants at their work ; but the fatigue
endured threw General Moore into a fever,
which confined him seven days in his tent.
Lord Cornwallis, hearing of his illness, de
spatched instantly his own physician to
attend him; and Moore, when enabled to
travel, went to Dublin, to obtain some respite
from affairs. Yet, before his health was fully
re-established, he was summoned to the
Castle, and found Lord Cornwallis examining

1798.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 209
busily a large map of Ireland. He told
Moore he had just received intelligence that
the French had landed, and showed him the
letters. The numbers of the French did not
appear to be great, yet this was indistinctly
stated ; while it was clearly announced that
their reception by the Irish was most cordial.
Lord Cornwallis was well aware of' the
evil disposition and thirst for revenge, which
prevailed through the country so recently
subjected; and that multitudes were eager
to rise in insurrection again, should the
slightest hopes of success appear, or more
disembarkations from France take place.
He discussed the subject with Moore ; and
as he possessed both prudence and forti
tude, and was also habituated to busi
ness, he formed his arrangements with
promptitude. General Lake was despatched
to Galway, to assemble the troops in that
vicinity, but was positively ordered not to
engage the enemy until he had collected a
force large enough to ensure success. Simi
lar instructions were despatched elsewhere ;
VOL. I. P

210 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
and Moore was directed to march with his
division to Salins, to embark it in boats, and
sail along the canal to Tullamore, and from
thence proceed to Athlone.
This town was the central place of rendez
vous for the principal army, which Lord Corn
wallis resolved to command in person. Orders
were also transmitted to the commandants
of corps throughout Ireland, to be on their
guard, and by vigilance to overawe the dis
affected. At four o'clock in the morning,
Moore moved off from Blessington at the
head of his troops, and reached Salins before
boats on the canal were procured. Lord
Cornwallis arrived there at noon ; when all
embarked, sailed to Tullamore, and then
marched rapidly to Kilbiggen.
Advice was there received of the advance
of other corps towards Athlone ; but his Lord
ship expressed to Moore great uneasiness at
General Hutchinson having proceeded with
a small force to Castlebar, much too near
the enemy, as it would be highly imprudent
to risk an action when reinforcements were

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOOEE. 211
SO near. This apprehension was soon verified ;
for next day, on reaching Athlone, advice
was brought that the French and rebels
had traversed the mountains which were un
guarded, and had suddenly attacked the corps
near Castlebar, General Lake had arrived
the night before, and assumed the command.
His troops were almost all Irish militia,
who after a slight resistance, to his astonish
ment, took to flight, and no efforts of his
could stop them. Cannon, ammunition, and
baggage, were all abandoned ; and many of
the prisoners who were taken, enlisted with
the enemy.
This defeat, which manifested disafffection
among the Irish militia, and the multitudes of
malecontents that flocked to join the French,
rendered the state of affairs very serious.
Lake collected the fugitives at Tuam, above
sixty miles from the field of battle, and
Colonel Crawford was detached with a corps
of cavalry to patrole near Castlebar, and
procure good intelligence ; for the reports of
the country people were uniformly false. The
p2

212 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
army then moved forward to Ballinamore,
where they halted one day for the arrival of
more troops of a species that might be relied
OH; Several British regiments of the line,
together with some good regiments of English
and Scottish militia, then came up: the
whole were formed into three brigades, and
the command of the reserve, three thousand
strong, was assigned to Moore.
I shall now digress from public affairs to
notice, that an exaggerated report of General
Moore's illness at Wexford had reached
London, and thrown his family into con
sternation. I asked, and obtained my
father's consent to pass over into Ireland to
take charge of my brother's health. I then
set off for Dublin, and found there a mes
senger going with despatches to the Lord-
Lieutenant ; I got admittance into his chaise,
and by travelling night and day, overtook the
army at Newton-Mount-Bellew. It was in
the middle of a fine star-light night, when we
approached the camp ; a sentinel challenged
us ; the messenger gave the pass-word, and

1798.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 213
we were permitted to enter. The army, with
the exception of the guards and pickets, was
reposing in tents. We were conducted to
a house in which Lord Cornwallis slept : a
surrounding guard was on the alert, but
encumbered the passages and staircases.
Through these soldiers fast asleep, the
messenger with his despatches, was con
ducted to the Earl's bed-chamber. A staff-
officer inquired who I was ; and on com
municating my name and business, he
directed a dragoon to take up my portman
teau on his horse, and conduct me to the
reserve, which was encamped upwards of a
mile in front. I was led over a wild heath,
and by the rising dawn, saw the summit of a
ridge of hills at no great distance.
The dragoon told me that the reserve was
posted there. As we ascended, the light in
creased, and the morning gun was fired, fol
lowed by the sound of trumpets, bugle-horns,
pipes, drums, an(|-.fifes, playing the reveille.
Tents instantly were struck, and a line of in
fantry and cavalry, appeared, drawn out in

214 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
battalia. The dragoon inquired for General
Moore ; he was directed to the left of the line,
to which we proceeded, and saw a table-cloth,
with a breakfast apparatus, spread on the
grass. Seven or eight officers sat around,
among whom was my brother. Seeing me,
he sprang up with glad surprise, and clasped
my hand. ' Well, James ! have you come
' to see a battle ? "I came to bring you
' health to fight one ; but your looks show
' that you've got it already. Yet, when
' blows are near at hand, a surgeon dropping
' in may not be superfluous." '
He then introduced me to Lord Huntley
and his aides-de-camp, whP were enjoying
a substantial meal with soldiers' appetites.
When breakfast was despatched, a horse
was procured for me, and the march began.
The day Was fine, and this advanced corps
Was composed of light and heavy dragoons,
of German hussars whose horses were gaily
caparisoned, of English and Irish infantry,
artillery, and Scottish Highlanders, in all
their variegated uniforms.

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 215
The view of the column was very striking,
now ascending the heathy hills, then descend
ing the valleys in long array, with glittering
arms, and with all that martial pomp and
ceremony, which is so captivating to the
ambitious. Before the army halted, I was
exceedingly tired, and rested in a tent. Not
SO my brother, whose labours seemed then
only to commence. He galloped all round
the country, examined every wood, and emi
nence, questioned the country people re
specting every road and path, and compared
their different accounts with a good map. He
then posted pickets and patroles to guard
each avenue to the camp, and appointed the
ground where every corps should form, in
case of an alarm by night or by day. Until
these arrangements were completed, he
neither rested nOr dined. After a brief meal,
he rode out again, to see that all his orders
had been punctually obeyed, and the camp in
order ; he then waited upon Lord Cornwallis,
whose confidence he enjoyed, and who com
municated to him all the intelligence he had

216 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1798.
received. It was ascertained that the French
were still lying at Castlebar, arming and train
ing the Irish. The reports of the numbers
of the enemy were strangely contradictory ;
some of the country people gave assurances
that they were few in number, others swore
positively to their exceeding twenty thousand
men. To ascertain the truth was impos
sible ; but it afterwards appeared, that only
eleven hundred French soldiers had landed ;
that the Irish, who joined them in succes
sion, were very numerous; but many, dis
heartened by seeing the small number of the
French, quitted them, and that not above five
thousand actually remained.
The conference at head-quarters continued
late, and I growing sleepy, wrapped my
self up in my great coat, and lay down on
a blanket spread on a truss of straw. Before
dropping asleep, my brother arrived, wished
me good night; then pulling off his boots
only, he stretched himself on another truss of
straw, and slept soundly. At break of day,
a sentinel, and the reveille, broke our slum-

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 217
bers ; when my brother started up, and
mounted his charger. I was warned that
the tent must be struck, and was forced to
creep from under my blanket, and to get on
horseback also. The morning proved raw ;
rain poured the whole day, and the army,
after a march of six hours, halted on a bleak
marshy moor. Being thoroughly wet, and
shivering with cold, I found a canvas tent,
without a fire, a comfortless resting-place ;
yet my brother did not allow himself that
shelter, repose, or food, until the soldiers
were provided for, the guards planted, and
all the precautions requisite for the security
of the camp settled. The delusions which I
had previously formed, of the delights of
glorious war, were now somewhat damped :
for I perceived that a general who exerts
himself to the utmost, independent of inces
sant mental occupation, must frequently en
dure more bodily labour than a private sol
dier. While the French and rebels remained at
Castlebar there was no need of precipitation.

218 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORg. [1?98.
therefore Lord Cornwallis advanced slowly,
giving time for the junction of several regi=
ments, who were on their march : and he
detached General Lake to the little town of
Boyle, to keep watch on that quarter ; while
the principal army, exceeding ten thousand
men, arrived at Holy Mount. It was then
resolved to march, on the following morn
ing, to Castlebar, ten miles distant, and
Moore was commanded to storm the town
with the reserve, which would be supported
by the rest of the army,
I had now the conviction that I should be
present at a battle, the brunt of which would
be sustained by my brother. The disposi
tion was fixed ; when in the evening Lord
Cornwallis sent for Moore, and informed him
that the French and- rebels had evacuated
Castlebar ; but no one could give any account
of their route. He was much disconcerted
with this vague intelligence ; and he had also
learned that risings had begun in the coun^
ties of Longford and Westmeath, Colonel
Crawford was immediately ordered to prS"

l!'98.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOOBE. 219
ceed to Castlebar, and to follow the enemy
with a detachment of dragoons ; and General
Lake to pursue the same track, to harass
and detain them, but not to risk an action.
He determined himself to march eastward, to
Ballyhannis, lest the French should cross the
Shannon, and endeavour to throw themselves
into the above disaffected counties; or by a
rapid movement, gain the advance, and reach
Dublin before him. But on arriving at Bal
lyhannis, information was received that the
enemy had taken a northerly course, towards
Sligo ; probably, because they expected on
that coast a fresh disembarkation from
France : Crawford and Lake were in rapid
pursuit. Moore was then detached in aid of
Lake, whose force was believed to be much
less numerous than that of the enemy ; and
Lord Cornwallis proceeded in haste towards
the Shannon, always to interpose his army
between the French and the capital. As
the enemy had no baggage, and were excel
lent marchers, it was difficult to keep pace

220 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
with them. Although on horseback I was
sadly fatigued, and pitied the soldiers, loaded
with their heavy knapsacks and arms, climb
ing up the hills, and completing twenty-five
miles, or more, daily.
The French reached Coloony without being
overtaken ; but they were there met by three
hundred of the Limerick militia, commanded
by Colonel Vereker. This officer had ad
vanced from Sligo, with this insufficient corps,
without orders. He was repulsed, lost two
pieces of cannon, and a number of prisoners. .
This was a second triumph for the French,
which was resounded through the country in
order to encourage insurrection. The action,
however, delayed the enemy half a day.
Moore reached Coloony next morning, closely
following Lake ; and while we were pushing
forward with tired troops, an express came
from Lord Cornwallis to alter , our course,
because the French had altered their's, and
were > directing their inarch towards him.
Moore was, therefore, ordered to turn towards t

.1798.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 221
Boyle and Carrick, to support Lord Corn
wallis, who had crossed the Shannon at Car
rick. The French and rebels passed that river
higher to the north, at Ballintra ; and a party
of Irish were left to destroy the bridge. But
this work was interrupted by Colonel Craw
ford's dragoons, who dashed over, and sabred
many. The dragoons continued to hang on
the enemy's rear, harassing and delaying
them, until Lake came up, and stopped their
further flight. The French being overtaken,
drew up, and, after one discharge, grounded
their arms. Quarter was given them, but
great numbers of the rebels were shot on the
field. General Humbert, the French commander,
was so beset that he could- not escape ; for
' Lord Cornwallis had reached St. Johnstone
on his right flank, and Moore's corps was
hastening to Carrick. When the news of the
successful issue came to us, a grievous lamen
tation was made by the officers and soldiers.

222 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
who had toiled after the French in vain ; but
Moore said, ' 'Tis better that it should have
' fallen to the lot of General Lake to capture
' Humbert, who had triumphed over him at
' Castlebar.' As, however, I was not present
at the catastrophe of the rebellion, I returned
to London disappointed.
The measures adopted by the Lord Lieute
nant were criticised as usual by many ca
villers, who asserted that against so small a
French force they were cautious to excess.
But General Moore, knowing the hostile dis
position of the Irish Catholics, approved en
tirely of Lord Cornwallis's conduct, which he
considered judiciously circumspect, and cal
culated to prevent an imminent Calamity.
The Earl intended to send Moore to
retake Kilala; but despatches arrived from
London, intimating that a French armament,
at Brest, was preparing to sail for Ireland.
Moore was in consequence detained, an aug
mented force was put under his command,
with which he encamped in a central position

1798.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 223
near Athlone ; with orders to hold himself in
readiness to march against the enemy where-
ever they landed.
The rebel garrison in Kilala, having time
given them, might easily have saved them
selves ; but with absurd pertinacity they
remained in the place until a detachment
arrived, under General Trench, which com
pletely routed them. They had been in ex
pectation of aid from France, ' and there was
perhaps no negligence in the French mi
nistry, who were sufficiently desirous of keep
ing alive the flame of rebellion in Ireland ;
but the sea, and the British cruisers, hin
dered their measures from being well com
bined. Yet before the assault of Kilala, a
French brig, with arms and a few soldiers,
did arrive at Donegal. A noted Irish agi
tator, named Napper Tandy, was on board ;
who having learnt that Humbert's corps was
captured, he published a pompous procla
mation, and sailed back to France.
This essay was, however, followed quickly
by another alarm. A French fleet con-

224 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1798.
sisting of an eighty-four-gun ship and eight
large frigates, appeared in the beginning of
October, oflf the North coast bf Ireland.
Four thousand troops were embarked in this
fleet, whose landing was prevented by the
sudden approach of a British squadron, com
manded by Sir John Borlase Warren. A
fierce conflict ensued : in which the line-of-
battle-ship, and three of the frigates, struck
their colours ; tbe remaining frigates separated
and took to flight. My brother Graham,
commanding the Melampus frigate, was hotly
engaged in this action. The chase continued
all night, and next morning only two of the
frigates were in sight, these the Admiral con
tinued in pursuit of; but directed Captain
Moore to examine the bay of Killibeg, where
it was suspected one of the enemy might
have taken shelter. At midnight, he de
scried close within shore two large vessels
of the enemy. He bore up to them, engaged
a ship carrying forty guns and four hundred
men, which struck to him ; and the other
sheered off in the dark. After taking pos-

1798.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 225
prize, as he foresaw an approaching storm,
he steered for the Clyde, where he rode in
safety : by which nautical prescience, he
shunned a hurricane which shattered and had
nearly foundered the rest of the squadron.
Among the prisoners who were taken was
Wolfe Tone, the prime fomenter of the Irish
rebellion. This man had once before been
arrested for treason ; but by dissembled re
pentance his forfeited life had been spared
by government. On this occasion he tried to
escape by legal chicanery ; which failing,
with his own hand he finished his pernicious
life.

VOL, I.

226 [1798,

Chapter IX.
DEPARTURE FROM IRELAND— CAMPAIGN IN
HOLLAND.
The defeat of the French invaders, and the
punishment of the rebels, pacified Ireland.
But this temporary benefit was procured by
a British army, which put an end to a cala
mitous insurrection raised on the fallacious
plea of liberty.
Were all mankind disinclined to injure or
do injustice to each other, they certainly
ought to be left to the enjoyment of perfect
liberty, and every man should have the
power of acting as he pleased. But the dis
positions and habits of human beings to do
unto others, M^hat they would not that others
do unto them, render the establishment of
laws and government essential for their wel
fare.

1^99.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE; 227
As the prevalence of vice is the only good
cause for imposing any restraints on free
dom, these never should be greater than is
requisite for the happiness of the people ; and
always proportioned to their disposition to do
evil. The degrees of virtue, and the ten
dency to various vices, are different in dif
ferent countries; consequently one code
of laws, and one constitution of government,
are unsuitable to all. Projects of one uni
versal legislative system would neither be
agreeable to the tempers, nor adapted to the
correction of the various corruptions, of the
human race. Experience proves this,
The English laws and constitution have
been found admirably suited to the charac
ter of Englishmen: which imposed upon
them no greater prohibitions than were re
quisite for establishing good order ; and
which granted a greater degree of freedom
than was possessed by any other nation.
In the year 1706, this constitution Was
extended to Scotland, and suddenly the
Scots were transformed from an ill-governed, q2

228. LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1799.
turbulent, and impoverished people, into an
orderly, composed, and improving nation :
which concordant effects proved that there
was an agreement in character, and an
equality in morals with the English.
But when the same constitution was trans
ferred to Ireland, no such beneficial conse
quences ensued; for lawless riots, wanton
pillagings, and atrocious murders have con
tinued to prevail in that hapless country..
And it is found absolutely necessary to main
tain there a numerous standing army, to re
strain carnage and the destruction of property
from increasing throughout the island.
The continuance of these flagrant acts is a
decisive proof that the restrictions of the
laws, and constitution are not proportioned
to the propensity to do wrong. If the free
dom of the Irish laws and government were
wisely graduated by the scale of virtue and
morals which have been attained by the
natives, it is reasonable to believe that they
would soon become peaceful, prosperous, and
happy.

1799.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 229
Under the just administration of Earl Corn
wallis, whose authority was maintained by a
considerable military force, the turmoils of
Ireland were respited. He sent for General
Moore to come to Dublin on public affairs ;
apartments were assigned to him ; and he was
treated by his Lordship as a friend. In the
course of Moore's diversified life he could
not avoid contracting the enmity of a few
persons of dubious and vicious Characters ;
but he was esteemed and beloved by all
those with whom he had intercourse, whb
were themselves eminent for virtue and pa-^
triotism. Towards the close of the year 1798, an
expedition to the Mediterranean was pro
jected, the command of which was given to
Sir Charles Stuart. A correspondent at
Head-quarters wrote to Moore, that it was
under consideration to employ him, if he
chose it, on this enterprise. But an objec
tion occurred to Moore to the acceptance of
this proposal, from a delicacy he felt towards
the Lord-Lieutenant.

230 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1799.
Earl Cornwallis was a downright, sensible
man, and a contemner of ceremony. He dis
tinguished Moore by his friendship ; who felt
so much gratitude for the treatment he had
received, that he would not express to his
correspondent at the Horse-Guards a wish to
leave Ireland, even for a foreign service
which he coveted.
A second confidential, letter soon after,
signified, ^ That the subject had been dis-
' cussed by the Duke of York and Mr. Dun-
' das, the Secretary of War ; when the latter
' said, " That Lord Cornwallis in his private
' " correspondence, laid so much stress upon
' " the esteem he had for General Moore,
« " that he did not think he could be removed
' " without giving Lord Cornwallis umbrage."
' The intention is, therefore, for the present
* at least, given up.'
The next year, 1799, the war took a fa
vourable turn. Buonaparte was repulsed at
St. Jean D'Acre, and had retreated into
Egypt ; and Suwarrow, with a Russian army,
was victorious in Italy. The British War-

1799.] LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOORE. 231
Minister conceived that this was a propi
tious opportunity for rescuing Holland from
the thraldom of France. And if the Dutch
at that time had retained the same love of
liberty and independence, which they had
displayed in the sixteenth century, against
Spain, or in the seventeenth against France,
the plan would undoubtedly have succeeded.
It was formed on an extensive scale : near
seventeen thousand Russians were subsi
dised, who, together with a considerable Bri
tish army, were to be embarked on this expe
dition. The delay which must have occurred by
attempting to transport so large a force at
once, induced the minister to embark ten
thousand British troops, led by Sir Ralph
Abercombie, to be landed in Holland in the
first place ; and the remaining forces were to
be transported afterwards, as quickly as the
means of conveyance could be procured.
No sooner was this enterprise concerted,
than Moore received a summons from Lord
Cornwallis, who informed him that his

232 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1799.
presence was required in England by the
ministers ; and his Lordship gave him a
letter to Mr. Dundas, in which he thus ex
pressed himself: ' June 21,1799.
* I am sure you know me too well to sus-
* pect that any selfish consideration can
' weigh a moment with me against the general
' interests of the country.
' You shall have all the troops you ask,
t and General Moore ; who is a greater loss
' to me than the troops. But he will be of
• infinite service to Abercrombie : and I
' likewise think it an object to the state, that
' an officer of his talents and character should
' have every opportunity of acquiring know-
' ledge and experience in his profession*.'
Moore crossed the channel, and his family
were gratified by his presence only for a few
days. For he was immediately appointed to
the command of a brigade of troops encamped
on the coast of Hampshire. To this camp
* This exti'act was sent to Dr. Moore by the Secretary of State.

1799.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 233
he repaired, and the various regiments in
tended for embarkation assembled in suc
cession. As the greater part of the troops
were raw soldiers, and little acquainted with
many essential parts of their business, he
seized the opportunity of exercising and in
structing them in this encampment. And
to render them expert in pitching and strik
ing their tents, and in manoeuvring, he
marched them along the coast from Barham
Downs, encamping them every night, instead
of quartering them in the towns and villages.
This was the commencement of the forma
tion of that army, which was afterwards so
distinguished in various campaigns.
It was in the beginning of August, that
a fleet of transports was collected at Rams
gate, in which the troops were speedily
embarked, and sailed forthwith. The landing
was intended to be made in the island of
Goree, at the mouth of the Meuse ; whence
the troops might cross over to the Isle of
Overflakkee, and proceed forward, if practi
cable, into the heart of the United Provinces,

234 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1799,
But storms arose, which rendered it danger
ous to approach the coast. On the 21st of
August, the weather becoming fine, the
general officers were assembled in Admiral
Mitchell's ship. They were informed that,
in consequence of the difficulties of landing
at Goree, the Admiral and Sir Ralph had
abandoned that design, and had resolved to
attack the Texel, opposite to which the fleet
was then lying. In the mean time, a flag of
truce was sent in to summon the Dutch fleet
to surrender. But that evening it blew so
hard, that Admiral Mitchell was obliged to
sail off, and could not return for a week,
which gave the enemy time for preparation.
On the morning of the 27th, the landing
was effected with a great deal of confusion.
General Moore got first on shore with only
about three hundred men of different regi
ments. He was opposed by the enemy's
pickets, whom he repulsed. In about half
an hour, the whole of his brigade got on shore,
with which he advanced, drove back the
enemy, and drew up his troops in front of the

1799.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 235
entrenchments of the Holder, Sir James
Pulteney landed with two brigades on his
right to the south, and advancing over the
sand-hills, fell in with a large body of the
enemy. The contest became brisk, when
Sir Ralph, with the grenadiers of the
Guards, moved to his assistance ; and the
enemy were repelled.
When the action was over. Sir Ralph vi
sited Moore's position, and gave orders that
he should storm the Holder that very night.
By deserters, who came in, it was ascertained
that there were actually in the Holder two
thousand soldiers. Towards the evening,
Moore observed some movement among the
enemy's troops, and before it was quite dark
he saw them marching off on the road to Alk-
maar. He advanced to the works, when a
flag of truce appeared, bringing proposals to
surrender the Holder. Immediately he moved
forward, and took possession of the town.
In the morning, when the British troops
were seen occupying the batteries which
commanded the harbour, the Dutch fleet

236 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1799.
slipped their cables to escape. They were
chased by the British fleet, and, being over
taken, surrendered. Whoever reflects on the
use which might have been made of this
fleet so near to the English coast, by an en
terprising enemy, must consider this capture
as a most important advantage.
While the cannon and stores were disem
barking. Sir Ralph obtained certain intelli
gence, that the forces of the eneiny, collected
at Alkmaar, amounted to five thousand
French and eight thousand Dutch, which
were augmenting daily. It, therefore, be
came necessary to take up a defensive posi
tion, and wait for the reinforcements which
were coming.
In the meantime, proclamations were is
sued, to assure the Dutch nation that this
invasion was undertaken, not for conquest,
but with the friendly design of delivering
Holland from the servile yoke of France ;
and all patriotic Dutchmen were exhorted to
rise up in arms to emancipate their country.
But the spirit of the people, depressed by

1799.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 237
their conquerors, could not be roused. The
Dutch troops, which formed the most nu
merous part of the enemy's army, served
slavishly under the orders of the French
General, and fought against those who came
to emancipate them. The character of
these Dutchmen was very diff'erent from
that of their ancestors, who had resisted per
tinaciously the sanguinary Duke of Alva,
the heroic Cond6 and Turenne, and had in
undated their country, rather than submit to
foreign subjection.
As the forces of the French General were
constantly accumulating, he only engaged in
slight skirmishes, until a fleet appeared off the
coast, bringing reinforcements to the British,
He then determined to attack the lines, in ex
pectation of driving the invaders into the sea,
before these reinforcements should land. Dur
ing the night of the 9th September unusual
noises were heard by the outlying pickets.
At day-break, Moore with his usual vigilance,
sent out a patrole of dragoons, and rode him
self to the advanced posts to reconnoitre.

238 LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOBE, [1799.
There was scarcely light, yet he saw through
the haze great masses of soldiers approach
ing. Instantly his aide-de-camp, Anderson,
was despatched to the pickets, and all the
regiments of his division were ordered to
their alarm posts, A smart firing soon began,
and the pickets fell back behind a canal ;
when Anderson, with the presence of mind of
an experienced officer, got the bridges taken
up, as soon as the soldiers had passed over.
The enemy's light troops and riflemen,
covering themselves by the inequalities of
the ground, pushed forward ; some pieces of
artillery were also advanced, and a brisk fire
kept up. This was answered only by scattered
shots from a few light infantry, as Moore's
brigade lay concealed behind a dyke. At
length a large solid column of the enemy,
raising a loud shout, while drums and bugle
horns sounded the charge, rushed on with
impetuosity. The British sprang up by com
mand, and threw in a well-directed volley,
which, together with grape-shot from the field-
artillery, mounted on the dyke, astounded

1799.] LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOBE. 239
the enemy, who drew back in confusion.
The attacks on other parts of the line were
also unsuccessful ; yet one column carried a
village and a redoubt, but could penetrate no
farther ; for the stout resistance which the
enemy met with, compelled them to retreat
on all points, and they were pursued for some
distance by the reserve.
At the commencement of this action, a
shot grazed General Moore's hand, and struck
his spy-glass; the brass-mounting turned
the ball, which otherwise must have passed
through his body. On that evening the
Duke of York landed at the Holder to as
sume the command ; and in the two follow
ing days, the Russian and British reinforce
ments disembarked, augmenting the army to
thirty-four thousand men.
It was an unfortunate measure to send
a young prince, though endowed with a
warm and beneficent heart together with
a good understanding, to take the chief
command from Sir Balph Abercrombie,
who had been trained to arms from early

240 LIFE OP SIB JOHN MOORE, [1799.
life. The position of the army, on a
hostile shore, opposed to a skilful French
General, required a leader of consummate
experience to foresee and overcome all the
obstacles and stratagems which were to be
expected. The King's partiality to his gal
lant son was natural ; but the cabinet coun
cil being unprepossessed, instead of appoint
ing this ambitious youth to the superintend-
ance, ought assuredly to have placed him
under the guidance of the veteran general.
The disembarkation of the newly arrived
force took place at the Holder ; and Sir
Ralph Abercrombie, now commanding only
the left wing of the army, moved forward,
Moore's brigade was flanked by the Zuy der
Zee, and his advanced pickets were close to
those of the enemy. Every preparation
having been completed, it was resolved by
the Duke of York to make a general assault
on the enemy's lines. The Russians were
drawn up on the right wing and entrusted
with the principal attack; as his Royal
Highness entertained high confidence in

1799.] Life OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 241
their valour ; and this was augmented by the
boastful pretensions of their commander
General D'Herman, who declined all sup
port, asserting positively that nothing could
withstand his Russians. The central columns
were led by General Dundas, and the left
wing by Sir James Pulteney.
As the Duke of York had no doubt of the
success of the attack, he detached on the
evening before the battle Sir Ralph Aber
crombie with ten thousand men, to march by
the shore of the Zuyder Zee, to the town of
Hoorn, to turn the enemy's right flank, get
into their rear, and intercept them when de
feated. Conformably to his orders. Sir Ralph
moved off in the evening with Moore's
brigade, and two others, together with a con
siderable train of artillery. He reached
Hoorn at one in the morning, and took the
garrison, amounting to two hundred men, pri
soners. The night was rainy and boisterous,
and by the long march over rough roads, and
broken bridges, the soldiers were exceedingly
VOL. I, R

242 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1799.
harassed. They were directed to lie down on
their arms upon the road, as Sir Ralph waited,
before he advanced farther, until he should
have tidings of the other columns. He re
mained long without any certain intelligence ;
though, from hearing the report of cannon, he
knew that the battle raged. The Russians
had advanced early in the morning with ar
dour and irregularity. They bravely broke
the enemy's first line, and carried the village
of Berghen, but preserved no order. When
dispersed, and in confusion, they were at
tacked by a fresh corps of the enemy, and
absolutely routed, D'Herman and another
General were captured. Great numbers of
the Russians were killed collectedly, or dis-
persedly, as they resisted or fled. But to
check the pursuit, the British Guards and
other troops from the nearest column were
ordered to their aid. On the left Sir James
Pulteney's column carried the enemy's lines
and batteries, against which he had been di
rected, with judgment and success ; yet in
consequence of the defeat of the Russians he

1799.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 243
was recalled, and in such haste, as to be
obliged to abandon all the cannon he had
taken. At length an aide-de-camp on a reek
ing horse, brought the bad news to Sir Ralph
Abercrombie, with an order to return imme
diately to rejoin the Duke of York, Sir
Ralph rode off, leaving Moore to lead back
the column ; which, after a long and weari
some march, took up their former ground.
This retreat of the army was directed in
consequence of the alarm caused by the flight
of the Russians ; but was perhaps unneces
sary. For, as Sir James Pulteney had de
feated the enemy's right wing, and was master
of their cannon, he could easily have main
tained that advanced position : and if he had
been reinforced with Sir Ralph Abercrombie's
troops, the conjoined force could have fallen
upon the enemy's flank, and might have en
tirely changed the fortune of the day.
The loss of the Russians in killed, wounded,
and captured amounted to near three thou
sand men ; and that of the British to about
fifteen hundred. Yet the loss of the enemy
R 2

244 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1799.
was greater ; of whom, three thousand were
made prisoners, chiefly Dutchmen. The
Russians were much disheartened by this
disaster ; yet the Duke of York resolved to
make another effort to penetrate into the
•country. With this design, he nearly re
versed his former order of battle ; assign
ing to Sir Ralph Abercrombie's column the
hardest task, that of forcing those posts from
which the Russians had been beaten in the
former action.
Some days were spent in making prepara
tions fbr the second engagement; and tem
pestuous weather increased the delay, until
September 29th : when General Moore's
brigade, at three o'clock in the morning, was
moved forward to begin the attack. But
after marching a short distance, he was re
called, much to the discontent of the sol
diers ; it having been discovered that owing
to high winds, the strand over which he was
to pass was flooded by the sea. Moore was
glad of this counter order, as he had been
affected for two days with an attack of fever,

1799.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 245
which he concealed. On returning to his
tent, powerful febrifuge medicines were ad
ministered, which cured him.
October 2nd was finally fixed upon for the
onset. The British were drawn up on the
right and left wings, and the Russians in the
centre. Two British corps were also formed
in the rear of the Russians, and of the left
wing, to support them. The plan of the battle
was, that Sir Ralph Abercrombie's column,
which formed the right wing, should com
mence by advancing upon the enemy's left
wing, to repel and turn it : so the success of
the day entirely depended upon this attack.
At six o'clock in the morning, Moore, to whom
Sir Ralph gave the command of his advanced
guard, marched forward on the beach ; and
the Duke of York saw him pass. He first fell
in with some pickets whom he chased away.
On approaching the enemy's line, he ob
served that the corps termed the reserve,
which had been directed to proceed on his
right flank, had wandered away to the left.
This was a serious mistake, as his right was

246 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1799,
thereby exposed. The enemy seized the ad
vantage, pushed on a body of troops in that
direction, who kept up a galling fire both on
his front and flank; but his soldiers, in
spired with animation, charged boldly and
repulsed the enemy. In this assault Moore
was shot through the thigh, but not dis
abled. Fresh troops of the enemy were
quickly brought up, who pressed on his
front, and lurked on his flank, taking post
on the sand-hills, and wherever the ground
favoured them, Moore, relying on himself,
sometimes detached parties to clear his
flanks, sometimes stood firm pouring volleys
of shot on his foes ; and charged them with
bayonets, whenever the opportunity offered;
For five hours he continued advancing and
repelling successive corps of the enemy, who
defended fiercely every inch of ground. To
wards the evening after having his horse killed
under him, and being lame from his wound,
he approached the village of Egmont op Zee,
still driving the enemy before him. By this
time, his troops, greatly reduced in number,

1799.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 247
were exhausted with the fatigue of fighting
and marching over rugged ground and sink
ing sand. Many overcome with lassitude
had fallen behind, and the rest were scattered
and out of order. In this emergency the
French reserve, in a long compact line,
moved up against him. Moore tried in vain
to make his men charge them ; when, see
ing they were too few to resist this nume
rous fresh corps, he despatched his aide-de
camp, Anderson, to bring up the Gordon
Highlanders, the regiment nearest at hand.
But before their arrival, the enemy came on
boldly; they nearly surrounded his thinned
ranks and discharged upon them a destruc
tive fire, which was faintly returned. He
saw his men falling fast around him, and on
the point of giving way, when he was struck
by a ball, which entered the cheek, and came
out behind the ear. He fell to the ground
stunned, and felt as if the side of his head
had been carried off. He concluded that he
was mortally wounded, and lay without either
the power or inclination to stir, glad to find

248 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1799.
it was SO easy to die. He soon heard a sol
dier say, ' There is our General, let us carry
' him with us ;' and he was raised from the
ground. He then opened his eyes, and saw
that the enemy were close upon him ; on
which he made a strong effort, and by the help
of a soldier was hurried to the rear, passing
through the advancing line of Highlanders,
His retiring troops rallied around this rein
forcement, and returned to the charge with
renewed spirit. They attacked and drove
back the French reserve with considerable
slaughter. The battle was then won, though
some skirmishing occurred in the evening,
and an attempt was made by the enemy's
cavalry to regain two "pieces of cannon : but
this was frustrated by a gallant charge made
by Lord Paget, with a few light dragoons and
a number of officers who accompanied him.
In the whole of this hard-fought action. Sir
Ralph Abercrombie exposed himself much :
he had two horses shot under him, and his
column discomfited all the troops which
fronted them. But the reports he received

1799.]. LIFE OF SIR. JOHN MOORE. 249
from the other columns were dubious ; he
could not learn whether the Russians had
penetrated to Berghen, or where they were.
So the aged, wearied-out General, after post
ing his troops on the best station he could find,
instead of sleeping on a good bed, laid him
self down on a wet sand-hill without a tent ;
and passed a miserable night from cold and
anxiety. But next morning the good news was
brought him, that the centre and left wing,
which had encountered less resistance, had
also repelled their adversaries. For when
the French General found that his left was
completely turned, he drew back all his
forces, and the Duke of York entered and
took possession of Berghen and Alkmaer,
which towns were the fruits of the victory.
An act of kindness of Sir Ralph Aber
crombie on this occasion shall be noticed.
Foreseeing the alarm and distress which the
accounts of the action would raise in General
Moore's family, he wrote the following letter
from the field of battle to Dr. Moore : —

250 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1799.
' Egmond-on-the-Sea, Oct, 4th.
' My dear Sir,
' Although your son is wounded in the
' thigh, and in the cheek, I can assure you
* he is in no sort of danger ; both wounds
' are slight. The public and myself are the
' greatest sufferers by these accidents,
' The General is a hero, with more sense
' than many others of that description. In
' that he is an ornament to his family, and
' to his profession, I hope Mrs, Moore and
' his sister will be easy on his account, and
' that you are proud of such a son.
' Your's,
* Ralph Abercrombie,'
Moore was helped from the field to the
rear, where his wounds were drest ; he was
then lifted on a horse, led by his groom, and
conveyed back to his quarters, near ten miles
distant. This journey he sustained with
great difficulty, being exhausted with his
exertions through the day, and faint from
great loss of blood.

1799.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 251
While he was confined to his bed, on ac
count of his wounds, an incident occurred
which might have proved fatal. Inflammation
having spread around the wound through the
cheek, the surgeons bathed the part with a
strong solution of sugar-of-lead, and whey
was recommended to him as a refreshing
beverage. These two liquids were of a si
milar colour, and his servant one day, instead
of the whey, placed the lotion near his bed
side : and when the General awoke from
sleep, being thirsty, he took the bason which
contained the poisonous solution, and swal
lowed it. He instantly discovered the mis
take he had committed, called for his friend
Anderson, who was in an adjoining room,
and calmly told him what he had done ; then,
with that presence of mind which never for
sook him, asked for a feathered pen he saw
on the writing-stand. Anderson gave it him,
and ran off for an oil cruet and water ; by
means of these he quickly threw the poison
out of his stomach.
When sufficiently recovered to be removed

252, LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1799.
he was carried to the Holder, embarked in a
frigate for England, and returned to the
bosom of his family. His mother, trans
ported to see him once more brought home
alive, nursed him with the fondest affection ;
and in a few weeks I healed up his wounds.
While tending him, I often noticed that
he was revolving the events of the war in
his mind, and that his whole thoughts were
bent on undertaking new enterprises : for
his character was of that stamp in which
exertion amidst dangers and difficulties is
preferred to idleness. Nor is he unprofitably
employed who records worthy actions, which
may animate others to imitate the virtues he
attempts to describe.

1799.] 253

Chapter X,
THE EXPEDITION TO CADIZ.
Before Moore recovered from his wounds,
his Majesty appointed him Colonel of the
52d regiment, a mark of the acceptance of
his services in Holland, And he was hardly
restored to health when he received an order
from the Commander-in-Chief to proceed to
Chelmsford, to take charge of, and discipline
the troops assembled there.
Towards the end of this year Bonaparte
escaped from Egypt, by that good fortune
which so long attended him, and which be
guiled him to imagine that his fate was
superintended by a guardian star. The
French nation, dazzled by the glory he had
acquired in the field, submitted passively to
his annihilating liberty, and usurping de
spotic power ; although that was the false
charge for which their innocent sovereign
had been decapitated.

254 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1800.
In war, the advantages of the supreme
power of the state being wielded by the
leader of the forces are very great. It was
by this concentration of authorities, that an
cient Rome, when in extremities, was often
preserved. But in the British government
there is the greatest division of power that
perhaps was ever established in any country;
for the naval and military commanders act
independently of each other, — the one re
ceiving orders from the Board of Admiralty,
and the other from the Secretary of State ;
and these two authorities are subordinate to
the Prime Minister, who is, in some degree,
controlled by the opinions of the majority of
the Cabinet. Lastly, Admirals, Generals,
and Ministers, are all accountable to the
King, responsible to the furious cabals in
Parliament, and exposed to the libellous rage
of the press. This confusion of control oc
casions mutability and dilatoriness in warlike
operations ; for the success of which, steadi
ness and celerity are essential.
The new French administration was quickly

1800.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 255
organized, as despotic power is prompt ; and
on the 6th of May, 1800, Bonaparte set off"
for the conquest of Italy.
Early in spring, a scheme had been de
vised by Sir Charles Stuart, and approved
of by the War Minister, to co-operate with
the Austrians, who had nearly expelled the
French from Italy. Fifteen thousand men
were to embark from England ; five thousand
to be taken from the garrisons in the Medi
terranean, and the whole to enter and occupy
the maritime Alps. It was intended by this
means to shut up the communication be
tween France and Italy, and form a powerful
diversion in favour of Austria ; and it was
also expected that the royalists in the South
of France would be encouraged, by this force,
to rise in revolt against Bonaparte.
Sir Charles applied to General Moore to
accept a command in this expedition, which
he willingly assented to. But unforeseen
difficulties occurred, and intelligence was
brought that a Spanish army, in alliance

2.56 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1800.
with France, was about to invade Portugal.
The above project was then laid aside, fresh
instructions were given to Sir Charles Stuart,
who disapproved of them, and resigned his
command. In his stead Sir Ralph Aber
crombie was appointed. The information
respecting Portugal proved false, and five
thousand of the troops who had been em
barked, sailed for the Mediterranean. In
the middle of May, Sir Ralph, accompanied
by his friend Moore, followed in a frigate,
and arrived in six weeks at Minorca. But
previously Bonaparte scaled the Alps, and
burst into the Milanese, in the rear of the
Austrian forces. These were commanded by
Marshal Melas, who applied for a British
corps to strengthen the garrison of Genoa,
while he moved against the French. Ac
cordingly, Sir Ralph Abercrombie embarked
four thousand men at Malta and Minorca,
(all that could be spared,) and sailed for
Genoa. But before he could reach his des
tination, the Austrian array was overthrown

1800.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 257
at Marengo, their garrison at Genoa with
drawn, and the neutrality of Tuscany
guaranteed. After these disasters, when
the French eagles approached the south,
the Queen of Naples took to flight, flut
tering with her plumed King and the
affrighted courtiers into a British Admiral's
ship. On learning this change of affairs. Sir
Ralph altered his course for Leghorn, to
which port the fleet had sailed. He went
on board the flag-ship to concert measures
with Lord Keith, the Admiral ; and he had
also a conference with the Queen of Naples
and her Ministers. That vain and wanton
woman pressed him vehemently to undertake
the defence of the Neapolitan dominions,
which he refused to do, his small force
being quite inadequate to contend with
the numerous French armies in Italy; and he
was well aware that no effective aid could
be expected from the Neapolitan soldiery,
who would be appalled by the sound, or even
"by the sight of a cannon. He, however, of-
VOL. I. s

258 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1800.
fered to garrison Messina, . and defend Sicily,
should the French attempt the conquest of
that island. Nothing he could say made
the slightest impression on that self-willed
Queen. And as she persevered in urging
Sir Ralph to yield to her opinion, he calmly
replied, 'That without further orders from
' his Court, compliance was impossible.'
Thus commenced a disagreement with the
British Generals, which continued with aug
menting animosity during the greater part
of her reign.
Sir Ralph Abercrombie then sailed to
Malta, which was closely blockaded by the
British and Maltese; and Moore returned
with the troops to Minorca, and commenced
instructing them in their duty. Other regi
ments arrived successively from England, in
a very defective state of discipline; conse
quently Moore, and all the officers, had
abundant occupation to form them properly.
Despatches at length arrived from England,
with positive orders respecting the employ
ment of the forces ; on which Sir Ralph era-

1800.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE, 259
barked ten thousand men, and sailed back
to Gibraltar, where he was joined by up
wards of ten thousand more, under Sir James
Pulteney. Storms, usual at the latter end of
autumn, detained the fleet for some time at
Tetuan Bay, But in an interval of moderate
weather, the armament, consisting of one
hundred and fifty ships, arrived off Cadiz,
which was at that time infested with the
plague. The object of this combined expedition
was to seize or destroy the Spanish fleet, and
to burn the arsenal. On the 6th of October,
General Moore and three thousand men
were actually in boats to make the first land
ing; but before they rowed off, they were
countermanded. The reasons for this, and for
abandoning the design, are detailed in the
following letter of the General to his father.
' Gibraltar Bay, 25th October, 1800.
* My dear Father,
* * * ' You must have heard of the ridiculous
* figure which we cut before Cadiz. I am
s2

260 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1800
' sorry for Sir Ralph, because he will share
' the censure, though injustice none attaches
' to him. — His orders were to land and de-
' stroy the arsenal of Cadiz, if he was certain
' of bringing off the army. This certainty
' could only be had, in case the shipping, in
' which were our provisions and stores, could
' anchor in safety, so as to ensure to us, when
' landed, a constant communication with
' them. At Gibraltar, before we sailed. Lord
' Keith said this could be done, if, by pos-
' sessing the points of Rota and Fort S'"-
' Catalina, we gave him the anchorage which
' lies between them. Upon this, the expe-
' dition was determined, and we accordingly
' sailed for Cadiz. When we got off that
' port, the naval officers best acquainted with
' the coast assured him, that there was no
' anchorage out of Cadiz Bay, which was safe
' from a south-west wind ; that such might
' be expected at this late season, in which
' case the transports M'ould certainly be
' blown on shore, and the ships of war be
' obliged to put to sea ; and that as long as

180O.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE, 261
' the wind was south-west, no communication
' whatever could be had between the fleet
' and the army on shore. Lord Keith was
' frightened at this opinion of his officers^
' and somewhat ashamed of what he had
'before asserted. He could not be got to
' adopt the opinion of his officers, nor totally
' to give up his own : though in my presence
' he was pushed by Sir Ralph to do so,
' who wished for a decided opinion from him
' one way or another ; that we might either
' immediately land, or return to Gibraltar.
' On the morning of the 6th inst., the signal
' was made to prepare to land. The fleet
' was then under weigh, at least ten miles
' from the shore. The flat-boats, however,.
' agreeable to the signal, began to assemble
' round the ships which contained the troops
' of the 1st division, viz., the brigade of
' Guards, and Reserve (the latter is my com-
' mand). It is not to be described, the bad
' arrangement and confusion which attended
' the assembling of the boats ; it was in-
' creased by the ships being under sail.

262 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1800.
' About one o'clock in the afternoon, there
' were only three thousand men in boats,
' instead of five thousand, which the first
« division consisted of; and no more boats
' could be got ; this, from want of arrange-
' ment. We were seven miles from the shore ;
' before it would have been possible to land
' us, and return for more troops, it must have
' been dark. It was therefore evident, that
* the landing was to be eff'ected with three
' thousand men, instead of five thousand ;
' and these, instead of , being immediately
' supported by a second division of five
• thousand, must trust to themselves for the
' night in an unknown country. Under
' these circumstances. Sir Ralph wisely de-
' termined to postpone the landing. He sent
' to Lord Keith to do so, and to desire that
• he would bring the fleet to an anchor, and
' make an arrangement to begin to land the
• troops next morning at daylight. We
' anchored accordingly that night, but in no
' order ; and from everything I could observe,
' I was convinced that the same confusion

1800.] LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOBE. 263
* which had attended the operations of the
' day, would attend those of the morning.
' In the course of the night. Lord Keith
' wrote to Sir Ralph, to state the danger of
' anchoring upon the coast ; upon this, the
' expedition was given up, and orders were
* circulated in the night, to prepare to weigh
' in the morning. It began to blow from
' the south-west, which at any rate would
' have stopped the landing. It blew so hard,
' that had the first division landed the day
' before, it would probably have been cut off :
' it could neither have been re-embarked
' nor supported. Upon the whole, we have
' little to regret, for had we escaped every
' other misfortune, we must have caught the
' plague ; which carries off daily many hun-
* dreds in Cadiz, and the neighbourhood.
' Sir Ralph, however, is much hurt : he feels
' the ridicule of doing nothing after making
' the display ; this he was led into by Lord
' Keith, to whose bad management it was
' also owing, that we did not land on the 6th.
' Since we left Cadiz, we have been most

264 LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOBE. [1800,
' unpleasantly situated, going between this
' place, Tetuan Bay, and the west coast of
' Africa. In none of them is there safe
' anchorage for a fleet, and we have been
'obliged to shift from the one to the other,"
' according as the wind blew. Our com-
' manders have been waiting for orders,
' which are only now come.
' Before this reaches you, you will of
' course know that Sir James Pultenev goes
' with six battalions to Lisbon. The rest of
' the force, fifteen thousand, goes with Sir
' Ralph to Egypt. I belong to this last, and
' expect to sail for Minorca to-morrow. ' Sir
' Ralph and the last of the troops will not be
' away for several days. I know nothing of
' the policy which dictates this new service ;
'I see many difficulties in the execution of
' it. I, however, have the greatest confidence
' in Sir Ralph's sagacity and judgment. Our
' army is not a bad one, and success against
'the French is more gratifying than against
' the miserable Spaniards. I once thought
' it probable I should see you this winter ; of

1800.] LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOORE. 265
' this there is now no chance, nor is there a
' possibility of saying when I am to have that
' pleasure. As these are not times for honour-
' able ease and retirement, I have no wish to
' be at home until the war is over. And it
' must be a consolation to my mother and
' you, that in following the course of my pro-
' fession, I am employed upon the service by
' much the most important that is going.
' My love to my Mother and Jane.
' Believe me ever, my dear Father,
' Most aff'ectionately, ' John Moore.'
It appears certain, that had the boats
rowed to the shore, with Moore and the three
thousand soldiers, they must all have been
lost. Indeed, in war apparent mishaps are
often fortunate. Had the fleet which bore
Nicias and the flower of Athens to Syracuse,
been blown back by adverse winds to the
Piraeus, they would have been mortified and
certainly scoffed at with Attic raillery : but
they would have escaped discomfiture,
slavery, and death.

266 [1800.

Chapter XI.
THE CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT.
After the fleet was driven from the an
chorage off Cadiz, with the loss of some
cables and anchors, it beat about the
mouth of the Mediterranean, till fresh orders
should arrive from England. And the soldiers
cooped up in crowded transports were tossed
about in that tempestuous season in a com
fortless and perilous condition. Despatches
with decisive orders arrived at last, directing
five thousand men to be landed in Portugal,
for the defence of that kingdom, and the re
mainder of the army to proceed up the Straits
of Gibraltar to be employed in the invasion
of Egypt. To retain that conquest had been
a favourite object of Bonaparte ; who, at
great risk, had sent vessels there with sup
plies of arms and stores of all kinds wanted ;
most of which had escaped the vigilance of
the British cruisers. But intercepted letters

1800.] LIFE OP SIB JOHN MOORE, 267
from the French officers, filled with com
plaints and disgust at the country, raised ex
pectations that the army was much reduced :
these, together with the danger which me
naced India from that quarter, prompted the
British government to resolve to restore the
country, if possible, to the Turks, It was
believed, from the best intelligence that had
been procured, that the French forces then
remaining in Egypt did not exceed thirteen
or fourteen thousand men : whereas, it was
afterwards found that they exceeded thirty-
two thousand infantry and cavalry, and were
furnished with above a thousand pieces of
artillery.* The whole force which Sir Ralph
Abercrombie was enabled to muster for this
undertaking, exclusive of the sick, did not
amount to fifteen thousand soldiers. Had
the French strength been known, the project
would never have been attempted; it was
proceeded on from misinformation.
It was in the latter end of the autumn, that
* • History of the British Expedition t» Egypt,' by Sir Robert
Wilson.— -pp. 255, 256.

268 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE,- [1800,
Major-General Moore sailed with the first
division of the troops for Minorca, and after
a short stay, passed on to Malta ; his senti
ments on entering upon this daring enter
prise, appear in a letter to his mother.
' Malta, December 18th, 1800.
' My dear Mother,
' I wrote to my father some days ago,
' expecting then to sail immediately. We
' have been detained by contrary winds ; the
' wind now is fair ; the signal for all persons
' belonging to the first division to repair on
' board, is this instant made. If they get
' off this afternoon, we of the second division
' will certainly follow to-morrow.
' I received your letter of the 2nd October,
' at Gibraltar. There is but a distant pros-
' pect of my making one of your Richmond
' parties ; the business we are now going
' upon, must occupy us until midsummer ;
' and then, if the war continues, some other
' work will be found for us. My mind is
' so much made up upon this subject, that

1800.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN M06RE. 269
' I hardly wish to return until there is peace.
' I hope then to meet Graham, and to pass
' some years comfortably with you, in the
* neighbourhood of Marsh Gate*. We do
' not consider this Egyptian expedition in
' the melancholy light that you do at home,
' The army, I think, rather like it. I,
' in particular, prefer it to anything that
' has yet offered. I am persuaded of the
' necessity of driving the French from Egypt,
' before we can make peace. Sir Ralph
' is quite keen about it, and is ten years
' younger since he left England. We are all
' healthy, and there is a greater chance of our
' continuing so, as the men get daily more
' accustomed to the climate, and habituated to
' the diet on board ship. I was tired of the
' sailing in the Mediterranean, whilst there
' seemed to be no determined object ; so thatwe
' were roving in quest of adventures, and the
' chapter of accidents. But now that tedium
' is over, the mind is fully occupied with the
• ultimate object ; and the stoppage here, and
* Near Richmond, where Dr. Moore lived.

270 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [18fl0.
' in Greece, countries quite new to us, breaks
' in upon the sameness of a sea voyage, and
' prevents its being tiresome. . . .
' Farewell, and believe me,
' My dear Mother,
' Your's ever affectionately, ' J. M,'
Before the whole of the troops arrived.
Sir Ralph had many confidential, serious con
sultations with Moore respecting the plan of
the campaign ; and whether it would be pre
ferable to attempt landing near Alexandria
to besiege it ; or in the vicinity of Damietta,
and sail up that branch of the Nile to attack
Grand Cairo. All the information he could
procure respecting the coast, the harbours,
roads, and winds, were well weighed by this
very ablp and most considerate General,
But the more the business was examined
into, the more difficulties were discovered;
and it began to be suspected, that the French
army was more numerous than had been re
ported. But Sir Ralph, steady to his deter
mination, sailed to Marmorice Bay, the

1801.] LjpE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 271
rendezvous for the armament. As it was of
great importance to ascertain what aid might
be expected from the Turkish government,
he deputed Moore with instructions to the
Grand Vizir, who was lying with an ^rmy
near Jaffa. A war-brig was appointed to
convey him to the Turkish camp, and the
account of the negotiation shall be given in
his own words.
' * I landed at Jaffa on the 9th of January ;
' the first thing I heard, was the death of
' Brigadier-General Koehler, who died of a
' putrid fever, on the 29th December, after
* three days' illness, I immediately pro-
' ceeded to the Vizir's camp, which was
' about a mile from the town, and I com-
' municated to Major HoUoway, the senior
' British officer since poor Koehler 's death,
' the object of my mission. He took me first
' to the Reis Effendi, and then to the
' Vizir ; their tents are very fine ; they were
* seated cross-legged on sofas, with numerous
* MS, Journal,

272 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE, [1801.
' attendants standing on each side. We
' were presented with pipes, then coffee, and
' then chocolate ; each of which are stages of
' compliment, which are served out according
' to the rank of the visitor, or the respect they
' wish to show him. The Reis Effendi was
' four years secretary to the embassy in
' England, and he speaks French, whicli is
' uncommon for a Turk. The conversation
• generally is carried on by means of a Drog-
' man, or interpreter. The first visit was con-
' fined to compliment ; an hour was fixed in
' the evening for business, I had expressed
' to the Reis Effendi, that my business was of
' a nature not to be trusted to the common
' interpreter ; I found in the evening, with
' the Vizir, only two persons, the Reis
' Effendi and Kaia Beg, the former of whom
' interpreted. I stayed with them near three
'hours, and had an opportunity to explain
' fully the plan proposed by Sir Ralph, and
'everything contained in my instructions.
' They talked a great deal in Turkish ; the
'Vizir made a few objections, not very

1801.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE, 273
' portant, which I answered ; upon the whole,
' he seemed much pleased, and said he should
' be happy that the operations should com-
' mence soon.
* I wrote next morning the heads of a
' plan, such as I thought met the Vizir's
' wishes, without deviating from the spirit of
' Sir Ralph's instructions. I carried it to the
' Reis Effendi, and begged he would show it
' to the Vizir : if he approved of it, I should
' draw it out for his Highness and me to sign.
' It was agreed that I should return in the
' evening. When I did so, he told me the
' Vizir was indisposed and could not see me,
' but he would send to me in the course of
' next day. In the mean time I lived with
' Major HoUoway and the British officers of
' the mission. A very good tent was found
' me, and a dinner from the Vizir's kitchen
' every day. I employed myself in observing
' the Turkish camp, their soldiery, and man-
' ners, so different from everything I had
' seen before. The death of General Koehler
' was particularly unfortunate at this time, as
VOL, I, T

274 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801.
' he certainly knew something of the State
' of the magazines, the administration of the
' Turkish army, and its organization. Major
' HoUoway did not ; and as I could not alto-
' gether depend upon what either the Reis
' Effendi or Vizir asserted in conversation on
' these subjects, I applied in writing to the
• Vizir for information, both with respect to
' the effective force under his command, the
' extent of his magazines, the means he had
' of forwarding them as the army advanced,
' and the measures he had taken to keep
' them complete. I applied also, in the
' same manner, for the information he had
'received respecting the intentions of the
' enemy. In a conference I had with the
• Vizir in consequence of this application, he
' told me that at Jaffa and El Alrich he had
' sufficient supplies of ammunition and bis-
' cuit for his army ; but that he had no barley
' for the cavalry or beasts of the army ; with-
* out which it would be impossible for him to
' pass the desert ; and that he had long ago
' taken steps to provide a sufficient quantity,

1801.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 275
' and was looking hourly for the arrival of
' the ships that were to bring it. He stated
' his force at seven thousand five hundred
' cavalry, and the same number of infantry,
' with fifty pieces of field-artillery. I de-
' sired that he might send me in writing
' these answers to my letter.
' By the Vizir's confession, the advance of
' his army depended on the arrival of barley.
' But, upon further enquiry, I had every rea-
' son to believe that the quantity even of
' biscuit was by no means sufficient to
' enable his army to act, if he was detained
* any time upon the frontier of Egypt. From
' a view of his troops, and from everything I
' could learn or observe of their composition
* and discipline, I could not think they were
' other than a wild, ungovernable mob, in-
' capable of being directed to any useful pur-
' pose. And as they were destitute of every-
' thing that is required in an army, and their
' chief, the Vizir, was a weak-minded old man,
' without talent, or any military knowledge,
' it was in vain to expect any co-operation
T 2

276 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801.
' from them. At any rate, the prospect of
' assistance from them was not sufficient to
' make it advisable to change any plan,
' merely upon their account, which in other
' respects might be preferred. This is the
* opinion I formed, and which I gave to Sir
' Ralph upon my return. The Vizir, how-
' ever, signed the plan t at first proposed,
' after detaining me five days for that, and
' for the answers to the different questions I
' have mentioned.
' I got from him. little or no information
' respecting the French in Egypt; for though
' the communication from Cairo is open, and
' persons are frequently coming from thence;
' they bring no information : they ' seem
' equally ignorant of its importance, and of
' the means of obtaining it.
' The plague is always in their camp ; it
' rages with sometimes more, sometimes less
' violence ; a great many persons died of it
' when I was there. The Vizir's family, in
' particular, were very sickly, nine of them
' were buried in one day, and the loss in the

1801.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 277
' camp was estimated one day at two hun-
' dred persons.
' The Turks are so extremely careless, that
' the clothes of the persons who die of the
' plague are sold publicly at auction ; and
' are generally worn by those who buy them,
' without ever being washed.
' Their army has lost six thousand persons
* by the plague, within these seven months.
' Upon taking leave of the Vizir, it is cus-
' tomary to receive the present of a pelisse,
' which he throws over your shoulders. It is
' not proper to refuse this present ; but I re-
• quested it might be sent to me, not wishing
' to run the risk of catching the plague by
' wearing it before it was fumigated. The
' Vizir's army is not composed of profes-
' sional soldiers, the Janissaries are the only
' troops they have of that description. Even
' these being generally residents in the same
' districts, and, having no parades or exer-
' cises, follow trades and other occupations.
' The Bashaws of the districts through which
' the Vizir passes are ordered to attend him,

378 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOOBE. [1801.
' each with a certain number of followers.
' These are the inhabitants of the country,
* who have all arms of their own, and attend
* on foot or horseback according to their
' means. ' They are, in general, a stout, active, and
' hardy people ; and are allowed to be indivi-
' dually brave. There are certainly mate-
' rials of which excellent soldiers might be
' formed ; but under a Turkish government
' everything becomes debased,'
Sir Ralph had been prepared for the unfa
vourable report made to him by Moore on
his return : and both were convinced that, in
their first operations at least, no reliance
could be put on any assistance from the
Turks, Notwithstanding which. Sir Ralph
resolved to land on the coast near Alexan
dria, and if possible besiege that town. A
council of war of Admirals and Generals
was called, to whom Sir Ralph explained his
intentions. The place of landing and every
detail was there discussed, and fixed upon.

1801.] I.IFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE- 279
And as he had not forgot the confusion that
had been experienced at Cadiz, he practised
disembarkations on the shore, until both the
soldiers and sailors became expert at the
business. The preparations were pressed
forward ; but Turkish sloth is un\;onquerable.
Yet some horses, though of a bad quality,
were procured for the field-artillery, and to
mount about four hundred dragoons ; still
near six hundred others were wanted, A
few mules also were obtained for drawing
stores. But to counterbalance these acquisi-.
tions, our cruizers were blown off the coast
by a storm, and two large French frigates
slipped into Alexandria, conveying eight
hundred soldiers, and warlike stores ; and
warning was thus given of the meditated
attack. It also happened, that a polacre
from Alexandria was captured, on board of
which was Tallien, the celebrated revolu
tionist. He, and his attendants, being hos
tile to the present French government, gave
information of the real number of the French
army ; but this intelligence was not credited.

280 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801.
for it was naturally imagined to be a mon
strous exaggeration to deter our Generals
from landing.
When all things were prepared, violent and
contrary winds prevailed. As soon, however,
as the weather permitted, the fleet put to sea,
and reached Aboukir Bay.
Sir Ralph, accompanied by Moore, then
got into a cutter, and rowed towards the
beach, to reconnoitre the coast. They ob
served the French at work on a height, and
at other places ; and although the ground was
most favourable for defence, yet as no time
was to be lost, orders were issued for the
landing to take place next morning at day
break. But a high wind arose that night,
which rendered it impracticable. The wea
ther did not moderate until after five days ;
when Moore was despatched to reconnoitre
again, and to discover what additional works
might in the interval have been constructed.
He was rowed to a bomb vessel, which lay at
anchor within a mile and a half of the shore.
The land rises from the beach with inequali-

1801.] LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOBE. 281
ties : on the left there were groves of palm
trees, and on the right, a steep sandy hiU,
within reach of the guns of the fort of Abou
kir, which is situated on the shore ; but the
enemy's works were all masked and invisi
ble. He, however, knew of their existence,
and clearly perceived that the enemy would
be completely covered from the fire of gun
boats, or of any vessels from the sea ; while
the beach was exposed to be swept by can
non and musketry from the heights. Not
withstanding the strength of the enemy's po
sition, the determination to land was perse
vered in.
Early in the morning (March 10th) the re
serve, commanded by Moore ; the Guards, and
another brigade, commanded by Generals
Ludlow and Cootes, were embarked in boats ;
this, the first division, amounted to five thou
sand, five hundred men. Before the signal
was made to advance. General Hope was de
spatched by Sir Ralph to Moore, to ask,
< * Whether he continued of the same mind, to
* Journal, MS.

^82 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801.
' land exactly opposite to the hiU, or if it
' would not be better to incline more to the
' right, as the hiU appeared to be very steep
' in front.' Moore answered, ' the steepness
' is not such as can prevent our ascending,
' and is therefore rather favourable.' Ge
neral Hope then told him, that Sir Ralph,
who was with Lord Keith in the nearest
bomb vessel, desired him to say, that ' if
' the fire from the enemy was so great that
' the men could not bear it, he would make
' the signal to retire ; and therefore desired
' that Moore and Cochrane should look
' occasionally to the ship in which Sir
' Ralph was.' The humane feelings of Aber
crombie, when ordering his soldiers on this
most desperate duty, burst out in this final
injunction. For two hours the French had been spec
tators of the preparations, and were seen
drawn up on the heights, with their cannon
ready pointed. The signal to proceed being
given, some gun vessels and armed launches
were sent forward, to clear the beach. Ge-

1801.] LIFE QF SIB JOHN MOORE, 283
neral Moore, and his staff*, embarked in
the boat of Captain Cochrane, the naval com
mander of the disembarkation, which, to di^
rect all the movements, advanced ahead of the
line of boats containing the troops. These
followed in perfect order, the soldiers sitting
on the benches, close together, with unloaded
arms, as Moore had commanded. When
the boats came within range of the enemy's
batteries, fifteen pieces of ordnance from the
opposite hill, and the artillery of the Castle
of Aboukir, opened upon them, with round
and grape shot ; and on advancing farther,
musket-balls were also showered down. The
British soldiers huzzaed occasionally, but
returned not a shot. Numbers of them were
killed and wounded, some boats were sunk,
and the nearest were turned aside to save
the drowning men, while the remainder
were rowed steadily onward. Sir Ralph
Abercrombie stood on the deck of a ship,
* The officers who accompanied General Moore in this boat
rose afterwards to high rank in the service : they were Sir Alex
ander Cochrane, Sir Hildebrand Oakes, Sir George Murray,
.Aide-de-camp Anderson, and Brigade-Major Groves.

284 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801.
looking forward with intense anxiety ; and
saw with horror the storm of iron and leaden
baUs descending upon his soldiers. He held
in his hand the signal for retreat, and hardly
refrained from raising it. Captain Coch-
rane's boat first reached the strand, and the
officers all stepped out. The boats with the
troops then grounded, and Moore instantly
drew them up in line, and gave the word to
load. He mounted the hill at their head, reached
the summit, fired a volley, charged the ene
my, drove them down the hill, and captured
four cannon. Then he stopped the pursuit,
as he heard a heavy fire on his left : for
General Oakes, when bringing up the re
mainder of the . reserve, met with a sharp
resistance from the enemy's infantry and
cavalry ; yet he gallantly repulsed both, and
joined Moore. . Towards the left, the Guards,
on quitting the boats, and before they
formed, were furiously attacked by the French
horse, and thrown into disorder ; but they
repelled the enemy, and advanced to their

1801.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 285
Station on the left of the reserve. The
enemy then fell back on all sides ; but the
want of cavalry prevented any further pur
suit. The French troops were a portion of Bona
parte's far-famed Italian army ; who had
looked down exultingly on boats filled with
troops approaching their batteries, being
quite confident of easily overpowering them :
but when driven from their lofty station, and
forced to leave their cannon behind them,
they were confounded. Yet the victors sus
tained a heavy loss, especially while ex
posed, on the sea, to unrequited carnage :
the reserve especially, which landed first,
and stormed the hill, suffered severely.
In the evening the rest of the army
landed, marched forward a few miles, and
took post on a sandy plain. The next day
was consumed in digging for water, which
was found; and in landing, and dragging
through the sand, artillery, ammunition,
and provisions. These laborious duties, were
chiefly performed by men; as the vessels

286 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1801.
which contained the mules, and many of the
horses, were wrecked at sea. This was a
very grievous loss, as there were few horses
even for the artillery, — in both of which the
French abounded. Most of the dragoons
remained dismounted, others were badly
mounted, and so few in number that they
could never be opposed to the numerous ca
valry of the enemy, which hovered on the
front and flanks of the army,
A small detachment was sent to besiege
the Castle of Aboukir in the rear ; and
Moore was directed to advance and take a
more advantageous position, on a narrower
part of the isthmus, between the sea and the
Lake Maadie.
As he moved forward some brisk skirmish
ing occurred with his light troops and the
enemy's cavalry, who retired before them.
He took possession of the ground intended,
and the enemy withdrew, only leaving pa
troles and videttes in his front. Sir Ralph,
with the other columns, then moved up
and formed in the rear. Rapid movements

1801.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 287
were prevented, by the impossibility of get
ting quickly forward the necessary stores.
On the 12th of March, the army advanced
in two columns, the reserve forming the van
guard of each, led by Generals Moore and
Oakes. They soon fell in with the enemy's
cavalry, which commenced skirmishing, but
retired as the columns advanced. On reach
ing a tower, named Mandara, Moore mounted
up to reconnoitre, and saw a large body of
infantry approaching. On giving notice of
which Sir Ralph ordered a line to be formed,
which was executed in perfect order in the face
of the enemy. They halted, and seeing the
resistance they were likely to encounter, re
treated ; and the British took up a more ad
vanced position, close to that of the French,
Moore then received orders to take the com
mand of the advanced posts, and two fresh
additional regiments were sent to him, as the
reserve were exceedingly fatigued by their
previous exertions. With these he covered
the front of the army with a chain of posts,
communicating with each other, and regu-

288 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1801.
larly relieved, and all were kept on the alert,
ready for action.
The eneiny, who received some reinforce
ments from Grand Cairo, took possession of a
swelling ridge of hills, defended by numerous
artillery, and .flanked by six hundred cavalry.
Their infantry amounted to about five thou
sand four hundred. Sir Ralph disposed his
troops into three columns, in order to attack
them, and to compel them to retire into
Alexandria. The left column, under General
Hutchinson, , was to commence the action,
and to endeavour to turn the enemy's right.
The centre column, commanded by General
Craddock, was directed to move in unison,
and the reserve covered the right flank.
At six in the morning the army advanced
in the above order ; and the enemy moved
forward to meet them with a numerous ar
tillery : they commenced a heavy fire of
cannon and musketry on the left and cen
tral columns, which were also charged by
cavalry. The cavalry, unable to pene
trate the ranks, were repelled by a shower

1801.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 289
of balls ; the line was formed, and the action
became general. The French were forced
back, but retired fighting, and disputed every
favourable elevation of the ground. The re
serve advanced rapidly in column, guarding
the right flank, but exposed to a heavy can
nonade from the front, and to musketry from
light infantry and hussars on the flank.
Though the destruction was great, order was
preserved. The whole army pressed forward,
and gained the heights on which the French
had been originally posted, who retreated
across the plain in great confusion. Had
there been a good body of horse to fall upon
the fugitives, the whole artillery, and most
of the infantry, must have been cut off". But
this finishing power was wanting, and the
enemy were enabled to escape to strong for
tified heights in front of Alexandria.
Sir Ralph then met Moore, and a con
sultation was held *. ' It was determined that
' General Hutchinson, with some brigades
* The Journal, MS,
VOL. I. U

290 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1801,
' which had been least engaged, should at-
' tack the enemy's right, and that the re-
' serve, supported by the Guards, should
' attack their left, near the sea. As General
' Hutchinson had a considerable circuit to
' make, Moore's attack was to be regulated by
' the other. But when Hutchinson got round
' to the left, opposite to the ground intended
' to be attacked, he perceived that the
' enemy's position was very strong, defended
' by a numerous artillery, and commanded
' by the guns of the fortified hills near Alex-
' andria. He therefore halted, and sent to
' inform Sir Ralph that the heights could
' not be carried without a considerable loss,
' and if carried, as they would be exposed to
' the fire of the fortified hills, it would be
' impossible to maintain them without en-
' trenching themselves, for which they had
' not the means,'
General Hope was first sent, then Sir
Ralph himself rode to the spot to reconnoitre ;
and after some consideration, the attack was
fortunately given up, and the army marched

1801.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 291
back to the camp which the French had
previously occupied.
To deliberate during action, and to alter
a design commenced, was a hard necessity,
occasioned by the impossibility of obtaining
previous intelligence of the French defences.
Until Sir Ralph saw them, he knew them not ;
and as his cannon could not -be dragged
through the sand as fast as the army ad
vanced, his soldiers were swept down by
artillery, without his having the means of
retaliating. Two victories had now been won, but only
fourteen miles of a sandy beach gained, while
the army was reduced in numbers, and
obliged to halt till provisions and the warlike
apparatus were brought from the fleet to the
camp. Among other distresses, fuel could
hardly be procured to dress the food. No
aid was yet sent them by the Turkish govern
ment, on whose territories, and in whose be
hoof they were fighting ; and although a de
tachment had been ordered from India, no
co-operation from so distant a region could
u 2

292 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801.
be looked for ; and the intelligence of the
paucity of the French in Egypt, upon which
the expedition had been planned by the
British cabinet, was now ascertained to be
fallacious. On the 20th March Sir Ralph visited Moore,
and laid open to him his most inward thoughts.
His mind was troubled with the difficulties
he had to encounter, but he resolved to perse
vere with dauntless resolution, and concluded
by saying *, ' That as soon as the heavy can-
' non were got up, and entrenching tools
' forwarded, he thought it incumbent on them
to make an effort. His plan was to endea-
' vour in the night to push forward the artil-
' lery, and form the troops under such cover
,' as he could find ; and at daylight advance
' to the attack of both the enemy's flanks.
' If they failed they could stUl return to their
' present position, and maintain it until
' another could be prepared in the rear to
'favour a retreat, and finally, their re-em-
* The Journal.

1801.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 293.
' barkation. He regretted the throwing away
' so fine an army ; and added that he beUeved
' nobody could envy him in his situation.'
This plan would soon have been put in
execution, if the French had continued on
the defensive in their strong entrenchments.
But Menou, their commander, came down
with a reinforcement from Grand Cairo to
Alexandria ; and reproached his generals for
suffering the British to exist so long in Egypt
where he commanded. Then with over
weening arrogance, he resolved to march
down from the fortified heights and overthrow
them in the plain. The British were en
camped in two lines, about four miles from
Alexandria. The right wing, formed of the
reserve, was most advanced, and a small
redoubt was thrown up in front; the ruins
of the ancient Nicopolis were behind, to
wards the sea. Troops were posted in both,
and the remainder of the reserve were placed
on the left of these. The centre, and the
left wing of the army, were in some degree
refused, being inclined obliquely towards the

294 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801.
extremity of the Lake Maadie, where some
gun-boats lay to protect that flank. The
space from that lake to the sea, above a mile
and a half in extent, was thus occupied.
Menou, observing the forward position of
the British right wing, resolved with his
greatest force to. attack it, and the centre ;
and to make a false attack on the left wing.
After defeating and turning the right, his
whole army was ordered to rush on and drive
the British into the Lake Maadie. The
accomplishment of these imperious orders
will now be related in General Moore's own
words. On the 20th of March,* ' I was the general
' of the day, and after visiting all the ad-
' vanced posts, reinained with the left picket
' of the reserve untU four in the morning of
' the 21st. The enemy had been perfectly
' quiet during the night, nothing had been
'¦ observed from them but some rockets, which
* it was not uncommon for them to throw up.
* Jom'nal.

1801.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOOBE. 295
' Conceiving everything quiet, I left orders
* with the field-officer to retire his posts at
' daylight, and I rode towards the left, to
' give similar orders to the other pickets as
' I went along. When I reached the picket
' of the guards, I heard a fire of musketry on
' the left, but everything continuing quiet on
' the right, and from the style of the firing,
' I suspected it was a false alarm. * * * *
' I was trotting towards the left, when a firing
' commenced from the pickets of the reserve ;
' I immediately turned to my aid-de-camp,
* Captain Sewell, and said, " This is the real
' " attack ; let us gallop to the redoubt." I
' met, as I returned, all the pickets falling
' back, and by the time I reached the re-
' doubt, in which the 28th regiment was
' posted, I found it warmly attacked. The
' day was not yet broken, and the dark-
' ness was made greater by the smoke of the
' guns and small arms. My arrangement in
' case of attack had been made beforehand.
' I had agreed with General Oakes, that the
' redoubt, and the old ruin in front of the

296 LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801.
' right of the army, in which I had posted
' the 28th and 58th regiments, must be sup-
' ported, and was the ground for the ' reserve
' to fight upon. In fact, if those posts were
' carried by the eneiny, it would have been'
' impossible for our army to remain in their
' position. The general orders were for the
' troops to stand to their arms an hour before
' daylight, and fortunately they had fallen in
' before the attack commenced. Colonel
' Paget*, with the 28th, manned the redoubt,
' and had two companies in reserve, which he
' formed on the left of it, as the redoubt was
' open in the rear.
' The 58th regiment lined the old ruins
' which were retired twenty or thirty yards
'behind the right flank of the redoubt, and
' swept the ground between it and the sea,
'Agreeable to what had been concerted, •
' General Oakes, upon the attack com-
' mencing, brought down the left wing of the
* 42nd (Highlanders) to the left, and I sent
* Aftei-wards General Sir Edward Paget. ; ¦

180L] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 297
* Captain Anderson for the right wing, with
' orders to the 23rd regiment, and four flank
' companies of the 40th, to support the ruins.
' We could feel the effect of the enemy's
' fire, but it was impossible as yet to see
' what he was about ; his drums were beating
' the charge, and they were with their voices
' encouraging one another to advance. My
' horse was shot in the face, and became so
' unmanageable, that I was obliged to dis-
' mount. Colonel Paget, whilst I was speak-
' ing to him on the platform of the redoubt,
' received a shot in the neck which knocked
' him down. He said he was killed, and I
' thought so ; he, however, recovered a little,
' and was put upon his horse.
' About this time, the left wing of the 42nd
' arrived on the left. Some person told me
' at that moment, that a column of French
' had turned our left. I thought that in the
' dark they had mistaken the 42nd for the
' French, and said so. I could distinguish
' them forming exactly where I had ordered
'them. But Colonel Paget, who had not yet

298 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOOBE. [1801,
' retired, rode up to me, and said, " I assure
' " you, that the French have turned us, and
' " are moving towards the ruins." I looked
' to where he pointed, and accordingly saw
' a battalion of French in column, completely
•in our rear. The right wing of the 42nd
' arrived at this instant ; I ran to them,
' ordered them to face to the right about, and
' shewed them the French completely in their
' power. They drove them into the ruins, and
' not a man of these French escaped being
' killed, wounded, or taken. The instant this
' was done, I led the regiment back to the
' flank of the redoubt ; we met another
' column of the French, which had also pene-
' trated. We attacked them, and I received
' a shot in my leg. At this time, I met Sir
' Ralph, and told him what had passed at
' the ruins. The 42nd, and part of the 28th,
' drove this other column, but pursuing too
' far, got into disorder, and were attacked
' suddenly by cavalry. I had difficulty, from
* the wound in my leg, in walking, and Major
' Honeyman lent me his horse. The French

1801.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 299
* cavalry were completely amongst us, but our
* men, though in disorder, rallied, and brought
' down with their fire so many men and
' horses, that the rest were glad to get off.
' The great object of the French was to gain
' the redoubt : ours to defend it. We could
' now see pretty well about us.
' They made another effort with a line of
' infantry to attack the redoubt in front and
' on both flanks. The 58th regiment, in the
' ruins, allowed them to approach within sixty
' yards, and then gave their fire so effectually
' as to knock down a great number of them ;
' the rest went off. Upon the left, the 42nd
' and 28th repulsed what was in their front,
' but were again charged by a large body of
' cavalry, who penetrated, got into the re-
' doubt, and behind us. Sir Ralph was ac-
' tually taken by a French dragoon, but a
' soldier of the 42nd shot the man. I was
' obliged to put spurs to my horse to get
' clear, and I galloped to the ruins, to bring
' up some of the troops from thence, which I
' knew were formed, and in good order. The

300 LIFE OF SIR JOHN, MOORE, [1801.
' 28th regiment, who were lining the parapet
' of the redoubt, without quitting their posts,
' turned round, and killed the dragoons who
' had penetrated there. The 42nd regiment,
' though broken, were individually fighting ;
' and I ordered the flank companies of the
' 40th from the ruins, to pour in a couple of
' voUies, though at the risk of hurting some
' of our own people. The field was instantly
' covered with men and horses ; horses gal-
' loping without riders ; in short, the cavalry
' were destroyed. Every attack the French
' had made had been repulsed with slaughter.
' In the dark some confusion was unavoid^
' able ; but our men, whenever the French ap-
' peared, had gone boldly up to them. Even
' the cavalry breaking in had not dismayed
' them. As the day broke, the foreign bri-
' gade, under Brigadier- General Stuart, came
' from the second line to our support ; shared
' in the latter part of the action, and behaved
' with spirit. Our Cartridges were expended,
' and our guns for want of ammunition had
' not fired for some time. Daylight enabled

1801.] LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOEE, 301
' US to get our men into order, and as the
' enemy's artillery was galling us, I got as
' many men under the cover of the redoubt
' as I could. We were for an hour without a
' cartridge. The enemy during the time
' were pounding us with shot and shells, and
' distant musketry. Our artillery could not
' return a shot, and had their infantry again
' advanced, we must have repelled them with
' the bayonetj Our fellows would have done
' it, I never saw men more determined
' to do their duty ; but the French had suf-
' fered so severely, that they could not get
' their men to make another attempt. They
' continued in our front, until ammuni-
' tion for our guns was brought up. They
' then very soon retreated. The great effort
' of the French was against our right, oppo-
' site to the reserve ; . another column had
' also attacked the Guards, who were upon
' the left of the reserve, it was repulsed with
' loss. The rest of the army was not en-
' gaged. Letters were found from Menou to

302 LIFE OP SIB JOHN MOOBE, [1801,
' a general officer, by which it appears that
' the whole (disposable) French force in
' Egypt had been concentrated for this
' attack, Menou, as well as all his army,
' had been quite confident of success. The
' prisoners say, their numbers were from
' twelve to fourteen thousand. They add,
' that they had never been fought till now ;
' that the actions in Italy were nothing com-
' pared to those they have fought since we
' landed. Our loss is not yet ascertained ; I
' hope it will not be found to exceed seven or
* eight hundred ; that of the French must be,
' I think, from two to three thousand, I
' never saw a field so strewed with dead.
' Our effective force was not more than ten
' thousand. Sir Ralph received a shot in the
' thigh, but remained in the field, until the
' action was over, and was then conveyed to
' the Foudroyant. Amongst the last shots
' which were fired, a ball killed the horse
' Major Honeyman had lent me. The wound
' in iny leg, which I received in the be-

1801.] LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOBE. 303
' ginning of the action, had become painful
' and stiff towards nine o'clock when the
' affair ended.
' General Oakes was also wounded about
' the same time, and nearly in the same part
' of the leg that I was ; but we had both been
' able to continue to do our duty,'
Some more particulars written subse
quently, respecting the heroic Abercrombie,
shall not be omitted,
' Sir Ralph had always been accused of
' exposing his person too much ; I never
' knew him carry this so far as in this action,
' When it was so dark that I could scarcely
' distinguish, I saw him close in the rear of
' the 42nd regiment, without any of his
' family. He was afterwards joined by Ge-
' neral Hope, When the French cavalry
' charged us the second time, and our men
' were disordered, I called and waved with my
' hand to him to retire, but he was instantly
' surrounded by the hussars. He received a
' cut from a sabre in the breast, which
' pierced through his clothes, but only grazed

304 LIFE OF SIB JOHN MOOBE. [1801.
'the flesh. He must have been taken or
' killed, if a soldier had not shot the hus-
' sar.' Either before or after this encounter. Sir
Ralph received a shot in the thigh which
he concealed, and remained on the field till
the battle was won ; then growing faint from
loss of blood, he was conveyed on board Lord
Keith's ship. Moore being taken into ano
ther ship, on account of his own wound, never
again saw his friend, who in a few days ex
pired. On the day following this mournful
event, Moore, when suffering from grief and
pain, wrote in his journal as follows : —
' Sir Ralph was a truly upright, honour^
' able, and judicious man; his great sagacity,
' which had been pointed all his life to mi-
' litary matters, made him an excellent
' officer. The disadvantage he laboured
' under was being extremely short-sighted,
' He, therefore, stood in need of good execu-
' five Generals under him. It was impos-
' sible, knowing him as I did, not to have
' the greatest respect and friendship for him.

ISOl.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 305
' He had ever treated me with marked kind-
' ness. The only consolation I feel is, that
' his death has been nearly that which he
' himself wished ; and his country, grateful to
' his memory, will hand down his name to
' posterity with the admiration it deserves,'
In this action near thirteen hundred
British were killed and wounded. The
French lost four thousand ; but had Sir
Ralph been furnished with a due proportion
of cannon, and a corps of cavalry to fall
upon the fugitives, few of the whole army
would have escaped to Alexandria, Captain
Anderson, General Moore's brave aide-de
camp, was environed in the second charge
of the French hussars, and severely wounded :
the General, also, had nearly fallen into their
hands, and the ball which pierced his leg
endangered the loss of the limb ; but this
fortunately was averted by severe operations.
He was long confined, and reduced to a very
feeble state ; yet in the month of May he was
so far restored as to be able to use crutches,
and was removed in a boat to Rosetta, on
VOL, I, X

306 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1801.
the banks of the Nile, for better air. During
this tedious confinement, he could only assist
the public affairs by his counsel. How dif
ferent is this course of life from that of soft
voluptuaries, — ever searching for, or chasing
pleasure, too fleet to be caught, or too nimble
to be held ; and who prefers following those
who neglect her allurements and pursue the
perilous tracks of glory !
The command of the army devolved on
General Hutchinson, and the French retired
to their entrenched position in front of Alex
andria. The British were too inferior in
number, even after their successes, to attempt
the siege of that city, which could receive
reinforcements from Cairo. Yet the conse
quences of the three victories were most im
portant. Multitudes of Arabs, witnesses of
the last battle, had testified their admiration
of British valour, and joy at the flight of
the French, whom they abhorred for their
cruelty and rapacity. They brought into
the camp vegetables and fresh provisions
in abundance, for which they were justly

1801.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE. 30'^
recompensed ; and these refreshments were
-a great relief to the soldiers. And, what was
of still more consequence, in a few days a
Turkish fleet anchored in Aboukir Bay, from
which the Captain Pacha landed with be
tween five and six thousand Turks.
The good news, likewise, soon reached the
Grand Vizir's camp, who was lingering at
El-Arish, Great rejoicings were made, and
in a few days one division of his army was
sent forward, crossed the desert, and reached
Catieh, in Egypt, without opposition. The
two remaining divisions followed.
General Hutchinson's first occupation was
fo strengthen the lines across the isthmus,
to secure the camp against any attack from
the garrison of Alexandria, He next de
tached Colonel Spencer to attack Rosetta
on the western branch of the Nile, with
twelve hundred British ; who were accom
panied by above four thousand of the Turks
who had lately arrived.
At their approach the French evacuated
the town, which Spencer took possession of,
x3

308 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801,
He then advanced, while the enemy skir
mished and retreated before him. At El
Hamet, situated higher up the Nile, he halted,
and a reinforcement was sent him there ; on
which he detached Lord Dalhousie to lay
siege to St, Julien, a strong fort commanding
the mouth of one branch of the river. The
Captain Pacha chose to be present at this
siege, and displayed, on the principal bat
tery, great personal bravery, and fired regu
larly one of the cannon himself. When the
walls were breached, the fort capitulated.
About this time, intelligence was received
that the Vizir was crossing the desert, and
also an intimation was sent, that a corps from
India might soon be expected at Suez, It
therefore became requisite for co-operation,
and for the security of this Indian reinforce
ment, that General Hutchinson should move
into the Delta. But as it was an important
object to preserve the lines before Alex
andria, he took great care to fortify them
well; and acceded reluctantly to another
measure, which was strongly urged by both

1801.] LIFE OP SIR JOHN MOORE, 309
the naval and military officers, yet quite re
pugnant to the opinion of General Moore,
The neck of land separating the Lake Maadie
from the Lake Mareotis was cut through ;
by which the canal conveying fresh water
from the Nile to Alexandria was destroyed,
and the Mareotis was filled with salt water.
To what distance the sea might flow by this
opening, and what devastation might be pro
duced, could not then be ascertained. The
Lake Mareotis * was an excavation made in a
desert, of prodigious extent, and great depth,
begun in a very early age, by King Moeris,
and finished by his successors. It was a
work of the greatest utility, formed to receive
the waters of the Nile when the inundations
were superabundant ; and to be an ample
reservoir when they were [deficient. Two
pyramids were erected in the Lake, and the
portentous labyrinth on its bank. These
have long been consumed by time ; and now

* Vide Herodot., Plin., Rolin, Moreri, &c. &c.— There are
however some antiquarians who doubt if this is the site of the
ancient Lake Mareotis, as well as the other facts.

310 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801.
the lake itself is sea. All lovers of antiquity
will lament that, for the protection of the
side of a small camp, one of the most stupen
dous works that was ever executed by man
has been irreparably destroyed.
Successive detachments were sent off to
the encampment at El Hamet, and at length
General Hutchinson proceeded there himself,
leaving General Coote to maintain the lines
before Alexandria, with six thousand five
hundred men.
The French had collected a considerable
force at Ramanieh, a town situated on the
Nile; this they fortified strongly; and as
sembled a number of armed vessels and gun
boats, to put a stop to all farther advance
ment. General Hutchinson made prepara
tions to dislodge them ; and moved on with
about four thousand British, and as many
Turks, expecting great resistance. But the
French had now lost their eagerness for com
bat ; for their light troops and cavalry made
only the kind of opposition requisite to se
cure a retreat. The entrenched town of

1801.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, 311
Ramanieh was hastily evacuated, the armed
vessels sunk, and a considerable quantity of
artillery and stores were abandoned. The
regular communication between the different
French corps was now lost ; and a valuable
convoy and two or three detachments were
captured. During these operations, the Grand
Vizir, with near sixteen thousand men, pene
trated into the eastern side of the Delta, and
advanced as far as the town of Balbie, on
the road to Cairo.
General Hutchinson proceeded up the Nile
to Algam ; and alarmed, lest the Grand Vizir
should be endangered by his forward move
ment, he wrote to request that he would not
risk an action till the British were sufficiently
near to give him support. As was foreseen,
a strong French force, amounting to four
thousand six hundred infantry, and nine
hundred cavalry, with twenty-four pieces of
cannon, sallied out of Cairo to fall upon the
Vizir's army before their junction with the
British. The Vizir conceived that, if he re
trograded, his undisciplined troops would be

312 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801.
so dispirited as to disband; he therefore
boldly advanced, and encountered the French
at El Hanca. A brisk cannonade ensued,
and the advanced corps were engaged for
several hours.
The Turks maintained their ground, their
cavalry, which was numerous, threatening
the flanks of the French ; who after fighting
deliberately, judged it prudent to retreat
to Cairo, baffled in their design, with the
loss of three hundred men. This unexpected
repulse by an enemy whom before they
had always chased from the field with ease,
proved how very much the spirit of the
French was sunk, and how much the cou
rage of the Turks had been elevated.
General Hutchinson, relieved from his em
barrassments, ascended one of the canals of
the Nile, in his barge, to Monouf, to congra
tulate the Grand Vizir on this victory. In
his reception, there was a mixture of eastern
pomp with grateful respect. He was enter
tained with a display of horsemanship, and
of throwing the dgiredde, a species of mock-

1801.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 313
fighting in which the Mamelukes excel.
They gaUop, wheel round, and rein in their
Arabian chargers with graceful ease and
martial skUl.
In the conferences which were held, it
was decided that the combined armies should
march to besiege Cairo, as soon as the
cannon, provisions, and stores could be
brought forward. Multitudes of Arabs now
crowded to the Vizir's camp ; and Osman
Bey, with twelve hundred Mamelukes finely
equipped, also joined. What a change suc
cess had produced! When the handful of
British first assailed the conquerors of Egypt,
not a sword was raised to help, not a voice
was heard to cheer them I — But now Turks,
Arabs, Syrians, Copts, and Mamelukes, all
vied with friendly aid to expel the French.
With these irregular and uncontrollable
allies, and with provisions, stores, and a bat
tering train for the siege, a rapid advance
could not be made. Yet little resistance oc
curred on the march from the enemy, who
were concentrating their forces, and strength-

314 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801,
ening the fortifications of Cairo, with the de
termination, as was conceived, of retrieving
their affairs by a desperate defence.
By General Hutchinson's correspondence,
Moore was informed of every passing event.
His impatience at the slow healing of his
wound augmented as the army advanced;
and on its approaching the enemy's strong
hold, became irresistible. Though the wound
was still open, in defiance of the surgeon's
advice, he embarked in a dgerm on the Ca-
nopic branch of the Nile ; he was towed up
the stream and reached the camp before
Cairo on the 29th of June, To his surprise,
the French General, who had thirteen thou
sand effective soldiers in the place, was then
capitulating without having fired a shot.
In twelve days the French troops went out
submissively to Giza, when two British regi
ments marched into the citadel, and the
Turks took possession of the city.
After examining the entrenchments, and
seeing the numbers and condition of the
French army, General Moore considered the

1801.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 315
conduct of their General very disgraceful.
A siege protracted for only two or three
weeks would have greatly reduced the Bri
tish, who were wasting away with dysentery,
the plague, and, what was worse than both,
ophthalmia : great multitudes were struck
blind by this melancholy malady.
Generals Hutchinson and Craddock both
fell sick, and Moore succeeded to the com
mand, who guarded the French to the sea-
coast to dismiss them from Egypt.
This was a military procession of a most
singular kind. The French who had capitu
lated were more than twice as numerous
as the British ; but these were supported by
the horde of Turks. As the French retained
their arms, and field-artillery, Moore's pru
dence led him to take every precaution
against a breach of faith, and a surprise. No
intercourse was permitted between the sol
diers of the different nations ; and his troops
were kept night and day ready for action.
The Turks marched first ; the British in the
second line, interposing between the Turks

316 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. [1801.
and the French, who followed next. The
British rear-guard always kept sight of the
French advanced corps ; and the Mameluke
cavalry moved last in the rear of the French.
The march being conducted with the utmost
regularity, no disturbance arose. One day
General Moore, having occasion to meet, on
business, the French commander, Belliard,
asked if he had any objection to his seeing
the column pass. An evasive answer was
returned, which showed unwillingness. —
Moore, from delicacy acquiesced ; yet recol
lected that French Generals are not averse to
exhibit their troops when triumphant. Sub
sequently a change in the order of march
enabled him to see their whole line pass by.
The soldiers were fine stout men, and in
good spirits at the prospect of returning
home. The whole reached the neighbour
hood of Rosetta on the 29th of July, and in
ten days the embarkation of the French com
menced. A few weeks before this, a rein
forcement of above eighteen hundred men
arrived from England, and General Hut-

1801.] LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 317
chinson prepared to besiege Alexandria, the
only spot in Egypt stiU held by the French.
The fortifications were strong, and the gar
rison numerous ; yet this was an easy enter
prise, when compared to those which had
been achieved.
The reserve was stationed on the right of
the lines, where it had formerly fought.
General Craddock superintended the brigades
on the left. Five thousand men, under Ge
neral Coote, were sent round in boats, to
invade the west side of thc town, who cut
off all communication with the country. The
French advanced posts were driven in, their
sallies repelled, the approaches were begun,
and batteries erected against both the eastern
and western fronts : the latter being the
weakest, the principal attack was made
there. Nothing very memorable occurred in this
siege, for as Menou despaired of relief, in
stead of holding out to the last, he capitu
lated early, and obtained favourable terms ;
for it was granted that the French, with all

318 LIFE OF SIR JOHN MOORE, [1801.
their private property, should be conveyed
back to France.
Such was the mortifying conclusion of Bo
naparte's conquest of Egypt, And as several
ancient sarcophagi and obelisks, the famed
triple-inscribed granite stone of Rosetta, a
number of statues. Oriental manuscripts, and
other Coptic antiquities, were wrested from
the plunderers, and embarked for the British
Museum, these are long-enduring memorials
of this glorious expedition.
On visiting Alexandria, Moore found that
the works for the defence of the place, which
had been executed since the landing of the
British, were prodigious, and what no other
but French troops could have effected. He
was also struck with the superiority of
the French engineers. There now arrived a
corps of six thousand Indian troops, under
Sir David Baird, which had saUed up the
Red Sea, They had encountered storms and
contrary winds in their passage to Suez, and
had also endured much distress in crossing
the deserts ; and only reached Alexandria,

1801.] LIFE OP JOHN MOORE. 319
when the French were embarking to quit
the country. Useful co-operation from such
a distance is imaginary.
Letters now arrived to General Moore from
his family, intimating that his father was
declining in health, and earnestly wished for
his return. This was conceded to by Ge
neral Hutchinson without hesitation. Indeed
the Duke of York, on learning that Moore
had been wounded, wrote to him most kindly,
and requested that he would come home,
M'here an arrangement was made for him.
This letter he kept back from his Com
mander until the campaign was finished.
He had a prosperous voyage to England,
where he arrived, soon after peace had been
concluded between Great Britain and France.

END OP VOLUME I.

LONDON I
PRINTKD BY WILLIAM CLOWES,
Stamford Stroet,

E UNIVERSITY LIBRARY