A voyage in the West Indies : containing various observations made during a residence in Barbadoes, and several of the Leeward Islands; with some notices and illustrations relative to the City of Paramarabo, in Surinam ... / by John Augustine Waller.

  • Waller, John Augustine.
Date:
1820
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A voyage in the West Indies : containing various observations made during a residence in Barbadoes, and several of the Leeward Islands; with some notices and illustrations relative to the City of Paramarabo, in Surinam ... / by John Augustine Waller. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of walking directly behind, still keep hold of the horse stall, and walk on one side. This happened to be the case with this negro at the time he was struck by a twenty-four pound shot; which, however, did no injury to the officer or the horse. Another curious incident occurred in the town during the action. Although the inhabitants in general had fled, yet some few remained ; probably from excessive fright, not knowing well what to do. Among these few were three young ladies of respectability, who happened to be at the time alone in their house, which was close to the beach; and, having no one to con¬ duct or protect them, they remained during the action with an old negro-woman, lying upon the floor of their parlour. The frigate kept up a constant fire upon that part of the town occu¬ pied by the French, and harassed them very much in their retreat. A shot during the contest had passed through the room where these young ladies were lying, and grazed the floor, passing out afterwards through the side of the house. When the firing from the fort had ceased, the frigate still continued, as before observed, to harass the retreat of the French across the savannah. The old negro-woman at length grew tired of her confinement, and must needs get up to look out at the window towards the sea. The firing of the frigate could here be seen to great advantage; for every shot passed within a few yards of them. She called to the young ladies, and entreated them much to come and see the beautiful effect of the frigate firing. With a great deal of entreaty she at length persuaded one of them to rise from the floor and come to the window. The younger sister was just about to follow her, when a shot from the frigate passed in at the window, carried away the old woman’s head, and the young lady, who was close beside her, was instantly covered with brains and blood. This terrified them so much, that they could not muster up courage enough to rise, till one of the English officers, having heard that they were in the house, went to their relief. After this fatiguing day things wore a different aspect. 1 he French had retired to the heights “covered with glory,” and we had little in our possession besides the town ; but, as we had affined an addition of force, we did not apprehend any regular attack from the enemy. We were compelled, however, to keep a very sharp look-out, to prevent surprise. The French com¬ mandant, immediately on landing, had issued a proclamation, requiring all the inhabitants capable of bearing arms, to repair to his head-quarters immediately, on pain of death. lie col¬ lected by this means about a thousand men, yet still did not think this a sufficient force to undertake another expedition against us; for which reason he sent to Guadalope to request