: A Brief Sketch of the Long and Varied Career of Marshall MacDermott Esq. J.P. of Adelaide South Australia by MacDermott Marshall - Soldiers Great Britain Biography; Immigrants Australia Biography; MacDermott Marshall -1877

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A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE LONG AND VARIED CAREER OF Marshall MacDermott ESQ., J.P., OF ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

WRITTEN SOLELY FOR PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION AMONGST RELATIVES AND SPECIAL FRIENDS.

ADELAIDE: WILLIAM KYFFIN THOMAS, PRINTER, GRENFELL-STREET.

A BRIEF SKETCH

OF THE

LONG AND VARIED CAREER

OF

Marshall MacDermott, Esq., J.P.

OF ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

During the voyage from Halifax, the convoy, including a large fleet of transports, encountered a "white squall," which only lasted about fifteen minutes. From the fury of the tempest the sea could not rise; it was smooth as a table, but covered with a dense white foam. The fleet had been carrying a press of sail, especially the dull sailors; when, like a clap of thunder, it was suddenly thrown on its beam ends. Sails were torn into ribbons and small spars and wreck were flying in all directions. Heavy rains then descended, followed by a dead calm, when an enormous sea arose--ships on the crest of the waves, finding others in the gulph below them under no control, and in imminent danger of crushing each other. Damages were repaired, and without any serious losses the fleet proceeded on its voyage.

The united force sailed from Barbadoes for Martinique, accompanied by the West India squadron, commanded by Sir Alexander Cochrane, who took up a position with the West Indian Division of Troops outside of Port Royal Harbour, on the west side of the island. The North American Division landed at Bay Robert, on the east side, and after two days' sharp fighting drove the French force, consisting of four regiments of the line and about 11,000 Militia, across the island, when they took refuge in the strong fortress of Fort Bourbon, disbanding their Militia. On this occasion I had the honour of carrying the King's colours of my regiment.

The siege of the fortress, armed with over 200 pieces of heavy ordnance, then commenced. The 8th Regiment was placed in position along a range of hills facing the fort, being a coffee plantation, forming part of the estate of the Empress Josephine of France. The ground had been recently broken up, and there being no tents, the heavy tropical rains severely tested the constitutions of the soldiers, who left their moulds in the loose earth on rising each following morning.

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