On the 22d Nov., 1777, our officer was promoted to the rank of Post-Captain, by Lord Howe, for his conduct at the capture of Mud Island, in North America, which was considered at the time a most important service[1]. In the early part of May, 1778, Captain Henry was detached by his Lordship, with a flotilla consisting of several gallies, schooners, and gun-boats, to co-operate with a detachment of light infantry, under the command of Major Maitland, who were embarked in eighteen flat boats, for the purpose of attacking the enemy’s ships which were lying in the Chesapeake, between Philadelphia and Trenton. On this occasion, the following American vessels were destroyed: Washington, pierced for 32 guns; Effingham, ditto for 28; three mounting 16 guns each; three of 10 guns each; nine large merchant ships; twenty-three brigs, and a number of schooners and sloops.
In Sept. and Oct. 1779, Captain Henry, who had previously been appointed to the Fowey, of 20 guns, greatly distinguished himself in the command of the naval force stationed at Savannah, consisting of three ships of 20 guns each, one brig of 12 guns, two armed ships, four gallies, and seven half gallies. On the 9th of the former month, the Count d’Estaing anchored with nineteen sail of the line, two ships of 54 guns each, seven frigates, a corvette, and a number of transports, off the bar, at the mouth of the river. This armament was intended for the reduction of Georgia.
As soon as the French troops were landed, and a junction formed with those of America from Charlestown, under
- ↑ See Retired Captain Sir Andrew Snape Hamond.
fit for sea; two on the stocks, which were burnt by our people, and three others were sunk at the entrance of the harbour, with a large galleon. This important conquest was not acquired without a considerable loss on the part of the British; the killed, wounded, missing, and those who died by sickness, which raged to a great degree, during and after the siege, amounted to above 1790 officers and men, exclusive of those who fell a sacrifice to the unwholesomeness of the climate on board the fleet.
The courts of France and Spain, intimidated by this blow, which laid all their settlements in the West Indies at the mercy of Britain, entered immediately on negotiations for peace, which they obtained on easier terms than the great success of the British arms in every quarter of the globe might seem to justify.
