Journal of events & minutes of particular evidence relating to the late expedition against Rochefort &c & the subsequent Courts of Enquiry

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[3] A Journal of Events & Minutes of Paricular Evidence relating to the late Expedition against Rochefort &c. & the Subsequent Courts of Enquiry

1757 July 16th First learnt by a Letter from my Father that the new Ministry were pretty well resolv'd on a bold aggresive step aginst the French Coast - based on a plan formulated by a Scots Officer (Capt Clarke) who was closely acquainted wh. the Country about Rochefort. 18th Inform'd privately that the Land Command had been given to Ld. George Sackville wh. 10 Regt's & the Fleet - 17 Ships of the Line besides frigates fire = ships &c, to Admiral Sir E. Hawke. Ld. George declining, Sir J. Mordaunt

July 19th is appointed - wh. Conway & Cornwall 2nd & 3rd as a result I am offer'd the Post of 2n. Mn. Gen'l. Inform'd that the whole affair is to be executed wh. the utmost despatch. 21st Receiv'd my app't from Ld. Lyons 26th Report'd to the Comm'dr in Chief Aug 3'd Took up quarters at Newport in the I. of Wight. 5th Instructions rec'd by Sir J. Mordaunt wh. sealed ditto to Conway & Cornwall & the admirals - 11th Lengthy conference wh. the Gen'ls about transports - none of which yet in sight - also about suppt's great prevalence of deserters - 23 Transplant difficulties settled - Mr. Thame's demands of 1 ton 1/2 a man virtually agreed to. Much trouble over an insuffiency of flour have 14 days provisions only - confer. wh. Cochburne.

Sept 6th Embark'd on board the Ramillies wh. my unclear weary but in spirits - The men having had to march 5 miles wh. baggage & to row above a mile out to the transport - Naval arrange'ts highly confus'd - a bad augury.

8th Set sail - but most unluckily meet wh. contrary winds on the

10th Follow'd by foggs & calms, so that, in spite of all our seal & prayers & this mtg's? instructions we lost a good ten days in the Bay of Biscay & only made land on the

20th Off the Isle unclear. Enemy ship chased as far as Bordeaux.

21st Orders issued by the Admiral for the whole fleet to anchor in Basque Roads from whence we can make an attack on either of the islands within the Pertuis d'Antioche - Admiral Knowles made his despositions accordingly & was leading the fleet through the Straight when the wind changed & we were forced to stand out again -

Sept 22'd All day at anchor between the unclear of Rtpé? & Oberon waiting for the wind Can see the Isle of Aix quite plainly some dozen miles off. In consequence of these delaus the emeny appris'd our exact force & intentions & is thus given time to prepare. Gunes fired all along the Coast last night & tonight & all day smoke signal? We are quite helpless in a calm

23rd This day something done at last? from daybreak we cou'd see all unclear shoar people busy throwing up unclear entrenchments to foil the landing now resolved upon - The "unclear "Achilles" & a fire-ship send to burn a French war vessel behind the Isla of Aix, while 5 of our ships led by Capt. Howe in the "Magnanime" order'd to take the fort on the I. of Aix. This operation was executed in fine style? & wh. such vivacity that in 30? minutes the garrison struck, &