their success, which induced me to proceed from this country for the purpose of sharing their dangers and fortune; but it will be obvious that the abstract justice of the Independent cause, or probability, if not certainty, of its ultimate triumph, are utterly distinct from the question; how far it is judicious for British subjects to take an active part in this sanguinary contest? My anxiety is to warn my countrymen of the fallacy of those hopes they have been led to entertain; to explain to them the true character of the enterprise, the estimation in which their services will be held, and the imminent hazard they must inevitably encounter from the jealousy of the natives. Nor should I omit referring to the exterminating and ferocious principle on which the war is carried on; each side being so infuriated against the other by a long train of barbarities and cold-blooded slaughter, as to render it almost necessary

for those who actually engage in the struggle to divest their minds of every feeling of humanity, and prepare themselves to be not only witnesses of, but participators in, acts of the most revolting and indiscriminate brutality.

I will now conclude, referring for a confirmation of the preceding statement, not only to the occurrences narrated in the ensuing Narrative, but likewise to the united testimony of those officers who were either my associates in the expedition to which I was particularly attached, or who, having actually landed on the Spanish Main, have had the good fortune to return in safety to their native country.

PRELIMINARY

OBSERVATIONS.

AS the occurrences detailed in the following pages, relate not exclusively to that particular corps to which I was personally attached, but have likewise frequent reference to various other brigades, raised in England for the same remote service; an account of their respective commanders, strength, equipments, character of service, &c., will not, I trust, be considered superfluous, previous to entering upon the Journal.

Five distinct corps embarked at nearly the same period, for that part of the seat of war in South America, occupied by the Independent General Bolivar.

1st. A Brigade of Artillery under the command of Colonel J. A. Gilmore, consisting of five light six-pounders, and one five-and-half-inch howitzer, ten officers and about eighty non-commissioned officers and men. This corps embarked on board the Britannia, a fine ship of about four hundred tons burden, commanded by Captain Sharpe, with a crew of twenty-one able and well-conducted seamen. An immense quantity of every description of military stores had been stowed on board this vessel, com

1

prising arms, ammunition, clothing, waggons, and, in fact, every requisite for ena- · bling the brigade to enter upon active service immediately on arriving at its place of destination.

The uniforms and equipments of the officers were extremely rich, very similar to those of the British Artillery, and provided altogether at the expense of the individuals who had accepted commissions in

The equipments

this ill-fated expedition. of the other corps were likewise in every respect extensive and complete, and the uniforms remarkably rich and costly, more especially in the regiment commanded by Colonel Wilson, one of whose officers informed me that his outfit amounted to upwards of two hundred guineas.

2d.. A corps of hussars (called the First Venezuelan Hussars) under the command of Colonel Hippesley, consisting of about thirty officers, and one hundred and sixty non-commissioned officers and men; uniform dark-green faced with red. This corps embarked on board the Emerald, a beautiful ship of about five hundred tons, commanded by Captain Weatherly, with a crew of upwards of thirty men and boys.

3d. A regiment of cavalry (called the Red Hussars) under the command of Colonel Wilson, consisting of about twenty officers,