Pique was obliged to depart for Jamaica, on account of having damaged her rudder.
About 30 of the Hercule’s marines were Poles, part of the prisoners taken at Cape François, and who had been allowed to enter the British service. On the 24th Feb., these men evinced so clear an intention of going over to the enemy, that they were obliged to be sent on board their ship with all haste. The re-embarkation of the whole remaining force could now no longer be delayed; and on the 25th, by 9 P.M. every person had quitted the shore, except two small parties under Lieutenant John B. Hills and the subject of this memoir; the former left to destroy fort Piscadero, the latter remaining behind to cover the retreat from his own batteries and head quarters. After continuing there about three quarters of an hour, without receiving any annoyance from the enemy. Lieutenant Willoughby joined his brother officer, assisted at the demolition of the works, and embarked with him in the same boat, at 11 P.M.
According to the official returns, the loss of the British, in the different skirmishes that had taken place, amounted to 18 killed and 42 wounded; but many other men, not reported in the latter list, were obliged to be embarked from time to time, in consequence of the ulceration of bruises and slight wounds, which when first received were considered unworthy of notice: the circumstances under which Lieutenant Samuel Perrot, R.M., lost an arm, are so extraordinary as to be worthy a recital.
During the 25 days that the advanced post was held by the British, Lieutenant Willoughby frequently took his meals in an exposed situation, but not, as Mr. James says, sitting in a chair upon the breast-work of the battery. “The earth was ploughed up all around, and one man, we believe, was killed close to the spot; but still the table and chair, and the daring officer who sat there, remained untouched.” One afternoon, Mr. Perrot was induced to occupy Lieutenant Willoughby’s usual seat; but “scarcely had he done so, when a shot came, took off his left arm, badly wounded the knee upon which it had been resting, and knocked the table to
