Historical Notes

Historical Notes for November 29

The Storming of Dorsetshire Hill (This is taken from historian E.L. Joseph’s only novel Warner Arundell – The Adventures of a Creole, published in 1838)

This is a novel and represents the spin that the author did on what happened at Dorsetshire Hill in 1795. The authors of the introduction to the 2001 edition note, however, “As many of the characters… were based on realfigures, openly or thinly disguised, the book caused a sensation on its publication.”{{more}}

“The Hawk having been refitted we embarked, and stood out of Admiralty Bay to cross the channel to St.Vincent…Mr. Allardice of Canaan was on board and entered into conversation with the commander on the subject of the late Caraibe war in St.Vincent as both had been actively employed in that affair…they spoke of many events and anecdotes that each, and sometimes both, had been concerned in…One of those… was the taking and retaking of Dorsetshire Hill.

…It was midnight- the Hawk was anchored off Fort Charlotte and I was waiting on the governor for orders; when his son, Colonel Seton, rushed into the room panting for want of breath…’Dorsetshire Hill is taken.’ “What! Dorsetshire Hill taken by a set of undisciplined savages; while a son of mine, with a regular force, had the charge of it!..’

At this juncture I ventured to speak to him; ‘Merely’, said I ‘to ask your Excellency’s permission to allow me to join Colonel Seton with the seamen of the Hawk; we may be of some use to him…With the permission of young Seton, I led the way, we having a negro guide before us…we expected to meet a sentry on the lookout but the devil a man did we meet. The fact is, the Caraibes and brigands after the capture of the post found a large cargo of spirits stowed away…and were as merry and groggy as tars at Portsmouth Point…We could hear their songs and laughter a mile off…

We passed without noise into the fort, and surprised the enemy in the midst of their carousal. It was no fight – it was a mere regular slaughter; and in a few moments the fort was cleared of the enemy. As day appeared, we hoisted the colours of Old England on the flagstaff; and as the morning-breeze fanned the ensign of St.George, we hailed it with three cheers, which were replied to from below by the inhabitants of King(s)town…”