by Roy Adkins
Three weeks later, Mawhood’s belongings were sold, which was a customary way of raising money for any widow and children. It took two days to complete the sale, and Mrs Green was amazed at the price everything fetched. ‘It is astonishing how the books and any article sold,’ she added, ‘merely it would appear as if it was because they had been Colonel Mawhoods! NB The Governor and General Boyd had been allowed to take their first choice of books. The Governor also thought fit to take all the maps. They were good ones.’34
The day before Mawhood died, two young officers had attempted to settle a quarrel with a duel, out on the isthmus: ‘Mr Stephens of 39th and Mr Johnson of 56th,’ Mrs Green wrote, ‘went out to the windmills in order to settle an idle business, merely the effects of their being young men. They were parted, and the affair is to be settled by commanding officers.’ It was not settled, because the next day, ‘The same two young gentlemen that went out yesterday went out again this morning, attended by seconds. Mr Stephens’ pistol shot away three of Mr Johnson’s waistcoat buttons and part of his shirt but did not hurt him.’35 Another quarrel was to have far-reaching consequences. In the last few days when Mawhood clung to life, Lieutenant-Colonel Ross seemed set on destroying his own career. Barely forty-eight hours after hosting his magnificent dinner, he turned up to the 39th Regiment on the Grand Parade in a frenzied state, perhaps triggered by the violently hot weather. Mrs Green heard what happened:
The Lt Col, Colonel Ross, went there under a visible agitation, and after the Regiment was drawn up, he asked if General Boyd as commanding officer of the 39th was upon the Parade. He was told not. He then ordered the articles to be read, after which to the surprize of everybody, addressed the officers and soldiers, talking first of the true meaning of those articles and afterwards attacking the Colonel of the 39th, calling him Bob Boyd, and the Regiment the Storekeepers Regiment, and said a vast deal tending to hurt General Boyd in the eyes of the men; and he also ordered the Adjutant [Horsbrugh] to tell the General all he had been saying! but as he declined it, one of the General’s aid de camps did. It is supposed this will occasion much confusion.36
To denigrate a senior officer in front of the men was extraordinary, seditious behaviour, and Ross was placed under arrest by the very man he had insulted, Robert Boyd. A court-martial began on 29 August in front of Colonel Green as president and several other senior officers, and Mrs Green related what she had learned about the charge: ‘It was that Colonel Ross had spoken disrespectfully of General Boyd at the head of the Regiment and had shewn an intention to hurt the general in the eyes of the officers and soldiers of the regiment, as his discourse tended to that purpose. I may not be exact as to the words, but the above is the substance. NB It was by everybody thought a very mild charge, all things considered.’37
Ross pleaded not guilty, and on the third day of the trial, she said, he tried to justify his behaviour:
he did not mean to depreciate General Boyd ‘but only to put him to his true standard, just as we do to good or base metal ...’ The above and many other such like speeches he made. He very freely and openly confessed that he had said all and everything which had been mentioned by all General Boyd’s evidences, such as having called the General ‘Bob Boyd’, for he knew the General was a man of humour and liked to be free with his superiors. Nor could he conceive any harm in calling the 39th the Storekeepers Regiment, as everybody knew General Boyd had been a storekeeper.38
Ross was found guilty and sentenced to a suspension of twelve months from rank and pay and banned from serving in the 39th Regiment. For a common soldier, the punishment would most likely have been a severe flogging, but officers were treated differently. The members of the court-martial were not happy when Eliott interfered and reduced the sentence to a suspension of three months. Ross remained steadfastly aggrieved and even considered the reduced punishment to be severe. ‘So I hear do others in the Garrison,’ added Mrs Green, ‘but in general it is all those of a certain set who are partial to their country man.’39 She was referring to the large number of officers who, like Ross, came from Scotland. Although her husband’s mother was Scottish, his own birthplace was London, while she came from Portsmouth.
During the very hot summer of 1780, more rank-and-file soldiers made attempts to desert to the Spanish side, a few successfully, though others were caught, tried and punished, as on 8 September when ‘A man of 39th received 300 lashes upon the Grand Parade this morning for attempting to desert. In the course of last night, 2 men of 56th deserted.’ What the deserters failed to realise was that the Spanish camp was in a poor state, badly affected by illness and hunger, because it was proving so difficult to bring in provisions for the thousands of troops there, already more than twice the number on Gibraltar. The most recent deserters from Spain had said that ‘They were very sickly in Camp, and all the hospitals at St Roque, Algaziras and all the adjacent villages full. Their bread bad and other provisions scarce, most of the wells being dried up. The cavalry much out of order, many of the horses dead.’40
The cattle roaming the Spanish hillsides at the start of the siege had long since disappeared, and Ancell lamented: ‘O! how should we triumph to sweep their camp and coast of men and cruizers, that have so long prevented our receiving refreshing and agreeable supplies: We long to visit the Common, at the foot of St. Roque, to clear the ground of marquees, tents, huts and sheds, and to let nothing remain but the herbage for the cattle.41
CHAPTER TEN
SCURVY
In September 1780 it looked as if Spain was close to starving Gibraltar into submission, because scurvy began to have a terrible effect. ‘The blockade was,’ Drinkwater said,
if possible, more strict and vigilant than before. Chains of small cruisers were stationed across the Straits; at the entrance of the Bay; and on every side of the rock; and the late disagreeable intelligence from Tangier seemed now confirmed, by our having never heard from that quarter during the month. What little assistance we therefore received, came from Minorca, but the supplies from that place were so trifling, and sold at such enormous prices, that few were able to purchase them. We had not been favoured with a cargo of cattle for a long period, and the scurvy began to gain considerable ascendency over the efforts of our surgeons.1
The reasons for scurvy were not fully understood, nor the cure, and some believed that fresh meat was a solution. Newspapers frequently carried advertisements offering potions that claimed to cure all manner of ailments, including scurvy. In the same week that Drinkwater was expressing his concerns, a typical advertisement appeared in the Stamford Mercury:
DR. ANDERSON’S only genuine SCOTS PILLS are prepared by the sole Proprietor, JAMES INGLISH, at the Unicorn, No. 165, opposite the New Church in the Strand, London. More than 150 Years Experience has proved this Medicine to be extremely useful in Disorders of the Stomach and Bowels, particularly in Bilious and Dropsical Complaints, Indigestion, after hard Drinking, Surfeits, Want of Appetite or Sleep, Rheumatism, Gravel, and all Obstructions. Worms cannot breed in the Bodies of those who frequently take this Medicine. One or two Pills taken twice a Week, or oftener, will prevent the Scurvy. It will keep its Virtues many Years, and in all Climates; is therefore the best Medicine for Seafaring People.2
Scurvy was a non-infectious dietary disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C. Just as deadly as smallpox, it was very much a disease of sailors confined on board ship, who had scant access to fresh fruit and vegetables – just like being on Gibraltar during the siege. Those succumbing to scurvy gradually experienced a lack of energy. The small blood vessels would weaken, causing haemorrhages in any part of the body. Bleeding often began around the hair follicles (particularly on arms and legs) and then the gums, followed by loose teeth, foul breath, constant pain in joints and muscles and the opening up of old wounds. Anyone with injuries, such as bruises and fractured bones, failed to recover. On the skin, haemorrhages caused purple patches to develop that eventually turned blac
k, and patients became utterly weak and eventually died.
Drinkwater said that the condition of the soldiers was grim: ‘The scurvy had made dreadful ravages in our hospitals, and more were daily confined. Many, however, unwilling to yield to the first attacks, persevered in their duty to its more advanced stages. It was therefore not uncommon at this period, to see men, who some months before were hale and equal to any fatigue, supporting themselves to their posts upon crutches, and even with that assistance scarcely able to move along.’3 Andrew Cairncross, the surgeon of the 73rd Regiment, whose men had earlier been ravaged by typhus and smallpox, saw the scale of the problem:
The scurvy which attacked the Garrison of Gibraltar differed in no respect from that disease usually contracted by sailors in long voyages; and of which the immediate cause seemed to be the subsisting for a length of time upon salted provisions only, without a sufficient quantity of vegetables, or other acescent foods. The circumstance related in the voyage of that celebrated circum-navigator, the late Lord Anson, of consolidated fractures disuniting, and the callosity of the bone being perfectly dissolved, occurred frequently in our hospitals; and old sores and wounds opened anew from the nature of the disorder. Various antiscorbutics were used without success, such as acid of vitriol, sour crout, extract of malt, essence of spruce, &c ... Women and children were equally affected, nor were the officers exempted from this alarming distemper. It became almost general at the commencement of the winter season, owing to the cold and moisture.4
Mrs Upton was especially fearful for her baby daughter, who was born at the start of the siege: ‘I was in continual dread of the scurvy; and my beloved Charlotte, who I have suckled for fifteen months past, will, I am much afraid, feel the effects of my unwholesome diet as long as she lives. Yet, what could I do? My husband’s pay, though a lieutenant, would not purchase milk for my children! The “silken sons of ease” in England know not what the army have endured in Gibraltar!’5 Several soldiers’ wives made the difficult decision to return to England with their children, setting sail on board two transport ships in the darkness of the early hours of 26 September. Gun fire was heard, and a few days later the same vessels were seen being taken into Algeziras, after having been captured. One of the women was Mrs Elizabeth Gledstanes, wife of Colonel Gledstanes of the 72nd Regiment, who had himself gone home in June because of illness. The next day, her friend Mrs Green wrote:
We are now certain that it is the vessel with Mrs Gledstanes on board and another [vessel] ... Mrs Gledstanes, her 5 children &c was plainly seen through our glasses this morning, as the Enemy was removing her from the ships. Everybody is greatly concerned for her. She took a letter from our Governor desiring if she should be taken, the Spaniards would forward her and family to Faro or to Lisbon, informing them that she was a field officer’s wife who was gone to England on account of bad health. We all hope such a letter will lead Barcelo to shew proper attention to her and send her to Cadiz rather than back into this wretched garrison.6
The Gledstanes had married in about 1768, and Mrs Gledstanes had so far given birth to eight children – a daughter in Dublin in 1769, and the rest in Gibraltar from 1771, though the first three tragically died.7 She was now returning home with Eliza aged eleven, Susanna aged five, George aged four, Charlotte aged two and one-year-old Ann. Mrs Green learned that two other transport vessels were taken the following night, with several officers on board, ‘such as have of late sold out of the regiments in this garrison, in particular Mr Gregory of the 58th and Mr Cook of the 56th’.8
The capture of these transport vessels was a small incident compared to the huge capture of vessels that had occurred in early August, though Mrs Green only heard definite news at the end of September: ‘A deserter came in this morning ... He brings a confirmation of the enemy having taken our West India convoy and that there are 59 [actually 55] vessels now in Cadiz. The men of war that was [escorting] the convoy are got away, we hear.’9 French and Spanish warships from Cadiz under the command of Admiral Cordoba had intercepted a huge convoy sailing from England to the West Indies and America. Fifty-five out of sixty-three vessels were captured, with their cargoes and thousands of crew, though the five escorting warships commanded by Captain John Moutray escaped. For Britain, it was the greatest disaster of the American War of Independence so far.
The women, children and invalids from the captured transports that had sailed from Gibraltar were quickly returned to the garrison, but the seamen were kept, and Mrs Green was relieved to learn that ‘Admiral Barcelo is exceedingly polite to Mrs Gledstanes’. She and her family were allowed to stay at Algeciras until an answer came from Madrid and were eventually permitted to go to Cadiz. One soldier commented on the seamen being kept: ‘I do not think they act conformable to the spirit of their agreement with Admiral Rodney. By the last settlement, St. Roque [the headquarters] remained debtor to Gibraltar three hundred prisoners.’ Ancell was perplexed: ‘What the Spaniards mean by this is not known. If they mean to starve us into a surrender, they should send every man they take prisoner. For the more we have to maintain, the sooner will our provisions be consumed.’10
Incredibly, salt fish was still being distributed to soldiers, with the garrison orders for 8 October 1780 stating: ‘The men to receive to-morrow, two pound of salt fish, one ditto of pork, and half a pound of beef’, but Ancell thought that much of it was rotten, particularly the salt fish, while ‘the wheat delivered to the troops is of no service, as the inside is destroyed by insects, and only the integument remaining’. Two weeks later, to the great relief of the garrison, the supply of salt fish finally ran out.11
Even so, Mrs Upton was surprised that the men were willing to accept the rations: ‘Each man’s allowance of meat was reduced to a pound and a half a week, and such meat! – the dogs in England would have turned from it in disgust! But it was not all in that putrid condition, for some of the pork was very good.’ Mrs Green agreed: ‘The beef is exceedingly bad, quite stinking. It seems to hurt everybody. The troops are far from well; and to a certainty are very weak and greatly fallen off in their strength and likewise in their spirits.’ If the meat was cooked properly, they could have avoided being sick, but she was concerned that fuel was in short supply. ‘The great want now seems firing [fuel]. There is plenty of flour thank God, but the wood is so scarce that the bakers are not allowed enough to bake as much as formerly. The poor women and children are round the bakers’ doors every morning, in vain, waiting with their money. It is hard upon those people.’12
From late September, Mrs Green had also felt unwell once more: ‘Find I am growing much indisposed and am fearful it will increase. Quite lame.’ Two weeks later, she wrote: ‘In the course of last night I was taken violently ill, with a dreadful pain in my leg, attended with a fever. Continued in bed all day’, while the next day she felt ‘Worse than before, grew so bad that Dr Baynes was obliged to bleed me on Saturday evening. Not able to be taken out of bed.’ Her condition deteriorated, and a few days later, on 10 October, she was particularly low: ‘My spirits exceedingly bad and not to be wondered. Disappointed in many things, particularly Dr Baynes. NB I am totally left to myself now.’13 She was very loyal to her husband and yet gives the impression from comments like these of being extremely unhappy.
Every small cargo that arrived was good news, and the day after, the 11th, one cargo provided an almost miraculous remedy for scurvy. While boats from Gibraltar were waiting in the thick fog to escort two merchant vessels from Minorca into the bay, a large Dutch convoy was seen approaching from the Mediterranean. One Danish vessel, the Vrow Helena, sailed too close to the Rock and was captured. Denmark was a member of the League of Armed Neutrality, an alliance that had been formed with Russia and Sweden to protect their neutral shipping during the American War of Independence, particularly because Britain was trying to prevent supplies from the Baltic reaching the rebels in America. Dutch ships were the main carriers of this trade, and, two months after the
Vrow Helena was taken, in December, Britain declared war on the Netherlands just before they too joined the Armed Neutrality, so that their shipping could now be legally captured. This left Portugal as Britain’s only ally in Europe, so that Gibraltar was very isolated.
Eliott purchased the cargo of the Vrow Helena, because it was so valuable – oranges and lemons, as well as figs and raisins. He then offered to sell it to various sections of the garrison, to which Captain Patrick Leslie responded that he ‘would be glad to receive from the Danish fleet, for the use of the Naval department, including the Hospital, one hundred barrels of raisins, and fifty chests of lemons and oranges, for which any settlement shall be made, as you shall think proper to direct, for the amount of the same’.14 High doses of vitamin C, especially from lemons, can stop the bleeding caused by scurvy within a day or two, and so, just when it looked as if the garrison would capitulate, this stroke of luck meant that the desperately sick rapidly recovered. Drinkwater was amazed: ‘The salutary effects were almost instantaneous: in a few days, men who had been considered as irrecoverable, left their beds to congratulate their comrades on the prospect of once more becoming useful to their country.’15
