life into any notice, and therefore making his exit from military scenes, he hastens to close his unassuming work. It might be thought the writer ought to offer some account of his subsequent life. He is sensible the humble path of laborious obscurity in which he has proceeded since he ceased to be a Soldier, carries forward little but unimportant features, and nothing to give it a due value for Public perusal. War, however dreadful, throws a degree of interest on this Memoir.-Peace, although truly amiable in appearance, is too silent and sedentary to attract the curiosity of inquisitive human beings. The battles of York-Town, in Virginia, put a period to the Author's military labours. In 1783, he sailed from Sandy-hook, and after a safe passage arrived at Portsmouth. He obtained his discharge at Winchester, and revisited Ireland, where he was affectionately received by an aged mother and a few kind relatives. He then had to take counsel about a line of living to earn a subsistence; such is generally the result of a military life. He chose to be◄ come a School-Master; an arduous occupation, which has enabled him for upwards of twenty-six years, to provide for, and educate a growing family, the source of satisfaction and solicitude. He was discharged without the pension* usually given for past services, and being frequently advised by his friends to apply for it, in 1809, (twentyfive years after receiving his discharge) he memorialed His Royal Highness the Duke of York, and was graciously favoured by an immediate compliance with the Prayer of his Petition. He submits the Memorial and its Answer, in gratitude to the illustrious individual, who so promptly condescended to notice it as he did. * See Author's Journal of the American War, page 435. Dublin, January 7, 1809. "To His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces; the Memorial of R. Lamb, late Serjeant in the Royal Welch Fuzileers, HUMBLY SHEWETH, "THAT Memorialist served in the Army twelve years, in the 9th and 23d Regiments of Foot, eight years of which was in America; under the command of Generals Burgoyne and Cornwallis; during which time he was in Six pitched Battles, Four Sieges, several important Expeditions, was twice taken prisoner, and as often made his escape to the British Army; viz. First, in 1778, when prisoner with General Burgoyne's Army, he escaped, with two men, whom he brought with him to General Sir Henry Clinton, at New-York; Secondly, in 1782, when taken with Lord Cornwallis's Army, he eluded the vigilance of the American guards, and conducted under his command, seven men to Sir Guy Carleton, the then Commander in Chief in said City, to both of whom he gave most important Intelligence respecting the enemy's Army, for which Service he was appointed by General Birch, then commandant of the City, his first Clerk, and Adjutant to the Merchants' Corps of Volunteers there. "That in the battle of Camden, in South Carolina, he had the honour of carrying the Regimental Colours, and immediately after was appointed temporary Surgeon to the Regiment, having had some little knowledge of physic, and received the approba tion of all his Officers for his care of the sick and wounded. "That at the battle of Guilford Court-House, in North Carolina; he had the heartfelt pleasure of saving Lord Cornwallis from being taken prisoner, and begs leave with profound de ference to state, that he was always chosen one of the first Serjeants to execute any enterprize that required intrepidity, decision, and judgment for its accomplishment. "That Memorialist being now far advanced in life, humbly solicits your Royal Highness to recommend him for a military pension, which would smooth his declining years, and be most gratefully received as a remuneration for the many times he has risked his life and limbs in his Majesty's service. "That for the truth of these facts, be most humbly refers to General II. Calvert and Colonel Makeuzie.” To which Memorial the following Answer was received. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE. "The Adjutant-General informs Serjeant Roger Lamb, that the usual Authority has been given by the Secretary at War, for placing him upon the Out Pension of Chelsea Hospital, dispensing with his personal appearance before the Board:" Horse-Guards, 25th Jan. 1809. In putting a period to his memoir, the author would offer an appropriate reflection, which presses itself from the aspect of the times. The American struggle became a terrible prelude to the recent visscissitudes and existing troubles of Europe. France, our constant rival and enemy, contrary to the antient established faith of nations, added fuel to the flame of civil war beyond the Atlantic, and the issue of it brought the consuming blaze of re volution among the French at home. The revolutionary tide, like the lava of a volcano, rolled out over the neighbouring States. From the efforts of Great Britain to stop its destroying progress, the British islands are aimed at, as the chief objects/ upon which the able individual, who lifted himself up as Ruler of France, and controuler of the Continent, would pour his artillery and fury. But our insular fortifications, which may be intitled the embraces of HIM, who laid the foundations of the terraqueous globe, are about us to repel the aggression of invadi ers. In short, nothing save what is called civil disturbance, cant open inroads for invasion in these countries. In various cases and views we appear peculiarly favoured of heaven, which should be appreciated duly by all our people. A new reign is about to commence, and it is hoped it will become conspicuous for wise and salutary counsels, and at the same time carry forward the glory, ability, and honourable prowess, which so evidently cha racterized our gracious Sovereign's sceptre, who will shortly rest from the cares of a terrestrial crown, we trust, to receive an incorruptible one in a better country. A characteristic of vital excellence belongs to these countries, which ought not to be passed ́in silence, viz. religious liberty, and knowledge, of which the British isles are the favourite soil. From the British islands, the North American States derived their honour as a people, and, what is more excellent beyond comparison, their light as christians. From the British islands, at present the whole earth is in the progress of being enlightened by "the sun of righteousness,” which it is not improper to say is, under Providence, confided to the British, in order to shed its healing brightness to the extremest isles, and the ends of the world! British Missionaries are now travelling and preaching the everlasting gospel, it may be said, in all lands, and not only so, but translating Holy Writ in their own languages to men of all complexions and descriptions, however distant in local situation, and differenced by the usages of civil and savage life, or by meridians and manners. The British Missionary's labour of love embraces the Hindoo, Mahomedan, Ethiopian, African and Indian; in a word, the British Missionary's efforts are bounded merely by the limits of the earth! It is calculated with certainty, that the Holy Scriptures have been lately translated in more than fifty tongues, to emancipate from the bondage of gross darkness, tribes and na. tions of ignorant and degraded human beings! This work of real liberty and light is done by British subjects, and a people so divinely selected to accomplish the scheme of a merciful Providence, cannot be devoted as a prostrate province to that upstart domination, which after all, it would seem, has been permitted of God to put down the mighty from their seats, in order to facilitate the fall of antichrist, and the idolatry of the earth! To esti. mate the character of our country in this consoling manner, should inspire our people with pious confidence, and also argue with them to leave domestic discord and partial affections. To such true prosperity, the Author often looked in making and publishing his Memoir, and if it should tend to awaken a sentiment of corresponding energy and integrity in the breasts of any of his readers, he shall not lose his labour as a writer. He shall have his reward" if he can be numbered among the writers who gave ardour to virtue, and confidence to truth." FREE-SCHOOL, WHITEFRIAR-STREET, February, 1812. FINIS. INDEX. Author's Parentage, and Inclination for a sea-faring life, 6-7 Gibbets, tries to dissuade him from going to sea, 34 61 66 Falls into bad company and snares in Waterford, 72 80 made Corporal by Lord Ligoneer the Colonel, ib. Voyage to North America, regimen on board, 109–113 181 British Army embarks at St. John's to cross Lake Champlain, 166 Battles and Skirmishes of General Burgoyne's Army, British Army Surrenders at Saratoga, 190 230 |