BIB_ID
378698
Accession number
MA 2909.9
Creator
Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, 1767-1820.
Display Date
[1803] Jan. 10.
Credit line
Purchased as the gift of Douglas C. Ewing, 1972.
Description
1 item (15 p.) ; 23.3 cm
Notes
At top of page: "Extract from H.R.H.'s letter dated Gibraltar, 10th January."
Endorsed: "Discontents at Gibraltar 24 & 25 Decr. 1802."
Part of a collection of letters from Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, to Colonel Frederick Augustus Wetherall. Items in the collection are described in separate records; see MA 2909 for details.
Watermark: post-horn in an escutcheon surmounted by a crown, "G.R. 1794" below.
Endorsed: "Discontents at Gibraltar 24 & 25 Decr. 1802."
Part of a collection of letters from Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, to Colonel Frederick Augustus Wetherall. Items in the collection are described in separate records; see MA 2909 for details.
Watermark: post-horn in an escutcheon surmounted by a crown, "G.R. 1794" below.
Summary
Describing the mutiny of "the men of [his] 2nd batt[alio]n; remarking that they had no suspicion this event was going to occur; explaining how the mutiny was quelled and how the mutineers were compelled to promise "unconditional submission to Genl. Barnett"; reporting that during the mutiny the men were fired upon and five were injured; noting that "some of the most desperate characters" attacked his officer Robertson in the street; commenting on a second mutinous "riot" on Christmas day that "proceeded entirely from Intoxication," during which "two of the Rioters [were] killed"; writing that he forced the men to give up the ringleaders and put those mutineers on trial "before a Genl. Court Martial, the result of which was, that all except two were sentenced to be shot"; adding that he "singled out 3 of the very worst, who suffered in the presence of the whole Garrison on the 4th inst.," and had the others sent to England "to be disposed of as His Majesty shall think fit"; speculating that the soldiers were discontented because of the officers; writing, "I do not mean ... to Convey that there was any appearance of Disloyalty or Disaffection to the King or Constitution, but to me personally, a very strong disaffection, and being the Person, who made the change, from what they termed General O'Hara's regulations, which admitted ... of Drunkenness and every kind of debauchery ... the moment the men were not on Guard: which is self evident, as the whole cry of the men was 'No Drills! O'Hara's rules'"; worrying about "the illiberal manner in which ... this business will be taken up by [his] Enemies at Home"; adding, "it is a very cruel and heart breaking thing for me, to live in the conviction that I am compelled to command a set of men who execrate me because I do my duty, and, that to gain their good wills, I must do that which I cannot answer to myself for -- under such an impression of mind, you will not wonder if I am anxious to get away from this, at the expiration of my twelvemonth."
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