Admiral Boscawen's Campaign in the East Indies 1747-1748

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Admiral Edward Boscawen, (19 August 1711 – 10 January 1761) was an Admiral in the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament for the borough of Truro, Cornwall. He is known principally for his various naval commands during the 18th century and the engagements that he won, including the Siege of Louisburg in 1758 and Battle of Lagos in 1759. He is also remembered as the officer who signed the warrant authorising the execution of Admiral John Byng in 1757, for failing to engage the enemy at the Battle of Minorca (1756). In his political role, he served as a Member of Parliament for Truro from 1742 until his death although due to almost constant naval employment he seems not to have been particularly active. He also served as one of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty on the Board of Admiralty from 1751 and as a member of the Privy Council from 1758 until his death in 1761.

Boscawen was promoted rear-admiral of the blue on 15 July 1747 and was appointed to command a joint operation being sent to the East Indies. With his flag in the Namur, and with five other line of battleships, a few smaller men of war, and a number of transports Boscawen sailed from England on 4 November 1747. On the outward voyage Boscawen made an abortive attempt to capture Mauritius by surprise but was driven off by French forces. Boscawen continued on arriving at Fort St. David near the town of Cuddalore on 29 July 1748 and took over command from Admiral Griffin. Boscawen had been ordered to capture and destroy the main French settlement in India at Pondichéry. Factors such as Boscawen’s lack of knowledge and experience of land offensives, the failings of the engineers and artillery officers under his command, a lack of secrecy surrounding the operation and the skill of the French governor Joseph François Dupleix combined to thwart the attack. The British forces amounting to some 5,000 men captured and destroyed the outlying fort of Aranciopang. This capture was the only success of the operation and after failing to breach the walls of the city the British forces withdrew. Amongst the combatants were a young ensign Robert Clive, later known as Clive of India and Major Stringer Lawrence, later Commander-in-Chief, India. Lawrence was captured by the French during the retreat and exchanged after the news of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle had reached India. Over the monsoon season Boscawen remained at Fort St David. Fortunately, for the Admiral and his staff, when a storm hit the British outpost Boscawen was ashore but his flagship the Namur went down with over 600 men aboard.

Many Jacobite prisoners held in English goals were pardoned on condition that they enlisted in Admiral Boscawen's force. Large numbers took up the offer. Many died of disease or battle wounds in India and very few ever made in back to Britain.

On 4th October 1747, 38 rebels at Carlisle Castle and 37 at York Castle, who were reported to be fit for service as soldiers, set out from the last place for London under a strong guard. Their ultimate destination was the East Indies, where they were to serve under Admiral Boscawen, who had sent a mounted officer of the independent companies to take charge of them. On the way from Carlisle to York they were strongly solicited to enlist by this officer, but he could only persuade two of them. He rode on, however, to York, where he got most of the prisoners there to consent to become food for powder. Among the Carlisle contingent were Captain James Hay, who was recalled on the way and allowed to return to France with the French troops under Colonel Drummond, the two youths, William Home and Robert Forbes, who refused to join the colours, and lastly, Robert Taylor, who acted as a ringleader in dissuading the Carlisle prisoners from enlisting for service abroad.

Ref:- Jacobite Gleanings Page 46.

List of Prisoners from York who enlisted in Boscawen's force

George Barclay Sixteen year old from Angus. A volunteer in Ogilvy's Regiment. Taken at fall of Carlisle - S.P.D., 79-26, 81-293. Pleaded guilty at trial on 2nd October 1746; was sentenced to death, but reprieved and pardoned on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. - S.P.D., 88-42: Scots Mag., 1746, 483; Patent Roll, 3625, 22.07.1748; P.C., 200.

William Barclay Cabinet maker from Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. Volunteer in Grant's Regiment. Captured at Carlisle. -S.P.D., 81-293. Sentenced to death at trial in York on 2nd October 1746. Reprieved 1st November 1746. In July 1748, he and 72 others were pardoned on condition of enlistment in Boscowen's force. -Macbeth Forbes, 58; Scots Mag., 1746, 543; S.P.D., 88-42: Patent Roll, 3625, 22.07.1748. Gave evidence against a number of other prisoners. - Allardyce, ii. passim.

John Bartlett Cordwainer fro Kellough County Down. -S.P.D., 81-293, 88-42. Volunteer in Manchester's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle. Pleaded guilty at his trial on 8th October 1746 and sentenced to death, but reprieved and pardoned on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -Scots Mag., Oct. '46, 483, 543; P.R., 3625-21; S.P.D., 109-14, 100-65.

George Boyd Servant of Lord Kilmarnock. Pleaded guilty at his trial in York on 2nd October 1746 and was sentenced to death. Reprieved conditionally on enlistment in Boscawen's force. - Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; S.P.D. 88-42; P.R., 3625-21

Peter Campbell Twenty year old labourer from Annandale. Captured at Carlisle. -S.P.D., 79-26, 81-293. Tried in York on 2nd October 1746 and pleaded guilty. Sentenced to death but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 88-42; Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; P.R., 3625-21

James Crichton Twenty-five year old mason from Edinburgh. Volunteer in Glenbucket's Regiment. Captured at Carlisle. -S.P.D., 79-26, 81-88. Pleaded guilty at his trial in York on 2nd October 1746 and was sentenced to death, but reprieved and pardoned on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 88-42; Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; P.R., 3625-21

Daniel Duff From Athole. Volunteer in Ogilvy's Regiment. Captured at Carlisle. -S.P.D., 79-26, 81-88, 81-293. At his trial he pleaded that he was forced to join the regiment. The Court, while recognising that this might have been the case, found there was no evidence of the continuance of that force, and he was sentenced to death but reprieved on condition of transportation. He was pardoned on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 98-43; Allardyce, ii. 434, 542.

John Flint From Berwick. In Glenbucket's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle. - S.P.D., 79-26. Pleaded guilty at his trial on 2nd October 1746 and sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. - Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; S.P.D., 88-42; P.R., 3625-21

John Geddes Livery servant of Lord Ogilvy. Twenty-seven year old from Moray. Farmed a fishery on Spey. - SPD., 86-18, 84-2. At his trial pleaded guilty and sentenced to death. Reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force.

William Grant From Banff. Private in Glenbucket's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle. -S.P.D., 79-25. Pleaded guilty at his trial in York on 2nd October 1746 and sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; S.P.D., 88-42; P.R.. 3625-21

Peter Hay "Taken in actual rebellion". -S.P.D., 81-88. He pleaded guilty at his trial on 2nd October 1746, and was sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543. At his trial three fellow prisoners turned King's evidence against him. - S.P.D., 85-122, 88-42; P.R. 3625-21

William Hay Pleaded guilty at his trial in York on 2nd October 1746 and was sentenced to death, but reprieved and pardoned on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; S.P.D., 88-42; P.R., 3625-21

John James Jelens Frenchman "Taken in actual rebellion". -S.P.D., 81-88. At his trial in York o 2nd October 1746 he was charged with being concerned in plundering Lord Lonsdale's house of Lowther Hall. He pleaded he was a servant of a Dutch officer, but it was ruled that he had acquired a local allegiance to the Crown. Consequently he was sentenced to death. On the day fixed for his execution he was reprieved and pardoned on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -Scots Mag., Oct. 1746, 485; S.P.D., 88-42; P.R. 3625-21

Peter M'Donald Seventeen year old. Pleaded guilty at his trial in York on 2nd October 1746 and was sentenced to death, but later reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; S.P.D., 88-42; P.R., 3625-21

James M'Lachlan From Banff. Volunteer in Glenbucket's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle. -S.P.D., 79-26. At his trial in York on 2nd October 1746 he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to death, but was reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawens force. -Scots Mag., 1746, 483,543; S.P.D., 88-42; P.R., 3625-21

John M'Quin "Taken in actual rebellion". -S.P.D., 81-88. Pleaded guilty at his trial on 2nd October 1746 and was sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 88-42; P.R., 3625-21

James Miller This man wrote a diary, 1745-50. He joined at Manchester and joined the Manchester Regiment. He was captured at the fall of Carlisle, 30th December 1745. After being for some months in Lancaster Prison he went for trial to Carlisle on 9th September 1746. He pleaded guilty, and on 19th September 1746 was sentenced to death. On 14 November, the day before his execution, he was reprieved. Instead of being transported he accepted the offer of enlistment in one of the "Independent Companies" being raised for Boscawen's expedition to India against the French. He embarked on 20th October 1747, and the fleet sailed for India on 25th October 1747. -S.P.D., 81-76; "The Diary of James Miller, 1745-50" in Journall of Army Historical Research, vol. iii. p. 208; P.R., 3625-21

Alexander Nichols Labourer from Glendarie, Angus. Joined Ogilvy's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle. - S.P.D. 79-26, 81-293. Pleaded guilty at his trial and sentenced to death. Reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -Scots Nag., 1746, 483, 543; S.P.D., 88-42; P.R., 3625-21; Baga, lxix. 190

John Porteus Cordwainer from Royston. Private in Lord George Murray's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle and sent to York. Pleaded guilty at his trial on 2nd October 1746 at York and was sentenced to death, but was reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. He stated he had been tried as a deserter at Carlisle but was pardoned by the Duke of Cumberland. -Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; S.P.D., 79-26, 81-88, 88-42; P.R., 3625-21; Baga, lxix. 193

Charles Robinson Forty year old labourer from Dullater, Perth. Joined Roy Stuart's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle. Tried at York October 1746, and sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 79-26, 81-293, 88-42; S.P.D., 91-77; P.R., 3625-21; Baga, lxix. 189

Alexander Scot From Perthshire. Joined Stewart's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle. -S.P.D., 79-26 81-88. Tried October 1746 and sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 88-42; P.R., 3625-21; Baga. lxix. 190

John Scott Seventeen year old herdsman from Atholl. Joined Roy Stuart's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle. Pardoned on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 79-26, 91-77; Scots Mag., Oct. 1746, 486; P.R., 3625-21

William Scott From Perthshire. Joined Roy Stuart's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle. -S.P.D., 79-26, 81-88. Tried at York on 2nd October 1746, found guilty and sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -Scots Mag., Oct. 1746, 484; S.P.D., 88-42; P.R., 3625-21; Baga, lxix. 191

William Smith Eighteen year old from Banff. Private in Glenbucket's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle. -S.P.D., 79-26. Pleaded guilty at his trial on 2nd October 1746 and sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; SP.D., 88-42; P.R., 3625-21

Alexander Steele Eighteen year old. Captured at fall of Carlisle. Tried at York on 2nd October 1746 and pleaded guilty. Sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 88-42; Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; P.R., 3625-21

William Stephen Fifteen year old wine cooper. "Taken in actual rebellion". Pleaded guilty at his trial in October 1746 and sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 81-88, 88-42; P.R., 3625-21; Baga. lxix. 190

Robert Stewart From Hallieskeigh, Banff. Captain in Duke of Perth's Regiment. Pleaded guilty at his trial on 2nd October 1746 and sentenced to death, but was reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -Scots Mag., 1746, 483; S.P.D., 81-293, 8842; P.R., 3625-21; Baga. lxix. 190

John Walker Twenty year old labourer from Lancashire. "Taken in actual rebellion". Tried at York on 2nd October 1746, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 81-88, 88-42; Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; P.R. 3625-21; Baga. lxix. 189

David Webster Nineteen year old joiner from Arbroath. Private in Ogilvy's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle. Pleaded guilty at his trial on 2nd October 1746 and sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 79-26, 81-88, 88-42; Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; P.R., 3625-21; Baga. lxix. 193

George Webster From Angus. Private in Ogilvy's Regiment. Captured at fall of Carlisle. Pleaded guilty at his trial on 2nd October 1746 and sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 79-26, 81-88, 88-42; Scots Mag., 1746, 483, 543; P.R., 3625-21; Baga. lxix. 193

David Wilkie From Correfie, Lintrethan, Forfar. "Being pressed, carried arms". Captured at fall of Carlisle. At his trial in York on 2nd October 1746, the evidence showed that he had been forced to join Ogilvy's Regiment. However, he failed to give proof "of the continuance of that force". Sentenced to death, but recommended to mercy by the jury, and was reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 81-88, 88-42; Scots Mag., Oct. 1746, 485; P.R., 3625-21; Baga.lxix. 193

James Wishart Eighteen year old labourer from Fochabers, Banff. Private in Glenbucket's regiment. Pleaded guilty at his trial and sentenced to death, but reprieved on condition of enlistment in Boscawen's force. -S.P.D., 81-293; Scots Mag., Oct. 1746, 483; P.R., 3625-21; Baga, lxix. 190