Historical records of the 91st Argyllshire ... - waughfamily.ca

9 1ST ARGYLLSHIRE HIGHLANDERS. 13had some idea of runningtheir vessels ashore to 1796.prevent them falling into the hands of the Englishin a perfect state, and of attempting to make theirown escape into the country. General Craig,however, suspecting that they might have suchintentions, sent an officer with a flag of truce toinform the Dutch admiral that if the ships wereinjured he would allow no quarter. The nextmorning (August 18, 1796) Admiral Elphinstonesent a flag of truce to Admiral Lucas, requiringhim to surrender without delay. Resistance orescapewas equally impracticable, and therefore,after an ineffectual request for one of his frigatesto convey him and his officers to Europe, hesurrendered at discretion. So the entire force ofships and men, comprising an expedition fromwhich the Batavian Government expected nothingless than the recovery of the colony, fellinto thehands of the English without a shot being fired,or a drop of blood spilt.General Craig, in his despatchof the 19th ofAugust, 1796, specially mentions the intelligenceand action with which McNab of the 98th, andabout twenty mounted men, performedthe serviceof watching the enemy and preventing any communicationwith them from the land from the first