Colony Guard

We quickly clambered out of our bunks as the bugler's shrill sounds blasted the cobwebs from within the head, especially those cobwebs which had helped plug the ears last night, from the ramblings, of the last few 'stayers'.1

The ringing bringing a sudden urge to gather all personal affects and run or visit the toilet, or something. Confusion, as the mind raced and trying to pace itself, into our regimented chores. Pants, top, socks, boots, belt, gaiters, cutlass, powder, muscat and shot. 2

Before my eyes had even completely focused, I was in platoon formation with the sergeant screaming orders, attention, short dress, stand at ease. He then ran his roll call and banter prior hand-over. Again the call 'attention' shoulder arms. Saluting to the Lieutenant, we were then to be addressed by him. From the time of bugle call, to full assembly seemed to be three minutes.3

Lieutenant O'Connell was an army child, who has now nothing but army life in his veins. Sudden sharp words shot out:4

"Men we have just encountered a foreign ship rounding 'the heads' on it's way, full sail, to the Quay. There are odd markings on her riggings and we believe she possibly is of French origins. We have been at war with the French in Europe, for some years, so be prepared to repel her entry to our shores". A sudden look of awe swept over the men in eye shot, giving me the feel of uncertainty. 5

He continued with other words not completely absorbed. We had never encountered real opposition to our fortress and her battlements before. Thoughts rushed through my mind. 'Twenty three guns a side' I remember hearing in the mess one night, 'Sixteen pounders'. 6

The next thing I actually heard was from the sergeant: 7

'Platoon right turn, leading the left, 'battle placements''.8

This was real, the fuzzy night completely gone, a sweeping feel of nausea floated over me and left, as my eyes focused down the bay. The watch tower in which we sat, was well fortified but because it was so high on the point would make a monumental target for their guns, their 'twenty three guns'. 9

We kept vigil watch for what seemed like hours, when suddenly the tops of her sails came into view passing the point, two inlets away, to the east.10

The call made to all the guard on watch: 11

'three of the clock, mast and rigging bearing five hundred yards, stand by in ready for incoming canon fire'. As the semaphore flags waved their signal to the colony, we stood in ready for attack.    12