On February 13, 1782, the Irish Brigade of France plays a significant role in the capture of Saint Kitts during the American Revolutionary War. The brigade, commanded by Arthur Dillon, is part of the French forces that besiege the British stronghold of Brimstone Hill. The siege lasts for 31 days, and after a fierce battle, the British forces surrender.

The Battle of Saint Kitts, also known as the Battle of Frigate Bay, is a naval battle fought on January 25 and 26, 1782, during the American Revolutionary War between a British fleet under Rear Admiral Sir Samuel Hood and a larger French fleet under François Joseph Paul de Grasse.

When Hood returns to the West Indies in late 1781 after the Battle of the Chesapeake, he is for a time in independent command owing to Admiral George Rodney‘s absence in England. The French admiral, François Joseph Paul de Grasse, attacks the British islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis with 7,000 troops and 50 warships, including the 110-gun Ville de Paris. He starts by besieging the British fortress on Brimstone Hill on January 11, 1782. Hoping to salvage the situation, Hood makes for Saint Kitts by departing Antigua on January 22 with twenty-two ships of the line, compared to de Grasse’s thirty-six.

The British fleet on January 24 consists of twenty-two sail of the line, and is close off the southeast end of Nevis. They run into and capture the French 16-gun cutter Espion, which carries a large amount of ammunition for the besieging French forces at Brimstone Hill.

At daybreak on January 25, the French fleet is discovered having stood to the southward of Basseterre, consisting of a 110-gun ship, 28 two-decked ships, and two frigates. Hood stands toward the French fleet with the apparent intention of bringing on action, and effectively draws the French fleet off the land. As soon as Hood effects this maneuver, he is aided by a favorable change in wind and is able to guide his fleet within the anchorage of Basseterre, which the French admiral has just quit. Hood orders his fleet in an L-formation and then orders his fleet to lay anchor. De Grasse makes three distinct attacks upon the British fleet on January 26 but is repulsed.

The Pluton, commanded by François Hector d’Albert de Rions, leads the French line, “receiving the crashing broadside of ship after ship until the splintered planking flew from her off side and her rigging hung in a tangled mass.” Chauvent goes on to describe the battle as “…a sulphurous hell, with cannon vomiting forth flame and death.” The entire battle lasts from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the major action in the afternoon.

Damage on both sides is heavy, though the French suffer higher casualties. However, Hood is unable to stop the French and can only observe the land action. After the successful French siege of Brimstone Hill fortress, Saint Kitts and Nevis surrender on February 12. Hood leaves on February 14 and joins forces with the recently arrived Admiral George Rodney.

The capture of Saint Kitts marks a pivotal moment in the war, as it is the last major military action of the Irish Brigade of France. The regiment’s efforts are crucial in the French victory, and their legacy is remembered for their contributions to the fight for liberty.

In 1791, after the French Revolution, the Brigade’s close ties to the monarchy of France causes the leaders of the new Republic to disband the famous unit. Dillon, whose family and regiment sacrifice so much for France during its 100-years service, later dies on the Revolutionary government’s guillotine.

(Pictured: “The Battle of Frigate Bay, 26 January 1782,” oil on canvas painting by Nicholas Pocock, 1784, current location Royal Museums Greenwich)