The first is a depiction of British forces outside Fort Louis on Guadeloupe. British capture of the island occurred after a failed attempt to invade the French stronghold of Martinique. Tropical fever almost reduced the British forces until naval operations allowed them to flank the defense at Fort Louis. The island was traded for Canada during the Peace of Paris in 1763.
Having secured a base north of Martinique, the British sought to strike at Dominica which is the Island that lies just south of the French stronghold. In June of 1761, British forces attacked the entrenchments above the capital of Roseau. Their rapid advance took the defenders by surprise, but the British paid dearly in lives for storming the fortifications. Now the British could concentrate on reducing the main French Naval base on Martinique.
The island of Martinique was defended by a relative of Napoleon’s beau Josephine. Francois V de Beauharnais commanded the French forces ensconced in Fort Royal in January of 1762.
First landing on the extreme southern end of Martinique, British forces encountered tough coastal terrain as they attempted to make their way northeast toward the capital of Fort Royal. Naval operations allowed them to outflank the Fort and land at its northern headland. Careful artillery battery construction and Naval support, helped reduce persistence French resistance in the hilly terrain surrounding the Fort. Two companies of Rodgers Rangers were also involved in the operation. The capture of Martinique ended major French resistance in the southern Caribbean and was eventually returned in the Treaty of Paris in exchange for Canada.
Historical Caribbean Voyages 