Bombarde. Garrison of 300 Germans and men of German and African blood capitulates to 2,000 English after an hour’s fighting.

In the meantime a considerable reinforcement of troops had arrived at the Môle Saint-Nicolas; it amounted to 7,000 men under the orders of Brigadier General Howe. The English, taking advantage of the arrival of these new troops, sent part of them against Bombarde. This parish, thoroughly planted with provisions of every kind, was bound to be of great importance to the garrison and the fleet of the Môle. Bombarde is five leagues from the Môle, and the only road by which one can reach it with artillery was blocked with barricades of great felled trees and enormous stones. When the English set out, the wind raised thick clouds of dust on the high road. They arrived, 2,000 strong, before the fort that protected the town at noon, through a scorching atmosphere, without having found a drop of water. Bombarde was held by 300 Germans, or men of mixed German and African blood, who were its inhabitants. After an hour’s fighting the garrison capitulated (14 June 1796). The English counted 8 men killed, officers and soldiers together, and 18 wounded. But a few days later, assailed on every side by General Pageot, who commanded at Port-de-Paix, they were obliged to evacuate the town after losing 400 men.