A Brief Sketch of the Long and Varied Career of Marshall MacDermott, Esq., J.P. of Adelaide, South Australia

A vivid, first‑person memoir traces the early days of a young officer who secured a commission in the British army through a diplomatic connection and quickly set his sights on overseas service. He recounts the rush from Chester to Halifax, the perilous Atlantic crossing, and a sudden white squall that tossed the convoy like toys before the sea fell eerily still. The narrative captures the grit of a soldier eager for action as the fleet turns toward the Caribbean, setting the stage for a career that would span continents.

The account moves to the 1809 campaign against French holdings in the West Indies, where the author proudly carried his regiment’s colours into the storm‑tossed landings at Martinique. He describes the grueling siege of Fort Bourbon—rain‑soaked hills, relentless artillery fire, and the tense moment when a white flag finally appeared. Amid the chaos, he notes the capture of prized Imperial Eagles and brass drums, hinting at the honors that would follow his later ventures.