Further information taken from the Marine Corps Historical Center web site

Extracted and revised from: Captain William D. Parker, USMCR, A Concise History of the United States Marine Corps, 1775-1969 (Washington: Historical Division, U.S. Marine Corps, 1970) pp. 3-5.

The Marine Officer Instructor and the NROTC Wardroom (Marine House) are located less than 25 yards from the bulwarks of the old British Garrison at Fort George.

Castine Marines - Since 1779!

Early in 1779, the British government ordered a portion of the Nova Scotia Garrison South to seize a protected anchorage in what is now Maine from which the Royal Navy could effectively protect and supply convoys. Arriving at Penobscot Bay in June, the British expedition hastily established a base on Bagaduce Peninsula and garrisoned it with 600 troops. Alarmed, the Massachusetts government organized a force composed of Continental warships, state navy vessels, privateers, and 21 transports to carry more than 1,000 militiamen. Among the expeditionary troops were three companies of Continental Marines, numbering approximately 300 men. Under the direction of Continental Navy Captain Dudley Saltonstall and Brigadier General Solomon Lovell, the Americans cautiously besieged the British position.

On July 26, Continental and Massachusetts State Marines stormed Banks Island, on which the British had emplaced several cannon. The outnumbered British Marines withdrew. Two days later, the Americans launched their main effort against the British position on Bagaduce. In the forefront of the assault were Continental Marines who gained the heights and drove back the defenders, but at a loss of two of their ranking officers, Captain John Welsh and Lieutenant William Hamilton. Saltonstall's hesitation in engaging the British ships allowed the enemy to reorganize and continue their resistance. The fort was besieged but never taken.

After two weeks of skirmishes, abortive attacks, and command feuds, the American fleet was forced by the appearance of a large British relief squadron to retire up the Penobscot River. Near the fall line, the Americans burned their ships and retreated southward through the Maine wilderness to Boston. The expedition had failed; Massachusetts had lost its entire fleet and was on the brink of financial ruin.

Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful for Colonel Charles Waterhouse's permission for the use of his art work on our website. Here at Maine Maritime Academy we sit on top of the battlefield scene presented in his exemplary work entitled "PENOBSCOT MAINE". For further information on the Colonel, his artwork, and his impact on the Corps, visit Colonel Waterhouse's Home Page at http://www.usmcartist.com/ and tell him the Marines at Maine Maritime Academy sent you!