I am writing a timeline on an alternate history to the Haitian Revolution and was wondering what was the size of the British garrison of Jamaica?
What was the size of the British garrison in Jamaica during the early 19th century?
- Thread starter Marcus Licinius Crassus
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That is a rather difficult question to answer, on account of how they died so fast after arriving in Jamaica (it was basically considered a death sentence to troops, many of whom deserted rather than be sent there). I believe the entire British military deployment across the Caribbean in the 1790s amounted to about 20,000.
http://www.napoleon-series.org/military/organization/c_casualties.html
might help if accurate
On 25 August 1813
Jamaica
3,889
might help if accurate
On 25 August 1813
Jamaica
3,889
And even those numbers are suspect. They probably represent every soldier on the muster rolls, including those who are in hospital, AWOL, or on detached duty. The number 'present and fit for duty' would be considerably less.
As an example, at the beginning of 1779 the Jamaica garrison was two and a half battalions totalling roughly 1800 men, of whom some 1200 - 1300 were present and fit for duty. During the year five more battalions were sent, bringing the total to over 4,100, yet at the end of the year there were only 3,000 left, half of whom were on the sick list.
(Numbers taken from The War for America, pp 317 - 337.)
As an example, at the beginning of 1779 the Jamaica garrison was two and a half battalions totalling roughly 1800 men, of whom some 1200 - 1300 were present and fit for duty. During the year five more battalions were sent, bringing the total to over 4,100, yet at the end of the year there were only 3,000 left, half of whom were on the sick list.
(Numbers taken from The War for America, pp 317 - 337.)