1900. 180p. C H Firth

The expedition to the West Indies, led by General Venables and involving Colonel Anthony Carter, was plagued by numerous challenges and ultimately ended in failure. Colonel Carter, experienced yet ineffective, did not significantly impact the expedition’s trajectory. The mission suffered from personal conflicts among leadership, lack of coordination, and interference from commissioners. Key issues included poor planning, inadequate government support, and internal disagreements which undermined the officers’ efforts. The soldiers faced severe shortages of essential supplies such as food and weaponry, resulting in illness and suffering. Additionally, the expedition’s organization was severely lacking in medical care and sanitary conditions, leading to significant losses. Ultimately, the combination of poor leadership, insufficient resources, and organizational deficiencies led to a retreat and abandonment of the original mission in Jamaica, highlighting the necessity for better preparation in military campaigns.