Five years before the court-martial, Admiral Vernon had led, as planned, Britain’s massive assault with nearly two hundred ships on the South American city of Cartagena. But plagued by mismanagement, infighting between military leaders, and the constant menace of yellow fever, the siege had resulted in the loss of more than ten thousand men. After sixty-seven days of failing to capture the city, Vernon declared to his surviving crew that they were “surrounded with the toils of death.” He then ordered a humiliating retreat.
Cartagena battle
