diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54891-0.txt | 5551 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54891-0.zip | bin | 91615 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54891-h.zip | bin | 586117 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54891-h/54891-h.htm | 6902 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54891-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 136071 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54891-h/images/frontis.jpg | bin | 111083 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54891-h/images/i_b_004fp.jpg | bin | 121307 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/54891-h/images/i_b_116fp.jpg | bin | 117101 -> 0 bytes |
11 files changed, 17 insertions, 12453 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..366789b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #54891 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54891) diff --git a/old/54891-0.txt b/old/54891-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1184fde..0000000 --- a/old/54891-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5551 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Historical Record of the First or The Royal -Regiment of Dragoons: From Its Formation in, by Richard Cannon - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Historical Record of the First or The Royal Regiment of Dragoons: From Its Formation in The Reign of King Charles the Second and of Its Subsequent Services To 1839 - -Author: Richard Cannon - -Release Date: June 11, 2017 [EBook #54891] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS: *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, John Campbell and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. - - A superscript is denoted by ^x, for example und^r or iv^s. - - Some minor changes are noted at the end of the book. - - - - - HISTORICAL RECORDS - OF THE - BRITISH ARMY. - - - PREPARED FOR PUBLICATION UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE - ADJUTANT-GENERAL. - - - THE FIRST, - OR - THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS. - - - - - LONDON - Printed by WILLIAM CLOWES and SONS. - 14, Charing Cross. - - - - -GENERAL ORDERS. - - - _HORSE-GUARDS_, - _1st January, 1836_. - -His Majesty has been pleased to command, that, with a view of doing -the fullest justice to Regiments, as well as to Individuals who -have distinguished themselves by their Bravery in Action with the -Enemy, an Account of the Services of every Regiment in the British -Army shall be published under the superintendence and direction -of the Adjutant-General; and that this Account shall contain the -following particulars: _viz._, - - ---- The Period and Circumstances of the Original Formation of - the Regiment; The Stations at which it has been from time to time - employed; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations, - in which it has been engaged, particularly specifying any - Achievement it may have performed, and the Colours, Trophies, - &c., it may have captured from the Enemy. - - ---- The Names of the Officers and the number of Non-Commissioned - Officers and Privates, Killed or Wounded by the Enemy, specifying - the Place and Date of the Action. - - ---- The Names of those Officers, who, in consideration of their - Gallant Services and Meritorious Conduct in Engagements with the - Enemy, have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other - Marks of His Majesty's gracious favour. - - ---- The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers - and Privates as may have specially signalized themselves in - Action. - - And, - - ---- The Badges and Devices which the Regiment may have been - permitted to bear, and the Causes on account of which such Badges - or Devices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have been granted. - - By Command of the Right Honourable - GENERAL LORD HILL, - _Commanding-in-Chief_. - - JOHN MACDONALD, - _Adjutant-General_. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly depend -upon the zeal and ardour, by which all who enter into its service -are animated, and consequently it is of the highest importance that -any measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation, by which -alone great and gallant actions are achieved, should be adopted. - -Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this desirable -object, than a full display of the noble deeds with which the -Military History of our country abounds. To hold forth these bright -examples to the imitation of the youthful soldier, and thus to -incite him to emulate the meritorious conduct of those who have -preceded him in their honourable career, are among the motives that -have given rise to the present publication. - -The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced in the -'London Gazette,' from whence they are transferred into the public -prints: the achievements of our armies are thus made known at the -time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute of praise and -admiration to which they are entitled. On extraordinary occasions, -the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on -the Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their -orders, expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill -and bravery, and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour -of their Sovereign's Approbation, constitute the reward which the -soldier most highly prizes. - -It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which -appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental armies) -for British Regiments to keep regular records of their services -and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been experienced in -obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, an authentic -account of their origin and subsequent services. - -This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His Majesty -having been pleased to command, that every Regiment shall in future -keep a full and ample record of its services at home and abroad. - -From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth -derive information as to the difficulties and privations which -chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In -Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to -the active concerns of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and -where these pursuits have, for so long a period, been undisturbed -by the _presence of war_, which few other countries have escaped, -comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of active -service, and of the casualties of climate, to which, even during -peace, the British Troops are exposed in every part of the globe, -with little or no interval of repose. - -In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country -derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist -and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to -reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,--on -their sufferings,--and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which -so many national benefits are obtained and preserved. - -The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance, -have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and -their character has been established in Continental warfare by the -irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in -spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and -steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against -superior numbers. - -In the official Reports made by the respective Commanders, ample -justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions of the -Corps employed; but the details of their services, and of acts of -individual bravery, can only be fully given in the Annals of the -various Regiments. - -These Records are now preparing for publication, under His -Majesty's special authority, by Mr. RICHARD CANNON, Principal Clerk -of the Adjutant-General's Office; and while the perusal of them -cannot fail to be useful and interesting to military men of every -rank, it is considered that they will also afford entertainment and -information to the general reader, particularly to those who may -have served in the Army, or who have relatives in the Service. - -There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or -are serving, in the Army, an _Esprit de Corps_--an attachment -to every thing belonging to their Regiment; to such persons a -narrative of the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove -interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions of the great,--the -valiant,--the loyal, have always been of paramount interest with -a brave and civilised people. Great Britain has produced a race -of heroes who, in moments of danger and terror, have stood, "firm -as the rocks of their native shore;" and when half the World has -been arrayed against them, they have fought the battles of their -Country with unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of -achievements in war,--victories so complete and surprising, gained -by our countrymen,--our brothers--our fellow-citizens in arms,--a -record which revives the memory of the brave, and brings their -gallant deeds before us, will certainly prove acceptable to the -public. - -Biographical memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished -Officers, will be introduced in the Records of their respective -Regiments, and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from time to -time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying the value -and importance of its services, will be faithfully set forth. - -As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record of each Regiment -will be printed in a distinct number, so that when the whole shall -be completed, the Parts may be bound up in numerical succession. - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -The ancient Armies of England were composed of Horse and Foot; but -the feudal troops established by William the Conqueror in 1086, -consisted almost entirely of Horse. Under the feudal system, every -holder of land amounting to what was termed a "knight's fee," was -required to provide a charger, a coat of mail, a helmet, a shield, -and a lance, and to serve the Crown a period of forty days in -each year at his own expense; and the great landholders had to -provide armed men in proportion to the extent of their estates; -consequently the ranks of the feudal Cavalry were completed with -men of property, and the vassals and tenants of the great barons, -who led their dependents to the field in person. - -In the succeeding reigns the Cavalry of the Army was composed -of Knights (or men at arms) and Hobiliers (or horsemen of -inferior degree); and the Infantry of spear and battle-axe men, -cross-bowmen, and archers. The Knights wore armour on every part -of the body, and their weapons were a lance, a sword, and a small -dagger. The Hobiliers were accoutred and armed for the light and -less important services of war, and were not considered qualified -for a charge in line. Mounted Archers[1] were also introduced, and -the English nation eventually became pre-eminent in the use of the -bow. - -About the time of Queen Mary the appellation of "_Men at Arms_" -was changed to that of "_Spears_ and _Launces_." The introduction -of fire-arms ultimately occasioned the lance to fall into disuse, -and the title of the Horsemen of the first degree was changed to -"_Cuirassiers_." The Cuirassiers were armed _cap-à-pié_, and their -weapons were a sword with a straight narrow blade and sharp point, -and a pair of large pistols, called petrenels; and the Hobiliers -carried carbines. The Infantry carried pikes, matchlocks, and -swords. The introduction of fire-arms occasioned the formation of -regiments armed and equipped as infantry, but mounted on small -horses for the sake of expedition of movement, and these were -styled "_Dragoons_;" a small portion of the military force of the -kingdom, however, consisted of this description of troops. - -The formation of the present Army commenced after the Restoration -in 1660, with the establishment of regular corps of Horse and Foot; -the Horsemen were cuirassiers, but only wore armour on the head -and body; and the Foot were pikemen and musketeers. The arms which -each description of force carried, are described in the following -extract from the "Regulations of King Charles II.," dated 5th May, -1663:-- - - "Each Horseman to have for his defensive armes, back, breast, - and pot; and for his offensive armes, a sword, and a case of - pistolls, the barrels whereof are not to be und^r. foorteen - inches in length; and each Trooper of Our Guards to have a - carbine, besides the aforesaid armes. And the Foote to have - each souldier a sword, and each pikeman a pike of 16 foote long - and not und^r.; and each musqueteer a musquet, with a collar of - bandaliers, the barrels of which musquet to be about foor foote - long, and to conteine a bullet, foorteen of which shall weigh a - pound weight[2]." - -The ranks of the Troops of Horse were at this period composed of -men of some property--generally the sons of substantial yeomen: the -young men received as recruits provided their own horses, and they -were placed on a rate of pay sufficient to give them a respectable -station in society. - -On the breaking out of the war with Holland, in the spring of 1672, -a Regiment of Dragoons was raised[3]; the Dragoons were placed on -a lower rate of pay than the Horse; and the Regiment was armed -similar to the Infantry, excepting that a limited number of the -men carried halberds instead of pikes, and the others muskets and -bayonets; and a few men in each Troop had pistols; as appears by a -warrant dated the 2nd of April, 1672, of which the following is an -extract:-- - - "CHARLES R. - - "Our will and pleasure is, that a Regiment of Dragoones which - we have established and ordered to be raised, in twelve Troopes - of fourscore in each beside officers, who are to be under the - command of Our most deare and most intirely beloved Cousin Prince - Rupert, shall be armed out of Our stoares remaining within Our - office of the Ordinance, as followeth; that is to say, three - corporalls, two serjeants, the gentlemen at armes, and twelve - souldiers of each of the said twelve Troopes, are to have and - carry each of them one halbard, and one case of pistolls with - holsters; and the rest of the souldiers of the several Troopes - aforesaid, are to have and to carry each of them one matchlocke - musquet, with a collar of bandaliers, and also to have and to - carry one bayonet[4], or great knife. That each lieutenant have - and carry one partizan; and that two drums be delivered out for - each Troope of the said Regiment[5]." - -Several regiments of Horse and Dragoons were raised in the first -year of the reign of King James II.; and the horsemen carried a -short carbine[6] in addition to the sword and pair of pistols; and -in a Regulation dated the 21st of February, 1687, the arms of the -Dragoons at that period are commanded to be as follow:-- - - "The Dragoons to have snaphanse musquets, strapt, with bright - barrels of three foote eight inches long, cartouch-boxes, - bayonetts, granado pouches, bucketts, and hammer-hatchetts." - -After several years' experience, little advantage was found to -accrue from having Cavalry Regiments formed almost exclusively -for engaging the enemy on foot; and, the Horse having laid aside -their armour, the arms and equipment of Horse and Dragoons were so -nearly assimilated, that there remained little distinction besides -the name and rate of pay. The introduction of improvements into the -mounting, arming, and equipment of Dragoons rendered them competent -to the performance of every description of service required of -Cavalry; and, while the long musket and bayonet were retained, to -enable them to act as Infantry, if necessary, they were found to be -equally efficient, and of equal value to the nation, as Cavalry, -with the Regiments of Horse. - -In the several augmentations made to the regular Army after the -early part of the reign of Queen Anne, no new Regiments of Horse -were raised for permanent service; and in 1746 King George II. -reduced three of the old Regiments of Horse to the quality and pay -of Dragoons; at the same time, His Majesty gave them the title of -First, Second, and Third Regiments of _Dragoon Guards_: and in -1788 the same alteration was made in the remaining four Regiments -of Horse, which then became the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh -Regiments of _Dragoon Guards_. - -At present there are only three Regiments which are styled _Horse_ -in the British Army, namely, the two Regiments of Life Guards, -and the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, to whom cuirasses have -recently been restored. The other Cavalry Regiments consist of -Dragoon Guards, Heavy and Light Dragoons, Hussars, and Lancers; -and although the long musket and bayonet have been laid aside by -the whole of the Cavalry, and the Regiments are armed and equipped -on the principle of the old Horse (excepting the cuirass), they -continue to be styled Dragoons. - -The old Regiments of Horse formed a highly respectable and -efficient portion of the Army, and it is found, on perusing the -histories of the various campaigns in which they have been engaged, -that they have, on all occasions, maintained a high character for -steadiness and discipline, as well as for bravery in action. They -were formerly mounted on horses of superior weight and physical -power, and few troops could withstand a well-directed charge of -the celebrated British Horse. The records of these corps embrace a -period of 150 years--a period eventful in history, and abounding in -instances of heroism displayed by the British troops when danger -has threatened the nation,--a period in which these Regiments have -numbered in their ranks men of loyalty, valour, and good conduct, -worthy of imitation. - -Since the Regiments of Horse were formed into Dragoon Guards, -additional improvements have been introduced into the constitution -of the several corps; and the superior description of horses now -bred in the United Kingdom enables the commanding officers to -remount their regiments with such excellent horses, that, whilst -sufficient weight has been retained for a powerful charge in line, -a lightness has been acquired which renders them available for -every description of service incident to modern warfare. - -The orderly conduct of these Regiments in quarters has gained the -confidence and esteem of the respectable inhabitants of the various -parts of the United Kingdom in which they have been stationed; -their promptitude and alacrity in attending to the requisitions of -the magistrates in periods of excitement, and the temper, patience, -and forbearance which they have evinced when subjected to great -provocation, insult, and violence from the misguided populace, -prove the value of these troops to the Crown, and to the Government -of the country, and justify the reliance which is reposed on them. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] In the 14th year of the reign of Edward IV. a small force was -established in Ireland by Parliament, consisting of 120 Archers on -horseback, 40 Horsemen, and 40 Pages. - -[2] Military Papers, State Paper Office. - -[3] This Regiment was disbanded after the Peace in 1674. - -[4] This appears to be the first introduction of _bayonets_ into -the English Army. - -[5] State Paper Office. - -[6] The first issue of carbines to the regular Horse appears -to have taken place in 1678; the Life Guards, however, carried -carbines from their formation in 1660.--Vide the 'Historical Record -of the Life Guards.' - - - - - HISTORICAL RECORD - - OF - - THE FIRST, - - OR - - THE ROYAL REGIMENT - - OF - - DRAGOONS; - - CONTAINING - - AN ACCOUNT OF ITS FORMATION - - IN THE REIGN OF - - KING CHARLES THE SECOND, - - AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES TO 1839. - - _ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES._ - - LONDON: - PUBLISHED BY LONGMAN, ORME, AND CO., - PATERNOSTER-ROW; - AND BY MESSRS. CLOWES AND SONS, - 14, CHARING CROSS; - - AND TO BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. - - 1840. - - - LONDON: - Printed by WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, - Stamford-street. - - -[Illustration: Eagle and Colour of the 105th Regiment of French -Infantry, captured at Waterloo by the First, or Royal Dragoons, -18th June, 1815.] - - - - - THE FIRST - - OR - - THE ROYAL REGIMENT - - OF - - DRAGOONS - - BEARS ON ITS GUIDONS, - - AS A - - REGIMENTAL BADGE, - - AN - - "EAGLE," - - WITH THE FOLLOWING HONORARY INSCRIPTIONS-- - - "PENINSULA"--"WATERLOO." - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - Anno Page - - 1661 A troop of HORSE raised for service at TANGIER, - and equipped as CUIRASSIERS 1 - - ---- Proceeds to Africa 3 - - 1663 Skirmishes with the Moors 4 - - 1664 Captures a splendid Moorish standard -- - - 1664} - to } Skirmishes with the Moors 5 - 1679} - - 1680 Three additional troops of Horse raised and sent to - Tangier -- - - ---- A general engagement with the Moors 7 - - 1683 The Tangier Horse constituted the ROYAL REGIMENT - OF DRAGOONS 8 - - 1684 Establishment 9 - - ---- Returns to England, and equipped as dragoons 11 - - ---- Description of the standards--Names of officers 12 - - ---- Royal warrant respecting the rank of the regiment 13 - - 1685 Battle of Sedgemoor 15 - - 1688 The Revolution 18 - - 1689 Proceeds to Scotland 21 - - ---- Embarks for Ireland 22 - - 1690 Siege of Charlemont 23 - - ---- Battle of the Boyne 24 - - ---- Embarks for England--Returns to Ireland -- - - ---- Skirmishes with the Rapparees 25 - - 1691 Actions with the Irish 26 - - ---- Siege of Limerick 27 - - 1692 Embarks for England 29 - - 1694 Proceeds to the Netherlands -- - - ---- Skirmishes near the Mehaine 30 - - 1695 Covering the siege of Namur 31 - - 1697 Returns to England 32 - - 1702 Proceeds to Holland 33 - - ---- Covering the sieges of Venloo, Ruremonde, Stevenswaert, - and Liege 34 - - 1703 Covering the siege of Bonn 34 - - ---- Skirmish with a French piquet -- - - ---- Covering the sieges of Huy and Limburg 35 - - ---- Proceeds from Holland to Portugal -- - - 1704 Services on the frontiers of Spain 36 - - 1705 Capture of Valencia de Alcantara and Albuquerque 37 - - ---- ---------- Barcelona 38 - - ---- Relief of St. Mattheo 40 - - 1706 Services in Catalonia and Valencia -- - - ---- -------- during the siege of Barcelona by the French 43 - - ---- Advances to Madrid 44 - - ---- Returns to Valencia 45 - - 1707 Services after the battle of Almanza 46 - - 1709 Capture of Balaguer and Ager 47 - - 1710 Battle of Almanara 48 - - ---- Skirmish at Penalva 49 - - ---- Battle of Saragossa -- - - ---- Advances to Madrid--Disaster at Brihuega 51 - - 1712 Returns to England 53 - - 1715 Rebellion of the Earl of Mar--Affair at Preston 54 - - 1719 Proceeds to Scotland--Returns to England 56 - - ---- Detachment to Spain--Capture of Vigo, &c. -- - - 1720 Prices of commissions 57 - - 1735 Proceeds to Scotland 59 - - 1737 Returns to England -- - - 1742 Embarks for Flanders 60 - - 1743 Battle of Dettingen 61 - - 1745 --------- Fontenoy 63 - - ---- Embarks for England 64 - - 1751 Description of the clothing and guidons 65 - - 1755 A light troop added 67 - - 1758 Expedition to St. Maloes and Cherbourg 68 - - 1760 Embarks for Germany -- - - ---- Battle of Warbourg 69 - - ---- --------- Campen 70 - - 1761 --------- Kirch Denkern 72 - - ---- Skirmishes at Eimbeck and Foorwohle -- - - 1762 Battle of Groebenstien 73 - - 1763 Returns to England 74 - - ---- The light troop disbanded 75 - - ---- Proceeds to Scotland -- - - 1764 Returns to England 75 - - 1766 Drummers replaced by trumpeters -- - - 1769 Proceeds to Scotland -- - - 1770 Returns to England -- - - 1773 Proceeds to Scotland 76 - - 1775 Returns to England -- - - 1781 Proceeds to Scotland 77 - - 1784 Returns to England -- - - 1790 Proceeds to Scotland -- - - 1791 Returns to England -- - - 1793 Embarks for the Netherlands -- - - ---- Action at the Camp de Cæsar -- - - 1794 --------- Prémont 78 - - ---- --------- Villers en Couché -- - - ---- Battle of Cateau -- - - ---- --------- Tournay 79 - - ---- Retreats to Germany 80 - - 1795 Returns to England 81 - - 1806 Proceeds to Scotland 83 - - 1807 Embarks for Ireland -- - - 1809 ----------- Portugal 84 - - 1810 Skirmishes at Frexadas and Alverca 86 - - ---- Battle of Busaco -- - - ---- Skirmishes at Pombal and Quinta de Torre 87 - - 1811 ------------- Pecoloo, Pombal, Redinha, Casal - Nova, Foz d'Aronce, Sernadilla, and Alverca 88 - - ---- Battle of Sabugal 90 - - ---- Skirmish near Fort Conception -- - - ---- Battle of Fuentes d'Onor -- - - ---- Skirmish near Barba del Puerco 91 - - ---- -------- during the retreat to Nave d'Aver 92 - - ---- -------- at Aldea de Ponte 93 - - 1812 Covering the sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz 94 - - ---- Skirmishes at Llera, Maguilla, &c. 95 - - ---- Advances to Madrid--Retreats to Portugal 97 - - ---- Skirmish at Arguilla -- - - 1813 Battle of Vittoria 98 - - ---- Blockade of Pampeluna 99 - - 1814 Battle of Toulouse 100 - - ---- Returns to England -- - - 1815 Embarks for Flanders 101 - - ---- Battle of Waterloo 102 - - 1815 Advances to Madrid 109 - - 1816 Returns to England 110 - - 1817 Proceeds to Scotland 111 - - 1818 Embarks for Ireland -- - - 1820 Returns to England -- - - 1824 Proceeds to Scotland 112 - - 1825 Embarks for Ireland 113 - - 1829 Returns to England -- - - 1835 Embarks for Ireland 115 - - 1839 Returns to England -- - - ---- The conclusion -- - - - - -SUCCESSION OF COLONELS. - - - 1683 John Lord Churchill 117 - - 1685 Edward Viscount Cornbury 122 - - 1688 Robert Clifford -- - - ---- Edward Viscount Cornbury -- - - 1689 Anthony Hayford 123 - - 1690 Edward Matthews -- - - 1697 Thomas Lord Raby -- - - 1715 Richard Lord Cobham 124 - - 1721 Sir Charles Hotham, Bart. 126 - - 1723 Humphrey Gore -- - - 1739 Charles Duke of Marlborough 127 - - 1740 Henry Hawley -- - - 1759 Honourable Henry Seymour Conway 128 - - 1764 Henry Earl of Pembroke 129 - - 1794 Philip Goldsworthy 130 - - 1801 Thomas Garth -- - - 1829 Lord Edward Somerset 131 - - 1836 Sir Frederick C. Ponsonby -- - - 1837 Sir Hussey Vivian, Bart. 133 - - - - -LIST OF PLATES. - - - The regimental guidons;--with the Eagle and Colour of the 105th - French Infantry Regiment, captured at Waterloo; to follow the - title-page. - - The capture of a Moorish Standard at Tangier in 1664, to face - page 4. - - The uniform of 1839 to face 116. - - - - -HISTORICAL RECORD - -OF - -THE FIRST, - -OR - -THE ROYAL REGIMENT - -OF - -DRAGOONS. - - -[Sidenote: 1661] - -The anarchy, devastation, and bloodshed which had prevailed in -Britain during the rebellion and tyrannical usurpation of Cromwell, -having been succeeded by the restoration of monarchy,--the despotic -sway of sectarians and republicans put down by the establishment of -a regular government on constitutional principles,--and the army of -the commonwealth disbanded, King Charles II. directed his attention -to domestic concerns, and engaged in a matrimonial alliance with -Donna Catherina, Infanta of Portugal; and this event gave rise to -the formation of a troop of CUIRASSIERS, which was the nucleus of -the corps now bearing the distinguished title of THE ROYAL REGIMENT -OF DRAGOONS. - -By the marriage treaty the ancient and once magnificent city of -TANGIER, in Africa, and the island of Bombay in the East Indies, -were ceded by the king of Portugal to the British crown; and, -with a sum equal to three hundred thousand pounds, constituted the -Infanta's dowry. - -As the possession of the important fortress of TANGIER, with -its harbour and local advantages, appeared to open a new field -for commercial pursuits, and was expected to be followed by the -acquisition of extensive possessions in that part of the world, -four regiments of foot and a troop of horse were appointed -to garrison that fortress, and the EARL OF PETERBOROUGH was -constituted captain general, chief governor, and vice admiral of -that part of his Majesty's dominions. - -Three of the regiments of foot, commanded by Sir Robert Harley, and -Colonels Fitzgerald and O'Farell, were withdrawn from the garrison -of Dunkirk, and were composed of men who had fought in the royal -cause during the civil war, and afterwards in the Netherlands. The -other regiment of foot, (now the second, or Queen's royal,) and -the troop of HORSE (now ROYAL DRAGOONS) were raised in England by -the Earl of Peterborough in the autumn of 1661, and were mustered, -the former on Putney Heath, and the latter in St. George's Fields, -Southwark, in October.[7] - -The troop of HORSE consisted of three officers, one quarter-master, -four corporals, one trumpeter, and one hundred private men; the -ranks were completed with veterans of the civil war, who were armed -with cuirasses, iron head-pieces called potts, long swords, and -a pair of large pistols, to which a short carbine was afterwards -added: they were mounted on long-tailed horses of superior weight -and power, wore high boots reaching to the middle of the thigh, and -scarlet vests: the officers wore hats decorated with a profusion of -feathers; and both officers and men ornamented their horses' heads -and tails with large bunches of ribands. The officers of this troop -were,-- - -THE EARL OF PETERBOROUGH, Captain and Colonel. - -ROBERT LEECH, Captain-Lieutenant. - -JAMES MORDAUNT, Cornet. - -The appearance and equipment of the officers and men were commended -in the ephemeral publications of that period. They embarked in the -middle of December, and in a letter to the Earl of Peterborough, -dated the 21st of December, the King observed: 'I desire you to -lett those honest men knowe who are along with you, y^t they -shall allwayes be in my particular care and protection as persons -y^t venture themselves in my service. And so, wishing you a good -voyage, I remain, &c., CHARLES R.'[8] - -[Sidenote: 1662] - -[Sidenote: 1663] - -The troops arrived at Tangier in January, 1662, and a war -commencing soon afterwards between the British occupants of this -part of Africa and the Moors, frequent encounters occurred between -detachments of the garrison of Tangier and the barbarians, in which -the former had a decided superiority, and the English horsemen -became celebrated for gallant achievements.[9] - -The veteran EARL OF TEVIOT, who was appointed governor of Tangier -in 1663, in succession to the Earl of Peterborough, occasionally -penetrated into the adjacent country at the head of a detachment of -horse, and many brilliant exploits were performed by the gallant -English troopers, among the rocks, in the woods, and on the plains -of this part of Africa, where they frequently surprised lurking -parties of Moors, and captured cattle and other booty. The Africans -were, however, expert horsemen, and fought with lance, sword, and -short fusils. - -[Sidenote: 1664] - -In February, 1664, a Moorish army, commanded by Gaylan, usurper -of Fez, appeared before Tangier to besiege the fortress. On the -1st of March the Earl of Teviot, observing a body of Moors, with a -splendid scarlet standard, stationed on an eminence near the city, -ordered the troop of HORSE to sally and bring in the standard. The -command was instantly obeyed; the brave troopers, led by Captain -WITHAM, issued from the city, traversed the intervening space with -signal intrepidity, routed the Moorish band, and captured the -standard, with which they returned in triumph to the fortress, and -erected it on the top of one of the towers, to the surprise and -chagrin of the Moorish chiefs, who, being posted at a distance with -the main body of their army, witnessed this brilliant exploit. - -[Illustration: Capture of a Moorish Standard by the English Horse, -at Tangier, in 1664. Now 1st Royal Dragoons. - - [To face page 4 -] - -On the 13th of March the English horsemen had a sharp encounter -with some of the enemy's best cavalry; and on the 27th, the Earl -of Teviot led them against a horde of Moorish lancers and foot -who were concealed in ambush, and the barbarians were routed and -pursued among the woods and broken grounds with great slaughter. -The English horsemen, however, suffered severely on the 4th of May -in the same year, when the governor, having been deceived by a -false report, advanced too far into the country, and was surprised -by a numerous band of Moors in ambush. A fearful slaughter -followed, and the EARL OF TEVIOT was numbered among the slain. - -[Sidenote: 1665] - -[Sidenote: 1666] - -Frequent encounters took place in the subsequent years between -detached parties of British and Moors, and in this desultory -warfare the English horsemen preserved their high character. -Hostilities were occasionally terminated, and renewed after short -intervals of peace; and during the period of seventeen years the -garrison resisted, with firmness and success, every attempt of the -Moors against the city. - -[Sidenote: 1679] - -[Sidenote: 1680] - -In 1679 a numerous army of Moors appeared before Tangier, and -destroyed two forts situate at a distance from the town. They -afterwards withdrew, but re-appeared in the spring of 1680, with -augmented numbers, and swarms of expert Moorish lancers, on light -and swift horses, hovered round the fortress and confined the -Christians within narrow limits. King Charles II. sent a battalion -of foot guards and sixteen companies of Dumbarton's (now first -royal) regiment, to reinforce the garrison, and issued commissions -for raising a regiment of foot (now the fourth, or the King's own) -and six troops of HORSE in England: at the same time arrangements -were made for procuring the service of three troops of Spanish -cavalry. - -The six troops of English horse were raised by Major-General -the EARL OF OSSORY, Lieutenant-Colonel SIR JOHN LANIER,[10] -Captains ROBERT PULTENEY, JOHN COY,[11] CHARLES NEDBY, and THOMAS -LANGSTON:[12] the three last-named officers having been captains -in the Duke of Monmouth's regiment of horse, which was disbanded -only a few months before, their troops were speedily completed with -disciplined men who had served in that regiment; and the demand for -cavalry at Tangier being urgent, they were furnished with horses -and equipment from the life guards,[13] and arrived at Tangier in -the early part of September: at the same time the three troops of -Spanish horse arrived from Gibraltar. - -The cavalry at Tangier now consisted of seven efficient troops of -cuirassiers, who were engaged in a sally on the 12th of September, -when the Moorish horsemen were driven from under the walls, and -several outworks were recovered from the barbarians. Another sally -was made on the 21st of the same month, and on the following day -the English cuirassiers had a sharp skirmish with the Moorish -lancers, and had eight men killed and twenty wounded. An attack -was made on the enemy's lines on the 24th of September, when the -governor, SIR PALMES FAIRBORNE, was mortally wounded. - -On the 27th of September, the garrison, amounting to about 4000 -men, issued from the fortress and attacked the Moorish army of -about 15,000 men in its intrenched camp with signal gallantry. So -eager were the troopers to engage their adversaries that a dispute -occurred between the English and Spanish horse, each claiming -the honour of charging first: the subject was referred to the -lieutenant-governor, Colonel Sackville, who gave the Spaniards the -precedence on this occasion, because they fought as auxiliaries. -The Moors, having a great superiority of numbers, stood their -ground resolutely for some time; and the thunder of cannon, the -roll of musketry, the clash of arms, the loud shouts of the -British, the cries of the Africans, produced an awful scene of -carnage and confusion. The English horse stood in column of troops -until the first intrenchment was carried, and a space levelled -for the cavalry to pass, when they filed through the aperture -and rushed at speed upon the dark masses of barbarians, who were -broken, trampled down, and pursued with a dreadful slaughter; -while the musketeers, pikemen, and grenadiers followed, shouting -as the dismayed Africans fell in succession beneath the sabres of -the English and Spanish troopers. Many of the Moors faced about -and confronted their pursuers; numerous single combats took place, -and the vicinity of the camp was covered with slain. Captain -NEDBY'S troop of English horse particularly distinguished itself, -and captured a splendid Moorish colour of curious workmanship. The -Spaniards also captured a colour, Dumbarton's Scots another, and -a fourth was taken by a battalion of marines and seamen from the -fleet.[14] - -The Moorish legions, having been driven from before the town with -severe loss, this victory was followed by a treaty of peace, and -the troops of horse raised by the Earl of Ossory, Sir John Lanier, -and Robert Pulteney, not having left England, were disbanded. - -[Sidenote: 1682] - -[Sidenote: 1683] - -The improved military system introduced among the Moors by European -renegades, having rendered it necessary to employ a much stronger -garrison at Tangier than formerly, the subject was brought before -parliament; but the question of a popish successor to the throne -was agitating the people, and no grant was voted. The king, being -unwilling to bear the expense of the fortifications and troops -without pecuniary aid from parliament, resolved to destroy the -works and mole, and to withdraw the garrison. - -At this period the attention of King Charles II. was directed to -the improvement of his army; and, resolving to retain the Tangier -HORSE in his service, he commissioned Colonel JOHN CHURCHILL -(afterwards the great DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH) to raise a troop of -dragoons at St. Alban's and its vicinity; and VISCOUNT CORNBURY -(son of the Earl of Clarendon) to raise another troop of dragoons -at Hertford; and His Majesty constituted these two troops, with -the four troops of Tangier horse, a regiment, to which he gave the -distinguished title of THE KING'S OWN ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS: -the words "KING'S OWN" were, however, discontinued soon afterwards, -and the regiment was styled "THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS."[15] -The colonelcy was conferred on JOHN CHURCHILL, who was advanced to -the peerage of Scotland by the title of Baron Churchill of Aymouth; -and the lieutenant-colonelcy on VISCOUNT CORNBURY, by commission -dated the 19th of November, 1683. - -[Sidenote: 1684] - -The establishment was fixed by a warrant bearing date the 1st of -January, 1684, from which the following is an extract:-- - - "CHARLES R. - - "CHARLES THE SECOND, by the Grace of God, King of England, - Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. - - "OUR WILL AND PLEASURE IS, that this establishment of our - Guards, garrisons, and land forces within our Kingdom of - England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, and - the Islands thereunto belonging, and of all other officers and - charges therein expressed, do commence on the 1st day of January, - 1683-4, in the Thirty-Fifth year of our Reign." - - - +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ - | HIS MAJESTY'S OWN ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS. | - +---------------------------------------------------+------------------+ - | STAFF-OFFICERS. | Per Diem. | - +---------------------------------------------------+----+------+------+ - | | £.| _s._ | _d._ | - | Colonel, _as Colonel_, xii^s, and iij horses } | | | | - | iij^s } | 0 | 15 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Lieutenant-Colonel, _as Lieut.-Colonel_, vij^s, } | | | | - | and ij horses ij^s } | 0 | 9 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Major, as Major v^s, and j horse j^s | 0 | 6 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Chaplaine | 0 | 6 | 8 | - | | | | | - | Chirurgeon iv^s, and j horse to carry his chest,} | | | | - | ij^s } | 0 | 6 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Adjutant iv^s, and for his horse j^s | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Quarter-Master and Marshal in one person iv^s, } | | | | - | his horse j^s } | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Gunsmith iv^s, and his servant i^s | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | +----+------+------+ - | | 2 | 17 | 8 | - | +----+------+------+ - | THE COLONEL'S TROOP. | | | | - | | | | | - | The Colonel, _as Captaine_, viii^s, and iij } | | | | - | horses iij^s. } | 0 | 11 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Lieutenant iv^s, and ij horses ij^s | 0 | 6 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Cornett iij^s, and ij horses ij^s | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Quarter-Master, for himself and horse | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Two Serjeants each j^s vi^d, and ij^s for horses | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Three Corporals each j^s, and iij^s for horses | 0 | 6 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Two Drummers each j^s, and ij^s for horses | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Two Hautboys each i^s, and ij^s for horses | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | | | | | - | Fifty Soldiers each i^s vi^d for man and horse | 3 | 15 | 0 | - | +----+------+------+ - | | 6 | 0 | 0 | - | +----+------+------+ - | Five Troops more at the same rate | 30 | 0 | 0 | - | | | | | - | The Major to have no Troop, but instead thereof } | | | | - | the pay of a Captain xi^s, in lieu of servants} | | | | - | iii^s } | 0 | 14 | 0 | - | +----+------+------+ - | Total | 39 | 11 | 8 | - | +----+------+------+ - | TOTAL PER ANNUM £14,447 18_s._ 4_d._ | | | | - +---------------------------------------------------+----+------+------+ - -The four troops at Tangier arrived in England in February, -1684;[16] and, having returned their armour into store, the whole -were equipped as dragoons with long muskets and bayonets.[17] - -The uniform of the regiment was scarlet lined with blue. The men -wore hats bound with silver lace, and ornamented with blue ribands, -having a metal headpiece fastened inside the crown; also high -boots: their horse furniture was made of scarlet cloth trimmed -with blue, with the King's cipher embroidered in yellow characters -on the housings and holster-caps. The drummers and hautboys were -clothed in splendid liveries, which (according to the War-Office -Records) cost upwards of 10_l._ per suit; and each troop was -furnished with a crimson standard or guidon, with the following -devices embroidered thereon, namely:-- - -On the standard of THE COLONEL'S TROOP,--the King's cipher and -crown. - -THE LIEUTENANT-COLONEL'S TROOP,--the rays of the sun, proper, -crowned, issuing out of a cloud, proper: a badge used by the Black -Prince. - -THE FIRST TROOP,--the top of a beacon crowned, or, with flames of -fire, proper: a badge of Henry V. - -THE SECOND TROOP,--two ostrich feathers crowned, argent: a badge of -Henry VI. - -THE THIRD TROOP,--a rose and pomegranate impaled, leaves and stalk -vert: a badge of Henry VII. - -THE FOURTH TROOP,--a phœnix in flames, proper: a badge of Queen -Elizabeth's.[18] - -The following officers were at this period holding commissions in -the regiment:-- - - TROOPS. CAPTAINS. LIEUTENANTS. CORNETS. - - Colonel's. Lord Churchill Thos. Hussey Wm. Hussey - Lieut.-Col.'s Visc. Cornbury Charles Ward Piercy Roche - 1st Troop. Alex. Mackenzie H. Wyndham[19] John Cole - 2nd " Chas. Nedby John Williams George Clifford - 3rd " John Coy Charles La Rue Wm. Stamford - 4th " Thos. Langston F. Langston[20] Thos. Pownel - - Hugh Sutherland Major - Thomas Crawley Adjutant - Henry Hawker Quarter-Master & Marshal - Theobald Churchill Chaplain - Peregrine Yewel Chirurgeon - -THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS being constituted, generally, -of men of military experience and approved valour, appears to -have advanced, at once, into royal favour; and as soon as it was -regularly organized, it marched into quarters in the borough of -Southwark. On the 1st of October it was reviewed, with several -other corps, by King Charles II., accompanied by the Queen, the -Duke of York, and many distinguished personages, on Putney Heath; -and on the 13th of that month marched into quarters at Newbury, -Abingdon, and Hungerford. Shortly afterwards the following order -was issued relative to the regiment:-- - - 'CHARLES R. - - 'For the preventing of all disputes that might arise concerning - the rank of OUR ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, or of any other - regiment of Dragoons that shall be employed in Our service, We - have thought fit hereby to declare Our pleasure, - - 'That OUR ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, and all other regiments - of Dragoons which may be employed in Our service, shall have - precedency both as HORSE and FOOT, as well in garrison as in the - field, and in all councils of war and other military occasions; - and the Colonels and Officers of the said regiments of Dragoons - shall command as officers of Horse and Foot, according to the - nature of the place where they shall be: that is to say, that in - the Field the said regiments shall take place as regiments of - Horse, and the officers shall command and do duty as officers of - Horse, according to the dates of their commissions; and that in - Garrison they shall command as Foot officers, and their regiment - take place amongst the Foot according to their respective - seniorities from the time they were raised. - - 'Given at Our Court at Whitehall the 30th day of October, in the - thirty-sixth year of Our reign (1684). - - 'By His Majesty's Command, - 'SUNDERLAND.' - -[Sidenote: 1685] - -The decease of King Charles II. took place on the 6th of February, -1685; and on the evening of the same day, his successor (James -II.) commanded the ROYAL DRAGOONS to march into quarters in the -immediate vicinity of the metropolis. Previous to the coronation -they were furnished with new standards, and the drummers and -hautboys with new liveries.[21] The ceremonial of their Majesties' -coronation was conducted with extraordinary magnificence: but the -agitated state of the United Kingdom gave early indication of -approaching contests; and, towards the end of April, two troops -of the ROYAL DRAGOONS were despatched to Carlisle, and placed -under the command of the governor, Sir Christopher Musgrave, -for the purpose of assisting in the seizure of 'divers outlawed -and seditious persons, who, for the avoiding of Justice, have -fled from Scotland into the county of Cumberland and parts -adjacent.'[22] These troops arrived at Carlisle on the 10th of -May, and several persons were apprehended. In the middle of that -month an insurrection, headed by the EARL OF ARGYLE, broke out in -Scotland; and in June, JAMES DUKE OF MONMOUTH raised the standard -of rebellion in the west of England and proclaimed himself king. -The establishment of the ROYAL DRAGOONS was immediately augmented -to sixty men per troop: an independent troop of dragoons, raised -by Colonel STROTHER in 1683, was incorporated in the regiment; and -five troops of dragoons were raised in the vicinity of London by -RICHARD LEVESON, JOHN WILLIAMS, EDWARD LEA, FRANCIS RUSSEL, and -THOMAS HUSSEY, and added to the ROYAL DRAGOONS: the numbers were -thus increased to twelve troops, amounting to about nine hundred -officers and men. - -Two troops of the regiment, with some other forces, were despatched -under Brigadier-General Lord Churchill against the rebels in the -west; and on the 19th of June two other troops marched for the -same destination under the orders of Lieutenant-General the Earl -of Feversham, who was appointed to the chief command of the King's -army. The royal forces having been united, the four troops of -dragoons were placed under the orders of Viscount Cornbury; and the -whole marched in pursuit of the rebels. - -After several marches and skirmishes the Duke of Monmouth took post -at Bridgewater; and the Earl of Feversham, having sent a troop of -the ROYAL DRAGOONS, commanded by Captain Coy, to Lamport, to secure -that pass, and to gain intelligence in the event of the rebels -marching westward, advanced with the royal army to Weston (about -three miles from Bridgewater), where he arrived on Sunday, the 5th -of July. Having quartered the cavalry in the village, and ordered -the infantry to encamp on a plain fronting _Sedgemoor_, he sent a -party of life guards to patrole in the direction of Bristol, and -posted a piquet of fifty of the ROYAL DRAGOONS with a squadron -of the blues supported by one hundred men of the royal regiment -of foot, on the moor, in front of the camp. A guard of the ROYAL -DRAGOONS was also posted over the artillery, which consisted of -sixteen pieces, and was drawn up on the high road from Weston to -Bridgewater. - -During the night the Duke of Monmouth marched out of Bridgewater -with the view of surprising the royal army; but the piquet in -advance gave the alarm, and after exchanging a few shots with the -rebels, retreated to the camp, and formed on the right of the -infantry; at the same time the remainder of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, -being aroused in their quarters in the village of Weston, turned -out in the dark in good order, and formed on the left of the foot. -The rebels commenced the attack with loud shouts,--the contest -became general along the whole line,--and the moor sparkled with -fire. The rebel horse soon gave way and fled in disorder; but their -infantry stood firm and fought with great resolution. Day at length -began to break; and the King's foot advancing to the charge, whilst -the ROYAL DRAGOONS and other cavalry attacked the flanks of the -rebels and put them in disorder, their whole line then gave way and -fled in confusion, and were pursued across the moor and adjoining -corn-fields with great slaughter. Two troops of the ROYAL DRAGOONS -continued the pursuit as far as Bridgewater, where they were -ordered to halt by the Earl of Feversham. - -In the mean time Captain Russel's troop of the ROYAL DRAGOONS had -been attached to three Scots regiments of foot, which had recently -arrived from Holland under the command of Major-General Mackay, -and ordered to join the army in the west; but, on the news of -Monmouth's defeat at Sedgemoor, these forces were directed to halt -at Bagshot; the ROYAL DRAGOONS were subsequently dispersed in small -parties into the adjoining counties to seize suspected persons; the -Scots regiments returned to Hounslow, and, after encamping a short -time on the heath, re-embarked for Holland. - -One troop of the ROYAL DRAGOONS was ordered to Winchester to escort -the Duke of Monmouth and other prisoners to London; on its arrival -this troop was quartered in the Borough of Southwark, and it was -under arms when the Duke was beheaded on Tower Hill on the 15th of -July. Two other troops were ordered to Salisbury to mount guard -over the prisoners there, and were subsequently directed to attend -Judge Jeffries during the trial and execution of the captured -rebels; in which painful service the troopers were spectators of -numerous acts of barbarity perpetrated by the remorseless Judge, -who sacrificed the lives of upwards of two hundred persons in these -"bloody assizes," as historians have denominated them. - -After the suppression of this rebellion the establishment of the -ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS was reduced to eight troops, of forty -private men per troop; and the supernumerary troops were embodied -into a regiment of dragoons, which was commanded by the Duke of -Somerset, and is now the third light dragoons. - -On the 1st of August Lord Churchill was appointed colonel of the -third troop of life guards, and the colonelcy of the ROYAL DRAGOONS -was conferred on Lieutenant-Colonel Viscount Cornbury. The two -troops of the regiment having returned from Carlisle, the whole -were stationed in London in October, and subsequently marched into -quarters in Devonshire. - -[Sidenote: 1686] - -[Sidenote: 1687] - -[Sidenote: 1688] - -King James II., being a Roman Catholic, adopted measures calculated -to effect the subversion of the Protestant church; and, with the -view of overawing his subjects, he doubled the numbers of the -regular army, and had large bodies of troops encamped, from time -to time, on Hounslow Heath, where he frequently attended in person -and witnessed the exercise of the troops. The ROYAL REGIMENT OF -DRAGOONS formed part of the force at these encampments in the -summer of 1686, again in 1687, and in 1688. At this period many -noblemen and gentlemen, resolving to preserve the nation from papal -domination, solicited the Prince of Orange to come to England with -a Dutch force to assist them in opposing the proceedings of the -King, and the Prince provided an armament for that purpose. - -The colonel of the ROYAL DRAGOONS appears to have been a zealous -Protestant, and to have entered warmly into the measures taken to -resist the proceedings of the Papists who surrounded the court. -In November, 1688, when the Prince of Orange had landed, VISCOUNT -CORNBURY, having marched with his regiment to Salisbury,[23] where -the King's army was ordered to assemble, and where the blues and -eighth horse had already arrived, resolved, in connexion with -Lieut.-Colonel Langston, of the eighth horse, and several officers -of the blues, to endeavour to take these three regiments over to -the Prince, in the following manner:-- - -On the night of the 11th of November, directions were given for the -adjutants and quarter-masters to await the arrival of the post, as -orders to march were expected. At twelve o'clock the post arrived, -when Colonel Langston opened the bag before the officers, and the -orders, apparently from the Secretary-at-War, were produced, and -carried to Viscount Cornbury, who gave directions for the regiments -to proceed, at five o'clock, towards the enemy. The regiments were -accordingly on the march before daylight on the 12th; continuing -their progress throughout that day and the following night -(excepting a few short halts to refresh the men and horses[24]), -on the afternoon of the 13th, they arrived at Axminster, within -six miles of the Prince of Orange's quarters, where they were -joined by the Earl of Abingdon, Sir Walter Clerges, and about -thirty other gentlemen, who pretended to be volunteers. It was -now asserted that a design of the Dutch to surprise the quarters -of the King's forces had been discovered, and orders were issued -for beating up the quarters of the enemy that night. Accordingly, -after dark, the three regiments were again in motion, and the -Prince of Orange, apprized of their approach by Lord Cornbury, sent -a large body of cavalry to meet them. The greater part of the men, -however, resolved not to join the Prince of Orange, and, when they -observed what was taking place, they galloped back. Major ROBERT -CLIFFORD, of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, marched back that regiment, with -the exception of a few officers and about fifty dragoons, who -accompanied Viscount Cornbury. The blues also returned, excepting -about twenty-seven. But the Duke of St. Alban's regiment (eighth -horse) having mustered at a distance, the men, ignorant of the -transaction, followed Colonel Langston to Honiton, where they were -received as friends by the Dutch general.[25] Many of the men, -however, returned to the King's service; and the Duke of Berwick, -having collected the remains of the three regiments, marched them -back to Salisbury. - -The king arrived at Salisbury on the 20th of November, and his -Majesty rewarded the loyalty of Major Clifford by promoting him -to the colonelcy of the ROYAL DRAGOONS. The King, however, soon -discovered that the defection among the officers was general, -and that the soldiers, although they were reluctant to desert -his service, were not disposed to fight in the cause of Papacy. -The superior officers of the army, with the nobility and gentry, -continued to flock to the Prince's standard, and King James, -alarmed for his personal safety, returned in haste to London; -at the same time the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched into garrison at -Portsmouth. The Prince of Orange advanced to the capital without -experiencing serious opposition; King James fled to France; and the -Prince, having assumed the reins of government, restored Viscount -Cornbury to the colonelcy of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, and ordered them -to occupy quarters at Farnham and Alton.[26] - -[Sidenote: 1689] - -After the flight of the King to France, the crown was conferred on -William and Mary, Prince and Princess of Orange. Their Majesties' -accession, however, met with opposition; and VISCOUNT DUNDEE having -induced several of the Highland clans to take arms in favour of -King James, the ROYAL DRAGOONS were immediately ordered to the -north.[27] At the same time, the Earl of Clarendon refusing to act -with the new government, his son, Viscount Cornbury, was superseded -in the command of the regiment by the lieutenant-colonel, ANTHONY -HAYFORD, whose commission as colonel was dated the 1st of July, -1689. - -On the 27th of July, six battalions of infantry and two -newly-raised troops of Scots horse, commanded by Lieut.-General -Mackay, were defeated at _Killicrankie_ by the Highlanders and a -few Irish, under Viscount Dundee and Brigadier-General Cannon. -Immediately after the action, the ROYAL DRAGOONS were directed -to march to the assistance of Lieut.-General Mackay, and they -arrived at Perth in the early part of August. The object of the -Commander-in-Chief being the prevention of the descent of the -mountaineers into the lowlands, the regiment was posted a short -time at Forfar, under the command of Major-General Sir John -Lanier, and subsequently proceeded by forced marches to Aberdeen. -The Highlanders eventually retired over the mountains by paths -inaccessible to cavalry, and separated to their homes. - -In the mean time, the lord-lieutenant of Ireland (Earl Tyrconnel) -had retained the greater part of that kingdom in the interest of -King James. King William sent an army to that country under the -veteran Duke Schomberg; and, immediately after the dispersion of -the rebel Highlanders, the ROYAL DRAGOONS were ordered to proceed -to Ireland. They embarked for this service in the early part of -October, landed at Carlingford on the 9th of that month,[28] and -were ordered to take post at Armagh and Clownish, from whence they -were removed to the isle of Maghee. - -[Sidenote: 1690] - -Several skirmishes occurred during the winter; and in the spring -of 1690 the ROYAL DRAGOONS were before _Charlemont_, which place -was blockaded by the King's forces. _Charlemont_ was defended -by a garrison of 500 men, commanded by Sir Teague O'Regan, a -humorist, who returned the following laconic answer to the summons -to surrender:--"Tell the General, from Teague O'Regan, that he's an -old knave; and, by St. Patrick, he shall not have the town at all." -He, however, surrendered on the 14th of May, and a detachment of -the ROYAL DRAGOONS escorted the garrison towards Armagh.[29] Soon -after the surrender of Charlemont Lieut.-Colonel Edward Matthews, -from Leveson's (now third) dragoons, was appointed colonel of the -regiment. In June it was encamped near Loughbritland, where it -was joined by a remount from England. On the 22nd of June King -William arrived at the camp, and "His Majesty was no sooner come -than he was in amongst the throng of the troops, and observed every -regiment very critically. This pleased the soldiers mightily, and -every one was ready to give what demonstrations it was possible -both of his courage and duty."[30] - -The French and Irish, commanded by King James, took post on the -banks of the _Boyne_, to dispute the passage of that river. King -William marched to the opposite bank on the 30th of June, and, -on the morning of the 1st of July, the army forded the river and -drove the enemy from his position with great slaughter. The ROYAL -DRAGOONS and other British troops engaged in forcing the passage of -the _Boyne_ are reported to have "acquitted themselves well." King -James fled from the field and proceeded to France; and the British -army advanced on Dublin. A few days after the battle King William -reviewed the ROYAL DRAGOONS at Finglass, on which occasion they -brought 406 private troopers into the field. - -On the 21st of July Major-General Kirke proceeded with the ROYAL -DRAGOONS and Queen Dowager's and Colonel Cambron's regiments of -foot to Waterford, and summoned the place, and on the 25th the -governor capitulated. - -At the moment when success attended the operations of the army in -Ireland, the English and Dutch fleets, commanded by Lord Torrington -and Admiral Evertsen, were defeated by the French fleet under the -Count de Tourville, and the enemy afterwards menaced the descent -of a formidable force on the British coast. King William commanded -a troop of life guards, with Count Schomberg's horse (now seventh -dragoon guards), the ROYAL DRAGOONS, and Trelawny's and Hastings' -(fourth and thirteenth) foot to be immediately embarked for England. - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS landed at Highlake, in Cheshire, in the early -part of August. The alarm of invasion, however, soon subsided; -and they were ordered to return to Ireland, in which country -they again landed on the 20th of October, and proceeded into -extended cantonments in the county of Cork. Many thousands of -the Roman Catholic peasantry of Ireland were, at this period, in -arms in behalf of King James: they were called _rapparees_, and -being formed into bands they made frequent incursions into the -cantonments of the English regiments. Several men of the ROYAL -DRAGOONS were murdered in their quarters by these _rapparees_; -and detachments of the regiment were frequently sent out to scour -the country and chase these bands of marauders from the English -cantonments. - -[Sidenote: 1691] - -Towards the end of December a detachment of the ROYAL DRAGOONS -proceeded, with some other troops, on an expedition commanded by -Major-General Tattea, and on the 1st of January, 1691, attacked -an Irish fort near _Scronclaird_, which was taken in two hours, -although the enemy had employed five hundred men during two months -to build it.[31] - -In the spring, when the army took the field, the ROYAL DRAGOONS -were ordered to remain in the county of Cork to restrain the -incursions of the _rapparees_, and to prevent the several forts -and small garrisons from being attacked. In the early part of June -Major Culliford, with a detachment of the ROYAL DRAGOONS and some -militia, penetrated that part of the country from whence the enemy -received their supplies, defeated the Irish troops, and captured -several droves of cattle. At length General St. Ruth, who commanded -the French and Irish forces, detached two thousand horse and foot -to cover this part of the country. Major Culliford, however, -continued to make inroads, and having advanced with one hundred -and twenty men of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, and fifty militia foot, he -encountered two troops of Irish cavalry. The English dragoons -advanced boldly to the charge, defeated their opponents, killed -twenty men upon the spot, and pursued the remainder to Newmarket, -where the Irish, being reinforced, made another stand. The ROYAL -DRAGOONS, however, attacked them again with great bravery, and -having sabred fifteen, the remainder fled in disorder, leaving -a quantity of provision and some cattle behind. Major Culliford -despatched eleven dragoons and twenty-four of the militia to the -rear with the booty, and then pursued the fugitives four miles -farther, when he encountered five hundred of the enemy's horse -commanded by Sir James Cotter. Notwithstanding their disparity of -numbers, the ROYAL DRAGOONS boldly confronted their opponents, and -made a gallant resistance, but were eventually overpowered; and -forty men having fallen, Major Culliford made good his retreat -with the remainder. In retiring, the dragoons,--chafed in spirit -and burning with revenge,--often turned round upon their pursuers; -and at length Captain Bower and twenty men boldly faced about and -killed about twenty of the Irish horsemen, whose eagerness in the -chase had caused them to advance in front of their main body. In -the meantime the eleven dragoons and twenty-four of the militia, -with the captured cattle and stores, arrived at _Drumaugh_, where -they were attacked by a detachment of the enemy, but defended -themselves with success until relieved by a body of troops under -Colonels Hastings and Ogleby. - -At the time the ROYAL DRAGOONS were making these diversions, the -main army, commanded by Lieutenant-General De Ginkell, gained a -decisive victory over the French and Irish at Aghrim; and on the -1st of August the regiment joined the army at Banagher-bridge. -The enemy collected the remains of their defeated regiments at -_Limerick_; and towards the end of August Lieutenant-General De -Ginkell besieged that city, commencing his work on the right bank -of the Shannon: the Irish army lay encamped at the same time on the -opposite side of the river. - -A pontoon bridge having been prepared, several regiments were -ordered to cross the river at daybreak of the 16th of September. -The ROYAL DRAGOONS took the lead; and Brigadier-General -Clifford,[32] who commanded four regiments of King James's -dragoons, being taken by surprise, made little opposition: some -infantry, however, attempted to make a stand; but a squadron of the -ROYAL DRAGOONS dashed forward and routed them in an instant. Two -or three French and Irish battalions retired to a bog and wood in -their rear, from whence they were driven with the loss of several -men killed, and a French lieut.-colonel, a captain, and a number -of men made prisoners. The regiments which had passed the river -advanced upon the enemy's camp, where a curious spectacle presented -itself:--many of the Irish were running about in their shirts, some -were pulling down tents, others driving away cattle, many were -making their escape into the town, and others hurrying towards the -mountains; a regiment of dragoons, whose horses were two miles -distance at grass, dispersed in confusion: at the same time a party -of horse buckled on their arms and made a show of fighting; but -they fled on the advance of the English, who took possession of the -camp, where they found a quantity of beef, brandy, and corn, with -the saddles and appointments of three hundred dragoons. The ROYAL -DRAGOONS were commended by Lieut.-General De Ginkell for their -gallant conduct, and they returned to the other side of the river -on the same day.[33] - -On the 22nd of September the regiment, with several other -corps, crossed the Shannon into the county of Clare; when the -advance-guard, which consisted of eighteen men of the ROYAL -DRAGOONS, was attacked by a squadron of the Irish cavalry: this -small party sustained the first onset with admirable firmness, -but were forced to retire; part of the regiment, however, soon -advanced to their assistance, when the enemy was defeated and -chased under the range of their batteries, and three small pieces -of brass ordnance were captured. Orders were then given for the -infantry to attack the works which covered Thoumond bridge. These -works were carried after a sharp struggle; when the troops which -had defended them endeavoured to enter the town; but the drawbridge -had been raised, and they were left to the mercy of the English, -who slaughtered such numbers, that the dead bodies lay in heaps -on the bridge higher than the parapet walls. Five colours were -taken on this occasion, and so many men slain, drowned, and taken -prisoners, that the enemy surrendered the place in a few days -afterwards. - -[Sidenote: 1692] - -[Sidenote: 1693] - -The conquest of Ireland having been effected, the ROYAL DRAGOONS -returned to England, where they arrived in January, 1692, and -marched into dispersed cantonments in Leicestershire; and during -a part of the summer a detachment was stationed in garrison at -Portsmouth. The regiment was subsequently stationed, on revenue -duty, in the maritime towns on the southern coast of the kingdom; -and in the autumn of 1693 it had the honour of furnishing a relay -of escorts to attend King William from Margate to London, when His -Majesty returned from Holland. - -[Sidenote: 1694] - -The war with France, which was commenced in 1689, had been -continued with varied success; and in the spring of 1694 the ROYAL -DRAGOONS were ordered to proceed on foreign service. They left -England in May; joined the army encamped near Tirlemont in South -Brabant, on the 21st of June, and were reviewed by King William -on the following day. On arriving at this camp they were ordered -to take post in front of the village of Camtich, and this quarter -being much exposed to attacks from the enemy, they were reinforced -by two regiments of Dutch infantry. The army marched from Tirlemont -on the 13th of July, and encamped at Mont St. André and Ramilies, -where the regiment was formed in brigade with the royal Scots and -Fairfax's (now second and third) dragoons, under the command of -Brigadier-General Matthews, and this brigade was encamped on the -left of the line. The French army encamped near Huy, with their -left upon the Mehaine. On the 17th of July a foraging party of -the allies crossed the river, and, meeting with several French -squadrons, a skirmish ensued, when the ROYAL DRAGOONS lost eight -horses and had three men wounded. On the 28th of the same month -another foraging party encountered a detachment of the enemy, when -the regiment had two men and several horses killed. The allied -army was again in motion on the 8th of August: much manœuvring, -and some skirmishing took place between the hostile squadrons, but -no general engagement occurred. On the 29th of August the ROYAL -DRAGOONS were stationed at Wacken--a post situate at the junction -of the Mandel and the Scheldt; and in October they marched into -cantonments in the villages between Ghent and Sans-van-Ghent.[34] - -[Sidenote: 1695] - -In the spring of 1695 the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched to Dixmude, -forming part of a division of the army commanded by Major-General -Ellenberg, and were brigaded with Lloyd's (now third) dragoons -and a regiment of Danish cavalry. On the 7th of June the Duke of -Wirtemberg took command of this division, and attacked the French -forts at _Kenoque_ as a diversion to conceal King William's design -upon the strong and almost impregnable fortress of _Namur_, which -he commanded to be invested shortly afterwards. The ROYAL DRAGOONS -joined the covering army towards the end of June; but were detached -to Bruges in July: they were subsequently recalled from thence -and joined the camp between Genappe and Waterloo, from whence -they proceeded to the vicinity of _Namur_, to protect the troops -employed in the siege from a threatened attack of the French army. -After the surrender of the important fortress of _Namur_, the -regiment marched into cantonments behind Ghent. - -[Sidenote: 1696] - -The French menaced an attack upon the quarters of the allied army -in Flanders in the spring of 1696, when the ROYAL DRAGOONS were -suddenly called from their cantonments to encamp on the banks -of the canal between Ghent and Bruges, where they were reviewed -by King William on the 29th of May. They served the campaign of -this year with the army of Flanders, commanded by the Prince -of Vandemont, and were brigaded with the royal Scots and royal -Irish (second and fifth) dragoons, commanded by Brigadier-General -Matthews. The object of this army was the protection of Ghent, -Bruges, and the maritime towns of Flanders: no general action -occurred; but a party of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, with a detachment of -Langston's horse (now fourth dragoon guards), surprised one of the -French out-guards on the night of the 20th of September and took -thirty prisoners. This appears to be the only action in which the -regiment took part during the campaign of this year; and on the -6th of October it marched into quarters in the villages behind the -Bruges canal. - -[Sidenote: 1697] - -During the campaign of 1697 the regiment served under King William -in the army of Brabant, and was brigaded with the royal Scots and -Eppinger's dragoons. - -On the 28th of May Brigadier-General Matthews died; and on the 30th -His Majesty conferred the colonelcy of the ROYAL DRAGOONS on THOMAS -LORD RABY, afterwards Earl of Strafford. - -[Sidenote: 1698] - -The enemy, having great superiority of numbers, besieged and took -_Aeth_, and afterwards menaced Brussels; but were frustrated in -their designs by King William. The ROYAL DRAGOONS were encamped -before Brussels in June; and subsequently at Wavre. Hostilities -were terminated in September by the treaty of Ryswick, and -after the conclusion of peace, the regiment embarked from the -Netherlands,--landed at the Red House in Southwark on the 21st of -November, and, at the end of the same month, marched into extensive -quarters in Yorkshire, where the establishment, which during the -war had been eight troops, amounting to five hundred and ninety -officers and men, was reduced to six troops of two hundred and -ninety-four officers and men. - -[Sidenote: 1699] - -[Sidenote: 1700] - -During the two succeeding years the ROYAL DRAGOONS occupied -quarters in Lancashire and Leicestershire. In June, 1700, they -assembled on Hounslow Heath and were reviewed by King William -III., who was pleased to express his royal approbation of their -appearance and discipline. Leaving the south of England in July, -they proceeded into quarters in Yorkshire and Cumberland, with one -troop stationed in garrison at Carlisle and another at Hull. - -[Sidenote: 1701] - -[Sidenote: 1702] - -In 1701 the ROYAL DRAGOONS were stationed in Yorkshire, with three -troops in garrison at Hull; at this period the ambitious Louis XIV. -of France violated the treaties he had entered into, and procured -the accession of his grandson, Philip, Duke of Anjou, to the throne -of Spain. War was resolved upon, and the establishment of the -regiment was augmented to eight troops amounting to five hundred -and thirty-two officers and men; and it embarked for Holland in -the beginning of March, 1702. Before the transports sailed, the -death of King William occurred (8th March, 1702), when the regiment -was disembarked and placed in cantonments in the villages in the -immediate vicinity of the metropolis. In a few days afterwards, -Her Majesty Queen Anne having resolved to pursue the foreign -policy of her predecessor, the regiment re-embarked, and after -landing at Williamstadt, went into quarters at Breda, where it was -formed in brigade with the royal Scots and royal Irish (second and -fifth) dragoons, under the command of that excellent officer, -Brigadier-General Ross, and was placed as a guard to the English -train of artillery.[35] - -[Sidenote: 1703] - -A powerful French army was in the field menacing the frontiers of -Holland. The EARL OF MARLBOROUGH assembled the forces under his -orders towards the end of June, and in July the ROYAL DRAGOONS -joined the army with the train of artillery. By a daring advance -the British commander disconcerted the designs of his opponents, -who retired without venturing an engagement. The ROYAL DRAGOONS -were employed in covering the sieges of _Venloo_, _Ruremonde_, -and _Stevenswaert_; and took part in the capture of the city -of _Liege_: they afterwards marched back to Holland, and were -quartered at Arnheim, the capital of the province of Guelderland, -where they were reviewed in April, 1703, by their colonel, LORD -RABY, who was passing through Holland on his way to Prussia, as -envoy extraordinary to that court.[36] - -At the commencement of the campaign of 1703 the ROYAL DRAGOONS were -employed in covering the siege of _Bonn_, and afterwards joined the -army near Maestricht, with six battalions of infantry commanded -by the Prince of Hesse, and were formed in brigade with the same -regiments as in the preceding year. - -On the advance of the allied army commanded by the DUKE OF -MARLBOROUGH, the French retreated, and took post behind their -fortified lines. - -On the 27th of July the British commander proceeded, with four -thousand horse and dragoons, towards the enemy's intrenchments, -and Lieutenant BENSON, with thirty men of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, -who formed the advance-guard, charged and defeated a piquet of -forty French horsemen, and chased them to the barriers of their -intrenchments with signal gallantry, which gave his Grace an -opportunity of advancing within musket-shot of the lines. He was -desirous of attacking these formidable works, but was prevented -by the timidity and pertinacity of the Dutch generals and field -deputies. In August, when the siege of _Huy_ was undertaken, the -ROYAL DRAGOONS were encamped on the banks of the river Maese, to -secure the bridge, and to keep up the communication. They were -subsequently engaged in the siege of _Limburg_, a city situated on -a pleasant eminence among the woods near the banks of the little -river Wesdet. Spanish Guelderland having been delivered from the -power of France, and the Dutch freed from the dread of an invasion, -the ROYAL DRAGOONS quitted the vicinity of Limburg and marched -back to Holland. In the mean time circumstances had occurred which -occasioned their removal from the army commanded by the celebrated -DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH, to another theatre of war. - -During the summer the Emperor of Germany and Prince Joseph -renounced their pretensions to the Spanish monarchy in behalf -of Archduke Charles, who was acknowledged as King of Spain by -several of the states of Europe; and a treaty of alliance having -been concluded with the King of Portugal, the ROYAL DRAGOONS were -selected to accompany the Archduke to Lisbon, and to take part in -the attempt to place him on the throne of Spain by force of arms. - -[Sidenote: 1704] - -The Portuguese monarch having engaged to provide horses for the -English cavalry, the ROYAL DRAGOONS transferred their horses to the -British regiments in Holland, and embarked, dismounted, in October; -but were so long detained by contrary winds and severe weather, -that they did not arrive at the capital of Portugal before March, -1704, when they landed with the remainder of the British and Dutch -forces commanded by DUKE SCHOMBERG. - -In consequence of the horses produced by the Portuguese authorities -being of so inferior a description that the English officers -rejected the greater part of them, only twenty men per troop of -the ROYAL DRAGOONS were mounted; the dismounted men proceeded -to Abrantes to await the arrival of horses, and the mounted men -advanced to the frontiers of Portugal, and encamped on a pleasant -plain near Estremos. Tardiness and inability were, however, -manifested by the Portuguese authorities to such an extent, that -the DUKE OF BERWICK, having arrived from France with eighteen -battalions of infantry and nineteen squadrons of cavalry, and -taken the command of the French and Spanish forces, attacked the -frontiers of Portugal before the allies were prepared to take the -field. The court of Lisbon was alarmed, the provinces were in -consternation; the DUKE SCHOMBERG solicited to be recalled, and -the EARL OF GALWAY was sent with reinforcements to Portugal, and -appointed to the command of the British forces in that country. - -One hundred and twenty men of the ROYAL DRAGOONS formed part of a -body of cavalry, which crossed the frontiers and made a successful -incursion into the Spanish territory. Extraordinary measures were -adopted to procure horses, and at the close of the summer the -regiment had upwards of three hundred mounted men in the field. In -the autumn the army was enabled to act on the offensive, and the -ROYAL DRAGOONS were among the forces which penetrated Spain; but -on arriving at the vicinity of Ciudad Rodrigo, the enemy was found -so advantageously posted on the opposite side of the Agueda, that -the Portuguese generals would not venture the passage of the river; -and, after reconnoitring the hostile army several times, the allies -returned to Portugal, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS went into village -cantonments in the Alentejo.[37] - -[Sidenote: 1705] - -During the winter and the spring of 1705 the regiment procured an -additional supply of horses, and when it again took the field it -was much better mounted than in the preceding year. It joined the -army in April, and, advancing into Spanish Estremadura, formed part -of the force which invested _Valencia de Alcantara_, which fortress -was captured in the early part of May. - -_Albuquerque_ was subsequently besieged and taken; and the capture -of Badajoz was contemplated, but that undertaking was abandoned -until the summer's heat was abated. - -In the mean time an expedition had been fitted out in England, and -a land force, commanded by Lieut.-General the Earl of Peterborough, -embarked for the purpose of furthering the designs of the house of -Austria. The fleet arrived at Lisbon in June, and, King Charles -resolving to accompany the expedition, the ROYAL and Cunningham's -(now eighth) dragoons, and four regiments of foot, were embarked -to strengthen the land force. The fleet put to sea, and, after -several consultations among the general and naval officers, an -attack on _Barcelona_ was resolved upon. The fleet arrived before -that fortress on the 22nd of August (N.S.), and on the 24th the -ROYAL DRAGOONS landed near a river called Bassoz, on the east side -of the city, and encamped about a mile from the walls, in a place -well fortified by nature, where the army was joined by many of the -country people, who were formed into bands, and acted as a guerilla -force: "they were" (as Bishop Burnet observes) "good at plundering, -but could not submit to regular discipline, nor were they willing -to expose themselves to dangerous services." - -The siege of _Barcelona_ was considered a romantic enterprise, and -it excited a lively interest in every nation in Christendom. The -garrison equalled in strength the besieging army within about two -thousand men, and, according to the ordinary rules and chances -of war, success appeared impossible. The siege was, however, -commenced, and on the 14th of September an attack was made on the -strong fortress of _Montjuich_, situate on an eminence overlooking -the town, on which occasion a detachment of the ROYAL DRAGOONS -was posted between this detached fortress and the city to prevent -a sally of the Spanish cavalry. The garrison of Fort Montjuich -held out three days, and then surrendered. During the remainder -of the siege the ROYAL DRAGOONS were almost constantly on duty, -the besieging army not having a sufficient number of men to form -two reliefs of the ordinary guards in the trenches and on the -batteries: the siege was, however, persisted in, and the governor -capitulated on the 9th of October. The garrison was preparing to -march out on the 14th, when numbers of the guerillas and armed -peasantry, having entered by the breach in hopes of obtaining -plunder, united with the inhabitants of the town, and attacked -the houses of the French and other persons known to be in the -interest of the Duke of Anjou; they also threatened to massacre -the governor and garrison: but the Earl of Peterborough marched -into the town at the head of a troop of the ROYAL DRAGOONS and a -detachment of grenadiers, and restored order and tranquillity. On -this occasion his lordship narrowly escaped falling a sacrifice -to his humanity. A Spaniard having fired at the Duke of Popoli, -the ball passed through the Earl of Peterborough's periwig. The -valour and perseverance of the British and Dutch having achieved -the conquest of Barcelona, at which (as Dr. Freind observes) "all -Europe wondered," nearly every town in Catalonia declared for -King Charles III., and the ROYAL DRAGOONS were placed in garrison -at Tortosa, excepting a detachment which remained at Barcelona. -Shortly afterwards Valencia declared in favour of the house of -Austria. - -A French and Spanish force, commanded by the Conde de las Torres, -was detached to retake the revolted towns, and in December the -enemy besieged _St. Mattheo_, which place was defended by a party -of Spaniards, commanded by a stout-hearted Welshman, named JONES, -who made a resolute defence. The Earl of Peterborough advanced with -two hundred of the ROYAL DRAGOONS and a thousand British foot to -relieve the place. This force was not more than one-fifth of the -numbers of the besieging army: but, by night marches among the -woods and mountains, and by circulating false reports, the British -succeeded in surprising their opponents; and the Spanish commander, -not knowing the numbers of his enemy, and being deceived by spies, -made a precipitate retreat, and his rear-guard was pursued by the -ROYAL DRAGOONS over the mountains to Albocazar. - -[Sidenote: 1706] - -The French and Spanish army continued to retire, and was pursued by -the Earl of Peterborough with a force so much inferior in numbers, -that the record of these events appears almost incredible,[38] and -exhibits the native valour, spirit of enterprise, and temerity of -the British commander, with the pusillanimity and credulity of the -Spaniards, in a strong light. Four troops of the ROYAL DRAGOONS -formed part of that small body of men with which the Earl of -Peterborough pursued a numerous army. The services in which they -were engaged partook of the nature of a guerilla warfare, and put -to a severe test the discipline, bravery, and intelligence of the -men. Being divided into small parties, and united with bands of -armed peasantry, they were continually performing night marches -among the woods and mountains, and, hovering about the rear and -flanks of the Spanish army, keeping it in a state of alarm, which -services were performed in concert with spies; and although, under -these circumstances, it must have been difficult to preserve -subordination and discipline, yet the ROYAL DRAGOONS performed -these duties to the satisfaction of the commander-in-chief. On one -occasion "the Spaniards employed by my lord Peterborough informed -the Conde de las Torres of a considerable force that was upon his -left, somewhat before him, and certainly designed, as they told -him, to take some passes which might prevent his entrance into the -plains leading to Valencia, and that there were English troops -among them. This the Spanish general thinking impossible, one of -the spies offered to give any two or three officers he pleased to -appoint the satisfaction of seeing what he affirmed. Upon this two -officers, in the country habit, went along with him to a place -where, pretending to alight and refresh themselves, they were -seized by ten English dragoons that were posted there on purpose, -and had marched in the mountains all night with the spies. The -Spaniards being thus surprised and seized, the spy pretended the -guard was drunk, and the officers, seeing a couple of dragoons -lying apparently in that condition, slipped into the stable and -took three of the horses, and so returned to the Conde de las -Torres. This was enough to confirm the intelligence and gain credit -to the spy, as officers of that country never fail to magnify their -dangers and escapes. Sometimes the dragoons were brought prisoners, -by consent, into the Spanish camp, by country people, seeming -in their interest. By such artful means, and by such diligent -application, a little body of men, about twelve or thirteen hundred -cavalry and two thousand infantry, were brought to join in the -neighbourhood of Castillon de la Plana."[39] Such were the services -in which the ROYAL DRAGOONS were engaged, and an immense tract of -country was delivered from the power of the enemy. A most romantic -part of the adventure was, that the Earl of Peterborough, being -deficient in cavalry, procured eight hundred Spanish horses, and -constituted Lord Barrymore's regiment (now thirteenth foot) a corps -of dragoons, of which he appointed the lieut.-colonel, Edward -Pearce, colonel. - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS accompanied the Earl of Peterborough to -_Valencia_. The enemy brought forward a numerous army to besiege -this important place; but the British commander issued from the -city with his gallant horsemen, and surprised and captured the -Spanish battering-train; he also penetrated, by a night march, -to the rear of their army, and attacked and defeated their -reinforcements; and by these and other achievements of a similar -character, which exhibit the valour and excellent conduct of the -troops under his orders, he frustrated the designs of the enemy. - -These brilliant successes alarmed the courts of France and Spain, -and a powerful attempt to regain the possession of the towns -which had acknowledged King Charles was determined upon. The -Spaniards were desirous of commencing with Valencia, but they were -overruled by orders from France; and, the English fleet having left -_Barcelona_ in the autumn, the siege of that place was undertaken -by a land force commanded by King Philip in person, and the French -fleet under the Count de Toulouse. - -The Earl of Peterborough hastened from Valencia with the ROYAL -DRAGOONS and a select number of men from the other corps, and -on his arrival at the vicinity of Barcelona he found the town -invested by a numerous army and a fleet. He immediately took to the -mountains with his hardy dragoons and about two thousand foot, and, -being joined by numbers of the armed peasantry, he was constantly -hovering near the besieging army with his detachments, interrupting -the enemy's communications, cutting off their supplies, and -attacking their out-guards; and on one occasion he succeeded in -throwing a number of men into the town. At length the British -fleet arrived with reinforcements; the French admiral withdrew -with precipitation, and, Barcelona being thus relieved, the enemy -raised the siege on the 12th of May, 1706, and retreated towards -Roussillon, leaving behind his artillery, ammunition, stores, -and sick and wounded men. A squadron of the ROYAL DRAGOONS and -some other cavalry were ordered to pursue the retiring army, and, -being joined by hundreds of armed peasantry, they attacked the -enemy's rear-guard several times, and took a number of prisoners. -The Spaniards killed every man who fell into their hands; but the -prisoners taken by the English and Dutch met with good treatment. - -After the flight of the enemy from before Barcelona, the ROYAL -DRAGOONS returned to Valencia, from whence they expected to advance -with King Charles immediately upon Madrid, to join the allied army -commanded by the Marquis das Minas and the Earl of Galway, which -being superior in numbers to the French and Spanish forces on the -frontiers of Portugal, arrived at the capital of Spain towards the -end of June. King Charles, however, delayed to proceed to Madrid, -and being guided by pernicious councils, he eventually went round -by way of Arragon. Meanwhile the French and Spanish forces which, -after raising the siege of Barcelona, had retired to France, -re-entered Spain, and uniting with the forces under the Duke of -Berwick, compelled the army of Portugal to retire from Madrid. -The ROYAL DRAGOONS marched from Valencia in July, together with -Pearce's dragoons, a regiment of Castilian foot, and a regiment -of Germans, and on the 8th of August joined the army of Portugal -at Guadalaxara, from whence they marched to Chinchon, a town of -Toledo, eighteen miles from Madrid, where they remained about a -month. - -The allied army, being unable to make head against the superior -numbers of the enemy, retired, and having crossed the Tagus at -Fuente Duennas, continued their march through the fine champaign -country of La Mancha, and took up their winter quarters in -Valencia, extending their cantonments from Requena to Denia. - -[Sidenote: 1707] - -In the spring of 1707 the ROYAL DRAGOONS were ordered to take the -field, and after a long and difficult march they joined the army in -the beginning of April; but no expectation of a general engagement -being entertained, and land carriage being difficult to procure, -they were detached on the 9th of April as far as Denia, for their -clothing, and to refresh their horses a short time in village -cantonments. While they lay at Collera, a town situate at the mouth -of the river Xucar, in the province of Valencia, the battle of -Almanza was fought on the 25th of April, when the allied army, -commanded by the Marquis das Minas and the Earl of Galway, was -nearly annihilated by the French and Spaniards under the Duke of -Berwick. - -Soon after this disaster the ROYAL DRAGOONS joined the wreck of -the allied army, which had been collected by the Earl of Galway, -and were employed for three months in marches and countermarches, -observing the motions of the opposing army and endeavouring to -preserve the rich and extensive province of Catalonia from the -power of the enemy. They afterwards formed part of the force -assembled for the relief of Lerida, but the undertaking was found -to be impracticable. The enemy gained possession of Arragon and -Valencia, but were prevented acquiring all the advantages from the -victory at Almanza which had been anticipated. - -[Sidenote: 1708] - -During the winter and succeeding spring exertions were made to -bring the regiments in Catalonia into as efficient a state as -possible; and when the ROYAL DRAGOONS took the field to serve -the campaign of 1708, they were reported to be "in excellent -condition."[40] The allied army in Catalonia was under the orders -of Marshal Count Guido de Staremberg, an officer of reputation, -who had commanded the Imperial troops in Hungary. The services -of the ROYAL DRAGOONS were of a defensive character; sending out -detachments to reconnoitre, furnishing piquets and patroles, and -traversing the mountain districts of Catalonia in small parties, -were the only duties they were called upon to perform. They were -encamped a short time in a valley near Monblanco, subsequently on -a fertile plain near Cervera, and they passed another winter in -cantonments in Catalonia. - -[Sidenote: 1709] - -The early part of the campaign of 1709 was also passed in defensive -movements: the ROYAL DRAGOONS were encamped with the army on the -banks of the Segré, and having forded that river in August, the -town of _Balaguer_, situate at the foot of a hill on the banks of -that stream and in a district of uncommon fertility, was captured; -also _Ager_, a place twelve miles from Balaguer. After placing -garrisons in these towns the army repassed the river, and the -regiments went into cantonments. - -[Sidenote: 1710] - -The campaign of 1710 was distinguished by more important events, -the two claimants to the throne of Spain heading their armies in -person. The enemy was first in the field, and commenced operations -with the siege of Balaguer, but retired on the approach of the -allied army. The ROYAL DRAGOONS were subsequently encamped on the -banks of the Segré; and when King Charles joined the army, they -were detached to meet his Majesty and to escort him to the camp. - -After some manœuvring, Lieutenant-General STANHOPE (afterwards EARL -STANHOPE), who commanded the British troops in Spain, being at the -head of the leading column of the allied army on the march towards -Alfaras, discovered, on the evening of the 27th of July, a body -of the enemy's forces in front of the village of _Almanara_, and -obtained the King's permission to attack them with the cavalry, of -which the ROYAL DRAGOONS had the honour to form part. - -The sun was declining from the horizon, and the shades of evening -were gathering over the valleys of Catalonia, when the British -commander led forward his warlike horsemen. Before him appeared -twenty-two squadrons of Castilian cavalry, the pride and flower -of the Spanish army, with King Philip's life guards on the right; -a second line of the same numbers was seen in the rear, and nine -battalions of infantry supported the cavalry. Against this force -the gallant STANHOPE advanced at the head of Harvey's horse (now -second dragoon guards); his front line consisted of sixteen -squadrons, with a reserve of six squadrons. The Spaniards came -forward to meet their opponents in all the pomp of war, and a noble -spectacle presented itself. The foaming squadrons dashed upon each -other, but the contest was of short duration. The enemy's left soon -gave way,--the Spanish life guards were routed with the loss of a -standard and a pair of kettle drums,--their second line fled in -confusion,--the infantry were seized with a panic; and STANHOPE'S -troopers chased the fugitives from the field with great slaughter, -following them among the rocks and dells until the darkness -rendered it impossible to distinguish friends from foes. - -The result of this cavalry action disconcerted the plans of the -enemy; King Philip called in his detachments and retired; and -the allied army moved forward in pursuit. After following the -retiring army many days, sometimes crossing valleys, and at other -times traversing wild but beautiful regions among rocks and -mountains, and obtaining possession of numerous towns in Arragon, -the ROYAL DRAGOONS overtook the enemy's rear-guard in the pass of -_Penalva_, on the 15th of August, when a sharp skirmish ensued, and -Lieut.-Colonel COLBERG, who commanded the regiment, was wounded and -taken prisoner. - -Continuing the pursuit during the four succeeding days, the -ROYAL DRAGOONS passed the Ebro with the leading column under -Major-General Carpenter, and on the evening of the 19th of August -the French and Spanish forces were discovered in order of battle on -the right of _Saragossa_, a city pleasantly situated on the river -Ebro, in a very plentiful country, abounding with every necessary -for the support and convenience of life, and once the delight of -Julius Cæsar, who erected a splendid palace there. Preparations -were made to attack the enemy on the following day; the ROYAL -DRAGOONS formed part of the cavalry of the left wing, commanded by -Lieut.-General STANHOPE, and were opposed to the enemy's right on -the brow of a steep hill. - -Early on the morning of the 20th of August a heavy cannonade -commenced; and as the mountains re-echoed the sound, and the smoke, -tinged with the rays of the sun, rose in curling clouds and formed -a glittering dome over the opposing armies, King Charles and his -suite galloped along the line, and his Majesty's presence infused -a glowing ardour into the troops. About mid-day Lieut.-General -Stanhope led the ROYAL DRAGOONS and other British horsemen on the -left against their adversaries, and a sharp cavalry action ensued, -in which the French troopers (being superior in numbers) had the -advantage; but Stanhope's second line of cavalry repulsed the -enemy. The British dragoons rallied, and returning to the charge, a -sanguinary sword-fight took place at the foot of the hill; but six -squadrons of Portuguese dragoons on the extreme left fled before -the troops advancing against them, without waiting to be attacked. -The battle extended along the front to the banks of the Ebro, and -the Imperial, Dutch, and Palatine troops vied with the British -in feats of gallantry. The Royals, Pepper's (now eighth) and -Stanhope's dragoons, continuing the fight, gained some advantage; -Harvey's horse signalized themselves; and four English battalions, -commanded by Major-General WADE, being mixed with the cavalry of -the left wing, behaved with remarkable intrepidity and heroism. -The British infantry, throwing off their knapsacks, sprang up the -acclivity and attacked their opponents sword in hand: finally, the -enemy was driven from the field with prodigious slaughter, and -the loss of six thousand prisoners, twenty-two pieces of cannon, -seventy-two standards and colours, the ammunition, baggage, and -plate of King Philip; and the city of _Saragossa_ was captured, -with its military stores of ammunition, provision and clothing. The -ROYAL DRAGOONS passed the night in the fields near the town, and -were thanked by King Charles for their distinguished gallantry. - -After this victory the army once more advanced to Madrid, and King -Charles made his public entry into the capital on the 28th of -September; but the army of Portugal not advancing to sustain this -forward movement, the most disastrous results followed. King Philip -called to his aid troops from Estremadura,--reinforcements arrived -from France,--the Castilian peasantry took arms in his behalf,--and -the allied army was once more forced to retire. - -On the 11th of November King Charles withdrew from the army, -taking with him the ROYAL DRAGOONS and Staremberg's Imperialists, -and proceeded to Cienpoznelos. The ROYAL DRAGOONS appear to have -become a favourite corps with his Majesty, and when he retired -to Barcelona he took with him two squadrons of the regiment as a -body-guard. The other squadron remained with the army, and during -the retreat it formed part of the rear column on the left commanded -by Lieut.-General STANHOPE. This retrograde movement was performed -under great difficulties from the hostile spirit of the Castilians, -inclement weather, and a scarcity of forage and provision. On the -6th of December the column of which the ROYAL DRAGOONS formed -part arrived at _Brihuega_, a village of about a thousand houses, -situate in the mountains of Castile, near the river Tajuna, where -they halted on the following day. While the troops were reposing -in this rural seclusion, the town was suddenly surrounded by the -French and Spanish forces commanded by the Duke of Vendosme. The -British, though invested by a force of more than ten times their -own numbers, resolved on a vigorous defence; but unfortunately they -had no artillery, very little ammunition, and the wall round the -village was in a ruinous condition. The enemy forced the gates, -battered down part of the wall with their cannon, and assaulted -the place by storm, but were repulsed with severe loss. A second -assault was given, and the British troops, having spent all their -ammunition, defended themselves a short time with stones and other -missiles; but were eventually forced to surrender prisoners of -war.[41] - -[Sidenote: 1711] - -The officers and men of the ROYAL DRAGOONS who were thus made -prisoners were sent to France, and, after being exchanged, were -removed to England, and subsequently to Scotland. The remainder -of the regiment continued in Spain, where it served under -Lieut.-General the Duke of Argyle. - -[Sidenote: 1712] - -In 1711 the Emperor Joseph died, King Charles proceeded from Spain -to Germany, and was elected Emperor of the Romans. This event -removed one of the competitors for the throne of Spain. King Philip -made a formal renunciation of his claim to succeed to the throne -of France, and the danger of an union of the kingdoms of France -and Spain was thus removed. Negotiations for a general peace were -commenced, and in the summer of 1712 the officers and men of the -ROYAL DRAGOONS quitted Spain and returned to England. They were -mounted on Spanish horses; but before they quitted Catalonia their -horses were sold, and the men returned home dismounted. - -[Sidenote: 1713] - -After their arrival in England the ROYAL DRAGOONS were stationed in -dispersed quarters in Yorkshire; and the establishment was fixed at -twenty-seven officers, eight quarter-masters, and three hundred and -twenty-eight non-commissioned officers and private men. During the -summer of 1713 a detachment of the regiment proceeded to Dover, and -received a draft of two hundred horses from Kerr's (now seventh) -dragoons, which regiment was ordered to proceed, dismounted, to -Ireland, where it was disbanded. - -[Sidenote: 1714] - -On the decease of Queen Anne on the 1st of August, 1714, the ROYAL -DRAGOONS left Yorkshire, and marched into quarters in the villages -near London; but after the arrival of King George I. from Hanover -they returned to Yorkshire, and a reduction of fifty men was made -in the establishment.[42] - -[Sidenote: 1715] - -In January, 1715, two troops of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, with three -troops of the Scots greys, and a newly-raised troop of dragoons, -were incorporated into a regiment--the present seventh hussars.[43] -The establishment was thus reduced to six troops; and on the 13th -of June in the same year the colonelcy was conferred on RICHARD -LORD COBHAM, who was advanced to the dignity of Viscount three -years afterwards. - -At this period Jacobite principles were very prevalent in the -United Kingdom; and in September, 1715, the Earl of Mar raised -the standard of rebellion in Scotland, and excited the clans -to take arms in favour of the Pretender. The ROYAL DRAGOONS -were immediately ordered to the North; and in the early part -of October they arrived at Edinburgh, from whence they marched -immediately afterwards, and, being placed under the command of -Lieutenant-General Carpenter, went in pursuit of a body of rebels. - -[Sidenote: 1716] - -After several marches and countermarches Lieutenant-General -Carpenter arrived at Jedburgh on the 30th of October: three days -afterwards he ascertained that a division of the rebel army had -marched in the direction of Carlisle, and he instantly went in -pursuit of them. The rebels, however, eluded his vigilance, -and arrived without opposition at _Preston_, in Lancashire. -Major-General Wills, who commanded in Cheshire, assembled -several regiments, and marched towards Preston. In the mean -time Lieutenant-General Carpenter, with the ROYAL, Molesworth's, -and Churchill's dragoons,[44] were marching with all possible -expedition from Scotland; and they arrived before Preston about -mid-day on Sunday, the 13th of November, when they found the town -surrounded by the troops under Major-General Wills: some sharp -fighting had previously taken place, but on the arrival of the -forces from Scotland, the rebels surrendered at discretion. On -the same day another division of the rebel army was defeated at -Sheriff-moor, near Dumblain; and in the early part of 1716 the -Pretender and insurgent chiefs made their escape to France, and the -common people retired to their homes. - -[Sidenote: 1717] - -After the suppression of this rebellion, the ROYAL DRAGOONS were -stationed in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, from whence they -marched, in February, 1717, to Newcastle upon Tyne, and were placed -under the command of Major-General Wills. This march was occasioned -by the preparations made by Charles XII., King of Sweden, for an -expedition to England to place the Pretender on the throne; but -the measures taken by the British government defeated the project. -The journals of this period speak highly of the condition of the -British army, particularly the _cavalry_, which they represent as -the _best in the world_.[45] - -[Sidenote: 1718] - -In the spring of 1718 the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched into quarters -in Yorkshire and Lancashire; and, the King of Sweden having -been compelled to relinquish his projected expedition, the -establishment was reduced to two hundred and seven officers and men. - -[Sidenote: 1719] - -The peace of Europe was disturbed in 1719 by Philip V. of Spain, -who was desirous of recovering the places ceded by him in the -treaty of Utrecht; and among the measures contemplated by the -Spaniards was placing the Pretender on the throne of Great Britain, -that the interest of this country might be insured in favour of -the projected innovations. An expedition, commanded by the Duke -of Ormond, was prepared in Spain for a descent on the British -coast; but the fleet was dispersed and disabled by a storm: two -ships, however, reached the coast of Scotland, and between three -and four hundred Spaniards landed, and were joined by a number of -Highlanders. When information of this event reached London, orders -were issued for the ROYAL DRAGOONS to proceed with all possible -expedition to Scotland, where they arrived in May. Major-General -Wightman advanced with a body of foot and three troops of the Scots -greys, and attacked the Spaniards and Highlanders on the 10th of -June at the pass of _Glenshill_, and forced them to retire with -considerable loss. On the following day the Highlanders dispersed, -and the Spaniards surrendered themselves prisoners of war. The -ROYAL DRAGOONS returned to England in July, and were quartered in -Yorkshire; and a detachment was ordered to embark at Portsmouth -and accompany the expedition commanded by their colonel, VISCOUNT -COBHAM, intended to make an attack on Corunna. The design on that -place was, however, abandoned; but the troops effected a landing on -the coast of Spain, and took _Vigo_, where they obtained possession -of several pieces of brass ordnance, with a magazine of muskets -and other arms. _Rondendella_ and _Pont-a-Vedra_ were also taken, -and additional captures of military stores effected. The Spanish -court made overtures for a treaty of peace; and in November the -expedition returned to England. - -[Sidenote: 1720] - -In February, 1720, His Majesty issued a regulation, fixing the -amount of purchase-money to be paid for regimental commissions, and -the following prices were established for the - -ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS. - - Colonel and Captain £7000 - Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain 3200 - Major and Captain 2600 - Captain 1800 - Captain-Lieutenant[46] 1000 - Lieutenant 800 - Cornet 600 - Adjutant 200 - -[Sidenote: 1721] - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS left Yorkshire in April, 1721, and were -stationed at Nottingham and Derby; and on the 10th of that month -the colonelcy was conferred on SIR CHARLES HOTHAM, Baronet, -Viscount Cobham having been removed to the second horse, now first -dragoon guards. - -[Sidenote: 1722] - -[Sidenote: 1723] - -During the summer of 1722 the ROYAL DRAGOONS were encamped near -Durham; and on the 12th of January, 1723, the colonelcy, having -become vacant by the decease of Sir Charles Hotham, was conferred -on Brigadier-General HUMPHREY GORE, from the tenth dragoons. - -[Sidenote: 1724] - -[Sidenote: 1725] - -[Sidenote: 1726] - -The regiment occupied extensive quarters in Nottinghamshire and -Derbyshire in 1724; in the following year it furnished detachments -to assist the revenue officers in their duties on the coast; and in -October, 1726, it was stationed in Sussex and Essex. - -England having agreed to furnish ten thousand men to assist the -States-General in their war with the Emperor of Germany, the -ROYAL DRAGOONS were augmented to nine troops, of five hundred and -fifty-two officers and men, and selected to form part of this -force. No embarkation was, however, required. - -[Sidenote: 1727] - -[Sidenote: 1728] - -The decease of King George I. took place on the 11th of June, 1727; -and a few days previous to the coronation of his successor, George -II., the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched into quarters near London, and -were reviewed in brigade with Honeywood's (now eleventh) dragoons -by his Majesty on Hounslow Heath, on the 17th of October. They -subsequently proceeded into Leicestershire and Derbyshire; and in -the beginning of the succeeding year the establishment was again -reduced to six troops. - -[Sidenote: 1730] - -[Sidenote: 1731] - -[Sidenote: 1732] - -[Sidenote: 1733] - -In the spring of 1730 the regiment marched into cantonments in -Worcestershire and Gloucestershire; in 1731 it was stationed in -Kent, with detachments on coast duty; and in the month of March -in the following year proceeded into Somersetshire, from whence it -detached, in the spring of 1733, several parties to the maritime -towns and villages on the Suffolk coast, where frequent rencounters -took place between the military and smugglers. - -[Sidenote: 1734] - -[Sidenote: 1735] - -[Sidenote: 1737] - -[Sidenote: 1738] - -The several detachments were collected in May, 1734, and the six -troops assembled at Taunton, where they were reviewed by their -colonel, Major-General Gore. One troop was afterwards detached -into Sussex; and in August another troop proceeded to Bath, and -furnished a daily guard for the Princess Amelia during her Royal -Highness's residence at that city. In August, 1735, the five troops -in Somersetshire marched to the north, and were placed under the -orders of Lieut.-General Wade, commander-in-chief in Scotland. -They, however, returned to England in April, 1737, and were -quartered in Lancashire; and during the summer of the following -year the six troops were stationed in Essex and Kent, with -detachments on coast duty. - -[Sidenote: 1739] - -In July, 1739, the ROYAL DRAGOONS were ordered to call in their -detachments and march into quarters at Hounslow and its vicinity; -and on the 28th of that month they were reviewed on Hounslow Heath -by his Majesty. In the beginning of August they marched into -quarters in Worcestershire; and their colonel, Major-General Gore, -died on the 18th of that month. On the 1st of September his Majesty -conferred the colonelcy on CHARLES, second DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH, -from the 38th regiment of foot. - -The Spaniards having repeatedly violated the existing treaties -in regard to the commerce of England with America, his Majesty -declared war against Spain; and the establishment of the ROYAL -DRAGOONS was augmented to four hundred and thirty-five officers and -men. - -[Sidenote: 1740] - -In May, 1740, the colonelcy, vacant by the removal of the Duke -of Marlborough to the second troop (now second regiment) of life -guards, was conferred on Major-General HAWLEY, from the thirteenth -dragoons. - -[Sidenote: 1741] - -During the summer of 1740 the ROYAL DRAGOONS were encamped (with -three other regiments of cavalry and six of infantry) near Newbury, -and afterwards near Devizes, under the orders of General Wade. In -October they marched from camp into quarters in Leicestershire; and -in November, 1741, removed into Somersetshire. - -[Sidenote: 1742] - -In the mean time hostilities had commenced on the continent, and -France, Bavaria, and Prussia were endeavouring to deprive the house -of Austria of its hereditary dominions. King George II. resolved -to support the Austrians; and in the summer of 1742 his Majesty -sent Field Marshal the Earl of Stair with sixteen thousand men -to Flanders. The ROYAL DRAGOONS were selected for this service, -and, having been reviewed by his Majesty on Hounslow Heath, they -embarked in August, and after their arrival in Flanders were -stationed in the cavalry barracks at Ghent. - -[Sidenote: 1743] - -Leaving Ghent in February, 1743, the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched for -Germany; and in June they were encamped, with the other forces, -near Aschaffenburg, on the river Maine, where they were joined by -King George II. and the Duke of Cumberland. On the 26th of June -the army marched for Hanau, a town of Hesse-Cassel, and the ROYAL -DRAGOONS formed part of the advance-column. When on the march the -French were discovered in position near _Dettingen_: his Majesty -commanded the army to form opposite the enemy, and the ROYAL -DRAGOONS were posted near the right of the line. - -The French advanced from their position and attacked the left of -the allied army; the contest soon became general, and the English -cavalry engaged the French cuirassiers with varied success. The -MOUSQUETAIRES NOIRS, a choice corps of French cavalry, separated -themselves from their line, and, passing between two columns of -infantry, rushed headlong towards the British cavalry. The ROYAL -DRAGOONS, undaunted by this audacity, met the French horsemen with -a cool, determined bearing, and, encountering them in mid-onset, -overthrew the presumptuous squadrons, cut them down with a dreadful -slaughter, and captured a STANDARD. The ROYAL DRAGOONS were -afterwards engaged with the enemy's household troops; they were -again victorious, and, though without armour, fought and triumphed -over their steel-clad opponents, and received the thanks of his -Majesty for their gallant conduct. Eventually the French army was -overthrown, and driven from the field with great loss. - -In this action the ROYAL DRAGOONS had six men and thirty-four -horses killed and wounded. The STANDARD of the MOUSQUETAIRES NOIRS -was taken by a serjeant of the right squadron. It was of white -satin, embroidered with gold and silver: in the middle a bunch of -nine arrows tied with a wreath, with the motto _Alterius Jovis -altera tela_. The lance was broken, the standard was stained with -blood; the cornet who carried it was killed without falling, being -buckled to his horse, and his standard buckled to him.[47] - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS passed the night near the field of battle, -exposed to a heavy storm of rain, and on the following day marched -with the army to Hanau, and encamped on the banks of the river -Kinzig, where they remained until the early part of August, when -they advanced, and, having crossed the Rhine above Mentz, were -employed in operations in West Germany. Nothing of importance, -however, transpired; and in October they commenced their march -for Mentz, where they repassed the Rhine, and, proceeding through -the duchy of Nassau, the principality of Liege, and province of -Brabant, entered Flanders, and, arriving at Ghent on the 18th of -November, again occupied part of the cavalry barrack at that place. - -[Sidenote: 1744] - -The campaign of 1744 passed without any general engagement. The -army penetrated the French territory; but the services of the -ROYAL DRAGOONS were limited to piquets, out-guards, and protecting -foraging parties from the attacks of the French garrisons; and in -October they returned to their former station at Ghent. - -[Sidenote: 1745] - -In April, 1745, the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched from their winter -quarters, and encamped near Brussels. The enemy assembled a -numerous army, and invested _Tournay_, the chief town of a district -in the province of Hainault; and the Duke of Cumberland, though -inferior to the French in numbers by above thirty thousand men, -resolved to attack them. His Royal Highness accordingly advanced; -and on the 10th of May (N.S.) a squadron of the ROYAL DRAGOONS was -engaged, with other forces, in driving in the enemy's out-guards -and piquets. The French army was discovered in order of battle -on a gentle ascent protected by batteries, and rising gradually -from the plain near _Fontenoy_. At daybreak on the morning of the -11th of May the allies moved forward, but, having many defiles -to pass, the attack did not commence until near ten o'clock. The -British infantry advanced against the enemy, and throughout the -day they displayed the greatest valour and intrepidity; but the -Dutch did not evince equal resolution, and their failure occasioned -the most unfortunate results. It was near the conclusion of the -action before the ROYAL DRAGOONS were called upon to charge, when -they advanced through a hollow way abounding with difficulties, -and were exposed to the destructive fire of two batteries: they -charged by alternate squadrons with all the spirit and resolution -which characterizes the attack of British cavalry. But the Duke -of Cumberland, perceiving that, from the failure of the Dutch and -other causes, it was impossible to retrieve the fortune of the day, -ordered a retreat, and the army marched from the field of battle, -and encamped near Aeth. - -The loss of the regiment in this engagement was fifteen men and -sixty-nine horses killed; with Lieutenant-Colonel Naizon, Cornets -Hartwell, Desmeret, and Creighton, thirty-one men, and forty-seven -horses wounded. - -The allied army afterwards encamped on the plain of the Dender, -near Lessines; and subsequently near Brussels. - -In the mean time Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, -arrived in Scotland with a ship laden with arms, and, being joined -by several of the Highland clans, took the opportunity of the -King's army being abroad to make a desperate effort to gain the -throne. Several regiments were immediately ordered to England; and -in November the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched to Williamstadt, in North -Brabant, and embarked; but the shipping was delayed for some time -by contrary winds, and several horses were lost from the transports -being stranded. - -[Sidenote: 1746] - -After their arrival in England the ROYAL DRAGOONS formed part of -the army assembled near the metropolis to repel the threatened -descent of a French force on the southern coast of the kingdom. - -[Sidenote: 1747] - -[Sidenote: 1748] - -The rebellion having been suppressed by the victory at Culloden, -the ROYAL DRAGOONS continued in the south of England: they were -stationed at Windsor, Reading, and Colnbrook, and had the honour -of furnishing travelling escorts for the royal family: in July, -1746, one troop attended the Princess Caroline at Bath. On the 26th -of December, 1747, they were reviewed by His Majesty on Hounslow -Heath: in the following summer they were employed on coast duty -in Lincolnshire, and in suppressing riots among the weavers in -Lancashire. - -[Sidenote: 1749] - -[Sidenote: 1750] - -After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle the establishment was reduced -to two hundred and eighty-five officers and men; and in 1750 the -regiment marched to Scotland. - -[Sidenote: 1751] - -A regulation was issued in 1751 relative to the clothing and -standards of the several regiments; from which the following -particulars have been extracted relative to the ROYAL DRAGOONS:-- - -COATS--scarlet; double breasted; without lappels; lined with -blue; slit sleeves turned up with blue; the button-holes worked -with narrow yellow lace; the buttons of yellow metal, set on two -and two; a long slash pocket in each skirt; and a yellow worsted -aiguillette on the right shoulder. - -WAISTCOATS and BREECHES--blue. - -HATS--bound with gold lace, and ornamented with a yellow metal -loop, and a black cockade. - -BOOTS--of jacked leather. - -CLOAKS--of scarlet cloth, with a blue collar, and lined with blue -shalloon; the buttons set on two and two upon yellow frogs or -loops, with a blue stripe down the centre. - -HORSE FURNITURE--of scarlet cloth; the holster-caps and housings -having a border of royal lace, with a blue stripe down the centre; -the crest of England within the garter, embroidered on each corner -of the housing; and on the holster-caps, the King's cipher and -crown, with I.D underneath. - -OFFICERS--distinguished by gold lace; their coats and waistcoats -bound with gold embroidery; the button-holes worked with gold; and -a crimson silk sash worn across the left shoulder. - -QUARTER-MASTERS--to wear a crimson sash round the waist. - -SERJEANTS--to have narrow gold lace on the cuffs, pockets, and -shoulder-straps; gold shoulder-knots or aiguillettes, and yellow -and blue worsted sashes tied round the waist. - -DRUMMERS and HAUTBOYS--clothed in scarlet coats lined with blue, -and ornamented with royal lace with a blue stripe down the centre; -their waistcoats and breeches of blue cloth. - -_Guidons._--The first or King's guidon to be of crimson silk, -embroidered and fringed with gold and silver; in the centre the -rose and thistle conjoined and crown over them, with the motto -_Dieu et mon Droit_ underneath: the white horse in a compartment in -the first and fourth corners, and I.D in gold characters on a blue -ground in a compartment in the second and third corners. The second -and third guidons to be of blue silk, in the centre the crest of -England within the garter on a crimson ground: the white horse on a -scarlet ground in the first and fourth compartments, and I.D within -a wreath of roses and thistles upon a scarlet ground in the second -and third compartments. - -[Sidenote: 1752] - -[Sidenote: 1753] - -[Sidenote: 1754] - -In 1752 the ROYAL DRAGOONS returned to England, and were stationed -at York, from whence they marched, in October, 1753, into quarters -in Norfolk and Essex, and in September of the following year they -proceeded into extensive cantonments in Kent. - -[Sidenote: 1755] - -Disputes having occurred between England and France relating to the -boundaries of the British possessions in North America, hostilities -commenced in 1755, when an augmentation of one hundred men was -made to the establishment: a _light troop_, consisting of three -officers, one quarter-master, two serjeants, three corporals, two -drummers, and sixty private soldiers,[48] was raised and added -to the regiment on the same principle as the light companies to -regiments of infantry. - -[Sidenote: 1756] - -[Sidenote: 1757] - -War was declared against France in 1756, when the French monarch -made preparations for a descent on the British coast, and the ROYAL -DRAGOONS were stationed in the maritime towns in the southern -counties: during the summer of 1757 they were encamped near -Salisbury. - -[Sidenote: 1758] - -The British military establishment having been considerably -augmented, His Majesty was prepared to act offensively against -France; and in 1758 the _light troop_ of the ROYAL DRAGOONS formed -part of an expedition commanded by Charles, Duke of Marlborough, -which landed on the coast of Brittany and destroyed the French -shipping and magazines at _St. Maloes_. This troop was afterwards -engaged in a second expedition to the coast of France, commanded -by General Bligh, when a landing was effected in the Bay des -Marées, and _Cherbourg_ was taken: it was also engaged in the -second descent on the coast of Brittany. - -[Sidenote: 1759] - -[Sidenote: 1760] - -On the 5th of April, 1759, the colonelcy, having become vacant -by the decease of General Hawley, was conferred on HENRY SEYMOUR -CONWAY, from the fourth Irish horse, now seventh dragoon guards. In -the same year the establishment of each of the six heavy troops was -augmented to sixty private men, and the light troop to eighty-nine; -making a total of five hundred and forty-four officers and men; and -in the following year the light troop was further augmented to four -officers, one quarter-master, four serjeants, four corporals, two -drummers, and one hundred and eighteen private men. - -In the mean time a British army had proceeded to Germany, -and was serving in conjunction with the Hanoverian, Hessian, -and Brunswick troops, commanded by Prince Ferdinand, Duke of -Brunswick; and in the spring of 1760 the ROYAL DRAGOONS, commanded -by Lieutenant-Colonel JAMES JOHNSTON,[49] embarked for foreign -service, and, having landed at Bremen, in Lower Saxony, on the 16th -and 17th of April, joined the army encamped near Fritzlar, in the -principality of Lower Hesse, on the 21st of that month. On the 22nd -they were reviewed by the Duke of Brunswick, who was pleased to -express his approbation of their appearance. - -After much manœuvring and skirmishing, thirty thousand French -troops, commanded by the Chevalier de Muy, crossed the Dymel to -cut off the communication of the allied army with Westphalia. The -ROYAL DRAGOONS, with several other corps, were immediately sent -forward to Liebenau, under the command of the Hereditary Prince -of Brunswick, to secure the bridge across the Dymel; and being -followed by the main body, the Prince advanced to the vicinity of -_Warbourg_, and reconnoitred the French forces in position near -that place, whom he resolved to attack on the following day. - -At daybreak on the morning of the 31st of July the ROYAL DRAGOONS, -commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel JAMES JOHNSTON, left their camp -on the heights of Corbeke, and making a detour through several -villages gained the left flank of the French army. Several other -corps having arrived at the same point, the attack was immediately -commenced, and after a sharp dispute the enemy gave way and retired -upon _Warbourg_, where he was again attacked and driven across -the Dymel with great loss. The ROYAL DRAGOONS encountered the -French cavalry corps of royal Piedmont, and acquitted themselves -with their accustomed gallantry. They afterwards charged a corps -of Swiss infantry (the regiment of Planta) with distinguished -bravery, broke its ranks, and after sabring many of the men took -twenty-one officers and two hundred soldiers prisoners: many of -the Swiss attempting to escape were drowned in the Dymel. Three -troops of the ROYAL DRAGOONS formed part of the force under the -Marquis of Granby, which pursued the enemy across the Dymel and -halted that night on the heights of Wilda: the other three, having -suffered severely in the attack on the Swiss infantry, remained -at Warbourg.[50] In a general order issued on the occasion, -Prince Ferdinand declared that "ALL THE BRITISH CAVALRY PERFORMED -PRODIGIES OF VALOUR." - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS lost in this action eight men and twenty-one -horses killed; and twelve men and thirteen horses wounded. - -The regiment was subsequently encamped on the banks of the Dymel, -and on the 1st of October was despatched towards the Lower Rhine, -forming part of a separate corps under the Hereditary Prince, which -invested _Wesel_, a town in the duchy of Cleves. - -The enemy advanced in force to relieve the besieged, and encamped, -on the 14th of October, behind the convent of _Campen_. Immediately -after dark on the evening of the same day, the ROYAL DRAGOONS and -other corps advanced towards the enemy, the Hereditary Prince -designing to surprise him in the night; but it was found necessary -to dislodge a corps which occupied the convent of _Campen_, and -this occasioned some firing, which alarmed the French camp, and -the troops were immediately formed in order of battle. - -The action commenced before daybreak, and a succession of attacks, -repulses, and charges were kept up until nine at night, in which -the ROYAL DRAGOONS took an active part, and they are reported to -have "behaved extremely well." Two pieces of cannon and a pair of -colours were captured; but at length the Prince perceived that it -was impossible to drive the enemy out of a wood of which he had -possessed himself, and, the allied infantry having expended all -their ammunition, his Highness ordered a retreat. - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS had eight men and ten horses killed; -Lieut.-Colonel Johnston, two men, and four horses, wounded; Captain -Wilson, Lieutenant Goldsworthy, Cornet Duffe, and twenty-five men, -taken prisoners. The regiment repassed the Rhine on the 18th of -October, and was cantoned in the principality of Hesse, where the -officers received orders to wear mourning for his late Majesty King -George II. - -[Sidenote: 1761] - -In February, 1761, the regiment was engaged in an incursion into -the French cantonments, and took part in several skirmishes with -the enemy. In the spring a remount joined from England. - -After much manœuvring, the allied army took post in Prussian -Westphalia, on the rivers Asse and Lippe, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS -were encamped on the heights between Illingen and Hohenover.[51] On -the 15th of July the enemy attacked the troops under the Marquis -of Granby at _Kirch Denkern_, when the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched -across the Asse by the bridge at Hans Hohenover, and advanced to -support the corps attacked. After a sharp action the enemy was -repulsed with loss. The fire of the skirmishers was, however, kept -up throughout the night, and on the following morning the enemy -renewed the engagement with great fury. During this day the ROYAL -DRAGOONS were posted near Vellinghausen, and, when the enemy's -columns of attack were repulsed, advanced to charge, but were -prevented by the hedges and marshy hollows which intersected the -country. They were subsequently employed in military operations on -the Dymel, and afterwards marched into the electorate of Hanover, -and were engaged in a skirmish near _Eimbeck_ in the early part -of November. On the same night they marched through a heavy -snow to _Foorwohle_, where they encountered and drove back some -French cavalry. On the 9th of November they had another skirmish -at _Foorwohle_, and subsequently marched into quarters in East -Friesland. - -[Sidenote: 1762] - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS left their winter quarters in May, 1762, and -on the 18th of June joined the army encamped at Brackel, in the -bishopric of Paderborn, from whence they marched to the heights -of Tissel. The French army, commanded by Marshals d'Estrées and -Soubise, took post at _Groebenstien_, where Prince Ferdinand -resolved to attack them on the 24th of June, and the army was -ordered to move forward in several columns for that purpose. - -Moving from their camp-ground at daybreak, the ROYAL DRAGOONS -passed the Dymel at Liebenau about four in the morning, and -advanced against the enemy's camp. The manœuvre was conducted with -such address, that the army was in presence of the French before -they had the least apprehension of an attack, and, being instantly -assaulted in front, flank, and rear, they retired in confusion, -leaving all their equipage behind them. The ROYAL DRAGOONS had -advanced against the enemy's front, and they were subsequently -employed in surrounding a division of the French army commanded by -General Stainville in the woods of _Wilhelmsthal_, where several -corps were made prisoners. The pursuit was continued, and the -French took refuge under the cannon of Cassel; the ROYAL DRAGOONS -then retired a few miles, and encamped near Holtzhausen. - -During the remainder of the campaign the ROYAL DRAGOONS were -employed in operations on the Fulde, the Eder, and the Lahn, which -were attended with such signal success, that a considerable portion -of territory was wrested from the power of the enemy, and the -allies took Cassel. - -These successes were followed by a treaty of peace, and the ROYAL -DRAGOONS proceeded into quarters in the bishopric of Munster. - -At the close of the military operations of the year, when the -army marched into winter quarters, Colonel JAMES JOHNSTON, of the -ROYAL DRAGOONS, who had commanded the regiment since the 7th of -April, 1759, and during the campaign of 1762 had commanded the -brigade composed of the ROYALS and second dragoon guards, received -a most flattering mark of the approbation of the Hereditary Prince -of Brunswick (afterwards reigning Duke, who married Princess -Augusta, sister to George III.; he died of the wounds he received -at the battle of Jena in 1808), namely, a valuable gold snuff-box, -embellished with highly-chased military trophies, accompanied by an -autograph letter, of which the following is a copy:-- - - "_Munden_, ce 17 de Nov. 1762. - - "Monsieur, - - "Vous m'obligerez sensiblement en acceptant la babiole que je - joins ici, comme une marque de l'estime et de la considération - parfaite que je vous porte, et comme un souvenir d'un ami qui - jamais ne finera d'être, - - "Monsieur, - "Votre très humble et très dévoué serviteur, - "CHARLES PR. HER. DE B. - - "_A Mons. le Col. Johnston._" - -[Sidenote: 1763] - -During the winter shipping arrived from England to convey the -troops home. The ROYAL DRAGOONS commenced their march for -Williamstadt in February, 1763, and embarked at that port for -England. According to the official returns, the strength of the -regiment was fourteen officers, three hundred and twenty-nine men, -and four hundred and twenty-three horses, with twenty-four servants -and thirty-five women. - -After their return from Germany the ROYAL DRAGOONS were ordered -to proceed to Scotland; at the same time the light troop was -disbanded, and the establishment was reduced to two hundred and -thirty-one officers and soldiers. Eight men per troop were equipped -as light dragoons, and mounted on small horses for skirmishing and -other light services; the remainder of the regiment was mounted on -large horses of superior weight and power. - -[Sidenote: 1764] - -In 1764 the regiment marched to South Britain; and an order was -received to remount with long-tailed horses. On the 9th of May -in the same year the colonelcy was conferred on HENRY EARL OF -PEMBROKE, who had recently distinguished himself in the campaigns -in Germany. - -[Sidenote: 1766] - -[Sidenote: 1767] - -[Sidenote: 1768] - -[Sidenote: 1769] - -[Sidenote: 1770] - -[Sidenote: 1771] - -[Sidenote: 1772] - -[Sidenote: 1773] - -The six drummers borne on the establishment were, in 1766, -ordered to be replaced by trumpeters; and on the 4th of May in -the following year King George III. reviewed the regiment in Hyde -Park, and expressed his approbation of its appearance and high -state of discipline.[52] After the review it marched to the north -of England; and in 1769 was stationed in Scotland; but returned -to England in the following year, and, after occupying various -quarters in the southern and western counties, was again reviewed -by his Majesty on the 17th of May, 1773, on Finchley Common; and, -according to the journals of that period, its excellent condition -and correct manœuvring procured the approbation of the King, and -excited the admiration of the princes, noblemen, general officers, -and other spectators. - -[Sidenote: 1774] - -[Sidenote: 1775] - -[Sidenote: 1777] - -During the summer the ROYAL DRAGOONS again proceeded to the north, -and, after occupying quarters for a short period in Yorkshire, -marched to Scotland, where they were stationed during the summer of -1774; but returned to England in the succeeding year; and on the -24th of May, 1777, were reviewed in brigade with the second dragoon -guards, on Wimbledon Common, by the King, accompanied by several -of the young princes, and attended by a retinue of noblemen and -general officers. - -[Sidenote: 1778] - -Hostilities having commenced between Great Britain and the colonies -in North America, an augmentation was made in the strength of -the regular army; and in 1778 six serjeants, six corporals, and -one hundred and twenty-six private men were added to the ROYAL -DRAGOONS. During the summer they were encamped, with several other -corps, on Coxheath, near Maidstone, where they were reviewed by the -King. - -[Sidenote: 1779] - -In 1779 the men of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, equipped as light -dragoons, with the light troops of the third dragoon guards, and -sixth and eleventh dragoons, were incorporated into a regiment -which was numbered the twentieth light dragoons.[53] During the -summer the third dragoon guards, ROYALS, fifteenth, twentieth, -and twenty-first dragoons were encamped on Lexden Heath, near -Colchester. - -[Sidenote: 1780] - -[Sidenote: 1781] - -[Sidenote: 1783] - -During the great riots in London in 1780 the ROYAL DRAGOONS were -ordered to march thither. In the following year they proceeded to -Scotland; and at the termination of the American war, in 1783, the -establishment was reduced to two hundred and thirty-one officers -and soldiers. - -[Sidenote: 1784] - -[Sidenote: 1789] - -[Sidenote: 1790] - -[Sidenote: 1791] - -The regiment left Scotland in 1784, and occupied various quarters -in the western and northern counties of England six years. On -the breaking out of the revolutionary proceedings in France, the -establishment was augmented nine men per troop, and in the spring -of 1790 the six troops proceeded to Scotland; they, however, -returned to England in the following year, and were employed in -suppressing riots at Birmingham. - -[Sidenote: 1792] - -[Sidenote: 1793] - -A further augmentation was made to the establishment in 1792, and -again in the spring of 1793, when four troops were ordered to be -held in constant readiness for foreign service. - -The enormities committed by the French republicans occasioned -another war; Holland was attacked; a body of British troops was -sent to assist the Dutch; and on the 10th of June, 1793, four -troops of the ROYAL DRAGOONS embarked for the Netherlands to join -the army commanded by his Royal Highness the Duke of York. After -landing at Ostend the four troops marched up the country, and -formed part of the force which drove a body of French from the -_Camp de Cæsar_, behind the Scheldt, on the 8th of August. The -ROYAL DRAGOONS were also with the covering army during the siege -of Dunkirk, and after the attempt on that place was abandoned, they -were employed in operations near the frontiers of Flanders, where -they had a sharp encounter with a corps of French cavalry on the -27th of October. - -[Sidenote: 1794] - -On the 28th of January, 1794, the colonelcy of the regiment, being -vacant by the decease of the Earl of Pembroke, was conferred on -Major-General PHILIP GOLDSWORTHY. - -In April the four troops on foreign service were assembled with the -army near Cateau, and were engaged in the general attack made on -the enemy's positions at _Prémont_, &c. on the 17th of April, when -Captain-Lieutenant the Honourable Thomas Carlton, of the regiment, -was killed. The siege of Landrécies was immediately undertaken: the -ROYAL DRAGOONS formed part of the covering army, and on the 24th -of April were engaged in an affair with the enemy at _Villers en -Couché_, when the French lost twelve hundred men and three pieces -of cannon: the ROYALS had one man and two horses killed, and two -men and three horses wounded. - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS had another opportunity of distinguishing -themselves on the 26th of April at _Cateau_. The enemy had marched -out of Cambray, and at daybreak attacked the British army. The Duke -of York detached the ROYALS and seven other cavalry regiments to -turn the left flank of the French army: this movement was attended -with the most brilliant success; the enemy was overthrown with -immense slaughter; the rout became general--cavalry and infantry, -mingled in promiscuous crowds, were scattered over the plains, and -the fugitives fell beneath the sabres of the British dragoons, -who captured the French commander, Lieut.-General Chapuy, and -thirty-five pieces of cannon. The Duke of York, in his account of -this action, observes, "THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE BRITISH CAVALRY HAS -BEEN BEYOND ALL PRAISE." The ROYAL DRAGOONS were among the corps -which were declared in general orders to have "ACQUIRED IMMORTAL -HONOUR." Their loss on this occasion was six men and twelve horses -killed; with Lieutenant Froom, two serjeants, eleven men, and -fourteen horses wounded. - -After the capture of _Landrécies_ the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched to -the vicinity of _Tournay_, where they were again engaged with the -enemy on the 10th of May; and the Duke of York observed in his -public despatch, that the troops had "well supported the reputation -acquired on the 26th of last month." The loss of the ROYALS was -only two horses killed, and one man and three horses wounded. - -The ROYALS were in reserve when the attack was made on the French -positions on the 17th of May. The army afterwards resumed its -post before _Tournay_, where it was attacked on the 22d of May by -General Pichegru with an immense force. The British heavy cavalry -had, it appears, become a terror to the enemy, for Brown, in his -Journal, observes (22d May), "A column of five or six thousand men -made its appearance towards our left, on which account the brigade -of guards and the British heavy cavalry remained ready for action -on their camp ground; but the French, observing our advantageous -situation, _and dreading the thought of meeting the British cavalry -a second time on an open plain_, thought proper not to approach." -Finally the French were repulsed at every point of attack, and -retreated in the evening. - -At length the enemy defeated the Austrians, and brought forward -such immense numbers that the English army had no chance of -success: the Duke of York retreated, and the final evacuation of -Flanders followed. - -In the mean time another squadron of the ROYALS embarked for -foreign service; but having been driven back by severe weather, the -officers and men were ordered to disembark and remain in England. -In July that part of the regiment which was in England marched -from Salisbury to Weymouth, in consequence of his Majesty visiting -that place; and in October, when the King returned to London, they -marched to Dorchester barracks. - -During the winter the four troops on foreign service were exposed -to privations and inclement weather, which occasioned the death of -many men and horses. The winter was particularly severe, the Dutch -people were favourable to the French, and the British troops, in -their retreat through Holland during a hard frost and storms of -snow and sleet, were treated as enemies by the inhabitants; at -length the troops arrived in the duchy of Bremen, where they had -repose and kind treatment. - -[Sidenote: 1795] - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS were not engaged in any further hostilities on -the continent. During the summer of 1795 they were encamped on one -of the plains of Westphalia, and in the winter embarked for England. - -[Sidenote: 1796] - -Meanwhile, that part of the regiment which was on home service was -again employed on King's duty at Weymouth, during his Majesty's -stay at that place, and afterwards proceeded to Dorchester, where -the four troops returning from the continent arrived in January, -1796. In July of the same year the regiment encamped on Barham -Downs, near Weymouth, and in September marched into quarters at -Canterbury. - -[Sidenote: 1797] - -[Sidenote: 1798] - -[Sidenote: 1799] - -In October, 1797, the regiment marched for Birmingham and Coventry; -in July, 1798, for Exeter and Taunton; and in the following summer -proceeded to Radipole barracks, Weymouth; but marched from thence, -in November of the same year, for Salisbury, Warminster, &c. - -In August, orders were received for the regiment to be mounted -on nag-tailed black horses;[54] and the horse's tails were -consequently cut. - -[Sidenote: 1800] - -During the summer of 1800 an encampment of about thirty thousand -men was formed on Swinley common, near Windsor; the ROYAL DRAGOONS -joined the camp in July; the troops were frequently exercised in -the presence of the royal family, and the King reviewed the several -corps previous to their departure. On the 11th of August the -regiment quitted the camp, and proceeded to Croydon barracks and -Epsom, with a squadron detached on coast duty in Sussex. - -[Sidenote: 1801] - -On the 7th of January, 1801, his Majesty conferred the colonelcy -of the regiment on Major-General THOMAS GARTH, in succession to -Lieut.-General Goldsworthy, deceased. - -Towards the end of May the regiment marched to Canterbury, and -furnished numerous detachments on the revenue duty at the maritime -towns and villages on the coast of Kent, where they assisted in -making large seizures of smuggled goods, for which they received a -reward of upwards of one pound per man. - -[Sidenote: 1802] - -A treaty of peace with the French republic having been signed at -Amiens, a reduction of two troops was made in the establishment, -and the officers were placed on half-pay. - -[Sidenote: 1803] - -In July, 1802, four troops were ordered to Trowbridge to aid the -civil power in the suppression of riots. In October following the -regiment proceeded to Exeter and Taunton, with detached troops -on coast duty in Cornwall; and in April, 1803, it was removed to -Dorchester, Radipole, and Wareham barracks, from whence it marched -in July following to Arundel and Chichester. At the same time, the -war with France having recommenced, the establishment was augmented -from eight to ten troops. - -[Sidenote: 1804] - -A change of quarters took place in April, 1804, and the regiment -was stationed at Ipswich and Woodbridge; from whence it proceeded, -in November following, to Colchester, where it passed the winter. - -[Sidenote: 1805] - -[Sidenote: 1806] - -The regiment quitted Colchester in April, 1805, and proceeded to -York, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Birmingham. In January, 1806, it -returned from the north, and was again stationed at Woodbridge; -and in March of the same year it once more proceeded northward, -and, on arriving in Scotland, its head-quarters were established at -Edinburgh, with detached troops at Dunbar, Haddington, and Perth, -having marched upwards of six hundred miles in three months. - -[Sidenote: 1807] - -[Sidenote: 1808] - -Embarking from Scotland in January, 1807, the regiment proceeded -to Ireland, from which country it had been absent one hundred and -fifteen years; and on its arrival the head-quarters were stationed -at Dundalk, with detached troops at Belturbet, Lisburn, Monaghan, -Enniskillen, Sligo, and Londonderry. In June, 1808, it proceeded to -Dublin, with detached troops at Carlow and Athy. - -In the mean time important events had transpired in the Peninsula. -Napoleon Buonaparte (whom the French had elevated to the throne) -had obtained possession of the kingdoms of Portugal and Spain by -treachery; had placed his brother Joseph on the throne of Spain, -and supported these usurpations by an immense French army. The -Spaniards and Portuguese, being impatient of the bondage into which -they were brought, made energetic struggles for liberty, and, a -British force proceeding to their aid, Portugal was delivered from -the power of Buonaparte. Lieut.-General Sir John Moore advanced -from Lisbon into Spain to aid the patriots; and the ROYAL DRAGOONS -were directed to proceed on foreign service to reinforce the army -in the Peninsula; but, on arriving at Cork for embarkation, news of -the result of Sir John Moore's expedition occasioned the order to -be countermanded. - -[Sidenote: 1809] - -The regiment remained at Cork barracks until April, 1809, when it -proceeded into extensive cantonments (head-quarters at Clonmell), -from whence it was withdrawn in August following, and eight troops, -of eighty rank and file and eighty horses per troop, embarked at -Cork for Portugal. The transports sailed on the 2nd of September, -and on the 12th and 13th of that month the regiment landed at -Lisbon, and occupied the barracks at Belem. - -[Sidenote: 1810] - -The British army in Portugal, commanded by Lord Wellington, was -occupying quarters on the Mondego. The ROYAL DRAGOONS marched a -few stages up the country in January, 1810, and were stationed at -Santarem and Torres Novas, in the province of Estremadura; from -whence they marched, in February, to Niza and Alphalo, in the -Alentejo. - -The enemy having an immense superiority of numbers, the British -commander was reduced to the necessity of acting on the defensive, -and his ultimate object was the protection of Lisbon. He, however, -resolved to maintain a frontier position as long as possible; -and, Ciudad Rodrigo being menaced in the end of April, the ROYAL -DRAGOONS were ordered to advance to Belmonte, in the province of -Beira, where they arrived on the 5th of May. The French army, -commanded by Marshal Massena, Prince of Esling, proved so numerous, -that all hope of preserving Ciudad Rodrigo was abandoned. The ROYAL -DRAGOONS left Belmonte on the 9th of June, and proceeded to Villa -Velha, from whence they marched, on the 1st of July, to Ville de -Touro, and towards the end of the same month to Alverca; the enemy -having taken Ciudad Rodrigo and besieged Almeida, the advanced -posts of the British army were removed to _Frexadas_. - -The French took Almeida on the 27th of August, and on the -following day attacked a squadron of the ROYALS and a squadron -of the fourteenth light dragoons on piquet at _Frexadas_, under -the command of Major Dorville. The enemy brought forward a -superior force of cavalry, supported by infantry; but the two -British squadrons, undaunted by superior numbers, charged the -French horsemen with signal gallantry, and drove them from the -field with the loss of many men killed and wounded, and five taken -prisoners.[55] The ROYALS lost, in this encounter, two men and one -horse killed, and two men and one horse wounded. - -The allied army retired a short distance. The ROYAL DRAGOONS -continued to be actively employed, and, in a skirmish with the -enemy on the 2nd of September at _Alverca_, on the main road to -Almeida, they had a serjeant wounded. The regiment retired from its -advanced position on the same day, and on the 19th of that month -was stationed at Santa Comba Dão. - -The enemy continued to press upon the rear of the British army, and -a party of the ROYAL DRAGOONS had another encounter with the French -on the 21st of September, and had one man wounded, and another -wounded and taken prisoner. - -Lord Wellington having resolved to make a stand on the heights -of _Busaco_, the army retired to that position, covered by the -ROYALS and fourteenth light dragoons. During the severe contest -in the mountains on the 27th of September, the ROYALS were formed -in reserve behind the position; and when the army retired to -the celebrated lines of _Torres Vedras_, the ROYALS once more -occupied the post of honour in the rear of the line of march. The -French pressing upon the retiring army near _Pombal_ on the 5th -of October, their audacity was punished by a piquet of the ROYALS -commanded by Lieutenant Carden, who charged the enemy and drove -them back with loss; but, having advanced too far in pursuit, -the lieutenant and one man, who were both wounded, were taken -prisoners: the piquet, however, captured and brought off a French -cavalry officer. The enemy's leading corps, being supported by -immense columns, continued to hover round the rear of the allied -army; and the temerity of their cavalry was again chastised on the -9th of October, near _Quinta de Torre_, by a squadron of the ROYAL -DRAGOONS, which made a gallant charge, driving the French horsemen -back with loss, and forcing them to take shelter behind a corps of -infantry. This corps was too strong to be attacked by the squadron, -and the ROYALS, having received a volley, retired with the loss of -six horses killed, and one serjeant-major and two men wounded, with -four men wounded and taken prisoners. - -On the following day the allied army was in position in the -fortified lines, where it opposed to the advance of the enemy -a barrier so formidable that Marshal Massena, after several -reconnoisances, declined to attack it, and retired during the -night of the 14th of November. On the 15th the ROYAL DRAGOONS were -despatched after the enemy, and a piquet of the regiment took a -serjeant and five French dragoons prisoners. - -The French army took post on the heights of Santarem; and the ROYAL -DRAGOONS were stationed at Cazal Diera, Quinta, St. Christol, and -Porto de Mugem, from whence they sent out detachments on piquet and -outpost duty. - -[Sidenote: 1811] - -The French Marshal, having consumed his resources and wasted the -numbers and physical power of his army, retired from Santarem -on the night of the 5th of March, 1811. The ROYALS were again -despatched in pursuit, and in the series of brilliant exploits -which followed they took a distinguished part. They had a skirmish -with the enemy near _Pecoloo_ on the 7th of March, when they took -three prisoners, and had one man and one horse wounded. They had -another encounter with the French on the 8th of March, and had two -men and one horse wounded. They again came in contact with the -enemy on the 11th of March, near _Pombal_, and took two serjeants -and seventy-six men prisoners. - -Resuming the pursuit on the following day the allies discovered -in their front a body of French cavalry, infantry, and artillery, -posted on a high table land near _Redinha_. Lord Wellington ordered -the troops to form in line, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS were directed to -support the attack of the infantry. Three shots from the British -centre was the signal to advance, and suddenly a most splendid -spectacle of war was exhibited. The woods seemed alive with troops, -and in a few moments thirty thousand men, forming three lines -of battle, were stretched across the plain, bending in a gentle -curve, and moving majestically onwards, while the horsemen and -guns, springing forward simultaneously from the centre and left -wing, charged under a general volley from the French battalions: -the latter were instantly hidden by the smoke, and when that had -cleared away, no enemy was to be seen, the French having made a -precipitate retreat to Condeixa. - -The British again moved forward in pursuit, and on the 14th of -March the ROYAL DRAGOONS supported a successful attack of the -infantry on a French force posted in the mountains at _Casal Nova_: -they also supported the attack on the French position at _Foz -d'Aronce_ on the 15th; and on the 18th they encountered a party of -the enemy near _Sernadilla_, when they took a serjeant and twelve -men prisoners, and captured twelve mules: the ROYALS had only one -man wounded on this occasion. They continued hovering near the -French army; and on the 26th of March a patrole of the ROYALS, -commanded by Lieutenant Foster, with a patrole of the sixteenth -light dragoons, attacked a detachment of French cavalry near -_Alverca_ with distinguished gallantry, sabred several dragoons, -and took an officer and thirty-seven men prisoners.[56] - -The ROYALS had another affair with a party of the enemy on the 28th -of March, when they captured a car laden with officers' baggage -near Ardés, and had one man wounded. On the third of April they -were posted in reserve during the action at _Sabugal_; and, on the -retreat of the French, they were detached in pursuit, and captured -several mules laden with baggage near _Alfayates_. - -On the 7th of April the ROYALS were sent to the relief of a corps -of Portuguese militia, commanded by Colonel Trant, who had taken -post near _Fort Conception_. A brigade of French infantry was -within half a mile of the militia, whose destruction appeared -inevitable, when suddenly two cannon shots were heard to the -southward,--the French formed squares in retreat,--and in a few -minutes six squadrons of British cavalry and a troop of horse -artillery came sweeping up the plain in their rear. The Portuguese -were rescued from impending danger. The enemy, however, contrived -to effect their escape, with the loss of about three hundred men -killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, and part of their baggage: -among the other captures the ROYAL DRAGOONS took a drove of -fourteen bullocks and a horse. - -The French army having been driven out of Portugal, the allies -blockaded _Almeida_. Marshal Massena advanced to relieve that -place, and he found the allied army posted on a fine table land, -the left at Fort Conception, and the right at the beautiful village -of _Fuentes d'Onor_. The village was attacked on the 3rd of May, -and on the 5th a general assault was made on the British army. The -French drove in the cavalry out-guards, and by the impetuosity of -their attacks gained some advantage; when two squadrons of the -ROYALS, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel CLIFTON, made a gallant -and successful charge on the enemy's cavalry, took a serjeant and -twenty-three men, and released a party of the foot guards who had -been made prisoners by the French. A party of the enemy's cavalry -made a gallant charge, and captured two guns belonging to Captain -Bull's troop of horse artillery; when a squadron of the ROYALS -dashed forward, routed the enemy, and retook the guns, which they -brought back to the British line, with several French prisoners. -Finally, the French were repulsed at every point of attack, and -forced to relinquish their design of relieving _Almeida_. The -ROYAL DRAGOONS had four men and nineteen horses killed; also two -serjeants, thirty-four men, and twenty-four horses wounded; and -they subsequently occupied their former quarters at Villa de Ceirva. - -About midnight on the 10th of May the French garrison in _Almeida_ -blew up the works, then rushed in one column out of the town, -forced their passage through the blockading troops, and directed -their march on Villa de Ceirva; but finding it occupied by the -ROYALS they changed the direction of their march and moved on Barba -del Puerco. A party of the ROYAL DRAGOONS having been suddenly -called out in the night, overtook the rear of the French column, -which they attacked, and took a serjeant and nine men prisoners. -The fourth and thirty-sixth foot also pursued the enemy; but the -main body of the garrison made good their retreat. The regiment had -two men wounded on this occasion. - -After this affair Lord Wellington proceeded to Estremadura, to -besiege Badajoz: but the ROYAL DRAGOONS remained with the forces -left on the frontiers of Portugal, near Ciudad Rodrigo; and they -were stationed in advance to cover the front from Villa de Egua to -Espejo. - -The French army, having been reinforced, and placed under the -command of Marshal Marmont, advanced at daybreak on the morning -of the 6th of June in two columns, when the light division -was directed to retire from Gallegos upon _Nave d'Aver_, and -subsequently upon Alfayetes; and the ROYALS, commanded by -Lieutenant-Colonel CLIFTON, with a troop of the fourteenth light -dragoons, were assembled at Gallegos to cover the retreat. The -French brought forward about two thousand cavalry, six thousand -infantry, and ten guns; and the ROYALS confronted this immense -force with a degree of fortitude and valour seldom equalled.[57] -That celebrated French cavalry officer, General Montbrun, manœuvred -to outflank the ROYALS; but his squadrons were attacked and -defeated twice, and the retreat was effected with little loss. -For their distinguished conduct on this occasion the ROYALS were -publicly thanked by Lieutenant-General Sir Brent Spencer, who -commanded, in the absence of Lord Wellington in Estremadura. They -lost on this occasion a troop-serjeant-major, three men, and six -horses killed; and nine men wounded. - -The ROYALS subsequently bivouacked near Sabugal, from whence they -proceeded to Arronches, and were encamped at the conflux of the -Caya and Algrette: towards the end of July they marched to Idanha a -Nova, on the frontiers of Portugal; and in August to Villa de Toura -and Iteura. Meanwhile Lord Wellington returned from Estremadura, -and afterwards blockaded Ciudad Rodrigo. Marshal Marmont advanced; -when his lordship raised the blockade, and took up a defensive -position, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS were posted on the 22nd of -September on the Upper Azava. A series of attacks and manœuvres -followed, and on the 25th the ROYALS were in the position of Fuente -Guinaldo: from whence they were ordered to retire on the following -day; and on the 27th were posted near Alfayates, with a piquet at -_Aldea de Ponte_, which was attacked by the enemy, when Lieutenant -Ross had his horse killed under him, and three men and six horses -were wounded. On the following day the ROYALS were with the army -in position behind Soito; and Lord Wellington offered battle, but -the enemy retired, and the allied army went into cantonments. The -ROYALS were stationed at Adão; subsequently at Espejo, and towards -the end of November marched for Meda. - -[Sidenote: 1812] - -Lord Wellington having resolved to besiege _Ciudad Rodrigo_, the -ROYAL DRAGOONS marched to the vicinity of that city in January, -1812, and took post at Villa Turpina, to cover the troops employed -in the siege. This city was taken by storm on the 19th of that -month, and, when the works were put in a state of defence, the -ROYALS marched to St. Jao de Presquere. The siege of _Badajoz_--the -capital of Spanish Estremadura, situate on a beautiful plain on -the banks of the Guadiana, was next determined upon: the army was -accordingly put in motion for the south, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS, -proceeding by way of Abrantes into Spanish Estremadura, were placed -under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham; and, -having crossed the Guadiana on the 16th of March, advanced upon -Valverde and Santa Martha, and thence towards Llerena,--an old town -of Estremadura, which once belonged to the knights of St. John. -On the 19th of March the ROYALS were at Villa Franca; but on the -advance of Marshal Soult, with a considerable force, they retired. -_Badajoz_ was taken on the 6th of April, and Lord Wellington -afterwards proceeded to the north; but the ROYAL DRAGOONS remained -in Estremadura, forming part of the force left in the south under -the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill. - -On the 25th of May a squadron of the ROYALS, commanded by Major -DORVILLE, proceeded on out-post duty to _Llera_. On the 27th, at -night, the commanding officer ascertained that a French brigade -had advanced within a short distance of his post: he therefore -retired to a wood about a mile behind the village, and having -placed a small piquet on an eminence, with a support at the -ford of a rivulet in front of the wood, the squadron bivouacked -for the night. In the mean time a brigade of French cavalry, -commanded by Brigadier-General L'Allemand, advanced to _Llera_, -and surrounded the village at midnight, expecting to surprise the -squadron in its quarters; but on discovering that it had marched, -he advanced towards the wood, and, attacking the piquet, wounded -and took prisoners one serjeant and five men. Meanwhile the support -commenced a brisk fire, and gallantly defended the passage of the -ford, and the squadron, not having drawn bit, immediately mounted -and formed; when the French, being foiled in their object, retired: -the squadron followed, and continued skirmishing with the enemy -until they had passed _Llera_, and then resumed its former post. - -On the 11th of June the seventeenth and twenty-ninth regiments -of French dragoons, commanded by Brigadier-General L'Allemand, -again proceeded to the vicinity of _Llera_, when Major-General -Slade advanced with the ROYALS and third dragoon guards, and -having attacked the French, routed them, and continued the pursuit -about nine miles. On arriving at the vicinity of _Maguilla_ the -British regiments had another opportunity of charging, when they -broke the enemy's first line, sabred many of the men, and took -one of General L'Allemand's aides-de-camp prisoner. The British -regiments rushed forward in pursuit with too much eagerness, each -vying with the other which should most distinguish itself; and in -a moment of confusion the French brought forward a reserve, and -charged the broken squadrons with such fury that they were obliged -to retire.[58] The ROYALS lost in this encounter one serjeant, -eleven men, and six horses killed; also nineteen men, and eight -horses wounded; and Lieutenant Windsor, with four serjeants and -thirty-nine men, taken prisoners. Lieutenant Windsor and most of -the men were wounded before they were taken. - -Patroles were afterwards sent on the road to _Maguilla_, and on -the 14th of June a serjeant and twenty-five men of the ROYALS, -with the like number of the third dragoon guards, encountered a -squadron of French dragoons, which they charged with distinguished -gallantry, and having sabred a number of men, took a captain (the -commanding officer of the squadron), with a serjeant and twenty -men, prisoners; and captured twenty-three horses. - -On the 18th of June the ROYALS marched for Albuhera: they were -subsequently encamped near Llerena, from whence they marched -to Los Santos. Meanwhile the forces under Lord Wellington had -defeated the French at _Salamanca_; and on the news of this success -Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill advanced. The ROYALS were in -motion on the 30th of July, and proceeded to Villa Franca, and -subsequently to Fuente del Maestre. - -The main army having marched to Madrid, Sir Rowland Hill advanced -to act in concert with Lord Wellington. The ROYALS advanced on the -27th of August, and on the 6th of September were at Villa Nova; -left that place on the 13th of September; crossed the pontoon -bridge at Almarez on the 19th, and arrived at Talavera, in the -valley of the Tagus, on the 28th; from whence they proceeded to -Tembleque, in New Castile. Lord Wellington having left Madrid and -besieged the castle of Burgos, Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland -Hill took up a position on the Tagus, and the ROYALS marched by -Aranjuez,--a beautiful palace of the kings of Spain,--to Morata. -The enemy, however, concentrated his forces, and advanced, with -an immense superiority of numbers, to relieve Burgos, when Lord -Wellington raised the siege and retired, and Lieutenant-General Sir -Rowland Hill made a corresponding movement. The ROYALS commenced -retiring on the 27th of October by Madrid and the pass of the -Guadarama mountains, and arrived, on the 12th of November, at -Salamanca; from whence they proceeded on the 15th to _Arguilla_, -and on the 17th had an encounter with the enemy, when four men and -one horse were wounded. Leaving Arguilla on the 28th of November -they proceeded to Zelreira, and towards the end of December to -Alcantara. - -[Sidenote: 1813] - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS passed the winter and spring of 1813 in Spanish -Estremadura, from whence they advanced, in the middle of May, to -turn the enemy's position on the northern bank of the Douro; and, -arriving at Salamanca on the 26th of that month, they forded the -river Tormes above the town, and encountered a body of French -infantry and a few cavalry under General Villatte, who was retiring -from Salamanca in the direction of Alba de Tormes, when the right -squadron, led by Lieutenant-Colonel CLIFTON, charged the enemy with -signal gallantry, sabred a number of men, and took one hundred -and forty-three prisoners, with four tumbrils. In this action -the ROYALS had five horses killed, and ten men and three horses -wounded: Major Purvis's charger was also killed under him. - -After this action the ROYALS bivouacked near La Orbado until the -3rd of June, when they advanced, with the army, on Valladolid. The -enemy withdrew his troops from Madrid, and retired on Burgos; and -on the approach of the allied army blew up the castle and fell -back towards the Ebro, and subsequently to _Vittoria_, where he -prepared to give battle. The allied army followed in pursuit; and -in this long and toilsome march the ROYALS were subjected to much -fatigue and privation,--frequently marching from daybreak in the -morning until dusk in the evening, through a romantic and difficult -tract of country, and climbing mountains and passing defiles and -rugged precipices heretofore deemed impracticable. The horses, from -practice, ascended and descended the mountains with astonishing -facility; and on the 20th of June the troops were in front of the -enemy's position. - -At daylight on the morning of the 21st of June the ROYAL DRAGOONS -left their bivouac, and advanced to support the attack of the -infantry on the heights in front of _Vittoria_. The face of the -ground was so rugged that the operations of the cavalry were -impeded, and for some time the services of the ROYALS were limited -to supporting the columns of attack: towards the evening they, -however, advanced to charge, but the enemy fled in confusion, -leaving behind them cannon, ammunition, baggage, and the military -chest of the army. The ROYALS moved forward in pursuit, and -bivouacked about three miles beyond _Vittoria_: their loss was -only one man and two horses killed, and one horse wounded. -On this occasion the regiment was commanded by Major Purvis, -Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton being in command of the brigade. - -The ROYALS advanced in pursuit of the enemy on the following -morning, and on the 2nd of July they were at Suista and other -villages near _Pampeluna_, which place was blockaded by the allied -army. They left that quarter, however, on the 18th of July, for -Sanguesa, a town of Navarre, on the river Arragon, twenty-five -miles from _Pampeluna_. Towards the end of that month the French -army advanced to relieve _Pampeluna_, when the ROYALS were -immediately ordered to return to the vicinity of that place, and -they were formed in column at the foot of the mountains during the -battle of the _Pyrenees_. They remained with the blockading force -near _Pampeluna_ until the 10th of August, when, forage becoming -scarce, they again proceeded to the plains of the Arragon, where -they remained, together with General Mina's division of Spaniards, -as a corps of reserve and support to the blockade, until after the -surrender of that fortress. They were subsequently stationed at -Villa Franca during the winter. - -[Sidenote: 1814] - -In the mean time the main army had entered France. On the 3rd of -February, 1814, the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched to Tauste: from whence -they proceeded, in the beginning of March, through the Pyrenean -mountains, and entered France on the 9th of that month. For a -short period they were stationed near _Bayonne_, which place was -blockaded by the allied army; but they subsequently advanced up the -country, and on the 10th of April were at the battle of _Toulouse_, -when they were employed in covering the light brigade of guns, and -in driving the piquets of the enemy under the walls of the city, -which was immediately besieged. The French, having retired, the -ROYALS were ordered forward to Villa Franche, and afterwards to -Gardouch. These brilliant successes of the British troops were -followed by the abdication of Buonaparte, and the restoration of -peace. - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS returned to Villa Franche on the 23rd of April, -where they remained about a month, and then moved to Montguiscarde; -and on the 2nd of June commenced their march through France to -Calais, where they arrived on the 17th of July. They embarked on -the following day, landed at Dover on the 19th, and marched from -thence to Bristol, where they arrived on the 11th of August; and -shortly afterwards the establishment was reduced from ten to eight -troops. In November the quarters were removed from Bristol to -Exeter; and the brilliant services of the regiment were rewarded -with permission to bear the word "PENINSULA," as an honorary -distinction, on the standards and appointments. - -[Sidenote: 1815] - -The prospect of a lasting peace soon vanished, and unexpected -events brought the ROYAL DRAGOONS again into the field of conflict. -The return of Buonaparte to France, the flight of Louis XVIII. from -Paris, and the appearance of a British army near the frontiers of -France, followed in rapid succession. An express arrived at the -quarters of the ROYALS on the morning of the 24th of April, 1815, -with orders to march on the following morning for Canterbury, -and afterwards to Dover and Ramsgate, and to embark for the -Netherlands. An augmentation of two troops was at the same time -ordered; a hundred horses were received at Canterbury by transfer -from the fifth dragoon guards; and about the middle of May the -ROYALS were in Belgium, in quarters in the villages between Ghent -and Brussels, where, to pass away the time unemployed by military -duties, the officers amused themselves with horse-races and -athletic sports.[59] - -On the morning of the 16th of June the ROYALS were suddenly aroused -before daybreak by the loud notes of the bugle sounding "to -horse." The summons had a highly exhilarating effect on the spirits -of the men: they turned out with alacrity, not doubting but the day -was big with events, and in a short time they were advancing on -_Quatre Bras_, where the enemy had commenced a furious attack on -the advanced-posts. After continuing the march about fifty miles, -the ROYALS arrived at the scene of conflict about dusk in the -evening:[60] the fighting had ceased, and the troops bivouacked on -the field of battle. - -The Prussians had been defeated at Ligny and forced to retire; -the Duke of Wellington made a corresponding movement; and the -ROYAL DRAGOONS, after passing the night under arms in the open -fields, were formed in line, on the forenoon of the 17th of June, -with the other cavalry regiments, to cover the retreat of the -infantry. The British cavalry, manœuvring, and, by their varied -evolutions, masking and covering the retreat of the infantry, -exhibited a splendid spectacle of war. One squadron of the ROYALS, -commanded by Major Radclyffe, was sent to the front to skirmish. -"I was detached," observes the major, in his narrative, "with my -squadron to cover the brigade by skirmishing, and Major-General -Sir William Ponsonby, and the brigade generally, were pleased -to applaud the style in which we acquitted ourselves. It rained -with greater violence than I ever witnessed before, which I found -to my advantage when it was my turn to skirmish. The enemy had -two squadrons of Chasseurs opposed to me, and as they could not -overpower us by their fire, they huzzaed and endeavoured to excite -each other on with 'Vive l'Empereur!' and once actually charged -towards my skirmishers, but they stopped short, not daring to come -to daggers with us." Towards the evening the ROYALS arrived at -the position in front of _Waterloo_, where they halted, and again -passed the night in the open fields, without provisions, without -drink, and exposed to continued rain. - -On the morning of the 18th of June the army was formed in order of -battle. "We" (the ROYALS) "found ourselves," states the Major, in -his journal, "in our place in close column behind the second line -of infantry, fetlock deep in mud; no baggage for the officers, and -neither provision nor water for the men (though some stray cattle -had been killed and eaten, and a small supply of spirits had, a -short time before, been found on the road), so that we might be -said to go _coolly_ into action, for every man was wet to the -skin." Notwithstanding these disadvantages the ROYALS proved "true -Britons." - -At ten o'clock the French army was seen forming on the opposite -heights, from whence a cloud of skirmishers rushed forwards: the -fire of the artillery gradually opened, and about noon the columns -of attack came sweeping through the valley in all the pomp and -majesty of war. A succession of attacks was made at various points, -and the ROYALS were formed in column, awaiting the moment when -their services should be required. At length, twenty thousand -French infantry (Count d'Erlon's corps) suddenly appeared on the -opposite heights, and rushing forward, such was the celerity of -their course, that, scarcely seeming to traverse the intermediate -space, they quickly ascended the position,--dispersed a Belgic -brigade with which they first came in contact,--forced the -artillery-men, posted in the rear of the double hedge and narrow -road, to abandon their guns,--broke through parts of the British -supporting infantry,--and several thousand of French foot having -passed La Haye Sainte, had actually crowned the allied position, -when Lieutenant-General the Earl of Uxbridge came galloping to -that part of the field. A few words issued from his lips: speedily -the ROYALS, the Scots Greys, and Inniskillen dragoons were seen -advancing in line; the noble bearing of these distinguished -horsemen was characteristic of the innate valour of the officers -and men, and the spectacle was singularly imposing. The three -regiments halted a few moments to permit the broken battalions to -pass through the intervals of squadrons, and then rushed forward, -with terrific violence, upon the enemy's infantry. The effect was -magical: the heads of the French columns were instantly broken -and forced back,--a general flight commenced; the firing ceased, -and the smoke having cleared away, those formidable masses, a -moment before so menacing and conspicuous, had almost disappeared, -or left only the traces of a dispersed rabble flying over the -plain. Some, despairing to escape, abandoned their arms, and threw -themselves on the ground, and the ROYALS, Greys, and Inniskillen -dragoons were seen trampling down and sabring the French infantry -with uncontrollable power. Crowds of French soldiers appeared -at different points, surrendering as prisoners: many, however, -defended themselves to the last; and others again, rising up, after -being ridden over or passed by the dragoons, were observed firing -on their rear, the slope of the position being left literally -covered with dead. - -During the heat of this conflict, Captain ALEXANDER KENNEDY -CLARK,[61] commanding the centre squadron of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, -having led his men about two hundred yards beyond the second -hedge on the British left, perceived in the midst of a crowd of -infantry the EAGLE of the French 105th regiment, with which the -bearer was endeavouring to escape to the rear. Against this body -of men, Captain Clark instantly led his squadron at full speed, -and plunging into the midst of the crowd, overtook and slew the -French officer who carried the EAGLE; and several men of the ROYAL -DRAGOONS coming up at the moment, the EAGLE was captured, and -Captain Clark, giving it to Corporal Stiles,[62] directed him to -carry it to the rear.[63] - -Another EAGLE was captured by the Greys; and the three regiments, -animated by this tide of success, pursued their advantage too far. -They crossed the ravine; carried several batteries; and continued -their course even to the rear of the enemy's position. The latter, -recovering confidence from the disorder too apparent in the -movements of this insulated and unsupported brigade, fell upon -it with a large body of lancers and some cuirassiers. The three -regiments being broken and dispersed in the pursuit, were forced -back, and they sustained considerable loss. Their gallant leader, -Major-General SIR WILLIAM PONSONBY was killed,[64] and the command -of the brigade devolved on Colonel Muter[65] of the Inniskillen -dragoons. - -In this attack the ROYALS took an immense number of prisoners: -their conduct excited great admiration, and has been commended by -historians. The following is an extract from one of the numerous -accounts of the battle of Waterloo:--"The Marquis of Anglesey, -galloped up to the second brigade (1st, 2nd, and 6th dragoons), -and the three regiments, wheeling into line, presented a beautiful -front of about one thousand men. The noble Marquis ordered a -charge, which was most gallantly executed. They took the enemy in -flank and a most tremendous fight commenced. Every man fought with -unparalleled heroism, for every man had his own individual task to -perform. The ROYALS, fired with a noble emulation, rushed into a -column of four thousand men, where they captured the Eagle of the -105th regiment and bore it off in triumph. The greater part of this -column then threw down their arms, and were immediately conducted -to the rear. The Greys also captured an Eagle. Thus the great -attack of the enemy on the left was finally overthrown, and two -thousand men made prisoners." - -After returning from the charge, the ROYALS resumed their post in -position, and were exposed to a heavy cannonade. In the afternoon -the brigade was moved to its right; and, Colonel Muter having been -wounded, Lieut.-Colonel CLIFTON of the ROYALS took the command of -the three regiments; when the command of the ROYALS devolved on -Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Dorville. The enemy made several attacks on -various points, but was uniformly repulsed. At length the Duke of -Wellington assumed the offensive. The ROYALS again advanced, and -the allied army made a simultaneous rush upon the enemy, who was -overthrown, cut down, and pursued with dreadful slaughter from the -field of battle. Thus ended a day glorious to the British arms -beyond precedent. The distinguished services of the HEAVY CAVALRY -did not fail to excite admiration:--by their powerful attacks -they more than once restored the battle; and they were especially -noticed by the Duke of Wellington in his despatch. - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS had Captain Windsor, Lieutenant Foster, Cornets -Magniac and Sykes, Adjutant Shepley, six serjeants, eighty-six -men, and one hundred and sixty-one horses killed: Brevet Major -Radclyffe[66], Captain Clark, Lieutenants Gunning, Keily, -Trafford, Wyndowe, Ommaney, Blois, and Goodenough, with six -serjeants, eighty-two men, and thirty-five horses, wounded; also -two men wounded and taken prisoners. - -On the following morning the allied army advanced, directing its -march upon Paris, which city was surrendered in the early part -of July. The ROYALS accompanied the army, and on the 7th of July -marched into quarters at Nanterre, a village situate about seven -miles from the French capital. The Bourbon dynasty was restored to -the throne, and the campaign terminated. - -[Sidenote: 1816] - -The ROYALS left Nanterre on the 30th of July, and proceeded to -Rouen, and in October to Montevilliers; from whence they marched, -in December, to the vicinity of the coast; and in the early part -of January, 1816, embarked at Calais. The regiment landed at Dover -and Ramsgate on the 15th of that month, and proceeding from thence -to Ipswich barracks, arrived there on the 23rd; and, on the 25th, -the establishment was reduced from ten to eight troops. For their -distinguished gallantry on the 18th of June, 1815, permission was -granted for the ROYAL DRAGOONS to bear the word "WATERLOO" and an -"EAGLE" on their standards and appointments: every officer and man -present at that engagement received a silver medal to be worn on -the left breast, and the subaltern officers and soldiers had the -privilege of reckoning two years' service for that day, towards -increase of pay and pension. - -The following officers of the ROYAL DRAGOONS received medals and -marks of royal favour for their services during the war:-- - - LIEUTENANT-COLONEL. - COLONEL ARTHUR BENJAMIN CLIFTON. - - Medal and one clasp for Fuentes d'Onor, and Vittoria. - Companion of the order of the Bath. - Medal for Waterloo. - The second class of the Russian order of St. Anne. - The fourth class of the order of Wilhelm of Holland. - - MAJORS. - LIEUTENANT-COLONEL PHILIP DORVILLE. - - Companion of the order of the Bath. - Waterloo Medal. - - CHARLES PURVIS. - - Medal for Vittoria. - - -MEDALS FOR WATERLOO. - - CAPTAINS. - - Major Charles E. Radclyffe - Alexander Kennedy Clark - Paul Phipps - - LIEUTENANTS. - - Henry Robert Carden - Sigismund Trafford - George Gunning - Townshend Richard Keily - Samuel Windowe - Cornthwaite Ommaney - Charles Blois - Stephen Goodenough - - CORNETS. - - C. B. Stephenson - Honourable John Massey - Quarter-Master W. Waddell - Surgeon George Steed - Veterinary-Surgeon W. Ryding - -[Sidenote: 1817] - -[Sidenote: 1818] - -Towards the end of August, 1817, the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched for -Scotland, and were stationed at Hamilton, Ayr, Dumfries, Stirling, -and Glasgow. In June, 1818, they embarked at Portpatrick for -Ireland, and, having landed at Donaghadee, proceeded to Ballinrobe, -Sligo, Longford, Roscommon, and Dunmore. In November a reduction of -eight serjeants, ninety-six men, and fifty-six horses, was made in -the establishment. - -[Sidenote: 1819] - -[Sidenote: 1820] - -In June, 1819, the regiment proceeded to Dublin, where it remained -on garrison duty until August of the following year, when it -embarked for England; and, after landing at Liverpool, marched to -Manchester, Oldham, Ashton, and Altringham. - -[Sidenote: 1821] - -On the 19th of March, 1821, the ROYALS commenced their march for -Radipole barracks, from whence a number of parties were detached on -revenue duty; and, for the seizure of smuggled goods made whilst on -this duty, the regiment received upwards of £200. In September the -establishment was reduced to six troops, of three officers, three -serjeants, one trumpeter, one farrier, fifty rank and file, and -forty-two horses each. - -[Sidenote: 1822] - -The regiment marched, on the 13th of June, 1822, from the west -and south-west districts, to Richmond and other villages near the -metropolis, and was reviewed on Wormwood Scrubbs by His Royal -Highness the Duke of York on the 6th of July. Two days after the -review it marched for Canterbury, detaching troops and parties on -the revenue duty. - -[Sidenote: 1823] - -Having called in the detachments, the regiment marched from -Canterbury, on 1st of July, 1823, for the cavalry barracks near -the Regent's Park, London, and on their arrival took the King's -duty--the life guards and royal horse guards having marched into -quarters near Hounslow, preparatory to a review, which took place -on the 15th of July, when the ROYALS furnished a guard of honour -for His Royal Highness the Duke of York, and a squadron to assist -in keeping the ground. They were relieved from the King's duty -on the following day, and marched for York barracks, where they -arrived on the 29th of July. - -[Sidenote: 1824] - -From York the ROYALS marched, on the 24th of May, 1824, for -Scotland, and occupied Piershill barracks, Edinburgh, and -Perth,--with detachments at Cupar, Angus, and Forfar; and were -employed, during the calamitous fire in Parliament Square, -Edinburgh, in November, on three successive days, in preserving -order, protecting property, and rendering assistance to the -unfortunate sufferers; and the dismounted men, with the barrack -engine, assisted materially in extinguishing the fire in the Tron -church. The services of the regiment, on this occasion, were -commended in a general order, issued by the commander of the -forces in Scotland; and in a vote of thanks from the lord provost, -magistrates, and town council of Edinburgh. - -[Sidenote: 1825] - -In the early part of March, 1825, the regiment proceeded to -Hamilton, and Glasgow, and in the following month embarked for -Ireland; after landing at Donaghadee, it marched to Dundalk and -Belturbet, from whence several strong escorts were detached for the -safe-conduct of specie,--the currency of the two kingdoms having -been assimilated. - -[Sidenote: 1826] - -[Sidenote: 1827] - -[Sidenote: 1828] - -On the 30th of March, 1826, the ROYALS marched for Dublin, where -they remained until April, 1827, and then marched for Newbridge; -and in October following proceeded to Cork, Fermoy, and Bandon. The -whole assembled at Cork in March, 1828, and proceeded from thence -to Ballincollig. - -[Sidenote: 1829] - -The regiment commenced its march for Dublin on the 28th of April, -1829, embarked for England in the early part of May, and, after -disembarking at Liverpool, proceeded into quarters in the town of -Manchester,--the barracks at that place having been pulled down for -the purpose of being rebuilt. During their stay at this place the -ROYALS furnished a number of piquets and parties for the prevention -of riot and open violation of the law by the operatives, who were -in a state of disaffection: detachments were also sent to Blackburn -and Bolton for the same purpose. - -The death of Lieutenant-General Garth having taken place on the -18th of November, 1829, on the 23rd of that month, His Majesty -conferred the colonelcy on Lieut.-General Lord R. E. H. Somerset, -G.C.B. from the seventeenth lancers. - -[Sidenote: 1830] - -In the summer of 1830 the regiment marched to Norwich and Ipswich; -at the same time the establishment was reduced to two hundred and -seventy rank and file. In the autumn of this year the agricultural -labourers, having been excited by designing men, committed -numerous acts of incendiarism and effected the destruction of -property to a most alarming extent in several counties. The ROYAL -DRAGOONS were, in consequence, called upon to furnish a number of -detachments to assist the civil authorities in suppressing these -outrages. A resolution of thanks from the magistrates of Norfolk, -acknowledging the very effective services rendered by the officers, -non-commissioned officers, and privates, was forwarded by the -lord-lieutenant of the county, to the general commanding-in-chief, -who was pleased to express the satisfaction he experienced in being -presented with so honourable a testimonial of their behaviour. - -[Sidenote: 1831] - -[Sidenote: 1832] - -[Sidenote: 1833] - -[Sidenote: 1834] - -[Sidenote: 1835] - -The regiment remained at Norwich and Ipswich during the whole of -the year 1831. In the spring of 1832 it marched to Canterbury[67]; -in 1833 to Dorchester; and in 1834 to Brighton. During the -following winter it proceeded to Bristol, from whence it embarked, -in January, 1835, for Ireland; and, after landing at Dublin, was -stationed at Newbridge for sixteen months. - -[Sidenote: 1836] - -On the removal of Lieutenant-General Lord Edward Somerset to the -fourth dragoons in March, 1836, the colonelcy of the ROYALS was -conferred on Major-General Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby, -K.C.B., G.C.M.G., and K.C.H., from the eighty-sixth foot. - -[Sidenote: 1837] - -During the summer of 1836 the regiment proceeded to Dublin; and, -while stationed at that place, its colonel, Sir Frederick Cavendish -Ponsonby, died; and was succeeded, on the 20th of January, 1837, by -Lieutenant-General the Right Honourable Sir Hussey Vivian, K.C.B. -and G.C.H. - -[Sidenote: 1838] - -[Sidenote: 1839] - -The regiment left Dublin in the autumn of 1837, and was stationed -during the following year at Cork; from whence it embarked, in May, -1839, for Liverpool; and, after landing at that port, was removed -to Sheffield, where it has remained until the conclusion of this -memoir. - -In taking a retrospective view of the services of the ROYAL -REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, its conduct cannot fail to excite admiration. -The details given in the preceding pages afford numerous instances -of determined bravery, steady discipline, and constant efficiency. -These qualities were eminently displayed when charging the Moorish -legions on the confines of _Africa_, and bearing away in triumph -the Mahomedan colours in 1664 and 1680;--when routing the insurgent -bands at _Sedgemoor_ in 1685;--forcing the passage of the Boyne -in 1690;--on detached services in Ireland in 1691; and opposing -the troops of Louis XIV. in the Netherlands from 1694 to 1697. Nor -were they less conspicuously evinced when serving on the frontiers -of Holland under the great Duke of Marlborough in 1702 and -1703;--skirmishing in the mountains of Catalonia and in the valleys -of Valencia, under the Earl of Peterborough, in 1705 and 1706;--and -charging the Spanish forces at _Almanara_, and at _Saragossa_ in -1710. - -The ROYAL DRAGOONS also distinguished themselves under the eye -of their sovereign when fighting the French cuirassiers at the -battle of _Dettingen_ in 1743, where they captured the standard -of the _mousquetaires noirs_; they again displayed signal valour -at _Warbourg_ in 1760; and under the Duke of York in _Flanders_ -in 1794. In numerous fights with the legions of Napoleon in the -_Peninsula_, from 1810 to 1814, they acquired new honours: they -were also engaged at the glorious battle of _Waterloo_ on the 18th -of June, 1815, where they captured one of the two French Eagles -taken on that day. - -On all occasions the ROYAL DRAGOONS have evinced a dauntless -bearing, united with steady valour, and unshaken firmness, the -characteristics of a British corps. These qualities, as well as the -temper, patience, and forbearance which have distinguished their -conduct, when employed in aiding the civil power on duties at home, -have rendered the regiment a valuable acquisition to the crown, -and have afforded the strongest proofs of its usefulness to the -country. - -[Illustration: First, or Royal Dragoons, 1839. - - [To face page 116. -] - -FOOTNOTES: - -[7] Bibl. Harl. No. 1595.--Mercurius Publicus.--Kingdom's -Intelligencer.--War-Office Records.--History of Tangier, &c. - -[8] Bibl. Harl. 6844. - -[9] History of Tangier, 8vo., 1664. - -[10] Sir John Lanier was afterwards colonel of the Queen's horse, -now first dragoon guards. - -[11] John Coy was afterwards colonel of the seventh horse, now -fifth dragoon guards. - -[12] Thomas Langston was celebrated for taking the Princess Anne -of Denmark's regiment of horse over to the Prince of Orange at -the Revolution in 1688: he was appointed colonel of that regiment -on the 31st of December, 1688, and died in Ireland in 1689: the -regiment was disbanded in 1692. - -[13] Vide the Historical Record of the Life Guards. - -[14] Narrative of the great engagement at Tangier: Tangier's -Rescue, by John Ross; London Gazettes, &c. &c. - -[15] One of the regiments of dragoons raised in 1678 was styled -_the Royal Regiment of Dragoons_; but it was disbanded after the -peace of Nimeguen. - -[16] 'CHARLES R. - -'OUR WILL AND PLEASURE IS, that as soon as the troop of OUR ROYAL -REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, whereof Charles Nedby, Esq., is Captain, -shall arrive from our garrison at Tangier, you cause the same -forthwith to march to the town of Ware, in Our county of Hertford, -where they are to remain until further orders. And the officers of -the said troop are to take care that the soldiers duly pay their -intended quarters. - -'Given at Our Court at Whitehall this 1st day of February, 1683-4. - - 'By His Majesty's command, - 'WILLIAM BLATHWAYTE.' - -A similar order was given for Captain Thomas Langston's troop to -quarter at Hoddesdon, Captain John Coy's at Hampstead, and Captain -Alexander Mackenzie's (the troop raised in 1661) at Watford and -Bushey.--_War-Office Records._ - -[17] The following arms and appointments were issued from the Tower -of London for the equipment of the regiment, viz.-- - - 318 Muskets and bayonets - 12 Halberds - 12 Partizans - 12 Drums - 318 Cartouch boxes and belts - 318 Waist belts and bayonet frogs - 358 Saddles and bridles - 358 Sets of holster caps and housings.--_Ibid._ - - -[18] Nathan Brook's Complete List, Military: London, 1684. - -[19] Hugh Wyndham was afterwards colonel of the seventh horse, now -sixth dragoon guards. - -[20] Francis Langston was afterwards colonel of the fifth horse, -now fourth dragoon guards. - -[21] War-Office Records. - -[22] Ibid. - -[23] War Office Records. - -[24] Mémoires de Berwick. - -[25] Lingard's History of England. - -[26] London Gazette; War Office Records; Life of King James II., &c. - -[27] War Office Route Book. - -[28] London Gazette. - -[29] "There were two priests in the garrison of _Charlemont_, and -there happened a pleasant adventure between one of them and a -dragoon of Colonel Hayford's regiment (the Royal Dragoons) as they -were guarding the Irish towards Armagh. They fell into a discourse -about religion; the point in hand was _Transubstantiation_: the -dragoon, being a pleasant, witty fellow, drolled upon the priest, -and put him so to it, that he had little to say, upon which he grew -so angry that he fell a-beating the dragoon, who, not being used -to put up with blows, thrashed his fatherhood very severely. Upon -which, complaint being made to Teague, as he was at dinner with -our officers at Armagh, all that he said was, he was very glad of -it, adding, 'What te de'il had he to do to dispute religion with a -dragoon?'"--_Story's History of the Wars in Ireland_, p. 63. - -[30] Story's History. - -[31] Story. - -[32] Colonel Clifford, of the Royal Dragoons, adhered to King James -at the Revolution, and having proceeded to Ireland he was appointed -a Brigadier-General. - -[33] Story.--London Gazettes, &c. &c. - -[34] D'Auvergne's History of the Campaigns in Flanders. - -[35] Official Records, London Gazettes, &c. - -[36] London Gazettes, Millner's Journal, and Annals of Queen Anne. - -[37] London Gazettes; Present State of Europe; Mémoires de Berwick; -Annals of Queen Anne; and Official Records in the War-Office. - -[38] "Notwithstanding King Charles has received no reinforcements -since he landed in Catalonia, his partisans, and the small army -under the Earl of Peterborough, have been so active, that their -progress looks altogether romantic, and will hardly be believed -by posterity. They have not only maintained their conquest of the -whole principality of Catalonia, but they have gained the kingdom -of Valencia, and carried their arms as far as Alicant; at the same -time they blockaded Roses, though the two places were above four -hundred miles one from the other."--_Present State of Europe_, -January, 1706. - -[39] Doctor Freind's Account of the Earl of Peterborough's Conduct -in Spain. - -[40] The Present State of Europe for 1708. - -[41] List of British troops which surrendered in the village of -Brihuega, 9th December, 1710:-- - - Harvey's horse, now second dragoon guards. - Royal Dragoons (one squadron), now first, or the royal dragoons. - Pepper's dragoons, now the eighth light dragoons. - Stanhope's dragoons, disbanded. - Foot Guards, one battalion. - Harrison's foot, now the sixth. - Wade's ditto, now the thirty-third. - Dormer's ditto, disbanded. - Bowle's ditto, ditto. - Gore's ditto, ditto. - Munden's ditto, ditto. - Dalzel's ditto, ditto. - - -[42] Marching Order Books and Establishment Books in the War-Office. - -[43] The seventh and eighth regiments of dragoons were disbanded -after the Peace of Utrecht; but the seventh was restored, as stated -above, and the eighth in a few months afterwards. - -[44] Two newly-raised corps, afterwards disbanded. - -[45] Annals of George I., &c. - -[46] The Lieutenant of the Colonel's troop was styled -Captain-Lieutenant. - -[47] London Gazette. - -[48] War-Office Establishment Book. - -[49] Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston rose to the rank of general: he -was, at different periods, colonel of the ninth dragoons, first -horse (now fourth dragoon guards), and sixth dragoons: he was also -governor of Quebec. He died 13th December, 1797, and was interred -in Westminster Abbey. He wrote a Journal of the Campaign of 1760, -which has been forwarded to the compiler of this record by his -grandson, Major Frederick Johnston, unattached. - -[50] Journal of Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston, Royal Dragoons, MS. - -[51] Journal of the Campaigns in Germany, by an Officer present -with the Army. - -[52] On the 19th of December, 1768, a royal warrant was issued for -regulating the clothing, horse-furniture, and standards of the -regiments of cavalry, which contained similar directions to the -warrant of the 1st of July, 1751. See page 65. - -[53] Official Records, Adjutant-General's Office. - -[54] GENERAL ORDERS. - -"The heavy cavalry, with the exception of the two regiments of life -guards and royal regiment of horse guards, are to be mounted on -nag-tailed horses. - -"The first, or King's regiment of dragoon guards; the first, or -royal regiment of dragoons; the third, or King's own regiment of -dragoons, are to be mounted on _black_ nag-tailed horses. - -"The second, or Queen's regiment of dragoon guards, are to be -mounted on nag-tailed horses of the colours of _bay_ and _brown_. - -"The second, or royal North British regiment of dragoons, are to be -mounted on nag-tailed _grey_ horses. - -"All other regiments of heavy cavalry on the British establishment -are to be mounted on nag-tailed horses of the colours of bay, -brown, and chestnut. - -"The custom of mounting trumpeters on grey horses is to be -discontinued, and they are in future to be mounted on horses of the -colour or colours hereby prescribed for the regiment to which they -belong. - - "HARRY CALVERT, - Adjutant General. - - "_Horse Guards_, - _10th August, 1799_." - - -[55] 28th Aug. "A piquet of this regiment (ROYALS) made a _gallant -and successful charge_ on a party of the enemy's cavalry and -infantry, and took some prisoners."--_Lord Wellington's Despatch._ - -[56] "I have received a report of a gallant action of one of our -patroles yesterday evening, under the command of Lieutenant Persse, -of the 16th Light Dragoons, and Lieutenant Foster, of the Royals, -who attacked a detachment of the enemy's cavalry between Alverca -and Guarda, and killed and wounded several of them, and took the -officer and 37 men prisoners."--_Lord Wellington's Despatch, 27th -March, 1811._ - -[57] "It is with great pleasure I have to mention _the -very admirable conduct of the Royals_ under the command of -_Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton_, and one troop of the fourteenth -light dragoons, which being all that were employed in covering the -front from Villa de Egua to Espejo, were assembled at Gallegos, -and retreated from thence agreeably to my directions. And -notwithstanding all the efforts of General Montbrun (who commanded -the French cavalry) to outflank the British, pressing them at the -same time in front with eight pieces of cannon, _their retreat to -Nave d'Aver merits the highest commendation_. - -"Major-General Slade speaks in much praise of _Major Dorville_, -of the _Royal Dragoons_, and of _Captain Purvis_, of the -same regiment, who had opportunities of distinguishing -themselves."--_Lieutenant-General Sir Brent Spencer's Despatch._ - -[58] "Nothing could exceed the gallantry displayed by the -officers and men on this occasion. Sir Granby Calcraft, and -Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton, commanding the two regiments, -particularly distinguished themselves, as well as all the officers -present. - -"I beg particularly to report the conduct of Brigade Major -Radclyffe, of the Royal Dragoons, to whom I feel particularly -indebted for his assistance on this occasion."--_Major-General -Slade's Despatch._ - -[59] Journal of Major Radclyffe, of the Royal Dragoons--MS. - -[60] "The infantry complained they had suffered much from our -absence and tardy arrival, though, God knows, we had lost no -time."--_Major Radclyffe's Journal._ - -[61] Now Colonel A. K. Clark Kennedy, C.B. and K.H., -lieutenant-colonel of the seventh dragoon guards. - -[62] Francis Stiles was rewarded with an ensigncy in the sixth -West India regiment on the 11th of April, 1816, and was placed on -half-pay on the 28th of December, 1817: he died in London on the -9th of January, 1828. - -[63] "I was in command of the centre squadron of the ROYAL DRAGOONS -in this charge. While following up the attack, I perceived, a -little to my left, in the midst of a body of infantry, an Eagle -and Colour, which the bearer was making off with towards the rear. -I immediately gave the order, 'Right shoulders forward,' to my -squadron, at the same time leading direct upon the Eagle, and -calling out to the men with me to 'Secure the colours.' The instant -I got within reach of the officer who carried the Eagle, I ran my -sword into his right side, and he staggered and fell, but did not -reach the ground on account of the pressure of his companions. -As the officer was in the act of falling, I called out, a second -time, to some men close behind me, 'Secure the colour; it belongs -to me!' The standard coverer, Corporal Stiles, and several other -men, rushed up, and the Eagle fell across my horse's head, against -that of Corporal Stiles, who came up on my left. As it was falling -I caught the fringe of the flag with my left hand, but could not -at the first pull up the Eagle: at the second attempt, however, -I succeeded. Being in the midst of French troops, I attempted to -separate the Eagle from the staff, to put it into the breast of my -coatee; but it was too firmly fixed. Corporal Stiles said, 'Pray, -Sir, do not break it!' to which I replied 'Very well; carry it off -to the rear as fast as you can,' which he did. Though wounded, I -preferred remaining in the field in the command of my squadron, -which I did until near seven o'clock in the evening, when I was -obliged to withdraw; having had two horses killed under me, and -having received two wounds, which confined me to my quarters at -Brussels nearly two months."--_Captain Clark's Narrative of the -Capture of the Eagle._ - -[64] This respected and lamented officer (Major-General Sir -William Ponsonby), beloved by all who served with or under him, -met his death in a manner which conferred upon it an interesting -character. When the order was given for attacking the enemy, he led -the three regiments forward with that noble ardour for which he -had been distinguished in the campaigns in the Peninsula. Having -cut through the first column, he proceeded where the ROYALS were -so hotly engaged, and found himself outflanked by a regiment of -Polish lancers in a newly-ploughed field, the ground of which was -so soft that his horse became blown, and was unable to proceed. He -was attended by only one aide-de-camp. At this instant the lancers -were approaching him at full speed. His own death, he knew, was -inevitable, but supposing his aide-de-camp might escape, he drew -forth the picture of his lady and his watch, and was in the act of -delivering them to his attendant to be conveyed to his family, when -the enemy came up and they were both speared upon the spot. - -[65] Now Lieutenant-General Sir Joseph Straton, K.C.H. and C.B., -colonel of the eighth royal Irish hussars, who was authorised to -take and use the surname of _Straton_, instead of Muter, on the -28th of September, 1816. - -[66] Major Radclyffe was wounded in the first charge, and taken -from the field. He was an excellent swordsman, and had taught -many of his men his peculiar method of giving point, and he was -afterwards much delighted on being informed that the troopers, by -adhering to his instructions, had been signally successful in their -attacks. The decease of this gallant and excellent officer, clever -man, and good scholar, took place on the 24th of February, 1827: -the following is an extract from a periodical work respecting him:-- - - "Died on the 24th of February, 1827, in Connaught-square, - Lieutenant-Colonel Radclyffe, Major of Brigade to the Cavalry in - Great Britain, aged 53.--This distinguished officer served in - all the campaigns of the late revolutionary war, commencing with - the Duke of York's, in Flanders, in 1793, and ending with the - sanguinary battle of Waterloo. There he received a severe wound - from a musket-ball, which lodged in his knee, the constant pain - and irritation of which (as it could not be extracted) has thus - prematurely destroyed his valuable life. His Lieut.-Colonelcy took - its date from that glorious day. He was present at the battles - of Salamanca, Vittoria, Busaco, Fuentes d'Onor, the blockade of - Pampeluna, and the attack of Bayonne, besides numerous engagements - of minor note. He was Major of Brigade during the campaigns in - Spain to the battle of Toulouse in April, 1814; after which he - was appointed Assistant-Adjutant General to the Cavalry, and - accompanied it as such through France to England. So entirely was - his mind devoted to his profession, that almost the last words he - spoke (only two hours before his death), in answer to a question - from his physicians as to how he felt, were, 'I am retreating, - retreating, retreating: I cannot advance.' He was a most scientific - and dexterous swordsman, a skilful officer, and able tactician. - Witness a small work which he printed on those subjects. He was a - sincere and ardent friend, a conscientious Christian, and a brave - and good man. He lived highly and universally respected, and died - sincerely lamented." - -[67] A guard of honour, consisting of one major (Major Marten), two -captains, two subalterns, four serjeants, and one hundred rank and -file, with the royal standard, was ordered, by the king's special -command, from Canterbury to Windsor Castle, for the purpose of -escorting their majesties on the occasion of the presentation of a -new standard to the royal horse guards (blues) by King William IV. -on the 13th of August, 1832. - - - - -SUCCESSION OF COLONELS - -OF - -THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS. - - -JOHN LORD CHURCHILL. - -_Appointed 19th November, 1683._ - -At its formation the ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS had the honour of -being commanded by one of the most distinguished officers Great -Britain has produced,--a general who acquired celebrity in the -field and in the cabinet,--who never fought a battle he did not -win, nor besiege a town which he did not capture. - -JOHN CHURCHILL was born on the 24th of June, 1650. At sixteen -years of age he was page of honour to the Duke of York, who -procured him an ensign's commission in the first foot guards; -and he soon afterwards resigned the pleasures of the court to -acquire a practical knowledge of his profession at Tangier, in -Africa, where he served as a volunteer against the Moors, and gave -presage of those bright qualities for which he afterwards became -distinguished. On the breaking out of the Dutch war in 1672 he was -appointed captain in the Duke of Monmouth's regiment of foot, in -the service of the King of France, with which corps he served in -the Netherlands, where he signalised himself by a regular attention -to his duties, and by volunteering his services on occasions of -difficulty or danger; and he evinced signal gallantry in 1673, at -the siege of Maestricht,[68] where he was wounded. He subsequently -served with the French army on the Rhine,--attracted the particular -attention and regard of the celebrated Marshal Turenne,--and in -1674 he was appointed colonel of one of the English regiments in -the service of the French monarch, in succession to the Earl of -Peterborough. His regiment was recalled from France in 1678, and -he was appointed to the command of a brigade of foot in Flanders; -but the peace of Nimeguen taking place, he returned to England, and -his regiment was disbanded. He became the constant attendant of -the Duke of York, and being employed in several delicate missions -between His Royal Highness and the King, he evinced great address. - -The King having resolved to add to the regular army a regiment of -dragoons for permanent service, Colonel Churchill was commissioned -to raise a troop of dragoons, and was appointed colonel of the -regiment, which was honoured with the distinguished title of the -ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS. He was also advanced to the peerage of -Scotland by the title of Baron Churchill of Aymouth. Soon after the -accession of King James II. he was created an English peer by the -title of Baron Churchill of Sandridge. On the 14th of May, 1685, he -was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general: on the breaking out -of the rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth he was sent, with a body -of cavalry, to the west of England, and he was second in command -at the battle of Sedgemoor. His meritorious conduct during this -rebellion was rewarded with the colonelcy of the third troop of -life guards, and the rank of major-general. No ties of interest, -or charms of royal favour, could, however, induce him to abandon -the best interests of his native country; and at the Revolution in -1688 he joined the standard of the Prince of Orange, for which he -was removed from the life guards by King James. On the accession of -King William III. he was restored to the command of the third troop -of life guards,--appointed colonel of the royal fusiliers,--sworn -a member of the privy council,--made lord of the bedchamber to his -Majesty,--created EARL OF MARLBOROUGH, and appointed to the command -of the British troops sent to the Netherlands, to be employed -in the war with France. During the campaign of 1689 he served -under Prince Waldeck, and gave proof of his personal bravery, and -ability to command, at the battle of Walcourt. In June, 1690, he -was appointed commander-in-chief, and proceeding, in the autumn -of that year, with a body of troops to Ireland, captured Cork and -Kinsale. In 1691 he commanded the British infantry under King -William in the Netherlands. In the following year he was confined -in the Tower of London on a charge of high treason; but was -subsequently released without being brought to trial, and restored -to royal favour. On the breaking out of the war in 1701, he was -selected by King William to command the British forces sent to -the Netherlands, and to negotiate the treaties to be formed with -foreign powers; and he was appointed colonel of a regiment of foot -(now twenty-fourth). Queen Anne confirmed these appointments; -also advanced him to the post of captain-general of her forces, -and procured him the chief command of the united British, Dutch, -and auxiliary troops. At the head of these forces he evinced the -abilities of a great captain; he forced the enemy to take shelter -behind their lines; took Venloo, Ruremonde, Stevenswaert, and Liege -with surprising rapidity; extended and secured the Dutch frontiers; -and was rewarded with the thanks of parliament, the approbation -of his sovereign, and the dignity of DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH. In the -campaign of 1703 he was again victorious; he captured Bonn, Huy, -and Limburg; but his career of victory was impeded by the jealousy -or timidity of the Dutch, which he bore in a manner corresponding -with the greatness of his mind. On the 25th of April, 1704, he -was appointed colonel of the first foot guards. The succeeding -campaign was splendid in glorious achievements. He led his army -from the ocean to the Danube; forced the heights of Schellenberg -on the 2nd July, 1704, and compelled the enemy to take shelter -behind the lines of Augsburg. New armies and new generals appeared, -and their overthrow, at the decisive battle of Blenheim on the -13th of August, added new lustre to the reputation of the British -commander: there the heaps of slain gave dreadful proofs of British -valour, and whole legions of prisoners of their mercy. This -victory displayed the distinguishing character of MARLBOROUGH, -and produced important results: Bavaria was subdued; Ratisbon, -Augsburg, Ulm, Meninghen,--all were recovered. From the Danube he -marched to the Rhine and the Moselle; Landau, Treves, and Traerbach -were taken; and the British commander,--courted and honoured by -sovereign princes,--applauded by nations, became the pride of -armies, and was rewarded with the dignity of a PRINCE OF THE ROMAN -EMPIRE. While his judgment swayed the councils of the states of -Christendom, he led their armies to battle and victory. In 1705 -he experienced disappointment from the princes he had delivered -in the preceding year; but, suddenly changing the scene of his -operations, he led his army from the Moselle to the Maese; Liege -was relieved; Huy retaken; and the boasted impregnable French lines -forced. In the spring of 1706 another campaign opened, when the -discipline he had introduced, and the confidence he had inspired, -again proved invincible. He met, attacked, and triumphed over the -French, Spaniards, and Bavarians, at Ramilies, on the 23rd of May. -This decisive action was followed by the surrender of Louvain, -Brussels, Malines, Liege, Ghent, Oudenarde, Antwerp, Damme, Bruges, -and Courtray; and by the capture of Ostend, Menin, Dendermond, -and Aeth,--places which had resisted the greatest generals for -months--for years; provinces, disputed for ages, were the conquests -of a summer. So great was his reputation, that, throughout the -campaign of 1707, the enemy avoided a general engagement: but in -the following summer a gallant French army, led by the princes of -the blood, was overcome at Oudenarde; and, although new armies -and new generals appeared, the career of Marlborough could -not be stopped. The barriers of France on the side of the Low -Countries,--the work of half a century,--were attacked. A numerous -French army were spectators of the fall of Lisle, the bulwark of -their barriers. Every campaign added new conquests. In 1709 Tournay -was taken; and a powerful French army posted near Malplaquet, in a -position covered by thick woods, defended by triple intrenchments, -was attacked. The battle was bloody,--the event decisive; the -woods were pierced; the fortifications were trampled down; and the -enemy fled. After this victory Mons was taken. In the succeeding -year Douay, Bethune, Aire, St. Venant, shared the same fate; and -the campaign of 1711 was distinguished by splendid success. A -new series of lines were passed, and Bouchain captured. Nothing -availed against a general whose sagacity foresaw everything, -whose vigilance attended to everything, whose constancy no labour -could subdue, whose courage no danger could dismay, and whose -intuitive glance always caught the decisive moment and insured -victory; while the discipline he maintained, and the confidence he -inspired, were equivalent to an army. The French monarch saw with -alarm his generals overmatched, his armies beaten and discouraged, -his fortresses wrested from him, and an invincible leader with -a victorious army on the confines of France, ready to carry all -the horrors of war into the heart of his kingdom, and he sued for -peace. A change of the ministry in England, with the adoption of -a policy favourable to the French interest, was followed by the -removal of the great MARLBOROUGH from all his offices dependent on -the British crown. He retired to the Continent, where he remained -until the accession of King George I., when he was replaced in his -former posts, in which he continued until his decease in 1722. - - -EDWARD VISCOUNT CORNBURY. - -_Appointed 1st August, 1685._ - -EDWARD HYDE VISCOUNT CORNBURY, son of the second Earl of Clarendon, -was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the ROYAL DRAGOONS when that -corps was first embodied; and having distinguished himself at the -battle of Sedgemoor, he succeeded Lord Churchill in the colonelcy -of the regiment. The circumstances of his removal are stated at -page 19 in the 'Historical Record of the Royal Dragoons.' - - -ROBERT CLIFFORD. - -_Appointed 24th November, 1688._ - -MAJOR ROBERT CLIFFORD of the ROYAL DRAGOONS was firmly devoted -to the Roman Catholic interest, and in November, 1688, by his -exertions he recovered the regiment for the service of King James, -as stated at page 19 in the Historical Record of the corps. At the -revolution he adhered to King James, and he commanded a corps of -dragoons in Ireland, until the siege of Limerick in 1691, when he -was imprisoned by the Irish on a charge of favouring the passage of -the Shannon by the English; and would have been condemned to death, -if the town had not surrendered soon afterwards. - - -EDWARD VISCOUNT CORNBURY. - -_Re-appointed 31st December, 1688._ - -LORD CORNBURY was restored to the colonelcy of the ROYAL DRAGOONS -by the Prince of Orange; but was removed from his command a few -months afterwards. He was governor of New York, in the reign of -Queen Anne; and in October, 1709, succeeded to the title of EARL OF -CLARENDON. His decease occurred on the 31st of March, 1723. - - -ANTHONY HAYFORD. - -_Appointed 1st July, 1689._ - -This Officer served in the life guards as a private gentleman, and -afterwards in the Duke of Monmouth's regiment of horse in the reign -of Charles II. In 1684 he was appointed lieutenant in the horse -grenadier guards. In 1687 he was lieutenant-colonel of the ROYAL -DRAGOONS. He joined the Prince of Orange in November, 1688; and -succeeding Lord Cornbury in the colonelcy of the regiment in 1689, -served in Scotland and Ireland. - - -EDWARD MATTHEWS. - -_Appointed in June, 1690._ - -This Officer served as a volunteer at Tangier, in Africa; also in -Ireland in 1690 and the following year, and distinguished himself -on several occasions. He also commanded a brigade of dragoons under -King William in Flanders, in 1694, 1695, and 1696; and died on the -28th of May, 1697. - - -THOMAS LORD RABY. - -_Appointed 30th May, 1697._ - -THOMAS WENTWORTH, son of Sir William Wentworth, baronet, was -appointed cornet of the fourth horse, now third dragoon guards, on -the 31st of December, 1688; and in the following summer served with -his regiment against the rebel Highlanders in Scotland. In 1692 -he served in Flanders, and was in the advance-guard at the battle -of Steenkirk on the 3rd of August in that year, where he highly -distinguished himself, and the squadron he was with, being exposed -to a heavy cannonade, only brought off fifty men alive out of one -hundred and fifty. His gallantry on this occasion was especially -reported to his sovereign, and he was appointed aide-de-camp to His -Majesty: in which capacity he served at the battle of Landen, on -the 19th of July, 1693, when his conduct obtained the approbation -of King William III., who promoted him to the commission of cornet -and major in the first troop, now first regiment, of life guards. - -Major Wentworth served with the life guards in the subsequent -campaigns in the Netherlands, and rose to the rank of lieutenant, -and lieutenant-colonel. He succeeded, on the decease of William -Earl of Strafford, to the title of LORD RABY; was appointed -colonel of the ROYAL DRAGOONS in May, 1697; and attended the -Earl of Portland in the interviews with Marshal Boufflers, which -preceded the conclusion of peace at Ryswick. In 1698 his lordship -accompanied King William to Holland, and, on one occasion, when -hunting with His Majesty, he went alone and attacked a wild boar; -the animal, however, threw him down, and had already torn his -clothes and lacerated his flesh, when the King sent two huntsmen to -his aid, who speared the boar. - -In the first year of the reign of Queen Anne, Lord Raby served -with his regiment on the Continent, and in January, 1703, he was -promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. In the spring of the -same year he was appointed envoy extraordinary to the King of -Prussia, and subsequently ambassador extraordinary at the same -court; and on the first of January, 1705, was advanced to the -rank of major-general. His lordship served in the army under the -Duke of Marlborough, during the brilliant campaign of 1706; and, -on the 1st of January following, he was promoted to the rank of -lieutenant-general. In 1711 he was sworn of the privy council, -and appointed ambassador extraordinary to the States-General of -Holland; and in September of the same year he was advanced to the -dignity of EARL OF STRAFFORD. His Lordship took an active part in -negociating the treaty of peace at Utrecht; but after the accession -of George I., he was removed from his public employments. The Earl -of Strafford died on the 15th of November, 1739. - - -RICHARD LORD COBHAM. - -_Appointed 13th June, 1715._ - -SIR RICHARD TEMPLE served under King William in the Netherlands; -and, on the breaking out of the war of the Spanish succession, -he was promoted to the colonelcy of a newly-raised regiment of -foot, which was disbanded at the peace of Utrecht. He served under -the great Duke of Marlborough, and was conspicuous for a noble -bearing, a greatness of soul, and a contempt of danger, which he -exhibited in a signal manner at the sieges of Venloo and Ruremonde, -at the battle of Oudenarde, and at the siege of the important -fortress of Lisle. In January, 1709, he was promoted to the rank -of major-general, and his conduct at the siege of Tournay, the -sanguinary battle of Malplaquet, and siege of Mons, was rewarded, -in the following year, with the rank of lieutenant-general and -the colonelcy of the fourth dragoons. He served under the Duke -of Marlborough in 1711, and had the honour of taking part in the -forcing of the French lines at Arleux, and the capture of the -strong fortress of Bouchain. After the change in the ministry, and -the adoption of a new system of policy by the court, the well-known -attachment of this officer to the Protestant succession, occasioned -him to be removed from his regiment; but on the accession of King -George I. he was elevated to the peerage by the title of BARON OF -COBHAM, and in 1715 he was appointed colonel of the ROYAL DRAGOONS. -In 1717 he was appointed governor of Windsor Castle; in 1718 he -was advanced to the dignity of VISCOUNT COBHAM; and in 1721 he was -removed to the King's horse, now first dragoon guards. He was also -one of the privy council, and governor of the island of Jersey; but -resigned his appointments in 1733. On the change of the ministry in -1742 he was promoted to the rank of field-marshal, and in December -of the same year King George II. conferred upon him the colonelcy -of the first troop of horse grenadier guards. In 1744 he was -removed to the sixth horse, and in 1745 to the tenth dragoons, the -colonelcy of which corps he retained until his decease in 1749. - - -SIR CHARLES HOTHAM, BARONET. - -_Appointed 10th April, 1721._ - -CHARLES HOTHAM, eldest son of the Rev. Charles Hotham, Rector of -Wigan, succeeded to the dignity of baronet on the decease of his -uncle in 1691. He served with distinction in the wars of King -William III., and also under the great Duke of Marlborough in the -reign of Queen Anne; and in 1705 he obtained the colonelcy of a -regiment of foot, with which he proceeded to Spain in 1706, and was -in garrison at Alicant when the unfortunate battle of Almanza was -fought. Sir Charles served with reputation during the remainder -of the war; but his regiment, having suffered severely in the -defence of several fortified towns, was disbanded in Catalonia -in 1708. He was appointed brigadier-general in 1710; and shortly -after the accession of King George I., he was commissioned to -raise a regiment of foot, which, after the suppression of the -rebellion of the Earl of Mar, was sent to Ireland, and disbanded -in the following year, when Sir Charles was appointed colonel of a -newly-raised regiment of dragoons, which was, however, disbanded in -November, 1718. - -On the 7th of July, 1719, the colonelcy of the thirty-sixth -regiment of foot was conferred on Sir Charles Hotham; he was -removed to the eighth foot in December 1720; and in April following -to the ROYAL DRAGOONS. His decease occurred on the 8th of January, -1723. - - -HUMPHREY GORE. - -_Appointed 12th January, 1723._ - -This Officer entered the army as ensign in 1689, and saw much -service in the campaigns of King William on the Continent. On the -1st of February, 1707, he was appointed colonel of a newly-raised -regiment of foot, with which he proceeded to Spain in 1709, and -was appointed brigadier-general on the 1st of January following. -He was at the battles of Almanara and Saragossa in 1710, and was -taken prisoner by the French in the unfortunate affair at the -village of Brihuega in December of the same year.[69] At the peace -of Utrecht his regiment of foot was disbanded; but proving a loyal -and faithful adherent to the Protestant succession, at a time when -Jacobite principles had become prevalent in the kingdom, he was -commissioned by King George I., in July, 1715, to raise a regiment -of dragoons--the present tenth royal hussars. He was removed to -the ROYAL DRAGOONS, in 1723; appointed major-general on the 6th of -March, 1727; lieutenant-general on the 29th of October, 1735; and -he died on the 18th of August, 1739. - - -CHARLES DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH, K.G. - -_Appointed 1st September, 1739._ - -CHARLES SPENCER, fourth Earl of Sunderland, succeeded to the title -of DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH in 1733; and five years afterwards he was -appointed colonel of the thirty-eighth regiment of foot. In 1739 -he was removed to the ROYAL DRAGOONS, in the following year to the -second troops of life guards, and in 1742 to the second regiment -of foot guards; and he commanded the brigade of foot guards at the -battle of Dettingen. In 1755 he was appointed master-general of the -ordnance; and in 1758 commanded the expedition against France, when -the enemy's magazines and shipping at St. Maloes were destroyed. He -was subsequently appointed to command the forces sent to Germany; -and died on the Continent in October, 1758. - - -HENRY HAWLEY. - -_Appointed 12th May, 1740._ - -This Officer served the crown in four successive reigns, and held -a commission in the army during a period of sixty-five years. His -first appointment was dated the 10th of January, 1694; and having -signalized himself in the wars of Queen Anne, he obtained the -rank of colonel by brevet dated the 16th of October, 1712. He was -wounded at the battle of Dumblain in 1715. On the 19th of March, -1717, he was promoted from the lieutenant-colonelcy of the fourth -dragoons to the colonelcy of the thirty-third regiment of foot; -and on the 7th of July, 1730, he was removed to the colonelcy of -the thirteenth dragoons. In 1735 he was promoted to the rank of -brigadier-general; in 1739 to that of major-general; and in the -following year obtained the colonelcy of the ROYAL DRAGOONS. In -1742 Major-General Hawley proceeded with the army to Flanders, he -was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general in the following -spring, and served at the battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy. In -1746 he commanded against the rebel Highlanders in Scotland, and -the troops under his orders had a sharp encounter with the enemy -near Falkirk, and sustained considerable loss. He was afterwards -on the staff of the army in Ireland; was many years governor of -Portsmouth; and died on the 24th of March, 1759. - - -THE HONOURABLE HENRY SEYMOUR CONWAY. - -_Appointed 5th April, 1759._ - -THE HONOURABLE HENRY SEYMOUR CONWAY, second son of Lord Conway, -and brother of Francis Earl of Hertford, was appointed lieutenant -in the first foot guards in 1737, captain and lieutenant-colonel -in 1741, and in 1746 he was appointed aide-de-camp to the Duke of -Cumberland, and promoted to the colonelcy of the fifty-ninth (now -forty-eighth) foot. He was removed to the thirty-fourth foot in -1749, to the thirteenth dragoons in 1751, and to the fourth horse -in 1754. In 1756 he was promoted to the rank of major-general, -and in 1759 to that of lieutenant-general: he was removed to the -ROYAL DRAGOONS in the same year. He commanded a division of the -allied army in Germany, under the Duke of Brunswick, in 1761; and -the British forces in Germany were placed under his orders during -the absence of the Marquis of Granby. He was also one of the grooms -of the bedchamber to his Majesty, and a member of parliament; -and having voted against ministers on the great question of -military warrants, in 1764, he resigned his court appointment and -military commands: but in 1768 he was appointed colonel of the -fourth dragoons. In 1770 he succeeded the Marquis of Granby in -the colonelcy of the royal regiment of horse guards; in 1772 he -was promoted to the rank of general; and in 1782 he was appointed -commander-in-chief of the army: in 1793 he was promoted to the rank -of field-marshal. He died in 1795; at which period he was eldest -general officer and first field marshal in the army. - - -HENRY EARL OF PEMBROKE. - -_Appointed 9th May, 1764._ - -HENRY HERBERT, tenth Earl of Pembroke, entered the army in 1752; in -1754 he obtained a captaincy in the first, dragoon guards; in 1756 -he was appointed captain and lieutenant-colonel in the first foot -guards; and on the 8th of May, 1758, he was appointed aide-de-camp -to King George II. with the rank of colonel. In the following -year he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the fifteenth light -dragoons, and proceeding to Germany, he served with distinction -under the Marquis of Granby during the remainder of the seven -years' war. The rank of major-general was conferred on his lordship -in 1761, and in 1764 King George III. gave him the colonelcy of -the ROYAL DRAGOONS. On the 30th of April, 1770, he obtained the -rank of lieutenant-general, and was promoted to that of general in -November, 1782. The Earl of Pembroke was author of an excellent -work on horsemanship; was many years governor of Portsmouth; and -died on the 26th of January, 1794. - - -PHILIP GOLDSWORTHY. - -_Appointed 28th January, 1794._ - -This Officer was many years in the ROYAL DRAGOONS, with which -corps he served in Germany during the Seven years' war. On the -18th of April, 1779, he was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy -of the regiment; obtained the rank of major-general on the 20th -of December, 1793; and in the following month succeeded the Earl -of Pembroke in the colonelcy. On the 26th of June, 1799, he was -promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general. He died in 1801. - - -THOMAS GARTH. - -_Appointed 7th January, 1801._ - -THOMAS GARTH was appointed cornet in the ROYAL DRAGOONS on the 12th -of April, 1762, and he served the campaign of that year with his -regiment in Germany. He was appointed lieutenant in the same corps -in 1765, captain in 1775; and in 1779 exchanged to the twentieth -light dragoons, with which corps he proceeded to the West Indies, -where he served many years. In 1792 he was appointed major in the -second dragoon guards; and, in 1794, lieutenant-colonel of the -ROYAL DRAGOONS. He served under the Duke of York in Flanders; and -was rewarded with the colonelcy of the Sussex fencibles, from which -he was removed to the twenty-second light dragoons. He was promoted -to the rank of major-general in 1798; and in 1801 he obtained the -colonelcy of the ROYAL DRAGOONS. The rank of lieutenant-general was -conferred on him in 1805, and that of general in 1814. He died in -1829. - - -LORD ROBERT EDWARD HENRY SOMERSET. - -_Appointed 23rd November, 1829._ - -LORD R. EDWARD H. SOMERSET (third son of Henry fifth Duke of -Beaufort) was appointed in 1793 cornet in the tenth dragoons, -with which corps he served six years. In 1799 he was appointed -major in the twelfth light dragoons; in 1800 he was removed to the -twenty-eighth light dragoons; and in 1801 he was promoted to the -lieutenant-colonelcy of the fourth, or Queen's own dragoons, which -regiment he commanded at the battles of Talavera and Salamanca, -where he particularly distinguished himself. He was promoted to -the rank of major-general in 1813; commanded a brigade of cavalry -at the battles of Vittoria, Orthes, and Toulouse; and signalized -himself at the head of the household cavalry brigade at the battle -of Waterloo. He also commanded a brigade of cavalry in the army -of occupation in France. His services were rewarded with a cross -and one clasp; and the grand cross of the order of the Bath. He -subsequently performed the duties of inspecting general of the -cavalry; he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general in -1825; and in 1829 obtained the colonelcy of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, -from which his lordship was removed in 1836, to the fourth light -dragoons. - - -HON. SIR FREDERICK CAVENDISH PONSONBY, K.C.B., G.C.M.G., and K.C.H. - -_Appointed 31st March, 1836._ - -HON. FREDERICK CAVENDISH PONSONBY, second son of Frederick third -earl of Besborough, was appointed cornet in the tenth dragoons -in 1800, and rose in 1803 to the rank of captain in the same -corps, from which he exchanged to the sixtieth regiment in -1806. In 1807 he was appointed major in the twenty-third light -dragoons, at the head of which corps he distinguished himself -at the battle of Talavera in 1809; and in 1810 was promoted -to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment. In 1811 he served -under lieutenant-general Graham at Cadiz; and at the battle of -Barossa, in March of that year, he attacked, with a squadron -of German dragoons, the French cavalry covering the retreat, -overthrew them, took two guns, and even attempted, though vainly, -to sabre Rousseau's battalions. On the 11th of June, 1811, he -was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the twelfth light dragoons; -at the head of which corps he served under Lord Wellington, and -distinguished himself, in April, 1812, at Llerena, in one of the -most brilliant cavalry actions during the war. At the battle of -Salamanca he charged the French infantry, broke his sword in the -fight, and his horse received several bayonet wounds. He repeatedly -evinced great judgment, penetration, and resolution in out-post -duty, and was wounded in the retreat from Burgos, on the 13th of -October, 1812. At the battle of Vittoria he again distinguished -himself: his services at Tolosa, St. Sebastian, and Nive were also -conspicuous; and, on the king's birth-day in 1814, he was promoted -to the rank of colonel in the army. He commanded the twelfth light -dragoons at the battle of Waterloo, where he led his regiment to -the charge with signal intrepidity,--received sabre cuts on both -arms,--was brought to the ground by a blow on the head,--pierced -through the back by a lancer,--plundered by a tirailleur,--ridden -over by two squadrons of cavalry,--and plundered a second time -by a Prussian soldier; but afterwards recovered of his wounds. -His services were rewarded with the following marks of royal -favour:--Knight companion of the order of the Bath,--Knight -grand cross of the order of St. Michael and St. George,--Knight -commander of the Hanoverian Guelphic order,--a cross,--a Waterloo -medal,--Knight of the Tower and Sword of Portugal,--and Knight -of Maria Theresa of Austria. In January, 1824, he was appointed -inspecting field-officer in the Ionian islands: he was promoted -brigadier-general upon the staff of those islands on the 4th of -March, 1824; and in June, 1825, he was advanced to the rank of -major-general: he was removed to the staff at Malta, and retained -the command of the troops in that island until May, 1835. In 1835 -he obtained the colonelcy of the eighty-sixth regiment, from which -he was removed to the ROYAL DRAGOONS in the following year. He -was an ornament to his profession. In him, military talent was -united with the most chivalrous bravery,--calm judgment,--cool -decision,--resolute action,--and modest deportment. He died on the -10th of January, 1837. - - -SIR HUSSEY VIVIAN, BARONET, G.C.B., AND G.C.H. - -_Appointed 20th January, 1837._ - - -LONDON:--Printed by W. CLOWES and SONS, Duke-street, -Stamford-street. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[68] Vide the Historical Record of the Life Guards. - -[69] Vide page 51 in the 'Historical Record of the Royal Dragoons.' - - - - -HISTORICAL RECORDS - -OF THE - -BRITISH ARMY. - - -UNDER THE SPECIAL AUTHORITY, AND BY COMMAND, OF - -HIS LATE MAJESTY, - -WHICH HAVE RECEIVED THE GRACIOUS APPROBATION AND PATRONAGE OF - -HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN. - - -CAVALRY. - - Of the Life Guards 12_s._ - " Royal Horse Guards, or Blues 10_s._ - " First, or King's Dragoon Guards 8_s._ - " Second, or Queen's ditto 8_s._ - " Third Dragoon Guards 8_s._ - " Fourth ditto 8_s._ - " Fifth ditto 8_s._ - " Sixth ditto 8_s._ - " Seventh ditto 8_s._ - - -INFANTRY. - - Of the First, or Royal Regiment of Foot 12_s._ - " Second, or Queen's Foot 8_s._ - " Third Foot, or the Buffs 12_s._ - " Fourth Foot, or the King's Own. 8_s._ - " Fifth, or Northumberland Fusiliers 8_s._ - " Sixth, or Royal First Warwickshire 8_s._ - " Eighty-eighth, or Connaught Rangers 6_s._ - - -EACH ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES. - -The above are Parts of a Series of Narratives of the several -Regiments of the British Army, from the Periods of their Formation -to the present time. - -_Which are being prepared by_ - -RICHARD CANNON, ESQ., - -_Adjutant-General's Office, Horse-Guards_. - -1840. - - -PUBLISHED BY - - LONGMAN, ORME, and CO. Paternoster-row. - CLOWES and SONS, 14, Charing-cross. - RIDGWAY and SONS, Piccadilly. - CALKIN and BUDD, 118, Pall-mall. - PINKNEY, Military Library, Whitehall. - MILLIKEN and SON, Dublin. - SAVAGE and SON, Cork. - A. and C. BLACK, Edinburgh. - - - - - TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE - - Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been - corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within - the text and consultation of external sources. - - Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, - and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained. For example, - War Office, War-Office; field marshal, field-marshal; outpost, - out-post; situate; patrole; rencounter; piquet; negociating. - - Pg 94, 'St. Jao de Presquere' should really be 'São João da Pesqueira' - but has not been changed in the etext. - Pg 99 et seq., the old name 'Pampeluna' (Pamplona) has not been - changed in the etext. - Pg 110, Sidenote '1816' moved one paragraph lower. - Pg 119, 'royal fusileers' replaced by 'royal fusiliers'. - Pg 125, 'Duke of Malborough' replaced by 'Duke of Marlborough'. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Historical Record of the First or The -Royal Regiment of Dragoons: From Its , by Richard Cannon - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS: *** - -***** This file should be named 54891-0.txt or 54891-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/8/9/54891/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, John Campbell and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/54891-0.zip b/old/54891-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 6738381..0000000 --- a/old/54891-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54891-h.zip b/old/54891-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 97ebc7b..0000000 --- a/old/54891-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54891-h/54891-h.htm b/old/54891-h/54891-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index a371a48..0000000 --- a/old/54891-h/54891-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6902 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Historical Record of the First or the Royal Regiment of Dragoons, by Richard Cannon. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2,h3 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - - h1, h2 { - margin-top: 1.5em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - word-spacing: 0.2em; - letter-spacing: 0em; - line-height: .8em; - font-weight: normal; -} - -h1 {font-size: 150%;} -h2 {font-size: 140%;} - -p { - margin-top: .5em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .3em; - text-indent: 1em; -} - -.p1 {margin-top: 1em;} -.p2 {margin-top: 2em;} -.p4 {margin-top: 4em;} -.p6 {margin-top: 6em;} - -.negin1 {padding-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em; text-align: justify;} -.in3 {text-indent: 3em;} -.noindent {text-indent: 0em;} - -.pfs200 {font-size: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs180 {font-size: 180%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs150 {font-size: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs135 {font-size: 135%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs120 {font-size: 120%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs100 {font-size: 100%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs90 {font-size: 90%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs80 {font-size: 80%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs70 {font-size: 70%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} -.pfs60 {font-size: 60%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; word-spacing: 0.3em;} - - -.small {font-size: small;} -.large {font-size: large;} -.xl {font-size: x-large;} - -.fs70 {font-size: 70%; font-style: normal;} -.fs80 {font-size: 80%; font-style: normal;} -.fs90 {font-size: 90%; font-style: normal;} - -.chapter {margin-top: 0em;} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.fulla {width: 95%; margin-left: 2.5%; margin-right: 2.5%; - margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;} - -hr.r10a {width: 10%; margin-left: 45%; margin-right: 45%; - margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;} -hr.r20 {width: 20%; margin-left: 40%; margin-right: 40%;} -hr.r30 {width: 30%; margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%;} -hr.r30a {width: 30%; margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%; - margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} -hr.r30b {width: 30%; margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%; - margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} -hr.r40a {width: 40%; margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 30%; - margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em; border-top: 3px solid;} -hr.r40b {width: 40%; margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 30%; - margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;} - -@media handheld { -hr { - width: 0%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - clear: both; - } - -hr.chap {width: 0%;} -hr.fulla {width: 0%;} - -hr.r10a {width: 0%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} -hr.r20 {width: 0%; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0.1em;} -hr.r30 {width: 0%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} -hr.r30a {width: 0%; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;} -hr.r40a {width: 0%; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;} -hr.r40b {width: 0%; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;} -} - -.corr { - text-decoration: none; - border-bottom: thin dotted blue; -} - -@media handheld { - .corr { - text-decoration: none; - border-bottom: none; - } -} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - -td {padding: .18em .3em 0 .3em;} - -.tdpp {padding-top: 1em;} -.tdppp {padding-top: .5em;} - -.tdl {text-align: left; padding-left: 2em; text-indent: -2em; vertical-align: top;} -.tdr {text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;} -.tdc {text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;} -.tdlx {text-align: left; padding-left: 1.5em; text-indent: -1em; vertical-align: top;} -.tdrx {text-align: right; vertical-align: middle; border-left: solid 1px;} - -.bb {vertical-align: middle; border-bottom: solid 1px;} -.bl {vertical-align: middle; border-left: solid 1px;} - -.pad2 {padding-left: 2em;} -.pad3 {padding-left: 3em;} -.pad4 {padding-left: 4em;} -.pad5 {padding-left: 5em;} -.pad6 {padding-left: 6em;} -.pad8 {padding-left: 8em;} - -.padr1 {padding-right: 1em;} -.padr2 {padding-right: 2em;} -.padr4 {padding-right: 4em;} -.padr6 {padding-right: 6em;} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - color: #A9A9A9; - right: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - font-weight: normal; - font-style: normal; - text-align: left; - text-indent: .5em; -} - -.blockquot { margin: 1em 2% 1em 2%; } - -.size90 {margin: 1em 5% 1em 5%;} - -.sidenote { - position: absolute; - left: 91%; - padding: .2em; - margin: 1.2em .3em 0 .5em; - text-align: left; - font-size: 80%; - color: black; - background: #eeeeee; - border: dashed 1px; - font-weight: bold; -} - -@media handheld { -.sidenote { - padding: .2em .2em .2em .7em; - margin: 1em 90% 0 0; - text-align: left; - font-size: 80%; - color: black; - background: #eeeeee; - border: dashed 1px; - font-weight: bold;} -} - -.bbox {margin: 2em; padding: 1em 0 1em 0; border: solid 2px;} - -.center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} -.right {text-align: right; margin-right: 1em;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.lsp {letter-spacing: 0.15em;} -.lsp2 {letter-spacing: 0.3em;} -.wsp {word-spacing: 0.4em;} -.bold {font-weight: bold;} - -.caption {font-weight: normal; font-size: 80%; - padding: .3em 0 .5em 0;} - -.pg-brk {page-break-before: always;} -.no-brk {page-break-before: avoid;} - -/* Images */ -img {border: none; max-width: 100%; height: auto;} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - padding-top: 1em; - padding-bottom: 1em; - text-align: center; -} - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnotes {border: dashed 1px; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 3em; - padding-bottom: 1em;} - -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 90%;} -.footnote p {text-indent: 0em;} -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: - none; -} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote { - background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:90%; - padding:0.5em; - margin-top:5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; -} - -.transnote p {text-indent: 0em;} - - </style> - </head> - -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Historical Record of the First or The Royal -Regiment of Dragoons: From Its Formation in, by Richard Cannon - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Historical Record of the First or The Royal Regiment of Dragoons: From Its Formation in The Reign of King Charles the Second and of Its Subsequent Services To 1839 - -Author: Richard Cannon - -Release Date: June 11, 2017 [EBook #54891] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS: *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, John Campbell and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<div class="transnote"> -<p><strong>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE</strong></p> - -<p>Some minor changes are noted at <a href="#TN">the end of the book.</a></p> -</div> - - -<div class="figcenter pg-brk"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="600" alt="original cover" /> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> - -<p class="pfs200 lsp wsp">HISTORICAL RECORDS</p> - -<p class="p4 pfs70">OF THE</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs200 wsp bold">BRITISH ARMY.</p> - -<p class="p6" /> -<hr class="r30a" /> -<p class="pfs80 wsp">PREPARED FOR PUBLICATION UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE<br /> -ADJUTANT-GENERAL.</p> -<hr class="r30a" /> -<p class="p6" /> - - -<h1><span class="bold">THE FIRST,</span><br /> -<br /> -<span class="small">OR</span><br /> -<br /> -<span class="large bold">THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS.</span></h1> -<p class="p4" /> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p class="p6" /> - -<p class="pfs90">LONDON<br /> -Printed by <span class="smcap">William Clowes</span> and <span class="smcap">Sons</span>.<br /> -14, Charing Cross.</p> -<p class="p6" /> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>GENERAL ORDERS.</h2> - -<p class="p2 right small padr1"><em>HORSE-GUARDS</em>,</p> -<p class="right small"><em>1st January, 1836</em>.</p> - -<p class="in3">His Majesty has been pleased to command, -that, with a view of doing the fullest justice to Regiments, -as well as to Individuals who have distinguished -themselves by their Bravery in Action with -the Enemy, an Account of the Services of every Regiment -in the British Army shall be published under -the superintendence and direction of the Adjutant-General; -and that this Account shall contain the -following particulars: <em>viz.</em>,</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>—— The Period and Circumstances of the Original -Formation of the Regiment; The Stations at -which it has been from time to time employed; The -Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations, in -which it has been engaged, particularly specifying -any Achievement it may have performed, and the -Colours, Trophies, &c., it may have captured from -the Enemy.</p> - -<p>—— The Names of the Officers and the number of -Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates, Killed or -Wounded by the Enemy, specifying the Place and -Date of the Action.</p> - -<p>—— The Names of those Officers, who, in consideration -of their Gallant Services and Meritorious -Conduct in Engagements with the Enemy, have been -distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other Marks of -His Majesty's gracious favour.</p> - -<p>—— The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned -Officers and Privates as may have specially -signalized themselves in Action.</p> - -<p>And,</p> - -<p>—— The Badges and Devices which the Regiment -may have been permitted to bear, and the Causes -on account of which such Badges or Devices, or any -other Marks of Distinction, have been granted.</p></div> - -<p class="right padr4">By Command of the Right Honourable</p> -<p class="right padr2">GENERAL LORD HILL,</p> -<p class="right"><em>Commanding-in-Chief</em>.</p> - -<p class="p2 right lsp"><span class="smcap">John Macdonald</span>,</p> -<p class="right padr1"><em>Adjutant-General</em>.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2 class="lsp">PREFACE.</h2> -<p class="p4" /> - -<p class="noindent">The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly -depend upon the zeal and ardour, by which all who enter -into its service are animated, and consequently it is of the -highest importance that any measure calculated to excite the -spirit of emulation, by which alone great and gallant actions -are achieved, should be adopted.</p> - -<p>Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this -desirable object, than a full display of the noble deeds with -which the Military History of our country abounds. To hold -forth these bright examples to the imitation of the youthful -soldier, and thus to incite him to emulate the meritorious -conduct of those who have preceded him in their honourable -career, are among the motives that have given rise to the -present publication.</p> - -<p>The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced -in the 'London Gazette,' from whence they are transferred -into the public prints: the achievements of our armies are thus -made known at the time of their occurrence, and receive the -tribute of praise and admiration to which they are entitled. -On extraordinary occasions, the Houses of Parliament have -been in the habit of conferring on the Commanders, and the -Officers and Troops acting under their orders, expressions of -approbation and of thanks for their skill and bravery, and these -testimonials, confirmed by the high honour of their Sovereign's -Approbation, constitute the reward which the soldier most -highly prizes.</p> - -<p>It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which -appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental -armies) for British Regiments to keep regular records of their -services and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been -experienced in obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, -an authentic account of their origin and subsequent services.</p> - -<p>This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His -Majesty having been pleased to command, that every Regiment -shall in future keep a full and ample record of its services at -home and abroad.</p> - -<p>From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth -derive information as to the difficulties and privations -which chequer the career of those who embrace the military -profession. In Great Britain, where so large a number of -persons are devoted to the active concerns of agriculture, -manufactures, and commerce, and where these pursuits have, -for so long a period, been undisturbed by the <em>presence of war</em>, -which few other countries have escaped, comparatively little -is known of the vicissitudes of active service, and of the -casualties of climate, to which, even during peace, the British -Troops are exposed in every part of the globe, with little or -no interval of repose.</p> - -<p>In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the -country derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist -and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed -not often to reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and -the sailor,—on their sufferings,—and on the sacrifice of valuable -life, by which so many national benefits are obtained -and preserved.</p> - -<p>The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance, -have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; -and their character has been established in Continental -warfare by the irresistible spirit with which they have effected -debarkations in spite of the most formidable opposition, and -by the gallantry and steadiness with which they have maintained -their advantages against superior numbers.</p> - -<p>In the official Reports made by the respective Commanders, -ample justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions -of the Corps employed; but the details of their services, and -of acts of individual bravery, can only be fully given in the -Annals of the various Regiments.</p> - -<p>These Records are now preparing for publication, under -His Majesty's special authority, by Mr. <span class="smcap">Richard Cannon</span>, -Principal Clerk of the Adjutant-General's Office; and while -the perusal of them cannot fail to be useful and interesting to -military men of every rank, it is considered that they will also -afford entertainment and information to the general reader, -particularly to those who may have served in the Army, or -who have relatives in the Service.</p> - -<p>There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, -or are serving, in the Army, an <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Esprit de Corps</i>—an attachment -to every thing belonging to their Regiment; to such -persons a narrative of the services of their own Corps cannot -fail to prove interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions -of the great,—the valiant,—the loyal, have always been of -paramount interest with a brave and civilised people. Great -Britain has produced a race of heroes who, in moments of -danger and terror, have stood, "firm as the rocks of their -native shore;" and when half the World has been arrayed -against them, they have fought the battles of their Country -with unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of -achievements in war,—victories so complete and surprising, -gained by our countrymen,—our brothers—our fellow-citizens -in arms,—a record which revives the memory of the brave, -and brings their gallant deeds before us, will certainly prove -acceptable to the public.</p> - -<p>Biographical memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished -Officers, will be introduced in the Records of their respective -Regiments, and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from -time to time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying -the value and importance of its services, will be faithfully -set forth.</p> - -<p>As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record of each -Regiment will be printed in a distinct number, so that when -the whole shall be completed, the Parts may be bound up in -numerical succession.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> - -<h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> -<hr class="r20" /> - -<p class="noindent">The ancient Armies of England were composed -of Horse and Foot; but the feudal troops established -by William the Conqueror in 1086, consisted -almost entirely of Horse. Under the feudal -system, every holder of land amounting to what -was termed a "knight's fee," was required to -provide a charger, a coat of mail, a helmet, a -shield, and a lance, and to serve the Crown a -period of forty days in each year at his own -expense; and the great landholders had to provide -armed men in proportion to the extent of -their estates; consequently the ranks of the feudal -Cavalry were completed with men of property, -and the vassals and tenants of the great barons, -who led their dependents to the field in person.</p> - -<p>In the succeeding reigns the Cavalry of the -Army was composed of Knights (or men at arms) -and Hobiliers (or horsemen of inferior degree); -and the Infantry of spear and battle-axe men, -cross-bowmen, and archers. The Knights wore -armour on every part of the body, and their -weapons were a lance, a sword, and a small -dagger. The Hobiliers were accoutred and armed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span> -for the light and less important services of war, -and were not considered qualified for a charge in -line. Mounted Archers<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> were also introduced, -and the English nation eventually became pre-eminent -in the use of the bow.</p> - -<p>About the time of Queen Mary the appellation -of "<em>Men at Arms</em>" was changed to that of "<em>Spears</em> -and <em>Launces</em>." The introduction of fire-arms ultimately -occasioned the lance to fall into disuse, -and the title of the Horsemen of the first degree -was changed to "<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Cuirassiers</i>." The Cuirassiers -were armed <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">cap-à-pié</i>, and their weapons were a -sword with a straight narrow blade and sharp -point, and a pair of large pistols, called petrenels; -and the Hobiliers carried carbines. The Infantry -carried pikes, matchlocks, and swords. The -introduction of fire-arms occasioned the formation -of regiments armed and equipped as infantry, -but mounted on small horses for the sake of -expedition of movement, and these were styled -"<em>Dragoons</em>;" a small portion of the military -force of the kingdom, however, consisted of this -description of troops.</p> - -<p>The formation of the present Army commenced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span> -after the Restoration in 1660, with the establishment -of regular corps of Horse and Foot; the -Horsemen were cuirassiers, but only wore armour -on the head and body; and the Foot were pikemen -and musketeers. The arms which each -description of force carried, are described in the -following extract from the "Regulations of King -Charles II.," dated 5th May, 1663:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"Each Horseman to have for his defensive -armes, back, breast, and pot; and for his offensive -armes, a sword, and a case of pistolls, the -barrels whereof are not to be und<sup>r</sup>. foorteen -inches in length; and each Trooper of Our -Guards to have a carbine, besides the aforesaid -armes. And the Foote to have each souldier a -sword, and each pikeman a pike of 16 foote -long and not und<sup>r</sup>.; and each musqueteer a -musquet, with a collar of bandaliers, the barrels -of which musquet to be about foor foote long, -and to conteine a bullet, foorteen of which shall -weigh a pound weight<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a>."</p></div> - -<p>The ranks of the Troops of Horse were at this -period composed of men of some property—generally -the sons of substantial yeomen: the young -men received as recruits provided their own horses,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span> -and they were placed on a rate of pay sufficient -to give them a respectable station in society.</p> - -<p>On the breaking out of the war with Holland, -in the spring of 1672, a Regiment of Dragoons -was raised<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>; the Dragoons were placed on a lower -rate of pay than the Horse; and the Regiment -was armed similar to the Infantry, excepting that -a limited number of the men carried halberds -instead of pikes, and the others muskets and bayonets; -and a few men in each Troop had pistols; -as appears by a warrant dated the 2nd of April, -1672, of which the following is an extract:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Charles R.</span></p> - -<p class="in3">"Our will and pleasure is, that a Regiment -of Dragoones which we have established -and ordered to be raised, in twelve Troopes of -fourscore in each beside officers, who are to be -under the command of Our most deare and most -intirely beloved Cousin Prince Rupert, shall -be armed out of Our stoares remaining within -Our office of the Ordinance, as followeth; that -is to say, three corporalls, two serjeants, the -gentlemen at armes, and twelve souldiers of -each of the said twelve Troopes, are to have and -carry each of them one halbard, and one case<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span> -of pistolls with holsters; and the rest of the -souldiers of the several Troopes aforesaid, are -to have and to carry each of them one matchlocke -musquet, with a collar of bandaliers, and -also to have and to carry one bayonet<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a>, or great -knife. That each lieutenant have and carry -one partizan; and that two drums be delivered -out for each Troope of the said Regiment<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>."</p></div> - -<p>Several regiments of Horse and Dragoons were -raised in the first year of the reign of King -James II.; and the horsemen carried a short carbine<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> -in addition to the sword and pair of pistols; -and in a Regulation dated the 21st of February, -1687, the arms of the Dragoons at that period are -commanded to be as follow:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"The Dragoons to have snaphanse musquets, -strapt, with bright barrels of three foote eight -inches long, cartouch-boxes, bayonetts, granado -pouches, bucketts, and hammer-hatchetts."</p></div> - -<p>After several years' experience, little advantage -was found to accrue from having Cavalry Regiments -formed almost exclusively for engaging the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span>enemy on foot; and, the Horse having laid aside -their armour, the arms and equipment of Horse -and Dragoons were so nearly assimilated, that -there remained little distinction besides the name -and rate of pay. The introduction of improvements -into the mounting, arming, and equipment -of Dragoons rendered them competent to the -performance of every description of service required -of Cavalry; and, while the long musket -and bayonet were retained, to enable them to act -as Infantry, if necessary, they were found to be -equally efficient, and of equal value to the nation, -as Cavalry, with the Regiments of Horse.</p> - -<p>In the several augmentations made to the -regular Army after the early part of the reign of -Queen Anne, no new Regiments of Horse were -raised for permanent service; and in 1746 King -George II. reduced three of the old Regiments -of Horse to the quality and pay of Dragoons; at -the same time, His Majesty gave them the title of -First, Second, and Third Regiments of <em>Dragoon -Guards</em>: and in 1788 the same alteration was -made in the remaining four Regiments of Horse, -which then became the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and -Seventh Regiments of <em>Dragoon Guards</em>.</p> - -<p>At present there are only three Regiments -which are styled <em>Horse</em> in the British Army,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span> -namely, the two Regiments of Life Guards, and -the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, to whom -cuirasses have recently been restored. The other -Cavalry Regiments consist of Dragoon Guards, -Heavy and Light Dragoons, Hussars, and Lancers; -and although the long musket and bayonet have -been laid aside by the whole of the Cavalry, and -the Regiments are armed and equipped on the -principle of the old Horse (excepting the cuirass), -they continue to be styled Dragoons.</p> - -<p>The old Regiments of Horse formed a highly -respectable and efficient portion of the Army, -and it is found, on perusing the histories of the -various campaigns in which they have been engaged, -that they have, on all occasions, maintained -a high character for steadiness and discipline, as -well as for bravery in action. They were formerly -mounted on horses of superior weight and physical -power, and few troops could withstand a -well-directed charge of the celebrated British -Horse. The records of these corps embrace a -period of 150 years—a period eventful in history, -and abounding in instances of heroism displayed -by the British troops when danger has threatened -the nation,—a period in which these Regiments -have numbered in their ranks men of loyalty, -valour, and good conduct, worthy of imitation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span></p> - -<p>Since the Regiments of Horse were formed -into Dragoon Guards, additional improvements -have been introduced into the constitution of the -several corps; and the superior description of -horses now bred in the United Kingdom enables -the commanding officers to remount their regiments -with such excellent horses, that, whilst -sufficient weight has been retained for a powerful -charge in line, a lightness has been acquired which -renders them available for every description of -service incident to modern warfare.</p> - -<p>The orderly conduct of these Regiments in -quarters has gained the confidence and esteem of -the respectable inhabitants of the various parts of -the United Kingdom in which they have been -stationed; their promptitude and alacrity in attending -to the requisitions of the magistrates in -periods of excitement, and the temper, patience, -and forbearance which they have evinced when -subjected to great provocation, insult, and violence -from the misguided populace, prove the value of -these troops to the Crown, and to the Government -of the country, and justify the reliance which is -reposed on them.</p> - - -<p class="p4" /> -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> In the 14th year of the reign of Edward IV. a small -force was established in Ireland by Parliament, consisting of -120 Archers on horseback, 40 Horsemen, and 40 Pages.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Military Papers, State Paper Office.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> This Regiment was disbanded after the Peace in 1674.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> This appears to be the first introduction of <em>bayonets</em> into -the English Army.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> State Paper Office.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> The first issue of carbines to the regular Horse appears -to have taken place in 1678; the Life Guards, however, -carried carbines from their formation in 1660.—Vide the -'Historical Record of the Life Guards.'</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> - -<p class="pfs135 lsp">HISTORICAL RECORD</p> -<p class="p1 pfs60">OF</p> -<p class="pfs150 lsp">THE FIRST,</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs60">OR</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs180 bold">THE ROYAL REGIMENT</p> -<p class="p2 pfs60">OF</p> - -<p class="pfs150 lsp2">DRAGOONS;</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs60">CONTAINING</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs100 lsp2">AN ACCOUNT OF ITS FORMATION</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs60">IN THE REIGN OF</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs100">KING CHARLES THE SECOND,</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs90">AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES TO 1839.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> -<hr class="r30b" /> -<p class="pfs90 lsp"><em>ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES.</em></p> -<hr class="r30b" /> - -<p class="p2 pfs120 lsp2">LONDON:</p> -<p class="pfs100">PUBLISHED BY LONGMAN, ORME, AND CO.,</p> -<p class="pfs80 lsp wsp">PATERNOSTER-ROW;</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs90">AND BY MESSRS. CLOWES AND SONS,</p> -<p class="pfs90"><span class="smcap">14, Charing Cross</span>;</p> - -<p class="pfs60 lsp">AND TO BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS.</p> -<p class="p1" /> -<hr class="r10a" /> -<p class="pfs90">1840.</p> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> -<p class="p6" /> - -<p class="pfs90">LONDON:<br /> -Printed by <span class="smcap">William Clowes and Sons</span>,<br /> -Stamford-street.</p> -<p class="p6" /> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="475" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -Eagle and Colour of the 105th Regiment of French Infantry, captured at Waterloo by the First, or -Royal Dragoons, 18th June, 1815.</div> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap pg-brk" /> - -<p class="p1 pfs150 lsp2">THE FIRST</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs80">OR</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs180 lsp2">THE ROYAL REGIMENT</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs80">OF</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs180 lsp2">DRAGOONS</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs135 lsp">BEARS ON ITS GUIDONS,</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs80">AS A</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs100 lsp">REGIMENTAL BADGE,</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs80">AN</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs150">"EAGLE,"</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs100">WITH THE FOLLOWING HONORARY INSCRIPTIONS—</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs150">"PENINSULA"—"WATERLOO."</p> -<p class="p4" /> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v_2" id="Page_v_2">[Pg v]</a></span></p> - -<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS.</a></h2> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="90%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdc small">Anno </td><td class="tdl"></td><td class="tdr small">Page</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1661</td><td class="tdl">A troop of <span class="smcap">Horse</span> raised for service at <span class="smcap">Tangier</span>, and equipped as <span class="smcap">Cuirassiers</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Africa</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_3">3</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1663</td><td class="tdl">Skirmishes with the Moors</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_4">4</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1664</td><td class="tdl">Captures a splendid Moorish standard</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1664}</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">to }</td><td class="tdl">Skirmishes with the Moors</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1679}</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1680</td><td class="tdl">Three additional troops of Horse raised and sent to Tangier</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">A general engagement with the Moors</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1683</td><td class="tdl">The Tangier Horse constituted the <span class="smcap">Royal Regiment of Dragoons</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_8">8</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1684</td><td class="tdl">Establishment</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England, and equipped as dragoons</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Description of the standards—Names of officers</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_12">12</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Royal warrant respecting the rank of the regiment</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1685</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Sedgemoor</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1688</td><td class="tdl">The Revolution</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1689</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Scotland</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Embarks for Ireland</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1690</td><td class="tdl">Siege of Charlemont</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Battle of the Boyne</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Embarks for England—Returns to Ireland</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Skirmishes with the Rapparees</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1691</td><td class="tdl">Actions with the Irish</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Siege of Limerick</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1692</td><td class="tdl">Embarks for England</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1694</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to the Netherlands</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Skirmishes near the Mehaine</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1695</td><td class="tdl">Covering the siege of Namur</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1697</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1702</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Holland</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Covering the sieges of Venloo, Ruremonde, Stevenswaert, and Liege</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi_2" id="Page_vi_2">[vi]</a></span> - 1703</td><td class="tdl">Covering the siege of Bonn</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Skirmish with a French piquet</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Covering the sieges of Huy and Limburg</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds from Holland to Portugal</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1704</td><td class="tdl">Services on the frontiers of Spain</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1705</td><td class="tdl">Capture of Valencia de Alcantara and Albuquerque</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">————– Barcelona</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Relief of St. Mattheo</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1706</td><td class="tdl">Services in Catalonia and Valencia</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">———– during the siege of Barcelona by the French</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Advances to Madrid</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Returns to Valencia</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1707</td><td class="tdl">Services after the battle of Almanza</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1709</td><td class="tdl">Capture of Balaguer and Ager</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_47">47</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1710</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Almanara</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_48">48</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Skirmish at Penalva</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Saragossa</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Advances to Madrid—Disaster at Brihuega</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1712</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_53">53</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1715</td><td class="tdl">Rebellion of the Earl of Mar—Affair at Preston</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1719</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Scotland—Returns to England</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Detachment to Spain—Capture of Vigo, &c.</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1720</td><td class="tdl">Prices of commissions</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1735</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Scotland</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1737</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1742</td><td class="tdl">Embarks for Flanders</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1743</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Dettingen</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1745</td><td class="tdl">———– Fontenoy</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Embarks for England</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1751</td><td class="tdl">Description of the clothing and guidons</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1755</td><td class="tdl">A light troop added</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1758</td><td class="tdl">Expedition to St. Maloes and Cherbourg</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1760</td><td class="tdl">Embarks for Germany</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Warbourg</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">———– Campen</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1761</td><td class="tdl">———– Kirch Denkern</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Skirmishes at Eimbeck and Foorwohle</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1762</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Groebenstien</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1763</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_74">74</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">The light troop disbanded</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Scotland</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii_2" id="Page_vii_2">[vii]</a></span> - 1764</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1766</td><td class="tdl">Drummers replaced by trumpeters</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1769</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Scotland</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1770</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1773</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Scotland</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1775</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1781</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Scotland</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1784</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1790</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Scotland</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1791</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1793</td><td class="tdl">Embarks for the Netherlands</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Action at the Camp de Cæsar</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1794</td><td class="tdl">———— Prémont</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">———— Villers en Couché</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Cateau</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">———– Tournay</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Retreats to Germany</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1795</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1806</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Scotland</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1807</td><td class="tdl">Embarks for Ireland</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1809</td><td class="tdl">————— Portugal</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1810</td><td class="tdl">Skirmishes at Frexadas and Alverca</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_86">86</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Busaco</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Skirmishes at Pombal and Quinta de Torre</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1811</td><td class="tdl">—————– Pecoloo, Pombal, Redinha, Casal Nova, Foz d'Aronce, Sernadilla, and Alverca</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Sabugal</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Skirmish near Fort Conception</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Fuentes d'Onor</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Skirmish near Barba del Puerco</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">———– during the retreat to Nave d'Aver</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">———– at Aldea de Ponte</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_93">93</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1812</td><td class="tdl">Covering the sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Skirmishes at Llera, Maguilla, &c.</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Advances to Madrid—Retreats to Portugal</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Skirmish at Arguilla</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1813</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Vittoria</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_98">98</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Blockade of Pampeluna</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1814</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Toulouse</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1815</td><td class="tdl">Embarks for Flanders</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Battle of Waterloo</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii_2" id="Page_viii_2">[viii]</a></span> - 1815</td><td class="tdl">Advances to Madrid</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1816</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1817</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Scotland</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1818</td><td class="tdl">Embarks for Ireland</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1820</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1824</td><td class="tdl">Proceeds to Scotland</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1825</td><td class="tdl">Embarks for Ireland</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1829</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1835</td><td class="tdl">Embarks for Ireland</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_115">115</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1839</td><td class="tdl">Returns to England</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">The conclusion</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<p class="p2" /> -<hr class="r40b" /> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="90%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="3"><h2 class="large">SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.</h2></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">1683</td><td class="tdl">John Lord Churchill</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1685</td><td class="tdl">Edward Viscount Cornbury</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_122">122</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1688</td><td class="tdl">Robert Clifford</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">——</td><td class="tdl">Edward Viscount Cornbury</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1689</td><td class="tdl">Anthony Hayford</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1690</td><td class="tdl">Edward Matthews</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1697</td><td class="tdl">Thomas Lord Raby</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1715</td><td class="tdl">Richard Lord Cobham</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1721</td><td class="tdl">Sir Charles Hotham, Bart.</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_126">126</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1723</td><td class="tdl">Humphrey Gore</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1739</td><td class="tdl">Charles Duke of Marlborough</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1740</td><td class="tdl">Henry Hawley</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1759</td><td class="tdl">Honourable Henry Seymour Conway</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_128">128</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1764</td><td class="tdl">Henry Earl of Pembroke</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1794</td><td class="tdl">Philip Goldsworthy</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_130">130</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1801</td><td class="tdl">Thomas Garth</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1829</td><td class="tdl">Lord Edward Somerset</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1836</td><td class="tdl">Sir Frederick C. Ponsonby</td><td class="tdr">—</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1837</td><td class="tdl">Sir Hussey Vivian, Bart.</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_133">133</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<hr class="r30" /> -<h2 class="large">LIST OF PLATES.</h2> - -<div class="size90"> -<p class="negin1">The regimental guidons;—with the Eagle and Colour of the -105th French Infantry Regiment, captured at Waterloo; -to follow the title-page.</p> - -<p class="negin1">The capture of a Moorish Standard at Tangier in 1664, -to face page 4.</p> - -<p class="negin1">The uniform of 1839 to face 116.</p> -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2 class="xl lsp2">HISTORICAL RECORD</h2> - -<p class="pfs60">OF</p> - -<p class="pfs150 lsp2">THE FIRST,</p> - -<p class="pfs60">OR</p> - -<p class="pfs120 lsp2">THE ROYAL REGIMENT</p> - -<p class="pfs60">OF</p> - -<p class="pfs150 lsp2">DRAGOONS.</p> -<hr class="r20" /> - -<div class="sidenote">1661</div> - -<p class="noindent">The anarchy, devastation, and bloodshed which -had prevailed in Britain during the rebellion and -tyrannical usurpation of Cromwell, having been -succeeded by the restoration of monarchy,—the -despotic sway of sectarians and republicans put -down by the establishment of a regular government -on constitutional principles,—and the army -of the commonwealth disbanded, King Charles II. -directed his attention to domestic concerns, and -engaged in a matrimonial alliance with Donna -Catherina, Infanta of Portugal; and this event -gave rise to the formation of a troop of <span class="smcap">Cuirassiers</span>, -which was the nucleus of the corps now -bearing the distinguished title of <span class="smcap">The Royal -Regiment of Dragoons</span>.</p> - -<p>By the marriage treaty the ancient and once -magnificent city of <span class="smcap">Tangier</span>, in Africa, and the -island of Bombay in the East Indies, were ceded -by the king of Portugal to the British crown; and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> -with a sum equal to three hundred thousand -pounds, constituted the Infanta's dowry.</p> - -<p>As the possession of the important fortress of -<span class="smcap">Tangier</span>, with its harbour and local advantages, -appeared to open a new field for commercial -pursuits, and was expected to be followed by the -acquisition of extensive possessions in that part of -the world, four regiments of foot and a troop of -horse were appointed to garrison that fortress, and -the <span class="smcap">Earl of Peterborough</span> was constituted -captain general, chief governor, and vice admiral -of that part of his Majesty's dominions.</p> - -<p>Three of the regiments of foot, commanded by -Sir Robert Harley, and Colonels Fitzgerald and -O'Farell, were withdrawn from the garrison of -Dunkirk, and were composed of men who had -fought in the royal cause during the civil war, and -afterwards in the Netherlands. The other regiment -of foot, (now the second, or Queen's royal,) -and the troop of <span class="smcap">Horse</span> (now <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>) -were raised in England by the Earl of Peterborough -in the autumn of 1661, and were mustered, -the former on Putney Heath, and the latter in -St. George's Fields, Southwark, in October.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p> - -<p>The troop of <span class="smcap">Horse</span> consisted of three officers, -one quarter-master, four corporals, one trumpeter, -and one hundred private men; the ranks were -completed with veterans of the civil war, who -were armed with cuirasses, iron head-pieces called -potts, long swords, and a pair of large pistols, to -which a short carbine was afterwards added: they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> -were mounted on long-tailed horses of superior -weight and power, wore high boots reaching to -the middle of the thigh, and scarlet vests: the -officers wore hats decorated with a profusion of -feathers; and both officers and men ornamented -their horses' heads and tails with large bunches of -ribands. The officers of this troop were,—</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">The Earl of Peterborough</span>, Captain and -Colonel.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Robert Leech</span>, Captain-Lieutenant.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">James Mordaunt</span>, Cornet.</p> - -<p>The appearance and equipment of the officers -and men were commended in the ephemeral publications -of that period. They embarked in the -middle of December, and in a letter to the Earl of -Peterborough, dated the 21st of December, the -King observed: 'I desire you to lett those honest -men knowe who are along with you, y<sup>t</sup> they -shall allwayes be in my particular care and -protection as persons y<sup>t</sup> venture themselves in -my service. And so, wishing you a good voyage, -I remain, &c., <span class="smcap">Charles R.</span>'<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1662<br />1663</div> - -<p>The troops arrived at Tangier in January, 1662, -and a war commencing soon afterwards between -the British occupants of this part of Africa and -the Moors, frequent encounters occurred between -detachments of the garrison of Tangier and the -barbarians, in which the former had a decided -superiority, and the English horsemen became -celebrated for gallant achievements.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p> - -<p>The veteran <span class="smcap">Earl of Teviot</span>, who was appointed -governor of Tangier in 1663, in succession -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span>to the Earl of Peterborough, occasionally -penetrated into the adjacent country at the head -of a detachment of horse, and many brilliant exploits -were performed by the gallant English -troopers, among the rocks, in the woods, and on -the plains of this part of Africa, where they frequently -surprised lurking parties of Moors, and -captured cattle and other booty. The Africans -were, however, expert horsemen, and fought with -lance, sword, and short fusils.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1664</div> - -<p>In February, 1664, a Moorish army, commanded -by Gaylan, usurper of Fez, appeared -before Tangier to besiege the fortress. On the -1st of March the Earl of Teviot, observing a body -of Moors, with a splendid scarlet standard, stationed -on an eminence near the city, ordered the -troop of <span class="smcap">Horse</span> to sally and bring in the standard. -The command was instantly obeyed; the brave -troopers, led by Captain <span class="smcap">Witham</span>, issued from -the city, traversed the intervening space with -signal intrepidity, routed the Moorish band, -and captured the standard, with which they returned -in triumph to the fortress, and erected it -on the top of one of the towers, to the surprise -and chagrin of the Moorish chiefs, who, being -posted at a distance with the main body of their -army, witnessed this brilliant exploit.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_b_004fp.jpg" width="650" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> - -Capture of a Moorish Standard by the English Horse, at Tangier, in 1664. Now 1st Royal Dragoons.<br /> -<p class="right">[To face page 4</p> -</div></div> - -<p>On the 13th of March the English horsemen -had a sharp encounter with some of the enemy's -best cavalry; and on the 27th, the Earl of Teviot -led them against a horde of Moorish lancers and -foot who were concealed in ambush, and the barbarians -were routed and pursued among the woods -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>and broken grounds with great slaughter. The -English horsemen, however, suffered severely on -the 4th of May in the same year, when the -governor, having been deceived by a false report, -advanced too far into the country, and was surprised -by a numerous band of Moors in ambush. -A fearful slaughter followed, and the <span class="smcap">Earl of -Teviot</span> was numbered among the slain.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1665<br />1666</div> - -<p>Frequent encounters took place in the subsequent -years between detached parties of British -and Moors, and in this desultory warfare the -English horsemen preserved their high character. -Hostilities were occasionally terminated, and renewed -after short intervals of peace; and during -the period of seventeen years the garrison resisted, -with firmness and success, every attempt of the -Moors against the city.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1679<br />1680</div> - -<p>In 1679 a numerous army of Moors appeared -before Tangier, and destroyed two forts situate at -a distance from the town. They afterwards withdrew, -but re-appeared in the spring of 1680, with -augmented numbers, and swarms of expert Moorish -lancers, on light and swift horses, hovered round -the fortress and confined the Christians within -narrow limits. King Charles II. sent a battalion -of foot guards and sixteen companies of Dumbarton's -(now first royal) regiment, to reinforce the -garrison, and issued commissions for raising a -regiment of foot (now the fourth, or the King's -own) and six troops of <span class="smcap">Horse</span> in England: at -the same time arrangements were made for procuring -the service of three troops of Spanish -cavalry.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> - -<p>The six troops of English horse were raised by -Major-General the <span class="smcap">Earl of Ossory</span>, Lieutenant-Colonel -<span class="smcap">Sir John Lanier</span>,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> Captains <span class="smcap">Robert -Pulteney</span>, <span class="smcap">John Coy</span>,<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> <span class="smcap">Charles Nedby</span>, and -<span class="smcap">Thomas Langston</span>:<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> the three last-named officers -having been captains in the Duke of Monmouth's -regiment of horse, which was disbanded -only a few months before, their troops were -speedily completed with disciplined men who had -served in that regiment; and the demand for -cavalry at Tangier being urgent, they were furnished -with horses and equipment from the life -guards,<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> and arrived at Tangier in the early part -of September: at the same time the three troops -of Spanish horse arrived from Gibraltar.</p> - -<p>The cavalry at Tangier now consisted of seven -efficient troops of cuirassiers, who were engaged -in a sally on the 12th of September, when the -Moorish horsemen were driven from under the -walls, and several outworks were recovered from -the barbarians. Another sally was made on the -21st of the same month, and on the following day -the English cuirassiers had a sharp skirmish with -the Moorish lancers, and had eight men killed and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span>twenty wounded. An attack was made on the -enemy's lines on the 24th of September, when the -governor, <span class="smcap">Sir Palmes Fairborne</span>, was mortally -wounded.</p> - -<p>On the 27th of September, the garrison, -amounting to about 4000 men, issued from the -fortress and attacked the Moorish army of about -15,000 men in its intrenched camp with signal -gallantry. So eager were the troopers to engage -their adversaries that a dispute occurred between -the English and Spanish horse, each claiming the -honour of charging first: the subject was referred -to the lieutenant-governor, Colonel Sackville, who -gave the Spaniards the precedence on this occasion, -because they fought as auxiliaries. The -Moors, having a great superiority of numbers, -stood their ground resolutely for some time; and -the thunder of cannon, the roll of musketry, -the clash of arms, the loud shouts of the British, -the cries of the Africans, produced an awful -scene of carnage and confusion. The English horse -stood in column of troops until the first intrenchment -was carried, and a space levelled for the -cavalry to pass, when they filed through the aperture -and rushed at speed upon the dark masses of -barbarians, who were broken, trampled down, and -pursued with a dreadful slaughter; while the musketeers, -pikemen, and grenadiers followed, shouting -as the dismayed Africans fell in succession -beneath the sabres of the English and Spanish -troopers. Many of the Moors faced about and -confronted their pursuers; numerous single combats -took place, and the vicinity of the camp was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> -covered with slain. Captain <span class="smcap">Nedby's</span> troop of -English horse particularly distinguished itself, -and captured a splendid Moorish colour of curious -workmanship. The Spaniards also captured a -colour, Dumbarton's Scots another, and a fourth -was taken by a battalion of marines and seamen -from the fleet.<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> - -<p>The Moorish legions, having been driven from -before the town with severe loss, this victory was -followed by a treaty of peace, and the troops of -horse raised by the Earl of Ossory, Sir John Lanier, -and Robert Pulteney, not having left England, -were disbanded.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1682<br />1683</div> - -<p>The improved military system introduced among -the Moors by European renegades, having rendered -it necessary to employ a much stronger -garrison at Tangier than formerly, the subject was -brought before parliament; but the question of a -popish successor to the throne was agitating the -people, and no grant was voted. The king, being -unwilling to bear the expense of the fortifications -and troops without pecuniary aid from parliament, -resolved to destroy the works and mole, and to -withdraw the garrison.</p> - -<p>At this period the attention of King Charles II. -was directed to the improvement of his army; and, -resolving to retain the Tangier <span class="smcap">Horse</span> in his service, -he commissioned Colonel <span class="smcap">John Churchill</span> -(afterwards the great <span class="smcap">Duke of Marlborough</span>) to -raise a troop of dragoons at St. Alban's and its -vicinity; and <span class="smcap">Viscount Cornbury</span> (son of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> -Earl of Clarendon) to raise another troop of dragoons -at Hertford; and His Majesty constituted -these two troops, with the four troops of Tangier -horse, a regiment, to which he gave the distinguished -title of <span class="smcap">The King's Own Royal Regiment -of Dragoons</span>: the words "<span class="smcap">King's Own</span>" -were, however, discontinued soon afterwards, and -the regiment was styled "<span class="smcap">The Royal Regiment -of Dragoons</span>."<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> The colonelcy was conferred on -<span class="smcap">John Churchill</span>, who was advanced to the peerage -of Scotland by the title of Baron Churchill of -Aymouth; and the lieutenant-colonelcy on <span class="smcap">Viscount -Cornbury</span>, by commission dated the 19th -of November, 1683.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1684</div> - -<p>The establishment was fixed by a warrant bearing -date the 1st of January, 1684, from which the -following is an extract:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="in3 smcap">"Charles R.</p> - -<p class="noindent">"<span class="smcap">Charles the Second</span>, by the Grace of God, -King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, -Defender of the Faith, &c.</p> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Our will and pleasure is</span>, that this establishment -of our Guards, garrisons, and land -forces within our Kingdom of England, Dominion -of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon -Tweed, and the Islands thereunto belonging, -and of all other officers and charges therein -expressed, do commence on the 1st day of January, -1683-4, in the Thirty-Fifth year of our -Reign."</p></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p2" /> -<div class="center fs80 bbox pg-brk"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="4">HIS MAJESTY'S OWN ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bb" colspan="4"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc smcap tdpp">Staff-Officers.</td><td class="tdc bl tdpp" colspan="3">Per Diem.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="bb"> </td><td class="bb bl" colspan="3"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx"></td><td class="tdrx">£.</td><td class="tdrx"><em>s.</em></td><td class="tdrx"><em>d.</em></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Colonel, <em>as Colonel</em>, xii<sup>s</sup>, and iij horses iij<sup>s</sup></td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">15</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Lieutenant-Colonel, <em>as Lieut.-Colonel</em>, vij<sup>s</sup>, and ij horses ij<sup>s</sup></td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">9</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Major, as Major v<sup>s</sup>, and j horse j<sup>s</sup></td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Chaplaine</td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Chirurgeon iv<sup>s</sup>, and j horse to carry his chest, ij<sup>s</sup></td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Adjutant iv<sup>s</sup>, and for his horse j<sup>s</sup></td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">5</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Quarter-Master and Marshal in one person iv<sup>s</sup>, his horse j<sup>s</sup></td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">5</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Gunsmith iv<sup>s</sup>, and his servant i<sup>s</sup></td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">5</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx"></td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx"></td><td class="tdrx">2</td><td class="tdrx">17</td><td class="tdrx">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx"></td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc smcap tdpp">The Colonel's Troop.</td><td class="bl"></td><td class="bl"></td><td class="bl"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx tdpp">The Colonel, <em>as Captaine</em>, viii<sup>s</sup>, and iij horses iij<sup>s</sup>.</td><td class="tdrx tdpp">0</td><td class="tdrx tdpp">11</td><td class="tdrx tdpp">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Lieutenant iv<sup>s</sup>, and ij horses ij<sup>s</sup></td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Cornett iij<sup>s</sup>, and ij horses ij<sup>s</sup></td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">5</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Quarter-Master, for himself and horse</td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Two Serjeants each j<sup>s</sup> vi<sup>d</sup>, and ij<sup>s</sup> for horses</td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">5</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Three Corporals each j<sup>s</sup>, and iij<sup>s</sup> for horses</td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Two Drummers each j<sup>s</sup>, and ij<sup>s</sup> for horses</td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Two Hautboys each i<sup>s</sup>, and ij<sup>s</sup> for horses</td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">4</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Fifty Soldiers each i<sup>s</sup> vi<sup>d</sup> for man and horse</td><td class="tdrx">3</td><td class="tdrx">15</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx"></td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx"></td><td class="tdrx">6</td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx"></td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">Five Troops more at the same rate</td><td class="tdrx">30</td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx"></td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx">The Major to have no Troop, but instead thereof - the pay of a Captain xi<sup>s</sup>, in lieu of servants iii<sup>s</sup></td><td class="tdrx">0</td><td class="tdrx">14</td><td class="tdrx">0</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx"></td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">Total </td><td class="tdrx">39</td><td class="tdrx">11</td><td class="tdrx">8</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdlx"></td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td><td class="tdrx">——</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc"><span class="smcap">Total Per Annum</span> £14,447 18<em>s.</em> 4<em>d.</em></td><td class="bl"></td><td class="bl"></td><td class="bl"></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> - -<p>The four troops at Tangier arrived in England -in February, 1684;<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> and, having returned their -armour into store, the whole were equipped as -dragoons with long muskets and bayonets.<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></p> - -<p>The uniform of the regiment was scarlet lined -with blue. The men wore hats bound with silver -lace, and ornamented with blue ribands, having a -metal headpiece fastened inside the crown; also -high boots: their horse furniture was made of -scarlet cloth trimmed with blue, with the King's -cipher embroidered in yellow characters on the -housings and holster-caps. The drummers and -hautboys were clothed in splendid liveries, which -(according to the War-Office Records) cost upwards -of 10<em>l.</em> per suit; and each troop was furnished -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>with a crimson standard or guidon, with the -following devices embroidered thereon, namely:—</p> - -<p>On the standard of <span class="smcap">the Colonel's Troop</span>,—the -King's cipher and crown.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">The Lieutenant-Colonel's Troop</span>,—the rays -of the sun, proper, crowned, issuing out of a cloud, -proper: a badge used by the Black Prince.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">The First Troop</span>,—the top of a beacon -crowned, or, with flames of fire, proper: a badge -of Henry V.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">The Second Troop</span>,—two ostrich feathers -crowned, argent: a badge of Henry VI.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">The Third Troop</span>,—a rose and pomegranate -impaled, leaves and stalk vert: a badge of Henry -VII.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">The Fourth Troop</span>,—a phœnix in flames, proper: -a badge of Queen Elizabeth's.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a></p> - -<p>The following officers were at this period holding -commissions in the regiment:—</p> - -<p class="p1" /> -<div class="center fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdc smcap">Troops.</td><td class="tdc smcap">Captains.</td><td class="tdc smcap">Lieutenants.</td><td class="tdc smcap">Cornets.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Colonel's.</td><td class="tdl">Lord Churchill</td><td class="tdl">Thos. Hussey</td><td class="tdl">Wm. Hussey</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Lieut.-Col.'s</td><td class="tdl">Visc. Cornbury</td><td class="tdl">Charles Ward</td><td class="tdl">Piercy Roche</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">1st Troop.</td><td class="tdl">Alex. Mackenzie</td><td class="tdl">H. Wyndham<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a></td><td class="tdl">John Cole</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">2nd "</td><td class="tdl">Chas. Nedby</td><td class="tdl">John Williams</td><td class="tdl">George Clifford</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">3rd "</td><td class="tdl">John Coy</td><td class="tdl">Charles La Rue</td><td class="tdl">Wm. Stamford</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">4th "</td><td class="tdl">Thos. Langston</td><td class="tdl">F. Langston<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></td><td class="tdl">Thos. Pownel</td></tr> -<tr><td></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad5" colspan="2">Hugh Sutherland</td><td class="tdl pad5" colspan="2">Major</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad5" colspan="2">Thomas Crawley</td><td class="tdl pad5" colspan="2">Adjutant</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad5" colspan="2">Henry Hawker</td><td class="tdl pad5" colspan="2">Quarter-Master & Marshal</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad5" colspan="2">Theobald Churchill</td><td class="tdl pad5" colspan="2">Chaplain</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad5" colspan="2">Peregrine Yewel</td><td class="tdl pad5" colspan="2">Chirurgeon</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p2" /> -<p><span class="smcap">The Royal Regiment of Dragoons</span> being -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>constituted, generally, of men of military experience -and approved valour, appears to have advanced, -at once, into royal favour; and as soon as -it was regularly organized, it marched into quarters -in the borough of Southwark. On the 1st of -October it was reviewed, with several other corps, -by King Charles II., accompanied by the Queen, -the Duke of York, and many distinguished personages, -on Putney Heath; and on the 13th of that -month marched into quarters at Newbury, Abingdon, -and Hungerford. Shortly afterwards the -following order was issued relative to the regiment:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="in3 smcap">'Charles R.</p> - -<p class="noindent">'For the preventing of all disputes that might -arise concerning the rank of <span class="smcap">Our Royal Regiment -of Dragoons</span>, or of any other regiment -of Dragoons that shall be employed in Our service, -We have thought fit hereby to declare Our -pleasure,</p> - -<p>'That <span class="smcap">Our Royal Regiment of Dragoons</span>, -and all other regiments of Dragoons which may -be employed in Our service, shall have precedency -both as <span class="smcap">Horse</span> and <span class="smcap">Foot</span>, as well in garrison -as in the field, and in all councils of war and -other military occasions; and the Colonels and -Officers of the said regiments of Dragoons shall -command as officers of Horse and Foot, according -to the nature of the place where they shall be: -that is to say, that in the Field the said regiments -shall take place as regiments of Horse, -and the officers shall command and do duty as -officers of Horse, according to the dates of their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -commissions; and that in Garrison they shall -command as Foot officers, and their regiment -take place amongst the Foot according to their -respective seniorities from the time they were -raised.</p> - -<p>'Given at Our Court at Whitehall the 30th -day of October, in the thirty-sixth year of Our -reign (1684).</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="padr2">'By His Majesty's Command,</span><br /> -'<span class="smcap">Sunderland</span>.'</p> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote">1685</div> - -<p>The decease of King Charles II. took place on -the 6th of February, 1685; and on the evening of -the same day, his successor (James II.) commanded -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> to march into -quarters in the immediate vicinity of the metropolis. -Previous to the coronation they were furnished -with new standards, and the drummers and -hautboys with new liveries.<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> The ceremonial of -their Majesties' coronation was conducted with -extraordinary magnificence: but the agitated state -of the United Kingdom gave early indication of -approaching contests; and, towards the end of -April, two troops of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were -despatched to Carlisle, and placed under the command -of the governor, Sir Christopher Musgrave, -for the purpose of assisting in the seizure of 'divers -outlawed and seditious persons, who, for the -avoiding of Justice, have fled from Scotland into -the county of Cumberland and parts adjacent.'<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> -These troops arrived at Carlisle on the 10th of -May, and several persons were apprehended. In -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>the middle of that month an insurrection, headed -by the <span class="smcap">Earl of Argyle</span>, broke out in Scotland; -and in June, <span class="smcap">James Duke of Monmouth</span> raised -the standard of rebellion in the west of England -and proclaimed himself king. The establishment -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> was immediately augmented -to sixty men per troop: an independent -troop of dragoons, raised by Colonel <span class="smcap">Strother</span> in -1683, was incorporated in the regiment; and five -troops of dragoons were raised in the vicinity of -London by <span class="smcap">Richard Leveson</span>, <span class="smcap">John Williams</span>, -<span class="smcap">Edward Lea</span>, <span class="smcap">Francis Russel</span>, and <span class="smcap">Thomas -Hussey</span>, and added to the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>: -the numbers were thus increased to twelve troops, -amounting to about nine hundred officers and men.</p> - -<p>Two troops of the regiment, with some other -forces, were despatched under Brigadier-General -Lord Churchill against the rebels in the west; -and on the 19th of June two other troops marched -for the same destination under the orders of -Lieutenant-General the Earl of Feversham, who -was appointed to the chief command of the King's -army. The royal forces having been united, the -four troops of dragoons were placed under the orders -of Viscount Cornbury; and the whole marched -in pursuit of the rebels.</p> - -<p>After several marches and skirmishes the Duke -of Monmouth took post at Bridgewater; and the -Earl of Feversham, having sent a troop of the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, commanded by Captain Coy, -to Lamport, to secure that pass, and to gain intelligence -in the event of the rebels marching westward, -advanced with the royal army to Weston<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -(about three miles from Bridgewater), where he -arrived on Sunday, the 5th of July. Having -quartered the cavalry in the village, and ordered -the infantry to encamp on a plain fronting <em>Sedgemoor</em>, -he sent a party of life guards to patrole in -the direction of Bristol, and posted a piquet of fifty -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> with a squadron of the -blues supported by one hundred men of the royal -regiment of foot, on the moor, in front of the -camp. A guard of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> was -also posted over the artillery, which consisted of -sixteen pieces, and was drawn up on the high road -from Weston to Bridgewater.</p> - -<p>During the night the Duke of Monmouth -marched out of Bridgewater with the view of surprising -the royal army; but the piquet in advance -gave the alarm, and after exchanging a few shots -with the rebels, retreated to the camp, and formed -on the right of the infantry; at the same time -the remainder of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, being -aroused in their quarters in the village of Weston, -turned out in the dark in good order, and -formed on the left of the foot. The rebels commenced -the attack with loud shouts,—the contest -became general along the whole line,—and -the moor sparkled with fire. The rebel horse -soon gave way and fled in disorder; but their infantry -stood firm and fought with great resolution. -Day at length began to break; and the King's -foot advancing to the charge, whilst the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> and other cavalry attacked the flanks -of the rebels and put them in disorder, their whole -line then gave way and fled in confusion, and were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> -pursued across the moor and adjoining corn-fields -with great slaughter. Two troops of the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> continued the pursuit as far as Bridgewater, -where they were ordered to halt by the -Earl of Feversham.</p> - -<p>In the mean time Captain Russel's troop of the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> had been attached to three -Scots regiments of foot, which had recently arrived -from Holland under the command of Major-General -Mackay, and ordered to join the army in the -west; but, on the news of Monmouth's defeat -at Sedgemoor, these forces were directed to halt -at Bagshot; the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were subsequently -dispersed in small parties into the adjoining -counties to seize suspected persons; the Scots -regiments returned to Hounslow, and, after encamping -a short time on the heath, re-embarked -for Holland.</p> - -<p>One troop of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> was ordered -to Winchester to escort the Duke of Monmouth -and other prisoners to London; on its arrival this -troop was quartered in the Borough of Southwark, -and it was under arms when the Duke was beheaded -on Tower Hill on the 15th of July. Two -other troops were ordered to Salisbury to mount -guard over the prisoners there, and were subsequently -directed to attend Judge Jeffries during -the trial and execution of the captured rebels; in -which painful service the troopers were spectators -of numerous acts of barbarity perpetrated by the -remorseless Judge, who sacrificed the lives of -upwards of two hundred persons in these "bloody -assizes," as historians have denominated them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> - -<p>After the suppression of this rebellion the establishment -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Regiment of Dragoons</span> -was reduced to eight troops, of forty private men -per troop; and the supernumerary troops were -embodied into a regiment of dragoons, which was -commanded by the Duke of Somerset, and is -now the third light dragoons.</p> - -<p>On the 1st of August Lord Churchill was appointed -colonel of the third troop of life guards, -and the colonelcy of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -was conferred on Lieutenant-Colonel Viscount -Cornbury. The two troops of the regiment having -returned from Carlisle, the whole were stationed -in London in October, and subsequently marched -into quarters in Devonshire.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1686<br />1687<br />1688</div> - -<p>King James II., being a Roman Catholic, -adopted measures calculated to effect the subversion -of the Protestant church; and, with the view -of overawing his subjects, he doubled the numbers -of the regular army, and had large bodies of troops -encamped, from time to time, on Hounslow Heath, -where he frequently attended in person and witnessed -the exercise of the troops. The <span class="smcap">Royal -Regiment of Dragoons</span> formed part of the force -at these encampments in the summer of 1686, -again in 1687, and in 1688. At this period many -noblemen and gentlemen, resolving to preserve the -nation from papal domination, solicited the Prince -of Orange to come to England with a Dutch force -to assist them in opposing the proceedings of the -King, and the Prince provided an armament for -that purpose.</p> - -<p>The colonel of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> appears<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> -to have been a zealous Protestant, and to have -entered warmly into the measures taken to resist -the proceedings of the Papists who surrounded -the court. In November, 1688, when the Prince -of Orange had landed, <span class="smcap">Viscount Cornbury</span>, -having marched with his regiment to Salisbury,<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> -where the King's army was ordered to assemble, -and where the blues and eighth horse had already -arrived, resolved, in connexion with Lieut.-Colonel -Langston, of the eighth horse, and several -officers of the blues, to endeavour to take these -three regiments over to the Prince, in the following -manner:—</p> - -<p>On the night of the 11th of November, directions -were given for the adjutants and quarter-masters -to await the arrival of the post, as orders -to march were expected. At twelve o'clock the -post arrived, when Colonel Langston opened the -bag before the officers, and the orders, apparently -from the Secretary-at-War, were produced, and -carried to Viscount Cornbury, who gave directions -for the regiments to proceed, at five o'clock, towards -the enemy. The regiments were accordingly -on the march before daylight on the -12th; continuing their progress throughout that -day and the following night (excepting a few -short halts to refresh the men and horses<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a>), -on the afternoon of the 13th, they arrived at -Axminster, within six miles of the Prince of -Orange's quarters, where they were joined by the -Earl of Abingdon, Sir Walter Clerges, and about -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>thirty other gentlemen, who pretended to be volunteers. -It was now asserted that a design of the -Dutch to surprise the quarters of the King's -forces had been discovered, and orders were -issued for beating up the quarters of the enemy -that night. Accordingly, after dark, the three -regiments were again in motion, and the Prince -of Orange, apprized of their approach by Lord -Cornbury, sent a large body of cavalry to meet -them. The greater part of the men, however, -resolved not to join the Prince of Orange, and, -when they observed what was taking place, they -galloped back. Major <span class="smcap">Robert Clifford</span>, of -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, marched back that regiment, -with the exception of a few officers and -about fifty dragoons, who accompanied Viscount -Cornbury. The blues also returned, excepting -about twenty-seven. But the Duke of St. Alban's -regiment (eighth horse) having mustered at -a distance, the men, ignorant of the transaction, -followed Colonel Langston to Honiton, where -they were received as friends by the Dutch general.<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> -Many of the men, however, returned -to the King's service; and the Duke of Berwick, -having collected the remains of the three regiments, -marched them back to Salisbury.</p> - -<p>The king arrived at Salisbury on the 20th of -November, and his Majesty rewarded the loyalty -of Major Clifford by promoting him to the -colonelcy of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>. The King, -however, soon discovered that the defection among<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -the officers was general, and that the soldiers, although -they were reluctant to desert his service, -were not disposed to fight in the cause of Papacy. -The superior officers of the army, with the nobility -and gentry, continued to flock to the Prince's -standard, and King James, alarmed for his personal -safety, returned in haste to London; at the -same time the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> marched into -garrison at Portsmouth. The Prince of Orange -advanced to the capital without experiencing serious -opposition; King James fled to France; -and the Prince, having assumed the reins of government, -restored Viscount Cornbury to the -colonelcy of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, and ordered -them to occupy quarters at Farnham and Alton.<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1689</div> - -<p>After the flight of the King to France, the -crown was conferred on William and Mary, -Prince and Princess of Orange. Their Majesties' -accession, however, met with opposition; and <span class="smcap">Viscount -Dundee</span> having induced several of the -Highland clans to take arms in favour of King -James, the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were immediately -ordered to the north.<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> At the same time, the -Earl of Clarendon refusing to act with the new -government, his son, Viscount Cornbury, was -superseded in the command of the regiment by -the lieutenant-colonel, <span class="smcap">Anthony Hayford</span>, whose -commission as colonel was dated the 1st of July, -1689.</p> - -<p>On the 27th of July, six battalions of infantry -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>and two newly-raised troops of Scots horse, commanded -by Lieut.-General Mackay, were defeated -at <em>Killicrankie</em> by the Highlanders and a few -Irish, under Viscount Dundee and Brigadier-General -Cannon. Immediately after the action, the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were directed to march to the -assistance of Lieut.-General Mackay, and they arrived -at Perth in the early part of August. The -object of the Commander-in-Chief being the prevention -of the descent of the mountaineers into the -lowlands, the regiment was posted a short time at -Forfar, under the command of Major-General Sir -John Lanier, and subsequently proceeded by forced -marches to Aberdeen. The Highlanders eventually -retired over the mountains by paths inaccessible -to cavalry, and separated to their homes.</p> - -<p>In the mean time, the lord-lieutenant of Ireland -(Earl Tyrconnel) had retained the greater part of -that kingdom in the interest of King James. King -William sent an army to that country under the -veteran Duke Schomberg; and, immediately after -the dispersion of the rebel Highlanders, the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were ordered to proceed to Ireland. -They embarked for this service in the early part -of October, landed at Carlingford on the 9th of -that month,<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> and were ordered to take post at -Armagh and Clownish, from whence they were -removed to the isle of Maghee.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1690</div> - -<p>Several skirmishes occurred during the winter; -and in the spring of 1690 the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -were before <em>Charlemont</em>, which place was blockaded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -by the King's forces. <em>Charlemont</em> was defended -by a garrison of 500 men, commanded by -Sir Teague O'Regan, a humorist, who returned -the following laconic answer to the summons to -surrender:—"Tell the General, from Teague -O'Regan, that he's an old knave; and, by St. -Patrick, he shall not have the town at all." He, -however, surrendered on the 14th of May, and -a detachment of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> escorted -the garrison towards Armagh.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> Soon after the -surrender of Charlemont Lieut.-Colonel Edward -Matthews, from Leveson's (now third) dragoons, -was appointed colonel of the regiment. In June -it was encamped near Loughbritland, where it -was joined by a remount from England. On the -22nd of June King William arrived at the camp, -and "His Majesty was no sooner come than he -was in amongst the throng of the troops, and -observed every regiment very critically. This -pleased the soldiers mightily, and every one was -ready to give what demonstrations it was possible -both of his courage and duty."<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> - -<p>The French and Irish, commanded by King -James, took post on the banks of the <em>Boyne</em>, to -dispute the passage of that river. King William -marched to the opposite bank on the 30th of June, -and, on the morning of the 1st of July, the army -forded the river and drove the enemy from his -position with great slaughter. The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -and other British troops engaged in forcing -the passage of the <em>Boyne</em> are reported to have -"acquitted themselves well." King James fled -from the field and proceeded to France; and the -British army advanced on Dublin. A few days -after the battle King William reviewed the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> at Finglass, on which occasion they -brought 406 private troopers into the field.</p> - -<p>On the 21st of July Major-General Kirke proceeded -with the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> and Queen -Dowager's and Colonel Cambron's regiments of -foot to Waterford, and summoned the place, and -on the 25th the governor capitulated.</p> - -<p>At the moment when success attended the operations -of the army in Ireland, the English and -Dutch fleets, commanded by Lord Torrington and -Admiral Evertsen, were defeated by the French -fleet under the Count de Tourville, and the enemy -afterwards menaced the descent of a formidable -force on the British coast. King William commanded -a troop of life guards, with Count -Schomberg's horse (now seventh dragoon -guards), the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, and Trelawny's -and Hastings' (fourth and thirteenth) foot to be -immediately embarked for England.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> landed at Highlake, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> -Cheshire, in the early part of August. The alarm -of invasion, however, soon subsided; and they -were ordered to return to Ireland, in which country -they again landed on the 20th of October, and -proceeded into extended cantonments in the county -of Cork. Many thousands of the Roman Catholic -peasantry of Ireland were, at this period, in arms -in behalf of King James: they were called <em>rapparees</em>, -and being formed into bands they made -frequent incursions into the cantonments of the -English regiments. Several men of the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were murdered in their quarters by -these <em>rapparees</em>; and detachments of the regiment -were frequently sent out to scour the country and -chase these bands of marauders from the English -cantonments.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1691</div> - -<p>Towards the end of December a detachment of -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> proceeded, with some other -troops, on an expedition commanded by Major-General -Tattea, and on the 1st of January, 1691, -attacked an Irish fort near <em>Scronclaird</em>, which was -taken in two hours, although the enemy had employed -five hundred men during two months to -build it.<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a></p> - -<p>In the spring, when the army took the field, -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were ordered to remain in -the county of Cork to restrain the incursions of -the <em>rapparees</em>, and to prevent the several forts -and small garrisons from being attacked. In the -early part of June Major Culliford, with a detachment -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> and some militia,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -penetrated that part of the country from whence -the enemy received their supplies, defeated the -Irish troops, and captured several droves of cattle. -At length General St. Ruth, who commanded the -French and Irish forces, detached two thousand -horse and foot to cover this part of the country. -Major Culliford, however, continued to make -inroads, and having advanced with one hundred -and twenty men of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, and -fifty militia foot, he encountered two troops of -Irish cavalry. The English dragoons advanced -boldly to the charge, defeated their opponents, -killed twenty men upon the spot, and pursued the -remainder to Newmarket, where the Irish, being -reinforced, made another stand. The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, -however, attacked them again with great -bravery, and having sabred fifteen, the remainder -fled in disorder, leaving a quantity of provision -and some cattle behind. Major Culliford despatched -eleven dragoons and twenty-four of the -militia to the rear with the booty, and then pursued -the fugitives four miles farther, when he -encountered five hundred of the enemy's horse -commanded by Sir James Cotter. Notwithstanding -their disparity of numbers, the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -boldly confronted their opponents, and made -a gallant resistance, but were eventually overpowered; -and forty men having fallen, Major Culliford -made good his retreat with the remainder. -In retiring, the dragoons,—chafed in spirit and -burning with revenge,—often turned round upon -their pursuers; and at length Captain Bower and -twenty men boldly faced about and killed about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> -twenty of the Irish horsemen, whose eagerness in -the chase had caused them to advance in front of -their main body. In the meantime the eleven -dragoons and twenty-four of the militia, with the -captured cattle and stores, arrived at <em>Drumaugh</em>, -where they were attacked by a detachment of the -enemy, but defended themselves with success -until relieved by a body of troops under Colonels -Hastings and Ogleby.</p> - -<p>At the time the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were making -these diversions, the main army, commanded by -Lieutenant-General De Ginkell, gained a decisive -victory over the French and Irish at Aghrim; -and on the 1st of August the regiment joined the -army at Banagher-bridge. The enemy collected -the remains of their defeated regiments at <em>Limerick</em>; -and towards the end of August Lieutenant-General -De Ginkell besieged that city, commencing -his work on the right bank of the Shannon: -the Irish army lay encamped at the same time on -the opposite side of the river.</p> - -<p>A pontoon bridge having been prepared, several -regiments were ordered to cross the river at daybreak -of the 16th of September. The <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> took the lead; and Brigadier-General -Clifford,<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> who commanded four regiments -of King James's dragoons, being taken by surprise, -made little opposition: some infantry, however, -attempted to make a stand; but a squadron -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> dashed forward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> -and routed them in an instant. Two or three -French and Irish battalions retired to a bog and -wood in their rear, from whence they were driven -with the loss of several men killed, and a French -lieut.-colonel, a captain, and a number of men -made prisoners. The regiments which had passed -the river advanced upon the enemy's camp, where -a curious spectacle presented itself:—many of the -Irish were running about in their shirts, some -were pulling down tents, others driving away cattle, -many were making their escape into the town, -and others hurrying towards the mountains; a -regiment of dragoons, whose horses were two -miles distance at grass, dispersed in confusion: -at the same time a party of horse buckled on their -arms and made a show of fighting; but they fled -on the advance of the English, who took possession -of the camp, where they found a quantity of -beef, brandy, and corn, with the saddles and -appointments of three hundred dragoons. The -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were commended by Lieut.-General -De Ginkell for their gallant conduct, -and they returned to the other side of the river on -the same day.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a></p> - -<p>On the 22nd of September the regiment, with -several other corps, crossed the Shannon into the -county of Clare; when the advance-guard, which -consisted of eighteen men of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, -was attacked by a squadron of the Irish cavalry: -this small party sustained the first onset with -admirable firmness, but were forced to retire; part<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> -of the regiment, however, soon advanced to their -assistance, when the enemy was defeated and -chased under the range of their batteries, and -three small pieces of brass ordnance were captured. -Orders were then given for the infantry -to attack the works which covered Thoumond -bridge. These works were carried after a sharp -struggle; when the troops which had defended -them endeavoured to enter the town; but the -drawbridge had been raised, and they were left to -the mercy of the English, who slaughtered such -numbers, that the dead bodies lay in heaps on the -bridge higher than the parapet walls. Five colours -were taken on this occasion, and so many men -slain, drowned, and taken prisoners, that the enemy -surrendered the place in a few days afterwards.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1692<br />1693</div> - -<p>The conquest of Ireland having been effected, -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> returned to England, where -they arrived in January, 1692, and marched into -dispersed cantonments in Leicestershire; and -during a part of the summer a detachment was -stationed in garrison at Portsmouth. The regiment -was subsequently stationed, on revenue duty, -in the maritime towns on the southern coast of the -kingdom; and in the autumn of 1693 it had the -honour of furnishing a relay of escorts to attend -King William from Margate to London, when His -Majesty returned from Holland.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1694</div> - -<p>The war with France, which was commenced in -1689, had been continued with varied success; and -in the spring of 1694 the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were -ordered to proceed on foreign service. They left -England in May; joined the army encamped near<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> -Tirlemont in South Brabant, on the 21st of June, -and were reviewed by King William on the following -day. On arriving at this camp they were -ordered to take post in front of the village of Camtich, -and this quarter being much exposed to -attacks from the enemy, they were reinforced by -two regiments of Dutch infantry. The army -marched from Tirlemont on the 13th of July, and -encamped at Mont St. André and Ramilies, where -the regiment was formed in brigade with the royal -Scots and Fairfax's (now second and third) dragoons, -under the command of Brigadier-General -Matthews, and this brigade was encamped on the -left of the line. The French army encamped near -Huy, with their left upon the Mehaine. On the -17th of July a foraging party of the allies crossed -the river, and, meeting with several French squadrons, -a skirmish ensued, when the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> lost eight horses and had three men -wounded. On the 28th of the same month another -foraging party encountered a detachment of -the enemy, when the regiment had two men and -several horses killed. The allied army was again in -motion on the 8th of August: much manœuvring, -and some skirmishing took place between the -hostile squadrons, but no general engagement -occurred. On the 29th of August the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were stationed at Wacken—a post -situate at the junction of the Mandel and the -Scheldt; and in October they marched into cantonments -in the villages between Ghent and Sans-van-Ghent.<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1695</div> - -<p>In the spring of 1695 the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -marched to Dixmude, forming part of a division -of the army commanded by Major-General Ellenberg, -and were brigaded with Lloyd's (now third) -dragoons and a regiment of Danish cavalry. On -the 7th of June the Duke of Wirtemberg took -command of this division, and attacked the French -forts at <em>Kenoque</em> as a diversion to conceal King -William's design upon the strong and almost -impregnable fortress of <em>Namur</em>, which he commanded -to be invested shortly afterwards. The -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> joined the covering army towards -the end of June; but were detached to -Bruges in July: they were subsequently recalled -from thence and joined the camp between Genappe -and Waterloo, from whence they proceeded to the -vicinity of <em>Namur</em>, to protect the troops employed -in the siege from a threatened attack of the French -army. After the surrender of the important fortress -of <em>Namur</em>, the regiment marched into cantonments -behind Ghent.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1696</div> - -<p>The French menaced an attack upon the quarters -of the allied army in Flanders in the spring of -1696, when the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were suddenly -called from their cantonments to encamp on the -banks of the canal between Ghent and Bruges, -where they were reviewed by King William on -the 29th of May. They served the campaign of -this year with the army of Flanders, commanded by -the Prince of Vandemont, and were brigaded with -the royal Scots and royal Irish (second and fifth) -dragoons, commanded by Brigadier-General Matthews. -The object of this army was the protection<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> -of Ghent, Bruges, and the maritime towns of -Flanders: no general action occurred; but a party -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, with a detachment of -Langston's horse (now fourth dragoon guards), -surprised one of the French out-guards on the -night of the 20th of September and took thirty -prisoners. This appears to be the only action in -which the regiment took part during the campaign -of this year; and on the 6th of October it marched -into quarters in the villages behind the Bruges -canal.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1697</div> - -<p>During the campaign of 1697 the regiment -served under King William in the army of Brabant, -and was brigaded with the royal Scots and -Eppinger's dragoons.</p> - -<p>On the 28th of May Brigadier-General Matthews -died; and on the 30th His Majesty conferred -the colonelcy of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> on <span class="smcap">Thomas -Lord Raby</span>, afterwards Earl of Strafford.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1698</div> - -<p>The enemy, having great superiority of numbers, -besieged and took <em>Aeth</em>, and afterwards menaced -Brussels; but were frustrated in their designs by -King William. The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were encamped -before Brussels in June; and subsequently -at Wavre. Hostilities were terminated in September -by the treaty of Ryswick, and after the -conclusion of peace, the regiment embarked from -the Netherlands,—landed at the Red House in -Southwark on the 21st of November, and, at the -end of the same month, marched into extensive -quarters in Yorkshire, where the establishment, -which during the war had been eight troops, -amounting to five hundred and ninety officers and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -men, was reduced to six troops of two hundred and -ninety-four officers and men.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1699<br />1700</div> - -<p>During the two succeeding years the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> occupied quarters in Lancashire and -Leicestershire. In June, 1700, they assembled on -Hounslow Heath and were reviewed by King William -III., who was pleased to express his royal -approbation of their appearance and discipline. -Leaving the south of England in July, they proceeded -into quarters in Yorkshire and Cumberland, -with one troop stationed in garrison at Carlisle and -another at Hull.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1701<br />1702</div> - -<p>In 1701 the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were stationed -in Yorkshire, with three troops in garrison at -Hull; at this period the ambitious Louis XIV. -of France violated the treaties he had entered -into, and procured the accession of his grandson, -Philip, Duke of Anjou, to the throne of Spain. -War was resolved upon, and the establishment -of the regiment was augmented to eight troops -amounting to five hundred and thirty-two officers -and men; and it embarked for Holland in the -beginning of March, 1702. Before the transports -sailed, the death of King William occurred -(8th March, 1702), when the regiment was disembarked -and placed in cantonments in the villages -in the immediate vicinity of the metropolis. In a -few days afterwards, Her Majesty Queen Anne -having resolved to pursue the foreign policy of her -predecessor, the regiment re-embarked, and after -landing at Williamstadt, went into quarters at Breda, -where it was formed in brigade with the royal -Scots and royal Irish (second and fifth) dragoons,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> -under the command of that excellent officer, Brigadier-General -Ross, and was placed as a guard to -the English train of artillery.<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1703</div> - -<p>A powerful French army was in the field menacing -the frontiers of Holland. The <span class="smcap">Earl of -Marlborough</span> assembled the forces under his -orders towards the end of June, and in July the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> joined the army with the train -of artillery. By a daring advance the British commander -disconcerted the designs of his opponents, -who retired without venturing an engagement. -The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were employed in covering -the sieges of <em>Venloo</em>, <em>Ruremonde</em>, and <em>Stevenswaert</em>; -and took part in the capture of the city of -<em>Liege</em>: they afterwards marched back to Holland, -and were quartered at Arnheim, the capital of the -province of Guelderland, where they were reviewed -in April, 1703, by their colonel, <span class="smcap">Lord Raby</span>, who -was passing through Holland on his way to Prussia, -as envoy extraordinary to that court.<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></p> - -<p>At the commencement of the campaign of 1703 -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were employed in covering -the siege of <em>Bonn</em>, and afterwards joined the army -near Maestricht, with six battalions of infantry -commanded by the Prince of Hesse, and were -formed in brigade with the same regiments as in -the preceding year.</p> - -<p>On the advance of the allied army commanded -by the <span class="smcap">Duke of Marlborough</span>, the French retreated, -and took post behind their fortified lines.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 27th of July the British commander proceeded, -with four thousand horse and dragoons, -towards the enemy's intrenchments, and Lieutenant -<span class="smcap">Benson</span>, with thirty men of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, -who formed the advance-guard, charged -and defeated a piquet of forty French horsemen, -and chased them to the barriers of their intrenchments -with signal gallantry, which gave his -Grace an opportunity of advancing within musket-shot -of the lines. He was desirous of attacking -these formidable works, but was prevented by the -timidity and pertinacity of the Dutch generals and -field deputies. In August, when the siege of <em>Huy</em> -was undertaken, the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were encamped -on the banks of the river Maese, to secure -the bridge, and to keep up the communication. -They were subsequently engaged in the siege of -<em>Limburg</em>, a city situated on a pleasant eminence -among the woods near the banks of the little river -Wesdet. Spanish Guelderland having been delivered -from the power of France, and the Dutch -freed from the dread of an invasion, the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> quitted the vicinity of Limburg and -marched back to Holland. In the mean time -circumstances had occurred which occasioned -their removal from the army commanded by the -celebrated <span class="smcap">Duke of Marlborough</span>, to another -theatre of war.</p> - -<p>During the summer the Emperor of Germany -and Prince Joseph renounced their pretensions to -the Spanish monarchy in behalf of Archduke -Charles, who was acknowledged as King of Spain -by several of the states of Europe; and a treaty of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -alliance having been concluded with the King of -Portugal, the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were selected to -accompany the Archduke to Lisbon, and to take -part in the attempt to place him on the throne of -Spain by force of arms.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1704</div> - -<p>The Portuguese monarch having engaged to -provide horses for the English cavalry, the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> transferred their horses to the British -regiments in Holland, and embarked, dismounted, -in October; but were so long detained by contrary -winds and severe weather, that they did not arrive -at the capital of Portugal before March, 1704, -when they landed with the remainder of the -British and Dutch forces commanded by <span class="smcap">Duke -Schomberg</span>.</p> - -<p>In consequence of the horses produced by the -Portuguese authorities being of so inferior a description -that the English officers rejected the -greater part of them, only twenty men per troop -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were mounted; the dismounted -men proceeded to Abrantes to await the -arrival of horses, and the mounted men advanced -to the frontiers of Portugal, and encamped on a -pleasant plain near Estremos. Tardiness and -inability were, however, manifested by the Portuguese -authorities to such an extent, that the <span class="smcap">Duke -of Berwick</span>, having arrived from France with -eighteen battalions of infantry and nineteen squadrons -of cavalry, and taken the command of the -French and Spanish forces, attacked the frontiers -of Portugal before the allies were prepared to take -the field. The court of Lisbon was alarmed, the -provinces were in consternation; the <span class="smcap">Duke<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> -Schomberg</span> solicited to be recalled, and the -<span class="smcap">Earl of Galway</span> was sent with reinforcements -to Portugal, and appointed to the command of -the British forces in that country.</p> - -<p>One hundred and twenty men of the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> formed part of a body of cavalry, which -crossed the frontiers and made a successful incursion -into the Spanish territory. Extraordinary -measures were adopted to procure horses, and at -the close of the summer the regiment had upwards -of three hundred mounted men in the field. In -the autumn the army was enabled to act on the -offensive, and the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were among -the forces which penetrated Spain; but on arriving -at the vicinity of Ciudad Rodrigo, the enemy was -found so advantageously posted on the opposite -side of the Agueda, that the Portuguese generals -would not venture the passage of the river; and, -after reconnoitring the hostile army several times, -the allies returned to Portugal, and the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> went into village cantonments in the -Alentejo.<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1705</div> - -<p>During the winter and the spring of 1705 the -regiment procured an additional supply of horses, -and when it again took the field it was much -better mounted than in the preceding year. It -joined the army in April, and, advancing into -Spanish Estremadura, formed part of the force -which invested <em>Valencia de Alcantara</em>, which -fortress was captured in the early part of May.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> -<p><em>Albuquerque</em> was subsequently besieged and taken; -and the capture of Badajoz was contemplated, but -that undertaking was abandoned until the summer's -heat was abated.</p> - -<p>In the mean time an expedition had been fitted -out in England, and a land force, commanded by -Lieut.-General the Earl of Peterborough, embarked -for the purpose of furthering the designs -of the house of Austria. The fleet arrived at -Lisbon in June, and, King Charles resolving to -accompany the expedition, the <span class="smcap">Royal</span> and Cunningham's -(now eighth) dragoons, and four regiments -of foot, were embarked to strengthen the -land force. The fleet put to sea, and, after -several consultations among the general and naval -officers, an attack on <em>Barcelona</em> was resolved upon. -The fleet arrived before that fortress on the 22nd -of August (N.S.), and on the 24th the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> landed near a river called Bassoz, on -the east side of the city, and encamped about a -mile from the walls, in a place well fortified by -nature, where the army was joined by many of the -country people, who were formed into bands, and -acted as a guerilla force: "they were" (as Bishop -Burnet observes) "good at plundering, but could -not submit to regular discipline, nor were they -willing to expose themselves to dangerous services."</p> - -<p>The siege of <em>Barcelona</em> was considered a romantic -enterprise, and it excited a lively interest -in every nation in Christendom. The garrison -equalled in strength the besieging army within -about two thousand men, and, according to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -ordinary rules and chances of war, success appeared -impossible. The siege was, however, -commenced, and on the 14th of September an -attack was made on the strong fortress of <em>Montjuich</em>, -situate on an eminence overlooking the -town, on which occasion a detachment of the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> was posted between this detached -fortress and the city to prevent a sally of -the Spanish cavalry. The garrison of Fort -Montjuich held out three days, and then surrendered. -During the remainder of the siege the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were almost constantly on -duty, the besieging army not having a sufficient -number of men to form two reliefs of the ordinary -guards in the trenches and on the batteries: -the siege was, however, persisted in, and the -governor capitulated on the 9th of October. The -garrison was preparing to march out on the 14th, -when numbers of the guerillas and armed peasantry, -having entered by the breach in hopes of -obtaining plunder, united with the inhabitants of -the town, and attacked the houses of the French -and other persons known to be in the interest of -the Duke of Anjou; they also threatened to massacre -the governor and garrison: but the Earl of -Peterborough marched into the town at the head of -a troop of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> and a detachment -of grenadiers, and restored order and tranquillity. -On this occasion his lordship narrowly escaped -falling a sacrifice to his humanity. A Spaniard -having fired at the Duke of Popoli, the ball passed -through the Earl of Peterborough's periwig. The -valour and perseverance of the British and Dutch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> -having achieved the conquest of Barcelona, at -which (as Dr. Freind observes) "all Europe -wondered," nearly every town in Catalonia declared -for King Charles III., and the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were placed in garrison at Tortosa, -excepting a detachment which remained at Barcelona. -Shortly afterwards Valencia declared in -favour of the house of Austria.</p> - -<p>A French and Spanish force, commanded by -the Conde de las Torres, was detached to retake -the revolted towns, and in December the enemy -besieged <em>St. Mattheo</em>, which place was defended -by a party of Spaniards, commanded by a stout-hearted -Welshman, named <span class="smcap">Jones</span>, who made a -resolute defence. The Earl of Peterborough advanced -with two hundred of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -and a thousand British foot to relieve the place. -This force was not more than one-fifth of the -numbers of the besieging army: but, by night -marches among the woods and mountains, and by -circulating false reports, the British succeeded in -surprising their opponents; and the Spanish commander, -not knowing the numbers of his enemy, -and being deceived by spies, made a precipitate -retreat, and his rear-guard was pursued by the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> over the mountains to Albocazar.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1706</div> - -<p>The French and Spanish army continued to -retire, and was pursued by the Earl of Peterborough -with a force so much inferior in numbers, -that the record of these events appears almost -incredible,<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> and exhibits the native valour,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> -spirit of enterprise, and temerity of the British -commander, with the pusillanimity and credulity -of the Spaniards, in a strong light. Four troops -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> formed part of that small -body of men with which the Earl of Peterborough -pursued a numerous army. The services in which -they were engaged partook of the nature of a guerilla -warfare, and put to a severe test the discipline, -bravery, and intelligence of the men. Being -divided into small parties, and united with bands -of armed peasantry, they were continually performing -night marches among the woods and -mountains, and, hovering about the rear and flanks -of the Spanish army, keeping it in a state of -alarm, which services were performed in concert -with spies; and although, under these circumstances, -it must have been difficult to preserve -subordination and discipline, yet the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -performed these duties to the satisfaction -of the commander-in-chief. On one occasion -"the Spaniards employed by my lord Peterborough -informed the Conde de las Torres of a -considerable force that was upon his left, somewhat -before him, and certainly designed, as -they told him, to take some passes which might -prevent his entrance into the plains leading to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> -Valencia, and that there were English troops -among them. This the Spanish general thinking -impossible, one of the spies offered to give -any two or three officers he pleased to appoint -the satisfaction of seeing what he affirmed. -Upon this two officers, in the country habit, -went along with him to a place where, pretending -to alight and refresh themselves, they -were seized by ten English dragoons that were -posted there on purpose, and had marched in -the mountains all night with the spies. The -Spaniards being thus surprised and seized, the -spy pretended the guard was drunk, and the -officers, seeing a couple of dragoons lying apparently -in that condition, slipped into the stable -and took three of the horses, and so returned to -the Conde de las Torres. This was enough to -confirm the intelligence and gain credit to the -spy, as officers of that country never fail to -magnify their dangers and escapes. Sometimes -the dragoons were brought prisoners, by consent, -into the Spanish camp, by country people, -seeming in their interest. By such artful means, -and by such diligent application, a little body of -men, about twelve or thirteen hundred cavalry -and two thousand infantry, were brought to join -in the neighbourhood of Castillon de la Plana."<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> -Such were the services in which the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -were engaged, and an immense tract of -country was delivered from the power of the -enemy. A most romantic part of the adventure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -was, that the Earl of Peterborough, being deficient -in cavalry, procured eight hundred Spanish -horses, and constituted Lord Barrymore's regiment -(now thirteenth foot) a corps of dragoons, -of which he appointed the lieut.-colonel, Edward -Pearce, colonel.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> accompanied the Earl -of Peterborough to <em>Valencia</em>. The enemy brought -forward a numerous army to besiege this important -place; but the British commander issued from the -city with his gallant horsemen, and surprised and -captured the Spanish battering-train; he also penetrated, -by a night march, to the rear of their -army, and attacked and defeated their reinforcements; -and by these and other achievements of a -similar character, which exhibit the valour and -excellent conduct of the troops under his orders, -he frustrated the designs of the enemy.</p> - -<p>These brilliant successes alarmed the courts of -France and Spain, and a powerful attempt to regain -the possession of the towns which had acknowledged -King Charles was determined upon. -The Spaniards were desirous of commencing with -Valencia, but they were overruled by orders from -France; and, the English fleet having left <em>Barcelona</em> -in the autumn, the siege of that place was -undertaken by a land force commanded by King -Philip in person, and the French fleet under the -Count de Toulouse.</p> - -<p>The Earl of Peterborough hastened from Valencia -with the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> and a select -number of men from the other corps, and on his -arrival at the vicinity of Barcelona he found the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -town invested by a numerous army and a fleet. -He immediately took to the mountains with his -hardy dragoons and about two thousand foot, and, -being joined by numbers of the armed peasantry, -he was constantly hovering near the besieging -army with his detachments, interrupting the -enemy's communications, cutting off their supplies, -and attacking their out-guards; and on one -occasion he succeeded in throwing a number of -men into the town. At length the British fleet -arrived with reinforcements; the French admiral -withdrew with precipitation, and, Barcelona being -thus relieved, the enemy raised the siege on the -12th of May, 1706, and retreated towards Roussillon, -leaving behind his artillery, ammunition, -stores, and sick and wounded men. A squadron -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> and some other cavalry -were ordered to pursue the retiring army, and, -being joined by hundreds of armed peasantry, -they attacked the enemy's rear-guard several -times, and took a number of prisoners. The -Spaniards killed every man who fell into their -hands; but the prisoners taken by the English -and Dutch met with good treatment.</p> - -<p>After the flight of the enemy from before Barcelona, -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> returned to Valencia, -from whence they expected to advance with -King Charles immediately upon Madrid, to join -the allied army commanded by the Marquis das -Minas and the Earl of Galway, which being superior -in numbers to the French and Spanish forces -on the frontiers of Portugal, arrived at the capital -of Spain towards the end of June. King Charles,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -however, delayed to proceed to Madrid, and being -guided by pernicious councils, he eventually went -round by way of Arragon. Meanwhile the French -and Spanish forces which, after raising the siege -of Barcelona, had retired to France, re-entered -Spain, and uniting with the forces under the Duke -of Berwick, compelled the army of Portugal to -retire from Madrid. The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -marched from Valencia in July, together with -Pearce's dragoons, a regiment of Castilian foot, -and a regiment of Germans, and on the 8th of -August joined the army of Portugal at Guadalaxara, -from whence they marched to Chinchon, -a town of Toledo, eighteen miles from Madrid, -where they remained about a month.</p> - -<p>The allied army, being unable to make head -against the superior numbers of the enemy, retired, -and having crossed the Tagus at Fuente Duennas, -continued their march through the fine champaign -country of La Mancha, and took up their winter -quarters in Valencia, extending their cantonments -from Requena to Denia.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1707</div> - -<p>In the spring of 1707 the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -were ordered to take the field, and after a long -and difficult march they joined the army in the -beginning of April; but no expectation of a general -engagement being entertained, and land carriage -being difficult to procure, they were detached on -the 9th of April as far as Denia, for their clothing, -and to refresh their horses a short time in village -cantonments. While they lay at Collera, a town -situate at the mouth of the river Xucar, in the -province of Valencia, the battle of Almanza was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> -fought on the 25th of April, when the allied army, -commanded by the Marquis das Minas and the -Earl of Galway, was nearly annihilated by the -French and Spaniards under the Duke of Berwick.</p> - -<p>Soon after this disaster the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -joined the wreck of the allied army, which had -been collected by the Earl of Galway, and were -employed for three months in marches and countermarches, -observing the motions of the opposing -army and endeavouring to preserve the rich and -extensive province of Catalonia from the power of -the enemy. They afterwards formed part of the -force assembled for the relief of Lerida, but the -undertaking was found to be impracticable. The -enemy gained possession of Arragon and Valencia, -but were prevented acquiring all the advantages -from the victory at Almanza which had been anticipated.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1708</div> - -<p>During the winter and succeeding spring exertions -were made to bring the regiments in Catalonia -into as efficient a state as possible; and when -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> took the field to serve the -campaign of 1708, they were reported to be "in -excellent condition."<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> The allied army in Catalonia -was under the orders of Marshal Count Guido -de Staremberg, an officer of reputation, who had -commanded the Imperial troops in Hungary. The -services of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were of a defensive -character; sending out detachments to reconnoitre, -furnishing piquets and patroles, and traversing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> -the mountain districts of Catalonia in -small parties, were the only duties they were -called upon to perform. They were encamped a -short time in a valley near Monblanco, subsequently -on a fertile plain near Cervera, and they -passed another winter in cantonments in Catalonia.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1709</div> - -<p>The early part of the campaign of 1709 was -also passed in defensive movements: the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were encamped with the army on the -banks of the Segré, and having forded that river -in August, the town of <em>Balaguer</em>, situate at the -foot of a hill on the banks of that stream and in -a district of uncommon fertility, was captured; -also <em>Ager</em>, a place twelve miles from Balaguer. -After placing garrisons in these towns the army -repassed the river, and the regiments went into -cantonments.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1710</div> - -<p>The campaign of 1710 was distinguished by -more important events, the two claimants to the -throne of Spain heading their armies in person. -The enemy was first in the field, and commenced -operations with the siege of Balaguer, but retired -on the approach of the allied army. The <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were subsequently encamped on the -banks of the Segré; and when King Charles -joined the army, they were detached to meet his -Majesty and to escort him to the camp.</p> - -<p>After some manœuvring, Lieutenant-General -<span class="smcap">Stanhope</span> (afterwards <span class="smcap">Earl Stanhope</span>), who -commanded the British troops in Spain, being at -the head of the leading column of the allied army -on the march towards Alfaras, discovered, on the -evening of the 27th of July, a body of the enemy's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -forces in front of the village of <em>Almanara</em>, and -obtained the King's permission to attack them -with the cavalry, of which the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -had the honour to form part.</p> - -<p>The sun was declining from the horizon, and -the shades of evening were gathering over the -valleys of Catalonia, when the British commander -led forward his warlike horsemen. Before him -appeared twenty-two squadrons of Castilian -cavalry, the pride and flower of the Spanish army, -with King Philip's life guards on the right; a -second line of the same numbers was seen in the -rear, and nine battalions of infantry supported the -cavalry. Against this force the gallant <span class="smcap">Stanhope</span> -advanced at the head of Harvey's horse -(now second dragoon guards); his front line consisted -of sixteen squadrons, with a reserve of six -squadrons. The Spaniards came forward to meet -their opponents in all the pomp of war, and a noble -spectacle presented itself. The foaming squadrons -dashed upon each other, but the contest was of -short duration. The enemy's left soon gave way,—the -Spanish life guards were routed with the -loss of a standard and a pair of kettle drums,—their -second line fled in confusion,—the infantry -were seized with a panic; and <span class="smcap">Stanhope's</span> -troopers chased the fugitives from the field with -great slaughter, following them among the rocks -and dells until the darkness rendered it impossible -to distinguish friends from foes.</p> - -<p>The result of this cavalry action disconcerted -the plans of the enemy; King Philip called in his -detachments and retired; and the allied army<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -moved forward in pursuit. After following the -retiring army many days, sometimes crossing valleys, -and at other times traversing wild but beautiful -regions among rocks and mountains, and -obtaining possession of numerous towns in Arragon, -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> overtook the enemy's -rear-guard in the pass of <em>Penalva</em>, on the 15th -of August, when a sharp skirmish ensued, and -Lieut.-Colonel <span class="smcap">Colberg</span>, who commanded the -regiment, was wounded and taken prisoner.</p> - -<p>Continuing the pursuit during the four succeeding -days, the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> passed the Ebro -with the leading column under Major-General -Carpenter, and on the evening of the 19th of -August the French and Spanish forces were discovered -in order of battle on the right of <em>Saragossa</em>, -a city pleasantly situated on the river -Ebro, in a very plentiful country, abounding with -every necessary for the support and convenience of -life, and once the delight of Julius Cæsar, who -erected a splendid palace there. Preparations -were made to attack the enemy on the following -day; the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> formed part of the -cavalry of the left wing, commanded by Lieut.-General -<span class="smcap">Stanhope</span>, and were opposed to the -enemy's right on the brow of a steep hill.</p> - -<p>Early on the morning of the 20th of August -a heavy cannonade commenced; and as the mountains -re-echoed the sound, and the smoke, tinged -with the rays of the sun, rose in curling clouds -and formed a glittering dome over the opposing -armies, King Charles and his suite galloped along -the line, and his Majesty's presence infused a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -glowing ardour into the troops. About mid-day -Lieut.-General Stanhope led the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -and other British horsemen on the left -against their adversaries, and a sharp cavalry -action ensued, in which the French troopers (being -superior in numbers) had the advantage; but -Stanhope's second line of cavalry repulsed the -enemy. The British dragoons rallied, and returning -to the charge, a sanguinary sword-fight took -place at the foot of the hill; but six squadrons of -Portuguese dragoons on the extreme left fled -before the troops advancing against them, without -waiting to be attacked. The battle extended -along the front to the banks of the Ebro, and the -Imperial, Dutch, and Palatine troops vied with -the British in feats of gallantry. The Royals, -Pepper's (now eighth) and Stanhope's dragoons, -continuing the fight, gained some advantage; -Harvey's horse signalized themselves; and four -English battalions, commanded by Major-General -<span class="smcap">Wade</span>, being mixed with the cavalry of the left -wing, behaved with remarkable intrepidity and -heroism. The British infantry, throwing off their -knapsacks, sprang up the acclivity and attacked -their opponents sword in hand: finally, the -enemy was driven from the field with prodigious -slaughter, and the loss of six thousand prisoners, -twenty-two pieces of cannon, seventy-two standards -and colours, the ammunition, baggage, and plate -of King Philip; and the city of <em>Saragossa</em> was captured, -with its military stores of ammunition, provision -and clothing. The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> passed -the night in the fields near the town, and were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -thanked by King Charles for their distinguished -gallantry.</p> - -<p>After this victory the army once more advanced -to Madrid, and King Charles made his public -entry into the capital on the 28th of September; -but the army of Portugal not advancing to sustain -this forward movement, the most disastrous results -followed. King Philip called to his aid -troops from Estremadura,—reinforcements arrived -from France,—the Castilian peasantry took arms -in his behalf,—and the allied army was once more -forced to retire.</p> - -<p>On the 11th of November King Charles withdrew -from the army, taking with him the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> and Staremberg's Imperialists, and -proceeded to Cienpoznelos. The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -appear to have become a favourite corps -with his Majesty, and when he retired to Barcelona -he took with him two squadrons of the -regiment as a body-guard. The other squadron -remained with the army, and during the retreat it -formed part of the rear column on the left commanded -by Lieut.-General <span class="smcap">Stanhope</span>. This -retrograde movement was performed under great -difficulties from the hostile spirit of the Castilians, -inclement weather, and a scarcity of forage and -provision. On the 6th of December the column -of which the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> formed part -arrived at <em>Brihuega</em>, a village of about a thousand -houses, situate in the mountains of Castile, -near the river Tajuna, where they halted on the -following day. While the troops were reposing -in this rural seclusion, the town was suddenly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -surrounded by the French and Spanish forces -commanded by the Duke of Vendosme. The -British, though invested by a force of more than -ten times their own numbers, resolved on a vigorous -defence; but unfortunately they had no artillery, -very little ammunition, and the wall round -the village was in a ruinous condition. The -enemy forced the gates, battered down part of the -wall with their cannon, and assaulted the place by -storm, but were repulsed with severe loss. A -second assault was given, and the British troops, -having spent all their ammunition, defended themselves -a short time with stones and other missiles; -but were eventually forced to surrender prisoners -of war.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1711</div> - -<p>The officers and men of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -who were thus made prisoners were sent to France, -and, after being exchanged, were removed to -England, and subsequently to Scotland. The -remainder of the regiment continued in Spain, -where it served under Lieut.-General the Duke of -Argyle.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> -<div class="sidenote">1712</div> - -<p>In 1711 the Emperor Joseph died, King -Charles proceeded from Spain to Germany, -and was elected Emperor of the Romans. This -event removed one of the competitors for the -throne of Spain. King Philip made a formal -renunciation of his claim to succeed to the throne -of France, and the danger of an union of the -kingdoms of France and Spain was thus removed. -Negotiations for a general peace were commenced, -and in the summer of 1712 the officers and men -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> quitted Spain and returned -to England. They were mounted on -Spanish horses; but before they quitted Catalonia -their horses were sold, and the men returned home -dismounted.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1713</div> - -<p>After their arrival in England the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were stationed in dispersed quarters in -Yorkshire; and the establishment was fixed at -twenty-seven officers, eight quarter-masters, and -three hundred and twenty-eight non-commissioned -officers and private men. During the summer of -1713 a detachment of the regiment proceeded to -Dover, and received a draft of two hundred horses -from Kerr's (now seventh) dragoons, which regiment -was ordered to proceed, dismounted, to Ireland, -where it was disbanded.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1714</div> - -<p>On the decease of Queen Anne on the 1st of -August, 1714, the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> left Yorkshire, -and marched into quarters in the villages near -London; but after the arrival of King George I. -from Hanover they returned to Yorkshire, and a reduction -of fifty men was made in the establishment.<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1715</div> - -<p>In January, 1715, two troops of the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span>, with three troops of the Scots greys, -and a newly-raised troop of dragoons, were incorporated -into a regiment—the present seventh -hussars.<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> The establishment was thus reduced to -six troops; and on the 13th of June in the same -year the colonelcy was conferred on <span class="smcap">Richard -Lord Cobham</span>, who was advanced to the dignity -of Viscount three years afterwards.</p> - -<p>At this period Jacobite principles were very -prevalent in the United Kingdom; and in September, -1715, the Earl of Mar raised the standard of -rebellion in Scotland, and excited the clans to take -arms in favour of the Pretender. The <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were immediately ordered to the -North; and in the early part of October they -arrived at Edinburgh, from whence they marched -immediately afterwards, and, being placed under -the command of Lieutenant-General Carpenter, -went in pursuit of a body of rebels.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1716</div> - -<p>After several marches and countermarches Lieutenant-General -Carpenter arrived at Jedburgh on -the 30th of October: three days afterwards he -ascertained that a division of the rebel army had -marched in the direction of Carlisle, and he instantly -went in pursuit of them. The rebels, however, -eluded his vigilance, and arrived without -opposition at <em>Preston</em>, in Lancashire. Major-General -Wills, who commanded in Cheshire, assembled -several regiments, and marched towards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -Preston. In the mean time Lieutenant-General -Carpenter, with the <span class="smcap">Royal</span>, Molesworth's, and -Churchill's dragoons,<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> were marching with all -possible expedition from Scotland; and they arrived -before Preston about mid-day on Sunday, the -13th of November, when they found the town surrounded -by the troops under Major-General Wills: -some sharp fighting had previously taken place, -but on the arrival of the forces from Scotland, the -rebels surrendered at discretion. On the same day -another division of the rebel army was defeated at -Sheriff-moor, near Dumblain; and in the early -part of 1716 the Pretender and insurgent chiefs -made their escape to France, and the common -people retired to their homes.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1717</div> - -<p>After the suppression of this rebellion, the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were stationed in Leicestershire -and Nottinghamshire, from whence they marched, -in February, 1717, to Newcastle upon Tyne, and -were placed under the command of Major-General -Wills. This march was occasioned by the preparations -made by Charles XII., King of Sweden, for -an expedition to England to place the Pretender -on the throne; but the measures taken by the -British government defeated the project. The -journals of this period speak highly of the condition -of the British army, particularly the <em>cavalry</em>, -which they represent as the <em>best in the world</em>.<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1718</div> - -<p>In the spring of 1718 the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -marched into quarters in Yorkshire and Lancashire; -and, the King of Sweden having been compelled -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>to relinquish his projected expedition, the -establishment was reduced to two hundred and -seven officers and men.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1719</div> - -<p>The peace of Europe was disturbed in 1719 by -Philip V. of Spain, who was desirous of recovering -the places ceded by him in the treaty of Utrecht; -and among the measures contemplated by the -Spaniards was placing the Pretender on the throne -of Great Britain, that the interest of this country -might be insured in favour of the projected innovations. -An expedition, commanded by the Duke -of Ormond, was prepared in Spain for a descent -on the British coast; but the fleet was dispersed -and disabled by a storm: two ships, however, -reached the coast of Scotland, and between three -and four hundred Spaniards landed, and were -joined by a number of Highlanders. When information -of this event reached London, orders -were issued for the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> to proceed -with all possible expedition to Scotland, where -they arrived in May. Major-General Wightman -advanced with a body of foot and three troops of the -Scots greys, and attacked the Spaniards and Highlanders -on the 10th of June at the pass of <em>Glenshill</em>, -and forced them to retire with considerable -loss. On the following day the Highlanders dispersed, -and the Spaniards surrendered themselves -prisoners of war. The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> returned -to England in July, and were quartered in -Yorkshire; and a detachment was ordered to embark -at Portsmouth and accompany the expedition -commanded by their colonel, <span class="smcap">Viscount Cobham</span>, -intended to make an attack on Corunna. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> -design on that place was, however, abandoned; -but the troops effected a landing on the coast of -Spain, and took <em>Vigo</em>, where they obtained possession -of several pieces of brass ordnance, with a -magazine of muskets and other arms. <em>Rondendella</em> -and <em>Pont-a-Vedra</em> were also taken, and additional -captures of military stores effected. The Spanish -court made overtures for a treaty of peace; -and in November the expedition returned to England.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1720</div> - -<p>In February, 1720, His Majesty issued a regulation, -fixing the amount of purchase-money to be -paid for regimental commissions, and the following -prices were established for the</p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Royal Regiment of Dragoons.</span></p> - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="80%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl">Colonel and Captain</td><td class="tdr">£7000</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain</td><td class="tdr">3200</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Major and Captain</td><td class="tdr">2600</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Captain</td><td class="tdr">1800</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Captain-Lieutenant<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a></td><td class="tdr">1000</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Lieutenant</td><td class="tdr">800</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Cornet</td><td class="tdr">600</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Adjutant</td><td class="tdr">200</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="sidenote">1721</div> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> left Yorkshire in April, -1721, and were stationed at Nottingham and -Derby; and on the 10th of that month the colonelcy -was conferred on <span class="smcap">Sir Charles Hotham</span>, -Baronet, Viscount Cobham having been removed -to the second horse, now first dragoon -guards.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1722<br />1723</div> - -<p>During the summer of 1722 the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -were encamped near Durham; and on the -12th of January, 1723, the colonelcy, having become -vacant by the decease of Sir Charles Hotham, -was conferred on Brigadier-General <span class="smcap">Humphrey -Gore</span>, from the tenth dragoons.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1724<br />1725<br />1726</div> - -<p>The regiment occupied extensive quarters in -Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire in 1724; in the -following year it furnished detachments to assist -the revenue officers in their duties on the coast; -and in October, 1726, it was stationed in Sussex -and Essex.</p> - -<p>England having agreed to furnish ten thousand -men to assist the States-General in their war with -the Emperor of Germany, the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -were augmented to nine troops, of five hundred -and fifty-two officers and men, and selected to -form part of this force. No embarkation was, -however, required.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1727<br />1728</div> - -<p>The decease of King George I. took place on the -11th of June, 1727; and a few days previous to the -coronation of his successor, George II., the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> marched into quarters near London, -and were reviewed in brigade with Honeywood's -(now eleventh) dragoons by his Majesty on Hounslow -Heath, on the 17th of October. They subsequently -proceeded into Leicestershire and Derbyshire; -and in the beginning of the succeeding -year the establishment was again reduced to six -troops.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1730<br />1731<br />1732<br />1733</div> - -<p>In the spring of 1730 the regiment marched -into cantonments in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire; -in 1731 it was stationed in Kent, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> -detachments on coast duty; and in the month of -March in the following year proceeded into Somersetshire, -from whence it detached, in the -spring of 1733, several parties to the maritime -towns and villages on the Suffolk coast, where -frequent rencounters took place between the military -and smugglers.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1734<br />1735<br />1737<br />1738</div> - -<p>The several detachments were collected in May, -1734, and the six troops assembled at Taunton, -where they were reviewed by their colonel, Major-General -Gore. One troop was afterwards -detached into Sussex; and in August another -troop proceeded to Bath, and furnished a daily -guard for the Princess Amelia during her Royal -Highness's residence at that city. In August, -1735, the five troops in Somersetshire marched to -the north, and were placed under the orders of -Lieut.-General Wade, commander-in-chief in -Scotland. They, however, returned to England -in April, 1737, and were quartered in Lancashire; -and during the summer of the following -year the six troops were stationed in Essex and -Kent, with detachments on coast duty.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1739</div> - -<p>In July, 1739, the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were -ordered to call in their detachments and march -into quarters at Hounslow and its vicinity; and -on the 28th of that month they were reviewed on -Hounslow Heath by his Majesty. In the beginning -of August they marched into quarters in -Worcestershire; and their colonel, Major-General -Gore, died on the 18th of that month. On -the 1st of September his Majesty conferred the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> -colonelcy on <span class="smcap">Charles</span>, second <span class="smcap">Duke of Marlborough</span>, -from the 38th regiment of foot.</p> - -<p>The Spaniards having repeatedly violated the -existing treaties in regard to the commerce of -England with America, his Majesty declared war -against Spain; and the establishment of the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> was augmented to four hundred -and thirty-five officers and men.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1740</div> - -<p>In May, 1740, the colonelcy, vacant by the -removal of the Duke of Marlborough to the -second troop (now second regiment) of life -guards, was conferred on Major-General <span class="smcap">Hawley</span>, -from the thirteenth dragoons.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1741</div> - -<p>During the summer of 1740 the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -were encamped (with three other regiments -of cavalry and six of infantry) near Newbury, and -afterwards near Devizes, under the orders of General -Wade. In October they marched from -camp into quarters in Leicestershire; and in -November, 1741, removed into Somersetshire.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1742</div> - -<p>In the mean time hostilities had commenced on -the continent, and France, Bavaria, and Prussia -were endeavouring to deprive the house of Austria -of its hereditary dominions. King George II. resolved -to support the Austrians; and in the summer -of 1742 his Majesty sent Field Marshal the -Earl of Stair with sixteen thousand men to Flanders. -The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were selected for -this service, and, having been reviewed by his -Majesty on Hounslow Heath, they embarked in -August, and after their arrival in Flanders were -stationed in the cavalry barracks at Ghent.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1743</div> - -<p>Leaving Ghent in February, 1743, the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> marched for Germany; and in June -they were encamped, with the other forces, near -Aschaffenburg, on the river Maine, where they -were joined by King George II. and the Duke -of Cumberland. On the 26th of June the army -marched for Hanau, a town of Hesse-Cassel, and -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> formed part of the advance-column. -When on the march the French -were discovered in position near <em>Dettingen</em>: his -Majesty commanded the army to form opposite -the enemy, and the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were -posted near the right of the line.</p> - -<p>The French advanced from their position and -attacked the left of the allied army; the contest -soon became general, and the English cavalry engaged -the French cuirassiers with varied success. -The <span class="smcap">Mousquetaires Noirs</span>, a choice corps of -French cavalry, separated themselves from their -line, and, passing between two columns of infantry, -rushed headlong towards the British cavalry. -The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, undaunted by -this audacity, met the French horsemen with -a cool, determined bearing, and, encountering -them in mid-onset, overthrew the presumptuous -squadrons, cut them down with a dreadful -slaughter, and captured a <span class="fs70">STANDARD</span>. The <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were afterwards engaged with the -enemy's household troops; they were again victorious, -and, though without armour, fought and -triumphed over their steel-clad opponents, and -received the thanks of his Majesty for their gallant -conduct. Eventually the French army was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> -overthrown, and driven from the field with great -loss.</p> - -<p>In this action the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> had six -men and thirty-four horses killed and wounded. -The <span class="smcap">Standard</span> of the <span class="smcap">Mousquetaires Noirs</span> -was taken by a serjeant of the right squadron. -It was of white satin, embroidered with gold and -silver: in the middle a bunch of nine arrows tied -with a wreath, with the motto <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">Alterius Jovis altera -tela</i>. The lance was broken, the standard -was stained with blood; the cornet who carried it -was killed without falling, being buckled to his -horse, and his standard buckled to him.<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a></p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> passed the night near -the field of battle, exposed to a heavy storm of -rain, and on the following day marched with the -army to Hanau, and encamped on the banks of -the river Kinzig, where they remained until the -early part of August, when they advanced, and, -having crossed the Rhine above Mentz, were employed -in operations in West Germany. Nothing -of importance, however, transpired; and in October -they commenced their march for Mentz, where -they repassed the Rhine, and, proceeding through -the duchy of Nassau, the principality of Liege, -and province of Brabant, entered Flanders, and, -arriving at Ghent on the 18th of November, again -occupied part of the cavalry barrack at that place.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1744</div> - -<p>The campaign of 1744 passed without any general -engagement. The army penetrated the -French territory; but the services of the <span class="smcap">Royal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -Dragoons</span> were limited to piquets, out-guards, -and protecting foraging parties from the attacks -of the French garrisons; and in October they -returned to their former station at Ghent.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1745</div> - -<p>In April, 1745, the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> marched -from their winter quarters, and encamped near -Brussels. The enemy assembled a numerous -army, and invested <em>Tournay</em>, the chief town of -a district in the province of Hainault; and the -Duke of Cumberland, though inferior to the -French in numbers by above thirty thousand men, -resolved to attack them. His Royal Highness -accordingly advanced; and on the 10th of May -(N.S.) a squadron of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> was -engaged, with other forces, in driving in the -enemy's out-guards and piquets. The French -army was discovered in order of battle on a gentle -ascent protected by batteries, and rising gradually -from the plain near <em>Fontenoy</em>. At daybreak on -the morning of the 11th of May the allies moved -forward, but, having many defiles to pass, the -attack did not commence until near ten o'clock. -The British infantry advanced against the enemy, -and throughout the day they displayed the greatest -valour and intrepidity; but the Dutch did not -evince equal resolution, and their failure occasioned -the most unfortunate results. It was near -the conclusion of the action before the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were called upon to charge, when -they advanced through a hollow way abounding -with difficulties, and were exposed to the destructive -fire of two batteries: they charged by alternate -squadrons with all the spirit and resolution<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -which characterizes the attack of British cavalry. -But the Duke of Cumberland, perceiving that, -from the failure of the Dutch and other causes, -it was impossible to retrieve the fortune of the -day, ordered a retreat, and the army marched -from the field of battle, and encamped near Aeth.</p> - -<p>The loss of the regiment in this engagement -was fifteen men and sixty-nine horses killed; with -Lieutenant-Colonel Naizon, Cornets Hartwell, -Desmeret, and Creighton, thirty-one men, and -forty-seven horses wounded.</p> - -<p>The allied army afterwards encamped on the -plain of the Dender, near Lessines; and subsequently -near Brussels.</p> - -<p>In the mean time Charles Edward, eldest son of -the Pretender, arrived in Scotland with a ship -laden with arms, and, being joined by several of -the Highland clans, took the opportunity of the -King's army being abroad to make a desperate -effort to gain the throne. Several regiments were -immediately ordered to England; and in November -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> marched to Williamstadt, -in North Brabant, and embarked; but the -shipping was delayed for some time by contrary -winds, and several horses were lost from the transports -being stranded.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1746</div> - -<p>After their arrival in England the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -formed part of the army assembled near -the metropolis to repel the threatened descent of a -French force on the southern coast of the kingdom.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1747<br />1748</div> - -<p>The rebellion having been suppressed by the victory -at Culloden, the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> continued -in the south of England: they were stationed at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> -Windsor, Reading, and Colnbrook, and had the -honour of furnishing travelling escorts for the -royal family: in July, 1746, one troop attended -the Princess Caroline at Bath. On the 26th of -December, 1747, they were reviewed by His Majesty -on Hounslow Heath: in the following summer -they were employed on coast duty in Lincolnshire, -and in suppressing riots among the weavers -in Lancashire.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1749<br />1750</div> - -<p>After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle the establishment -was reduced to two hundred and eighty-five -officers and men; and in 1750 the regiment -marched to Scotland.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1751</div> - -<p>A regulation was issued in 1751 relative to the -clothing and standards of the several regiments; -from which the following particulars have been -extracted relative to the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>:—</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Coats</span>—scarlet; double breasted; without lappels; -lined with blue; slit sleeves turned up with -blue; the button-holes worked with narrow yellow -lace; the buttons of yellow metal, set on two and -two; a long slash pocket in each skirt; and a yellow -worsted aiguillette on the right shoulder.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Waistcoats</span> and <span class="smcap">Breeches</span>—blue.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Hats</span>—bound with gold lace, and ornamented -with a yellow metal loop, and a black cockade.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Boots</span>—of jacked leather.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Cloaks</span>—of scarlet cloth, with a blue collar, -and lined with blue shalloon; the buttons set on -two and two upon yellow frogs or loops, with a -blue stripe down the centre.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Horse Furniture</span>—of scarlet cloth; the holster-caps -and housings having a border of royal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> -lace, with a blue stripe down the centre; the crest -of England within the garter, embroidered on -each corner of the housing; and on the holster-caps, -the King's cipher and crown, with <span class="fs70">I.D</span> underneath.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Officers</span>—distinguished by gold lace; their -coats and waistcoats bound with gold embroidery; -the button-holes worked with gold; and a crimson -silk sash worn across the left shoulder.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Quarter-Masters</span>—to wear a crimson sash -round the waist.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Serjeants</span>—to have narrow gold lace on the -cuffs, pockets, and shoulder-straps; gold shoulder-knots -or aiguillettes, and yellow and blue worsted -sashes tied round the waist.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Drummers</span> and <span class="smcap">Hautboys</span>—clothed in scarlet -coats lined with blue, and ornamented with royal -lace with a blue stripe down the centre; their -waistcoats and breeches of blue cloth.</p> - -<p><em>Guidons.</em>—The first or King's guidon to be of -crimson silk, embroidered and fringed with gold -and silver; in the centre the rose and thistle conjoined -and crown over them, with the motto <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Dieu -et mon Droit</i> underneath: the white horse in a -compartment in the first and fourth corners, and -<span class="fs70">I.D</span> in gold characters on a blue ground in a compartment -in the second and third corners. The -second and third guidons to be of blue silk, in the -centre the crest of England within the garter on a -crimson ground: the white horse on a scarlet ground -in the first and fourth compartments, and <span class="fs70">I.D</span> within -a wreath of roses and thistles upon a scarlet ground -in the second and third compartments.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1752<br />1753<br />1754</div> - -<p>In 1752 the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> returned to -England, and were stationed at York, from -whence they marched, in October, 1753, into -quarters in Norfolk and Essex, and in September -of the following year they proceeded into extensive -cantonments in Kent.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1755</div> - -<p>Disputes having occurred between England and -France relating to the boundaries of the British -possessions in North America, hostilities commenced -in 1755, when an augmentation of one -hundred men was made to the establishment: a -<em>light troop</em>, consisting of three officers, one quarter-master, -two serjeants, three corporals, two drummers, -and sixty private soldiers,<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> was raised and -added to the regiment on the same principle as the -light companies to regiments of infantry.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1756<br />1757</div> - -<p>War was declared against France in 1756, -when the French monarch made preparations for -a descent on the British coast, and the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were stationed in the maritime towns -in the southern counties: during the summer of -1757 they were encamped near Salisbury.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1758</div> - -<p>The British military establishment having been -considerably augmented, His Majesty was prepared -to act offensively against France; and in -1758 the <em>light troop</em> of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -formed part of an expedition commanded by -Charles, Duke of Marlborough, which landed on -the coast of Brittany and destroyed the French -shipping and magazines at <em>St. Maloes</em>. This -troop was afterwards engaged in a second expedition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -to the coast of France, commanded by General -Bligh, when a landing was effected in the Bay -des Marées, and <em>Cherbourg</em> was taken: it was -also engaged in the second descent on the coast of -Brittany.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1759<br />1760</div> - -<p>On the 5th of April, 1759, the colonelcy, having -become vacant by the decease of General Hawley, -was conferred on <span class="smcap">Henry Seymour Conway</span>, -from the fourth Irish horse, now seventh dragoon -guards. In the same year the establishment of -each of the six heavy troops was augmented to -sixty private men, and the light troop to eighty-nine; -making a total of five hundred and forty-four -officers and men; and in the following year the -light troop was further augmented to four officers, -one quarter-master, four serjeants, four corporals, -two drummers, and one hundred and eighteen private -men.</p> - -<p>In the mean time a British army had proceeded -to Germany, and was serving in conjunction with -the Hanoverian, Hessian, and Brunswick troops, -commanded by Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick; -and in the spring of 1760 the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, -commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel <span class="smcap">James -Johnston</span>,<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> embarked for foreign service, and, -having landed at Bremen, in Lower Saxony, on -the 16th and 17th of April, joined the army encamped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> -near Fritzlar, in the principality of Lower -Hesse, on the 21st of that month. On the 22nd -they were reviewed by the Duke of Brunswick, -who was pleased to express his approbation of their -appearance.</p> - -<p>After much manœuvring and skirmishing, thirty -thousand French troops, commanded by the Chevalier -de Muy, crossed the Dymel to cut off the communication -of the allied army with Westphalia. The -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, with several other corps, were -immediately sent forward to Liebenau, under the -command of the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick, -to secure the bridge across the Dymel; and being -followed by the main body, the Prince advanced to -the vicinity of <em>Warbourg</em>, and reconnoitred the -French forces in position near that place, whom -he resolved to attack on the following day.</p> - -<p>At daybreak on the morning of the 31st of July -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel -<span class="smcap">James Johnston</span>, left their camp on the -heights of Corbeke, and making a detour through -several villages gained the left flank of the French -army. Several other corps having arrived at the -same point, the attack was immediately commenced, -and after a sharp dispute the enemy gave -way and retired upon <em>Warbourg</em>, where he was -again attacked and driven across the Dymel with -great loss. The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> encountered -the French cavalry corps of royal Piedmont, and -acquitted themselves with their accustomed gallantry. -They afterwards charged a corps of Swiss -infantry (the regiment of Planta) with distinguished -bravery, broke its ranks, and after sabring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> -many of the men took twenty-one officers and two -hundred soldiers prisoners: many of the Swiss -attempting to escape were drowned in the Dymel. -Three troops of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> formed part -of the force under the Marquis of Granby, which -pursued the enemy across the Dymel and halted -that night on the heights of Wilda: the other -three, having suffered severely in the attack on -the Swiss infantry, remained at Warbourg.<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> In a -general order issued on the occasion, Prince Ferdinand -declared that "<span class="smcap">all the British Cavalry -performed prodigies of valour</span>."</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> lost in this action eight -men and twenty-one horses killed; and twelve -men and thirteen horses wounded.</p> - -<p>The regiment was subsequently encamped on -the banks of the Dymel, and on the 1st of October -was despatched towards the Lower Rhine, -forming part of a separate corps under the Hereditary -Prince, which invested <em>Wesel</em>, a town in -the duchy of Cleves.</p> - -<p>The enemy advanced in force to relieve the -besieged, and encamped, on the 14th of October, -behind the convent of <em>Campen</em>. Immediately -after dark on the evening of the same day, the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> and other corps advanced towards -the enemy, the Hereditary Prince designing -to surprise him in the night; but it was found necessary -to dislodge a corps which occupied the -convent of <em>Campen</em>, and this occasioned some -firing, which alarmed the French camp, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> -troops were immediately formed in order of -battle.</p> - -<p>The action commenced before daybreak, and a -succession of attacks, repulses, and charges were -kept up until nine at night, in which the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> took an active part, and they are reported -to have "behaved extremely well." Two -pieces of cannon and a pair of colours were captured; -but at length the Prince perceived that -it was impossible to drive the enemy out of a wood -of which he had possessed himself, and, the allied -infantry having expended all their ammunition, -his Highness ordered a retreat.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> had eight men and ten -horses killed; Lieut.-Colonel Johnston, two men, -and four horses, wounded; Captain Wilson, Lieutenant -Goldsworthy, Cornet Duffe, and twenty-five -men, taken prisoners. The regiment repassed -the Rhine on the 18th of October, and was cantoned -in the principality of Hesse, where the officers -received orders to wear mourning for his late -Majesty King George II.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1761</div> - -<p>In February, 1761, the regiment was engaged -in an incursion into the French cantonments, and -took part in several skirmishes with the enemy. -In the spring a remount joined from England.</p> - -<p>After much manœuvring, the allied army took -post in Prussian Westphalia, on the rivers Asse -and Lippe, and the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were encamped -on the heights between Illingen and Hohenover.<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> -On the 15th of July the enemy attacked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> -the troops under the Marquis of Granby -at <em>Kirch Denkern</em>, when the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -marched across the Asse by the bridge at Hans -Hohenover, and advanced to support the corps -attacked. After a sharp action the enemy was -repulsed with loss. The fire of the skirmishers -was, however, kept up throughout the night, and -on the following morning the enemy renewed the -engagement with great fury. During this day -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were posted near Vellinghausen, -and, when the enemy's columns of attack -were repulsed, advanced to charge, but were prevented -by the hedges and marshy hollows which -intersected the country. They were subsequently -employed in military operations on the Dymel, -and afterwards marched into the electorate of -Hanover, and were engaged in a skirmish near -<em>Eimbeck</em> in the early part of November. On the -same night they marched through a heavy snow -to <em>Foorwohle</em>, where they encountered and drove -back some French cavalry. On the 9th of November -they had another skirmish at <em>Foorwohle</em>, -and subsequently marched into quarters in East -Friesland.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1762</div> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> left their winter quarters -in May, 1762, and on the 18th of June joined -the army encamped at Brackel, in the bishopric -of Paderborn, from whence they marched to the -heights of Tissel. The French army, commanded -by Marshals d'Estrées and Soubise, took post -at <em>Groebenstien</em>, where Prince Ferdinand resolved -to attack them on the 24th of June, and the army -was ordered to move forward in several columns -for that purpose.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> - -<p>Moving from their camp-ground at daybreak, -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> passed the Dymel at Liebenau -about four in the morning, and advanced -against the enemy's camp. The manœuvre was -conducted with such address, that the army was -in presence of the French before they had the -least apprehension of an attack, and, being instantly -assaulted in front, flank, and rear, they -retired in confusion, leaving all their equipage -behind them. The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> had advanced -against the enemy's front, and they were -subsequently employed in surrounding a division -of the French army commanded by General -Stainville in the woods of <em>Wilhelmsthal</em>, where -several corps were made prisoners. The pursuit -was continued, and the French took refuge under -the cannon of Cassel; the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> then -retired a few miles, and encamped near Holtzhausen.</p> - -<p>During the remainder of the campaign the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were employed in operations -on the Fulde, the Eder, and the Lahn, which -were attended with such signal success, that a -considerable portion of territory was wrested from -the power of the enemy, and the allies took Cassel.</p> - -<p>These successes were followed by a treaty of -peace, and the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> proceeded into -quarters in the bishopric of Munster.</p> - -<p>At the close of the military operations of the -year, when the army marched into winter quarters, -Colonel <span class="smcap">James Johnston</span>, of the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span>, who had commanded the regiment -since the 7th of April, 1759, and during the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> -campaign of 1762 had commanded the brigade -composed of the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> and second dragoon -guards, received a most flattering mark of the -approbation of the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick -(afterwards reigning Duke, who married -Princess Augusta, sister to George III.; he died -of the wounds he received at the battle of Jena in -1808), namely, a valuable gold snuff-box, embellished -with highly-chased military trophies, accompanied -by an autograph letter, of which the -following is a copy:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot" lang="fr" xml:lang="fr"> - -<p class="right padr2">"<em>Munden</em>, ce 17 de Nov. 1762.</p> - -<p class="noindent">"Monsieur,</p> - -<p>"Vous m'obligerez sensiblement en acceptant -la babiole que je joins ici, comme une marque -de l'estime et de la considération parfaite que je -vous porte, et comme un souvenir d'un ami qui -jamais ne finera d'être,</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="padr6">"Monsieur,</span><br /> -"Votre très humble et très dévoué serviteur,<br /> -<span class="smcap padr2">"Charles Pr. Her. de B.</span></p> - -<p class="noindent">"<em>A Mons. le Col. Johnston.</em>"</p> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote">1763</div> - -<p>During the winter shipping arrived from England -to convey the troops home. The <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> commenced their march for Williamstadt -in February, 1763, and embarked at that -port for England. According to the official returns, -the strength of the regiment was fourteen -officers, three hundred and twenty-nine men, and -four hundred and twenty-three horses, with twenty-four -servants and thirty-five women.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> - -<p>After their return from Germany the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were ordered to proceed to Scotland; -at the same time the light troop was disbanded, -and the establishment was reduced to two hundred -and thirty-one officers and soldiers. Eight men -per troop were equipped as light dragoons, and -mounted on small horses for skirmishing and other -light services; the remainder of the regiment was -mounted on large horses of superior weight and -power.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1764</div> - -<p>In 1764 the regiment marched to South Britain; -and an order was received to remount with -long-tailed horses. On the 9th of May in the -same year the colonelcy was conferred on <span class="smcap">Henry -Earl of Pembroke</span>, who had recently distinguished -himself in the campaigns in Germany.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1766<br />1767<br />1768<br />1769<br />1770<br />1771<br />1772<br />1773</div> - -<p>The six drummers borne on the establishment -were, in 1766, ordered to be replaced by trumpeters; -and on the 4th of May in the following -year King George III. reviewed the regiment in -Hyde Park, and expressed his approbation of its -appearance and high state of discipline.<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> After -the review it marched to the north of England; -and in 1769 was stationed in Scotland; but returned -to England in the following year, and, after -occupying various quarters in the southern and -western counties, was again reviewed by his Majesty -on the 17th of May, 1773, on Finchley Common;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> -and, according to the journals of that period, -its excellent condition and correct manœuvring -procured the approbation of the King, and excited -the admiration of the princes, noblemen, general -officers, and other spectators.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1774<br />1775<br />1777</div> - -<p>During the summer the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -again proceeded to the north, and, after occupying -quarters for a short period in Yorkshire, marched -to Scotland, where they were stationed during the -summer of 1774; but returned to England in the -succeeding year; and on the 24th of May, 1777, -were reviewed in brigade with the second dragoon -guards, on Wimbledon Common, by the King, -accompanied by several of the young princes, and -attended by a retinue of noblemen and general -officers.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1778</div> - -<p>Hostilities having commenced between Great -Britain and the colonies in North America, an -augmentation was made in the strength of the -regular army; and in 1778 six serjeants, six corporals, -and one hundred and twenty-six private -men were added to the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>. During -the summer they were encamped, with several -other corps, on Coxheath, near Maidstone, where -they were reviewed by the King.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1779</div> - -<p>In 1779 the men of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, -equipped as light dragoons, with the light troops -of the third dragoon guards, and sixth and eleventh -dragoons, were incorporated into a regiment which -was numbered the twentieth light dragoons.<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> -During the summer the third dragoon guards,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -<span class="smcap">Royals</span>, fifteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first -dragoons were encamped on Lexden Heath, near -Colchester.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1780<br />1781<br />1783</div> - -<p>During the great riots in London in 1780 the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were ordered to march thither. -In the following year they proceeded to Scotland; -and at the termination of the American war, in -1783, the establishment was reduced to two hundred -and thirty-one officers and soldiers.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1784<br />1789<br />1790<br />1791</div> - -<p>The regiment left Scotland in 1784, and occupied -various quarters in the western and northern -counties of England six years. On the breaking -out of the revolutionary proceedings in France, -the establishment was augmented nine men per -troop, and in the spring of 1790 the six troops -proceeded to Scotland; they, however, returned -to England in the following year, and were employed -in suppressing riots at Birmingham.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1792<br />1793</div> - -<p>A further augmentation was made to the establishment -in 1792, and again in the spring of -1793, when four troops were ordered to be held -in constant readiness for foreign service.</p> - -<p>The enormities committed by the French republicans -occasioned another war; Holland was attacked; -a body of British troops was sent to assist -the Dutch; and on the 10th of June, 1793, four -troops of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> embarked for the -Netherlands to join the army commanded by his -Royal Highness the Duke of York. After landing -at Ostend the four troops marched up the country, -and formed part of the force which drove a body -of French from the <em>Camp de Cæsar</em>, behind the -Scheldt, on the 8th of August. The <span class="smcap">Royal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -Dragoons</span> were also with the covering army during -the siege of Dunkirk, and after the attempt on -that place was abandoned, they were employed in -operations near the frontiers of Flanders, where -they had a sharp encounter with a corps of French -cavalry on the 27th of October.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1794</div> - -<p>On the 28th of January, 1794, the colonelcy of -the regiment, being vacant by the decease of the -Earl of Pembroke, was conferred on Major-General -<span class="smcap">Philip Goldsworthy</span>.</p> - -<p>In April the four troops on foreign service were -assembled with the army near Cateau, and were -engaged in the general attack made on the enemy's -positions at <em>Prémont</em>, &c. on the 17th of April, -when Captain-Lieutenant the Honourable Thomas -Carlton, of the regiment, was killed. The siege -of Landrécies was immediately undertaken: the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> formed part of the covering -army, and on the 24th of April were engaged in -an affair with the enemy at <em>Villers en Couché</em>, -when the French lost twelve hundred men and -three pieces of cannon: the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> had one man -and two horses killed, and two men and three -horses wounded.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> had another opportunity -of distinguishing themselves on the 26th of April -at <em>Cateau</em>. The enemy had marched out of Cambray, -and at daybreak attacked the British army. -The Duke of York detached the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> and -seven other cavalry regiments to turn the left flank -of the French army: this movement was attended -with the most brilliant success; the enemy was -overthrown with immense slaughter; the rout<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> -became general—cavalry and infantry, mingled in -promiscuous crowds, were scattered over the plains, -and the fugitives fell beneath the sabres of the -British dragoons, who captured the French commander, -Lieut.-General Chapuy, and thirty-five -pieces of cannon. The Duke of York, in his -account of this action, observes, "<span class="smcap">The behaviour -of the British cavalry has been beyond -all praise</span>." The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were -among the corps which were declared in general -orders to have "<span class="fs70">ACQUIRED IMMORTAL HONOUR</span>." -Their loss on this occasion was six men and -twelve horses killed; with Lieutenant Froom, -two serjeants, eleven men, and fourteen horses -wounded.</p> - -<p>After the capture of <em>Landrécies</em> the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> marched to the vicinity of <em>Tournay</em>, -where they were again engaged with the enemy -on the 10th of May; and the Duke of York observed -in his public despatch, that the troops had -"well supported the reputation acquired on the -26th of last month." The loss of the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> -was only two horses killed, and one man and three -horses wounded.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> were in reserve when the attack -was made on the French positions on the 17th of -May. The army afterwards resumed its post before -<em>Tournay</em>, where it was attacked on the 22d of -May by General Pichegru with an immense force. -The British heavy cavalry had, it appears, become -a terror to the enemy, for Brown, in his Journal, -observes (22d May), "A column of five or six -thousand men made its appearance towards our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> -left, on which account the brigade of guards and -the British heavy cavalry remained ready for -action on their camp ground; but the French, -observing our advantageous situation, <em>and dreading -the thought of meeting the British cavalry -a second time on an open plain</em>, thought proper -not to approach." Finally the French were -repulsed at every point of attack, and retreated in -the evening.</p> - -<p>At length the enemy defeated the Austrians, and -brought forward such immense numbers that the -English army had no chance of success: the Duke -of York retreated, and the final evacuation of -Flanders followed.</p> - -<p>In the mean time another squadron of the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span> embarked for foreign service; but having -been driven back by severe weather, the officers -and men were ordered to disembark and remain -in England. In July that part of the regiment -which was in England marched from Salisbury -to Weymouth, in consequence of his Majesty visiting -that place; and in October, when the King -returned to London, they marched to Dorchester -barracks.</p> - -<p>During the winter the four troops on foreign -service were exposed to privations and inclement -weather, which occasioned the death of many men -and horses. The winter was particularly severe, -the Dutch people were favourable to the French, -and the British troops, in their retreat through -Holland during a hard frost and storms of snow -and sleet, were treated as enemies by the inhabitants; -at length the troops arrived in the duchy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -of Bremen, where they had repose and kind treatment.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1795</div> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were not engaged in -any further hostilities on the continent. During -the summer of 1795 they were encamped on one -of the plains of Westphalia, and in the winter -embarked for England.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1796</div> - -<p>Meanwhile, that part of the regiment which -was on home service was again employed on -King's duty at Weymouth, during his Majesty's -stay at that place, and afterwards proceeded to -Dorchester, where the four troops returning from -the continent arrived in January, 1796. In July -of the same year the regiment encamped on Barham -Downs, near Weymouth, and in September -marched into quarters at Canterbury.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1797<br />1798<br />1799</div> - -<p>In October, 1797, the regiment marched for -Birmingham and Coventry; in July, 1798, for -Exeter and Taunton; and in the following summer -proceeded to Radipole barracks, Weymouth; -but marched from thence, in November of the same -year, for Salisbury, Warminster, &c.</p> - -<p>In August, orders were received for the regiment -to be mounted on nag-tailed black horses;<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> -and the horse's tails were consequently cut.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1800</div> - -<p>During the summer of 1800 an encampment of -about thirty thousand men was formed on Swinley -common, near Windsor; the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -joined the camp in July; the troops were frequently -exercised in the presence of the royal -family, and the King reviewed the several corps -previous to their departure. On the 11th of August -the regiment quitted the camp, and proceeded -to Croydon barracks and Epsom, with a squadron -detached on coast duty in Sussex.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1801</div> - -<p>On the 7th of January, 1801, his Majesty conferred -the colonelcy of the regiment on Major-General -<span class="smcap">Thomas Garth</span>, in succession to Lieut.-General -Goldsworthy, deceased.</p> - -<p>Towards the end of May the regiment marched -to Canterbury, and furnished numerous detachments -on the revenue duty at the maritime towns -and villages on the coast of Kent, where they assisted -in making large seizures of smuggled goods, -for which they received a reward of upwards of -one pound per man.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1802</div> - -<p>A treaty of peace with the French republic -having been signed at Amiens, a reduction of two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> -troops was made in the establishment, and the officers -were placed on half-pay.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1803</div> - -<p>In July, 1802, four troops were ordered to -Trowbridge to aid the civil power in the suppression -of riots. In October following the regiment -proceeded to Exeter and Taunton, with detached -troops on coast duty in Cornwall; and in -April, 1803, it was removed to Dorchester, -Radipole, and Wareham barracks, from whence -it marched in July following to Arundel and -Chichester. At the same time, the war with -France having recommenced, the establishment -was augmented from eight to ten troops.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1804</div> - -<p>A change of quarters took place in April, 1804, -and the regiment was stationed at Ipswich and -Woodbridge; from whence it proceeded, in November -following, to Colchester, where it passed -the winter.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1805<br />1806</div> - -<p>The regiment quitted Colchester in April, 1805, -and proceeded to York, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and -Birmingham. In January, 1806, it returned from -the north, and was again stationed at Woodbridge; -and in March of the same year it once -more proceeded northward, and, on arriving in -Scotland, its head-quarters were established at -Edinburgh, with detached troops at Dunbar, -Haddington, and Perth, having marched upwards -of six hundred miles in three months.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1807<br />1808</div> - -<p>Embarking from Scotland in January, 1807, -the regiment proceeded to Ireland, from which -country it had been absent one hundred and fifteen -years; and on its arrival the head-quarters -were stationed at Dundalk, with detached troops<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> -at Belturbet, Lisburn, Monaghan, Enniskillen, -Sligo, and Londonderry. In June, 1808, it proceeded -to Dublin, with detached troops at Carlow -and Athy.</p> - -<p>In the mean time important events had transpired -in the Peninsula. Napoleon Buonaparte -(whom the French had elevated to the throne) -had obtained possession of the kingdoms of Portugal -and Spain by treachery; had placed his -brother Joseph on the throne of Spain, and supported -these usurpations by an immense French -army. The Spaniards and Portuguese, being -impatient of the bondage into which they were -brought, made energetic struggles for liberty, and, -a British force proceeding to their aid, Portugal -was delivered from the power of Buonaparte. -Lieut.-General Sir John Moore advanced from -Lisbon into Spain to aid the patriots; and the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were directed to proceed on -foreign service to reinforce the army in the Peninsula; -but, on arriving at Cork for embarkation, -news of the result of Sir John Moore's -expedition occasioned the order to be countermanded.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1809</div> - -<p>The regiment remained at Cork barracks until -April, 1809, when it proceeded into extensive cantonments -(head-quarters at Clonmell), from whence -it was withdrawn in August following, and eight -troops, of eighty rank and file and eighty horses per -troop, embarked at Cork for Portugal. The transports -sailed on the 2nd of September, and on the -12th and 13th of that month the regiment landed -at Lisbon, and occupied the barracks at Belem.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1810</div> - -<p>The British army in Portugal, commanded by -Lord Wellington, was occupying quarters on the -Mondego. The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> marched a -few stages up the country in January, 1810, and -were stationed at Santarem and Torres Novas, in -the province of Estremadura; from whence they -marched, in February, to Niza and Alphalo, in -the Alentejo.</p> - -<p>The enemy having an immense superiority of -numbers, the British commander was reduced to -the necessity of acting on the defensive, and his -ultimate object was the protection of Lisbon. -He, however, resolved to maintain a frontier position -as long as possible; and, Ciudad Rodrigo -being menaced in the end of April, the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were ordered to advance to Belmonte, -in the province of Beira, where they arrived on -the 5th of May. The French army, commanded -by Marshal Massena, Prince of Esling, proved so -numerous, that all hope of preserving Ciudad -Rodrigo was abandoned. The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -left Belmonte on the 9th of June, and proceeded -to Villa Velha, from whence they marched, -on the 1st of July, to Ville de Touro, and towards -the end of the same month to Alverca; the -enemy having taken Ciudad Rodrigo and besieged -Almeida, the advanced posts of the British army -were removed to <em>Frexadas</em>.</p> - -<p>The French took Almeida on the 27th of August, -and on the following day attacked a squadron -of the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> and a squadron of the fourteenth -light dragoons on piquet at <em>Frexadas</em>, -under the command of Major Dorville. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -enemy brought forward a superior force of cavalry, -supported by infantry; but the two British -squadrons, undaunted by superior numbers, -charged the French horsemen with signal gallantry, -and drove them from the field with the -loss of many men killed and wounded, and five -taken prisoners.<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> lost, in this encounter, -two men and one horse killed, and two -men and one horse wounded.</p> - -<p>The allied army retired a short distance. The -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> continued to be actively employed, -and, in a skirmish with the enemy on the -2nd of September at <em>Alverca</em>, on the main road -to Almeida, they had a serjeant wounded. The -regiment retired from its advanced position on the -same day, and on the 19th of that month was stationed -at Santa Comba Dão.</p> - -<p>The enemy continued to press upon the rear of -the British army, and a party of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -had another encounter with the French on -the 21st of September, and had one man wounded, -and another wounded and taken prisoner.</p> - -<p>Lord Wellington having resolved to make a -stand on the heights of <em>Busaco</em>, the army retired -to that position, covered by the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> and fourteenth -light dragoons. During the severe contest -in the mountains on the 27th of September, the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span> were formed in reserve behind the position; -and when the army retired to the celebrated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> -lines of <em>Torres Vedras</em>, the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> once more -occupied the post of honour in the rear of the line -of march. The French pressing upon the retiring -army near <em>Pombal</em> on the 5th of October, their -audacity was punished by a piquet of the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> -commanded by Lieutenant Carden, who charged -the enemy and drove them back with loss; but, -having advanced too far in pursuit, the lieutenant -and one man, who were both wounded, were -taken prisoners: the piquet, however, captured -and brought off a French cavalry officer. The -enemy's leading corps, being supported by immense -columns, continued to hover round the rear -of the allied army; and the temerity of their cavalry -was again chastised on the 9th of October, -near <em>Quinta de Torre</em>, by a squadron of the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, which made a gallant charge, -driving the French horsemen back with loss, and -forcing them to take shelter behind a corps of infantry. -This corps was too strong to be attacked -by the squadron, and the <span class="smcap">Royals</span>, having received -a volley, retired with the loss of six horses killed, -and one serjeant-major and two men wounded, -with four men wounded and taken prisoners.</p> - -<p>On the following day the allied army was in -position in the fortified lines, where it opposed to -the advance of the enemy a barrier so formidable -that Marshal Massena, after several reconnoisances, -declined to attack it, and retired during the night -of the 14th of November. On the 15th the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were despatched after the -enemy, and a piquet of the regiment took a serjeant -and five French dragoons prisoners.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> - -<p>The French army took post on the heights of -Santarem; and the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were stationed -at Cazal Diera, Quinta, St. Christol, and -Porto de Mugem, from whence they sent out -detachments on piquet and outpost duty.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1811</div> - -<p>The French Marshal, having consumed his resources -and wasted the numbers and physical -power of his army, retired from Santarem on the -night of the 5th of March, 1811. The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> -were again despatched in pursuit, and in the series -of brilliant exploits which followed they took a -distinguished part. They had a skirmish with -the enemy near <em>Pecoloo</em> on the 7th of March, when -they took three prisoners, and had one man and one -horse wounded. They had another encounter with -the French on the 8th of March, and had two men -and one horse wounded. They again came in -contact with the enemy on the 11th of March, -near <em>Pombal</em>, and took two serjeants and seventy-six -men prisoners.</p> - -<p>Resuming the pursuit on the following day the -allies discovered in their front a body of French -cavalry, infantry, and artillery, posted on a high -table land near <em>Redinha</em>. Lord Wellington ordered -the troops to form in line, and the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> were directed to support the attack of -the infantry. Three shots from the British centre -was the signal to advance, and suddenly a most -splendid spectacle of war was exhibited. The -woods seemed alive with troops, and in a few -moments thirty thousand men, forming three lines -of battle, were stretched across the plain, bending -in a gentle curve, and moving majestically onwards,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> -while the horsemen and guns, springing -forward simultaneously from the centre and left -wing, charged under a general volley from the -French battalions: the latter were instantly hidden -by the smoke, and when that had cleared away, no -enemy was to be seen, the French having made a -precipitate retreat to Condeixa.</p> - -<p>The British again moved forward in pursuit, and -on the 14th of March the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> supported -a successful attack of the infantry on a -French force posted in the mountains at <em>Casal -Nova</em>: they also supported the attack on the -French position at <em>Foz d'Aronce</em> on the 15th; -and on the 18th they encountered a party of the -enemy near <em>Sernadilla</em>, when they took a serjeant -and twelve men prisoners, and captured twelve -mules: the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> had only one man wounded on -this occasion. They continued hovering near the -French army; and on the 26th of March a patrole -of the <span class="smcap">Royals</span>, commanded by Lieutenant Foster, -with a patrole of the sixteenth light dragoons, -attacked a detachment of French cavalry near -<em>Alverca</em> with distinguished gallantry, sabred several -dragoons, and took an officer and thirty-seven -men prisoners.<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a></p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> had another affair with a party of -the enemy on the 28th of March, when they captured<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -a car laden with officers' baggage near Ardés, -and had one man wounded. On the third of April -they were posted in reserve during the action at -<em>Sabugal</em>; and, on the retreat of the French, they -were detached in pursuit, and captured several -mules laden with baggage near <em>Alfayates</em>.</p> - -<p>On the 7th of April the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> were sent to -the relief of a corps of Portuguese militia, commanded -by Colonel Trant, who had taken post -near <em>Fort Conception</em>. A brigade of French infantry -was within half a mile of the militia, whose -destruction appeared inevitable, when suddenly -two cannon shots were heard to the southward,—the -French formed squares in retreat,—and in a -few minutes six squadrons of British cavalry and -a troop of horse artillery came sweeping up the -plain in their rear. The Portuguese were rescued -from impending danger. The enemy, however, -contrived to effect their escape, with the loss of -about three hundred men killed, wounded, and -taken prisoners, and part of their baggage: among -the other captures the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> took a -drove of fourteen bullocks and a horse.</p> - -<p>The French army having been driven out of -Portugal, the allies blockaded <em>Almeida</em>. Marshal -Massena advanced to relieve that place, and he -found the allied army posted on a fine table land, -the left at Fort Conception, and the right at the -beautiful village of <em>Fuentes d'Onor</em>. The village -was attacked on the 3rd of May, and on the -5th a general assault was made on the British -army. The French drove in the cavalry out-guards, -and by the impetuosity of their attacks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -gained some advantage; when two squadrons of -the <span class="smcap">Royals</span>, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel -<span class="smcap">Clifton</span>, made a gallant and successful charge on -the enemy's cavalry, took a serjeant and twenty-three -men, and released a party of the foot guards -who had been made prisoners by the French. A -party of the enemy's cavalry made a gallant charge, -and captured two guns belonging to Captain Bull's -troop of horse artillery; when a squadron of the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span> dashed forward, routed the enemy, and -retook the guns, which they brought back to the -British line, with several French prisoners. Finally, -the French were repulsed at every point of -attack, and forced to relinquish their design of -relieving <em>Almeida</em>. The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> had -four men and nineteen horses killed; also two serjeants, -thirty-four men, and twenty-four horses -wounded; and they subsequently occupied their -former quarters at Villa de Ceirva.</p> - -<p>About midnight on the 10th of May the French -garrison in <em>Almeida</em> blew up the works, then -rushed in one column out of the town, forced their -passage through the blockading troops, and directed -their march on Villa de Ceirva; but finding it -occupied by the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> they changed the direction -of their march and moved on Barba del Puerco. A -party of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> having been suddenly -called out in the night, overtook the rear of the -French column, which they attacked, and took a serjeant -and nine men prisoners. The fourth and thirty-sixth -foot also pursued the enemy; but the main -body of the garrison made good their retreat. The -regiment had two men wounded on this occasion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> - -<p>After this affair Lord Wellington proceeded to -Estremadura, to besiege Badajoz: but the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> remained with the forces left on the -frontiers of Portugal, near Ciudad Rodrigo; and -they were stationed in advance to cover the front -from Villa de Egua to Espejo.</p> - -<p>The French army, having been reinforced, and -placed under the command of Marshal Marmont, -advanced at daybreak on the morning of the 6th of -June in two columns, when the light division was -directed to retire from Gallegos upon <em>Nave d'Aver</em>, -and subsequently upon Alfayetes; and the <span class="smcap">Royals</span>, -commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel <span class="smcap">Clifton</span>, with -a troop of the fourteenth light dragoons, were -assembled at Gallegos to cover the retreat. The -French brought forward about two thousand cavalry, -six thousand infantry, and ten guns; and -the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> confronted this immense force with a -degree of fortitude and valour seldom equalled.<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> -That celebrated French cavalry officer, General -Montbrun, manœuvred to outflank the <span class="smcap">Royals</span>; -but his squadrons were attacked and defeated twice,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> -and the retreat was effected with little loss. For -their distinguished conduct on this occasion the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span> were publicly thanked by Lieutenant-General -Sir Brent Spencer, who commanded, in -the absence of Lord Wellington in Estremadura. -They lost on this occasion a troop-serjeant-major, -three men, and six horses killed; and nine men -wounded.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> subsequently bivouacked near -Sabugal, from whence they proceeded to Arronches, -and were encamped at the conflux of the -Caya and Algrette: towards the end of July they -marched to Idanha a Nova, on the frontiers of -Portugal; and in August to Villa de Toura and -Iteura. Meanwhile Lord Wellington returned -from Estremadura, and afterwards blockaded Ciudad -Rodrigo. Marshal Marmont advanced; when -his lordship raised the blockade, and took up a -defensive position, and the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -were posted on the 22nd of September on the -Upper Azava. A series of attacks and manœuvres -followed, and on the 25th the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> were in the -position of Fuente Guinaldo: from whence they -were ordered to retire on the following day; and -on the 27th were posted near Alfayates, with a -piquet at <em>Aldea de Ponte</em>, which was attacked by -the enemy, when Lieutenant Ross had his horse -killed under him, and three men and six horses -were wounded. On the following day the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> -were with the army in position behind Soito; and -Lord Wellington offered battle, but the enemy -retired, and the allied army went into cantonments. -The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> were stationed at Adão; subsequently<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -at Espejo, and towards the end of November -marched for Meda.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1812</div> - -<p>Lord Wellington having resolved to besiege -<em>Ciudad Rodrigo</em>, the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> marched -to the vicinity of that city in January, 1812, and -took post at Villa Turpina, to cover the troops -employed in the siege. This city was taken by -storm on the 19th of that month, and, when the -works were put in a state of defence, the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> -marched to St. Jao de Presquere. The siege of -<em>Badajoz</em>—the capital of Spanish Estremadura, -situate on a beautiful plain on the banks of the -Guadiana, was next determined upon: the army -was accordingly put in motion for the south, and -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, proceeding by way of -Abrantes into Spanish Estremadura, were placed -under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir -Thomas Graham; and, having crossed the Guadiana -on the 16th of March, advanced upon -Valverde and Santa Martha, and thence towards -Llerena,—an old town of Estremadura, which once -belonged to the knights of St. John. On the 19th -of March the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> were at Villa Franca; but -on the advance of Marshal Soult, with a considerable -force, they retired. <em>Badajoz</em> was taken on -the 6th of April, and Lord Wellington afterwards -proceeded to the north; but the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -remained in Estremadura, forming part of the force -left in the south under the command of Lieutenant-General -Sir Rowland Hill.</p> - -<p>On the 25th of May a squadron of the <span class="smcap">Royals</span>, -commanded by Major <span class="smcap">Dorville</span>, proceeded on -out-post duty to <em>Llera</em>. On the 27th, at night,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> -the commanding officer ascertained that a French -brigade had advanced within a short distance of his -post: he therefore retired to a wood about a mile -behind the village, and having placed a small piquet -on an eminence, with a support at the ford of a rivulet -in front of the wood, the squadron bivouacked for -the night. In the mean time a brigade of French -cavalry, commanded by Brigadier-General L'Allemand, -advanced to <em>Llera</em>, and surrounded the village -at midnight, expecting to surprise the squadron -in its quarters; but on discovering that it had -marched, he advanced towards the wood, and, attacking -the piquet, wounded and took prisoners -one serjeant and five men. Meanwhile the support -commenced a brisk fire, and gallantly defended the -passage of the ford, and the squadron, not having -drawn bit, immediately mounted and formed; -when the French, being foiled in their object, -retired: the squadron followed, and continued -skirmishing with the enemy until they had passed -<em>Llera</em>, and then resumed its former post.</p> - -<p>On the 11th of June the seventeenth and twenty-ninth -regiments of French dragoons, commanded -by Brigadier-General L'Allemand, again proceeded -to the vicinity of <em>Llera</em>, when Major-General -Slade advanced with the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> and third dragoon -guards, and having attacked the French, routed -them, and continued the pursuit about nine miles. -On arriving at the vicinity of <em>Maguilla</em> the British -regiments had another opportunity of charging, -when they broke the enemy's first line, sabred -many of the men, and took one of General L'Allemand's -aides-de-camp prisoner. The British regiments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -rushed forward in pursuit with too much -eagerness, each vying with the other which should -most distinguish itself; and in a moment of confusion -the French brought forward a reserve, and -charged the broken squadrons with such fury that -they were obliged to retire.<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> lost -in this encounter one serjeant, eleven men, and six -horses killed; also nineteen men, and eight horses -wounded; and Lieutenant Windsor, with four -serjeants and thirty-nine men, taken prisoners. -Lieutenant Windsor and most of the men were -wounded before they were taken.</p> - -<p>Patroles were afterwards sent on the road to -<em>Maguilla</em>, and on the 14th of June a serjeant and -twenty-five men of the <span class="smcap">Royals</span>, with the like -number of the third dragoon guards, encountered -a squadron of French dragoons, which they charged -with distinguished gallantry, and having sabred a -number of men, took a captain (the commanding -officer of the squadron), with a serjeant and twenty -men, prisoners; and captured twenty-three horses.</p> - -<p>On the 18th of June the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> marched for -Albuhera: they were subsequently encamped near -Llerena, from whence they marched to Los Santos. -Meanwhile the forces under Lord Wellington had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> -defeated the French at <em>Salamanca</em>; and on the -news of this success Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland -Hill advanced. The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> were in motion -on the 30th of July, and proceeded to Villa Franca, -and subsequently to Fuente del Maestre.</p> - -<p>The main army having marched to Madrid, Sir -Rowland Hill advanced to act in concert with -Lord Wellington. The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> advanced on the -27th of August, and on the 6th of September were -at Villa Nova; left that place on the 13th of -September; crossed the pontoon bridge at Almarez -on the 19th, and arrived at Talavera, in the valley -of the Tagus, on the 28th; from whence they -proceeded to Tembleque, in New Castile. Lord -Wellington having left Madrid and besieged the -castle of Burgos, Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland -Hill took up a position on the Tagus, and the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span> marched by Aranjuez,—a beautiful palace -of the kings of Spain,—to Morata. The -enemy, however, concentrated his forces, and advanced, -with an immense superiority of numbers, -to relieve Burgos, when Lord Wellington raised -the siege and retired, and Lieutenant-General Sir -Rowland Hill made a corresponding movement. -The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> commenced retiring on the 27th of -October by Madrid and the pass of the Guadarama -mountains, and arrived, on the 12th of November, -at Salamanca; from whence they proceeded -on the 15th to <em>Arguilla</em>, and on the 17th had an -encounter with the enemy, when four men and one -horse were wounded. Leaving Arguilla on the -28th of November they proceeded to Zelreira, and -towards the end of December to Alcantara.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> - -<div class="sidenote">1813</div> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> passed the winter and -spring of 1813 in Spanish Estremadura, from -whence they advanced, in the middle of May, to -turn the enemy's position on the northern bank of -the Douro; and, arriving at Salamanca on the 26th -of that month, they forded the river Tormes above -the town, and encountered a body of French infantry -and a few cavalry under General Villatte, -who was retiring from Salamanca in the direction -of Alba de Tormes, when the right squadron, led -by Lieutenant-Colonel <span class="smcap">Clifton</span>, charged the -enemy with signal gallantry, sabred a number of -men, and took one hundred and forty-three prisoners, -with four tumbrils. In this action the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> -had five horses killed, and ten men and three -horses wounded: Major Purvis's charger was also -killed under him.</p> - -<p>After this action the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> bivouacked near -La Orbado until the 3rd of June, when they advanced, -with the army, on Valladolid. The enemy -withdrew his troops from Madrid, and retired -on Burgos; and on the approach of the allied army -blew up the castle and fell back towards the Ebro, -and subsequently to <em>Vittoria</em>, where he prepared -to give battle. The allied army followed in pursuit; -and in this long and toilsome march the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span> were subjected to much fatigue and privation,—frequently -marching from daybreak in the -morning until dusk in the evening, through a -romantic and difficult tract of country, and climbing -mountains and passing defiles and rugged -precipices heretofore deemed impracticable. The -horses, from practice, ascended and descended the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -mountains with astonishing facility; and on the -20th of June the troops were in front of the -enemy's position.</p> - -<p>At daylight on the morning of the 21st of June -the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> left their bivouac, and advanced -to support the attack of the infantry on the -heights in front of <em>Vittoria</em>. The face of the ground -was so rugged that the operations of the cavalry were -impeded, and for some time the services of the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span> were limited to supporting the columns of -attack: towards the evening they, however, advanced -to charge, but the enemy fled in confusion, -leaving behind them cannon, ammunition, baggage, -and the military chest of the army. The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> -moved forward in pursuit, and bivouacked about -three miles beyond <em>Vittoria</em>: their loss was only -one man and two horses killed, and one horse -wounded. On this occasion the regiment was -commanded by Major Purvis, Lieutenant-Colonel -Clifton being in command of the brigade.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> advanced in pursuit of the enemy -on the following morning, and on the 2nd of July -they were at Suista and other villages near <em>Pampeluna</em>, -which place was blockaded by the allied -army. They left that quarter, however, on the -18th of July, for Sanguesa, a town of Navarre, on -the river Arragon, twenty-five miles from <em>Pampeluna</em>. -Towards the end of that month the -French army advanced to relieve <em>Pampeluna</em>, -when the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> were immediately ordered to -return to the vicinity of that place, and they were -formed in column at the foot of the mountains during -the battle of the <em>Pyrenees</em>. They remained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> -with the blockading force near <em>Pampeluna</em> until -the 10th of August, when, forage becoming scarce, -they again proceeded to the plains of the Arragon, -where they remained, together with General Mina's -division of Spaniards, as a corps of reserve -and support to the blockade, until after the surrender -of that fortress. They were subsequently -stationed at Villa Franca during the winter.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1814</div> - -<p>In the mean time the main army had entered -France. On the 3rd of February, 1814, the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> marched to Tauste: from -whence they proceeded, in the beginning of March, -through the Pyrenean mountains, and entered -France on the 9th of that month. For a short -period they were stationed near <em>Bayonne</em>, which -place was blockaded by the allied army; but they -subsequently advanced up the country, and on the -10th of April were at the battle of <em>Toulouse</em>, when -they were employed in covering the light brigade -of guns, and in driving the piquets of the enemy -under the walls of the city, which was immediately -besieged. The French, having retired, the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> -were ordered forward to Villa Franche, and afterwards -to Gardouch. These brilliant successes of the -British troops were followed by the abdication of -Buonaparte, and the restoration of peace.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> returned to Villa -Franche on the 23rd of April, where they remained -about a month, and then moved to Montguiscarde; -and on the 2nd of June commenced -their march through France to Calais, where they -arrived on the 17th of July. They embarked on -the following day, landed at Dover on the 19th,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -and marched from thence to Bristol, where they -arrived on the 11th of August; and shortly afterwards -the establishment was reduced from ten to -eight troops. In November the quarters were -removed from Bristol to Exeter; and the brilliant -services of the regiment were rewarded with permission -to bear the word "<span class="smcap">Peninsula</span>," as an -honorary distinction, on the standards and appointments.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1815</div> - -<p>The prospect of a lasting peace soon vanished, -and unexpected events brought the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -again into the field of conflict. The return -of Buonaparte to France, the flight of Louis -XVIII. from Paris, and the appearance of a British -army near the frontiers of France, followed -in rapid succession. An express arrived at the -quarters of the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> on the morning of the -24th of April, 1815, with orders to march on the -following morning for Canterbury, and afterwards -to Dover and Ramsgate, and to embark for the -Netherlands. An augmentation of two troops was -at the same time ordered; a hundred horses were -received at Canterbury by transfer from the fifth -dragoon guards; and about the middle of May the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span> were in Belgium, in quarters in the villages -between Ghent and Brussels, where, to pass -away the time unemployed by military duties, the -officers amused themselves with horse-races and -athletic sports.<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a></p> - -<p>On the morning of the 16th of June the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span> were suddenly aroused before daybreak<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> -by the loud notes of the bugle sounding "to horse." -The summons had a highly exhilarating effect on -the spirits of the men: they turned out with alacrity, -not doubting but the day was big with events, -and in a short time they were advancing on <em>Quatre -Bras</em>, where the enemy had commenced a furious -attack on the advanced-posts. After continuing -the march about fifty miles, the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> arrived at -the scene of conflict about dusk in the evening:<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> -the fighting had ceased, and the troops bivouacked -on the field of battle.</p> - -<p>The Prussians had been defeated at Ligny and -forced to retire; the Duke of Wellington made a -corresponding movement; and the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, -after passing the night under arms in the -open fields, were formed in line, on the forenoon of -the 17th of June, with the other cavalry regiments, -to cover the retreat of the infantry. The British -cavalry, manœuvring, and, by their varied evolutions, -masking and covering the retreat of the -infantry, exhibited a splendid spectacle of war. -One squadron of the <span class="smcap">Royals</span>, commanded by -Major Radclyffe, was sent to the front to skirmish. -"I was detached," observes the major, in his narrative, -"with my squadron to cover the brigade -by skirmishing, and Major-General Sir William -Ponsonby, and the brigade generally, were -pleased to applaud the style in which we acquitted -ourselves. It rained with greater violence -than I ever witnessed before, which I found to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> -my advantage when it was my turn to skirmish. -The enemy had two squadrons of Chasseurs -opposed to me, and as they could not overpower -us by their fire, they huzzaed and endeavoured -to excite each other on with 'Vive l'Empereur!' -and once actually charged towards my skirmishers, -but they stopped short, not daring to come -to daggers with us." Towards the evening the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span> arrived at the position in front of <em>Waterloo</em>, -where they halted, and again passed the night -in the open fields, without provisions, without -drink, and exposed to continued rain.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 18th of June the army -was formed in order of battle. "We" (the <span class="smcap">Royals</span>) -"found ourselves," states the Major, in his -journal, "in our place in close column behind the -second line of infantry, fetlock deep in mud; no -baggage for the officers, and neither provision -nor water for the men (though some stray cattle -had been killed and eaten, and a small supply of -spirits had, a short time before, been found on -the road), so that we might be said to go <em>coolly</em> -into action, for every man was wet to the skin." -Notwithstanding these disadvantages the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> -proved "true Britons."</p> - -<p>At ten o'clock the French army was seen forming -on the opposite heights, from whence a cloud -of skirmishers rushed forwards: the fire of the -artillery gradually opened, and about noon the columns -of attack came sweeping through the valley -in all the pomp and majesty of war. A succession -of attacks was made at various points, and the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span> were formed in column, awaiting the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -moment when their services should be required. -At length, twenty thousand French infantry -(Count d'Erlon's corps) suddenly appeared on the -opposite heights, and rushing forward, such was -the celerity of their course, that, scarcely seeming -to traverse the intermediate space, they quickly -ascended the position,—dispersed a Belgic brigade -with which they first came in contact,—forced the -artillery-men, posted in the rear of the double -hedge and narrow road, to abandon their guns,—broke -through parts of the British supporting -infantry,—and several thousand of French foot -having passed La Haye Sainte, had actually -crowned the allied position, when Lieutenant-General -the Earl of Uxbridge came galloping -to that part of the field. A few words issued -from his lips: speedily the <span class="smcap">Royals</span>, the Scots -Greys, and Inniskillen dragoons were seen advancing -in line; the noble bearing of these distinguished -horsemen was characteristic of the -innate valour of the officers and men, and the spectacle -was singularly imposing. The three regiments -halted a few moments to permit the broken -battalions to pass through the intervals of squadrons, -and then rushed forward, with terrific -violence, upon the enemy's infantry. The effect -was magical: the heads of the French columns -were instantly broken and forced back,—a general -flight commenced; the firing ceased, and the -smoke having cleared away, those formidable -masses, a moment before so menacing and conspicuous, -had almost disappeared, or left only the -traces of a dispersed rabble flying over the plain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> -Some, despairing to escape, abandoned their arms, -and threw themselves on the ground, and the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span>, Greys, and Inniskillen dragoons were -seen trampling down and sabring the French infantry -with uncontrollable power. Crowds of -French soldiers appeared at different points, surrendering -as prisoners: many, however, defended -themselves to the last; and others again, rising up, -after being ridden over or passed by the dragoons, -were observed firing on their rear, the slope of -the position being left literally covered with dead.</p> - -<p>During the heat of this conflict, Captain <span class="smcap">Alexander -Kennedy Clark</span>,<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> commanding the centre -squadron of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, having led -his men about two hundred yards beyond the -second hedge on the British left, perceived in the -midst of a crowd of infantry the <span class="smcap">Eagle</span> of the -French 105th regiment, with which the bearer -was endeavouring to escape to the rear. Against -this body of men, Captain Clark instantly led his -squadron at full speed, and plunging into the -midst of the crowd, overtook and slew the French -officer who carried the <span class="smcap">Eagle</span>; and several men -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> coming up at the moment, -the <span class="smcap">Eagle</span> was captured, and Captain Clark, -giving it to Corporal Stiles,<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> directed him to carry -it to the rear.<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> - -<p>Another <span class="smcap">Eagle</span> was captured by the Greys; -and the three regiments, animated by this tide of -success, pursued their advantage too far. They -crossed the ravine; carried several batteries; and -continued their course even to the rear of the -enemy's position. The latter, recovering confidence -from the disorder too apparent in the movements -of this insulated and unsupported brigade, fell -upon it with a large body of lancers and some -cuirassiers. The three regiments being broken -and dispersed in the pursuit, were forced back, -and they sustained considerable loss. Their gallant -leader, Major-General <span class="smcap">Sir William Ponsonby</span> -was killed,<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> and the command of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> -brigade devolved on Colonel Muter<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> of the Inniskillen -dragoons.</p> - -<p>In this attack the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> took an immense -number of prisoners: their conduct excited great -admiration, and has been commended by historians. -The following is an extract from one of the numerous -accounts of the battle of Waterloo:—"The -Marquis of Anglesey, galloped up to the second -brigade (1st, 2nd, and 6th dragoons), and the -three regiments, wheeling into line, presented a -beautiful front of about one thousand men. -The noble Marquis ordered a charge, which was -most gallantly executed. They took the enemy -in flank and a most tremendous fight commenced. -Every man fought with unparalleled heroism, -for every man had his own individual task to -perform. The <span class="smcap">Royals</span>, fired with a noble -emulation, rushed into a column of four thousand -men, where they captured the Eagle of the -105th regiment and bore it off in triumph. The -greater part of this column then threw down<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> -their arms, and were immediately conducted to -the rear. The Greys also captured an Eagle. -Thus the great attack of the enemy on the left -was finally overthrown, and two thousand men -made prisoners."</p> - -<p>After returning from the charge, the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> -resumed their post in position, and were exposed -to a heavy cannonade. In the afternoon the brigade -was moved to its right; and, Colonel Muter having -been wounded, Lieut.-Colonel <span class="smcap">Clifton</span> of the -<span class="smcap">Royals</span> took the command of the three regiments; -when the command of the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> devolved on -Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Dorville. The enemy made -several attacks on various points, but was uniformly -repulsed. At length the Duke of Wellington -assumed the offensive. The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> again advanced, -and the allied army made a simultaneous -rush upon the enemy, who was overthrown, cut -down, and pursued with dreadful slaughter from -the field of battle. Thus ended a day glorious to -the British arms beyond precedent. The distinguished -services of the <span class="smcap">Heavy Cavalry</span> did not -fail to excite admiration:—by their powerful attacks -they more than once restored the battle; and they -were especially noticed by the Duke of Wellington -in his despatch.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> had Captain Windsor, -Lieutenant Foster, Cornets Magniac and Sykes, -Adjutant Shepley, six serjeants, eighty-six men, -and one hundred and sixty-one horses killed: -Brevet Major Radclyffe<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a>, Captain Clark, Lieutenants<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> -Gunning, Keily, Trafford, Wyndowe, -Ommaney, Blois, and Goodenough, with six serjeants, -eighty-two men, and thirty-five horses, -wounded; also two men wounded and taken prisoners.</p> - -<p>On the following morning the allied army -advanced, directing its march upon Paris, which -city was surrendered in the early part of July. -The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> accompanied the army, and on the -7th of July marched into quarters at Nanterre, a -village situate about seven miles from the French<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -capital. The Bourbon dynasty was restored to -the throne, and the campaign terminated.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1816</div> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royals</span> left Nanterre on the 30th of July, -and proceeded to Rouen, and in October to Montevilliers; -from whence they marched, in December, -to the vicinity of the coast; and in the early -part of January, 1816, embarked at Calais. The -regiment landed at Dover and Ramsgate on the -15th of that month, and proceeding from thence -to Ipswich barracks, arrived there on the 23rd; -and, on the 25th, the establishment was reduced -from ten to eight troops. For their distinguished -gallantry on the 18th of June, 1815, permission -was granted for the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> to bear -the word "<span class="smcap">Waterloo</span>" and an "<span class="smcap">Eagle</span>" on -their standards and appointments: every officer -and man present at that engagement received -a silver medal to be worn on the left breast, and -the subaltern officers and soldiers had the privilege -of reckoning two years' service for that day, towards -increase of pay and pension.</p> - -<p>The following officers of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> -received medals and marks of royal favour for -their services during the war:—</p> - -<div class="blockquot fs80"> - -<p><span class="pad8 smcap">Lieutenant-Colonel.</span><br /> -<span class="pad4 smcap">Colonel Arthur Benjamin Clifton.</span></p> - -<p class="noindent">Medal and one clasp for Fuentes d'Onor, and Vittoria.<br /> -Companion of the order of the Bath.<br /> -Medal for Waterloo.<br /> -The second class of the Russian order of St. Anne.<br /> -The fourth class of the order of Wilhelm of Holland.</p> - -<p><span class="pad8 smcap">Majors.</span><br /> -<span class="pad4 smcap">Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Dorville.</span></p> - -<p class="noindent">Companion of the order of the Bath.<br /> -Waterloo Medal.</p> - -<p><span class="pad6 smcap">Charles Purvis.</span></p> - -<p class="noindent">Medal for Vittoria.</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> - -<p class="p1 pfs90">MEDALS FOR WATERLOO.</p> - -<div class="center fs80"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="90%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdl pad6"><span class="smcap">Captains.</span></td><td class="tdl pad5"><span class="smcap">Lieutenants.</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdppp">Major Charles E. Radclyffe</td><td class="tdl tdppp">Cornthwaite Ommaney</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Alexander Kennedy Clark</td><td class="tdl">Charles Blois</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Paul Phipps</td><td class="tdl">Stephen Goodenough</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl pad5 tdppp"><span class="smcap">Lieutenants.</span></td><td class="tdl pad6 tdppp"><span class="smcap">Cornets.</span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl tdppp">Henry Robert Carden</td><td class="tdl tdppp">C. B. Stephenson</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Sigismund Trafford</td><td class="tdl">Honourable John Massey</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">George Gunning</td><td class="tdl">Quarter-Master W. Waddell</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Townshend Richard Keily</td><td class="tdl">Surgeon George Steed</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl">Samuel Windowe</td><td class="tdl">Veterinary-Surgeon W. Ryding</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p1" /> -<div class="sidenote">1817<br />1818</div> - -<p>Towards the end of August, 1817, the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> marched for Scotland, and were stationed -at Hamilton, Ayr, Dumfries, Stirling, and -Glasgow. In June, 1818, they embarked at Portpatrick -for Ireland, and, having landed at Donaghadee, -proceeded to Ballinrobe, Sligo, Longford, -Roscommon, and Dunmore. In November a reduction -of eight serjeants, ninety-six men, and -fifty-six horses, was made in the establishment.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1819<br />1820</div> - -<p>In June, 1819, the regiment proceeded to Dublin, -where it remained on garrison duty until -August of the following year, when it embarked -for England; and, after landing at Liverpool, -marched to Manchester, Oldham, Ashton, and -Altringham.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1821</div> - -<p>On the 19th of March, 1821, the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> commenced -their march for Radipole barracks, from -whence a number of parties were detached on -revenue duty; and, for the seizure of smuggled -goods made whilst on this duty, the regiment received -upwards of £200. In September the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> -establishment was reduced to six troops, of three -officers, three serjeants, one trumpeter, one farrier, -fifty rank and file, and forty-two horses each.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1822</div> - -<p>The regiment marched, on the 13th of June, -1822, from the west and south-west districts, to -Richmond and other villages near the metropolis, -and was reviewed on Wormwood Scrubbs by His -Royal Highness the Duke of York on the 6th of -July. Two days after the review it marched for -Canterbury, detaching troops and parties on the -revenue duty.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1823</div> - -<p>Having called in the detachments, the regiment -marched from Canterbury, on 1st of July, 1823, -for the cavalry barracks near the Regent's Park, -London, and on their arrival took the King's duty—the -life guards and royal horse guards having -marched into quarters near Hounslow, preparatory -to a review, which took place on the 15th of -July, when the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> furnished a guard of -honour for His Royal Highness the Duke of York, -and a squadron to assist in keeping the ground. -They were relieved from the King's duty on the -following day, and marched for York barracks, -where they arrived on the 29th of July.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1824</div> - -<p>From York the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> marched, on the 24th -of May, 1824, for Scotland, and occupied Piershill -barracks, Edinburgh, and Perth,—with detachments -at Cupar, Angus, and Forfar; and were -employed, during the calamitous fire in Parliament -Square, Edinburgh, in November, on three successive -days, in preserving order, protecting property, -and rendering assistance to the unfortunate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> -sufferers; and the dismounted men, with the barrack -engine, assisted materially in extinguishing the -fire in the Tron church. The services of the regiment, -on this occasion, were commended in a general -order, issued by the commander of the forces in -Scotland; and in a vote of thanks from the lord provost, -magistrates, and town council of Edinburgh.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1825</div> - -<p>In the early part of March, 1825, the regiment -proceeded to Hamilton, and Glasgow, and in the -following month embarked for Ireland; after landing -at Donaghadee, it marched to Dundalk and Belturbet, -from whence several strong escorts were detached -for the safe-conduct of specie,—the currency -of the two kingdoms having been assimilated.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1826<br />1827<br />1828</div> - -<p>On the 30th of March, 1826, the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> -marched for Dublin, where they remained until -April, 1827, and then marched for Newbridge; -and in October following proceeded to Cork, Fermoy, -and Bandon. The whole assembled at Cork -in March, 1828, and proceeded from thence to -Ballincollig.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1829</div> - -<p>The regiment commenced its march for Dublin -on the 28th of April, 1829, embarked for England -in the early part of May, and, after disembarking -at Liverpool, proceeded into quarters in the town -of Manchester,—the barracks at that place having -been pulled down for the purpose of being rebuilt. -During their stay at this place the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> furnished -a number of piquets and parties for the prevention -of riot and open violation of the law by -the operatives, who were in a state of disaffection: -detachments were also sent to Blackburn and -Bolton for the same purpose.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> - -<p>The death of Lieutenant-General Garth having -taken place on the 18th of November, 1829, on -the 23rd of that month, His Majesty conferred -the colonelcy on Lieut.-General Lord R. E. H. -Somerset, G.C.B. from the seventeenth lancers.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1830</div> - -<p>In the summer of 1830 the regiment marched -to Norwich and Ipswich; at the same time the -establishment was reduced to two hundred and -seventy rank and file. In the autumn of this year -the agricultural labourers, having been excited by -designing men, committed numerous acts of incendiarism -and effected the destruction of property -to a most alarming extent in several counties. -The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> were, in consequence, -called upon to furnish a number of detachments -to assist the civil authorities in suppressing these -outrages. A resolution of thanks from the magistrates -of Norfolk, acknowledging the very effective -services rendered by the officers, non-commissioned -officers, and privates, was forwarded by -the lord-lieutenant of the county, to the general -commanding-in-chief, who was pleased to express -the satisfaction he experienced in being presented -with so honourable a testimonial of their behaviour.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1831<br />1832<br />1833<br />1834<br />1835</div> - -<p>The regiment remained at Norwich and Ipswich -during the whole of the year 1831. In the -spring of 1832 it marched to Canterbury<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a>; in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> -1833 to Dorchester; and in 1834 to Brighton. -During the following winter it proceeded to Bristol, -from whence it embarked, in January, 1835, -for Ireland; and, after landing at Dublin, was -stationed at Newbridge for sixteen months.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1836</div> - -<p>On the removal of Lieutenant-General Lord -Edward Somerset to the fourth dragoons in March, -1836, the colonelcy of the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> was conferred -on Major-General Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby, -K.C.B., G.C.M.G., and K.C.H., from the -eighty-sixth foot.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1837</div> - -<p>During the summer of 1836 the regiment proceeded -to Dublin; and, while stationed at that -place, its colonel, Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby, -died; and was succeeded, on the 20th of -January, 1837, by Lieutenant-General the Right -Honourable Sir Hussey Vivian, K.C.B. and G.C.H.</p> - -<div class="sidenote">1838<br />1839</div> - -<p>The regiment left Dublin in the autumn of 1837, -and was stationed during the following year at -Cork; from whence it embarked, in May, 1839, -for Liverpool; and, after landing at that port, was -removed to Sheffield, where it has remained until -the conclusion of this memoir.</p> - -<p>In taking a retrospective view of the services of -the <span class="smcap">Royal Regiment of Dragoons</span>, its conduct -cannot fail to excite admiration. The details given -in the preceding pages afford numerous instances -of determined bravery, steady discipline, and constant -efficiency. These qualities were eminently -displayed when charging the Moorish legions on -the confines of <em>Africa</em>, and bearing away in triumph -the Mahomedan colours in 1664 and 1680;—when -routing the insurgent bands at <em>Sedgemoor</em> in -1685;—forcing the passage of the Boyne in 1690;—on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> -detached services in Ireland in 1691; and opposing -the troops of Louis XIV. in the Netherlands -from 1694 to 1697. Nor were they less conspicuously -evinced when serving on the frontiers of -Holland under the great Duke of Marlborough in -1702 and 1703;—skirmishing in the mountains of -Catalonia and in the valleys of Valencia, under the -Earl of Peterborough, in 1705 and 1706;—and -charging the Spanish forces at <em>Almanara</em>, and at -<em>Saragossa</em> in 1710.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> also distinguished themselves -under the eye of their sovereign when fighting -the French cuirassiers at the battle of <em>Dettingen</em> -in 1743, where they captured the standard -of the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">mousquetaires noirs</i>; they again displayed -signal valour at <em>Warbourg</em> in 1760; and under -the Duke of York in <em>Flanders</em> in 1794. In numerous -fights with the legions of Napoleon in the -<em>Peninsula</em>, from 1810 to 1814, they acquired new -honours: they were also engaged at the glorious -battle of <em>Waterloo</em> on the 18th of June, 1815, -where they captured one of the two French Eagles -taken on that day.</p> - -<p>On all occasions the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> have -evinced a dauntless bearing, united with steady -valour, and unshaken firmness, the characteristics -of a British corps. These qualities, as well as the -temper, patience, and forbearance which have distinguished -their conduct, when employed in aiding -the civil power on duties at home, have rendered -the regiment a valuable acquisition to the crown, -and have afforded the strongest proofs of its usefulness -to the country.</p> - - -<p class="p2" /> -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_b_116fp.jpg" width="600" alt="" /> -<div class="caption"> -First, or Royal Dragoons, 1839. -<p class="right">[To face page 116.</p> -</div></div> - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Bibl. Harl. No. 1595.—Mercurius Publicus.—Kingdom's -Intelligencer.—War-Office Records.—History of Tangier, &c.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Bibl. Harl. 6844.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> History of Tangier, 8vo., 1664.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Sir John Lanier was afterwards colonel of the Queen's horse, -now first dragoon guards.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> John Coy was afterwards colonel of the seventh horse, now -fifth dragoon guards.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Thomas Langston was celebrated for taking the Princess -Anne of Denmark's regiment of horse over to the Prince of -Orange at the Revolution in 1688: he was appointed colonel of -that regiment on the 31st of December, 1688, and died in Ireland -in 1689: the regiment was disbanded in 1692.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Vide the Historical Record of the Life Guards.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Narrative of the great engagement at Tangier: Tangier's -Rescue, by John Ross; London Gazettes, &c. &c.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> One of the regiments of dragoons raised in 1678 was styled -<em>the Royal Regiment of Dragoons</em>; but it was disbanded after the -peace of Nimeguen.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> 'CHARLES R.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap pad3">'Our will and pleasure is</span>, that as soon as the troop of -<span class="smcap">Our Royal Regiment of Dragoons</span>, whereof Charles Nedby, -Esq., is Captain, shall arrive from our garrison at Tangier, you -cause the same forthwith to march to the town of Ware, in Our -county of Hertford, where they are to remain until further orders. -And the officers of the said troop are to take care that the soldiers -duly pay their intended quarters.</p> - -<p>'Given at Our Court at Whitehall this 1st day of February, -1683-4.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="padr4">'By His Majesty's command,</span><br /> -'<span class="smcap">William Blathwayte</span>.'</p> - -<p>A similar order was given for Captain Thomas Langston's -troop to quarter at Hoddesdon, Captain John Coy's at Hampstead, -and Captain Alexander Mackenzie's (the troop raised in -1661) at Watford and Bushey.—<em>War-Office Records.</em></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> The following arms and appointments were issued from the -Tower of London for the equipment of the regiment, viz.—</p> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="70%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdr">318</td><td class="tdl">Muskets and bayonets</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr"> 12</td><td class="tdl">Halberds</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr"> 12</td><td class="tdl">Partizans</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr"> 12</td><td class="tdl">Drums</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">318</td><td class="tdl">Cartouch boxes and belts</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">318</td><td class="tdl">Waist belts and bayonet frogs</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">358</td><td class="tdl">Saddles and bridles</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdr">358</td><td class="tdl">Sets of holster caps and housings.—<em>Ibid.</em></td></tr> -</table> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Nathan Brook's Complete List, Military: London, 1684.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Hugh Wyndham was afterwards colonel of the seventh -horse, now sixth dragoon guards.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Francis Langston was afterwards colonel of the fifth -horse, now fourth dragoon guards.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> War-Office Records.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Ibid.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> War Office Records.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Mémoires de Berwick.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Lingard's History of England.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> London Gazette; War Office Records; Life of King James -II., &c.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> War Office Route Book.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> London Gazette.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> "There were two priests in the garrison of <em>Charlemont</em>, -and there happened a pleasant adventure between one of them -and a dragoon of Colonel Hayford's regiment (the Royal Dragoons) -as they were guarding the Irish towards Armagh. They -fell into a discourse about religion; the point in hand was -<em>Transubstantiation</em>: the dragoon, being a pleasant, witty fellow, -drolled upon the priest, and put him so to it, that he had -little to say, upon which he grew so angry that he fell a-beating -the dragoon, who, not being used to put up with blows, thrashed -his fatherhood very severely. Upon which, complaint being -made to Teague, as he was at dinner with our officers at Armagh, -all that he said was, he was very glad of it, adding, -'What te de'il had he to do to dispute religion with a dragoon?'"—<cite>Story's -History of the Wars in Ireland</cite>, p. 63.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Story's History.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Story.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Colonel Clifford, of the Royal Dragoons, adhered to King -James at the Revolution, and having proceeded to Ireland he was -appointed a Brigadier-General.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Story.—London Gazettes, &c. &c.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> D'Auvergne's History of the Campaigns in Flanders.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Official Records, London Gazettes, &c.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> London Gazettes, Millner's Journal, and Annals of Queen -Anne.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> London Gazettes; Present State of Europe; Mémoires de -Berwick; Annals of Queen Anne; and Official Records in the -War-Office.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> "Notwithstanding King Charles has received no reinforcements -since he landed in Catalonia, his partisans, and the small -army under the Earl of Peterborough, have been so active, that -their progress looks altogether romantic, and will hardly be believed -by posterity. They have not only maintained their conquest -of the whole principality of Catalonia, but they have -gained the kingdom of Valencia, and carried their arms as far -as Alicant; at the same time they blockaded Roses, though -the two places were above four hundred miles one from the -other."—<cite>Present State of Europe</cite>, January, 1706.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> Doctor Freind's Account of the Earl of Peterborough's Conduct -in Spain.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> The Present State of Europe for 1708.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> List of British troops which surrendered in the village of -Brihuega, 9th December, 1710:—</p> - -<p>Harvey's horse, now second dragoon guards.<br /> -Royal Dragoons (one squadron), now first, or the royal dragoons.<br /> -Pepper's dragoons, now the eighth light dragoons.<br /> -Stanhope's dragoons, disbanded.<br /> -Foot Guards, one battalion.<br /> -Harrison's foot, now the sixth.<br /> -Wade's ditto, now the thirty-third.<br /> -Dormer's ditto, disbanded.<br /> -Bowle's ditto, ditto.<br /> -Gore's ditto, ditto.<br /> -Munden's ditto, ditto.<br /> -Dalzel's ditto, ditto.<br /> -</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Marching Order Books and Establishment Books in the War-Office.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> The seventh and eighth regiments of dragoons were disbanded -after the Peace of Utrecht; but the seventh was restored, -as stated above, and the eighth in a few months afterwards.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> Two newly-raised corps, afterwards disbanded.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Annals of George I., &c.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> The Lieutenant of the Colonel's troop was styled Captain-Lieutenant.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> London Gazette.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> War-Office Establishment Book.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston rose to the rank of general: -he was, at different periods, colonel of the ninth dragoons, first -horse (now fourth dragoon guards), and sixth dragoons: he was -also governor of Quebec. He died 13th December, 1797, and -was interred in Westminster Abbey. He wrote a Journal of the -Campaign of 1760, which has been forwarded to the compiler of -this record by his grandson, Major Frederick Johnston, unattached.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> Journal of Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston, Royal Dragoons, -MS.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> Journal of the Campaigns in Germany, by an Officer present -with the Army.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> On the 19th of December, 1768, a royal warrant was issued -for regulating the clothing, horse-furniture, and standards of the -regiments of cavalry, which contained similar directions to the -warrant of the 1st of July, 1751. See <a href="#Page_65">page 65</a>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> Official Records, Adjutant-General's Office.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> GENERAL ORDERS.</p> - -<p> -"The heavy cavalry, with the exception of the two regiments -of life guards and royal regiment of horse guards, are to be -mounted on nag-tailed horses.</p> -<p> -"The first, or King's regiment of dragoon guards; the first, -or royal regiment of dragoons; the third, or King's own regiment -of dragoons, are to be mounted on <em>black</em> nag-tailed -horses.</p> -<p> -"The second, or Queen's regiment of dragoon guards, are to -be mounted on nag-tailed horses of the colours of <em>bay</em> and -<em>brown</em>.</p> -<p> -"The second, or royal North British regiment of dragoons, -are to be mounted on nag-tailed <em>grey</em> horses.</p> -<p> -"All other regiments of heavy cavalry on the British establishment -are to be mounted on nag-tailed horses of the colours -of bay, brown, and chestnut.</p> -<p> -"The custom of mounting trumpeters on grey horses is to be -discontinued, and they are in future to be mounted on horses -of the colour or colours hereby prescribed for the regiment to -which they belong.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="smcap padr4">"Harry Calvert,</span><br /> -<span class="padr2">Adjutant General.</span></p> - -<p>"<em>Horse Guards</em>,<br /> -<span class="pad2"><em>10th August, 1799</em>."</span></p> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> 28th Aug. "A piquet of this regiment (<span class="smcap">Royals</span>) made a -<em>gallant and successful charge</em> on a party of the enemy's cavalry -and infantry, and took some prisoners."—<cite>Lord Wellington's -Despatch.</cite></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> "I have received a report of a gallant action of one of our -patroles yesterday evening, under the command of Lieutenant -Persse, of the 16th Light Dragoons, and Lieutenant Foster, of -the Royals, who attacked a detachment of the enemy's cavalry -between Alverca and Guarda, and killed and wounded several -of them, and took the officer and 37 men prisoners."—<cite>Lord -Wellington's Despatch, 27th March, 1811.</cite></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> "It is with great pleasure I have to mention <em>the very admirable -conduct of the Royals</em> under the command of <em>Lieutenant-Colonel -Clifton</em>, and one troop of the fourteenth light dragoons, -which being all that were employed in covering the front from -Villa de Egua to Espejo, were assembled at Gallegos, and retreated -from thence agreeably to my directions. And notwithstanding -all the efforts of General Montbrun (who commanded -the French cavalry) to outflank the British, pressing them at the -same time in front with eight pieces of cannon, <em>their retreat to -Nave d'Aver merits the highest commendation</em>. -</p> -<p> -"Major-General Slade speaks in much praise of <em>Major Dorville</em>, -of the <em>Royal Dragoons</em>, and of <em>Captain Purvis</em>, of the same -regiment, who had opportunities of distinguishing themselves."—<cite>Lieutenant-General -Sir Brent Spencer's Despatch.</cite></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> "Nothing could exceed the gallantry displayed by the officers -and men on this occasion. Sir Granby Calcraft, and Lieutenant-Colonel -Clifton, commanding the two regiments, particularly -distinguished themselves, as well as all the officers -present. -</p> -<p> -"I beg particularly to report the conduct of Brigade Major -Radclyffe, of the Royal Dragoons, to whom I feel particularly -indebted for his assistance on this occasion."—<cite>Major-General -Slade's Despatch.</cite></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> Journal of Major Radclyffe, of the Royal Dragoons—MS.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> "The infantry complained they had suffered much from our -absence and tardy arrival, though, God knows, we had lost no -time."—<cite>Major Radclyffe's Journal.</cite></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> Now Colonel A. K. Clark Kennedy, C.B. and K.H., lieutenant-colonel -of the seventh dragoon guards.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> Francis Stiles was rewarded with an ensigncy in the sixth -West India regiment on the 11th of April, 1816, and was placed -on half-pay on the 28th of December, 1817: he died in London -on the 9th of January, 1828.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> "I was in command of the centre squadron of the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> in this charge. While following up the attack, I -perceived, a little to my left, in the midst of a body of infantry, -an Eagle and Colour, which the bearer was making off with -towards the rear. I immediately gave the order, 'Right shoulders -forward,' to my squadron, at the same time leading direct upon -the Eagle, and calling out to the men with me to 'Secure the -colours.' The instant I got within reach of the officer who -carried the Eagle, I ran my sword into his right side, and he -staggered and fell, but did not reach the ground on account -of the pressure of his companions. As the officer was in the -act of falling, I called out, a second time, to some men close behind me, -'Secure the colour; it belongs to me!' The standard -coverer, Corporal Stiles, and several other men, rushed up, and -the Eagle fell across my horse's head, against that of Corporal -Stiles, who came up on my left. As it was falling I caught -the fringe of the flag with my left hand, but could not at the -first pull up the Eagle: at the second attempt, however, I -succeeded. Being in the midst of French troops, I attempted -to separate the Eagle from the staff, to put it into the breast -of my coatee; but it was too firmly fixed. Corporal Stiles -said, 'Pray, Sir, do not break it!' to which I replied 'Very well; -carry it off to the rear as fast as you can,' which he did. Though -wounded, I preferred remaining in the field in the command of -my squadron, which I did until near seven o'clock in the -evening, when I was obliged to withdraw; having had two -horses killed under me, and having received two wounds, which -confined me to my quarters at Brussels nearly two months."—<cite>Captain -Clark's Narrative of the Capture of the Eagle.</cite></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> This respected and lamented officer (Major-General Sir William -Ponsonby), beloved by all who served with or under him, met his -death in a manner which conferred upon it an interesting character. -When the order was given for attacking the enemy, he led the three -regiments forward with that noble ardour for which he had been distinguished -in the campaigns in the Peninsula. Having cut through -the first column, he proceeded where the <span class="smcap">Royals</span> were so hotly -engaged, and found himself outflanked by a regiment of Polish -lancers in a newly-ploughed field, the ground of which was so -soft that his horse became blown, and was unable to proceed. -He was attended by only one aide-de-camp. At this instant the -lancers were approaching him at full speed. His own death, he -knew, was inevitable, but supposing his aide-de-camp might -escape, he drew forth the picture of his lady and his watch, and -was in the act of delivering them to his attendant to be conveyed -to his family, when the enemy came up and they were both -speared upon the spot.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> Now Lieutenant-General Sir Joseph Straton, K.C.H. and -C.B., colonel of the eighth royal Irish hussars, who was authorised -to take and use the surname of <em>Straton</em>, instead of Muter, -on the 28th of September, 1816.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> Major Radclyffe was wounded in the first charge, and taken -from the field. He was an excellent swordsman, and had -taught many of his men his peculiar method of giving point, -and he was afterwards much delighted on being informed that -the troopers, by adhering to his instructions, had been signally -successful in their attacks. The decease of this gallant and -excellent officer, clever man, and good scholar, took place on the -24th of February, 1827: the following is an extract from a -periodical work respecting him:— -</p> -<p> -"Died on the 24th of February, 1827, in Connaught-square, Lieutenant-Colonel -Radclyffe, Major of Brigade to the Cavalry in -Great Britain, aged 53.—This distinguished officer served in all -the campaigns of the late revolutionary war, commencing with -the Duke of York's, in Flanders, in 1793, and ending with the -sanguinary battle of Waterloo. There he received a severe -wound from a musket-ball, which lodged in his knee, the constant -pain and irritation of which (as it could not be extracted) has -thus prematurely destroyed his valuable life. His Lieut.-Colonelcy -took its date from that glorious day. He was present -at the battles of Salamanca, Vittoria, Busaco, Fuentes d'Onor, -the blockade of Pampeluna, and the attack of Bayonne, besides -numerous engagements of minor note. He was Major of Brigade -during the campaigns in Spain to the battle of Toulouse in April, -1814; after which he was appointed Assistant-Adjutant General -to the Cavalry, and accompanied it as such through France to -England. So entirely was his mind devoted to his profession, that -almost the last words he spoke (only two hours before his -death), in answer to a question from his physicians as to how -he felt, were, 'I am retreating, retreating, retreating: I cannot -advance.' He was a most scientific and dexterous swordsman, -a skilful officer, and able tactician. Witness a small work -which he printed on those subjects. He was a sincere and -ardent friend, a conscientious Christian, and a brave and good -man. He lived highly and universally respected, and died -sincerely lamented."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> A guard of honour, consisting of one major (Major Marten), -two captains, two subalterns, four serjeants, and one hundred rank -and file, with the royal standard, was ordered, by the king's -special command, from Canterbury to Windsor Castle, for the -purpose of escorting their majesties on the occasion of the presentation -of a new standard to the royal horse guards (blues) by King -William IV. on the 13th of August, 1832.</p></div></div> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> - - -<h2 class="large">SUCCESSION OF COLONELS</h2> - -<p class="pfs70">OF</p> - -<p class="pfs120">THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS.</p> - -<hr class="r30" /> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">John Lord Churchill.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 19th November, 1683.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent">At its formation the <span class="smcap">Royal Regiment of Dragoons</span> -had the honour of being commanded by one of the most -distinguished officers Great Britain has produced,—a -general who acquired celebrity in the field and in the -cabinet,—who never fought a battle he did not win, nor -besiege a town which he did not capture.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Churchill</span> was born on the 24th of June, 1650. -At sixteen years of age he was page of honour to the -Duke of York, who procured him an ensign's commission -in the first foot guards; and he soon afterwards resigned -the pleasures of the court to acquire a practical knowledge -of his profession at Tangier, in Africa, where he -served as a volunteer against the Moors, and gave presage -of those bright qualities for which he afterwards -became distinguished. On the breaking out of the Dutch -war in 1672 he was appointed captain in the Duke of -Monmouth's regiment of foot, in the service of the King -of France, with which corps he served in the Netherlands, -where he signalised himself by a regular attention -to his duties, and by volunteering his services on occasions -of difficulty or danger; and he evinced signal gallantry in -1673, at the siege of Maestricht,<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> where he was wounded.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -He subsequently served with the French army on the -Rhine,—attracted the particular attention and regard of -the celebrated Marshal Turenne,—and in 1674 he was -appointed colonel of one of the English regiments in the -service of the French monarch, in succession to the Earl -of Peterborough. His regiment was recalled from France -in 1678, and he was appointed to the command of a -brigade of foot in Flanders; but the peace of Nimeguen -taking place, he returned to England, and his regiment -was disbanded. He became the constant attendant of -the Duke of York, and being employed in several delicate -missions between His Royal Highness and the King, he -evinced great address.</p> - -<p>The King having resolved to add to the regular army -a regiment of dragoons for permanent service, Colonel -Churchill was commissioned to raise a troop of dragoons, -and was appointed colonel of the regiment, which was -honoured with the distinguished title of the <span class="smcap">Royal -Regiment of Dragoons</span>. He was also advanced to the -peerage of Scotland by the title of Baron Churchill of -Aymouth. Soon after the accession of King James II. -he was created an English peer by the title of Baron -Churchill of Sandridge. On the 14th of May, 1685, he -was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general: on the -breaking out of the rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth -he was sent, with a body of cavalry, to the west of England, -and he was second in command at the battle of -Sedgemoor. His meritorious conduct during this rebellion -was rewarded with the colonelcy of the third troop -of life guards, and the rank of major-general. No ties of -interest, or charms of royal favour, could, however, induce -him to abandon the best interests of his native -country; and at the Revolution in 1688 he joined the -standard of the Prince of Orange, for which he was -removed from the life guards by King James. On the -accession of King William III. he was restored to the -command of the third troop of life guards,—appointed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> -colonel of the royal fusiliers,—sworn a member of the -privy council,—made lord of the bedchamber to his Majesty,—created -<span class="smcap">Earl of Marlborough</span>, and appointed -to the command of the British troops sent to the Netherlands, -to be employed in the war with France. During -the campaign of 1689 he served under Prince Waldeck, -and gave proof of his personal bravery, and ability to -command, at the battle of Walcourt. In June, 1690, he -was appointed commander-in-chief, and proceeding, in -the autumn of that year, with a body of troops to Ireland, -captured Cork and Kinsale. In 1691 he commanded -the British infantry under King William in the Netherlands. -In the following year he was confined in the -Tower of London on a charge of high treason; but was -subsequently released without being brought to trial, and -restored to royal favour. On the breaking out of the -war in 1701, he was selected by King William to command -the British forces sent to the Netherlands, and to -negotiate the treaties to be formed with foreign powers; -and he was appointed colonel of a regiment of foot (now -twenty-fourth). Queen Anne confirmed these appointments; -also advanced him to the post of captain-general -of her forces, and procured him the chief command of the -united British, Dutch, and auxiliary troops. At the head of -these forces he evinced the abilities of a great captain; -he forced the enemy to take shelter behind their lines; -took Venloo, Ruremonde, Stevenswaert, and Liege with -surprising rapidity; extended and secured the Dutch -frontiers; and was rewarded with the thanks of parliament, -the approbation of his sovereign, and the dignity of -<span class="smcap">Duke of Marlborough</span>. In the campaign of 1703 he -was again victorious; he captured Bonn, Huy, and Limburg; -but his career of victory was impeded by the -jealousy or timidity of the Dutch, which he bore in a -manner corresponding with the greatness of his mind. -On the 25th of April, 1704, he was appointed colonel -of the first foot guards. The succeeding campaign -was splendid in glorious achievements. He led his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> -army from the ocean to the Danube; forced the -heights of Schellenberg on the 2nd July, 1704, and -compelled the enemy to take shelter behind the lines of -Augsburg. New armies and new generals appeared, and -their overthrow, at the decisive battle of Blenheim on the -13th of August, added new lustre to the reputation of the -British commander: there the heaps of slain gave dreadful -proofs of British valour, and whole legions of prisoners -of their mercy. This victory displayed the distinguishing -character of <span class="smcap">Marlborough</span>, and produced important -results: Bavaria was subdued; Ratisbon, Augsburg, -Ulm, Meninghen,—all were recovered. From the Danube -he marched to the Rhine and the Moselle; Landau, -Treves, and Traerbach were taken; and the British commander,—courted -and honoured by sovereign princes,—applauded -by nations, became the pride of armies, and -was rewarded with the dignity of a <span class="smcap">Prince of the Roman -Empire</span>. While his judgment swayed the councils -of the states of Christendom, he led their armies to battle -and victory. In 1705 he experienced disappointment -from the princes he had delivered in the preceding year; -but, suddenly changing the scene of his operations, he led -his army from the Moselle to the Maese; Liege was -relieved; Huy retaken; and the boasted impregnable -French lines forced. In the spring of 1706 another -campaign opened, when the discipline he had introduced, -and the confidence he had inspired, again proved invincible. -He met, attacked, and triumphed over the French, -Spaniards, and Bavarians, at Ramilies, on the 23rd of -May. This decisive action was followed by the surrender -of Louvain, Brussels, Malines, Liege, Ghent, Oudenarde, -Antwerp, Damme, Bruges, and Courtray; and by the capture -of Ostend, Menin, Dendermond, and Aeth,—places -which had resisted the greatest generals for months—for -years; provinces, disputed for ages, were the conquests -of a summer. So great was his reputation, that, throughout -the campaign of 1707, the enemy avoided a general<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -engagement: but in the following summer a gallant -French army, led by the princes of the blood, was overcome -at Oudenarde; and, although new armies and new -generals appeared, the career of Marlborough could not -be stopped. The barriers of France on the side of the -Low Countries,—the work of half a century,—were attacked. -A numerous French army were spectators of -the fall of Lisle, the bulwark of their barriers. Every -campaign added new conquests. In 1709 Tournay was -taken; and a powerful French army posted near Malplaquet, -in a position covered by thick woods, defended -by triple intrenchments, was attacked. The battle was -bloody,—the event decisive; the woods were pierced; the -fortifications were trampled down; and the enemy fled. -After this victory Mons was taken. In the succeeding -year Douay, Bethune, Aire, St. Venant, shared the same -fate; and the campaign of 1711 was distinguished by -splendid success. A new series of lines were passed, and -Bouchain captured. Nothing availed against a general -whose sagacity foresaw everything, whose vigilance attended -to everything, whose constancy no labour could -subdue, whose courage no danger could dismay, and -whose intuitive glance always caught the decisive moment -and insured victory; while the discipline he maintained, -and the confidence he inspired, were equivalent to an -army. The French monarch saw with alarm his generals -overmatched, his armies beaten and discouraged, his -fortresses wrested from him, and an invincible leader with -a victorious army on the confines of France, ready to -carry all the horrors of war into the heart of his kingdom, -and he sued for peace. A change of the ministry in -England, with the adoption of a policy favourable to the -French interest, was followed by the removal of the great -<span class="smcap">Marlborough</span> from all his offices dependent on the -British crown. He retired to the Continent, where he -remained until the accession of King George I., when he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> -was replaced in his former posts, in which he continued -until his decease in 1722.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Edward Viscount Cornbury.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 1st August, 1685.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Edward Hyde Viscount Cornbury</span>, son of the second -Earl of Clarendon, was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> when that corps was first embodied; -and having distinguished himself at the battle of Sedgemoor, -he succeeded Lord Churchill in the colonelcy of -the regiment. The circumstances of his removal are -stated at <a href="#Page_19">page 19</a> in the 'Historical Record of the Royal -Dragoons.'</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Robert Clifford.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 24th November, 1688.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Major Robert Clifford</span> of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> was -firmly devoted to the Roman Catholic interest, and in -November, 1688, by his exertions he recovered the regiment -for the service of King James, as stated at <a href="#Page_19">page 19</a> in -the Historical Record of the corps. At the revolution he -adhered to King James, and he commanded a corps of -dragoons in Ireland, until the siege of Limerick in 1691, -when he was imprisoned by the Irish on a charge of -favouring the passage of the Shannon by the English; -and would have been condemned to death, if the town -had not surrendered soon afterwards.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Edward Viscount Cornbury.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Re-appointed 31st December, 1688.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Lord Cornbury</span> was restored to the colonelcy of the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> by the Prince of Orange; but was -removed from his command a few months afterwards. -He was governor of New York, in the reign of Queen -Anne; and in October, 1709, succeeded to the title of -<span class="smcap">Earl of Clarendon</span>. His decease occurred on the -31st of March, 1723.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Anthony Hayford.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 1st July, 1689.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent">This Officer served in the life guards as a private gentleman, -and afterwards in the Duke of Monmouth's regiment -of horse in the reign of Charles II. In 1684 he was -appointed lieutenant in the horse grenadier guards. In -1687 he was lieutenant-colonel of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>. -He joined the Prince of Orange in November, 1688; and -succeeding Lord Cornbury in the colonelcy of the regiment -in 1689, served in Scotland and Ireland.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Edward Matthews.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed in June, 1690.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent">This Officer served as a volunteer at Tangier, in -Africa; also in Ireland in 1690 and the following year, -and distinguished himself on several occasions. He -also commanded a brigade of dragoons under King -William in Flanders, in 1694, 1695, and 1696; and died -on the 28th of May, 1697.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Thomas Lord Raby.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 30th May, 1697.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Thomas Wentworth</span>, son of Sir William Wentworth, -baronet, was appointed cornet of the fourth horse, now -third dragoon guards, on the 31st of December, 1688; -and in the following summer served with his regiment -against the rebel Highlanders in Scotland. In 1692 -he served in Flanders, and was in the advance-guard at the -battle of Steenkirk on the 3rd of August in that year, -where he highly distinguished himself, and the squadron -he was with, being exposed to a heavy cannonade, only -brought off fifty men alive out of one hundred and fifty. -His gallantry on this occasion was especially reported to -his sovereign, and he was appointed aide-de-camp to -His Majesty: in which capacity he served at the battle -of Landen, on the 19th of July, 1693, when his conduct -obtained the approbation of King William III., who promoted -him to the commission of cornet and major in the -first troop, now first regiment, of life guards.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> - -<p>Major Wentworth served with the life guards in the -subsequent campaigns in the Netherlands, and rose to -the rank of lieutenant, and lieutenant-colonel. He succeeded, -on the decease of William Earl of Strafford, to -the title of <span class="smcap">Lord Raby</span>; was appointed colonel of the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> in May, 1697; and attended the Earl -of Portland in the interviews with Marshal Boufflers, -which preceded the conclusion of peace at Ryswick. In -1698 his lordship accompanied King William to Holland, -and, on one occasion, when hunting with His -Majesty, he went alone and attacked a wild boar; the -animal, however, threw him down, and had already torn -his clothes and lacerated his flesh, when the King sent -two huntsmen to his aid, who speared the boar.</p> - -<p>In the first year of the reign of Queen Anne, Lord -Raby served with his regiment on the Continent, and in -January, 1703, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. -In the spring of the same year he was appointed -envoy extraordinary to the King of Prussia, and -subsequently ambassador extraordinary at the same -court; and on the first of January, 1705, was advanced -to the rank of major-general. His lordship served in -the army under the Duke of Marlborough, during the -brilliant campaign of 1706; and, on the 1st of January -following, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general. -In 1711 he was sworn of the privy council, -and appointed ambassador extraordinary to the States-General -of Holland; and in September of the same -year he was advanced to the dignity of <span class="smcap">Earl of Strafford</span>. -His Lordship took an active part in negociating -the treaty of peace at Utrecht; but after the accession -of George I., he was removed from his public -employments. The Earl of Strafford died on the 15th of -November, 1739.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Richard Lord Cobham.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 13th June, 1715.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Sir Richard Temple</span> served under King William in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> -the Netherlands; and, on the breaking out of the war of -the Spanish succession, he was promoted to the colonelcy -of a newly-raised regiment of foot, which was disbanded -at the peace of Utrecht. He served under the great -Duke of Marlborough, and was conspicuous for a noble -bearing, a greatness of soul, and a contempt of danger, -which he exhibited in a signal manner at the sieges of -Venloo and Ruremonde, at the battle of Oudenarde, and -at the siege of the important fortress of Lisle. In -January, 1709, he was promoted to the rank of major-general, -and his conduct at the siege of Tournay, the -sanguinary battle of Malplaquet, and siege of Mons, was -rewarded, in the following year, with the rank of lieutenant-general -and the colonelcy of the fourth dragoons. -He served under the Duke of Marlborough in 1711, and -had the honour of taking part in the forcing of the -French lines at Arleux, and the capture of the strong -fortress of Bouchain. After the change in the ministry, -and the adoption of a new system of policy by the court, -the well-known attachment of this officer to the Protestant -succession, occasioned him to be removed from -his regiment; but on the accession of King George I. he -was elevated to the peerage by the title of <span class="smcap">Baron of -Cobham</span>, and in 1715 he was appointed colonel of the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>. In 1717 he was appointed governor -of Windsor Castle; in 1718 he was advanced to the -dignity of <span class="smcap">Viscount Cobham</span>; and in 1721 he was removed -to the King's horse, now first dragoon guards. -He was also one of the privy council, and governor of -the island of Jersey; but resigned his appointments in -1733. On the change of the ministry in 1742 he was -promoted to the rank of field-marshal, and in December -of the same year King George II. conferred upon him -the colonelcy of the first troop of horse grenadier guards. -In 1744 he was removed to the sixth horse, and in 1745 -to the tenth dragoons, the colonelcy of which corps he -retained until his decease in 1749.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Sir Charles Hotham, Baronet.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 10th April, 1721.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Charles Hotham</span>, eldest son of the Rev. Charles -Hotham, Rector of Wigan, succeeded to the dignity of -baronet on the decease of his uncle in 1691. He served -with distinction in the wars of King William III., and -also under the great Duke of Marlborough in the reign -of Queen Anne; and in 1705 he obtained the colonelcy -of a regiment of foot, with which he proceeded to Spain -in 1706, and was in garrison at Alicant when the unfortunate -battle of Almanza was fought. Sir Charles -served with reputation during the remainder of the war; -but his regiment, having suffered severely in the defence -of several fortified towns, was disbanded in Catalonia -in 1708. He was appointed brigadier-general in 1710; -and shortly after the accession of King George I., he -was commissioned to raise a regiment of foot, which, -after the suppression of the rebellion of the Earl of Mar, -was sent to Ireland, and disbanded in the following year, -when Sir Charles was appointed colonel of a newly-raised -regiment of dragoons, which was, however, disbanded -in November, 1718.</p> - -<p>On the 7th of July, 1719, the colonelcy of the thirty-sixth -regiment of foot was conferred on Sir Charles -Hotham; he was removed to the eighth foot in December -1720; and in April following to the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>. -His decease occurred on the 8th of January, 1723.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Humphrey Gore.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 12th January, 1723.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent">This Officer entered the army as ensign in 1689, and -saw much service in the campaigns of King William on -the Continent. On the 1st of February, 1707, he was -appointed colonel of a newly-raised regiment of foot, -with which he proceeded to Spain in 1709, and was appointed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -brigadier-general on the 1st of January following. -He was at the battles of Almanara and Saragossa -in 1710, and was taken prisoner by the French in the -unfortunate affair at the village of Brihuega in December -of the same year.<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> At the peace of Utrecht his regiment -of foot was disbanded; but proving a loyal and faithful -adherent to the Protestant succession, at a time when -Jacobite principles had become prevalent in the kingdom, -he was commissioned by King George I., in July, 1715, -to raise a regiment of dragoons—the present tenth royal -hussars. He was removed to the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, in -1723; appointed major-general on the 6th of March, -1727; lieutenant-general on the 29th of October, 1735; -and he died on the 18th of August, 1739.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Charles Duke of Marlborough, K.G.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 1st September, 1739.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Charles Spencer</span>, fourth Earl of Sunderland, succeeded -to the title of <span class="smcap">Duke of Marlborough</span> in 1733; and -five years afterwards he was appointed colonel of the -thirty-eighth regiment of foot. In 1739 he was removed -to the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, in the following year to the -second troops of life guards, and in 1742 to the second -regiment of foot guards; and he commanded the brigade -of foot guards at the battle of Dettingen. In 1755 he -was appointed master-general of the ordnance; and in -1758 commanded the expedition against France, when -the enemy's magazines and shipping at St. Maloes were -destroyed. He was subsequently appointed to command -the forces sent to Germany; and died on the Continent -in October, 1758.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Henry Hawley.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 12th May, 1740.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent">This Officer served the crown in four successive reigns,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -and held a commission in the army during a period of sixty-five -years. His first appointment was dated the 10th -of January, 1694; and having signalized himself in the -wars of Queen Anne, he obtained the rank of colonel by -brevet dated the 16th of October, 1712. He was wounded -at the battle of Dumblain in 1715. On the 19th of -March, 1717, he was promoted from the lieutenant-colonelcy -of the fourth dragoons to the colonelcy of the -thirty-third regiment of foot; and on the 7th of July, -1730, he was removed to the colonelcy of the thirteenth -dragoons. In 1735 he was promoted to the rank of -brigadier-general; in 1739 to that of major-general; -and in the following year obtained the colonelcy of the -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>. In 1742 Major-General Hawley -proceeded with the army to Flanders, he was promoted -to the rank of lieutenant-general in the following spring, -and served at the battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy. -In 1746 he commanded against the rebel Highlanders -in Scotland, and the troops under his orders had a sharp -encounter with the enemy near Falkirk, and sustained -considerable loss. He was afterwards on the staff of -the army in Ireland; was many years governor of Portsmouth; -and died on the 24th of March, 1759.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">The Honourable Henry Seymour Conway.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 5th April, 1759.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">The Honourable Henry Seymour Conway</span>, second -son of Lord Conway, and brother of Francis Earl of -Hertford, was appointed lieutenant in the first foot guards -in 1737, captain and lieutenant-colonel in 1741, and in -1746 he was appointed aide-de-camp to the Duke of -Cumberland, and promoted to the colonelcy of the fifty-ninth -(now forty-eighth) foot. He was removed to the -thirty-fourth foot in 1749, to the thirteenth dragoons in -1751, and to the fourth horse in 1754. In 1756 he was -promoted to the rank of major-general, and in 1759 -to that of lieutenant-general: he was removed to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> -<span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span> in the same year. He commanded a -division of the allied army in Germany, under the Duke -of Brunswick, in 1761; and the British forces in Germany -were placed under his orders during the absence of the -Marquis of Granby. He was also one of the grooms of -the bedchamber to his Majesty, and a member of parliament; -and having voted against ministers on the great -question of military warrants, in 1764, he resigned his -court appointment and military commands: but in 1768 -he was appointed colonel of the fourth dragoons. In -1770 he succeeded the Marquis of Granby in the colonelcy -of the royal regiment of horse guards; in 1772 he was -promoted to the rank of general; and in 1782 he was appointed -commander-in-chief of the army: in 1793 he -was promoted to the rank of field-marshal. He died in -1795; at which period he was eldest general officer and -first field marshal in the army.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Henry Earl of Pembroke.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 9th May, 1764.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Henry Herbert</span>, tenth Earl of Pembroke, entered the -army in 1752; in 1754 he obtained a captaincy in the -first, dragoon guards; in 1756 he was appointed captain -and lieutenant-colonel in the first foot guards; and on -the 8th of May, 1758, he was appointed aide-de-camp to -King George II. with the rank of colonel. In the following -year he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the -fifteenth light dragoons, and proceeding to Germany, he -served with distinction under the Marquis of Granby -during the remainder of the seven years' war. The rank -of major-general was conferred on his lordship in 1761, -and in 1764 King George III. gave him the colonelcy -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>. On the 30th of April, 1770, -he obtained the rank of lieutenant-general, and was promoted -to that of general in November, 1782. The Earl -of Pembroke was author of an excellent work on horsemanship;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> -was many years governor of Portsmouth; and -died on the 26th of January, 1794.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Philip Goldsworthy.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 28th January, 1794.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent">This Officer was many years in the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, -with which corps he served in Germany during the -Seven years' war. On the 18th of April, 1779, he was -promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment; -obtained the rank of major-general on the 20th of December, -1793; and in the following month succeeded -the Earl of Pembroke in the colonelcy. On the 26th -of June, 1799, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general. -He died in 1801.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Thomas Garth.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 7th January, 1801.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Thomas Garth</span> was appointed cornet in the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> on the 12th of April, 1762, and he served -the campaign of that year with his regiment in Germany. -He was appointed lieutenant in the same corps in 1765, -captain in 1775; and in 1779 exchanged to the twentieth -light dragoons, with which corps he proceeded to -the West Indies, where he served many years. In 1792 -he was appointed major in the second dragoon guards; -and, in 1794, lieutenant-colonel of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>. -He served under the Duke of York in Flanders; and -was rewarded with the colonelcy of the Sussex fencibles, -from which he was removed to the twenty-second light -dragoons. He was promoted to the rank of major-general -in 1798; and in 1801 he obtained the colonelcy -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>. The rank of lieutenant-general -was conferred on him in 1805, and that of general in -1814. He died in 1829.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Lord Robert Edward Henry Somerset.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 23rd November, 1829.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Lord R. Edward H. Somerset</span> (third son of Henry -fifth Duke of Beaufort) was appointed in 1793 cornet -in the tenth dragoons, with which corps he served six -years. In 1799 he was appointed major in the twelfth -light dragoons; in 1800 he was removed to the twenty-eighth -light dragoons; and in 1801 he was promoted to -the lieutenant-colonelcy of the fourth, or Queen's own -dragoons, which regiment he commanded at the battles -of Talavera and Salamanca, where he particularly distinguished -himself. He was promoted to the rank of -major-general in 1813; commanded a brigade of cavalry -at the battles of Vittoria, Orthes, and Toulouse; and -signalized himself at the head of the household cavalry -brigade at the battle of Waterloo. He also commanded -a brigade of cavalry in the army of occupation in France. -His services were rewarded with a cross and one clasp; -and the grand cross of the order of the Bath. He subsequently -performed the duties of inspecting general of -the cavalry; he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general -in 1825; and in 1829 obtained the colonelcy -of the <span class="smcap">Royal Dragoons</span>, from which his lordship was -removed in 1836, to the fourth light dragoons.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Hon. Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby</span>, K.C.B., -G.C.M.G., and K.C.H.</p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 31st March, 1836.</em></p> - -<p class="noindent"><span class="smcap">Hon. Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby</span>, second son of -Frederick third earl of Besborough, was appointed cornet -in the tenth dragoons in 1800, and rose in 1803 to -the rank of captain in the same corps, from which he exchanged -to the sixtieth regiment in 1806. In 1807 he -was appointed major in the twenty-third light dragoons, at -the head of which corps he distinguished himself at the -battle of Talavera in 1809; and in 1810 was promoted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment. In 1811 he -served under lieutenant-general Graham at Cadiz; and -at the battle of Barossa, in March of that year, he -attacked, with a squadron of German dragoons, the -French cavalry covering the retreat, overthrew them, -took two guns, and even attempted, though vainly, to -sabre Rousseau's battalions. On the 11th of June, 1811, -he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the twelfth light -dragoons; at the head of which corps he served under Lord -Wellington, and distinguished himself, in April, 1812, at -Llerena, in one of the most brilliant cavalry actions -during the war. At the battle of Salamanca he charged -the French infantry, broke his sword in the fight, and his -horse received several bayonet wounds. He repeatedly -evinced great judgment, penetration, and resolution in -out-post duty, and was wounded in the retreat from -Burgos, on the 13th of October, 1812. At the battle of -Vittoria he again distinguished himself: his services at -Tolosa, St. Sebastian, and Nive were also conspicuous; -and, on the king's birth-day in 1814, he was promoted to -the rank of colonel in the army. He commanded the -twelfth light dragoons at the battle of Waterloo, where -he led his regiment to the charge with signal intrepidity,—received -sabre cuts on both arms,—was brought to the -ground by a blow on the head,—pierced through the -back by a lancer,—plundered by a tirailleur,—ridden over -by two squadrons of cavalry,—and plundered a second -time by a Prussian soldier; but afterwards recovered of -his wounds. His services were rewarded with the following -marks of royal favour:—Knight companion of the -order of the Bath,—Knight grand cross of the order of -St. Michael and St. George,—Knight commander of the -Hanoverian Guelphic order,—a cross,—a Waterloo -medal,—Knight of the Tower and Sword of Portugal,—and -Knight of Maria Theresa of Austria. In January, -1824, he was appointed inspecting field-officer in the -Ionian islands: he was promoted brigadier-general upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> -the staff of those islands on the 4th of March, 1824; and -in June, 1825, he was advanced to the rank of major-general: he -was removed to the staff at Malta, and retained -the command of the troops in that island until May, -1835. In 1835 he obtained the colonelcy of the eighty-sixth -regiment, from which he was removed to the <span class="smcap">Royal -Dragoons</span> in the following year. He was an ornament -to his profession. In him, military talent was united -with the most chivalrous bravery,—calm judgment,—cool -decision,—resolute action,—and modest deportment. -He died on the 10th of January, 1837.</p> - - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">Sir Hussey Vivian, Baronet, G.C.B., and G.C.H.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><em>Appointed 20th January, 1837.</em></p> - - -<p class="p6" /> -<hr class="fulla" /> - -<p class="pfs70"><span class="smcap">London</span>:—Printed by <span class="smcap">W. Clowes</span> and <span class="smcap">Sons</span>, Duke-street, Stamford-street.</p> - - -<p class="p2" /> -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> Vide the Historical Record of the Life Guards.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> Vide <a href="#Page_51">page 51</a> in the 'Historical Record of the Royal Dragoons.'</p></div></div> - - -<p class="p6 pg-brk" /> -<p class="pfs135 lsp2">HISTORICAL RECORDS</p> - -<p class="p2 pfs60">OF THE</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs180 lsp">BRITISH ARMY.</p> - -<p class="p2" /> -<hr class="r40a" /> -<hr class="r40b" /> - -<p class="p2 pfs60">UNDER THE SPECIAL AUTHORITY, AND BY COMMAND, OF</p> - -<p class="pfs120">HIS LATE MAJESTY,</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs60">WHICH HAVE RECEIVED THE GRACIOUS APPROBATION AND PATRONAGE OF</p> - -<p class="pfs135">HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN.</p> - -<p class="p1" /> -<hr class="r40a" /> -<hr class="r40b" /> - -<div class="p2 center fs70"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdc fs90" colspan="3">CAVALRY.</td><td class="tdc fs90" colspan="4">INFANTRY.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc fs90" colspan="3">———</td><td class="tdc fs90" colspan="4">———</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">Of the</td><td class="tdl">Life Guards</td><td class="tdr">12<em>s.</em></td><td class="bl"></td><td class="tdl">Of the</td><td class="tdl">First, or Royal Regiment of Foot</td><td class="tdr">12<em>s.</em></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Royal Horse Guards, or Blues</td><td class="tdr">10<em>s.</em></td><td class="bl"></td><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Second, or Queen's Foot</td><td class="tdr">8<em>s.</em></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">First, or King's Dragoon Guards</td><td class="tdr">8<em>s.</em></td><td class="bl"></td><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Third Foot, or the Buffs</td><td class="tdr">12<em>s.</em></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Second, or Queen's ditto</td><td class="tdr">8<em>s.</em></td><td class="bl"></td><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Fourth Foot, or the King's Own.</td><td class="tdr">8<em>s.</em></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Third Dragoon Guards</td><td class="tdr">8<em>s.</em></td><td class="bl"></td><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Fifth, or Northumberland Fusiliers</td><td class="tdr">8<em>s.</em></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Fourth ditto</td><td class="tdr">8<em>s.</em></td><td class="bl"></td><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Sixth, or Royal First Warwickshire</td><td class="tdr">8<em>s.</em></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Fifth ditto</td><td class="tdr">8<em>s.</em></td><td class="bl"></td><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Eighty-eighth, or Connaught Rangers</td><td class="tdr">6<em>s.</em></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Sixth ditto</td><td class="tdr">8<em>s.</em></td><td class="bl"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdc">"</td><td class="tdl">Seventh ditto</td><td class="tdr">8<em>s.</em></td><td class="bl"></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<p class="p1 pfs90 bold">EACH ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES.</p> - -<hr class="r30a" /> - -<p class="pfs80">The above are Parts of a Series of Narratives of the several Regiments of the -British Army, from the Periods of their Formation to the present time.</p> - -<p class="p1 pfs80"><em>Which are being prepared by</em></p> - -<p class="pfs120 lsp">RICHARD CANNON, <span class="smcap">Esq.</span>,</p> - -<p class="pfs80"><em>Adjutant-General's Office, Horse-Guards</em>.</p> - -<p class="pfs100">1840.</p> - -<hr class="r30a" /> - -<div class="p2 center fs70"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="95%" summary=""> -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="3">PUBLISHED BY</td></tr> -<tr><td> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Longman</span>, <span class="smcap">Orme</span>, and <span class="smcap">Co.</span> Paternoster-row.</td><td class="bl"></td><td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Pinkney</span>, Military Library, Whitehall.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Clowes</span> and <span class="smcap">Sons</span>, 14, Charing-cross.</td><td class="bl"></td><td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Milliken</span> and <span class="smcap">Son</span>, Dublin.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Ridgway</span> and <span class="smcap">Sons</span>, Piccadilly.</td><td class="bl"></td><td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Savage</span> and <span class="smcap">Son</span>, Cork.</td></tr> -<tr><td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Calkin</span> and <span class="smcap">Budd</span>, 118, Pall-mall.</td><td class="bl"></td><td class="tdl">A. and C. <span class="smcap">Black</span>, Edinburgh.</td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<div class="transnote pg-brk"> -<a name="TN" id="TN"></a> -<p><strong>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE</strong></p> - -<p>Some pages at the front of the book have identical numbering, pages i to viii and -then v to viii. This has not been changed.</p> - -<p>Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been -corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within -the text and consultation of external sources.</p> - -<p>Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, -and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained. For example, -War Office, War-Office; field marshal, field-marshal; outpost, -out-post; situate; patrole; rencounter; piquet; negociating.</p> - -<p> -<a href="#Page_94">Pg 94</a>, 'St. Jao de Presquere' should really be 'São João da Pesqueira' - but has not been changed in the etext.<br /> -<a href="#Page_99">Pg 99</a> et seq., the old name 'Pampeluna' (Pamplona) has not been - changed in the etext.<br /> -<a href="#Page_110">Pg 110</a>, Sidenote '1816' moved one paragraph lower.<br /> -<a href="#Page_119">Pg 119</a>, 'royal fusileers' replaced by 'royal fusiliers'.<br /> -<a href="#Page_125">Pg 125</a>, 'Duke of Malborough' replaced by 'Duke of Marlborough'.<br /> -</p> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Historical Record of the First or The -Royal Regiment of Dragoons: From Its , by Richard Cannon - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS: *** - -***** This file should be named 54891-h.htm or 54891-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/8/9/54891/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, John Campbell and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/54891-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/54891-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index fbe109c..0000000 --- a/old/54891-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54891-h/images/frontis.jpg b/old/54891-h/images/frontis.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index f17186b..0000000 --- a/old/54891-h/images/frontis.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54891-h/images/i_b_004fp.jpg b/old/54891-h/images/i_b_004fp.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3af9fbf..0000000 --- a/old/54891-h/images/i_b_004fp.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54891-h/images/i_b_116fp.jpg b/old/54891-h/images/i_b_116fp.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 701ac4f..0000000 --- a/old/54891-h/images/i_b_116fp.jpg +++ /dev/null |
