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diff --git a/old/55776-0.txt b/old/55776-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 89c3703..0000000 --- a/old/55776-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,24035 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Royal Sappers and Miners, -Volume 1 (of 2), by T. W. J. Connolly - -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: History of the Royal Sappers and Miners, Volume 1 (of 2) - From the Formation of the Corps in March 1712 to the date - when its designation was changed to that of Royal Engineers - -Author: T. W. J. Connolly - -Release Date: October 19, 2017 [EBook #55776] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE ROYAL SAPPERS, VOL 1 *** - - - - -Produced by KD Weeks, Brian Coe and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was -produced from images made available by the HathiTrust -Digital Library.) - - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Transcriber’s Note: - -This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects. -Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_. Superscripted -characters are preceded by ‘^’. - -Footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they are -referenced. The numbering of footnotes began again at ‘1’ for each -chapter. In this version, footnotes have been re-sequenced across the -text for uniqueness of reference. There are several instances of -footnotes appearing as glosses on other footnotes, identified in all -instances as ‘a’. These have been numbered ‘Na’, where ‘N’ is the number -of the note. - -Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please -see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding -the handling of any textual issues encountered during its preparation. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - SOLDIER ARTIFICER COMPANY Plate I. - UNIFORM 1786 Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - FROM THE FORMATION OF THE CORPS IN MARCH 1772, TO THE DATE - WHEN ITS DESIGNATION WAS CHANGED TO THAT OF - ROYAL ENGINEERS, - IN OCTOBER 1856. - - BY - - T. W. J. CONNOLLY, - QUARTERMASTER OF THE ROYAL ENGINEERS. - - “Of most disastrous chances, - Of moving accidents, by flood and field; - Of hair-breadth scapes i' the imminent deadly breach.”—_Shakspeare._ - - “There is a corps which is often about him, unseen and unsuspected, and - which is labouring - as hard for him in peace as others do in war.”—_The Times._ - - =With Seventeen Coloured Illustrations.= - - _SECOND EDITION, WITH CONSIDERABLE ADDITIONS._ - - IN TWO VOLUMES.—VOL. I. - - - - - LONDON: - LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, LONGMANS, AND ROBERTS. - 1857. - - - - - LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING - CROSS. - - - - - PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. - - ------------------ - - -The First Edition of the Work has long been out of print, and the Second -would have been published earlier, only that an expected change in the -designation of the corps delayed its appearance. That change having -occurred, the volumes are republished, recording the services of the -corps to the date it continued to bear its old title. - -Revised in many places, with verbal inaccuracies corrected, aided -moreover by journals and official memoranda placed at my disposal to -modify or enlarge certain incidents and services, the work is as -complete as it would seem to be possible at present to produce it. - -The concluding Chapters record the services of the corps in the Aland -Islands, in Turkey, Bulgaria, Circassia, Wallachia, and the Crimea. The -siege of Sebastopol and the destruction of the memorable docks have been -given with the fulness which the industry and gallantry of the sappers -merited; and in order that the many adventures and enterprises recorded -in the final years of the history should not fail in interest and -accuracy, Colonel Sandham, the Director of the Royal Engineer -Establishment, with the permission of General Sir John Burgoyne, kindly -lent me the assistance of the Engineers’ Diary of the Siege, as well as -several collateral reports concerning its progress and the demolition of -the docks. At the same time I think it right to say, that no attempt has -been made in these pages to offer a history of the Crimean operations. -So much only of the details has been worked into the narrative as was -necessary to preserve unbroken the thread of sapper services in -connexion with particular works and undertakings. - -It should also be borne in mind, that these volumes are devoted to the -affairs of the Royal Sappers and Miners; and, consequently, that care -has been taken to touch as lightly as practicable on the services of -other regiments. Hence the officers of the Royal Engineers have only -been named when it was desirable to identify them with parties of -Sappers, whom on certain occasions they commanded. - -I feel a loyal pride in being able to state that the work has been -honoured with the munificent patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, and of -His Royal Highness the Prince Albert; than which nothing could be more -acceptable to me, either as an author or a subject. - -In closing I beg to express my deep obligations to General Sir John -Burgoyne, Bart., G.C.B., the officers of the corps generally, my -personal friends, and the public, for the patronage with which I have -been favoured; and also to the Press, for the handsome manner in which -it has noticed and commended my labours. - - -_Brompton Barracks,_ - _March 1857._ - - - - - PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. - - ------------------ - - -In 1836, soon after Lieutenant Robert Dashwood, R.E., was appointed -Acting Adjutant of the Royal Sappers and Miners at Woolwich, he was -directed by Brigade-Major, now Colonel Matson, to prepare a list of -officers of the Royal Engineers who had commanded, from time to time, -the different companies of the corps. I assisted him in the duty; but -while he was in the midst of his work, he was prematurely cut off by -death, and the task of completing the statement devolved on me. It now -forms a referential record at the head-quarter office. - -Led in its progress to consult old documents and returns, I conceived -the idea of making myself acquainted with the whole history of the -corps. With this view, after daily fulfilling the routine duty of the -office, I spent all my leisure intervals in bringing to light old books -and papers, which for years had been buried in disused depositories and -stores. - -Whilst thus engaged, two Acting Adjutants, Lieutenants F. A. Yorke and -T. Webb, R.E., were successively appointed to the corps at Woolwich. -Both officers entered with some spirit into the attempt to trace a -history of its services; but before they had proceeded to any great -length, were interrupted in their labours by removal to other stations -in consequence of promotion. Adjutant Yorke, however, succeeded so far, -that he drew up a brief account of the formation of the sappers, -commencing with the Gibraltar company in 1772, and detailed its -subsequent augmentations and reductions. This statement also forms a -permanent record in the office; and Captain Webb made fair progress with -an outline account of its active services. To both officers it was my -good fortune to afford such aid as they required, in the collection of -information for their respective efforts. - -In 1847, when medals were granted to the veterans of the last war, -Brigade-Major, now Colonel Sandham, observed the readiness with which I -spoke of historical events in which the corps was concerned, and of the -services of particular individuals who had belonged to it. He also saw -the facility with which I supplied the information required to establish -the claims of the several applicants for medals and clasps. This induced -him, after some little conversation on the subject, to direct me to -prepare for publication a history of the corps. Much fragmentary matter -I had already accumulated, for twelve years had been consumed by me in -wading through books and documents in quest of dates and occurrences. -Nevertheless, it was not without serious misgivings that I set myself -officially to the task, and the researches and labours embodied in the -following pages are the result. - -In the intervals of important and onerous public duty, the materials for -the memoir have been collected and the work methodized and written. -Necessarily severe was the application required under such -circumstances; but by steady perseverance, even at times when my health -was scarcely able to bear up against the exertion it needed, I have -succeeded, without omitting any service that I know of, in completing -the history to the siege of Sebastopol. - -The work certainly is one of no pretension, and on this score may be -regarded as having cost but little toil in its preparation; but I may -observe, that from the absence of many particular records, the -unaccountable neglect in furnishing others, and the striking -imperfections in many of the remaining papers, arising from complexity, -vagueness, obliteration, or decay, more than ordinary difficulty, -research, and trouble were experienced, in gathering the materials -essential to give anything like a reasonable delineation of the events -narrated in the Memoir. Paucity of detail in numbers, want of -description with reference to particular occurrences, and gaps in many -years from the loss of muster-rolls and official documents, run through -a period of nearly half a century, from 1772 to 1815: and strange as it -may appear, even the casualties in action so carefully reported in other -corps, have, from some inexplicable cause, either been omitted -altogether in the war despatches or given inaccurately. In later years, -however, the connexion between the officers of the Royal Engineers and -the soldiers of the Royal Sappers and Miners has been so fully -established, that attention to these important minutiæ forms a decided -feature in the improved command of the corps. - -In employments of a purely civil character in which the Royal Sappers -and Miners have shared, care has been taken to explain, as fully as the -records and collateral evidence would admit, the nature of its duties; -and, likewise, to multiply authorities to prove the estimation in which -it was held for its services and conduct. This has been mainly done, to -offer a practical reply to an association, incorporated within the last -twelve years, which, in the course of a futile agitation, endeavoured by -injurious statements to lessen the corps in public esteem. - -All mention of the Royal Engineers in this memoir has been studiously -suppressed, except when such was unavoidable to give identity to the -different duties and services of the Royal Sappers and Miners, and also, -when their direct and particular connexion with the corps in certain -situations, rendered allusion to them justifiable. This course was -suggested to me by an officer of high rank, for the obvious reason that, -as the Royal Engineers is a body entirely distinct from the Sappers and -Miners, and possesses its own annals, any reference to, or -particularization of, its services in a work professedly confined to the -corps, would not only be extraneous, but tend to lessen its value, and -weaken its interest with those for whose information it was especially -written. - -Here, however, it should be observed, that the Royal Sappers and Miners, -though a separate and integral body of itself, is nevertheless, and has -been from the commencement, officered by the Royal Engineers; and -whatever excellence or advancement is traced in its career and public -usefulness, whether as soldiers or mechanics, is fairly, in a great -degree, attributable to the officers; for, in every circumstance of -service and situation, they have liberally opened up for them new -channels of employment to engage their faculties and energies, and have -afforded them at all times scope and facilities to develop their mental -and physical resources, and to fit them to perform with credit, not only -the circumscribed duties of soldiers, but the more extended requirements -of sappers, artizans, and professional men. - -By the omission of all but special reference to the officers, room has -thus been given for mentioning many non-commissioned officers and -privates, who have attracted public attention and gained encomium for -their meritorious services; some for their skill and ingenuity; others -for their integrity and devotion; and others for their acquirements, -their vigorous exertions and labours; their ardour, their endurance, and -their valour. While the recognition of such examples cannot fail to -incite others to emulate the military virtues of their more -distinguished predecessors and comrades, it is earnestly hoped, that -every member of the corps will be led to feel a personal interest in its -reputation and honour, and a pride in its discipline and loyalty; its -usefulness and efficiency in peace; its heroism and achievements in war. - -The drawings were executed on stone by George B. Campion, Esq., master -of landscape drawing at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. In -illustrations like those in the present volumes, it was scarcely -possible to delineate with exactness the complicated ornament which make -up the _ensemble_ of a soldier’s uniform. Notwithstanding this -disadvantage, the costume has been well defined, and much interest given -to the embellishments, by the introduction of accessories, -characteristic of the duties and employments of the corps. - -My respectful acknowledgments are due to Sir John Burgoyne, the -Inspector-General of Fortifications, for making the subject of my -exertions known in a circular from his own hand, to the officers of the -Royal Engineers; and in offering him the expression of my gratitude, I -think it right with a feeling of sincere thankfulness to mention, that -the success which has attended that kind appeal, has been more, perhaps, -than I could reasonably expect. Several of the officers have afforded me -much encouragement in the work, as well by suggestion and advice, as by -the liberality of their contributions; but, wanting the liberty to -publish their names, I am precluded from making a record, to which it -would have been my pride to give publicity. - -To my own corps I am also indebted for many pleasing proofs of concern, -as evinced in their anxiety to see the undertaking prosper. Nearly 200 -copies have been demanded by the non-commissioned officers, including a -few of the privates, and when the price of the work is considered, the -generosity of my patrons is as striking as noble. - -To S. W. Fullom, Esq., I here offer the expression of my grateful thanks -for his amiable and disinterested counsel, cheerfully accorded on the -many occasions I had to seek it; and for kindly assisting me in looking -over the sheets as the work passed through the press. - -I now submit the volumes to my corps and the profession, and am not -without hope that they may also be acceptable to a portion of the -public. As far as the sources of my information and research have -extended, the memoir will be found truthful and impartial. It was my aim -to execute it with an integrity that would place me beyond impeachment: -I therefore feel some confidence that indulgence will be shown for its -defects, and also for whatever errors, through inadvertency, may have -crept into the work. - - THOMAS CONNOLLY. - -_Royal Sappers and Miners’ Barracks, - Woolwich, March 1855._ - - - - - CONTENTS OF VOL. I. - - ------- - - - 1772-1779. - PAGE - - Origin of Corps—Its establishment and pay—Engineers to 1 - command it—Its designation—Working - pay—Recruiting—Dismissal of civil artificers—Names of - officers—Non-commissioned officers—First - augmentation—Consequent promotions—Names of other officers - joined—King’s Bastion—Second augmentation - - 1779-1782. - - Jealousy of Spain—Declares war with England—Strength of the 10 - garrison at Gibraltar—Preparations for defence and - employment of the company—Siege commenced—Privations of - the garrison—Grand sortie and conduct of the company—Its - subsequent exertions—Origin of the subterranean - galleries—Their extraordinary prosecution—Princess Anne’s - battery—Third augmentation—Names of non-commissioned - officers - - - 1782-1783. - - Siege continued—Magnitude of the works—Chevaux-de-frise from 22 - Landport-Glacis across the inundation—Précis of other - works—Firing red-hot shot—Damage done to the works of the - garrison, and exertions of the company in restoring - them—Grand attack, and burning of the battering - flotilla—Reluctance of the enemy to quit the contest—Kilns - for heating shot—Orange bastion—Subterranean - galleries—Discovery of the enemy mining under the - Rock—Ulterior dependence of the enemy—Peace—Conduct of the - company during the siege—Casualties - - - 1783. - - Duc de Crillon’s compliments respecting the 29 - works—Subterranean galleries—Their supposed - inefficiency—Henry Ince—Quickness of sight of two boys of - the company—Employment of the boys during the siege—Thomas - Richmond and John Brand—Models constructed by them - - - 1783. - - State of the fortress—Execution of the works depended upon 39 - the company—Casualties filled up by transfers from the - line—Composition—Recruiting—Relieved from all duties, - garrison and regimental—Anniversary of the destruction of - the Spanish battering flotilla - - - 1786-1787. - - Company divided into two—Numerous discharges—Cause of the 43 - men becoming so soon ineffective—Fourth - augmentation—Labourers—Recruiting, - reinforcements—Dismissal of foreign artificers—Wreck of - brig ‘Mercury’—Uniform dress—Working ditto—Names of - officers—Privileges—Cave under the signal-house - - - 1779-1788. - - Colonel Debbieg’s proposal for organizing a corps of 53 - artificers—Rejected—Employment of artillerymen on the - works at home—Duke of Richmond’s “Extensive plans of - fortification”—Formation of corps ordered—Singular silence - of the House of Commons on the subject—Mr. Sheridan calls - attention to it—Insertion of corps for first time in the - Mutiny Bill—Debate upon it in both Houses of Parliament - - - 1787-1788. - - Constitution of corps—Master artificers—Officers—Rank and 64 - post of the corps—Captains of companies; - stations—Allowance to captains; - adjutants—Recruiting—Labourers—“Richmond’s whims”—Progress - of recruiting—Articles of agreement—Corps not to do - garrison duty—Sergeant-Majors—John Drew—Alexander - Spence—Uniform dress—Working dress—Hearts o' - pipe-clay—“The Queen’s bounty”—Arms, &c.—Distinction of - ranks—Jews’ wish - - - 1789-1792. - - Appointment of Quartermaster and 72 - Colonel-Commandant—Distribution of corps, Captains of - companies—Jealousy and ill-feeling of the civil - artificers—Riot at Plymouth—Its casualties—Recruits - wrecked on passage to Gibraltar—Song, “Bay of Biscay, - O!”—Defence of the Tower of London against the - Jacobins—Bagshot-heath encampment—Alterations in the - uniform and working dress - - - 1793. - - War with France—Artificers demanded for foreign 81 - service—Consequent effects—Detachment to West Indies—Fever - at Antigua—Detachment to Flanders—Siege of - Valenciennes—Waterdown Camp—Reinforcement to - Flanders—Siege of Dunkirk—Nieuport—Another reinforcement - to Flanders—Toulon—Private Samuel Myers at Fort - Mulgrave—Formation of four companies for service - abroad—Establishment and strength of corps - - - 1794-1795. - - Working dress—Company sails for West 90 - Indies—Martinique—Spirited conduct of detachment - there—Guadaloupe—Mortality—Toulon—Flanders—Reinforcement - to company there—Return of the company—Works at - Gravesend—Irregularities in the corps—Causes—Redeeming - qualities—Appointment of Regimental Adjutant and - Sergeant-major—Consequences—Woolwich becomes the - head-quarters—Alteration in working dress - - - 1795-1796. - - Companies to St. Domingo and the Caribbee Islands—Reduction 101 - of St. Lucia—Conduct of company there—Gallantry in forming - lodgment and converting it into a battery—Attack on - Bombarde—Distribution and conduct of St. Domingo - company—Mortality in the West Indies—Detachment to - Halifax, Nova Scotia—Dougal Hamilton—Detachments to - Calshot Castle and St. Marcou - - - 1797. - - Detachments to Portugal—To Dover—Transfers to the 105 - Artillery-Enlistment of artificers only—Incorporation of - Gibraltar companies with the corps—Capture of - Trinidad—Draft to West Indies—Failure at Porto - Rico—Fording the lagoon, by private D. Sinclair—Private W. - Rogers at the bridge St. Julien—Saves his - officer—Casualties by fever in Caribbean company—Filling - up company at St. Domingo with negroes—Mutinies in the - fleet at Portsmouth—Conduct of Plymouth company—Emeute in - the Royal Artillery, Woolwich—Increase of pay—Marquis - Cornwallis’s approbation of the corps—Mutiny at the - Nore—Consequent removal of detachment to - Gravesend—Alterations in dress - - - 1798-1799. - - Contribution of corps to the State—Detachment with 116 - expedition to maritime Flanders—Destruction of the Bruges - canal—Battle near Ostend—Draft to West Indies—Capture of - Surinam—St. Domingo evacuated—Expedition to - Minorca—Conduct of detachment while serving - there—Composition of detachments for foreign - service—Parties to Sevenoaks and Harwich—Mission to - Turkey—Its movements and services—Special detachment to - Gibraltar to construct a cistern for the Navy—Detachment - with the expedition to Holland—Its services—Origin of the - Royal Staff Corps - - - 1800. - - Mortality in the West Indies—Blockade of Malta—Capture of a 126 - transport on passage from Nova Scotia—Movements and - services of detachments in Turkey; attacked with - fever—Anecdote of private Thomas Taylor at - Constantinople—Cruise of expedition to Cadiz—Attack on the - city abandoned—Subsequent movements of the expedition; - Malta; and re-embarkation for Egypt—Statistics of - companies at Gibraltar - - 1801-1802. - - Distribution of corps—Dispersion of West India 132 - company—Statistics—Detachment to St. Marcou—Capture of - Danish settlements—Casualties in West India - company—Compared with mortality in Gibraltar - companies—Working dress—Services, &c., of detachment at - Gibraltar—Conduct of Sergeant W. Shirres—Concession to the - companies by the Duke of Kent—Cocked hat superseded by the - chaco - - - 1803-1805. - - Party to Ceylon—The treaty of Amiens broken—State of West 141 - India company—Capture of St. Lucia—Tobago—Demerara, - Essequibo, and Berbice—Works at Spike Island—Capture of - Surinam—Conduct of private George Mitchell—Batavian - soldiers join West India company—Fever at - Gibraltar—Consequent mortality—Humane and intrepid conduct - of three privates—Invasion of England—Works at - Dover—Jersey—Chelmsford—Martello towers at Eastbourne—Bomb - tenders at Woolwich—Recruiting—Volunteers from the Line - and Militia—Treaty of St. Petersburg—Party to Naples—Ditto - to Hanover - - - 1806. - - First detachment to Cape of Good Hope—Misfortunes at Buenos 153 - Ayres—Reinforcements to Gibraltar—Services at - Calabria—Formation of Maltese military artificers—Increase - of pay to royal military artificers—Augmentation to the - corps and reorganization of the companies—Establishment - and annual expense—Working pay—Sub-Lieutenants - introduced—Indiscipline and character of the corps - - - 1807. - - Appointments of Adjutant and Quartermaster—Captain John T. 161 - Jones—Disasters at Buenos Ayres—Egypt—Reinforcement to - Messina—Detachment of Maltese military artificers to - Sicily—Newfoundland—Copenhagen—Captures in the Caribbean - Sea—Madeira—Danish Islands in the West Indies—Hythe - - - 1808. - - War in the Peninsula—Expedition thither—Detachments to the 165 - seat of war, with Captains Landmann, Elphinstone, Squire, - Burgoyne, and Smyth—Captain John T. Jones—Reinforcement to - Newfoundland—Discipline at Halifax—Services at - Messina—Parties temporarily detached to different - places—The queue - - - 1809. - - Retreat to Coruña—Miserable state of the detachment on 168 - reaching England—Hardships of the stragglers—Capture of - Martinique—Skill of George Mitchell at the siege—Fever in - the West Indies—Reduction of the Saintes—Detachment to - Portugal—Battles of Oporto and Talavera—Casualties in the - retreat, and distribution of the party—Naples—Zante and - the Ionian Islands—Term of service of the Maltese military - artificers—Siege of Flushing—Services of the military - artificers there—Gallantry, in the batteries, of John - Millar, Thomas Wild, and Thomas Letts—Conduct of corps at - the siege—Casualties by the Walcheren fever—Skilful - conduct of Corporal T. Stevens in the demolitions at - Flushing—Captain John T. Jones—Servants—Incidental - detachments - - - 1810. - - Capture of Guadaloupe—Of St. Martin’s and St. 175 - Eustatius—Torres Vedras—Anecdote of Corporal William - Wilson at the Lines—Almeida and Busaco—Detachments to - Cadiz—Puntales and La Isla—Destruction of Forts Barbara - and St. Felipe, near Gibraltar—Santa Maura—Occasional - detachments - - - 1811. - - Mortality in the West Indies—Strength and distribution of 178 - detachments in the Peninsula—Recapture of Olivenza—Field - instruction prior to siege of Badajoz—Conduct of corps at - the siege—Conduct of Sergeant Rogers in - reconnoitring—Reinforcement to Portugal and duties of the - detachment—Its distribution and services—Battle of - Barrosa; gallant conduct of Sergeant John - Cameron—Tarragona—Defence of Tarifa—Augmentation to corps - and reconstruction of companies—Annual expense of - corps—Command of the companies—Their stationary - character—The wealthy corporal—New distribution of - corps—Commissions to Sub-Lieutenants, and ingenious - inventions of Lieutenant Munro - - - 1812. - - Plymouth company instructed in field duties—Engineer 187 - establishment at Chatham—Major Pasley appointed its - director—Discipline and drill of corps—Its character—Sir - John Sinclair ex-private—Title of corps changed—Captain G. - Buchanan—A sergeant acrobat—Cuidad Rodrigo—Exertions of a - company on the march to the siege—Repairs to the - fortress—Siege of Badajoz—Difficulties in removing the - stores to the park—Duties of the sappers in the - operation—Gallant behaviour of Patrick Rooney and William - Harry—Also of a party at Fort Picurina, and of Patrick - Burke and Robert Miller—Hazardous attempt to blow down the - batardeau in the ditch of the lunette, and conduct of - corporal Stack—Bravery of a party in mining under the - bridge of the inundation—Distribution of the Peninsular - companies and their services—Bridges of Yecla and - Serrada—Reinforcement to Spain—Salamanca—Burgos, and - boldness of Patrick Burke and Andrew Alexander at the - siege—Bridge of Alba—Carthagena—Reinforcement to Cadiz; - action at Seville—Reinforcement to the Peninsula and - distribution of the sappers—Green Island—Tarragona—First - detachment to Bermuda - - - 1813. - - Designation of corps modified—Uniform—Working 197 - dress—Arms—Mode of promoting non-commissioned - officers—Rank of colour-sergeant created—Company to - Canada—Reinforcement to Bermuda—Sub-Lieutenant Mackenzie - appointed Town-Major there—Sickness at Gibraltar—Services - of company in East Catalonia—Malha da Sorda—Services on - the advance to Vittoria—Bridge at Toro—Blockade of - Pampeluna—Pyrenees—Stockades near Roncesvalles—San - Sebastian and services of the corps at the siege—Valour of - sergeants Powis and Davis—Of private Borland; and of - corporal Evans—Casualties in the siege—Restoration of the - fortifications—Pontoon train—Bidassoa—Bridge across it, - and conduct of privates Owen Connor and - Nowlan—Vera—Nivelle, and behaviour of corporal - Councill—Bridge over that river—Bridges over the Nive, and - daring exertions of private Dowling—Fording the Nive, and - posts of honour accorded to corporal Jamieson and private - Braid—Strength and distribution of corps in the - Peninsula—Recruiting - - - 1814. - - Wreck of ‘Queen’ transport; humanity of sergeant Mackenzie; 209 - heroic exertions of private M‘Carthy—Quartermaster; - Brigade-Major—Santona; useful services of corporal - Hay—Bridge of Itzassu near Cambo-Orthes; conduct of - sergeant Stephens—Toulouse—Bridge of the Adour; duties of - the sappers—Flotilla to form the bridge—Casualties in - venturing the bar—Conduct of the corps in its - construction—Bayonne—Expedition to North America—Return to - England of certain companies from the Peninsula—Company to - Holland; its duties; bridge over the Maerk; Tholen; Fort - Frederick—March for Antwerp—Action at Merxam—Esprit de - corps—Coolness of sergeant Stevens and corporal - Milburn—Distribution; bridge-making—Surprise of - Bergen-op-Zoom—Conduct of the sappers, and casualties in - the operation—A mild Irish-man—Bravery of corporal - Creighton and private Lomas—South Beveland—Reinforcement - to the Netherlands—Review by the Emperor of Russia—School - for companies at Antwerp—Detachments in the Netherlands, - company at Tournai—Movements of the company in Italy and - Sicily—Expedition to Tuscany; party to Corfu—Canada; - distribution of company there, and its active - services—Reinforcement to Canada—Washington, Baltimore, - New Orleans—Notice of corporal Scrafield—Expedition to the - State of Maine - - - 1815. - - Siege of Fort Boyer—Alertness of company on passage to New 225 - Orleans—Return of the sappers from North America—Services - and movements of companies in Canada—Also in Nova - Scotia—Captures of Martinique and Guadaloupe—Services and - movements of companies in Italy—Maltese sappers - disbanded—Pay of Sub-Lieutenants—Ypres—Increase to - sappers’ force in Holland; its duties and detachments; - notice of sergeant Purcell—Renewal of the war—Strength of - the corps sent to the Netherlands—Pontoneers—Battle of - Waterloo—Disastrous situation of a company in - retreating—General order about the alarm and the - stragglers—Sergeant-major Hilton at Brussels—Notice of - lance-corporal Donnelly—Exertions of another company in - pressing to the field—Organization of the engineer - establishment in France—Pontoon train—Magnitude of the - engineer establishment; hired drivers; Flemish - seamen—Assault of Peronne, valour of Sub-lieutenant - Stratton and lance-corporal Councill—Pontoon bridges on - the Seine—Conduct of corps during the campaign—Corporal - Coombs with the Prussian army—Usefulness of the sappers in - attending to the horses, &c., of the department in - France—Domiciliary visit to Montmartre - - - 1816-1818. - - Movements in France—Return of six companies from thence to 241 - England—Strength of those remaining, and detachments from - them—St. Helena—Return of company from Italy—Disbandment - of the war company of Maltese sappers—Battle of - Algiers—Conduct of corps at Valenciennes—Instances in - which the want of arms was felt during the war—Arming the - corps attributable to accidental circumstances—Training - and instruction of the corps in France—Its misconduct—But - remarkable efficiency at drill—Municipal thanks to - companies at Valenciennes—Dress—Bugles adopted—Reduction - in the corps—Sub-lieutenants disbanded—Withdrawal of - companies from certain stations—Relief of company at - Barbadoes—Repairing damages at St. Lucia; conduct of the - old West India company—Corfu—Inspection of corps in - France—Epaulettes introduced—Sordid conduct of four men in - refusing to wear them—Murder of private Milne, and - consequent punishment of corps in France by the Duke of - Wellington—Return of the sappers from France - - - 1819-1824. - - Reduction in the corps—Distribution—Sergeant Thomas Brown, 253 - the modeller—Reinforcement to the Cape, and services of - the detachment during the Kaffir war—Epidemic at - Bermuda—Damages at Antigua occasioned by a hurricane—Visit - to Chatham of the Duke of Clarence—Withdrawal of a - detachment from Corfu—A private becomes a peer—Draft to - Bermuda—Second visit to Chatham of the Duke of - Clarence—Fever at Barbadoes—Death of Napoleon, and - withdrawal of company from St. Helena—Notice of private - John Bennett—Movements of the company in - Canada—Trigonometrical operations under the Board of - Longitude—Feversham—Relief of the old Gibraltar - company—Breast-plates—St. Nicholas’ Island—Condition of - company at Barbadoes when inspected by the Engineer - Commission—Scattered state of the detachment at the - Cape—Services of the detachment at Corfu—Intelligence and - usefulness of sergeant Hall and corporal Lawson—Special - services of corporal John Smith—Pontoon - trials—Sheerness—Notice of corporal Shorter—Forage-caps - and swords - - - 1825-1826. - - Dress—Curtailment of benefits by the change—Chacos—Survey of 263 - Ireland—Formation of the first company for the - duty—Establishment of corps; company to Corfu—Second - company for the survey—Efforts to complete the companies - raised for it—Pontoon trials in presence of the Duke of - Wellington—Western Africa—Third company for the survey: - additional working pay—Employments and strength of the - sappers in Ireland—Drummond Light; Slieve Snacht and - Divis—Endurance of private Alexander Smith—Wreck of - ‘Shipley’ transport—Berbice; corporal Sirrell at Antigua - - - 1827-1829. - - Augmentation—Reinforcement to Bermuda—Companies for Rideau 271 - Canal—Reinforcement to the Cape—Monument to the memory of - General Wolfe—Increase to the survey - companies—Supernumerary promotions—Measurement of Lough - Foyle base—Suggestion of sergeant Sim for measuring across - the river Roe—Survey companies inspected by Major-General - Sir James C. Smith; opinion of their services by Sir Henry - Hardinge—Sergeant-major Townsend—Demolition of the - Glacière Bastion at Quebec—Banquet to fifth company by - Lord Dalhousie—Service of the sappers at the citadel of - Quebec—Notice of sergeants Dunnett and John Smith—Works to - be executed by contract—Trial of pontoons, and exertions - of corporal James Forbes—Epidemic at Gibraltar—Island of - Ascension; corporal Beal—Forage-caps—Company withdrawn - from Nova Scotia—Party to Sandhurst College, and - usefulness of corporal Forbes - - - 1830-1832. - - The chaco—Brigade-Major Rice Jones—Island of 281 - Ascension—Notice of corporal Beal—Detachment to the Tower - of London—Chatham during the Reform agitation—Staff - appointments—Sergeant McLaren the first medallist in the - corps—Terrific hurricane at Barbadoes; distinguished - conduct of colour-sergeant Harris and corporal - Muir—Subaqueous destruction of the ‘Arethusa’ at - Barbadoes—Return of a detachment to the Tower of - London—Rideau canal; services of the sappers in its - construction; casualties; and disbandment of the - companies—Costume—First detachment to the Mauritius—Notice - of corporal Reed—Pendennis Castle - - - 1833-1836. - - Inspection at Chatham by Lord Hill—Pontoon 289 - experiments—Withdrawal of companies from the - ports—Reduction of the corps, and reorganization of the - companies—Recall of companies from - abroad—Purfleet—Trigonometrical survey of west coast of - England—Draft to the Cape—Review at Chatham by Lord - Hill—Motto to the corps—Reinforcement to the - Mauritius—Inspection at Woolwich by Sir Frederick - Mulcaster—Mortality from cholera; services of corporals - Hopkins and Ritchley—Entertainment to the detachment at - the Mauritius by Sir William Nicolay—Triangulation of the - west coast of Scotland—Kaffir war—Appointments of ten - foremen of works—Death of Quartermaster Galloway—Succeeded - by sergeant-major Hilton—Sergeant Forbes—Notice of his - father—Lieutenant Dashwood—Euphrates expedition—Labours of - the party—Sergeant Sim—Generosity of Colonel Chesney, - R.A.—Additional smiths to the expedition—Loss of the - ‘Tigris’ steamer—Descent of the Euphrates—Sappers with the - expedition employed as engineers—Corporal - Greenhill—Approbation of the services of the - party—Triangulation of west coast of - Scotland—Addiscombe—Expedition to Spain—Character of the - detachment that accompanied it—Passages; action in front - of San Sebastian—Reinforcement to Spain—Final trial of - pontoons—Mission to Constantinople - - - 1837. - - Change in the dress—Increase of non-commissioned 305 - officers—Services of the detachment at Ametza - Gaña—Oriamendi—Desierto convent on the - Nervion—Fuentarabia—Oyarzun—Aindoin—Miscellaneous - employment of the detachment—Trigonometrical survey west - coast of Scotland—Inspection at Woolwich by Lord Hill and - Sir Hussey Vivian—Staff appointments—Labours of sergeant - Lanyon—Staff-sergeants' accoutrements—Expedition to New - Holland—Corporal Coles selected as the man Friday of his - chief—Exploration from High Bluff Point to Hanover Bay; - difficulties and trials of the trip; great - thirst—Exertions and critical situation of Coles—His - courageous bearing—Touching instance of devotion to his - chief—Employments of the party—Exploration into the - interior with Coles and private Mustard—Hardships in its - prosecution—Threatened attack of the natives; return to - the camp - - - 1838. - - Services of party in New Holland—Start for the 315 - interior—Labours of the expedition; corporal Auger—Captain - Grey and corporal Coles expect an attack—Attitude of - private Auger at the camp against the menace of the - natives—Captain Grey and Coles attacked; their critical - situation: the chief wounded; devotion of Coles—Usefulness - of Auger—Renew the march; Auger finds a singular - ford—Discovers a cave with a sculptured face in it—Mustard - traces the spoor of a quadruped still unseen in New - Holland—A sleep in the trees—Trials of the party—Primitive - washing—Auger the van of the adventurers—Humane attention - of the Captain to Mustard; reach Hanover Bay; arrive at - the Mauritius—Detachment in Spain—Attack on Orio—Usurvil; - Oyarzun—Miscellaneous employments of the - party—Reinforcement to it; Casa Aquirre—Orio—Secret - mission to Muñagorri—Second visit to the same chief—Notice - of corporal John Down—Bidassoa—Triangulation of north of - Scotland—Also of the Frith of the Clyde—Insurrection in - Canada; guard of honour to Lord Durham—Company inspected - by the Governor-General on the plains of - Abraham—Inspection at Niagara by Sir George - Arthur—Services and movements of the company in Canada; - attack at Beauharnois—Submarine demolition of wrecks near - Gravesend—Expedient to prevent accidents by vessels - fouling the diving-bell lighter—Conduct of the sappers in - the operations; exertions of sergeant-major Jones—Fatal - accident to a diver—Intrepidity of sergeants Ross and - Young—Blasting the bow of the brig ‘William,’ by - sergeant-major Jones—Withdrawal of the sappers from the - canal at Hythe - - - 1839. - - Expedition to Western Australia under Captain Grey—Excursion 328 - with Auger to the north of Perth—Search for Mr. - Ellis—Exploration of shores from Freemantle—Bernier and - Dorre Islands; want of water; trials of the party—Water - allowance reduced—A lagoon discovered—Privations and - hardships of the party—Return to Bernier Island for - stores—Its altered appearance—Destruction of the depôt of - provisions—Consternation of Coles—Auger’s example under - the circumstances—Expedition makes for Swan River—Perilous - landing at Gantheaume Bay—Overland journey to Perth; - straits of the adventurers—Auger searching for a missing - man—Coles observes the natives; arrangements to meet - them—Water found by Auger—A spring discovered by Coles at - Water Peak—Disaffection about long marches; forced - journeys determined upon; the two sappers and a few others - accompany the Captain—Desperate hardships and fatigues; - the last revolting resource of thirst—Extraordinary - exertions of the travellers; their sufferings from thirst; - water found—Appalling bivouac—Coles’s agony and - fortitude—Struggles of the adventurers; they at last reach - Perth—Auger joins two expeditions in search of the slow - walkers—Disposal of Coles and Auger - - - 1839. - - Services of the detachment in Spain—Last party of the 341 - artillery on the survey—Survey of South - Australia—Inspection at Limerick by Sir William - Macbean—Triangulation of north of Scotland—Also of the - Clyde—Pontoons by sergeant Hopkins—Augmentation of the - corps—Also of the survey companies—Supernumerary rank - annulled—Tithe surveys; quality of work executed on them - by discharged sappers; efficient surveys of sergeant - Doull—Increase of survey pay—Staff appointments on the - survey—Responsibility of quartermaster-sergeant - M‘Kay—Colonel Colby’s classes—Based upon particular - attainments—Disputed territory in the State of - Maine—Movements and services of the party employed in its - survey; intrepidity of corporal M‘Queen—Experiments with - the diving-bell—Also with the voltaic battery—Improvement - in the priming wires by Captain Sandham; sergeant-major - Jones’s waterproof composition and imitation - fuses—Demolition and removal of the wreck of the ‘Royal - George’—Organization of detachment employed in the - operation—Emulation of parties—Success of the divers; - labours of the sappers—Diving-bell abandoned—Accident to - private Brabant—Fearlessness of corporal Harris in - unloading gunpowder from the cylinders—Hazardous duty in - soldering the loading-hole of the cylinder—First sapper - helmet divers—Conduct and exertions of the detachment - - - 1840. - - Return of the detachment from Spain—Its conduct during the 354 - war—Survey of the northern counties of England—Notice of - sergeant Cottingham—Secondary triangulation of the north - of Scotland—Increase to survey allowances—Augmentation to - the survey companies—Renewal of survey of the disputed - boundary in the state of Maine—Corporal Hearnden at - Sandhurst—Wreck of the ‘Royal George;’ duties of the - sappers in its removal—Exertions of sergeant-major - Jones—The divers—An accident—Usefulness of the detachment - engaged in the work—Boat adventure at Spithead—Andrew - Anderson—Thomas P. Cook—Transfer of detachment from the - Mauritius to the Cape—Survey of La Caille’s arc of - meridian there—Detachment to Syria—Its active services, - including capture of Acre—Reinforcement to Syria - - - 1841. - - Syria—Landing at Caiffa; Mount Carmel—Cave of Elijah; 365 - epidemic—Colour-sergeant Black—Inspection at Beirout by - the Seraskier; return of the detachment to - England—Expedition to the Niger—Model farm—Gori—Fever sets - in; return of the expedition—Services of the sappers - attached to it—Corporal Edmonds and the elephant—and the - Princess—Staff-sergeant’s undress—Staff appointments—Wreck - of the 'Royal George'—Sergeant - March—Sapper-divers—Curiosities—Under-water pay; means - used to aid the divers—Speaking under water—Gallantry of - private Skelton—Alarming accidents—Constitutional - unfitness for diving—Boundary survey in the state of - Maine—Augmentation to corps for Bermuda—Sandhurst; - corporal Carlin’s services—Quartermaster-sergeant - Fraser—Intrepidity of private Entwistle—Colonel - Pasley—Efficiency of the corps—Its conduct, and impolicy - of reducing its establishment—Sir John Jones’s opinion of - the sappers—And also the Rev. G. R. Gleig’s - - - 1842. - - Party to Natal—The march—Action at Congella—Boers attack the 384 - camp—Then besiege it—Sortie on the Boers' - trenches—Incidents—Privations—Conduct of the detachment; - courageous bearing of sergeant Young—Services of the party - after hostilities had ceased—Detachment to the Falkland - Islands—Landing—Character of the country—Services of the - party—Its movements; and amusements—Professor Airy’s - opinion of the corps—Fire at Woolwich; its - consequences—Wreck of the 'Royal George'—Classification of - the divers—Corporal Harris’s exertions in removing the - wreck of the ‘Perdita’ mooring lighter—Assists an - unsuccessful comrade—Difficulties in recovering the - pig-iron ballast—Adventure with Mr. Cussell’s - lighter—Isolation of Jones at the bottom—Annoyed by the - presence of a human body; Harris, less sensitive, captures - it—The keel—Accidents—Conflict between two rival - divers—Conduct of the sappers employed in the - operation—Demolition of beacons at Blythe Sand, - Sheerness—Testimonial to sergeant-major Jones for his - services in connection with it - - - 1842. - - Draft to Canada—Company recalled from thence—Its services 401 - and movements—Its character—Labours of colour-sergeant - Lanyon—Increase to Gibraltar—Reduction in the corps—Irish - survey completed; force employed in its - prosecution—Reasons for conducting it under military - rule—Economy of superintendence by sappers—Their - employments—Sergeants West, Doull, Spalding, - Keville—Corporals George Newman, Andrew Duncan—Staff - appointments to the survey - companies—Dangers—Hardships—Average strength of sapper - force employed—Casualties—Kindness of the Irish—Gradual - transfer of sappers for the English survey—Distribution; - Southampton - - - 1843. - - Falkland Islands; services of the detachment 412 - there—Exploration trips—Seat of government - changed—Turner’s stream—Bull-fight—Round Down Cliff, near - Dover—Boundary line in North America—Sergeant-major - Forbes—Operations for removing the wreck of the 'Royal - George'—Exertions of the party—Private Girvan—Sagacity of - corporal Jones—Success of the divers—Exertions to recover - the missing guns—Harris’s nest—His district pardonably - invaded—Wreck of the 'Edgar,' and corporal Jones—Power of - water to convey sound—Girvan at the ‘Edgar’—An - accident—Cessation of the work—Conduct of the detachment - employed in it—Sir George Murray’s commendation—Longitude - of Valentia—Rebellion in Ireland—Colour-sergeant Lanyon - explores the passages under Dublin Castle—Fever at - Bermuda—Burning of the ‘Missouri’ steamer at - Gibraltar—Hong-Kong—Inspection at Woolwich by the Grand - Duke Michael of Russia—Percussion carbine and - accoutrements - - - 1844. - - Remeasurement of La Caille’s arc at the Cape—Reconnoitring 431 - excursion of sergeant Hemming—Falkland Islands—Draft to - Bermuda—Inspection at Gibraltar by General Sir Robert - Wilson—Final operations against the ‘Royal George’—and the - ‘Edgar’—Discovery of the amidships—incident connected with - it—Combats with crustacea—Success of corporal Jones—Injury - to a diver—Private Skelton drowned—Conduct of the - detachment employed in the work—Submarine repairs to the - ‘Tay’ steamer at Bermuda by corporal Harris—Widening and - deepening the ship channel at St. George’s—Accidents from - mining experiments at Chatham—Notice of corporal John - Wood—Inspection at Hong-Kong by Major-General D’Aguilar - - - 1845. - - Sheerness—Increase to the corps at the Cape—Survey of 444 - Windsor—Skill of privates Holland and Hogan as - draughtsmen—Etchings by the latter for the Queen and - Prince Albert—Unique idea of the use of a - bullet—Inspection at Gibraltar by Sir Robert - Wilson—Falkland Islands—Discharges on the survey duty - during the railway mania - - - 1846. - - Boundary surveys in North America—Duties of the party 448 - engaged in it—Mode of ascertaining longitudes—Trials of - the party; Owen Lonergan—The sixty-four mile line—Official - recognition of services of the party—Sergeant James - Mulligan—Kaffir war—Corporal B. Castledine—Parties - employed at the guns—Graham’s Town—Fort - Brown—Patrols—Bridge over the Fish River—Field services - with the second division—Dodo’s kraal—Waterloo Bay—Field - services with the first division—Patrol under Lieutenant - Bourchier—Mutiny of the Swellandam native infantry—Conduct - of corps in the campaign—Alterations in the dress—Drainage - of Windsor—Detachment to Hudson’s Bay—Its - organization—Journey to Fort Garry—Sergeant Philip - Clark—Private R. Penton—Corporal T. Macpherson—Lower Fort - Garry—Particular services—Return to England - - - 1846. - - Exploration survey for a railway in North America—Services 465 - of the party employed on it—Personal services of sergeant - A. Calder—Augmentation to the corps—Reinforcement to - China—Recall of a company from Bermuda—Royal presents to - the reading-room at Southampton—Inspection at Gibraltar by - Sir Robert Wilson—Third company placed at the disposal of - the Board of Works in Ireland—Sergeant J. Baston—Services - of the company—Distinguished from the works controlled by - the civilians—Gallantry of private G. Windsor—Coolness of - private E. West—Intrepid and useful services of private - William Baker—Survey of Southampton, and its incomparable - map - - - 1847. - - Detachments in South Australia—Corporal W. 478 - Forrest—Augmentation to the corps—Destruction of the Bogue - and other forts—Services of the detachment at Canton—First - detachment to New Zealand—Survey of Dover and - Winchelsea—Also of Pembroke—Flattering allusion to the - corps—Sir John Richardson’s expedition to the Arctic - regions—Cedar Lake—Private Geddes’s encounter with the - bear—Winter quarters at Cumberland House—Road-making in - Zetland—Active services at the Cape—Company to Portsmouth - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - VOL. I. - - PLATE PAGE - I. Uniform 1786 _To face Title._ - II. Working-dress 1786 49 - III. Uniform 1787 69 - IV. Working-dress 1787 69 - V. Uniform 1792 79 - VI. Working-dress 1794 80 - VII. Working-dress 1795 100 - VIII. Uniform 1797 115 - IX. Uniform 1802 140 - X. Working-dress 1813 198 - XI. Uniform 1813 198 - XII. Uniform 1823 258 - XIII. Uniform and working-dress 1825 262 - XIV. Uniform 1832 287 - XV. Uniform 1843 429 - - VOL. II. - - XVI. Uniform 1854 } - XVII. Working-dress 1854 } _To face Title._ - - - - - HISTORY - - OF THE - - ROYAL SAPPERS AND MINERS. - - --------------------- - - 1772—1779. - -Origin of Corps—Its establishment and pay—Engineers to command it—Its - designation—Working pay—Recruiting—Dismissal of civil artificers—Names - of officers—Non-commissioned officers—First augmentation—Consequent - promotions—Names of other officers joined—King’s Bastion—Second - augmentation. - - -Before the year 1772, the works at Gibraltar were mainly executed by -civil mechanics from the Continent and England, who were not engaged for -any term of years, but were hired like ordinary artificers, and could -leave the Rock whenever they felt disposed. Not being amenable to -military discipline, they were indolent and disorderly, and wholly -regardless of authority. The only means of punishing them was by -reprimand, suspension, or dismissal, and these means were quite -ineffectual to check irregularities. The dismissal of mechanics and -replacing them by others was always attended with considerable -inconvenience and expense, and often failed to secure an equivalent -advantage. Consequently, the works progressed very slowly, imposing much -additional trouble and anxiety upon the officers. Even the better class -of artificers—locally termed “guinea men” from their high wages—who had -something at stake in their situations, could not be relied upon. It -therefore became necessary that steps should be taken to put a stop to -the evil, and to secure the services of a sufficient number of steady, -obedient mechanics, upon whom dependence could, at all times, be placed, -for the proper execution of the works. - -With this view, Lieutenant-Colonel William Green, the chief engineer at -the fortress, suggested the formation of a company of _military_ -artificers as the only expedient. Of the value of this suggestion some -experience had been derived, from the occasional occupation on the -works, of mechanics belonging to the different regiments in garrison. -Indeed, ever since the taking of Gibraltar, in 1704, soldiers had so -been employed, particularly artillerymen, whose services to the fortress -were always found to be beneficial. There was every reason, therefore, -to expect that, when the department became entirely military in its -character, corresponding results on a large scale would ensue. Besides -which it was considered, that the employment of a military company on -the works, organized expressly for the purpose, would produce a great -saving of expense to the public; and also, that the men would be ready -to participate in any military operation for the defence of the place, -either as artificers or soldiers, should our relations with other -countries render it desirable. - -Influenced by these considerations, Colonel Green submitted the -suggestion to the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of Gibraltar. Too -well aware themselves of the disadvantages of the system of _civil_ -labour in carrying on the works of The fortress, they were favourable to -the trial of any experiment that promised success; and in recommending -the plan to the attention of the Secretary of State, they expressed -their decided opinion that many advantages would certainly arise to the -service and the fortress by its adoption. The royal consent was -accordingly given to the measure in a Warrant, under the sign manual, -dated 6th March, 1772; and thus originated the corps, whose history is -attempted to be traced in these pages. - -The Warrant authorized the raising and forming of a company of -artificers to consist of the following numbers and ranks, with the -regimental pay annexed to each rank:— - - s. d. - 1 Sergeant and as adjutant[1] 3 0 a-day. - 3 Sergeants, each 1 6 ” - 3 Corporals 1 2 ” - 60 Privates, or working men skilled in the ” - following trades:—Stone-cutters, - masons, miners, lime-burners, - carpenters, smiths, gardeners, or - wheelers, each 0 10 - 1 Drummer 0 10 ” - —— - 68 Total. - -And officers of the corps of engineers were appointed to command this -new body, to which was given the name of “The Soldier-Artificer -Company.”[2] - ------ - -Footnote 1: - - The rank of sergeant and adjutant—an odd combination certainly—was not - adopted. The senior non-commissioned officer was styled - sergeant-major. The authority for this are the muster rolls and - returns of the company. But it is not a little remarkable that, in - opposition to the fact, evidence should exist of the best kind for - veracity, to oppose the averment. The error appears on a tablet built - in Charles the Fifth’s wall adjoining Hargrave’s parade at Gibraltar, - to the memory of the widow of the first sergeant-major of the corps. - Thus runs the epitaph:— - - To the Memory of MARTHA, wife of - THOMAS BRIDGES, Sergeant, and as Adjutant - to His Majesty’s Artificers' Company. - She departed this life, 4th February, 1773, - Aged 38 years. - - ------- - - A more loving wife or friend sincere - Never will be buried here— - Charitable she was to all, - Altho' her income it was small. - - Excuse the stanza. Perhaps the sergeant-major was a tetchy man, - obstinate in maintaining his rights, and took this private opportunity - of asserting his warranted rank and publishing the military anomaly in - imperishable marble. - -Footnote 2: - - The Warrant does not designate the company by such a title. It is - there called “The Military Company of Artificers.” How the change took - place, does not appear. - ------ - -Each non-commissioned officer and man was to receive as a remuneration -for his labour a sum not exceeding two reals[3] a day in addition to his -regimental pay; but this extra allowance was only to be given for such -days as he was actually employed on the works. - ------ - -Footnote 3: - - A real is equal to 4½_d._ English. - ------ - -The recruiting for the company was a service of but little difficulty, -as permission was granted to fill it with men from the regiments then -serving in the garrison; and although the company was restricted to the -taking of properly qualified mechanics of good character, yet, at the -end of the year, after supplying the places occasioned by casualties, -there were only eighteen rank and file wanting to complete. As vacancies -occurred, such of the soldiers of the garrison as came up to the -established criteria, and wished to be transferred into the company, -were allowed the indulgence; and this mode was the only one followed, -for filling up the soldier-artificers, for many years after their -formation. - -The whole of the civil mechanics were not discharged from the department -on account of this measure. Such of them were retained as were -considered, from their qualifications and conduct, to be useful in the -fortress, and they were placed under the superintendence of the -non-commissioned officers of the company, who were appointed foremen of -the different trades. The foreign artificers were, with few exceptions, -dismissed; and twenty English “contracted artificers,” or “guinea men,” -were sent home. Previously, however, such of the good men of the number -as were willing to be “entertained” in the company were permitted the -option of enlisting, but none availed themselves of the offer. - -The officers of engineers who were first attached to the company were -the following:— - - Lieutenant-Colonel William Green, captain. - Captain John Phipps, Esq. - Capt.-Lieut. and Captain Theophilus Lefance, Esq. - Lieutenant John Evelegh. - -And they were desired to take under their command and inspection the -non-commissioned officers and private men of the company, and to pay -particular attention to their good conduct and regular behaviour.[4] - ------ - -Footnote 4: - - The order upon this subject is given at length, as it touches upon - other matters besides the discipline of the company. - - _Chief Engineer’s Orders, Gibraltar, 31st May, 1772._ - - “By the Governor’s orders of the 20th May, the company of - soldier-artificers now raising and forming under the command of the - Chief Engineer as captain, Captain Phipps, Captain-Lieutenant Lefance, - and Lieutenant Evelegh, are appointed officers to the said company, - and are, therefore, conformable to their respective ranks, henceforth - to take under their command the conduct and inspection of the - non-commissioned officers and private men of the said company, and to - pay all sort of military attentions to their good order and regular - behaviour, according to the rules and discipline of war;[4a] also to - the particular standing orders, as well as to the accustomary - regulations of the garrison relative to all the required and expected - duties of a soldier and an artificer, both when on, as well as when - off, duty. Captain Phipps is also appointed to keep the accounts and - to see the company duly paid their full military subsistence. The - company to be paid conformable to His Majesty’s Warrant dated March - 6th, 1772, upon the same footing as the rest of the troops in - garrison, viz., at seventy pence sterling the Mexico or Cobb, - agreeable to which, the non-commissioned officers and men are to be - paid weekly as follows, the deduction for the surgeon excepted:— - - Sergeant-major 5 dollars, 3 reals, 3-1/7 quarts. - Sergeants—each 2 ” 5 ” 9-3/7 ” - Corporals—each 2 ” 0 ” 12-4/7 ” - Privates and drummer—each. 1 ” 4 ” 0 - - One-halfpenny sterling a-week to be stopped from each private and - drummer for the surgeon, and the non-commissioned officers to be - stopped in proportion to their respective pays.” - -Footnote 4a: - - No provision was made this year for extending the Mutiny Act to the - company; nor, indeed, was it noticed in any subsequent Act till 1788, - when its introduction gave rise to much discussion in the House of - Commons. The idea of subjecting artificers to martial law was attacked - with satirical bitterness by the eloquent Sheridan. - ------ - -On the 30th June, the date on which the company was first mustered, the -non-commissioned officers were— - - Sergeant-major Thomas Bridges.[5] - Sergeant David Young, _Carpenter_. - Sergeant Henry Ince, _Miner_. - -To these were added, on the 31st December— - - Sergeant Edward Macdonald. - Corporal Robert Blair, and - Corporal Peter Fraser. - -and soon afterwards— - - Corporal Robert Brand, - -who completed the non-commissioned officers to the full number -authorised by the warrant. - -Footnote 5: - - The more particular duties of the Sergeant-major, as described in the - Chief Engineer’s Order of 31st May, 1772, were “to carry all the - general orders to the Chief Engineer, and the officers of the company, - through the means of the other sergeants; also to make known the - general orders to the rest of the non-commissioned officers and - private men.” These he was required to attend to, “in lieu of an - adjutant.” By the royal warrant, he should have been appointed to that - rank, and not designated “sergeant-major.” No reason can be traced for - altering the title. The _first_ adjutant was an officer of - engineers—Lieutenant Evelegh. He was appointed 15th June, 1773. - Bridges enlisted into the 30th regiment in 1751, from which he was - transferred to the corps as Sergeant-major, and being reduced during - the siege (28th September, 1781), was discharged from the company 10th - October, 1781. - -At the time the soldier-artificers were raised, the extensive works -ordered to be executed by his Majesty in October, 1770, were in -progress, and furnished an excellent opportunity for testing their -capabilities and merits. The advantage of the change, and the consequent -benefits accruing to the fortress, were soon apparent. Scarcely had the -company been in existence a year, before Major-General Boyd, the -Lieutenant-Governor, impressed with the conviction of its usefulness, -represented, in several communications to Lord Rochford, the Secretary -of State, the expediency of augmenting it; and he was the more urgent -for its sanction as the new works in hand—which were absolutely -essential for the defence of the place—required to be hastened with all -possible despatch. The recommendation, coming from so high an authority, -met with ready attention, and a Warrant dated 25th March, 1774, was -accordingly issued for adding twenty-five men to the company. Its -establishment was then fixed as follows:— - - Sergeant-major 1 - Sergeants 4 - Corporals 4 - Drummer 1 - Private artificers @b83 - —— - Total 93 - -To the former list of non-commissioned officers were now added— - - John Richmond, sergeant. - John Brown,[6] corporal. - -Ensign William Skinner joined the company 20th May, and Ensign William -Booth 23rd June. - -Footnote 6: - - In Hay’s ‘Western Barbary,’ chap. x., Murray’s edit., there is a very - pleasing anecdote of the “half-Irish Sultan,” Mulai Yezeed, in which - the name of Brown of the Royal Sappers and Miners, properly - Soldier-Artificers, is introduced. To controvert a particular point to - which it refers, the anecdote in an abridged form, is subjoined. - - Sidi Mahomed, soon after his elevation to the throne of Morocco, about - the middle of the last century, was desirous of completing the - defences of Fez, and knowing the superiority of the English in - engineering, he applied to the British Government for the aid of some - person skilled in the art. The request was acceded to, and an - experienced sergeant of the Sappers and Miners having been selected as - a fit person, was placed at the disposal of his Majesty. Sidi Mahomed - received him with much kindness, and allotted a suitable house for his - reception. The sergeant continued in the service of the Sultan for - some time after he had completed the works at Fez, and at length died, - leaving his wife without issue. After his interment, the widow, who - was a pretty Irishwoman, sought an interview with the Sultan, in order - to obtain a pension and the means of returning to her own country. His - Majesty was much struck by her fair and comely appearance, treated her - with condescension and benevolence, and expressed in endearing - overtures his attachment to her. Under no promises of future greatness - could she be induced to relinquish the faith of her fathers for the - creed of Islam, and to take an exalted station in the imperial harem. - Sidi Mahomed, old as he was, was too much fascinated to yield so - choice a prize on a mere question of belief, and making the fullest - sacrifices to satisfy her religious scruples, the poor, friendless, - Irish widow, became the Sultana of Morocco! - - Corporal Brown, afterwards promoted to be sergeant, is the - non-commissioned officer alluded to. He was a mason by trade, and - joining the artificers on the 2nd January, 1773, he seemingly soon - acquired the reputation of being an able foreman and an indispensable - man. It was in 1776 he was sent to Fez, not in the middle of the - century as stated in the anecdote, and he died there early in 1781. - That year, or probably later, Widow Brown became the Sultana of Sidi - Mahomet, and Mulai Yezeed, the reputed son of the widow by the Sultan, - _was then 31 years old_! The age of Mulai may be _gleaned_ from Hay’s - tale, but more directly _seen_ in Dr. Lempriere’s ‘Journey through the - Barbary States.’ According to the latter author, who was at Tetuan in - 1790, Mulai was the “offspring of an English renegado,” and then about - 40 years of age. The Sultan died at a patriarchal age in 1790, and - Mulai Yezeed succeeded him. - ------ - -No sooner was the company completed to its new establishment than the -engineers proceeded with greater spirit in the erection of the King’s -Bastion, the foundation stone of which was laid in 1773 by General -Boyd.[7] This work, which was of material consequence for the safety of -the fortress, caused the General much concern, and he employed his best -efforts for its completion.[8] But, unavoidable delay in some official -arrangements at home, coupled with a little misunderstanding and the -loss of many civil mechanics, greatly retarded the work. - ------ - -Footnote 7: - - General Boyd, attended by General Green, the chief engineer, and many - officers of the garrison, laid the foundation stone of this bastion, - with the ceremony usual on such occasions. When he had finished it, he - made this remarkable speech. “This is the first stone of a work which - I name the King’s Bastion; may it be as _gallantly defended_, as I - know it will be _ably executed_; and may _I live to see it resist the - united efforts of France and Spain_.”—Drinkwater’s Siege of Gibraltar, - p. 290, 1st edit. The desire of the worthy general was realized. He - not only lived to see what he wished, but materially to assist in the - operations of the siege. - -Footnote 8: - - To carry on the work with vigour, an opening was made in the sea-line, - which, as long as it continued so, made the fortress defenceless in - that part. Similar openings were made in the line some years before by - a storm, which, being observed by Monsieur Crillon, who commanded at - St. Roque, he proposed a scheme for an attempt on the Rock. - Remembering this, the General always kept an anxious eye upon the gap; - but he concealed his fears, lest they should fill the people with - alarm, and the French or Spaniards with notions of invasion. He would - not post any additional guards or picquets there for its protection, - but gave private directions that all the guns and howitzers that could - be brought into position in that part should be attended to. He, - however, did not conceal his uneasiness from the Secretary of State; - and in urging upon Lord Rochford the necessity for his being furnished - with the means for completing the bastion, he quaintly remarked, - “there is an idea of glory, my lord, in the thought of being killed in - defending a breach made by the enemy, but to be knocked o' th' head in - the defence of one of our own making would be a ridiculous death.” - ------ - -This led General Boyd in 1775 to apply for another augmentation to the -soldier-artificers, which was the more necessary as three regiments, -furnishing a number of mechanics for the fortifications, were about to -leave the Rock; and also as the foreign artificers—several of whom had -been re-engaged since the pressure of the works—were like birds of -passage, abandoning the fortress when they pleased. This the -soldier-artificers could not do. To their attention and assiduity, -therefore, the progress of the bastion and other works of the garrison -were mainly attributable; and General Boyd, in a letter to Lord -Rochford, dated 5th October, 1775, gave them full credit for their -services. “We can,” wrote the General, “depend only upon the artificer -company for constant work, and on soldiers occasionally. Had it not been -for the artificer company, we should not have made half the progress in -the King’s Bastion, as well as in the other works of the garrison.” - -On the 16th January, 1776, His Majesty sanctioned an addition to the -company of one sergeant, one corporal, one drummer, and twenty privates, -all masons, who were to be reduced again when the Hanoverian troops -should leave the fortress.[9] With this increase the company consisted -of 116 non-commissioned officers and men. - ------ - -Footnote 9: - - When the Hanoverian troops left Gibraltar, the company had the best - character for efficiency and utility, and its numbers therefore were - not reduced. - ------ - -Steadily the works advanced; soon the King’s Bastion[10] was finished, -and the fortress was now in such a state of defence as greatly to -alleviate the apprehension, which, a few years before, caused General -Boyd so much anxiety. Though not exactly all that could be desired to -oppose the onslaught of a determined and daring adversary, it was yet -capable of a long and obstinate resistance; and, from the political -phases of the period, it did not seem at all unlikely that its strength -would soon be tried, and the prowess and fortitude of the garrison -tested. - ------ - -Footnote 10: - - At this bastion the company worked, by express orders, from gun-fire - in the morning to gun-fire in the evening, as also on Sundays. All the - work was of cut stone, and skilfully executed. A model of it, - exquisitely wrought in polished stone, is in the Rotunda at Woolwich. - It formerly belonged to George III. In 1820, George IV. presented it - to the Royal Military Repository. - ------ - - - - - 1779-1782. - -Jealousy of Spain—Declares war with England—Strength of the garrison at - Gibraltar—Preparations for defence and employment of the company—Siege - commenced—Privations of the garrison—Grand sortie and conduct of the - company—Its subsequent exertions—Origin of the subterranean - galleries—Their extraordinary prosecution—Princess Anne’s - battery—Third augmentation—Names of non-commissioned officers. - - -Gibraltar, ever since its capture by the English in 1704, had been a -source of much jealousy and uneasiness to Spain, and her desire to -restore it to her dominions was manifested in the frequent attempts she -made with that view. Invariably she was repelled by the indomitable -bravery of the garrison; but a slave to her purpose, she did not desist -from her efforts, and in the absence of any real occasion for -disagreement with England, scrupled not to create one, in order that she -might attack, and if possible, regain the fortress. - -A favourable opportunity for the purpose at length arrived. Soon after -the convention of Saratoga in 1777, the Americans entered into an -alliance with France, which was the cause of a rupture between the -latter nation and Great Britain. Hostilities had been carried on for six -months, when Spain insinuated herself into the dispute under pacific -pretensions. Her proposals, however, were of such a nature as rendered -it impossible for the British Government to accept them without -lessening the national honour; and being rejected, the refusal was made -the pretext for war. It was accordingly declared by Spain on the 16th -June, and her eager attention was at once turned to Gibraltar. On the -21st of the same month she took the first step of a hostile nature, by -closing the communication between Spain and the fortress. - -At this time the garrison consisted of an army of 5,382 officers and men -under General Eliott. Lieut.-General Boyd was second in command. Of this -force the engineers and artificers amounted to the following numbers -under Colonel Green:— - - Officers 8 - Sergeants 6 - Drummers 2 - Rank and File 106[11] - —— - Total 122 - -No particular demonstration on the part of the Spaniards immediately -followed the closing of the communication; but General Eliott, -anticipating an early attack upon the Rock, made arrangements to meet -it. All was activity and preparation within the fortress; and the -engineers with the artificers were constantly occupied in strengthening -the defences. For better accomplishing this paramount service, the -company was divided into three portions on the 23rd August, and directed -to instruct the line workmen in the duties required of them. To prevent -misunderstanding with regard to the _line_ non-commissioned officers—who -might under certain circumstances become litigious—the Chief Engineer -issued orders to the effect, that all such soldiers coming into the -king’s works, were to take directions from the non-commissioned officers -of the company in the execution of their professional duty.[12] - ------ - -Footnote 11: - - The company wanted two privates to complete. - -Footnote 12: - - As foreseen by the Chief Engineer, disputes soon arose between the - non-commissioned officers of the company and the line, with regard to - superintendence and direction. The fact having come to the Brigadier’s - knowledge, he renewed, on the 10th July, 1781, his former order in a - more imperative tone. - ------ - -On the 12th September, General Eliott commenced operations by opening a -fire on the enemy, which was so unexpected, that the latter were -surprised and dispersed. On recovering from the panic, they scarcely -ventured, or indeed cared, to retaliate; for their object obviously was, -not to subject themselves to a costly expenditure of ammunition, shot, -&c., but to distress the garrison by famine, and thereby obtain an easy -surrender. In this, however, they were disappointed; for the enduring -hardihood of the garrison, and the occasional arrival of relief, -frustrated their object, and compelled the Spaniards to have recourse to -the more expensive and difficult method of besieging the place.[13] - ------ - -Footnote 13: - - The strength of the company, including officers, when the provision - supplies arrived, under Admiral Rodney, in February, 1780, and again - under Admiral Darby, in April, 1781, was, on both occasions, stated to - be 124. See ‘An authentic and accurate Journal of the late Siege of - Gibraltar,’ pp. 22, 170. - ------ - -At this period the privations of the soldiers in the fortress were of so -severe a nature, that many of them were constrained to seek expedients -from unusual resources to supply their wants; and in this way, thistles, -dandelion, and other wild herbs, the produce of a barren rock, were used -to satisfy their cravings. The following enumeration of some of the -necessaries of life, with their prices affixed, will afford an idea of -the extent of the scarcity:— - - _s._ _d._ _s._ _d._ - Mutton or beef . 2 6 to 3 6 per lb. sometimes higher. - Salt beef or pork 1 0 to 1 3 per lb. - Biscuit crumbs 0 10 to 1 0 per lb. - Milk and water 1 3 a pint. - Eggs 0 6 each. - A small cabbage 1 6 - A small bunch of outward leaves 0 6 - -Thus curtailed in their provisions, the wonder is, that the men were at -all capable of supporting life, and keeping their opponents in check. -But notwithstanding this embarrassing privation, their energy and -courage were by no means weakened, nor their spirit and ardour -depressed. - -In November, 1781, the Spaniards were very zealous in completing their -defences; so much so that towards the latter part of the month their -batteries presented an appearance at once stupendous and formidable. -This proud bulwark naturally arrested the Governor’s attention, and as -naturally engendered the determination to assault and destroy it. On the -26th November, he desired a selection to be made from the troops for -this purpose. To each of the right and centre columns a detachment of -the company—in all twelve non-commissioned officers as overseers, and -forty privates—was attached, under Lieutenants Skinner and Johnson of -the Engineers; and 160 working men from the line were directed to assist -them. To the left column a hundred sailors were told off to do the duty -of pioneers. The soldier-artificers were supplied with hammers, axes, -crow-bars, fire-faggots, and other burning materials. Upon the setting -of the moon at three o’clock on the morning of the 27th November the -sortie was made. The moment Lieut.-Colonel Hugo, who had charge of the -right column, took possession of the parallel, Lieutenant Johnson with -the artificers and pioneers commenced with great promptitude and -dexterity to dismantle the works. Similar daring efforts succeeded the -rush of Lieutenant Skinner’s artificers and workmen into the St. Carlo’s -Battery with the column of Lieut.-Colonel Dachenhausen; but the number -of the soldier-artificers attached to the sortie, whose ardour and -labours were everywhere apparent, being both inconsiderable and -insufficient to effect the demolition with the expedition required, the -Governor sent back to the garrison for the remainder of the company to -come and assist in the operation.[14] Hurrying to the spot to share in -the struggle, they were soon distributed through the batteries; and the -efficiency of their exertions was sensibly seen, in the rapidity with -which the works were razed and in flames. Only one of the company was -wounded.[15] - ------ - -Footnote 14: - - Captain Luttrell, in some remarks in the House of Commons in 1788, - relative to the expediency of raising a corps of military artificers, - stated, “that at Gibraltar, where a similar body had been kept up - during the siege, they had been of infinite service. When our troops - had, in a sortie, possessed themselves of some of the enemy’s works, - they could not destroy them until they had sent back to the garrison - for the corps of artificers, who soon demolished them.”—Gent. Mag. 58, - part 2, 1788. - -Footnote 15: - - London Gazette, 12,256. 25 to 29 December, 1781. - ------ - -General Eliott in his despatch on this sortie, observes, “The pioneers,” -meaning artificers, “and artillerists, made wonderful exertions, and -spread their fire with such amazing rapidity, that in half an hour, two -mortar batteries of ten 13-inch mortars, and three batteries of six guns -each, with all the lines of approach, communication, traverses, &c. were -in flames and reduced to ashes. Their mortars and cannon were spiked, -and their beds, carriages, and platforms destroyed. Their magazines blew -up one after another, as the fire approached them.”[16] - ------ - -Footnote 16: - - London Gazette, 12,256. 25 to 29 December, 1781. - ------ - -Shortly after the sortie the repairs to the defences at the north front -and other works of the fortress, found full employment for the company. -Leisure could not be permitted, and the necessary intervals of rest were -frequently interrupted by demands for their assistance, particularly in -caissonning the batteries at Willis’s.[17] Sickness also set in about -this time; nearly 700 of the garrison were in hospital; the working -parties were curtailed; and officers' servants and others, unused to -hard labour and unskilled in the use of tools, were sent to the works to -lessen the fatigue to which their less-favoured comrades were constantly -subjected. Much extra duty and exertion were thus necessarily thrown -upon the company, and though frequently exposed to imminent danger, they -worked, both by night and day, with cheerfulness and zeal. In the -sickness that prevailed, they did not share so much as might be supposed -from the laborious nature of their duties, sixteen only being returned -sick, leaving eighty-one available for the service of the works. - ------ - -Footnote 17: - - To narrate the different services performed by the company during the - siege, would not only be tedious, but necessarily incomplete, from no - _detailed_ record of them being preserved. A reference, however, to - ‘Drinkwater’s History,’ though particularization is not even there - attempted, will afford a tolerable idea of their labours. - ------ - -On a fine day in May 1782, the Governor, attended by the Chief Engineer -and staff, made an inspection of the batteries at the north front. Great -havoc had been made in some of them by the enemy’s fire; and for the -present they were abandoned whilst the artificers were restoring them. -Meditating for a few moments over the ruins, he said aloud, “I will give -a thousand dollars to any one who can suggest how I am to get a flanking -fire upon the enemy’s works.” A pause followed the exciting exclamation, -when sergeant-major Ince of the company, who was in attendance upon the -Chief Engineer, stepped forward and suggested the idea of forming -galleries in the rock to effect the desired object. The General at once -saw the propriety of the scheme, and directed it to be carried into -execution.[18] - ------ - -Footnote 18: - - Whether the sergeant-major obtained the thousand dollars as a douceur - from the General is a question never likely to be satisfactorily - answered. The probability is, that he did not receive the reward for - his suggestion in this form, but some daily allowance commensurate - with his skill and the importance of the duty. I was informed by the - late Quarter-master-sergeant Britton Francis, who possessed a - remarkable memory, and whose father was in the company before him, - that Ince contracted for the work, and—such was the story current in - his day—received for all the excavations, one guinea per running foot! - Judging from an expression in a letter from the Duke of Richmond to - Captain Evelegh, the Commanding Engineer at Gibraltar, dated 4th - August, 1784, this tradition is an extravagant exaggeration. His Grace - observes, “I am told that the excavation of the galleries is now - constructed for, all expenses included, at one rial per foot cube;” - and he adds, “I am very glad to find that a work which promises to add - such effectual defences to the place, can be carried on at so cheap a - rate; and I make no doubt, that great improvements will still be made - by the Governor in this system of defences and lodgment for stores and - troops under the rock.” - ------ - -Upon orders being issued by the Chief Engineer, twelve good miners of -the company were selected for this novel and difficult service, and -sergeant-major Ince was nominated to take the executive direction of the -work. On the 25th of May, he commenced to mine a gallery from a place -above Farringdon’s Battery (Willis'), to communicate, _through the -rock_, to the notch or projection in the scarp under the Royal Battery. -The gallery was to be six feet high and six feet wide. The successful -progress of this preliminary work was followed by a desire to extend the -excavation from the cave at the head of the King’s lines, to the cave at -the end of the Queen’s lines, of the same dimensions as the former -gallery. A body of well-instructed miners was expressly appointed for -the duty,[19] and on the 6th July, they began this new subterranean -passage. On the 15th, the first “embrasure was opened in the face of the -rock communicating with the gallery above Farringdon’s.” To effect this, -“the mine was loaded with an unusual quantity of powder, and the -explosion was so amazingly loud, that almost the whole of the enemy’s -camp turned out at the report: but what,” adds the chronicler, “must -their surprise have been, when they observed whence the smoke -issued!”[20] The gallery was now widened to admit of the placement of a -gun with sufficient room for its recoil, and when finished, a 24-pounder -was mounted in it.[21] Before the ensuing September, five heavy guns -were placed in the gallery; and in little more than twelve months from -the day it was commenced, it was pushed to the notch, where a battery, -as originally proposed, was afterwards established and distinguished, on -account of its extensive capacity, by the name of “St George’s -Hall.”[22] - ------ - -Footnote 19: - - The Chief Engineer’s orders for the performance of this service were - as follows:—“22nd May, 1782. A gallery 6 feet high, and 6 feet wide, - through the rock, leading towards the notch nearly under the Royal - Battery, to communicate with a proposed battery to be established at - the said notch, is immediately to be undertaken and commenced upon by - 12 miners, under the executive direction of sergeant-major Ince.” - Again: “5th July, 1782. A gallery of communication, 6 feet 6 inches - high, and 6 feet wide, through the intermediate rock, between the cave - at the head of the King’s lines, and the cave near the west end of the - Queen’s lines, is forthwith to be commenced upon by a body of miners - and labourers expressly appointed for that service.”—See also - ‘Drinkwater’s Siege,’ Murray’s edit., 1846, pp. 112 and 117. - ------ - -Footnote 20: - - ‘Drinkwater’s Siege,’ Murray’s edit., 1846, p. 118. - ------ - -Footnote 21: - - Drinkwater observes, page 118, that “the original intention of this - opening was to communicate air to the workmen, who, before, were - almost suffocated with the smoke which remained after blowing the - different mines; but on examining the aperture more closely, an idea - was conceived of mounting a gun to bear on all the enemy’s batteries, - excepting Fort Barbara.” To ascribe it to this accidental circumstance - is natural enough, but there is reason to suppose, the statement - excusably differs from the fact. The galleries were begun with the - express object of arming them with ordnance to play on the enemy’s - works; and the formation of the embrasure alluded to, was simply the - earnest of a settled scheme; the first hostile step in its - development. - -Footnote 22: - - ‘Drinkwater’s Siege,’ Murray’s edit., 1846, note, p. 118. - ------ - -At Princess Anne’s Battery (Willis'), on the 11th June, a shell from the -enemy fell through one of the magazines, and, bursting, the powder -instantly ignited and blew up. The whole rock shook with the violence of -the explosion, which, tearing up the magazine, threw its massive -fragments to an almost incredible distance into the sea. Three merlons -on the west flank of the battery, with several men who had run behind -them for shelter, were blown into the Prince’s lines beneath, which, -with the Queen’s lower down the rock, were almost filled with the -rubbish ejected from the upper battery, as also with men dreadfully -scorched and mangled. The loss among the workmen was very severe. -Fourteen were killed and fifteen wounded.[23] Private George Brown, a -mason of the company, was amongst the former. - ------ - -Footnote 23: - - ‘Drinkwater’s Siege,’ Murray’s edit., 1846, p. 113. - ------ - -In July the company could only muster ninety-two men of all ranks, -including the wounded and sick, having lost twenty-two men during the -siege by death, six of whom had been killed. This was the more -unfortunate, as the siege was daily assuming a more serious aspect, the -enemy collecting in greater force, and the effect of the cannonade upon -the defences more telling and ruinous. Naturally the Governor’s -attention was called to the deficiency; and as his chief dependence -rested upon the soldier-artificers for the execution and direction of -the more important works, he was not only anxious for their completion -to the authorized establishment, but convinced of the desirableness of -augmenting them. In this view he was the more confirmed, by the -representations of Major-General Green, the chief engineer, and -Lieutenant-General Boyd. As soon, therefore, as an opportunity offered, -he urgently requested the Duke of Richmond, then Master-General of the -Ordnance, to fill up the company with mechanics from England, and also -to make a liberal increase to its establishment. His Grace accordingly -submitted the recommendation to His Majesty, and a Warrant, dated 31st -August, 1782, was issued ordering the company to be increased with 118 -men. Its establishment now amounted to— - - 1 Sergeant-major. - 10 Sergeants. - 10 Corporals. - 209 Working-men. - 4 Drummers. - —— - Total 234 - -To carry out the wishes of General Eliott, the Duke of Richmond employed -parties in England and Scotland to enlist the required number, which for -the most part consisted of carpenters, sawyers, and smiths. With great -spirit and success the recruiting was conducted; and in less than a -month 141 mechanics—more than enough to meet both the deficiency and the -authorized increase—were embarked for the Rock on board the transports -which accompanied the relieving fleet under Lord Hood. Twenty landed on -the 15th October; a similar number next day, and the remaining 101 on -the 21st. By this increase the carpenters were 66 in number, the sawyers -31, and the smiths 57. The masons at this time were 30 strong. - -The non-commissioned officers,[24] as they stood immediately after this -augmentation, were as follows:— - - _Sergeant-major_—Henry Ince. - - _Sergeants_:— - - David Young, _carpenter_. - Edward Macdonald.[25] - Robert Blyth,[26] _mason_. - Alexander Grigor. - James Smith, _smith_. - Thomas Jackson, _smith_. - Robert Brand, _mason_. - Robert Daniel. - Joseph Makin, _mason_. - Thomas Finch,[27] _carpenter_. - - _Corporals_:— - - Robert Newell, _mason_. - Hugh Sirrige, _carpenter_. - Joseph Chambers,[28] _mason_. - James Carey, _carpenter_. - Joseph Woodhead,[29] _mason_. - John Morrison, _mason_. - John Harrison, _mason_. - John Fraser, _carpenter_. - Thomas Harrenden, _carpenter_. - Antonio Francia,[30] _mason_. - -And the officers were, in addition to those mentioned at pp. 4 and 5, -Lieutenants William M‘Kerras, John Johnston, and Lewis Hay. - ------ - -Footnote 24: - - It is not intended to give the names of the non-commissioned officers - entire at any future period. In this instance they have been - mentioned, not so much for the interest of the general reader, as to - preserve them. With those whose names have already been noted, these - constitute the first race of non-commissioned officers in the corps. - ------ - -Footnote 25: - - By the Chief Engineer’s Order of 27th October, 1781, sergeant - Macdonald, an active and good non-commissioned officer, was appointed - to inspect and take care of all the drains throughout the fortress in - the room of sergeant-major Bridges, as also to keep the keys of the - gratings, and to see them locked, to prevent ingress or egress by - their means. This duty was considered a very important one, both from - the facility the drains afforded for the entrance of the enemy and for - desertions from the place, and also from the health of the garrison - being in a great measure affected by their state. Not unfrequently - during heavy rains, the gravel on the rock, washed down by the - torrent, would rush into the drains and choke them up. To clear them, - the company of artificers was invariably called upon, often at night; - and on one occasion, in April, 1813, private William Liddle, who was - foremost in one of the great drains, after unlocking the grating, was - carried down the sewer with the flood into the sea, and drowned. - ------ - -Footnote 26: - - Blyth served fifteen years in the 2nd Foot, and joined the company - 14th June, 1773. He was promoted to be sergeant on the 18th April, - 1781, in succession to sergeant Brown who died at Fez, and whose widow - became the Sultana of Morocco. By his industry and frugality he - amassed considerable property, and expended about 20,000 dollars in - buildings at the fortress. He was well known as a zealous freemason, - and erected a wine-house at the corner of the Eleventh, since called - South Parade, in which the meetings or lodges of the fraternity were - held free of expense. He was much respected by the inhabitants, and - became very popular among them. On the 31st January, 1800, he was - discharged from the corps, after a service of nearly forty-two years, - and died at the Rock about 1804, Blyth had a nephew in the Tripoline - navy, of whom a few particulars may not be uninteresting. His name was - Peter Lisle. When quite a youth, Peter was wrecked at Zoara, on the - coast of Tripoli. He was one of three only who escaped. For a time he - endured great hardships, but at length succeeded in getting on board a - British merchantman. In 1792 he was at Gibraltar, on board the - ‘Embden’ letter of marque, Lynch and Ross, owners. This vessel - afterwards went to Tripoli with two consuls on board; and Lisle, then - chief mate, was placed in charge of the cargo, some of which was corn. - On arriving at Tripoli, the barrels containing the corn were found to - have been plundered, and Lisle was called upon to account for the - deficiency. This he could not do; a quarrel ensued between the captain - and himself, and resigning his situation, he landed, and entered the - service of the Bashaw. Having been chief mate of an English vessel was - a strong recommendation in his favour, and he was at once appointed - gunner of the castle. Associated with a strange people, he readily - conformed to their manners and customs, embraced Mahommedan tenets—at - least in appearance—and assumed the name of Mourad Reis. About 1794 he - was nominated captain of a xebeck mounting eighteen guns; and in the - course of time, by his naval skill and abilities, became the High - Admiral of the Tripoline Fleet and Minister of Marine. He married one - of the daughters of the Bashaw, Sidi Yusuf, had a fine family, and - enjoyed an ample income. Besides a house in the city, he had a villa - and gardens in the Meshiah among the date-groves, which exhibited - evidence of great taste and care, and were enriched with many trees of - various species brought by him from different places at which he - touched in Europe. He was a prudent and sagacious counsellor, gave - excellent advice to the Bashaw, which was always based on good common - sense—a quality not superabundant in the Divan—and was of great - service to Lord Exmouth during his Algerine expedition. His appearance - was venerable, he dressed richly, commanded much respect, and when - addressing British officers—whom he always treated with great courtesy - and hospitality—spoke with a broad Scotch accent, and sometimes - entertained them with a relation of his own stirring adventures. He - was unpopular at times, as great politicians sometimes are. Blaquiere - says (1813), “Poor Peter was no longer an object of consideration with - any party.” During the stay of Captain Lyon at Tripoli in 1818, Peter - was in banishment, but the consul and chief people gave him an - excellent character. Later, however, he again rose into confidence, - for when Captain Beechey was there in 1821, Mourad Reis was much - considered by his Highness, and acted as interpreter on the occasion - of the Captain’s audience with his Highness the Bashaw. He also proved - of great service to Captain W. H. Smyth, R.N. On the fall of the - Bashaw—Yusuf Karamanli—he retreated to Sfax in Tunis, since which his - fate is uncertain. When in the zenith of his power and greatness he - paid occasional visits to Gibraltar. On entering the bay, he always - fired a salute of four guns in honour of his uncle, serjeant Blyth, - whom he treated with marked respect. This practice, however, he at - length discontinued, owing to a shot, fired by mistake from one of his - guns, having struck the wall of a ramp just above Hargrave’s Parade - whilst he was paying his relative the usual affectionate compliment. - ------ - -Footnote 27: - - Finch joined the company on the 21st October, 1782, at the request of - the Duke of Richmond, in whose service he had been employed at - Goodwood. Anxious to secure him for the company, his Grace promised - not only to make him a sergeant at once, but to give him a written - protection to preserve to him as long as he remained, irrespective of - his conduct, the pay of that rank. Under these circumstances Finch - accepted the protective credential, enlisted, and sailed with Lord - Hood for the Rock. Holding such a charter, it was not to be wondered - at if he sometimes overstepped the line of prudence. Not by any means - particular in his appearance, nor scrupulous in his conduct or habits, - he was not unfrequently brought before his officers; but no matter how - flagrant his offence, the only punishment that could be awarded to him - was suspension for a month or two from rank, but not from pay. Captain - Evelegh, of the engineers, finding that Finch was becoming rather - troublesome, and his sentences of but little effect, endeavoured to - obtain the Duke’s warrant from its possessor, but he refused to - surrender it, observing to the captain, “If you get hold of it, - good-bye to my rank and pay.” Finch, however, was a first-rate - carpenter and foreman, and these qualifications more than - counterbalanced his occasional delinquencies. He was discharged from - the corps on the 13th April, 1802. - ------ - -Footnote 28: - - Chambers joined the company 21st September, 1772, from the 2nd - Regiment of Foot, in which he had served two years. In 1791 he was - promoted to be sergeant-major, on the discharge of Ince. In the summer - of 1796 he was sent to Woolwich in a deranged state of mind, and on - the 1st December of that year was discharged. Soon afterwards he was - domiciled in a madhouse, where, his malady increasing, he was—it has - been reported—smothered according to the cruel practice then in vogue - with regard to incurable cases. - ------ - -Footnote 29: - - Woodhead joined the company 16th May, 1774, from the 12th Regiment, in - which he had served seven years and a quarter. In November, 1791, he - was promoted to be sergeant, and was discharged 17th July, 1807, on a - pension of 2_s._ 7_d._ a-day, after a service of upwards of forty - years. At Gibraltar he was found to be invaluable in the construction - and repairs of the sea-line wall. He possessed a good share of - intelligence; was a strong, portly, blustering mason, and well adapted - for the heavy and laborious duties for which he was always selected. - At Woolwich he was the military foreman of masons for many years, and - was intrusted by Captain Hayter, then Commanding Royal Engineer, with - the building of the wharf wall in the Royal Arsenal—a work highly - creditable to the Engineer Department, and to Woodhead as the - executive overseer. - -Footnote 30: - - Afterwards anglicised to Anthony Francis, was wounded by a shell at - Willis’s. He and his brother Dominick were natives of Portugal, and - the only foreigners in the company. Antonio was a Catholic; and as it - was desired to preserve the Protestant character of the corps, a - simple but effectual plan was taken to win his adherence to the Church - of England. He asked leave to be married. The indulgence was refused - unless he became a Protestant. _La Fiancée_ was also a Catholic; but - as a great event in their lives—which promised them no end of - happiness—was likely to be indefinitely postponed by a stubborn - acquiescence to a creed for which, probably, they felt but little - interest, both renounced the belief of their fathers, and were married - as members of the national faith. Their family were baptized and - educated as Protestants, but the old man on his death-bed, returned to - Mother-Church and died a Catholic. Three of his sons, now old men, - fill comfortable appointments at Gibraltar. Their cousins, merchants - at the Rock, own the plain called the “Spanish Race-course,” above a - mile beyond the Lines. One, Mr. Francis Francia, is British Consul at - San Roque. Midway between the village of Campo and the consulate - stands his farm, which is cultivated with enlightened taste, and - enriched with rare exotics in fruits and flowers.—Kelaart’s Botany and - Topography of Gibraltar and its neighbourhood, pp. 179, 183. - ------ - - - - - 1782-1783. - -Siege continued—Magnitude of the works—Chevaux-de-frise from Landport - Glacis across the inundation—Précis of other works—Firing red-hot - shot—Damage done to the works of the garrison, and exertions of the - company in restoring them—Grand attack, and burning of the battering - flotilla—Reluctance of the enemy to quit the contest—Kilns for heating - shot—Orange Bastion—Subterranean galleries—Discovery of the enemy - mining under the Rock—Ulterior dependence of the enemy—Peace—Conduct - of the company during the siege—Casualties. - - -In August the siege daily wore a more significant appearance, and the -enemy was diligent in concentrating his resources—unlimited both in -means and materials—to make an extraordinary attack upon the fortress. -To cope with these preparations General Eliott was no less alert. All -was ardour and cheerfulness within the garrison, and every one waited -impatiently for an opportunity to end the strife, which had held -thousands close prisoners to their posts for more than three years. - -At this time the defensive works were very extensive, and many important -alterations had yet to be made in several of the batteries, to afford -more effectual cover to the artillery. The workmen consequently were -greatly increased. Daily, nearly 2,000 men of the line were handed over -to the engineers for the service of the fortifications; and the -soldier-artificers were employed in their greatest force—two only being -in hospital—to instruct and oversee them. In the more difficult works -requiring experience, and the exercise of skill and ability, the company -always laboured themselves. - -In the most vulnerable part of the fortress, from the foot of Landport -Glacis adjoining Waterport, to the sloping palisades on the causeway -across the inundation, the greater part of the carpenters of the company -were occupied in fixing a chevaux-de-frise. They completed the work -without the least interference from the enemy—a surprising instance of -his inattention or forbearance. - -While the chevaux-de-frise was in course of erection, covered ways were -being constructed at the different lines on the north front, large and -lofty traverses were raised along the line wall, the flank of the -Princess Anne’s Battery was rebuilt, the subterranean passages were -pushed forward with vigour, and a covered way from the Grand Parade to -the Orange Bastion was completed. Green’s Lodge and the Royal Battery -were also caissoned with ship-timber, and considerable alterations were -made at Willis’s. Indeed nothing was omitted to render the fortress -capable of sustaining any attack to which it might be subjected from the -enemy’s immense and well-armed batteries. - -These works and many others of a similar nature were in progress when -the firing of red-hot shot from the north front, under General Boyd’s -directions, commenced upon the enemy’s batteries. The effect of this -destructive expedient was astounding, and the demolition of the enemy’s -lines in great part soon followed. Panic-stricken or confused, the -besiegers returned but a tardy fire, and the injury sustained by it was -of little moment. - -The bold attack of the garrison, however, aroused the Spaniards, who, -quickly repairing their works, opened, on the next day, a warm and -powerful fire upon the Rock from 170 guns of large calibre. Nine -line-of-battle ships also poured in their broadsides, in which they were -assisted by fifteen gun and mortar boats. Considerable injury was thus -done to the north front, as also to the Montague and Orange Bastions; -the obstructions at Landport were likewise in great measure demolished, -and many other works were partially razed. The engineers with the -artificers and workmen were unremitting in their exertions, both during -the night and in the day-time, to restore the defences where their -importance, from their exposed situation, rendered immediate reparation -desirable. At Landport, notwithstanding the sharp firing of the enemy, -the carpenters of the company were constantly detached to repair the -fresh-recurring breaches, which, Drinkwater states, “were kept in a -better state than might have been expected.” - -This attack and retaliation, however, were as yet only preliminary to -the greater one which was to follow. The interval was filled up by -discharges of cannon, averaging 4,000 rounds in the twenty-four hours. -On the 12th September the combined fleets of France and Spain arrived -before the Rock with ten floating batteries, bearing 212 guns; while -their land batteries, strong and terrible, mounted 200 heavy guns, and -were protected by an army of 40,000 men. - -In their several stations the battering flotilla were soon moored, and -the fleet anchored in less than ten minutes. The first ship having cast -her anchors, that moment the garrison artillery began to throw its -burning missiles. A tremendous rejoinder from the enemy succeeded. -Upwards of 400 pieces of the heaviest artillery were disgorging their -dreadful contents at the same instant. Of these the garrison only -employed 96. For hours the balance of the contest was equal, the -battering ships seemed invulnerable; but, at length, the red-hot shot -gave evidence of their efficacy in the sheets of resistless flame that -burst in all directions from the flotilla. By the 14th the whole of the -floating batteries were burnt: their magazines blew up one after -another; and it was a miracle, that the loss of the enemy by drowning -did not exceed the numbers saved by the merciful efforts of the -garrison. - -Notwithstanding this appalling reverse the enemy were still reluctant to -quit the contest. Many proofs they had had of the unconquerable spirit -of the besieged even whilst suffering from pinching privation, and -warring against such overwhelming odds; but they still clung to the hope -of compelling the surrender of their invincible adversaries, though -their repeated defeats should have taught them a far different lesson. - -This obstinacy, of course, necessarily caused other and more effectual -preparations to be made in the fortress, to meet and withstand any -future attacks. Red-hot shot was considered to be the grand specific. To -supply it in sufficient quantities, the company of artificers erected -kilns in various parts of the garrison. Each kiln was capable of heating -100 shots in little more than an hour. By this means, as Drinkwater -writes, “the artificers were enabled to supply the artillery with a -constant succession for the ordnance.” - -The struggle continued for some time much less terrific than has just -been stated. From 1,000 to 2,000 rounds, however, were poured into the -garrison in the twenty-four hours, and were followed up with more or -less briskness for a few months, according to the varying caprice of the -assailants. During this cannonade, the artificers under the engineers -were constantly engaged in the diversified works of the fortress, and -they began to rebuild the whole flank of the Orange Bastion on the -sea-line, 120 feet in length. All the available masons and miners of the -company were appointed to this important work, and were greatly -strengthened on the arrival of the 141 mechanics under Lord Hood. In the -face of the enemy’s artillery, the artificers continued fearlessly to -rear the flank, and at last completed it in about three months, to the -amazement and satisfaction of the Governor and the garrison. The -erection of such a work, in solid masonry, and under such circumstances, -is perhaps unprecedented in any siege, and is alike highly honourable to -the engineers and to the company. - -Nor was the subterranean gallery under Farringdon’s Battery prosecuted -with less zeal under serjeant-major Ince. Five embrasures by this time -had been opened in the front of the Rock facing the neutral ground. The -miners exerted themselves with an energy that was conspicuous and -commendable. This singular work seemed to be the Governor’s hobby; he -expected much from it, and ordered a similar Battery for two guns to be -cut in the Rock, near Croutchet’s Battery, above the Prince of Hesse’s -Bastion. Its completion, however, was not effected until after the -siege. - -To the schemes of the enemy there appeared to be no end; neither did -they lack hope nor want confidence. They had failed to obtain the -submission of the garrison by famine; equally so, by a protracted -bombardment; nor was their tremendous attack by a bomb-proof flotilla, -assisted by their formidable land batteries, attended with better -success. They now attempted a fourth stratagem, to mine a cave in the -Rock by which to blow up the north front, and thus make a breach for -their easy entrance into the fortress. Chimerical as the project might -appear, it was conducted with some spirit, and occasioned the garrison -much employment. Information of the infatuated design was, in the first -instance, given by a deserter from the enemy, which, however, was -cautiously received; and as it was impracticable to perceive the miners -at work, doubts still existed whether the enemy had actually embarked in -the scheme. These doubts were at length removed by sergeant Thomas -Jackson,[31] of the artificer company, by whose enterprising efforts the -movements of the enemy were rendered indisputable. It was his duty to -reconnoitre[32] the north front, in addition to other services for which -he was held responsible. Anxious to ascertain the cause of so much -mysterious activity at the Devil’s Tower, he descended the steep and -rugged rock by means of ropes and ladders. The attempt was as bold as it -was hazardous. Stopped by an opening very near to the base of the cliff -he explored the entrance, and hearing the hum of voices and the busy -strokes of hammers and picks he was well assured of the purpose for -which the excavation was intended. Climbing the steep again, he reported -what he had discovered. A stricter watch was therefore kept upon the -Tower to prevent communication between it and the Rock. Hand-grenades -and weighty fragments of stone were frequently hurled over the precipice -to terrify the workmen below, and choke up the entrance to the gallery; -and though these means did not make the intrepid miners relinquish their -project, they yet greatly interrupted its progress. The notion of the -engineer who proposed the mine must have been the result of desperation, -for what must have been its nature to crumble in its explosion a huge -mass of compact rock, nearly 1,400 feet of perpendicular height, into a -roadway, by which to enter the fortress as through a breach? - ------ - -Footnote 31: - - Joined the company August, 1776, from the 56th Foot, in which he had - served eleven years. Discharged about 1789. - -Footnote 32: - - Reconnoitering appears to have been a duty that devolved upon - sergeants of the company. On the 25th December, 1782, two soldiers - attempted to desert from Mount Misery; one “got down, though the rope - broke, which accident was the cause of the other being retaken. A few - days after a sergeant of the artificers was ordered to reconnoitre the - place where this deserter descended, and he got down far enough to - discover the unfortunate man dashed to pieces at the foot of the - precipice,”—‘Drinkwater.’ Murray’s edit., 1846, p. 100. - ------ - -Since the flotilla had been burnt and the fleet had disappeared, it was -evident that the enemy now depended for a triumph on their gun-boats and -land-batteries, and also the mine at the Devil’s Tower. For a time they -warmly plied the fortress with shot and shell, to which the garrison -responded with considerable animation. Intervals followed, induced by -indecision or caprice, in which the firing from the enemy was very -desultory and inefficacious; but that from the garrison was always well -sustained. The soldiers of the Rock seemed to rise in spirit and -activity as the enemy declined in these qualities. With the latter, the -barometer of their hopes fell with their energies. Still they -fruitlessly laboured on, the mine under the Rock being the principal -object of their attention, until relieved from the disgrace of another -defeat, by the arrival of news from home of the signing of preliminaries -for a general peace. The intelligence was communicated to the garrison -on the 2nd February, 1783, and on the 5th, the last shot in the conflict -was fired from the fortress. Thus terminated a siege, extending over a -period of nearly four years, which, when all the circumstances connected -with it are taken into account, can scarcely find its parallel in the -chronicles of ancient or modern warfare. - -During the whole of this memorable defence, the company of artificers -proved themselves to be good and brave soldiers; and no less conspicuous -for their skill, usefulness, and zeal on the works. With their conduct -and exertions in the performance of their various professional duties, -their officers were always well pleased; and, not unfrequently, the -Governor, and General Boyd, in witnessing their services, encouraged and -flattered them with expressions of their admiration. In later days, when -the expediency of raising a _corps_ of military artificers was discussed -in the House of Commons, Captain Luttrell stated, “that during the -siege, the corps at Gibraltar had been found of infinite service.”[33] - ------ - -Footnote 33: - - ‘Gentleman’s Magazine,’ 58, part 2, 1788. - ------ - -The following is a detail of the casualties that occurred in the company -at this siege:— - - Officers. Sergeants. Rank and File. Total. - - Killed[34] 0 1 6 7 } - - Wounded, severely 0 0 7 7 } 49 - - Wounded, but recovered 2 3 30 35 } - - Dead by sickness 0 0 23 23 - - —— —— —— —— - - Total 2 4 66 72 - ------ - -Footnote 34: - - Sergeant John Richmond—date unknown. - Corporal Charles Tabb } 25th November, 1781. - Mason Adam Parsons } - Mason Adam Sharp—5th March, 1782. - Mason George Brown—11th June, 1782. - Nailor Robert Shepherd—16th January, 1783. - - The name of the other man killed cannot be ascertained, as the - documents of the company from the commencement of the siege to the - 30th September, 1781, are lost. - ------ - -Besides which, two men having plundered the King’s stores, were executed -for the offence at the Convent in Irish Town, on the 29th May, 1781.[35] - ------ - -Footnote 35: - - The names of the criminals were Artificers Samuel Whitaker and Simon - Pratts. - ------ - -It is, however, satisfactory to mention, that of the forty-three -desertions recorded to have taken place from the garrison, none were -from the artificer company. One regiment was decreased eleven men from -this cause, and another nine. - - - - - 1783. - -Duc de Crillon’s compliments respecting the works—Subterranean - galleries-Their supposed inefficiency—Henry Ince—Quickness of sight of - two boys of the company—Employment of the boys during the siege—Thomas - Richmond and John Brand—Models constructed by them. - - -The cessation of hostilities brought the commanders of the two powers -together, and a most interesting interview took place between them. -During the visit of the Duc de Crillon, he was shown all the marvels of -the Rock; but the fortifications especially engaged his attention. -Having been conducted to the batteries on the heights, his Grace made -some remarks on the formidable appearance of the lower defences, and on -the good state of the batteries in so short a period. “These,” writes -Drinkwater, “produced some compliments to the chief engineer;” and, -continues the historian, “when conducted into the gallery above -Farringdon’s Battery—now called Windsor—his Grace was particularly -astonished, especially when informed of its extent, which at that time -was between 500 and 600 feet. Turning to his suite, after exploring the -extremity, he exclaimed, these works are worthy of the Romans.”[36] - ------ - -Footnote 36: - - Drinkwater’s ‘Siege of Gibraltar.’ Murray’s edit., 1846, p. 163. - ------ - -For many years the galleries thus eulogized by the Duke were in course -of construction, and are formed, as already stated, by deep excavations -in the solid rock. Passing round the north face in two tiers,[37] -mounting about forty pieces of heavy ordnance, they command the approach -to the fortress from the neutral ground, and render it almost -impregnable on that side. Large magazines and spacious halls—in like -manner hewn out of the rock—are attached to them. The work, as a whole, -executed principally by the jumper and blasting, is curious and even -marvellous, bearing also unequivocal evidence of ingenuity and of -immense labour. Than these subterranean passages and chambers, no better -testimony need scarcely be desired of the successful superintendence of -sergeant-major Ince and of the skill and exertions of the company. - ------ - -Footnote 37: - - Called Lower, or Union Galleries; and Upper, or Windsor Galleries. - ------ - -Notwithstanding the formidable character of these defences, doubts seem -to exist as to their real efficiency in a siege. These doubts have -arisen from the idea that the report of the explosion would not only be -deafening, but that the smoke would return into the galleries and -suffocate the men.[38] No experiments have ever been made with the view -of ascertaining these particulars: speculation is therefore properly -admissible. Once, indeed, in 1804, they were fired in salvo to dispel, -if possible, the then raging fever;[39] and at distant intervals since, -_some_ of the guns have been discharged; but no complaint was ever -made—at least became public—of the inutility of these galleries from the -causes stated. To expect a loud report is certainly natural, but much -less so the recoil of the smoke, as a strong current of air is always -passing in the galleries, and rushing with some force through the -embrasures. No matter how sultry the day, how still the air, or how -fiercely the sun may beam upon the Rock, in these galleries a strong -breeze is constantly felt; and the fresher the wind from the outside, -whether from the north-east, and blowing directly into the embrasures, -or sweeping round the Rock, the stronger is the current within the -galleries to force back or disperse the smoke. But little, therefore, of -the vapour can find its way back, and that little must be _much less_ -annoying to the gunners than in an open field when, firing smartly in -the teeth of the wind, the whole volume turns back and beclouds them as -long as the cannonade continues. However, should the alleged defect be -found on trial to exist, there is no reason to fear but that the -military engineer will readily adopt some effectual contrivance for -removing the annoyance, and for obtaining all that power and efficiency -which the galleries were designed to possess and should be capable of -commanding. - ------ - -Footnote 38: - - Walsh’s ‘Campaigns in Egypt,’ 1803, p. 5. Wilkie, ‘On British Colonies - considered as Military Posts,’ in United Service Journal, Part ii., - 1840, p. 379. - -Footnote 39: - - Maule’s ‘Campaigns of North Holland and Egypt,’ &c., p. 303. - ------ - -Since these excavations—these vaults of solitude—which excite some -degree of awe from their magnitude, and the proud array of ordnance that -arm them—have always been highly praised by military men, and been -visited both by officers and others as a species of marvel at the -fortress, it will not be out of place to introduce the projector—Henry -Ince—to notice. He was born in 1737 at Penzance in Cornwall, was brought -up to the trade of a nailor, and afterwards acquired some experience as -a miner. Early in 1755 he enlisted into the 2nd Foot, and served some -time with it at Gibraltar, where he had been much employed on the works -in mining and blasting rock. After a service of seventeen and a half -years in the 2nd regiment, he joined the company, then forming, on the -26th June, 1772. The same day he was promoted to be sergeant. Having -showed superior intelligence in the execution of his duties as a -foreman, and distinguished himself by his diligence and gallantry during -the siege, he was, in September, 1781, selected for the rank of -sergeant-major. In the following year he suggested the formation of the -galleries, and was honoured by being directed to conduct the work -himself. This he continued to do until it was finished. As “overseer of -the mines,” he had the executive charge of all blasting, mining, battery -building, &c., at the fortress, and was found to be invaluable. He was -active, prompt, and persevering, very short in stature, but wiry and -hardy in constitution; was greatly esteemed by his officers, and -frequently the subject of commendation from the highest authorities at -Gibraltar. In February, 1787, when the Duke of Richmond was endeavouring -to economize the ordnance expenditure at the Rock, the emoluments of -sergeant-major Ince claimed his attention: but remembering his fair -fame, his Grace thus wrote concerning him:— “I do not object to -sergeant-major Henry Ince being continued as overseer of mines at 4_s._ -per day, as I understand, from all accounts, that he is a meritorious -man, and that he distinguished himself during the siege; but, as such -allowance, _in addition to his pay_, is very great, I desire it may not -be considered as a precedent; and whoever succeeds him must only receive -2_s._ 10_d._ per day, like the foremen in other branches, if he should -be appointed a foreman.” In 1791, after a period of thirty-six years' -active service, he was discharged from the company, but was still -continued on the works as an overseer. On the 2nd February, 1796, he was -commissioned as ensign in the Royal Garrison Battalion, and on the 24th -March, 1801, was promoted to be lieutenant. In 1802 the regiment was -disbanded. All this time, however, Ince was attached to the department -as assistant-engineer; but at length, having worn himself out in the -service of the fortress, he returned to Penzance, and died in June, -1809, at the age of seventy-two.[40] - ------ - -Footnote 40: - - Ince had a farm at the top of the Rock, which is still called by his - name. He had an only son, a clerk in the Commissariat department at - Gibraltar, under Commissary-general Sweetlove, who, together with his - wife, died in the fever of 1804, leaving an infant son, who was - brought up by his grandmother. The eldest daughter of Lieutenant Ince - was married at Gibraltar to Lieutenant R. Stapleton, of the 60th - Rifles, who exchanged with Lieutenant Croker into the 13th Foot, and - then sold out. - - One day Mr. Ince was trotting at an easy pace up the Rock, when the - Duke of Kent, overtaking him, observed, “That horse, Mr. Ince, is too - old for you.” “I like to ride easy, your Royal Highness,” was the - subaltern’s meek reply. “Right, but you shall have another, more in - keeping with your worth and your duties;” and soon afterwards the Duke - presented him with a very valuable steed. The old overseer, however, - was unable to manage the animal, and he rode again to the works on his - own quiet nag. The Duke, meeting him soon after, inquired how it was - he was not riding the new horse, when Ince replied, he was unable - sufficiently to curb his spirit and tranquillize his pace. Ince then - prayed his Royal Highness to honour his servant by receiving the noble - creature into his stud again. “No, no, overseer,” rejoined the Duke; - “if you can’t ride him easily, _put him into your pocket_!” The - overseer readily understood his Royal Highness, and exchanged the - beautiful steed for his worth in doubloons. - ------ - -Among the various stirring incidents narrated by Drinkwater, is the -following, relative to the peculiar advantage of the boys of the -soldier-artificer company during the siege. - -“In the course of the day,” 25th March, 1782, “ a shot came through one -of the capped embrasures on Princess Amelia’s Battery (Willis’s), took -off the legs of two men belonging to the 72nd and 73rd regiments, one -leg of a soldier of the 73rd, and wounded another man in both legs; thus -four men had seven legs taken off and wounded by one shot. The boy, who -was usually stationed on the works where a large party was employed to -inform the men when the enemy’s fire was directed to that place, had -been reproving them for their carelessness in not attending to him, and -had just turned his head toward the enemy, when he observed this shot, -and instantly called for them to take care; his caution was, however, -too late; the shot entered the embrasure, and had the above-recited -fatal effect. It is somewhat singular that this boy should be possessed -of such uncommon quickness of sight as to see the enemy’s shot almost -immediately after they quitted the guns. He was not, however, the only -one in the garrison possessing this qualification; another boy, of about -the same age, was as celebrated, if not his superior. Both of them -belonged to the artificer company, and were constantly placed on some -part of the works to observe the enemy’s fire; their names were Richmond -(not Richardson, as stated by Drinkwater) and Brand; the former was -reported to have the best eye.”[41] Joseph Parsons,[42] another youth of -the company, was also employed as a _looker-out_ on the works; and -though his name has escaped the notice of the historian, he was -nevertheless no less efficient. - ------ - -Footnote 41: - - ‘Drinkwater.’ Murray’s edit., 1846, p. 108. - ------ - -Footnote 42: - - Parsons joined the company in February, 1779, and was discharged, as a - private artificer, 1st January, 1809, on 1_s._ 4_d._ a-day. - -It was an object that every one in the fortress should be rendered -useful in some way or other, and the boys of the company—out of -sympathy for their youth—were, for some time after the commencement of -the siege employed on the works at Europa quarry, then but little -annoyed by the enemy’s fire. At length, inured to labour, and taught -by events to expect danger, it was considered of greater advantage to -occupy their time at the different batteries; and on the 15th -February, 1782, the Chief Engineer directed their removal to the works -and fortifications,[43] with the view of looking out for the enemy’s -projectiles, and giving warning of their approach. On the 21st June -following, such of the boys as were masons in the company were engaged -under Mr. Hutchinson, a civil foreman, in rounding stones, agreeably -to the instructions of Major Lewis of the artillery. These stones, -according to Drinkwater, were “cut to fit the calibre of a 13-inch -mortar, with a hole drilled in the centre, which being filled with a -sufficient quantity of powder, were fired with a short fuse to burst -over the enemy’s works.” It was an unusual mode of annoyance, and for -its novelty was employed for some time; but not effecting the damage -that was desired, it was ultimately laid aside.[44] On the failure of -this experiment, the boys returned to the perilous posts assigned to -them on the batteries to look out. At this duty they continued as long -as the siege lasted, and doubtless, by their vigilance in its -execution, they were the means of saving many valuable lives, or -otherwise preventing casualty. - ------ - -Footnote 43: - - Order Book—Chief Engineer’s. - -Footnote 44: - - ‘Order-Book’ (Chief Engineer’s) of 21st June, 1782; and ‘Drinkwater,’ - Murray’s edit., 1846, p. 118. - ------ - -Of the two boys who have been so favourably noticed by Drinkwater, it -may not be unacceptable to devote a small space here to their brief but -honourable history. Their names were Thomas Richmond[45] and John Brand; -the former was known at the Rock by the familiar sobriquet of _shell_, -being the better looker-out; and the latter by the name of _shot_. -Richmond was trained as a carpenter; Brand as a mason. Their fathers -were sergeants in the company.[46] Richmond’s was killed at the siege. -As might be expected, the beneficial services of these boys at the -batteries acquired for them no common celebrity and esteem. - ------ - -Footnote 45: - - Not Richardson, as Drinkwater has it, p. 108. - -Footnote 46: - - Brand’s father, a mason by trade and a Perthshire man, was the first - artificer enrolled in the company. - ------ - -The siege being over, the youths were sent to Mr. Geddes’s school, at -that time the principal seminary at Gibraltar. This gentleman paid every -attention to their instruction and improvement, and, as a consequence, -they progressed rapidly in their studies. Being found quick, -intelligent, and ingenious, some officers of the company patronized -them, and placed them in the drawing-room under their own eye, with the -view of making them competent to fill better situations. Brand in time -became corporal, and Richmond lance-corporal, which ranks they held on -the 8th May, 1789, when they were discharged from the corps, and -appointed by the Commander-in-Chief assistant-draughtsmen.[47] - ------ - -Footnote 47: - - ‘Order-Book’ (Chief Engineer’s), 8th May, 1789. - ------ - -Having made considerable proficiency in their trades, they were employed -for some years previous to their discharge as modellers, which art they -continued to follow with great tact, skill, and perseverance, until they -quitted the fortress. After several trial models of various subjects, -these young men commenced the gigantic task of modelling Gibraltar, at -which they worked with unwearied application for nearly three years. -Succeeding so well in this their first great and public undertaking, -Brand[48] was directed to make a model in polished stone of the King’s -Bastion, and Richmond[49] a model of the north front of Gibraltar. -Nearly the whole of the years 1790 and 1791 were spent in perfecting -them; and for these noble specimens of art they were favoured with the -flattering congratulations of the highest authorities at the fortress. -The better to exemplify the appreciation entertained of the models, and -of the merits and talents of the modellers, they were recommended to the -Duke of Richmond for commissions. His Grace immediately ordered them to -proceed to Woolwich, to undergo some slight preparatory training. That -training was short—a few months sufficed, and then they were honoured -with appointments as second lieutenants in the royal engineers. Their -commissions were dated 17th January, 1793.[50] Soon the young -subalterns, rich in intelligence and full of promise, were sent abroad; -but before the close of the year, both fell a prey to the prevailing -yellow fever in the West Indies.[51] - ------ - -Footnote 48: - - Assisted by sergeant James Shirres, an ingenious artizan and modeller. - This non-commissioned officer, after serving at the capture of - Minorca, was made a sergeant-major of the company that served there, - 2nd May, 1800, and on the 31st December, 1804, was appointed overseer - in the royal engineer department at Plymouth. - -Footnote 49: - - Assisted by Antonio Marques, a Minorcaen artificer. - -Footnote 50: - - ‘London Gazette,’ 13,494. 15 to 19 January, 1793. - -Footnote 51: - - The education of these youths is highly creditable to the officers of - engineers. Many similar instances of boys in the corps acquiring - distinction by their talents, have subsequently occurred, the honour - of which, in great measure, is due to the officers. Assistance and - encouragement they never fail to give in cases where their efforts are - likely to meet with success, and numbers have thus qualified - themselves to fill important situations with efficiency and credit, in - their own profession, and afterwards in civil life. Richmond and - Brand, however, are the only instances in which commissions have been - given from the ranks of the artificers, or sappers and miners, into - the corps of engineers. - ------ - -The three models alluded to were brought to England in 1793 by desire of -General O’Hara. The large model of the entire Rock was deposited in the -museum in the Royal Arsenal, and the other two were presented to His -Majesty George III. Private Joseph Bethell had charge of the first -model,[52] and Private Thomas Hague[53] of the other two. The large -model, from being lodged in a public place open to visitors, was well -known. It was an object of considerable attraction, “and was much -admired,” so Drinkwater writes, “for beauty of execution and minute -correctness.”[54] A visitor to the Arsenal in those days corroborates -the just encomium of the historian, and thus records his impressions:— - -“I walked yesterday morning to Woolwich Warren, that immense repository -of military arts, the _palladium_ of our empire, where one wonder -succeeds another so rapidly, that the mind of a visitor is kept in a -continual gaze of admiration. Should I be asked what has made the -strongest impression on mine, it is a magnificent view of the rock of -Gibraltar, which was made there, formed of the very rock itself, on a -scale of twenty-five feet to an inch, and presents a most perfect view -of it in every point of perspective.”[55] - ------ - -Footnote 52: - - Drinkwater says (p. 108), “that one of the works of these young men, - while pursuing their studies at Woolwich, was to finish the large - model of the rock of Gibraltar.” The historian has certainly been - misled here: the model was finished before it left the fortress, and - did not reach the Arsenal until after its makers had been - commissioned, and left England for the West Indies. The placement and - adjustment of its several parts were intrusted to a military artificer - named Bethell. He was to have been assisted by another private, who - accompanied him for the purpose, from Gibraltar; but having broken his - leg at Woolwich, his services were thus lost. Private John McNaughton, - a carpenter of the Woolwich company, was put to the model in his - place. I knew McNaughton well, and he assured me that the model was - not touched by any hands but his own and Bethell’s, and that on no - occasion were the modellers present during its fixation. McNaughton - seems to have been an excellent artificer, and always an active - soldier. During the mutiny of Parker, he was employed in repairing - Tilbury Fort, and in erecting temporary defences below Gravesend. He - afterwards served under the great Abercrombie in Egypt; next was - employed in constructing the towers on the Sussex coast, at the time - of the projected invasion of Napoleon; and, lastly, was many years in - Newfoundland. He was discharged 24th January, 1815, on 1_s._ 4_d._ - a-day, and died at Woolwich in April, 1853, aged 84. - -Footnote 53: - - Hague was a tall, intelligent mechanic, a fine modeller, and a smart - soldier. On account of these qualities, he was selected to take charge - of the models for George III. Having put them together on their tables - at Buckingham Palace, His Majesty, the Queen, and royal family, with - other illustrious personages of the court, came to see them. Hague was - cited before them to explain the model, and to point out the defences - which, from their prominence in the late siege, had acquired historic - identity. His observations were listened to with attention, and His - Majesty awarded him a gratifying proof of his royal approbation. Soon - afterwards Hague returned to Gibraltar, and on the 31st March, 1815, - was discharged and pensioned at 1_s._ 8_d._ a-day. He was subsequently - employed as a modeller in the grand store; was married in 1827; and - died at the Rock about 1833, upwards of 100 years old. - -Footnote 54: - - ‘Drinkwater.’ Murray’s edit., 1846, p. 108. - -Footnote 55: - - To this the visitor adds a description of the model, which is adjoined - here, on account of the model itself having long since been destroyed. - “First then,” says the writer, “are the Spanish lines; then the - perpendicular rock, rising bold from the neck of the neutral ground, - which is not many feet above high-water mark. On the east, or left - hand, is the Mediterranean Sea; and on the west, within the mole or - pier, is the Bay of Gibraltar, in which the largest ships in the - British Navy may ride safe. The garrison, town, and forts, are to the - westward, whence the rock rises with a more gradual acclivity to the - summit,—the east side of which is also perpendicular, and inhabited by - monkeys. On the highest point is the Levant Battery, which is nearly - three times and one half the height of St. Paul’s church, or 1375 feet - above the level of the sea. The southern extremity of the model of - this rock towards Europa Point, being too large for the room, and less - important, is cut off. This description ought to fill a - volume.”—Gentleman’s Magazine, part 2, 1798, p.648. - ------ - -Nine years after its placement, the museum in the arsenal was fired by -an incendiary, and this celebrated model was unfortunately -destroyed.[56] The other two models, which held a place in Buckingham -Palace for about twenty-seven years, were presented in 1820 by George -IV. to the Royal Military Repository at Woolwich. They are now daily -exhibited in the Rotunda, and are, perhaps, about the best specimens of -workmanship and ingenuity in the place. That of the King’s Bastion is -finely wrought, and is really beautiful; that of the north front, bold -and masterly. Both claim the particular attention of visitors, exciting -at once their surprise and admiration. - ------ - -Footnote 56: - - This was on the 22nd May, 1802. The account given at the time of this - disgraceful act is as follows:—“A dreadful fire broke out at Woolwich, - and from the investigation which has taken place into this calamitous - circumstance, there is but too much reason to believe that this - disaster was not the mere effect of accident. The fire broke out, at - one and the same time, in three different places, besides which a - great mass of combustible materials have been discovered. The loss to - Government will be immense. The damage done to the Model-room is - particularly to be lamented, as several choice works of art have been - destroyed, without the power of reparation; however, the injury done - to the beautiful model of the rock of Gibraltar is not so great as was - at first represented, it having sustained but a slight damage, which - can be easily repaired, and the whole restored to its original - state.”—Dodsley’s Annual Register, 1802, p. 404. The journalist is - wrong in his remarks concerning the state of the model after the fire. - It was completely destroyed, and not even the fragments are now in - existence. Some persons, indeed, with whom I have conversed, bear out - the chronicler in his record, and affirm that the model was repaired, - and _is now_ in the Rotunda; but they have given me a fair inference - of the mistaken character of their recollections, by uniformly - referring to the model of the _north front_, executed by Richmond and - Marques, which, at the very time that the fire occurred, formed one of - the curiosities of Buckingham Palace. Drinkwater (p. 108, Murray’s - edit.) attests the fact of its destruction; and in this he is borne - out by the ‘Repository Detail of Arms,’ &c., printed in 1822. In that - catalogue (at p. 9-21) is a list of the arms, models, &c., of the - _original_ institution preserved from the fire of 1802, and collected - by Sir William Congreve, but no mention is made of the model in - question. This, then, is the best attainable evidence of the certainty - of its demolition, coupled with the acknowledgment, at page 52 of the - same catalogue, that the “North end of Gibraltar,” the model mistaken - for the one destroyed in the Arsenal, was presented to the Repository - by George IV. Had the large model of the Rock been preserved, Sir - William Congreve would most certainly have noted it in the detail. - ------ - - - - - 1783. - -State of the fortress—Execution of the works depended upon - the company—Casualties filled up by transfers from the - line—Composition—Recruiting—Relieved from all duties, garrison and - regimental—Anniversary of the destruction of the Spanish battering - flotilla. - - -For about six months previously to the termination of hostilities, the -siege had been carried on with fearful vigour, and the destruction it -occasioned, revealed to a mournful extent the efficiency of the enemy’s -cannonade. The tiers of batteries on the north front, the whole of the -fortifications along the sea face, and indeed every work of a permanent -character, were considerably damaged or thrown down. The town too was -little better than a vast ruin, and its houses were levelled to the -rock, or were left standing in tottering fragments, or at best in their -shells, despoiled and untenanted, as so many monuments of an unbounded -calamity. The inhabitants, driven shelterless into the streets, were -compelled either to leave the fortress, or to locate themselves under -canvas amid the general desolation; or to seek a comfortless retreat in -the dark and gloomy caverns of the rock. Such was the wreck to which -Gibraltar was reduced at the close of the siege, and the work of -restoration, therefore, was both extensive and pressing. - -The reconstruction or repair of the fortifications and other public -works at the fortress, in great part depended upon the company; and the -more so, since the numbers of the line competent to work as tradesmen -were inconsiderable. Assistance from the civil population of the place -was neither given nor expected, as the works in the town secured to them -abundance of employment and excellent wages. Policy, therefore, dictated -the expediency of paying particular regard both to the numerical and -physical efficiency of the company. - -At the close of the siege, there were twenty-nine rank and file wanting -to complete the soldier-artificers, which number was increased to -thirty-nine by the end of May. To supply this deficiency, the Governor -ordered the transfer of an equal number of artificers from regiments in -the garrison; and on the 31st July, the company was complete. Still, -there were many of the men who, from wounds received at the siege, or -from privation and hardship, or from exposure in camp, in summer, to the -excessive heat of the sun, and in the autumn, to the heavy rains, were -unequal to the exertion required from them on the works. Among them were -the best masons and carpenters of the company, who were stated to have -been “expended” during the siege. Accordingly, on the 31st of August, -sixty-seven men, good “old servants, and those that had lost the use of -their limbs in the service,” were discharged and “recommended,” whose -vacancies were at once filled up by volunteers from the line. - -After this desirable pruning, the composition of the company stood as -under:— - - 1 Sergeant-major. - 10 Sergeants. - 10 Corporals. - 4 Drummers. - 38 Masons. - 33 Smiths. - 54 Carpenters. - 21 Sawyers. - 32 Miners. - 6 Wheelers. - 5 File-cutters. - 4 Nailors. - 3 Gardeners. - 7 Lime-burners. - 3 Coopers. - 1 Painter. - 1 Collar-maker. - 1 Brazier. - ___ - Total 234 - -As far as circumstances permitted, the strength of the company was never -allowed to sink beneath its establishment, for whenever a casualty -occurred, it was immediately filled up. Not only was the Chief Engineer -anxious on this point, but the Governor and Lieut.-Governor felt equal -concern, and were ready to give effect to any measure which should yield -the required result. If, at Gibraltar, the recruiting failed from the -want of the proper classes of mechanics to join the company, the Duke of -Richmond found means in England and Scotland to meet the case. His Grace -was both an admirer and an advocate of the military system of carrying -on the works, and took peculiar interest in the recruiting, even to -superintending the service, and acting in some cases as the recruiting -sergeant. Hence the company, seldom short of its complement of men, -invariably afforded a force of more than 220 non-commissioned officers -and artificers to be employed constantly in restoring the -fortifications, &c.: the sick at this period averaged about eight a day. - -To obtain the full benefit of their services, and to expedite the works, -the soldier-artificers were excused from all garrison routine—as well as -from their own regimental guards and fatigues—and freed from all -interferences likely to interrupt them in the performance of their -working duties. Even the cleaning of their rooms, the care of their arms -and accoutrements, and the cooking of their messes, were attended to by -soldiers of the line. Every encouragement was thus given to the company -to work well and assiduously, and every liberty that could possibly be -conceded, not excepting a partial abandonment of discipline, was granted -to them. Nevertheless, to impress them with the recollection that their -civil employments and privileges did not make them any the less -soldiers, they were paraded generally under arms, on the Sunday; and to -heighten the effect of their military appearance, wore accoutrements -which had belonged to a disbanded Newfoundland regiment, purchased for -them at the economical outlay of 7_s._ a set. Perhaps no body of men -subject to the articles of war were ever permitted to live and work -under a milder surveillance; and it might be added, that none could have -rendered services more in keeping with the indulgences bestowed. They -did their duty with zeal, and the works progressed to the satisfaction -of the engineers and the authorities. - -The remembrance of the late siege was not likely soon to be effaced from -the memory of those who participated in it; and hence the company, -regarding themselves in a peculiar sense as the fencibles of the -fortress, and as having contributed largely to its defence, commemorated -the event by means of a ball and supper. The festival was held at the -“Three Anchors Inn,” on the 13th of September—the anniversary of the -destruction of the battering flotilla—on which occasion Lord Heathfield, -and Sir Robert Boyd, the Lieutenant-Governor, with their respective -staff-officers, dined with the company, and retired after drinking one -or two complimentary toasts in praise of their gallantry at the siege, -and their useful services on the fortifications and works.[57] - ------ - -Footnote 57: - - This anniversary supper was held by the non-commissioned officers - annually, on the date named, at the _Three Anchors_. After the first - year, the tickets of admission were 16_s._ 6_d._ each, or 5 dollars - and 4 reals, which provided, in the language of one who used to have a - seat at the table, “a sumptuous entertainment.” At that time the - dollar was 3_s._, and the real 4½_d._ Each ticket admitted a married - non-commissioned officer and his family, or a single one and his - friend. The privates took no part in the celebration. On each - occasion, the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, &c., honoured the company - with their presence, and made gratifying allusions to their services - at the siege. The night of the festival used to be familiarly termed - _Junk-ship night_, both by the inhabitants and the soldiers. The - custom was perpetuated till the year 1804, when, from the fearful - epidemic that prevailed, it was necessarily omitted, and was never - again held. It was a common opinion that the Duke of Kent interdicted - these loyal anniversaries, but such was not the case. The last one was - held in September, 1803, after his Royal Highness had been recalled - from Gibraltar. - ------ - - - - - 1786-1787. - -Company divided into two—Numerous discharges—Cause of the men becoming - so soon ineffective—Fourth augmentation—Labourers—Recruiting - reinforcements—Dismissal of foreign artificers—Wreck of brig - ‘Mercury’—Uniform dress—Working ditto—Names of - officers—Privileges—Cave under the signal house. - - -On the 30th June the Duke of Richmond divided the company into two, -owing to the professional duties of the Chief Engineer rendering it -impracticable for him to pay proper attention to the discipline and -interior management of so large a body. The two senior officers at the -fortress were appointed to take immediate charge of these companies, and -each was authorized to receive an allowance of 56_l._ 10_s._ per annum -in lieu of all charges for repair of arms, &c.[58] The Chief Engineer, -nevertheless, continued in command of both companies. In the estimates, -however, annually presented to Parliament, the corps was not recognized -as being formed into two companies, possibly with a view to prevent the -members of the House of Commons being drawn into a profitless debate -upon a fancied attempt to increase the corps; a debate which, very -likely, would not have been productive of compliments to his Grace, as -by his extensive but lately rejected schemes for national defence he had -made himself in some respects obnoxious to the House and to the country. - ------ - -Footnote 58: - - This sum seems to be a sort of standing equivalent, and has existed - without alteration, through all the changes of advanced or reduced - prices in material and labour, to the present day. - ------ - -By this time there were many men in the corps, who from length of -service and other causes were no longer fit for the duties of the -department; and there were others, also, who from continued misconduct -were worthless and burdensome. Captain Evelegh, returning to England -about this period, lost no time in making the Duke of Richmond -acquainted with the state of the companies, and of advising the -discharge of all who were inadequate to their pay. His Grace at once -acquiesced, and the companies being well weeded, eighty-two men were -discharged during the winter and ensuing spring. - -In so young a corps, scarcely fourteen years embodied, it might occasion -some surprise why so many men became ineffective in so short a time. The -reason is obvious. At all periods since the formation of the corps, the -demands for mechanics of good qualification were urgent. Under thirty -years of age men could seldom be had from the line, whose services were -worth acceptance, being either irregular in conduct, or possessing but -little pretension to ability as tradesmen. Mechanics were therefore -generally received at thirty-five to forty-five, and oftentimes at the -bald age of fifty. Neither age nor height was an insuperable -disqualification, provided the candidate for transfer or enlistment -possessed sufficient stamina for a few years' hard wear and tear. It was -not therefore to be expected that they could serve long in the -companies, more especially, as, the works of the fortress being always -important and pressing, the men were obliged to labour zealously to meet -the exigency, exposed to all the fitful and depressing changes of wind -and temperature. - -In the course of the interview with the Duke of Richmond, Captain -Evelegh proposed that an augmentation of 41 labourers should be made to -the companies. Of the necessity for this his Grace was not so well -persuaded, for knowing the ready disposition of the Governor of -Gibraltar to provide men, at all times, for the services of the works, -he felt assured that no difficulty would be found in obtaining any -number required from the line, on a proper representation of their need -being made. He would not therefore sanction the measure; but, as his -Grace was aware, from the extent of the works in progress, that the -demand for mechanics was very great, and as he was moreover much averse -to the employment of civil artificers, he considered it would be a far -greater public benefit to increase the corps with mechanics than -labourers. He therefore, in September, took upon himself the -responsibility of augmenting the companies with forty-one masons and -bricklayers, which fixed the strength of the corps as under:— - - 1 Sergeant-major. - 10 Sergeants. - 10 Corporals. - 4 Drummers. - 250 Private artificers. - —— - Total 275 - -Each company was to consist of 137 non-commissioned officers and men. - -His Grace, moreover, ordered that such of the artificers as were not -sufficiently skilful at their trades, to the number of forty, were to be -employed as labourers, if required, but he did not contemplate that any -such could be found in the corps. From this slight innovation, however, -soon after followed the authorized enlistment of _labourers_ as a part -of the establishment,—a measure not in any sense welcomed by the old -artificers, who conceived they were losing caste and position by the -association. - -Means for obtaining transfers and recruits at Gibraltar were now -considerably straitened. The Duke of Richmond, therefore, undertook to -furnish the number authorized to be added to the corps, and to supply -the constantly-recurring casualties. Upon this duty his Grace employed -several officers of engineers in the manufacturing districts of England -and Scotland. Captain Rudyerd was the chief recruiting officer in North -Britain, and he seems to have been the most successful in obtaining -recruits. Married men[59] with families were not debarred from -enlistment, if their personal appearance and talents as tradesmen were -favourable. More attention was now paid to age than heretofore; and none -were received over thirty-five years old, unless under extraordinary -circumstances. The bounty allowed to each candidate was 13_l._ 13_s._ -6_d._ - ------ - -Footnote 59: - - The regulation with regard to the wives and families of recruits going - to Gibraltar, as established by the Duke of Richmond, is sufficiently - curious, by comparison with the present very limited system, to be - mentioned here. On the 9th September, 1786, the Duke arranged that to - every 20 men, 10 women and 10 children should be allowed to accompany - them. If there were more than that number with the party, lots were to - be drawn, and those who did not gain prizes were to find their own - passages; the lots were not to divide families, but were to be drawn - by the men until the number allowed was completed. If encouragement - had been given to any men to hope that their families would be - provided with passages, the bargain was to be faithfully adhered to. - ------ - -Five batches[60] of recruits, numbering in the whole 183 artificers, -were sent to the Rock in rapid succession; but as they were long in -arriving, it was considered expedient to hire civil artificers from -Portugal and Italy to expedite the works. However desirable it might -have been to adopt this course, the Duke of Richmond disapproved of it. -He had always a great aversion to the engagement of civil artificers, -whether from England or from places on the Continent, arising from the -great expense attending their employment and their general irregular -conduct. His Grace, therefore, ordered that the foreign artificers -should be discharged on the arrival of the recruits, which was -accordingly done. - ------ - -Footnote 60: - - Of the following strength:— - - 21 men 15th Sept. 1786, embarked on board the 'New - Euphrates,' and landed 6th Oct. - 58 ” 21st Sept, 1786, embarked at Leith, on board the - brig ‘Mercury.’ Wrecked 24th Sept. - 25 ” 6th Nov. 1786, embarked in the ‘Adventure;’ - landed. - 35 ” 23rd Mar. 1787; landed. - 44 ” 15th and 16 Apr. 1787; landed. - —— - Total 183 ” About 100 of this number were bricklayers and - masons, the crafts most required at the Rock. - === - ------ - -Of the second party of recruits, it may be permitted to take a more than -passing notice. It was composed of 58 men, all mechanics, “in the prime -of life,” under charge of sergeant Sherriff, accompanied by their wives, -28 in number, and 12 children—in all 101 persons. They embarked at Leith -on the 21st September, on board the brig ‘Mercury,’ Thomas Davidson, -master. The crew consisted of 11 men. The ship sailed with a fair wind; -but on the 23rd, when nearing the coast of Flanders, she was greatly -buffeted by a boisterous gale. At three o’clock on the morning of the -24th, Sunday, the steeple of Ostend was recognised, and, accordingly, -the course of the vessel was shaped towards the chops of the channel. A -storm now set in, and as danger was apprehended, the captain and crew -were anxious and vigilant. Skill and exertion, however, were of no -avail, for at seven o’clock in the evening she struck upon a sand-bank, -about six miles off Dunkirk. The wind continued blowing hard to the -north, while the sea, “running mountains high,” dashed the frail bark to -and fro with a fury that broke her masts, destroyed her bulwarks, and -tore her sails to shreds. At nine o’clock she went to pieces, and -melancholy to add, all on board perished but three. The survivors were -John Patterson, ship’s carpenter; Walter Montgomery, blacksmith; and -Daniel Thomson, mason. The two latter were recruits. On fragments of the -wreck they floated all night, and at ten o’clock next morning, Patterson -and Montgomery, just ready to relinquish their hold from cold and -exhaustion, were picked up by a pilot-boat and taken on shore at -Dunkirk. The other sufferer, Thomson, was found some hours after in the -surge, helpless and shivering, clinging to a spar. At once he was -conveyed to Mardyck, three miles to the westward of Dunkirk, where he -only lived a few days. Of Walter Montgomery nothing further is known. As -at the time he was reported to be very ill, and not likely to recover, -he probably died at the place where he was given an asylum.[61] - ------ - -Footnote 61: - - ‘Morning Chronicle,’ 10th October, 1786, and periodical press - generally. In most of the papers Daniel Thomson is, by mistake, named - Daniel Campbell. - - _Fifteen_ bodies were washed ashore between Nieuport and Ostend, on - the 27th and 28th September, and it is not a little remarkable that, - of this small number, no less than _fourteen_ should have been those - of women.—‘General Advertiser.’ ‘Public Advertiser,’ 9th October, - 1786. - ------ - -No information can be obtained relative to the dress of the companies -until 1786.[62] _Then_, the uniform was a plain red coat, -double-breasted, with two rows of large flat brass buttons down the -front, placed at equal distances of two inches apart. The buttons were -one inch and a quarter in diameter, and bore the Ordnance device of -three guns and three balls. The left breast buttoned over the right at -the pit of the chest, from which upwards the coat turned back in the -form of lappels. The cuffs and collar were orange-yellow, laced round -with narrow red ferreting. The collar was turned over like the common -roll collar, and was ornamented with a red rectangular loop at each -side. Down the front of the coat to the end of the skirts, narrow yellow -ferreting was sewn, as well as upon the inside edges of the skirts, -which were very broad, descending to the leggings, and were buttoned -back at the bottom to show the white shalloon lining. Small plaited -frills about five inches long, were worn at the breast, to the right; -and full ruffles at the wrists. Over the black leather stock, a white -false collar fell down about an inch. The waistcoat was white cloth, -bound with yellow ferreting, and came well down over the abdomen. At the -bottom, it was cut so that the angle or corner of each front separated -about seven inches. The pocket-holes were slashed; each slash was two -inches deep, and bound round. The buttons were small and flat, similar -in device to the coat-buttons. The breeches were white, of a texture -like kerseymere, and secured below the knee with three small buttons. -The leggings were black cloth, reaching to the knee and strapped under -the shoe; they buttoned on the outside, and were fastened to a small -button above the calf of the leg. The buttons were like those worn on -the waistcoat. The hat was cocked, the same as that commonly worn; the -cock was in the front, directly over the nose, with a cockade to the -right of it supporting a black feather. In other respects it was quite -plain. The arms and accoutrements consisted of white leather -cross-belts, black cartouch-box with frog, and musket and bayonet.[63] -The breast-plate was oval, bearing the Ordnance device: above the balls -was the word GIBRALTAR; below the guns SOLDIER-ARTIFICERS. The sergeants -had swords, silver-mounted, with a plain guard of one bar only; tassel, -white leather. The distinctions with regard to ranks were as follows: -the sergeants had clothing of a superior fabric; their breeches and -waistcoats were kerseymere; the lace on their coats was gold; they also -wore a crimson sash with tassels, under their coats, and laced -shoulder-straps. All the other ranks wore linen or cotton ferreting; but -the corporals had gold fringed shoulder-knots, and the lance corporals -one gold knot on the right shoulder.[64] (Plate I.) - ------ - -Footnote 62: - - I have been informed that previously to 1786, the coat was somewhat - similar in colour, cut, and ornament to that shown in Plate I., but - that the breeches were blue instead of white. The black leggings were - banded above the knee. The working dress consisted of a long duck - frock, and mosquito trowsers with gaiters attached. Everything was - white even to the felt round hat, which at this period had the - military symbols of a yellow band and yellow edge to the brim. Serge - pantaloons were worn in winter. - -Footnote 63: - - The sergeant-major and sergeants were armed with carbines and - bayonets. - -Footnote 64: - - This novel way of distinguishing the non-commissioned officers led to - frequent misconception and mistake in the garrison. When dressed with - the bayonet belt only, strangers regarded the corporals as the highest - rank, and lance-corporals the next. Sometimes when taking an excursion - into Spain, sentries have presented arms to them, and guards even have - turned out to pay the compliment due to field officers! This military - blunder continued, with greater or less observance, until the adoption - of chevrons, about 1805. - ------ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - ‘SOLDIER Plate II. - ARTIFICER Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -The working-dress was a plain long red jacket in winter, and a linen one -in summer, with a single row of large brass buttons, wide apart, down -the front. It descended to the hips, opened from the chest upwards to -show the shirt, and from that point downwards to show the waistcoat. -Convenient to the hand on each side was a huge pocket covered with a -broad slash. The collar and cuffs were of yellow cloth, the former -turned over or rolled, and at the small of the back were two large -buttons. Under the jacket a waistcoat was worn—in summer linen, in -winter flannel—of the same cut as the regimental one, but not laced or -ferreted. Similar in material were the pantaloons; and to these were -attached a pair of black gaiters, of linen or cloth, corresponding with -the season. They reached a little above the ankle, and buttoned on the -outside. No particular regard was paid to the neck covering. Stocks of -leather, or velvet, or silk, or black handkerchiefs, were -indiscriminately used. A white hat completed the suit. It was about six -inches high, had a straight pole with yellow band of an inch in width, -and a broad brim edged with yellow tape or ferreting. Plate II. The -description of working-dress worn by the non-commissioned officers has -not been ascertained, nor can any record be discovered of the precise -uniform dress adopted for the drummers, or of the peculiar badge that -distinguished the sergeant-major from other sergeants. - -The only complete record that has turned up to research, showing the -names of the officers who were attached to the companies since the year -1772, is a return for 1787, by which it seems the following officers did -duty with them:— - - Captain Robert Pringle, chief engineer. - Captain William Campbell Skinner, died 24th April, 1787. - First Lieutenant, Thomas Skinner. - First Lieutenant, William Kerstiman. Joined 25th May, 1787. - Second Lieutenant, Thomas Smart. - Second Lieutenant, Samuel T. Dickens. - Draughtsman, James Evans.[65] - ------ - -Footnote 65: - - These officers were also present with the corps in 1788; but after - that year until 1797 no record has been discovered. - ------ - -About this time, it appearing to be of some consequence to cut and form -a ditch immediately under the Crillon Battery, situated on the south -flank of the King’s, Prince’s, and Queen’s Lines, a strong party was set -to work by order of the Chief Engineer. They executed their laborious -task in a comparatively short period, which elicited the warmest praises -of General O’Hara. To mark his sense of their services, however, in a -form more gratifying than words, he gave permission to the companies to -pass to the neutral ground, and out of garrison, on Sundays and all -holidays without a written pass, or restraint of any kind. With this -privilege was also conceded the liberty to appear on such occasions in -whatever apparel their fancy suggested, except in their uniform coats. -It was not uncommon, therefore, for the non-commissioned officers and -the respectable portion of the privates, to stroll about the garrison or -ramble into Spain, dressed in black silk or satin breeches, white silk -stockings, and silver knee or shoe-buckles, drab beaver hats, and -scarlet jackets, tastefully trimmed with white kerseymere. - -Governor O’Hara was a constant visitor at the works, and took much -interest in their progress. Even as early as the morning gun-fire, he -was perambulating the fortifications and batteries, and worming his way -among the mechanics. Almost to the last man, he could call each by name, -and knew the best artificers too well ever to forget them. Familiar with -their zeal and exertions, he regretted sometimes to find that a few men -were absent from the works undergoing sentences of confinement to the -barracks. This induced the General to relax a little in strictness -towards the companies. None of the men would he suffer to be punished -for intoxication, or other slight offences committed when off duty or on -the works, in order that he might have them all employed. This -slackening the reins would, no doubt, be looked upon now-a-days as a -monstrous and culpable dereliction, however plausible might be the -object intended to be gained by it. To justify or condemn the act is -obviously out of place here. It is simply mentioned as a fact; and while -it remains a singularity in military jurisprudence, the main point that -originated it must not be overlooked, viz., the estimation in which the -Governor held the corps for their services in the restoration or -improvement of the works of the fortress.[66] - ------ - -Footnote 66: - - This laxity of discipline seems, in time, to have become general among - the troops at the fortress, and the extent to which it was carried - both by officers and men was little short of disgraceful.—‘Wilkie’s - British Colonies considered as Military Posts,’ in ‘United Service - Journal,’ 2, 1840, p, 379. - ------ - -In enlarging the works of the garrison, the military artificers -frequently opened up cavities in the promontory which were mostly of -sufficient interest to excite the curiosity of geologists; but one -discovered in 1789, by some miners of the corps, while scarping the back -of the Rock, attracted, at the time, unusual attention. It was situated -about 160 feet from the foot of the cliff, on its eastern side, nearly -under the Signal House, and its extent classed it among some of the -largest within the area of the fortress. Removing the rank vegetation -which had overgrown its mouth, a small chasm was bared, opening into a -cave containing several chambers and grottoes, entered by narrow -funnel-shaped crevices, some so low and winding that ingress could only -be obtained by crawling through the long misty passages on all-fours. -Seemingly, the roofs were supported by a number of pillars, which the -dripping of ages had congealed into all shapes and sizes and into all -degrees of hardness, from patches of soft silvered powder to the bold -indurated columnar stalactite. On the floors, at different heights, were -stalagmites, some peering up like needles, and others, swollen and -grotesque, rose from frothlike cushions of delicate finish, which, “on -being rudely touched, dissolved instantly into water.” The hall at the -extremity was divided into two oblong recesses, floored by a “deep layer -of vegetable earth,” where not a clump of the lowliest weed or a blade -of grass was seen to show that vigour was in the earth.[67] Nothing -seemed capable of living there but a colony of bats, some flapping about -on lazy wing, and others torpid; no process to be active, but the cold -one of petrifaction, which, in nature’s own confused method, had -elaborated throughout the cavern, columns and pinnacles and cushions, -puffs and concretions, some as fleecy as snow, others as crisp as -hoar-frost, and others of an opal hue as transparent as crystal. All was -rich, beautiful, and sparkling. It was a marvel to adventurers, but -unfit for habitation; yet, in later years, this hole of the mountain was -possessed by a Spanish goat-herd, who reached his solitude by the same -threadlike but dangerous tracks as his goats. There might the recluse -have lived till his bones fell among the petrifactions, but he was at -length expelled from its gloomy precincts on account of his contraband -iniquities. - ------ - -Footnote 67: - - Martin’s British Colonies, 1835, p. 51-53. - ------ - - - - - 1779-1788. - -Colonel Debbieg’s proposal for organizing a corps of - artificers—Rejected—Employment of artillerymen on the works at - home—Duke of Richmond’s “Extensive plans of fortification”—Formation - of corps ordered—Singular silence of the House of Commons on the - subject—Mr. Sheridan calls attention to it—Insertion of corps for - first time in the Mutiny Bill—Debate upon it in both Houses of - Parliament. - - -When Spain declared war with England in June, 1779, Lieutenant-Colonel -Hugh Debbieg of the engineers, seems to have been impressed with the -necessity of raising a corps of artificers for service in this country. -He had made several excursions through Kent and a part of Sussex, no -doubt with the object of ascertaining the probabilities that existed for -resisting any attempt at invasion. Whether such was his intention or -not, these professional tours appear to have assisted his views greatly, -in all that was essential to prepare the country to repel aggression. He -therefore made large demands for cutting tools; conceiving, as he -states, “very extensive ideas of their use in all cases,” and -recommended the formation of a corps of artificers. In his letter to -General Lord Amherst, of the 30th July, 1779, he wrote: “I must take the -liberty of mentioning how very advantageous to the service it would be, -if a corps of artificers was to be selected from the army. The present -establishment of pioneers to each regiment will prove in no case -sufficient or equal to the purpose of advancing an army through such a -country as this.” - -As if to show that his proposal was no crude idea, nor the dreamy -suggestion of some needlessly-alarmed engineer, the Colonel dipped a -little into the history of the subject, to claim respect for it on the -ground of its antiquity, and pointed out the way in which the measure -could be effected. He says, “The great attention of the ancients to this -particular was wonderful, and the highest point of perfection in the -Roman legion was, that when it made detachments, though ever so small, -they carried with them a just proportion of the component parts of its -excellent system—artificers of all denominations. Modern armies differ -from those of the ancients scarcely in nothing but the arms they use; in -all other points, we cannot imitate them too exactly. I am sensible the -subject is not new to your lordship, and if it did not strike me as a -thing absolutely necessary for the good of His Majesty’s service, -particularly at this time, I should not have troubled your lordship -thereon. - -“It is a most essential part of the soldiers' duty, I allow, to be as -expert as possible at covering themselves with earthworks; but then, -there is also a necessity for a band of leading men capable of -instructing others, and of conducting works with more regularity than -has been usually done where I have yet been upon service, as also with -greater dispatch. - -“I will not presume to point out to your lordship the means of -establishing such a corps, nor how far two men per company would go -towards making it numerous enough for the purpose from the militia -alone; but I will venture to say, had such a body of men been constantly -here, these lines (Chatham) would have been nearly completed; and you -know what state they are in at present.” - -Colonel Debbieg’s attempt to revive an old practice, constituting one of -the military glories of the ancients, was certainly worthy of the best -attention, involved as England was at the time in a struggle with France -and Spain; and it would have been more so, had allusion been made to the -beneficial services of the companies at Gibraltar. Omitting this is -singular enough, and readily urges the supposition, that their name and -duties were scarcely known beyond the scarps of the Rock, even to the -engineers themselves. However, Lord Amherst, much as he may have -appreciated the represented perfection of the Roman legion in the -organization of its detachments, was not by any means disposed to incur -the responsibility of reproducing that system in the English army; and -on the 11th August following communicated his sentiments on the subject -to the Colonel. “Your idea,” writes his lordship, “about forming a corps -of artificers from the army, is a very good one, as far as that such a -corps would be very desirable; but at a time when it is a material -subject of consideration to increase the army by every possible means, -the forming such a corps cannot be thought of. In the case of any -service happening in this country, the general business of the pioneers -must be done by the able-bodied men amongst the peasants of the -country.” - -His lordship here confesses the desirableness of the measure, but at the -same time repudiates it as inexpedient, because the army requires to be -increased! No rejoinder or explanation appears to have been made by -Colonel Debbieg; and the proposal, somewhat modified, was left to be -iterated at a subsequent period by Charles, third Duke of Richmond. - -On the appointment of the Shelburne administration in July, 1783, his -Grace was nominated Master-General of the Ordnance. Immediately after -his installation, he caused the fortifications to be examined, and -finding they were in such a state as to need the intervention of the -House of Commons to put them in repair and completeness, he demanded -large sums of money for the purpose in the Ordnance estimates for 1783. - -His Grace’s projects were on a scale of great magnitude, and his -estimates were necessarily large; but in order to curtail the amounts as -much as possible, and thus win the concurrence of both parties to his -plans, he proposed to employ a considerable part of the royal artillery -as artificers and labourers in the arsenal at Woolwich, Purfleet, and -the outports, giving them only half the wages then paid to civil -mechanics for performing similar work, whereby it was computed that a -saving of 12,000_l._ to 15,000_l._ a-year would be realized, and that -the services of the ordnance being more regularly performed, the -regiment would have a body of artificers, always available for active -duty in the event of a war, for which they would be much required.[68] -There was nothing in this suggestion to excite alarm or particular -remark. No new corps was recommended to be raised, but simply the -adaptation of means already disposable (which would have to be -maintained under any circumstances) to a twofold object, as also to -lighten the existing pressure upon the finances of the State. The -proposal, being merely incidental to the graver matter with which it -stood connected, gave rise to no discussion; and it is presumed, though -no specific organization of artificers such as his Grace contemplated -took place, that artillery soldiers were employed in great numbers at -the different stations mentioned in his Grace’s famous report. - -With the change of ministry in April, 1783, the Duke of Richmond quitted -his post as Master-General; but resumed it again in the following -December on the formation of the Pitt Cabinet. The fortifications -continued to be his Grace’s hobby. Yearly he requested large sums for -the erection of new works and the repair of old ones. Consequently, -public attention was excited to review these apparently exorbitant items -of expenditure, and, as may be expected, very little was done towards -effecting his Grace’s views. Money was voted for the purpose, but none -was expended. - -In 1785, his Grace’s plans for national defence were more extensive than -ever, and were brought forward as usual by Mr. Pitt. Though anxious to -carry out the gigantic projects proposed, still, from the growing -inquisitiveness of the country, and probably the misgivings of the -Minister himself as to their maturity and utility, Mr. Pitt submitted -them for the opinion of a Board of general and flag officers. Guided by -their recommendation, he again introduced the subject for the -consideration of the House, but on the 27th February, 1786, it was -rejected by the casting voice of the Speaker as a “measure totally -inexpedient and dangerous.” - ------ - -Footnote 68: - - ‘Journal, House of Commons,’ 14th February, 1783; vol. xxxix. p. 208. - ------ - -In no way discouraged, however, on the 17th May following, he ventured -to submit a similar question to the House considerably reduced in its -demands. But as the subject of the fortifications had long been before -the public, had also been well investigated, and was extremely unpopular -both in the House and out of it, it may occasion no wonder to state, -that the Duke’s favourite scheme was again set aside; and its noble -projector, subjected to repeated and vexatious disappointments, was made -a butt for the keen attacks and provoking taunts of individuals, who -scrupled not to lay bare his Grace’s engineering, and to question his -Grace’s professional attainments. In this last defeat, however, some -little concession was made to Mr. Pitt, by which he was permitted to -make an estimate for improving and completing the old works at -Portsmouth and Plymouth dockyards, which on being presented was -ultimately agreed to.[69] - ------ - -Footnote 69: - - If a particular acquaintance with the Duke’s plan of defence, &c., be - desired, it can be obtained by referring to a work entitled - ‘Observations on the Duke of Richmond’s Extensive Plans of - Fortification,’ published first in 1785, and again in 1794. This work, - which was brought before the public in an anonymous form, is known to - have been written by Lieutenant James Glenie, of the engineers, who, - after serving in the corps a few years, was compelled, as he says, p. - 241, to leave it, “to avoid being ruined by the expense of continually - moving from one station to another.” The attack made by this gentleman - appears to have been conducted with much force and talent, displaying - an intimate acquaintance with the principles of his profession. It - made a great impression on the public mind, and augmented to a - considerable extent the popular ferment against the new - fortifications. Several of the engineers joined in opinion against - them, among whom was Colonel Debbieg, who, for some expressions that - he ventured, reflecting upon the Duke’s plans, was tried by a General - Court-martial in 1789. In the concluding paragraph of the later - edition of Mr. Glenie’s essay, the author promised to take an early - opportunity of delivering his sentiments at full length respecting the - corps of royal military artificers and horse artillery, which, he - stated, were unquestionably great impositions on the public; but the - promised _exposé_ I have not succeeded in procuring. If it never - appeared, the gallant officer, very probably, prudently relinquished - the idea, or suppressed the MS., from a conviction that it was as - unnecessary as unmerited. It is certainly curious that Mr. Glenie and - Colonel Debbieg, who were the most violent and persevering of the - Duke’s opponents, should have differed in opinion about the usefulness - and importance of the corps of artificers. By the only evidence as yet - discovered, it is obvious that Mr. Glenie would willingly have - disbanded it; Colonel Debbieg, on the other hand, only a few years - before aspired to the honour of originating it. - ------ - -In the diminished estimate for 1786 the amount asked was quite -inadequate to effect the purposes designed; and to enable his Grace the -better to accomplish them, he suggested to Mr. Pitt the necessity of -raising a corps of military artificers on the model of the companies -employed at Gibraltar. Experience had demonstrated beyond all dispute -their excellency as artificers and soldiers, and the economy of their -services. He had watched and studied their discipline and advantage for -some years, and with these incentives, he felt no hesitation in urging -their immediate formation. Better reasons could scarcely have been -desired by Mr. Pitt, who readily gave his assistance in obtaining a -warrant from the King to sanction the measure. He did not attempt, -however, to enlighten the House upon the matter before appealing to His -Majesty, knowing that it would be treated with unmerited distrust, and -probably crushed under a weight of prejudice and misconception. Strictly -speaking, there was nothing unconstitutional in this manner of -proceeding; it was warranted by many precedents, but it gave rise in a -subsequent session of Parliament to some observations which required Mr. -Pitt to explain his conduct in the affair. The warrant was signed on the -10th October, 1787. - -The Ordnance estimates for that year were not brought forward until a -late hour on the 10th December; and, as but little time was afforded for -discussing their merits, and particularly the novel measure of embodying -a corps of military artificers, a motion was made that their -consideration should be adjourned to the next day. It was lost by a -large majority, and the sums asked for were voted without debate. - -In this vote was involved the formation of the corps. That a measure on -so extraordinary a principle, and so hateful to the sentiments of the -country generally, should have passed without scrutiny is remarkable; -but Mr. Sheridan, on the 17th December following, thinking that the -estimates were imprudently hurried through the House, introduced them -again to notice. At the same time he endeavoured to bring the suggestion -of raising a corps of mechanics into contempt. He called the project -singular and extraordinary; ridiculed the idea of putting the artificers -under martial law, and thereby to abridge their liberty. Moreover, he -did not conceive that men, capable of earning half-a-crown a-day, would -enlist as soldiers and work in their respective occupations at one-third -of that sum for the mere douceur of military discipline. Then, with -regard to the economy of the measure, he remarked, “That in the report -of 1783, the Master-General had stated, that by suffering some of the -artificers at Woolwich, Sheerness, &c. to be put into companies, the -artillery would never want artificers; and a saving of 15,000_l._ would -be made to Government. Before, therefore, any new plan of raising a -distinct corps of artificers was authorized, it would be proper to know -what the saving made in consequence of the original plan had amounted -to; because, if no great saving had been made, the plan now proposed -would evidently be attended with additional expense to the public.”[70] -Mr. Sheridan did not embody this subject in his motion. His remarks upon -it were merely incidental to his speech on the intended fortifications -in the West Indies, and elicited no discussion. The Chancellor of the -Exchequer replied to Mr. Sheridan; but he spoke only to the motion, and -made no allusion whatever to the new corps. Thus quietly did the Duke of -Richmond gain a project, which there was reason to expect would not be -granted without decided indications of repugnance and hostility. - ------ - -Footnote 70: - - Dodsley’s ‘Annual Register,’ 1788. Second edit., 1790, p. 96. - ------ - -The scheme, however, though it easily received the approval of the House -of Commons, was doomed, ere long, to have a severe sifting. In both -Houses the question was very roughly handled by the Opposition. Had it -been brought forward as a specific measure at first, it would, in all -probability, have been rejected or passed by a scanty majority; but -being covered by a vaster and more momentous question, it escaped -observation and slipped through the Commons concealed under the wings of -its parent. The time, however, had arrived, when the subject, stripped -of its covering, should be laid bare, and fairly and openly discussed; -but after a warm debate, the project was again sanctioned, and the -formation of the corps confirmed. A summary of the debate, which -originated in the introduction, for the first time, of the corps of -artificers into the Mutiny Bill, and which is given in Dodsley’s ‘Annual -Register’ for 1788,[71] is subjoined. - ------ - -Footnote 71: - - Dodsley’s ‘Annual Register.’ Second edit., 1790, pp. 121-123. - ------ - -“On the 12th of March, the report of the Committee on the Mutiny Bill -was brought up; and on reading the clause for incorporating in the army -the newly-raised corps of military artificers, the same was strongly -objected to as a dangerous innovation, and as militating against the -most favoured principles of the constitution. The same system, it was -said, might next be extended to shipwrights, and so on to every -description of persons in the service of the executive government; and -therefore the House was called upon to repel so alarming an innovation -_in limine_. In defence of the measure it was urged, that it would be -attended with an annual saving of 2,000_l._, upon an expenditure of -22,000_l._; and that it was necessary to extend the military law to the -corps in question, as the only means of keeping them together, and -preventing their desertion of the public service in time of war. - -“This disposition to adopt a new principle of expediency and economy, -upon a subject which went to the diminution of the liberties of the -subject, instead of the old principle of actual necessity, was severely -reprobated. Several country gentlemen declared, that if the House should -agree to put 600 Englishmen under martial law, merely for the paltry -consideration of saving 2,000_l._ per annum, they would betray their -constituents, and would be devoid of those feelings for the -constitution, which ought to make their distinguishing character. It was -denied that any necessity for so extraordinary a surrender of the -liberties of a part of the community was made out; it having never been -asserted, nor being indeed true, in fact, that there was any difficulty -in procuring artificers for the Ordnance service in time of war. The -sense of the House being taken on the clause, there appeared, ayes 114, -noes 67.[72] - ------ - -Footnote 72: - - Clause Lxxv. Public Acts, 28 Geo. III., vol. i., p. 369. This was not - a specific clause to meet the case of the artificers, but the same - which had existed, with possibly slight variations, since its first - insertion in the Act It merely included the corps by name, and made - other necessary alterations to embrace classes of persons heretofore - inadvertently omitted. Why it should have caused so much discussion, - more especially with reference to the formation of the corps, is - almost marvellous, since a more fitting opportunity was afforded for - that purpose, when the Ordnance estimates were presented and passed in - December of the previous year. What were Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Courtenay, - and the other opponents of the Duke of Richmond’s schemes about, to - allow this measure to steal a successful march upon them? - ------ - -“The same subject was again discussed on the third reading of the Mutiny -Bill, when it was asked, whether any part of the corps was already -enlisted and embodied? This question being answered in the affirmative, -it was strongly contended that the authors of the measure had been -guilty of an illegal act, in raising a body of men without the consent -of Parliament; and that it was a violent and arbitrary measure to -subject those men to military law, who at the time of their enlisting, -were evidently not included in the Mutiny Act. On the other hand, Mr. -Pitt contended, that, by a liberal interpretation of the King’s -prerogative, government was authorized, on the late alarm of war, to -raise the corps in question: and Sir Charles Gould, the -Advocate-General, maintained, that every soldier enlisted, became, _ipso -facto_, subject to be tried by martial law. The House again divided on -the question, ayes 142, noes 70. - -“Upon the commitment of the Bill in the Upper House, the Duke of -Manchester rose and declared his intention of opposing the novel clauses -that it contained. He was an avowed enemy, he said, to the extension of -military law, unless in cases of absolute necessity; and that the -present Bill went unnecessarily to extend that law, by making a number -of artificers subject to its severe effects, who had hitherto enjoyed -their liberty in common with their fellow-subjects. Could it be proved -necessary for the defence of the kingdom, he should not entertain the -least objection to the increase of the army; but in a time of profound -peace, the adoption of a measure of so singular a nature as the present, -called for jealousy and caution. - -“The Duke of Richmond entered into a full explanation of the plan of -which he had been the author. It had occurred to him, he said, that the -formation of a regular corps of artificers, who would in future wars, be -applicable to any service when wanted, either at home or abroad, could -not but be attended with very beneficial consequences. In all the armies -abroad, such a corps made part of those armies, and as their utility was -unquestionable, he had concluded that there ought to be such a corps in -our army, and therefore he had considered it as his duty to submit the -proposition to His Majesty, who had approved of it, and it had been -since laid before the House of Commons, and voted by that branch of the -legislature. With regard to putting them in the Mutiny Bill, being a -part of the army, enlisted regularly as soldiers, like other soldiers, -they ought undoubtedly to become subjected to the same law, as the -policy of the State had considered it as right that all soldiers should -continue in such a state of subordination. At the same time, it was not -to be considered as any hardship, since no species of trial, however -popular it might be, was, he believed, more fair and candid than trials -by court-martial. He added, that the corps of artificers proposed to be -formed, was not only highly useful, but, at the same time, so far from -being an additional expense, they would prove a saving, because the -difference between getting such a number as heretofore, and having them -formed into a regular corps as intended, would render the usual expense -less by 2,000_l._ - -“Lord Porchester objected principally to that part of the new -establishment which subjected the artificers to the arbitrary punishment -of the Master-General of the Ordnance. In one instance they might be -reduced for want of skill, of which the Master-General was made the sole -judge, to the rank of labourers, and thereby be deprived of one-third of -their pay; and in another, he was also the sole judge of the quantum to -which their pay should be reduced in cases of idleness or misbehaviour. - -“Lord Carlisle ridiculed the strange reason given for adopting the new -project, that it would be a saving of 2,000_l._ a year. If their -lordships were to be governed by such arguments, they would be led into -so absurd a matter as the calculation of what the surrender of the -rights of the subject was worth per man; and if the rights and liberties -of 600 artificers were worth just 2,000_l._, they would see that the -noble lord valued the rights of every individual exactly at 3_l._ 10_s._ -each. - -“Lord Cathcart and Lord Rawdon were of opinion, that the plan formed by -the noble duke would be attended with many considerable military -advantages; and the question being at length put, the clause was carried -without a division. The corps now, for the first time, was made legally -amenable to the provisions of the Mutiny Act; and, for a few years at -least, was permitted to go on with its organization and duties without -being again noticed or interrupted by the opposition in Parliament.”[73] - ------ - -Footnote 73: - - In the protracted debates which occurred in 1788, on the Regency, Mr. - Sheridan took occasion, when opposing the measure for reserving the - patronage of the royal household, to attack the Minister—Mr. Pitt, and - to wing from his bow another caustic shaft at the royal military - artificers. Mr. Pitt, at some previous time, had charged a right - honourable friend of Sheridan’s, on quitting office, “with having left - a fortress behind him.” Sheridan admitted that the accusation was - true; “but then,” continued he, in a vein of sparkling raillery, “like - a coarse, clumsy workman, his right honourable friend had built his - plan in open day, and retired with his friends, who served without - pay. * * * Not so the right honourable gentleman over the way. Like a - more crafty mason he had collected his materials with greater caution, - and worked them up with abundantly more art. Perhaps he had taken the - advice of the noble Duke—famous for fortification—and, with the aid of - that able engineer, had provided a corps of royal military artificers, - and thrown up impregnable ramparts to secure himself and his garrison. - Upon this occasion the King’s arms doubtless might be seen flying as a - banner on the top of his fortress, and powerful indeed must prove the - effect of the right honourable gentleman’s thundering eloquence from - without, and the support of the royal artificers from within, against - his political adversaries.”—Sheridan’s Dramatic Works. See Life, p. - 138. Bohn’s edit., 1848. - - The last reference to the military artificers in Parliament was made - by Mr. Courtenay on the 21st April, 1790, when, moving for a committee - to inquire into the expenditure of the public money by the Duke of - Richmond from the 1st January, 1784, he stated, among a variety of - matter, that the corps of which his Grace was the founder, “were - neither soldiers nor artificers.”—‘Gentleman’s Magazine,’ part 2, - 1790, vol. 60, p. 720. This was followed, in 1794, by Mr. Glenie, who, - in a second edition of his ‘Observations,’ declared that the corps was - unquestionably a great imposition on the public. With this - announcement the party crusade against the royal military artificers - terminated. - ------ - - - - - 1787—1788. - -Constitution of corps—Master artificers—Officers—Rank and post of the - corps—Captains of companies, stations—Allowance to Captains, - Adjutants—Recruiting—Labourers—“Richmond’s whims”—Progress of - recruiting—Articles of Agreement—Corps not to do garrison - duty—Sergeant-majors—John Drew—Alexander Spence—Uniform dress—Working - dress—Hearts o’pipe-clay—“The Queen’s bounty”—Arms, &c.—Distinction of - ranks—Jews' wish. - -The King’s authority “for establishing a corps of royal military -artificers,” alluded to in the preceding chapter, was conveyed in a -warrant, dated 10th October, 1787, to Charles Duke of Richmond. It was -to consist of six companies of 100 men each. The constitution of each -company, and the pay of its different ranks were fixed as follows:— - - s. d. - 1 Sergeant-major 2 3 a-day } - 3 Sergeants each 1 9 ” } - 4 Corporals each 1 7 ” } - 2 Drummers } - } - _Privates_— { } Working-pay, in addition, - 12 Carpenters { } not exceeding 9_d._ a-day - 10 Masons { } to each non-commissioned - 10 Bricklayers { } officer and man for the - 5 Smiths { each 0 9 ” } days actually employed on - 5 Wheelers { } the works. - 4 Sawyers { } - 8 Miners { } - 2 Painters { } - 2 Coopers { } - 2 Collar-makers. { } - 30 Labourers each 0 6 ” } - -The sergeants consisted of a carpenter, a mason, and a smith, who were -styled masters; and the corporals were a master bricklayer and a master -wheeler, one foreman of miners and a foreman of labourers.[74] The civil -master artificers had the offer of enlisting and being appointed to -these ranks. Those who refused were discharged as soon as the military -establishment was complete. - ------ - -Footnote 74: - - Thus the higher branches of promotion were reserved to the three first - classes of tradesmen, and none but men of the latter trades were - promoted to the rank of corporals. This rule, though enforced as much - as practicable, was necessarily deviated from in the lapse of a few - years for the benefit of the service. - ------ - -Officers of the royal engineers were appointed to command the corps. All -serving at the particular stations at which the companies were forming -were attached to do duty with them. - -When required to parade with other regiments, the corps was directed to -take post next on the left of the royal artillery. The officers were to -fall in with the corps.[75] - ------ - -Footnote 75: - - The authority for this was not embodied in the warrant for raising the - corps, but conveyed in a letter to the Duke of Richmond, dated 10th - October, 1787. With regard to the officers falling in with their - companies, it was necessary to issue a special order, as, by a - previous warrant of the 25th April, 1787, the royal engineers were to - take rank with the royal artillery, and to be posted on the right or - left of that regiment, according to the dates of their commissions. At - Gibraltar, it was the custom of the companies with their officers, to - take the right of the artillery; and they were always inserted first - in the Governor’s states and returns. This was a local arrangement - occasioned, probably, on account of the companies being stationary at - the fortress. - ------ - -The Duke of Richmond located the companies at the principal dockyards or -military stations, and ordered the following officers to command them:— - - Woolwich—Colonel Robert Morse. - Chatham—Colonel William Spry. - Portsmouth—Colonel John Phipps. - Gosport—Lieut.-Colonel James Moncrief. - Plymouth—Lieut-Colonel Fred. George Mulcaster. - -One company was ultimately divided between the islands of Guernsey and -Jersey.[76] - ------ - -Footnote 76: - - The companies at Gibraltar, although similarly constituted, paid, and - officered, remained a distinct and separate body until their - incorporation with the corps in the year 1797. - ------ - -The officers above named were the commanding royal engineers at the -respective stations.[77] To each was allowed the sum of 56_l._ per annum -for defraying certain incidental items connected with his company; and a -lieutenant of engineers was appointed adjutant, with an extra allowance -of 2_s._ a-day, to assist in conducting the drill and in maintaining -discipline. - ------ - -Footnote 77: - - From this arrangement, it sometimes occurred that even a - _Major-General_ was _captain_ of a company. - ------ - -The recruiting was carried on by the captains of companies, assisted by -seven other officers of engineers, with several transferred soldiers of -the royal artillery, at Landguard Fort, Tynemouth, Dover, Guernsey, -Edinburgh, Fort George, and Berwick. They were not restrained from -putting into operation any measure which seemed to be best calculated -for obtaining recruits. There was no standard as to height fixed; but -labourers were not enlisted over twenty-five years of age, nor any -artificer over thirty, unless he had been employed as a mechanic in the -Ordnance department, and known to be an expert workman of good -character. All recruits, however, whether previously under the Ordnance -or not, were “to be strong able-bodied men, free from all infirmity, and -duly qualified for their several trades and occupations.” The miners -were all got from Cornwall. The bounty given at first was five guineas -to each attested recruit; which, on the 21st November, 1787, was reduced -to the usual peace allowance of three guineas. - -These general instructions for recruiting were soon afterwards[78] much -altered by the Duke of Richmond, who was anxious to make the corps as -perfect as possible with regard to tradesmen. On the decision of his -Grace all the men were afterwards enlisted as labourers at 6_d._ a-day. -The bounty was continued at three guineas. Growing lads from sixteen to -eighteen years of age, not under five feet four inches high, were -preferred before all others, and were instructed in the trades most -required by the corps. Over eighteen years of age none were taken less -than five feet six inches. - ------ - -Footnote 78: - - In a letter bearing date 19th March, 1788. - ------ - -This was a measure of just precaution, as several men had already -enlisted as artificers, who upon a fair trial were found to know but -little of their craft. The Duke now thought to insure his object by -enlisting every man as a labourer, and after a few months' experience of -his abilities, promoting him to be an artificer, or retaining him as a -labourer, until recommended for preferment. On promotion to artificers, -each man received a bonus or reward of two guineas, an additional 3_d._ -a-day pay, and was distinguished from a labourer by being allowed finer -clothing and a gold-laced hat.[79] “I think,” wrote his Grace, “that -this method, although the slowest, will in the end be the best means of -acquiring a good corps of artificers.” Whatever may have been the result -of this change, it shows that the Duke was interested in the most -trifling concerns of the corps; so much so indeed, that the men were -aware of it, and familiarly styled his measures and arrangements -“Richmond’s whims.” - ------ - -Footnote 79: - - For every labourer promoted, a guinea was granted to the master - artificer, either civil or military, who had the credit of training - him, as a compensation for his services and an encouragement to future - exertion. This was sanctioned by his Grace in a letter dated 6th - December, 1791. - ------ - -Great exertions were made to give effect to the Duke’s orders and -wishes, particularly at Portsmouth and Plymouth, where the dockyards -were to be fortified on a plan approved by his Grace. About three months -after the date of the warrant, upwards of 100 men had been enrolled, -besides several artificers transferred from the royal artillery to form -the nucleus of each company. The growth of the corps was tardy at first -and continued dilatory for a year and more; after which, however, as the -prevailing prejudices began to die away, greater success was apparent. - -As the enlistment of mechanics to work at their trades under military -discipline was quite new to the country, the greatest care was taken to -prevent misconception and complaint. The Duke of Richmond was sensible -that both his plans for national defence, and for the establishment of a -corps to accomplish them, were sources of suspicion and watchfulness on -the part of the Opposition in Parliament; and hence he was cautious, -particular, and explanatory, even to indulgence. The recruit was -required to sign certain articles of agreement, showing fully his -obligations to the service, and those of the public towards himself. -Among the terms was prominently placed his engagement “to be liable to -all military duties, subject to the articles of war, and all other -military discipline like other soldiers, and to serve in any part of the -world to which his Majesty might order him.”[80] - ------ - -Footnote 80: - - This agreement was required to be attested by every recruit until - about the year 1800, when it seems to have fallen into disuse. - ------ - -To protect the companies from being unnecessarily interfered with, and -to insure their constant employment on the works, directions were given -to the commandants or governors of the different garrisons where they -were stationed, not to call upon them to do any duty that would take -them from the public works, except in cases of war, internal commotion, -or any very urgent necessity. Such has been the abiding rule of all -garrisons to the present day, and the corps is only expected to provide -its own essential guards. - -The sergeant-majors were selected from the royal artillery, first being -recommended as competent to drill and pay a company, and able to enforce -discipline and maintain order, which were the duties they were -particularly required to attend to. None were tradesmen. Most, if not -all, had been in the American war, had distinguished themselves in -action, and were promoted into the corps as a reward for their -services.[81] - ------ - -Footnote 81: - - John Drew was one of the sergeant-majors. He was the first soldier - that entered the English corps of military artificers. On May 1st, - 1795, he was commissioned to be second lieutenant in the invalid - artillery, from which he retired in March, 1819, and died at Woolwich - November 9, 1830. One of his daughters married the late Richard Byham, - Esq., secretary to the honourable Board of Ordnance. A son—Richard - Robinson Drew—attained the rank of Major in the royal artillery, and - married Geriloma Barona, daughter of the late Marquis di Montebello. - This lady died on the 4th September, 1854, and the Major survived her - only four months. Both were interred in the family mausoleum at - Messina. Though springing from a stock without any remarkable - antecedents, good fortune seems to have attended the career of the - offspring of the worthy sergeant-major; and much as his son may have - added distinction to his race by his matrimonial alliance with a lady - of high birth, it was still more honoured in the person of his - granddaughter, who was wedded to the noble Prince di Castelcicala, the - late Minister Plenipotentiary for Sicily. - - Another of the sergeant-majors was Alexander Spence. He was born in - 1726, and enlisted into the 20th Foot, January 16, 1756. After a - service of 19 years in that regiment, and 14 as sergeant in the North - Hants Militia, he joined the corps at the age of 61!! This is the - period when men usually think of retiring from active employment and - preparing for the end of life. Not so Spence. He was still a recruit, - hale and hearty, and served his country for a further period of 21 - years! If nature had taken her course, he might have lived to a great - age, but disappointed in his expectation of receiving a - sub-lieutenancy in the corps, he committed suicide January 11, 1809, - at the age of 83. - ------ - -The uniform, which was issued every alternate year, consisted of a blue -coat with long skirts, rolling collar, black cloth facings, white -shalloon lining to the skirts, and lappels at the breast; which, with -the slashes on the cuffs and pocket-holes, were laced with rectangular -loops, having a button at one end of the loop. The buttons were similar -in size, material, and device to those already described as being -regimental at Gibraltar. At the breast frills were worn, and at the -wrist small ruffles. The stock was of black leather with a false collar -turned over it about a quarter of an inch. The breeches and waistcoats -were of white cloth, and the gaiters of black cloth, which reached as -high as the knee, and were secured round the leg by a row of small -buttons, eighteen in number, on the outer seam. To prevent them twisting -they were steadied by a button at the bend of the knee. The cocked hat, -worn transversely, was ornamented with a binding of gold lace, a short -red feather, horse-hair rosette, and gold loop and button. The hair was -clubbed and powdered. Plate III. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Military Artificers Plate III. - UNIFORM 1787 Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -The working dress was a plain white raven duck, or canvas frock, -reaching nearly to the ankles, with a rolling collar, and brass buttons -down the front; white duck waistcoat and pantaloons, tongued and -buttoned at the bottom, and plain black felt hats.[82] Leather stocks -and frilled shirts were also worn. The hair was queued but not powdered. -Plate IV. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Military Artificers Plate IV. - WORKING-DRESS, 1787 Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------ - -Footnote 82: - - While waiting for the issue of their regimental costume, the men, to - appear smart and clean, pipe-clayed their frocks, vests, and - pantaloons, and marched on Sundays to church as white as snow, and - “stiff as buckram.” Unavoidably rubbing against each other during the - service, the wash being thus set free, filled the sanctuary with - clouds of white powder, which gave rise to the playful designation, by - which they were known for some time, of “Hearts o’pipe-clay.” - ------ - -Two suits of this dress were furnished to every man annually—each suit -lasted six months. They were also provided with a pair of serge breeches -and a flannel waistcoat. Under what circumstances and on what occasions -these articles were to be worn, was never determined, and the men were -therefore at liberty to dispose of them as they pleased. To distinguish -them from the necessary items of the working dress, they were -denominated “The Queen’s Bounty.” - -The arms of the rank and file were those common to the period—firelocks, -pouches and cross belts of buff leather pipe-clayed. The sergeants had -pikes, and long narrow thrust-swords—the latter purchased at their own -expense: the gripe was steel, with a single gilt guard; the scabbard was -black leather, mounted with a gilt tip, top and boss, and the shoulder -belt, with a frog to hold the sword, was pipeclayed like those of the -privates. The sergeant-majors wore swords and belts the same as the -sergeants, but no pikes. The drummers were armed with brass-handled -swords, short in the blade, but broader than the sergeants, and black -scabbards with brass mounting. All ranks had a square breast-buckle to -their belts; those of the superior ranks were gilt. - -The distinctions in regard to rank were as follows:—_Labourers_, coarse -clothing, yellow tape lace on their coatees and hats. _Artificers_, -clothing of a much finer quality, same kind of tape lacing on their -coatees, but gold lace on their hats. _Drummers_, same clothing as -artificers, with this difference—instead of plain yellow tape, they had -broad livery lace of a quality like tape, bearing the Ordnance arms of -three guns and three balls, extending from the collar downwards in -parallel stripes. _Corporals_, same as artificers in every respect, but, -in addition, small gold-fringed knots on the shoulders.[83] _Sergeants_, -crimson sashes and swords, gold lace on coats, but no knots on -shoulders: they wore laced straps only. _Sergeant-majors_, sashes and -swords, gold lace on coatees, bullion epaulettes, and silk velvet -facings. - -Footnote 83: - - A yellow silk knot was regimental; this the corporals were permitted - to dispose of for a gold-fringed knot. In most of the companies the - corporals wore knots on each shoulder. In the Woolwich company, one - only was worn on the right shoulder. - -In the working dress there was no apparent distinction between the -labourers, artificers, and drummers. The corporals and sergeants were -distinguished by black hats of the same shape as the privates, with a -gold-lace band, about an inch broad, around the bottom of the pole, and -their frocks, &c., were finer in fabric and whiter in colour. The -sergeant-majors always appeared in uniform, for which purpose they were -allowed a complete suit annually. - -It may not be amiss to notice, in connection with the dress of the -corps, an interesting offer that was made to the companies at Gibraltar, -on the change of their uniform from red and yellow to blue and black. At -the fortress the companies were much esteemed for their good conduct and -civility, and the best understanding existed between them and the -inhabitants. This feeling of respect was particularly shared by the -Jews, who desired to express it in a manner that would be more -convincing than a mere verbal assurance. On the new clothing arriving at -the Rock, the Jews, regarding the alteration with satisfaction, agreed -among themselves to provide for the companies, as a mark of their -regard, whatever gold lace might be required for the clothing, free of -cost, to be worn in place of the yellow tape; but it need hardly be -mentioned, that the desired deviations of this kind people from the -established patterns of the corps could not be permitted. - - - - - 1789—1792. - -Appointment of Quartermaster and Colonel-Commandant—Distribution of - corps, Captains of companies—Jealousy and ill-feeling of the civil - artificers—Riot at Plymouth—Its casualties—Recruits wrecked on passage - to Gibraltar—Song, “Bay of Biscay, O!”—Defence of the Tower of London - against the Jacobins—Bagshot-heath encampment—Alterations in the - uniform and working dress. - - -Heretofore the captains of the different companies communicated with the -Master-General or his secretary direct. This led to much inconvenience, -and tended to establish a distinctiveness of character and position for -each company, that was neither contemplated nor desired. To prevent its -continuance, the Duke of Richmond, on the 13th January, appointed -Lieutenant William George Phipps, royal engineers, quartermaster to the -corps; and on the 12th February, directed the chief royal engineer, -Major-General Sir William Green, Bart.—who originated the companies at -Gibraltar, and served with them at the fortress until November 1786—to -be Colonel-Commandant. The former attended to all matters connected with -the clothing, &c., and to the latter all the correspondence concerning -the different companies was addressed. - -The first complete returns of the corps which have yet been found occur -in the month of February, immediately after Sir William Green’s -appointment. From these returns and other documents, the following -information relative to the distribution of the corps, the strength of -the different companies, and the names of the captains, have been -collected, viz.:— - - Strength of Company. Captains. - Woolwich 47 Colonel Robert Morse. - Chatham 47 Colonel William Spry. - Portsmouth 72 Lieut-Colonel Fred. Geo. Mulcaster. - Gosport 69 Lieut.-Colonel James Moncrief. - Plymouth 104 Lieut.-Colonel Edward W. Durnford. - Guernsey 6 Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Mercer. - Jersey Formation not commenced. - -The company at Plymouth was above the established strength, arising from -the works there being more important than at any other station. In May -the strength of the half company at Guernsey was twenty-three of all -ranks, and at Jersey twenty-one. - -Symptoms of discontent were frequently shown by the civil mechanics in -the Government service at the authorized employment of the military -artificers. They looked upon the measure as a political move, or as a -dangerous experiment to ascertain how it would work; and then, if found -to answer, to extend a like control to the other workmen in the Crown -establishments. This notion they imbibed from the expressed -apprehensions of some leading men of the liberal party in parliament; -and, as a consequence, they were jealous of the military artificers, -whom they treated with great disrespect. A species of rivalry was thus -induced that rather increased than allayed the feeling of mutual -animosity. The civilians were not sparing of their taunts, nor were the -military artificers as temperate in their retorts as might have been -wished. Quarrels naturally ensued, individual feuds were frequent, and -in this way did the civilians endeavour to hold up the military -artificers to ridicule and disgrace for the purpose of goading the -Government to disband them; but how far they succeeded the existence of -the corps at this day affords a satisfactory reply. - -At one of the stations the bad feeling that existed between the civil -and military artificers was exhibited in an altercation that originated -between the latter and some sailors, in which the dock workmen -interfered. This brought about a serious rupture, the particulars and -consequences of which are given below - -Matches for wrestling and cudgelling between soldiers and sailors were -arranged to take place in a field adjoining Stoke Church, near Plymouth, -on the afternoon of the 4th June—the King’s birthday—on which occasion -the soldier-artificers, in common with the civilians, were granted a -holiday. The victors were to be rewarded with buckskin breeches and -silver cups. But few of the military would venture to take part in the -amusements, so that the company and the sailors, and some mechanics of -the dock-yard, were the principal actors. The men of the -soldier-artificers who entered the lists were chiefly from Cornwall and -adepts at wrestling, They only went, however, to witness the games—not -to join in them; and it was not till they were challenged that they -entered the arena. Having done so, they exerted themselves according to -the fashion of their country, and succeeded in gaining almost the whole -of the prizes; which, as was natural, they bore away with suitable -demonstrations of pride and pleasure. - -A dispute arose between a couple of rivals about the unfair award of a -prize. It was given to a sailor, although fairly earned by a -military-artificer. The misunderstanding would have been easily settled -had it been left to the wrestlers themselves to decide; but the dock -people interfered, and fomented the quarrel, directing their abuse in -particular to the soldier-artificers. For a time the latter calmly -submitted to these insults, and yielded the prize for the sake of peace; -but roused at length to retaliate, they sought satisfaction in the -ordinary way by fighting. Overpowered, however, by numbers, they were -very severely treated and driven into barracks, where they remained for -two or three hours. At last, breaking this self-imposed restraint, they -again appeared in the town, having taken the precaution to prepare -themselves with pick-handles and short sticks concealed about their -persons, to resist any attempt at violence on the part of the civilians; -and the better to cope with their opponents, they walked into the -streets, when occasion required, in small parties or sections; which, -however, had the unfortunate semblance of defiance, and excited the -sailors and dockmen to renew their insolence. - -Thus aggravated, the military artificers fell upon the civilians and -drove them pell-mell through the town. Intelligence of the resumed -affray soon spread, and numbers of holiday folk joined the ranks of the -rabble. Armed with bludgeons, staves, and broom-handles, the civilians -paraded the streets, and finding a small party of the military -artificers refreshing themselves at an inn, the rabble entered and -furiously attacked them. Against such overwhelming odds the little party -could not hold up, and being easily mastered, they were forcibly ejected -from the house and pursued to the barracks. - -What had happened was, as yet, merely a series of individual or -sectional encounters—the preliminaries to something more serious. Galled -by a second reverse, the military artificers now mustered in full -strength, together with their non-commissioned officers, and sallied -into the street, brandishing brooms, pick-handles, clumps of wood, and -various other unmilitary weapons. Some marines and a few other soldiers, -sympathizing with the company, joined in the unhappy broil. By this time -the civilians and sailors were also considerably strengthened, and every -moment crowds were pouring in to swell the hostile mob. - -The instant the two parties came in sight the conflict recommenced. -Closely and warmly it continued for about an hour, when the civilians -gave way, running in all directions from the field and leaving the -military victors. The mob, soon rallied, and assembled more numerous -than before, on the government ground between Cumberland and St. -George’s Squares, to make another and a final struggle for the -ascendancy. Thither the military artificers with their partisans -hurried. Nothing dismayed by the numbers collected to oppose them, they -resumed the combat. Pokers, bars of iron, and bludgeons were used with -merciless fury; stones of all sizes, broken bottles, and crockery-ware -were thrown, and weapons even were pressed into the riot. The scene that -ensued was frightful, and the civilians continued the contest with much -rancour and obstinacy. They were routed once, but suddenly turning, they -dashed at the soldiers again with a frenzy that deserved a better -result. The effort exhausted them; the spirit of the soldiers was -stirred afresh, and, plunging among the enraged but feeble throng, they -spared none that had the daring to confront them. Beaten at every point -by a handful of soldiers, the civilians faced about, and retreated -precipitately from the contest by the nearest avenues. The military -artificers and soldiers, flushed with success, would have pursued them, -and repaid their insolence in a manner not soon to be forgotten; but by -the activity of Captain Jonathan Passingham, of the 38th Regiment, who -paraded the town with the main guard from the lines, the intention was -frustrated. The conflict lasted several hours, and many of each party -were left for dead. Several, however, soon recovered, and it was then -found that the casualties were—one military artificer killed, and two -severely wounded; and on the side of the sailors and dock men, one -killed, two mortally wounded who died, and three severely wounded.[84] -Of the less serious wounds and accidents, from which very few escaped, -no notice appears to have been taken. - ------ - -Footnote 84: - - ‘Public Advertiser.’ June 11th, 1789. - ------ - -For three days the company was confined to barracks by order of the -Commandant, to allay the popular excitement. But whatever may be thought -of the part taken by the military artificers in this riot, certain it is -that it taught the dock workmen a good lesson, and had the effect of -repressing their insults and annoyances, and making their future -demeanour more pacific and respectful. - -Several recruits having enlisted in Scotland for the companies at -Gibraltar, passage was provided for them on board a ship—the name of -which cannot be confidently traced—and they landed or “joined” at the -fortress on the 16th April, 1791. When in the Bay of Biscay the vessel -encountered a white squall, accompanied by terrific thunder and -lightning, which carried, away her main and foremasts. Each moment, -indeed, her final plunge was expected, and the passengers and crew, -clinging to spars and boxes, shreds of sails, and fragments of the -dismantled bulwarks, as the last and only chance for their lives, -awaited in suspense the time when the dread alternative must be taken. -With the appearance of the morning, providentially came the desired -calm. All hands immediately set to work to right the vessel; the -jury-mast was rigged, and the shivered ship, once more under weigh, wore -on with struggling throes, and made good her passage to the Rock. The -wreck and its circumstances gave rise to a song, called “The Bay of -Biscay, O!”[85] - ------ - -Footnote 85: - - There exists two ballads with this title, one justly celebrated in the - royal navy, written by Andrew Cherry, and embodied in Dibdin’s “Naval - and National Songs,” and the other by a homely mariner, named, it is - said, John Williams. Both songs may have taken their origin from the - vessel spoken of above. Be this as it may, without doubt, one or the - other was written to record the distress and struggles of the ship - which conveyed the artificers to Gibraltar. - - The incidents of the affair related in the first edition of this - history were made to correspond with the seaman’s effusion, as there - were reasons at the time for believing it referred to the vessel with - the recruits on board; but, as on a closer review, there are doubts - about its application, the details given in the former edition are - omitted in this, leaving the question to be solved at a future day. - - If the ballad of the seaman have reference to the ship in which the - artificers sailed to the Rock, it differs in two known points from the - facts of its voyage. The “Caroline” is the ship of the song, and she - is said to have _sailed from Spithead on the fourteenth day of April_, - whereas the party of recruits _sailed_ apparently _from Scotland, and - positively_ landed, or, to use the official word, “_joined_,” _at - Gibraltar on the 16th April_. - - The seaman’s “Bay of Biscay, O!” is worked up in pure Grub-street - doggrel; but bad as it is, it has been rendered worse, particularly in - the last verse, by the tampering of some grossly vulgar hand. In the - lapse of years the precise wording of that Catnach composition has - probably been lost, and the version that exists, filled up by the - imperfections of tradition, may have had its dates and places - disturbed. In a printed form the ballad, seemingly, cannot be - obtained. - - If the differences just shown be considered fatal to the relationship - between the sailor’s song and the vessel noticed in the narrative, - then Cherry’s very popular ballad belongs to the history of the - sappers and miners. - ------ - -In January and February, 1792, the Woolwich company was employed at the -Tower of London, constructing an earthen battery for four guns in front -of the gates, and a wooden battery for four guns, projecting from the -coping of the wall of the fortress facing the Minories, to sweep the -ditch and the hill. These defensive measures were undertaken by Captain -Holloway of the engineers, sergeant John Watson being the overseer, and -were intended to oppose any attack on the Tower which might be attempted -by the turbulent Jacobins. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Military Artificers Plate V. - UNIFORM 1792 Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -The Prussian system of tactics being lately introduced into the army, it -was ordered that a union of corps should take place to ascertain its -efficiency. An encampment for the purpose was formed on Bagshot Heath, -early in July, under the Duke of Richmond, the Master-General of the -Ordnance. The regiments present were the 2nd, 3rd, 14th, and 29th Foot; -two regiments of light dragoons, two battalions of artillery, and one -company of military artificers, made up of men from the Woolwich, -Chatham, Portsmouth, and Gosport, companies, under Lieutenant-Colonel -Moncrief, royal engineers. The sergeant-majors of these four companies -were present. A large quantity of intrenching implements and tradesmen’s -tools accompanied the party. The encampment lasted for about a month, -the troops marching from one position to another, and manœuvring in a -body, as if in actual warfare. During this time there were three grand -field-days and two _sham_ battles; at the whole of which his Majesty was -present, as also, on some occasions, were the Prince of Wales and the -Dukes of York and Gloucester. The company of artificers manœuvred -with the troops when not otherwise required; but more generally they -were employed in making bridges over small rivulets for the passage of -the troops, throwing up occasional earthworks, as well as mining and -constructing wooden redoubts. One of the mines was sprung on the 4th -August, and created quite a spectacle. It raised the earth in a solid -mass about thirty feet in diameter, throwing its contents to a -considerable distance. Another mine was exploded on the 7th August, -under one of the advanced redoubts, with equal success; but the third -and last mine was the largest, and almost amazing in its effects. Of -this mine some particulars have been preserved. Upon a round hill was -erected one of Colonel Moncrief’s square wooden redoubts, that the -results of the mine under it might be better discerned. The artificers -broke ground against the side of the hill, 152 feet from the redoubt, -and about 20 feet below the summit of the hill. The first gallery was -driven 112 feet in length, about 3 feet wide, and 3½ feet high, from -whence commenced a turning 22 inches wide and 3 feet high, which -stretched under the redoubt. A second turning of 6 feet was made for the -chamber, into which was put a wooden box of gunpowder lined with pitched -canvas. The quantity of powder used was 72 lbs., and was exploded by -means of a wooden trough containing a canvas pipe filled with powder. -When fired, the whole redoubt was lifted up about 40 feet, and -disappeared in fragments, dust, and smoke, leaving a large chasm where -it stood, nearly 40 feet wide and 20 feet deep. It was a magnificent -sight, and called forth the spontaneous acclamations of the throng that -witnessed it, and the praises of the Duke of Richmond.[86] These were -the _first field services_ in which any of the military artificers had -been employed. They returned to their respective stations about the 8th -August.[87] - ------ - -Footnote 86: - - For full information concerning these experimental operations and - manœuvres, see the ‘Public Advertiser’ for July 9th, August 7th, - and August 10th, 1792. - -Footnote 87: - - To show how interested and considerate the Duke of Richmond was, in - even trivial matters connected with the corps, it may be mentioned - that on the 28th September, 1792, he ordered that six married private - labourers, who had been at Bagshot Camp under his command, should each - be paid half-a-guinea as a donation for the inconvenience and expense - they were subjected to in being absent from their families. - ------ - -This year the black felt round hat superseded the cocked hat. The -drummers' livery lace was a mixture of black, red, and yellow -worsted—the Ordnance device was not woven in it as formerly. It was sewn -on the coats in the same style as the privates' lace. Worsted wings of -the three colours intermixed were now worn by the drummers for the first -time. The quality of the cloth in all ranks was somewhat deteriorated -this year. Plate V. - -To suit the seasons the working dress was considerably altered. In -summer a plain raven duck jacket was substituted for the long frock of -1787. The duck waistcoat for summer was abolished. In winter a blue -jacket with black cuffs and collar was worn, precisely similar in cut -and make to the duck jacket. With this jacket a flannel waistcoat was -worn, and serge trowsers or pantaloons of the same form or style as the -original pantaloons. To the “Queen’s Bounty,” consisting of a pair of -serge breeches and an under serge waistcoat, was added a second serge -waistcoat. The shirts were now worn quite plain in front; the hair -continued to be queued; and the sergeants and corporals to be -undistinguished in rank in the working dress. Plate VI. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Military Artificers Plate VI. - WORKING DRESS 1794 Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - 1793. - -War with France—Artificers demanded for foreign service—Consequent - effects—Detachment to West Indies—Fever at Antigua—Detachment to - Flanders—Siege of Valenciennes—Waterdown Camp—Reinforcement to - Flanders—Siege of Dunkirk—Nieuport—Another reinforcement to - Flanders—Toulon—Private Samuel Myers at Fort Mulgrave—Formation of - four companies for service abroad—Establishment and strength of corps. - - -Louis XVI. having been dragged to the scaffold and beheaded, the event -became the subject of grave consideration in the British Cabinet, -resulting in the dismissal of the French ambassador in London, and in -the declaration of war by the Convention against Great Britain. -Immediately following this publication of hostilities, British troops -were sent to Holland to co-operate with those of the Stadtholder against -the common enemy, as well to the West Indies for the reduction of the -French settlements there. - -The new position into which England was thrown by the declaration of -war, gave prominence to a feature in the royal military artificers, -which had almost been lost sight of;—that was, the liability of the men -to serve in any part of the world wherever their services might be -required. Although every care was taken to prevent misconception on this -point, by obtaining from every recruit a signed agreement, expressive of -his willingness to comply with this condition, still, it was regarded by -all, as a mere formal arrangement, never to be acted upon; and in this -notion they were afterwards strengthened by the fact, that when -candidates were desired for service at Gibraltar, none were sent there -unless with their own free consent. Now, however, their forgotten -agreements were shown to be binding, and, accordingly, men were demanded -from the English companies for active service in Flanders and the West -Indies. - -As may be supposed, the order occasioned no little surprise and regret, -as at this period, the military artificers were living under -circumstances of the most favourable character—treated indeed more like -citizens than soldiers. Many were married and had families; some few had -property in land and houses; and all, or nearly all, had profitable -engagements in civil life, which they were permitted by their officers -to follow, after the demands of the service had been attended to. To -avoid therefore the chance of being separated from such advantages, -several obtained their discharges by providing substitutes at -considerable cost, whilst a far greater number took the very -dishonourable alternative of deserting. During the year 1793, the -desertions were, perhaps, more in number than in any other year since -the formation of the corps. - -The Plymouth company was called upon to furnish one corporal and -seventeen private miners for the service of the Engineer department in -the West Indies, who, embarking in February, in due time, arrived at -Grenada. Divided between that island and Antigua, they had scarcely -commenced their duties before the unhealthiness of the climate began to -be felt among them. Fever, the prevailing scourge of the islands, seized -them, and ere the close of the year, all, except private William -Trevethick, had died! He survived his comrades about two and a half -years; and with his decease was completed the extermination, by fever, -of the first foreign detachment of the corps. - -At Antigua, it should be mentioned, that the malady was conveyed on -shore through the unconscious imprudence of one of the party. He had -gone on board a vessel called the ‘Experiment,’ which had just arrived -in English Harbour in great distress, having lost nearly all her hands -by fever. Of the existence of the disease in the ship the artificer was -not aware, and he slept in a blanket belonging to one of the dead men. -Seized with the disorder, he died in a few hours, and his wearing -apparel and blanket, being taken to the Ordnance quarters as his -property, the infection was thus communicated to the rest of the -detachment; next to the artillery, and from them it spread to the 31st -regiment, committing fearful ravages in its course.[88] - ------ - -Footnote 88: - - Southey’s ‘Chron., Hist. West Indies,’ iii., p. 72. - -Five non-commissioned officers, 30 artificers, 50 labourers, and 1 -drummer; total 86, collected from the different stations and formed into -a company at Woolwich, under Captain Gother Mann, R.E., embarked at the -royal arsenal on the 16th of March, to join the army in the Low -Countries under the Duke of York, taking with them an abundant -assortment of intrenching and tradesmen’s tools. Most of the men had -been encamped, in 1792, at Bagshot Heath, and were in some measure -acquainted with the art of field fortification and military mining. -Colonel Moncrief, who had greatly distinguished himself during the -American war, was appointed chief engineer to the expedition. - -Of the company’s landing, and its early services in Holland, nothing is -known, but at the siege of Valenciennes it played an important part. All -the non-commissioned officers, and most of the more skilful of the -miners, acted as foremen, and from 300 to 400 men were frequently placed -under the executive charge of one military artificer. Those of the -company not considered fit for overseers, were distributed singly among -the working parties to stimulate them by their example to equal zeal and -exertion. In the more difficult services of the siege, or when occasion -required, the labourers, miners, and artificers, of the company worked -in twos or in greater numbers. The working party from the line was -seldom less than 14,000 a day. - -In the final assault of the fortress, on the 25th of July, a portion of -the company under Captain Sutherland, R.E., was attached to the left -column appointed to attack the salient angle of the ravelin of the -hornwork. Three globes of compression which had been pushed under the -works to be stormed, were exploded at short intervals, after nine -o’clock, with complete success. Breaches being thus formed for the -columns to enter the works, they did so with great ardour and forced the -enemy to fly into the fortress. While these external operations were in -course of accomplishment, the miners bravely rushed from the ditch into -the enemy’s subterranean galleries, took the workmen in them, and saved -the mine from being sprung. To these underground manœuvres and the -promptitude and gallantry of the detachment of artificers and line -workmen in preventing the explosion of the enemy’s mines, the fall of -Valenciennes was chiefly indebted. It capitulated on the 28th of July. -Sir James Murray, in a despatch, dated 26th July, 1793, thus writes—“A -detachment of the company of artificers, under Captain Sutherland, -accompanied the column to the ravelin of the hornwork, and performed the -duty allotted to them with great activity and resolution.” One -labourer—private Robert Freeman—was killed.[89] - ------ - -Footnote 89: - - ‘London Gazette Extraordinary,’ August 1, 1793. - ------ - -General Dundas, about this period, introduced the system of drill so -long distinguished by his name; and to test its efficiency a camp was -formed on the 1st of July, at Waterdown, under the Duke of Richmond. The -troops, both horse and foot, numbered 7,000. To this camp was attached, -by the Duke’s order, four non-commissioned officers, thirty-six -privates, and one drummer of the military artificers, under Lieutenant -George Bridges, R.E., who took with them a proportion of field -implements and artificers' tools. For three weeks, the season being -exceedingly fine, the drill was briskly carried on; but was succeeded by -an interval of idleness and discomfort occasioned by heavy and -continuous rain. On the 4th of August, the troops moved to Ashdown -Forest, where they manœuvred for a week and finally marched to -Brighton: there they drilled for a fortnight, producing some grand -military displays in the presence of the Prince of Wales, and returned -to their stations on the 22nd of August. In the purely military -evolutions of the camp the artificers took no part; but when the troops -were moving they always preceded them to construct temporary bridges -over the rivulets and ditches that intercepted the march, and to cut -away obstacles to afford an easier road for the passage of the -artillery. The materials for the bridges were cut on the spot, formed -into faggots, and hastily thrown over the streams in view of the troops. -At Brighton, the party was daily occupied in bridge-making, and became -very expert in that description of field service.[90] - ------ - -Footnote 90: - - During the formation of one of the bridges, Mrs. Fitzherbert (who had - paid a visit to the Prince of Wales at Brighton) was riding by alone. - Sergeant John Johnston, who was in charge of the party, recognizing - the favourite, very politely touched his cap in compliment to her, and - she immediately pulled up. After asking a variety of questions - concerning the work, she praised the men for their exertions, and - desired that each should receive an extra day’s pay. For this purpose - she gave the sergeant sufficient money, and taking a note of his name, - commended him for his civility and promised to remember him. Very - shortly after he received the offer of an ensigncy in a regiment in - the West Indies, and sailing thither in November, received his - commission in the 29th Foot, 1st May, 1796. It was supposed that Mrs. - Fitzherbert, true to her promise, had exerted her influence and - obtained this appointment for him. George Ross, the other sergeant - present with the party, was commissioned as Lieutenant in the - Carnarvon Militia, in October, 1796. - ------ - -A few days previous to the dispersion of the camp, the Duke of Richmond -ordered another selection of four non-commissioned officers and -ninety-eight artificers and labourers, to be made from the English -companies to reinforce the corps in Flanders; and in order that the -party should be formed of the most efficient men, his Grace desired as -many as could be spared to be taken for the service from the Brighton -detachment. To press as lightly as possible upon individual interests, -volunteering was freely allowed, and the remainder were obtained by -casting lots. The companies at Woolwich, Portsmouth, and Gosport, were -also required to provide their quota; and being collected at -head-quarters, they sailed late in August, and in a few days arrived at -Ostend. With this reinforcement, the military artificers in the Low -Countries amounted to 7 non-commissioned officers, 41 artificers, 104 -labourers, and 1 drummer; total 153. - -Immediately on landing, they were marched to join the company then -before Dunkirk, and were employed in the operations for the reduction of -that fortress until the 7th of September, when the Duke of York was -compelled to abandon his position. On returning to the Artillery Park, -the artificers exerted themselves in spiking all the guns that could not -be carried with the army and in disabling their carriages, as well as in -throwing about 500 barrels of gunpowder into the river and destroying -nearly all the intrenching tools. In this siege, three artificers were -killed—privates William Drummond, John Fairbairn, and John Wilson; and -one was missing—private Thomas Howell; but of the number wounded, no -record can be found. Colonel Moncrief, the chief engineer, was -dangerously wounded in repulsing a sortie by the enemy on the 6th of -September, and died a few days after at Ostend, where he was interred -under the flagstaff by some of his own company. - -A portion of the corps was employed in October in the defence of -Nieuport, but in what manner cannot now be ascertained. Indeed, from the -paucity of information, either verbal or documentary, rendering it -impracticable to trace, with anything like distinctness, the services -and movements of the military artificers during the remainder of this -and the subsequent campaigns in the Low Countries, unsatisfactory gaps -will necessarily appear in this narrative at times, when the most -interesting details might have been expected. - -Whilst the siege of Nieuport was progressing, Sir Charles Grey with his -expedition arrived at Ostend, and learning the critical situation of the -garrison determined to relieve it; but no sooner had he made -arrangements for doing so, than the enemy retired and left the fortress -and the field in quiet possession of the allies. To Sir Charles Grey’s -force was attached 2 non-commissioned officers and 28 artificers, under -Colonel Elias Durnford, royal engineers, drafted from England, with -which number the corps in Flanders was augmented to 182 of all ranks. -Winter setting in soon after, and the strife in the Low Countries being -suspended for the season, a company was recalled from thence, and, on -arrival at Spithead, sailed with the fleet for active service in the -West Indies. - -In September, a detachment of 1 sergeant—Edward Smith—2 corporals, and -about 20 privates, were selected from Captain Nepean’s company at -Gibraltar, and sailed with the armament under General O’Hara for Toulon -on board H.M. ships ‘Egmont’ and ‘Terrible.’[91] The officers of -engineers with the party were Captain Nepean and Lieutenant De Butts. On -landing, the men were detached in twos and threes to the different -points of defence around Toulon; and their duties consisted in -directing, under the general superintendence of their officers, the -several working parties employed in constructing the batteries, &c. In -the various actions and operations at this place, the detachment was -more or less engaged, and “all were most zealous, active, and -distinguished in their several capacities.” Some were wounded; and in -the desperate defence of Fort Mulgrave, three were killed. - ------ - -Footnote 91: - - Private Joshua Cook, of the Woolwich company, was sent to Toulon as - orderly to Colonel D’Aubant, royal engineers, and served in that - capacity in Toulon and Corsica until the Colonel returned with him to - England. - ------ - -At this fort, private Samuel Myers, who had previously served at the -siege of Gibraltar, was conspicuous in his exertions under Lieutenant -John Duncan, royal artillery, assistant engineer. At one of the guns all -the artillerymen were either killed or disabled, for the post was a -dangerous one; and the gun was consequently silent, though in a position -to do much service. Observing this, Myers, having given general -instructions to those who were under him as to the manner in which they -were to perform their work, repaired with some volunteers to the battery -and manned the gun. For a considerable time he laid and fired it himself -with a precision and effect that checked the fierceness of the enemy’s -cannonade, and attracted the notice of General Dundas. Highly approving -of the zeal and gallantry of the self-constituted gunner, the General -made him a corporal on the spot, and would have honoured him with a -higher rank, only it was found that the custom of the corps did not -admit of this distinction being conferred. Throughout the remaining -period of the defence, Myers divided his attention between this gun and -the works, attending to both with an ardour and fearlessness that gained -him much praise. Early in the next year he was killed in Corsica. - -Two of the English companies out of six having already been sent abroad, -and the nature of our relations with France rendering it highly probable -that more would be demanded, the Duke of Richmond represented to his -Majesty the benefit that would result to the service, if a corps of -artificers and labourers were formed expressly for employment abroad. -His Grace the more readily recommended this measure, as the various -stations from which detachments were sent were compelled to hire civil -tradesmen to supply their places, at wages considerably higher than the -estimates warranted; and whilst it checked improvement in the labourers, -which his Grace was anxious to see developed, it also crippled, in some -degree, the general efficiency of the companies. Concurring, therefore, -in his Grace’s proposition, His Majesty granted a warrant under date the -11th September, 1793, for raising a corps of royal military artificers -and labourers, to consist of four companies and to be distributed as -follows:— - - Flanders 2 companies - West Indies 1 ” - Upper Canada 1 ” - -The command and composition of the companies were to be similar in every -respect to the English companies; they were to be stationary in the -countries where they were appointed to serve; and the men were to -receive the like advantages in pay, allowances, and clothing. A distinct -position would seem to have been given to these foreign companies by the -warrant, but they nevertheless, though designated _a corps_, were -comprehended with the English companies in one united body, and depended -upon the latter companies for the maintenance of their strength and -efficiency. Such, however, it may be observed, was not the case with the -companies at Gibraltar, which yet remained a separate and independent -body, though differing from the home and foreign companies only in -non-essentials of a local character. - -The warrant just alluded to does not appear to have been carried out in -the manner intended. Instead of sending a reinforcement to Flanders to -complete the companies there to the authorized establishment, one -company was withdrawn from thence and sent to the West Indies; while as -regarded the latter station, in addition to the company ordered, a party -also embarked with it, forming, with the detachment already in those -islands, the nucleus of a second company. The total number of artificers -and labourers in Flanders, after this change, was 82 of all ranks, and -in the West Indies 126. On what ground this reversionary alteration was -adopted is not precisely known; but it may reasonably be assigned to the -pressing appeals from the West Indies for more men, and the inactive -position of affairs in the Low Countries permitting it to be effected -without detriment to the service. The company for Canada was never -embodied, though the idea of forming it was cherished until December -1798, when it was abandoned. - -At the end of the year the establishment and strength of the corps were -as under:— - - Home companies 600 - Foreign companies 400 - Total 1000 establishment - —— - Strength 588 - —— - Wanting to complete 412 - ==== - - - - - 1794—1795. - -Working dress—Company sails for West Indies—Martinique—Spirited - conduct of a detachment - there—Guadaloupe—Mortality—Toulon—Flanders—Reinforcement to company - there—Return of the company—Works at Gravesend—Irregularities in the - corps—Causes—Redeeming qualities—Appointment of Regimental Adjutant - and Sergeant-major—Consequences—Woolwich becomes the - head-quarters—Alteration in working dress. - - -This year the working dress of the corps was considerably modified. The -raven-duck frock was succeeded by a plain round blue jacket for winter, -and a raven-duck jacket for summer. The colour of the working hat was -changed for the privates from black to white; and the corporals and -sergeants were distinguished from the inferior ranks by a band of gold -lace round the pole of the hat at the bottom. See Plate VI. - -The company from Flanders under Colonel Elias Durnford, royal engineers, -intended for service in the West Indies, rendezvoused for a time at -Spithead. While there, every care was taken to make it as efficient for -active duty as possible; and several men who were suffering from the -fatigues of the sieges of Dunkirk and Nieuport, were accordingly -re-embarked and their places supplied by others from the Portsmouth and -Gosport companies. After being provided with the necessary field -equipment, the company sailed with the fleet from Spithead on the 3rd -November, 1793, and arrived at Barbadoes the 6th January, 1794. Its -strength on landing was ninety-four of all ranks, including its -sergeant-major—Matthew Hoey.[92] - ------ - -Footnote 92: - - Served seven years in the Royal Marines. Enlisted in the corps April - 28, 1788, and was present in almost every action and capture which - took place in the West Indies up to the year of his decease, which - occurred at Barbadoes, July 14, 1810. Few non-commissioned officers - had a more stirring career, or greater chances, by his prizes, - employments, and successful speculations, of acquiring wealth. Much he - gained and much he spent. He had his horses and his servants. Costly - ornaments he wore with eastern profusion, and the hilt of his rapier, - and the mountings of his scabbard, were of silver. Indeed it requires - a couplet from Pope to do him anything like justice. - - “A radiant baldrick o’er his shoulders tied - Sustain’d the sword that glitter’d at his side.” - ------ - -From Barbadoes the company proceeded with the expedition under General -Sir Charles Grey and Admiral Sir John Jervis to Martinique; and having -landed, commenced and completed, during the night of the 10th February, -the erection of the required batteries on Mount Matherine against Pigeon -Island. On the surrender of this island on the morning of the 11th, a -portion of the company, under Lieutenants Fletcher and Durnford, royal -engineers, was formed in line with a brigade of the royal artillery and -a part of the 70th regiment, to protect the stores then landing, and to -support the left of the army in the attack upon the heights of Souririe. -The post was soon carried; and the entire company subsequently -participated very essentially in the siege of Fort Bourbon. After a -month’s unceasing exertion before that fort, it was captured on the 25th -March, and Martinique then became the prize of Britain. In noticing the -services of the company, Sir Charles Grey, in his despatch of 25th -March, writes:—“Colonel Durnford, with the corps of engineers, have also -a claim to my warmest approbation for their exertions in placing and -constructing the batteries.” The casualties were one killed—private -William Simpson, on the 11th February at Pigeon Island—and three -wounded.[93] - ------ - -Footnote 93: - - ‘London Gazette Extraordinary,’ April 17th and 22nd, 1794. - ------ - -After the successful attack on Souririe, corporal James Kerr of the -royal military artificers, and a detachment of the company under his -orders, were employed on field duty at noon-day in front of the army. A -very superior force of the enemy attempted to surprise them, but as soon -as they perceived their danger, they retired and defended themselves in -so steady, spirited, and soldierlike a manner, as to command the -admiration of many officers and others. - -Nearly the whole of the company were subsequently employed in the -reduction of the Islands of St. Lucia and Guadaloupe; but what services -were rendered by them in those captures have not been recorded. - -Sir Charles Grey, having succeeded in the enterprise with which he was -intrusted, left Major-General Dundas in command at Guadaloupe and made -arrangements to return home. The fever peculiar to the country, soon -afterwards made its appearance in the island and the General died. -Taking advantage of this event and the daily increasing sickness, the -French rose against the British and retook Fort Fleur d’Epée. Sir -Charles Grey, hearing of the disaster and anticipating its consequences, -returned with all haste to Guadaloupe and resumed the command of the -troops. At this time the company was divided into almost equal -proportions at each of the subjugated islands, to assist in carrying on -the various works. Thirty-one non-commissioned officers and men had been -left at Guadaloupe on its capture under Lieutenants Dowse and Durnford, -royal engineers; but at the period of the outbreak only twenty-one men -were present, ten having already died of the fever. - -At Guadaloupe the military artificers were employed in the repairs of -magazines and barracks, and in the construction of field works at -Basseterre: subsequently they superintended the erection of batteries, -&c., against Point à Pitre in the endeavours to recover Grandeterre; but -as all attempts to regain this branch of the island were now abandoned, -the detachment retreated to Berville with the army for the purpose of -preventing Basseterre falling into the hands of the enemy. Here the -artificers were engaged in various works for the defence of the camp, -and shared in repulsing the three attacks made on the position in -September and October. By climate, fatigue, and privation, their numbers -gradually dwindled away; and when the post was captured on the 7th -October, only ten men were living. Six of these were taken -prisoners,[94] with Lieutenant Durnford of the engineers; and the other -four, under Lieutenant Evatt, R.E., served at the defence of Fort -Matilda from the 14th October to the 10th December, the date of its -evacuation.[95] During that protracted struggle, the services of these -four men, especially sergeant John Morris and private Samuel Bowes, were -found to be particularly useful in every respect. Such was the opinion -of Lieutenant Evatt, who, fifty years after, also afforded a general -testimony to the merits of the company, by stating that “wherever their -services were required they were ever conspicuously forward.” - ------ - -Footnote 94: - - Privates William Burrell, John Clark, Abraham Mayhead, Robert - Torrince, William Fleming, and Thomas Wagg. Four of the number soon - died; and the two first, on being released, joined the remnant of the - company at St. Domingo on the 18th April, 1796. - -Footnote 95: - - ‘London Gazette,’ 13751. 10-14 February, 1795. - ------ - -The yellow fever continued its ravages throughout the year with -frightful violence, and carried off more than half of the company. In -May the sickness was very general among the artificers. That month -twenty-five died; and of the survivors, very few were found sufficiently -effective for the service of the works. In June, the party at St. Lucia, -which so far had escaped the prevailing scourge, was removed to -Martinique to hasten the restoration of Fort Bourbon. But little -advantage, however, was obtained by this arrangement, as nearly the -whole of the men were immediately seized by the sickness. At the close -of the year sixty-five non-commissioned officers and privates had died; -of whom forty-two were at Martinique and twenty-three at Guadaloupe; as -also Colonel Durnford, Captain Chilcot, and Lieutenants Dowse and Lawson -of the royal engineers. The strength of the company was now reduced to -twenty-six of all ranks, including the prisoners of war, but the -effectives of this number did not exceed ten. - -Toulon was evacuated in the middle of December, 1793, and the remnant of -the army employed there soon afterwards landed in Corsica. With this -force the detachment of military artificers shared in the various -actions and sieges of that island, particularly at San Fiorenzo, Bastia, -Ajaccio, and Calvi. In directing the construction of the required works -and batteries, more especially at the lengthened siege of Calvi, their -services were highly spoken of by their officers and the assistant -engineers under whose instructions they for the most part acted; and -though so few in number, they were considered by the army to be most -useful and valuable soldiers.[96] Most of them were killed at San -Fiorenzo and Calvi, and the rest were wounded; of whom two privates only -survived. These two men, previously to the evacuation of Corsica in -October, 1796, were present at the capture of the Island of Elba, and in -January, 1797, returned with Lieutenant De Butts, royal engineers, to -Gibraltar. - ------ - -Footnote 96: - - Lieutenant John Duncan, royal artillery, who was employed as assistant - engineer in the sieges of Toulon and Corsica, “often spoke,” writes - Lieutenant-General Birch, of the royal engineers, under date 22nd - August, 1848, “with the very utmost enthusiasm of the conduct of the - royal military artificers in these operations, and would delight to - dwell in describing their conduct as being fine, brave, and enduring.” - ------ - -Hostilities were resumed in Flanders as soon as the severity of the -winter had subsided. To compel the French to evacuate Flanders was now -the purpose of the allied commanders. To this end, on the 16th May, the -whole force made a forward movement. The column under the Duke of York, -to which the company of artificers was attached, marched to Lannoy and -then to Roubaix driving the enemy before it. On the 18th May the French, -making a determined stand, hotly pressed the British in front and rear -by an overwhelming force, and obliged his Royal Highness to resort to -the daring alternative of retreating through the enemy’s line, which he -accomplished, but with great loss. In this action the artificers had -four wounded, one missing—private John Smart—and seven taken -prisoners.[97] - ------ - -Footnote 97: - - Privates Alexander Williamson, Archibald Douglas, Alexander Stewart, - Andrew Lindsay, David Morton, George Horn, and John Bristo. - ------ - -The Earl of Moira being appointed to command a corps intended to act on -the offensive against France, one sergeant, one corporal, twenty-one -artificers, and eight labourers of the home companies were selected to -accompany it. Early in January the detachment was forwarded to -Southampton and there encamped for several months, drilling with the -troops. Ultimately the destination of the expedition was changed, and -his lordship was directed to co-operate with the Duke of York. The -armament forthwith embarked, and sailing for Ostend, landed on the 26th -June. After a march of more than thirty days, executed with cheerful -resignation, the Earl of Moira effected a junction with the Duke of -York’s column at a time when, from the precarious situation of his Royal -Highness, an addition to his resources was imperatively needed. The -detachment of artificers with his lordship now joined Captain Mann’s -company, the strength of which, since the opening of the winter of the -previous year, had been reduced by deaths from eighty-two to seventy. -With the present increase the total of the corps in Holland amounted to -101 of all ranks; but of this number, many were no longer equal to the -fatigues of a campaign owing to the diseases contracted by them, from -unavoidable exposure, during a season of unusual inclemency; and several -suffering from incurable frostbites were placed in the category of -wounded men. - -On the 12th May, 1795, the above company, transferred to the command of -Captain Johnson of the engineers, arrived at Woolwich. Its strength was -eighty-six, including its sergeant-major. Being no longer required for -foreign duty, the men were distributed among the Portsmouth and Gosport -companies and the Guernsey and Jersey half companies. Twelve were left -at Lisle sick and prisoners of war: three of them died, seven returned -to England at different periods and the other two—Private George Horn -and John Bristo—continued to be recorded as prisoners until February, -1797; when, not having rejoined their corps, they were struck off the -strength. By the reduction of the Flanders company the establishment of -the corps was diminished from 1,000 to 800 of all ranks. - -About this period, a detachment of one sergeant, thirty-three -carpenters, and two drummers, under Captain C. Holloway, royal -engineers, was sent to Gravesend to make various repairs and additions -to the defences on the shores of the Thames, as the state of European -politics and our unsettled relations with France rendered these -precautionary measures absolutely indispensable. They were picked men, -of good qualification; and to distinguish them from the corps employed -at Woolwich, Purfleet, and Chatham, were permitted to wear a very long -fantastic feather of black, topped with crimson. Tilbury Fort and the -Blockhouse at Gravesend were thoroughly repaired by this detachment, and -the requisite arrangements and appliances for establishing a -communication across the Thames, by means of barges for the passage of -an army, were effected by them. They also constructed two batteries for -four 24-pounders each, with temporary wooden barracks for artillerymen -at Shornmead and Hop-Point, below Gravesend. These services were barely -finished when thirty of the detachment were recalled to join the -expeditions for St. Domingo and the Caribbee Islands. The party that -remained, was shortly afterwards increased to one sergeant and fifteen -carpenters. Detachments of varied strength were also employed in -strengthening the defences on the coast of Sussex, and in repairing the -castles at Hurst, Cowes, and Yarmouth. - -Drunkenness and irregularity were now very prevalent in the corps. Many -of the men, from their abandoned habits, were insensible either to -advice or punishment: whilst others, whose moral conduct could not be -reproached, were negligent of that proper respect for personal -cleanliness and appearance which is one of the first considerations of a -soldier in every well-regulated regiment. In some degree to check these -evils, a few of the most incorrigible among the labourers were dismissed -from the corps, or were either turned over to the navy or sent to the -West Indies. But even these severe but necessary measures failed to -produce that wholesome impression on the habitual delinquents, which it -was reasonable to anticipate would be the result. - -The first symptoms of disorder in the conduct of the men appeared when -they found they were liable to be sent abroad if occasion required their -services. Led by their constitution and employment to consider -themselves permanently settled, they were quite unprepared for any -innovation which had a tendency to subvert their position or to -interrupt the advancement of their individual interests. The married men -particularly received it with unequivocal dissatisfaction. Unwilling to -submit to the change, which struck at the root of their privileges, -several deserted; and others, not daring to involve themselves in the -consequences of so serious a step, remained only to drown their -discontent in dissipation, and bring discredit on the corps. - -This was not the only source of demoralization. Ever since the formation -of the corps little or no attention had been paid to its military -efficiency. Discipline was almost entirely relinquished, and drill was -an unfashionable exercise. The former was relaxed on account of the men -being regarded more in the light of civilians than soldiers, and the -latter was nominally given up on the plea, that it was of far greater -public benefit to keep them constantly on the works than at drill. From -the leniency of the one, numbers paid but little regard to authority on -military matters, and were only too ready to evince a spirit of -disaffection when anything occurred to infringe upon liberties or -privileges that the usages of the corps had given them a sort of right -to enjoy; and from the neglect of the other, they were awkward and dirty -in appearance and slovenly in their attire. By the many well-intentioned -and orderly men in the corps, the laxity of the discipline and -infrequency of the drill were certainly recognized and appreciated as -indulgences; but the advantages bestowed were more than counterbalanced -by the evils they induced; for several men—not labourers only, but -artificers—distinguished by their abilities as tradesmen, but too -depraved to profit by the mildness of the discipline, plunged into all -the excesses of disorder and drunkenness. Yet, with all this misconduct -and want of training in soldierlike principle and bearing, they always -exhibited an active pride in their fair name as mechanics, and -committed, comparatively, but few offences on the works. - -Another element in producing the irregularity complained of is traceable -to the manner in which the corps was recruited. From the difficulty of -obtaining good tradesmen with satisfactory testimonials of previous -conduct, the pernicious system of receiving men without characters was -resorted to. Ability as tradesmen was the great specific, conduct being -a non-essential qualification. Consequently, in the removals from the -line especially, many men were transferred to the military artificers, -whose dissolute habits rendered their influence both mischievous and -demoralizing, although, from their merits as mechanics, they were found -far too valuable to dismiss, and too useful to be subjected to a -protracted punishment. - -But with all this dissipation and disorder there was much in the corps -to approve, much to admire. The non-commissioned officers, the majority -of the artificers, and a goodly number of the labourers were -well-conducted men, and upheld their military character and appearance -in a becoming manner. On the works, besides being able and expert -artificers, they were found to be industrious and efficient, supporting -and assisting their officers in every duty or enterprise of difficulty -or danger with readiness and zeal. Though differing from other troops in -many essential points, still there was much sterling worth in the royal -military artificers, rarely to be met with in any other corps in the -service. - -Recourse to discipline and drill seemed to be the only chance of -preventing the increase of irregularity, and of permanently improving -the character and condition of the corps. At each of the stations the -experiment was now in partial operation, but, simultaneously with this -judicious effort, another measure had been effected which promised to be -of material advantage in bringing about the desired change. This was the -appointment, on the 15th May, of Lieutenant John Rowley of the royal -engineers, to be Regimental Adjutant to the corps. To each company, from -its formation, an adjutant had been and continued to be attached; who, -however, from the paramount importance of the works and other -circumstances, was too engrossed by his attention to professional duties -and details to be of much service to his company. The Regimental -Adjutant was stationed at Woolwich, and through him was carried on all -the correspondence of the corps. His office, however, was at -Westminster. To assist him, therefore, company sergeant-major Anthony -Haig, who was an excellent drill-master and a talented non-commissioned -officer, was promoted to be regimental sergeant-major on the Staff at -Woolwich with the pay of 3_s._ a-day. - -These appointments were immediately followed by an alteration in the -system of recruiting as conducted by the officers commanding companies. -Experience had proved that such a system was detrimental to the corps, -and that its discontinuance would narrow the sources from which some of -the existing evils originated and were fed. With this view, the -particular charge of the service was intrusted to the Regimental -Adjutant. Recruits were now enlisted for general service, and when ready -to join the corps, were, in the first instance, sent to Woolwich. On -their arrival they were clothed, equipped, and subjected to the same -drilling as infantry soldiers under the sergeant-major and adjutant; -and, when trained, were posted to the companies, whether at home or -abroad, most in want of men. Even this slight modification produced a -more than corresponding improvement in the corps, and revived in some -degree, at the different stations, the discipline and drill. At -Portsmouth especially, at a later period, under Colonel Evelegh, who was -the first Adjutant of the corps and served with its companies at the -siege of Gibraltar—the disciplinary arrangements were so satisfactorily -enforced and sustained, that it was a custom for some years to remove -all the irregular men to that station, to place them under the operation -of a strict and wholesome surveillance. A few years after, about 1806, -to give the corps the advantage of manœuvring in masses, the -companies at Portsmouth and Gosport, with all the subaltern officers in -command, were, once a week during the summer months, brought together -for drill under their respective Adjutants—Lieutenants Hamilton and -Oldfield. - -Woolwich now became the head-quarters of the corps, and all invalids -were ever after sent to it from the different stations for discharge, -instead of being disposed of, as heretofore, by the captains of -companies. - -This year the working jacket was somewhat altered. Broad skirts with -pocket slashes were appended to it, and, for the sake of giving a more -military appearance to the men, a yellow worsted lace triangle was sown -between the two back buttons, and a frog was added to each side of the -collar. These ornaments on the sergeant’s jacket were of gold lace. The -hats of the privates were changed from white to black felt, and the -sergeants, in addition to the gold band, wore rosettes and crimson -plumes. See Plate VII. All ranks wore clothing of precisely similar -fabric. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Military Artificers Plate VII. - WORKING DRESS 1755 Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - 1795-1796. - -Companies to St. Domingo and the Caribbee Islands—Reduction of St. - Lucia—Conduct of company there—Gallantry in forming lodgment and - converting it into a battery—Attack on Bombarde—Distribution and - conduct of St. Domingo company—Mortality in the West Indies—Detachment - to Halifax, Nova Scotia—Dougal Hamilton—Detachments to Calshot Castle - and St. Marcou. - - -War, coupled with fever, had by this time made considerable havoc among -the troops in the West Indies, and reduced the force to a number totally -inadequate for the services of the different islands, much less to -resist efficiently the encroachments of a vigilant enemy, and check the -insurrectionary demonstrations of a disaffected negro population. In -some respects to supply this deficiency, reinforcements having been -applied for, two expeditions were fitted out at Spithead, and sailed in -November, 1795, under Sir Ralph Abercrombie, for St. Domingo and the -Windward Islands. - -To each expedition a company of sixty non-commissioned officers and men -of the military artificers were attached, equipped with tools -appropriate to their trades, in addition to their arms. The company for -St. Domingo, under Lieutenant Crozier, royal engineers, was formed by -men drafted from the Woolwich and Chatham companies; and that for the -Caribbee Islands, under Lieutenant Gravatt, R.E., by men from the -Gosport, Portsmouth, and Plymouth companies. - -Both companies arrived—after a long and dangerous passage, particularly -in clearing the Channel—in March, 1796. In disposing of the two -companies, Sir Ralph despatched, under Lieutenant Crozier, thirty-three -non-commissioned officers and privates, including two men who had been -prisoners of war at Guadaloupe, to St. Domingo, detaining the remainder -to act under himself with the Caribbean company, which now reached the -strength of seventy-seven of all ranks. - -The reduction of St. Lucia was early the intention of Sir Ralph, and the -expedition accordingly sailed thither. The company of artificers, under -the command of Captain Hay, royal engineers, landed on the 26th April, -and at once were told off for the duties of the siege. In addition to -the construction of some extensive batteries to act against Morne -Fortuné, they superintended the formation of a communication by means of -a new road from Choc Bay to the Morne. By the 24th May the English had -pushed up to within 500 yards of the fort, and the garrison capitulated -on the 26th May. - -From the nature of the ground and other circumstances, the operations -for the reduction of the fort were extraordinary and arduous, and the -exertions of the company conspicuous. These attracted the notice of Sir -Ralph, who, through the medium of Captain Hay, conveyed his thanks to -the military artificers for their good conduct and soldierlike behaviour -at the siege. - -In the attack on the enemy’s advanced posts at Morne Fortuné on the 24th -May, a detachment of about twenty noncommissioned officers and men of -the company, under Lieutenant Fletcher, R.E., with handspikes, axes, and -picks, rushed gallantly forward and formed a lodgment, which was rapidly -converted into a battery of five 24-pounders to breach the body of the -place. The exertions of this party greatly contributed to the success of -the assault and to the fall of St Lucia. Lieutenant Fletcher was -wounded, as also two rank and file.[98] Of the other casualties in the -company from the opening of the siege to the assault no record has been -preserved. - ------ - -Footnote 98: - - ‘London Gazette Extraordinary,’ July 4th, 1796. - ------ - -The detachment of thirty-three non-commissioned officers and men, under -Lieutenant Crozier, R.E., arrived at Cape Nichola Mole, St. Domingo, on -the 2nd May, and Captain W. M‘Kerras, royal engineers, assumed the -command of it. On the 8th June following, about twenty of the party were -engaged in the attack on Bombarde, in which one private—John -M‘Donald—was mortally wounded, and one sergeant—Hugh Taylor—was taken -prisoner.[99] On the 11th June, the St. Domingo detachment was further -increased by the arrival from St. Lucia of one sergeant and fourteen -privates under Lieutenant Stewart. - ------ - -Footnote 99: - - ‘London Gazette,’ 23rd to 26th July, 1796; takes notice of the private - wounded, but not of the sergeant taken prisoner. - ------ - -Of the ulterior active services of this detachment, nothing can be -satisfactorily traced. It was, seemingly, broken up into small parties, -and disposed of at St. Marc, Jeremie, Grande Ance, the Mole, and Port au -Prince, superintending under their officers, the execution of various -works which were deemed essential for defence, on account of the arrival -at Cape François of Rochambeau, Santhonax, and several other republicans -of consequence. In these and former works the men seem to have exerted -themselves with zeal, and to have obtained commendation for their good -conduct. “Indeed, I must say,” writes Captain M‘Kerras to Sir William -Green, the chief engineer, under date July, 1796, “that I have never -seen a better set of people in every respect and manner than they were.” - -To a great extent the fever still prevailed in the West Indies, and had -raged fearfully during the months of June and July. It was not confined -to any particular island, but was general throughout the group. Never -had a more melancholy scene of mortality attended any expedition than -befel those to St. Domingo and the Windward Islands. Of the company of -military artificers at the former island, twenty-five had died in June -and July alone, and by the end of the year it was reduced to nineteen -men only. The Caribbee Islands' company, during the same period, -suffered still more severely; inasmuch as it was diminished from -seventy-seven to thirty-one of all ranks; whilst the company that served -at the captures of Martinique, St. Lucia, and Gaudaloupe, in 1794, had -frittered away by deaths and invaliding to eighteen non-commissioned -officers and men.[100] Of the survivors more than half were -incapacitated for duty from sickness, and, consequently, the services of -the department pressed very heavily upon the effectives. On the 1st -September the remnants of the two latter companies were amalgamated, and -reached a total of 49 of all ranks. - ------ - -Footnote 100: - - Lieutenant, afterwards Lieutenant-General, Evatt, who served with the - company in Sir Charles Grey’s campaign of 1794, writes thus of it: - “The dreadful sickness then prevailing left few or none of the men - after its conclusion, and it might with truth be said, they came out, - did their duty, and died!” - ------ - -In June a detachment of one sergeant, two corporals and twenty -artificers, embarked for Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the classes of -tradesmen most needed for the works could not be obtained except at -extravagantly high wages. Some care was therefore taken to select -mechanics fully equal to the requirements of the settlement. The -detachment landed in September following, and Captain James Straton, -commanding royal engineer, was appointed to command it. Various works -were in progress at the time of their arrival, to which they were -distributed according to circumstances; but the service upon which they -were chiefly employed was the erection of the lighthouse in Halifax -harbour. Over this work, private Dougal Hamilton, a very intelligent and -skilful mason, was appointed foreman, and acquitted himself throughout -with credit. Subsequently, when about to quit the province as an -invalid, H.R.H. Prince Edward ordered his immediate disembarcation, and -placed him at the disposal of the treasurer of the settlement, by whom -he was employed as a foreman in building the Shelburne Lighthouse on the -coast of Halifax. - -Early in the spring a party of the Portsmouth company was detached to -Calshot Castle to repair and strengthen it; and another from the -Guernsey half company, to renew the defences at the Island of St. -Marcou. In carrying on the works at the latter place, privates Roger -Hambly and Hugh M‘Laughlin were dreadfully wounded by the explosion of a -mine in the execution of their duty. - - - - - 1797. - -Detachments to Portugal—To Dover—Transfers to the Artillery—Enlistment - of artificers only—Incorporation of Gibraltar companies with the - corps—Capture of Trinidad—Draft to West Indies—Failure at Porto - Rico—Fording the lagoon, by private D. Sinclair—Private W. Rogers at - the bridge St. Julien—Saves his officer—Casualties by fever in - Caribbean company—Filling up company at St. Domingo with - negroes—Mutinies in the fleet at Portsmouth—Conduct of Plymouth - company—Émeute in the Royal Artillery, Woolwich—Increase of - pay—Marquis Cornwallis’s approbation of the corps—Mutiny at the - Nore—Consequent removal of detachment to Gravesend—Alterations in - dress. - - -Early in January, Lieutenant F. W. Mulcaster, R.E., with a party of one -sergeant, one corporal, five artificers, and four labourers of the -Woolwich company, embarked for Portugal to join the force under the -command of Lieutenant-General Charles Stuart, which was sent to that -country for the purpose of preventing its invasion by the armies of -France or Spain. The nature of the service did not call for any display -of character, and the detachment being withdrawn in October 1798, -immediately proceeded with the expedition to Minorca. - -In February one corporal and seven miners of the Plymouth company were -detached to Dover to carry on the mining operations at that station -under Captain H. Bruyeres, R.E. They were farther increased in October -to two corporals, eleven artificers, ten labourers, and one drummer, as -well to conduct the mining as to assist in repairing the works on the -Western Heights. A detachment was also sent from this company to -Berryhead near Torbay, to erect fortifications. - -A great deficiency occurring in the numerical establishment of the royal -artillery, the Master-General desired that as many of the labourers of -the corps of artificers as were anxious to avail themselves of the -opportunity of transferring their services to that regiment, should be -permitted to do so. The transferring continued from March to May, and -the corps was thus reduced sixty-seven men, each of whom received one -guinea on being accepted by the Artillery.[101] - ------ - -Footnote 101: - - One of these labourers, John Alexander, enlisted in the Chatham - company 15th July, 1796, and was transferred 1st April, 1797. Forty - years afterwards he was commissioned as quartermaster in the royal - horse artillery, and after eleven years' service in that rank, retired - on full-pay in 1847, and died in 1854. - ------ - -This reduction in the establishment of the labourers was followed in -August by an order, that the recruiting for the corps should be limited -to the artificer part only. Labourers and men not bred to the regulated -trades were no longer enlisted, and every artificer so enlisting only -received the bounty and subsistence of a labourer, until he had been -approved as a competent artificer. This was a wholesome precaution, as -those enlisted under the assumed name of mechanics were continued as -labourers, until industry and improvement had rendered them worthy of -advancement. - -In June the soldier-artificer corps at Gibraltar was incorporated with -the royal military artificers. Ever since its formation in 1772 it had -held a distinct position, and was an integral body of itself. Its -establishment was two companies of 5 sergeants, 5 corporals, 2 drummers, -and 125 private artificers each, with 1 sergeant-major to both -companies; but its actual strength on the amalgamation was only 255 of -all ranks. In the regular monotonous routine of that garrison there was -little occasion for their services except as artificers. At this period -their conduct was far from commendable. Much addicted to drunkenness, -they were the constant subjects of courts-martial; but on the works, -under the eye of their officers, they behaved well and were very good -mechanics, particularly the non-commissioned officers, who, besides, -were skilful foremen. By the incorporation of these companies with the -corps, it was increased from 801 to 1,075 of all ranks; but its actual -strength only reached 759 men. - -Sir Ralph Abercrombie having resolved to make an attempt on the island -of Trinidad, an expedition under himself and Admiral Harvey sailed -accordingly from Martinique on the 12th February. To this force were -attached one sergeant-major, two corporals, and nineteen artificers, -under Major Charles Shipley, and Lieutenants Gravatt and Lefebure, royal -engineers. From an accident by fire, which consumed the enemy’s ships on -the night preceding the morning arranged for the attack, the island -became an easy conquest and surrendered by capitulation on the 18th -February. - -Soon after the taking of this island, a detachment under Lieutenant -Ford, R.E., of three sergeants, two corporals, and twenty privates, -drafted from the Portsmouth company, landed and joined Major Shipley’s -company at Martinique, the strength of which, with the increase, -amounted to sixty-five of all ranks. - -Sir Ralph Abercrombie and Admiral Harvey now assembled an expedition -against Porto Rico and landed there on the 17th April. The company of -artificers furnished about forty non-commissioned officers and men for -this service, including Lieutenant Ford’s party. Here they constructed, -assisted by a party of the 14th regiment, two batteries, one for mortars -and the other for guns. A large magazine abandoned by the enemy, was -also partially converted into a battery for two mortars, but its -completion was relinquished in consequence of the ordnance intended to -arm the battery having been swamped in a morass in crossing. -Notwithstanding the exertions made to reduce the place, the enterprise -failed, and the troops were withdrawn on the 30th April. Previously, -however, to effecting the evacuation, the artificers, to prevent the -enemy following in the retreat, destroyed the bridge which connected the -island of St. Julien with the main; and afterwards hastily reared a -breastwork of sandbags to cover the embarkation, which, however, was not -required, as the expedition was suffered to leave the island unmolested. -The casualties in the military artificers were five privates killed, -viz., Joseph Featherstone, George Clark, Samuel Hague, George Winter, -and John Cameron, and four severely wounded; besides about twenty more -who sustained slight contusions or mutilations.[102] - ------ - -Footnote 102: - - In the ‘London Gazette,’ 3rd to 6th June, 1797, the killed only are - noticed. - ------ - -Among the measures suggested for reducing Porto Rico was one for taking -the town, by forcing the troops through the lagoon bounding the east -side of the island. Before the project could be entertained, it was -considered advisable to ascertain if the stream were fordable. An -officer of Sir Ralph’s staff having requested permission to undertake -the service, he was voluntarily accompanied by private David Sinclair of -the military artificers. In the night, at the appointed hour, both -entered the lagoon together, each provided with a long staff. With this -support they probed their adventurous way, and at length succeeded in -gaining the opposite slope; where, standing near one of the redoubts -which defended a broken bridge, they distinctly heard the vigilant -sentinels talking and walking on their beats. With the same caution as -before, they picked their course back again, and then coolly repeated -the duty without the aid of props. The officer reported the ford to be -fully practicable, and at the same time lauded the intrepidity of the -soldier who accompanied him. Thereupon Sir Ralph praised him for his -gallantry and rewarded him with a johannes—a piece of eight dollars. The -idea of making the assault by passing the stream was given up, in -consequence of the British force being too weak to cope with an enemy -powerful in men and means, and almost impregnable in position. Sinclair -died the 28th July, 1797, and during his short career in the West -Indies, an officer under whom he served has left this testimony to his -worth, “that he was ever conspicuous in every service.” - -Determined upon relinquishing Porto Rico, Sir Ralph ordered Lieutenant -C. Lefebure, of the royal engineers, with a detachment of the -artificers, early in the morning of the 30th April, to repair to the -bridge which connected the island of St. Julien with the Main and -demolish it, for the purpose of preventing the Spaniards following and -harassing the army during the retreat. The bridge was an old crazy -structure of stone consisting of nine arches. All were directed to work -at the road-way of the centre arch, but to private William Rogers, at -his particular request, was assigned the difficult and dangerous duty of -dislodging the key stone. The ground was soon harrowed up, a gap made -across the middle, several stones were removed from the pier-heads, and -the bridge exhibited signs of instability. Nothing daunted, Rogers -boldly stepped upon the crown of the arch, and after a few heavy blows -with his pickaxe, scooped the stone from its bed. At once the arch gave -way; and the others leaning towards it, cracked as though torn by an -earthquake and fell beneath him. Rogers’s situation was one of imminent -peril, but with a fearlessness that was remarkable, he plunged from the -crumbling bridge into the stream, and was fortunately preserved from any -serious harm, whilst five of his comrades were crushed to death by the -fall; four also were severely wounded; and all the rest, save corporal -William Robinson, were injured. - -Nor was this all. Rogers swam about the heap to afford help to those who -were suffering and dying. It was yet dark, and the thick dust still -rising from the fall, made the darkness denser. Groping, therefore, -among the ruins, he found an individual who still had signs of life, -struggling, ineffectually, to free himself from some massive fragments -that entangled him. Rogers set to work to release the drowning man: this -he quickly accomplished, and, swimming with his charge to the shore, the -rescued turned out to be his own officer—Lieutenant Lefebure. The life -of that gallant subaltern, however, was only prolonged to fall a -sacrifice to his heroism on the walls of Matagorda in 1810. Rogers’s -exertions were not confined to his officer only, for several of his -comrades who were precipitated into the water and were unable to swim, -he saved, assisted by those of the party who had sustained but trivial -injuries. - -A desolating epidemic still raged in the Caribbee Islands and greatly -diminished the numbers of the company. In November particularly, the -climate was extremely hot and unhealthy and the deaths by fever -considerable. During the year the casualties were, deaths, thirty-one, -of which fifteen occurred in November; sent home invalided, six; -deserted, two; total, thirty-nine; leaving the company, of all ranks, -only thirty-three strong at the end of the year. - -At St. Domingo the great want of artificers for the service of the -engineering department being severely felt, Captain McKerras, R.E., in -February, represented the expediency of keeping up the company with -negroes. The number of the military artificers then serving in the -colony was nineteen of all ranks, a third of whom were constantly unfit -for any kind of duty, suffering as they did from over exertion and -frequent relapses of remitting fever. To Europeans the climate was “the -most pernicious and abominable in the universe,” and none but the -strongest could at all bear up against its influences. To fill up the -vacancies in the company, therefore, by drafts of mechanics from -England, would have incurred a heavy outlay without reaping a -commensurate return. Considerations like these prompted Captain McKerras -to suggest the measure, and he was further influenced by the conviction, -that, since civil labour could not be procured in the colony unless at -an enormous expense, that of the slave would, after receiving -instructions from the present climatized artificers of the company, be -found of great advantage to St. Domingo, and a vast saving to the -public. The slave artificer was to receive food, clothing, and barrack -accommodation, but no pay. Whatever attention may have been paid to the -proposal, certain it is, that the company was never recruited by blacks. -This probably arose from the island having been abandoned in the autumn -of 1798.[103] - ------ - -Footnote 103: - - Sir Charles Pasley, in the prefatory notes to his work on ‘Elementary - Fortification,’ vol. i., p. 4, writes of the inefficiency and - misconduct of detachments sent on foreign service, and concludes his - observations by saying, “I am told in the West Indies, it had actually - been proposed to employ negroes as engineer soldiers.” If the above is - the recommendation Sir Charles alludes to, he has either been - misinformed of the reasons for that proposal, or he has mistaken them; - for the detachment was composed of good non-commissioned officers and - well-qualified artificers from the Woolwich and Chatham companies; and - in the discharge of their several duties, gave every satisfaction to - their officers. The proposal was dictated by humanity, as well as with - a view to the prospective advantage of the public, and in no respect - originated in the misbehaviour or inefficiency of the men. - ------ - -The memorable mutinies in the fleet at Spithead at this time were -followed by the rising of some unprincipled men, who, as emissaries of -revolt, traversed the country endeavouring by every device to shake the -allegiance of the soldiery. Efforts of this kind were also attempted -with the royal military artificers, particularly at the ports, but -beyond a few desertions, without effect. Most of the companies publicly -opposed these agencies; but the Plymouth company in an especial manner -distinguished itself by its open and soldierlike activity against their -disloyal exertions. - -The document,[104] printed by the company and widely circulated through -Devonshire, was sent by Major-General Mercer, captain of the company, to -Lord Cornwallis the Master-General; who expressed very great -satisfaction with the loyal sentiments it avowed, and highly approved of -the spirit and zeal of the men in giving the declaration publicity at so -opportune a moment. - ------ - -Footnote 104: - - A copy of the document is subjoined:— - - Plymouth Lines, 31st May, 1797. - We, the - Non-commissioned Officers - Of the Company of Royal Military - Artificers and Labourers, - Stationed at Plymouth Lines, - - Come forward at the unanimous request of the Company, to avow at this - momentous crisis, our firm loyalty, attachment, and fidelity to our - most gracious _Sovereign_ and our _Country_, and solemnly declare our - firm determination to maintain subordination and discipline to our - officers, with whom we have every reason to be fully satisfied, and - request they will accept these, our most grateful acknowledgments for - their humane attention towards us, and beg they will let this our - determination be made known to the _Right Honourable General Lord - George Henry Lennox_, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in this - district. - - That, as we learn, there are men endeavouring to withdraw His - Majesty’s _soldiers_ from the duty they owe to their _King_ and - _Country_, we are determined should any such proceedings appear - amongst us, to take the earliest opportunity of checking the same; - and, as a mark of our attachment to our most gracious _Sovereign_ and - glorious _Constitution_, we do hereby offer a reward of - - _Ten Guineas_, - - to any _soldier-artificer_, that will discover any person, or persons, - offering them _money_, _seditious handbills_, or otherwise, with an - intent to withdraw them from their duty, on conviction of the person, - or persons, before a civil magistrate. - - God save the King! - Witness our hands, - - (Signed) WM. BROWNE, Sergeant-major. - ROBT. WAKEHAM, } - WM. BURGESS, } Sergeants. - JAS. MOIR, } - - JNO. EVELYN, } - WM. HUTTON, } Corporals. - WM. MCBEATH, } - - WM. COTTEY, } - JOSH. WELLS, } Lance-corporals. - WM. BEER. } - -Some delay occurring in extending the King’s beneficence to the Ordnance -corps with respect to the increase of pay, the royal artillery at -Woolwich, impatient to obtain it, exhibited unmistakable symptoms of -discontent and insubordination. “More pay; less drill!” were their -constant complaints, and hundreds stood by their arms ready to use them -in compelling attention to their claims. One night particularly there -was much disturbance, and next morning about daybreak, the Commandant of -the garrison, Colonel Farringdon, of the royal artillery, ordered the -whole of the military artificers to proceed to the artillery barracks -and barricade the rear entrances. Captain Holloway, R.E., complied; and -whilst the men were effecting the service as quietly as circumstances -would admit, they were discovered by the mutineers, who showered upon -them sundry articles of barrack furniture; and then bursting open the -doors, fell upon the party and forced them from the barricades. Colonel -Farringdon, who was witnessing the progress of the work, felt the shock -of the sortie, and at once ordered the company of artificers to be -withdrawn to preserve them from further danger. In the course of the -morning the Duke of York made his appearance, and on promising to give -the claims of the regiment immediate consideration, the disaffected were -appeased and returned to duty. - -Already the subject of pay to the Ordnance corps had been under review, -but the _émeute_ at Woolwich hastened the decision upon it. It was clear -that the various allowances—permanent, incidental, and temporary—were -insufficient to answer the objects for which they were intended; and -also, that the application of them from sundry causes was both intricate -and difficult. It was therefore recommended to discontinue all extra -allowances, except a small sum, annually, for defraying the expense -incurred in altering clothing; and issuing a rate of pay to all ranks -adequate for every purpose, which measure His Majesty approved in a -warrant dated 25th May. A comparison of the military allowances of the -artificers prior to the promulgation of the new warrant, and the pay -sanctioned on 25th May, is subjoined:— - - Pay per diem Extras Pay per diem - before a-day.[105] by Warrant of - 25th May, 25th May, - 1797. 1797. - - s. d. d. s. d. - - Sergeant-major 2 3 1 2 9¼ - - Sergeant 1 9 1½ 2 3¼ - - Corporal 1 7 1½ 2 0¾ - - Artificer 0 9 1¾ l 2½ - - Drummer 0 9 1¾ 1 2½ - - Labourer 0 6 2¼ 1 0½ - ------ - -Footnote 105: - - The extras were allowed the men to provide them with bread, a pair of - breeches once in two years, and a rosette; and to pay the expense of - making up their gaiters, and converting their uniform coats, after a - certain period, into jackets. - ------ - -In promulgating the augmentation of pay to the corps, Lord Cornwallis -felt it his duty to accompany the pleasure of the King with an -expression of his own sentiments; and accordingly, in the orders dated -31st May, issued on the 2nd of June, he thus wrote:— - -“Marquis Cornwallis, Master-General of the Ordnance, feels himself happy -in announcing to the corps of royal military artificers and labourers -the increase which His Majesty has been graciously pleased to make to -their pay, which puts it in their power to enjoy every comfort which a -good soldier can reasonably desire. - -“The Master-General takes this opportunity of expressing his -satisfaction at the regular behaviour and good conduct which this corps -has manifested, and trusts it is not in the power of the most artful -traitor to seduce the soldiers of the royal military artificers and -labourers from their loyalty and attachment to their King and country; -and when he assures them he shall always take the greatest pleasure in -rendering them a service, he is persuaded they will continue to prove -themselves deserving of his good offices.” - -Scarcely had the mutinies at Portsmouth subsided, before a more -formidable one appeared in the fleet at the Nore. Equitable concessions -had already been made to the navy; but at the Nore these were not -received with satisfaction. Other exorbitant demands were made by the -Nore seamen, and legitimate authority was resisted even by force of -arms. This bold menace then led the Government to compel unconditional -submission; and the instigators of the mutiny, with Richard Parker at -their head, suffered the extreme penalty of the law. During this -alarming outbreak, the company of artificers in the Medway division were -very zealous in the completion of various works to be employed against -the mutineers, should the crisis arise to require them. The companies at -the different ports were also on the alert and distributed to several -posts of importance. A detachment of sixteen non-commissioned officers -and men—withdrawn from Gravesend in April—were returned to that station -in June. This detachment erected two batteries at Northfleet for four -and two guns of heavy calibre, to fire into the ‘Neptune,’ 98, and -‘Lancaster,’ 64, lying off Greenhithe, should they attempt without -proper orders to pass to the Nore. They also made such repairs as were -necessary to the blockhouse and batteries at Gravesend, and also -strengthened the fortifications and renewed the furnaces for heating -shot red-hot at Tilbury Fort. Here also, before returning to Woolwich in -August 1798, the detachment built a wooden river-wall at the -Ferry-house. - -This year the cocked hat was revived. It was an adaptation of the -pinched-up Nivernois hat and the ample Ramilies. The flaps were edged -with broad black binding instead of gold lace as formerly. The cockade -and gold loop were retained; but the short red feather was displaced by -an eight-inch length white heckle. At each of the shoots or angles of -the hat was a rose-shaped ornament of gold lace. The hats of the -sergeants and sergeant-majors were of equal fineness and edged with -black silk lace, flowered; while those of the corporals, artificers, and -drummers were much superior to the labourers. The latter did not wear -roses. Alterations were also made in the dress, inasmuch as the coatee, -with its long skirts, was reduced to what was called a half-coat with -short skirts. Lappels were abolished, and the laced looping was -succeeded by frogging. The drummers wore scarlet for the first time, -with the usual livery lace. Clubs were still in vogue; but the use of -hair powder ceased. Sashes were now worn over the coatees of the ranks -entitled to the distinction. See Plate VIII. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Military Artificers. Plate VIII. - UNIFORM, 1797 Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - 1798-1799. - -Contribution of corps to the State—Detachment with expedition to - maritime Flanders—Destruction of the Bruges canal—Battle near - Ostend—Draft to West Indies—Capture of Surinam—St. Domingo - evacuated—Expedition to Minorca—Conduct of detachment while serving - there—Composition of detachments for foreign service—Parties to - Sevenoaks and Harwich—Mission to Turkey—Its movements and - services—Special detachment to Gibraltar to construct a cistern for - the Navy—Detachment with the expedition to Holland—Its services—Origin - of the Royal Staff Corps. - - -France, having but little occupation for her armies, turned her -attention to England and matured arrangements on a scale of surpassing -magnitude for its invasion. In this country all ranks and orders of men -were affected by the threat; and such was the spirit of military ardour -it induced, that corps of volunteers were rapidly embodied to meet the -exigency of the times. Throughout the kingdom the wealthy contributed -largely to assist the measures for defence; and the army, influenced by -the popular feeling, joined in the demonstration and tendered -subscriptions to the Government to aid in the realization of its -purposes. The corps of military artificers also, prompted as well by a -desire to relieve the general burden of the nation as from gratitude to -the King for the recent addition to their pay, gave, in February, a -contribution of three days' pay to the Treasury, to be applied as should -be considered best for the defence of the state.[106] In acknowledging -the letter conveying the gift, General Morse, the Colonel-Commandant, -writes under date of 13th February, “their loyal and laudable offer has -afforded me great satisfaction.” - ------ - -Footnote 106: - - The following is a copy of the letter of the Woolwich company, - offering the contribution above alluded to:— - - _Woolwich, 12th February, 1798_. - - SIR, - - At a time when the exigencies of the State appear to require the - assistance of every good subject to alleviate the general burden our - fellow-subjects bear, it is the unanimous wish of the non-commissioned - officers, artificers, and labourers of the corps of Royal Military - Artificers, &c., at this place, to manifest the gratitude they owe - their King and country for the late increase of pay, as well as their - attachment to His Majesty’s person and government, and their zeal for - the service in which the country is engaged, by offering a - contribution of three days' pay, to be applied as may be thought best - to the defence of the State. - - We request you will be pleased to lay this our wish before the Colonel - Commandant of the corps for his approbation. - - Signed on behalf of the artificers and labourers, &c., of the corps of - Royal Military Artificers, &c., at Woolwich, and with their unanimous - consent. - - THOS. FORTUNE, Sergeant-major.[106a] - - JAMES DOUGLAS, } - JOHN LEVICK, } Sergeants. - EDWARD WATSON, } - - ROBT. HUTCHINSON, } Corporals. - JOHN YOUNG, } - - BENJ. ROBERTS, } - WILLIAM BAIN, } Lance-Corporals. - HUGH KINNAIRD, } - - Captain CHARLES HOLLOWAY, - Commanding the Royal Military - Artificers, &c., at Woolwich. - -Footnote 106a: - - Enlisted as a matross in July, 1761, in the royal artillery, and was - pensioned from that regiment in October, 1783. On May 1, 1795, he - enlisted into the Royal Military Artificers, at the age of 52! and - died at Canterbury, August 10, 1799. Was known as the author of a - small work called “The Artillerist’s Companion,” published by Egerton - in 1786. - -An expedition under Major-General Coote was fitted out in May, at -Margate, for service against maritime Flanders. The design of the -enterprise was to destroy the works and sluices of the Bruges canal near -Ostend, and to cripple the internal navigation. To effect these services -a detachment of the corps, experienced in mining, from the Chatham and -Plymouth companies,[107] under Lieutenant Brownrigg, royal engineers, -was attached to the force and sailed from Margate on the 14th May on -board H.M.S. ‘Expedition,’ in which was General Coote himself. - ------ - -Footnote 107: - - The greater part of the detachment had been specially employed in - mining services at Dover. - ------ - -The force disembarked in three divisions on the 19th May, and the -artificers, who had been instructed on board ship by Lieutenant -Brownrigg in the duties required of them, accompanied the first -division, provided with intrenching tools, wooden petards, &c. On -landing, the troops took possession of the forts that protected the -sluices, in order that the intended work of destruction might be carried -on successfully. The artificers, with a company from the 23rd regiment -and a detachment of royal artillery, commenced the appointed work, and -in about four hours laid the locks, gates, and sluices in ruins, burned -several gun-boats, and effected an explosion in the basin of the canal -that almost demolished it, and drained it dry. In this service the -exertions and efficiency of the party may be inferred from the praises -bestowed by General Coote upon Lieutenant Brownrigg.[108] - ------ - -Footnote 108: - - “Lieutenant Brownrigg, R.E., in about four hours, made all his - arrangements, and completely destroyed the sluices; his mines having, - in every particular, the desired effect, and the object of the - expedition thereby attained. * * * In Lieutenant Brownrigg, I found - infinite ability and resource: his zeal and attention were eminently - conspicuous.”—London Gazette, 17 to 21 July, 1798. - ------ - -Having thus accomplished the object of the expedition the troops were -ordered to re-embark. At the appointed hour the weather had become -boisterous, and the violence of the surf rendered it impracticable to -reach the shipping. A position was, therefore, taken up on the -sand-hills before Ostend, which was strengthened in the night by the -military artificers with intrenchments suitable to the occasion; but on -the 20th, the British, hemmed in by a much stronger force, were -compelled, after an obstinate contest, to surrender themselves prisoners -of war. The casualties in the detachment were—killed, two; wounded, -five; and thirteen, including the wounded, taken prisoners.[109] The -survivors returned to England, and rejoined their companies in March, -1799. - ------ - -Footnote 109: - - ‘London Gazette,’ 17 to 21 July, 1798. - ------ - -In the West Indies the Caribbean company was reduced at the end of the -previous year by fever to thirty-three men, who were distributed in ones -and twos through different districts of the conquered islands. None -could be spared for active duty without detriment to other services -equally important; and several expeditions were, therefore, undertaken -without a military artificer accompanying them. In some measure to -supply the numerous vacancies that had occurred, one corporal and -twenty-nine privates embarked in February on board the ‘Union’ transport -under Lieutenant T. R. I’Ans, R.E.; and on their arrival the company was -increased to fifty-seven non-commissioned officers and men. - -On the 20th August, the expedition under Lieut.-General Trigge, which -included three corporals and eleven men of Lieutenant-Colonel Shipley’s -company, captured the Dutch settlement of Surinam, which surrendered -without resistance. One artificer, John Nancarrow, mason, was -accidentally drowned on this service; and this was the only casualty -that occurred to the expedition. - -At St. Domingo the detachment fast wasted away on account of the arduous -services of the island and the diseases of the climate; and on the -evacuation of the place in September only two of the company, with -Lieutenant H. Morshead, of the corps,[110] survived to embark with the -troops. Of the original company, which numbered forty-seven on its -arrival in May, 1796, thirty-six died, seven were invalided, two -deserted, and the remaining two[111] were sent to do duty at Jamaica. - ------ - -Footnote 110: - - This officer was “ordered to the West Indies with two companies of the - royal military artificers: himself and two of the privates only - escaped the baleful effects of the climate of St. Domingo.”—United - Service Journal, i., 1832, p. 142. - -Footnote 111: - - These were privates Adam Cowan and John Westo. The former was at once - appointed sergeant and conductor of stores to Commissary Meek of the - Ordnance. After delivering over the stores of the department at - Jamaica to a sergeant of Dutch emigrant artillery, he returned to - England, and was discharged with a pension of 2_s._ 0½_d._ a-day in - April, 1816. - ------ - -In November three sergeants, four corporals, fifty-five artificers, -three labourers, and one drummer, total, sixty-six, formed from the -party employed in Portugal, and from artificers of the companies at -Gibraltar, were sent with the force under General Charles Stuart against -Minorca. On landing, the Spaniards, without offering any resistance, -retired into the town of Citadella, which possessed a sort of fortified -_enceinte_. A battery for a few field-pieces was constructed against it -in the night by the artificers under Captain D’Arcy, royal engineers, -and after firing a few shots the place surrendered on the 15th November. -Soon after the capitulation, the detachment was very much dispersed -through the island, employed on various defensive works; and on Sir -Charles Stuart quitting it, the military artificers remained to restore -the fortifications. In January, 1801, the detachment was denominated the -Minorca company; but in August, 1802, it was withdrawn, and being -disbanded, the men were distributed among the companies of the corps at -home and at Gibraltar. - -During their stay in Minorca it seems that their conduct was not above -reproach, nor their services on the works as useful as desired. Sir -Charles Pasley has recorded that they were found to be very inefficient, -and ascribes it to their having been selected for the expedition from -the Gibraltar companies, which, from circumstances, were for a number of -years the worst in the corps.[112] Here, however, it is proper to add, -that their inefficiency did not arise from their want of ability and -skill as mechanics,[113] but from their general irregular behaviour -occasioned chiefly by intemperance. Writing of the Gibraltar companies, -Sir Augustus de Butts, in a letter dated 11th July, 1848, says:—“I -cannot speak so confidently of their general conduct, but on the works, -under the eye of their officers, they behaved well, and were very good -artificers, particularly the non-commissioned officers.” - ------ - -Footnote 112: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification.’ Notes to Preface, p. iv., vol. i. - -Footnote 113: - - Several individual proofs could be adduced but two must suffice. - Private Evan Roberts, a talented mason, was detached to Malta during - the blockade of Valetta, and rendered good service as a foreman under - Captain Gordon, R.E. On the formation of the Maltese artificers, he - was appointed sergeant in one of the companies to prevent his removal - to another station: and Sergeant-major James Shirres, formerly of the - Gibraltar companies, from his correct conduct and merit as an - artificer, was appointed overseer of works in the royal engineer - department at Plymouth, in December, 1804. - ------ - -On the composition of detachments for foreign duty, Sir Charles Pasley -has made some observations which may not inappropriately be introduced -here. “When any expedition,” he writes, “was to be undertaken, the -number of royal military artificers required were in all cases, selected -by small detachments out of the stationary companies; and as the -commanding engineers at the several fixed stations were naturally averse -to parting with their best men, the detachments thus formed for field -service, were generally composed of the stupidest and least trustworthy -non-commissioned officers, and of the most ignorant, profligate, and -abandoned of the privates.”[114] This was, it would appear, the general -rule, but exceptions may fairly be taken in favour of the detachments -forwarded to Toulon, St. Domingo, Halifax, and Ostend, as well as to -some of the reinforcements sent to the Caribbee islands. These -detachments were not formed of bad men weeded from the different -companies, but of non-commissioned officers and privates whose -qualifications and utility as mechanics were unquestionable, and whose -conduct was approved. - ------ - -Footnote 114: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification.’ Notes to Preface, p. iv. vol. i. - ------ - -In April and May a corporal and party of carpenters of the Woolwich -company were detached to Sevenoaks, and there built temporary wooden -barracks for a company of artillery; a second party was employed in -repairing Falmouth Castle from May to November; and in the latter month -two carpenters and two masons, all privates, were sent to superintend -workmen in the erection of fortifications and temporary defences at -different places from Chelmsford to Harwich, in which duty they -continued until April 1800. - -Napoleon, by a series of successes, had gained a firm footing in Egypt, -and the subjugation of India was contemplated by the French Directory. -As well to thwart the intention, as to stimulate the Turks, the British -Government determined to send a military mission to the dominions of the -Sultan, to cooperate with the Ottoman army in their hostile movements -against the French. The mission being formed of artillery, engineers, -and artificers, in all seventy-six persons, under Brigadier-General -Koehler, of the royal artillery, embarked in the ‘New Adventure’ -transport in February, but did not sail from England till April. The -military artificers, selected by Major Holloway, royal engineers, from -the Woolwich company, numbered one sergeant—Edward Watson—two corporals, -nineteen artificers, and two labourers; and as Major Holloway had -proceeded overland to Constantinople,[115] were consequently placed -under the orders of Captain Lacy, R.E. On the near approach of the -‘Adventure’ to Gibraltar she was partially wrecked. A quantity of stores -and some pontoons were thrown overboard, and private Philip Patterson, -whilst exerting himself in casting away the stores, was washed off the -deck by a wave into the sea and drowned. On the 14th June the transport -arrived at Constantinople, and Major Holloway assumed the command of the -artificers. - ------ - -Footnote 115: - - Brigadier-General Koehler, Major Holloway, and six other officers and - gentlemen proceeded by the overland route to Constantinople. Three of - the detachment accompanied them—privates Joseph Comfort, Jonathan - Lewsey, and David Waddell. “Their journey in the outset,” says Dr. - Wittman, in his ‘Travels in Turkey,’ &c., p. 6, “had been attended by - uncommon severities, such, however, as might have been expected from a - season more rigorous than any which had been experienced for many - years. In passing over the continent, they had, at the entrance of the - Elbe, been shipwrecked among the shoals of ice; and to relieve - themselves from the perilous situation, had been under the necessity - of passing over the ice to the extent of two miles, to gain the shore; - by this effort they were providentially saved.” They now prosecuted - their journey to Constantinople, where they arrived in March, 1799. - ------ - -On the removal of the mission to Levant Chiflick, five of the detachment -were detained with the officers at Buyukdere, and the remainder were -occupied in various services at the former place and Kaithana, where -they erected a furnace for heating shot. Shortly afterwards experiments -with red-hot shot were carried on in the presence of the Sultan, who, at -the close of the practice, having reviewed the mission, presented each -person with a gift suitable to his rank. Whilst building the furnace, -the artificers, exposed to marsh miasma, were early attacked with fever. -At first the cases were slight, but relapses following with malignity, -three of the detachment died. To preserve the mission, therefore, it was -removed in October to the Dardanelles. Previously to the embarkation, -the artificers constructed a handsome model of the upper castle at -Chennekalleh, on the Asiatic side of the Dardanelles, with Major -Holloway’s improvements, which model was presented by that officer to -Hadgi Ibrahim Effendi, Secretary at War for the Ottoman Porte. -Subsequently, at the Dardanelles,[116] they were employed in effecting -various alterations and additions to the castle until the 2nd December, -when the mission was suddenly recalled to Constantinople; and landing on -the 4th, awaited orders to proceed on more active service.[117] - ------ - -Footnote 116: - - While here, sergeant Watson of the artificers, in preparing money for - the payment of the mission in the presence of a Turkish marine, - quitted the room for a moment, leaving the money on the table. “On his - return,” writes Dr. Wittman, “the marine had disappeared with 120 - piastres, about 9_l._ English. Having described the person of the - delinquent to the Capitan Pacha, inquiries were at once commenced to - detect the thief. On the second day after, the marine confessed his - guilt to General Koehler, and begged his influence with the Capitan - Pacha to save his life. The General did so, but several days elapsed - before the affair was disposed of. During the interval, the General, - anxious to prevent the culprit being strangled, expressed some doubts - of the culprit’s identity; but in reply to this, the Pacha very - handsomely declared his full conviction that the marine _had_ taken - the money, as he was certain an Englishman would not tell an - untruth.”—Wittman’s Travels in Turkey, Asia Minor, &c., p. 65. - -Footnote 117: - - The above particulars are chiefly taken from Dr. Wittman’s ‘Travels in - Turkey,’ &c. - ------ - -At the instance of the Admiralty, a detachment of one sergeant, one -corporal, and forty privates, chiefly masons and bricklayers, -able-bodied men and good artificers, under Lieutenant C. Mann, royal -engineers, sailed for Gibraltar in May on board the ‘Fortitude,’ and -landed there the following month. The party was specially employed in -constructing a cistern for naval purposes, under the military -foremanship of sergeant Joseph Woodhead; and in October, 1800, it was -incorporated with the Gibraltar companies. - -England and Russia having concluded a treaty to send an army to -Holland to reinstate the Stadtholder, a corps of 12,000 men, under Sir -Ralph Abercrombie, embarked for the Helder and landed on the 27th -August. Attached to this expedition was a party of military -artificers, consisting of one sergeant, two corporals, thirty-five -artificers—seventeen of whom were carpenters—and one drummer, -commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Hay, R.E. The detachment embarked on -board the ‘Amphitrite,’ and disembarking with the second division, -were present in the action of that day. - -After forming the engineer park near the Helder, about ten men were left -to repair the fort; and the remainder, divided into brigades of four to -each brigade, followed the troops in their forward movement in charge of -the intrenching equipment of the expedition, which was conveyed in -waggons. Early in September, the detachment constructed several -batteries for guns and mortars to defend the post at Zuyp; as also, -subsequently, at Hoorn and Egmont-op-Zee; and to facilitate the march of -the army to the latter place, they assisted in the formation of three -flying bridges over canals that intersected the route. In the retreat, -they were continually employed in throwing small bridges across the -canals by means of planking, felled trees, and other chance materials. -At Alkmaer they constructed several defensive works; and on retiring -from thence, where three roads met, they raised, in an incredibly short -time, a mound of earth about twelve feet high, across the junction, with -the view of impeding the enemy in their pursuit of the British. None of -the military artificers were killed or wounded on this service. On the -evacuation of Holland in November the detachment rejoined the companies. - -Here, perhaps, it would be proper to allude, in a general remark, to the -practice of providing detachments for foreign service. It will already -have been observed, that whenever any expedition was undertaken, resort -was invariably had to the royal military artificers for a selection of -men to accompany it, suitable to the work upon which it was contemplated -they would be employed; but the numbers furnished were always -insufficient for the purpose, and no representations or remonstrances -could avail in altering a custom, which, from causes not easily -surmised, seems to have been pertinaciously persevered in. - -This remark is fully borne out by the statement of a highly -distinguished officer;[118] and is moreover corroborated by the fact, -that about this time, the particular attention of the Commander-in-Chief -was drawn to the subject, without, however, accomplishing what the -interests of the service greatly needed. It is said, that when the Duke -of York was preparing his expedition for Holland, he demanded efficient -assistance from the royal engineers and royal military artificers, -which, for some reason, the Ordnance authorities reluctantly met with an -inadequate provision. Annoyed by the limited number tendered, his Royal -Highness determined to establish a corps competent to discharge the -duties usually devolving upon the royal engineers, “which should be -absolutely at the disposal of the Horse Guards; and as his Royal -Highness held office in times when the thoughts of statesmen were bent -rather to render the means of the country’s defence complete, and to aid -other nations in opposing the aggressions of an arrogant and -unscrupulous power, than to effect savings in the public expenditure, he -found no difficulty in consummating his wishes, and hence arose the -royal staff corps.”[119] - ------ - -Footnote 118: - - Sir John Jones, in his ‘Sieges,’ vol. ii., note 38, p. 389, 2nd edit. - -Footnote 119: - - Gleig’s ‘Military History,’ xxxvii., p. 287. - ------ - - - - - 1800. - -Mortality in the West Indies—Blockade of Malta—Capture of a transport on - passage from Nova Scotia—Movements and services of detachments in - Turkey; attacked with fever—Anecdote of private Thomas Taylor at - Constantinople—Cruise of expedition to Cadiz—Attack on the city - abandoned—Subsequent movements of the expedition; Malta; and - re-embarkation for Egypt—Statistics of companies at Gibraltar. - - -From the diminished state of the company in the West Indies, and the -impracticability of filling up the constantly-recurring vacancies by -drafts from England, authority was given to the Commanding Engineer in -the Leeward Islands, to obtain on the spot, men for the company properly -qualified and climatized, either by enlistment or transfer from other -corps. This led to an immediate incorporation, in April, of one -sergeant, twenty privates, and two drummers, from the 43rd and other -regiments; and though the plan was attended with considerable success, -the still greater mortality from fever always kept the company greatly -below its establishment. - -In addition to the repeated allusion made to the military artificers in -the West Indies, the following statistics of mortality, as far as the -same can now be ascertained, affording a tolerably correct idea of the -unhealthiness of the climate, and the sufferings to which the men must -have been subjected, may here not be misplaced. - - Number of Deaths. - 1793 17 - 1794 65 - 1795 19 - 1796 70 - 1797 37 - 1798 12 - 1799 10 - 1800 9 - — - Total 239 - -The aggregate number of artificers and labourers sent there from year to -year, including those transferred from other corps and enlisted on the -spot, amounted to about 350. More than two-thirds of the number, -therefore, fell victims to the war and the climate! Many also were sent -home invalided, several of whom died on the passage, or soon after -landing in England. At the close of 1800, the strength of the company -did not exceed seventy-eight of all ranks, twenty-two being required to -complete it. - -In February, private Evan Roberts, an active and intelligent artificer, -was chosen from the Minorca company for service at the blockade of La -Valetta, and arrived at Malta before the end of the month. From that -time until the surrender of the fortress on the 15th of September, he -served in the department with zeal and efficiency under Captain Gordon, -royal engineers; and continued, though a private, to discharge the -duties of an overseer of works until the formation, in 1806, of the -first company of Maltese artificers, to which he was transferred as -sergeant. - -At Halifax, Nova Scotia, three invalids embarked on board the ‘Diamond’ -transport on the 15th of September, with several invalids of Captain R. -Wright’s company of royal artillery, and sailed with the fleet on the -19th of that month. Previously to weighing anchor, private Walter Allan -was accidentally drowned in the harbour by falling overboard; and the -other two, privates Ninian Kerr and Samuel Milman, were captured by the -French some time in October. But all efforts to ascertain where, or how, -the enemy effected the seizure of the vessel with her crew and -passengers, have proved unsuccessful. - -Soon after the removal of the mission from the Dardanelles to -Constantinople, Captain Lacy and Lieutenant Fletcher, R.E., were -detached to join the Turkish army in Syria. With these officers two -military artificers were also sent, one of whom returned from Cyprus -with the former officer in April, and the other reached the mission -again, some two months later, with Captain Lacy. On the 13th of June, -the artificers sailed from Constantinople[120] with the mission, and -landed at Jaffa on the 2nd of July, where they encamped with the Turkish -army and commenced, under the foremanship of sergeant E. Watson, the -improvements suggested by Major Holloway in the fortifications of that -port. These, however, though far advanced, were ultimately set aside, -and the artificers were appointed to erect several new works in front of -Jaffa; which, in consequence of the French being in great force at -Catieh, were considered to be more essential than the proposed -alterations to the defences of the town. With great ceremony, on the -30th of August, the first stone of the intended new bastion was laid by -the Grand Vizier; and shortly after, his Highness having reviewed the -mission, marked his approbation of their appearance by a present to each -non-commissioned officer and soldier. In December the fever, which had -been alarmingly rife in the Turkish camp, attacked the mission. Its -first victim was a military artificer; and before the end of the month, -though the cases of mortality were few, the mission had to lament the -loss by death, of their commander, General Koehler, R.A., and his lady. -Major Holloway, royal engineers, then assumed the command, and at the -close of the year, a change of cantonment having re-established the -health of the men, the works at the new bastion progressed -vigorously.[121] - ------ - -Footnote 120: - - Some time before leaving the city, private Thomas Taylor, royal - military artificers, was, without any provocation, assaulted by a - Turk, who attempted to stab him with his yatikan. On a report of this - outrage being made to the Capitan Pacha, to whose retinue the Turk - belonged, he came to a resolution to have him decapitated. By the - mediation and entreaties of Lord Elgin, a mitigation of the punishment - ensued, and the Turk, after receiving fifty strokes of the bastinado - on the soles of his feet, was sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment - in the college of Pera, _to learn the Arabic language_.—Dr. Wittman’s - Turkey, p. 93. - -Footnote 121: - - Particulars for the most part obtained from Wittman’s ‘Travels in - Turkey,’ &c. - ------ - -In April, a detachment of one sergeant, two corporals, and thirty -artificers, under Captain Bryce, R.E., accompanied the expedition under -Sir Ralph Abercrombie, for employment on secret service. The men were -selected from the different home companies, and all were “sufficiently -qualified in their respective trades, as well as able-bodied.” -Proceeding to Portsmouth, they remained inactive for about six weeks; -and, at length embarking on board the ‘Asia’ transport, sailed in June -with the expedition. In the Channel off Portland, the fleet encountered -a gale, and was driven back to Portsmouth; but on a fair wind springing -up, got under weigh again, and in due time ran up the Tagus. From thence -the ‘Asia’ proceeded to Gibraltar, lay there about a month, and sailing -for Minorca, soon reached that island and landed the artificers; where, -for about seven weeks, they were employed in the construction of -temporary barracks, &c., for the troops put on shore. At the expiration -of this period, the artificers returned to the ‘Asia’ and retracing the -route to Gibraltar, anchored for a fortnight. There they were reinforced -by one sergeant, one corporal, and five miners of the companies at the -fortress; and at the appointed hour, the ‘Asia,’ again weighing anchor -for Tetuan Bay, took water there and sailed with the fleet for Cadiz. - -When off Cadiz, the artificers were told off into two brigades, and six -of the boldest and most expert men were selected to land with the first -division, and the remainder with the second. On the morning of the day -in which the attempt was to be made, the artificers, as a preliminary -measure, removed all the intrenching tools and engineers' stores into -the launches, and then took their places in the boats, provided with -adzes, pole-axes, and miners' tools for removing impediments, &c. A long -interval of breathless suspense followed, in which the seamen rested -impatiently on their oars; but, as an epidemic raged at the time in the -city, the landing was countermanded, and the men and stores being -reshipped, the meditated attack upon Cadiz was relinquished. The ‘Asia,’ -consequently, sailed for Tetuan Bay, where, exposed to a storm, she was -compelled to cut her cable and run for Cape Spartel. There she anchored -for four days, and on the wind shifting again made for the bay.[122] - ------ - -Footnote 122: - - The seven non-commissioned officers and men embarked at Gibraltar to - join the expedition, returned to their companies at the fortress - immediately after the failure at Cadiz. - ------ - -At this rendezvous the fleet was divided into three divisions, and the -artificers accompanied that under Sir Ralph Abercrombie to Malta. There -they were landed; and after a stay of about seven weeks, during which -they were employed preparing platforms and fascines, re-embarked on the -17th of December, seven on board the ‘Ajax,’ 74, Captain the Hon. Sir -Alexander Cochrane, and the remainder on board the ‘Asia’ transport. -Hitherto the service of the expedition had been expended in a series of -cruises or reconnaissances alike harassing and wearying, but at length, -a glimpse of approaching activity burst upon the armament. Soon the -enterprise commenced, and terminated with glory to Britain by rescuing -an inoffensive nation from the eagle grasp of an oppressive republic. - -Ever since the incorporation of the Gibraltar companies with the corps, -the power to recruit for those companies was vested in the commanding -royal engineer at the fortress, and, so far, was exercised with -tolerable success. This permission was the more necessary, as, from the -frequent calls made upon the home companies to detach parties for the -service of particular expeditions, it was impossible, so to attend to -those companies as to keep them numerically complete. The effect of that -power was, that from the date of the incorporation to the end of 1800, -ninety-six artificers had either been enlisted or received as transfers -from regiments in the garrison; but from the unavoidable exposure of the -men to the sun in carrying on their working duties, and the general -unhealthiness of the climate, the casualties in the companies far -exceeded the number that joined. Of the increase and decrease in the -companies for the above period, the following is an accurate -exposition:— - - Strength at the incorporation, of all ranks 255 - Joined from employment at the naval reservoir 36 - Enlisted or transferred from regiments in garrison @b96 - —— - Total 387 - -The decrease was:— - - Deaths 45 - Discharges 31 - Invalided 38 - Desertions 4 - -- 118 - —— - 269 - Wanted to complete 6 - —— - Establishment 275 - === - - - - - 1801-1802. - -Distribution of corps—Dispersion of West India - company—Statistics—Detachment to St. Marcou—Capture of Danish - settlements—Casualties in West India company—Compared with mortality - in Gibraltar companies—Working dress—Services, &c., of detachment at - Gibraltar—Conduct of Sergeant W. Shirres—Concession to the companies - by the Duke of Kent—Cocked hat superseded by the chaco. - - -On the 1st January the corps was distributed in companies and -detachments as follows. The names of the officers in command and the -senior non-commissioned officers at the several stations are also -added:— - - Sergeant-majors. - Woolwich Lieut.-Col. B. Fisher John Eaves. - Chatham Lieut.-Col. Thos. Nepean John Palmer. - Portsmouth } Col. John Evelegh { James Smith. - Gosport } { Alexander Spence. - Plymouth Maj.-Gen. Alex. Mercer William Browne. - Jersey Capt. John Humfrey Anthony Haig. - Guernsey Lieut.-Col. J. Mackelcan Andrew Gray. - Dover - Gibraltar Lieut.-Col. Wm. Fyers Joseph Makin. - Minorca Capt. Robert D’Arcy { Sergeant Jas. Shirres, - { _Foreman of - Carpenters_. - Nova Scotia Capt. Wm. Fenwick { Sergeant John Catto, - { _Foreman of Masons_. - West Indies Col. Chas. Shipley Serg.-Maj. Matthew Hoey. - Egyptian Capt. Alex. Bryce { Sergeant John McArthur, - Expedition - { _Master Smith_. - Jaffa, with the } Major C. Holloway { Sergeant Edward Watson, - Ottoman army } { _Master Carpenter_. - -The head-quarters of the West India company were at Martinique, from -which non-commissioned officers and men were detached to St. Lucia, St. -Vincent’s, St. Kitt’s, St. Pierre’s, the Saintes, Surinam, and -Barbadoes, for the purpose of acting as overseers on the works or for -employment on particular services. - -The establishment of the corps was 975; but wanting 232 to complete, its -strength only amounted to 743 of all ranks. Of this number 403 were -abroad and 340 at home. - -Early in the year a small party of one sergeant, and seven artificers -from the Portsmouth and Gosport companies were sent to St. Marcou, an -island on the coast of France, seven miles east of Cape la Hogue, to -repair the fortifications; and having accomplished the service returned -to their companies in November. - -To the expedition which proceeded against the Danish settlements in -March, under the command of Lieut.-General Trigge, were attached one -sergeant-major, two corporals, and twenty privates of the military -artificers, who were present at the capture of the islands of St. -Bartholomew, St. Martin, St. Thomas, St. John, and Santa Croix. - -The loss in the West India company by fever and other diseases during -the year amounted to twenty, whose vacancies were immediately filled up -by transfers from the line. - -In May the working dress consisted of a blue cloth jacket with skirts, -two serge waistcoats with sleeves, two pairs of blue serge pantaloons, a -black round hat, and a pair of half black gaiters. One of the waistcoats -and a pair of pantaloons formed the second working dress. The new jacket -was made of stouter and better cloth than formerly; sleeves were added -to the serge waistcoats, and the second pair of pantaloons were -substituted for the canvas ones. These improvements were considered -equivalent to a linen shirt, a pair of stockings, and a canvas jacket -previously supplied with the working suit, but which, from this year, -ceased to be issued to the corps. - -At the opening of the year the military artificers with the British -mission to Turkey, reduced to fifteen men, were occupied in the erection -of the new bastion at Jaffa, which was finished and the guns placed on -the platforms with great pomp on the 27th January. Of the detachment -with the mission, two were styled labourers, from their not having been -promoted to the rank of artificers; and they, when not immediately -occupied on the works, acted in the capacity of servants to Major -Holloway. One of these labourers when out one afternoon some distance -from Jaffa, exercising the Major’s horses, was attacked by a party of -Arabs on a predatory excursion, by whose fire the Major’s horse was -killed, and the bâtman wounded with balls and slugs in nine different -places. The servant of Major Hope, R. A. was also in the assault; and by -great exertion succeeded in bearing his comrade back to the camp. Dr. -Wittman, of the mission, with celerity equal to his skill, extracted the -missiles and the sufferer speedily recovered.[123] - ------ - -Footnote 123: - - Either private Jonathan Lewsey or private David Waddell, both of whom - acted as servants to Major Holloway, R.E. The former was a powerful - man, and remarkable from the circumstance of his having _four thumbs_! - two on each hand in addition to the proper complement of fingers. On - the breaking up of the mission at Grand Cairo, these privates returned - to England with that officer by the overland route. - ------ - -On the 2nd February, Captain Lacy, royal engineers, was despatched to El -Arish to collect military information, accompanied by a private of the -artificers who early fell a sacrifice to the plague that prevailed -there. On the 25th of that month, the Ottoman army commenced its march -to Grand Cairo, the British mission being attached to the body guard of -his Highness the Vizier, mounted on fine horses superbly caparisoned, -and attended by Arabs. Passing through Ashdod, the army encamped for a -while at Gaza, where the military artificers were separated into three -parties, and attached to the divisions respectively commanded by the -Grand Vizier, Mahomed Pacha, and Taher Pacha; but it is difficult to -record with satisfactory distinctness, the particular services in which -they subsequently participated. On the 28th March the army entered the -Desert at Kahnyounes, and traversing that arid and inhospitable region -for about 150 miles, subjected to occasional deprivation of food and -water, and exposed to sultry heats, infectious diseases, and danger, -reached Salahieh on the 27th April, after a tedious and harassing march -of thirty-two days. Two of the military artificers died in the Desert; -and the survivors, who were present at the capture of Salahieh and -Belbeis, and in the action near the village of Elhanka, entered Cairo on -the 11th July. There they were employed during the remainder of the -year, in renewing the bridge of boats across the Nile constructed by the -French to preserve a communication with Gizeh, and also in repairing the -fortifications of the city, until the 19th February, 1802, when they -quitted for Rosetta. From this town they were removed to Alexandria, and -afterwards to Malta, where, finally embarking for England, they arrived -at different periods in the fall of 1802 and spring of 1803.[124] The -strength of the detachment on joining the Turkish mission, was -twenty-four of all ranks; eleven only returned! Of the casualties eleven -died of fever or the plague, and two were drowned accidentally. “After a -series of painful, harassing, and critical events,” says the journalist, -“the labours of the mission closed; and the patience, forbearance, and -circumspection of the individuals engaged in this long and perilous -service, were manifested on a variety of trying occasions, which -required all the energy inherent in the British military -character.”[125] - ------ - -Footnote 124: - - Sergeant Edward Watson, who enlisted into the artillery as a matross, - January 28, 1775, and joined the corps at Woolwich, March 1, 1792, was - the senior non-commissioned officer with the mission; and in - consideration of his zeal, ability, and uniform exemplary conduct, as - well in discharge of his military duties, as in the executive - superintendence of the several works undertaken by Major Holloway, he - was promoted, on his arrival in England, to be sergeant-major of the - Woolwich company. On December 1, 1810, he was discharged. For similar - reasons corporal David Pollock was advanced to the rank of sergeant, - and appointed master-smith. - -Footnote 125: - - Wittman’s ‘Turkey,’ p. 395. - ------ - -Meanwhile the detachment of the corps with the force under the command -of Sir Ralph Abercrombie reached Marmorice Bay; and with the exception -of the party on board the ‘Ajax’, landed, and prepared a shipload of -fascines and gabions to be used in the intended enterprise. Five of the -‘Ajax’ men were employed in different repairs to the vessel; and the -other two, assisted by a corporal of the 44th regiment, made an elegant -double couch of mahogany covered with various beautifully-marked skins -from Rhodes, for the Turkish General Mustapha, which was presented to -him by Captain the Hon. Alexander Cochrane, R.N. On the 17th February, -the fleet set sail for Egypt, and running into Aboukir Bay on the 1st -March, the troops landed on the 7th, and then followed a display of -invincible ardour and bravery on the part of the British, that checked -France in her career of success, and turned all her glorious Egyptian -conquests into painful disasters and capitulations. - -With the first division were landed the seven military artificers of the -‘Ajax,’ who were present in the action of that morning; and eight hours -afterwards commenced to trace the necessary works for besieging Aboukir -Castle. Next day the remainder of the detachment landed from the ‘Asia’ -transport, and dispersed in small parties of about four each to the -several brigades of the army, advanced to Alexandria. Under the -direction of their officers, the ‘Ajax’ artificers superintended the -construction of batteries for eleven guns and three mortars in front of -Aboukir, laying all the platforms themselves, and restoring, when -damaged by the enemy’s fire, the cheeks of the embrasures which were -formed by a double row of sand-bags backed or strengthened by a row of -casks filled with earth, a plan suggested by Major M‘Kerras, royal -engineers, previously to his being killed; but which was not again -resorted to, during the subsequent operations of the campaign. On the -19th March the castle surrendered. - -On the heights of Alexandria, the artificers with the column under Sir -Ralph Abercrombie, superintended the erection of batteries and redoubts -of sand-bags, fascines, and gabions, which formed a strong line of -defence from the sea to Lake Maedie. The Aboukir party joining on the -20th, also assisted in the works until their completion. Unable, from -being unarmed, to take an active part in the battle of Alexandria on the -21st March, they occupied themselves in the essential duty of carrying -shot, shell, and ammunition to the artillery and the troops. - -After the battle the military artificers had the charge, under their -officers, of renewing the works on the heights, and when completed were -appointed to aid in effecting the inundation of a portion of the -country. This was accomplished by cutting seven channels in the dyke of -the canal of Alexandria, through which the waters of Lake Aboukir rushed -into Lake Mareotis, then nearly dry, and about ten feet below the level -of Lake Aboukir. Across the Nile they subsequently threw a bridge of -boats, to facilitate the communication between Alexandria and Rosetta, -re-forming it when swept away by the rapidity of the current; and -afterwards they assisted in the construction of a similar bridge across -the openings in the dyke of the canal of Alexandria for the convenience -of the shipping. - -Four of the artificers who were at the siege of the castle of Aboukir -were attached to the brigade under Colonel Spencer, and served at the -reduction of Rosetta, Fort St. Julian—against which they constructed -batteries for two guns and two mortars—Elhamet, Alkam, and Rahmanieh. - -Shortly after they proceeded to Grand Cairo and were present at its -surrender on the 27th June. A brief interval elapsed, when they returned -to Alexandria, by the river Nile, in the large which contained the field -equipment of the detachment. On reaching Alexandria, the entire -detachment was divided into two parties, one under Captain Bryce, the -chief engineer, and the other under Captain Ford, royal engineers; and -were subsequently present at the siege of the castle of Marabout, the -taking of Redoubt de Bain, and at the final fall of Alexandria on the -27th August. No casualties in killed and wounded are reported to have -taken place among the men during the campaign; and though no particular -testimony to their merits appears to have been recorded, from the -circumstance of their being so few in number, and from the absence of -prominent occasions of exhibiting their zeal and efficiency, arising -from the enemy capitulating and surrendering many of his works without -resistance, still they were permitted in common with the other troops -that served in Egypt, to wear the device of the Sphinx on their -appointments. A like honour was also conferred upon the military -artificers who served with the mission to Turkey. - -Immediately following the capture of Alexandria, an expedition was sent -to Elba, under Admiral Lord Keith and General Sir Eyre Coote. Five -military artificers were attached to it on board the ‘Amphitrite’ -transport, under the orders of Captain Birch, royal engineers; but, when -between Rhodes and Candia, an English man-of-war brought intelligence of -peace to Lord Keith, and the descent upon the island was relinquished. -Thereupon the ‘Amphitrite’ sailed for Malta, where the artificers -remained for six weeks, employed in repairing the fortifications. During -this period, they were joined by others of the detachment from -Alexandria, and re-embarking, arrived in England in February, 1802. The -residue of the detachment, detained for a while at Alexandria and Malta -watching the development of events, reached these shores in August, -1803. - -On the Duke of Kent being appointed Governor of Gibraltar, his first -care was to introduce some wholesome regulations for diminishing the -drunkenness and crime so prevalent in the garrison. Stringent measures -were therefore adopted with regard to the sale of liquors and wines in -the canteens, scrupulous attention was paid to the appearance of the men -in the streets, and drill and discipline were rigorously enforced. These -reforms, however, were received with much discontent; and on -Christmas-eve of 1802 the stifled feeling of insubordination broke out -into mutiny. - -In this _émeute_ the greater part of the military artificers took an -unequivocal but unimportant part. The Duke’s new rules interfered more -essentially with the practices and indulgences of the companies, than -with any other troops in the garrison. Besides being subjected to the -general rigours imposed on the troops, the artificers were deprived of -the privilege of working privately in the town, and were once a week -taken from the command of their own officers, and drilled and -disciplined by the Town Major. These innovations upon old usages -produced considerable disaffection in the companies, and many of the -more reckless and turbulent were not backward in ranging themselves on -the side of the mutineers. Joining a party of the Royals at night, at -the Town Range Barracks, they proceeded in company to the South -Barracks, where, on approaching to make arrangements for a simultaneous -rising, the 18th Royal Irish fired upon them, with no better result than -tearing the feather from the hat of one of the privates of the -artificers. - -This harmless volley had the effect of cooling the ardour of the -mutineers, and the rebel artificers becoming tranquil, returned home; -but on the Saturday following, another and more decided exhibition being -expected, the officers of engineers met at the barracks, to endeavour to -prevent any co-operation with the mutineers. Meanwhile the companies -received their working pay, and all restrictions being taken off the -canteen, the intemperance that followed soon rendered the men too -insensible to discharge any duty effectually, either for the Crown or -the mutineers. During the night a strong party of the 25th regiment -appeared at the gates to demand the services of the companies; but -sergeant William Shirres, assisted by a small guard of the corps, closed -and daringly held the gates against the exasperated rebels, and -prevented any communication with the barracks. Without entering further -into the progress of the mutiny, it will be sufficient to add, that it -was soon suppressed, and three of the ringleaders of the 25th regiment -were shot on the Grand Parade by sentence of a general court-martial. - -A few days after the Duke of Kent ordered the companies to be specially -paraded for his inspection. Having passed down the ranks and moved to -the front, his Royal Highness addressed them. He appeared to have been -informed that the artificers had joined with the Royals and 25th -regiment in their intemperate display; but added, that he felt every -reluctance to give credence to the report, and also made some -complimentary allusions to the services of the companies at the -fortress. He then desired to know if there were any complaints, in -order, if reasonable, to adjust them. The men, thus courteously invited, -having stated their wish to be drilled by their own officers, his Royal -Highness directed the Town Major to manœuvre the companies. Carefully -the Duke watched the firelock exercise and the execution of the various -evolutions, and, expressing his satisfaction with their appearance and -drill, granted their request. - -This year the cocked hat, worn since 1797, was superseded by the chaco, -similar in size and shape to the one commonly adopted in the army. So -strange an alteration—from the sage-like cocked hat to its trim -substitute—obtained for the new head-gear the cimmerian appellation of -the “smoke-jack.” The white heckle feather worn with the cocked hat, was -retained. See Plate IX. As time wound up, this description of chaco lost -its upright lines for one which, approaching a cone in shape, was called -the “sugar-loaf cap.” The latter, again, was superseded by another in -1813, which, from its peculiar form, was familiarly styled the -“bang-up.” - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Military Artificers Plate IX. - UNIFORM 1802 Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - 1803-1805. - -Party to Ceylon—The treaty of Amiens broken—State of West India - company—Capture of St. Lucia—Tobago—Demerara, Essequibo, and - Berbice—Works at Spike Island—Capture of Surinam—Conduct of private - George Mitchell—Batavian soldiers join West India Company—Fever at - Gibraltar—Consequent mortality.—Humane and intrepid conduct of three - privates—Invasion of England—Works at Dover—Jersey—Chelmsford—Martello - towers at Eastbourne—Bomb tenders at Woolwich—Recruiting—Volunteers - from the Line and Militia—Treaty of St. Petersburgh—Party to - Naples—Ditto to Hanover. - - -Lieutenant-Colonel Bridges having been appointed commanding royal -engineer in Ceylon, he applied for a detachment of the military -artificers to accompany him to that station. The requisite sanction -being procured, six artificers, comprising one corporal, two carpenters, -one mason, one bricklayer, and one smith, embarked for the East in -January. The precise object of despatching so small a party to so -distant a settlement cannot now be learned, but every care was taken to -choose men for the service whose activity and abilities as craftsmen -were well known, and whose conduct was unexceptionable. “Select,” says -the order to the officer called upon to furnish the party, “such men as -you would prefer if going on the service yourself.” In June the party -arrived at Trincomalee, but what specific services were performed by -them in the colony it would be idle to conjecture. Before the autumn of -1806, four of the men died, but the other two held up against the -climate till 1815, when one left for England and was discharged,[126] -and the other died in April, 1817. - ------ - -Footnote 126: - - John Wallace. It is related of him that he was lost sight of for many - months, and his appearance at Woolwich gave rise to as much surprise - as his person to doubt. All traces of the original man had worn away, - and from the oddness of his dress, and peculiarity of his manners, the - task of recognition was rendered still more perplexing. Eventually, - satisfactory proofs of his identity being obtained, he was again - acknowledged and discharged on a pension of 1_s._ 6_d._ a-day, his - service in the corps having exceeded thirty-three years. - ------ - -The treaty of peace between France and Great Britain was signed on the -27th March, 1802, and hailed everywhere with exultation. Soon, however, -Buonaparte began to exhibit a spirit at variance with the solemn -engagement, and his irrepressible ambition forced him to seek occasions -for gratifying it. Increased power and dominion were the engrossing -objects of his genius; and, singular as it may appear, states and -republics fell under his sway without his lifting a sword to conquer -them. All this transpired while yet the burst of joy at the peaceful -negotiation was ringing in the courts of Europe; but Great Britain, -though a sullen spectator of these events, caring more to be blamed for -reluctance than impetuosity, at length interfered, and the result was, -that war was declared with the French republic on the 18th May, 1803. - -At that period the company stationed in the West Indies had nearly -reached its establishment; and, as the sickness, so rife in former -years, had greatly lessened both in malignity and extent, the general -health of the men had much improved. So keen was Lieutenant-Colonel -Shipley about maintaining his company complete, that whenever a death -occurred or an artificer quitted the station through ill health, he -invariably applied direct to the general officer in command of the -troops, to order a tradesman of approved qualification and conduct to be -transferred to it from the line. Alike interested in the efficiency of -the company, the general officer always acceded to his request; and the -company, consequently, was in excellent condition for affording -effective co-operation in any active service. - -Intelligence of the renewal of hostilities soon reached the West India -islands, and an expedition was forthwith prepared to be employed in the -capture of St. Lucia, under the command of General Grinfield and -Commodore Hood. To this force were attached one sergeant-major, three -sergeants, five corporals, and sixty-eight privates of the military -artificers, who were engaged, on the 22nd June, in the storming of Morne -Fortuné and taking of St. Lucia. Corporal William Dyson was killed at -the storm,[127] but of the wounded, no particulars exist. Of the -services of Colonel Shipley and his company in this capture, the -General, under date of June 22nd, thus wrote:—“To Lieutenant-Colonel -Shipley and the royal engineers, he is indebted in a high degree for -assistance and professional advice.”[128] - ------ - -Footnote 127: - - In the ‘London Gazette,’ 26 to 30 July, 1803, this corporal is, by - mistake, returned as sergeant. - -Footnote 128: - - ‘London Gazette Extraordinary,’ August 15, 1803. - ------ - -In July the same company was present at the capitulation of Tobago, -which surrendered without bloodshed to the forces under General -Grinfield. “Great praise,” says the General in his orders of the 1st -July, “is also due to the alertness and readiness of the royal artillery -and royal artificers in their embarkation and disembarkation, both of -themselves, ordnance, and stores, and for their attention to their -discipline and duties” [129] - ------ - -Footnote 129: - - Ibid. - ------ - -In the following September, Colonel Shipley and one sergeant-major, -three sergeants, one corporal, and thirty-three privates, were attached -to another expedition under the same General, and were present at the -capture of the colonies of Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice. Like -Tobago, these islands surrendered without resistance. At each of the -subjugated settlements and at Trinidad, a small party was left to carry -on the current services and improve the defences. The head-quarters -still remained at Martinique. During the year the deaths in the company -did not exceed twelve men; and its strength at the end of the year was -eighty-seven of all ranks, of whom only eight were ineffective from -sickness. - -Early in the year Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Holloway was appointed -commanding royal engineer at Cork, and at once commenced a minute -examination of the fortifications under his charge. These were found to -be defective, inasmuch as they did not sufficiently command the -surrounding country and harbour. Sir Charles, therefore, among many -works which he suggested for the defence of the district, projected an -extensive fort for Spike Island to be erected on the site of -Westmoreland Fort, which was to be demolished. Authorized to carry his -plans into execution, he applied and obtained in October, the services -of an efficient detachment of tradesmen, consisting of a sergeant, and -master mason, thirteen artificers, and one labourer of the Woolwich -company, to aid in destroying the old fort and in erecting the proposed -new one. As the works progressed and their completion was pressed, the -detachment, in December, 1804, was augmented to thirty-eight -non-commissioned officers and artificers; and in January, 1805, to a -full company of one hundred strong, under the denomination of the “Spike -Island Company.” Between five and six thousand civil mechanics and -labourers were daily employed at the fort, over whom, to a certain -extent, were placed the non-commissioned officers of the company, as -masters of the respective trades, or foremen of particular portions of -the work. - -Arrangements for an expedition against Surinam having been perfected, -Major-General Sir Charles Green and Commodore Hood sailed there in -April. Lieutenant-Colonel Shipley, royal engineers, as also one -sergeant-major, two corporals, twenty privates, and one drummer of the -artificers accompanied it, the rest of the company not being available -for the service in consequence of being greatly dispersed through the -different islands. Surinam being very difficult of approach, -Lieutenant-Colonel Shipley, on the 29th April, went on shore to procure -tidings with respect to the best means of reaching the settlement. On -returning, he reported that a body of troops might be conducted to the -rear of Forts Leyden and Frederici. Accordingly, twenty of the military -artificers with side arms and felling axes, ten of the 6th West India -regiment similarly provided, a detachment of 140 men of the 64th -regiment, and about thirty seamen, all under Brigadier-General Hughes, -landed on the night of the 29th, and proceeded through almost impassable -woods, led by negro guides, to the place of assault. After five hours' -laborious marching, the stormers arrived near the rear of Frederici -Battery, which was gallantly taken, as was also Fort Leyden soon after; -and Surinam surrendered on the 5th May. “No obstacle,” says the despatch -of Sir Charles Green, “could damp the enterprising spirit of our seamen -and soldiers. They underwent great fatigue in executing these works, -which, however, they cheerfully submitted to under Lieutenant-Colonel -Shipley, who, as usual, was unceasing in his exertions.”[130] Severe as -the storming is described to have been, only three soldiers were killed; -of whom one was a military artificer,[131] private James Connolly, at -the assault of Fort Leyden. Of the number wounded, no official account -has been traced. - ------ - -Footnote 130: - - ‘London Gazette,’ 19 to 23 June, 1804. - -Footnote 131: - - Ibid. - ------ - -Private George Mitchell, represented as a highly-meritorious soldier, -distinguished himself in the assault, as, indeed, did the whole of the -detachment. As well on the march as in the two successive assaults, he -was conspicuous for his perseverance, promptitude, and bravery, and when -entering Frederici with the foremost troops, was severely wounded by the -side of his officer, Lieutenant J. R. Arnold, R.E., who led the storm. -For his services on this occasion he was promoted to be corporal, and -subsequently for the same reason to the rank of sergeant. He also -received a present from the Patriotic Fund at Lloyd’s, in testimony of -the opinion entertained of his services.[132] - ------ - -Footnote 132: - - In the subsequent campaigns of the West Indies he behaved equally - meritoriously; and in garrison and the workshops always conducted - himself well. Besides being an excellent mason and foreman, no - artificer in the service, perhaps, had a better practical idea of - mining, in which he signalized himself at the destruction of Fort - Desaix, Martinique. After sixteen years' arduous service in the West - Indies, he was sent to Woolwich and discharged in July, 1814. - ------ - -On the reduction of the place, the Batavian troops were released from -their former allegiance, and at liberty to become either citizens in -Surinam, or soldiers in his Britannic Majesty’s forces; but the barren -and uninviting prospects that a captured country presented prevented -many from settling, and they readily offered to enrol themselves under -the British standard. Availing himself of the opportunity, -Lieutenant-Colonel Shipley accepted the services of seventeen Batavian -artificers and enlisted them for the company. Fourteen deaths were -reported in the company during the year; and on the 31st December its -strength was eighty-eight of all ranks. - -A fever of a very malignant character appeared at Gibraltar in August, -and continued its ravages during the autumnal months. Brought in by a -foreigner, who took up his abode in the vicinity of the married quarters -of the royal artillery, the disorder was soon communicated to the -latter; and, by the end of September, it spread with a rapidity only -equalled by its virulence. Ere long the whole fortress was infested by -the pestilence; and, as if to render the calamity more awful, it was -preceded by an earthquake, which agitated the whole Rock. Out of a -population computed at 10,000, including 4,000 troops, no less a number -than 5,946 died between the 1st September and 31st December. So great a -mortality in so short a period is unexampled in the history of that -fortress.[133] - ------ - -Footnote 133: - - Sir James Fellowes ‘On the Fever of Andalusia.’ - ------ - -The two companies of artificers in the garrison were early visited by -the epidemic and but few comparatively escaped. Of those who were -fortunate enough to bear up successfully against the disease, it was -ascertained that the chief part had previously suffered from yellow -fever in the West Indies. The artificers' barracks at Hargraves' Parade -were a considerable distance from the locality where the disorder -originated, and consequently, for a time, were free from fever; but -several of the men having been employed in attending the sick civil -master artificers of the department, at their own homes in the town, and -the married families of the companies having unrestrained access to the -Parade, infection was thus communicated to the single men in barracks; -and the effect was seen too late to adopt any sanitary measures or -restrictions to prevent its ingress. In August three men died, and in -September ten, whilst the numbers affected by the malady were very -considerable. By the beginning of October the fever had extensively -spread; and all work in the engineer department being suspended, the -companies were confined to barracks, and the families in quarters -prohibited from appearing in the streets of the town unless from urgent -necessity. Soon afterwards, to preserve their health, they were removed -into camp at Beuna Vista. Nothing, however, could arrest the advance of -the disorder: gloom and horror hourly increased, and in a very few days -the sickness at the encampment far exceeded anything that had occurred -at Hargraves', By the end of the month a mournful diminution had taken -place, ninety men having fallen a prey to the epidemic! In November, -providentially, the fever sensibly waned, and only twenty-three men -died; and in December, after carrying off four more men, its influence -ceased to be felt at the fortress. At the approach of the disease the -companies mustered 263 of all ranks; but by the termination of the year -130 had died; thus reducing the companies to the strength of 133.[134] -Here it may be added, that the royal military artificers lost during the -fever more men proportionally than any regiment or corps in the -garrison.[135] - ------ - -Footnote 134: - - According to Sir James Fellowes, 229 men of the companies were - admitted into hospital with the fever, of whom 106 recovered, and 123 - died; but as Sir James has omitted the statistics for August in his - tables, the apparent disparity between the two accounts is reduced to - the trifling difference of 4 only, a mistake which, doubtless, - occurred from some inaccuracy or accidental omission in the - information furnished to Sir James from the Ordnance Hospital records. - -Footnote 135: - - This statement is borne out by Sir James Fellowes. See p. 450 of his - work ‘On the Fever of Andalusia.’ - ------ - -Amidst so much mortality, great alarm and irresolution naturally -prevailed; and whilst many excusably avoided all possible contact with -the infected, there were not wanting men of humanity and courage to -volunteer their attentions and services to the sick and dying. Several -instances of signal disinterestedness could be recorded, and the names -of not a few mentioned, who fell a sacrifice to their generous zeal; but -the following men, by their exertions and unshaken devotion in the -discharge of the onerous offices assigned to them, seem to have been -regarded with peculiar admiration, and therefore deserve whatever notice -can be accorded to their merits in these pages. - -Private John Inglis performed the important duty of orderly to the sick -in the hospital at Windmill-hill, and to assiduous attention united -marked kindness and tenderness, shrinking from no difficulty and -dreading no danger. During the fatal month of October his watchfulness -and exertions were incessant, and his patience and humanity were as -conspicuous as his fortitude. - -Private James Lawford undertook the melancholy service of receiving the -dead, both for the artificers and the artillery, and conveying them to -the burying-ground near the Grand Parade. Horrible and hazardous as was -this duty, he persevered in its performance with a coolness and -intrepidity that was perfectly amazing. - -Private James Weir was the principal gravedigger, and attended to his -appointment with unflinching ardour and self-possession. Surrounded by -the pest in its worst forms, and inhaling the worst effluvia, he never -for a moment forsook the frightful service, but laboured on, inspiriting -those who occasionally assisted him, until the necessity for his -employment no longer existed.[136] - ------ - -Footnote 136: - - What was most extraordinary connected with these daring fellows, was - the fact, that throughout the epidemic, they enjoyed the most robust - health; but, after its cessation, fearing that they were loaded with - infection, and that a sudden transition to the garrison again would - cause the fever to return, the authorities deemed it prudent to send - the hearse-driver and gravediggers to camp at Beuna Vista, where, - after about two months' quarantine, they were permitted to rejoin - their companies. - ------ - -An attempt at invasion being daily expected from the French, earnest -attention was turned to those parts of the coast of England upon which -the descent would probably be essayed. Immense sums of money were -accordingly placed at the disposal of the officers of engineers to carry -into effect whatever projects might be approved for rendering the shore -defences more secure. Increased exertions were, therefore, made in -strengthening the permanent fortifications, enlarging the defences of -Dover and Chatham, “constructing batteries at various points, building -temporary barracks along the coast, and studding our shores with -martello towers.”[137] - ------ - -Footnote 137: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i., 1845, p. 483. - ------ - -Besides using all vigilance and exertion at the different ports where -the royal military artificers were stationed, in furtherance of the -general business of preparation and defence, detachments of the corps -were constantly on the route from one place to another, erecting -temporary or permanent works. In April, at the suggestion of -Major-General Twiss, then commanding royal engineer in the Southern -District, the party at Dover was much increased to assist in forming -casemates in certain positions of the works on the western heights, by -which to remedy the defects in the original construction. - -At Jersey, in the same month, every precaution was taken to render the -island capable of resisting any encroachment from its turbulent -neighbours; and all the batteries and forts, as far as practicable, were -manned with ordnance. In the execution of this service corporal and -master-carpenter Daniel Brown, described as “a worthy man and a useful -artificer,” was killed by a fall from the top of Platte Rocq Tower. - -In September a small party was detached to Chelmsford, and -superintended, under the direction of Captain G. Whitmore, royal -engineers, the construction of a chain of temporary fieldworks, -consisting of intrenchments, batteries, and redoubts, from Woodford -Windmill to the windmill at Gallywood Common, a distance, by the line of -works, of about two miles and a half. Various regiments of militia -provided their contingents to execute these works, in which they were -assisted by detachments from the royal waggon train and royal staff -corps. - -About the same time another party was despatched to Eastbourne to aid in -building the circular redoubt there, as also in erecting several -martello towers on the coast, at points best suited to protect our -shores. Fluctuating in strength according to the general emergencies of -the service, this detachment continued to work in the Eastbourne -district until the summer of 1817, when, after assisting in the erection -of all the towers as far as Rye Bay on the one side of Eastbourne, and -Seaforth on the other, it quitted the district and the men composing it -rejoined their companies. - -At Woolwich, during the later months of the year, parties were specially -engaged in preparing and fitting out bomb tenders for the Channel fleet, -by casing their magazines, making racks for shot, and executing such -other precautionary services as would insure them from explosion and -destruction in action. - -Nor should the efforts made to carry on the recruiting with success be -overlooked, since the steps taken were chiefly induced by the spirit of -the times, and the anticipated wants of the coming war. In the previous -year, after the treaty of Amiens was signed, the recruiting was -suspended; but in June, 1803, it was resumed with an energy that -promised to yield an abundant result. In addition to the old stations, -several new ones were opened for obtaining candidates, and the bounty -for recruits was increased to 14_l._ 3_s._ 6_d._ each! whilst the reward -to the soldier, to stimulate him to exertion and vigilance, was -augmented to 4_l._ 14_s._ 6_d._! The former levy money was ten guineas, -but the improved premium amounted to nineteen guineas. - -Notwithstanding the great demand for men, every care was taken to -receive none in the corps who were not in every particular fully equal -to its various duties; and the officers employed on the service were -specially enjoined to engage such candidates only as were “stout made, -able-bodied, well-limbed, healthy, and active, of good character, and -good abilities as tradesmen; not over 30 years of age, nor under 5 feet -6 inches in height.” Under these restrictions, and as the call for -mechanics in civil life was loud and pressing, only 53 artificers were -received and approved of this year, leaving at its close 351 men to -complete the corps to its establishment of 1,075. - -No better success attended the recruiting in the year 1805. Full -employment was offered by the country to every artisan disposed to -handle his tools, and the sources of enlistment, therefore, were almost -choked up. In this extremity, as the corps was very much below its -establishment, application was made to the different regiments of -militia for candidates; and the effect was, that 134 volunteers—all -tradesmen and miners—joined the artificers, in April and May, from -forty-six regiments. After a short interval, a similar application was -made to the Horse Guards to allow artisans from the line to enter the -corps. His Royal Highness the Duke of York, acquiescing in the proposal, -conveyed his commands on the 8th July to every battalion in the service, -both at home and abroad, to have volunteers, to the number of two -carpenters and three bricklayers from each, transferred to the military -artificers. By this arrangement the corps, which was 112 men in arrear -of its establishment when the order was promulgated, was rendered -complete by the end of the year. To each volunteer received was paid a -bounty of ten guineas. The total number of recruits and men transferred -from the line and militia during the year amounted to 435. - -Filling up the corps in this manner was highly prejudicial to its best -interests and general efficiency, so far as the transfers from the -regiments of the line were concerned. Officers of those regiments were -naturally averse to parting with their good men, and out of a batch of -volunteers the five least reputable in every battalion, unless under -extraordinary circumstances, were selected to be transferred. To prevent -the reception of objectionable men, every precaution was taken by the -officers of engineers appointed to this duty; but, with all their -circumspection, some of the most abandoned characters were passed into -the corps. With the different militias, however, this was not the case. -All the volunteers were unreservedly surrendered to the -recruiting-officer, who was at liberty to pick from the number those -whom he desired, and subject them to whatever examination he pleased -before accepting them. In this way some of the ablest mechanics and many -of the best-conducted men and finest-looking soldiers joined the corps, -and their behaviour and usefulness in after service furnished the best -test of the advantages derived by receiving volunteers from the -militia.[138] - ------ - -Footnote 138: - - This observation would appear to clash with the remarks of Sir Charles - Pasley (note F, p. xvii. ‘Elementary Fortification’) upon the - impropriety of enlisting militia-men; but after carefully tracing the - history of many volunteers from that arm, the fact cannot be concealed - that the transfers alluded to were decidedly beneficial to the corps. - The best sapper, miner, and pontoneer, that ever served in the - corps—perhaps the best in Europe—was a militia-man; and the name of - Jenkin Jones, the faithful and zealous sergeant-major under Sir - Charles Pasley at Chatham, now quartermaster at Woolwich, need only be - mentioned, to verify the assertion and to corroborate the encomium. - Quartermaster Hilton, the efficient sergeant-major to the corps in - France under Sir James Carmichael Smyth, had also been in the militia. - ------ - -England had not yet taken any active measures against France, busied as -she was in endeavours to protect her own shores; but as soon as the -Powers of Europe had formed themselves into a coalition, under treaty -signed at St. Petersburgh on the 11th April, to check the progress of -Buonaparte, the British Government lost no time in giving effect to the -engagement. Accordingly in that month, a body of troops under Sir James -Craig embarked for the Neapolitan States to join with the Russians in -expelling the French. To this expedition was attached a party of one -sergeant, one corporal, and thirteen artificers of the Woolwich company, -under the command of Captain C. Lefebure, royal engineers, which landed -at Naples in November. Here the expedition remained inactive until the -19th January, 1806, when, from the defection of the Russians, it was -deemed prudent to withdraw the troops and proceed to Messina, where the -military artificers landed on the 18th February, 1806. - -In October, another force was sent to Hanover, under Lord Cathcart, -which, after it should achieve the liberation of that State, was -destined to advance into Holland for the same purpose. One sergeant, one -corporal, and fourteen privates of the Chatham company, under Captain J. -F. Birch of the engineers, accompanied the expedition and landed in -Swedish Pomerania the same month; but, by the time the force was -prepared to enter into the contest, affairs were on the change; and -Buonaparte having gained the brilliant victory of Austerlitz, the -treaties of Presburg and Vienna followed, putting an end to the war, and -leaving England alone an enemy to France. Unable, without assistance, to -re-establish the independence of Hanover and Holland, Lord Cathcart’s -army returned to England early in 1806, and the detachment of artificers -rejoined the Chatham company in February of that year. - - - - - 1806. - -First detachment to the Cape of Good Hope—Misfortunes at Buenos - Ayres—Reinforcement to Gibraltar—Services at Calabria—Formation of - Maltese military artificers—Increase of pay to royal military - artificers—Augmentation to the corps and reorganization of the - companies—Establishment and annual expense—Working pay—Sub-Lieutenants - introduced—Indiscipline and character of the corps. - - -In August of the previous year, an expedition under Sir David Baird -sailed against the Cape of Good Hope, to which were attached one -sergeant, two corporals, and seventeen artificers of the Plymouth -company under Captain J. C. Smith of the royal engineers, who embarked -on board the ‘Melantho’ transport. The artificers landed on the 4th -January, 1806, with the artillery, and marched and encamped with them in -the field; but Sir David Baird, conceiving that their services would be -more beneficial in the castle after its capture, than in action, would -not permit them to take part in the operations. They therefore halted -about a quarter of a mile to the right rear of the position, and there -remained until they marched with the troops into the castle. Ever since -this capture, a detachment of the corps of varying strength has been -employed in the colony, not only at Cape Town, but at many posts and -forts at a considerable distance inland and upon the frontiers. - -Two privates of the Cape detachment under Captain Kennett, of the corps, -sailed in April with the force under General Beresford against Buenos -Ayres. Landing at Point de Quilmes on the 25th June,[139] they were -present at the surrender of the city on the 27th following. After a time -the Spaniards, recovering from the panic which lost them their capital, -retook it with signal success, and those of the British not killed, were -taken prisoners. Captain Kennett was among the former, and one of the -artificers was wounded. On the loss of their captain, the two men were -attached to the artillery and served in the action of the 12th August, -1806, under Captain Alexander Macdonald, royal artillery: they -subsequently were taken prisoners and remained so until January 1808, -when they returned to England with the forces under General Whitelocke. - ------ - -Footnote 139: - - ‘London Gazette Extraordinary,’ September 13, 1806. - ------ - -To supply the casualties at Gibraltar occasioned by the fatal fever of -1804, a detachment of 133 artificers,[140] under Captain H. Evatt, royal -engineers, embarked on the 31st December, 1805, and landed at the -fortress in February following. The strength of the companies was thus -increased from 174 to 307 of all ranks. - ------ - -Footnote 140: - - With fifty women and forty children! More than, in _these_ days, are - permitted to accompany a _battalion_ on foreign service. - ------ - -Sir John Stuart, who commanded the army in Sicily, now undertook, at the -solicitation of the Court of Palermo, an expedition against the French -in Calabria. The detachment of artificers at Messina, reduced to twelve -in number, furnished ten men, under Captain C. Lefebure, royal -engineers, to accompany the troops. They were present on the 4th July at -the battle of Maida; and afterwards at the siege of Scylla Castle from -the 12th to the 23rd of the same month. Shortly after the capture, six -of the party returned to their old quarters at Messina, leaving two -non-commissioned officers and two artificers under Lieutenant George -Macleod of the engineers, to superintend the restoration of the castle -defences. In October the four men rejoined the detachment at Messina, -where the whole continued to be employed in various engineering services -for several years. - -Artificers under military control and discipline being much required for -the works at Malta, Lieutenant-Colonel R. T. Dickens, R.E., recommended -the formation of three companies of Maltese tradesmen for the service of -the engineer department; two to be stationed at Malta and Gozo, and one -for employment in general duties in the Mediterranean, Gibraltar, and -Egypt. English companies of artificers would have been proposed for the -works of the stations named, had the efficiency and conduct of -detachments previously sent from Gibraltar to Minorca, Sicily, and other -parts of the Mediterranean, warranted it; “but,” says Sir Charles -Pasley, “as the Gibraltar companies were, from circumstances, the worst -in the corps, the detachments formed from them * * * * were found so -very inefficient, that Maltese and Sicilians were preferred to Britons -in the Mediterranean, for the important service of the royal engineer -department.”[141] As well from this, as from other local[142] and -economical considerations, the Government approved of the measure, and -the royal authority for its accomplishment being obtained, the companies -were formed on the 1st May. - ------ - -Footnote 141: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ note A, p. iv. - -Footnote 142: - - In the treaty of Amiens it was stipulated that _one-half_ the soldiers - in the garrison at Malta should be natives; and although the treaty - had been violated by Napoleon, Great Britain still regarded its - provisions, in this respect at least, as sacred and obligatory. - ------ - -The Mediterranean or war company consisted of— - - 4 sergeants, - 4 corporals, - 100 privates, - 1 drummer, - 10 boys. - —— - Total 119 - -and the companies for Malta and Gozo, numbered each— - - 2 sergeants, - 4 corporals, - 60 privates, - 1 drummer, - —— - Total 77 - -An adjutant from the royal engineers was appointed to the 1st company, -and one, a foreigner—Matteo Bonavio[143]—to the other two companies at -Malta and Gozo, to which was also added one sergeant-major and -quartermaster-sergeant Guiseppe Sinerco, stationed at Malta. The total -number of these companies with the staff amounted to 276. The pay of the -war company was assimilated to that of the royal military artificers, -while that of the other companies was fixed as under:— - - s. d. - Sergeant-major or quartermaster-sergeant. 3 0 a-day. - Sergeant 1 6 ” - Corporal 1 3 ” - Private, or drummer 1 1 ” - Boy 0 6 ” - ------ - -Footnote 143: - - Styled, by local usage, “Assistant Engineer.” - ------ - -The adjutants received 3_s._ per day each extra,[144] and the working -pay of the non-commissioned officers and men was divided into two -classes of 6_d._ and 9_d._, which they received in addition to their -regimental pay. The non-commissioned officers, who were foremen, -received as working pay 1_s._ a-day each. - ------ - -Footnote 144: - - Of the regimental allowances of the foreign adjutant nothing is known, - nor can any record be discovered of the uniform worn by him. - ------ - -These companies were formed into a corps with the title of Maltese -military artificers, and, like the old artificer company at Gibraltar, -remained a distinct and separate body. They were officered by the royal -engineers. Their clothing consisted of a close blue cloth jacket with -black collar and cuffs, and Ordnance buttons; open blue cloth pantaloons -and a military hat and feather. The sergeants were distinguished by -sashes, the corporals by chevrons, and the sergeant-major by a uniform -like the sergeant-major of the English companies.[145] - ------ - -Footnote 145: - - In 1808 the companies were clothed in a uniform made of cotton, - manufactured in the island, similar to the local corps. The facings - were of black cloth. The sergeants and corporals were distinguished as - before, and the sergeant-major still wore the _home_ uniform. The - substitution of cotton for cloth was ordered on account of its being - cheaper and better adapted to the climate, besides forwarding the - views of Government, in aiding the sale of the staple commodity of the - island, deprived by the war of its usual vents. - ------ - -This year Mr. Windham, the Secretary-at-War, warmly espoused the cause -of the army, and ultimately obtained for it the redress he so earnestly -sought. This was promulgated in the well-known Warrant called “ -Windham’s Act,” which increased the pay of the soldier while serving, -and provided a liberal pension for him on retirement, corresponding to -his infirmities and services. On the 1st September, the Act alluded to -was extended to the royal military artificers, and the advantages -conferred upon the corps were as under:— - - Total amount - of - pay a-day. - Increase. - d. s. d. - Sergeant-major on the staff. 5¼ 3 11½ - Sergeant 3¼ 2 6½ - Corporals:— - After 14 years 3¾ 2 4½ - Between 7 and 14 years 2¾ 2 3½ - Under 7 years 1¾ 2 2½ - Privates and Buglers:— - After 14 years 2 1 4½ - Between 7 and 14 years 1 1 3½ - Under 7 years no increase 1 2½ - -In the prospect of a long war, to provide reinforcements for the -execution of the extensive works in progress at Dover and Nova Scotia, -and to be capable, to a certain extent, of meeting the contingencies -that might arise, a royal warrant was issued dated 5th September, -sanctioning a reorganization of the corps for general service, an -augmentation of two companies, and a small increase to each of the other -ten companies. - -Under this arrangement the corps was distributed as follows, and the -companies for the first time, appear to be distinguished by numbers; -which, however, from the long habit of designating them by stations, -soon became obsolete:— - - 1st. Woolwich Captain G. Hayter. - 2nd. Chatham Major R. D’Arcy. - 3rd. Dover Captain W. H. Ford. - 4th. Portsmouth. Captain R. Fletcher. - 5th. Gosport. Captain T. Fyers. - 6th. Plymouth. Lieut.-Colonel T. Skinner. - 7th. Spike Island Lieut.-Colonel Sir C. Holloway. - 8th. { Jersey Captain J. Humfrey - { Guernsey. Major J. Mackelcan. - 9th. Gibraltar Captain H. Evatt. - 10th. Gibraltar Captain G. Landmann. - 11th. West Indies. Lieut.-Colonel W. Johnston. - [146]12th. Nova Scotia Captain W. Bennett. - ------ - -Footnote 146: - - Sir John Jones states, evidently by mistake, that the corps was - composed of _thirty-two_ companies.—Journals of Sieges, ii., note 38, - p. 389, 2nd edit. - ------ - -By the authority of the warrant alluded to, the establishment of each -company was remodelled, the ranks of Sub-Lieutenant and second corporal -were created, and the total of all ranks per company increased from 100 -to 126. Under the previous system of detaching men, the companies were -mutilated, disordered and reduced; but under this enlarged organization, -it was considered they would be more accessible, and better able to -afford such accidental assistance as might be needed, without -diminishing the companies to an inconvenient strength, or without -particular detriment to the station. The subjoined detail shows the -approved composition of a company at this period. - - 1 Sub-Lieutenant,[147] a new rank, with pay of 5_s._ - a-day.[148] - 1 Sergeant-major. - 5 Sergeants. - 5 Corporals. - 10 Second Corporals,[149] a new rank, pay fixed at 1_s._ - 9_d._ a-day. - 30 Carpenters, including 4 top sawyers. - 20 Masons, } including slaters, tiles, and plasterers. - 18 Bricklayers, } - 10 Smiths, - 10 Miners, - 4 Wheelers, - 4 Collar Makers, - 2 Coopers, - 2 Painters, - 4 Drummers. - —— - Total 126 - ------ - -Footnote 147: - - Styled _Second_ Lieutenants in the warrant by mistake. The - Sub-Lieutenants were junior to the Second Lieutenants of engineers, - but held rank with Second Lieutenants of the line, according to dates - of commission. This right was often questioned, but never, as long as - the Sub-Lieutenants were attached to the corps, officially settled. In - 1835 the position of a Sub-Lieutenant (H. B. Mackenzie), who had - joined the line as paymaster being disputed, it was then settled that - _Sub-Lieutenants_ were _junior_ to _Ensigns_. - -Footnote 148: - - Subsequently increased to 5_s._ 7_d._ a-day, and after seven years' - service to 6_s._ 7_d._ a-day. - -Footnote 149: - - Holding comparative station with corporals of the line, according to - date of promotion. - ------ - -The total establishment of the corps, including the adjutant and -sergeant-major on the staff, amounted to 1,514, exhibiting an increase -above the former establishment of 439 men; and its expense for one year, -exclusive of the working pay and other miscellaneous allowances, reached -the sum of 45,500_l._ 17_s._ 7¼_d._ With the three companies of Maltese -artificers, the corps mustered a force of 1,790 officers, -non-commissioned officers, and men. - -As a means of encouraging the men to exertion and good behaviour, their -working pay was permitted to be increased, under the authority of the -warrant before mentioned, from 6_d._ to 9_d._ or 1_s._ a-day. The -non-commissioned officers invariably received the highest rate. None, -however, could be advanced from the lowest to the superior rates without -first being recommended to the commanding royal engineer at the station, -by the junior officers, foremen, or overseers; and this system of -rewards, except for special services, has been observed in the corps -ever since. - -The sergeant-majors who received the first commissions had been in the -artillery, and were distinguished for their good services and bravery. -To their zeal and expertness as soldiers, they added an intimate -knowledge of drill and discipline—requisites of essential importance in -the organization of a new force, but which, from the vague and -indefinite character of the corps, became, almost necessarily, too -temporizing and elastic to be sufficiently beneficial or respected. - -Efforts had on one or two particular occasions been made to avoid the -faults and supply the omissions of earlier years; but the improvement -before alluded to, had not reached the expectations of those who felt an -interest in the corps. One obvious reason was, the nominal appointment -of officers to companies, who were so incessantly shifted, that it was -not uncommon to find a company passing under the command of three or -four different officers in the course of twelve months;[150] and another -was, the reluctance with which some commanding officers permitted the -temporary withdrawal of the men from the works for the purposes of drill -and discipline.[151] The free use of the means to train the men to -subordination and the use of arms, to restrain them from irregularities, -and fully to develop the organization and purposes for which the corps -was raised, being thus interrupted, naturally tended to vitiate and -lower its military pride, spirit, and appearance. - ------ - -Footnote 150: - - This may be regarded as a favourable view of the case. Sir John Jones - states, “Each company was commanded for the moment by the senior - Captain of engineers, who might happen to be placed on duty wherever - the company might be; so that it was not unfrequent for a company to - be commanded by five or six captains in as many months.”—Journal of - Sieges, ii. note 38, p. 389, 2nd edit. - -Footnote 151: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ note a, p. iii. - ------ - -Bald and grey-headed non-commissioned officers with ages varying from -forty-five to sixty-five, good artificers and foremen, but lacking the -energy and demeanour of soldiers, were no rarities in the royal military -artificers. Disinclined to learn, they but very imperfectly understood -their military station, and seldom exercised their authority, except in -the emollient guise of persuasion and advice. On all sides there was a -yielding, that in some measure obliterated the lines of distinction -between the different grades. Their interests seemed to be reciprocal -and interwoven, and the best workman was generally esteemed the best -man. Almost every military idea was sacrificed for “the works,” in which -it would be hazardous to say, that they did not labour with ability and -industry. - -To check the growth of these unmilitary principles and practices, to -enforce respect for position and authority, and to assist in maintaining -in the corps the exercise of proper discipline and drill, the -Sub-Lieutenants were established. Their duties were like those of -adjutants, whom they superseded, and were, therefore, held responsible -to their Captains for the conduct, efficiency, internal management, and -payment of their respective companies. This, however, was but a -transient expedient. An instalment only of the good that was expected -was realised;[152] and it was left for a later period to enlarge and -perfect what in this year, though spiritedly commenced, fell -considerably short of success. - ------ - -Footnote 152: - - Ibid., note F, p. xvii. - ------ - - - - - 1807. - -Appointments of Adjutant and Quartermaster—Captain John - T. Jones—Disasters at Buenos Ayres—Egypt—Reinforcement - to Messina—Detachment of Maltese military artificers to - Sicily—Newfoundland—Copenhagen—Captures in the Caribbean - Sea—Madeira—Danish Islands in the West Indies—Hythe. - - -It having been determined to consolidate the appointments of Adjutant -and Quartermaster to the royal military artificers, Major John -Rowley[153] and Colonel George W. Phipps[154] resigned their offices. - ------ - -Footnote 153: - - In the earlier years of his appointment he was much at Woolwich, and - personally superintended the affairs of the corps; but for some years - prior to the new organization, his duties in London seldom permitted - him to visit the head-quarters. - -Footnote 154: - - Colonel Phipps was never present with the corps. As Quartermaster, he - performed his duties in London. In consideration of his relinquishing - the Quartermastership, and also for his good services, he was granted - by His Majesty an allowance of 10s. a-day.—‘Accounts of Ordnance, - House of Commons,’ 1816, p. 31. - ------ - -To succeed to the vacancies thus created, Captain John Thomas Jones, an -officer of undoubted ability and military experience, was brought from -Sicily, and on the 1st January commissioned to hold both -appointments.[155] Upon him, therefore, devolved the difficult task of -arranging and directing the details of the new organization both at home -and abroad, and of carrying into effect a general system of drill and -discipline.[156] In this duty he continued until July, 1808, when, -ordered on a particular service to the Asturias, he resigned the staff -rank. From the time of the appointment of Captain J. T. Jones, the -Adjutant was permanently stationed at the head-quarters at Woolwich, and -his office also was established there. - ------ - -Footnote 155: - - ‘London Gazette,’ 20th to 24th January, 1807. - -Footnote 156: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ ii., 1843, p. 110. ‘Jones’s Sieges,’ ii., - note 38, p. 389, 2nd edit. - ------ - -Early in the year an expedition was sent against Chili under -Major-General Crawford, accompanied by a sergeant and ten artificers -under Captain J. Squire, R.E. Instead of proceeding to Chili, counter -orders were received, and Captain Squire and his eleven men sailed with -the force to Buenos Ayres. Arriving at Monte Video on the 14th June, -they were accordingly landed and took part in the disastrous attack on -Buenos Ayres, in which all the artificers were taken prisoners, and so -remained until January, 1808, when they quitted with the force under -General Whitelocke. - -On the 6th March, Major-General Frazer, at the head of a small armament, -sailed from Messina to dispossess the Turks of Egypt. To this force were -attached, under Captain J. F. Burgoyne, royal engineers, four of the -military artificers furnished from the detachment in Sicily, who -embarked on the 19th February. Having in due time landed at Alexandria, -they served at the capture of that city, also in the attack of Rosetta, -and in the retreat to Alexandria. In September following these four -artificers rejoined the party at Messina. - -In the meantime the detachment at Messina was reinforced by a sergeant, -one corporal, and eighteen privates of the Gibraltar companies, under -Lieutenant George J. Harding, R.E., who embarked at the Rock on the 14th -April. With the exception of the non-commissioned officers, this party -was composed of irreclaimable drunkards, worthless alike as artificers -or soldiers. - -From the inefficiency of these men, the Maltese war company was ordered -to furnish its contingent for service in Sicily, and accordingly a -detachment of one sergeant—Evan Roberts—one corporal, and twenty-nine -artificers, embarked at Malta on board the ‘Charlotte’ transport on the -23rd, and landed at Messina on the 30th July. In the autumn following, -the whole of the party with two men of the royal military artificers as -foremen, were detached to Augusta and Syracuse, to be employed on the -works under sergeant Roberts. - -Newfoundland now became a station for the corps. A detachment of -eighteen non-commissioned officers and men, all masons and miners, -embarked at Plymouth in May, on board His Majesty’s ship ‘Isis,’ under -Captain George Ross of the royal engineers, and arrived there in July. -Before the end of August, the detachment was further strengthened by six -artificers from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Until proper accommodation could -be provided, they lived in huts like the Esquimaux or emigrant -fishermen, or under canvas in a dreary uncleared valley between Signal -Hill and the sea. In some measure to relieve the monotony and mitigate -the rigours of an inhospitable country and climate, permission was -granted to the men to spread their nets in the waters near St. John, and -to catch as much fish as was needful for the sustenance of themselves -and families. Provisionally, also, the married portion of the detachment -were allowed small allotments of land, which they cleared and cultivated -at intervals, when they were not employed on the works. From these -sources of occupation they were kept in constant industry and amusement, -and their health effectually preserved and invigorated. - -Two sergeants, two corporals, six second corporals, and forty-one -artificers, with Captain Fletcher, R.E., embarked at Woolwich for -Copenhagen on the 29th July, and landed there the 16th August. In the -bombardment of that capital they served under the immediate direction of -Lieutenant-Colonel R. D’Arcy, R.E.; and, in returning to England, served -as Marines under Lieutenant Bassett of the royal navy. The party -rejoined their companies on the 7th November. - -One second corporal and three privates of the West India company were -embarked in August, on board His Majesty’s ship ‘Blonde,’ V. V. Ballard, -Captain, to act as artificers and seamen during a short cruise in the -Caribbean sea; and while forming part of the crew of this ship, they -served at the guns in the capture of the undernamed French privateers:— - - Guns. Men. - 15th August ‘La Dame Villaret’ 5 69 - 16th ” ‘L’Hortense’ 8 90 - 14th September ‘L’Hirondelle’ 8 84 - 23rd ” ‘Duquesne’ 17 123 - 14th October ‘Alerte’ 20 149 - -An expedition was sent to Madeira in October under General Beresford, to -which was added a detachment from the Spike Island company of one -corporal, one second corporal, and ten privates, under Captain A. -Morshead, royal engineers. They landed in December, and were stationed -at Funchal until May, 1812, when they were withdrawn and despatched to -their companies in Portugal. - -In December, General Bowyer ordered a party of the West India company to -be attached to his expedition about to sail against the Danish islands -of St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix. Three sergeants, four corporals, -and forty-two privates were accordingly selected, and embarked for that -service on the 16th December; but the islands having surrendered without -resistance, the detachment rejoined at Barbadoes on the 13th January, -1808. A sergeant was left at St. Croix to superintend repairs to -barracks, &c. Six mechanics belonging to the Danish service, taken -prisoners at St. Thomas and St. Croix, enlisted into the company. - -Throughout the year a small party of the Dover company was employed on -the works at Hythe, under sergeant Adam Cowan, and continued so occupied -for several years. - - - - - 1808. - -War in the Peninsula—Expedition thither—Detachments to the seat of war, - with Captains Landmann, Elphinstone, Squire, Burgoyne, and - Smyth—Captain John T. Jones—Reinforcement to Newfoundland—Discipline - at Halifax—Services at Messina—Parties temporarily detached to - different places—The queue. - - -Napoleon had now fairly reared his eagles in Spain and Portugal, and -compelled the reigning monarchs of those countries to renounce their -thrones. To his brother Joseph he gave the sovereignty of the former -kingdom, retaining for himself the sceptre of the latter. England, more -indignant than alarmed at these spoliations, but eager to dispossess the -invader of his acquisitions, at once willingly responded to the desire -of Portugal to restore the dynasty of Braganza to the throne, and also -tendered her assistance, uninvited, to Spain, to carry on the war. - -No sooner had the ministry determined upon sending succours to the -Peninsula to effect the overthrow of Napoleon, than different -expeditions were fitted out and sent to the seat of war. Small parties -of the military artificers, selected from the various companies of the -corps, were at the same time forwarded with these forces. - -On the 13th May, two miners, under Captain G. Landmann, royal engineers, -were sent from Gibraltar to Cadiz with the division under General Brent -Spencer, and were afterwards removed to the scene of active operations -in Portugal. - -On the 18th June, one sergeant, one second corporal, and eleven -privates, armed with small swords only, embarked at Woolwich under -Captain Elphinstone, R.E., and joined the force under Sir Arthur -Wellesley. Both these parties were present at the battle of Roliça on -the 17th August, and Vimiera on the 21st of that month. - -A detachment of one sergeant, one second corporal, and twelve privates, -under Captains J. Squire and J. F. Burgoyne, royal engineers, was -forwarded on the 29th April with Sir John Moore’s army to Gottenburg to -assist the Swedes against the Russians. The arms and appointments of the -corps were taken from them, and they were supplied for defence with a -short hanger sword. Several of the party had already been on service at -Buenos Ayres under Captain Squire, and were again solicited by that -officer for this expedition. The rest were men specially selected for -the duty, both on account of their abilities and conduct as artificers -and soldiers. After the force was recalled from its inactivity in -Sweden, the detachment of artificers accompanied it to Portugal. - -About this period three artificers proceeded to the Peninsula with Sir -David Baird’s division, and one man was attached to the force under Sir -Harry Burrard. - -In September, one corporal, one second corporal, and fourteen privates -embarked for Spain on board the ‘Sisters’ transport under the command of -Captain J. Carmichael Smyth, R.E., and joined the army under Sir John -Moore in November. - -The total artificer force in the Peninsula, comprising six different -parties, was forty-nine of all ranks. This number does not include -Captain J. T. Jones, the adjutant, who quitted Woolwich in July for -special service in the northern provinces of Spain under the orders of -Major-General Leith.[157] - ------ - -Footnote 157: - - In the absence, on foreign duty, of Captain J. T. Jones, from July, - 1808, to January, 1809, Sub-Lieutenant John Eaves performed the duties - of adjutant to the corps with credit and efficiency. - ------ - -To reinforce the party in Newfoundland, a detachment of one sergeant, -one corporal, one second corporal, and forty-six privates embarked at -Portsmouth in June, and landed at St. John’s from the ‘Vestal’ frigate -on the 18th July. Early in the following year the detachment was -increased to the establishment of a company. - -Lieutenant Oldfield of the royal engineers—a painstaking officer—was -removed to Halifax about this time and appointed adjutant to the company -stationed there. Having previously held a similar commission at -Portsmouth—the model station for discipline—he commenced his duties with -a favourable prestige. The materials he had to work upon were old in -years, misshapen from habit and labour, and somewhat addicted to the -prevailing vice of intemperance; but even these worn-out men he moulded -by his once a-week drill into an appearance which enabled them to march -past creditably with the Line on the Sunday garrison parades. Most of -the company had been many years in the Province, and though not very -tight and tidy soldiers, were nevertheless valuable as workmen and -specially useful as foremen when military working parties were employed. - -Both parties employed in restoring the fortresses at Syracuse and -Augusta were recalled to Messina, and assisted to repair and improve the -defences of that place. - -At the Cape of Good Hope parties were detached at intervals during the -year to Stellenbosch, Simon’s Town, and Hout’s Bay; and at Halifax to -St. Andrews and Fort Clarence. At the latter fort, the non-commissioned -officer detached was employed surveying. From Newfoundland a detachment -was sent to Cape Breton; and from Gibraltar, also, second corporal -Thomas Paul and four privates were detached to Perexil, a small islet -opposite the Rock between Ceuta and Apes' Hill, where they dismantled -all its batteries, magazines, and storehouses. Parties were also -employed at Hurst Castle and the Isle of Wight. - -The time-honoured queue, which had long formed a conspicuous appendage -to the soldier’s head-dress, was abolished in the corps in August; and -the closely-cropped hair of the present day, and small whisker extending -to the lobe of the ear, were then adopted. - - - - - 1809. - -Retreat to Coruña—Miserable state of the detachment on reaching - England—Hardships of the stragglers—Capture of Martinique—Skill of - George Mitchell at the siege—Fever in the West Indies—Reduction of - the Saintes—Detachment to Portugal—Battles of Oporto and - Talavera—Casualties in the retreat, and distribution of the - party—Naples—Zante and the Ionian Islands—Term of service of the - Maltese military artificers—Siege of Flushing—Services of the - military artificers there—Gallantry, in the batteries, of John - Millar, Thomas Wild, and Thomas Letts—Conduct of corps at the - siege—Casualties by the Walcheren fever—Skilful conduct of Corporal - T. Stevens in the demolitions at Flushing—Captain John T. - Jones—Servants—Incidental detachments. - - -Excepting the two miners with General Spencer, the whole of the royal -military artificers in Spain joined Sir John Moore’s army. When the -force was put in motion, the senior sergeant of the detachment was left -at Lisbon for special duty. The remainder accompanied the army in the -retreat, and with the exception of two men taken prisoners and seven -stragglers, were present at the battle of Coruña. - -Immediately after, the detachment embarked for England. The season being -stormy there was no regularity in the arrivals. Some, therefore, landed -at Portsmouth and others at Plymouth between January and March. They -were destitute of every article essential to their comfort or equipment. -Several were shoeless and clad in tatters and undistinguishable -uniforms; while the majority, haggard and attenuated, suffering from -shipwreck, privation, and sickness, afforded indubitable evidence of the -severe and arduous campaign, through which the necessities of war had -recently carried them. - -Left to their own resources, the seven stragglers retraced their steps, -between 300 and 400 miles, to Lisbon. In undertaking the journey, during -a very inclement season, they encountered many dangers, endured frequent -trials and hardships, and barely supported life upon the scanty -offerings which chance and a ransacked country afforded them. - -On the 28th January, three sergeants and seventy-one rank and file of -the West India company, under the command of Brigadier-General Shipley, -embarked at Barbadoes with Lieutenant-General Beckwith’s expedition and -landed at Martinique on the 30th. The company was further increased by a -sergeant, three corporals, and seventeen artificers under Lieutenant -Robert Thomson, royal engineers, who embarked at Halifax, Nova-Scotia, -with Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost’s division. Both parties, -when not engaged as overseers, were employed in the general labour of -the trenches and the park, and performed the duties allotted to them, -particularly in the destruction of Forts Bourbon and Desaix, with -activity and zeal. Several non-commissioned officers and men were -distinguished by special commendation; and the skill of corporal George -Mitchell gained for him the reputation of being the best miner in the -service. Private George Thomas was killed 22nd February in the advanced -battery before Fort Bourbon. After the surrender of Martinique it became -the head-quarters of the company. The Nova Scotia party returned with -Sir George Prevost and landed at Halifax the 17th April. During the -operations the rains were heavy and incessant, and the men being much -exposed, fevers and dysentery were rife among them. By the end of the -year, twenty-one of the company had died and five were invalided. - -In April, two sergeants and seventeen rank and file were present at the -reduction of the Saintes under the command of Lieutenant Hobbs, R.E., -and were employed during the service in the construction of the required -batteries, magazines, &c. The party returned to Martinique the latter -end of the month. - -A detachment of one sergeant and eighteen rank and file embarked at -Portsmouth, on the 14th March, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel -Fletcher, for Portugal, and arrived at Lisbon on the 5th April. It was -composed of men chosen from the Portsmouth and Gosport companies, among -whom were several who had served in the previous campaign. Writing from -Portsmouth, the Colonel says, “I find that all the men now here, who -were with me before, are very anxious to go out again, but one cannot -ask for everybody.” On arriving at Lisbon the party was joined by a -sergeant and the seven stragglers of the Coruna party. It was thus -increased to twenty-eight total, and shortly after another private from -England was added to the number. - -On the 12th May was fought the battle of Oporto: twenty-five men of the -artificers were present. They afterwards repaired the wooden bridge -which led into the town. Moving with the army they mustered at Coimbra -on the 1st June, and at Castello Branco on the 1st July. At the battle -of Talavera, on the 27th of that month, fifteen of the detachment were -present. Private Aaron Delacourt was taken prisoner while endeavouring -to convey to the rear Captain Boothby of the royal engineers, who was -wounded, and had his leg amputated. Of the artificers not present at the -battle, two were at Lisbon, three on route to join the army, four at -Abrantes, sick; and one on the Alberche. With the exception of two at -Lisbon all joined at Talavera before the end of July. - -A severe retreat succeeded the battle, in which the party suffered very -much. At Merida they were mustered on the 1st September. Lisbon was -their head-quarters in November, at which time they were greatly -scattered. A sergeant only was at Lisbon and the rest were distributed -as follows:—one Abrantes, one Badajos, one Oeyras, four Sobral, and six -Torres Vedras. Of the other artificers in Portugal, four were in the -general hospital sick, and one a prisoner of war. The casualties since -the opening of the campaign were six deaths, two missing, and two -invalided to England. - -The company of Maltese military artificers at Messina was increased in -April by seventeen rank and file from Malta. On the 1st June following, -sergeant Roberts and thirty-eight men of the company, were attached to -the expedition for the invasion of Naples. Twelve of the royal military -artificers also went with the expedition, and served under the command -of Lieutenant-Colonel A. Bryce, royal engineers, in the reduction of the -islands of Ischia and Procida. - -Returning to Messina in August, six of the royal and eight of the -Maltese artificers were added to the force under Brigadier-General -Oswald, and were present, on the 2nd October, at the surrender of Zante -and other Ionian islands. These parties continued at Zante until after -the taking of Santa Maura in the next year. - -The Maltese artificers being enlisted for a term of three years only, -their engagements expired in the summer. Upwards of sixty men -consequently claimed their discharge, and in July the third Maltese -company was re-formed. - -In the mean time a force of one sub-lieutenant—George Robinson—two -sergeant-majors—Joseph Forbes and John Smith—ten sergeants, and about -280 rank and file[158] had been selected for an expedition to Holland -under the Earl of Chatham, to destroy the fleet and arsenals on the -Scheldt. The youngest and most active men were chosen for the service, -and were provided with swords and belts. The greater portion were also -armed with muskets, under an impression that they would have to fight -their way on shore. The detachment was divided into two operations to -proceed against Flushing and Antwerp; the former under the command of -Lieutenant-Colonel R. D’Arcy, R.E., the latter under Colonel Fyers, R.E. -Both brigades embarked the 19th July, and having landed near Goes and -Walcheren, a small force was employed in the operations in South -Beveland under Captain Squire, R.E., and the remainder, with -Sub-Lieutenant Robinson, were engaged in the bombardment of Flushing. -The meditated attack on Antwerp was abandoned. Private Anthony Webster -was killed at the seamen’s battery on the 13th August, and two men were -wounded. - ------ - -Footnote 158: - - In Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ vol. ii., p. 269, 2nd edit., the number, - including the sub-lieutenant, is shown as 261 only; at p. 415, the - total of all ranks is stated to be 276; but both strengths differ from - the actual force engaged. - ------ - -During the bombardment, fifty of the detachment were permanently -employed in making fascines and gabions, and about eighty carpenters -prepared and put up the splinter-proof magazines and laid the platforms. -The remainder were distributed to the batteries as sappers and miners or -overseers. One of the batteries which was required in a hurry was worked -solely by the royal military artificers, and completed in twenty-eight -hours.[159] Generally they attended to the more difficult and dangerous -portion of the batteries, and besides repairing the parapets and -platforms, improved the embrasures when injured by the enemy’s -cannonade. - ------ - -Footnote 159: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ vol. ii., p. 279, 2nd edit. - ------ - -In this service privates John Millar,[160] Thomas Wild, and Thomas Letts -acted very praiseworthily in situations of great danger, and showed -examples of courage, zeal, and attention to duty much beyond the rest of -the detachment. On occasions when particular parts of the batteries were -broken, these men fearlessly forced themselves into the embrasures to -renew the work. The firing upon them was usually heavy. To effect their -purpose with less interruption, they spread across the mouths of the -embrasures, wet bulls' hides with the hairy surfaces to the fortress; -and bearing as they did a resemblance to the newly disturbed earth, the -enemy was deceived and withdrew their firing upon the work. The injured -parts of the embrasures were thus restored with incredible dexterity. -The two former were promoted to be second-corporals for their gallantry, -and a similar rise was offered to Letts but he preferred to remain a -private. - ------ - -Footnote 160: - - Was left property to the amount of 4000l. and purchased his discharge - in 1810. - ------ - -The conduct of the detachment at Walcheren is thus noticed by the Earl -of Chatham:—“The active and persevering exertions of the corps of royal -engineers have been conducted with much skill and judgment by Colonel -Fyers, aided by Lieutenant-Colonel D’Arcy.”[161] Elsewhere their -exertions in the construction of the batteries are stated to have been -indefatigable.[162] - ------ - -Footnote 161: - - ‘London Gazette.’ - -Footnote 162: - - Hargrave’s ‘Account of Walcheren and South Beveland,’ p. 16, edit. - 1812. - ------ - -After the occupation of Flushing, the fever common to the country set in -with peculiar virulence; and the royal military artificers suffered very -severely. Employed as they frequently were in conducting excavations in -marshy and unhealthy situations, nearly the whole of the detachment were -seized with the malady and thirty-seven died. Sergeant-major Forbes was -of the number. - -By repeated removals of the sick, the detachment was reduced to about -eighty of all ranks, who were employed, previously to the evacuation of -the island, in the demolition of the basin of Flushing and the naval -defences of the place under Lieutenant-Colonel Pilkington, royal -engineers. Second-corporal Thomas Stephens was intrusted with the -practical conduct of the destruction of one of the piers of the -flood-gates. The task imposed on him was so ably executed, that when the -explosion took place, the bottom of the pier was forced out and the -superincumbent masonry fell without projecting a stone to any distance. -Though only a second corporal he was appointed lance-sergeant on the -spot for his skilful conduct. - -Captain John T. Jones, the adjutant, was removed from the royal military -artificers, on the 1st July by promotion, and was succeeded in the -appointment by Captain Gilbert Buchanan, R E. In reorganizing the corps, -Captain Jones had effected considerable improvements and raised in a -high degree its morale and military efficiency. - -The practice of employing men of the corps as servants to officers of -royal engineers was discontinued in August. On active service the custom -was found to be a great disadvantage. Stringent measures were therefore -adopted to prevent its recurrence; and to this day, the officers are -required to affirm quarterly, that they do not employ any men of the -corps in their private service. - -Detachments are traced during the year at the following new stations:—to -Alderney, seven rank and file were removed from Guernsey by order of -Lieutenant-General Sir John Doyle. Two armourers were employed in the -royal manufactory for small arms at Lewisham, and continued on this -service for many years. The Eastbourne party was scattered along the -Sussex coast, working chiefly at Hastings and Bulverhithe. The -Newfoundland company gave a strong party for the King’s works at the -south side of the harbour, which remained there for many months. A -non-commissioned officer of the Halifax company was employed on a tour -of inspection to Cape Breton and Prince Edward’s Island; and the -detachment at the Cape of Good Hope was distributed to Simon’s Town, -Hout’s Bay, King’s Blockhouse, and Muyzenberg. - - - - - 1810. - -Capture of Guadaloupe—Of St. Martin’s and St. Eustatius—Torres - Vedras—Anecdote of Corporal William Wilson at the Lines—Almeida and - Busaco—Detachments to Cadiz—Puntales and La Isla—Destruction of Forts - Barbara and St. Felipe, near Gibraltar—Santa Maura—Occasional - detachments. - - -On the 22nd January, Colonel William Johnston and Lieutenant Hobbs, -royal engineers, with three sergeants and forty-five rank and file of -the West India company, embarked at Martinique under Lieutenant-General -Beckwith. The detachment was appointed to the fifth or reserve brigade -under the command of Brigadier-General Wale; and having landed at St. -Mary’s Capisterre, served at the taking of Guadaloupe. - -A small party under Captain Hobbs, R.E., afterwards accompanied the -force under Brigadier-General Harcourt, and was present at the capture -of the islands of St. Martin’s and St. Eustatius. - -The celebrated Lines of Torres Vedras, commenced in October, 1809, were -fully completed late in 1810. The number of the royal military -artificers employed in their construction never exceeded eighteen of all -ranks, who were distributed in ones and twos throughout the whole extent -of country to be intrenched.[163] Under the superintendence and control -of their officers, they directed the labours of many hundreds of the -peasantry. Some of the party were responsible for the efficient services -of no less than 500 to 700 workmen. In this duty second-corporal William -Wilson and private James Douglas rendered themselves conspicuous by -their skill and activity. Both were promoted in consequence. - ------ - -Footnote 163: - - Jones’s Lines of Lisbon, 1829, p. 78. - ------ - -Corporal Wilson was selected by Colonel Fletcher, the commanding -engineer, to be his orderly, in which capacity he served until the death -of his chief at St. Sebastian. At Torres Vedras the corporal had charge -of a work, and a party of the Portuguese Ordenanza Militia was placed -under his orders to execute it. Two of the men were put to a task to be -completed within a certain time; but regarding the work as impossible, -they refused to comply and complained to their officer, who took their -part and was inclined to censure the corporal. However, with more -manliness than soldier-like propriety, the corporal offered to bet the -officer a dollar that he would accomplish the task _himself_ within the -time. The bet was accepted. Corporal Wilson stripped, easily won his -dollar, and prevented the recurrence of similar complaints during the -progress of the Lines. - -Four of the royal military artificers were attached to the army on the -Coa, and were present at the action near Almeida in July, and the battle -of Busaco in September. Retreating with the army to Torres Vedras, the -four men rejoined the detachment, and the whole continued to do duty in -the Lines until removed for more active service. - -On the 13th March, one corporal and eleven men of the Portsmouth and -Gosport companies embarked with the force under Sir Thomas Graham for -Cadiz. The non-commissioned officers were “careful trusty persons,” and -the men “stout, able, and good tradesmen.” They landed from the -‘Concord’ transport on the 24th March, and were commanded by Major C. -Lefebure, royal engineers, until he received his death wound, which took -place in April as he was descending the walls of the fortress of -Matagorda during its evacuation. Meanwhile a reinforcement from -Portsmouth increased the party to two sergeants and forty-eight rank and -file; and in October it was again augmented, by artificers selected from -the different companies, to three sergeants, nine corporals, five -second-corporals, two drummers, and seventy-three privates, with -Sub-Lieutenant R. Davie. The last draft landed at Cadiz from the -‘Diadem’ transport. - -In defending the fort of Puntales, which sustained a bombardment from -across the water, a portion of the company was always employed. There -private Benjamin Hall was killed, and several privates were injured by a -wall, under which they were mining, falling on them. The remainder of -the company were occupied in fortifying the position of La Isla for the -defence of Cadiz. Their particular duty consisted in making platforms, -palisades, &c., and in acting as overseers to the military working -parties of the line, assisted by artificers drawn from the regiments in -garrison. The principal share of the work was done by task, which, being -laid out beforehand, the royal military artificers showed the workmen -their respective portions as soon as they arrived on the ground,[164] -and superintended its correct execution, both in quantity and detail. At -La Isla, the company was stationed at the park, and domiciled in one of -the powder-magazines which had been made defensible. - -Under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Evatt and Captain G. J. -Harding, royal engineers, Forts Barbara and St. Felipe, on the Spanish -lines in front of Gibraltar, were demolished by a strong detachment from -the two companies stationed at the fortress. The operations occupied a -few months; and during the work the detachment was covered by a force -from the garrison of 500 to 800 soldiers. In firing a mine near St. -Felipe, private John Barber lost an arm, both eyes, and part of his chin -and teeth. In springing another mine near Tarifa, private Thomas Hughes -was killed. - -From Zante a party of five royal and eighteen Maltese military -artificers sailed with the force under Brigadier-General Oswald, and -were present on the 16th April at the capture of Santa Maura. This -service effected, the detachment returned to Messina, leaving for the -works of the newly-captured island a corporal and a mason of the royal -military artificers. - -During the year, parties or individuals of the corps were employed on -particular service abroad—at Ceuta, Tarifa, and at Sidney in Cape -Breton; while, at home, men were detached to Hythe, Isle of Wight, and -Northfleet. At the latter place the party was employed, from August to -December, in surveying under Mr. Stanley of the royal military surveyors -and draftsmen. - ------ - -Footnote 164: - - ‘Prof. Papers,’ iii., p. 94. - ------ - - - - - 1811. - -Mortality in the West Indies—Strength and distribution of detachments in - the Peninsula—Recapture of Olivenza—Field instruction prior to siege - of Badajoz—Conduct of corps at the siege—Conduct of Sergeant Rogers in - reconnoitring—Reinforcement to Portugal and duties of the - detachment—Its distribution and services—Battle of Barrosa; gallant - conduct of Sergeant John Cameron—Tarragona—Defence of - Tarifa—Augmentation to corps and reconstruction of companies—Annual - expense of corps—Command of the companies—Their stationary - character—The wealthy corporal—New distribution of corps—Commissions - to Sub-Lieutenants, and ingenious inventions of Lieutenant Munro. - - -The West India company being gradually reduced to about fifty men, it -was strengthened in March to 110, by the arrival at Barbadoes, in the -‘Flora’ transport, of fifty-eight men. During the years 1810 and 1811 -the number of deaths in the company from yellow fever was thirty. - -The detachment of the corps in Portugal was increased to seventy-eight -of all ranks, by the landing at Lisbon of two sergeants and fifty-seven -rank and file under Lieutenant P. Wright of the royal engineers. -Thirty-four of the reinforcement were forthwith sent to the Lines of -Torres Vedras and the Almada position; and the remaining twenty-five -joined the head-quarters of the army, under Captain George Ross and -Lieutenant Stanway.[165] - ------ - -Footnote 165: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges’ vol. i. p. 377, 2nd edit. - ------ - -While these movements were being effected, two artificers of the -detachment were present at the recapture of Olivenza in April, under the -command of Captain Squire, R.E.[166] - ------ - -Footnote 166: - - Ibid. p. 6. - ------ - -Soon after the reduction of Olivenza the siege party was augmented to -twenty-seven, by the arrival at Elvas of twenty-five men under Captain -George Ross. Of this increase not a man had ever seen the construction -of a sap, battery, or trench. The whole were therefore daily drilled in -the formation of fieldworks and in making fascines and gabions.[167] In -these instructional operations they soon acquired sufficient knowledge -to render themselves useful to their officers; and, at the same time, -showed intelligence and alacrity in aiding in the construction of the -flying-bridges across the Guadiana at Juramenha. - ------ - -Footnote 167: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ vol. i., p. 10, 2nd edit. - ------ - -These twenty-seven men were employed in the first siege of Badajoz. -Reduced by two, they were also present at the second siege of that -fortress. On both occasions the diligence and exertions of the -detachment were prominent; and, assisted by the line workmen, they -quickly repaired the broken batteries and damaged embrasures. “Many a -fine fellow,” says a well-known author, “lost his life in endeavouring -to vie with the men of the engineers.”[168] - ------ - -Footnote 168: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ ii., 1831, p. 329. - ------ - -In the second siege, on the night before the storming, sergeant William -Rogers, and three intrepid men of the corps, accompanied Captain Patton, -R.E., on the dangerous service of reconnoitring the fords of the -Rivillas, and the approach to the castle breach beyond the river. They -conducted the examination for a time and then returned to the works for -a file of men as a guard. With this escort they retraced their steps; -but left it behind at a short distance from the breach, when the captain -and his “trusty sergeant” went forward alone and completed the -reconnaissance. In returning to the guard the captain stumbled, and the -clanking of his sword drawing the attention of the French sentinels, -they fired, and he fell mortally wounded. Sergeant Rogers protected his -captain till he gained the escort, with whose assistance he succeeded in -bearing him alive to the trenches. Captain Patton was able to make his -report of the practicability of the assault and soon afterwards -expired.[169] Sergeant Rogers died at Fuente Guinaldo in the following -August. Of him Colonel Fletcher wrote: “he was an attentive, good -soldier, and in every way a most estimable character.” - ------ - -Footnote 169: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ vol. i., p. 70, 2nd edit. ‘United Service Journal,’ - ii., 1831, p. 331. - ------ - -In May the detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel Fletcher received an -addition of thirty-nine men; and on the 29th June a further -reinforcement of sixty-three non-commissioned officers and men under -Lieutenants Melhuish and De Salaberry, royal engineers. In consequence -of this augmentation, the men of the infantry acting as overseers and -mechanics on the lines, rejoined their respective regiments; and the -posts thus vacated were occupied by the newly-arrived detachments of -military artificers.[170] - ------ - -Footnote 170: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ vol. i., p. 90, 2nd edit. - ------ - -The whole force of the corps in Portugal amounted in July to 8 -sergeants, 5 corporals, 16 second corporals, 3 drummers, and 145 -privates; total, 177. Of this number a comparatively small party only -was kept with the army, whilst the remainder were distributed to the -lines, Sobral, Oeyras, the Almada position, Peniche, Abrantes, Alhandra, -Fort St. Julian, &c. In conducting the works at those places, “the -abilities and good conduct of the men were found of the utmost -advantage.” At Fort St. Julian particularly, where they were employed in -the formation of four extensive jetties for the embarkation of troops in -case of necessity, their skill and expertness were found of great -importance. Sergeant John M‘Kay had the executive superintendence of the -work under the direction of Captain Holloway, R.E. - -The detachment with the moving army was broken up into sections of five -or six men to each division or corps, and one or other of them was at -the blockade of Almeida, Fuentes d’Onoro, Albuera, Campo Maior, and the -several other actions which occurred in the Peninsula during the -campaign of 1811. - -From Cadiz Sub-Lieutenant Davie and fifty men under Captain J. F. Birch -of the royal engineers, were detached with Sir Thomas Graham’s force, -and landed at Algeciras 22nd February. Being armed with short swords -only, Sir Thomas caused them to be furnished with such spare muskets, -accoutrements, and ammunition as could be collected, to defend -themselves if necessary on the march. They were then placed at the head -of the column to remove obstructions and facilitate the advance of the -army. On the 5th March, Barrosa was fought, and the detachment of -artificers was present in the battle. Here sergeant John Cameron gave a -manifestation of his zeal by leading to the charge a section of seven -men. They pressed where the fight was warmest; and in a few moments lost -one private—John Storie—killed and two wounded. The blue uniform of the -artificers was distinctly seen among the red coats of the line, and Sir -Thomas Graham ordered the instant withdrawal of the party to the rear, -observing that he might want it for other work. The sergeant was to have -been tried by a court-martial for taking the men into action without -orders; but his bravery saved him. - -In June a second-corporal and four military artificers of the Cadiz -company under Lieutenant Harry D. Jones, were attached to Colonel -Skerrett’s expedition to assist the Spaniards in sustaining the siege of -Tarragona; but the fortress fell while the British troops were in the -roadstead. The party of artificers landed and occupied quarters in St. -George’s Barracks, near Mahon, in the island of Minorca, and returned to -La Isla in July. - -In the following October, two artificers were sent from Cadiz for the -defence of Tarifa under Captain C. F. Smith, R.E. Two also were sent -there from Gibraltar by Colonel Sir Charles Holloway, the chief engineer -at the fortress. Ultimately the engineers' means were increased to -seventeen men of all ranks, who were employed as overseers in -strengthening the defences of the place, and they carried on their duty -with energy and credit. One private was wounded on the 29th December. A -detachment of variable strength continued at Tarifa until April, 1813, -when it returned to Cadiz. - -A reinforcement of twenty men under Sub-Lieutenant Stewart Calder, -sailed in November on board the ‘Tartar’ transport for Cadiz, and landed -before the end of the year. The artificer force there now counted 101 of -all ranks. - -Anholt, an island of Denmark in possession of the British, had been -attacked by the Danes in March, and the fortifications consequently were -much damaged. No officer of the royal engineers being available for the -duty of restoring the defences, corporal Alexander Borthwick of the -royal military artificers, an experienced mechanic, was sent there in -His Majesty’s ship ‘Helder,’ with two privates as overseers. They landed -in September and were quartered in Fort Yorke under Lieutenant John -Bezant, the ordnance storekeeper. The marines on the island were -employed on the works, and each received for his labour 2_s._ 4_d._ -a-day. They worked with attention and spirit. In six months all the -authorized renewals and improvements were executed; and in May, a -further sum of 3,700_l._ having been voted for completing the defences -of the island, additional works were commenced to place the -fortifications in a state to sustain a regular siege. In preparing to -meet an apprehended attack on the island by the Danes, corporal -Borthwick made various effective arrangements for the disposition and -employment of the working parties, and gained the thanks of the Military -Commandant, Major Torrens, royal marines. Shortly after, Admiral Martin -being of opinion that the fortifications were sufficiently tenable to -stand an attack, the works were suspended; and in August, 1812, -Borthwick and his overseers returned to England. For his conduct and -services at Anholt he was promoted to be sergeant; and a commission to a -sub-lieutenancy was to have been conferred on him, but in the interim he -became involved in some serious irregularities, which prevented the -reward and ultimately ruined him. - -So many detachments had been provided for the colonies and the war, that -appeals for reinforcements or more extended aid could only occasionally -be attended to. From the Peninsula and elsewhere, therefore, -representations had been made of the necessity for increasing the corps, -and augmenting the engineers' means for carrying on with efficiency the -duties of the department. The proposals at length met with due -consideration; and on the 28th May a warrant was issued for an improved -organization of the corps, enlarging its establishment to an extent -commensurate with the precautions which the disturbed state of Europe -rendered advisable. - -The warrant sanctioned an increase of 1,347 men, abolished the rank of -company-sergeant-major, added to the number of the sub-lieutenants, and -divided the corps into four battalions of eight companies, each company -being constituted as follows:— - - Sub-Lieutenant 1 - Sergeants 5 - Corporals 5 - Second-Corporals 5 - Drummers 3 - Carpenters 15 - Masons 10 - Bricklayers 6 - Smiths 4 - Wheelers 2 - Collar-makers 2 - Cooper 1 - Miners[171] 30 - —— - Total 89 - -The establishment of the corps was fixed as under:— - - Staff { Adjutants[172] 4 - { Sergeant-majors 4 - { Quartermaster-Sergeants 4 - { Drum-major 1 - Sub-Lieutenants 32 - Sergeants 160 - Corporals 160 - Second-Corporals 160 - Drummers 96 - Privates 2,240 - —— - Total 2,861 - -exclusive of the three companies of Maltese military artificers. - ------ - -Footnote 171: - - A third of whom were to be gardeners, hedgers, or canal-diggers, but - only to be enlisted on special authority from head-quarters. - -Footnote 172: - - These appointments were never conferred. The whole business of the - corps was carried on by an Adjutant, who held his office independently - of the battalions. - ------ - -The annual expense of the corps, not including working pay and other -fluctuating contingencies, amounted to 87,736_l._ 14_s._ 3¼_d._ At this -period 5 sub-lieutenants, 1 sergeant-major, and 130 men were employed on -the recruiting service. - -In all practicable cases, general and field-officers were deprived of -the command of companies, which now ceased to be stationary, but were -removed by rotation of relief from one station to another, the same as -the companies of the royal artillery. The employment of men on detached -duties was also discouraged, and companies were composed of a convenient -strength to enable them to move in bodies. - -Upon the stationary condition of the corps a celebrated officer of the -royal engineers has made the subjoined correct remarks:—[173] “From the -close of the American war till the year 1811, all the companies of royal -military artificers were kept permanently fixed at their respective -stations, both at home and abroad, where they remained for life, in what -may, for military men, be styled a state of vegetation; so that they -were, at that period, a vast number of men who had actually grown grey -in the corps, who had never entered a transport, nor made a single day’s -march from the head-quarters of their company. To the men at Gibraltar -and other foreign stations the service of the corps was thus rendered -almost equivalent to transportation for life. Everywhere they intermixed -with civilians; they married in a proportion unknown in any other corps; -so much so, that the number of women and children belonging to one -company was often equal to that of a battalion of the line.”[174] - ------ - -Footnote 173: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ note a, p. iv., vol. i. - -Footnote 174: - - There was a William Painter at Gibraltar, whose affluence was - something extraordinary. He enlisted into the corps in July, 1798, and - though a man of very useful intelligence, only attained the rank of - second-corporal in 1807. He tried to procure his discharge to return - to his estate in Cornwall, but such was the pressure for men, his - desire was negatived. His humble position, however, did not prevent - his living in ease and luxury. He kept his servants, horses, and, it - is said, his carriage, and entertained and enjoyed very good society. - Well could he do all this, for, coupling with his own receipts his - wife’s settlement, he possessed an income of _eleven hundreds pounds - a-year_! He died at the Rock, August 13, 1811, aged 45 years. By his - Will he left 5000_l._ stock to his two sons—John, and William Grible; - 300_l._ to Sub-Lieutenant Falconer and his family, and a few smaller - legacies to relatives and an attached servant, besides considerable - landed property, houses, and the usual legal addenda of “messuages, - tenements, and hereditaments” at Gwennap in Cornwall to his elder son - John, “and his heirs for ever.” The widow, under a jointure, was in - receipt of 550_l._ a-year. - - As if to show how likely fortune is to be overtaken by calamity, - Sub-Lieutenant Falconer, five days after the death-bed remembrance of - the corporal, was fired at from an open window by private Samuel - Fraser. The ball luckily missed him, but whizzed sufficiently near to - be alarming. The ruffian was sent to a condemned regiment in - commutation for his sentence of one thousand lashes! - ------ - -Under the new arrangement the companies were distributed as follows:— - - Companies. - Woolwich 6 - Chatham 2 - Portsmouth and Gosport 3 - Plymouth 2 - Dover 2 - Guernsey 1 - Jersey 1 - Cork 2 - Gibraltar 3 - Newfoundland 1 - Halifax 1 - West Indies 2 - Cadiz 2 - Portugal 4 - -with detachments from the above to Eastbourne and the Sussex coast, -Hythe, Cape Breton, New Brunswick, Ceylon, Cape of Good Hope, Sicily, -the Ionian Islands, and Madeira. - -The companies at Cadiz were the sixth and seventh of the first -battalion; and those in Portugal were the fifth, sixth, seventh, and -eighth of the second battalion. At this time the corps counted a force -of nearly 1,500 men. More than half were employed in foreign possessions -and colonial defence. The remainder, distributed in home garrisons and -the Channel Islands, included a large proportion of aged men, invalids, -and recruits. By the end of the year the reconstruction of the companies -was completed; and from continual accessions of squads of recruits, -rapidly equipped and disciplined, the corps was soon in a condition, to -a greater extent than heretofore, to meet such incidental necessities as -might arise. - -Eleven sergeants were commissioned to be sub-lieutenants during the -year. Some joined from the royal artillery. All were distinguished -either as soldiers or artificers, particularly Sub-Lieutenant Munro, who -was an “ingenious and skilful mechanic,” and his inventions, which met -with general approbation, were attended with considerable saving to the -Government. The captain of his company, in making a record of his -acquirements, wrote that Lieutenant Munro “was the most zealous and -intelligent non-commissioned officer whom he had met in the course of -his services.”[175] - ------ - -Footnote 175: - - He invented an engine for nipping lead shot, used for years in the - royal laboratory, but for which an impostor and spy, named De Haine, - received a reward of 500_l._ While filling the office of inspector of - ordnance stores, he made various improvements in the mechanical and - intrenching tools. He also detected many extraordinary frauds in the - deliveries made by contractors. In one attempted imposition only, he - saved the Government 2000_l._ He designed and constructed a - life-ladder, which was frequently used with success at fires, and an - ingenious mortar-mill which occasioned a great saving of expense to - the department. At Chatham he invented many useful tools, implements, - and apparatus, and his services were repeatedly acknowledged in the - order books of the establishment. - ------ - - - - - 1812. - -Plymouth company instructed in field duties—Engineer establishment at - Chatham—Major Pasley appointed its director—Discipline and drill of - corps—Its character—Sir John Sinclair ex-private—Title of corps - changed—Captain G. Buchanan—A sergeant acrobat—Cuidad - Rodrigo—Exertions of a company on the march to the siege—Repairs to - the fortress—Siege of Badajoz—Difficulties in removing the stores to - the park—Duties of the sappers in the operation—Gallant behaviour of - Patrick Rooney and William Harry—Also of a party at Fort Picurina, and - of Patrick Burke and Robert Miller—Hazardous attempt to blow down the - batardeau in the ditch of the lunette, and conduct of corporal - Stack—Bravery of a party in mining under the bridge of the - inundation—Distribution of the Peninsular companies and their - services—Bridges of Yecla and Serrada—Reinforcement to - Spain—Salamanca—Burgos, and boldness of Patrick Burke and Andrew - Alexander at the siege—Bridge of Alba—Carthagena—Reinforcement to - Cadiz; action at Seville—Reinforcement to the Peninsula and - distribution of the sappers—Green Island—Tarragona—First detachment to - Bermuda. - - -Major Pasley, R.E., on his appointment to the Plymouth station, -occasionally practised his company in sapping and mining. He was one of -those officers who took pains to improve the military appearance and -efficiency of his men, and to make them useful either for home or -foreign employment. He is believed to have been the first officer who -represented the advantage of training the corps in the construction of -military field-works. - -After the failure of Badajoz in 1811 the necessity of this measure was -strongly advocated by the war officers. Then it was recommended to form -a corps under the name of royal sappers and miners, to be composed of -six companies chosen from the royal military artificers, which after -receiving some instruction in the art, was to be sent to the Peninsula -to aid the troops in their future siege operations.[176] Early in this -year [1812] the suggestion was repeated by Sir Richard Fletcher; and -Lord Wellington having also, in the most forcible manner, brought the -subject to the notice of the Secretary of State,[177] a warrant was -issued under date of the 23rd April for the formation of an -establishment for instructing the corps in military field-works. - ------ - -Footnote 176: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ 2nd edit., ii., p. 390. - -Footnote 177: - - ‘Wellington Dispatches,’ 1845, v., p. 508. - ------ - -Lord Mulgrave, the Master-General, selected Chatham as the most suitable -place for carrying out the royal orders, and appointed Major C. W. -Pasley director of the establishment. The exertions of that officer at -Plymouth naturally singled him out for the post. The better to effect -his purpose, he published for the use of the corps, elementary works on -fortification, geometry, &c. of the greatest simplicity; and they have -ever since been the text-books of the institution. In addition to -sapping and mining, his system comprised bridge-making, pontooning, the -use of ropes, mechanical appliances, and all other arts and -contrivances, which the corps, in its connection with the engineer -department, is likely to be called on to perform. “Uniting,” says Sir -John Jones, “great zeal and unwearied perseverance with good talents” -and judgment, Major Pasley “succeeded in extending the course far beyond -these objects,” and not only “filled the ranks of the corps with good -scholars, good surveyors, and good draughtsmen,” but enabled many, after -quitting the service, to occupy with ability and credit, situations of -considerable importance in civil life.[178] - ------ - -Footnote 178: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ 2nd edit., ii.. p. 392. - ------ - -The formation of the school at Chatham increased the means for -discipline and drill. Other stations, stimulated by the example, paid -greater attention to their enforcement. The injurious system of changing -officers incessantly was now abolished; and the juniors, among a stated -number of the second captains, first lieutenants, and second lieutenants -of the royal engineers, were appointed regimental officers of the -companies. Sir John Jones has recorded that “the men generally were of -superior acquirements and well-disposed,” and the above changes had the -best possible effect upon their general behaviour.[179] “By linking -officers and men together,” he added, “and closely connecting their -mutual interests, discipline and pride were given to the soldier,” and -character to the corps.[180] - ------ - -Footnote 179: - - Among the recruits at this period was Sir John Sinclair, Bart., who, - on the 12th August, 1812, enlisted in the name of John Smith. Through - various misfortunes he was reduced from affluence to poverty. Noticed - by Colonel Pilkington, R.E., for his uniform good conduct and - attainments, he was promoted to the rank of second-corporal, and - provided with a quarter at the main-guard in the royal arsenal. His - lady sometimes visited him in all the pride of her station, but his - own rank was as yet unsuspected. From a comrade—afterwards - Sub-Lieutenant H. B. Mackenzie—he frequently borrowed plain clothes to - elude arrest in the streets, and invariably proceeded to the Treasury - by water to receive his allowance. He was at length dogged to - Woolwich, and, on the 31st August, 1813, being taken, was thrown into - the debtors' side of Newgate, from whence he was removed to the Fleet - Prison, where, for a year and a half he was confined, and was then - only released by an error in law. Thirteen months' sickness and - distress followed his release, during which time he was supplied with - means by an acquaintance of his earlier and happier days. All the - while the whereabouts of John Smith was unknown, but, advised by his - friend, he confessed himself a deserter, and in imploring pardon and - indemnity for past errors, solicited to be received for life in the - New South Wales Corps. The pardon was granted, and being relieved from - further service in the sappers, he was again left at liberty to follow - his own inclination. - -Footnote 180: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ 2nd edit., ii., pp. 390, 391. - ------ - -More fully to accord with its recognized duties the Master-General on -the 4th August, ordered that the royal military artificers should be -hereafter styled, Royal Military Artificers or Sappers and Miners.[181] - ------ - -Footnote 181: - - Sir John Jones, by mistake, vol. ii. p. 390, makes the alteration of - the name of the corps antecedent to the creation of the establishment - at Chatham. - ------ - -Captain G. Buchanan, the adjutant, resigned the appointment, and Captain -Rice Jones, under commission dated 1st February, succeeded to it. During -his period of office, Captain Buchanan, besides attending to its many -official requirements and details, performed duty on the works like -other officers of engineers. By his application and exertions he ruined -his health. Captain Rice Jones was relieved from the duties of the -district, and the pay of the appointment was increased from 6_s._ to -10_s._ a-day.[182] - -Footnote 182: - - Soon after this change, an act of gross indiscipline occurred, which - will afford a tolerable notion of some of the singular characters who - held rank in the corps. A sergeant’s guard usually mounted in the - sappers' barracks at Woolwich. One morning sergeant Millar was - appointed to the new guard, and during the ceremony of “mounting,” was - posted in front of it. Lieutenant Eaves, the officer on duty, gave the - usual words of command. “Sergeant, to your guard, march!” Millar no - sooner heard it, than he whirled his halberd in the air, and as every - one stood amazed to see the upshot of this mad manœuvre, the pike - turned point downwards and stuck in the earth. At this moment, to - complete the extravaganza, Millar pitched on his hands, and with his - legs towering erect in the air, paddled, with all the flexibility and - steadiness of an acrobat, to his wondering guard! - -The siege of Cuidad Rodrigo began on the 8th and terminated on the 19th -January when the fortress was carried by storm. In this siege eighteen -rank and file of the royal military artificers were present, of whom one -was killed and ten were wounded. In carrying on their duties they were -sometimes annoyed by the presence of light balls thrown by the enemy -into the sap. The instant they alighted some bold sappers, heedless of -the peril they incurred, rushed to the spot, and in a few seconds -extinguished them with sand-bags or smothered them by shovelling earth -upon the flames.[183] The conduct of the party during the operations was -praised by Lord Wellington.[184] - ------ - -Footnote 183: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ i. p. 369, 3rd edit., and note added by Colonel - Harry D. Jones. - -Footnote 184: - - ‘Wellington Dispatches,’ 1845, v., p. 476. - ------ - -To join the siege party, the fifth company second battalion of forty-one -men, had been embodied at Alhandra from the different districts of -Torres Vedras, and marched for Cuidad Rodrigo on the 2nd January. It had -in charge a large assortment of intrenching tools to be used in the -works before that fortress. The weather was bitterly cold, a -considerable quantity of rain had fallen, and the roads were cut into -deep ruts and covered with pools. Frequently the jaded mules dropped -from fatigue; and to relieve them, the men were constantly compelled, -either to lead them instead of the disaffected muleteers, or take the -labour of the animals themselves. After a trying and toilsome journey of -seventeen days, the company arrived in front of Cuidad Rodrigo on the -night of the 19th January, but took no part in the storming.[185] - ------ - -Footnote 185: - - Sir John Jones, in his ‘Sieges,’ i. p. 130, 2nd edit., records, by - mistake, the arrival of the company on the 15th instead of the 19th - January. - ------ - -The above company and detachment were afterwards employed in restoring -and improving the defences of the place. Paid by measurement for their -labour, they greatly exerted themselves, notwithstanding the bitter -weather to which they were exposed. Corporal James Douglas was intrusted -with the charge of the restoration. - -In the siege of Badajoz from 16th March to 6th April, the military -artificers bore an important part. There were present 115 of all ranks, -being portions of the fifth and seventh companies, second battalion, -from Cuidad Rodrigo; and the sixth of the second battalion from the -Almada position. A company from Cadiz comprising men of the sixth and -seventh companies, first battalion, did not join till nearly the -conclusion of the siege. The company disembarked at Ayamonte and -ascended the valley of the Guadiana on the Portugal side, partly by -boats and partly by marching. No British soldiers, save this company, -had ever been in that part of Portugal. - -All the engineers' means for the operation were conveyed from Elvas to -Badajoz under charge of the corps, for which purpose 120 pairs of -bullocks were pressed into the service. The effectual removal of the -stores was accomplished under great difficulties. From the desertion of -the drivers, taking with them their oxen, and the weakly condition of -others, many of the sappers frequently yoked themselves to the abandoned -burdens, and in carrying them through the Guadiana at the fords, were -sometimes borne down the stream by the rapidity of the current. Nearly -all the stores, however, reached the depôt at the appointed time. - -In the distribution of the men, a strong party was nominated for the -duty of the park, to repair tools, make scaling-ladders, platforms, &c., -and the remainder, told off into seven brigades, performed good services -as overseers and leading sappers in the trenches and the batteries. -Sub-Lieutenants A. Wallace and R. Gibb who joined in January, -volunteered their services as assistants in the trenches, and both -discharged their duties “extremely well.” Their conduct was noticed in -flattering terms in a letter to General Mann, the inspector-general of -fortifications. - -Soon after commencing operations, corporal Patrick Rooney signalized -himself by laying gun platforms in the day-time under a warm fire from -the enemy. No less conspicuous was private William Harry, who opened in -daylight under fire of the Picurina, the embrasures of a masked battery. -In executing these dangerous services, their firmness and skill had the -effect of stimulating the workmen to the prompt performance of similar -exploits. - -At the storming of Fort Picurina the royal military artificers who -preceded the columns, conducted themselves with the “greatest gallantry -and coolness.” Particular mention is made of those who accompanied -Captain Holloway of the royal engineers, in leading the reserve column -to the place. Encumbered with ladders and axes, they broke through a -line of palisades on the covertway, planted the ladders against the -counterscarp, and then, descending into the ditch, moved the ladders -across to the scarp with the greatest “steadiness and precision.” -Instantly they mounted, and after tearing down the fraises to a -sufficient extent for the escalade, ascended the ramparts and dashed -through the embrasures into the fort. Private Patrick Burke, a bold -soldier, took a leading part in the assault and was amongst the foremost -that entered the place. On the parapet Captain Holloway fell severely -wounded. Lance-corporal Robert Miller rushed to his rescue, and at -imminent personal peril, guarded his body and bore him in safety to the -camp. - -Late in the siege a hazardous attempt was made by Lieutenant Stanway, -R.E. to blow down the batardeau in the ditch of the lunette for the -purpose of drawing off the inundation. He was accompanied by an officer -and twenty men of the royal military artificers, of whom lance-corporal -William Stack gave proof of prominent zeal and daring. The -powder-barrels were duly placed against the dam and fired; but the -effect intended was not produced, and the party returned to the trenches -without loss. - -In the final assault of Badajoz, selected men of the corps accompanied -each of the columns to the breaches, bearing ladders, hatchets, -crowbars, &c., and executed the duty allotted to them with the utmost -bravery. After storming the lunette St. Roque, a party of the royal -military artificers, under Lieutenant Wright, R. E. displayed expertness -and courage in mining under the dam and bridge of the inundation. Of the -general services and conduct of the sappers “during the operations of -the siege and in its close,” it is recorded that they “distinguished” -themselves.[186] - ------ - -Footnote 186: - - ‘Wellington Dispatches,’ edit. 1845, v., p. 579. - ------ - -Privates William Bond and Edward Doran were killed, and five rank and -file wounded at the storming. In the trenches, during the operations, -corporal John Blackadder was killed, and Sub-Lieutenant Wallace wounded. -Many others also were wounded, but the precise number cannot be traced. - -Soon after the capture, the detachment of the sixth and seventh -companies, first battalion, returned to Cadiz, Major-General Cooke -having represented the desirableness of maintaining the corps in -adequate strength to carry out the defensive operations under his -orders.[187] The sixth of the second battalion was attached to the -expedition for besieging Tarragona,[188] and portions of the fifth and -seventh companies, second battalion, remained at Badajoz to assist in -the repairs of the breaches, and in improving the defences of the town. -One private was killed by the unexpected explosion of a blast when he -applied the match to fire it. The restorations were effected before the -close of the year, and to mark the date, some masons of the corps built -the number of the year with 24-pound shot in the escarp wall of the face -of the bastion La Trinidad. - ------ - -Footnote 187: - - Ibid, v., p. 650. - -Footnote 188: - - In the Dispatch to the Earl of Liverpool, dated Fuente Guinaldo, 10th - June, 1812, the Earl of Wellington states, “I have likewise sent from - this country to Gibraltar Lieutenant-Colonel Jones and four subaltern - officers of engineers, and two companies of military artificers, - including all the sappers there are with the army,” to join the corps - d’armée under Lieutenant-General Lord William Bentinck, “to make an - attack on the eastern coast of the Peninsula, with the troops from - Sicily.”—Wellington Dispatches; 1845, v., p. 706, 707. The above - company, 92 strong, was the only one despatched from Portugal, but one - of the Maltese military artificers from Messina was added to the - engineers' means for the siege, which made a combined sapper-force of - 134 strong. - ------ - -The bridges of Yecla and Serrada, which spanned the Yebra—a branch of -the Douro between Salamanca and Cuidad Rodrigo—were mined in December -1811 by Spanish miners, with a few privates of the sappers as overseers, -under the direction of Lieutenant W. Reid, royal engineers. Owing to the -flinty nature of the cement giving the compactness of rock to the -structures, it required a fortnight’s unceasing toil—day and night—to -drive the shafts. The mines were fired in April, following, when one -arch of the Yecla was blown down, and a pier and two arches of the -Serrada were destroyed. - -Sub-Lieutenant C. Booth and ninety-five men reinforced the companies in -Spain under Sir Richard Fletcher. Nine men also joined from Madeira. -Both parties landed in April increasing the artificer force to 273 of -all ranks. All the effective men were attached to the different -divisions of the army, or were dispersed on various duties throughout -the country. Those remaining at Badajoz were instructed in sapping and -mining under Lieutenant Harry Jones of the royal engineers. - -In June, nine rank and file were present under Lieutenant-Colonel -Burgoyne, R.E., at the siege of the fortified posts at Salamanca. -Private James Durant was killed in the trenches on the night of the 17th -June, and four privates were wounded. Thanks for their good conduct in -the siege of the forts was conveyed to them in general orders.[189] - ------ - -Footnote 189: - - ‘Wellington Dispatches,’ 1845, v., p. 724. - ------ - -Eight of the corps were present in August at the capture of the Retiro -at Madrid, and at the siege of Burgos in September and October. All were -employed as overseers in the park and the trenches. Corporal M. Develin -was killed, and the remaining seven were wounded. The whole party proved -themselves to be good soldiers and skilful miners. Deriving their -instruction, in great part, from the labours of previous sieges, they -knew the best methods to achieve success. At Fort Christoval the want of -experienced miners rendered it impracticable to crown the glacis and -prevent the garrison removing the debris from the foot of the breach. At -Burgos, on the contrary, though the assaults were frequent before the -place fell, this handful of sappers, assisted by some miners from the -guards, successfully worked up to the fortress, and formed effective -breaches by mining, in the castle walls.[190] Private Patrick Burke, a -distinguished stormer at Badajoz, was remarked for his usefulness and -resolution in the explosion of a mine; and private Andrew Alexander for -his valour in leading the workmen to crown the crater of a mine on the -enemy’s glacis before the breach. The fifth company, second battalion, -was sent in advance with stores for the siege but arrived too late to -share in the operation. - ------ - -Footnote 190: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ notes by Colonel Harry D. Jones, i., p. 135, 377, - 3rd edit. - ------ - -In the retreat to the frontier of Portugal a few men of the corps mined -the bridge at Alba on the Tormes, under Captain Goldfinch of the -engineers. An eye-witness who observed their exertions says, “In -crossing the bridge, we found the sappers hard at work mining and laying -barrels of gunpowder to blow up the centre arch.”[191] The bridge was -accordingly destroyed to check the advance of the enemy. This small -party also assisted in the hasty intrenchments thrown up to defend the -castle, and was present in repulsing the attack on the place. - ------ - -Footnote 191: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ 2, 1829, p. 284, 285. - ------ - -In January a corporal and nine privates were detached from La Isla to -Carthagena to strengthen the fortifications there. Private Thomas Grewer -was killed in springing a mine. The detachment returned to La Isla in -April, 1814. - -A draft of twenty-eight non-commissioned officers and men landed at -Cadiz in April to reinforce the sixth and seventh companies, first -battalion. In August following, a sergeant and ten rank and file were -present with Colonel Skerrit’s force in the action at Seville on the -27th of the month. They rejoined their companies in September. - -Late in the year Lieutenant Matson of the royal engineers, having under -his command Sub-Lieutenants R. Turner and C. Gratton and 135 -non-commissioned officers and men, joined the corps in the Peninsula. -Many of them had been instructed in the formation of military -field-works. The total of the artificer force in Spain and Portugal in -December, reached the following numbers:— - - Lisbon, Badajoz, and with the army in the field 303 - Alicant 92 - Cadiz 103 - Tarifa 11 - Carthagena 6 - —— - Total 515 - -including Sub-Lieutenants Wallace, Gibb, Booth, Turner, and Gratton. -During the year the casualties in the detachment under Sir Richard -Fletcher were, nine invalided and forty-three deaths. In May the number -sick counted thirty-one; in December it was increased to sixty-one. - -At Green Island, opposite Algeciras, four privates were employed in -repairing the defences early in the year under Lieutenant A. Brown of -the corps. When completed they returned to Gibraltar. - -The first company of Maltese Artificers of forty-one total, and one -smith of the royal military artificers, left Messina in June under the -command of Major Thackeray, R.E., with the expedition against Tarragona. -At Port Mahon, Minorca, they were joined by the sixth company, first -battalion. Both companies soon afterwards landed at Alicant, and -portions of them were employed on such occasional services as the course -of events demanded. - -Bermuda was this year appointed a station for the corps. Two sergeants, -one drummer, and fifty rank and file, embarked on the 21st August on -board the ‘Catherine,’ freight-ship, and arrived at the island 20th -November. The detachment generally were inferior artificers and -ill-behaved men. Throughout the voyage they were discontented and -mutinous; and after landing, animadversion and punishment for a long -time had but little effect in checking their excesses and -insubordination. Captain Cunningham, royal engineers, commanded the -party. - - - - - 1813. - -Designation of corps modified—Uniform—Working-dress—Arms—Mode of - promoting non-commissioned officers—Rank of colour-sergeant - created—Company to Canada—Reinforcement to Bermuda—Sub-Lieutenant - Mackenzie appointed Town-Major there—Sickness at Gibraltar—Services of - company in East Catalonia—Malha da Sorda—Services on the advance to - Vittoria—Bridge at Toro—Blockade of Pampeluna—Pyrenees—Stockades near - Roncesvalles—San Sebastian and services of the corps at the - siege—Valour of sergeants Powis and Davis—Of private Borland; and of - corporal Evans—Casualties in the siege—Restoration of the - fortifications-Pontoon train—Bidassoa—Bridge across it, and conduct of - privates Owen Connor and Nowlan—Vera—Nivelle, and behaviour of - corporal Councill—Bridge over that river—Bridges over the Nive, and - daring exertions of private Dowling—Fording the Nive, and posts of - honour accorded to corporal Jamieson and private Braid—Strength and - distribution of corps in the Peninsula—Recruiting. - - -To correspond with the intentions of the Government with respect to the -future duties of the corps, the title was again changed on the 5th -March, from “royal military artificers or sappers and miners,” to “Royal -Sappers and Miners.” Some mistrust and discontent were occasioned by -this second alteration, but conciliatory explanations restored -confidence and satisfaction. - -A change of dress followed the change of name. This originated with the -war officers in the Peninsula. Working with the line at the sieges, it -was considered desirable to assimilate the dress of the two services; -and scarlet with blue facings was introduced to render the men less -conspicuous to the enemy and less subject to danger. No material -alteration was made in the cut and frogging of the coatee. For -particular parades, the white breeches and long gaiters were continued, -except in the Peninsula, where grey trousers and ankle gaiters were -substituted. The chaco—a singular concoction from the German mitre, -preserved in Hogarth’s “March to Finchley,” and the “smoke-jack”—was -much higher in front than in rear and decorated with yellow cords and -tassels. A short white feather, worn at the left side of the chaco, just -peered above the curve of the fan. See Plate X. - -The working dress consisted of a plain red jacket with short skirts, -grey trousers with red stripes, short spats, shoes with brass clasps, -and a leather cap worn lengthways, or square, bearing on its front leaf -in brass, the initials of the corps, and subsequently a crown and garter -ornament. This much-disliked head-covering was a remote but unsightly -variety of the cocked hat; and in lieu of tassels was furnished at the -corners with black silk ribbon ties of some length. See Plate XI. Some -companies wore white linen overalls, buttoned the whole length of the -outer seam. At Cadiz, previous to the general change, the companies wore -grey trousers with a black stripe down each outer seam, and a grey cloth -forage-cap, trimmed with black braid, and the letters R. M. A. on the -left side of the cap. - -Greater attention was now paid to arming the corps. Heretofore, in this -respect, many irregularities had crept in. At Newfoundland the -detachment was armed with swords, cutlasses, and accoutrements of every -shape, saved from the American war. In the West Indies the companies -used the shattered remains of old armouries and black accoutrements of -various patterns. In Sicily the military artificers could only muster a -few foreign cumbersome firelocks; whilst the Maltese artificers were -unable to appear with a weapon of any kind. For a number of years the -Gibraltar companies wore the obsolete accoutrements and cartouche-boxes -of a disbanded Newfoundland regiment; and a party of the corps on its -way to the Peninsula, did duty with pikes and blunderbusses. Among the -sergeants the swords and belts were very dissimilar. Permitted to -purchase their own arms, more attention was paid to fancy and ability of -payment than uniformity. These and other anomalies were progressively -removed from the corps in consequence of the improved method of -officering the companies. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Sappers & Miners Plate X. - WORKING DRESS, 1813 Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Sappers & Miners Plate XI. - UNIFORM. 1813 Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -In March an important plan was adopted for the promotion of -non-commissioned officers. All men at home recommended for advancement, -were sent to Woolwich to be examined. If found competent as artificers -and soldiers, they were especially instructed in a uniform system of -routine and drill, and returned perfect to their companies. A few years, -however, showed the expense and inconvenience of the system, and it was -necessarily relinquished. - -In July the rank of colour-sergeant was granted to the corps. One was -appointed to each company with the pay of 2_s._ 9¼_d._ a-day, and was -distinguished by the badge of the open colour and cross swords on the -right arm. Sixpence a-day was also added to the pay of the -sergeant-majors, which raised it to 4_s._ 1¼_d._ a-day. - -The third company, third battalion, of eighty-one men under Lieutenant -G. Philpotts, R.E., and Sub-Lieutenant James A. Stephenson, sailed for -Canada on board the ‘Zodiac’ transport on the 23rd April, and landed at -Quebec on the 5th June. They had been trained in the field duties of the -department at Chatham, and were the first of the corps ever employed in -the Canadas. Nothing satisfactory is known of their services; but they -appear to have been much dispersed through the country, the greatest -numbers being at Burlington Heights, Prescott, Point Henry, York, and -Kingston. The last station was the head-quarters of the company. - -In the summer the detachment at Bermuda was increased to a company by -the arrival of thirty men under Sub-Lieutenant Hugh B. Mackenzie,[192] -from his Majesty’s ship ‘Ardent.’ - ------ - -Footnote 192: - - In 1816 this officer was appointed Town-Major at Bermuda, and from the - able manner in which he discharged its duties, was honoured with the - confidence and approval of his patron, Sir James Cockburn. - ------ - -At Gibraltar the companies suffered much from sickness during the year. -Ophthalmia was also very prevalent. In December a malignant epidemic -appeared in the garrison and nineteen deaths occurred in the companies. -Nine other deaths took place in the year, and twenty-four were -invalided. The three companies at the Rock were now reduced from 267 to -141 of all ranks. - -The sixth company, second battalion, attached to the Anglo-Sicilian army -at Alicant, sent during the year portions of the company with three -expeditions undertaken by Sir John Murray and Lord William Bentinck, who -were present in the several movements and affairs of the campaign, -including the action at the Biar Pass, battle of Castalla, siege and -capture of Fort Belaguer, and the second and third sieges of Tarragona. -Thirty-nine men of the Maltese sappers and miners accompanied these -expeditions. Detachments of both corps were also cantoned, at different -intervals, at Valencia; and thirty men of the company made, in the -island of Ivica, a liberal provision of fascines, gabions, and -platforms, for the last siege of Tarragona. After Suchet evacuated the -place, and Lord William had marched to Villa Franca, the royal and -Maltese sappers and miners commenced to clear and repair the breaches, -and to restore, generally, the fortifications. Until April 1814 they -continued so employed, when, the works having been placed in as -defensible a state as before their recent destruction,[193] they sailed -to rejoin the force under Lord William Bentinck in Italy. - ------ - -Footnote 193: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ iii., 1844, p. 77, 78. - ------ - -With the exception of a few scattered detachments, the companies in the -Peninsula under Sir Richard Fletcher were concentrated at Malha da -Sorda, and in January the seventh company, first battalion, from Cadiz, -also joined there. All were practised as occasion permitted in the -construction of field-works under Lieutenant E. Matson, royal engineers. -Sub-Lieutenant Gratton, who was appointed adjutant, drilled the -companies and conducted the roster. - -On the army breaking up cantonments, the seventh company, first -battalion, and the fifth and seventh companies, second battalion, with -Sub-Lieutenants Calder, Gratton, and Wallace, were attached to the -pontoon train. The royal staff corps also accompanied it. Both corps -assisted in the formation of bridges for the passage of the army. -Carrying the pontoons down the steep banks of the Esla was an arduous -service, but the bridge was thrown across the river with promptitude. -Without loss or material casualty, the companies reached Vittoria, but -were not present at the battle. At Zamora and Toro parties were left to -construct earthworks for cover in the event of a retreat. Others -stationed on the Douro and the Esla, guarded and used the flying bridges -over those rivers whenever required by the troops. - -The eighth company, second battalion, with Sub-Lieutenant Turner, was -attached to the light division and encamped with the 43rd regiment. At -night, while the Toro bridge was still burning, the company repaired the -broken arch with ladders, trees, and planks, under the direction of -Lieutenant Edward Matson, R.E.,[194] and was present at the battle of -Vittoria on the 21st June, but not actively engaged. One private was -severely wounded; and Sub-Lieutenant Turner received three shots about -his person, but remained unhurt. - ------ - -Footnote 194: - - Sir W. Napier, in his ‘Peninsular War,’ attributes, by mistake, this - service to Lieutenant G. Pringle, R.E. - ------ - -At the blockade of Pampeluna, from 25th June to 1st November, a -detachment of twelve sappers and miners was employed and superintended -the working parties under the direction of Major Goldfinch, royal -engineers. Private James Napier was killed. - -The seventh company first battalion, with Sub-Lieutenant -Calder, attached to the corps of the army under the command of -Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill, was present at the operations in -the Pyrenees, including the actions at Maya and Roncesvalles. - -Under Lieutenant Peter Wright of the engineers, this company, assisted -by working parties from the line, erected several musket-proof -stockade-redoubts on the summits of the ridges in the neighbourhood of -Roncesvalles; and as the weather was extremely cold, accompanied with -rain and sometimes snow, the interior was so constructed as to serve the -purpose of a barrack to shelter a garrison of about 200 men. Young trees -were found in great abundance on the mountain sides, which were sawn in -two for the work, and “the berms were filled up with a triangle of -earth,” to prevent the enemy creeping up the slopes and firing into the -loop-holes. Attention was also paid to providing the troops with -sufficient sustenance and the means of defence for a fortnight. Water -was obtained from a cask sunk in the centre of the stockade, and an -ample supply of loaded shells was procured from a foundry in the -neighbourhood, to roll down the mountain should the enemy attempt to -pass at its base, or to hurl into the ditch should he assail the -garrison. The stockades were also provided with small ordnance when the -situation required a more powerful armament.[195] - ------ - -Footnote 195: - - Manuscript, Royal Engineer Establishment. The model in the Model Room - at Brompton, showing the details of one of the stockades, was made - under the direction of Sub-Lieutenant Calder. - ------ - -The fifth, seventh, and eighth companies, second battalion, and -detachments of the sixth and seventh companies, first battalion, were -present at the siege of San Sebastian from the 11th July to the 8th -September. The second company, second battalion, joined there on the -20th August from England, and was the first company in the corps that -appeared in the scarlet uniform. All the men composing it had been -instructed at Chatham, and were derisively styled “Pasley’s cadets.” The -greatest number at the siege counted five Sub-Lieutenants—Gratton, -Stratton, Turner, Wallace, and Johnson, and 305 non-commissioned -officers and men. The eighth company, second battalion, with Lieutenant -Turner, was posted on the Chofre hills, and the other companies on the -isthmus. The men were divided into three reliefs; each relief was on -duty eight hours, but when the works required to be pressed, the periods -of rest were shortened to meet the emergency. The sub-lieutenants acted -as assistant engineers. A large party of the corps did duty in the park, -and the remainder were employed as overseers of the working parties. -They also had to place the gabions, fascines, platforms, &c., open and -repair the embrasures, and execute all services requiring more than -ordinary skill, such as commencing the saps and leading their progress. -In the early part of the siege the batteries and communications were -wholly constructed by the sappers; but from the 16th July, these -services, except in occasional instances of difficulty and danger, were -performed by the line. - -In both assaults parties of the corps assisted in carrying and placing -the ladders for the stormers; others bore axes, crowbars, and -intrenching tools. In the second assault it is recorded, that the party -with picks and shovels “long persevered, with cool intrepidity, to form -cover on the face of the breaches, but in vain.” The assault, however, -ultimately succeeded. As well in the trenches as at the stormings, the -sappers and miners distinguished themselves by their usefulness, -intelligence, and gallantry.[196] - ------ - -Footnote 196: - - Sir Thomas Graham, in ‘Wellington Dispatches,’ vi., p. 650, edit. - 1845. Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ ii., p. 391, 2nd edit.; and Pasley’s - ‘Elementary Fortification,’ note D, p. ix., vol. 1. - ------ - -Here may be given a little incident to show how cool were the sappers in -carrying on their duties. Colonel Pasley has stated that “several of the -embrasures of the breaching battery were cut in broad daylight, under -fire, by a party of the corps under Lieutenant E. Matson, R.E., after -the guns in a part of the battery previously finished, had actually -opened against the fortress.”[197] - ------ - -Footnote 197: - - Pasley’s ‘Operations of a Siege,’ ii., p. 246, note. - ------ - -Another instance is equally worthy of notice. “At one time,” according -to Major Reid, “the trunk of a large poplar tree completely stopped the -progress of the men and defied all their efforts to move it, until a -daring sapper gallantly jumping from the trench, stood exposed until he -moved it from the head of the sap, and returned without being -wounded.”[198] - ------ - -Footnote 198: - - ‘Instructions for the Defence of Fortresses,’ translated by Major - Reid, R.E., 1823, p. 20. - ------ - -Striking instances of individual exploit follow, which are creditable to -the soldiers whose names are associated with their performance. -Sergeants William Powis and John Davis accompanied the first assault. -Forced down the breach with the retreating stormers, they perceived -Captain G. G. Lewis, R.E., lying badly wounded exposed to the enemy’s -fire; and Davis, who but a few moments before had been wounded in the -arm, returned with Powis to the breach and carried off their officer to -the trenches. In effecting this gallant and humane act, Davis was a -second time struck by a musket-ball, through which he lost an eye. By -Major Pasley he was reported to be “a man of extraordinary merit and -abilities, and a most skilful and ingenious artificer.”[199] - ------ - -Footnote 199: - - From his perfect knowledge of the duties of field engineering, he was - known among his comrades by the title of “Sap Major.” - ------ - -No less distinguished was private Hugh Borland at the second storming. -In placing his ladders he discovered that they were likely to become -useless, from the joints being insecure, and while in the act of binding -the ends together with his braces—an act of supererogation which the -service scarcely contemplated—a ball pierced the root of his tongue and -killed him. - -Santa Clara, a rocky island off St. Sebastian, had been taken, and it -was necessary to communicate with the officer of engineers there on a -matter of great importance. It being broad daylight, no boat could -venture across the bay without the certainty of being sunk. Corporal -Thomas Evans therefore volunteered to execute the service. He -immediately stripped himself, tied his cap round his neck with the -despatch in it, and plunging into the stream, performed, under fire from -the castle, this gallant exploit unscathed. The distance to the island -was nearly a mile, and he returned with an answer in about an hour. - -The casualties at the siege were as follows:— - - At the sortie—one killed; private James Hicks: three taken - prisoners,[200] one of whom, private Owen Connor, was wounded. - - In the trenches—four killed; second-corporals Findlay McDonald and - Daniel Niblock, and privates Thomas Penhorwood and Peter Milne; - Sub-Lieutenant Turner, wounded. - - First storm—five killed; privates Samuel Clarke, James Dunn, William - Cormack, Jonathan Millar, and James Morris: one died of wounds, - private Stephen Teaff. - - Second storm—four killed; second-corporal Henry Logan, privates - Peter Walsh, John Flannagan, and Hugh Borland: twenty-nine - wounded, of whom one died, second-corporal William Dodds. - ------ - -Footnote 200: - - Corporal Charles Ford was one of the prisoners. He was of a - respectable family, and had a brother a clergyman in the Church of - England, presiding over the cure of the parish of Kilbeaconty in - Ireland. In an article in the ‘United Service Journal,’ headed, - “Captivity in San Sebastian,” Captain Harry Jones, R.E., who also had - been taken prisoner, alludes to this non-commissioned officer. “In the - course of the day,” he says, “I was asked whether I would like to - speak to a corporal of sappers, who had been made a prisoner during - the sortie. I was delighted at the prospect of seeing one of my old - friends, but was greatly astonished, in the afternoon, by seeing a - fine tall young man, a stranger, walking into the ward, dressed in a - red jacket. He was the first sapper I had seen in the new uniform, as - blue was the colour worn when I was taken prisoner. Upon inquiring - when he joined the army from England, he replied, 'Yesterday morning. - I was put on duty in the trenches last night, and was shortly - afterwards brought into the town by the enemy.'”—‘United Service - Journal,’ 1, 1841, p. 198. - ------ - -Correct particulars of the wounded from the opening of the operations -until the last assault cannot be obtained. The three prisoners taken at -the sortie were returned to the corps on the 8th September. Not allowed, -during their confinement, to throw up cover for their own safety, they -were exposed in the castle, in the yard of the magazine, to all the fury -of the siege. - -On the removal of the troops from St. Sebastian, the fifth company, -second battalion, was left at the fortress. Under the orders of Captain -Frank Stanway, royal engineers, it superintended a body of Spanish -soldiers in reforming and restoring the fortifications. The company -continued so employed for nearly five months after the abdication of -Napoleon, and returned to Woolwich in September, 1814. - -The remaining four companies moved with Lord Wellington’s army, having -in charge the stores and _matériel_ of the department. On the arrival of -the pontoon train at Passages, a strong detachment of the corps was -placed under the direction of Lieutenant Piper, R.E., to assist in the -formation of the required bridges. - -In the passage of the Bidassoa on the 7 th October, the sappers threw a -pontoon bridge across the river near Irun. It was soon afterwards -carried away by the tide; but, on being recovered, was speedily -replaced. - -About three miles higher up the river, at the foot of the Pyrenees, they -also constructed a trestle bridge with a roadway of sleepers, covered by -fascines and earth, under Captain Dickens, R.E. This bridge also was -washed away by the violence of the current, and with it privates Owen -Connor and John Nowlan, who at the time, were under the superstructure, -fastening ropes from the land to the trestles to give stability to the -bridge. Both these intrepid bridgemen, after a hard struggle, gained the -shore. - -The second company, second battalion, under Captain Pitts of the corps, -was present in the action at Vera, and afterwards threw up a line of -breastworks at the gorge of one of the passes through the mountains, and -constructed several other works about the position. - -At the battle of Nivelle, on the 10th of November, the four companies -above mentioned were present but not actively engaged. Two or three -small parties of the corps, however, had the honour of leading a strong -force of the 27th regiment to the storming of a strong redoubt, under -Lieutenant George West, R.E. They took with them long sand-bags, filled -at the instant with fern, which they threw into the ditch; and jumping -upon them, sprang to the parapet and entered the redoubt. Lance-corporal -Edward Councill of the corps, led one of the detachments to the storm -and dashed into the works with the foremost soldier, who was a sergeant -of the 27th regiment. - -On the 11th November the second company, second battalion, threw a -trestle bridge across the Nivelle, below Sarre, constructed from -materials obtained from a farmhouse, under the direction of Captain -Pitts and Sub-Lieutenant Stratton. - -The seventh company, second battalion, being detached to Socoa, to -arrange the hawser bridge for the passage of the Adour, the three -remaining companies were present at the battle of the Nive, and the -actions in front of Bayonne, from the 9th to 13th December. For the -passage of the _corps d’armée_ under Marshal Beresford and Sir Rowland -Hill, the companies threw two bridges at Ustaritz, and repaired the -shattered arches of another bridge at that place and one at Cambo. The -first bridge thrown was made of pontoons under Captain Boteler, R.E., in -which private William Dowling distinguished himself by gallantly -swimming across the river with the sheer line, and securing it to a -picket on the enemy’s side. When striking home his stake, he drew the -fire of some French sentinels upon him, but returned unhurt. The second -bridge resting upon eleven bays, was made by the second company, second -battalion, under Sub-Lieutenant Stratton, directed by Captain Henderson, -R.E., and formed from chance materials collected in the wood and the -village. During the operations, another bridge was thrown by the sappers -over a deep stream with a rapid current, beyond the Nive, and was formed -of wine pipes and barrels, strengthened by two skiffs or chasse-marées, -with a hastily-prepared roadway laid upon them. - -Previous to the battle a few expert swimmers were selected to find the -fords of the Nive, and to note the exact rising and falling of the -tides. Corporal Alexander Jamieson and private William Braid found the -three fords near Cambo. In the passage of the troops these two men, by -appointment, guided the columns of Generals Byng and Barnes across the -stream; and for their coolness and steadiness in executing the service, -were rewarded by the Generals. The former received two doubloons, the -latter one. - -The four companies with the army were reinforced in November, by -forty-nine men under Captain English, royal engineers, from England. On -the 30th of the month, the total number in the south of France, at St. -Sebastian, and Alicant, reached six sub-lieutenants and about 500 -non-commissioned officers and men. The number sick in the different -hospitals amounted to between sixty and seventy. The casualties during -the year were, killed fifteen, deaths thirty-three, missing five, and -invalided thirteen. The head-quarters of the companies with Lord -Wellington’s army, were at Cambo, Ustaritz, and St. Jean de Luz, but the -men were greatly dispersed and variously employed, in making redoubts, -batteries, and entrenchments, and in the preparation of materials and -appliances for the formation of bridges. - -During the year the recruiting was carried on with great spirit. The -number received by enlistment was 431, and by transfer from the militia -334. Six sub-lieutenants, one sergeant-major, and 144 non-commissioned -officers and men, were employed on this service in the United Kingdom -and Ireland. The corps now counted a total strength of 2,373, leaving -still to complete it to the establishment 484 men. - - - - - 1814. - -Wreck of ‘Queen’ transport; humanity of sergeant Mackenzie; heroic - exertions of private M‘Carthy—Quartermaster; Brigade-Major—Santona; - useful services of corporal Hay—Bridge of Itzassu near Cambo—Orthes; - conduct of sergeant Stephens—Toulouse—Bridge of the Adour; duties of - the sappers—Flotilla to form the bridge—Casualties in venturing the - bar—Conduct of the corps in its construction—Bayonne—Expedition to - North America—Return to England of certain companies from the - Peninsula—Company to Holland; its duties; bridge over the Maerk; - Tholen; Port Frederick—March for Antwerp—Action at Merxam—Esprit de - corps—Coolness of sergeant Stevens and corporal Milburn—Distribution; - bridge making—Surprise of Bergen-op-Zoom—Conduct of the sappers, and - casualties in the operation—A mild Irishman—Bravery of corporal - Creighton and private Lomas—South Beveland—Reinforcement to the - Netherlands—Review by the Emperor of Russia—School for companies at - Antwerp—Detachments in the Netherlands, company at Tournai—Movements - of the company in Italy and Sicily—Expedition to Tuscany; party to - Corfu—Canada; distribution of company there, and its active - services—Reinforcement to Canada—Washington, Baltimore, New - Orleans—Notice of corporal Scrafield—Expedition to the State of Maine. - - -Late in December, 1813, sergeant Richard Mackenzie with six invalids and -their wives and children, embarked at Lisbon on board the ‘Queen’ -transport. Separated during a tempest from the convoy, the vessel, after -a dangerous passage, arrived off Falmouth, and entering the harbour, -anchored at about half a mile from the shore to await a fair wind to -sail for Portsmouth. On the 14th of January, at night, a violent storm -arose; and early next morning, the ship, snapping her cable and parting -her anchor, drifted on the rocks off Trefusis Point near Falmouth. The -unabated severity of the wind kept the vessel constantly bumping upon -the rocks, and in a short time the ‘Queen’ broke amidships. As long as -practicable the crew and passengers clung to the gunwale and rigging, -but the long-boat being at last disengaged, numbers crowded into it. -Sergeant Mackenzie was about the last who entered it; and even then, -though the chance of life was hanging upon the prompt effort of the -moment, he caught up a poor orphan boy shivering from cold and fright, -and pushing him into the vessel _first_, followed after, and wedged -himself in the bow of the boat. Without rudder or oars, the boat, -scarcely able to hold the weight she bore, drifted to sea. Masses of the -wreck floated about her and beat against her sides. Shock succeeding -shock soon loosened her timbers, and the bottom giving way, the human -freightage was cast into the sea. In less than two hours, out of 336 -souls, 195 were lost. Two of the number with three women and their -children, belonged to the party of sappers. One was private James -M’Carthy, who had gained the shore on a fragment of the wreck, and -plunging into the sea again, perished in an heroic attempt to save the -wife of a comrade. - -The commissions of Adjutant and Quartermaster, hitherto held by one -officer, were separated in February; and quarter-master-sergeant James -Galloway was promoted to be Quartermaster from the 1st of that month, -with the pay of 8_s._ a-day, and 18_l._ 5_s._ a year for a servant. His -dress and appointments were assimilated to those of the subaltern -officers of royal engineers, with the exception of the head-dress, which -was a cocked-hat, plumed with flowing cock-tail feathers. On the 20th of -December following, the Adjutant, Captain Rice Jones, was advanced to -the staff appointment of Brigade-Major; which rank has ever since been -borne by the chief executive officer of the corps. - -After the passage of the Bidassoa, Captain Wells, with two men of the -eighth company second battalion, marched to Santona to co-operate with -the Gallican, or fourth Spanish army, under General Barco. The historian -of the Peninsular war has stated, that _some_ sappers and miners were -sent to quicken the operations of the Spanish officers, but a French -writer, erring beyond all excuse, has magnified the _two_ men into a -_whole_ battalion.[201] Under their captain, they superintended the -prosecution of various field-works; and on account of his usefulness and -intelligence, lance-corporal Hay was styled assistant engineer. Several -villages in the vicinity of Santona were called upon to supply a certain -number of scaling ladders for the operation, and corporal Hay, furnished -with authority from General Barco, visited those localities, -superintended the making of the ladders, and had them conveyed to the -park. Both the sappers were present in the escalade of the fort of -Puntal on the 13th February, and at the storming of the town and fort of -Laredo on the 21st. Throughout the operations, corporal Hay was -particularly noticed for his ability and zeal. Santona ultimately -capitulated, and the two sappers rejoined their company in front of -Bayonne. - ------ - -Footnote 201: - - Napier’s ‘Peninsular War,’ vi., p. 502, edit. 1840. - ------ - -Early in January ten artificers of the seventh company, first battalion, -assisted by fifty Spanish soldiers, threw a very efficient bridge across -a loop of the river Nive at Itzassu near Cambo, under the direction of -Sub-Lieutenant Calder. The bridge was constructed by order of General -Hill at the request of the Spanish General Morillo, to establish a -communication with the rear and a brigade of his division which had not -crossed the stream. A ferry had formerly existed at the spot by means of -a small canoe which the enemy, in his retreat, had taken the precaution -to sink. It was recovered by the sappers and turned to advantage in the -operation. The site chosen for the bridge was accessible and convenient, -being directly in rear of the division. For some distance along the -shore the north side had a perpendicular face, high and craggy with -projecting ledges; whilst the opposite shore was low and shingly, and -inundated in wet weather. The bed of the river was rocky and uneven, -showing such abrupt variations in its level, that piles or trestles -could not be used for the formation. In some places the depth was 15 -feet; in others not more than 4 or 5. Boats or craft of any kind could -not be procured, and the expedient of a bridge of casks was therefore -resorted to. - -Barrels for the purpose—four feet long by two feet at the swell—were -obtained from a wine manufactory in the village; chestnut planking, -nails and bolts from different houses; trees from the adjacent -plantations to form the framework and shore piles; and bars of iron -grating, taken from the vaults of a country churchyard, were converted -into a chain of 20-inch links, and stretched across the river. This -chain was fastened at one bank to a huge fragment of rock, brought from -a distance by means of a hastily-constructed sledge; and at the other it -was held firmly by one of the ordinary methods. The number of casks -employed in the formation were thirty-five, arranged in five floats or -piers of seven each, two piers being lashed together at each end of the -raft, 18 feet from either shore, and one in the centre with a space -between of 12 feet from either float. The piers were fixed in strong -cradles or frames, and by simple connections each maintained a -reciprocal bearing upon the other. From the low or south shore the raft -was approached by a jetty 120 feet in length, resting on young trees -driven into the soil in a double row, 8 feet wide and 10 feet asunder; -and from the other by a wide gangway supported on a sunken rock, which -was heightened to the required altitude by a pier of stout masonry built -at the moment. The superstructure consisted of planks secured to frames, -and also to baulks longitudinally laid on the floats; and when all was -completed, the bridge was held in position by means of poles, 8 feet in -length, running from the piers and linking to small double chains, which -again were moored to the great chain cable by a series of stout hanger -hooks. The slopes to the raft at each end were easy and natural, and -contrivances were effected which permitted the bridge to ride with the -tide without disarrangement. On both sides a hand-rail was placed for -the convenience of the troops, which gave it a neat and finished -appearance; and though executed with the hurry which a pressing movement -demanded, it was so firmly put together that it fulfilled in every -respect the objects of its construction, without even sustaining a break -from the force of the current or fury of the storm.[202] - ------ - -Footnote 202: - - Manuscript, Royal Engineer Establishment. The details of the - construction of this bridge have been considered sufficiently - interesting to be preserved in a model at the royal engineer - establishment at Chatham. - ------ - -The above company with its sub-lieutenant, and the eighth company, -second battalion, struck camp in February and moved forward with the -army. The former company was attached to the column under Sir Rowland -Hill, and the latter to Marshal Beresford’s. Both companies, numbering -130 of all ranks, were present at the battle of Orthes on the 27th of -February, but their services in the action were of little importance. A -portion of the companies being attached to the pontoon train, assisted -to re-establish the ruined bridge of Berenx during the night of the -26th; and on the 27th, a small party under sergeant Thomas Stephens, who -had distinguished himself in the demolition of the flood-gates at -Flushing, destroyed a barricade in front of a bridge which led into the -town of Orthes. In this little rencontre, sergeant Ninian Melville and -private Samuel Needham were wounded, the latter mortally. - -These companies, still attached to the advancing army, aided in forming -the several pontoon and flying bridges required for the passage of the -troops, both on the march from Orthes and just before the battle of -Toulouse. In this action, fought on the 10th of April, the two companies -were present, but were not required to perform any service worthy of -especial remark. - -During the winter of 1813, the seventh company, second battalion with -Sub-Lieutenant Wallace, was detached to St. Jean de Luz to prepare a -bridge for the passage of the Adour; and early in January, -Sub-Lieutenant Stratton with the second company, second battalion, was -sent to Socoa to hasten its completion. These companies with the -artificers of the guards and staff corps, and large parties of the royal -navy, worked incessantly at the undertaking under the direction of the -engineers.[203] - ------ - -Footnote 203: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges’ ii., p. 107, 2nd edit. - ------ - -In the middle of February, the necessary apparatus and stores being -ready and every preliminary arrangement completed, the greater part of -the two companies were shipped on board the chasse-marées, intended to -form the bridge. In two vessels six sappers were embarked, in others -three, but the majority carried only two, who were destined to cut “away -the waste boards to render the deck level, and also to spike down the -timber, prepared with grooves to receive the cables, the moment the -vessels should be moored.”[204] - ------ - -Footnote 204: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ p. 109. - ------ - -On the night of the 22nd, the flotilla put to sea and encountered some -stormy weather on the passage. In the afternoon of the 24th it neared -the Adour, when the sea, tossed into foaming waves by a driving gale, -wore an aspect of peculiar danger. A high and angry surf being on the -bar and the tide furious, many of the native crews ran below in terror -and refused to navigate their boats. Several fell on their knees and -spent much of their energy in earnest devotion. At length, urged to -their duty by the angry threats of the engineers and sappers, most of -the masters yielded a reluctant but desperate submission, and steering -into the channel, one vessel after another cut through the frightful -breakers and soon gained the position chosen for the bridge. - -This hazardous service was not accomplished without loss to the sappers. -In an instant, one vessel was engulphed on the bar, and second-corporal -Patrick Power and private John M‘Knight, perished. Another vessel had -safely outridden the surf, but was overtaken by an overwhelming wave -that dashed her to pieces. In this wreck, corporal James Gorman and -private William Bunn were washed to the shore, and after several hours' -insensibility and exposure to cold, reached their company in a miserable -plight, the next morning. - -In forming the bridge, the chasse-marées were anchored head and stern, -about 30 feet apart; and as soon as the washboards were cut away and the -grooved timbers spiked to the decks, the cables were stretched across -the vessels from shore to shore, and the planks or superstructure -quickly lashed to them. On the right bank of the river, the ends of the -cables were secured to some 18-pounder guns half buried in the marsh; -and on the left bank were hauled taut by mechanical ingenuity. From the -violent heaving of the vessels it was unsafe to fix the planks in the -intervals between them, but there were not wanting men who thought less -of the danger than the prompt execution of the service. With skill equal -to their assiduity, the companies laboured in completing the bridge, -even working throughout the night, and the structure was fully ready for -the passage of the troops on the 26th of February.[205] The boom was -laid by the navy and completed soon after the bridge. - ------ - -Footnote 205: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ ii., p. 118, 2nd edit. As a reward for their - services, most of the men that belonged to the flotilla received a - guinea and a pair of shoes. - ------ - -Admiral Penrose, in his despatch of 25th February, thus notices the -services of the sappers, “That so many chasse-marées ventured the -experiment, I attribute to their having been one or more sappers placed -in each of them, and a captain and eight lieutenants of engineers -commanding them in divisions.”[206] The Admiral further stated, “that -the sappers not only proved themselves good soldiers, but intrepid -seamen.”[207] Major Todd of the royal staff corps, who assisted in -planning the bridge, informed the author of the ‘Peninsular War,’ “that -he found the soldiers, with minds quickened by the wider range and -variety of knowledge attendant on their service, more ready of resource, -and their efforts, combined by a more regular discipline, of more avail, -with less loss of time, than the irregular activity of the seamen.”[208] -Honourable mention is also made by the great historian of the -intrepidity of the sappers; and in winding up his remarks upon the -operation, he writes, “this stupendous undertaking must always rank -amongst the prodigies of war.”[209] - ------ - -Footnote 206: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ ii., p. 117, 2nd edit. - -Footnote 207: - - Colonel Harry D. Jones, royal engineers. - -Footnote 208: - - Napier’s ‘Peninsular War,’ vi., p. 542, edit. 1840. - -Footnote 209: - - Ibid., p. 543. - ------ - -The subsequent charge of the bridge being confided to the royal staff -corps under Major Todd, the two companies of sappers were removed to -Bayonne to take part in the siege. Including the second company fourth -battalion with sub-lieutenant Millar under Captain Blanshard, R.E., -which arrived from Portsmouth in the ‘Warren’ transport, and landed at -Passages on the 16th March, the royal engineers had collected for the -blockade four sub-lieutenants—Wallace, Gratton, Stratton, and Millar—and -a body of nearly four hundred well-trained sappers and miners,[210] who -were chiefly employed as overseers in conducting the execution of the -required fieldworks. A strong party was on duty in the trenches when the -sortie was made from the citadel on the night of the 14th April, but no -casualties among the men were reported. Throughout the operations the -sappers and miners, from their skill and exertions, gave the highest -satisfaction to their officers. - ------ - -Footnote 210: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ ii., p. 126, 2nd edit. - ------ - -At Bayonne the last blow of the war was struck; for as soon as the news -of Napoleon’s abdication had arrived, hostilities ceased. In May the -five companies at Bayonne and Toulouse marched from their respective -cantonments to Blanquefort and Bordeaux, where they were encamped for a -few weeks awaiting the general evacuation of the country. An expedition -being ordered to proceed to North America, the second company fourth -battalion embarked with it on the 27th May; and the other four -companies, viz., the seventh of the first battalion and the second, -seventh, and eighth of the second battalion, sailed from Poulliac on the -22nd June, and landed at Portsmouth the 10th and 14th July, leaving -fifty-five men sick in France. The casualties in these companies for the -half year were thirty deaths and one missing. - -The sixth company second battalion was removed to Italy in April. The -sixth company first battalion from Cadiz, and the fifth company second -battalion from St. Sebastian, sailed from Spain the latter end of -August, and arrived at Woolwich early in September. These two companies -were with the last troops which left the Peninsula after the close of -the war. - -The fourth company second battalion, counting eighty-two men, with -Sub-Lieutenant T. Adamson under Captain R. Thomson, left Margate with -the expedition under Sir Thomas Graham, and landed at Williamstadt the -18th December, 1813. There the company suffered loss by the accidental -burning of the barracks in which it was quartered. After removing the -stores from the shipping, parties were employed in preparing fascines -and gabions, in bridge-making, constructing a landing place of faggots -for the disembarkation of the cavalry, and in removing the platforms and -heavy mortars from the ramparts at Williamstadt for carriage to Merxam. - -These services being accomplished, the company was distributed to -Klundert, Groat Zundert, Zandaarbuiten, Tholen, Steenbergen, and Fort -Frederic near Lille. Among other duties the detachment at Zandaarbuiten -formed, in a very expeditious manner, a bridge of country-boats over the -river Maerk under two young lieutenants of engineers, which served for -the conveyance of the heaviest artillery. The boats were of different -shapes and sizes, collected for the occasion, and the materials for the -superstructure were of irregular scantling, partly collected in the -neighbourhood and partly felled on the spot.[211] At Tholen a corporal -and eight men under Lieutenant Eyre, R.E., attached to the Prussians, -built a battery on the bank of the river for the protection of a flying -bridge; and at Fort Frederic a party restored a battery for two guns, -which afterwards held an unequal contest with a French eighty-four gun -ship, and prevented her proceeding to Bergen-op-Zoom with provisions. No -less than forty-one, including the commander, were killed and wounded on -board the man-of-war, while the casualties at the battery only amounted -to one killed and two wounded. - ------ - -Footnote 211: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ note C, p. viii., vol. 1. - ------ - -Leaving sixteen men at Tholen and Zandaarbuiten, the remainder of the -company, armed with short swords, felling-axes, saws, &c., and guarding -an establishment of mules drawing about one hundred waggons laden with -intrenching tools, commenced the march for Antwerp. They followed the -royal artillery, and reliefs of twenty men were, by turns, repeatedly -ordered to the front to remove abattis and other obstructions that were -met with on the route. From intense frost and a heavy and continuous -fall of snow blowing in their faces, they encountered many difficulties -and suffered extremely during the journey. - -Merxam being taken on the 2nd February the company and a strong force of -the guards and line, began the erection of batteries to attack the fleet -at Antwerp. By command, no relief was permitted to the sappers, and they -continued on duty for seventy-two hours without intermission. Their -steady labours at the Napoleon battery of sixteen guns, and their skill -in revetting the embrasures, and in attending to the more perilous parts -of the works, were the wonder of both officers and soldiers. Sir Thomas -Graham, in general orders dated Merxam, 5th February, did full justice -to the zeal and exertions of the sappers, and stated, “that they -deserved the highest praise.” Two privates were wounded.[212] - ------ - -Footnote 212: - - Here is a practical exemplification of _esprit de corps_. Whilst - engaged in the attempt to destroy the shipping in the basin of - Antwerp, his Royal Highness Prince William frequently visited the - Napoleon battery with several military officers. On one of those - visits a mounted veteran in the suite of the Prince approached private - John Brennan, and said, “Sapper, will you hold this horse for an old - guardsman?” Brennan, who was very busy at the time with his shovel, - turned his face towards the officer, and feeling that as a sapper he - was two or three removes above a groom, replied, “Egad, sir, I’d - sooner be shot layin' sand-bags.” - ------ - -Sergeant William Stevens and corporal Thomas Milburn distinguished -themselves by their coolness and bravery in superintending the laying of -platforms and making a splinter-proof magazine under a heavy fire. -Recommended by Colonel Carmichael Smyth, the commanding royal engineer, -the former was forthwith appointed colour-sergeant, and soon afterwards -commissioned to a sub-lieutenancy in the corps; and the latter was -promoted to be sergeant. - -After the failure at Antwerp, the head-quarters of the company went into -cantonments at Rosendaal, and parties were detached to Groat Zundert, -Fort Henrick, Calmthout, Eschen, and Brieschaet. At Groat Zundert seven -men under corporal James Hilton conducted some experimental bridging in -the presence of Sir Thomas Graham and Colonel Carmichael Smyth, with the -view of adopting the easiest plan for crossing ditches in future -enterprises. Sir Thomas was struck with the simplicity of the corporal’s -arrangement and the rapidity of its execution; and as a proof of his -approbation gave him a Napoleon. - -On another occasion, that distinguished general took particular interest -in the formation of a ditch bridge and even laboured himself in its -construction. From the unevenness of the banks the baulks did not lie -firmly. Private James McKay was in the act of obtaining the desired -steadiness, when Sir Thomas took a spare spade, cut some sods, and -assisting to place them in the required positions, only gave up when the -work was satisfactorily accomplished. - -In the surprise of Bergen-op-Zoom on the 8th March, parties of the -company were attached to each of the columns appointed for the attack. -There were about forty men in all, who were provided with axes, saws, -and crowbars, and also a few ladders to scale the walls of the fortress. -At about half-past ten o’clock the attack was made. The sappers cut down -the palisades, crossed the ditches, planted the ladders, and leading the -way in the escalade, were the first soldiers on the enemy’s ramparts. -They then pushed forward to remove any obstacle that opposed the advance -of the assailants, and persevered in their several duties till the place -was captured. A reverse, however, awaited the British: the enemy renewed -the attack with unwonted vigour, and in a few hours regained the -fortress. During these extraordinary operations the following casualties -occurred in the detachment: Sub-Lieutenant Adamson was killed by a -cannon-ball on the glacis when advancing. About twelve were wounded, of -whom two mortally—privates John McKeer and James Munro—and ten were -taken prisoners, and conveyed to Fynaart, but shortly afterwards -released. Of the conduct of the sappers in this _coup-de-main_ Colonel -Carmichael Smyth has left it on record, that the company conducted -themselves with the utmost coolness and courage, and the Master-General, -in a letter dated 2nd April, was pleased to express himself highly -satisfied with the zealous conduct of the Royal Sappers and Miners on -the above occasion.[213] - ------ - -Footnote 213: - - The gentle Brennan, about whom an anecdote is told in a previous page, - very reluctantly quitted the ramparts. Finding, that to save himself, - retreat was inevitable, he turned his back on the fortress, and with a - scowl, such only as an Irishman could make, growled out, “Bad luck to - the whole ov yees!” With this mild curse, so unusual in a hot-headed, - free-spoken Milesian, he scampered down the ladder, escaped without - wound or touch, and finally halted, still breathing the anathema, “Bad - luck to the whole ov yees!” The incident is only remarkable for its - freedom from those horrible epithets and curses so common in Irish - execrations. Brennan was applauded for his bravery at the storming by - Captain Robert Thomson, and his subsequent exertions and constancy in - the restoration of the defences of Antwerp and Ypres, where he had - large parties of Hanoverian troops and Dutch peasants under his - superintendence, led to his promotion first to lance-corporal and then - to corporal. - ------ - -The gallant behaviour of corporal James Creighton and private Edward -Lomas is deserving of notice. After breaking through a palisade on the -ramparts, they dashed forward and were challenged by a vigilant -sentinel, who fired and shot Lomas in the thigh and then charged -Creighton. Creighton parried the bayonet with his axe, and, seizing the -Frenchman’s musket, a desperate struggle ensued. The sentinel, who was a -powerful man, at length threw his antagonist violently to the ground, -and stamping his foot on his breast, endeavoured to wrest the firelock -from the corporal’s grasp. His strength spent, Creighton could scarcely -maintain the contest, when Lomas, yet bleeding from his wound, rushed to -the rescue of his comrade and struck the Frenchman with a pole-axe on -the back of his head. The blow was fatal. Lomas now armed himself with -the musket and ammunition of the sentinel, and pressing forward into the -fortress, his resolution and daring were further signalized by his -killing two other Frenchmen, and wounding two more. The latter he -delivered over as prisoners of war to sergeant Thomas Milburn of the -company, first breaking their muskets in their presence, and then -dispossessing them of their accoutrements.[214] Corporal Creighton -followed Lomas in the adventure, but was too much fatigued and weakened -to be of material service. - ------ - -Footnote 214: - - Lomas was discharged in 1816 by reduction, and being a young soldier, - received no pension. Some thirty years afterwards, he applied for a - pension, and his exploits being still remembered, he was granted 6_d._ - a-day. - ------ - -Soon after the reverse at Bergen-op-Zoom, the greater part of the -company was sent to South Beveland and attached to the engineer brigades -of Captains R. Thomson and Oldfield, to be employed in the attack of -Fort Batz. The night that ground was to have been broken news arrived of -peace. The company returned into cantonments at Rosendaal, then changed -its head-quarters to Horst, and in May assembled at Antwerp, where it -remained, with the exception of some small detachments, to the end of -the year. - -In July another company—fourth of the third battalion—under Lieutenant -P. Cole, arrived in that city from Woolwich. It was sent there to assist -in the demolition of its fortifications and arsenal, as, by treaty, it -was decided that Antwerp should only be a commercial port. On the -advice, however, of the Duke of Wellington, who inspected that great -naval depôt on his way to Paris, the operations were suspended. - -While stationed at Antwerp both companies were quartered in the Hotel de -Salm, where the French had established their head-quarters and sapper -barracks. When the Emperor Alexander of Russia visited the city, the two -companies were turned out with the garrison to receive the Czar, and -specially attracted his majesty’s attention. In September the companies, -under the command of Captain Oldfield, were inspected at Antwerp by -Lieutenant-General Clinton, who expressed himself highly pleased with -their appearance. - -The idea that the sappers should be properly educated, led, even in an -enemy’s country, to the establishment of a school for their professional -instruction, and they were permitted the privilege of assisting their -officers in the preparation of projects for the destruction of the docks -and several fronts of fortification. The drill too was strictly attended -to, and to keep up their military spirit and bearing, they were marched -two days a week into the country, and joined the troops at all garrison -parades. Captain Oldfield, the resident engineer, commanded the -companies. - -The strength of the sappers in the Netherlands was now 152. The -sub-lieutenants belonging to them were James Adam and Edward Sanders. -For several months of the year the parties detached were employed at -Liere, Schilde, Graven Wesel, Brussels, Tournai, and Mons. Subsequently -the fourth company, third battalion, was wholly removed to Tournai, and -employed in the repair of the citadel, under the command of Captain W. -D. Smith. - -The sixth company, second battalion, from Tarragona, with Sub-Lieutenant -Gibb, landed at Genoa from the ‘Mercury’ transport on the 4th May; and -on the 11th June following removed to Messina, leaving a small party at -Genoa. Other detachments were also employed at Savona, Palermo, and -Faro. - -Sixteen men of the Maltese company at Palermo were attached to Lord -William Bentinck’s Tuscany expedition, and served at Leghorn, Pisa, and -Lucca from February to April. In the latter month the company of Maltese -sappers at Tarragona was increased to forty-nine men. In May, it landed -at Genoa, and changed its quarters to Palermo in June, where both -detachments were incorporated into a company of 110 strong. In November -seven men of the Maltese sappers were detached to Corfu. - -The third company, third battalion, in Canada retained its head-quarters -at Kingston; but throughout the campaign was much dispersed on various -important duties to York, Point Kerry, Fort Niagara, Snake Island, -Montreal, Ganonoque, Fort Wellington, Prescott, and Bridge Island. -Parties are also traced at the attack and burning of Oswego under -Lieutenant Gossett, and at the assault of Fort Erie under Lieutenant -Phillpotts. In the latter service they received the acknowledgments of -Lieutenant-General Drummond for their ability and exertions. - -A second company—fourth of the fourth battalion—embarked for service in -Canada in April, and disembarked at Quebec from the ‘Belfield’ transport -in June. In August the company was attached to the expedition under Sir -George Prevost, and was present at the attack on Plattsburg, where they -constructed sand-bag batteries, temporary bridges of felled trees, and -planted the ladders against the walls for the storm. Subsequently to the -assault, the company removed to Lacolle, and, after fortifying Ash -Island, wintered at Prescott. During the campaign parties were detached -to Montreal, Cascade-Montmorenci, Isle-aux-Noix, Turkey Point, and -Burtonville. - -Captain Blanshard’s company-second of the fourth battalion—which sailed -from Bayonne on the 27th May, was transhipped in July from the ‘Thames’ -frigate to the ‘Golden Fleece’ transport, and landed at Benedict in the -Patuxent on the 19th August. Marching with the troops, the company of -sixty-two strong was present in the action at Bladensburg on the 24th, -and had three men taken prisoners, two of whom were wounded. At -Washington the company was employed in burning the Senate-house,[215] -President’s palace, War-Office, and other public edifices and -establishments. Fully expecting that the British would fall, as at -Saratoga, a prize to the republic, the President, in the extravagance of -his anticipations, had prepared a sumptuous repast to entertain the -chiefs of the captive British staff; but so singular are the chances of -war, it fell to the lot of the sappers instead of the staff to do -justice to the President’s hospitality. Afterwards the company was -present in the action near Baltimore and at the attack of New Orleans. -In the latter they were joined by the seventh company, first battalion, -with Sub-Lieutenant Calder under Captain A. Emmett, who disembarked from -the ‘Bedford’ and ‘Maria’ transports. Both companies were of great -service during the operations and at the assault. The casualties were -one missing and four wounded—one mortally. - ------ - -Footnote 215: - - Private Henry Scrafield behaved with spirit in overpowering two armed - sentinels in the Senate-house, and taking them prisoners. A more - uncompromisingly independent man perhaps never lived. Once he - complained, in a petition to George IV., of the conduct of an officer, - but it ended without the concession of the redress which he - unwarrantably sought from His Majesty. In February, 1831, he - endeavoured to save the lives of five boys who had fallen into - Mulgrave Reservoir, at Woolwich. An orange had been thrown on the ice - by some reckless fellow, and the unfortunate youths, scrambling after - it, fell into the water. Scrafield was soon on the spot, and at - imminent personal risk, crossed the broken ice on ladders, and, with - ropes and grapnels, succeeded in rescuing the poor boys, but not till - all life had departed. The first youth was got up in ten minutes after - the catastrophe. For his judgment and intrepidity on the occasion he - was promoted to be second-corporal, and the Royal Humane Society - granted him a pecuniary reward. Pensioned in November, 1833, he - afterwards obtained a lucrative situation on a railway, and died at - Bletchington, of cholera, in September, 1849. - ------ - -A party of one colour-sergeant and six men under Captain Nicolls, from -Halifax, Nova Scotia, was attached to the expedition under Sir John -Sherbrooke, and served, in August and September, at the capture of Moose -Island, Castine, and Belfast, in the State of Maine. - - - - - 1815. - -Siege of Fort Boyer—Alertness of company on passage to New - Orleans—Return of the sappers from North America—Services and - movements of companies in Canada—Also in Nova Scotia—Captures of - Martinique and Guadaloupe—Services and movements of companies in - Italy—Maltese sappers disbanded—Pay of Sub-Lieutenants—Ypres—Increase - to sappers' force in Holland; its duties and detachments; notice of - sergeant Purcell—Renewal of the war—Strength of the corps sent to the - Netherlands—Pontoneers—Battle of Waterloo—Disastrous situation of a - company in retreating—General order about the alarm and the - stragglers—Sergeant-major Hilton at Brussels—Notice of lance-corporal - Donnelly—Exertions of another company in pressing to the - field—Organization of the engineer establishment in France—Pontoon - train—Magnitude of the engineer establishment; hired drivers; Flemish - seamen—Assault of Peronne, valour of Sub-lieutenant Stratton and - lance-corporal Councill—Pontoon bridges on the Seine—Conduct of corps - during the campaign—Corporal Coombs with the Prussian army—Usefulness - of the sappers in attending to the horses, &c., of the department in - France—Domiciliary visit to Montmartre. - - -In February of this year nine men were present at the siege of Fort -Boyer, near Mobile, and their services on the occasion have been cited -as a remarkable proof of the utility of the corps. Sir Charles Pasley -thus writes concerning the party:—“The first night of the operations -soldiers of the line only were employed. From a want of skill and -experience in the nature of the duties required of them, and there being -very few engineer officers to direct, they collected in groups, instead -of being spread out as they ought to have been. Consequently, out of one -small party of twenty men, fourteen were killed and wounded by a single -discharge of grape-shot; and such confusion ensued, that very little -progress was made in the course of that night. On the second night of -the siege, the small party of sappers was employed in addition to the -troops of the line. By the assistance of these few men the officers of -engineers were enabled to regulate their working party to so much -advantage, that before morning they had completed a parallel of 200 -yards in extent within 50 yards of the enemy’s works, besides approaches -in advance, which, being filled with sharpshooters, the Americans were -unable to show themselves at their guns, and the fort surrendered. It is -proper to explain, that as the army sailed from the Mississippi in -divisions, the main body of the royal engineer department had not -arrived at the period of the attack. The nine men who so particularly -distinguished themselves happened to be on the spot before the others, -because, being all carpenters by trade, they had been lent to the -Admiral to repair the boats of the fleet.”[216] One private was -wounded.[217] - ------ - -Footnote 216: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ i., note D, p. x. - -Footnote 217: - - ‘London Gazette.’ - ------ - -After a detention of about six weeks from contrary winds, the eighth -company, second battalion, with Sub-Lieutenant P. Johnston under Captain -Harry D. Jones, cleared the channel on the 25th December and sailed for -New Orleans. While off Madeira, the company was served out with the -serviceable carbines and blunderbusses belonging to the transport, and -drilled to the use of the carronades on board. These measures were -necessary from the presence of American vessels and privateers hovering -about the convoy. The company was consequently kept perpetually on the -alert until it landed at Dauphine Island on the 28th February, too late -to take part in the war. - -Hostilities closed in North America with the capture of Fort Boyer, and -the three companies with the force under Major-General Lambert, -re-embarked at Dauphine Island for England in March. The eighth company, -second battalion, returned to the ‘Dawson’ transport, and the other two -companies were put on board the ‘Hyperion,’ and all arrived at Woolwich -in June following. - -The two companies in Canada were continually on the move fortifying the -frontiers. The third of the third battalion maintained its head-quarters -at Kingston; and the fourth of the fourth battalion commenced the year -at the Holland River. It was next removed to Penetanguishine Harbour, -where half of the company under Captain W. R. Payne, completed the -military arrangements for establishing a naval depôt. It then proceeded -to York; afterwards to Fort George, Sandwich, and Drummond’s Island, on -Lake Huron. From one or other of the companies, parties were thrown out -to Fort Niagara, Turkey Point, Amherstberg, Fort Wellington, Montreal, -Coteau de Lac, and Lower Canada. In carrying on the various duties of -the department, the sappers, who were employed as overseers of military -working-parties, were found of great advantage.[218] During the year, -eighteen men deserted from the companies, most of whom were seduced from -their allegiance by sergeant Robert Hunter of the corps. When he headed -the deluded party into the States, he was off Fort Grochett, River St. -Clair, on his way from Sandwich to Machinac’, Lake Huron. - ------ - -Footnote 218: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ i., note B, page vi. - ------ - -From the company at Halifax detachments were sent on particular duties -to the harbour posts, but chiefly to the works at Sherbrooke’s Tower on -Manger’s Beach. - -On the 2nd March, one sergeant and eight rank and file embarked at -Barbadoes for special service under Captain A. Brown, R.E. On the 28th -May, the party was increased to thirty-three men of all ranks, and was -present with the force under Lieutenant-General Sir James Leith at the -captures of Martinique on the 5th June, and Guadaloupe on the 9th -August. In the latter attack the sappers were engaged with the artillery -at the guns. The head-quarters of the sappers were then changed from -Barbadoes to Guadaloupe; and the establishment of the corps in the West -India command was reduced from two companies to one. - -The sixth company, second battalion, and sixty men of the Maltese -sappers at Messina, embarked at Milazzo on the 17th May and landed at -Naples on the 27th. On the 2nd July following they re-embarked, and -arrived at Genoa on the 11th of that month. There the Maltese sappers -were reinforced by the landing of the remainder of the company from -Messina on the 18th October. The number of the whole reached 101 men, -including the small party which rejoined the company from Corfu in -April. Throughout the year, detachments of the sixth company, second -battalion, were maintained at Palermo and Faro; and a party of two -sergeants and nineteen rank and file, sent on a secret expedition, was -afterwards on duty for a few months at Milan and Marseilles. - -Under a royal warrant, dated 5th October, the two companies of Maltese -sappers stationed at Malta and Gozo, were disbanded; and the war -company—retained for general service—was assimilated in all essential -respects to the royal sappers and miners. The establishment of the -company was fixed at one sub-lieutenant, five sergeants, five corporals, -five second-corporals, three drummers, and seventy privates; and its -strength was sustained, from time to time, by transfers of Britons, -Maltese, Sicilians, and Italians—all properly-qualified artificers—from -the regiments serving in the Mediterranean. The designation of the -company—“Maltese Sappers and Miners”—assumed in 1813 for the sake of -uniformity, was confirmed by the warrant, and the colour of the dress -was changed from blue to red. - -On the representation of four sub-lieutenants, the regimental allowances -of officers of that rank were brought under consideration. On active -duty the pay was found to be inadequate to meet the requirements of the -service. In the Peninsula, the officers with the army had to endure much -hardship, and were continually menaced with pecuniary difficulties and -embarrassments. Aware of these facts, Lieutenant-Colonel Burgoyne and -Major Rice Jones backed the appeal by forcible recommendations to -Lieutenant-General Mann, and on the 9th November the Prince Regent was -pleased to increase the pay of the sub-lieutenants from 5_s._ 7_d._ to -6_s._ 7_d._ a-day. - -In January the fourth company, second battalion, moved from Antwerp to -Ypres, where they were quartered in the bishop’s palace and adjoining -convent, which had been sacrilegiously converted by the French into an -engineer establishment. The defences of Ypres had not been repaired -since the fortress was taken by the French in 1794. Two considerable -breaches were in the body of the place and the various outworks were in -a dilapidated condition. The officers of engineers and the company were -employed in restoring the works to a state to resist a field attack or a -coup-de-main. This last contingency, however, was not calculated upon -until Napoleon had regained the capital and the royal family fled to the -frontier. The startling intelligence was announced to the resident -engineer—Captain Oldfield—at six o’clock one evening, and by the same -hour next morning, parties of sappers under two officers of engineers -had opened the sluices and covered, with inundations, the two breaches -on the Bailleul front. Immediately after, large military parties under -the direction of the sappers and the officers of royal engineers -commenced the work of strengthening the fortress, and further assisted -by labourers of all ages intermixed with stout women and sturdy girls -from the town and adjacent villages, the fortress was renewed with -singular despatch. Sub-Lieutenant Adam, who was appointed assistant -engineer, superintended the restoration of the body of the place near -the Lille gate and the outworks in front of the Menin and Dixmude gates; -he also attended to the repairs of the communication boats and bridges, -barriers, posterns, &c. With the exception of the sappers, the garrison -was entirely composed of foreign troops who could not speak a word of -English, and as the sappers had only mastered a few elementary snatches -of the Flemish language, the duty of superintendence was not -accomplished without difficulty. - -To the force in Holland was added the fifth company, second battalion, -which embarked at Woolwich on the 2nd January, and landed at Antwerp the -same month. This company and two others already there, were employed for -several months in improving the defences of the frontiers of the -Netherlands, particularly at Ypres, Tournay, Mons, Menin, Dendermond, -Ath, Namur, Charleroi, and Brussels. The various works were subdivided -amongst the non-commissioned officers and privates, each of whom was -held responsible for the proper execution of the work intrusted to his -superintendence. The peasants and women under the direction of each -counted from 20 to 100, and even more, according to circumstances.[219] -Sergeant John Purcell had from 300 to 400 _women_ under his orders at -Ypres; and from some winning peculiarity in his mode of command, -obtained from their willing obedience and energies an amount of labour -that was almost astonishing. No less than about 1,800 peasants and 2,000 -horses were engaged in these works, and, by all accounts, they were -conducted with the greatest regularity and despatch. Sir Charles Pasley -attributes no inconsiderable credit to the sappers for their assistance -in the general services of the frontier;[220] and the Master-General, -the Earl of Mulgrave, in a letter dated 4th April, expressed his “warm -approbation of their zeal and exertions.” The Duke of Wellington also on -visiting the frontier, awarded similar praise to the officers and -sappers, particularly for their efficient labours at Ypres. - ------ - -Footnote 219: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ i., note B, p. vi. - -Footnote 220: - - Ibid. - ------ - -Meanwhile Napoleon, breaking his captivity in Elba, reappeared in -France, and wherever he journeyed, was enthusiastically welcomed by his -former legions. As by a spell, the army gathered under the wings of his -eagles, and again lifted him into the imperial seat from which he had -been so recently expelled. Europe was once more thrown into commotion by -the event, and to crush the lofty hopes and pretensions of an -intolerable ambition, war was at once declared by the Allies against the -usurper. - -At the instance of the Duke of Wellington,[221] who requested “the whole -corps of sappers and miners” to be sent to Brussels to join his Grace’s -force, seven companies of the corps, instructed in their art, were -hurried off to Ostend between the 24th March and 10th June, and -distributed with all possible haste to those frontier posts and -fortresses in the Netherlands that most required their services. Those -companies were the - - Third and sixth of the first battalion; - Second and eighth of the second battalion; - First and seventh of the third battalion; and - First of the fourth battalion: - -and they were employed in constructing indispensable fieldworks, or -improving the fortifications at Ostend, Ghent, Nieuport, Tournay, -Oudenarde, Boom, Escaneffe, Antwerp, Lille, Liefkenshoek, and Hal. Not -less than 20,000 civil labourers with very strong military parties, were -employed on the line of works extending from Ostend to Mons, and it was -due to the intelligent manner in which the sappers carried out the -duties of overseers, that this important field operation was so -efficiently executed. Hal was the depôt from which the engineer brigades -were equipped. The three companies in the Low Countries, before the -campaign opened, were the fourth and fifth of the second battalion, and -the fourth of the third battalion. The total strength of the whole ten -companies reached the following numbers:— - - Sub- Second - Lieuts. Sergeants. Corporals. Corporals. Drummers. Privates. Total. - —— —— —— —— —— —— ——— - 10 35 32 42 19 644 782[222] - -The Sub-Lieutenants were A. Ross, J. Sparks, W. Stratton, P. Johnston, -W. Knapp,[223] J. Armstrong, A. Turner, C. Gratton, J. Adam, and E. -Sanders. - ------ - -Footnote 221: - - ‘Wellington Dispatches,’ viii., p. 18, edit. 1847. - -— - -Footnote 222: - - Corroborated, by the official State on the 18th June, 1815. See - ‘Gurwood,’ vol. viii., App. xiii., p. 392, edit. 1847. - -Footnote 223: - - Died at Tournay, 16th June, 1815. - ------ - -In order that the organizations of every description with the army -should be as complete as forethought could make them, the Duke of -Wellington recommended the employment of two companies of seamen as -pontoneers. No exertions were omitted to give effect to his Grace’s -wishes, and 200 hardy man-o'-war’s men, with Captain Charles Napier, -R.N., at their head, were speedily embarked in the ‘Euryalus’ to join -the army as bridgemen for the campaign. Meanwhile the Duke, who was -unaware of the extensive character of the instruction imparted to the -sappers at Chatham, was informed, that the companies of the corps in the -Netherlands had, for the most part, been trained in the art of -constructing military bridges, and had acquired an expertness in all the -details and management of floating equipments under the careful tuition -of Lieutenant-Colonel Pasley, that promised to equal the most gigantic -requirements of the service. His Grace, only too glad to learn this -agreeable intelligence, revoked his original intention, countermanded -the landing of the seamen, and thus the duty of forming the bridges for -the passage of rivers, was wholly confined to the royal sappers and -miners.[224] - ------ - -Footnote 224: - - ‘Wellington Dispatches,’ edit. 1847, (2 & 12 May,) pp. 55, 81. - ------ - -At the battle of Waterloo the royal sappers and miners were not engaged. -Three companies, however, were brought conveniently near to act in the -event of their services being needed; and two companies with the -pontoons, were quartered at Malines. Of the former companies, the first -company, fourth battalion, is considered to have behaved with discredit -in quitting the field without sufficient reason, and losing, in the -precipitancy and confusion of the march, its baggage and field -equipment. But the stigma seems to have been attached to the company -without an adequate investigation of the circumstances under which the -retreat was imperatively resorted to. - -The details of the affair are as follows:—On the 17th June the company -moved from Hal by Braine-la-leud towards Waterloo, marching the whole of -the night, and was on the position when the action commenced on the -morning of the 18th. After a time, it was ordered to the rear by Major -Sir George Hoste, and accordingly it marched to the furthest end of the -village of Waterloo under Lieutenant W. Faris and Sub-Lieutenant R. -Turner. There the company remained till between three and four o’clock -P.M., when Lieutenant C. K. Sanders, R.E., joined it. About this time a -brigade of Hanoverian artillery and cavalry, and several of the British -cavalry, were retiring. The latter had vainly laboured to penetrate the -retreating crowds, and informed Lieutenant Sanders that the French were -at the other end of the village. In a wood on the right, discharges of -musketry were heard, and both officers and men, who hurried away from -the battle, corroborated the general testimony, that the enemy not only -had possession of the wood, but in a short time would cut off the -British from the road. Still incredulous of the alarming rumours which -reached him, Lieutenant Sanders sought more decisive information as to -the reported advantages of the French, and at length, satisfied with the -additional affirmations of hundreds of officers and soldiers, who -threatened in their flight to overrun the company, he at once ordered it -to retire. The circumstances fairly justified this step. But the company -had not proceeded far before it was unavoidably thrown into difficulties -and disorder. To relieve itself from the masses was impossible. Driven -in rear, and encompassed by overwhelming numbers of different regiments, -it was borne along at a very rapid rate, in the vortex of the confusion. -By the presence of cavalry and cannon, and of capsized waggons and -baggage, its march was interrupted and its files broken. Many of the -men, therefore, who could not keep up were dispersed among the -fugitives; the brigade of waggons, stopped by insuperable obstructions -on the road, was abandoned, and the company thus routed lost many of its -knapsacks and most of its intrenching tools, baggage, and horses.[225] -Such are the facts of this ill-understood affair, which deserve to be -viewed more with regret than animadversion; but Colonel Carmichael -Smyth, jealous of the honour of the corps, and feeling this apparent -taint upon its character, was highly displeased, and refused to -recommend the officers and men of the company for the Waterloo honours -and advantages.[226] - ------ - -Footnote 225: - - To show how serious was the alarm, and how great the number of - fugitives, the following extract from general orders, dated Nivelles, - 20th June, 1815, will fully testify:— - - “3. The Field Marshal has observed that several soldiers, and even - officers, have quitted their ranks without leave, and have gone to - Bruxelles, and even some to Antwerp, where, and in the country through - which they have passed, they have spread a false alarm, in a manner - highly unmilitary and derogatory to the character of soldiers. - - “4. The Field Marshal requests the General Officers commanding - divisions in the British army, and the General Officers commanding the - corps of each nation of which the army is composed, to report to him - in writing, what officers and men (the former by name) are now, or - have been, absent without leave since the 16th instant. - - “5. The Field Marshal desires that the 14th article of the 14th - section of the Articles of War may be inserted in every orderly book - of the British army, in order to remind officers and soldiers of the - punishment affixed by law to the crime of creating false - alarms.”—‘Gurwood,’ viii., p.156, edit. 1847. - - Nearly 2000 men were returned “missing,” the greater number of whom - were said to have gone to the rear with wounded officers and - soldiers.—'Gurwood, viii., p.151, edit. 1847. But the probability is, - that very few of this strength returned into the battle, but, worked - upon by the alarm, helped to swell the force of the renegades. Under - the circumstances, the retreat of the company of sappers is fairly - exonerated, pressed as it was by masses of troops of all nations, who - fled from the field in infamous haste and terror. - - It is right to go a step further, and show what was the effect of the - alarm at Brussels—24 miles away from the position; and thus notice the - conduct of one who should be recognized in these pages. Some hours - before the company arrived at Brussels, the panic was so complete, - that the inhabitants flew in all directions from the horrors of an - anticipated calamity, and not a few of the soldiers quartered in the - place swelled the rout. Sergeant-major Hilton in charge of a - detachment of sappers, prepared for the worst by packing the plans, - charts, &c., of the engineer department, and also the military baggage - of the commanding royal engineer. As all his own drivers had - disappeared, he harnessed a couple of horses in readiness to move - should necessity force him. A Belgic servant of Colonel Carmichael - Smyth’s, who had been in the French service, ought to have assisted, - but showing signs of treachery, an altercation ensued, in which, to - save himself from the cut of a sabre, the sergeant-major wounded the - shins of the Belgian with a stroke from a crowbar. Expecting no aid - from this faithless foreigner, the sergeant-major looked about for - more reliable intelligence respecting the rumoured reverse at - Waterloo. While doing so the Commandant of Brussels accosted him, - which led to his explaining the course he intended to pursue to - preserve the plans, &c., from falling into the hands of the enemy. - After remarking that there was no fear of the French reaching the - city, the Commandant desired him to order the provost, with all the - disposable men of his guard, to wait upon him immediately at the Rue - Royale. Sergeant Hilton promptly complied; but the provost—this - paragon of order and discipline—could not be found; and his irresolute - men were only too desirous of following in the wake of the winged - crowd. At last about nine of the guard accompanied the sergeant-major - to the Rue Royale, where the Commandant ordered him to station the men - across the road leading to Antwerp. “Stop every waggon,” he roared, - furious at the insane sight that everywhere met his gaze, “and run any - one through who attempts to pass in violation of your orders!” The - terror of the citizens was at its highest, soldiers of every country - were pouring into the capital; all was confusion and haste; the - streets were lined with vehicles in endless variety, and each owner - was striving to out-ride his neighbour in the frantic chase. It - required to be firm at such a time, and the sergeant-major, quite as - stern as the Commandant, drew his sword, and opposing himself and his - small guard to the onward movement of the vans, stemmed with - difficulty the flight. Quickly the horses were withdrawn from the - shafts, to prevent the possibility of whipping them forward; and - turning a waggon with its broadside to the stream, the outlet was thus - partially closed. So great now was the pressure from behind that - waggon drove on waggon, and smashing in the roadway, the passage was - at length blocked up with an impenetrable barricade, which effectually - checked the efflux of the fugitives to Antwerp, and calmed the - agitation of the people. - -Footnote 226: - - The only soldier of the corps actually in the battle was - lance-corporal Henry Donnelly, who was orderly to Captain and - Brigade-Major, now Major-General Oldfield, K.H. He was present on the - 17th and 18th, and Colonel Carmichael Smyth, who was seriously - indisposed on the night of the 17th, was much indebted to him for his - care and attention. His claim to a medal was warmly advocated by the - Major, who testified to his presence in the field for two days, but - Colonel Smyth never would allow that he was entitled to it. At the - final rejection of his just right corporal Donnelly was so much - affected, that shortly after he went into hospital, and died on the - 25th July, 1817. - - The claim of corporal Donnelly had been officially recognized at one - time in the following order by the officer commanding his company:— - - “Company orders. Argenteuil, August 6, 1815. In consequence of private - Henry Donnelly being present at the battle of Waterloo, he is entitled - to two years advance of service. He will therefore be mustered - according to the regulations of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, - dated 29th July, 1815.—(Signed) ED. COVEY, Lieutenant Royal - Engineers.” And he was so mustered until July 1816, when Colonel Smyth - ordered its discontinuance, making at the same time these - remarks:—“The sapper in question rode out a horse of Major Oldfield’s - on the 17th, and returned to Brussels on the morning of the 18th, - without having seen an enemy or heard a shot fired. He was in Brussels - during the actions of the 16th and 18th; and under these circumstances - I should have been guilty of a dereliction of duty to have certified - that he was entitled to a medal, and which he could hardly have worn - on the parade of his company, in preference to the very good - non-commissioned officers and men of that company, who have constantly - done their duty much to my satisfaction and their own credit; and who - could not but have felt aggrieved to have seen a mark of distinction - bestowed upon private Donnelly without his having in any way deserved - it.” - ------ - -Another company ordered to Waterloo on the 18th June, gained much praise -for its firmness and regularity in pushing up to the field. This was the -eighth company, second battalion, under Sub-Lieutenant Patrick Johnston. -At 2 o’clock on the morning of the 18th it marched from Antwerp, and on -arrival at Brussels Lieutenant Johnston, finding that the captain of the -company as well as the commanding royal engineer and his staff were in -the field, at once moved on for Waterloo. Crowds of wounded soldiers, -anxious runaways, dismantled waggons and cannon, greatly impeded the -march. From all he met he received the most discouraging advice, but -amid the general panic and the numerous obstacles he had to contend -with, he resolutely pursued his march and reached the village of -Waterloo at 4 o’clock P.M., in a state that reflected great credit upon -the discipline and perseverance of the company. Late in the evening, -after firing had ceased, as there were many inducements to plundering -and straggling, Lieutenant Johnston withdrew the company a short -distance on the Brussels road, and placed it in an empty barn till next -morning, when it commenced its march for Paris. In applauding the -company for its steadiness and order under trying circumstances, Colonel -C. Smyth alluded in a particular manner to the meritorious conduct of -Lieutenant Johnston. Neither the officer nor his men were considered -entitled to the Waterloo medal and extra service; and for several years -afterwards many of the company claimed these advantages with -unprecedented pertinacity, but without effect. - -“The experience of former defects in the Peninsula,” wrote -Lieutenant-Colonel Pasley, “led to the more perfect organization of the -field establishment of the royal engineer department.” On the 20th June -orders to effect the arrangement were issued by Colonel C. Smyth. “ -Every division of the army had one engineer’s brigade attached to it; -each brigade consisting of a complete company of well-trained sappers -and miners, with drivers, horses and waggons carrying entrenching tools -sufficient to employ a working party of 500 men, besides a proportion of -artificers' tools, and other engineer stores.”[227] The number of -companies so distributed was six. “A captain and a certain number of -subaltern officers were attached to each brigade, and were responsible -for the discipline of the men and efficiency of the horses,” &c.[228] - ------ - -Footnote 227: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ i., note F, p. xii. - -Footnote 228: - - Ibid. - ------ - -Four companies were attached to the pontoon train, “which,” according to -the same authority, “consisted of eighty pontoons, besides -store-waggons, &c., and was drawn by nearly 800 horses, the whole being -under the command of Brevet-Major Tylden of the engineers, assisted by a -due proportion of captains and subalterns of the same corps.”[229] The -second company, fourth battalion, under Sub-Lieutenant Samuel M‘Lean, of -sixty-seven total, having joined the army from England soon after the -disposition, was also added to the pontoon train. - ------ - -Footnote 229: - - Ibid. - ------ - -The total of the engineer establishment with the army and in the -Netherlands, under the command of about sixty officers of engineers, -amounted to 10 sub-lieutenants and 838 soldiers of the royal sappers and -miners, and, adds Lieutenant-Colonel Pasley, “550 drivers in charge of -160 waggons, pontoon carriages included, and more than 1,000 horses.” -Besides medical officers and other non-combatants, and a large force of -peasants employed on the works, “a small number of Flemish seamen, -accustomed to rivers and coasting navigation, was attached to each -division of the pontoon train.”[230] The hired drivers, paid at 1_s._ -6_d._ a-day each and rations, were provided with a uniform of grey -clothing, having red cuffs and collars to their round jackets; and the -Flemish seamen, receiving each an allowance of 2_s._ a-day and rations, -were dressed like British sailors, having on the front of their low -glazed caps, painted in white, the word “Pontoneer.” - ------ - -Footnote 230: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ i., note F, p. xii. - ------ - -All the companies of the corps moved with the army towards Paris, -leaving a few small detachments dispersed in Flanders. The second -company, second battalion, attached to the first division, was present -at the capture of Peronne on the 26th June under Sub-Lieutenant W. -Stratton and two captains of engineers. The ladders used on the occasion -were collected in the neighbourhood, but being too short were lashed -together. The company had the honour of leading the brigade of guards to -the assault,[231] and behaved remarkably well.[232] Preceding the -column, they threw a number of fascines and faggots, hastily prepared by -them, into the ditch of the hornwork, and thus enabled the troops to -pass its swampy bottom into the body of the place.[233] A party of the -company advanced under a heavy fire to force the main entrance. No -ladders were carried with it, nor any sledge-hammers or instruments by -which to force it open. Daring men were in the batch, and their first -impulse, forlorn as it was, urged them to mount the gate. Lieutenant -Stratton and lance-corporal Edward Councill soon gained the top, and -tearing themselves over the spikes which crowned it, jumped into the -place, tore down the fastenings, and pulling the gate open, admitted the -troops. In leading the stormers into the work, Captain Alexander -Thompson, R.E., and Lieutenant Stratton were severely wounded, as also -two men of the company. Corporal Councill was dangerously wounded in the -breast. - ------ - -Footnote 231: - - Ibid, i., note D, p. ix. - -Footnote 232: - - ‘Wellington Dispatches,’ viii., p. 176, edit. 1847. - -Footnote 233: - - Colonel Carmichael Smyth’s ‘Plans of attack upon Antwerp,’ &c., p. 9, - and plan. - ------ - -For the passage of the army to Paris, a pontoon bridge was thrown over -the Seine at Argenteuil early in July. Twenty pontoons were employed in -its formation, and also some trestles, which were placed next to the -banks of the river. On its completion, the Duke of Wellington, who was -present during the greater part of the operation, first passed over -leading his horse, and then the whole army with its artillery and -baggage. - -From the acute winding of the Seine it was again necessary to pass the -troops over the river, and a pontoon bridge similar to the one laid at -Argenteuil was thrown at Aniers. The fifth company, second battalion, -and seventh company, third battalion, constructed these bridges. Some -Flemish seamen assisted in their formation, confining their exertions -chiefly to mooring the pontoons. Skilful as they were as sailors, their -want of previous training as pontoneers, rendered them far less -serviceable than the royal sappers and miners.[234] The bridges were -maintained for some months on the Seine, facilities being afforded for -continuing the navigation without interruption. For this purpose an -opening was made in the centre of each bridge, and when required to be -re-established for the passage of the troops, the floating rafts were -lashed in their places and removed again when the occasion was served. A -sufficient detachment under Sub-Lieutenant James Adam was posted for a -season at Chatou, to attend to a similar duty at the bridge thrown there -by the Russians. Three companies with forty pontoons were also stationed -at Epinay. - ------ - -Footnote 234: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ i., note F, p. xii. - ------ - -After the capture of Paris, the Earl of Mulgrave, then Master-General of -the Ordnance, in a letter dated 11th July, expressed his high -appreciation of the zealous, able, and beneficial exertions of the -officers and soldiers of the corps during the successful progress of the -campaign; and also of the services of the officers and men at the -different fortresses. - -Corporal Joseph Coombs, of the fourth company, second battalion, -detached to Maubeuge on the 23rd July, under Captain Harding, royal -engineers, was present at the sieges of Philipville, from the 7th to -18th August, and Rocroy on the 15th and 16th following. He was with the -army commanded by Prince Augustus of Prussia, and was the only British -sapper engaged. On leaving that army in October, Captain Harding said -that the corporal had conducted himself extremely well, and was both -intelligent and active in the different services in which he had been -employed. - -During the year a number of hired drivers deserted. They were generally -ignorant of their duties and many of them of bad character. To take care -of the horses was the principal object of the chief engineer and his -officers. Obtaining an equal number of foreign drivers to replace the -vacancies occasioned by desertion, afforded no promise of advantage or -improvement. It was, therefore, determined, to make an experiment by -appointing the royal sappers and miners to the duty. Accordingly, the -number of men required was attached to the horses, and “from their -peculiar habits of zeal and exertion, they made no difficulty of -reconciling themselves to the novel occupation of grooms and drivers.” -The experiment was eminently successful. “The horses were kept efficient -and in proper condition;” and, “but for this measure, a number of -valuable horses must have been ruined, and the pontoon train, as well as -the engineers' brigades, by degrees, have become totally -unserviceable.”[235] - ------ - -Footnote 235: - - Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ i., note F, p. xii. - ------ - -At Paris the sappers were called upon to perform a domiciliary visit to -the capital, which probably is the only instance on record of British -soldiers being so employed in an enemy’s country. The Duke of Wellington -having been informed that arms were carried nightly into Paris from -Montmartre, desired Sir Thomas Brisbane, commanding the seventh division -of the army, to order Captain Harry Jones, R.E., to take the company of -sappers attached to the division, with such tools as might be necessary, -and examine rigidly every part of Montmartre where it was probable arms -might be concealed. The officer commanding the troops stationed within -the intrenchments, had orders not to allow any person to pass out, until -Captain Jones had completed his examination. The sappers were employed -nearly the whole day in making the search. Every cellar, house, and -garden was examined; no place where it was possible to conceal arms was -unexplored, but the result was unsuccessful. No doubt, however, existed, -that the information communicated to the Duke of Wellington was well -founded. - - - - - 1816-1818. - -Movements in France—Return of six companies from thence to - England—Strength of those remaining, and detachments from them—St. - Helena—Return of company from Italy—Disbandment of the war company of - Maltese sappers—Battle of Algiers—Conduct of corps at - Valenciennes—Instances in which the want of arms was felt during the - war—Arming the corps attributable to accidental circumstances—Training - and instruction of the corps in France—Its misconduct—But - remarkable efficiency at drill—Municipal thanks to companies - at Valenciennes—Dress—Bugles adopted—Reduction in the - corps—Sub-Lieutenants disbanded—Withdrawal of companies from certain - stations—Relief of company at Barbadoes—Repairing damages at St. - Lucia; conduct of the old West India company—Corfu—Inspection of corps - in France—Epaulettes introduced—Sordid conduct of four men in refusing - to wear them—Murder of private Milne, and consequent punishment of - corps in France by the Duke of Wellington—Return of the sappers from - France. - - -After the capitulation of Paris, the royal sappers and miners were -encamped in the vicinity of the city. Late in the year they were removed -to other stations on the northern frontiers of France; and until the -formation of the army of occupation, were constantly changing their -quarters and furnishing detachments for particular services at different -places. - -To meet the arrangements for reducing the army in France, six companies -quitted the country for England in January. Four embarked at Boulogne -and two at Calais. The former arrived at Woolwich on the 9th February -and the latter on the following day. - -Five companies remained with the army of occupation and were attached to -divisions as follows:— - - 1st division 8th com., 2nd batt. Sub-Lieut. P. Johnston. - 2nd division 1st com., 3rd batt. Sub-Lieut. W. Stevens. - 3rd division 4th com., 2nd batt. Sub-Lieut. J. Adam. - Pontoon train { 2nd com., 4th batt. Sub-Lieut. S. M‘Lean, - { 5th com., 2nd batt. Sub-Lieut. C. Gratton. - -Their united strength counted 435 of all ranks, and they were quartered -at Valenciennes, Raismes, Cantain, Bellain, St. Amand, Pernes, Denain, -and Houdain. These places were the chief stations of the corps until its -removal from France in 1818. Parties were also detached to Cambrai, St. -Pol, and other places. Raismes was the head-quarters of the pontoon -train. Each company attached to the train had twenty pontoons with -stores and waggons in charge. The second company, fourth battalion, was -attached to the right bridge of the train, and the fifth company, second -battalion, to the left. The former bridge was permanently stationed at -Raismes, but the latter was repeatedly moved from village to village for -service and instruction, making its chief halts at Raismes and Aubry. - -On the 26th January the seventh company, fourth battalion, of -forty-eight total under Sub-Lieutenant A. Wallace followed Napoleon to -St. Helena, and landed from the ‘Phaeton’ frigate on the 13th April. -Major Emmett, R.E. took command of the company on its arrival. In -carrying on the duties of the island the men were much detached and -separated. Many acted as overseers of the Chinese and line workmen, and -were found very useful in their several occupations. The headquarters -were at St. James', and parties at different periods were employed at -Prosperous Bay, Turk’s Cap, Sandy Bay, Great Pound Ridge, Horse Pasture -Point, Lemon Valley, Rupert’s Hill, Rupert’s Valley, Ladder Hill, &c. -Besides attending to the repairs of the barracks and public buildings -and strengthening the sea-defences, the company rendered efficient -assistance in the building of a residence for Napoleon at Longwood. The -structure was of one story only and contained about forty rooms. It was, -however, never occupied, as the ex-emperor expired before the furniture -had been arranged in the several apartments. - -On the evacuation of Italy the sixth company, second battalion, under -Sub-Lieutenant R. Gibb, sailed from Genoa and landed at Gibraltar on the -17th March. Two months after, a fourth company was added to the engineer -force on the Rock, by the arrival, in the ‘Kennesby Castle’ transport, -of the first company, fourth battalion, from Portsmouth. - -The Maltese company of sappers quitted Genoa with the British troops and -landed at Malta in March. It continued to maintain its military -organization and character until the 31st March, 1817, when, by the -Prince Regent’s command, it was disbanded. This was the _last_ company -of the Maltese sappers and miners. - -On the 27th August the seventh company, first battalion under Captain -William Reid and Major William Gosset, R.E., “had the high honour,” says -Sir John Jones, “of participating with the fleet,” under Lord Exmouth, -“in a splendid naval triumph.” This was the battle of Algiers. “Under -the idea,” adds Sir John, “that it might become necessary to land and -destroy some of the batteries and works covering the harbour of Algiers, -the company,” eighty-four strong, “was embarked with the fleet; but -owing to the daring intrepidity and able nautical manœuvres of Lord -Exmouth, their services as miners were rendered unnecessary.”[236] -Throughout the action, therefore, they fought with the seamen at the -guns of the ‘Queen Charlotte’ and the ‘Impregnable,’ and gained equal -credit with the navy and marines for their “noble support.”[237] -Sub-Lieutenant S. Calder and fifteen rank and file were wounded, of whom -private David Campbell mortally. The company returned to England in the -‘Queen Charlotte’ and the ‘Glasgow’ frigate in October, and as a reward -for their services each soldier received a gratuity of two months' pay. - ------ - -Footnote 236: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ ii., p. 891, 2nd edit. - -Footnote 237: - - ‘London Gazette.’ - ------ - -Comparatively unnoticed, from the nature of their duties, it was seldom -that the sappers and miners were referred to in the despatches of -general officers; but the rule seems to have been infringed by -Lieut.-General Sir Charles Colville, who on quitting his command at -Valenciennes early in 1817, offered the following tribute to their -merits:— - - London, 19th April, 1817. - - MY DEAR SIR CHARLES, - - I am unwilling to part with those whom I regard so much, without - bidding them adieu, and therefore request you will accept yourself, - and have the goodness to express to the other officers of the royal - engineers of the Valenciennes' staff and pontoon train, as well as - those who were attached to the late third division, my sincere good - wishes for their continued honour and welfare, and that you and they - and the officers and privates of the royal sappers and miners will - accept my thanks for the promptitude and correctness with which my - wishes were met by them, during the time I had the honour to have them - under my command. - - I am, &c., - (Signed) CHARLES COLVILLE. - - Lieut.-Colonel Sir C. F. Smith, R.E. - -Arming the corps efficiently had for years been a subject of -discussion and representation. Lord Mulgrave, the Master-General, -however, could not be persuaded of the necessity of the measure, and -under the opinion that a working corps ought not to be armed, sent -detachments to the Peninsula equipped only with swords. The evil of -this was greatly felt, as the sappers could not march across the -country without being guarded by other troops. For the same reason -the company attached to the light division, which was required for -the siege of Bayonne, was unable to join. Upwards of 400 sappers -were employed in that siege, and might, had they been equipped with -fire-arms, have rendered important assistance in repelling the -disastrous sortie. - -Eleven companies were sent to the Netherlands in a similarly -defenceless state. Before moving them, Earl Mulgrave was ready to -abide by the views of the Duke of Wellington on the point, as his -Grace promised to consider the question when the first company -should arrive; but no farther notice appears to have been taken of -the subject, and the whole eleven companies landed without a -firelock. - -When the alarming and unfounded reports of the retreat of the -British from Waterloo reached Malines, Major Tylden, with the -pontoon companies under his command, assumed a posture of defence; -but the attitude, from want of arms, was necessarily impotent and -embarrassing. This gave the Major a notion, when afterwards crossing -the plains of Waterloo, of arming the companies with muskets and -accoutrements scattered on the battle-field; the idea, however, from -some regimental considerations was not carried out. - -On one occasion, near St. Denis, all the sappers of the army, nearly -1,000 strong, were assembled to witness an execution, and strange to -add, in that imposing force there was not a single fire-arm! At -another time there was an inspection of the pontoon train of eighty -pontoons and other carriages, with horses, drivers, and pontoneers, -occupying a line of road nearly two miles in length. The sappers -were present in their whole strength, but without a musket in their -ranks to show the quality of protection they could afford to the -immense charge intrusted to them. Fifty men with fire-arms could -easily have destroyed the whole force in ten minutes. These -instances and others equally striking, occurring in an enemy’s -country, were strongly brought under the notice of the higher -powers; but, where representations and remonstrances founded on the -necessities of the service failed to obtain attention, accidental -circumstances at last gained the desired object. At the great -reviews in France, the bridges required for the passage of the army -were thrown the evening previously, and the sappers consequently -were free for any other duty. Usually they were employed to -represent the enemy, and to show the line of the enemy’s position to -advantage it was considered best to effect it by musketry fire. -Orders were therefore given, on the 8th October, to supply the -companies with muskets and bayonets from the stores at Valenciennes; -and from this trivial incident may be dated the period from which -the corps was properly and uniformly armed. - -To keep up the training and efficiency of the corps in France, Sir -James Carmichael Smyth issued to each non-commissioned officer and -fifty of the most steady and intelligent privates, books and useful -articles for their instruction and improvement. Schools were also -established for the men, and prizes liberally awarded for -industrious application and advancement. To perfect the corps in the -use of the firelock and marching evolutions, five serjeants from the -light infantry regiments in France were specially appointed to the -duty. Each company was also required to execute a certain portion of -field-work every year and reports of individual progress in -instruction were prepared weekly, which were carefully examined, and -promotion distributed according to merit. The pontoon train, which -was constantly in motion and sustained a high character for activity -and usefulness, was only expected to do half the work demanded from -the divisional companies; and this course of professional and -general education, based upon the system of Lieutenant-Colonel -Pasley, was scrupulously enforced until the companies quitted France -in November, 1818. - -Notwithstanding all this attention on the part of the officers, -there was much misconduct prevalent in the sappers. During the -period that eleven companies were with the army, courts' martial -were very uncommon, and the punishments infinitely fewer than were -found necessary to keep only five companies in order. This suggests -a difficulty not easily explained; for, when the six companies were -removed from the country in 1816, the weeds from the other five were -sent to England, and their places supplied by privates of -unexceptionable character. - -So rigid indeed had the drilling been enforced that at the last -reviews in the vicinity of Valenciennes, the correct manner in which -the royal sappers and miners were handled by Captain Harry D. Jones, -when representing the enemy, excited general approbation. Their -light infantry evolutions even emulated those of their old -companions in arms of the light division, whose only business was -that of constant exercise in the requirements of the parade and in -martial movements and combinations. The formation of “rallying -square” by the companies was particularly commended; and those who -did not justly appreciate their military attainments from the -semi-civil nature of their many employments—expected to see them -fly, as the cavalry, in its impetuous charges over the plain, -furiously approached their compact and immoveable phalanx. - -While these disciplinary exercises were in operation, it happened -that the fourth company second battalion at Valenciennes, was -suddenly called upon to extinguish a fire in the town. So well -applied were their efforts in this humane service that the flames -were speedily suppressed amid the thankful shouts of the people. -This seemingly was not enough to mark their gratitude, and therefore -the mayor and corporation in full municipal costume bearing the -symbols of their offices, waited upon Captain Harry Jones to express -the deep acknowledgments of the inhabitants “to the officers and men -of the corps for their conduct on the occasion.” In his orders of -the 2nd November, Captain Jones added, “The activity displayed by -the non-commissioned officers and privates as well as the -cheerfulness with which they executed all orders reflects the -highest credit upon them. The bold conduct of private Thomas James -deserves to be particularly mentioned,” and he was appointed a lance -corporal. - -Early in the year the high-fronted chaco was superseded by a black -felt cap of more military pretensions than was formerly worn. It was -embellished with yellow cords and tassels, which fell with chivalric -gaiety upon the left shoulder. The sergeants and staff sergeants -wore white heckle feathers, gold bands and cords, with gilt scales -and ornaments.-See Plate XII. 1823. - -In March the drums throughout the corps were abolished and bugles -adopted. The rank of drummer was also changed to accord with the -alteration, and drum-major James Bailey, the first of the rank, was -now styled bugle-major. - -The return of peace gave rise to a gradual reduction in the corps. -On the 16th August, 1816, twenty-five men per company were lopped -off. This took away 800 men, reducing the corps from 2,861 to 2,061 -of all ranks. By the royal warrant of the 4th February, 1817, an -entire battalion was disbanded, and a further diminution of ten -privates and one drummer took place in each of the remaining -twenty-four companies. From the staff was taken one adjutant, one -sergeant-major, and one quartermaster-sergeant, and also the whole -of the sub-lieutenants, thirty-two in number.[238] The establishment -of the corps was thus decreased to twenty-four companies of 1,258 of -all ranks.[239] - ------ - -Footnote 238: - - Generally the sub-lieutenants were commissioned into the corps - from the ranks of other regiments, as a patronage to the military - friends of the Master-General. Many of them had distinguished - themselves in the field, were good drills, and fine-looking - soldiers; but though considered at first to promise well, they - disappointed the expectations formed of their probable usefulness. - Wanting the necessary ability and weight, they were neither - respected in the army nor by the corps; and unable, therefore, to - give the satisfaction which was reasonably hoped for, the first - reduction ordered after the peace, embraced the abolition of the - rank.—Pasley’s Mil. Pol., pp. 18, 19, Introduction. Their removal - from the corps was, nevertheless, alluded to in terms of “extreme - regret” by Colonel Carmichael Smyth in his orders of the 22nd - April. In concluding his address at parting, he thus wrote, “With - the conduct of the whole of the sub-lieutenants Colonel Carmichael - Smyth has had every reason to be satisfied, but more particularly - with those who, having been longest under his command, he has had - more occasion of knowing. If, in the course of future service, he - should have any opportunity of being useful to them, he assures - them he will embrace it with pleasure.” - -Footnote 239: - - In addition to this total 180 men of the companies in France were - borne on the strength as supernumeraries, until December, 1818. - ------ - -In consequence of these orders, the companies at Dover and Spike -Island were withdrawn, as also the detachment at Guernsey. The force -at Gibraltar was reduced from four to three companies, and the -strength at Woolwich and Chatham was brought down to a fluctuating -establishment of five companies. - -The company discontinued on the works at Spike Island, sailed for -Barbadoes on the 17th December, 1817, on board the ‘Thames of -London’ freight-ship, to relieve the old company which landed there -in January, 1794. The vessel encountered some very stormy weather on -the voyage, from the effects of which Lieutenant Rogers, R.E., who -commanded the company, died when near Madeira, and the charge of the -men devolved upon Captain Robert Duport of the royal artillery. Not -a single irregularity was committed by the sappers during the -voyage, and on their arrival in Carlisle Bay on the 18th January, -Lord Combermere, the governor, expressed in orders his high -satisfaction of their excellent conduct as reported to him by -Captain Duport. - -On the landing of the new company, the old West India hands, -dwindled to twenty-eight in number including sergeants, were sent to -St. Lucia, and assisted in repairing the damage done by a recent -hurricane. In March following, they arrived in England and were -disbanded. In summing up their character, Colonel William Johnston, -of the engineers, thus wrote, “They are a drunken set, and require -to be thought of and provided for like babies;” but, nevertheless, -he urged that the sapper force in Barbadoes should be always -maintained complete, as it would act as a check upon the -contractors, and enable the estimates to be carried into execution -with more despatch, economy, and superiority of workmanship in -almost all the details, than if an equal number of artificers were -derived from the country. - -A company of fifty strong, intended for the service of the palace of -the Lord High Commissioner at Corfu, embarked at Portsmouth on the -4th May, and after a month’s detention at Malta reached its -destination in August. The employment of the company was chiefly -confined to clearing away the rock, by blasting, for the foundations -of the palace, and in executing such other miscellaneous services as -were required. From local disagreements regarding the working pay of -the company, the men were precluded from taking part in the artistic -details of the palace, and eventually, from the same cause, it was -removed from the island. - -Colonel Carmichael Smyth made his last general inspection of the -corps in France in May, and in complimenting the companies for the -excellency of their discipline, interior economy, and improvement in -the field duties, awarded to fifteen non-commissioned officers and -men—the most advanced in the course of instruction—a silver -penholder each as a token of his approbation. - -This year, the companies in France substituted yellow worsted -epaulettes for the plain shoulder-strap, the expense of which was -borne by the men themselves. Among the companies there were four -unepauletted privates who at all times fell in, like branded -castaways, in the rear of their company. The badges had been placed -on their shoulders, but, more mean than avaricious, they refused to -pay for them. Feeling none of that becoming pride which has always -been so largely developed among even the commonest soldiers, they -were publicly stripped of the epaulettes intended to give them -distinction, not allowed to disfigure the ranks with their presence, -and ultimately removed in contempt to England. The circumstances of -this curious proceeding are given in the following spirited order of -Colonel Carmichael Smyth. - - “C. E. O. Head Quarters, Cambray, 30th May, 1818. - - “The commanding engineer has received a report that four men of - Captain Stanway’s company, viz., privates— - - Patrick O’Kean, - Andrew Graham, - James Ballingall, - James Scoble, - - have refused to sign their accounts, alleging that they have no - right to pay for the additional fringe for their epaulettes, as - sanctioned by the commanding engineer’s orders of 4th April, 1818. - - “Colonel Carmichael Smyth had not an idea that, in the whole of - the five companies in this country under his command, four men of - so sordid and mean a disposition would have been found. He holds - them up to the contempt of their comrades, as void of every - feeling that ought to actuate a soldier with pleasure or pride in - the character or appearance of the company to which they belong. - - “He directs that the epaulettes may be forthwith cut off their - shoulders, and that they are in future to parade upon all - occasions in the rear of the company until an opportunity offers - to send them away from it altogether. They will be removed to - either the Gibraltar or West India company, being perfectly - unworthy of serving with this army. - - “Colonel Carmichael Smyth feels confident that the - non-commissioned officers and men of the sapper companies with - this army must be sensible of their improved state of discipline, - regularity, and appearance, and how much in consequence, their own - individual happiness and respectability are increased. The - character, conduct, and appearance of a corps, reflects good or - evil upon every soldier belonging to it as the case may be. - - “The sapper companies have fortunately established a respectable - character, and are well thought of in this army. The epaulettes - have been adopted as distinguishing them from the infantry. The - sapper’s duty requires much more intelligence, and much more - previous training, than that of a common infantry soldier. He is - better paid and better clothed, and ought to conceive himself - happy at being permitted to wear a distinction showing that he is - a sapper. Such, no doubt, will be the view taken of the subject by - every non-commissioned officer and sapper who feels any way - interested in the welfare and respectability of the corps. - - “The sooner men who have not this feeling are got rid of the - better. They are unworthy of belonging to this army. - - (Signed) “JOHN OLDFIELD. - “Major of Brigade.” - -On the 19th June, private Alexander Milne of the corps was found in -a wheat-field, near Raismes, murdered! A number of the men of his -company had been in the habit of breaking out of their quarters -after tattoo roll-call, and spending the time of their absence in -gambling. Some were said to have been playing with the deceased on -the night of the murder. Strong suspicion attached to the -card-party, but as the perpetrator of the deed could not be -discovered, the Duke of Wellington, convinced that the murderer was -in the ranks of the corps, ordered _all_ the sappers and miners with -the army, both near and distant, to parade every hour of every day -from four in the morning till ten in the evening, as a punishment -for the crime; and as the order was never rescinded, it was -enforced—with only a slight relief—until the very hour the companies -quitted France.[240] Several of the officers and many of the men -were worn out and laid up with fevers by the rigour of the penalty, -and its execution fell with singular hardship upon one of the -companies which, quartered with the division encamped near St. Omer, -was, at the time, seventy miles away from the place of the murder! - ------ - -Footnote 240: - - The orders issued for the infliction of this discipline were as - follows:— - - “Head Quarters, Cambray, 25th June, 1818. In consequence of the - circumstances connected with the murder of Alexander Milne, of - Captain Peake’s company, which have appeared upon the proceedings - of a court of enquiry, the Field Marshal has directed that the - rolls of the royal sappers and miners may be called, until further - orders, in their several cantonments every hour from 4 in the - morning until 10 at night, all the officers being present; and - that a daily report thereof may be made to head-quarters.” - - “Head-Quarters, Cambray, 18th July, 1818. In consequence of orders - from His Grace the Commander of the Forces, the rolls of the - several companies of royal sappers and miners will be called every - two hours from 4 in the morning until 10 at night, in place of - every hour as directed in the C. E. orders of the 25th ultimo.” - ------ - -Early in November, on the breaking up of the army of occupation, the -eighth company, second battalion, took charge of the pontoons and -stores to Antwerp, and the other four companies marched from Cambrai -to Calais, where, as arranged by General Power with the French -governor, they were encamped on the glacis on the east side of the -town. This was requisite, as by the treaty of the 3rd November, -1815, no troops of the army of occupation could be quartered within -any of the fortresses not specified in the treaty. At Calais the -companies remained about a week, assisting in the embarkation of the -army and the shipment of the cavalry horses. In this service the -sappers became so expert, that a regiment was embarked and many were -landed at Dover during the same tide. All the companies arrived in -England before the end of November. One sergeant and twenty men, -under Lieutenant Hayter, of the engineers, after the sailing of the -troops, guarded the military chest both at Calais and on the -passage, and rejoined their companies, when the important duty for -which they were selected was completed. - - - - - 1819-1824. - -Reduction in the corps—Distribution—Sergeant Thomas Brown, the - modeller—Reinforcement to the Cape, and services of the detachment - during the Kaffir war—Epidemic at Bermuda—Damages at Antigua - occasioned by a hurricane—Visit to Chatham of the Duke of - Clarence—Withdrawal of a detachment from Corfu—A private becomes a - peer—Draft to Bermuda—Second visit to Chatham of the Duke of - Clarence—Fever at Barbadoes—Death of Napoleon, and withdrawal of - company from St. Helena—Notice of private John Bennett—Movements - of the company in Canada—Trigonometrical operations under the - Board of Longitude—Feversham—Relief of the old Gibraltar - company—Breastplates—St. Nicholas' Island—Condition of company at - Barbadoes when inspected by the Engineer Commission—Scattered - state of the detachment at the Cape—Services of the detachment at - Corfu—Intelligence and usefulness of sergeant Hall and corporal - Lawson—Special services of corporal John Smith—Pontoon - trials—Sheerness—Notice of corporal Shorter—Forage-caps and - swords. - - -By the royal warrant of 20th March, 1819, the peace establishment of -the corps was further reduced, from twenty-four companies of 1,258 -total, to twelve companies of 752. Of this number the staff embraced -one brigade-major, one adjutant, one quartermaster, two -sergeant-majors, two quartermaster-sergeants, and one bugle-major. -The organization of each company was fixed at the subjoined detail:— - - 1 colour-sergeant, - 2 sergeants, - 3 corporals, - 3 second-corporals, - 2 buglers, - 51 privates. - —— - Total 62; - -and the whole were distributed, with regard to strength, -consistently with the relative wants of the several stations. These -stations were Woolwich, Chatham, Portsmouth, and Plymouth; -Gibraltar, Corfu, Bermuda, Barbadoes, St. Helena, Kingston in Upper -Canada, and the Cape of Good Hope.[241] - ------ - -Footnote 241: - - The companies at Newfoundland and at Halifax, Nova Scotia, - returned to England late in 1819. To the former company belonged - sergeant Thomas Brown, who was discharged from the corps in - November, 1819, after a service of twelve years. In 1821 the late - Sir William Congreve appointed him modeller at the royal military - repository, Woolwich, which situation he has held for thirty-six - years with great credit. In that period he has made 125 models, - chiefly of field artillery, pontoons, bridges, and miscellaneous - military subjects. The greatest number are deposited for - exhibition in the Rotunda, and the remainder in the rooms of - instruction for the officers and non-commissioned officers. Many - others also, which were defective or out of repair he has renewed - or remade. His principal works, considered with regard to the - skill and artistic excellence displayed in their construction, are - the model of a fortified half octagon, showing the approaches and - plan of attack, on a scale of 22½ feet to an inch, and a model of - St. James’s Park as it was at the celebration of the peace in - 1814. - ------ - -A reinforcement of thirty men, under Lieutenant Rutherford, R.E., -arrived at the Cape of Good Hope on the 24th July. In consequence of -hostilities with the Kaffirs the detachment marched 700 miles to the -south-eastern frontier. It traversed a wild and thickly-wooded -country, where there were neither bridges nor roads; and in the -absence of soldiers of the quartermaster-general’s department, -facilitated by their exertions the progress of the troops. In places -where civil artificers could not be procured at any rate of wages, -they executed various services and works of defence for the security -and tranquillity of the settlement. On one occasion they constructed -a temporary bridge, of chance materials, to span one of the -principal rivers of the country, which was swollen by floods, and -rendered deep, rapid, and dangerous. The bridge was thrown in six -hours, and the whole of the force, about 2,000 horse and foot, a -demi-battery of guns with ammunition waggons, about 100 baggage -waggons with commissariat supplies, camp equipage, &c., crossed in -perfect safety in three hours. “Without the assistance of these -sappers,” writes Colonel Holloway, R.E., “the river could not have -been passed without much delay, loss of property, and perhaps loss -of life;” and, “both on the frontier, and at the seat of government, -they were always found of the utmost benefit.” The detachment -returned to Cape Town in December, when the remnant of the old -party, which had been in the colony since 1806, quitted for England -and arrived at Woolwich on the 5th September, 1820. - -An epidemic fever of a severe character raged at Bermuda during the -months of August and September, and out of a company of fifty-two -total, no less than one sergeant, twenty rank and file, three women, -and one child, fell victims to its virulence. Captain Cavalie S. -Mercer who commanded the company, was also numbered with the dead. - -From Barbadoes, thirty non-commissioned officers and men, under the -command of Captain W. D. Smith, were detached to Antigua, in -November, and worked in the engineer department, repairing the -damage caused by a recent hurricane, until the January following, -when they returned to their former station. Small parties, of -fluctuating strength, were also detached to Trinidad, St. Lucia, -Tobago, and Demerara, and had charge of different working parties at -those islands for several years. - -At Chatham on the 11th November, the Duke of Clarence reviewed the -corps under arms; and after witnessing various field operations, -including the firing of mines, the construction of flying saps, and -the manœuvring of pontoons, inspected the model and school rooms. -In the latter, he watched with great interest the system of -instruction as carried out by Lieutenant-Colonel Pasley; and in -expressing his perfect satisfaction with all he saw, added his -opinion, that the establishment was one of great public utility. - -On the 14th of the same month, thirty-four non-commissioned officers -and men of the company at Corfu were withdrawn from the island in -the ‘Christiana’ transport, and sailed for England. On arriving at -Gibraltar, one sergeant and nineteen rank and file joined the -companies there under an order from General Sir George Don; and the -remaining twelve reached Chatham on the 2nd April, 1820. The conduct -of the company during its brief tour of duty at Corfu, was reported -to the Inspector-General of Fortifications in very favourable terms, -by Lieutenant-Colonel Whitmore, R.E.[242] - ------ - -Footnote 242: - - To this company belonged private James Gordon, who lost an eye by - accident in mining for the foundation of the palace, and was - discharged at Woolwich 30th September, 1820, with a pension of - 9_d._ a-day. Throughout his service of nine years he was a zealous - and exemplary soldier, and bore about him the stamp and evidences - of a loftier origin than his humble station gave reason to expect. - Singular events in life sometimes occur that make contrasts at - times appear almost fabulous. “The soldier turned peer,” has - hitherto been the player’s jest, but it has at last become a - veritable reality, for in September, 1848, this James Gordon, the - private soldier, succeeded, as heir to his grandfather, to the - titles of Viscount Kenmure and Lord Lochinvar. - ------ - -On the 5th June thirty-one men, chiefly masons and bricklayers, -under Lieutenant Skene, R.E., arrived at Bermuda, to replace the men -who had died during the epidemic. A party of variable strength, with -the exception of occasional periods of temporary withdrawal, was -permanently detached to execute the defences at Ireland Island. - -In August the Duke of Clarence again visited Chatham, and a full -routine of military and field operations was carried on for his -inspection. With the works, the schools, and model rooms, his Royal -Highness expressed his approbation in language that was both -flattering to the corps and honourable to the institution. - -In October the yellow fever again visited Barbadoes, but its -violence, contrasted with former visitations, was considerably -assuaged, and its fatality less felt among the population. Forty-six -of the corps were present during its prevalence, and though nearly -the whole of the number were attacked, only eleven died, and but -fifteen were invalided. The loss in the company, however, was -proportionally more severe than in any other corps in garrison, and -the deterioration in the general health of the men drew the -particular notice of the Commander of the Forces, who made repeated -comments on it in his reports to England. In consequence of these -reports, the company was relieved early in 1822, some months before -the completion of its tour of service. Its character while in the -West India command was flatteringly spoken of by Captain W. D. -Smith, R.E. In one of his communications he wrote, “Its conduct, I -have pride in saying, has been most exemplary.” - -Napoleon died at St. Helena on the 5th May, and his remains were -deposited with quiet solemnity in an unpretending tomb, shadowed by -a willow, in Slane’s valley. The company of sappers at the station -took part in the funereal arrangements. The stone vault was built by -privates John Warren and James Andrews. The body was lowered into -its resting-place by two privates of the company, and other -privates, appointed for the duty, refilled the grave, and secured -all with plain Yorkshire slabs. Thus, without epitaph or memorial, -were entombed the ashes of the most extraordinary man of modern -times. As the necessity for retaining the company, now reduced, by -deaths and the withdrawal of a detachment in 1819, to twenty-five of -all ranks, no longer existed, it quitted the island and arrived at -Woolwich on the 14th September. Private John Bennett was detained -for three months after the removal of the company, and during that -period he was employed with the Clerk of Works, in giving over the -stores of the engineer department to the island storekeeper.[243] - ------ - -Footnote 243: - - Was an excellent clerk, and became in time a - quartermaster-sergeant. After his discharge from the corps in - 1843, he filled, for about ten years, important offices under the - Surveyor-General of Prisons, and died while steward of Dartmoor - Prison, in February, 1853, from a cold caught in that bleak - quarter. The season was a peculiarly bitter and stormy one, during - which three soldiers of the line, on escort duty, in crossing - Dartmoor Heath, perished in the snow. - ------ - -The company in Upper Canada changed its head-quarters in June, from -Kingston to Isle aux Noix, and afforded parties for service at -Quebec and Fort George, both of which were recalled to Isle aux Noix -in August. In November, 1822, the greater part of the company was -removed to Quebec, and the remainder were retained for the works at -Isle aux Noix. - -From July to November, a sergeant and nine men, chiefly carpenters -and smiths, were employed by the Board of Longitude under Major -Colby and Captain Kater, in the operations for determining the -difference of longitude between the observatories at Paris and -Greenwich; and visited ten of the principal trigonometrical stations -in England. Besides attending to the laborious requirements of the -camp, the party erected poles, and constructed stages or platforms -wherever needed, on commanding sites and towers, for purposes of -observation; and were also intrusted with the care of the -philosophical instruments. In the professional operations of the -season they took no part.[244] - ------ - -Footnote 244: - - Captain Kater, in his account of the operations published in the - ‘Philosophical Transactions,’ 1828, p. 153, notices, by mistake, - this party as belonging to the royal artillery. There were, it is - true, two gunners of the regiment present, but they were employed - as servants to the officers. - ------ - -In June, one sergeant and thirty-nine rank and file under Captain -John Harper, R.E., were detached from Woolwich to Feversham, and -after destroying the powder-mills and premises connected with them, -returned to head-quarters in September. - -The first company of the corps, which had been at Gibraltar since -1772 and was present at the celebrated siege a few years afterwards, -was removed, in the course of relief, from that fortress to Woolwich -in June. - -Breast or belt-plates of brass, in place of buckles, were adopted -early in the year by permission of General Gother Mann. All ranks -wore a plate of uniform device and dimensions, and each soldier paid -for his own. The device consisted of the royal cipher, encircled by -the garter, bearing the name of the corps and surmounted by a crown. - -A fluctuating detachment, not exceeding thirteen masons and miners -under a corporal, was detached in the autumn from Devonport to St. -Nicholas Island, and remained there for nearly four months repairing -the fortifications. - -At the fall of the year the engineer commission to the West Indies, -composed of Colonel Sir James Carmichael Smyth, Major Fanshawe, and -Captain Oldfield inspected, in the course of their professional -tour, the fourth company of sappers stationed at Barbadoes under the -command of Captain Loyalty Peake. Its state was most creditable. -Since its arrival in the command it had only lost one man and that -from an accident. Whilst other troops quartered under the same roof -were withered and sickly, the sappers were healthy—a fact that was -ascribed to the attention of the officers, and the absence among the -men of those intemperate habits, which in a hot and enervating -climate, originate so many ailments. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Sappers & Miners Plate XII. - UNIFORM 1823. Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -The small detachment at the Cape of Good Hope was much dispersed at -this period. The men detached are traced at short intervals at Cape -Town, Kaffir Drift, Wiltshire, Port Elizabeth, and New Post Kat -River. - -The Corfu detachment of seven men was removed to Gibraltar, in the -‘Frinsbury’ transport, in December, and arrived at the Rock on the -6th March, 1824, bearing with it records of its uniform exemplary -conduct and public utility. Being first-rate workmen, they were the -leading men of their trades, and some of the best work at the palace -was the result of their superior mechanical acquirements and skill. -Sergeant John Hall was overseer and master carpenter for four years, -and corporal Andrew Lawson, a man of considerable talent, was clerk -of works, and also directed the masons and bricklayers.[245] Captain -Streatfeild in parting with them, wrote “They are a very honest, -trustworthy set of men, and do honour to the corps.” “The worst -mechanic among them,” said Lieutenant G. Whitmore, “would be almost -invaluable in the corps.” Before the company quitted Corfu, four -deaths had occurred; four also took place in the small party that -remained, one of whom, private Gamaliel Ashton, a bricklayer, was -killed by falling from a scaffold while at work at the palace.[246] - ------ - -Footnote 245: - - Such was the sense entertained of his services, that Sir Frederick - Adam, the Lord High Commissioner, after the detachment had reached - Malta, recalled him to Corfu to superintend the civil works on the - island. His position thus became anomalous, and, as far as - military law and usage are concerned, unexampled for privilege and - emolument. Besides his regimental pay, he received an allowance of - 3_s._ 3_d._ a-day working pay, (afterwards increased to 4_s._ - 3_d._ a-day,) with a fine residence and free rations for his wife, - family, and a servant. He had also a horse and boats at his - command, was relieved from the performance of regimental duty, and - was permitted at all times to wear plain clothes. Throughout the - building of the palace, the Villa of Cardachio, and other - important civil buildings, he was the clerk of the works, and Sir - Frederic Adam took every occasion of applauding his talents and - exertions. In April, 1834, after removal to Woolwich, sergeant - Lawson was appointed clerk of works at Sierra Leone, where, after - a brief period of service, during which he was bereaved of his - wife, he died, leaving nine orphans to lament his loss. His eldest - son was nominated to the appointment as the fittest person in the - colony to discharge its professional duties, but the youth fell a - sacrifice to the climate four days after his father’s decease. The - eight remaining orphans were generously cared for by Sir Frederic - Mulcaster, the inspector-general of fortifications and the - executive of the corps at the Ordnance Office, who obtained from - the officers of royal engineers and the civil gentlemen of the - department sufficient means to free them from that distress, to - which the absence of this benevolent support would have inevitably - reduced them. - -Footnote 246: - - The remains of all were interred with unusual respectability, and - the spots where they lie have been marked by neat tomb-stones—a - graceful tribute from the survivors to the memory of the departed. - ------ - -Second-corporal John Smith was sent from Quebec in the summer to -examine the freestone quarries of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and -to report upon their capabilities and facilities for furnishing -stones of certain dimensions for the service of the department. He -started on his mission in a merchant schooner on the 7th August, -and, with Captain Melville Glenie, of the 60th rifles, was nearly -wrecked on the Beaumont shoals. The flag of distress and the shouts -of the passengers being unheeded, corporal Smith procured an old -musket and some powder, and having with some difficulty fired a few -rounds from it, the situation of the vessel was observed by some -pilots, who rescued the passengers. Next day the corporal -re-embarked on board another vessel, and landing at Miramichi, -visited the quarries there, and also at Remsheg, Pictou, Mergomish, -and Nipisiguit. Upwards of two months were spent in completing his -researches; and, returning to Quebec on the 16th October with -specimens of the building stones and slates taken by him from the -various quarries he had examined, he made a lucid report of their -capabilities, &c, and detailed the terms upon which the owners of -the properties were prepared to deal with the department. Colonel -Durnford, the commanding royal engineer, expressed his entire -satisfaction of the manner in which the duty was performed, and of -the intelligence evinced by the corporal in his descriptive -report.[247] - ------ - -Footnote 247: - - Smith, afterwards a sergeant, was a first-rate mason and foreman, - and during his service of thirty two years, twenty-five of which - were abroad, his abilities, experience, and precision were found - of great benefit to the department. At Corfu, Vido, and Zante, he - was entrusted with very important duties. Subsequently to his - discharge in 1842 on a pension of 2_s._ 3½_d._ a-day, he - superintended, on the part of the Admiralty, the building of the - royal marine barracks at Woolwich by contract, and his vigilance - prevented the employment of any of those artifices so commonly - resorted to by contractors. He afterwards superintended for the - Duke of Buckingham the building of a circular redoubt, partly of - stone, for six guns, at his Grace’s ducal residence at Stowe: and - in the inscription on one of the piers, his name is thus - associated with the work:— - - Richard Plantagenet - Duke of Buckingham & Chandos. - Robert Wilcox, Captain Royal Navy. - John Smith, Sergeant R^l Sappers and Miners. - -In September and October trials of the pontoons, invented -respectively by Sir James Colleton and Lieutenant-Colonel Pasley, -were made in the open part of the Medway near the Gunwharf, and at -Rochester Bridge—on the 9th and 10th September, in the presence of a -committee of seven officers of the royal artillery and royal -engineers, Lieut.-General Cuppage, R.A., being the president; and on -the 1st October in the presence of his Royal Highness the Duke of -York. One or other of the rival systems was to supersede the use of -the old English tin pontoons. To work the buoy pontoons of Sir James -Colleton, seamen were lent from H.M.S. ‘Prince Regent.’ The third -and sixth companies were employed with Colonel Pasley’s decked -canoes. The manœuvres were exceedingly laborious, and the men -were exposed a greater part of each day to very heavy rains. They -not only, however, did everything to the satisfaction of his Royal -Highness and of the officers composing the committee, but several -distinguished naval officers declared it was impossible that any -operations with boats could have been better or more quickly -performed.[248] - ------ - -Footnote 248: - - Pasley’s ‘Narrative of Operations with the New Pontoons,’ 1824. - Sir James Colleton’s ‘Buoy Pontoons.’ - ------ - -From early in November to the 21st January, 1825, a party of ten -privates with second-corporal Robert Shorter, was employed at -Sheerness under the command of Lieutenant E. W. Durnford, R.E., in -boring to ascertain the nature of the strata with a view to -determine its practicability for building some permanent works of -defence. The borings were carried on at all the salient points of -the contemplated fortifications, ranging in depth from thirty to -sixty feet. Borings were also made on the Isle of Grain, and the men -of the party were occasionally employed at their trades in the -engineer department. Corporal Shorter registered the daily progress -and results of the operation;[249] but, although the intended works -were never undertaken, the borings were not without interest in -adding their quota of information to the cumulative discoveries of -geological research. - ------ - -Footnote 249: - - Shorter was afterwards stationed for fourteen years at Corfu. For - seven of his twenty-seven years' service he filled the office of - quartermaster-sergeant, and was honoured with an annuity and medal - for his meritorious conduct. He retired from the sappers on being - appointed a Yeoman of the Queen’s Guard, and was the first - non-commissioned officer of the corps who received a nomination to - that ancient company. While he was all that could be desired in - his corps in respect to efficiency and intelligence, in private - life he was a thorough humourist, and the most simple incident, - with scarcely an element for merriment in it, became by his droll - inventorial recital, a subject of the richest amusement. - ------ - -The leather forage cap introduced in 1813, was this year superseded -by a dark blue cap, called the Kilmarnock bonnet, with a yellow band -manufactured in the web, and a peak and chin-strap. The crown was of -immense circumference. See Plate XIII. The corporals wore the -chevrons of their rank above the peak. The superior ranks had blue -cloth caps, with peaks, chin-straps, and gold lace bands. The -Kilmarnock bonnets were purchased by the men; the leather caps had -been supplied by the public. - -About this period the army pattern sword for staff-sergeants and -sergeants was adopted in the corps; but the swords introduced for -the buglers were of the artillery pattern. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Sappers & Miners Plate XIII. - UNIFORM & WORKING DRESS, 1825 Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - 1825-1826. - -Dress—Curtailment of benefits by the change—Chacos—Survey of - Ireland—Formation of the first company for the duty—Establishment - of corps; company to Corfu—Second company for the survey—Efforts - to complete the companies raised for it—Pontoon trials in presence - of the Duke of Wellington—Western Africa—Third company for the - survey; additional working pay—Employments and strength of - the sappers in Ireland—Drummond Light; Slieve Snacht and - Divis—Endurance of private Alexander Smith—Wreck of ‘Shipley’ - transport—Berbice; Corporal Sirrell at Antigua. - - -Early in the year the breeches, long gaiters, and shoes, ceased to -be worn by the corps, and in their stead were substituted light blue -trousers, with scarlet stripes, and short Wellington boots. The -coatee was stript of its frogging on the breast; and the skirts, -with the slashes sewn transversely on the loins, were lengthened to -the swell of the thigh. White turnbacks were added to the inner -edges of the skirts, and brass grenades united the turnbacks near -the bottom of the skirts. The working jacket was simply altered in -the collar from the open to the close Prussian fashion, and the -working trousers were dyed of a deeper grey.—See Plate XIII. - -These alterations were followed by curtailments of benefits -heretofore enjoyed by the corps, inasmuch as the stockings, shirts, -and forage caps, annually issued with the clothing, ceased to be -provided at the public expense. The allowances for oil and emery, -and shoes, were also abolished; but in lieu of the one pair of shoes -formerly issued, and the compensation for a second pair, the corps -had the advantage of receiving, yearly, two pairs of short -Wellington boots. - -The low chaco of 1817 gave place to one of about ten inches in -height, bearing a goose feather of a foot long in an exploded -grenade. The ornaments consisted of scales secured by lions' heads, -the garter and motto encircling the royal cipher surmounted by a -crown, and also a cluster of forked lightning, winged. For -protection to the neck in wet weather, a varnished canvas ear-cover -was attached to the back of the cap.—See Plate XIII. The ornaments -on the staff-sergeants' chacos were of excellent gilt, and a band of -rich silk, embossed with acorns and oak leaves around the top of the -cap, gave it an elegant appearance. The sergeants' ornaments were -manufactured of a metal resembling copper, and the black bands were -of plain narrow silk. Both ranks wore white heckle feathers. - -In June, 1824, a committee of the House of Commons recommended the -trigonometrical survey of Ireland, with the view of apportioning -equally the local burdens, and obtaining a general valuation of the -whole country. The measure was sanctioned, and Colonel Thomas Colby, -R.E., was appointed to superintend the work. It being intended that -the survey should be conducted under military supervision, Major -William Reid suggested the advantage to be derived from the -co-operation of the royal sappers and miners in carrying out its -subordinate details. Colonel Colby after due reflection, the result -of a discussion of nearly six weeks' duration with Major Reid, -considering the plan to be not only practicable but desirable, made -known his wishes to the Duke of Wellington, then Master-General of -the Ordnance, and on the 1st December, 1824, his Grace obtained a -royal warrant for the formation of a company of sixty-two -non-commissioned officers and men, to be employed in the operations -of the survey in Ireland.[250] - ------ - -Footnote 250: - - ‘Report Army and Ordnance Expenditure,’ Minutes of Evidence, p. - 617. ‘Naval and Military Gazette.’ Pasley’s ‘Mil. Policy,’ - Introd., p. 37, 4th edit. - ------ - -This company was at once organized at Chatham; and the men, selected -from the most intelligent of the corps at the station, were -specially trained for the duty by Lieutenant-Colonel Pasley. It, -however, remained for Colonel Colby, in giving effect to his great -and comprehensive system, to develop and enlarge the acquirements -and efficiency of the men, by adapting them to the various details -and necessities of this novel service. In doing so he encountered -difficulties of no ordinary character; but eventually he succeeded -in achieving the end he sought, not without credit to the mass whom -he moulded and fashioned to the purpose, as well as great honour to -himself. - -By the augmentation of this company the establishment of the corps -was increased to thirteen companies, of 814 of all ranks, including -the staff. The first detachment of one colour-sergeant and twenty -rank and file was conveyed to Dublin in March under the command of -Lieutenant Edward Vicars, R.E., and was soon removed from Mountjoy -to Dromore, where, in April, further reinforcements arrived, -completing the company to its establishment; and the whole were -distributed in small sections to Antrim, Belfast, Coleraine, -Dungiven, Londonderry, &c., from whence the corps, by degrees, -traced its progress all over Ireland. Major Reid was appointed to -command the _first_ survey company, which was numbered the -thirteenth. - -On the 24th March, the sixth company, of sixty-two total, sailed for -Corfu on board the ‘Baltic’ merchant transport, and landed there on -the 14th May. This addition to the command was made at the instance -of the Ionian government for the purpose of executing the works and -fortifications at Corfu and Vido. By the warrant for raising this -company, dated 4th April, 1825, the corps mustered fourteen -companies, and counted 876 officers and soldiers of all ranks. All -the regimental and working disbursements of the company, and of -others arriving at the station in periodical relief, were for a -number of years paid from the Ionian exchequer. - -While the instruction of the first survey company was still in -progress, steps were taken for the formation of another company for -the same service. The Duke of Wellington expressed his conviction of -the propriety of the measure from the satisfactory advancement -already made in the professional education of the company raised for -the duty early in the year. On the 4th April, 1825, therefore, his -Grace obtained another warrant for the employment of a second -company in the operations of the survey of Great Britain and -Ireland. This company was numbered the fourteenth; and being of the -same numerical organization as the other companies, viz., sixty-two -men, the establishment of the corps was raised from 876 to 938. - -At Harwich, Hull, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Liverpool, Cornwall, Fort -George, as well as in London and Edinburgh, recruiting for these -companies was carried on very briskly. Recruiting at Dublin was also -permitted; and some draftsmen from the Dublin Society School were, -about this period, enlisted for the survey companies. The Military -Asylum at Chelsea and the Hibernian School were likewise canvassed -to procure eligible boys for training; but such was the -circumscribed nature of the education imparted to the children at -Chelsea, that of the number selected to join the companies, a few -only were found that gave promise of future aptitude and usefulness; -and of those who succeeded, none ever distinguished themselves by -their talents. From the Hibernian School ten boys were received, all -of whom were clever and intelligent; but one lad far outshone his -comrades, and in time, by his zeal, extensive mathematical -attainments, and varied acquirements, gained the highest position in -the sappers on the survey. The person alluded to is Quartermaster -William Young. - -The fourteenth company quitted Chatham for the survey, and landed at -Belfast, its first head-quarters, on the 15th July. - -On the 26th September, a trial of the capabilities of the pontoons -invented by Sir James Colleton, Colonel Pasley, and Major Blanshard, -took place at Chatham in the presence of the Duke of Wellington; and -the men of the corps employed on the occasion displayed much zeal, -spirit, and activity. Sergeant Jenkin Jones was particularly praised -for his conduct in managing the pontoons of Major Blanshard; and as -the Master-General arrived a day earlier than was expected, and -ordered at night the exhibition to take place the next morning, much -of the success of the efforts in favour of the cylindrical pontoons -is ascribed to the sergeant’s able and zealous arrangements and -personal exertions. This induced Colonel Pasley to recommend -sergeant Jones as a non-commissioned officer fit to be entrusted -with any difficult or important detached duty, which might save the -services of an officer. One private, William Berry, fell from a raft -during the trial, and was drowned. - -Sergeant William Addison and second-corporal James White embarked at -Portsmouth on board the ‘Despatch’ in November for the coast of -Africa, and were employed under the direction of Captain R. Boteler, -R.E., in surveying the British dependencies and forts at Sierra -Leone and the Gold Coast. The corporal died on the service, and the -sergeant landed at Portsmouth 10th August, 1826, and rejoined his -corps. - -A third survey company, of sixty-two non-commissioned officers and -men, was formed in December, under a royal warrant, dated 20th -October, 1825, and was numbered the sixteenth. The establishment of -the corps was thus augmented from 938 to 1,000 officers and -soldiers. The rates of working pay authorized by the successive -warrants were limited to the three ordinary classes of 6_d._, 9_d._, -and 1_s._ a-day; but extraordinary powers were granted to Colonel -Colby, of awarding increased rates, proportionate to the attainments -and exertions of the men, up to 2_s._ a-day. The maximum allowance -was rarely bestowed, and then only upon non-commissioned officers, -whose undoubted talents and services rendered them deserving of the -distinction which the exclusiveness conferred. - -By the end of the year the effective men on the survey counted 109 -of all ranks, who were chiefly dispersed in the field. Several were -employed in offices as draftsmen and computers; but at this early -period very few were intrusted with any particular responsibility. -Civilian assistants, for the most part, were second to the officers, -and aided in superintending the management of the districts; but in -the field, the sappers took the lead as surveyors, never working as -chainmen, or subordinately to the civilians. As the duty was new, -their qualifications required tact and practice before a fair return -of progress could be realized. In August very few had proved -themselves of sufficiently matured acquirements to merit advancement -to Colonel Colby’s classes, and five only of the number had -graduated as far as 1_s._ 4_d._ a-day. - -The third survey company proceeded to Ireland in September. In -December the total force there numbered 129 of all ranks, and 61 men -were under training at Chatham. - -At the close of the year a party of the corps was attached to -Captain Drummond to assist him in carrying on experiments and -observations with his lamp and heliostat. The observing station was -on Divis Mountain, near Belfast, and the season was fearfully -inclement. Frequently the mountain and the camp were enveloped in -snow, and the blowing of a keen cold wind made their situation -anything but agreeable. On two or three occasions a storm visited -their desolate location, and carried away in its blast, tents, -baggage, and stores. Still the men were sturdy in frame, willing in -disposition, and exerted themselves in the discharge of their duties -under trials of no ordinary character. A few men of the party, -thirteen in number, were removed to Slieve Snacht in Donegal, to -exhibit the light, that it might be observed from Divis. The -distance between the heights was sixty-six miles. The camp on Snacht -was at an altitude of 2,000 feet, and the party peculiarly exposed. -Few in number, they were ill able to buffet with the tempests of -those cold regions; “and the tents were so frequently blown down,” -and had become so shattered and torn, “that, after the first few -days, they abandoned them, and constructed huts of rough stones, -filling the interstices with turf.” On this bleak mountain the -success of the light was first proved. At night the lamp was -directed on Divis. It was then dark, and both the camps were covered -with snow. The wind blew piercingly over the mountain tops, and -almost flayed the faces of the men as they worked. But it was on -that stormy night that the light, first seen by the sapper sentry, -“burst into view with surpassing splendour,” and afterwards became -one of the most useful agencies in the prosecution of the -survey.[251] - ------ - -Footnote 251: - - ‘Prof. Papers,’ iv.; preface, pp. xiv. xvii. - ------ - -Of this mountain party one man in particular was noticed for his -hardihood and endurance. This was private Alexander Smith. In the -morning he would leave the camp, and, after journeying about twenty -miles, return to the height weighed down with a mule’s load, and on -gaining the summit, would after relieving himself of his burden, -resume his work in the camp, without exhibiting any symptoms of -fatigue, or evincing a desire for rest. On one occasion, having been -at Buncrana, about ten miles from the station, he was returning late -with his freight, comprising a side of mutton, a jar of spirits, a -number of lesser articles, and a bag of letters. Wrapped up in his -greatcoat, and his cap pulled over his ears, he commenced to pick -his way up the ascent; but the tempest beat against him, the -piercing wind opposed his progress, and the snow covered alike the -lone traveller and the waste. As he encountered this war of -elements, darkness closed upon him, and, losing his track, he passed -the night exposed to the pitiless storm, wandering about on the -mountain. At day-break he crawled into the camp—a picture that gave -a melancholy interest to the wild landscape around; but such was his -endurance, and such his fortitude, that beyond the pain of numbness, -he felt no inconvenience from the sufferings and exertions of that -dreadful night. The devotion of this man was the admiration of -Captain Drummond, and his promotion to second-corporal was the -reward of his willing zeal. Ultimately he reached the rank of -sergeant, and was discharged in October, 1839, from a chest -complaint, which traced its origin to his labours and exposure on -Slieve Snacht. - -The third company, of sixty strong, under Lieutenant Gregory, R.E., -embarked at Woolwich, 26th February, on board the ‘Shipley’ -transport for the West Indies, and was wrecked on the morning of the -19th April on the Cobbler’s Rocks near Barbadoes. The ship had made -the land at half-past ten o’clock the preceding evening, and, -hauling up to S.S.E., the agent on board counselled that the ship -should stand off till 3 o’clock. Soon after 12 at night, the master, -contrary to the naval officer’s advice, ordered the ship to stand -for the land, and went to bed, leaving in charge a man who soon -became intoxicated and fell asleep. Thus left to herself, the vessel -got out of her course, and about 3 A.M. dashed with a frightful -crash upon the reef. At this time it was pitch dark, and the -frequency of the shocks split and tore the ship in every direction. -While the crew and the sappers were getting tackle ready to hoist -the long-boat out, the cook-house caught fire, but it was promptly -extinguished with wet blankets and sails. The freshness of the wind -driving the sea against the shore, and the steepness of the cliffs -which were higher than the ship’s royal mainmast, made it -impracticable to land a boat; but the boatswain, taking with him a -deep sea-line, gained a craggy pinnacle on the rocks, and throwing -it to a black fisherman on the top, who chanced to reach the spot at -the moment, a six-inch tow-line was quickly passed to him, by which -the troops, with their wives and families, in slings and cradles, -worked themselves to the summit of the precipice. In ten minutes -after the ‘Shipley’ became a total wreck, and the company lost its -entire baggage, equipment, &c. Lieutenant Gregory was the last to -quit the sinking ship. Being almost naked and barefooted, a number -of greatcoats and ample land-carriage were sent for the company; and -in this state, under an oppressive sun, they reached their quarters -at St. Anne’s on the evening of the 19th April.[252] - -A party of this company was constantly detached to Berbice for the -service of the engineer department; and second-corporal Thomas -Sirrell, an able artificer, superintended the construction of the -iron hospital at Antigua, where he died. To acquire a knowledge of -the application of iron to be used in the erection of barracks in -the West Indies, he had been specially employed for six months under -Lieutenant Brandreth in the foundries at Birmingham. - ------ - -Footnote 252: - - ‘Morning Herald,’ June 5, 1826. - ------ - - - - - 1827-1829. - -Augmentation—Reinforcement to Bermuda—Companies for Rideau - Canal—Reinforcement to the Cape—Monument to the memory of - General Wolfe—Increase to the survey companies—Supernumerary - promotions—Measurement of Lough Foyle base—Suggestion of sergeant - Sim for measuring across the river Roe—Survey companies inspected - by Major-General Sir James C. Smyth; opinion of their services by - Sir Henry Hardinge—Sergeant-major Townsend—Demolition of the - Glacière Bastion at Quebec—Banquet to fifth company by Lord - Dalhousie—Service of the sappers at the citadel of Quebec—Notice - of sergeants Dunnett and John Smith—Works to be executed by - contract—Trial of pontoons, and exertions of corporal James - Forbes—Epidemic at Gibraltar—Island of Ascension; corporal - Beal—Forage-caps—Company withdrawn from Nova Scotia—Party to - Sandhurst College, and usefulness of corporal Forbes. - - -Great inconvenience was felt in carrying on the public works abroad, -from the inadequacy of the strength of the corps to supply the -number of workmen for services in which their employment would have -been useful and economical; and as very heavy expenses had been -incurred, in having recourse to a greater proportion of civil -workmen, at high wages, than would otherwise have been necessary, -General Gother Mann, in July, 1826, submitted some suggestions on -the subject to the Master-General and Board, and obtained their -authority to carry out his plans. - -In December, consequently, orders were given for the formation of a -company of 81 strong, for employment on the works at Bermuda, and -for augmenting the company already there from 51 to 70 privates. The -company was accordingly formed in January, 1827, and with the -reinforcement to complete the other company, sailed from Devonport -in the ‘Hebe’ freightship, and landed at Bermuda on the 25th of May. -The sappers at the station were then divided between St. George’s -and Ireland Island. - -A royal warrant, dated 26th March, 1827, confirmed the raising of -the company for Bermuda, and ordered a further augmentation of two -companies of eighty-one strong each for the works of the Rideau -Canal in Canada. The fifteenth and seventeenth companies were -appointed for this service under Captains Victor and Savage, R.E. -The former landed there from the ‘Southworth’ transport on the 1st -of June, and the latter from the ‘Haydon,’ on the 17th of -September.[253] The establishment of the corps now reached nineteen -companies, and counted, of all ranks, 1,262. - ------ - -Footnote 253: - - On the removal of the fifteenth company to Canada in March, the - Portsmouth station was without a company until November, 1827, - when the eleventh company was sent there from Chatham. - -The sappers at the Cape of Good Hope were reinforced to thirty of -all ranks by the arrival of one sergeant and eleven privates in -August. At this period the men were chiefly employed at Cape Town -and Graham’s Town. Occasionally, men are traced at Wynberg, Franch -Hoek, and Simon’s Town. The detachment rendered essential aid in the -execution of the services of the engineer department, and the -necessity for maintaining its numerical efficiency was represented -by Major General Bourke and Lord Charles Somerset. - -The fifth company at Quebec, on the 15th of November, 1827, was -present at the laying of the foundation stone of the monument -erected to the memory of General Wolfe. All the masonic tools -required for the ceremony were made by men of the company, and the -stone was lowered into its bed by some selected masons with -colour-sergeant Dunnett. The formal laying of the stone was -accomplished by the Earl of Dalhousie and Mr. James Thompson, a -venerable man in the ninety-fifth year of his age, the only survivor -in Canada of the memorable battle of Quebec, in which Wolfe fell. A -few days afterwards, the silver trowel used on the occasion was -generously presented by his lordship to sergeant Dunnett. - -Great interest was taken by the Duke of Wellington in the survey of -Ireland, and he was anxious that it should be prosecuted with all -possible despatch. Augmenting and completing the three companies -being considered the most important means to facilitate that object, -his Grace and the Honourable Board, on the 1st January, sanctioned -an increase to the survey companies of nineteen privates each, and -on the 13th of March, a further addition of thirty privates; both of -which augmented the survey force from 186 to 273 of all ranks, and -the establishment of the corps from 1,262 to 1,349 officers and men. - -At the commencement of the survey, all promotion was suspended for a -time, to enable Colonel Colby to select the ablest men for -preferment. He found great difficulty in choosing individuals -qualified for it; but in less than two years after, so satisfactory -was the improvement made in the attainments and efficiency of the -companies, that the Colonel felt it essential to create by -authority, supernumerary appointments as a reward for past diligence -and an incitement to future exertion. This measure was the more -necessary, as the most important part of the work was performed by -the non-commissioned officers, who were mostly detached in charge of -small parties of the corps with an equal number of civil chainmen. -Each non-commissioned officer was thus the chief executive of a -certain portion of work, and was responsible for its correct and -rapid execution to the officers of the divisions. On the 17th of -January, the supernumerary appointments were sanctioned by the Duke -of Wellington without limit as to number, and Colonel Colby -made ample use of the reward. The advantage enjoyed by the -supernumeraries extended only to pay, they receiving the rate of the -rank to which they were appointed. Service in the supernumerary -grades did not reckon for their benefit towards pension. - -From the 6th of September, 1827, to the 20th of November, 1828, with -occasional intervals of cessation, a detachment varying from two -sergeants and twenty-three rank and file, to two sergeants and six -rank and file, were employed on the measurement of Lough Foyle base -in the county of Londonderry. A strong detachment of the royal -artillery was also employed on this service. The duties of the -sappers did not extend to the scientific and more precise details of -the operation, but were limited to those subsidiary services which -were essential to the rigid execution of the former. Their -attention, in fact, was confined to the labours of the camp, the -placement of the triangular frames, pickets, trestles, and such -other incidental services as were indispensable to obtain an exact -level alignment for the application of the measuring bars. A -non-commissioned officer invariably attended to the adjusting -screws; another frequently registered the observations, another -attended to the set of the rollers and the regulation of the plates; -and a fourth, with a few men, erected the base tents, moved them -forward to the succeeding series of bars, and looked to the security -of the apparatus for the night.[254] All these duties, though of a -subordinate nature, nevertheless required the exercise of -intelligence, and much careful attention on the part of those -employed. - ------ - -Footnote 254: - - Yolland’s ‘Lough Foyle Base,’ p. 25-27. - -In connexion with the base operations, the name of sergeant Thomas -Sim of the corps, is noticed with credit. Carrying the measurement -across the river Roe, about 450 feet broad, was, through his -ingenuity, found a more simple matter than had been expected. After -giving a good deal of consideration to the subject, the sergeant -proposed a plan, which enabled the measurement to be completed in -one day and verified the next. This was accomplished, by driving, -with the assistance of a small pile engine, stout pickets to the -depth of about six feet into the sand and clay, in the exact line of -the base, then placing on the heads of the pickets, by means of a -mortice, a stretcher perfectly horizontal, and finally, laying upon -the upper surfaces of the stretchers, a simple rectangular frame, -with two cross pieces to support the feet of the camels or -tripods.[255] - ------ - -Footnote 255: - - Ibid., p. 28. - ------ - -By the month of August, the force of the sappers in Ireland amounted -to 26 non-commissioned officers, 227 privates, 6 buglers and 11 -boys, total 270. In September, the survey companies were inspected -by Major-General Sir James Carmichael Smyth, royal engineers, and in -his report he stated, “when the detached nature of the duty is -considered, and how the soldier is necessarily left to himself, the -appearance of the men under arms, as well as the zeal and goodwill -they evince in the performance of a duty so new and so laborious, -are very much to their credit.” In March previously, Sir Henry -Hardinge, in his evidence before the Select Committee on Public -Income and Expenditure, spoke of the services of the corps on the -survey, as being cheap and successful. To put the question fairly at -issue, certain districts of the same nature were conducted, some by -engineers with sappers and miners; others, with engineer officers -and civil persons and it was satisfactorily proved, that the -progress made by the sappers under military authority, was greater -than that made by the civil surveyors, and the cheapness -commensurate.[256] - ------ - -Footnote 256: - - ‘Second Report Ordnance Estimates,’ 1828, printed 12th June, 1828, - p. 71, 72. - ------ - -On the 24th of January, sergeant-major Thomas Townsend was -removed from the corps as second lieutenant and adjutant to the -second battalion, 60th royal rifles, through the intercession of -Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzgerald who commanded that regiment, and -in the lapse of years became a captain. In 1844, he retired from -the regiment by the sale of his commission, and obtained a -barrack-mastership under the Ordnance. - -To proceed with the formation of a new citadel at Quebec, it became -necessary to remove a portion of the old French works called the -Glacière Bastion, comprising the face and flank, about 260 feet in -length and 25 feet in height, to give place to a new counterguard -intended to cover the escarp of both faces of Dalhousie Bastion from -the high ground on the plains of Abraham. This was done by mining, -in which service the fifth company of the corps was employed. The -whole operations being completed with the desired efficiency by the -19th of February, the Earl of Dalhousie, then Governor-General, -accompanied by his staff and a vast assemblage of civil and military -persons, attended to witness the demolition. The mines were to have -been fired at three points to insure the entire mass coming down at -once, but the sapper[257] stationed at the third mine, without -waiting for the necessary signals, applied his match to the charge, -and the whole of the mines, twenty in number, were simultaneously -exploded, crumbling the escarp to pieces, without projecting a stone -fifty feet from its original position, and levelling at one crash -the whole of the work. The effect produced far surpassed the -expectations of the officers employed. Of the services of the -company, the commanding royal engineer, in his orders of the day, -thus expressed himself: “To colour-sergeant Dunnett, sergeant Young, -acting-sergeant Smith, and the non-commissioned officers and -privates of the fifth company, Colonel Durnford begs that Captain -Melhuish will convey his high approbation of the zeal and ability -with which they have performed this portion of practical duty, and -to assure them, that a report of it shall be made to the -Inspector-General of Fortifications, in order that the success of -the operations may be recorded to the credit of the fifth -company.”[258] To mark his sense of the services of the sappers on -the occasion, the Earl of Dalhousie, in a style of rare munificence, -entertained them with a ball and supper on the evening of the 7th of -March, in the casemated barracks erected by themselves in the -citadel. All the wives, families, and friends of the company -attended. Sir Noel and Lady Hill, the Honourable Colonel and Mrs. -Gore, Captain Maule, aide-de-camp to his Excellency, the officers of -royal engineers and artillery, and several officers of the garrison -were present. After supper, the officers of the company and -gentlemen visitors took their stations at the head of the table, and -at the call of Captain Melhuish, the usual toasts were disposed of. -After due honour had been paid to the toast for the health of the -Earl of Dalhousie, Captain Maule then rose and spoke as follows:— - -“Sergeant Dunnett and soldiers of the fifth company of royal sappers -and miners, nothing will be more agreeable to me, than the duty of -reporting to his lordship, the Commander of the Forces, the manner -in which you have drunk his health. The trait in a soldier’s -character, which above all others, recommends him to the notice of -his General, is a cordial co-operation on his part, heart and hand, -in the undertaking of his officers more immediately placed over him. -The fifth company of royal sappers and miners have ever eminently -displayed this feeling, but on no occasion more conspicuously than -lately in the demolition of the old fortifications. The skill with -which this work was devised, the zeal and rapidity with which it was -executed, and the magnificent result, will long remain a memorial of -all employed in it; and if I may judge from the manner in which you -have done honour to his lordship’s health, this mark of his -approbation has not been bestowed on men who will soon forget it. I -beg all present will join me in drinking the health of Captain -Melhuish, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of -the fifth company of royal sappers and miners.” - ------ - -Footnote 257: - - Corporal Daniel Brown. - -Footnote 258: - - ‘Memoir of a Practice in Mining at Quebec.’ - ------ - -Thanks being returned for the company by Captain Melhuish, sergeant -Dunnett, in a most soldierlike manner, gave the health of the ladies -and gentlemen who had honoured the company with their presence. Soon -after, the company retired to the ball-room, accompanied by the -officers and their ladies, and the festive entertainment was kept up -with spirit and propriety until five o’clock the next morning.[259] - ------ - -Footnote 259: - - ‘Quebec Mercury,’ February, 1828. - ------ - -In the erection of the citadel at Quebec, the sappers were -constantly engaged, and some of its chief work was executed by them. -The superintendence was carried on by the non-commissioned -officers—colour-sergeant Dunnett[260] and acting-sergeant John -Smith[261] being the principal foremen. Soon after the arrival of -the company, Mr. Hare,[262] the foreman of works at Quebec, died; -and on the completion of the works at Kingston, the master mason -there was sent to Quebec; but so efficiently had the masons' and -bricklayers' work been executed under military supervision, that -Colonel Durnford, the commanding royal engineer, ordered the -recently-arrived master mason to attend to the repairs of the old -fortifications and buildings, and not to interfere with the -superintendents at the new citadel. The company quitted Quebec in -October, 1831, with an excellent character, both as workmen and -soldiers. Only five men had deserted during the period of the -station, two of whom were recovered to the service and pardoned by -the Earl of Dalhousie. This was another proof of his lordship’s high -estimation of the services and conduct of the company. - ------ - -Footnote 260: - - Was the principal military foreman, and had under his charge from - 100 to 200 masons, with their labourers. In the arrangement and - management of this working force he displayed much tact and - judgment, and his work was always laid out and executed with - exactness and success. For his services he received a gratuity and - medal and a pension of 1_s._ 10½_d._ a-day in April, 1834. He was - soon afterwards appointed foreman of masons in Canada, where he - died. - -Footnote 261: - - See page 260. - -Footnote 262: - - Joseph Hare had formerly been a sergeant in the corps, and on his - discharge in October, 1822, was appointed foreman of masons at - Quebec. - ------ - -A select committee on public income and expenditure sat early this -year to scrutinize the Ordnance estimates. By this committee the -duties and services of the corps were considered. In the report upon -the evidence adduced, the committee strongly recommended that all -work which admitted of being measured should be done by contract, -and that the sappers and miners employed on buildings at day-work -should be diminished.[263] The effect of this measure was simply to -confine the labours of the corps to the repairs and fortifications, -and occasionally to building, without reducing its numerical -establishment. - ------ - -Footnote 263: - - ‘Second Report Ordnance Est.,’ 1828, printed 12th June, 1828, p. - 25. - ------ - -Another trial of pontoons took place at Chatham in July, and the -exertions of the detachment employed on the occasion under Captain -J. S. Macauley, R.E., were warmly acknowledged by Sir James -Colleton, one of the competitors. Captain White of the royal staff -corps, who was engaged on the part of Sir James, thus wrote of the -sappers:—“During my long acquaintance with military men, I never -witnessed in any troops a greater determination to perform to the -utmost of their power the duty on which they were placed. Where all -have done their duty with such energy, I cannot make any distinction -in conveying to you my good wishes towards them, except in the -conduct of corporal James Forbes, who appears to me to be a -first-rate non-commissioned officer, and who has on this occasion -done his duty in a manner highly creditable to himself.”[264] - ------ - -Footnote 264: - - See page 296. - ------ - -An epidemic fever of nearly equal severity to the one of 1804 raged -at Gibraltar in September and October. The greater part of the -sappers at the Rock were seized with the complaint and nineteen -died. Being quartered in the barracks near the unhealthy district -and in the vicinity of the line of drains, the companies furnished -the first victims to the disease;[265] and to lessen the mortality -which this circumstance was likely to induce, they were, for a time, -encamped on a rocky flat below Windmill Hill. The deaths at the -fortress during the prevalence of the fever were 507 military and -1,700 civilians.[266] - ------ - -Footnote 265: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i. 1831, p. 235. - -Footnote 266: - - Martin’s ‘British Colonies,’ v. p. 79. - ------ - -Lieutenant H. R. Brandreth, R.E., early in 1829 proceeded to -Ascension, and having made a survey of the island, returned to -England and reported on its capabilities for defence and eligibility -for an Admiralty station. Lance-corporal William Beal was attached -to that officer and employed under him from March to September. His -duty was chiefly that of a clerk, but he also assisted in making the -measurements of the survey, and in collecting geological specimens -to illustrate the character of the strata. In the discharge of these -services, his zeal and intelligence were found very useful, and on -his return he was deservedly promoted to be second-corporal. - -In June the forage caps were somewhat altered. The yellow band was -abolished, and hoops and stiffening were forbidden. The cap was now -of plain blue web, with leather peak and chin strap. The sergeants' -caps were of plain blue cloth, hooped and stiffened, with three -chevrons of gold lace in front over the peak. The staff-sergeants -retained the gold bands. - -Nova Scotia, which ceased to be a station for the corps in 1819, was -again opened for a company this year, which landed from the ‘Sophia’ -transport on the 10th June, 1829. A company of the corps has ever -since been employed there in carrying on the ordinary works and -fortifications, and in the erection of the citadel. - -Twelve privates under corporal James Forbes, were, in September, for -the first time, sent to Sandhurst to afford practical instruction in -sapping, mining, &c., to the gentlemen cadets at the Royal Military -College. The term extended over September and October, and the party -returned to Chatham with the highest character. Much praise was -awarded to corporal Forbes for his exertions and attainments, and -his promotion to the rank of sergeant followed in consequence. From -that time a detachment has, during each term, been attached to the -college for the same useful purpose, and has invariably performed -its duties with credit and effect. - - - - - 1830-1832. - -The chaco—Brigade-Major Rice Jones—Island of Ascension—Notice of - corporal Beal—Detachment to the Tower of London—Chatham during the - Reform agitation—Staff appointments—Sergeant M‘Laren the first - medallist in the corps—Terrific hurricane at Barbadoes; - distinguished conduct of colour-sergeant Harris and corporal - Muir—Subaqueous destruction of the ‘Arethusa’ at Barbadoes—Return - of a detachment to the Tower of London—Rideau canal; services of - the sappers in its construction; casualties; and disbandment of - the companies—Costume—First detachment to the Mauritius—Notice of - corporal Reed—Pendennis Castle. - - -The chaco was altered this year to one of a reduced form, and -decorated with yellow lines and tassels, which fell upon the -shoulders and looped to the centre of the breast. The brasses -comprised a radiated star with three guns, carriages, and sponges, -surmounted by a crown. The scales were, for the first time, worn -under the chin, and a goose feather ten inches long, was held -upright by an exploded shell. The ear-cover was removed, and a -patent leather band was substituted.—See Plate XIV., 1832. The -sergeants and staff-sergeants had chacos of a superior description -with ornaments of fine gilt, bearing guns, carriages, and sponges of -silver. The lines and tassels were of gold cord, and were worn only -at reviews or on special occasions. Oil-skin covers were sometimes -worn by the officers, and oil-skin cases for the feather by all -ranks in rainy weather. Worsted mitts were also adopted at this time -instead of leather gloves. The sergeants and the staff wore white -Berlin gloves. - -Major Frank Stanway, R.E., was appointed brigade-major to the corps -on the 8th June, vice Lieutenant-Colonel Rice Jones removed on -promotion. The post had been held by Colonel Jones for seventeen -years. Under his guidance, a successful check was given to those -deep-rooted habits of indiscipline which had characterized the -corps, and cramped its efficiency. This was not accomplished without -encountering many obstacles; but firm in his purpose, and decided in -his bearing and orders, he soon reaped the reward of his -perseverance and diligence; and when the custom of the service -required that he should relinquish his charge, he delivered the -corps to his successor in a state that reflected upon him the -highest honour. - -Second-corporal William Beal returned to Ascension in August with -Captain Brandreth, and continued with him till September, 1831. -During this period he assisted in marking out the sites of the -principal works proposed to be erected for the improvement and -establishment of the colony as a naval victualling station, and -performed his duty in an able and satisfactory manner.[267] - ------ - -Footnote 267: - - Was educated for a Baptist minister; but an introduction to Dr. - Olinthus Gregory failing to realize his hopes, he enlisted in the - corps in 1828. His intelligence caused him to be chosen for the - two surveys of Ascension. He afterwards served at Bermuda, and at - Halifax, Nova Scotia. At the former station he was wounded by the - accidental firing of a mine whilst blasting rock, and submitted to - the amputation of portions of his fingers with stoical composure. - Wherever he went he took with him a small but valuable library, - and was well read in the latest issues from the press. Byron, - Carlyle, and some abstruse German writers, were his favourite - authors. No man in his condition of life was, perhaps, as - conversant with the roots and eccentricities of the English - language as Beal, and his mental endowments rendered him capable - of grasping any subject, however deep, and turning it to profit - both in his duties and in his daily intercourse with men. Late in - his service he attained proficiency as a draughtsman, and later - still, an enterprising engineer in London submitted a plan for a - system of sewers in the metropolis, which was accompanied by a - report drawn up by this sergeant. He left the corps in April, - 1849, with a pension of 2_s._; and the knowledge and experience he - had acquired by application and travel, are now being employed, - with advantage to his interests, in one of the settlements on the - Rideau Canal in Canada. - ------ - -Reform was, at this period, the turbulent cry of the country, and -masses of the people in consequence of its delay, assumed a menacing -attitude. Anticipating an outbreak in the metropolis, one sergeant, -two corporals, and twenty-eight privates under the command of -Lieutenant George Page, R.E., marched to the Tower on the 8th -November. The two following days the detachment was under arms with -the other troops to put down any attempt at insurrection, but both -days passed off without any demonstration requiring the interference -of the military. After constructing some temporary works in and -about the Tower, the party returned to Woolwich 22nd January, 1831. - -At Chatham during the same period, Colonel Sir Archibald Christie, -the commandant, did the corps the honour of confiding to it the -charge of the magazines within the lines. Repeatedly the guards were -approached by suspicious persons; and on one occasion private John -Herkes was fired at by an unseen hand, but the ball missed him and -perforated the sentry-box. The vigilance of the men and the -strictness with which they discharged their duty, gained them the -highest credit. - -Captain Edward Matson was appointed brigade-major to the corps on -the 14th February, vice Major Stanway who resigned; and Captain -Joshua Jebb was commissioned as adjutant to the establishment at -Chatham from the same date in the room of Captain Matson. - -Colour-sergeant James McLaren was the first soldier of the corps who -received the gratuity and medal. The distinction was conferred upon -him in April, and well he merited it, both on account of his -excellent conduct and his good services at St. Sebastian, Algiers, -New Orleans, and the Cape of Good Hope. He only survived the receipt -of his honours a few days. - -Barbadoes was visited by a hurricane at midnight on the 11th August, -and its results far exceeded in magnitude the fearful storms of 1675 -and 1780. The loss of life on this occasion was calculated at 2,500, -and the wounded at 5,000 persons; while the value of property -destroyed, exclusive of losses by the government and the shipping, -was estimated at more than a million and a half of money. But in -this universal devastation the military suffered but little. The -company of sappers was quartered in the barracks at the -parade-ground. The lower part, occupied by the artillery, lost only -the jalousie windows; while the upper part, where the sappers were -located, was considerably cracked, the roof uncovered, and several -of the rafters broken, by the falling of the parapet upon them. -Still with all this danger no accident happened which affected life -or limb.[268] At the hospital the consequences were different. -Strongly built and appearing to defy the most powerful storm, that -building was blown down, and private Charles Shambrook crushed to -death in the fall.[269] During the hurricane it is recorded, that -colour-sergeant Joseph Harris signalized himself at the hospital of -the 36th regiment by his praiseworthy exertions in rescuing -sufferers from the ruins; and his skilful and zealous conduct was -applauded by the officers who assisted him.[270] Corporal Andrew -Muir of the corps also, at great risk to his life, distinguished -himself by his activity in every part where his assistance was -required, and being a very powerful man, was eminently successful in -relieving his suffering fellow-soldiers of various corps.[271] - ------ - -Footnote 268: - - ‘Account of the fatal Hurricane at Barbadoes in 1831,’ p. 89. - -Footnote 269: - - Opposite the General Hospital, a monumental tomb, erected by his - surviving comrades, marks the spot where the mangled remains of - poor Shambrook were interred. Ibid., p. 95. - -Footnote 270: - - Ibid., p. 94. - -Footnote 271: - - Ibid., p. 97. - ------ - -Soon after the hurricane, the ‘Arethusa,’ of Liverpool, a ship of -350 tons, was blown to pieces by gunpowder in the harbour of -Barbadoes, by colour-sergeant Harris and a party of the 19th company -under the direction of Major, now Colonel Sir William Reid. The -destruction of the ship was effected by a number of successive small -charges of gunpowder applied to the ship’s bottom as near the keel -as possible, and fired at high water;[272] and as it has not been -discovered, in the history of engineering, that the entire -demolition of a wreck was ever accomplished by these means, it is -therefore memorable that the royal sappers and miners were the first -who ever destroyed a sunken wreck by submarine mining.[273] - ------ - -Footnote 272: - - ‘Prof. Papers, Royal Engineers,’ ii. p. 36. ‘United Service - Journal,’ iii. 1838, p. 37. - -Footnote 273: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ ii. 1839, p. 183, 184. - ------ - -On the 7th October, the House of Lords threw out the Reform Bill, -and as consequent riots had occurred in various parts of the -country, it was expected that an attack would be made on the Tower -of London. To assist in repelling any attempt upon that fortress, -two sergeants and thirty-three rank and file under the command of -Lieutenant John Williams, R.E., were sent there on the 8th November, -but after being under arms for a week, they returned to Woolwich, -without any necessity arising for the employment of their services. - -Late in December, second-corporal Edward Deane and private James -Andrews, accompanied Captain C. Grierson to Western Africa, where -they were employed in surveying the coast and the town of Bathurst. -On this duty they were found particularly useful, and rejoined at -Woolwich in June, 1832. - -The Rideau Canal, began in 1827, was finished in the winter of 1831, -connecting the trade and commerce of the two provinces of Canada, on -which, by means of locks and dams, vessels are raised to a summit -level of 283 feet in eighty-four miles, and again descend 165 feet -in forty-three miles.[274] The object of the undertaking was, in the -event of a war with the United States, to have a secure water -communication open between the lakes and Lower Canada.[275] Two -companies of the corps were employed on this service under the -command of Lieut.-Colonel By of the engineers, whose name was given -to the town which rose up in the wild spot selected for the -headquarters. The earliest hut in Bytown, now a flourishing -settlement, was built by the sappers. For the first summer they were -encamped on a height near the Ottawa, but before the winter set in -were removed into temporary barracks erected by themselves. Most of -the work of the canal was executed by contract, but in some parts of -the line where the engineering difficulties were great, sapper -labour was chiefly resorted to—the non-commissioned officers acting -as foremen of trades and overseers. Parties were detached during the -progress of the canal to Merrick’s Mills, Isthmus of Mud Lake, Upper -Narrows, rivers Tay and Richmond, Jones' Falls, Claffey’s Mills, -Newborough, and Isthmus of Rideau Lake. - -Footnote 274: - - Speech of Major Selwyn, R.E. ‘Graham’s Town Journal,’ 1842. - -Footnote 275: - - ‘Prof. Papers, Royal Engineers,’ v. p. 157. - ------ - -Among the chief services rendered by the companies it is recorded, -that a party levelled and cleared the channel of the river between -Black Rapids and the head of Long Island. Over the canal they built -a bridge connecting upper and lower Bytown, which still bears the -designation of the “Sappers' bridge.” In the construction of the -first eight locks at the Ottawa, the companies participated to an -important extent, and Sir Henry Hardinge, in his evidence before the -Select Committee in March, 1828, alluded to their employment at some -of the most difficult parts of the work towards the Ottawa.[276] No -less difficult was the work executed by them at Hog’s bank. The dam -there had been commenced by the contractor, but he ultimately -abandoned the undertaking. Sixty men of the corps were withdrawn -from the Ottawa to recommence it, and, with some hundred labourers, -were employed at the dam all the winter of 1828 and 1829. Before the -breaking up of the frost, the masonry was nearly completed with a -base of 25 feet; but on the 6th April, 1829, the water found its way -through the frozen earth, and making a breach in the dam, carried -away everything opposed to it. This was the second failure. Still a -third time it was attempted, and under the superintendence of -Captain Victor of the royal engineers, a strong framework of timber -was formed in front of the breach, supported and strengthened by -enormous masses of clay, stone, and gravel, with a base of 250 feet, -which successfully overcame the difficulty; and the dam, in 1837, -was the most substantial work on the whole line of canal.[277] - ------ - -Footnote 276: - - ‘Select Report Ordnance Est.,’ printed 12th June, 1828, p. 82. - -Footnote 277: - - ‘Prof. Papers, Royal Engineers,’ i. p. 86. - ------ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Sappers & Miners Plate XIV. - UNIFORM 1832 Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -On the completion of the work, which cost upwards of a million of -money, the two companies were disbanded in December. Their united -strength on leaving England was 160, and the casualties during their -period of service at the canal were as follows:— - - Deserted 35 Of whom two were apprehended and - transported. - Transported 1 - Died 16 - Killed 5 By blasting rock, either in the - quarries or the canal. - Drowned 1 - 71 Thirty-seven at the Isthmus of Rideau - Discharged Lake, and thirty-four at - Bytown.[278] - Invalids, and remnant of } - companies returned to } 31 - England } ___ - Total 160 - ------ - -Footnote 278: - - Most of these men received 100 acres of land each as a reward for - their services and good conduct, and several were provided with - appointments on the canal. - ------ - -By the reduction of these companies the establishment of the corps -fell from 1,349 to 1,187 of all ranks. - -A material alteration was made in the clothing this year by changing -the colour of the coatee from scarlet to the infantry red, and the -style and decoration of the dress were also modified, to correspond -with the form of lacing adopted generally in the line.—See Plate -XIV. - -The coatee of the bugle-major remained in all respects the same as -before. The buglers also retained the scarlet, but the style of -wearing the lace accorded with that of the privates. For the working -dress, a round jacket with bell buttons bearing the corps device, -was established, instead of the jacket with short skirts. Of both -uniform and working trousers, the colour was changed from light blue -to dark Oxford mixture; but the uniform trousers as formerly, were -much finer than the working ones. The red stripe down the outer seam -was two inches broad on the former, and half an inch wide on the -latter. Laced boots were also introduced this year in place of the -short Wellingtons, issued for the first time in 1825. The leather -stock hitherto supplied by the public, was now made an article of -necessaries and provided at the cost of the soldier. - -A detachment of seven masons and bricklayers under corporal John -Reed, embarked for the Mauritius on the 25th May and arrived there -in the ‘Arab,’ transport, on the 13th November. This was the first -party of the corps that had ever landed at the Isle of France. On -board ship, great irregularity prevailed among the troops; but -corporal Reed’s party behaved in so exemplary a manner, that the -report of their creditable conduct was made the subject of a general -order to the corps.[279] The detachment was sent to the island at -the recommendation of Lieutenant-Colonel Fyers of the royal -engineers, for the purpose of leading and instructing the native -artificers, and were quartered in some old slave huts at the Caudon. -The first work undertaken by the sappers was the tower at Black -River. While this was in progress, a reinforcement of one -colour-sergeant, and twenty-two rank and file, under the command of -Captain C. Grierson, R.E., landed from the ‘Royal George,’ -freightship on the 22nd January, 1833, and afterwards assisted in -the works at Black River, and also in the erection of two martello -towers at Grand River. When these were completed, the services of -the entire detachment were chiefly confined to the building of the -citadel on the Petite Montagne. - ------ - -Footnote 279: - - Corporal Reed, when returning home an invalid from the Mauritius, - was wrecked on the 17th July, 1836, in the barque ‘Doncaster,’ on - the reef L’Agulhas, 70 miles S.E. of the Cape of Good Hope, and - perished with his wife and family of four children. - ------ - -In May six rank and file were detached from Plymouth to Pendennis -Castle. In June of the next year the party was increased to two -sergeants and eighteen rank and file, who were employed there until -August in repairing the barracks and strengthening the ramparts. - - - - - 1833-1836. - -Inspection at Chatham by Lord Hill—Pontoon experiments—Withdrawal - of companies from the ports—Reduction of the corps, and - reorganization of the companies—Recall of companies from - abroad—Purfleet—Trigonometrical survey of west coast of - England—Draft to the Cape—Review at Chatham by Lord Hill—Motto to - the corps—Reinforcement to the Mauritius—Inspection at Woolwich by - Sir Frederick Mulcaster—Mortality from cholera; services of - corporals Hopkins and Ritchley—Entertainment to the detachment at - the Mauritius by Sir William Nicolay—Triangulation of the - west coast of Scotland—Kaffir war—Appointments of ten - foremen of works—Death of Quartermaster Galloway—Succeeded - by sergeant-major Hilton—Sergeant Forbes—Notice of his - father—Lieutenant Dashwood—Euphrates expedition—Labours of - the party—Sergeant Sim—Generosity of Colonel Chesney, - R.A.—Additional smiths to the expedition—Loss of the ‘Tigris’ - steamer—Descent of the Euphrates—Sappers with the expedition - employed as engineers—Corporal Greenhill—Approbation of - the services of the party—Triangulation of west coast of - Scotland—Addiscombe—Expedition to Spain—Character of the - detachment that accompanied it—Passages; action in front of San - Sebastian—Reinforcement to Spain—Final trial of Pontoons—Mission - to Constantinople. - - -The corps at Chatham, consisting of two companies and a detachment, -were inspected by Lord Hill, the Commander-in-Chief, on the 16th -August, 1833, and his Lordship was pleased to express his -approbation of their efficiency and appearance. - -On the 20th of the same month, some experimental practice was -carried on with Major Blanshard’s cylindrical pontoons on the -canal in the royal arsenal at Woolwich, in the presence of -Lieutenant-General Sir James Kempt, the Master-General. In these -trials two non-commissioned officers and twenty-four privates from -Chatham assisted, and their activity and energy elicited the -thanks of the inventor and the commendation of the Master-General. - -On the recommendation of a committee appointed by the -Master-General, the company at Plymouth with the detachment at -Pendennis, was removed to Woolwich on the 18th August, 1833, and the -company at Portsmouth was also transferred to head-quarters on the -29th of the same month. For nearly fifty years a company had been -quartered at each of those ports, and their withdrawal was caused by -some approaching alterations in the construction and distribution of -the corps. - -The expediency of reducing it, and remodelling the organization of -the companies, had been under consideration for months; and it was -believed that even after providing an adequate establishment of -sappers and miners proportionate to the strength of the infantry, -the numbers of the corps might be so diminished as to lessen its -expense 5,000_l._ annually. Major-General Pilkington, the -Inspector-General of Fortifications, laid down the rule that 100 -sappers was a fair number to be attached to 4,000 infantry, subject, -however, to augmentation in particular cases, according to the -nature of the country in which operations might be carried on. On -these data, Sir James Kempt ordered, on the 30th August, 1833, the -companies of the corps to be compressed from seventeen into twelve, -and the establishment to be reduced from 1,187 to 1,070 of all -ranks. - -Under the same order, the eight general service and three survey -companies were composed of the following ranks and numbers:— - - Colour- Ser- Cor- 2nd Bugl. Priv. Total. General - sergeant. geants. porals. corp. Total. - 1 2 3 3 2 80 91 for 11 Comps.= - 1,001 - The Corfu Comp- } - any, paid by } - the Ionian Gov- } - ernment, was } 1 2 3 3 2 51 62 62 - unchanged in } - its establish- } - ment, and } - consisted of } _____ - 1,063 - The Staff, including Brigade-major, Adjutant, Quartermaster, } - 2 Sergeant-majors, 1 Quartermaster-sergeant,[280] and } 7 - 1 Bugle-major, amounted to } - _____ - Making of all ranks a total of 1,070 - ===== - ------ - -Footnote 280: - - One quartermaster-sergeant was now reduced, and Francis Allen, who - held the rank for twenty-two years, was discharged in October, - 1833, and pensioned at 2_s._ 8½_d._ a-day, having completed a - service of more than forty years. One of his sons, formerly in the - corps, is foreman of works at Alderney, and another, until - recently, was clerk of works in the royal engineer department, - London district. - ------ - -The distribution of the companies was fixed as follows:— - - Companies. - Woolwich 3 - Chatham 1 - Survey 3 - Gibraltar 1 - Corfu 1 - Bermuda 1 - Halifax 1 - Cape of Good Hope ½ - Mauritius ½ - Mauritius ½ - ____ - Total 12 - ==== - -The companies at Barbadoes and Quebec, and the second companies at -Gibraltar and Bermuda, were recalled and incorporated with the -newly-constructed companies, or reduced as the circumstances of the -service required. The reduction was a progressive measure, and not -finally effected till the 6th November, 1834. - -A party of six rank and file was sent in January to Purfleet; and a -like number continued for more than twenty years to be employed -there in carrying on the current repairs to the departmental -property with advantage to the public service. - -In May, sergeant George Derbyshire and five rank and file were -detached under Captain Henderson, of the engineers, on the -trigonometrical survey of the west coast of England. The operations -embraced the triangulation of the Lancashire and Cumberland coasts -with the Isle of Man, and part of the coast of Scotland. The -sergeant and one of the privates were employed as observers; the -remainder assisted in the erection of objects for observation, -stages, &c., and attended to the duties of the camp. The party -quitted the mountains in October and rejoined their several -companies. - -In the same month, at the Cape of Good Hope, the detachment was -augmented to half a company of forty-eight of all ranks. The -necessity for this addition had been repeatedly represented by the -commanding royal engineer at the station. Scarcely a bricklayer or -mason could be found in the colony who had served an apprenticeship; -and those who professed these trades were not only unskilful and -indolent, but generally drunken and dissipated. It therefore became -an object of much importance to increase the sappers at the Cape to -a number sufficient to meet the exigencies of the service. - -On the 3rd June a company and detachment of the corps were reviewed -at Chatham with the troops in garrison by Lord Hill, who expressed -his approbation of the soldier-like appearance and effective state -of the sappers. - -His Majesty, in July, 1832, ordered the motto “Ubique quo fas et -gloria ducunt” to be borne on the appointments of the corps, in -addition to the Royal Arms and Supporters; and this year the -cap-plates and breast-plates were made to accord with the King’s -command. The cap-lines or cords and tassels issued in 1830 were -abolished this year, and the staff-sergeants were permitted to wear, -instead of the forage-cap, a silk oilskin chaco of the same size and -shape as the regimental chaco. - -In July a reinforcement of fifteen rank and file landed at the -Mauritius from the ‘Valleyfield’ freightship, increasing the -detachment to a half company of forty-five strong. - -On the 16th August the three companies and detachment at Woolwich -were inspected by Major-General Sir Frederic Mulcaster, the -Inspector-General of Fortifications, and the perfect satisfaction he -felt at what he witnessed was made the subject of a general order to -the corps. - -For four years the cholera had been prevalent in many parts of Great -Britain and the colonies, but owing to the admirable precautions -adopted, the disease was not only less formidable, but much less -fatal among the military than the civil population. In the royal -sappers and miners the numbers seized with the malady were -comparatively insignificant; and during this period, though the -disease had visited most of the stations where companies of the -corps were quartered, the fatal cases only amounted to sixteen men, -five women, and four children. Those cases occurred at the following -stations:— - - Serg. Priv. Wom. Child. - Quebec, in July and September, 1832 .. .. .. - Portsmouth, August, 1833 .. 1 1 2 - Gibraltar, July, 1834 1 3 3 3 - Halifax, N.S., in August and September, 1834. .. 7 .. .. - -At Portsmouth ten men were admitted into hospital with the disease. -The company was consequently removed to Southsea Castle and the -cholera disappeared. At Gibraltar thirty-one men were admitted, and -the deaths were few in proportion to the loss of some regiments in -garrison, the 50th regiment having lost nearly fifty men. Of the -military at the fortress about 140 died of cholera, but the -civilians counted 470 fatal cases. During the raging of the disease, -corporal John Hopkins and lance-corporal William Ritchley were -conspicuous for their zeal and attention to the sick. Their duties -were attended with considerable personal risk; and to the valuable -assistance they rendered to the men in the early stages of the -attack, both by their cheerful exertions and judgment, is attributed -the rapid recovery of many of those who were sent to the hospital. -Corporal Hopkins was promoted to the rank of sergeant in -consequence. At Halifax, Dr. M‘Donald of the ordnance medical -department, gained much credit for his indefatigable attention to -his numerous patients, twenty-six of whom recovered under his -skilful treatment; and his great success in so many cases was lauded -both by the medical chief of his own department, and the -Master-General. - -In December the foundation stone of the citadel of La Petite -Montagne, Mauritius, was laid by Major-General Sir William Nicolay, -the governor of the colony, with all the parade and ceremony usual -on such occasions. The company was present, and private William -Reynolds, the most skilful mason in the detachment, had the honour -of assisting his Excellency in the deposition of the stone. In the -evening of the same day to commemorate the event, the detachment -with their wives and families partook of a sumptuous supper -generously furnished by his Excellency. - -From June to October, sergeant George Darbyshire and five men were -employed under Captain Henderson, R.E., in the triangulation of the -west coast of Scotland, and were encamped during the operations on -the mountains. - -At the Cape of Good Hope the incursions of the Kaffirs brought on a -desultory war this year, and the detachment of the corps in the -colony was scattered in small parties over the frontier. Though much -employed with the advanced forces in superintending the construction -of redoubts and other indispensable defensive works, they were never -called upon to take any particular part in attacking the enemy. The -marching to which they were subjected, through a country of bush and -mountain, was severe, and exposed under canvas or in bivouac to -every variation of the climate, they shared all the trials and -sufferings incident to the troops. - -Sir Hussey Vivian, the Master-General, entertained so favourable an -opinion of the corps, that he felt it right, on the 6th October, to -order increased encouragement to be given to non-commissioned -officers of proper attainments and merits, by appointing them -occasionally to be foremen of works in the royal engineer -department. The first appointed under this order was sergeant Henry -French,[281] and at distant intervals the following non-commissioned -officers were promoted to that rank—viz., sergeants Nicolas -Markey,[282] William Spry,[283] John Wood,[284] William Jago,[285] -Hugh Munro,[286] John Hopkins,[287] second-corporal Daniel -Rock,[288] sergeant William Sargent,[289] and quarter-master -sergeant Noah Deary.[290] - ------ - -Footnote 281: - - Had served upwards of twenty-two years in the corps; and was a - shrewd man and a skilful carpenter and overseer. He was appointed - in October, 1836, to Guernsey, where he died in February, 1854. - His eldest son, a very promising young man, is now foreman of - works in the department at the Tower. - -Footnote 282: - - Joined the corps a lad, and by perseverance made himself competent - for higher duty. To smartness in person he united much activity of - body, and in September, 1843, was advanced to the civil branch, - first to Corfu and then to Gibraltar; where, in the excess of his - zeal on the works, he fell from his horse by a stroke of the sun, - and sustained an injury in the head. He is now at Dublin, a - lunatic, passing away his life on a retirement of 32_l._ a-year. - He served seventeen years in the sappers. - -Footnote 283: - - Was an excellent mason and very efficient as a foreman. He had - been on a mission to Constantinople, and received from Sultan - Mahmoud II. a gold medal for his services. After a service of - twenty-one years in the corps, he was, in June, 1844, appointed to - Gibraltar, where he fell into habits of excessive intemperance and - committed suicide in 1852. - -Footnote 284: - - As master mason at Vido he constructed the works with remarkable - ability. He also superintended the erection of the half-moon - battery in the citadel and the defensive buildings at Fort Neuf. - Colonel Hassard said, on his leaving, that he hardly expected a - man of equal talent to fill his place: and it may be observed that - he could speak with fluency the different languages of the civil - workmen at Corfu. By Colonel Hassard he was recommended to visit - Rome and other places for artistic improvement, but the usages of - the service did not permit the concession of this favour. In 1837 - he finished the erection of the Longona cistern at Paxo, which - relieved the inhabitants from the necessity of taking long - journeys to procure supplies. The work was very creditable to him, - and gained for him the eulogy and good will of the whole island. - To commemorate its completion a procession of the functionaries - and _élite_ of Paxo took place, and Wood, the great object of - attraction, was warmly greeted by the grateful populace. He became - foreman of works in November, 1844, first at Cephalonia, and next - at Corfu. His service in the corps was over twenty-three years. - -Footnote 285: - - He gained his promotion very rapidly, for he was in all respects a - very clever artificer and foreman. In the works of the department - at Woolwich he was found a great acquisition, and after serving - for a few years at Bermuda, where his usefulness was greatly - appreciated, he was discharged in May, 1845, and appointed to - Canada. There he passed seven years, and is now serving at - Gibraltar. - -Footnote 286: - - A good mason, and bore an unblameable character. After twenty - years' service, chiefly at Halifax and Corfu, he was appointed to - Malta in April, 1847, where he is still serving with efficiency - and credit. - -Footnote 287: - - When he joined the corps a lad, in 1826, he could scarcely write, - but by diligent application he soon exhibited talents which in - after years caused him to be selected for important duties. - Promotion he received rapidly, and for his intelligence and - ingenuity at Sandhurst in 1839 he was honourably noticed in the - ‘United Service Journal,’ ii. 1839, p. 420. For many years he - served at Gibraltar and the Cape of Good Hope, became a fair - draftsman and architect, and in July, 1848, after a service of - twenty-two years, was appointed foreman of works, first at the - Cape, and then at Woolwich. He is now clerk of works at - Shoeburyness. - -Footnote 288: - - Was a superior mason, and trained before enlistment as an - overseer. Most of his military service—nineteen years—was spent on - the surveys of Great Britain and Ireland, in which he had made - himself so proficient a surveyor and mathematician, that he was - one of three non-commissioned officers sent to the royal - observatory at Greenwich to receive instructions in the mode of - making astronomical observations. This was with the view to his - employment on the boundary survey in America, in which he - afterwards served for a season with approbation. Colonel Estcourt - wrote of him,—“He is intelligent, well educated, and efficient for - almost any duty.” These acquirements, coupled with his good - conduct, gained for him the vacant foremancy at Zante, in - September, 1848; but, it must be added, he commenced the duty in - dishonour by unwarrantably drawing a bill on the Assistant - Adjutant-General of the royal engineers, and then having run a - career of dissipation that nothing could check, was justly - dismissed in disgrace in July, 1849. - -Footnote 289: - - Joined the corps from the military asylum at Chelsea. Until the - Russian war broke out he had not been noticed for any particular - aptitude or efficiency. When at Constantinople, thrown by - circumstances into boundless difficulties consequent on the - frightful pressure for hospital accommodation, his services were - invaluable. “I have no hesitation,” wrote Captain E. C. A. Gordon, - 20th August, 1855, “in saying, that I believe the success of the - works that were executed was owing, in a great measure, to his - excessive and untiring zeal and activity.” This recommendation was - the occasion of his appointment at Scutari, from whence, after the - return of peace, he was removed to the engineer department at - Devonport. - -Footnote 290: - - Entered the corps a boy from Chelsea school. With a fair share of - common sense, he made the best of his chances as a military - foreman at the Cape of Good Hope, where he had served for many - years. The recollection of his usefulness at Natal, and in other - districts of the frontier, led to his being appointed civil - foreman of works in that colony. In 1842, Deary fought in the - actions against the insurgent Boers at Natal. - ------ - -Quartermaster James Galloway died on the 9th November at Wellesley -House, Shooters' Hill, after an active service of forty-five years, -which he performed with a faithfulness amounting to devotion. Few -officers in the army in passing from the ranks to a commission, -gained higher respect than he did, and in his death few were more -regretted or more honoured. - -Sergeant-major James Hilton succeeded to the vacancy—a distinction -he merited by his long services, uniform zeal, and soldier-like -qualities. He was presented on the occasion by the officers of royal -engineers at Woolwich with a sword, and a grant was made to him of -20_l._ to assist him in his outfit. - -Sergeant James Forbes was promoted to be sergeant-major by Sir -Hussey Vivian as a reward for his services. For six years he had -been employed, during every spring and autumn, at the royal military -college at Sandhurst, in the instruction of the gentlemen cadets, -and returned to his corps on every occasion with fresh claims to -approbation. Every season at the college was marked by his effecting -some improvement in the course and in rendering some new and -essential service to the institution. Among many minor subjects -necessary to complete the experimental course, he introduced the use -of various mechanical expedients in connexion with purposes of -military science, and the construction of military bridges of -different kinds, from the rudest adaptations of rough timber and -wicker work to the finished formation of a pontoon bridge.[291] -Observing his indefatigable exertions in carrying out his -professional duties at the institution, Sir George Scovell, the -Lieutenant-Governor, was induced to say, that “sergeant Forbes had -laid the college under great obligations to himself and the -admirable corps to which he belonged;” and in acknowledgment of that -obligation, Sir Edward Paget, the Governor, presented him with a -valuable case of drawing instruments. Subsequently he had the high -honour of being admitted to an audience with his Majesty, William -IV.;[292] in which interview the King graciously commended his -conduct, ability, and zeal. Soon afterwards the Master-General, who -frequently wrote in eulogistic terms of his services, promoted him -from the rank of sergeant to be sergeant-major.[293] - ------ - -Footnote 291: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ iii. 1834, p. 561, and ii. 1835, p. 277, - 278. - -Footnote 292: - - Forbes’s Pamphlet, ‘National Defences,’ 1852. - -Footnote 293: - - The father of the sergeant-major, who also held that rank in the - corps, died of fever at Walcheren in 1809, and, as soon as his son - was old enough, he was enlisted into the sappers. His age on - joining was only eight years! For a few years he was stationed at - Dover, but the chief of his career was passed at Chatham, where, - under Sir Charles Pasley, he received that instruction in field - fortification and drawing which made his services at Sandhurst so - important and successful. Here it should also be noticed that he - kept his detachments in the best order; and by their steadiness - and willing exertions, they earned for themselves a character - which has greatly raised the corps in public estimation. - ------ - -In December, Lieutenant Robert Dashwood, R.E., was appointed -acting-adjutant at head quarters, to assist the brigade-major in the -office and parade duties. This was the first appointment of the kind -in the corps at Woolwich. Smart, strict in discipline, and exact in -the performance of duty, he promised to advance the sappers to the -high development attained in well-disciplined regiments, but his -career of usefulness was suddenly cut short by disease of the heart, -of which he died on the 21st September, 1839.[294] - ------ - -Footnote 294: - - The names of the succeeding acting-adjutants at Woolwich will be - found in the Appendix III. - ------ - -In the summer of 1834 an expedition under the command of Colonel -Chesney was projected, to ascertain the practicability of the -Euphrates for opening a route by steam navigation to India. A -detachment of the royal artillery and five men of the corps were -appointed to it. One, sergeant Thomas Sim, was a surveyor, and the -rest were smiths, and their qualifications in steam machinery, -surveying, and drawing, had particular reference to the wants of the -enterprise. When selected their names were submitted to the -King.[295] For their military dress was substituted a plain blue -suit, consisting of a slouched cap, frock coat with gilt buttons, -and loose trousers, as more suitable to the climate of the East. The -beard and moustache after the oriental fashion were also worn. - ------ - -Footnote 295: - - Chesney’s ‘Expedition to the Euphrates,’ Pref. x. - ------ - -In September the party was sent to the factory of Messrs. Laird and -Co., at Birkenhead; and after receiving instructions in riveting and -the management of steam engines, sailed on the 10th February, 1835, -for Syria. Three of the party only landed; the other two having, by -some mismanagement, returned to England from Malta. From the mouth -of the Orontes to Bir, a distance of 145 miles, the three sappers, -as well as the other soldiers and seamen, were employed in -transporting the materials for the construction and armament of two -steamers, across a country of varied and difficult features, -intersected by a lake and two rapid rivers. Boilers of great weight -were forced up hills, inch by inch, by means of screw-jacks; and -through the unflagging exertions of officers and men, and their -patient endurance of suffering and fatigue, was accomplished “one of -the most gigantic operations of modern times.”[296] - ------ - -Footnote 296: - - Chesney’s ‘Observations on Fire-arms,’ p. 197. - ------ - -While these arduous labours were in operation, two of the three -sappers died—sergeant Sim and lance-corporal Samuel Gidens. For the -most part, the sergeant had been employed with Lieutenant Murphy, -R.E., or alone, in surveying the country from Latakia to the Gulf of -Scanderoon; and in which, from his previous knowledge and -experience, he was found of great use; but while prosecuting this -duty, he frequently slept on the sands or in open boats, and thus -contracted a disease no skill could eradicate. When surveying on -Beilan mountain he suffered much from the keen and penetrating wind -to which he was exposed, and was removed to Antioch for the benefit -of his health. A slight improvement urged him to the field again; -but at Suedia, being thrown from a horse and much injured, he was -again sent in a litter to Antioch, where he breathed his last on the -19th September, 1835. - -The corporal died at Fort William on the 3rd August. Up to the date -of his illness he worked most diligently; and to mark the sense -entertained of his services, a gratuity of 100l. was granted by the -Treasury to his bereaved family on the recommendation of Colonel -Chesney, to whose honour it should be recorded that out of his own -purse, he liberally supported the widow and her children, until the -award was made by the Government. - -Feeling the want of the two smiths who had been sent home from -Malta, Colonel Chesney applied to have them re-attached to the -expedition. His wish was at once acceded to, and with them sailed -two other privates, on the 3rd January, 1836, for Syria. Arriving at -Malta, they were passed on with all dispatch in the ‘Columbia’ sloop -of war, and reached Antioch late in February, in time to take part -in the final preparations for floating the steamers. This -reinforcement of “promising men, brought the party,” so the Colonel -writes, “to efficiency once more,” and on the 16th March the descent -of the river was commenced. There were now five sappers with the -expedition—one surveyor, and four blacksmiths and millwrights, -including corporal William Black, all valuable as artificers and -engineers. Three were allotted to the ‘Euphrates’ steamer, and two -to the ‘Tigris.’ Civil engineers were also attached to each vessel, -to whom the sapper smiths acted as subordinates, and were styled -assistant engineers. - -On the 21st May a calamity occurred which deprived the expedition of -nearly one half of its force. The steamers were descending the river -with success, when they were overtaken by a hurricane of -indescribable violence which placed both vessels in imminent peril. -The storm raged only eight minutes, but during those fearful moments -the ‘Tigris,’ caught up in its furious vortex, was engulfed with -twenty of its officers and men. Corporal Benjamin Fisher and private -Archibald McDonald of the sappers were on board: the former was -dashed on shore and saved, the latter perished; but his comrades had -the satisfaction of recovering and interring his remains on the -banks of the stream, near Anna. - -The descent of the “Great River” was accomplished by reaching its -junction with the ‘Tigris’ at Kurnah, on the 18th June, 1836, and -seventy-two guns having been fired the next day in honour of His -Majesty William IV., the steamer crossed the Persian Gulf to -Bushire, to meet expected supplies from Bombay. After three months' -delay at the former port refitting the vessel and completing the -engines with the assistance of the sappers, and a fresh crew having -been obtained from the Indian navy, the steamer re-crossed the -Persian Gulf, and the ascent of the river commenced. - -The chief engineer having died the first day of the ascent, the -engines were entrusted to the sole management of corporal Fisher, -who continued to perform this duty most satisfactorily up to the -termination of the service. Corporal Black was the senior -non-commissioned officer of the party, but his health had previously -become so much impaired that he was sent from Bussora to Bombay for -its recovery. Of this non-commissioned officer Colonel Chesney -wrote, that “both as a soldier and a man, in every way, he does -credit to his corps.” - -With the highest testimonials the party rejoined the corps at -Woolwich in May, 1837.[297] As engineers they had been found of the -greatest service to the expedition; and for the skilfulness and -efficiency with which the engines were worked, the Government -divided the engineers' pay among them for the period they were so -employed in the following proportions:—corporal Black 13_l._; -lance-corporal B. Fisher 19_l._; lance-corporal T. Edrington 21_l._ - ------ - -Footnote 297: - - On the completion of the service, the expedition was favoured with - a few days' location at Damascus, where the party removed their - beards and moustaches, and for the first time since the - commencement of the enterprise, had the advantage of attending - church for religious worship. - ------ - -Lance-corporal William Greenhill was attached to Lieutenant -Murphy, R.E., and his duties were those which arose out of -surveying and astronomy. In the whole of the survey of the two -rivers and the countries adjacent to their banks, he took an -important part, and after the death of that officer was employed -on the line of levels between the two rivers, with reference to a -canal of intercommunication for commercial purposes. Captain -Estcourt, 43rd regiment, the second in command, in writing of this -non-commissioned officer, says: “A more willing, honest, active -man does not exist, and he is sober and trustworthy in the highest -degree.” “All,” writes the same officer, “are valuable men, and -capable of rendering important services wherever they may be -employed.” - -The approbation of the commissioners for the affairs of India was -accompanied with the following gratuities:—to corporal Black 39_l._, -and to each of the other three non-commissioned officers 19_l._ -10_s._; and further, Sir Hussey Vivian, the Master-General ordered -the promotion of corporal Black to the rank of sergeant, -second-corporal Fisher to corporal;[298] and lance-corporal William -Greenhill to be second-corporal.[299] - -In May the operations for the triangulation of the west coast of -Scotland were resumed, for the third time, under Captain Henderson, -R.E., by six non-commissioned officers and men of the corps, who -were continued on the service till the early winter. They then -returned to Woolwich with a good character for activity and -exertion. - ------ - -Footnote 298: - - Pensioned in May, 1843, and appointed assistant lighthouse keeper - at Europa Point, Gibraltar, under the Trinity Board of London. - ------ - -Footnote 299: - - Greenhill was an intelligent man, pleasantly eccentric, and fond - of antiquities. While with the expedition he made a collection of - silver coins of remote times, which, with laudable feelings of - attachment to his native place, he presented to the Perth Museum. - His hair was as white as silver, but his beard, full and flowing, - was as black as ebony. To the Arabs he was quite a phenomenon, but - the singularity which made him so, did not save him, on one - occasion, from being rudely seized by a horde of banditti, and - plundered, with almost fabulous dexterity, of the gilt buttons on - his frock coat. They had nearly finished their work, when - Greenhill tore himself from their grasp, but finding that a button - still remained on the cuff, he audaciously pulled off the frock - and threw it at them. Suspecting that their work was incomplete - the Arabs pounced on the coat, and tearing off the remaining - button scampered away to the hills again. When, some years later, - the Niger expedition was forming, Greenhill volunteered to - accompany it. He had a notion that the service would be one of - suffering and vicissitude, and the better to inure himself to its - contemplated hardships he submitted his body to rigorous - experiments of exposure and self-denial, which, inducing - erysipelas, caused his premature decease in October, 1840. - ------ - -At the request of the court of Directors of the East India Company, -seven rank and file were employed at the seminary at Addiscombe, in -throwing up field-works for the instruction of the gentlemen cadets, -during the months of August, September, and October. The corporal in -charge received 2_s._ a-day working pay, and the privates 1_s._ -a-day, each. For the two succeeding terms, a similar party was -provided for the seminary, and on each occasion received much credit -for its services. After the third term it was found desirable to -discontinue the detachment, and the Addiscombe authorities drew the -means of instruction from their own resources. - -By an order from Lord Palmerston, Lieutenant Edward Vicars, R.E., -and one sergeant and twelve rank and file, embarked at Woolwich on -the 10th July, in the ‘Pluto,’ steamer, and landed at San Sebastian -on the 19th, taking with them a limited supply of field equipment -and engineer stores. The party was attached to the royal marines, -with the British naval forces under the command of Lord John Hay, -and was intended to take part in any operations deemed necessary to -defend the Queen of Spain against the adherents of Don Carlos. All -the men were volunteers, fully capable of constructing field-works -and military bridges, and qualified, also to direct and take charge -of working parties. - -The major part of the detachment were men of notoriously bad -character, appointed to the service to afford them a chance of -reclaiming themselves; but their arrival in Spain was soon marked by -those habits of turbulence and dissipation which rendered them a -burden at home. Without zeal, spirit, or subordination, they were -found almost useless on the works, and to such a pitch was their -misconduct carried, that Lieutenant Vicars contemplated dispensing -with their services as sappers and miners. By the removal, however, -of a few of the grossest offenders, the punishment of others by the -navy, and the infusion of a better class of men among them from -England, the inevitable disgrace of the corps was prevented; and -eventually, with few trifling exceptions, the detachment established -a character for discipline, good conduct, and usefulness. - -On landing, the party was removed to the eastern heights of Passages -to complete works for the protection of the shipping in the harbour. -Here the royal marines were employed for a time, as also a force of -about 200 of the auxiliary legion. Late in September, a few of the -party assisted in throwing up a work for the defence of a bridge -leading into San Sebastian, and secured the position held by the -force on the left of Passages. It was now understood that the -Carlists intended to attack General Evans: a redoubt was forthwith -constructed on a commanding hill in front of the enemy, and a -battery for four guns and some breastworks were thrown up on the -extreme left of the position. The legion furnished a working party -of 200 men for these operations. On the 1st October, the enemy -attacked the lines in front of San Sebastian, directing their fire -principally on the picket-house, near which the battery was -progressing. Against this battery, also, another battalion was sent, -and having taken it, the column pressed on to the walls of the -station; but the party within remained firm, and the Carlists were -ultimately driven from the contest with the loss of 1,200 in killed -and wounded. In this action were present four sappers, one of whom -was wounded. - -On the 31st October, the detachment in Spain was increased to -twenty-five non-commissioned officers and men, by the arrival of -twelve rank and file from Woolwich, in the ‘Rhadamanthus’ steamer, -who were at once disposed of between San Sebastian and Passages, and -assisted in the completion of the fort and barracks at the latter. - -Experiments with the pontoons of Colonel Pasley and Major Blanshard, -took place at Chatham on the 1st July. Sir Hussey Vivian, the -Master-General, was present. For a few years previously, a portion -of the summer of every year had been past in practically testing the -projects of rival competitors for the passage of rivers; but on this -occasion the trial ended in favour of the cylindrical pontoon of -Major Blanshard. In all these trials a detachment of the corps was -employed, and in this, the last experiment, executed under the -disadvantage of extreme heat, Colonel Pasley warmly praised the -party for its zeal and activity in working the two bridges. - -With the mission to Turkey under the command of Captain du Plat, -R.E., were embarked on the 15th September, two lance-sergeants of -the corps on board the ‘Astrea,’ which entered the port of -Constantinople on the 31st October. One was a surveyor conversant -with the management of surveying instruments, and the other skilled -in the details of the duties connected with the system of -instruction carried out at Chatham. The mission took stores as -presents to the Sultan. A sergeant of the royal artillery and a -civil mechanic from the royal arsenal with Lieutenant Knowles, R.A., -accompanied it. At the time of its arrival the plague was prevalent, -and under orders from His Majesty’s ambassador at the Porte, the -mission passed a few months in the ‘Volage’ and ‘Carysfort,’ lying -in the Bosphorus. When the plague abated, the presents were conveyed -to the Sultan—Mahmoud II.; and his Highness as a token of -satisfaction presented each officer and soldier with a gold medal, -and the artizan with a gold snuff-box. The non-commissioned officers -of sappers who had the honour of receiving the distinction, were -William Spry and William Richardson. Each medal bore a gold clasp, -upon which was inscribed the name of the recipient and that of the -Sultan. During their service with the mission each received 1_s._ -6_d._ a-day working pay, and on arrival in England in April, 1838, a -gratuity of 10_l._ - - - - - 1837. - -Change in the dress—Increase of non-commissioned officers—Services - of the detachment at Ametza Gaña—Oriamendi—Desierto convent - on the Nervion—Fuentarabia—Oyarzun—Aindoin—Miscellaneous - employments of the detachment—Trigonometrical survey west - coast of Scotland—Inspection at Woolwich by Lord Hill - and Sir Hussey Vivian—Staff appointments—Labours of sergeant - Lanyon—Staff-sergeants' accoutrements—Expedition to New - Holland—Corporal Coles selected as the man Friday of his - chief—Exploration from High Bluff Point to Hanover Bay; - difficulties and trials of the trip; great thirst—Exertions - and critical situation of Coles—His courageous bearing—Touching - instance of devotion to his chief—Employments of the - party—Exploration into the interior with Coles and private - Mustard—Hardships in its prosecution—Threatened attack of the - natives; return to the camp. - - -This year the colour of the coatee was changed from red to -scarlet—Plate XV., and the huge Kilmarnock woven cap was superseded -by a neat superfine blue cloth cap, stiffened, with peak and -chin-strap. The sergeants were distinguished by black oak-leaf bands -and gilt ornaments, comprising a grenade, encircled by a laurel -wreath, and surmounted by a crown and three chevrons. The other -non-commissioned officers wore chevrons according to their ranks. -The oil-skin chaco of the staff-sergeants was put aside for a -forage-cap, with a gold oak-leaf band and gilt ornaments of a crown -within a laurel-leaf. - -By a royal warrant dated 24th April, an increase of one -sergeant, one corporal, and one second corporal was made to each -company by reducing five privates per company. Recourse to this -expedient was necessary on account of the control of the -companies being much diminished by the several detached duties -upon which non-commissioned officers were employed, as well as a -number being always required to take charge of the workshops and -working parties. The strength of each company was now fixed at 1 -colour-sergeant, 3 sergeants, 4 corporals, 4 second-corporals, 2 -buglers, 75 privates; equal 89; which, for 11 companies, gave an -establishment of 977. The Corfu company, paid by the Ionian -government, did not, from its weak numbers, participate in the -alteration. Its strength, therefore 62, with the 3 officers and -4 non-commissioned officers of the staff, made the total -establishment of the corps sanctioned by the warrant reach the -total of 1,048. The number reduced was 22 privates. - -In the early months of the year the detachment in Spain was employed -on the eastern heights of Passages in superintending the completion -of the fort and barracks, and also on the island of Santa Clara in -making platforms and repairing batteries. - -On the 10th March, seventeen of the party were present in the attack -on Ametza Gaña, and were subsequently employed in strengthening the -redoubt previously occupied by the Carlists on that position. - -In the action at Oriamendi on the 15th and 16th March, they also -served. Ten of the number assisted in levelling the enemy’s parapets -and destroying their barricades and works. The other seven, under -Lieutenant Burmester, R.E., did duty with the royal artillery -commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Colquhoun. Their help, readily -afforded at a time when it was of much value, enabled a third gun to -be brought into action; and in cutting fuzes and loading shells, -&c., they were found but little inferior to experienced -artillerymen. Lord John Hay complimented Lieutenant Vicars upon the -good service of this detachment; and the officers of the royal and -marine artillery were loud in their praises of the exertions of the -sappers, and of the efficiency of their assistance at the guns. One -private was wounded. - -A brief interval of repose followed, in which the detachment was -occupied in fortifying the eastern entrance of Passages, also in -barricading the advanced picket-house near that point, and in -completing the batteries on Santa Clara. Four men were likewise -detached to the river Nervion, and, with the crews of the ‘Scylla’ -and ‘Savage,’ restored the works of the Desierto convent which -protected the communication with Bilbao. On the return of the men, -the commander of the ‘Savage’ brig spoke most favourably of their -conduct. - -In the operations of the army under Espartero on the 14th May, -fifteen of the detachment were present and assisted in working the -guns of the royal artillery. On the 17th they embarked to act in an -attack on Fuentarabia, and were present at its capitulation on the -18th May. Here the detachment restored one of the ruined bastions of -the fortress, and, besides making embrasures for two heavy guns, -cleared away the debris from other parts of the defences and placed -them in temporary repair. - -At Oyarzun the Carlists were in the habit of creeping up to the town -and annoying the troops. To prevent this, the hill above was crowned -with a square redoubt for two guns. Ten of the detachment -superintended its construction, and the work was executed in so -excellent a manner, that experienced officers spoke of it with -unqualified satisfaction. The working party consisted of peasants -who were skilful in the construction of earth-works, and zealous in -the use of the spade and pickaxe. - -At the solicitation of General O’Donnell of the Spanish service, -nineteen of the sappers, under the command of Lieutenant Vicars, -were attached to his force. The party reached Aindoin on the 11th -September, and were set to work with a company of Gastadores under -them, on a height on the extreme left of the position. Very rapidly, -a large hedge surrounding the height was turned into a parapet; and -in places where it was too high to cut down, loopholes were formed. -A dense wood that joined the hedge was partly felled, and from its -ample resources abattis were thrown out in front of the line of -hedge. For three days the work progressed; at intervals under heavy -rain; and on the 13th September a formidable work of more than half -a mile in length was ready to obstruct the advance of the enemy. At -daylight on the 14th the Carlists opened fire on Aindoin, and the -first shot went through the house where the sappers were quartered. -At once they were withdrawn to the church, and ultimately removed to -a circular fort to attend to orders either from Lord John Hay or -General O’Donnell. Scarcely had they commenced the movement before -the enemy approached the church with irresistible impetuosity, and -drove the forces of O’Donnell from the town with signal disaster. -The escape of the detachment of sappers was almost miraculous; a few -moments later would have thrown them wholly into the hands of the -Carlists. - -During the later months of the year the detachment repaired Fort -Morales, and the lines on the western heights of Passages. There -also they fitted up barracks for the royal marines, and strengthened -the advanced picket-house. Four of the men superintended a working -party of the royal marines in completing and arming the redoubts -around San Sebastian, in which service much difficulty was -experienced from the want of an adequate working party and -materials. So impoverished were the stores, that to provide planks -and sleepers for the platforms and magazines, recourse was had to -old splintered timbers from ruined sheds and buildings. Among other -services performed by the detachment was the construction of a -redoubt at Cachola on the high road from San Sebastian to Hernani, -to protect that communication. - -On the 13th May, six rank and file were attached to Captain A. -Henderson, R.E., and were employed for the fourth summer under his -direction in the trigonometrical survey of the western coast of -Scotland for the Admiralty. The nature of the operations, as on -former occasions, necessitated their encampment on the mountains; -and when the service closed in November, the party returned to -Woolwich. - -Lord Hill and Sir Hussey Vivian, the Master-General, inspected the -seventh company and detachment of the corps at Chatham on the 15th -June, and afterwards witnessed the siege operations carried on by -the troops and sappers under Colonel Warre. At the steadiness of the -latter on parade, and the able manner in which the siege details -were executed, his lordship expressed the highest gratification; and -Colonel Warre, in his public orders of 16th June, also eulogised the -corps for the cheerful and indefatigable manner in which they had -worked in the field, adding, “that the construction of the works did -credit to their skill as engineer workmen, and their appearance to -their discipline and efficiency as soldiers.” - -Second-Captain Henry Sandham, R.E., by commission dated 1st August, -was appointed adjutant to the corps at Chatham vicê Captain Jebb -promoted. The latter had filled the office with much advantage to -the public service; and his many excellent qualities, as evinced in -the discharge of his duties, commanded the esteem of the corps, and -caused him to be much regretted at his leaving. - -Sergeant Hugh Lanyon, after Sergeant-major Forbes’s removal, was -appointed to the charge of the detachment at Sandhurst College, and -carried on the field details in every way to the satisfaction of the -authorities. For many years, as a private and non-commissioned -officer, he worked at the college, and his example had the best -effect on the successive parties with which he served. As a -practical sapper he was one of the ablest and most skilful in the -corps, and in the rapidity with which he threw up earth-works was -unsurpassed. Sir Charles Pasley has done him honour by noticing the -extraordinary labours of the sergeant in his ‘Practical Operations -for a Siege.’[300] His willingness and ability in this respect, -covered, in great measure, his educational deficiencies. In charge -of the detachment he displayed his usual industry and exertion, kept -his men in perfect discipline and order, and the excellent work -resulting from their united efforts elicited an encomium in a -popular periodical very creditable to the sergeant and his -party.[301] Indeed, so effectually were all the instructional -operations carried out, that the governor of the college, with the -sanction of the Master-General, presented him in November with a -case of drawing instruments, bearing an inscription flattering to -his zeal and services.[302] - ------ - -Footnote 300: - - Pages 51 and 57, notes, 1st part, 2nd edit. It may be tolerated to - mention the instances in which Lanyon figured, to deserve the - record. In October, 1828, he finished a parallel in very easy soil - of 262 cubic feet in 2 hours and 41 minutes, whilst an able-bodied - sapper, unskilful at the pickaxe and the shovel, only completed - the same content of excavation in 8 hours and 4 minutes! Thirty - men were employed at the same time at similar tasks, the result of - whose labours showed that for each man, strong and trained, it - required to execute the work an average period of 4 hours and 54 - minutes. The other instance refers to his completing the first - task of a parallel, nearly 109 cubic feet, in easy soil in 16 - minutes. In the Peninsula sieges, no more than 42 cubic feet of - excavation appears to have been excavated by each individual of - the military working parties as his first night’s work; but at the - rate which rendered Lanyon celebrated, an active workman in these - sieges ought to have finished his first night’s task in seven - minutes! The comparison makes the difference so excessive, that - credulity has scarcely sufficient tension to accredit it; but - coming from an authority so proverbial for his accuracy, there is - no alternative but to wonder at the achievements of the man who so - signalized himself as a sapper; and to add, with the Colonel, the - expression of mortification, “that the exertions of the British - army should have fallen so miserably short of their brilliant - exploits in the field.” - -Footnote 301: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ ii. 1837, p. 279. - -Footnote 302: - - Lanyon was afterwards promoted to be a colour-sergeant, and passed - a few years in Canada during the revolt. On his return, his - health, shattered by the exertions of his laborious life, caused - him to leave the corps. Obtaining a situation as surveyor on the - Trent and Mersey canal under Mr. Forbes, his former fellow - labourer, he devoted himself to his new duties with his accustomed - zeal: but in a few short months his powerful frame broke up, and - he died at Lawton in Cheshire, in June, 1846. The integrity of his - conduct and the utility of his services induced the directors of - the company to honour his remains by the erection of a tomb to his - memory. Here it would be proper to notice, he was one of those - brave and humane miners who, in the ‘Cambria,’ bound for Vera - Cruz, assisted to rescue the crew and passengers from the burning - ‘Kent’ East Indiaman, in the Bay of Biscay, in February, 1825. The - souls saved were 551, including 301 officers and men, 66 women, - and 45 children of the 31st regiment. - ------ - -Late in the year the shoulder-belt of the staff-sergeants was -superseded by a buff waist-belt, two inches broad, having carriages -for the sword, with gilt plate, buckles, swivels, and hooks. The -plate bore the royal arms—without supporters—within a wreath, with -the motto “Ubique” at its base, and above, a crown. The sword was -the same as issued in 1824, and as at present worn, but adapted by -rings to be slung to the improved accoutrement.—See Plate XVI., -1854. - -Under orders from Lord Glenelg, the Secretary of State for the -Colonies, corporals John Coles and Richard Auger were attached to -the New Holland expedition under Captain Grey, the object of which -was to gain information as to the real state of the interior and its -resources. On the 5th July, 1837, they sailed in the ‘Beagle’ from -Plymouth, and at the Cape of Good Hope were removed into the -‘Lynher’ schooner. There, private Robert Mustard joined the party, -and all reached Hanover Bay, Western Australia, on the 2nd December. - -Captain Grey had early formed a good opinion of corporal Coles and -made him his chief subordinate.[303] He was emphatically his man -Friday, and his conduct in striking instances of suffering and peril -was marked by unfaltering devotion and fortitude, combined with -diligence and humanity. Auger was ‘jack of all trades;’ the mechanic -and architect; equally a tailor and a tinker; the ready mender of -boats, and the efficient millwright and armourer of the party. - ------ - -Footnote 303: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ 1841, i. p. 35. - ------ - -On the day of arrival the Captain landed with five persons and three -dogs at High Bluff Point, to explore from thence to Hanover Bay. -Coles was one of the number. The sun was intensely hot. A long -confinement on ship-board had made them unequal to much exertion. -Forward, however, they journeyed, without the advantage of trees or -foliage to screen them from the sun’s burning rays. The country, -too, was rocky; and its surface, jagged and torn into crevices, -being overgrown with spinifex and scrub, they frequently either -slipped or fell into the covered fissures. Soon the party was -overcome by thirst and lassitude. Two pints of water was all that -was brought from the ship, and this, shared with the panting dogs, -left but little for the adventurers. As time wore on, their -weariness, before excessive, became worse, and the dogs falling back -exhausted, were never recovered. Water was at length observed at the -bottom of a ravine, and down its precipitous slopes Coles and others -scrambled, only to mock the thirst they craved to satiate, for the -inlet was salt water! However, after travelling for about another -mile, fortune favoured them with a pool of brackish water, from -which they drank freely.[304] - ------ - -Footnote 304: - - Ibid., 1841, i. p 67-71. - ------ - -Whilst the party rested by the pool, Captain Grey, accompanied by -Coles, explored the ravine, and then returning, led the party into -the country by a fertile valley surrounded by rocky hills. Not long -after, the thirst and fatigue so dreaded before, recurred in an -aggravated form, and some were almost completely worn out by it. To -march through the night without fresh water was next to impossible; -and as a last effort to obtain relief, the Captain pushed on for the -coast, directing that when he fired, Mr. Lushington with the party -should follow.[305] - ------ - -Footnote 305: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ 1841, i. p. 71-73. - ------ - -The arranged signals being given and answered, the party moved on. -Corporal Coles was in the van, and forcing his way over broken rocks -and down steep cliffs, he was the first to reach the Captain. At -this spot he followed the example of his chief, and, plunging into -the sea, refreshed his strength and appeased his thirst. Mr. -Lushington and the sufferers now arrived, and, leaving them to try -the effect of bathing, the Captain and his corporal moved along the -coast to find the ‘Lynher,’ and send a boat to the party. About two -miles they had journeyed when their progress was arrested by an arm -of the sea, about 500 yards across. Coles kept firing his gun in -hopes it might be heard on board. From hill to hill and cliff to -cliff, its report re-echoed, but no answering sound came back. The -Captain now resolved to swim the arm; and as Coles was unskilful in -the water, he was directed to wait until the others came up and -remain with them until the Captain returned. The latter then plunged -into the sea, and left Coles alone in that solitary spot with wild -and rugged cliffs overhanging the shore, and the haunts of savages -in his vicinity.[306] - ------ - -Footnote 306: - - Ibid., i. p. 73-76. - ------ - -After dark the flashes of the guns had been seen by the schooner, -and a boat was instantly despatched for the party. Coles was the -first found; but fearing, if he then availed himself of the -protection of the boat, he would lose the clue by which to trace the -Captain, he directed the mate to pass on for the others. They were -soon picked up, and returning for Coles, he was found at his -post—one of danger and honour—and taken into the boat with his -companions. The other shore was soon reached and the Captain -found.[307] - ------ - -Footnote 307: - - Ibid., i. p. 79. - ------ - -“Have you a little water?” he asked, as he entered the boat. -“Plenty, sir!” answered Coles, handing him a little, which the -Captain greedily swallowed. That choice drop of water was all that -was in the boat when Coles was picked up, and although he suffered -severely from thirst, he would not taste it as long as he retained -any hope that his chief might be found and be in want of it.[308] - ------ - -Footnote 308: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ 1841, i. p. 78. - ------ - -For several days the sappers and others of the expedition were -employed in searching for water, taking short exploratory trips, and -in removing the live stock and stores from the ‘Lynher’ to the -location fixed upon by Captain Grey. To facilitate the service, a -rude pathway was formed by firing the bush, and removing, with much -toil, the rocks and vegetation. So rough was the track that a -wheelbarrow could not be used upon it, and every burden was, -therefore, necessarily carried on the men’s shoulders. By the 16th -December, the country had been taken possession of, and the -encampment completed.[309] - ------ - -Footnote 309: - - Ibid., i. p. 82-91. - ------ - -On the following evening, Captain Grey with corporal Coles and -private Mustard, started from the camp to penetrate some distance -into the interior. Confident in the steadiness and courage of his -men he felt no anxiety. Each carried ten days' provisions, a day’s -water, and his arms and ammunition. Thus laden, in a tropical -climate, their progress was slow and laborious. Their route lay -through a region of romantic beauty. Now they were urging their -course through deep ravines alive with the gush of water and the -foaming of cascades; now threading their tiresome way through the -devious forest with its prickly grasses and entangled bush. Again -they were climbing crumbling ranges, scrambling down precipices, -tearing themselves through mangroves and densely-matted -vegetation, traversing some wild broken land, or worming -themselves among lofty and isolated columns of sandstone mantled -with fragrant creepers, which, like the remains of ruined temples -of classic ages, afforded indubitable evidence of the ravages of -time upon rock and range. Wherever they journeyed, they found the -same chaos—beautiful in its wildness and eccentricity—rich in its -luxuriance and picturesqueness.[310] - ------ - -Footnote 310: - - Ibid., i. p. 93-107. - ------ - -Nearly six days were spent in this march, and the trials endured -were only a prelude to what were to follow. Rice and tea in small -quantities formed the staple of their diet. An occasional slice from -a pheasant’s breast, or a bite from the remains of a crane left by -the rats, gave relish to their repast. The Captain was the game -purveyor to the party and Mustard its Soyer. On the first night they -slept in a bark hut of their own making at the foot of a towering -precipice; the second was passed under some overhanging rocks. On -the other three nights they bivouacked on the slopes of the glens -under the lightning’s vivid flash, exposed to the rains of violent -thunderstorms. Early in the journey Mustard became ill, but he was -soon sufficiently recovered to sustain the toils and privations of -discovery and the discomfort of unsheltered sleep. Dripping wet, -tired, weary and hungry, these brave men carried out the purposes of -their mission, and, with unwavering faithfulness and zeal, -penetrated wherever their chief desired. “Three of us,” writes the -Captain, “slept in the open air without any covering or warm clothes -for five successive nights, during three of which we had constant -showers of heavy rain, and yet did not in any way suffer from this -exposure.”[311] - ------ - -Footnote 311: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ 1841, i. p. 248. - ------ - -Want of food at length compelled the adventurers to return. Having -gained the summit of a range, the rain began to fall in torrents. To -escape it they retired to a detached group of rocks. A party of -fourteen savages now appeared, brandishing their spears, bounding -from rock to rock, and making the wilderness ring with their war -cry. This was answered by a party coming over the high rock in rear -of the travellers. In this critical situation a hostile attitude was -at once taken up. There was a natural opening like an embrasure -between the blocks of the rock, through which they could level their -pieces, and each gallant fellow took his station, with orders to -fire one by one if the command were given. The Captain fired over -their heads; but this one report was quite enough, for the savages -fled on all sides, and the party thus left to itself, hurried home -through a tempest of rain and reached the cantonment before -nightfall on the 22nd December.[312] - ------ - -Footnote 312: - - Ibid., i. p. 93-107. - ------ - - - - - 1838. - -Services of party in New Holland—Start for the interior—Labours of - the expedition; corporal Auger—Captain Grey and corporal Coles - expect an attack—Attitude of private Auger at the camp against the - menace of the natives—Captain Grey and Coles attacked; - their critical situation; the chief wounded; devotion of - Coles—Usefulness of Auger—Renew the march; Auger finds a singular - ford—Discovers a cave with a sculptured face in it—Mustard traces - the spoor of a quadruped still unseen in New Holland—A sleep in - the trees—Trials of the party—Primitive washing—Auger the van of - the adventurers—Humane attention of the Captain to Mustard; reach - Hanover Bay; arrive at the Mauritius—Detachment in Spain—Attack on - Orio—Usurvil; Oyarzun—Miscellaneous employments of the - party—Reinforcement to it; Casa Aquirre—Orio—Secret mission to - Muñagorri—Second visit to the same chief—Notice of corporal John - Down—Bidassoa—Triangulation of north of Scotland—Also of the Frith - of the Clyde—Insurrection in Canada; guard of honour to Lord - Durham—Company inspected by the Governor-General on the - plains of Abraham—Inspection at Niagara by Sir George - Arthur—Services and movements of the company in Canada; - attack at Beauharnois—Submarine demolition of wrecks near - Gravesend—Expedient to prevent accidents by vessels fouling the - diving-bell lighter—Conduct of the sappers in the operations; - exertions of sergeant-major Jones—Fatal accident to a - diver—Intrepidity of sergeants Ross and Young—Blasting the bow of - the brig ‘William,’ by sergeant-major Jones—Withdrawal of the - sappers from the canal at Hythe. - - -Some weeks of the early year were spent by Captain Grey and his men -in a variety of occupations preparatory to a long journey into the -interior. Sheds were built for the stores, pack-saddles made by -corporal Auger for the Timour horses, and short excursions through -wood and wilderness undertaken. Pathways were also constructed for -the horses in forest and glen, without which it would have been -impracticable to pursue their course. These were formed by burning -the bush, and removing, by manual strength and dexterity, huge -boulders and fallen trees levelled by age and storm, that everywhere -intercepted the track. - -On the 3rd February the expedition was in motion. Twenty-six wild -ponies were attached to the party. Each man had three or four of -these giddy unbroken animals in charge, fastened together by ropes. -From the ponies straying in different directions, and getting -frequently entangled with rocks and trees, the difficult nature of -the service was greatly increased. As beasts of burden they were of -little use. In steep ravines or in rugged country, the stores were -almost wholly carried by the adventurers; and this, coupled with the -task of guiding the untamed horses and the hard travelling in a -rocky country abounding with clefts, thick bush, and forest, made -the route one of unmitigated toil and fatigue. In these duties -corporal Auger particularly distinguished himself; for, “possessing -the power of carrying on his back very heavy burdens, he took every -occasion of exercising it in such a way as to stimulate the others -and very much to accelerate the movements of the expedition.”[313] - ------ - -Footnote 313: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ i. p. 121-139. - ------ - -With corporal Coles the captain started on the 6th February to -explore the country in his front. Coming to a deep ravine with a -body of water at its base, he wished to find a passage out of it. -Both searched for many hours until after sunset, but without avail. -The ravine was bounded by inaccessible cliffs with other ravines -branching into it, which “invariably terminated in precipitous -cascades.” A great portion of the exploration was spent in wading -the flooded valley up to their bellies in water. On their return -homewards they came upon a large party of natives, and Coles -followed the captain up the northern slope of the ravine ready for -an attack; but the savages moved on without molesting the weary -travelers.[314] - ------ - -Footnote 314: - - Ibid., i. p. 136-138. - ------ - -Five days afterwards corporal Auger and two men were left at the -camp, while the rest of the expedition were detached. About two -hundred of the natives assembled across a stream at the foot of a -hill near to them. They were armed. At the time of their appearance -Auger was quietly seated on the ground cleaning Lieutenant -Lushington’s double-barrelled gun, with its springs, screws, and -cramps lying around him. Seeing his comrades nervously perturbed, he -coolly refixed one of the barrels, and mounting the lock, loaded the -gun with some loose powder. Meanwhile the two men turned out with -their muskets, and the trio posting themselves on the brow of the -hill, motioned the savages away. They answered by a shout, and -retired a little; when Auger and the party now took counsel, and -agreeing that it would be imprudent with their small number to hold -intercourse with so large a force of natives, they resolved not to -allow them to approach beyond a point which they considered safe; -“and in the event of any armed portion passing the stream towards -the tents in defiance of their signals, to fire on them one by one.” -These cautious resolves, however, it was unnecessary to enforce, as -the savages, after Auger had given them a blank discharge, hurried -off in the direction of Captain Grey.[315] - ------ - -Footnote 315: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ i. p. 144. - ------ - -The Captain, accompanied by Coles and a Cape man, had been out since -the morning examining the country to choose a route for the next -day’s march, and were working with all their energies at a road for -the horses, when the savages from the camp poured into the forest. -The Cape man, who was in the rear, first saw them; and instead of -calling to Coles or the Captain for assistance, took to his heels, -pursued by the natives. The three were now engaged for their lives, -and taking up a position behind some rocks, the men were directed to -fire separately. Coles was armed with the Captain’s rifle, but it -was covered with a cloth case for protection against the rain. This -becoming entangled with the lock, his services at a critical moment -were lost. The Captain now gave Coles his gun to complete the -reloading, and taking the rifle, tore off the cover and stept from -behind the rocks. In an instant three spears pierced his body, but a -deadly shot from the rifle slew the principal antagonist. The combat -at once ceased; but, though it had only lasted a few seconds, the -spears and weapons strewn in such abundance about that wild position -gave proof of its severity. Neither Coles nor the Cape man was -injured, but the Captain was badly wounded. Coles bound up the -Captain’s hip wound as well as he could, and supporting him with his -arm, assisted him homewards. Some hours were spent in the journey. -The track was lost, and the Captain, leaning more and more heavily -on Coles, showed signs of increasing weakness. A beaten route at -last was gained and a stream in its vicinity crossed; but the -Captain, in the effort, strained his wounded hip and fell on the -opposite shore unable to rise. Coles, with his usual devotion, -volunteered to go alone to the party and send assistance. This he -did, bounding over rock and cliff, through wood and scrub, jumping -gaping rifts, and fording streams with the natives on his trail. In -a short hour, through his unflinching ardour and daring, the surgeon -and Mr. Lushington were ministering to the wants of the wounded -chief.[316] The only drawback to this day’s steadiness and fidelity -was the loss, by Coles, of the Captain’s valuable note-book.[317] -The nipple of the rifle injured by Coles in his eagerness to remove -the case, was taken out by Auger; but lacking proper tools, several -days were spent in niggling perseverance, to drill it out with a -bradawl. - ------ - -Footnote 316: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ i. p. 154. - -Footnote 317: - - Ibid., i. p. 153. - ------ - -The expedition was now delayed for a time; and corporal Auger, whose -ingenuity and skill as a carpenter had frequently been of service, -made the Captain a low stretcher to lie upon, which gave him a -little more ease.[318] To relieve him, moreover, from unnecessary -discomfort and pain, Auger, with feeling solicitude, carried the -chief in his arms at times when he seemed to need it, to convenient -distances in the vicinity of the tent. Athletic and careful, he was -not a bad substitute for a sedan. - ------ - -Footnote 318: - - Ibid., i. p. 158. - ------ - -On the 27th February the party was again in motion, but their -progress was slow. Much time was spent in constructing pathways in -ravines and clefty land otherwise inaccessible, and in finding fords -over streams, and passages across swamps. To one ford Captain Grey -particularly alludes. On the 27th March, he and his party sought for -a ford across a river about a hundred yards wide in S. Lat. 15° 49´, -E. Long. 125° 6´, but their efforts were fruitless. It therefore -appeared inevitable that the winding of the river should be -followed, or the party branched off in another direction to find an -open route in advance. This surmise was not very agreeable. Auger -pondered a little over this aspect of the journey, and soon resolved -to make a survey of the stream untrammelled by the presence of any -one. Accordingly, disposing of a hasty breakfast, he started alone -to the river, and returned in about an hour reporting he had found -one. The ponies were at once moved on, and as they wound through it -following a circuitous course, it was nowhere less than knee deep, -but on each side, at times, the water was dangerously high. “I could -not,” writes the Captain, “but admire the perseverance of Auger, in -having discovered so intricate a ford as this was.”[319] - ------ - -Footnote 319: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ i. p. 209. - ------ - -Two or three nights before finding this ford he tied himself among -the branches of a stunted acacia-tree, and shaken by the wind slept -as soundly as in a cradle rocked by an attentive nurse. He did this -to escape the wet and chills of the stony ground on which the -travellers bivouacked and rested during the darkness. - -Much labour was given in tracing the courses of rivers, the -direction of mountain ranges, and acquiring information of the -physical features of the country, and of its natural history.[320] -All these services were not accomplished without much exertion and -diligence. To scale the mountain side, to creep down the perilous -declivity, to wade the morass, to traverse a wild country torn into -fissures, and encumbered by rocks and scrubs and a dense vegetation, -were but their common daily task; but when to these exertions are -added the trials arising from privation, constant exposure to the -sun and the storm, the bare shelter by night of some overhanging -cliff or frail tent, with the discomfort of being, for days -together, unable to undress or wash themselves, a faint glimpse only -is caught of the harassing and difficult nature of their duties, -their weariness, their sufferings and hardships. - ------ - -Footnote 320: - - Auger accompanied Captain Grey on one occasion to examine a - sandstone ridge in the hope of finding egress from it. After - proceeding some distance the corporal discovered a cave, in which - was an intaglio face and head cut in the rock, of rather superior - workmanship for an untutored savage; and Captain Grey has - distinguished the work by giving a drawing of it in his Travels. - Vol. i. p. 206. - - Private Mustard, who had been at the Cape of Good Hope, brought - his experience to bear upon the present service. He discovered the - spoor of a large quadruped with a divided hoof. He had seen like - impressions at the Cape. Captain Grey conceiving that Mustard had - made some mistake, paid no attention to his report, until he - afterwards saw traces of the animal himself. On one occasion the - Captain followed its track for a mile and a half, when it was lost - in rocky ground. The footmarks were larger than those of a - buffalo, and it was apparently more bulky, for where it had passed - through the brushwood, shrubs in its way of considerable size, had - been crushed aside or broken down. The animal has not yet been - seen. Its existence is, however, asserted, from the peculiarity of - the spoor. Vol. i. p. 242, ‘Grey’s Travels.’ - ------ - -The mode of refreshing themselves by washing was as primitive as -inconvenient, but the trying nature of the service led them to find -contentment in the roughest resources. Full dressed, they often -plunged into the lakes to scrape and wash away the accumulations of -days from their persons and clothes; and on emerging from the -waters, bearing their dripping suits on their backs, they ran about -to prevent colds or rheumatic seizures, while the sun steamed off -the moisture from their threadbare garments. - -Corporal Auger in these wanderings was the chief dependent. -Uncompromising, he was straightforward in his duties; enterprising, -he feared nothing. On most occasions he was sent ahead of the party -to pace the distance, to find the track through regions of country -covered with rank grass more than fourteen feet high, and to -discover fords to assist the progress of the wayfarers and thus -prevent depressing and harassing detours or returns. The moral -courage of that man must indeed have been great, who was the first -to penetrate a shrouded and unbroken stretch of solitude, unaware of -the dangers in which his every step might suddenly have involved -him. - -The expedition had now penetrated two rivers beyond the Glenelg and -Prince Regent, and then turned towards Hanover Bay. On 1st April -they started, encountering difficulties of a character similar to -those already borne with such cheerfulness and fortitude. Seven days -of their journey found private Mustard crippled from falling into a -crevice in the rock. Here the Captain, though suffering himself from -the wound in his hip, yielded his horse for Mustard’s convenience. -On the 15th April, the party reached Hanover Bay, having lost nearly -all their live stock and fifteen of their ponies. A few more days -were occupied in collecting the stores and shipping them, when the -expedition sailed for the Isle of France and arrived on the 17th -May. The three sappers were landed in a very sickly and emaciated -state, and during their stay at the Mauritius were under medical -treatment in hospital. - -On the 27th January, nineteen non-commissioned officers and privates -of the detachment serving with the naval force under the command of -Lord John Hay at San Sebastian, were present with General -O’Donnell’s army in an attack on the village of Orio, and burnt and -sank several flat-bottomed boats under the fire of musketry from the -opposite side of the river. - -On the following day, at the request of the Spanish general, the -same sappers were despatched to Usurvil to intrench and fortify a -large garden at the outskirts of the village. The work was instantly -commenced; but when the party was about to destroy the bridge which -had been partially broken, General O’Donnell changed his intention -and the sappers returned to San Sebastian. Shortly after, the -detachment marched with the marine battalion to Oyarzun to cover the -operations of General O’Donnell at Bera. - -About this period the available men of the party fitted up the -‘Columbia’ steamer for the accommodation of troops, and a storehouse -for the use of the squadron. At Passages, also, the carpenters -converted the church into a commissariat depôt for stores and -provisions, and strengthened and improved the fortifications around -San Sebastian and the heights. All the works were carried out with -difficulty; for the Spanish authorities could scarcely command the -use of a plank or even a nail for their purposes, and it was only by -the force of habitual and urgent requisitions, that they could be -induced to press for any materials for the service of the -department. - -By the ‘Alonzo’ transport a reinforcement of eleven rank and file -arrived in May, increasing the detachment to thirty-one of all -ranks. Late in the month, these men, with others of the party, were, -at the recommendation of General O’Donnell, detached to Casa Aquirre -on the left of Venta, to render it sufficiently defensive to receive -the garrison of Astigaraga in the event of its being compelled to -retire. The working party consisted of a company of the Spanish -marine battalion of seventy soldiers and twenty peasants, and the -position was completed with the necessary works by March, 1839. - -On the 24th June, twenty-five of the detachment moved with a part of -the army to the river Orio, and, under fire, levelled the parapets -and works of the Carlists. - -In October, four men of the party in plain clothes under orders of -secrecy, accompanied Colonel Colquhoun of the royal artillery, and -Lieutenant Vicars of the engineers, to the headquarters of -Muñagorri, to assist in putting him in motion and to secure his -position. The mission reached Sara on the 17th, then passed to a -hill to the east of La Rune mountain, about four miles from the -village, where the chief was posted, and afterwards to St. Jean Pied -de Port; but owing to the opposition of Aquirre, the commandant of -Valcarlos, who would not allow the pacificators to take up quarters -in his neighbourhood, the expedition, unable from this cause to -assist the Fuerist chief, returned to San Sebastian on the 24th -October. - -The same sappers, in plain clothes as before,[321] accompanied the -above-named officers on a second mission to Muñagorri in November. -The party reached St. Jean Pied de Port viâ Bayonne on the 5th. -Aquirre, acting under the orders of Espartero, was firm in his -resolution to resist the pacificators in the occupation of -Valcarlos; and as he would not yield a pass to the force of -Muñagorri, the project of entering Spain at Valcarlos was -necessarily abandoned, and the expedition once more retraced its -steps to San Sebastian, where it arrived on the 16th. - ------ - -Footnote 321: - - The senior of whom was second-corporal John Down, afterwards - sergeant. In September, 1835, while pontooning in the Medway - at Halling, he plunged into the river and saved from drowning, - by means of an oar, private F. Adams of the corps. He also - relieved from a very precarious situation lance-corporal - Woodhead, of the Honourable East India Company’s sappers, who - had jumped in to assist private Adams. For his courage and - humanity the Royal Humane Society granted Down a pecuniary - reward, and his officers gave him a military hold-all, - containing the usual articles, chiefly of silver, bearing on a - silver plate this inscription—“Presented by his officers to - private John Down for his gallant conduct in rescuing a - comrade from drowning.” This non-commissioned officer served - two stations at Gibraltar and Bermuda, and being pensioned at - 1_s._ 9_d._ in October, 1849, retired to Chatham, where he is - now filling the humble but sufficient situation of pump-master - to the Barracks at Brompton. - ------ - -Late in the same month, twelve men of the detachment were sent to -the Bidassoa to fortify the position taken up by the Fuerist chief. -A fatality attended all his movements and projects. St. Marcial had -been fixed upon by him to establish his force there; but before the -operation could be effected, the Queen’s troops under General -O’Donnell were already in possession of it, and the approach of -Muñagorri was therefore interdicted. Another position, however, was -soon selected near the Bidassoa, and a redoubt forthwith commenced. -Sixty peasants from San Sebastian and a small force from the ranks -of the Fuerists formed the working party. The latter were indolent -to the last degree, and even the presence of Muñagorri and Jarregui -failed to inspire them with the necessary energy. The sappers worked -from morning till nightfall, and often remained on duty the entire -day, exposed the whole time to the drenching storm. All the works -were marked out, and every detail for the defence was conducted by -the sappers under the direction of Lieutenant Vicars, and their zeal -and usefulness were noticed in commendatory terms. After completing -the defences, the party rejoined Lord John Hay’s force early in -January, 1839. - -In May one sergeant and twelve privates were detached to the north -of Scotland, and employed on the trigonometrical survey of that part -of the country until December under the direction of Lieutenant -Robinson, royal engineers. This mountain detachment endured much -fatigue in carrying out the service, and for their diligence and -exertion in conducting the operation, received a high character. - -Six rank and file were employed on a similar duty at the Frith of -the Clyde under Captain A. Henderson, R.E., and rejoined the corps -on the 24th October. The men were selected on account of their -physical strength, and were in every respect found equal to the -arduous requirements of the service. - -The insurrection in the Canadas, headed by Papineau, induced the -Government to send a company to that colony. Captain Colin Mackenzie -with one sergeant and thirty-seven rank and file went out in the -‘Hastings,’ seventy-four, as a guard of honour to Lord Durham when -his lordship was appointed Governor-General in Canada. The -remainder, three sergeants and forty-five rank and file, sailed in -the steamer ‘Dee.’ The guard of honour landed at Quebec on the 29th -May, and the ‘Dee’ detachment on the 14th June. A proportionate -quantity of intrenching tools and engineer stores were landed with -the company. - -At the celebration of Her Majesty’s coronation on the plains of -Abraham in June, 1838, the Earl of Durham minutely inspected the -company, and in the presence of several general officers, noticed -the steadiness with which the company marched past. This expression -the Governor-General repeated at the chateau of St. Louis on the -28th June, and added, that the soldier-like appearance of the -sappers and their steadiness under arms exceeded his expectations. -The good conduct of the company also elicited his lordship’s -approbation. - -While at Niagara, on the 11th September, the company was reviewed by -Major-General Sir George Arthur, with the King’s dragoon guards and -43rd regiment, and his Excellency spoke in praise of the appearance -of the company, its marching and manœuvring. - -Soon after, the head-quarters of the company were removed to the -Niagara frontier to place it in a state of defence. The work of -reparation commenced with Fort Mississaqua. About this time twelve -non-commissioned officers and men were removed, for engineer -services, to Amherstburg, and another party of twenty-two of all -ranks was detached to Montreal. The latter was detained at Cornwall -for a few days by Major Phillpotts of the corps, and, under -Lieutenant Roberts, formed the advanced guard with a detachment of -the 71st light infantry, in a successful attack on the rebels at -Beauharnois on the 10th November, 1838. The good conduct of this -party was acknowledged by Colonel Carmichael who commanded the -attack. - -A novel duty now devolved upon the corps in the subaqueous -destruction of the brig ‘William,’ sunk off Tilbury Fort in May, -1837, and the schooner ‘Glenmorgan,’ wrecked in Gravesend Reach -several years before. The wrecks were impediments to navigation; and -the Lord Mayor, after consulting Colonel Pasley, determined to have -the vessels destroyed by gunpowder. Operations commenced on the 19th -May by a detachment of thirty non-commissioned officers and men of -the 8th company, under the direction of Captain Yule, royal -engineers, and in a few days the wrecks were blown to pieces by two -great charges of gunpowder of 2340 lbs. each. The object desired was -thus satisfactorily attained. The sappers executed all the minor -fitments not requiring the skill of shipwrights. They also descended -in the diving-bell and diving-helmet, managed the movements of the -former, and besides preparing and executing the mining details of -the operation, assisted the seamen and the riggers in the naval -arrangements.[322] The men in the diving-bell were exposed to great -danger from the violent action, on two occasions, of the ebb and -flood tides, and had they not been very resolute men, would have -given up the attempt. - ------ - -Footnote 322: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ iii. 1838, p. 45, 274. - ------ - -During the service, a vessel ran foul of the diving-bell lighter, -and carried it above a quarter of a mile up the river, disconnecting -the great cylinder containing the charge. The next day, -sergeant-major Jones, acting with the leading rigger, “got the -lighter very nearly back into her former place over the wreck, and -recovered the cylinder and leaden pipe from the bottom of the -river.” To prevent the recurrence of a similar accident, the guard -of the detachment on board, kept up a brisk fire of blank cartridges -when any vessel approached them in the night, which had the desired -effect.[323] - ------ - -Footnote 323: - - Ibid., iii. p. 41, 42. - ------ - -Of the “indefatigable exertions of the sappers,” Colonel Pasley made -particular mention in his official report, and added, “it was a -pleasure to see them, and the seamen and riggers, working so -cheerfully together.” “Sergeant-major Jones,” writes the Colonel, -“who is equally skilful and active as a miner and a pontoneer, was -quite in his element.”[324] - ------ - -Footnote 324: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ iii. 1838, p. 45. - -The operations did not terminate without the occurrence of a -melancholy accident. On the 21st of May, Corporal Henry Mitchell, -who had been practised as a diver for a short time in the Medway, -was sent down in a diving-helmet to fix a couple of eye-bolts to -the side of the ‘William,’ preparatory to the first explosion. -“After examining the wreck, he came up and gave a favourable -account of his prospects,” and then “took his tools and descended -again; but owing to a rope fixed round him having become entangled -in the wreck, the signals usually made by pulling this rope could -not be distinguished;” nor could he be drawn to the surface of the -water. On Colonel Pasley reaching the wreck, and as soon as the -necessary arrangements could be completed, sergeants John Ross and -James Young with two privates, voluntarily descended a second time -in the diving-bell, and after a few minutes' careful exertion, -succeeded in finding their comrade; but he was quite dead, having -been at the bottom upwards of twelve hours. The intrepid conduct -of these non-commissioned officers was much applauded.[325] - ------ - -Footnote 325: - - Ibid., iii. p. 40, 41. - ------ - -The great explosions above referred to, had not, it was ascertained, -touched the bow of the brig ‘William;’ and in August operations were -resumed to destroy it. The entire service, except the duty of -diving, devolved on the sappers. A leaden cylinder, to hold a charge -of 315 lbs. of gunpowder, was made by some artificers of the corps -at Chatham; but it failed on application, and tin oil bottles, -containing small charges prepared by the sappers, were found to -answer the purpose. These were taken to the wreck every morning by -sergeant-major Jones and another non-commissioned officer, and being -properly fixed by the divers and fired by the sergeant-major, the -remaining fragments of the wreck were so broken and dispersed, as to -render the anchorage perfectly safe for the shipping. Fifteen of -such charges were fired against the ‘William,’ and two more, to make -‘assurance doubly sure,’ were also exploded among the scattered -timbers of the ‘Glenmorgan.’ Sergeant-major Jones was the executive -on this service under the direction of Colonel Pasley.[326] - -Under the authority of the Act of 1st Vict. cap. 20, the Ordnance -received in charge the royal military canal at Hythe. With a view to -a more economical expenditure in its control and repair, the company -of the royal staff corps in charge of it, was disbanded in -July,[327] and a detachment of two sergeants and forty-two rank and -file of the royal sappers and miners succeeded to the duty. Of this -detachment, one sergeant and twenty rank and file had been detached -to the canal early in April, and the remainder, to the above total, -was completed by an incorporation of several men from the staff -corps company, and six non-commissioned officers and gunners -acquainted with the care and management of horses from the royal -artillery. The principal duties of the detachment consisted in -taking charge of the locks and sluices, collecting tolls, repairing -the drains, fences, &c., and in the execution of various laborious -services in mud and water. A careful review of this arrangement, and -of the receipts and expenses of the canal, however, induced Sir -Hussey Vivian, the Master-General, to supersede the employment of -sappers by pensioners from the ordnance corps at very reduced wages; -and accordingly in December, 1840, the detachment was reduced to -thirty-two of all ranks; in May, 1841, to seven; and in the -following month, to one sergeant, who continued on duty at Hythe -till October, 1842. - ------ - -Footnote 326: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ iii. 1838, p. 271-274. - -Footnote 327: - - The disbandment of this company was the last in the annihilation - of the corps. In that month it disappeared from the muster-rolls - of the army. - ------ - - - - - 1839. - -Expedition to Western Australia under Captain Grey—Excursion with - Auger to the north of Perth—Search for Mr. Ellis—Exploration of - shores from Freemantle—Bernier and Dorre Islands; want of - water; trials of the party—Water allowance reduced—A lagoon - discovered—Privations and hardships of the party—Return to Bernier - Island for stores—Its altered appearance—Destruction of the depôt - of provisions—Consternation of Coles—Auger’s example under the - circumstances—Expedition makes for Swan River—Perilous landing at - Gantheaume Bay—Overland journey to Perth; straits of the - adventurers—Auger searching for a missing man—Coles observes the - natives; arrangements to meet them—Water found by Auger—A spring - discovered by Coles at Water Peak—Disaffection about long marches; - forced journeys determined upon; the two sappers and a few others - accompany the Captain—Desperate hardships and fatigues; the last - revolting resource of thirst—Extraordinary exertions of the - travellers; their sufferings from thirst; water found—Appalling - bivouac—Coles’s agony and fortitude—Struggles of the adventurers; - they at last reach Perth—Auger joins two expeditions in search of - the slow walkers—Disposal of Coles and Auger. - - -Captain Grey of the 83rd regiment, undertook a second expedition; -this time to Western Australia. As soon as the sappers had recovered -from the hardships and privations to which they had been subjected -in New Holland, they volunteered again to accompany him. Private R. -Mustard, too much shaken by the injury he had sustained on the -former expedition, was unfit to proceed, and was left with the -company of the corps at the Mauritius. On the 21st of August, 1838, -the party embarked at Port Louis; and, on the 18th of September, -arrived at Perth, Western Australia. - -Delays prevented the Captain immediately pursuing his object, but to -turn the interval to profit, he made a short excursion to the north -of Perth with Mr. Frederick Smith and Corporal Auger. The -exploration continued from the 30th November to the 8th of December, -and was marked by incidents of a pacific character. None of the -difficulties which clogged their previous exertions were experienced -on this trip, and, coupled with the variety and beauty of the -scenery, but little enthusiasm was needed to make the travellers -feel an interest in the service.[328] - ------ - -Footnote 328: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ i. p. 292-309. - ------ - -The year opened with Captain Grey and four adventurers, including -his two sappers, travelling into the interior in search of Mr. -George Ellis and his two companions, who, having left the Williams' -River for the Leschenault on the coast, had been out for several -days beyond the period it was expected they would reach their -destination, and fears were entertained for their safety. Captain -Grey and his men steadily pursued their object, till the missing -travellers, alive and in tolerable health, turned up to their -exertions at Augusta. After twenty-two days' bush-ranging, the -Captain and his party re-entered Perth on the 31st of January. This -episodical service was one of fatigue, particularly in crossing the -Darling range and in pushing their route through forests and over -wild and rugged ground. In some districts, the want of water was -severely felt by them, and for eleven hours in one day, they -journeyed onwards under a sultry sun, suffering from excessive -thirst.[329] - ------ - -Footnote 329: - - Ibid., i. p. 310-328. - ------ - -On the 17th of February, the expedition of twelve persons sailed -from Fremantle to examine the shores of Shark’s Bay and the country -behind it, taking with them three whale-boats for future use. On the -25th, they landed at Bernier Island, discovering, when too late, -that the keg of tobacco which was to have constituted their chief -consolation in hardship, was left on board. After landing the -provisions, the greater part of them were buried for security, but -the want of water drove the expedition to Dorre Island on the 28th -of February, where their persevering search was equally unavailing, -for the little that was obtained was extracted by suction from small -holes in the rock. Already the party had had one of its boats -knocked to pieces, and its stores lost, whilst the other two boats -in a hurricane were much injured. For three days the sappers were -engaged in their repair, and on the 3rd of March, the travellers, -oppressed with thirst, wearied by fatigue, and exposed to the full -blaze of a powerful sun, sailed for the main.[330] - ------ - -Footnote 330: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ i. p. 329-344. - ------ - -Reaching a sand-bank, the boats were tracked and pulled onwards, -through deep mud and weeds, into a dense mangrove creek, to land; -and, in accomplishing this service, severe trials were encountered, -the difficulties of which were increased by the exhaustion which -labour and the want of water induced. In fifteen days, the allowance -had been reduced from two and a half pints to half a pint a -day.[331] - ------ - -Footnote 331: - - Ibid., i. p. 345-351. - ------ - -Pursuing their journey, a lagoon of fresh water was soon found, and -all bent the knee to take their fill of the luxury. A black line -round the countenance showed how deeply each had regaled himself. -Next day, the two sappers and some of the party visited the lagoon -again, and in the evening returned loaded to the boats.[332] - ------ - -Footnote 332: - - Ibid., i. p. 351-353. - ------ - -Several days had been spent in exploration and adventure, during -which the river Gascoyne had been discovered, and a few objects of -geographical interest named. On one occasion, a storm having -overtaken the wayfarers, their boats, which were swamped, were -dragged amid much danger to shore; and their flour, saturated with -salt water, was now quite spoilt. Nevertheless, unwholesome as it -was, they were forced to use it, as they had nothing else to eat. -Illness now began to appear among the party, and as there was -neither food nor medicine to give them, their situation was -deplorable. While in this helpless state, they were attacked by a -body of about thirty natives near Kolaina plains; but fortunately, -they succeeded in pushing off their boats without any serious -accident occurring.[333] Auger at the time was in the head of the -boat, soldering up the breaches in an old kettle, valuable in its -way, for the expedition had none other for its cooking purposes, -when a spear, thrown by a savage, whizzed past the industrious -tinker, and struck the seaman Ruston. - ------ - -Footnote 333: - - Ibid., i. p. 351-379. - ------ - -After a period of intense desolation and gloom, in which the -expedition was exposed to the fury of angry storms, and the pinching -calls of want, the boats put to sea; and surrounded by perils both -from surf and squall, the adventurers returned to the Gascoyne. -Launching or beaching their boats on the rocky coast was a service -of hazard and difficulty. On the 20th of March the provisions were -nearly expended, and to replenish their stores, the boats made for -Bernier Island. A gale of wind caught them on the passage, and they -only made good the landing by almost superhuman exertion. Here a -store of provisions had been buried, when the expedition first made -the island, but from its very altered appearance, caused by the -ravages of recent hurricanes, Captain Grey doubted whether the depôt -could be found. Fearing some disaster had befallen the stores, he -considered it unadvisable that the “discovery should be made in the -presence of too many persons, as future discipline would depend on -the first impression that was given.” He therefore selected Mr. -Smith and corporal Coles, in whose courage, disinterestedness, and -self-possession, he placed great confidence, to accompany him to the -depôt. The corporal took a spade with him.[334] - ------ - -Footnote 334: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ i. p. 379-391. - ------ - -Before they had gone far, they observed staves of flour casks -scattered about amongst the rocks and high up on the sand hills. -Coles, taking a rapid glance of the ground, “persisted, they were so -far inland, that they could only have come from the flour casks -which the expedition had emptied before starting.” Moving on in -their anxious survey, they “next came to a cask of salt provisions -washed high and dry at least twenty feet above the usual high-water -mark; the sea had evidently not been near the spot for a long -period, as it was half covered with drift sand, which must have -taken some time to accumulate. This Coles again easily accounted -for; it was merely the cask which had been lost from the wreck of -the 'Paul Pry.'” The Captain thought otherwise, but made no remark. -At length they reached the depôt. “So changed was it, that both Mr. -Smith and Coles persisted it was not the place: but on going to the -shore, there were some very remarkable rocks, on the top of which -lay a flour cask more than half empty, with the head knocked out, -but not otherwise injured. This was also washed up at least twenty -feet of perpendicular elevation beyond high water mark. The dreadful -certainty now flashed on the minds of Mr. Smith and corporal Coles;” -but poor Coles, usually so imperturbable in character, and so ready -to find reasons for the alarming appearances which had met his gaze -at every step, did not bear the surprise as well as had been -expected. He dashed the spade upon the ground with almost ferocious -violence, and looking up to Captain Grey, said, “All lost, sir! We -are all lost.” A few rallying words from the Captain, however, made -him “perfectly cool and collected, and he promised to make light of -the misfortune to the rest, and to observe the strictest -discipline.” Coles with eager economy now collected every particle -of the precious flour, discoloured as it was, that was left in the -barrel and strewn on the rocks, and with another bag of spoiled -flour found among the sea-weeds, the adventurers returned to the -party. Their tale of distress was soon told, and all heard it with -dismay. “Mr. Walker and corporal Auger set an excellent example to -the others. Two seamen named Woods, indisposed to bear, in common -with the adventurers, the sacrifices that impended, seized the first -opportunity of endeavouring to appropriate to themselves the -miserable remnant of damper belonging to the party; but their -unmanly intention being observed, a sentry was placed in charge of -the scanty store of provisions, which only amounted to about nine -lbs. of salt meat, and about sixty lbs. of tolerably good -flour.”[335] - ------ - -Footnote 335: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ i. p. 391-396. - ------ - -The expedition quitted Bernier Island on the 22nd of March, to make -for Swan River. In taking this course, it was hoped, that if any -accident occurred Perth could be reached by walking. Crossing the -bay, the party sailed to the southward, examining the coast, and -after a brief stay on Perron’s Peninsula and Dirk Hartog’s Island, -the boats on the 31st, reached Gantheaume Bay. Eleven days were -spent in achieving this run: the coasting was very perilous, and the -gales that caught the leaky boats as they swept along, were -terrific. Both were more than once in imminent danger, but the -unsparing energy and determination of the men carried them safely to -the shore. At Gantheaume Bay, however, the landing was not effected -without casualty. The surf was high and raging, and the wind drove -the boats along at a fearful rate. Onwards they plunged, now dancing -on a swell, now pitching in a trough, now quite unmanageable, when -one was tossed over by a furious wave and dashed in fragments -amongst the rocks and breakers. In an instant, its crew and the two -sappers were struggling through the foaming surf, but after tumbling -amongst oars and water-kegs, and the spars and splinters of the -wreck, all clambered to the summit of the cliff, torn, jaded, and -exhausted.[336] - ------ - -Footnote 336: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ i. p. 396-412. - ------ - -A crisis had now arrived which it was necessary to meet with -firmness. Assembling the expedition, the captain explained matters -as they appeared, and of which the travellers were only too -cognizant. Auger, who all along had repaired the boats, was asked by -the chief, if they could be put in any kind of condition for -service. Knowing their unfitness for anything, and the impossibility -of making them even temporarily seaworthy, he frankly answered in -the negative. Fortified by the professional opinion of a truthful -and skilful artificer, Captain Grey took his determination at once -and arrangements were made accordingly. On the 2nd April, the party -started from Gantheaume Bay, resolved to reach Perth by marching. -The provisions had been shared out—20 lbs. of flour and 1 lb. of -salt meat per man. The flour was of a brown colour with a fermented -taste, like bad beer, and nothing but dire necessity could induce -any one to eat it. The distance to be travelled was about 300 miles -in a direct line, without taking hills, valleys, and deviations into -account. Corporals Coles and Auger, besides their provisions, &c., -carried a pocket chronometer and a large sextant, turn about. Coles -also bore the Captain’s rifle, and Auger a choice book valued by the -chief, and a housewife containing some needles and thread and a few -patches. In all the dreadful hardships that beset them, even when -extreme feebleness might have excused them the toil of bearing the -articles, they abandoned nothing until ordered to do so. “Indeed,” -says Captain Grey, “I do not believe that there is a stronger -instance of fidelity and perseverance than was evinced by some of -the party, in retaining under every difficulty, possession of that -which they had promised to preserve for me.”[337] Impeded by natural -obstacles, their progress was tediously slow. The Hutt River was -reached on the 5th. A few days after they touched the Bowes River, -and then journeying through the province of Victoria, rested by the -rivers Buller and Chapman.[338] - ------ - -Footnote 337: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ ii. p. 6. - -Footnote 338: - - Ibid., ii. p. 1-31. - ------ - -On the banks of the latter a man was found missing; and Dr. Walker -and corporal Auger were sent in search of him. They ascended the -cliffs and tracked him to the sea; but as a large party of natives -were near them, they gave up the pursuit, and, unobserved, -retreated. The missing man turned up next day.[339] - ------ - -Footnote 339: - - Ibid., ii. p. 31-37. - ------ - -While this party was out, corporal Coles, who was posted as sentry -on a high terrace difficult of access, saw natives on the opposite -cliffs brandishing their spears in the manner they do before a -fight. Captain Grey clambered up the height, but as he could not -make them out, he thought Coles had made a mistake. “When I told him -this,” writes the Captain, “he merely said, Look there, then, sir,” -and pointed to the top of Mount Fairfax. There, indeed, they were, -going through a series of enigmatical ceremonies. The disposition -which the Captain made of his men, being observed by the natives, at -first excited them to furious gestures, but by degrees, they calmed -down and suddenly withdrew. “The British soldiers and sailors with -me,” proceeds the chief, “were surprisingly calm.”[340] - ------ - -Footnote 340: - - Ibid., ii. p. 31-33. - ------ - -The Greenough River was reached on the 8th April. Here some of the -men became sullen and would not proceed. In the mean time corporal -Auger went alone to search for water, and soon finding it, the party -was moved to the stream. Revived in spirits by the supply, all -readily resumed the march, and before nightfall, had travelled seven -miles further on their journey.[341] But the wish for short marches -and long halts which prevailed from the first, and in which Dr. -Walker coincided, was now exhibited in discontent. The Captain, -however, wisely persisted in following his own plan. On the 9th -April the want of water was much felt; and late in the day corporals -Auger and Coles and three others went in search of some. They had -made about seven miles, “when the keen eye of Coles,” says the -Captain, “discovered a beautiful spring under a hill, which was then -named the Water Peak.” Why this designation? Indebted to the -corporal for finding the spring, it would not surely have been -irrelevant to associate the humble name of the faithful discoverer -with this interesting feature of the hard journey. In returning to -the party, they wandered over a rough country full of crevices, -sustaining some serious falls, and, being benighted, did not reach -their companions till the next morning.[342] - ------ - -Footnote 341: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ ii. p. 37. - -Footnote 342: - - Ibid., ii. p. 40-44. - ------ - -So great had the disaffection become about short marches, that the -Captain resolved to adopt a course to settle the question. About -seventy miles only had been marched, and six or seven pounds of -flour were all that was left to each person. All were hourly losing -strength and energy, and suffering from stiffened limbs. To delay -under such circumstances was sure to bring with it wants and trials -of the most distressing nature. The Captain, therefore, determined -to proceed by forced journeys. “It was evident,” he writes, “that -those men who, during our late toils, had shown themselves the most -capable of enduring hardships, privations, and the fatigue of long -and rapid marches, were those best suited for the service destined -for them.” Among the five selected to accompany him were corporals -Auger and Coles, whose force of character and disciplinary habits -made them fit examples for imitation in so forlorn an extremity. Dr. -Walker’s party consisted of five men, and himself as the chief. Mr. -Frederick Smith was with the slow walkers. The separation took place -on the 10th April.[343] - ------ - -Footnote 343: - - Ibid., ii. p. 45-52. - ------ - -The Arrowsmith River was gained by Captain Grey and his steady men -on the 11th, and a further march of forty-six miles brought them on -the 13th to Gairdner’s Range. On the 14th, they reached the Hill -River, and after a long journey, halted at a pool, where they each -cooked two table-spoonsful of flour in about a pint of thick water -into a mess they termed _soup_. This, with a few nuts from the zamia -tree, formed their day’s repast. On this scanty fare they trudged -along at a smart pace, over an arid and sterile tract of country, -groaning from pain and fatigue. The sun, too, was intensely hot, and -all grew faint for want of water. Gaining the course of a parched-up -stream, it was called the “Smith” River. Many holes like wells were -in its bottom, inviting search and promising success; but all were -cruelly dry, and the very stones over which the water once had -gushed, were blanched or blackened with long exposure to a burning -sun. Now their weary days only passed to be succeeded by sleepless -and toilsome nights. Almost perishing with thirst, they wandered -like wild men even in the dark hours of night, from swamp to swamp, -digging holes in a vain search. For two days and two nights they had -not tasted a single drop of water or food of any kind; and on the -17th, as they moved slowly on with weak and husky voices, they -moistened their mouths by sucking a few drops of dew from the shrubs -and reeds. So worn out were they all, that now they could only walk -a few hundred yards at a time; but about two o’clock in the -afternoon they were so completely exhausted, it was impossible to -move them. The sun was then very oppressive, and the groans of the -men were painful in the extreme. Some had fruitlessly essayed to -obtain relief to their parched throats by chewing the laces and -fragments of the tops of their ankle boots; but now the “last sad -and revolting resource of thirst was upon them—they were driven to -drink their own ——!”[344] - ------ - -Footnote 344: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ ii. p. 54-72. - ------ - -Reduced to the last degree of weakness and want, Captain Grey, in -this desperate crisis, resolved to proceed southward, and never to -halt until he dropped or reached water; and if any of the party fell -behind, not to wait for them, but to go on until he slaked his own -thirst, and then to return with assistance to them. Upon all he -called to exert their utmost energies and make a last struggle for -their lives. Every superfluous article was now thrown away, and the -very valuable sextant, carried in turns by corporals Coles and -Auger, was also abandoned. In sad procession the sufferers reeled on -with wild and haggard looks; and though reason with some had begun -to hold but a very slight influence, discipline was rigidly -maintained, and not a complaint escaped them. At length, after -suffering intense thirst for three days and two nights, performing -severe marches under a scorching sun, the delighted travellers, -finding a small hole of moist mud, each as he came up cast his -wearied and aching limbs beside the hole, and, thanking God, -greedily swallowed the liquid.[345] - ------ - -Footnote 345: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ ii. p. 77-81. - ------ - -Almost in a state of stupefaction the men lay down by the pool, -watching with straining eye-balls until they again saw a little mud -in it, which they eagerly licked up. Pigeons and cockatoos in -numbers came to drink of the spring, but the gaunt wayfarers -forestalling them had consumed the supply. Above, hovered birds in -tempting flocks while the travellers by the “lone pool” were -starving. Not an arm was strong enough to bring one down. The gun -was partially raised, but the tremor of the effort rendered the -attempt altogether hopeless. Each now turned to his own little -store, and cooking a spoonful of flour, mixed with the black liquid, -gratefully ate it. All sense of smell and taste had gone, and a -repast of mud was as palatable as a custard. Next day, April the -18th, quitting the memorable pool, they traversed a very hilly and -densely-wooded country, and finding excellent water, made, -notwithstanding their extreme feebleness, an incredibly long march. -At night they lay down exposed to heavy rain, and, as a piece of -torn and shredded blanket between two was their only covering, their -situation was one of extreme wretchedness and suffering.[346] During -these wanderings, Auger found intervals in which his spirits were -sufficiently buoyant to encourage him to unpack his needles and -thread, and to do his best—being only an improvised tailor—to mend -the gaping rents and fretted fractures in the Captain’s tattered -costume.[347] - ------ - -Footnote 346: - - Ibid., ii. p. 81-87. - -Footnote 347: - - Lady Thomas, the mother of the chief, heard of these thoughtful - attentions exercised under such trying circumstances, and on the - traveller being introduced to her, she acknowledged his kindness - with no little emotion, and marked her grateful appreciation of it - by a suitable gift. - ------ - -On the 19th, the exhausted travellers were in motion again, but -completely crippled from the cold of the night. “Corporal Coles,” -writes the Captain, “my faithful and tried companion in all my -wanderings, could scarcely crawl along. The flesh was completely -torn away from one of his heels; and the irritation caused by this -had produced a large swelling in the groin. Nothing but his own -strong fortitude, aided by the encouragement given him by myself and -his comrades, could have made him move under his great agony.”[348] -Twenty-one miles the party marched that day without food, and only -gave up when the darkness closed in upon them. A night of appalling -misery succeeded, for the teeming rain drenched them as they lay; -and the following morning, wasted and weak, with rigid limbs and -shivering bodies, they could only, by extraordinary efforts, push -themselves along. Life was scarcely worth the effort it cost to -move. Coles was in a dreadful state, staggering on like a drunken -man reduced to the last extremity of human endurance. It required -fortunately but a few more desperate struggles to succeed; all -therefore buoyed up their spirits, for, in their deep despair, a -flickering hope still remained; and on the 21st April the five -exemplary adventurers under their captain, entered Perth miserable -objects of emaciation and prostration.[349] Here ended their toils, -discouragements, and privations; and here they were tended with the -best medical skill that the settlement could command.[350] - ------ - -Footnote 348: - - ‘Grey’s Travels,’ ii. p. 87. - -Footnote 349: - - Ibid., ii. p. 88-97. - -Footnote 350: - - Both received 1_s._ a-day each working pay, and for their good and - enterprising conduct a gratuity of 10_l._ from the Secretary of - State for the Colonies. - ------ - -Worn as he was, Auger started again the next day with a party under -Lieutenant Mortimer to search for the lagging travellers left with -Dr. Walker, and was out a fortnight. Driven by want of provisions -the mission returned to Perth on the 6th May, bringing with it one -of the missing men. In the following morning the corporal was again -afoot with a second party under Mr. Roe, the surveyor-general of the -province. Big-boned, broad and unbending, though ailing, attenuated -and of melancholy aspect, he marched for eleven more days, -re-entering the settlement on the 21st May with Mr. Spofforth, the -companion traveller of Mr. Roe. The search was successful; four of -the adventurers were taken into Perth, and the starved remains of -the last were buried in a sand-hill. After sleeping upwards of 400 -nights in the open air and suffering hardships of extreme severity, -it seems strange that Auger, footsore and tired, should not have -been allowed a horse, as some of the party were, upon which to -travel in these concluding services; and it is even more surprising -that Captain Grey, in furnishing the details of these secondary -expeditions, should have suppressed all allusion to the presence of -the corporal, who deserved, for his spirit and endurance, most -honourable mention. - -Months passed away before the two corporals regained their health, -when, in February, 1840, they proceeded to South Australia. Corporal -Coles joined the detachment of the corps at Port Adelaide; and -corporal Auger landed at Woolwich in September, and was soon -afterwards discharged by purchase.[351] Coles remained in the corps -till June, 1843, when he was pensioned on 1s. a-day, in consequence -of the loss of the fingers of his right hand and the forefinger of -his left, occasioned by the accidental explosion of a carronade, -which he was firing in honour of the birth of the Duke of Cornwall. -Captain Grey was then Governor of South Australia, and he at once -nominated his faithful companion and servant to a lucrative -government appointment in the colony, presenting him also, at great -cost, with a set of fingers fitted to his hand, which were so -beautiful in their mechanism and accurate in their working, that he -could pick up a button or a sixpence with pleasing facility. - ------ - -Footnote 351: - - Broken down by the service Auger felt it necessary to seek repose - in civil life. When sufficiently restored he was engaged to hold a - responsible situation in the Pimlico wheel factory, by Octavius - Smith, Esq., of Thames Bank, the father of poor Mr. Frederick - Smith, who was one of the expedition. This young gentleman offered - a noble example of courage, patience, and resignation, but his - delicate and shattered constitution not giving him strength to - keep up in the forced marches of his chief, he was left, in the - painful separation on the 10th April, with the slow marchers under - Dr. Walker, and perished in the bush from want and exhaustion, at - the tender age of nineteen. - - Captain, now Sir George Grey, on visiting England in 1854, most - kindly sought for Auger. Naturally the meeting awakened - reminiscences of the New Holland struggles; and the chief, at - parting, presented his corporal with an elegant silver teapot and - stand, bearing this simple but expressive inscription:—“Sir George - Grey to his old follower, Richard Auger, August, 1854.” - ------ - - - - - 1839. - -Services of the detachment in Spain—Last party of the artillery on - the survey—Survey of South Australia—Inspection at Limerick by Sir - William Macbean—Triangulation of north of Scotland—Also of the - Clyde—Pontoons by sergeant Hopkins—Augmentation of the corps—Also - of the survey companies—Supernumerary rank annulled—Tithe surveys; - quality of work executed on them by discharged sappers; - efficient surveys of sergeant Douli—Increase of survey - pay—Staff appointments on the survey—Responsibility of - quartermaster-sergeant M‘Kay—Colonel Colby’s classes—Based upon - particular attainments—Disputed territory in the State of - Maine—Movements and services of the party employed in its - survey; intrepidity of corporal M‘Queen—Experiments with the - diving-bell—Also with the voltaic battery—Improvement in the - priming-wires by Captain Sandham; sergeant-major Jones’s - waterproof composition and imitation fuses—Demolition and removal - of the wreck of the ‘Royal George’—Organization of detachment - employed in the operation—Emulation of parties—Success of the - divers; labours of the sappers—Diving bell abandoned—Accident to - private Brabant—Fearlessness of Corporal Harris in unloading the - gunpowder from the cylinders—Hazardous duty in soldering the - loading-hole of the cylinder—First sapper helmet divers—Conduct - and exertions of the detachment. - - -The detachment in Spain was not called upon during the year to take -part in any active operation. Its services were, therefore, confined -to the works. At Passages the men performed several duties connected -with the squadron; and in addition to fitting up Her Majesty’s ship -‘Nightingale’ for stores, made various essential alterations and -fitments in Lord John Hay’s vessel, the ‘North Star.’ Sections of -the detachment were for months at Aquirre completing the -construction of a redoubt and magazine, and repairing the fortified -house there, and building a barrack and magazine at Cachola Fort on -the Hernani road. Others were also occupied for a period in fitting -up the hospital at San Sebastian, repairing the barracks of the -royal artillery and royal marines, and attending to the security of -the different forts in front of the fortress. - -A detachment of the artillery had, ever since the commencement of -the national survey, been employed on that duty, whose numbers, by -degrees, were reduced to five non-commissioned officers and -privates. This year saw the last of that regiment on the survey, for -the men alluded to were transferred to the corps on the 1st April. - -On the 20th September, one sergeant, two corporals, and twelve -privates landed at Port Adelaide, South Australia, from the -‘Recovery’ emigrant ship. The royal authority for the organization -of this party to carry out the surveys of the colony, under the -direction of Captain E. C. Frome, royal engineers, was dated 2nd -July, 1839. Lord Normanby, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, -at the instance of the South Australian Commissioners, recommended -the measure. By this addition, the corps was increased from 1,048 to -1,063 of all ranks. The party was composed of men chiefly from the -survey, married, with families, and well adapted for the service of -the settlement. Soon the men were dispersed over a wide extent of -the province, surveying a wild unoccupied territory, and also in -setting off and surveying blocks of land for the emigrants. The duty -was not without its trials; and for months the surveyors obtained no -better shelter than the bush, the shade of some bold cliff, or the -cover of a frail canvas tent. In 1844, when it became indispensable -to effect some changes in the surveying department and in the mode -of its action, in consequence of the increased population of the -colony and its great inland distribution, his Excellency Captain G. -Grey expressed before the Legislative Council his sense of the -accuracy and ability with which the detachment had conducted the -surveys, and added, that no greater efficiency could be desired in -effecting the trigonometrical survey than that displayed in their -labours.[352] Some of the party were constantly at Port Adelaide -engaged in the contingent duties of the station, such as working at -their trades, drawing, &c., and in superintendence. At first all -expenses were borne by the Commissioners, but eventually they were -defrayed from the colonial revenue. The working pay of the party -continues to range between 1_s._ and 5_s._ a-day each, exclusive of -regimental allowances and rations. The sergeant in charge receives -the highest rate, and the privates seldom less than 2_s._ a-day -each. - ------ - -Footnote 352: - - ‘South Australian Register,’ August 24, 1844. - ------ - -On the 23rd May, the sixteenth company under the command of Captain -Stotherd, R.E., was inspected at Limerick by Major-General Sir -William Macbean, and commended by the General for their soldier-like -conduct and appearance.[353] - ------ - -Footnote 353: - - ‘Limerick Chronicle,’ 25th May, 1839. - ------ - -One corporal and twenty privates were detached in May under -Lieutenant Robinson, R.E., to the north of Scotland, and continued -on the trigonometrical survey of that portion of the country until -late in December, when they rejoined their companies. - -Captain A. Henderson, having with him one corporal and six privates, -was employed in the secondary triangulation of the Clyde from May to -the 10th October. - -At the summer examination of the gentleman cadets at Sandhurst, -there was “exhibited a pontoon raft of very ingenious construction, -made by the sappers employed at the college under the direction of -sergeant John Hopkins.” The raft was supported on two wicker boats -formed after the fashion of the old Welsh coracle, covered with -waterproof canvas, “each being ten feet long by three feet wide, and -two feet three inches deep. The buoyancy and firmness of the raft -were such as to show, that by giving a small additional length to -the coracles, it might be rendered capable of bearing field -artillery, and it was so light as to be swiftly impelled by a pair -of oars. The experiment was extremely satisfactory, and proved that -a very valuable resource in the field might be found in such -constructions for passing rivers.”[354] On several occasions during -the term the detachment were out day and night extinguishing -fires—the work of incendiaries—in the plantations near the college, -and their effectual exertions prevented the destruction of much of -the crown property. Sergeant Hopkins was highly praised for his -activity and intelligence in the practical work of instruction, and -corporal Robert Hearnden for his skill in the construction of -revetments. - ------ - -Footnote 354: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ ii. 1839, p. 420. - ------ - -By the authority of a royal warrant dated 3rd July, 1838, a company -of eighty-nine strong, numbered the tenth, was added to the corps on -the 1st July, 1839, which increased the establishment from 1,063 to -1,152 of all ranks. The formation of this company was occasioned by -the removal in the previous year of a company from home duty to the -Canadas. - -In 1838 the Government threw the tithe surveys in England into the -hands of contractors, whereby the parishes were burdened with an -expense of 9_d._ an acre, while the survey executed by the Ordnance -cost but little more than half the sum. The higher price thus paid -to the contractors, enabled them to attract to their employment -civil assistants trained by the Ordnance, to do their work. Many -resignations of superior surveyors and draughtsmen were therefore -the result, and so great a loss from a single class, necessarily -deferred the completion of a large portion of surveyed work. To -provide against injury from any similar contingency, a warrant dated -2nd July, 1839, authorized an augmentation of two sergeants, two -corporals, two second corporals, and ten privates to each survey -company, which, for the three companies devoted to that service, -gave an increase of forty-eight men, making the total sapper -establishment on the survey amount to— - - Col-Sergts. Sergts. Corporals. 2nd Bug. Privates. Total. - Corpls. - - 3 15 18 18 6 255 315 - -By this augmentation, the corps was raised from a total of 1,152 to -1,200. - -At this period, the survey companies were generally employed on -confidential duties and dispersed over a vast extent of country; -while most of the non-commissioned officers and many of the privates -were in charge of parties, performing duties which required the -exercise of great judgment and discretion. The additional permanent -rank was granted to invest the non-commissioned officers with more -weight and authority among their parties, and to supersede recourse -to the anomalous expedient of supernumerary promotion. - -The same reason which diminished the civil strength of the national -survey, induced a disposition among the best soldiers of the corps -on that duty to purchase their discharge. Several quitted during the -tithe survey mania,[355] and the vacancies in the three companies by -this and other means, showed that encouragement was wanted to -influence them to continue in the service. To afford this, Colonel -Colby obtained the power on the 16th August, 1839, to award working -pay to the royal sappers and miners under his command, to the -maximum of 3_s._ a-day, according to individual merit and exertion, -in addition to their regimental pay and allowances. - -This, however, was not regarded by Colonel Colby as sufficient to -meet the emergency. It was hopeless for him to compete in -pecuniary payments with the expensive parochial surveys of -England, and he therefore asked for two military rewards in -addition to the augmented working pay. These were the permanent -rank and pay of one sergeant-major and one quartermaster-sergeant. -But the Master-General did not view the matter in the same light -as the Colonel, and only consented to the appointment of an acting -sergeant-major with the pay of the rank. This Colonel Colby did -not consider an adequate distinction, and he never availed himself -of it.[356] - ------ - -Footnote 355: - - Several of those who quitted obtained ready employment on these - surveys, and their maps in all cases were of the first class. Mr. - Chadwick, in his report to the Poor-Law Commissioners, compared - the “non-efficiency of persons appointed to make surveys under the - Tithe Commutation and Parochial Assessment Acts, with those - executed by privates and non-commissioned officers of the sappers - and miners. Out of 1,700 first-class maps, not more than one-half - displayed qualifications for the execution of public surveys - without superintendence. Amongst the most satisfactory surveys - were those executed by a retired sergeant of the corps”—Alexander - Doull.—‘British Almanac and Companion,’ 1843, p. 38. - -Footnote 356: - - In December, 1834, James M‘Kay was appointed acting - quartermaster-sergeant with the pay of the rank. Entrusted with - the care and issue of the engravings of the survey, more than - 180,000 passed through his hands, amounting in value to - 35,500_l._, the accounts for which, rendered half-yearly to the - Irish Government, were never found to contain a single error. So - extensive a responsibility rarely falls to a non-commissioned - officer. Upwards of forty years he served in the corps, and, for - his merits, received a gratuity and medal. He was discharged in - July, 1844, with a pension of 2_s._ 4_d._ a-day, and afterwards - obtained a quiet unpretending situation at Birmingham, where his - business habits made him of essential service in the promotion of - a scheme for a loan society on liberal principles. - ------ - -In July, 1839, before the increased working pay was granted, the -following was the distribution of the companies on the survey -according to classes. - - s. d. No. - Receiving less than 1 0 a-day 19 - ” 1 0 ” 25 - { 1st 1 1 ” 15 - { 2nd 1 2 ” 12 - { 3rd 1 3 ” 17 - { 4th 1 4 ” 17 - { 5th 1 5 ” 24 - Colonel Colby’s { 6th 1 6 ” 26 - Classes. { { 1 7 ” 20 - { A { 1 8 ” 17 - { { 1 9 ” 5 - { { 1 10 ” 3 - { B { 1 11 ” 1 - { { 2 0 ” 5 - —— - 206 [357] - -The qualifications demanded of surveyors to render them deserving of -advancement were as follows:— - - _Class 1st._—To be capable of surveying for content—flat - country. - - _Class 2nd._—Surveying for content—hilly country, including the - use of the theodolite, taking the horizontal and vertical - angles, as well as reducing the lines to the horizontal planes - of the links on the arch. - - _Class 3rd._—Competent to register angles and distances, and to - make a content plot. - - _Class 4th._—Able to compute areas, and horizontal and vertical - distances and triangles. - - _Class 5th._—Able to lay out town lands or parishes for content - with skill, so as to prevent confusion or unnecessary labour - in the subsequent measurements. - - _Class 6th._—Fully acquainted with every branch of content - surveying, and capable of directing parties of content - surveyors. - - _Class_ A.—Competent to survey and plot roads, &c. - - _Class_ B—Competent to draw plans. - ------ - -Footnote 357: - - The above detail does not exhibit a true exposition of the - acquirements and usefulness of the survey companies, as many of - those not advanced to the classes, had been reduced from the - higher to the lower rates for irregularity; and others, on the - higher rates, were not advanced as soon as their qualifications - merited, it being a principle with the Colonel, not to exhaust the - limited power he possessed of awarding working pay, because he - wisely considered nothing was more discouraging to human exertions - than the knowledge, that those whose duty it was to reward, had no - further power to grant them encouragement. - ------ - -In all the classes, every man was expected to do his work -accurately; and if, in addition, he showed rapidity with correctness -and neatness, special encouragement was given to such sappers by the -grant of a proportional allowance. - -Second-corporal Robert Hearnden and two lance-corporals were -attached on the 9th July to Colonel Mudge, R.E., and Mr. -Featherstonhaugh, to assist in the topographical survey of the -disputed territory in the state of Maine, with a view to the -settlement of the boundary question. The sappers were dressed in -plain clothes, suitable to the climate; and after a brief stay at -New York, and subsequently at Boston, entered Fredericton on the -19th August. Sixty-two canoes were hired for the service of the -commission, and about 100 men, chiefly Indians, to man them. -Lance-corporal William McGregor was left at the observatory at the -Grand Falls, St. John’s; and on every day, at intervals of two -hours, registered the indications of the five different barometers -placed in his charge. Corporal Hearnden and lance-corporal John -McQueen were employed with the Commissioners; and, in tracing the -sources of the rivers and finding the heights of land, aided in -registering the results of the instruments used to determine their -altitudes. This employment necessarily kept them much afloat; they -moved daily to reconnoitre; and in doing so, the stores and -equipage, for which they were responsible, were invariably sent -onwards under their charge. At night they slept in tents by the -shores of the streams where their day’s labour ended, and in winter -were much exposed to great inclemency of weather and sometimes -personal danger. Once corporal McQueen, under circumstances of -peculiar peril, saved from drowning a servant of one of the -commissioners, and held him with his powerful arm, by the collar, at -the side of the canoe for about an hour, until he reached land. The -canoe at the time was crossing the first lake on the Allagash, about -three miles broad, and was freighted with baggage. Had he taken the -sufferer into the canoe it would have foundered, as it was then sunk -in the water to the gunwale. Corporal McQueen also met with personal -misfortune in the loss by fire of his necessaries. Late in November -the party reached Fredericton, and arrived at Woolwich on the 24th -January, 1840. Each received 1_s._ a-day working pay, and as a -reward for having performed their duties in a satisfactory manner, a -gratuity of 10_l._ - -Previously to undertaking the destruction of the wreck of the ‘Royal -George,’ at Spithead, Colonel Pasley made various experiments with -the diving-bell. The common form was rectangular, and proved under -certain circumstances very dangerous. The diving-bell in Chatham -dockyard was fitted up by carpenters of the corps, and when -completed, resembled in its horizontal section, that of a boat -twelve and a half feet long, and four and a half broad.[358] On the -14th May the altered bell was tried from the ‘Anson,’ 72, in the -Medway, near Gillingham. Captain M. Williams, R.E., was the -executive officer: he had with him a party of the corps and some -riggers, &c., to work the bell. Sergeant-major Jones was the first -man of the sappers to enter it, and on that day the experiments -fully proved its efficacy for hazardous service. Colonel Pasley -thereupon determined to use it at Spithead.[359] - ------ - -Footnote 358: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i, 1840, p. 74. - -Footnote 359: - - Ibid., 1840, p. 74. - ------ - -In the experiments which from time to time were made with the -voltaic battery, serjeant-major Jones was always appointed to -assist. Colonel Pasley had a high opinion of his experience, and of -the quickness with which he saw a difficulty and proposed a remedy. -The operation of passing the priming wires through water into the -bursting charges of powder, was brought to perfection by Captain -Sandham, of the royal engineers. Hitherto tape had been wrapped all -round the priming wires, and paid over the outside with waterproof -composition, leaving the inside of the tapes, and the wires embraced -by them, quite clean, “which formed two circular open joints, and -therefore was rather a curious sort of connexion.” But the improved -arrangement consisted in adopting the “expedient of smearing over or -saturating with sergeant-major Jones' waterproof composition, the -wires themselves, as well as every other part of the other materials -used in this junction, whether tape, thread, hemp, twine, wooden -plugs, and caps to prevent contact with the leaden pipe in which the -priming apparatus was inclosed, or canvas tops applied over the -wooden cap which served to cement it to the outside of the cylinder -containing the great charge.” In the judicious use of that valuable -composition, very extraordinary proofs of its excellence afterwards -came to light in the operations at Spithead.[360] - ------ - -Footnote 360: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i. 1840, p. 76. “The sergeant-major’s - composition was simply pitch softened by bees'-wax and tallow. He - had tried a great number of experiments for ascertaining the best - sort of waterproof composition for bags of gunpowder in 1832, when - Bickford’s fuses were first used by the corps at Chatham. He also - at the same period discovered the means for imitating _Bickford’s - fuses_ in an efficient manner. His _imitation_ fuses, however, - were not precisely the same, as Bickford’s fuses were evidently - made by machinery.”—‘United Service Journal,’ ii. 1839, p. - 192-193. - ------ - -The ‘Royal George,’ a first-rate man-of-war of 100 guns, was overset -at Spithead June 28th, 1782,[361] and for nearly sixty years, that -leviathan wreck had been lying in the roadstead, a danger to -shipping. Several enterprising individuals had attempted or proposed -to raise or remove it, but with unavailing results. At length -Colonel Pasley undertook the task, and in a few summers, by means of -gunpowder, effected its entire demolition and removal. Many guns had -been previously recovered, but the number still at the bottom was -estimated in value at more than 5,000_l._ - ------ - -Footnote 361: - - By this catastrophe, Admiral Kempenfeldt and a crew of many - hundreds of seamen, with nearly 100 women and 200 Jews, then on - board, perished.—‘Haydn’s Dates.’ - ------ - -Under the auspices of the Admiralty, Colonel Pasley repaired to -Portsmouth from Chatham with the necessary stores and a detachment -of the corps, consisting of sergeant-major Jenkin Jones, one bugler, -a clerk, and thirteen rank and file under the command of Captain M. -Williams, of the corps, who was afterwards relieved by Lieutenant J. -F. A. Symonds, royal engineers. The rank and file comprised a -collar-maker and a cooper, with a proportion of carpenters, -blacksmiths, and tinmen. After being removed from the ‘Queen,’ navy -lighter on the 20th August, to the ‘Success,’ frigate hulk, then -anchored near the wreck, operations commenced on the 21st, and were -continued with diligence till the 4th November. They were then -suspended till the return of the summer. During the service, the -sappers, and the seamen, marines, &c., were divided into two squads, -and attached to two lumps moored about 100 fathoms apart, with the -wreck between them. From these lumps the work was usually carried -on. Each lump had its own diver. Lieutenant Symonds directed the -operations of one, and sergeant-major Jones the other. “Thus a -friendly emulation took place between the whole of the men -employed,” each party working for the success of its own diver, “and -the divers themselves being no less anxious to surpass each -other.”[362] - ------ - -Footnote 362: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i. 1840, p. 164. - ------ - -Two of the great explosions failed, but two succeeded, besides a -vast number of smaller ones, which shook the wreck and opened its -sides and cleared its decks. The labour consequent on the success of -the divers was immense, and the recovery of articles and guns gave -promise of realizing more than sufficient to cover the outlay in -carrying on the work. The more particular duties of the sappers did -not prevent them taking a full share of the labour at the capstan -and the ropes. When not employed in the general duties of the -operation, they were confined to the performance of special ones; -such as preparing the various explosions, managing the voltaic -battery and apparatus, and repairing the latter when needed. “They -also repaired the diving-dresses, and did all the coopers', -blacksmiths', and carpenters' work necessary, including the fitting -up and occasional repairs to launches used for receiving the -materials.” In all these duties they were found particularly -useful.[363] - ------ - -Footnote 363: - - Ibid., i. 1840, p. 338. - ------ - -When Mr. Dewar, the only bell-diver, was discharged, it became -necessary to train volunteers to succeed him. Two men of the -detachment readily offered to try the service. These were corporal -David Harris and private William Reid. On the 27th August, with -Colonel Pasley and Lieutenant Symonds, they entered the bell, and -twice were lowered, the second time with the intention of going down -on the wreck; but before they had descended low enough, a pleasure -yacht having run foul of the lump from which the bell was being -lowered, it was in consequence hauled up, as every man was wanted to -assist in saving the yacht. - -The diving-bell was employed a second time on the 4th September, -with lance-corporal Harris and private John Skelton, as the -sub-marine operators. When the vessel had descended about eight -fathoms, the message-board and caution-line got entangled, and the -divers were consequently hauled to the surface. A mishap of this -kind would have discouraged some beginners, but spirited and -willing, they only cared to succeed, and down again they went, -reaching the bottom in little more than fourteen fathoms. As, -however, no less than two and a-half feet of water had entered the -bell, it was rendered inefficacious for any useful result. Owing to -50 men, hardy seamen and marines from the ‘Pique’ frigate, working -the capstan and machinery, the descent was accomplished in ten and -a-half minutes, and the re-ascent in eight and a-half; but when only -30 men were employed on the former occasion, the ascent went through -the insufferably tedious period of 27 minutes. After these trials, -the diving-bell, which from its unwieldy weight required no less -than forty-nine men to be employed in various ways to raise it, was -discarded and sent into Portsmouth dockyard.[364] - ------ - -Footnote 364: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i. 1840, p. 153. - ------ - -On the 5th September a large wrought iron cylinder filled with -powder to be fired against the wreck, was found to have a small leak -in it. “This would have been of no importance, as only a few pounds -of powder were thereby spoiled; but when the whole of the powder was -ordered to be emptied out that the hole might be repaired, -unfortunately, the operation was carelessly executed,” inasmuch as -water which should have been poured into the cylinder was not done. -When, therefore, private Charles Brabant was afterwards employed in -soldering a piece of tin over the hole, the powder still remaining -in the cylinder blew up, and a fragment from it broke one of his -thighs, and then indented itself in the deck. “This accident was -much regretted by every one, especially as the young soldier thus -injured bore an excellent character, and was one of the most useful -men employed, his services as a tinman being in constant -requisition.”[365] - ------ - -Footnote 365: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i. 1840, p. 156. Brabant was discharged - in April, 1841, on a pension of 6_d._ a-day. He was quite lame, - but shortly after obtained the situation of turnkey to Maidstone - gaol. - ------ - -The method adopted for unloading the powder from the cylinders when -any was found to be damaged, and for preserving the good powder, was -as curious as it was dangerous. “Having removed part of the outer -casing of lead, corporal David Harris cut a hole through the side of -the wood-work, by which, after emptying a part of its contents, he -got _into_ the cylinder, and continually kept filling a copper -shovel with powder, which he handed out from time to time when full. -At those periods only could any portion of him be seen. When rising -up in his hole he displayed a face as black as a chimney-sweep’s.” -To knock off the powder which had become caked either by wet or -compression, he was provided with a wooden wedge and a copper -hammer. Every precaution was taken to prevent accident, such as -putting out the fires, laying hides on the deck and wetting them -occasionally, as well as working in slippers. The duty was very -unpleasant, and required in the operation more than ordinary -courage.[366] - ------ - -Footnote 366: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i. 1840, p. 320. - ------ - -Soldering the loading-hole of the cylinder was also a dangerous -service. “The neck and loading-hole were of brass, in the form of an -hour-glass, soldered to the iron-work. As the hole was to have a -disc of metal soldered over it after the cylinder was filled with -powder, with a plug and some inches of clay between the powder and -the disc, Mr. Taplin, a foreman in Portsmouth dockyard, was -requested to send one of his artificers to do it who was accustomed -to that sort of soldering; but the man sent to do it was -horror-struck at the idea of the thing, and declared he would not -attempt it for a thousand pounds!” The hole was eventually soldered -by private Skelton, though unused to the work.[367] - ------ - -Footnote 367: - - Ibid., p. 323, 324. - ------ - -The first helmet divers were corporal Harris and private William -Reid,[368] who volunteered to act if required. They went down for -trial in fifteen fathoms water near the ‘Success’ frigate one day -when the regular divers were not required at the wreck. On another -occasion when Hiram London had injured his hand, “corporal Harris -went down four times to the wreck in one slack, and succeeded in -slinging four pieces of timber, all of which were brought up.”[369] - ------ - -Footnote 368: - - A man of varied acquirements, a good surveyor, and an expert - draughtsman and clerk, and assisted in executing the wood - engravings in Colonel Pasley’s ‘Practical Operations of a Siege,’ - for which his name is recorded at page 76 of the first edition of - that work. Disposed to habits of irregularity, he never received - promotion, and was pensioned at 1_s._ a-day in January, 1850. - -Footnote 369: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i. 1840, p. 333. - ------ - -Sergeant-major Jones, it is recorded, assisted Lieutenant Symonds -with great efficiency, “and being very nearly as skilful in the -management of boats and application of the mechanical powers as in -the use of gunpowder,” his services were very important. Private -William Read[370] prepared the voltaic battery for use, assisted -by one or two others of the detachment, and his skill and -steadiness, at all times apparent, were more decided in moments of -difficulty. “Private John Skelton, a blacksmith, not only did -everything essential in his own trade, but worked as a tinman in -soldering up the loaded cylinders, and contrived to put the -air-pipes in good order when the attempt seemed hopeless. Being -also one of the most active men in boats or at the capstan, when -not employed as an artificer, he and private William Read were -appointed lance-corporals on the conclusion of the service.”[371] -The detachment returned to the corps at Woolwich in the ‘Medea’ -steamer on the 6th November, 1839. The working pay of the -sergeant-major was 2s. a-day, and the rank and file 1s. a-day -each. - ------ - -Footnote 370: - - Now sergeant-major at the royal engineer establishment, Chatham. - -Footnote 371: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ 1840, p. 337. A minute and faithful - record of the operations will be found in the ‘United Service - Journal,’ i. 1840, pp. 72-83, 149-164, 319-338. - ------ - - - - - 1840. - -Return of the detachment from Spain—Its conduct during the - war—Survey of the northern counties of England—Notice of - sergeant Cottingham—Secondary triangulation of the north of - Scotland—Increase to survey allowances—Augmentation to the - survey companies—Renewal of survey of the disputed boundary in - the state of Maine—Corporal Hearnden at Sandhurst—Wreck of the - ‘Royal George;’ duties of the sappers in its removal—Exertions - of sergeant-major Jones—The divers—An accident—Usefulness of the - detachment engaged in the work—Boat adventure at Spithead—Andrew - Anderson—Thomas P. Cook—Transfer of detachment from the - Mauritius to the Cape—Survey of La Caille’s arc of meridian - there—Detachment to Syria—Its active services, including capture - of Acre—Reinforcement to Syria. - - -The services of the sappers in Spain were of a nature similar to -those in which they were engaged during the greater part of the -previous year; and the diligence and ability shown in their -execution drew repeated expressions of admiration from Lord John -Hay. “They could turn their hands,” it is recorded, “to anything and -everything.” Under orders from the Admiralty, the detachment, -nineteen strong, was withdrawn from Spain and arrived at Woolwich in -the ‘Alban’ steamer, 22nd August, 1840. Its original strength -increased by subsequent reinforcements, reached thirty-six of all -ranks: the difference was occasioned by the removal of invalids, -five deaths, and one killed by falling over a precipice. - -Lord John Hay, in a letter to Lieutenant Vicars, R.E., parted with -the detachment in the following eulogistic terms:— - -“The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having ordered me to -embark the detachment of royal sappers and miners under your command -for a passage to England, have directed me at the same time to -convey to yourself, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and -privates of the detachment, their lordships' marked approbation of -the zeal, gallantry, and good conduct which have been displayed by -them on all occasions during the long course of service in which -they have been employed on this coast. - -“In communicating this expression of their lordships' satisfaction, -I avail myself of the opportunity of again recording my thanks to -yourself, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of -the detachment, for the zeal and gallantry with which my orders have -at all times been carried into effect, and particularly for the -ability displayed in the erection of the various works of defence -entrusted to you.” - -At the commencement of the principal triangulation of Great Britain, -it was carried forward more with a view to the solution of the -astronomical problem connected with the size and figure of the earth -than as a basis for an accurate topographical survey. In pursuance -of this object, a series of triangles had been carried northward -from the Isle of Wight, and continued to the north coast of -Yorkshire in 1806; but a portion of the east of Yorkshire was still -left without any fixed points or stations. The series went along the -eastern edge of the Cleaveland vale; but at that time the -mountainous country on the west of Cleaveland, and in Derbyshire, -Westmoreland, Cumberland, Durham, and Northumberland, was -inaccessible for trigonometrical stations from the want of roads, or -other local approaches. These having been subsequently constructed, -a detachment of the corps was sent in May, 1840, under Lieutenant -Pipon, R.E., into the northern counties, to visit some stations in -order to fix the points to expedite the topographical survey. The -party encamped on the Great Whernside mountain near Kettlewell, and -from this time a force of the corps has ever since been employed in -the English surveys, gradually swelling the numbers of the latter, -as the progress of the work in Ireland permitted their removal.[372] - ------ - -Footnote 372: - - Ambrose Cottingham was the first sergeant detached from Ireland - for the survey of England, and he assisted in superintending a - large force of field surveyors. It is recorded that “he performed - this arduous and important duty in a manner highly advantageous to - the service, and caused considerable saving of expense in that - branch of the work.” Beyond, however, his zeal, industry, and the - capability of keeping large bodies of men in full activity, he - possessed no available acquirements. In April, 1844, he quitted - the service on a pension of 1_s._ 8_d_ a-day, and having amassed - some property by his frugality, retired to Mayfield in Sussex. - ------ - -For the secondary triangulation of the north of Scotland, sixteen -rank and file were provided in May, and by the fall of the year they -had increased to thirty-one men. From this period Scotland has -always had a few sections of sappers employed in its national -surveys; but of late, the numbers have swelled to some magnitude. - -Similar advantages as to working pay granted to the sappers in -Ireland were extended to the detachments occupied in the surveys of -Great Britain, to give due encouragement to their exertions. Four -shillings a-day were also granted to non-commissioned officers -superintending large forces of field surveyors, to cover the extra -expenses incurred, and compensate for the labour and fatigue endured -in the performance of this duty. - -On the 19th June, 1840, by order of Sir Hussey Vivian, the -Master-General, the survey companies were increased by one sergeant, -one corporal, and one second corporal, but to make up for this -addition, the privates were reduced three men per company. The -establishment for each of the three companies was therefore fixed as -follows:— - - Col.-Sergts. Sergts. Corporals. 2nd Buglers. Privates. Total. - Corpls. - - 1 6 7 7 2 82 105 - -This measure was recommended by Colonel Colby because, as he -expressed it, “the general conduct of the non-commissioned officers -was so excellent that a selection for promotion could seldom be -given as a reward for a special service without showing a preference -for some class of duty to the exclusion of others equally onerous -and well performed;” and even with this increase, a non-commissioned -officer higher than the rank of lance-corporal, could not be spared -to assist in the charge of the detachment on the Great Whernside -Mountain. - -Second-corporal John McQueen was sent in the summer with Captain -Broughton, R.E., and Mr. Featherstonhaugh to the disputed territory -in North America, to aid in its reconnaissance and survey. He was -dressed in plain clothes and wore in his girdle a brace of pistols. -Operations commenced on the 1st August at the Grand Falls, and -ceased for the winter on the 5th October, at which date the -commissioners reached Quebec. Throughout this period corporal -McQueen was in the bush. His duty, apart from the general services -of the survey, comprised the registration of the barometers and -thermometers every hour, often at intervals of half an hour, taking -the bearings of the several streams, superintending the movements of -the camp equipage and stores, and issuing the provisions. - -The service was not accomplished without hardship and occasional -privation. The marching, too, was toilsome, and it was the lot of -the corporal sometimes to struggle through swamps and ford streams -where the exertion of swimming was necessary for his safety. The -snow at times was deep; the cold in the morning great; but generally -at mid-day the heat from the density of the woods was almost -insupportable. The sandflies which infested the bush were a -distressing nuisance; and the expedition, to protect themselves from -swollen faces and blindness, resorted to the expedient of covering -the face with a gauze veil, or of tying round their hats a piece of -burning cedar, by the hostile fumes of which the stinging swarm was -kept at bay. On the party reaching Quebec, corporal McQueen was -quartered in the artillery barracks, and worked during the winter in -the engineer department, preparing for the next summer expedition -such utensils and conveniences as the experience of the past had -proved to be desirable. - -Both terms at Sandhurst the detachment employed with the gentlemen -cadets, was in charge of corporal Robert Hearnden, and being an -active and intelligent non-commissioned officer, he acquitted -himself extremely well. “With his own hands he completed,” says the -official report, “the masonry of a small splinter-proof magazine, -including a roof ingeniously constructed of tiles so arranged as to -break joint, and imbedded in cement, which gives to the whole work -the appearance and strength of a stone roof.” Both parties laboured -with readiness and industry, and maintained their usual exemplary -character. Corporal Joseph T. Meyers had been several times -at Sandhurst, and was found so assiduous and deserving a -non-commissioned officer, that the governor of the College rewarded -him by giving him the appointment of staff-sergeant at that -institution.[373] - ------ - -Footnote 373: - - On quitting the college became a clerk to the military prison at - Gosport. - ------ - -Early in May, one bugler and twenty-two rank and file, with -serjeant-major Jones, returned to the wreck of the ‘Royal George’ at -Spithead, and under the executive charge of Lieutenant Symonds, -R.E., resumed the operations which were suspended in the winter of -the previous year. Colonel Pasley had the direction of the service. -The duties of the sappers were similar in all respects to those -mentioned on the former occasion, and the composition of the party -rendered it fully equal to the varied and novel circumstances of so -peculiar an undertaking. On the 27th October, the winter then having -completely set in, the operations were again suspended, and the -detachment returned to Chatham. - -When Lieutenant Symonds quitted early in October, sergeant-major -Jones took charge of the service, which he managed with success, and -was fortunate in recovering a considerable portion of the wreck. -Throughout the season his zeal, judgment, and activity gained the -high commendation of Colonel Pasley. - -Corporal David Harris was employed for several months as a diver. -Ambitious to earn fame in the art, he rivalled by his exertions the -professional civil divers. With exciting rapidity he sent aloft -planks, beams, staves, iron knees, grape-shot, fragments of -gun-carriages, abundance of sheet-lead, remnants of the galley, and -a thousand et ceteras. It was he who ferreted into the store-room, -and cleared out its heterogeneous contents, recovering by his zeal -crates of brass locks, bolts, nuts, copper hoops, and axletrees. Now -he would penetrate into a magazine, and remove its powder-barrels -and bulls' hides; then, tearing down the decks and walls, would anon -push into a carpenter’s shop, and surprise all hands with -instalments of sash-frames, window-weights, plate-glass, and -engine-hose. Into the craters formed by the large explosions he -would fearlessly enter, and, probed on all sides by projecting spars -and splintered beams, would drag from the abysses huge timbers and -unwieldy masses of the wreck, that strained from their weight the -powerful shackles and gear used to raise them on board. An entire -32-pounder gun-carriage he also obtained; and only for the snapping -of the slings, would have had a gun recorded to his credit. Indeed, -it was on the way to the surface, when it dropped from the broken -ropes and was lost for the summer. A guinea of 1768, the only one -which saw the light during the season, was among the spoils which -Harris had recovered. For experiment this corporal tried to dive in -one of Bethell’s dresses, but after two or three attempts it had so -exhausted his energies, that he was compelled to abandon its use. -From the 29th May till the winter set in, he dived incessantly, -except when prevented by heavy gales of wind, the strength of the -tide, or the occasional sickness which was inseparable from so hard -a duty. Frequently he earned as much as 4_s._ 6_d._ a-day working -pay. - -Lance-corporal John Skelton, and privates Charles Symon, Richard -Pillman Jones, Thomas Penny Cook, Joseph Ireland, and Andrew Duncan, -also dived at intervals when available dresses offered them chances -of engaging in the perilous service. In the journal of the -operations Lieutenant Symonds writes—“I find but little difference -between them and the other divers, except that the sappers work with -a better will.” The first two of these young divers were the most -promising. The former, moreover, from his skill and ingenuity as an -artificer, made himself very useful, and his diligence as a workman -was felt in various ways. Most of the delicate work connected with -the diving-apparatus, air-pumps, voltaic-batteries, etc., in which -approved judgment and intelligence were required, was turned out of -the hands of this craftsman in a manner that satisfied to the utmost -those whose lives depended upon the accuracy and completeness of his -labours. - -Only one accident of a serious nature occurred: this was to private -Andrew Duncan, who a day or two before had slung a large beam of the -orlop-deck with knee attached, which was hove on board with great -difficulty. He had on one of Deane’s dresses, which required the -head and helmet to be kept upright. Losing this position he toppled -over, and falling into a hole, the water rushed into his helmet and -nearly drowned him. On being brought up his face was cased with mud, -and he remained insensible for several minutes, bleeding from the -mouth and ears. Chafing, with other simple remedies, however, soon -restored him. - -Corporal William Read[374] had again the management of the voltaic -battery, which was almost in constant use, and gave every -satisfaction. The powder expended in the operations was 15,000 lbs. -Innumerable were the charges fired against the wreck, none -containing less than 18 lbs. of gunpowder, nor more than 260 lbs. -All the privates showed the greatest energy and activity in the -duties they were called on to perform. Both in boats and the work -necessary for getting up the fragments of the wreck, whether at the -windlass or capstan, &c., in the repair of the launches, the -preparation of the charges, and the loading and unloading of the -cylinders, they were found prompt, spirited, and efficient, and -their example was very beneficial in exciting the emulation of the -sailors. So well indeed had the detachment been constituted, that, -for its numbers, it was equal to the execution of any mechanical -service which the operations demanded. In their general duties -privates James Hegarty and Joseph Ireland were the most -conspicuous.[375] Exertion and ship fare made the whole party strong -and hardy, and a few weeks roughing it on shipboard turned them out -as weather-beaten and brawny as seamen. - ------ - -Footnote 374: - - Now sergeant-major of the royal engineer establishment. - -Footnote 375: - - ‘Corps Orders,’ Chatham, 29th October, 1840. ‘Manuscript Journal - of the Operations.’ - ------ - -During this season at Spithead there was a strong gale from the -eastward, and the storm-flag was hoisted at Gosport. No boats would -venture out, and the ‘Success’ frigate, with a part of the -detachment on board, was in danger of parting from her anchors and -drifting to sea. Lieutenant Symonds was on shore at the time, and -thinking his presence necessary to secure her safety, determined to -attempt the passage. The civil divers, accustomed to perilous boat -service, said no boat could live in such a sea, and the Port-Admiral -refused his permission for Lieutenant Symonds to proceed unless on -his own responsibility. Unable from the raging storm to row out of -the harbour, he, with four sappers, hauled the gig along shore for -more than two miles, and when a good offing was gained, the lug-sail -was hoisted and the boat pushed off. With the tact and sagacity of a -skilful pilot, Lieutenant Symonds guided the gig, now skirting the -furious wave, now skimming across its angry top, and anon lost for a -time between the furious billows of a long, deep trough. To lessen -the danger of the fearful venture, the men lay down in the boat for -ballast, and pulling off their boots, used them, with noble -exertion, in baling out the water as she shipped the sea. At length, -to the utter amazement and joy of the party on board, the gig -reached the frigate. Then, however, the peril was increased, for -frequently like a log she was dashed against the hull of the vessel, -and as frequently nearly foundered; but by the spirited exertions of -the brave lieutenant and his intrepid crew, the boat was eventually -secured, and all gained unhurt the deck of the ‘Success.’ Lieutenant -Symonds then took such further precautions as were indispensable for -the safety of the ship, and she successfully outrode the storm. The -names of the gig’s crew were privates John Hegarty, Andrew -Anderson,[376] Thomas P. Cook,[377] and John Campbell:[378] the two -latter became colour-sergeants in the corps. - ------ - -Footnote 376: - - His career in the corps was somewhat eventful. A noble soldier, - with a spirit that nothing could depress, he was often selected - for unusual enterprises. He received a medal for the Kaffir war of - 1846-7. Another he received, and a second-class prize of five - pounds, for his services at the Great Exhibition. Was also - honoured with the order of the Medjidie for his heroic conduct at - the battle of Guirgevo, and wore a medal for the Crimea. After - serving a period in the trenches before Sebastopol, his life was - sacrificed to his excesses. One morning, to the deep regret of his - officers and his comrades, he was found dead in his tent. - -Footnote 377: - - Was recorded for distinguished conduct in the Kaffir war of 1846. - Accompanying that portion of the corps which served at Gallipoli - and Bulgaria, he was, on account of his experience and - soldier-like deportment, appointed sergeant-major to the - expedition. Through sickness his strong-built frame had become so - weak and attenuated, that when the cholera seized him he was - carried off in a few hours. He died on board the ‘Andes,’ when - sailing for the Crimea. - -Footnote 378: - - Will be found noted on the same page with his late comrade, - sergeant Cook, for the determination and intelligence he displayed - in the Kaffir war of 1846. - ------ - -On the completion of the citadel at the Mauritius, the half-company -stationed there was removed on the 7th October, under the command of -Lieutenant G. R. Hutchinson, R.E., in the ‘Isabella Blyth’ to the -Cape of Good Hope, where it landed on the 27th of the same month. -The chief of the work at Port Louis was executed by the sappers, in -which privates William Reynolds and William Crawford[379] displayed -the most skill and obtained the most credit. Four detachments had -been sent to the Mauritius, whose united strength reached fifty of -all ranks: of these the casualties amounted to ten deaths and one -drowned. - ------ - -Footnote 379: - - Both were discharged from the corps by request at the Cape of Good - Hope. - ------ - -Sergeant John Hemming and seven rank and file embarked at Woolwich -on the 9th April, 1840, and landed at the Cape of Good Hope in July. -The party was detached under Captain Henderson, R.E., to assist the -colonial astronomer, Mr. Maclear, in the remeasurement of La -Caille’s arc of the meridian. All were armed with rifles and -accoutrements to protect them in a wild country, and the sergeant -was selected to take charge of the detachment from his well-known -steadiness and intelligence. Working pay was granted to each for his -services, according to individual exertion and general usefulness, -up to 3_s._ per day. - -A few weeks were spent in the preliminary business of adjusting the -instruments in Cape Town, when the party, to which some men of the -25th regiment had been added, left in September for Zwartland and -Groenekloof, west of the Berg River. On this extensive plain the -base was measured with the compensation bars invented by Colonel -Colby, but as La Caille’s arc could not be identified, a new line -very near to it was laid out and measured about seven miles in -length, which occupied from October, 1840, to April, 1841.[380] In -this service the party carried out the subordinate details. They -assisted in driving the pickets and the placement of the trestles to -sustain the bars. These were scientifically fixed by the colonial -astronomer and Captain Henderson, aided by the sappers. Two men were -also appointed to guard the last point of observation whilst the -bars were being carried forward and adjusted; and another -occasionally attended to the registration of the observations. Thus -the work continued until the whole distance was measured. The -delicate nature of the duty rendered it very irksome, and required -much assiduous care in its performance. The jar of a bar simply -would have been sufficient to cause the loss of a day’s work. Nearly -the whole time the sappers worked from four in the morning till -eight or nine at night. In July, 1841, the party returned to winter -quarters. - ------ - -Footnote 380: - - ‘Prof. Papers,’ New Series, i. p. 32. - ------ - -By the terms of a treaty, dated 15th July, 1840, Mehemet Ali was -required to accept certain conditions within a limited time, and, if -he declined, the forfeiture of the pachalic of Acre and the loss of -Egypt were to follow. Having allowed the time to elapse, offensive -operations commenced to compel him to evacuate Syria. England being -greatly involved in the treaty, the British Cabinet at once sent a -fleet under Admiral Sir Robert Stopford to the coast, with which was -a small force of the ordnance corps, to assist the troops of the -Sultan in this service.[381] - ------ - -Footnote 381: - - ‘Prof. Papers,’ Royal Engineers, vi. p. 47. - ------ - -On the 7th August one sergeant and eleven rank and file embarked at -Gibraltar on board the ‘Pique’ frigate, under Colonel Sir Charles -Smith, Bart., R.E., for active duty with the fleet. A liberal -assortment of intrenching and tradesmen’s tools accompanied the -party. On the 1st September it arrived at Beirout, and a landing was -effected on the 10th. Second-corporal John Moore[382] accompanied -the first detachment that landed, and was present at the advanced -position above the Dog River. - ------ - -Footnote 382: - - This non-commissioned officer afterwards broke his leg at Beirout - in falling from the roof of the ordnance store in endeavouring to - get access to a building adjoining it which was on fire. In - January, 1843, he was pensioned at 1_s._ 9_d._ a-day, and - emigrated to Canada. - ------ - -On the same day the sappers landed at D’Junie from the ‘Pique’ -frigate, and after occupying the lines were employed in repairing -and improving them until the 10th October. Corporal Henry Brown and -private John Greig[383] were in the meantime sent on in the ‘Hydra’ -steamer, and were present on the 25th and 26th September at the -taking of Tyre and Sidon. Soon after their return to D’Junie, the -whole party embarked in the ‘Stromboli’ steamer, and served at the -capture of Beirout on the 10th and 11th October. On the 3rd -November, sergeant Black and three privates were present on board -the ‘Princess Charlotte’ at the taking of Acre, and were the first -troops that entered that famous city. In all these operations the -sappers were under the orders of Lieutenant Aldrich, R.E. “Their -conduct,” writes that officer, “in their extensive and arduous -duties, and under suffering from great sickness, has been most -exemplary;” and again, in a despatch from Lord Palmerston, the -approbation of Her Majesty’s Government is conveyed for the share -the party took in the capture of Acre, and for the zeal and ability -displayed by them in restoring the defences of the place after its -capture. - ------ - -Footnote 383: - - Was a clever mechanic and a handsome soldier, but his constitution - eventually gave way under the influence of the Syrian fever, and - he died in October, 1847. - ------ - -A second detachment of ten rank and file arrived at Beirout on the -13th December in the ‘Hecate’ steamer, under Lieutenant J. F. A. -Symonds, R.E., from Woolwich, and was sent in the ‘Vesuvius’ to -Acre, to reinforce the sappers, and to assist at the breaches, -taking with them a supply of intrenching tools. The sapper force in -Syria now consisted of one sergeant and twenty-one rank and file. - - - - - 1841. - -Syria—Landing at Caiffa; Mount Carmel—Cave of Elijah; - epidemic—Colour-sergeant Black—Inspection at Beirout by - the Seraskier; return of the detachment to England—Expedition - to the Niger—Model farm—Gori—Fever sets in; return of - the expedition—Services of the sappers attached to it—Corporal - Edmonds and the elephant—and the Princess—Staff-sergeant’s - undress—Staff appointments—Wreck of the ‘Royal George’—Sergeant - March—Sapper-divers—Curiosities—Under-water pay; means - used to aid the divers—Speaking under water—Gallantry - of private Skelton—Alarming accidents—Constitutional unfitness - for diving—Boundary survey in the state of Maine—Augmentation - to corps for Bermuda—Sandhurst; corporal Carlin’s - services—Quartermaster-sergeant Fraser—Intrepidity of private - Entwistle—Colonel Pasley—Efficiency of the corps—Its conduct, and - impolicy of reducing its establishment—Sir John Jones’s opinion of - the sappers—And also the Rev. G. R. Gleig’s. - - -A portion of the detachment in Syria was removed from Acre to Jaffa -on the 11th January. About this time, lance-corporal Hugh Smith[384] -accompanied Lieutenant Aldrich to Medjel. From the 23rd February to -the 12th April, three of the party from Acre assisted Lieutenants -Aldrich and Symonds in the survey of Jerusalem and Sidon, halting on -the route at Jericho, Nablous, and Safed. Sergeant Black was left in -charge of the restorations at Acre; but owing to the plague which -had been so fatal to the royal marines, he was soon after removed -with the remainder of the detachment to Jaffa, in the defensive -occupation of which he and his men were engaged for about six weeks. -The party then returned to Beirout, and was occupied in various -contingent services; such as repairing the billets provided for the -troops by the Ottoman government. Here the three men rejoined from -Jerusalem and Sidon. All the party was subjected to much -inconvenience from the want of those essentials in barrack furniture -which formed no part of the inventory of a Turkish soldier’s -accommodation; and, to supply the deficiency, the carpenters of the -detachment made some tables, forms, and other indispensable -utensils. - ------ - -Footnote 384: - - Was discharged in October, 1850, and pensioned at 1_s._ 9_d._ - a-day. Out of a service of thirteen years in the corps, he was - eleven abroad, at Gibraltar, in Syria, and China. From the last - station he returned in a distressing state of emaciation and - weakness. There, though a sergeant, the necessities of the service - required that he should labour at the anvil, and the skilfulness - of his work was superior to anything that could be procured at - Hong Kong. - ------ - -On the 23rd April twelve of the sappers sailed in the ‘Phœnix’ -for Caiffa, and in disembarking, under rain, the boat was swamped in -a heavy surf. The men made the shore as best they could, but lost -most of the public stores and their baggage. Before sunset they were -tented on the beach, and, in a few days, the encampment was removed -under Mount Carmel,[385] there to await the cessation of the plague, -and afterwards to repair again to Acre to strengthen the defences. -It was at first intended to take up a station near the convent on -the mount, but that quarter was found to be in quarantine, on -account of the plague being at Caiffa, only a few hundred yards off. -No resource was left but to seek shelter under canvas, which, in a -country subject to endemics, was very inimical to health; and that, -combined with the circumstance of the party being detached without a -medical officer, might have added one more calamity to the fatal -incidents of the campaign. A quarantine cordon was therefore formed -around the encampment, and every means adopted to prevent fever, -from contiguity or local miasma, appearing in the tents. - ------ - -Footnote 385: - - See a representation of the encampment in the ‘Professional - Papers, R.E.’ vi., p. 22. This was the note affixed to the first - edition, but the plate referred to is on so small a scale, it - would need more than the assistance of a powerful glass to - discover the site of the tents. - ------ - -The sappers now took their meals in the sacred cave of Elijah—a cool -but ill-ventilated retreat. The water at the camp was deleterious to -health; but, after the 21st June, mountain spring-water, obtained -three miles away, was brought for their use. In a country subject to -plague and fever, a European holds his life by a precarious tenure: -the detachment felt this, but bore up well, notwithstanding the -absence of a medical officer. Dr. Zorab, a Turkish practitioner, -made one or two professional visits to the party, and then Mr. -Robertson, Deputy Inspector-General, voluntarily joined the camp -from Beirout. Three weeks afterwards, he was relieved by -Assistant-Surgeon Acton, R.N., who had scarcely commenced his duties -when the fever attacked the party. The two men employed outside the -cordon were the first seized with the malady, and every man of the -party was soon under treatment. In most of the cases the seizure was -highly dangerous, and in forty-eight hours the strongest man was -completely prostrate. It was not until the shelter of a building for -the sufferers could be obtained that the skill of Dr. Acton was of -any avail. Four of the men died, and the remainder were conveyed in -the ‘Stromboli,’ on the 10th July, to Beirout. Two more were -invalided to England, and the other six only regained convalescence -after a long period of illness. - -Constantly moving along the coast, embarking and disembarking the -stores, made the duties of the detachment laborious; and both -colour-sergeant William Black[386] and second-corporal Henry -Brown[387] were promoted, in consequence of the efficient manner in -which they executed those services, and for their zeal before the -enemy. At one time, the engineer park in charge of the former -consisted of 100,000 sand-bags with a proportional quantity of field -implements and tools, and was never less than 72,000 sand-bags. He -also issued commissariat stores to the whole camp. - ------ - -Footnote 386: - - Was pensioned at 2_s._ a-day in January, 1851. In the corps he - served nearly twenty-four years, of which period he was seventeen - and a-half abroad, at Corfu, the Euphrates, Gibraltar, Syria, and - Halifax, Nova Scotia. His great merits obtained for him the grant - of an annuity of 10_l._ a-year, and a silver medal, and an - appointment as messenger to the commanding royal engineer’s - office, in the London district. Through Lieutenant-Colonel - Aldrich, his commanding-officer in Syria, he was also appointed a - yeoman of the Queen’s Guard. The emoluments derived by him from - these different sources, amounting to about 160_l._ a-year, with - excellent quarters, are the hard and just earnings of a life full - of vicissitude and devotion to the service. - -Footnote 387: - - Now a quartermaster-sergeant in the corps; and besides serving a - second tour at Gibraltar, was present at the reduction of - Bomarsund and the siege of Sebastopol. Is in receipt of an annuity - of 10_l._ a-year, and wears five medals and a clasp for his active - services. - ------ - -At Beirout the party was occasionally employed on the works, and -furnished a guard for the station, in concert with the royal -artillery. On the 1st December, the Seraskier, Selim Pacha, and -Colonel Rose, commanding the expedition, inspected the detachment, -and expressed themselves in a flattering manner relative to their -services in the country. The latter, in orders, added his assurance -that he entertained the highest sense of their zeal and efficient -services on all occasions; and the Sultan awarded to each a medal in -commemoration of the campaign.[388] From the inspection parade of -the Seraskier, the detachment, reduced from twenty-two to fourteen -men, embarked on board the ‘Thunderer,’ and landed at Malta on the -27th December, where they passed two months in the Forts of Manoel -and St. Elmo, and landed at Woolwich from the ‘Gorgon’ steamer on -the 23rd March, 1842. - ------ - -Footnote 388: - - The medals were _copper_, but washed, at the expense of the - wearers, with a preparation that gave them the appearance of - _gold_. In 1848, the British Government awarded them silver medals - for the same campaign. - ------ - -On the 20th February, one corporal and seven privates embarked with -the expedition under the command of Captain Trotter, R.N., to the -Niger. Its object was to explore the source of the river, to -introduce civilisation into Africa, and to prevail on the chiefs to -extinguish slavery. The sappers were divided into two sections: one -was added to the crew of the ‘Albert’ steamer, and the other to the -‘Wilberforce.’ They had been specially taught at Chatham the mode of -blasting rock under water, with a view to removing obstructions in -the navigation of the streams of the Niger yet unsurveyed. Five were -men of excellent character, but three were not irreproachable in -point of sobriety. The royal warrant sanctioning the formation of -this special detachment is dated 7th December, 1840, and the corps -was thereby increased from 1200 to 1208 of all ranks. The party was -armed with rifles and bayonet-swords. - -Late in June the expedition reached Freetown, and, steaming along -the coast, crossed the mouth of the Niger on the 13th August. After -passing the Bight of Benin, the steamers anchored off Ibu on the -26th; and the king, Obi, with the heir-apparent, Chikuna, and a vast -retinue, visited the ‘Albert.’ - -On the 2nd September the expedition was off Iddah. To the king, or -Attàh of Egarrah, a visit was paid by Captain Trotter. The sappers -and seamen formed the guard of honour. Corporal Edmonds commanded, -and he and all the men were grotesquely habited and decorated, to -suit the barbaric taste of his majesty. - -Near the confluence of the rivers Niger and Tchadda were landed the -wooden houses to form the model farm on Mount Stirling, purchased -from the King of Egarrah for 700,000 cowries. The Kroomen and seamen -were the labourers in this service, and the sappers superintended -the construction of the farm and the erection of the magnificent -tent used in the Eglintoun tournament. The manipulation of the -houses was prepared in England, leaving nothing to do but to put the -materials together. To do this effectually, some trivial details in -wood and iron were made on the spot by the sappers. Private John -Craig surveyed the island and accomplished his work with quickness -and credit. The duties of the farm were greatly interrupted by the -intolerable heat, and numbers seized by the fever were sent away in -the ‘Wilberforce’ and the ‘Soudan.’ The whole of the model -arrangements were at length concluded, and on the 21st September the -‘Albert’ got under weigh again. The sappers were then healthy. - -Passing Mugah, the ‘Albert’ anchored off Gori on the 22nd, and -Captain Trotter paid a visit to the chief. Corporal Edmonds was with -the party. The chief and his officers were seated on mats in the -court-yard—a space measuring about twelve feet by eight, formed by -five ovally-shaped huts. He was an old man, and his counsellor -answered the questions put to his majesty in a reserved and evasive -manner. The streets of Gori were very narrow, crooked, and puzzling, -and in many places not wide enough to allow two persons to pass each -other. To make way, Captain Trotter would suddenly open his -umbrella, and the natives, surprised at the novelty, would scamper -off alarmed. - -Continuing the ascent, the ‘Albert’ passed Bezzani, Kinami, and -Egga, and by the 5th of October, the sick had so greatly increased, -that the charge of the ship fell on one of the mates. The expedition -now turned for the sea, and passing the confluence on the 9th, -steamed down the river in its more navigable channels, and landed at -Fernando Po on the 18th. There for about six weeks, the expiring -expedition was stowed away in miserable quarters, and the sad -remnant re-embarking, put into Ascension, and returned to England in -the autumn of 1842. All the sappers had been seized with the river -fever, so called from its peculiarity. Some had severe relapses, but -only two died—William Rabling at the confluence, on the shores of -which he was interred, and William Moffatt, somewhere between the -Niger and Ascension. - -The duties performed by the detachment were in all respects the same -as the marines, until the river Niger was reached, when they acted -as seamen; but were never required to go aloft. Their chief services -were rendered at the model farm. Corporal Edmonds was ship’s -corporal, and had charge of the after hold of the vessel containing -the provisions of the officers. Whenever Captain Trotter, or any of -the officers left the vessel for purposes of exploration, he always -accompanied them as coxswain, armed with a rifle and a full pouch of -powder. Others of the party were also occasionally employed in this -particular manner, and all, as their health permitted, assisted by -Kroomen, performed the last rites of sepulture on those fatal shores -to the many dead. The special duty they were sent out to perform was -not required of them, as nautical skill overcame the difficulties of -the navigation without subaqueous blasting. While serving with the -expedition, each sapper received double pay according to his rank, -and free rations. Corporal Edmonds and private John Craig were -specially noticed by Captain Trotter. “Their steady, zealous -conduct, even when sickness might have excused them from duty, -tended much to the good discipline of the ‘Albert,’ and merited,” as -the captain reported, “his best acknowledgments.” The latter -assisted with readiness, at all times, in some of the scientific -observations. - -Above the confluence, corporal Edmonds[389] was out in the forest -with Doctors M‘William and Stanger, when suddenly turning round, he -saw, approaching from behind a tree, a young elephant, which was -near to him. In an instant he fired his rifle and the bullet pierced -the animal in the head. Fearing an attack by other elephants for -this assault, the gentlemen and the corporal hastened to the boats, -but as none made their appearance, the party returned into the -forest, when Edmonds, with a daring that bordered on rashness, -rushed up to the enraged beast and plunged his sword into its -throat. The poor animal gave a few hoarse groans and expired. As -trophies of this sanguinary incident, Edmonds brought away its -tusks, and Dr. M‘William one of its feet. - ------ - -Footnote 389: - - An anecdote may be given of this non-commissioned officer. One of - the princesses of Iddah conceiving a liking for Edmonds, who was a - handsome, dark-complexioned man, with a brilliant black eye, - solicited the king, her father, to beg his retention there. - Captain Trotter consented to let the corporal remain until the - return of the expedition. Edmonds was not averse to the - arrangement provided he was permitted to have with him a comrade - from the ‘Albert.’ This, however, was not conceded, and the - corporal rejoined his ship; but before doing so, the love-stricken - princess contrived not to part with her paramour without easing - him of his silk handkerchief!—to keep, perhaps, in remembrance of - the interesting feeling he had unwittingly awakened in the royal - breast. Edmonds served two stations, at Bermuda and Gibraltar, - became a sergeant, and, on his discharge in 1854, was appointed - foreman of works under the Inspector-General of Prisons in the - convict establishment at Portland. - ------ - -On the 24th of February, an undress frock coat was established for -the staff sergeants of the corps. It was plain, without ornament of -any kind, single-breasted, of dark Oxford mixture, with regimental -buttons and Prussian collar. The same undress is still worn; but the -colour has been changed from dark Oxford mixture to dark blue.—See -Plate XVII., 1854. - -By a commission dated 24th May, Captain Henry Sandham was appointed -brigade-major in the room of Major Edward Matson, promoted to be -assistant adjutant-general to the royal engineers. The latter -officer had for many years been attached to the corps, and never did -its character stand higher than under his command. No means did he -leave untried to elevate its ranks, and raise it in public -estimation. He was a disciplinarian in the right sense of the word, -but in enforcing his orders, he always evinced such a just measure -of mild consideration, that it was difficult to discover the -rigidity with which he really acted. So much had he gained the -gratitude of the corps, that the non-commissioned officers at -head-quarters respectfully solicited he would sit to an eminent -artist for his portrait. One hundred pounds was the sum intended to -be expended, if necessary, in its execution; but as the rules of the -service seemed to be opposed to such a testimonial, the Major felt -it to be his duty to decline the honour. - -Early in May, sergeant-major Jones and twenty-four rank and file -proceeded to Spithead to resume the operations against the wreck of -the ‘Royal George.’ This was the third season of their employment -under the Admiralty; and Lieut. G. R. Hutchinson, R.E., was placed -in executive command of the party. The same round of duties and -toils which marked their previous service at the wreck, were -repeated with but little variation of detail this season. They were -constantly on board ship, or employed in boats or lighters attending -to the general business of the wreck, and often exposed to gales and -storms, amid difficulty and peril, emulated in their coolness and -exertions the weather-beaten seamen engaged for the service. All the -artificers' work of every kind was executed by them. They were also -entrusted with the entire management of the voltaic battery and -explosions, and for a portion of the time, the whole of the -helmet-diving devolved upon them. “Throughout the operations,” -writes Colonel Pasley, “they were of the greatest service by their -zeal and exertions.” The season closed on the 29th October, and the -detachment returned again to Chatham. - -Of individuals, Colonel Pasley makes honourable mention of the -following: - -Sergeant-major Jones, for his able and zealous assistance to Lieut. -Hutchinson in the management of the operations and preserving the -discipline of the men. - -Sergeant Samuel March was very useful in special duties of -importance; and his drawings and sketches of several hundred -interesting relics and detached portions of the wreck were well -executed.[390] - ------ - -Footnote 390: - - Sergeant March was two seasons at Spitbead. Many of the sketches - of the wreck were executed by him with the assistance of the - camera lucida, kindly lent for the purpose by the late Captain - Basil Hall, R.N., from whom he received much useful instruction. - Almost the whole of his service has been passed in the - professional office of the director of the royal engineer - establishment at Chatham, in which, either as a draughtsman or a - confidential leading clerk, he has always been found, from his - attainments and constitutional energy of mind and body, efficient - and valuable. From time to time he has drawn the plates forming - the architectural course of the study of the junior officers of - the corps and the East India Company’s engineers, and also the - plans and other drawings and projects comprised in the military - branch of the course. He is an excellent colourist, and has a good - conception of light and shade. As an artist in water-colours, he - possesses undoubted talent and merit. Sergeant March is moreover - an intellectual man and well informed. His controversial letters - in reply to the calumnious attacks on the royal engineer - establishment at Chatham have been remarked for their honesty and - boldness; and his series of communications in the ‘United Service - Gazette,’ in answer to the forcible animadversions of the - celebrated ‘Emeritus’ in the ‘Times,’ concerning Ordnance finance, - were not only well and truthfully written, but deserve for their - vigour and appositeness as prominent a place in the columns of the - ‘Times,’ as the communications of the more favoured ‘Emeritus.’ - This non-commissioned officer is now quartermaster-sergeant of the - corps at Chatham. - ------ - -Corporal David Harris, lance-corporals Richard P. Jones and John -Rae, and privates John Skelton, John Williams, and Roderick Cameron, -made their services apparent in the duty of diving; and several -others, particularly privates James Anderson, James Jago, and -Alexander M‘Alpine, promised well. Of these second-rate divers -Anderson was so far advanced that besides slinging numerous timbers, -he probed his way to the dreary bottom of the ship and sent up 18 -feet of the keelson. The successful exertions of the whole party -attracted admiration, and an immense pile of about 18,600 cubic -feet, or 372 loads of timber, got up from the wreck in the summer, -was deposited in Portsmouth dockyard, chiefly through their -exertions. The divers were six or seven hours a day, and sometimes -more, under water, at a depth of sixty or seventy feet; and so -skilfully had they learned to economize time and save labour, that -all sent up their bundles of staves, casks, or timber, as closely -packed together, as a woodman would make up his fagots in the open -air. In one haul, corporal Jones sent up fifty-eight such pieces -lashed together, and corporal Harris ninety-one! Only one -professional civil diver was employed in concert with them for about -half the season; and of the five guns recovered, two brass -24-pounders, the most valuable of the whole, and an iron 32-pounder, -were got up by corporal Harris. This non-commissioned officer was a -most confident and resolute diver, and in Siebe’s dress, repeatedly -plunged into the sea, head foremost, for experiment. However safe -might have been the apparatus, it required a bold spirit to make the -first essay. Lance-corporal Jones, from his superior intelligence, -rendered himself eminently useful. He was the first to get to the -bottom of the wreck; and to prove his title to the honour, sent up -13 feet of the keel.[391] The larboard side, which leaned over when -the vessel sunk, had fallen to pieces and was buried in the mud. -This was the most troublesome part of the work; and corporal Jones, -by tact and perseverance, after removing the timbers on that side, -got up 300 superficial feet of outside planking covered with copper, -under which he found the original ground on which the larboard bilge -rested. His exertions were immense, and the huge pile he recovered, -was increased by several tons of iron ballast slung by him. Corporal -Harris was no less successful in reaching places hitherto untouched, -for he wormed his way down to the floor timbers, found the lee side -of the wreck, and came in contact with another foundered ship of -some magnitude, from which he tore a couple of timbers and sent them -aloft. This discovery was due to an unusual mode of descent in which -Harris engaged. He went down from the yawl by the sweeps and was -stopped in his course by the unknown wreck. On re-ascending he -became entangled in the sweeps and the buoy-line, without, however, -experiencing any inconvenience beyond the extra exertion of -disengaging himself from their meshes. - ------ - -Footnote 391: - - Three feet of the heel of it, with clamps attached, had been - recovered in the previous year by George Hall the civil diver. - ------ - -The curiosities obtained this season were in chief part sent up by -Corporal Harris, and though intrinsically trifling, were regarded -with infinitely more relish than the huge masses which made the -wharf groan with their weight. Nearly the first article recovered -was a human skull—sad relic of that catastrophe which engulfed in a -moment so many souls: then came a cumbersome musket with some -fragments of arms that might have done honourable service against -the foe. Not the least interesting was a stick of sealing-wax with -its Dutch advertisement, which translated announced its qualities in -these recommendatory terms—“Fine, well burning, fast holding -sealing-wax.” Skelton found a dog-collar inscribed with the name of -“Thomas Little. Victory. 1781.” The little favourite, no doubt, went -down with its young master, who was a midshipman on board the -ill-fated ‘Royal George.’ Singular that sixty years after, this -simple collar should be dug from the depths, to become a mournful -_souvenir_ of its perished owner. - -Professional divers during the season could not be obtained, unless -at a cost each, sufficient to pay four or five military divers. The -latter, paid by the tide, usually earned three or four times as much -as the regular working pay of the corps, and their successful -exertions supplied work for about 100 men, who were daily employed -in removing the timbers, guns, ballast, &c. slung by them. To aid -the divers in their labours, large rakes and half-anchor creepers -were drawn over the shoal in which the remains of the wreck were -lying, by which means much of the mud was harrowed up and cleared -away. The timbers of the wreck were thus somewhat exposed, and five, -and sometimes six sapper-divers were down at a tide, forcing their -way through its dangerous tracks, and sending above its ponderous -fragments. - -In the course of the season, corporal Jones and private Skelton -ascertained a curious fact before unknown in the annals of diving. -They met at the bottom, and to their surprise discovered, when -standing close together, they could hear each other speak; but the -knowledge thus obtained could not be turned to advantage, as the -continued effort to speak loudly, exhausted their powers and -rendered them unable to hold a connected conversation.[392] Skelton -also met George Hall in the wreck, to whom he introduced himself in -a way sufficiently courteous for divers, by tapping the _chêf_ on -the helmet with his iron pricker. - -Footnote 392: - - When corporal Jones first heard the voice, Skelton was singing,— - - “Bright, bright are the beams of the morning sky, - And sweet are the dews the red blossoms sip.” - - This simple incident sufficiently shows the confidence and - coolness of the diver in so novel and hazardous a duty. - -Private Skelton, as on former occasions, made himself conspicuous by -his skill and diligence as an artificer and his tact as a diver; and -in addition, this season, his gallantry led him to plunge into the -sea to save a boy who had fallen overboard, and his father who -jumped after him, neither of whom could swim. As the tide was -running very strong, Skelton, with great judgment, tied a line round -his body, which he made fast to the stern of the ‘Success’ frigate, -and then jumped into the sea; but before he reached the drowning boy -and his parent, a boat quickly came to hand and saved them. - -Alarming accidents, none of which fortunately proved fatal, occurred -to lance-corporal Jones, and privates Skelton and Cameron. Corporal -Jones had his mouth crushed and some of his front teeth broken by an -iron dog, which he had attached to a bull rope bearing a heavy -strain, slipping from its hold and striking him violently under the -helmet. He was at the time endeavouring to move a piece of timber -from the load, when a pig of iron ballast, weighing about three -hundred weight, got dislodged and fell upon his helmet. Had not his -head been thus protected, he would have been killed on the spot, for -it made an indentation in the metal as large as the palm of one’s -hand, and nearly an inch deep. At another time, a large floor -timber, which resisted many efforts to sling it, was at last in a -fair way of reaching the deck, but on heaving on the bull rope, the -chain flew off with violence, and struck Jones a blow on the hand, -laying bare one of his fingers to the bone. Such was his spirit, -however, he remained at the work, though the mutilated limb might -readily have excused him from further duty. Anderson, busy at work -over the wreck, lost all idea of time, and remained below -imprudently long. Meanwhile the tide began to run swiftly, and, -losing his ladder which was fixed on the larboard side of the lump, -he was carried under it, and came up at the starboard side. The man -attending the life-line found, on hauling it, that it pulled against -the keel of the lump, and the diver, thus precariously situated, -could not be drawn up. At first this had a very alarming appearance, -but the evolution which brought him to the surface, took away the -danger of the accident, and he alighted on deck without injury. -Skelton was coming up from the bottom to permit the firing of a -charge, but by some mismanagement in the signals, the explosion took -place when he was a few feet from the surface of the water, and the -shock injured his chest and rendered him insensible for a short -time. Four days afterwards he resumed his place as a diver with his -usual zeal and activity. Cameron received an injury by the bursting -of the air-pipe connected with his helmet, and when hauled on deck, -he was almost dead from suffocation. He recovered, however, after a -month’s treatment in Haslar Hospital, and in some respect to -compensate him for his suffering, the Admiralty ordered him to -receive his subsistence free of expense. - -These accidents never for a moment damped the courage of the other -men of the detachment, for they were always ready to take the places -of the injured divers the instant they were warned for the duty. Not -every man, however, who offered, was found capable of diving under -such a pressure of water as existed at Spithead. The effect of the -weight may be conceived from the fact, that the strongest cask sent -down empty cracked like an egg-shell. Twelve sappers, in addition to -those named above, essayed to be of service in the art, but several -among the most resolute and promising divers after two or three -days' trial, were compelled to desist from the duty. Headaches, -giddiness, and spitting of blood, were the effects of their -exertions. Even of the seasoned divers, not a man escaped repeated -attacks of acute rheumatism and cold; and it was not a little -surprising to find them returning to the work even before they had -ceased to complain of their ailments. Harris, Rae and Williams were -really martyrs in suffering; but, nevertheless, they continued to -labour at the bottom, even when the sea was high, the weather -bitterly cold, and their hands so benumbed, that they could scarcely -feel anything that they slung.[393] - ------ - -Footnote 393: - - Much of the information about the labours of this summer has been - collected from the ‘Hampshire Telegraph,’ ‘Army and Navy Register - ‘Manuscript Journal of the Operations.’ - ------ - -Second-corporal McQueen returned to the woods in May to resume the -reconnaissance and survey of the disputed territory in North America -under Captain Broughton, R.E., and Mr. J. D. Featherstonhaugh, Her -Majesty’s commissioners. On the 3rd May the Metis lake was gained, -where corporal McQueen was stationed in charge of the observatory -until the middle of July. Every day for that period he registered, -hourly, the barometrical observations of nine instruments with -thermometers both attached and detached. On the 18th July he entered -the bush again with thirteen Indians and Canadians, and penetrated -the forest for forty miles, which brought him to the Metjarmette -mountain. Throughout this journey he recorded with great care, at -the appointed hours, the indications of the different instruments in -his charge, and assisted in the various duties of the survey. The -mission returned to Lake Metis by a different route, ascertaining, -as it travelled, the sources of the streams in its track, and -recording such topographical minutiæ of a particular character as -were desirable to elucidate the duties and objects of the -enterprise. On the 24th October, corporal McQueen sailed from Quebec -_viâ_ Halifax, Nova Scotia, to England, and arrived at Woolwich on -the 20th November, 1841. For three seasons he had served with the -Commissioners; twice he was the only British soldier with the -expedition, and in appreciation of his diligence and conduct, was -awarded by Lord Palmerston, in addition to his working pay, a -gratuity of 10_l._[394] - ------ - -Footnote 394: - - Afterwards became a sergeant, and served at Gibraltar. In October, - 1852, he was pensioned at 1_s._ 9_d._ a-day. Being a skilful - mechanic, he obtained on the day of his discharge, employment as a - blacksmith in the royal carriage department in the arsenal. - ------ - -By warrant dated 21st June, 1841, a company of eighty-nine strong, -numbered the 11th, and one quartermaster-sergeant, were added to the -corps, which increased its establishment from 1,208 to 1,298 of all -ranks. The company was raised for Bermuda at the suggestion of the -Governor of the colony, in consequence of the impracticability of -obtaining artificers among the civil population of the required -competency to carry on the works. It did not, however, reach the -station—where one company was already employed—until the 2nd April, -1842. The quartermaster-sergeant was appointed for duty at Chatham, -and sergeant Thomas Fraser was promoted to the rank.[395] - ------ - -Footnote 395: - - Fraser was a successful modeller, and although a carpenter by - trade, made himself useful as a wood engraver. Many of the - wood-cuts in Colonel Pasley’s ‘Practical Operations of a Siege,’ - were executed by him, and although they exhibit but little - artistic merit, they yet afford scope to show how he adapted - himself to circumstances. He also assisted in the task of - engraving the most difficult of the plates to the ‘Architectural - Course.’ None of his works in this line betray any ambition, but - his models were put out of hand in a skilful and workmanlike - manner. As a whole, he was a man of singular simplicity. In July, - 1849, he was pensioned at 2_s._ 3_d._ a-day, and retiring to - Kilochunagan, settled down as a farmer. - ------ - -Private Henry Entwistle distinguished himself on the 30th August, -1841, at pontoon practice, by plunging into the rapid stream of the -Medway near Rochester Bridge, and at imminent personal risk, -rescuing from drowning private Samuel Turner of the corps, who had -fallen overboard and was unable to swim. His courage on this -occasion gained the admiration of the Royal Humane Society, which -awarded him a silver medallion accompanied by a vellum certificate, -recording the particulars of his intrepidity, signed by the Duke of -Northumberland.[396] - ------ - -Footnote 396: - - Became a sergeant, and after serving at Corfu and China, was - employed in the expedition under Lord Raglan to Turkey, Bulgaria, - and the Crimea, where, from disease contracted in the trenches in - front of Sebastopol, he died in camp before the conclusion of the - siege. - ------ - -The detachments at Sandhurst during the year greatly exerted -themselves in the field-work instruction, and returned to the corps -receiving much praise for their zeal and good conduct. Corporal John -Carlin was in charge of both parties, and was extremely useful. In -the spring term he skilfully prepared the apparatus for a series of -subaqueous explosions by the voltaic battery;[397] and, at the -autumn examination, the rafts and bridges exhibited on the lakes and -canals were constructed by him and his party. These consisted of -rafts of rough timber and bridges upon various principles, such as -floating, suspension, and trestle; also spars heavily loaded at one -end to act as levers, and others interlaced upon a system of mutual -pressure. In carrying out these services corporal Carlin was -honourably noticed, “as a non-commissioned officer of much merit and -ingenuity.”[398] Corporal John Cameron was also mentioned in the -Governor’s reports for his activity and ability, and for having -executed with great neatness a quantity of sod revetments for the -scarps of the field-works. - ------ - -Footnote 397: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ ii., 1841, p. 267. - -Footnote 398: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ iii., 1841, p. 563. Carlin became a - colour-sergeant, and prior to his discharge had served at - Gibraltar and Malta, Turkey and the Crimea. When at Portsmouth, he - received from Lord Frederick Fitzclarence a gold pen and - engineering pencil-case, in return “for his most useful services - in carrying out instruction in musketry, in which he proved - himself to be exceedingly clever in calculations of a rather - puzzling nature, and to be a most zealous, active, and painstaking - non-commissioned officer.” - ------ - -Colonel Pasley was removed from the appointment of director of the -royal engineer establishment at Chatham in November, 1841, on -promotion to the rank of Major-General.[399] Nearly thirty years he -had held the office, and fulfilled its various functions with a -genius, composure, and success, that no successor can ever hope to -surpass. To him the corps is largely indebted for that military -efficiency which has characterized its progress since 1812. -Diligently superintending its practical exercise in all the -operations of a siege, as well as in mining, pontooning, and -bridge-making, and in the numerous other essential details of the -field establishment, he made the corps fully equal to the -prosecution of any service in which its assistance might be -required. Some well-meaning officers of high rank did not see the -necessity of training the corps in the principles of elementary -fortification,[400] but Colonel Pasley finally overcame their honest -scruples by earnest argument. He not only gained this concession, -but was permitted to teach the corps the elementary principles of -geometry and plan-drawing; and ultimately, so extensive and complete -had his system become, that some hundreds of non-commissioned -officers and men passed from his schools, as surveyors and -draughtsmen, to the survey of Ireland. As a disciplinarian he was -rigid; and in exacting from all under his command that obedience, -attention, and punctuality which were the characteristics of his own -laborious career, he was blind to that partiality or favouritism -which could cover the indiscretion of one offender and punish that -of another. - ------ - -Footnote 399: - - The names of the succeeding directors of the royal engineer - establishment are given in the Appendix III. - -Footnote 400: - - ‘Military Policy.’ - ------ - -Here it may be right to show what was the public opinion of the -corps at this period, as contrasted with its state at the -commencement of the Peninsular war, and to whom its improved -organization and perfect efficiency were chiefly attributed. “With -respect to our engineer establishment, it would perhaps be difficult -to name any occasion on which a modern European army took the field -so utterly destitute of efficient means for conducting siege -operations as were the British troops at the opening of the last -war. At this moment, on the contrary, no army in the world possesses -engineer officers and soldiers better instructed in all that relates -to the science and practice of this branch of the service. We have -heard one of the most able and most experienced of those officers -declare, that when he was first called upon to take part in some -siege operations at the very outset of the war, he had never seen a -gabion, nor was there a soldier in the force who knew how to make -one. To carry on a sap, or drive the gallery of a mine, was alike an -impossible attempt. The army had neither a single sapper, miner, or -pontoneer, and a few drunken and worthless military artificers -formed the only engineer troops.... The lessons of experience thus -dearly bought have not been acquired in vain. The practical engineer -school at Chatham, organised and long directed by Colonel Pasley, -has produced a corps of sappers and miners equal to any in Europe. -Their exercises on the Medway have likewise given them the qualities -of excellent pontoneers.”[401] - ------ - -Footnote 401: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i., 1842, pp. 26, 27. - ------ - -Another extract from the same journal, relative to the conduct of -the corps and the impolicy of the reductions which have taken place -in its numbers since the return of the army of occupation from -France in 1818, should not be suppressed:—“The reductions in the -sappers and miners since the war are much to be regretted; and it -would be more wise to organize them equivalently to two battalions -of eight companies. They are a description of troops invaluable in -every respect,—being as soldierlike, and well trained in the duties -of infantry, as the best regiments of that arm, and therefore -equally available for all military services in garrisons and -quarters; while their qualities as artificers are by no means -confined to admirable proficiency in their proper business as -engineer-soldiers, in the management of the pontoon-train and the -conduct of siege operations. Their exemplary conduct offers an -illustration of a principle too much neglected in the discipline of -modern armies—that to find constant and wholesome occupation for -troops, as indeed for mankind in every situation, is the best -security both for happiness and good order.... But in the case of -this engineer corps, apart from the important object of keeping up -an efficient body for those peculiar duties of their arm in the -field, which require a regular course of practical education, we are -convinced it would be found true economy to increase its force for -the repair and maintenance of the numerous fortifications in every -quarter of our colonial empire.”[402] - ------ - -Footnote 402: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i., 1841, p. 443. - ------ - -This perhaps is the fittest place to introduce a glowing testimony -to the corps, penned by one well acquainted with its merits and -defects, and too impartial to append his name to any but a faithful -record. “Indeed,” writes Sir John Jones, “justice requires it to be -said, that these men, whether employed on brilliant martial -services, or engaged in the more humble duties of their calling, -either under the vertical sun of the tropics, or in the frozen -regions of the north, invariably conduct themselves as good -soldiers; and by their bravery, their industry, or their -acquirements, amply repay the trouble and expense of their formation -and instruction.”[403] - ------ - -Footnote 403: - - Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ ii. p. 391, 2nd edit. - ------ - -Nor should the testimony of the chaplain-general, the Rev. G. R. -Gleig, be omitted. Unconnected as he is with the royal sappers and -miners, his opinion has been formed without the prejudice of -interested feelings. In taking a bird’s-eye retrospect of the -formation and growth of some of our military institutions, he thus -speaks of the corps: “Besides the infantry, cavalry and artillery, -of which the regular army was composed, and the corps of engineers, -coeval with the latter, there sprang up during the war of the French -Revolution other descriptions of force, which proved eminently -useful each in its own department, and of the composition of which a -few words will suffice to give an account. First, the artificers as -they were called, that is to say, the body of men trained to the -exercise of mechanical arts, such as carpentry, bricklaying, -bridgemaking, and so forth, which in all ages seem to have attended -on a British army in the field, became the royal sappers and miners, -whose services, on many trying occasions, proved eminently useful, -and who still do their duty cheerfully and satisfactorily in every -quarter of the globe. During the late war, they were commanded under -the officers of engineers, by a body of officers who took no higher -rank than that of lieutenant, and consisted entirely of good men, to -whom their merits had earned commissions. Their education, carried -on at Woolwich and Chatham, trained them to act in the field as -guides and directors to all working parties, whether the business in -hand might be the construction of a bridge, the throwing up of field -works, or the conduct of a siege. Whatever the engineer officers -required the troops to do was explained to a party of sappers, who, -taking each his separate charge, showed the soldiers of the line -both the sort of work that was required of them, and the best and -readiest method of performing it. The regiment of sappers was the -growth of the latter years of the contest, after the British army -had fairly thrown itself into the great arena of continental -warfare, and proved so useful, that while men wondered how an army -ever could have been accounted complete without this appendage, the -idea of dispensing with it in any time to come, seems never to have -arisen in the minds of the most economical.”[404] - ------ - -Footnote 404: - - Gleig’s ‘Mil. Hist.,’ ch. xxvii., pp. 286, 287. - ------ - - - - - 1842. - -Party to Natal—The march—Action at Congella—Boers attack - the camp—Then besiege it—Sortie on the Boers' - trenches—Incidents—Privations—Conduct of the detachment; - courageous bearing of sergeant Young—Services of the party - after hostilities had ceased—Detachment to the Falkland - Islands—Landing—Character of the country—Services of the party—Its - movements; and amusements—Professor Airy’s opinion of the - corps—Fire at Woolwich; its consequences—Wreck of the ‘Royal - George’—Classification of the divers—Corporal Harris’s exertions - in removing the wreck of the ‘Perdita’ mooring lighter—Assists an - unsuccessful comrade—Difficulties in recovering the pig-iron - ballast—Adventure with Mr. Cussell’s lighter—Isolation of Jones at - the bottom—Annoyed by the presence of a human body; Harris, - less sensitive, captures it—The keel—Accidents—Conflict - between two rival divers—Conduct of the sappers employed - in the operations—Demolition of beacons at Blythe Sand, - Sheerness—Testimonial to sergeant-major Jones for his services in - connection with it. - - -In January, 1842, a small force under the command of Captain Smith, -27th regiment, was sent to the Umgazi, about ten miles south of the -Umzimvooboo, to watch the movements of the Boers, who had attacked a -native chief in alliance with the colonial government. With this -force was detached a party of eight royal sappers and miners under -Lieutenant C. R. Gibb of the engineers. There the expedition was -encamped for a season, when a portion of it, on the 31st March, -quitted the Umgazi for Natal, taking with them seventy wheeled -carriages and numerous oxen. The sappers took the lead of the column -to remove obstructions on the route. The force comprised about 250 -men, chiefly of the 27th regiment, and a few artillerymen. - -In the journey to Natal, a distance of more than 600 miles, the -greatest difficulties were encountered. Much of the ground traversed -was very marshy. Rivulets and larger streams were so much increased -by the rains that the broken drifts across them had frequently to be -renewed or repaired after one or two waggons had crossed. Several -very steep hills had to be surmounted, one of which was the Umterda, -over which the hunter and trader had never attempted to take his -waggon without first dismantling it, and then carrying it up or -down. Up this rugged hill, formed of huge boulders of granite -imbedded in a swamp, a rough road was constructed; and by putting -three spans of oxen—thirty-six bullocks—to each waggon, all, after -three days' heavy labour and fatigue, were got to the summit. -Constantly in their progress, they had to improve the roads, to cut -through wood and bush, to toil along the sand on the shore, and -occasionally, harnessing themselves with ropes, drag the unwieldy -train along wild passes and almost impenetrable tracts of fastness. -At length, after a most harassing march of six weeks, of straining -energy and arduous exertion, having crossed one hundred and -seventy-two rivers and streams, much of the journey under violent -rain, and often sleeping at night on the swampy ground, the troops -reached Natal on the 3rd May, and encamped at the head of the bay; -from whence they afterwards removed to the Itafa Amalinde, where -they intrenched themselves, and placed beyond the parapet, for -additional protection, the waggons which accompanied the force. - -The Boers were opposed to the presence of the troops, and desired -them to quit the country. This was unheeded by the English -commandant, and hostilities at once commenced. On the night of the -23rd May, Captain Smith, in command of a portion of his force, left -the camp and attacked the Boers at Congella, taking with him seven -sappers and miners, armed and carrying tools. When the enemy opened -fire, the troops were in file up to their knees in water. Private -Burridge fired the first shot in the engagement. More than an hour -the contest continued without any one being able to take a direct -aim; and, when the troops commenced the retreat, they were up to -their armpits in water. Here a sergeant of the 27th was shot, who -would have been carried away in the receding tide, had not sergeant -Young with two of the sappers, brought him across the bay to the -camp, where his remains were interred. Private William Burridge was -wounded in the knee. - -On regaining the camp all were served out with fresh ammunition, -and, when about to lie down, the Boers attacked the position and -only retired at daylight in the morning. During the action half of -the pole of the sappers' tent was carried away by a shot, and the -waggon in their front was pierced by eleven balls. Private Richard -Tibbs on this occasion received three balls in his clothes and was -wounded. - -Soon afterwards (31st May) the Boers, comprising a force of about -1200 men and nine guns, commenced to besiege the camp. This they -continued with vigour till the 26th June, when a reinforcement -having reached the cantonment from the frontier, hostilities ceased. -Throughout the operations the eight sappers were employed -superintending the execution of such works as the circumstances of -the siege rendered indispensable. These included a redoubt, to -preserve the communication with the port and village, and a -magazine. They also assisted in constructing a large kraal of stakes -and abattis, for the safety of the cattle. The waggons were likewise -drawn closer in, to make the defence more compact; and from a -trench, dug on the inside, the earth was thrown under the body of -the waggons, which were thus imbedded in the parapet. By this means -the troops were enabled to fire over the parapet and underneath the -bed of the waggons; and by leaving traverses in the line of trench, -the camp was protected from enfilade. Daily the sappers were -occupied in repairing the earth-works, and almost unassisted, built -a battery for an 18-pounder gun in the south angle of the -intrenchment. Sergeant Young, under Lieutenant Gibb, was the -executive non-commissioned officer in conducting the field-works, -and twice every day he went round the trenches, reported what was -necessary to strengthen the defences, and carried out the directions -of his officer. - -On the night of the 8th June, sergeant Young and three sappers -carrying their arms and intrenching tools, accompanied the sortie to -the Boers' trenches under Lieutenant Irwin, 27th regiment. The enemy -retreated and the trenches were destroyed. On the 18th following -three sappers were present in a second sortie under Lieutenant -Molesworth of the 27th, and led the column to the points of attack. -The conflict was short but fierce, and the troops returned to the -camp with the loss of one officer and three men killed, and four -wounded. Among the latter was private Richard Tibbs of the sappers. - -During the siege, private John Howatson had made some wooden cradles -for surgical purposes, and on finishing one, begged the doctor to -look at it. Both stooped to do so, when a 6-pound shot passed within -a few inches of their heads and whizzed by the rest of the party in -the trench. When Lieutenant Gibb’s servant was killed, corporal -Deary and private Burridge buried him outside the waggons, and the -melancholy service was not accomplished without much daring and -danger. - -As the siege progressed provisions became scarce and the troops were -put on the smallest possible allowance. Horses were killed and their -flesh made into biltong. This, with a little beef, formed the daily -repast of the camp; and in lieu of meal and biscuit, ground oats -were issued. Upon this fare it was impossible to hold out more than -fourteen days, but a strong reinforcement arrived on the 26th June, -and effecting a landing, the Boers retreated with loss and haste -from the beach and the trenches, and the siege terminated. With the -relief were three men of the sappers, who increased the strength of -the Natal party to eleven of all ranks.[405] - ------ - -Footnote 405: - - Much of the above information is taken from Captain Gibb’s - ‘Memoranda in Corps Papers,’ i., pp. 230-238. - ------ - -Lieutenant Gibb in his report to head-quarters praised sergeant -Young, corporal Deary, and the detachment for their usefulness, -alacrity, and cheerfulness; and Captain Smith in command, eulogized -them for their uniform activity and readiness of resource in the -presence of the enemy. When quitting Natal, the latter officer -favoured sergeant Young with a testimonial in the following terms: -“As I am about to relinquish the command, I am desirous to bear -testimony to the high and irreproachable character of sergeant Young -of the royal sappers and miners. Having accompanied the expedition -from the Umgazi to Natal early in 1842, and shared in all its -subsequent dangers and privations, I cannot speak too highly of his -courage and self-possession, and his unwearied zeal in the -performance of his various and arduous duties. He was always at his -post and never found wanting; and I therefore beg to recommend him -to notice as one of the best and most trustworthy non-commissioned -officers I have met with during my long course of service.” - -After the siege the detachment built a sod wall round the camp and -loopholed it, within which they constructed a temporary barracks of -wood, working from daylight to dark even on Sundays. A wattle -barracks for 300 men was next erected by them, and afterwards a -block-house at Port Natal. They also extended their services to the -requirements of Fort Napier, Van Vooren, Bushman’s River, and the -neighbouring posts in the district, during which time their -head-quarters was established at Pietermauritzburg, where a party of -ten or twelve men have ever since been employed.[406] - ------ - -Footnote 406: - - Young, as a sergeant, was overseer of the works at Natal, at 2_s._ - 6_d._ a-day, in addition to his regimental allowances; and, for - his gallant conduct in action and useful services, was awarded a - silver medal and an annuity of 10_l._ a-year. In July, 1850, he - retired to Charleston, of Aberlour, in Banffshire, on a pension of - 2_s._ a-day. He was a stern and an abrupt soldier, but an example - of faithfulness, accuracy, and exertion. - ------ - -Sergeant Robert Hearnden and eleven rank and file, detached in the -brig ‘Hebe’ in October, 1841, to the Falkland Islands, under -Lieutenant R. C. Moody, R.E., the Lieutenant-Governor of the colony, -arrived there on the 15th January, 1842. Three women and seven -children accompanied the party. The men were volunteers and of -trades suitable to the experiment of improving an old but neglected -settlement. They were armed with percussion carbines, carrying a -sword with a serrated back, which was affixed to the piece when -necessary as a bayonet.[407] - ------ - -Footnote 407: - - This weapon was proposed for adoption in the corps both as a sword - for personal defence and an instrument for removing obstructions - on active service; but Sir George Murray, then Master-General, - refused to sanction its introduction, considering it to be an - improper weapon to be used in civilized warfare. - ------ - -After bearing up Berkeley Sound the party landed at Port Louis -on the 23rd January, and were present as a guard of honour to -his Excellency on taking over the government of the Falkland -Islands. The inhabitants were assembled to receive him and the -Lieutenant-Governor made them a gracious speech. - -Soon the men became acquainted with the nature of the country they -had been sent to improve. Its land was unfruitful and its character -inhospitable. Vegetation was so scant and the soil so poor, that -nowhere could a tree be seen. Large barren tracts of country, -softened into mud by perpetual rains, everywhere met the eye; and -the luxuries of living embraced but few varieties beyond fish, -flesh, and fowl. Houses there were none, nor was there any society -or amusement. What with rain, snow, fogs, gales, and tempests, the -Falkland Islands have well been called the _region of storms_. The -population, not more than 200 in all, consisted of a dissipated set -of ruffians, the depraved renegades of different countries. - -After landing the stores and provisions from the ‘Hebe,’ the -detachment was put to work. Two portable houses were in course of -time erected; one for his Excellency, and the other for the sappers. -For durability they were built on stone foundations, and the roofs, -to keep out the rain, were covered with tarred canvas and thatched -with tussack. A number of outhouses and sheds to suit every -convenience and want were rapidly run up, and the old dreary -settlement gave unmistakable signs of vigorous industry and -improvement. One of the houses, with six apartments, was erected as -an addition to the old government-house, which was a long, narrow, -crazy structure of one story, with thick stone walls, a canvas roof, -and five ill-contrived rooms. The other for the sappers, was -constructed a little distance in the rear of the Governor’s -dwelling. Two ruinous cottages at Pig Brook were also fitted up, and -two cottages at German’s Point rebuilt. To make the habitations of -the location more homely and English, enclosures were fenced in for -gardens and pasturage. A well likewise was built of dry stone with -an oval dome and approached by stone steps. For purposes of -correction, an oven built by the French settlers under Bougainville, -about 1760, the oldest building in the group, was used for the -confinement of refractory characters. The detachment, in addition to -its other duties, served as the police of the settlement, and -sergeant Hearnden was appointed chief constable. - -Much of the time of the men was spent in boat service to Long Island -and other places to get tussack, oxen, horses, peat, &c. The last -was obtained in large quantities and stacked for winter fuel. -Occasionally a few were out on reconnoitring excursions examining -portions of the country, and surveying the islands and patches of -land of colonial interest. In this service corporal William -Richardson, who was a surveyor and mathematician, was the most -conspicuous. When opportunity permitted, some were employed -quarrying stone, repairing landing-places, making roads, and -improving the paths and approaches to the settlement. To add to the -diversity of their duties, a few were sometimes occupied in marking -out allotments and indicating the passes or routes across bogs and -lagoons by means of poles. The first pole was placed on the loftiest -hill between Port Louis and Saint Salvador, which his Excellency, in -honour of his sergeant, named _Hearnden Hill_. In short the men were -compelled to turn their hands to anything, for an abandoned and -desolate settlement rendered numerous services essential for the -convenience and comfort of the settlers. Sergeant Hearnden was clerk -of the works, and also filled with energy and ability a number of -other offices of colonial necessity.[408] Frequently he was detached -to considerable distances, and his reports upon the aspects and -capabilities of particular sites and places were invariably received -with approbation and his suggestions carried out. - ------ - -Footnote 408: - - Such as auctioneer, excise-officer, &c. In carrying on the former - duty, among his many sales, he disposed of the ‘Melville’ - schooner, a vessel belonging to four partners, obtaining for it, - from one of the partners, only 720 dollars! This may be taken as a - fair specimen of the wealth of the colonists. - ------ - -Sections of the detachment were often sent on duty to Long Island, -Green Island, Salvador Bay, Johnson’s Harbour, Port William, &c. Two -or three times the men sent to Long Island could not return to the -location, as the boats on each occasion were, by a driving gale, -dashed back on the beach, and the men exposed through the weary -night to the pelting storm. Once under such circumstances the party -was without food for twenty-three hours. Two men detached to -Jackson’s Harbour, when returning home, were caught in a snow-storm -and with great difficulty reached the untenable hut at Fishhouse -Creek. There, benumbed and fatigued, they sought shelter for the -night, being unable to proceed further or to assist themselves. - -To relieve the monotony of their public duties, the men were -permitted to follow any sport which their inclination suggested. -Boating, hunting,[409] shooting, fishing, and angling, were among -the varieties of their diversions. Game was plentiful, and the men -usually returned from their excursions laden with rabbits, geese, -and birds of different form and plumage. In fishing, the party at -one time in a single haul, caught at Fishhouse Creek thirteen -hundred weight of mullet. The Governor, too, was ever ready to -devise means to promote their amusement and comfort, and on one -occasion so pleased was he with their general good conduct and -exertions, that he honoured them with an excellent dinner from his -own purse and shared himself in the festivities. - ------ - -Footnote 409: - - All had horses, as travelling on horseback was frequently - necessary. The Governor presented one, with harness complete, to - sergeant Hearnden. The men made themselves very expert in the - management of horses, and throwing aside the rude thongs of raw - hide by which they were controlled, quickly adapted the - draught-horses to the use of artillery harness and collars. - ------ - -With the view of verifying the reported peculiarity of the tides at -Southampton, Professor Airy, in February, proceeded thither to -examine the rise and fall of the water. Some non-commissioned -officers and privates were placed by Colonel Colby at his disposal -for this purpose, who prepared and fixed the vertical scale of feet -and inches, and kept a watch upon the general accuracy of the -observed tides. “I was,” says the Professor, “extremely glad to -avail myself of this offer, for I believe that a more intelligent -and faithful body of men does not exist than the sappers employed on -the trigonometrical survey; and I know well the advantage of -employing upon a tedious business like this, a set of regular -service men stationed on the spot.”[410] - ------ - -Footnote 410: - - ‘Philosophical Transactions,’ i., 1843, p. 45. - ------ - -On the 19th March about 150 non-commissioned officers and men of the -corps at Woolwich under Lieutenant F. A. Yorke, R.E., were present -in the night at a fire, which burnt the ‘Bull’ tavern to the -ground.[411] The sappers were the first to render assistance and to -secure from destruction much of the property.[412] By the falling of -the principal wall of the building eighteen persons were severely -crushed and wounded, six of whom were privates of the corps. Private -Malcolm Campbell, one of the injured, rescued the landlord, Mr. -Boyd, from being burnt to death. The latter in a state of great -bewilderment rushed back into the burning tavern, and Campbell -dashing after him dragged him through the flames and falling -timbers, from a back room of the building, into the street -again.[413] - ------ - -Footnote 411: - - Reference would not have been made to this service only for the - accident which attended it. Often it is the lot of the corps at - the various stations to distinguish themselves at fires, and by - their promptitude and cheerful exertions, to save both lives and - property. - -Footnote 412: - - An insurance company, in no respect under obligations to the - parties who assisted at the fire, felt interested in the exertions - of the sappers and awarded them 5_l._ As the sum was too small for - distribution, it was well expended in the purchase of a clock for - the barracks at Woolwich. - -Footnote 413: - - After serving a station in China, died at Woolwich, in July, 1847. - ------ - -During the summer a corporal and twenty-three rank and file of the -royal sappers and miners, and nine men of the East India Company’s -sappers were employed at Spithead under Major-General Pasley, in the -removal of the wreck of the ‘Royal George.’ The operations were -carried on from the 7th May to the end of October under the -executive orders of Lieutenant G. R. Hutchinson, R.E. In all -respects the duties, labours, and responsibilities of the sappers -were the same as on previous occasions, except that the diving was -carried out by the party, and a few of the East India Company’s -sappers and miners, without in any one instance needing the help of -professional civil divers. On the 2nd November the detachment -rejoined the corps at Chatham. - -Four divers were at first employed. On the 13th May the number was -increased to five, and on the 3rd June to six, which force continued -at the duty throughout the season. Several other men during the -summer had been so employed when casualty or other cause prevented -the regular divers descending, and the whole who had distinguished -themselves in this work by their activity and success, were -classified as follows:— - - _First-class divers_:—corporal David Harris: lance-corporals - Richard P. Jones, and John Rae: privates Roderick Cameron, - James Jago, John Williams, and William Crowdy. - - _Second-class divers_:—privates Alexander Cleghorn and John - Girvan. - - _Third-class divers_:—lance-corporal W. Thompson: privates - William Browning, William Penman, and Edward Barnicoat.[414] - ------ - -Footnote 414: - - The nine men of the East India Company’s sappers, whose names are - appended, dived more or less as occasion offered. Lance-corporal - Thomas Sherstone, privates James Hewitt, James Beale, George - Taylor, William Brabazon, John Hunt, William England, John McIvor, - and John A. Goodfellow. Hewitt was the best, Sherstone the next, - and Beale and Taylor were very promising. - ------ - -Corporal Harris almost entirely by his own diligence removed, in -little more than two months, the wreck of the ‘Perdita’ mooring -lighter, which was sunk in 1783 in the course of Mr. Tracy’s -unsuccessful efforts to weigh the ‘Royal George.’ It was about sixty -feet in length, and embedded in mud fifty fathoms south of that -vessel. The exposed timbers stood only two feet six inches above the -level of the bottom, so that the exertions of Harris in removing the -wreck were herculean. Completely overpowered by fatigue, he claimed -a respite for a day or two to recruit his energies, and then resumed -work with his accustomed assiduity and cheerfulness. - -There was a sort of abnegation—an absence of jealousy—in the -character of Harris which, as the rivalry among the divers made them -somewhat selfish, gave prominency to his kindness. He met Cameron at -the bottom, who led him to the spot where he was working. For a -considerable time Cameron had fruitlessly laboured in slinging an -awkward timber of some magnitude, when Harris readily stood in his -place; and in a few minutes, using Cameron’s breast-line to make the -necessary signals, sent the mass on deck. It was thus recorded to -Cameron’s credit, but the circumstance, on becoming known, was -regarded with so much satisfaction, that honourable mention was made -of it in the official journal. - -Lance-corporal Jones, a sagacious and indefatigable diver, was the -most conspicuous for his success at the ‘Royal George.’ In one day -besides slinging innumerable fragments, he sent up nearly three tons -of pig-iron ballast. The duty of recovering it, which was -excessively trying, was confined to him. So painful and enlarged had -his hands become in discharging it, he was at last fairly beaten, -and for a few days, took an easier area at the bottom. Meanwhile -private Hewitt of the East India Company’s sappers, one of the most -spirited divers of his party, succeeded him, and led by mark-lines -to the spot, commenced his arduous task. Hard indeed did he labour -to follow his predecessor even at a remote distance; but on coming -up, he declared it was impossible for any one to work there. It -appeared for some time, that Jones in his dogged perseverance, had -run his adventurous chances in gaps and gullies over his head in -mud, and could only feel the ballast by forcing his hands down among -the shingle as far as his strength permitted him to reach. - -On another day Jones lodged on deck from his slings a crate -containing eighty 12-pounder shot. With singular success he laid the -remainder of the kelson open for recovery, and then, sinking deeper, -drew from the mud in two hauls nearly 35 feet of the keel. He also -weighed a small vessel of six tons burden belonging to a Mr. -Cussell, which drove, under a strong current, upon one of the -lighters. Becoming entangled, the craft soon filled and foundered, -grappling in her descent with the ladder of one of the divers. -Grounding at a short distance from the interval between the -lighters, Jones was selected to try his skill in rescuing her. At -once descending he fixed the chains under her stern, and while -attempting to hold them in position by passing them round the mast, -the tide turned, the vessel swung about, and the mast fell over the -side, burying Jones under her sails and rigging. Perilous as was his -situation, his fearlessness and presence of mind never for a moment -forsook him. Working from under the canvas and carefully extricating -himself from the crowd of ropes that ensnared him, he at last found -himself free. A thunderstorm now set in, and obedient to a call from -above, he repaired to the deck; but as soon as the squall had -subsided he again disappeared and cleverly jamming the slings, the -boat was hove up; but she had become a complete wreck and was taken -on shore. - -Nothing was too venturesome for him to undertake, and the trial of -enterprising expedients only whetted his wish to be the chief in -their execution. It was desired to ascertain how long a diver could -exist in his dress without communication with the external air. -Jones offering himself for the experiment, remained ten minutes on -the deck of the lighter, cased up as if hermetically sealed, without -experiencing any inconvenience. A more dangerous trial followed. A -clever man had expressed his conviction, that if the air-pipe were -to burst on deck and the diver not instantly drawn up, he would be -suffocated. Notwithstanding this scientific speculation, Jones -descended, and the pump, by signal, ceased. Five minutes he -continued unsupplied from above, but a feeling of pressure having -then commenced on his chest, he signalled for air. The knowledge -thus acquired, proved that a diver had ample time to be hauled up -before the air in his dress should become too vitiated to sustain -life. - -On going down to examine the progress made in the removal of the -‘Perdita,’ Jones encountered a human body which had been drowned -about six weeks. It felt round and hard; was nude to the waist but -clothed in trowsers to the ankles. Jones was a long time before he -could discover what it was that annoyed him. On tracing with his -fingers the course of the spinal column, it felt as if the vertebræ -were as distinct as the bars of an iron grating. The thought -suddenly possessed him that he was handling the remains of a fellow -creature. Horror-stricken at the idea, he rushed up the ladder, and -it was a few hours before he could sufficiently master his feelings -to redescend. When he did so he went to the spot where the body -visited him, and removed the timber he had previously secured. He -was, however, no more troubled with this submarine apparition nor -with a return of his melancholy emotions. Two days after, Corporal -Harris had an interview with a strange substance at the foot of his -ladder; but not over-nice in his sensations, he struck his pricker -into it. When pulled up to the surface, it turned out to be the -mutilated remains that molested the sensitive Jones. - -These two non-commissioned officers were now equal to the best -divers in Europe, and their daring exploits at the bottom of the sea -under a great depth of water, with a strong tide, and traversing a -space covered with thick mud, embarrassed by iron and shingle -ballast, huge timbers, guns, and a thousand other obstacles, were -constantly recorded in the newspapers of the day, and filled the -public with wonder. - -A sort of fixed intention possessed the minds of the divers this -season to bring up the leviathan keel at all hazards. Several -therefore shared in the honour of recovering a portion of it. -Cameron was the first to burrow under it, and he slung a short -piece, which was scarfed, connected with six pairs of copper bolts, -measuring one foot six inches long, and also the clamps for securing -the false keel. Private James Hewitt of the East India Company’s -sappers also recovered a short length. Jago, more successful, sent -up six feet; Harris sixteen feet; and Jones came in for the lion’s -portion, having slung no less than thirty-four feet six inches. -Crowdy also added to the registry of his achievements, the recovery -of a guinea; and Cleghorn had the good fortune to send up an -18-pounder iron gun, the only one disembowelled from the deep this -summer. - -A few accidents occurred during the season, only one of which was -serious. Corporal Jones, as usual, fell in for his share of them. -Slinging, on one occasion, five pigs of ballast, he jumped upon the -chains to tighten the load and secure it from slipping. In so doing -the weight whirled round and imparted a rotating motion to the bull -rope to which the chains were attached. The rope coming in contact -with his air-pipe and life-line twined several times round them, and -interrupted, in a measure, the channels of communication. To avert -the danger which threatened, Jones threw himself on his back, -declining the slow process of climbing his ladder; and permitting -the air in proper quantity to take vent through the escape valve, -passed motionless through the water, except the simple action of his -hand occasionally to rectify his balance. His upward flight was -something like the downward pitch of a bird, which, laying its wings -on the air, descends with scarcely a flutter to the ground. Quickly -hauled on board, it was not without much difficulty he was -extricated from the entanglement in which his zeal had unwittingly -involved him. At another time, being very wet, he was compelled to -re-ascend to ascertain the cause of the inconvenience. On examining -his helmet, the escape valve was found to be open owing to the -presence of a small stone in the aperture, which opposed the true -action of the valve and admitted water into his dress in a small but -unchecked stream. - -Private John Williams early in the season tore his hands very -severely in attempting to sling a mass of the wreck with jagged -surfaces and broken bolts. After a few days' rest, he re-appeared in -his submarine habit and dived as before; but, from excessive pain in -the ears, was again _hors-de-combat_ until the 11th July; when, on -re-descending, he was grievously injured by the bursting of his -air-pipe a few inches above the water. This casualty was indicated -by a loud hissing noise on deck. A few seconds elapsed before the -rupture could be traced and the opening temporarily stopped. With -great alertness he was drawn up; and on being relieved of his helmet -presented a frightful appearance. His face and neck were much -swollen and very livid, blood was flowing profusely from his mouth -and ears, his eyes were closed and protruding, and on being laid on -deck, he retched a quantity of clotted gore. Though partially -suffocated he possessed sufficient sensibility to speak of the -mishap. A sudden shock, it seems, struck him motionless, and then -followed a tremendous pressure as if he were being crushed to death. -A month in Haslar hospital restored him to health, and on returning -to the wreck, he at once re-commenced the laborious occupation of -diving. He was quite as venturesome and zealous as before, but was -again soon obliged to leave off, having resumed the duty at too -early a period of his convalescence. - -A dangerous but curious incident occurred this summer between -corporal Jones and private Girvan—two rival divers, who in a moment -of irritation engaged in a conflict at the bottom of the sea, having -both got hold of the same floor timber of the wreck which neither -would yield to the other.[415] Jones at length fearful of a -collision with Girvan, he being a powerful man, made his bull-rope -fast and attempted to escape by it; but before he could do so, -Girvan seized him by the legs and tried to draw him down. A scuffle -ensued, and Jones succeeding in extricating his legs from the grasp -of his antagonist, took a firmer hold of the bull-rope and kicked at -Girvan several times with all the strength his suspended position -permitted. One of the kicks broke an eye or lens of Girvan’s helmet, -and as water instantly rushed into his dress, he was likely to have -been drowned, had he not at once been hauled on board. Two or three -days in Haslar hospital, however, completely cured him of the -injuries he thus sustained, and these two submarine combatants ever -afterwards carried on their duties with the greatest cordiality. - ------ - -Footnote 415: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ iii. 1843, p. 139. - ------ - -As artificers, lance-corporal Thompson and private Penman were -skilful and diligent. Lance-corporal Rae and private Thomas Smith -were in charge of the gunpowder and voltaic battery, and made all -the mining preparations for explosion. Nearly four tons and a -quarter of powder were fired in numerous small charges from 18 to -170 lbs., which will afford some idea of the importance of the -duty.[416] - ------ - -Footnote 416: - - Much of the information given about the wreck of the ‘Royal - George,’ has been gleaned from the ‘Hampshire Telegraph,’ ‘Army - and Navy Register,’ and the ‘Manuscript Journal of the - Operations.’ - ------ - -General Pasley in his official report, besides highly commending the -men above named, wrote in praise of the general good conduct of the -entire detachment and of its useful and active services. Corporal -Blaik, who assisted in the superintendence of the whole of the -workmen in one of the two mooring lighters, the General alluded to -as a non-commissioned officer of much merit and strict integrity. -His courteous behaviour, too, elicited the respect of every man -employed, and attracted the favourable notice of many officers and -gentlemen who visited the operations.[417] - ------ - -Footnote 417: - - Afterwards a sergeant. Was generally employed in duties of - importance far exceeding his rank, at the Cape of Good Hope, Isle - of France, and Hong-Kong. In 1847 he was present in the expedition - to Canton, blew up the Zigzag Fort, and otherwise conspicuously - distinguished himself. He died at Hong-Kong, after five years' - service there, in 1848. Blaik had been brought up at the royal - military asylum, Chelsea. - ------ - -Early in September, at the request of the Trinity corporation, -Colonel Sir Frederick Smith, director of the royal engineer -establishment, undertook to demolish two barges formerly used as the -foundations of beacons at Blyth Sand, Sheerness. For this purpose he -sent Lieutenant Bourchier, R.E., sergeant-major Jenkin Jones and -seven men of the corps to the spot in the ‘Beaconry,’ one of the -Trinity steamers. A number of small charges deposited in tin cases -were fixed at low water, and fired to shake the wrecks. By the -explosion of a large charge on the 3rd September, one barge was -completely destroyed and dispersed; and on the 5th, by the firing of -a still greater charge, the other barge shared the fate of its -consort. Masses of the wreck on the first explosion were projected -to a height of about 200 feet, and about 400 feet from the scene of -operations, while at the same time a column of water, eighty feet -high, was forced into the air. On the second occasion, Sir Thomas -Willshire, the commandant of Chatham garrison, and Captain Welbank, -chairman of the Trinity corporation, were present, but the effect -was less striking, although a much greater quantity of powder was -used, in consequence of there being at the moment twenty feet of -superincumbent water pressing on the barge. Captain Welbank -personally complimented the “indefatigable” sergeant-major for his -success, and the corporation of Trinity House afterwards, with the -permission of the Master-General, presented him with a silver-gilt -snuff-box to commemorate the assistance he rendered in the -dispersion of the wrecks.[418] - ------ - -Footnote 418: - - Four years previously, August, 1838, sergeant-major Jones was - presented with a silver tankard, “by the sergeants of Chatham - garrison, in testimony of their gratitude for the undeviating - attention he evinced in superintending the formation of a military - swimming-bath at that station.” - ------ - - - - - 1842. - -Draft to Canada—Company recalled from thence—Its services and - movements—Its character—Labours of colour-sergeant Lanyon—Increase - to Gibraltar—Reduction in the corps—Irish survey completed; force - employed in its prosecution—Reasons for conducting it under - military rule—Economy of superintendence by sappers—Their - employments—Sergeants West, Doull, Spalding, Keville—Corporals - George Newman, Andrew Duncan—Staff appointments to the survey - companies—Dangers—Hardships—Average strength of sapper force - employed—Casualties—Kindness of the Irish—Gradual transfer of - sappers for the English survey—Distribution; Southampton. - - -The company in Canada which accompanied the troops to that province -on the occasion of the unsettled state of affairs on the American -frontier, was increased to a full company by the arrival of thirteen -men on the 8th July, 1842. - -Scarcely had the party landed before the company itself was -recalled, and rejoined the corps at Woolwich on the 31st October, -1842. During its four years' service on the frontier, the total of -the company, with its reinforcement, counted ninety-nine of all -ranks, and its casualties only amounted to eight men invalided, -three discharged, and five deserted. Not a death was reported. From -time to time it was stationed at Quebec, Fort Mississaqua near the -Falls of Niagara, St. Helen’s Island, St. John’s, and Fort Lennox, -Isle aux Noix. These were its several head-quarters, and as the -company was removed from one to the other, parties were detached for -service to each of the other stations, and also to Amherstburgh. In -repairing and improving the defences at Mississaqua and Isle aux -Noix they were found of great advantage. At the other stations they -were no less usefully occupied in barrack repairs and other -contingent services. - -From Amherstburgh the detachment rejoined the company in 1840. -Whilst the latter was at St. Helen’s and afterwards at St. John’s, -the men were exercised during the summer months in pontooning with -bridges of Colonel Blanshard’s construction, which had been stored -at Chambly until 1840. The pontoons were found to travel well on bad -roads, but the breadth of the rivers in Canada did not permit of -their being often used as bridges. - -After the removal of the company, Colonel Oldfield, the commanding -royal engineer, thus wrote of it: “The discipline of the company was -not relaxed by its four summers in Canada. It had suffered the -inconvenience of several times changing its captain, but it was -nevertheless maintained in good order and regular conduct. -Lieutenant W. C. Roberts, R.E., however, was constantly with it, to -whom and colour-sergeant Lanyon[419] and the non-commissioned -officers, much credit is due. The desertions only amounted to six, -although the company was on the frontier in daily communication with -the United States. Of these six, one returned the following morning; -a second would have done so but he feared the jeers of his comrades; -and the other four found when too late the falsity of the -inducements which had attracted them to the States, and would gladly -have come back could they have done so.” And the Colonel then -concludes, “The advantages enjoyed by well-behaved men, and the -_esprit de corps_ which has always existed in the sappers have been -found to render desertion rare, even when exposed to greater -temptation than usually falls to the lot of other soldiers.” - ------ - -Footnote 419: - - Ante, pp. 307-310. At the new barracks built for the dragoons at - Niagara, sergeant Lanyon successfully constructed a circular well, - about thirty feet deep, after two or three contractors had - attempted it and failed. He laboured himself in laying the stones - up to his hips in water, and afforded ample work for a strong - party above in preparing the stones for placement, and pumping up - the water. The service was effected under many difficulties and - hazards, and while the weather was intensely cold. As an instance - of his great strength it may be remarked, that six men complained - to him of the heavy task they were subjected to in removing - timbers about 15 feet long and 12 inches square for constructing a - stockade at Fort Mississaqua. Lanyon made no observation, but - shouldered one of the unwieldy logs, and, to the amazement of the - grumblers, carried it to the spot unassisted. - ------ - -In the meantime a second company had been removed to Gibraltar in -the ‘Alban’ steamer under Lieutenant Theodosius Webb, R.E., and -landed on the 6th July, 1842. This augmentation to the corps at that -fortress was occasioned by the difficulty felt in procuring a -sufficient number of mechanics for the works; and to meet the -emergency, the company in Canada was recalled, as in both provinces -works of considerable magnitude had been carried on by civil -workmen, who could at all times be more easily engaged in a country -receiving continual influxes by immigration, than in a confined -fortress like Gibraltar with a limited population. - -On the return of the Niger expedition in November, to which eight -rank and file had been attached, the establishment of the corps was -reduced from 1,298 to 1,290 of all ranks. - -The survey of Ireland upon the 6-inch scale was virtually completed -in December of this year, terminating with Bantry and the -neighbourhood of Skibbereen. The directing force in that great -national work was divided into three districts in charge of three -captains of royal engineers in the country; and there was also a -head-quarter office for the combination and examination of the work, -correspondence, engraving, printing, &c., in charge of a fourth -captain. To each of these districts the survey companies were -attached in relative proportion to the varied requirements and -contingencies of the service, and adapted to the many modifications -which particular local circumstances frequently rendered imperative. -A staff of non-commissioned officers and men was also stationed at -the head-quarter office, and discharged duties of trust and -importance. - -In framing his instructions for the execution of the Irish survey, -Colonel Colby had to reject his old opinions formed from -circumscribed examples of small surveys, and to encounter all the -prejudices which had been fixed in the minds of practical men. The -experience of these parties did not extend beyond the surveys of -estates of limited space, performed without hurry and with few -assistants. Colonel Colby, on the other hand, was to survey rapidly -a large country, with much more accuracy. The two modes were -therefore so entirely different, that it took less time to train for -its performance those who had no prejudice, and who had been brought -up by military discipline to obey, than to endeavour to combine a -heterogeneous mass of local surveyors fettered by preconceived -notions and conceits, deficient in habits of accuracy and -subordination, and who could not be obtained in sufficient numbers -to form any material proportion of the force. Hence the survey of -Ireland became essentially military in its organization and control, -the officers of engineers being the directors of large parties, and -the non-commissioned officers the subordinate directors of small -parties. - -In the later years of the Irish survey, however, the superintendence -by the sappers became of much consequence and its advantages very -appreciable in the reduction of expense. For the year 1827, the -outlay for the survey was above 37,000_l._, at which period the sum -paid to the officers was more than one-third of the whole amount; -but in 1841, when the expenditure was more than doubled, the amount -for superintendence had been reduced to a twelfth part of the total -expenditure.[420] - ------ - -Footnote 420: - - ‘Second Report Army and Ordnance Expenditure,’ 1849, p. 500. To - such an extent was the diminution in the number of the officers - subsequently carried, that in 1849 the amount of expense incurred - by the superintendence of officers was reduced to one - twenty-second part of the total expenditure; therefore by the more - general employment of sappers in the direction of the work, the - amount of superintendence was reduced from one-third and - one-fourth, to one twenty-second part. - ------ - -The general employment of the sappers and miners in this great -national work embraced the whole range of the scheme for its -accomplishment, and many non-commissioned officers and men trained -in this school became superior observers, surveyors, draughtsmen, -levellers, contourers, and examiners. Among so many who -distinguished themselves it would be almost invidious to name any; -but there were a few so conspicuous for energy of character, -efficiency of service, and attainments, that to omit them would be a -dereliction no scruples could justify. Their names are subjoined:— - -Colour-sergeant John West celebrated as an engraver. In 1833, the -Master-General, Sir James Kempt, pointed out his name on the -engraving of the index map of Londonderry to His Majesty William IV. -in terms of commendation; and the Master-General, while West was yet -a second-corporal, promoted him to be supernumerary-sergeant, with -the pay of the rank. Most of the index maps of the counties of -Ireland were executed by him, and a writer in the United Service -Journal[421] complimented him by saying that the maps already -completed by him were as superior to the famous _Carte des Chasses_ -as the latter was to the recondite productions of Kitchen, the -geographer. His also was the master hand that executed the city -sheet of Dublin, and his name is associated with many other maps of -great national importance. The geological map of Ireland, 1839, -engraved for the Railway Commissioners, was executed by him; and in -all his works, which are many, he has displayed consummate skill, -neatness, rigid accuracy, and beauty both of outline and topography. -In October, 1846, he was pensioned at 1_s._ 10_d._ a-day, and -received the gratuity and medal for his meritorious services. He is -now employed at the ordnance survey office, Dublin, and continues to -gain admiration for the excellency of his maps. - ------ - -Footnote 421: - - ii., 1835, p. 154. - ------ - -Sergeant Alexander Doull was enlisted in 1813. After serving a -station in the West Indies, he was removed to Chatham. There on the -plan of ‘Cobbett’s Grammar,’ he commenced publishing letters to his -son on “Geometry,” but after the second number appeared, he -relinquished the undertaking. In 1825 he joined the survey -companies, and was the chief non-commissioned officer at the base of -Magilligan. He was a superior mathematical surveyor and draughtsman, -and his advice in difficult survey questions was frequently followed -and never without success. Between 1828 and 1833 he had charge of a -12-inch theodolite, observing for the secondary and minor -triangulation of one of the districts, and was the first -non-commissioned officer of sappers, it is believed, who used the -instrument bearing that designation. In July, 1834, while employed -in the revision of the work in the neighbourhood of Rathmelton, he -introduced a system of surveying similar to traverse-sailing in -navigation, which effected a considerable saving of time in the -progress of the work, and elicited the approbation of Colonel Colby. -While on the duty he invented a plotting-scale,[422] and -subsequently a reflecting instrument,[423] both simple and ingenious -in construction. After a service of twenty-three years, he was -discharged in January, 1838. When the tithe commutation survey was -thrown into the hands of contractors, Doull got portions of the work -to perform, and his maps were referred to in terms of high -commendation by Edwin Chadwick, Esq.[424] Among several towns that -he surveyed, one was Woolwich, the map of which, dedicated to Lord -Bloomfield, was published by him in 1843. In the proposed North Kent -Railway, Mr. Doull was assistant-engineer to Mr. Vignoles, and he -planned a bridge of three arches, having a roadway at one side and a -double line of rails at the other, with an ornamental screened -passage between, to span the Medway where the new bridge recently -constructed, connects Strood and Rochester; which plan, had the -proposed railway not been superseded by a rival line, would have -secured an enduring fame for the designer. This was the opinion of -Mr. Vignoles and Sir Charles Pasley. Afterwards when the competing -companies were preparing their respective projects, Mr. Doull -represented the engineering difficulties of the opposing scheme in a -pamphlet under the signature of “Calculus.” In this his military -knowledge and experience were well exhibited, inasmuch as he showed -how the fortifications at Chatham would be injured by the adoption -of that line; and the railway consequently, on account of this and -other influences, has never been prolonged so as to interfere with -the defences. A few years afterwards he published a small work -entitled, “Railway Hints and Railway Legislation,” which obtained -for him, from the South-Eastern Railway Company—the one he so -perseveringly opposed—the situation of assistant-engineer to the -line. More recently he issued a pamphlet on the subject of a railway -in America,[425] which for its boldness and lucidity gained for him -the praise of a rising literary genius in the royal engineers.[426] -His last pamphlet on the subject of opening a north-west passage -between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, a distance of 2,500 miles, -is more daring, and evinces more pretension and merit than any of -his previous literary efforts. Mr. Doull is also known as the -inventor of several improvements of the permanent way of -railways,[427] and is a member both of the Society of Civil -Engineers and the Society of Arts. - ------ - -Footnote 422: - - Frome’s ‘Surveying,’ 1840, p. 40. Simms' ‘Math. Inst.,’ 1st edit. - -Footnote 423: - - Frome’s ‘Surveying,’ 1840, p. 44. - -Footnote 424: - - ‘British Companion and Almanack,’ 1843, p. 38. - -Footnote 425: - - First published in a series of letters to the ‘Morning Chronicle,’ - and then collected, with additional matter, in a pamphlet. - -Footnote 426: - - Synges’s ‘Great Britain—one Empire.’ - -Footnote 427: - - These he patented in November, 1851. A description of the - improvements, with sixteen illustrations, is given in the ‘Civil - Engineer and Architects’ Journal,' xv., pp. 164, 165. - ------ - -Serjeant Robert Spalding was for many years employed on the survey -of Ireland, from which, on account of his acquirements, he was -removed to Chatham to be instructor of surveying to the young -sappers. To assist him in the duty he published a small manual for -the use of the students. It was not an elaborate effort, but one -which detailed with freedom and simplicity the principles of the -science. In 1834 he was appointed clerk of works at the Gambia, -where his vigorous intellect and robust health singled him out for -varied colonial employment, and his merits and exertions frequently -made him the subject of official encomium. Five years he spent in -that baneful and exhausting climate, and in 1840, just as he was -about to sail for England, the fever seized him, and in a few days -he died. In his early career as a bugler he was present in much -active service, and was engaged at Vittoria, San Sebastian, -Bidassoa, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, and Toulouse. - -Sergeant Edward Keville was a very fair and diligent artist. He -engraved the index map of the county of Louth, and assisted in the -general engraving work at the ordnance survey office in Dublin. In -January, 1846, he was pensioned at 1_s._ 10½_d._ a day, and obtained -re-employment in the same office in which he had spent the greatest -part of his military career. - -Second-corporal George Newman was eminent as a draughtsman, and the -unerring fineness and truthfulness of his lines and points were the -more remarkable, as he was an unusually large man of great bodily -weight. He died at Killarney in 1841. - -Lance-corporal Andrew Duncan was a skilful and ingenious artificer. -His simple contrivance for making the chains, known by the name of -“Gunter’s chains,” is one proof of his success as an inventor. Those -delicate measures, in which the greatest accuracy is required, have -by Duncan’s process been made for the last twelve years by a -labourer unused to any mechanical occupation, with an exactitude -that admits of no question. The apparatus is in daily use in the -survey department at Southampton, and the chains required for the -service can be made by its application with great facility and -rapidity. He was discharged at Dublin in September, 1843, and is now -working as a superior artizan in the proof department of the royal -arsenal. - -Equally distinguished were sergeants William Young, William -Campbell, and Andrew Bay, and privates Charles Holland and Patrick -Hogan, but as their names and qualifications will be found connected -with particular duties in the following pages, further allusion to -them in this place is unnecessary. - -Colonel Colby in his closing official report, spoke of the valuable -aid which he had received from the royal sappers and miners in -carrying on the survey, and as a mark of consideration for their -merits, and with the view of retaining in confidential situations -the non-commissioned officers who by their integrity and talents had -rendered themselves so useful and essential, he recommended the -permanent appointment of quartermaster-sergeant to be awarded to the -survey companies; but this honour so ably urged was, from economical -reasons, not conceded. - -Seventeen years had the sappers and miners been employed on the -general survey and had travelled all over Ireland. They were alike -in cities and in wastes, on mountain heights and in wild ravines, -had traversed arid land and marshy soil, wading through streams and -tracts of quagmire in the prosecution of their duties. To every -vicissitude of weather they were exposed, and in storms at high -altitudes subjected to personal disaster and peril. Frequently they -were placed in positions of imminent danger in surveying bogs and -moors, precipitous mountain faces, and craggy rocks and coasts. -Boating excursions too were not without their difficulties and -hazards in gaining islands almost unapproachable, and bluff isolated -rocks and islets, often through quicksand and the low channels of -broad sandy bays and inlets of the sea, where the tide from its -strength and rapidity precluded escape unless by the exercise of -extreme caution and vigilance, or by the aid of boats. - -Two melancholy instances of drowning occurred in these services: -both were privates,—William Bennie and Joseph Maxwell; the former by -the upsetting of a boat while he was employed in surveying the -islands of Loch Strangford, and the latter at Valentia Island. This -island consisted of projecting rocks very difficult of access, and -when private Maxwell was engaged in the very last act of finishing -the survey a surf swept him off the rock. A lad named Conway, his -labourer, was borne away by the same wave. The devoted private had -been immersed in a previous wave by which his note-book was lost, -and while stooping with anxiety, to see if he could recover it, -another furious wave dashed up the point and carried him into the -sea.[428] - ------ - -Footnote 428: - - In consideration of this event, the Board of Ordnance granted his - widow a donation of 20_l._; and she was, moreover, assisted by a - very handsome subscription from the officers and men of the - district in which her husband had served. - ------ - -Hardship and toil were the common incidents of their everyday -routine, for on mountain duty theirs was a career of trial and -vicissitude. Comforts they had none, and what with the want of -accommodation and amusement in a wild country, on a dizzy height, -theirs was not an enviable situation. Covered only by a canvas tent -or marquee they were barely closed in from the biting cold and the -raging storm; and repeatedly tents, stores, and all, have been swept -away by the wind or consumed by fire, while the hardy tenants, left -on the bleak hill top, or the open heath, have remained for days -together half naked and unsheltered. Such was their discipline and -such their spirit, they continued to labour protected only by their -great coats—if haply they escaped destruction—till, renewed with -tents or huts, they pitched again their solitary dwellings far away -on the height or the moor. - -Even on the less exposed employments of the survey, the men were -subjected to many discomforts and fatigues. The marching was -harassing; miles to and from work were daily tramped, frequently in -a drenching rain; and in this kind of weather soaked to the skin, -they barely permitted their work to be interrupted. Night after -night for two or three weeks together, have these men returned to -their quarters dripping wet; and when, in frosty weather, their -clothes have frozen on their backs, the removal of boots and -trousers have only been accomplished by immersing the legs in warm -water. - -The average strength of the three companies set apart for the -survey, for each year from 1825 to 1842, is subjoined:— - - Least Greatest Average for each - Strength. Strength. 12 Months. - 1825 61 109 86 - 1826 106 134 115 - 1827 129 220 177 - 1828 232 259 248 - 1829 234 257 242 - 1830 233 258 247 - 1831 248 268 255 - 1832 230 256 242 - 1833 211 231 220 - 1834 204 215 209 - 1835 199 204 201 - 1836 195 198 196 - 1837 191 213 199 - 1838 208 217 213 - 1839 199 220 208 - 1840 183 213 197 - 1841 87 179 142 - 1842 31 74 50 - -During the above period the casualties by death in Ireland only -amounted to twenty-nine of all ranks, proving the general -healthiness of their occupation. Of these, three were untimely: -two by drowning as shown in a preceding paragraph, and one -killed—private John Crockett—by falling from a car while -proceeding on duty from Leixlip to Chapelizod. - -Here it should be noted that the sappers, in the prosecution of -their duty, necessarily mixed with all descriptions of society, and -were invariably treated with respect, civility, and hospitality. The -spirit of agrarianism, the bigotry of religion, or the natural -irritable temperament of the people, were seldom evinced against the -companies in abuse or conflict. - -As the work was drawing to a close the sappers by rapid removals -augmented the force employed in the survey of Great Britain, so that -at the termination of 1841 there were no less than 143 men chiefly -in the northern counties of England, and thirty-four carrying on the -triangulation of Scotland, leaving for the residual work of the -Irish survey only eighty-seven men of all ranks. - -In June, 1842, the payment of the companies in England commenced on -a system of consolidating the detachments into a series of vouchers -prepared for their respective companies. At that time the force in -Ireland, left for the revisionary survey of Dublin and the northern -counties and for the engraving office at Mountjoy, reached a total -of six sergeants and forty-one rank and file; while the absorbing -work of the survey of Great Britain had on its rolls a strength of -217 of all ranks. Southampton, in consequence of the destruction of -the map office at the Tower of London by fire, was established as -the head-quarters of the survey companies; and in the institution -formerly known as the royal military asylum for the orphan daughters -of soldiers, are now carried on those scientific and extensive -duties which regulate with such beautiful accuracy and order, the -whole system of the national survey. - - - - - 1843. - -Falkland Islands; services of the detachment there—Exploration - trips—Seat of government changed—Turner’s stream—Bull - fight—Round Down Cliff, near Dover—Boundary line in North - America—Sergeant-major Forbes—Operations for removing the wreck of - the ‘Royal George’—Exertions of the party—Private Girvan—Sagacity - of corporal Jones—Success of the divers—Exertions to recover the - missing guns—Harris’s nest—His district pardonably invaded—Wreck - of the ‘Edgar,’ and corporal Jones—Power of water to convey - sound—Girvan at the ‘Edgar’—An accident—Cessation of the - work—Conduct of the detachment employed in it—Sir George - Murray’s commendation—Longitude of Valentia—Rebellion in - Ireland—Colour-sergeant Lanyon explores the passages under Dublin - Castle—Fever at Bermuda—Burning of the ‘Missouri’ steamer at - Gibraltar—Hong-Kong—Inspection at Woolwich by the Grand Duke - Michael of Russia—Percussion carbine and accoutrements. - - -The settlement at Port Louis, in the Falkland Islands, was daily -growing into importance, and works applicable to every conceivable -emergency were executed. This year the old government-house was -thoroughly repaired, and a new substantial barrack for the -detachment erected. Unlike the other buildings of the colony, the -foundation-stone was laid by the Governor with the usual ceremony, -and in a chamber was placed a bottle of English coins of the reign -of Queen Victoria. There were also built houses for baking, cooking, -and to hold boats. A butcher’s shop was likewise run up, and -cottages erected for the guachos and their major-domo, as well as a -small calf house on Long Island and a large wooden peat-house at -Town Moss. To add to the variety of their employment the sappers -repaired the pass-house, put the pinnace in fine sailing condition, -and constructed a jetty of rough stones for boats. Other services of -less note but equally necessary were performed, such as quarrying -stone, building a sod-wall to enclose a space for garden purposes, -stacking peat for the winter, and removing stores and provisions -from the newly-arrived ships, &c. - -Parties were detached on exploring services to North Camp and Mare -Harbour. In both places wild cattle abounded and troops of horses -made no attempt to scamper away. On one excursion sergeant Hearnden -and corporal Watts accompanied Mr. Robinson to Port St. Salvador in -the face of a snow-storm, opposed by a cutting wind. Several wild -horses and a herd of savage bulls were met in the trip; and geese, -too, crossed their track in vast numbers, merely waddling out of the -way to prevent the horsemen crushing them. Night at length spread -over them. To return in such weather was impossible; and looking -about they discovered a heap of stones, which turned out to be a -sealer’s hut. The ribs of a whale were its rafters and turf and -stones served the purpose of tiles. Leashing their horses and -fastening them in a grassy district some four miles from the hut, -Hearnden at once repaired the roof of the desolate hermitage, and -Mr. Robinson with his companions crept into it through a small -aperture on their hands and knees. Here they passed a bitter night; -and so intense was the cold that four of the five dogs taken with -them perished. Next day they returned to the settlement with less -appearance of suffering than cheerfulness, and with a heavy supply -of brent and upland geese and some wild rabbits. - -Notwithstanding the inclement weather, the health of the detachment -continued to be robust. Fourteen months they had been at the -Falkland Islands without a doctor; but in March one was added to the -settlement from the ‘Philomel.’ - -After having erected comfortable residences for nearly the whole of -the official establishment, the seat of government, by orders from -the Colonial Office, was removed to Port William. The proclamation -for this purpose was read to the inhabitants of Port Louis by -sergeant Hearnden on the 18th August, 1843. Jackson’s Harbour was -selected by the Lieutenant-Governor for the future settlement. Soon -after, the detachment marched overland to the spot, and continued -there during the remainder of the year—except when temporary service -required their presence at Port Louis—preparing the location for the -Governor and the official officers. A sod-hut was soon run up for -one of the married families, and the rest were tented on boggy -ground about twenty yards from the river. In stormy weather the -ground, as if moving on a quicksand, would heave with the fury of -the wind; and what with the whistling of the gale through the -cordage, the flapping of the tents, and the roaring of the waves, -the men at night were scarcely free from the hallucination of -fancying themselves at sea. - -Their early operations at Jackson’s Harbour were very harassing, -much of the material required for building having to be brought from -a distance; but before the close of the year a two-roomed wooden -cottage was erected with some convenient outhouses for domestic -purposes. A portable house for the surveyor was also constructed, -and one built in Mare Harbour. A rough jetty of planks, piles, and -casks was likewise made, and the high grass for miles about the -settlement was burnt down. This service was not accomplished without -difficulty, for the continual rains having saturated both grass and -ground, prevented the spreading of the flames, and required -unceasing efforts for more than a month to insure eventual success. - -While out on this duty sergeant Hearnden discovered a good ford for -horses about 150 yards from Turner’s Stream, and marked the spot by -a pile of stones, the summit of which was on a level with high-water -mark. Turner’s Stream was named in compliment to a private of that -name, who carried the Governor in his journeys over the shallow -waters and lagoons that intersected his track. - -Much discomfort and some privation were experienced by the men in -the first months of their encampment at Jackson’s Harbour. To get -meat they usually travelled to Port Harriet, or some eight or nine -miles from the location. The bulls they shot were always cut up on -the spot and their several parts deposited under stones till -required for use at the camp. In these expeditions the bulls were -frequently seen in herds and wild horses in troops, sometimes as -many as fifteen in a group. Once the camp was attacked by a number -of wild horses and four savage bulls. The party, about four in -number, were at breakfast at the time they approached, and, at once -seizing their loaded rifles, ran out of the tent to meet them. Two -of the bulls only, stood their ground; and though struck by two -bullets, rushed on furiously, and forced the party to beat a hasty -retreat. A position was rapidly taken up among some barrels and -timber, under cover of which the men were reloading; but the -onslaught of the bulls was so impetuous that the operation was -interrupted and the party driven into the tents. One of the animals -now trotted off; but the other, still pursuing, bolted after the men -into the marquee. A ball from private Biggs’s rifle fortunately -stopped his career, and, turning round, the infuriated animal tore -up the tent, committed great havoc through the camp, and made a -plunge at private Yates, who dexterously stepped aside, and, firing, -shot the bull in the head, and the combat ceased. - -Lance-corporal John Rae and private Thomas Smith were employed in -January under Lieutenant G. R. Hutchinson, R.E., in the demolition -and removal by blasting of a portion of the Round Down Cliff, near -Dover, for the purpose of continuing the South Eastern Railway in an -open line, supported by a sea-wall, up to the mouth of Shakspeare -Tunnel. The summit of the cliff was about 380 feet above high-water -mark, and 70 feet above that of Shakspeare Cliff. The two sappers -had the executive superintendence of the mines, the placement of the -charges, and various duties connected with the management of the -voltaic apparatus and wires. No less than 180 barrels of gunpowder -were expended in the operation; and the explosion by electric -galvanism brought down, in one stupendous fall, a mass of -chalk—about 400,000 cubic yards—which covered a space of 15½ acres, -varying in depth from 15 to 25 feet, and saved the South Eastern -Railway Company the sum of 7,000_l._ - -Six corporals under Captain Robinson, R.E., with Lieutenant Pipon, -were attached, under orders from Lord Aberdeen, to the commission of -which Lieutenant-Colonel Estcourt was the chief, for tracing the -boundary line between the British dominions in North America and the -United States, as settled by the Ashburton treaty. Dressed in plain -clothes, they embarked at Liverpool on the 19th April, and arriving -at Halifax on the 2nd May, proceeded by Boston and New York to the -Kennebec road and entered the woods late in the month. In May, 1844, -the party was increased to twenty men by the arrival of fourteen -non-commissioned officers and privates from the English survey -companies. The co-operation of this party was urged as of paramount -importance. It enabled the work, so says the official communication, -to be carried on over a large portion of country at once with energy -and rapidity, and in such a manner as to insure a more vigorous and -correct execution of it than if the Commissioners were left to -depend on the assistance to be met with on the spot; and which, -although greatly inferior in quality, would have entailed more -expense on the public than the employment of the military surveyors. -Each sapper was selected as being competent to work by himself, and -to survey and run lines of levels, besides keeping in constant -employment a staff of labourers. - -Sergeant-major James Forbes retired from the corps on the 11th -of April on a pension of 2_s._ 2_d._ a-day. He was succeeded -by colour-sergeant George Allan,[429] an excellent drill -non-commissioned officer, who was appointed to the staff at -Chatham, vicê sergeant-major Jenkin Jones, removed to the -staff at Woolwich. - ------ - -Footnote 429: - - Became in time the quartermaster of the royal engineer - establishment at Chatham, and when the siege of Sebastopol was at - its highest, was removed from the corps by promotion into the - Turkish contingent engineers with the rank of Captain. - ------ - -The merits of sergeant-major Forbes have been frequently alluded to -in these pages, but there still remain some other points in his -history to be noticed. To the royal military college at Sandhurst, -he presented several models made by himself on military subjects. -About two years before his retirement he invented the equilateral -pontoon, a vessel of a very ingenious character. Its sides consist -of “portions of cylinders, supposed to be applied to three sides of -an equilateral triangular prism, each side of the triangle being two -feet eight inches long; so that the cylindrical portions meet in -three edges parallel to the axis of the pontoon. The sagitta, or -versed sine of the curvature being about one-fifth of the side of -the triangle, it follows that each side of the pontoon forms, in a -transverse section, an arc of nearly 90°. Each end of the pontoon -consists of three curved surfaces, corresponding to the sides of the -vessel, and meeting in a point, as if formed on the sides of a -triangular pyramid.”[430] “The form,” says Sir Howard Douglas, -“appears to be well adapted for the purposes of a good pontoon; as -whichever side is uppermost it presents a boatlike section to the -water, and a broad deck for the superstructure. It possesses, also, -the advantage of a horizontal section gradually enlarging to the -highest point of displacement, by which means stability and -steadiness in the water are obtained in a high degree. The area of a -transverse section of this pontoon is greater than that of the -present cylindrical pontoon; and the greater capacity produces more -than a compensation, in buoyancy, to the small excess of weight -above that of a cylindrical pontoon.”[431] A raft of this form of -pontoon was prepared under the eye of the sergeant-major and sent to -Chatham for trial, but although it gained much favour for its -decided excellences, it was finally set aside on account of “some -inconvenience in the management causing a preference to be given to -those of a simple cylindrical form”[432]—the construction, in fact, -established for the service. He was however awarded by the Board of -Ordnance, in consideration of his trouble and as a tribute to his -skill, the sum of one hundred guineas. - ------ - -Footnote 430: - - Sir Howard Douglas, ‘On Military Bridges,’ 3rd edit., p. 32. - -Footnote 431: - - Ibid., 33. - -Footnote 432: - - Ibid., 33. - ------ - -On leaving the royal sappers and miners, he was appointed surveyor -to a district of the Trent and Mersey canal, at a salary of 215_l._ -a year, with a fine residence and five acres of land attached. He -was also allowed forage for two horses, and all his taxes and -travelling expenses were paid. Some two years afterwards his salary -was increased to 280_l._ a year, and in 1846, so highly appreciated -were his services, that the Directors of the company proposed him to -fill the office of engineer to the canal. His integrity however was -such, that he would not be tempted by the great increase of salary -the promotion promised, and declined it, from a modest feeling that -he might not be able to do justice to so important and onerous a -charge. Quickly upon this, he received the thanks of the Directors, -accompanied by a special donation of 100_l._ Determining upon other -arrangements for the execution of their works, the company disbanded -its establishment of workmen and superintendents, retaining only the -engineer and Mr. Forbes; and such was his character for alacrity, -resolution, and discrimination, that the Directors appointed him to -superintend all the works undertaken for the company, both on the -canal and the North Staffordshire Railway, which was now -incorporated with the Trent and Mersey Canal proprietary. This -alteration in the company’s affairs, caused his removal from -Middlewich to a commodious residence in Etruria, in Staffordshire, -where his energy and influence in the parish soon gained him the -post of churchwarden, and the honour of being invited to a public -breakfast, at which, while the Bishop of Lichfield held the chair, -he had the distinction of filling the vice-chair. Latterly he has -appeared before the public as a writer. His pamphlet on the National -Defences, proposing a locomotive artillery, addressed to Lord John -Russell, was perused by that nobleman and received the attention of -Sir John Burgoyne. Frequently he has written in the public journals -on pontoons. He has also published a pamphlet on the subject, and -another relative to a pontoon-boat, which he has invented.[433] The -latter is of great interest and may yet receive the attention its -ingenious suggestions deserve. On the 6th of May, 1853, he was -elected an Associate of the Institution of Civil Engineers, for -which honour he was proposed by the great Robert Stephenson and Mr. -S. P. Bidder, the two leading civil engineers of this country. -Within the last year, he has been advanced to the post of engineer -to the company, and he enjoys the perfect satisfaction and -confidence of his employers. His salary and emoluments exceed -400_l._ a year. - ------ - -Footnote 433: - - It is simply a half-cylinder, 20 feet long by 1 foot 9 inches - wide, and 3 feet deep, strengthened internally by hollow tubes, - and deriving its buoyancy from an ingenious distribution of - water-tight compartments, which not only preserve the flotation - but provide seats for the troops. To render the contrivance more - efficient for rafts or bridging purposes, a similar half-cylinder - is attached to its consort by strong hinges and bolts. When shut - its form is cylindrical; when open, two boats in rigid connection, - taking the same swing in the water—the same motion on the wave. In - this Siamese connection it is intended always to be used; and - fitted as it is with all the necessary details, and the means of - applying a rudder or an oar for steerage at any end, it appears to - be adequate for all the uses and contingencies, not only of a - pontoon, but of an ordinary passage-boat. It moreover aspires to - the merciful functions of a lifeboat, being capable, without risk - of capsizing or sinking, of venturing out in heavy seas to save - human life imperilled by squalls or shipwreck. - ------ - -The operations against the wreck of the ‘Royal George’ were resumed, -for the fifth time, early in May, with a detachment of fifteen royal -sappers and miners, eight East India Company’s sappers, and about -eighty seamen, riggers, &c., under the direction of Major-General -Pasley, with Lieutenant G. R. Hutchinson as the executive officer. -At the end of 1842, almost all the floor timbers had been got up and -101 feet of the keel, leaving only about 50 feet more at the bottom; -and out of 126 tons of pig-iron ballast, 103 tons had been safely -wharfed. There was therefore confident reason to expect the entire -removal of the wreck before the close of the season; and such indeed -was the success of the enterprise, that Major-General Pasley, on -quitting the work in November, declared that the anchorage ground, -where the wreck had lain, was as safe and fit for the use of ships -as any other part of Spithead. At first four divers went down -regularly, and afterwards five or six were at work at every slack -tide, generally three times a day. - -After a few weeks of unsuccessful effort, the firing of three -charges each of 675 lbs. of powder in puncheons, removed a bank of -shingle which chiefly interfered with the divers' success. These -charges were fixed by corporals Harris and Jones, and private -Girvan. In one week afterwards, the divers effected as much as in -the five weeks previously, for not only were the keel and bottom -planking somewhat bared, but a great deal of the remaining iron -ballast was rendered accessible. Six other charges, of 720 lbs. of -powder each, and numerous smaller charges, were subsequently fired, -with results that gave ample employment for all the divers and the -detachment on board. - -One or two failures occurred which arose from want of experience in -firing conjunct charges at Spithead; but in other respects, the -operation, which was exceedingly difficult, was conducted with skill -and success, owing to the able arrangements of Lieutenant -Hutchinson, assisted by the leading riggers, and by lance-corporal -Rae and private Alexander Cleghorn, who had the preparation of the -charges and the voltaic batteries. The divers, too, did everything -necessary at the bottom, and were well seconded in every department -by the sappers and others employed. “In short,” adds the -narrative,[434] “this operation, including the separation of the two -mooring lighters before the explosion and bringing them together -afterwards,” could not, in consequence of the severe weather, have -possibly succeeded, “if all the men had not, from long experience, -known their respective duties well and entered into them with -laudable zeal.” - -“On the 9th of July private John Girvan slung the largest and most -remarkable piece of the wreck that had been met with this season, -consisting of the fore foot and part of the stem, connected by two -very large horse-shoe copper clamps bolted together; the boxing by -which it had been connected with the fore part of the keel was -perfect, from which joint six feet of the gripe had extended -horizontally, and terminated in the curve of the stem, which was -sheathed with lead.—The length of this fragment was sixteen feet, -measured obliquely, and its extreme width five feet.”[435] At -another time he recovered an enormous fish-hook, no less than eight -feet nine inches in length from the eye to the bow! - -By corporal Jones, on the 17th following, was slung a large iron -bolt, ten feet long; which, on being brought on deck, was observed -by him to exhibit marks of having been in contact with brass. He -therefore rightly conjectured there must be a brass gun at the spot, -and descending again recovered a brass 24-pounder, nine and a half -feet long, of the year 1748.[436] - ------ - -Footnote 434: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ iii., 1843, p. 139. - -Footnote 435: - - Ibid., p. 139. - -Footnote 436: - - Ibid., p. 138. - ------ - -“On the 31st of July, private Girvan discovered a gun buried under -the mud, but it was not till the 3rd of August that he succeeded in -slinging it, assisted by corporal Jones, with whom he generally -worked in concert this season;”[437] and shortly after, the latter -diver recovered the last remnant of the keel, measuring nearly -twenty-two feet in length, corporal Harris having previously sent up -portions of it in the early part of the summer amounting in length -to thirty-six feet,[438] and private Girvan, six feet. - ------ - -Footnote 437: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ iii., 1843, p. 139. - -Footnote 438: - - Ibid., pp. 137, 140. - ------ - -The only money got up this season was a guinea of 1775, found on a -plank sent up by Jones. - -Increased exertions were now made to recover the guns, which were -embedded some depth in the mud, and the divers cleared the way by -sending up everything they could meet with, until nothing but -insignificant fragments could be found. To assist them, two frigate -anchors and the half anchor creepers with some auxiliary -instruments, drawn backwards and forwards as well as transversely -over the site of the wreck, were made to do effectual work. The East -India Company’s sappers had been removed before these labours -began;[439] the whole of the subsequent diving, therefore, was -exclusively carried on by the royal sappers and miners,[440] and to -their vigilance of observation and unceasing zeal, was attributed -the recovery of thirteen guns late in the season. Of these, corporal -Harris got up three iron and six brass guns, corporal Jones three -brass, and private Girvan one iron. - ------ - -Footnote 439: - - Quitted 28th August, 1843. - -Footnote 440: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i., 1844, p. 143. - ------ - -Here it should be explained “how much more successful than his -comrades corporal Harris was towards the close of the season, in -recovering guns, though the other divers, corporal Jones and -privates Girvan and Trevail, had been equally successful in all the -previous operations. Corporal Harris fell in with a nest of guns, -and it was a rule agreed upon, that each first-class diver should -have his own district at the bottom, with which the others were not -to interfere.”[441] - ------ - -Footnote 441: - - Ibid., p. 146. - ------ - -Jones, though satisfied with the arrangement as a general rule, was -a little disposed to feel aggrieved when, by contrast, the odds were -against him. He was curious to know by what means Harris turned up -the guns with such teasing rapidity, and going down with the secret -intention of making the discovery, tumbled over a gun with its -muzzle sticking out of the mud. This piece of ordnance legitimately -belonged to Harris, for it was in his beat; but, as Jones -enthusiastically expressed it, seeming to invite the favour of -instant removal, he could not resist the temptation to have its -recovery registered to his credit. He therefore securely slung it, -and rubbing his hands with delight at the richness of the trick, -gave the signal to haul up. Harris, suspecting that his territory -had been invaded, dashed down the ladder and just reached the spot -in time to feel the breech of the gun slipping through his fingers. -Jones, meanwhile, pushed on deck, and was pleased to see that the -plundered relic was a 12-pounder brass gun of the year 1739. Jones a -second time applied to the district over which Harris walked with so -much success, and filched from the nest a brass 12-pounder gun—the -last one recovered this season. - -After the removal of the ‘Royal George’ had been effected, but while -the search for the guns was going on, Major-General Pasley detached -to the wreck of the ‘Edgar,’[442] the ‘Drake’ lighter, with thirteen -petty officers and seamen of Her Majesty’s ship ‘Excellent,’ to -learn the art of diving. Corporal Jones was attached to the party to -instruct them. Violent gales prevailed at this period, “which -repeatedly drove the ‘Drake’ from her moorings, not without damage, -and at other times caused her to drift in such a manner that guns, -discovered by a diver late in a slack, could not be found when the -weather permitted his subsequent descent.” Hence only five iron guns -of this wreck were got up during the season, with a piece of the -keel and a floor timber. These were all recovered by corporal Jones, -who had also been engaged one tide in finding an anchor that had -been lost.[443] So anxious was he to add to the magnitude of his -acquisition, that on one occasion he remained below as long as four -hours, but his exertions were unattended with the hoped-for return. - ------ - -Footnote 442: - - This ill-fated ship, built by Bailey of Bristol in 1668, was - wrecked by an explosion in 1711, and every soul on board - perished.—‘United Service Journal,’ i., 1844, p. 146. - -Footnote 443: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ i., 1844, pp. 145, 146. - ------ - -An interesting fact with respect to the power of water to convey -sound was ascertained on the 6th October. A small waterproof -bursting charge containing 18 lbs. of gunpowder was fired at the -bottom. Corporal Jones who happened at the time to be working at the -‘Edgar’—nearly half-a-mile distant—hearing a loud report like the -explosion of a cannon, imagined that a large charge had been fired -over the ‘Royal George.’ To those on deck immediately over the -place, the report was scarcely perceptible. - -Private Girvan relieved corporal Jones at the ‘Edgar’ on the 16th -October, and got up the breech part of an iron 32-pounder, which had -been cut in two a little in front of the trunnions.[444] - ------ - -Footnote 444: - - Ibid., p. 146. - ------ - -The only mishap this summer occurred to private Girvan. Just as he -appeared above the water the explosion of a charge took place, from -which he sustained a slight shock and a wrench in the back producing -a sensation of pain. Though eager to go down again his wish was -overruled, and he remained on board for the day. Sergeant Lindsay -fired the charge, and the accident was attributed to a nervous slip -of his hand when ready to apply the wires to the battery. - -On the 4th November the divers descended for the last time, as the -water had become so cold that their hands—the only part exposed—were -completely benumbed, so that they could no longer work to advantage; -and then, the operations ceasing from necessity, the detachment of -the corps rejoined their companies at Woolwich. - -Major-General Pasley in according his praises to the various -individuals and parties employed at Spithead, spoke highly of -sergeant George Lindsay in subordinate charge, and the whole -detachment; but more particularly of the intelligent and -enterprising men to whom the important task of preparing all the -charges fired by the voltaic battery was confided. The charges were -numerous and of various quantities, amounting in all to 19,193 lbs. -of powder, or nearly 214 barrels. The soldiers alluded to were -lance-corporal John Rae and private Alexander Cleghorn who were -promoted for their services. The still more arduous duty of diving -gave the General every satisfaction. Frequently the duty was -embarrassing and dangerous, and carried on under circumstances -calculated to test most severely their courage and resources; and so -indefatigable were their exertions, and so successful their -services, that the military divers gained the character of being -“second to none in the world.”[445] Most of the party this season -attempted to dive, but, from the oppression felt under water by -some, only two or three beyond the regular divers could persevere in -the duty. - ------ - -Footnote 445: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ iii., 1843, p. 141. - ------ - -Upon the report made by Major-General Pasley of the conduct of the -detachment engaged in the operations, Sir George Murray, the -Master-General, was pleased thus to remark: “It has given me no less -pleasure to be made acquainted with the very commendable conduct of -the non-commissioned officers and privates of the sappers and miners -who have been employed under Major-General Pasley, and have rendered -so much useful service in the important undertaking conducted under -his management.” - -From June to September about eight men under Lieutenant Gosset, -R.E., assisted in the undertaking for determining the longitude of -Valentia by the transmission of chronometers. Thirty chronometers -were conveyed in every transmission; and to privates Robert Penton -and John M‘Fadden was entrusted the service of bearing the -chronometers, and winding them up at stated times and places. On -receiving the chronometers from Liverpool the reciprocations took -place repeatedly between Kingston and Valentia Island; one private -being responsible for their safe transit a portion of the route, and -the other for the remaining distance to and from the station at -Feagh Main. Professor Sheepshanks and Lieutenant Gosset carried out -the scientific purposes of the service, while the sappers not -engaged with the chronometers attended to the duties of the camp and -observatory at Feagh Main, under the subordinate superintendence of -corporal B. Keen Spencer. The professor instructed this -non-commissioned officer in the mode of taking observations with the -transit instrument; and further, in testimony of his satisfaction, -gave generous gratuities to privates Penton and M‘Fadden. Professor -Airy, in speaking of the former, alludes to the perfect reliance he -placed on his care, “and in winding the chronometers,” adds, “he has -no doubt the service was most correctly performed.”[446] The duty -was one in which extreme caution and care were required, to prevent -accident or derangement to the instruments. - ------ - -Footnote 446: - - Airy’s ‘Longitude of Valentia,’ p. xi. - ------ - -Agitation for a repeal of the union, headed by O’Connell, was now -the great excitement of Ireland, and a rising of the masses to -enforce it was daily expected. With the reinforcement of troops sent -there to preserve order was the first company of sappers, which was -despatched by rapid conveyances, _viâ_ Liverpool to Dublin, where it -arrived on the 26th July. The company consisted of ninety men of all -ranks, and their duties embraced repairs to the barracks and the -planting of stockades in the rear of the castle, to prevent the -ingress, in case of revolt, of the rebels.[447] They also prepared -several thousands of sand-bags for breastworks. Detachments of one -sergeant and twenty rank and file were sent to Limerick and Athlone -in November, where they strengthened the barracks and loopholed the -outside walls for musketry. The store-rooms of the artillery -barracks were also loopholed. Effectually, however, was the -anticipated outbreak suppressed, and, under the authority of Sir -James Graham, the Home Secretary, the company was recalled to -England and arrived at Woolwich on the 22nd August, 1844. - ------ - -Footnote 447: - - Owing to a rumour that the castle at Dublin could be entered by a - subterranean passage or sewer from the Liffey, colour-sergeant - Lanyon was directed to explore it. He did so, and found that a - strong iron grating existed in the passage, which would - effectually prevent the supposed entrance. In this duty, being - much exposed to the influence of noxious vapours, he soon - afterwards was seized with fever and jaundice, which shortened his - days. - ------ - -The yellow fever broke out at Bermuda in August, and continued with -unabated virulence and fatality until the middle of September. In -that brief period, out of a strength of 165 men, it carried off no -less than thirty-three men of the eighth company and four men of the -fourth, besides Captain Robert Fenwick, R.E., in command of the -latter, and Lieutenant James Jenkin, the Adjutant.[448] The two -companies were distributed to St. George’s and Ireland Island; at -the former, where the fever chiefly raged, was the eighth company, -about ninety strong, and at the latter the fourth. Eighty-eight men -had been seized with the malady, of whom twenty-four were admitted -with relapses, and four had suffered three seizures, none of whom -died. Dr. Hunter, a civil physician, attended the cases in the -absence of a military medical officer. With the civil population his -practice was remarkably successful; for out of 101 natives who took -the fever only one died. He therefore concluded that the artillery, -who lost nine men, and the sappers thirty-seven, fell easy victims -to the epidemic from their intemperate habits. No comparison, -however, was justifiable between coloured people, upon whom the -fever had but little effect, and Europeans; but an analysis of the -cases, as far as the sappers were concerned, confirmed the doctor’s -views to the extent of sixteen men. The remainder, twenty-one, were -men of sobriety and general good conduct. - ------ - -Footnote 448: - - Mr. James Dawson, foreman of masons, formerly colour-sergeant in - the corps, also died during the fever. He was a clever tradesman - and overseer, and while in the sappers did good service at St. - Helena, Corfu, and Bermuda. He was succeeded as foreman by - sergeant John McKean, who was discharged in November, 1843, and - still fills the appointment with ability and faithfulness. - ------ - -Lance-corporal Frederick Hibling being the only non-commissioned -officer _not_ attacked, performed the whole duties of the eighth -company, and for his exertions and exemplary conduct was promoted to -the rank of second-corporal. Seven widows and twenty-two orphans -were left destitute by this calamity, among whom a subscription -(quickly made through the corps, assisted by many officers of royal -engineers, nearly amounting to 200_l._) was distributed, in -proportion to their necessities—one woman with six children -receiving as much as 33_l._ The lowest gift was 14_l._ to a widow -without children. A monument of chaste and beautiful design, -consisting of a fluted column surmounted by an exploded bomb, -resting on a neat and finely proportioned pedestal, was erected in -the military burial-ground at St. George’s, in mournful -commemoration of the victims. On three panels of the pedestal were -inscribed their names, and on the fourth was sculptured the royal -arms and supporters. The work was executed by the surviving -stonemasons of the company, and the royal arms were cut by private -Walter Aitchison. - -On the 26th August, in the evening, the ‘Missouri,’ United States' -steamer, Captain Newton, took fire in the bay of Gibraltar, and a -detachment of the corps at the Rock was sent out by Sir Robert -Wilson, the Governor, in charge of two engines under Captain A. -Gordon, R.E., to assist in extinguishing the flames; but all their -diligence and intrepidity were unavailing, for the vessel was soon -afterwards burnt to the water’s edge. During the service the men -were in much danger from falling masts and spars, and from the -explosion of a powder-magazine on board. The Governor, in orders, -thanked Captain Gordon and other officers of royal engineers, and -the non-commissioned officers and privates of royal sappers and -miners, for the creditable and useful zeal displayed by them on the -occasion; and added, “that the marines, military, and boatmen of -Gibraltar have the consoling reflection that nothing was left undone -to save the vessel, and that the gallant crew was preserved by their -united labour and devotedness.” To each sapper employed at the fire -was issued a pint of wine by his Excellency’s order. - -One sergeant and thirty-three rank and file under Lieutenant T. B. -Collinson, R.E., sailed for China in the ‘Mount Stuart Elphinstone,’ -and landed at Hong Kong the 7th October. A party of variable -strength had been stationed there, employed superintending the -Chinese artificers in carrying on the public works until July, 1854, -when the sappers were recalled to England. Some of their first -services embraced the construction of roads and sewers, the erection -of barracks for the troops and quarters for the officers, with -various military conveniences, such as stores, guard-houses, &c. A -residence was also built for the General in command, and a sea-wall -of granite to the cantonment on the north shore of the island. They -also directed the Chinese in cutting away a mountain to a plateau, -of about eight acres, for a parade-ground, much of which was -granite; and the several explosions rendered necessary to dislodge -the mass were fired solely by sergeant Joseph Blaik. A company of -Madras sappers also assisted in the superintendence of the coolies, -who sometimes exceeded a thousand in number. The working pay of the -royal sappers and miners was 1_s._ 6_d._ a-day each until the -removal of the East India Company’s establishment, when the -allowance was reduced to the ordinary payment of 1_s._ each. Before -the party was quartered in barracks it was housed for a time in a -bamboo hut and afterwards in a bungalow. The smiths and plumbers -were invariably employed at their trades, as the Chinese were very -incompetent in these branches of handicraft.[449] - ------ - -Footnote 449: - - In May, 1851, when the tour of service of the detachment had - expired, only six men were at the station to be relieved. The - remainder comprised one discharged in China, who soon afterwards - died, twelve invalided to England, and fifteen deaths. - ------ - -On the 9th October his Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Michael of -Russia inspected the troops at Woolwich, on the common. The royal -sappers and miners at the station were also drawn up with them, and -marched past. Next day the Grand Duke, accompanied by Lord -Bloomfield, visited the sappers' barracks, walked through the rooms, -examined the carbine of the corps, and then looked over, with every -mark of attention, the small museum of the non-commissioned officers -attached to the library. On leaving, he expressed his gratification -at what he saw, and of the efforts made by the soldiers to improve -themselves. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - Royal Sappers & Miners. Plate XV. - UNIFORM 1843. Printed by M & N Hanhart. - -] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -The percussion carbine and sword-bayonet, were generally adopted in -the corps this year, superseding the flint-lock musket and -bayonet.[450] The length of the musket with bayonet fixed was six -feet two inches, but the carbine with sword was constructed an inch -shorter. The carbine itself was nine inches and a-half shorter than -the musket, but to make up for this reduction, and to enable a -soldier to take his place in a charge, the sword-bayonet measured -ten inches longer than the rapier-bayonet.[451] - ------ - -Footnote 450: - - Arms of the percussion principle had been on trial in the corps - since July, 1840. - -Footnote 451: - - These figures would seem to make the carbine and sword 1½ inches - longer than the old musket, but the loss of the supposed - additional length was occasioned by the greater depth of the - socket required to give strength and stability to the weapon. The - comparative weight of the two arms gave a reduction in favour of - the carbine of 2 lbs. 3½ ozs. - ------ - -The shoulder-belt for the bayonet for all ranks was at this time -abolished, and a waist-belt two inches broad, with cap-bag and -sliding frog, substituted. This new accoutrement is the same as the -present one; and the breast-plate then, as now, bore the royal arms -without supporters, within a union wreath, based by the word -“_Ubique_,” and surmounted by a crown. The sword-bayonet was this -year worn vertically for the first time, instead of obliquely as -formerly. - -The pouch-belt was not altered, but the pouch, the same as at -present worn, reduced in dimensions, was made to contain thirty -instead of sixty rounds of ball ammunition. The brush and pricker -were now abolished. - -The sergeants' swords were also withdrawn, and their arms and -appointments made to correspond with the rank and file, the only -difference being the addition of ornaments on the pouch-belt, which, -with the waist-plate, were washed with gilt. The ornaments comprised -a grenade bearing on the swell of the bomb the royal arms and -supporters; detached from this, underneath, was a scroll inscribed -“_Royal Sappers and Miners_,” to which a ring was affixed sustaining -a chain united to a whistle, resembling an old round watch tower; -the whistle itself forming the battlemented crown, inscribed with -the motto “_Ubique_.”[452] These ornaments, the suggestion of -Major—now Colonel—Sandham, are still worn by the sergeants. - ------ - -Footnote 452: - - The idea for this ornament was taken from the martial custom among - the Romans of presenting a mural coronet of gold or silver to the - undaunted soldier who should first scale the walls of a city and - enter the place. Bailey in his Dictionary of 1727 says, “It was - given to the meanest soldier as well as the greatest commander.” - As the assault of fortresses in sieges is the chief business of - the sappers, the round tower with its mural crown on the - sergeant’s appointments, is an appropriate symbol for the corps. - ------ - -The buglers' short sword with three guards was replaced this year by -one after the pattern of the Ceylon rifles' band. The hilt formed an -ornamental Maltese cross with fleury terminations, and on the flat -between the horizontal limbs, above the blade, was an exploded -grenade. The blade was straight, two feet ten inches long, and the -mounting on the scabbard was chased and embellished. The weapon is -still worn by the buglers, and is altogether neat, pretty, and -convenient.—See Plate XVII., 1854. - - - - - 1844. - -Remeasurement of La Caille’s arc at the Cape—Reconnoitring - excursion of sergeant Hemming—Falkland Islands—Draft to - Bermuda—Inspection at Gibraltar by General Sir Robert - Wilson—Final operations against the ‘Royal George’—and the - ‘Edgar’—Discovery of the amidships—incident connected with - it—Combats with crustacea—Success of corporal Jones—Injury to a - diver—Private Skelton drowned—Conduct of the detachment employed - in the work—Submarine repairs to the ‘Tay’ steamer at Bermuda by - corporal Harris—Widening and deepening the ship channel at St. - George’s—Intrepidity of corporal Harris—Accidents from mining - experiments at Chatham—Notice of corporal John Wood—Inspection - at Hong-Kong by Major-General D’Aguilar. - - -The detachment set apart to measure the base line on Zwartland Plain -at the Cape commenced the second season in September, 1841. It -opened under a somewhat different arrangement with respect to the -issue of provisions. Captain Henderson managed it in 1840, Mr. -Maclear in 1841, and sergeant Hemming was appointed to act as his -quartermaster-sergeant. Captain Henderson left the work in December -and returned to England. - -As soon as the base was measured, the triangulation began, and was -carried on, with the exception of the winter interval, until -January, 1842. Then the work was completed to the north extremity of -La Caille’s arc in the vicinity of St. Helena Bay. A few months were -now spent in effecting the triangulation to the south as far as Cape -Point, and in December, 1842, the work was resumed to the -northward.[453] - ------ - -Footnote 453: - - ‘Professional Papers,’ N. S., i., p. 32. - ------ - -In January, 1843, the triangulation commenced at a headland north of -St. Helena Bay, latitude about 32° S., and continued nearly parallel -to the coast line, and about thirty miles from it until it reached -Kamiesberg a little south of Lat. 30°. Here the arc was expected to -terminate. The difficulties encountered this season were of a -formidable kind, and the care required in the transport of Bradley’s -zenith sector and a large theodolite, occasioned much tedious -anxiety for their preservation. The party, too, was formed of -different materials; the infantry soldiers had quitted, and the -shipwrecked crew of the ‘Abercrombie Robinson’ had been engaged in -their stead. Most of these sailors were rough, ill-behaved fellows, -and, therefore, the chief responsibility of the preparations and the -conveyances devolved upon the sappers. In addition to this, the -country passed over north of the Oliphant river was a straggling -desert, and the points used were at high altitudes—one of which -exceeded 7,000 feet.[454] - ------ - -Footnote 454: - - ‘Professional Papers,’ N. S., i., p. 32. - ------ - -In its progress northward, the party crossed the Oliphant or -Elephant river on the 15th June, 1843, and the day being Sunday, -encamped on its north bank to spend the sabbath. Six days after the -expedition arrived at the foot of the Kamiesberg, where fell heavy -rain for three days and two nights; and when the march was -recommenced, the ground was so saturated, that the whole train had -to be dug out of the mud repeatedly every day. In three days only -eighteen miles were accomplished and that with great exertion. The -oxen were now so knocked up that the farmers refused to go any -further, and a fresh supply was procured at a missionary -establishment twelve miles distant. When nearing that institution, -the provisions were very low, and the difficulties of the expedition -in this respect were greatly augmented by a heavy fall of snow. For -the whole day the party were without food, nor could they make a -fire to warm themselves.[455] They laboured, however, with excellent -spirit, and succeeded that night in bringing three of the waggons to -the missionary station; but the other two, sticking fast in the deep -ruts, were not brought up till the next day. The men were badly -shod, and suffered greatly. About a week after, the instruments were -fixed and the observations commenced, which continued until October -1843, when the party returned to Cape Town,[456] and afterwards -marched up the country to join their company. - ------ - -Footnote 455: - - About twelve miles from the sea ice was found three-eighths of an - inch thick. - -Footnote 456: - - ‘Professional Papers,’ i., N. S., p. 32. - ------ - -The objects used for reflecting or observing were heliostats about 7 -inches in diameter, and were chiefly attended to by the sappers, who -were sometimes detached on this duty for several months at a time -with a couple of natives under them to assist. On account of the -heat, the observations were discontinued at 11 A.M., and not renewed -until 3 P.M. Notwithstanding this intermission, the signal duties -were oppressive. All supplies were got from a distance, which fully -occupied the two natives in procuring them. The sappers were also -intrusted with large sums of public money to pay all demands as the -work progressed. On the Kamiesberg mountain they helped in the -observatory in working the great sector to determine the position of -some stars. Two stone-cutters of the number were detached from the -Kamiesberg to Zwartland and Groenekloof to cut and build a pillar of -stone at each end of the line, to mark the termini of the -newly-measured base; and all, as the general service of the -expedition permitted, erected at every fixed point a strong pile -twenty feet high, secured to a base of twenty feet, to indicate the -sites of the several trigonometrical stations. - -Sergeant Hemming, before the close of the duty, was sent by the -colonial astronomer on a reconnoitring excursion to discover a track -from the neighbourhood of St. Helena Bay along the mountain range to -the eastward, to Cape L’Agulhas on the coast. He was out fourteen -days exploring the country, but from its inaccessible nature -returned not only disappointed and exhausted, but unsuccessful.[457] -In March, 1844, his connection with the astronomical department -ceased.[458] - ------ - -Footnote 457: - - Ibid., p. 33. - -Footnote 458: - - These particulars are chiefly collected from a paper by sergeant - Hemming in the ‘Royal Engineer Professional Papers,’ i., pp. - 31-39. This non-commissioned officer was pensioned at 1_s._ 8_d._ - a-day, in May, 1845. Of his survey services Colonel Portlock gives - an interesting outline in his prefatory remarks to the sergeant’s - paper. His duties appear to have been confined chiefly to the - mountains of Ireland, where in winter he was exposed to fearful - inclemency and subjected to much hardship. “On one occasion,” says - the Colonel, “I had to place a young gentleman, who had graduated - at Cambridge, under the sergeant for instruction, to whose zeal, - intelligence, and respectability the pupil warmly bore testimony. - Before receiving his discharge, he was appointed clerk and - storekeeper to the road department in Cape Town, and some idea of - the responsibility of his office may be inferred from the fact - that he expended in four years, 1844-48, upwards of 36,000_l._!” - ------ - -The detachment at the Falkland Islands continued throughout the year -to labour in the establishment of the new settlement at Port -William, which was situated on the south side of Jackson’s Harbour, -and sloped from the shore to a ridge of rocks about a quarter of a -mile inland. Notwithstanding the stormy character of the seasons, -the detachment constructed three good jetties, made roads and -pathways, and formed several ditches to drain the land and mark the -different boundaries. They also erected and finished with interior -fitments, the Governor’s house, and besides building a temporary -barracks for the party with workshops and other convenient premises -attached, small commodious cottages were run up for persons in -official employment. Of the services and intelligence of sergeant -Hearnden the Governor wrote in terms of unqualified praise. Both as -a soldier and private individual, the influence of his example was -felt in the colony, and he is stated to have been in an eminent -degree faithful and successful in the discharge of his duty. Most of -the men were also well spoken of for their excellent behaviour and -zeal; and amid the innumerable inconveniences of their situation and -services, they maintained their military character and discipline -unimpaired. This was the more commendable as the temptation to -drunkenness—the prevailing vice in the colony—was, from the absence -of the common recreations so usual in England, and the inclemency of -the weather, almost irresistible. - -On the 16th February, forty-four rank and file embarked for Bermuda -under the command of Lieutenant C. R. Binney, R.E., to fill up the -vacancies occasioned by the epidemic in the previous year, and -landed from the ‘Prince George’ transport on the 8th April. Corporal -David Harris, the chief military diver, under Major-General Pasley -at Spithead, was in subordinate charge of the party. - -Sir Robert Wilson, the Governor of Gibraltar, inspected the -companies of the corps at the fortress in common with the other -troops under his command, in May and October, and on each occasion -made flattering allusion to their conduct and discipline. On the -13th May, after some general remarks of commendation, Sir Robert -Wilson adds—“All the corps and battalions merited unqualified -approbation, and the Governor bestows it with pride and pleasure. -The royal sappers and miners, however, whose laborious daily duties -occupy their whole time, except the afternoons of alternate -Saturdays, deserve, without any invidious preference, particular -commendation for preserving a soldier-like mien, and exercising as -if they had been in the habit of daily practice.” And again, on the -13th October, he wrote:—“The practice of the royal artillery -yesterday was highly satisfactory and impressive, and the royal -sappers and miners, including the detachment which arrived only the -night before, presented under arms an appearance and proficiency -which corresponded with the character established by the capacity -and assiduous labours that have distinguished this corps during its -employment on the works of the fortifications since the Governor has -had the honour to command.” - -Early in May, Major-General Pasley resumed, for the sixth and last -time, his operations at Spithead. Lieutenant H. W. Barlow, R.E., was -the executive officer under whose charge were placed sergeant George -Lindsay and thirteen rank and file of the corps, with an equal -number of the East India Company’s sappers, and a strong force of -seamen, riggers, &c. The removal of the ‘Royal George,’ -notwithstanding that there still remained nineteen guns of that -wreck at the bottom, was reported to be perfectly accomplished, and -the roadstead quite safe for the anchorage of shipping. The -Major-General, therefore, turned his attention to the recovery of -the guns of the ‘Edgar’ man-of-war, which was blown up at Spithead -in 1711. She had been armed with 70 guns, technically termed -demi-cannons, sakers, and falconets. The first were 32 and -12-pounders; and the others respectively 9 and 6-pounders. The great -mass of timber, embedded in mud, composing the centre of the hull of -the wreck, was discovered by corporal Richard P. Jones on the 23rd -May. The sweeps from the boat having been caught by an obstruction -below, Jones descended by them till he found himself astride a -32-pounder iron gun, which was peeping through a port-hole on the -lower deck. It happened at the time to be unusually clear at the -bottom, and to his amazement there stood upright before him the -midship portion of the vessel, with an altitude above the general -level of the ground, of thirteen feet and a half. From the open -ports, in two tiers, yawned the mouths of about twelve pieces of -ordnance, grim and deformed with the incrustations of 133 years. -This part of the ‘Edgar’ was not much shaken by the explosions, but -when the fore and after magazines took fire, the head and stern of -the vessel were blown away from the body and scattered to distances -exceeding three hundred fathoms. So violent indeed had been one of -the explosions, that the best bower anchor was not only broken in -fragments, but its flukes and shank were separated from each other, -nearly half-a-mile. The midships, sharing but little in the -convulsion, went down like a colossal millstone, scarcely heeling on -her bottom; and the armament of the decks remained as if ready for -battle, without a carriage unjerked from its platform, or a gun from -its carriage. All the woodwork, however, was so completely decayed -by the ravages of worms, and the insidious action of the sea, that -when the guns were slung, they were hauled through the decks, as if -no obstruction interposed.[459] - ------ - -Footnote 459: - - A few minutes elapsed before Jones quitted the hobby-horse he was - exultingly riding. Meanwhile curious to explore the gun, he thrust - his hand up the bore, where a member of the crustacean family, - already in quiet possession of the apartment, and not over-pleased - with the unceremonious intrusion, fiercely disputed the passage. - Jones, unwilling to yield, did his best to capture the exasperated - crab, but its inveterate shears had so nipped and lacerated his - hand, he was forced, at last, to beat a retreat. Ever after, the - cruel wounds inflicted upon him by this peevish red-coat, had the - effect of fixing in Jones’s memory, the date of his discovery of - the ‘Edgar.’ - - It may strike the reader as remarkable that for the six summers of - the operations at Spithead the divers were seldom attacked by any - of the finny tribe; nor was it their privilege ever to meet in - their subaqueous labours with any fishes larger than those - ordinarily supplied for traffic in the markets. A lobster, a crab, - or a conger-eel would now and then exhibit a wish to break lances - with the intruders, but beyond these few instances of piscatorial - interference, the under-water men had little reason to complain of - the ungenerous treatment of the inhabitants of the deep. - - More than once Jones was threatened or assaulted by crustacea. As - on one occasion he was traversing for guns, a lobster, measuring - not less than sixteen inches in length, approached him with so - quick a motion, it seemed as if a bird were hovering round him. - Thus attracted, he stood still to learn a fact or two in the - history of its habits. The lobster stared inquisitively at Jones, - as if to discover what the strange phenomenon could be. Apparently - dissatisfied with the extent of the information it had acquired, - it darted off like an arrow, using its fanlike tail as a rudder to - shape its course. Its movements were sharp and rapid—its track in - circles, each less than the other, till poising for a while within - a few feet of the diver, it settled warily on the ground to resume - observations. Startled by an action of the phenomenon, the lobster - sailed off again in concentric circles, swishing the fan furiously - to augment its speed; then, reaching the ground it spread out its - feelers and claws and was soon engrossed in a brown study. - Accepting the series of evolutions as a challenge, Jones prepared - for the combat. Gently lifting his pricker, so as not to excite - the instinctive suspicions of the lobster, he suddenly plunged it - forward and pinned his antagonist to the earth. Instantly grasping - it with his powerful hand behind the claws, Jones hurried on deck, - and its body, weighing as much as a young goose, furnished a - luxurious banquet for the captor and his friends. - - Another lobster, less inquisitive but more combatative, advanced - upon Jones with true military boldness. Having performed the magic - circles, it was evident that the fish in armour had taken the - measure of its opponent. Pushing out its claws in front like a - couple of blunt spears, the lobster furiously battered against - Jones’s legs, which, being cased in flannel, Mackintosh cloth, and - impenetrable canvas, were proof against scars and punctures. Thick - and fast came the blows, as from a ram or catapult; and it - occurring to Jones that there was a chance of damage to his shins - if the contest were prolonged, he turned upon his intrepid enemy, - and with one kick from his leaden toe, broke up its morion and - cuirass and gained the victory. - - At another time, when Jones was busy making fast to a gun, a - conger eel curled up in its muzzle forced out its slimy head to - reconnoitre. Not relishing its savage attitude, Jones considered - it best to make short work of the interview, and striking it on - the cranium, the eel recoiled within its lurking place. A tompion - being handy, Jones took it up and plugged up the bore. The gun in - due time was hauled on deck, and on removing the tompion, the eel - floundered out, and though small for a conger—about four feet - long—it fought desperately, and was with great difficulty captured - and decapitated. - ------ - -Before the close of the season, the whole of this mass was got up, -by the continual removal of pieces loosened by frequent small -explosions. Almost the whole of the keel was likewise sent up, with -innumerable fragments of timber, spars, &c., and many guns, eight of -which had been recovered in one week. The first was found by -corporal Jones. A great number of sinkers or large stones, by which -the wreck buoys were moored, and a number of small anchors were also -recovered. In the early part of August the operations were much -retarded by some very violent gales, preventing the divers working -from time to time; but as soon as the weather moderated, corporal -Jones, with his usual zeal, taking down with him a large crate, sent -up at one haul, besides a load of staves of casks, &c., ninety-one -shot of various sizes. The guns of the ‘Edgar’ were much scattered -at the bottom by the explosion of her magazines, and the unexpected -distances to which they were thrown, rendered a more extended sphere -of action necessary. This was effected by a simple arrangement of -ropes as guides, upon which worked a transverse line just over the -bed of the roadstead, that caught in its track any object rearing -itself above the general level. In this way the entire area of the -bottom, supposed to conceal any of the fugitive cannons, was -traversed, Jones and Sticklen being the operators; and was attended -with so much success, that nearly the whole of the guns and wreck -were sent up and deposited in the dockyard before the 31st October, -when the season closed. The party rejoined the corps at Woolwich on -the 2nd November.[460] - ------ - -Footnote 460: - - The ‘Times,’ August 19, 1844. - ------ - -In addition to Jones, the divers were John Girvan, Donald McFarlane, -Philip Trevail, and William Frame, besides four of the East India -Company and five others occasionally.[461] - ------ - -Footnote 461: - - These were sergeants Reid and Clarke, and privates Sticklen, - Herbert, McDonald, Vallely, Canard, Robertson, Gillies, Mais, and - Whelan. Clarke sent up two guns, Sticklen six, Herbert five and a - half, and McDonald two. Sticklen, the most successful diver of the - batch, met with an accident. In pulling him up from the bottom, he - was drawn against some hard substance, which broke one of the side - eyes of his helmet. His dress instantly filled, and the water - rushed into his mouth. So quickly however was his removal to the - deck accomplished, that his struggles for relief were short, and - the injury he received was scarcely more than a temporary - inconvenience. - ------ - -During the season corporal Jones got up nineteen guns, besides an -immense pile of other articles in endless variety; and when the -rough and generally unfavourable state of the weather which -prevailed is taken into account, his activity and industry appear -strikingly prominent. “Whatever success,” writes General Pasley, -“has attended our operations, is chiefly to be attributed to the -exertions of corporal Jones, of whom as a diver I cannot speak too -highly.”[462] - ------ - -Footnote 462: - - With the reputation of being the best diver in Europe, he sailed - for China in February, 1845. In April, 1847, he was present in the - expedition to Canton, and took part in the capture of the Bogue - and other forts. Soon after he was reduced from sergeant, but his - energy of character and perseverance brought him again into - favour, and he is now a sergeant in the corps. He was present - during the summer of 1854 at the capture of the Aland Islands, - including the demolition of the forts of Bomarsund. After his - return from the Baltic he was placed at the disposal of Mr. - Goldsworthy Gurney of the House of Commons, to learn the - properties and management of a brilliant light that gentleman had - discovered, and which he proposed to use in the trenches before - Sebastopol to exhibit the enemy, at night, in their works. The - experiments were carried out under the auspices of Lord Panmure; - and the sergeant evinced so complete an acquaintance with its - principles, that the inventor determined to intrust him with its - use in the field. Submitted, however, for trial with rival lights - to a committee at Woolwich, it was soon seen that its results did - not equal its pretensions, inasmuch as the light at a distance was - far less intense than in the vicinity of the operator. In this way - sergeant Jones was relieved from a nightly exhibition, which would - have made him a certain mark for the enemy to shoot at. On the - occasion of the trial he also used the Drummond light, a twin - invention with that of Mr. Gurney. The third light was an electric - flame; all of which were condemned for the sole and sufficient - reason that our own workmen would have been more exposed by the - illumination than those of the garrison. Sergeant Jones served - subsequently in the Crimea. - ------ - -Corporal Girvan was also very successful as a diver while health -permitted, but he was prevented from rendering any particular -assistance after the 27th July, from an accident occasioned by the -air-pipe of his apparatus blowing off the pump on deck. He was aware -that something had gone wrong, and making the signal, was drawn up -sensible, but much injured about the throat and head, and blood was -flowing copiously from his mouth and ears. The air rushed violently -out of his helmet, as if no safety valve had been attached to it. -This arose from the valve not having been taken to pieces since the -commencement of the season, and, moreover, being clogged with -verdigris, could not be properly shut, and hence the air was enabled -to escape.[463] - ------ - -Footnote 463: - - The ‘Times,’ August 19, 1844. - ------ - -Private John Skelton, so frequently praised for his ingenuity as a -workman and for his daring as a diver, was during the operations -drowned by accident off Southsea Castle. - -The conduct and exertions of the whole detachment were flatteringly -spoken of by Major-General Pasley, particularly sergeant -Lindsay,[464] who, next to the officer in command, had the chief -superintendence. Corporal John Rae[465] and private Alexander -Cleghorn were also named for their intelligence and services in the -management of the voltaic batteries and firing of the charges, and -their duties, next to the divers, were the most important. The -divers occasionally went down as many as twenty times in a tide, and -the remuneration of each was from 1_s._ 3_d._ to 2_s._ a tide, -besides the usual working pay of 1_s._ a-day. This enabled each -first-class diver to realize between 5_s._ and 6_s._ a-day, -exclusive of his regimental allowances. - ------ - -Footnote 464: - - Discharged with a pension of 1_s._ 10_d._ a-day, in April, 1848, - and obtained from the Surveyor-General of Prisons the appointment - of foreman over the contractors, on the part of the Government, at - 5_s._ a-day. Subsequently he was removed by promotion to be - foreman of works in the convict establishment at Woolwich, which - embrace the supervision of the convicts working both in the - arsenal and dock-yard. His salary, with rent and rations, exceeded - 130_l._ a-year. He now fills a similar situation at Chatham, with - a more lucrative recompense. - -Footnote 465: - - Subsequently became a sergeant, and was employed on special duty - at Round Down Cliff, Dover, and in the drainage works at Windsor. - After passing five terms at Sandhurst, he was rewarded for his - intelligence and good service, with a case of drawing instruments; - and in September, 1848, was promoted to the rank of staff-sergeant - at the College. Several interesting models, made by himself, of - military importance, he presented to that institution. - ------ - -The royal mail steamer ‘Tay,’ on her passage to Bermuda, sustained -some damage to her bottom by running a-shore on the Cuban coast. On -her arrival at Bermuda on the 16th August, corporal Harris was -employed to examine her. Supplied with a diving-helmet and suit from -the dockyard, he went down and found part of her cutwater and keel -and about twelve feet of planking on her starboard side carried -away. Forty-one times he dived in repairing the injury, and in three -days so effectually finished his work that the vessel was enabled to -return safely to England with the mails. - -By an order from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, then Lord -Stanley, this non-commissioned officer was attached, late in the -year, to the department of the Naval Inspector of Works at Bermuda, -for the purpose of removing, by submarine mining, coral reefs from -the entrances of harbours, so as to make them accessible to ordinary -vessels. Lieutenant-Colonel Reid, R.E., the Governor of the Island, -carried on a correspondence which extended over a period of eighteen -months, to obtain the services of this diver.[466] The first work -undertaken by him was widening and deepening the ship channel -leading into the harbour of St. George. For three or four years he -confined his exertions to this point, and so well planned and -skilfully executed were his operations that all natural impediments -militating against the safety of the channel, were at length -completely removed by the explosions of innumerable charges of -gunpowder, fired through the agency of voltaic electricity. Under -Colonel Barry, the commanding royal engineer who had the -superintendence of the service for most of the period, the work was -successfully prosecuted. The spaciousness of the channel for the -passage of steam-vessels of large tonnage and great draught of -water, was practically tested on the 26th February, 1848, by Her -Majesty’s steamer ‘Growler,’ of 1,200 tons, Captain Hall. The vessel -steamed into the harbour against wind and tide, drawing fifteen and -one-third feet of water, and effected the passage with ease and -steadiness, having beneath her keel when passing “the bar,” the -worst part of the channel, at least five feet of water.[467] These -signally successful operations saved the Government several -thousands of pounds; and in the event of Hamilton losing its -commercial importance, the harbour of St. George will, no doubt, be -selected as the chief water for the passage of the mails and the -trade and marine of the Islands. - ------ - -Footnote 466: - - ‘Second Report, Army and Ordnance Expenditure,’ 1849, p. 617. - -Footnote 467: - - The ‘Bermudian,’ March, 1848. - ------ - -At Chatham, late in the year, some mining operations were carried on -under Colonel Sir Frederick Smith, the director of the royal -engineer establishment. The works were pushed under the glacis in -front of the left face of the ravelin, and the right face of the -Duke of Cumberland’s Bastion. All the corps at the station, with the -East India Company’s sappers, were present, working night and day in -three reliefs of six hours each, and the numerous explosions that -took place, and the attempts made to render abortive the schemes of -opposing parties, invested the operations with the character in many -essential respects of subterranean warfare. The exciting -experiments, however, were not concluded without casualty, for on -one occasion from inhaling foul air, a sapper of the East India -Company named James Sullivan was killed, and three of the royal -sappers were drawn out in a state of dangerous insensibility. These -were privates John Murphy, John A. Harris, and Edward Bailey. -Lieutenant Moggeridge, R.E., who had charge of the party, also -fainted, but he was saved from serious injury by colour-sergeant -George Shepherd rushing into the gallery and bringing him out. At -the time of the accident, the miners were about one hundred and -fifty feet from the mouth of the shaft; and several who went in to -rescue their comrades suffered more or less from the air. Singular, -however, as it may appear, lights were burning near the ground the -whole time, and instantly after the last man was carried out of the -gallery, it was traversed in its whole length by lance-corporal John -Wood,[468] who carried a light in his hand and experienced no great -difficulty in breathing.[469] - ------ - -Footnote 468: - - Joined the corps from the military asylum at Chelsea. By his - attainments and merits he was in time promoted to the rank of - corporal. His career, however, was marked by occasional - intemperance, which at length settled into confirmed drunkenness - and mental eccentricity. Unable to control his propensity to - intoxication, he became a useless soldier, and after twenty years' - service was discharged without a pension. He is now a vagrant and - a beggar. - -Footnote 469: - - ‘Professional Papers,’ viii., pp. 156-180, in which will be found - an interesting detail of the operations. - ------ - -The Hong Kong party under Major Aldrich, R.E., was inspected in the -autumn by Major-General D’Aguilar, C.B., in command of the troops in -China; and his Excellency in his official report “regretted that a -detachment of so much importance, and so well constituted, should -have been reduced by six deaths and three invalided during the half -year, and that the men present should, in their appearance, show the -effects of climate.” In December following the detachment was -ordered to be increased to a half company, and the reinforcement of -fifteen rank and file, sailing from the West India Docks in the -‘William Shand’ freight-ship, in February, 1845, landed at Victoria -on the 28th June following. In May, 1851, the party returned to -England, but its strength was reduced by casualties to six men only. -Of the remainder, four were invalided, three died, one was drowned -on passage from Victoria to Macao, and one was killed by falling -over a precipice. - - - - - 1845. - -Sheerness—Increase to the corps at the Cape—Survey of Windsor—Skill - of privates Holland and Hogan as draughtsmen—Etchings by the - latter for the Queen and Prince Albert—Unique idea of the use of a - bullet—Inspection at Gibraltar by Sir Robert Wilson—Falkland - Islands—Discharges on the survey duty during the railway mania. - - -On the 15th May twelve rank and file were detached to Sheerness, -and, with little variation in its strength, continued to work there -till April, 1849. The men were employed at their trades, and -assisted in carrying out some boring experiments to ascertain the -nature of the strata. Corporal Charles Hawkins, who discharged the -duty of foreman of works, was highly spoken of for his activity and -ability, and the men were praised for their good conduct and -exertions. - -A company was added to the strength of the corps at the Cape of Good -Hope by the arrival from Woolwich of the ninth company under the -command of Captain R. Howorth, R.E., on the 20th August. On landing -at Algoa Bay, the reinforcement was removed to the different -military posts on the frontier.[470] The two companies in the colony -now reached a total of 174 of all ranks. This addition to the -command did not occasion an augmentation to the corps, but reduced -one company of the disposable force at home. - ------ - -Footnote 470: - - The voyage was full of incident. On the freight-ship, ‘Gilbert - Henderson,’ sailing from Woolwich, the crew mutinied and left her - at the Nore. A fresh crew, chiefly foreigners, unable to speak - English, was engaged, and soon after putting to sea, the ship took - fire, but the exertions of the company soon extinguished it. Near - Dungeness she ran on a sand-bank, but by working all night, she - was got off. When about a fortnight’s sail from Port Elizabeth, - she was overtaken by a heavy squall, which carried away the - greater part of her gear, and her fore and main masts. To complete - the chapter of accidents, the disembarkation took place in a heavy - surf, and as boats refused to venture out, the men, women, and - children were borne to land on the backs of nude blacks. - ------ - -The survey of Windsor, including the Home Park, Castle, Frogmore, -and the Royal Gardens, undertaken by Her Majesty’s command in 1843 -by a party of about twenty non-commissioned officers and men of the -survey companies, was completed in the summer of this year. Captain -Tucker, R.E., had the direction of the work, and colour-sergeant -Joseph Smith the executive charge. The drawings were accurately and -very beautifully executed on a scale of five feet to a mile, which -admitted of the fretwork of the ceilings being penned in for each -apartment of the castle. So exquisitely was the work performed, that -the drawings by privates Charles Holland[471] and Patrick S. -Hogan[472] were constantly mistaken for engravings; and Prince -Albert, to mark his approbation of their merits, presented each with -a useful and elegant case of mathematical drawing instruments. The -plans were made to show the contour levels at every four vertical -feet above and two vertical feet below the flood-line of 1841. -Several sectional plans were also executed by the party to assist -Sir Henry de la Beche in the drainage of the town and castle, which, -at the time, was considered very defective. The plan for the office -of Woods and Forests, designed with a view to the improvement of the -sewerage, was drawn on a sheet eleven feet square; and a reduced -plan was also drawn for the library of the Prince Consort. His Royal -Highness and other distinguished personages frequently visited the -office to view the progress of the work, and never quitted without -graciously commending the party for their zeal and proficiency. - ------ - -Footnote 471: - - Became second-corporal, and after being pensioned in April, 1847, - returned as a draughtsman to the ordnance map office at - Southampton. He is, perhaps, the best man of his class in the - department, and his drawings are always executed with fidelity and - beauty. Frequently their neatness, and richness of colouring and - ornament, give them an effect truly artistic and pictorial. - -Footnote 472: - - Made an etching of the ‘Adelaide Oak,’ in the Home Park, which, - submitted by Sir Henry de la Beche to Lord Liverpool, obtained for - him a complimentary introduction to Prince Albert. His Royal - Highness accepted the etching, and expressed himself much pleased - with the beauty and minuteness of the execution.—‘Morning Post,’ - Saturday, August 19, 1843. The tree had a pretty seat hut nearly - half round the bottom of its trunk, and in another part of it was - a remarkable hollow occasioned by time. Her Majesty the Queen - Dowager had been known frequently to sit reading under its ample - shade, and on that account it was considered to be her favourite - oak. Hogan afterwards presented, through Colonel Wylde, an etching - of the ‘Victoria Oak,’ in the Green Park, to the Prince; and His - Royal Highness, in thanking the giver, expressed the admiration he - felt for his talents as an artist, and rewarded him with the sum - of 5_l_. These handsome pair of etchings are now the property of - Her Majesty. Hogan never received promotion in the corps, as he - was unqualified for command; and being discharged, on the usual - pension in January, 1845, soon afterwards emigrated to South - Australia. - - An anecdote, which is unique in its way, may be added of this good - easy man. At Trinity College, Dublin, he had gained prizes as an - artist, but when he enlisted, was as ignorant of the use of - fire-arms as a child. Having fired blank cartridge in the usual - routine of drill, he was considered to be ripe enough to enter - upon the more advanced stage of firing ball. Accordingly, with - others of his company, he was ordered to attend this instructional - duty. When directed to prime and load, he was observed to separate - the bullet from the cartridge and throw it away. Sergeant Hilton, - who had charge of the party, picked up the discarded bullet; and - on asking Hogan his reason for biting it off, he replied, “Sure, - sir, I didn’t know that the knob was of any use!” - -Sir Robert Wilson inspected the companies at Gibraltar in October, -and when he concluded, was pleased to convey the expression of his -satisfaction in these words, “that on parade, they showed they had -duly attended to their military acquirements whilst employed at -work, which,” he added, “will be a lasting monument to their -merits.” - -The Falkland Islands' detachment was still toiling in the formation -of the colony, subjected to all the inconveniences and vicissitudes -of a bad and depressing climate. Their duties embraced every variety -of hard and laborious service, such as making excavations, drains, -roads, jetties, building houses, huts, &c. Carrying heavy burdens of -stores, and loading and unloading boats, were among their roughest -tasks, accompanied as they were with the necessity of wading in the -water on sharp stony beaches, which destroyed in a week or two the -strongest boots. The wear and tear of clothes was almost ruinous; -and to make up for the expenses incurred in replacing them, and in -purchasing provisions which were dear, working pay, exclusive of -regimental allowances, was granted to the men from 1_s._ 6_d._ to -4_s._ 6_d._ a-day. The sergeant received the highest rate, the -privates the lowest. In winter they lived mostly in tents, with snow -around and a humid soil beneath; and being constantly at work out of -doors, they frequently returned at night, wet through, to a small -cheerless fire, never lending heat enough to dry their dripping -clothes. At times they were on short allowance; and when flour was -selling at 6_l._ 10_s._ per barrel of 192 lbs., the men were glad of -the chance of buying a small handkerchief-full of damaged biscuit -for 4_s._ 4_d._ To the recklessness of a wretched and lawless -community, composed of men of the lowest class, was opposed the five -or six gentlemen in official appointments and the sappers. The -latter, however, from constantly working with them, were incessantly -exposed to every kind of evil influence; and without amusement or -subjects of interest to occupy their attention in the intervals of -labour, four of the party gradually yielded to the prevailing -corruption and were removed from the settlement. The residue were -highly commended for their “esprit de corps,” and sergeant Hearnden -in particular, for his admirable conduct, was specially noticed in -the Governor’s despatches to the Secretary of State for the -Colonies. The sergeant’s trials were very great, his exertions -unflagging, and his unrestricted devotion of every hour to the -public weal was frequently warmly acknowledged by the Governor. - -A mania for railways set in this year which caused an excessive -demand for surveyors to trace and survey the lines. This occasioned -the withdrawal of more than 200 civil assistants and about 60 -labourers, besides 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, 6 second-corporals, and -19 privates, who were discharged from the survey companies at their -own request. Many of those who quitted, possessed superior abilities -as surveyors and draughtsmen. The offers made were too tempting to -be resisted; and some of the men secured employment, which enabled -them to realize an income of more than six guineas a-week. To make -up for the loss in the survey force, Colonel Colby proposed the -augmentation of another company for the duty; but the measure was -not acceded to till April, 1848. - - - - - 1846. - -Boundary surveys in North America—Duties of the party engaged in - it—Mode of ascertaining longitudes—Trials of the party; Owen - Lonergan—The sixty-four mile line—Official recognition of its - services—Sergeant James Mulligan—Kaffir war—Corporal B. - Castledine—Parties employed at the guns—Graham’s Town—Fort - Brown—Patrols—Bridge over the Fish River—Field services with the - second division—Dodo’s kraal—Waterloo Bay—Field services with - the first division—Patrol under Lieutenant Bourchier—Mutiny of - the Swellandam native infantry—Conduct of corps in the - campaign—Alterations in the dress—Drainage of Windsor—Detachment - to Hudson’s Bay—Its organization—Journey to Fort Garry—Sergeant - Philip Clark—Private R. Penton—Corporal T. Macpherson—Lower Fort - Garry—Particular services—Return to England. - - -The survey of the boundary between the British possessions in North -America and the United States, as settled by the treaty of -Washington, was completed this year. Six non-commissioned officers -selected for the duty embarked at Liverpool in April, 1843, and -landing at Boston, thence re-embarked on board a coasting steamer, -and sailed to St. John’s, New Brunswick. By boat they then passed on -to Fredericton, and on the 1st June commenced operations at the -Grand Falls. All were dressed in plain clothes. Corporals James -Mulligan, Daniel Rock, and Alfred Garnham had been for three months -at the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, and were instructed in the -mode of making and computing such astronomical observations, as were -considered best suited to the service to be performed.[473] Very -soon the detachment “drew forth the praise and admiration of the -American party. The Americans,” adds the despatch, “had no persons -to stand in the place of them.” So useful were they found in the -service, that, in the second season, when the work of the commission -had to be extended, the detachment was increased to twenty men of -all ranks.[474] - ------ - -Footnote 473: - - ‘Military Annual,’ 1844. ‘Corps Papers,’ i., p. 107. - -Footnote 474: - - ‘Corps Papers,’ i., p. 107. - ------ - -Captains Broughton, Robinson, and Pipon, R.E., commanded the party -under Lieutenant-Colonel Estcourt, the chief commissioner; and at -the close of the second season, the survey had so far progressed, -that nine men were removed from the duty, and arrived at Woolwich in -January, 1845. The services of three other men were dispensed with -at the close of 1845, and reaching head-quarters in December, they -were followed, on the 9th July, 1846, by four more. Three were -discharged in Canada, and the twentieth man, corporal Garnham, -arrived in England 10th September, 1846. - -A few details of this international service would seem to be -required to explain the nature of the duties intrusted to the men. -Having once entered the woods, the survey was continued without -interruption, until the termination of the out-door operations of -1845. Occasionally the men worked in concert with the officers of -the United States' topographical engineers. Two non-commissioned -officers were constantly employed under Captains Robinson and Pipon, -in taking and calculating observations for latitudes and longitudes, -and for absolute longitudes by lunar transits and culminating stars, -to discover the azimuthal bearings of the line, as pointed out by -the treaty of Washington. They also ascertained the comparative -heights of astronomical stations, &c., at various points of the line -from barometrical observations. One non-commissioned officer for -many months was attached to the American party to see that they -effected their survey according to the treaty; one carried the -chronometers between the astronomical camps; and the remainder were -employed singly in charge of large parties of labourers and axemen, -carrying on the general business of marking out the boundary, and of -surveying and levelling it. Embraced in the operations also was the -survey of the waters, roads, and other prominent objects in the -vicinity of the line, essential to the discovery of the boundary, at -any time, by reference to the natural features of the country; and -when the survey closed in 1845, seven of the party were, for more -than eight months, stationed with the commission at Washington, -engaged in the duty of computing and registering astronomical -observations, also in laying down and plotting the work and -finishing the plans of the line. - -The process of surveying and levelling is too well known to need -notice, but it may be desirable to afford an idea of one -description of work, to show in what respect assistance was given -to obtain the longitude of a particular place. Between the -northwest branch-station and Quebec, it was required to ascertain -the difference of longitude; but as the usual method of finding it -by the interchange of chronometers could not be resorted to, a -hill some twenty miles away from the branch station, which could -be seen from Quebec, was selected as the station for an observing -party. Captain Pipon, therefore, left the woods, and established -his transit instrument on the Plains of Abraham. With a pocket -chronometer, tent, provisions, gunpowder, &c., sergeant Bernard -M‘Guckin removed to a range of hills from the station above Lake -Ishæganalshegeck, and encamped himself and his labourers on the -highest point of the range, which was covered to the top with -dense wood. Climbing the height, and finding he could see back to -the Lake Hill and forward to Quebec, he set his labourers to clear -away the summit, except one high tree which he stript of all the -leaves and branches likely to intercept the free range of the -observations. At the base of this tree he constructed a high -platform, and every evening for two hours, at intervals of ten -minutes, the sergeant fired flashes of gunpowder, by hoisting the -charge, with the assistance of a pulley, to the top of the tree -with a burning slow match attached. The quantity of powder used -for each flash varied from a quarter to half a pound. Some of the -nights the wind blew strongly, and the charge exploded before -reaching the top of the tree. On a clear night the flashes could -be seen with the naked eye at the Quebec observatory, forty miles -distant. Simultaneous observations were made on six different -evenings, and forty-six flashes were noted, sufficient to give a -good difference of longitude. The result of the experiment was -most successful. An attempt was afterwards made to find the -difference of longitude between the stations, by the transmission -of chronometers; but the effect deduced was worthless compared -with that obtained from the flashes. These observations were a -part of the scheme for tracing the straight sixty-four mile line -of boundary from the outlet of Lake Pohenagamook to the hill -station on Lake Ishæganalshegeck. When the observations were -completed, Captain Robinson left the woods and placed his -chronometers in charge of a non-commissioned officer of sappers at -Montreal, who wound them up and compared them during the -winter.[475] - ------ - -Footnote 475: - - ‘Corps Papers,’ i., pp. 125, 126, 155. - ------ - -The accuracy of this means of observation was further tested on the -western portion of the line ending at St. Regis by the operations of -corporal Bastard. In August, 1845, having selected the highest -summit on Mount Rougement, near Chambly, for a station, he -reciprocated flashes with Major Graham of the U. S. topographical -engineers at Rouse’s Point, with great precision and success.[476] -The same was done by corporal Thomas Forbes from the top of Jay’s -Peak in Vermont, who flashed at ten-minute intervals from the -surface of a piece of flat board. In six fine nights eighty flashes -were observed in common. These series of observations connected the -points of St. Regis and St. Helen’s, and the latter again with -Rouse’s, testing at the same time the difference of longitude -between the several stations.[477] - ------ - -Footnote 476: - - Ibid., i., p. 155. - -Footnote 477: - - Ibid., i., p. 128. - ------ - -When not in tents, a sort of hut constructed on the spot was the -only habitation of the surveyors, and twigs of the spruce tree, -felled by the axemen, formed their bed. They had good blankets and -warm clothing; but such was the severity of the weather, and such -the inconvenience of their bivouac, that frequently in the morning -they arose for work either with stiffened limbs, or soaked with -melted snow. For the most part, however, the detachment was free -from sickness despite the intense cold in winter, and the great heat -in summer. Locked as they were in a thick forest, covered by an -impenetrable foliage, the oppressive heat of midsummer was almost -insupportable. In the spring scurvy was common among them, -accompanied with sore gums, loose teeth, discoloured legs, and -emaciated frames, but some well-known simple specifics soon restored -them to health.[478] Only one man became an invalid on the duty, -arising from an injury he sustained by falling from a shelving bank, -on account of which he was sent home and discharged. - ------ - -Footnote 478: - - ‘Corps Papers,’ i., p. 108, 109. - ------ - -The royal engineers with their sappers and assistants were the first -to penetrate these wilds and the first to open a way through their -mazes. Scrambling through an unbroken forest with snow-shoes on, -interrupted at every step by stunted underwood, not a little -augmented their fatigues. Often the snow was hip deep; and when the -melting commenced, the obstacles and toils of travelling became -greater. The snow-shoes then became useless, and yet without them -the men sank above their knees in half-thawed snow, and then had to -wade through the swamp. Streams in those seasons became rivers, and -rivers deep torrents; and such was the difficulty of pushing through -the snow, that one party was four days going ten miles.[479] -Difficulties like these were more especially felt in the region -embraced within the “sixty-four mile line.” A vast prairie it was, -thickly overgrown with tangled bush, undisturbed for centuries, by -the axe of industry. The full influence of many a storm, however, -had beaten down the forest and levelled trees too old to bear its -blast. These lay across the track intersected and confused, just as -the wind had blown them; and the dense bush, climbing over the aged -trunks, so matted the vegetation, that the trials of travelling were -only overshot by the general hardships of the enterprise. There were -perils too encountered of a serious character, which only stout -frames and sturdy hearts could have conquered. On one occasion, -corporal Owen Lonergan was sent to measure three check lines; it was -biting cold at the time, and the ground was covered with snow some -two or three feet deep. Though encumbered with an instrument, a -greatcoat, and heavy clothes, he entered with spirit upon his work -and rapidly completed two of the checks, but on commencing the third -he was obliged to relinquish it, as his hands, painfully benumbed, -had lost their power. The snow by this time was very high, and it -was only by superhuman effort, sustained for several hours, that he -succeeded in mastering the difficulties of his situation, and -regaining his hut before nightfall. - ------ - -Footnote 479: - - Ibid., i., p. 114. - ------ - -The survey of the sixty-four mile line was important because of the -necessity imposed by the treaty of making it rigidly strait. A force -of labourers, guided in the duty by the most intelligent men with -the commission, first struck out the line as indicated by -astronomical observation. When this preliminary trace was effected, -other labourers, in strong batches, “directed by non-commissioned -officers of the sappers and miners were sent to cut the whole line -thirty feet wide, clearing a way in the centre, of about eight feet -wide, but leaving the other part with the stumps breast high and the -trees as they had fallen. These parties were guided in their -cuttings by the marks which had been set up on the ridges at no very -great distances apart from each other. When the line had been thus -cut out from end to end, a transit instrument was sent through it, -adjusting correctly all the station poles, and insuring the -straightness of the line beyond all doubt.”[480] - ------ - -Footnote 480: - - ‘Corps Papers,’ i., p. 124. - ------ - -At the termination of the survey, Lieutenant-Colonel Estcourt thus -wrote of the conduct and services of the detachment: “I beg to -acknowledge the valuable assistance they have rendered. The -character of the duties intrusted to them has been such as must have -been given to an officer had they not been attached to the -commission, entailing thereby a great additional expense, not only -on the score of wages, but also of equipment and assistance; and I -doubt whether the work would have been better executed. All that was -expected, therefore, from their employment has been fully realized; -their efficiency in the field, and their general good conduct and -respectability, have been very creditable to them and to their -corps. Those who are now about to leave us, and have been at -Washington during all our residence here, deserve the highest -commendation for their uniform good conduct. In no single instance -has there been the least occasion for complaint or even remark.” In -his orders to the detachment at parting, he reiterated the substance -of the above tribute, and spoke of the unmixed satisfaction he would -look back upon the whole of his intercourse with the sappers. The -survey pay of the men, in addition to their regimental pay, ranged -between 2_s._ 10_d._ and 3_s._ 9_d._ a-day, and free rations and -hotel expenses were also allowed them.[481] - ------ - -Footnote 481: - - The senior non-commissioned officer, sergeant James Mulligan, was - much noticed for his attainments and exertions. His duties with - the commission were of a nature to require the exercise of - patience and resolution, and demanded always a scrupulous, - unremitting attention. In this he was never found to fail, but - rendered valuable services, “which,” adds Colonel Estcourt, “few - civilians could have undertaken, or, if capable, would not have - undertaken, but for the highest salary.” Mulligan’s survey-pay was - 3_s._ 9_d._ a-day. After his discharge, in September, 1846, he was - awarded, for his high merit, a silver medal, and a special - gratuity of 25_l._ On leaving the corps he retired, with ample - pecuniary means, to Ireland. - ------ - -The war in Kaffirland again broke out this year and afforded ample -employment for the two companies of the corps, which were scattered -in sections to the several posts on the frontier. A small detachment -of sappers appears to have been the first troops to meet with -hostile interruption in the prosecution of its duties, and the -circumstance is quaintly alluded to in the following free metrical -effusion of a facetious alarmist:— - - “There was a stir in Kaffirland one morning, - A chief with Government some ground disputed; - And then he very fairly sent us warning - Our plans and his were totally unsuited: - So Colonel Hare, as did of old, Mahomet, - Call’d for his boots, and flar’d up like a comet. - - “Meanwhile Sandeli, who’s a lad of metal, - Swore that the sappers should not light a fire - To cook their dinners or to boil their kettle; - And so—denouncing on them vengeance dire,— - He bid them pack their tools and strike their tents, - And made believe to seize their instruments.”[482] - ------ - -Footnote 482: - - “The Alarm,” in ‘United Service Magazine,’ 1846, ii., p. 383. - ------ - -The nature of the service upon which the companies were employed -precluded them from taking any very active or prominent share in the -operations of the campaign, or of their numbers being collected in -any force to render their movements impressive and conspicuous; -nevertheless, as opportunities offered of withdrawing them from -their more pacific duties, they were made to participate with the -other troops in the harassing war which, without intermission, -continued with vigour until the winter. - -Corporal Benjamin Castledine, ordered to proceed from Fort Beaufort -to Post Victoria, started on the 21st March, 1846, with a gunner of -the royal artillery who was armed with a sword only, in charge of a -waggon with twelve oxen and two natives—a driver and a leader—who -had one musket between them. In crossing a drift, after marching -seven miles, the oxen were knocked up, and the corporal sent the -driver back for more cattle. At night the corporal took turn as -sentry with the artilleryman. Next morning at daylight, the leader -was ordered to collect the cattle then grazing about three hundred -yards off; but while away, shots were heard in the direction he had -taken. The corporal, leaving the waggon in charge of the -artilleryman, ran to the banks of the drift, and before he had time -to seek cover in the bush, was met by a volley from several armed -Kaffirs, who had already wounded the leader and taken his gun. The -corporal stood his ground, and wounding two of their number by his -correct firing, the rest carried off the injured men and drove away -the corporal’s cattle. Luckily, soon afterwards, a patrol of one -sergeant and seven men of the 7th dragoon guards came up, and -hearing what had happened, they pursued the Kaffirs and retook the -oxen. The corporal with his escort and cattle, except two of the -latter, which were lost on the road from exhaustion, resumed the -route and reached Post Victoria on the 22nd March. Colonel Somerset, -then commanding the frontier, hearing through Lieutenant Stokes, -R.E., of the affair, gave corporal Castledine much credit for his -conduct. This was the first skirmish in the war. - -From the 16th to 18th April three men served with a demibattery of -artillery as gunners, during Colonel Somerset’s operations in the -Amatola mountains, and retreat from Burn’s hill to Block drift, -where they were present in a smart action. - -Ten men took part with the artillery at the guns, from 20th April to -29th September, at Victoria, Fort Beaufort, and Block drift. At -these forts and at Graham’s Town the men for weeks together lay down -in their clothes and accoutrements ready to meet any sudden attack. -At Beaufort, four guns were manned by them, two 9-pounders and two -5½-inch howitzers: one of these had horses attached, which were -mounted by the sappers. - -Graham’s Town, denuded of its garrison to scour the Amatolas, was -left unprotected. Bodies of Kaffirs pressed into the colony, marking -their track by murder and desolation. Tidings of their savage -proceedings being brought in by mounted burghers, breathless with -the intelligence, it was feared the town would be early attacked. At -once the engineer at the station set to work to fortify it, and with -the assistance of some Fingoes and Hottentots, the few sappers that -remained rapidly blockaded the streets and avenues leading into the -town. The return, however, of Colonel Somerset’s division checked -the enemy’s advance on this, the metropolis of the frontier.[483] - ------ - -Footnote 483: - - ‘United Service Journal,’ iii., 1846, p. 328. - ------ - -On the 23rd April, under Lieutenant Bourchier, R.E., fifty-one -non-commissioned officers and men repulsed an attack by the enemy on -the Farmer’s camp near Fort Brown. The action lasted about four -hours, and though the night was extremely dark, the sappers, serving -both as infantry and artillery in charge of two field-pieces, beat -off the enemy with the loss, as was afterwards acknowledged by the -chief _Stock_, of thirty killed. The sappers _only_ were engaged in -this affair, and their spirited and gallant conduct was reported by -Lieutenant Bourchier. - -On the 17th and 31st May and 1st and 18th June, about forty -non-commissioned officers and men, sent from Fort Brown under -Lieutenant Bourchier, went in pursuit of marauding parties of the -enemy. From Double drift under the same officer, four other parties -were despatched through the bush after the Kaffirs on the 25th June, -7th July, and 7th and 18th August. Sergeant Thomas P. Cook and -corporal John Campbell were reported to have shown great -determination and intelligence in following the enemy in their -fastnesses. The former accompanied six of the patrols and the latter -seven. Near Fort Brown, three Kaffir spies, discovered creeping up -to the place to reconnoitre, were shot; two of these were brought -down by privates Alexander Irvine and John Patterson. - -From 3rd June to 13th July, ten men with a company of the 90th -regiment, fifty marines and some sailors, under Lieutenant Owen, -R.E., constructed a flying bridge of boats, &c. for crossing the -Fish river mouth, and threw up a field-work on the right bank. In -this service private John Vance, a superior carpenter, “showed -remarkable zeal, skill, and intelligence.” The work was undertaken -to establish an open line of communication to Fort Peddie.[484] - -Footnote 484: - - Vance is noticed in Colonel Pasley’s 'Practical Operations for a - Siege’ for his assistance in executing some of the wood engravings - to the work. He was an excellent carpenter and modeller, but his - efforts at engraving show but little refinement. Untaught in the - art, his attempts to supply the place of competent practitioners - can only be regarded as the neat and more advanced stages of - carpentering. Pity, however, that such a man, so apt, so - ready—should have been enslaved by his vices. A drunkard, in the - most degraded sense of the word, no one regretted, when his - service expired, to see him quit the corps. - -Under Lieutenant Stokes, R.E., twelve men shared in the operations -with the second division in the field and at the passage at the -mouth of the Keiskama river from the 6th to 16th July. From the -latter date to the 13th September, under the same officer, six other -privates served with the second division during Sir Peregrine -Maitland’s attack upon the Amatola mountains, and constructed a -field-work for the protection of the camp at Perie. - -On the 15th and 16th July, sixteen non-commissioned officers and men -under Lieutenant Bourchier were present in action with the enemy at -Dodo’s kraal, under the command of Captain Hogg, 7th dragoon guards. - -From the 16th July to 13th September, twelve men constructed a -field-work for the protection of the camp at Waterloo Bay under -Lieutenant Owen, R.E. - -From 20th July to 12th September, thirty-eight non-commissioned -officers and men served in the field with the first division during -Sir Peregrine Maitland’s attack on the Amatola mountains; and under -the direction of Captain Howorth, R.E., restored Fort Cox. On the -29th July the camp on the Amatola flats was attacked by the enemy, -and sergeant Joseph Barns of the corps was killed. - -Seven men under Lieutenant Bourchier were present, from the 25th to -30th August, with Colonel Somerset’s patrol between the Fish river -and the Keiskama. - -On 24th October, the Swellandam native infantry at Fort Beaufort, -directed to escort waggons to Waterloo Bay, marched from the -parade, contrary to the remonstrances of their officers towards -Graham’s Town. There were about 350 of the levy present, and the -simultaneous and unhesitating movement of the mutineers, gave -reason to fear that the conspiracy was well organized. Captain -Ward, of the 91st regiment, the commandant, at once ordered the -two artillerymen and five sappers under corporal Edward Barnecoat -to follow in pursuit with the three-pounder howitzer. This was all -the commandant’s force. The gun was up in a few minutes, and -bounding down the street, reached the bridge, where halting, the -captain ordered the howitzer to be put in action. With only eight -men Captain Ward thought it imprudent to proceed further. Trying -the effect of firing three rounds of blank ammunition, the -mutineers pushed up the acclivity with increased speed at every -discharge, and reforming on its brow, seemed disposed to hazard a -fight. At this moment a detachment of the 90th regiment—which -happened to be at the fort on escort duty—pressed up to the -bridge. Immediately the gun was limbered up and when the little -column was about to scale the height, Colonel Richardson, who had -now arrived, countermanded the order to advance. With only a -handful of men, there was but a remote chance of success against -350 exasperated rebels all armed and posted on commanding ground; -and so swayed by merciful considerations the colonel employed two -missionaries to parley with the misguided men, who, soon, in great -part, returned to their allegiance.[485] - ------ - -Footnote 485: - - Mrs. Ward’s ‘Cape and the Kaffirs,’ Bohn’s edit., 1851, pp. - 145-147. - ------ - -These comprise the active services of the companies during the year, -in which, though the parties do not appear to have gained any -mention in dispatches or reports for their conduct and efficiency, -they always behaved like good soldiers, and spared no exertion to -accomplish the objects for which they were employed. They were -likewise much harassed on varied escort duty, such as conveying from -fort to fort waggons with ammunition, provisions, and wounded men, -and took part in all those multifarious services, carried on at -twenty different frontier posts and forts, which the character of -that desultory and peculiar warfare continually exacted. - -In April, the small blocked epaulettes were superseded by others -with loose twisted cords of three inches long suspended from a -raised corded crescent. Those for the sergeants and staff-sergeants -were of the artillery pattern—long loose gold fringe and gilt -crescent to correspond with the privates' epaulettes. The -shoulder-strap for the sergeants and other ranks was of blue cloth -faced with gold lace. The staff-sergeants' epaulettes continued -boxed as before, with a full laced gold strap edged with raised -embroidered wire, and a gilt crescent, but the bullion was longer -than formerly. The collar of the coatee for all ranks, which had a -triangular-shaped piece of scarlet cloth at the back, was this year -entirely of blue cloth, but laced as before, with rectangular loops. -The alteration was made to give, in appearance, breadth and -squareness to the men’s shoulders. - -Corporal John Rae, second-corporal John Mealey and eighteen men, -were employed from the 8th June to the 17th August, in executing -some underground works for the drainage of Windsor. These consisted -of a tunnel or cutting from the entrance of the long walk to the -north side of the quadrangle of the castle, and also the excavation -of a driftway under the north front, moving east and west. The -tunnel was approached from several circular shafts 4 feet 6 inches -in diameter, of an average depth of about 25 feet; and the -gallery—the height of which was six feet, and width 4 feet 6 -inches—was driven between 750 and 800 feet through chalk, flint, -made earth, old moats, and crumbling vaults and foundations; and, -notwithstanding the difficulties of the work, was prosecuted with -such exactness, that the line of driving between the shafts, was -rarely more than an inch or two out of its true level. Indeed, it -was remarked that the tunnel, commenced at opposite sides of the -castle, was so correct in its progress, that on reaching the centre, -there did not exist two inches of difference where the tunnels -merged into one.[486] In hazardous earth, mining frames and sheeting -were resorted to, but even these expedients, at times, did not -prevent the earth from falling and impeding the workmen. Thirty -civil labourers worked the windlasses and drove the barrows for the -party. All hands worked from five in the morning until half-past six -in the evening, and made by their exertions, seven days and a half -a-week, at 1_s._ 6_d._ each a-day. Captain Vetch, late of the corps, -was the engineer for the work, and Lieutenant the Honourable H. F. -Keane, commanded the detachment. The Board of Woods and Forests paid -the expenses of the undertaking, and praised the skill and energy -with which the excavations had been conducted and completed. The -Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury also acknowledged the -great advantage which resulted from the employment of the sappers on -the occasion. - ------ - -Footnote 486: - - The ‘Times,’ August 19, 1846. - ------ - -Sergeant Philip Clark and eleven rank and file embarked at Deptford, -in the ‘Blenheim,’ on the 3rd of June, 1846, for the territories of -the Hudson’s Bay Company. A detachment of artillery, and three -companies of the 6th foot, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel -Crofton, were also with the expedition. The employment of this small -force on the Red River was occasioned by the menacing hauteur of the -Americans respecting the Oregon territory, which at this period was -a momentous question between the two countries; but fortunately, the -dispute terminated in a treaty which settled amicably the national -differences. - -The party was composed of excellent mechanics and well-conducted -men, two of whom were also good surveyors and draughtsmen. Three -chronometers and barometers, with measuring chains and surveying -instruments, were placed in charge of sergeant Clark. Captain H. C. -B. Moody, R.E., took command of the party on its landing at York -Factory on the 14th of August, and subsequently, for about a year, -the command was held by Captain Beatty, R.E. - -It was not intended to attach the sappers to the divisions of the -troops in pushing up the country, but to employ them on services for -which they were more peculiarly adapted, such as measuring the -heights of the several falls in the course of the rivers that -occasion the necessity for the portages, and improving the latter -whenever any short proceeding would give them facilities for doing -it: also cutting, on prominent objects, bench marks to show the -height of the water for the information of travellers, and embodying -in memoranda a description of the nature of the ground traversed and -the features of the country, with suggestions for improving the -passage. Owing, however, to the scarcity of officers, the colonel in -command could not permit the employment of the detachment in this -manner. Accordingly, eight men accompanied the first division of the -force, two the second, and two, with Captain Moody, the third. The -first party took the barometers; and the chronometers were taken by -the two surveyors in the 3rd brigade. In concert with the troops, -they tracked, hauled, rowed, and poled the boats the whole way to -Fort Garry; and, notwithstanding the intensity of the cold, such was -the nature of the duty, it required them in its execution, to go -barefooted with their trousers tied above the knee. At night, for a -few hours only, they slept under canvas frequently in wet clothes, -upon the damp snow-covered ground. The distance traversed was about -400 miles, through swamps and rapids, over rocky islets, and up and -down steep and slippery banks and declivities; and the operation, -one of immense difficulty and peril, was not achieved without much -labour and discomfort. - -At each portage, sergeant Clark himself carried the chronometers, -and, after examining them, placed a sentry to watch them. He also -measured the heights of the falls and took the difference of the -levels. In shoal water, or in running the several rapids, the -delicate instruments were invariably removed from the boats to save -them from shocks by bumping against hidden rocks and impediments. -The chronometers were wound up every morning at nine o’clock, and -the results and comparative differences registered. Three times a -day the indications of the barometers, the changes in the -atmosphere, and the force and direction of the wind were registered, -and these observations were recorded until the expedition quitted -the settlement. - -Sergeant Clark and private Robert Penton showed great zeal and -intelligence in the manner they carried out their scientific duties -on the route, and corporal Thomas R. Macpherson, who had charge of -the party that accompanied the first brigade from York Factory, was -commended for the notes he took of the route, and for the report he -framed thereon. - -At Lower Fort Garry, the troops, under the officers of engineers, -with the sappers as overseers, made a trench round the fortress, and -cleared away the wood contiguous to it for 300 yards in every -direction. A varying party was detached with corporal Macpherson to -Upper Fort Garry; and at both places, the sappers carried out all -those services which the nature of the settlement and the weather -made indispensable for the health and accommodation of the troops. -While at work the detachment wore leather jackets and trousers. - -In the second year of the station, corporal Macpherson with one -sapper was sent to York Factory, and returned in charge of the -magnetic and other instruments left there the year before. Although -the intricacies of the passage were considerable, increased by the -necessity of personally carrying the cases over the portages, he -safely conveyed them to the fort without detriment or derangement. -Some of the party were employed at intervals, in the survey of -portions of the Assimboine, Saskatchewan and Red Rivers, and -corporal Macpherson[487] and second-corporal Penton, under Captain -Moody, examined and explored the country in the vicinity of the -boundary line of the United States at Pambina. - ------ - -Footnote 487: - - In the life of some men there happen singular incidents, which - give either a romantic or a strangely-degraded cast to their - career. In this category corporal Macpherson may be fairly - included. He was a very talented and superior artificer, and his - general knowledge and experience made his services conspicuous. At - Hythe he absented himself, and leaving his clothes on the bank of - the canal, a belief prevailed that he was drowned; he, however, - turned up about a year afterwards, and was convicted of the crime - of desertion. But soon gaining favour by his diligence and - talents, he rose rapidly to the rank of sergeant, and was - entrusted with responsible duties at Gibraltar, Hudson’s Bay, and - finally in Nova Scotia. At Halifax he again deserted, with 206_l._ - of the public money, but a vigilant piquet being on his trail, he - was apprehended at Annapolis, fortunately for the captain of his - company, with the whole of the treasure in his pocket. Being tried - and convicted he was sentenced to fourteen years' transportation. - A review of his useful services, and the humane intercession of - Colonel Savage, R.E., his commanding officer, obtained for him a - full pardon—only to be followed by the basest ingratitude and - crime. A few months elapsed, and the forgiven felon _a third time_ - deserted. On the passage to the States he robbed a gentleman with - whom he got into conversation, but as the theft was discovered - before the debarkation took place, the gentleman repossessed his - money, and a gold watch supposed to be stolen. On landing, the - gentleman took steps for the apprehension of the delinquent, but, - by artful remonstrances, he made the public believe that the - reason of his arrest was not for theft as alleged, but for - desertion from the British service. At once the mob sympathized - with his fate, rescued him from custody, and he is now at large in - the States. The gold watch, brought to Halifax by the gentleman, - proved to be the property of a comrade. - ------ - -On the 3rd of August, 1848, the sappers quitted Fort Garry under -the command of Captain Blackwood Price, R.A.—Captain Moody having -then returned to Canada—and after completing the arduous and -fatiguing descent to York Factory, they embarked there on the 24th -of August, and landed at Woolwich, 18th of October, 1848. Both -Lieutenant-Colonel Crofton, and Major Griffiths, his successor in -command, awarded an honourable meed of approbation to the -detachment for its exemplary conduct and services; but sergeant -Clark was particularly noticed by the former for his attainments -and ready zeal. “His exertions,” adds the Colonel, “were never -wanting, even in matters not in immediate connexion with the -corps, and to him I owe the good arrangements made for the -garrison library, in aid of which, his services as librarian were -cheerfully given without gratuity.”[488] Sergeant Clark, corporal -Macpherson and second-corporal Penton,[489] received promotion for -their useful exertions on this expedition. - ------ - -Footnote 488: - - Sergeant Clark was brought up in the royal military asylum. He was - for some years on the survey of Ireland, and by subsequent - application, became a fair surveyor and draughtsman. He served a - station at Corfu before going to Hudson’s Bay, and subsequently - passed a few years as colour-sergeant of the 20th company, at - Freemantle, Western Australia. - -Footnote 489: - - An enterprising and superior surveyor. He was importantly employed - in 1843 in the determination of the longitude of Valentia, and is - now a sergeant at Halifax, Nova Scotia, whither he had been sent - to superintend the laying of asphalte. - ------ - - - - - 1846. - -Exploration survey for a railway in North America—Services of the - party employed on it—Personal services of sergeant A. - Calder—Augmentation to the corps—Reinforcement to China—Recall of - a company from Bermuda—Royal presents to the reading-room at - Southampton—Inspection at Gibraltar by Sir Robert Wilson—Third - company placed at the disposal of the Board of Works in - Ireland—Sergeant J. Baston—Services of the company—Distinguished - from the works controlled by the civilians—Gallantry of private G. - Windsor—Coolness of private E. West—Intrepid and useful services - of private William Baker—Survey of Southampton, and its - incomparable map. - - -Sergeant Alexander Calder and seven rank and file of the survey -companies embarked at Liverpool in the ‘Britannia’ steam-ship, and -landed at Halifax, 2nd July. Subsequently, the party was increased -by the arrival of four rank and file who had been employed on the -boundary survey in the state of Maine. This detachment, with two -pensioner non-commissioned officers of the corps, served under the -direction of Captain Pipon,[490] and afterwards of Lieutenant E. Y. -W. Henderson and Major Robinson, R.E., in surveying the country -between Quebec and Halifax, to ascertain the best route for a -railway to connect the provinces. The party was dressed in plain -clothes, and for the service of the woods, fur caps, pea-coats, and -over-boots were added. - ------ - -Footnote 490: - - Accidentally drowned in the Restigouche, 28th October, 1846. His - body was identified by private John Ashplant, and taken charge of - by him and sergeant Calder until its removal from Campbelltown to - Fredericton, where it was interred in the public cemetery. - ------ - -Five different routes, the projects of rival interests, were -surveyed, and the neighbouring forests and wilds, abounding with -wood and water, explored. The forests were in their primeval -state—dense and rugged. Pine trees were the chief growth, and the -ground, encumbered with sharp-pointed branches thrown down by time -or the violence of winds, formed a regular abattis, and with a thick -undergrowth of shrubs and bushes rendered the woods almost -impervious. Parties exploring, as soon as they left the rivers or -beaten tracks, had to cut their way before them. The difficulties of -carrying out the service were considerable. The hills being as much -covered with the forest as the plains and valleys, views of the -surrounding country could not easily be obtained. Generally this -object was effected by climbing, in which some of the sappers became -very expert, “and, assisted by creepers—a contrivance of iron spikes -buckled to the feet—could climb well.”[491] To wander in the least -degree from the path cut or marked was dangerous, as the chances of -being benighted or lost in the prairie were very great.[492] - ------ - -Footnote 491: - - ‘Professional Papers,’ N. S., ii., p. 36. - -Footnote 492: - - Ibid., p. 38. - ------ - -The detachment was divided into parties of two each as -assistant-surveyors, with ten or twelve labourers, under a civil -surveyor of the country. “Each party had a particular line to -explore. The sappers carried either two or three barometers and -detached thermometers with them; also a 5-inch theodolite, a -measuring chain, pocket compasses, &c. As the lines were cut out by -the axemen and labourers, the sappers measured them, and took the -angles for direction, and also for elevation or depression. The -barometers were registered at the summits of ridges and bottoms of -valleys. Somewhere, at the most convenient spot, in the -neighbourhood of the exploring parties, a sapper was stationed with -a standard barometer, who did not move from his post until ordered -to do so. His duty was to register his barometer and thermometers -every hour during the day.”[493] - ------ - -Footnote 493: - - Ibid., p. 37. - ------ - -The result of the surveys and investigations was an able report from -Major Robinson, describing a range of country through which a -railway could beneficially pass, extending in length to 635 miles, -from Halifax to Quebec. The proposed route was determined with -reference to the resources of the tract to be traversed, its -accessibility, and facility of adaptation to the purpose, as well as -its military and general advantages. - -After completing the plans and sections of the lines explored, the -party, in September, 1848, returned to England and rejoined the -survey department. - -The personal services of sergeant Calder on this duty are -sufficiently interesting to receive notice in this place; and, with -some little difference in points of duty and incident, may be taken -as an average type of the individual adventures of the rest of the -party. From Halifax to Folly Village, he surveyed a line of -seventy-five miles with the barometer, and from thence, for -twenty-five miles, measured the roads from the high-water mark of -the Bay of Fundy, by taking the heights with the theodolite, using -the angle of elevation and depression, and checking the same -simultaneously, by barometrical observation. He afterwards traversed -a varied country for about sixty miles to Amherst, from whence he -carried on the survey, barometrically, to Mirimichi. The completion -of another rough road of ten miles now took him fully into the -wilderness, where he continued his work till the winter set in. -During his labours in the woods he ran short of provisions. He was -then in charge of twelve men, carrying with them 3 lbs. of pork, 1 -lb. of oatmeal, and a small bag of ginger. Upon this scanty fare the -party subsisted for three days; and, harassed as they were by hard -travelling through a mountainous country, entangled with a tissue of -bush and branches covered with deep snow, their fatigues and -privations were considerably increased. Heavy loads also they -carried, and so closely were the trees packed together, in the -exuberant vegetation of the forest, that the adventurers not only -had to tear themselves through the thicket, but were continually -impeded by logs of fallen trees and tufts of stubborn underwood. On -the evening of the third day the hunger of the men began to show its -effects in emaciation and despondency. At this moment sergeant -Calder found it necessary to relieve the party of the stores and -abandon them in the woods. The theodolite and barometers he attached -in a safe position to a tree. He then directed the men to use their -utmost exertions in tracking a spot where provisions could be found. -Scrambling down the banks of a large river they hurried onwards some -six miles, when a newly-blazed tree was discovered, indicating the -proximity of a lumbering camp. The blazed marks were followed -further on for about five miles, and then, to the unbounded joy of -the party, a light seen through the chinks of a log-hut on the -opposite shore drew the men in the dark on a fallen tree across the -stream to the desired camp, where their wants were appeased and -their exhausted strength restored. Sergeant Calder acted with -coolness and kindness throughout, and maintained the strictest -discipline and order. He afterwards recovered the instruments and -stores left in the woods, which his men, from weakness and want, had -been unable to carry. - -In the second season the sergeant returned to the Cobiquid -Mountains, the scene of his former exertions. This range was the -vertebræ of the country, and the hinging point of an important tract -in the route of the proposed railway. Some doubts were entertained -as to the practicability of accurately ascertaining the gradients of -this dangerous and unknown district, and had they not been -determined, the scheme must have proved abortive; but sergeant -Calder undertook the service, and accomplished it by means of rods -and the spirit-level, to the entire satisfaction of his officers, -verifying at the same time the correctness of his former -investigations in connexion with the survey of the hills. After -this, travelling 200 miles to Cape Canso, he surveyed a branch line -along a rugged coast and through an intricate wilderness, to within -a few miles of Pictou. In conducting this work one of his labourers -was seized with fever. Calder took especial care of the man’s -comforts, which, however, from the necessity of crossing rivers and -lakes of great breadth on catamarans, or rafts of logs, were -unavoidably much restricted. As he proceeded, the trials of the -sergeant and his men multiplied, both from the fatigue of travelling -and the want of provisions. Wild berries were eaten to supply the -cravings of hunger; but to assuage the more fastidious necessities -of the sick man, the berries were taken by him with a little sugar. -What was most distressing at this time was the absence of all -shelter from the inclement weather, and both hale and sick were -therefore forced to stretch their limbs under the snow-laden boughs -of some dwarf trees, exposed to the keenness of the night frost. At -last the party arrived at a district known as the “Garden of -Paradise”—a rugged and inhospitable region, where the men were -benevolently entertained by some wild Highland settlers. Soon -afterwards the sergeant journeyed to Halifax, where he completed the -plans and sections of his surveys, and returned to England after a -service with the exploration expedition of two years and three -months.[494] - ------ - -Footnote 494: - - This non-commissioned officer acquired, in his early service, a - sound knowledge of surveying in all its branches. For more than - eighteen years he had charge of large parties of surveyors and - draughtsmen, and his systematic habits and intelligence rendered - his assistance of great advantage. Well adapted for carrying out - any arrangement connected with the survey, and for conducting the - beneficial employment of large parties over extensive districts, - he was, in 1846, selected for the exploration duty above referred - to; and his report on a portion of the line, which embraced the - intricate parts of the Cobiquid Mountains, was considered of - sufficient interest to receive a place in the ‘Parliamentary Blue - Book,’ on the subject of that railway. In April, 1853, he was - pensioned at 1_s._ 11_d._ a-day, and, on quitting the corps, bent - his course westward and settled in Canada. - ------ - -A large increase to the army and artillery led to a proportionate -increase to the royal sappers and miners. This was suggested by Sir -John Burgoyne, the inspector-general of fortifications, to maintain -a sufficient disposable force for employment in any military -services rendered necessary by the exigencies of the times. Eight -companies were ordered to be added to the corps, but their formation -was spread over three or four years. The first addition gave, on the -1st April, 1846, 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, 1 second-corporal, and 8 -privates to each of the 10 service companies; and a company numbered -the 12th, of 100 non-commissioned officers and men, was formed at -the same time. The corps was thus raised in establishment from 1,290 -to 1,500, and on the 1st September it was further increased to -1,600, by the formation of the 15th company. The Corfu company -remained at its original establishment of 62 sergeants and rank and -file. - -On the 22nd July, eighteen rank and file embarked for China, and -landed at Hong Kong on the 26th December. This was the third -reinforcement to that command. When relieved in November, 1852, the -party had dwindled away to 8 men: 7 had died, 2 deserted, and 1 was -invalided. The total deaths in the three parties, whose united -strength was 67, amounted to 27 men. - -The abandonment of the execution of some extensive works in Bermuda -permitted the recall to England of the eighth company, which arrived -at Woolwich on the 5th August, 1846. The strength of the company on -landing at Bermuda was seventy-nine of all ranks. Of this number -eight were invalided, thirty-eight had died, one was drowned, one -killed, and one transported for desertion. Only thirty-one men, -therefore, regained our shores. - -A reading-room was established for the corps at Southampton in the -summer, which obtained much attention from distinguished visitors. -The Marquis of Anglesey—then Master-General—presented an engraving -of himself to the room, and the Queen also patronized it by -presenting an engraving of his Royal Highness, Prince Albert.[495] -In placing the gift in the room, Colonel Colby thus recorded the -fact in a general order to the companies under his command;—“The -valuable services of this distinguished corps, having been brought -under Her Most Gracious Majesty’s notice by the ordnance surveys of -Great Britain and Ireland, the demarcation of the boundary line -between the British dominions and those of the United States in -America, and more especially by the survey of the royal domains at -Windsor and the duchy of Lancaster, Her Majesty has condescended to -mark her gracious approval of these services, by ordering the -presentation of a portrait of the Prince Albert to be placed in the -reading-room.” - ------ - -Footnote 495: - - A companion plate to Chalon’s portrait of Her Majesty. - ------ - -Twice this year the second and eleventh companies were inspected by -General Sir Robert Wilson, the Governor of Gibraltar—on the 16th May -and 17th October. On both occasions they presented a very creditable -appearance under arms. “The progress of the new work,” observes his -Excellency, “attests their skill and indefatigable diligence, and -their merits become the reputation of the service to which they -belong.” - -The third company of three sergeants and forty-five rank and file, -under Captain Wynne, R.E., received orders at ten o’clock at night -on the 21st September, and in seven hours after was on route _viâ_ -Liverpool for Dublin, where it arrived on the 24th. Placed at the -disposal of the Irish Board of Works to oversee the poor during the -continuance of the famine, which, from the failure of the potato -crop was now the scourge of Ireland, the company was instantly -removed in small parties to Limerick, Castlebar, Roscommon, -Newcastle, Boyle, and Castlerea, retaining at Dublin as storekeeper -and accountant for the Board sergeant John Baston.[496] From these -several stations the men were again dispersed over districts of wild -country, where the poor, clamorous for subsistence and life, were in -a state of revolt. Numbers of these turbulent but starving people -were employed on the construction of public roads, &c.; and the -sappers, appointed their overseers, not only laid out their work, -but instructed them in its performance. To this general duty several -of them united the office of steward and inspecting check clerk; and -besides controlling the check clerks, superintended and examined the -measurements of tasks, and had a general supervision of all -arrangements in the field. More than six months they continued on -this duty, and returned to Woolwich on the 8th April, 1847, with a -high character. - ------ - -Footnote 496: - - Had charge of the implement store, at 48, City-quay, which - embraced the receipts and issues of thousands of wheelbarrows and - hand-carts, and a great assortment of road and draining tools. - These sergeant Baston was often employed to purchase, and to - obtain them he perambulated both town and country. The duties - entrusted to him were performed with promptitude, accuracy, - and fidelity. Mr. M‘Mahon, the civil engineer, found him - an exceedingly useful and zealous assistant. He is now - colour-sergeant in the corps; is a well-read and talented man, and - his qualifications as an artificer and overseer have rendered him - capable of much higher employment. He joined the corps a lad, from - the royal military asylum, and his acquirements and usefulness - have entirely arisen from his own application. Besides his home - services, he has passed with credit about seventeen years at - Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Corfu. - ------ - -The works superintended by them were always distinguished from other -works by the superior order and discipline which they enforced, not -unfrequently in circumstances of great personal danger, and during a -winter of unusual severity. In detecting frauds and correcting -abuses they were found particularly valuable; and their uniform -zeal, ability and good conduct, met with the perfect satisfaction of -the Board of Works and the Lords of the Treasury. Even Daniel -O’Connell spoke favourably of their employment.[497] The working pay -of the men while under the relief board ranged between 1_s._ and -2_s._ 6_d._ a-day. - ------ - -Footnote 497: - - The ‘Times,’ November 4, 1846. - ------ - -While on this novel service, private George Windsor, from the -upright way in which he performed his duty, made himself obnoxious -to the peasantry in the lawless district of Croom; and but for the -gallantry with which he defended himself, would probably have lost -his life. On the 26th December this private was employed in the -barony of Cashma on the Pullough line of road, and on passing down -the line in advance of the check clerk and a number of labourers, -&c., was met by two persons dressed in women’s clothes, with veils -hanging from their bonnets covering their faces. One was armed with -a gun, the other with a pistol. Presenting their pieces, they -ordered him to kneel, but this the private refused, and though he -was unarmed, the ruffians at once closed upon him. At this moment -Windsor seized the person armed with the pistol, (dexterously -thrusting his finger between the trigger and the guard,) and getting -hold of his throat with the other hand, they fell together, -fortunately in such a way that the desperado with the gun could not, -without injuring his accomplice, shoot the sapper. He, therefore, -beat Windsor with the butt-end of his piece. Several minutes the -struggle was maintained strangely enough in the presence of a large -number of stewards and labourers; and had he met with the slightest -assistance from any of them, would have captured both the offenders; -but incredulous as it may appear, it must be added to the disgrace -of Irishmen that, just as he had overpowered the ruffian with the -pistol, a man named Joseph Lindsay[498]—brother to the check -clerk—came forward, and dislodging Windsor’s grasp, aided the -parties to decamp! For his spirited and manly conduct in the attack, -private Windsor was promoted to be second-corporal. - ------ - -Footnote 498: - - Afterwards tried and convicted for the offence at the Limerick - Spring Assizes, 1847.—‘Saunders’s News-Letter,’ March 9, 1847. - ------ - -Private Edward West received three threatening notices through the -post-office warning him not to appear at work again on pain of -death, adding that, if he did, he should “drop into a bit of a hole -already dug for his carcase.” Unmoved by these missives, the private -was always the first on the line; and when the labourers were -collected, he told them he had received the notices, and then -burning them in their presence, observed in a loud voice, “that -would be the way his intended murderers would be served at another -time.” Once he was attacked by a party from behind a hedge with -stones. Struck on the head, he was stunned for a few moments, and -nearly fell. On recovering, he boldly dashed over the hedge to meet -his assailants, but the cowards made a precipitate retreat. Thirty -men suspected of being concerned in the assault were at once -dismissed from employment. - -Six other men were promoted for their coolness, as well as tact and -fidelity, in carrying on their appointed services. Of these private -William Baker was perhaps the most conspicuous. A brief detail of -his services will show the nature of his duties and the difficulties -he had to contend with. Detached to Shonkeragh, eight Irish miles -from Roscommon, he was placed over a number of labourers who were in -the last stage of insubordination. At first they took their own time -of going to work and quitting it, although the regulations required -them to be present from 7 A.M. till 5 P.M. To train them to -punctuality was not an easy matter, but by checking them and -carrying out a firm discipline he soon gained his point. That there -should be no excuse for absence, he employed a strong boy to blow a -tin horn on the top of the highest hill, central among the cabins of -the workmen, to call them to work, and at its sound the rapid -gathering of the poor at the rendezvous, on all occasions, showed -their willingness to be guided by any useful reform. - -This command over a half-civilized class of men made his services -very desirable in irregular districts; and among several places -where he was beneficially employed was Drumshanaugh—a desolate spot -where a knot of Molly Maguires held sway, and obtained payment -without work, by intimidating the civil overseers, who feared the -consequences of not yielding to their exactions. The farmers' sons -and others who had plenty of cattle were receiving 4_d._ a day more -than the people who really did work, and 300_l._ in this way were -paid for bad labour not worth 50_l._ With these labourers he had a -trying duty to perform; but, amid threats and insubordination, he -calmly effected his purpose, and suppressed both the spirit of -turbulence and the practice of fraud. - -The labourers received from 4_d._ to 8_d._ and 9_d._ a day, and the -rough wall builders 1_s._ 6_d._, in strict proportion to the work -executed. When task-work was introduced, it was difficult to remove -the prejudices which set in against the change, and quicken into -zeal the indolence which followed. To carry out the instructions of -the Board of Works, private Baker selected some of the mildest men -of his party to work at easy tasks, by which they earned 11_d._ a -day—3_d._ more than formerly. At the end of the week the overseer -made a point of this, and paying his choice men first, made suitable -remarks as they received their money. Next came the day-men, who -being checked for wet days and lost time, only averaged about 3_s._ -2_d._ a week. The disparity of the payments had a wonderful effect, -and ever afterwards the system of task labour was eagerly preferred -by the peasantry. - -Deception, however, soon crept into the tasks, which it required -some tact and alertness to detect. In excavations, the labourers -frequently came in contact with stone, and for such quantities as -they dug out and heaped up, they were paid by the cubic yard; but -often these heaps were merely superficial. In every such case -private Baker had the mass pulled down and solidly repiled. Acts of -repetition were followed by the dismissal of the delinquents, -despite the danger it involved. When this cheat failed they resorted -to another, by rolling large stones into the heaps from adjacent -places; but as these always bore unmistakeable evidence of exposure -to rain and wear, the private never omitted to reject them from the -pile. - -On several occasions when threatening notices of death were posted -up prohibiting the civil overseers and check-clerks from returning -to a particular line, a car was despatched, even at midnight, to -bring private Baker to the excited district. Next morning, appearing -at his dangerous post, unarmed, he would pacify or humour the -desperados into order and tranquillity. - -When a pay-clerk was discharged, the regular payments were for a -time interrupted, and the labourers would clamour for a settlement. -In Baker’s district there were four lines, three of which were -superintended by civilians: the labourers on them were about 700. -These threatened daily to go in a body to Boyle, and, should they -fail to get their pay, to take the lives of the engineer and his -clerks, and burn down the town. Baker represented the state of -affairs to the authorities; and on his own recommendation obtained -permission from Boyle to give checks for meal upon a tradesman in -Carrick-on-Shannon. By this means he fed the people, and kept their -irritation in successful check. These periods of disorder occurred -two or three times, till pay-clerks were appointed to succeed those -who were discharged or had resigned. The pay-clerks seldom paid -without the protection of a sapper, who frequently, in instances of -dispute, took the bag with its responsibilities and perils, and -served out the wages himself. So well did private Baker manage the -matter at a wild place in Cashel, that the labourers stood round -like soldiers to receive their earnings; and to prevent litigation -or seizure, the money was handed to the recipients through an -aperture in the pay-hut.[499] - ------ - -Footnote 499: - - Baker became a second-corporal, and fell heroically at the first - storming of the Redan, 18th June, 1855. - ------ - -Frauds were very common; and when detected, the offenders were -dismissed. Several civil overseers were, however, afraid to place -themselves in opposition to the populace; and a sapper working on -one line has in such instances been sent to another to perform the -duty. This, of course, produced much ill-feeling against the -sappers; but beyond a few threats and an occasional attack, the -sappers passed from the country without material hurt. - -The survey of Southampton was completed late this year for the -Southampton Improvement Board. A detachment of the corps, directed -by Captain Yolland, R.E., under the local superintendence of -sergeant William Campbell, executed the work. The map, on a scale of -60 inches to a mile, occupies thirty-five large sheets, which have -been magnificently bound in bureau folio, and placed in the -municipal archives of the town. Sergeant Campbell attended at a -meeting of the Commissioners on the 31st March, 1847, and presented -the map, on the part of the Ordnance to the Corporation. The work is -one of extreme beauty. A more artistical display of ornamental -surveying does not exist. The stonework of the pavement, the styles -of the public buildings, the masonry of the graving-dock, the -undulation of the silt on the shores, and small streams of water -running into it from the coast, the gardens of private houses, and -the trees and shrubberies of the common, are all delineated with a -minuteness of detail and beauty of colouring unexampled in any town -map in England. Even the map of Windsor, which obtained the -approbation of Her Majesty for its accuracy and exquisite finish, is -much inferior to the map of Southampton. The draughtsmen were -second-corporals Charles Holland[500] and George Vincent, with -Patrick Hogan,[500] late royal sappers and miners, and Mr. -Maclachlan.[501] The Commissioners of the town gave a unanimous vote -of thanks to Captain Yolland, the sappers, and the assistants for -the survey and map of the borough, and also expressed “the high -sense they entertained of the great ability and unrivalled skill -displayed in the execution of the work.” A committee was formed to -take steps for rewarding Captain Yolland and sergeant Campbell “with -an adequate testimonial of the Commissioners' high approbation of -the work;” but the intended honour, on military grounds, was -declined.[502] - ------ - -Footnote 500: - - Each received a case of instruments from Prince Albert for merit - in the execution of a drawing of Windsor. - -Footnote 501: - - ‘Hampshire Telegraph,’ January 30th, 1847; ‘Hampshire Advertiser,’ - April 3, 1847. - -Footnote 502: - - ‘Hampshire Advertiser,’ April 3, 1847. - ------ - - - - - 1847. - -Detachments in South Australia—Corporal W. Forrest—Augmentation to - the corps—Destruction of the Bogue and other forts—Services of the - detachment at Canton—First detachment to New Zealand—Survey of - Dover and Winchelsea—Also of Pembroke—Flattering allusion to the - corps—Sir John Richardson’s expedition to the Arctic regions—Cedar - Lake—Private Geddes’s encounter with the bear—Winter quarters at - Cumberland House—Roadmaking in Zetland—Active services at the - Cape—Company to Portsmouth. - - -The detachment in South Australia was in July, 1845, on the -representation of his Excellency Lieutenant-Governor Grey, ordered -to be reduced, its employment being considered no longer necessary -or advantageous to the province. Scarcely had steps been taken to -effect its disbandment, when Governor Grey, removed to another -settlement, was succeeded by Colonel Robe, who, taking a different -view of the services of the party, submitted the desirableness of -its immediate completion to the authorized establishment. In this -suggestion Earl Grey concurred, regarding it of the greatest -importance that the survey department in the province should not be -permitted to fall into arrear in its work; and under authority, -dated 22nd October, 1846, a party of seven mechanics, who were also -surveyors and draughtsmen, sailed for Port Adelaide in February and -landed there the 30th June.[503] - ------ - -Footnote 503: - - One of the party discharged under Governor Grey’s order was - corporal William Forrest. Governor Robe, in a despatch to Earl - Grey, spoke of his entire approbation of the corporal’s - conduct, both as a soldier and surveyor. Captain Frome, the - surveyor-general, attributed the rapid progress of the field - surveys, and the general correctness of the work, to his - steady zeal and talent. At first he superintended four or five - detached survey parties, and laid out and corrected their - work; but when a sufficient quantity of land had been divided - into sections, corporal Forrest was transferred to the - triangulation of the known portions of the colony, and - connected all the detached surveys with the trigonometrical - stations. This service he conducted in a most satisfactory and - creditable manner. Returning to England, he was discharged in - April, 1848, and is now living, in ease and comfort, at - Edinburgh on his pension and his savings. - ------ - -The corps was increased by 200 men this year, on account of the -formation of a company on the 1st April, and another on the 1st -December. These companies were numbered the seventeenth and -eighteenth; and the establishment now reached a total of 1,800 -officers and soldiers. When the estimates for the year were under -consideration in the House of Commons, Colonel Anson, the -surveyor-general of the Ordnance, in claiming an increased amount to -cover the augmentation, passed a high eulogium on the corps. After -speaking in flattering terms of the royal engineers, the Colonel -added, “He might say as much for the sappers and miners. This body -was composed of most intelligent men, who applied themselves most -assiduously to the discharge of their duties, and were equal to any -services which they might be called upon to perform.”[504] - ------ - -Footnote 504: - - Debates in the ‘Times,’ March 6, 1847 - ------ - -Thirty-five non-commissioned officers and men accompanied the -expedition from Hong Kong to Canton, under Captain Durnford and -Lieutenant Da Costa, R.E., and were present at the capture of the -Bogue and other forts in the Canton river on the 2nd and 3rd April. -The forts taken were fourteen in number, and 865 heavy guns were -rendered useless by spiking, while a number of barbaric weapons were -captured.[505] - ------ - -Footnote 505: - - About twenty of these curious arms, all of the spear form, but - grotesquely varied, are in the model-room of the royal engineer - establishment at Chatham. - ------ - -The sappers were in advance, and opened the gates of the forts for -the assaults, and afterwards destroyed the magazines and assisted to -spike the guns. Privates James Cummins and James Smith placed the -powder-bags on the gates.[506] Corporal Hugh Smith[507] laid the -trains to two forts, and was favourably mentioned by Major Aldrich, -R.E., to Sir John Davis, the Governor, and Major-General D’Aguilar. -Sergeants Joseph Blaik[508] and Benjamin Darley[509] conspicuously -distinguished themselves: the former blew in the gate of Zigzag -Fort, and the latter blew up the magazine at Napier’s Fort. - ------ - -Footnote 506: - - Both died in China; the former on the 15th August, and the latter - 15th September, 1847. - -Footnote 507: - - Discharged 8th October, 1850. He was then a sergeant. See _ante_, - Syria, 1841. - -Footnote 508: - - Died at Hong-Kong, 15th August, 1848. - -Footnote 509: - - Now colour-sergeant in the corps stationed at New Zealand. - ------ - -At Canton the sappers were employed in barricading streets, making -scaling-ladders, &c., and pulling down houses, walls, and other -obstructions required to be removed. “My own observations,” wrote -Colonel Phillpotts, the commanding royal engineer in China, “of the -cheerful and ready manner in which they at all times performed their -various and arduous duties by day, and often by night, demands my -most marked approbation.” The gallant conduct of sergeant Blaik -attracted the notice of Major-General D’Aguilar, for which he was -promoted to the rank of colour-sergeant. The whole detachment -remained at Canton until the 8th April; but on the troops quitting -for Hong Kong four of the sappers were left behind, and assisted -Lieutenant Da Costa, R.E., in making a survey of the European -factories at that commercial emporium, until the 14th May, 1847, -when they rejoined the detachment at Victoria. - -On the 10th April one sergeant and twelve rank and file embarked at -Deptford on board the ‘Ramilies,’ and landed at Auckland, New -Zealand, on the 9th August. This was the first party of the corps -detached to that remote settlement. - -From April to June one sergeant and twelve rank and file from -Chatham, under Captain McKerlie, R.E., assisted in the survey and -contouring of Dover, within a range of a thousand yards from the -fortifications. Early in the previous year five non-commissioned -officers and men were employed in a military survey of portions of -Winchelsea. - -Pembroke was also surveyed by a party of one sergeant and eight men -from the survey companies, between April and December, under Captain -Chaytor, R.E. This survey included the docks, dockyard, and property -in its immediate vicinity, to enable measures to be taken for -raising essential defensive works to protect the place. The survey -was well executed; and private John Wall,[510] who remained at the -duty until March 1848, executed with neatness and accuracy, the -required plans. - ------ - -Footnote 510: - - Discharged October, 1848, and is now employed with advantage as a - draughtsman on the Ordnance Survey. - ------ - -About this period the survey operations of the corps, both in the -triangulation and the detail duty, were very conspicuous, and drew -from the greatest of the daily London journals, in a leader, a high -commendation for its services and trials. The language of the -article is too forcible and brilliant to justify abridgment, and the -complimentary passage is therefore given entire.—“An Englishman has -a constitutional repugnance to the intrusion of soldiers into civil -duties; he would rather pay them to walk about than to work, and he -chooses to make a separate and private hiring of his own police. -Ordinarily, soldiers are unwelcome visitors to him, seldom appearing -but at the beck of some scared sheriff or meddling mayor, to correct -his refractory disposition. But there is a corps which is often -about him, unseen and unsuspected, and which is labouring as hard -for him in peace as others do in war. If he lives near a cathedral -city, he may perhaps have occasionally observed a small wooden -cradle perched on the very summit of the spire or tower, and he may -have pitied, perhaps, the adventurous mason who had undertaken the -job. That cradle contained three sappers and miners, stationed there -for five or six weeks to make surveys, and who only quitted their -abode for another equally isolated and airy. Within these last five -years, a handful of these men, with an engineer officer, have been -frozen upon the peak of a Welsh mountain, on an allowance of -provisions fit for the sixth month of a siege, and with no more -possibility of communicating with the scanty natives of the place, -than if they had been shipwrecked on the Sandwich Islands.”[511] - ------ - -Footnote 511: - - The ‘Times,’ 8th March, 1847. - ------ - -A party of fifteen men, selected from a number of volunteers by -Sir John Richardson, joined the expedition under his orders to the -Arctic seas in June. The object of the mission was to search for -Sir John Franklin and his crews, by tracing the coast between the -Mackenzie and Coppermine Rivers, and the shores also of Victoria -and Wollaston lands, lying opposite to Cape Krusenstern. All the -men were intelligent artizans, accustomed to boat service and -laborious employment. They were, moreover, strongly built, of good -physical powers, and, with one exception, bore excellent -characters. The defaulter was addicted to drinking, but in other -respects he was a good and active workman. Knowing that there -would be no means of obtaining intoxicating drinks in Rupert’s -Land, Sir John Richardson accepted his services, and he turned out -an invaluable man. Seven of the party were carpenters, joiners, -and sawyers, one was a miner, one a painter, and six were -blacksmiths, armourers, and engineers, who were found useful in -repairing the boats, working up iron, constructing the domicile -for the winter residence of the expedition, and making the -furniture required for its few and simple wants.[512] To suit the -hard climate of the Arctic zone, each man was provided with a -flannel jacket and trousers, a stout blue Guernsey frock, a -waterproof overcoat and cap, and a pair of leggings. They also -wore mocassins and leather coats, when the nature of the season -and their employment rendered it necessary.[513] - ------ - -Footnote 512: - - Sir John Richardson’s ‘Journal of a Boat Voyage through Rupert’s - Land and the Arctic,’ edit. 1851, p. 43. - -Footnote 513: - - Ibid., p. 44. - ------ - -On the 4th June the men were discharged from the corps, and sailed -on the 15th from the Thames in the ‘Prince of Wales,’ and the -‘Westminster.’ Delayed much by ice in Hudson’s Straits, they had a -long passage, and it was not until about the middle of September -that the stores for the journey were wholly landed.[514] As soon as -this service was effected, the expedition, with a number of hired -men, quitted Norway House in five boats, which, from being “often -stranded and broken in the shallow waters, caused frequent detention -for repairs.” Overtaken by winter in Cedar Lake, Mr. Bell, who had -charge of the expedition until Sir John Richardson arrived, made -this a depôt, where he stored the boats and goods in a suitable -house constructed by the sappers. Several of the party were left -here to take care of the _matériel_, and also the women and -children, who were unequal to a long journey over the snow. - ------ - -Footnote 514: - - Ibid., pp. 46, 47. - ------ - -In October the bulk of the expedition started for Cumberland House, -and reached it on the eighth day after leaving Cedar Lake. On the -first day’s journey private Hugh Geddes and a half-caste Indian were -attacked by a bear on Muddy Lake. The latter fired three times at -the beast without bringing him down. Neither of them now had any -ammunition; but Geddes, who was incapable of much exertion from an -axe wound in the foot, anticipating the peril, forgot his pains and -felled two young birch trees, one of which he handed to his -companion: with these formidable defensors both made a desperate -onslaught on the raging bear, but it was not until after much labour -and hazard that they succeeded in slaying it. In due time they -sleighed his huge carcase to the rendezvous at Cedar Lake. - -At Cumberland House one of the divisions passed the winter, and was -kept in constant employment by attending to several seasonable -occupations, such as cutting firewood, driving sledges with meat or -fish, and fulfilling a round of services no less laborious than -necessary. They also established a fishery on the Beaver Lake, two -days' march north of the depôt.[515] - ------ - -Footnote 515: - - Sir John Richardson’s ‘Journal of a Boat Voyage through Rupert’s - Land and the Arctic,’ edit. 1851, p. 47. - ------ - -From July to December three rank and file were employed under -Captain T. Webb, R.E., in surveying and laying out roads in Zetland, -in connection with the Central Board for the Relief of Destitution -in the Islands of Scotland. This service was ordered by the Home -Government, and the party returned to Woolwich when the winter had -fairly set in. Second-corporal Harnett was well reported of for his -intelligence and capabilities, and the two privates for their -industry and exertions. - -At the Cape of Good Hope the two companies were distributed to -fifteen posts and forts on the frontier. On the 2nd May the sapper -force there was increased to 198 of all ranks by the arrival of -thirty-five men, under Lieutenant Jesse, R.E. Between the 14th -September and 23rd December one sergeant and sixteen rank and file -were in the field, under Captain Walpole, R.E. They had with them an -assortment of carpenters' and smiths' tools, engineer stores, and a -quantity of intrenching tools, besides a large five-oared cutter, -and the materials and gear to form a raft of casks. From the 1st to -6th December, eleven of these men were actively employed in -transporting men and provisions to a large portion of the division -on the left bank of the Kei, under Lieutenant Jervois, R.E., at a -time when the rise of the river prevented any intercourse by -waggons. During the six days, the party exerted themselves in a most -praiseworthy manner, and sergeant Alexander McLeod was particularly -active and zealous. Between the 21st November and 1st December, -three sappers, with a party of the line, under Lieutenant Stokes, -R.E., opened a road for waggons in the Amatola mountains, and -constructed a temporary bridge across the Keiskama. Before the -execution of this service provisions were conveyed to the camp in -the mountains on mules, and hence the transit was slow and -uncertain. - -On the representation of Colonel Lewis, R.E., a company of full -strength was removed from Chatham to Portsmouth, on the 22nd -December. Its employment was confined to the erection and repair of -such works as could not be undertaken by contract, such as -strengthening the fortifications, repairing gates, laying platforms, -curbs, &c. It was also considered indispensable to retain a company -in that command, to execute, in the event of a war suddenly breaking -out, the numerous wants likely to occur in such an emergency. - - - - - INDEX TO VOL. I. - - - Aboukir, 136 - Acre, 364 - Acting adjutants, 297 - Adam, Sub-Lieutenant, 221, 229, 231, 238, 241 - Adamson, Sub-Lieutenant, 216, 219 - Addiscombe, 301 - Addison, sergeant, 267 - Adour, bridge of the, 213–215 - Africa, 267, 285 - Airy, Professor, 391, 425 - Alba, 195 - Albert, Prince, 445, 446, 470 - Alderney, 173 - Aldrich, Lieutenant, 364, 365; - Major, 442, 480 - Allan, quartermaster, 416 - ——, Walter, 127 - Allen, Francis, quartermaster-sergeant, 290 - Alexander, Andrew, private, 195 - ——, quartermaster, R.H.A., 106 - ——, Emperor of Russia, 221 - Alexandria, 136 - Algiers, 243 - Allowances to officers commanding companies, 43, 66 - America, disputed territory in, 347, 357, 378 - ——, tracing and surveying boundary line in, 415, 448–454 - ——, exploration survey in, for a railway, 465–469 - Anderson, Andrew, 361 - ——, James, private, 373 - Andrews, James, private, 257, 285 - Anglesey, Marquis of, 470 - Anholt, 181 - Aniers, bridge over the Seine at, 238 - Anniversary of siege of Gibraltar, 42 - Antigua, 82, 255, 270 - Antwerp, 218, 221 - Arctic expedition, 481–483 - _Arethusa_, 284 - Argenteuil, bridge over the Seine at, 238 - Arms and accoutrements, 198, 244, 310, 428–430 - Armstrong, Sub-Lieutenant, 231 - Arnold, Lieutenant, 145 - Arthur, Major-General, 324 - Artificers, formation of corps of, 53–55, 58–64 - Artillery, transfers to, 105; - mutiny in the, 112, - Ascension, island of, 279, 282 - Ashplant, John, private, 465 - Auger, Richard, 310–321, 328–340 - Augmentations, 6, 8, 17, 88, 45, 157, 182, 265, 266, 267, 271, 273, - 342, 344, 356, 368, 379, 469, 479 - Australia, 310–321, 328–340, 342, 478 - - Badajoz, 179, 191–193 - Bagshot camp, 78 - Bailey, bugle-major, 247 - ——, Edward, private, 442 - Bain, corporal, 117 - Baker, William, second-corporal, 473–475 - Ballingall, private, 250 - Baltimore, 223 - Barbadoes, 248, 254, 256, 258, 283, 284, 291 - Barbara and St. Felipe, forts of, 177 - Barber, John, private, 177 - Barlow, Lieutenant, 435 - Barnecoat, Edward, private, 393; - corporal, 458 - Barns, Joseph, sergeant, 458 - Barrosa, 181 - Barry, Colonel, 441 - Bastard, corporal, 451 - Baston, sergeant, 471 - Bay of Biscay O!, 77 - Bayonne, 215 - Beal, corporal, 279, 282 - Beatty, Captain, 461 - Beauharnois, 325 - Beer, William, corporal, 111 - Bennett, Captain, 157 - ——, quartermaster-sergeant, 257 - Bennie, William, private, 409 - Berbice, 143, 270 - Bergenopzoom, 219 - Bermuda, 196, 199, 254, 255, 256, 271, 291, 379, 426, 434, 440, - 441, 470 - Berry, William, private, 267 - Berryhead, 105 - Bethell, private, 36 - Biggs, private, 415 - Binney, Lieutenant, 434 - Birch, Captain, 152, 180 - Black, William, sergeant, 299, 300, 301, 364, 365, 367 - Blackadder, corporal, 193 - Bladensburg, 223 - Blaik, Joseph, sergeant, 399, 428, 480 - Blair, corporal, 5 - Blanshard, Captain, 215, 223; - Major, 266, 289, 303 - Blyth, sergeant, 18 - ——, Sand, submarine demolitions at, 399 - Board of Works, Ireland, 471–476 - Bogue forts, 479 - Bombarde, 103 - Bonavia, Sub-Lieutenant, 155 - Bond, William, private, 193 - Booth, Sub-Lieutenant, 194, 196 - Booth, Ensign, 6 - Boothby, Captain, 170 - Borland, private, 204 - Borthwick, corporal, 182 - Boteler, Captain, 207, 267 - Boundary survey. See “America” - Bourchier, Lieutenant, 399, 456–458 - Bows, private, 93 - Boyer, fort, 225 - Brabant, private, 351 - Braid, private, 207 - Brand, corporal, 5; - sergeant, 20, 34; - Lieutenant, 33–36 - Brandreth, Lieutenant, 270, 279, 282 - Brennan, John, private, 218, 219 - Bridges, Lieutenant, 84; - Lieutenant-Colonel, 141 - ——, sergeant-major, 3, 5 - Brighton, 84 - Bristo, private, 94, 95 - Broughton, Captain, 356, 378, 449 - Brown, Captain, 227 - ——, Daniel, corporal, 149, 275 - ——, George, private, 17, 28 - ——, quartermaster-sergeant, 364, 367 - ——, John, sergeant, 6 - ——, Thomas, sergeant, 254 - ——, widow, Sultana of Morocco, 7 - Browne, sergeant-major, 111, 132 - Browning, private, 393 - Brownrigg, Lieutenant, 117, 118 - Bruges, 117 - Brussels, 230, 234 - Bruyeres, Captain, 105 - Bryce, Captain, 129, 132, 137; - Lieutenant-Colonel, 171 - Buchanan, Captain, 173, 189 - Buenos Ayres, 153, 162 - Bugles adopted, 247 - Bull-fight, 415 - Bunn, private, 214 - Burgess, sergeant, 111 - Burgos, 194 - Burgoyne, Captain, 162, 166; - Lieutenant-Colonel, 194 - Burke, Patrick, private, 192, 195 - Burmester, Lieutenant, 306 - Burrell, William, private, 92 - Burridge, private, 385–387 - By, Lieutenant-Colonel, 285 - Byham, R., secretary to Board of Ordnance, 68 - - Cadiz, 129–130, 165, 176, 181, 184, 193, 195 - Calder, Sub-Lieutenant, 181, 200, 211, 223, 243 - ——, sergeant, 465–469 - Calshot castle, 104 - Calvi, 93 - Cameron, John, private, 107 - ——, John, sergeant, 181 - ——, John, sergeant, 380 - ——, Roderick, private, 373, 377, 393, 396 - Campbell, David, private, 243 - ——, John, sergeant, 362, 457 - ——, Malcolm, private, 392 - ——, William, sergeant, 476 - Cambo, 206 - Camps, 78, 84 - Canada, 88, 199, 222, 226, 254, 257, 272, 285–287, 324, 401 - Canton, 479, 480 - Cape Breton, 167, 174, 177, 185 - Cape of Good Hope, 153, 167, 174, 185, 254, 259, 272, 291, 293, - 362, 384–388, 431–433, 444, 454–459, 483 - Carey, James, corporal, 20 - Caribbee islands, 101, 109, 118 - Carlin, sergeant, 379, 380 - Carlisle, Lord, speech against formation of corps, 62 - Carthagena, 195 - Castelcicala, Prince di, 68 - Castledine, corporal, 455 - Catalonia, 200 - Cathcart, Lord, 63 - Catto, sergeant, 132 - Cave at Gibraltar, 51 - Ceuta, 177 - Ceylon, 141, 185 - Chambers, sergeant-major, 20 - Chatham, 65, 73, 132, 157, 184, 248, 254, 255, 256, 283, 289, 291, - 292, 308, 441 - Chatou, 238 - Chaytor, Captain, 480 - Chelmsford, 121, 149 - Chesney, Colonel, 297 - Chilcot, Captain, 93 - China, 427, 442, 470, 479 - Cholera, 292 - Christie, Sir Archibald, 283 - Clarence, Duke of, 255, 256 - Clark, George, private, 107 - ——, John, private, 92 - ——, Philip, sergeant, 460–464 - Clarke, Samuel, private, 204 - Cleghorn, Alexander, private, 393, 396, 420, 424, 440 - Clinton, Lieutenant-General, 221 - Colby, Major, 257; - Colonel, 264, 273, 403, 408, 470 - Cole, Lieutenant, 221 - Coles, John, 310–321, 328–340 - Colleton, Sir James, 261, 266, 278 - Collinson, Captain, 427 - Colquhoun, Colonel, R.A., 306, 322 - Colville, Sir Charles, 243 - Comfort, private, 122 - Commissions from the ranks into the Engineers, 35, 85 - Congella, action at, 385 - Connolly, James, private, 145 - Connor, Owen, private, 204, 206 - Contract, works to be executed by, 278 - Cook, Joshua, private, 87 - ——, Thomas P., sergeant, 359, 361, 457 - Coombs, corporal, 239 - Copenhagen, 163 - Corfu, 222, 249, 254, 255, 259, 265, 291 - Cormack, William, private, 204 - Corsica, 93 - Coruña, 168 - Cottey, corporal, 111 - Cottingham, sergeant, 355 - Councill, corporal, 206, 238 - Courtenay, Mr., opposition of, to formation of corps, 63 - Cowan, Adam, private, 119; - sergeant, 164 - Cowes, 96 - Craig, John, private, 369, 370 - Crawford, William, private, 362 - Creighton, corporal, 220 - Crockett, private, 410 - Crowdy, private, 393, 396 - Crozier, Lieutenant, 101, 102 - Cuidad Rodrigo, 190 - Cummins, James, private, 479 - - Dacosta, Lieutenant, 479, 480 - D’Aguilar, Major-General, 442 - Daniel, sergeant, 20 - Danish islands, 133, 164, 169, 175 - D’Arcy, Captain, 120, 132; - Major, 157; - Lieutenant-Colonel, 163, 171 - Darley, Benjamin, sergeant, 480 - Dalhousie, Lord, 275 - Darbyshire, sergeant, 291, 293 - Dashwood, Lieutenant, 297 - Davie, Sub-Lieutenant, 176, 180 - Davis, John, sergeant, 203 - Dawson, Mr. James, 426 - Deane, corporal, 285 - Deary, Noah, 295, 387 - Debbieg, Colonel, 53, 57 - De Butts, Lieutenant, 87 - Delabeche, Sir Henry, 445, 446 - Delacourt, private, 170 - Demerara, 143, 255 - Demolitions, submarine, 325, 348–353, 358–362, 372–378, 392–399, - 419–424, 435–440, 441 - De Salaberry, Lieutenant, 180 - Desertion, efforts to prevent, 111 - Designation of corps, 3, 189, 197 - Detachments for service, 120, 124 - Develin, corporal, 194 - Dickens, Lieutenant, 50; - Colonel, 154 - ——, Captain, 206 - Disaffection of corps, 81 - Discipline of corps, 51, 245, 251 - Diving. See “Demolitions” - Dodds, private, 204 - Donnelly, Henry, corporal, 235 - Doran, private, 193 - Douglas, Archibald, private, 94 - ——, James, private, 117, 175 - corporal, 191 - Doull, Alexander, Mr., 345, 405 - Douro, 201 - Dover, 105, 132, 149, 157, 184, 248, 480 - ——, Round Down Cliff at, 415 - Dowling, William, private, 207 - Down, John, corporal, 322 - Dowse, Lieutenant, 92, 93 - Dress, 47–50, 69–71, 79, 90, 99, 114, 133, 140, 197, 247, 249, 258, - 262, 263, 279–281, 287, 292, 305, 371, 459 - Drew, Lieutenant, 68 - ——, Major, R.A., 68 - Drummond, William, private, 86 - ——, Captain, 268 - Drums abolished, 247 - Drunkenness, 96 - Dublin, 425, 471 - Duncan, Andrew, private, 359; - corporal, 408 - Dundas’s drill, 84 - Dunkirk, siege of, 85 - Dunn, James, private, 204 - Dunnett, sergeant, 272, 276, 277 - Duplat, Captain, 303 - Duport, Captain, R.A., 248 - Durant, private, 194 - Durham, Lord, 324 - Durnford, Elias, Colonel, 86, 90, 93 - ——, Lieutenant, 91, 92; Colonel, 276, 278 - ——, E. W., Colonel, 73 - ——, E. W., Lieutenant, 261 - ——, Captain, 479 - Dyson, corporal, 143 - - Eastbourne, 149, 174, 185 - East India Company, 322, 393, 394, 396, 419, 428, 435–440, 442 - Eaves, Sub-Lieutenant, 132, 166 - Edgar, wreck of, 422, 435 - Edmonds, corporal, 369–371 - Edrington, private, 300, 301 - Egypt, 132, 135–138, 162 - Elba, 94 - Ellis, Mr. George, 329 - Elphinstone, Captain, 165 - Emmett, Captain, 223; - Major, 242 - Engineer establishment in France and Netherlands, 236, 239 - Enlistment into corps, opposition to, 73 - Entwistle, sergeant, 379 - Epidemics, 109, 146, 199, 255, 279, 426 - Equilateral pontoons, 416 - Erie, fort, 222 - Esla, bridge, 201 - Essequibo, 143 - Estcourt, Colonel, 415, 449, 453 - Establishment for field instruction, Chatham, 188 - Euphrates expedition, 297–301 - Evans, Thomas, corporal, 204 - ——, James, draughtsman, 50 - Evatt, Lieutenant, 93, 104; - Captain, 154, 157; - Colonel, 177 - Evelegh, Lieutenant, 4, 6; - Captain, 44; - Colonel, 99, 132 - Evelin, John, corporal, 111 - Exmouth, Lord, 19 - Exploration survey for a railway in America, 465–469 - Eyre, Lieutenant, 217 - - Fairbairn, John, private, 86 - Falconer, Sub-Lieutenant, 185 - Falkland islands, 388–391, 412–415, 434, 446 - Falmouth, 121 - Faris, Lieutenant, 232 - Faro, 222, 228 - Farrington, Colonel, R.A., 112 - Featherstone, Joseph, private, 107 - Featherstonhaugh, Mr., 347, 356, 378 - Fenwick, Captain, 132 - ——, Robert, Captain, 426 - Fevers, 82, 93, 103, 109, 118, 127, 146, 173, 255, 256, 279, 367, - 426 - Feversham, 258 - Fez, 7 - Finch, Thomas, sergeant, 20 - Fires, 37, 246, 392 - Fisher, Benjamin, corporal, 299, 300, 301 - ——, Lieutenant-Colonel, 132 - Fitzgerald, Lieutenant-Colonel, 275 - Fitzherbert, Mrs., 85 - Flanders, 83, 85, 88, 94, 117 - Flannagan, John, private, 204 - Fleming, William, private, 92 - Fletcher, Lieutenant, 91, 102, 128; - Captain, 157, 163; - Lieutenant-Colonel, 169 - Flushing, 171 - Forbes, Joseph, sergeant-major, 171 - ——, James, corporal, 278, 279; - sergeant-major, 296, 297, 416–419 - ——, Thomas, corporal, 451 - Ford, Lieutenant, 107; - Captain, 137, 157 - ——, Charles, corporal, 204 - Foremen of works, 294 - Forrest, William, corporal, 478 - Fortifications, Duke of Richmond’s plan for the, 55–57 - Fortune, sergeant-major, 117 - Frame, William, private, 438 - France, 237–242, 243, 245–247, 249–252 - Francia, Antonio, corporal, 21 - ——, Francis, consul at San Roque, 21 - Fraser, John, 21 - ——, Peter, corporal, 5 - ——, quartermaster-sergeant, 379 - ——, Samuel, private, 185 - Frederic fort, Holland, 217 - French, Henry, Mr., 294 - Fyers, William, Colonel, 132 - ——, T., Captain, 157; - Colonel, 171, 288 - - Galloway, quartermaster, 210, 296 - Garrison duty, corps excused from, 41, 68 - Garnham, Alfred, 448, 449 - Geddes, Hugh, 483 - Genoa, 222, 227 - Gibb, Sub-Lieutenant, 191, 196, 222, 242, 255 - ——, C. J., Lieutenant, 384–388 - Gibraltar, 1–9, 130, 132, 138, 146, 154, 157, 184, 199, 242, 248, - 254, 258, 279, 291, 292, 403, 427, 435, 446, 470 - ——, siege of, 10–28; - galleries, 14–16, 25, 29–32; - St. George’s Hall, 16; - King’s Bastion, 7, 9; - model of, 9; - Orange Bastion, 25; - anniversary of siege, 42; - privileges of corps at, 50; - cave under signal-house at, 51; - wish of the Jews at, 71; - companies at, incorporated with the corps, 106; - naval tank at, 123. - See also “Gibraltar” - Gidens, corporal, 298 - Girvan, John, private, 393, 398, 419–421, 423, 439 - Glacière Bastion, Quebec, 275 - Gleig, the Rev. G. R., opinion of corps, 383 - Glenie, Lieutenant, 57, 63 - Glenmorgan schooner, 325 - Gold Coast, 267 - Goldfinch, Captain, 195; - Major, 201 - Gordon, Captain, (Malta) 127 - ——, Alexander, Captain, 427 - ——, James, private (Viscount Kenmure) 256 - Gorman, James, corporal, 214 - Gosport, 65, 73, 132, 157, 184 - Gosset, Lieutenant, 424 - Gossett, Lieutenant, 222; - Major, 243 - Gottenburg, 166 - Gozo, 155 - Graham, Andrew, private, 250 - Gratton, Sub-Lieutenant, 195, 196, 200, 202, 216, 231, 241 - Gravatt, Lieutenant, 101, 107 - Gravesend, 95, 114 - Gray, sergeant-major, 132 - Green Island, 196 - Green, Sir William, 2, 4, 72 - Greenhill, corporal, 300, 301 - Gregory, Lieutenant, 269 - Greig, John, private, 364 - Grenada, 82 - Grewer, Thomas, private, 195 - Grey, Captain, 310–321, 328–340 - Grierson, Captain, 285, 288 - Grigor, sergeant, 19 - Guadeloupe, 92–93, 175, 227 - Guernsey, 65, 73, 132, 157, 184, 248 - - Hague, Thomas, private, 36 - ——, Samuel, private, 107 - Haig, sergeant-major, 98, 132 - Halifax, N.S., 104, 127, 132, 157, 167, 169, 184, 227, 279, 291, - 292 - Hall, Benjamin, private, 176 - ——, John, sergeant, 259 - Hambly, Roger, private, 104 - Hamilton, Dougal, private, 104 - ——, Lieutenant, 99 - Hanover, 152 - Harding, G. J., Lieutenant, 162; - Captain, 177, 239 - Hardinge, Sir Henry, 275, 286 - Hare, Joseph, sergeant, 277 - Harnett, corporal, 483 - Harper, Captain, 258 - Harrenden, Thomas, 21 - Harris, Joseph, sergeant, 284 - ——, David, the diver, 350, 351, 353, 358–361, 373–377, 393, 396, - 419, 421, 434, 440, 441 - ——, John A., private, 442 - Harrison, John, corporal, 21 - Harry, William, private, 192 - Hawkins, Charles, corporal, 444 - Hay, Lieutenant, 21; - Captain, 102; - Colonel, 123 - ——, corporal, 211 - ——, Lord John, 354 - Hayter, Captain, 157 - ——, Lieutenant, 252 - Hearnden, sergeant, 357, 388, 390, 391, 413, 414, 434, 446 - Hearts o' pipe-clay, 69 - Hegarty, James, 360, 361 - Hemming, sergeant, 362, 431, 433 - Henderson, Captain, 207, 291, 293, 301, 308, 323, 362, 431 - ——, E. Y. W., Lieutenant, 465 - Herkes, John, private, 283 - Hewitt, James, E. I. C. Sappers, 394, 396 - Hibling, corporal, 426 - Hicks, James, private, 204 - Hill, Lord, 289, 292, 308 - Hilton, James, quartermaster, 152, 234, 296, 445 - Hobbs, Lieutenant, 169, 175; - Captain, 175 - Hoey, sergeant-major, 90, 132 - Hogan, Patrick S., 445, 476 - Holland, 83, 85, 88, 94, 123, 216–222, 228–231 - ——, Charles, 445, 476 - Holloway, Captain, 77, 95, 112, 117, 180, 192; - Major, 121, 128, 132; - Sir Charles, 143, 157 - ——, Colonel, 254 - Hong Kong, see “China” - Hopkins, John, corporal, 293, 343; - clerk of works, 295 - Horn, George, 94, 95 - Horses in France, &c., care of by the sappers, 239 - Howatson, private, 387 - Howell, Thomas, private, 86 - Howorth, Captain, 444, 458 - Hudson’s Bay, 460–464 - Hughes, Thomas, private, 177 - Humfrey, Captain, 132, 157 - Hunter, Robert, sergeant, 227 - Hurricane at Barbadoes, 283 - Hurst Castle, 96, 167 - Hutchinson, Lieutenant G. R., 362, 372, 392, 415, 419 - ——, corporal Robert, 117 - Hutton, William, corporal, 111 - Hythe, 164, 177, 185, 327 - - Ince, Henry, sergeant, 5; - sergeant-major, 14–16, 18, 25, 30–32 - Inglis, John, private, 147 - Inspections, 221, 249, 255, 256, 274, 289, 292, 308, 324, 343, 368, - 428, 435, 442, 446, 470 - Ionian Islands, 171, 185 - Ireland, Joseph, private, 359, 360 - Irun, 205 - Irvine, Alexander, private, 457 - Ischia, 171 - Isle of Wight, 167, 177 - Italy, 216, 222, 227 - Itzassu, bridge over the Nive at, 211 - - Jackson, Thomas, sergeant, 19, 26 - Jaffa, 128, 132, 133 - Jago, James, private, 373, 393, 396 - ——, William, 295 - James, Thomas, corporal, 247 - Jamieson, Alexander, corporal, 207 - Jebb, Captain, 283, 309 - Jenkin, Lieutenant, 426 - Jersey, 65, 73, 132, 149, 157, 184 - Jervois, Lieutenant, 484 - Jesse, Lieutenant, 483 - Jews' wish, 71 - Johnson, Lieutenant, 13, 21; - Captain, 95 - ——, John, Ensign, 85 - ——, Sub-Lieutenant, 202, 226, 231, 235, 241 - Johnston, Colonel, 157, 175, 248 - Jones, Harry D., Lieutenant, 181, 194; - Captain, 205, 226, 240, 246, 247 - ——, Jenkin, sergeant-major, 152, 266, 325–327, 348–353, 372, 399, - 416 - ——, Rice, Captain, 189; - Brigade-Major, 210; - Lieutenant-Colonel, 282 - Jones, Richard P., 359, 373–377, 393–398, 419–423, 436–439 - ——, Sir John Thomas, 161, 173, 382 - Junk-ship night, 42 - - Kaffir war, 254, 293, 454–459, 484 - Keane, Lieutenant the Hon. H. F., 460 - Kenmure, Viscount, 256 - Kennett, Captain, 153 - Kent, Duke of, 32, 42, 104, 138 - Kerr, James, corporal, 91 - ——, Ninian, corporal, 127 - Kerstiman, Lieutenant, 50 - Keville, Edward, corporal, 407 - Kinnaird, Hugh, corporal, 117 - Knapp, Sub-Lieutenant, 231 - Koehler, Brigadier-General, 121, 128 - - Labourers, 45, 66, 106 - La Caille’s arc of the meridian, 362, 431–433 - Lacy, Captain, 122, 128, 134 - Landmann, Captain, 157, 165 - Lanyon, Hugh, 309, 310, 402, 425 - Laredo, fort of, 211 - Lawford, James, private, 148 - Lawson, Lieutenant, 93 - ——, Andrew, 259 - Lefance, Captain, 4 - Lefebure, Lieutenant, 107, 108; - Captain, 152, 154; - Major, 176 - Leghorn, 222 - Letts, Thomas, private, 172 - Levick, sergeant, 117 - Lewis, G. G., Captain, 203; - Colonel, 484 - Lewisham, 173 - Lewsey, private, 122, 134 - Liddle, William, private, 18 - Lindsay, Andrew, private, 94 - ——, George, sergeant, 423, 435, 440 - Lisle, Peter, _alias_ Mourad Reis, 19 - Lomas, Edward, private, 220 - London, Tower of, 77 - Logan, Henry, corporal, 204 - Lonergan, corporal, 452 - Longitudes, 257, 424 - Lough Foyle Base, 273 - Low Countries. See “Holland” - Lucca, 222 - Lushington, Lieutenant, 310–321 - Luttrell, Captain, 13, 28 - - Macauley, Captain, 278 - Maclean, Major-General, 343 - Mackelcan, Colonel, 132, 157 - Mackenzie, Sub-Lieutenant, 158, 199 - ——, Richard, sergeant, 209 - Maclear, Mr., Astronomer-Royal, 362, 431 - Macleod, Lieutenant, 154 - Macpherson, Thomas R., 462, 463 - McAlpine, private, 373 - McArthur, John, sergeant, 132 - McBeath, corporal, 111 - McCarthy, James, private, 210 - McDonald, Archibald, private, 299 - ——, Dr., 293 - ——, Edward, sergeant, 5, 18 - ——, Findlay, corporal, 204 - ——, John, private, 103 - McFadden, John, private, 424, 425 - McFarlane, Donald, private, 438 - McGregor, William, corporal, 347 - McGuckin, sergeant, 450 - McKay, James, private, 219; - quartermaster-sergeant, 345 - ——, John, sergeant, 180 - McKeer, John, private, 219 - McKerlie, Captain, 480 - McKerras, Lieutenant, 21; - Captain, 103, 110; - Major, 136 - McKnight, John, private, 214 - McLaughlin, Hugh, 104 - McLaren, James, sergeant, 283 - McLean, Sub-Lieutenant, 237, 241 - McLeod, Alexander M., sergeant, 484 - McNaughton, John, 36 - McQueen, John, corporal, 347, 357, 378 - Madeira, 164, 185 - Madrid, 194 - Maerk, bridge over the, 217 - Mahomed Sidi, Sultan of Morocco, 6 - Mahmoud II., 304 - Maida, 154 - Maine, expedition to State of, 224 - ——, disputed territory in the State of. See “America” - Makin, sergeant-major, 20, 132 - Malta, 127, 155 - Maltese military artificers, 155, 170, 171, 227, 228; - sappers, 243 - Manchester, Duke of, speech against formation of corps, 61 - Mann Gother, Captain, 83, 95 - March, Samuel, sergeant, 373 - Markey, Nicholas, 294 - Marques, Antonio, 35 - Marseilles, 228 - Martinique, 91, 169, 227 - Matson, Lieutenant, 195, 200, 201, 203; - Captain, 283; - Major, 371 - Maule, Captain (Lord Panmure), 276 - Mauritius, 287, 291–293, 362 - Maxwell, Joseph, private, 409 - Mayhead, Abraham, 92 - Mealey, John, corporal, 459 - Melhuish, Lieutenant, 180; - Captain, 276 - Melville, Ninian, sergeant, 213 - Mercer, Colonel, 73; - Major-General, 112, 132 - ——, Cavalie, Captain, 255 - Mercury, brig, wreck of the, 46 - Messina, 152, 162, 170, 222 - Meyers, Joseph, 358 - Michael, Grand Duke, 428 - Milan, 228 - Milburn, Thomas, sergeant, 218 - Millar, John, private, 172 - ——, Jonathan, private, 204 - ——, Sub-Lieutenant, 215, 216 - Miller, sergeant, 190 - ——, Robert, corporal, 192 - Militia-men, 151 - Milman, Samuel, private, 127 - Milne, Alexander, private, 250 - ——, Peter, private, 204 - Minorca, 119, 132 - Missouri, steamer, burning of, 427 - Mitchell, George, private, 145; - sergeant, 169 - ——, Henry, corporal, 326 - Models, 9, 35–38, 254 - Moffatt, William, private, 370 - Moggeridge, Lieutenant, 442 - Moir, James, sergeant, 111 - Moncrief, Colonel, 65, 73, 78, 83, 86 - Montebello, Marquis Di, daughter of, 68 - Montgomery, Walter, 47 - Montmartre, domiciliary visit to, 240 - Monument to Wolfe, 272 - Moody, Governor, 388–391, 412–415, 434, 446 - ——, H. C. B., Captain, 461, 463 - Moore, John, corporal, 364 - Morocco, Sultan of, 7 - Morris, James, private, 204 - ——, John, sergeant, 93 - Morrison, John, corporal, 21 - Morse, Colonel, 65, 73 - Morshead, Captain, 164 - Mortality, 82, 93, 103, 109, 118, 119, 127, 133, 146, 173, 199, - 255, 256, 279, 292, 367, 426 - Morton, David, private, 94 - Motto of corps, 292 - Mudge, Colonel, 347 - Muir, Andrew, corporal, 284 - Mulcaster, F. G., Colonel, 65, 73 - ——, F. W., Lieutenant, 105; - Sir Frederick, 292 - Mulligan, sergeant, 448, 454 - Munro, Hugh, 295 - ——, James, private, 219 - ——, Sub-Lieutenant, 185 - Murphy, John, private, 442 - ——, Lieutenant, 298 - Mustard, Robert, private, 311, 313, 314, 319, 320, 328 - Mutinies, 110, 112, 114, 138 - Mutiny Act, corps first included in the, 61 - Myers, Samuel, private, 87 - - Nancarrow, John, private, 119 - Napier, James, private, 201 - Naples, 152, 171, 227 - Natal, 384–388 - Needham, Samuel, private, 213 - Negroes, enlistment of, 110 - Nepean, Captain, 87; - Lieutenant-Colonel, 132 - Netherlands. See “Holland” - ——, engineer establishment in the, 236, 237, 239 - New Brunswick, 185 - Newell, Robert, corporal, 20 - Newfoundland, 163, 166, 174, 184 - New Holland, 310–321, 328–340 - Newman, George, corporal, 407 - New Orleans, 223 - New Zealand, 480 - Niblock, corporal, 204 - Nicolay, Sir William, 293 - Nicolls, Captain, 224 - Nieuport, 86 - Niger expedition, 368, 371, 403 - Nive, 206, 207 - Nivelle, 206 - Northfleet, 114, 177 - North Pole expedition, 481–483 - Nova Scotia. See “Halifax.” - Nowlan, John, private, 206 - - O’Connell, Daniel, M.P., 472 - O’Hara, General, 36, 50 - O’Kean, Patrick, private, 250 - Oldfield, Lieutenant, 99, 166; - Captain, 221, 229; - Major, 235, 250; - Colonel, 402 - Olivenza, 178 - Oporto, 170 - Origin of corps, 1 - Orthes, 213 - Ostend, 118 - Oswego, 222 - Owen, Lieutenant, 457, 458 - - Page, Lieutenant, 283 - Painter, William, corporal, 184 - Palermo, 222, 228 - Palmer, sergeant-major, 132 - Pampeluna, 201 - Parsons, Adam, private, 28 - ——, Joseph, private, 33 - Pasley, Major, 187, 188; - Lieut.-colonel, 255, 261, 264, 266; - Colonel, 303, 325, 348–353, 358–362, 372, 380; - Major-General, 392, 419–424, 435 - Patterson, John, private, 47 - ——, John, private, 457 - ——, Philip, private, 122 - Patton, Captain, 179 - Paul, Thomas, 167 - Pay, regimental, 3, 64, 113, 156, 157, 228 - ——, working, 3, 64, 159, 267, 345, 356 - Payne, Captain, 227 - Pembroke, 480 - Pendennis Castle, 288, 290 - Penhorwood, private, 204 - Penman, William, private, 393, 398 - Penton, Robert, private, 424, 425, 462–464 - Perdita, removal of, by divers, 393 - Perexil, 167 - Peronne, 237 - Philipville, 239 - Phillpotts, Lieutenant, 199, 222; - Major, 324; - Colonel, 480 - Phipps, John, Captain, 4; - Colonel, 65, 161 - Phipps, W. G., Lieutenant, 72 - Picurina, fort, 192 - Pilkington, Lieutenant-Colonel, 173; - Major-General, 290 - Piper, Lieutenant, 205 - Pipon, Lieutenant, 355, 415; - Captain, 449, 450, 465 - Pisa, 222 - Pitts, Captain, 206 - Plattsburg, 222 - Plymouth, 65, 73, 132, 157, 184, 254, 258, 272, 289 - ——, riot at, 73–76 - Pollock, David, sergeant, 135 - Pontoneers, sappers recognized as, 231 - Pontoon train, 236, 237 - Pontoons, 261, 266, 278, 289, 303, 343, 416, 418 - Porchester, Lord, speech of, against formation of corps, 62 - Porto Rico, 107 - Portsmouth, 65, 73, 99, 132, 157, 184, 254, 290, 292, 484 - Powis, sergeant, 203 - Power, Patrick, corporal, 214 - Pratts, Simon, 28 - Precedence of corps, 65 - Pringle, Captain, 50 - Privileges of corps, 50 - Procida, 171 - Prussian tactics, 78 - Puntal, fort of, 211 - Puntales, 176 - Purcell, John, sergeant, 230 - Purfleet, 291 - Pyrenees, 201, 205 - - Quebec, 272, 275, 291, 292 - Queue, the, 167 - - Rabling, private, 370 - Rae, John, corporal, 373, 377, 393, 398, 415, 420, 424, 440, 459 - Rawdon, Lord, 63 - Read, sergeant-major, 353, 360 - Reductions, 228, 243, 247, 253, 287, 290, 306, 356, 382, 403 - Reed, John, sergeant, 287, 288 - Reid, Lieutenant, 194; - Captain, 243; - Major, 264, 265, 284; - Lieutenant-Colonel, 441 - ——, William, private, 350, 353 - Reis, Mourad (Peter Lisle), 19 - Relief works, Ireland, 471–476 - Repeal, 425 - Reynolds, William, private, 293, 362 - Richardson, Sir John, 481–483 - ——, William, corporal, 304, 390 - Richmond, Duke of, 20, 55–63, 67 - Richmond, John, sergeant, 6, 28 - ——, Thomas, Lieutenant, 33–36 - Rideau canal, 272, 285–287 - Riot at Plymouth, 73–76 - Ritchley, William, corporal, 293 - Roberts, Benjamin, corporal, 117 - ——, Evan, private, 120, 127; - sergeant, 162, 170 - ——, Lieutenant, 324, 402 - Robinson, Lieutenant, 323, 343; - Captain, 415, 449, 451; - Major, 465, 466 - ——, Sub-Lieutenant, 171 - ——, William, corporal, 109 - Rock, Daniel, 295, 448 - Rocroy, 239 - Rogers, Lieutenant, 248 - ——, William, private, 109 - ——, William, sergeant, 179 - Roliça, 166 - Roncesvalles, stockades at, 201 - Rooney, corporal, 192 - Ross, Lieutenant, 85; - Captain, 163, 178 - ——, John, sergeant, 326 - ——, Sub-Lieutenant, 231 - Round Down cliff at Dover, 415 - Rowley, Lieutenant, 98; - Major, 161 - Royal Engineers to command the corps, 3, 65 - —— George, 348–353, 358–362, 372–378, 392–399, 419–424, 435–440 - —— Military Artificers, formation of, 58–63, 64 - —— staff corps, 124, 327 - Rutherford, Lieutenant, 255 - - St. Domingo, 101, 103, 110, 119 - — Helena, 242, 254, 257 - — Julian, 180 - — Lucia, 92, 102, 142, 248, 255 - — Marcou, 104, 133 - Salamanca, 194 - Sanders, C. K., Lieutenant, 232 - ——, Sub-Lieutenant, 221, 231 - Sandham, Captain, 309, 348, 371 - Sandhurst, 279, 309, 343, 357, 379 - San Sebastian, 202–205, 303 - Santa Maura, 177 - Santona, 210 - Sappers recognized as pontoneers, 231 - Sapping and mining, instructions in, 187 - Sargent, William, 295 - Savage, Captain, 272; - Colonel, 463 - Savona, 222 - Scoble, James, private, 250 - Schools, 221, 245 - Scrafield, Henry, corporal, 223 - Scylla castle, 154 - Second-corporals introduced, 158 - Seine, bridges over the, 238 - Serrada bridge, 194 - Servants, 173 - Sevenoaks, 121 - Seville, 195 - Shambrook, Charles, private, 284 - Sharp, Adam, private, 28 - Sheerness, 261, 444 - Shepherd, Robert, 28 - ——, George, sergeant, 442 - Sheridan, Mr., 58–59, 63 - Sherriff, sergeant, 46 - Shetland islands, 483 - Shipley, Major, 107; - Colonel, 132, 142, 144; - Brigadier-General, 169 - Shipwrecks, 46, 76, 209, 269, 288, 299 - Shirres, sergeant-major, 35, 120, 132, 139 - Shornmead, 96 - Shorter, quartermaster-sergeant, 261 - Shot and shell boys, 33–36 - Sicily, 154, 162, 167, 185 - Sierra Leone, 267 - Sim, sergeant, 274, 297, 298 - Simpson, William, private, 91 - Sinclair, David, private, 108 - ——, Sir John, 189 - Sirrige, Hugh, corporal, 20 - Sirrell, Thomas, corporal, 270 - Skelton, John, private, 351–353; - corporal, 359, 373, 375–377, 440 - Skene, Lieutenant, 256 - Skinner, Ensign, 6; - Lieutenant, 13, 50 - Lieutenant-colonel, 157 - ——, W. C., Captain, 50 - Slieve-snacht, 268 - Smart, Lieutenant, 50 - ——, John, private, 94 - Smith, Alexander, private, 269 - ——, Captain C. F., 181; - Sir Charles F., 244, 363 - ——, Captain J. C., 153 - ——, Captain W. D., 222, 255, 256 - ——, Edward, sergeant, 86 - ——, Frederick, Mr., 328, 331, 335, 339 - ——, Hugh, corporal, 365, 479 - ——, James, sergeant, 19 - ——, James, sergeant-major, 132 - ——, James, private, 479 - ——, John, sergeant-major, 171 - ——, John, corporal, 260; - sergeant, 276, 277 - ——, Joseph, sergeant, 445 - ——, Sir Frederic, 441 - ——, Thomas, private, 398, 415 - Smyth, J. C., Captain, 166; - Colonel, 234, 235, 236; - Sir James, 245, 248, 249, 274 - ——, Captain R. N., 19 - Southampton, 94, 391, 411, 470, 476 - Spain, 302, 306–308, 321–323, 341, 354 - Spalding, Robert, 407 - Sparks, Sub-Lieutenant, 231 - Spence, sergeant-major, 68, 132 - Spencer, B. Keen, corporal, 425 - Spike island, 143, 157, 184, 248 - Spry, Colonel, 65, 73 - ——, William, 294, 304 - Squire, Captain, 162, 166, 171, 178 - Stack, William, corporal, 192 - Staff corps. See “Royal Staff Corps” - Stanway, Lieutenant, 178, 192; - Captain, 205; - Major, 281, 283 - Stapleton, Lieutenant, 60th rifles, 32 - State, assistance to the, 117 - Stephens, Thomas, corporal, 173; - sergeant, 213 - Stephenson, Sub-Lieutenant, 199 - Stephens, Sub-Lieutenant, 218, 241 - Stewart, Alexander, private, 94 - ——, Lieutenant, 103 - Sticklen, private, E. I. Co., 438 - Stokes, Lieutenant, 455, 457, 484 - Storie, John, private, 181 - Stratton, Sub-Lieutenant, 202, 206, 207, 213, 216, 231, 237 - Streatfeild, Captain, 259 - Sub-Lieutenants, 158, 160, 185, 228, 247 - Sullivan, private, E. I. Co., 442 - Surinam, 119, 144 - Survey, 264–265, 265–266, 273, 291, 293, 301, 308, 323, 342, 343, - 344, 348, 355, 362, 403–411, 415, 445, 447, 465–469, 476, 480 - Sutherland, Captain, 83 - Symon, Charles, private, 359 - Symonds, Lieutenant, 349, 350, 353, 358, 361, 364, 365 - Syria, 363–368 - - Tabb, corporal, 28 - Talavera, 170 - Tarifa, 177, 181 - Tarragona, 181, 193, 196 - Tay steamer at Bermuda, 440 - Taylor, Hugh, sergeant, 103 - ——, Thomas, private, 128 - Teaff, Stephen, private, 204 - Thackeray, Major, 196 - Thomas, George, private, 169 - ——, Lady, 338 - Tholen, 217 - Thompson, Alexander, Captain, 238 - ——, James, 272 - ——, W., Corporal, 393, 398 - Thomson, Daniel, 47 - ——, R., Lieutenant, 169; - Captain, 216, 221 - Tibbs, Richard, private, 386, 387 - Tides, observation of the, 391 - Tilbury Fort, 96, 114 - “Times, The,” testimony to the corps of, 481 - Tobago, 143, 255 - Torres Vedras, 175, 178 - Toro, 201; - bridge of, 201 - Torrince, Robert, private, 92 - Tournai, 222 - Toulon, 86, 93 - Toulouse, 213 - Tower of London, 77, 283-285 - Townshend, Lieutenant and Adjutant, 275 - Transfers from the Line, 151 - —— to the Artillery, 105 - Trevail, Philip, private, 421, 438 - Trevethick, William, private, 82 - Trinidad, 107, 255 - Tucker, Captain, 445 - Turkey, 121-123, 128, 133-138, 303 - Turner, Samuel, private, 379, 414 - ——, Sub-Lieutenant, 195, 196, 201, 202, 204, 231, 232 - Tuscany, 222 - Twiss, Major-General, 149 - Tylden, Major, 236, 244 - - Ustaritz, 206 - - Valenciennes, 83, 243, 246 - Valentia, longitude of, 424 - Vance, John, private, 457 - Vera, 206 - Vetch, Captain, 460 - Vicars, Lieutenant, 265, 302, 306, 307, 322, 323, 354 - Victor, Captain, 272, 286 - Victoria, Her Majesty the Queen, 470 - Vimiera, 166 - Vincent, George, corporal, 476 - Vittoria, 201 - Vivian, Sir Hussey, 294, 308 - - Waddell, David, private, 122, 134 - Wagg, Thomas, private, 92 - Wakeham, Robert, sergeant, 111 - Walcheren, 171 - Wall, John, 481 - Wallace, John, private, 141 - ——, Sub-Lieutenant, 191, 193, 196, 200, 202, 213, 216, 242 - Walpole, Captain, 484 - Walsh, Peter, private, 204 - Ward, Captain, 91st regiment, 458 - War of the Revolution, 81 - Warren, John, private, 257 - Washington, 233 - Waterdown camp, 84 - Waterproof composition, 349 - Waterloo, 232-236 - Watson, Edward, sergeant, 117, 121, 123, 128, 132, 135 - ——, John, 77 - Watts, corporal, 413 - Webb, Lieutenant, 403; - Captain, 483 - Webster, Anthony, private, 171 - Weir, James, private, 148 - Welbank, Captain, 399 - Wells, Captain, 210 - ——, corporal, 111 - West, Edward, private, 473 - —— Indies. See different stations - —— ——, companies formed for service in, 88 - West, John, sergeant, 404 - ——, Lieutenant, 206 - Westo, John, private, 119 - Whitaker, Samuel, private, 28 - White, James, corporal, 267 - ——, Captain, royal staff corps, 278 - Whitmore, Captain, 149; - Lieutenant-Colonel, 256 - ——, George, Lieutenant, 260 - Wild, Thomas, private, 172 - Wilson, John, private, 86 - ——, Sir Robert, 427, 435, 446, 470 - ——, William, corporal, 175 - “Williams” brig, 325 - ——, John, Lieutenant, 285 - ——, John, private, 373, 378, 393, 397 - ——, M., Captain, 348, 349 - Williamson, Alexander, private, 94 - Winchelsea, 480 - Windham’s Act, 156 - Windsor, 445, 459 - ——, George, private, 472 - Winter, George, private, 107 - Wolfe, monument to, 272 - Women, proportion permitted to embark with their husbands, 45 - Wood, John, 294, 442 - Woodhead, sergeant, 20, 123 - Woolwich, 65, 73, 99, 112, 114, 132, 149, 157, 184, 248, 254, 291, - 292 - Wright, P., Lieutenant, 178, 193, 201 - Wynne, Captain, 471 - - Yarmouth, 96 - Yates, private, 415 - Yecla bridge, 194 - Yezeed Mulai, Sultan of Morocco, 6 - Yolland, Captain, 476 - Yorke, Lieutenant, 392 - Young, David, sergeant, 5, 18 - ——, James, sergeant, 326, 385-388 - ——, John, corporal, 117 - ——, sergeant, 276 - ——, William, quartermaster, 266 - Ypres, 228, 230 - Yule, Captain, 325 - Yusuf Sidi, Bashaw of Tripoli, 19 - - Zamoro, 201 - Zante, 171 - Zetland, 483 - - END OF VOL. I. - - LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET. - - Footnotes - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Transcriber’s Note - -Hyphens appearing in compound words on a line or page break are -retained or removed based on the preponderance of instances of the -word elsewhere in the text. - -On occasion, tabular data which spanned pages repeated some -headings. These repetitive lines are moot in this format, and have -been removed. - -On p. 231, the footnote number, now n222, was missing from the note, -and has been restored. - -There is a minor inconsistency in placing a space before the -abbreviation ‘lbs.’ In the several places that the space lacking, -one has been added. - -The list of Illustrations and the text refer to Plates XVI. and -XVII., which will appear in the 2nd volume of this work. - -Errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, -and are noted here. The corrections below refer to page and line in -the original printed text. The prefix ‘n’ refers to the note number -as it is numbered in this text. - - 4.17 artificers were, with few exceptions[,] Added. - dismissed; - - 43.3 Recruiting[,] reinforcements Removed. - - 135.22 on board the ‘Ajax’[:/,] Replaced. - - 137.19 in the [dgerms] which contained the field a large - equipment high-pooped - Nile boat - - 159.3 reached the sum of 45,500_l_[,/.] Replaced. - - 179.10 present at the second s[ei/ie]ge of that Transposed. - fortress - - n203.1 Jones’s ‘Sieges,[’] ii., p. 107, 2nd edit. Added. - - 215.13 commanding them in divi[vis/si]ons Replaced. - - 227.14 on his way from Sandwich to Michili[ Replaced. - M/m]achinac - - 235.1 to recommend the officers [u/a]nd men Replaced. - - 247.38 embraced th[e] abolition of the rank Restored. - - n274.1 ‘Graham’s Town Journal,[’] Added. - - n284.14 He became forema[d/n] of works in November, Replaced - 1844 - - 303.28 the summer of every year had been [past] _sic_ - - 308.7 would have thrown th[o/e]m wholly into the Replaced. - hands - - 332.27 sixty lbs. of tolerably good flour.[”] Added. - - 337.32 a piece of torn and shred[d]ed blanket Inserted. - - 369.34 to allow two persons to pass each other[.] Added. - - 372.29 and the detachment retur[n]ed again to Inserted. - Chatham. - - 397.31 b[l]ood was flowing profusely Inserted. - - 402.22 could they have done so.[”] Added. - - 445.12 So exquisit[i]ely was the work performed Removed. - - n484.1 ‘Practical Operations for a Siege[”/’] Replaced. - - 467.14 checking the same simultaneo[n/u]sly Replaced. - - n504.1 Debates in the ‘Times,’ March 6, 1[48/84]7 Transposed. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Royal Sappers and -Miners, Volume 1 (of 2), by T. W. J. Connolly - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE ROYAL SAPPERS, VOL 1 *** - -***** This file should be named 55776-0.txt or 55776-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/7/7/55776/ - -Produced by KD Weeks, Brian Coe and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was -produced from images made available by the HathiTrust -Digital Library.) - -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. 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