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diff --git a/old/66796-0.txt b/old/66796-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3c22481..0000000 --- a/old/66796-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12339 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Historical Record of the Thirty-first, or, -The Huntingdonshire Regiment of Foot;, by Richard Cannon - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Historical Record of the Thirty-first, or, The Huntingdonshire - Regiment of Foot; - containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1702, - and of its subsequent services to 1850 - -Author: Richard Cannon - -Release Date: November 23, 2021 [eBook #66796] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Brian Coe, John Campbell and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was - produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital - Library.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE -THIRTY-FIRST, OR, THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT; *** - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. - - Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been - placed at the end of each major section. - - A superscript is denoted by ^x or ^{xx}, for example REG^T or 31^{st}. - - Basic fractions are displayed as ½ ⅓ ¼ etc; other fractions are shown - in the form a/b, for example 1/25 or 55/144. - - Three asterisks * * * indicates text omitted by the author from a - quotation. - - The tables in this book are best viewed using a monospace font. - - Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. - - - - -[Illustration: - - BY COMMAND OF His late Majesty WILLIAM THE IV^{TH}. - _and under the Patronage of_ - Her Majesty the Queen. - - HISTORICAL RECORDS, - _OF THE_ - British Army - - _Comprising the_ - _History of every Regiment_ - _IN HER MAJESTY’S SERVICE_. - - _By Richard Cannon Esq^{re}._ - - _Adjutant Generals Office, Horse Guards._ - London. - _Printed by Authority._] - - - - - THE THIRTY-FIRST, - - OR, - - THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT. - - - - - LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET, - FOR HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE. - - - - -GENERAL ORDERS. - - - _HORSE-GUARDS_, - _1st January, 1836_. - -His Majesty has been pleased to command that, with the view of -doing the fullest justice to Regiments, as well as to Individuals -who have distinguished themselves by their Bravery in Action with -the Enemy, an Account of the Services of every Regiment in the -British Army shall be published under the superintendence and -direction of the Adjutant-General; and that this Account shall -contain the following particulars, viz.:-- - - ---- The Period and Circumstances of the Original Formation of - the Regiment; The Stations at which it has been from time to time - employed; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations - in which it has been engaged, particularly specifying any - Achievement it may have performed, and the Colours, Trophies, - &c., it may have captured from the Enemy. - - ---- The Names of the Officers, and the number of - Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates Killed or Wounded by the - Enemy, specifying the place and Date of the Action. - - ---- The Names of those Officers who, in consideration of their - Gallant Services and Meritorious Conduct in Engagements with the - Enemy, have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other - Marks of His Majesty’s gracious favour. - - ---- The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, - and Privates, as may have specially signalized themselves in - Action. - - And, - - ---- The Badges and Devices which the Regiment may have been - permitted to bear, and the Causes on account of which such Badges - or Devices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have been granted. - - By Command of the Right Honorable - GENERAL LORD HILL, - _Commanding-in-Chief_. - - JOHN MACDONALD, - _Adjutant-General_. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly depend -upon the zeal and ardour by which all who enter into its service -are animated, and consequently it is of the highest importance that -any measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation, by which -alone great and gallant actions are achieved, should be adopted. - -Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this desirable -object than a full display of the noble deeds with which the -Military History of our country abounds. To hold forth these bright -examples to the imitation of the youthful soldier, and thus to -incite him to emulate the meritorious conduct of those who have -preceded him in their honorable career, are among the motives that -have given rise to the present publication. - -The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced in the -“London Gazette,” from whence they are transferred into the public -prints: the achievements of our armies are thus made known at the -time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute of praise and -admiration to which they are entitled. On extraordinary occasions, -the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on -the Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their -orders, expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill -and bravery; and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour -of their Sovereign’s approbation, constitute the reward which the -soldier most highly prizes. - -It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which -appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental armies) -for British Regiments to keep regular records of their services -and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been experienced in -obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, an authentic -account of their origin and subsequent services. - -This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His Majesty -having been pleased to command that every Regiment shall, in -future, keep a full and ample record of its services at home and -abroad. - -From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth -derive information as to the difficulties and privations which -chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In -Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to -the active concerns, of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, -and where these pursuits have, for so long a period, been -undisturbed by the _presence of war_, which few other countries -have escaped, comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of -active service and of the casualties of climate, to which, even -during peace, the British Troops are exposed in every part of the -globe, with little or no interval of repose. - -In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country -derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist -and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to -reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,--on -their sufferings,--and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which -so many national benefits are obtained and preserved. - -The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance, -have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and -their character has been established in Continental warfare by the -irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in -spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and -steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against -superior numbers. - -In the official Reports made by the respective Commanders, ample -justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions of the -Corps employed; but the details of their services and of acts of -individual bravery can only be fully given in the Annals of the -various Regiments. - -These Records are now preparing for publication, under His -Majesty’s special authority, by Mr. RICHARD CANNON, Principal Clerk -of the Adjutant-General’s Office; and while the perusal of them -cannot fail to be useful and interesting to military men of every -rank, it is considered that they will also afford entertainment and -information to the general reader, particularly to those who may -have served in the Army, or who have relatives in the Service. - -There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or -are serving, in the Army, an _Esprit de Corps_--an attachment -to everything belonging to their Regiment; to such persons a -narrative of the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove -interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions of the great, the -valiant, the loyal, have always been of paramount interest with -a brave and civilized people. Great Britain has produced a race -of heroes who, in moments of danger and terror, have stood “firm -as the rocks of their native shore:” and when half the world has -been arrayed against them, they have fought the battles of their -Country with unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of -achievements in war,--victories so complete and surprising, gained -by our countrymen, our brothers, our fellow-citizens in arms,--a -record which revives the memory of the brave, and brings their -gallant deeds before us,--will certainly prove acceptable to the -public. - -Biographical Memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished -Officers will be introduced in the Records of their respective -Regiments, and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from time to -time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying the value -and importance of its services, will be faithfully set forth. - -As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record of each Regiment -will be printed in a distinct number, so that when the whole shall -be completed, the Parts may be bound up in numerical succession. - - - - -INTRODUCTION - -TO - -THE INFANTRY. - - -The natives of Britain have, at all periods, been celebrated for -innate courage and unshaken firmness, and the national superiority -of the British troops over those of other countries has been -evinced in the midst of the most imminent perils. History contains -so many proofs of extraordinary acts of bravery, that no doubts can -be raised upon the facts which are recorded. It must therefore be -admitted, that the distinguishing feature of the British soldier is -INTREPIDITY. This quality was evinced by the inhabitants of England -when their country was invaded by Julius Cæsar with a Roman army, -on which occasion the undaunted Britons rushed into the sea to -attack the Roman soldiers as they descended from their ships; and, -although their discipline and arms were inferior to those of their -adversaries, yet their fierce and dauntless bearing intimidated -the flower of the Roman troops, including Cæsar’s favourite tenth -legion. Their arms consisted of spears, short swords, and other -weapons of rude construction. They had chariots, to the axles of -which were fastened sharp pieces of iron resembling scythe-blades, -and infantry in long chariots resembling waggons, who alighted -and fought on foot, and for change of ground, pursuit or retreat, -sprang into the chariot and drove off with the speed of cavalry. -These inventions were, however, unavailing against Cæsar’s -legions: in the course of time a military system, with discipline -and subordination, was introduced, and British courage, being -thus regulated, was exerted to the greatest advantage; a full -development of the national character followed, and it shone forth -in all its native brilliancy. - -The military force of the Anglo-Saxons consisted principally of -infantry: Thanes, and other men of property, however, fought on -horseback. The infantry were of two classes, heavy and light. The -former carried large shields armed with spikes, long broad swords -and spears; and the latter were armed with swords or spears only. -They had also men armed with clubs, others with battle-axes and -javelins. - -The feudal troops established by William the Conqueror consisted -(as already stated in the Introduction to the Cavalry) almost -entirely of horse; but when the warlike barons and knights, with -their trains of tenants and vassals, took the field, a proportion -of men appeared on foot, and, although these were of inferior -degree, they proved stout-hearted Britons of stanch fidelity. When -stipendiary troops were employed, infantry always constituted a -considerable portion of the military force; and this _arme_ has -since acquired, in every quarter of the globe, a celebrity never -exceeded by the armies of any nation at any period. - -The weapons carried by the infantry, during the several reigns -succeeding the Conquest, were bows and arrows, half-pikes, lances, -halberds, various kinds of battle-axes, swords, and daggers. Armour -was worn on the head and body, and in course of time the practice -became general for military men to be so completely cased in steel, -that it was almost impossible to slay them. - -The introduction of the use of gunpowder in the destructive -purposes of war, in the early part of the fourteenth -century, produced a change in the arms and equipment of the -infantry-soldier. Bows and arrows gave place to various kinds of -fire-arms, but British archers continued formidable adversaries; -and, owing to the inconvenient construction and imperfect bore of -the fire-arms when first introduced, a body of men, well trained -in the use of the bow from their youth, was considered a valuable -acquisition to every army, even as late as the sixteenth century. - -During a great part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth each company -of infantry usually consisted of men armed five different ways; in -every hundred men forty were “_men-at-arms_,” and sixty “_shot_;” -the “men-at-arms” were ten halberdiers, or battle-axe men, and -thirty pikemen; and the “shot” were twenty archers, twenty -musketeers, and twenty harquebusiers, and each man carried, besides -his principal weapon, a sword and dagger. - -Companies of infantry varied at this period in numbers from 150 -to 300 men; each company had a colour or ensign, and the mode of -formation recommended by an English military writer (Sir John -Smithe) in 1590 was:--the colour in the centre of the company -guarded by the halberdiers; the pikemen in equal proportions, on -each flank of the halberdiers: half the musketeers on each flank -of the pikes; half the archers on each flank of the musketeers, -and the harquebusiers (whose arms were much lighter than the -muskets then in use) in equal proportions on each flank of the -company for skirmishing.[1] It was customary to unite a number -of companies into one body, called a REGIMENT, which frequently -amounted to three thousand men: but each company continued to carry -a colour. Numerous improvements were eventually introduced in the -construction of fire-arms, and, it having been found impossible to -make armour proof against the muskets then in use (which carried -a very heavy ball) without its being too weighty for the soldier, -armour was gradually laid aside by the infantry in the seventeenth -century: bows and arrows also fell into disuse, and the infantry -were reduced to two classes, viz.: _musketeers_, armed with -matchlock muskets, swords, and daggers; and _pikemen_, armed with -pikes from fourteen to eighteen feet long, and swords. - -In the early part of the seventeenth century Gustavus Adolphus, -King of Sweden, reduced the strength of regiments to 1000 men. He -caused the gunpowder, which had heretofore been carried in flasks, -or in small wooden bandoliers, each containing a charge, to be -made up into cartridges, and carried in pouches; and he formed -each regiment into two wings of musketeers, and a centre division -of pikemen. He also adopted the practice of forming four regiments -into a brigade; and the number of colours was afterwards reduced to -three in each regiment. He formed his columns so compactly that his -infantry could resist the charge of the celebrated Polish horsemen -and Austrian cuirassiers; and his armies became the admiration of -other nations. His mode of formation was copied by the English, -French, and other European states; but so great was the prejudice -in favour of ancient customs, that all his improvements were not -adopted until near a century afterwards. - -In 1664 King Charles II. raised a corps for sea-service, styled -the Admiral’s regiment. In 1678 each company of 100 men usually -consisted of 30 pikemen, 60 musketeers, and 10 men armed with light -firelocks. In this year the King added a company of men armed with -hand grenades to each of the old British regiments, which was -designated the “grenadier company.” Daggers were so contrived as to -fit in the muzzles of the muskets, and bayonets, similar to those -at present in use, were adopted about twenty years afterwards. - -An Ordnance regiment was raised in 1685, by order of King James -II., to guard the artillery, and was designated the Royal Fusiliers -(now 7th Foot). This corps, and the companies of grenadiers, did -not carry pikes. - -King William III. incorporated the Admiral’s regiment in the second -Foot Guards, and raised two Marine regiments for sea-service. -During the war in this reign, each company of infantry (excepting -the fusiliers and grenadiers) consisted of 14 pikemen and 46 -musketeers; the captains carried pikes; lieutenants, partisans; -ensigns, half-pikes; and serjeants, halberds. After the peace in -1697 the Marine regiments were disbanded, but were again formed on -the breaking out of the war in 1702.[2] - -During the reign of Queen Anne the pikes were laid aside, and every -infantry soldier was armed with a musket, bayonet, and sword; the -grenadiers ceased, about the same period, to carry hand grenades; -and the regiments were directed to lay aside their third colour: -the corps of Royal Artillery was first added to the Army in this -reign. - -About the year 1745, the men of the battalion companies of infantry -ceased to carry swords; during the reign of George II. light -companies were added to infantry regiments; and in 1764 a Board of -General Officers recommended that the grenadiers should lay aside -their swords, as that weapon had never been used during the Seven -Years’ War. Since that period the arms of the infantry soldier have -been limited to the musket and bayonet. - -The arms and equipment of the British Troops have seldom differed -materially, since the Conquest, from those of other European -states; and in some respects the arming has, at certain periods, -been allowed to be inferior to that of the nations with whom they -have had to contend; yet, under this disadvantage, the bravery and -superiority of the British infantry have been evinced on very many -and most trying occasions, and splendid victories have been gained -over very superior numbers. - -Great Britain has produced a race of lion-like champions who have -dared to confront a host of foes, and have proved themselves -valiant with any arms. At _Crecy_, King Edward III., at the head -of about 30,000 men, defeated, on the 26th of August, 1346, Philip -King of France, whose army is said to have amounted to 100,000 -men; here British valour encountered veterans of renown:--the -King of Bohemia, the King of Majorca, and many princes and nobles -were slain, and the French army was routed and cut to pieces. Ten -years afterwards, Edward Prince of Wales, who was designated the -Black Prince, defeated, at _Poictiers_, with 14,000 men, a French -army of 60,000 horse, besides infantry, and took John I., King of -France, and his son Philip, prisoners. On the 25th of October, -1415, King Henry V., with an army of about 13,000 men, although -greatly exhausted by marches, privations, and sickness, defeated, -at _Agincourt_, the Constable of France, at the head of the flower -of the French nobility and an army said to amount to 60,000 men, -and gained a complete victory. - -During the seventy years’ war between the United Provinces of the -Netherlands and the Spanish monarchy, which commenced in 1578 and -terminated in 1648, the British infantry in the service of the -States-General were celebrated for their unconquerable spirit and -firmness;[3] and in the thirty years’ War between the Protestant -Princes and the Emperor of Germany, the British Troops in the -service of Sweden and other states were celebrated for deeds of -heroism.[4] In the wars of Queen Anne, the fame of the British -army under the great MARLBOROUGH was spread throughout the world; -and if we glance at the achievements performed within the memory -of persons now living, there is abundant proof that the Britons -of the present age are not inferior to their ancestors in the -qualities which constitute good soldiers. Witness the deeds of -the brave men, of whom there are many now surviving, who fought in -Egypt in 1801, under the brave Abercromby, and compelled the French -army, which had been vainly styled _Invincible_, to evacuate that -country; also the services of the gallant Troops during the arduous -campaigns in the Peninsula, under the immortal WELLINGTON; and -the determined stand made by the British Army at Waterloo, where -Napoleon Bonaparte, who had long been the inveterate enemy of Great -Britain, and had sought and planned her destruction by every means -he could devise, was compelled to leave his vanquished legions to -their fate, and to place himself at the disposal of the British -Government. These achievements, with others of recent dates in the -distant climes of India, prove that the same valour and constancy -which glowed in the breasts of the heroes of Crecy, Poictiers, -Agincourt, Blenheim, and Ramilies, continue to animate the Britons -of the nineteenth century. - -The British Soldier is distinguished for a robust and muscular -frame,--intrepidity which no danger can appal,--unconquerable -spirit and resolution,--patience in fatigue and privation, and -cheerful obedience to his superiors. These qualities,--united with -an excellent system of order and discipline to regulate and give -a skilful direction to the energies and adventurous spirit of -the hero, and a wise selection of officers of superior talent to -command, whose presence inspires confidence,--have been the leading -causes of the splendid victories gained by the British arms.[5] -The fame of the deeds of the past and present generations in the -various battle-fields where the robust sons of Albion have fought -and conquered, surrounds the British arms with a halo of glory; -these achievements will live in the page of history to the end of -time. - -The records of the several regiments will be found to contain a -detail of facts of an interesting character, connected with the -hardships, sufferings, and gallant exploits of British soldiers in -the various parts of the world, where the calls of their Country -and the commands of their Sovereign have required them to proceed -in the execution of their duty, whether in active continental -operations, or in maintaining colonial territories in distant and -unfavourable climes. - -The superiority of the British infantry has been pre-eminently set -forth in the wars of six centuries, and admitted by the greatest -commanders which Europe has produced. The formations and movements -of this _arme_, as at present practised, while they are adapted -to every species of warfare, and to all probable situations and -circumstances of service, are well suited to show forth the -brilliancy of military tactics calculated upon mathematical and -scientific principles. Although the movements and evolutions have -been copied from the continental armies, yet various improvements -have from time to time been introduced, to ensure that simplicity -and celerity by which the superiority of the national military -character is maintained. The rank and influence which Great Britain -has attained among the nations of the world have in a great measure -been purchased by the valour of the Army, and to persons who have -the welfare of their country at heart the records of the several -regiments cannot fail to prove interesting. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] A company of 200 men would appear thus:-- - - __| - | | - |__| - | - 20 20 20 30 2|0 30 20 20 20 - | - Harquebuses. Muskets. Halberds. Muskets. Harquebuses. - Archers. Pikes. Pikes. Archers. - -The musket carried a ball which weighed 1/10th of a pound; and the -harquebus a ball which weighed 1/25th of a pound. - -[2] The 30th, 31st, and 32nd Regiments were formed as Marine corps -in 1702, and were employed as such during the wars in the reign -of Queen Anne. The Marine corps were embarked in the Fleet under -Admiral Sir George Rooke, and were at the taking of Gibraltar, and -in its subsequent defence in 1704; they were afterwards employed at -the siege of Barcelona in 1705. - -[3] The brave Sir Roger Williams, in his Discourse on War, printed -in 1590, observes:--“I persuade myself ten thousand of our nation -would beat thirty thousand of theirs (the Spaniards) out of the -field, let them be chosen where they list.” Yet at this time the -Spanish infantry was allowed to be the best disciplined in Europe. -For instances of valour displayed by the British Infantry during -the Seventy Years’ War, see the Historical Record of the Third -Foot, or Buffs. - -[4] _Vide_ the Historical Record of the First, or Royal Regiment of -Foot. - -[5] “Under the blessing of Divine Providence, His Majesty ascribes -the successes which have attended the exertions of his troops in -Egypt to that determined bravery which is inherent in Britons; but -His Majesty desires it may be most solemnly and forcibly impressed -on the consideration of every part of the army, that it has been a -strict observance of order, discipline, and military system, which -has given the full energy to the native valour of the troops, and -has enabled them proudly to assert the superiority of the national -military character, in situations uncommonly arduous, and under -circumstances of peculiar difficulty.”--_General Orders in 1801._ - -In the General Orders issued by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope -(afterwards Lord Hopetoun), congratulating the army upon the -successful result of the Battle of Corunna, on the 16th of January, -1809, it is stated:--“On no occasion has the undaunted valour of -British troops ever been more manifest. At the termination of a -severe and harassing march, rendered necessary by the superiority -which the enemy had acquired, and which had materially impaired -the efficiency of the troops, many disadvantages were to be -encountered. These have all been surmounted by the conduct of the -troops themselves; and the enemy has been taught, that, whatever -advantages of position or of numbers he may possess, there is -inherent in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows -not how to yield,--that no circumstances can appal,--and that will -ensure victory, when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any -human means.” - - - - - HISTORICAL RECORD - - OF - - THE THIRTY-FIRST, - - OR, - - THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT; - - CONTAINING - - AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT - IN 1702, - - AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES - TO 1850; - - TO WHICH IS APPENDED, - - An ACCOUNT of the SERVICES of the MARINE CORPS, - from 1664 to 1748; - - The THIRTIETH, THIRTY-FIRST, and THIRTY-SECOND Regiments having been - formed in 1702 as _Marine Corps_, and retained from 1714 on the - Establishment of the Army as Regiments of Regular Infantry. - - COMPILED BY - - RICHARD CANNON, ESQ. - ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE, HORSE GUARDS - - ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES - - LONDON: - PARKER, FURNIVALL, & PARKER, - 30, CHARING CROSS. - - 1850. - - - - - THE THIRTY-FIRST - - OR, - - THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT, - - BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR AND APPOINTMENTS - - THE WORDS “TALAVERA,” “ALBUHERA,” “VITTORIA,” “PYRENEES,” - “NIVELLE,” “NIVE,” “ORTHES,” AND “PENINSULA.” - - IN COMMEMORATION OF THE SERVICES OF THE SECOND BATTALION - DURING THE “PENINSULAR WAR,” FROM 1809 TO 1814. - - ALSO - - THE WORD “CABOOL, 1842.” - - FOR THE DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT OF THE REGIMENT DURING - THE SECOND CAMPAIGN IN AFFGHANISTAN IN THE YEAR 1842; - - AND THE WORDS - - “MOODKEE,” “FEROZESHAH,” “ALIWAL,” AND “SOBRAON,” - - IN TESTIMONY OF ITS GALLANTRY IN THOSE BATTLES DURING THE - CAMPAIGN ON THE BANKS OF THE SUTLEJ, FROM DECEMBER 1845, - TO FEBRUARY 1846. - - - - - THE - - THIRTY-FIRST, - - OR, - - THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT. - - - - - CONTENTS - - OF THE - - HISTORICAL RECORD. - - - Year Page - - 1701 Introduction 1 - - 1702 Decease of King William III., and accession of - Her Majesty Queen Anne 2 - - ---- Certain Regiments of Marines raised -- - - ---- Formation of the THIRTY-FIRST as a Regiment of - _Marines_ -- - - ---- Colonel George Villiers appointed Colonel of the - Regiment -- - - ---- Names of the Officers 3 - - ---- _War of the Spanish Succession_ -- - - ---- The Earl of Marlborough appointed to the command of - the troops in Flanders -- - - ---- Expedition to the coast of Spain under the Duke of - Ormond 4 - - ---- The THIRTY-FIRST and other regiments embarked for - Cadiz -- - - ---- Capture of the combined French and Spanish fleets at - Vigo 5 - - ---- The troops under the Duke of Ormond returned to - England 6 - - 1703 The THIRTY-FIRST Regiment stationed at Plymouth 7 - - ---- Decease of Colonel Villiers -- - - ---- Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Lutterell appointed Colonel - of the Regiment -- - - 1704 Services of the THIRTY-FIRST Regiment on board the - fleet under Admiral Sir George Rooke -- - - ---- Unsuccessful attempt on _Barcelona_ -- - - ---- Capture of Gibraltar -- - - ---- The Spanish and French armaments defeated in their - attempts to retake _Gibraltar_ 8 - - 1705 Operations against Barcelona -- - - ---- Capture of Fort Montjuich -- - - ---- The Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt killed -- - - ---- Surrender of the Garrison of Barcelona -- - - 1706 Decease of Colonel Lutterell -- - - ---- Lieut.-Colonel Josiah Churchill appointed Colonel - of the Regiment -- - - ---- Barcelona besieged by the French 9 - - ---- Barcelona relieved by the English and Dutch fleet -- - - ---- The allied fleet proceeded to the coast of Valencia -- - - ---- Capture of _Carthagena_ and _Alicant_ -- - - ---- Surrender of _Iviça_ and _Majorca_ -- - - 1707 Attack upon _Toulon_ -- - - ---- The siege of _Toulon_ raised 10 - - 1708 Capture of _Sardinia_ -- - - ---- ---- ---- _Minorca_ 11 - - 1709 Capture of _Port Royal_, in Nova Scotia -- - - ---- The Fortress named _Anna-polis_ Royal, in honor of - Queen Anne 12 - - ---- _Alicant_ recovered by the enemy 13 - - 1710 The _Isle of Cette_ taken by the British, and - afterwards recaptured by the French -- - - 1711 Retirement of Colonel Churchill 14 - - ---- Lieut.-Colonel Sir Harry Goring, Bart., promoted - Colonel of the Regiment -- - - ---- Charles III., the claimant to the Spanish throne, - elected Emperor of Germany, and its effect upon - the war -- - - 1712 Negociations for Peace -- - - 1713 Treaty of Utrecht -- - - ---- Reductions in the Army and Navy 15 - - 1714 Decease of Queen Anne -- - - ---- Accession of King George I. -- - - ---- Augmentation of the Army, to counteract the designs - of the Pretender -- - - ---- The _Thirtieth_, THIRTY-FIRST, and _Thirty-second_ - Regiments, which had been ordered to be disbanded, - retained on the establishment, and incorporated - with the regiments of the line -- - - ---- Authorized to take rank in the Army from the date of - original formation in 1702 -- - - 1715 Disaffection of the Earl of Mar 16 - - ---- Rebellion in Scotland in favor of the Pretender -- - - ---- BATTLE OF SHERIFFMUIR -- - - ---- Surrender of the Rebels at Preston -- - - ---- Arrival in Scotland of the Pretender 17 - - 1716 His flight to France -- - - ---- Suppression of the Rebellion 18 - - ---- The THIRTY-FIRST embarked for Ireland -- - - ---- Retirement of Colonel Sir Harry Goring -- - - ---- Lord John Kerr appointed Colonel of the Regiment -- - - 1727 Decease of King George I. -- - - ---- Accession of King George II. -- - - 1728 Decease of Major-General Lord John Kerr -- - - ---- Colonel the Honorable Charles Cathcart appointed - Colonel of the Regiment -- - - 1731 Colonel the Honorable Charles Cathcart removed to - the Eighth Dragoons 18 - - ---- Colonel William Hargrave appointed Colonel of the - THIRTY-FIRST Regiment -- - - 1737 Colonel Hargrave removed to the Ninth Regiment -- - - ---- Colonel William Handasyd appointed Colonel of the - THIRTY-FIRST Regiment -- - - 1739 Removal of the Regiment from Ireland to Great - Britain 19 - - ---- Spanish depredations in America -- - - ---- War declared against Spain -- - - 1740 _War of the Austrian Succession_ -- - - 1741 The Regiment encamped at Windsor and on Lexden - Heath 21 - - 1742 Embarked for Flanders as _Auxiliaries_ -- - - 1743 Marched towards the Rhine 22 - - ---- BATTLE OF DETTINGEN 23 - - ---- The Battle compared with other victories 24 - - 1744 Declaration of War against France 25 - - 1745 Decease of Colonel Handasyd -- - - ---- Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk appointed Colonel of - the Regiment -- - - ---- Investment of Tournay by Marshal Saxe -- - - ---- BATTLE OF FONTENOY 26 - - ---- Surrender of Tournay to the French 27 - - ---- Skirmish at _La Mésle_, near Ghent 28 - - ---- Rebellion in Scotland, headed by Prince Charles - Edward -- - - ---- Return of the THIRTY-FIRST and other Regiments - to England -- - - ---- The Regiment stationed in the vicinity of London 29 - - 1746 BATTLE OF CULLODEN -- - - ---- Escape of Prince Charles Edward to France -- - - 1747 BATTLE OF LAFFELD, OR VAL 29 - - 1748 Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle -- - - 1749 Retirement of Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk 30 - - ---- Colonel Henry Holmes appointed Colonel of the - Regiment -- - - ---- The Regiment embarked for Minorca 30 - - 1751 Regulations prescribed by Royal Warrant for - establishing uniformity in the clothing, - standards, and colours of regiments, &c. -- - - 1752 The Regiment returned from Minorca to England -- - - 1755 Proceeded to Scotland -- - - 1756 _The Seven Years’ War_ -- - - ---- War declared against France 30 - - ---- Capture of Minorca by the French 31 - - ---- Augmentations in the Army and Navy -- - - ---- The Second Battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST - constituted the _Seventieth_ Regiment -- - - 1759 Summary of the occurrences of the War -- - - 1762 War declared against Spain 32 - - ---- Capture of _Martinique_, _Grenada_, _St. Vincent_, - and other West India Islands, by the British -- - - ---- Peace of Fontainebleau -- - - ---- The Regiment removed from Scotland to England -- - - ---- Decease of Lieut.-General Holmes -- - - ---- Colonel James Adolphus Oughton appointed Colonel of - the Regiment -- - - 1765 The Regiment embarked for Florida 33 - - ---- Suffered severely from yellow fever -- - - 1772 Embarked for St. Vincent 34 - - ---- Engaged in reducing the Caribs -- - - 1774 Termination of the Carib War 35 - - ---- The Regiment returned to England -- - - 1775 Stationed in North Britain -- - - 1775 _War of American Independence_ 35 - - 1776 The Regiment embarked for Canada with the - - ---- Troops under Major-General Burgoyne -- - - ---- Defence of Quebec against the American Army -- - - ---- Defence of the British Post at _Trois Rivières_ -- - - ---- Declaration of Independence by the American Congress 36 - - ---- Operations on Lake Champlain -- - - 1777 The flank companies of the THIRTY-FIRST and other - regiments proceed on an expedition under - Major-General Burgoyne 37 - - ---- Capture of _Ticonderago_ -- - - ---- Action at _Skenesborough_ -- - - ---- Action near _Castleton_ -- - - ---- Pursuit of the Americans to Fort Anne and Fort Edward 38 - - ---- Action at Stillwater 39 - - ---- Lieut.-General Burgoyne is compelled to capitulate - to General Gates 40 - - ---- Convention of Saratoga -- - - 1778 Aid rendered by France to the Americans 41 - - 1780 Decease of Lieut.-General Sir James Oughton -- - - ---- Major-General Thomas Clarke appointed Colonel of - the Regiment -- - - 1781 The battalion companies, which remained in Canada, - joined by the _flank_ companies -- - - ---- The _light_ company engaged in effecting the - destruction of military stores at Ticonderago -- - - 1782 The Independence of the United States acknowledged - by King George III. 42 - - ---- The THIRTY-FIRST styled the HUNTINGDONSHIRE - Regiment -- - - 1783 Treaty of Peace between England, France, and Spain 43 - - ---- Peace concluded with Holland -- - - 1787 The Regiment embarked at Quebec for England 43 - - ---- Stationed in Great Britain -- - - 1789 Commencement of the French Revolution -- - - ---- Preparations for War with Spain 44 - - 1790 The THIRTY-FIRST embarked on board the fleet to - perform its _original service_ of MARINES -- - - ---- Convention with Spain -- - - 1791 Disturbances in the Manufacturing Districts 45 - - 1792 Lieut.-General Thomas Clarke removed to the - Thirtieth Regiment -- - - ---- Major-General James Stuart appointed Colonel of - the Regiment -- - - ---- The Regiment embarked for Ireland -- - - 1793 Decease of Major-General Stuart -- - - ---- Colonel Lord Mulgrave appointed Colonel of the - Regiment -- - - ---- Progress of events in France -- - - ---- War with France -- - - ---- The _flank_ companies embarked for Barbadoes -- - - 1794 Capture of _Martinique_, _St. Lucia_, and - _Guadaloupe_ 46 - - ---- A French Armament sent to retake _Guadaloupe_ 47 - - ---- Gallant defence of _Guadaloupe_ by the British -- - - ---- The Garrison of _Berville Camp_ surrendered to - the French -- - - ---- Return of the Troops at _Guadaloupe_ 48 - - ---- Evacuation of _Fort Matilda_ by the British 49 - - ---- The Regiment proceeded from Ireland to England -- - - ---- Embarked for Holland -- - - 1795 Returned to England -- - - ---- Joined the Camp formed at Nursling, near Southampton -- - - ---- Embarked for the West Indies -- - - ---- Delayed by storms and contrary winds 50 - - 1796 Disembarked at Gosport 51 - - ---- Embarked for St. Lucia -- - - ---- Engaged in the capture of that Island 52 - - ---- Employed against the Caribs in St. Lucia 53 - - 1797 Returned to England 54 - - 1799 Augmented by volunteers from the Militia 55 - - ---- Embarked for Holland, as part of the Army under the - Duke of York 56 - - ---- Engaged in the Action at _Alkmaar_ -- - - ---- Attack on the French position between _Bergen_ and - _Egmont-op-Zee_ 58 - - ---- Occupation of _Alkmaar_ by the British Troops 59 - - ---- Action near _Alkmaar_ -- - - ---- Withdrawal of the British Troops from Holland 60 - - ---- Regiment arrived in England -- - - 1800 Embarked for Ireland -- - - ---- Expedition to the coast of France under Brigadier - the Honorable Sir Thomas Maitland -- - - ---- Joined the expedition under Lieut.-General Sir - James Pulteney destined for the coast of Spain -- - - ---- Landed at _Ferrol_ -- - - ---- Sailed to _Vigo_ 61 - - ---- Proceeded to _Cadiz_ -- - - ---- Embarked for Gibraltar -- - - ---- Expedition to _Egypt_ -- - - 1801 The THIRTY-FIRST proceeded to Lisbon, and - subsequently to Minorca -- - - 1802 Deliverance of Egypt from the French Troops 62 - - ---- Peace of Amiens -- - - ---- The Regiment embarked at Minorca for England -- - - 1803 Removed to Jersey -- - - ---- Gallant conduct of a Private Soldier of the - THIRTY-FIRST Regiment -- - - 1803 Renewal of the War with France 63 - - ---- Preparations for the defence of England from the - menace of French Invasion -- - - 1804 A _second battalion_ added to the Regiment 64 - - ---- The Regiment embarked for England -- - - ---- War declared by Spain against Great Britain -- - - 1805 The _second_ battalion proceeded from Chester, and - joined the first battalion at Winchester -- - - 1806 Employed on the occasion of the Funeral of Admiral - Viscount Nelson 65 - - ---- The _first battalion_ embarked for Sicily -- - - 1807 Proceeded on the Expedition to Egypt under - Major-General Fraser 66 - - ---- Attacked by the Turks at Rosetta 67 - - ---- Egypt evacuated by the British 68 - - ---- Return of the troops to Sicily -- - - 1808 The _first battalion_ embarked for Malta -- - - 1810 Returned to Sicily -- - - 1811 Proceeded to Malta 69 - - ---- Returned to Sicily -- - - 1812 The _grenadier_ company embarked for the east - coast of Spain -- - - 1813 Returned to Sicily -- - - 1814 The _first battalion_ proceeded on an expedition - to Italy 70 - - ---- Disembarked at Leghorn -- - - ---- Actions at _Sestri_ and _Recco_ -- - - ---- Action at _La Sturla_, on the heights of _Albaro_ 71 - - ---- Gallantry of the _first battalion_ 72 - - ---- Occupation of _Genoa_ 73 - - ---- The first battalion embarked for _Corsica_ -- - - ---- Returned to Sicily 74 - - ---- Treaty of Peace with France -- - - ---- The _second battalion_ disbanded -- - - ---- Honorary Distinctions acquired by the Regiment -- - - 1815 Return of Napoleon Bonaparte to France, and Renewal - of the War 75 - - ---- The Regiment embarked for Naples -- - - ---- BATTLE OF WATERLOO 76 - - ---- Termination of the War -- - - ---- The Regiment embarked for Genoa -- - - 1816 Embarked for Malta -- - - 1818 Returned to England -- - - 1819 Disturbed state of the Manufacturing Districts -- - - ---- The Thanks of the Sovereign and of the Magistrates - conveyed to the THIRTY-FIRST and other Corps - employed at Manchester 77 - - 1821 The Regiment embarked for Ireland 78 - - 1824 Returned to England 79 - - 1825 Embarked for Calcutta -- - - ---- Destruction of the “_Kent_” East Indiaman by fire - in the Bay of Biscay 80 - - ---- Gallant conduct of the _right wing_, embarked in - the “_Kent_” during the conflagration 81 - - ---- Names of the Officers, and the number of the men, - women, and children, saved by the ships “_Cambria_” - and “_Caroline_” 82 - - ---- Letter from the Adjutant-General to Lieut.-Colonel - Fearon, commanding the THIRTY-FIRST, expressive - of the Commander-in-Chief’s approbation of the - courage and discipline displayed by the _right_ - wing of the regiment during the burning of the - “_Kent_” 88 - - ---- Further particulars relating to this calamity 89 - - ---- Part of the _right wing_ re-embarked for India 92 - - ---- Joined the _left wing_ at Berhampore -- - - 1826 Another detachment embarked for India 93 - - ---- The Regiment marched to Meerut 94 - - ---- Presentation of New Colours to the Regiment by - Lady Amherst 95 - - 1831 Marched to Kurna 96 - - ---- Decease of General the Earl of Mulgrave 97 - - ---- General Sir Henry Warde, G.C.B., appointed Colonel - of the Regiment -- - - ---- Interview between the Governor-General of India, - Lord William Bentinck, and Runjeet Singh, the - Sovereign of the Punjaub 98 - - ---- The Regiment formed part of the Governor-General’s - Escort -- - - ---- Detail of the Proceedings on the Sutlej 99 - - ---- The Regiment returned to Kurnaul -- - - 1834 Decease of General Sir Henry Warde 100 - - ---- Lieut.-General Sir Edward Barnes, G.C.B., - appointed Colonel of the Regiment -- - - 1836 The Regiment marched to Dinapore -- - - 1838 Decease of General Sir Edward Barnes 101 - - ---- Lieut.-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B., - appointed Colonel of the Regiment -- - - ---- The Regiment marched to Ghazeepore -- - - 1840 Marched to Agra 102 - - 1841 Insurrection at Cabool 103 - - 1842 The Regiment marched to Peshawur to join the army - under Major-General Pollock, destined to proceed - to Cabool -- - - ---- Arrival of the army at Jellalabad 104 - - ---- The Regiment marched to _Peshbolak_ to attack - the Shinwarees 105 - - ---- Action at _Mazeena_ 107 - - ---- Passage of the _Jugdulluck Pass_ 109 - - ---- Action at _Tezeen_ 110 - - ---- Advance on Cabool 112 - - ---- Occupation of the Bala Hissar 113 - - ---- Release of the Officers, Ladies, and Soldiers, taken - prisoners by the Affghans, at the commencement of - the insurrection -- - - 1842 Return of the Army to India 113 - - ---- Action at the _Jugdulluck Pass_ 114 - - ---- Skirmishes in the Passes between _Tezeen_ and - _Gundamuck_ -- - - ---- Arrival of the troops at Jellalabad 115 - - ---- Marched to Peshawur -- - - ---- Honors rendered to the troops on arrival at - Ferozepore -- - - ---- Authorized to bear the word “CABOOL, 1842,” on the - Regimental Colour and Appointments -- - - ---- The Regiment marched to Umballa -- - - ---- Expedition to Khytul 116 - - ---- Outbreak at Lahore -- - - 1843 The Regiment marched to Ferozepore -- - - 1844 Returned to Umballa 117 - - 1845 Disturbed state of the Punjaub -- - - ---- Sikh invasion of the British Territories in India 118 - - ---- The Regiment marched from Umballa to join the - Ferozepore Field force 119 - - ---- BATTLE OF MOODKEE 120 - - ---- ---- ---- FEROZESHAH 126 - - 1846 The Regiment marched towards Loodiana with the - troops under Major-General Sir Henry Smith 136 - - ---- The Fort of _Dhurrumkote_ captured from the Sikhs 137 - - ---- Action at _Buddiwal_ -- - - ---- BATTLE OF ALIWAL 138 - - ---- Return of the troops under Major-General Sir Henry - Smith to the head-quarters of the Army 145 - - ---- BATTLE OF SOBRAON -- - - ---- Advance of the Army on Lahore 156 - - ---- Occupation of the City 158 - - 1846 Orders received for the Regiment to return to Europe 159 - - ---- Embarked for Calcutta 163 - - ---- Review of the Punjaub Campaign 165 - - ---- Honors conferred on the “_Army of the Sutlej_” 167 - - ---- General Lord Gough’s farewell order to the Regiment 172 - - ---- Embarked for England 174 - - ---- Reception on arrival 175 - - ---- Letter to Lieut.-Colonel Spence, from General Sir - Colin Halkett, reviewing the services of the - Regiment 177 - - ---- Stationed at Walmer 182 - - 1847 Authorized to bear on the Regimental Colour and - Appointments the words “MOODKEE,” “FEROZESHAH,” - “ALIWAL,” and “SOBRAON” 183 - - ---- General Sir Colin Halkett G.C.B., removed to the - forty-fifth Regiment -- - - ---- Lieut.-General the Honorable Henry Otway Trevor - appointed Colonel of the THIRTY-FIRST Regiment -- - - ---- The Regiment removed to Manchester -- - - 1848 Embarked for Ireland -- - - ---- Presentation of New Colours by Major-General His - Royal Highness the Prince George of Cambridge 184 - - 1849 Stationed at Athlone 186 - - 1850 Removed to Dublin -- - - ---- Presentation of a Testimonial to Lieut.-Colonel - Spence on his retirement -- - - ---- CONCLUSION -- - - - - - CONTENTS - - OF - - THE HISTORICAL RECORD - - OF - - THE SECOND BATTALION - - OF - - THE THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT. - - - Year Page - - 1804 Projected French invasion of England 187 - - 1805 Formation of the _Second_ Battalion of the - THIRTY-FIRST Regiment at Chester -- - - ---- Marched from Chester to Winchester -- - - 1806 Proceeded to Gosport 188 - - 1807 Embarked for Guernsey -- - - ---- Proceeded to Ireland -- - - 1808 Joined the force assembled at Falmouth under the - command of Lieut.-General Sir David Baird -- - - ---- Sailed for Portugal 189 - - ---- Marched to reinforce the army in Spain under - Lieut.-General Sir John Moore -- - - 1809 The intended advance countermanded -- - - ---- BATTLE OF CORUNNA 190 - - ---- Arrival of Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley at - Lisbon, and his appointment to the command of the - army in the Peninsula -- - - ---- The _second_ battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST - marched towards Oporto 191 - - ---- Passage of the _Douro_ -- - - 1809 Arrived at Oropesa 191 - - ---- BATTLE OF TALAVERA 192 - - ---- Authorized to bear the word “TALAVERA” on the - Regimental Colour and Appointments 193 - - ---- Stationed at Abrantes 194 - - 1810 Marched to Portalegre -- - - ---- Encamped between the Estrella and the Tagus 195 - - ---- BATTLE OF BUSACO -- - - ---- Marched on Thomar -- - - ---- Skirmishes near _Alhandra_ 196 - - 1811 Pursuit of Marshal Massena -- - - ---- Siege of Olivenza and Badajoz -- - - ---- BATTLE OF ALBUHERA 197 - - ---- Authorized to bear the word “ALBUHERA” on the - Regimental Colour and Appointments 199 - - ---- _Second_ siege of _Badajoz_ -- - - ---- Affair at _Arroyo dos Molinos_ 200 - - ---- Stationed at Merida -- - - 1812 Siege of _Ciudad Rodrigo_ -- - - ---- _Third_ siege of _Badajoz_ -- - - ---- Capture of _Badajoz_ 201 - - ---- Attack on the French works at _Almaraz_ -- - - ---- Operations against General Drouet 202 - - ---- Siege of the _Castle of Burgos_ 203 - - ---- Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s division, of - which the _second_ battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST - formed part, cantoned at Coria and Placentia 204 - - 1813 Advance upon _Burgos_ and _Vittoria_ -- - - ---- BATTLE OF VITTORIA -- - - ---- Authorized to bear the word “VITTORIA” on the - Regimental Colour and Appointments 205 - - ---- Siege of Pampeluna 206 - - ---- The French dislodged from the valley of _Bastan_ -- - - ---- Action in the _Pass of Roncesvalles_ -- - - 1813 Engaged on the heights at _Pampeluna_ 206 - - ---- Authorized to bear the word “PYRENEES” on the - Regimental Colour and Appointments 207 - - ---- Capture of a French convoy at _Elizondo_ -- - - ---- Capture of _St. Sebastian_ and _Pampeluna_ -- - - ---- March of the Allied Army to the French side of the - Pyrenees -- - - ---- Engaged in the Pass of _Maya_ -- - - ---- Passage of the _Nivelle_ -- - - ---- Authorized to bear the word “NIVELLE” on the - Regimental Colour and Appointments 208 - - ---- Passage of the _Nive_ -- - - ---- Action at _St. Pierre_, near Bayonne 209 - - ---- Authorized to bear the word “NIVE” on the - Regimental Colour and Appointments 210 - - 1814 Action on the heights of _Garris_ -- - - ---- BATTLE OF ORTHES 211 - - ---- Authorized to bear the word “ORTHES” on the - Regimental Colour and Appointments -- - - ---- Action at _Aire_ -- - - ---- BATTLE OF TOULOUSE -- - - ---- Sortie from _Bayonne_ 212 - - ---- Termination of the _Peninsular War_ -- - - ---- The second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST Regiment - marched to Bourdeaux -- - - ---- Embarked for Ireland -- - - ---- Authorized to bear the word “PENINSULA” on the - Regimental Colour and Appointments -- - - ---- Proceeded to Portsmouth 213 - - ---- Disbanded -- - - - - -SUCCESSION OF COLONELS - -OF - -THE THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT. - - - Page - - 1702 George Villiers 215 - - 1703 Alexander Lutterell -- - - 1706 Josiah Churchill -- - - 1711 Sir Harry Goring, Bart. 216 - - 1716 Lord John Kerr -- - - 1728 The Honorable Charles Cathcart -- - - 1731 William Hargrave 217 - - 1737 William Handasyd -- - - 1745 Lord Henry Beauclerk 218 - - 1749 Henry Holmes -- - - 1762 Sir James Adolphus Oughton -- - - 1780 Thomas Clarke -- - - 1792 James Stuart 219 - - 1793 Henry, Earl of Mulgrave, G.C.B. -- - - 1831 Sir Henry Warde, G.C.B. 220 - - 1834 Sir Edward Barnes, G.C.B. 221 - - 1838 Sir Colin Halkett, G.C.B. 222 - - 1847 Honorable Henry Otway Trevor, C.B. -- - - - - -APPENDIX. - - - Page - - List of Battles, Sieges, &c., in Germany and the Netherlands, - from 1743 to 1748, during the “_War of the Austrian - Succession_” 223 - - List of British Regiments which served in Flanders and - Germany, between the years 1742 and 1748, during the “_War - of the Austrian Succession_” 224 - - Memoir of the services of Colonel Bolton, C.B. 225 - - Memoir of the services of Lieut.-Colonel Skinner, C.B. 226 - - Memoir of the services of Major Baldwin 230 - - - - -PLATES. - - - Present Colours of the Regiment _to face page_ 1 - - Wreck of the _Kent_ East India Ship 80 - - Battle of Ferozeshah 128 - - Battle of Sobraon 152 - - Monument erected in Canterbury Cathedral, to the memory - of the Officers and Soldiers of the THIRTY-FIRST Regiment, - who were killed during the campaign on the banks of the - Sutlej from December 1845 to February 1846 214 - - - - -[Illustration: THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT. - -QUEEN’S COLOUR. - -REGIMENTAL COLOUR. - -FOR CANNON’S MILITARY RECORDS, - -_Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t Strand._] - - - - - HISTORICAL RECORD - - OF - - THE THIRTY-FIRST, OR THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE, - - REGIMENT OF FOOT. - - -[Sidenote: 1701] - -In the commencement of the eighteenth century, the British Monarch, -King William III., found that the conditions of the Treaty of -Ryswick, concluded in 1697, were violated by the King of France, -Louis XIV., who, on the decease of Charles II. of Spain on the -1st of November, 1700, pursued with unremitting assiduity his -ambitious project of ultimately uniting the crowns of France and -Spain, by procuring the accession of his grandson, Philip, Duke of -Anjou, to the vacant throne; thus excluding the claims of the House -of Austria, and disregarding the existing treaties between the -principal nations of Europe. The seizure of the Spanish Netherlands -by the troops of France,--the detention of the Dutch garrisons in -the barrier towns,--the declaration of Louis XIV. in favour of the -family of James II., and other acts of hostility, justified the -British Government in making preparations for war. - -King William had determined on active measures, by sea and land, -against the powers of France and Spain, and had accordingly -directed augmentations to be made in the navy and army. A -division of the army had been appointed, under the command of -Brigadier-General Ingoldsby, (twenty-third regiment,) to embark for -Flanders, and another portion of the army was selected to embark -for the coast of Spain, under the orders of the Duke of Ormond. - -[Sidenote: 1702] - -The death of King William III. took place on the 8th of March, -1702. His policy was adopted by his successor Queen Anne, who -entered into treaties of alliance with the Emperor of Germany,--the -States-General of the United Provinces,--and other Princes and -Potentates, for preserving the liberty and balance of power in -Europe, and for defeating the ambitious views of France. - -The measures for increasing the efficiency of the fleet had -occasioned the suggestion of raising _Corps of Marines_, capable -of acting on land as well as at sea. Several regiments of the -regular army were appointed to serve as Marines, and six additional -regiments were especially raised for that service.[6] - -On the 14th of March, 1702, a Royal Warrant was issued, authorising -COLONEL GEORGE VILLIERS to raise a REGIMENT OF MARINES, which was -to consist of twelve companies, of two serjeants, three corporals, -two drummers, and fifty-nine private soldiers each, with an -additional serjeant to the grenadier company. The rendezvous of -the regiment was appointed to be at Taunton and Bridgewater. - -For the raising of this regiment the following officers received -commissions, those of the field officers being antedated to the -12th of February, 1702:-- - - CAPTAINS George Villiers (_Colonel_). - Alexander Lutterell (_Lt.-Colonel_). - Thomas Carew (_Major_). - Francis Blinman. - George Blakeney. - - CAPTAIN-LIEUTENANT John Deveroux. - - FIRST LIEUTENANTS Saloman Balmier. - Roger Flower. - - SECOND LIEUTENANT William Bisset. - - CHIRURGEON James Church. - - CHIRURGEON’S MATE William Church. - -The declaration of hostilities against France and Spain was issued -on the 4th of May, 1702: thus began, “fruitful in great actions and -important results,” _The War of the Spanish Succession_. - -Additional forces were sent to Flanders, and the Earl of -Marlborough was appointed to command the confederate troops with -the rank of Captain-General. - -The expedition, which had been planned by King William against -Spain, was carried out by the Ministers of Queen Anne. It was -arranged, accordingly, that a combined fleet of English and Dutch -ships, consisting of fifty sail of the line, besides frigates, -under Admiral Sir George Rooke, and a land force amounting to -nearly fourteen thousand men, under the command of the Duke of -Ormond, should proceed to the coast of Spain. The following corps -were employed on this service, namely:-- - - Officers - and Men. - Lloyd’s Dragoons, now 3rd Light Dragoons (detachment.) 275 - Foot Guards, the Grenadier and Coldstream 755 - Sir H. Bellasis’s now 2nd Foot 834 - Churchill’s 3rd ” 834 - Seymour’s 4th ” 834 - Columbine’s 6th ” 724 - O’Hara’s, 3 companies 7th Royal Fusiliers 313 - Erle’s 19th Foot 724 - Gustavus Hamilton’s 20th ” 724 - Villiers’s Marines, 5 Companies. 31st ” 520 - Fox’s Marines 32nd ” 834 - Donegal’s 35th ” 724 - Charlemont’s 36th ” 724 - Shannon’s Marines 834 - ---- - 9653 - Dutch Regiments commanded by Major-General Baron } - Sparre and Brigadier Pallandt } 3924 - ------ - 13,577 - -Colonel Villiers’s Corps of Marines, now the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, -soon after its formation was thus called upon to supply five -Companies for embarkation for active service on board the fleet -destined against Spain: these Companies embarked in the latter -part of May from Plymouth, and proceeded to join the fleet at -Portsmouth, from whence the expedition sailed to Cadiz in the month -of July, 1702. - -The armament appeared off Cadiz on the 12th of August, and the -Duke summoned the place; but his terms being refused, he landed on -the 15th at the Bay of Bulls, between Rota and Fort St. Catherine, -under great disadvantages and a well conducted opposition: he -marched upon Rota, where the horses and stores were disembarked, -and in two days afterwards he advanced to the town of St. Mary. -Rota was retaken by a _coup-de-main_, and the British garrison of -300 men was captured. The attempt on Cadiz failed; the troops were -re-embarked, and sailed from Cadiz on the 30th of September. - -In alluding to this expedition, Bishop Burnet remarks,--“It is -certain our Court had false accounts of the state the place was in, -both with relation to the garrison, and to the fortifications; the -garrison was much stronger, and the fortifications were in a better -state, than was represented.” - -Conspicuous as the bravery of the troops had been in the expedition -against Cadiz, still the failure of the attempt naturally caused -painful feelings to arise among the British soldiers, who were -disappointed of reaping the well-earned fame of a successful -enterprise, when victory appeared almost within their grasp. The -receipt of information of the arrival of a Spanish fleet from -the West Indies, under a French convoy, at the harbour of Vigo, -speedily dissipated these feelings, and gave renewed hopes to the -troops. The allied fleet immediately bent its course thither, -and arrived before Vigo on the 22nd of October, 1702. The French -admiral Count de Chateaurenaud had placed his shipping and the -galleons within a narrow passage, the entrance to which was -defended by a castle on one side, and by platforms mounted with -cannon on both sides of the inlet; a strong boom was thrown across -the harbour. - -To facilitate the attack on this formidable barrier, the Duke of -Ormond landed a portion of his army six miles from Vigo on the -23rd of October, and took, by assault, a battery of forty pieces -of cannon, situated at the entrance of the bay. A British flag, -hoisted on this fort, was the signal for a general attack. The -fleet in full sail approached, broke the boom at the first shock, -and became closely engaged with the enemy’s ships, while the -British troops that had landed, stormed and captured the batteries. -After a vigorous defence, the French and Spaniards, finding they -could not escape, set fire to some of their vessels, and cast their -cargoes into the sea; but the British exerted themselves nobly in -extinguishing the flames, and succeeded in saving six galleons and -seven ships of war. Two thousand of the enemy are stated to have -perished, and the Spaniards sustained a loss in goods and treasure -exceeding eight million dollars, more than one-half of which fell -to the captors, whose loss in this victory was inconsiderable. -Queen Anne, attended by the Lords and Commons, went in state to St. -Paul’s Cathedral to return thanks for this success, and each of the -regiments of infantry received 561_l._ 10_s._ prize-money. - -Villiers’s Marines (THIRTY-FIRST regiment) did not land at Vigo, -but served on board the fleet in this gallant enterprise. - -The troops under the Duke of Ormond subsequently returned to -England, and on their arrival in November, 1702, were stationed as -follows, namely:-- - - Lloyd’s 3rd Dragoons (detachment) Portsmouth. - Foot Guards, 1st and Coldstream Gravesend and Chatham. - Sir H. Bellasis’s 2nd Foot Portsmouth. - Churchill’s 3rd ” Chatham. - Seymour’s 4th ” Plymouth. - Columbine’s 6th ” Portsmouth. - Royal Fusiliers 7th ” Tilbury. - VILLIERS’S (Marines) THIRTY-FIRST PLYMOUTH. - Fox’s Marines 32nd Foot Plymouth. - Viscount Shannon’s Marines Chatham. - -[Sidenote: 1703] - -On the 6th of January, 1703, seven companies of the regiment were -stationed at Plymouth, and on the 27th of that month four companies -were ordered for embarkation on board of the ships Suffolk and -Grafton, which proceeded on service to the coast of Spain, to join -the fleet under Admiral Sir George Rooke, and continued in that -quarter, and in the Mediterranean, during that year. - -In December, 1703, Colonel Villiers, who was in command of the -Regiment on board of the fleet, was drowned. He was succeeded -in the Colonelcy of the Regiment by Lieut.-Colonel Alexander -Lutterell, on the 6th of December of that year. - -[Sidenote: 1704] - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment, being at this time a Marine Corps, -continued to serve on board the fleet in the Mediterranean, and -in February, 1704, proceeded, under Admiral Sir George Rooke, -to Lisbon, from whence it proceeded to _Barcelona_, where the -troops were landed under the command of Major-General the Prince -of Hesse-Darmstadt, on the 19th of May; but the force, being -inadequate for the purpose intended, was re-embarked on the day -following. - -The fleet next proceeded to attack the fortress of _Gibraltar_, and -the Prince of Hesse effected a landing on the afternoon of the 21st -of July, 1704, with eighteen hundred BRITISH AND DUTCH MARINES: -after a bombardment of three days, the governor was forced to -capitulate, and the Prince of Hesse took possession of the garrison -on the evening of Sunday, the 24th of July, 1704. The attack of -the seamen and marines is recorded in history to have been one of -the boldest and most difficult ever performed. The _fortress_ of -_Gibraltar_ was thus taken, and was besieged by the Spaniards and -French in October following, for seven months, during which period -it was successfully defended by the navy and marines, and has since -remained, as a monument of British valour, in possession of the -Crown of Great Britain. - -After selecting a sufficient force to garrison Gibraltar, the -Marine Corps were distributed in the several ships of war which -were then collected in the Tagus, in order to co-operate with the -land forces on the coast of Spain. - -[Sidenote: 1705] - -Towards the end of May, 1705, the British fleet having about five -thousand troops on board, with General the Earl of Peterborough, -proceeded to Lisbon; King Charles embarked on board of the Ranelagh -on the 23rd of July, and the Dutch fleet having joined in the -Tagus, proceeded from thence, and anchored before Barcelona on the -22nd of August. - -The Earl of Peterborough commenced operations against _Barcelona_ -by an attack on the strong fortress of _Montjuich_, which was taken -by storm on the 17th of September. In this attack the Prince of -Hesse Darmstadt was wounded by a musket-ball which occasioned his -death. The city of Barcelona was invested, and after considerable -efforts on the part of the besiegers and the besieged, the garrison -surrendered on the 6th of October, 1705. - -The capture of _Barcelona_ obtained for the allied forces the -applause of the nations of Europe, and in a great degree promoted -the cause of King Charles in his efforts to succeed to the Crown of -Spain. - -[Sidenote: 1706] - -The decease of Colonel Lutterell having taken place, he was -succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel Josiah Churchill, on the 1st of -February, 1706. - -The neglect of King Charles III. and his counsellors to secure -the advantages obtained by the conquests before stated, and the -persevering efforts made in favour of King Philip V. by the French, -and by those persons in other countries who supported his cause, -occasioned great difficulties, as well as serious losses to the -allied forces. - -A powerful French and Spanish force by land, aided by a fleet, -attempted the recapture of _Barcelona_, which was besieged in the -beginning of April, 1706; but when the enemy had made preparations -to attack the place by storm, the English and Dutch fleet arrived -with reinforcements for the garrison;--the French relaxed in their -efforts, and the siege was raised on the 11th of May. - -The city of Barcelona was thus relieved, and the allied fleet, with -the troops on board, proceeded to the coast of Valencia; after -capturing _Carthagena_, and placing six hundred Marines for its -defence, the expedition proceeded to an attack upon _Alicant_, -which, after a gallant resistance and severe loss, surrendered on -the 25th of August, 1706. - -The fleet then proceeded to _Iviça_ and _Majorca_, which -surrendered to King Charles III., and detachments of Marines were -placed as garrisons in those islands. - -[Sidenote: 1707] - -The defeat of the allied forces under the Earl of Galway by the -Duke of Berwick at _Almanza_, on the 25th of April, 1707, cast a -gloom over the prospects of King Charles in Spain; and in June -following, measures were adopted for co-operating with the Duke of -Savoy and the Prince Eugene, in an attack upon Toulon. The fleet -proceeded for the coast of Italy, and anchored between Nice and -Antibes, when a conference took place with the commanders-in-chief -of the sea and land forces, and it was decided that a joint -attack should be made upon a portion of the enemy’s army which -was entrenched upon the river Var; the enemy having evacuated -his positions, they were immediately occupied by several hundred -British seamen and marines; the passage was thus secured for the -Duke of Savoy to prosecute his designs, and ships were stationed -along different parts of the sea-coast: every aid was afforded -by the fleet; but the enemy, having been reinforced, made a -successful sally, and the allied forces sustained considerable -loss; the siege was consequently raised on the 10th of August -following. - -[Sidenote: 1708] - -In consequence of King Charles having desired that _Sardinia_ -should be reduced, with a view to a passage being opened for his -troops into Naples to attack Sicily, and also to secure the means -of supplying provisions for his armies, it was decided that a body -of _marines_ should be withdrawn from Catalonia to assist in this -enterprise. On the 12th of August, 1708, the armament designed for -this service arrived before _Cagliari_, the capital of Sardinia, -and after receiving a hesitating reply to the summons to surrender, -the bombardment commenced on that evening, and continued until the -following morning, when, at the break of day, Major-General Wills -(Thirtieth regiment), at the head of the Marines, with one Spanish -regiment, landed, and the place surrendered. - -It was next decided that an attempt should be made upon the island -of _Minorca_. The fleet accordingly set sail, and arrived before -_Port Mahon_ on the 28th of August, 1708. - -At this period the six _marine_ regiments had been much reduced in -numbers by the arduous services on which they had been employed -from the commencement of the war, so that it became necessary -to draft the men of _two_ of these corps into the other four -regiments, in order to render this force effective for the service -for which it was now destined, and which, there was reason to -expect, would be difficult, and would require the most energetic -measures towards effecting the conquest of the island. For this -purpose all the Marines fit for service, were drawn from the ships -about to return home, and were incorporated in the four regiments -which were employed in the reduction of this island. The two -regiments (Holl’s and Shannon’s) returned to England in order to -recruit their numbers. - -The fleet proceeded to commence operations, and the first attack -was against _Fort Fornelle_, which was cannonaded, and surrendered -after a contest of four hours; a detachment proceeded to -_Citadella_, the capital, which surrendered; batteries, which had -been erected, were opened on the works defending the town of _Port -Mahon_, on the 17th of September, when, after a short but brisk -fire, a lodgment was effected under the walls of St. _Philip’s -Castle_, and on the following day the place surrendered. - -The valuable and important _Island of Minorca_ was thus reduced -to submission to the British Crown by the gallantry of the Navy, -and about two thousand four hundred Marines; the island, which was -ceded to Great Britain at the Treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, continued -in the British possession until the year 1756, when it was -recaptured by a combined Spanish and French force under the command -of Marshal the Duke de Richelieu.[7] - -[Sidenote: 1709] - -In the early part of the year 1709, an armament was prepared -for the purpose of attacking _Port Royal_ in the province of -_Nova Scotia_, which was then in possession of the French; the -expedition was entrusted to Colonel Nicholson of the Marines, and -to Captain Martin of the Navy. The squadron proceeded to Boston, -where it was reinforced by some ships, and by provincial auxiliary -troops: a council of war was held, and arrangements were made for -disembarking the troops, which took place on the 24th of September. -The fortress surrendered on the 1st of October, and the Marines -took possession. The fortress was named _Anna-polis Royal_, in -honor of Queen Anne, in whose reign the conquest was effected. - -The affairs of Spain at this time had materially changed, and -the prospects of King Charles III. in obtaining the monarchy had -become very doubtful. The town of _Alicant_, after sustaining a -powerful siege by the forces of Spain and France, was compelled -to surrender in April; the fleet under Admiral Sir George Byng, -and the troops on board under Lieut.-General Stanhope, which -were destined for its relief, were prevented, by heavy gales and -severe weather, from communicating with the town, and affording the -desired assistance. The garrison consisted of Colonel Sir Charles -Hotham’s and Colonel Frederick Sybourg’s regiments (afterwards -disbanded), together with a large body of Marines, who evinced -the most heroic perseverance in maintaining the place. On the 6th -of April, 1709, the enemy sprung a mine, which split the rock on -which the _Castle of Alicant_ was situated, when Colonel Sybourg -and several other officers were swallowed up in the opening, which -immediately closed. Although they had been permitted to see the -mine, they refused to capitulate; the garrison afterwards continued -to defend the castle, until Lieut.-General Stanhope, being unable -to communicate with the town, proposed terms of surrender, which -being acceded to, the gallant survivors of the siege were conveyed -on board the fleet, and were removed to Minorca, and afterwards to -Barcelona. - -[Sidenote: 1710] - -In March, 1710, Admiral Sir John Norris, who had arrived at Port -Mahon as commander-in-chief of the Naval forces, proceeded to -Barcelona, in the month of June, in order to concert with King -Charles III. the plan of future operations. It was determined -that an expedition should proceed against the _Isle of Cette_ in -the province of Languedoc. His troops, including the Marines, -landed on the 13th of July, and after a feeble resistance the fort -surrendered: the regiment of Stanhope and three hundred Marines -advanced against _Agde_, and the town surrendered. The _Isle of -Cette_ was shortly afterwards recaptured by the French, but the -British troops had been previously re-embarked. - -[Sidenote: 1711] - -Colonel Churchill having received Her Majesty’s permission to -sell his commission, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Harry Goring, Bart., was -promoted to the Colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST Regiment by purchase, -on the 1st of March, 1711. - -The decease of Joseph I., Emperor of Germany, took place on the -17th of April, 1711, and King Charles III. of Spain was elected -Emperor of Germany, by the title of Charles VI., on the 12th of -October of that year: this circumstance rendered unnecessary any -further attempts in the cause of King Charles on the part of the -British Government. His Majesty embarked at Barcelona on board -of the fleet, and proceeded to assume the duties of the Imperial -throne. - -[Sidenote: 1712] - -[Sidenote: 1713] - -In the year 1712 negotiations were entered into between Great -Britain and France, and a Treaty of Peace was concluded at Utrecht, -on the 11th of April, 1713. By this treaty it was settled, that -Great Britain should retain possession of Gibraltar, Minorca, -and Nova Scotia, which had been conquered during the war, and in -acquiring which the _Marine_ Corps had greatly contributed. - -From the period of the formation of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, in -the year 1702, as a _Corps of Marines_, to the termination of the -war by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, the regiment was employed, -by detachments, on board the fleet, and was engaged on various -services at sea, as well as on land, according to the conditions on -which it was raised.[8] - -Among the reductions which were directed to take place in the -establishment of the army consequent on the Peace of Utrecht, -the _Marine Corps_ were included in the list of regiments to be -discontinued. - -[Sidenote: 1714] - -The decease of Queen Anne took place on the 1st of August, 1714, -and King George I., who was then at Hanover, was immediately -proclaimed as the Sovereign of Great Britain and Ireland. The -partisans of the Pretender, James Francis Edward Stuart, son of the -late King, James II., renewed their exertions in his behalf; and -Jacobite principles had become so prevalent in certain parts of -the kingdom, that it was necessary that the army, which had been -considerably reduced after the Peace of Utrecht, should be again -augmented. - -Six additional regiments of cavalry (from the ninth to the -fourteenth dragoons) were raised. The establishments of the -regiments of infantry were increased, and, in consideration of -the services of the Marine Corps during the late war, Wills’s, -now _thirtieth_,--Goring’s, now _thirty-first_,--and Borr’s, now -_thirty-second_, which had been ordered to be disbanded, were -retained on the establishment, and were incorporated with the -regiments of infantry of the line, and authorised to take rank -according to the dates of their original formation in 1702. - -[Sidenote: 1715] - -The adherents of the Stuart dynasty continued to be numerous, -particularly in Scotland, where active preparations were made -for the elevation of the “_Pretender_” to the throne; and the -_Chevalier de St. George_[9] (so styled in France) repeated the -attempt which he had made in 1708, and effected a landing in -Scotland in December, 1715, where a rebellion had broken out in -September; the Earl of Mar had assembled his vassals, erected the -standard of the Pretender in the Highlands, and had been joined -by several clans, to the number of ten thousand men. King George -I. was supported by his Parliament in adopting energetic measures -for opposing the designs of the Jacobites, and for maintaining the -Protestant Succession. - -To oppose the rebellious forces, the Duke of Argyle was appointed -to the command of the army in Scotland. After several movements -and skirmishing, the rebel army, commanded by the Earl of Mar, -advanced, in the early part of November, towards the Firth; and -the Duke of Argyle quitted the camp at Stirling, and proceeded -to the vicinity of _Dumblaine_. On the morning of Sunday, the -13th of November, the hostile armies confronted each other on -_Sheriffmuir_. After half-an-hour’s sharp fighting the left wing -of the rebel army gave way, and the King’s troops captured several -standards and colours; but while this portion of the rebel army -was being pursued, the rebels had defeated the left wing of the -royal army. Thus each commander had a wing triumphant and a wing -defeated: both armies returned to their former ground, but the -action was not renewed. The rebels were, however, defeated in their -design of crossing the Firth, and they retired, during the night, -towards Perth. The royal army returned to Stirling on the following -day. The rebels who had assembled in England under the Earl of -Derwentwater and Mr. Forster, were also compelled to surrender at -Preston, in Lancashire, to General Carpenter, on the same day as -the battle of Sheriffmuir was fought. - -Towards the end of December the “_Pretender_” arrived in Scotland, -but his presence did not animate the Scots sufficiently to induce -them to renew the contest in his behalf; they considered him unfit -to be the leader of a great military enterprise, although the -Chevalier is recorded in history to have greatly distinguished -himself in the battle of Malplaquet in 1709, “when he charged -twelve times with the household troops of the King of France, -and, in the last charge, was wounded in the arm by a sword.” The -Chevalier had the credit of possessing plenty of animal courage, -when led by others, but no moral fortitude when left to himself, -and dependent upon his own resources.[10] - -[Sidenote: 1716] - -In the latter part of the year 1715 the royal army had been joined -by considerable reinforcements, and in January, 1716, the Duke of -Argyle advanced towards Perth. - -The Pretender and the Earl of Mar, being unable to oppose effectual -resistance, and seeing no prospect of establishing a footing -in Scotland, withdrew from their army privately, and escaped to -France, after which the Highlanders dispersed. - -The rebellion in Scotland at this period thus terminated. - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment proceeded to Ireland, and continued to -form a part of the force in that portion of the United Kingdom -until the year 1739. - -On the retirement of Colonel Sir _Harry Goring_, on the 8th of -September, 1716, Lord John Kerr was appointed to the Colonelcy of -the regiment. - -The remainder of the reign of King George I. did not produce any -events to give occasion for the active services of the army, and -the movements of regiments from one station to another seldom took -place. - -[Sidenote: 1727] - -His Majesty’s decease occurred on the 11th of June, 1727, and his -son, King George II., succeeded to the throne. - -[Sidenote: 1728] - -Major-General Lord John Kerr died on the 1st of August, 1728, and -on the 13th of that month, Colonel the Honorable Charles Cathcart, -from the Ninth foot, was appointed to the Colonelcy of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment. - -[Sidenote: 1731] - -Colonel William Hargrave was promoted on the 1st of January, -1731, from the Seventh Royal Fusiliers to the Colonelcy of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment, in succession to Colonel the Honorable -Charles Cathcart, who was removed to the Eighth dragoons. - -[Sidenote: 1737] - -On the 27th of January, 1737, Colonel William Handasyd was promoted -from the Fifteenth foot to the Colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment, in succession to Colonel William Hargrave, who was -removed to the Ninth foot. - -[Sidenote: 1739] - -In the year 1739 the THIRTY-FIRST regiment was removed from Ireland -to Great Britain. - -[Sidenote: 1740] - -In the two previous years the British merchants had made great -complaints against the Spanish depredations in America, and on the -23rd of October, 1739, war was proclaimed against Spain by Great -Britain; and the events which occurred in Germany in the following -year occasioned the contest that is designated the “War of the -Austrian Succession,” in which most of the European powers became -engaged, and which disturbed the long interval of comparative peace -that had succeeded the Treaty of Utrecht.[11] - -These events were occasioned by the decease of Charles VI., -Emperor of Germany, on the 20th of October, 1740. The Emperor was -the last Prince of the House of Austria, and he was succeeded in -his hereditary dominions by his eldest daughter, the Archduchess -Maria Theresa, who married, in 1736, the Duke Francis Stephen, of -Lorraine. The Duke, in the following year, became Grand-Duke of -Tuscany. Immediately on her father’s decease, Maria Theresa was -proclaimed Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, Princess of Transylvania, -Archduchess of Austria, and universal successor to all the -dominions of the House of Austria, pursuant to the “_Pragmatic -Sanction_;”[12] and she declared her husband co-regent in the -government of her dominions. - -Although the possessions of Austria were guaranteed to the -Archduchess Maria Theresa by the German Edict known in history -as the “_Pragmatic Sanction_,” to which nearly all the powers of -Europe had been parties, yet the succession of the Archduchess -to her father’s Austrian hereditary territories was disputed by -several claimants; and among others by Charles Albert, Elector of -Bavaria, who was afterwards elected Emperor of Germany. The King of -Prussia also revived a dormant claim to Silesia, which he invaded -in November; the Prussian monarch offered Maria Theresa sufficient -money to resist all her enemies, on condition of ceding Silesia to -him, but the proposition was indignantly rejected. - -[Sidenote: 1741] - -The King of France supported the Elector of Bavaria, while King -George II. supported the Archduchess Maria Theresa; and in April, -1741, the British Parliament voted a subsidy of 300,000_l._ to -the Queen of Hungary and Bohemia. His Majesty also informed the -Parliament, that the Queen of Hungary had demanded the twelve -thousand troops he had stipulated to furnish; and accordingly -he had requested the King of Denmark and the King of Sweden to -hold in readiness their quotas of six thousand men each, for the -maintenance of which they had received subsidies from England. King -George II. was drawn into the war from the apprehension of losing -Hanover, but at this period His Majesty abstained from being a -principal in the contest, by agreeing with the French sovereign, -Louis XV., to give his vote, as Elector of Hanover, to the Elector -of Bavaria for the dignity of Emperor of Germany, and thereby to -preserve the neutrality of his Hanoverian territories. - -During 1741 and the previous year the regiment was encamped at -Windsor, and on Lexden Heath, near Colchester, as part of the force -ordered to be prepared for the assistance of Maria Theresa, but no -embarkation for continental service took place during the year 1741. - -[Sidenote: 1742] - -The Elector of Bavaria was chosen Emperor of Germany at Frankfort -on the Maine, and crowned, as Charles VII., on the 11th of -February, 1742: he was, however, a most unhappy prince; his -electoral dominions were overrun by the Austrians, the French were -driven out of Bohemia, and the King of Prussia, under the mediation -of King George II., concluded a peace at Breslau with the Queen of -Hungary. - -The King of England resolving to take a more active part in the -war, an army of sixteen thousand men, under Field-Marshal the Earl -of Stair, was ordered to be embarked for the Netherlands in the -summer of 1742, in order to support the Queen of Hungary. - -On the 17th of May the THIRTY-FIRST regiment embarked at Deptford -for Flanders, having been previously reviewed on Kew-green by King -George II. and the Duke of Cumberland, with the other regiments -destined for the above service.[13] No action took place during -the year, the troops being suddenly marched into winter-quarters, -after every preparation had been made for active operations. - -[Sidenote: 1743] - -In the commencement of the year 1743 the British and Hanoverian -troops were assembled in the Low Countries, commanded by -Field-Marshal the Earl of Stair, as _allies_ to the Austrians, -under the command of Marshal Neuperg and the Duke d’Aremberg, and -advanced towards Germany, in order to secure the navigation of the -Upper Maine. The French Marshal, Noailles, had anticipated the -British general, and was already on the opposite shore of this -river, and in possession of its principal posts when the Allies -arrived at Aschaffenberg. Here the Allied army remained until June, -on the 19th of which month King George II., attended by the Duke of -Cumberland, arrived at the camp. - -The two armies were encamped on the plains near the banks of the -Maine, opposite to, and in sight of, each other; with a ridge of -hills, covered with woods on the north of each, the Allies being -on the north and the French on the south side of the river. The -Confederate army amounted to nearly forty thousand men, in high -spirits, though nearly destitute of provisions. A retrograde -movement being resolved on for the purpose of obtaining supplies, -as well as to effect a junction with a corps of twelve thousand -Hessians and Hanoverians, in some danger of being cut off at Hanau, -His Majesty, on the evening of the 26th of June, gave orders -that the army should hold itself in readiness to march on the -following morning; accordingly the Confederate army marched towards -_Dettingen_ before daylight on the morning of the 27th of June. The -army was weakened for want of provisions, the soldiers having been -on half-rations for some time, and the horses were without forage. - -Marshal Noailles immediately ordered a large force of cavalry and -infantry, composed of the household troops and of the Royal Guards, -to the village of _Dettingen_, by which the British had to pass. -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel -Montague, was in advance towards Dettingen, when the French made -the above movement, and gave the first intelligence of it to His -Majesty. - -Aschaffenberg was occupied by the French the moment it was -evacuated by the Allies. The Confederate army had to march through -a narrow way between a mountain and the Maine, the cannon on the -opposite side of the river commanding its flank. Dettingen, in -front, was occupied in force by the French, and also Aschaffenberg -in the rear. In this situation the destruction of the Allies seemed -inevitable; but Marshal Noailles having repassed the river, the -Duke de Grammont, who succeeded to the command, advanced to the -attack through the defile, thus relinquishing all the advantages of -his position. The British troops, animated by the presence of their -Sovereign, on the 27th of June, received the impetuous attack of -the French with such steadiness and intrepidity, that the latter -were forced to retire, and recross the Maine with the greatest -precipitation and the loss of five thousand men. - -The Twentieth and THIRTY-FIRST regiments were in reserve in a -wood on the British right, and towards the afternoon they were -led into action by his Majesty in person, who evinced the same -martial qualities for which he was distinguished at the battle of -Oudenarde, on the 11th of July, 1708, when Hereditary Prince of -Brunswick Lunenburg. - -The regiment sustained but trifling loss at the battle of -Dettingen, in consequence of its having been in reserve during the -early part of the action.[14] - -Although the victory was highly honorable to those by whom it was -gained, yet it was productive of no decisive results.[15] The -allied army continued its march to Hanau; it subsequently crossed -the Rhine, and was employed in West Germany, but returned to -Flanders for winter-quarters. - -[Sidenote: 1744] - -On the 20th of March, 1744, France declared war against England, -and on the 29th of that month a counter-declaration was made by -Great Britain, in which the French monarch was accused of violating -the “_Pragmatic Sanction_,” and of assisting the son of the -Pretender in his designs on the British throne. - -The regiment served the campaign of 1744 with the army commanded -by Field-Marshal Wade; it was encamped some time on the banks of -the Scheldt, and afterwards penetrated the French territory to the -vicinity of Lisle, but no general engagement occurred. - -[Sidenote: 1745] - -In January, 1745, the Emperor Charles VII. died at Munich, and -Francis, Grand-Duke of Tuscany, consort of Maria Theresa, became a -candidate for the Imperial crown; this event changed the aspect of -affairs in Germany, and led to the re-establishment of the House of -Austria in the Imperial dignity. - -Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk was appointed, on the 22nd of April, -1745, from the forty-eighth to the Colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment, in succession to Colonel W. Handasyd, deceased. - -His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland was appointed to the -command of the Confederate army, and on the French investing -Tournay, which towards the end of April was besieged by an immense -force, under Marshal Count de Saxe, His Royal Highness determined -to raise the siege, which resulted in the battle of _Fontenoy_. - -On the morning of the 11th of May, the formidable position at -_Fontenoy_, occupied by the superior numbers of the enemy, was -attacked, when the British infantry evinced that heroism for -which that _arme_ of the service has ever been conspicuous, and -forced the enemy’s position; but being exposed to a destructive -cross-fire, in consequence of the Dutch having failed in their -attack on the village of Fontenoy, and Brigadier-General Ingoldsby -not having captured a battery in the wood of Barry, the British -regiments, which had forced the French position, were ordered to -retire. The attack was repeated, with the same results: British -valour was conspicuous, but the failure of the Dutch rendered a -retreat necessary, and the Allied army withdrew to Aeth.[16] - -In the London Gazette it was stated that, - - “The Highland regiment (42nd), the regiment late Handasyd’s - (THIRTY-FIRST), Duroure’s (12th), and many others also - distinguished themselves. The honor gained by the Infantry - was in a great measure owing to the conduct and bravery of - Lieut.-General Ligonier.” - -It was the practice at this period in all the armies of Europe -to form battalions of _Grenadiers_ of the different regiments -composing the force in the field; it was their privilege to lead -upon all arduous occasions, when they were ever conspicuous, and -suffered the most. The _grenadier_ company of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment brought only _eleven_ men out of the field of Fontenoy, -of the seventy-five that it took into action, and its captain and -subalterns were killed. - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment had Lieut.-Colonel Montague, Captains -Baird and Pollock, Lieutenant Dalway, four serjeants, and one -hundred and twenty-five rank and file _killed_; Lieutenants -Stafford and Porter, Ensigns Worsley, Bromley, and Freeman, six -serjeants, and one hundred and thirty rank and file, _wounded_. - -Tournay made a gallant defence until the 21st of June, when it -surrendered to Marshal Saxe. - -After the battle of Fontenoy the Allied army encamped at Lessines -and Grammont, when a demonstration being made by the French to -attack the Confederates, it was concentrated at the latter place, -in order to receive them. After exchanging a few cannon-shots, the -enemy withdrew, showing a disposition to surround the Allies, which -determined the Duke of Cumberland to fall back on Brussels. - -The Confederate generals suspected that the French would make an -attempt upon Ghent, and therefore despatched Lieut.-General Baron -de Molck to Ghent to reinforce the garrison of that fortress. The -troops appointed for this service were Sir Robert Rich’s (fourth) -dragoons, three squadrons of Slipperbach’s dragoons, and two -squadrons of the regiments of Ligne and Styrum, and seven hundred -hussars; with a battalion of the Royal regiment of foot, and -Bligh’s and HANDASYD’S regiments (Twentieth and THIRTY-FIRST foot); -in all about four thousand men. - -The Baron de Molck led his column along the cause-way of Alost, -until he reached the Priory of _Melle_ (_Pas du Mésle_), when it -was suddenly assailed by a volley from two batteries near the -priory, and the next moment from ten to fifteen thousand French -sprang from their concealment among the trees and surrounded the -detachment. The Baron de Molck attacked them with such resolution, -that he forced a passage, and arrived safely in Ghent with the -fourth dragoons, the Royals, and the hussars. Brigadier Bligh, -finding it impossible to follow the Lieut.-General, drew off to the -right with his own regiment (the 20th), the THIRTY-FIRST, and the -Austrian and Dutch dragoons, forced a passage through the enemy, -gained an adjacent wood, and retired thence to Dendermond, twelve -miles east of Ghent. The loss of the Allies amounted to about six -hundred men. This action, which was fought on the 9th of July, is -called by the French the combat of _La Mésle_. In the account of -this affair published at the time, it was stated that “our troops -behaved with incredible bravery, and have acquired immortal honor.” -Ghent was shortly afterwards taken by the French. - -The allied army remained entrenched between Antwerp and Brussels -until the French Marshal had reduced the chief fortified places in -Austrian Flanders.[17] - -On the 2nd of September the Grand-Duke of Tuscany was elected -Emperor of Germany, by the title of Francis I. At this period the -rebellion in Scotland began to assume a formidable aspect. Prince -Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, who had arrived in -the Highlands towards the end of July, had been joined by several -clans, and on the 16th of September proclaimed his father King of -Great Britain, at Edinburgh. The success gained over the Royal -army, under Lieutenant-General Sir John Cope, at _Preston-Pans_, on -the 21st of September, caused numerous adherents to flock to the -Prince’s standard. - -Several regiments were in consequence recalled from the Continent, -and the THIRTY-FIRST, with other corps, arrived in the river Thames -on the 25th of October.[18] - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment, which had been much reduced by its -casualties during the campaigns in Flanders, did not proceed -to Scotland, but remained in the vicinity of London. The young -Pretender marched as far as Derby, from whence he commenced his -retreat to the north on the 6th of December, as he found but few -partisans in England to join him in his expedition. - -[Sidenote: 1746] - -On the 16th of April, 1746, a decisive blow was given to the hopes -of the Pretender by the defeat of the rebels at _Culloden_. Prince -Charles, after enduring many hardships, escaped to France. - -[Sidenote: 1747] - -Several regiments were now ordered to return to Flanders, but the -THIRTY-FIRST remained in Great Britain. On the 2nd of July, 1747, -the Duke of Cumberland engaged the French at _Laffeld_, or _Val_, -where the Allies suffered severely from the misconduct of the Dutch -troops. - -[Sidenote: 1748] - -In the summer of 1748 the Allies again took the field, but -hostilities were at length terminated by the treaty of -Aix-la-Chapelle, which was signed on the 7th of October, 1748. By -it all the great treaties, from that of Westphalia in 1648, which -first recognised the principle of a balance of power in Europe, to -that of Vienna in 1738 were renewed and confirmed. Prussia retained -Silesia, and the Empress-Queen, Maria Theresa, was guaranteed -in the possession of her hereditary dominions, according to the -Pragmatic Sanction. France surrendered her conquests in Flanders, -and England those in the East and West Indies; all therefore Great -Britain gained by the war was the glory of having supported the -German sovereignty of Maria Theresa, and of having adhered to -former treaties. - -[Sidenote: 1749] - -Colonel Henry Holmes was appointed by King George II. to the -Colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 8th of May, 1749, in -succession to Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk, who retired from the -service. - -In the year 1749 the THIRTY-FIRST regiment was embarked for -Minorca, where it remained for the three following years. - -[Sidenote: 1751] - -In the Royal Warrant, dated the 1st of July, 1751, for ensuring -uniformity in the clothing, standards, and colours of the army, -and regulating the number and rank of regiments, the facings of -the THIRTY-FIRST regiment were directed to be _Buff_. The first, -or King’s colour, was the Great Union; the second, or Regimental -colour, was of _Buff_ silk, with the Union in the upper canton; in -the centre of the colour the number of the rank of the regiment, in -gold Roman characters, within a wreath of roses and thistles on the -same stalk. - -[Sidenote: 1752] - -In 1752 the regiment returned to England from Minorca. - -[Sidenote: 1753] - -[Sidenote: 1754] - -During the years 1753 and 1754 the THIRTY-FIRST regiment was -stationed in England. - -[Sidenote: 1755] - -In the year 1755 the regiment proceeded to Scotland, in which -country it remained for seven years. - -[Sidenote: 1756] - -While the regiment was stationed in North Britain, the Peace of -Aix-la-Chapelle was interrupted by the aggressions of the French -on the British territory in North America, and early in 1756 the -King of France prepared a powerful armament for the capture of -the island of Minorca. In consequence of this attack on Minorca, -hostilities became inevitable on the part of Great Britain, and on -the 18th of May war was declared against France. - -The garrison of Minorca, consisting of the 4th, 23rd, 24th, and -34th regiments, after making a noble and vigorous defence, which -called forth the unqualified admiration of their opponents, was -forced to surrender on the 29th of June. - -At this period the army and navy were increased, and among other -augmentations, fifteen of the regiments of infantry were authorised -to raise second battalions from the 25th of August, 1756. - -[Sidenote: 1758] - -In 1758 these additional battalions were formed into distinct -corps, and numbered from the sixty-first to the seventy-fifth -regiment. By this arrangement, the second battalion of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment was constituted the present _Seventieth_ -regiment.[19] - -[Sidenote: 1759] - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment, having been selected to remain in the -United Kingdom, was precluded from taking a part in _The Seven -Years’ War_, the most memorable occurrences of which were, the -battle of _Plassey_, gained in India by Colonel Clive, on the 23rd -of June, 1757, which laid the foundation of the British dominion -in India; in Germany, the battle of _Minden_, which was fought on -the 1st of August, 1759; in North America, the capture of _Cape -Breton_, in July, 1758; and the capture of _Quebec_, in September, -1759, which cost the life of the gallant _General Wolfe_, but -which led to the conquest of _Canada_ in the following year, when -_Montreal_, with the whole of that country, surrendered to General -Amherst, in September, 1760. - -[Sidenote: 1760] - -In Germany several hard-fought but indecisive actions occurred: the -battle of Warbourg, on the 31st of July, 1760; the action near the -Convent of Campen, on the 16th of October following; and the battle -of Kirch Denkern, or Fellinghausen, on the 15th and 16th of July, -1761. In the following year actions were fought at Wilhelmstahl and -at Amonebourg; the former on the 24th of June, and the latter on -the 21st of September. - -[Sidenote: 1762] - -On the 4th of January, 1762, war was declared against Spain; and -Martinique, Grenada, St. Vincent, and other West India islands -surrendered to English valour. The important city of Havannah, in -Cuba, also capitulated to the British arms. - -These successes were followed by a Treaty of Peace, the preliminary -articles of which were signed at Fontainebleau, by the Duke of -Bedford, on the 3rd of November, 1762. - -In June, 1762, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment proceeded from Scotland to -England, where it was stationed during the two following years. - -On the 20th of August, 1762, Colonel James Adolphus Oughton, from -the fifty-fifth regiment, was appointed by His Majesty King George -III. to the Colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, in succession -to Lieutenant-General Henry Holmes, deceased. - -[Sidenote: 1763] - -The treaty of Fontainebleau was concluded at Paris on the 10th of -February, the ratifications were exchanged on the 10th of March, -and peace was proclaimed in London on the 22nd of that month. - -By this treaty, the whole of Canada, part of Louisiana, together -with Cape Breton, and the other islands in the Gulf of St. -Lawrence, were ceded to Great Britain. In the West Indies, the -islands of Tobago, Dominica, St. Vincent, and Grenada were retained -by Great Britain; but Martinique, Guadaloupe, Marigalante, and -St. Lucia were restored to France. In the East Indies, the French -obtained the restitution of their settlements, but agreed not to -erect any fortifications in Bengal. Minorca was restored to England -in exchange for Belle-Isle, which had been captured by the British -in 1761, and it was stipulated that the fortifications of Dunkirk -should be demolished. Spain ceded East and West Florida to Great -Britain, in return for the restitution of the Havannah, Manilla, -and all the places which Spain had lost since the commencement of -the war. - -[Sidenote: 1765] - -In this year the THIRTY-FIRST regiment was embarked for Pensacola, -the capital of West Florida, which country had been ceded to Great -Britain by Spain at the peace of Fontainebleau; on the passage out, -the transport having the regiment on board put into Blue-field -Bay, Jamaica, at the time the yellow fever was raging with great -violence in that island; the THIRTY-FIRST took the infection, and -unfortunately carried it to Pensacola, where the soldiers continued -to suffer most severely; so great was the mortality, and so rapid -the disease in its course, that the regiment could not supply -men to carry their comrades to the grave. The men who attended -the funerals of their brother soldiers in the morning, while the -regiment was strong enough to preserve some ceremony, were, in -many instances, consigned to the tomb in the evening. It appears -by the newspapers of the period, in which allusion is made to the -mortality, that at one period of its illness the regiment could -muster only a corporal and six men for duty. - -[Sidenote: 1772] - -The regiment remained in the Floridas, garrisoning alternately St. -Augustine and Pensacola, the capitals of East and West Florida, -until the autumn of 1772, when it was embarked for _St. Vincent_, -to take part in reducing to submission the refractory Caribs in -that island. - -The island of St. Vincent was captured from the French, in 1762, -and was ceded to Great Britain at the peace concluded in the -following year; it contained two tribes of natives, called the -_red_ and _black_ Caribs, the former being the aborigines, and the -latter having sprung from a cargo of African slaves, who escaped -from a vessel which was wrecked on the island. The Caribs were -devoted to the French interest; they were dangerous and troublesome -neighbours to the English planters, and it was found necessary to -restrain their conduct, and enforce obedience to a few salutary -regulations. They were, however, of a resolute spirit, possessed -many thickly wooded fastnesses, and resisted all attempts to -restrain their roving propensities and mode of life with such -determination, that it became necessary to augment the military -force on the island. Although they were contemptible opponents in -skill, yet the nature of the climate, and the natural difficulties -of the country, being thickly wooded where they inhabited, rendered -the service extremely tedious and arduous. - -[Sidenote: 1773] - -On the 14th of January, 1773, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment fell into -an ambuscade, and sustained some loss; the commanding officer, -Lieutenant-Colonel Ralph Walsh, was among the killed. - -[Sidenote: 1774] - -After the troops had been in the woods for some months, they at -length succeeded, in February, 1774, in bringing the Caribs to -terms, who agreed to acknowledge the sovereignty of Great Britain, -but were permitted to preserve their own laws and customs. - -Thus terminated the Carib war. The THIRTY-FIRST regiment returned -to England, and was subsequently stationed in North Britain. - -[Sidenote: 1775] - -At this period the unfortunate misunderstanding between Great -Britain and her American colonies, on the subject of taxation, -produced open hostilities. On the 19th of April the first collision -occurred at _Lexington_, and on the 17th of June following the -battle of _Bunker’s Hill_ was fought. During the winter _Quebec_ -was besieged by an American Army: this fortress was gallantly -defended by the troops under Lieut.-General Guy Carleton, and -reinforcements were ordered to proceed from England to Canada. - -[Sidenote: 1776] - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment proceeded from Glasgow to Cork, whence -it embarked for Canada in April, as part of the army under -Major-General Burgoyne. The transports arrived at Quebec on the -28th of May, shortly after the defeat of the Americans by a sortie -of the garrison. Lieut.-General Carleton had pursued the enemy up -the river St. Lawrence, and Major-General Burgoyne’s force remained -only one night at anchor below Quebec, where orders had been left -for him to follow. He joined at _Trois Rivières_; part of the army -disembarked and immediately occupied the villages adjacent to their -post on the road to Montreal. On the 8th of June the Americans -attempted to surprise the post of Trois Rivières, having passed the -river from Sorel with two thousand men. - -Brigadier-General Fraser, who commanded at the post of _Trois -Rivières_, gave the foe a ready reception, with such men as he -could collect, and, being soon supported from the cantonments and -the transports, put the Americans to the rout. The troops pursued -the fugitives along the shore, while the shipping sailed up the -river and intercepted their flight. Major-General Thompson, the -American General, with many officers, and two hundred men, were -taken prisoners. - -On the 14th of June the flotillas and the force on shore reached -Sorel, which the colonists had evacuated a few hours before; -Major-General Burgoyne continued the pursuit as far as St. John’s, -where the troops from the transports under Major-General Phillips -joined him, and soon afterwards an additional reinforcement under -Brigadier-General Fraser. - -All hope of accommodation now failed; on the 4th of July the -American Congress issued their Declaration of Independence, -and abjured their allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain. By -this Declaration the name of _colonies_ was abolished, and the -_thirteen_ provinces, namely, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode -Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, -Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, -were constituted the _United States_ of America. - -The whole of Major-General Burgoyne’s army was assembled by the end -of July at St. John’s, where it remained encamped during the naval -operations on Lake Champlain. After the defeat of the American -fleet, on the 11th of October, the weather becoming too severe for -further operations in the field, the troops returned to Canada. The -posts occupied by the THIRTY-FIRST regiment during the winter were -Sorel, St. Charles, St. Denis, St. Anthony, and St. Ours. - -[Sidenote: 1777] - -Major-General Burgoyne, who had proceeded to England to submit -to the Government a plan for the ensuing campaign, arrived in -Canada in May, 1777, empowered to carry it out. An army, composed -of British, Dutch, and Colonial Corps, with the _flank_ companies -of the regiments left to garrison Quebec (among which was the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment), amounting to nearly eight thousand men, was -equipped and in the field by the 1st of July. - -The flank companies of the THIRTY-FIRST, commanded by Captains -Cotton and Simpson, formed, with the other flank companies -and the twenty-fourth regiment, the advance of the army under -Brigadier-General Fraser. _Ticonderago_ was first attacked, and the -Provincials were forced to evacuate that post. - -Major-General Burgoyne’s plan was to penetrate the United States -from Lake Champlain to the river Hudson, and advance upon Albany, -with the view of reducing that country to submission. While -Major-General Burgoyne moved towards the lake by _Skenesborough_, -a short distance inland from South Bay, where an action occurred -on the 6th of July, Brigadier-General Fraser, with the advance, -followed the Provincial troops towards _Castleton_, and on the -following day commenced an action by detaching his light companies -to occupy a height commanding their flank. The American General -observing this movement detached a force to prevent the British -obtaining possession of this post. A sharp action ensued, and the -Americans retreated with much loss to Huberton, where, meeting with -a reinforcement, they made a stand in good order. Brigadier-General -Fraser attacked them with great vigour, but not having half -their number, made no impression upon them, until Major-General -Reidesel, commanding the Dutch, arrived, when their flank being -turned, the Americans retreated, leaving two hundred dead on the -field, among whom was Colonel Francis, their commander. - -The flank companies were hotly engaged in this affair. -Brigadier-General Fraser had but 850 men in the beginning of the -day, while the enemy amounted to 2000. - -When Major-General Burgoyne joined, he pursued the Americans to -Fort Anne and Fort Edward, notwithstanding the natural difficulties -of the road, which the enemy increased by every possible means -that could be devised. The Americans retreated from Fort Edward to -Saratoga, and abandoning Fort George, left the navigation of Lake -George open to Major-General Burgoyne. - -General Arnold was now appointed to command the Americans in the -British front, and, forming at Saratoga, fell back to _Stillwater_. -Major-General Burgoyne remained at Fort Edward in great want of -provisions and of means to advance; a detachment sent to procure -supplies was completely cut off at Bennington, while Lieut.-Colonel -St. Leger was compelled to raise the siege of Fort Stanwix, leaving -behind his equipage and baggage. - -The Americans, greatly elated by these circumstances, had assembled -a large body under Major-General Gates at _Stillwater_. Small -parties having been detached to Lieut.-General Burgoyne’s[20] rear, -were in some measure successful, and his communication being thus -threatened, notwithstanding his difficulties, arising from want of -resources, he resolved to advance, and at all hazards to attempt a -junction with the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Henry Clinton, -taking with him thirty days’ provisions. Lieut.-General Burgoyne -crossed the river Hudson on the 13th and 14th of September by a -bridge of rafts, which had once been swept away, and on the 18th -arrived at _Stillwater_, before the enemy’s position, which he -attacked at two o’clock in the afternoon of the 19th of September, -when a severe and indecisive action ensued. Both parties held their -respective positions, and entrenched themselves within them. The -British General, confined between two rivers by a stronger force -than his own, continued within his lines and redoubts until the 7th -of October, and when nearly destitute of provisions, determined to -make another effort to extricate his troops; 1500 British, with -twelve pieces of artillery, commanded by Lieut.-General Burgoyne in -person, moved in advance towards the American position, and formed -his right wing, while a body of light companies and Indians were -placed under cover to act upon the enemy’s rear when he should be -sufficiently advanced. General Gates, observing this separation of -wings, instantly attacked the left wing with a view to cut off all -chance of a junction; the British grenadiers were in this wing, and -behaved with great gallantry. General Arnold attacked the British -right, and Brigadier-General Fraser threw the light companies into -a second line, in rear of the right wing, to cover its retreat -upon the left. While this movement was taking place, the left of -the right wing doubled to the rear. Brigadier-General Fraser led -the light infantry to its support, but was mortally wounded; not, -however, before his brave troops gave the right wing time to -recover, and secured Lieut.-General Burgoyne’s retreat to his camp. -The Americans pushed on, and obtained an entrance into the British -lines: night put an end to the action. - -During the night Lieut.-General Burgoyne removed his position to -higher ground in his rear. General Gates distributed his corps -to surround the British, and Lieut.-General Burgoyne once more -tried a new position, retiring on _Saratoga_, and abandoning his -baggage and provisions, as well as his hospital with 300 sick. He -reached Saratoga safely, the Americans having been delayed in their -pursuit by bad weather: a detachment, sent to observe the British, -succeeded in reaching the place, but withdrew on the appearance -of Lieut.-General Burgoyne’s force. Sending a detachment with -workmen to examine and repair the roads, Lieut.-General Burgoyne -resolved to continue his retreat to Fort George. The detachment, -which was of regular troops, had scarcely marched, when the -Americans appeared in force; it was instantly recalled, and the -hope of rendering the roads passable for artillery was abandoned. -The British patrols reported that every avenue of escape was in -possession of the enemy; the men were worn down with fatigue and -hunger, having been for some time on a reduced allowance, and -but three days’ provisions remained. Under these circumstances -Lieut.-General Burgoyne was constrained to treat with Major-General -Gates, and obtaining honorable terms, capitulated on the 17th of -October. The troops, of which the _grenadier_ and _light companies_ -of the THIRTY-FIRST formed part, laid down their arms on condition -of being sent to England; and they engaged not to serve again in -North America during the war. - -The American government violated the conditions of the convention, -and detained the troops until the year 1781. - -[Sidenote: 1778] - -[Sidenote: 1779] - -In 1778 the French monarch sent a numerous fleet under the -Count D’Estaing, having on board a large body of troops, to the -assistance of the Americans; in 1779 the court of Spain commenced -hostilities against Great Britain, and this example was followed by -the Dutch. - -[Sidenote: 1780] - -Major-General Thomas Clarke, from the Coldstream Guards, was -appointed, on the 3rd of May, 1780, to the Colonelcy of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir James -Adolphus Oughton, K.B., deceased. - -[Sidenote: 1781] - -The _battalion_ companies of the regiment had remained in Canada, -where they eventually were joined by the _flank_ companies. On -the 12th of March, 1781, the _light company_ was detached to -Lake Champlain, with a view of reconnoitring the neighbourhood, -and effecting the destruction of the military stores left at -Ticonderago by Lieut.-General Burgoyne. The object was partly -accomplished, and Captain Andrew Ross, who commanded the company, -gained great credit for the skill and conduct he displayed in -this difficult enterprise. The party consisted, in addition to -the _light company_ of the THIRTY-FIRST, of men selected from -the different Provincial corps, with a few Indians. It was in -the spring of the year, when the ice was breaking up, and the -operations were attended with difficulties and great privations. -The men suffered so severely from fatigue, that the Provincials and -Indians dropped off by degrees, and the party was reduced, on its -return, to the _light company_ only. - -During July the THIRTY-FIRST regiment was encamped on the Plain of -Abraham, memorable as the scene of the British victory over the -French under the Marquis de Montcalm, on the 13th September, 1759, -by which Quebec was gained to England, and in which battle the -celebrated Major-General Wolfe lost his life. - -[Sidenote: 1782] - -In October, 1781, the British army under Lieut.-General the Earl -Cornwallis, after a gallant defence against the combined French and -American forces, was compelled to surrender to General Washington -at York-Town. The enormous expense of carrying on the war with -America, so distant from the seat of preparation and power, with -the other evils attending this memorable and ever-to-be regretted -contest, were so apparent, that the desire for peace became -general, and King George III. at length conceded the Independence -of the United States. The Preliminary Articles of Peace were signed -at Paris on the 30th of November, 1782, by the Commissioners of the -King of Great Britain and by those of the American Congress, and -the Treaty was concluded in the ensuing February. - -While the THIRTY-FIRST was stationed in Canada, a letter, dated -the 31st of August, 1782, conveyed to the regiment His Majesty’s -pleasure that _County-titles_ should be given to the regiments of -infantry, and the THIRTY-FIRST was directed to assume the name of -the HUNTINGDONSHIRE regiment, in order that a connexion between the -corps and that county should be cultivated, which might be useful -in furthering the success of the recruiting service. - -[Sidenote: 1783] - -The preliminaries of the treaties between England, France, and -Spain, were signed at Versailles on the 20th of January, 1783. St. -Lucia was restored to France, also the settlements on the river -Senegal, and the city of Pondicherry in the East Indies. France -relinquished all her West India conquests, with the exception of -Tobago; Spain retained Minorca (which she had captured in the -previous year) and West Florida; East Florida was ceded in exchange -for the restitution of the Bahamas to Great Britain. - -On the 2nd of September, 1783, were signed the Preliminary Articles -of Peace with Holland, the peace with that country having been -postponed in consequence of the Dutch claiming an indemnification -for the expenses of the war, and the restoration of Trincomalee, in -Ceylon, which had been captured from the Dutch by the English, in -January, 1782, and retaken by the French in August following. The -place was, however, restored to Holland. - -[Sidenote: 1787] - -After eleven years’ service in North America, the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment embarked, on the 4th of October, 1787, at Quebec, and on -the 7th of November landed at Portsmouth. - -During the two following years the regiment remained in Great -Britain. - -[Sidenote: 1789] - -In the year 1789 was effected the French Revolution; the Bastile -was stormed by the Parisians on the 14th of July, and the Governor -put to death. The National Assembly passed several decrees -abolishing all the relies of the feudal system. On the 20th of -August a declaration of rights was agreed on to serve as the basis -of the French constitution. A national force was embodied, and -no vestige of the old government remained, except a King without -power, and a Court without splendour. - -In the summer of 1789 two British vessels were seized by the -commander of a Spanish frigate at Nootka Sound, on the western -coast of North America, where a settlement had recently been -established for carrying on the fur-trade with the natives. The -settlement was taken possession of by Spain, and the British -crews were made prisoners. The Government, on receiving this -intelligence, called upon the Court of Madrid to make satisfaction -for these injuries, and great preparations were made for war by -both countries. - -[Sidenote: 1790] - -Accordingly in July, 1790, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment embarked at -Spithead on board the fleet to perform its _original_ service of -MARINES, in the event of a war with Spain, which appeared probable. -The negotiations were protracted to a considerable length of time, -but on the 28th of October a convention was entered into, by which -Spain agreed to make reparation for the injuries sustained, and to -restore Nootka. - -[Sidenote: 1791] - -In July, 1791, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment was sent hastily to -Birmingham, to aid in the suppression of very serious disturbances, -which broke out there in consequence of the celebration of the -anniversary of the French Revolution, on the 14th of July, 1791, -by a party of the “Friends of Freedom,” at a tavern. The populace -destroyed the house and chapel of Dr. Priestley, the eminent -philosopher, and burned many of the dwellings of those suspected to -be friendly to the French cause. The troops employed were praised -for their regularity and forbearance on this occasion. - -When order had been restored in Birmingham, an outbreak among the -miners at Whitehaven called for the assistance of the military, -and the regiment was again employed in the delicate as well as -unpleasant duty of aiding the civil power in the suppression of -riot. - -[Sidenote: 1792] - -Major-General James Stuart was appointed from the half-pay of the -Ninetieth regiment to the Colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment -on the 8th of February, 1792, in succession to Lieutenant-General -Thomas Clarke, removed to the Thirtieth regiment. - -On the 17th of April, 1792, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment embarked at -Port Patrick for Ireland. - -[Sidenote: 1793] - -Colonel Henry Lord Mulgrave, from the Grenadier Guards, was -appointed Colonel of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 8th of -February, 1793, in succession to Major-General James Stuart, -deceased. His Lordship subsequently assumed the command of the -regiment at Waterford, as its Colonel; and, after inspecting the -corps in the field, entertained the officers at dinner. - -Meanwhile, Louis XVI. had been decapitated, and the progress of -democracy menaced Europe with universal anarchy. On the 1st of -February the National Convention of France declared war against -Great Britain and Holland, and the British Government prepared -for hostilities. A large army was sent, under the command of the -Duke of York, to join the Austrian and Prussian allies. Several -engagements occurred, and the French gained possession of the -Austrian Netherlands. Holland opened her principal towns to the -enemy, and they were garrisoned by French troops. - -In September, 1793, the _flank_ companies of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment embarked for Barbadoes, for the purpose of taking part in -the capture of the French West India Islands. - -[Sidenote: 1794] - -In the beginning of 1794 an armament was assembled at Barbadoes, -of which the _flank_ companies of the THIRTY-FIRST formed part, -and early in February the expedition, under Admiral Sir John -Jervis and General Sir Charles (afterwards Earl) Grey, sailed -for _Martinique_. After some sharp fighting the island was taken -possession of by General Sir Charles Grey, on the 22nd of March.[21] - -From Martinique the _grenadiers_, under Prince Edward (afterwards -Duke of Kent), the _light_ infantry, under Major-General Dundas, -and three other regiments, embarked on the 30th of March for _St. -Lucia_, where they arrived on the 1st of April, and the conquest of -that island was effected in three days; His Royal Highness Prince -Edward, with his brigade of grenadiers, and Major-General Dundas, -with his brigade of light infantry, taking possession of St. Lucia -on the 4th of April. The flank companies of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment were afterwards employed in the reduction of the island of -_Guadaloupe_. A determined resistance was made by the enemy; but -the island was captured by the 20th of April. - -France did not view with indifference the loss of these valuable -possessions, and in June a French armament arrived at _Guadaloupe_ -for the recovery of that island. The light company, under -Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Andrew Ross, highly distinguished itself -on the night of the 13th of June, in attacking the enemy near -_Point-à-Petre_. General Sir Charles Grey stated in his despatch:-- - - “Brevet Major Ross,[22] of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, who was - with the light infantry, behaved with great gallantry and good - conduct on this occasion, as he has done on every other.” - -The light company also participated in a night attack on Fort -_Fleur d’Epée_ between the 25th and 26th of June; on the day -following, Brigadier-General Symes, with the grenadiers and light -infantry, attacked the enemy, who was driven to Morne Mascot, where -he again made resistance, but being charged with the bayonet, he -fled into Fort Fleur d’Epée. - -Lieut.-Colonel Ross, of the THIRTY-FIRST, commanded the second -battalion of light infantry on these occasions. - -Lieut.-Colonel Colin Graham, of the twenty-first Royal North -British Fusiliers, was appointed to the command of the troops -in Basse Terre, and he defended _Berville_ camp with the -utmost gallantry until the 6th of October, when he was forced -to surrender,--his force having become reduced by excessive -exertion, and the unhealthiness of the climate, to one hundred and -twenty-five rank and file fit for duty. - -The troops at Guadaloupe suffered severely from the climate, and -the arduous duties they had to perform, and could only muster 389 -soldiers fit for duty on the 1st of September.[23] - -By the articles of capitulation the British troops were to march -out with the honors of war, and it was agreed to send the garrison -to England on board French ships, as soon as transports were -ready. The latter part of the agreement was not, however, complied -with, as they remained prisoners for more than a year afterwards, -during which time many of them died. The garrison consisted of -the flank companies of the 17th, 31st, and 34th regiments; the -39th, 43rd, 56th (three companies), and 65th regiments. Their loss -in the different actions between the 27th of September and the -6th of October amounted to two officers killed and five wounded; -twenty-five non-commissioned officers and privates killed, and -fifty-one wounded. - -During the year 1794 Lieutenants Davies, Mackenzie, and Williams, -of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, died of fever contracted in the West -Indies. - -The whole island of Guadaloupe, with the exception of Fort Matilda, -had been recaptured by the French: this fort was defended by the -troops under Lieut.-General Prescott until the 10th of December, -when it was evacuated by the British. - -On the 12th of July, 1794, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment embarked at -Wexford for England, disembarked at Bristol, and marched thence to -Southampton. - -The regiment, on the 25th of July, 1794, was augmented to ten -battalion and two flank companies; and on the 17th of August -following embarked for Holland, where it was stationed at -Middleburg and Flushing, in the island of Walcheren, but was not -employed on any particular duty. - -[Sidenote: 1795] - -In this year the regiment returned to England, and landed at -Plymouth on the 27th of February, 1795. - -A camp was formed in the month of August, at Nursling, near -Southampton, which the THIRTY-FIRST regiment joined on the 25th -of that month, and received a reinforcement to its strength in -drafts from the 43rd, 88th, 92nd, and 94th regiments, which -raised its establishment to 1000 rank and file, with a second -lieutenant-colonel, a major, and one additional lieutenant to each -company, besides two recruiting companies. - -On the 25th of October, 1795, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment embarked -for the West Indies, as part of the armament which had been -prepared for the deliverance of the French West India Islands -from the power of republicanism, and to reduce to obedience the -insurgents of St. Vincent and Grenada. The expedition, commanded -by Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby, sailed with the immense -fleet, under the convoy of a squadron of the Royal Navy, commanded -by Rear-Admiral Sir Hugh Christian. The troops amounted to about -25,000 men, in the highest state of equipment; and the armament -on quitting the British shores presented a magnificent spectacle, -calculated to impress the mind with a just idea of the power of -England; but it unfortunately happened that the voyage had been -delayed until a very late period of the year; three attempts were -made to get under weigh, and each was prevented by the violence of -the weather: many ships were driven from their anchors and stranded. - -Three hundred sail got under weigh on the 11th of November, when an -accident to the Admiral rendered the attempt of no avail. On the -15th another endeavour was overcome by the tempestuous weather. At -length the fleet sailed, but it had scarcely got clear of the Isle -of Wight, when another severe storm obliged the vessels that had -ridden through it with safety to return to Portsmouth. - -With great difficulty and exertion Admiral Christian collected the -remainder of his convoy, and again sailed on the 9th of December, -but four days afterwards a storm destroyed many of the transports, -and so scattered the fleet as to render a re-union impossible. - -[Sidenote: 1796] - -Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby sailed in the “Arethusa” -frigate, with such vessels as could be collected, and on the 14th -of March, 1796, arrived at Barbadoes. - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment, having weathered the storm, which had -dispersed the fleet in the Channel, proceeded on the voyage, but -was unable to make good the passage, and on the 5th of February, -1796, after being six weeks at sea struggling against the violent -tempests, the regiment was landed at Gosport, whence it marched to -Poole, in Dorsetshire; the regiment was not long inactive, as on -the 19th of March it was again on board ship at Southampton, and -proceeded to its original destination. - -On the 1st of May the THIRTY-FIRST arrived off the island of _St. -Lucia_, on which Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby had already -effected a landing. The regiment disembarked immediately, under the -command of Lieut.-Colonel Hay, and was cantoned near the point of -disembarkation at Choc Bay. The fortress of _Morne Fortunée_ was -invested by Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby; _Morne Chabot_, -another strong position, having been carried with great gallantry -by Brigadier-General (afterwards Sir John) Moore. - -The batteries against _Morne Fortunée_ were opened on the 14th of -May, and on the night of the 17th the strong outpost of _La Vigie_ -was assaulted. The THIRTY-FIRST regiment marched from its position, -near Choc Bay, at sunset, for the purpose of a night-attack upon -this post, which was remarkably strong. It formed a peninsula, -accessible only by a narrow isthmus, and commanded the entrance -on one side of the Carenage harbour. The post was defended by -two batteries; the first placed midway upon the acclivity, and -the second on the summit of the height. The approaches to both -were by a circuitous path, and the guide who accompanied the -regiment was mortally wounded by the first fire from the enemy’s -piquet stationed on the isthmus. The regiment, being ignorant -of the country, missed the proper direction. Lieut.-Colonel Hay -ordered it to ascend the hill _en force_, which was done, although -attended with great difficulty from the precipitous nature of the -ground. The first battery was gallantly carried by storm, and the -enemy retired to the higher one. The regiment was unfortunately -separated in the ascent, and was unable to make a concentrated and -effectual attack upon the works that crowned the height, which it -nevertheless, in spite of all obstacles, bravely attempted, but the -enemy’s grape-shot took such effect that the regiment was obliged -to withdraw, after a severe struggle. - -The THIRTY-FIRST had Captains Johnson and Walker, four serjeants, -and eighty rank and file _killed_; Lieut.-Colonels Hay and -Arbuthnot, Captains Murray and Sorrell, Lieutenants Sullivan and -Hawkshaw, four serjeants, and one hundred and twenty-one rank and -file _wounded_. - -On the 25th of May the island of St. Lucia capitulated, and -the THIRTY-FIRST, forty-fourth, forty-eighth, and fifty-fifth -regiments, under Brigadier-General Moore, were selected to occupy -the place. The possession of the island was not a quiet one; small -bodies of French, who had deserted from the different fortresses -at their capitulation, withdrew into the interior, and joined the -runaway slaves and Caribs; taking advantage of the impenetrable -nature of the country, they formed themselves into bands for the -purpose of molesting the British, and plundering the planters and -other residents of the island. Brigadier-General Moore took the -field, and penetrated with his force into the wildest quarters of -the mountains, in order to eradicate these predatory bands. - -The THIRTY-FIRST was employed on this harassing duty, and suffered -much from fatigue, privation, and continual exposure; on the -service being concluded, the regiment went into quarters at _Vieux -Fort_, and other posts, when it became so unhealthy that the -authorities were compelled to remove the corps from the island. -The deaths among the men were for a time sixteen each day; on -the embarkation of the regiment, on the 22nd of December, for -Barbadoes, it had scarcely a soldier fit for duty; and on its -disembarkation there, six days afterwards, it became necessary to -send the entire regiment into hospital, which was the _second_ time -the THIRTY-FIRST had been rendered unserviceable from sickness, -the corps having suffered in a similar manner while stationed in -Florida in the year 1765. - -During the year 1796 the regiment had lost seventeen officers, and -eight hundred and seventy men, including those who fell in the -attack of _La Vigie_, in St. Lucia. - -In the previous year Prussia had concluded a peace with the French -republic, and, in consequence of the United Provinces of Holland -having leagued with France, England had taken possession of the -Cape of Good Hope; in February, 1796, the island of Ceylon was -also captured from the Dutch by Great Britain. The former allies -of England now became converted into enemies. War was declared -by Holland, which had been constituted the Batavian republic, -against Great Britain in May, and Spain followed the example in -October. In the same month Lord Malmesbury was sent to Paris to -negotiate a peace on the part of the British Government, but the -French insisted upon retaining, as integral parts of the republic, -the conquests lately made: these terms could not be acceded -to consistently with the general interests of Europe, and the -negotiation was discontinued. - -[Sidenote: 1797] - -On the 14th of February, 1797, the combined fleets of France and -Spain were defeated off Cape St. Vincent, by Admiral Sir John -Jervis, afterwards created Earl St. Vincent, on account of this -glorious victory, for which the honor of knighthood was also -conferred on Commodore (afterwards Admiral Viscount) Nelson. On the -18th of February the Spanish island of Trinidad surrendered to a -British force under Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby. - -In April, 1797, Austria signed the preliminaries of peace with the -French Republic, and, in July, Lord Malmesbury was sent a second -time to negotiate a treaty, but the demands of the French Directory -rendered the attempt abortive. - -In the year 1797 the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, greatly reduced in -numbers, embarked for England and landed at Gravesend in July; it -mustered only _eighty-five_ men, including serjeants, drummers, and -rank and file. Shortly after disembarkation the regiment marched to -Doncaster, and remained at stations between that place, Hull, and -York, for the two following years. - -In this year alarming mutinies occurred on board the fleet at -Spithead and the Nore, but the British seamen nobly redeemed their -character on the 11th of October, 1797, in the victory gained by -Admiral Duncan (who was in consequence created Viscount Duncan), -over the Dutch fleet, off Camperdown, which was proceeding to join -that of the French at Brest. - -On the 17th of October the definitive treaty of peace between -Austria and the French republic was signed at Campo Formio, so that -Great Britain was left to continue the contest single-handed with -France and her allies. - -[Sidenote: 1798] - -The threat of invasion, renewed by France, called forth the -patriotic feelings of the British nation; the militia force was -increased, and volunteer corps were formed in every part of the -kingdom. - -Napoleon Bonaparte, against whose legions in the Peninsula, -in subsequent years, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment acquired great -renown, was now rising step by step to that Imperial sway which he -afterwards attained. The French Directory, jealous of his ambition, -sent him on the expedition to Egypt, with the view of acting from -that country against the British empire in India. Napoleon took -Alexandria by storm, and soon established himself at Cairo. The -Sublime Porte, incensed by the invasion of Egypt, declared war -against France, and formed an alliance with Russia. The fleet, -which had conveyed the expedition to Egypt, was almost destroyed -by Admiral Nelson in _Aboukir Bay_ on the 1st of August. So large -a portion of the French army being thus secluded in a distant -land, gave fresh impulse to the Allies, and in November the island -of _Minorca_ surrendered to the British arms. In December the -co-operation of Russia against France was secured by Great Britain. - -[Sidenote: 1799] - -At this period of the war the soldiers of the English militia -regiments were permitted to extend their services to the regular -army;--the THIRTY-FIRST regiment received eight hundred and -fifty-three volunteers from the militia. - -In March, 1799, war was declared by the French Directory against -Austria, and the combined Austrian and Russian armies were so -successful as to recover the greater portion of Italy. - -In August, 1799, a corresponding attempt was made by Great Britain -to recover Holland from the dominion of France, and a numerous army -was selected to proceed to that country, under His Royal Highness -the Duke of York. Previously to the arrival of the Duke of York, -the army was commanded by Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby, -K.B., with the local rank of General. - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment marched to Deal, embarked for Holland -on the 8th of September, and arrived at the Helder on the 15th of -the same month. The THIRTY-FIRST and other regiments were embarked -after the departure of General Sir Ralph Abercromby, in order -to reinforce his army. The Duke of York, having preceded these -additional troops by two days, was already in command of the army, -which was intrenched in the advance of the Helder on the Zuype, in -which lines Sir Ralph Abercromby had, on the 10th of September, -near the village of _Crabbendam_, repulsed the attack of the French -and Dutch under General Brune. - -Immediately on landing, the THIRTY-FIRST marched to the lines, and -joined Major-General the Earl of Chatham’s brigade, in the division -of General Sir Ralph Abercromby, on the 15th of September. The -Duke of York, having been reinforced by the expected arrival of a -corps of twelve thousand Russians, under Lieut.-General Hermann, -resolved on attacking the French position in advance of _Alkmaar_, -reaching from Zuyder-Zee on the right, to Camperdown on the left, -and embracing the town of Bergen. - -The attack was made on the 19th of September, in four columns: the -right, formed entirely of Russians, under Lieut.-General Hermann, -moved on Bergen; the centre divisions, under Lieut.-General Dundas -and Lieut.-General Sir James Pulteney, forced the village and post -of Oude Carspel, on the road to Alkmaar; while the left column, -in which was the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, under General Sir Ralph -Abercromby, advanced to the capture of Hoorne. - -The point of attack selected for Sir Ralph Abercromby’s division -being at a considerable distance beyond the extent of the line, -the THIRTY-FIRST, and other regiments, marched at eight o’clock on -the night of the 18th of September, and the movement was performed -with such skill and secrecy, that Hoorne was surprised and carried -on the following morning without loss, which placed the French -position in considerable peril. The Russians having failed in -holding Bergen, after having entered it in gallant style, rendered -it impossible for the centre division to continue in possession -of the posts it had acquired. The British troops were therefore -withdrawn to their former lines upon the Zuype, to which the -Russians had retreated. Hoorne was evacuated, and the THIRTY-FIRST, -with the other regiments of Sir Ralph Abercromby’s division, -returned on the night of the 19th of September to the ground they -had quitted on the former evening. - -From the 20th of September until the 1st of October, both armies -remained within their intrenchments, strengthening their lines of -defence; the French had received reinforcements, and had inundated -a large tract of country on their right by cutting the sluices, -thus contracting the ground of operations to six or seven miles. - -The Duke of York, on the 2nd of October, made another attack on the -French position between _Bergen_ and _Egmont-op-Zee_. The combined -attacks were made in four columns; the division under General Sir -Ralph Abercromby, being on the right, marched along the beach. The -left of the French army was posted and concentrated about Bergen, a -large village surrounded by extensive woods, through which passed -the great road leading to Haarlem; between which and the sea was -an extensive region of high sand-hills impassable for artillery. -Behind the sand-hills, and to the enemy’s right, through the whole -extent of North Holland, lies a wet and low country, intersected -with dykes, canals, and ditches. The French centre was supported -by the town of Alkmaar. The battle soon became serious in front -of _Bergen_, upon which Lieut.-General Dundas had been ordered to -proceed. - -Meanwhile Sir Ralph Abercromby had passed Bergen in order to -turn the position of the French at _Alkmaar_, and overcame every -opposition until he reached _Egmont-op-Zee_, which post was -occupied in great numbers, and gallantly defended. Sir Ralph -Abercromby, however, here overthrew a corps of the French army, and -wheeling his division to the left, turned the enemy’s position at -_Bergen_, upon which General Brune, the commander-in-chief of the -French and Batavian army, fell back, taking up an equally strong -position at a short distance to the rear. - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment had an opportunity of distinguishing -itself particularly throughout this arduous contest, which lasted -from six in the morning until the same hour in the evening. In -the attack of Bergen, the regiment took two pieces of artillery -from the enemy; the corps on the right frequently charged with the -bayonet, and lost a great number of men. The THIRTY-FIRST regiment -had one serjeant and twenty-seven rank and file _killed_; Captain -Smith, Ensign King, and fifty-five rank and file _wounded_. - -During the night of the 2nd of October, Bergen and Egmont-op-Zee -were evacuated by the enemy. - -The army remained during the night on the ground it held at the -close of the battle, and on the 3rd of October _Alkmaar_ was -occupied by detachments of British troops. On the 6th of October, -the advanced posts in front of Alkmaar, Egmont-op-Hooff, and -Egmont-op-Zee, were pushed forward, preparatory to a general -forward movement. At first little opposition was shown, and the -British took possession of some villages, and of a position on the -sand-hills near Wyck-op-Zee; but the column of Russian troops, -under the command of Major-General D’Essen, in endeavouring to gain -a height in front of their intended advanced post at Baccum, was -vigorously opposed, and afterwards attacked by a strong body of the -enemy. - -This movement obliged General Sir Ralph Abercromby to move up in -support with the reserve of his corps; the French advanced their -whole force; the action became general along the whole line from -Limmen to the sea, and was maintained with great obstinacy on both -sides until night, when the enemy retired, leaving the British -masters of the field of battle. The THIRTY-FIRST regiment, on -the 6th of October, had Lieutenant Forster, one serjeant, and -thirty-five rank and file _killed_; Captain Pickering, Lieutenants -Mullins, Walker, Ball, Ensigns Williams and Johnson, three -serjeants, and eighty-four rank and file _wounded_. - -In the meantime the French army had been reinforced; the state of -the weather, the ruined condition of the roads, the total want of -the necessary supplies, offered great obstacles; besides which, the -efforts which had been made for the liberation of Holland were not -seconded by the Dutch people, so that it was determined to withdraw -the British army. A convention was ultimately concluded with -General Brune at Alkmaar, on the 18th of October. - -On the 16th of November the THIRTY-FIRST regiment embarked at the -Texel, and landed at Deal three days afterwards, when it marched -immediately to Canterbury, where the effects of the Dutch campaign -began to be perceptible. Before the army left Holland dysentery -had broken out among the men, arising from their exposure to the -damp and fogs natural to the country. The THIRTY-FIRST lost a great -number of men, from this cause, while stationed at Canterbury. - -[Sidenote: 1800] - -On the 15th of May, 1800, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment embarked at -Dover for Ireland, landed at Cove on the 6th of June, and marched -directly to Cork, where a force was collecting for a secret -service, to which it was added. On the 27th of June the embarkation -took place, and on the 8th of July the armament reached the Bay -of Quiberon; the twenty-third, THIRTY-FIRST, fifty-second, and -sixty-third regiments landed on the Isle de Houat, where they -remained encamped, under the command of Brigadier-General the -Honorable Thomas Maitland, until the 19th of August, when they -again embarked and joined the expedition under Lieut.-General Sir -James Pulteney, destined for the coast of Spain. A landing was -effected at _Ferrol_ on the 25th of August; the troops advanced to -the heights which overlook the town, and the THIRTY-FIRST had some -skirmishing with the enemy’s piquets. After viewing the town and -its defences, Sir James Pulteney abandoned the idea of attacking -the place; the troops were re-embarked on the following morning, -and the fleet sailed for Vigo, where it arrived on the 27th of -August. Here General Sir Ralph Abercromby joined with other troops, -and assumed the command of the whole force. After remaining in Vigo -Bay for some time, the fleet sailed for Cadiz, where it arrived on -the 3rd of October. Sir Ralph Abercromby summoned the Governor to -surrender, but an epidemic fever was raging in the city, and the -fleet quitted the coast for fear of infection, and proceeded to -Gibraltar. - -At this period General Sir Ralph Abercromby received orders -from the British Government to proceed to Egypt; but the three -battalions of the ninth foot, the second battalion of the -twenty-seventh, the THIRTY-FIRST, and two battalions of the -fifty-second regiment, being composed principally of volunteers -from the militia, whose conditions of enlistment limited their -services to time and place, were not available for the expedition -to Egypt: they were accordingly ordered to proceed to Lisbon, where -they arrived on the 27th of November, having suffered much from -confinement on board ship, and the use of salt provisions. - -[Sidenote: 1801] - -On the 27th of January, 1801, the THIRTY-FIRST was again at sea, -and on the 14th of February disembarked at Minorca, which had -surrendered to Great Britain in November, 1798; this island was -restored to Spain at the Peace of 1802. - -[Sidenote: 1802] - -The successes of the British arms in Egypt, by which the French -were expelled from that country, were followed by a Treaty of -Peace, which was signed on the 27th of March, 1802, at Amiens, -between the French Republic, Spain, and the Batavian Republic, -on the one part, and Great Britain on the other. The principal -features of the treaty were, that Great Britain restored all her -conquests during the war, excepting Trinidad and Ceylon, which were -ceded to her, the former by Spain, and the latter by the Batavian -Republic. Portugal was maintained in its integrity, excepting -that some of its possessions in Guiana were ceded to France. The -territories of the Ottoman Porte were likewise maintained in their -integrity. The Ionian Republic was recognised, and Malta was to be -restored to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. The French agreed -to evacuate the Neapolitan and Roman states, and Great Britain all -the ports that she held in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean. - -In May, 1802, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment sailed from Minorca for -England, and early in June landed at Portsmouth, on the 19th of -which month it was reduced to the Peace Establishment. - -[Sidenote: 1803] - -In the year 1803 the regiment was removed to Jersey.[24] - -Napoleon Bonaparte was now approaching the zenith of his power: -the unsettled state of affairs in France had induced him to quit -his army in Egypt, and on his return the Directory was abolished, -Bonaparte being appointed First Consul of the French Republic. This -occurred in 1799, and in the following year Europe was astounded by -his daring passage of the Alps, followed by the victory of Marengo, -which caused Austria to sue for peace. - -The French being driven from Egypt in 1801 by the gallant -Abercromby and his brave troops, in which the THIRTY-FIRST regiment -would probably have shared, had it not been for the circumstances -stated at page 61, the Peace of Amiens was concluded; it, -however, gave but a slight interval of tranquillity to Europe. -The military spirit of the French nation had been aroused by the -genius of Napoleon, who endeavoured to realize his schemes for the -aggrandizement of France;--and England appeared as a barrier to his -designs. - -In May, 1803, the war was renewed; Hanover was overrun by the -French, and severed for a time from the British Crown. An immense -flotilla was also assembled at Boulogne for the invasion of -England. The threat of invasion aroused the patriotism of the -British people, and the most strenuous measures were pursued to -defeat the French ruler’s designs; the “_Army of Reserve Act_” was -passed in June, 1803, for raising men for home service by ballot; -numerous volunteer and yeomanry corps were formed in every part of -the kingdom; and all party differences merged into one universal -effort for the preservation of Great Britain. - -[Sidenote: 1804] - -On the 18th of May, 1804, Napoleon was invested with the dignity of -_Emperor of the French_, and on the 26th of May of the following -year he was crowned _King of Italy_ at Milan. - -Further measures of defence were adopted by Great Britain, and the -“_Additional Force Act_” was passed on the 14th of July, 1804, by -which a _second battalion_ was added to the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, -to be formed of men raised in the county of Chester, for limited -service. - -The regiment embarked at Jersey for England on the 9th of November, -and on the 27th of that month arrived at Portsmouth, whence it -marched to Winchester, and received a further number of volunteers -from the Militia. - -On the 12th of December the Court of Spain issued a declaration -of war against England, in consequence of the capture of some -frigates off Cadiz, which had been intercepted while on their way -to France with cargoes of treasure,--Spain having agreed to furnish -a powerful aid to Napoleon. - -[Sidenote: 1805] - -By July, 1805, the second battalion was fully embodied, and in -October proceeded from Chester to Winchester, where the first -battalion was stationed. - -While the French were pursuing their victorious career in Germany, -they experienced dreadful reverses from the navy of Great Britain. -On the 21st of October the combined fleets of France and Spain were -completely defeated off Cape _Trafalgar_. The victory was, however, -clouded by the death of Admiral Viscount Nelson, to whose memory -the highest honors were paid by a grateful and admiring nation. - -[Sidenote: 1806] - -On the 9th of January, 1806, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment was present -at the funeral of Admiral Viscount Nelson, and formed part of the -line between which the procession passed on its way to St. Paul’s -Cathedral, in which the Admiral’s remains were interred, and where -a monument was erected by order of Parliament. - -In November of the preceding year a squadron of English and Russian -vessels landed some troops at Naples without any opposition from -the Neapolitan Court. The French Emperor, on receiving intelligence -of this transaction, issued a proclamation that “_the Neapolitan -dynasty had ceased to reign_,” and an army, under his brother, -Joseph Bonaparte, assisted by Marshal Massena, marched for Naples. -On the 15th of February the French entered that capital, and -soon obtained possession of the whole kingdom, excepting Gaeta; -Ferdinand IV. and his Court having previously retired to Sicily. -A decree was shortly issued by Napoleon, conferring the crown of -Naples on his brother Joseph, who was proclaimed King on the 30th -of May. - -England being desirous of preserving Sicily from the dominion of -France, troops were embarked for that island;--on the 26th of -April the _first battalion_ of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment embarked -at Tilbury-fort, and landed at Messina on the 26th of July. - -Previously to the arrival of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, the French -had assembled a force in Calabria for the invasion of Sicily, -and Major-General Stuart, commanding the British troops in that -island, formed the design of cutting off the French division under -General Regnier; the result was the battle of _Maida_, where a -victory was gained by the British troops on the 4th of July. -Major-General Stuart being sensible that he could not, with his -small force, maintain himself in Calabria, recrossed the straits of -Messina and returned to Sicily. For this victory Major-General John -Stuart received the dignity of Knight of the Bath, the thanks of -Parliament, and was created Count of Maida by the King of the Two -Sicilies. - -[Sidenote: 1807] - -Admiral Sir John Duckworth having failed in his coercive -mission to detach Turkey from the interests of France, Great -Britain determined to seize upon Egypt, as a check to any fresh -demonstration by the French against the British possessions in the -East Indies. - -An armament accordingly sailed from Melazzo, on the coast of -Sicily, in February, 1807, under the command of Major-General -Alexander Mackenzie Fraser, Colonel of the seventy-eighth regiment, -and landed at Aboukir on the 18th of March. On the 21st of -March, Alexandria was occupied by the British troops, and it is -a singular coincidence that it was the anniversary of the battle -fought near there in the year 1801, when the gallant General Sir -Ralph Abercromby received the wound which terminated his honorable -career. - -On the 27th of March a force of fifteen hundred men, of which the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment formed part, was detached under the command -of Major-General Wauchope to Rosetta. The troops arrived before the -city on the 31st of March, and not having been impeded in their -progress to the environs, entered the place. The THIRTY-FIRST -regiment marched into Rosetta, while the grenadier battalion -occupied a high sandy mound without the city. - -Rosetta is situated upon a slight eminence, commanding a view of -the river Nile and the fertile lands of the Delta; the streets are -somewhat wider than the generality of Egyptian towns, and planted -here and there with trees. The houses are high, the lower half of -each being a dead wall, with a small door, leading into a narrow -passage, well secured with bolts and bars of iron. The chambers -are above, with trelliced windows projecting over the streets. The -Turks had garrisoned their houses, and remaining quiet, allowed the -British to continue their march until some way into the town, when -through the loop-holes they had constructed on purpose, and their -trelliced windows, a destructive and unexpected fire was opened -upon the column. The troops, although placed in a most trying -and perilous situation, behaved extremely well, and after having -suffered very materially in killed and wounded, retired to Aboukir, -from whence they returned to Alexandria. - -Major-General Wauchope, who commanded the force, was killed; the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment had Captain John Robertson, three serjeants, -three drummers, and sixty-nine rank and file _killed_; Captain -Patrick Dowdall, Lieutenants Edward Knox, Peter Fearon, John -Thornton, ---- Sladden, and Francis Ryan, Ensign Richard Kirby, -seven serjeants, one drummer, and one hundred and twenty-nine rank -and file _wounded_. Lieutenant Sladden subsequently died of his -wounds. - -Brigadier-General the Honorable Robert Meade (Lieutenant-Colonel of -the THIRTY-FIRST), the second in command, was also severely wounded. - -Major-General Fraser finding that a famine would be the consequence -of the British remaining at Alexandria, without the occupation of -Rosetta, detached another body of troops, amounting to two thousand -five hundred men, under Brigadier-General the Honorable William -Stewart, to reduce the place. The force consisted of a detachment -of Royal Artillery, a detachment of the twentieth light dragoons, -light infantry battalion, first battalion of the thirty-fifth -regiment, second battalion of the seventy-eighth regiment, the -Baron De Roll’s regiment, and a detachment of seamen. A large -Turkish force coming down the Nile from Cairo, the troops were -compelled to retire, fighting all the way to Alexandria. - -A formidable force now approached Alexandria, and Major-General -Fraser sent a flag of truce offering to evacuate Egypt, on -condition that the British prisoners should be liberated. The -proposal was readily accepted, and on the 19th of September the -British troops embarked for Sicily, where they arrived on the 16th -of October. - -[Sidenote: 1808] - -The first battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment embarked from -Sicily for Malta, on the 17th of September, 1808, where it remained -until August, 1810, when it returned to Sicily. - -[Sidenote: 1810] - -[Sidenote: 1811] - -On the 17th of August, 1810, the first battalion landed at Messina, -and remained in garrison in the citadel until April, 1811, when -Lieut.-General Lord William Bentinck, being about to proceed to -the eastern coast of Spain, sent it to Malta, in order that a -stronger corps might be drawn from that island, the thirty-first -having been reduced considerably in numbers while stationed in -the Mediterranean. The battalion landed at Malta on the 18th of -April, but the force left in Sicily being found insufficient, four -companies were immediately recalled, and on the 22nd of April -re-embarked for Messina; a few months afterwards the head-quarters -were ordered back to Sicily, and on the 28th of August joined the -detached companies, when the battalion was once more united in -Sicily. - -[Sidenote: 1812] - -About this period the British authorities in Sicily detected the -traces of a conspiracy set on foot the year before by the Queen -of Naples, who, it is said, had proposed a scheme to Napoleon for -massacring the English. A new constitution was established in -Sicily, upon the model of that of Great Britain, under the auspices -of Lieut.-General Lord William Bentinck, who had been appointed -Captain-General of the Island, and the Queen was sent into -retirement. - -In November, 1812, the grenadier company of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment embarked from Sicily for the east coast of Spain, under -Lieut.-General Frederick Maitland, and landed at Alicant on the -2nd of December. In April, 1813, it returned to Sicily, where it -arrived in May. - -[Sidenote: 1813] - -The first battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment remained in -garrison in the citadel of Messina until towards the end of 1813, -when, in consequence of disturbances at Palermo, the capital of -Sicily, which threatened to spread, the troops were detached to -various central positions. The THIRTY-FIRST, by a detour, marched -upon Castro Giovanni, and remained there until January, 1814, when -the battalion returned to Messina. - -[Sidenote: 1814] - -On the 28th of March, 1814, the battalion embarked at Melazzo, -as part of an expedition destined for the shores of Italy, under -Lieut.-General Lord William Bentinck. In the beginning of April the -first division of the army arrived off the coast above and below -the city of Genoa, and threatened a descent upon _Voltri_, rather -to engage the attention of the enemy, however, in that quarter, -than for any other purpose. - -On the 5th of April the second division of the Anglo-Sicilian -army disembarked at Leghorn, and marched directly upon Sestri. -The French reinforced that place to protect the coast batteries, -and prevent the British communicating with the people of the -mountains, who were ready to rise against the French. The two -British divisions had united, and attacked the enemy, on the 8th -of April, at _Sestri_; the battle lasted throughout the day, and -in the night the French General Ronger St. Victor retired towards -Recco, taking up his position in rear of Rafallo, where he left -his advanced guard; a third British division, in which was the -first battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST, hovered about the coast, and -made some attempts to land fresh troops, but was prevented by the -enemy’s detachments at Recco. - -On the 9th and 10th of April the squadron cannonaded _Recco_, but -was obliged to stand out again; in the night of the 10th General -Pègot, who had arrived to relieve General Ronger St. Victor, -retired, and occupied, on the 11th of April, a position at Mount -Fascia. The English squadron and transports had all arrived before -_Genoa_, and a detachment from the divisions on shore had been -able to communicate with the native levies at Fontana Buona. On -the 12th of April the position of Mount Fascia was attacked, and, -after a hard day’s contest, General Pègot fell back in the night, -and took up another strong position at _La Sturla_, on the heights -of Albaro, his right on the sea being covered by a battery of four -pieces of artillery, and his left resting on Fort Richelieu. The -remainder of the British army disembarked at Nervi, and immediately -attacked the enemy on the heights of Albaro, on the 13th of April. - -The THIRTY-FIRST, under the command of Colonel Bruce, belonged -to this division, and, with the 8th battalion of the Line of the -King’s German Legion, dashed in among the enemy the instant of -their debarkation, notwithstanding the intersected and difficult -nature of the ground, which assisted so materially the obstinate -defence of the French. Meanwhile the light company of the -THIRTY-FIRST, under Captain Nunn, had carried the battery which -covered the enemy’s right, with conspicuous bravery, and dismounted -the four guns upon it under a galling fire of musketry and -artillery from another battery near that captured. - -The THIRTY-FIRST had Captains Stewart and Cruice, three serjeants, -one drummer, and thirty-six rank and file _wounded_; one serjeant -and thirteen rank and file _killed_. - -The following extract from Division Orders, dated La Sturla, 14th -of April, 1814, bears testimony to the conduct of the corps:-- - - “The conduct of the troops in the long contested action of - yesterday, at _La Sturla_, was most honorable to them, and - Major-General Montresor feels the greatest satisfaction in doing - justice to their merits, by publicly declaring his high sense - of their persevering gallantry in surmounting the numberless - obstacles which the broken and intersected nature of the country - presented, in every step, to their advance, whilst it afforded - the best shelter to the enemy, who, well accustomed to his - ground, defended it with the greatest obstinacy. - - “However justly entitled the whole may be to individual - distinction, it nevertheless would be unjust not to notice, in - particular, the ardour and spirited skill in which the Royal - Flotilla, and the detachments of the third Italian Levy, and of - the second and third extra regiments, and Royal Marines, began - the attack, and the very gallant manner in which the THIRTY-FIRST - regiment, and the 8th King’s German Legion, dashed in amongst the - enemy after their debarkation, and the conspicuous bravery of - the light company of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, in carrying the - battery on the left.” - -During the 14th and 15th of April the attacks upon the heights of -Albaro were repeated, and on the 17th, while disaffection among the -people was rapidly spreading in Genoa, the posts of St. Francisco -and St. Martin d’Albaro were carried, and the French retired behind -the Bizagno. - -By the 18th of April the disaffection in Genoa had reached a -crisis, and upon the following day the advance upon the city took -place. The THIRTY-FIRST drove the enemy from a strong battery of -ten brass guns and two 13½ inch brass mortars, without sustaining -any loss. - -During the night of the 19th of April a convention was signed; -on the morning of the 21st, the enemy marched out of the city -and evacuated all his posts. On the 22nd the head-quarters -of the THIRTY-FIRST were within the city of Genoa, when the -Commander-in-Chief, Lieut.-General Lord William Bentinck, issued -the order from which the following extract is taken:-- - - “Head-Quarters, Genoa, 24th April, 1814. - - “The Commander of the Forces has much satisfaction in witnessing - the zeal and gallantry evinced by the whole of the troops - under his orders in the late operations, which have led to the - possession of this important fortress; and he has not failed - to represent their conduct in the most favourable terms to His - Majesty’s government. - - “Major-General Montresor has particularly reported to him the - great assistance he received from Brigadier-General Roth, Colonel - Bruce, and Lieut.-Colonel Travers. - - “The Commander of the Forces himself observed the very gallant - and successful attack made by the third Italian regiment, under - the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Ciravignac, and favourable reports - have been made to him of the conduct of the light company of the - twenty-first regiment, commanded by Captain Renny, the light - company of the THIRTY-FIRST, under Captain Nunn, and the light - company of the second Estero regiment, under Captain-Lieutenant - Fulghier.” - -On the 27th of April the first battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST -sailed with a force for the island of Corsica; when the troops -arrived opposite Ajaccio, that place capitulated. The THIRTY-FIRST -regiment then sailed for Bastia (the birth-place of Napoleon), -and landing there on the 11th of May, remained until the 24th of -June following, when it embarked for Sicily, and again went into -garrison in the citadel of Messina, on the 18th of July, 1814. - -In the meantime the brilliant successes gained over the French in -the Peninsula and South of France, by the troops under the Duke of -Wellington, in which the _second_ battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment bore a prominent part, led to a treaty of peace with -France; Napoleon retired to Elba, which island was ceded to him in -full sovereignty for life, with a pension payable from the revenues -of France; and on the 3rd of May, 1814, Louis XVIII. entered Paris, -and ascended the throne of his ancestors. - -On the 24th of October, 1814, the _second_ battalion of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment was disbanded at Portsmouth, and the officers -and men fit for service were transferred to the first battalion, -with which they were incorporated on the 6th of May, 1815, at -Messina. - -In commemoration of the services of the _second_ battalion during -the Peninsular War, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment has received the -Royal Authority to bear on the Regimental Colour and Appointments, -the words “TALAVERA,” “ALBUHERA,” “VITTORIA,” “PYRENEES,” -“NIVELLE,” “NIVE,” “ORTHES,” and “PENINSULA.” - -[Sidenote: 1815] - -Although the first and second battalions of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment were employed in different countries, yet they were -engaged in the promotion of the same interests, namely, the -restoration of the exiled families of the House of Bourbon to the -thrones of their ancestors; the achievements of the _second_ -battalion were in the most distinguished arena, but the _first_ -battalion, although it was stationed among the pastoral beauties of -Sicily, and the luxurious towns of Italy, maintained its discipline -and character, besides adding honors to those formerly acquired on -the field of battle, whenever, as on the heights of _Albaro_, an -opportunity had offered. - -The peace of Europe was again to be disturbed. The French army -retained a chivalrous veneration for Napoleon, who returned from -Elba, landed at Cannes, in Provence, on the 1st of March, 1815, and -was joined by his former troops. Louis XVIII. withdrew from Paris -to Ghent, and Napoleon assumed his former dignity of Emperor of the -French. - -Marshal Murat, the brother-in-law of Napoleon, by whom in 1808 -he had been made King of Naples, upon Joseph Bonaparte being -constituted King of Spain, had, in January, 1814, signed a treaty -with England, and engaged to co-operate with the allies against -France. Napoleon’s triumphal return to France caused Murat to -espouse his cause, and he at once commenced hostilities against -Austria, issuing a proclamation asserting the independence of -Italy. Naples was thereupon invested by the Austrians, while an -English squadron entered the port and acted in co-operation. - -The allied powers, however, refused to acknowledge the sovereignty -of Napoleon, and determined on his dethronement. - -These events caused the THIRTY-FIRST regiment to be embarked at -Melazzo for Naples, where it arrived on the 25th of May. The city -had capitulated to the British fleet, under Admiral Lord Exmouth, -and the troops landed to hold possession until the restoration -of order in the kingdom, and Ferdinand IV. should be reinstated -on the throne of the Two Sicilies. After an exile of nine years, -this sovereign entered his capital on the 17th of June; on the -following day the hopes of Bonaparte were crushed by his defeat on -the memorable field of Waterloo, which victory triumphantly closed -the campaign; and on the 8th of July Louis XVIII. re-entered Paris, -and the Bourbon government was restored. - -In the beginning of July the THIRTY-FIRST had sailed from the Bay -of Naples for Genoa, and remained there to support the arrangements -for restoring the Sardinian dominions to their original state. - -Bonaparte was subsequently compelled to surrender himself a -prisoner on the 15th of July to Captain Maitland, commanding -the “Bellerophon” ship-of-war, and the island of St. Helena was -afterwards appointed for his residence. Murat’s career was equally -brief; he was driven from Italy, and withdrew to Corsica, from -which island he made a rash descent on the coast of Calabria. After -a sharp action he and his followers were taken prisoners. Murat was -tried by a military commission, and shot on the 15th of October. - -[Sidenote: 1816] - -[Sidenote: 1818] - -In February, 1816, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment embarked for Malta, -and remained in that island until June, 1818, when it proceeded to -England, and landed at Deal on the 22nd of July. - -On the return of the regiment to England it was stationed at Dover -Castle, Colchester, Chatham, and Sheerness. - -[Sidenote: 1819] - -In August, 1819, in consequence of disturbances in the -manufacturing districts, three companies of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment proceeded to Manchester, three to Macclesfield, and three -to Stockport. On the 10th of the same month the regiment was -employed in Manchester. - -An assemblage of people, estimated at forty to sixty thousand, -took place on the 16th of August, in an open space in the town of -Manchester, named St. Peter’s Field, for the purpose of petitioning -Parliament. Such meetings having been forbidden by proclamation -some weeks previously, the military were employed by the civil -authorities in dispersing the crowd of persons who had entered the -town, with banners, some of which were of a menacing nature. - -The troops of the garrison, the fifteenth hussars, the THIRTY-FIRST -and eighty-eighth regiments, with the Chester and Manchester -yeomanry cavalry, were ordered to be assembled in the vicinity, -under the senior officer, Lieut.-Colonel L’Estrange, of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment. The yeomanry were engaged during part of the -day in dispersing the multitude, many of whom received injuries, -and eight or ten were killed. The regular troops behaved with -their usual coolness and discipline, in the delicate and important -duty they had to perform. The thanks of the Prince Regent, and of -the Magistrates, were communicated to the troops in the following -letters:-- - - “Whitehall, 21st August, 1819. - - “SIR - - “I lost no time in laying before the Prince Regent your letter to - me of the 17th August, together with the enclosure to yourself - from Lieut.-Colonel L’Estrange, and I have great satisfaction - in obeying the commands of His Royal Highness, by requesting - that you will express to Lieut.-Colonel L’Estrange, and to the - officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, that served - under his command at Manchester on the 16th of August, His Royal - Highness’s high approbation of the exemplary manner in which - they assisted and supported the civil authorities of the County - Palatine of Lancaster on that day. - - “I have, &c. - (Signed) “SIDMOUTH.” - - - “New Bailey Court-House, August 17th, 1819. - - “The Magistrates of the two counties of Lancaster and Chester, - assembled at Manchester, request Lieut.-Colonel L’Estrange will - accept for himself, and convey to the officers, non-commissioned - officers, and privates under his command, their best and - sincerest thanks, for the energy, tempered by the greatest - humanity, displayed in their conduct yesterday, a conduct - peculiarly characteristic of the British soldier. - - (Signed) “WM. HUTTON, _Chairman_.” - - -[Sidenote: 1820] - -The disturbances among the manufacturing classes having subsided, -the THIRTY-FIRST regiment left Manchester on the 2nd of June, -1820. The troops had been much harassed throughout the winter, in -consequence of the ill spirit which prevailed among the people -of the surrounding districts, and on the removal of the regiment -the municipal authorities of Manchester and Salford addressed a -letter to Lieut.-Colonel L’Estrange, expressing their regret at its -departure, and their esteem for its conduct during the eventful -period the corps was stationed in those towns. - -On the 10th of June, 1820, the regiment arrived at Sunderland. - -[Sidenote: 1821] - -In February, 1821, the regiment marched from Sunderland to Port -Patrick, in Scotland, whence, on the 7th of March, it embarked for -Donaghadee, and on the following morning proceeded to Belfast. -While quartered in this town, the establishment was reduced from -ten companies of sixty-five rank and file, to eight companies of -seventy-two rank and file each. - -During the period the head-quarters remained at Belfast, -detachments of the regiment were stationed in Coleraine, -Downpatrick, and Carrickfergus, where they were employed on the -revenue and other duties generally required from the army in -Ireland. - -[Sidenote: 1822] - -In April, 1822, the regiment was removed from Belfast and its -neighbourhood, occupying fresh quarters at Armagh, Newry, and -Dundalk. - -[Sidenote: 1823] - -[Sidenote: 1824] - -The regiment, in October 1823, marched from Armagh to Naas, and -in January, 1824, proceeded to Dublin, where it occupied Richmond -barracks. - -In the year 1824 the regiment received orders to prepare for -foreign service:--the island of Ceylon was, in the first instance, -selected as its destination, but it was eventually changed to -Bengal. On the 20th of July the left wing of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment marched to Kingstown, and embarked on board of transports -for Portsmouth, where it arrived on the 26th of July; the right -wing, following soon afterwards, joined on the 2nd of August, and -the regiment went into barracks at Gosport. - -[Sidenote: 1825] - -On the 12th of January, 1825, the regiment marched from Gosport for -Chatham, where it arrived on the 20th of that month. On the 7th of -February the regiment marched to Gravesend to embark for Calcutta: -the right wing on board the Honorable East India Company’s ship -“_Kent_,” under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Fearon; the left -wing on board the “Scaleby Castle,” under Major Tovey. The two -ships parted company off Portsmouth at the end of February, and -the “Scaleby Castle,” after making a favourable voyage, arrived at -Sangor, in the mouth of the Hoogley, on the 7th of June. - -The men had been remarkably healthy during the long confinement on -board ship; two only had died during the passage, and only eight -were on the sick list when the vessel came to anchor. The men were -transferred, after a few days’ delay at Sangor Point, to sloops, a -particularly uncomfortable and clumsy description of vessel, then -used to transport troops up the River Hoogley from the sand-heads, -and on the 21st of June they arrived opposite Fort William, where -boats had been prepared to receive them, for they were not yet -destined to land. It was the 26th, however, before the left wing -was able to sail again; it was therefore five days, during the most -trying season of the year, confined in small thatched boats, which -were moored to the river’s bank: it nevertheless reached Berhampore -on the 2nd of July, with the loss of only one man. - -Berhampore, on the Bhagaritty river, is the cantonment of the city -of Moorshedabad, and in 1825 was the depôt of the regiments on the -Bengal establishment, then on service in Burmah. The companies of -the left wing of the corps took possession of the barracks, and -remained in them till the 22nd of September. - -[Illustration: THE KENT EAST INDIAMAN. - -ON FIRE DURING A STORM IN THE BAY OF BISCAY, HAVING THE HEAD -QUARTERS AND 5 COMPANIES OF THE 31^{ST} REG^T ON BOARD, THE BRIG -CAMBRIA, OPPORTUNELY APPEARS IN SIGHT, & 553 OUT OF A TOTAL OF 637 -SOULS ARE RESCUED. 1^{ST} MARCH, 1825. - -_Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t Strand._ - -_For Cannon’s Military Records._] - -The voyage of the _right_ wing of the regiment from England was -interrupted very early in its progress by one of the most unhappy -events that could befall a ship at sea. The _Kent_ took fire on the -1st of March, in the Bay of Biscay, and was totally destroyed: the -accident was first perceived about ten o’clock A.M., towards the -end of a violent gale of wind, when the sea was disturbed, and the -ship rolling heavily. - - “It was a little before this period that one of the officers of - the ship, with the well-meant intention of ascertaining that - all was fast below, descended with two of the sailors into the - hold, where they carried with them, for safety, a light in a - patent lantern, and seeing that the lamp burned dimly, took the - precaution to hand it up to the orlop deck to be trimmed. Having - afterwards discovered one of the spirit casks to be adrift, he - sent the sailors for some billets of wood to secure it, but the - ship in their absence having made a heavy lurch, the officer - unfortunately dropped the light, and letting go his hold of the - cask, in his eagerness to recover the lantern, it suddenly stove, - and the spirits communicating with the lamp, the whole place was - instantly in a blaze.”[25] - -When all hopes of saving the ship vanished, exertions were made to -rescue the troops and the crew. Encouraged by the noble example -of their officers, the soldiers preserved the utmost order and -firmness in their perilous situation. - -During the long and honorable services of the regiment, no -opportunity had occurred to put its discipline and conduct to -such a severe trial, but it brought from the ordeal a reputation -even more distinguished than it had previously gained. In the -field, when the spirits of men are excited by the animating -circumstances of the contest, where honor is sure and death -uncertain, valour and good order may be expected; but in the midst -of dangers against which it appeared hopeless to struggle,--at -a time when no aid appeared, and passively to die was all that -remained,--the manly resignation, the ready obedience, and the -unfailing discipline--characteristics of a good soldier--evinced -by the THIRTY-FIRST, entitle the regiment to dwell at some length, -in its Record, upon the events that called forth those admirable -qualities. Although Lieut.-Colonel Fearon and Major M‘Gregor were -most conspicuous, yet all who were on board deserve that their -names should be recorded. - -In the following statement is shown the number of officers and men -of the THIRTY-FIRST embarked in the “Kent,” specifying also the -number saved:-- - - Officers. Men. Women. Children. Total. - Embarked in the Kent 20 344 47 73 484 - -------------------------------------- - Saved by the Cambria 20 276 46 52 394 - Saved by the Caroline -- 14 -- -- 14 - -------------------------------------- - Total lost 54 1 21 76 - -------------------------------------- - - -_Names of the Officers saved._ - - _Lieut.-Colonel_ Robert Bryce Fearon. - _Major_ Duncan M‘Gregor. - - -_Captains._ - - _Sir_ Charles Farrington, _Bart._ - Robert Thomas Greene. - Edward Wm. Bray. - James Spence. - - -_Lieutenants._ - - Charles Shaw (_Adjutant._) - George Baldwin. - D. B. T. Dodgin. - ---- Ruxton. - William Booth. - Alexander Douglas. - Ronald Campbell. - Edmund Gennys. - - _Ensign_ Thomas Tait. - ” Asaph Shaw. - ” Henry Evans. - _Paymaster_ Richard Monk. - _Quarter-Master_ John Waters. - _Ass.-Surgeon_ Edward Graham. - -The following letters will explain the providential means of escape -afforded by the brig _Cambria_, and do justice to the humanity -and gallantry of Captain Cook, who commanded it, as well as of -his officers and crew. The name of this gallant officer must ever -be held in great estimation by the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, to him, -under Providence, it owes the power of being enabled to record the -many high qualities shown by its members in the extremity from -which he rescued them. - - “Brig Cambria, Falmouth, March 4, 1825. - - “GENTLEMEN, - - “You are aware of my leaving this port on the 24th ultimo, with - passengers and goods for Mexico, and I beg to acquaint you of - my return here this morning at one o’clock, under the following - circumstances:-- - - “On Tuesday last, the 1st instant, being then in latitude 47° - 30′ and longitude 9° 45′, laying-to, with a strong gale from - the westward, under a close-reefed main-topsail, we discovered - a large sail to the westward, and on approaching found her to - have a signal of distress flying, which induced me immediately to - render every assistance in my power, and on nearing, found her to - be on fire. - - “About three P.M., being then on her bow, we succeeded in - getting the first boat from the vessel, which proved to be the - Hon. Company’s ship ‘Kent’ (Captain Cobb), of 1400 tons, for - Bengal and China, with troops and passengers amounting, with the - crew, to 637 souls. From three to eight P.M. the boats were - constantly employed in bringing the people to the ‘Cambria,’ and - succeeded in saving 296 officers, non-commissioned officers, and - privates of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, 46 women and 52 children - appertaining to ditto, 19 male and female private passengers, - and Captain Cobb and 139 of the crew, amounting in all to 553. - The flames now becoming exceedingly fierce, I could not urge the - sailors again to return to the ship, nor deem it at all prudent - for the preservation of the lives already on board my vessel to - remain longer near the ‘Kent,’ expecting her instantly to blow - up. By accounts since made it is supposed that 68 soldiers, 1 - woman and 21 children, and 4 of the crew were left when Captain - Cobb quitted the vessel, whose conduct during the trying occasion - is beyond my humble praise, displaying the greatest coolness and - intrepidity, and by his exertions, and those of Colonel Fearon, - the commander of the troops, who were the last to quit, the - women, children, and passengers were got into the boats; and they - did not leave themselves until their influence to induce any more - to go into them was useless. - - “At two A.M. the ‘Kent’ blew up, after being completely enveloped - in flames for four hours previously. The fire originated in - the after-hold, where the spirits were stowed for the use of - the troops; a cask of which breaking adrift, and bursting, the - contents were unfortunately ignited by a candle in a lantern. I - feel the greatest gratification in stating that the gentlemen - and their Cornish miners, in all 36, with my own crew, 11 more, - behaved throughout the trying period with the greatest kindness - in getting the people from the boats, soothing their sufferings, - giving up their own clothes and beds to the women and children, - volunteering to go into the boats (which I had good reason to - prevent), and leaving nothing undone to make them as comfortable - as the limited size of my brig would allow (only 200 tons). It - would be pleasing also could I speak as highly of the crew of the - ‘Kent,’ but I cannot refrain from expressing my disappointment - of their conduct (in which I am borne out by Captain Cobb) - derogatory in every respect to the generally received character - of a British seaman,--by refusing to return to the ‘Kent’ for the - people, after the first trip, and requiring my utmost exertions - and determination to compel them to renew their endeavours to - get out the soldiers, passengers, and the remainder of their own - shipmates, who were left behind; and it was only by coercive - measures, in conjunction with my own crew and passengers, and - telling them I would not receive them on board unless they did - so, that they proceeded, though reluctantly, in their duty. I - must, however, except the officers, particularly Mr. Thomson, - fourth mate, and Mr. Phillips, the boatswain, whose conduct and - behaviour, in every respect, justify my warmest praise. - - “It may not be amiss to state that, two hours after the ship blew - up, a soldier’s wife was delivered of a fine boy on board the - ‘Cambria,’ and both mother and child are doing well. - - “I remain, Gentlemen, - “Your most obedient servant, - (Signed) “W. COOK. - - “To Messrs. Wm. Broad and Sons, “Agents to Lloyd’s.” - - - “Falmouth, 4th March, 1825. - - “SIR, - - “It is with feelings of the deepest regret I have to report, for - the information of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, - the melancholy calamity which has befallen that portion of the - THIRTY-FIRST regiment under my command, embarked on board the - Honorable Company’s ship ‘Kent,’ for conveyance to Bengal, owing - to her loss, she having taken fire towards the close of a heavy - gale of wind on the 1st instant, about noon, in the Bay of - Biscay. The moment it was discovered bursting from the after-hold - of the vessel every possible effort was made to get it under, - and by the immediate application of wet blankets, soldiers’ - great-coats, and other woollen articles that could be obtained - on the emergency, we had for a short period every reason to hope - these efforts would have proved successful; but, unhappily, - having communicated to the spirits, the hope of extinguishing - it was soon dispelled, and all further exertion to save the - vessel appeared evidently vain; the conflagration, owing to the - state of the weather, gaining ground so rapidly. Under these - circumstances it became the imperative duty of Captain Cobb and - myself to endeavour to save the lives of as many of the people - as possible, for which purpose the boats were hoisted out, and - some rafts hastily constructed, and as many of the women and - children put into the former as we could at the moment assemble. - At this instant, by the Divine interposition of Providence, a - sail hove in sight, which, discerning our perilous situation, - came promptly down to our relief; and, owing to the persevering - heroism of the commander, at the evident risk of losing his own - vessel, and by the cool and intrepid conduct of Captain Cobb, - whose attentions were unremitting, a larger portion of the troops - than could even have been anticipated under so unforeseen a - calamity were preserved, though, I lament to add, sixty-eight - men, one woman, and twenty-one children appear to have perished, - exclusive of five seamen. - - “It is some alleviation to our afflictions to be enabled to - state, that the origin of the fire is in no way attributable - to the troops; a pleasing part of my duty to bear testimony - to the cool and subordinate conduct of both officers and men - under my command,--the former affording me every aid which so - critical and trying an occasion demanded, and none more so than - Major M‘Gregor, to whose collected counsel and manly example, - throughout this agonizing scene of distress, I feel greatly - indebted. - - “I have, &c. - (Signed) “R. B. FEARON, - “_Lieut.-Colonel com^{dg} 31st Foot_. - - “To the Adjutant-General, “Horse-Guards, London.” - - - “Horse-Guards, 7th March, 1825. - - “SIR, - - “His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief has received, with - sentiments of the deepest concern, your letter of the 4th - instant, communicating the awful and afflicting calamity which - has befallen the right wing of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, - embarked on board the Honorable Company’s ship ‘Kent.’ - - “I am at the same time to observe, that if anything could - alleviate the measure of His Royal Highness’s regret at the - loss of the many valuable lives which have perished on this - melancholy occasion, it would be the satisfaction experienced by - the Commander-in-Chief at the safety of so large a proportion of - the detachment, and which, by the happy interposition of Divine - Providence, aided by your own collected firmness, and the united - discipline and courage of Major M‘Gregor and the officers and men - under your command, have been preserved for the future service of - their country. - - “His Royal Highness commands me to add, that he appreciates in - the fullest manner the heroic and humane assistance afforded to - you by the master of the ‘Cambria’ brig; and that it will afford - His Royal Highness the greatest satisfaction to bear testimony to - it in any manner most calculated to advance the interests, or to - do credit to the conduct, of this individual. - - “Arrangements have been made by the Quarter-Master-General - for the transport of the detachment under your command by sea - to Chatham, as soon as it is possible to obtain the necessary - vessels from the Navy Board for that purpose; and I have - further to acquaint you, that immediate measures will be taken - for sending down to you, by the quickest inland carriage, the - most essential articles of supply and equipment; and that the - Commander-in-Chief will contribute, by every means in his power, - to the restoration of your comforts, and the remuneration for - the losses sustained by your officers and men, consistently with - the regulations of the service. - - “I have the honor to be, &c. - (Signed) “HENRY TORRENS, - “_Adjutant-General_. - - “Lieut.-Colonel Fearon, “Thirty-first Regiment, Falmouth.” - -It was two hours after midnight when the ‘Kent’ blew up; all the -individuals of the regiment and of the crew that it had been -possible to save were now on board the “Cambria;” their number, -however, was diminished by sixty-eight men, one woman, and -twenty-one children:--about twenty of the former were left on the -poop of the vessel, when it became unsafe for a vessel to approach -her; whence, abandoning themselves to despair, they would make no -exertion to escape; it was absolutely necessary therefore to leave -them: others had thrown themselves into the sea, and were drowned -before help could be extended to them, or had come in contact with -part of the wreck and had been killed; while the anxiety of some -few to board the “Cambria” lost them their lives;--they were jammed -to death between the brig and the boats. The only woman lost was -suffocated in the orlop deck, with her three children; she was not -able to escape. Among the children lost there were four, three -girls and a boy, the family of Serjeant Jack, an old and deserving -soldier, who had seen much service with the second battalion in the -Peninsula. While the women and children were being lowered into -the boats, Mrs. Jack fell overboard; the serjeant leaped into the -sea to save his wife, and was not able to return to the ship. In -the confusion unavoidable on board, the children were overlooked; -missing their parents, they had sought refuge, it is supposed, in -the Colonel’s cabin, and no one knew, until it was too late, that -they were still on board; for the soldiers were not backward in -giving their aid to save the families of their comrades; there were -instances of men who tied the children of their brother soldiers on -their backs, and, leaping overboard, swam with their burdens to the -boats. There were indeed proofs among the non-commissioned officers -and soldiers of a fortitude, courage, and good-feeling that would -have done honor to the highest station. It happened, however, that -fourteen of the men, who had remained on the wreck, were picked -up the following morning, clinging to some portions of it, by the -“Caroline,” a vessel bound from the Mediterranean to Liverpool, -and carried by her into that port. The lives lost amounted, -therefore, to seventy-six, being two serjeants, two corporals, one -drummer, forty-nine privates, one woman, and twenty-one children, -as specified at page 82. The “Cambria” was of 200 tons only; -notwithstanding her crowded state, she providentially reached -Falmouth on the third day (the 4th March), when the regiment landed. - -It is needless to observe that nothing was saved from the wreck, -and many had found it difficult to preserve even the clothes they -happened to have on at the time; the motley and forlorn appearance -the corps presented on its landing, was never equalled,--at any -rate, in the British army. The kind exertions of the gentry and -residents generally in Falmouth, to soften the sufferings of the -women and children, must ever be remembered with gratitude by the -regiment; the officers are more particularly indebted to this -calamity for the brotherly attention and friendship it procured for -them from the officers who then belonged to the Division of Royal -Marines at Chatham, where on the 26th of March it arrived, having -sailed on the 16th of that month in the “Diadem” transport from -Falmouth. - -The following letter from the Military Secretary, Major-General -Sir Herbert Taylor, conveying the sentiments of his Royal Highness -the Duke of York of the conduct of the officers and men of the -regiment, will show that the discipline received approbation from -the quarter from which it was most valuable:-- - - “Horse-Guards, March 9, 1825. - - “SIR, - - “The Court of Directors of the East India Company having - transmitted to the Commander-in-Chief the report made to them - by Captain Cobb of the circumstances attending the destruction - of the ship ‘Kent’ by fire, on the 1st instant, I have received - his Royal Highness’s commands to assure you of the high sense - his Royal Highness entertains of the admirable conduct of the - detachment of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment embarked in that ship - under your command, and, more particularly, of the steadiness - and coolness which you evinced, under circumstances so critical - and trying. His Royal Highness is well aware that no occasion - could offer in which the effects of a well-established system - of discipline and subordination would be more apparent, or in - which they would in a more important degree tend to assist - the efforts of those who so nobly afforded their aid towards - preserving the lives of all concerned;--and he desires that you - will convey his thanks to the officers and soldiers forming - the detachment embarked, under your orders, in the ship ‘Kent,’ - and assure them that he gives them due credit for their orderly - and meritorious conduct. He considers his thanks to be due more - especially to yourself, for the example which you set them, and - for the persevering and gallant exertions which contributed so - essentially to lessen the sad result of the catastrophe. - - “His Royal Highness orders me to add, that he shall deem it his - duty to report to his Majesty a conduct, on your part and that - of the officers and men committed to your charge, which so well - deserves his Majesty’s approbation. - - “I have, &c. - (Signed) “H. TAYLOR. - - “Lieut.-Colonel Fearon, 31st Regt.” - -His Majesty was graciously pleased to confer upon Lieut.-Colonel -Fearon the distinction of a Companion of the Bath, for his conduct -on the 1st of March. - -On the 10th of April a detachment, from the head-quarters at -Chatham, marched to Gravesend, and embarked on board the “Charles -Grant,” under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cassidy, who had, -a short time before, been appointed to the regiment. After a -good passage the “Charles Grant” reached Calcutta on the 16th of -August, when the detachment was ordered to Berhampore; it joined -the left wing in that cantonment on the 12th of September, when, -immediately on its landing, orders were received to return to Fort -William. On the 21st of the same month, the left wing, with the -detachment,--all under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cassidy,--were -again embarked, and dropping down the river, in a few days reached -Fort William, and disembarking, marched into barracks in the fort -on the 27th of September. - -On the 17th of November the head-quarters marched into Fort -William, and the regiment was once more together. This portion had -embarked on board the “Lord Hungerford” on the 21st of June, under -the command of Major Eagar. - -The cholera broke out among the men of the regiment towards the end -of November, and not abating, the regiment moved into camp on the -south glacis of the fort. The ground was occupied on the 20th of -December, and the change was soon attended with advantage. - -[Sidenote: 1826] - -On the 18th of January 1826, another detachment, consisting of the -grenadier company, and part of No. 1, joined, and the strength -of the regiment was 39 officers, 50 serjeants, 17 drummers, 48 -corporals, and 812 privates. - -On the 13th of February the regiment embarked on the river Hoogley, -and left the ghaut below the fort for the Sunderbunds, on its route -to Dinapore, the Bhagaritty river, by which branch of the Ganges -it would have entered the main stream, being at this season of the -year too shallow for boats of such a size as composed the fleet. -The cholera unfortunately made its appearance during the voyage, -and carried off a great number of men. The disease was so sudden -in its attacks, and so quick in its effects, that the men scarcely -survived till assistance could reach them from the hospital, which -being always in the rear, the boat in which a sick man might be, -was ordered to drop down to it,--it therefore became necessary -to supply officers with a mixture to be given immediately to the -person seized: the sick man thus received aid from the nearest -boat to his own, and was saved until the more necessary treatment -could be used upon him. It was the 2nd of May before the regiment -reached Dinapore;--this cantonment is within a few miles of Patna, -midway between it and the junction of the Soane with the Ganges; -it is composed of two quadrangles, a larger and a smaller one, the -southern side of the former being occupied by two long buildings, -with a road dividing them in the centre; these formed the barracks, -each for a wing of a regiment, the remaining sides of the square -being the quarters of the officers;--the centre area is a smooth -greensward, used as a parade-ground; the river flows on the north -of the whole, and within a few yards of the quarters on that side. - -At the end of the hot season of the year, the regiment was ordered -to Meerut, and commenced its first march in India, before daylight -on the morning of the 8th of November, under Lieut.-Colonel James -Cassidy, who had succeeded to the command of the THIRTY-FIRST, -Lieut.-Colonel Fearon having been appointed to the sixty-fourth -regiment on the 12th of January, 1826. The sick with the women and -children had been previously sent by water under Captain Bolton. - -[Sidenote: 1827] - -The route of the regiment lay across the Soane, which it passed at -Quilwur Ghaut, through the Shahabad district to Buxar, beneath the -fort of which place it crossed the Ganges by ferry, and marched -towards the military station of Ghazeepore, then occupied by the -forty-fourth regiment. After passing this post, the regiment -crossed the Goomtee by a bridge of boats, where it falls into -the Ganges, near the village of Kitee; then to the cantonment of -Seerole, near the city of Benares; again reached the banks of -the Ganges, at the little village of Joosey, and recrossed it -to Allahabad; thence the route lay through Kurrah, Futtehpore, -and Korah to Etawah, a city on the Jumna. From Etawah through -Shekohabad and Jellasir, in the province of Agra; passing the -dilapidated fort of Shasnee, the road led through the city of -Coel, to the celebrated fortress of Allyghur; thence by Khorjah -Bolundshuhur and Haupper to Meerut, where the regiment arrived -on the morning of Saturday, January 13th, 1827, after a march -of sixty-seven days, during which time the men continued very -healthy;--the number in hospital never exceeded thirty, many for -trifling cases, and but two men died. - -On the same day the THIRTY-FIRST occupied the lines vacated by the -fourteenth regiment. Meerut was the head-quarters of a division -of the Bengal Army, commanded by Major-General Reynell; and a -considerable force was assembled, as a check upon Delhi, thirty-six -miles from Meerut, as well as upon the province of Rohilcund, on -the opposite shore of the Ganges. - -The THIRTY-FIRST had been without colours since the destruction of -the “Kent,” but a new stand, which, for want of an opportunity, -had not yet been presented, was in possession of the regiment; and -the Governor-General of India, the Right Honorable Lord Amherst, -being at Delhi, in the course of a tour of the upper provinces, his -Lady was solicited to present the new colours to the regiment. They -were presented by her Ladyship on the 7th of March, 1827, and the -Governor-General addressed the following speech to Lieut.-Colonel -Cassidy on the occasion:-- - - “I am persuaded that Lady Amherst will consider herself fortunate - in having been selected to bear so distinguished a part in the - ceremony of this day. It will be her earnest prayer that so dire - a calamity as that which befell your former colours may never - occur to these which she has had the honor to present to you. - From the ordinary perils of war they are safe in your hands, and - she confidently trusts that Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST will ever - march to victory under the colours now consigned to your charge.” - -To celebrate the event, the officers of the regiment entertained -a large party at a ball and supper in their Mess-house. - - -[Sidenote: 1828] - -During the years 1828 and 1829 the regiment continued at Meerut. - -[Sidenote: 1829] - -In 1829 orders were received to reduce the establishment of the -regiment to 736 rank and file. - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment was at this time stronger than it had -ever been; its effective strength amounted to 1086. The men were -young and in high health; the climate good, and the barracks -excellent, different from those at Dinapore; they consisted of -a certain number of detached buildings, each calculated for a -subdivision only: they were thatched, and had at the angles good -rooms for non-commissioned officers. New buildings were erected -of even a superior description, each company having four houses -allotted to it, with its proportion of non-commissioned officers’ -rooms at the angles, as in the old buildings. - -[Sidenote: 1831] - -In the commencement of the year 1831 the north-west frontier of -India was reinforced, and the THIRTY-FIRST marched to Kurnaul, the -head-quarters of the Sirhind division. The regiment left Meerut on -the 27th of January, and halted that day at Sardhanna, the capital -of an independent state, under the celebrated Begum Sumroo. She -had been its ruler for a period of sixty years; and, a Mahometan -in her youth, she had adopted Christianity. The officers of the -regiment dined with her Highness. - -It is five days’ march from Meerut to Kurnaul. On the 30th -of January the river Hinden was crossed by ferry, and on the -following day the river Jumna, when the regiment encamped in its -new quarters. The barracks had not then been built, Kurnaul never -having been occupied by a British regiment. The Native cantonment -was situated in front of the city, facing to the north. - -The new lines marked out for the regiment were in front of the -right of the old lines facing the west, in which quarter an -extensive plain extends, without one tree to shade it, as far as -the eye can reach; in the rear flows the canal of Merdan Ali Khan, -a lively stream drawn from the Jumna at Rajghaut, fifty miles -above, and running to Delhi, eighty miles below. On the right are -long tracts of jungle, with a few villages and some cultivated land -near the bank of the canal, a little to the rear. The barracks were -detached buildings, two to each company. - -General Sir Henry Warde, G.C.B., was appointed from the -sixty-eighth regiment to the Colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment -on the 13th of April, 1831, in succession to General the Earl of -Mulgrave, G.C.B., deceased. - -It was the month of June before the barracks were ready to receive -the men, until which time the regiment remained in camp. The -officers’ houses in rear of the barracks were built at their own -expense, it being the custom in the upper provinces of India to -possess property of this description; the inconvenience and -expense of establishing a cantonment are very severe at the time -on many, particularly on the junior officers. It is only, however, -when a cantonment is altogether abandoned that this custom can be -attended with loss. Kurnaul was likely to be permanent from its -position with regard to the Punjaub and the dominions of the Ameers -of Scinde, besides the great importance acquired every year by the -country beyond the Indus. - -In October, 1831, the regiment marched to Roopur on the river -Sutlej, as part of the escort attached to the Governor-General, -Lord William Bentinck, who had arranged to have an interview at -that place with his Highness Runjeet Singh, the Ruler of the -Punjaub. - -Having left Kurnaul on the 10th of October, the regiment reached -the ground allotted for the escort on the 22nd of that month; the -route lay through the Sikh territories, on the British side of the -Sutlej. Thennaiser, a spot of celebrated sanctity, and Umballa, -a populous city, were the only places of consequence, however, -on the march. The escort assembled at Roopur, to do honor to the -interview, was composed of two squadrons of the sixteenth Lancers, -with the band of that regiment, the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, two -battalions of native infantry (the 14th and 32nd), eight guns of -horse artillery, with two squadrons of irregular cavalry from -Colonel Skinner’s regiment. - -The force Runjeet Singh had brought with him encamped, on the -morning of the 25th of October, on the opposite bank of the river, -and consisted of ten thousand of his best horse and six thousand -disciplined infantry. A bridge of boats had been thrown across the -river, and on the morning of the 26th of October the meeting took -place; the Chief of the Punjaub, accompanied by a deputation of -British officers that had gone to meet him, with a detachment of -3800 horse, 800 being disciplined dragoons, under General Allard, -a French officer in Runjeet’s service, crossed the river. All the -Sikh chiefs were in attendance on their Sovereign, and the train -passed through a street to the Governor-General’s camp, formed -by the sixteenth Lancers and the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. This is -not the place in which to dwell on the splendour or chivalrous -appearance of the scene, on the glitter of the polished armour of -some, and the gaiety of the yellow silk in which all were dressed. -The British troops were infinitely greater objects of interest -and curiosity to the Sikhs, than even the variety of the arms, -and the figures of the men of the latter, were to the former. -Runjeet Singh inquired into every thing connected with the arming -and disciplining of the THIRTY-FIRST with the keenest eye. During -a review of the corps, on a second visit, he rode close into -the line, and examined every movement, pointing out with great -intelligence to the Sirdars, or leaders, about him the evolutions -that he thought useful, or sending them to observe particularly how -they were performed. The THIRTY-FIRST regiment was not under arms -on the return visit. The farewell interview took place on the last -day of the month, with the same ceremony as that observed at the -first meeting. - -The next morning (November 1st) the camps broke up; the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment returned, by the route it had come, to -Kurnaul, and arrived there on the 16th of November. - -[Sidenote: 1832] - -In the spring of the year 1832, Lieut.-Colonel Cassidy returned -to England in ill health, after having commanded the regiment -seven years. He was succeeded by Major Eagar, who died in December -following, when for nearly three years the command of the regiment -devolved upon the two senior Captains alternately. - -[Sidenote: 1834] - -On the 10th of October, 1834, Lieut.-General Sir Edward Barnes, -G.C.B., was appointed from the seventy-eighth regiment to the -Colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, in succession to General -Sir Henry Warde, G.C.B., deceased. - -[Sidenote: 1835] - -In December, 1834, Major Bolton joined the regiment, and was -promoted, in November of the following year, to the rank of -Lieut.-Colonel, by purchase, Colonel Cassidy having been removed to -the charge of a recruiting district. - -[Sidenote: 1836] - -On the 20th of January, 1836, the regiment left Kurnaul on its -march to Dinapore, and, halting a day near Delhi, crossed the -Jumna below the city; thence, continuing through the Doab (land -between two rivers), to Allahabad, crossed the Ganges by a bridge -of boats above the fort. Having halted at Benares and Ghazeepore, -it recrossed the Ganges at Buxar, and arriving on the 26th of -March at Dinapore, again took up its quarters in the barracks it -had occupied ten years before;--although the weather was very hot, -and the regiment had marched without a day’s halt from Cawnpore -(thirty-one marches), there were only fifteen sick. From Kurnaul to -Dinapore the change of climate is very great, while the confinement -of the latter place, with the close and crowded state of the -barracks, after the open scene, the comfortable thatched buildings, -and the cold bracing winter air of the former station, were -severely felt. In Kurnaul the hospital list never exceeded seventy, -while it occasionally continued, during the hot weather, so low as -thirty, and in the cold season eight or nine, for months together. - -[Sidenote: 1837] - -During the summer of the year 1837, the thermometer remained at 115 -degrees in the barracks for several days, and many deaths occurred -from apoplexy, produced by the great heat. - -[Sidenote: 1838] - -Lieut.-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B. and G.C.H., was -appointed from the seventy-first regiment to the Colonelcy of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment, on the 28th of March, 1838, in succession to -General Sir Edward Barnes, G.C.B., deceased. - -On the 16th of November the THIRTY-FIRST marched towards -Ghazeepore, to relieve the forty-fourth regiment, and occupied the -barracks at that station on the 27th of that month. Ghazeepore -stands at the edge of a fine plain on the left bank of the Ganges, -close to the river. It is one of the frontier posts towards Nepaul, -is forty-six miles from Benares, and four hundred and six miles -from Calcutta. - -[Sidenote: 1839] - -The strength of the regiment had been reduced to six hundred and -thirty-two rank and file; it had at this period been fourteen years -in India, during which time the casualties by death amounted to -fourteen officers, and six hundred and seventy-seven men. - -During this year the regiment remained cantoned at Ghazeepore, -under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Bolton; and was constantly -on the alert in expectation to march towards Nepaul to repel the -incursions of the Nepaulese. - -On the 3rd of April, 1839, the regiment was augmented to an -establishment of ten companies, consisting of one colonel, two -lieut.-colonels, two majors, ten captains, thirty subalterns, six -staff, fifty-seven serjeants, nineteen drummers, and nine hundred -and seventy-six rank and file. - -On the 13th of May, 1839, the regiment was inspected by -Major-General Cocks, of the Honorable East India Company’s Service, -who expressed, in high terms, his approbation of its appearance. - -Ghazeepore was found very unhealthy during the rains, and the -regiment suffered severely, both in officers and men, from fever -and dysentery. - -[Sidenote: 1840] - -The regiment remained at Ghazeepore until the 12th of October, -1840, when orders were received to march to Agra, to relieve the -ninth foot. It arrived at Agra on the 30th of November, and its -effectives amounted to forty-one serjeants, and seven hundred rank -and file. - -At Agra the regiment was more healthy than at the two former -stations, and its strength was increased during the year by a large -detachment of recruits from England. - -[Sidenote: 1841] - -In March, 1841, a large party of recruits joined the regiment under -the command of Major Skinner, through whose able management they -arrived in the highest possible order. - -Owing to the indefatigable exertions of Lieut.-Colonel Bolton, the -commanding officer, little time elapsed before the regiment formed -a highly disciplined and most efficient battalion of 992 bayonets. - -At this period the government of Shah Shoojah became so unpopular, -that the Affghans appeared determined to effect the expulsion of -the British, by whose aid he had been reinstated in the sovereignty -of Cabool in 1839, and whose presence was rendered necessary to -support his authority. - -Towards the close of the year 1841, the Affghans broke out into -open insurrection; the British Envoy, Sir William McNaghten, and -Sir Alexander Burnes were treacherously murdered; and the British -troops, including the forty-fourth regiment, which occupied Cabool, -being compelled to evacuate and retreat towards Jellalabad, were -cut to pieces on the march. - -_Jellalabad_ was soon beleaguered by the Affghans, and every -exertion was made to send succour from India to its little -garrison, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Sir Robert Sale, of the -thirteenth light infantry, who was serving with the rank of -Major-General in Affghanistan. Upon the breaking out of the -insurrection, the Major-General had been detached from Cabool -with a force, in order to reduce the insurgents, and, after much -hard fighting in the passes, had taken possession of Jellalabad, -the successful defence of which, by his small garrison, forms so -interesting a feature in the Affghan campaign. - -[Sidenote: 1842] - -The regiment was ordered to join a force collected at Peshawur, -in the north of the Punjaub, under Major-General Pollock; and on -the 15th of January, 1842, it marched from Agra, mustering 996 -bayonets, in the highest state of discipline and efficiency. - -On the 10th of March the Sutlej was crossed by means of a bridge -of boats (which had been constructed for the accommodation of the -British troops by the Sikh government) by the force under the -command of Lieut.-Colonel Bolton, of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. -The force, which consisted of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, the -sixth native infantry, some troops of Tait’s irregular horse, and -Delafosse’s troop of horse artillery, arrived at Peshawur on the -21st of April, and was most hospitably entertained by General -Avitabile,[26] by order of the Maharajah Shere Singh. - -Before the corps could join the army, Major-General Pollock forced -the Khyber Pass, and marched on to Jellalabad, at which place he -arrived on the 16th of April; the Affghans had, on the 7th of -April, been attacked, and defeated, by Major-General Sir Robert -Sale; Mahomed Akbar Khan was consequently obliged to abandon the -siege of Jellalabad, which he had blockaded since February, 1842. - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment, which had followed Major-General Pollock -by forced marches, joined at Jellalabad on the 5th of May,--after -making a halt for about five days at Peshawur,--having undergone -much privation on the way by the desertion of the camel-drivers: -several deaths occurred from famine and fatigue. - -The army was halted in wretched tents at Jellalabad, the climate -of which is known to be so unhealthy during the summer as to cause -it to be used by the natives as a winter residence only. Soon the -effects of this displayed itself; the days became so oppressive -that both officers and men were obliged to dig deep holes -underground in which to shield themselves, in some slight measure, -from the burning heat of the sun. The thermometer rose as high as -126° in the tents, and man and beast fell stricken by the extreme -heat. - -Neither was it in men alone that the army was daily losing its -efficiency. From the valley of Jellalabad having been so long the -seat of war, the fertile land had become a desert,--the wretched -half-starved camels could find no forage on the bare face of the -sand, and they died by hundreds; their dead bodies lying about in -all directions, swollen with the sun, and emitting the most horrid -exhalations, together with the filth and dirt of a standing camp of -50,000 men, added to the disease which raged among the troops. The -army suffered a loss which the most sanguinary encounter with the -enemy could not have exceeded. - -At last, it was found necessary to divide the force, and the fourth -brigade, in which was the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, was ordered to -march under Brigadier Monteath to Peshbolak, in the Shinwaree -country, to punish some refractory tribes, which had behaved with -great treachery to a party of Jezailchees, who had been at the -former place, and to bring to submission the unruly Shinwarees, -who had attacked several convoys, and been guilty of many acts of -murder and plunder. - -For the first month the regiment met with little opposition, and -the camel-thorn, a wild bush, on the leaves of which camels feed, -being found in great quantities, and large supplies of grain being -taken, the condition of the camels, horses, and other baggage -animals was much improved; the half-starved emaciated animals, -which had marched from Jellalabad, quickly recovered their wonted -vigour and efficiency. The warlike and turbulent Shinwaree tribes -retired before Brigadier Monteath’s brigade, until they sheltered -themselves in their strongholds, which were formed in a narrow -valley, strengthened by many forts and stockaded enclosures, while -the heights on either side were defended by numerous _sunghas_, or -breastworks of large stones, which were so constructed as to enable -them to dispute every inch of ground with an advancing force. - -The brigade having arrived, and encamped about two miles from this -formidable position, a reconnoitring party was sent out, under the -command of Captain Willes, of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, to examine -the strength of the enemy’s preparations, and determine his exact -position. It was composed of two companies of the thirty-third -Native Infantry, with a few Jezailchees, or Native Light Infantry, -so named from the Jezail, or short rifle, with which they are -armed. This party, having proceeded some four or five miles from -the camp, was furiously attacked by a large force of Shinwarees, -and suffered severely from their fire, which was very effective -from the position they had taken up, and from which it required -a very considerable force to drive them: nevertheless the object -sought was fully obtained; the enemy’s position was correctly -ascertained, together with every requisite information for the -attack in force, after which the reconnoitring party returned to -the camp, sustaining a smart action the whole way back. - -On the 26th of July Brigadier Monteath prepared to attack the -enemy near _Mazeena_ with his whole force; and accordingly, -leaving the camp standing under an efficient guard, he moved -towards the position occupied by the Affghans, who were prepared, -and nothing loth to meet him. Little time elapsed before the -engagement was commenced by the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, seconded by -the thirty-third and fifty-third Native Infantry, ascending the -heights, and driving the Shinwarees from their breastworks, and -along the ridges of the hills, while the tenth Light Cavalry, in -the valley below, charged them whenever they showed front on level -ground. The camp followers and pioneers had been furnished with -combustibles to burn the forts, as the Shinwarees were driven out -of them, which service was very efficiently performed. Meanwhile, -on the heights, the enemy disputed every foot of ground until -taken at the point of the bayonet, and Lieut. M‘Ilween, of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment, was killed while gallantly leading an attack -of this kind against a vastly superior force. - -The Affghans being driven from their defences, the artillery, under -the command of Captain Abbott, played upon them with great effect; -and after contesting the day until every fort and place of defence -had been taken and destroyed, they fled, dispersing themselves -among the neighbouring hills, where it was impossible to pursue -them. Their loss was very great, including most of their leaders. - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment had Lieut. Dalway M‘Ilveen _killed_, and -seven rank and file _wounded_; several men of the regiment died -suddenly from apoplexy, caused by the heat of the sun and want of -water. Thus ended the action of Mazeena, in which the behaviour of -the THIRTY-FIRST regiment elicited the highest commendation from -Brigadier Monteath, who stated, in his despatch of the 27th of -July, that - - “at one time the interiors of five-and-thirty forts were in a - blaze along the valley, the enemy contemplating the scene from - the heights in the vicinity of Secunder Khan’s fort, where they - had taken up positions, and from whence they were driven in - gallant style by the advance, consisting of the light and two - battalion companies of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST regiment, the - light companies of the thirty-third and fifty-third regiments - of Native Infantry, and the corps of Jezailchees under _Major - Skinner_, of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST regiment. - - “It gives me great pleasure to record the zealous conduct of - the troops generally, and the cheerful and praiseworthy manner - in which the soldiers of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST regiment - laboured to drag the guns up such places as the horses, - notwithstanding their unequalled qualities, were incapable of - doing. - - “My thanks are very justly due to _Lieut.-Colonel Bolton_, of Her - Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST regiment, for the able manner in which he - conducted the duties of covering the retirement of the force; and - particularly so to _Major Skinner_ for the zealous and gallant - manner in which he led the advance against the enemy.” - -The Brigadier also acknowledged the services of other officers -belonging to the force under his command, in which number was -included Lieutenant and Adjutant Lugard, of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment, who acted as Major of Brigade. - -The brigade of Brigadier-General Monteath, having thus performed -most successfully the service for which it had been detached, now -marched to join the main army at Jellalabad, and arriving there -took up its old ground. On the 22nd of August the army marched in -two divisions, and proceeded without opposition, but suffering -intense fatigue from the labour of dragging the artillery and -stores over the almost inaccessible paths, until it arrived at -Soorkhab, distant four marches from Jellalabad. - -On the British leaving Soorkhab, the Affghans showed themselves -in force, and the rear-guard, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel -Bolton, was so hard-pressed by thousands of the irregular troops -of the enemy, that Brigadier Monteath thought it necessary to halt -the brigade at the entrance of the Jugdulluck pass, to enable it to -form a junction with the main column, which it did after suffering -considerable loss. The Ghilzees hotly contested the passage of the -pass, but after a sharp engagement they were driven off with much -slaughter. - -In this action Lieut.-Colonel Bolton had his horse shot under him -in two places, and Lieutenant Shaw, of the regiment, was wounded. - -The next day (9th September) the Affghans were so much dispirited -by their defeat, that the division marched to Jugdulluck without -further opposition than a little skirmishing with the rear-guard, -and Lieutenant Brooke, of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, was wounded. - -On the 10th of September, it having been ascertained that Akbar -Khan with 20,000 men had established himself in the Khoord Cabool -pass, in order to cover the capital and fight a pitched battle with -the British, the second division was ordered to join the first by a -forced march to Tezeen, where Major-General Pollock was encamped. -This junction was effected on the 11th of September, with little -loss, although a running fight was kept up the greater part of the -way. In fact, the advance to Cabool was a succession of skirmishes, -oftentimes by night as well as by day. - -The camp was attacked on the night of the 12th of September, but -the enemy made no impression, and little loss occurred, although -all the piquets of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment were engaged until -daybreak. - -Shortly after daybreak on the 13th of September the army moved off -its ground towards the _Tezeen Pass_, the advanced guard, commanded -by Sir Robert Sale, being composed of three companies of the ninth -regiment, three companies of the thirteenth or Prince Albert’s -Light Infantry, together with two companies of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment, under Captain Baldwin and Lieutenant Greenwood. - -After moving carefully along the pass for about two miles, the -Affghans were discovered, in great force, occupying strong -positions on the heights on either side, while their artillery -and cavalry were formed some distance farther on in the pass -itself. The action commenced by a heavy fire from the enemy on the -advanced guard of the British; and the distance being too great for -musketry, from the effect of which also the Affghans were covered -by extensive _sunghas_, or intrenchments formed of large blocks -of stone, for the whole length of their position, it was judged -necessary for the troops to ascend the heights, and drive them from -their posts at the point of the bayonet. - -This service was most brilliantly performed on the left heights -by the ninth and THIRTY-FIRST regiments, and on the right by the -thirteenth light infantry. - -The companies ascended the face of the mountain under a most -galling fire, from the effects of which many casualties occurred, -and not returning a shot until the ledge was gained: a combined -volley within ten yards of the enemy, followed by an immediate -charge of bayonets, drove him from his defences with great -slaughter, and the heights were gained. For this service Captain -Baldwin received the brevet rank of Major. - -The Affghans’ advanced posts being driven in and pursued as far -as the broken and difficult nature of the country would admit, -they retired upon their supports, which were, with great judgment, -defended by endless _sunghas_, erected in every position from which -a fire could be brought on advancing troops. - -The British, having gained the heights, and being reinforced by -fresh troops, pushed on, and, storming one intrenchment after -another, threw the Affghans into great confusion. The artillery, -having been brought up, played upon them with terrific effect, -while the British cavalry, having charged and overthrown their -horse, posted in the pass, and taken their guns, together with the -state tent of Akbar Khan, the fortune of the day at this early -period evidently smiled on the British arms; but the warlike -mountaineers, who composed the Affghan army, fought with desperate -valour to retrieve the day. Attack after attack was made upon the -troops occupying the posts from which the enemy had first been -driven. Reckless of life, the stern fanatics came on to be shot -down from the defences which they had themselves thrown up. In a -series of desultory attacks the day declined, and the British, -having obtained possession of every height commanding the pass, -the remains of the Affghan army made a _détour_ among the hills, -falling with great fury upon the British rear-guard, commanded by -Colonel Richmond, of the thirty-third regiment of Native Infantry. -Here they were so warmly received that their discomfiture was -completed, and the day was won. The victorious British encamped -for the night in the valley of Khoord (Little) Cabool, a village -distant about sixteen miles from Cabool. - -In this action Lieutenant Pollard received a severe contusion from -a large block of stone while attempting to take a standard. Major -Skinner, of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, highly distinguished himself -with the force which was detached under his command, and which -proceeded, in the afternoon of the 12th of September, across the -hills towards the valley of Khoord Cabool by a route different from -that of the main army. On the march, Major Skinner came suddenly in -presence of a greatly superior number of Affghans. Notwithstanding -that the country was difficult and imperfectly known, by a series -of skilful manœuvres he extricated his troops from the perilous -situation in which they were placed, and defeated the Affghans, who -exceeded five times his force, with great slaughter, on the 13th of -September. - -So complete was the defeat of the Affghan army on the 13th of -September, that Akbar Khan escaped from the field accompanied only -by a solitary horseman. - -The enemy acknowledged to have lost fifty-three chiefs and persons -of consequence, and 700 men. The casualties on the part of the -British amounted to 185. - -Major-General Pollock, in his despatch dated 14th of September, -again acknowledged the services of Lieut.-Colonel Bolton and Major -Skinner, of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. - -No impediments now existed to the advance of the British on the -city of Cabool. On the 15th of September the army arrived at -Cabool, and encamped on the race-course. On the following day the -place was occupied and the standard of England hoisted on the -highest pinnacle of the battlements of the Bala Hissar (Upper -Fort), on which occasion the flank companies of the THIRTY-FIRST -formed part of the guard which garrisoned the citadel. The British -colours were hoisted daily as long as the army remained at Cabool. - -All the objects of the campaign having been gained, and the rescue -of the prisoners effected,--among whom were several officers -and ladies (Lady Sale, the partner of the gallant defender of -Jellalabad being among the number), also three serjeants, three -drummers, and thirty rank and file of Her Majesty’s forty-fourth -regiment,--the Anglo-Indian army commenced its march towards -Hindoostan on the 12th of October, after having destroyed the grand -bazaar of Cabool, named the Chahar Chuttah, where the remains -of the British Envoy had been exposed to public insult by the -infuriated Affghans. - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment was again constantly engaged in -desultory skirmishes with the Ghilzees and Afreedee tribes which -infested the passes. - -At the _Jugdulluck Pass_ the Affghans again made head, and a severe -action occurred on the 18th of October, in which the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment sustained some loss, but the Ghilzees were put to flight -with great slaughter. Lieutenant Thomas Pender, of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment, received a severe wound near Seh Baba, from the effects -of which he died on the 18th of November. - -Major-General McCaskill, in his despatch dated 20th of October, -1842, recording the attacks on his division by the predatory tribes -of the mountains between Tezeen and Gundamuck, stated that, - - “Throughout these affairs the conduct of the troops employed, - including the second and sixteenth Native infantry, temporarily - attached to me, has deserved my highest approbation, and I feel - it to be my duty to record, that in the advance to Cabool, and - in retiring from it, the bravery of that portion of the fourth - brigade which took part in the active operations, namely, Her - Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST regiment, and a wing of the thirty-third - Native infantry,--the remaining wing and the sixth Native - infantry having been detained to garrison Jellalabad and - Gundamuck,--as well as their endurance of privations and fatigue, - have been beyond all praise. No troops could, in every respect, - have behaved better; and I feel myself to be deeply indebted to - Brigadier Monteath, C.B., and to Lieut.-Colonel Bolton, of Her - Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST, and to Lieut.-Colonel Richmond, of the - thirty-third Native infantry, for the able and gallant manner in - which they have been led.” - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment arrived at Jellalabad on the 23rd of -October, and, after destroying the fortifications, proceeded thence -on the 27th to Peshawur, where it arrived in the beginning of -November. - -The campaign having now been brought to a close, the THIRTY-FIRST -reached Ferozepore on the 19th of December, having been in the -field for eleven months during this arduous campaign. - -On arrival at Ferozepore the THIRTY-FIRST regiment joined the “Army -of Reserve,” which had been assembled on the frontier, and where -the Governor-General, Lord Ellenborough, and General Sir Jasper -Nicolls, the commander-in-chief in India, had proceeded to receive -the army of Affghanistan. - -For his services connected with the command of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment, Lieut.-Colonel Bolton was made a Companion of the Bath, -and appointed aide-de-camp to the Queen, with the rank of colonel. - -In testimony of the services of the THIRTY-FIRST during the -campaign in Affghanistan, Her Majesty was graciously pleased to -authorize the regiment to bear the word “CABOOL, 1842,” on the -regimental colour and appointments. - -[Sidenote: 1843] - -On the breaking up of the army at Ferozepore, the THIRTY-FIRST, -commanded by Colonel Bolton, was ordered to Umballa, a place -about 170 miles to the south, and which had never been previously -occupied by troops. Here the regiment arrived on the 27th of -January, 1843, and, cantonments having been marked out, barracks -were commenced for the men, and ground allotted for the erection of -bungalows for the officers. - -On the 5th of May the THIRTY-FIRST sustained a severe loss by the -death of Major and Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Skinner, a zealous and -talented officer, whose services are frequently alluded to in the -historical record of the regiment.[27] - -In May, 1843, the regiment was ordered to Khytul, and formed part -of a force under Major-General Fast, which was sent to reduce the -city and state of Khytul to British subjection. The force arrived -at Khytul after about a week’s march, and the enemy, after a slight -show of resistance, evacuated the city, which was occupied by the -British troops. All the objects of the expedition having been -fulfilled, the regiment returned to its cantonments at Umballa. -All, however, remained under canvas, exposed to most intense heat, -until July, 1843, when the men were housed, and a few of the -officers got shelter. In October, 1843, an outbreak occurred at -Lahore, and the Maharajah, Shere Singh, was shot at a review by his -brother-in-law, Ajeet Singh; after this event the youthful Dhuleep -Singh, a reputed son of the late Runjeet Singh, was placed on the -throne. - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment was in consequence ordered to the -frontier, and marched for Ferozepore on the 16th of November, where -it arrived on the 1st of December, 1843, and remained as a corps of -observation. - -[Sidenote: 1844] - -The THIRTY-FIRST, commanded by Colonel Bolton, C.B., continued at -Ferozepore, where the regiment was joined by ninety-three recruits -from England. On the 16th of January, 1844, the regiment was -inspected, and elicited great praise from Major-General Hunter -of the Company’s Service, and again on the 16th of February, by -Major-General Sir Robert Dick, K.C.B., who expressed great praise -as well of the soldierlike and gallant bearing as of the high state -of discipline of the regiment. - -The weather becoming extremely hot, the regiment marched from -Ferozepore on the 19th of April, 1844, _en route_ to Umballa, where -it arrived on the 2nd of May. - -On the 30th of December, 1844, his Excellency General Sir -Hugh Gough, Bart., Commander-in-Chief in India, inspected the -THIRTY-FIRST, in review order, on which occasion he expressed -himself highly satisfied with the soldierlike appearance of the -regiment. - -[Sidenote: 1845] - -On the 12th of March, 1845, a detachment of recruits and -volunteers, consisting of one major, one captain, three -lieutenants, two ensigns, one assistant-surgeon, with four hundred -and seventy-one rank and file, joined the regiment from the lower -provinces, under the command of Major Spence. - -Many men continued to die from the effects of the Cabool campaign, -but the station in itself proved healthy until July, when it was -visited by cholera in a most fearful manner. On the 26th of July -the regiment was ordered into camp, about two miles from the -barracks, at a few hours’ notice, with orders for one officer per -company, as well as the medical officers, constantly to remain in -camp under Major Spence, where they continued until the 5th of -August. In one month the regiment lost by cholera eighty-nine men, -women, and children. - -After the death of Maha Shere Singh, the Punjaub was in a state of -anarchy; the juvenile sovereign, Dhuleep Singh, under the tutelage -of his mother and uncle, was unable to control the turbulent Sikh -chieftains, and open hostility soon manifested itself against the -British Government in India. - -In the beginning of December, 1845, the inclination of the Sikh -Sirdars to invade the British territories appeared to increase, -and about the 11th of that month, with a large army and a -well-appointed artillery, they actually crossed the Sutlej, the -boundary river which separates the Punjaub from the British -dominions.[28] - -The Commander-in-Chief in India, General Sir Hugh Gough, sent -immediate orders for the Umballa division of the army, which had -lately been considerably increased in strength, to be pushed on -towards the invaded frontier. - -Previous to its march, this force had been formed into divisions -and brigades. The first brigade of the first division was composed -of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, and two regiments of Native infantry, -viz., the twenty-fourth and forty-seventh regiments. The first -division was commanded by Major-General Sir Henry Smith; Colonel -Bolton, C.B., of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, was appointed Brigadier -to command the first brigade. Lieut.-Colonel Byrne, the next senior -officer, assumed the command of the regiment. Captain Garvock was -appointed Brigade-Major to the first brigade, and Captain Lugard, -Assistant-Adjutant-General to the first division. - -It being of the utmost importance to aid the division of the army -in the defence of Ferozepore, a fort on the left bank of the -Sutlej, where the British Government had large magazines containing -munitions of war, a park of artillery, military stores, and -equipments for the field army, which protected the frontier, it -was necessary to push on the Umballa division, with all possible -speed, by rapid and forced marches, towards the point near which -the Sikhs, after having crossed the Sutlej, were assembled in -large force, emboldened by numbers, and their army composed of -well-disciplined troops, with a numerous and well-appointed -artillery. This army had been instructed and trained in European -tactics and discipline by French and Italian officers; it was -confident in its own strength and in the powerful aid of its -formidable artillery. - -It was evidently the object of the enemy to prevent the junction -of the Umballa division with the Ferozepore field force, to cut -off the latter division, and to capture the fort and magazines of -Ferozepore, before the Umballa division could arrive at the scene -of action. The enemy hoped also to have a rich booty in the plunder -of the large town of Ferozepore. The Sikhs knew and calculated the -distance the Umballa troops had to march before they could reach -the vicinity of Ferozepore, one hundred and fifty miles, and the -nature of the country through which they had to march; but they did -not calculate on the energy, patient endurance of hardships, and -privation, which the British soldier would cheerfully undergo, when -he knew, that his brave and heroic Commander-in-Chief was leading -him in person against the foe, who had dared to invade the British -possessions. - -On the 10th of December the THIRTY-FIRST received the order to -march, and the morning of the 12th saw the regiment leave Umballa, -mustering 30 officers and 844 men. - -After long and harassing marches of twenty-five to thirty miles a -day, the severe nature of which it is impossible to describe, the -regiment arrived at the village of _Moodkee_ about two o’clock in -the afternoon of the 18th of December, having on that day performed -a march of not less than twenty-five miles: some idea may be -formed of the sufferings which the men endured from fatigue on -this eventful day, when it is known that at the last halt, about -two miles from Moodkee, scarcely _fifty_ men were left with the -colours; and for miles to the rear they might be seen staggering -forward through the soft sand in an exhausted state from want of -water and rest. - -The soldiers were in the act of pitching their tents, and had -eaten nothing, when the alarm was given that the enemy was -close upon them in force. The THIRTY-FIRST rushed to arms, and -forming the right of the first brigade of the first division, -under Major-General Sir Henry Smith, formed in quarter-distance -column, left in front, advanced two or three miles, deployed on -the grenadier company, and so continued the line formed by the -regiments on their right. - -The THIRTY-FIRST were now on ploughed land in front of a thick -jungle of thorny bushes, and moving forward under a heavy fire of -round and grape-shot, entered the jungle, through which it was -impossible to move in anything like a correct line, and beyond -which the Sikhs were formed. It was here that the gallant Colonel -Bolton received his death-wound;--his last emphatic words to the -men were, “_Steady_, THIRTY-FIRST, _and fire low_,”--when man -and horse came down together; but he did not allow himself to be -removed from the field until the action was over. The regiment now -found itself in front of a battery of fourteen or fifteen guns. -By this time the men were falling quickly under severe discharges -of grape from the guns, a few yards only distant, which were -also protected by a battalion of infantry, from which withering -volleys were sent into the ranks of the THIRTY-FIRST, who, however, -returned it with interest, and the intrepid valour of the men bore -down all opposition. One continued fire from the regiment laid low -nearly the whole of the enemy’s artillery-men opposed to its part -of the line, while the bayonet disposed of such of the remainder -of the foe as had not time to save themselves by flight. The -opposition of the Sikhs was desperate; but nothing could resist the -bravery of the British troops, who drove them from one position -after another with great slaughter: all their advanced guns -remained in the hands of the British. - -It was not till an hour and a half after sunset that this hand to -hand conflict was over, when the rolling of musketry gradually died -away, and the British found themselves undisputed masters of the -field. Soon after the commencement of the action, Lieut.-Colonel -Byrne being severely wounded, the command of the regiment devolved -upon Major Spence, the senior major. - -The regiment, being much broken and scattered over the field in -pursuit of the enemy, was re-formed in quarter-distance column, and -marched back to within about a mile of Moodkee, where it bivouacked -on the sand until daylight, and then returned to camp. - -In this short but hard-fought action the regiment suffered -severely. Of 30 officers and 814 men, who went into action, 9 -officers and 155 rank and file were killed or wounded. - -The following officers were killed or wounded in the action at -Moodkee:-- - - Colonel Bolton C.B., } Mortally wounded. - commanding first brigade } - Lieut.-Colonel Byrne Severely ” - Captain Willes Mortally ” - ” Bulkeley Dangerously ” - ” Young Dangerously ” - ” Lugard Slightly ” - Lieut. Pollard Slightly ” - ” H. W. Hart Killed. - ” Brenchley Mortally ”[29] - Assistant-Surgeon Gahan, } Mortally ” - 9th foot, doing duty } - -In this action Lieutenant Bolton, of the twenty-first Fusiliers, -acted as aide-de-camp to his father Brigadier Bolton. - -The army was commanded in the action by General Sir Hugh Gough, the -Commander-in-Chief, aided by the counsel and military experience of -the Governor-General, Sir Henry Hardinge. The following extract is -taken from the despatch of the Commander-in-Chief, dated 19th of -December, 1845:-- - - “The opposition of the enemy was such as might have been expected - from troops who had everything at stake, and who had long vaunted - of being irresistible. Their ample and extended line, from their - great superiority of numbers, far out-flanked ours; but this was - counteracted by the flank movements of our cavalry. The attack - of the infantry now commenced; and the roll of fire from this - powerful arm soon convinced the Sikh army that they had met with - a foe they little expected; and their whole force was driven from - position after position with great slaughter, and the loss of - seventeen pieces of artillery, some of them of heavy calibre; our - infantry using that never-failing weapon, the bayonet, whenever - the enemy stood. Night only saved them from worse disaster, for - this stout conflict was maintained during an hour and a half of - dim starlight, amidst a cloud of dust from the sandy plain, which - yet more obscured every object. - - “I regret to say, this gallant and successful attack was - attended with considerable loss. The force bivouacked upon the - field for some hours, and only returned to its encampment after - ascertaining that it had no enemy before it, and that night - prevented the possibility of a regular advance in pursuit. * * * - - “I have every reason to be proud of, and gratified with, the - exertions of the whole of the officers and troops of this army on - this arduous occasion.” - -It appears from the list of killed and wounded, that the first or -Major-General Sir Henry Smith’s division bore the brunt of the -action at Moodkee, as the casualties in that division out-numbered -those of the other two infantry divisions united, as will be seen -by the following published list:-- - - -FIRST DIVISION OF INFANTRY. - - Officers. Native Officers. Serjeants. Rank & File. - Killed 4 1 4 69 - Wounded 18 2 20 299 - -- -- -- --- - Total 22 3 24 368 - - -SECOND DIVISION OF INFANTRY. - - Killed .. 1 .. 17 - Wounded 4 5 10 81 - -- -- -- -- - Total 4 6 10 98 - - -THIRD DIVISION OF INFANTRY. - - Killed 1 .. 1 6 - Wounded 1 .. 4 73 - -- -- -- -- - Total 2 .. 5 79 - -The army of the Sikhs amounted, it is said, to upwards of 32,000 -men of all arms. The British force did not amount to more than -one-third of that number. - -Thus terminated the battle of _Moodkee_, the first action in which -the Sikhs measured their strength with British troops in the field. - -The following extracts are taken from an account of the battle of -Moodkee:-- - - “Between the 11th and 18th the army had marched over a distance - of 160 miles, along roads of heavy sand; the incessant toil - scarcely leaving them leisure to cook their food. Hardly an hour - of repose was allowed them when they were summoned to renewed - exertion. On the 18th the army took up their encamping ground - in front of Moodkee. Our troops had scarcely time to prepare - their food, when intelligence was brought that the enemy, 30,000 - strong, was close at hand. It was about three o’clock P.M.; the - men were tired with incessant work, suffering from scarcity - of water, and exhausted for want of nourishment and rest. The - instant the order was given, however, they turned out with the - utmost alacrity, as if fresh from their lines.” - -After describing the preliminary movements of the cavalry and -artillery, the narrator proceeds:-- - - “The afternoon was by this time far spent, and the evening - at hand. The infantry, under Generals Smith, Gilbert, and - McCaskill, pushed on in echellon right for the enemy’s line, - now nearly invisible from the wood and approaching darkness. We - were out-flanked and fearfully out-numbered. The struggle was - tremendous. The Sikhs fought with the fury of desperate men. - Nothing could resist the dauntless courage of our troops, and - fearful was the storm of musketry poured forth by them as they - rushed. The bayonet,--the never-failing resource of British - soldiers,--completed the confusion and havoc the musketry had - begun. Every position was forced; the enemy driven from the - ground they had so well selected, and for a time so obstinately - maintained; and night found eighteen pieces of artillery in our - possession. Darkness only saved them from extreme disaster; - and so fierce and unrelenting had been the fray, that it was - maintained through an hour of dim starlight, while the dust of - the sandy plain added to the obscurity of the advancing night. - Pursuit was impossible, and the troops bivouacked on the field.” - -The following officers were present with the regiment at the battle -of Moodkee on the 18th of December:-- - - Colonel S. Bolton, C.B. (_Commanding the first brigade_). - Lt.-Col. John Byrne (_commanding the regiment_). - - Major James Spence. - ” G. Baldwin. - - Capt. W. G. Willes. - ” T. Bulkeley. - ” G. D. Young. - ” G. F. White (_Acting Paymaster_). - ” J. Garvock. - ” D. F. Longworth. - ” E. Lugard. - - Lieut. T. H. Plasket. - ” W. F. Atty. - ” J. L. R. Pollard. - ” H. W. Hart. - ” Robert Law. - ” J. P. Robertson. - ” Graham Elmslie. - ” Poole Gabbett. - ” S. J. Timbrell. - ” John Brenchley. - ” A. Pilkington. - ” E. A. Noel. - - Ensign James Paul. - ” H. P. Hutton. - ” C. H. G. Tritton. - - Adjt. William Bernard. - Q. M. Samuel Benison. - A. Surg. G. W. Macready. - ” David Stewart. - Lieut. A. S. Bolton (_H. M. 21st Fusiliers, doing duty_). - Surg. R. B. Gahan (_H. M. 9th Foot, in medical charge_). - -It being expected that the Sikhs, notwithstanding their defeat on -the previous evening, would make a second attack, the troops were -ordered under arms early on the following morning, the 19th, and -remained so till evening, when, no enemy appearing, they returned -to their tents. - -It having been subsequently ascertained, by scouts, that the enemy -was strongly entrenched in great numbers round the village of -Ferozeshah, the Commander-in-Chief determined to effect a junction -with the troops at Ferozepore, and with the combined force to drive -the Sikhs from their position. Accordingly at daylight on the 21st -of December the army was formed in separate columns of attack, and -marched in order of battle in the supposed direction of the enemy. -Having proceeded about five miles, it was ascertained that the -Sikhs had retired to their entrenched camp at _Ferozeshah_, about -twelve miles from Moodkee. - -The troops then fell into columns of route, and after a very -fatiguing and circuitous march, rendered more so from no water -being procurable on the road, they arrived about three o’clock P.M. -in the neighbourhood of the enemy’s position, having, on the march, -effected the desired junction with the division under Major-General -Sir John Littler, consisting of five thousand men and twenty-one -guns, which had moved from Ferozepore on the morning of the 21st of -December: about a quarter of an hour was allowed for rest, and the -plan of battle was then immediately arranged. The first division -formed the reserve, and was drawn up in line, the THIRTY-FIRST -being about the centre: here they remained about twenty minutes, -during which time the round shot were passing through the ranks, -killing and wounding several men. - -The order was now given to advance to the support of the troops, -who were hotly engaged and hard-pressed; the reserve moved -forward in excellent order, though darkness was coming on, and -very shortly became engaged and exposed to a heavy fire. The two -lines were shortly reduced to one, the shattered remains of the -reserve scarcely filling up the gaps formed in the first line by -the deadly fire of the enemy, who nobly fought, and fell every -man in his place; thus those _two_ lines, which had so shortly -before presented the regularity of a field-day, were now but _one_, -standing surrounded by their dead and dying comrades, and the brave -fellows of other European regiments could scarcely understand how -they came to be fighting in the ranks of the THIRTY-FIRST. After -a long and desperate contest, the Sikhs were driven from their -guns, but not without severe loss on the part of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment, both in officers and men. Lieut. and Adjutant Bernard -was killed on the spot, and Major Baldwin and Lieut. Pollard were -mortally wounded; Lieut. Pilkington was struck by two shots, one -passing through each ankle; and the horse of Major Spence was -shot under him. On the death of Lieutenant and Adjutant Bernard, -Lieutenant Robertson was appointed Adjutant, which appointment -he held until the nomination of Lieutenant Bolton was received -from the Horse Guards, he having been applied for by his father, -Colonel Bolton, previously to the campaign. The camp of the Sikhs -being now on fire in several places, mines and magazines exploding -with terrific violence at short intervals, the enemy’s fire being -silenced,--and their guns standing undefended,--the order was given -to fall back a short distance and re-form, which was accordingly -done; the troops bivouacked during the night in front of the Sikh -camp, within reach of shot from their guns, which, having been left -unspiked, were quickly reopened upon the exhausted troops, whose -sufferings on that fearful night, from thirst and intense cold, -will never be forgotten by those who endured them. - -Towards morning the troops were formed in one line facing the -enemy; the THIRTY-FIRST happened to be on the right of the whole. -At the break of day, the British artillery opened on the enemy, who -returned their fire, and after a short cannonading the infantry -advanced to the attack: the THIRTY-FIRST moved steadily towards a -battery of seven guns on the enemy’s extreme left, which kept up a -continued fire of grape; it was, however, carried by the bayonet -without a single check, and almost without a shot being fired by -the assailants, though the loss of the THIRTY-FIRST was severe. -Having killed all the enemy’s artillery-men who remained at their -guns, the regiment, led by its brave commander, Major Spence, -passed through the battery, and advanced steadily in an excellent -line for about 300 yards, when it halted. The Governor-General and -the Commander-in-Chief passed down the ranks amidst the cheers of -the men; the line saluted them, dropping the regimental colours; -and private William Ash, a grenadier, stood in front of his company -displaying a colour taken from the enemy in the battery before -mentioned. - -[Illustration: THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT - -_From a sketch by Major G. F. White, 31^{st} Regiment_ - -BATTLE OF FEROZESHAH. (2^{ND} DAY) 22^{ND} DECEMBER, 1845. - -_Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t Strand._ - -_For Cannon’s Military Records_] - -The defeat of the enemy now appearing to be complete, the soldiers -were allowed to go in search of water, the want of which was -severely felt. In the course of half an hour the alarm was suddenly -given, that the Sikhs were coming down in force; the troops were -quickly placed in position, though there could be no regularity -as regarded brigades, and on the near approach of the enemy’s -horse, the THIRTY-FIRST formed square, the Governor-General and -his Staff placing themselves in the centre: a terrific fire was -now opened upon the devoted troops (whose artillery ammunition -was expended) from the guns of Tej-Singh’s army advancing to the -support of the already defeated Sikhs, and the tide of victory -appeared about to turn, when Sir Henry Hardinge, glancing at the -small but undismayed band around him, exclaimed “THIRTY-FIRST, -remember _Albuhera_.” Line was, however, soon after re-formed, no -decided attack being made by the enemy, who nevertheless kept up -a galling and destructive fire from his guns. The THIRTY-FIRST -suffered very considerably without the power of retaliation, but -patiently maintained their position; at one time, when threatened -by cavalry, forming an oblong square of four deep, one side of the -square being composed of the twenty-ninth foot under Brigadier -Taylor of that corps, the twenty-ninth forming four deep to the -front, and the THIRTY-FIRST four deep to the rear, and in this -position they remained for some time, ready to receive cavalry. -The THIRTY-FIRST maintained their position upwards of three hours, -when they were once more enabled to go in search of water by the -sudden and precipitate retreat of the enemy. The water in the wells -was, however, found to be in such a putrid state, as to be nearly -useless, from the bodies of the dead having been thrown into them; -and the ground in the neighbourhood was extremely dangerous, having -been extensively mined. - -The loss of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment at the battle of -_Ferozeshah_, on the 21st and 22nd of December, amounted to two -officers killed and six wounded. - - Serjeants. Rank and File. - Killed, 2 57 - Wounded, 4 92 - -The following officers were killed or wounded on this occasion:-- - - Killed. Wounded. - - Lieut. Pollard. Major Baldwin, mortally. - Lieut. & Adj. Bernard. Lieut. T. Plasket, severely. - ” A. Pilkington, ” - Ensign Paul, slightly. - ” Hutton, ” - -Captain Garvock, Major of Brigade, had his horse shot under him in -the advance to charge the enemy’s batteries. - -On the 21st of December, Lieutenant Bolton was appointed to carry -orders from the Governor-General to Major-General Sir Henry -Smith, and was transferred from the twenty-first Fusiliers to the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment, to which he was appointed adjutant shortly -afterwards. - -Lieutenant Pollard, a promising officer, was wounded at Moodkee; -but being a high-spirited young man, he would not remain behind, -when his regiment went into action at Ferozeshah, although -suffering from his wound, and advised to remain in his tent by -the medical officers. He went into action on horseback; his wound -being in the foot, he was unable to walk. At the desire of Sir -Henry Smith he was employed as second adjutant to convey the orders -of his commanding officer, Major Spence, who was so hoarse from -a severe cold which he had caught at the battle of Moodkee, that -he could not make himself sufficiently heard by the men; in the -performance of this duty this gallant young officer nobly fell. - - “The field after the retreat of the enemy was literally covered - with dead,--they had abandoned large stores of grain, military - stores, camp-equipage, and ammunition. The loss of the British - army was very heavy; being opposed to a highly disciplined and - organized army more than treble their number, with a field of - artillery of battering calibre, admirably served, which kept - up an incessant and destructive fire on the British troops: - justifying the remark of an officer, who had been in all - Napoleon’s great battles, that he never saw such devastation - committed by artillery at any battle in Europe. What other army - in the world would, under such circumstances, have, within thirty - hours, stormed an entrenched camp, fought a general action, and - sustained two considerable combats with the enemy? Within four - days it dislodged from their positions 60,000 Sikh soldiers - supported by 150 pieces of artillery, 108 of which the enemy - acknowledged to have lost, and 91 of which fell into our hands.” - -Another account of the action states:-- - - “The right wing was commanded by the Commander-in-Chief in - person; the left by the Governor-General. As our troops deployed - into line, and prepared for an advance, a tremendous fire from - upwards of one hundred pieces of artillery, 40 of them of - battering size, was opened by the enemy. The right wing, under - Sir Hugh Gough, threw themselves with matchless gallantry on the - guns, and wrested them from the enemy, when the storm of shot - from the Sikh infantry behind became so fearful, that a portion - only of the intrenchments could be carried, when darkness put an - end to the conflict. - - “Night had now closed in; the carnage had proved tremendous; our - men thinned in numbers, harassed with forced marches, exhausted - with fatigue, with little food and scarcely any water, and - nothing whatever to cover them from the chill and heavy dew as - the evening advanced, bivouacked amidst the dying and the dead, - close under the intrenchments, and within reach of the shot of - the enemy. All night long their artillery played upon us, and - as the waning moon showed them our position, the cannon-shot - ploughed up the ground right through, and amidst the wearied - soldiers. - - “Morning at length approached, and our troops were once more - arrayed for the fight. With daylight came retribution and triumph - to our arms. Our infantry was formed in line, supported on both - flanks by the horse artillery. A masked battery now began to play - on us with fearful effect; the heavy shot of the Sikhs dismounted - our guns; nine of our tumbrils were blown up. A general charge - was now determined on; amidst a terrific storm of shot and shell, - the troops rushed on undismayed; the carnage was fearful: battery - after battery was carried at the bayonet’s point; the camp was - pierced with loaded mines, which exploded with fearful slaughter - as we advanced. The village of _Ferozeshah_ was stormed, and the - enemy driven out of it at every point. When changing its front - to the left, our force continued to sweep the camp, carrying - everything before them. - - “Undisturbed and unbroken by the fearful service in which they - had been engaged, the troops drew up, when the camp was won, - and halted to cheer their generals on the field they had just - conquered, with the regularity of a parade. Seventy-three - guns had now been taken; 20 more quickly fell into our hands. - We had lost 37 European and 17 Native officers, with 630 - non-commissioned officers and rank and file,--nearly 700 in all - killed. Our casualties in killed and wounded amounted to 2415.” - -The Commander-in-Chief in his despatch to the Governor-General, -after the battle of _Ferozeshah_, bears the following testimony -of his approbation of the gallant conduct of the army under his -command on that glorious occasion. At the conclusion of the -despatch General Sir Hugh Gough stated:-- - - “On the conclusion of such a narrative as I have given, it is - surely superfluous in me to say, that I am, and shall be, to the - last moment of my existence, proud of the army which I had the - honor to command on the 21st and 22nd instant. To its gallant - exertions I owe the satisfaction of seeing such a victory - achieved, and the glory of having my own name associated with it.” - -On receipt in London of the despatch of the Governor-General of -India, announcing the victories of _Moodkee_ and _Ferozeshah_, -the thanks of both Houses of Parliament were voted unanimously -to the Governor-General, the Right Honorable Lieutenant-General -Sir Henry Hardinge,--to General Sir Hugh Gough, Bart., the -Commander-in-Chief,--and to the several officers under their -command,--for the eminent services rendered by them in the recent -arduous and successful operations;--also to the non-commissioned -officers and soldiers, European and Native, for the perseverance -and fortitude maintained by them at _Moodkee_ on the 18th of -December, 1845, and for the daring valour with which they forced -the enemy’s intrenchments at _Ferozeshah_ on the 21st and 22nd of -December, captured most of his guns, and finally compelled the -Sikh army, of greatly superior numbers, to retire within their own -frontiers. - -The thanks of the Court of East India Directors were voted to the -army of the Sutlej at the same time. - -The Court of East India Directors confirmed the grant of a medal to -all the officers and soldiers engaged in the battles of _Moodkee_ -and _Ferozeshah_, denoting that they served in this important -campaign. - -On the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of December, the army bivouacked on -the field of battle, having been, since the morning of the 20th, -without tents, or any regular supply of food; and owing to the -extreme heat by day, and intense cold by night, both officers and -men had suffered much. On the 24th the troops changed their ground -about four miles to Sultan Khan Walla, and three days afterwards -the regimental baggage arrived. - -At Sultan Khan Walla they remained seven days; the whole army was -then moved to the banks of the Sutlej, not far from the fort of -Hurreekee, where large camps were formed. For nearly a week after -these terrible encounters, the Sikhs remained on the British side -of the Sutlej, the army being unable to follow up its victory, -as the troops, which were on their march to join, had not yet -arrived; the heavy artillery, which was on the march from Cawnpore, -was still very distant, and until the whole of the army was -concentrated, it would be impossible to attack the enemy, who had -again collected a formidable force of 70,000 men, with 110 pieces -of ordnance, which were encamped on the opposite side of the river, -and ready to oppose the British. - -In the meantime the wounded officers and soldiers had been removed -to the hospital at Ferozepore. - -Lieut.-Colonel Byrne being prevented from resuming the command of -the regiment by the severe wound he received at Moodkee, Major -Spence continued to exercise the command during the arduous -conflict of the 21st and 22nd of December at Ferozeshah, where he -showed an example of bravery to his distinguished regiment. He was -ably supported by every Officer and Man under his command. All -nobly performed their duty on this well-contested field. - -Colonel Bolton, being mortally wounded at Moodkee, died on the -4th January, 1846;[30] and the Commander-in-Chief promoted Major -Spence, the senior major, to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the -regiment. - -Major Baldwin also died of the wounds received at Ferozeshah.[31] -Captains Bulkeley and Young were promoted to the vacant majorities, -a promotion which they justly merited for their gallant conduct at -Moodkee, where both these officers were severely wounded. - -Captain Willes, a meritorious and deserving officer, also died of -the wounds received at Moodkee. The THIRTY-FIRST regiment, now -greatly reduced in numbers from the heavy loss, both of officers -and men, sustained in the late arduous conflicts, still preserved -its spirit and energy, and was ready at a moment’s notice to be -led on to future victories. - -On the 30th of December, the Governor-General published a General -Order, congratulating the Army on the recent victories, from which -the following are extracts: - - “The Governor-General again cordially congratulates His - Excellency Sir Hugh Gough, G.C.B., on the great and important - victories obtained by the army under his command. - - “The Governor-General, in the name of the government and of the - people of India, gratefully acknowledges the noble services - rendered to the public by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, - by all the General and other Officers, and by the - Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the brave Indian army. - - “The Governor-General’s thanks are due to all the infantry - regiments of Her Majesty, and to the first European Light - Infantry of the East India Company’s Service, all of which - regiments distinguished themselves by the most devoted courage - in braving the destructive fire of the enemy’s batteries, and - valiantly capturing their guns.” - - * * * * * - -Thus ended the year 1845. The Sikhs, after having suffered two -severe defeats, were preparing to renew the contest; they had made -large additions to their army, and had again collected a formidable -train of artillery. - -[Sidenote: 1846] - -On the 16th of January, 1846, the first brigade, with a few guns -and some Native cavalry, received sudden orders to march on the -following morning in the direction of Loodiana, under the command -of Major-General Sir Henry Smith; by a forced march on the -17th, the fort of _Dhurrumkote_ was surprised, and the garrison, -consisting of about three hundred men, laid down their arms, and -were sent prisoners to head-quarters. On the 20th of the same -month, this division was reinforced near the fort of Jugraon by the -sixteenth lancers, the fifty-third foot, a detachment of recruits -of the Queen’s regiments, and a troop of horse artillery. - -The Major-General decided on attempting the relief of Loodiana, -which was but slightly garrisoned, and was threatened by a -large body of the enemy. Jugraon is distant from Loodiana about -twenty-five miles, and the road (if road it can be called) is over -a heavy and sandy soil. The troops were formed, and commenced -their march about one o’clock on the morning of the 21st; about -eleven A.M. the enemy was observed to be drawn up, parallel with -the British line of march, in a strong position at _Buddiwal_, his -front covered by a ridge of low sand-hills, bristling with forty -pieces of artillery, which were so placed that it was necessary, -in order to gain Loodiana, either to risk a battle to dislodge him -from a strong position,--which, with troops fatigued by a long -march, under a burning sun, and greatly inferior in numbers, would -have been a hazardous proceeding,--or to march along the entire -front of his position under a galling fire. - -Major-General Sir Henry Smith, having a just confidence in the -steadiness of his troops, chose the latter. The infantry, formed in -open column of companies right in front (the grenadier company of -the THIRTY-FIRST leading), and ready at any moment to form line, -preceded by the artillery, and covered by the cavalry, marched at a -distance of five hundred yards, along the front of this formidable -line, receiving the fire of each battery as it bore upon them. The -regiment formed line on the grenadier company. - -On this occasion, and under the fire of forty guns, the -THIRTY-FIRST received an order from Sir Henry Smith to change front -to the rear on the centre, a movement which was rendered necessary -by the manœuvres of the enemy, who had thrown forward his right in -such a manner as to get into the rear of the British; this movement -could not be attempted without the most perfect steadiness on the -part of the men, and it was performed in such a manner as to call -forth the praises of the Major-General. This was the first time -this manœuvre was ever done under fire of the enemy; after which, -the retirement of corps in line, covered by the sixteenth lancers, -to relieve Loodiana (the object being to relieve that place), was -beautifully executed. - -The Sikh position being passed, and the enemy declining to follow, -by three o’clock in the afternoon the troops arrived at Loodiana, -thus effecting Sir Henry Smith’s object. In this affair the -THIRTY-FIRST lost 21 men killed and wounded; and 19 men, who had, -from the length and severity of the march, been unable to keep up -with the column, were taken prisoners. The greatest part of the -baggage belonging to the division was taken by the enemy. - -On the 22nd and 23rd the troops were permitted to rest themselves -after their late fatigues, and on the 24th the enemy retired to -_Aliwal_, a village on the Sutlej. The British force moved to the -ground lately occupied by them at Buddiwal, where it was reinforced -by the second brigade of Sir Henry Smith’s division, consisting of -Her Majesty’s fiftieth foot, and forty-eighth Native infantry, -from head-quarters, with some cavalry and infantry from Loodiana. - -On the 28th of January at daylight, Major-General Sir Henry Smith -marched with his whole force to attack the enemy under Sirdar -Runjoor Singh and the Rajah of Ladwa in their camps at Aliwal, -but found him, on approaching it, drawn up in line of battle, -with his left resting on the village. From information afterwards -received, it appeared that the Sikhs were about to march upon -Jugraon that very morning, for the purpose of getting between Sir -Henry Smith’s force and the heavy guns coming up from Delhi under -a very slender escort. The march having been previously conducted -in column of brigades at deploying distance, each brigade deployed -on its leading company, and thus formed one long line. The troops -advanced on the enemy, distant about one mile and a half, and -about ten A.M. the action was commenced by a heavy cannonade from -the Sikh artillery, which was principally directed on the British -centre. The village of _Aliwal_ was filled with infantry, supported -by cavalry in the rear, and further defended by two guns on its -left, immediately opposite that part of the line occupied by the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment. The village was carried, and the two guns -were captured. - -The line, being somewhat disordered in carrying the village, was -quickly re-formed, and advanced in excellent order, carrying -everything before it. The attack of the enemy by the left wing -was equally successful. The line advanced, and made a steady and -successful charge; the enemy, being everywhere beaten, gave way, -and fled towards the river in the utmost confusion, leaving his -camp and fifty-two pieces of artillery, as trophies in the hands -of the victors. A standard was captured here by the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment; also a gurry, or gong.[32] - -The advance of the British force in order of battle is thus -described by Major-General Sir Henry Smith in his despatch -containing an account of the action:-- - - “As I neared the enemy, the ground became most favourable for - troops to manœuvre, being open and hard grass-land. I ordered - the cavalry to take ground to the right and left by brigades, - thus displaying the heads of the infantry columns, and as they - reached the high ground, I directed them to deploy into line. - After deployment I observed the enemy’s left to outflank me; I - therefore broke into open columns and took ground to my right; - when I had gained sufficient ground, the troops wheeled into - line: there was no dust; the sun shone brightly. These manœuvres - were performed with the celerity and precision of the most - correct field-day; the glistening of the bayonets and the swords - of this order of battle was most imposing, and the line advanced. - Scarcely had it moved forward 150 paces, when at ten o’clock - the enemy opened a fierce cannonade from his whole line. At - first his balls fell short, but quickly reached us. Thus upon - him, and capable of better ascertaining his position, I was - compelled to halt the line, though under fire, for a few moments, - until I ascertained that by bringing up my right, and carrying - the village of Aliwal, I could with great effect precipitate - myself on his left and centre; I therefore quickly brought up - Brigadier Godby’s brigade, and, with it and the first brigade - under Brigadier Hicks, made a rapid and noble charge, carried - the village and two guns of large calibre. The line I ordered - to advance. Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST regiment and the Native - regiments contending for the front, the battle became general. - * * * The battle was won; our troops advancing with the most - perfect order to the common focus, the passage of the river. - The enemy, completely hemmed in, were flying from our fire, and - precipitating themselves in disordered masses into the ford and - boats, in the utmost confusion and consternation. * * * - - “Thus ended the _Battle of Aliwal_, one of the most glorious - victories ever achieved in India. By the united efforts of Her - Majesty’s and the Honorable Company’s troops, every gun the enemy - had, fell into our hands: fifty-two guns are now in the Ordnance, - two sunk in the bed of the Sutlej, and two spiked on the opposite - bank, making a total of fifty-six pieces of cannon captured or - destroyed! - - “Having thus done justice, and justice alone, to the gallant - troops his Excellency trusted to my command, I would gladly, - if the limits of a despatch permitted me, do that justice to - individuals all deserve. This cannot be; therefore I must confine - myself to mention those officers whose continued services, - experience, and standing placed them in conspicuous commands.” - -After lauding the gallant service performed by the artillery, Sir -Henry Smith proceeds to state in his official despatch:-- - - “To Brigadiers MacDowell and Stedman, commanding their gallant, - brigades of cavalry, the fortune of the day is greatly indebted, - and to all commanding officers of cavalry and infantry my warmest - thanks are due; to Major Smyth, commanding the sixteenth lancers; - to Lieut.-Colonel Spence, commanding Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST - foot; to Lieut.-Colonel Ryan, K.H., commanding Her Majesty’s - fiftieth regiment; and to Lieut.-Colonel Phillips, commanding Her - Majesty’s fifty-third foot. - - “His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief having witnessed the - glorious services of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST and fiftieth - regiments, I have only to report upon Her Majesty’s fifty-third, - a young regiment, but veterans in daring gallantry and regularity. - - “To Captain Lugard (THIRTY-FIRST regiment) the - Assistant-Adjutant-General of this force, I am deeply indebted, - and the service still more so; a more cool, intrepid, and - trustworthy officer cannot be brought forward. - - “The brigadiers all speak in high terms of their majors of - brigade, Captain O’Hanlan, of the second brigade, and Captain - Garvock, of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST foot, of the first - brigade.” - -The loss of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment in this conflict was -fortunately small: one officer, Lieut. Atty, slightly wounded, and -fifteen men killed and wounded. The troops bivouacked for the night -near the field of battle. The army remained at Aliwal five days, -during which the following General Order was received from General -Sir Hugh Gough, the Commander-in-Chief:-- - - “GENERAL ORDERS TO THE ARMY OF THE SUTLEJ. - - “Head-Quarters, Camp, Nihalkee, - “29th January, 1846. - - “A glorious victory, with the capture of all the enemy’s guns, - having been achieved by the force under Major-General Sir Henry - Smith, K.C.B., the whole line will parade at eight o’clock - this morning for the inspection of the Right Honorable the - Governor-General and his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, and - a royal salute will be fired from the eighteen-pounder battery, - and three cheers will be given by the line after the salute, in - celebration of this triumphant event.” - -The following extract is taken from the General Orders issued by -the Governor-General, dated “Camp, Ferozepore, 2nd of February, -1846:”-- - - “Great praise is due to Brigadier Hicks, who, with Her Majesty’s - THIRTY-FIRST regiment, the twenty-fourth and forty-seventh Native - infantry, stormed the village of _Aliwal_, drove the enemy from - it, and seized the guns by which it was defended.” - -Extract of the despatch of the Governor-General of India to the -Secret Committee, dated “Camp, Kanha Kutchwa, 19th of February, -1846:”-- - - “The immediate result of the victory of Aliwal was the evacuation - by the Sikh garrisons of all the forts hitherto occupied by - detachments of Lahore soldiers on this side of the river Sutlej, - and the submission of the whole of the territory on the left - bank of that river to the British government. - - “The Sikh army remained in its intrenched position; and though, - on the first intelligence of the victory of Aliwal, and at the - sight of the numerous bodies which floated from the neighbourhood - of that battle-field to the bridge of boats at Sobraon, the Sikhs - seemed much shaken and disheartened,--yet after a few days, the - Sikh troops seemed to be as confident as ever of being able to - defy us in their intrenched position, and to prevent our passage - of the river. - - “The Commander-in-Chief was not in a state to take advantage of - the enemy’s defeat at _Aliwal_, by an attack on his intrenched - position at _Sobraon_, until the troops under Major-General - Sir Henry Smith should have rejoined his Excellency’s camp, - and the siege-train and ammunition should have arrived from - Delhi. The first portion of the siege-train, with the reserved - ammunition for 100 guns, reached the Commander-in-Chief’s camp - on the 7th and 8th of February. On the latter day the brigades, - which had been detached from the main army, rejoined the - Commander-in-Chief.” - -Notwithstanding the signal defeat in the battles of _Moodkee_, -_Ferozeshah_, and _Aliwal_, and the loss of 143 pieces of artillery -captured by the British in these actions, the enemy determined to -persevere in his rash project of invading the British dominions. -For this purpose he made extraordinary efforts; he had collected -all his available troops, and assembled a large army on the left -bank of the Sutlej, near the village of _Sobraon_. Here the Sikhs -formed an intrenched camp, defended by 30,000 men with 70 pieces -of artillery; this camp was supported by a large reserve on the -opposite side of the river, the communication being preserved by a -bridge of boats. - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment, under its distinguished and experienced -leader, Major-General Sir Henry Smith, rejoined the head-quarter -camp on the 8th of February, just in time for the crowning and -decisive victory of _Sobraon_. The arrival of Sir Henry Smith’s -force enabled the Commander-in-Chief to carry his plan of attacking -the enemy into execution. Two days were allowed, that this division -should rest after its fatigues. - -The entrenched camp of the Sikhs was in a position judiciously -chosen in a bend of the river, about five or six miles from -the British camp. The defences of the enemy were constructed -scientifically by European engineers. - -On the morning of the 10th of February, some hours before daylight, -the several divisions were silently formed in column of attack. -Major-General Sir Henry Smith’s division was on the extreme right; -it was formed into two lines; the first line consisted of the -first brigade, to which the THIRTY-FIRST regiment belonged, under -Lieut.-Colonel Spence: this line was supported by the second -brigade at a short distance in the rear. When the day dawned, the -first brigade found itself about three-quarters of a mile in front -of the enemy’s works. The cannonading, which commenced a little -after daylight, continued with little interruption, until about -nine A.M. A stray shot was now and then sent at the regiment, but -did no damage, when orders were given to the infantry to advance to -the attack. The men, who had been lying down, instantly jumped up, -formed line, and advanced. - -The ground immediately in front of the enemy’s works was very -irregular, which made it difficult for the men to keep their -places. The enemy’s fire, which commenced at a distance of two -or three hundred yards, grew gradually more and more heavy; and -firing, as the Sikhs did, from behind lofty entrenchments at the -assaulting party, who offered a fair mark as they scrambled up the -ramparts, they shot down a number of the British troops, while the -survivors, after in vain attempting to reach the top, the loose -nature of the soil rendering the footing extremely insecure, were -compelled to fall back on the advancing second brigade, who saw -with indignation that the enemy were hacking the wounded. - -The line was quickly re-formed and advanced a second time; the -same determined resistance was again made: but the men, burning to -revenge their comrades, would not be deterred. Here Lieut. Tritton, -bearing the Queen’s colour, was shot through the head; and Ensign -Jones,[33] who carried the regimental colour, was, nearly at the -same time, mortally wounded; the regimental colour, falling to -the ground, was seized by Serjeant Bernard M‘Cabe, who, rushing -forward, crossed the ditch and planted it on the ramparts. The men -cheering, scrambled into the works as best they could, and drove -the enemy, who were beaten at all points, before them into the -river, Lieut. Noel gallantly carrying the Queen’s colour in front -of the regiment, the staff of which was shivered in his hand. - -The attack having been everywhere successful, the slaughter -of the Sikhs, as they crossed the river, was tremendous. Many -casualties, however, in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment occurred within -the enemy’s works. Lieutenant Timbrell was dangerously wounded by -a grape-shot, which broke both his thighs, and Lieutenant Elmslie -was also severely wounded by a musket-ball. Captain Garvock, Major -of Brigade, and Lieutenant and Adjutant Bolton, were both severely -wounded outside the works, where Lieutenants Gabbett and Law were -also wounded. Thirty-five rank and file were killed, and 102 -wounded. - -Two stands of colours were captured by the regiment, making four -stands altogether. - -The first brigade, on this glorious occasion, was commanded by -Lieutenant-Colonel Spence, whose horse was shot during the advance, -and the sword in his hand bent nearly double by a grape-shot. - -Captain White, the senior Captain, being left sick at Loodiana, -from the effects of the sun on service, Captain Longworth commanded -the regiment during the action. He was promoted for his gallant -conduct to be major in the army; his horse was killed under him. -Captains Garvock and Lugard were also promoted to be majors in the -army on the same occasion. - -The following account of the action is given in Captain Longworth’s -despatch, dated 11th of February, 1846:-- - - “Camp, Attia, 11th February, 1846. - - “SIR, - - “I have the honor to state for the information of the Brigadier, - that H. M.’s THIRTY-FIRST regiment, under my command, marched - from Camp Tulwondee yesterday morning at four A.M., in - quarter-distance column, right in front, being the leading - regiment of the first brigade, first division. We advanced in - this order till within about two miles of the enemy’s position, - and then halted, formed line, and waited till daybreak, when - we advanced some distance and halted till sunrise, and again - advancing halted with our right resting on the Sutlej within - range of the enemy’s guns; here we remained about two hours, when - we were ordered to advance. This was no sooner discovered by the - enemy than they opened upon us a most tremendous fire of round - shot from the whole of the guns upon the left flank of their - intrenched camp; shell, grape, canister, and a very heavy fire of - musketry were showered upon us as we neared the fortifications: - but in spite of this, I am proud to say, the regiment advanced - steadily and in the best order till within thirty paces of the - intrenched camp, when a most destructive fire from overpowering - numbers forced us to retire to a short distance, for the purpose - of re-forming, as we left a full third of the regiment upon the - ground; and I feel convinced that had the regiment remained for - five minutes longer in its exposed situation it must have been - annihilated, as our fire was totally ineffectual against the - enemy’s strongly fortified position, which completely protected - them, until by a desperate charge, in conjunction with H. M.’s - Fiftieth Regiment, we succeeded in penetrating the extremity of - their works extending to the river, and thereby were enabled to - bring our fire to bear upon their gunners, who with the most - desperate courage turned their guns upon the portion of their - own camp in our possession, and fought till bayoneted where they - stood. Their infantry in masses now retiring, we followed them - up, and, in concert with the other branches of the army, shot and - bayoneted them into the river, where immense numbers were brought - down by our fire. Shortly after the battle was over the regiment - was ordered into camp. - - “I beg to bring to your notice the gallant conduct of Serjeant - M‘Cabe of the light company, who planted the regimental colour on - the highest point of the enemy’s fortifications, and maintained - his position under a most tremendous fire, the colour being - completely riddled by the enemy’s shot;--he did this after the - officer carrying the colour was shot.[34] I beg further to - bring to your notice Private Williams of No. 7 company, and - Private Biffin of the light company, who each took a colour from - the enemy, one of which is supposed to have belonged to their - artillery. I have much pleasure in expressing my high approbation - of both officers and men under my command for their gallant - conduct throughout the day. I regret to add that Lieutenant Law, - my second in command, and Lieutenant and Adjutant Bolton, were - both severely wounded. - - “List of Officers who were present at the Battle of _Sobraon_. - - Lieut.-Colonel Spence. - - Captain Garvock. - ” Longworth. - ” Lugard. - - Lieutenant Atty. - ” Law. - ” Robertson. - ” Bolton (_Adjutant_). - ” Elmslie. - ” Gabbett. - ” Timbrell. - ” Noel. - ” Paul. - ” Hutton. - ” Tritton. - - Ensign Jones. - Quarter-Master Benison.” - -On the 14th of February, 1846, the Governor-General published a -General Order, dated from his camp at Kussoor, from which the -following extracts are taken:-- - - “The Governor-General, having received from his Excellency the - Commander-in-Chief the despatch annexed, announces to the army - and to the people of India, for the fourth time during this - campaign, a most important and memorable victory obtained by the - army of the Sutlej over the Sikh forces at _Sobraon_, on the 10th - instant. - - “On that day the enemy’s strongly intrenched camp, defended by - 35,000 men and 67 pieces of artillery, exclusive of heavy guns on - the opposite bank of the river, was stormed by the British Army - under the immediate command of His Excellency Sir Hugh Gough, - and in two hours the Sikh forces were driven into the river with - immense loss, 67 guns being captured by the victors. - - “The Governor-General most cordially congratulates the - Commander-in-Chief and the British Army on this exploit, one of - the most daring ever achieved, by which in open day a triple line - of breastworks, flanked by formidable redoubts, bristling with - artillery, manned by thirty-two regular regiments of infantry, - was assaulted, and carried by the forces under His Excellency’s - command. - - “This important operation was most judiciously preceded by - a cannonade from the heavy howitzers and mortars, which had - arrived from Delhi on the 8th of February, the same day on which - the forces under Major-General Sir Henry Smith, which had been - detached to Loodiana, and had gained the victory of Aliwal, - rejoined the Commander-in-Chief’s camp. - - “The British infantry, formed on the extreme left of the line, - then advanced to the assault, and, in spite of every impediment, - cleared the intrenchments and entered the enemy’s camp. Her - Majesty’s tenth, fifty-third, and eightieth regiments, moving at - a firm and steady pace, never fired a shot until they had passed - the barriers opposed to them, a forbearance much to be commended, - and most worthy of constant imitation, to which may be attributed - the success of their first effort, and the small loss they - sustained. The attack was crowned with the success it deserved! - - “The same gallant efforts, attended by the same success, - distinguished the attack on the enemy’s left, made by the - first division, under the command of Major-General Sir Henry - Smith, K.C.B., in which the troops nobly sustained their former - reputation. - - “These three divisions of infantry, concentrated within the - enemy’s camp, drove the shattered forces into the river, with a - loss which far exceeded that which the most experienced officers - had ever witnessed. - - “Thus terminated, in the brief space of two hours, this most - remarkable conflict, in which the military combinations of the - Commander-in-Chief were fully and ably carried into effect with - His Excellency’s characteristic energy; the enemy’s select - regiments of regular infantry have been dispersed, and a large - portion destroyed, with the loss, since the campaign began, of - 220 pieces of artillery taken in action. * * * - - “The Governor-General, in the name of the Government and - of the people of India, offers to His Excellency the - Commander-in-Chief,--to the General Officers, and all the - Officers and Troops under their command, his grateful and - heartfelt acknowledgments for the services they have performed. - * * * - - “The Governor-General acknowledges the meritorious conduct of - Brigadier Penny, and Lieut.-Colonel Spence,[35] commanding - brigades in the first division. - - “Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST and fiftieth regiments greatly - distinguished themselves, as well as the forty-second and - forty-seventh native infantry, and the Nusseeree battalion.” - -The despatch of the Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Hugh Gough, to -the Governor-General, dated Camp, Kussoor, 13th of February, 1846, -giving a detailed account of the battle of Sobraon, contained the -following expressions of approbation and thanks:-- - - “I have now to make the attempt,--difficult, nay impracticable, - though I deem it,--of expressing in adequate terms my sense of - obligation to those who especially aided me by their talents and - self-devotion in the hard-fought field of _Sobraon_. - - “The major-generals of the divisions engaged deserve far more - commendation than I am able, within the limits of a despatch, to - bestow. * * * - - “Brigadier Penny and Lieut.-Colonel Spence commanded the two - brigades of Major-General Sir Henry Smith’s division, and - overcame at their head the most formidable opposition. I beg to - bring both in the most earnest manner to your notice. * * * - -[Illustration: THE THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT - -BATTLE OF SOBRAON 10^{TH} FEB^Y 1846 - -_Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t Strand._ - -_For Cannon’s Military Records_] - - “The Sikhs, even when at particular points their intrenchments - were mastered with the bayonet, strove to regain them by the - fiercest conflict, sword in hand. Nor was it until the cavalry - of the left, under Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell, had moved - forward and ridden through the openings in the intrenchments - made by our sappers, in single file, and re-formed as they passed - them; and the third light dragoons, whom no obstacle usually held - formidable by horse appears to check, had, on this day, as at - Ferozeshah, galloped over and cut down the obstinate defenders of - batteries and field-works, and until the full weight of _three - divisions is of infantry_, with every field-artillery gun which - could be sent to their aid, had been cast into the scale, that - victory finally declared for the British. - - “The fire of the Sikhs first slackened and then nearly ceased, - and the victors, then pressing them on every side, precipitated - them in masses over their bridge and into the Sutlej, which - a sudden rise of seven inches had rendered hardly fordable. - In their efforts to reach the right bank through the deepened - water, they suffered from our horse artillery a terrible carnage. - Hundreds fell under this cannonade: hundreds upon hundreds - were drowned in attempting the perilous passage. Their awful - slaughter, confusion, and dismay were such as would have excited - compassion in the hearts of their generous conquerors, if the - Khalsa troops had not, in the earlier part of the action, sullied - their gallantry by slaughtering and barbarously mangling every - wounded soldier whom, in the vicissitudes of attack, the fortune - of war left at their mercy. - - “Sixty-seven pieces of cannon, upwards of two hundred - camel-swivels (zumboorucks), numerous standards, and vast - munitions of war, captured by our troops, are the pledges and - trophies of our victory. - - “The battle was over by eleven in the morning, and in the - forenoon I caused our engineers to burn a part and to sink a part - of the vaunted bridge of the Khalsa army, across which they had - boastfully come once more to defy us, and to threaten India with - ruin and devastation. - - “The consequences of this great action have yet to be fully - developed. It has at least, in God’s providence, once more - expelled the Sikhs from our territory, and planted our standards - on the soil of the Punjaub. After occupying their intrenched - position for nearly a month, the Khalsa army had perhaps mistaken - the _caution_ which had induced us to wait for the necessary - materiel, for _timidity_; but they must now deeply feel that the - blow, which has fallen on them from the British arm, has only - been the heavier for being long delayed.” - -Lieut.-Colonel Spence, Captain Garvock (Major of Brigade), -and Captain Lugard (Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General) of the -THIRTY-FIRST, were specially mentioned in the above despatch. - -At the close of a despatch dated Camp, Lahore, 22nd of February, -1846, the Governor-General added the following:-- - - “The soldiers of the army of the Sutlej have not only proved - their superior prowess in battle, but have on every occasion, - with subordination and patience, endured the fatigues and - privations inseparable from a state of active operations in the - field. - - “The Governor-General has repeatedly expressed on his own part, - and on that of the Government of India, admiration and gratitude - for the important services which the army has rendered. - - “The Governor-General is now pleased to resolve, as a testimony - of the approbation of the Government of India of the bravery, - discipline, and soldierlike bearing of the army of the Sutlej, - that all the generals, officers, non-commissioned officers, and - privates, shall receive a gratuity of twelve months’ batta.” - -In writing the history of the part borne by a regiment in the -brilliant victories of this glorious campaign, there are many -traits of individual heroism which should not pass unrecorded. -The modesty of true valour prevents officers, who have had an -opportunity of distinguishing themselves, from announcing their -own deeds, but the historian, who impartially records the service -of a corps, can have no such scruples. No hesitation is therefore -felt in giving a place in the records of the service of this -distinguished corps to the following extract from the Calcutta -Star, an Indian newspaper, which described the recent battles of -the Sutlej:-- - - “THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.--This gallant old corps seems to have - received more than its share of hard knocks, in the last four - glorious battles it was engaged in. Lieut.-Colonel Spence who - commanded in all four actions, seems to have had a charmed life, - having escaped in a most astonishing way. He had two horses - killed under him; balls through his cap and scabbard; his sword - broken in his hand by grape-shot; and at Sobraon, a Sikh, who - was lying apparently dead in the trenches, jumped up when he saw - the Colonel’s head turned, and rushed at him to cut him down, - which was only prevented by a private who called the Colonel’s - attention to his danger, and afterwards bayoneted the Sikh, the - Colonel’s sword having broken in the encounter.” - -The glorious _Victory of Sobraon_ was decisive: the invaders were -repelled; their army, discomfited, retreated sullenly from the -field; the whole of their artillery, their camp, warlike stores, -and baggage fell into the hands of the victors; the enemy retired -over their bridge, which, from the weight and pressure of the -immense mass of the defeated troops passing over it, gave way; the -Sikhs were precipitated into the water; the whole river was filled -with the confused bodies of the flying enemy, the British artillery -playing on them with round and grape-shot; the stream was choked up -with the dead and dying: the carnage was frightful! - -The enemy never attempted to rally. With the loss of his artillery, -on which all his confidence was placed, his spirit was broken, -and all his hopes of successfully resisting the British troops -vanished: his pride was humbled: the last and final struggle -was over; the battle was ended, and the power of the haughty -and turbulent Sikhs received a blow on the sanguinary field of -_Sobraon_ from which it could not recover: the city of _Lahore_ was -at the mercy of the conquerors. - -Preparations were now made for the advance of the British army into -the Punjaub; the engineer department constructed a pontoon-bridge, -and the whole British force, with its artillery, passed the Sutlej, -and encamped on the opposite side, in the territory of the Sikhs: -the enemy, disheartened and dismayed by their late defeats offered -no opposition, retiring as the British army advanced. The distance -from the river Sutlej to the capital of the Sikhs is less than -fifty miles; the march to it was performed without opposition, and -without difficulty: the power of the Sikhs was prostrate; their -government sent chiefs of high rank as ambassadors to the British -camp, to offer terms of submission to the Governor-General, suing -for peace on whatever terms the conquerors might please to dictate. - -Lieutenant Tritton died of his wounds on the evening of the battle, -and early the next morning the regiment marched towards the bridge -of boats, which was in progress at the nearest point on the Sutlej -to Ferozepore; on this march it was joined by a detachment of -sixty men under the command of Lieutenant M‘Kenzie, along with -Assistant-Surgeon Massey, who had just arrived from Umballa, being -part of an escort in charge of heavy guns, and an immense train -of ammunition hackeries, which they had hoped to bring up in time -for the last great battle, and were sadly disappointed to find -it was all over;--such are the chances of war!! On the 12th the -regiment was turned out at 10 o’clock P.M., and marching all night, -crossed the river in native boats at sunrise, along with a large -force under Sir Henry Smith, the band in the first boat playing -“Garry-Owen,” and the men in high spirits at the prospect of -entering the Punjaub. - -This forced march was effected from a report having been sent to -the Commander-in-Chief, that the Sikhs were about to oppose the -crossing of the river, but no such demonstration took place. After -halting some days at Kussoor, which is one march from the Sutlej, -the army moved towards Lahore, marching at daylight every morning -in order of battle, and every regiment in brigade keeping its -own place through fields and jungles, forcing a way through every -obstacle, and ready to form line at any moment. It was indeed a -grand sight to see this splendid army on the morning of the 20th -of February approaching the city of Lahore, over a boundless and -perfectly open plain, on which it encamped about two miles from the -city. On the 22nd the British Standard was hoisted on the citadel, -and the event was announced to the army by the following General -Orders of the Governor-General:-- - - GENERAL ORDERS BY THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF - INDIA. - - “Camp, Lahore, 22nd February, 1846. - - “The British army has this day occupied the gateway of the - citadel of _Lahore_, the Badshahee Mosque, and the Huzzooree Bagh. - - “The _Army of the Sutlej_ has now brought its operations in the - field to a close, by the dispersion of the Sikh army, and the - military occupation of Lahore, preceded by a series of the most - triumphant successes ever recorded in the military history of - India. - - “Compelled suddenly to assume the offensive by the unprovoked - invasion of its territories, the British Army, under the command - of its distinguished leader, has in sixty days defeated the - Sikh forces in four general actions, has captured 220 pieces of - field-artillery, and is now at the capital, dictating to the - Lahore durbar the terms of a treaty, the conditions of which will - tend to secure the British provinces from the repetition of a - similar outrage.” - -The decisive termination of the war in the Punjaub enabled the -Governor-General and the Supreme Council to reduce the number of -the Queen’s regular regiments in India. An order was accordingly -issued for the return of the THIRTY-FIRST to Europe, but as it -was desirable to retain all the efficient men who were willing to -continue their services in India, the soldiers were permitted to -volunteer into the other regiments serving in the Bengal Presidency. - -A General Order was issued permitting the soldiers of the sixteenth -lancers and the THIRTY-FIRST regiment to volunteer into other -corps; the volunteering of the THIRTY-FIRST to commence on the 26th -and to close on the 28th of February. - -The regiment now mustered only 420 bayonets fit for duty out of 844 -which left Umballa, and during these three days 103 men volunteered -to other corps; at Umballa, on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of March, -it again volunteered 214 men; and at Chinsurah, on the 10th of -July, 12 men, in all 329, who remained in India. Within the last -few years, the regiment had gained a considerable accession to -its strength by volunteers from corps leaving India: these men, -whose object in volunteering was to remain in India, again availed -themselves of the General Order granting them a bounty, of thirty -rupees, and volunteered into other corps with which they had served -during the late campaign. - -After the authority for volunteering had taken effect the strength -of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment was much reduced: all the young -soldiers who were desirous of serving in India volunteered into -other regiments. Several of the officers exchanged into corps -remaining in India: Lieut.-Colonel Byrne into the fifty-third -regiment; Major Young into the tenth; and Brevet Major Lugard into -the twenty-ninth. - -On the publication of the General Order for the return of the -regiment to Europe,--the following Division Order was issued -by Major-General Sir Henry Smith, K.C.B., commanding the first -division:-- - - “Camp, Lahore, 3rd March, 1846. - - “Comrades,--Officers and Soldiers of the gallant THIRTY-FIRST - regiment,--you and I have been so associated in the recent - conflicts, where your services have been distinguished, that I - cannot lose you from under my command without an expression of - the deepest regret; that regret is however mitigated, when I know - that you are about to return to your native country, from which - the regiment has been absent twenty-one years,--much diminished - in numbers,--caused by your valiant conduct and recent glorious - victories; but the former renown of your distinguished corps has - acquired additional fame, by the valour of Lieut.-Colonel Spence, - the officers, and soldiers; and the long list of triumphant - victories now recorded on your colours, has been much increased - by your services in India. Farewell, my gallant comrades, for - the present; may every success, happiness, honor, and prosperity - attend you, the gallant THIRTY-FIRST regiment, in peace, as it - has so gloriously done in war! and, believe me, one of the most - happy and proud recollections of my life will be that I have - witnessed the indomitable valour of the corps.” - -On the same occasion the following Brigade Orders were issued -by Brigadier Monteath, who commanded the brigade in which the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment served in the Cabool campaign:-- - - BRIGADE ORDERS BY BRIGADIER MONTEATH, C.B. - - “Camp, Lahore, 3rd March, 1846. - - “Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST regiment being now about to quit - the army, Brigadier Monteath cannot allow it to depart without - expressing the deep regret he feels at the approaching separation - from those to whom he has been bound by so many ties of friendly - feeling for their private good qualities, and high admiration for - their public services. On a former occasion, when associated with - them under the most difficult and trying circumstances, he had - the gratification of recording, that the regiment had exhibited, - in a high degree, the best qualities of the best British - soldiers; and he has now the proud pleasure of telling them, that - by their gallant conduct during the late sanguinary conflicts - with the enemy, they have encircled themselves with every honor, - nobly maintained the former character of the regiment, and - placed its number amongst the foremost of those whose military - achievements are most conspicuously engraved upon the records - of their country; and he sincerely prays, on their arrival in - England, that their beloved Sovereign may be induced to confer - such marks of distinction upon the regiment as its gallant deeds - so eminently deserve. - - “Farewell, my gallant comrades; may every happiness and - prosperity attend you. Your old Commander will ever remember you - with pleasure, and watch your future progress with all the deep - interest of your firmest friends. - - “By order, - (Signed) “G. A. TYTLER, Brigade-Major.” - -The Commander-in-Chief in India, having deemed it advisable to -send home as many of the severely wounded men of the army as -possible, before the beginning of the hot weather, gave orders for -the boats to be prepared on the Sutlej to convey them to Bombay, -and the command of this detachment was given by His Excellency to -Lieutenant Robertson, of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. It consisted -of about 158 men of all the European corps lately engaged, and -an escort of 63 duty men of the THIRTY-FIRST, making in all 221, -97 of which belonged to the regiment. The detachment sailed from -Ferozepore on the 14th of March, 1846, and arrived safely at -Bombay on the 27th of April, whence it embarked on board the ship -‘Herefordshire’ on the 14th of May, and landed at Gravesend on the -29th of September, 1846, being the first portion of the regiment -that arrived in England. - -On the 28th of February the officers of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment -were specially invited to dinner by Lieut.-General Lord Hardinge, -the Governor-General, and on the 3rd of March the same honor was -conferred on them by General Lord Gough, the Commander-in-Chief in -India. - -The volunteering being completed, the volunteers were delivered -over to their new corps. The regiment separated from the army with -which it had gained such distinguished renown, and commenced its -march on the 4th of March towards Ghurmuktesir Ghât, on the river -Ganges, where boats were prepared for its conveyance to Calcutta. -The regiment recrossed the river Sutlej on the 7th of March, and on -the 20th reached Umballa. - -The women, children, and baggage of the regiment, having been -left at Umballa when the regiment proceeded on service, a halt -was required to enable the officers to arrange their affairs and -dispose of their property, and that of the deceased officers -and men; the houses which the officers occupied being their own -property and built by themselves, as they were the first to inhabit -the station when it was formed into a new cantonment in 1843. - -The regiment moved again on the 28th of March, and, passing through -the station of Meerut, arrived at Ghurmuktesir Ghât, on the right -bank of the Ganges, on the 13th of April. - -The boats provided by the commissariat for the conveyance of the -regiment to Calcutta being in readiness for the voyage, the wounded -and sick men, women, and children were embarked with as little -delay as possible. By the 16th of April the whole were embarked, -and the fleet of boats sailed for the Presidency of Calcutta on the -following day. - -Lieut.-Colonel Spence, after having commanded the regiment in every -action during this brilliant and glorious campaign,--at _Moodkee_ -on the 18th of December, _Ferozeshah_ on the 21st and 22nd of -December, 1845, _Buddiwal_ on the 21st of January, _Aliwal_ on the -28th, and on the 10th of February, 1846, at the crowning victory at -_Sobraon_,--had now the satisfaction of embarking with it on board -the boats appointed to convey it to the port of Calcutta, where -the ships lay at anchor, which were engaged to carry the war-worn -veterans of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment to their native country. - -On the 3rd of April Her Majesty was pleased to appoint -Lieut.-Colonel Byrne and Lieut.-Colonel Spence, of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment, to be Companions of the Most Honorable Military Order of -the Bath, for their distinguished gallantry in the late actions on -the Sutlej. - -In consequence of the particularly gallant conduct of Serjeant -Bernard M‘Cabe, Major-General Sir Henry Smith, in a letter dated -17th February, was pleased to recommend him for a commission, in -the following terms:--“This intrepid non-commissioned officer, -in the midst of a hand-to-hand conflict with the enemy, planted -the colour of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST regiment upon one of the -towers of the enemy’s intrenchments,--one of the most bold and -daring acts of a gallant soldier I ever witnessed, and which, I now -deliberately consider, tended much to shorten the struggle alluded -to. This serjeant is a young man of excellent character, and, if I -may be permitted to remind His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief of -the promise made me almost in the heat of battle, it is,--‘_This -Serjeant shall be recommended for a commission_.’ I can only add -(which is unnecessary to the soldiers’ friend, Sir Hugh Gough) -that, if he receives a commission, it will be as gratifying to -me as was the gallant conduct I witnessed at the moment the -colour-head was shot off, and the flag perforated with balls, as he -triumphantly waved it in the air in the very midst of the enemy.” - -This highly honorable testimony of the bravery of Serjeant -M‘Cabe at the battle of Sobraon, was supported by the strong -recommendation of General Lord Gough to His Grace the -Commander-in-Chief, and Serjeant Bernard M‘Cabe was appointed by -Her Majesty to an ensigncy in the Eighteenth, Royal Irish, regiment -of foot, on the 8th of May, 1846. - -The details of the campaign on the Sutlej afford abundant proofs -of the skill and bravery of the troops: the highest praise is due, -and has been rendered by their admiring and grateful countrymen, -to the officers and soldiers by whose gallantry four battles were -fought, and victories obtained, in sixty days, over an enemy who -had most ample means of equipping and supplying his corps with all -the _matériel_ of war, and of choosing his own time and opportunity -of commencing his perfidious attack. - -The army of the Sikhs, at the commencement of this unprovoked -aggression, is ascertained to have amounted to 60,000 men, and -their artillery to 108 pieces of cannon, some of them being of -large calibre. - -The Anglo-Indian forces, which had been hastily collected to -contend against this immense army, amounted only to about 20,000 -men, a great proportion of which had marched one hundred and sixty -miles, in order to arrive at the seat of war. - -Under the most serious disadvantages, fatigues, and privations, -the British troops, with the aid of their faithful allies, the -Native corps, nobly contended with their Sikh adversaries, “who, in -spite of their exceeding numbers and advantageous positions, were -vanquished in every battle.” - -In expressing admiration of the heroic conduct of the British -troops in this short but decisive war, it is the duty of the nation -to acknowledge, with gratitude, the wonderful interference of a -Supreme Power, by whose all-wise decree the army of the Sikhs was -destroyed and dispersed; and, notwithstanding its numbers, received -a complete and signal overthrow, as a just but severe punishment -for its faithless conduct and daring violation of every honorable -and religious feeling. - -When it is considered that with a disparity of force of three to -one, independent of artillery, the Sikh army was discomfited, and -the enemy was driven back to his capital to seek for safety and -peace, the British Nation must be sensible that an over-ruling -Power aided their cause, and gave strength where numbers were -deficient; and that another signal instance of Divine favour and -protection has been added to the numerous claims which demand the -nation’s humble acknowledgment and gratitude. - -The campaign on the Sutlej having terminated by the destruction -of the Sikh army and the capture of the city of Lahore, a treaty -of peace was entered into. The Sikh government requested that a -force of 10,000 British troops might be left at their capital for -the protection of the city and the maintenance of good order: this -being complied with, arrangements were made for the return of the -British army to the territories of the East India Company. - -The glorious news of the Battle of Sobraon was received in London -on the 1st of April, and was announced to the British public by a -royal salute from the guns of the Tower and in St. James’s Park; -and the royal standard was displayed at Buckingham Palace and at -the Tower of London. The greatest sensation pervaded all ranks of -society: no military event, with the exception of the Battle of -Waterloo, excited such wonder and surprise, mingled with joy, that -the cloud, which had hung over the fate of the British Empire in -India, was completely dissipated by this last splendid and decisive -victory, which effected the final overthrow of the power of the -Sikhs, the destruction of their army, and the capture of their -artillery, on the sanguinary field of _Sobraon_. - -On the 2nd of April the Thanks of the House of Lords were proposed -by the Earl of Ripon, and carried unanimously. - - _Extracts from Minutes of Proceedings of the House of Lords.--2nd - April, 1846._ - - “That the Thanks of this House be given to Major-General Sir - Henry George Smith, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable - Military Order of the Bath, for his skilful and meritorious - conduct when in command of the British troops employed against a - large portion of the Sikh army, of greatly superior numbers, and - for the signal valour and judgment displayed by him in the battle - of the 28th of January, 1846, when the enemy’s force was totally - defeated, and a new lustre added to the reputation of the British - arms. - - “That the Thanks of this House be given to the several officers, - European and Native, under the command of Sir Henry Smith, for - the distinguished services rendered by them at the battle of - Aliwal. - - “That this House doth highly approve of and commend the - intrepidity and exemplary discipline displayed by the - non-commissioned officers and private soldiers, European and - Native, on the 28th of January, 1846, in their attack on the - enemy’s position, by which the Sikhs were completely routed and - driven in confusion across the Sutlej, with the loss of all their - artillery and military equipment; and that the same be signified - to them by the Commanders of the several corps, who are desired - to thank them for their gallant behaviour. - - “That in requesting the Governor-General of India to communicate - these Resolutions to the several Officers referred to therein, - this House desires to acknowledge the zeal and judgment evinced - by the Right Honorable Lieut.-General Sir Henry Hardinge, Knight - Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Governor-General of India, - and also by General Sir Hugh Gough, Baronet, Knight Grand Cross - of the Order of the Bath, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in - India, in supplying Major-General Sir Henry Smith with such - reinforcements and military means as enabled him, under Divine - Providence, to overcome all the obstacles thrown in his way by a - brave and determined enemy. - - “That the Thanks of this House be given to the Right Honorable - Lieut.-General Sir Henry Hardinge, Knight Grand Cross of the Most - Honorable Military Order of the Bath, Governor-General of India, - for the judgment, energy, and ability with which the resources - of the British Empire in India have been applied in repelling - the unjust and unprovoked invasion of the British Territory by - the Sikh Nation; and for the valour and indefatigable exertions - which he displayed on the 10th of February, 1846, at the battle - of Sobraon, when, by the blessing of Almighty God, which we - desire most humbly to acknowledge, this hostile and treacherous - invasion was successfully defeated. - - “That the Thanks of this House be given to General Sir Hugh - Gough, Baronet, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Military - Order of the Bath, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in India, - for the signal ability and valour with which, upon the 10th of - February, 1846, he directed and led the attack, when the enemy’s - intrenchments were stormed, their artillery captured, their army - defeated and scattered, and the Punjaub laid open to the advance - of our victorious troops. - - “That the Thanks of this House be given to Major-General Sir - Henry George Smith, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable - Military Order of the Bath; Major-General Walter Raleigh Gilbert; - and Major-General Sir Joseph Thackwell, Knight Commander of the - Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath; and to the other - officers, European and Native, for the distinguished services - rendered by them in the eminently successful operations at the - battle of Sobraon. - - “That this House doth highly approve of and commend the - invincible intrepidity, perseverance, and steady discipline - displayed by the non-commissioned officers and private soldiers, - European and Native, on the 10th of February, 1846, by which - the glory of the British arms has been successfully maintained - against a determined and greatly superior force, and that the - same be signified to them by the Commanders of the several corps, - who are desired to thank them for their gallant behaviour. - - “That the said Resolutions be transmitted by the Lord Chancellor - to the Governor-General of India, and that he be requested to - communicate the same to the several officers referred to therein.” - - -THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. - -Votes of Thanks to the same effect were proposed by Sir Robert Peel -in the House of Commons, and carried without a dissenting voice. - - -THE EAST INDIA COMPANY. - -On the same day, a Special General Court of the proprietors of -stock was held at the East India House, for the purpose of passing -a Vote of Thanks to Major-General Sir Henry Smith for his victory -at Aliwal over the Sikh army; to the Governor-General Sir Henry -Hardinge; to General Sir Hugh Gough, and to the European and Native -troops who were engaged in the war on the Sutlej. The resolutions -of the Court were proposed by Sir Henry Willock, the chairman, and -were unanimously adopted. - - -THE COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL OF LONDON. - -At a Special Court of the Court of the Common Council of the -City of London, the Thanks and Congratulations of the Court were -awarded to Lieut.-General Sir Henry Hardinge, G.C.B., General Sir -Hugh Gough, G.C.B., and Major-General Sir Henry Smith, K.C.B., -for the valour, judgment, and ability displayed by them in the -recent battles of Aliwal and Sobraon; also the Thanks of the Court -to the other officers, European and Native, for the intrepidity, -perseverance, and discipline evinced by them upon both these -memorable occasions. - - -After a tedious voyage down the Ganges, owing to the shallowness -of the river and the numerous sand-banks, the regiment did not -reach the station of Chinsurah until the 6th of July, on which day -it landed and marched into barracks. Chinsurah, formerly a Dutch -settlement, was ceded by Holland to the British Government in 1827; -it is situated on the right bank of the Ganges, about thirty miles -from Calcutta: the East India Company have built an excellent -barrack here for a regiment of infantry. The regiment was halted -here until the necessary preparations were made for its embarkation -for England. - -On the 30th of July the arms of the regiment, which had been -proudly borne and successfully used on many occasions on the -battle-field, were given over to the ordnance department, and -deposited in the arsenal of Fort William. - -On the arrival of the regiment at Fort William, the military -officers of the Presidency invited the officers of the sixteenth -lancers and THIRTY-FIRST regiment to a ball and supper at the -Town-hall, to show their high sense of the distinguished conduct -of those regiments in the field during the recent campaign on the -Sutlej. - -The Lieut.-Governor, Sir Herbert Maddox, also invited the officers -to a splendid banquet at the Government House on the 1st of August. - -The officers were also hospitably entertained by the officers of -the Bengal artillery stationed at Dum-Dum, the head-quarters of -that corps. - -The entertainment given by the military officers at Calcutta to -the officers of the sixteenth lancers and THIRTY-FIRST regiment is -thus noticed in the public paper called the “Star,” of the 1st of -August, 1846:-- - - “The ball given by the military to Her Majesty’s sixteenth - lancers and Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST regiment, came off - with great brilliancy last night at the Town Hall; there were - probably from 400 to 500 persons present. The hall was decorated - with remarkable taste, and the honored Peninsular colours of - the THIRTY-FIRST regiment hung in tatters under the principal - canopy, blood-stained in the recent engagements, in all of which - the gallant regiment was present. At the opposite end of the - table was a large transparency of the battle of Sobraon. Colonel - Warren presided at the supper-table; and Colonel Burlton, in an - excellent speech, reviewing the services of the regiments from - the commencement of the present century, gave the toast of the - evening, which was acknowledged by Lieut.-Colonel MacDowell and - Lieut.-Colonel Spence.” - -Previous to the departure of the regiment from India, the -following General Order was issued by General Lord Gough, the -Commander-in-Chief:-- - - “Head-Quarters, Simla, 23rd May, 1846. - - “Those distinguished regiments, the sixteenth lancers and the - THIRTY-FIRST foot, are about to return to their native country - after a service in India, the former of twenty-four, the latter - of twenty-one years; and although the Commander-in-Chief has - recently, and so frequently, had occasion to laud the gallant - conduct of these corps before an intrepid enemy, he cannot - permit them to embark without again expressing his admiration - of their continued and conspicuous bravery in all the battles - they have been engaged in during the long and eventful period - of their Indian service, whether in Affghanistan, or at the more - sanguinary conflicts of 1845 and 1846. - - “These brave regiments may be assured they will be received in - their native land with every demonstration of that patriotic - feeling which gallant exploits ensure from their countrymen. - - “The sixteenth lancers have added to their standards ‘Bhurtpore, - Affghanistan, Ghuznee, Maharajpore, Aliwal, and Sobraon;’ and the - THIRTY-FIRST regiment will have recorded on their already highly - decorated colours--‘Cabool, Moodkee, Ferozeshah, Aliwal, and - Sobraon.’ - - “Again must Lord Gough express the gratification it affords him - thus to be able to record his opinion of their merits; and both - these corps are assured that their correct conduct in quarters, - and almost total absence of crime for many years, have mainly - conduced to the gallant achievements in the field to which their - good fortune has afforded them the opportunity to contribute. - - “That every happiness and welfare may hereafter attend these - regiments, is the Commander-in-Chief’s ardent desire, for he - must ever feel the warmest interest in the career of such highly - distinguished regiments. - - “The Commander-in-Chief congratulates the two officers, - Lieut.-Colonel MacDowell, C.B., and Lieut.-Colonel Spence, - who accompanied their regiments to India nearly a quarter of - a century ago, upon now having the honor and gratification of - commanding them, after such distinguished services, on their - return to their native land. Lieut.-Colonel MacDowell has never - left India since his first arrival. - - “By order of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief. - - (Signed) “H. G. SMITH, Major-General, - “Adjutant-General to the Forces in India.” - -The regiment embarked for England, the left wing under the command -of Lieutenant Plaskett, on board the ‘Plantagenet,’ on the 2nd of -August, 1846, consisting of 5 officers, 12 serjeants, 4 drummers, -and 102 rank and file, 10 women and 10 children. The head-quarters, -or right wing, embarked on board the ‘Madagascar’ on the 3rd of -August, 1846, under the command of Major Staunton, and consisted -of 10 officers, 19 serjeants, 7 drummers, and 194 rank and file, -21 women, and 32 children. Unfortunately, as the ‘Plantagenet’ was -putting out to sea, she sprung a leak, and was obliged to return -to Calcutta with all speed, the pumps being worked night and day -by the soldiers, without whose assistance she must have gone -down: they succeeded in bringing her safe into dock, there being -then above seven feet of water in the hold. This detachment again -embarked in the same ship on the 29th of August, and arrived in -England on the 13th of January, 1847, having lost on the passage -seven men. The ‘Madagascar,’ with head-quarters, arrived in England -on the 5th of December, and lost on the passage Lieutenant Richard -Sparrow and five soldiers. - -After a voyage of four months, the surviving veterans of the -regiment were gladdened with the sight of the shores of their -native land. The head-quarters of the regiment reached Gravesend on -the 4th of December, 1846; and on the 6th disembarked and marched -to Chatham. Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm of the public to -welcome the arrival of this distinguished corps. - -The following description of the reception the regiment met with -on its arrival, is taken from the ‘Illustrated London News’ of -December, 1846:-- - - “_The Return of the_ THIRTY-FIRST _Regiment from India_.--On the - 4th instant the head-quarters of this distinguished regiment - arrived by the ship Madagascar from Calcutta, from which place - they embarked on the 3rd of August last: they lost by deaths on - the voyage five men and one officer, Lieut. Richard Sparrow. - They brought home with them four captured colours, which they - took in the short but brilliant campaign against the Sikhs. - * * * On the evening of the 6th the head-quarters marched into - Chatham garrison from Gravesend, by the Rochester and Gravesend - Railway, where they were met by the very superior band of the - royal marines. On the arrival at the Rochester terminus, the - band struck up, ‘God save the Queen,’ and these heroes of the - Sutlej were greeted by hundreds of people with loud and repeated - huzzas. The soldiers, in return for this spirited welcome, waved - the four colours captured from the enemy, one at Ferozeshah, - one at Aliwal, and two taken at Sobraon. These banners bear - testimony of the severe engagements. The Queen’s colour, and the - regimental colour, are complete fragments. The head-quarters were - also accompanied by the depôt band, which played at intervals in - passing with the regiment through the streets of Rochester and - Chatham, and were greeted along the whole line by thousands of - people who assembled to witness their return. - - “Out of the 215 men landed from the Madagascar there are but 80 - unwounded. Lieut.-Colonel Spence, and Quarter-master Benison, are - the only officers, now with the regiment, who went out with it in - the ‘Kent’ East Indiaman, which took fire and sank in the Bay of - Biscay. - - “The following officers have come home with the - head-quarters:--Major George Staunton, Brevet Major D. F. G. - Longworth, Lieut. G. Elmslie, Lieut. T. Scarman, Lieut. R. - Mackenzie, Lieut. and Adjutant A. S. Bolton, Lieut. H. P. Hutton, - Quarter-master S. Benison, and Assistant-Surgeon H. C. Foss. - Total nine officers and 215 serjeants, drummers, and rank and - file. - - “Lieut.-Colonel Spence headed the troops. The officers of this - regiment, having been on the most friendly terms with the royal - marine corps, and being members of the mess of the royal marines, - they dined at the royal marines’ mess-room with the officers, who - invited them on their arrival at the garrison to a superb repast. - - “The officers of the regiment were invited to dinner by Colonel - Sir Frederick Smith and the officers of the royal engineers in - garrison at Chatham. They also received invitations to dinner - from the officers of the 2nd battalion of the 60th rifles, and - also from the officers of the provisional battalion quartered in - this garrison.” - -Shortly after its arrival in England, the following complimentary -letter was received by Lieut.-Colonel Spence, commanding the -regiment, from that distinguished officer General Sir Colin -Halkett, G.C.B., the Colonel of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment:-- - - “United Service Club, London, 22nd Dec., 1846. - - “MY DEAR COLONEL, - - “It is with the liveliest satisfaction that I avail myself of - the arrival in England of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, under - your command, to offer you, and the corps, my most sincere - congratulations on your return to your native land, after your - arduous and distinguished services in the East. Connected as I - have the honor to be with the regiment, it was natural for me - to take a deep interest in its welfare, and to follow its fate - and fortunes with all the attention in my power; and as some - professional experience enabled me to appreciate the toils you - had to encounter, and the dangers you had to overcome, it was - with highly gratified pride and most heartfelt delight, that I - heard how nobly you had supported the first, and how gallantly - you had vanquished the latter. - - “At the very outset of the voyage from England, the regiment - was already called upon to give proofs of that high state of - discipline, which is the soldier’s best shield in difficulties. - On dark and distant seas, amid the flames of the unfortunate East - India ship Kent, you remained firm and tranquil, obedient to - orders issued by that meritorious soldier, your then commanding - officer, Lieut.-Colonel Fearon (now Major-General), and thus - ensured the safety of all when every semblance of hope seemed to - have vanished, and when confusion must have led to inevitable - destruction. - - “The promise, which such noble conduct gave, was fully justified - by your subsequent behaviour. Called upon to aid in avenging - disasters which the feebleness of allies had brought upon your - country’s arms, you forced your way through the most difficult - part of Central Asia, through mountain wildernesses unequalled - on the face of the globe, and never traversed by disciplined - troops since the days of the great Macedonian conqueror. Even - the gallantry, which you displayed during this campaign, seems - to be forgotten, when we reflect on the steady discipline, and - dauntless energy, evinced in contending against the toils and - difficulties which had to be overcome at every step of this - memorable march, only eclipsed by the more brilliant actions you - were soon afterwards called upon to perform. - - “An Army, composed of the most warlike tribes of Asia, trained - to arms by European officers, long accustomed to victory under - the sway of an able and ambitious prince, assuming, on the death - of Runjeet Singh, the power of absolute control over its feeble - government, resolved to invade the British provinces; which, - protected by a disciplined army, ruled by a wise and paternal - government, had long prospered in peace, and acquired a degree of - wealth too well calculated to tempt the rapacity of such lawless - bands. - - “To avoid every appearance of hostility, and preserve peace to - the last, the British authorities had kept their forces at a - distance from the frontier; and the enemy thus emboldened by - forbearance, which was probably taken for timidity, crossed the - Sutlej, and attacked our possessions without even a declaration - of war. In this difficulty it was only by extraordinary exertion - on the part of the troops, by toil and fortitude never surpassed, - if ever equalled, that your comrades posted along the frontier - could be saved from ruin, and an unprincipled foe checked in - time to avert the greatest calamities. - - “The march from Umballa must ever be memorable in the annals of - war. Under the burning sun of India, you supported, at duty’s - call, an excess of toil and fatigue, which would have tried the - hardiest and the best, even in the bracing atmosphere of our - northern climate; and your victory of _Moodkee_ was actually - achieved over bold, numerous, and well-prepared foes, after a - march of twenty miles, performed under the rays of a vertical - sun, through a waste and parched country, not affording even a - drop of water to allay the scorching thirst occasioned by the - clouds of dust raised from the burning soil; fought, and won in - fact, after an excess of toil that would have overcome all but - the first and foremost soldiers of their time. - - “A single defeat was not, however, to daunt the fierce and - numerous foes with whom you had to contend; and hardly had - you recovered from the fatigues of your long march and first - victory, when you were called upon to storm an entrenched camp, - defended by vastly superior numbers, and by a train of heavy - and well-served artillery such as the East had never beheld. To - assail works, under such circumstances, is one of the most trying - and difficult operations of war; and when the strength of the - position, and the fierce resolution with which it was defended, - are considered, your victory may safely be termed an action of - unsurpassed boldness, energy, and perseverance. - - “Never will your country’s banner suffer a stain, so long as - its soldiers shall equal those who stormed the Sikh camp of - _Ferozeshah_: greater fortitude and gallantry than those of - which you had given proof in these actions could not possibly be - displayed. But every species of high soldiership was to be called - for during the course of this brief campaign, and it was your - fortune to be present in the different actions, all fought under - different circumstances. - - “At _Aliwal_ you had to execute on an open and level plain, and - under a heavy fire of artillery, the skilful movements which - ensured the success of that brilliant day; and at _Sobraon_ you - were again called upon to force entrenchments, constructed with - European science, and defended with all the fierce resolution - of Asiatic despair. But neither savage valour, nor European - art, could withstand your efforts,--could compete with high and - matchless gallantry, regulated by discipline, and fired to noble - exertion by the consciousness of what was due to your country’s - name and fame!--The _Battle of Sobraon_, which crushed the power - of unprincipled adversaries, terminated your exploits in the - East, saved the British provinces from devastation, and secured - to our youthful and beloved Sovereign the peaceful and happy - possession of India! Never indeed were nobler objects attained by - nobler conduct! - - “It is needless for me to tell you how greatly all ranks of your - countrymen sympathised with your fortunes during these trying - times; how much they felt for your sufferings; how deeply they - mourned for the heavy losses you sustained; and how highly they - exulted in the gallantry you displayed. The admiration your - behaviour excited, must have reached you even on the distant - shores of India; and I feel confident that every step you - take on British ground will show how justly your conduct is - appreciated by all those whose good opinion can be of value. - It only remains for me, therefore, again to offer you my most - sincere congratulations on your return to your native land, to - wish you every success and happiness in your future progress, and - to assure you, that as far as my sphere of action extends, no - effort shall be wanting to give effect to the sentiments I feel - such high satisfaction in now expressing. - - “Believe me, - “My dear Colonel, ever yours sincerely, - “COLIN HALKETT, - “General, and Colonel Thirty-first Regt. - - “Lieut.-Colonel Spence, C.B., “Commanding Thirty-first Regiment.” - -As an additional testimony of the consideration of the services -of the officers and men of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment who had -returned from India, His Grace the Commander-in-Chief was pleased -to authorize the following letter to be addressed to the officer -commanding, dated Horse Guards, 21st of December, 1846:-- - - “Sir, - - “In transmitting the enclosed Copy of the General Order of the - 30th of October last, granting leave of absence to officers, and - furloughs to non-commissioned officers and men, to the 10th of - March next, I have it in command to intimate to you, that the - Commander-in-Chief, duly considering the glorious and important - services recently performed by the regiment under your command, - as well as its protracted service abroad, has been pleased to - direct that furloughs may be forthwith granted to such of the - non-commissioned officers and men recently returned from India, - without limitation as to numbers, as may be desirous of availing - themselves of that indulgence, so as to enable them immediately - to visit their friends; and that leave of absence may, in like - manner, be extended to as large a portion of the officers as can - be spared from the duties of the regiment. - - “I have, &c. - (_Signed_) “JOHN MACDONALD, - “_Adjutant-General_.” - - -The usual directions were given by the Secretary at War for -reducing the establishment of the regiment, in order to assimilate -it to that of other regiments on home duty, from the 6th of -December, 1846. - -After transferring to the Invalid Depôt the men selected for -discharge on account of wounds and other disabilities, and -incorporating the depôt with the other companies, the regiment was -removed from Chatham to Walmer, where it arrived on the 20th of -December, and was received at Deal and in the neighbouring parts, -with the same honors and marks of distinction as had been evinced -on its arrival in the garrison of Chatham. - -[Sidenote: 1847] - -The remainder of the regiment, consisting of five officers, viz., -Lieutenants Plaskett, Law, Pilkington, and Noel, Assistant-Surgeon -Massey, and 111 men, arrived at Gravesend on the 13th of January, -1847, on board of the Plantagenet freight ship: the delay in their -arrival was occasioned by that vessel having sprung a leak, which -compelled her to put back to Calcutta. This division proceeded -from Chatham on the 20th of January, to join the head-quarters of -the regiment at Walmer. - -On the 30th of June, 1847, the regiment was apprised by the -Adjutant-General, that her Majesty had been pleased to approve of -its bearing on the regimental colour and appointments the words -MOODKEE, FEROZESHAH, ALIWAL, and SOBRAON, in commemoration of the -distinguished conduct evinced by the THIRTY-FIRST at those battles. - -Lieut.-General the Honorable Henry Otway Trevor was appointed to -the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 12th of July, -1847, in succession to General Sir Colin Halkett, G.C.B., who was -removed to the forty-fifth regiment. - -On the 6th of September, 1847, Lieut.-General Sir Henry Smith -came to Walmer to see the regiment, before he proceeded to the -Cape of Good Hope, of which colony he had been appointed Governor -and Commander-in-Chief. On the 7th of September he reviewed the -regiment, and expressed his satisfaction at seeing its discipline -so perfect, considering that only a few months had elapsed since it -returned home a mere skeleton. - -The regiment was inspected by Major-General Brown on the 4th of -May, and on the 1st of October, 1847; it was inspected on the 10th -of November, by His Grace the Duke of Wellington, who expressed -his approbation in the highest terms. In November the regiment was -removed to Manchester by railway in three divisions, where it was -completed to its establishment of 39 officers, 47 serjeants, 40 -corporals, 17 drummers, and 760 privates. - -[Sidenote: 1848] - -On the 7th of April, 1848, the regiment proceeded to Ireland, -and arrived at Dublin on the following day. In July the regiment -marched to Athlone. - -New Colours were presented to the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, on the -19th of May, 1848, by Major-General His Royal Highness the Prince -George of Cambridge, K.G., and the following account of the -ceremony was given in “_Saunders’ News-Letter_” of the following -day:-- - - “The interesting military ceremonial of the presentation of - New Colours to this gallant and distinguished corps took place - yesterday, in the ornamental grounds in front of that fine - building, the Queen’s Inns, Henrietta-street, Dublin. The - regiment was formed in full review order at three o’clock, - shortly after which His Royal Highness Prince George of - Cambridge, accompanied by his aide-de-camp Captain the Honorable - James Macdonald, Major-General John M‘Donald, and several other - officers of distinction, came upon the ground. - - “In front of the line were four standards, captured by the - regiment from the Sikhs, one of them taken at _Ferozeshah_, one - at _Aliwal_, and two at _Sobraon_. The Colours of the Corps, - torn to pieces from the grape-shot through which they were led - to victory, and stained with the blood of the Ensigns who were - killed carrying them to the muzzles of the Sikh guns, were - objects of great interest to the numerous citizens who thronged - the grounds. Lieut.-Colonel Spence, C.B., who commanded the - gallant regiment in all these actions, except Sobraon (where he - commanded the first brigade of Sir Henry Smith’s Division), was - in command, and looked in admirable health and spirits. - - “The survivors of the Indian campaigns were decorated with their - medals. After the usual routine of parading the old colours, and - giving them up, the band playing ‘_Auld lang syne_,’ the Regiment - formed a hollow square, and the Garrison Chaplain repeated the - prescribed formula for the occasion. The New Colours were then - handed to Ensigns Christian and Brown, when His Royal Highness - the Prince George of Cambridge briefly addressed the Regiment, - stating his gratification at having this pleasing duty to - perform. He had not seen service himself, and the task would have - fallen more appropriately upon one who had. In encouraging the - troops to the performance of their duty, he related the anecdote - of the Serjeant who, when the Ensign bearing the old colour had - fallen mortally wounded, seized it,--carried it onwards,--and - victory resulted. The non-commissioned officer was promoted to an - ensigncy in the Eighteenth, Royal Irish, regiment.[36] - - “The corps then formed in line, and gave a Royal salute, the band - playing ‘_God save the Queen_.’ The day was remarkably fine, and - after the ceremony the regiment marched into its quarters in the - Linen-Hall Barracks.” - -Certain of the distinguished officers of the garrison of Dublin -were entertained by the officers of the regiment at dinner in the -evening; but His Royal Highness Prince George was prevented from -attending by an expected disturbance in the city. - -[Sidenote: 1849] - -On the 1st of February, 1849, the establishment of the regiment -was reduced from eight hundred to seven hundred and fifty rank and -file. - -On the 20th of July, 1849, Lieut.-Colonel Spence retired, after a -lengthened service of forty-one years, and Major George Staunton -was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel James Spence.[37] - -During the year 1849 the regiment remained at Athlone. - -[Sidenote: 1850] - -In April, 1850, the regiment proceeded from Athlone to Dublin, -where it continued to be stationed at the conclusion of the -Historical Record. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[6] - - Colonel Thomas Saunderson’s Marine Corps, now 30th Regiment. - Colonel George Villiers’s do. now 31st do. - Colonel Edward Fox’s do. now 32nd do. - Colonel Harry Mordaunt’s do. disbanded in 1713. - Colonel Henry Holl’s do. do. do. - Colonel Viscount Shannon’s. do. do. do. - -[7] Minorca, an island in the Mediterranean, on the eastern coast -of Spain, is about thirty miles in length and twelve in breadth, -and is chiefly valuable for the excellent harbour of Port Mahon. -In September, 1708, Minorca was taken by Admiral Leake and a -land force under Lieut.-General Stanhope, after a siege of about -three weeks. The island was ceded to Great Britain by the treaty -of Utrecht, and remained in its possession until 1756, when, in -April of that year, it was besieged by the French, under Marshal -the Duke de Richelieu. After a brave defence by the Governor, -General Blakeney, the garrison, consisting of the 4th, 23rd, 24th, -and 34th regiments, surrendered, and, in consideration of their -gallantry, were permitted to march out with all the honors of war. -At the peace of Fontainebleau, in 1763, Minorca was restored to -the English in exchange for Belle-Isle. In February, 1782, the -garrison, under the Governor, Lieut.-General the Honorable James -Murray, after suffering severely from sickness, surrendered to the -Duke de Crillon, the Commander-in-Chief of the combined French and -Spanish forces, and Minorca was retained by Spain at the peace of -1783. Minorca again surrendered to a British force under General -the Honorable Charles Stuart, on the 15th of November, 1798; and -at the peace of Amiens, in 1802, Minorca was restored to the -Spaniards, under whose sway it remains at the present period. - -[8] The nature of the services on which the _Marine Corps_ were -employed has since obtained for them the Royal authority to bear -the motto, “_Per mare, per terram_.” - -[9] “On the morning of Sunday, the 10th of June, 1688, a day long -kept sacred by the too faithful adherents of a bad cause, was born -James Francis Edward Stuart, the most unfortunate of princes, -destined to seventy-seven years of exile and wandering,--of vain -projects,--of honours more galling than insults,--and of hopes -such as make the heart sick.”--‘History of England,’ by _Thomas -Babington Macaulay_. Vol. ii. page 363. - -[10] _James Francis Edward_, “_The Pretender_,” son of _James II._, -and of _Mary_, daughter of the Duke of Modena, his second wife; was -born on the 10th June, 1688. He married, in 1719, Mary Clementina, -daughter of Prince James Sobieski, and granddaughter of John -Sobieski, King of Poland. He died on the 1st June, 1766 (aged 78 -years), leaving issue two sons:-- - -1. _Charles Edward Louis Cassimir_, termed in England “_The Young -Pretender_;” born on the 30th November, 1720, who married the -Princess Stohlberg of Germany, and died at Rome, without issue, on -the 31st January, 1788. - -2. _Henry Benedict_, called _The Cardinal York_; born on the 24th -March, 1725. When the last grand effort for the restoration of his -family, in 1745, proved abortive, he took holy orders, and was -elevated to the Purple by Pope Benedict XIV. in 1747, and died at -Rome in 1807. The Cardinal was the last male branch of the House of -Stuart. - -[11] From the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht, in April, 1718, -until 1739, the only events that appeared at times to threaten -the _general_ tranquillity of Europe which prevailed during the -above period, arose from the Rebellion in Scotland, in favour of -the Pretender, in 1715, which was suppressed by the Battle of -_Sheriffmuir_, on the 13th of November of that year. Charles XII., -of Sweden, also espoused the cause of the Pretender in 1717, but -the death of King Charles, in the following year, put an end to -the projected expedition to Great Britain. In 1719 Spain supported -the Pretender with troops, which were, however, defeated at -_Glenshiel_, on the 10th of June, 1719. This was followed by the -British expedition against Spain, but in January, 1720, the Spanish -Monarch accepted the conditions of Peace. In 1726 Spain made an -unsuccessful attempt to recover _Gibraltar_, and in 1729 a treaty -of Peace was concluded at Seville, which remained unbroken for the -ten following years. - -[12] The “_Pragmatic Sanction_” was published by the Emperor -Charles VI. on the 17th of April, 1713, whereby, in case of -his having no male issue, his daughters were to succeed to his -hereditary dominions, in preference to the sons of his late -brother, Joseph I. - -[13] See list of British regiments which served in Flanders and -Germany between 1742 and 1748, during the “_War of the Austrian -Succession_.”--Appendix, page 224. - -[14] The following tradition has been preserved in the -regiment:--The facings and breeches of the THIRTY-FIRST being of -the same colour as those worn by the _Third “Buffs,”_ King George -II. mistook it for the latter regiment, and called out “_Bravo, -Buffs_,” with a view of animating the men to further gallantry; -and when reminded that it was the THIRTY-FIRST, and not the “Old -Buffs,” His Majesty then rejoined, “_Bravo, Young Buffs_;” and this -name, valuable for the time and manner of its being conferred, has -been since retained by the Regiment. - -[15] Although the results of the _Battle of Dettingen_, fought -on the 27th of June, 1743, were not equal to those attending the -victories gained over the French by Edward the Third and Henry -the Fifth, yet there are circumstances which render the conflict -at _Dettingen_ similar to those of _Creçy_ and _Agincourt_. At -_Creçy_, on the 26th of August, 1346, King _Edward the Third_ and -his son _Edward the Black Prince_ were present; and at _Dettingen_, -_King George the Second_ was accompanied by his son the _Duke of -Cumberland_. It was the _début_ of both the Royal Princes on the -tented plain, and the chivalrous bearing of the _Black Prince_, -particularly his behaviour to the prisoners, finds a parallel -in the conduct of the _Duke of Cumberland_, who refused to have -his wound attended to, until the surgeons had examined that of a -French officer, the Count De Fenelon, who had been taken prisoner -and conveyed to the Duke’s tent. “Begin,” said His Royal Highness, -“with the wound of the French officer; he is more dangerously hurt -than I am, and stands more in need of assistance.” - -The disadvantage under which the British fought at _Dettingen_ was -equal to that at _Agincourt_, and the impetuosity of the enemy, in -both instances, prevented the English army perishing from want of -provisions. - -All these battles are likewise noted for the number of the French -Royal family and nobility who were present; and the battle of -Dettingen is further remarkable as being the last action in which a -British Monarch commanded the army. - -The want of provisions and tents, unfortunately, compelled the -victors to abandon the field of battle, otherwise Dettingen might -have rivalled many of the achievements recorded in British History. - -[16] “The Dutch, in their flight, breaking in on the _English_ -ranks, were fired upon by those troops, which did them considerable -damage; a _Highlander_ in Lord Semphill’s (forty-second) regiment -being asked ‘Why he fired upon them; they were his friends?’ -replied, ‘I am sure they are the greatest enemy we have seen this -day.’”--_Biggs’s Military History of Europe from 1739 to 1748._ - -[17] _Vide_ List of Battles, Sieges, &c., inserted in Appendix, -page 223. - -[18] The regiments which returned to England from Flanders, on this -occasion, are specified in the List inserted in the Appendix, page -224. - -[19] - - 2nd Batt. Constituted - 3rd Foot, the 61st Regiment. - 4th ” the 62nd Regiment. - 8th ” the 63rd Regiment. - 11th ” the 64th Regiment. - 12th ” the 65th Regiment. - 19th ” the 66th Regiment. - 20th ” the 67th Regiment. - 23rd ” the 68th Regiment. - 24th ” the 69th Regiment. - 31st ” the 70th Regiment. - 32nd ” the 71st Regiment. - 33rd ” the 72nd Regiment. - 34th ” the 73rd Regiment. - 36th ” the 74th Regiment. - 37th ” the 75th Regiment. - -The 71st, 72nd, 73rd, 74th, and 75th regiments were disbanded after -the peace of Fontainebleau in 1763. - -[20] Major-General John Burgoyne was promoted, to the rank of -Lieut.-General on the 20th of August, 1777. - -[21] _Martinique_ was captured by the English in 1762, but was -restored to France at the Peace of Fontainebleau in 1763. - -[22] Promoted to the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel on the 1st of -March, 1794. - -[23] Return of the Troops at _Guadaloupe_ on the 1st of September, -1794. - - +----------------------------+--------------------------+ - | | Rank and File. | - | +----------+-------+-------+ - | Corps. | Fit for | Sick. | Total.| - | | Duty. | | | - |----------------------------+----------+-------+-------+ - |Grenadier Battalion | 152 | 208 | 360 | - |Light Infantry Battalion | 33 | 382 | 415 | - |35 Regiment | 47 | 116 | 163 | - |39th Ditto | 24 | 284 | 308 | - |43rd Ditto | 23 | 176 | 199 | - |56th Ditto, three companies | 67 | .. | 67 | - |65th Ditto | 43 | 209 | 252 | - | +----------+-------+-------+ - |General Total | 389 | 1375 | 1764 | - +----------------------------+----------+-------+-------+ - -The _Grenadier_ and _Light Infantry_ battalions were composed of -the flank companies of the 8th, 12th, 17th, 31st, 33rd, 34th, 38th, -40th, 44th, and 55th Regiments. - -[24] While stationed at Jersey, a soldier of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment displayed the following example of courage and presence -of mind:--On the 4th of June, 1804, a salute had been fired in -honor of the anniversary of the birthday of King George III. The -bombardier, whose duty it was to deposit the slow match in the -magazine on the Town Hill at St. Heliers, after the performance of -the ceremony, neglected to observe whether it was extinguished; -it unfortunately was still alight, and set fire to the building; -there were within the place three hundred and twenty-five barrels -of powder, and, from its central situation, an explosion would -have destroyed the greater portion of the town. Private William -Pentenny, of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, assisted by two inhabitants -of Jersey, broke open the magazine, when another moment’s delay -would probably have been too late, the fire having nearly reached -the spot where the powder was deposited, when he entered. With -infinite coolness and decision, he carried the nearest barrels -away in his arms, and continued so to act until the whole stock -was removed out of danger. This important service was highly -appreciated. The Patriotic Fund at Lloyd’s awarded Private William -Pentenny a pension of 20_l._ a year, while the states of Jersey -conferred an additional 12_l._ upon this deserving soldier, and -presented to him a gold medal, struck on purpose to commemorate -the achievement, which he was permitted to wear. The Governor, -Major-General the Honorable William Stewart, ordered a ring of -silver lace to be worn round his arm as a further distinction. - -[25] This extract is from an excellent pamphlet published in -Edinburgh soon after the event, by a “_Passenger_.” It was written -by Major Duncan M‘Gregor of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, who was -afterwards the Lieutenant-Colonel of the ninety-third Highlanders. - -[26] General Avitabile, one of the military instructors of the -Sikhs, was a native of Italy, and at the conclusion of Napoleon’s -bright, but evanescent career, sought employment in the East. He -was handsomely rewarded by the Sovereign of the Punjaub, Runjeet -Singh, together with another Italian officer, named Ventura, -and two Frenchmen, Allard and Court, for introducing European -tactics into the Sikh army. Runjeet Singh also conferred the -governorship of Peshawur upon General Avitabile, and by his -vigorous administration it was reduced from a state of anarchy to -one of comparative security. Peshawur signifies “_advanced post_,” -that name having been conferred upon it by its founder, the Mogul -Emperor Akbar, in consequence of its being the frontier town of -India towards Affghanistan. - -Runjeet Singh died in 1839, and his son and successor, Kurruck -Singh, being of weak intellect, was shortly afterwards deposed, -when his son, Noo Nehal Singh, assumed the reins of Government. -His death, which occurred in returning from his father’s funeral, -caused the throne to be again vacant, and the crown was bestowed on -Prince Shere Singh, a twin-son of Runjeet Singh. Shere Singh was a -firm friend to the English, and by his interference Major-General -Pollock was permitted to proceed with his army through the Punjaub -to Cabool in 1842, although the Sikh Sirdars were disposed to -attack the British troops. - -[27] Vide Memoir of Lieut.-Colonel Skinner, Appendix, p. 226. - -[28] The Punjaub derives its name from two Persian words (_punj_, -five, and _aub_ waters), signifying _five waters_. In fact there -are _six_ rivers intersecting the country, namely the _Indus_, -_Jhelum_, _Chenaub_, _Ravee_, _Beas_, and _Sutlej_. The course of -the _Beas_ is much shorter than the five other rivers, so that it -appears to have been disregarded when the name of the Punjaub was -bestowed. - -[29] On the death of Assistant-Surgeon Gahan, Assistant-Surgeon -Patrick Gammie, of the 80th regiment, was appointed to take medical -charge of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. - -[30] Vide Memoir of Colonel Bolton, inserted in Appendix, page 225. - -[31] Vide Memoir of Major Baldwin, inserted in Appendix, page 230. - -[32] Shortly after the storming of the village of _Aliwal_, an -European officer in the Sikh service was given in charge to the -regiment, having surrendered himself as a prisoner to an officer -of one of the cavalry regiments in the Company’s service. He said -his servant had galloped off with his charger, and, being rather -stout, preferred giving himself up to the chance of running away; -his name was John Potter, a native of Maidstone in Kent; he had -deserted from the Company’s Artillery twenty years before, and was -at this period a Colonel of Artillery in the Sikh service, having -a native wife and family at Lahore. At first he was kept a very -strict prisoner, but the severity of his confinement was gradually -relaxed, and when the army encamped before Lahore, he was released -altogether. The Governor-General afterwards permitted him to hold -an appointment in the Sikh service. - -[33] This officer was promoted from Quarter-master-Serjeant to -Ensign after the battle of Ferozeshah. - -[34] This part of the action is represented in the engraving of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment at the battle of Sobraon. - -[35] In some copies of this General Order it was erroneously stated -that Brigadier Hicks commanded the first brigade: he was not at the -battle of Sobraon. - -[36] Vide pages 146 and 165 of Regimental Record. - -[37] A beautiful silver inkstand has been recently presented -to Lieut.-Colonel Spence, by the Officers of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment. It is an elegant testimonial, and is tastefully -embellished with military trophies, a soldier of the regiment being -introduced on the two extremities, in the position to receive -cavalry,--the whole surmounted by the British Lion. The following -inscription is engraved on the testimonial:-- - - Presented to - - LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SPENCE, C.B., - - By Lieutenant-Colonel Staunton and Officers of the THIRTY-FIRST - Regiment, - As a token of their esteem and attachment, - On his leaving the Regiment, in which he had served for a period of - forty-one years, - With high distinction to himself and honor to his Country. - - - - -HISTORICAL RECORD - -OF THE - -SECOND BATTALION - -OF THE - -THIRTY-FIRST, OR THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE - -REGIMENT OF FOOT. - - -[Sidenote: 1804] - -Napoleon Bonaparte, upon being raised in May 1804 to the dignity -of Emperor of the French, increased his immense preparations to -carry into effect his project for the invasion of England, that -he might, by one great effort, crush the power of the British -people, who appeared as a barrier to his ambitious designs. This -menace of invasion had aroused the spirit of the British nation; -patriotic enthusiasm pervaded all ranks; and among the measures of -defence[38] adopted by the Government was the introduction of the -“_Additional Force Act_” which was passed on the 14th of July 1804. - -[Sidenote: 1805] - -Under this Act of Parliament, a _second battalion_ was added to the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment, which was to be formed of men raised in the -county of Chester for limited service. - -The second battalion was embodied by July 1805, and in October it -proceeded from Chester to Winchester, where the first battalion was -stationed. - -[Sidenote: 1806] - -After the first battalion had embarked for Sicily in April 1806, -the second battalion continued at Winchester until June following, -when it proceeded to Gosport. - -[Sidenote: 1807] - -On the 8th of January 1807, the second battalion embarked at -Gosport for Guernsey, where it arrived on the 15th of that month. -In May 1807, the battalion proceeded to Ireland, and was stationed -at Limerick. - -[Sidenote: 1808] - -In March 1808, the battalion was removed from Limerick to Dublin. - -Important events had in the meantime occurred on the Continent, -which occasioned the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment -to be ordered on active service. Napoleon, having reduced Germany -to submission to his will, and forced Russia to accede to his -decrees, next attempted the subjugation of Spain and Portugal. The -Spaniards and Portuguese rose in arms to assert their national -rights, the French Emperor having conferred the crown of Spain on -his brother Joseph, who relinquished the throne of Naples in favor -of Marshal Murat. - -In the summer of 1808, Portugal was delivered by a British army -under Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley; and in the autumn -Lieut.-General Sir John Moore received orders to advance with a -body of British troops from Portugal into the heart of Spain; at -the same time several regiments were embarked from the United -Kingdom to co-operate in the enterprise. - -The second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST, which had proceeded in -August to Fermoy, marched on the 8th of September to Monkstown for -embarkation, and sailed in a few days afterwards to Falmouth, where -a fleet was assembling with a force for service, the command of the -troops being held by Lieut.-General Sir David Baird. In a short -time, the fleet sailed, and arrived in the Bay of Corunna on the -23rd of October. The THIRTY-FIRST did not, however, land with the -army, the battalion being despatched to Lisbon, where it arrived on -the 5th of November. - -Lieut.-General Sir John Cradock, who commanded in Portugal at -this period, detached some regiments towards the frontier, with a -view of reinforcing Lieut.-General Sir John Moore in Spain. The -THIRTY-FIRST, being one of the corps destined for this service, -marched with a force under the command of Brigadier-General Richard -Stewart from Lisbon, on the 18th of December, upon Castello Branco, -where the battalion arrived in ten days. - -The communication with Lieut.-General Sir John Moore being at this -period suddenly interrupted, Brigadier-General Stewart was ordered -to halt, and unfavourable intelligence being received from Spain, -Lieut.-General Sir John Cradock determined to concentrate his army -near Lisbon, and the further advance was, therefore, countermanded. - -[Sidenote: 1809] - -The second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST, and the other corps of -the division, commenced their march to the rear on the 1st of -January 1809. On arrival at Santarem, the intelligence of Sir -John Moore’s advance upon Sahagun had reached head-quarters, and -the anticipated danger being thus drawn from the frontiers of -Portugal, Brigadier-General Stewart was again ordered to halt. His -head-quarters continued at Santarem, and the THIRTY-FIRST occupied -cantonments in the neighbourhood of Bucellas. A month’s march in -incessant rain had seriously damaged the appointments, and the men -being indifferently provided with shoes, rendered a rest in this -pleasant quarter of infinite benefit. - -In the meanwhile, the army under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore -had continued its retreat over two hundred and fifty miles of -mountainous country, constantly repulsing the attacks of the enemy. -The British army arrived at Corunna on the 11th of January, being -closely followed by Marshal Soult, who occupied a position on a -height above the town, in order to make an attack on the troops -while proceeding to embark. This operation commenced on the 16th -of January, and the French descending from the heights in three -columns, a sanguinary action ensued. Lieut.-General Sir John -Moore received a mortal wound from a cannon-ball, and his country -was deprived of an officer, who, both in his professional and -private character, had acquired universal esteem and admiration. -Lieut.-General Sir David Baird lost an arm, and the command -devolved on Lieut.-General Sir John Hope, who vigorously maintained -the action, the British remaining masters of the field. The -embarkation for England was effected on the following night, no -further molestation being offered by the enemy. - -No change was made in the disposition of the army in Portugal -until the middle of March, when Lieut.-General Sherbrooke, and -Major-General John Randoll McKenzie, with their corps arrived. -The army was then drawn together between Lumiar and Sacavem, in -which position it encamped until toward the end of April, when -Lieut.-General Sir John Cradock commenced his advance towards Spain -on the 24th of that month; and when Lieut.-General Sir Arthur -Wellesley, who had arrived at Lisbon with reinforcements, assumed -the command of the army, the force was assembled at Leiria. The -first object of Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley was to dislodge -Marshal Soult from Oporto, and he accordingly marched towards that -city at the end of April. - -A corps of British and Portuguese was detached, previous to Sir -Arthur Wellesley’s march upon Oporto, under Major-General McKenzie, -to watch the right bank of the Tagus in observation of Marshal -Victor in Estremadura. The second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST -joined this army, and remained posted at Thomar until after the -famous passage of the Douro by the British General, and the fall of -Oporto, which compelled Marshal Soult to retreat. - -In the month of June the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST was -at Cortiçada with Major-General McKenzie’s head-quarters, and in -that officer’s division reached Placentia, whence on the 17th of -July it commenced its march to Oropesa, where it arrived on the -20th. A junction with the Spanish army under General Cuesta was -effected here, and on the 22nd the advanced guards, to which the -THIRTY-FIRST belonged, moved forward to the attack on the French -posts at _Talavera_. The enemy’s position was turned by the British -cavalry and infantry, while the Spanish General drove the French -on in front. On the 25th, in consequence of General Cuesta having -followed the enemy, two divisions of infantry were sent across the -Alberche to Casa Legas. The second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST -was in that commanded by Major-General McKenzie, and was brigaded -with the twenty-eighth and forty-fifth regiments. - -On the 27th of July, when General Cuesta had retreated from -Alcabon under cover of Lieut.-General Sherbrooke’s divisions, -Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley withdrew to the position of -_Talavera_, leaving Major-General McKenzie on the Alberche to -protect the movement. When the French, on the 27th of July, crossed -this river, Major-General McKenzie’s division was posted near the -Casa des Salinas, his infantry in the forest, and cavalry on the -plain. - -The attach was somewhat sudden, and the THIRTY-FIRST and -eighty-seventh regiments, which were in the wood on the right of -the Alberche, sustained some loss. As the enemy increased his -numbers on the British side of the river, Major-General McKenzie -fell back gradually, and entering the position by the left of the -combined army, took up his ground in a second line, in rear of the -foot guards. In the dusk of the evening the enemy commenced his -attack on the British left, but failed; in the night the attack was -repeated, and on the morning of the 28th of July the French renewed -the attack on the height on the British left, and were again -repulsed with considerable loss. After a pause of some hours the -attacks were renewed upon the whole British front, and the action -became general. Brigadier-General Alexander Campbell’s division, -on the British right, sustained the assault of the enemy’s fourth -corps, assisted by Major-General McKenzie’s brigade. “The English -regiments, putting the French skirmishers aside, met the advancing -columns with loud shouts, and breaking in on their front, and -lapping their flanks with fire, and giving no respite, pushed them -back with a terrible carnage. Ten guns were taken; but as General -Campbell prudently forbore pursuit, the French rallied on their -supports, and made a show of attacking again: vain attempt! The -British artillery and musketry played too vehemently upon their -masses, and a Spanish regiment of cavalry charging on their flank -at the same time, the whole retired in disorder, and the victory -was secured in that quarter.”[39] - -The ten captured guns remained in possession of the -British;--Major-General John Randoll McKenzie was killed;--and the -second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, under Major John -Williams Watson, conducted itself in such a manner as to merit -notice in the despatch, as well as approbation in General Orders. -Major Watson received a medal, and was afterwards promoted to the -rank of Lieutenant-Colonel for his conduct on this occasion. - -The THIRTY-FIRST, in the actions of the 27th and 28th of July, -had Captain William Lodge, two serjeants, and forty-two rank and -file _killed_; Captains Nicolls and Coleman,--Lieutenants George -Beamish, Adderley Beamish, and Girdlestone,--Ensigns Gamble and -Soden,--Assistant-Surgeon Edwards,--eight serjeants, and one -hundred and eighty-two rank and file, _wounded_. Most of the -wounded fell into the hands of the French, on the abandonment of -Talavera afterwards by the Spanish General. Assistant-Surgeon -Edwards, who was left in charge of the wounded, died shortly -afterwards. - -The news of the brilliant victory of _Talavera_, gained over the -French army commanded by Joseph Bonaparte in person, excited -great joy in England, and Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley was -raised to the peerage by the title of Viscount Wellington. The -Royal Authority was afterwards given for the THIRTY-FIRST to bear -the word “TALAVERA” on the Regimental Colour and Appointments, to -commemorate the distinguished conduct of the second battalion on -that memorable occasion. - -After the battle of the 28th of July, the second battalion was -posted to Major-General Tilson’s brigade, in the division commanded -by Major-General Rowland (afterwards Viscount) Hill; and on the 3rd -of August marched from Talavera, in order to oppose the French, who -had entered Estremadura by Placentia. - -On the 3rd of September, the head-quarters arrived at Badajoz, -and the army was distributed about Elvas, Campo Mayor, and other -places, the THIRTY-FIRST being in the division cantoned at Montejo. -The troops had suffered greatly on the march from Talavera, -generally from dysentery, brought on by bad food, fatigue, and -exposure. When the second battalion had rested awhile in its -position, the sickness that had been kept off in a great measure -by the previous excitement, now visited the men severely, and a -considerable number died. - -[Sidenote: 1810] - -When Viscount Wellington broke up from the Guadiana in the month -of December, and crossed the Tagus, he left Lieut.-General Hill, -who had been appointed to serve on the Staff in the Peninsula as -a Lieut.-General, after the battle of _Talavera_, with a force of -ten thousand men, British and Portuguese, at Abrantes. Among the -former was the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST; it continued -at that place until February 1810, when Lieut.-General Hill, on the -approach of Marshal Mortier on Badajoz, marched to Portalegre, and -occupied that strong position. He made a move on the 23rd of April -through the Sierra de St. Marmede, which had the desired effect of -relieving General O’Donnell at Albuquerque, the enemy retiring to -Merida. Lieut.-General Hill was once more at Portalegre on the 26th -of April, and on the 15th of May he again quitted his cantonment, -by which movement he disengaged Badajoz from the attention of the -enemy, who had made a reconnoisance on the 12th of that place, and -relieved General Ballasteros, returning in a few days afterwards to -his old position. - -During the continuance of the division at Portalegre, it was always -on the alert, owing to General Regnier’s movements in Estremadura. -In the beginning of July, Lieut.-General Hill concentrated his -corps at Campo Mayor, previously to an expedition into Estremadura -in conjunction with the Marquis de Romana. General Regnier had, -however, frustrated this plan, by quitting Merida on the 10th of -July, and marching upon Aleonete and Almaraz, effected the passage -of the Tagus on the 16th. Lieut.-General Hill made a parallel -movement, and crossing the river at Vilha Velha, was at Castello -Branco on the 21st; he encamped at Sarzedas, in front of the -Sobreira Formosa, remaining some time in observation between the -Estrella and the Tagus. - -Upon Marshal Massena concentrating his force for the invasion -of Portugal, Lieut.-General Hill fell back from his position at -Sarzedas, and on the 21 st of August, arrived on the Alva. On the -26th, the THIRTY-FIRST in Lieut.-General Hill’s corps, crossed the -Mondego, arrived on the _Sierra de Busaco_, and was posted on the -right, across the road leading over the mountain ridge to Peña -Cova, but the battalion was not engaged in the action. - -When General Regnier attacked the position held by the third and -fifth divisions, Lieut.-General Hill withdrew towards his left to -support them; it was unnecessary however, these divisions having -repulsed the enemy, and he therefore continued in his original -position. - -After the battle of Busaco, fought on the 27th of September, the -army withdrew from the Sierra, and Lieut.-General Hill’s division -marched on Thomar, arriving there on the 4th of October; whence -continuing its retreat by Santarem, it took up its ground, on the -8th, on the right of the Torres Vedras lines at Alhandra, on the -right of the Tagus, in which position the second battalion of -the THIRTY-FIRST had several skirmishes with the enemy, without -sustaining much loss. The battalion remained at Alhandra, opposite -which was the second French corps under General Regnier. - -On the 17th of November, the second division crossed the Tagus -at Villada upon Abrantes, where the French were in retreat. Upon -Marshal Massena taking up a position at Santarem, it halted at -Chamako, where the head-quarters were stationed; the troops being -so distributed as to have an eye to the enemy, and prevent his -crossing to the south of the Tagus. Lieut.-General Hill returned -to England on account of ill health in December, and Marshal Sir -William Carr (now Viscount) Beresford succeeded him in the command -of his division, which amounted to fourteen thousand men, British -and Portuguese. - -[Sidenote: 1811] - -The hostile armies remained in the same positions until the -beginning of March, when Marshal Massena broke up from Santarem, -and Major-General the Honorable William Stewart, with a body of -troops, of which the THIRTY-FIRST formed part, crossed the Tagus at -Abrantes, and moved to Thomar, while Marshal Beresford remained at -Barla, and did not join in the pursuit of Marshal Massena. - -Towards the end of March, Sir William Beresford arrived at -Portalegre with twenty thousand infantry, two thousand cavalry, -and eighteen guns, with orders to relieve Campo Mayor, and besiege -_Olivenza_ and _Badajoz_. The first object was effected on the -25th of March; it was an affair of cavalry only. On the 6th of -April, the passage of the Guadiana took place at Jurumenha, and -the army occupied a position on a strong range of hills. On the -9th of April, _Olivenza_ was summoned, and not surrendering the -army encamped round it. General Latour Maubourg having retired -to Llerena, Marshal Beresford leaving the fourth division, with -Colonel Madden’s cavalry, opposite Olivenza, took post on the 11th -at _Albuhera_, the infantry being on the 16th drawn nearer to -_Badajoz_, which place was invested on the 8th of May. - -On the 8th and 10th of May, the French made two sorties, but were -driven back with considerable loss. Marshal Soult’s approach to -relieve Badajoz having been ascertained, the siege was raised on -the night of the 12th, and moving to _Albuhera_, the British were -in position on the 15th of May. - -The second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST was on the left of -Lieut.-Colonel Colborne’s brigade, in the division under -Major-General the Honorable William Stewart, which was drawn up, -in one line, behind the village of _Albuhera_; its right on a -commanding hill, over which the Valverde road passed; its left on -the road to Badajoz. - -On the morning of the 16th of May, the grand attack was made by -the French on the right of the position, and in a line at right -angles to it: this point was contested by the Spaniards without -success,--they gave way, and the French columns pushing on, seized -the crown of the hill, and bringing up their reserves, established -their batteries in position on it. At this moment Major-General the -Honorable William Stewart brought forward Lieut.-Colonel Colborne’s -brigade, and arrived with it at the foot of the hill, while all -was in confusion above. The Major-General rushed on in open column -of companies, attempting to form his line in succession as the -battalions arrived. The THIRTY-FIRST, the left of the brigade, was -still in column, when four regiments of hussars and lancers, which -had been concealed by the heavy rain falling at the time, passed by -the right flank to the rear of the line. - -“_One battalion only_ (_the_ THIRTY-FIRST) _being still in column, -escaped the storm, and maintained its ground, while the French -horsemen, riding violently over everything else, penetrated to all -parts._”[40] - -Major-General the Honorable William Lumley sent some squadrons of -cavalry to take the attention of the Lancers, but the THIRTY-FIRST -continued to hold the height, while the Spaniards would not -advance, and Marshal Soult still kept his columns together on the -point he had assailed. Major-General Hoghton’s brigade coming up -in good order, under Major-General the Honorable William Stewart, -and being soon afterwards reinforced by a portion of the fourth -division, relieved the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST from -the difficulty of its position. - -The THIRTY-FIRST had two serjeants and twenty-six rank and file -_killed_; and Captains Fleming and Knox, Lieutenants Butler, -Gethen, and Bolton; Ensigns Wilson and Nicholson; four serjeants, -and one hundred and sixteen rank and file, _wounded_. - -Major George Guy Carleton L’Estrange, who commanded the -battalion, at the battle of _Albuhera_, was promoted to the rank -of Lieut.-Colonel in the army for his conduct on that day, and -received a medal. Viscount Wellington alluded to his gallantry in -the following terms:-- - -“There is one officer, Major L’Estrange, of the THIRTY-FIRST, whom -I must recommend, in the strongest manner, for promotion in some -way or other. _After the other parts of the same brigade were swept -off by the Cavalry, this little battalion alone held its ground -against all the ‘colonnes en masse.’_” - -Captain Peter Fearon, of the THIRTY-FIRST, distinguished himself on -the same day in command of the Lusitanian legion, and received a -medal for his conduct. - -The Royal Authority was afterwards given for the THIRTY-FIRST to -bear the word “ALBUHERA” on the regimental colour and appointments, -to commemorate the distinguished conduct of the second battalion on -that memorable occasion. - -The army was again in position during the 17th of May, the enemy -appearing to meditate another attack; the remainder of the fourth -division, however, arrived by forced marches from Jurumenha, and on -the 18th Marshal Soult retreated, followed by Marshal Beresford, -who left the Portuguese to make a show of investing Badajoz. The -infantry had no affair with the enemy during his retreat; and when -he assumed a position at Llerena, the operations terminated. - -Major-General Hill at this period rejoined from England, and the -second siege of _Badajoz_ commenced on the 30th of May. - -The second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST continued under -Lieut.-General Hill, to which rank he was promoted on the 4th of -June 1811, in the covering army, which was posted between Merida -and Albuhera. Having been much reduced in the late action, it -was formed, with the sixty-sixth regiment, into a Provisional -Battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Colborne. - -When Marshal Soult advanced, and the siege of Badajoz was raised, -the covering army was once more concentrated on the position of -Albuhera. The French Marshal did not, however, attack; on the 17th -of June, the British crossed the Guadiana, and prepared for the -probability of an engagement with the united corps of Marshals -Marmont and Soult. In July, the British were relieved from their -presence, and the Commander-in-Chief, Viscount Wellington, leaving -Lieut.-General Hill to watch Estremadura, at Portalegre, Villa -Viciosa, and Estremos, with ten thousand men, put the rest of the -army into quarters near the Tagus. - -The THIRTY-FIRST continued with Lieut.-General Hill in the second -division: this part of the army was constantly on the alert, but -nothing very important occurred until October. - -On the 9th of October, Lieut.-General Hill’s force was concentrated -behind Campo Mayor, and on the 22nd marched to drive Marshal Girard -from Caçeres: at daylight on the 28th of October, the British -General surprised the French Marshal at _Arroyo dos Molinos_, in -which brilliant affair the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST was -present. - -The army returned to its cantonments about Portalegre immediately -afterwards, and remained in them until the 24th and 25th of -December, when it moved upon Merida, and arrived there on the 30th -to surprise General Dombrouski, and attack General Drouet. They -both retired, abandoning magazines of wheat, and Lieut.-General -Hill took up his cantonments at Merida on the 6th of January, 1812. - -[Sidenote: 1812] - -Immediately afterwards Lieut.-General Hill fell back upon the -frontiers of Portugal, while the grand army was investing _Ciudad -Rodrigo_, and occupied Portalegre. - -In March, _Badajoz_ was invested for the third time, and -Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s[41] corps again formed part of -the covering army. He halted at Almendralejos, while Lieut.-General -Sir Thomas Graham (afterwards Lord Lynedoch) took post at Zafra. -Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s division then moved forward, -and took post at Medellin. When the breaches at Badajoz were -nearly practicable, Marshal Soult, having effected a junction with -Generals Drouet and Daricau, advanced to relieve it. Viscount -Wellington thereupon determined to fight him at Albuhera. -Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Graham then fell back towards that place, -and Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill having destroyed the bridge at -Merida, marched from the Upper Guadiana to Talavera Real. Marshal -Soult did not however advance in time, and _Badajoz_ was taken on -the 6th of April. - -After the fall of Badajoz, when Viscount Wellington marched towards -Beira, two divisions of British infantry, in one of which was the -second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST, remained with Lieut.-General -Sir Rowland Hill in Estremadura, to cover Badajoz during the -re-establishment of its works. Nothing occurred in the army until -the 12th of May, when six thousand men, with twelve field-pieces, -crossed the Guadiana at Merida, and joining the battering train -and pontoons, formed the force destined to surprise the French at -_Almaraz_. - -The THIRTY-FIRST remained in position on the Guadiana, while the -expedition proceeded to attack the French works on the Bridge at -_Almaraz_, on the Tagus, which were captured on the 19th of May. -The bridge having been destroyed, and the communication between the -several divisions of the French army rendered more difficult, the -British troops returned to the south of the Guadiana. - -A great part of June was passed in operations against General -Drouet, until he was reinforced on the 18th of that month with -General Barrois’s division of infantry, and two divisions of -cavalry. Hereupon Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill fell back -gradually to Albuhera, and took up a position on the former field, -awaiting an attack. The enemy did not advance, and on the 2nd of -July, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill broke up from Albuhera, and -moved upon General Drouet, who retired towards Cordova. At the end -of July, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill was at Llerena, and the -second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, in Brigadier-General -Byng’s brigade, was detached to Merida. General Drouet made a -demonstration, but no action of infantry ensued. - -After the victory gained by the army under Viscount Wellington on -the 22nd of July at Salamanca, the troops under Lieut.-General Sir -Rowland Hill penetrated the Spanish provinces: during the month of -August they were engaged in the pursuit of General Drouet, and in -the beginning of October they were on the Tagus, between Aranjuez -and Toledo. - -While the army under the Marquis of Wellington, which title was -conferred upon him after the victory of Salamanca, was engaged -in the siege of the Castle of _Burgos_, the second battalion of -the THIRTY-FIRST regiment remained at Aranjuez. In consequence -of the necessity of raising the siege of Burgos, and retreating, -Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill broke up from his ground on the -Tagus, to effect a junction with the grand army, which commenced -its retrograde movement from Burgos on the 21st of October. - -On the 30th of October, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, having -taken up a position of defence on the Jarama, was pressed by -the enemy, who attacked the bridge of Aranjuez. The French were -repulsed by Colonel Skerrett, with the forty-seventh (of which he -was the Lieutenant-Colonel), and part of the ninety-fifth regiment, -now the Rifle Brigade. The retreat continued without molestation; -and on the 8th of November, the troops under Lieut.-General Sir -Rowland Hill were at Alba, while the Marquis of Wellington occupied -the heights of San Christoval. The brigade of the second division, -in which the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST was posted, being -in the neighbourhood of the fords of Encinas. - -On the 14th of November, the enemy passed the river near that -place, and the Marquis of Wellington moved with the second division -to attack him, while the remainder of the troops were ordered -towards the Arapiles in the evening. No engagement occurred. The -enemy fortified himself at Mozarbes, on the ground he had taken -up the night before, and moved bodies of cavalry and infantry to -the communication with Ciudad Rodrigo. The superiority of numbers -on the part of the French caused the British army to continue its -march to Ciudad Rodrigo, which it reached on the 19th of November. -Thus ended the retreat from Burgos. The men had suffered greatly -on the march and required rest; the enemy had pressed the retreat -closely with his cavalry, and made an attack upon the rear upon -the passage of the Huebra; the roads were difficult, and in some -parts impassable. The second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST did not -share in the hardships of the main retreat until it had crossed the -Tormes. - -Marshal Soult having retired to the Upper Tormes, towards the pass -of Banos, it was reported that he intended to invade Portugal by -the valley of the Tagus. Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s division -was therefore moved to the right as far as Robledo, to cover the -pass of Perales. King Joseph, however, in December, took up his -position for the winter, and the allied army was also distributed -in quarters. - -Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s division occupied Coria and -Placentia, the THIRTY-FIRST being cantoned in the latter place. - -[Sidenote: 1813] - -The allied army remained in cantonments until the month of May -1813; on the 19th of that month the second battalion of the -THIRTY-FIRST, in the second division, broke up from its winter -quarters, and, forming a part of the right wing of the army, shared -in the operations during the advance upon Burgos and Vittoria; in -the plan for the action of the 21st of June, before _Vittoria_, -Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s corps, composed of Morillo’s -Spaniards, Sylveira’s Portuguese, and the second British division, -forming the right of the allied army, was to attack the enemy’s -left, and forcing the passage of the lower Zadora, at Puebla, -assail the French on the heights beyond, entering the plain of -Vittoria, by the defile of La Puebla. The river was passed about -ten o’clock A.M., and Morillo’s Spaniards assailed the mountain -with his first brigade; but meeting with much resistance on the -heights, called up his second brigade, which, the French being also -reinforced, was supported by part of the second division, while -Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, with the rest, passed through -the defile, and, seizing the village of _Subijana de Alava_, held -his ground: he thus connected his own right with the troops on -the mountain, and maintained this forward position, although -the French made great efforts to dislodge the allies from this -vantage-ground. - -Meanwhile the fourth division crossed by the bridge of Nanclares. -The action on the British right was severe, and sustained with -great gallantry. The French, being driven from all their defences, -retreated with such precipitation towards Pampeluna as to abandon -all their baggage, artillery, ammunition, military chests, and the -court equipage of King Joseph, whose carriage being seized, he -had barely time to escape on horseback. The defeat was the most -complete that the French had experienced in Spain. - -The bâton of Marshal Jourdan was taken, and the Prince Regent, -in the name and behalf of his Majesty, appointed the Marquis of -Wellington a Field-Marshal. In a most flattering letter, the Prince -Regent thus conferred the honor:--“You have sent me among the -trophies of your unrivalled fame, the staff of a French Marshal, -and I send you in return that of England.” - -During part of the day, the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST -was stationed to cover a brigade of guns: its loss was not very -great, being one private killed, and thirteen wounded. Captain -Girdlestone was the only officer of the THIRTY-FIRST who was -wounded. - -Lieut.-Colonel Leith received a medal for his conduct in command -of the battalion, and the Royal Authority was afterwards given -for the word “VITTORIA” to be inscribed on the Regimental Colour -and Appointments of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, to commemorate the -gallantry of the second battalion in that battle. - -The second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment shared in the -pursuit of the enemy after his defeat at Vittoria, and, when the -Marquis of Wellington marched on the 26th of June to intercept the -French General Clausel, it remained with the other corps of the -second division for the siege of _Pampeluna_. - -Although the enemy had withdrawn his right and left into France, -he maintained his centre in force in the rich valley of _Bastan_, -which afforded numerous strong positions, and the troops under -Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, having been relieved from the -blockade of Pampeluna, advanced to dislodge the French. On the 4th -of July, and the three following days, General Gazan was driven -from the valley of Bastan by the troops under Lieut.-General -Sir Rowland Hill, and the positions abandoned by the enemy were -occupied by the British. Major-General Byng’s brigade, of which the -THIRTY-FIRST formed part, with some Spanish corps under General -Morillo, took possession of the Pass of _Roncesvalles_ on the 7th -of July. In this celebrated valley the THIRTY-FIRST remained for a -few days. - -Marshal Soult having arrived at Bayonne on the 13th of July to -command, as Lieutenant of the Emperor, the united French army of -Spain, amounting to above seventy-eight thousand men, exclusive of -garrisons, collected more than sixty thousand of his own left, and -advanced on the 25th of July to force the Pass of _Roncesvalles_. -The brigade which had been ordered to occupy the Pass, and of -which the THIRTY-FIRST formed a part, kept the French in check for -several hours, but was obliged to fall back, on perceiving that a -strong body had succeeded in turning the position. - -The THIRTY-FIRST had two privates killed, and three wounded, in -the action on the 25th of July. On the 28th and 30th of July, the -battalion was engaged in the attack made upon the enemy on the -heights in front of _Pampeluna_, and had Captain Girdlestone, -Ensign Smith, and Quarter-Master McIntosh, together with -thirty-three rank and file, wounded:--two rank and file were killed. - -Lieut.-Colonel Leith received a clasp, in addition to his former -medal, for his conduct on these occasions. - -The THIRTY-FIRST regiment subsequently received the Royal -Authority to bear the word “PYRENEES” on the Regimental Colour and -Appointments, to commemorate the services of the second battalion -in these several combats, which have been designated the “_Battles -of the Pyrenees_.” - -On the 31st of July, Major-General Byng’s brigade captured a large -convoy near _Elizondo_, and made many prisoners. - -The British troops resumed their position in the Pyrenees, awaiting -the capture of St. Sebastian and Pampeluna. St. Sebastian was -captured on the 31st of August, and on the 31st of October the -French garrison of Pampeluna surrendered prisoners of war. - -Pampeluna being captured, the right of the allied army, which had -been employed in covering the blockade, became disengaged, and -the British Commander looking down from the lofty Pyrenees on the -well-guarded territory of France, resolved to carry the war into -the heart of that country. The British army, early on the morning -of the 10th of November, descended into the valleys on the French -side; the division of which the THIRTY-FIRST formed part entered -France by the Pass of _Maya_, having sustained some loss in the -capture of one of the enemy’s redoubts. Only one man belonging to -the battalion was killed, but Captain Girdlestone and eleven rank -and file were wounded. Marshal Soult’s army was driven from his -fortified position on the river _Nivelle_, and several guns and -prisoners were captured. The French being pursued on the following -day, retired to their fortified camp near Bayonne. - -Captain Thomas Samuel Nicolls was promoted to the rank of Major -in the army for his conduct on this day, and the THIRTY-FIRST -afterwards received the Royal Authority to bear the word “NIVELLE” -on the Regimental Colour and Appointments, in testimony of the -gallantry of the second battalion in that action. - -The passage of the river _Nive_ was effected on the 9th of -December: the THIRTY-FIRST passed over without the loss of a man, -one serjeant only being wounded. - -Lieut.-Colonel Leith received an additional clasp for his conduct -on this occasion, and Captains Patrick Dowdall and Peter Fearon -were promoted to the rank of Majors in the army. - -On the 13th of December, the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment shared in the action at _St. Pierre_, near Bayonne, -when the enemy abandoned two pieces of cannon, which were taken -possession of by Captain Hemsworth’s company. - -The Marquis of Wellington, in his despatch dated _St. Jean de Luz_, -14th December 1813, thus alluded to the conduct of the brigade -under Major-General John Byng,[42] of which the THIRTY-FIRST formed -part. - - “I had great satisfaction, also, in observing the conduct of - Major-General Byng’s brigade of British infantry, supported - by the fourth Portuguese brigade, under the command of - Brigadier-General Buchan, in carrying an important height from - the enemy on the right of our position, and maintaining it - against all their efforts to regain it. - - “_Two guns and some prisoners_ were taken from the enemy, who - being beaten at all points, and having suffered considerable - loss, were obliged to retire upon their entrenchment.” - -In a very interesting life of the late Viscount Hill, by the -Reverend Edwin Sidney, A.M. is the following account of the action -at _St. Pierre_, near Bayonne. - - “This great service was thus performed by Sir Rowland Hill. - The enemy, who had failed in all their attempts with their - whole force upon Lord Wellington’s left, withdrew to their - entrenchments on the night of December 12th, and passed a large - body of troops through the town of Bayonne. With these, on - the morning of the 13th, they made a desperate attack on Sir - Rowland Hill. This, as has appeared, was not unexpected; and - Lord Wellington had placed at his disposal not only the sixth - division, but the fourth division, and two brigades of the third. - Soult’s objects were to gain the bridge of _St. Pierre_, to - make himself master of the road to St. Jean Pied de Port, and - to break through the position of the allies. For these purposes - he put forth his whole strength, and was completely vanquished. - Even before the sixth division arrived, Sir Rowland Hill had - repulsed him with prodigious loss; and although he skilfully - availed himself of a high ground in retreating, he could not - stand against the famous charge of General Byng, and was entirely - defeated. It was a battle fought and won by the corps of Sir - Rowland Hill alone and unaided. At the instant of victory Lord - Wellington came up, and in the ecstasy of the moment of triumph, - caught him by the hand, and said, ‘Hill, the day is your own.’” - -The THIRTY-FIRST had seven rank and file _killed_, and three -serjeants, two drummers, and twenty-seven rank and file _wounded_. - -Lieut.-Colonel Leith, who received a cross for his conduct, was -slightly wounded. Ensign Hardy died of his wounds. - -Brevet Major Peter Fearon, of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, who -commanded the fifth Portuguese Caçadores, received an additional -distinction to the medal which had been granted him for the battle -of Albuhera. - -The THIRTY-FIRST subsequently received the Royal Authority to -bear on the Regimental colour the word “NIVE,” to commemorate the -gallantry of the second battalion in the actions which ensued on -the passage of that river. - -No further actions occurred during the few remaining days of the -year 1813; and the army occupied winter-quarters. - -[Sidenote: 1814] - -Leaving their cantonments at the village of St. Pierre, the -THIRTY-FIRST advanced with the troops under Lieut.-General Sir -Rowland Hill, in the middle of February 1814, when the French -corps, under General Harispe, were driven from Hellete, and -afterwards forced from a position on the heights of _Garris_ on -the 15th of February. The battalion had one private killed, and six -rank and file wounded. Brevet Major Peter Fearon, who commanded the -fifth Portuguese Caçadores, died of his wounds. The other officer -wounded was Captain Knox, who was subsequently promoted to the -brevet rank of major. - -On the 27th of February, the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST, -in Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s division, crossed the Adour, -on the right of _Orthes_, with the loss of only two rank and file -wounded. - -Lieut.-Colonel Leith gained another distinction, and the -THIRTY-FIRST afterwards received the Royal Authority to bear -the word “ORTHES” on the Regimental Colour and Appointments, in -commemoration of the conduct of the second battalion in that battle. - -Advancing rapidly against the enemy, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland -Hill engaged him at _Aire_, on which occasion the THIRTY-FIRST had -Ensign Hardcastle (Captain in the third Portuguese Caçadores) one -serjeant, and two rank and file wounded. - -On the 10th of April, the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment was in action with the French in the suburbs of -_Toulouse_, and had one private wounded. - -During the night of the 11th of April, the French army evacuated -Toulouse, and the white flag was hoisted. On the day following, -the Marquis of Wellington entered the city amidst the acclamations -of the inhabitants. In the afternoon of this day intelligence was -received of the abdication of Napoleon; and had not the express -been delayed on the journey by the French police, the sacrifice of -many valuable lives would have been prevented. A disbelief in the -truth of this intelligence occasioned much unnecessary bloodshed -at _Bayonne_, the garrison of which made a desperate sortie on the -14th of April, and Lieut.-General Sir John Hope (afterwards Earl of -Hopetoun) was wounded and taken prisoner. Major-General Andrew Hay -was killed, and Major-General Stopford was wounded. This was the -last action of the Peninsular war. - -The advance of the Allied troops into the heart of France led to a -Treaty of Peace, by which Louis XVIII. was restored to the throne -of that kingdom, and Napoleon Bonaparte was permitted to reside at -Elba, the sovereignty of that Island having been conferred upon him -by the Allied Powers. - -The war being ended, the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment was ordered to return to England. It marched from Toulouse -to Bourdeaux on the 3rd of June, and on the 12th of July embarked -in the Rodney, disembarking on the 23rd at the Cove of Cork, whence -it immediately marched to Middleton. - -In commemoration of the services of the second battalion, the -THIRTY-FIRST subsequently received the Royal Authority to bear the -word “PENINSULA,” on the Regimental Colour and Appointments, in -addition to the names of the several actions in which the second -battalion had taken a prominent part, during the war in Spain -from 1808 to 1814, namely, “TALAVERA,” “ALBUHERA,” “VITTORIA,” -“PYRENEES,” “NIVELLE,” “NIVE,” and “ORTHES.” - -Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Leith was nominated a Knight Commander -of the Order of the Bath for his conduct in command of the second -battalion during the Peninsular war. - -Lieut.-Colonel George Guy Carleton L’Estrange, who was promoted -from major in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, to the rank of -Lieut.-Colonel in the twenty-sixth regiment on the 15th of -December 1812, was nominated a Companion of the Order of the Bath -for his conduct while serving with the second battalion of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment. - -On the 23rd of September, the _second battalion_ proceeded to -Portsmouth, where it was disbanded on the 24th of October 1814, the -officers and men, fit for service, being transferred to the _first -battalion_ of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, at that period stationed -in Sicily. - - -1814 - - -[Illustration: THE 31^{ST} REG^T SUTLEJ TESTIMONIAL - -ERECTED IN CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL - -_For Cannon’s Military Records_] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[38] Vide page 64. - -[39] Major-General Sir William Napier’s History of the Peninsular -War. - -[40] History of the Peninsular War by Major-General Sir William -Napier. - -[41] Lieut.-General Rowland Hill was nominated a Knight of the Bath -on the 22nd of February, 1812. - -[42] Major-General Byng, the present General the Earl of Strafford, -and Colonel of the Coldstream Guards, in consideration of his -gallantry in the action of the 13th of December, 1813,--wherein -he led his troops, under a most galling fire, to the assault -of a strong height occupied in great force by the enemy, and -having himself ascended the hill first with the Colour of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment of foot in his hand, he planted the Colour -upon the summit, and drove the enemy (far superior in numbers) -down the ridge to the suburbs of _St. Pierre_,--received the Royal -Authority on the 7th of July, 1815, to bear the following honorable -augmentation, namely, “Over the arms of the family of Byng, in -bend sinister, a representation of the Colour of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment,” and the following crest, namely, “Out of a mural crown -an arm embowed, grasping the Colour of the aforesaid THIRTY-FIRST -regiment, and, pendent from the wrist by a riband, the Gold Cross -presented to him by His Majesty’s command, as a mark of his royal -approbation of his distinguished services,” and in an escrol above -the word “_Mouguerre_,” being the name of a height near the hamlet -of _St. Pierre_. - - - - - SUCCESSION OF COLONELS - - OF - - THE THIRTY-FIRST, - - OR - - THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT. - - -GEORGE VILLIERS, - -_Appointed 12th February 1702_. - -This officer did not long enjoy the colonelcy of the regiment, as -his decease occurred in December 1703, when he was unfortunately -drowned while in command of the regiment on board the fleet. - - -ALEXANDER LUTTERELL, - -_Appointed 6th December 1703_. - -Upon the decease of Colonel Villiers, Lieut.-Colonel Alexander -Lutterell was promoted to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment, which he held but for a few years, his decease occurring -early in the year 1706. - - -JOSIAH CHURCHILL, - -_Appointed 1st February 1706_. - -LIEUT.-COLONEL JOSIAH CHURCHILL was promoted on the 1st of February -1706, to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, at that period -serving as _Marines_. In March 1711 Colonel Churchill received -permission from Her Majesty Queen Anne to sell his commission. - - -SIR HARRY GORING, BART., - -_Appointed 1st March 1711_. - -Colonel Churchill having sold his commission, Lieut.-Colonel -Sir Harry Goring, Bart., was promoted to the colonelcy of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 1st of March, 1711. Sir Harry Goring -retired on the 8th of September, 1716. - - -LORD JOHN KERR, - -_Appointed 8th September 1716_. - -Colonel Sir Harry Goring having retired, His Majesty King George -the First conferred the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on -Lord John Kerr, the commission being dated 8th of September, 1716. -His Lordship’s decease occurred on the 1st of August 1728. - - -THE HONORABLE CHARLES CATHCART, - -_Appointed 13th August 1728_. - -THE HONORABLE CHARLES CATHCART, son of Alan, seventh Lord Cathcart, -entered the army in the eighteenth year of his age, and in 1704 -he commanded a company in Colonel Macartney’s regiment (since -disbanded), serving on the frontiers of Holland. In 1706 he -commanded a troop in the Scots Greys, which corps distinguished -itself at the battle of Ramilies in the same year: in 1707 he was -brigade major to the Earl of Stair. Continuing in active service -with the army under the Duke of Marlborough, he acquired the -reputation of a brave and zealous officer: in 1709 he was appointed -major of the Scots Greys, and was soon afterwards promoted to -the lieut.-colonelcy of the regiment. On the accession of King -George I., he was appointed one of the grooms of His Majesty’s -bedchamber. In the autumn of 1715 he joined the forces under the -Duke of Argyle at Stirling, and served against the rebels under -the Earl of Mar. On the 23rd of October, he was detached against -a hundred rebel horse and two hundred foot, whom he attacked with -his dragoons, killed many, and took seventeen prisoners. At the -battle of Sheriffmuir on the 13th of November, in the same year, -he charged the insurgents at the head of the Scots Greys, and -contributed materially to the overthrow of the left wing of the -rebel army. His Majesty rewarded him with the colonelcy of the -ninth foot, in 1717; but he only retained this appointment eleven -months. In 1728 he obtained the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment, and was removed, in 1731, to the eighth dragoons. In 1732 -he succeeded to the title of LORD CATHCART; he was appointed lord -of the bedchamber to King George II. in the following year, and was -promoted to the colonelcy of the seventh horse, now sixth dragoon -guards. In 1739 he was advanced to the rank of major-general. His -Lordship was chosen one of the representatives of the Scottish -peerage in several parliaments; and was governor of Duncannon -fort, and of Londonderry. An attack on the Spanish possessions in -America having been resolved upon, in the year 1739, Lord Cathcart -was selected to command the expedition: at the same time he was -appointed commander-in-chief in America; but he died on his passage -in December, 1740, and was buried on the beach of Prince Rupert’s -Bay, Dominica, where a monument was erected to his memory. - - -WILLIAM HARGRAVE, - -_Appointed 1st January 1731_. - -WILLIAM HARGRAVE was appointed ensign in a regiment of foot in -1694, and he served in the wars of Queen Anne. He proved a good and -useful officer, but was not conspicuous for any quality calculated -to attract attention. After serving twenty years he was appointed -major of the thirty-sixth foot, and subsequently lieut.-colonel -of the seventh Royal Fusiliers. In 1731 he was promoted to the -colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST foot, and was appointed to the -ninth in 1737. He was removed to the seventh royal fusiliers, and -promoted to the rank of major-general in 1739, and was advanced to -the rank of lieut.-general in 1743. He died in 1751. - - -WILLIAM HANDASYD, - -_Appointed 27th January 1737_. - -COLONEL WILLIAM HANDASYD was promoted from the fifteenth foot to -the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 27th of January -1737, in succession to Colonel William Hargrave, who was removed to -the ninth foot. Brigadier-General Handasyd died near Hammersmith on -the 27th of February 1745. - - -LORD HENRY BEAUCLERK, - -_Appointed 22nd April 1745_. - -King George II. appointed Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk from the -forty-eighth to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the -22nd of April 1745, in succession to Brigadier-General Handasyd, -deceased. Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk retired from the service on -the 8th of May, 1749. - - -HENRY HOLMES, - -_Appointed 8th May 1749_. - -Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk having retired from the service, -Colonel Henry Holmes was appointed to the colonelcy of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 8th of May 1749. Colonel Holmes was -promoted to the rank of Major-General on the 2nd of February, -1756, and to that of Lieut.-General on the 2nd of April, 1759. -Lieut.-General Holmes died in the year 1762. - - -SIR JAMES ADOLPHUS OUGHTON, - -_Appointed 20th August 1762_. - -COLONEL OUGHTON was removed by His Majesty King George III. from -the colonelcy of the fifty-fifth to that of the THIRTY-FIRST -regiment on the 20th of August 1762, in succession to -Lieut.-General Holmes deceased. Colonel Oughton was promoted to -the rank of major-general on the 15th of August 1761, and to that -of lieut.-general on the 30th of April 1770. His Majesty King -George III. also constituted him a Knight of the Order of the Bath. -Lieut.-General Sir James Adolphus Oughton, K.B., died in April 1780. - - -THOMAS CLARKE, - -_Appointed 3rd May 1780_. - -MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS CLARKE, from the Coldstream Guards, was -appointed on the 3rd of May 1780 to the colonelcy of the -THIRTY-FIRST regiment in succession to Lieut.-General Sir James -Adolphus Oughton, deceased. Major-General Clarke was promoted to -the rank of lieut.-general on the 20th of November 1782; and on the -8th of February 1792, he was removed to the thirtieth regiment. On -the 3rd of May, 1796, he was advanced to the rank of general. His -decease occurred in the year 1799. - - -JAMES STUART, - -_Appointed 8th February 1792_. - -MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES STUART was appointed from the half-pay -ninetieth regiment, which corps was disbanded at the Peace of -1763, to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, on the 8th -of February 1792, in succession to Lieut.-General Thomas Clarke, -removed to the thirtieth foot. Major-General Stuart’s decease -occurred in the following year. - - -HENRY EARL OF MULGRAVE, G.C.B. - -_Appointed 8th February 1793._ - -LORD MULGRAVE entered the army on the 8th of June 1775, as -an ensign in the first foot guards, in which regiment he was -promoted lieutenant and captain on the 2nd of April 1778; on -the 30th of August 1779 he was promoted to the rank of major in -the eighty-fifth regiment, and to that of lieut.-colonel of the -eighty-eighth regiment on the 4th of October 1780. He was removed -to the forty-fifth regiment on the 9th of January 1782, and was -appointed captain and lieut.-colonel in the first foot guards on -the 6th of June 1783. He was advanced to the rank of colonel in the -army on the 18th of November 1790. His Majesty King George III. -conferred the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment upon Colonel -Lord Mulgrave on the 8th of February, 1793. Lord Mulgrave was -advanced to the rank of major-general on the 3rd October 1794; to -that of lieut.-general on the 1st of January 1801; and to that of -general on the 25th of October 1809. - -Lord Mulgrave served in America from 1776 to the end of 1778; -in the West Indies in 1780:--he commanded at Toulon in 1793; -in Zealand in 1794; and in 1799 his Lordship was employed on a -military mission to the Archduke Charles and Marshal Suvaroff. -During the course of his military career, Lord Mulgrave received -the thanks, in public orders, of the officers under whom he -served. His Lordship was appointed Master-General of the Ordnance -on the 5th of May 1810, and held that appointment until the 31st -of December, 1818. On the 15th of August 1812, he was created Earl -of Mulgrave and Viscount Normanby. His Lordship was also appointed -Governor of Scarborough Castle. On the 20th of May 1820, his -Lordship was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the -Bath. General the Earl of Mulgrave died on the 12th of April 1831. - - -SIR HENRY WARDE, G.C.B. - -_Appointed 13th April 1831._ - -In March 1783, this officer was appointed ensign in the first -regiment of foot guards, and was promoted to the rank of -lieutenant and captain in 1792; in the following year he landed -in Holland with the first troops sent to that country, and was -wounded in storming the outworks at the siege of Valenciennes. -He came home, and when recovered, returned early in July 1794, -and acted as adjutant to the third battalion of foot guards; he -returned in November, on being promoted to a company, with the -rank of lieut.-colonel. He served in the expedition to Ostend, as -lieut.-colonel, with Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby at the -Helder, and was present in all the actions. On the 1st of January -1801, His Majesty King George III. conferred on him the brevet -of colonel, and in 1804 he was appointed brigadier-general; he -served under Lord Cathcart at Copenhagen in 1807, and his name was -included in the vote of thanks from Parliament for his services -on that expedition. He was appointed major-general on the 25th -of April 1808, and he commanded the first brigade of guards, in -the force under Lieut.-General Sir David Baird sent to Corunna -in 1808, and returned after that battle. For his services at the -battle of Corunna, he again received the thanks of Parliament, and -a medal. He proceeded to India in 1809, and as second in command -under Lieut.-General Abercromby, to the Mauritius in 1810, where -he remained in command of the troops after the capture. For the -conquest of the Island of the Mauritius his name was included -in the vote of thanks from Parliament. He was afterwards acting -governor for three months, and was subsequently appointed to the -command of the forces at the Mauritius. On the 1st of January -1813, Major-General Sir Henry Warde was appointed colonel of the -sixty-eighth foot, and was advanced to the rank of lieut.-general -on the 4th of June, 1813. In January 1815, he was appointed a -Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, and was advanced to the -dignity of a Knight Grand Cross on the 13th of September, 1831. On -the 22nd of July 1830, he was promoted to the rank of general. - -On the 13th of April 1831, General Sir Henry Warde was removed from -the sixty-eighth to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. -His decease occurred on the 1st of October, 1834, at Alresford, in -Hampshire. - - -SIR EDWARD BARNES, G.C.B. - -_Appointed 10th October, 1831._ - -This officer was appointed major in the ninety-ninth regiment -on the 16th of November, 1794, which corps was directed to be -raised early in that year, in consequence of the war with France. -In the year 1796 the ninety-ninth regiment was reduced. Major -Barnes was promoted to the brevet rank of lieut.-colonel on the -1st of January, 1800, and on the 17th of February following, was -appointed from the half-pay of the late ninety-ninth Foot to be -major in the seventy-ninth regiment, from which he was promoted -to the rank of lieut.-colonel of the forty-sixth regiment on the -23rd of April 1807. He was promoted colonel in the army on the -25th of July 1810, and was advanced to the rank of major-general -on the 4th of June 1813. He served on the staff in Spain and -Portugal, to which he was appointed on the 8th of August, 1812, and -commanded a brigade at the battles of Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, -Nive, and Orthes. He also served with the army in the campaign of -1815 in the Netherlands and France, as adjutant-general, and was -severely wounded in the battle of Waterloo. For his services the -major-general was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the -Bath, and had the honor to wear a cross and three clasps; was also -appointed a Knight of the Austrian Order of Maria Theresa, and of -the first class of St. Anne of Russia. - -Major-General Sir Edward Barnes was appointed colonel of the -late ninety-ninth regiment on the 24th of October 1816, and -on the 13th of January 1819, he was appointed major-general on -the staff at Ceylon, of which island he was appointed governor, -and lieut.-general on the staff, in March 1823, which he held -until October 1831. On the 13th of May 1820, he was appointed -Colonel-Commandant of the Rifle Brigade, and was removed to the -seventy-eighth regiment on the 25th of August, 1822. On the 27th -of May 1825, he was promoted to the rank of lieut.-general, and -in the year 1832 was nominated a Knight Grand Cross of the Order -of the Bath. On the 10th of January, 1832, he was appointed -Commander-in-Chief in the East Indies with the local rank of -general, which he held until the 15th of October of the following -year. Lieut.-General Sir Edward Barnes was appointed by His Majesty -King William IV. to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on -the 10th of October 1834. His decease occurred in London on the -19th of March 1838. - - -SIR COLIN HALKETT, G.C.B. - -_Appointed, 28th March 1838._ - -_Removed to the forty-fifth regiment on the 12th July 1847._ - - -THE HONORABLE HENRY OTWAY TREVOR, C.B. - -_Appointed 12th July 1847._ - - - - -APPENDIX. - - -_Battles, Sieges, &c., which occurred in Germany and in the -Netherlands from 1743 to 1748, during the “War of the Austrian -Succession.”_ - - Battle of Dettingen (Germany) 27 June, 1743 - Menin invested by the French 18 May, and captured. 5 June, 1744 - Ypres invested by the French 7 June, and captured. 14 June, ---- - Fort Knocque surrendered to the French June, ---- - Furnes surrendered to the French 5 July, ---- - Friburg (Germany) invested by the French 21 Sept. ---- - Citadel of Friburg captured by the French 28 Nov. ---- - Tournay invested by the French 23 April, 1745 - Battle of Fontenoy 11 May, ---- - Citadel of Tournay surrendered to the French 21 June, ---- - Skirmish near Ghent 9 July, ---- - Citadel of Ghent captured by the French 15 July, ---- - Bruges captured by the French July, ---- - Oudenarde captured by the French 21 July, ---- - Dendermond captured by the French Aug. ---- - Ostend invested by the French on 14 July, and captured 23 Aug. ---- - Nieuport captured by the French 26 Aug. ---- - Aeth captured by the French 28 Sept. ---- - Brussels invested by the French 24 Jan., and captured 20 Feb. 1746 - Mechlin captured by the French May, ---- - Antwerp captured by the French 20 May, ---- - Citadel of Antwerp captured by the French 31 May, ---- - Mons invested by the French on 7 June, and captured 11 July, ---- - Fort St. Ghislain captured by the French 21 July, ---- - Charleroi invested by the French on 25 July, and - captured 2 Aug. ---- - Huy captured by the French Aug. ---- - Namur invested by the French 26 Aug.; Citadel captured 19 Sept. ---- - Battle of Roucoux, near Liege 11 Oct. ---- - Sluys surrendered to the French 11 April, 1747 - Fort Sandberg in Hulst, and Axel, surrendered to the - French 28 April, ---- - Sandvliet captured by the French June, ---- - Battle of Val, or Laffeld, near Maestricht 2 July, ---- - Bergen op-Zoom invested by the French 13 July, and - captured 16 Sept. ---- - Forts Lillo, Frederick Henry, and Croix 2 Oct. ---- - Limburg captured by the French Mar. 1748 - Maestricht invested by the French 3 April, ---- - Maestricht surrendered to the French 3 May, ---- - Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle 7 Oct. ---- - - -LIST of the BRITISH REGIMENTS which served in FLANDERS and -GERMANY between 1742 and 1748, during the “_War of the Austrian -Succession_.” - - +--------------------+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+ - | Rejoined the Army in Flanders, after | - | the suppression of the Rebellion. | - | || | - | Returned to Great Britain in consequence of | || | - | the Rebellion in favor of the Pretender. | || | - | || | || | - | Year in which embarked for Flanders. | || | || | - | || | || | \/ | - | REGIMENTS. | COLONELS. | || | \/ | | - | | | \/ | | | - +--------------------+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+ - | | | | | | - | CAVALRY. | | | | | - | | | | | | - |3rd Troop Horse }|Earl of Albemarle | 1742 | 1746 | .. | - | Guards }| | | | | - |4th ditto ditto |Earl of Effingham | 1742 | 1746 | .. | - |2nd ditto Horse }|Earl of Cranfurd | 1742 | 1746 | .. | - | Grenadier Guards.}| | | | | - |Royal Regiment }|Earl of Hertford | 1742 | 1746 | .. | - | Horse Guards }| | | | | - |1st Horse (1st }|Earl of Pembroke | 1742 | 1746 | .. | - | Dragoon Guards) }| | | | | - |4th Irish Horse }|Sir John Ligonier | 1742 | 1745 | .. | - | (7th Dragoon | | | | | - | Guards) }| | | | | - |1st Dragoons |Hawley | 1742 | 1745 | .. | - |2nd ditto |Campbell | 1742 | RF | .. | - |3rd ditto |Honeywood | 1742 | 1745 | .. | - |4th ditto |Rich | 1742 | 1746 | 1747 | - |6th ditto |Lord Cadogan | 1742 |} }| .. | - | (Inniskilling) | | |} RF }| | - |7th ditto |Cope | 1742 |} }| | - | | | | | | - | FOOT GUARDS. | | | | | - | | | | | | - |1st Foot Guards }|Duke of Cumberland | 1742 | 1745 | 1747 | - |1st Battalion }| | | | | - |2nd ditto ditto |Duke of Marlborough | 1742 | 1745 | .. | - |3rd ditto ditto |Earl of Dunmore | 1742 | 1745 | 1747 | - | | | | | | - | INFANTRY. | | | | | - | | | | | | - |1st Foot 1st Batt. |St. Clair | 1744 | 1745 | .. | - |3rd ditto (Buffs) |Howard | 1742 | 1745 | 1747 | - |4th ditto |Barrel | 1744 | 1745 | .. | - |8th ditto |Onslow | 1742 | 1745 | 1746 | - |11th ditto |Cornwallis | 1742 | RF | .. | - |12th ditto |Duroure | 1742 | 1745 | .. | - |13th ditto |Pulteney | 1742 | 1745 | 1746 | - |18th ditto |Mordaunt | 1743 | 1745 | .. | - |19th ditto (Green) |Howard | 1744 | RF | .. | - |20th ditto |Bligh | 1742 | 1745 | 1748 | - |21st ditto, Royal }| | | | | - | Nth. British }|Campbell | 1742 | 1745 | 1747 | - | Fusiliers }| | | | | - |23rd ditto, Royal } |Peers | 1742 | 1745 | 1747 | - | Welsh Fusiliers } | | | | | - |25th ditto |Earl of Rothes | 1744 | 1745 | 1747 | - |28th ditto |Bragg | 1744 | 1745 | .. | - |31st ditto |Handasyd | 1742 | 1745 | .. | - |32nd ditto |Skelton | 1742 |} RF }| .. | - |33rd ditto |Johnson | 1742 |} }| | - |34th ditto |Cholmondeley | 1744 | 1745 | .. | - |36th ditto |Fleming | 1744 | 1745 | 1747 | - |37th ditto |Ponsonby | 1742 | 1745 | 1747 | - |42nd ditto |Lord Semphill | 1744 | 1745 | .. | - |48th ditto (orig. |Lord Harry Beauclerk| 1744 | 1745 | 1747 | - | 59th) | | | | | - +--------------------+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+ - RF = Remained in Flanders - - -_Memoir of the Services of_ COLONEL SAMUEL BOLTON, C.B. _of the_ -THIRTY-FIRST _Regiment_. - -This officer was appointed an ensign in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment -on the 5th of February 1807, in which regiment he was promoted to -be lieutenant on the 6th of April 1809. Lieutenant Bolton served -with the second battalion during the Peninsular war from 1808 to -1814, and was present at the battles of Talavera, Busaco, and -Albuhera, in the last of which he was wounded: took part in the -capture of Marshal Girard’s division at Arroyo dos Molinos on the -28th of October 1811, and shared in the battle of Vittoria; also in -the actions in the Pyrenees, at the Nive, Garris, Orthes, Aire, and -Toulouse. - -Lieutenant Bolton was appointed adjutant to the second battalion -on the 31st of March 1813, but returned to his duty as lieutenant -upon the reduction of the second battalion on the 24th of October -1814. He was promoted to the rank of captain on the 24th of October -1822; and on the 7th of February 1825, embarked with the left wing -of the regiment for the East Indies. Captain Bolton was promoted to -the rank of major in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 14th of June -1833, and to that of lieutenant-colonel on the 24th of November -1835. - -Lieut.-Colonel Bolton served in the Affghanistan campaign of 1842, -and commanded the THIRTY-FIRST regiment in the action at Mazeena, -in the Shinwaree valley, on the 26th of July 1842; at Tezeen on -the 13th of September 1842, and at the occupation of Cabool by -Major-General Pollock. - -For his services in Affghanistan, Lieut.-Colonel Bolton received -a medal, and was promoted to the rank of colonel on the 23rd of -December 1842; he was also appointed aide-de-camp to Her Majesty, -and was nominated a Companion of the Most Honorable Order of the -Bath. - -Colonel Bolton served with the army of the Sutlej in 1845, as -Brigadier to the first brigade under the command of General Sir -Hugh (now Viscount) Gough, Commander-in-Chief in India at that -period. Colonel Bolton received a severe wound at the battle of -_Moodkee_ on the 18th of December 1845, from the effects of which -he died on the 4th of January 1846. - - -LIEUT.-COLONEL THOMAS SKINNER, C.B.[43] - -Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Skinner, the eldest son of Lieut.-General -John Skinner, while at Eton College, was on the 25th of January -1816, appointed to an ensigncy in the sixteenth regiment of foot, -to which regiment his father had been attached for thirty-nine -years, before he attained the rank of Major-General; Ensign -Skinner joined the sixteenth regiment in Ireland in the year -1817, then commanded by the late Major-General (then Colonel) -Tolley. Major-General Tolley, the best Greek scholar of his day -at Westminster, amused his leisure with classical literature, and -invited the young Etonian to share his studies; and thus making -complete his education, fortunately imbued him with that taste -for letters which secured to him through life a most agreeable -resource. In 1819, the regiment being ordered to Ceylon, he -obtained, by purchase, a lieutenancy on the 6th of August, and -proceeded to that colony. While there he was employed to make the -roads constructed by the late Lieut.-General Sir Edward Barnes, -afterwards Colonel of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. Lieutenant Skinner -was appointed adjutant to the sixteenth regiment on the 20th of -April 1820, and did duty in that capacity until 1822, when his -Commanding Officer returned to England, and obtaining leave of -absence for his young friend, they travelled home together through -India and Egypt, visiting Malta and Sicily, and thence through -Italy and France to England. Lieutenant Skinner was promoted to an -unattached company on the 9th of October 1823, and on the 20th of -March, 1824, was appointed Captain in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. -In February 1825, he sailed with the left wing of the THIRTY-FIRST -in the _Scaleby Castle_ for Calcutta, the regiment being ordered -to reinforce the army at that time acting in Burmah; but owing to -the burning of her consort, the _Kent_ East Indiaman, in the Bay -of Biscay, with the right wing, the regiment was inefficient, and -remained in garrison at Calcutta. In 1829, Captain Skinner returned -home on leave of absence in the _Cartha_, and nearly suffered -shipwreck on the coast of Wales. The vessel being driven by storm -when off Liverpool, was unable to weather Bardsea Island, and -fortunately passed safely through the narrow channel between that -rock, and the coast of Carnarvon into Pwelli Bay. He did not lose -his time in India; for with his brother, Captain James Skinner, of -the sixty-first regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, he travelled -to the sources of the Ganges and the Jumna, an account of which -was published in 1833, from letters written at the time, in two -volumes, entitled “_Excursions in India_,” and the work passed -through two editions. During his leave of absence he travelled -over England and Scotland, and made himself as well acquainted -with those parts of his native land, as, in the course of his -professional duties, he had previously become with Ireland. In -December 1833, by permission of General Lord Hill, Commanding in -Chief, he travelled by the Holy Land and Bagdad to India to rejoin -the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. An account of these travels, in two -volumes, was published in 1836, under the title of “_Adventures -during a Journey overland to India_” which also passed through two -editions. On the 24th of November, 1835, he was promoted Major in -the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. Emulous of his father’s skill as an -officer of Light Infantry, he diligently cultivated that branch -of the service, availing himself of the opportunity of practising -manœuvres in the field afforded to those serving in India, by -the collection of large bodies of men at the principal stations. -In 1840, his health being affected by the climate, Lord Hill -considerately forwarded to him, through the General commanding in -India, leave of absence, of which he declined to avail himself, -as he thought his services might be useful in the then state of -India. On the 23rd of November 1840, he was entrusted to take from -Chinsurah a large body of recruits, about twenty young officers, -and about twenty-two young women and as many children, to their -destinations where they arrived in health, and without complaint of -any sort against them in the districts through which they passed. -The Commander-in-Chief in India thus expressed his thanks for this -unprecedented success in such duty. - - “The Commander-in-Chief takes an early opportunity of conveying - his best thanks to Major Skinner, of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST - regiment, for the forethought, caution, and exertion shown by him - in marching a body of 489 recruits from Chinsurah to Cawnpore and - Agra, without the loss of a man, except one accidentally drowned - while bathing in the Soane. His Excellency requests that Major - Skinner will report to him in what degree the medical officers - contributed to this very desirable result, in order that their - skill and attention may be duly appreciated and remembered.” - -Major Skinner, for this service, was rewarded with the appointment -of Commandant of the Convalescent Depôt at Landour. - -Upon the march of the army under Major-General Pollock to -Affghanistan, where Captain James Skinner, of the sixty-first -Bengal Native Infantry, was reported to be a prisoner, having been -wounded on the retreat from Cabool, Major Skinner resigned at once -his lucrative and pleasant post, and by forced journeys, joined -the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, in February 1842; his anxiety for his -brother, whom he had hoped to be in part the means of rescuing, -only appeased by the distressing certainty of his violent and -untimely death. Major Skinner rendered very important services at -the battle of _Mazeena_, for which he was particularly thanked by -Brigadier Monteath; Major Skinner’s account of the transaction was -also included in the despatches published in the “London Gazette.” - -From the fatigue and exposure in the action at _Mazeena_ on the -26th of July 1842, Major Skinner was seized with the fever of that -country, living, to avoid the heat and dust, in a hole dug in the -ground, the air being pestilent and the water corrupt, from the -mortality of animals. His life was, however, spared for the service -of his country. Though still suffering from the malignant disease, -which rest might then have cured, he commenced his labours, being -removed from the sick list on the very day he marched with the -second division, under Major-General McCaskill, commanding, on the -8th of September 1842, the advance guard to Soorkhab, on the 9th -to Jugdulluck; a running fight being kept up the whole way; on the -10th to Kutta Sung; and on the 11th the rear-guard to Tezeen. He -was specially thanked in Major-General McCaskill’s despatches for -the manner in which he performed these duties. In the afternoon -of the 12th of September he was despatched to the heights of the -Huft-Kotul, and commenced at daylight of the 13th, by attacking -the enemy on the heights, those operations which ended in the -victory of Tezeen. Major-general Pollock stated, “that the Major’s -duty was performed with great gallantry, and his operations -contributed much to frustrate the attempts of the enemy on the -right flank.” The Major-General enclosed in the despatches the -detailed account of Major Skinner’s movements, which were published -in the “London Gazette.” - -Proceeding from Tezeen to Cabool on the 10th of October, he -commanded five companies of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment at the -destruction of the Great Bazaar, which, from the skilful -arrangement of the force, was effected almost without loss of life. -On the march from Cabool to India his conduct was thought from -time to time deserving of praise by those under whom he acted. On -his arrival at Ferozepore, he was chosen for the imposing duty of -commanding the Guard of Honor, consisting of artillery, cavalry, -and infantry, escorting the embassy to Lahore. - -On the 23rd of December 1842, he was promoted to the rank of -lieut.-colonel in the army, was three days afterwards made a -Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath, and -was presented by the government of India with the silver medal -of Cabool, bearing on one side “_Cabool_ 1842,” and on the other -“_Victoria Vindex_.” - -Unfortunately Lieut.-Colonel Skinner did not live long to enjoy the -rewards of his useful services, for his decease occurred on the 5th -of May 1843, at Mussoorie, in the Himalaya Mountains, from disease -brought on by privation and fatigue during the Affghan campaign. -Lieut.-Colonel Skinner was buried the next morning at Landour with -military honors, the arms of a native corps being borrowed for the -European invalids stationed there at their own request. They formed -the funeral procession and firing party, an honorable mark of -respect never before paid by them on any similar occasion. The body -was attended to the grave by every European, civil or military, in -the place, and by a very large proportion of the native population, -to whom he had been previously known as commandant, and by whom he -was greatly loved and deeply lamented. His brother officers erected -over his remains a tomb of Delhi stone, and his death was announced -to the regiment by Colonel Bolton in a regimental order, which did -full justice to his merits “_as a good and gallant officer_,” -expressing at the same time, that “_he was devotedly attached to -his profession, and that he was the warm advocate and steady friend -of the well-deserving soldier_.” - - -MAJOR GEORGE BALDWIN. - -This officer commenced his military career as ensign in the -thirty-sixth regiment, on the 2nd of June 1808. He served in -Holland during 1809 and 1810, and was present at the capture of -Walcheren and siege of Flushing. Ensign Baldwin was removed from -the thirty-sixth to the third Ceylon regiment on the 4th of April -1811, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the fourteenth -regiment of foot on the 9th of November 1814. Lieutenant Baldwin -was present at the memorable battle of Waterloo, for which he -received a medal, and served at the storming of Cambray on the 24th -of June 1815. He exchanged from the half-pay of the seventy-fifth -regiment to the THIRTY-FIRST on the 14th of March 1822, and -embarked for India on the 7th of February 1825, with the right -wing of the regiment on board the ship _Kent_, which was burnt at -sea on the 1st of March following. Lieutenant Baldwin received a -severe injury when the ship was in flames, by an iron spike running -into his thigh. Lieutenant Baldwin was promoted to the rank of -Captain in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 14th of June 1833. He -served in the campaign of Affghanistan in 1842; was present in -the action at Mazeena on the 26th of July 1842; at Tezeen on the -13th of September following; and at the occupation of Cabool by -Major-General Pollock. For his services in Affghanistan he was -rewarded with a medal, and received the brevet rank of major on the -23rd of December 1842. On the 8th of October 1844 he was promoted -to the rank of major in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. Major Baldwin -served with the army of the Sutlej in 1845, was present at the -battles of Moodkee and Ferozeshah; in the latter he was mortally -wounded. Major Baldwin died on the 30th of December 1845. - - -FOOTNOTE: - -[43] This account of the services of Lieut.-Colonel Skinner has -(with permission) been abridged from a printed (but unpublished) -“_Sketch of the Military Services of Lieut.-General Skinner and his -Sons_,” by Allan Maclean Skinner, Esq., of Lincoln’s Inn, Barrister -at Law, youngest son of the late Lieut.-General Skinner. - - - * * * * * - -As the _Thirtieth_, _Thirty-first_, and _Thirty-second_ Regiments -were originally raised, in 1702, as _Marine Corps_, and served in -that capacity until the year 1714, when they were retained, as -Regiments of regular Infantry, on the Establishment of the Army, -the following account of the _Marine Corps_ is appended,--it -being found impracticable to record the earlier services of the -_Thirtieth_, _Thirty-first_ and _Thirty-second_ Regiments distinct -from those of the _Marine Corps_, in consequence of their being -employed, from 1702 to 1714, _by detachments_ on board the Fleet, -and engaged on various services at Sea, as well as on land, -according to the purposes for which they were originally raised. - - - - - HISTORICAL RECORD - - OF - - THE MARINE CORPS, - - CONTAINING - - AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR FORMATION AND SERVICES - FROM 1664 TO 1748; - - AT WHICH PERIOD THOSE CORPS CEASED TO FORM PART OF THE - ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGULAR ARMY. - - - FROM THE YEAR 1755 - - THE PRESENT CORPS OF - - ROYAL MARINES - - HAVE BEEN UNDER THE CONTROL OF - - THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY. - - - COMPILED BY - - RICHARD CANNON, Esq., - - ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE, HORSE-GUARDS. - - - ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES. - - - - -THE MARINE REGIMENTS. - - - - - CONTENTS - - OF THE - - RECORDS OF THE MARINE CORPS. - - - YEAR PAGE - INTRODUCTION. - - 1664 Formation of a Corps for Sea-service on commencement - of war with Holland 1 - - ---- Designated “_The Admiral’s Maritime Regiment_,” - and commanded by the Duke of York, afterwards - King James II. -- - - 1672 Formation of additional Corps of Marines on renewal - of hostilities with Holland 2 - - 1689 _The Admiral’s Maritime Regiment_ incorporated - in the Second Foot Guards -- - - 1702 Formation of six Regiments of Marines -- - - ---- Six other Regiments of Infantry selected for - Sea-service -- - - ---- The Royal Warrant for forming the six Regiments of - Marines, and for selecting six other Regiments for - Sea-service 3 - - ---- Other Regiments embarked, at different periods during - the war, to serve as Marines on board the Fleet -- - - ---- Rules and Instructions for the duties, pay, and - clothing of the Marine forces 4 - - 1702 Placed under the control of the Lord High Admiral, - the Prince George of Denmark 4 - - ---- Appointment of Brigadier-General W. Seymour, of the - Fourth Foot, to superintend the details of the - Marine Regiments 5 - - ---- Uniform prescribed for the Marine forces -- - - ---- Independent Companies of Marines formed for the fleet - in the West Indies -- - - ---- Services of the Marines on board the fleet in the - Mediterranean -- - - 1704 Proceeded in the fleet to Lisbon, to aid the cause - of the Archduke Charles of Austria -- - - ---- Proceeded against Barcelona, but afterwards withdrew, - and re-embarked 6 - - ---- Attack and Capture of Gibraltar -- - - ---- Engagement of the British and French fleets in the - Mediterranean 7 - - ---- Siege of Gibraltar by the Spaniards and French 8 - - 1705 The attempt to retake the fortress abandoned after - a siege of seven months 9 - - ---- The Marine Corps distributed in the several ships - of war on the coast of Spain 10 - - ---- Proceeded against Barcelona with the troops under - the Earl of Peterborough -- - - ---- Capture of Fort Montjuich by storm 11 - - ---- Surrender of the garrison of Barcelona 12 - - 1706 Siege of Barcelona by the French 13 - - ---- The French raised the siege and retreated -- - - ---- Capture of Carthagena -- - - ---- Capture of Alicant 14 - - ---- Surrender of Iviça -- - - ---- Surrender of Majorca -- - - 1707 Attack and siege of Toulon 15 - - ---- The siege of Toulon raised -- - - 1708 Surrender of Sardinia -- - - 1708 Capture of the Island of Minorca 16 - - ---- Decease of H. R. H. the Prince George of Denmark, - Consort of Queen Anne, and Lord High Admiral of - England -- - - 1709 Capture of _Anna-polis Royal_, in Nova Scotia 17 - - ---- Surrender of Alicant to the forces of Spain and - France -- - - 1710 Capture of the Isle of Cette 18 - - ---- The Isle of Cette recaptured -- - - 1711 Proceeded on an Expedition against Quebec, in Canada -- - - ---- Failure of the expedition by storms and wreck in the - River St. Lawrence 19 - - ---- Decease of Joseph I., Emperor of Austria -- - - ---- Election of Charles III. of Spain to be Emperor of - Germany -- - - 1712 Negotiations for general peace -- - - 1713 Definitive treaty of peace at Utrecht on 31st March 20 - - ---- Gibraltar, Minorca, and Nova Scotia ceded to Great - Britain by the treaty of peace -- - - ---- The Corps of Marines disbanded -- - - 1714 Decease of Her Majesty Queen Anne on the 1st of August -- - - ---- Accession of King George I. -- - - ---- Attempts of the Son of the late King James II. to - obtain the throne, defeated -- - - ---- Augmentations made to the Army 21 - - ---- Three of the late regiments of Marines, now the 30th, - 31st, and 32nd, retained, and placed on the - establishment of the infantry of the Line -- - - 1739 War declared against Spain on the 23rd of October, - 1739 -- - - ---- Augmentation of the Land forces 22 - - 1739 Formation of six regiments of Marines 22 - - ---- Fleet of five ships, with a detachment of Marines, - under Admiral Vernon, proceeded against - _Porto Bello_ -- - - 1740 An additional regiment of Marines, of four battalions, - formed at New York in North America, and Colonel - Spotswood appointed Colonel-Commandant 23 - - ---- The six regiments of Marines augmented from 700 to - 1000 men each -- - - ---- Augmentation of the four invalid companies of Marines -- - - ---- Usefulness of Marine forces, as proved on former - occasions, now generally admitted 24 - - ---- Formation of four additional regiments of Marines, - of 1000 men each -- - - ---- Attack and capture of Fort Chagre 25 - - ---- Fleet under Admiral Sir Chaloner Ogle, and troops, - including the six Marine regiments under General - Lord Cathcart, proceeded to the West Indies, for - the purpose of attacking the Spanish possessions - in South America -- - - ---- Death of General Lord Cathcart at Dominica 26 - - ---- Brigadier-General Wentworth succeeded to the military - command of the expedition -- - - 1741 The whole collected at Jamaica under Admiral Vernon -- - - ---- Proceeded to the _Grande Playa_, to windward of the - town of Carthagena -- - - ---- Capture of forts _St. Jago_ and _St. Philip_ -- - - ---- Capture of the castle of _Bocca Chica_ 27 - - ---- Capture of Fort _St. Joseph_ -- - - ---- Capture of the castle of _Grande Castello_ -- - - ---- Attack of St. Lazar by escalade -- - - 1741 Repulse of the troops, and abandonment of the - enterprise 28 - - ---- The forts and castle of Carthagena demolished -- - - ---- The expedition returned to Jamaica -- - - ---- Another expedition proceeded to the island of Cuba 29 - - ---- Returned to Jamaica after encountering much sickness - and numerous casualties 30 - - 1742 The island of _Rattan_, in the bay of Honduras, - taken possession of, and placed in a state of - defence 31 - - ---- A detachment sent to the assistance of General - Oglethorpe, in South Carolina, against the - Spaniards 32 - - ---- Recall of Admiral Vernon and General Wentworth -- - - ---- The independent Companies at Jamaica (now the - forty-ninth regiment) and the Marines on board - of the fleet, completed with effective men; the - remainder of the troops returned to England -- - - ---- The command of the fleet in the West Indies devolved - on Sir Chaloner Ogle -- - - 1743 Another expedition proceeded to South America, under - the command of Commodore Knowles of the Navy, with - 400 men of the thirty-eighth regiment and 600 - Marines 33 - - ---- Sailed to Antigua, and proceeded to attack La Guira - in Terra Firma -- - - ---- Proceeded to Curaçao to refit -- - - ---- Sailed again for Porto Cavallo -- - - ---- Attack of Ponta Brava -- - - ---- Returned to Jamaica 34 - - ---- Declaration of war against France on 31st March, 1743 35 - - 1744 Engagement of a party of Marines of the Essex - ship-of-war in the Mediterranean 35 - - ---- Active means adopted for completing the ten regiments - of Marines -- - - 1745 Expedition against Cape Breton 36 - - ---- Capitulation of Louisburg and of the Island of Cape - Breton -- - - 1746 Complaints investigated respecting the settlement of - accounts in the corps of Marines 37 - - ---- Contemplated expedition against Quebec 38 - - ---- Expedition proceeded against _Port L’Orient_ -- - - ---- Disembarked in Quimperlay Bay, and advanced against - Plymeur -- - - ---- Re-embarked and sailed for Quiberon -- - - ---- Returned to England 39 - - 1747 Royal Warrant issued on the 28th February, 1747, for - placing the Marine Forces under the control of the - Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty -- - - ---- Renewed efforts of the King of France against the - British possessions in North America, and in the - East Indies 40 - - ---- Victory over the French Fleet by Vice-Admiral Lord - Anson and Rear-Admiral Sir Peter Warren, K.B., on - the 3rd of May, 1747 41 - - ---- Another victory over the French Fleet, by Commodore - Fox, in June 1747 42 - - ---- A further victory obtained on the 14th of October, - 1747, by Admiral Sir Edward Hawke, over the French - Fleet -- - - 1748 A fleet proceeded under Admiral Boscawen, with - Marines and other troops, to attack the - _Mauritius_ 43 - - ---- Proceeded thence to the coast of _Coromandel_ -- - - ---- Disembarked and marched towards _Pondicherry_ 44 - - 1748 Obtained possession of _Arian Coupan_ 44 - - ---- Re-embarked after having demolished the fort of - Arian Coupan -- - - ---- Another expedition, under Rear-Admiral Knowles, - proceeded against St. Jago in Cuba 45 - - ---- Squadron returned to Jamaica -- - - ---- The King of France expressed a desire for Peace -- - - ---- Definitive treaty of Peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle - on 18th October, 1748 46 - - ---- The ten regiments of Marines disbanded in November, - 1748 -- - - - 1755 Preparations for renewing war with France -- - - ---- Re-formation of the present Corps of Marines -- - - ---- Augmentations made in the Army and Navy -- - - ---- Fifty Companies of Marines, formed in Three Divisions, - raised under the control of the Lords Commissioners - of the Admiralty -- - - ---- An Act of Parliament for the regulation of the Marine - Forces while doing duty on Shore -- - - 1802 The Royal Authority granted for the Marine Forces to - be styled “_The Royal Marines_” 47 - - 1805 A _Fourth_ Division formed at Woolwich by Order in - Council dated 15th August 1805 -- - - 1827 Presentation of Colours, on the part of His Majesty - King George IV., by His Royal Highness the Duke of - Clarence, then Lord High Admiral, and afterwards - King William IV 48 - - -PLATES. - - Costume of Marines in 1742 _to face page_ 1 - - Present Colours of the Royal Marines ” 48 - - - - - CONTENTS - - OF THE - - APPENDIX TO THE MARINE CORPS. - - - YEAR PAGE - - Authorities were granted by King William III. - in 1694; by Queen Anne in 1713; and by - King George I. in 1715, for deciding the - Rank and Precedence of the Regiments of - Infantry, and for giving Numeral Titles to - the several Regiments, according to the dates - of formation, or of being placed on the - English establishment; as recommended by - Boards of General Officers, at the several - periods stated:--These regulations were confirmed - by the Warrants of King George II., - dated 1st July, 1751, and of King George III., - dated 19th December, 1768 49 - - 1660 The Regiments of Infantry, exclusive of the - three regiments of Foot Guards, from the - period of the Restoration of King Charles II., - in 1660, to 1684, consisted of-- - The 1st, or the Royal Regiment. - The 2nd, or the Queen’s Royal (First Tangier) Regiment. - The 3rd, or the Holland Regiment. - The 4th, (the Second Tangier) Regiment. -- - - 1685 The 5th and 6th Regiments were formed in Holland, - in the year 1674, and were brought to England on - the requisition of King James II., in 1685,--from - which period they were authorized to take rank in - the English Army -- - - 1685 The Regiments of Infantry formed during the reign - of King James II., and placed on the establishment - of the army, were:-- - From 7th Royal Fusiliers to 17th Regiment 49 - - 1688 During the reign of King William III.: - and From 18th Regiment to 27th Regiment -- - - 1689 The 18th Royal Irish Regiment was formed in Ireland - in 1684; and the 21st Royal North British Fusiliers - in Scotland in 1678: They were placed on the - English establishment, the 18th in 1688, and the - 21st in 1689, from which periods their numerical - rank took effect -- - - 1702 Formed during the reign of Queen Anne: - From 28th Regiment to 39th Regiment -- - - 1717 Formed during the reign of King George I.: - From 40th Regiment to 41st Regiment -- - - 1739 Formed during the reign of King George II.: - From 42nd Regiment to 70th Regiment 50 - - And - The Marine Corps 52 - - 1775 Formed during the reign of King George III.: - From 71st. Regiment to 93rd Regiment 54 - - 1793 The Scots Brigade brought from Holland 55 - - 1800 The Rifle Brigade originally formed -- - - 1824 Formed during the reign of King George IV.: - From 94th Regiment to 99th Regiment -- - - -[Illustration: MARINES. 1742.] - - - - -FORMATION AND SERVICES - -OF THE - -MARINE CORPS. - - -The advantages arising from the services of corps trained to the -use of arms _on board of ship, as well as on land_, were found -when the British navy acquired a superiority over that of other -nations of Europe; and as the safety of Great Britain, from its -insular position, chiefly depends on the efficiency and excellence -of her fleets, the importance and value of _Marine Forces_ have -consequently been at all times acknowledged and appreciated by the -Sovereign, as well as by the Nation at large. - -[Sidenote: 1664] - -The first corps raised for Sea-service, of which history gives -an account, is that which was formed by King Charles II., in the -year 1664, when the war with Holland took place: this corps was -commanded by the Duke of York (afterwards King James II.), then -Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, and was designated “_The -Admiral’s Maritime Regiment_.”[44] - -[Sidenote: 1672] - -In the year 1672 a dispute on the subject of naval precedence, -and other causes, gave rise to another war with the Dutch, and -battalions for _Sea-service_ were formed, as the occasions of the -State required, by drafts from the land forces, which were embarked -on board the fleet; several companies of the Foot Guards were -employed on the Marine duty; these companies were engaged in a -sharp fight with the Dutch fleet on the 28th of May, 1672, in which -upwards of two thousand men were killed; they were also engaged in -several other actions during the war which ended in February, 1674. - -[Sidenote: 1689] - -In 1689 King William III. incorporated “_the Admiral’s Regiment_” -(which was then considered the third regiment of Infantry) in the -Second, now the Coldstream, regiment of Foot Guards. Two Marine -regiments were, about the same time, established for service on -board the fleet, which were disbanded in 1698. - -[Sidenote: 1702] - -On the recommencement of hostilities, in 1702, with France and -Spain, both of which nations possessed powerful fleets as well -as numerous armies, the British Parliament felt the expediency -of enabling the Queen to increase the efficiency of her navy, by -forming _Corps of Marines_, which could act at sea as well as on -land. - -Six regiments were accordingly added in the year 1702 to the -regular Army as _Marine corps_, and six other of the regular -regiments of Infantry were appointed for _Sea-service_; as shown in -the following list. - -The six Regiments of Marines were:-- - - Colonel Thomas Saunderson’s, now thirtieth foot. - Colonel George Villiers’s, now thirty-first foot. - Colonel Edward Fox’s, now thirty-second foot. - Colonel Harry Mordaunt’s; disbanded in 1713. - Colonel Henry Holl’s; disbanded in 1713. - Colonel Viscount Shannon’s; disbanded in 1713. - -The six regiments of Foot for _Sea-service_ were:-- - - Colonel Ventris Columbine’s, now sixth foot. - Colonel Thomas Erle’s, now nineteenth foot. - Colonel Gustavus Hamilton’s, now twentieth foot. - Colonel Lord Lucas’s, now thirty-fourth foot. - Colonel Earl of Donegal’s, now thirty-fifth foot. - Colonel Lord Charlemont’s, now thirty-sixth foot. - -Her Majesty’s Order for levying this body of men was contained in -the following Royal Warrant, dated 1st of June, 1702:-- - - “ANNE R. - - “Our pleasure is, that this establishment of _six regiments of - Marines_, and six other regiments for _Sea-Service_, do commence - and take place from the respective times of raising. - - “And our further pleasure is, that the order given by our dearest - brother the late King, deceased, and such orders as are, or shall - be, given by us, touching the pay or entertainment of our said - forces, or any of them, or any charges thereunto belonging, shall - be duly complied with, and that no new charge be added to this - establishment without being communicated to our High Treasurer, - or Commissioners of our Treasury for the time being. - - “Given at our Court at St. James’s, on the first day of June in - the first year of our reign. - - “_By Her Majesty’s Command._ - “GODOLPHIN.” - - -Other regiments were also embarked, at different periods, during -the war, on board the fleet to act as Marines, and the efficiency -and usefulness of these corps, while so employed, were attested by -the capture of several fortresses in Spain; more especially that of -Gibraltar in 1704, the taking of which was effected by the Navy and -Marines. - -Rules and Instructions for the better government of the Marine -regiments were issued by authority of Her Majesty Queen Anne, on -the 1st of July, 1702, in which it was directed, “That when on -shore they were to be quartered in the vicinity of the dock-yards, -in order to guard them from embezzlement, or from any attempt that -might be made on them by an enemy.” - -Full instructions were also given as to their pay, subsistence, and -clothing, which directed, “that the same deductions should be made -for clothing as was usual in the land forces. Also that one day’s -pay in every year be deducted from officers and soldiers for the -Hospital. - -“When on board ship they were to have an equal proportion of -provisions with the seamen, without any deductions from their pay, -the soldiers receiving short allowance money like the seamen.” - -In order to render such portions of the Marine regiments as might -be on shore, useful on all occasions when their services might be -required, Her Majesty directed, that it should rest with herself, -or with the Lord High Admiral, the Prince George of Denmark, to -dispose of them at such places nearest to the several dock-yards as -might be judged most convenient; and as there might be occasion for -labourers to despatch necessary public works, Her Majesty empowered -the High Admiral, or the Commissioners for executing that office, -to cause to be employed in the dock-yards so many of the marine -soldiers as might be judged fitting, and to make them such daily -allowance for their labour, besides their ordinary pay, as should -seem reasonable. - -The Marine forces being thus placed under the control of the Lord -High Admiral, His Royal Highness was pleased in 1702, to nominate -Colonel William Seymour (of the fourth regiment of foot) to -superintend the whole, with the rank of Brigadier-General, whose -peculiar duties were to observe, that the men were comfortably -quartered, that the officers were attentive in their respective -departments, and that the marine soldiers, when embarked on board -of ship, were supplied with proper sea-clothes and other suitable -necessaries. When the Marines were serving afloat, they were to be -under the command of the Naval Officers of the ships. - -The Uniform of the Marine forces consisted of high-crowned -leather-caps, covered with cloth of the same colour as the facings -of the regiment, and ornamented with devices, the same as the caps -worn by the grenadiers; scarlet frock-coat; buff waist-belt; black -pouch carried in front, with bayonet-belt attached; buff gaiters. - -During the reign of Queen Anne, certain Independent Companies of -Marines were raised for the purpose of aiding in the defence of the -British possessions in the West Indies. - -The first important service on which the Marine corps were employed -in this reign, was on board the fleet under Admiral Sir Cloudesly -Shovel, then commanding in the Mediterranean, who was instructed to -make every possible arrangement, by conciliation or by conquest, -among the dependencies of the French and Spanish monarchies, in -order to ensure a cordial reception of the Archduke Charles of -Austria, in opposition to Philip, Duke of Anjou, of France, to the -throne of Spain. - -[Sidenote: 1704] - -After some delays, the Archduke arrived at Lisbon under Admiral Sir -George Rooke, on the 25th of February, 1704, in order to concert a -plan of future operations with his ally the King of Portugal. - -Sir George Rooke, after cruising with the fleet on the coast -of Portugal, returned to Lisbon, and took the Prince of -Hesse-Darmstadt on board, with whom he sailed on the 20th of -April to Barcelona. On the arrival of the fleet before Barcelona, -the Prince of Hesse sent a letter to Don Velasco, the governor, -requiring him to surrender the town, which he refused. Information, -however, being received that the city would declare for Charles -III. if a show of attack were made,--sixteen hundred Marines were -accordingly landed at the request, and under the command, of -Major-General the Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt, on the 19th of May, -1704: this force, being found to be inadequate for the purpose, was -re-embarked on the following day. - -The next object of attack was the Rock of _Gibraltar_, where the -Prince of Hesse landed in the afternoon of the 21st of July, 1704, -with 1800 British and Dutch Marines. Acting upon the decision of a -council of war, His Highness proceeded to cut off all communication -with the mainland, to bombard the place, and to reduce it to the -obedience of Charles III., King of Spain. The governor, on being -summoned, refused to surrender, alleging that all the garrison had -taken an oath of allegiance to King Philip V. - -Admiral Sir George Rooke having directed a strong force to proceed -against the South Mole, the enemy was driven from his guns; several -boats, manned and armed, were then detached under the command of -Captain Whitaker, of the Navy, who soon obtained possession of the -great platform: about one hundred of the besiegers, whose impetuous -bravery had carried them within the effects of a mine connected -with the fort, were killed or wounded by the explosion; the rest, -advancing rapidly, gained a redoubt half-way between the mole and -the town. The Governor, at the urgent desire of the inhabitants, -was induced to capitulate, and the Prince of Hesse took possession -of the garrison on the evening of Sunday the 24th of July 1704. -The loss in effecting the capture of this important fortress was -sixty-one killed, and two hundred and six wounded. The attack of -the seamen was one of the boldest and most difficult ever made, -being obliged to climb up rocks and precipices. Thus was taken, in -three days, a fortress since made impregnable to all assaults. - -The loss of Gibraltar disconcerted the measures of Philip V., and -of his grandfather Louis XIV. Eight thousand men, under the Marquis -de Villadarias, were immediately detached from the Spanish army -to retake the fortress; and the French Admiral received orders -to engage the British and Dutch fleets, and to co-operate in the -recapture of Gibraltar. The hostile fleets engaged on the 24th of -August, about eleven leagues south of Malaga, and, after each had -suffered severely, they were separated in the night. The enemy -retired to Toulon, and Sir George Rooke sailed to Gibraltar. Here, -after having held a Council of War, it was determined to return -home; and the confederate fleet sailed for England, arriving at -Spithead on the 25th of September. Sir John Leake and Admiral -Vanderdussen were left at Lisbon to protect the coast of Portugal, -and relieve Gibraltar, if it should be besieged as was anticipated. - -The Marquis de Villadarias commenced the siege of Gibraltar on the -22nd of October, and the garrison, composed of Marines, under the -command of the Prince of Hesse, sustained a siege by seven thousand -men. The purpose of the enemy was to have stormed from the South -Mole, united with the desperate attempt of a Spanish forlorn-hope -climbing the rock, and a general attack from the mainland. The -fortress was maintained against very superior numbers; and the fire -of the enemy’s batteries having damaged the works, a body of men -was landed from the fleet to assist in the defence. Brigadier Fox, -and several other officers and men, having been killed on the 5th -of December, 1704, aid was solicited from the army in Portugal. -Admiral Sir John Leake accordingly sailed from Lisbon on the 10th -of December, with a fleet, having on board a battalion of the first -and second foot guards; Barrymore’s regiment, now thirteenth foot; -Donegal’s regiment, now thirty-fifth foot; the Dutch regiment of -Waes; and a Portuguese regiment; amounting in all to upwards of -three thousand men. On their passage they fell in with the enemy’s -squadron under Monsieur de Pointi, but they succeeded in arriving -at Gibraltar, although some of the transports had separated. - -These corps were safely landed on the 18th of December, and the -Prince, strengthened by this reinforcement, made a sortie on the -23rd, and destroyed the lines, that had been erected within a -hundred and sixty paces of the palisade. - -[Sidenote: 1705] - -The Marquis de Villadarias, having received a considerable -reinforcement, evinced a disposition to storm the place, and on the -2nd of February, 1705, an attempt was made against the Round Tower, -to ascertain what might be effected by a larger force. On the 7th -the enemy attacked with five hundred chosen grenadiers, French and -Walloons, commanded by Lieut.-General Thouy, and supported by one -thousand Spanish troops. They ascended the hill in perfect silence -at daybreak, and again attempted to storm the Round Tower, which -was defended by Colonel Borr, of the Marines, now thirty-second -regiment. The assailants, by throwing from above great stones -and grenades on his men, at last obliged him to retire into that -part of the works where the foot guards were posted. Flushed with -success, they advanced too far; when they were gallantly charged -by Colonel Moncall, of Barrymore’s (thirteenth) regiment, and -driven from the Round Tower. Colonel Rivett, of the Coldstream foot -guards, having got up the rock on the right of the covered-way with -twenty grenadiers, favoured very much Colonel Moncall’s success. -The garrison by this time had assembled, and kept up so destructive -a fire that the enemy was obliged to make a precipitate retreat, -losing seventy men killed on the spot; upwards of two hundred -wounded; and one captain, four lieutenants, and forty men taken. -The loss on the part of the garrison was twenty-seven men killed, -and one hundred and twenty wounded. - -Marshal de Tessé arrived with additional troops to carry on the -siege; the garrison also received fresh reinforcements from -Portugal, besides supplies of every description. Admiral Sir John -Leake sailed from the Tagus on the 6th of March, 1705, and his -arrival in the bay of Gibraltar on the 10th, was again so sudden, -that he completely surprised the Baron de Pointi, together with the -whole of his squadron, consisting of live ships of the line, three -of which were captured, and two were driven on shore, and burnt by -the enemy. - -After a siege of seven months the enemy retired, in April, giving -up all hopes of being able to make any impression on the fortress: -his efforts were then confined to a very feeble blockade. - -The fortress of Gibraltar, seated upon the territory of Spain, -was thus rendered subject to the British crown by the bravery of -its Navy and Marines: its possession was subsequently secured by -the defence made against the renewed efforts of the Spaniards in -1727, and by the glorious defence sustained by the troops, under -General Lord Heathfield, for three years, from 1779 to 1782, when -it exhibited to the nations of Europe a brilliant instance of -the combined exertions of the British navy and army against the -repeated, but unsuccessful, attempts of Spain and France to recover -this important fortress. - -After the Spaniards and French had desisted from further attempts -to retake Gibraltar, the Marine corps were distributed in the -several ships of war which were collected in the Tagus, in order to -co-operate with the land forces on the coast of Spain. - -Towards the end of May, the English fleet, with about five thousand -land forces on board, under the joint command of Admiral Sir -Cloudesly Shovel and General the Earl of Peterborough, sailed -from St. Helen’s, and arrived at Lisbon on the 20th of June. King -Charles went on board the Ranelagh on the 23rd of July, and the -Dutch fleet having joined in the Tagus, the confederate squadron -sailed on the 28th, and anchored at Gibraltar on the 11th of -August. The Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt, with the battalion of foot -guards, and the thirteenth and thirty-fifth regiments, embarked, -and the fleet sailed for Altea Bay: form thence it again proceeded -on its voyage, and anchored before Barcelona on the 22nd of August. - -The Earl of Peterborough commenced active operations against -_Barcelona_ by an attack on the strong fortress of _Montjuich_, -situated on the opposite part of the town, at which the -disembarkation took place, the troops having landed near the river -Bassoz, about three miles east of Barcelona, on the 23rd and -24th of August. On the 28th, King Charles went on shore, when the -inhabitants of the neighbouring towns and villages flocked to the -camp, and many took arms to act as guerilla-bands and miquelets. A -difference of opinion on the part of the Dutch General occasioned -some delay, but it was ultimately determined to attack the fortress -of _Montjuich_ by storm. - -The storming party, consisting of four hundred grenadiers, with -a support of six hundred musketeers, commanded by the Earl -of Peterborough and the Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt, commenced -their march about ten o’clock on the night of Sunday the 13th -of September round the mountains, and were followed by another -detachment, and a party of dragoons. After traversing many miles of -rugged mountain scenery, by different tracks, the storming party -appeared about break of day at the foot of the mountain. Colonel -Southwell of the sixth foot, which was then acting as Marines, was -ordered to head the attack, and he succeeded in driving the enemy -from the outworks into the castle. Upon this success the Prince of -Hesse, advancing with great eagerness through all the fire, was -shot with a musket-ball in the thigh, and upon being carried to -an adjacent cottage, expired: this accident somewhat damped the -spirits of the soldiers;--at the same time a large reinforcement -was seen advancing from the town to aid the garrison in the Castle, -and the troops received orders from some inferior officer to -retire. The Earl of Peterborough rushed to the spot, countermanded -the order, seized the half-pike out of Lord Charlemont’s hand, and -rallied and led back the soldiers to the posts they had so nobly -won. The Spaniards, who were advancing from the town, turned back, -and the outworks of the Fortress of Montjuich were thus gained; -batteries were constructed, and the inner works were assailed with -cannon-balls, bombs, and grenades. On the 17th of September the -Fort surrendered, and thus facilitated the siege of the _City of -Barcelona_, which was prosecuted with vigour. The Admirals even -relinquished for a time their natural element, and acted on shore -as General Officers;--they came daily from their ships with a body -of men formed into companies, having captains and lieutenants of -their own. Cannon and mortars were dragged up steep precipices -by the men; and a breach being declared practicable, a body of -soldiers prepared to attack the town: further effusion of blood -was spared, however, by the surrender of the garrison, which -capitulated on the 9th of October. - -The capture of Barcelona gave additional reputation to the -arms of the allies, and this splendid achievement was regarded -with astonishment throughout Europe. It was accompanied by the -submission of nearly all Catalonia; and Boyer, in his history -of these wars, observes, “all the generals, admirals, officers, -private soldiers, and seamen, engaged in this memorable expedition, -deserved each their share of the honour.” - -[Sidenote: 1706] - -King Charles and his counsellors, instead of exerting themselves -to provide for the security of the towns which had come into -their possession, and collecting the means for future conquests, -spent their time and money in balls and public diversions. The -breaches in _Barcelona_, and the fortress of _Montjuich_, were left -unrepaired, and the garrison unprovided for a siege. Meanwhile -King Philip was obtaining reinforcements from the favourers of -his cause in Portugal, Italy, Provence, Flanders, and the Rhine, -and he soon appeared at the head of above twenty thousand men to -recapture the provinces he had lost. A powerful French and Spanish -force approached Barcelona by land; a French fleet appeared before -the town, and the garrison, being weak in numbers, regiments were -hurried from other places, one English regiment travelling one -hundred and twenty miles on mules, in two days, to take part in the -defence of Barcelona. The siege was commenced in the beginning of -April, 1706, when the soldiers repaired the breaches, and entered -upon a resolute and desperate defence. A severe conflict took place -on the 21st of April at _Montjuich_, in which Lord Donegal, of the -thirty-fifth regiment, lost his life, and several prisoners were -taken by the enemy; but when the garrison was nearly exhausted, its -numbers decreased by deaths, wounds, sickness, and other causes, to -about a thousand effective men, and a practicable breach was ready -for the enemy to attack the place by storm, the English and Dutch -fleet arrived with five regiments of foot; the French fleet hurried -from before the town; and the reinforcements were landed. - -The French, who had prepared to storm the place on the 10th of May, -relaxed in their efforts, and raised the siege on the following -day, making a precipitate retreat. - -The important city of _Barcelona_ being thus relieved, the -fleet sailed on the 12th of May, and landed the forces of every -description on the coast of Valencia. This was preparatory to an -attack on _Alicant_. The capture of _Carthagena_ was in the interim -effected, and a garrison of six hundred marines under Major Hedges -was established for its defence. - -The fleet arrived off _Alicant_ on the 26th of June, when the -Governor-General Mahoni, was summoned to surrender: a refusal -being made by the garrison, consisting of one thousand soldiers, -and many inhabitants of the town who had volunteered in its -defence, the bombardment of the city was resolved upon. - -Brigadier Richard Gorges, who succeeded the Earl of Donegal, as -colonel of the thirty-fifth regiment, then serving as marines, -moved from Elcho on the 21st of July to within a mile of Alicant, -and all the marines of the fleet, with eight hundred seamen, were -landed on that day, and on the following morning:--the bombardment -commenced on the evening of the 22nd. A detachment of the navy, -under Admiral Sir George Byng, rendered very essential service by -dismounting many of the enemy’s guns on the coast. On the 24th of -July the marines arrived from Carthagena, and were immediately -landed; after four days the troops had gained possession of the -suburbs, and all the boats were manned, and armed, in order to -attack the town. On the 29th of July the ships having made a -practicable breach on the Round Tower, at the west end of the -place, and another at the middle of the curtain, the soldiers -advanced to storm them. General Mahoni retired into the Castle, and -was again summoned by Brigadier Gorges, and was at length obliged -to surrender his charge on the 25th of August, after a most gallant -resistance, and a heavy loss. - -The fleet proceeded to _Iviça_, where it arrived on the 9th -of September: the governor immediately saluted, and tendered -submission to King Charles III. It was next resolved to attack -_Majorca_, which surrendered on the 14th of September: a garrison -of one captain, one lieutenant, and one hundred marines, was placed -in this island. - -[Sidenote: 1707] - -In June, 1707, an opportunity offered of co-operating with the -Duke of Savoy and Prince Eugene, in an intended attack upon Toulon: -the fleet proceeded for the coast of Italy, where it anchored, on -the 28th of June, between Nice and Antibes, about a league from -the Var: after a conference between the commanders-in-chief, it -was decided that a joint attack should be made upon a part of the -enemy’s army then entrenched upon that river: the positions, being -evacuated by the enemy, were immediately occupied by six hundred -British seamen and marines: the passage was thus secured for the -Duke of Savoy to prosecute his designs, and frigates were stationed -along different parts of the sea-coast: every aid was afforded by -the fleet both as to men and cannon; but the enemy having daily -augmented his forces, and having made a successful sally, the siege -was raised on the 10th of August, 1707, after a loss of more than a -thousand men. The French, from a sudden dread of consequences, sunk -a number of their largest ships of war, which were ever after unfit -for service. - -[Sidenote: 1708] - -King Charles having urged the reduction of Sardinia, with a view -to open a passage for his troops in Naples to attack Sicily, as -well as to secure a supply of provisions for his armies, a body -of marines was withdrawn from _Tarragona_, a strong sea-port and -garrison in Catalonia, to assist in this enterprise. On the 12th -of August, 1708, the whole arrived before Cagliari, the capital -of Sardinia; and on receiving an equivocal answer to the summons -to surrender, the bombardment commenced on that evening, and -continued, without intermission, until the next morning, when at -the break of day Major-General Wills (thirtieth regiment) and the -whole of the marines, with one Spanish regiment, were landed. The -place, in consequence, almost immediately surrendered. - -The whole having been re-embarked, the fleet again set sail on the -18th of August, 1708, for _Minorca_, and arrived at Port Mahon on -the 28th of that month. - -At this period _two_ of the Marine regiments were drafted, and -the officers and men were incorporated into the other _four_, now -employed on this service: this measure had become necessary in -order to supply the casualties which had occurred, and to render -these corps effective. For this purpose all the marines capable of -duty, were drawn from the fleet about to return home, in order to -assist in the reduction of an island, which, it was expected, would -make a spirited and tedious defence. - -The first attack was against _Fort Fornede_, which was cannonaded -by two of the ships, and surrendered after a contest of four hours; -a detachment having been pushed to _Citadella_ the capital, it -surrendered without resistance:--the batteries were opened on the -works defending the town of _Port Mahon_ on the 17th of September, -when, after a short but brisk fire, and the loss of only six men, a -lodgment was effected under the walls of St. Philip’s Castle; and -on the next day the place surrendered. - -Thus was this strong fortress, and the important _Island of -Minorca_, gained by a force of only two thousand four hundred men; -the garrison consisted of one thousand soldiers, with upwards of -one hundred pieces of cannon mounted. - -Admiral Sir George Byng arrived at Lisbon on the 14th of October, -from Portsmouth, having Her Majesty the Queen of Portugal on board; -but although many other objects of service were in contemplation, -nothing further was attempted during the remainder of the year 1708. - -On the 28th of October, 1708, the decease of His Royal Highness -the Prince George of Denmark, Consort of Her Majesty Queen Anne, -and Lord High Admiral of England, took place. - -[Sidenote: 1709] - -In the early part of the year 1709 a plan was formed to attack -_Port Royal_ in the province of Nova Scotia, at that time in -possession of the French: for this purpose a body of four hundred -marines was embarked, and the expedition was entrusted to the joint -conduct of Colonel Nicholson of the Marine forces, and Captain -Martin of the Navy. The squadron proceeded for Boston, where they -were reinforced by some ships, and provincial auxiliaries: for this -intended conquest a council of war was held, and arrangements were -made for the debarkation of a body consisting of two thousand five -hundred men, which took place on the 24th of September. On the 1st -of October the Governor surrendered the fortress, and a garrison of -Marines took possession. The fortress was named _Anna-polis Royal_, -in honour of Queen Anne, in whose reign it was conquered. - -At this period the prospects of King Charles III. in obtaining -the monarchy of Spain, had become very gloomy and doubtful. The -town of Alicant had sustained along and obstinate siege, against -very powerful forces of Spain and France. The garrison, consisting -principally of Marines, exhibited the most heroic perseverance in -maintaining the place. The fleet under Admiral Sir George Byng, and -the troops on board, under the command of General Stanhope, were to -have attempted its relief, and the squadron was at the same time -to have attacked the enemy’s lines along the sea shore; but the -weather continuing severe, and heavy gales preventing communication -with the town, the Commander-in-Chief deemed it necessary to -propose terms of surrender, and the remainder of the brave troops -were embarked on board of the fleet, which now proceeded to -Tarragona, Port Mahon, and afterwards to Barcelona. During the -remainder of the year 1709, the fleets attempted nothing beyond the -protecting of the convoys of provisions, where they were considered -necessary, and in harassing the commerce of the enemy. - -[Sidenote: 1710] - -On the 13th of March, 1710, Admiral Sir John Norris arrived at Port -Mahon, as Commander-in-Chief of the Naval forces. After making -arrangements for disposing of the ships and troops in attacks upon -the enemy, he proceeded to Barcelona on the 18th of June, in order -to concert future operations with His Majesty King Charles III. - -An expedition was planned against the _Isle of Cette_ in the -province of Languedoc, where the troops and Marines were landed on -the 13th of July. The place made a feeble resistance, and the Fort, -upon which were mounted eighteen pieces of cannon, surrendered on -the same day. The regiment of Stanhope, and three hundred Marines, -advanced against Adge, and the town was delivered up without -resistance. - -The Isle of Cette was shortly afterwards recovered by the French -army, under the Duke of Roquetaine; but the British troops had -previously re-embarked. - -[Sidenote: 1711] - -In the early part of the year 1711 it was resolved to make -an attack on the town of _Quebec_, the capital of the -French possessions in Canada, for which service Admiral Sir -Hovenden Walker and Major-General John Hill were appointed -Commanders-in-Chief; a large fleet of ships of war formed part of -the armament, which was to be further strengthened by troops from -the American colonies; they were directed to proceed to Boston in -New England, and to make arrangements for this undertaking. They -reached Naerlaskel near Boston on the 24th of June, and having -collected the provincial corps, and withdrawn the Marines from -Anna-polis Royal, which had been occupied by these corps since its -surrender in 1709, they sailed for the object of their destination, -after many delays, on the 30th of July. - -The expedition did not reach the River St. Lawrence until the 21st -of August, when it encountered storms, and being furnished with -pilots who were unacquainted with the navigation of that river, -eight transports, a store ship, and a sloop were lost by shipwreck, -and upwards of eighty persons, including officers, soldiers, and -women, principally belonging to Colonel Kane’s fourth regiment, and -Colonel Clayton’s thirty-seventh regiment, perished in this fatal -service. - -A scarcity of provisions had arisen, and it was then determined -by a council of war that further operations should be abandoned. -Some of the corps proceeded to Anna-polis Royal, and the squadron -returned to England in the month of October, 1711, after having -left the provincial auxiliaries upon their own coast. - -On the 17th of April, 1711, the decease of Joseph I., Emperor of -Germany, occurred, and Charles III., of Spain, was elected Emperor -of Germany at Frankfort, by the name of Charles IV., on the 12th -October following. Further attempts on the part of the British -Government, in the cause of King Charles were now unnecessary, as -he was called upon to assume the Imperial throne of his country. -His Majesty embarked at Barcelona, on the 27th of September, on -board of the confederate fleet, and sailed for Italy. - -[Sidenote: 1712] - -[Sidenote: 1713] - -In the year 1712 negotiations were entered into by Great Britain -and France, and peace was restored by the treaty of Utrecht on -the 31st of March, 1713. By this treaty it was settled, that -Great Britain should retain possession of Gibraltar, Minorca, and -Nova Scotia, which had been conquered during the late war, and in -effecting which, the Marine corps, which had been formed during the -reign of Queen Anne, greatly contributed. - -[Sidenote: 1714] - -On the return of peace, as concluded by the treaty of Utrecht, in -1713, the corps of Marines, which had been formed in the reign of -Queen Anne, were ordered to be disbanded; they were considered to -be part of a war establishment, and a spirit of public economy, as -well as of jealousy against a standing army, particularly in the -early periods after the Revolution of 1688, afforded to the leaders -of parliamentary debates, and of popular prejudices, grounds of -objection to the maintaining of such corps after the termination of -hostilities. - -The arrangements consequent on the general peace having been made, -a great reduction in the forces took place. These arrangements had -scarcely been decided, when the decease of Her Majesty Queen Anne -took place on the 1st of August, 1714, and King George the First -ascended the throne. - -Soon after His Majesty’s accession, the peace of the kingdom was -disturbed by the hostile designs of King Louis XV. of France, who -had supported and encouraged James Francis Edward Stuart, son of -His late Majesty King James II., in his endeavours to obtain the -throne of Great Britain; but the loyalty of the people, and the -courage of the troops, defeated the attempts for the restoration of -the Stuart family. - -King George I., being supported by the parliament, adopted -active measures for increasing his army, and resisting the plans -of his enemies. Six additional regiments of cavalry, from ninth -to fourteenth dragoons, were raised. The establishments of the -regiments of infantry were increased, and in consideration of the -gallant and extensive services of the Marine corps during the late -war, Wills’s, now _thirtieth_, Goring’s, now _thirty-first_, and -Borr’s, now _thirty-second_, were incorporated with the regiments -of infantry of the line, and ranked according to the dates of their -original formation in 1702. - -[Sidenote: 1739] - -From the year 1714 to 1739 no corps of Marines, except four invalid -companies, were kept on the establishment of the army. - -For several years Spain had beheld with great jealousy the growing -commerce and increasing naval consequence of Great Britain, -particularly in the neighbourhood of her possessions in South -America, where Spain had endeavoured to monopolize the whole -commerce and wealth of Mexico and Peru; the vessels of foreign -powers were forbidden, under severe penalties, to approach within -a certain distance of her American possessions; and to enforce -this, the American seas were filled with Spanish cruisers, whose -enormities at length attracted the attention of the British -parliament. After fruitless representations to the court of -Madrid for redress, the British ministry at length determined on -hostilities; and, with the acclamations of the nation, war was -formally declared against Spain on the 23rd of October, 1739. - -It was again considered necessary to form an efficient maritime -force in distinct regiments, by which means the corps of the -regular army could be embarked when required for continental -services, and the marine regiments could be employed, either -on board of ships of war, or at the naval stations, as might be -considered best for the public service. - -Orders were issued for augmenting the land forces, and also -for forming _six regiments of marines_, each to consist of ten -companies of seventy privates in each company, and to be commanded -by - - 1st, Colonel Edward Wolfe, from 3rd Foot Guards; - 2nd, Colonel W. Robinson, from Handasyd’s 22nd regiment; - 3rd, Colonel Andrew Lowther, from 2nd Foot Guards; - 4th, Colonel John Wynyard, from Tyrrell’s regiment; - 5th, Colonel Charles Douglas, from Howard’s regiment; - 6th, Colonel Lucius Ducie Moreton, from 3rd Foot Guards. - -In order to facilitate the speedy formation of these corps, and to -render them effective, five men from each company of the regiments -of foot guards were appointed serjeants and corporals; and further, -that they might be rapidly completed, a bounty of thirty shillings -per man was allowed to 1800 men who volunteered from the regiments -of infantry to the marine corps: by these energies, the whole of -the marine regiments were soon raised and disciplined. - -On the prospect of the commencement of hostilities Admiral Vernon -had sailed for Jamaica, where he arrived in October, 1739, with a -fleet of five ships, having 200 marines on board, and proceeded -from thence to _Porto Bello_, the destined object of his attach, -which was at that time the great mart for the wealthy commerce of -Chili and Peru; the attempt was fraught with many difficulties, but -it was undertaken and performed with spirit and promptitude. - -On the 21st of November, 1739, the attack was commenced by the -ships, in line of battle, against the Iron Castle, a strong -fort at the north point of the entrance into the harbour. The -Spaniards flying from several parts of it, an instant debarkation -of the seamen and marines from on board the Burford, Norwich, and -Worcester took place under cover of those ships, and the fort was -carried. Upon the 22nd an attack was intended against the whole, -but the enemy displayed the white flag as a signal of surrender. -After destroying the fortifications, which from their strength -required some time, the Admiral with his squadron sailed for -Jamaica on the 13th of December, 1739. - -[Sidenote: 1740] - -In the year 1740 an additional regiment, of four battalions, was -authorised to be raised in America, and the royal standard was -erected at New York, as the signal-post to which every volunteer -marine was to repair. The field officers and subalterns were -appointed by the King, and the captains of companies were nominated -by the American provinces. Colonel Spotswood, of Virginia, was -appointed colonel-commandant of the whole. It was supposed that, -from climate, the natives of that continent were better calculated -for the service to which they were destined, than Europeans. Their -uniform was camblet coats, brown linen waistcoats, and canvas -trousers. This regiment, which was afterwards commanded by Colonel -Gooche, was considered as the FORTY-THIRD regiment of infantry of -the line. - -In January, 1740, an augmentation of 340 men, and of one lieutenant -in each company, was made in each of the six regiments of marines, -and twenty men were added to each of the four companies of -invalids, and a similar number to the retired marine establishment. - -The utility of the corps of marines was now universally admitted, -and in a letter addressed to the Duke of Newcastle, then first lord -of the treasury and prime minister, by Admiral Vernon, previously -to his sailing with an expedition to the West Indies, he thus -expressed himself on the subject of marine soldiers:-- - - “I could wish that we” (alluding to ships of war) “had each a - company of regular troops on board, which would strengthen us - in numbers, and their expertness in handling their arms would - incite our seamen to the imitation of them. If we should come to - a general war with France as well as Spain, I believe your Grace - will have already perceived, from the difficulty of manning our - ships, the necessity of converting most of our marching regiments - into marines. - - “I have always looked upon our fleet as what must not only - protect our trade, but secure to us the blessings of a Protestant - succession, being strongly convinced in my own judgment, that - preserving a superiority at sea is the best security of His - Majesty’s government, as well as the trade and prosperity of this - kingdom.” - -The sentiments expressed by Admiral Vernon, in favour of the -marines, were drawn from the acknowledged usefulness of the corps -so employed in the naval expeditions during the reign of Queen Anne. - -In the year 1740 _four_ additional regiments of marines were -raised, viz.:-- - - 7th, Colonel W. Cornwall; - 8th, Colonel W. Hanmore; - 9th, Colonel C. Powlett; - 10th, Colonel J. Jeffreys. - -Each regiment consisted of ten companies of 100 men in each -company, which, with officers included, amounted to 1155 in each -regiment. The _six_ regiments raised in 1739 were increased to the -same numbers of officers and men. - -In February, 1740, the town of _Carthagena_, the capital of an -extensive and wealthy province in Terra Firma in South America, was -bombarded, and an attack was made upon Chagre, a fort situate upon -the mouth of a river of that name a little to the north-west of -the Gulf of Darien. The latter surrendered, after a sharp contest, -on the 24th of March, when the castle, situated on a rock, and the -custom house under its protection, were demolished and burnt. - -These were all that could be performed until the arrival of -reinforcements and supplies from England. The fleet afterwards -returned to Porto Bello, and from thence to Jamaica. - -Considerable exertions were made in England during the year -1740 with the view of attacking, more effectually, the Spanish -possessions in South America. - -A large number of ships of war was assembled at Spithead under -the command of Rear-Admiral Sir Chaloner Ogle, and a land force, -consisting of Harrison’s (15th) regiment, Wentworth’s (24th) -regiment, and part of Cavendish’s (34th) regiment, was collected in -the Isle of Wight, and held in readiness, with the six regiments -of marines, to be embarked for service under the orders of General -Lord Cathcart, a nobleman of approved courage and experience in war. - -The fleet, with the British armament, consisting of one hundred and -seventy ships, sailed from St. Helen’s in October, 1740; but being -overtaken by a tempest in the Bay of Biscay, it was dispersed. -The greater part of the vessels, being re-collected, the Admiral -prosecuted his voyage, and anchored at the neutral island of -Dominica, in order to obtain a supply of wood and water. - -Unfortunately for the service, General Lord Cathcart fell an -early victim to the disease of the climate, and the command of the -expedition devolved upon Brigadier-General Thomas Wentworth, of the -24th regiment. - -The sixth regiment of foot, under the command of Colonel John -Guise, who was appointed brigadier-general, was subsequently -ordered to proceed to the West Indies to reinforce the troops -employed in this enterprise. - -[Sidenote: 1741] - -The fleet, under the charge of Rear-Admiral Sir Chaloner Ogle, -arrived at Jamaica in January, 1741, and joined the force under -Vice-Admiral Vernon, who was thus placed at the head of the most -formidable fleet and army which were ever employed in those -seas. The conjoined squadrons consisted of twenty-nine ships of -the line, with nearly an equal number of frigates, fire-ships, -and bomb-ketches, well manned, and plentifully supplied with -provisions, stores, and necessaries. The number of seamen amounted -to 15,000; that of the land forces, including the American regiment -of four battalions (Colonel Spotswood’s) and a body of negroes -enlisted at Jamaica, did not fall short of 12,000. - -The whole force sailed from Irish Bay in Hispaniola, and anchored -on the evening of the 4th of March in the _Grande Playa_, to -windward of the town of _Carthagena_, the intended object of the -attack. - -The necessary arrangements having been made, the fleet moved -forward in two divisions on the 8th of March, in order to silence -the different forts, preparatory to the landing of the troops. - -After about one hour’s cannonade, the forts of _St. Jago_ and _St. -Philip_ were deserted by the enemy, and were taken possession of -by the troops; and by the 15th all the soldiers, with their tents, -tools, artillery, and stores, were landed, the ground cleared, and -an encampment formed. - -The reduction of the Castle of _Bocca Chica_ next took place, -which, on a practicable breach being made, it was determined to -storm; but, in consequence of a well-judged diversion of the -navy, the Spaniards retired without firing a shot, and when the -grenadiers advanced to storm at the hour appointed, they met no -resistance. - -A panic had seized the enemy, who set fire to one of their ships; -taking advantage of this state, the boats resolved to attempt -the fort of _St. Joseph_, which was immediately evacuated. The -Spaniards appearing to be determined to sink their vessels, the -British crews proceeded to board the ship Galicia, which carried -the flag of the Spanish Admiral. - -After various services the castle of _Grande Castello_ was gained, -and the enemy had sunk all their ships of war; preparations were -made for landing the troops near the town, in order to cut off all -communication with the main land. - -Two channels having been made through the sunk vessels, with which -the Spaniards had blocked up the entrance of the harbour, the -troops and artillery were re-embarked, and commenced landing on -the 5th of April near the city; and, after a spirited contest, the -British bivouacked within a mile of the castle of _St. Lazar_, -which commanded the town. The men passed three nights in the open -air for want of tents and tools, which could not be landed sooner, -and the health of the troops became seriously injured. - -As affairs were now drawing to extremities, and the men were fast -diminishing in numbers from hard duty and the effects of climate, -Brigadier-General Wentworth resolved to attack _St. Lazar_ by -escalade, it being judged necessary to forego the ceremonies of -a regular siege, and, however hazardous, to rest the issue upon a -storm. - -Accordingly before daybreak on the 9th of April, a force under the -command of Brigadier-General Guise, of the sixth foot, consisting -of five hundred grenadiers, supported by a thousand Marines, and -some American and Jamaican levies, advanced against the enemy’s -lines in front of the fort; these were followed by a body of -Americans, with woolpacks, scaling-ladders and hand-grenades. - -The grenadiers, led by Colonel Grant, of the fifth Marines, -rushed forward with astonishing bravery, and, leaping into the -entrenchments, carried the works in gallant style, driving the -Spaniards into the fort over a drawbridge which communicated with -the lines. Colonel Grant fell mortally wounded, and the troops, -after sustaining a most destructive fire for several hours with -intrepidity and perseverance, were ordered to retreat, having lost -many officers, and 600 men in killed and wounded. - -This repulse was succeeded by the violent periodical rains; the -country was deluged with water; and the change of atmosphere, which -is always attended with epidemical diseases, produced the most -fatal effects. The troops were so drenched with rain, and their -health so seriously impaired, that all hope of further success -vanished; they were accordingly re-embarked, and the forts and -castle of the harbour of _Carthagena_ having been demolished, the -fleet sailed for Jamaica on the 6th of May, where it arrived on the -9th of that month. After re-embarking, the distempers, peculiar to -the climate, produced numerous casualties among the troops. - -Thus terminated, for the time, the expedition to Spanish South -America, during which the persevering and undaunted bravery of -British Seamen, Soldiers, and Marines, and their patient endurance -under the most trying difficulties, were never displayed in a -greater degree. - -In consequence of the heavy losses sustained at _Carthagena_, and -the mortality which continued to prevail after the troops returned -to Jamaica, it was not until the beginning of July, 1741, that the -fleet and army were in a condition to renew their operations. It -was then resolved to proceed against the _Island of Cuba_, where -they anchored on the 18th of July in Waltenham Bay, about eighteen -leagues to windward of _St. Jago_, the first object of their -intended attack. The troops were landed on the 24th, consisting of -nearly 4,000 men, including 1000, negroes raised by the Island of -Jamaica, with a view to sustain the peculiar duties of fatigue, -naturally expected to arise on this service. - -After establishing a position on the side of the river, nearly -three leagues from the mouth of the harbour, the General pushed -some detachments into the country, which beat back the outposts of -the enemy, and in a few days returned to the camp with plentiful -supplies of provisions. - -It was originally intended by the Commanders-in-Chief to have made -a joint attack upon _St. Jago_, but the want of unanimity ruined -every purpose, and contentious debates and dilatory measures, -instead of cordial co-operation and daring enterprise, took place; -while the interests of the country, and the lives of the troops, -were sacrificed to the prejudices and bad judgment of the officers -entrusted with so important a command. - -After an interval of several months, during which nothing was -attempted towards effecting the conquest of the island, and when -sickness, the never-failing result of inactivity, particularly in -those climes, began its ravages, it was determined to evacuate the -island, which took place on the 20th of November, 1741, when the -regimental Returns were as follow:-- - - +---------------------------------+-------------+--------------+ - | | | Serjeants, | - | Regiment. | Colonels. |Drummers, and | - | | |Rank and File.| - +---------------------------------+-------------+--------------+ - |15th regiment |Harrison | 225 | - |24th regiment |Wentworth | 219 | - | | | | - |43rd regiment { 1st Battalion |Spotswood’s, | 159 | - | American { 2nd ” | afterwards | 110 | - | Marines { 3rd ” | Gooche’s, | 99 | - | { 4th ” | Marines | 121 | - | | | | - |1st Marines (aft^{ds}. 44th Rt.) |Wolfe | 181 | - |2nd do. ( ” 45th Rt.) |Fraser | 158 | - |3rd do. ( ” 46th Rt.) |Lowther | 237 | - |4th do. ( ” 47th Rt.) |Wynyard | 177 | - |5th do. ( ” 48th Rt.) |Cochrane | 191 | - |6th do. ( ” 49th Rt.) |Cotterell | 211 | - | | +--------------+ - | | 2088 | - | Sick in all | 566 | - | +--------------+ - | Total | 2654 | - +-----------------------------------------------+--------------+ - -The total loss of officers at the close of 1741 amounted to one -Commander-in-Chief, five colonels, ten lieut.-colonels, seven -majors, fifty-five captains, one hundred and sixteen subalterns, -and fourteen staff officers. - -The heavy casualties in the Marine regiments are shown when it is -stated that these six regiments consisted of more than one thousand -men each, and that, only 2654 men returned. - -The foregoing statement affords a sad record of the ill-judged -plans relating to the expedition to South America, both as to the -season of the year at which it was undertaken, and the deficiency -of means and arrangements with which it was attempted to be carried -into execution. Great disappointment and dissatisfaction were -consequently created in the feelings of the British public. - -The transports returned to Jamaica on the 29th of November, 1741, -and the squadron continued at sea to meet the reinforcements which -were anxiously expected from England. - -[Sidenote: 1742] - -In January 1742, nearly 3000 men, including 2000 Marines, arrived -at Jamaica. Another expedition was now meditated, which put to sea -early in March; but adverse winds, the separation of the transports -having on board the working negroes, and the expectation of the -periodical rains being then about to set in, suggested to a Council -of War, held at Porto Bello, at the close of that month, the -immediate return of the whole armament to the port they had left: -the fleet arrived at Jamaica upon the 15th of May. - -It was now considered desirable to detach a force to take -possession of _Rattan_, an island in the Bay of Honduras, and a -situation proper for maintaining a commercial intercourse with -South America, as well as the trade in logwood. An establishment -having been formed there in the early part of the year, it was -determined in a Council of War to send a force of 50 marines and -200 Americans, under Major Caulfield, in order to place the island -in a state of military defence. - -On the 23rd of August the troops reached _Port Royal_, on the -south side of the island, where they formed a camp and erected -_Fort George_ to defend the harbour, as well as _Fort Frederick_ -on the western part of it. A proportion of the Americans, who were -papists, formed a plot to render the settlement abortive, and to -rise upon the Marines. Her Majesty’s ship, the Litchfield, then in -the harbour, hearing the alarm-guns, instantly landed her party -of Marines, who, with those on shore, soon checked the daring -mutiny, secured the delinquents, and preserved the settlement to -the British Crown. - -At this period it was necessary to detach 500 men to the assistance -of _General Oglethorpe_, in _South Carolina_, and to repel the -menaces of the Spaniards against the infant colony of _Georgia_.[45] - -On the 23rd of September orders arrived at Jamaica for the recall -of Admiral Vernon and of General Wentworth; for providing the fleet -with a number of men from the Marines, sufficient to supply its -wants; and also to fill up the vacancies in the eight Independent -Companies raised for the defence of Jamaica (now the 49th -Regiment):--These services absorbed all the men who were considered -fit for duty, and the remainder were embarked for England. - -After the departure of Admiral Vernon, the Naval Command devolved -on Sir Chaloner Ogle, who bore his testimony to the zeal and -bravery of the troops, whose gallant efforts and patient endurance, -under great privations, had been conspicuous throughout a series -of misfortunes. Upwards of 7000 Marines and nearly 4000 other -troops were the lamentable victims to pestilence and disease, but -not to defeat; and the objects which had been effected, although -not adequate to the hopes and expectations of the British Nation, -were distressing to the enemy, and embarrassing to the Spanish -Government. - -[Sidenote: 1743] - -In the early part of 1743 it was resolved to make another attempt -upon the continent of South America, and the conduct of the -operations was entrusted to Captain Knowles, of the Navy, who -had on board of his squadron 400 of _Dalzell’s_ (thirty-eighth) -_regiment_ and about _six hundred Marines_. They were first ordered -to rendezvous at Antigua, from which island they sailed on the 12th -of February with a view to an attack upon La Guira, a town in the -district of the Caraccas in Terra Firma. The attack was commenced -on the 18th, but, owing to a heavy swell, the ships could not -approach the shore, and the troops were consequently not landed. -After a heavy cannonade, which was ended only by the night, the -ships withdrew from the combat: the town suffered extremely, many -breaches being made in the fortifications; and the enemy sustained -a loss of more than 700 men. The British squadron suffered -considerable damage, and had nearly 400 men killed and wounded. - -The fleet proceeded to Curaçao to refit, where preparations were -made for another attempt upon the sea-coast of Terra Firma. Having -been reinforced by some Dutch volunteers, Commodore Knowles sailed -from this island on the 20th of March, and steered for _Porto -Cavallo_, a town having a respectable force, and being in a good -state of defence. - -On the 15th of April the ships anchored to the eastward of the -town, and on the 16th two vessels commenced a flanking fire against -_Ponta Brava_; and after the batteries were silenced, it was -decided to land the troops in order to take possession, and to turn -the guns against the castle, their retreat being secured by a ship -of war within pistol-shot, of the shore: by sunset the ships had -accomplished their object, and by dusk a force of 1200 sailors, -soldiers, and Dutch volunteers, was disembarked under the command -of Major Lucas. - -About eleven at night the van had gained one of the fascine -batteries upon Ponta Brava, but the garrison having been alarmed, -and being prepared for resistance, this mixed detachment acted -under the influence of a panic, and retreated with precipitation to -the ships. On the 21st it was resolved to make another attack of -the squadron and forces against the castle and fascine batteries: -four ships were destined to batter the former on the 24th, while -three others were placed against the latter. The cannonading began -at eleven on the noon of that day, and was maintained with mutual -obstinacy till night, when, some of the ships having expended -their ammunition, and others being damaged, they were ordered -to anchor beyond reach of the enemy’s shot. This attack being -fruitless, and the troops being prevented from landing, it was -deemed impracticable to push the enterprise any further: it was -accordingly resolved on the 28th of April to return to Jamaica. - -From the period of the commencement of hostilities against Spain in -1739, the conduct of the Court of Versailles had been equivocal, -and in the beginning of the year 1743 the projects of Louis XV. -were developed by the equipment of powerful naval armaments in the -ports of France, and by the assembling of armies on the sea-coasts, -the avowed aim of which was against the Crown and liberties of the -British Empire. - -Being no longer able to restrain her views, France declared war on -the 20th of March, 1743, which was answered by a proclamation on -the part of Great Britain on the 31st of that month. - -[Sidenote: 1744] - -A force of 11,550 Marines was granted by Parliament as a part of -the establishment for the year 1744, at which period fleets were -detached to every quarter of the globe. A partial affair occurred -in the Mediterranean in May of this year, in which a party of -Marines disembarked from the Essex ship-of-war, and signalized -themselves: that ship being on a cruise gained sight of twenty-six -xebeques and settees, bound to Antibes, from whence they were to -carry troops to Italy: the former were a convoy to the latter, -which were laden with powder, cannon, ordnance stores, and -provisions: thirteen having taken refuge in the Creek of Casse, the -Marines were landed in order to co-operate with the boats, and to -repel any enemy that might appear to retard their progress: they -were attacked by a body of Spaniards, whom they beat back, and thus -effected the object on which they were employed: eleven vessels -were burnt and two captured. - -The most active measures were adopted, by order of the Secretary at -War, for again completing the ten regiments of Marines, in order to -render them effective as speedily as possible. - -[Sidenote: 1745] - -Attacks having been made during the last year by the French upon -_Canso_ and _Anna-polis_ in _Nova Scotia_, the former of which they -burnt, the Northern Colonies of British America became alarmed for -their safety: an expedition was consequently commenced against -_Louisburg_; considerable levies were raised in the American -provinces, and a co-operating naval force, under Commodore Warren, -then commanding on the West India station, was ordered to repair -to Canso; the arrangements made for conducting this expedition -were carried into effect with that confidence and secrecy which -are always essential towards securing the success of a military -enterprise, and the exertions of the Americans were fully equal to -the important interests which they had at stake. - -On the 4th of April the levies from New England, having reached -_Canso_, were encamped and brought into military order and -discipline preparatory to the arrival of other corps from the -several provinces, while the ships of war upon the coast, and some -stout privateers, continued off the harbour of _Louisburg_, in -order to cut off all intelligence of the projected enterprise. On -the 23rd of April Commodore Warren arrived at _Canso_, and by the -29th all the land forces were embarked, and proceeded to _Gabaras -Bay_, about four miles from the capital of _Cape Breton_. - -On the 30th of April 2000 men were landed at noon, who beat -back a detachment of troops which was sent to prevent their -disembarkation. On that and the following day three hundred seamen -and _five hundred Marines_ were disembarked under cover of the -vessels ranged along the coast. The troops were under the command -of Brigadier-General William Pepperell, a native of Piccataway, and -Colonel of American Militia. - -The French, conscious of the strength of their positions, -maintained possession of the city until their means of defence were -overpowered by the forces brought against them. - -By indefatigable labour, the British Marines, and the American -provincials, succeeded in effecting an entrance into the harbour -on the 1st of June, 1745; _Louisburg_ capitulated, and with it the -whole dependency of _Cape Breton_; the object was attained with a -loss little exceeding 100 men.[46] - -Two regiments were formed for service at Cape Breton, by Colonel -William Shirley and Sir William Pepperell, each consisting of ten -companies of 100 men per company: these were numbered the 50th and -51st regiments of infantry of the line. - -[Sidenote: 1746] - -In the year 1746 very serious complaints were made of the neglect -and delay which had occurred in the settlement of the accounts of -the Marine Corps, and a committee was appointed to investigate -the grievances which had been represented. The cause of the delay -was alleged to arise, in the first instance, from the absence of -regular and periodical muster-rolls, according to the practice in -regiments of the regular army. This system, it was stated, could -not easily be acted upon in the corps of Marines, who were employed -by detachments in the several ships of war. The investigation -produced, however, the effect of a large balance in the hands of -the Paymaster-General being repaid into the Bank of England, for -the benefit of those who were justly entitled to it. - -The privations and inconveniences, which this meritorious body of -troops had continued to endure for several years, did not affect -their loyalty and steady allegiance, and they still remained the -useful corps, in periods of emergency, they had always proved in -former years. - -For the service of this year (1746) nearly 12,000 Marines were -included in the parliamentary vote of the military establishment. -An expedition against Quebec was contemplated at this period, and -a considerable force was assembled at Spithead with that intent, -but delays took place until the season for such an attempt became -too late. Of this force Colonel Powlett’s (the ninth) regiment of -Marines formed a part. - -The troops were afterwards destined against _Port L’Orient_, under -the directions of Admiral Lestock and Lieut.-General Sinclair. -Sixteen sail of the line and eight frigates, with 5000 troops, -exclusive of Marines, were the number employed on this occasion. -The long detention of so respectable a force until the period of -the equinox, endangered its progress along a hostile coast at so -critical a season, and gave time for the enemy to ascertain the -object of the expedition. - -The fleet sailed from Plymouth on the 14th of September for the -coast of Brittany, and a debarkation of the troops was effected on -the 20th of that month, in _Quimperlay Bay_: on the 21st the troops -advanced in two columns against _Plymeur_, which surrendered, and -on the following day the whole moved on to a rising ground within -a mile of _Port L’Orient_, the ultimate object of their views. -Some affairs took place between the 21st and 26th of September, -when after a cannonade, which did considerable damage to the town, -a retreat was commenced under cover of the night. The French were -pouring in from all quarters, and the situation of the British -troops became critical. - -After a loss of 150 men killed, wounded, and missing, a -re-embarkation was effected, and the fleet sailed on the 1st of -October for the Bay of Borneuff, off Quiberon, to the south of -Quimperlay: a detachment of Marines was entrenched at Quimperlay -to guard the landing-place; the remainder, under Colonel Holmes, -was united with the army: some troops were landed on the 4th of -October on the peninsula of Quiberon, and, after remaining ashore -some days, the whole returned to England. - -[Sidenote: 1747] - -The number of Marines for the year 1747 was eleven thousand one -hundred and fifty, as included in the parliamentary vote of that -year. - -On the 28th of February, 1747, His Majesty King George II. -directed, that the several regiments of Marines, which were then -existing, or might hereafter be raised, should be placed under the -entire command of the Lords Commissioners for executing the office -of High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland. - -The following Royal Warrant was issued on this subject:-- - - “_To Our Commissioners for executing the office of High Admiral - of Our Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; and to Our - Commissioners for executing the office of our High Admiral for - the time being._” - - (Copy) - - “Whereas We have thought it necessary for the good of Our Service - to put under your immediate and entire command all our Marine - regiments now raised, or hereafter to be raised; Our Will and - Pleasure therefore is, that you do lake upon you the immediate - and entire command of the said Marine forces accordingly; and - for the better government of our said Marine regiments, we have - thought fit to empower and authorise you to prepare and publish - such rules and ordinances as are fit to be observed by our said - Marine forces under your command, hereby strictly charging and - requiring the several colonels and other officers, who shall - from time to time be employed in the said regiments, to take - notice thereof, and in all respects to conform themselves to - such directions accordingly, and to cause exact musters to be - taken of them, as well at sea as on shore, and that the same - be transmitted to our Commissary-General of Marines, in order - to the more speedy clearing of the accounts of our said Marine - regiments. And whereas, by the establishment, provision is made - for such contingent charges as may arise in this service, and to - the use of our said forces, you are hereby further authorized - to direct the payment of the said money, in such proportions as - you shall, in your discretion, think necessary, for the purpose - aforesaid. - - “And for executing the several powers and authorities herein - expressed this shall be your warrant. And so we bid you heartily - farewell. - - “Given at our Court at St. James’s, this 28th - February, 1746-7, in the 20th year of - our reign. - - “By His Majesty’s Command. - (Signed) “CHESTERFIELD.” - -Notwithstanding the disasters which had attended the expeditions -of the French in North America in the preceding year (1746), when -Louis XV. had equipped an extensive armament, under the command -of the Duke d’Anville for the recapture of Cape Breton, which was -rendered ineffectual by storms and other casualties, and by the -death of its commander, the French Monarch was not discouraged by -these disasters; but was resolved to renew his efforts against the -British colonies in North America, and also the settlements in the -East Indies. For these purposes two squadrons were prepared at -Brest, one commanded by Commodore de la Jonquière, and the other, -destined for India, by Monsieur de St. George. - -Intelligence had been received by the British Government of these -preparations, and measures were adopted in order to counteract the -views of the enemy. The occasion afforded a renewed display of -the zeal and intrepidity of Vice-Admiral Anson and Rear-Admiral -Warren, who sailed from Plymouth on the 9th of April, in order to -intercept both squadrons, which were to set sail together. The -Vice-Admiral, on board of the “Prince George” of ninety guns, with -the Rear-Admiral, on board the “Devonshire,” and twelve ships more -under his command, received directions to cruise between Ushant and -Cape Finisterre on the coast of Galicia. - -On the 3rd of May, 1747, they fell in with the French squadrons, -consisting of six large ships of war, as many frigates, and four -armed vessels equipped by the French East India Company, having -under their convoy about thirty ships laden with merchandize: those -prepared for war immediately shortened sail, and formed in line of -battle, while the rest, under the protection of the six frigates, -proceeded on their voyage with all the sail they could carry. -The British squadron was likewise drawn up in line of battle, -and the engagement began with great fury about four o’clock in -the afternoon. The enemy’s ships sustained the battle with equal -conduct and valour, until they were overpowered by numbers, and -they then struck their colours. About seven hundred of the French -were killed and wounded in this action; the English lost about -five hundred; and among them Captain Grenville, Commander of the -ship “Defiance,” nephew to Lord Viscount Cobham, an officer of the -most promising genius, and animated with the noblest sentiments of -honour and patriotism. Two of these prizes were the “_Invincible_” -and the “_Glory_,” which induced the Captain of the former to say -to the Admiral, on giving up his sword, “Sir, you have conquered -the _Invincible_, and _Glory_ follows you.” This blow was severely -felt by France, who had vainly flattered herself, that by means of -this armament she should render herself mistress of the Indian -seas, and by that superiority be enabled to wrest from the British -their most valuable possessions in that part of the world. - -A considerable quantity of money, intended to answer the -contingencies of these expeditions, was found on board of the -French ships, which were brought to Spithead, and the treasure, -being landed, was conveyed in twenty waggons to the Bank of -England, escorted by a party of Marines, amidst the acclamations of -the populace. - -For this achievement Vice-Admiral George Anson was created a Peer -of Great Britain, and Rear-Admiral Peter Warren was invested with -the Order of the Bath. The whole fleet received the thanks of the -Sovereign, through their Commander, Admiral Lord Anson. - -The year 1747 was remarkable for other naval successes; about the -middle of June, COMMODORE FOX, with six ships of war, cruising in -the latitude of Cape Ortegal, in Galicia, took about forty French -ships, richly laden from St. Domingo, after they had been abandoned -by their convoy. - -The fourteenth of October, 1747, was rendered memorable as another -day of triumph for the British Navy. REAR-ADMIRAL EDWARD HAWKE -sailed from Plymouth in the beginning of August, with fourteen -ships of the line, with instructions to intercept a fleet of -French merchant-ships bound for the West Indies: the British fleet -cruised for some time on the coast of Bretagne, and the French -ships sailed from the isle of Aix under convoy of nine ships of -the line, besides frigates, commanded by M. de l’Etendiere. The -two squadrons came in sight of each other in the latitude of -Belle Isle. The battle commenced about eleven in the forenoon, -and lasted until night, when all the French squadron, except two -ships, the “Intrepide” and “Tonnant,” which escaped in the dark, -had struck to the English flag. After despatching a sloop to -Commodore Legge, commanding a squadron in the Leeward Islands, to -take proper measures to intercept the French ships in the passage -to Martinique, and other French islands, ADMIRAL HAWKE conducted -his prizes to Spithead, and was rewarded with the Order of the -Bath; and the thanks of a grateful country were rendered to all the -officers, seamen, and Marines of the squadron. - -In the latter part of 1747, _Admiral Boscawen_ had sailed from -England with a fleet of ships, and a number of Marines, and other -forces, in order to reinforce the British fleet in the East Indies, -with instructions to make an attack upon the _Island of Mauritius_, -and subsequently to effect the conquest of _Pondicherry_, which was -the chief object of the expedition. - -After having reconnoitred the coast of the Mauritius, it was -ascertained that the powerful means of defence everywhere -presented, and the dangers in many places of approaching the -land, would involve a great sacrifice of men, and render success -ultimately doubtful; the coming on of the autumnal monsoons had -also an influence in the decision of a council, which was to -relinquish the attempt, and to proceed without delay for the _Coast -of Coromandel_, according to the prescribed plan of operations. - -[Sidenote: 1748] - -About the end of June, 1748, the Admiral quitted the Coasts of the -Mauritius, and proceeded to _Fort St. David_, where the troops were -landed, and encamped with all the necessary stores; the Marines -from four ships sent to Europe under Admiral Griffin, were added -to the battalion employed on this service. The forces employed -amounted to six thousand British and Native Auxiliary troops, and -upwards of one thousand sailors, trained to the use of small arms, -who were to form the besieging army. The battering cannon, mortars, -and every implement were conveyed by the squadron within two miles -of the town, while the land forces marched on the 8th of August -towards _Pondicherry_, about thirty miles distant. - -After several unsuccessful attempts, the troops crossed the river -of _Arian Coupan_, and obtained possession of a strong situation -within a mile of that Fort; a communication was maintained from -thence with the fleet; and all the implements necessary for the -siege were landed. - -On the 25th of September the batteries were completed, and began -to play; but, notwithstanding a combined cannonade on the part -of the squadron against the town, it was found that the enemy’s -fire gained an ascendency over the besiegers. The fatigues endured -by the troops, sickness becoming prevalent, and the rainy season -being daily expected, which would inundate the country, and render -retreat impracticable, afforded strong grounds, on which a Council -of War, held on the 30th of September, determined to abandon -the siege, to re-embark the men and stores, and to destroy the -batteries. The troops fortunately reached Fort St. David on the -evening of the 7th of October, after having demolished the fort of -_Arian Coupan_ on their way; the heavy rains which fell on the same -evening had nearly rendered the rivers impassable. - -On the 13th of February, 1748, the British squadron in the West -Indies sailed from Jamaica under the command of Rear-Admiral -Knowles, on an expedition against St. Jago, in Cuba, for which -purpose some land forces were embarked at Jamaica, and being -joined with the Marines of the squadron, the whole put to sea; but -after persevering for some time against strong northerly winds, -which prevented their approaching that coast, the design was -given up, and the force was directed against _Port Louis_, on the -south side of Hispaniola, before which place it arrived on the -8th of March. The service was performed by the ships in line of -battle, which, after three hours’ heavy cannonade, compelled the -governor, M. de Chaleaunoye, to surrender, when Major Scott, with a -detachment of Colonel Trelawny’s, the forty-ninth regiment, and the -Marines, were landed, and took possession of the Fort in the name -of His Majesty. After having shipped or destroyed upwards of eighty -heavy cannon, and blown up the works, the whole were re-embarked; -and Rear-Admiral Knowles resumed his former design against St. -Jago, where he arrived on the 5th of April. The Plymouth and -Cornwall were ordered to enter the harbour, but after firing a few -broadsides at the castle, it was considered prudent to desist, and -the squadron returned to Jamaica. - -The distresses of France arising from the destruction of her Navy, -and the annihilation of her commerce, compelled King Louis XV. to -express a desire for peace. Accordingly, a congress was held at -_Aix-la-Chapelle_, in order to negotiate the terms on which peace -could be restored. The desire expressed by the King of France, as -well as of Spain, did not, however, induce the British Government -to relax in its efforts to reduce the means which those powers -never failed to use, when opportunities offered, of thwarting the -measures of Great Britain. - -The negotiations, commenced at Aix-la-Chapelle in June, 1748, -produced a Definitive Treaty of Peace, which was concluded on the -18th of October of that year, and was proclaimed on the 2nd of -February, 1749. - -Among the many reductions which took place during 1748, consequent -on the General Peace, the Ten regiments of Marines were disbanded -in November of that year, the officers of which were placed on -half-pay. - -[Sidenote: 1755] - -The conditions of the Peace concluded with France in 1748, were -broken as soon as that Power had recovered from the effects of the -former war: the interval of six years had been devoted to extending -her Naval preparations, and to negotiations with other States, in -order to reduce, or destroy, the power of Great Britain. - -After enduring many insults, and witnessing the hostile measures -which were preparing in the ports of France, the energies of the -British nation were again aroused, and in the spring of 1755 -considerable augmentations were made in the Army and Navy, and -fifty companies of Marines were directed to be raised and placed -under the control of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. -These companies were formed into three Divisions, and stationed at -Chatham, Portsmouth, and Plymouth, and an Act of Parliament was -passed for the “Regulation of the Marine forces while on shore.”[47] - -From the 5th of April, 1755, the Marine corps have constituted a -branch of the permanent national force, and have been provided for -in the annual votes of the House of Commons, on distinct estimates -produced at each session, of the Navy, Army, and Marines. - - -War was declared against France on the 18th May in the following -year (1756). - - * * * * * - -The foregoing pages contain accounts of the services of the _Corps -of Marines_ from the earliest period of their formation, to the -year 1748, when they ceased to form a portion of the establishment -of the Army. These historical details afford numerous instances -in which the gallant exertions of the Marines have materially -contributed to the successes obtained by the Navy and Army, and to -the honours and advantages which have resulted from their combined -operations. - -The services of the present Marine forces have been, as in former -years, highly useful and efficient, and by their uniformly good -conduct they have obtained the approbation of the Sovereign, and -the confidence of the Country. - -[Sidenote: 1802] - -As a lasting mark of approbation, His Majesty King George III. was -pleased, in 1802, to direct that they should be styled “_The Royal -Marines_,” as announced in the following Order, issued by the Lords -Commissioners of the Admiralty, and inserted in the London Gazette, -dated - - “_Admiralty Office, 29th April, 1802._ - - “His Majesty has been graciously pleased to signify His Commands, - that, in consideration of the very meritorious services of the - Marines during the late War, the Corps shall in future be styled - ‘THE ROYAL MARINES.’ - - “By Command of their Lordships. - (Signed) “EVAN NEPEAN.” - - -On acquiring the title of _Royal_, the facings of the Marines, -which had been _White_, were changed to _Blue_, as in other Royal -corps of Infantry.[48] - -[Sidenote: 1827] - -On the 26th of September, 1827, New Colours were presented to the -Division of Royal Marines at Chatham, on the part of His Majesty -King George IV., by His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, -then Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, and General of Marines, -afterwards King William IV. - -After alluding to the services of Marine regiments from the period -of their formation to the present time, His Royal Highness caused -the New Colours to be unfurled, and concluded his address in the -following terms: - - “His Majesty has selected for the Royal Marines a _Device_, to - which their achievements have entitled them, and which, by his - permission, I this day present to you;--a _Badge_ which you - have so hardly and honorably earned:--From the difficulty of - selecting any particular places to inscribe on these Standards, - your Sovereign has been pleased to adopt ‘_The Great Globe - itself_,’ as the most proper and distinctive badge. He has also - directed, that his own name (_George IV._) shall be added to that - peculiar badge, THE ANCHOR, which is your distinctive bearing, - in order that it may be known hereafter, that GEORGE THE FOURTH - had conferred on you the honorable and well-earned badge this day - presented to you. - - “The motto, peculiarly your own, ‘_Per Mare; Per Terram_,’ has - been allowed to remain; and surmounting the entire is the word - GIBRALTAR, in commemoration of the important national services - you performed there. In presenting these Colours, the gift of - your Sovereign, into your hands, I trust,--I am confident,--you - will defend them with the same intrepidity, loyalty, and - regard for the interests of the country, that have marked your - preservation of your old ones; and if you do, your Sovereign, and - your Country, will have equal reason to be satisfied.” - -[Illustration: THE ROYAL MARINES - -_For Cannon’s Military Records_] - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[44] By Order in Council, dated 26th October, 1604, it was -directed, that twelve hundred land-soldiers should be raised, in -order to be in readiness for distribution in His Majesty’s fleets; -the whole to form one regiment, of six companies, under a Colonel, -with a Lieutenant-Colonel, and Serjeant-Major; each company -consisted of two hundred soldiers, with a captain, lieutenant, -ensign, drummer, four serjeants, and four corporals. The regiment -was armed with firelocks. - -A subsequent Order in Council, dated 1st April, 1668, authorised -the drawing of such numbers of soldiers from the Foot Guards, for -His Majesty’s service at sea, during the summer, as the Lord High -Admiral might require. - -[45] In 1732 trustees were appointed by charter to superintend -a new settlement in _Georgia_, situated to the southward of -_Carolina_ in America, and _Mr. James Oglethorpe_, General and -Governor of the Province, embarked at Gravesend with a number of -poor families to plant that Colony. In 1737, when the King of Spain -claimed as part of his territories, the Colony of Georgia, which -was considered to belong to Great Britain, General Oglethorpe was -authorised to raise a regiment of six companies of 100 men each, -for the defence of the settlement. The colonies of Georgia and -Carolina had been named from King George II., and his consort Queen -Caroline. - -[46] Cape Breton was restored to the French after the peace of -Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. It was retaken in 1758 by Admiral Boscawen -and General Sir Jeffery Amherst, and finally ceded to Great Britain -at the peace of 1763. - -[47] A _Fourth_ Division was added to the Establishment of the -Royal Marines, by Order in Council dated 15th August, 1805, and -stationed at Woolwich. - -[48] The LAUREL was authorised to be borne as a testimony of the -gallantry of the Marines at the siege of Belle-Isle in the year -1761, and is encircled about the figure of the GLOBE on the Colours. - - - - -APPENDIX TO THE MARINE CORPS. - - -The following memoranda are appended to this narrative of the -services of the Royal Marines, in order to show the relative -positions in which the Marine regiments were placed, in respect to -_rank and precedence_, with the regiments of Infantry, during the -period the Marine regiments were borne on the establishment of the -regular army, and the ground on which the present corps of Royal -Marines have been authorised, when acting with the infantry of the -line, to take their station next to the _Forty-ninth_ regiment, -according to the date of their formation in the year 1755, as shown -in the following pages. - -The rank of the several regiments of the British army was first -regulated by a Board of General Officers assembled in the -Netherlands, by command of King William III., on the 10th June, -1694. - -Another Board of General Officers was assembled by order of Queen -Anne, in 1713, to decide on the rank and precedence of regiments -raised subsequently to 1694. - -A third Board was assembled, by command of King George I., in 1715, -for the same purpose. - -These Boards recommended that English regiments raised in England, -should take rank from the dates of their formation, and that -English, Scots, and Irish regiments, raised for the service of -a foreign power, should take rank from the dates of their being -placed on the English establishment. - -The _Numerical Titles_ of regiments, as fixed on the principle -laid down in the reports of the Boards of General Officers, above -alluded to, were confirmed by the warrant issued by authority of -King George II., dated 1st July, 1751,--and also by the warrant of -King George III., dated 19th December, 1768, previously to which -periods regiments were generally designated by the names of their -Colonels. - -1. The principle on which the Numerical Titles of regiments were -fixed, having been thus established by Royal authority, the -regiments of infantry which had been formed by King Charles II., -on his Restoration to the Throne in 1660, and those which had been -subsequently raised in the reigns of King James II. and of William -III., were numbered according to the dates of being placed on the -English establishment,--from the _First_, or _Royal_, regiment to -the _Twenty-seventh_ regiment. - -2. The regiments of infantry, which had been added to the army in -the reign of Queen Anne from the year 1702, and retained on the -establishment after the Peace of Utrecht in 1713, commenced with -the _Twenty-eighth_, and ended with the _Thirty-ninth_ regiment. - -3. The _Fortieth_ regiment was formed in the year 1717, from -independent companies in North America and the West Indies:--the -command was conferred on Colonel Richard Philips. - -4. The _Forty-first_ regiment was formed from Invalids in -1719:--the command was conferred on Colonel Edmund Fielding. - -5. The other regiments of infantry, raised by King George I. on the -augmentation of the army in the year 1715, were disbanded in 1718, -after the Monarchy, in the line of the House of Brunswick, had been -established, and the Peace of the Kingdom restored. - -6. The _Forty-second Highland_ regiment was formed in the reign of -King George II. from independent companies in Scotland, in the year -1739. It was originally termed “_The Black Watch_” and was placed -on the establishment on the 25th October, 1739:--the command was -conferred on Colonel James Earl of Crawford.[49] - -7. The _Forty-third_ regiment was raised for service in America, -in the year 1740, by Colonel Andrew Spotswood, and afterwards -commanded by Colonel W. Gooche. It was disbanded in 1743. - -8. The Ten regiments of Marines raised in 1739 and 1740, were -numbered from the 44th to the 53rd regiments, as shown in the -following list, viz.:-- - - +-------------+------------------+----------+-------------+------------+ - | | | | | Precedence | - | Marine | Names of the |Periods of| Colour of | in the | - | Regiments. | Colonels. |Formation,| the Facing. |Regiments of| - | | | &c. | | Infantry of| - | | | | | the Line. | - +-------------+------------------+----------+-------------+------------+ - |1st Regiment |E. Wolfe | 1739 | Deep Yellow | 44th Foot. | - | ” ” |G. Keightley | 1745 | | | - | ” ” |G. Churchill | 1745 | | | - | | | | | | - |2nd Regiment |Wm. Robinson | 1739 | Green | 45th Foot. | - | ” ” |Rt. Frazer | 1741 | | | - | | | | | | - |3rd Regiment |Anthony Lowther | 1739 | Light Yellow| 46th Foot. | - | ” ” |R. Sowle | 1745 | | | - | ” ” |H. Holmes | 1746 | | | - | | | | | | - |4th Regiment |J. Wynyard | 1739 | White | 47th Foot. | - | ” ” |Jas. Long | 1742 | | | - | ” ” |Byng, afterwards | | | | - | | _Visct._ | | | | - | | Torrington | 1744 | | | - | | | | | | - |5th Regiment |C. Douglas | 1739 | Primrose | 48th Foot. | - | ” ” |J. Grant | 1741 | Yellow | | - | ” ” |S. Daniel | 1741 | | | - | ” ” |Jas. Cochrane | 1741 | | | - | | | | | | - |6th Regiment |_Honble._ Lucius | | | | - | | Ducie Moreton | 1739 | Green Cuffs | 49th Foot. | - | ” ” |J. Cotterell | 1741 | Collar, and | | - | ” ” |_Honble._ W. | | Cap | | - | | Herbert | 1747 | | | - | ” ” |Jas. Laforey | 1747 | | | - | | | | | | - |7th Regiment |H. Cornwall | 1740 | White | 50th Foot. | - | | | | | | - |8th Regiment |W. Hanmore | 1740 | Light Yellow| 51st Foot. | - | ” ” |J. Duncombe | 1742 | | | - | ” ” |_Lord_ G. | | | | - | | Beauclerk | 1747 | | | - | ” ” |Jas. Jordan | 1748 | | | - | | | | | | - |9th Regiment |C. Powlett | 1740 | Buff | 52nd Foot. | - | | | | | | - |10th Regiment|J. Jeffreys | 1740 | Deep Yellow | 53rd Foot. | - | ” ” |_Sir_ Andrew Agnew| 1746 | | | - | | | | | | - +-------------+------------------+----------+-------------+------------+ - -The above ten regiments were disbanded in November, 1748. - -9. The following seven regiments were raised, and added to the -establishment of the army, in January, 1741; and in consequence -of the disbandment of Colonel Spotswood’s, afterwards Gooche’s, -American Provincials, and also of the ten regiments of Marines, the -_numerical_ titles of six of these regiments were changed, after -the peace of 1748, as specified in the following list; viz.:-- - - 54th Regt., com. by Colonel Thomas Fowke, now the 43rd Regt. - 55th ” ” James Long, ” 44th Regt. - 56th ” ” D. Houghton, ” 45th Regt. - 57th ” ” James Price, ” 46th Regt. - 58th ” ” J. Mordaunt, ” 47th Regt. - 59th ” ” J. Cholmondeley, ” 48th Regt. - 60th ” ” H. De Grangue, disbanded in 1748. - -10. The _Forty-ninth_ regiment was formed in the year 1743, of -two companies of one of the regiments raised in the reign of -Queen Anne, which had remained at Jamaica, and of six other -companies formed in that colony. The command was given to Colonel -Edward Trelawny, then Governor of Jamaica. It was retained on -the establishment after the peace of 1748, and numbered the 49th -regiment. - -11. On the recommencement of hostilities with France in 1755, fifty -companies of Marines were raised, under the direction and control -of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. These companies were -formed into _three divisions_, at the principal naval stations, -Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Chatham.[50] The _Corps of Marines_ -having been raised in 1755, and since that period retained on the -establishment, as a branch of the permanent national force of -Navy, Army, and Marines, have been authorised to rank, when acting -with infantry of the line, _next to the forty-ninth Regiment_, as -directed by His Majesty King George IV. in the following General -Order, dated - - “_Horse-Guards, 30th March, 1820._ - - “In reference to the _Regulations regarding Precedence of - Regiments_ (as contained in page 10 of the General Regulations - and Orders of the Army), His Majesty has been graciously pleased - to command, that the _Royal Marines_, when acting with the Troops - of the Line, shall take their station next to the forty-ninth - Regiment. - - “By Command of H. R. H. the Commander-in-Chief. - “HENRY TORRENS, _Adjutant-General_.” - - -12. In the year 1745 two regiments were raised for service in -North America, by Colonel William Shirley and Colonel Sir William -Pepperell. In 1754 they were numbered the 50th and 51st Regiments. - -13. In December, 1755, eleven regiments were raised and added -to the establishment of the army; and in consequence of the -disbandment of Colonel Shirley’s and Sir William Pepperell’s -regiments in 1757, the eleven regiments, above alluded to, were -ranked two numbers higher in the list of regiments of infantry, as -shown in the following list; viz.:-- - - 52nd Regt., com. by Colonel James Abercromby now the 50th Regt. - 53rd ” ” Robt. Napier ” 51st Regt. - 54th ” ” H. Lambton ” 52nd Regt. - 55th ” ” W. Whitmore ” 53rd Regt. - 56th ” ” John Campbell ” 54th Regt. - 57th ” ” G. Perry ” 55th Regt. - 58th ” ” Lord C. Manners ” 56th Regt. - 59th ” ” John Arabin ” 57th Regt. - 60th ” ” Robt. Anstruther ” 58th Regt. - 61st ” ” Charles Montagu ” 59th Regt. - 62nd Royal American, } Col. The Earl of Loudon. ” 60th Regt. - of _four_ battalions, } - -14. In April, 1758, the _Second Battalions_ of the fifteen -regiments, undermentioned, were formed into distinct regiments, and -numbered as shown in the following list; viz.:-- - - 3rd Foot, 2d Batt., const^d 61st Regt. - 4th Foot, ” ” 62nd Regt. - 8th Foot, ” ” 63rd Regt. - 11th Foot, ” ” 64th Regt. - 12th Foot, ” ” 65th Regt. - 19th Foot, 2d Batt., const^d 66th Regt. - 20th Foot, ” ” 67th Regt. - 23rd Foot, ” ” 68th Regt. - 24th Foot, ” ” 69th Regt. - 31st Foot, ” ” 70th Regt. - - The Second Battalion of the 32nd was constituted the 71st Regt. - ” ” 33rd ” ” 72nd Regt. - ” ” 34th ” ” 73rd Regt. - ” ” 36th ” ” 74th Regt. - ” ” 37th ” ” 75th Regt. - -After the peace of Fontainebleau, in 1763, reductions were made -in the regular army, and the number of regiments of infantry was -limited to SEVENTY. The above 71st, 72nd, 73rd, 74th, and 75th -Regiments were consequently disbanded in that year. - -15. The number of regiments of infantry continued at _Seventy_, -until the commencement of the American War in 1775, and the -renewal of hostilities with France and Spain in 1779, when it -was increased to _One hundred and Five_ regiments, exclusive of -_Eleven_ unnumbered regiments, and thirty-six independent companies -of Invalids. - -16. After the General Peace in 1782 the number of regiments of -infantry was again reduced. - -17. In consequence of an increase of possessions in India, and of -additional troops being necessary for the suppression of certain -native powers, which were hostile to the British Government, -additional corps were raised and embarked for the East Indies in -1779, and in subsequent years. - -18. The present _Seventy-first_ regiment was raised in December, -1777, and embarked for India in 1779. Its number was changed from -73rd to 71st regiment in 1786. - -19. The present _Seventy-second_ regiment was raised in December, -1777, and embarked for India in 1781. Its number was changed from -78th to 72nd regiment in 1786. - -20. The _Seventy-third_ regiment was raised as the second battalion -of the forty-second (Highland) regiment, in 1777, and embarked for -India in 1781. It was formed into a distinct regiment, and numbered -the 73rd (Highland) in 1786. - -21. The 74th (Highland), 75th (Highland), 76th, and 77th regiments -were raised for service in India in October, 1787, and embarked for -India in 1788. - -22. The 78th (Highland), 79th (Highland), 80th, 81st, 82nd, 83rd, -84th, 85th, 86th, 87th, 88th, 89th, 90th, and 91st (Highland) -regiments were raised in 1793, immediately after the commencement -of the war with France, occasioned by the revolutionary and violent -proceedings in that country in 1793. - -23. The 92nd (Highland) and 93rd (Highland) regiments were raised -and placed on the establishment of the army, the former on the 3rd -May, 1796, and the latter on the 25th August, 1800. - -24. The _Scots Brigade_ was numbered the _Ninety-fourth_ regiment -on the 25th December, 1802. This corps had been formed in the -year 1568, for service in Holland against the oppression of -Spain. Being a British corps, its services were demanded from the -United Provinces by King James II. on the rebellion of the Duke of -Monmouth in 1685, after the suppression of which it returned to -Holland. It again embarked for England with the Prince of Orange -at the Revolution in 1688. It remained in Great Britain until the -Protestant cause had been established, and it re-embarked for -Flanders in 1691, and served in the campaigns of King William III. -It remained in the service of Holland until 1793, when it was -decided by King George III., upon the application of the British -officers remaining in it, to require the corps to return to Great -Britain. It was taken on the British Establishment on the 5th July, -1793. It then consisted of _Three_ battalions; in 1795 it was -reduced to _Two_ battalions, and embarked for Gibraltar. In 1796 it -was formed into _One_ battalion, and proceeded to the Cape of Good -Hope. It embarked, in 1798, for the East Indies, from whence, after -much distinguished service, it returned to England in 1808. It, -embarked for Cadiz and Lisbon, and served with great credit in the -Peninsular War, from January, 1810, to July, 1814. It was disbanded -at Belfast on the 24th December, 1818. - -25. The _Rifle Corps_, commanded by Colonel Coote Manningham, -was formed and added to the establishment of the Army on the -25th August, 1800. On 25th December, 1802, it was directed to be -numbered the _Ninety-fifth_ regiment, but was taken out of the list -of _numbered_ regiments of infantry on the 6th February, 1816, and -directed to be styled “_The Rifle Brigade_.” It then consisted of -three battalions, which were distributed at the following stations, -viz.:-- - - 1st Battalion.--6 Companies with the Army of Occupation in France, - and 4 Companies at Shorncliffe. - - 2nd Battalion.--6 Companies with the Army of Occupation in France, - and 4 Companies at Shorncliffe. - - 3rd Battalion.--10 Companies at Dover. This Battalion embarked for - Ireland in March, 1816. It was disbanded at Birr on - the 24th of November, 1818. - -26. The present 94th, 95th, 96th, 97th, 98th, and 99th regiments -were added to the establishment of the Army in the early part -of the year 1824, in consequence of the increased number of the -colonial possessions of the British Empire. - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[49] The Corps, which had been formed in 1737 by Colonel James -Oglethorpe for service in Georgia and South Carolina, was disbanded -in 1749. It had not been ranked in the number of regiments of -infantry in the Official Records of the Army, although in some -publications of that period it was numbered the _Forty-second_, -regiment, according to its seniority and the date of its formation. - -[50] A _Fourth Division_ was formed at Woolwich by Order in Council -dated 15th August, 1805. - - * * * * * - -NOTE.--The Compiler of these Records feels it a duty to -acknowledge, that he has derived a principal portion of the means -of drawing up the details of the services of the Marines from “_An -Historical Review of the Royal Marine Corps_,” _published in 1803_, -“_by Captain Alexander Gillespie, who served as an Officer in that -Corps upwards of twenty-four years_;” a work of considerable merit -and research, which reflects great honor on its author, as an -excellent scholar and a most zealous officer. - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - The second part of the book, the ‘Historical Record of the Marine - Corps’, used its own page numbering. This has not been changed. - - The column headers for the Table on page 224 have been adjusted - to be more readable, with no loss or change of text. - - Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been - corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within - the text and consultation of external sources. - - Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added, - when a predominant preference was found in the original book. - - Except for those changes noted below, all other misspellings in - the text, and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained. - - Pg 54: ‘Lord Malmsbury’ replaced by ‘Lord Malmesbury’. - Pg 80: ‘Saugor Point’ replaced by ‘Sangor Point’. - Pg 81: ‘could befal a’ replaced by ‘could befall a’. - Pg 96: ‘which befel your’ replaced by ‘which befell your’. - Pg 128: Illustration caption: ‘BATTLE OF FEROZSHAH.’ replaced by - ‘BATTLE OF FEROZESHAH.’. - Pg 131: A new paragraph was started after ‘the action states:--’. - Pg 149: missing anchor for Footnote [34] inserted after ‘was shot.’ - Pg 183: ‘who expressed hi ’ replaced by ‘who expressed his’. - Pg 199: ‘THIRY-FIRST’ replaced by ‘THIRTY-FIRST’. - Pg 217: ‘from th fifteenth’ replaced by ‘from the fifteenth’. - Pg 228: ‘was despached to’ replaced by ‘was despatched to’. - Pg 229: ‘victory of Tezeeu’ replaced by ‘victory of Tezeen’. - Pg 229: ‘he comanded five’ replaced by ‘he commanded five’. - - Historical Record of the Marine Corps. - Pg xxix: ‘Recal of Admiral’ replaced by ‘Recall of Admiral’. - Pg xxix: ‘to Curaçoa to’ replaced by ‘to Curaçao to’. - Pg 8: ‘hundred and and sixty’ replaced by ‘hundred and sixty’. - Pg 32: ‘the recal of’ replaced by ‘the recall of’. - Pg 33: ‘to Curaçoa to’ replaced by ‘to Curaçao to’. - Pg 41: ‘to cruize between’ replaced by ‘to cruise between’. - Pg 42: ‘cruizing in the’ replaced by ‘cruising in the’. - Pg 42: ‘cruized for some’ replaced by ‘cruised for some’. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE -THIRTY-FIRST, OR, THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT; *** - -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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