emergency; the “_Army of Reserve Act_” was passed in June, 1803, for
raising men for home service by ballot, by which a second battalion
was added to the NINETY-SECOND regiment. The second battalion was
to be composed from the balloted men raised in Scotland for limited
service, and was placed on the Establishment from the 9th of July
following.
In June, the regiment was removed from Glasgow to Colchester, and on
the 1st of July it marched to Weeley, where it encamped while the
barracks were being prepared, which were occupied by the regiment
during the winter.
The second battalion of the regiment was formed at Weeley, on the
24th of November, 1803; officers and non-commissioned officers, with
a proportion of old soldiers, being posted to it from the first
battalion for the purpose of instruction. Both battalions were
commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Napier.
Each battalion was to have ten companies, consisting of fifty-four
serjeants, twenty drummers, two fifers, and a thousand rank and file.
At this period Bonaparte was making preparations for the invasion
of England, for which purpose he collected an immense flotilla at
Boulogne. The threat of invasion aroused the patriotism of the
British people, and the most strenuous measures were pursued to
defeat the designs of the French Ruler; volunteer and yeomanry corps
were formed in every part of the kingdom, and all parties united in
one grand effort for the preservation of Great Britain.
[Sidenote: 1804]
In 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 at Milan as _King of Italy_.
Further measures of defence were adopted by Great Britain, and the
“_Additional Force Act_” was passed on the 14th July, 1804.
Both battalions marched to Colchester on the 24th of July, and on the
6th of August were encamped on Lexden Heath.
On the 24th of October orders were issued for the march of one
captain, one subaltern, four serjeants, four corporals, and one
drummer to Elgin, from the second battalion, to receive the men to be
raised under the “_Additional Force Act_.”
Both battalions broke up from Lexden camp on the 26th of October, and
marched to Weeley barracks.
Orders were received on the 25th of November for the second battalion
to be held in readiness to march from Weeley barracks, and proceed by
the inland navigation to Liverpool, from whence it was to embark for
Ireland. The second battalion accordingly marched in three divisions,
on the 29th of November and on the two following days.
The first battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Napier,
remained in Weeley barracks during the winter.
[Sidenote: 1805]
During the summer of 1805, the first battalion was brigaded with
the forty-second, ninety-first, and ninety-fifth (Rifle) regiments.
On the 2nd of September, the battalion marched from Weeley to
Colchester; on the 4th of September the first battalion was ordered
to hold itself in readiness for embarkation, but on the 6th of
September it returned to Weeley barracks.
The first battalion marched, on the 7th of October, to Colchester
with other troops, and was reviewed by His Royal Highness the Duke
of York, the Commander-in-Chief, who expressed himself particularly
pleased with the appearance of the battalion, which returned to its
quarters at Weeley on the 18th of October.
While the French were pursuing their victorious career in Germany,
they experienced great reverses from the British navy. On the 21st
of October, the combined fleets of France and Spain were defeated
off Cape Trafalgar; but the victory was purchased with the loss of
Admiral Viscount Nelson, whose remains were honored with a public
funeral at St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the first battalion of the
NINETY-SECOND regiment attended the ceremony.
On the 29th of October, the first battalion marched from Weeley, and
arrived at Ospringe barracks on the 6th of November; on the 26th of
November it marched to Canterbury.
[Sidenote: 1806]
The first battalion marched, on the 2nd of January, 1806, to
London, to attend the public funeral of Admiral Viscount Nelson,
whose remains were interred, on the 9th of January, in St. Paul’s
Cathedral, where a monument was erected by authority of Parliament at
the public expense.
Major-General the Hon. John Hope, from the sixtieth regiment,
(afterwards the Earl of Hopetoun,) was appointed by His Majesty
King George III. to be colonel of the NINETY-SECOND regiment,
on the 3rd of January, 1806, in succession to Major-General the
Marquis of Huntly, who was removed to the forty-second, or the Royal
Highlanders, on the decease of General Sir Hector Munro, K.B.
The first battalion marched, on the 11th of January, from London for
Colchester, where it arrived on the 15th of that month: it marched
to Weeley barracks on the 29th of May, where it remained stationary,
with the exception of occasional marches to and from Colchester, for
the purpose of being exercised with other brigades.
[Sidenote: 1807]
On the 3rd of February, 1807, the first battalion marched from Weeley
for Harwich, with the view of checking the infection of ophthalmia,
which then prevailed among the troops at Weeley. The first battalion
returned to Weeley on the 27th of April.
Information having been obtained that Napoleon purposed employing the
navy of _Denmark_ against Great Britain, an armament was prepared
for obtaining possession of the Danish fleet by treaty or force, on
the assurance that it should be restored at the conclusion of the
war with France. The first battalion was destined to share in this
enterprise, and it received orders, on the 22nd of July, to be in
readiness for foreign service.
The battalion, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Napier, marched for
Harwich on the 26th of July, and embarked on the same day, after
being inspected by Lieut.-General Sir David Baird. On the 27th a
draft of one hundred and three rank and file joined from the second
battalion: the effective strength of the first battalion consisted
of forty-eight serjeants, nineteen drummers, and nine hundred and
eighty-one rank and file.
On the 1st of August, the expedition sailed, and on the 8th anchored
in the Sound near Elsineur. On the following day, Lieut.-General
Harry Burrard[11] directed the army assembling in the Sound to
be formed in brigades and divisions, and that the forty-third,
fifty-second, NINETY-SECOND, and ninety-fifth (Rifle) regiments
should compose the reserve, under Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley,
until the arrival of the Commander-in-Chief.
Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart arrived on the 12th of August, and
assumed the command of the army; on the 14th the fleet sailed towards
_Copenhagen_, and on the 16th of August the army landed at Vedeck,
in Zealand, situated about half-way between Elsineur and Copenhagen,
without opposition, and on the following day the regiment went into
cantonments in Hassan, and Broomskoy. Its movements were various, and
dependent upon circumstances during this period.
The NINETY-SECOND regiment advanced towards Roeskelde on the 26th of
August, in consequence of the enemy collecting a large force at the
town of _Kioge_ and its vicinity, for the purpose of being thrown
into _Copenhagen_, which was at this time invested by the British
army.
On the 29th of August, the division under Major-General Sir Arthur
Wellesley advanced to attack the Danes in their position. The
NINETY-SECOND regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Alexander
Napier, was appointed to lead the infantry against the enemy’s camp,
in which the regiment charged him, driving him out of it, and through
the town of Kioge, with the loss of his artillery. The regiment had
two rank and file killed, and one wounded.
On the 30th of August, the British troops marched to Osted, and
went into cantonments. On this day, after expressing in orders his
satisfaction at the conduct of the troops in the action of the 29th,
Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, in particularizing those who had
an opportunity of distinguishing themselves, alluded to the conduct
of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, and of _Lieut.-Colonel Napier_, in
the attack of the enemy in his camp, and to the regular and orderly
manner in which the troops marched through Kioge, and formed beyond
the town.
The conduct of the troops employed in the action before _Kioge_ was
thus alluded to in General Orders by Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart:—
“_Head Quarters, Hellerup_,
_“1st September, 1807._
“The Commander of the Forces desires to express, in the strongest
manner, his thanks to Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, and to
the officers and men of the division under his command, for the
judgment, valour, and discipline exhibited in the two attacks
made upon the enemy in the general action of the 29th of August
at Kioge.
“The details of this affair, as reported by the Major-General,
will be laid before His Majesty by the earliest opportunity.”
The bombardment of Copenhagen induced the Crown Prince to listen to
terms; and on the 7th of September the Danish fleet and stores were
surrendered to the British government on condition of being restored,
when a general pacification should take place.
The following General Order was issued to the troops on the same day:—
“_7th September, 1807._
“The Commander of the Forces congratulates the army on the
capitulation of Copenhagen, which includes the surrender of the
Danish fleet.”
A detachment of grenadiers took possession of the citadel, and
hostilities ceased.
The object of the expedition having been accomplished, Copenhagen
was evacuated, and the NINETY-SECOND regiment marched from Osted to
Roeskelde Kroe on the 23rd of September, and on the next day joined
the army before Copenhagen, and went into cantonments.
The approbation of His Majesty, King George III., for the services
performed during the expedition, was expressed in the following
extract from a despatch, dated 16th September, 1807, addressed to
Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart by Viscount Castlereagh, Principal
Secretary of State for the War Department:—
“His Majesty has received, with great satisfaction, the account
of the particular services rendered in their detached commands by
Major-General the Right Hon. Sir Arthur Wellesley, Major-General
Von Linsingen, and Brigadier-General Von Decken.
“I am further to express His Royal pleasure, that you do convey
to the general officers under your command His Majesty’s full
approbation of the zeal, ability, and valour they have displayed
in their several departments; and your Lordship will make it
known to the army, that the conduct of all his troops, both
British and Hanoverian, who have so much distinguished themselves
by their valour and good conduct, is highly acceptable to His
Majesty.[12]
“It is also a matter highly pleasing to His Majesty, that through
the whole of this expedition, such a perfect harmony, and such a
zealous spirit of co-operation, have pervaded all departments of
the naval and military service.”
Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart in communicating the above to the army
under his command, on the 28th of September, 1807, added,—
“The Commander of the Forces cannot make this communication,
without renewing his thanks to the army, for the assistance
he has received from the zeal, advice, and active services
of the generals, staff, and commanding officers, and for the
patience, discipline, and exertions of all regiments, corps, and
departments, to which, under the blessing of Providence, he is
indebted for the complete success of the expedition, and for the
most gracious approbation, which His Majesty has been pleased to
declare of the whole service.”
On the 17th of October, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND
regiment embarked for England in the _Minotaur_, _Neptunis_, and
_Iris_, ships of war, and sailed on the 21st. During the passage
they encountered very boisterous weather, in which the ships parted
company: unfortunately the _Neptunis_, of ninety-eight guns (one of
the captured Danish ships), with six hundred of the NINETY-SECOND
regiment on board, got aground, and was totally lost. The men were
landed on the island of Hewan, where they remained for fourteen days,
until vessels arrived for them from England.
The men on board the head-quarter ship landed in England on the
12th of November; and on the arrival of the different detachments,
orders were waiting for them to proceed to Weeley barracks. The
effective strength of the first battalion at this period consisted
of forty-nine serjeants, twenty-two drummers, and nine hundred and
sixty-four rank and file.
[Sidenote: 1808]
The first battalion marched to Colchester barracks on the 23rd of
March, 1808. Volunteers from the militia of the northern counties
were, about this time, received, and taken on the strength of the
second battalion, which continued in Ireland.
On the 19th of April, the first battalion of the regiment was
directed to be held in readiness for immediate embarkation
for foreign service, and on the 29th of April, it marched
from Colchester, and embarked in transports at Harwich, under
Lieut.-Colonel Napier.
The battalion sailed for Yarmouth on the 4th of May, and arrived
there on the 6th, where an armament, under the command of
Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, was assembling, destined to proceed to
Sweden.
The armament sailed from Yarmouth on the 10th of May, and anchored
off _Gottenburg_ on the 17th. The Swedes did not show any inclination
to avail themselves of British assistance on shore, consequently the
troops did not disembark, but during their stay were occasionally
exercised in practising to land from launches and flat-bottomed boats.
The fleet sailed for England on the 3rd of July, with orders to
rendezvous at Yarmouth. A vessel, with orders from England, however,
changed the place of rendezvous to the Downs, where the fleet arrived
on the 20th of July, and proceeded to Spithead. A draft of seventy
rank and file was received from the second battalion.
Spain was at this period the centre of political interest. Portugal,
deserted by her government, and Spain betrayed, the people of each
rose in arms to recover the national independence. Dissensions had
arisen in the royal family of Spain, occasioned by the sway of
Emanuel Godoy, who bore the title of Prince of Peace. This minister
was dismissed, but the Court was unable to restore tranquillity. In
this emergency, the French Emperor was solicited to be umpire; and
Napoleon ultimately seized the crown of Spain, which he placed on the
head of his brother Joseph, who was transferred from the throne of
Naples. Europe was indignant, and Spain furious, at this usurpation.
The Spaniards flew to arms, and the British government resolved to
aid the Spanish and Portuguese patriots; a British army accordingly
proceeded to the Peninsula in June, 1808, the command of which was
held by Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley.
On the 31st of July, having received on board a fresh supply of
provisions and water, the first battalion sailed for Portugal, and
on the 19th of August arrived in Mondego Bay. Marshal Junot and the
French army having been defeated by the troops under Lieut.-General
Sir Arthur Wellesley, in the battles at _Roliça_ on the 17th, and
_Vimiera_ on the 21st of August, sued for a cessation of hostilities.
The battalion landed at Maciera Bay on the 27th of August, and the
convention of Cintra was signed on the 30th of that month, by which
it was stipulated that the French should evacuate Portugal.
Portugal, being thus rescued from the presence of hostile troops,
orders arrived from England for Lieut.-General Sir John Moore to take
the chief command of a part of the army, which was to be employed
in Spain; with a notification that a force from England, under the
command of Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, was to land at Corunna,
and co-operate with him. The first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND
regiment was immediately put in motion towards the frontiers, and
arrived at Portalegre on the 11th of October, 1808.
On the 26th of October, the first battalion, being placed in the
division commanded by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope, moved from
Portalegre, and on the 2nd of November entered Spain, at Badajoz;
marching by Merida, Truxillo, and Talavera, it arrived at the
Escurial on the 22nd of November, and halted.
The enemy having pressed forward to Valladolid and Tordesillas,
thereby threatening to cut off Lieut.-General Sir John Hope’s
communication with the army under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, who
was then at Salamanca, the battalion marched from the Escurial, on
the 27th of November, across the Guadarama mountains, and moving by
Villa Castin and Avila, it arrived at Alva de Tormes on the 4th of
December.
The battalion advanced from Alva de Tormes towards Tordesillas, on
the 11th of December, and Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, learning
that the French were moving upon him from the direction of Madrid,
which had by this time surrendered, while another column was
advancing from the direction of Burgos, moved to the left, to form a
junction with Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, crossed the Douro at
Toro, and arrived at Vallada on the 21st of December. On the 24th of
that month, the battalion marched by Benevente, Astorga, and Villa
Franca, arriving at Lugo on the 4th of January, 1809.
[Sidenote: 1809]
The troops took up a position in front of Lugo, on the 6th of
January, 1809, and remained bivouacked, in order of battle, until the
8th, when they marched in the night, and arrived at _Corunna_ on the
11th. During these marches, in common with the rest of the army, the
battalion suffered from fatigue and the severity of the weather.
On the 12th of January, the battalion was placed in position in front
of _Corunna_; and on the 14th and 15th the women, sick men, and
baggage, were embarked for England.
The British army having accomplished one of the most celebrated
retreats recorded in modern history, repulsing the pursuing enemy
in all his attacks, and having traversed two hundred and fifty
miles of mountainous country under very disheartening circumstances,
accompanied by severe privation, was not destined to embark for
England without a battle.
Marshal Soult, Duke of Dalmatia, having taken up a position above
the town of _Corunna_, made arrangements for attacking the British
army as soon as the troops should commence their embarkation. The
sick men, women, and baggage having been conveyed on board ship,
preparations were made for embarking the troops on the 16th of
January, 1809. The French instantly descended from the heights
in three columns, and advanced about two o’clock to attack the
British position in front of _Corunna_; a sanguinary action ensued,
and before dark, the French were defeated in all their attacks.
Lieut.-General Sir John Moore was killed; and the battle was scarcely
ended, when, wrapped in a military cloak, his remains were interred
in the citadel of Corunna, over which Marshal Soult, with the true
feeling of a soldier, erected a monument.
This victory enabled the British troops to be embarked without
further molestation. In this battle the first battalion of the
NINETY-SECOND was posted towards the left of the army, on the road
leading to Betanzas, and throughout the day supported its former
reputation.
The NINETY-SECOND, together with the rest of the army, had not only
to lament the death of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, but also
that of their own commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Alexander
Napier, who was killed at its head: the command therefore devolved
on Brevet Lieut.-Colonel John Lamont, who was afterwards promoted
lieut.-colonel in the regiment. Lieutenant Archibald McDonald was
severely wounded on this occasion, and died shortly afterwards. Only
two rank and file of the battalion were killed, and four wounded.
This army received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, “for its
distinguished discipline, firmness, and valour, in the battle of
CORUNNA,” which were communicated to the regiment, with the following
letter, addressed to the commanding officer by Lieut.-General Sir
David Baird:—
“_Portsmouth, 30th January, 1809._
“SIR,
“In communicating to you this most signal mark of the approbation
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, allow me to add my warmest congratulations upon a
distinction, which you, and the corps under your command on that
day, had a share in obtaining for His Majesty’s service.
“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “DAVID BAIRD, _Lieut.-General_.
“_Officer Commanding First Battalion_,
NINETY-SECOND _regiment_.”
The conduct of the battalion during the expedition, and its gallantry
at the battle of Corunna, were rewarded by the Royal authority
for the word “CORUNNA” to be borne on the regimental colour and
appointments of the NINETY-SECOND, in common with the army employed
under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore.[13]
On the 17th of January, the battalion embarked at Corunna, and on
the 26th disembarked at Portsmouth, marching immediately for Weeley
Barracks, where the several divisions arrived on the 13th, 14th, and
15th of February.
On the 16th of February, orders were issued that every exertion
should be made to clothe and equip the regiment again for foreign
service. The regiment received black painted canvas knapsacks, having
the Sphinx and number on the back.
About this period, Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron joined from the second
battalion, which continued in Ireland.
The first battalion marched on the 29th of June for Dover, where it
arrived on the 6th and 7th of July, and was joined by two hundred and
twenty rank and file from the second battalion.
During the summer of 1809 great preparations were made by the British
Government for fitting out the most formidable armament that had, for
a long time, issued from England. It consisted of an army of forty
thousand men, commanded by Lieut.-General the Earl of Chatham, and
of thirty-nine ships of the line, thirty-six frigates, and numerous
gun-boats, bomb-vessels, with other small craft, under Admiral Sir
Richard Strachan. The object of the expedition was to gain possession
of the islands at the mouth of the Scheldt, and to destroy the French
ships in that river, with the docks and arsenals at Antwerp.
On the 14th of July, the first battalion marched to Deal, and
embarked in ships of war with other troops there assembled, under
Lieut.-General the Earl of Chatham. The battalion, under the command
of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, was placed in Major-General Sir William
Erskine’s brigade, and in the division commanded by Lieut.-General
Sir John Hope. The NINETY-SECOND mustered forty-four serjeants,
twenty drummers, and nine hundred and seventy-four rank and file.
The expedition sailed from the Downs on the 28th of July, and landed
on the 1st of August on the Island of South Beveland, near Goes, and
went into cantonments in that place and Capelle. Flushing surrendered
on the 15th of August; but during the siege Marshal Bernadotte had
arrived at Antwerp, put the place in a posture of defence, and
removed the ships higher up the river. In consequence of these
preparations, the reduction of Antwerp was deemed impracticable by
a Council of War, and on the 1st of September the NINETY-SECOND
embarked for England.
The battalion landed at Landguard Fort near Harwich, and proceeded
to Woodbridge barracks. During the time it was in South Beveland, it
suffered much from fever and ague, with other diseases peculiar to
that place; consequently every attention was now paid to restore the
men, and to render them again fit for service.
[Sidenote: 1810]
On the 11th of July, 1810, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND
embarked at Landguard Fort, landed at Ramsgate, and arrived at
Canterbury on the 20th of that month.