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Transcriber's note:
Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
A carat character is used to denote superscription. A
single character following the carat is superscripted
(example: und^r).
Some minor changes are noted at the end of the book.
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE SIXTH, OR INNISKILLING REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS:
Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1689,
and of Its Subsequent Services to 1846.
Compiled by
RICHARD CANNON, ESQ.
Adjutant General's Office, Horse-Guards.
Illustrated with Plates of the Guidons, and of the Uniform
in 1742, 1825, and 1843.
London:
Parker, Furnivall, & Parker,
30, Charing Cross.
M DCCC XLVII.
London:--Printed by W. Clowes & Sons, Duke Street, Stamford Street,
for Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
GENERAL ORDERS.
_HORSE GUARDS_,
_1st January, 1836_.
His Majesty has been pleased to command, that, with a view of doing
the fullest justice to Regiments, as well as to Individuals who
have distinguished themselves by their Bravery in Action with the
Enemy, an Account of the Services of every Regiment in the British
Army shall be published under the superintendence and direction
of the Adjutant-General; and that this Account shall contain the
following particulars, viz.,
---- The Period and Circumstances of the Original Formation of
the Regiment; The Stations at which it has been from time to time
employed; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations,
in which it has been engaged, particularly specifying any
Achievement it may have performed, and the Colours, Trophies,
&c., it may have captured from the Enemy.
---- The Names of the Officers, and the number of
Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates, Killed or Wounded by the
Enemy, specifying the Place and Date of the Action.
---- The names of those Officers, who, in consideration of their
Gallant Services and Meritorious Conduct in Engagements with the
Enemy, have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other
Marks of His Majesty's gracious favour.
---- The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers
and Privates as may have specially signalized themselves in
Action.
And,
---- The Badges and Devices which the Regiment may have been
permitted to bear, and the Causes on account of which such Badges
or Devices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have been granted.
By Command of the Right Honourable
GENERAL LORD HILL,
_Commanding-in-Chief_.
JOHN MACDONALD,
_Adjutant-General_.
PREFACE.
The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly depend
upon the zeal and ardour, by which all who enter into its service
are animated, and consequently it is of the highest importance that
any measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation, by which
alone great and gallant actions are achieved, should be adopted.
Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this desirable
object, than a full display of the noble deeds with which the
Military History of our country abounds. To hold forth these bright
examples to the imitation of the youthful soldier, and thus to
incite him to emulate the meritorious conduct of those who have
preceded him in their honourable career, are among the motives that
have given rise to the present publication.
The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced in the
"London Gazette," from whence they are transferred into the public
prints: the achievements of our armies are thus made known at the
time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute of praise and
admiration to which they are entitled. On extraordinary occasions,
the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on
the Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their
orders, expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill
and bravery, and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour
of their Sovereign's Approbation, constitute the reward which the
soldier most highly prizes.
It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which
appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental armies)
for British Regiments to keep regular records of their services
and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been experienced in
obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, an authentic
account of their origin and subsequent services.
This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His Majesty
having been pleased to command, that every Regiment shall in future
keep a full and ample record of its services at home and abroad.
From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth
derive information as to the difficulties and privations which
chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In
Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to
the active concerns of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce,
and where these pursuits have, for so long a period, been
undisturbed by the _presence of war_, which few other countries
have escaped, comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of
active service, and of the casualties of climate, to which, even
during peace, the British Troops are exposed in every part of the
globe, with little or no interval of repose.
In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country
derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist
and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to
reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,--on
their sufferings,--and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which
so many national benefits are obtained and preserved.
The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance,
have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and
their character has been established in Continental warfare by the
irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in
spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and
steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against
superior numbers.
In the official Reports made by the respective Commanders, ample
justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions of the
Corps employed; but the details of their services, and of acts of
individual bravery, can only be fully given in the Annals of the
various Regiments.
These Records are now preparing for publication, under His
Majesty's special authority, by Mr. RICHARD CANNON, Principal Clerk
of the Adjutant-General's Office; and while the perusal of them
cannot fail to be useful and interesting to military men of every
rank, it is considered that they will also afford entertainment and
information to the general reader, particularly to those who may
have served in the Army, or who have relatives in the Service.
There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or
are serving, in the Army, an _Esprit de Corps_--an attachment
to every thing belonging to their Regiment; to such persons a
narrative of the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove
interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions of the great,--the
valiant,--the loyal, have always been of paramount interest with
a brave and 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.
The ancient Armies of England were composed of Horse and Foot; but
the feudal troops established by William the Conqueror in 1086,
consisted almost entirely of Horse. Under the feudal system, every
holder of land amounting to what was termed a "knight's fee," was
required to provide a charger, a coat of mail, a helmet, a shield,
and a lance, and to serve the Crown a period of forty days in
each year at his own expense; and the great landholders had to
provide armed men in proportion to the extent of their estates;
consequently the ranks of the feudal Cavalry were completed with
men of property, and the vassals and tenants of the great barons,
who led their dependents to the field in person.
In the succeeding reigns the Cavalry of the Army was composed
of Knights (or men at arms) and Hobiliers (or horsemen of
inferior degree); and the Infantry of spears and battle-axe men,
cross-bowmen, and archers. The Knights wore armour on every part
of the body, and their weapons were a lance, a sword, and a small
dagger. The Hobiliers were accoutred and armed for the light and
less important services of war, and were not considered qualified
for a charge in line. Mounted Archers[1] were also introduced, and
the English nation eventually became pre-eminent in the use of the
bow.
About the time of Queen Mary the appellation of "_Men at Arms_"
was changed to that of "_Spears_ and _Launces_." The introduction
of fire-arms ultimately occasioned the lance to fall into disuse,
and the title of the Horsemen of the first degree was changed to
"_Cuirassiers_." The Cuirassiers were armed _cap-à-pié_, and their
weapons were a sword with a straight narrow blade and sharp point,
and a pair of large pistols, called petronels; and the Hobiliers
carried carbines. The Infantry carried pikes, matchlocks, and
swords. The introduction of fire-arms occasioned the formation of
Regiments armed and equipped as infantry, but mounted on small
horses for the sake of expedition of movement, and these were
styled "_Dragoons_;" a small portion of the military force of the
kingdom, however, consisted of this description of troops.
The formation of the present Army commenced after the Restoration
in 1660, with the establishment of regular corps of Horse and Foot;
the Horsemen were cuirassiers, but only wore armour on the head
and body; and the Foot were pikemen and musketeers. The arms which
each description of force carried, are described in the following
extract from the "Regulations of King Charles II.," dated 5th May,
1663:--
"Each Horseman to have for his defensive armes, back, breast, and
pot; and for his offensive armes, a sword, and a case of pistolls,
the barrels whereof are not to be und^r. foorteen inches in
length; and each Trooper of Our Guards to have a carbine besides
the aforesaid armes. And the Foote to have each souldier a sword,
and each pikeman a pike of 16 foote long and not und^r.; and each
musqueteer a musquet with a collar of bandaliers, the barrell
of which musquet to be about foor foote long, and to conteine a
bullet, foorteen of which shall weigh a pound weight[2]."
The ranks of the Troops of Horse were at this period composed of
men of some property--generally the sons of substantial yeomen:
the young men received as recruits provided their own horses,
and they were placed on a rate of pay sufficient to give them a
respectable station in society.
On the breaking out of the war with Holland in the spring of 1672,
a Regiment of Dragoons was raised[3]; the Dragoons were placed on
a lower rate of pay than the Horse, and the Regiment was armed
similar to the Infantry, excepting that a limited number of the
men carried halberds instead of pikes, and the others muskets and
bayonets; and a few men in each troop had pistols; as appears by a
warrant dated the 2nd of April, 1672, of which the following is an
extract:--
"CHARLES R.
"Our will and pleasure is, that a Regiment of Dragoones which
we have established and ordered to be raised, in twelve Troopes
of fourscore in each beside officers, who are to be under the
command of Our most deare and most intirely beloved Cousin Prince
Rupert, shall be armed out of Our stoares remaining within Our
office of the Ordinance, as followeth; that is to say, three
corporalls, two serjeants, the gentlemen at armes, and twelve
souldiers of each of the said twelve Troopes, are to have and
carry each of them one halbard, and one case of pistolls with
holsters; and the rest of the souldiers of the several Troopes
aforesaid, are to have and to carry each of them one match-locke
musquet, with a collar of bandaliers, and also to have and to
carry one bayonet[4], or great knive. That each lieutenant have
and carry one partizan; and that two drums be delivered out for
each Troope of the said Regiment[5]."
Several regiments of Horse and Dragoons were raised in the first
year of the reign of King James II.; and the horsemen carried a
short carbine[6] in addition to the sword and pair of pistols: and
in a Regulation dated the 21st of February, 1687, the arms of the
Dragoons at that period were commanded to be as follows:--
"The Dragoons to have snaphanse musquets, strapt, with bright
barrels of three foote eight inches long, cartouch-boxes,
bayonetts, granado pouches, buckets, and hammer-hatchetts."
After several years' experience, little advantage was found to
accrue from having Cavalry Regiments formed almost exclusively for
engaging the enemy on foot; and, the Horse having laid aside their
armour, the arms and equipment of Horse and Dragoons were so nearly
assimilated, that there remained little distinction besides the
name and rate of pay. The introduction of improvements into the
mounting, arming, and equipment of Dragoons rendered them competent
to the performance of every description of service required of
Cavalry; and, while the long musket and bayonet were retained, to
enable them to act as Infantry, if necessary, they were found to be
equally efficient, and of equal value to the nation, as Cavalry,
with the Regiments of Horse.
In the several augmentations made to the regular Army after the
early part of the reign of Queen Anne, no new Regiments of Horse
were raised for permanent service; and in 1746 King George II.
reduced three of the old Regiments of Horse to the quality and pay
of Dragoons; at the same time, His Majesty gave them the title of
First, Second, and Third Regiments of _Dragoon Guards_: and in
1788 the same alteration was made in the remaining four Regiments
of Horse, which then became the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh
Regiments of _Dragoon Guards_.
At present there are only three Regiments which are styled _Horse_
in the British Army, namely, the two Regiments of Life Guards,
and the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, to whom cuirasses have
recently been restored. The other Cavalry Regiments consist of
Dragoon Guards, Heavy and Light Dragoons, Hussars, and Lancers;
and although the long musket and bayonet have been laid aside by
the whole of the Cavalry, and the Regiments are armed and equipped
on the principle of the old Horse (excepting the cuirass), they
continue to be styled Dragoons.
The old Regiments of Horse formed a highly respectable and
efficient portion of the Army, and it is found, on perusing the
histories of the various campaigns in which they have been engaged,
that they have, on all occasions, maintained a high character for
steadiness and discipline as well as for bravery in action. They
were formerly mounted on horses of superior weight and physical
power, and few troops could withstand a well-directed charge of
the celebrated British Horse. The records of these corps embrace a
period of 150 years--a period eventful in history, and abounding in
instances of heroism displayed by the British troops when danger
has threatened the nation,--a period in which these Regiments have
numbered in their ranks men of loyalty, valour, and good conduct,
worthy of imitation.
Since the Regiments of Horse were formed into Dragoon Guards,
additional improvements have been introduced into the constitution
of the several corps; and the superior description of horses now
bred in the United Kingdom, enables the commanding officers to
remount their regiments with such excellent horses, that, whilst
sufficient weight has been retained for a powerful charge in line,
a lightness has been acquired, which renders them available for
every description of service incident to modern warfare.
The orderly conduct of these Regiments in quarters has gained the
confidence and esteem of the respectable inhabitants of the various
parts of the United Kingdom in which they have been stationed;
their promptitude and alacrity in attending to the requisitions of
the magistrates in periods of excitement, and the temper, patience,
and forbearance which they have evinced when subjected to great
provocation, insult, and violence from the misguided populace,
prove the value of these troops to the Crown, and to the Government
of the country, and justify the reliance which is reposed on them.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] In the 14th year of the reign of Edward IV. a small force was
established in Ireland by Parliament, consisting of 120 Archers on
horseback, 40 Horsemen, and 40 Pages.
[2] Military Papers, State Paper Office.
[3] This Regiment was disbanded after the Peace of 1674.
[4] This appears to be the first introduction of _bayonets_ into
the English Army.
[5] State Paper Office.
[6] The first issue of carbines to the regular Horse appears
to have taken place in 1684; the Life Guards, however, carried
carbines from their formation in 1660.--_Vide_ the 'Historical
Record of the Life Guards.'
THE SIXTH,
OR
THE INNISKILLING DRAGOONS,
BEAR, AS A REGIMENTAL BADGE,
THE CASTLE OF INNISKILLING;
WITH THE WORD "_INNISKILLING_" UNDERNEATH,
COMMEMORATIVE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE
REGIMENT WAS FORMED IN 1689;
ALSO THE WORD
"WATERLOO,"
AS A TESTIMONY OF THEIR DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY
AT THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO,
ON THE 18th OF JUNE,
1815.
CONTENTS.
Year Page
The circumstances which gave rise to the Formation
of the Regiment 1
1688 The Revolution 3
---- The people of Inniskilling and Londonderry oppose
the proceedings of King James II., and refuse
admittance to his troops 4
1689 Various Skirmishes--the Siege of Londonderry 6
---- Battle of Newton Butler 12
---- The Sixth, or Inniskilling Regiment of Dragoons,
embodied 13
---- Siege of Londonderry raised --
---- The Regiment joins the Army under Duke Schomberg 14
1690 Placed on the establishment of the Regular Army 16
---- Capture of Belturbet--Action at Cavan 17
---- Action at Butler's Bridge 19
---- Capture of the Castles of Killeshandra and Ballingargy 20
---- Battle of the Boyne 21
---- Detached against Athlone--Siege of Limerick 25
1691 Capture of Ballymore and Athlone 26
---- Battle of Aghrim --
---- Capture of Galway 27
---- Services before Sligo 28
---- Surprised at Coloony 29
---- Termination of the War in Ireland 31
1708 The Regiment embarks for England 33
1709 Marches to Scotland --
1713 Returns to England --
1714 Stationed in Scotland --
1715 Battle of Dumblain 34
1728 Marches to England 37
1729 Returns to Scotland --
1733 Stationed in England --
1742 Embarks for Flanders 39
1743 Battle of Dettingen 40
1745 ---- ---- Fontenoy 43
1746 ---- ---- Roucoux 45
1747 ---- ---- Val 46
1748 Returns to England 48
1751 Description of the Uniform and Guidons 49
1755 A Light Troop added 51
1758 Expedition to St. Maloes 53
---- ---- ---- Cherbourg 54
---- Embarks for Germany --
1759 Battle of Minden 56
---- Action at Wetter 57
1760 Battle of Warbourg 58
---- Skirmish near Zierenberg 60
---- Surprise at Zierenberg --
---- Battle of Campen 61
1761 ---- ---- Kirch-Denkern 62
1762 ---- ---- Groebenstien 63
1763 Returns to England 64
---- Light troop disbanded, and eight men per troop, of
the heavy troops, equipped as Light Dragoons --
1764 Alterations in the equipment --
1765 Stationed in Scotland --
1766 ---- ---- England --
1767 Reviewed by King George III. 65
1711 Stationed in Scotland 65
1772 ---- ---- England --
1776 ---- ---- Scotland 66
1777 ---- ---- England --
1779 Men equipped as Light Dragoons incorporated in the
Twentieth Regiment of Light Dragoons 67
1793 Embarks for Flanders 68
---- Covering the Siege of Valenciennes 69
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Dunkirk --
---- Action at Menin 70
1794 ---- ---- Vaux 71
---- Covering the Siege of Landrécies --
---- Battle of Cateau --
---- ---- ---- Tournay 72
---- Action at Bauvines 73
---- Retreat through Holland to Germany 74
1795 Returns to England 77
1798 Reviewed by King George III. 78
1808 Stationed in Scotland 79
1809 Embarks for Ireland --
1814 Returns to England --
1815 Embarks for Flanders 80
---- Battle of Waterloo 83
---- Advances to Paris 89
1816 Returns to England 90
1818 Stationed in Scotland --
1819 Embarks for Ireland --
1821 Stationed at Dublin, on the occasion of the Visit
of King George IV. to Ireland --
1823 Embarks for Scotland 91
1824 Stationed in England --
1829 Embarks for Ireland --
1833 Stationed in Scotland 92
1834 ---- ---- England --
1838 Stationed in Ireland 92
1841 ---- ---- England 93
1842 ---- ---- Scotland, and furnishes the Royal Escorts
on the Visit of Queen Victoria to Edinburgh, &c --
1843 Marches to England --
1846 Embarks for Ireland 95
The Conclusion --
Succession of Lieutenant-Colonels 96
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
1689 Sir Albert Cunningham 97
1691 Robert Echlin 98
1715 John Earl of Stair, K.T. --
1734 Charles Lord Cadogan 100
1743 John Earl of Stair, K.T. 101
1745 John Earl of Rothes --
1750 The Honourable James Cholmondeley 102
1775 Edward Harvey 103
1778 James Johnston 104
1797 George A. Earl of Pembroke, K.G. 106
1827 The Honourable Sir William Lumley, G.C.B. 107
1840 Sir Joseph Stratton, K.C.H --
---- Sir George Pownall Adams, K.C.H. 108
PLATES.
Guidons of the Regiment to face 1
Uniform of 1742 " 39
Uniform of 1815 " 80
Uniform of 1843 " 95
[Illustration: Colours of the Sixth (Inniskilling) Dragoons.
[To face page 1.]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SIXTH,
OR,
THE INNISKILLING REGIMENT
OF
DRAGOONS.
The circumstances under which the formation of the SIXTH, OR THE
INNISKILLING REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, took place, derived their origin
from the political events of the reign of King James II., and from
the diversity of religious sentiments entertained by His Majesty's
subjects in Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1172]
[Sidenote: 1370]
[Sidenote: 1534]
[Sidenote: 1660]
[Sidenote: 1684]
In the twelfth century (1172) Ireland, which had been divided into
a number of independent states, of which Munster, Leinster, Meath,
Ulster, and Connaught were principal sovereignties, submitted to
the authority of the English monarch Henry II. The religion of the
people was the Roman Catholic, the same as generally prevailed
in other parts of Europe; but two centuries afterwards, the
introduction of the reformed religion commenced (1370), and was
completed in England in 1534, in the reign of Henry VIII.; it,
however, made little progress in Ireland, where the majority of the
inhabitants continued Roman Catholics. The English, having embraced
the Protestant religion, extended their reformed ecclesiastical
institutions to Ireland, where many Protestant families fixed their
residence and obtained possessions. The differences in religion,
unfortunately, created hostile feelings between the English and
Irish; commotions occurred, and a military establishment was
found necessary. This consisted of various numbers at different
periods: after the Restoration in 1660, the Army of Ireland was
composed of twenty troops of horse, a regiment of foot guards, and
seventy companies of foot; which were formed into three regiments
of cavalry and eight of infantry, including the (Irish) foot
guards[7], in 1684. In the following year King James II. ascended
the throne, and instead of overlooking the nominal distinctions
among his subjects, and seeking to promote the welfare of all,
he commenced his endeavours to re-establish the Roman Catholic
religion in the three kingdoms, by the most arbitrary proceedings
in Ireland. Opposite views and interests were thus brought into
collision; evil passions were called forth, which produced effects
contrary to those designed, and the results embroiled Ireland in
intestine war, and involved many families in misery. The King
also commenced arbitrary proceedings in England, where a number
of noblemen and gentlemen of property and influence, united in
soliciting the Prince of Orange to come to England with an army to
aid them in opposing the measures of the Court.
[Sidenote: 1688]
In the autumn of 1688 the Prince of Orange prepared an armament
for England, when the army in Ireland was augmented with men of
the Roman Catholic religion, who, not obtaining regular pay, were
permitted to seize on the property of Protestants for subsistence:
persecutions were also commenced against the latter, and a report
was circulated of a design to massacre all persons of the reformed
religion, on a named day, when many families fled to England, and
others prepared to defend themselves.
Appearing on the western coast of England, as the supporter of
civil and religious liberty, the Prince of Orange landed his army
on the 5th of November; he was welcomed by the people,--joined
by many noblemen,--by officers of rank and distinction, and by a
number of soldiers, and he advanced by triumphant marches to the
capital, where his arrival was celebrated with public rejoicings:
King James vacated the throne, and escaped to France.
These events afforded the strongest encouragement to the
Protestants of Ireland to make a bold resistance to the proceedings
of their opponents, and to join in the same REVOLUTION which
had secured the blessings of a constitutional monarchy, and of
religious liberty, for England. The principles of self-defence
stimulated them to make a daring effort for the preservation of
their liberties, in the hope of being aided from England; and from
the opposition thus made to illegal aggression, the SIXTH, OR THE
INNISKILLING, REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, derived its origin.
The city of LONDONDERRY, so called in consequence of a number
of Londoners having settled there in the reign of James I., was
garrisoned by Lord Montjoy's regiment, which had many Protestants
in it: this corps was ordered to march towards Dublin, and the Earl
of Antrim's newly-raised corps, all Catholics, was expected to be
ready to take charge of the garrison; but some delay occurring, a
town guard was organised; and when the Earl of Antrim's regiment
approached, it was refused admittance: the gates of the city were
closed on the 7th of December, and the most determined resistance
evinced by the inhabitants, who were encouraged by David Cairnes,
Esq., of Knockmany, and other zealous gentlemen.
About the same period the inhabitants of INNISKILLING refused to
allow two companies of Sir Thomas Newcomen's regiment to enter
their town. Thus two important places were preserved from the power
of the adherents of King James, and a military force was organised
for their protection. Gustavus Hamilton, Esq., was elected governor
of Inniskilling, and colonel of the troops of horse and companies
of foot formed there, and Thomas Lloyd, Esq., lieutenant-colonel.
Colonel Lundy was governor of Londonderry, situate about fifty-five
English miles from Inniskilling. The Protestant inhabitants of the
north of Ireland enrolled themselves for their mutual defence;
but those who fell into the power of the adherents of King James
were deprived of their arms and property, and treated with great
severity.
[Sidenote: 1689]
The early part of the year 1689 was spent in active preparations
for defence: a corps of horse, another of dragoons, and eight
battalions of foot were formed, and applications were forwarded to
England for military stores.
In February, the Prince and Princess of Orange were elevated to
the throne, by the title of King William and Queen Mary, and their
accession was proclaimed at Inniskilling on the 11th of March.
On the following day King James landed at Kinsale from France;
he was accompanied by five thousand French troops, and made his
public entry into Dublin on the 24th of March, three days after the
accession of William and Mary had been proclaimed at Londonderry.
In the mean time several encounters had taken place between the
forces of King James and the newly-raised Protestant corps in the
north of Ireland, in which many of the latter were overpowered;
but the Inniskilling men were conspicuous for personal bravery,
which they evinced on several occasions, and by their valour they
preserved themselves from many of the calamities which befel
others. On the approach of Lord Galmoy with a detachment of King
James's army, the country people, fearing a general massacre, fled
with their cattle and effects to Inniskilling. King James's troops
besieged _Crom Castle_; but were driven from before the place with
loss; and a party of his dragoons was seized at Armagh; a most
gallant action was performed by two troops of horse and three
companies of foot, under Mr. Matthew Anketill, by which _Monaghan
Castle_ was preserved; and on the 12th of March Lord Blayney
defeated a body of the Irish at _Ardtray bridge_. The success was,
however, not always on one side: Captain Henry Hunter and a band of
armed Protestants were surprised and destroyed, near Comber; and
a party of Inniskilling men were slaughtered on the banks of the
_Aughaclane_.
The army of King James advanced against _Londonderry_, to which
city the Protestants of that part of the country fled as to their
last refuge, and they defended the place with heroic gallantry
against the numerous army by which it was besieged.
Colonels Thomas Cunningham and Solomon Richards arrived at Lough
Foyle in the middle of April, with their regiments, the ninth and
seventeenth foot, for the support of Derry; but in consequence
of the misrepresentations of the governor, Colonel Lundy, who
stated that there was not provision in the town for more than ten
days, and that an army of 25,000 men was near the gates, they
returned to England. The governor and town-council were desirous
of surrendering; but when King James approached the town with
his army, the garrison broke through all restraint--fired on
the besieging force, killed several men, threatened to hang the
governor and council for tampering with the enemy, and declared
their resolution to defend the place to the last extremity. The
governor escaped in disguise; a new council was chosen; and the
Reverend George Walker and Major Thomas Baker were nominated
joint-governors during the siege.
The attack made by the army of King James having been repulsed,
the town was invested on the 20th of April. The garrison of
LONDONDERRY consisted of seven thousand untrained countrymen,
without engineers; the town was not well fortified; twenty guns
only were on the walls, and not one of them well mounted; yet
the city was successfully defended, for more than three months,
against a formidable army, which proves how much depends on bravery
and resolution. The garrison made several gallant sorties, and
inflicted severe loss on the besieging troops.
Meanwhile the INNISKILLING men under Gustavus Hamilton were not
inactive. Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd made a successful incursion
into the enemy's quarters, took and burnt the fortifications of
_Augher_, and returned to Inniskilling with an immense number of
cattle. The same officer routed a body of King James's troops at
_Belleek_, killing a hundred soldiers, taking thirty prisoners, and
capturing two guns; and he threw a relief into Ballyshannon on the
8th of May, without the loss of a man, which proved a brilliant
commencement of aggressive warfare: he also captured the enemy's
garrison at Redhill, and the castle of _Ballynecarreg_, in the
county of Cavan; and Captains Francis Gore and Arnold Crosbie
brought off two hundred troop horses from a pasture at _Omagh_,
which mounted three troops of Inniskilling men.
The garrison of Londonderry becoming distressed for want of
provisions, the INNISKILLING men advanced to its relief; but the
approach of a body of troops, under Major-General Sarsfield, to
besiege Ballyshannon, and of another, under Colonel Sutherland, to
Belturbet, with the view of besieging the town of INNISKILLING,
obliged them to return and defend their own quarters. The gallant
Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd was detached against _Belturbet_, from
whence Colonel Sutherland fled, on the 15th of June, leaving a
detachment of dragoons to defend the church, who surrendered, and
the INNISKILLING men gained possession of a supply of ammunition
and provisions, eighty troop horses with accoutrements, and seven
hundred muskets, which enabled them to equip themselves better than
before, and to add several new companies to their levies.
Meanwhile the garrison of Londonderry continued to defend that
fortress with sanguinary perseverance, and few days passed without
King James's army sustaining severe loss from the sallies of the
resolute defenders of the place. The want of provisions occasioned
the loss of many men from dysentery; and Governor Baker dying on
the 30th of June, Colonel Mitchelburne was elected joint-governor
with the Reverend Mr. Walker. The cruelties exercised on the
inhabitants of the neighbouring towns and villages, to induce
the garrison to surrender, stimulated the men to resistance.
Major-General Kirke arrived on the 30th of June with two regiments
of foot (the second and eleventh), and a supply of arms, ammunition
and provisions, but was prevented from approaching the town by
forts on the banks, and a boom across the river. After waiting
a few days, he landed on the island of Inch, where he threw up
entrenchments, and being joined by a number of countrymen, he
formed the design of assembling a sufficient force for relieving
the town by land. On the 12th of July he was visited on board
his vessel by the Reverend Andrew Hamilton, and Mr. John Rider,
who represented to him the state of affairs at INNISKILLING, and
obtained a supply of arms, ammunition, and eight field-pieces;
also commissions for a regiment of horse to be commanded by
Colonel William Wolseley,--a regiment of dragoons of twelve
troops, commanded by Colonel James Wynne (afterwards the fifth, or
Royal Irish dragoons), and three regiments of foot, commanded by
Colonels Zachariah Tiffin (now twenty-seventh), Gustavus Hamilton,
and Thomas Lloyd, with a troop of cavalry to be attached to each
battalion of infantry.
Before these corps were embodied, King James's generals, designing
to crush the intrepid _Inniskilling_ bands at once, sent three
bodies of troops against them. Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd, by a
forced march of twenty miles, surprised one division, under
Major-General Sarsfield, in their camp by night, and although
his opponents were five times more numerous than his own party
he routed them with a dreadful slaughter. The Duke of Berwick,
advancing with the second body of King James's army, destroyed
two companies of Inniskilling foot sent forward to secure a pass,
but when he came to the defences made to cover the approach to
the town, he did not venture to attack them, but withdrew, and
was soon afterwards ordered to join the army before Londonderry:
he subsequently skirmished with a body of men which Major-General
Kirke had landed at Rathmetan, but failed to dislodge them.
The third division of King James's army advancing against
INNISKILLING was commanded by Major-General Justin M'Carthy, who
had been created Viscount Mountcashel, and it was more formidable
than the other two; but the INNISKILLING men had become emboldened
by success, and they fearlessly advanced to meet their more
numerous antagonists. Their leading column encountered and routed
the Viscount Mountcashel's advance-guard, between Linaskea and
Inniskilling on the 30th of July, slew two hundred men, and
took thirty prisoners. In the afternoon of the same day, the
INNISKILLING forces, amounting to about two thousand men, under
Colonel Wolseley, attacked the opposing army, of very superior
numbers, in a formidable position at _Newton Butler_. By forcing
their way over numerous difficulties, and traversing a dangerous
bog, the INNISKILLING men were enabled to assail the front of the
adverse host, and their attack was made with so much audacity and
heroic ardour, that the opposing ranks were panic-stricken, and
fled in dismay. The gallant INNISKILLING men pursued at speed,
and overtaking their adversaries among the bogs and loughs,
slaughtered two thousand fugitives; about five hundred were drowned
in attempting to escape across the deep waters, and nearly five
hundred more were taken prisoners, including Viscount Mountcashel,
and Colonel Anthony Hamilton. This surprising victory was gained
with the loss of twenty men killed, and fifty wounded. Among the
trophies of the day were one iron and seven brass guns, a number of
standards and colours, a quantity of military stores, and the whole
of the enemy's baggage.
Many of the INNISKILLING men, who had evinced great personal
bravery, had not been regimented, and SIR ALBERT CUNNINGHAM,
a gentleman highly esteemed in the county, and who had been
deprived of the appointment of Lieutenant-General of the Ordnance
in Ireland, by King James, for his adherence to the reformed
religion, was authorized to embody six hundred men, into a regiment
of dragoons of twelve troops, of which he was appointed colonel;
and the corps, thus formed of the distinguished champions for the
institutions of their country, having been retained in the service
of the Crown to the present period, now bears the title of the
SIXTH, OR THE INNISKILLING, REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS.
While the most signal success attended the gallant INNISKILLING
men, the garrison of Londonderry was distressed for want of
provisions, and on the day that the battle of Newton Butler was
fought, the ships Montjoy of Londonderry, and Phœnix of Coleraine,
convoyed by the Dartmouth frigate, forced the boom under a heavy
fire from the banks of the river, and, after encountering many
difficulties, anchored at the ship-quay, to the great joy and
relief of the brave defenders of the town. King James's generals
were so dispirited by this success, and the loss at Newton Butler,
that on the night of the 31st of July they raised the siege, which
had occupied one hundred and five days, and retired, having lost
from eight to nine thousand men, and many officers, in their
fruitless attempt to reduce the city.
Thus terminated the siege of LONDONDERRY, which from the
circumstances of its commencement, the sufferings endured during
its progress, and the determined conduct of its brave defenders,
ranks among the glorious achievements recorded in the annals of
war. Governor Walker proceeded to England with an address, on the
occasion, to King William and Queen Mary, and was received at Court
with all the honour due to his distinguished services.
In the mean time an army was raising in England to aid in rescuing
Ireland from the power of King James, and was placed under the
orders of the veteran Marshal Frederick Duke Schomberg, who
arrived in Ireland in August, with ten thousand men, and besieged
Carrickfergus, which surrendered before the end of the month.
Twelve troops of Wolseley's horse, six troops of Wynne's
(late fifth Royal Irish), and six of CUNNINGHAM'S (now SIXTH)
dragoons, Tiffin's (now twenty-seventh) Inniskilling foot, and
Mitchelburne's Londonderry regiment (afterwards disbanded), joined
the army commanded by the Duke Schomberg, and were employed in
the operations of the campaign. The INNISKILLING troopers had
made their name a terror to their opponents, and were highly
esteemed in the English army. Story, the historian of these wars,
states, 'I went three miles beyond the camp, where I met the
_Inniskilling_ horse and dragoons, whom the Duke had ordered to be
an advance-guard to his army. I wondered much to see their horses
and equipage, hearing before what feats had been done by them.
They were three regiments in all, and most of the troopers and
dragoons had their waiting-men mounted upon garrons (small horses);
some of them had holsters, and others their pistols hung at their
sword-belts.'
The same author adds, 'If these men had been permitted to go on in
their old forward way, it is probable they would have saved the
town of Newry being burnt.'
The INNISKILLING cavalry performed several feats of gallantry, on
detached services, during the period the army was at the unhealthy
camp at Dundalk; and subsequently returned to their own country for
winter quarters.
[Sidenote: 1690]
Previous to the 1st of January, 1690, the Inniskilling cavalry
had been considered more as corps of mounted militia, or of
yeomanry cavalry, than as regular troops; but at that period
the Inniskilling and Londonderry forces were placed on the
establishment of the regular army. The following is an extract from
King William's warrant on the occasion:--
'WILLIAM R.
'WHEREAS we have thought fit to forme a regiment of horse,
together with two regiments of dragoons, and three regiments of
foot, out of Our INNISKILLING forces, and to take them into our
pay and entertainment, we do hereby pass this Our establishment
of the said forces, to commence on the 1st day of January,
1689-90, in the first year of our reign[8].'
INNISKILLING FORCES.
Officers and Amount
Soldiers. per Annum.
A regiment of horse, of twelve troops 714 40,207 15 10
Two regiments of dragoons, of eight
troops each 1162 41,415 6 8
Three regiments of foot, of thirteen
companies each 2781 48,435 10 0
LONDONDERRY FORCES.
Two regiments of foot, of thirteen
companies each 1854 32,290 6 8
---- ---------------
Total 6511 162,348 19 2
==== ===============
CUNNINGHAM'S INNISKILLING dragoons formed part of the force with
which Colonel Wolseley captured the town of _Belturbet_, which was
occupied as a frontier garrison. The colonel having afterwards
learnt that his opponents were about to assemble at _Cavan_, to
attack his quarters, left Belturbet on the evening of the 10th of
February, 1690, with three troops of horse, two of the INNISKILLING
dragoons, and seven hundred foot of Kirke's (now second), Wharton's
(now twelfth), Tiffin's (now twenty-seventh), and proceeded by a
circuitous route towards Cavan, with the intention of surprising
his opponents in their quarters, before the arrival of their
expected reinforcements. Having passed the river at midnight, at
a ford two miles above Ballyhaise,--the infantry on horseback
behind the troopers,--he moved quietly towards Cavan, but met with
obstructions which delayed his march, and the day had dawned when
he drew near the town, when, to his great astonishment, he saw
upwards of three thousand men, commanded by the Duke of Berwick,
formed on a rising ground to oppose him. The disparity of numbers
was great; but trusting to the innate valour of his soldiers,
he sent forward a hundred INNISKILLING dragoons to commence the
action. As they advanced along a narrow lane, they were galled by
the fire of musketry from behind the hedges, charged by a body of
cavalry, and driven back; but a volley from the musketeers checked
the enemy, and the troops continued their march. After deploying
in front of the enemy, a reserve was ordered to halt, and Colonel
Wolseley advanced with the remainder in order of battle. As he
ascended the position, the enemy raised a loud shout and fired a
volley; but the balls passed over the heads of Wolseley's men,
who continued to advance until they arrived within forty paces of
their opponents, and then opened a sharp fire with good effect. The
infantry, slinging their muskets, were about to charge sword in
hand, when, the smoke clearing away, they discovered King James's
infantry flying to the fort in a panic, and the cavalry galloping
towards the town. Wolseley's men rushed forward, and entering the
town, found stores of provisions, shoes, ammunition, and brass
money; the temptation being great, they commenced plundering, when
the enemy's infantry sallied out of the fort, and resumed the
fight. Wolseley attacked them with his reserve, and the soldiers
hurrying out of the town, and joining in the contest, their
opponents were driven back with the loss of three hundred men
killed, and about two hundred taken prisoners; the Duke of Berwick
narrowly escaped, having had his horse killed under him.
Colonel Wolseley had about thirty men killed. He observed, in his
public despatch, 'Our men showed on this, as on former occasions,
a very great forwardness to engage the enemy, notwithstanding
the inequality of their numbers, and gave new proofs of their
courage and bravery, particularly Major-General Kirke's men[9].'
After destroying the stores and ammunition which they were unable
to remove, the detachment returned to its quarters; and the
enemy, having discovered the resolute character of the troops in
Belturbet, laid aside the design of attacking them.
On the night of the 4th of March, a detachment of INNISKILLING
cavalry, with fifty men of Colonel Erle's regiment, scoured the
country to the vicinity of Cavan; and on the following morning
attacked and carried a fortified post at _Butler's bridge_, killing
twenty men and taking sixteen prisoners; then joining another
detachment, drove a body of the enemy from the houses of Cavan, and
completed the destruction of the town.
Provisions becoming scarce at Belturbet, Colonel Wolseley sent
out two hundred INNISKILLING horse and dragoons, who scoured the
country beyond Cavan and captured a thousand head of cattle.
Returning with their booty, they found four hundred of the enemy
formed up at the river to oppose their passage; undaunted by
superior numbers, the INNISKILLING troopers rushed, sword in hand,
upon their antagonists, and a few moments' conflict decided the
fortune of the day; forty of King James's soldiers lay dead on the
field, eight were taken prisoners, and the remainder escaped; the
INNISKILLING men proceeded with their booty to Belturbet.
On the 6th of April another detachment of seven hundred men, from
the regiments of Kirke, Erle, and Groven's Danes, with a party
of INNISKILLING horse and dragoons, advanced from Belturbet to
the castle of _Killeshandra_, which they besieged and captured
after a slight resistance; and in May a detachment of CUNNINGHAM'S
INNISKILLING dragoons was engaged in the capture of the castle of
_Ballinacargy_. Thus these gallant horsemen succeeded in every
enterprise in which they were engaged, their fame spread to distant
parts, and they were a terror to their adversaries. They ventured
on the most dangerous undertakings, and a detachment scoured the
country to _Kells_, within twenty-seven miles of Dublin, and
returned with a supply of cattle and provisions.