the Ems on the ice on the 20th of February, and on the 20th
skirmished with the van of the French army. Several manœuvres
followed, and on the 3rd of March a party of French failed in an
attempt to pass the Ems. On the following day the INNISKILLING
dragoons had to traverse a small river on the ice at a point which
was commanded by the enemy's cannon; but the regiment, being
favoured by a very thick fog, passed unperceived by the French.
[Sidenote: 1796]
[Sidenote: 1797]
Hostilities terminated in this quarter soon afterwards; in May
the regiment went into cantonments in villages near the banks of
the Weser, one of the principal rivers in Germany; and in July
it encamped near Delmenhorst, the chief town of a district of
that name in Westphalia, seven miles south-west of Bremen. On the
breaking up of the camp, the SIXTH dragoons marched through Bremen
into cantonments on the right bank of the Weser until November,
when they embarked for England, but were detained in the river
several weeks by contrary winds. They landed at Yarmouth and South
Shields about Christmas; in January, 1796, they marched to Norwich,
and in September following to Ipswich, where they passed the
succeeding winter. In the autumn of 1797 they proceeded to Romford.
General Johnston died on the 13th of December, 1797, and was
interred in great state in Westminster Abbey. He was succeeded in
the colonelcy by George, Earl of Pembroke, K.G., who commanded the
regiment during the succeeding thirty years.
[Sidenote: 1798]
[Sidenote: 1799]
[Sidenote: 1800]
[Sidenote: 1801]
Leaving Romford in June, 1798, the regiment proceeded to Windsor,
and encamped in the forest, where a numerous body of troops was
assembled, and exercised in the presence of King George III.
and the royal family. His Majesty reviewed the regiment; and it
afterwards proceeded into cantonments, the head-quarters being at
Uxbridge. In December, 1799, it marched to Birmingham; in August,
1800, to Bristol; and in June, 1801, to Exeter.
[Sidenote: 1802]
The successes of the British forces in Egypt and the West Indies,
were followed by a treaty of peace, in 1802, when the establishment
of the SIXTH dragoons was reduced to eight troops, and the total
number of officers and men to five hundred and fifty-three. In
October the head-quarters were removed to Nottingham.
[Sidenote: 1803]
Before the following summer the ambitious policy of the French
republic involved Great Britain in another war, and the first
consul of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, assembled an army for the
invasion of England. This vain project was met by formidable
preparations on the part of the British government; an army of _six
hundred thousand men_ (including militia, yeomanry, volunteers, and
troops on foreign stations) was embodied; and the establishment of
the INNISKILLING dragoons was again augmented.
[Sidenote: 1804]
[Sidenote: 1805]
In the summer of 1803 the regiment marched to Birmingham; in
January, 1804, it proceeded to Brighton, and was stationed near the
Sussex coast during the two following summers, while the French
army lay at Boulogne, on the opposite side of the channel. In 1805
Napoleon withdrew his legions from the coast, and marched against
the Russians and Austrians; and in October the SIXTH dragoons
proceeded to Lewes.
[Sidenote: 1806]
[Sidenote: 1807]
[Sidenote: 1808]
[Sidenote: 1809]
The danger of foreign invasion passed away, the arts, sciences,
agriculture, manufactures, and commerce flourished throughout
the British dominions; while the other countries of Europe
became successively scenes of war, rapine, and spoliation. The
INNISKILLING dragoons proceeded, in March, 1806, to Ipswich; during
the winter of 1807 to York, and in the summer of 1808 they marched
to Scotland, and occupied Piershill barracks, Edinburgh. In June,
1809, they embarked at Portpatrick for Ireland; they landed at
Donaghadee, and marched to Dundalk.
[Sidenote: 1810]
[Sidenote: 1811]
[Sidenote: 1813]
[Sidenote: 1814]
While the British troops were triumphant over the legions of
Napoleon, in Portugal, Spain, and the south of France, the
INNISKILLING dragoons were detained on home service in Ireland.
In the summer of 1810 they marched to Dublin; in November, 1811,
to Ballinasloe; in March, 1813, to Belturbet; in May following,
to Tullamore, and in April, 1814, to Dublin, from whence they
embarked for Liverpool, where they arrived on the 3rd of May,
and proceeding to York, halted there three months, and afterwards
marched to Nottingham.
While the regiment was in Ireland, the cocked hats and feathers
were replaced by brass helmets, and the high boots and breeches by
cloth trousers and short boots.
Meanwhile the victories of the British army had been followed
by the removal of Napoleon from the throne of France, and the
re-establishment of tranquillity in Europe: the numbers of the
regiment were consequently reduced from ten to eight troops.
[Sidenote: 1815]
The return of peace was followed by public rejoicings throughout
the country; but scarcely had these subsided, when news arrived
of the return of Bonaparte to France; of the flight of Louis
XVIII. from the capital; and of the re-assumption of the imperial
dignity by the usurper. Preparations for war immediately commenced;
the establishment of the INNISKILLING dragoons was augmented,
and six troops, mustering four hundred and fifty officers and
men, under the command of Colonel Joseph Muter, were selected to
proceed on foreign service; the depôt troops commanded by Brevet
Lieutenant-Colonel Ellice, were stationed at Ipswich.
[Illustration: Sixth (Inniskilling) Dragoons, 1815.
[To face page 80.]
The six troops destined for service abroad proceeded, in April,
1815, to Gravesend, where they embarked for Ostend; some delay
was occasioned by contrary winds; but the whole reached Flanders
in safety, and on the first of May they were in quarters beyond
Bruges, from whence they removed a few stages further up the
country. A British, Hanoverian, and Brunswick force was assembled
in Belgium under Field-Marshal His Grace the Duke of Wellington,
and the King of the Netherlands placed his troops under the orders
of the British commander. The SIXTH were formed in brigade with
the royal dragoons and Scots greys, commanded by Major-General
Sir William Ponsonby, K.C.B. They were reviewed by the Prince of
Orange, and Lieutenant-General the Earl of Uxbridge, commanding the
cavalry, on the 24th of May; and on the 29th of that month they
were seen, together with the other cavalry corps and the royal
horse artillery, by the Duke of Wellington, who was accompanied by
Marshal Von Blucher, the commander of the Prussian army.
The INNISKILLING dragoons reposed in cantonments among the Belgic
peasantry about six weeks; being stimulated by the fame acquired by
several corps in the Peninsular campaigns, from 1808 to 1814, they
were eager for an opportunity to signalize their intrepidity and
prowess against the enemies of their country, and this opportunity
was soon afforded them. About four o'clock on the morning of the
16th of June, they were suddenly aroused by the notes of the bugle
summoning them to assemble, mounted, at the alarm posts. Springing
from their beds with alacrity, they were speedily equipped, and,
as the Belgic husbandmen commenced their labours in the field,
the INNISKILLING dragoons were seen directing their march towards
_Quatre Bras_, where the French divisions, under Marshal Ney, had
suddenly attacked the advance-posts, while Bonaparte assailed the
Prussians at Ligny with the main body of his army. Continuing
its route by Enghien, Brain-le-Conte, and Nivelles, the regiment
arrived at the scene of conflict a little before midnight;
the hostile forces were reposing on their arms; and the SIXTH
bivouacked behind the position, in a corn-field on the left of the
road from Charleroi to Brussels.
The Prussians having retreated, the Duke of Wellington made a
corresponding movement, and the INNISKILLING dragoons were employed
in covering the retreat of the infantry and artillery to the
position of Mont St. Jean, in front of the village of _Waterloo_.
On passing through Genappe, a heavy thunder-storm deluged the
country and put a stop to the firing; but as the atmosphere
cleared, the scene became particularly interesting; the cavalry
brigades were manœuvring in the face of the adverse army; the loud
tones of the artillery, the fire of skirmishers in the fields,
the seventh hussars and first life guards charging the French
lancers in the streets, while Bonaparte urged forward his numerous
squadrons, thinking to overwhelm the British horsemen, presented
to the eye an animating and splendid spectacle. On arriving at the
heights of Mont St. Jean, an opposition was presented to the French
emperor, which he despaired to overcome that evening, and the
hostile forces confronted each other during the night, the men and
horses being exposed to a continual rain.
On the morning of the memorable 18th of June, the army appeared in
order of battle. The Royals, Greys, and INNISKILLING dragoons, were
formed on the left of the road leading from Brussels to Charleroi,
to support Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton's division of
infantry, which crowned the heights in front of the brigade. At ten
o'clock the French appeared on the opposite heights, from whence
a cloud of skirmishers was sent forward; the artillery gradually
opened its fire, and about noon the enemy's columns traversed the
intervening space, and one of the most sanguinary, hard-contested,
and important battles recorded in the annals of war commenced: a
battle in which the fate of kingdoms, and the destiny of millions,
was decided by British skill, and by British valour.
After failing in reiterated assaults on the post of Hugomont,
simultaneous attacks were formed; one of cuirassiers against the
centre, which was defeated by the British household cavalry; and
one of infantry against the left of the position occupied by the
allied army. The formation of columns was partly concealed by the
nature of the ground; but the glistening of bayonets was seen at
intervals, above the undulations which form the features of this
sanguinary field.
Twenty thousand infantry appeared on the heights opposite the
spot where the INNISKILLING dragoons were formed, and rushing
forward with that eager velocity which characterizes the first
attack of French soldiers, they traversed the intervening space
with astonishing expedition, dispersed a Belgic brigade with
which they first came in contact, broke through parts of the
British supporting infantry, and ascended the position occupied
by the allied army. A favourable opportunity for the Royals,
Greys, and INNISKILLING dragoons to charge presented itself; the
Earl of Uxbridge galloped up to the three regiments, and they
instantly deployed and advanced against the dark masses of the
enemy. A spirit of emulation, and a thirst for glory, beamed in
the countenances of the officers and men, as they moved forward
in firm array, presenting a noble spectacle of nine squadrons of
superb heavy cavalry, whose warlike appearance and resolute bearing
excited admiration. The French columns were urging forward with
rapid steps as to certain victory; crowds of infantry and artillery
fled before them; and as they ascended the crest of the position,
they presented a menacing and alarming aspect. An important crisis
in the battle had arrived, and stupendous results depended on the
valour of the Royals, Greys, and INNISKILLING dragoons. The three
regiments advanced steadily to meet these numerous and formidable
bands of opponents, who were concealed from their view by the
rising ground: they paused a short time to permit the retreating
infantry and artillery to pass through the intervals of squadrons,
and the next moment these powerful horsemen raised a loud and
terrific shout, and rushed furiously upon the adverse ranks of war.
The spectacle was grand, and the result glorious to the British
arms. The French masses being unable to deploy, the heads of
columns were instantly broken and forced back; confusion ensued,
the firing ceased, a general flight commenced, and as the smoke
cleared away the British dragoons were seen plunging their horses
into the midst of the broken columns, and cutting down the French
musketeers with a terrible carnage, until the slope of the position
was literally covered with slain. Crowds of French soldiers threw
down their arms and surrendered; while others cast themselves on
the ground to escape the victorious troopers. The Royals and Greys
took each an eagle: the INNISKILLING dragoons cut off from their
own lines and made prisoners a numerous body of French infantry,
with whom part of the regiment was detached to the rear. The
brigade continued its victorious course, spreading terror, carnage,
and dismay over the field: it crossed the ravine, carried several
batteries, and penetrated to the rear of the enemy's position.
Pursuing their opponents too far, the INNISKILLING dragoons were,
on returning, charged by a numerous body of the enemy's lancers,
and sustained considerable loss.
Major-General Sir William Ponsonby having been killed by the
lancers, the command of the brigade devolved on Colonel Muter
of the INNISKILLING dragoons; and that of the regiment on
Lieutenant-Colonel Fiennes Miller, who had previously had his
horse killed under him, and had received several bayonet wounds,
but having had his wounds dressed, and procuring a horse which had
belonged to a French officer of lancers, he kept his post at the
head of the regiment.
The brigade having re-formed, was stationed behind a little wood,
where it remained, protected from the enemy's incessant fire of
shot and shells by some high ground and by the trees, until about
four o'clock in the afternoon, when it was ordered to the right of
the position, and there suffered severely from a heavy cannonade.
Lieutenant-Colonel Miller was again wounded about five o'clock, and
withdrew, leaving the regiment under the command of Captain Madox.
About half-past five Colonel Muter was wounded, and the command of
the brigade devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton, of the royal
dragoons.
In the general attack made on the French army at the close of the
day, the brigade had another opportunity of distinguishing itself,
and, although it was reduced to a very small number of officers
and men by casualties and parties detached to the rear with
prisoners, yet it proved victorious over every description of force
which opposed its advance. The French army sustained a decisive
overthrow. The troops under the Duke of Wellington halted on the
field, surrounded by cannon and other trophies of victory, while
the Prussians, who had arrived at the close of the action, pursued
Bonaparte's discomfited legions throughout the night.
Thus ended a battle, the greatest of past or present times,
the character and importance of which may be estimated by the
splendid results, and by the continued peace which has followed.
The brigade, of which the INNISKILLING dragoons formed part, was
commended by the Duke of Wellington in his public despatch.
The regiment had Lieutenant and Adjutant Clusky, two
troop-serjeant-majors, three serjeants, four corporals, one
trumpeter, seventy-five privates, and one hundred and sixty-four
horses killed; Colonel Muter, Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, Captains
W. F. Browne, and the Honourable S. Douglas, Lieutenant Hassard,
and Cornet Ruffo, three serjeant-majors, six serjeants, five
corporals, two trumpeters, eighty-five men, and twenty-seven horses
wounded.
Colonel Muter and Lieutenant-Colonel Miller had the honour of
receiving the riband and badge of companion of the order of the
Bath. Colonel Muter was further rewarded with the decoration of the
fourth class of St. Wladimir of Russia, Captain Madox was promoted
to the rank of major in the army.
Serjeant-Majors William Seney, John Laws, and Matthew Marshall,
Serjeants Hugh M'Mahon, and Johnston Marlow, with Privates William
Penfold and Robert Potters, particularly distinguished themselves.
Every officer and soldier present at this engagement received a silver
medal; and the subaltern officers, with the non-commissioned officers
and privates, were allowed to reckon two years' service for that
battle[16].
The royal authority was also given for the regiment to bear the
word "WATERLOO" on its guidons and appointments.
The regiment advanced in pursuit of the wreck of the French
army on the following day; on the 22nd of June it bivouacked at
Malplaquet, a village which is celebrated in history as the scene
of a desperate engagement, on the 11th of September, 1709, when the
army commanded by the Duke of Marlborough gained a victory over the
French under Marshals Villars and Boufflers.
Continuing the pursuit of the French army, the INNISKILLING
dragoons arrived, in the beginning of July, at the vicinity of
Paris, and after the surrender of the capital, they went into
quarters at the village of Nanterre, where they remained three
weeks, and subsequently marched to Rouen. They took part in
several reviews of the army commanded by the Duke of Wellington, at
which the sovereigns of Russia, Austria, Prussia, and France, were
present.
[Sidenote: 1816]
The war having terminated with the restoration of the Bourbon
dynasty to the throne of France, and the conclusion of a treaty of
peace, the regiment marched to Calais. It embarked for England on
the 1st of January, 1816, and after landing at Dover, proceeded to
Salisbury, and subsequently to Exeter. At the same time its numbers
were reduced to a peace establishment.
[Sidenote: 1817]
[Sidenote: 1818]
[Sidenote: 1819]
In October, 1817, the regiment marched to Birmingham; during
the summer of 1818 it proceeded to Scotland and was stationed
at Piershill barracks, near Edinburgh. Leaving this station in
June, 1819, for Portpatrick, it embarked for Ireland,--arrived at
Donaghadee on the 1st of July, and marched into quarters at Gort,
in the county of Galway.
[Sidenote: 1820]
[Sidenote: 1821]
The INNISKILLING dragoons passed the four succeeding years in
Ireland. In 1820 their head-quarters were removed to Longford; and
in July, 1821, to Dublin, on the occasion of the auspicious visit
of His Majesty King George IV. to this part of his dominions.
In August the regiment marched to Newbridge, for the purpose of
attending His Majesty at the race-ground of Kildare.
[Sidenote: 1822]
On the 9th of November the SIXTH dragoons left Newbridge for
Fermoy; in February, 1822, they proceeded to Cahir, and in June
following returned to Newbridge, where they remained till December,
when they proceeded to Dublin and occupied the royal barracks.
[Sidenote: 1823]
Leaving Dublin in May, 1823, the regiment proceeded to Donaghadee,
where it embarked for Scotland on the 6th of June, landed on the
same day, and proceeded to Glasgow, where it passed the succeeding
twelve months.
[Sidenote: 1824]
[Sidenote: 1825]
[Sidenote: 1826]
[Sidenote: 1827]
From Glasgow the regiment marched in July, 1824, for York; in the
summer of 1825 the head-quarters were removed to Manchester; in
April, 1826, to Dorchester; and in the following year to Nottingham.
The Earl of Pembroke died in the autumn, and was succeeded in the
colonelcy by the Hon. Sir William Lumley, G.C.B., by commission
dated the 3rd of November, 1827.
[Sidenote: 1828]
[Sidenote: 1829]
Leaving Nottingham in March, 1828, the regiment proceeded to
Ipswich, but returned to Nottingham in October following; and in
the summer of 1829 proceeded to Liverpool and embarked for Ireland.
After landing at Dublin, it proceeded to Dundalk, where it passed
the winter.
[Sidenote: 1830]
[Sidenote: 1831]
[Sidenote: 1832]
In the summer of 1830 the regiment proceeded to Dublin; in July,
1831, the head-quarters were at Longford; and in 1832 at Cahir,
many detachments being furnished in aid of the civil power during
these years.
[Sidenote: 1833]
The Regiment proceeded, in March, 1833, to Dublin, where it
embarked for England, and after landing at Liverpool, marched to
Scotland, and was stationed at Edinburgh.
[Sidenote: 1834]
[Sidenote: 1835]
[Sidenote: 1836]
[Sidenote: 1837]
From Scotland the regiment marched in the summer of 1834 to
England, the head-quarters, proceeding to Nottingham; in 1835 to
Ipswich; in 1836 to Brighton; and in 1837 to Dorchester.
[Sidenote: 1838]
[Sidenote: 1839]
In the summer of 1838 the regiment marched to Bristol and embarked
for Ireland; it landed at Cork on the 4th of June, and proceeded
from thence to Cahir. In April, 1839, it was removed to Newbridge,
and in July to Dublin.
[Sidenote: 1840]
In April, 1840, General the Honourable Sir William Lumley, G.C.B.,
was removed to the first dragoon guards, and was succeeded in
the colonelcy of the SIXTH dragoons by Lieutenant-General Sir
Joseph Straton, K.C.H., from the eighth hussars; and this officer
dying in October following, the colonelcy was conferred on
Lieutenant-General Sir George Pownall Adams, K.C.H., by commission
dated the 26th of October, 1840.
In the summer of this year the head-quarters were removed to
Newbridge, and several detachments were furnished in aid of the
civil power.
[Sidenote: 1841]
The regiment proceeded to Dublin in the spring of 1841, embarked
for Liverpool, and the head-quarters were afterwards established at
Birmingham.
[Sidenote: 1842]
In May, 1842, the regiment commenced its march for Scotland, and
was quartered at Glasgow and Edinburgh; the whole assembling at
Edinburgh in August.
On the visit of QUEEN VICTORIA to Scotland in September of this
year, the INNISKILLING dragoons had the honour to receive Her
Majesty on landing at Granton Pier, and to furnish guards of
honour, and all the Royal escorts at Edinburgh, and as far as
Perth, on Her Majesty's journey to the north of Scotland. The
regiment also attended the Queen to Granton Pier, when Her Majesty
re-embarked for London on the 15th of September.
[Sidenote: 1843]
Routes were received in the spring of 1843, for the regiment to
march to England, when the following general order was issued, dated
"_Edinburgh, April 1, 1843._
"Major-General Sir Neil Douglas cannot permit the INNISKILLING
dragoons to quit the North British district without expressing
to Lieutenant-Colonel White, the officers, non-commissioned
officers, and soldiers of that regiment, his perfect satisfaction
with their conduct during the time they have been under his
command. It appears very evident that the exertions of the
officers have succeeded in instilling into the minds of their
men, that, next to distinguished valour in the field, nothing
can more fully establish the character of a British soldier than
quiet, peaceable, and subordinate behaviour in quarters, which
the SIXTH dragoons have so eminently displayed while stationed
in North Britain. Nor can the Major-General forget the manner
in which the regiment performed the honorable duties assigned
to it during Her Majesty's visit to her northern dominions,
which called forth approbation from the highest authorities. In
taking leave of the regiment the Major-General begs to assure
the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the SIXTH
dragoons, that they carry with them his sincere and hearty wishes
for their prosperity and honour, wherever their country may
require their services.
"By order of Major-General Sir NEIL DOUGLAS, K.C.B. and K.C.H.
(Signed) "RT. KERR, _Colonel_,
"_Assistant Adjutant-General_."
On arriving in England the head-quarters of the regiment were
established at Leeds; in October the regiment marched from that
station to Nottingham.
[Sidenote: 1844]
[Sidenote: 1845]
The Regiment remained at Nottingham until June 1844, when it
proceeded to Brighton, and remained there until April 1845, when it
marched to Birmingham.
[Illustration: Sixth (Inniskilling) Dragoons, 1843.
[To face page 95.]
[Sidenote: 1846]
In April, 1846, the regiment embarked at Liverpool for Ireland, and
on its arrival at Dublin it proceeded to Newbridge, from whence
it marched in May to Longford, where the head-quarters are now
stationed.
* * * * *