afterwards won; and the allied army, proudly confident in its
distinguished commander, advanced with a firmness which the enemy
could not withstand, and the Carion and the Pisuerga were speedily
passed: the FOURTEENTH light dragoons forming, as usual, part of
the advance of the allied army, were engaged, on the 12th of June,
in forcing a division of the enemy from a position near _Burgos_,
when one squadron, under Captain Milles, charged and took some
prisoners and a gun. The loss of the regiment was limited to one
man and one horse killed; and one man and five horses wounded.
Unable to withstand the combinations of the British general, the
French destroyed Burgos castle, and fell back with tumult and
confusion behind the Ebro; the British urged their march towards
the sources of that river, and traversing a wild but beautiful
region, turned the enemy's position: the FOURTEENTH being in
advance, crossed the Ebro at the bridge of Frias on the 15th of
June, and a patrol fell in with a body of the enemy near Pancorba.
The enemy concentrated in front of Vittoria; the Marquis of
Wellington examined their position on the 20th of June, and the
FOURTEENTH skirmished with the French near the village of _Huarte_.
On the 21st of June, the long-expected battle was fought near
_Vittoria_, and the FOURTEENTH light dragoons had the honour
of sharing in a conflict in which the French army sustained a
decisive overthrow. The regiment was attached to the troops under
Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, and supported the attacks of
the infantry and artillery; in the afternoon it was detached to
out-flank the enemy's left, and in the evening it pursued the wreck
of the French army along the Pampeluna road, passing the whole of
the enemy's baggage, which had been abandoned.
The gallant bearing of the FOURTEENTH on this occasion was
subsequently rewarded with the royal authority to bear the word
"VITTORIA" on their guidons and appointments; and an additional
honorary distinction was conferred on their commanding officer,
Colonel Hervey.
On the following day the regiment went in pursuit of the remains
of the French army, and on the 24th of June, fell in with the
rear-guard at a pass about two leagues from _Pampeluna_, when two
battalions of riflemen drove the French infantry through the pass,
the horse artillery killed several men, and dismounted one of the
two pieces of cannon brought off from Vittoria; at the same time
the leading squadron of the FOURTEENTH, under Major Brotherton,
charged and captured a tumbril.
The French withdrew into the passes of the Pyrenean mountains; the
FOURTEENTH light dragoons followed the enemy, and on the 28th of
June, a patrol of three men of the regiment, under Lieutenant Ward,
penetrating to the village of _Ostiz_, found twenty-five French
foot soldiers regularly armed and formed up at the village, who
surrendered themselves prisoners of war.
Advancing further into the mountains, a patrol of six men of the
regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Clavering, encountered, on the
1st of July, a body of infantry of the French rear-guard, on the
road from _Roncesvalles_ to St. Jean-Pied-de-Port, dispersed them,
and took eighteen prisoners.
A strong body of French troops occupied the fruitful valley of
_Bastan_, in the mountains, from whence they were driven by the
troops under Sir Rowland Hill. The FOURTEENTH were attached to
Lieut.-General Hill's division, and a squadron, under Major
Brotherton, was engaged, on the 4th of July, with a body of the
enemy near _Almandoz_. The allied army was established in positions
in the mountains; the FOURTEENTH took the out-post duty in front of
Maya, and also furnished posts of correspondence for several weeks.
At length, the French army having been reinforced, re-organized,
and placed under the command of Marshal Soult, advanced and
commenced offensive operations. During the action of the 26th of
July, the regiment was employed in carrying off the wounded from
the pass of Maya, and received the thanks of Sir Rowland Hill. A
squadron under Captain Milles was similarly employed on the 30th of
July, when Sir Rowland Hill's post at _Arestegui_ was attacked, and
another squadron under Major Brotherton had a rencounter with the
enemy.
The French having been repulsed, fell back in disorder, and were
pursued to the confines of Spain. The FOURTEENTH formed the van of
Sir Rowland Hill's division, and were engaged with the enemy in the
valley of _Bastan_, on the 1st and 2nd of August: on the 5th the
regiment took the out-post duty in front of Maya.
On the 10th of November the troops descended from the Pyrenees,
and traversed the mountain passes by moonlight, until they arrived
at the line of piquets, where they halted until the day dawned,
when they transferred the seat of war to France, and taught the
admirers of splendid but unprincipled aggressions, that the day
of retribution had arrived. The FOURTEENTH light dragoons were
attached to Sir Rowland Hill's division, and one squadron formed
the advance-guard to Marshal Beresford's corps. The enemy's
position on the _Nivelle_ was forced, and the regiment was united
at Espelette on the following day. The regimental baggage, which
was attached to the second division, fell into the hands of a party
of the enemy, in the rear of the pass of Maya, on which occasion
the regiment had one troop serjeant-major and two private soldiers
killed.
From the 15th of November to the 9th of December the regiment
furnished the out-posts on the river Nive: it formed the
advanced-guard to Sir Rowland Hill's corps at the passage of the
_Nive_ at the fords near Cambo, and the stream being deep, two men
and two horses were drowned. On the 11th of December, a squadron,
under Major Brotherton, encountered a body of the enemy in front
of _Mendionda_, and captured a convoy of corn, wine, and salt, and
made four men and horses of the escort prisoners. On the 13th the
regiment was engaged with the French Light cavalry, under General
Pierre Soult, (brother of Marshal Soult), at _Hasparren_, when
Major Brotherton and Lieutenant Southwell were taken prisoners;
also one serjeant and one private soldier wounded, and one taken
prisoner.
The regiment took the out-post duty in front of Urt on the 14th
of December; and was formed in brigade with the thirteenth light
dragoons, under Colonel Vivian, who was succeeded, in the beginning
of the following year, by Major-General Fane.
[Sidenote: 1814]
After reposing a short period in quarters during very severe
weather, the army resumed operations in the middle of February,
1814, and the FOURTEENTH light dragoons took the van in the advance
against the enemy's left, which led to the actions at _Hellette_,
_Garris_, and _Sauveterre_.
On the 27th of February the battle of _Orthes_ was fought; the
FOURTEENTH shared in the operations of the troops under Sir Rowland
Hill, and passing the stream above Orthes, advanced towards the
great road to St. Sever, thus operating against the enemy's
left. The French were overpowered and driven from the field; the
FOURTEENTH light dragoons earned another inscription, the word
'ORTHES,' for their guidons and appointments, and Colonel Hervey
was rewarded with another honorary distinction.
The French fell back in disorder, the FOURTEENTH followed the
enemy; crossed the Adour on the 1st of March, and, continuing the
pursuit, were engaged, on the following day, at _Aire_, from
whence the French were driven by the troops under Sir Rowland
Hill. Serjeant Vernor, and privates Craig and Rose, distinguished
themselves on this occasion.
A party, favourable to the house of Bourbon, was known to exist in
this part of France, and Marshal Soult sent a body of troops to
_Pau_ on the night of the 7th of March, to arrest the nobles who
had assembled to welcome the arrival of the Duke D'Angouleme; but
Major-General Fane had arrived at Pau with a brigade of infantry
and two regiments of cavalry, and defeated the enemy's design. The
FOURTEENTH light dragoons, with two guns attached, made a strong
patrol to Pau on the 7th of March, and on the following day fell in
with the French detachment, and Captain Townsend and four private
soldiers were taken prisoners.
Some offensive movements were made by the enemy on the 13th and
14th of March, and General Pierre Soult proceeded with three
regiments of cavalry to _Clarac_, on the Pau road, to intercept
the communication with that town, and to menace the right flank of
the allies. The piquet of the FOURTEENTH at Clarac, repulsed the
enemy on the morning of 14th of March, but Captain Babington was
taken prisoner. In the evening the piquet under Captain Badcock was
attacked by the whole of the fifth regiment of chasseurs and being
reinforced by a squadron under Captain Milles, kept its ground
until another squadron arrived under Captain Anderson, when the
French were repulsed with loss. Captain Milles was rewarded with
the brevet rank of Major.
On the 16th of March the regiment repulsed an attack of the enemy
in front of _Castel Paget_. On the 18th at daylight, the army was
in movement; the French right was turned by the valley of the
Adour, and their out-posts driven back upon _Lembege_: the leading
squadron of the FOURTEENTH, under Captain Anderson, was engaged
with the French on the Lembege road, and Lieutenant Lyons was
killed.
A squadron of the regiment, under Captain Milles, was attached to
Lieut.-General Stewart's division, and was engaged, on the 19th
of March, near _Vic Bigorre_; on the 20th the regiment took part
in the affair at _Tarbes_, and assumed the out-post duty in the
evening; and it was in advance during the march of the army towards
Toulouse on the 22nd of that month.
The FOURTEENTH light dragoons had the honor of serving at the
battle of _Toulouse_ on the 10th of April; they were attached to
the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, and took part
in the operations by which the French army was driven from its
ground. Hostilities were soon afterwards terminated; Napoleon
Buonaparte abdicated the throne of France, and the Bourbon dynasty
was restored.
Thus terminated, with glory to the British arms, a war in which
the FOURTEENTH, the Duchess of York's Own Regiment of Light
Dragoons, had acquired a high reputation; it had become justly
celebrated for the excellent _esprit-de-corps_ which pervaded the
ranks, and especially for the superior style in which the officers
and soldiers had, during several years, performed the duties of
piquets, patrols, videttes, and other services which devolve upon a
corps employed in the out-post duty.
At the termination of the contest, the regiment marched into
quarters at Monte Marsan, where the reputation it had acquired
occasioned it to be selected from among the other cavalry corps of
the army, to take part in the contest between Great Britain and the
United States of North America. The regiment marched to Bourdeaux
in May, and being there reviewed by Major-General Lord Dalhousie,
was complimented on its appearance and efficiency; but the order
for its embarkation for America was countermanded.
The regiment marched from Bourdeaux to Calais, where it embarked
for England, and landing at Dover on the 17th of July, proceeded
from thence to the vicinity of London. It was reviewed on Hounslow
Heath, by His Royal Highness the Duke of York, who complimented
Colonel Hervey on the appearance and efficiency of the several
troops, adding, "They appear as if they had never been on service."
After the review the regiment joined the depôt at Weymouth.
The non-effectives during the five years and a half the regiment
had been on foreign service, including men invalided and sent home,
and horses cast and sold, were 654 non-commissioned officers and
private soldiers, and 1564 troop horses. From the period of its
leaving Ireland in 1795, it had been recruited from the counties of
Worcester, Warwick, Salop, and Bucks, with some volunteers from the
fencible cavalry in 1800, and from the royal waggon train in 1810.
The contest in North America, which had been recommenced in
1813, had not terminated, and in the autumn two squadrons of
the regiment, dismounted, embarked, and sailing from Plymouth,
arrived, on the 24th of November, at Jamaica, where an expedition
was assembled under Major-General (afterwards Lord) Keane, for an
attempt on _New Orleans_, situate on the river Mississippi, one
hundred and ten miles from the Gulf of Mexico. The approach to this
place was particularly difficult; and when the fleet arrived, on
the 10th of December, off the coast of Louisiana, the troops had
to be removed into light vessels, and eventually into open boats,
for the tedious navigation of Lake Bargne, and were afterwards
obliged to traverse a difficult morass. Emerging from the morass,
the soldiers were opposed by such immense bodies of Americans, with
extensively fortified lines and batteries, and armed vessels on the
river, that after extraordinary efforts, and exhibitions of valour
and perseverance, the enterprise was relinquished.
[Sidenote: 1815]
In the attack on the enemy's lines, on the 8th January, 1815, the
two squadrons served dismounted. Major-General the Honourable Sir
Edward Pakenham, K.C.B., was killed; Major-Generals Gibbs and Keane
were dangerously wounded; and the command devolved on Major-General
Lambert, who stated in his public despatch, 'The conduct of the
two squadrons of the FOURTEENTH light dragoons, latterly under the
command of Lieut.-Colonel Baker, previously of Major Milles, has
been the admiration of every one, by the cheerfulness with which
they have performed all descriptions of service.'
The troops returned on board the fleet; and one boat, containing
Lieutenant Brydges, Cornet Hammond, one serjeant-major, and
thirty-nine rank and file of the regiment, was captured by the
Americans.
Hostilities were soon afterwards terminated by a treaty of peace;
and the two squadrons arrived in England, and joined the regiment
at Hounslow in May; a third squadron which had embarked for
America, also rejoined the head-quarters.
This year the regiment was authorized to bear the word "PENINSULA"
on its guidons and appointments, in commemoration of its services
in Portugal, Spain, and France.
Napoleon Buonaparte having quitted Elba, and returned to France,
and having regained the throne of that kingdom, war was immediately
recommenced; three squadrons of the FOURTEENTH having sailed for
America, the regiment was prevented sharing in the contest which
followed; but Colonel Hervey and Major Percy served on the staff of
Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington.
[Sidenote: 1816]
In December the regiment embarked at Bristol for Ireland, and
landed at Waterford and Cork in January, 1816: at the same time the
establishment was reduced to eight troops.
[Sidenote: 1817]
[Sidenote: 1818]
A further reduction took place in the two following years; and in
1818 Captains Townsend and Badcock received the rank of major in
the army for services in the field during the Peninsular war.
[Sidenote: 1819]
During its stay in Ireland the regiment was several times commended
for its conduct and discipline by Major-General White, and
Major-General Sir Sydney Beckwith: and on the 27th of May, 1819,
it was formed in column and received the personal thanks of Sir
George Beckwith, commanding the forces in that part of the United
Kingdom. The regiment embarked from Dublin in June, and landed at
Liverpool on the 11th of that month.
In the autumn of this year the FOURTEENTH light dragoons lost their
commanding officer, Colonel SIR FELTON BATHURST HERVEY, BARONET,
who died on the 24th September, 1819, and whose death was regretted
by the corps.[13] His services had been rewarded with the dignity
of a Baronet, and the following distinctions; a cross for the
battles of Fuentes d'Onor, Salamanca, Vittoria, and Orthes; a medal
for the battle of Waterloo; Companion of the Bath; Companion of
the Guelphic Order; the Russian Order of Wladimir; Maria Theresa
of Austria; St. Henry of Saxony; Tower and Sword of Portugal;
Maximilian Joseph of Bavaria; and the Prussian Order of Merit. He
was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel Baker.
[Sidenote: 1821]
In 1821 the establishment was reduced to six troops.
[Sidenote: 1822]
On the 1st of June, 1822, the regiment was reviewed on
Hounslow-heath, with the first and second life guards, royal
horse guards, tenth and fifteenth hussars, and a brigade of
horse of artillery, by His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the
Commander-in-Chief, who was pleased to express his approbation of
the appearance and movements of the troops.
[Sidenote: 1823]
In the autumn of 1823 General the Earl of Bridgewater died, and was
succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment by Lieut.-General Sir
John Ormsby Vandeleur, G.C.B., whose regiment, the nineteenth light
dragoons, had been disbanded two years previously.
[Sidenote: 1825]
The regiment remained in England until April, 1825, when it
embarked at Bideford for Ireland, landed at Waterford, and marched
to Cork and Fermoy.
[Sidenote: 1826]
[Sidenote: 1827]
[Sidenote: 1828]
In 1826 the FOURTEENTH marched to Dublin, where its appearance,
discipline, and interior economy, were commended by Major-General
Sir Colquhoun Grant, K.C.B., at the inspections in June and
September. From Dublin the regiment marched in January, 1827, to
Athlone, Ballinrobe, Gort, and Loughrea; it returned to Dublin
in March, 1828; was commended for its appearance, efficiency and
discipline, and also for its good conduct while in Ireland, by
Lieut.-General Sir George Murray, K.C.B., commanding the forces in
that country, at the inspection on the 22nd of March; and embarked
for Liverpool on the 26th of that month.
[Sidenote: 1829]
From Liverpool the regiment marched to Birmingham and Coventry, and
while in these quarters Lieut.-Colonel Baker retired,[14] and was
succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel John Townsend, by commission dated the
16th of April 1829. In May, 1829, the regiment marched to Leeds,
Burnley, and Rochdale.
[Sidenote: 1830]
In April, 1830, the regiment proceeded to Brighton and Chichester,
and its appearance, discipline, and interior economy, were
commended by Major-General Sir Hussey Vivian at the inspection on
the 24th of May.
The regiment was inspected at Brighton on the 19th of June by
its colonel, Lieut.-General Sir John Ormsby Vandeleur, G.C.B.
who was pleased to express himself 'much gratified by the highly
military appearance of the regiment, the celerity and precision
of its movements in the field, and the clean and orderly state of
the barracks, as well as the fine condition of the horses, all
of which prove the zeal and ability of the commanding officer,
and the active assistance he receives from the other officers,
as well as the steady good conduct of the non-commissioned
officers and privates, which he shall not fail to report to the
Commander-in-Chief. He requests Lieut.-Colonel Townsend to accept
his thanks, and also to communicate them to the officers, and to
the regiment. He cannot omit observing the excellent management of
the school, and the great progress of the pupils.'
In the same month Lieut.-General Sir John Ormsby Vandeleur was
removed to the sixteenth light dragoons, and was succeeded by
Major-General Sir Edward Kerrison, Baronet.
In July the regiment marched to London, and was reviewed by
His Majesty, King William IV. on the 26th of that month, who
was graciously pleased to express his royal approbation of its
appearance, and to command that it should in future bear the
distinguished title of "THE FOURTEENTH, or THE KING'S, instead of
the _Duchess of York's Own_, REGIMENT OF LIGHT DRAGOONS." This
distinctive appellation occasioned the regiment to discontinue the
_orange_, and, as a Royal regiment, to assume the _scarlet_ facing.
[Sidenote: 1831]
From London the regiment marched to Birmingham and Coventry, where
it was stationed until July, 1831, when the head-quarters were
removed to Gloucester.
In October, 1831, the political feelings of the lower classes of
the city of Bristol being in a highly excited state, and riotous
proceedings being anticipated, a troop of the FOURTEENTH LIGHT
DRAGOONS (with one of the third dragoon guards) was ordered to
the vicinity, for the purpose of aiding the magistracy in the
preservation of order. The arrival of the Recorder, Sir Charles
Wetherell, on Saturday the 29th October, for the purpose of holding
the sessions, was the immediate cause of the outbreak. Large
bodies of the populace assembled from every quarter, parading the
streets, throwing stones at the authorities, breaking windows, and
committing other acts of violence. This continued throughout the
day; but it was not until evening, that serious consequences began
to be apprehended. At dusk, the mob attacked and forcibly entered
the mansion house, the Riot Act was consequently proclaimed, and
the troops were called to the immediate scene of outrage. They
cleared the streets in the neighbourhood of the mansion house,
but there not being at hand a sufficient body of constables to
act in concert with the troops, the mob still retained possession
of the courts and alleys of the city, whither the dragoons were
unable to follow them. On Sunday the rioters assembled in greater
numbers, and during that day, and the following night, succeeded
in destroying the mansion house, custom house, excise office, the
bishop's palace, and a vast amount of private property.
On the morning of the 31st October, an additional troop of the
FOURTEENTH light dragoons arrived, and Major Beckwith, who had
preceded it, (travelling post from head-quarters at Gloucester),
having concerted with the magistrates, who saw the necessity of
energetic measures, placed himself at the head of the squadron, and
proceeded against the rioters, who were engaged in plundering the
cellars of the bishop's palace, which they had destroyed on the day
before: the troops were assailed with bottles, stones, &c., but
they quickly dispersed the mob; and it having been ascertained that
in another part of the city the rioters were about commencing the
destruction of the remaining portion of Queen-square, the squadron
of the FOURTEENTH proceeded thither, and put the mob to flight;
thence it repaired to the jail, which was regained possession of,
and restored to the charge of the civil authorities. The squadron
then traversed the quays and wharfs, dispersing every riotous
assemblage with which it came in contact, and driving out and
pursuing, for some miles, a large body of colliers who had been
attracted to the scene of outrage. To this energetic conduct of the
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS, under Major Beckwith, may be ascribed
the restoration of tranquillity and the preservation of the
remainder of the city of Bristol.
[Sidenote: 1832]
In June, 1832, the regiment was removed to Hounslow, and was
employed on the King's duty, in furnishing escorts for their
Majesties and the royal family, &c.
In 1832 the _King's Crest_ was permitted to be borne on the
Appointments; and the _Prussian Eagle_, which had been carried
as the regimental badge from the year 1798, was authorised to be
continued on the second and third corners of the Regimental Guidon.
[Sidenote: 1833]
In March, 1833, the regiment embarked at Bristol for Dublin, from
whence it marched in April, 1834, to Longford.
[Sidenote: 1834]
On the 24th May, 1834, His Majesty commanded that the use of
Guidons in regiments of Light Dragoons should be discontinued. The
Guidons in regiments of _Hussars_ and _Lancers_ had been directed
on 12th March, 1834, to be discontinued.
[Sidenote: 1835]
[Sidenote: 1836]
In May, 1835, the regiment was removed to Dundalk, and in May,
1836, it embarked at Belfast for Glasgow.
[Sidenote: 1837]
The regiment was stationed at Glasgow until the spring of 1837,
when it marched to Edinburgh, and occupied Piershill barracks.
[Sidenote: 1838]
[Sidenote: 1839]
[Sidenote: 1840]
In the summer of 1838 the regiment left Scotland; it was stationed
at Birmingham until April, 1839, when it marched to Hounslow, from
whence it proceeded to Dorchester in May, 1840.
[Sidenote: 1841]
The regiment remained at Dorchester until the 30th of March, 1841,
when it was removed to Canterbury, where it arrived on the 10th of
April, preparatory to its being embarked for Bombay to relieve the
fourth light dragoons.