THE JOURNAL OF A FEW YEARS.
FOR a few years after the formation of the Fourth Battalion, the History
of the Regiment contains little that possesses more than domestic
interest. It was the stillness which precedes a storm.
In 1775, the Titanic contest commenced, in which England found herself
pitted against France, Spain, and her own children.
From that year, until 1783, the student of her military history finds
his labour incessant. America and Europe alike claim his attention; the
War of Independence, and the Sieges of Gibraltar and Port Mahon, furnish
a wealth of material for his examination.
But before entering on these, the ground must be cleared and the
regimental gossip between 1771 and 1775 must be chronicled.
During that time, the relief of the battalion serving in America—by the
4th—took place, and on the latter fell all Artillery duties performed at
the commencement of hostilities in that country. As the war developed,
the 4th Battalion was reinforced by four companies of the 3rd, whose
men—and also the Lieutenant-Fireworkers—were gradually absorbed into the
4th Battalion. At the same time, four companies of the 1st and 3rd
Battalions, under the gallant Phillips, were ordered to America, and
formed part of the force commanded by the ill-fated Burgoyne. During
this decade, between 1770 and 1779, five companies of the 2nd Battalion
relieved those at Gibraltar, and were the only Artillery present at that
memorable siege, which sheds a lustre over this unhappy period in the
national history.
Woolwich saw a good many changes at this time. The barracks in the
Warren were inadequate to meet the wants of the Regiment, now that it
had received so many augmentations. Some ground on the Common was,
therefore, purchased by the Board, and the foundation laid of barracks,
large enough to accommodate a battalion of eight companies. The building
was completed, and the barracks inhabited, early in 1776.
Modifications in the dress of the Regiment took place; and the evil
results of the liberty granted to the Colonels of Battalions with regard
to their men's clothing manifested themselves to such a degree, that in
March, 1772, an order was issued, forbidding any alteration in the
clothing of the men, or uniform of the officers, without the previous
knowledge and approbation of the Master-General.
From various Battalion Orders issued at this time, we learn that the
officers had now to provide themselves with plain frocks, and plain hats
with a gold band, button, and loop; and that the accoutrements of the
men, which had hitherto been buff, were now changed,—becoming what they
are at present—white. The dress for a parade under arms was as follows:—
The men, in white breeches, white stockings, black half-spatterdashes,
and their hair clubbed:—the officers, in plain frocks, half-
spatterdashes, and queues, with white cotton or thread stockings under
their spatterdashes, and gold button and loop on their plain hats. When
the officers were on duty, they were ordered to wear their hair clubbed,
and their hats cocked in the same manner as those of the men. The hats
of the men were worn with the front loops just over the nose. Black
stocks were utterly forbidden, white only being permitted to be worn,
either by officers or men.
On the 22nd June, 1772, a Royal Warrant was issued, deciding that
Captain-Lieutenants in the Artillery and Engineers should rank as
Captains in the Army. Those who were then serving, were to have their
commissions as Captain, dated 26th May, 1772; and those who might be
subsequently commissioned, from the date of their appointment. The title
of Captain-Lieutenant was abolished, and that of Second Captain
substituted, in 1804.
In 1772 and 1775, the regiment was reviewed by the King—on both
occasions at Blackheath. The inspections were very satisfactory; in
1772, "The corps went through their different evolutions with great
exactness, though greatly incommoded by the weather, and obstructed by
the prodigious concourse of people, which was greater than ever was
known on any like occasion." In addition to these reviews, the King
visited Woolwich in state in 1773, for the purpose of inspecting the new
foundry and boring-room. In the latter, he saw a 42-pounder bored with a
new and wonderful horizontal boring-machine. He saw many curious
inventions; among others, a light field-piece, invented by Colonel
Pattison, "which, on emergencies, might be carried on men's shoulders,"
and which was tried, "to the great amazement of His Majesty." He also
went to the Academy, where he breakfasted; and then inspected the
companies which happened to be in Woolwich, with whose manœuvres he
expressed the utmost satisfaction. The review was marred by an accident
which occurred. "Colonel Broome, in parading in front of the Regiment,
before His Majesty, on a very beautiful and well-broke horse, but very
tender-mouthed, checked him, which made the horse rise upon his hind-
legs, and fall backwards upon his rider, who is so greatly bruised, that
his life is despaired of."[26]
In 1772, the officers, whose extra pay on promotion had been taken to
make up the half-pay of Captain-Lieutenant Rogers, complained of the
injustice, and their remonstrances were attended to. A warrant was
issued on the 4th August, 1772, directing a vacancy of one Second
Lieutenant to be kept open in one of the invalid companies, the pay to
be employed towards Captain Rogers's half-pay.
It is impossible to stigmatize too harshly the system of non-effectives,
borne for various purposes on the strength of the Regiment, in which the
Board of Ordnance delighted. It was at once deceitful and
unbusinesslike. If the purposes were legitimate, they should have formed
the subject of a separate vote. At the risk of wearying the reader, a
recapitulation will be given of the non-effectives in the Regiment at
this time, and the purposes for which they were borne upon the
establishment. There were thirty-two marching companies in the Regiment,
and eight of invalids. On the muster-roll of each company, a dummy—so to
speak—was borne, whose pay went to the Widows' Fund; another per
company, for what was called the Non-effective Fund, and a third, whose
pay went to remunerate the fifer. In addition to this, ten dummies were
borne, whose pay went to swell General Belford's income, in the form of
command pay; and nine were utilized for the band.
In short, out of 1088 matrosses, shown as the establishment of the
marching companies, no less than 115 had no existence; and in the
invalid companies, a Second Lieutenant and 16 matrosses were equally
shadowy. If we examine the purposes for which the fund called the non-
effective fund existed, shall we find them to be irregular, or such as
could not be made public? Not at all; the charges on this fund were
legitimate, and a separate vote might and should have been taken,
particularizing them. They were to meet the expenses connected with
recruits, deserters, and discharged invalids, as well as certain
contingent charges, connected with the command of companies. Why then
the mystery, and deceit practised upon the public? If the senior officer
of Artillery was deserving of higher pay on account of his services or
responsibility, why not openly say so, instead of showing to the
country, as part of the Artillery establishment, ten men who had no
existence? The wickedness and folly of such a means of keeping accounts
could only have emanated from such a Department as the Board of
Ordnance.
Mention has been made of recruiting expenses. Certain regulations which
were in force at this time may be interesting to the reader. Levy money
was not allowed to the recruiting officer in cases where the recruits
were not approved by the commanding officer, but their subsistence after
enlistment until rejection, was admitted. If a recruit deserted before
joining, no charge whatever was admitted against the fund. But if he
died between enlistment and the time when he should have joined, all
expenses connected with him were admitted on production of the necessary
vouchers and certificates. When the non-effective fund was balanced,
which was done annually on the 30th June, 5_l._ was credited to the
accounts of the coming year, for each man wanting to complete the
establishment, in order to meet the expenses of the recruits who would
be enlisted to fill the vacancies.
A word, now, about the invalids. They were for service in the garrisons;
at first, merely in Great Britain, but ultimately also abroad, for in
1775, when the war in Massachusetts was assuming considerable
proportions, the company of the 4th Battalion, which was quartered in
Newfoundland, was ordered to Boston; and the two companies of invalids,
shown as belonging to that battalion, and then quartered at Portsmouth,
were ordered to Newfoundland for duty. Men over twenty years' service
were drafted from the marching to the invalid companies, instead of
being discharged with a pension; and the companies were officered from
the regiment, appointments in the various ranks being given to the
senior applicants.
In 1779, two additional invalid companies were added, and the ten were
consolidated into one battalion, effective companies being given to the
other battalions in their room.
The staff of the Invalid Battalion consisted of a Lieutenant-Colonel
Commandant, a Major, and an Adjutant; and the establishment of each
company was as follows:—a Captain, a First and Second Lieutenant, 1
Sergeant, 1 Corporal, 1 Drummer, 3 Bombardiers, 6 Gunners, and 36
Matrosses. Although this battalion was fifth in order of formation, and
was frequently called the Fifth Battalion,—the real Fifth Battalion, the
services of which are sketched in the end of this volume, was not formed
until much nearer the close of the eighteenth century.
In 1772, a Military Society was founded at Woolwich for the discussion
of professional questions. It was originated by two officers at
Gibraltar—Jardine and Williams—extracts from whose letters to one
another, when the idea occurred to them, are quaintly amusing.
Lieutenant Jardine writes:—"I have been thinking that there must be a
good deal of knowledge scattered about in this numerous corps. Could it
not be collected, concentrated, and turned to some effect? We have
already in this country all kinds of Societies, except Military ones. I
think a voluntary association might be formed among us (admitting,
perhaps, Engineers and others) on liberal principles, viz., for their
own improvement and amusement, where military, mathematical, and
philosophical knowledge, being the chief object of their enquiries,
essays, &c., might thus be improved and propagated. They might thus
communicate and increase their own ideas, preserve themselves from
vulgar errors, and keeping one another in countenance, bear up against
the contempt of pert and presumptive ignorance. If it increased in
numbers, and grew into consequence, they might in time bring study and
real knowledge into fashion, and, retorting a juster contempt, keep
mediocrity, and false or no merit, down to their proper sphere."
His correspondent, who was then on board a transport, and wrote under
difficulties, eagerly entered into the scheme, but for reasons stated
could not go into details. "I have many things," he writes, "in my head,
but our band (consisting of geese screaming, ducks quacking, hogs
grunting, dogs growling, puppies barking, brats squalling, and all hands
bawling) are now performing a full piece, so that whatever my
pericranium labours with, it must lie concealed until I arrive at
Retirement's Lying-in Hospital, in Solitude Row, where I shall hope for
a happy delivery."
The friends reached Woolwich that year; and in October the society was
formed. There happened to be many among the senior officers who
sympathized with the promoters, notably Generals Williamson and
Desaguliers, and Colonels Pattison and Phillips. The meetings took place
at 6 P.M. on every Saturday preceding the full moon; and were secret, in
order that an inventor might communicate his discoveries without fear of
their appropriation. With the author's consent, however, papers might be
published. The carrying-on of experiments was one of the main purposes
which animated the society. At the present day, when the idea which
animated the promoters of the old society has blossomed into a Literary
and Scientific Institution, unparalleled in any corps in any land, which
not merely encourages and developes the intelligence and literary talent
of its members, but aids, in the highest degree, to lift the corps out
of mediocrity into science,—these old facts connected with the infant
society have a peculiar interest. The year 1872 may look back to 1772
with filial regard.
On the 8th July, 1773, the 4th Battalion arrived in New York—with the
exception of one company, which went to Newfoundland.
Within a very brief period, the political atmosphere in that country
became hopelessly overcast, and with the outbreak of the storm at
Boston, in 1775, commences at once the active history of the American
War, and of the Royal Artillery during that war, which is to be treated
by itself. But parallel with that long and disastrous campaign, and
occupying a period extending from 1779 to 1783, was the great siege of
Gibraltar. To prevent an interruption in the thread of the American
narrative, it is proposed to anticipate matters, and passing over the
years 1775 to 1778, when the eye of the student can see nothing but
America, proceed at once to the consideration of the siege, and then
return to an uninterrupted consideration of the Artillery share in the
American War from 1775 to the Peace of 1783.
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Footnote 26:
Colonel Cleaveland's MSS.