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HISTORICAL RECORDS
OF
THE BRITISH ARMY.
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.
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SIXTY-FIRST,
OR, THE
SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT
OF
FOOT:
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF
THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
IN 1758,
AND OF
ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
TO 1844.
_ILLUSTRATED WITH A PLATE OF THE COLOURS AND
UNIFORM._
LONDON:
PARKER, FURNIVALL, AND PARKER,
_MILITARY LIBRARY, WHITEHALL_.
M.DCCC.XLIV.
LONDON:
HARRISON AND CO., PRINTERS,
ST. MARTIN’S LANE.
THE SIXTY-FIRST,
OR, THE
SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT
OF
FOOT,
BEARS ON ITS REGIMENTAL COLOUR THE WORD
“EGYPT,”
WITH THE SPHINX:
ALSO THE WORDS
“TALAVERA,” “SALAMANCA,” “PYRENEES,”
“NIVELLE,” “NIVE,” “ORTHES,”
“TOULOUSE,” “PENINSULA,”
TO COMMEMORATE ITS HEROIC CONDUCT IN THESE ACTIONS.
THE FLANK COMPANIES
ALSO BEAR ON THEIR APPOINTMENTS THE WORD
“MAIDA,”
IN TESTIMONY OF THEIR DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY
AT THE BATTLE OF MAIDA ON
THE 4TH OF JULY,
1806.
CONTENTS.
Year Page
1758 Formation of the Regiment 10
---- Names of Officers --
---- Embarks for the West Indies 11
1759 Capture of Guadeloupe --
1760 Returns to England 12
1763 Proceeds to Ireland --
1771 Stationed at Minorca --
1782 Returns to England 15
---- Styled the South Gloucestershire Regiment --
1783 Proceeds to Ireland --
1792 Embarks for Gibraltar --
1794 Proceeds to the West Indies --
1795 Attack on St. Lucia --
1796 Returns to England 16
1797 Proceeds to Guernsey --
1798 Embarks for the Cape of Good Hope --
1801 Expedition to Egypt 17
1803 Embarks for Malta 18
---- A Second Battalion added to the establishment --
1804 Second Battalion proceeds to Guernsey 19
1805 First Battalion proceeds to Italy --
1806 Second Battalion proceeds to Ireland 20
---- Battle of Maida 21
1807 Second Battalion returns to England 22
---- First Battalion proceeds to Gibraltar 23
1809 ---- ---- ---- ---- Portugal --
---- Battle of Talavera --
1810 Second Battalion proceeds to Ireland 25
---- Battle of Busaco --
1811 Blockade of the Fortress of Almeida 27
1812 Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo 28
---- ---- ---- the Forts of San Vincente, St. Cajetano,
and La Merced --
---- Battle of Salamanca 29
---- Siege of Burgos Castle 33
1813 Battle of the Pyrenees 35
---- Passage of the Nivelle 37
---- ---- ---- ---- Nive 39
1814 Blockade of Bayonne 40
---- Battle of Orthes --
---- ---- ---- Toulouse 41
---- Embarks for Ireland 45
---- Second Battalion disbanded 46
1816 Proceeds to England --
---- Embarks for Jamaica --
1822 Returns to England --
1824 Proceeds to Ireland --
1828 Embarks for Ceylon 47
1840 Returns to England 49
1843 Proceeds to Ireland 52
---- Conclusion 53
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
1758 Granville Elliott 55
1759 George Gray --
1768 John Gore 56
1773 John Barlow --
1778 Staates Long Morriss 57
1800 Sir George Hewett, Bart., G.C.B. --
1840 Sir John Gardiner, K.C.B. 58
1844 Sir Jeremiah Dickson, K.C.B. --
APPENDIX.
1801 Lieut.-Colonel Barlow’s Journal of the March of a
Detachment from Cosseir to Kenè 59
1809 }
to } Casualties during the Peninsular War 67
1814 }
PLATE.
Colours, and Present Costume, to face page 9
[Illustration: SIXTY-FIRST (THE SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE) REGIMENT OF
FOOT.]
[Illustration: SIXTY-FIRST (THE SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE) REGIMENT OF
FOOT.]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF THE
SIXTY-FIRST,
OR
THE SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT
OF
FOOT.
[Sidenote: 1755]
[Sidenote: 1756]
In the early part of the eighteenth century, the British Colonies
in North America were extended along the coast;--at the same
time, the Indian trade drew many persons into the interior of the
country, where they found a delightful climate, and a fruitful
soil; and a company of merchants obtained a charter for a tract
of land beyond the Allegany Mountains, where they commenced
establishing a settlement. The French laid claim to this part
of the country, drove away the settlers, and erected a fort to
command the entrance into the lands on the Ohio and the Mississippi
rivers. These aggressions giving indication of an approaching war,
the British army was augmented in the winter of 1755-6, and that
distinguished veteran corps, the THIRD REGIMENT OF FOOT, OR THE
BUFFS, was increased in numbers to twenty-two companies, and was
divided into two battalions in 1756.
[Sidenote: 1757]
In the summer of 1757, the THIRD Regiment formed part of an
expedition against the coast of France, the land forces being under
General Sir John Mordaunt, and the fleet commanded by Admiral
Sir Edward Hawke. The _Isle of Aix_ was captured in September,
and an attack on Rochefort was contemplated; but the wind proved
unfavourable, and the fleet returned to England.
[Sidenote: 1758]
In the spring of 1758, the SECOND BATTALION of the BUFFS was
constituted the “SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT,” under the command of
Major-General Granville Elliott, from the Austrian service, by
commission dated the 21st of April; the lieut.-colonelcy was
conferred on Major John Barlow, of the Buff’s, and the majority
on Captain Christopher Teesdale, senior captain of the Buffs. The
Regiment, being thus formed from the THIRD Foot, was permitted to
assume the Buff facing.
After its formation, the regiment was encamped at Chatham, with the
Thirty-seventh and Sixty-fifth, under Major-General the Earl of
Panmure.
The following officers were holding commissions in the regiment:--
_Colonel_, MAJOR-GENERAL GRANVILLE ELLIOTT.
_Lieut.-Colonel_, JOHN BARLOW.
_Major_, CHRISTOPHER TEESDALE.
_Captains._
James Patterson
A. Singleton
Thomas Hardcastle
M. Brabazon
Roger Crowle
William Buckley
John Barford
_Captain-Lieutenant._
William Gunning
_Lieutenants._
John Acklom
W. Peyton
John Rowland
John Waugh
John Read
N. Doolan
Peter Maturin
S. Pearce
John Poole
William Wilson
F. Blomberg
A. Leishman
D. Gilchrist
Thomas Brown
G. V. Chetwode
R. Beatson
R. Kelly
J. Badger
_Ensigns._
John Skinner
John Ireland
Jarvis Palmer
John Keir
Edward Crowe
Samuel Horner
James Savage
John Arbuthnot
_Chaplain_, George Shaw;
_Adjutant_, William Gunning;
_Surgeon_, Peter Johnston;
_Quarter-Master_, Samuel Grey.
Towards the end of the year the regiment embarked for the West
Indies, with the armament sent against the French West India
Islands, under Major-General Hopson and Commodore Moore.
[Sidenote: 1759]
On the 16th of January, 1759, the troops landed on the island of
_Martinico_; but so many difficulties were encountered, that they
were re-embarked, and the attack on this island was abandoned.
From Martinico the fleet proceeded to _Guadeloupe_, and the
forts and batteries on the shore having been silenced by the
ships-of-war, the troops landed on the 24th of January, and took
possession of the town and citadel of Basse-Terre; the French
soldiers and inhabitants, with their armed negroes, retired to the
mountains, and prepared for a desperate defence of the interior of
the island.
For three months hostilities were continued on the island, and
during this period the officers and soldiers of the SIXTY-FIRST
evinced valour and perseverance in carrying operations against,
and making attacks on, the posts occupied by the enemy. Captain
William Gunning, of the regiment, was killed at the attack of
a hill near _Fort Louis_; “he was an excellent officer, and
universally lamented by the army[1].” Lieut.-Colonel Barlow
distinguished himself at the head of a detachment at the capture
of _St. Maries_, when a party of the SIXTY-FIRST penetrated a
thick wood, and gained the rear of a strong post, from which the
French were soon driven. The regiment also made a very determined
effort to penetrate the woody mountains, and turn the enemy’s main
position, and the operations of the day were successful. After much
desultory fighting, the French were forced to surrender the island.
The SIXTY-FIRST had a number of men killed and wounded; and others
died from the effects of the climate: the loss of the regiment in
officers was Capt.-Lieutenant William Gunning killed; Lieutenant
John Rowland wounded; Ensign Samuel Horner died. The conduct of the
officers and soldiers of the SIXTY-FIRST was commended in orders.
On the decease of Major-General Elliott, he was succeeded in the
colonelcy of the regiment by Lieut.-Colonel George Gray, from the
first troop, now first regiment, of Life Guards.
[Sidenote: 1760]
[Sidenote: 1763]
The regiment, having become considerably reduced in numbers,
returned to England to recruit, and in the summer of 1760 it was
encamped at Chatham; in 1761 it proceeded to the islands of Jersey
and Guernsey, where it was stationed until the termination of the
seven years’ war; and in 1763 it proceeded to Ireland, where it
remained seven years.
On the 9th of May, 1768, Major-General Gray was removed to the
Thirty-seventh Regiment; and King George III. conferred the
colonelcy of the SIXTY-FIRST on Major-General John Gore, from
lieutenant-colonel in the Third Foot Guards.
[Sidenote: 1771]
Three years afterwards the regiment was removed from Ireland, and
stationed at the island of Minorca, which had been captured by
the British in 1708, and was ceded to Queen Anne by the treaty of
Utrecht in 1713.
[Sidenote: 1778]
Lieut.-General Gore was removed to the Sixth Foot in 1773, when the
colonelcy of the SIXTY-FIRST was conferred on the lieut.-colonel
of the regiment, Colonel John Barlow; who was succeeded, in
1778, by Major-General Staates Long Morriss, whose regiment, the
Eighty-ninth, had been disbanded at the termination of the seven
years’ war.
[Sidenote: 1772]
[Sidenote: 1779]
[Sidenote: 1781]
In the mean time the American war had commenced; France had united
with the revolted British provinces in their resistance; and Spain
also commenced hostilities against Great Britain, and undertook
the siege of Gibraltar in 1779. The capture of _Minorca_ was also
contemplated by the court of Spain; and in the middle of August,
1781, a powerful Spanish and French armament appeared before the
island. The British troops employed on the detached stations were
withdrawn, and the whole assembled in the citadel of St. Philip,
the garrison of which place consisted of the Fifty-first and
SIXTY-FIRST Regiments, two corps of Hanoverians (viz., Prince
Ernest’s and Goldacker’s regiments), and a proportion of artillery,
the whole amounting to two thousand five hundred men, commanded
by Lieut.-General the Hon. James Murray, and Lieut.-General Sir
William Draper, K.B. The combined French and Spanish forces
mustered sixteen thousand men, commanded by Lieutenant-General the
Duke of Crillon, who proved an officer of ability. The British
garrison, however, made a resolute defence of the fortress
intrusted to their charge; and the King of Spain, losing patience
with the slow progress of the siege, caused a large sum of money
to be offered to the British general, to induce him to betray his
trust, which was rejected with indignation[2].
[Sidenote: 1782]
For several months the British soldiers defended St. Philip with
great gallantry; but at length the scurvy, a putrid fever, and the
dysentery, broke out among them with so much violence, that in the
beginning of February, 1782, there was not a sufficient number of
men able to bear arms for one relief of the ordinary guards, and
not one hundred men free from disease. Under these circumstances
the governor capitulated.
Lieut.-General the Honorable James Murray stated, in his
despatch,--“I flatter myself that all Europe will agree that the
brave garrison showed uncommon heroism, and that thirst for glory
which has ever distinguished the troops of my royal master.... Such
was the uncommon spirit of the King’s soldiers, that they concealed
their diseases and inability rather than go into the hospital;
several men died on guard, after having stood sentry: their fate
was not discovered until called upon for the relief, when it came
to their turn to mount sentry again.... Perhaps a more noble, nor
a more tragical scene was ever exhibited than that of the march of
the garrison of St. Philip through the Spanish and French lines.
It consisted of no more than six hundred decrepid soldiers; two
hundred seamen, one hundred and twenty royal artillery, twenty
Corsicans, and twenty-five Greeks, &c. Such was the distressing
appearance of our men, that many of the Spanish and French soldiers
are said to have shed tears.”
In the articles of capitulation the Duke of Crillon stated,--“No
troops ever gave greater proofs of heroism than this poor worn-out
garrison of St. Philip’s Castle, who have defended themselves
almost to the last man.” Beatson, the historian of these wars,
states,--“The zeal, bravery, and constancy, displayed by all the
corps composing the garrison of St. Philip, under an accumulation
of misfortunes, may have been equalled, but never exceeded.”
[Sidenote: 1783]
Returning to England after the surrender of Fort St. Philip,
the regiment was engaged in recruiting its numbers until the
termination of the war; in August, 1782, it received the county
title of the SIXTY-FIRST, or the SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE Regiment:
and in 1783, it proceeded to Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1792]
The regiment was stationed in Ireland until the spring of 1792,
when it proceeded to Gibraltar.
[Sidenote: 1793]
[Sidenote: 1794]
While the regiment was at Gibraltar the French revolutionary war
commenced, and in 1794 the French West India islands of Martinico,
St. Lucia, and Guadeloupe were captured. The French republican
government fitted out an expedition for the recovery of the
conquered islands, and some success attended their efforts. This
occurrence occasioned an order to be received for the SIXTY-FIRST
Regiment to be embarked from Gibraltar to reinforce the British
troops in the West Indies, where it arrived in December, and landed
at the island of Martinico.
[Sidenote: 1795]
From Martinico the regiment proceeded to _St. Lucia_, and was
engaged in the attack of the French troops on that island in April,
1795, under the orders of Brigadier-General Stewart. Some severe
fighting took place; the regiment had several men wounded on the
14th of April; and on 22nd of that month it had nine men killed;
Captains Riddle and Whelan, Lieutenants Grant and Moore, Ensign
Butler, seven serjeants, two drummers, and fifty-three rank and
file wounded; five rank and file prisoners. A series of actions
followed, in which considerable loss was sustained. The enemy being
reinforced, obtained so great a superiority of numbers, that it was
found necessary to evacuate the island in June, when the regiment
returned to Martinico.
[Sidenote: 1796]
In the following year an armament, under Lieut.-General Sir
Ralph Abercromby re-captured St. Lucia and other islands. The
SIXTY-FIRST Regiment having lost nearly four hundred men by
disease, killed in action, died of wounds, &c., it embarked for
England, where it arrived in October, and commenced recruiting its
ranks.
[Sidenote: 1797]
The regiment embarked for Guernsey in 1797.
[Sidenote: 1798]
[Sidenote: 1799]
Holland had, in the mean time, become united to France, and in
1795 the Cape of Good Hope was captured by a British armament.
A rebellion breaking out on the frontiers of the colony, the
SIXTY-FIRST embarked for the Cape of Good Hope in the summer of
1798; the regiment arrived at that settlement in January, 1799, and
was stationed there upwards of two years.
During its stay at the Cape of Good Hope, the regiment was
employed against the hardy and warlike tribes of _Kafirs_, who
committed depredations in the colony. On one occasion the light
infantry company marched upwards of forty miles in one day, to
support a detachment of the Eighth Light Dragoons, in an attack
upon the Kafirs, and the timely appearance of the soldiers of the
SIXTY-FIRST contributed to the success gained on that occasion.
[Sidenote: 1800]
The SIXTY-FIRST Regiment, with a detachment of the Eighty-first,
built a block-house, and threw up works at Algoa Bay, and thus
commenced the formation of a settlement at that place, which has
since risen into importance.
On the decease of General Morriss, King George III. conferred the
colonelcy of the regiment on Major-General George Hewitt, from
Colonel-Commandant of the second battalion of the Fifth Regiment,
by commission dated the 4th of April, 1800.
[Sidenote: 1801]
In February, 1801, four companies of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment
embarked from the Cape of Good Hope, for a secret service; but they
were afterwards directed to join the Indian army commanded by
Major-General Baird, destined to proceed up the Red Sea, traverse
the Desert, and co-operate, with the troops from Europe, in the
expulsion of the French “_Army of the East_” from Egypt. The
remaining six companies of the regiment sailed from the Cape of
Good Hope on the 30th of March, under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel
Carruthers, to join the expedition in the Red Sea.
The army from India arrived at the port of Cosseir on the Red Sea
in June, and marched through the Desert to Kenna on the Nile,
by divisions. The four companies of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment, a
detachment of the Tenth Foot, and a party of the Eighth Light
Dragoons, mustering five hundred and eighty-two soldiers, under
Lieut.-Colonel Barlow, of the SIXTY-FIRST[3], commenced their march
from Cosseir through the Desert on the 18th of July; they suffered
much from excessive heat, thirst, and the fatigue of a long march
through a sandy desert, and arrived at Kenna in ten days. The other
companies landed at Cosseir on the 10th of July, and commenced
their march on the 20th of that month for Kenna, where they arrived
in nine days, with the loss of only one man, a drummer, who died of
fatigue. When the company, to which the drummer belonged, arrived
at camp, he was missed, and Private Andrew Connell asked permission
to return, notwithstanding the previous fatigue he had undergone,
and assist the drummer: his humane exertions were, however,
unavailing, as he found the drummer dead. This humane conduct
brought Andrew Connell into notice, and he was eventually promoted
to a commission in the regiment.
On the 2nd of August the regiment embarked in seventeen d’jirms
(boats), and proceeded down the river Nile, about four hundred
miles, to Cairo, which city had surrendered to the British troops a
short time previously. The regiment afterwards continued its route
down the Nile to the vicinity of Rosetta. The siege of Alexandria
was carried on with vigour, and the deliverance of Egypt was
completed by the surrender of the French garrison in the beginning
of September.
The SIXTY-FIRST received, in common with the other corps which
served on this expedition, the honor of bearing on their colours
the word “EGYPT” with the Sphinx, as a distinguished mark of His
Majesty’s royal approbation of their conduct: the officers were
permitted to accept of gold medals from the Grand Seignior.
After the departure of the French troops, the regiment was
quartered a short time at Alexandria, and afterwards in Fort
Charles.
[Sidenote: 1802]
The deliverance of Egypt was followed by a treaty of peace, which
was concluded in the spring of 1802. In this year the regiment
quitted Fort Charles, and encamped near Alexandria.
[Sidenote: 1803]
Hostilities were resumed with France in 1803; and in March of the
same year the regiment embarked from Egypt for the island of Malta,
where it was stationed two years.
Napoleon Bonaparte having assembled a numerous army at Boulogne,
and made preparations for the invasion of England, the British
military establishment was considerably augmented, and a _second
battalion_ was formed and added to the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment;
it was composed of men raised in the counties of Durham and
Northumberland, under the provisions of the Army of Reserve Act,
passed in the summer of 1803, and was placed on the establishment
of the army on the 9th of July.
[Sidenote: 1804]
The strength of the second battalion was augmented in 1804, with
the men raised in the county of Northumberland under the provisions
of the Additional Force Act, passed in July of that year. On the
10th of October the battalion embarked from Ramsgate for the Island
of Guernsey, where it was stationed during the following year.
[Sidenote: 1805]
While the first battalion was at Malta, Bonaparte was elevated to
the dignity of Emperor of France and King of Italy, and in 1805 he
marched his armies into Germany to crush the combination forming
against his interests.
At this memorable period the regiment embarked from Malta, and
sailed for Italy with the force under Lieut.-General Sir James
Craig, designed to support the interests of the allies in that
quarter.
A treaty of neutrality had been concluded between France and
Naples, by which Napoleon agreed to withdraw his troops from the
Neapolitan territory, where they had been stationed since the
commencement of the war with England; and the King of Naples was
bound not to admit the fleet or armies of any state at war with
France into his ports or territory. These articles were, however,
violated; an English and Russian armament appeared in the Bay of
Naples in November, 1805, and the SIXTY-FIRST, and several other
British regiments, landed at that city. This provoked the wrath
of Napoleon; and the great success of the French arms in Germany
having enabled their ambitious sovereign to assume the tone of
a dictator, on the morning after the signature of the peace of
Presburg, he issued a proclamation declaring, “The Neapolitan
dynasty had ceased to reign,” and denouncing vengeance against the
family he had thus resolved to dethrone, in terms which left no
hope of accommodation.
[Sidenote: 1806]
The Russians withdrew from Naples; and the British, under
Lieut.-General Sir James Craig, were too few in numbers to think of
defending the kingdom against the powerful armies which Napoleon
sent against that devoted country, in the early part of 1806, under
Joseph Bonaparte.
The SIXTY-FIRST embarked from Naples in January, 1806; the King
and Queen quitted their capital, and proceeded to the island of
Sicily, which was preserved in their interest by the British; the
SIXTY-FIRST were landed at the city of Messina, on the north-east
side of Sicily, and were stationed there several weeks. The
Neapolitans abandoned their royal family to its fate, and submitted
to the dictates of Napoleon, who issued a decree conferring the
crown of Naples on his brother Joseph: the city of Naples was
illuminated, and the nobles were eager to shew their attachment to
their new King. Insurrections occurred in several places; but the
French arms were successful, and the provinces became tranquil.
On the 26th of February the second battalion embarked from Guernsey
for Ireland, and landed at Cork in March.
It was important to England that Sicily should not fall under the
dominion of France, and the restoration of Ferdinand IV. to the
throne of Naples, was never lost sight of. Preparations being made
on the opposite coast of Calabria, for the invasion of Sicily,
Major-General Stuart, commanding the British troops in Sicily,
formed the design of cutting off the French division under General
Regnier: the flank companies of the SIXTY-FIRST[4] were formed
in flank battalions, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel James Kempt
and Lieut.-Colonel R. W. O’Callaghan, and being employed on this
enterprise, they had the honor of distinguishing themselves at the
battle of _Maida_, on the 4th of July.
On this occasion the light battalion, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel
James Kempt, of which the light company of the SIXTY-FIRST formed
part, was directly opposed to the celebrated French regiment, _Le
1^{er} Leger_; the two corps fired a few rounds at about a hundred
yards’ distance, and then advancing simultaneously to the charge,
both preserved great steadiness until the bayonets began to cross,
when British prowess proved victorious; the French faced about and
fled; they were pursued, and great slaughter made with the bayonet.
British valour was triumphant at every part of the field, and the
boasted invincible legions of Napoleon were proved to be inferior
to the English in close combat with the bayonet.
The British minister at Palermo, writing to the Secretary of State,
observed,--“The battle of Maida, upon the 4th of July, will long
be remembered in this part of Europe, as a remarkable proof of the
superiority of British courage and discipline over an arrogant
and cruel enemy. Of the nine thousand men whom General Regnier
commanded in the province of Calabria ulterior, not more than
three thousand are left to attempt their retreat towards Apulia;
the remainder are all either killed, wounded, or made prisoners.
Every fort along the coast,--all the stores, ammunition, and
artillery prepared for the attack upon Sicily, are become the prey
of the victors; and what, perhaps, may be considered of still more
consequence than these advantages, an indelible impression is made
in this country of the superior bravery and discipline of the
British troops.”
In forwarding a vote of thanks to Major-General Stuart, and
the troops under his orders, from the House of Lords, the Lord
Chancellor stated,--“Reflecting upon the disasters which have
fallen upon powerful princes, and populous territories, under the
pressure of the vast armies of France, I recollect, at the same
time, that they were not defended by British soldiers, and that,
when the triumphal monuments of Paris shall record the victories
of Austerlitz and Jena, it shall appear upon the less ostentatious
journals of a British Parliament, that upon the plains of Maida her
choicest battalions fell beneath the bayonets of half the number of
our brave countrymen, under your direction and that of the officers
who were your glorious companions.”
Major-General Stuart was rewarded with the dignity of a Knight of
the Bath; and was created Count of Maida by the King of the Two
Sicilies. Medals were given to commanding officers,--the first
instance in the British army. The word “MAIDA,” on the appointments
of the grenadiers and light infantry of the SIXTY-FIRST,
commemorates the gallant conduct of the flank companies on this
occasion.
Shortly after the victory at Maida, the battalion companies of the
SIXTY-FIRST quitted Messina, and proceeded to Scylla and Calabria.
[Sidenote: 1807]
The second battalion, after remaining in Ireland ten months,
received orders to return to England; it embarked from Dublin
on the 4th of February, 1807, and landed at Liverpool two days
afterwards.
[Sidenote: 1808]
At this period the decrees of Napoleon, Emperor of France, for
the annihilation of British commerce, were in operation, and the
French emperor demanded that the court of Portugal should exclude
British shipping from their ports, and confiscate the property
of British merchants. This being refused, a French army under
Marshal Junot, (afterwards Duke of Abrantes,) advanced to invade
Portugal: when the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment embarked from Sicily, with
the troops under Major-General Moore, to aid the Portuguese; but
arriving at Gibraltar in December, it was there ascertained that
the royal family of Portugal had abandoned the country, and fled
to the Brazils: under these circumstances the regiment landed
at Gibraltar, where it remained during the year 1808, receiving
reinforcements from time to time from the second battalion, which
was removed to Guernsey in the summer of this year.
While the regiment was at Gibraltar, Portugal was delivered from
the power of France by British skill and valour; but Spain was
subject to the oppression of Napoleon, who had removed his brother
Joseph from the throne of Naples, and caused him to be proclaimed
King of Spain.
[Sidenote: 1809]
In the summer of 1809, the regiment was ordered to proceed to
Portugal, to take part in the attempt to deliver the Peninsula;
it embarked from Gibraltar on the 9th of June, arrived at Lisbon
in eleven days, and advancing up the country, joined the army
commanded by Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, at Oropesa, where
it was attached to Brigadier-General Cameron’s brigade, in the
first division, commanded by Major-General Sherbrooke.
The regiment shared in the movements and privations which preceded
the battle of _Talavera_; and when the army formed in position,
it was posted, with its division, in the front line, and near the
centre of the British troops, with the light infantry among the
underwood and trees in front of the line. On the evening of the
27th of July, the enemy made a determined attack on the height
on the left of the position, when the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment was
moved to the support of the troops attacked, who repulsed their
opponents with the bayonet, and the regiment returned to its former
post, having lost three men killed; Major Robert John Coghlan, and
three soldiers wounded. Another attack on the left was repulsed
early on the following morning.
About mid-day on the 28th of July, the numerous artillery of the
enemy opened a heavy fire, under the cover of which the columns
of attack advanced against the British line. The French bullets
smote the ranks of the SIXTY-FIRST with fatal effect, and one
shell killed four grenadiers and wounded three others. The French
battalions cleared the ravine, and ascended the position in full
assurance of victory; but they were received with a general fire
of all arms, and charged with bayonets with so much vigour, that
they were speedily forced back: the SIXTY-FIRST closed on their
adversaries with distinguished gallantry, and following up their
first advantage, drove the French beyond the ravine. Having become
broken by a rapid advance over rugged ground abounding with
obstructions, the regiment re-formed its ranks under a heavy fire.
The distinguished conduct of Corporal Rose, on this occasion, was
rewarded with the rank of serjeant in the field, and a subsequent
display of zeal for the service, procured him a commission.
The French were repulsed at all points, and they retired during the
night.
Major Henry Francis Orpen, Captain Henry James, Lieutenant Daniel
James Hemus, one drummer, and forty-two rank and file were killed;
Captains Andrew Hartley, William Furnace, James Laing, and David
Goodman, Lieutenants Graves Collins, H. T. Tench, George McLean,
and James Given, Ensign William Brackenbury, Adjutant Richard Drew,
ten serjeants, and one hundred and eighty-three rank and file
wounded; sixteen rank and file missing.
Lieutenant-Colonel Saunders and Major Coghlan received gold medals;
and the royal authority was given for the regiment to bear the word
“TALAVERA” on its colours, to commemorate its distinguished conduct
on this occasion.
At the battle of Talavera full proof was given of the qualities
of British soldiers; but the superior numbers which the enemy
was afterwards enabled to bring forward, prevented the victory
being followed by decisive results, and retrograde movements
became necessary. On the advance of the enemy, the Spaniards
abandoned Talavera, and the wounded officers and soldiers of the
SIXTY-FIRST fell into the hands of the French. During the retreat
much suffering was endured from the want of provision, and while
the army was in position on the Guadiana, a fever broke out which
thinned the ranks. In the autumn the SIXTY-FIRST were gratified,
amidst their sufferings and losses, by the arrival of Major Coghlan
and Adjutant Drew, who had escaped from prison at Madrid.
[Sidenote: 1810]
Three hundred men joined from the second battalion in February,
1810, and thus restored the regiment to its former numbers. In
April the second battalion proceeded from Guernsey to Ireland.
Continuing with the first division of the allied army, the regiment
proceeded to the northern frontiers of Portugal to meet the French
invading army, under Marshal Massena, who boasted that he would
drive the English into the sea, and plant the eagles of France
on the towers of Lisbon; and he possessed so great a superiority
of numbers, that the allied army was forced to retreat before
him. Suddenly the rugged rocks of _Busaco_ were seen sparkling
with British bayonets, assembled to oppose his advance, and the
desperate attempts made by the French veterans to force the
position, on the 27th of September, were met by a resistance
which they could not overcome. The SIXTY-FIRST were in position on
this occasion, and the light company skirmished with the French
marksmen; but the regiment was not seriously engaged.
The French having turned the position by a flank movement, the
British army withdrew to the fortified lines of _Torres Vedras_,
where the invading army found its progress arrested by a barrier
which it did not venture to attack, and after halting a few weeks
before the lines in hopeless inactivity, retreated to a strong
position at Santarem.
On arriving at the lines, the SIXTY-FIRST were removed to the
fourth division, and stationed at the village of Caxaria, and it
was in position every morning two hours before daylight to resist
any attack the enemy might be disposed to make. The regiment was
subsequently removed to the sixth division, with which its services
are identified during the remainder of the war; it was united in
brigade with the Eleventh and Fifty-third Regiments, commanded by
Brigadier-General Hulse.
After the retreat of the French to Santarem, the regiment was
stationed at the Convent of Alenquer, where several officers and
men were taken suddenly ill, and the only remaining monk suggested,
that it was probably occasioned by the water,--the French having,
on their retreat, cast several dead men into the well in the centre
of the square, to save the trouble of burying them: on examination
this proved to be true,--and the sensations produced by the
discovery may be easily conceived. In a few days afterwards the
regiment was removed to the hamlet of Arunda.
[Sidenote: 1811]
Unable to fulfil his menace of driving the English into the sea,
and having consumed all the provisions he could procure, the
French Marshal retreated from his position at Santarem, on the 5th
of March, 1811, and the SIXTY-FIRST were engaged in following
the retreat of the enemy to the frontiers of Portugal: they were
afterwards employed, with their division, in the blockade of the
fortress of _Almeida_, and were quartered at the village of Junca,
from whence they furnished a daily piquet near the works.
The French army advancing to relieve Almeida, the SIXTY-FIRST
quitted the blockade, and were in position when the French were
repulsed at _Fuentes d’Onor_; but did not sustain any loss.
Resuming its quarters at Junca, the regiment again furnished
piquets before Almeida. An unusual noise during the night of the
11th of May occasioned the regiment to assemble at its alarm post,
and march towards Almeida; the grenadier company advanced to the
walls, and Captain Furnace discovered a chasm in the works, at
which he entered and ascertained that the French garrison had blown
up a great part of the works, and evacuated the fortress; when
Major Coghlan ordered a guard of one hundred men to take possession
of the town, which was found much injured by the explosions.
Lord Wellington having undertaken the siege of Badajoz, Marshals
Soult and Marmont marched the armies under their orders to the
relief of that fortress, when the SIXTY-FIRST proceeded with their
division to the Alemtejo, and were in position on the Caya. The
French armies having separated, the regiment again traversed the
country towards the Agueda; and in September the light company,
under Captain Owen, distinguished itself by repulsing, by its
steady fire, the attack of several squadrons of French dragoons,
who had driven back a body of British cavalry near Ciudad Rodrigo,
when Marshal Marmont relieved the blockade of that fortress.
After retiring a few miles before the superior numbers of the
enemy, the regiment went into winter quarters, where it received a
draft of two hundred men from the second battalion.
Colonel Saunders being promoted to the rank of major-general,
Lieut.-Colonel Barlow arrived in Portugal to command the first
battalion, and Lieut.-Colonel Coghlan proceeded to Ireland to
command the second battalion. Lieut.-Colonel Coghlan had commanded
the first battalion during two campaigns.
[Sidenote: 1812]
In January, 1812, the regiment was employed in covering the siege
of _Ciudad Rodrigo_, which fortress was captured by assault during
the night of the 19th of that month. The regiment afterwards
traversed the country to the Alemtejo, from whence it advanced
across the Guadiana, and was employed in Spanish Estremadura during
the siege of Badajoz, which fortress was captured by assault on the
6th of April. After these brilliant enterprises were completed,
the regiment returned to the northern frontiers of Portugal, and
marched to sustain the troops which destroyed the French works at
the bridge of Almarez.
Advancing into Spain, the allied army drove a French corps from
the city of _Salamanca_, which was taken possession of amidst
the rejoicings of the inhabitants, and the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment
was one of the corps employed in the siege of the forts of San
Vincente, St. Cajetano, and La Merced, in which the French had
left garrisons. On the night of the 22nd of June the light company
was engaged in an attempt to capture St. Cajetano and La Merced by
escalade, when Captain JOHN OWEN led the assault with distinguished
gallantry; he had gained the top of one of the ladders, and was in
the act of entering the fort, when he was shot through the left
arm, which was dreadfully shattered, and the next moment another
shot in the shoulder precipitated him into the ditch. Private
_Charles Carr_ saw his Captain fall, and leaping into the ditch
under a heavy fire raised the fallen Captain,--called a comrade to
his aid, and they carried their officer to a place of safety. The
attack failed. Captain Owen was promoted to the rank of major, and
on receiving the usual pension for the loss of his arm, he settled
an annuity upon Private Charles Carr.
The regiment sustained considerable loss on this occasion in killed
and wounded, and among the latter was Lieutenant Given.
Some delay took place in the capture of the convents, from the want
of ammunition; but a supply having been received, they were reduced
before the end of June.
From Salamanca the regiment advanced to the banks of the Douro, and
when the French army passed the river and advanced, the British
fell back a few stages.