Favell, were killed on this occasion; Major J. Oke, Captains W.
Greene and E. Charleton, Lieutenants A. Porteus, N. Furnace[7],
T. Gloster, D. O’Kearney, J. Wolfe, E. Gaynor, W. White[8], J.
Harris, G. Stewart, and J. H. Ellison, Ensigns J. Wright, Cuthbert
Eccles, and S. Bartlett, wounded. The regiment had also eight
serjeants and one hundred and fifty-three rank and file killed and
wounded.
Medals were conferred on Lieut.-Colonel Oke, Captain Charleton (who
was twice wounded), and Adjutant Bace: and the word “TOULOUSE” was
added to the inscriptions on the colours of the regiment.
The French retreated from Toulouse, followed by the British
army, and at St. Felix five officers and seventy men joined the
SIXTY-FIRST, from the second battalion in Ireland, under the orders
of Captain Hamilton.
Hostilities were terminated a few days afterwards; the power
of Bonaparte had been destroyed, and the Bourbon dynasty was
restored to France. The gallant veterans of the SIXTY-FIRST were
thus gratified with a complete triumph over the enemies of their
country. They had traversed kingdoms, fought battles, and conquered
powerful armies for the good of Europe; their valour had exalted
the glory of the British arms, and preserved their native country
from the presence of war: and the word “PENINSULA” was added to the
numerous inscriptions on their colours, to commemorate their heroic
conduct.
After reposing a short period in quarters, the regiment marched
for Bordeaux; and at Bazas the Portuguese brigade, which had long
served with the sixth division, was separated from it to return
to Portugal; a feeling of respect for these brave companions in
war pervaded all ranks of the British army: many reciprocal acts
of kindness had marked the estimation in which the soldiers of the
British and Portuguese armies held each other.
On the 30th of June, the regiment embarked for Ireland, when the
following order was issued:--“Major-General Lambert cannot allow
the regiments composing the left brigade of the sixth division
of the army under the Duke of Wellington, to separate without
requesting the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers,
to accept his best thanks for their services while under his
command. Though the period has not been long, yet it will be ever
memorable; and the distinguished good conduct of the brigade, so
repeatedly mentioned during this period, especially in the action
of the 10th of April, will ever make him consider his appointment
to the brigade as one of the most fortunate events of his military
life.”
At the close of the services of the regiment in the Peninsula
and South of France, the names of the following non-commissioned
officers, whose meritorious services had been rewarded with
commissions, were inserted in the Record Book,--
William Douglas.
William Hack.
James Nevin.
John Abraham.
John Robinson.
William Fortune.
George Armstrong.
John Thompson.
Simon Musgrave.
William Hall.
John McKay.
William Bace.
Patrick Melvin.
Andrew Connell.
Thomas Williams.
William Scott.
Francis Begg.
Christmas Knight.
John Bell.
George Tyrrell.
Samuel Rose.
The regiment landed at Cork in July, and marched to Dundalk, where
the second battalion was disbanded on the 24th of October; the men
fit for duty being transferred to the first battalion.
[Sidenote: 1815]
From Dundalk the regiment marched to Newry, where it was stationed
during the year 1815,--a period memorable in the history of Europe,
on account of the return of Bonaparte to France,--his overthrow on
the field of Waterloo,--and his removal to St. Helena.
[Sidenote: 1816]
In June, 1816, the regiment embarked from Ireland, and proceeded to
Portsmouth, where it landed, and was stationed during the summer
months at Fort Cumberland. In the autumn it embarked for Jamaica,
and arrived at Spanish-town in December.
[Sidenote: 1817]
[Sidenote: 1821]
The regiment was stationed at Spanish-town, Uppark camp,
Stony-hill, and Kingston, in Jamaica, upwards of five years, during
which period it lost by disease seven officers, and three hundred
and fifty-six non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
[Sidenote: 1822]
Having transferred the men who volunteered to remain in the country
to other corps, the regiment embarked from Jamaica in March, 1822,
and landed at Plymouth in May following.
[Sidenote: 1824]
The regiment performed garrison duty at Plymouth until the spring
of 1824, when it proceeded to Ireland; it was stationed at Cork
until October, when it marched to Limerick.
[Sidenote: 1825]
Leaving Limerick in 1825, the regiment proceeded to the counties of
Roscommon, Leitrim, Longford, and Westmeath.
[Sidenote: 1826]
In 1826 the head-quarters were established at Athlone, with
detachments at various stations in the neighbouring counties.
[Sidenote: 1827]
The regiment was assembled at Birr, in June, 1827, and in July
marched to Richmond Barracks, Dublin, where it was divided into six
service and four depôt companies; the service companies embarked
in October for Liverpool, from whence they proceeded by canal to
Fenny Stratford, and afterwards marched to Chatham.
[Sidenote: 1828]
On the 30th of June, 1828, the service companies, under the command
of Lieutenant-Colonel G. E. P. Barlow, embarked from Gravesend for
the island of Ceylon where, they arrived in November, and landed at
Colombo.
Lieut.-General Sir Edward Barnes inspected the SIXTY-FIRST on their
arrival at Ceylon, and inserted the following statement, in his own
hand-writing, in the Record Book of the regiment:--
“Having inspected the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment, commanded by
Lieut.-Colonel Barlow, it affords me much gratification to place
upon the Records of the Regiment an expression of my admiration
of its appearance and high order,--of the coolness, celerity,
and precision, with which it performed the several evolutions,
and of its system of interior economy: such a state of things
evinces the great ability, assiduity, and perseverance of the
commanding officer, and the able support of Major Wolfe and the
rest of the officers, and is in the highest degree creditable to
the non-commissioned officers and soldiers; and greatly enhances
the pleasure which I feel in the renewal of my long acquaintance
with the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment, and adds very materially and
essentially to my satisfaction in having it under my command.
“E. BARNES, _Lieut.-General_.
“_Colombo, December 18, 1828._”
[Sidenote: 1833]
[Sidenote: 1836]
The depôt companies were withdrawn from Ireland in November, 1833,
and proceeded to Chatham; they returned to Ireland in 1836.
[Sidenote: 1834]
The service companies remained at Colombo until 16th October, 1834,
when they embarked for Trincomalee.
[Sidenote: 1837]
On the 22nd May, 1837, the regiment sustained a loss of three
officers, viz., Lieutenants Shaw and Harkness and Ensign Walker,
who were unfortunately drowned, while on a shooting excursion, by
the upsetting of a boat, in a squall off Cottiac.
The service companies re-embarked for Colombo in July, and after
being inspected by Major-General Sir John Wilson, they marched for
Kandy, where they arrived on the 22nd August, 1837.
[Sidenote: 1838]
On the promotion of Colonel Edward Darley to the rank of
major-general, on the 28th June, 1838, Major Charles Forbes was
advanced to the lieutenant-colonelcy, and the command of the
service companies devolved on Major Simmonds.
While on duty at Kandy, the following order was inserted in the
Regimental Record Book, by Lieutenant-General Sir John Wilson,
K.C.B., in his own hand-writing, viz:--
“Being on the eve of my departure from Ceylon, I feel much
pleasure in adding to the honourable testimonies contained in
the regimental records, the expression of my approbation of the
general good conduct and military discipline manifested by the
SIXTY-FIRST Regiment, during a period of seven years that it has
served under my orders, it having been, during a great part of
that time, under the command of the present Major-General Darley.
“It is gratifying to me to be able to state, that at the present
half-yearly inspection, after a lapse of so many years, I find
the regiment in the same high state of moral and military
discipline, in which I had the satisfaction of finding it on my
arrival to assume this command, and which had previously called
forth the highest eulogiums from my predecessor.
“To have maintained this character during a period of more than
ten years’ service in this colony, is a circumstance which cannot
but be considered to reflect great credit on the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and privates of this distinguished
corps, and will, no doubt, meet with a just appreciation in their
own country, to the shores of which (as the regiment is about to
return home) I earnestly wish them a speedy and prosperous voyage.
“I cannot conclude without requesting the present commanding
officer, Major Simmonds, to accept my best acknowledgments for
the zeal and attention displayed by him in the command of the
SIXTY-FIRST Regiment.”
(Signed) “JOHN WILSON, _Lieut.-General_,
“_Commanding the Forces_.”
_Dated “Kandy, 27th December, 1838.”_
[Sidenote: 1839]
On the 12th February, 1839, the regiment marched to Colombo,
preparatory to its embarkation for England; and on the 3rd March,
Her Majesty’s troop-ship ship “Jupiter” came to anchor in Colombo
roads, having on board the service companies of the Ninety-fifth
Regiment, under the command of Colonel James Campbell, intended
for the relief of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment; but in consequence of
disturbances in India, the embarkation of the regiment was directed
to be delayed.
After performing duty in various parts of the island of Ceylon for
eleven years, during which period the regiment lost six officers
and three hundred non-commissioned officers and privates, it
embarked for England on board of Her Majesty’s ship “Jupiter,”
and the following general order was issued by the General Officer
commanding, dated “Head Quarters, Colombo, 22nd October, 1839:”--
“In taking leave of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment, which will embark
to-morrow for England, Major-General Sir Robert Arbuthnot should
not do justice to his own feelings, and this distinguished corps,
whose gallantry he has so often witnessed in the field, if he
did not express the great satisfaction he felt in assuming the
command of this island, to find at his first and last inspection,
that the same excellent system, discipline, steadiness under
arms, and interior arrangements existed in time of peace, which
had been the means of gaining them so great honour in time of war.
“In wishing Major Simmonds, the officers and soldiers of the
regiment, a prosperous and speedy voyage to England, the
major-general must express his warm acknowledgment to the former
for the anxious zeal displayed by him while in command of the
regiment; to the officers for the able support they have given
him, ‘and which is so essential to the well-being of any corps,’
and to the non-commissioned officers and privates, who merit all
the praise he can bestow, and who, in quitting the colony, leave
behind them the regrets and good wishes of all classes, which of
itself, after a residence of eleven years, is sufficient proof
of the good system, discipline, and general respectability of a
corps.”
[Sidenote: 1840]
In consequence of meeting with stress of weather in the British
Channel, Her Majesty’s ship “Jupiter” put into the Cove of Cork,
on the 4th of March, 1840, and was towed over to Southampton, by
the steam-frigate “Cyclops,” having on board the depôt companies
from Ireland. The whole regiment landed at Southampton on the 12th
of March, and proceeded by railroad to Winchester; where it was
inspected by Major-General the Honorable Sir Hercules Pakenham,
commanding the South-West district, and subsequently by Lord Hill,
the General Commanding in Chief, both of whom were pleased to
express their entire approbation of its appearance, discipline, and
interior economy.
In August following it was removed to Woolwich, and performed the
dockyard duties there, and at Deptford, until the summer of the
following year.
General the Right Honorable Sir George Hewett, Bart., G.C.B., died
a few days after the arrival of the regiment in England, and Her
Majesty was pleased to confer the colonelcy of the regiment on
Major-General Sir John Gardiner, K.C.B., Deputy Adjutant-General of
the Forces.
[Sidenote: 1841]
In June 1841, the regiment proceeded by railroad to the Northern
district, and was detached in the counties of Northumberland, York,
and Lancaster.
In consequence of the reverses sustained by the British troops in
Affghanistan, in the winter of 1841, the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment was
ordered to recruit to the Indian establishment of one thousand rank
and file, and to prepare, with the Fifty-eighth Regiment, to embark
for India.
[Sidenote: 1842]
The successful campaign of the following season, and the withdrawal
of the troops from the Affghan territory, occasioned an alteration
in the destination of the regiment.
In August, 1842, two companies, under the command of Major
Burnside, were called upon by the civil authorities of Halifax, to
suppress a formidable and organised riot which broke out in that
town: numbers of the rioters had assembled from the adjacent towns,
and were so confident in their strength and numbers as to attack
a party of the Eleventh Hussars, several of whom were severely
injured. The detachment of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment was fired on by
the mob, and Captain Hoey and five men were wounded with slugs.
The order was then given to the Military to fire, when the peace
of the town was speedily restored. The owners and occupiers of the
mills and other property at Halifax, and in the neighbourhood,
conveyed a vote of thanks to Major Burnside for his services on
this occasion.
[Sidenote: 1843]
In March, 1843, the regiment was directed to furnish, by
volunteers, two hundred men to the Ninety-eighth Regiment, in
China: the required number were immediately produced; and the
detachment embarked on the 1st of April, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, for
Winchester, to join the depôt of the Ninety-eighth Regiment.
In the spring of 1843, the regiment proceeded by railway to
Carlisle, where it embarked for Ireland, and landed at Dublin
on the 6th of April; and was shortly afterwards inspected by
Lieutenant-General the Right Honorable Sir Edward Blakeney,
Commander of the Forces in Ireland, who was pleased to express his
approbation of the appearance of the regiment in the field, and of
its conduct in quarters.
On the 3rd June, five companies, under the command of Major McLeod,
embarked on board of Her Majesty’s steamer “Rhadamanthus” for
Waterford, on a particular service: the detachment landed on the
following day, and re-inforced the garrison in barracks until the
6th June, when it re-embarked and returned to Dublin.
During the stay of the regiment in the garrison of Dublin,
Lieutenant-Colonel Forbes died after a protracted illness. This
distinguished officer had commanded the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment five
years, and by his impartial and temperate exercise of authority, he
had rendered himself respected and beloved by all who had the good
fortune to serve under his command. Upon his decease, Major Henry
Burnside was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy on the 9th May,
1843.
In July, 1843, the regiment proceeded from Dublin to Limerick,
where it is stationed at the commencement of the year 1844, to
which period this record of its services is brought.
[Sidenote: 1844]
On the 20th January, 1844, Her Majesty was pleased to remove
Lieutenant-General Sir John Gardiner from the SIXTY-FIRST to the
Fiftieth Regiment, in succession to Lieutenant-General Sir Hudson
Lowe, deceased, and to appoint Major-General Sir Jeremiah Dickson,
K.C.B., to the colonelcy of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment.
Few regiments have been engaged in services which have called
into exercise the moral and physical energies of the officers
and soldiers to a greater extent than the duties in which the
SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT has been employed; and none have displayed the
heroic virtues of the British military character more fully than
this meritorious corps.
Whether at the Fort of ST. PHILIP, in Minorca,--in the valley of
the Tagus, at TALAVERA,--on the plains of SALAMANCA,--on the lofty
PYRENEES,--or in the southern provinces of FRANCE, the same valour,
constancy, patience, and perseverance, have shone forth with a
splendour which has elevated the reputation of the corps; and its
conduct in quarters has also elicited the commendations of the
general officers under whom it has served. Deriving its origin from
the Third Regiment of Foot, or the BUFFS, the SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT
has inherited the same spirit which animated the officers and
soldiers of that veteran corps during the wars of three centuries.
1844.
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF
THE SIXTY-FIRST,
OR,
THE SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT OF
FOOT.
GRANVILLE ELLIOTT.
_Appointed 21st April, 1758._
GRANVILLE ELLIOTT served with distinction in the army of the
Emperor of Germany, and returned to England with the reputation
of a brave and experienced officer; he was admitted into the
British service, by King George II., in 1758, with the rank of
major-general, and was appointed colonel of the SIXTY-FIRST
Regiment, on its formation from the second battalion of the Third
Foot, or the Buffs. He commanded a brigade, under Charles, Duke
of Marlborough, in the expedition to St. Maloes in 1758; and
afterwards proceeded to Germany, where he served as major-general,
under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. His experience in continental
service induced him to suggest to the British government the
advantage of having a considerable portion of light cavalry in
the army. The subject was previously under consideration, and the
formation of regiments of light dragoons was commenced in the
following year. He died in Germany in 1759.
GEORGE GRAY.
_Appointed 19th July, 1759._
GEORGE GRAY was many years an officer in the household cavalry, and
in July, 1749, he was promoted lieutenant-colonel of the first
troop, now first regiment, of Life Guards. In 1759, King George
II. rewarded him with the colonelcy of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment,
from which he was removed, in 1768, to the Thirty-seventh. He was
promoted to the rank of major-general in 1761, and to that of
lieut.-general in 1770. He died in 1773.
JOHN GORE.
_Appointed 9th May, 1768._
The early services of this officer were in the third regiment
of Foot Guards, in which corps he was promoted captain and
lieutenant-colonel, in 1750, first major, with the rank of colonel,
in 1760, and lieutenant-colonel in 1771 On the 10th of July, 1762,
he was advanced to the rank of major-general; and in 1768 he was
nominated to the colonelcy of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment: in 1772 he
was promoted to the rank of lieut.-general, and was removed to the
Sixth Foot in February of the following year. He died in November,
1773.
JOHN BARLOW.
_Appointed 19th February, 1773._
JOHN BARLOW was many years an officer in the Third regiment of
foot, or the Buffs, with which corps he served at the battle of
Dettingen. He was promoted captain of a company on the 22nd of
February, 1745, and afterwards served with the Buffs at the battles
of Fontenoy, Falkirk, and Culloden; also at the battle of Val
in 1747. In 1755 he was promoted major of the Buffs, and on the
formation of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment, from the second battalion of
the Third Foot, he was nominated to the lieut.-colonelcy of that
corps, which he commanded in the expedition to the West Indies,
and distinguished himself on several occasions at the reduction of
Guadeloupe in 1759. His services were rewarded with the colonelcy
of the regiment in 1773; and in August, 1777, he was promoted to
the rank of major general. He died in 1778.
STAATES LONG MORRISS.
_Appointed 14th May. 1778._
This officer served with reputation in the reign of King George II;
was promoted to the rank of captain in the Thirty-sixth Regiment
in May, 1756; and in 1758 he was employed in the expedition to St.
Maloes, under Charles, Duke of Marlborough. He took great interest
in the formation of the Eighty-ninth Regiment, of which he was
appointed lieutenant-colonel commandant in October, 1759: he served
at the head of this corps until 1763, when it was disbanded. He was
promoted to the rank of colonel in 1772; to that of major-general
in 1777; and in the following year he was nominated to the
colonelcy of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment. He was advanced to the rank
of lieut.-general in 1782, and to that of general in 1796. He died
in 1800.
SIR GEORGE HEWETT, BART., G.C.B.
_Appointed 4th April, 1800._
GEORGE HEWETT was many years an officer of the Seventieth Foot, in
which corps he was promoted to the rank of captain in June, 1775,
and he served in North America during the war of independence. In
December, 1781, he was promoted to a majority in the Forty-third
Regiment, with which corps he served with reputation, and was
advanced to the rank of colonel in March, 1794: in May, 1796,
he was promoted to the rank of major-general, and on the 5th
of August, 1799, he was nominated colonel commandant of the
second battalion of the Fifth Foot; in 1800, King George III.
conferred upon him the colonelcy of the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment.
He served in the East Indies, and also in the West Indies; was
promoted to the rank of lieut.-general in September, 1803. He was
inspecting general of the Recruiting Department in 1803; and at the
commencement of the war with France, the Government placed under
his orders all the corps raised under the provisions of the Army of
Reserve Act. He was subsequently commander-in-chief in Ireland; and
in 1806 he was appointed commander-in-chief in the East Indies,
the duties of which important situation he performed five years.
On the 4th of June, 1813, he was promoted to the rank of general,
and in November of the same year he was created a baronet: he was
afterwards honoured with the dignity of Knight Grand Cross of the
most honourable Order of the Bath. He performed the duties of
barrack-master-general for a short period. He was of a kind and
benevolent disposition, was highly esteemed for his social virtues,
and distinguished as a benefactor to the poor. He took an interest
in the SIXTY-FIRST Regiment, of which he was colonel forty years,
and expressed a wish to see his corps once more; but took his bed
on the day it landed at Southampton, from the island of Ceylon, and
died on the 21st of March, 1840, at his seat at Freemantle Park,
near Southampton. He was a member of the privy council for Ireland
at the time of his decease.
SIR JOHN GARDINER, K.C.B.
_Appointed 30th March 1840._
Removed to the Fiftieth Regiment in 1844.
SIR JEREMIAH DICKSON, K.C.B.
_Appointed 20th January, 1844._
APPENDIX.
_Journal of a March of a Detachment of Troops under the command
of_ LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN JAMES BARLOW, SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT,
_from Cosseir in Upper Egypt to Kenè on the Nile_.
I arrived in His Majesty’s ship the “Wilhelmina,” Capt. Sind, at
Cosseir, from Mocha, on the 14th July, 1801, after a passage,
_against the monsoon_, of two months.
_July 17th._--I was ordered to hold myself in readiness to march
across the desert to Kenè on the Nile, a distance of about 130
miles, and to take under my command four companies of His Majesty’s
SIXTY-FIRST Regiment, and a detachment of His Majesty’s Tenth
Regiment, infantry, together with a small party of the Eighth
Light Dragoons,--these amounted to 582 soldiers;--twenty boxes
of treasure were likewise put under my escort. The line of march
consisted of upwards of 850 men, including Indian followers, Arab
camel-drivers, &c., &c.