TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been
corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within
the text and consultation of external sources.
More detail can be found at the end of the book.
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 SEVENTH,
OR
THE QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT OF
HUSSARS:
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF
THE ORIGIN OF THE REGIMENT IN 1690,
AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES TO 1842.
_ILLUSTRATED WITH A PLATE OF THE UNIFORM._
LONDON:
JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND.
M.DCCC.XLII.
LONDON:
HARRISON AND CO., PRINTERS,
ST. MARTIN'S LANE
[Illustration: Seventh (or Queen's Own) Hussars.
To face Title-page.]
THE SEVENTH,
OR
THE QUEEN'S OWN HUSSARS,
BEAR ON THEIR APPOINTMENTS THE WORDS
"PENINSULA," AND "WATERLOO,"
TO COMMEMORATE
THEIR GALLANTRY IN SPAIN AND THE SOUTH OF FRANCE,
IN 1813 AND 1814,
AND AT THE MEMORABLE BATTLE OF WATERLOO,
IN 1815.
CONTENTS.
Year Page
1689 Several Independent Troops of Horse and Dragoons
raised in Scotland 10
---- Battle of Killicrankie 11
1690 The Independent Troops formed into two regiments
of Cavalry 12
---- Their Services during the Campaign of 1690 --
---- The two Regiments incorporated, and constituted a
regiment of Dragoons, now SEVENTH HUSSARS 13
1694 Proceeds to the Netherlands 14
1695 Action at Moorsleede 16
---- Covering the Siege of Namur 16
1696 Serves under the Prince of Vaudemont 18
1697 ---------------- Elector of Bavaria --
---- Embarks for England 19
1698 Marches to Scotland --
1711 Embarks for Holland 21
---- Serves under the Duke of Marlborough --
1712 ---------------- Duke of Ormond --
1713 Proceeds to Ireland 23
1714 Reduced after the Peace of Utrecht --
1715 Re-Established --
---- Styled _Her Royal Highness the Princess of
Wales's Own Royal Regiment of Dragoons_ 26
---- Battle of Dumblain 27
1716 Marches to England 28
1721 Returns to Scotland 29
1722 Proceeds to England --
1727 Styled the _Queen's Own Regiment of Dragoons_ 30
1733 Marches to Scotland 31
1735 Returns to England --
1740 Encamped near Newbury 31
1741 Proceeds to Scotland 32
1742 Returns to England--Embarks for Flanders --
1743 Battle of Dettingen 33
1745 --------- Fontenoy 35
1746 --------- Roucoux 36
1747 --------- Val 37
1749 Returns to England 38
1751 Description of the Clothing and Standards 39
1754 Proceeds to Scotland 41
1755 A Light Troop added to the Establishment --
1758 Expedition to St. Maloes 42
---- Capture of Cherbourg 43
1760 Proceeds to Germany --
---- Battle of Warbourg 44
1761 --------- Kirch-Denkern 46
---- Skirmishes at Eimbeck and Foorwohle --
1762 Battle of Groebenstein 47
1763 Returns to England--Light Troop Disbanded 48
1766 Drummers replaced by Trumpeters 49
1768 Proceeds to Scotland --
1769 Returns to England --
1773 Proceeds to Scotland --
1774 Returns to England --
1778 Encamped near Bury St. Edmunds 50
1779 Proceeds to Scotland --
1781 Returns to England --
1783 _Constituted a Corps of Light Dragoons_ 51
1784 _Blue_ Clothing adopted 51
1786 _Blue_ Cloaks ---- 53
1793 Embarks for Flanders 54
---- Attack on Lannoy 55
1794 Action at Prémont 56
---- Battle of Cateau --
---- --------- Tournay 57
---- Actions at Roubaix and Mouvaux 58
---- Second Battle of Tournay 62
---- Skirmish near Breda --
1794 Skirmish near Nimeguen 63
1795 Retreats through Holland to Germany --
---- Embarks for England 64
1799 ----------- Holland --
---- Battle of Bergen 65
---- --------- Egmont-op-Zee --
---- Actions at Beverwyck and Wyck-op-Zee 66
---- Embarks for England 67
1807 Equipped as a _Regiment of Hussars_ 68
1808 Embarks for Spain --
---- Action at Sahagun 70
---- ------ near Carrion --
---- ------ Benevente 71
1809 Retreats to Corunna--Embarks for England 73
1810 Proceeds to Ireland 74
1813 Returns to England --
---- Embarks for Spain --
---- Passage of the Bidassoa 75
1814 Battle of Orthes 76
---- --------- Toulouse 77
---- Returns to England 78
1815 Embarks for Flanders --
---- Battle of Quatre-Bras 79
---- Action at Genappe 79
---- Battle of Waterloo 80
---- Capture of Cambray 82
---- Advances to Paris --
1816 Forms part of the Army of Occupation --
1818 Returns to England 83
1819 Marches to Scotland --
1820 Embarks for Ireland --
1823 Returns to England 84
1826 Proceeds to Scotland --
1828 Embarks for Ireland 85
1830 _Scarlet Pelisses_ adopted --
1831 Returns to England --
1833 Proceeds to Scotland --
1834 Returns to England 86
1837 Embarks for Ireland 86
1838 Four service troops embark for Canada --
---- Employed against the Insurgents in Lower Canada --
1841 Resumes wearing _Blue Pelisses_ --
1842 The Conclusion 87
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
1690 Robert Cunningham 89
1696 William, Lord Jedburgh 90
1707 Patrick, Lord Polwarth 91
1709 Honorable William Kerr --
1741 John Cope 92
1760 John Mostyn 93
1763 Sir George Howard, K.B. 94
1779 Sir Henry Clinton, K.B. --
1795 David Dundas 96
1801 Marquis of Anglesey, K.G., G.C.B., K.St.P.,
G.C.H. 99
SUCCESSION OF LIEUTENANT-COLONELS 101
SUCCESSION OF MAJORS 102
The Plate of the Uniform in 1842, to follow the Title-Page.
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SEVENTH,
OR,
THE QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT
OF
HUSSARS.
[Sidenote: 1688]
THE QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT OF HUSSARS was originally a corps of
heavy cavalry, and was formed of independent troops of horse and
dragoons, raised in Scotland during the commotions which followed
the Revolution of 1688, when a number of patriotic Scots arrayed
themselves, under the banners of William and Mary, and fought
against the adherents of King James II., who sought to establish
papacy and arbitrary government.
[Sidenote: 1689]
After King James's flight to France, England became comparatively
tranquil, and the establishment of the Prince and Princess of
Orange on the throne, in February, 1689, was hailed with public
rejoicings. In Scotland, the Catholic clans, and other partisans of
King James were numerous; and, while the chivalrous Viscount Dundee
aroused the Highlanders to arms, the Duke of Gordon held the castle
of Edinburgh, of which he was governor, in the interest of the
Stuart dynasty.
King William sent Major-General Mackay, an experienced officer,
who had served in the armies of France and Holland, to take the
command of the forces in Scotland; and, while Viscount Dundee was
organising a plan of co-operation among the clans, additional corps
were embodied by the government.
The Earl of Annandale, who was one of the first of the Scottish
noblemen to advocate the principles of the Revolution, raised
a troop of horse; a second was raised by the Lord Belhaven, a
nobleman distinguished for his steady opposition to the tyrannical
measures of King Charles II., and King James II.; and a third
troop was raised by William, Laird of Blair: independent troops of
dragoons were also embodied by several gentlemen who were zealous
for the interests and welfare of their country; also several
regiments and independent companies of foot.
While these corps were being embodied, Viscount Dundee descended
from the mountains with several bands of Highlanders, seized
on the town of Perth, and took the Laird of Blair, and his
lieutenant, the Laird of Pollock, prisoners. These gentlemen were
carried about like felons, in an ungenerous triumph, for six weeks,
and afterwards sent to the Isle of Mul, where the Laird of Blair
died, in consequence of the barbarous treatment he received.
The Earl of Annandale's and Lord Belhaven's troops of horse, having
been completed and equipped, took the field, and formed part of the
force under Major-General Mackay, which engaged the Highlanders and
Irish, under Viscount Dundee, at the pass of _Killicrankie_, on
the 27th of July, 1689, and were the only cavalry corps with the
army on that occasion[1]. For a short time after the commencement
of the action, the advantage was on the side of Major-General
Mackay. When the infantry began to give way before the superior
numbers of the clans, the two troops of horse were ordered
forward,--one on the right, and the other on the left,--to attack
the flanks of the opposing army; but, being untrained men, instead
of dashing, sword in hand, upon the adverse ranks, they halted at
a short distance, and commenced a straggling fire with carbines
and pistols. This mode of attacking a body of men on foot of very
superior numbers, could not fail to prove disastrous; and the two
troops were speedily driven from the field with loss. The army
was defeated; but the ability evinced by Major-General Mackay, in
conducting the retreat, and in assembling another army, with the
loss of the Jacobite commander, Viscount Dundee, who was killed at
the commencement of the action, occasioned the result to be less
disastrous than was anticipated, and the Highlanders were forced to
take refuge in their mountain fastnesses.
[Sidenote: 1690]
In the beginning of 1690 the newly-raised horse were formed into
a regiment, of only three troops, of which the Earl of Eglintoun
was appointed colonel,--the Honorable William Forbes (eldest
son of Lord Forbes), lieut.-colonel,--and Sir George Gordon, of
Edinglassie, major; the dragoons were also formed into a regiment
of three troops, under the command of Lord Cardross,--Jackson,
lieut.-colonel, and--Guthrie, major; at the same time three of the
newly-raised regiments of foot were incorporated into one, which
were placed under the orders of Colonel Cunningham.
During the subsequent contest the two cavalry corps performed
much harassing and faithful service; they took part in several
skirmishes, and evinced intrepidity and valour; the clans were
repulsed and driven back to the mountains; garrisons were placed
in the heart of the Highland districts, and the adherents of King
James lost all hope of success.
In the following winter the Scots army was remodelled; several
corps of infantry were disbanded; and the two regiments of cavalry,
of three troops each, were incorporated and constituted a regiment
of dragoons, of six troops of fifty men each, of which ROBERT
CUNNINGHAM was appointed colonel by commission dated the 30th
of December, 1690; William Forbes was appointed lieut.-colonel;
and Patrick Hume, major. The corps thus formed now bears the
distinguished title of the SEVENTH, OR QUEEN'S OWN, REGIMENT OF
HUSSARS, and its services form the subject of the following pages.
Until the reign of King George II., it was distinguished by the
name of its colonel.
[Sidenote: 1691]
[Sidenote: 1692]
Being constituted of men of approved fidelity and devotion to the
principles of the Revolution, CUNNINGHAM'S regiment was held in
estimation by the government; it was quartered near the confines
of the Highlands, to hold in check the disaffected clans; and was
afterwards removed to the vicinity of Edinburgh. In August, 1691,
a proclamation was published, proffering indemnity and pardon to
all persons who would submit to the government and take the oath
of allegiance to King William and Queen Mary. Before the end of
January, 1692, the heads of clans had ratified their submission,
and hostilities ceased in Scotland.
[Sidenote: 1693]
The British monarch had, in the mean time, engaged in a war with
Louis XIV., and on His Majesty's return to England, after the
termination of the campaign of 1693, the two Scots regiments of
dragoons (Livingstone's, now Second, or the Scots' Greys, and
CUNNINGHAM'S, now SEVENTH HUSSARS) were selected to proceed on
foreign service.
[Sidenote: 1694]
CUNNINGHAM'S dragoons commenced their march from Scotland in
February, 1694, and on arriving at Berwick they were placed on the
English establishment; at the same time exertions were made to
complete an augmentation of two troops, and of ten additional men
and horses to each of the six old troops. The augmentation troops
left Scotland in the spring, and the six old troops continued their
march southward until they arrived at London, where the eight
troops were united in May, and the whole embarked at Greenwich for
the Netherlands.
The regiment, commanded by its colonel, Robert Cunningham, landed
at Williamstadt, in North Brabant, on the 31st of May; advanced up
the country to the vicinity of Arschot, and was reviewed by King
William on the 16th of June, together with Livingstone's regiment:
and the hardy and warlike appearance of the Scots troopers
elicited the commendations of His Majesty, and of the British and
foreign general officers present at the review.
After several marches the regiment was encamped at Mont St.
André, where an army of eighty-eight thousand men of several
nations was assembled under the command of the British monarch,
and CUNNINGHAM'S dragoons were formed in brigade with Eppinger's
(foreign), Essex's (now fourth), and Wynne's (late fifth),
regiments of dragoons, under the orders of Brigadier-General
Wynne. No general engagement occurred; and after taking part in
the operations of a toilsome campaign, the regiment went into
cantonments for the winter among the Flemish peasantry, in the
villages between Ghent and Sas van Ghent.
[Sidenote: 1695]
From its winter quarters, the regiment marched in April, 1695, to
Dixmude, in West Flanders; it joined the army in May, at the camp
at Arseele, and was formed in brigade with Dopf's (Dutch) dragoons
under Brigadier-General Wynne.
In the beginning of June, the army advanced to Becelaer. On the
14th of that month five hundred dragoons (among whom was a large
detachment from CUNNINGHAM'S regiment) under the command of the
Earl of Portland and Brigadier-General Wynne, left the camp with
the view of intercepting a numerous French force, which was
moving quietly across the country to attack the bread-waggons of
the confederate army, on their way from Bruges to the camp. On
arriving at _Moorsleede_, the French detachment was found in the
village, with the streets barricaded with waggons and implements
of husbandry. The dragoons instantly dismounted and attacked the
barricades with signal gallantry, CUNNINGHAM'S men evincing true
Scottish heroism; and in a few moments the French gave way and
fled, leaving a number of killed and wounded behind them, and one
captain and thirty men prisoners. Count de Soissons, brother of
Prince Eugene of Savoy, served as a volunteer on this occasion, and
expressed, in the strongest terms, his admiration of the valour
of the dragoons. Lieutenant Webb, and several men were killed;
Captains Collins and Holgate were wounded. Brigadier-General Wynne,
who commanded the brigade of which CUNNINGHAM'S dragoons formed
part, received a severe wound of which he afterwards died.
When King William undertook the siege of the important fortress
of _Namur_, the regiment formed part of the covering army under
Charles Henry of Lorraine, Prince of Vaudemont, and on the evening
of the 14th of July, it was formed in order of battle, while the
immense columns of the enemy, commanded by Marshal Villeroy, were
seen in the open grounds in front. The two armies confronted
each other during the night, and the French commander, having
an immense superiority of numbers, detached a division to turn
the right flank of the confederate army. The Prince ordered a
retreat, which he masked with judgment; the cavalry advancing to
the front--the dragoons dismounting and forming on foot at extended
files, while the artillery, and infantry, with their pikes trailed
and colours furled, quietly withdrew. The enemy prepared for the
attack, and sent forward a cloud of light musketeers to commence
the action; but the dragoons retired a few paces and mounted their
horses, and when the enemy thought to have commenced the battle,
the skeleton squadrons withdrew; presenting to the astonished
French what appeared to be the magic spectacle of an army vanishing
out of sight. The enemy's horsemen galloped forward in pursuit;
but the allies effected their retreat in good order to Ghent, from
whence CUNNINGHAM'S dragoons were detached, with Rosse's troopers,
and twelve battalions of infantry under Lieut.-General Sir Henry
Bellasis, to cover Nieuport, a place celebrated for the victory
gained by the English and Dutch, over the Spaniards under Archduke
Albert, on the 2nd of July, 1600[2].
The regiment was stationed between Bruges and Nieuport, until
Marshal Villeroy advanced towards Namur with the view of raising
the siege, when it proceeded to Brussels, which city the French
had, a short time previously, bombarded. The enemy's designs
were frustrated; Namur was captured; the regiment left Brussels,
and, after encamping a short time on the Bruges canal, went into
cantonments in the villages on the banks of the canal of Ostend, in
the Pays du Nord.
[Sidenote: 1696]
When the army took the field to serve the campaign of 1696, the
excellent condition of this corps excited admiration; it mustered
four strong squadrons, and when King William saw the regiment,
he promoted its colonel, ROBERT CUNNINGHAM, to the rank of
brigadier-general.
During the summer of this year the regiment served with the army of
Flanders under the Prince of Vaudemont, and was brigaded with the
regiments of Eppinger and Miremont, commanded by its colonel. It
was employed in defensive operations for the preservation of Ghent,
Bruges, and the maritime towns of Flanders. It passed the winter in
the villages behind the Bruges canal.
On the 1st of October, 1696, Brigadier-General Cunningham was
succeeded in the colonelcy by WILLIAM, LORD JEDBURGH, eldest son of
the Marquis of Lothian.
[Sidenote: 1697]
The regiment, bearing the title of JEDBURGH'S dragoons, served the
campaign of 1697 in Flanders with the army commanded by the Elector
of Bavaria, and was formed in brigade with the regiments of
Nassau-Sarbruck, and Opdam, under the orders of Brigadier-General
Pyper. It took part in several operations; and in May joined King
William's army in Brabant, but, subsequently, returned to Flanders.
In September tranquillity was restored in Europe by the treaty of
Ryswick.
During the winter JEDBURGH'S dragoons embarked from Flanders, and
after landing at Harwich in December, proceeded to London, where
they occupied quarters for several weeks; at the same time their
numbers were reduced to a peace establishment.
[Sidenote: 1698]
The regiment left its cantonments in Southwark, in February, 1698,
on route for Scotland, where it arrived towards the end of March.
[Sidenote: 1702]
[Sidenote: 1703]
[Sidenote: 1704]
[Sidenote: 1705]
[Sidenote: 1706]
The accession of Queen Anne, in 1702, was followed by another
war on the continent; but the exertions made by the friends of
the Pretender to effect his elevation to the throne, rendered it
necessary to detain an efficient force at home, and Jedburgh's
was one of the corps selected to remain in Scotland, where it
was stationed, while the army under the renowned Marlborough was
gaining laurels in Germany and the Netherlands[3], the fields of
Blenheim, Ramilies, &c., giving dreadful proof of British valour.
[Sidenote: 1707]
In April, 1707, Patrick Lord Polwarth was appointed colonel of the
regiment, in succession to the Marquis of Lothian, who was removed
to the colonelcy of the Scots foot guards.
[Sidenote: 1708]
The king of France having fitted out a fleet and embarked troops
in the early part of 1708, for the invasion of Britain by the
Pretender, Lord Polwarth's regiment was held in readiness to take
the field at a moment's notice, and the establishment was augmented
to fifty-four men per troop; but the French fleet was driven from
the Scottish coast, and the country was preserved from the horrors
of civil war.
[Sidenote: 1709]
In October, 1709, Lord Polwarth was succeeded in the colonelcy by
William Kerr, brother of the duke of Roxburgh.
[Sidenote: 1710]
[Sidenote: 1711]
The gallant achievements of the forces under the great duke of
Marlborough had, in the mean time, removed the theatre of war from
the frontiers of Holland to the confines of France; Louis XIV.
assembled an immense army to preserve the interior of his kingdom
from the power of his opponents; and Queen Anne sent additional
corps to the scene of contest. KERR'S dragoons were selected to
proceed to the Netherlands; their establishment was augmented, in
March, 1711, to sixty men per troop; and in the same month they
embarked at Leith, but were driven back to the Frith and detained
by contrary winds until the end of April, when they sailed for
Holland.
Having been detained by the weather, the regiment did not arrive
until the army had taken the field, and the men and horses had
suffered by being so long on board of ship; they consequently
remained in Holland for a short time in quarters of refreshment,
and afterwards commenced their march for the frontiers; but when
passing through Brabant, they were ordered to halt at Brussels. The
regiment appears to have remained in reserve during the campaign of
this year.
[Sidenote: 1712]
Taking the field in the spring of 1712, the regiment formed part of
the army commanded by his grace the duke of Ormond, which advanced
to the confines of France, and was ready to carry the war into
Picardy; but the French monarch, finding his generals overmatched,
and his armies beaten and dispirited, agreed to the conditions of
a treaty of peace. A suspension of hostilities was proclaimed, and
the army retired to Ghent, and after encamping a short period went
into quarters.
[Sidenote: 1713]
In the summer of 1713 the regiment was ordered to embark at Dunkirk
for Ireland. The royal dragoons had, in the mean time, returned
from Spain dismounted[4], and the government, contemplating the
disbanding of KERR'S regiment, directed its horses to be embarked
for Dover and delivered to the royal dragoons. The following order
was received on this subject:--
"ANNE R.
"OUR will and pleasure is, that upon the embarkation of our
regiment of dragoons under your command, for our kingdom
of Ireland, you cause all the horses belonging to the
non-commissioned officers and private dragoons thereof to be
delivered over to such person or persons as shall be appointed to
receive the same; your said regiment being to continue unmounted
until further orders.
"Given at our court at Kensington, this 6th day of June, 1713, in
the twelfth year of our reign.
"By Her Majesty's command,
"WILLIAM WYNDHAM."
_To our trusty and well-beloved Colonel William Kerr,
commanding one of our regiments of dragoons,
Flanders._
The regiment arrived at Dunkirk on the 15th of August, and having
delivered up its horses, embarked for Ireland on the 21st of that
month.
[Sidenote: 1714]
After the conclusion of the treaty of Utrecht, the strength of
the army was reduced, and Colonel KERR'S regiment of dragoons was
disembodied in Ireland in the spring of 1714.
[Sidenote: 1715]
At the time this regiment was reduced, the royal dragoons and Scots
greys were augmented, and many men from Kerr's dragoons entered
these two veteran corps. Few months, however, elapsed after the
decease of Queen Anne, (1st August, 1714,) and the accession of
King George I., when a change took place in the circumstances of
the British court. His Majesty arrived from Hanover on the 17th
of September. The result of the measures pursued by the ministry
of Queen Anne, during the last three years of her reign, was soon
manifested in the prevalence of Jacobin principles, and the king
found it necessary to augment the army. One of the first acts
of His Majesty on this occasion, was the restoration of KERR'S
regiment of dragoons, now the SEVENTH, OR QUEEN'S OWN HUSSARS, by a
warrant under the sign manual, of which the following is a copy:--
"GEORGE R.
"WHEREAS we have thought fit that a regiment of dragoons be
immediately formed to be under your command, to consist of
one colonel, one lieut.-colonel, one major, one chaplain, one
adjutant, one chirurgeon, and six troops, each consisting of one
captain, one lieutenant, one cornet, one quarter-master, one
serjeant, two corporals, one drummer, one hautboy, and thirty
private dragoons, (including two for widows.) And, WHEREAS we
have directed our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin
Thomas, Earl of Strafford, to deliver over unto you the two
youngest captains, two youngest lieutenants, two youngest
cornets, and the two youngest quarter-masters, together with the
non-commissioned officers and private men of the two youngest
troops of our royal regiment of dragoons under his command,
with the horses, arms, clothing, and accoutrements; and also
our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin David, Earl of
Portmore, to deliver unto you the three youngest captains, three
youngest lieutenants, three youngest cornets, and three youngest
quarter-masters, together with the non-commissioned officers
and private men of the three youngest troops of our regiment of
dragoons under his command, with their horses, arms, clothes,
and accoutrements; our will and pleasure is, that you receive
from the said Earl of Strafford, and the said Earl of Portmore,
the commissioned and non-commissioned officers and private men
directed to be delivered over unto you as aforesaid, towards
forming the said regiment of dragoons. And we do hereby authorize
you, by the beat of drum, or otherwise, to raise so many
volunteers as shall be wanting to complete and fill up the said
regiment to six troops, each consisting of the numbers aforesaid.
And all magistrates, justices of the peace, constables, and
other of our officers, whom it may concern, are required to be
assisting unto you, in providing quarters, impressing carriages,
and otherwise, as there shall be occasion.
"Given at our court at St. James', this 3rd day of February,
1714-15, in the first year of our reign.
"By His Majesty's Command,
"WILLIAM PULTENEY."
_To our trusty and well-beloved
Colonel William Kerr._
In compliance with this order, Captains Lewis Dollon's and Peter
Renourds' troops from the royal dragoons, and Captains William
Crawford's, George Dunbar's and James Levingtone's troops from
the greys, (being augmentation troops raised when KERR'S regiment
was disembodied,) with a sixth troop raised near London, were
constituted a regiment, which now bears the designation of SEVENTH,
OR QUEEN'S OWN HUSSARS; but was then styled "KERR'S DRAGOONS."
Soon after its second formation, the regiment marched into quarters
in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the county of Durham; and in July His
Majesty was pleased to confer upon it the distinguished title of
"HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS OF WALES' OWN ROYAL REGIMENT OF
DRAGOONS"[5] in honour of Wilhelmina Carolina, consort of his Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales.
The augmentation of the army, and other measures adopted by
the government for the preservation of tranquillity, did not
sufficiently intimidate the disaffected so as to prevent an appeal
to arms. In the early part of September the Earl of Mar raised
the standard of the Pretender in the Highlands, and summoned the
friends of the Stuart dynasty to his aid. At the same time, the
PRINCESS OF WALES'S dragoons were ordered to march to Scotland and
join the troops commanded by Major-General Whetham, encamped at
Stirling.
At this camp the regiment remained several weeks; additional forces
arrived; the establishment was augmented, and the Duke of Argyle
took the command of the army. The rebel forces, ten thousand
strong, advancing with the view of penetrating southward, the
King's troops, not four thousand men, proceeded to the vicinity of
_Dumblain_, to oppose the progress of the clans. On the morning
of Sunday, the 13th of November, the two armies confronted each
other on Sheriff-muir, and the PRINCESS OF WALES', with Carpenter's
(third), and a squadron of the Inniskilling (sixth) dragoons
were on the left of the line, under Major-General Sabine and
Brigadier-General Newton. The action commenced on the right, where
the royal forces overthrew their opponents and chased them from
the field. On the left the fortune of the day was in favour of
the rebels; six hundred select Highlanders surprised the infantry
in the act of forming, and put them into confusion. The gallant
Colonel KERR led his regiment of dragoons (the SEVENTH) to the
charge with signal intrepidity; his horse was killed under him;
but he speedily mounted another, and his brave troopers, with some
gentlemen volunteers and Carpenter's squadrons, drove the rebel
horsemen before them, capturing a standard. Colonel KERR had a
second horse killed under him, and a rebel trooper fired a pistol
at his breast, which did him no harm, although his coat was torn.
The royal infantry on the left were unable to recover from the
disorder into which they had fallen; they retired before the clans;
their communication with the remainder of the army was cut off; and
mingling with the cavalry, both became confused, and fell back a
short distance to gain an opportunity of re-forming their ranks.
They retired beyond Dumblain, and took possession of the passes,
to prevent the clans penetrating to Stirling. Meanwhile, the right
wing of the king's army had returned from the pursuit of the left
wing of the rebel forces: the Earl of Mar withdrew with the clans
during the night, and the Duke of Argyle returned with the royal
forces to Stirling.
Colonel KERR lost three horses on this occasion; the regiment had
also two troop horses killed, and one man and four horses wounded.
[Sidenote: 1716]
In January, 1716, the royal army, having been augmented, advanced
against the rebels, who fled in every direction. The Pretender and
his principal officers escaped to the continent; the common men
dispersed; and the rebellion being suppressed, the regiment went
into quarters in Fife.
In the following spring, the PRINCESS OF WALES' dragoons returned
to England, and occupied quarters in Yorkshire; but proceeded
southward during the summer; and in December one troop was ordered
to attend His Majesty on his landing from Hanover.
[Sidenote: 1717]
[Sidenote: 1718]
The regiment occupied quarters in Lincolnshire in the summer of
1717; passed the following winter in Yorkshire; and in July, 1718,
was reviewed by Major-General Macartney, at Leicester.
[Sidenote: 1719]
[Sidenote: 1720]
In July, 1719, one troop was employed in suppressing riots at
Halifax. In December, 1720, the regiment was occupying quarters
in Lancashire, and received orders not to permit any person to land
from the Isle of Man, in consequence of a report that the plague
was in that island.
[Sidenote: 1721]
[Sidenote: 1722]
[Sidenote: 1723]
[Sidenote: 1724]
The regiment marched to Scotland in April, 1721; it returned to
England in April, 1722; and after encamping several months near
Manchester, went into quarters in the town. It encamped near
York in June, 1723, from whence it marched, in the autumn, into
Berkshire; and in January, 1724, detachments were employed on
revenue duty on the Hampshire and Dorsetshire coast; in April
following, the remainder marched into Yorkshire and Durham.
[Sidenote: 1725]
[Sidenote: 1726]
Lieut.-General Carpenter reviewed the regiment at York, in
September, 1725; and Lieut.-General Sir Charles Wills, in April,
1726.
[Sidenote: 1727]
On the prospect of war between Holland and the Emperor of Germany,
the regiment was augmented, in February, 1727, to nine troops,
and four regiments of cavalry and eight of infantry were held in
readiness to assist the Dutch; but no embarkation took place.
King George I. died in June of this year, on his journey to
Hanover; and his son, George, Prince of Wales, succeeded to the
throne: the Princess of Wales became Queen, and this regiment was
honoured with the title of "THE QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS."
It marched to the vicinity of Hounslow in October, and was reviewed
on the heath, on the 28th of that month, by King George II., who
was pleased to express his high approbation of its appearance
and discipline. After the review it marched into cantonments in
Dorsetshire and Somersetshire, with a detachment on revenue duty on
the Sussex coast.
[Sidenote: 1728]
A detachment attended the Princess Amelia at Bath, in May, 1728;
in July the regiment was reviewed at Salisbury; and in the autumn
another detachment was ordered to attend the Princess Amelia at
Bath.
[Sidenote: 1729]
[Sidenote: 1730]
[Sidenote: 1731]
In 1729 the establishment was reduced from nine to six troops.
In 1730 the regiment occupied cantonments in Dorsetshire,
Somersetshire, and Wiltshire; and was reviewed on Hounslow-heath,
on the 15th of May, 1731, by King George II., attended by several
noblemen and general officers; its warlike appearance, the
condition of the horses, and the discipline of the regiment, were
commended.
[Sidenote: 1732]
[Sidenote: 1733]
[Sidenote: 1734]
After the review, the QUEEN'S OWN DRAGOONS returned to their
former quarters; in 1732 they were removed to Gloucestershire and
Herefordshire; and in April, 1733, they commenced their march for
Scotland, where they remained during the following year.
[Sidenote: 1735]
[Sidenote: 1736]
[Sidenote: 1737]
[Sidenote: 1738]
[Sidenote: 1739]
Returning to England in April, 1735, the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons
proceeded into quarters in Leicestershire and Staffordshire, with
detachments on revenue duty on the coasts of Lincolnshire and
Norfolk, in which duties they were employed during the remainder
of that and in the two succeeding years; and in 1738 they marched
into quarters in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. In 1739 they
furnished detachments on coast duty in Sussex; at the same, war
having been declared against Spain, the establishment was augmented
to four hundred and thirty-five men.
[Sidenote: 1740]
[Sidenote: 1741]
During the summer of 1740, the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons were encamped,
with four other regiments of cavalry and four of infantry, near
Newbury, under the orders of Lieut.-General Wade; and subsequently
near Kingsclear; in October the regiment marched from the camp to
cantonments in Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire. In 1741 they
marched into Scotland.
The Honourable William Kerr, after commanding the regiment upwards
of thirty years with reputation to himself, and advantage to the
service, was succeeded in the colonelcy by Major-General Sir John
Cope, K.B., by commission, dated the 12th of August, 1741.
In the mean time, the death of Charles VI., Emperor of Germany, had
been followed by war on the continent; and the Elector of Bavaria,
aided by the French monarch, was endeavouring to deprive the
Archduchess, Maria Theresa, of the kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia.
[Sidenote: 1742]
The QUEEN'S OWN dragoons left Scotland in April, 1742: and soon
after their arrival in England, they were selected to form part
of an army of sixteen thousand men, sent to the Netherlands
under the command of Field-Marshal the Earl of Stair, to support
the interests of the Queen of Hungary and Bohemia. The regiment
embarked in the early part of August; and after landing at Ostend,
marched a few stages up the country, where it halted until the
beginning of the following year.
[Sidenote: 1743]
In February, 1743, the regiment commenced its march for Germany;
and after taking part in several manœuvres, it was encamped at
Aschaffenburg, where King George II. and the Duke of Cumberland
joined the army. On the 26th of June, as the troops were marching
along the bank of the river Maine, a French force was discovered
in position near _Dettingen_, a village in the Bavarian States,
in the circle of the Lower Rhine; and King George II. commanded
the British, Austrians, and Hanoverians to form line opposite the
enemy. After a severe cannonade of several hours' duration, the
French advanced from their formidable position, and a series of
charges of cavalry, with a heavy fire of musketry, commenced on
the left of the allied army, and extended along the front. During
the heat of the engagement, the regiment which forms the subject
of this memoir, had an opportunity of displaying its intrepidity
and prowess in close combat with the cavalry of the opposing army,
and obtained the approbation of its sovereign. The British dragoons
encountered the French _gens d'armes_ and household cavalry, and,
though without armour, they fought their steel-clad opponents with
signal gallantry. Twice the British horsemen were forced back;
but, rallying and returning to the charge, at the third onset
they overthrew the opposing squadrons, and chased them from the
field with great slaughter, and with the loss of several standards
and kettle drums. The infantry of the allied army evinced great
bravery, and a complete victory was gained over the enemy.
The QUEEN'S OWN regiment of dragoons had Lieutenant Falconer,
Cornet Hobey, one serjeant, ten rank and file, and twenty-two
horses killed; Lieutenant Frazer, Cornet St. Leger, one
quarter-master, two serjeants, thirteen rank and file, and thirteen
horses wounded: Cornet St. Leger afterwards died of his wounds.
After passing the night in the open grounds near the field of
battle, the regiment marched on the following day to Hanau, and
was subsequently encamped with the army on the banks of the
Kinzig. In the early part of August the king proceeded towards the
Rhine, passed that river beyond Mentz, and advanced to Worms. The
QUEEN'S OWN dragoons were employed in West Germany, but nothing of
importance occurred; and in the autumn they re-passed the Rhine,
and marched back to Brabant and Flanders, where they remained
during the winter.
[Sidenote: 1744]
The regiment served the campaign of 1744 under Field-Marshal Wade,
and was employed in several movements, but no general engagement
occurred, and in the autumn it marched into winter quarters at
Bruges.
[Sidenote: 1745]
The establishment having been augmented, the regiment was joined
in the spring of 1745, by a number of men and horses from England.
Soon afterwards it took the field, and advanced with the troops
commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, to the
relief of _Tournay_, which fortress was besieged by an immense
French army. On the 10th of May, two troops of the QUEEN'S OWN
dragoons were employed in driving back the enemy's out-guards and
piquets; and on the following day, they were engaged in supporting
the attack of the infantry on the formidable position, occupied
by the French, near the village of _Fontenoy_. The centre of the
position was twice forced by the British regiments; but the Dutch
having failed in their point of attack, a retreat was ordered.
Towards the close of the action, several squadrons of cavalry
charged with signal intrepidity, but were unable to retrieve the
fortune of the day, and the army withdrew to Aeth.
The regiment lost, on this occasion, ten men, and forty-six
horses killed; Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, Captain-Lieutenant
Ogilvy, Lieutenant Forbes, Cornet Maitland, Quartermaster Smith,
thirty-five men, and forty-seven horses wounded; one man and two
horses missing.
After the capture of Tournay, the French army advanced with such
overwhelming numbers, that the allies were unable to prevent the
loss of several important towns. The QUEEN'S OWN dragoons were
employed in defensive operations, and were encamped a short time
before Brussels.
[Sidenote: 1746]
Meanwhile, a rebellion had broken out in Scotland, and Charles
Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, was at the head of the
insurgent clans. Several corps were ordered to return to England;
and in February, 1746, the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons proceeded to
Williamstadt and embarked; but some delay was occasioned by severe
weather, and one transport was stranded. The regiment disembarked
to wait for more favourable weather; in the mean time, the prospect
of a speedy termination to the rebellion occasioned the order for
its return to be countermanded.