received a remount of one hundred and two men, and one hundred
and fifty-six horses, took the field in the summer of 1746, and
served on the Dutch frontiers, under the command of General Sir
John Ligonier, and afterwards under Prince Charles of Lorraine.
On the 11th of October, the regiment was formed in line, with the
Greys and Inniskilling dragoons, with its right behind _Roucoux_,
a village near the city of Liege, while the infantry occupied the
houses and streets of several hamlets along the front. An immense
French force, commanded by Marshal Saxe, advanced and attacked the
left of the allied army; and by superior numbers, succeeded in
carrying the villages, and a retreat was ordered. As the enemy's
infantry emerged from among the houses, the Greys, Inniskilling,
and QUEEN'S OWN dragoons, dashed forward, broke their ranks, and
chased them back in gallant style. The army afterwards withdrew
to the vicinity of Maestricht; and the regiment passed the severe
winter months in cantonments in the country along the Lower Maese.
[Sidenote: 1747]
In the spring of 1747, the regiment encamped a short period
near the banks of the Scheldt, and was subsequently employed in
operations on the Great Nethe and the Demer, during which period a
remount of fifty men and one hundred and twenty horses, joined from
England. On the 1st of July, it confronted the French army in one
of the valleys in the province of Liege, and passed the night in a
state of constant readiness for action.
The French infantry descended from the hills on the following
morning, and made a furious attack on the troops stationed in the
village of _Val_. After much severe fighting, the enemy, by means
of a great superiority of numbers, forced the centre of the Allied
army. The cavalry of the left wing was ordered forward, and the
QUEEN'S OWN dragoons had another opportunity of distinguishing
themselves. Having broken the enemy's first line, the British
dragoons continued their victorious career, and overthrew a second
line with terrific violence; then, mixing with the French horsemen
and musketeers, used their broad swords with dreadful execution.
While pursuing their opponents, they received a volley from
some French infantry posted in a hollow, and behind hedges, and
several men and horses fell mortally wounded. The survivors rushed
furiously upon the infantry, drove them from behind the hedges, and
pursued them across the fields with great slaughter. This brilliant
success enabled the Duke of Cumberland to make arrangements for a
retreat; and the army withdrew to Maestricht, where it arrived on
the same evening.
The regiment lost several men and horses on this occasion; and had
Cornet Bulmere, five men, and ten horses captured by the enemy. It
was subsequently stationed a short time in the province of Limburg,
and was employed in various operations until the winter.
[Sidenote: 1748]
In the spring of 1748, the army again confronted the enemy in the
province of Limburg. Preliminary articles for a treaty of peace
were agreed upon; a suspension of hostilities took place, and the
British troops went into cantonments among the Dutch peasantry.
[Sidenote: 1749]
During the following winter, the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was
concluded. The British troops left Holland; and the QUEEN'S OWN
dragoons, after landing at Purfleet in January, 1749, were reduced
to a peace establishment, and quartered at Norwich and Yarmouth,
with detachments on coast duty.
[Sidenote: 1750]
The regiment was inspected by Lieutenant-General Campbell at Wells,
in April, 1750, and at Gloucester in October following; and by
Lieutenant-General Onslow at Gloucester in April, 1751.
[Sidenote: 1751]
On the 1st of July, 1751, King George II. issued a warrant relative
to the colours, standards, and clothing of the several regiments,
from which the following particulars have been extracted respecting
the SEVENTH, OR QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS.
COATS,--scarlet, double-breasted, without lapels, lined with white;
slit sleeves turned up with white; the button-holes ornamented with
narrow white lace; the buttons flat, of white metal, set on three
and three; a long slash pocket in each skirt; and a white worsted
aiguillette on the right shoulder.
WAISTCOATS AND BREECHES,--white.
HATS,--bound with silver lace, and ornamented with a white metal
loop and a black cockade.
BOOTS,--of jacked leather, reaching to the knee.
CLOAKS,--of scarlet cloth, with a white collar, and lined with
white shalloon; the buttons set on three and three upon yellow
frogs, or loops, with a blue stripe down the centre.
HORSE FURNITURE,--of white cloth; the holster-caps and housings
having a border of royal lace, with a blue stripe down the centre;
the Queen's cipher within the garter, embroidered on each corner of
the housing; and on the holster-caps, the King's cipher and crown,
with VII. D. underneath.
OFFICERS,--distinguished by silver lace; their coats and waistcoats
bound with silver embroidery; the button-holes worked with silver;
and a crimson silk sash worn across the left shoulder.
QUARTER-MASTERS,--to wear a crimson sash round their waists.
SERJEANTS,--to have narrow silver lace on the cuffs, pockets, and
shoulder-straps; silver shoulder-knots, or aiguillettes, and blue
and white worsted sashes tied round their waists.
DRUMMERS and HAUTBOYS,--clothed in scarlet coats lined with blue,
and ornamented with royal lace with a blue stripe down the centre;
their waistcoats and breeches of white cloth.
GUIDONS,--The first or King's guidon to be of crimson silk,
embroidered and fringed with gold and silver; in the centre the
rose and thistle conjoined and crown over them, with the motto
_Dieu et mon Droit_ underneath: the white horse in a compartment in
the first and fourth corners, and VII. D., in gold characters, on
a blue ground, in a compartment in the second and third corners.
The second and third guidons to be of white silk, in the centre the
Queen's cipher within the garter on a crimson ground: the white
horse on a scarlet ground in the first and fourth compartments, and
VII. D. within a wreath of roses and thistles upon a scarlet ground
in the second and third compartments.
[Sidenote: 1752]
[Sidenote: 1753]
[Sidenote: 1754]
The regiment was inspected at Birmingham, in October, 1751, by
Lieutenant-General Sir Philip Honeywood; at Lichfield, in April,
1752, by Lieutenant-General Campbell; and at Manchester in April,
1753, by Major-General Cholmondeley. In October following it
commenced its march to Scotland, and remained in that part of the
kingdom upwards of four years, during which period the undetermined
limits of the British territory in North America had given rise to
another war with France.
[Sidenote: 1755]
[Sidenote: 1756]
[Sidenote: 1757]
Hostilities commenced in 1755, and the establishment of the QUEEN'S
OWN dragoons was augmented to three hundred and forty-seven
officers and men. A seventh troop was also added, of which
Captain-Lieutenant William Erskine was appointed captain by
commission dated the 25th of December, 1755, and the officers and
men of this troop were mounted on small horses and equipped as
_light dragoons_. The establishment of the light troop was fixed,
by a royal warrant dated the 29th of January, 1756, at three
officers, one quarter-master, two serjeants, two drummers, and
sixty-three rank and file; but it was subsequently augmented to
upwards of one hundred officers and men.
[Sidenote: 1758]
In the spring of 1758 the SEVENTH dragoons quitted Scotland, and
were stationed in Yorkshire, the head-quarters being at York; from
whence the light troop was detached to Portsmouth to take part in
an expedition against the French coast, under the orders of Charles
Duke of Marlborough. A brigade was formed of the light troops of
nine regiments of dragoons, under the orders of Colonel Eliott, of
the horse grenadier guards; and when a landing had been effected
(6th June) on the coast of Brittany, the light horsemen gave signal
proof of their activity and usefulness on several occasions. They
took a distinguished part in the capture of the suburbs of _St.
Maloes_, and in the destruction, by fire, of the privateers and
other vessels, amounting to upwards of one hundred sail, in the
harbour; also in the destruction of extensive magazines of maritime
stores. The light cavalry subsequently advanced several miles up
the country, and evinced zeal and activity in skirmishing with the
French troops. The expedition not being of sufficient strength
to undertake the siege of St. Maloes, the troops re-embarked and
returned to England. The light cavalry subsequently took part in
a second enterprise against the French coast, under the orders
of Lieutenant-General Bligh, when CHERBOURG was captured, and the
works, with the shipping in the harbour and iron ordnance were
destroyed, and the brass ordnance sent as trophies to London. A
second landing was also effected near St. Maloes; but no advantage
resulted, and considerable loss was sustained on re-embarking.
[Sidenote: 1759]
After landing at Portsmouth in September, the light troop of the
QUEEN'S OWN proceeded to Hackney, and afterwards to Romford;
the remainder of the regiment occupying cantonments in Essex
and Middlesex, from whence it marched, in November, 1759, to
Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire.
[Sidenote: 1760]
In the mean time Hanover and the adjoining states had become the
theatre of war, and a British force, commanded by the gallant
Marquis of Granby, was serving with the troops of Hanover,
Hesse, and Brunswick, the whole commanded by Prince Ferdinand of
Brunswick; and in March, 1760, the six heavy troops of the SEVENTH
dragoons received orders to proceed to Germany.
The QUEEN'S OWN dragoons, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel George Lawson
Hall, embarked on the river Thames, and sailed for Germany in the
beginning of April: having a quick passage, they arrived in the
river Weser, landed above Bremen, the capital of a duchy of the
same name in Lower Saxony, and joined the allied army commanded
by Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, at the camp on the heights of
Fritzlar, in the principality of Lower Hesse, on the 21st of April.
They were formed in brigade with the dragoons of Price-schenik,
under the orders of Colonel Bremar.
Being opposed by a French army of very superior numbers, the
allies were restricted to defensive operations, and the SEVENTH
took part in several toilsome marches and skirmishes. At length
thirty thousand French troops crossed the river Dymel to cut off
the communication of the allies with Westphalia, and a favourable
opportunity occurring to attack this detached force, the QUEEN'S
OWN dragoons, with several other corps, under the Hereditary
Prince of Brunswick, advanced to Liebenau, where they passed the
Dymel, and making a detour of many miles, gained the left flank of
the enemy's position at _Warbourg_, on the 31st of July. Prince
Ferdinand was advancing with the main body against the enemy's
front; but before his arrival, the enemy had been attacked in flank
and rear, and were retiring. The cavalry under the Marquis of
Granby and Lieut.-General Mostyn arrived at a favourable moment; a
gallant charge of the British squadrons decided the fortune of the
day, and the French made a precipitate retreat across the Dymel.
The SEVENTH dragoons supported the infantry in the attack of the
enemy's flank, and by a spirited charge towards the close of the
action, contributed to the success of the day. The conduct of the
British cavalry was commended by the Marquis of Granby, in his
public despatch, and Prince Ferdinand declared in general orders,
that "_all the British cavalry performed prodigies of valour_."
The regiment being eager in the pursuit, had four men and horses
captured by the enemy; three of the men, however, escaped and
rejoined the regiment.
Lieut.-General Sir John Cope, K.B., died on the 28th of July, 1760;
and King George II. conferred the colonelcy on Lieut.-General
Mostyn, from the fifth, royal Irish, regiment of dragoons.
The SEVENTH dragoons were encamped near the banks of the Dymel,
until winter, when the soldiers were directed to build huts
to protect themselves and horses from severe weather. They
subsequently went into cantonments in the villages in that part of
the bishopric of Paderborn.
[Sidenote: 1761]
The army was suddenly called from its winter quarters in February,
1761, and penetrating, during a heavy snow, into the enemy's
cantonments, captured several towns and extensive magazines of
forage and provision; but afterwards returned to its former
quarters, and the SEVENTH were again quartered in villages in the
bishopric of Paderborn.
On taking the field in the beginning of May, 1761, the SEVENTH
were formed in brigade with the Scots greys and Ancram's (eleventh)
dragoons, commanded by Colonel Harvey. After much manœuvring, some
skirmishing, and many long and toilsome marches, they were encamped
on the heights of Denkernberg, between the rivers Asse and Lippe,
and formed part of the Marquis Granby's corps, which had its right
in front of the village of _Kirch-Denkern_. This post was attacked
on the 15th, and again on the 16th of July; the SEVENTH were formed
in column behind the centre of this part of the position, and
supported the infantry; the enemy was repulsed; the cavalry dashed
forward, but were prevented charging by the nature of the ground.
The regiment was subsequently employed in operations which brought
on slight skirmishes; but no general engagement occurred. In August
it was employed on the Dymel. In the early part of November it
was engaged in dislodging a French corps from a strong camp near
_Escherhausen_, in the duchy of Brunswick; and afterwards marched
to _Eimbeck_, where another skirmish occurred. These movements
were designed to surprise the French army in dispersed quarters;
but the enemy having gained time to assemble his forces, this
regiment, with several other corps, marched during the night of
the 7th of November, through a heavy snow to _Foorwohle_, where
another skirmish occurred, and the British dragoons evinced
signal gallantry. The SEVENTH were encamped in the snow until the
following morning, when the British had another skirmish with their
opponents; and they subsequently marched to the heights between
Mackensen and Lithorst. When the army went into winter quarters,
the regiment was cantoned in East Friesland.
[Sidenote: 1762]
The season for military operations having arrived, the QUEEN'S OWN
dragoons again took the field, and were encamped at Brackel, and
subsequently on the heights of Tissel: they were formed in brigade
with the Eleventh dragoons, under Lieut.-Colonel George Lawson
Hall, of the SEVENTH. They left their camp before day-break on the
morning of the 24th of June, 1762, and having crossed the Dymel,
advanced against the French camp at _Groebenstein_. The enemy was
surprised, and made a precipitate retreat upon Cassel, with the
loss of their tents and baggage; and one division being surrounded
in the woods of Wilhelmsthal, surrendered. The SEVENTH pursued the
French in the direction of Cassel, and took several prisoners; they
subsequently encamped near Holtzhausen.
During the remainder of the campaign, the regiment continued
actively employed, and was frequently engaged in detached services;
the enemy was forced to abandon several important positions,
and Cassel was captured by the allies. Preliminary articles
for a treaty of peace having been agreed upon, a suspension of
hostilities took place, and the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons, and other
British cavalry, went into quarters in the bishopric of Munster.
[Sidenote: 1763]
Peace having been concluded, the thanks of Parliament were
communicated to the army, and in February, 1763, the SEVENTH
commenced their march from Germany, through Holland, to
Williamstadt, where they embarked for England. After landing
at Harwich they were stationed at Chelmsford, Springfield, and
Colchester. The light troop, which had not been on foreign service
with the other troops of the regiment, was disbanded; and the
establishment was reduced to six troops of three officers, one
quarter-master, two serjeants, two corporals, one drummer, and
twenty-eight private men each; eight men per troop were equipped as
light dragoons, and the remainder as heavy dragoons.
In May, 1763, Lieut.-General Mostyn was removed to the First
dragoon guards; and Major-General Sir George Howard, K.B., was
appointed colonel of the SEVENTH dragoons, from the third foot, or
buffs.
[Sidenote: 1764]
In January, 1764, a squadron was employed on revenue duty on
the Suffolk coast. On the 9th of April following, King George
III. reviewed the regiment in Hyde Park, and expressed his high
approbation of its appearance and discipline. In the same year,
orders were received for the regiment to be mounted on long-tailed
horses;--for epaulettes to be worn on the left shoulder instead
of aiguillettes, and for the men's boots to be of a lighter
description than formerly.
[Sidenote: 1765]
[Sidenote: 1766]
The regiment occupied quarters in Sussex, in 1765, and was removed
to Northampton and Leicestershire in 1766; at the same time, the
DRUMMERS on the establishment were directed to be replaced by
TRUMPETERS.
[Sidenote: 1767]
[Sidenote: 1768]
[Sidenote: 1769]
From Leicestershire, &c., the regiment was removed to York in
May, 1767, and to Scotland in the spring of 1768, but returned
to England in the early part of 1769, and was quartered in
Warwickshire.
[Sidenote: 1770]
[Sidenote: 1771]
[Sidenote: 1772]
[Sidenote: 1773]
In April, 1770, the regiment marched into Dorsetshire and
Somersetshire; in June, 1771, it was removed to Canterbury, and
employed on coast duty until April, 1772, when it marched into
Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire. In the spring
of 1773 it commenced its march for Scotland, where it was stationed
during the succeeding twelve months.
[Sidenote: 1774]
[Sidenote: 1775]
[Sidenote: 1776]
[Sidenote: 1777]
Returning to England in the summer of 1774, the regiment was
stationed in Lancashire; in 1775 it was removed into Worcestershire
and Staffordshire; in 1776 it was employed on revenue duty on the
Sussex coast; and in 1777 it was engaged in similar duties on the
coasts of Norfolk and Suffolk.
[Sidenote: 1778]
In the summer of 1778 the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons were encamped near
Bury St. Edmunds, together with three other regiments of dragoons
and two battalions of militia, under the command of Major-General
Warde.
[Sidenote: 1779]
Lieut.-General Sir George Howard, C.B., was removed in April, 1779,
to the first dragoon guards, and King George III. conferred the
command of the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons on Major-general Sir Henry
Clinton, K.B.
An augmentation had, in the mean time, been made to the strength
of the regiment, in consequence of the American war; and in April,
1779, the men, equipped as light dragoons, were incorporated, with
detachments from the second, third, fifteenth, and sixteenth, into
a regiment, which was numbered the twenty-first light dragoons.
[Sidenote: 1780]
[Sidenote: 1781]
[Sidenote: 1782]
[Sidenote: 1783]
Soon after this event the SEVENTH dragoons marched to Scotland,
where they remained two years, and on their arrival in England, in
May, 1781, they were quartered at Durham. In the summer of 1782
they were removed to Salisbury, and in 1783 to Newbury.
The great usefulness of light cavalry had been fully proved during
the reign of King George II., and also during the American war; and
after the conclusion of a treaty of peace in 1783, the QUEEN'S
OWN dragoons underwent a change of clothing and equipment;--the
cocked hats were replaced by helmets; boots, saddles, belts, and
other articles of equipment, of a light construction, were adopted;
carbines of a smaller size than those before used, were received;
the standard height for men and horses was reduced; and the
regiment was constituted a corps of LIGHT DRAGOONS.
[Sidenote: 1784]
The change of equipment having taken place, the regiment was
employed in the travelling escort duty for the royal family; it was
quartered at Hounslow, and other villages, on the road from London
to Windsor; and during the summer of 1784 it was reviewed, on
Hounslow heath, by His Majesty, when its appearance and discipline
procured the expression of his royal approbation.
REGULATIONS FOR THE CLOTHING OF THE LIGHT DRAGOONS.--_April, 1784._
The clothing of a private light dragoon to consist of a jacket and
shell, under-waistcoat, and leather breeches.
The jacket and shell to be of _blue_ cloth, the collars and cuffs
of the royal regiments to be red, and those of the other regiments
to be of the colour of the facing of the regiment, looped upon the
breast, and edged with white _thread_ cord, and to be lined with
white, the Eleventh and Thirteenth regiments excepted, which are to
be lined with buff.
The under-waistcoat to be of flannel, with sleeves, and made so as
to be buttoned within the waistband of the breeches.
The breeches to be of buckskin.
N.B.--The make of the dress, and method of placing the cord upon
the breast of the jacket, to be exactly conformable to the pattern
approved of by His Majesty.
OFFICERS AND QUARTER-MASTERS,--The dress uniform of the officers
and quarter-masters of the light dragoons to be made according to
the King's regulation of the 19th of December, 1768, excepting
that the coats are to be blue, and faced with the same colour as
the private men, and that the royal regiments are to be faced with
scarlet.
FIELD UNIFORM OF THE OFFICERS AND QUARTER-MASTERS,--The jacket
and shell to be made up in the same manner as those of the men,
excepting that the shell is to have sleeves, and that the looping
is to be of silver, the Thirteenth regiment excepted, which is to
be of gold.
SERJEANTS,--To be distinguished by gold or silver looping.
CORPORALS,--To be distinguished by a gold or silver cord round the
collar and cuff.
TRUMPETERS,--To have a jacket and shell the colour of the facing of
the regiment, with lace instead of looping in front and down the
seams.
N.B.--A pattern suit of clothing, made up according to these
regulations, will be deposited at the Army-Comptroller's Office,
Horse Guards.
[Sidenote: 1785]
The SEVENTH Light Dragoons marched, in the summer of 1785, into
quarters in Sussex, where the following order, dated Horse Guards,
February 6, 1786, was received:--
SIR,--His Majesty has been pleased to order, that the colonels
commanding regiments of Light Dragoons shall, for the future,
supply them with _blue_ cloaks, instead of red, in proportion as
the red ones, now in use, wear out, and that new cloaks shall
become necessary.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) WILLIAM FAWCETT,
_Adjutant-General_.
[Sidenote: 1786]
[Sidenote: 1787]
[Sidenote: 1788]
[Sidenote: 1789]
In May, 1786, the SEVENTH dragoons were removed to Guildford,
and in July to Maidstone; in 1787 they marched to Canterbury;
and afterwards to Greenwich and adjacent villages, from whence
they proceeded to Norwich; they passed the summer of 1788 in
Nottinghamshire; in the following winter they proceeded to the
vicinity of London, and after occupying cantonments at Staines a
few months, resumed their former quarters at Hounslow, &c., in
April, 1789, and took part in the escort duty for the royal family.
[Sidenote: 1790]
[Sidenote: 1791]
[Sidenote: 1792]
Having been relieved from escort duty, the regiment marched, in
June, 1790, into cantonments in Sussex, the head-quarters being
established at Lewes, from whence they were removed, in April,
1791, to Brighton, and in June of the same year to Canterbury. In
the summer of 1792 the regiment marched to Nottingham.
[Sidenote: 1793]
A revolution had in the mean time taken place in France, and the
tyrannical and barbarous proceedings of the republicans, who had
seized on the powers of the government in that kingdom, filled
Europe with wonder and with abhorrence of the ruthless perpetrators
of the numerous tragedies which took place; their crimes were
increased by the execution of their sovereign Louis XVI.; the
British ambassador consequently received instructions to quit
Paris, and active preparations were made for war. Two troops were
added to the QUEEN'S OWN light dragoons, and in the spring of 1793
four troops, under the command of Major Osborne, embarked for the
Netherlands, to form part of the army under His Royal Highness the
duke of York, designed to co-operate with the allies in repelling
the aggressions of the French republic on Holland and the Austrian
Netherlands. The depôt troops were stationed at Manchester.