September, 1701, the King of France (Louis XIV.) proclaimed the
pretended Prince of Wales King of Great Britain by the style and
title of James III.: this event, with the elevation of the Duke
of Anjou to the throne of Spain in violation of the most solemn
engagements, was followed by a sanguinary war with France and Spain,
and a British force proceeded to the Netherlands. This regiment
was not, however, employed on foreign service during the war; the
proclamation of the Pretender, with the death of King William III.,
which occurred in March, 1702, had revived the hopes of the Papists;
and the partisans of the Stuart dynasty were conspiring to effect
the elevation of the Pretender to the throne of these kingdoms.
Queen Anne, therefore, deemed it expedient to detain in Ireland a
few trusty corps of approved devotion to the Protestant interest,
and BRIGADIER-GENERAL LANGSTON'S Regiment of Horse was selected
to remain in that kingdom. This honourable distinction necessarily
prevented the regiment sharing in the many glorious victories gained
by the forces under the great Duke of Marlborough, where five
regiments of British horse (now the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th
Dragoon Guards) acquired never-fading laurels.
[Sidenote: 1703]
In 1703 the regiment was again employed on Dublin duty, and on the
24th of July it was reviewed near that city by his grace the Duke of
Ormond, the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, who expressed his admiration
of its appearance and discipline.
[Sidenote: 1704]
For many years subsequent to this period there was little diversity
in the services of the regiment: it was usually stationed at or near
Dublin, occasionally occupying dispersed cantonments in more remote
parts of the kingdom.
[Sidenote: 1706]
[Sidenote: 1709]
[Sidenote: 1710]
During the summer of 1706 the regiment was encamped on the Curragh
of Kildare. On the 21st of April, 1709, two troops attended the Earl
of Wharton, the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, at his public entry into
Dublin; and on the 7th of May, 1710, two troops escorted his lordship
into Dublin, on his return from England.
[Sidenote: 1713]
Lieutenant-General Francis Langston having retired from the service,
the Colonelcy of the regiment was conferred, through the interest
of James Duke of Ormond, on Brigadier-General George Jocelyn, from
the Second Troop (now Second Regiment) of Life Guards, by commission
dated the 20th of October, 1713.
[Sidenote: 1714]
[Sidenote: 1715]
After the accession of King George I. in 1714, the Duke of Ormond
being removed from the command of the army, Brigadier-General
Jocelyn sold his commission and quitted the service; and was
succeeded in the Colonelcy of the FIFTH HORSE by Major-General
Sherrington Davenport, from the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the First
Troop (now First Regiment) of Life Guards, his commission bearing
date the 9th of February, 1715.
About this period the distinguishing colour, or facing, of the
regiment was changed from _white_ to _light blue_.
[Sidenote: 1716]
When the rebellion of the Earl of Mar, in favour of the Pretender,
broke out in Scotland, the FIFTH HORSE were directed to hold
themselves in readiness to proceed to England on the shortest notice;
but the rebellion was suppressed by the forces under the Duke of
Argyle, without the aid of this corps being required.
[Sidenote: 1718]
Tranquillity having been restored, the establishment of the regiment
was reduced to 24 private men per troop.
[Sidenote: 1719]
[Sidenote: 1732]
The decease of Major-General Davenport occurred on the 2nd of July,
1719; and on the 6th of that month King George I. conferred the
Colonelcy of the FIFTH HORSE on Major-General Owen Wynne, from a
Regiment of Dragoons, now 9th Lancers: this officer commanded the
regiment upwards of thirteen years, and was removed, in August, 1732,
to the Royal Irish (late Fifth) Regiment of Dragoons.
In September, 1732, King George II. appointed Lieutenant-General
Thomas Pearce to the Colonelcy of the FIFTH HORSE, from the 5th
Regiment of Foot.
[Sidenote: 1739]
Lieutenant-General Pearce commanded the regiment seven years,
and, dying in the summer of 1739, was succeeded in the Colonelcy
by Major-General James Lord Tyrawley, from the Royal Regiment of
Fusiliers, his commission bearing date the 26th of August, 1739.
On the 27th of the following month the regiment formed part of a
splendid cavalcade which attended his grace the Duke of Devonshire
on his arrival at Dublin as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, from the
water-side to the castle.
[Sidenote: 1740]
The decease of Charles VI., Emperor of Germany, having been followed
by a contest between his daughter, the Archduchess Maria-Theresa
and the Elector of Bavaria, respecting the sovereignty of Bohemia
and Hungaria, King George II. resolved to support the house of
Austria;--the strength of the army was augmented, and 10 men and
horses were added in 1740 to each troop of the FIFTH Regiment of
Horse.
During the summer of this year (1740) the populace of Dublin broke
out into open riot, committing many acts of violence and outrage, in
consequence of a scarcity of corn, and TYRAWLEY'S HORSE were ordered
out and directed to patrole the streets night and day.
[Sidenote: 1741]
[Sidenote: 1742]
[Sidenote: 1743]
In April of the following year a further augmentation of nine men
per troop was made to the establishment; and in 1742 a British army
was sent to Flanders to support the pretensions of the Archduchess
Maria-Theresa, as Queen of Hungaria, against the power of France and
the Elector of Bavaria; but this regiment was detained in Ireland. In
the beginning of 1743 the regiment furnished a draft of ten men and
horses per troop to join the regiments of horse on foreign service.
Lieutenant-General Lord Tyrawley, after commanding the regiment
nearly four years, was removed to the Colonelcy of the Second Troop
of Horse Grenadier Guards, and the command of the FIFTH HORSE
was conferred on Colonel John Brown from the Ninth Dragoons, his
commission bearing date the 1st of April, 1743.
[Sidenote: 1744]
In the beginning of the following year another draft of men and
horses was sent on foreign service.
[Sidenote: 1745]
In April, 1745, the regiment was reviewed at Maryborough by
Major-General de Grangues; and after the rebellion headed by Charles
Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, broke out in Scotland, this
regiment was ordered to Dublin, and the army in Ireland was placed
in dispersed cantonments near the coast to resist any descent which
might be attempted upon the island.
[Sidenote: 1746]
After the suppression of the rebellion in Scotland, three of the
four regiments of _Horse_ in England were reduced to the quality of
_Dragoons_ (25th December, 1746), and styled _Dragoon Guards_, and
this regiment obtained the designation of the FIRST IRISH HORSE. The
regiments of horse on the Irish establishment (now the 4th, 5th, 6th,
and 7th Dragoon Guards) were frequently designated by the colour of
their facings; the FIRST being frequently called the _Blue Horse_;
the _Second_ the _Green Horse_; the _Third_, the _Carabiniers_; and
the _Fourth_ the _Black Horse_.
[Sidenote: 1748]
A treaty of peace was concluded with France and Bavaria at
Aix-la-Chapelle in the winter of 1748-9; and, while the negociations
were in progress, the establishment of the FIRST IRISH HORSE (with
that of all other regiments of horse and dragoons in Ireland) was
reduced to twenty-one private men per troop.
[Sidenote: 1751]
On the 1st of July, 1751, a warrant was issued under the sign-manual,
regulating the uniform, colours, and standards of the regiments
of the line, from which the following particulars are extracted
respecting the FIRST IRISH HORSE.
HATS--Ornamented with silver lace, and a black cockade.
COATS--Scarlet, faced and lappelled with pale blue, button-holes
worked with white, white metal buttons set on two and two, and a
long slash pocket in each skirt.
WAISTCOATS AND BREECHES--Pale blue.
CLOAKS--Red, lined with pale blue, and the buttons set on two and
two, on white frogs, or loops.
HORSE FURNITURE--Pale blue, with a border of broad white
mohair lace, having a scarlet stripe down the centre, and I/H
embroidered on a red ground, within a wreath of roses and
thistles, on each holster-cap and on each corner of the housing.
STANDARDS--The King's, or First Standard, to be of crimson
damask, embroidered and fringed with gold and silver; in the
centre the rose and thistle conjoined and crown over them, and
the motto _Dieu et mon Droit_ underneath; the white horse in a
compartment in the first and fourth corners, and I/H in silver
character on a pale blue ground in a compartment in the second
and third corners. The second and third Standard to be of pale
blue damask; in the centre the rank of the regiment in silver
Roman characters, on a crimson ground, within a wreath of roses
and thistles; the white horse on a red ground in the first and
fourth compartments, and the rose and thistle conjoined upon a
red ground in the second and third compartments.
OFFICERS--Distinguished by silver lace, coats bound with silver
embroidery, the button-holes worked with silver, and a crimson
silk sash worn over the left shoulder.
QUARTERMASTERS--To wear a crimson sash round the waist.
CORPORALS--To have narrow silver lace on the lappels, cuffs,
pockets, and shoulder-strops.
KETTLE-DRUMMERS AND TRUMPETERS--Clothed in pale blue, faced and
turned up with red, with long hanging sleeves fastened at the
waist; red waistcoats and breeches; and the lace to be white with
a red stripe.
[Sidenote: 1753]
[Sidenote: 1754]
In May, 1753, the regiment was reviewed by Major-General Blyth at
Carlow, and immediately afterwards marched to Dublin; in 1754 it was
reviewed by the Earl of Rothes at Philipstown.
[Sidenote: 1756]
During the summer of 1756 detachments from the regiments of horse
and dragoons in Ireland, with the whole of the Second and Third
Regiments of Horse, were encamped at Kilkenny, with the view of
establishing a uniform system of drill and manœuvre in the cavalry.
[Sidenote: 1759]
Another war having commenced with France, some preparations were made
in 1759 to resist a menaced descent in Ireland by 28,000 French under
the Duke of Aguillion, and the FIRST IRISH HORSE were directed to
hold themselves in readiness to march on the shortest notice.
In the early part of December of this year the regiment was employed
in suppressing riots in Dublin, occasioned by a supposition that an
union with England was in contemplation. The rioters broke into the
House of Lords, and committed other outrages, but were eventually
suppressed.
[Sidenote: 1760]
[Sidenote: 1762]
The regiment furnished a draft of twelve men and horses, in February,
1760, to complete the Third and Fourth Horse to forty-nine men per
troop, previous to their embarkation for Germany; and another draft
of twenty-two men was ordered in the spring of 1762. During the
latter year the regiment was directed to recruit in Ireland, the
cavalry corps having, previously to this period, usually procured
recruits from England. In a few years afterwards the ranks of the
FIRST IRISH HORSE were composed almost exclusively of Irishmen.
Lieut.-General Brown died in the summer of this year, and was
succeeded in the Colonelcy of the regiment by Colonel James Johnston,
from the Lieut-Colonelcy of the Royal Horse Guards, by commission
dated the 3rd of August, 1762.
[Sidenote: 1763]
At this period commotions and tumults prevailed in various parts of
Ireland to a most alarming extent; and in the beginning of 1763 the
troops were employed in assisting the high sheriffs and magistrates
in dispersing and securing bands of rioters known by the name of
_levellers_. The head-quarters of the FIRST HORSE were at Carlow, and
detachments were furnished to assist the civil power. In May, 1763,
the regiment proceded to Dublin; in July it was ordered to march
to the county of Monaghan to form escorts for the judges in their
circuits; and subsequently Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts (commanding the
regiment at Monaghan) was directed to furnish such detachments as
Charles Coote, Esq., justice of the peace, should require to suppress
riots, the county of Cavan being in a very disturbed state.
A treaty of peace having been concluded with France, the two
regiments of horse returned from Germany, and the establishment of
this regiment was reduced to twenty private men per troop.
[Sidenote: 1764]
The regiment was again employed on Dublin duty in 1764,[14] and
while there, orders were received for all the regiments of horse and
dragoons, excepting the light dragoons, to be mounted on long-tailed
horses; all the English horse and dragoons were originally mounted on
long-tailed horses, but the fashion of the short dock was introduced
about the close of the seventeenth and beginning of the eighteenth
centuries.[15] The regiment was also directed to discontinue the
white lace on the button-holes of the waistcoat.
[Sidenote: 1765]
[Sidenote: 1766]
The regiment having been relieved from Dublin duty, its head-quarters
were established in January, 1765, at Tullamore, from whence it
marched in July to Birr, Maryborough, and Mount Mellick. In December
of this year a ration of forage was fixed at 28 lbs. of hay, 7
lbs. of oats, and 6 lbs. of straw. During the following year the
establishment of the regiment was reduced to 19 private men per troop.
[Sidenote: 1767]
In January 1767 the FIRST HORSE were again stationed at Dublin; and
were reviewed in the fifteen-acres in Phœnix Park on the 22nd of
that month, by the Earl of Granard, who was pleased to express his
approbation of their appearance and discipline. They were withdrawn
from Dublin in May, and proceeded to Carlow, but returned in the
following month; and in December marched to Philipstown. Sword-belts
suspended across the right shoulder, which had been used by the horse
more than half a century, were this year adopted by the dragoons.
[Sidenote: 1768]
From Philipstown the regiment removed to Tullamore, where its
head-quarters were established in the beginning of 1768. In a return
of the distinctions of the regiment in Ireland, dated in February
of this year, the FIRST HORSE are stated to have _deep blue
facings, buff waistcoats and breeches, white lace, and white metal
buttons_.[16]
On the 24th of May the regiment was reviewed by Major-General
Lambert; and in June the head-quarters were removed from Tullamore
to Maryborough, where the regiment was reviewed on the 9th of June,
1769, by the Earl of Drogheda.
[Sidenote: 1769]
Some alterations were this year (1769) made in the uniform of the
regiment;--the coats were made with half-lappels, a red stripe was
introduced into the lace, and the colour of the horse-furniture
was changed from _light_ to _dark blue_. The cavalry officers were
directed to wear their sashes with the fringe upon the right side,
and the infantry officers upon the left, and the officers of the
regiments of horse were directed to wear their sword-belts across the
right shoulder, over the waistcoat and under the coat.
[Sidenote: 1770]
A change of cantonments, took place during the winter, and in
January, 1770, the head-quarters of the regiment were at Kilkenny;
but they were again established at Maryborough in July.
[Sidenote: 1771]
[Sidenote: 1772]
[Sidenote: 1773]
[Sidenote: 1774]
[Sidenote: 1775]
In the summer of 1771 the regiment marched to Dublin, and was
reviewed by the Lord-Lieutenant in July, in the Phœnix Park.[17]
After performing duty at the capital until December, it marched
into country quarters, and occupied for short periods Tullamore,
Philipstown, Carlow, and Maryborough, during the three succeeding
years; and in the summer of 1775 was again stationed at Dublin.
Major-General Johnston having been removed to the 11th Dragoons, His
Majesty conferred the Colonelcy of the FIRST HORSE on Major-General
James Johnston (cousin of the former colonel of the same name), from
the Ninth Dragoons, by commission dated the 27th of April, 1775.
[Sidenote: 1776]
The British colonies in North America having rebelled against the
mother-country, the regiment furnished in February, 1776, a draft
of sixteen troop-horses to be sent to North America and employed
in that country as the service required; 180 horses were sent from
the cavalry corps in Ireland, and 16 guineas were allowed to the
regiment for each horse. In July an augmentation of one corporal and
10 private men per troop was made to the establishment; parties of
mounted men were sent out to enlist recruits, and directions were
given that none but Protestants be engaged.
[Sidenote: 1777]
[Sidenote: 1778]
In the beginning of 1777 the regiment was again in cantonments in
the country, the head-quarters being at Castlebar, from whence they
were removed in June to Roscommon, &c., but returned to Castlebar in
the winter, and in May, 1778, proceeded to Birr, where the regiment
was reviewed, on the 24th of that month, by Major-General De Burgh.
While at this station the officers were ordered to provide themselves
with tents, and to be in constant readiness to take the field. In
June the head-quarters were removed to Belfast, in July to Armagh,
and in September returned to Belfast.
In April, 1778, Lieutenant-General James Johnston was removed to the
Enniskillen Dragoons, and was succeeded in the command of the FIRST
HORSE by Major-General George Warde, from the 14th Dragoons.
[Sidenote: 1779]
[Sidenote: 1780]
[Sidenote: 1781]
On the 1st of June, 1779, the regiment marched to Lisburn, and in
July the head-quarters were established at Belturbet. At this station
they appear to have remained until July, 1781, when they were removed
to Athlone, where the regiment was reviewed by Major-General Massey
on the 2nd of August, and soon afterwards proceeded to Dublin, but in
November returned to Athlone.
[Sidenote: 1782]
[Sidenote: 1783]
The regiment was again reviewed by Major-General Massey, on the 21st
of June, 1782, at Athlone, from whence it marched, in a few days
afterwards, to Mount Mellick, and, in January of the following year,
to Dublin.
[Sidenote: 1784]
From Dublin the regiment proceeded, in July, 1784, to Tullamore. Its
establishment, at this period, was 21 officers, 174 non-commissioned
officers and private soldiers, and 133 troop-horses; but the American
war having been terminated by acknowledging the independence of the
United States, the numbers of the regiment were reduced 10 men per
troop.
[Sidenote: 1785]
Major-General Sir Henry Calder reviewed the regiment at Tullamore
on the 4th of June, 1785, and on the 9th it marched to Nenagh, from
whence a detachment of one corporal and six private men was sent to
Dublin, where parties from every cavalry regiment in Ireland were
assembled to establish an uniform system of horsemanship.
[Sidenote: 1786]
[Sidenote: 1787]
After remaining upwards of a year at Nenagh, the regiment marched, in
July, 1786, to Carlow, where it passed the succeeding twelve months,
and in July, 1787, proceeded to Longford.
[Sidenote: 1788]
While at this station, His Majesty's commands were conveyed to the
regiment for converting it from a corps of HORSE into a corps of
DRAGOONS, with the title of DRAGOON GUARDS. The following is a copy
of the order for this change:--
'GENERAL ORDER.
'_Adjutant-General's Office, Dublin_,
'14th Feb., 1788.
FIRST HORSE
to
FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS,
SECOND HORSE
to
FIFTH DRAGOON GUARDS,
THIRD HORSE
to
SIXTH DRAGOON GUARDS,
and
FOURTH HORSE
to
SEVENTH DRAGOON GUARDS.
'It is His Majesty's pleasure that the four regiments of HORSE
on this establishment be converted to DRAGOON GUARDS, according
to the number specified in the margin: this regulation to take
effect from the 1st of April next inclusive; and, in consequence
of the alteration of the establishment of the regiments of horse,
His Majesty has been pleased to direct that compensation shall
be made to every officer of the four regiments of horse, for
the reduced pay of each, of which a proper scheme shall be made
known as soon as the same can be digested. His Majesty has also
been pleased to signify, that, in the change now proposed, it is
not intended that any injury shall be sustained by the Colonels
of the regiments, and that a compensation will be made to them
for any reduction of pay or emolument they may suffer by the
change; and also, that they will be reimbursed such reasonable
extra expense as will be necessary for altering their present
accoutrements, as likewise for the clothes, accoutrements,
&c., of the augmented numbers, proper estimates of which will
be immediately delivered to the Commander-in-Chief, to be laid
before his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant.
'Such men of the regiments of horse as choose to re-enlist will
receive a bounty of two guineas, excepting such corporals as
shall be made serjeants, and, in consequence, have their pay
advanced. I am to inform you that in all other respects the
regiments of DRAGOON GUARDS are to conform to all His Majesty's
regulations relative to the regiments of DRAGOONS.
'WILLIAM FAWCETT,
'_Adjutant-General_.'
The compensation granted to the Colonel of the FOURTH DRAGOON
GUARDS was 150_l._ per annum for life, with 180_l._ 10_s._ for the
alterations in the equipment; the Lieut.-Colonel received 575_l._;
Major, 525_l._; Captains, each 475_l._; Captain-Lieutenant and
Lieutenants, 350_l._; and the Cornets each 250_l._
The establishment of the regiment was fixed at 1 colonel and captain,
1 lieutenant-colonel and captain, 1 major and captain, 3 captains,
6 lieutenants, 6 cornets, 1 chaplain, 1 adjutant, 1 surgeon, 6
quarter-masters, 6 serjeants, 12 corporals, 6 trumpeters, 114 private
men, and 6 dismounted men. The carbines were cut shorter; the width
of the belts was reduced from 4½ to 3 inches; and the officers were
directed to wear their sword-belts over their coats when on duty, and
when off duty over their waistcoats. The standard for recruits was
fixed at from 5 feet 8½ inches, to 5 feet 11 inches.
The necessary alterations having been completed, and the regiment
constituted the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, its head-quarters were
established at Belturbet; and on the 18th of April His Majesty was
graciously pleased to approve of its bearing the title of the ROYAL
IRISH REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS, in consideration of its long and
faithful services in Ireland[18].
[Sidenote: 1790]
[Sidenote: 1791]
[Sidenote: 1792]
From Belturbet the regiment marched on the 1st of May, 1790, for
Dublin, where it was reviewed on the 20th of August by Major-General
Lyon, and in August, 1791, by Major-General White, and again by the
same officer in May, 1792. In July of the latter year it marched from
Dublin to Carlow.
[Sidenote: 1793]
During the period the regiment lay at Carlow, the violent republicans
of France, who had previously overturned the ancient form of
government in that country, were guilty of the atrocious conduct
of beheading their King and Queen, and of involving the kingdom in
scenes of outrage, massacre, and devastation. These proceedings were
followed by a war between Great Britain and the regicide Government
of France; and the establishment of the ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS
was augmented in August, 1793, to 334 non-commissioned officers and
privates, and 276 troop horses.
In the meantime, a British army, commanded by His Royal Highness the
Duke of York, had proceeded to the Netherlands, and the ROYAL IRISH
DRAGOON GUARDS marched on the 10th of August, 1793, for Dublin,
where they embarked in October for England, in the expectation of
proceeding to join the Duke of York's army in Flanders.
[Sidenote: 1794]
[Sidenote: 1795]
[Sidenote: 1796]