regiment was stationed at Glasgow, Hamilton, and Haddington. It was
inspected by Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac, K.C.H., on the 29th
of September; and its present commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel
James Charles Chatterton was appointed to the regiment on the 9th of
December, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel Ross, who exchanged to the
half-pay.
[Sidenote: 1832]
In March, 1832, one troop of the regiment marched to Paisley to aid
the civil power in suppressing the riots which had occurred in that
town. On the 4th of April, the half-yearly inspection was made by
Major-General the Honourable Patrick Stewart, and the regiment being
on the eve of its departure for Ireland, the Major-General issued the
following order.
'_Glasgow, April, 1832._
'GENERAL ORDER.
'On the departure of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS for Ireland,
Major-General Stewart takes the opportunity of expressing to
the regiment the great satisfaction its conduct has given him
during the period of upwards of a year and a half that it has
been under his command, and during that time frequently under
very trying circumstances, when upon all occasions it has evinced
that steadiness, temper, and coolness, the certain results of
the high state of discipline which the regiment has so eminently
maintained.
'The Major-General requests that Lieutenant-Colonel Chatterton,
the officers and men of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, will accept
his best wishes for their future prosperity and welfare.
'By Order of the Major-General,
'P. EDWARDS, Major and A.D.C.'
The regiment embarked at Glasgow in steam-vessels for Belfast, and,
after landing, occupied quarters at Dundalk, Belturbet, Ballyshannon,
and Monaghan. On the 11th of May Major-General Macdonell made the
usual half-yearly inspection.
During the summer and autumn of this year, the election riots, and
other disturbances which occurred in Ireland, occasioned the regiment
much harassing duty, detachments being almost constantly on the march
to aid the civil power.
On the 20th of September Lieut.-General Sir Hussey Vivian inspected
the regiment, and complimented the officers and men very highly
on their appearance after the harassing duties they had lately
performed. On the 7th of October the regiment was again inspected by
Major-General Macdonell.
Ireland continued in a disturbed state, and during the autumn and
winter the regiment was employed in most fatiguing and painful
services. In one month the regiment furnished fifty-one parties to
assist the civil power in making tithe-collections, quelling riots at
fairs, dispersing illegal meetings, or suppressing election riots;
and each of these parties was under the command of one or more
officers.
[Sidenote: 1833]
In the spring of 1833 the head-quarters were removed to Cahir, and
the regiment occupied also Limerick, Clonmell, and Carrick-on-Suir;
and on the 16th of April Lieut.-Colonel Chatterton had the
satisfaction to receive a letter from Major-General Macdonell,
expressing 'his perfect approbation of the exemplary and excellent
conduct of the regiment during its service in the northern district.'
The half-yearly inspection was made by Major-General Sir James
Douglas in the beginning of June. In September a squadron was
employed in suppressing the riots at Cahir races, where two violent
parties attacked each other, and the Dragoon Guards separated the
combatants; but unfortunately several lives had been lost, and many
of the peasantry dangerously wounded.
On the departure of the Marquis of Anglesey from Ireland the
following order was issued.
'_Adjutant-General's Office_,
'_26th September, 1833_.
'GENERAL ORDER.
'Lieut.-General Sir Hussey Vivian has the greatest satisfaction
in publishing to the troops in Ireland the accompanying
expression of the Lord Lieutenant's approbation of their conduct
and services, on the occasion of his Excellency's departure from
this country.
'THE LORD LIEUTENANT cannot quit these shores without reiterating
to the army of Ireland the high sense he entertains of its
admirable and truly soldier-like conduct.
'To the Lieut.-General commanding the forces he need hardly
express his approbation and esteem, a feeling won for him by
forty years' knowledge of his excellent qualities as a soldier
and a man.
'Of the zeal, intelligence, and assiduity of the general
officers and staff of the army he cannot speak in terms of too
high praise. He desires that the officers, non-commissioned
officers, and soldiers, as well of the army now present, as of
those corps which have served here during the government of the
Lord Lieutenant, will be assured he feels he cannot too highly
appreciate and applaud their excellent conduct.
'Their patience, firmness, and forbearance (under circumstances
that it may reasonably be hoped will never occur again), while
they have salutarily supported the administration of the laws,
have, with their mild demeanour, won the approbation and applause
of all parties.
(Signed) 'ANGLESEY.
'_Phœnix Park, 25th September, 1833._
'By command of the Lieut.-General Commanding,
'GEORGE D'AGUILAR, D.A.G.'
Major-General Sir James Douglas inspected the regiment on the 11th of
October.
[Sidenote: 1834]
On the 27th of April, 1834, the following gratifying address was
presented to Lieut.-Colonel Chatterton, K.H., and the assembled
Officers of the regiment, by James Archer Butler, Esq., attended by
a large deputation of the gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood of
Cahir.
'At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood
of CAHIR, held at Cahir Castle Hotel on the 27th of April, 1834;
James Archer Butler, Esq., in the Chair, the following address to
Lieut.-Colonel Chatterton, K.H., the officers, non-commissioned
officers, and privates of the FOURTH ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS,
was unanimously agreed to.
'Whilst we consider your departure from Cahir barracks with
unfeigned regret, permit us to express our high admiration of the
gentlemanly and soldier-like conduct of every officer in your
gallant corps. Of the non-commissioned officers and privates we
feel the utmost pleasure in bearing testimony to their orderly
conduct, evidently the result of inclination as well as of the
high state of discipline, and the good feeling which so happily
subsisted between them and the inhabitants of every class during
their stay in these quarters.
'When we recollect the unexampled exertion of yourself and the
officers to promote the amusement and good fellowship of this
neighbourhood (which it fell to the lot of most of us to enjoy),
it is but natural that your removal should cause pain and sorrow;
but we have the consoling hope that events may occur to cause
your speedy return to these barracks.
'In taking leave of you, Lieut.-Colonel Chatterton, the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and men of the truly distinguished
FOURTH ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS, we wish you, in the sincerity
of our hearts, every happiness and prosperity.
(Signed)
'JAMES ARCHER BUTLER, Chairman.
'_To Lieut.-Colonel Chatterton, K.H.,
&c. &c. &c._'
The regiment marched from Cahir and the out-stations on the 28th and
29th of April, and proceeded to Cork, where the head-quarters were
established with detached parties at Ballincorrig and Buttevant; and
on the 4th of May a communication was received from Major-General Sir
James Douglas, K.C.B., expressing his 'perfect satisfaction at the
conduct and high state of discipline of the regiment whilst under his
orders in the South-western district.'
On the 23rd and 24th of May, the regiment was inspected by
Major-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B., and again, by the same
officer, on the 22nd of October; also by Lieut.-General Sir Hussey
Vivian, K.C.B., on the 3rd of the latter month.
The lawless resistance of the peasantry to the collection of tithes
gave rise to additional duty during the autumn and winter of this
year; and their violent conduct brought on collisions, which had
the painful result of producing loss of life. Several persons were
wounded at Ballincorrig on the 18th of December. On the 20th a large
and tumultuous assembly of the peasantry at Gortroe, near Rathcormac,
showed much obstinacy and lawless violence, attacking the military
with sticks and stones, and were fired upon, when ten were killed and
several wounded. The greatest excitement prevailed, and the military
were obliged to assemble again on the 21st of December, and for
several days afterwards.
This year a new-pattern brass helmet with bear skin crest was
adopted, and the trumpeters' clothing was directed to be Scarlet,
distinguished by lace.
[Sidenote: 1835]
The elections which took place in January, 1835, occasioned the
regiment much extra duty and many harassing marches; and its conduct,
with that of the other regiments in Ireland, elicited the following
communications.
'DISTRICT MEMORANDUM.
'_Adjutant-General's Office_,
'_Cork, 30th January, 1835_.
'The Major-General is most happy to notify to the commandants
of corps, that it appears from communications which he has
received from the magistrates of this district, that the conduct
of the detachments called out in aid of the civil power during
the late elections, was, without exception, _remarkably good_.
That the troops, to their praise be it said, never entered into
party spirit on one side or the other, and that they never were
employed except to protect the voters, and acting under the
magistrates for the preservation of the peace.
(Signed) 'CHARLES TURNER,
'Asst. Adjutant General.'
'_Adjutant-General's Office_,
'_Dublin, 30th January, 1835_.
'GENERAL ORDER.
'Lieut.-General Sir Hussey Vivian experiences the greatest
gratification in communicating to the troops serving in
Ireland the subjoined letter, received from His Excellency the
Lord-Lieutenant, expressive of His Excellency's approbation of
their conduct during the late elections.
'To a testimony so valuable, and emanating from so high a
quarter, the Lieut.-General feels that any addition on his
part must be quite unnecessary; but he cannot refuse himself
the satisfaction of uniting with it his own individual
acknowledgments to the general officers and men serving under his
orders, and of congratulating them on the possession of a tribute
so honourable to themselves, and so calculated to confirm their
zeal in the service of their King and Country.'
'By command of the Lieut.-General commanding,
(Signed) 'G. D'AGUILAR, D.A.G.'
'_Dublin, 30th January, 1835._
'Sir,--The elections being now over, and the service on which
so many of the troops under your command have been for some
weeks past engaged being now nearly at an end, I feel myself
called upon to express to you the high sense I entertain of the
admirable conduct of both officers and men, while employed in the
performance of a duty in its very nature harassing and unpleasant.
'According to all the reports which have been under my
cognizance, nothing could have exceeded their coolness, patience,
and forbearance.
'Their presence in aid of the police and civil power (whose
conduct is also above all praise) generally insured the peace,
where, but for their the few occasions on which they were called
upon to act, they did so, strictly, in self-defence, and not till
they had been themselves assailed, and in many instances severely
injured.
'I have to beg you will convey to them my best acknowledgments,
and the assurance that I will, without loss of time, lay before
His Majesty their claims to His Royal approbation.
'I cannot conclude this letter without offering you my best
thanks for the readiness with which you have attended to every
call made upon you, for your judicious arrangements of the force
under your command, and for the zeal, promptitude, and ability by
which your conduct has been distinguished.
'The same thanks are due to the general commanding the garrison
of Dublin, and to the general and superior officers in the
different military divisions, for the able manner in which their
duty was performed, whether in giving orders upon the spot when
called upon by the civil power for protection, or in obeying the
orders they received from head-quarters.
'I am, &c.,
(Signed) 'HADDINGTON.
'_To Lieut.-General the Right Honourable_
'_Sir Hussey Vivian, &c. &c. &c._'
The regiment having completed three years' service in Ireland,
embarked at Cork on board of steam-vessels in May, 1835, for
Bristol, from whence it marched to Brighton, with detached troops
at Canterbury, Chichester, and Horsham; and relieved the Grenadier
Guards in the duty at the Royal Pavilion.
In July the regiment was inspected by Major-General Sir Charles
Dalbiac, who expressed himself much pleased with its steadiness
and discipline; and on the 10th of August it was inspected by
Lieut.-General Lord Hill, the General Commanding-in-Chief, who was
pleased to direct Lieut.-Colonel Chatterton to issue an order,
stating that 'the appearance of the men and horses, and the
discipline and interior economy of the regiment were such as to
merit his fullest approbation; and that the squadron he had lately
inspected at Canterbury was also in the most perfect order.'
A riotous assemblage of people having taken place at Steyning in
opposition to the poor-laws, one troop marched thither on the 11th
of September, and its timely arrival rescued the magistrates and
relieving officer from a situation of very great danger. A troop also
marched to Horsham for a similar purpose on the 15th of September;
and another troop from Canterbury to Bath on the 20th of October.
The Colonel of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS Lieut.-General Sir George
Anson, G.C.B., inspected the regiment on the 26th of October, and
directed the following paragraph to be inserted in the orderly books.
'Lieut.-General Sir George Anson has the greatest satisfaction in
expressing his entire approbation of the general appearance of his
regiment, and of the zeal and attention manifested by all ranks to
good order and discipline.'
Their Majesties King William IV. and Queen Adelaide having arrived at
the Royal Pavilion, the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS had the honour of being
on the King's duty for the first time since the reign of William
III. His Majesty heard the records of the regiment read in the early
part of November, and expressed great interest and gratification at
hearing their contents.
In December a detachment of the regiment was employed in aiding the
civil power at Horsham; and a letter of thanks was received from the
Duke of Richmond and magistrates assembled at that town, 'for the
conduct of the detachment of the regiment there when called upon to
assist the civil power, as well as for their excellent behaviour
since quartered in that town.'
[Sidenote: 1836]
On the 17th of December Colonel Lord Frederic Fitz-Clarence, with
a number of noblemen and general officers from the Pavilion, saw
the regiment; and on the 27th of January, 1836, it was inspected
by His Serene Highness Prince Ernest of Hesse Phillipstal, who was
pleased to say to Lieutenant-Colonel Chatterton--'I have heard from
every quarter the greatest praise of your regiment, but what I have
seen has surpassed my utmost expectation, and I shall not fail to
mention to His Majesty the pleasure I have experienced in seeing so
fine a corps.' His Majesty was afterwards pleased to express his
royal satisfaction at what Prince Ernest had reported; and also his
approbation, and that of the Queen, at the excellent performance of
the band at all times when playing at the Pavilion; and at the good
conduct of the regiment during their Majesties' sojourn at Brighton.
A change of quarters took place in May, and the regiment was
stationed at Dorchester, Trowbridge, and Weymouth, and was inspected
on the 11th and 12th of July by Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac.
[Sidenote: 1837]
During the following summer the regiment marched for Manchester, and
was stationed at Hulme barracks; and on the 29th of May took part
in a grand procession and spectacle at Manchester in honour of His
Majesty's birth-day.
The decease of King William IV. having taken place on the 20th of
June, the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, 48th regiment, and artillery, took
part in a grand procession on the 23rd of that month, at Manchester,
on the occasion of the proclamation of the accession of HER MAJESTY
QUEEN VICTORIA to the throne. On the following day the regiment
assumed the usual mourning for His late Majesty.
In July the regiment marched out of Manchester, during the election,
and on two or three occasions the troops were called upon to assist
the civil power at Salford, and also at Prescot; and on the 26th of
July a subaltern and 20 men marched to Bury on a similar duty. On the
9th of August the regiment returned to Hulme barracks, and on the
10th and 11th was inspected by Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac.
After the termination of the elections the following communication
from Lord John Russell to the general commanding-in-chief was
communicated to the regiment by Major-General Sir Richard Jackson.
'My Lord,
'I have received the Queen's commands to signify to your Lordship
Her Majesty's entire approval of the conduct of the military
employed during the elections in England and Wales, where their
assistance has been called for by the magistrates for the
preservation of the public peace; and to desire your Lordship
will communicate to the military, whose services have been so
required, Her Majesty's gracious approval of their conduct.'
On the 4th of October Major-General Sir Richard Jackson, K.C.B.,
inspected the regiment. In December detachments were employed in
supporting the civil power at Halifax and Bradford against persons
resisting the poor-laws.
[Sidenote: 1838]
The regiment took part, with the royal artillery, 98th foot, and
magistrates, clergy, &c., in a solemn procession in honour of Her
Majesty's birth-day at Manchester on the 17th of May. During the
following month it marched to the vicinity of London, and was
quartered at Islington and Clerkenwell; and on the 28th of June
two squadrons occupied stations near Westminster Abbey during the
ceremonial of Her Majesty's coronation.
On the 8th of July the regiment took the Queen's Guard at the Horse
Guards; and on the following day furnished two squadrons to keep the
ground in Hyde Park during the time the Household Cavalry Brigade,
Tenth Royal Hussars, Twelfth Royal Lancers, three troops of Royal
Horse Artillery, three batteries of Field Artillery, four battalions
of Foot Guards, and two battalions of the Rifle Brigade, commanded by
General the Marquis of Anglesea, K.G. and G.C.B., were reviewed by
Her Majesty. A letter was afterwards received from Lieutenant-General
Sir Willoughby Gordon, G.C.B., Quartermaster-General, expressive
of his 'perfect satisfaction at the very attentive and soldierlike
conduct of, and the great assistance afforded by, the detachment of
the regiment, whilst keeping the ground in Hyde Park.'
After the review, the regiment marched to Ipswich and Norwich, where
it was inspected by Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac, K.C.H., on
the 23rd of July: the regiment had not been stationed in the county
of Suffolk since the year 1688.
Her Majesty Queen Victoria was graciously pleased to approve of this
regiment bearing on its standards and appointments the _Harp_ and
_Crown_, in addition to the _Star_ of the most illustrious _Order of
St. Patrick_, with the motto _Quis separabit?_ as a national badge
connected with its title of "ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS."
On the 24th September a detachment of the regiment marched from
Norwich to Stanfield Hall, where its presence was required to
assist the civil power in securing some persons who were illegally
assembled, and who bade defiance to the magistrates. After some
resistance the rioters were secured, and eighty-four of them
lodged in Norwich Jail. The Magistrates transmitted to the General
Commanding in Chief a letter, explanatory of the circumstances
which had occasioned them to call for the aid of the troops, and
expressive of their thanks for the promptitude with which assistance
was granted, as well as for the steadiness and good conduct of the
detachment, and for the valuable aid afforded by the officers and
soldiers.
The Fourth Dragoon Guards, under a well-regulated system of
discipline and the direction of intelligent officers, in whom the
men have confidence, have evinced their usefulness to the country by
their firm and temperate conduct on home duty, as well as by their
bravery in the field when called upon to combat a foreign enemy.
Instances frequently occur, in which the magistrates call for the
aid of the military, without whose co-operation the civil police
would sometimes be unequal to repress and control the violence of
a lawless mob. On these occasions, the conduct of the troops has
been such as to draw forth the commendations and thanks of the civil
authorities, which have been communicated to the General Commanding
in Chief, and by his authority signified in orders to the troops
who have been so employed, and whose conduct has merited such
commendations.
[Illustration:
_Madeley, lith. 3, Wellington St. Strand._
_J. Spence det._
FOURTH, or ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS.]
FOOTNOTES:
[7] Captain Charles Nedby commanded a troop in the Duke of Monmouth's
regiment of horse, which was raised in 1678, in the expectation of
a war with France, and was disbanded in the following year. In 1680
he raised an independent troop of horse for service at Tangier in
Africa, and proceeding thither immediately, distinguished himself
in an action with the Moors, on 27th of September, 1680. In 1683
the four troops of Tangier horse were constituted, together with
two troops raised in England, the Royal Regiment of Dragoons.
Captain Nedby continued in the Royal Dragoons until June, 1685,
when he raised a troop of horse for the Queen's Regiment, now 1st
Dragoon Guards; and in July of the same year he was appointed
Lieutenant-Colonel of the EARL OF ARRAN'S Regiment.
[8] According to the estimates of this period, the following sums
were usually paid for the clothing of the horse:--
£ _s._ _d._
Scarlet coats 3 10 0
Corporal's ditto 4 10 0
Red cloaks, lined 2 5 0
Hats edged with lace 0 15 0
Sword and belts 1 0 0
Carbine belts 0 7 0
Cloth waistcoats 0 1 5
Buff gloves 0 7 6
Horse furniture,--viz.: housing }
and holster-caps, embroidered } 1 5 0
Jacked boots 1 6 0
Cartouch boxes 0 2 6
Each Captain clothed his own trumpeter, and the Colonel the
kettle-drummer.
[9] The Fifth Horse were embodied in July, 1685, under the command
of the Earl of Thanet, who was succeeded, on the 24th of October of
the same year, by Major-General Werden. This officer commanded the
regiment until December, 1688, when Lord Deloraine was appointed to
the command; his Lordship was succeeded in the following year by
Colonel Francis Russell, who commanded it until it was disbanded.
[10] Lord Mountjoy was a warm-hearted Irish nobleman, devoted
to the Protestant interest. At the Revolution he was desirous
of having Ireland delivered into the hands of King William; the
Lord-Lieutenant, Earl Tyrconnel, appeared to acquiesce, and sent Lord
Mountjoy to France to obtain the sanction of King James, who confined
him in the Bastile, where he remained until 1692, when he was
exchanged for General Richard Hamilton. He arrived from France a few
days before the battle of Steenkirk, and though holding no military
rank, he served with this regiment as a volunteer, and was killed as
above stated.