approbation of the conduct of the 2nd battalion of the ROYALS while
they have been stationed at Fort St. George.
"The Governor-General in Council requests Lieut.-Colonel Conran
will accept the expression of his warmest thanks for the able and
satisfactory manner in which he has conducted the duties incidental to
the command of the troops in the garrison of Fort St. George."
After the ROYALS had been in the field a short time they were
separated, and one wing proceeded to Hyderabad, and the other to
Masulipatam, a considerable sea-port in the district of Condapilly,
where they remained during the succeeding year.
[Sidenote: 3rd Batt.]
The 3rd battalion had, in the meantime, been selected to form part of
an expedition to Holland, under the command of the Earl of Chatham,
for the purpose of destroying the enemy's shipping, arsenal, &c., on
the Scheldt. It accordingly embarked from Portsmouth in July, under
the command of Major Gordon, and landed at _Walcheren_, one of the
Dutch islands in the German ocean, situated at the mouth of the river
Scheldt, and was engaged in the siege of _Flushing_, the capital of
the island. On the 7th of August the enemy issued from the town, and
attacked the British troops. "Their principal effort was directed
against the small wood on the left of our advanced piquet on the dyke;
and their left column advanced towards that point in a heavy mass,
attempting to deploy while they entered the small meadow which lies
between the two woods. Here they were received with a most destructive
fire by the ROYALS, posted on the dyke, and were gallantly charged by
the light company of that regiment." These gallant exertions being
seconded by the 5th and 35th regiments, and two six-pounders, the enemy
fell back, having sustained very considerable loss.
An attempt was afterwards made to drive the enemy from their posts
in front of the advanced piquets. "The 3rd battalion of the ROYALS
advanced along the sand-hills; and the light company of that
battalion, under Captain Hay, charged the enemy most gallantly. Very
little resistance was made, and the enemy retired into the suburbs
of the town, to which they set fire. They had with them two small
field-pieces, one of which was taken in a most gallant manner by
Lieutenant Jackson and thirty men of the ROYALS."[109] The Commander
of the Forces expressed his approbation of the conduct of the ROYALS
on this occasion, in general orders, and attributed the success
principally to the rapid and gallant charge made by Captain Hay with
the light company at the moment of the enemy's deployment.
The siege was afterwards prosecuted with vigour, and the town
surrendered on the 15th of August. After the capture of this place,
the expedition prepared to carry the original design into execution;
but the enemy had, in the meantime, removed his shipping higher up
the Scheldt, and collected so large a body of troops for the defence
of Antwerp, that further proceedings were abandoned, and the troops
returned to England. The loss of the ROYALS in this expedition
was--Lieutenant M'Lean, 1 drummer, and 8 private men, killed; Captain
J. Wilson, Lieutenants Jackson and M'Kenzie, 7 serjeants, and 81 rank
and file, wounded; and 6 rank and file missing. The unhealthy climate
of Walcheren, however, produced a much greater loss from disease.
[Sidenote: 1810]
[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]
The 1st battalion had continued in the West Indies, and was stationed
at Demerara and Tobago, from whence fifty men were detached, under
the command of Captains Lynch and Mullen,[110] to form part of an
expedition under Lieut.-General Sir George Beckwith, K.B., against the
island of _Guadaloupe_. The ROYALS formed part of the 2nd battalion
of light infantry, under Lieut.-Colonel David Stewart, of the 8th
West India Regiment. A landing was effected on the 28th of January,
1810, and the ROYALS took part in the operations, by which the enemy
was forced to surrender the island in the early part of February. The
ROYALS had 3 rank and file killed, and 1 serjeant and 12 rank and file
wounded, in this service.
[Sidenote: 3rd Batt.]
A British army was at this period in Portugal, under the command of
Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley; and the 3rd battalion of the ROYAL
Regiment, having, after its return from Walcheren, been recruited to
1000 rank and file, embarked at Portsmouth in February, 1810, under
the command of Lieut.-Colonel Barns,[111] for Portugal. After landing
at Lisbon it joined the army under Sir Arthur Wellesley, and formed
part of Major-General Leith's division. Marshal Massena was advancing
from Spain with an immense army, and he vaunted that he would drive
the English into the sea. The British and Portuguese troops manœuvred
to retard the advance of the enemy, and in September the army took up
a position on the rocks of _Busaco_. This position was attacked by the
enemy on the 27th of September; a desperate engagement ensued, and the
British, by astonishing efforts of valour, overcame their antagonists,
and stood triumphant on the lofty heights. Sir Arthur Wellesley, in his
despatch, stated,--"Major-General Leith reports the good conduct of
the ROYALS;" and the royal permission was afterwards obtained for the
regiment to bear the word BUSACO on its colours, in commemoration of
the good conduct of the battalion in this engagement.
The army afterwards retired to the lines of _Torres Vedras_, where
a series of works constructed with skill opposed an insurmountable
barrier to the progress of the enemy. The French Marshal, after
reconnoitring the works, retired to Santarem, and the two armies
confronted each other during the remainder of the year.
[Sidenote: 4th Batt.]
[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]
[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]
The 4th battalion proceeded, in August of this year, from England to
Scotland; the 1st battalion continued in the West Indies; and the 2nd
battalion passed the year at Hyderabad and Masulipatam, in the East
Indies.
[Sidenote: 1811]
In the early part of 1811[112] the left wing of the 2nd battalion
of the ROYAL Regiment proceeded by forced marches from Hyderabad to
Masulipatam, where it joined the right wing, in the expectation of
embarking with the expedition commanded by Lieut.-General Sir Samuel
Auchmuty, against the Dutch island of Java. The battalion mustered 1036
rank and file, and the officers and men panted for an opportunity to
signalize themselves; but, to their great regret, the order for their
embarkation was countermanded. They remained at Masulipatam until July,
when they proceeded to Trichinopoly, a strong city in the Carnatic.
[Sidenote: 3rd Batt.]
The 3rd battalion remained opposed to the French army in Portugal.
Marshal Massena occupied his position at Santarem until his numbers
were reduced by sickness and privation, and on the night of the 5th
March, 1811, he retreated towards the frontiers. The ROYALS, moving
forward with the army, took part in the operations which followed; the
French retired into Spain, leaving a garrison in Almeida, which was
blockaded by the allies. Having crossed the frontiers, the ROYALS were
engaged on the 5th of May at _Fuentes d'Onor_, on which occasion the
French Marshal was defeated in his attempt to relieve Almeida. The
ROYALS had one serjeant and 8 rank and file wounded in this action.[113]
[Sidenote: 1812]
This battalion was also before the strong fortress of _Ciudad Rodrigo_,
when it was besieged by the allied army in January, 1812, and captured
by storm on the 19th of that month.
On the 11th of February, 1812, "His Royal Highness the Prince Regent
was pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to approve
of the FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT, being in future styled, THE
FIRST REGIMENT OF FOOT, OR ROYAL SCOTS."
From the province of Leon the 3rd battalion marched towards Spanish
Estremadura, and was before the city of _Badajoz_ when that fortress
was besieged and taken by storm in the month of April; in which service
the ROYALS had two officers wounded; namely, Lieutenants Rea and
O'Neil, who were attached to the engineer's department.
After the capture of Badajoz the battalion proceeded with its division
(the 5th) towards Ciudad Rodrigo, and advanced upon Salamanca, which
city the French were forced to evacuate in the middle of June.
The enemy retreated beyond the Douro, and part of the allied army
advanced to Trabancos. The French subsequently re-passed the Douro,
when the ROYAL SCOTS, with the remainder of the division, advanced to
_Torrecille de la Orden_, to cover the retreat, and insure the junction
of the corps in advance. On the 18th of July the French army commanded
by Marshal Marmont pushed forward, some sharp skirmishing occurred, and
the ROYALS were partially engaged, and had two men wounded. The allied
army afterwards retreated, and took up a position on the rocky heights
near _Salamanca_.
On the 22nd of July, while the French army was manœuvring and extending
to the left, the British commander commenced the attack at a favourable
moment. The 3rd battalion of the ROYAL SCOTS, with the remainder of the
5th division, formed behind the village of Arapiles; and, advancing
from thence, attacked the enemy in front with distinguished bravery,
and, engaging in a fierce combat of musketry, drove the French from one
height to another. Lieut.-General Leith, commanding the division, was
carried out of the field wounded. Lieut.-Colonel Barns was severely
wounded while leading the battalion to the charge, and obliged to
withdraw, and the command of the ROYAL SCOTS devolved on Major Colin
Campbell. The battalion continued to press forward, and forced the
legions of Napoleon to give way. A decisive victory was ultimately
gained; and the valour of the ROYAL SCOTS was rewarded with the Royal
permission to bear the word SALAMANCA on their colours. Major Campbell
signalized himself at the head of the battalion after the fall of
Lieut.-Colonel Barns, and was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel in
the army. The loss of the battalion in action was,--Lieutenant Neils
Falks, 1 serjeant, and 22 rank and file, killed; Lieut.-Colonel Barns,
Captain Logan, Lieutenants Kellett, O'Neil, M'Killigan, and Clark,
Ensign Stoyte,[114] 7 serjeants, 2 drummers, and 120 rank and file,
wounded. Volunteer M'Alpin, who was attached to the ROYAL SCOTS, was
also wounded.
After this victory the battalion advanced with the army to Madrid,
and was present at the surrender of the Retiro on the 14th of August.
From Madrid the battalion proceeded to _Burgos_, where it remained
during the siege of that fortress, in which Lieutenant Rea of the
regiment, who was acting as engineer, was again wounded. When the
British Commander found himself unable to withstand the overwhelming
numbers which were advancing against him, he retired, and while on the
retreat the ROYAL SCOTS were detached to _Palencia_, to protect the
men employed in the destruction of the bridges over the Carrion. The
enemy assembled a considerable force at this point, and Lieut.-Colonel
Campbell retreated to Villa Muriel; the battalion was sharply engaged
during this day's manœuvres, and had 2 serjeants and 6 rank and file,
killed; 1 serjeant and 7 rank and file wounded; and 1 serjeant and 26
rank and file missing. The retreat was continued to the frontiers of
Portugal, where the ROYAL SCOTS passed the winter.
[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]
During this contest the tyrannical decrees published by Napoleon, with
the view of destroying the commerce of Great Britain, had occasioned
the government to issue orders in council respecting the trade of
neutral nations, for the purpose of counteracting the intentions of
the French Emperor. The enforcing of these orders, and the pressing
of British seamen on board of American ships, eventually brought on a
war between the British Crown and the United States of North America;
and the 1st battalion of the ROYAL SCOTS was withdrawn from the West
Indies, where it had been stationed since 1801, to strengthen the
British force in Canada. Five companies and the head-quarters embarked
from Demerara[115] on the 24th of April, and sailed for Barbadoes.
During their passage a remarkable eruption of Mount Souffre, in the
island of St. Vincent, took place on the 1st May, when a total darkness
ensued, which continued for nearly six hours, accompanied by a fall of
volcanic ashes which covered the decks and rigging of the vessels. The
five companies stationed at Tobago and Berbice had previously arrived
at Barbadoes; and on the 24th of June the whole battalion, mustering
1094 rank and file, under the command of Major John Gordon, sailed in
seven transports for Quebec. During the passage one of the transports
was captured by an American frigate; but it was afterwards allowed to
proceed on its voyage on conditions of not serving against the United
States until regularly exchanged. In the early part of August the
battalion arrived at Quebec; and on the 14th of that month the flank
companies, under Major Gordon, and a detachment of the Royal Artillery
with a light three-pounder, proceeded in bateaux to Point Levi, but
returned to Quebec towards the end of the same month.
In the beginning of September the flank companies sailed up the St.
Lawrence to Montreal, and proceeded from thence to Chambly, a fort on
the river Sorel, which issues from Lake Champlain. In November the
head-quarters and five battalion companies marched, under the command
of Major Gordon, for St. John's; but on their route they received
orders to proceed direct to Montreal, to resist the threatened attack
of an American force under General Dearborn. The plans of the enemy
were disconcerted, and General Dearborn retreated without making the
attack, when the five companies of the ROYAL SCOTS proceeded to their
original destination.
[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]
The 2nd battalion, in the East Indies, remained at Trichinopoly; and
in July, 1812, four companies, commanded by Captain John Gordon, were
ordered to suppress a mutiny amongst the Company's native troops at
Quilon, which then threatened most serious consequences to the British
possessions in India. After performing this service, the four companies
returned to their former quarters at Trichinopoly.
[Sidenote: 1813]
[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]
Three of the companies and the head-quarters of the 1st battalion in
Canada were withdrawn from St. John's in April, 1813, to Montreal,
where two other companies also arrived from Quebec. Soon afterwards an
attack on the American post at _Sackett's Harbour_, on Lake Ontario,
was resolved upon; and 2 serjeants and 25 rank and file of the ROYAL
SCOTS were placed under the orders of Colonel Baynes, to take part in
this service. The grenadier company was also ordered from Chambly to
engage in the expedition; but before its arrival, the other troops
sailed from Kingston, and, having effected a landing on the 29th of
May, advanced with great gallantry along a causeway connecting the
island with the main land, dashed into a thick wood, and, encountering
the Americans, drove them from amongst the trees. The detachment
afterwards set fire to the American storehouses near the fort, and
retired. The ROYAL SCOTS had 2 private men killed, 7 wounded, and 1
taken prisoner by the enemy, in this service.
During the same month, the light company of the ROYAL SCOTS was sent
from Chambly to Kingston, for the purpose of instructing the flank
companies of the Canada militia regiments, which had been formed into a
light battalion, in light infantry drill.
On the 4th of June the head-quarters and one company arrived at
Kingston, from Montreal; on the 17th seven companies advanced to
Four-Mile Creek; and on the following day two companies embarked from
Kingston, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Gordon, to attack a
strong post occupied by the Americans at _Sodius_. The detachment made
good its landing on the 20th of June, captured a great quantity of
stores, and burnt the public buildings; and re-embarking on the same
day, sailed to Four-Mile Creek; having sustained a loss of 3 private
men killed, and 1 serjeant and 3 private men wounded.
While the battalion lay at _Four-Mile Creek_, frequent skirmishes
occurred between the British and Americans; and on the 12th of August
the ROYAL SCOTS had several private men wounded.
From Four-Mile Creek the battalion proceeded to St. David's, and went
into cantonments at that place until the 1st of September, when it
marched to _Cross-roads_, and was there partially engaged with a body
of Americans, but experienced little loss. The battalion encamped
a short time at Cross-roads; and on the 8th of October some sharp
fighting took place, in which the ROYAL SCOTS had 5 private men
wounded, and 1 taken prisoner. On the 11th the battalion went into
quarters at Burlington.
Notwithstanding the severity of a Canadian winter, military operations
were continued; and on the 17th of December the grenadier and one
battalion companies of the ROYAL SCOTS marched from Burlington, under
the command of Lieut.-Colonel Gordon, towards Niagara; and on the
19th the grenadiers, commanded by Captain Bailey, assisted at the
storm and capture of _Fort Niagara_ without sustaining any loss; and
the battalion company advanced to dislodge the enemy from the heights
of Lewiston. Colonel Murray, in his report of this transaction to
Lieut.-General Drummond, observes--"I have to express my admiration of
the valour of the grenadier company of the ROYALS under Captain Bailey,
whose zeal and gallantry were very conspicuous;" and in a general
order published at the time, Lieut.-General Drummond stated--"The
troops employed on this occasion were the grenadier company of the
ROYAL SCOTS, 100th regiment, and flank companies of the 44th. Their
instructions were, not to fire, but to carry the place at the point of
the bayonet. These orders were punctually obeyed--a circumstance that
not only proves their intrepidity, but reflects great credit on their
discipline.
"Lieut.-General Drummond will perform a most gratifying duty in
bringing under the notice of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent,
through his Excellency the Commander of the Forces, the admirable
execution of this brilliant achievement on the part of every individual
concerned.
"The Lieut.-General has received from Major-General Riall a very
favourable report of the zeal and alacrity of the detachment of the
ROYAL SCOTS under Lieut.-Colonel Gordon, and the 41st battalion
companies under the command of Major Friend, who advanced under the
Major-General's command to dislodge the enemy from the heights of
Lewiston. The Lieut.-General has only to regret that the enemy's rapid
retreat from Lewiston heights did not afford to Major-General Riall an
opportunity of leading them to victory."
After this success five companies of the battalion, under the command
of Lieut.-Colonel Gordon, crossed the Niagara river, and were employed,
on the 29th of December, in storming the enemy's batteries at _Black
Rock_ and _Buffalo_, and in burning and laying waste the enemy's
frontier between these places and Fort Niagara; in which service 2
corporals and 13 private men were killed, and 3 serjeants and 27 rank
and file wounded, and 6 rank and file were missing. The conduct of the
troops on this service was described in general orders as follows:--
"The conduct and bravery of the officers and soldiers of the
advance-corps of the right division having been crowned with the most
complete success by the capture of Fort Niagara, with all the enemy's
guns and stores, and the destruction of four armed vessels, and of
the cover along the whole of their frontier from that fort to Buffalo
Creek--a measure dictated not only by every consideration of military
policy, but authorised by every motive of just retaliation--it only
remains for Lieut.-General Drummond to thank the troops for their
exertions, and to express his admiration of the valuable qualities
which they have displayed in the course of that short but severe
service, in which they have cheerfully borne the absence of almost
every comfort, and the rigours of a climate for which they were far
from being prepared. The immediate reward of their gallant conduct the
Lieut.-General trusts will be felt in the repose which they have so
well earned for themselves, by depriving the enemy of all the means of
present annoyance; the more remote recompense of their exertions will
be found in the approbation of their king and country."
[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]
While the 1st battalion was actively employed in Canada, the 2nd
battalion marched to Bangalore; and in April, 1813, the right wing,
commanded by Lieut.-Colonel M'Kellar, took the field, and joined
the force in the southern Mahratta country, under the orders of
Lieut.-Colonel Dowse, and remained in the field twelve months.
[Sidenote: 3rd Batt.]
Meanwhile the 3rd battalion, advancing from the frontiers of Portugal
into Spain, was actively employed in operations. The French army,
disconcerted by the superior tactics of the British commander,
retreated, and took up a position in front of Vittoria. The allied
army followed the retreating enemy in full career, traversing rocks
and mountains, passing rivers, and overcoming difficulties heretofore
deemed insurmountable, still hovering round the retiring enemy, and
attacking his columns when an opportunity offered. On one of these
occasions the ROYAL SCOTS were engaged (18th June) near _Osma_, and had
3 rank and file killed, 9 wounded, and 4 missing.
On the 21st of June the army advanced in three columns to attack
the enemy in his position in front of _Vittoria_. The ROYAL SCOTS,
commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, being in the left column under
Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Graham, afterwards Lord Lynedoch, advanced
against the enemy's right flank. This portion of the army carried the
heights commanding the village of Abechuco, and then advanced against
the village of Gamarra Major, which was carried in gallant style, the
enemy being dislodged at the point of the bayonet with great slaughter,
and the loss of three guns. Lieut.-Colonel Campbell of the ROYAL SCOTS
was severely wounded, and the command of the battalion devolved on
Major Peter Fraser. Towards the close of the action the ROYAL SCOTS,
with the remainder of the division, crossed the river Zadora, turned
the enemy's right, and cut off his retreat by the Bayonne road. The
other divisions were also successful at their several points of attack;
the French army was completely routed, with the loss of its cannon,
ammunition, baggage, and military chest; and it fled a mere wreck to
the frontiers of France. The gallant conduct of the ROYAL SCOTS in this
memorable action was rewarded with the Royal permission to bear the
word "VITTORIA" on their colours. The battalion lost Captain Hay and
Lieutenant Glover, who died of their wounds; 11 rank and file killed;
Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, Lieutenants Armstrong, Rea, M'Killigan, and
Cross, Ensign Green, Volunteer Dobbs, 4 serjeants, and 92 rank and
file, wounded.
After this victory the ROYAL SCOTS marched towards the coast, and
were engaged in the siege of the strong fortress of _St. Sebastian_.
A breach having been made on the left flank, Major-General Hay was
directed to storm the fortress with his brigade, of which the ROYAL
SCOTS formed a part.