autumn of 1831; and on the 25th of December they embarked at Chatham
for Scotland, under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel G. A. Wetherall, and
landed at Leith on the 6th of January following.
[Sidenote: 1832]
The last division disembarked at Chatham on the 15th of January, 1832;
and the battalion passed that and the succeeding year in Scotland.
In October of this year His Majesty was pleased to approve of the
following regulation:--
"That the devices and distinctions on the colours and appointments of
the two battalions of the FIRST, or ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT, be the same
in each battalion, as is the case in the several battalions of the
three regiments of Foot Guards, and also in those regiments of the line
which formerly consisted of two or more battalions.
"Approved.
"WILLIAM R.
"_18th October 1832._"
[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]
In the meantime the _service_ companies of the 1st battalion had
removed from the island of Trinidad,--three companies and head-quarters
to St. Lucia, and three companies to Dominica. On their departure
from Trinidad, the following order was issued by the Governor of the
island:--
"Trinidad, 16th January, 1832.
"AFTER BRIGADE ORDERS.
"His Excellency Major-General Sir Lewis Grant cannot allow the
head-quarters of the ROYAL Regiment to quit Trinidad without expressing
to Lieut.-Colonel Carter, and the officers, non-commissioned officers,
and men of the regiment, the very great satisfaction their general
conduct, both as officers and men, has afforded him since his landing
at Trinidad.
"The decorous conduct of the corps, and the perfect manner in which its
duties have been performed, entitle it to the greatest praise. For this
His Excellency returns to Lieut.-Colonel Carter his particular thanks,
and requests he will make a communication to the same effect to the
officers and others under his command.
"His Excellency assures the officers and men of the ROYAL REGIMENT that
they carry with them his best wishes for their welfare."
[Sidenote: 1833]
On the 26th of October, 1833, the _reserve_ companies of the 1st
battalion embarked from Glasgow for Ireland, and landed at Londonderry
on the 28th of that month.
[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]
In December of the same year the second battalion embarked from
Glasgow, and, having landed at Belfast, was stationed in Ireland two
years and a half.
[Sidenote: 1834]
His Grace the Duke of Gordon was removed in December, 1834, to the
Third, or Scots Fusilier Regiment of Foot Guards; and the Colonelcy of
the ROYAL Regiment was conferred by His Majesty King William IV., on
General Thomas Lord Lynedoch, G.C.B., from the 14th Regiment of Foot.
[Sidenote: 1835]
[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]
The six _service_ companies of the 1st battalion quitted the West
Indies in December, 1835, and proceeded to Ireland, where they arrived
in the early part of 1836; and, having joined the _reserve_ companies,
the battalion remained in that part of the United Kingdom upwards of
two years.
[Sidenote: 1836]
[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]
During the summer of 1836, the 2nd battalion was divided into six
_service_ and four _depôt_ companies; and in July the _service_
companies embarked at Cork for Canada, leaving the depôt companies
at Boyle, from whence they were removed in the succeeding year to
Newbridge.
The _service_ companies landed at Quebec on the 24th of August, and
passed the winter and succeeding spring in garrison at that city.
[Sidenote: 1837]
In May, 1837, two serjeants and twenty rank and file were detached from
Quebec to Grosse Isle, where they were stationed, with a detachment of
the Royal Artillery, and of the 15th and 66th regiments, under Major
Jackson. The remainder of the service companies proceeded in July
from Quebec to Montreal, where they were stationed, with the 32nd and
a small detachment of the 15th, under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel
Wetherall, K.H., of the ROYALS. A detachment of nine rank and file
of the ROYALS was stationed at Sorel; and in August the party was
withdrawn from Grosse Isle.
[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]
On the 24th of September the _depôt_ companies of this battalion
embarked at Kingstown for England, and landed on the 26th at Devonport.
Previous to the arrival of the ROYALS in Lower Canada, the minds of
the inhabitants of that flourishing colony were agitated by factious
men, who sought to dictate to the Government measures not deemed
conducive to the welfare of the state. During the summer, the House
of Assembly refused to proceed in its deliberations until the demand
for the total alteration of the legislative powers was complied with;
and this was followed by the appearance of many of the colonists in
arms, and by open violations of the law. The revolt rapidly extending,
the law-officers of the Crown and the magistrates of Montreal applied
to Lieut.-General Sir John Colborne, K.C.B. (now Lord Seaton), the
commander of the forces in Canada, for a military force to assist
in apprehending several persons charged with high treason, who were
supposed to be at the villages of St. Denis and St. Charles; and
Colonel Gore was sent with detachments of the 24th, 32nd, and 66th
regiments, and one howitzer, with a magistrate to St. Denis; at the
same time Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall, K.H., of the ROYALS, was directed
to move with Captain David's troop of Montreal cavalry, four companies
of the ROYALS, a detachment of the 66th, and two six-pounders, from
Chambly, on _St. Charles_, a village seventeen miles from the ferry at
Chambly, to assist the magistrates in executing the warrants.
The detachment under Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall passed the river
Richelieu by the upper ferry at Chambly; but the severity of the
weather, and the bad state of the roads, impeded the march, and
information having been received of the increased numbers of the
rebels at St. Charles, the detachment halted at St. Hilaire until
joined by another company of the ROYALS from Chambly. On the 26th of
November the detachment resumed its march, and on arriving within a
mile of St. Charles it was fired upon by the insurgents on the opposite
side of the river, and one man of the ROYAL Regiment was wounded.
Several rifle shots were also fired from a barn in front, which was
burnt by the detachment. On arriving at the vicinity of St. Charles
1500 rebels were found posted in a close stockaded work, which was
attacked; and after firing a few rounds, the troops assaulted and
carried the defences by storm, killed a number of the rebels, took
sixteen prisoners, and burnt the buildings. The ROYALS had 1 Serjeant
and 1 rank and file killed; 8 rank and file severely, and 7 slightly,
wounded. Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall's horse was shot under him during
the action, and Major Warde's horse was severely wounded, and died
afterwards. The detachment of the 66th had 1 man killed and 3 wounded.
Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall observed in his despatch:--"Every officer
and man behaved nobly. Major Warde carried the right of the position
in good style, and Captain Glasgow's artillery did good execution. He
is a most zealous officer. Captain David's troop of Montreal cavalry
rendered essential service during the charge."
After this success the detachment retired, on the 27th of November,
to St. Hilaire, and advanced on the following day towards _Point
Olivière_, to attack a body of rebels who had taken post at that place,
and constructed an abatis, for the purpose of cutting off the retreat
of the detachment; but when the troops formed for the attack, the
rebels, after exchanging a few shots, fled, leaving two guns mounted
on carts behind them. The detachment returned on the same day with 25
prisoners to Chambly, the men having suffered much from heavy rains,
roads knee-deep in mud, and also from frost and snow.
In the meantime the detachments under Colonel Gore had, from
obstructions of a formidable nature, and from the severe state of the
weather, failed in the attempt on St. Denis, and had retired. The
conduct of Lieutenant Lysons of the ROYAL Regiment, attached to the
Quarter-Master General's department, who was employed on this service,
was spoken of in terms of commendation, and also the exertions of
Surgeon Farnden, in rendering assistance to the wounded. After the
success of the ROYALS at St. Charles, the rebels broke up from their
post at St. Denis.
The rebellion was, however, not arrested in its progress, and the
troops had much harassing duty to perform in severe weather. On the
13th of December Lieut.-General Sir John Colborne proceeded with all
his disposable force (including the companies of the ROYAL Regiment)
towards _St. Eustache_, to put down the revolt in the country of the
Lake of the Two Mountains, where the insurgents had driven the loyal
inhabitants from their homes, and had pillaged an extensive tract of
country. The ROYALS, with the Montreal rifles, and Captain Globinsky's
company of volunteers, formed a brigade under Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall.
The volunteers were detached to the woods bordering on the upper road
to St. Eustache, to drive in and disperse the rebel piquets. The
remainder of the brigade, with the other disposable troops, crossed the
north branch of the Ottawa river on the ice, on the 14th of December,
advanced upon St. Eustache, and entered the village at several points.
The ROYALS and Montreal rifles advanced up the main street, and took
possession of the most defensible houses. An officer was detached to
bring up the artillery; but he was driven back by the fire of the
rebels, who had taken post in the church. The artillery entered the
village by the rear, and opened their fire on the church door, while
some companies of the ROYALS and rifles occupied the houses nearest
to the church. After about an hour's firing, and the church doors
remaining unforced, a party of the ROYALS assaulted the presbytery,
killed some of its defenders, and set it on fire. The smoke soon
enveloped the church, and the remainder of the battalion advanced; a
straggling fire opened upon them from the Seignior's house, forming
one face of the square in which the church stood, and Lieut.-Colonel
Wetherall directed the grenadiers to carry it, which they did, killing
several, taking many prisoners, and setting it on fire. At the same
time part of the battalion commanded by Major Warde entered the church
by the rear, drove out and slew the garrison, and set the church on
fire. 118 prisoners were made in these assaults. The ROYALS had 1 man
killed and 4 wounded in this service.
On the 16th the ROYALS advanced with the remainder of the disposable
force to St. Benoit, where no opposition was offered; and the rebels
sent delegates to say they were prepared to lay down their arms
unconditionally. The ROYALS returned to Montreal, where they arrived
on the 17th of December with the prisoners. The good results of these
movements were the return of the peasantry to their usual occupations,
and the disappearance of armed parties of the rebels.
[Illustration: First, or Royal Regiment of Foot, 1838.
[To face page 261.]
[Sidenote: 1838]
[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]
In May, 1838, the first battalion proceeded from Ireland to Scotland.
[Sidenote: 1839]
[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]
In November, 1839, the first battalion was again directed to prepare
for foreign service, and the six service companies were embarked from
Greenock for Gibraltar on the 11th and 25th of that month, on board the
troop ships Athol and Sapphire.
[Sidenote: 1841]
The four depôt companies remained in Scotland until May, 1841, when
they were embarked for Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1843]
[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]
In September, 1843, three companies of the second battalion were
embarked at Toronto for the West Indies; and on the 28th October the
head-quarters, with the other three companies, under the command of
Major Bennett, were embarked at Quebec for the same destination on
board of the Premier transport, which was wrecked in the Gulf of St.
Lawrence, but fortunately no lives were lost, and the three companies
returned to Quebec on the 12th November.
On the 18th December, 1843, General Lord Lynedoch died, and the
colonelcy of the regiment was conferred by Her Majesty on General
the Right Honourable Sir George Murray, G.C.B., from the 42nd Royal
Highland Regiment.
[Sidenote: 1844]
The head-quarters and the three companies of the second battalion,
under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Bell, again embarked from Quebec on
the 20th May 1844, and arrived on the 1st June at Halifax, Nova Scotia,
where they remained until November, when they proceeded from Halifax to
the West Indies, and arrived at Barbadoes on the 8th and 17th November.
[Sidenote: 1846]
The service companies of the second battalion returned from the West
Indies in January, 1846, and arrived at Leith on the 21st March, from
whence they proceeded to Glasgow, where they were joined by the depôt
companies, which embarked from Belfast in May, 1845.
[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]
The service companies of the first battalion embarked from Gibraltar
for the West Indies, on the 17th February, 1846, and arrived at
Barbadoes on the 21st March. The depôt companies, which proceeded from
Glasgow to Dublin in 1841, remained in Ireland.
On the 28th July, 1846, General the Right Honourable Sir George Murray,
G.C.B. died, and Her Majesty was pleased to confer the colonelcy of the
First or Royal Regiment of Foot on General the Right Honourable Sir
James Kempt, G.C.B., from the Second, or Queen's Royal Regiment of Foot.
The head-quarters of the first battalion are at Trinidad: the depôt
companies at Newbridge: the second battalion is at Edinburgh, at the
close of the year 1846, at which period this record is concluded.
1846.
The foregoing account proves the antiquity of the FIRST, OR ROYAL
REGIMENT OF FOOT, and gives a statement of its services for a period
of more than 200 years, during which it has acquired laurels under the
great GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS, king of Sweden, and under the French Marshals,
TURENNE, the Prince of CONDÉ, LUXEMBOURG, and DE CREQUI: it has since
formed a part of the British army which has fought and conquered under
King WILLIAM III., MARLBOROUGH, ABERCROMBY, MOORE, and WELLINGTON, the
most celebrated warriors and consummate generals of their periods; thus
establishing a fame and distinction which, it is presumed, few, if any,
other military bodies in Europe can claim. The career of the ROYAL
REGIMENT has not evinced a feverish and uncertain valour, sometimes
emitting sudden flashes which startle and surprise, and at others
betraying weakness and pusillanimity, but it has proved uniform and
invincible; and whether employed against the barbarous tribes of Asia,
Africa, and America, or the disciplined legions of Europe, the officers
and men of the ROYAL REGIMENT have, on all occasions, displayed the
native energy, firmness, and contempt of danger peculiar to Britons;
and by their victories in every quarter of the globe, they have
established a reputation for future ages to emulate.
Posterity, looking back at the splendid achievements of the British
arms in various parts of the world, will naturally inquire what
regiments won honour and fame in the several fields of glory where
British valour was sternly proved. To this it may be answered that,
in the seventeenth century, when GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS stood forth the
champion of the Protestant princes of Germany, this regiment fought
and conquered in that glorious cause; and it claims the honour of
having fought at the battle of LEIPSIC, famous in the history of
Sweden, and at ROUCROY, celebrated in the annals of France.
In the succeeding century, when the balance of power in Europe was
destroyed by the union of France and Spain, and LOUIS XIV. sought to
dictate laws to Christendom, this regiment was one of the first which
appeared at the scene of conflict, and it shared in the victories of
BLENHEIM, RAMILIES, OUDENARDE, and MALPLAQUET, also in the honour of
capturing the fortresses which that ambitious monarch had erected as
bulwarks to his kingdom; and thus purchased peace for Europe.
When BONAPARTE, whose hatred and jealousy of England were unalterable,
sought to become more than the dictator of Europe, this regiment met
the legions of the usurper, and fought and triumphed in battles, which
are inscribed on its colours as monuments to stimulate to deeds of
valour the men of future generations, who shall enrol themselves under
the banners of the ROYAL REGIMENT. Besides these leading features of
its career, in which the national character and influence have been
elevated, this regiment has evinced equally brilliant qualities in
actions which, though less important in their bearing on the affairs
of Europe, have attested the intrinsic merit of the corps, and have
purchased numerous advantages to the commerce, power, stability, and
happiness of Britain.
FOOTNOTES:
[6] Bishop Lesley; and Abercromby's Martial Achievements of the Scots
Nation.
[7] L'Escosse Françoise, par A. Houston; and the Translator's Preface
to Beauge's History of the Campaigns in 1548 and 1549.
[8] Milan, a military publisher remarkable for correct dates, states,
in an account of the French army printed in 1746, that the _Scots
Gendarmes_ were instituted in 1422, and the _Scots Garde du Corps_ in
1440. Père Daniel, the French military historian, adduces proof that
they were instituted by Charles VII., but does not give the dates.
[9] Bishop Lesley; and Philip de Commines.
[10] List of the French army printed at the time.
[11] L'Ecosse Françoise, par A. Houston.
[12] Histoire de la Milice Françoise, par Le Père Daniel. 2 tom. 4to.
Paris, 1721.
[13] The companies obtained from the Netherlands were part of a
distinguished body of Scots, who had been many years in the service of
the States-General of the United Provinces; and were, in consequence of
a truce having been concluded for 12 years, at liberty to engage in the
service of Sweden. Vide _Historical Record of the Third Foot_.
[14] Introduction de Puffendorf, tome iv. p. 84.
[15] Harte's Life of Guslavus Adolphus.
[16] The regiment alluded to was raised by Donald Mackay, Lord Reay, in
1626, for the service of the King of Denmark; it was afterwards in the
service of the King of Sweden, and was reduced in 1634 to one company.
In 1637, Colonel Robert Monro, who had served in the regiment from the
time it was raised, published an historical account of its services,
under the title of _Monro's Expedition_; from which history much
valuable information has been obtained relating to the ROYAL REGIMENT,
and its first Colonel, Sir John Hepburn, who had lived in terms of
intimacy and strict friendship with Colonel Monro from the time they
were schoolfellows.
[17] Monro's expedition; and Harte's Life of Gustavus Adolphus.
"He maintained his post for nine weeks, repulsing every attempt to
retake it, till he was relieved by a Scotch regiment (the Royals)
under Colonel Hepburn, and a body of Swedish troops."--_General David
Stewart's History of the Highland Regiments_, published in 1822.
[18] Swedish Intelligencer.
[19] Monro's Expedition.
[20] The Imperialists had previously enacted a cruel tragedy on a party
of Scots at Old Brandenburg.
[21] Harte's Life of Gustavus Adolphus; Monro's Expedition; and the
Swedish Intelligencer.
[22] In a list of Gustavus's army published at the time, in the
_Mercure François_, the regiment is stated to have displayed four
colours at the battle of Leipsic.
[23] "The King having noticed that the Duke of Saxony was leaving
the field, and that Count Tilly was ready to charge his main body,
selected 2,000 musketeers of the brave Scots nation, and placed 2,000
horse on their flanks. The Scots formed themselves in several bodies
of six or seven hundred each, with their ranks three deep (the King of
Sweden's discipline being never to march above six deep;) the foremost
rank falling on their knees, the second stooping forward, and the
third standing upright, and all giving fire together, they poured,
at one instant, so much lead amongst the enemy's horse, that their
ranks were broken, and the Swedish horse charging, the enemy were
routed."--_Account of the battle of Leipsic published at the time._
[24] "We were as in a dark cloud, not seeing the half of our actions,
much less discerning either the way of our enemies, or the rest of our
brigades; whereupon, having a drummer by me, I caused him to beat the
_Scots March_, till it cleared up, which re-collected our friends unto
us."--_Monro's Expedition._
[25] Monro's Expedition.
[26] "His Majesty, accompanied by a great and honourable train of
cavaliers, alighted from his horse at the head of our brigade; the
officers coming together about his Majesty in a ring, his Majesty made
a speech of commendation of the brigade, thanking them for their good
service, and exhorting them to the continuation thereof, promised he
would not forget to reward them; and turning towards the superior
officers, they did kiss his Majesty's hand; the inferior officers and
soldiers crying aloud, they hoped to do his Majesty better service than
ever they had done."--_Monro's Expedition._
"His Majesty bestowed particular encomiums on the Swedish and Finland
horse, conducted by Horne; as also on that brave body of Scottish
infantry which Hepburn commanded."--_Harte's Life of Gustavus Adolphus._
[27] Harte.
[28] "The foot brigades were commanded to their several posts. Colonel
Hepburn's brigade (according to custom) was directed to the most
dangerous post, next the enemy; and the rest to theirs. The night
coming on, we began our approaches, and prepared for making ready our
attacks, when certain men were ordered to make cannon baskets, some
to provide materials, some to watch, some to dig, some to guard the
artillery, some to guard the workmen, and some to guard the colours
before the brigade. The day approaching, we having made ready the
batteries in the night, the service on both sides beginneth with cannon
and musket."--_Monro's Expedition._
[29] Monro gives the name of every British officer above the rank of
Captain in the Swedish army. Many Scots officers had been promoted to
the command of Swedish, Finland, and Dutch regiments.
[30] "Here also we see the valour of Hepburn and his brigade
praiseworthy, being, first and last, the instruments of the enemy's
overthrow."--_Monro's Expedition._
"The King returned Hepburn public thanks for suggesting the idea of
crossing the Wernitz, and for executing his plan with such judgement
and valour."--_Harte's Life of Gustavus Adolphus._
[31] In some accounts of the battle of Lützen the _Green Brigade_, of
which Hepburn's regiment formed a part, is mentioned by mistake amongst
the troops engaged, instead of the _White Brigade_. As Colonel Monro
commanded the brigade at the time the battle was fought, his narrative
is considered sufficient authority for stating that it was not present.