| Date of transfer. | | | | | | | |
+-------+---------------+ A. | S. | C. | D. | P. | B. | Total. |
| Year. | Month. | | | | | | | |
+-------+---------------+-------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 1807 | April | 2nd | 3 | 3 | 5 | 75 | 68 | 154 |
| 1808 | February | 1st | 3 | 4 | " | 198 | 1 | 206 |
| ---- | June | 3rd | 1 | 1 | " | 124 | 60 | 186 |
| ---- | 6th November | 2nd | 2 | 6 | 7 | 95 | 12 | 122 |
| ---- | 24th December | 3rd | " | 1 | 3 | 146 | " | 150 |
| ---- | 25th " | 2nd | " | " | " | 90 | " | 90 |
| 1809 | 19th January | 3rd | 25 | 23 | 4 | 385 | " | 437 |
| ---- | 25th " | 3rd | " | " | " | " | 91 | 91 |
| ---- | 25th May | 3rd | " | " | 1 | 450 | " | 451 |
| ---- | 3rd December | 1st | 2 | " | " | 120 | " | 122 |
| 1811 | March | 3rd | 4 | 4 | " | 200 | " | 208 |
| 1812 | November | 1st | 5 | 5 | " | 300 | " | 310 |
| ---- | " | 2nd | 2 | 2 | " | 200 | " | 204 |
| ---- | " | 3rd | 2 | 2 | " | 250 | " | 254 |
| | | +-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| | | Total | 49 | 51 | 20 | 2633 | 232 | 2985 |
+-------+---------------+-------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
[130] This officer was promoted to the rank of Major-General in 1830,
and was drowned in the 'Frolic' steam-boat, between Tenby and Bristol,
in March, 1831, with his wife, Lady Arabella M'Leod.
[131] This officer was Deputy Adjutant-General to the King's troops,
and he placed himself with the flank companies of the Royal Scots on
the right, and encouraged the men by his example.
[132] This officer received a severe wound while protecting his
brother's body.
[133] Captain Wetherall afterwards rose to the rank of Major in the
regiment, and he wrote an historical record of his corps, which was
printed in 1832, at the expense of the Colonel, the Duke of Gordon.
Although there are some inaccuracies in the work, particularly as
regards the formation and early services of the regiment, yet the
record was as correct as could be expected from the limited information
he was in possession of; and he evinced much laudable zeal and industry
in its compilation. He followed the idea of Hamilton, who, in his
printed sketch of the ROYAL Regiment, supposes it to have been a
continuation of the Scots Guards at the French Court; but this has been
proved to be an error. Major Wetherall died, while serving with the 1st
battalion at Dominica, on the 7th August, 1833.
[134] It is only an act of justice to state that such was the
soldier-like feeling and _esprit de corps_ of the men, after they were
made acquainted with the duty that lay before them, that on their
falling in with their companions in the camp at Neembolah at twelve
o'clock on the night of the 17th of March, there was not one individual
amongst them in the least intoxicated, or unfit for duty.
[135] "The promptitude and energy with which the attack was made by the
troops under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Fraser, of His Majesty's
ROYAL SCOTS, reflect high credit on him and on all the officers and men
employed. Our loss has been trifling; Lieutenant Bland, of the ROYAL
SCOTS, is wounded. We are now in complete possession of the pettah, and
the superintending engineer is employed in erecting a mortar battery
to bombard the fort."--_Brigadier-General Doveton's Letter to Captain
Stewart, Acting Resident at the Court of Doulat Rao Scindia._
[136] "Yesterday evening a desperate and unexpected sally from the
fortress was made upon an advanced post of our troops in the pettah;
and it is with extreme regret I have to add that LIEUT.-COLONEL FRASER,
of His Majesty's ROYAL SCOTS, who had been appointed by me to command
in the pettah, was killed when in the act of gallantly rallying the
party and keeping the advance in their position. The enemy was,
however, immediately driven back, and compelled to retire again into
the fort."--_Brigadier-General Doveton's Despatch._
[137] Lieut.-Colonel Blaker's Mahratta War.
[138] Afterwards Lieut.-General Sir Archibald Campbell, Bt. G.C.B.,
Colonel of the 62nd Regiment, who died at Edinburgh on the 6th October,
1843.
[139] Now Major-General Sir Richard Armstrong.
[140] "The attack upon Simbike was most handsomely led by
Lieut.-Colonel Godwin, with the advanced guard of the right column,
consisting of the flank companies of His Majesty's ROYALS, &c.
&c."--_London Gazette._
[141] This division consisted of 250 of the ROYALS, 270 of the 41st,
260 of the 89th, the light company of the 28th Madras native infantry,
and 100 pioneers.--_London Gazette._
[142] When Dr. Sandford and Lieutenant Bennett were captured,
preparations were made to crucify them, but, after an hour's suspense,
they were sent away from the river, and eventually forwarded in
chains to the capital, a distance of 300 miles. On reaching Ava they
were thrown into a loathsome dungeon, crowded with criminals and
deserters, where the Doctor remained five, and Lieutenant Bennett ten
days, with nothing but a little rice to support them, and even this
was occasionally omitted. After being released from gaol they were
kept separate. The Doctor was a prisoner at large in the house of
an American missionary (Mr. Price), and the king's interpreter; and
Lieutenant Bennett was placed under charge of a Burmese constable, and
was in chains in a lonely situation during the troubled and fearful
state of Ava. From the vindictive and sanguinary disposition of some
of the Burmese ministers and chiefs, the lives of the prisoners were
in constant jeopardy, particularly during the moments of excitement
produced by disastrous intelligence from the army. The prisoners had
also to dread that, through the influence and fury of the Queen and
Priests, they should be sacrificed as a propitiatory offering to the
Burmese gods. On the nearer approach of the British army, the Doctor
and Lieutenant Bennett were frequently consulted on European modes
of concluding treaties of peace; and the Burmese acknowledged they
could not reconcile to their minds the idea that a victorious army,
with nothing to impede its progress, should halt within a day or two's
march of the capital, and terminate the war on conditions; this was
not Burman custom. To use their own simile, they could not believe
the cat with the mouse in her claws would refrain from demolishing
it; and, therefore, they concluded the pecuniary demand of the
English general was merely a ruse to obtain as much precious metal as
possible, and afterwards as much territory would be retained as was
deemed convenient. To raise their opinion of British faith, the Doctor
engaged to convey a letter to the British camp, and to return of his
own accord, and his re-appearance astonished the Burmese ministers, and
whole population of Ava.
Lieutenant (now Major) Bennett wrote an interesting narrative of
the various scenes and incidents he met with, all of a novel and
singular nature, and exhibiting traits and peculiarities of the Burman
character, which his situation as a prisoner of war could alone
develope. This narrative was published in the first and second volumes
of the United Service Journal.
[143] _Copy of a letter from Major-General Sir Theophilus Pritzler to
the Colonel of the Royal Regiment_:--
"Bangalore, East Indies, 30th July, 1830.
"MY LORD DUKE,
"The 2nd battalion of the ROYAL REGIMENT having been under my command
for nearly five years, I cannot allow it to march from Bangalore
without conveying to your grace the high opinion I entertain of it both
collectively and individually. Its zeal and good conduct as soldiers
have been equally conspicuous as its anxiety to produce harmony and
good fellowship in society; and it will leave a lasting impression
upon the inhabitants of this place, which has been marked in a most
flattering manner.
"This battalion has of late been commanded by a particular friend of
mine (Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall), in a manner which has produced the
goodwill of his officers and soldiers in an eminent degree, and placed
the battalion in the highest state of discipline; and I only regret
that your grace cannot see it in the state in which it leaves this
station, which, after a service in India of 23 years, has, I believe,
astonished our Commander-in-Chief, who is now here.
"The corps of officers is highly respectable, and amongst them are some
of the finest young men in the army. I am, therefore, confident that,
under your grace's protection, the 2nd battalion of the ROYALS will
very soon rival our best regiments in England.
"I trust your grace will excuse this long intrusion; I sincerely hope
that you enjoy your health; and I have the honour to be,
"My Lord Duke,
"Your faithful and obedient servant,
"THEOPHILUS PRITZLER.
"_To His Grace the Duke of Gordon._"
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF THE
FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT.
SIR JOHN HEPBURN,
_Appointed 26th January, 1633_.
JOHN HEPBURN[144] descended from the Hepburns of Bothwell, an
ancient and distinguished family, which for many ages had extensive
possessions in East Lothian. His father was proprietor of the lands
of Althestaneford, and gave young Hepburn a liberal education. From
his earliest youth he was remarkable for spirit and resolution. When
he quitted college he made the tour of part of Europe (in 1615), and
the rising fame of Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, of whose character
he heard frequent commendations, gave birth to a spark of military
ardour within his breast which was never extinguished till his death.
Soon after his return from his travels, when the attempt was made to
rescue Bohemia from the power of Austria, he engaged in the cause of
liberty, and commanded a company of foot at several sieges and actions
in Bohemia, Alsace, and Germany, and at the battle near Fleurus. When
the King of Bohemia's forces were disbanded, he entered the service
of the Swedish monarch. In his first essay in arms he displayed an
ardour which procured him the favour and approbation of Gustavus, whose
vigilant eye soon detected in this aspiring youth all the qualities
requisite to constitute an excellent soldier. After a short service in
the subordinate commissions he was quickly advanced to the command of
a regiment, and was employed in services which required a considerable
portion of skill and valour. He was invariably either at the head of
his regiment, or at the head of the brigade of which his regiment
formed part, and, as his regiment was incorporated into a Scots corps
in the French service, now the FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT, his
services are set forth in the historical record of this corps, where
his name will be found associated with deeds of valour and heroism
of particular brilliancy. He appears to have been celebrated equally
for bravery, skill, and humanity: he was beloved and esteemed by
Gustavus Adolphus, and also by his companions in arms, both officers
and soldiers; and his presence inspired confidence in the ranks of the
brave Scots who fought under his command.[145]
That innate spirit and fire which constituted a part of his character,
rendered him incapable of brooking even an imaginary injury; and
Gustavus Adolphus, who was equally remarkable for the fiery temperament
of his constitution, having uttered one or two sharp expressions to
the brave Scottish warrior, he declared he would never more unsheath
his sword in the Swedish quarrel. The king is said to have placed
more confidence in this officer than in any other colonel in the
Swedish army; and some days before their disagreement his Majesty
had appointed him to the command of half the infantry in the camp at
Nuremberg. The king afterwards made several condescensions to Hepburn,
and appeared particularly desirous of retaining this valuable officer
in his service; but the Scottish hero was inflexible, and he quitted
the Swedish army in 1632. On his arrival at the British court, his
fame having preceded him, he was knighted. He soon afterwards tendered
his services to the king of France, who was too well acquainted with
the character, capabilities, and experience of this renowned Scot, not
to give him employment, and he was placed at the head of a regiment,
constituted of some new levies and old Scots companies in the French
service, now the FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT, in the BRITISH
line. His commission was dated the 26th of January, 1633; and at the
head of this corps he distinguished himself in Alsace and Germany,
and had the satisfaction of seeing many of the veterans of his former
regiment incorporated in his new corps. He commanded a division of the
French army on the Rhine, and was on the point of being advanced to
the dignity of a Marshal of France; but he was killed at the siege of
Saverne, before the diploma reached him. Thus terminated the career of
one of the best officers Scotland ever produced. He was known in France
by the title of the CHEVALIER HEBRON; and such was the fame of his
gallantry, that, although he was killed in the reign of Louis XIII., a
monument was erected to his memory some years afterwards by Louis XIV.,
in the cathedral of Toul. A contemporary historian (Lithgow) states
"_he was one of the best soldiers in Christendom, and, consequently, in
the world_."
JAMES HEPBURN,
_Appointed 26th August, 1636_.
This officer was cousin to Sir John Hepburn, and heir apparent of the
ancient house of Wachton. He was one of the gallant Scots, who, led
by a native ardour for military fame, sought renown in foreign lands,
and fought under the great Gustavus Adolphus in the glorious attempt
made by that monarch to rescue the Protestant princes of Germany from
the power of the emperor. In toils, dangers, and triumphs, he was the
companion of Sir John Hepburn. He rose to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel
in the Swedish army; and having transferred his services to the crown
of France, he succeeded Sir John Hepburn in the Colonelcy of the Scots
corps, now the ROYAL REGIMENT. He was killed in action in Lorraine a
few months afterwards; but the particular circumstances connected with
his fall have not been ascertained.
LORD JAMES DOUGLAS,
_Appointed in 1637_.
LORD JAMES DOUGLAS, second son of William, first Marquis of Douglas,
acquired celebrity in the wars between the house of Austria and the
Protestant league, and distinguished himself in France, Flanders,
Italy, and Germany. He obtained the Colonelcy of the Scots corps,
now the ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT, in 1637; and was killed while in the
command of a flying camp between Douay and Arras in October, 1655. A
monument was erected to his memory in the church of St. Germain de
Prez, at Paris, with an inscription in Latin.
LORD GEORGE DOUGLAS,
_Appointed 21st October, 1655_.
LORD GEORGE DOUGLAS was the son of William, first Marquis of Douglas,
by his second wife Mary, daughter of George, first Marquis of Huntly.
In his youth he was page of honour to Louis XIV. Having made choice of
the profession of arms, he entered the service of the king of France,
and succeeded his brother in the Colonelcy of the Scots Regiment,
now the ROYAL REGIMENT, in the British line. In 1672 he served with
the French army in the Netherlands, and was attached to the division
commanded by Marshal Turenne. He afterwards served several campaigns
with the French army on the Rhine; highly distinguished himself in the
defence of Treves, and was promoted to the rank of Major-General in
France. He was created EARL OF DUMBARTON on the 9th of March, 1675.
In the early part of the reign of King James II. the Earl of Dumbarton
was Commander-in-Chief in Scotland; and he commanded the troops which
suppressed the rebellion of the Earl of Argyle in the summer of 1685.
He was subsequently elected a Knight Companion of the Order of the
Thistle. He held the rank of Lieut.-General in England, and was second
in command of the army encamped on Hounslow Heath in 1687 and 1688.
At the Revolution he adhered to King James II., whom he followed to
France, where he died in 1692.
FREDERICK DUKE SCHOMBERG,
_Appointed 31st December, 1688_.
FREDERICK DE SCHOMBERG descended from an ancient and noble family of
that name of the Palatinate, or Lower Rhine; and, during the struggle
made by the Protestant states of Europe against the power of Austria
and Spain, he served under Frederick Henry Prince of Orange, after
whose death he engaged in the service of the King of France.
Portugal, after having been subject to Spain many years, asserted its
independence in 1640; and a sanguinary war commenced between the two
kingdoms. The Spaniards had penetrated into the heart of Portugal,
and were anticipating its speedy subjugation, when Louis XIV. sent
General de Schomberg secretly to the aid of the house of Braganza. He
was already famous for his successful defence of Bourbourg against
two powerful armies, and for his conduct in the wars in Rouissillon;
and, when placed at the head of the Portuguese forces, his name at
once aroused the desponding adherents of the Braganza family, and
inspired them with new hopes and new expectations. While his presence
infused courage into the army, his discretion, for which he was always
remarkable, directed its energies to advantage; towns were taken,
battles were won, and finally a powerful army headed by Don John of
Austria was defeated, and the Spanish monarch forced, in 1668, to
acknowledge the independence of Portugal, and to conclude a peace with
the house of Braganza. His success excited the surprise of Europe,
and his achievements were celebrated by poets and orators in several
languages.[146]
After his success in Portugal he commanded a French force against the
Spaniards in Catalonia; and his merits became so conspicuous, that
in 1675 he was promoted by Louis XIV. to the dignity of a marshal of
France. He subsequently commanded the French army in the Netherlands,
and in 1676 he forced the Prince of Orange to raise the siege of
Maestricht. In a few years afterwards the king of France endeavoured
to suppress the Protestant religion in his kingdom, when Marshal de
Schomberg, refusing to become a papist, his services appear to have
been, to a certain extent, forgotten. Various means had formerly been
used, and prospects of advancement to the highest honours held out, to
induce him to change his religion, but in vain; and he now obtained
liberty to quit France on condition of his proceeding to Portugal.
Soon afterwards he obtained permission to proceed to Germany; and the
emperor designed to have placed this distinguished veteran at the head
of his armies, but was prevented by the influence of the Jesuits. The
Elector of Brandenburg availed himself of the services of Marshal de
Schomberg, and appointed him a minister of state, and Generalissimo of
Prussia.
When William Prince of Orange (afterwards William III.) was preparing
an army for a descent on Britain, to oppose the proceedings of James
II., his Highness was desirous of obtaining the services of Marshal
de Schomberg, who was considered one of the greatest captains of his
time, and, being devoted to the Protestant interest, he consented
to accompany the Prince. The success which attended this enterprise
enabled his Highness to reward the veteran commander, who was appointed
Colonel of the ROYAL REGIMENT, and Master-General of the Ordnance.
He was also constituted a Knight of the Garter, and created Baron of
Teyes, Earl of Brentford, Marquis of Harwich, and DUKE SCHOMBERG.
During the summer of 1689 he was sent Commander-in-Chief to Ireland to
relieve the persecuted Protestants, and to rescue that kingdom from the
power of King James; and he was killed at the battle of the Boyne, in
July, 1690, while gallantly advancing with a regiment of foot to charge
the enemy. Thus terminated the life of this distinguished veteran in
the 84th year of his age. He was buried at St. Patrick's, Dublin, where
a stone with an inscription was placed over his tomb by the Dean and
Chapter of the church.
SIR ROBERT DOUGLAS,
_Appointed 5th March, 1691_.
Amongst the many officers which Scotland has produced, who have
signalized themselves in war, few have evinced brighter military
virtues than the brave SIR ROBERT DOUGLAS of Glenbervie. He was second
cousin to the Earl of Dumbarton; he served many years in the ROYAL
REGIMENT, in which he rose to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel; and he was
known as a brave and generous aspirant to military fame, when King
William III. promoted him to the Colonelcy of the REGIMENT. Bright
prospects of future glory were before him. He had already given
astonishing proofs of personal bravery at the battle of STEENKIRK,
when he saw one of the colours of his regiment in the hands of the
French. He instantly rushed forward into the thickest of the enemy's
ranks, and rescued the colour at the expense of his life, as more fully
detailed in the historical record of the ROYAL REGIMENT. He lived
beloved and admired, and fell regretted by his sovereign and country,
but more particularly by the officers and men of his regiment, with
whom he had served in various parts of the world, and in whose breasts
his memory was cherished with particular tenderness. By his fall he
purchased a renown which more fortunate commanders have failed to
acquire; and the story of his gallantry will survive to the remotest
ages.
LORD GEORGE HAMILTON,
_Appointed 1st August, 1692_.
LORD GEORGE HAMILTON, fifth son of William Duke of Hamilton, was an
officer in the ROYAL REGIMENT in the reign of Charles II., and also
of James II.,[147] and, adhering to the Protestant interest at the
Revolution in 1688, he was advanced to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel, and
on the 1st of March, 1690, to the brevet rank of Colonel. He served
under King William III. in Ireland, and distinguished himself at the
battle of the Boyne; and in 1691 he was at the siege of Athlone, at the
battle of Aghrim, and at the capture of Limerick. In January, 1692,
he was appointed Colonel of the 7th Royal Fusiliers, at the head of
which corps he distinguished himself at the battle of Steenkirk, and
his gallantry was rewarded with the Colonelcy of the ROYAL REGIMENT.
Continuing to serve under King William in the Netherlands, he
distinguished himself in 1693 at the unfortunate battle of Landen, and
in 1695 at the siege and capture of Namur, and while engaged in this
service he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General. On the 3rd
of January, 1696, he was advanced to the peerage by the title of Baron
Dechmont, Viscount of Kirkwall, and EARL OF ORKNEY; and in March, 1702,
he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He served the campaign of
this year under the Earl of Marlborough, and was engaged in the siege
of Stevenswart. He commanded a brigade of infantry during the campaign
of 1703, was advanced to the rank of Lieut.-General, and invested with
the Order of the Thistle in 1704; and, having proceeded with the army
into the heart of Germany, took part in gaining the glorious victories
of Schellenberg and Blenheim. In 1705 he distinguished himself at the
siege and capture of Huy; and in the following year at the battle of
Ramilies, and the siege of Menin. He also took a distinguished part in
the battle of Oudenarde; in covering the siege of Lisle; and in forcing
the passage of the Scheldt in 1708. In 1709 he distinguished himself
in the movements which preceded and led to the battle of Malplaquet,
and during this hard contested action he signalized himself at the head
of fifteen battalions of infantry. He also signalized himself at the
siege of Douay in 1710; and in the beginning of the following year he
was promoted to the rank of General. He was also engaged in passing the
French lines in 1711, and commanded twenty battalions of infantry at
the siege of Bouchain.
On these occasions the EARL OF ORKNEY had evinced personal bravery and
military talents of a superior character. At the close of the war he
was a member of the Privy Council, and Governor of Edinburgh Castle.
On the accession of George I. he was appointed one of the Lords of the
Bedchamber to His Majesty, and Governor of Virginia; and in January,
1736, he was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. He was many years
one of the sixteen representatives of the Scottish peerage, and died in
January, 1737.
HONOURABLE JAMES ST. CLAIR,
_Appointed 27th June, 1737_.