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TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
A superscript is denoted by ^x or ^{xx}, for example Esq^{re}.
Some minor changes are noted at the end of the book.
[Illustration:
BY COMMAND OF His late Majesty WILLIAM THE IV^{TH}.
_and under the Patronage of_
Her Majesty the Queen.
HISTORICAL RECORDS,
_OF THE_
British Army
_Comprising the_
_History of every Regiment_
_IN HER MAJESTY'S SERVICE_.
_By Richard Cannon Esq^{re}._
_Adjutant General's Office, Horse Guards._
London.
_Printed by Authority._]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE FIFTY-THIRD,
OR
THE SHROPSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
IN 1755
AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
TO 1848.
COMPILED BY
RICHARD CANNON, ESQ.,
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, HORSE GUARDS.
ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES.
LONDON:
PARKER, FURNIVALL, & PARKER,
30, CHARING-CROSS.
MDCCCXLIX.
LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,
FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE.
THE FIFTY-THIRD,
OR
THE SHROPSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT,
BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR
THE WORD "NIEUPORT;"
IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY IN THE DEFENCE OF THAT
FORTRESS IN OCTOBER, 1793;
THE WORD "TOURNAY;"
IN TESTIMONY OF ITS HEROIC CONDUCT IN ACTION AGAINST A SUPERIOR
FORCE OF THE ENEMY IN MAY, 1794;
THE WORDS "ST. LUCIA;"
AS A MARK OF DISTINCTION FOR ITS BRAVERY DISPLAYED AT THE CAPTURE OF
ST. LUCIA, IN MAY, 1796;
THE WORDS
"TALAVERA," "SALAMANCA," "VITTORIA," "PYRENEES,"
"NIVELLE," "TOULOUSE," AND "PENINSULA,"
TO COMMEMORATE THE MERITORIOUS SERVICES OF THE _Second_ BATTALION
DURING THE PENINSULAR WAR, FROM 1809 TO 1814;
AND THE WORDS
"ALIWAL," AND "SOBRAON;"
AS A LASTING TESTIMONY OF THE GALLANT CONDUCT OF THE REGIMENT
ON THE BANKS OF THE SUTLEJ, ON THE 28TH JANUARY, AND
10TH FEBRUARY, 1846.
THE FIFTY-THIRD,
OR
THE SHROPSHIRE REGIMENT.
CONTENTS
OF THE
HISTORICAL RECORD.
YEAR PAGE
INTRODUCTION i
1755 Formation of the Regiment 1
---- Colonel W. Whitmore appointed to the colonelcy -
---- Numbered the FIFTY-FIFTH, and afterwards the
FIFTY-THIRD regiment -
---- Station, uniform, and facing -
---- Officers appointed to commissions 2
1756 Embarked for Gibraltar -
1759 Appointment of Colonel John Toovey to the colonelcy,
in succession to Colonel Whitmore, removed to the
ninth regiment -
1768 Returned from Gibraltar, and embarked for Ireland 3
1770 Appointment of Colonel R. D. H. Elphinstone to the
colonelcy, in succession to Colonel Toovey, deceased -
1776 Embarked for North America -
1777 Engaged with the American forces -
1782 The American war terminated 4
---- The regiment directed to assume the county title of
Shropshire regiment in addition to its Numerical title -
1789 Returned to England from North America -
1790 Embarked on board of the fleet to serve as Marines -
1791 Proceeded to Scotland 5
1793 Embarked for service in Flanders -
---- Engaged at Famars -
---- -------- the siege and capture of Valenciennes -
---- -------- the siege of Dunkirk 6
---- -------- Nieuport -
---- Received the Royal Authority to bear the word
"_Nieuport_" on the colours -
1794 Major-General Gerald Lake, afterwards Viscount Lake,
appointed to the colonelcy, in succession to
General Elphinstone, deceased -
---- Engaged in operations at Vaux, Prémont, Marets, &c. 7
---- ---- at the siege and capture of Landrécies -
---- -------- repulse of the enemy at Cateau -
---- -------------------------------- Tournay -
---- -------- capture of Lannoy, Roubaix, and Mouveaux -
---- ---- in the masterly retreat to Leers 8
---- ---- storming the village of Pontéchin 9
---- Received the Royal Authority to bear the word
"_Tournay_" on its colours 10
1795 Returned to England --
---- Encamped at Southampton --
---- Embarked with an expedition for the West Indies --
1796 Attack and Capture of St. Lucia --
1796 Received the Royal Authority to bear the words
"_St. Lucia_" on its colours 11
---- Embarked for St. Vincent --
---- Engaged in quelling an insurrection, and expelling
the Caribs from the Island of St. Vincent --
---- Received the thanks of the General Officer commanding,
and of the Council and Assembly of the Island 12
---- Appointment of Major-General W. E. Doyle to the
colonelcy, in succession to General Lake, removed
to the 73rd regiment --
1797 Engaged in the capture of Trinidad --
---- Employed in an unsuccessful attempt at Porto Rico --
---- Returned to St. Vincent 13
1798 Lieut.-General Crosbie appointed to the colonelcy,
in succession to Major-General Doyle, deceased --
1800 Removed from St. Vincent to St. Lucia --
1802 Returned to England on the surrender of St. Lucia to
France according to the treaty of peace concluded
at Amiens --
1803 Marched under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Lightburne,
for Shrewsbury --
1805 The First Battalion embarked for India --
---- Arrived at Fort St. George, Madras, and proceeded to
Dinapore --
1806 Removed from Dinapore to Berhampore 14
1807 Proceeded from Berhampore to Cawnpore --
---- Major-General Honorable John Abercromby appointed to
the colonelcy in succession to General Crosbie,
deceased --
1809 Three companies detached to Bundelcund, and engaged
at the siege and capture of the fort of Adjighion --
1809 The Battalion took the field with the troops under
Colonel Martindell 15
1810 Returned to Cawnpore, and received the thanks of the
officer commanding for their conduct --
1812 Five companies engaged in the storming of the fortress
of _Callinger_ --
---- Surrender of the garrison of _Callinger_ on the
remaining five companies joining from Cawnpore 17
---- The Battalion returned to Cawnpore, and afterwards
proceeded to Meerut 18
1814 Marched from Meerut, and joined the army formed for
the invasion of the kingdom of Nepaul, or the
Gorca State --
---- Engaged in the storming and capture of the fort of
_Kalunga_ 19
---- Proceeded to the capture of _Nahn_ and other fortified
places on the Jampta heights 21
---- The Nepaulese reduced to submission --
---- Embarked for Berhampore, proceeded to Calcutta, and
afterwards embarked for Madras --
1816 The Battalion proceeded from Madras to the Naggery
Pass, to repress the plundering tribes of Pindarees --
---- Marched for Trichinopoly 22
1817 Appointment of Lieut.-General Lord Hill, G.C.B., to
the colonelcy, in succession to Lieut.-General
Sir John Abercromby, deceased --
---- The flank companies employed with a field force under
Brigadier-General Pritzler 23
1819 Assault of the fort of _Copaul Droog_ --
1820 Marched from Trichinopoly for Bellary --
1820 Proceeded to Bangalore 23
---- The flank companies rejoined the regiment after much
arduous service 24
1822 Quitted the Mysore, and proceeded to Fort St. George --
---- Relieved by the Forty-first regiment, and ordered to
prepare for embarkation for England --
1823 Embarked from Madras, and arrived at Chatham 25
---- Return of Casualties in the First Battalion, from 1805
to 1822 --
---- Removed to Weedon --
1826 Proceeded to Portsmouth, and inspected by General
Lord Hill, G.C.B. --
---- Marched into Lancashire, and embarked for Ireland --
1829 Formed into six Service, and four Depôt companies,
preparatory for embarkation for foreign service 26
---- Service companies embarked at Cork for Gibraltar --
1830 New Colours presented to the Regiment by General
Sir George Don, Lieut.-Governor of Gibraltar --
---- Appointment of Major-General Lord FitzRoy
J. H. Somerset, K.C.B., to the colonelcy, in
succession to General Lord Hill, G.C.B., removed
to the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards --
1834 Service companies proceeded to Malta 27
1835 Depôt companies returned to Ireland --
1836 Service companies embarked for the Ionian Islands --
1840 Service companies embarked from Corfu and landed
at Plymouth 27
1841 Regiment proceeded to Scotland --
1843 Embarked for Ireland --
1844 Embarked for the East Indies --
---- Arrived at Calcutta --
1845 Proceeded to Cawnpore; thence to Agra; and to Delhi --
1846 Active operations commenced on the Sutlej --
---- The Regiment proceeded from Delhi, and joined the
division of the army on the march to Loodianah 28
---- Engaged at the Battle of _Aliwal_ 29
---- Engaged at the Battle of _Sobraon_ 30
---- Received the thanks and approbation of the
Governor-General of India 32
---- Medals presented by the Government of India 33
---- Received the Royal Authority to bear the words
"_Aliwal_" and "_Sobraon_" on the colours and
appointments --
---- Proceeded to Lahore, thence to Umballa, and to
Ferozepore 34
1848 Returned to Lahore --
CONTENTS
OF THE
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT,
RELATING TO THE SERVICES OF THE
SECOND BATTALION.
YEAR PAGE
1803 The Second Battalion of the Fifty-third Regiment
formed from men raised under the Army of Reserve
Act in Yorkshire, and assembled at Sunderland 35
1804 Embarked for Ireland 36
1807 The men enlisted for limited service transferred
to a Garrison battalion; the remainder embarked
from Dublin, and proceeded to Shrewsbury; thence
to Weymouth, where the Battalion was augmented
by volunteers from the Militia 37
1808 Proceeded to Bletchington, thence to Portsmouth,
and embarked for Ireland --
1809 Embarked at Cork for service with the army in Portugal --
---- Marched to Oporto --
---- Advanced into Spain, and engaged in the Battle of
_Talavera_ 38
---- Received the Royal Authority to bear the word
"_Talavera_" on the colours and appointments 39
---- Withdrew into Portugal --
1810 Advanced from Guarda to the valley of Mondego 39
---- Ciudad Rodrigo captured by the French 40
---- Engaged at the Battle of Busaco --
---- Occupied the lines of Torres Vedras --
1811 The French retreated to the Portuguese frontier --
---- The fortress of Almeida invested 41
---- Removed to San Pedro --
---- Engaged in the action at Fuentes d'Onor --
---- Resumed its post before Almeida --
---- Joined the army in the Alemtejo --
---- Crossed the Agueda to protect the inhabitants from
the French garrison of Ciudad Rodrigo --
1812 Siege and capture of Ciudad Rodrigo 42
---- Formed part of the covering army during the siege
and capture of Badajoz --
---- Moved forward to assist in the attack at Almaraz 43
---- Employed in the siege of the French troops left in
two fortified convents --
---- Engaged at the Battle of _Salamanca_ 44
---- Received the Royal Authority to bear the word
"_Salamanca_" on the colours and appointments 45
---- Entered the city of Valladolid 46
---- Stationed at Cuellar --
---- Employed in the siege of Burgos castle 47
---- Retired from Burgos to the Portuguese frontier --
1813 Four companies formed part of the second Provisional
battalion --
---- Six companies proceeded to England --
---- Proceeded through the Tras-os-Montes, and crossed the
Esla river 48
---- Engaged in the Battle of _Vittoria_ --
---- Received the Royal Authority to bear the word
"_Vittoria_" on the colours and appointments --
1813 Followed the French army to the vicinity of Pampeluna 49
---- Employed in the blockade of Pampeluna --
---- Advanced into the Pyrenees in support of the troops
in the Pass of Roncesvalles --
---- Conflict in front of Pampeluna --
---- Received the Royal Authority to bear the word
"_Pyrenees_" on the colours and appointments --
---- Pursued the French army through the Pyrenees 50
---- Storming and capture of St. Sebastian --
---- Attack of the French troops on the heights of
San Marcial, and Pass of St. Antonio --
---- Passage of the Bidassoa --
---- Advanced into France 51
---- Engaged in the Battle of Nivelle --
---- Received the Royal Authority to bear the word
"_Nivelle_" on the colours and appointments --
---- Passage of the river Nive 52
1814 Marched to St. Jean de Luz --
---- Rejoined the army at Grenade --
---- Marched towards Bordeaux --
---- The six companies sent to England in 1813, returned
to Spain, and advanced to Tarbes --
1814 Employed in operations against the castle of L'Ourde 52
---- Engaged in the Battle of Toulouse --
---- Received the Royal Authority to bear the word
"_Toulouse_" on the colours and appointments --
---- Termination of the Peninsular War 54
---- Received the Royal Authority to bear the word
"_Peninsula_" on the colours and appointments --
---- Encamped at Bordeaux --
---- Embarked for Ireland --
---- Re-embarked for England 55
1815 Stationed at Portsmouth 55
---- Battle of Waterloo, and surrender of Napoleon Bonaparte --
---- Proceeded with Napoleon Bonaparte to St. Helena --
---- Medals presented to certain Serjeants for services
in the Peninsular War --
1817 Returned from St. Helena to England 56
---- Arrived at Portsmouth, and proceeded to Canterbury 57
---- Disbanded at Canterbury --
THE CONCLUSION 59
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF THE
FIFTY-THIRD
OR
THE SHROPSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.
YEAR PAGE
1755 William Whitmore 59
1759 John Toovey --
1770 Robert Dalrymple Horne Elphinstone 60
1794 Gerard Lake, afterwards _Viscount_ Lake --
1796 Welbore Ellis Doyle 62
1798 Charles Crosbie 63
1807 _Honorable_ John Abercromby, G.C.B --
1817 Rowland Lord Hill, G.C.B. 65
1830 Lord FitzRoy James Henry Somerset, G.C.B. 68
Memoir of the Services of Major-General Sir GEORGE
RIDOUT BINGHAM, K.C.B. 69
PLATES.
Costume of the Regiment _to face Page_ 1
Colours of the Regiment 34
Monument erected at Shrewsbury to the memory
of the officers and soldiers of the Regiment
who were killed at the Battles of _Aliwal_
and _Sobraon_, on the 28th January and 10th
February, 1846 58
GENERAL ORDERS.
_HORSE-GUARDS_,
_1st January, 1836_.
His Majesty has been pleased to command that, with the view of
doing the fullest justice to Regiments, as well as to Individuals
who have distinguished themselves by their Bravery in Action with
the Enemy, an Account of the Services of every Regiment in the
British Army shall be published under the superintendence and
direction of the Adjutant-General; and that this Account shall
contain the following particulars, viz.:--
---- The Period and Circumstances of the Original Formation of
the Regiment; The Stations at which it has been from time to time
employed; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations in
which it has been engaged, particularly specifying any Achievement
it may have performed, and the Colours, Trophies, &c., it may have
captured from the Enemy.
---- The Names of the Officers, and the number of Non-Commissioned
Officers and Privates Killed or Wounded by the Enemy, specifying
the place and Date of the Action.
---- The Names of those Officers who, in consideration of their
Gallant Services and Meritorious Conduct in Engagements with the
Enemy, have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other Marks
of His Majesty's gracious favour.
---- The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and
Privates, as may have specially signalized themselves in Action.
And,
---- The Badges and Devices which the Regiment may have been
permitted to bear, and the Causes on account of which such Badges
or Devices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have been granted.
By Command of the Right Honorable
GENERAL LORD HILL,
_Commanding-in-Chief_.
JOHN MACDONALD,
_Adjutant-General_.
PREFACE.
The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly depend
upon the zeal and ardour by which all who enter into its service
are animated, and consequently it is of the highest importance that
any measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation, by which
alone great and gallant actions are achieved, should be adopted.
Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this desirable
object than a full display of the noble deeds with which the
Military History of our country abounds. To hold forth these bright
examples to the imitation of the youthful soldier, and thus to
incite him to emulate the meritorious conduct of those who have
preceded him in their honorable career, are among the motives that
have given rise to the present publication.
The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced in the
"London Gazette," from whence they are transferred into the public
prints: the achievements of our armies are thus made known at the
time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute of praise and
admiration to which they are entitled. On extraordinary occasions,
the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on
the Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their
orders, expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill
and bravery; and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour
of their Sovereign's approbation, constitute the reward which the
soldier most highly prizes.
It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which
appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental armies)
for British Regiments to keep regular records of their services
and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been experienced in
obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, an authentic
account of their origin and subsequent services.
This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His Majesty
having been pleased to command that every Regiment shall, in
future, keep a full and ample record of its services at home and
abroad.
From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth
derive information as to the difficulties and privations which
chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In
Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to
the active concerns of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and
where these pursuits have, for so long a period, being undisturbed
by the _presence of war_, which few other countries have escaped,
comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of active service
and of the casualties of climate, to which, even during peace, the
British Troops are exposed in every part of the globe, with little
or no interval of repose.
In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country
derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist
and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to
reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,--on
their sufferings,--and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which
so many national benefits are obtained and preserved.
The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance,
have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and
their character has been established in Continental warfare by the
irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in
spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and
steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against
superior numbers.
In the official Reports made by the respective Commanders, ample
justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions of the
Corps employed; but the details of their services and of acts of
individual bravery can only be fully given in the Annals of the
various Regiments.
These Records are now preparing for publication, under his
Majesty's special authority, by Mr. RICHARD CANNON, Principal Clerk
of the Adjutant General's Office; and while the perusal of them
cannot fail to be useful and interesting to military men of every
rank, it is considered that they will also afford entertainment and
information to the general reader, particularly to those who may
have served in the Army, or who have relatives in the Service.
There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or
are serving, in the Army, an _Esprit de Corps_--an attachment
to everything belonging to their Regiment; to such persons a
narrative of the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove
interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions of the great, the
valiant, the loyal, have always been of paramount interest with
a brave and civilized people. Great Britain has produced a race
of heroes who, in moments of danger and terror, have stood "firm
as the rocks of their native shore:" and when half the world has
been arrayed against them, they have fought the battles of their
Country with unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of
achievements in war,--victories so complete and surprising, gained
by our countrymen, our brothers, our fellow citizens in arms,--a
record which revives the memory of the brave, and brings their
gallant deeds before us,--will certainly prove acceptable to the
public.
Biographical Memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished
Officers will be introduced in the Records of their respective
Regiments, and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from time to
time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying the value
and importance of its services, will be faithfully set forth.
As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record of each Regiment
will be printed in a distinct number, so that when the whole shall
be completed, the Parts may be bound up in numerical succession.
INTRODUCTION
TO
THE INFANTRY.
The natives of Britain have, at all periods, been celebrated for
innate courage and unshaken firmness, and the national superiority
of the British troops over those of other countries has been
evinced in the midst of the most imminent perils. History contains
so many proofs of extraordinary acts of bravery, that no doubts can
be raised upon the facts which are recorded. It must therefore be
admitted, that the distinguishing feature of the British soldier is
INTREPIDITY. This quality was evinced by the inhabitants of England
when their country was invaded by Julius Cæsar with a Roman army,
on which occasion the undaunted Britons rushed into the sea to
attack the Roman soldiers as they descended from their ships; and,
although their discipline and arms were inferior to those of their
adversaries, yet their fierce and dauntless bearing intimidated
the flower of the Roman troops, including Cæsar's favourite tenth
legion. Their arms consisted of spears, short swords, and other
weapons of rude construction. They had chariots, to the axles of
which were fastened sharp pieces of iron resembling scythe-blades,
and infantry in long chariots resembling waggons, who alighted
and fought on foot, and for change of ground, pursuit or retreat,
sprang into the chariot and drove off with the speed of cavalry.
These inventions were, however, unavailing against Cæsar's
legions: in the course of time a military system, with discipline
and subordination, was introduced, and British courage, being
thus regulated, was exerted to the greatest advantage; a full
development of the national character followed, and it shone forth
in all its native brilliancy.
The military force of the Anglo-Saxons consisted principally of
infantry: Thanes, and other men of property, however, fought on
horseback. The infantry were of two classes, heavy and light. The
former carried large shields armed with spikes, long broad swords
and spears; and the latter were armed with swords or spears only.
They had also men armed with clubs, others with battle-axes and
javelins.
The feudal troops established by William the Conqueror consisted
(as already stated in the Introduction to the Cavalry) almost
entirely of horse; but when the warlike barons and knights, with
their trains of tenants and vassals, took the field, a proportion
of men appeared on foot, and, although these were of inferior
degree, they proved stout-hearted Britons of stanch fidelity. When
stipendiary troops were employed, infantry always constituted a
considerable portion of the military force; and this _arme_ has
since acquired, in every quarter of the globe, a celebrity never
exceeded by the armies of any nation at any period.
The weapons carried by the infantry, during the several reigns
succeeding the Conquest, were bows and arrows, half-pikes, lances,
halberds, various kinds of battle-axes, swords, and daggers. Armour
was worn on the head and body, and in course of time the practice
became general for military men to be so completely cased in steel,
that it was almost impossible to slay them.
The introduction of the use of gunpowder in the destructive
purposes of war, in the early part of the fourteenth
century, produced a change in the arms and equipment of the
infantry-soldier. Bows and arrows gave place to various kinds of
fire-arms, but British archers continued formidable adversaries;
and, owing to the inconvenient construction and imperfect bore of
the fire-arms when first introduced, a body of men, well trained
in the use of the bow from their youth, was considered a valuable
acquisition to every army, even as late as the sixteenth century.
During a great part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth each company
of infantry usually consisted of men armed five different ways; in
every hundred men forty were "_men-at-arms_," and sixty "_shot_;"
the "men-at-arms" were ten halberdiers, or battle-axe men, and
thirty pikemen; and the "shot" were twenty archers, twenty
musketeers, and twenty harquebusiers, and each man carried, besides
his principal weapon, a sword and dagger.
Companies of infantry varied at this period in numbers from 150
to 300 men; each company had a colour or ensign, and the mode of
formation recommended by an English military writer (Sir John
Smithe) in 1590 was:--the colour in the centre of the company
guarded by the halberdiers; the pikemen in equal proportions, on
each flank of the halberdiers: half the musketeers on each flank
of the pikes; half the archers on each flank of the musketeers,
and the harquebusiers (whose arms were much lighter than the
muskets then in use) in equal proportions on each flank of the
company for skirmishing.[1] It was customary to unite a number
of companies into one body, called a REGIMENT, which frequently
amounted to three thousand men: but each company continued to carry
a colour. Numerous improvements were eventually introduced in the
construction of fire-arms, and, it having been found impossible to
make armour proof against the muskets then in use (which carried
a very heavy ball) without its being too weighty for the soldier,
armour was gradually laid aside by the infantry in the seventeenth
century: bows and arrows also fell into disuse, and the infantry
were reduced to two classes, viz.: _musketeers_, armed with
matchlock muskets, swords, and daggers; and _pikemen_, armed with
pikes from fourteen to eighteen feet long, and swords.
In the early part of the seventeenth century Gustavus Adolphus,
King of Sweden, reduced the strength of regiments to 1000 men. He
caused the gunpowder, which had heretofore been carried in flasks,
or in small wooden bandoliers, each containing a charge, to be
made up into cartridges, and carried in pouches; and he formed
each regiment into two wings of musketeers, and a centre division
of pikemen. He also adopted the practice of forming four regiments
into a brigade; and the number of colours was afterwards reduced to
three in each regiment. He formed his columns so compactly that his
infantry could resist the charge of the celebrated Polish horsemen
and Austrian cuirassiers; and his armies became the admiration of
other nations. His mode of formation was copied by the English,
French, and other European states; but so great was the prejudice
in favour of ancient customs, that all his improvements were not
adopted until near a century afterwards.
In 1664 King Charles II. raised a corps for sea-service, styled
the Admiral's regiment. In 1678 each company of 100 men usually
consisted of 30 pikemen, 60 musketeers, and 10 men armed with light
firelocks. In this year the King added a company of men armed with
hand grenades to each of the old British regiments, which was
designated the "grenadier company." Daggers were so contrived as to
fit in the muzzles of the muskets, and bayonets similar to those
at present in use were adopted about twenty years afterwards.
An Ordnance regiment was raised in 1685, by order of King James
II., to guard the artillery, and was designated the Royal Fusiliers
(now 7th Foot). This corps, and the companies of grenadiers, did
not carry pikes.
King William III. incorporated the Admiral's regiment in the second
Foot Guards, and raised two Marine regiments for sea-service.
During the war in this reign, each company of infantry (excepting
the fusiliers and grenadiers) consisted of 14 pikemen and 46
musketeers; the captains carried pikes; lieutenants, partisans;
ensigns, half-pikes; and serjeants, halberds. After the peace in
1697 the Marine regiments were disbanded, but were again formed on
the breaking out of the war in 1702.[2]
During the reign of Queen Anne the pikes were laid aside, and every
infantry soldier was armed with a musket, bayonet, and sword; the
grenadiers ceased, about the same period, to carry hand grenades;
and the regiments were directed to lay aside their third colour:
the corps of Royal Artillery was first added to the Army in this
reign.
About the year 1745, the men of the battalion companies of infantry
ceased to carry swords; during the reign of George II. light
companies were added to infantry regiments; and in 1764 a Board of
General Officers recommended that the grenadiers should lay aside
their swords, as that weapon had never been used during the Seven
Years' War. Since that period the arms of the infantry soldier have
been limited to the musket and bayonet.
The arms and equipment of the British Troops have seldom differed
materially, since the Conquest, from those of other European
states; and in some respects the arming has, at certain periods,
been allowed to be inferior to that of the nations with whom they
have had to contend; yet, under this disadvantage, the bravery and
superiority of the British infantry have been evinced on very many
and most trying occasions, and splendid victories have been gained
over very superior numbers.
Great Britain has produced a race of lion-like champions who have
dared to confront a host of foes, and have proved themselves
valiant with any arms. At _Creçy_, King Edward III., at the head
of about 30,000 men, defeated, on the 26th of August, 1346, Philip
King of France, whose army is said to have amounted to 100,000
men; here British valour encountered veterans of renown:--the
King of Bohemia, the King of Majorca, and many princes and nobles
were slain, and the French army was routed and cut to pieces. Ten
years afterwards, Edward Prince of Wales, who was designated the
Black Prince, defeated, at _Poictiers_, with 14,000 men, a French
army of 60,000 horse, besides infantry, and took John I., King of
France, and his son Philip, prisoners. On the 25th of October,
1415, King Henry V., with an army of about 13,000 men, although
greatly exhausted by marches, privations, and sickness, defeated,
at _Agincourt_, the Constable of France, at the head of the flower
of the French nobility and an army said to amount to 60,000 men,
and gained a complete victory.
During the seventy years' war between the United Provinces of the
Netherlands and the Spanish monarchy, which commenced in 1578 and
terminated in 1648, the British infantry in the service of the
States-General were celebrated for their unconquerable spirit and
firmness;[3] and in the thirty years' war between the Protestant
Princes and the Emperor of Germany, the British Troops in the
service of Sweden and other states were celebrated for deeds of
heroism.[4] In the wars of Queen Anne, the fame of the British
army under the great MARLBOROUGH was spread throughout the world;
and if we glance at the achievements performed within the memory
of persons now living, there is abundant proof that the Britons
of the present age are not inferior to their ancestors in the
qualities which constitute good soldiers. Witness the deeds of
the brave men, of whom there are many now surviving, who fought in
Egypt in 1801, under the brave Abercromby, and compelled the French
army, which had been vainly styled _Invincible_, to evacuate that
country; also the services of the gallant Troops during the arduous
campaigns in the Peninsula, under the immortal WELLINGTON; and
the determined stand made by the British Army at Waterloo, where
Napoleon Bonaparte, who had long been the inveterate enemy of Great
Britain, and had sought and planned her destruction by every means
he could devise, was compelled to leave his vanquished legions to
their fate, and to place himself at the disposal of the British
Government. These achievements, with others of recent dates in the
distant climes of India, prove that the same valour and constancy
which glowed in the breasts of the heroes of Creçy, Poictiers,
Agincourt, Blenheim, and Ramilies, continue to animate the Britons
of the nineteenth century.
The British Soldier is distinguished for a robust and muscular
frame,--intrepidity which no danger can appal,--unconquerable
spirit and resolution,--patience in fatigue and privation, and
cheerful obedience to his superiors. These qualities, united with
an excellent system of order and discipline to regulate and give
a skilful direction to the energies and adventurous spirit of
the hero, and a wise selection of officers of superior talent to
command, whose presence inspires confidence,--have been the leading
causes of the splendid victories gained by the British arms.[5]
The fame of the deeds of the past and present generations in the
various battle-fields where the robust sons of Albion have fought
and conquered, surrounds the British arms with a halo of glory;
these achievements will live in the page of history to the end of
time.
The records of the several regiments will be found to contain a
detail of facts of an interesting character, connected with the
hardships, sufferings, and gallant exploits of British soldiers in
the various parts of the world where the calls of their Country
and the commands of their Sovereign have required them to proceed
in the execution of their duty, whether in active continental
operations, or in maintaining colonial territories in distant and
unfavourable climes.
The superiority of the British infantry has been pre-eminently
set forth in the wars of six centuries, and admitted by the
greatest commanders which Europe has produced. The formations and
movements of this _arme_, as at present practised, while they
are adapted to every species of warfare, and to all probable
situations and circumstances of service, are calculated to
show forth the brilliancy of military tactics calculated upon
mathematical and scientific principles. Although the movements
and evolutions have been copied from the continental armies, yet
various improvements have from time to time been introduced, to
ensure that simplicity and celerity by which the superiority
of the national military character is maintained. The rank and
influence, which Great Britain has attained among the nations of
the world, have in a great measure been purchased by the valour of
the Army, and to persons, who have the welfare of their country at
heart, the records of the several regiments cannot fail to prove
interesting.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] A company of 200 men would appear thus:--
__|
| |
|__|
|
20 20 20 30 2|0 30 20 20 20
|
Harquebuses. Muskets. Halberds. Muskets. Harquebuses.
Archers. Pikes. Pikes. Archers.
The musket carried a ball which weighed 1/10th of a pound; and the
harquebus a ball which weighed 1/25th of a pound.
[2] The 30th, 31st, and 32nd Regiments were formed as Marine corps
in 1702, and were employed as such during the wars in the reign
of Queen Anne. The Marine corps were embarked in the Fleet under
Admiral Sir George Rooke, and were at the taking of Gibraltar, and
in its subsequent defence in 1704; they were afterwards employed at
the siege of Barcelona in 1705.
[3] The brave Sir Roger Williams, in his Discourse on War, printed
in 1590, observes:--"I persuade myself ten thousand of our nation
would beat thirty thousand of theirs (the Spaniards) out of the
field, let them be chosen where they list." Yet at this time the
Spanish infantry was allowed to be the best disciplined in Europe.
For instances of valour displayed by the British Infantry during
the Seventy Years' War, see the Historical Record of the Third
Foot, or Buffs.
[4] _Vide_ the Historical Record of the First, or Royal Regiment of
Foot.
[5] "Under the blessing of Divine Providence, His Majesty ascribes
the successes which have attended the exertions of his troops in
Egypt to that determined bravery which is inherent in Britons; but
His Majesty desires it may be most solemnly and forcibly impressed
on the consideration of every part of the army, that it has been a
strict observance of order, discipline, and military system, which
has given the full energy to the native valour of the troops, and
has enabled them proudly to assert the superiority of the national
military character, in situations uncommonly arduous, and under
circumstances of peculiar difficulty."--_General Orders in 1801._
In the General Orders issued by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope
(afterwards Lord Hopetoun), congratulating the army upon the
successful result of the Battle of Corunna, on the 16th of January,
1809, it is stated:--"On no occasion has the undaunted valour of
British troops ever been more manifest. At the termination of a
severe and harassing march, rendered necessary by the superiority
which the enemy had acquired, and which had materially impaired
the efficiency of the troops, many disadvantages were to be
encountered. These have all been surmounted by the conduct of the
troops themselves; and the enemy has been taught, that whatever
advantages of position or of numbers he may possess, there is
inherent in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows
not how to yield,--that no circumstances can appal,--and that will
ensure victory when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any
human means."
[Illustration: FIFTY THIRD REGIMENT.
_Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t. Strand_
_For Cannon's Military Records_]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF THE
FIFTY-THIRD,
OR
THE SHROPSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.
[Sidenote: 1755]
In the winter of 1755, when the attacks made by the French on
the British settlements beyond the Allegany Mountains, in North
America, appeared to render a war between the two countries
inevitable, King George II. resolved to augment the strength of
his regular army, and a letter of service was addressed to Colonel
William Whitmore, major in the third foot guards, authorizing
him to raise, form, and discipline a regiment of foot, of ten
companies, which was numbered the FIFTY-FIFTH; but two colonial
corps being soon afterwards disbanded, viz., Major-General
Shirley's and Major-General Sir William Pepperell's, which had been
numbered the Fiftieth and Fifty-first regiments, it obtained rank
as FIFTY-THIRD regiment.[6]
This regiment was raised in the south of England: its uniform was
cocked hats; red coats, faced with red, lined with yellow, and
ornamented with yellow lace; red waistcoats and breeches, and
white gaiters. The colonelcy was conferred on Colonel William
Whitmore, by commission dated the 21st of December, 1755; the
lieut.-colonelcy was given to Major George Craufurd, from the
thirty-fifth regiment, then in Ireland; and Captain William Arnot
was nominated major.
[Sidenote: 1756]
Early in 1756 the formation of the regiment was completed, and the
following officers were appointed to commissions in the corps:--
_Colonel_, William Whitmore.
_Lieutenant-Colonel_, Geo. Craufurd.
_Major_, Wm. Arnot.
_Captains._
John Lindsay.
Jas. Wakeman.
Jas. Mc.Farlane.
Geo. Sempill.
Tho. Benson.
Robert Lamb.
Tho. Thompson.
_Captain-Lieut._, Lord Viscount Allen.
_Lieutenants._
Geo. O. Kenlock.
Rob. Wright.
Chs. Chambre.
John Manmore.
Jas. Worsley.
Jno. Campbell.
Jno. Donellan.
John Slowe.
Wm. Hughes.
Tho. Dyson.
_Ensigns._
Cha. L. Richards.
Tho. Moore.
John Wright.
Geo. Massey.
Lodovick Grant.
Westley Groves.
Dougal Ewart.
Geo. C. Brown.
Jas. Frognorton.
_Chaplain_, Geo. Watkins.
_Surgeon_, Tho. London.
_Adjutant_, J. Frognorton.
_Quarter-Master_, Cosmo Gordon.
The formation of the regiment being completed, it received orders
to embark for Gibraltar, and was stationed at that important
fortress during the whole of the seven years' war, and remained
there until 1768.
[Sidenote: 1758]
[Sidenote: 1759]
In October, 1758, Colonel Whitmore was removed to the ninth
regiment of foot; and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the
FIFTY-THIRD, in April, 1759, by Colonel John Toovey, from
lieut.-colonel in the royal dragoons.
[Sidenote: 1768]
The regiment was relieved from duty at the fortress of Gibraltar in
1768, when it embarked for Ireland, where it was quartered during
the following eight years.
[Sidenote: 1770]
Colonel Toovey died in the early part of the year 1770, and King
George III. conferred the colonelcy on Colonel R. Dalrymple Horne
Elphinstone, who had commanded the 120th regiment of foot, which
was disbanded after the peace in 1763.
[Sidenote: 1775]
While the regiment was stationed in Ireland, the misunderstanding
between Great Britain and her North American provinces on the
subject of taxation, was followed by open hostilities; and a body
of American troops undertook the siege of _Quebec_.
[Sidenote: 1776]
In the spring of 1776 the FIFTY-THIRD and several other corps
proceeded, under Major-General Burgoyne, for the relief of Quebec:
this regiment embarked from Ireland on the 4th of April, arrived
in Canada towards the end of May, and took part in the operations
by which the American troops were driven from the confines of the
British provinces. During the winter the regiment was stationed at
Chambly.
[Sidenote: 1777]
The flank companies of the regiment were selected, in the spring
of 1777, to form part of the force under Lieut.-General Burgoyne,
who was directed to penetrate the United States from Lake Champlain
to the river Hudson, and advance upon Albany, with the view of
bringing that part of the country into submission to the British
crown. The troops employed on this service proceeded to Crown Point
in boats, and afterwards moved towards Ticonderoga, forcing the
Americans to abandon that post, and pursuing them a considerable
distance. Some fighting occurred, in which the British soldiers
evinced great gallantry, and the companies of the FIFTY-THIRD
had opportunities of distinguishing themselves. The army advanced
towards the river Hudson, encountering much greater difficulties
than had been expected. The country through which it marched was
a wilderness; numerous obstructions had to be removed, forty
bridges had to be constructed, and others repaired; but every
difficulty was overcome by the cheerful perseverance of the
soldiers. Their hardships were, however, daily augmented; and
after passing the river Hudson, they were opposed by very superior
numbers of the enemy. Several actions occurred, and British valour
was conspicuous; but incessant toil and a scarcity of provisions
reduced the army to 3500 men, who were environed by 16,000
Americans, and their retreat cut off. Under these circumstances a
convention was concluded, by which the British agreed to lay down
their arms on condition of being sent to England. The Americans
afterwards violated the conditions of the convention, and detained
the English soldiers some time.
[Sidenote: 1778]
[Sidenote: 1781]
Eight companies of the regiment had remained in Canada, where they
were eventually joined by the flank companies, and the regiment was
stationed in that part of the British dominions several years.
[Sidenote: 1782]
The American war terminated in 1782:--In the same year the regiment
received instructions to assume the title of the FIFTY-THIRD, OR
THE SHROPSHIRE REGIMENT, and to cultivate a connexion with that
county, which might, at all times, be useful towards recruiting.
[Sidenote: 1789]
[Sidenote: 1790]
In the summer of 1789 the regiment, being then in garrison at
Quebec, was relieved by the twenty-fourth foot, and embarked
for England, where it landed on the 31st of August. It passed
the winter at Bridgenorth, and towards the end of the year 1790
embarked on board the fleet to serve as marines, on which service
it was employed a short time.
[Sidenote: 1791]
[Sidenote: 1792]
Embarking from Plymouth on the 17th of February, 1791, the regiment
proceeded to Glasgow, and was stationed in Scotland during the year
1792.
[Sidenote: 1793]
In the meantime a revolution had taken place in France, and in
1793 the republicans of that country beheaded their king. They
also attacked the frontiers of Holland, when a body of British
troops was sent to the Netherlands to take part in the war. The
FIFTY-THIRD regiment was one of the first corps selected to proceed
on foreign service; it embarked from Scotland in March, and, after
landing in Flanders, advanced up the country to Tournay.
The regiment formed part of the column under the command of His
Royal Highness the Duke of York, which passed the Ronelle river on
the 23rd of May, and forced the French to quit several batteries
of their strong camp at _Famars_. It was stated in the public
despatch sent to England on this occasion--"The troops of the
different nations displayed the utmost firmness and intrepidity.
The British who had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves,
were the fourteenth and FIFTY-THIRD regiments, with the battalion
formed from the light infantry and grenadier companies, commanded
by Major-General Sir Ralph Abercromby." The regiment lost four men
on this occasion.
This success was followed by the siege of _Valenciennes_, in which
service the regiment was actively employed, and had several men
killed and wounded. It also sustained some loss at the storming
of the outworks on the 25th of July, which was followed by the
surrender of the fortress.
From Valenciennes the British troops proceeded towards _Dunkirk_,
which place was besieged; but circumstances occurred which rendered
it necessary for the army to withdraw from this position: and the
FIFTY-THIRD regiment was detached to the town of _Nieuport_. The
French made a strenuous effort to capture this place on the 24th
of October, by a _coup-de-main_, when the FIFTY-THIRD resisted
the attack of a very superior force, with heroic gallantry, and
their commanding officer, Major Robert Matthews, particularly
distinguished himself. The gallant conduct of the regiment on this
occasion excited universal admiration. Its loss was Lieutenant
Phanuel Latham and ten soldiers killed; Captain Ronald C. Fergusson
and eighteen soldiers wounded. The French continued to cannonade
the place several days, causing the regiment a further loss of
thirteen men; but the garrison being augmented, the enemy retired.
General Sir Charles (afterwards Earl) Grey, who arrived with a
reinforcement, stated in his despatch--"The artillery under Captain
Bothwick, with the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, whose loss has been
greatest, have been very much distinguished; and I think it only an
act of justice to mention in terms of the highest approbation Major
Matthews (commanding the FIFTY-THIRD), whose long services and
particular exertions on this occasion will, I hope, recommend him
to His Majesty's notice."
The Royal authority was given for the regiment to bear the word
"Nieuport" on its colours, to commemorate its distinguished conduct
in the defence of that fortress.
[Sidenote: 1794]
General Elphinstone died in the spring of 1794, when the colonelcy
of the regiment was conferred on Major-General Gerard Lake, from
lieut.-colonel in the first foot guards.