their march on the following day. The enemy having collected
additional forces and some field-pieces, harassed the detachment
exceedingly during its march, which brought on several skirmishes.
Arriving at the _Hill of Compo_, contiguous to the place of
embarkation, the Americans renewed their attack with greater
determination and spirit than ever; the British troops, facing
about, fired a volley, and then charged with the bayonet with
such impetuosity and courage, that the enemy, unable to withstand
the shock, retreated. The detachment afterwards embarked without
molestation, and returned to New York.
The KING'S OWN lost two men in this enterprise; and had Captain
Thorne, one serjeant, and fifteen rank and file wounded.
The regiment afterwards formed part of the army assembled in the
Jerseys, and was engaged in the movements designed to bring on
a general engagement; but the enemy keeping close in his strong
position in the mountains, an expedition against the populous and
wealthy city of Philadelphia was resolved upon. The KING'S OWN were
employed in this enterprise, and formed, with the twenty-third,
twenty-eighth, and forty-ninth regiments, the first brigade of the
army.
Having embarked from Sandy Hook, the troops sailed to Chesapeake
Bay, and landed on the 25th of August on the northern shore of the
Elk River; from whence they advanced on the 28th, in two columns,
to Elk Head. The enemy having taken up a position at Brandywine,
the royal army advanced on the 11th of September to give their
opponents battle, and the KING'S OWN formed part of the force
selected to attack the American troops posted at _Chad's Ford_.
After a sharp cannonade the troops advanced to the charge; the
KING'S OWN commanded by LIEUT.-COLONEL JAMES OGILVIE, and supported
by the fifth foot, led the attack in gallant style, and rushing
through the stream with fixed bayonets, overpowered all opposition
and captured three brass field-pieces, and a five and a half inch
howitzer.[27] The regiment pressed upon the retiring enemy, but
darkness coming on before the troops could reach the heights, the
action ceased. The loss of the regiment on this occasion was two
rank and file killed; and Captain Rawdon and twenty rank and file
wounded.
The victory at Brandywine was followed by the flight of the
American troops from Philadelphia, which city was taken possession
of by a British force of which the grenadier company of the KING'S
OWN formed part. The remainder of the army took up a position at
_Germantown_, and the KING'S OWN were encamped on the right flank.
The Americans attacked this post on the morning of the 4th of
October, and drove in the piquets of the right wing. The FOURTH
were moved forward to support the light infantry, and the assault
was sustained with such determined bravery, that the enemy could
make no impression at this point of attack. After the Americans
had been repulsed at other parts of the field, Major-General
Grant moved the forty-ninth regiment, and four pieces of cannon,
to the left of the KING'S OWN, and then advancing with the right
wing, forced the enemy's left to give way. The Americans were
afterwards pursued four or five miles through a woody country of
difficult access. The light company of the regiment, forming part
of the first light infantry battalion, highly distinguished itself
on this occasion, and had Lieutenant Champaigne wounded; also
several private men killed and wounded. The battalion companies
also acquired new laurels; and had one serjeant and eight rank and
file killed; Captain Thorne, Lieutenants Arbuthnot and Kemble,
Ensigns Dickson, Shoen, Hadden, and Blemen, with Adjutant Hunt, two
serjeants, and forty-six rank and file wounded; also three rank
and file missing. When the action commenced, the grenadier company
marched, with the remainder of its battalion, out of Philadelphia
with all possible expedition, and arrived at the scene of contest
at the moment when the enemy was giving way, and consequently
was not engaged. Lieut.-General Sir William Howe, speaking of
these actions in his public despatch, observes,--"In the several
engagements, the successes attending them are far better vouchers
than any words can convey, of the good conduct of the general
officers, and the bravery of the other officers and soldiers. The
fatigues of a march exceeding one hundred miles, supported with
the utmost cheerfulness by all ranks, without tents, and with very
little baggage, will, I hope, be esteemed as convincing proofs of
the noble spirit and emulation prevailing in the army to promote
His Majesty's service."[28]
While the army commanded by Sir William Howe was victorious
in Pennsylvania, another British force under the orders of
Lieut.-General Burgoyne penetrated the United States from the
frontiers of Canada; but the difficulties encountered by this
army were so great, that its commander concluded a convention
with the American General Gates, who was thus enabled to detach
a body of troops to reinforce General Washington. On the arrival
of these forces the American army advanced nearer Philadelphia,
and encamped at _White Marsh_. The British general moved forward,
and took post on the morning of the 5th of December on Chestnut
Hill, with the view of inducing the enemy to offer battle, or of
finding a vulnerable part in their fortified camp. A sharp skirmish
occurred on the same day, between two British battalions and a
thousand Americans, who were routed in a short time. On the 7th
of December another action occurred on Edgehill, a mile from the
enemy's left, on which occasion the native intrepidity and firmness
of the British were conspicuous. Several other skirmishes also
took place; and in every instance the Americans were defeated; but
their position was found so strong with entrenchments, _abbatis de
bois_, and other defences, that the army returned to Philadelphia
on the 8th of December, without venturing to attack it. The KING'S
OWN lost in these skirmishes, two men killed; and Lieutenant West,
three serjeants, and nine rank and file wounded.
[Sidenote: 1778]
The regiment passed the winter in comfortable quarters in the city
of Philadelphia, while the Americans lay in huts in the woods near
Valley Forge. Immediately on the return of spring a succession of
detachments ranged the country for many miles round Philadelphia
and the province of Jersey, and opened communications for bringing
in supplies of provision and forage.
Meanwhile the French monarch had acknowledged the independence
of the revolted provinces, and had concluded a treaty with them;
thus the nature of the contest was so completely changed, that
Lieut.-General Sir Henry Clinton, who had succeeded to the command
of the troops at Philadelphia, was ordered to vacate that city and
retire to New York. The KING'S OWN underwent with the remainder of
the army the fatigues of this long and toilsome journey, crossing
rivers, traversing a wild and woody country, overcoming numerous
difficulties, and repulsing the enemy's attempts to interrupt the
progress of the march, with signal gallantry, particularly on the
28th of June; and arrived at New York in the beginning of July.
The French monarch having sent a powerful armament to sea, some
danger was apprehended to the West Indian colonies; a body of
troops, of which the KING'S OWN formed part, was sent from
North America to the island of Barbadoes, under the command of
Major-General Grant; and the land and sea commanders at that
station being in a condition to act offensively, resolved to
attack the French island of _St. Lucie_. The grenadiers of the
KING'S OWN, under the orders of Captain West, formed part of the
grenadier battalion under the command of Major Harris of the
fifth; and the light company under Captain Thorne was in the
light infantry battalion commanded by Major Sir James Murray
of the FOURTH, and these battalions formed part of the reserve
commanded by Brigadier-General Medows, which landed on the 13th
of December, forced some heights with signal intrepidity, and
captured a field-piece and a four-gun battery. The remainder of
the troops having landed, the strong post of Morne Fortunè, with
the governor's house, the hospital, barracks, stores and magazines
were captured, and although the passes were remarkably strong and
difficult of access, yet with such impetuosity did the troops
advance, that the French governor was obliged to retire from post
to post, after doing all in his power to defend them. Scarcely
were the enemy's colours struck, and the British head-quarters
established at the governor's house, when the approach of a
powerful French fleet was descried. The soldiers, already fatigued
with a hard day's service, immediately commenced strengthening the
posts they had won, with cheerful alacrity; and the naval force was
disposed in line of battle across the entrance of the Cul de Sac.
The island of St. Lucie presents no regular face, but a succession
of confused steep and abrupt hills scattered among greater
mountains, everywhere intersected by narrow winding valleys, long
defiles, and deep ravines; and by unremitting labour during one
night the troops and shipping were placed in such admirable order
as to be enabled to withstand the repeated attacks of a very
superior force.
In a naval action fought on the 15th of December, which has been
regarded as one of the most brilliant displays of British skill
and valour on record, the enemy was twice repulsed with serious
loss; and being unable to force the line of battle, nine thousand
French troops, commanded by M. de Bouillé and Lavendahl, landed
and attacked the post of La Vigie, where the grenadier and light
companies of the KING'S OWN were stationed. The attack was made
with that impetuosity for which the French are distinguished; the
British reserved their fire until their adversaries were mounting
the trenches, when they threw in a volley, and instantly charging
with the bayonet, the enemy was broken and driven back with a
fearful slaughter. Three furious attacks having been repulsed,
the enemy re-embarked and quitted the island, and the governor
surrendered immediately afterwards.
[Sidenote: 1779]
[Sidenote: 1780]
Soon after the surrender of St. Lucie, the KING'S OWN proceeded to
the island of Antigua, where they remained during the succeeding
year; and having become much reduced in numbers by their service
in North America and the West Indies, they returned to England in
1780, and shortly afterwards proceeded to Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1782]
General Hodgson having been removed in the summer of 1782 to the
command of the fourth Irish horse, now seventh dragoon guards, the
colonelcy of the KING'S OWN was conferred on Lieut.-General John
Burgoyne, his commission bearing date the 7th of June, 1782.
[Sidenote: 1787]
The regiment remained in Ireland seven years, and on the 24th of
May, 1787, embarked for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland; and served in
various parts of these islands until the breaking out of the French
revolutionary war.
[Sidenote: 1792]
In 1792 General Burgoyne died, and was succeeded in the colonelcy
of the regiment on the 8th of August, 1792, by Lieut.-General
Morrison.
[Sidenote: 1793]
The violent spirit of republicanism which was exhibited in France
at this period, having led to confusion, anarchy, and a dreadful
catalogue of crimes of the most cruel and inhuman character,
including the murder of the King, which was followed by that of
the queen, war was declared against the regicide government of
that country; and the capture of _Miquelon_ and _St. Pierre_, two
islands in the Atlantic Ocean near the south coast of Newfoundland,
used by the French as stations for curing and drying fish, was
resolved upon. A detachment of the royal artillery and three
hundred and ten rank and file of the Fourth and sixty-fifth
regiments, commanded by Brigadier-General Ogilvie, sailed on this
enterprise on the 7th of May, 1793, from Newfoundland, and having
landed on the 14th of that month in the Ance-à-Savoyard, advanced
upon the principal town, when the governor immediately surrendered
at discretion. Although no opportunity occurred for the troops
to distinguish themselves in action, their conduct elicited the
commendations of the commander of the expedition in his public
despatch, and to their great credit not one act of depredation was
committed on the inhabitants. Major Peregrine Francis Thorne of the
KING'S OWN was appointed commandant of the two islands, but the
detachment of the regiment returned to its former stations.
[Sidenote: 1794]
[Sidenote: 1795]
[Sidenote: 1796]
[Sidenote: 1797]
From Nova Scotia and Newfoundland the regiment was removed in 1794
to Canada, and was stationed in garrison at Quebec; in the early
part of 1796 it proceeded up the country and occupied St. John's,
Chambly, and Isle-aux-Noix, and in November it was ordered to
Montreal, in which garrison it passed the succeeding winter: in
June, 1797, it proceeded down the river to Quebec. The regiments
in Canada being very weak in numbers, the FOURTH, fifth, and
first battalion of the sixtieth, were ordered to transfer their
serviceable men to the twenty-fourth, twenty-sixth, and second
battalion of the sixtieth regiments. The men of the KING'S OWN were
transferred to the twenty-sixth; and the officers, serjeants, and
drummers, embarked at Quebec on the 24th of September, and sailed
on the following day for England. When near the land's end the
transport having on board twelve officers, including the commanding
officer, (Lieut.-Colonel Hodgson,) the staff, colours, serjeants,
and drummers, was chased by a French privateer (La Vengeance);
several officers and men were wounded in endeavouring to defend the
ship, and when from the superior metal and power of the enemy, no
hope of escape remained, the regimental colours were sunk in the
sea, and the transport surrendered. This portion of the regiment
was afterwards conveyed to France, and detained in that country
above a year before it was exchanged.
[Sidenote: 1798]
In May, 1798, such of the officers of the regiment as had arrived
safe in England, received at Chatham barracks a draft of between
three and four hundred Irish youths, and in July following
proceeded to Botley; where they were joined in the beginning of
the succeeding year by the officers, serjeants, and drummers from
France.
[Sidenote: 1799]
Leaving Botley in April, 1799, the regiment proceeded to Worcester,
and from thence to Horsham barracks in July; in the following month
it marched to the camp on Barham downs.
The militia being permitted this year to transfer their services to
the regular regiments, two thousand seven hundred men volunteered
to the KING'S OWN, in consequence of which the regiment was
formed into three battalions; Major-General the Earl of Chatham
was appointed colonel commandant of the second battalion, and
Major-General Lord Charles Somerset colonel commandant of the third
battalion.
On the 3d of September the Prince of Wales was pleased to present
a pair of new colours to the first battalion on Barham downs; the
regiment was formed in a square, and His Royal Highness addressed
the officers and men as follows:--
"It affords me the highest satisfaction to have the honour of
presenting this gallant and distinguished corps with their colours.
Nothing but a blameless accident could have deprived you of those
you possessed before, and I now replace them, under the firmest
conviction that there is not a regiment in His Majesty's service
that will ever support and defend its colours with more valour
and gallantry than the FOURTH, or THE KING'S OWN. It considerably
enhances the pleasure I feel on this occasion that the ceremony
has happened on a day when every British heart must be filled
with gladness at the tidings which have just been received of the
heroic actions our brave countrymen have achieved in endeavouring
to rescue Holland from the detestable tyranny of France, and I
perceive with true pride that every countenance I now behold
partakes of this noble ardour, and that every heart is panting to
share in their laurels and glory."
In a few days after the presentation of the new colours the
regiment was ordered to proceed on foreign service: it embarked at
Deal, and after landing in Holland joined the Anglo-Russian army
commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke of York: when the three
battalions of the KING'S OWN, and the thirty-first regiment, were
formed in brigade under the orders of Major-General the Earl of
Chatham.
This brigade formed part of the column under Lieut.-General
Dundas, in the attack of the enemy's position near Bergen and
_Egmont-op-zee_, on the 2d of October. The KING'S OWN were engaged
among the sand-hills, and evinced the same intrepidity and firmness
for which the regiment had been distinguished on former occasions;
the enemy was driven from his positions, and the troops received
the thanks and approbation of the commander-in-chief. The regiment
had three men killed; Ensign Carruthers, one serjeant, and eight
private men wounded; one serjeant and six men missing.
In the attack of the enemy's position between _Beverwyck_, and
Wyck-op-zee, on the 6th of October, the three battalions of the
KING'S OWN were sharply engaged; the action was most severe, and
was continued with sanguinary obstinacy until night, when the enemy
retreated leaving the allies masters of the field. The KING'S OWN
had Lieut.-Colonel Dickson, Lieutenant Forster, and twenty-five men
killed; Major-General the Earl of Chatham, Lieut.-Colonel Hodgson,
Captain Palmer, Ensigns Johnston, Carruthers, Nichols, Highmore,
and Archibald, with four serjeants, and one hundred and eight rank
and file wounded; Majors Wynch and Horndon, Captain Gillmour,
Lieutenants Deare and Wilson, wounded and taken prisoners;
Lieut.-Colonel Cholmondeley, Major Pringle, Captains Archdall,
Brodie, and Chaplain, Lieutenants Gazeley and Wilbraham, Ensigns
Browne, Ellis, Hill, Anderson, M'Pherson, and Tyron, with twelve
serjeants, one drummer, and five hundred and two rank and file
prisoners of war and missing.
Several circumstances having occurred to render further operations
in Holland unadvisable, the army re-embarked and returned to
England. The three battalions of the KING'S OWN landed at Yarmouth
and marched to Ipswich, where they passed the winter.
After the decease of General Morrison, the colonelcy of the
regiment was conferred on Major-General the Earl of Chatham, by
commission dated the 5th of December, 1799.
[Sidenote: 1800]
[Sidenote: 1801]
In the summer of 1800 the KING'S OWN were encamped on Swinley
downs, near Windsor, where they were reviewed by King George III.
They passed the succeeding winter and summer at Winchester; in
September, 1801, the first and second battalions proceeded to
Horsham barracks, and the third battalion to Lewes. This year the
cocked hats were replaced by caps.
In the mean time great alterations had taken place in the affairs
of Europe; while several states which in former periods had nobly
fought for their civil and religious liberties, were seen crouching
beneath the iron rule of republican despotism, the British troops
had triumphed in Egypt and the West Indies, and the conditions of
a treaty of peace were taken into consideration. The men of the
KING'S OWN having been engaged to serve only during the war, they
were offered a farther bounty to enlist for unlimited service, and
upwards of nine hundred volunteered an extension of their services,
and were constituted the _first_ battalion.
[Sidenote: 1802]
In April, 1802, the second and third battalions proceeded to
Portsmouth, and in May the first was removed to Chatham. The treaty
of Amiens having been concluded, the third battalion was disbanded
at Portsmouth on the 24th of May, and the second at Winchester in
October of that year. In November the regiment marched to Dover
Castle.
[Sidenote: 1803]
The short respite from the horrors of war ceded to Europe by the
treaty of Amiens proved, like the calm which precedes a storm,
the harbinger of a mighty struggle which shook the basis of the
constitution of the states of Christendom. The ambitious designs of
Bonaparte, first consul of France, were ripening for execution, and
hostile preparations were secretly made under the deceptive cloak
of pacific designs. The conditions of the peace were evaded, and,
while Britain was reducing the numbers of her land and sea forces,
and cultivating amicable relations, Bonaparte was preparing, under
the pretence of colonial purposes, a gigantic naval and military
power with which he designed to crush, by one mighty effort,
the British people, who appeared as a barrier to his schemes of
aggrandizement, and were ever ready to oppose his progress.
The formidable preparations carried on in the ports of France
and Holland, pending the discussion of an important negociation,
occasioned the British government to adopt means of preservation,
and King George III., actuated by a concern for the security and
welfare of his subjects, exercised the power vested in him by act
of parliament, and issued on the 11th of March, 1803, warrants
for calling out and embodying the MILITIA. The establishment of
the regiments of the regular army was also augmented, the amount
of levy money for recruits was increased, and vigorous measures
were adopted for completing the numbers of the several corps. In
May the negociations with France terminated, the King's ambassador
was recalled from Paris, hostilities recommenced, and Bonaparte
made public declaration of his intention to invade this kingdom,
and assembled an army near Boulogne which was insultingly termed,
_L'armée d'Angleterre_.
This proceeding was met by the British government with suitable
measures; the SUPPLEMENTARY MILITIA was embodied; an Act was passed
to enable his Majesty to assemble an additional military force,
called the ARMY OF RESERVE; also an act for indemnifying persons
who might suffer in their property from the measures it might be
found necessary to adopt; and an Act to enable his Majesty more
effectually and speedily to exercise his ancient and undoubted
prerogative in requiring the military aid of his liege subjects in
case of invasion of the realm, called the LEVY-EN-MASSE ACT. The
captain-general of the army, Field-Marshal His Royal Highness the
Duke of York, was also active in making the necessary preparations.
The country was divided into military districts; general and staff
officers were appointed to each district, and arrangements were
made, and regulations issued, for the conduct of all ranks in the
event of an invasion taking place.
The moment the enemy landed, all the regulations of civil
government and restraint of forms were to cease in that part of
the country, and everything was to give way to the supplying and
strengthening of the army; the troops were directed to move in the
lightest manner, and without baggage; the enemy was to be attacked
at the moment of landing, and when his numbers became too great for
any chance of success, the troops were to withdraw a short distance
to give time for the forces of the country to assemble; correct
intelligence was to be circulated; the inhabitants were to withdraw
with their cattle, horses, and provision; and all provision tardy
in its removal was to be destroyed; the roads were to be broken
up, and the country driven and abandoned on the line of the enemy's
route.