to hover on its front, flanks, and rear; it was to be obliged
to fight for every article of sustenance; advantage was to be
taken of the intricate and enclosed nature of the country; every
inch of ground, every field, was to be to a degree disputed even
by inferior numbers; should the enemy enter the strong woodland
countries, trees were to be felled on the roads for miles around to
impede his progress; incessant attacks were to be kept up by night
with corps of various description and strength; the men were never
to fire but when they had a good mark and a decided aim, and to
use the national weapon, the bayonet, as much as possible, while
every individual with a pike or pitchfork in his hand was required
to unite his efforts to overwhelm and extirpate the unprincipled
invaders, who, spurning at those generous modes of warfare
established between civilized and rival countries, openly avowed
their design to be the utter destruction of Great Britain as a
nation. Against such an enemy the people were called upon to become
more ferocious than himself, and their indignation being raised to
the highest pitch would hurl back upon him that terror which he
had struck into weak and degraded nations which had not the same
liberty, renown, and constitution to contend for as Great Britain.
The measures of the government were nobly seconded by the people;
the British spirit was roused; a sudden burst of patriotic
enthusiasm pervaded the country; it animated the nobility, gentry,
yeomanry,--all orders and conditions of men,--all felt alike on
this momentous occasion; the danger was great, and it was met with
corresponding resolution and exertions; the whole country, from
the throne to the cottage, was animated with a determination to
crush the French army, if it should dare to invade the British
territory;--the Act for the LEVY-EN-MASSE was rendered unnecessary
by their spontaneous zeal; the designs of the government were
anticipated; voluntary associations were formed; loyal meetings
took place in the metropolis and in the principal towns throughout
the country; and large subscriptions were raised to bear the
expenses of the volunteer corps. The unanimity and harmony which
pervaded all ranks were astonishing; every city, town, and village,
from the Lands-end to the Orkney Islands, poured forth its
volunteer legions in defence of their country, and of their king;
it was difficult to say, whether the people were more liberal in
offering their persons, or their property, in defence of a country
and constitution so dear to their affections; and the British
monarch stood in a situation glorious and unexampled on the surface
of the earth: he was not defended by mercenaries always sparing of
their blood, not supported by tributary states impatient of their
yoke, not assisted by allies envious of his prosperity, (Europe
stood aloof leaving Britain to her own resources at the time of her
utmost need); but in the moment of danger, his Majesty saw himself
protected by the united efforts of all his people, by the persons
of those who were able to wield a weapon, by the prayers of the
aged and of the sick, by the purses of the rich, and by the hearts
of all: the people knew for whom, and for what, they were preparing
to fight; they knew they were not conscripts driven in chains to be
sacrificed on the altar of an ambitious leader, but loyal subjects
voluntarily engaging to encounter danger for a beloved sovereign,
for the preservation of that limited monarchy which they viewed as
the primary source of all the blessings they enjoyed as members
of civil society. They were not preparing to fight from the base
motive of desire to plunder other men's property, but to defend
their own; not to fight ingloriously to subvert the liberties
of others, but to prevent the yoke of slavery being fastened
round their own necks; not in contempt of national character, in
despite of the civil order of the world, in derision of religion,
or in mockery of heaven; but to preserve their happy land from
atheism, despotism, and anarchy, from that moral contamination of
principle and practice which outrages the very nature of mankind.
Actuated by such sentiments the aged, who had become indifferent
to professional emolument and to professional ambition, appeared
with renewed vigour ready for active service; and the youth stood
forward in crowds ready to shed their blood for the good of their
country. Thus exertions unknown in the history of this country, and
unprecedented in the most illustrious nations of antiquity, were
made, and Britain exhibited to the world the glorious spectacle
of a nation rising simultaneously to assert its freedom and
independence.
While the din of hostile preparation resounded throughout the
country, the regiment which forms the subject of this memoir had
the honour of forming part of an advanced-corps to the forces
selected to cover the coast opposite Boulogne where Bonaparte was
expected to land; for this purpose it was encamped at Shorncliffe,
and was brigaded with the fifty-second, fifty-ninth, and seventieth
regiments and five companies of the rifle corps, under the command
of that distinguished officer, Major-General (afterwards Sir John)
Moore. This corps was conspicuous for a high state of discipline;
and the officers and men felt a degree of honest pride at being
selected to commence the attack of the invaders whenever they
appeared.
The noble attitude which the nation assumed, the strength[29] and
energy it evinced while breathing defiance to the gigantic military
power by which it was menaced, caused the spirit even of Napoleon
to quail, and his legions did not venture to cross the British
channel.
Thus the daring project of subjugating Britain, a project suited
to that spirit of enterprise and ambition which characterized the
martial leader of the French nation, was defeated by the vigour
and promptitude of the government, and of the people, at the only
period when it was likely to prove successful. If Bonaparte could
have assembled in the ports of France and Holland a naval armament
for the transport of one hundred thousand men across the channel,
before the British fleets had been manned, the militia called out,
and the people arranged in military array, the mischief he might
have effected is incalculable. The immense preparations which were
made on the opposite side of the Channel, particularly at Boulogne,
the assembling of a large army in that quarter, the construction
of vessels calculated to cross the Channel and approach near
the shore, and his utter disregard of the loss of men, so that
he accomplished his designs, prove beyond doubt Bonaparte's
determination of invading the British territory; but the unanimous
and glorious resolution evinced by the people to preserve their
country, their freedom, and their privileges from the contamination
of republicanism, and to shed their blood in the defence of what
they valued above life, deterred him from carrying the threats he
had so often repeated into execution.
The KING'S OWN remained encamped at Shorncliffe; Martello towers
were constructed along the shore, and batteries were raised to
command the important points; and the soldiers, imbibing the spirit
of their distinguished commander, calmly awaited the arrival of
their vaunting adversaries. The Right Honourable William Pitt, who
was at this period warden of the Cinque Ports, raised two regiments
of a thousand men each; he frequently rode over to Shorncliffe,
and Major-General Moore explained to this great statesman all his
plans. On one occasion Mr. Pitt observed,--"Well, Moore, but as on
the very first alarm of the enemy's coming I shall join you with my
Cinque Porte regiments, you have not told me where you will place
us?" "Do you see," said Moore, "that hill? you and yours shall be
drawn up on it, where you will make a most formidable appearance
to the enemy, while I with the soldiers shall be fighting on the
beach." Mr. Pitt was exceedingly amused with this reply. On the
28th of November, the KING'S OWN proceeded into the newly-built
barracks at Hythe.
[Sidenote: 1804]
In 1804 the preparations for invasion were augmented; the KING'S
OWN were again encamped at Shorncliffe, and were brigaded with the
forty-third, fifty-second, fifty-ninth, and five companies of the
rifle corps, commanded by Major-General Moore. The nation preserved
the attitude of defence and defiance to the power of Bonaparte;
the several corps were regularly exercised, and inspected, and
kept ready for active service; and the KING'S OWN, commanded by
Lieut.-Colonel Brinley, attained so high a state of discipline
and efficiency as to excite the special notice and approbation of
his Royal Highness the Duke of York, who reviewed the regiment,
with the remainder of its brigade, on the 24th of August.[30]
Bonaparte's army remained inactive at Boulogne, consuming his
resources; but he obtained from the French nation the dignity of
EMPEROR. Another season passed away without an invasion; and on the
2d of November, the FOURTH proceeded to the barracks at Hythe; a
second battalion was added to its establishment, and the officers
who had eminently distinguished themselves by their zeal and
attention to the good of the service, were rewarded with promotion.
[Sidenote: 1805]
The regiment left Hythe on the 9th of March, 1805, for Canterbury,
and while stationed at this place Colonel Brinley was appointed
quartermaster-general in the West Indies. On his leaving the
regiment, the officers evinced their esteem for him by inviting him
to an entertainment prepared for the occasion, and by presenting
him with a sword valued at fifty guineas.[31]
During the summer of this year both battalions were encamped
on Beachy Head, where they were reviewed in brigade, with the
twenty-third regiment, commanded by Major-General the Honourable
Edward Paget, by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and
Duke of York.
Bonaparte, after having been crowned King of Italy, and having
added Genoa to his empire, proceeded to Boulogne and reviewed his
army; and immediately afterwards marched against the forces of
Russia and Austria, to crush at once the coalition forming against
his interests, in which the British cabinet was taking a decided
part. At the same time the French troops were withdrawn from
Hanover, which country they had seized on soon after the resuming
of hostilities in 1803. On the 21st of October the glorious victory
at Trafalgar was won by the fleet, which gave Great Britain the
uncontrolled sovereignty of the sea: and on the 27th of that month
the first battalion of the KING'S OWN embarked at Ramsgate for
Hanover. Having landed at Cuxhaven on the 19th of November, it
marched up the country and was cantoned at Blumenthal, where it
was formed in brigade with the twenty-third and twenty-eighth
regiments under Major-General Honourable E. Paget; the British
troops in Hanover designed to co-operate with the continental
powers being under the orders of Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart.
Meanwhile the Austrians had been overpowered by Bonaparte, who
had taken possession of Vienna; and the united Austrian and
Russian armies were defeated in the beginning of December at
Austerlitz, which established the preponderance of French power. In
a subsequent treaty concluded at Vienna, it was stipulated, that
Hanover should be occupied by the Prussians, and the British troops
under Lord Cathcart retreated to Bremen and embarked for England.
[Sidenote: 1806]
The first battalion of the KING'S OWN landed at Yarmouth in
February, 1806, and marched to Woodbridge barracks; from whence it
proceeded in May to Colchester: the second battalion was quartered
at Chelmsford.
[Sidenote: 1807]
The influence of French councils at the court of Denmark, with the
expectation that its navy would be employed by Bonaparte against
Great Britain, occasioned the British court to resolve to obtain
possession of the Danish fleet either by treaty or force, and to
retain it until the conclusion of the war. An armament was fitted
out for this service, and the first battalion of the KING'S OWN
embarked at Harwich on the 25th of July, to form part of the land
force under the orders of Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart. The Danish
government not acceding to the proposed conditions, the army
landed on the island of Zealand, and took up a position before
_Copenhagen_, the KING'S OWN being formed in brigade with the
twenty-third regiment, under the orders of Major-General Grosvenor.
After a bombardment of three days the city surrendered, and the
fleet was given up. The KING'S OWN, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel
Wynch, occupied the citadel, where Lord Cathcart fixed his
head-quarters. On the evacuation of Copenhagen, the KING'S OWN
re-embarked, and after landing at Deal on the 6th and 7th of
November, marched to Colchester. The second battalion had, in the
mean time, proceeded to Jersey.[32]
[Sidenote: 1808]
Although the forces of Russia and Prussia had been defeated, and
a most humiliating peace concluded at Tilsit, yet Sweden still
resisted the power of Bonaparte; and the first battalion of the
FOURTH, or KING'S OWN, after receiving the thanks of parliament for
its conduct at Copenhagen, was selected to form part of a body of
troops placed under the command of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore,
to support the Swedish monarch. The KING'S OWN, having embarked at
Harwich on the 28th of April, 1808, arrived at Gottenburg; but, to
the surprise of the troops, they were interdicted landing by the
decree of the King of Sweden, who, though desirous of obtaining
British aid (like his predecessor, the Great Gustavus Adolphus, who
in 1632 had eighteen British regiments in his army), yet he proved
so imbecile of mind, and purposed to employ his British auxiliaries
in so absurd a manner, that the expedition returned to England.
Meanwhile important events had transpired in the Peninsula.
Bonaparte, after reducing to submission to his inexorable will
all Germany, and forcing Russia to accede to his decrees, was
prompted by his restless ambition to attempt the subjugation of
Spain and Portugal. Having resolved to commence with the latter,
he compelled Spain to join in the enterprise; and when Portugal
was subdued, he seized on the Spanish monarchy. The inhabitants
revolted against his authority. A British force, commanded by
Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, proceeded to their aid: and on
the return of the KING'S OWN from Gottenburg, they were immediately
ordered to proceed to the Peninsula. Having landed in Maceira
Bay, in Portugal, on the 25th of August, they advanced on Lisbon,
and after the French army capitulated and vacated Portugal, they
encamped within two leagues of Lisbon.
When Lieut.-General Sir John Moore was appointed to the command
of the British troops in Portugal, and directed to advance to
the assistance of the Spaniards, the KING'S OWN, commanded by
Lieut.-Colonel Wynch, were formed in brigade with the twenty-eighth
and forty-second regiments, under the orders of Major-General
Lord William Bentinck; the FOURTH led the right column in the
march through Portugal into Spain, and arrived at Salamanca on the
14th of November. Although the Spanish forces, which were to have
co-operated with Sir John Moore, were defeated and dispersed, and
Bonaparte had three hundred thousand men in Spain, yet the British
general, with that intrepidity which marked his character, advanced
with his army into the heart of Spain, braved the numerous legions
of the enemy, and produced a diversion favourable to the Spanish
cause. When Napoleon directed eighty thousand men and two hundred
cannon against Sir John Moore, he marched towards the coast; and
by superior skill escaped from the overwhelming numbers by which
he was menaced. Great privation and suffering were endured by the
troops during this retreat of two hundred and fifty miles, in the
depth of winter, over mountains and rivers, exposed to snow-storms
and heavy rains, and pursued by an enemy of superior numbers.
During the retreat the KING'S OWN preserved their efficiency, and
their grenadier company, commanded by Captain Faunce, did not lose
a man.
[Sidenote: 1809]
At length the army arrived at _Corunna_, and the war-worn British
soldiers obtained shelter, warm food, and a short repose, at the
town and neighbouring villages, where their wasted strength was
recruited, and their damaged arms were exchanged for new, while
they awaited the arrival of shipping to transport them to England.
The shipping arrived, and while arrangements were making for the
embarkation, the British troops, amounting to fourteen thousand
five hundred men, were in position on an inferior range of heights
in front of _Corunna_; and the FOURTH were on the right of
Lieut.-General Sir David Baird's division, behind the village of
Elvina.
On the 16th of January, 1809, twenty thousand French troops
assembled on the opposite hills; about two in the afternoon a heavy
battery opened its fire; and three columns of the enemy, covered by
clouds of skirmishers, descended the mountains, and drove in the
British piquets. The first column carried the village of Elvina;
then dividing, attempted to turn the right of Lieut.-General Sir
David Baird's division by the valley, and to break its front;
at the same time the second column advanced against the British
centre; and the third attacked the left at the village of Palavia
Abaxo. The brunt of the battle on the right was sustained by
the FOURTH, forty-second, and fiftieth regiments, commanded by
Major-General Lord William Bentinck, and this brigade resisted
the furious onset of the enemy with a firmness which proved the
unconquerable spirit and excellent discipline of the troops. The
enemy's attempt to turn the right flank by the valley occasioned
the right wing of the FOURTH to be thrown back, and the regiment
opening a heavy flanking fire with terrible effect, it forced its
opponents back in confusion; while the forty-second and fiftieth
attacked those breaking through the village of Elvina. Sir John
Moore watching this manœuvre with care, saw the noble exhibition of
valour made by the KING'S OWN, and the repulse of the enemy by the
flanking fire, with feelings of exultation, and called out, "_That
is exactly what I wanted to be done. I am glad to see a regiment
there in which I have so much confidence_:" but in a short time
afterwards this distinguished commander was mortally wounded by a
cannon-ball, and died regretted by the army. Eventually the French
were defeated on all sides, and they sought refuge on the high
ridge of hills from which they had descended. Thus ended a conflict
which was glorious to the British arms; the army having repulsed
its adversaries, embarked during the night and succeeding day, and
returned to England.
The KING'S OWN had their commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Wynch,
with Captain John Williamson, Lieutenant Vere Hunt, Ensigns J.
P. Jameson and Reardon, wounded; Ensign Reardon died of his
wounds. Lieut.-Colonel Wynch was rewarded with a medal; and
the distinguished conduct of the regiment procured for it the
honourable privilege of bearing the word CORUNNA on its colours.
Having landed at Portsmouth on the 31st of January, the KING'S OWN
marched to Colchester Barracks, where the second battalion, which
had returned from Jersey, was also stationed. The militia being
again allowed to extend their services to the line, upwards of
seven hundred volunteered for the FOURTH, and the establishment of
the first battalion was raised to twelve hundred, and the second to
a thousand men.
An attack on Holland by a body of troops commanded by General
the Earl of Chatham having been resolved upon, both battalions
of the KING'S OWN,--the first commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Wynch,
and the second by Lieut.-Colonel Espinasse, marched for Deal and
embarked on the 16th of July; they were formed in brigade with the
twenty-eighth regiment, under Major-General the Earl of Dalhousie.
This brigade formed part of the reserve under Lieut.-General Sir
John Hope, and landed on the 1st of August on the island of South
Beveland, where it was stationed during the attack and capture of
Flushing, on the island of Walcheren. Some delay taking place in
the naval arrangements, the enemy had time to make preparations for
a powerful resistance; at the same time a severe epidemic fever
broke out among the English troops, and the attack on Antwerp was
relinquished.
In September the regiment was withdrawn from South Beveland, and
having landed at Harwich on the 16th of that month, returned to
Colchester Barracks much reduced in numbers by the Walcheren fever.
[Sidenote: 1810]
The second battalion left Colchester in January, 1810, embarked
at Portsmouth for Gibraltar, and was subsequently stationed in
garrison at Ceuta.
In the autumn the first battalion was again called upon to
transfer its services to the Peninsula, where the war continued
to rage, and Marshal Massena was advancing with a powerful army
to complete the conquest of Portugal. Having embarked at Harwich
on the 24th of October on board the Agincourt, of 64 guns, and
Brune frigate, the KING'S OWN, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Wynch,
sailed for Portugal; they landed at Lisbon on the 4th of November,
and advancing up the country to join the army commanded by Lord
Wellington, then in the lines of _Torres Vedras_, were brigaded
with the second battalions of the thirtieth and forty-fourth
regiments, commanded by Major-General Dunlop, in the fifth
division, under the orders of Major-General James Leith, and were
stationed at Alcoentra, from whence they proceeded in December to
Torres Vedras.
[Sidenote: 1811]
Colonel Wynch was appointed to command a brigade in the light
division; but, unfortunately for the service, and to the deep
regret of all who knew him, this excellent and distinguished
officer died at Lisbon on the 6th of January following, of a
fever, caught in the discharge of his duty at the advanced-posts
of the army. Lieut.-Colonel Bevan succeeded to the command of the
first battalion, and Major Brooke was promoted to the rank of
lieutenant-colonel, and appointed to the second battalion.
The KING'S OWN remained at Torres Vedras until the French army,
having been reduced by sickness and other causes, retreated towards
Spain;--the regiment then moved forward in pursuit, and the enemy's
rear was harassed and attacked with varied success.
On the 2d of April the FOURTH marched through Guarda; on the
following day they passed the Coa with their division by the bridge
of _Sabugal_; and the enemy, having been previously attacked by the
light division, was forced to make a precipitate retreat, and he
fell back upon Alfayates.
The French having retreated on Ciudad Rodrigo, the allied army
stood triumphant on the confines of Portugal, from whence the
KING'S OWN advanced into Spain, and were cantoned at Aldea de Bispo
from the 9th of April to the beginning of May.
When Marshal Massena advanced to the relief of Almeida, the allied
army went into position to oppose his progress, and the fifth
division taking post near Fort Conception, on the left of the line,
was not attacked; the FOURTH regiment was consequently not engaged
in the action at Fuentes d'Onor.
After the repulse of the French army, the garrison of Almeida lost
all hope of assistance, and the commandant made preparations for
destroying the works, and for vacating the place. At midnight,
on the 10th of May, he exploded the mines, and sallying forth
in a compact column, broke through the blockading force; but
was followed by a few men collected on the instant, and by the
thirty-sixth regiment. Early on the following morning, as the
KING'S OWN were on the march to _Barba del Puerco_, they heard the
firing of musketry at a distance, and hastened towards the scene
of conflict. The enemy was on the march; but the British soldiers,
throwing off their knapsacks, followed at such a pace, that they
overtook the rear of the column in the act of descending the deep
chasm of Barba del Puerco. Many were killed and wounded, and three
hundred were taken; but the remainder escaped. The KING'S OWN had
two rank and file killed, and one lieutenant and ten rank and file
wounded.