events brought the ROYAL DRAGOONS again into the field of conflict.
The return of Buonaparte to France, the flight of Louis XVIII. from
Paris, and the appearance of a British army near the frontiers of
France, followed in rapid succession. An express arrived at the
quarters of the ROYALS on the morning of the 24th of April, 1815,
with orders to march on the following morning for Canterbury,
and afterwards to Dover and Ramsgate, and to embark for the
Netherlands. An augmentation of two troops was at the same time
ordered; a hundred horses were received at Canterbury by transfer
from the fifth dragoon guards; and about the middle of May the
ROYALS were in Belgium, in quarters in the villages between Ghent
and Brussels, where, to pass away the time unemployed by military
duties, the officers amused themselves with horse-races and
athletic sports.[59]
On the morning of the 16th of June the ROYALS were suddenly aroused
before daybreak by the loud notes of the bugle sounding "to
horse." The summons had a highly exhilarating effect on the spirits
of the men: they turned out with alacrity, not doubting but the day
was big with events, and in a short time they were advancing on
_Quatre Bras_, where the enemy had commenced a furious attack on
the advanced-posts. After continuing the march about fifty miles,
the ROYALS arrived at the scene of conflict about dusk in the
evening:[60] the fighting had ceased, and the troops bivouacked on
the field of battle.
The Prussians had been defeated at Ligny and forced to retire;
the Duke of Wellington made a corresponding movement; and the
ROYAL DRAGOONS, after passing the night under arms in the open
fields, were formed in line, on the forenoon of the 17th of June,
with the other cavalry regiments, to cover the retreat of the
infantry. The British cavalry, manœuvring, and, by their varied
evolutions, masking and covering the retreat of the infantry,
exhibited a splendid spectacle of war. One squadron of the ROYALS,
commanded by Major Radclyffe, was sent to the front to skirmish.
"I was detached," observes the major, in his narrative, "with my
squadron to cover the brigade by skirmishing, and Major-General
Sir William Ponsonby, and the brigade generally, were pleased
to applaud the style in which we acquitted ourselves. It rained
with greater violence than I ever witnessed before, which I found
to my advantage when it was my turn to skirmish. The enemy had
two squadrons of Chasseurs opposed to me, and as they could not
overpower us by their fire, they huzzaed and endeavoured to excite
each other on with 'Vive l'Empereur!' and once actually charged
towards my skirmishers, but they stopped short, not daring to come
to daggers with us." Towards the evening the ROYALS arrived at
the position in front of _Waterloo_, where they halted, and again
passed the night in the open fields, without provisions, without
drink, and exposed to continued rain.
On the morning of the 18th of June the army was formed in order of
battle. "We" (the ROYALS) "found ourselves," states the Major, in
his journal, "in our place in close column behind the second line
of infantry, fetlock deep in mud; no baggage for the officers, and
neither provision nor water for the men (though some stray cattle
had been killed and eaten, and a small supply of spirits had, a
short time before, been found on the road), so that we might be
said to go _coolly_ into action, for every man was wet to the
skin." Notwithstanding these disadvantages the ROYALS proved "true
Britons."
At ten o'clock the French army was seen forming on the opposite
heights, from whence a cloud of skirmishers rushed forwards: the
fire of the artillery gradually opened, and about noon the columns
of attack came sweeping through the valley in all the pomp and
majesty of war. A succession of attacks was made at various points,
and the ROYALS were formed in column, awaiting the moment when
their services should be required. At length, twenty thousand
French infantry (Count d'Erlon's corps) suddenly appeared on the
opposite heights, and rushing forward, such was the celerity of
their course, that, scarcely seeming to traverse the intermediate
space, they quickly ascended the position,--dispersed a Belgic
brigade with which they first came in contact,--forced the
artillery-men, posted in the rear of the double hedge and narrow
road, to abandon their guns,--broke through parts of the British
supporting infantry,--and several thousand of French foot having
passed La Haye Sainte, had actually crowned the allied position,
when Lieutenant-General the Earl of Uxbridge came galloping to
that part of the field. A few words issued from his lips: speedily
the ROYALS, the Scots Greys, and Inniskillen dragoons were seen
advancing in line; the noble bearing of these distinguished
horsemen was characteristic of the innate valour of the officers
and men, and the spectacle was singularly imposing. The three
regiments halted a few moments to permit the broken battalions to
pass through the intervals of squadrons, and then rushed forward,
with terrific violence, upon the enemy's infantry. The effect was
magical: the heads of the French columns were instantly broken
and forced back,--a general flight commenced; the firing ceased,
and the smoke having cleared away, those formidable masses, a
moment before so menacing and conspicuous, had almost disappeared,
or left only the traces of a dispersed rabble flying over the
plain. Some, despairing to escape, abandoned their arms, and threw
themselves on the ground, and the ROYALS, Greys, and Inniskillen
dragoons were seen trampling down and sabring the French infantry
with uncontrollable power. Crowds of French soldiers appeared
at different points, surrendering as prisoners: many, however,
defended themselves to the last; and others again, rising up, after
being ridden over or passed by the dragoons, were observed firing
on their rear, the slope of the position being left literally
covered with dead.
During the heat of this conflict, Captain ALEXANDER KENNEDY
CLARK,[61] commanding the centre squadron of the ROYAL DRAGOONS,
having led his men about two hundred yards beyond the second
hedge on the British left, perceived in the midst of a crowd of
infantry the EAGLE of the French 105th regiment, with which the
bearer was endeavouring to escape to the rear. Against this body
of men, Captain Clark instantly led his squadron at full speed,
and plunging into the midst of the crowd, overtook and slew the
French officer who carried the EAGLE; and several men of the ROYAL
DRAGOONS coming up at the moment, the EAGLE was captured, and
Captain Clark, giving it to Corporal Stiles,[62] directed him to
carry it to the rear.[63]
Another EAGLE was captured by the Greys; and the three regiments,
animated by this tide of success, pursued their advantage too far.
They crossed the ravine; carried several batteries; and continued
their course even to the rear of the enemy's position. The latter,
recovering confidence from the disorder too apparent in the
movements of this insulated and unsupported brigade, fell upon
it with a large body of lancers and some cuirassiers. The three
regiments being broken and dispersed in the pursuit, were forced
back, and they sustained considerable loss. Their gallant leader,
Major-General SIR WILLIAM PONSONBY was killed,[64] and the command
of the brigade devolved on Colonel Muter[65] of the Inniskillen
dragoons.
In this attack the ROYALS took an immense number of prisoners:
their conduct excited great admiration, and has been commended by
historians. The following is an extract from one of the numerous
accounts of the battle of Waterloo:--"The Marquis of Anglesey,
galloped up to the second brigade (1st, 2nd, and 6th dragoons),
and the three regiments, wheeling into line, presented a beautiful
front of about one thousand men. The noble Marquis ordered a
charge, which was most gallantly executed. They took the enemy in
flank and a most tremendous fight commenced. Every man fought with
unparalleled heroism, for every man had his own individual task to
perform. The ROYALS, fired with a noble emulation, rushed into a
column of four thousand men, where they captured the Eagle of the
105th regiment and bore it off in triumph. The greater part of this
column then threw down their arms, and were immediately conducted
to the rear. The Greys also captured an Eagle. Thus the great
attack of the enemy on the left was finally overthrown, and two
thousand men made prisoners."
After returning from the charge, the ROYALS resumed their post in
position, and were exposed to a heavy cannonade. In the afternoon
the brigade was moved to its right; and, Colonel Muter having been
wounded, Lieut.-Colonel CLIFTON of the ROYALS took the command of
the three regiments; when the command of the ROYALS devolved on
Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Dorville. The enemy made several attacks on
various points, but was uniformly repulsed. At length the Duke of
Wellington assumed the offensive. The ROYALS again advanced, and
the allied army made a simultaneous rush upon the enemy, who was
overthrown, cut down, and pursued with dreadful slaughter from the
field of battle. Thus ended a day glorious to the British arms
beyond precedent. The distinguished services of the HEAVY CAVALRY
did not fail to excite admiration:--by their powerful attacks
they more than once restored the battle; and they were especially
noticed by the Duke of Wellington in his despatch.
The ROYAL DRAGOONS had Captain Windsor, Lieutenant Foster, Cornets
Magniac and Sykes, Adjutant Shepley, six serjeants, eighty-six
men, and one hundred and sixty-one horses killed: Brevet Major
Radclyffe[66], Captain Clark, Lieutenants Gunning, Keily,
Trafford, Wyndowe, Ommaney, Blois, and Goodenough, with six
serjeants, eighty-two men, and thirty-five horses, wounded; also
two men wounded and taken prisoners.
On the following morning the allied army advanced, directing its
march upon Paris, which city was surrendered in the early part
of July. The ROYALS accompanied the army, and on the 7th of July
marched into quarters at Nanterre, a village situate about seven
miles from the French capital. The Bourbon dynasty was restored to
the throne, and the campaign terminated.
[Sidenote: 1816]
The ROYALS left Nanterre on the 30th of July, and proceeded to
Rouen, and in October to Montevilliers; from whence they marched,
in December, to the vicinity of the coast; and in the early part
of January, 1816, embarked at Calais. The regiment landed at Dover
and Ramsgate on the 15th of that month, and proceeding from thence
to Ipswich barracks, arrived there on the 23rd; and, on the 25th,
the establishment was reduced from ten to eight troops. For their
distinguished gallantry on the 18th of June, 1815, permission was
granted for the ROYAL DRAGOONS to bear the word "WATERLOO" and an
"EAGLE" on their standards and appointments: every officer and man
present at that engagement received a silver medal to be worn on
the left breast, and the subaltern officers and soldiers had the
privilege of reckoning two years' service for that day, towards
increase of pay and pension.
The following officers of the ROYAL DRAGOONS received medals and
marks of royal favour for their services during the war:--
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
COLONEL ARTHUR BENJAMIN CLIFTON.
Medal and one clasp for Fuentes d'Onor, and Vittoria.
Companion of the order of the Bath.
Medal for Waterloo.
The second class of the Russian order of St. Anne.
The fourth class of the order of Wilhelm of Holland.
MAJORS.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL PHILIP DORVILLE.
Companion of the order of the Bath.
Waterloo Medal.
CHARLES PURVIS.
Medal for Vittoria.
MEDALS FOR WATERLOO.
CAPTAINS.
Major Charles E. Radclyffe
Alexander Kennedy Clark
Paul Phipps
LIEUTENANTS.
Henry Robert Carden
Sigismund Trafford
George Gunning
Townshend Richard Keily
Samuel Windowe
Cornthwaite Ommaney
Charles Blois
Stephen Goodenough
CORNETS.
C. B. Stephenson
Honourable John Massey
Quarter-Master W. Waddell
Surgeon George Steed
Veterinary-Surgeon W. Ryding
[Sidenote: 1817]
[Sidenote: 1818]
Towards the end of August, 1817, the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched for
Scotland, and were stationed at Hamilton, Ayr, Dumfries, Stirling,
and Glasgow. In June, 1818, they embarked at Portpatrick for
Ireland, and, having landed at Donaghadee, proceeded to Ballinrobe,
Sligo, Longford, Roscommon, and Dunmore. In November a reduction of
eight serjeants, ninety-six men, and fifty-six horses, was made in
the establishment.
[Sidenote: 1819]
[Sidenote: 1820]
In June, 1819, the regiment proceeded to Dublin, where it remained
on garrison duty until August of the following year, when it
embarked for England; and, after landing at Liverpool, marched to
Manchester, Oldham, Ashton, and Altringham.
[Sidenote: 1821]
On the 19th of March, 1821, the ROYALS commenced their march for
Radipole barracks, from whence a number of parties were detached on
revenue duty; and, for the seizure of smuggled goods made whilst on
this duty, the regiment received upwards of £200. In September the
establishment was reduced to six troops, of three officers, three
serjeants, one trumpeter, one farrier, fifty rank and file, and
forty-two horses each.
[Sidenote: 1822]
The regiment marched, on the 13th of June, 1822, from the west
and south-west districts, to Richmond and other villages near the
metropolis, and was reviewed on Wormwood Scrubbs by His Royal
Highness the Duke of York on the 6th of July. Two days after the
review it marched for Canterbury, detaching troops and parties on
the revenue duty.
[Sidenote: 1823]
Having called in the detachments, the regiment marched from
Canterbury, on 1st of July, 1823, for the cavalry barracks near
the Regent's Park, London, and on their arrival took the King's
duty--the life guards and royal horse guards having marched into
quarters near Hounslow, preparatory to a review, which took place
on the 15th of July, when the ROYALS furnished a guard of honour
for His Royal Highness the Duke of York, and a squadron to assist
in keeping the ground. They were relieved from the King's duty
on the following day, and marched for York barracks, where they
arrived on the 29th of July.
[Sidenote: 1824]
From York the ROYALS marched, on the 24th of May, 1824, for
Scotland, and occupied Piershill barracks, Edinburgh, and
Perth,--with detachments at Cupar, Angus, and Forfar; and were
employed, during the calamitous fire in Parliament Square,
Edinburgh, in November, on three successive days, in preserving
order, protecting property, and rendering assistance to the
unfortunate sufferers; and the dismounted men, with the barrack
engine, assisted materially in extinguishing the fire in the Tron
church. The services of the regiment, on this occasion, were
commended in a general order, issued by the commander of the
forces in Scotland; and in a vote of thanks from the lord provost,
magistrates, and town council of Edinburgh.
[Sidenote: 1825]
In the early part of March, 1825, the regiment proceeded to
Hamilton, and Glasgow, and in the following month embarked for
Ireland; after landing at Donaghadee, it marched to Dundalk and
Belturbet, from whence several strong escorts were detached for the
safe-conduct of specie,--the currency of the two kingdoms having
been assimilated.
[Sidenote: 1826]
[Sidenote: 1827]
[Sidenote: 1828]
On the 30th of March, 1826, the ROYALS marched for Dublin, where
they remained until April, 1827, and then marched for Newbridge;
and in October following proceeded to Cork, Fermoy, and Bandon. The
whole assembled at Cork in March, 1828, and proceeded from thence
to Ballincollig.
[Sidenote: 1829]
The regiment commenced its march for Dublin on the 28th of April,
1829, embarked for England in the early part of May, and, after
disembarking at Liverpool, proceeded into quarters in the town of
Manchester,--the barracks at that place having been pulled down for
the purpose of being rebuilt. During their stay at this place the
ROYALS furnished a number of piquets and parties for the prevention
of riot and open violation of the law by the operatives, who were
in a state of disaffection: detachments were also sent to Blackburn
and Bolton for the same purpose.
The death of Lieutenant-General Garth having taken place on the
18th of November, 1829, on the 23rd of that month, His Majesty
conferred the colonelcy on Lieut.-General Lord R. E. H. Somerset,
G.C.B. from the seventeenth lancers.
[Sidenote: 1830]
In the summer of 1830 the regiment marched to Norwich and Ipswich;
at the same time the establishment was reduced to two hundred and
seventy rank and file. In the autumn of this year the agricultural
labourers, having been excited by designing men, committed
numerous acts of incendiarism and effected the destruction of
property to a most alarming extent in several counties. The ROYAL
DRAGOONS were, in consequence, called upon to furnish a number of
detachments to assist the civil authorities in suppressing these
outrages. A resolution of thanks from the magistrates of Norfolk,
acknowledging the very effective services rendered by the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and privates, was forwarded by the
lord-lieutenant of the county, to the general commanding-in-chief,
who was pleased to express the satisfaction he experienced in being
presented with so honourable a testimonial of their behaviour.
[Sidenote: 1831]
[Sidenote: 1832]
[Sidenote: 1833]
[Sidenote: 1834]
[Sidenote: 1835]
The regiment remained at Norwich and Ipswich during the whole of
the year 1831. In the spring of 1832 it marched to Canterbury[67];
in 1833 to Dorchester; and in 1834 to Brighton. During the
following winter it proceeded to Bristol, from whence it embarked,
in January, 1835, for Ireland; and, after landing at Dublin, was
stationed at Newbridge for sixteen months.
[Sidenote: 1836]
On the removal of Lieutenant-General Lord Edward Somerset to the
fourth dragoons in March, 1836, the colonelcy of the ROYALS was
conferred on Major-General Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby,
K.C.B., G.C.M.G., and K.C.H., from the eighty-sixth foot.
[Sidenote: 1837]
During the summer of 1836 the regiment proceeded to Dublin; and,
while stationed at that place, its colonel, Sir Frederick Cavendish
Ponsonby, died; and was succeeded, on the 20th of January, 1837, by
Lieutenant-General the Right Honourable Sir Hussey Vivian, K.C.B.
and G.C.H.
[Sidenote: 1838]
[Sidenote: 1839]
The regiment left Dublin in the autumn of 1837, and was stationed
during the following year at Cork; from whence it embarked, in May,
1839, for Liverpool; and, after landing at that port, was removed
to Sheffield, where it has remained until the conclusion of this
memoir.
In taking a retrospective view of the services of the ROYAL
REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, its conduct cannot fail to excite admiration.
The details given in the preceding pages afford numerous instances
of determined bravery, steady discipline, and constant efficiency.
These qualities were eminently displayed when charging the Moorish
legions on the confines of _Africa_, and bearing away in triumph
the Mahomedan colours in 1664 and 1680;--when routing the insurgent
bands at _Sedgemoor_ in 1685;--forcing the passage of the Boyne
in 1690;--on detached services in Ireland in 1691; and opposing
the troops of Louis XIV. in the Netherlands from 1694 to 1697. Nor
were they less conspicuously evinced when serving on the frontiers
of Holland under the great Duke of Marlborough in 1702 and
1703;--skirmishing in the mountains of Catalonia and in the valleys
of Valencia, under the Earl of Peterborough, in 1705 and 1706;--and
charging the Spanish forces at _Almanara_, and at _Saragossa_ in
1710.
The ROYAL DRAGOONS also distinguished themselves under the eye
of their sovereign when fighting the French cuirassiers at the
battle of _Dettingen_ in 1743, where they captured the standard
of the _mousquetaires noirs_; they again displayed signal valour
at _Warbourg_ in 1760; and under the Duke of York in _Flanders_
in 1794. In numerous fights with the legions of Napoleon in the
_Peninsula_, from 1810 to 1814, they acquired new honours: they
were also engaged at the glorious battle of _Waterloo_ on the 18th
of June, 1815, where they captured one of the two French Eagles
taken on that day.
On all occasions the ROYAL DRAGOONS have evinced a dauntless
bearing, united with steady valour, and unshaken firmness, the
characteristics of a British corps. These qualities, as well as the
temper, patience, and forbearance which have distinguished their
conduct, when employed in aiding the civil power on duties at home,
have rendered the regiment a valuable acquisition to the crown,
and have afforded the strongest proofs of its usefulness to the
country.
[Illustration: First, or Royal Dragoons, 1839.
[To face page 116.
]
FOOTNOTES:
[7] Bibl. Harl. No. 1595.--Mercurius Publicus.--Kingdom's
Intelligencer.--War-Office Records.--History of Tangier, &c.
[8] Bibl. Harl. 6844.
[9] History of Tangier, 8vo., 1664.
[10] Sir John Lanier was afterwards colonel of the Queen's horse,
now first dragoon guards.
[11] John Coy was afterwards colonel of the seventh horse, now
fifth dragoon guards.
[12] Thomas Langston was celebrated for taking the Princess Anne
of Denmark's regiment of horse over to the Prince of Orange at
the Revolution in 1688: he was appointed colonel of that regiment
on the 31st of December, 1688, and died in Ireland in 1689: the
regiment was disbanded in 1692.
[13] Vide the Historical Record of the Life Guards.
[14] Narrative of the great engagement at Tangier: Tangier's
Rescue, by John Ross; London Gazettes, &c. &c.
[15] One of the regiments of dragoons raised in 1678 was styled
_the Royal Regiment of Dragoons_; but it was disbanded after the
peace of Nimeguen.
[16] 'CHARLES R.
'OUR WILL AND PLEASURE IS, that as soon as the troop of OUR ROYAL
REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, whereof Charles Nedby, Esq., is Captain,
shall arrive from our garrison at Tangier, you cause the same
forthwith to march to the town of Ware, in Our county of Hertford,
where they are to remain until further orders. And the officers of
the said troop are to take care that the soldiers duly pay their
intended quarters.
'Given at Our Court at Whitehall this 1st day of February, 1683-4.
'By His Majesty's command,
'WILLIAM BLATHWAYTE.'
A similar order was given for Captain Thomas Langston's troop to
quarter at Hoddesdon, Captain John Coy's at Hampstead, and Captain
Alexander Mackenzie's (the troop raised in 1661) at Watford and
Bushey.--_War-Office Records._
[17] The following arms and appointments were issued from the Tower
of London for the equipment of the regiment, viz.--
318 Muskets and bayonets
12 Halberds
12 Partizans
12 Drums
318 Cartouch boxes and belts
318 Waist belts and bayonet frogs
358 Saddles and bridles
358 Sets of holster caps and housings.--_Ibid._
[18] Nathan Brook's Complete List, Military: London, 1684.
[19] Hugh Wyndham was afterwards colonel of the seventh horse, now
sixth dragoon guards.
[20] Francis Langston was afterwards colonel of the fifth horse,
now fourth dragoon guards.
[21] War-Office Records.
[22] Ibid.
[23] War Office Records.
[24] Mémoires de Berwick.
[25] Lingard's History of England.
[26] London Gazette; War Office Records; Life of King James II., &c.
[27] War Office Route Book.
[28] London Gazette.