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[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._
]
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, been 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 _Crecy_, 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 Crecy, 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.”
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE THIRTY-SIXTH,
OR THE
HEREFORDSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT:
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
In 1701,
AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
To 1852.
COMPILED BY
RICHARD CANNON, ESQ.,
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE, HORSE GUARDS.
Illustrated with Plates.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY GEORGE E. EYRE AND WILLIAM SPOTTISWOODE,
PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
FOR HER MAJESTY’S STATIONARY OFFICE.
PUBLISHED BY PARKER, FURNIVALL, AND PARKER,
30, CHARING CROSS.
1853.
THE THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT
BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR AND
APPOINTMENTS
THE WORD “FIRM;”
ALSO THE WORD “HINDOOSTAN,”
IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS DISTINGUISHED SERVICES
IN THE SEVERAL ACTIONS IN WHICH IT
WAS ENGAGED IN INDIA FROM
1790 TO 1793;
AND
THE WORDS “ROLEIA,” “VIMIERA,”
“CORUNNA,” “SALAMANCA,” “PYRENEES,”
“NIVELLE,” “NIVE,” “ORTHES,”
“TOULOUSE,” AND “PENINSULA,”
IN TESTIMONY OF ITS GALLANTRY IN THE SEVERAL
ACTIONS FOUGHT DURING THE WAR IN PORTUGAL,
SPAIN, AND THE SOUTH OF FRANCE, FROM
1808 TO 1814.
THE
THIRTY-SIXTH,
OR
HEREFORDSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.
CONTENTS
OF THE
HISTORICAL RECORD.
Year. Page.
1700. INTRODUCTION 1
1701. Formation of the regiment 2
” William Viscount Charlemont appointed Colonel of
the regiment _ib._
1702. War of the Spanish succession 3
” Expedition to _Cadiz_ 4
” The regiment embarked for _Cadiz_ 5
” Embarkation return of the regiment 6
” Detached to the West Indies 7
1704. Returned to Ireland _ib._
1705. Embarked for Spain 8
” Siege of _Barcelona_ 9
” Capture of _Montjuich_ 11
” Surrender of _Barcelona_ _ib._
1706. _Barcelona_ invested by the French and Spaniards 13
” Successful defence of the place by the Allies _ib._
” Withdrawal of the enemy from Barcelona 13
” Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Alnutt appointed Colonel of
the regiment _ib._
” The regiment embarked for Valencia 14
” Capture of _Requena_ and _Cuenza_ _ib._
1707. Battle of _Almanza_ 15
” Casualties of the regiment 16
1708. Recruiting of the regiment 17
1709. Colonel Archibald Earl of Ilay appointed Colonel of
the regiment 18
1710. Colonel Desney appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1711. Expedition against _Quebec_ 19
” The regiment selected to form part thereof _ib._
” Returned to England 20
1712. Embarked for Dunkirk _ib._
1713. Treaty of Utrecht signed _ib._
1714. The regiment returned to England 21
” Proceeded to Ireland _ib._
1715. Colonel William Egerton appointed Colonel of the
regiment _ib._
” The regiment embarked for Scotland _ib._
” Battle of _Sheriffmuir_ _ib._
” Arrival of the Pretender in Scotland 22
1716. The Pretender returned to France _ib._
” Termination of the Rebellion _ib._
1718. The regiment proceeded to Ireland _ib._
1719. Embarked for Great Britain _ib._
” Brigadier-General Sir Charles Hotham, Bart.,
appointed Colonel of the regiment 23
1720. The regiment returned to Ireland _ib._
” Colonel John Pocock appointed Colonel of the
regiment _ib._
1721. Lieut.-Colonel Charles Lenoe appointed Colonel of
the regiment _ib._
1732. Brigadier-General John Moyle appointed Colonel of
the regiment _ib._
1737. Lieut.-Colonel Humphrey Bland appointed Colonel of
the regiment _ib._
1739. The regiment removed from Ireland to Great Britain 24
1740. Part of the regiment embarked for the West Indies _ib._
1741. Lieut.-Colonel James Fleming appointed Colonel of
the regiment _ib._
” Operations against _Carthagena_ 25
” Siege of Bocca-Chica and of the Castle of _Lazar_ _ib._
” Return of the expedition to Jamaica 26
” The portion of the regiment which had been employed
on this service returned to England _ib._
1743. The regiment stationed in Great Britain _ib._
1744. War of the Austrian Succession _ib._
” The regiment embarked for Flanders 27
1745. Rebellion in Scotland _ib._
” The regiment returned to England _ib._
1746. Battle of _Falkirk_ 28
” Battle of _Culloden_ 29
” Suppression of the Rebellion 30
1747. The regiment returned to Flanders _ib._
” Battle of _Laffeld_, or _Val_ _ib._
1748. Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle 31
” The regiment returned to England _ib._
1749. Embarked for Gibraltar _ib._
1751. Colonel Lord Robert Manners appointed Colonel of the
regiment 31
” Royal Warrant of the 1st of July 1751 for ensuring
uniformity in the clothing, standards, and colours
of the army, and regulating the number and rank
of regiments _ib._
1754. The regiment embarked at Gibraltar for England _ib._
” Stationed in North Britain 32
1755. The regiment removed to South Britain _ib._
1756. Augmented to two battalions _ib._
” Encamped at Chatham _ib._
1757. Encamped at Barham Downs _ib._
1758. The second battalion of the THIRTY-SIXTH formed into
a distinct corps, and numbered the _Seventy-fourth_
regiment 33
” The THIRTY-SIXTH regiment formed part of the
expedition against St. Maloes _ib._
” Returned to England 34
” Second expedition to the coast of France _ib._
” Capture of _Cherbourg_ _ib._
” Destruction of the batteries in the bay of St.
Lunaire _ib._
” Return of the regiment to England _ib._
1759. Encamped at Chatham _ib._
1760. Encamped at Sandheath _ib._
1761. Proceeded with the expedition against _Belle-Isle_ 35
” Capture of the island 36
” The regiment returned to England _ib._
1762. Encamped at Sandheath _ib._
1763. Treaty of Fontainebleau concluded _ib._
1764. The regiment embarked for Jamaica _ib._
1765. Major-General Richard Pierson appointed Colonel of
the regiment _ib._
1773. Return of the regiment to England from Jamaica 37
1774. The light company reviewed in Richmond-park by King
George III. _ib._
1775. Embarkation of the regiment for Ireland _ib._
1778. Colonel the Hon. Henry St. John appointed Colonel of
the regiment _ib._
1782. The THIRTY-SIXTH designated the HEREFORDSHIRE
regiment _ib._
” Removed from Ireland to England _ib._
1783. Embarked for the East Indies 38
” Employed against the forces of Tippoo Saib, the
Sultan of Mysore _ib._
” Proceeded to _Mangalore_ _ib._
” Capture of _Cannanore_ 39
1784. Peace concluded with Tippoo Saib _ib._
1785 }
to } The regiment stationed in the Madras presidency _ib._
1788. }
1789. Renewal of hostilities with Tippoo Saib 39
1790. The regiment selected to form part of the force
under Major-General Medows 40
” Advance of the troops towards the Coimbatore country _ib._
” The regiment detached to the relief of Colonel Floyd 41
” Battle of _Sattimungulum_ _ib._
” Battle of _Shawoor_ 46
” Subsequent operations against Tippoo Saib 49
1791. The army reviewed by General Charles Earl Cornwallis 50
” Siege of _Bangalore_ 51
” Capture of that fortress 53
” Advance of troops towards _Seringapatam_ 54
” Returned to Bangalore 55
” Capture of _Nundydroog_ 57
1792. March of the troops towards _Seringapatam_ 58
” Assault of the fortified camp of Tippoo Saib 61
” Siege of _Seringapatam_ 62
” Treaty of peace concluded with Tippoo Saib _ib._
1793. War with France 63
” The regiment ordered to the Coromandel coast _ib._
” Capture of the French settlement of _Pondicherry_ 64
” The regiment returned to Madras _ib._
1794. Stationed at Trichinopoly _ib._
1795. Proceeded to Negapatam _ib._
1796 }
and } Stationed at Warriore _ib._
1797. }
1798. Embarked at Madras for England _ib._
1799. Arrived at Greenhithe, and afterwards proceeded to
Winchester _ib._
” Authorized to bear the word “HINDOOSTAN” on the
regimental colour and appointments _ib._
1800. Embarked for Ireland 65
” Proceeded with an expedition against the coast of
France _ib._
” Landed at _Quiberon_ _ib._
” Embarked at _Minorca_ _ib._
1801. Stationed in that island _ib._
1802. Peace of Amiens _ib._
” The regiment returned to Ireland _ib._
1803. Renewal of the war with France _ib._
1804. A second battalion added to the regiment 66
1805. The first battalion embarked for Germany _ib._
1806. Returned to England 67
” The first battalion embarked for _Buenos Ayres_ _ib._
1807. Operations against _Buenos Ayres_ 68
” Return of the battalion to Europe 69
” Stationed in Ireland _ib._
1808. Embarked for Portugal with the troops under
Lieut.-General the Hon. Sir Arthur Wellesley _ib._
” Battle of _Roleia_ 70
” Authorized to bear the word “ROLEIA” on the regimental
colour and appointments _ib._
1808. Battle of _Vimiera_ 70
” Authorized to bear the word “VIMIERA” on the regimental
colour and appointments 71
” Advance into Spain 72
” Joined the army under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore _ib._
” Retreat on _Corunna_ 73
1809. Battle of _Corunna_ 74
” Authorized to bear the word “CORUNNA” on the regimental
colour and appointments 75
” Embarkation of the battalion for England _ib._
” Proceeded with the expedition to the _Scheldt_ 75
” Arrived at _Walcheren_ _ib._
” Siege and capture of _Flushing_ _ib._
” Casualties of the battalion _ib._
” Returned to England 77
1810. Stationed at Battle _ib._
1811. Embarked for the Peninsula _ib._
” Actions at _Fuentes d’Onor_ _ib._
” Affair of _Barba del Puerco_ _ib._
” Affairs of _Especha_ and _Ronda_ 78
1812. Siege and capture of _Ciudad Rodrigo_ 79
” Siege and capture of Badajoz _ib._
” Battle of _Salamanca_ 80
” Authorized to bear the word “SALAMANCA” on the
regimental colour and appointments 82
” Siege of _Burgos_ _ib._
” Retreat from _Burgos_ _ib._
1813. Battle of _Vittoria_ 83
” Crossing of the _Pyrenees_ _ib._
” Operations near _Pampeluna_ _ib._
” Action at _Sorauren_ _ib._
” Authorized to bear the word “PYRENEES” on the
regimental colour and appointments 84
” Affairs of _Urdax_ _ib._
” Battle of the _Nivelle_ 85
” Authorized to bear the word “NIVELLE” on the
regimental colour and appointments _ib._
” Passage of the _Nive_ 86
” Authorized to bear the word “NIVE” on the regimental
colour and appointments _ib._
” Blockade of _Bayonne_ _ib._
1814. Battle of _Orthes_ 87
” Authorized to bear the word “ORTHES” on the regimental
colour and appointments 88
” Affairs of _Vic Bigorre_ and _Tarbes_ _ib._
” Battle of _Toulouse_ 89
” Authorized to bear the words “TOULOUSE” and “PENINSULA”
on the regimental colour and appointments 91
” Sortie from _Bayonne_ 92
” Termination of the Peninsular war _ib._
” The second battalion disbanded _ib._
1815. Return of Napoleon to France _ib._
” Battle of _Waterloo_ 93
” The regiment embarked for Ostend _ib._
” Marched to Paris _ib._
1815. Returned to England 93
1816. Stationed at Portsmouth _ib._
” Permitted to resume the word “FIRM” on the regimental
colour and appointments 94
1817. Embarked for Malta _ib._
1818. General George Don appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1820. Embarked for the Ionian Islands 95
1821. Casualties from sickness _ib._
1825. Augmentation of establishment 97
” Formed into _six service_ and _four depôt_ companies _ib._
” Returned from the Ionian Islands to England _ib._
1827. Embarked for Ireland _ib._
1829. Lieut.-General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe, Bart.,
appointed Colonel of the regiment 98
1830. Formed into _six service_ and _four depôt_ companies _ib._
” _Service_ companies, embarked for the West Indies _ib._
1833. Removed from Barbadoes to Antigua _ib._
1835. Proceeded to St. Lucia 99
” _Depôt_ companies removed from Ireland to England _ib._
1837. _Service_ companies returned to Barbadoes _ib._
1838. _Depôt_ companies returned to Ireland _ib._
” _Service_ companies embarked for Nova Scotia _ib._
” Complimentary Order prior to embarkation 100
1839. _Service_ companies stationed at Fredericton,
New Brunswick _ib._
1841. Removed to St. John’s, New Brunswick 101
1842. Embarked for Ireland _ib._
1845. Removed from Ireland to Great Britain _ib._
1846. Formed into two battalions _ib._
” Presentation of new colours 102
1847. The first and reserve battalion embarked for the
Ionian Islands _ib._
1848. The reserve battalion employed in suppressing an
insurrection in Cephalonia 103
1849. Part of the first battalion employed on a similar
service 104
” The reserve battalion again employed in operations
connected with the outbreak 105
1850. The establishment of the regiment reduced _ib._
” The reserve consolidated with the first battalion _ib._
1851. The four _depôt_ companies embarked at Cephalonia for
England _ib._
” The _service_ companies proceeded from Corfu to
Barbadoes _ib._
” Major-General the Lord Frederick FitzClarence, G.C.H.,
appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1852. The _service_ companies removed from Barbadoes to
Trinidad _ib._
” The _depôt_ companies proceeded from Parkhurst to
Fort Pembroke Dock _ib._
” CONCLUSION _ib._
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF
THE THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
Year. Page.
1701. William Viscount Charlemont 107
1706. Thomas Alnutt 110
1709. Archibald Earl of Ilay 110
1710. Henry Desney 112
1715. William Egerton _ib._
1719. Sir Charles Hotham, Bart. 113
1720. John Pocock _ib._
1721. Charles Lenoe 114
1732. John Moyle _ib._
1737. Humphrey Bland 115
1741. James Fleming _ib._
1751. Lord Robert Manners 116
1765. Sir Richard Pierson, K.B. _ib._
1778. The Honorable Henry St. John _ib._
1818. Sir George Don, G.C.B. 117
1829. Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe, Bart. 118
1851. Lord Frederick FitzClarence, G.C.H. 119
APPENDIX.
Page.
Copy of the General Orders issued by the Commander-in-chief
of Madras, upon the regiment being ordered to return to
Great Britain 121
Copy of an Order issued by the Governor in Council upon the
regiment quitting Madras _ib._
Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir Arthur
Wellesley, K.B., to Viscount Castlereagh, Secretary of State,
respecting the exemplary conduct of the regiment at the
battle of Vimiera 122
General orders of the 18th of January and 1st of February
1809, relating to the battle of _Corunna_ and the death of
Lieut.-General Sir John Moore 124
List of regiments which composed the army under
Lieut.-General Sir John Moore 128
Documents relating to the word “FIRM” borne by the regiment 129
Memoir of Lieut.-General Robert Burne, formerly
Lieut.-Colonel of the regiment 133
PLATES.
Page.
Colours of the regiment _to face_ 1
Battle of Vimiera 71
Costume of the regiment 106
[Illustration: THIRTY SIXTH REGIMENT
QUEEN’S COLOUR.
REGIMENTAL COLOUR.
For Cannon’s Military Records
_Madeley Lith., 3 Wellington S^t., Strand_]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE THIRTY-SIXTH,
OR THE
HEREFORDSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.
[Sidenote: 1700.]
Charles II., King of Spain, being affected with a dangerous
indisposition, the European powers, in order to prevent the
contention which was expected to arise on the decease of that
monarch, determined to divide the Spanish territories among the
several competitors. The first “_Partition Treaty_” was concluded
between France, England, and Holland, on the 29th of August 1698;
but a second Treaty was rendered necessary, in consequence of the
death of the Electoral Prince of Bavaria, who had been declared
heir to the Spanish Crown; accordingly, on the 15th of March 1700,
a second Treaty was entered into between the same contracting
powers, by which it was arranged that Charles Archduke of Austria,
the second son of Leopold Emperor of Germany, should succeed to
the throne of Spain, a certain portion of the territories of that
Kingdom being, as before, allotted to the Dauphin of France; and
the Duke of Lorrain was to receive Milan in exchange for his own
country, which was to be given to the French nation.
The long expected demise of the King of Spain occurred on the 1st
of November 1700; and that Sovereign, incensed at the dismemberment
of his dominions, bequeathed the Spanish monarchy to Philip Duke
of Anjou, second son of the Dauphin of France; and Louis XIV.,
disregarding the treaties to which he had been a party, determined
to support his grandson’s accession to the throne of Spain.
The French at this period overran the Spanish Netherlands and
seized several strong towns, partly garrisoned by the Dutch, which
compelled the States of Holland to acknowledge the Duke of Anjou’s
title, with a view of obtaining their soldiers, who were not
permitted to return, without difficulty.
[Sidenote: 1701.]
It is a singular circumstance of the time, that King William,
seeing the unwillingness of the nation to engage in a fresh war,
actually acknowledged the Duke of Anjou as King of Spain, and sent
him a letter of congratulation. In May 1701, however, the House
of Commons unanimously resolved to assist the Dutch, and provide
succours for the States General, in order to maintain the liberties
of Europe. Several regiments were in the following month embarked
for Holland; and additions were also made to the army and navy.
On the 28th of June 1701 a Royal Warrant was issued authorizing
William Viscount Charlemont to raise a regiment in Ireland, which
was afterwards numbered the THIRTY-SIXTH.
England might have abstained from open hostilities with France had
it not been for the following circumstance:--In the midst of these
preparations the decease of James II. occurred at St. Germains on
the 16th of September 1701, and his son, the titular Prince of
Wales, was immediately proclaimed, by order of Louis XIV., as King
of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by the title of King James III.
This indignity to the British Sovereign and Nation, added to the
contemplated union of the crowns of France and Spain, made war
inevitable; and King William, with the Emperor of Austria and the
States General, concluded “_the Grand Alliance_,” the principal
objects of which were to procure the Spanish Netherlands as a
barrier for the Dutch, and to prevent France and Spain becoming
eventually under the sway of the same Prince.
[Sidenote: 1702.]
War was thus on the eve of being proclaimed, when King William
met with the accident which terminated in his decease on the 8th
of March 1702; the accession of Queen Anne, however, caused no
alteration in the policy of her predecessor; and war was declared
against France and Spain on the 4th of May following; additional
forces were sent to Flanders, and the Earl of Marlborough was
appointed to command the British, Dutch, and auxiliary troops, with
the rank of Captain-General. The contest which ensued is known as
“_the war of the Spanish succession_.”
Six regiments had been added to the regular army in the year 1702
as _marine_ corps, and six other of the regular regiments of
infantry (the THIRTY-SIXTH being among the number) were appointed
for _sea service_; as shown in the following list:--
The six regiments of marines were,--
Colonel Thomas Saunderson’s, now Thirtieth foot.
Colonel George Villiers’s, now Thirty-first foot.
Colonel Edward Fox’s, now Thirty-second foot.
Colonel Harry Mordaunt’s, disbanded in 1713.
Colonel Henry Holl’s, disbanded in 1713.
Colonel Viscount Shannon’s, disbanded in 1713.
The six regiments of foot for _sea service_ were,--
Colonel Ventris Columbine’s, now Sixth foot.
Colonel Thomas Erle’s, now Nineteenth foot.
Colonel Gustavus Hamilton’s, now Twentieth foot.
Colonel Lord Lucas’s, now Thirty-fourth foot.
Colonel Earl of Donegal’s, now Thirty-fifth foot.
Colonel Viscount Charlemont’s, now THIRTY-SIXTH foot.
The following is a copy of the Royal Warrant for levying this body
of men, which was dated the 1st of June 1702.
“ANNE R.
“Our pleasure is, that this establishment of _six regiments of
marines_ and six other regiments for _sea service_ do commence
and take place from the respective times of _raising_.
“And our further pleasure is, that the order given by our dearest
brother, the late King deceased, and such orders as are, or shall
be, given by us, touching the pay or entertainment of our said
forces, or any of them, or any charges thereunto belonging, shall
be duly complied with; and that no new charge be added to this
establishment without being communicated to our High Treasurer or
Commissioners of our Treasury for the time being.
“_Given at our Court at St. James’s, on the first day
“of June, in the first year of our reign.
“By Her Majesty’s command,_
“GODOLPHIN.”
Prior to the decease of King William the reduction of Cadiz had
been contemplated, after which it was resolved to embark an
expedition against the possessions of Spain in the West Indies.
Queen Anne following out this policy, it was arranged that a
combined fleet of English and Dutch ships, consisting of fifty sail
of the line, besides frigates, under Admiral Sir George Rooke,
and a land force, amounting to nearly fourteen thousand men, under
the command of the Duke of Ormond, should proceed to the coast of
Spain. The following corps were selected for this service, namely,--
Officers
and Men.
Lloyd’s dragoons, now Third light dragoons (detachment) 275
Foot guards, the Grenadier and Coldstream 755
Sir H. Bellasis, now Second foot 834
Churchill’s, now Third foot 834
Seymour’s, now Fourth foot 834
Columbine’s, now Sixth foot 724
O’Hara’s, three companies, now Seventh Royal fusiliers 313
Erle’s, now Nineteenth foot 724
Gustavus Hamilton’s, now Twentieth foot 724
Villiere’s marines, five companies, now Thirty-first foot 520
Fox’s marines, now Thirty-second foot 834
Donegal’s, now Thirty-fifth foot 724
Charlemont’s, now Thirty-sixth foot 724
Shannon’s marines 834
-----
9,653
Dutch regiments commanded by Major-General }
Baron Sparre and Brigadier Pallandt } 3,924
------
13,577
======
The THIRTY-SIXTH regiment, having been selected as part of the
force to share in this enterprise, was withdrawn from Ireland, and
proceeded to the Isle of Wight in June 1702, and embarked for Cadiz
in July.
In the Harleian Manuscripts at the British Museum, the embarkation
return of the regiment is preserved, of which the following is a
copy:--
_The Right Hon^{ble} ye Lord Viscount Charlemont’s Reg^t._
_Captains._ _Lieutenants._
{ W^m Lord Charlemont, James Crofton
{ _Colonel._
On board { Charles Wills, W^m Whitaker
the { _Lieut.-Colonel_.
Grey. { Arthur Moore, _Major_ Jas. Bamber
{ Thos. Alnutt Alex. Foster
{ Henry Frankland James Brough
_Ensigns._ _Serjts._ _Corpls._ _Drs._ _Centinels._
Tho^s Caulfeild 2 3 2 43
Mich^l Merritt 2 3 2 42
Rog^r Mosten 2 3 2 44
W^m King 2 3 2 43
---- 2 3 2 40
On board { Hen. Fulvile Hen. Fitzhugh
the { Jno. Hutchinson And^w Dunbar
Ruth. { Medburn Smith Rob^t Ennis
{ Jno. Dentilly Anth. Callion
Wm. Cuffe 2 3 2 43
Wm. Musgrave 2 3 2 42
Wm. Airs 2 3 2 42
---- 2 3 2 44
On board { James Brathwait Alex. Crage
the { Josias Campbell ----
Friendship. { Wm. Edwards Jno. Mabbott
Wm. Levinston 2 3 2 43
Jno. Lloyd 2 3 2 44
Wm. Hargrave 2 3 2 44
12 11
10 24 36 24 514
On board { Tobias Caulfeild, _Chaplain_.
the Grey. { Robt. Wilson, _Adjt. & Quarter Master_.
On board { Laur. Bondelt, _Surgeon_.
the Ruth. { Jno. Robins, _Surgeon’s Mate_.
_Detached of ye Regt., and put on board ye Vulture Fireshipp,
one Lieutenant, one Sergt, one Corpll., and twenty-six men._
(_Signed_) AR. MOORE.
The difference in the number embarked, as shown in the foregoing
document, and that specified against the THIRTY-SIXTH in the
list of regiments ordered to proceed to Cadiz, arises from the
establishment being given in the first instance, while the
embarkation return has reference only to effectives.