victorious troops under the celebrated Duke of Marlborough,
at length sued for peace, negociations for which were shortly
afterwards commenced.
[Sidenote: 1712.]
The conditions of a Treaty of Peace having been agreed upon between
Queen Anne and the French monarch, Dunkirk was delivered up to
the British by Louis XIV., as a security for the performance of
the stipulations, and the THIRTY-SIXTH formed part of the force
embarked under Brigadier-General Hill, to occupy that fortress. The
regiment sailed from the Downs on the 7th of July 1712, with the
fleet under Admiral Sir John Leake; on the following day the troops
landed at Dunkirk, relieving the French guards at the citadel.
[Sidenote: 1713.]
While the regiment was stationed at Dunkirk the Treaty of Utrecht
was signed on the 11th of April 1713, which terminated the “War of
the Spanish Succession.”
[Sidenote: 1714.]
In the spring of 1714, the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment returned to
England; on the 1st of August of that year Queen Anne died, and was
succeeded by King George I. The new sovereign having been quietly
seated on the throne, the regiment proceeded to Ireland, and was
placed on the establishment of that country.
[Sidenote: 1715.]
On the 11th of July 1715, Colonel William Egerton was appointed
by His Majesty King George I. to be Colonel of the THIRTY-SIXTH
regiment, in succession to Colonel H. Desney, upon whom was
subsequently conferred the colonelcy of the Twenty-ninth regiment.
While the regiment was in Ireland, an insurrection was organized in
England, by the partizans of the house of Stuart; at the same time
the Earl of Mar summoned the Highland clans to arms, and proclaimed
the Pretender King of Great Britain. On the breaking out of the
rebellion, the regiment was withdrawn from Ireland, in the autumn
of 1715; and it joined the troops encamped near Stirling under the
Duke of Argyle.
In the early part of November, the rebel army advanced towards the
Forth, with the view of penetrating to England, and the Duke of
Argyle marched from Stirling to _Dumblaine_, near _Sheriffmuir_,
for the purpose of opposing the progress of the insurgents. On the
morning of Sunday, the 13th of November, the enemy, ten thousand
strong, was seen advancing in order of battle; and the King’s
troops, not mustering four thousand men, moved forward to engage
their opponents. The THIRTY-SIXTH regiment was in the left wing
of the royal army. At a critical moment it was ordered to make a
change of position, and, while in the act of re-forming, it was
attacked by an immense body of Highlanders, the _élite_ of the
insurgent host. The soldiers were unable to withstand the very
superior numbers of their opponents, and the left wing became
separated from the main body of the army, and retired beyond
_Dumblaine_, to gain possession of the passes leading to Stirling.
In the meantime, the right wing of the royal army had overpowered
the left wing of the rebels, and chased it from the field. Thus
both generals had one wing victorious, and one wing defeated: both
in consequence claimed the victory. The insurgents were, however,
prevented penetrating southward, and were defeated in their object.
The THIRTY-SIXTH had one serjeant and twenty-one rank and file
killed; Captain Danoer, and fourteen rank and file, were wounded.
From the field of battle the troops proceeded to Stirling, where
they again encamped.
[Sidenote: 1716.]
Towards the end of December the Pretender arrived in Scotland, and
assumed all the ensigns of royalty. He held his court at Scone,
and his head-quarters were at Perth: but the Highland chieftains
finding it impossible to resist the royal forces, resolved to
abandon the enterprize. They, however, burnt several villages, to
distress the Duke of Argyle in his march, who, in January 1716,
obliged them to abandon Perth, whence they retired to Montrose,
where the Pretender escaped on board a French ship, together
with the Earl of Mar and other adherents. After this the rebels
dispersed to the Highlands.
The THIRTY-SIXTH regiment was subsequently stationed at Dumbarton.
[Sidenote: 1718.]
In the year 1718 the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment proceeded to Ireland.
In July 1718, the King of Spain having taken Sardinia and invaded
Sicily, the “_Quadruple Alliance_” was formed between Great
Britain, France, Germany, and Holland. War was declared against
Spain in December by England and France.
[Sidenote: 1719.]
The King of Spain afterwards made preparations in favour of the
Pretender, and the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment embarked, in March 1719,
at Cork for Great Britain.
Brigadier-General Sir Charles Hotham, Bart., was appointed Colonel
of the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment on the 7th of July 1719, in succession
to Colonel Egerton, removed to the Twentieth regiment.
[Sidenote: 1720.]
In January 1720 the King of Spain accepted the conditions of peace,
and acceded to the “_Quadruple Alliance_,” which had been formed
two years previously between Great Britain, France, Germany, and
Holland; in consequence of which the regiment returned to Ireland,
where it remained for several years.
On the 2d of December 1720 Colonel John Pocock was appointed to
the colonelcy of the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment, in succession to
Brigadier-General Sir Charles Hotham, Bart., removed to the Eighth,
or the King’s regiment of foot.
[Sidenote: 1721.]
Lieut.-Colonel Charles Lenoe was promoted from the Coldstream
guards to be colonel of the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment, on the 21st of
April 1721, in succession to Colonel John Pocock, removed to the
Eighth, or the King’s regiment of foot.
[Sidenote: 1732.]
On the 14th of May 1732, Brigadier-General John Moyle was appointed
Colonel of the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment, upon the removal to the
Eighth, or the King’s regiment of foot, of Colonel Charles Lenoe.
[Sidenote: 1737.]
Lieut.-Colonel Humphrey Bland, from the Second horse, now the
First dragoon guards, was promoted to the rank of Colonel of the
THIRTY-SIXTH regiment on the 27th of June 1737, in succession to
Major-General John Moyle, removed to the Twenty-second regiment.
[Sidenote: 1739.]
The claim of the Spanish Government to the right of search, and
the aggressions committed by that power on the commerce of Great
Britain, in the West Indies, by the _guarda-costas_ and other
ships acting by authority of the King of Spain, contrary to the
existing treaties, led to a Convention between the two Crowns,
which was concluded on the 14th of January 1739. This Convention
stipulated, that compensation should be made by Spain to the
English Government, in reparation for the hostilities committed on
the British subjects in the American seas. The Court of Madrid,
however, violated the Convention, and hostilities being on the
eve of commencing, the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment was removed from
Ireland to Great Britain in September 1739. On the 23d of October
following, war was proclaimed by Great Britain against Spain.
[Sidenote: 1740.]
A formidable armament was prepared for the attack of the Spanish
colonies in the West Indies, and the land forces were placed under
the command of General Lord Cathcart. On the 12th of June 1740
the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment was ordered to proceed to Portsmouth
for embarkation, but only a portion of the corps subsequently
proceeded on this service. Some delay occurred by the fleet being
twice driven back by contrary winds. On the 26th of October it
sailed a third time, and was dispersed by a tempest in the Bay of
Biscay; but the greater part of the vessels were re-collected,
and proceeded on the voyage. Arriving at the neutral island of
Dominica, to provide wood and water, the troops sustained the
loss of their commander, Lord Cathcart, (then Colonel of the
Sixth dragoon guards, or Carabineers,) who died of dysentery; the
command, in consequence, devolved on Brigadier-General Thomas
Wentworth, Colonel of the Twenty-fourth regiment.
[Sidenote: 1741.]
Lieut.-Colonel James Fleming was promoted from the Seventh Royal
fusiliers to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment on the 9th
of January 1741, in succession to Colonel Humphrey Bland, removed
to the Thirteenth dragoons.
Upon arriving at Jamaica, in January 1741, the expedition was
joined by Vice-Admiral Vernon; but the season of the year for
active service in the West Indies was fast passing away, and
several circumstances concurred to create further delay. At length
an attempt on _Carthagena_, the capital of a wealthy province in
the country of Terra Firma, in South America, was resolved upon.
This place was found strongly fortified, and the garrison was
reinforced by the crews of a squadron of large ships. A landing
was effected on the island of Terra Bomba, near the mouth of the
harbour, on the 10th of March, and the siege of the principal fort
or castle, named _Bocca-chica_, was commenced. On the evening
of the 25th of March the grenadiers mounted the breach to storm
the fortress, when the Spanish garrison fled, and the place was
captured without loss.
Two channels having been made through the sunk vessels with which
the Spaniards had blocked up the entrance of the harbour, the
troops and artillery were re-embarked, and commenced landing on
the 5th of April near the city. The country round Carthagena was
found covered with trees and herbage of the most luxuriant growth,
and the interwoven branches formed a shelter impenetrable both to
heat and light; as the troops, led by Brigadier-General Blakeney,
advanced along a narrow defile, several men were wounded by shots
from the openings into the wood; on diverging from the defile six
hundred Spaniards were seen advantageously posted to dispute the
passage; but they were speedily driven from their ground, and the
British bivouacked within a mile of the castle of _Lazar_, which
commanded the town. The men passed three nights in the open air
for want of tents and tools, which could not be landed sooner,
and the health of the soldiers was in consequence seriously
injured. The siege of the castle was commenced, but as the men
were fast diminishing in numbers from hard duty and the effects
of climate, Brigadier-General Wentworth resolved to attack _St.
Lazar_ by escalade. The attempt was made on the 9th of April before
day-break, but without success, although the assailants evinced
distinguished gallantry. After sustaining a most destructive fire
for several hours with intrepidity and perseverance, the troops
were ordered to retire, having sustained a severe loss in killed
and wounded.
Violent periodical rains commenced, the country was deluged with
water, and the change of atmosphere produced fatal effects on the
health of the men, who were drenched with rain. All hope of further
success immediately vanished, and the troops returned on board the
fleet, where numbers died from the distempers incidental to the
climate.
The forts of the harbour of Carthagena having been demolished,
the fleet sailed for Jamaica, and the portion of the THIRTY-SIXTH
regiment which had formed part of the expedition subsequently
returned to Great Britain.
[Sidenote: 1743.]
During the year 1743 the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment was stationed in
Great Britain.
[Sidenote: 1744.]
In the year 1744 France and Great Britain, from being auxiliaries
in the “_War of the Austrian Succession_,”[7] became principals in
the contest. On the 20th of March 1744 France declared war against
England, and on the 29th of that month a counter-declaration was
made by Great Britain, in which the French Monarch was accused of
violating the “_Pragmatic Sanction_,”[8] and of assisting the son
of the Pretender in his designs on the British throne.
In the spring of 1744 the THIRTY-SIXTH and other regiments were
embarked to join the troops in Flanders; but the operations of the
British army during that year were confined to the defensive, and
no general engagement occurred.
[Sidenote: 1745.]
In the spring of 1745 a French army, commanded by Marshal Saxe,
invested Tournay, and the Duke of Cumberland, who had assumed
the command of the allied army of British, Dutch, and Austrians,
advanced to the relief of the town. The THIRTY-SIXTH regiment
was left in garrison at Ghent, and was consequently not at the
battle of Fontenoy, which was fought on the 11th of May. The Duke
of Cumberland having failed in the attempt to relieve Tournay,
retreated and encamped his army at Lessines. In the meantime events
were transpiring in Scotland which occasioned the THIRTY-SIXTH and
other regiments to be embarked for England.
Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, having arrived at a
remote part of Scotland, was joined by many of the Highland clans,
when he proceeded to assert his father’s pretentions to the throne.
The young adventurer and his hardy mountaineers made considerable
progress, and advanced as far as Derby, but subsequently retreated
towards Scotland. Upon the arrival of the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment
in England, it formed part of the army assembled at Newcastle
under Field-Marshal Wade, and upon the young Pretender’s advance
into England, was employed in several movements designed to cover
Yorkshire. On the retreat of the insurgent clans from England,
the regiment returned to Newcastle, and was afterwards ordered to
proceed to Edinburgh.
[Sidenote: 1746.]
The regiment arrived at Edinburgh in January 1746, and was placed
under the orders of Lieut.-General Hawley, the commander of the
forces in North Britain. Meanwhile the young Pretender being joined
by new levies, and having procured artillery and ammunition,
obtained possession of the town of Stirling and commenced the
siege of the castle. In order to raise the siege Lieut.-General
Hawley advanced from Edinburgh, and an encampment was formed near
the village of _Falkirk_. On the 17th of January, as the King’s
troops were at dinner in the camp, the advance of the enemy was
discovered; the royal forces seized their arms and proceeded along
some rugged and difficult grounds to a large moor, where the rebel
army appeared in order of battle.
Success or failure in the hour of battle has sometimes been found
to depend upon accidental circumstances over which the commanders
of armies have no control. Such was the case at the battle of
_Falkirk_,[9] at which a tempest of wind and rain beat so violently
in the faces of the royal forces at the moment when they engaged
their adversaries, that their ammunition was spoiled in the act of
loading; the soldiers could not see their opponents, and several
regiments gave way, while others maintained their ground. At night
both parties withdrew from the field of battle, and the King’s
troops proceeded to Edinburgh.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland arrived in Scotland to
command the army, and on the 31st of January the troops were again
in motion towards the enemy, who instantly raised the siege of
Stirling Castle, and made a precipitate retreat to Inverness. The
royal forces followed in pursuit, but were delayed in their advance
by severe weather. The THIRTY-SIXTH regiment was engaged in the
operations of the army until the battle of _Culloden_ on the 16th
of April, on which occasion it composed part of the second line
under Major-General Huske. The following return shows the number of
officers and men in each regiment of infantry on the morning of the
battle:--
Serjeants,
drummers,
Officers. and rank
and file.
Royal Scots, now First foot 26 455
Lieut.-General Howard’s, now Third foot 16 448
Lieut.-General Barrell’s, now Fourth foot 20 353
Major-General Edw^d Wolfe’s, now Eighth foot 22 352
Major-General Pulteney’s, now Thirteenth foot 22 352
Brigadier-General Price’s, now Fourteenth foot 23 336
Brigadier-General Bligh’s, now Twentieth foot 20 447
Major-General Campbell’s, now Twenty-first foot 19 393
Brigadier-General Lord Semple’s, now Twenty-fifth
foot 23 392
Major-General Blakeney’s, now Twenty-seventh foot 20 336
Brigadier-General Cholmondeley’s, now
Thirty-fourth foot 24 435
Brigadier-General Fleming’s, now THIRTY-SIXTH foot 26 389
Colonel Battereau’s, since disbanded 27 396
Colonel Dejean’s, now Thirty-seventh regiment 23 468
Colonel Conway’s, now Forty-eighth regiment 24 362
--------------
Total 335 5,914
==============
After a sharp cannonade several select clans of mountaineers sprang
forward, and with shouts and dismal yells attacked the King’s
forces sword in hand. In less than an hour after the commencement
of the action the enemy’s forces were overthrown and a decisive
victory was obtained, which effectually suppressed the rebellion.
The THIRTY-SIXTH regiment sustained but small loss, having only six
men wounded on this occasion.
After halting a short time at Inverness the army advanced into the
highlands, and encamped in the gloomy valley, surrounded by rugged
precipices, near Fort Augustus, from whence detachments were sent
out to search for arms, and for persons who had been engaged in the
rebellion. Prince Charles, after enduring many hardships, succeeded
in escaping to France in September.
[Sidenote: 1747.]
Meanwhile hostilities had been continued on the Continent, and in
the beginning of 1747, the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment re-embarked at
Gravesend for Flanders. After having joined the army commanded by
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, the regiment was engaged
in several operations near the frontiers of Holland, which led to
the battle of _Laffeld_, or _Val_, fought on the 2d of July 1747,
in the villages in the vicinity of Maestricht. On this occasion the
allied army was very inferior in numbers to the enemy, and although
the British infantry were conspicuous throughout the action for
the gallantry with which they fought, the Duke of Cumberland was
obliged to order a retreat. His Royal Highness passed the highest
encomiums on the British troops for their conduct in this battle;
and according to the “London Gazette,” there was not a squadron or
battalion which did not charge and beat the enemy more than once.
The loss of the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment in this battle was Major
Petrie, Lieutenant Brodie, two serjeants, and twenty-two rank
and file, killed; with Lieut.-Colonel Jackson, Captains Morgan,
Pechell, Dod, and Gore, Lieutenant Ackland, Ensigns Vaughan,
Duncan, Elrington, Strong, and Porter, three serjeants, two
drummers, and seventy-four rank and file, wounded; and eighty-two
men missing.
After withdrawing from the field of battle, the army continued its
retreat to Maestricht, where it arrived on the same evening. The
THIRTY-SIXTH regiment was subsequently employed in various parts of
the provinces of Limburg and North Brabant.
[Sidenote: 1748.]
The regiment again took the field in the spring of 1748, and was
employed in several operations, but no general engagement occurred.
Hostilities were at length terminated by a treaty of peace, which
was signed at Aix-la-Chapelle on the 7th of October 1748. During
the winter the THIRTY-SIXTH returned to England.
[Sidenote: 1749.]
On its arrival from Holland, the establishment of the regiment
was reduced, and it was ordered to proceed to Gibraltar, in which
fortress it was stationed during the five following years.
[Sidenote: 1751.]
Colonel Lord Robert Manners was appointed by His Majesty King
George II. to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment on the
13th of March 1751, in succession to Major-General James Fleming,
deceased.
In the Royal Warrant, dated the 1st of July 1751, for ensuring
uniformity in the clothing, standards, and colours of the army,
and regulating the numerical title and rank of regiments, the
facings of the THIRTY-SIXTH were directed to be _green_. The first,
or King’s colour, was the great union; the second, or regimental
colour, was of green silk, with the union in the upper canton; in
the centre of the colour the number of the rank of the regiment, in
gold Roman characters, within a wreath of roses and thistles on the
same stalk.
[Sidenote: 1754.]
In 1754 the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment returned to England from
Gibraltar, and was subsequently stationed in North Britain.
[Sidenote: 1755.]
Towards the end of the year 1755 the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment was
removed from Scotland to South Britain.
[Sidenote: 1756.]
The peace of Aix-la-Chapelle was at length interrupted by the
aggressions of the French on the British territory in North
America; and early in 1756 the King of France prepared a powerful
armament for the capture of the island of Minorca. In consequence
of this attack on Minorca, hostilities became inevitable on the
part of Great Britain, and on the 18th of May war was declared
against France. At this period the army and navy were increased;
and, among other augmentations, fifteen of the regiments of
infantry, including the THIRTY-SIXTH, were authorized to raise
second battalions from the 25th of August 1756.
From the 17th of June to the 12th of October 1756, the THIRTY-SIXTH
and other regiments were encamped at Chatham under Major-General
Lord George Sackville.
[Sidenote: 1757.]
In the year 1757 the THIRTY-SIXTH regiment, consisting of two
battalions, and other corps were encamped under General Charles
Duke of Marlborough at Barham Downs.
[Sidenote: 1758.]
The second battalions, which had been added two years previously
to fifteen of the regiments of infantry, were, in 1758, formed
into distinct corps, and numbered from the Sixty-first to the
Seventy-fifth regiment. By this arrangement the second battalion
of the THIRTY-SIXTH was constituted the Seventy-fourth regiment,
which was disbanded after the peace of Fontainebleau.[10]
The Government resolved upon making a descent on the French coast,
by which it was expected to create such a diversion in favour of
the British allies in Germany as would obviate the necessity of
sending them a reinforcement of troops. The THIRTY-SIXTH formed
a part of the army selected for this service, which amounted to
fourteen thousand men, and was commanded by General Charles Duke
of Marlborough. The THIRTY-SIXTH proceeded to the Isle of Wight,
where it was formed in brigade with the Fifth, Twenty-fifth, and
Seventy-fourth regiments (the latter corps since disbanded),
under Major-General John Mostyn. The embarkation commenced on
the 24th of May; the expedition sailed on the 1st of June, and
on the 5th of that month a landing was effected, without loss,
about two leagues to the eastward of _St. Maloes_, towards which
place the army advanced in two columns on the 7th of June, and
encamped within a mile from the town: here the Commander-in-Chief
reconnoitred, and having observed several houses filled with naval
and military stores, which were not protected by the guns of
the town, the THIRTY-SIXTH, in common with the other regiments,
furnished a detachment, which was sent after dark to set fire to
them, a service which was most effectually performed, thirteen
vessels of war, besides several merchantmen, and vast quantities
of stores being destroyed. _St. Maloes_, though incapable of making
an effectual resistance against a regular siege, was considered
too strong to be attempted by a _coup-de-main_; the troops were
accordingly re-embarked, and preparations were afterwards made for
a descent at Granville, on the coast of Normandy, and afterwards
at Cherbourg; but, the weather being severe, the fleet returned to
England.
In August of the same year the THIRTY-SIXTH was engaged in a second
expedition to the coast of France, when _Cherbourg_ was captured,
and the harbour, forts, magazines, and ordnance, consisting of 173
pieces of iron cannon and three mortars were destroyed; at the same
time, 22 pieces of fine brass cannon and two brass mortars were
brought off as trophies, and sent to England, when, after being
viewed by King George II. in Hyde Park, they were conducted in
procession through the City to the Tower of London.