July Marshal Soult moved a strong force against the troops under
Sir Rowland Hill, and a sharp combat took place, in which the
THIRTY-FOURTH were engaged. During this contest Lord Wellington
directed an attack to be made at another part of the enemy’s
line, which proved decisive, and the French were forced to make
a precipitate retreat through the mountains. Five rank and file
of the THIRTY-FOURTH were killed on this occasion; Lieutenant A.
Orrell, one serjeant, and fifteen rank and file wounded.
Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill was directed to pursue the
retreating enemy, on the road to Donna Maria, and about ten o’clock
on the morning of the 31st of July, the French rear-guard was
overtaken beyond Lizasso. The enemy gained a wood on the summit of
the pass, and there facing about, and throwing out a number of
skirmishers, offered formidable resistance; the first brigade of
the British second division was repulsed, and Lieutenant-General
the Honorable William Stewart wounded; when the second brigade,
commanded by Colonel the Honorable R. W. O’Callaghan, was ordered
forward, and the THIRTY-FOURTH took the lead on this occasion.
Passing the retreating troops, and advancing steadily up the
hill, the THIRTY-FOURTH soon gained the edge of the wood, when
the soldiers raised a loud and confident shout, and rushed among
the trees to decide the contest with cold steel; but when the
French saw a line of British bayonets come sparkling through the
foliage, they fled in confusion along a defile, followed by the
THIRTY-FOURTH, who killed and wounded many of the fugitives, and
took some prisoners. The pursuit was not continued above half a
mile, in consequence of a thick fog rendering any further advance
dangerous. The loss of the battalion was limited to two men killed,
thirteen wounded, and two made prisoners.
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Worsley received a honorary
distinction for commanding the battalion in the several actions in
the mountains, and the word “PYRENEES” on the regimental colours,
commemorates the distinguished conduct of the officers and soldiers
on this occasion.
The British troops resumed their positions in the Pyrenees,
awaiting the capture of St. Sebastian, and Pampeluna, and the
THIRTY-FOURTH were encamped in Roncesvalles, &c., until the end of
October, when a heavy snow storm obliged the battalion to leave the
mountains.
On the 10th of November, the troops descended from the Pyrenees
by moon-light, to transfer to France the calamities of war, and
the allied army drove the forces of Napoleon from a fortified
position on the river _Nivelle_, capturing many guns and prisoners.
The THIRTY-FOURTH did not sustain any loss on this occasion: they
passed the night in the huts left by the enemy, and afterwards
advanced towards the Nive; but operations were retarded by heavy
rains, and the battalion went into cantonments.
The THIRTY-FOURTH were afterwards honored with the word “NIVELLE”
on their regimental colours, as a mark of royal approbation of
their conduct; and Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley received a second
honorary distinction.
The passage of the _Nive_ river was effected on the 9th of
December; the THIRTY-FOURTH were at their post two hours before
daylight--the stream was nearly five feet deep, and rapid; a mill
stream of equal depth also opposed the advance; and the mill, with
the village beyond the river, were occupied by the enemy; but the
soldiers moved forward in defiance of all opposition, forded the
streams under a sharp fire of musketry, and after some fighting,
in which the THIRTY-FOURTH had one man killed and seven wounded,
the troops established themselves beyond the river; the French
retreating into an intrenched camp in front of Bayonne.
On the following morning, the battalion took post on a ridge
commanding the communication of the right wing with the river Nive;
this wing was in position with its right towards the Adour river,
and its left at Ville Franche, and it was not attacked by the enemy
on the 10th, 11th, or 12th of December; but on the 13th a number
of French corps assailed the troops under Sir Rowland Hill with
great spirit; when the THIRTY-FOURTH maintained their important
post during the day, with the loss of five men wounded. The enemy
was repulsed with severe loss, and pursued to the camp in front of
Bayonne: the brigade to which the THIRTY-FOURTH belonged, followed
the French until it arrived within musket shot of the works, and
took post in a ravine, where it remained until night, when it was
relieved by the third division.
The battalion earned another honorary distinction for its colours
on this occasion, and the word “NIVE” inscribed thereon by royal
authority, commemorates its gallantry; Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley
also received a third distinction.
[Sidenote: 1814]
Leaving their cantonments at the village of St. Pierre, near
Bayonne, the THIRTY-FOURTH advanced, with the troops under
Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill, in the middle of February,
1814, when the French corps under General Harispe, were driven
from Hellete, and afterwards forced from a position in front of
Garris. The THIRTY-FOURTH continued to follow the retreating enemy,
and their gallant bearing on the 27th of February, was afterwards
rewarded with the royal authority to bear the word “ORTHES” on the
regimental colours; Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley also received the
usual honorary distinction conferred on commanding officers of
battalions distinguishing themselves in action.
Pursuing the retreating enemy in the direction of Aire, the
battalion took part in forcing the French to quit that town, where
immense magazines were captured.
The THIRTY-FOURTH were stationed at Aire several days, and
afterwards took part in forcing the French back upon _Toulouse_.
Two or three attempts to throw a bridge of boats across the Garonne
were not attended with success; but the river was eventually
passed, and the enemy driven from his positions on the 10th of
April. On this occasion the troops under Sir Rowland Hill, in whose
column the THIRTY-FOURTH served, drove the enemy from his exterior
works in the suburb, on the left of the Garonne, within the
ancient wall. The THIRTY-FOURTH, under Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley,
took part in forcing the enemy from his redoubts, and from the
houses which he occupied in force, and afterwards formed a lodgment
in the ditch surrounding the suburb. The battalion had two men
killed; Captain James H. Baker mortally wounded; one drummer, and
ten rank and file wounded.
The enemy having quitted Toulouse, the THIRTY-FOURTH moved through
the town, and followed the retiring army some distance; but
hostilities were soon afterwards terminated. Napoleon Bonaparte was
forced to abdicate the imperial throne, and the Bourbon dynasty was
restored to France.
Thus the gallant soldiers of the THIRTY-FOURTH completed their
career of victory and honor; and the British arms triumphed over
the tyrannical power which had sprung out of the French revolution,
and aimed at universal dominion.
The conquering arms of Britain had rescued nations from bondage,
and restored to Europe the blessings of peace. The word “PENINSULA”
on the colours of the THIRTY-FOURTH, commemorates the distinguished
part the second battalion took in the achievement of these splendid
results; and its commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley,
was afterwards honored with the dignity of Companion of the Order
of the Bath.
The first battalion remained at Secunderabad until the 19th of
June, 1814, when it commenced its march for the island and fortress
of Seringapatam, where it arrived on the 10th of August, and
relieved the first battalion of the Sixty-ninth Regiment.
After reposing in quarters a short time at the city of Toulouse,
the second battalion marched to Bordeaux, where it embarked for
Ireland, on the 17th of July, and landing at Cork, was stationed
at Middleton, Fermoy, &c., until November, when it proceeded to
Dublin, under the command of Major Barlow.
[Sidenote: 1815]
The climate of the garrison of Seringapatam not proving favourable
to the health of the soldiers of the first battalion, they were
moved out of that fortress a short time, and in August, 1815,
commenced their march for Vellore, where they arrived on the 9th of
October.
The second battalion remained in garrison at Dublin, until
September of this year, when it was suddenly ordered to march into
Tipperary, in consequence of the insurrectionary proceedings of the
inhabitants of that part of Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1816]
In February, 1816, thirteen officers, and three hundred and thirty
non-commissioned officers and soldiers, of the first battalion,
proceeded from Vellore to the sea-coast, and were stationed at
Cuddalore six months, for the benefit of their health.
General Sir Eyre Coote was succeeded in the colonelcy of the
regiment by Lieutenant-General the Honorable Sir Galbraith Lowry
Cole, G.C.B., from the Seventieth Foot, by commission, dated the
21st of May, 1816.
[Sidenote: 1817]
The incursions of the barbarous people called _Pindarees_, who
infested the British territory in India at this period, and
committed dreadful ravages wherever they appeared, occasioned the
first battalion to take the field early in 1817, when it left a
detachment at Vellore, under Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley, and joined
the division commanded by Major-General Browne, assembled to guard
the passes near Naggerry. In February the battalion returned to
Vellore.
In the mean time, the peace of Europe appearing to be established
upon sound and durable principles, the second battalion was ordered
to be reduced, which took place in April, 1817, when the following
brigade order was issued:--
“Major-General Doyle having received the warrant for the
disbandment of the second battalion of the THIRTY-FOURTH Regiment,
and carried the orders of the commander of the forces into effect,
it now only remains for the major-general to express, in the most
unqualified manner, his perfect approbation of the sober, orderly,
and soldier-like conduct of the corps in quarters, for a period of
upwards of one year and a half, during which it has been under his
immediate command.
“Major-General Doyle feels it his duty as well as inclination to
mark particularly the zeal and attention with which Major Barlow
has conducted the discipline of the corps, and in which he has
been ably supported by the officers under his command, and in case
the service should be deprived of so valuable an officer, the
major-general trusts it may be only for a short time.
“The major-general requests the commanding officer will convey
to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, his
best thanks, and his good wishes for their individual welfare.
He is confident that the uniform good conduct, for which the
THIRTY-FOURTH have always been conspicuous, both in the field and
in quarters, will be the same, in whatever part of His Majesty’s
dominions the service of the corps may be required.”
[Sidenote: 1818]
At this period a confederacy of the native princes in India was
formed against the British authority, and extensive preparations
for war were made by the coalesced Mahratta States. Their designs
were partly discovered and disconcerted by the governor-general,
the Marquis of Hastings; but hostilities could not be avoided, and
the British took the field for the preservation of their territory
from unjust aggression. On this occasion the flank companies of
the THIRTY-FOURTH, mustering eight officers, eight serjeants, six
drummers, and two hundred rank and file, under the command of
Captain Tew, marched from Vellore, to the frontiers, and joining a
division of the army assembling for field service at Adoni, were
formed in a flank battalion, with the companies of the Sixty-ninth
and Eighty-fourth Regiments. This battalion penetrated the southern
Mahratta country, with the division under Brigadier-General Munro,
to whom the fortresses of _Dummul_, _Kooshgúl_, and _Darwar_
surrendered in succession; and the division halted during the rainy
season at Darwar, where the flank companies of the Fifty-third
joined the flank battalion, which was commanded by Major Giles.
Leaving Darwar in October, the division penetrated the Sundoor
valley, and afterwards advanced into the interior of the southern
Mahratta country, Brigadier-General Pritzler commanding. The
division skirmished with the enemy at _Bejapoor_; and overtook the
rear of the Peishwa’s army at the _Salpée Pass_, on the 8th of
January, 1818, when the Mahratta troops fled in every direction,
over a difficult country, which prevented any great loss being
inflicted on them. The division pursued by forced marches, under a
burning sun, until the Peishwa’s army separated, and passing the
flanks, marched to the north.
The battalion companies were relieved from garrison duty at
Vellore, and proceeding to Bangalore, joined a division of the
field force, on the banks of the Toombudra, under Major-General
Long, and remained at this station during part of the Mahratta and
Pindaree war; but suffering severely from dysentery, they were
removed into garrison at Bellary.
Meanwhile the flank companies had joined part of the Bombay army;
but after the surrender of the hill-fort of _Sattarah_ they
separated from that force, and again proceeded, with the division
under Brigadier-General Pritzler, to the Salpée Pass, taking
part in the siege and capture of the hill-fort of _Singhur_,
the reduction of the fortified pagoda and village of _Sassoor_,
the hill-forts of _Uizaghur_, and _Poorunder_, and afterwards
returning through the pass, the operations of the division were
followed by the surrender of a number of small fortified places.
Then proceeding by Sattarah to the western ghauts and forests,
the division captured the hill-fort of _Woossottah_, restored the
family of Sevajée to its ancient dignity, and joining the division
under Brigadier-General Munro, took part in the defeat of a body
of hostile troops at _Sholapoor_, the capture of the enemy’s
artillery, and the reduction of the fortress, which surrendered
on the 15th of May. The flank companies of the THIRTY-FOURTH
distinguished themselves on the 10th of May, and a gallant charge
made by them greatly contributed to the capture of the enemy’s
artillery.
After forcing the fortress of Nepaunee to capitulate, the division
was cantoned, during the remainder of the year, at Hoobly, where
the soldiers suffered from cholera.
In September the battalion companies left Bellary for Bangalore,
and being attacked by cholera on the march, lost thirty-seven men
in nine days.
[Sidenote: 1819]
Quitting Hoobly in the beginning of 1819, the flank companies
proceeded to Belgaum, and after taking part in several movements,
they were engaged in the siege of the hill-fort of _Copaul Droog_,
which was invested on the 10th of May, and captured by assault
three days afterwards, after an obstinate resistance from the
enemy. The following paragraph appeared in general orders, dated
Madras, 22nd June, 1819.
“The conduct of three troops of His Majesty’s Twenty-second
Light Dragoons, with the Artillery troop under Captain Mills, and
the flank battalion commanded by Captain TEW, of His Majesty’s
THIRTY-FOURTH Regiment, employed during the siege of CAPAUL DROOG,
was such as to draw from me, (Brigadier-General Pritzler), the
highest encomiums, particularly that of the Artillery troops of
the Twenty-second Dragoons, which served in the batteries, and the
flank battalion which protected the batteries, and led the assault
of the place, in which the services of Captains TEW, THIRTY-FOURTH;
Cuppaidge, Fifty-third; Jenour and Jones, Sixty-ninth Regiment; and
Lieutenant Silver, Fifty-third, were most conspicuous.”
The flank companies of the THIRTY-FOURTH were again stationed at
Belgaum, until October, when they marched, with a small native
force, against _Sanglee_, which place they forced to submit, and
afterwards returned to Belgaum.
[Sidenote: 1820]
On the 25th of May, 1820, the head-quarters and battalion companies
of the regiment marched from Bangalore, on route for Madras, where
they arrived on the 2nd of July, and were joined by the flank
companies from Belgaum on the 29th of December. These companies
had been absent three years and eight months, and had lost one
subaltern and eighty-one rank and file. On the breaking up of the
flank battalion, it was stated in orders,--
“From the period of the battalion joining the force to the present
Colonel Pritzler has, in no instance, had the slightest cause of
complaint, and has never had occasion to bring a non-commissioned
officer or private to a court-martial; but he has had frequent
opportunities of bearing testimony of the excellent conduct of
this corps, which has been equally conspicuous for its gallantry
in the field, as for its order and regularity in camp, and which
he attributes to the unwearied attention of Major Giles, and the
officers under his command, and to the excellent disposition and
discipline of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers. Colonel
Pritzler cannot therefore, but regret the departure of the corps
from under his command.
“It has frequently fallen to Captain TEW to command the battalion,
in the absence of Major Giles on other duties, which gave him an
opportunity of showing that he was, in every way, competent to fill
the situation, with great credit to himself and advantage to His
Majesty’s service.”
The conduct of the battalion was also commended in general orders,
by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Hislop, Bart., G.C.B.
[Sidenote: 1821]
On the departure of the regiment from Madras, for Wallajabad, in
1821, when arrangements were in progress for its return to England,
it was stated in general orders,--
“The Honorable the Governor cannot permit His Majesty’s
THIRTY-FOURTH Regiment to quit the garrison without expressing
his entire approbation of the discipline and exemplary conduct
manifested, on all occasions, by the officers, non-commissioned
officers, and soldiers of that corps, ever since its arrival
at Fort St. George, now a period of nearly two years, and his
Excellency requests Lieutenant-Colonel Dickens, and the officers
under his command, to accept his best thanks for the very
satisfactory manner in which they have performed their respective
duties.”
[Sidenote: 1822]
[Sidenote: 1823]
During the year 1822 the regiment was stationed at Wallajabad;
and in January, 1823, it returned to Madras, preparatory to its
embarkation for England. The prompt and active exertions of the
corps on the breaking out of a fire in the Company’s stores, on
the 7th of January, preserved property to a considerable amount.
Five hundred and thirty-seven non-commissioned officers and
soldiers having volunteered to remain in India, and transfer their
services to other corps, the remainder of the regiment, amounting
to one hundred and sixteen officers and soldiers, embarked on board
the Company’s ship “Coldstream,” on the 9th of March, and sailed
for England under Lieutenant-Colonel Dickens. The regiment called
at St. Helena, where it remained about a week, and arrived in the
river Thames, in the early part of July, after an absence from
England of upwards of twenty-three years, landed at Gravesend, from
whence it marched to Chatham, where the establishment was fixed at
six hundred and fifty officers and soldiers.
The depôt joined from Portsmouth on the 19th of July; recruiting
parties were sent to various towns in the United Kingdom: and in
December the regiment marched to Windsor.
[Sidenote: 1824]
After remaining two months at Windsor the regiment proceeded
to Portsmouth, where it embarked for Ireland in May, 1824, and
landing at Dublin, marched to Enniskillen, sending detachments to
Maguires-bridge, Cavan, Killishandra, Kings-court, and Bally James
Duff.
[Sidenote: 1825]
In the summer of 1825 the regiment proceeded to Boyle, and
furnished nine detachments to stations in that part of the country;
in August the head-quarters were removed to Longford, and in
October to Athlone. At this period the establishment was augmented
to eight hundred and thirty-six officers and soldiers, and the
regiment was divided into six service and four depôt companies: but
the service companies did not proceed abroad at this period.
[Sidenote: 1826]
From Athlone the regiment marched to Dublin, in May, 1826; and
furnished a detachment of grenadiers to Hacketstown, to mount guard
at the residence of the Lord-Lieutenant, during his stay in that
part of the country.
Lieutenant-General the Honorable Sir G. Lowry Cole, G.C.B., was
removed to the Twenty-seventh, or the Inniskilling Regiment, of
Foot, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FOURTH, by
Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, Bart, G.C.B.,
G.C.H., by commission, dated the 16th of December, 1826.
[Sidenote: 1827]
[Sidenote: 1828]
After remaining twelve months at Dublin, the head-quarters
were removed to Templemore, in May, 1827, and in September to
Galway, furnishing twelve detachments to military stations in
that neighbourhood. In April, 1828, the regiment was removed to
Buttevant; and in July to Cork.
[Sidenote: 1829]
During the six years which had elapsed from the date of the arrival
of the regiment from India, it had recruited its ranks and attained
a state of discipline and efficiency, and its turn to proceed
abroad having arrived in August, 1829, the service companies
embarked from Cork for North America; they sailed in two divisions,
the first under Major the Honorable H. S. Fane, and the second
under Captain Tew, and arriving at Nova Scotia in October, landed
at Halifax, where they remained nine months.
[Sidenote: 1830]
In July, 1830, the head-quarters were removed from Halifax to Fort
Charlotte, and detachments were sent to Prince Edward’s Island,
Annapolis, Windsor, York Redoubt, Sydney, Cape Breton, and St.
Andrews, New Brunswick.
[Sidenote: 1832]
The regiment remained detached until August, 1832, when the
head-quarters, consisting of one field officer, two captains, five
subalterns, two staff, twenty-three serjeants, nine drummers, and
three hundred and sixty-seven rank and file, embarked on board
His Majesty’s ship “Winchester” for New Brunswick, disembarked
at St. John’s, and proceeded to Fredericton, having left at the
former station one field officer, one captain, two subalterns, six
serjeants, one drummer, and a hundred and seven rank and file,
which followed them on the 1st of September, in His Majesty’s brig
“Arachne,” and arrived at St. John’s, New Brunswick, on the 4th
September, 1832.
[Sidenote: 1834]
In 1834, on retiring from the command of the regiment,
Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Kelly presented to the officers’ mess, a
handsome snuff-box.
Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly was succeeded in the command of the
regiment by Lieutenant-Colonel the Honorable Henry Fane.
[Sidenote: 1835]
The regiment remained in New Brunswick until July, 1835, when it
returned in two divisions to Halifax.
[Sidenote: 1836]
In May, 1836, detachments were sent to Cape Breton, Annapolis, York
Redoubt, and Prince Edward’s Island.
In this year, the red and white tuft, which had been previously
worn by the battalion companies, was allowed by the following
letter to be resumed.
“_Horse Guards, 23rd May, 1836._
“SIR,
“I have the honor, by direction of the General Commanding in
Chief, to acquaint you, in reply to your letter, of the 4th of
March last, that the King has been graciously pleased to approve
of the battalion companies of the THIRTY-FOURTH Regiment resuming
the tuft worn by those companies, in commemoration of the action
at Arroyo de los Molinos, on the 28th of October, 1811.
“I have &c.,
“(Signed) JOHN MACDONALD, A. G.
“_Lieutenant-Colonel Honorable H. S. Fane_,
“_Commanding 34th Regiment_.”
[Sidenote: 1837]
The two flank companies, consisting of two captains, two
subalterns, eight serjeants, two drummers, and one hundred and
fifty rank and file, marched, under Captain Byron, for New
Brunswick, 19th December, 1837.