the Duke of Marlborough, after the surrender of _Huy_, resolved
to attempt to surprise them in their formidable barrier, the
construction of which had employed the space of three years. He
accordingly, by a skilful manœuvre, succeeded in dividing their
forces and in drawing them from the point selected for the attack.
About eleven o'clock on the evening of the 17th of July the FOURTH
HORSE, forming part of the division destined to force the lines, left
their camp ground and continued their march throughout an extremely
dark night, until about four the next morning, when the heads of
columns approached the works at _Neer-Hespen_ and _Helexim_. The
guards were surprised and fled in a panic, the lines were forced and
partly levelled, and the British horse were soon within the barriers;
but before the regiments were formed, the Marquis d'Allegre appeared
with fifty squadrons of cavalry and twenty battalions of infantry,
and opened a cannonade from eight pieces of artillery. After the
allied infantry had fired a few rounds, the Duke of Marlborough led
forward the cavalry, which had passed the works, and the gallant
British horsemen, by an impetuous charge, broke the enemy's ranks.
The victorious squadrons afterwards sustained some loss from the fire
of the enemy's infantry, but a second charge decided the combat; the
hostile cavalry were routed and dispersed, several battalions of
infantry were cut to pieces, many prisoners, standards, and colours
were taken, and the FOURTH HORSE were once more triumphant over the
legions of France and Spain.[31]
After this brilliant success the FOURTH HORSE were engaged in several
manœuvres, and marches along the fruitful plains of the Netherlands;
but the opposition which the British commander met with from the
Dutch generals proved detrimental to the future operations of this
campaign. In the autumn the regiment was with the covering army
during the siege of _Sandvliet_, and after the surrender of this
place, marched back to Holland, where it was joined by a remount of
men and horses from England.[32]
[Sidenote: 1706]
The FOURTH HORSE, with the other four English cavalry regiments on
the continent, were now become a celebrated body of troops; and in
April, 1706, when they again took the field, it is recorded that the
officers and men looked forward with joyful anticipations to the
events of another campaign. After traversing the province of Limburg,
they joined the army at Bilsen, in the bishopric of Liege, on the
20th of May, and immediately afterwards advanced against the enemy.
On the morning of the 23rd of May the army was proceeding towards
the Mehaine, and as the advance-guard, of which a detachment of the
FOURTH HORSE formed a part, arrived at the uplands near Mierdorp,
the enemy were seen traversing the plain near Mont St. André, their
right stretching beyond the village of _Ramilies_ towards the
Mehaine; and their magnificent army, composed of French, Spaniards,
and Bavarians, commanded by the Elector of Bavaria and Marshal
Villeroy, was soon formed in order of battle. At the same time the
allies made preparations for commencing the action, and the FOURTH
HORSE took their station in the right wing of the army. About
half-past one the battle commenced; but the British horsemen were
kept in reserve until a decisive moment should arrive, when their
well-known spirit and physical power would, it was expected, produce
important results. The battle had lasted nearly three hours, when the
Duke of Marlborough seized a critical moment to strike a decisive
blow, and the British cavalry was brought forward. The _Fourth_ and
Seventh Horse, commanded by Major-General Wood, passed the little
river Geete, and dashed along the plain on the right of the village
of _Ramilies_, overthrowing all opposition, until they arrived at
the rising ground behind the village of Offuz. The enemy was now in
full retreat, and the two regiments went sweeping along the plain
in pursuit until they arrived at the farm of Chantrain, where they
overtook the Spanish and Bavarian Horse Guards, who, with the Elector
and Marshal Villeroy at their head, were endeavouring to cover the
retreat of their artillery. Having gained the enemy's left flank,
the foaming squadrons of the FOURTH HORSE rushed upon the Spaniards
and Bavarians, and, with one tremendous shock, broke their ranks in
pieces! Then commenced the clash of swords, with all the uproar,
strife, and turmoil of a close combat, while the Spaniards and
Bavarians fell in numbers before the superior prowess of the victors;
and the FOURTH HORSE took many prisoners, with the STANDARD[33] AND
KETTLE-DRUMS OF BAVARIAN GUARDS, and the Elector and Marshal Villeroy
narrowly escaped.[34]
After this noble exploit the FOURTH HORSE, having detached a party
to the rear with the prisoners and cannon, continued the pursuit
throughout the night until two o'clock of the following morning,
making additional captures of men, artillery, and ammunition
waggons, until the troopers and their horses were exhausted with the
extraordinary exertions and fatigues they had undergone. Thus was
one of the best-appointed and most gallant armies which France ever
brought into the field nearly destroyed, and the reputation of the
British troops and their distinguished leader exalted; while the
result of the victory was the deliverance from the power of the enemy
of an extent of territory exceeding the most sanguine expectation.
After a few days' repose the FOURTH HORSE were detached with other
troops to summon several towns and fortresses in the Spanish
Netherlands; many places surrendered immediately, and renounced
their allegiance to the Duke of Anjou; other towns, overawed by
French garrisons, stood short sieges, but were captured before the
end of the campaign, when the regiment went into quarters.
[Sidenote: 1707]
Early in the spring of 1707 the losses of the FOURTH HORSE during the
preceding campaign were replaced by a remount of 60 men and 94 horses
from England;[35] at the same time the regiment was again supplied
with ARMOUR,[36] and when it took the field it once more appeared
as a corps of CUIRASSIERS. In the early part of the campaign it was
encamped on the banks of the little river Sienne, and subsequently
near Meldert. It was employed in several manœuvres designed to bring
on a general engagement, which the French cautiously avoided. They
ventured, for a short time, to encamp in front of the fortified
lines which had served for a defence to their frontiers during the
preceding war; but they made a precipitate retreat upon the advance
of the allies, who continued in the field until the autumn, when they
separated into quarters.
[Sidenote: 1708]
The winter having been passed by the FOURTH HORSE amongst the
hardy Belgians, they left Flanders in May, 1708, and proceeding to
the vicinity of Brussels were formed in brigade with the Duke of
Schomberg's regiment (now Seventh Dragoon Guards), commanded by
Brigadier-General Sybourg. They were afterwards engaged in several
operations in Brabant and Hainault; while the enemy, taking
advantage of the absence of the troops from Ghent and Bruges,
obtained possession, by treachery, of these two towns, which had been
the winter quarters of the English forces.
A series of movements at length brought on the battle of _Oudenarde_,
which was fought on the 11th of July in the inclosures near the banks
of the Scheldt.
During the early part of the action the five[37] regiments of BRITISH
CUIRASSIERS, having crossed the Scheldt by the bridge of boats, were
stationed in reserve on the plain of Huerne, behind the right wing of
the army, ready to charge when the moment for a decisive attack of
the horse should arrive. Advancing from this post they supported the
infantry engaged, manœuvring so as to sustain the line in front, and
to be ever ready to execute a charge, while their presence held in
check several French corps; but owing to the local peculiarities of
the ground, which was intersected by hedges, ditches, and rivulets,
darkness put an end to the conflict before these warlike horsemen,
who panted for an opportunity once more to distinguish themselves,
were called upon to engage in close combat. The French retreated
in confusion during the night, and at daybreak the FOURTH HORSE,
with several other corps, were detached in pursuit; some slight
skirmishing occurred, and the French took refuge under the cannon of
Ghent.
In the movements which followed this victory the FOURTH HORSE took
part, and they were subsequently employed in protecting the battering
cannon, with an immense convoy of military stores, which were sent
from Brussels to the army. They also formed part of the covering army
during the siege of _Lisle_, an important and formidable fortress,
protected by a Marshal of France, Boufflers, with a garrison of
15,000 men, and everything requisite for a successful defence; at
the same time Louis XIV. commanded an immense army to be assembled
for the purpose of raising the siege. But the allies, unmoved by the
menacing manœuvres and threatened attacks of the enemy, prosecuted
their purpose with vigour, and the vaunts of the French commanders
evaporated in a short cannonade which produced little result.
The supplies of ammunition and provision for the besieging army
having to be conveyed a considerable distance by land, the FOURTH
HORSE were occasionally detached from the army to guard the waggons
and cover their advance. In September an immense convoy, with
ammunition and other necessaries, was despatched from Ostend under
the charge of a guard commanded by Major-General Webb; at the same
time the Count de La Motte advanced with 22,000 French troops to
intercept this supply, on the safe arrival of which the fate of
_Lisle_ depended; and the FOURTH HORSE, with several other corps,
were detached from the camp at Lannoy under Major-General Cadogan
to the aid of the convoy. As the British squadrons approached the
woods of _Wynendale_, a loud cannonade was heard; they instantly
dashed forward, and the moment they arrived at the scene of conflict
the French relinquished the attack, and the stores were conveyed in
safety to the camp.[38]
After the surrender of _Lisle_, the FOURTH HORSE marched to East
Flanders, and were engaged in military operations until _Ghent_ and
_Bruges_ were re-captured, when the regiment went into quarters; and
the losses of the preceding campaign were replaced by a remount of
ninety-seven men and seventy-one horses.[39]
[Sidenote: 1709]
After remaining in quarters in Flanders until June, 1709, the
FOURTH HORSE advanced up the country and erected their tents on
the plain of Lisle, near the banks of the Deule, where a vast and
magnificent army, composed of the troops of several nations, extended
its encampment in regular order over a large tract of country,
and exhibited a fine spectacle of war. From this camp the FOURTH
HORSE proceeded to the banks of the Scheldt, and formed part of the
covering army during the siege of the boasted impregnable fortress of
_Tournay_, which surrendered in the beginning of September.
From the banks of the Scheldt the FOURTH HORSE moved with the
army in the direction of _Mons_, the capital of the province of
Hainault, with the design of wresting this important place from
the power of France. But while the allies were on the march, the
French army moved from its former post and took up a position near
_Malplaquet_, at the same time increasing the natural strength
of the post by entrenchments and other works. In this camp were
collected the choicest troops of France, commanded by two celebrated
Marshals, Villiers and Boufflers, and opposed to them the victorious
Marlborough and Eugene headed the heroes of Blenheim and Ramilies,
amongst whom were the celebrated British Horse under the chivalrous
Lieut.-General Wood.
On the morning of the 11th of September (N. S.), after divine
service had been performed at the head of the troops, the battle
commenced with an animation and effect which indicated the ardour
that prevailed in both armies. In the attack of the entrenchments,
and in forcing the works, the cavalry could not take part, and for a
time the services of the FOURTH HORSE were limited to supporting the
attack on the left centre, where the enemy's position was eventually
forced by the infantry. In the midst of the arduous struggle, and
while the storm of war was raging with dreadful fury, the Duke of
Marlborough led forward the five regiments of BRITISH CUIRASSIERS,
commanded by Lieut.-General Wood, and the Prussian cavalry, against
the renowned Gens d'armes of France, who were instantly routed and
chased from the ground; but as the British and Prussian horsemen,
who were somewhat broken by the charge, continued their victorious
course and swept the field in triumph, they were met by a compact
line of French cavalry, consisting of the Gardes-du-Corps, Light
Horse, Musqueteers, and Horse Grenadiers of the royal household, led
by Marshal Boufflers, and these distinguished troops succeeded in
driving back the squadrons of the allies. The British horsemen were,
however, only repulsed, not defeated: they soon rallied again, and,
glowing with zeal to encounter so celebrated an enemy, they returned
to the charge, when their valour and prowess prevailed; and the
French squadrons being driven from the field, the remainder of their
army retired immediately afterwards, leaving the allies victorious,
but with the loss of many men killed and wounded, and the pursuit was
not continued beyond the village of Quievrain.
Thus ended a day in which the FOURTH HORSE acquired new honours. They
were subsequently with the covering army during the siege of _Mons_,
and after its surrender marched to East Flanders for winter quarters.
[Sidenote: 1710]
The FOURTH HORSE, having been completed by another remount from
England,[40] marched out of their quarters in the beginning of April,
1710, and advanced to the banks of the Scheldt near Tournay, where
the allied army, consisting of the troops of several nations, was
assembled, and, according to the journals of that period, the BRITISH
CUIRASSIERS made a noble appearance.
From this camp the FOURTH HORSE advanced at five o'clock in the
afternoon of the 20th of April, and formed part of the column under
Lieut.-General Cadogan, which, after marching all night, surprised
the French guard at _Pont à Vendin_, and penetrated their fortified
lines without opposition.
The siege of _Douay_, a strong town situate on the river Scarpe,
was afterwards undertaken, and the FOURTH HORSE, forming part of
the covering army, were engaged in several manœuvres and marches to
counteract the operations of the enemy, who menaced the besieging
force with an attack; but the superior tactics of the Duke of
Marlborough and Prince Eugene, with the bravery of their troops,
prevailed, and _Douay_ was surrendered on the 27th of June. After
repairing the works, the army advanced towards the enemy, who, to
avoid an engagement, retired behind their new lines of defence, when
the allies directed their victorious arms against _Bethune_, and
the FOURTH HORSE had their post in the besieging force until the
surrender of the place on the 29th of August. They were subsequently
employed in covering the sieges of _Aire_ and _St. Venant_, and after
the termination of this successful campaign returned to Flanders,
where they passed the winter in convenient quarters.
[Sidenote: 1711]
Advancing from thence in April, 1711, they directed their march to
the banks of the Scarpe, and were subsequently employed in several
manœuvres before the French lines of defence until the enemy's troops
were drawn to the left, when the Duke of Marlborough, by secretly
assembling a body of troops at Douay, forced the lines at _Arleux_
and invested _Bouchain_. The siege of this place was one of the most
difficult enterprises undertaken during the war, and the FOURTH HORSE
were fully employed in the multifarious services required, the lines
extending for many miles, and the greatest care and vigilance being
necessary. In September the place surrendered, and this regiment,
after traversing the recently conquered territory, to its former
winter station, went into cantonments.
[Sidenote: 1712]
It again took the field with the army in the spring of 1712, and
advancing to the frontiers, was prepared to enter France; when
the Duke of Ormond, who now commanded the British troops on the
continent, received orders to cease hostilities, as negotiations for
a general peace had commenced. In the mean time the regiment had
lost its Colonel, the distinguished and spirited cavalry officer
Lieutenant-General Cornelius Wood, whose death was occasioned by
the fall of his horse; and he was succeeded in the command of the
regiment by Thomas Viscount Windsor, from the Tenth Horse, by
commission, dated the 18th of May, 1712.[41]
[Sidenote: 1713]
[Sidenote: 1714]
The FOURTH HORSE marched with the British forces from the French
territory, and were encamped a short time in the vicinity of Ghent.
They subsequently went into quarters, and these distinguished
horsemen, after remaining on the continent until the treaty of
Utrecht had given peace to Europe, were embarked for England, landed
at the Red House near London in the beginning of April 1714, and
having returned their CUIRASSES into store, proceeded to Northampton,
Daventry, and Wellingborough. In the mean-time the establishment was
reduced from 400 to 226 officers and soldiers.[42]
On the decease of Queen Anne, in August of the same year, the
regiment marched into quarters near the metropolis, where it
remained until the arrival of His Majesty King George I. from
Hanover, and afterwards proceeded to Gloucester and Tewkesbury. In
October a squadron marched to Margate, and the remainder of the
regiment was posted in detachments of two officers and twenty men
each, between that place and London, to attend the Princess of Wales
on her arrival. Her Royal Highness with the Princesses Anne and
Amelia landed at Margate on the evening of the 11th of October, when
they were received by a guard of the regiment, and on the following
day they were escorted to Dorchester, where they were met by the
Prince of Wales and the Dukes of Somerset and Argyle and the Earl of
Bridgewater, and were conducted to the metropolis by the FOURTH HORSE
on the 13th of October.
[Sidenote: 1715]
[Sidenote: 1716]
The peaceful accession of His Majesty was followed by the most
strenuous exertions of many of the partisans of the Pretender; and
in 1715 they broke out into open rebellion under the Earl of Mar.
The army was immediately augmented, and ten men per troop were added
to the establishment of the FOURTH HORSE. Upon notice of a meditated
rise at Bath, this regiment, with Sir Robert Rich's Dragoons, took
possession of that city, where they seized a great quantity of arms.
England was at this period in great danger from the prevalence of
jacobite principles, and the animosity with which two powerful
parties in the state were arrayed against each other gave occasion
for much alarm; but the staunch fidelity of the army overawed the
disaffected, and the gallant troops who had so recently conquered the
foes of Britain abroad, preserved the nation from the machinations
of its enemies at home. The army, though on a reduced establishment,
was in excellent condition, and the cavalry in particular was
considered the best mounted of any troops in Europe.[43]
[Sidenote: 1717]
After the suppression of this rebellion the King of Sweden espoused
the cause of the Pretender, and made preparations for a descent upon
Britain; and the FOURTH HORSE, with several other corps, were placed
under the command of Lieutenant-General Wills, and sent to the north.
This regiment was quartered a short time at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and
the Colonelcy was given to Lieutenant-General George Wade, who had
distinguished himself in the war in Spain, by commission dated the
19th of March, 1717.
The project of Sweden having been defeated by the exertions of the
British fleet, the regiment returned to the south of England, and
took the travelling escort-duty for the Royal Family: at the same
time the establishment was reduced to twenty-five private men per
troop.
[Sidenote: 1718]
[Sidenote: 1719]
In 1718 the FOURTH HORSE were quartered at Nottingham and
Northampton; and in November 1719 they were stationed on the Essex
road, to attend His Majesty from Harwich to London, on his return
from Hanover.
[Sidenote: 1720]
[Sidenote: 1722]
In the following year they occupied dispersed cantonments in
Oxfordshire; in 1721 they were quartered at Dorchester and Salisbury;
and in the summer of 1722 encamped near Andover, and afterwards on
Salisbury Plain, where they were reviewed, with three other regiments
of cavalry and seven of infantry, by His Majesty and the Prince of
Wales, on the 30th of August. The camp was broken up in the beginning
of October, when this regiment marched to Warwick and Coventry.
[Sidenote: 1724]
[Sidenote: 1725]
[Sidenote: 1726]
During the summer of 1724 the FOURTH HORSE occupied quarters near
London, and again performed the travelling escort-duty. They also
furnished a party in constant attendance on the Prince and Princess
of Wales. In the following year they occupied quarters at Stamford,
Huntingdon, and Peterborough; and in 1726 at Warwick and Coventry.
[Sidenote: 1727]
[Sidenote: 1728]
On the accession of King George II., in 1727, the regiment marched to
the vicinity of London, was reviewed by His Majesty in September of
the same year, and was afterwards in attendance on the court until
May 1728, when it returned to its former quarters at Coventry and
Warwick.
[Sidenote: 1731]
[Sidenote: 1732]
[Sidenote: 1733]
[Sidenote: 1734]
[Sidenote: 1737]
In January 1731 it was again on the King's duty, and was reviewed
by His Majesty on Hounslow Heath in May of the same year. The two
succeeding years were passed in country quarters, and in May 1734 it
resumed its attendance on the Court. On the 29th of June following
His Majesty reviewed the corps of Life Guards, when this regiment had
the honour of furnishing the royal escort required on the occasion.
In November of the same year, having been relieved on the King's duty
by the Royal Horse Guards, it marched to Nottingham and Derby, where
it remained until April 1737, when it resumed its station at Coventry
and Warwick.
[Sidenote: 1738]
On the 5th of July, 1738, the FOURTH HORSE, and the Royal regiment
of Horse Guards, were reviewed by His Majesty on Hounslow Heath, and
their appearance and discipline were approved of by the King.
[Sidenote: 1740]
[Sidenote: 1741]
After the review the FOURTH HORSE marched into quarters in
Staffordshire. During the summer of 1740 they were encamped near
Newbury; and in 1741 formed part of a body of troops encamped on
Lexdon Heath, near Colchester.[44]
[Sidenote: 1742]
[Sidenote: 1743]
Towards the close of the summer of 1742 a British army proceeded to
Flanders, to make a diversion in favour of the Queen of Hungary,
whose dominions were overrun by the armies of France and Bavaria; but
the FOURTH HORSE remained in England, and in the beginning of May,
1743, they marched into quarters near the metropolis, and resumed
their duties of attendance on the Court. On the 17th of the same
month one squadron was sent in pursuit of a number of deserters
from Lord Semphill's (42nd) Highland regiment, a corps formed in
1739 of independent companies of infantry, raised in the Highlands,
for service in the mountain districts during the disaffection which
prevailed for some years in the north of Scotland.