of this object it marched to the south of England, and on the 14th
of May was reviewed by General Wade on Finchley Common, when the
novelty of the scene attracted thousands of spectators to view the
unique costume of the corps, and its appearance and discipline were
generally admired. After the review the Highlanders were ordered
to Gravesend, to embark for Flanders, but, as many of the men had
enlisted on the presumption that they would never be required to
quit the kingdom, and a report being spread amongst them that they
were designed for the West Indies, a country which, at this period,
was considered as a charnel-house for Europeans, about 150 of them
deserted with their arms, and proceeded in a body towards Scotland.
The squadron of the FOURTH HORSE sent in pursuit of the Highlanders
overtook them in Northamptonshire; and on Sunday, the 22nd of May,
surrounded them in Lady-wood, near Oundle, and shortly afterwards the
horse were joined by a squadron of Churchill's Dragoons (now Tenth
Hussars). The Highlanders were disposed to submit on condition of
receiving a _free pardon_; at the same time they took possession of
a strong post in the wood, and, being provided with ammunition, they
declared their determination to resist to the last extremity, and be
cut to pieces rather than submit on any other terms. Captain Ball,
of the FOURTH HORSE, had an interview with them, and, after trying
every remonstrance and persuasion in vain, he was obliged to leave
them. He, however, gained over two of their number, who conducted
him out of the wood, and, promising them both a free pardon, he
induced one to return and endeavour to prevail upon the remainder to
submit. Eventually the main body surrendered at discretion, and were
conducted to the Tower of London, where three of their number were
tried and shot, and the remainder were drafted to different colonies
abroad. This event did not, however, prevent the embarkation of the
Highland regiment for Flanders.
[Sidenote: 1744]
[Sidenote: 1745]
In the beginning of 1744 the FOURTH HORSE were ordered to send a
draft of sixty men and horses to Flanders to be incorporated in the
three regiments of horse on foreign service. At the same time several
additional corps were sent to the continent, but this regiment
remained in the south of England until September 1745, when it was
ordered to Nottingham; and on the receipt of information of the
arrival of Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, in Scotland,
it marched to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where several corps were assembled
under the command of Field-Marshal Wade. In the mean time the young
Pretender was joined by several Highland clans, and, there being but
few troops in Scotland to oppose his progress, he gained possession
of Edinburgh, surprised and defeated several corps under Sir John
Cope at Preston Pans, and afterwards penetrated into England. At
the same time Field-Marshal Wade marched with the troops under his
command, by Durham, Darlington, and Richmond, in order to cover
Yorkshire, and the cavalry proceeded to Doncaster, where the FOURTH
HORSE arrived on the 8th of December.
Information having been received of the advance of the Highlanders
to Derby, and of their precipitate retreat from thence towards
Scotland, an attempt was made to intercept them, but without success.
The FOURTH HORSE were subsequently despatched, with some other corps,
under Major-General Oglethorp, in pursuit, and, after marching a
distance of 100 miles in three days, in most inclement weather, and
along roads choked with ice and snow, the King's troops overtook and
defeated the rear of the rebel army on the borders of Lancashire,
and captured several prisoners; but the main body of the Highlanders
escaped, and, having placed a garrison in Carlisle, continued their
flight to Scotland. The FOURTH HORSE pursued the Highlanders to
Carlisle, and were stationed near that city until its surrender on
the 30th of December.
[Sidenote: 1746]
In the beginning of 1746 the FOURTH HORSE marched to York, and, after
the decisive overthrow of the rebel army at _Culloden_, the regiment
furnished escorts to guard parties of prisoners to Lincoln, and other
places, in which service it was partially engaged throughout the
summer; and in September it was stationed at Bristol.
The suppression of this rebellion having been effected, His Majesty
resolved, as a measure of economy, to reduce this and two other
regiments from the pay and quality of HORSE to that of DRAGOONS. The
establishment was accordingly changed on the 25th of December, 1746,
and, the pay of the non-commissioned officers and private men being
reduced by this alteration, every man received a gratuity of three
pounds, with the option of his discharge; and the men who accepted
their discharge received fourteen days' pay each, to defray the
expense of their journey home. The regiment was now armed with long
muskets and bayonets, also with swords and pistols, as before. A
slight alteration was at the same time made in the uniform;--the
officers were distinguished by gold lace and embroidery on their
regimentals, and a crimson silk sash worn over the left shoulder; the
quarter-masters by gold lace, and silk sashes round their waists; and
the serjeants by narrow lace on the lappels, sleeves, and pockets,
and a worsted sash round the waist. When this change had taken place
His Majesty conferred on the regiment the title of THIRD DRAGOON
GUARDS, by a warrant dated the 9th of January, 1747, of which the
following is a copy:--
[Sidenote: 1747]
'GEORGE R.
'WHEREAS We have thought fit to order OUR OWN REGIMENT OF HORSE,
commanded by Our trusty and well-beloved General Sir Philip
Honeywood; THE QUEEN'S ROYAL REGIMENT OF HORSE, commanded by our
right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin and Counsellor,
Lieutenant-General John Duke of Montague; and OUR REGIMENT OF
HORSE, commanded by Our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor,
Field-Marshal George Wade, to be respectively formed into
regiments of Dragoons, and their establishment and pay, as
DRAGOONS, to commence the 25th of December, 1746: And,
'WHEREAS it is become necessary, by the said Regiments being
formed into Dragoons, that their former titles as Regiments
of Horse should be altered; We are hereby graciously pleased
to declare OUR ROYAL WILL AND PLEASURE, that Our Regiment of
Dragoons, now under the command of General Sir Philip Honeywood,
shall bear the title of Our FIRST REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS;
Our Regiment of Dragoons, now commanded by the Duke of Montague,
the title of Our SECOND REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS; and Our
Regiment of Dragoons, now commanded by Field-Marshal Wade, the
title of Our THIRD REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS, and have rank and
precedency of all other regiments of Dragoons in our service.
Nevertheless,
'OUR FURTHER WILL AND PLEASURE is, that the said three Regiments
of Dragoon Guards shall roll and do duty in Our army, or upon
detachments, with Our other forces, as Dragoons, in the same
manner as if the word GUARDS was not inserted in their respective
titles.
'WHEREOF the Colonels above mentioned, and the Colonels of Our
said Regiments for the time being, and all others whom it may
or shall concern, are to take notice and govern themselves
accordingly.
'Given at our Court at St. James's, this 9th day of January,
1746-7, in the twentieth year of our reign.
'By HIS MAJESTY'S COMMAND,
'H. FOX.'
The establishment of the regiment, with the rates of pay of each
rank, is given in the following table, copied from the War-Office
records.
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| THIRD REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS. |
+------------------------------------------------------+--------------+
| | Per Diem. |
| +----+----+----+
| STAFF OFFICERS. | £. |_s._|_d._|
| | | | |
| The Colonel, _as Colonel_, 15_s._; allowance for | | | |
| servants 4_s._ 6_d._ | | 19 | 6 |
| Lieut.-Colonel, _as Lieut.-Colonel_ | | 9 | |
| Major, _as Major_ | | 5 | |
| Chaplain | | 6 | 8 |
| Surgeon | | 6 | |
| Adjutant | | 5 | |
| | | | |
| THE FIRST TROOP. | | | |
| | | | |
| Captain 8_s._; 3 horses 3_s._; in lieu of servants | | | |
| 4_s._ 6_d._ | | 15 | 6 |
| Lieutenant 4_s._; 2 horses 2_s._; in lieu of | | | |
| servants 3_s._ | | 9 | |
| Cornet 3_s._; 2 horses 2_s._; in lieu of servants | | | |
| 3_s._ | | 8 | |
| Quartermaster, for himself and horse 4_s._; in | | | |
| lieu of servants 1_s._ 6_d._ | | 5 | 6 |
| 3 Serjeants, each at 2_s._ 9_d._ | | 8 | 3 |
| 3 Corporals, each at 2_s._ 3_d._ | | 6 | 9 |
| 2 Drummers, each at 2_s._ 3_d._ | | 4 | 6 |
| 1 Hautboy | | 2 | |
| 59 Dragoons, at 1_s._ 9_d._ each for man and horse | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Allowance to widows | | 2 | |
| For clothing lost by deserters | | 2 | 6 |
| For recruiting expenses | | 2 | 4 |
| For agency | | 1 | 2 |
| FIVE TROOPS MORE, of the same numbers | 42 | 13 | 9 |
| +----+----+----+
| Total per Diem £| 53 | 15 | 8 |
| +----+----+----+
| Total per Annum £19,630 | 18 | 4 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+----+----+
[Sidenote: 1748]
The regiment, having thus been constituted the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS,
was disposed in quarters at Leicester and Coventry, where it passed
that and the following summer, and in the autumn of 1748 marched to
Durham and Newcastle.
After the decease of Field-Marshal Wade, in February, 1748, the
Colonelcy was conferred on the Honourable Charles Howard.
[Sidenote: 1749]
[Sidenote: 1750]
In the succeeding year the regiment was stationed at York and Barnard
Castle; and in 1750 at Loughborough, Norwich, and North Yarmouth.
[Sidenote: 1752]
[Sidenote: 1753]
[Sidenote: 1754]
In the spring of 1752 the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS furnished a relay of
escorts to attend the King to Harwich, where His Majesty embarked
for the continent, on a visit to his German dominions. During the
remainder of that year, and in the two succeeding years, detachments
of the regiment were employed on coast duty in Suffolk, Essex, and
Devonshire. Owing to an increase of duty on several articles of
foreign produce, smuggling had become prevalent to a great extent
in England, and it was found necessary to have parties of dragoons
constantly stationed in the maritime towns and villages to assist the
officers of the revenue in preventing the introduction of contraband
goods. At the same time a laxity of morals prevailed amongst the
labouring classes; and, in the absence of an efficient police in the
kingdom, parties of dragoons were employed to patrole the public
roads for the prevention of highway robberies, which had become
alarmingly frequent, and were often attended with acts of cruelty and
even murder. From the ephemeral publications of the day it appears
that organized gangs of robbers infested many parts of the kingdom at
this period.
[Sidenote: 1755]
In 1755 signs of an approaching war began to appear. The French
committed several acts of violence against British settlements in
America; retaliation was made by the English troops, and the French
were driven from the possessions they had seized. The British Court
was disposed to an amicable arrangement of the existing differences;
but such difficulties were raised by France, that his Majesty deemed
it prudent to augment the strength of the regular army, and an
addition of 1 corporal and 15 men was made to the strength of each
troop of the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS: and subsequently a LIGHT TROOP,
consisting of 3 officers, 1 quarter-master, 2 serjeants, 3 corporals,
2 drummers, and 60 private men, was added to the establishment.[45]
The general utility of light dragoons had been manifest in
continental warfare; a regiment of light horse raised by the Duke of
Kingston in 1744 had been highly instrumental in the suppression of
the rebellion in Scotland; and from the autumn of 1755 light cavalry
have constituted a portion of the British land forces.
[Sidenote: 1756]
The aggressions of France in America were followed by a declaration
of war; when the King of France made preparations for a descent upon
England, which produced considerable alarm in the kingdom; but the
designs of the enemy were frustrated by the warlike preparations of
the British Government. In this year (1756) the establishment of the
THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS was 24 officers, 7 quarter-masters, and 427
non-commissioned officers and private men.
During the summer a detachment of the regiment was stationed at
Kensington to assist the Life Guards in the performance of the
travelling escort-duty for the royal family.
[Sidenote: 1757]
In July, 1757, the regiment was encamped, with several other corps,
on Salisbury Plain, under the command of Lieut.-General Hawley; and
a brigade was there formed of the LIGHT TROOPS of several regiments,
for instruction in the evolutions, and in services peculiar to light
cavalry. In autumn the regiment marched to quarters at Colchester,
Malden, and Witham.
[Sidenote: 1758]
The augmentation made in the naval and military establishments of the
kingdom enabled the British Government to act offensively, and in
the spring of 1758 the LIGHT TROOP of the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS was
called upon to hold itself in readiness for actual warfare. In April
it was ordered to encamp near Petersfield, where a brigade was formed
of the light troops of nine regiments, under the command of Colonel
Eliott, of the Horse Grenadier Guards. Towards the end of May the
brigade embarked on board transports,--forming part of an expedition
under Charles Duke of Marlborough, designed for a descent on the
coast of France. On the 5th of June the Fleet arrived in Cancalle
Bay, on the coast of Brittany, and, having silenced a battery on the
shore, part of the troops were immediately landed; when a battalion
of French infantry and two troops of cavalry, posted on the heights
near that place, retired without making opposition. On the following
day the brigade of light cavalry and the artillery were landed; and
on the 7th the whole (excepting three battalions of infantry left to
cover the coast) marched to the vicinity of _St. Maloes_, and during
the night the light cavalry, with detachments from the infantry,
set fire to the shipping and naval stores at St. Servan, destroyed
a fleet of privateers, with a man-of-war of fifty guns, and another
of thirty-six, and afterwards retired. The capture of St. Maloes had
been designed; but the expedition was not provided with troops and
heavy ordnance sufficient for so great an undertaking; consequently
that design was laid aside, and on the 11th of June the light cavalry
were re-embarked. A second descent being rendered impracticable by
severe weather, the fleet returned to England, and the light cavalry
landed and encamped near Portsmouth and subsequently on Southsea
Common.
A second visit to the coast of France was however determined on;
and after several experiments had been made with flat-bottomed
boats to ascertain the practicability of landing troops in rough
weather, the LIGHT TROOP of the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS was again
embarked, and the expedition sailed on the 1st of August, under the
command of Lieut.-General Bligh. After seven days the fleet anchored
near _Cherbourg_; the troops landed,--the town surrendered,--the
fortifications and works of the place with the shipping in the
harbour were destroyed, and the brass ordnance were brought away
as trophies of their success. A second descent was afterwards made
on the coast of Brittany; but no advantage resulted from this
enterprise; and when the troops re-embarked, the rear-guard was
attacked by a considerable body of the enemy, and about 1000 men,
with many officers of distinction, were killed, drowned, or taken
prisoners.
In the mean time His Majesty's German dominions had been the scene
of conflict and disaster; and a body of Hanoverian, Hessian,
and Brunswick troops, commanded by the Duke of Cumberland, had
been subject to a capitulation, by which it was agreed that the
Hessian and Brunswick forces should return to their homes, and the
Hanoverians remain in a district assigned to them: at the same time
the Electorate of Hanover was taken possession of by the enemy.
The conditions of this capitulation were, however, violated by the
French; the Hanoverians resumed their arms, and, with the Hessian
and Brunswick troops, amounting to 30,000 men, all in British pay,
re-assembled under the command of Prince Ferdinand Duke of Brunswick,
and had the advantage in several actions with the enemy. In July a
British force was ordered to proceed to Germany, under the command
of Charles, Duke of Marlborough, and the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS were
ordered for this service.
Previous to embarking they were encamped on Blackheath, on a fine
lawn in front of the residence of Sir George Page, where they
were reviewed by His Majesty in presence of a vast concourse of
spectators, and their fine appearance was universally admired; at
the same time the most sanguine expectations were entertained of
the future achievements of this distinguished corps on the field of
battle.
On the 27th of July the regiment embarked at Gravesend, and arrived
at Embden, in Germany, on the 1st of August. On the 3rd of that month
the troops landed a few miles above the town, where they encamped
until the morning of the 5th, when they commenced their march up
the country, and joined the army commanded by Prince Ferdinand of
Brunswick on the 17th. On the 20th the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS were
reviewed, with several other corps, by his Serene Highness, who
expressed his admiration of their condition after the march. They
were not, however, engaged in any affair of importance during the
remainder of the campaign; and they passed the winter in quarters in
the bishopric of Osnaburg.
[Sidenote: 1759]
The allies commenced operations early in the spring of 1759, and,
having gained considerable advantage over the enemy in the country of
Hesse, afterwards attacked (13th of April) the French army commanded
by the Duke of Broglio in its position at _Bergen_. In this action
the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS supported the attack of the infantry, and
were subsequently brought forward to menace the enemy's front; but
it was found impracticable to force the position, and during the
following night the allies retired, nor were they enabled to make
a stand against the superior numbers of the enemy for some time
afterwards.
During this campaign the regiment was formed in brigade with the
Scots Greys and Tenth Dragoons: and on the 17th of July it was
encamped on Petershagen Heath, a few miles from _Minden_, and near
the strong position occupied by the French army under the Duke de
Broglio and Marshal Contades.
On the 29th of July the allies advanced and took post at Hillé, and
the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS were encamped on the extreme right of the
cavalry. Prince Ferdinand having, by several manœuvres, succeeded in
drawing the French army from its strong post in front of _Minden_,
a general engagement was fought on the 1st of August, when the
valour of the British infantry decided the fortune of the day,
and the enemy, after a sharp contest, sustained a decisive defeat,
with the loss of forty-three pieces of cannon, ten pair of colours,
and seven standards. At the commencement of the action the THIRD
DRAGOON GUARDS were posted, with several other corps, under Lord
George Sackville,[46] behind a thick wood on the right of the army,
and, although these troops were not brought forward in time to share
in the conflict and glories of the day, yet they afterwards highly
distinguished themselves in the pursuit of the enemy a distance of
about two hundred miles, in which great difficulties were overcome,
and several French corps were nearly annihilated.
The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS took part in the several manœuvres and
skirmishes of this campaign, which were continued throughout the
year. In November the regiment was posted on the banks of the river
Lahn, and it subsequently occupied cantonments near Osnaburg.
[Sidenote: 1760]
In the spring of 1760 the enemy brought into the field an army of
100,000 men, commanded by the Duke of Broglio, with a separate corps
under the Count de St. Germain; and so far outnumbered the allies,
that the latter were obliged to act on the defensive. The THIRD
DRAGOON GUARDS left their cantonments in the early part of May,
arrived at Paderborn on the 12th, and on the 20th encamped on the
heights near Fritzlar, where they were formed in brigade with the
First and Second Dragoon Guards, under the command of Major-General
Webb. The enemy, superior in numbers and situation, advanced against
the allies, some skirmishing occurred, but Prince Ferdinand was
ultimately obliged to retire. Leaving Fritzlar on the 24th of June,
the allies proceeded in the direction of the Dymel, and on the 9th
of July the main army took post on the heights of Brannau. On the
same day the First and THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS were sent forward to
Saxenhausen, to reinforce a separate body of troops commanded by the
Hereditary Prince of Brunswick.
On the 10th of July the Hereditary Prince marched towards _Corbach_,
and when he approached that place he discovered a body of French
troops formed upon the heights near the town. Imagining it was
only the advanced guard of the Count de St. Germain's corps, his
Highness determined to endeavour to dislodge them. The attack was
accordingly made, and the intrepidity and firmness of the troops
were conspicuous; but the enemy proved more numerous than was
anticipated, and, being reinforced with fresh troops, it was found
impossible to drive them from the advantageous post which they
occupied, and a retreat was ordered. This was, however, rendered of
difficult execution by the pressure of the enemy's advanced corps.
Some disorder occurred. Several German regiments of infantry and
cavalry were thrown into confusion, and the enemy, following up this
advantage with a large body of dragoons and a numerous artillery,
threatened the entire destruction of this portion of the allied army.
At this critical moment the First and THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS were
brought forward to undertake a service of great magnitude,--no less
than to confront a torrent of superior and increasing numbers, and
to drive back the victorious legions that were pouring down upon the
allies,--a service which would at once attest the intrinsic worth
of these corps; and their conduct proved their genuine bravery, and
showed that the same valour, for which the corps had often been
distinguished as the FOURTH HORSE, also glowed in the bosoms of the
THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS. The two regiments instantly confronted the
foe, and conscious of their own power they dashed forward upon the
foaming ranks of the enemy, and used their broad swords with dreadful
execution. The torrent of battle was arrested. The pursuing squadrons
were driven back, 'mangled with many a ghastly wound,' and the
remainder of the army was enabled to make an undisturbed retreat.[47]
After driving back the enemy's squadrons the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS
retired, and joined the main army, encamped at Saxenhausen, on the
same evening.
The loss of the regiment on this proud occasion was thirty-five men
and thirty-four horses; with one man and two horses wounded.[48]
In consequence of some movements of the enemy Prince Ferdinand
proceeded with the main body of the army towards Cassel, and on
the 27th of July the troops encamped near Kalle. At the same time
the Chevalier de Muy, who had succeeded the Count de St. Germain,
having crossed the river Dymel with 35,000 men, and taken post on the
heights near _Warbourg_, with a view of cutting off the communication
of the allies with Westphalia, Prince Ferdinand resolved to attack
him in this post. The attack commenced on the morning of the 31st
of July, and the brigade of Dragoon Guards had another opportunity,
which it did not suffer to pass, of distinguishing itself. The
action had been maintained for a short time, although only a part of
the allied army had reached the scene of conflict, and the English
cavalry were a distance of five miles in the rear, but they advanced
at great speed, at the same time preserving such order and regularity
as enabled them to charge successfully the instant they arrived on
the ground; and after driving the enemy's cavalry out of the field,
they attacked the French infantry and chased them from the heights
with prodigious slaughter. The town of Warbourg was carried. The
Dragoon Guards, led by the Marquis of Granby,[49] pressed forward in
the pursuit, crossed the Dymel, and the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS, after
acquiring great honour in the fight and in the pursuit, encamped that
night on the heights of Wilda.