which Lord Wellington was advanced to the dignity of Marquis),
the French hastily retired before the troops commanded by
Lieutenant-General Hill, who took up a position on the Tagus. The
THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS marched by Usagre, Balangur, and Villa, crossed
the Tagus at Almaraz on the 19th of September, and occupied Belois:
from whence they moved on the 26th, re-crossed the Tagus at Talavera
de la Reyna, and arrived at Tombleque, in La Mancha, on the 8th of
October; and, on the 21st, occupied some villages on the right bank
of the Tagus.
The French army opposed to the Marquis of Wellington having been
considerably reinforced, his lordship retired from Burgos, and Sir
Rowland Hill collected the troops under his command on the Jacamah,
from whence he retired upon Anvalo. Having crossed the Manzanarus by
the bridge Ponto Largo, near Arranheuse, the army took up a position,
on the 27th of October, on the right bank of the river; and the light
brigade of infantry was employed during the afternoon in defending
the bridge, which had been mined for destruction, but the attempt
did not succeed. During the night the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS relieved
the infantry at the bridge, two-thirds of the regiment having been
dismounted for that purpose.
The troops retreating by Madrid, through the Guadarama pass, formed
a junction with the army commanded by the Marquis of Wellington at
Salamanca, the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS, on this occasion, forming part
of the rear-guard. During the retreat the regiment was joined by a
remount from England, consisting of four lieutenants, two serjeants,
two corporals, twenty private men, and forty-six horses.
On the 15th of November the army retired on Ciudad Rodrigo, when the
THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS were again employed in covering the retreat, and
suffered much from the inclemency of the weather, but more especially
from the scarcity of forage and provisions. On the 20th they went
into quarters at Herquera, and on the 27th proceeded to Membrio,
where a remount, consisting of one lieutenant, one cornet, two
serjeants, fifty-seven private men, and fifty-horses, joined on the
29th of November.
In a warrant, dated the 12th of August, 1812, the facing of the
regiment was changed from _white_ to _blue_; cocked hats were
replaced by brass helmets; jacked boots and breeches by cloth
overalls and short boots; and the skirts of the coats were shortened.
[Sidenote: 1813]
On the 25th of January, 1813, the six troops on foreign service
marched to St. Vincent, where the forage being good and plentiful,
the horses soon recovered their condition. On the 5th of March they
re-crossed the Tagus at Alcantara, and on the 11th went into quarters
at Gigo de Coria, where a draught of ninety-four horses joined from
the Fourth Dragoon Guards.
Arrangements having been made for the advance of the army against the
enemy, the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS left Gigo de Coria on the 16th of
May, and accompanying the second division, under Sir Rowland Hill,
advanced through the mountains by the pass of Banos, and crossed the
river Tormes below _Salamanca_. On the 26th of May they came up with
the rear-guard of the enemy, covering the retreat from _Salamanca_,
and being supported by the Royal Dragoons, and a troop of horse
artillery, succeeded in taking upwards of 500 prisoners.
The enemy continuing to retreat, the allied army directed its march
on Valladolid. The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS crossed the Douro at Toro on
the 3rd of June, and continued to press upon the rear of the French
army in its retreat.
On the 21st of June the regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel
Holmes, marched early in the morning towards _Vittoria_, where the
French army, commanded by Joseph Bonaparte and Marshal Jourdan, was
concentrated and formed in position. A general engagement immediately
commenced. During the early part of the day the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS
manœuvred in conjunction with, and supported the attacks of, the
infantry; but towards the evening they moved forward and made a
brilliant and decisive charge on a corps of French cavalry and a
column of infantry, which were covering the retreat of several pieces
of cannon and a number of waggons laden with ammunition and treasure:
the enemy was defeated, driven from his ground, and the guns and
waggons were captured by the regiment. This was followed by the
entire overthrow and defeat of the French army, with the loss of its
cannon, ammunition, and baggage. The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS had four
men and six horses killed; Lieutenant Stewart was wounded in the body
by a musket ball, but subsequently recovered; two men of the regiment
were also wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Holmes received a gold medal
for his distinguished conduct in this action; and His Royal Highness
the Prince Regent commanded the word 'VITTORIA' to be placed on the
standards of the regiment.
The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS were next engaged in the blockade of
Pampeluna; and they were formed up in reserve at the foot of the
mountains during the severe contest in the _Pyrenees_, on the 29th
and 30th of July, but the scene of action was too mountainous for
cavalry to engage.
The regiment remained in front of Pampeluna until the 17th of
September, when it moved to Milagro, on the Ebro, where a remount,
consisting of three officers, two serjeants, twenty-four private
men, and fifty-five horses, joined from England, under the command of
Major Watts. On the 20th of November the regiment occupied Valtierra
and Arquedas, on the Ebro, where it remained in reserve during the
winter.
[Sidenote: 1814]
The movements of the allies were now attended with success in every
quarter, and part of the army had already entered France. Early in
the spring of 1814 the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS advanced, by Pampeluna
and Toloso, through the Pyrenean mountains, to St. Jean de Luz, in
France, where they arrived on the 11th of March, and were there
joined by a further remount of three officers, two serjeants, eleven
private men, and fifty-four horses.
The regiment was now actively engaged in operations against the
enemy, and on the 22nd of March had an affair with a body of French
troops at _St. Guadens_, in which it captured many prisoners.
Advancing up the country it was almost constantly confronting the
enemy. The battle of _Toulouse_ was fought on the 10th of April; but
the brigade, of which this regiment formed a part, being attached
to Sir Rowland Hill's division, was not engaged. The enemy having
retired from Toulouse, the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS marched through
that city, and on the 13th of April, being the regiment in advance,
received the last shot of the enemy. The armies of the Continental
Powers having penetrated France by the opposite frontier, had
advanced to the capital, Napoleon Bonaparte was compelled to abdicate
the throne of France, and the brilliant achievements of the British
troops were crowned with the restoration of peace.
The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS were quartered at Viellevigne; on the 25th
of April they were at Nalloux and the neighbouring villages; and
on the 25th of May occupied Venargne and adjacents. On the 2nd of
June they commenced their march from the southern to the northern
extremity of France, passing through many of the principal cities
and towns, and finally arrived at Calais, where they embarked for
England on the 20th of July, and landed at Dover and Ramsgate on the
following day, after an absence of five years and three months. The
loss which the regiment sustained from fatigue, privation, disease,
and the various incidents of war, may be estimated by reference to
the number of men and horses sent out from time to time to replace
those which had fallen, or were become unfit for service.
On the 22nd of July the regiment assembled at Canterbury, and marched
from thence to Huntingdon; where two troops were reduced, and the
numbers of the remaining eight troops considerably decreased. On the
12th of August it marched for York, where it arrived on the 23rd, and
occupied Leeds and Sheffield as out-stations.
[Sidenote: 1815]
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, appreciating the gallant and
important services of the regiment, which, in connexion with the
other corps of the army, and of the forces of the Allied Sovereigns,
had been so conducive to the restoration of peace, was graciously
pleased to direct that the word 'PENINSULA' should be borne as an
honorary distinction on the standards of the THIRD, or PRINCE OF
WALES' REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS, in commemoration of its services
in Portugal, Spain, and France, under the command of Field-Marshal
his Grace the Duke of Wellington. The Prince Regent's pleasure on
this subject was communicated to the regiment by the Adjutant-General
in a letter dated the 6th of April, 1815.
The return of Bonaparte to France, and the sudden breaking out of the
war in 1815, occasioned an augmentation of two troops to be made to
the establishment; and immediately after the battle of _Waterloo_ the
regiment received orders to proceed on foreign service.
From York it marched to Northampton, where it arrived on the 5th of
July, and having established a dépôt of four troops at that place,
under the command of Major Watts, the remaining six troops proceeded
to Ramsgate and Dover, where they embarked on the 21st of July, under
the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Holmes.
Having landed at Ostend on the 23rd and 24th (with the loss of one
horse only on the passage), the regiment marched from thence to
Drouges, near Ghent, where it arrived on the 25th. Advancing up the
country it entered France, and proceeding to the vicinity of Paris,
took part in several grand military spectacles and reviews, at which
the sovereigns of Russia, Prussia, Austria, and France were present.
On the 29th of October the regiment marched to Fontenoy, occupying
also Guitrancourt and St. Cyr; and while stationed there it
transferred 108 horses to the 1st and 2nd Dragoon Guards, 3rd
Dragoons, and 13th Light Dragoons; also exchanged 54 others.
Leaving Fontenoy on the 17th of December, the regiment marched for
Abbeville, where it arrived on the 28th of that month.
[Sidenote: 1816]
After the definitive treaties between France and the allied powers
were settled, the British troops withdrew from France, excepting a
small army of occupation. The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS left Abbeville
on the 15th of January, 1816, arrived at Calais on the 24th, where
they immediately embarked, and landed at Dover and Ramsgate on the
following day, from whence they proceeded to Romford, and a reduction
of two troops was again made in the establishment. On the 12th
of February the service troops marched for Leicester, where they
arrived on the 19th, and joined the regimental dépôt. On the 23rd the
regiment marched for Manchester, where the head-quarters arrived on
the 29th, and detachments occupied Sheffield, Huddersfield, Leeds,
and Liverpool. In May a draft of 184 horses was received from the
Royal Artillery.
Towards the end of June the regiment embarked at Liverpool for
Ireland, and having landed at Dublin, marched to Ballinarobe, Gort,
Sligo, Castlebar, Roscommon, and Dunmore; and in August a further
reduction was made in the establishment.
[Sidenote: 1817]
In March, 1817, Lieutenant-Colonel Holmes received the ribbon and
badge of a Companion of the most Honourable Military Order of the
Bath, which was transmitted to him, in compliance with the commands
of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, by the Duke of York, in a
letter bearing date the 11th of March, 1817.
[Sidenote: 1818]
[Sidenote: 1819]
In June, 1818, the regiment marched to Dublin, Philipstown, and
Tullamore. In the early part of the following year the several
troops assembled at Dublin, and a further reduction was made in the
establishment. During the summer the regiment marched to Cahir,
Carrick-on-Suir, Clogheen, Fethard, and Newross.
[Sidenote: 1820]
On the 25th December the facing was altered from _blue_ to _yellow_,
and the lace from _yellow_ to _white_: but the officers were
subsequently allowed to retain the gold lace as previously worn.
The regiment embarked at Donaghadee in August, 1820, landed at
Portpatrick, and proceeded from thence to Hamilton, Glasgow, and
Paisley.
[Sidenote: 1821]
During the summer of 1821, it marched to Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
Carlisle, and Penrith; but returned to Hamilton, Glasgow, and Paisley
in August; when the establishment was reduced to six troops--total,
27 officers, 335 non-commissioned officers and privates, and 253
troop horses.
In November the regiment proceeded to Piershill barracks, Ayr,
Greenock, and Perth.
[Sidenote: 1822]
The whole assembled at Edinburgh in June, 1822, for the purpose of
attending his Majesty King George IV., on his visit to Scotland; on
the 18th of August had the honor of being present when his Majesty
landed at Leith; and the King was graciously pleased to promote
Captain Story (who was the senior captain in garrison) to the rank
of Brevet-Major. His Majesty afterwards reviewed the regiment on
the sands near Musselburgh, and expressed his approbation of its
appearance and discipline.
In September of the same year the regiment returned to England,
and was stationed at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Carlisle; where it
was frequently called upon to suppress tumults and disorders, and
to protect the coal and shipping interests during the disturbances
amongst the keelmen of the river; which service it performed to
the entire satisfaction of Major-General Sir John Byng, who was in
command of the district; and also of the civil authorities of the
place.[58]
[Sidenote: 1823]
[Sidenote: 1824]
During the summer of 1823 the regiment marched to York and Leeds,
and subsequently to Manchester, Nottingham, and Sheffield. In the
spring of the following year three troops and head-quarters were
removed to Liverpool, where they remained about a week, after which
the head-quarters returned to Manchester. In April the silk-weavers
at Macclesfield manifested a disposition to riot, but by the timely
appearance of a detachment of the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS tranquillity
was restored.
In this year the regiment was supplied with helmets and bear-skin
crests. In June it proceeded to Ireland, and having landed at Dublin,
marched to Cahir, Limerick, and Clogheen.
[Sidenote: 1825]
The Colonelcy of the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS having become vacant by the
decease of General Vyse, His Majesty conferred the appointment on
General Sir William Payne, Baronet, who afterwards took the name of
Galway, his commission bearing date the 2nd June, 1825.
[Sidenote: 1826]
Towards the end of the same month the regiment marched to Dublin,
where it remained until the following spring, when it returned to
Cahir, Limerick, and Clogheen. Several changes of quarters were made
during the summer, and eventually the troops were stationed at Cork
and Fermoy, with detachments in aid of the civil authorities and
officers of the revenue.
[Sidenote: 1827]
[Sidenote: 1828]
In the autumn of 1827 the regiment marched to Newbridge. In the
early part of the following year four troops proceeded to Dublin,
and subsequently to Dundalk and Belturbet. In April it embarked at
Donaghadee, landed at Portpatrick, and marched to Piershill barracks
and Glasgow, and subsequently occupied Perth, with detachments in aid
of the officers of the revenue at Forfar and Cupar Angus.
[Sidenote: 1829]
[Sidenote: 1830]
During the summer of 1829 the regiment marched to Birmingham and
Coventry. In October one troop was employed in assisting the
civil power at Atherstone; and in the beginning of April, 1830,
another troop was similarly employed at Pamswick. In the middle
of April the regiment marched to Exeter, Trowbridge, Dursley, and
Wotton-under-Edge. Towards the end of the year several changes of
quarters took place, and detachments were furnished in aid of the
civil authorities during the election of Members of Parliament.
Eventually the regiment was stationed at Dorchester and Blandford;
and an addition of three horses was made to the establishment of each
troop.
[Sidenote: 1831]
On the 22nd of April, 1831, his Majesty conferred the Colonelcy
of the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS (vacant by the decease of General Sir
William Payne) on Lieut.-General Sir Samuel Hawker, G.C.H.
In June one troop was actively employed in suppressing the violent
proceedings of the pit and ironfoundry men at Merthyr-Tidvil and its
vicinity. During the remainder of this year the regiment was almost
constantly in motion to support the civil power, and to prevent the
occurrence of serious breaches of the peace. The labouring classes,
being strongly excited by designing men, frequently violated the
laws, and burnt great quantities of agricultural property.
The subject of a reform in parliament had created considerable
discussion and interest throughout the country, and the resistance
of certain members to the extensive changes proposed in the
representation and elective franchise had excited the indignation
of the populace in various places, particularly at _Bristol_, of
which city one of the members, Sir Charles Wetherall, was recorder.
He arrived at Bristol on Saturday the 29th of October, to open the
King's commission, when he was assailed by an outrageous rabble,
with insult, menace, and showers of stones. The tumult increasing,
the Riot Act was read, when the mob became more violent than
before,--broke open the Mansion-house, demolished the windows,
doors, and furniture, and prepared to set the building on fire. At
this moment a troop of the 14th Light Dragoons arrived, and the
Mansion-house was saved, and the rioters dispersed. On Sunday the mob
again assembled, and plundered the Mansion-house, where they found
a quantity of wine and spirits, and they soon became intoxicated.
In this state the rioters became more furious than before. They
broke open the Bridewell, liberated the prisoners, and set fire to
the building. The new gaol and the Gloucester county prison were
treated in like manner. The Bishop's palace, the Mansion-house,
the Excise-office, the Custom-house, and many private dwellings,
were plundered and set on fire, and several of the drunken rioters
perished in the flames. In the midst of this scene of tumult and
conflagration a detachment of the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS was seen
endeavouring to arrest the progress of the mobs. Unfortunately the
magistrates did not give the necessary instructions; and as the
soldiers were proceeding in one direction, destruction was going on
in another, and property to an immense amount was destroyed, before
the exertions of the civil and military powers restored order. About
one hundred of the rioters were killed or wounded before the tumult
was suppressed; and one hundred and eighty were committed to prison,
of whom fifty were capitally charged with rioting and burning.
[Sidenote: 1832]
In 1832 the regiment was stationed at Brighton, Chichester, and
Worthing; and in August four troops proceeded to London, occupied
Regent's Park barracks, and performed the duties of the metropolis
during the absence of the Life Guards for the purpose of being
reviewed by His Majesty. After performing this duty, the four troops
returned to Brighton and Chichester.
In the early part of November, King William IV. and Queen Adelaide
arrived at Brighton, and on the 30th of that month the officers of
the regiment had the honour of dining with their Majesties at the
Royal Pavilion: the band was in attendance during the evening, and
also on several other occasions.
[Sidenote: 1833]
The regiment received orders to march to Dorchester in January,
1833; and, before it quitted Brighton, Lieut.-Colonel Story was
honoured with the King's most gracious commands--'To make known to
the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, His Majesty's
entire approbation of their conduct while at Brighton.'
[Sidenote: 1834]
From Dorchester the regiment proceeded, in March of the same year, to
Birmingham, where it remained the succeeding twelve months. In April,
1834, it marched to Liverpool, and, having embarked at that port for
Ireland, landed in Dublin on the 1st of May.
[Sidenote: 1835]
[Sidenote: 1836]
After passing one year at Dublin, the regiment marched, in May, 1835,
to Longford; remained at this station during the following twelve
months, and proceeded, in May, 1836, to Ballincollig.
[Sidenote: 1837]
[Sidenote: 1838]
Having spent a period of three years in Ireland, the regiment marched
to Cork; embarked from thence on the 14th of June, 1837, for England;
landed at Bristol on the following day, and proceeded to Ipswich;
where it has remained until the spring of 1838, which brings the
record of this distinguished corps to a conclusion.
Few cavalry regiments have been favoured with a greater number of
opportunities of acquiring honour by deeds of valour in action with
the enemies of the British nation than the THIRD, OR PRINCE OF
WALES' REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS: it has served under MARLBOROUGH
and WELLINGTON--names immortalized in the history of Europe.
As a regiment of HORSE, it fought at Blenheim, Ramilies, and
Malplaquet--battles which shed lustre on the British arms. As a corps
of DRAGOON GUARDS, it gained immortal fame at Corbach and Warbourg,
and signalized itself in other actions in Germany. In Flanders,
under his Royal Highness the Duke of York, it earned new laurels;
and, in the Peninsular War, it added to its previous reputation by
its gallant bearing on all occasions, particularly at the battle of
Albuhera. On this subject, Viscount Beresford observed, in a letter
to the Adjutant-General, 'The conduct of this regiment, during the
period it was under my command, deserved, on all occasions, and
especially at the battle of Albuhera, my highest encomiums.' On
home service, it has acquired the confidence and approbation of its
sovereign, and the commendations of the general officers under whose
command it has been placed.
[Illustration: Third Dragoon Guards, 1838. [To face page 112.]
FOOTNOTES:
[7] See a brief memoir of this nobleman in the succession of Colonels
at page 113.
[8] 'JAMES, R.
'THESE ARE TO AUTHORIZE YOU to raise volunteers with able horses for
one troop of Horse, which you are commissioned to raise and command
for Our Service, consisting of threescore soldiers, three corporals,
and two trumpeters, besides Commissioned Officers. And as you shall
raise the said Volunteers and Non-commissioned Officers of Our said
troop, you are to give notice thereof to our Commissary General when
and where you shall have twenty soldiers ready, with their horses,
together, besides officers; that he, or his deputy, may muster them
accordingly, and from such muster those soldiers, with all the
officers of the said troop, are to commence and be in our pay; and
from thenceforth as you shall, from time to time, entertain any more
soldiers with their horses fit for Our Service, and shall produce
them to muster, they shall be respectively mustered thereupon, until
you shall have threescore soldiers, besides officers; and when
that number shall be fully, or nearly, completed, they are to be
sent under the command of a Commissioned Officer to Worcester and
Droytwich, (appointed for the quarters of Our said troop,) where they
are also to be mustered, and soe remain until further orders. You are
likewise to send a trusty person to Our Tower of London to receive
arms for Our said troop.
'WHEREIN, all Magistrates, Justices of the Peace, and Constables,
whom it may concern, are required to be assisting; and the Officers
are to be careful that the soldiers behave themselves civilly, and
duly pay their landlords.
'GIVEN at Our Court at Whitehall, this 23rd day of June, 1685, in the
first year of Our Reign.
'BY HIS MAJESTY'S COMMAND,
'WILLIAM BLATHWAYTE.'
'To _Our right trusty and right
well-beloved Cousin and Councillor,
Thomas Earl of Plymouth,
&c._'