Brabant, and formed in brigade with the second battalion of the
Royals; the French besieged Mons, and the allies were too few in
numbers to prevent the capture of the place by the enemy. After
the surrender of Mons, the regiment was placed in quarters until
May, when it encamped near Brussels, and was formed in brigade with
the Royals, and the Scots regiments of Mackay, Ramsay, and Angus,
under the orders of Brigadier-General Ramsay.
In a list of the army in Flanders, printed in July, 1691, the
regiment is styled "O'FARRELL'S FUSILIERS;" and its uniform is
stated to be _red, faced and lined with the same colour_.
At the termination of the campaign, the regiment was again placed
in winter-quarters.
[Sidenote: 1692]
A numerous French army appeared in the Netherlands in the spring of
1692, and besieged Namur; when O'FARRELL'S FUSILIERS were called
from their quarters, and advanced with the army, commanded by King
William III., to the relief of the place; but the march having
been delayed by heavy rains, the garrison surrendered on the 20th
of June. A few days afterwards, a detachment of the regiment was
employed in an attempt to surprise Mons; but the garrison was found
prepared. On this occasion, Colonel Sir Robert Douglas and Colonel
O'Farrell, having proceeded a short distance to consult with the
Prince of Wirtemberg, who commanded the party, mistook their way
in the dark, and were made prisoners by a detachment of French
cavalry: they were released on paying the regulated ransom.
O'FARRELL'S FUSILIERS formed part of the advance-guard at the
battle of _Steenkirk_ on the 3rd of August; and were severely
engaged with the superior numbers of the enemy under the Duke of
Luxembourg. The regiment distinguished itself on this occasion, and
sustained the loss of many brave officers and soldiers. D'Auvergne
states, in his history of this campaign,--"Our van-guard behaved
in this engagement to such wonder and admiration, that though
they received the charge of several battalions of the enemy, one
after another, yet they made them retreat almost to their camp."
The corps in advance were not supported in time to enable them to
persevere in their career of victory; and King William commanded
the army to retreat.
The regiment had Major Keith, Captains White, Cygnoe, Mackenzie,
and Sharp, Lieutenants Charles King and Edward Griffith killed;
and Lieutenant Newton wounded. The regiment was not engaged in any
service of importance during the remainder of the campaign, and it
passed the winter at Ghent.
[Sidenote: 1693]
Again taking the field in the summer of 1693, the NORTH BRITISH
FUSILIERS were formed in brigade with the regiments of Leven
(twenty-fifth), Monro (twenty-sixth), Mackay, and Lander
(afterwards disbanded), under the command of Brigadier-General
Ramsay, and, after taking part in several manœuvres, were engaged
at the battle of _Landen_ on the 29th of July. At sunrise on the
morning of that day, a French force of very superior numbers,
commanded by the Duke of Luxembourg, appeared before the position
occupied by the confederate army under King William III., when the
NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, and other regiments of their brigade, were
ordered to occupy some hedges and narrow roads, beyond the village
of Laer, on the right of the line. This village, and the ground
occupied by General Ramsay's brigade, being attacked by a numerous
body of the enemy, the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were engaged in a
sharp musketry battle in the fields and open grounds. At length the
Third foot, and other corps in the village of Laer, were forced to
retire; but they rallied, and, being joined by Brigadier-General
Ramsay's brigade, the whole charged, and by a gallant effort
recaptured the village; the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS distinguished
themselves on the occasion. The French afterwards carried the
village of Neer-Winden, and forced the position; the regiments at
Laer then became separated from the main body of the confederate
army; they gallantly defended their post some time, and eventually
retired, fighting, to the Gheet, forded that river, and joined
several corps which had crossed the bridge of Neer-Hespen. The army
was retreating, and the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS accompanied King
William to the vicinity of Tirlemont. The regiment had Captains
Campbell and Strayton, Lieutenants Douglas and Dunbar, and Adjutant
Walle wounded; Captain Paterson taken prisoner; also a number of
soldiers killed, wounded, and prisoners.
At the end of the campaign, the regiment was placed in garrison at
Bruges.
[Sidenote: 1694]
During the summer of 1694, the regiment performed many long marches
in Brabant and Flanders; but was not engaged with the enemy, and in
the autumn it marched to Deinse.
This year the King commanded a board of General Officers to
assemble and decide upon the rank of the several corps of the army.
This board gave precedence to the English regiments, and gave the
Scots and Irish regiments rank in the English army from the date
of their first arrival in England, or from the date when they
were first placed on the English establishment. The NORTH BRITISH
FUSILIERS, not having entered England until the Revolution in 1688,
received rank as TWENTY-FIRST regiment. Numerical titles were not
generally used until the reign of King George II.
[Sidenote: 1695]
When the army took the field to serve the campaign of 1695, the
TWENTY-FIRST were left in garrison at Deinse, where some stores of
provision were formed. King William undertook the siege of Namur,
and the regiment was directed to join the covering army under
the Prince of Vaudemont; but it subsequently returned to Deinse,
of which place its colonel, Brigadier-General O'Farrell, was
commandant.
The French commander, Marshal Villeroy, detached a strong body
of troops, under the Marquis of Feuqueres, to reduce the town of
_Deinse_ where the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were stationed. This
town was situate on the river Lys; it was only slightly fortified,
and in many places there was only an entrenchment and some
palisades as defensive works; eight pieces of cannon were the only
ordnance in the town. Under these circumstances Brigadier-General
O'Farrell considered it impossible to make a successful defence
of the place, and he surrendered on the 21st of July without
having fired a shot. The FUSILIERS became prisoners of war on this
occasion.
Brigadier-General O'Farrell was afterwards tried by a general
court-martial, and cashiered: and King William conferred the
colonelcy of the regiment on Colonel Robert Mackay, from a Scots
corps, which was afterwards disbanded.
After the surrender of Namur, the regiment rejoined the allied
army, and was again stationed at Bruges.
[Sidenote: 1696]
From Bruges the regiment proceeded to the camp at Marykirk, and it
served the campaign of 1696 with the army of Brabant: in the autumn
it went into village cantonments.
[Sidenote: 1697]
In December, Colonel Robert Mackay died; and on the 1st of January,
1697, King William conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on
Lieut.-Colonel Archibald Row, from the Sixteenth foot.
Quitting its village quarters on the 13th of March, 1697, the
regiment entered upon the operations of another campaign. While
the troops were in the field, negotiations for a general peace
commenced at Ryswick, and the treaty was signed in September.
Thus the British monarch witnessed his efforts for the liberties
of Europe, and for the preservation of the balance of power in
Christendom, attended with success.
The regiment returned to Scotland during the winter, and was
stationed there during the remainder of King William's reign.
[Sidenote: 1702]
Queen Anne succeeded to the throne on the 8th of March, 1702; and
the French monarch, having violated the conditions of existing
treaties, by procuring the accession of his grandson, Philip, Duke
of Anjou, to the throne of Spain, war was declared against France
soon afterwards. At the commencement of hostilities the NORTH
BRITISH FUSILIERS were selected to proceed on foreign service,
and they embarked from Scotland for Holland, to serve with the
allied army commanded by the Earl of Marlborough. The regiment did
not join the army immediately on its arrival in Holland, but was
stationed some time at Breda, and in September it marched towards
Flanders.
[Sidenote: 1703]
Quitting its winter-quarters in April, 1703, the regiment marched
towards Maestricht, where the allied army was assembled, and
the second battalion of the Royals, with the Tenth, Sixteenth,
TWENTY-FIRST, and Twenty-Sixth regiments, were formed in brigade,
under Brigadier-General the Earl of Derby.
The regiment took part in the operations of the campaign, and its
services were connected with the reduction of _Huy_, a strong
fortress on the Maese, above the city of Liege, which was besieged
and captured in ten days. The regiment was afterwards detached from
the main army, to take part in the capture of _Limburg_, a city of
the Spanish Netherlands, situate on a pleasant eminence near the
banks of the Wesdet. The siege of this place was commenced on the
10th of September, and the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were employed
in carrying on the approaches, and in making the attacks; and in
seventeen days the garrison surrendered at discretion.
[Sidenote: 1704]
In October the regiment marched back to Holland, where it was
stationed during the winter.
From Holland the regiment marched, in the months of May and June,
1704, to the interior of Germany, to arrest the progress of the
French and Bavarians, who had gained considerable advantage over
the Imperialists. A junction was formed with the Germans under
the Margrave of Baden; and on the 2nd of July the NORTH BRITISH
FUSILIERS took part in the attack of the enemy's position on the
lofty heights of _Schellenberg_ on the north bank of the Danube;
when the entrenchments were carried, and the French and Bavarians,
commanded by the Count d'Arco, were driven from their post with
severe loss.
The regiment had a few private soldiers killed and wounded; also
Captain Kygoe, Lieutenants Johnston and John Campbell, wounded.
After this victory the regiment penetrated the Electorate of
Bavaria to the vicinity of the enemy's fortified camp at Augsburg,
which was found too strong to be attacked with any prospect of
success, and the army retired a few stages to undertake the siege
of Ingoldstadt. At the same time a numerous reinforcement of French
troops arrived at the theatre of war.
These events were followed by the battle of _Blenheim_, on the
13th of August, when the French and Bavarians, commanded by
Marshal Tallard and the Elector of Bavaria, were overpowered by
the allies under the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene of
Savoy, and a victory was gained which reflected lustre on the
British arms. The NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were selected to lead the
attack against the French troops in the village of BLENHEIM, and
their colonel, Brigadier-General Row, placed himself at the head
of his regiment, which was followed by four other corps. In the
Annals of Queen Anne it is stated--"The five English battalions,
led on by Brigadier-General Row, who charged on foot at the head
of his own regiment with unparalleled intrepidity, assaulted the
village of Blenheim, advancing to the very muzzles of the enemy's
muskets, and some of the officers exchanged thrusts of swords
through the palisades;"--but the avenues of the village were found
strongly fortified, and defended by a force of superior numbers.
Brigadier-General Row led the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS up to the
palisades before he gave the word "fire," and the next moment he
fell mortally wounded; Lieut.-Colonel Dalyel and Major Campbell,
being both on the spot, stepped forward to raise their colonel,
and were both instantly pierced by musket-balls; the soldiers,
exasperated at seeing the three field officers of the regiment
fall, made a gallant effort to force their way into the village,
but this was found impossible, and the regiment was ordered to
retire. The moment the soldiers faced about, thirteen squadrons
of French cavalry galloped forward to charge them, and one of the
colours of the regiment was captured by the enemy; but the French
horsemen were repulsed by the fire of a brigade of Hessians, and
the colour was recovered.
Another attempt to capture the village of Blenheim having failed,
the firing was continued against this post, and the army advanced
against the enemy's line, which was driven from the field with
great slaughter, and the loss of its cannon, and of many officers
and soldiers made prisoners, among whom was the French commander,
Marshal Tallard. Additional forces were then brought against the
French troops in Blenheim, and they surrendered prisoners of war.
The Germans, who attacked the enemy's right, were also victorious;
and the gallant achievements of the allied army raised on the banks
of the Danube a trophy which time cannot destroy.
The regiment had Lieut.-Colonel Dalyel, Captain Stratton, jun.,
Captain Stratton, senior, Lieutenants Vandergracht, Hill, Campbell,
and Travallion killed; Brigadier-General Row and Major Campbell
died of their wounds; Captains Craufurd and Fairlee, Lieutenants
Dunbar, J. Douglas, Elliott, Ogilvy, Maxwell, Stuart, Primrose, and
Gordon wounded.
The number of the enemy captured on this occasion was so great,
that the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, and four other corps, were sent
to Holland in charge of prisoners. These corps marched in charge of
the captured French and Bavarians to Mentz, where they embarked in
boats and sailed to Holland, under the orders of Brigadier-General
Fergusson; and having delivered them into the charge of other
regiments, went into quarters.
[Sidenote: 1705]
The colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on John, Viscount
Mordaunt, who had distinguished himself at the head of the foot
guards which commenced the attack on the heights of Schellenberg.
A number of recruits from Scotland having replaced the losses of
the preceding campaign, the regiment appeared complete and in good
order when it took the field to serve the campaign of 1705. It was
employed in the expedition up the Moselle: and returning to the
Netherlands, was afterwards engaged at the forcing of the French
lines at _Helixem_ and _Neer Hespen_, on the morning of the 18th of
July, when the superior tactics of the British Commander, and the
gallantry of his troops, were very conspicuous.
[Sidenote: 1706]
The regiment had also the honor to take part in gaining another
splendid victory over the combined French, Spanish, and Bavarian
forces, at _Ramilies_, on Whit-Sunday, the 23rd of May, 1706.
During the early part of the action the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS,
the Third foot, and three regiments of cavalry, were stationed on
the heights of Foulz, where they had a view of the field of battle.
An important crisis in the battle arriving, these corps descended
from the heights,--the FUSILIERS and Third Foot forced their way
through a morass, crossed the Little Gheet, ascended the acclivity
between that river and the Jauche, and charging the enemy's left
flank, forced three French regiments into some low grounds, where
the greater part of them were either killed or taken prisoners. The
allies were successful at every part of the field, and the legions
of the enemy were overpowered, and pursued from the plains of
Ramilies with great slaughter until the following morning, by which
time nearly all the enemy's cannon, with many standards, colours,
and kettle-drums, had been captured.
This victory augmented the reputation of the British arms; and was
followed by very important results. Spanish Brabant, and many of
the principal towns of Flanders, were rescued from the power of the
enemy. The services of the regiment are connected with the capture
of Ostend, Menin, and Aeth; and it passed the winter in garrison in
Flanders.
In June of this year Viscount Mordaunt exchanged with Colonel
Sampson de Lalo, a French gentleman of the Protestant religion, who
had been forced to quit his native country by the Edict of Nantes;
Colonel de Lalo had served as Lieut.-Colonel and Colonel of the
Twenty-eighth regiment several years, and had the reputation of
being an excellent officer.
[Sidenote: 1707]
During the campaign of 1707, the services of the regiment were
limited to marches and occupying positions; and it passed the
winter in West Flanders.
The Union of Scotland and England took place this year, which
occasioned St. George's cross to be added to the colours of the
Scots regiments, and St. Andrew's cross to the colours of the
English regiments. The corps, previously designated _Scots_
regiments, took the title of _North British_ regiments.
[Sidenote: 1708]
In May, 1708, the regiment again took the field, and on the 11th
of July it had an opportunity of acquiring fresh laurels at the
battle of _Oudenarde_, which was fought in the broken grounds near
the river Scheldt. On this occasion the regiment was engaged in
a severe musketry action, and it succeeded in driving the French
corps opposed to it from field to field, until the darkness of the
night put an end to the conflict. Before the following morning the
wreck of the French army had retreated in disorder towards Ghent.
After this victory, the siege of _Lisle_, the capital of French
Flanders, was resolved upon. This fortress was deemed almost
impregnable; it was garrisoned by fifteen thousand men, commanded
by Marshal Boufflers, who resolved upon making a desperate defence.
The NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were selected to take part in the
attack of this important fortress, under the orders of Prince
Eugene of Savoy; the covering army was commanded by the Duke of
Marlborough. The regiment had several men killed and wounded in
carrying on the approaches, and at the attack of the counterscarp
it had thirteen men killed; three officers, four serjeants, and
sixty-six rank and file wounded. The progress of this siege was a
subject of peculiar interest throughout Europe; and the besieging
army witnessed its extraordinary efforts for the capture of the
place, attended by complete success, on the 9th of December, when
the citadel surrendered.
[Sidenote: 1709]
Having reposed a few months in quarters, and received a body of
fine recruits from Scotland, the regiment joined the army, and was
employed in covering the siege of _Tournay_, in July and August,
1709. The citadel of Tournay surrendered in the beginning of
September, and the army afterwards marched in the direction of Mons.
A numerous French army, commanded by Marshals Villars and
Boufflers, took up a position at _Malplaquet_, and strengthened
the post by entrenchments and other works of art. The Duke of
Marlborough and Prince Eugene had confidence in the valour and
perseverance of the troops under their orders, and they attacked
the enemy's formidable position on the 11th of September, on
which occasion the heroic valour of the troops was conspicuous;
the enemy's entrenchments and _abatis-de-bois_ were stormed with
distinguished gallantry, the determined resistance of the French
was overcome, and another trophy was acquired; but with the loss
of many brave officers and soldiers, including the Colonel of the
NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, Brigadier-General DE LALO, who was killed
at the head of a brigade, and his fall was much regretted.
In addition to the loss of its Colonel, the regiment had also
Captains Monroe, Wemys, and Farley killed; Captains Montressor and
Lowther wounded.
After the death of Brigadier-General de Lalo, Viscount Mordaunt was
re-appointed on the 4th of September to the colonelcy of the NORTH
BRITISH FUSILIERS, from the Twenty-eighth regiment.
The regiment was afterwards employed in covering the siege of
_Mons_, which was terminated by the surrender of the garrison on
the 20th of October; when the regiment marched into quarters.
[Sidenote: 1710]
On the 14th of April, 1710, the regiment marched out of its
winter-quarters towards the frontiers of France, and was
engaged in the movements by which the French lines were passed
at _Pont-à-Vendin_: it was afterwards selected to take part in
the siege of _Douay_, where it performed much severe service.
It was employed in carrying on the approaches, in storming the
outworks, and other duties connected with the siege, and sustained
considerable loss in killed and wounded. The garrison beat a parley
on the 25th of June, and afterwards surrendered the fortress.
After the capture of Douay, the regiment was employed in covering
the siege of _Bethune_, which place was surrendered in August. The
regiment was also with the covering army during the sieges of _St.
Venant_ and _Aire_; the former place surrendered on the 30th of
September, and the latter on the 9th of November.
Viscount Mordaunt died this year, and was succeeded in the
colonelcy by Major-General Meredith, from the Thirty-seventh
regiment. This officer was succeeded, in December, by Major-General
the Earl of Orrery, from a newly-raised regiment, which was
afterwards disbanded.
[Sidenote: 1711]
After passing the winter in quarters at Dendermond, the regiment
joined the army in May, 1711, and it took part in the movements
by which the boasted impregnable French lines were passed at
_Arleux_ on the 5th of August. The regiment was afterwards employed
in the siege of _Bouchain_, in which service obstacles of the
greatest magnitude had to be overcome, and the abilities of the
commanders, with the valour of the troops, were put to a severe
test. These qualities were found in the besieging army; on more
than one occasion the soldiers fought up to their middle in water,
and by a gallant perseverance, which reflected honor on all the
corps engaged in the siege, every difficulty was overcome; and the
garrison surrendered on the 13th of September.
[Sidenote: 1712]
The regiment joined the army commanded by the Duke of Ormond, in
the campaign of 1712, and advanced to the frontiers of Picardy;
but a suspension of hostilities was soon afterwards proclaimed,
preparatory to a general peace, when the British army marched to
Ghent, and afterwards went into quarters.
[Sidenote: 1713]
A treaty of peace was concluded at Utrecht, and the soldiers of
the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS could look back with exultation at
the career of victory and honor which had attended their corps
during these memorable campaigns. At this period the regiment is
designated by historians, and in official documents, by the title
of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS; but the date when this
honorary distinction of "ROYAL" was conferred upon it, has not been
ascertained.
[Sidenote: 1714]
The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were stationed in Flanders until
the decease of Queen Anne, on the 1st of August, 1714, and the
accession of King George I., when they were ordered to embark for
England. They landed at Gravesend on the 23rd of August, and were
afterwards directed to march to Scotland.
[Sidenote: 1715]
In 1715 the Earl of Mar[6] erected the standard of rebellion
in Scotland, and summoned the Highland clans to aid him in
establishing the Pretender on the throne. The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH
FUSILIERS were encamped at Stirling, under the command of the
Duke of Argyle, and advanced with the Royal army to _Dumblain_,
to defeat the attempts of the enemy to march southward. On the
morning of the 13th of November the two armies confronted each
other on _Sheriff-muir_. On the approach of the clans, it was
found necessary for the Royal forces to change position, and this
movement was executed at a critical time with steadiness; but
several corps were suddenly attacked by the clans while in the act
of forming, and suffered severely. The left wing of the rebel army
was overpowered, and driven from the field with great slaughter;
and the left wing of the Royal army was also forced to retire; thus
each commander had one wing victorious, and one wing defeated: the
rebels were prevented marching southward, and retired; and the
King's troops returned to their camp at Stirling.
The regiment had one captain, two lieutenants, three serjeants, and
eighty-five rank and file killed; one captain, one serjeant, and
twenty-four rank and file wounded.
[Sidenote: 1716]