district of Mahaica, in the island of Demerara, in August, 1823,
the TWENTY-FIRST FUSILIERS, under Lieut.-Colonel Leahy, were
employed in reducing the revolted slaves to obedience, in which
they succeeded. For their excellent conduct on this occasion, the
TWENTY-FIRST received the thanks of Lieut.-General Sir Henry Ward,
K.C.B., commanding in the Windward and Leeward Islands; of the
Court of Policy of the Colony; of His Royal Highness the Duke of
York, the Commander-in-chief; and of His Majesty King George IV.
[Sidenote: 1824]
From Demerara the head-quarters were removed to St. Vincent, in
January, 1824, and received the thanks of Major-General Murray,
previous to embarking. At the same time the Court of Policy voted,
as a special and permanent mark of the high estimation in which
the inhabitants of the Colony held the services of Lieut.-Colonel
Leahy, the officers and soldiers, "FIVE HUNDRED GUINEAS TO BE LAID
OUT IN THE PURCHASE OF PLATE FOR THE REGIMENTAL MESS," and TWO
HUNDRED GUINEAS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A SWORD FOR LIEUT.-COLONEL
LEAHY; also FIFTY GUINEAS FOR THE PURCHASE OF A SWORD FOR
LIEUTENANT BRADY, who commanded a detachment at Mahaica, and whose
cool, steady, and intrepid conduct, aided by the courage and
discipline of his men, gave an early and effectual check to the
progress of revolt in that quarter.
In May, two companies were removed to Grenada.
[Sidenote: 1827]
In December, 1826, and January, 1827, the regiment embarked from
St. Vincent and Grenada, for England, after eight years' service
in the West Indies, during which period it had lost, by disease,
fourteen officers and four hundred men. Previous to quitting those
colonies, it received the expression of the approbation and thanks
of Admiral Sir Charles Brisbane, G.C.B., Governor of St. Vincent;
of the Council of that island; and of the Commander of the forces
in the Windward and Leeward Islands. It landed at Cowes, in the
Isle of Wight, in January, February, and March, and was removed to
Windsor, where it had the honor of doing duty during His Majesty's
residence at that place.
[Sidenote: 1828]
From Windsor the regiment was removed to Winchester, in the
spring of 1828, and afterwards to Portsmouth; it was subsequently
stationed at Bath, and in October embarked from Bristol for
Ireland: it landed at Waterford, from whence it proceeded to Fermoy.
[Sidenote: 1829]
[Sidenote: 1830]
The regiment was removed to Mullingar, in June, 1829; and in May,
1830, the head-quarters proceeded to Kilkenny, with parties at
Carlow, Athy, Maryborough, and Wexford.
[Sidenote: 1831]
[Sidenote: 1832]
In September, 1831, the regiment marched for Dublin, where it
embarked for England in October, and landing at Liverpool,
afterwards proceeded to Weedon. In 1832 it was removed to Chatham.
[Sidenote: 1833]
During the years 1832 and 1833, the regiment embarked, by
detachments, in charge of convicts, for New South Wales, and it was
stationed in Australia and Van Diemen's Land until the year 1839.
[Sidenote: 1839]
Five companies and head-quarters embarked from Hobart Town, in
February, 1839, for the East Indies, and arriving at Calcutta in
May, afterwards proceeded to Chinsurah. They were followed by two
companies from Hobart Town in March, 1840; and two from the Swan
River settlement in July.
[Sidenote: 1840]
In April, 1840, the head-quarters were removed to Calcutta; and in
August, the regiment embarked for Dinapore, where it arrived in
September.
[Sidenote: 1841]
The regiment was stationed at Dinapore during the year 1841.
[Sidenote: 1842]
[Sidenote: 1843]
Leaving Dinapore in November, 1842, the regiment commenced its
march for Agra: but on arriving at Mirzapoor, its destination
was changed to Kamptee, at which place it arrived on the 6th of
February, 1843.
[Sidenote: 1844]
During the year 1844, the regiment remained at Kamptee.
[Sidenote: 1845]
The regiment commenced its march from Kamptee _en route_ to the
north-western provinces of Bengal on the 6th of December, 1845, and
arrived at Jubbulpore on the 30th of that month.
[Sidenote: 1846]
The regiment resumed its march on the 1st of January, 1846, and
arrived at Agra on the 7th of February, where it was stationed
during the remainder of the year.
[Sidenote: 1847]
Leaving Agra on the 15th of January, 1847, the regiment arrived
at Cawnpore on the 1st of February. From Cawnpore the regiment
proceeded, in November, to Calcutta, at which place it arrived on
the 30th of December.
Orders were at this period given for the return to England of the
TWENTY-FIRST, ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, and three hundred and
ninety-three soldiers transferred their services to other regiments
remaining in India.
In January, 1848, the regiment, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel John Thomas Hill, embarked at Calcutta, and
arrived at Gravesend on the 11th of May.
The regiment was, in the first instance, stationed at Canterbury,
from which city it proceeded to Edinburgh in July, 1848.
On the 1st of June, 1849, the period to which this Record has been
continued, the regiment continued to be stationed at Edinburgh
Castle, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Gore Browne.
1849.
CONCLUSION.
The foregoing pages contain numerous instances of the valuable
qualities of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS. The campaigns
of King William III., and the victories obtained by the Duke of
Marlborough, afforded many opportunities for the TWENTY-FIRST
REGIMENT to evince its bravery. In subsequent years the battles
of _Dettingen_, _Fontenoy_, _Culloden_, and _Val_, enhanced its
former renown;--at the capture of _Belle-Isle_ in 1761 the regiment
sustained its previous character;--and the several actions during
the American war increased its fame. Its services in Naples and
Sicily in 1809 and 1810;--and the arduous duties on which it
was employed in America in 1814, gave additional proofs of its
capabilities.
The Regimental Record contains also many instances of the
expression of commendation by the General Officers, under whose
command the Regiment has served, for its activity, discipline, and
good conduct, when employed on home or colonial duties, and when
occasions have occurred where military force has been required in
aid of the Civil Power, and where judgment, temper, and firmness
have been the means of subduing the most violent commotions.
These qualities, which have been evinced for the long period of one
hundred and seventy years, have rendered the TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,
or THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, an ornament in the British
Army, and have acquired the Approbation of the Sovereign and the
Confidence of the Country.
[Illustration: TWENTY FIRST,
THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.
_Madeley lith 3 Wellington S^t. Strand._
_For Cannon's Military Records._]
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF
THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT OF FOOT,
OR
THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.
CHARLES, (FIFTH) EARL OF MAR.
_Appointed 23rd September, 1678._
CHARLES, LORD ERSKINE, succeeded to the title of EARL OF MAR, in
1668, on the decease of his father, John, fourth Earl of Mar;
and in September, 1678, he raised a regiment of foot, now the
TWENTY-FIRST, or the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS. He was a member
of the Privy Council of Scotland, in the reign of King Charles II.,
and also of King James II. In 1686, he was succeeded in the command
of his regiment by Colonel Buchan.
The Earl of Mar disapproved of the measures of King James II., and
was about to embark for the Continent, in November, 1688, when the
Prince of Orange landed in England. He appeared at the Convention
of the Estates assembled by the Prince of Orange; but joining the
disaffected party, he was arrested. He died on the 23rd of April,
1689, and was succeeded in the title by his son John, sixth Earl
of Mar, whose estates were forfeited in consequence of his having
erected the Standard of Rebellion in Scotland, in 1715, in favor of
the Pretender, as narrated at page 18 of the Historical Record of
the TWENTY-FIRST, ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.
THOMAS BUCHAN.
_Appointed 29th July, 1686._
THOMAS BUCHAN was an officer in the Scots army, in the time of King
Charles II., and rose to the rank of lieut.-colonel in the Royal
Regiment of Scots Horse, which was disbanded in 1689. King James
II. promoted him to the colonelcy of the TWENTY-FIRST regiment; and
he adhered to the interests of the Stuart family at the Revolution
in 1688. He served in Ireland under King James, and was detached
with a few men to Scotland, to support the Highland clans in their
resistance to the government of King William III. The clans were,
however, not successful in their enterprises, and they submitted to
the authority of King William; when he retired to France.
FRANCIS FERGUS O'FARRELL.
_Appointed 1st March, 1689._
This officer was a decided advocate for the principles of the
Revolution of 1688, and King William nominated him to the
colonelcy of the SCOTS FUSILIERS, which corps he commanded in the
Netherlands, under Prince Waldeck, and afterwards under the British
monarch, who promoted him to the rank of brigadier-general. He
served at the head of a brigade of infantry during the campaign
of 1694; and was appointed governor of Deinse. He commanded the
garrison of Deinse when that place was besieged, in July, 1695; and
was dismissed the service, by sentence of a general court-martial,
for surrendering without firing a shot.
ROBERT MACKAY.
_Appointed 13th November, 1695._
ROBERT MACKAY, third son of John, Lord Reay, was an officer in the
Scots Brigade in the Dutch service, and accompanied the Prince
of Orange to England in 1688. He was promoted captain of the
grenadier company in Major-General Hugh Mackay's regiment, and
served in Scotland in 1689. He distinguished himself at the battle
of Killicrankie, where he received several wounds, and was left
for dead on the field of battle. He, however, showed some signs
of life and was removed to a cottage by the enemy, and eventually
recovered. He was soon afterwards promoted to the rank of
lieut.-colonel, and King William gave him the colonelcy of a newly
raised Scots regiment (afterwards disbanded), from which he was
removed, in 1695, to the TWENTY-FIRST FUSILIERS. His constitution
had become debilitated by severe service and numerous wounds, and
he died at Tongue, the seat of his family, in December, 1696.
ARCHIBALD ROW.
_Appointed 1st January, 1697._
This officer entered the army in the reign of King James II., and
at the Revolution in 1688 he joined the Prince of Orange, who
promoted him to the lieut.-colonelcy of the Sixteenth regiment,
with which corps he served in the Netherlands, and acquired the
reputation of a brave and skilful officer. He served at the
battles of Steenkirk and Landen, and at the siege of Namur; and
was rewarded, in 1697, with the colonelcy of the TWENTY-FIRST
FUSILIERS. He served under the great Duke of Marlborough in 1703,
and in 1704 he commanded a brigade at the battles of Schellenberg
and Blenheim; on the last-mentioned occasion his brigade led the
attack on the village of Blenheim, and he headed his own regiment
with distinguished gallantry, advancing up to the enemy's palisades
before he gave the word "fire." In a moment afterwards he was shot,
and thus closed a life of honor with a death of glory. His valour
has rendered his name immortal in the history of his country.
JOHN, VISCOUNT MORDAUNT.
_Appointed 25th August, 1704._
JOHN, VISCOUNT MORDAUNT, son of Charles, Earl of Peterborough, was
an officer in the first regiment of Foot Guards, in which corps he
rose to the rank of captain and lieut.-colonel. He evinced great
gallantry at the battle of Schellenberg, where he headed fifty
grenadiers, at the storm of the enemy's works, and of that number,
only himself and ten grenadiers escaped. At the memorable battle of
Blenheim, he lost his left arm. His services were rewarded with the
colonelcy of the TWENTY-FIRST FUSILIERS, from which he exchanged to
the Twenty-eighth regiment; but on the death of Major-General de
Lalo, who was killed at the battle of Malplaquet, in 1709, Viscount
Mordaunt was re-appointed to the TWENTY-FIRST regiment. He was
promoted to the rank of brigadier-general on the 1st of January,
1710; and died of the small-pox in April following.
SAMPSON DE LALO.
_Appointed 26th June, 1706._
SAMPSON DE LALO was a French gentleman of the Protestant religion,
whom the Edict of Nantes forced to quit his native country. He
found an asylum from persecution in England, and entering the
British army, proved an efficient and meritorious officer. After
a distinguished career of service in the subordinate commissions,
he was appointed lieut.-colonel of the Twenty-eighth regiment,
and was promoted to the colonelcy of the same corps, in February,
1704; in June, 1706, he exchanged to the TWENTY-FIRST FUSILIERS.
He commanded a brigade under the great Duke of Marlborough, served
at several battles and sieges, and was promoted to the rank of
major-general in January, 1709. During the siege of the castle of
Tournay, he was nominated by the Duke of Marlborough to negotiate
the terms of capitulation with the governor. He evinced great
gallantry at the battle of Malplaquet, where he was mortally
wounded. In the Annals of Queen Anne it is stated, that "he was in
great favor and esteem in the British army."
JOHN, VISCOUNT MORDAUNT.
_Re-appointed 4th September, 1709._
Died in 1710.
THOMAS MEREDITH.
_Appointed 1st May, 1710._
This officer served in the wars of King William III., who promoted
him to the commission of captain in the Third Horse, now Second
Dragoon Guards. On the augmentation of the army in 1702, he was
nominated colonel of the Thirty-seventh regiment, then newly
raised, and he accompanied that corps to Holland in 1703. In 1704,
he served at the battles of Schellenberg and Blenheim, and was
promoted to the rank of brigadier-general on the 25th of August,
1704. In 1705 he commanded a brigade at the forcing of the French
lines at Helixem and Neer-Hespen. He was advanced to the rank of
major-general in 1706, and to that of lieut.-general in 1707; in
1710 he was removed to the TWENTY-FIRST regiment, and in 1714 to
the Twentieth. He died in 1719.
CHARLES, EARL OF ORRERY, K.T.
_Appointed 8th December, 1710._
THE EARL OF ORRERY took an active part in raising a regiment of
foot (afterwards disbanded), of which he was appointed colonel,
on the 1st of May, 1703; in 1705 he was nominated Knight of the
Thistle, and in 1706 he was removed to another regiment, afterwards
disbanded. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general in
1709, and served at the battle of Malplaquet, at the head of a
brigade of infantry, and evinced great gallantry. In 1710 he
was advanced to the rank of major-general,--nominated Envoy
extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the States of Brabant and
Flanders,--and removed to the TWENTY-FIRST FUSILIERS; in 1711 he
was created a peer of Great Britain, by the title of Baron Boyle,
of Marston, in Somersetshire; and in 1712 he served under the
Duke of Ormond. He was sworn a member of the Privy Council in
1713. On the arrival of King George I. in England, in the autumn
of 1714, the EARL OF ORRERY was appointed one of the Lords of the
Bedchamber; he was afterwards sworn a member of the Privy Council.
In 1722, he was committed a prisoner to the Tower of London, on a
charge of high treason; but no crime was proved against him. He
died on the 28th of August, 1731.
GEORGE MACARTNEY.
_Appointed 12th July, 1716._
This officer entered the army in the reign of King William III.,
and was promoted, in April, 1703, to the colonelcy of a newly
raised regiment of foot (afterwards disbanded), with which he
served three campaigns on the Continent, under the great Duke
of Marlborough. He afterwards proceeded to Spain, and commanded
a brigade of infantry at the battle of Almanza, where he
distinguished himself, and was taken prisoner. In 1709 he was
promoted to the rank of major-general, and in 1710 to that of
lieut.-general. His regiment having been disbanded at the peace
of Utrecht, he was appointed to the colonelcy of the ROYAL NORTH
BRITISH FUSILIERS in 1716, and removed in 1727 to the Seventh
Horse, now Sixth Dragoon Guards. He died in July, 1730.
SIR JAMES WOOD.
_Appointed 9th March, 1727._
SIR JAMES WOOD served many years in the army of the States-General
of the United Provinces of the Netherlands. His first commission
was dated the 31st of December, 1688, and he rose to the rank of
brigadier-general in 1704, in which rank he was admitted into the
British service, in consequence of his reputation; and in 1727, he
was appointed colonel of the TWENTY-FIRST regiment. In 1735 he was
promoted to the rank of major-general. His decease occurred on the
18th of May, 1738.
JOHN CAMPBELL.
_Appointed 1st November, 1738._
JOHN CAMPBELL, of Mamore, was an officer in the army in the reign
of Queen Anne, and attained the rank of lieut.-colonel. During
the rebellion in 1715 and 1716, he was aide-de-camp to the Duke
of Argyle: and in June, 1737, he obtained the colonelcy of the
Thirty-ninth regiment, from which he was removed in the following
year to the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS. He commanded a brigade
at the battle of Dettingen, in 1743;--was appointed major-general
in the following year; and during the rebellion in 1745 and 1746,
he held a command in Scotland. He was advanced to the rank of
lieut.-general in 1747; removed from the Fusiliers to the Scots
Greys in 1752; and in 1761 he was appointed governor of Limerick;
and also succeeded to the title of Duke of Argyle. The Order of the
Thistle was conferred upon his Grace in 1765. He died in 1770.
WILLIAM, EARL OF PANMURE.
_Appointed 29th April, 1752._
WILLIAM MAULE, who had been several years an officer in the Scots
Foot Guards, and a Member of Parliament, was created a peer of
Ireland on the 6th of April, 1743, by the title of Earl of Panmure.
He served at the battle of Dettingen in the same year; also at the
battle of Fontenoy in 1745; and on the 1st of December, 1747, was
promoted to the colonelcy of the Twenty-fifth foot; from which he
was removed, in 1752, to the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS. The
rank of major-general was conferred upon his Lordship in 1755. In
the following year he was second in command at Gibraltar; and in
1758 he was promoted to the rank of lieut.-general. He was further
advanced to the rank of general in 1770; and obtained the colonelcy
of the Scots Greys in November of the same year. He died on the 4th
of January, 1782.
THE HONORABLE ALEXANDER MACKAY.
_Appointed 10th May, 1770._
THE HONORABLE ALEXANDER MACKAY, son of George, third Lord Reay,
was appointed ensign in the Twenty-fifth regiment, in 1737,
and in 1745 he obtained the commission of captain, in the Earl
of Loudoun's newly raised regiment of Highlanders, afterwards
disbanded. He served against the rebels in the same year, and
was taken prisoner at the battle of Preston-pans. In 1750 he was
nominated major in the Third foot, and on the 21st of December,
1755, he was promoted to the lieut.-colonelcy of the Fifty-second
regiment, then newly raised, from which he exchanged, in March,
1760, to the Thirty-ninth: in 1761, he was elected a Member of
Parliament for Sunderland. In August, 1762, he was promoted to the
colonelcy of the 122nd regiment, which was disbanded at the peace
of Fontainebleau; and in March, 1764, he obtained the colonelcy of
the sixty-fifth. He served in America, in which country he obtained
the local rank of major-general in 1768; in 1770 he received the
same rank in the army, and was removed to the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH
FUSILIERS in the same year. In 1772 he received the appointment of
Governor of Tynemouth, and Clifford's Fort; in 1777 he was promoted
to the rank of lieut.-general, and in the following year appointed
Governor of Landguard Fort,--from which he was afterwards removed
to the government of Stirling Castle. In 1780 he was nominated
Commander-in-chief in Scotland. He died in May, 1789.
THE HONORABLE JAMES MURRAY.
_Appointed 5th June, 1789._
THE HONORABLE JAMES MURRAY served in the Fifteenth regiment, in
which corps he attained the rank of major, and was promoted to the
lieut.-colonelcy on the 5th of January, 1751. He commanded the
Fifteenth in the expedition against Rochefort, under Lieut.-General
Sir John Mordaunt, in 1757, and at the capture of Louisbourg, in
1758; in 1759 he commanded a brigade at the battle and capture
of Quebec, under the renowned Major-General James Wolfe; in 1760
he led a division up the river St. Lawrence, and contributed
to the reduction of Montreal, which completed the conquest of
Canada from the French. He was promoted to colonel-commandant of
a battalion of the Sixtieth regiment in 1759, and to the local
rank of major-general in America in 1760. In 1762 he was advanced
to the rank of major-general; and in 1767 he was removed to the
colonelcy of the Thirteenth regiment. He was promoted to the rank
of lieut.-general in 1772, and to that of general in 1783; in 1789
he was removed to the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS. He died in
1794.
JAMES HAMILTON.
_Appointed 20th June, 1794._
After a progressive service in the subordinate commissions, this
officer was promoted to the lieut.-colonelcy of the TWENTY-FIRST
FUSILIERS, on the 11th of March, 1774. He served in North America
during two campaigns of the war of independence,--was promoted
to the rank of major-general in 1787, and was appointed colonel
of the Fifteenth foot in 1792, from which he was removed to
the TWENTY-FIRST FUSILIERS in 1794. He obtained the rank of
lieut.-general in 1797, and that of general in 1802. His decease
occurred in 1803.
THE HONORABLE WILLIAM GORDON.
_Appointed 6th August, 1803._
THE HONORABLE WILLIAM GORDON was appointed captain in the Sixteenth
Light Dragoons, when that corps was raised in the year 1759;
in October, 1762, he was appointed lieut.-colonel of the 105th
regiment, and in 1777 he was promoted to the colonelcy of the
Eighty-first regiment, which was afterwards disbanded. In 1781
he was promoted to the rank of major-general, and in 1789 was
nominated colonel of the Seventy-first Highlanders. He was advanced
to the rank of lieut.-general in 1793, to that of general in 1798,
and was removed to the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS in 1803. He
died in 1816.
JAMES, LORD FORBES.
_Appointed 1st June, 1816._
JAMES, LORD FORBES, was appointed ensign in the Second Foot Guards,
in 1781. In 1793 he served in Flanders, under His Royal Highness
the Duke of York, and commanded a company at the battle of
Famars. He served at the siege of Valenciennes, and led a portion
of his regiment at the storm of the outworks. He was engaged at
the re-capture of the post of Lincelles, where the Foot Guards
distinguished themselves; also served at the siege of Dunkirk.
In 1794 he served at the actions of Vaux, Cateau, Tournay, and
Mouvaux,--at the defence of Nimeguen and Fort St. André, and
in the retreat through Holland to Germany. After the action of
Lincelles, in 1793, he was promoted to the rank of captain and
lieut.-colonel, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel Bosville, who
was killed on that occasion. In 1796, he obtained the rank of
colonel; and in 1799 he served in the expedition to the Helder,
and was present at every action of that short campaign in Holland,
excepting one. In 1802 Lord Forbes was promoted to the rank of
major-general, and nominated to the command of the troops stationed
at Ashford, in Kent, and subsequently of the garrison at Dover,
and he occasionally commanded the Kent District in the absence
of Lieut.-General Sir David Dundas and of Lord Ludlow. He was
appointed second in command of the troops stationed on the island
of Sicily, in 1808, and promoted to the rank of lieut.-general.
On his return to England in 1811, he was placed on the Staff of
Ireland.
Lord Forbes was elected one of the representative peers of
Scotland, in 1806, and held that distinguished situation many
years. The colonelcy of the Third Garrison Battalion was conferred
upon his Lordship in 1806; he was removed to the Ninety-fourth
regiment in 1808, to the Fifty-fourth in 1809, and to the ROYAL
NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS in 1816: in 1819 he was promoted to the
rank of general. He died in 1843.
THE RIGHT HONORABLE SIR FREDERICK ADAM, G.C.B., G.C.M.G.
_Appointed 31st May, 1843._
APPENDIX.
_List of Battles, Sieges, &c., in the Netherlands, during the reign
of KING WILLIAM III., from 1689 to the Peace of Ryswick in 1697._