Companies.
Woolwich 6
Chatham 2
Portsmouth and Gosport 3
Plymouth 2
Dover 2
Guernsey 1
Jersey 1
Cork 2
Gibraltar 3
Newfoundland 1
Halifax 1
West Indies 2
Cadiz 2
Portugal 4
with detachments from the above to Eastbourne and the Sussex coast,
Hythe, Cape Breton, New Brunswick, Ceylon, Cape of Good Hope, Sicily,
the Ionian Islands, and Madeira.
The companies at Cadiz were the sixth and seventh of the first
battalion; and those in Portugal were the fifth, sixth, seventh, and
eighth of the second battalion. At this time the corps counted a force
of nearly 1,500 men. More than half were employed in foreign possessions
and colonial defence. The remainder, distributed in home garrisons and
the Channel Islands, included a large proportion of aged men, invalids,
and recruits. By the end of the year the reconstruction of the companies
was completed; and from continual accessions of squads of recruits,
rapidly equipped and disciplined, the corps was soon in a condition, to
a greater extent than heretofore, to meet such incidental necessities as
might arise.
Eleven sergeants were commissioned to be sub-lieutenants during the
year. Some joined from the royal artillery. All were distinguished
either as soldiers or artificers, particularly Sub-Lieutenant Munro, who
was an “ingenious and skilful mechanic,” and his inventions, which met
with general approbation, were attended with considerable saving to the
Government. The captain of his company, in making a record of his
acquirements, wrote that Lieutenant Munro “was the most zealous and
intelligent non-commissioned officer whom he had met in the course of
his services.”[175]
-----
Footnote 175:
He invented an engine for nipping lead shot, used for years in the
royal laboratory, but for which an impostor and spy, named De Haine,
received a reward of 500_l._ While filling the office of inspector of
ordnance stores, he made various improvements in the mechanical and
intrenching tools. He also detected many extraordinary frauds in the
deliveries made by contractors. In one attempted imposition only, he
saved the Government 2000_l._ He designed and constructed a
life-ladder, which was frequently used with success at fires, and an
ingenious mortar-mill which occasioned a great saving of expense to
the department. At Chatham he invented many useful tools, implements,
and apparatus, and his services were repeatedly acknowledged in the
order books of the establishment.
-----
1812.
Plymouth company instructed in field duties—Engineer establishment at
Chatham—Major Pasley appointed its director—Discipline and drill of
corps—Its character—Sir John Sinclair ex-private—Title of corps
changed—Captain G. Buchanan—A sergeant acrobat—Cuidad
Rodrigo—Exertions of a company on the march to the siege—Repairs to
the fortress—Siege of Badajoz—Difficulties in removing the stores to
the park—Duties of the sappers in the operation—Gallant behaviour of
Patrick Rooney and William Harry—Also of a party at Fort Picurina, and
of Patrick Burke and Robert Miller—Hazardous attempt to blow down the
batardeau in the ditch of the lunette, and conduct of corporal
Stack—Bravery of a party in mining under the bridge of the
inundation—Distribution of the Peninsular companies and their
services—Bridges of Yecla and Serrada—Reinforcement to
Spain—Salamanca—Burgos, and boldness of Patrick Burke and Andrew
Alexander at the siege—Bridge of Alba—Carthagena—Reinforcement to
Cadiz; action at Seville—Reinforcement to the Peninsula and
distribution of the sappers—Green Island—Tarragona—First detachment to
Bermuda.
Major Pasley, R.E., on his appointment to the Plymouth station,
occasionally practised his company in sapping and mining. He was one of
those officers who took pains to improve the military appearance and
efficiency of his men, and to make them useful either for home or
foreign employment. He is believed to have been the first officer who
represented the advantage of training the corps in the construction of
military field-works.
After the failure of Badajoz in 1811 the necessity of this measure was
strongly advocated by the war officers. Then it was recommended to form
a corps under the name of royal sappers and miners, to be composed of
six companies chosen from the royal military artificers, which after
receiving some instruction in the art, was to be sent to the Peninsula
to aid the troops in their future siege operations.[176] Early in this
year [1812] the suggestion was repeated by Sir Richard Fletcher; and
Lord Wellington having also, in the most forcible manner, brought the
subject to the notice of the Secretary of State,[177] a warrant was
issued under date of the 23rd April for the formation of an
establishment for instructing the corps in military field-works.
-----
Footnote 176:
Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ 2nd edit., ii., p. 390.
Footnote 177:
‘Wellington Dispatches,’ 1845, v., p. 508.
-----
Lord Mulgrave, the Master-General, selected Chatham as the most suitable
place for carrying out the royal orders, and appointed Major C. W.
Pasley director of the establishment. The exertions of that officer at
Plymouth naturally singled him out for the post. The better to effect
his purpose, he published for the use of the corps, elementary works on
fortification, geometry, &c. of the greatest simplicity; and they have
ever since been the text-books of the institution. In addition to
sapping and mining, his system comprised bridge-making, pontooning, the
use of ropes, mechanical appliances, and all other arts and
contrivances, which the corps, in its connection with the engineer
department, is likely to be called on to perform. “Uniting,” says Sir
John Jones, “great zeal and unwearied perseverance with good talents”
and judgment, Major Pasley “succeeded in extending the course far beyond
these objects,” and not only “filled the ranks of the corps with good
scholars, good surveyors, and good draughtsmen,” but enabled many, after
quitting the service, to occupy with ability and credit, situations of
considerable importance in civil life.[178]
-----
Footnote 178:
Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ 2nd edit., ii.. p. 392.
-----
The formation of the school at Chatham increased the means for
discipline and drill. Other stations, stimulated by the example, paid
greater attention to their enforcement. The injurious system of changing
officers incessantly was now abolished; and the juniors, among a stated
number of the second captains, first lieutenants, and second lieutenants
of the royal engineers, were appointed regimental officers of the
companies. Sir John Jones has recorded that “the men generally were of
superior acquirements and well-disposed,” and the above changes had the
best possible effect upon their general behaviour.[179] “By linking
officers and men together,” he added, “and closely connecting their
mutual interests, discipline and pride were given to the soldier,” and
character to the corps.[180]
-----
Footnote 179:
Among the recruits at this period was Sir John Sinclair, Bart., who,
on the 12th August, 1812, enlisted in the name of John Smith. Through
various misfortunes he was reduced from affluence to poverty. Noticed
by Colonel Pilkington, R.E., for his uniform good conduct and
attainments, he was promoted to the rank of second-corporal, and
provided with a quarter at the main-guard in the royal arsenal. His
lady sometimes visited him in all the pride of her station, but his
own rank was as yet unsuspected. From a comrade—afterwards
Sub-Lieutenant H. B. Mackenzie—he frequently borrowed plain clothes to
elude arrest in the streets, and invariably proceeded to the Treasury
by water to receive his allowance. He was at length dogged to
Woolwich, and, on the 31st August, 1813, being taken, was thrown into
the debtors' side of Newgate, from whence he was removed to the Fleet
Prison, where, for a year and a half he was confined, and was then
only released by an error in law. Thirteen months' sickness and
distress followed his release, during which time he was supplied with
means by an acquaintance of his earlier and happier days. All the
while the whereabouts of John Smith was unknown, but, advised by his
friend, he confessed himself a deserter, and in imploring pardon and
indemnity for past errors, solicited to be received for life in the
New South Wales Corps. The pardon was granted, and being relieved from
further service in the sappers, he was again left at liberty to follow
his own inclination.
Footnote 180:
Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ 2nd edit., ii., pp. 390, 391.
-----
More fully to accord with its recognized duties the Master-General on
the 4th August, ordered that the royal military artificers should be
hereafter styled, Royal Military Artificers or Sappers and Miners.[181]
-----
Footnote 181:
Sir John Jones, by mistake, vol. ii. p. 390, makes the alteration of
the name of the corps antecedent to the creation of the establishment
at Chatham.
-----
Captain G. Buchanan, the adjutant, resigned the appointment, and Captain
Rice Jones, under commission dated 1st February, succeeded to it. During
his period of office, Captain Buchanan, besides attending to its many
official requirements and details, performed duty on the works like
other officers of engineers. By his application and exertions he ruined
his health. Captain Rice Jones was relieved from the duties of the
district, and the pay of the appointment was increased from 6_s._ to
10_s._ a-day.[182]
Footnote 182:
Soon after this change, an act of gross indiscipline occurred, which
will afford a tolerable notion of some of the singular characters who
held rank in the corps. A sergeant’s guard usually mounted in the
sappers' barracks at Woolwich. One morning sergeant Millar was
appointed to the new guard, and during the ceremony of “mounting,” was
posted in front of it. Lieutenant Eaves, the officer on duty, gave the
usual words of command. “Sergeant, to your guard, march!” Millar no
sooner heard it, than he whirled his halberd in the air, and as every
one stood amazed to see the upshot of this mad manœuvre, the pike
turned point downwards and stuck in the earth. At this moment, to
complete the extravaganza, Millar pitched on his hands, and with his
legs towering erect in the air, paddled, with all the flexibility and
steadiness of an acrobat, to his wondering guard!
The siege of Cuidad Rodrigo began on the 8th and terminated on the 19th
January when the fortress was carried by storm. In this siege eighteen
rank and file of the royal military artificers were present, of whom one
was killed and ten were wounded. In carrying on their duties they were
sometimes annoyed by the presence of light balls thrown by the enemy
into the sap. The instant they alighted some bold sappers, heedless of
the peril they incurred, rushed to the spot, and in a few seconds
extinguished them with sand-bags or smothered them by shovelling earth
upon the flames.[183] The conduct of the party during the operations was
praised by Lord Wellington.[184]
-----
Footnote 183:
Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ i. p. 369, 3rd edit., and note added by Colonel
Harry D. Jones.
Footnote 184:
‘Wellington Dispatches,’ 1845, v., p. 476.
-----
To join the siege party, the fifth company second battalion of forty-one
men, had been embodied at Alhandra from the different districts of
Torres Vedras, and marched for Cuidad Rodrigo on the 2nd January. It had
in charge a large assortment of intrenching tools to be used in the
works before that fortress. The weather was bitterly cold, a
considerable quantity of rain had fallen, and the roads were cut into
deep ruts and covered with pools. Frequently the jaded mules dropped
from fatigue; and to relieve them, the men were constantly compelled,
either to lead them instead of the disaffected muleteers, or take the
labour of the animals themselves. After a trying and toilsome journey of
seventeen days, the company arrived in front of Cuidad Rodrigo on the
night of the 19th January, but took no part in the storming.[185]
-----
Footnote 185:
Sir John Jones, in his ‘Sieges,’ i. p. 130, 2nd edit., records, by
mistake, the arrival of the company on the 15th instead of the 19th
January.
-----
The above company and detachment were afterwards employed in restoring
and improving the defences of the place. Paid by measurement for their
labour, they greatly exerted themselves, notwithstanding the bitter
weather to which they were exposed. Corporal James Douglas was intrusted
with the charge of the restoration.
In the siege of Badajoz from 16th March to 6th April, the military
artificers bore an important part. There were present 115 of all ranks,
being portions of the fifth and seventh companies, second battalion,
from Cuidad Rodrigo; and the sixth of the second battalion from the
Almada position. A company from Cadiz comprising men of the sixth and
seventh companies, first battalion, did not join till nearly the
conclusion of the siege. The company disembarked at Ayamonte and
ascended the valley of the Guadiana on the Portugal side, partly by
boats and partly by marching. No British soldiers, save this company,
had ever been in that part of Portugal.
All the engineers' means for the operation were conveyed from Elvas to
Badajoz under charge of the corps, for which purpose 120 pairs of
bullocks were pressed into the service. The effectual removal of the
stores was accomplished under great difficulties. From the desertion of
the drivers, taking with them their oxen, and the weakly condition of
others, many of the sappers frequently yoked themselves to the abandoned
burdens, and in carrying them through the Guadiana at the fords, were
sometimes borne down the stream by the rapidity of the current. Nearly
all the stores, however, reached the depôt at the appointed time.
In the distribution of the men, a strong party was nominated for the
duty of the park, to repair tools, make scaling-ladders, platforms, &c.,
and the remainder, told off into seven brigades, performed good services
as overseers and leading sappers in the trenches and the batteries.
Sub-Lieutenants A. Wallace and R. Gibb who joined in January,
volunteered their services as assistants in the trenches, and both
discharged their duties “extremely well.” Their conduct was noticed in
flattering terms in a letter to General Mann, the inspector-general of
fortifications.
Soon after commencing operations, corporal Patrick Rooney signalized
himself by laying gun platforms in the day-time under a warm fire from
the enemy. No less conspicuous was private William Harry, who opened in
daylight under fire of the Picurina, the embrasures of a masked battery.
In executing these dangerous services, their firmness and skill had the
effect of stimulating the workmen to the prompt performance of similar
exploits.
At the storming of Fort Picurina the royal military artificers who
preceded the columns, conducted themselves with the “greatest gallantry
and coolness.” Particular mention is made of those who accompanied
Captain Holloway of the royal engineers, in leading the reserve column
to the place. Encumbered with ladders and axes, they broke through a
line of palisades on the covertway, planted the ladders against the
counterscarp, and then, descending into the ditch, moved the ladders
across to the scarp with the greatest “steadiness and precision.”
Instantly they mounted, and after tearing down the fraises to a
sufficient extent for the escalade, ascended the ramparts and dashed
through the embrasures into the fort. Private Patrick Burke, a bold
soldier, took a leading part in the assault and was amongst the foremost
that entered the place. On the parapet Captain Holloway fell severely
wounded. Lance-corporal Robert Miller rushed to his rescue, and at
imminent personal peril, guarded his body and bore him in safety to the
camp.
Late in the siege a hazardous attempt was made by Lieutenant Stanway,
R.E. to blow down the batardeau in the ditch of the lunette for the
purpose of drawing off the inundation. He was accompanied by an officer
and twenty men of the royal military artificers, of whom lance-corporal
William Stack gave proof of prominent zeal and daring. The
powder-barrels were duly placed against the dam and fired; but the
effect intended was not produced, and the party returned to the trenches
without loss.
In the final assault of Badajoz, selected men of the corps accompanied
each of the columns to the breaches, bearing ladders, hatchets,
crowbars, &c., and executed the duty allotted to them with the utmost
bravery. After storming the lunette St. Roque, a party of the royal
military artificers, under Lieutenant Wright, R. E. displayed expertness
and courage in mining under the dam and bridge of the inundation. Of the
general services and conduct of the sappers “during the operations of
the siege and in its close,” it is recorded that they “distinguished”
themselves.[186]
-----
Footnote 186:
‘Wellington Dispatches,’ edit. 1845, v., p. 579.
-----
Privates William Bond and Edward Doran were killed, and five rank and
file wounded at the storming. In the trenches, during the operations,
corporal John Blackadder was killed, and Sub-Lieutenant Wallace wounded.
Many others also were wounded, but the precise number cannot be traced.
Soon after the capture, the detachment of the sixth and seventh
companies, first battalion, returned to Cadiz, Major-General Cooke
having represented the desirableness of maintaining the corps in
adequate strength to carry out the defensive operations under his
orders.[187] The sixth of the second battalion was attached to the
expedition for besieging Tarragona,[188] and portions of the fifth and
seventh companies, second battalion, remained at Badajoz to assist in
the repairs of the breaches, and in improving the defences of the town.
One private was killed by the unexpected explosion of a blast when he
applied the match to fire it. The restorations were effected before the
close of the year, and to mark the date, some masons of the corps built
the number of the year with 24-pound shot in the escarp wall of the face
of the bastion La Trinidad.
-----
Footnote 187:
Ibid, v., p. 650.
Footnote 188:
In the Dispatch to the Earl of Liverpool, dated Fuente Guinaldo, 10th
June, 1812, the Earl of Wellington states, “I have likewise sent from
this country to Gibraltar Lieutenant-Colonel Jones and four subaltern
officers of engineers, and two companies of military artificers,
including all the sappers there are with the army,” to join the corps
d’armée under Lieutenant-General Lord William Bentinck, “to make an
attack on the eastern coast of the Peninsula, with the troops from
Sicily.”—Wellington Dispatches; 1845, v., p. 706, 707. The above
company, 92 strong, was the only one despatched from Portugal, but one
of the Maltese military artificers from Messina was added to the
engineers' means for the siege, which made a combined sapper-force of
134 strong.
-----
The bridges of Yecla and Serrada, which spanned the Yebra—a branch of
the Douro between Salamanca and Cuidad Rodrigo—were mined in December
1811 by Spanish miners, with a few privates of the sappers as overseers,
under the direction of Lieutenant W. Reid, royal engineers. Owing to the
flinty nature of the cement giving the compactness of rock to the
structures, it required a fortnight’s unceasing toil—day and night—to
drive the shafts. The mines were fired in April, following, when one
arch of the Yecla was blown down, and a pier and two arches of the
Serrada were destroyed.
Sub-Lieutenant C. Booth and ninety-five men reinforced the companies in
Spain under Sir Richard Fletcher. Nine men also joined from Madeira.
Both parties landed in April increasing the artificer force to 273 of
all ranks. All the effective men were attached to the different
divisions of the army, or were dispersed on various duties throughout
the country. Those remaining at Badajoz were instructed in sapping and
mining under Lieutenant Harry Jones of the royal engineers.
In June, nine rank and file were present under Lieutenant-Colonel
Burgoyne, R.E., at the siege of the fortified posts at Salamanca.
Private James Durant was killed in the trenches on the night of the 17th
June, and four privates were wounded. Thanks for their good conduct in
the siege of the forts was conveyed to them in general orders.[189]
-----
Footnote 189:
‘Wellington Dispatches,’ 1845, v., p. 724.
-----
Eight of the corps were present in August at the capture of the Retiro
at Madrid, and at the siege of Burgos in September and October. All were
employed as overseers in the park and the trenches. Corporal M. Develin
was killed, and the remaining seven were wounded. The whole party proved
themselves to be good soldiers and skilful miners. Deriving their
instruction, in great part, from the labours of previous sieges, they
knew the best methods to achieve success. At Fort Christoval the want of
experienced miners rendered it impracticable to crown the glacis and
prevent the garrison removing the debris from the foot of the breach. At
Burgos, on the contrary, though the assaults were frequent before the
place fell, this handful of sappers, assisted by some miners from the
guards, successfully worked up to the fortress, and formed effective
breaches by mining, in the castle walls.[190] Private Patrick Burke, a
distinguished stormer at Badajoz, was remarked for his usefulness and
resolution in the explosion of a mine; and private Andrew Alexander for
his valour in leading the workmen to crown the crater of a mine on the
enemy’s glacis before the breach. The fifth company, second battalion,
was sent in advance with stores for the siege but arrived too late to
share in the operation.
-----
Footnote 190:
Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ notes by Colonel Harry D. Jones, i., p. 135, 377,
3rd edit.
-----
In the retreat to the frontier of Portugal a few men of the corps mined
the bridge at Alba on the Tormes, under Captain Goldfinch of the
engineers. An eye-witness who observed their exertions says, “In
crossing the bridge, we found the sappers hard at work mining and laying
barrels of gunpowder to blow up the centre arch.”[191] The bridge was
accordingly destroyed to check the advance of the enemy. This small
party also assisted in the hasty intrenchments thrown up to defend the
castle, and was present in repulsing the attack on the place.
-----
Footnote 191:
‘United Service Journal,’ 2, 1829, p. 284, 285.
-----
In January a corporal and nine privates were detached from La Isla to
Carthagena to strengthen the fortifications there. Private Thomas Grewer
was killed in springing a mine. The detachment returned to La Isla in
April, 1814.
A draft of twenty-eight non-commissioned officers and men landed at
Cadiz in April to reinforce the sixth and seventh companies, first
battalion. In August following, a sergeant and ten rank and file were
present with Colonel Skerrit’s force in the action at Seville on the
27th of the month. They rejoined their companies in September.
Late in the year Lieutenant Matson of the royal engineers, having under
his command Sub-Lieutenants R. Turner and C. Gratton and 135
non-commissioned officers and men, joined the corps in the Peninsula.
Many of them had been instructed in the formation of military
field-works. The total of the artificer force in Spain and Portugal in
December, reached the following numbers:—
Lisbon, Badajoz, and with the army in the field 303
Alicant 92
Cadiz 103
Tarifa 11
Carthagena 6
——
Total 515
including Sub-Lieutenants Wallace, Gibb, Booth, Turner, and Gratton.
During the year the casualties in the detachment under Sir Richard
Fletcher were, nine invalided and forty-three deaths. In May the number
sick counted thirty-one; in December it was increased to sixty-one.
At Green Island, opposite Algeciras, four privates were employed in
repairing the defences early in the year under Lieutenant A. Brown of
the corps. When completed they returned to Gibraltar.
The first company of Maltese Artificers of forty-one total, and one
smith of the royal military artificers, left Messina in June under the
command of Major Thackeray, R.E., with the expedition against Tarragona.
At Port Mahon, Minorca, they were joined by the sixth company, first
battalion. Both companies soon afterwards landed at Alicant, and
portions of them were employed on such occasional services as the course
of events demanded.
Bermuda was this year appointed a station for the corps. Two sergeants,
one drummer, and fifty rank and file, embarked on the 21st August on
board the ‘Catherine,’ freight-ship, and arrived at the island 20th
November. The detachment generally were inferior artificers and
ill-behaved men. Throughout the voyage they were discontented and
mutinous; and after landing, animadversion and punishment for a long
time had but little effect in checking their excesses and
insubordination. Captain Cunningham, royal engineers, commanded the
party.
1813.
Designation of corps modified—Uniform—Working-dress—Arms—Mode of
promoting non-commissioned officers—Rank of colour-sergeant
created—Company to Canada—Reinforcement to Bermuda—Sub-Lieutenant
Mackenzie appointed Town-Major there—Sickness at Gibraltar—Services of
company in East Catalonia—Malha da Sorda—Services on the advance to
Vittoria—Bridge at Toro—Blockade of Pampeluna—Pyrenees—Stockades near
Roncesvalles—San Sebastian and services of the corps at the
siege—Valour of sergeants Powis and Davis—Of private Borland; and of
corporal Evans—Casualties in the siege—Restoration of the
fortifications-Pontoon train—Bidassoa—Bridge across it, and conduct of
privates Owen Connor and Nowlan—Vera—Nivelle, and behaviour of
corporal Councill—Bridge over that river—Bridges over the Nive, and
daring exertions of private Dowling—Fording the Nive, and posts of
honour accorded to corporal Jamieson and private Braid—Strength and
distribution of corps in the Peninsula—Recruiting.
To correspond with the intentions of the Government with respect to the
future duties of the corps, the title was again changed on the 5th
March, from “royal military artificers or sappers and miners,” to “Royal
Sappers and Miners.” Some mistrust and discontent were occasioned by
this second alteration, but conciliatory explanations restored
confidence and satisfaction.
A change of dress followed the change of name. This originated with the
war officers in the Peninsula. Working with the line at the sieges, it
was considered desirable to assimilate the dress of the two services;
and scarlet with blue facings was introduced to render the men less
conspicuous to the enemy and less subject to danger. No material
alteration was made in the cut and frogging of the coatee. For
particular parades, the white breeches and long gaiters were continued,
except in the Peninsula, where grey trousers and ankle gaiters were
substituted. The chaco—a singular concoction from the German mitre,
preserved in Hogarth’s “March to Finchley,” and the “smoke-jack”—was
much higher in front than in rear and decorated with yellow cords and
tassels. A short white feather, worn at the left side of the chaco, just
peered above the curve of the fan. See Plate X.
The working dress consisted of a plain red jacket with short skirts,
grey trousers with red stripes, short spats, shoes with brass clasps,
and a leather cap worn lengthways, or square, bearing on its front leaf
in brass, the initials of the corps, and subsequently a crown and garter
ornament. This much-disliked head-covering was a remote but unsightly
variety of the cocked hat; and in lieu of tassels was furnished at the
corners with black silk ribbon ties of some length. See Plate XI. Some
companies wore white linen overalls, buttoned the whole length of the
outer seam. At Cadiz, previous to the general change, the companies wore
grey trousers with a black stripe down each outer seam, and a grey cloth
forage-cap, trimmed with black braid, and the letters R. M. A. on the
left side of the cap.
Greater attention was now paid to arming the corps. Heretofore, in this
respect, many irregularities had crept in. At Newfoundland the
detachment was armed with swords, cutlasses, and accoutrements of every
shape, saved from the American war. In the West Indies the companies
used the shattered remains of old armouries and black accoutrements of
various patterns. In Sicily the military artificers could only muster a
few foreign cumbersome firelocks; whilst the Maltese artificers were
unable to appear with a weapon of any kind. For a number of years the
Gibraltar companies wore the obsolete accoutrements and cartouche-boxes
of a disbanded Newfoundland regiment; and a party of the corps on its
way to the Peninsula, did duty with pikes and blunderbusses. Among the
sergeants the swords and belts were very dissimilar. Permitted to
purchase their own arms, more attention was paid to fancy and ability of
payment than uniformity. These and other anomalies were progressively
removed from the corps in consequence of the improved method of
officering the companies.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration:
Royal Sappers & Miners Plate X.
WORKING DRESS, 1813 Printed by M & N Hanhart.
]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration:
Royal Sappers & Miners Plate XI.
UNIFORM. 1813 Printed by M & N Hanhart.
]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In March an important plan was adopted for the promotion of
non-commissioned officers. All men at home recommended for advancement,
were sent to Woolwich to be examined. If found competent as artificers
and soldiers, they were especially instructed in a uniform system of
routine and drill, and returned perfect to their companies. A few years,
however, showed the expense and inconvenience of the system, and it was
necessarily relinquished.
In July the rank of colour-sergeant was granted to the corps. One was
appointed to each company with the pay of 2_s._ 9¼_d._ a-day, and was
distinguished by the badge of the open colour and cross swords on the
right arm. Sixpence a-day was also added to the pay of the
sergeant-majors, which raised it to 4_s._ 1¼_d._ a-day.
The third company, third battalion, of eighty-one men under Lieutenant
G. Philpotts, R.E., and Sub-Lieutenant James A. Stephenson, sailed for
Canada on board the ‘Zodiac’ transport on the 23rd April, and landed at
Quebec on the 5th June. They had been trained in the field duties of the
department at Chatham, and were the first of the corps ever employed in
the Canadas. Nothing satisfactory is known of their services; but they
appear to have been much dispersed through the country, the greatest
numbers being at Burlington Heights, Prescott, Point Henry, York, and
Kingston. The last station was the head-quarters of the company.
In the summer the detachment at Bermuda was increased to a company by
the arrival of thirty men under Sub-Lieutenant Hugh B. Mackenzie,[192]
from his Majesty’s ship ‘Ardent.’
-----
Footnote 192:
In 1816 this officer was appointed Town-Major at Bermuda, and from the
able manner in which he discharged its duties, was honoured with the
confidence and approval of his patron, Sir James Cockburn.
-----
At Gibraltar the companies suffered much from sickness during the year.
Ophthalmia was also very prevalent. In December a malignant epidemic
appeared in the garrison and nineteen deaths occurred in the companies.
Nine other deaths took place in the year, and twenty-four were
invalided. The three companies at the Rock were now reduced from 267 to
141 of all ranks.
The sixth company, second battalion, attached to the Anglo-Sicilian army
at Alicant, sent during the year portions of the company with three
expeditions undertaken by Sir John Murray and Lord William Bentinck, who
were present in the several movements and affairs of the campaign,
including the action at the Biar Pass, battle of Castalla, siege and
capture of Fort Belaguer, and the second and third sieges of Tarragona.
Thirty-nine men of the Maltese sappers and miners accompanied these
expeditions. Detachments of both corps were also cantoned, at different
intervals, at Valencia; and thirty men of the company made, in the
island of Ivica, a liberal provision of fascines, gabions, and
platforms, for the last siege of Tarragona. After Suchet evacuated the
place, and Lord William had marched to Villa Franca, the royal and
Maltese sappers and miners commenced to clear and repair the breaches,
and to restore, generally, the fortifications. Until April 1814 they
continued so employed, when, the works having been placed in as
defensible a state as before their recent destruction,[193] they sailed
to rejoin the force under Lord William Bentinck in Italy.
-----
Footnote 193:
‘United Service Journal,’ iii., 1844, p. 77, 78.
-----
With the exception of a few scattered detachments, the companies in the
Peninsula under Sir Richard Fletcher were concentrated at Malha da
Sorda, and in January the seventh company, first battalion, from Cadiz,
also joined there. All were practised as occasion permitted in the
construction of field-works under Lieutenant E. Matson, royal engineers.
Sub-Lieutenant Gratton, who was appointed adjutant, drilled the
companies and conducted the roster.
On the army breaking up cantonments, the seventh company, first
battalion, and the fifth and seventh companies, second battalion, with
Sub-Lieutenants Calder, Gratton, and Wallace, were attached to the
pontoon train. The royal staff corps also accompanied it. Both corps
assisted in the formation of bridges for the passage of the army.
Carrying the pontoons down the steep banks of the Esla was an arduous
service, but the bridge was thrown across the river with promptitude.
Without loss or material casualty, the companies reached Vittoria, but
were not present at the battle. At Zamora and Toro parties were left to
construct earthworks for cover in the event of a retreat. Others
stationed on the Douro and the Esla, guarded and used the flying bridges
over those rivers whenever required by the troops.
The eighth company, second battalion, with Sub-Lieutenant Turner, was
attached to the light division and encamped with the 43rd regiment. At
night, while the Toro bridge was still burning, the company repaired the
broken arch with ladders, trees, and planks, under the direction of
Lieutenant Edward Matson, R.E.,[194] and was present at the battle of
Vittoria on the 21st June, but not actively engaged. One private was
severely wounded; and Sub-Lieutenant Turner received three shots about
his person, but remained unhurt.
-----
Footnote 194:
Sir W. Napier, in his ‘Peninsular War,’ attributes, by mistake, this
service to Lieutenant G. Pringle, R.E.
-----
At the blockade of Pampeluna, from 25th June to 1st November, a
detachment of twelve sappers and miners was employed and superintended
the working parties under the direction of Major Goldfinch, royal
engineers. Private James Napier was killed.
The seventh company first battalion, with Sub-Lieutenant
Calder, attached to the corps of the army under the command of
Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill, was present at the operations in
the Pyrenees, including the actions at Maya and Roncesvalles.
Under Lieutenant Peter Wright of the engineers, this company, assisted
by working parties from the line, erected several musket-proof
stockade-redoubts on the summits of the ridges in the neighbourhood of
Roncesvalles; and as the weather was extremely cold, accompanied with
rain and sometimes snow, the interior was so constructed as to serve the
purpose of a barrack to shelter a garrison of about 200 men. Young trees
were found in great abundance on the mountain sides, which were sawn in
two for the work, and “the berms were filled up with a triangle of
earth,” to prevent the enemy creeping up the slopes and firing into the
loop-holes. Attention was also paid to providing the troops with
sufficient sustenance and the means of defence for a fortnight. Water
was obtained from a cask sunk in the centre of the stockade, and an
ample supply of loaded shells was procured from a foundry in the
neighbourhood, to roll down the mountain should the enemy attempt to
pass at its base, or to hurl into the ditch should he assail the
garrison. The stockades were also provided with small ordnance when the
situation required a more powerful armament.[195]
-----
Footnote 195:
Manuscript, Royal Engineer Establishment. The model in the Model Room
at Brompton, showing the details of one of the stockades, was made
under the direction of Sub-Lieutenant Calder.
-----
The fifth, seventh, and eighth companies, second battalion, and
detachments of the sixth and seventh companies, first battalion, were
present at the siege of San Sebastian from the 11th July to the 8th
September. The second company, second battalion, joined there on the
20th August from England, and was the first company in the corps that
appeared in the scarlet uniform. All the men composing it had been
instructed at Chatham, and were derisively styled “Pasley’s cadets.” The
greatest number at the siege counted five Sub-Lieutenants—Gratton,
Stratton, Turner, Wallace, and Johnson, and 305 non-commissioned
officers and men. The eighth company, second battalion, with Lieutenant
Turner, was posted on the Chofre hills, and the other companies on the
isthmus. The men were divided into three reliefs; each relief was on
duty eight hours, but when the works required to be pressed, the periods
of rest were shortened to meet the emergency. The sub-lieutenants acted
as assistant engineers. A large party of the corps did duty in the park,
and the remainder were employed as overseers of the working parties.
They also had to place the gabions, fascines, platforms, &c., open and
repair the embrasures, and execute all services requiring more than
ordinary skill, such as commencing the saps and leading their progress.
In the early part of the siege the batteries and communications were
wholly constructed by the sappers; but from the 16th July, these
services, except in occasional instances of difficulty and danger, were
performed by the line.
In both assaults parties of the corps assisted in carrying and placing
the ladders for the stormers; others bore axes, crowbars, and
intrenching tools. In the second assault it is recorded, that the party
with picks and shovels “long persevered, with cool intrepidity, to form
cover on the face of the breaches, but in vain.” The assault, however,
ultimately succeeded. As well in the trenches as at the stormings, the
sappers and miners distinguished themselves by their usefulness,
intelligence, and gallantry.[196]
-----
Footnote 196:
Sir Thomas Graham, in ‘Wellington Dispatches,’ vi., p. 650, edit.
1845. Jones’s ‘Sieges,’ ii., p. 391, 2nd edit.; and Pasley’s
‘Elementary Fortification,’ note D, p. ix., vol. 1.
-----
Here may be given a little incident to show how cool were the sappers in
carrying on their duties. Colonel Pasley has stated that “several of the
embrasures of the breaching battery were cut in broad daylight, under
fire, by a party of the corps under Lieutenant E. Matson, R.E., after
the guns in a part of the battery previously finished, had actually
opened against the fortress.”[197]
-----
Footnote 197:
Pasley’s ‘Operations of a Siege,’ ii., p. 246, note.
-----
Another instance is equally worthy of notice. “At one time,” according
to Major Reid, “the trunk of a large poplar tree completely stopped the
progress of the men and defied all their efforts to move it, until a
daring sapper gallantly jumping from the trench, stood exposed until he
moved it from the head of the sap, and returned without being
wounded.”[198]
-----
Footnote 198:
‘Instructions for the Defence of Fortresses,’ translated by Major
Reid, R.E., 1823, p. 20.
-----
Striking instances of individual exploit follow, which are creditable to
the soldiers whose names are associated with their performance.
Sergeants William Powis and John Davis accompanied the first assault.
Forced down the breach with the retreating stormers, they perceived
Captain G. G. Lewis, R.E., lying badly wounded exposed to the enemy’s
fire; and Davis, who but a few moments before had been wounded in the
arm, returned with Powis to the breach and carried off their officer to
the trenches. In effecting this gallant and humane act, Davis was a
second time struck by a musket-ball, through which he lost an eye. By
Major Pasley he was reported to be “a man of extraordinary merit and
abilities, and a most skilful and ingenious artificer.”[199]
-----
Footnote 199:
From his perfect knowledge of the duties of field engineering, he was
known among his comrades by the title of “Sap Major.”
-----
No less distinguished was private Hugh Borland at the second storming.
In placing his ladders he discovered that they were likely to become
useless, from the joints being insecure, and while in the act of binding
the ends together with his braces—an act of supererogation which the
service scarcely contemplated—a ball pierced the root of his tongue and
killed him.
Santa Clara, a rocky island off St. Sebastian, had been taken, and it
was necessary to communicate with the officer of engineers there on a
matter of great importance. It being broad daylight, no boat could
venture across the bay without the certainty of being sunk. Corporal
Thomas Evans therefore volunteered to execute the service. He
immediately stripped himself, tied his cap round his neck with the
despatch in it, and plunging into the stream, performed, under fire from
the castle, this gallant exploit unscathed. The distance to the island
was nearly a mile, and he returned with an answer in about an hour.