TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been
placed at the end of each major section.
A superscript is denoted by ^x or ^{xx}, for example REG^T or 31^{st}.
Basic fractions are displayed as ½ ⅓ ¼ etc; other fractions are shown
in the form a/b, for example 1/25 or 55/144.
Three asterisks * * * indicates text omitted by the author from a
quotation.
The tables in this book are best viewed using a monospace font.
Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book.
[Illustration:
BY COMMAND OF His late Majesty WILLIAM THE IV^{TH}.
_and under the Patronage of_
Her Majesty the Queen.
HISTORICAL RECORDS,
_OF THE_
British Army
_Comprising the_
_History of every Regiment_
_IN HER MAJESTY’S SERVICE_.
_By Richard Cannon Esq^{re}._
_Adjutant Generals Office, Horse Guards._
London.
_Printed by Authority._]
THE THIRTY-FIRST,
OR,
THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.
LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,
FOR HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE.
GENERAL ORDERS.
_HORSE-GUARDS_,
_1st January, 1836_.
His Majesty has been pleased to command that, with the view of
doing the fullest justice to Regiments, as well as to Individuals
who have distinguished themselves by their Bravery in Action with
the Enemy, an Account of the Services of every Regiment in the
British Army shall be published under the superintendence and
direction of the Adjutant-General; and that this Account shall
contain the following particulars, viz.:--
---- The Period and Circumstances of the Original Formation of
the Regiment; The Stations at which it has been from time to time
employed; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations
in which it has been engaged, particularly specifying any
Achievement it may have performed, and the Colours, Trophies,
&c., it may have captured from the Enemy.
---- The Names of the Officers, and the number of
Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates Killed or Wounded by the
Enemy, specifying the place and Date of the Action.
---- The Names of those Officers who, in consideration of their
Gallant Services and Meritorious Conduct in Engagements with the
Enemy, have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other
Marks of His Majesty’s gracious favour.
---- The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers,
and Privates, as may have specially signalized themselves in
Action.
And,
---- The Badges and Devices which the Regiment may have been
permitted to bear, and the Causes on account of which such Badges
or Devices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have been granted.
By Command of the Right Honorable
GENERAL LORD HILL,
_Commanding-in-Chief_.
JOHN MACDONALD,
_Adjutant-General_.
PREFACE.
The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly depend
upon the zeal and ardour by which all who enter into its service
are animated, and consequently it is of the highest importance that
any measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation, by which
alone great and gallant actions are achieved, should be adopted.
Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this desirable
object than a full display of the noble deeds with which the
Military History of our country abounds. To hold forth these bright
examples to the imitation of the youthful soldier, and thus to
incite him to emulate the meritorious conduct of those who have
preceded him in their honorable career, are among the motives that
have given rise to the present publication.
The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced in the
“London Gazette,” from whence they are transferred into the public
prints: the achievements of our armies are thus made known at the
time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute of praise and
admiration to which they are entitled. On extraordinary occasions,
the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on
the Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their
orders, expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill
and bravery; and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour
of their Sovereign’s approbation, constitute the reward which the
soldier most highly prizes.
It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which
appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental armies)
for British Regiments to keep regular records of their services
and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been experienced in
obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, an authentic
account of their origin and subsequent services.
This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His Majesty
having been pleased to command that every Regiment shall, in
future, keep a full and ample record of its services at home and
abroad.
From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth
derive information as to the difficulties and privations which
chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In
Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to
the active concerns, of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce,
and where these pursuits have, for so long a period, been
undisturbed by the _presence of war_, which few other countries
have escaped, comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of
active service and of the casualties of climate, to which, even
during peace, the British Troops are exposed in every part of the
globe, with little or no interval of repose.
In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country
derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist
and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to
reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,--on
their sufferings,--and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which
so many national benefits are obtained and preserved.
The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance,
have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and
their character has been established in Continental warfare by the
irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in
spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and
steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against
superior numbers.
In the official Reports made by the respective Commanders, ample
justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions of the
Corps employed; but the details of their services and of acts of
individual bravery can only be fully given in the Annals of the
various Regiments.
These Records are now preparing for publication, under His
Majesty’s special authority, by Mr. RICHARD CANNON, Principal Clerk
of the Adjutant-General’s Office; and while the perusal of them
cannot fail to be useful and interesting to military men of every
rank, it is considered that they will also afford entertainment and
information to the general reader, particularly to those who may
have served in the Army, or who have relatives in the Service.
There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or
are serving, in the Army, an _Esprit de Corps_--an attachment
to everything belonging to their Regiment; to such persons a
narrative of the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove
interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions of the great, the
valiant, the loyal, have always been of paramount interest with
a brave and civilized people. Great Britain has produced a race
of heroes who, in moments of danger and terror, have stood “firm
as the rocks of their native shore:” and when half the world has
been arrayed against them, they have fought the battles of their
Country with unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of
achievements in war,--victories so complete and surprising, gained
by our countrymen, our brothers, our fellow-citizens in arms,--a
record which revives the memory of the brave, and brings their
gallant deeds before us,--will certainly prove acceptable to the
public.
Biographical Memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished
Officers will be introduced in the Records of their respective
Regiments, and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from time to
time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying the value
and importance of its services, will be faithfully set forth.
As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record of each Regiment
will be printed in a distinct number, so that when the whole shall
be completed, the Parts may be bound up in numerical succession.
INTRODUCTION
TO
THE INFANTRY.
The natives of Britain have, at all periods, been celebrated for
innate courage and unshaken firmness, and the national superiority
of the British troops over those of other countries has been
evinced in the midst of the most imminent perils. History contains
so many proofs of extraordinary acts of bravery, that no doubts can
be raised upon the facts which are recorded. It must therefore be
admitted, that the distinguishing feature of the British soldier is
INTREPIDITY. This quality was evinced by the inhabitants of England
when their country was invaded by Julius Cæsar with a Roman army,
on which occasion the undaunted Britons rushed into the sea to
attack the Roman soldiers as they descended from their ships; and,
although their discipline and arms were inferior to those of their
adversaries, yet their fierce and dauntless bearing intimidated
the flower of the Roman troops, including Cæsar’s favourite tenth
legion. Their arms consisted of spears, short swords, and other
weapons of rude construction. They had chariots, to the axles of
which were fastened sharp pieces of iron resembling scythe-blades,
and infantry in long chariots resembling waggons, who alighted
and fought on foot, and for change of ground, pursuit or retreat,
sprang into the chariot and drove off with the speed of cavalry.
These inventions were, however, unavailing against Cæsar’s
legions: in the course of time a military system, with discipline
and subordination, was introduced, and British courage, being
thus regulated, was exerted to the greatest advantage; a full
development of the national character followed, and it shone forth
in all its native brilliancy.
The military force of the Anglo-Saxons consisted principally of
infantry: Thanes, and other men of property, however, fought on
horseback. The infantry were of two classes, heavy and light. The
former carried large shields armed with spikes, long broad swords
and spears; and the latter were armed with swords or spears only.
They had also men armed with clubs, others with battle-axes and
javelins.
The feudal troops established by William the Conqueror consisted
(as already stated in the Introduction to the Cavalry) almost
entirely of horse; but when the warlike barons and knights, with
their trains of tenants and vassals, took the field, a proportion
of men appeared on foot, and, although these were of inferior
degree, they proved stout-hearted Britons of stanch fidelity. When
stipendiary troops were employed, infantry always constituted a
considerable portion of the military force; and this _arme_ has
since acquired, in every quarter of the globe, a celebrity never
exceeded by the armies of any nation at any period.
The weapons carried by the infantry, during the several reigns
succeeding the Conquest, were bows and arrows, half-pikes, lances,
halberds, various kinds of battle-axes, swords, and daggers. Armour
was worn on the head and body, and in course of time the practice
became general for military men to be so completely cased in steel,
that it was almost impossible to slay them.
The introduction of the use of gunpowder in the destructive
purposes of war, in the early part of the fourteenth
century, produced a change in the arms and equipment of the
infantry-soldier. Bows and arrows gave place to various kinds of
fire-arms, but British archers continued formidable adversaries;
and, owing to the inconvenient construction and imperfect bore of
the fire-arms when first introduced, a body of men, well trained
in the use of the bow from their youth, was considered a valuable
acquisition to every army, even as late as the sixteenth century.
During a great part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth each company
of infantry usually consisted of men armed five different ways; in
every hundred men forty were “_men-at-arms_,” and sixty “_shot_;”
the “men-at-arms” were ten halberdiers, or battle-axe men, and
thirty pikemen; and the “shot” were twenty archers, twenty
musketeers, and twenty harquebusiers, and each man carried, besides
his principal weapon, a sword and dagger.
Companies of infantry varied at this period in numbers from 150
to 300 men; each company had a colour or ensign, and the mode of
formation recommended by an English military writer (Sir John
Smithe) in 1590 was:--the colour in the centre of the company
guarded by the halberdiers; the pikemen in equal proportions, on
each flank of the halberdiers: half the musketeers on each flank
of the pikes; half the archers on each flank of the musketeers,
and the harquebusiers (whose arms were much lighter than the
muskets then in use) in equal proportions on each flank of the
company for skirmishing.[1] It was customary to unite a number
of companies into one body, called a REGIMENT, which frequently
amounted to three thousand men: but each company continued to carry
a colour. Numerous improvements were eventually introduced in the
construction of fire-arms, and, it having been found impossible to
make armour proof against the muskets then in use (which carried
a very heavy ball) without its being too weighty for the soldier,
armour was gradually laid aside by the infantry in the seventeenth
century: bows and arrows also fell into disuse, and the infantry
were reduced to two classes, viz.: _musketeers_, armed with
matchlock muskets, swords, and daggers; and _pikemen_, armed with
pikes from fourteen to eighteen feet long, and swords.
In the early part of the seventeenth century Gustavus Adolphus,
King of Sweden, reduced the strength of regiments to 1000 men. He
caused the gunpowder, which had heretofore been carried in flasks,
or in small wooden bandoliers, each containing a charge, to be
made up into cartridges, and carried in pouches; and he formed
each regiment into two wings of musketeers, and a centre division
of pikemen. He also adopted the practice of forming four regiments
into a brigade; and the number of colours was afterwards reduced to
three in each regiment. He formed his columns so compactly that his
infantry could resist the charge of the celebrated Polish horsemen
and Austrian cuirassiers; and his armies became the admiration of
other nations. His mode of formation was copied by the English,
French, and other European states; but so great was the prejudice
in favour of ancient customs, that all his improvements were not
adopted until near a century afterwards.
In 1664 King Charles II. raised a corps for sea-service, styled
the Admiral’s regiment. In 1678 each company of 100 men usually
consisted of 30 pikemen, 60 musketeers, and 10 men armed with light
firelocks. In this year the King added a company of men armed with
hand grenades to each of the old British regiments, which was
designated the “grenadier company.” Daggers were so contrived as to
fit in the muzzles of the muskets, and bayonets, similar to those
at present in use, were adopted about twenty years afterwards.
An Ordnance regiment was raised in 1685, by order of King James
II., to guard the artillery, and was designated the Royal Fusiliers
(now 7th Foot). This corps, and the companies of grenadiers, did
not carry pikes.
King William III. incorporated the Admiral’s regiment in the second
Foot Guards, and raised two Marine regiments for sea-service.
During the war in this reign, each company of infantry (excepting
the fusiliers and grenadiers) consisted of 14 pikemen and 46
musketeers; the captains carried pikes; lieutenants, partisans;
ensigns, half-pikes; and serjeants, halberds. After the peace in
1697 the Marine regiments were disbanded, but were again formed on
the breaking out of the war in 1702.[2]
During the reign of Queen Anne the pikes were laid aside, and every
infantry soldier was armed with a musket, bayonet, and sword; the
grenadiers ceased, about the same period, to carry hand grenades;
and the regiments were directed to lay aside their third colour:
the corps of Royal Artillery was first added to the Army in this
reign.
About the year 1745, the men of the battalion companies of infantry
ceased to carry swords; during the reign of George II. light
companies were added to infantry regiments; and in 1764 a Board of
General Officers recommended that the grenadiers should lay aside
their swords, as that weapon had never been used during the Seven
Years’ War. Since that period the arms of the infantry soldier have
been limited to the musket and bayonet.
The arms and equipment of the British Troops have seldom differed
materially, since the Conquest, from those of other European
states; and in some respects the arming has, at certain periods,
been allowed to be inferior to that of the nations with whom they
have had to contend; yet, under this disadvantage, the bravery and
superiority of the British infantry have been evinced on very many
and most trying occasions, and splendid victories have been gained
over very superior numbers.
Great Britain has produced a race of lion-like champions who have
dared to confront a host of foes, and have proved themselves
valiant with any arms. At _Crecy_, King Edward III., at the head
of about 30,000 men, defeated, on the 26th of August, 1346, Philip
King of France, whose army is said to have amounted to 100,000
men; here British valour encountered veterans of renown:--the
King of Bohemia, the King of Majorca, and many princes and nobles
were slain, and the French army was routed and cut to pieces. Ten
years afterwards, Edward Prince of Wales, who was designated the
Black Prince, defeated, at _Poictiers_, with 14,000 men, a French
army of 60,000 horse, besides infantry, and took John I., King of
France, and his son Philip, prisoners. On the 25th of October,
1415, King Henry V., with an army of about 13,000 men, although
greatly exhausted by marches, privations, and sickness, defeated,
at _Agincourt_, the Constable of France, at the head of the flower
of the French nobility and an army said to amount to 60,000 men,
and gained a complete victory.
During the seventy years’ war between the United Provinces of the
Netherlands and the Spanish monarchy, which commenced in 1578 and
terminated in 1648, the British infantry in the service of the
States-General were celebrated for their unconquerable spirit and
firmness;[3] and in the thirty years’ War between the Protestant
Princes and the Emperor of Germany, the British Troops in the
service of Sweden and other states were celebrated for deeds of
heroism.[4] In the wars of Queen Anne, the fame of the British
army under the great MARLBOROUGH was spread throughout the world;
and if we glance at the achievements performed within the memory
of persons now living, there is abundant proof that the Britons
of the present age are not inferior to their ancestors in the
qualities which constitute good soldiers. Witness the deeds of
the brave men, of whom there are many now surviving, who fought in
Egypt in 1801, under the brave Abercromby, and compelled the French
army, which had been vainly styled _Invincible_, to evacuate that
country; also the services of the gallant Troops during the arduous
campaigns in the Peninsula, under the immortal WELLINGTON; and
the determined stand made by the British Army at Waterloo, where
Napoleon Bonaparte, who had long been the inveterate enemy of Great
Britain, and had sought and planned her destruction by every means
he could devise, was compelled to leave his vanquished legions to
their fate, and to place himself at the disposal of the British
Government. These achievements, with others of recent dates in the
distant climes of India, prove that the same valour and constancy
which glowed in the breasts of the heroes of Crecy, Poictiers,
Agincourt, Blenheim, and Ramilies, continue to animate the Britons
of the nineteenth century.
The British Soldier is distinguished for a robust and muscular
frame,--intrepidity which no danger can appal,--unconquerable
spirit and resolution,--patience in fatigue and privation, and
cheerful obedience to his superiors. These qualities,--united with
an excellent system of order and discipline to regulate and give
a skilful direction to the energies and adventurous spirit of
the hero, and a wise selection of officers of superior talent to
command, whose presence inspires confidence,--have been the leading
causes of the splendid victories gained by the British arms.[5]
The fame of the deeds of the past and present generations in the
various battle-fields where the robust sons of Albion have fought
and conquered, surrounds the British arms with a halo of glory;
these achievements will live in the page of history to the end of
time.
The records of the several regiments will be found to contain a
detail of facts of an interesting character, connected with the
hardships, sufferings, and gallant exploits of British soldiers in
the various parts of the world, where the calls of their Country
and the commands of their Sovereign have required them to proceed
in the execution of their duty, whether in active continental
operations, or in maintaining colonial territories in distant and
unfavourable climes.
The superiority of the British infantry has been pre-eminently set
forth in the wars of six centuries, and admitted by the greatest
commanders which Europe has produced. The formations and movements
of this _arme_, as at present practised, while they are adapted
to every species of warfare, and to all probable situations and
circumstances of service, are well suited to show forth the
brilliancy of military tactics calculated upon mathematical and
scientific principles. Although the movements and evolutions have
been copied from the continental armies, yet various improvements
have from time to time been introduced, to ensure that simplicity
and celerity by which the superiority of the national military
character is maintained. The rank and influence which Great Britain
has attained among the nations of the world have in a great measure
been purchased by the valour of the Army, and to persons who have
the welfare of their country at heart the records of the several
regiments cannot fail to prove interesting.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] A company of 200 men would appear thus:--
__|
| |
|__|
|
20 20 20 30 2|0 30 20 20 20
|
Harquebuses. Muskets. Halberds. Muskets. Harquebuses.
Archers. Pikes. Pikes. Archers.
The musket carried a ball which weighed 1/10th of a pound; and the
harquebus a ball which weighed 1/25th of a pound.
[2] The 30th, 31st, and 32nd Regiments were formed as Marine corps
in 1702, and were employed as such during the wars in the reign
of Queen Anne. The Marine corps were embarked in the Fleet under
Admiral Sir George Rooke, and were at the taking of Gibraltar, and
in its subsequent defence in 1704; they were afterwards employed at
the siege of Barcelona in 1705.
[3] The brave Sir Roger Williams, in his Discourse on War, printed
in 1590, observes:--“I persuade myself ten thousand of our nation
would beat thirty thousand of theirs (the Spaniards) out of the
field, let them be chosen where they list.” Yet at this time the
Spanish infantry was allowed to be the best disciplined in Europe.
For instances of valour displayed by the British Infantry during
the Seventy Years’ War, see the Historical Record of the Third
Foot, or Buffs.
[4] _Vide_ the Historical Record of the First, or Royal Regiment of
Foot.
[5] “Under the blessing of Divine Providence, His Majesty ascribes
the successes which have attended the exertions of his troops in
Egypt to that determined bravery which is inherent in Britons; but
His Majesty desires it may be most solemnly and forcibly impressed
on the consideration of every part of the army, that it has been a
strict observance of order, discipline, and military system, which
has given the full energy to the native valour of the troops, and
has enabled them proudly to assert the superiority of the national
military character, in situations uncommonly arduous, and under
circumstances of peculiar difficulty.”--_General Orders in 1801._
In the General Orders issued by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope
(afterwards Lord Hopetoun), congratulating the army upon the
successful result of the Battle of Corunna, on the 16th of January,
1809, it is stated:--“On no occasion has the undaunted valour of
British troops ever been more manifest. At the termination of a
severe and harassing march, rendered necessary by the superiority
which the enemy had acquired, and which had materially impaired
the efficiency of the troops, many disadvantages were to be
encountered. These have all been surmounted by the conduct of the
troops themselves; and the enemy has been taught, that, whatever
advantages of position or of numbers he may possess, there is
inherent in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows
not how to yield,--that no circumstances can appal,--and that will
ensure victory, when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any
human means.”
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE THIRTY-FIRST,
OR,
THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT;
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
IN 1702,
AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
TO 1850;
TO WHICH IS APPENDED,
An ACCOUNT of the SERVICES of the MARINE CORPS,
from 1664 to 1748;
The THIRTIETH, THIRTY-FIRST, and THIRTY-SECOND Regiments having been
formed in 1702 as _Marine Corps_, and retained from 1714 on the
Establishment of the Army as Regiments of Regular Infantry.
COMPILED BY
RICHARD CANNON, ESQ.
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE, HORSE GUARDS
ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES
LONDON:
PARKER, FURNIVALL, & PARKER,
30, CHARING CROSS.
1850.
THE THIRTY-FIRST
OR,
THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT,
BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR AND APPOINTMENTS
THE WORDS “TALAVERA,” “ALBUHERA,” “VITTORIA,” “PYRENEES,”
“NIVELLE,” “NIVE,” “ORTHES,” AND “PENINSULA.”
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE SERVICES OF THE SECOND BATTALION
DURING THE “PENINSULAR WAR,” FROM 1809 TO 1814.
ALSO
THE WORD “CABOOL, 1842.”
FOR THE DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT OF THE REGIMENT DURING
THE SECOND CAMPAIGN IN AFFGHANISTAN IN THE YEAR 1842;
AND THE WORDS
“MOODKEE,” “FEROZESHAH,” “ALIWAL,” AND “SOBRAON,”
IN TESTIMONY OF ITS GALLANTRY IN THOSE BATTLES DURING THE
CAMPAIGN ON THE BANKS OF THE SUTLEJ, FROM DECEMBER 1845,
TO FEBRUARY 1846.
THE
THIRTY-FIRST,
OR,
THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.
CONTENTS
OF THE
HISTORICAL RECORD.
Year Page
1701 Introduction 1
1702 Decease of King William III., and accession of
Her Majesty Queen Anne 2
---- Certain Regiments of Marines raised --
---- Formation of the THIRTY-FIRST as a Regiment of
_Marines_ --
---- Colonel George Villiers appointed Colonel of the
Regiment --
---- Names of the Officers 3
---- _War of the Spanish Succession_ --
---- The Earl of Marlborough appointed to the command of
the troops in Flanders --
---- Expedition to the coast of Spain under the Duke of
Ormond 4
---- The THIRTY-FIRST and other regiments embarked for
Cadiz --
---- Capture of the combined French and Spanish fleets at
Vigo 5
---- The troops under the Duke of Ormond returned to
England 6
1703 The THIRTY-FIRST Regiment stationed at Plymouth 7
---- Decease of Colonel Villiers --
---- Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Lutterell appointed Colonel
of the Regiment --
1704 Services of the THIRTY-FIRST Regiment on board the
fleet under Admiral Sir George Rooke --
---- Unsuccessful attempt on _Barcelona_ --
---- Capture of Gibraltar --
---- The Spanish and French armaments defeated in their
attempts to retake _Gibraltar_ 8
1705 Operations against Barcelona --
---- Capture of Fort Montjuich --
---- The Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt killed --
---- Surrender of the Garrison of Barcelona --
1706 Decease of Colonel Lutterell --
---- Lieut.-Colonel Josiah Churchill appointed Colonel
of the Regiment --
---- Barcelona besieged by the French 9
---- Barcelona relieved by the English and Dutch fleet --
---- The allied fleet proceeded to the coast of Valencia --
---- Capture of _Carthagena_ and _Alicant_ --
---- Surrender of _Iviça_ and _Majorca_ --
1707 Attack upon _Toulon_ --
---- The siege of _Toulon_ raised 10
1708 Capture of _Sardinia_ --
---- ---- ---- _Minorca_ 11
1709 Capture of _Port Royal_, in Nova Scotia --
---- The Fortress named _Anna-polis_ Royal, in honor of
Queen Anne 12
---- _Alicant_ recovered by the enemy 13
1710 The _Isle of Cette_ taken by the British, and
afterwards recaptured by the French --
1711 Retirement of Colonel Churchill 14
---- Lieut.-Colonel Sir Harry Goring, Bart., promoted
Colonel of the Regiment --
---- Charles III., the claimant to the Spanish throne,
elected Emperor of Germany, and its effect upon
the war --
1712 Negociations for Peace --
1713 Treaty of Utrecht --
---- Reductions in the Army and Navy 15
1714 Decease of Queen Anne --
---- Accession of King George I. --
---- Augmentation of the Army, to counteract the designs
of the Pretender --
---- The _Thirtieth_, THIRTY-FIRST, and _Thirty-second_
Regiments, which had been ordered to be disbanded,
retained on the establishment, and incorporated
with the regiments of the line --
---- Authorized to take rank in the Army from the date of
original formation in 1702 --
1715 Disaffection of the Earl of Mar 16
---- Rebellion in Scotland in favor of the Pretender --
---- BATTLE OF SHERIFFMUIR --
---- Surrender of the Rebels at Preston --
---- Arrival in Scotland of the Pretender 17
1716 His flight to France --
---- Suppression of the Rebellion 18
---- The THIRTY-FIRST embarked for Ireland --
---- Retirement of Colonel Sir Harry Goring --
---- Lord John Kerr appointed Colonel of the Regiment --
1727 Decease of King George I. --
---- Accession of King George II. --
1728 Decease of Major-General Lord John Kerr --
---- Colonel the Honorable Charles Cathcart appointed
Colonel of the Regiment --
1731 Colonel the Honorable Charles Cathcart removed to
the Eighth Dragoons 18
---- Colonel William Hargrave appointed Colonel of the
THIRTY-FIRST Regiment --
1737 Colonel Hargrave removed to the Ninth Regiment --
---- Colonel William Handasyd appointed Colonel of the
THIRTY-FIRST Regiment --
1739 Removal of the Regiment from Ireland to Great
Britain 19
---- Spanish depredations in America --
---- War declared against Spain --
1740 _War of the Austrian Succession_ --
1741 The Regiment encamped at Windsor and on Lexden
Heath 21
1742 Embarked for Flanders as _Auxiliaries_ --
1743 Marched towards the Rhine 22
---- BATTLE OF DETTINGEN 23
---- The Battle compared with other victories 24
1744 Declaration of War against France 25
1745 Decease of Colonel Handasyd --
---- Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk appointed Colonel of
the Regiment --
---- Investment of Tournay by Marshal Saxe --
---- BATTLE OF FONTENOY 26
---- Surrender of Tournay to the French 27
---- Skirmish at _La Mésle_, near Ghent 28
---- Rebellion in Scotland, headed by Prince Charles
Edward --
---- Return of the THIRTY-FIRST and other Regiments
to England --
---- The Regiment stationed in the vicinity of London 29
1746 BATTLE OF CULLODEN --
---- Escape of Prince Charles Edward to France --
1747 BATTLE OF LAFFELD, OR VAL 29
1748 Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle --
1749 Retirement of Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk 30
---- Colonel Henry Holmes appointed Colonel of the
Regiment --
---- The Regiment embarked for Minorca 30
1751 Regulations prescribed by Royal Warrant for
establishing uniformity in the clothing,
standards, and colours of regiments, &c. --
1752 The Regiment returned from Minorca to England --
1755 Proceeded to Scotland --
1756 _The Seven Years’ War_ --
---- War declared against France 30
---- Capture of Minorca by the French 31
---- Augmentations in the Army and Navy --
---- The Second Battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST
constituted the _Seventieth_ Regiment --
1759 Summary of the occurrences of the War --
1762 War declared against Spain 32
---- Capture of _Martinique_, _Grenada_, _St. Vincent_,
and other West India Islands, by the British --
---- Peace of Fontainebleau --
---- The Regiment removed from Scotland to England --
---- Decease of Lieut.-General Holmes --
---- Colonel James Adolphus Oughton appointed Colonel of
the Regiment --
1765 The Regiment embarked for Florida 33
---- Suffered severely from yellow fever --
1772 Embarked for St. Vincent 34
---- Engaged in reducing the Caribs --
1774 Termination of the Carib War 35
---- The Regiment returned to England --
1775 Stationed in North Britain --
1775 _War of American Independence_ 35
1776 The Regiment embarked for Canada with the
---- Troops under Major-General Burgoyne --
---- Defence of Quebec against the American Army --
---- Defence of the British Post at _Trois Rivières_ --
---- Declaration of Independence by the American Congress 36
---- Operations on Lake Champlain --
1777 The flank companies of the THIRTY-FIRST and other
regiments proceed on an expedition under
Major-General Burgoyne 37
---- Capture of _Ticonderago_ --
---- Action at _Skenesborough_ --
---- Action near _Castleton_ --
---- Pursuit of the Americans to Fort Anne and Fort Edward 38
---- Action at Stillwater 39
---- Lieut.-General Burgoyne is compelled to capitulate
to General Gates 40
---- Convention of Saratoga --
1778 Aid rendered by France to the Americans 41
1780 Decease of Lieut.-General Sir James Oughton --
---- Major-General Thomas Clarke appointed Colonel of
the Regiment --
1781 The battalion companies, which remained in Canada,
joined by the _flank_ companies --
---- The _light_ company engaged in effecting the
destruction of military stores at Ticonderago --
1782 The Independence of the United States acknowledged
by King George III. 42
---- The THIRTY-FIRST styled the HUNTINGDONSHIRE
Regiment --
1783 Treaty of Peace between England, France, and Spain 43
---- Peace concluded with Holland --
1787 The Regiment embarked at Quebec for England 43
---- Stationed in Great Britain --
1789 Commencement of the French Revolution --
---- Preparations for War with Spain 44
1790 The THIRTY-FIRST embarked on board the fleet to
perform its _original service_ of MARINES --
---- Convention with Spain --
1791 Disturbances in the Manufacturing Districts 45
1792 Lieut.-General Thomas Clarke removed to the
Thirtieth Regiment --
---- Major-General James Stuart appointed Colonel of
the Regiment --
---- The Regiment embarked for Ireland --
1793 Decease of Major-General Stuart --
---- Colonel Lord Mulgrave appointed Colonel of the
Regiment --
---- Progress of events in France --
---- War with France --
---- The _flank_ companies embarked for Barbadoes --
1794 Capture of _Martinique_, _St. Lucia_, and
_Guadaloupe_ 46
---- A French Armament sent to retake _Guadaloupe_ 47
---- Gallant defence of _Guadaloupe_ by the British --
---- The Garrison of _Berville Camp_ surrendered to
the French --
---- Return of the Troops at _Guadaloupe_ 48
---- Evacuation of _Fort Matilda_ by the British 49
---- The Regiment proceeded from Ireland to England --
---- Embarked for Holland --
1795 Returned to England --
---- Joined the Camp formed at Nursling, near Southampton --
---- Embarked for the West Indies --
---- Delayed by storms and contrary winds 50
1796 Disembarked at Gosport 51
---- Embarked for St. Lucia --
---- Engaged in the capture of that Island 52
---- Employed against the Caribs in St. Lucia 53
1797 Returned to England 54
1799 Augmented by volunteers from the Militia 55
---- Embarked for Holland, as part of the Army under the
Duke of York 56
---- Engaged in the Action at _Alkmaar_ --
---- Attack on the French position between _Bergen_ and
_Egmont-op-Zee_ 58
---- Occupation of _Alkmaar_ by the British Troops 59
---- Action near _Alkmaar_ --
---- Withdrawal of the British Troops from Holland 60
---- Regiment arrived in England --
1800 Embarked for Ireland --
---- Expedition to the coast of France under Brigadier
the Honorable Sir Thomas Maitland --
---- Joined the expedition under Lieut.-General Sir
James Pulteney destined for the coast of Spain --
---- Landed at _Ferrol_ --
---- Sailed to _Vigo_ 61
---- Proceeded to _Cadiz_ --
---- Embarked for Gibraltar --
---- Expedition to _Egypt_ --
1801 The THIRTY-FIRST proceeded to Lisbon, and
subsequently to Minorca --
1802 Deliverance of Egypt from the French Troops 62
---- Peace of Amiens --
---- The Regiment embarked at Minorca for England --
1803 Removed to Jersey --
---- Gallant conduct of a Private Soldier of the
THIRTY-FIRST Regiment --
1803 Renewal of the War with France 63
---- Preparations for the defence of England from the
menace of French Invasion --
1804 A _second battalion_ added to the Regiment 64
---- The Regiment embarked for England --
---- War declared by Spain against Great Britain --
1805 The _second_ battalion proceeded from Chester, and
joined the first battalion at Winchester --
1806 Employed on the occasion of the Funeral of Admiral
Viscount Nelson 65
---- The _first battalion_ embarked for Sicily --
1807 Proceeded on the Expedition to Egypt under
Major-General Fraser 66
---- Attacked by the Turks at Rosetta 67
---- Egypt evacuated by the British 68
---- Return of the troops to Sicily --
1808 The _first battalion_ embarked for Malta --
1810 Returned to Sicily --
1811 Proceeded to Malta 69
---- Returned to Sicily --
1812 The _grenadier_ company embarked for the east
coast of Spain --
1813 Returned to Sicily --
1814 The _first battalion_ proceeded on an expedition
to Italy 70
---- Disembarked at Leghorn --
---- Actions at _Sestri_ and _Recco_ --
---- Action at _La Sturla_, on the heights of _Albaro_ 71
---- Gallantry of the _first battalion_ 72
---- Occupation of _Genoa_ 73
---- The first battalion embarked for _Corsica_ --
---- Returned to Sicily 74
---- Treaty of Peace with France --
---- The _second battalion_ disbanded --
---- Honorary Distinctions acquired by the Regiment --
1815 Return of Napoleon Bonaparte to France, and Renewal
of the War 75
---- The Regiment embarked for Naples --
---- BATTLE OF WATERLOO 76
---- Termination of the War --
---- The Regiment embarked for Genoa --
1816 Embarked for Malta --
1818 Returned to England --
1819 Disturbed state of the Manufacturing Districts --
---- The Thanks of the Sovereign and of the Magistrates
conveyed to the THIRTY-FIRST and other Corps
employed at Manchester 77
1821 The Regiment embarked for Ireland 78
1824 Returned to England 79
1825 Embarked for Calcutta --
---- Destruction of the “_Kent_” East Indiaman by fire
in the Bay of Biscay 80
---- Gallant conduct of the _right wing_, embarked in
the “_Kent_” during the conflagration 81
---- Names of the Officers, and the number of the men,
women, and children, saved by the ships “_Cambria_”
and “_Caroline_” 82
---- Letter from the Adjutant-General to Lieut.-Colonel
Fearon, commanding the THIRTY-FIRST, expressive
of the Commander-in-Chief’s approbation of the
courage and discipline displayed by the _right_
wing of the regiment during the burning of the
“_Kent_” 88
---- Further particulars relating to this calamity 89
---- Part of the _right wing_ re-embarked for India 92
---- Joined the _left wing_ at Berhampore --
1826 Another detachment embarked for India 93
---- The Regiment marched to Meerut 94
---- Presentation of New Colours to the Regiment by
Lady Amherst 95
1831 Marched to Kurna 96
---- Decease of General the Earl of Mulgrave 97
---- General Sir Henry Warde, G.C.B., appointed Colonel
of the Regiment --
---- Interview between the Governor-General of India,
Lord William Bentinck, and Runjeet Singh, the
Sovereign of the Punjaub 98
---- The Regiment formed part of the Governor-General’s
Escort --
---- Detail of the Proceedings on the Sutlej 99
---- The Regiment returned to Kurnaul --
1834 Decease of General Sir Henry Warde 100
---- Lieut.-General Sir Edward Barnes, G.C.B.,
appointed Colonel of the Regiment --
1836 The Regiment marched to Dinapore --
1838 Decease of General Sir Edward Barnes 101
---- Lieut.-General Sir Colin Halkett, K.C.B.,
appointed Colonel of the Regiment --
---- The Regiment marched to Ghazeepore --
1840 Marched to Agra 102
1841 Insurrection at Cabool 103
1842 The Regiment marched to Peshawur to join the army
under Major-General Pollock, destined to proceed
to Cabool --
---- Arrival of the army at Jellalabad 104
---- The Regiment marched to _Peshbolak_ to attack
the Shinwarees 105
---- Action at _Mazeena_ 107
---- Passage of the _Jugdulluck Pass_ 109
---- Action at _Tezeen_ 110
---- Advance on Cabool 112
---- Occupation of the Bala Hissar 113
---- Release of the Officers, Ladies, and Soldiers, taken
prisoners by the Affghans, at the commencement of
the insurrection --
1842 Return of the Army to India 113
---- Action at the _Jugdulluck Pass_ 114
---- Skirmishes in the Passes between _Tezeen_ and
_Gundamuck_ --
---- Arrival of the troops at Jellalabad 115
---- Marched to Peshawur --
---- Honors rendered to the troops on arrival at
Ferozepore --
---- Authorized to bear the word “CABOOL, 1842,” on the
Regimental Colour and Appointments --
---- The Regiment marched to Umballa --
---- Expedition to Khytul 116
---- Outbreak at Lahore --
1843 The Regiment marched to Ferozepore --
1844 Returned to Umballa 117
1845 Disturbed state of the Punjaub --
---- Sikh invasion of the British Territories in India 118
---- The Regiment marched from Umballa to join the
Ferozepore Field force 119
---- BATTLE OF MOODKEE 120
---- ---- ---- FEROZESHAH 126
1846 The Regiment marched towards Loodiana with the
troops under Major-General Sir Henry Smith 136
---- The Fort of _Dhurrumkote_ captured from the Sikhs 137
---- Action at _Buddiwal_ --
---- BATTLE OF ALIWAL 138
---- Return of the troops under Major-General Sir Henry
Smith to the head-quarters of the Army 145
---- BATTLE OF SOBRAON --
---- Advance of the Army on Lahore 156
---- Occupation of the City 158
1846 Orders received for the Regiment to return to Europe 159
---- Embarked for Calcutta 163
---- Review of the Punjaub Campaign 165
---- Honors conferred on the “_Army of the Sutlej_” 167
---- General Lord Gough’s farewell order to the Regiment 172
---- Embarked for England 174
---- Reception on arrival 175
---- Letter to Lieut.-Colonel Spence, from General Sir
Colin Halkett, reviewing the services of the
Regiment 177
---- Stationed at Walmer 182
1847 Authorized to bear on the Regimental Colour and
Appointments the words “MOODKEE,” “FEROZESHAH,”
“ALIWAL,” and “SOBRAON” 183
---- General Sir Colin Halkett G.C.B., removed to the
forty-fifth Regiment --
---- Lieut.-General the Honorable Henry Otway Trevor
appointed Colonel of the THIRTY-FIRST Regiment --
---- The Regiment removed to Manchester --
1848 Embarked for Ireland --
---- Presentation of New Colours by Major-General His
Royal Highness the Prince George of Cambridge 184
1849 Stationed at Athlone 186
1850 Removed to Dublin --
---- Presentation of a Testimonial to Lieut.-Colonel
Spence on his retirement --
---- CONCLUSION --
CONTENTS
OF
THE HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SECOND BATTALION
OF
THE THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
Year Page
1804 Projected French invasion of England 187
1805 Formation of the _Second_ Battalion of the
THIRTY-FIRST Regiment at Chester --
---- Marched from Chester to Winchester --
1806 Proceeded to Gosport 188
1807 Embarked for Guernsey --
---- Proceeded to Ireland --
1808 Joined the force assembled at Falmouth under the
command of Lieut.-General Sir David Baird --
---- Sailed for Portugal 189
---- Marched to reinforce the army in Spain under
Lieut.-General Sir John Moore --
1809 The intended advance countermanded --
---- BATTLE OF CORUNNA 190
---- Arrival of Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley at
Lisbon, and his appointment to the command of the
army in the Peninsula --
---- The _second_ battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST
marched towards Oporto 191
---- Passage of the _Douro_ --
1809 Arrived at Oropesa 191
---- BATTLE OF TALAVERA 192
---- Authorized to bear the word “TALAVERA” on the
Regimental Colour and Appointments 193
---- Stationed at Abrantes 194
1810 Marched to Portalegre --
---- Encamped between the Estrella and the Tagus 195
---- BATTLE OF BUSACO --
---- Marched on Thomar --
---- Skirmishes near _Alhandra_ 196
1811 Pursuit of Marshal Massena --
---- Siege of Olivenza and Badajoz --
---- BATTLE OF ALBUHERA 197
---- Authorized to bear the word “ALBUHERA” on the
Regimental Colour and Appointments 199
---- _Second_ siege of _Badajoz_ --
---- Affair at _Arroyo dos Molinos_ 200
---- Stationed at Merida --
1812 Siege of _Ciudad Rodrigo_ --
---- _Third_ siege of _Badajoz_ --
---- Capture of _Badajoz_ 201
---- Attack on the French works at _Almaraz_ --
---- Operations against General Drouet 202
---- Siege of the _Castle of Burgos_ 203
---- Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s division, of
which the _second_ battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST
formed part, cantoned at Coria and Placentia 204
1813 Advance upon _Burgos_ and _Vittoria_ --
---- BATTLE OF VITTORIA --
---- Authorized to bear the word “VITTORIA” on the
Regimental Colour and Appointments 205
---- Siege of Pampeluna 206
---- The French dislodged from the valley of _Bastan_ --
---- Action in the _Pass of Roncesvalles_ --
1813 Engaged on the heights at _Pampeluna_ 206
---- Authorized to bear the word “PYRENEES” on the
Regimental Colour and Appointments 207
---- Capture of a French convoy at _Elizondo_ --
---- Capture of _St. Sebastian_ and _Pampeluna_ --
---- March of the Allied Army to the French side of the
Pyrenees --
---- Engaged in the Pass of _Maya_ --
---- Passage of the _Nivelle_ --
---- Authorized to bear the word “NIVELLE” on the
Regimental Colour and Appointments 208
---- Passage of the _Nive_ --
---- Action at _St. Pierre_, near Bayonne 209
---- Authorized to bear the word “NIVE” on the
Regimental Colour and Appointments 210
1814 Action on the heights of _Garris_ --
---- BATTLE OF ORTHES 211
---- Authorized to bear the word “ORTHES” on the
Regimental Colour and Appointments --
---- Action at _Aire_ --
---- BATTLE OF TOULOUSE --
---- Sortie from _Bayonne_ 212
---- Termination of the _Peninsular War_ --
---- The second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST Regiment
marched to Bourdeaux --
---- Embarked for Ireland --
---- Authorized to bear the word “PENINSULA” on the
Regimental Colour and Appointments --
---- Proceeded to Portsmouth 213
---- Disbanded --
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF
THE THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
Page
1702 George Villiers 215
1703 Alexander Lutterell --
1706 Josiah Churchill --
1711 Sir Harry Goring, Bart. 216
1716 Lord John Kerr --
1728 The Honorable Charles Cathcart --
1731 William Hargrave 217
1737 William Handasyd --
1745 Lord Henry Beauclerk 218
1749 Henry Holmes --
1762 Sir James Adolphus Oughton --
1780 Thomas Clarke --
1792 James Stuart 219
1793 Henry, Earl of Mulgrave, G.C.B. --
1831 Sir Henry Warde, G.C.B. 220
1834 Sir Edward Barnes, G.C.B. 221
1838 Sir Colin Halkett, G.C.B. 222
1847 Honorable Henry Otway Trevor, C.B. --
APPENDIX.
Page
List of Battles, Sieges, &c., in Germany and the Netherlands,
from 1743 to 1748, during the “_War of the Austrian
Succession_” 223
List of British Regiments which served in Flanders and
Germany, between the years 1742 and 1748, during the “_War
of the Austrian Succession_” 224
Memoir of the services of Colonel Bolton, C.B. 225
Memoir of the services of Lieut.-Colonel Skinner, C.B. 226
Memoir of the services of Major Baldwin 230
PLATES.
Present Colours of the Regiment _to face page_ 1
Wreck of the _Kent_ East India Ship 80
Battle of Ferozeshah 128
Battle of Sobraon 152
Monument erected in Canterbury Cathedral, to the memory
of the Officers and Soldiers of the THIRTY-FIRST Regiment,
who were killed during the campaign on the banks of the
Sutlej from December 1845 to February 1846 214
[Illustration: THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
QUEEN’S COLOUR.