1719 to 1726, and in the spring of the last-mentioned year, it
proceeded to the island of Minorca, which had been captured by the
English, in 1708, and was ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of
Utrecht in 1713, together with the fortress of Gibraltar.
[Sidenote: 1727]
In the beginning of 1727, the Spaniards besieged _Gibraltar_, and a
detachment of the regiment, being sent to reinforce the garrison, had
the honor to take part in the successful defence of that important
fortress. When the Spaniards raised the siege, the detachment
rejoined the regiment at Minorca.
[Sidenote: 1730]
Colonel Handasyd commanded the regiment with reputation until 1730,
when he was removed to the Sixteenth foot, and was succeeded by
Brigadier-General William Barrell, from the Twenty-eighth regiment.
[Sidenote: 1734]
Brigadier-General Barrell was removed to the Fourth foot in 1734,
when King George II. conferred the colonelcy of the TWENTY-SECOND
regiment on Colonel the Honorable James St. Clair, from Major in the
First foot-guards.
[Sidenote: 1737]
On the 27th of June, 1737, Colonel the Honorable James St. Clair was
removed to the First, the Royal regiment of foot, and his Majesty
nominated Major-General John Moyle, from the Thirty-sixth, to the
colonelcy of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment.
[Sidenote: 1738]
Major-General Moyle died on the 3rd of November, 1738, and the
colonelcy was afterwards conferred on Colonel Thomas Paget, from the
Thirty-second regiment.
[Sidenote: 1739]
[Sidenote: 1741]
In 1739 Colonel Paget was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general.
He died on the 28th of May, 1741, and was succeeded in the colonelcy
of the regiment by Lieut.-Colonel Richard O'Farrell, from the Ninth
foot.
[Sidenote: 1748]
[Sidenote: 1749]
The TWENTY-SECOND regiment was employed in the protection of the
island of Minorca, during the whole of the War of the Austrian
Succession, and, peace having been concluded, it was relieved from
that duty in 1749, and proceeded to Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1751]
In the Royal Warrant for regulating the uniform and distinctions of
the several regiments of the army, dated the 1st of July, 1751, the
facings of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment were directed to be of _pale
buff_. The First, or King's colour, was the Great Union; the Second,
or Regimental colour, was of pale buff silk, with the Union in the
upper canton; in the centre of the colour, the Number of the Rank of
the regiment, in gold Roman characters, within a wreath of roses and
thistles on the same stalk.
[Sidenote: 1755]
[Sidenote: 1756]
The peace of Aix-la-Chapelle was interrupted in 1755 by the
aggressions of the French on the British territory in North America;
and on the 18th of May, 1756, war was declared against France; in the
same year the TWENTY-SECOND regiment embarked from Ireland for North
America.
[Sidenote: 1757]
In 1757 the regiment was formed in brigade with the Forty-third,
Forty-eighth, and fourth battalion of the Sixtieth, under
Major-General Lord Charles Hay, with the view of being employed in
the attack of _Louisburg_, the capital of the French island of _Cape
Breton_, situate in the Gulf of St. Lawrence; but the expedition was
deferred until the following year, and the regiment was stationed in
Nova Scotia during the winter. Major-General O'Farrell died in the
summer of this year, and the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred
on Brigadier-General Edward Whitmore, from the lieut.-colonelcy of
the Thirty-sixth regiment.
[Sidenote: 1758]
Embarking from Halifax, in May, 1758, under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel Andrew Lord Rollo, the regiment proceeded with the
expedition commanded by Lieut.-General (afterwards Lord) Amherst,
and a landing was effected on the island of Cape Breton, on the
8th of June, when the British troops evinced great gallantry. The
TWENTY-SECOND had Lieutenants Pierce Butler, John Jermyn, and William
Hamilton wounded; also several private soldiers killed and wounded.[6]
The siege of _Louisburg_, the capital of the island, was afterwards
commenced; and in carrying on the approaches the troops underwent
great fatigue with cheerful alacrity. By their perseverance, and
the co-operation of the fleet, the town was taken in July, and two
other islands in the Gulf were surrendered. The troops received the
thanks of Parliament, and the approbation of the Sovereign, for their
conduct on this occasion.
[Sidenote: 1759]
During the year 1759 the TWENTY-SECOND regiment was stationed at
Louisburg. Major-General James Wolfe proceeded up the river St.
Lawrence, with a small armament,[7] and Quebec was captured; but the
nation sustained the loss of Major-General Wolfe, who was killed in
the battle on the heights of Abraham, in front of Quebec, on the 13th
of September, 1759.
[Sidenote: 1760]
In the spring of 1760 the TWENTY-SECOND and Fortieth regiments
proceeded from Louisburg, under Colonel Lord Rollo, of the
TWENTY-SECOND, up the river St. Lawrence, to Quebec, from whence they
advanced upon _Montreal_, with the troops under Brigadier-General
the Honorable James Murray. The French possessions in Canada were
invaded at three points, and the Governor concentrated his forces at
Montreal; but he was unable to withstand the valour and discipline of
British troops, commanded by officers of talent and experience; he
therefore surrendered Montreal, and with it all Canada, the French
battalions becoming prisoners of war. The TWENTY-SECOND had thus the
honor of taking part in the conquest of the two fine provinces of
Upper and Lower Canada, which have since continued to form part of
the possessions of the British Crown.
[Sidenote: 1761]
After the conquest of Canada, the TWENTY-SECOND were removed to
Albany, from whence they proceeded to New York, in April, 1761, and
afterwards embarked, under Lord Rollo, for the West Indies.
The island of _Dominica_ had been declared neutral; but it was found
to be so much under the influence of France, and proved a refuge
to so many privateers of that nation, that the British government
resolved to take possession of it. The TWENTY-SECOND, and other corps
under Lord Rollo, landed on the island on the 6th of June, under
cover of the fire of the men-of-war, and drove the enemy from his
batteries: the grenadiers of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment distinguished
themselves on this occasion. In two days the island was reduced to
submission with little loss.
[Sidenote: 1762]
From Dominica the TWENTY-SECOND proceeded to Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes,
and joined the troops assembled at that place under the orders of
Major-General the Honorable Robert Monckton, for the attack of the
French island of _Martinique_. After several attempts on other parts
of the island, a landing was effected in Cas des Navières Bay, on the
16th of January, 1762; the works on the heights of _Morne Tortenson_
were captured on the 24th of that month; _Morne Garnier_ was carried
on the 27th; and the citadel of _Fort Royal_ surrendered on the 4th
of February. These successes were followed by the surrender of the
opulent city of St. Pierre, and the submission of the whole island
to the British Crown. The Commander of the expedition stated in his
despatch--"I cannot find words to render that ample justice which is
due to the valor of his Majesty's troops which I have had the honor
to command. The difficulties they had to encounter in the attack of
an enemy possessed of every advantage of art and nature were great;
and their perseverance in surmounting these obstacles, furnishes a
noble example of British spirit."
The capture of Martinique was followed by that of _Grenada_, _St.
Lucia_, and _St. Vincent_; and the acquisition of these islands
gave additional honor to the expedition of which the TWENTY-SECOND
regiment formed part.
Additional forces arrived in the West Indies, and the TWENTY-SECOND
regiment, mustering six hundred and two rank and file, under
the command of Major Loftus, joined the expedition commanded by
General the Earl of Albemarle, for the reduction of the wealthy and
important Spanish city of the _Havannah_, in the island of Cuba The
TWENTY-SECOND, Fortieth, Seventy-second, and five companies of the
Ninetieth, were formed in brigade under Brigadier-General Lord Rollo.
Proceeding through the Straits of Bahama, the armament arrived
within six leagues of the Havannah on the 6th of June. A landing
was effected on the following day, and the _Moro_ fort, being the
key-position of the extensive works which covered the town, was
besieged. This proved an undertaking of great difficulty; but every
obstacle was overcome by the spirited efforts of the land and sea
forces, and the fort was captured by storm on the 30th of July. An
extensive series of batteries was prepared, and opened, on the 11th
of August, so well-directed a fire on the works which protected the
town, that the guns of the garrison were soon silenced, and the
important city of the Havannah was surrendered to the British arms.
Nine Spanish men-of-war were delivered up; two were found upon the
stocks; and three sunk at the entrance of the harbour.
In March of this year Major-General Whitmore, who was drowned at
sea, was succeeded in the colonelcy by Major-General the Honorable
Thomas Gage, from the Eightieth regiment, a provincial corps which
was raised in 1758, and disbanded after the treaty of Fontainebleau.
[Sidenote: 1763]
At the peace of Fontainebleau the _Havannah_ was restored to Spain,
in exchange for the province of Florida, on the continent of America;
and in 1763 the TWENTY-SECOND regiment proceeded to _West Florida_.
[Sidenote: 1764]
[Sidenote: 1765]
The regiment was stationed in Florida during the year 1764, and in
1765 it was relieved from duty in that province, and embarked for
Great Britain.
[Sidenote: 1766]
[Sidenote: 1770]
[Sidenote: 1772]
[Sidenote: 1773]
From 1766 to 1769 the regiment was employed at various stations in
England; during the years 1770, 1771, and 1772, it performed duty in
Scotland; and in 1773 it proceeded to Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1775]
While the TWENTY-SECOND were stationed in Ireland the
misunderstanding between the English government and the British
provinces in North America, on the subject of taxation, was followed
by hostilities. The regiment embarked from Ireland for North America
in 1775, and joined the troops at Boston under General Gage.
During the night of the 16th of June the Americans commenced
fortifying the heights on the peninsula of Charlestown, called
_Bunker's Hill_; and on the following day they were attacked by the
flank companies of the British corps, and by a few regiments, and
driven from their works. The TWENTY-SECOND lost their commanding
officer, Lieut.-Colonel James Abercromby, who died of his wounds. He
was succeeded by Major James Campbell.
[Sidenote: 1776]
General Sir William Howe assumed the command of the British troops in
North America, on General Gage returning to England in October, 1775;
in March, 1776, Boston was vacated, when the TWENTY-SECOND proceeded
to Nova Scotia.
From Nova Scotia, the regiment sailed with the expedition to Staten
Island, near New York; and, additional troops having arrived from
Europe, it was formed in brigade with the Forty-third, Fifty-fourth,
and Sixty-third, under Brigadier-General Francis Smith.
A landing was effected on _Long Island_ on the 22nd of August; and
on the 27th of that month the TWENTY-SECOND were engaged in driving
the Americans from their positions at _Flat Bush_ to their fortified
lines at _Brooklyn_. The flank companies had several men killed and
wounded on this occasion; the loss of the battalion companies was
limited to two men.
The Americans abandoned their lines at Brooklyn, and passed the
river to New York. They were followed by the British, who gained
possession of New York, captured Fort Washington, and reduced a great
part of the Jerseys.
During the winter the regiment was detached, with several other
corps, under Lieut.-Generals Clinton and Earl Percy, against _Rhode
Island_. The regiment embarked on this service in the beginning of
December, and a landing being effected at daybreak on the 9th of that
month, the island was speedily reduced to submission.
[Sidenote: 1777]
During the year 1777 the regiment was stationed in Rhode Island.
On the 10th of July the American Colonel, Barton, arrived at Rhode
Island with a few active men, surprised Major-General Richard
Prescott in his quarters, and conveyed him from the island a prisoner.
[Sidenote: 1778]
In May, 1778, it was ascertained that Major-General Sullivan had
taken the command of the American troops at Providence, with the
view of making a descent on Rhode Island; and on the night of the
24th of May the battalion companies of the TWENTY-SECOND, the flank
companies of the Fifty-fourth, and a company of Hessians, embarked
under Lieut.-Colonel Campbell of the TWENTY-SECOND, to attack the
enemy's quarters. After landing three miles below _Warren_, early
on the following morning, a detachment under Captain Seir of the
TWENTY-SECOND destroyed a battery at Papasquash Point, making a
Captain and six American artillery men prisoners. Another detachment
destroyed a number of boats, a galley of six twelve pounders, and two
sloops, in the Kickamuct River. The party then marched to Warren,
destroyed a park of artillery, a quantity of stores, and a privateer
sloop. Afterwards proceeding to Bristol, a further quantity of stores
was destroyed. The Americans assembled in great numbers, and fired on
the British from a great distance, but did little injury. Lieutenant
HAMILTON of the TWENTY-SECOND, eight British, and four Hessian
soldiers were wounded.
On the 30th of May another detachment, under Major Eyre of the
Fifty-fourth, made a successful incursion to a creek near Taunton
River, and inflicted a severe loss on the Americans.
The King of France having united with the Americans, a French
armament arrived off the coast, and formidable preparations were
made for the re-capture of Rhode Island. The French fleet, however,
sustained some severe losses from a storm, and from the English
navy. A numerous American force under Major-General Sullivan landed
at Howland's Ferry, on the 9th of August, and commenced the siege
of _Newport_, in defence of which place the TWENTY-SECOND were
employed. The place being defended with great resolution, and
the Americans being disappointed of aid from the French fleet,
they raised the siege, and retired on the 29th of August. The
TWENTY-SECOND, Forty-third, and flank companies of the Thirty-eighth
and Fifty-fourth regiments, marched under Brigadier-General Smith, by
the east road, to intercept the retreating enemy. A stand was made
by the Americans, and some sharp fighting occurred, in which the
TWENTY-SECOND, under Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, highly distinguished
themselves. The Americans were driven from _Quakers' Hill_, when they
fell back to their works at the north end of the island, from which
they afterwards withdrew. Major-General Pigot stated in his public
despatch,--"To these particulars I am, in justice, obliged to add
Brigadier-General Smith's report, who, amidst the general tribute
due to the good conduct of every individual under his command,
has particularly distinguished Lieut.-Colonel CAMPBELL and the
TWENTY-SECOND regiment, on whom, by their position, the greatest
weight of the action fell." The regiment had eleven rank and file
killed; Lieutenant Cleghorn, Ensigns Bareland, Proctor, and Adam, two
serjeants, and forty-eight rank and file wounded; one man missing.
[Sidenote: 1779]
The British Commander-in-Chief in North America, Lieut.-General Sir
Henry Clinton, having resolved to vacate Rhode Island, the regiment
embarked from thence on the 25th of October, 1779, and proceeded to
New York, where it arrived on the 27th of that month.
[Sidenote: 1780]
During the remainder of the American War the regiment was stationed
at New York and the posts in advance of that city.
[Sidenote: 1782]
General the Honorable Thomas Gage was removed to the Seventeenth
Light Dragoons in April, 1782, and King George III. conferred the
colonelcy of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment on Major-General Charles
O'Hara, from captain and lieut.-colonel in the Second foot-guards.
A letter, dated the 31st of August, 1782, conveyed to the
regiment His Majesty's pleasure that it should be designated the
TWENTY-SECOND, or the CHESHIRE regiment, in order that a connexion
between the corps and that county should be cultivated, with the view
of promoting the success of the recruiting service.
[Sidenote: 1783]
The American War having terminated, the regiment returned to Europe
in 1783 and was stationed in South Britain.
[Sidenote: 1785]
In 1785, while the regiment was stationed at Windsor, under the
command of Lieut.-Colonel Crosbie, and furnished the usual guard
at the Castle, where his Majesty resided, an "ORDER OF MERIT" was
instituted in the corps, with the view of promoting good order and
discipline,--the field-officers, captains, and adjutant for the time
being, to be members of the order. The order consisted of THREE
CLASSES: the first wore a silver medal gilt, suspended to a blue
riband two inches broad, and worn round the neck; the second a silver
medal, and the third a bronze medal, similarly worn. The candidates
for the third class must have served seven years with an unblemished
character; for the second, fourteen; and for the first, twenty-one
years. On the 1st of July, the KING was graciously pleased to accept
from Lieut.-Colonel Crosbie a medal of the first class of the
regimental ORDER OF MERIT: and on the 3rd of that month, the regiment
being then encamped in Windsor Forest, assembled on parade, with the
non-commissioned officers and soldiers selected to receive medals in
front, the rules of the order were read; the corps presented arms,
the band played "God save the King;" the members of the order took
off their hats, and the commanding officer invested each member with
his medal; the drums beating a point of war during the whole time.
[Sidenote: 1787]
In 1787 the regiment proceeded to Guernsey and Jersey, where its
establishment was augmented; and it was ordered to be held in
readiness for foreign service, in consequence of some revolutionary
proceedings in Holland. In October the regiment proceeded to
Portsmouth, and its establishment was soon afterwards reduced.
Previous to leaving Guernsey, it received the thanks of the
Lieut.-Governor for its excellent conduct.
[Sidenote: 1788]
On quitting Portsmouth in 1788 for Chatham, the regiment received a
very flattering mark of the high estimation in which its conduct was
held by the inhabitants.
[Sidenote: 1790]
The regiment left Chatham and Dover in the spring of 1790, and
proceeding to Ireland landed at Cork on the 5th of April.
[Sidenote: 1791]
Major-General Charles O'Hara was removed to the Seventy-fourth
Highlanders in April, 1791, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of
the TWENTY-SECOND by Major-General David Dundas, Adjutant-General of
the Army in Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1792]
In 1792, a slight alteration was made in the uniform, and the
establishment was augmented.
[Sidenote: 1793]
Meanwhile a revolution had taken place in France, and the violent
conduct of the republican government in that country occasioned a
war between Great Britain and France, which commenced in 1793. In
September of that year the flank companies of the TWENTY-SECOND
regiment embarked for the West Indies, for the purpose of taking part
in the capture of the French West India islands. They were followed
by the battalion companies in December.
[Sidenote: 1794]
The flank companies joined the armament under General Sir Charles
(afterwards Earl) Grey, who effected a landing at three different
points on the island of _Martinique_, in February, 1794, and
accomplished in a short period the conquest of that valuable colony.
The grenadier brigade under His Royal Highness Prince Edward,
afterwards the Duke of Kent, and the light infantry under
Major-General Dundas, were engaged in the conquest of _St. Lucia_ in
the beginning of April.
After the conquest of St. Lucia, an attack was made on _Guadaloupe_,
and that valuable island was speedily rescued from the power of the
republican government of France.
The regiment proceeded to the island of Martinique, where it was
joined by the flank companies.
Two hundred men, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Lysaght, proceeded to
the island of _St. Domingo_, and formed part of the garrison of
Cape St. Nicholas Mole: and five companies joined the garrison of
_Busy-town_, which place was besieged by the enemy.
In April, the TWENTY-SECOND, Twenty-third, and Forty-first
regiments, with some other troops, embarked under the command of
Brigadier-General John Whyte, for the attack of _Port-au-Prince_, the
capital of the French possessions in the island of _St. Domingo_.
A landing was effected on the 31st of May; some severe fighting
occurred, in which the TWENTY-SECOND distinguished themselves:
_Fort Bizzotton_ was captured, and the enemy was forced to abandon
_Port-au-Prince_, which was taken possession of by the British
troops. The regiment had Captain Wallace killed on this occasion,
also several private soldiers killed and wounded. Unfortunately a
malignant fever broke out in the town, and the British lost forty
officers and six hundred soldiers by disease within two months after
the capture of the place.
A detachment of the regiment formed part of the garrison of _Fort
Bizzotton_, which was attacked by two thousand of the enemy on
the 5th of December. The British defended their post with great
gallantry, and repulsed the assailants. Lieutenant Hamilton of the
TWENTY-SECOND distinguished himself.
Another portion of the regiment was stationed at Jeremie, and a
detachment at Irois.
[Sidenote: 1795]
Having sustained severe loss from the climate of St. Domingo, the
regiment was relieved from duty at that island, and returned to
England in 1795.
Lieut.-General Dundas was removed to the Seventh Light Dragoons, and
the colonelcy of the TWENTY-SECOND was conferred on Major-General
William Crosbie, from the Eighty-ninth regiment.
[Sidenote: 1798]
The regiment was stationed in England recruiting its ranks until
December, 1798, when it proceeded to Guernsey.
Major-General Crosbie died this year, and was succeeded by
Major-General John Graves Simcoe, from the Eighty-first regiment.
[Sidenote: 1799]
In November, 1799, the regiment was withdrawn from Guernsey, and
landed at Portsmouth on the 15th of that month.
On its return from the West Indies, the regiment enlisted a number
of boys, or youths; and in 1798 it received drafts of boys, or lads,
from other corps; it was designated a boy regiment, and sent to the
Cape of Good Hope, where the youths, it was conjectured, would be
gradually accustomed to a warm climate, and become better adapted for
service in the East Indies, than recruits sent direct from Europe to
India.
[Sidenote: 1800]
In January and February, 1800, the regiment embarked for the Cape of
Good Hope, where it arrived in May and June following. The companies
on board of one transport, the Surat Castle, suffered severely in
consequence of their crowded state: the crew was composed of Lascars,
among whom much disease prevailed; the infection was communicated
to the soldiers, and the men of the TWENTY-SECOND suffered in their
health; sixty soldiers were sent on shore, to a general hospital,
before the ship left England. The survivors arrived at the Cape in
a sickly state; they had been obliged to aid in working the vessel
during the voyage, and the masts and rigging had been damaged during
a gale of wind.
[Sidenote: 1801]