On the 29th of October we broke up our encampment on the banks of the
Seine, and that evening our brigade occupied Saint Germain, a town
which the good people declared to us Bonaparte never entered. On the
2d of November we marched into Mountain Ville, Neuf-le-Veux, Mere,
&c.; and on the 8th we removed to Montfort, and some villages in the
neighbourhood.
In the vicinity of Mountain Ville, Captain H--bs and myself were
billeted on an opulent and friendly family, with whom we spent two
very pleasant days. The family having, unknown to us, directed the
servants to have breakfast ready for us the morning we were to leave
them, we were not a little surprised to find the table groaning under
a load of cold fowls, veal, ham, tea, coffee, wine, &c. After doing
ample justice to the viands before us, we strolled out to look after
the men and baggage animals. On our return, the servants were all busy
wrapping up the cold meat in strong brown paper. Not knowing what
they intended with it, we could not help smiling. By and bye, however,
we were let into the secret by the butler, who respectfully inquired
where he should place the parcels. On recovering from the surprise
which his query occasioned, we told him that British officers never
accepted presents of any kind from families on whom they were billeted;
and putting a piece of money in his hand, desired him to express to
the family how much we felt ourselves obliged by their kindness and
attention. Apparently astonished at our refusal, though probably more
so at what we had given him, the butler remained dumb for some time,
and then with a smile, said, "Oh! you British officers are not like the
Prussians."
We remained very comfortably cantoned in Montfort, &c. till the
following brigade order compelled us to move to Meulan.
BRIGADE ORDERS.
Port Chartrain, _Nov. 29, 1815_.
The fourth battalion of the Royals, the 42d, and 92d regiments, are to
march to-morrow for Meulan, on their route for Boulogne.
The corps are to march independently, under orders from their
respective commanding-officers, who will please to send forward, very
early, an officer to Meulan, to receive directions respecting the
quartering of their corps there, and in the vicinity, for the night.
The Staff-Surgeon has been instructed to give directions respecting
the sick, and the Commissary of brigade will afford all the means of
transport in his power.
Major-General, Sir Denis Pack, cannot allow these corps to pass thus
from under his command, without expressing his regret at losing them.
The conduct of the fourth battalion of the Royals, both in camp and
quarters, has been like that of the third battalion; and that of the
two regiments, "orderly and soldier-like;" and he is confident, that
from the high state of discipline the corps appears in, they would have
imitated their comrades in the third battalion, had the same glorious
opportunity been afforded them.
The services rendered by the 92d regiment, in the Duke of Wellington's
campaigns in the Peninsula, and his Grace's late short and triumphant
one in Belgium, are so generally and so highly appreciated, as to
make praise from him almost idle, nevertheless, he cannot help adding
his tribute of applause. And to the 42d regiment, he really thinks
he would seem ungrateful, as well as unmindful of the best feelings
of a soldier, did he not, in taking leave, assure them that he will
ever retain, with sentiments of admiration, the remembrance of the
invincible valour displayed by the corps on so many memorable and
trying occasions.
On the 30th of November, the 42d and 92d regiments marched into
Meulan agreeable to orders, where being joined by the 28th, the three
corps formed into one brigade, under Sir Charles Belson, of the 28th
regiment, were ordered to move to Pont-Oise on the 1st December, and
thence by Beauvais, Abbeville, Montreuil, and Boulogne, to Calais.
On our arrival before the gates of Calais, on the 17th December, we
were not a little surprised to find them closed upon us, and that it
was not the intention of the authorities to open them, unless our
Commandant would agree to make every company march at the distance of
one hundred yards from the one preceding it,--the men reverse their
arms,--keep their colours cased,--and prevent the bands playing on
entering the town. Irritated at such conduct, instant admittance was
demanded. This being refused, a second message was dispatched to the
Governor, giving him a quarter of an-hour to deliberate. This brought
the hot-headed fool to his senses. On the gates being opened, the
leading battalion entered, and was instantly followed by the others
at the usual distance, with colours flying, bayonets fixed, and the
bands playing the _Downfall of Paris_, all the way to the place of
embarkation.
On our way from Meulan to the coast, the following General Order was
issued to the different regiments. I insert it because it shews the
number of British battalions which were then in France, the number
retained in the country by the Duke of Wellington, and the number that
he sent home.
GENERAL ORDERS.
_Head Quarters, Paris, Nov. 30, 1815._
No. 1. The British troops which are to remain in France, are to be
formed as follows:--
2. The 1st and 2d Dragoon Guards, and 3d Dragoons, are to be the first
brigade of cavalry.
3. The 7th and 18th Hussars, and 12th Light Dragoons, are to be the
second brigade of cavalry.
4. The 11th and 13th Light Dragoons, and 15th Hussars, are to be the
third brigade of cavalry.
5. The third battalion 1st Guards, and second battalion Coldstream
Guards, are to be the first brigade of infantry.
6. The third battalion Royals, first battalion 57th, and second
battalion 95th regiment, are to be the second brigade of infantry.
7. The first battalions 3d, 39th, and 91st regiments, are to be the
third brigade of infantry.
8. The first battalions of the 4th, 52d, and 79th regiments, are to be
the fourth brigade of infantry.
9. The first battalions of the 5th, 9th, and 21st regiments, are to be
the fifth brigade of infantry.
10. The first battalions of the 6th and 71st, and 29th regiment, are to
be the sixth brigade of infantry.
11. The first battalions of the 7th and 43d, and 23d regiment, are to
be the seventh brigade of infantry.
12. The first battalions of the 27th, 40th, and 95th regiments, are to
be the eighth brigade of infantry.
13. The first battalions of the 81st and 88th regiments are to be the
ninth brigade of infantry.
14. Major-General Lord Edward Somerset is to command the first brigade
of cavalry.
15. Major-General Sir Hussey Vivian is to command the second brigade of
cavalry.
16. Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant is to command the third brigade
of cavalry.
17. Major-General Sir Peregrine Maitland is to command the first
brigade of infantry.
18. Major-General Sir Manley Power is to command the second brigade of
infantry.
19. Major-General the Honourable Sir R.W. O'Callaghan is to command the
third brigade of infantry.
20. Major-General Sir Denis Pack is to command the fourth brigade of
infantry.
21. Major-General Sir Thomas Brisbane is to command the fifth brigade
of infantry.
22. Major-General Sir Thomas Bradford is to command the sixth brigade
of infantry.
23. Major-General Sir James Kempt is to command the seventh brigade of
infantry.
24. Major-General Sir John Lambert is to command the eighth brigade of
infantry.
25. Major-General Sir John Keane is to command the ninth brigade of
infantry.
26. The first division of infantry is to be composed of the
first, seventh, and eighth brigades, and is to be commanded by
Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir Lowry Cole.
27. The second division of infantry is to be composed of the
third, fourth, and sixth brigades, and is to be commanded by
Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton.
28. The third division of infantry is to be composed of the second,
fifth, and ninth brigades, and is to be commanded by Lieutenant-General
the Honourable Sir Charles Colville.
29. Lieutenant-General Lord Combermere will take the command of the
cavalry.
30. Lieutenant-General Lord Hill will take the command of the infantry.
31. The British troops to return to England, are to be brigaded as
follows, for their march:--
32. The 1st and 2d Life-Guards, Royal Horse-Guards (blue), and 3d
Dragoon-Guards, under the command of Colonel Althrope of the Royal
Horse-Guards (blue).
33. The 1st, 2d, and 6th Dragoons, under the command of Colonel Muter.
34. The 10th Hussars, 16th and 23d Light Dragoons, under the command of
Colonel Quentin.
35. The second battalions 1st and 3d Guards, under Colonel Askew, 1st
Guards.
36. The 36th, 38th, second battalion 73d, and third battalion 95th
regiment, under Colonel the Honourable Sir Charles Greville of the 38th
regiment.
37. The second battalions 12th and 30th, and 33d regiment, under the
command of Colonel Stirke, 12th regiment.
38. The first battalions 41st and 90th regiments, and a detachment of
the Royal Waggon Train, under Lieutenant Colonel Evans, 41st regiment.
39. The third battalions 14th, 2d, 35th, and 51st regiment, under
Colonel Mitchell, 51st regiment.
40. The 54th, second battalions 59th and 69th regiments, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Austin, 59th regiment.
41. The fourth battalion Royals, the 28th, 42nd, and 92d regiments,
under Colonel Sir C. Belson, 28th regiment.
42. The 32d, third battalion 27th, and detachment of Staff Corps, under
Colonel Sir John M'Lean, 27th regiment.
43. The 16th regiment, 2d, 44th, and first battalion 82d regiment,
under Colonel Tolley, 16th regiment.
44. The 58th and 64th regiments, and second battalions 62d and 81st
regiments, under Colonel Walker, 58th regiment.
45. Notwithstanding these orders, the troops are to continue with their
divisions, and commanded as at present, till those ordered to England
will march; and the Quarter-Master General will, in concert with the
General Officers, have assembled those destined by this day's order to
remain in France.
46. When the troops of the German Legion and the Hanoverians will
march, it will be under the command of the officers commanding the
several brigades of infantry and cavalry.
47. Major-General Sir James Lyon will be so kind as to give orders for
the formation of the Hanoverian contingent, at a place which will be
made known to him by the Chief of the Staff of the allied army.
48. Upon breaking up the army which the Field-Marshal has had the
honour of commanding, he begs leave to return thanks to the General
Officers, and the Officers, and Troops, for their uniform good conduct.
49. In the late short but memorable campaign, they have given proofs
to the world that they possess, in an eminent degree, all the good
qualities of soldiers; and the Field-Marshal is happy to be able to
applaud their regular good conduct in their camp and cantonments, not
less than when engaged with the enemy in the field.
50. Whatever may be the future destination of those brave troops, of
which the Field-Marshal now takes his leave, he trusts that every
individual will believe that he will ever feel the deepest interest in
their honour and welfare, and will always be happy to promote either.
On the 18th, we quitted the harbour of Calais, and sailed for Dover;
but the wind becoming foul, we were forced to make for the Downs,
where we anchored for the night. Next forenoon we landed at Ramsgate,
and proceeded to Margate. Here the late Sir William Curtis was most
indefatigable during the disembarkation of the troops. He not only
rendered personal assistance to the females on quitting the vessels,
but placed a piece of money in the hand of each. But this was not all;
the warm-hearted Baronet gave all the officers a pressing invitation to
dine with him. Such patriotic conduct deserves to be recorded.
On the 20th we bade adieu to Margate, and proceeded, the right wing to
Deal, and the left to Sandwich, thence on the following day to Dover,
and on the 22nd to Brabourne-Lee temporary barracks. Here we remained
but a few days, when an order arrived for us to march to Colchester,
where we arrived at the end of the month, and were warmly welcomed by
the whole population.
On entering the barrack-gate, we were received by a guard of honour
composed of wounded soldiers belonging to almost every regiment engaged
at Waterloo. They were about 150 in number, and almost every one of
them had lost a leg or an arm, and not a few of them one of each.
Formed in two single lines, one on each side of the street through
which we had to pass, the gallant fellows greeted us as we moved along
with the most enthusiastic cheers, many of them actually leaping with
joy. The spectacle was at once beautiful, and mournfully impressive.
A few days after our arrival at Colchester, Major-General Sir John
Byng, whose defence of Hougomont will remain recorded in the page of
British history, till time shall be no more, kindly agreed to forward a
memorial for two months leave of absence for me, which, being granted,
I quitted Colchester on the 24th of January 1816, for my native hills.
Around my fire an evening group to draw,
And tell of all I felt, and all I saw;
For as the hare whom hounds and horns pursue,
Pants to the place from whence at first he flew,
_I still had hopes_, my long vexations past,
_Here to return and die at home at last_.
FINIS.
Transcibers note:
The errata below has been corrected in the text above.
g.m.
ERRATA.
Page 60, line 10, _for_ new _read_ non.
66, -- 2, -- Minorca _read_ Minerva.
66, -- 14, -- horn _read_ horse.
117, -- 28, -- suit _read_ suite.
117, -- 29, -- Almeida _read_ Alemeida.
132, -- 3, -- Bonito _read_ Benito.
132, -- 27, -- Blacur _read_ Blacier.
138, -- 6, --Aginda _read_ Agueda.
140, -- 1, -- draw _read_ drive.
161, -- 20, }
166, -- 19, } 11th May _read_ 16th May.
252, -- 10, -- Tagus _read_ Ebro.
271, -- 6, -- who from _read_ that something besides.
315, --12, After which _read_ "on awaking from a long nap".
337, -- 9--16, --Firth _read_ Frith.
374, -- 16, -- Renetria _read_ Renteria.
391, -- 9,-- frontier _read_ position.
429, -- 15, -- after from _read_ the.
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