with other forces under the Duke of Wirtemberg, to attack the
enemy's fortified lines between the rivers Scheldt and Lys. After
a march of eight days, the troops arrived in front of the lines
near _D'Otignies_, and on the following day the works were attacked
at three points. The grenadiers formed the van of each attack;
the right column was composed of Danes; the Argyle highlanders
headed the centre column, and the TENTH foot took the lead of the
column on the left. When the signal for the assault was given, the
TENTH raised a loud shout and ran forward. The pikemen arrived at
the little river Espiers, which ran in front of the lines, and
cast a number of fascines into the water, but the stream carried
them away. The grenadiers of the TENTH and other regiments, being
anxious to signalize themselves, dashed into the current, at the
same time the musketeers advanced to the bank and fired upon
their opponents on the works. The river was so deep that many of
the soldiers were up to the chin in water; but they gained the
shore without serious loss,--sprang forward with astonishing
rapidity,--forded the ditch,--pulled down the palisadoes,--and
ascended the lines, sword in hand; the officers and grenadiers
of the TENTH being the first that entered the works. As the
soldiers climbed the entrenchments, shouting and flourishing their
swords, the French fled, and the lines were carried with little
loss. D'Auvergne states that the grenadiers of the EARL OF BATH'S
regiment (TENTH) found a cask of brandy in one of the abandoned
redoubts, which proved very welcome, as the soldiers had been
exposed to a heavy rain for several days.
After forcing the lines, contributions were levied on the territory
subject to France, as far as Lisle: and the Duke of Wirtemberg
was so well pleased with the conduct of the TENTH, that he made a
donation of a ducat to each man, and the same to the men of the
other regiments engaged in forcing the lines.
While the TENTH were levying contributions, the main army under
King William was defeated at Landen; after this disaster the
regiment was ordered to join the army, but it was not engaged
in any service of importance, and in October it marched into
winter-quarters at Bruges.
On the 29th of October, the Earl of Bath was succeeded in the
colonelcy by his nephew, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Beville Granville.
[Sidenote: 1694]
Leaving Bruges in May, 1694, the regiment pitched its tents near
Ghent. It served the campaign of that year in Brigadier-General
Stewart's brigade, in the division commanded by Major-General
Sir Henry Bellasis; and after taking part in several operations,
and performing many long and toilsome marches, it proceeded into
quarters at the pleasant town of Malines.
[Sidenote: 1695]
Early in the spring of 1695, the French commenced some new works
between the Lys and the Scheldt, when five hundred men of the TENTH
were withdrawn from Malines in the expectation of taking part in an
attempt to interrupt the enemy's proceedings; but this enterprise
was laid aside, and the regiment encamped at Marykirk until the
army took the field, when it was joined by the men left in quarters.
The TENTH were subsequently detached to Dixmude, in West Flanders;
and they were one of the corps which pitched their tents before
the _Kenoque_, a fortress at the junction of the Loo and Dixmude
canals, where the French had a garrison.
On the 9th of June, the grenadiers of the TENTH were engaged in
driving the French from the entrenchments and houses near the Loo
canal. A redoubt was afterwards taken, and a lodgment effected on
the works at the bridge; in which service the regiment had several
men killed and wounded.
This enterprise was only designed as a diversion to favour the
operations of the main army, and when King William had besieged the
strong fortress of _Namur_, the regiment traversed the country to
the banks of the Lys, and joined the covering army under the Prince
of Vaudemont.
When Marshal Villeroy advanced, with a force of very superior
numbers, to attack the covering army, the Prince of Vaudemont
retreated to Ghent, and during this retrograde movement, the
commanding officer of the TENTH, Lieut.-Colonel Sydney Godolphin,
and a serjeant and twelve men, resting at a house on the road too
long, were made prisoners.
The regiment was subsequently employed in several movements to
protect the maritime and other towns of Flanders, and to cover the
army carrying on the siege of Namur. In August it was encamped
between Genappe and Waterloo, and after the surrender of the castle
of Namur, it marched into quarters in the villages between Nieuport
and Ostend.
[Sidenote: 1696]
In the spring of 1696, Louis XIV. endeavoured to weaken the power
of the confederate army in Flanders, by causing England to become
the seat of civil war. The partisans of King James were excited
to rise in arms; a plot was formed for the assassination of King
William, and a French army approached the coast to embark with King
James for England. The TENTH foot was one of the corps selected
to return to England on this occasion, and the regiment, having
embarked at Ostend, arrived at Gravesend in March. In the meantime
the conspirators had been discovered; a British fleet was sent
to blockade the French ports, and the designs of Louis XIV. were
frustrated.
Several corps returned to Flanders; but the TENTH were selected to
remain on home service.
The regiment landed at Gravesend, occupied quarters a short period
in London, and afterwards marched into extensive cantonments in the
counties of Suffolk and Essex.
[Sidenote: 1697]
In May, 1697, the regiment was ordered to embark for the
Netherlands, and it joined the army at the camp in front of
Brussels in July; but in a few weeks afterwards the treaty of
Ryswick gave peace to Europe.
During the winter, the regiment returned to England; it landed at
Gravesend and Tilbury in December, and marched into quarters in
Essex.
[Sidenote: 1698]
[Sidenote: 1699]
[Sidenote: 1700]
Considerable reductions were made in the strength of the army,
after the peace of Ryswick, and the TENTH regiment was one of the
corps selected to proceed to Ireland; it embarked at Highlake in
July, 1698, and was stationed in Ireland during the following two
years.
[Sidenote: 1701]
Pursuing his schemes for the aggrandizement of his family with
unceasing assiduity, the King of France procured the accession
of his grandson, Philip, Duke of Anjou, to the throne of Spain,
and this open violation of existing treaties involved Europe in
another war. Among the corps first ordered to proceed on foreign
service to aid the continental powers in arresting the progress of
French usurpations, was the TENTH regiment of foot. It embarked at
Cork on the 15th of June, 1701, sailed to Holland, and was placed
in one of the frontier garrisons of that country. In September
it was encamped on Breda-heath, where it was reviewed, with the
remainder of the British troops in Holland, by King William III.,
and afterwards returned to its former station in garrison.
[Sidenote: 1702]
In the spring of 1702, the regiment took the field to serve as
auxiliaries to the army of the Emperor of Germany, England not
having declared war against France; and at the camp at Rosendael,
news was received of the death of King William III. and of the
accession of Queen Anne on the 8th of March. From Rosendael the
TENTH marched to the Duchy of Cleves, and encamped at Cranenburg
on the Lower Rhine, forming part of the covering army during the
siege of _Kayserswerth_. In June a French force of superior numbers
marched through the forest of Cleves and plains of Goch to cut off
the allied army from Grave and Nimeguen; in consequence of this
movement the British, Dutch, and Germans at Cranenburg, struck
their tents a little before sunset on the 10th of June, and, by a
forced march, arrived within a few miles of _Nimeguen_, about eight
o'clock on the following morning, at which time the French columns
appeared on both flanks and in the rear. Some sharp fighting
occurred; the British corps forming the rear-guard evinced signal
gallantry, and the TENTH regiment distinguished itself: the enemy
was held in check until the army effected its retreat under the
works of Nimeguen.
England declared war against France: additional troops arrived
in Holland, and the EARL OF MARLBOROUGH assumed the command. The
TENTH were engaged in the movements by which the French were driven
from their menacing position near the confines of Holland. The
regiment also formed part of the covering army during the siege of
_Venloo_,--a fortress on the east side of the river Maese, which
surrendered on the 25th of September. The regiment was next engaged
in covering the sieges of _Ruremonde_ and _Stevenswart_, both of
which places were captured in the early part of October. The army
afterwards advanced to the city of _Liege_, which immediately
opened its gates, but the citadel, and a detached fortress
called the Chartreuse, held out. The TENTH regiment was employed
in the siege of the citadel, and the grenadier company behaved
with great gallantry at the capture of that fortress by storm on
the 23rd of October. The citadel being carried by assault, the
garrison was nearly annihilated; the garrison of the Chartreuse
were eye-witnesses of this event, and surrendered immediately
afterwards, from apprehension of a similar fate.
The city of Liege being rescued from the power of the enemy, the
regiment marched back to Holland, and passed the winter in garrison
at Breda.
[Sidenote: 1703]
Sir Beville Granville having been appointed governor of Barbadoes,
the colonelcy of the TENTH foot was conferred on William, Lord
North and Grey, by commission dated the 15th of January, 1703.
Colonel Lord North and Grey proved a very gallant aspirant
for military fame; serving at the head of his regiment, and
distinguishing himself on numerous occasions. The TENTH left their
winter-quarters towards the end of April, 1703; on the 6th of
May, they arrived at Maeswyck, where they halted on the following
day; but, information having been received of the approach of a
powerful French army to cut off the detachments of the confederate
forces, the regiment struck its tents at sunset, with several other
corps, and, by a forced march, arrived at the city of _Maestricht_
about noon on the following day. When the French army approached
that city, the regiment was in position, being one of the corps
stationed at Lonakin; some skirmishing and cannonading occurred,
and the French withdrew without venturing a general engagement.
When the Duke of Marlborough advanced against the French at
Tongres, the TENTH were formed in brigade with the second battalion
of the royals, and the sixteenth, twenty-first, and twenty-sixth
regiments, under Brigadier-General the Earl of Derby. The enemy
took refuge behind an extensive line of works, and the English
General besieged the strong fortress of _Huy_, situate on the Maese
above Liege. The TENTH foot were employed at the siege; and, on
the 18th of August, when the enemy had vacated that portion of
the town which lay beyond the river, Colonel Lord North and Grey
took possession of it with the TENTH: another corps was afterwards
placed under his lordship's command, and the regiment held this
post during the remainder of the siege.
_Huy_ having been captured, the siege of the city of _Limburg_ was
next undertaken, and this fortress was surrendered before the end
of September. Thus Spanish Guelderland was wrested from the power
of France, and in October the regiment marched back to Holland,
where it passed the winter.
[Sidenote: 1704]
While the Duke of Marlborough was capturing fortress after fortress
in the Netherlands, the French and Bavarians had great success in
Germany; their united efforts threatened to overturn the imperial
throne, and, in 1704, the British commander led his army from
Holland to the Danube, to the succour of the Emperor Leopold.
The TENTH foot, commanded by Colonel Lord North and Grey, had
the honour of being employed in this splendid enterprise, which
elevated the reputation of the British arms, and immortalized the
name of Marlborough for the conception of the movement, and the
secrecy and rapidity with which it was executed.
To engage in this undertaking, the regiment left its
winter-quarters early in May, 1704, and directing its march to
the Rhine, proceeded along the banks of that river to Coblentz,
where it passed the Rhine and the Moselle on the 25th and 26th of
that month. From Coblentz the army marched towards the Maine, and
traversing the several states of Germany, arrived at the seat of
war to co-operate with the forces of the empire.
On the 2nd of July, after a long march through a difficult country,
the British approached the fortified post of _Schellenberg_, a
commanding height on the left bank of the Danube, where a body
of French and Bavarians were stationed under the Count d'Arco,
and about six in the evening, a detachment from each British
regiment, with the foot guards, royals, and twenty-third, under
Brigadier-General Fergusson, and a Dutch force under General Goor,
advanced to attack the entrenchments. A very spirited resistance
was made by the enemy, and, eventually, the TENTH were led up the
contested height to join in the attack. Firmly and steadily the
soldiers of the TENTH moved up the steep ascent, which was strewed
with killed and wounded; arriving within range of the enemy's fire,
an iron tempest smote the ranks, and the firm order of the regiment
was shaken: a short pause ensued. At that moment the British
cavalry approached to support the infantry, and the Germans under
the Margrave of Baden arrived to prolong the attack and assail the
enemy in the rear. Encouraged by these circumstances, the British
and Dutch infantry raised a loud shout, and, breaking with terrific
violence into the entrenchments, overpowered all resistance. The
Duke of Marlborough led the British cavalry forward, and completed
the overthrow of the enemy.
The TENTH had Captain Crow and fifteen rank and file killed; three
serjeants, and thirty-six rank and file wounded.
Crossing the Danube, and advancing into Bavaria, the regiment was
engaged in various operations; it proceeded to the vicinity of the
enemy's fortified camp at Augsburg, and afterwards returned to the
Danube at Donawerth: in the meantime a numerous body of French
troops had traversed the Black Forest and joined the enemy.
About ten o'clock on the night of the 11th of August, the army
under the Duke of Marlborough joined the imperialists commanded by
Prince Eugene of Savoy, at the village of Munster, near the bank of
the Danube. On the following day the regiment was ordered forward
to support the piquets, which were attacked by the enemy's hussars.
At daybreak, on the morning of the memorable 13th of August, the
regiment was under arms, to engage in a battle which appeared
to involve the fate of the Christian world: it formed, on this
occasion, part of the brigade under Brigadier-General Row.
Advancing from the camp-ground, the soldiers arrived in front of
the enemy's position, and the TENTH, commanded by their gallant
young colonel, LORD NORTH AND GREY, were destined to attack the
village of _Blenheim_, where the enemy had posted a numerous body
of troops, thrown up entrenchments, and constructed palisades.
Against this village, Brigadier-General Row's brigade advanced
with great gallantry: the TENTH and Royal Scots Fusiliers led
the attack, and were distinguished for their intrepid bearing;
but all efforts to force the village against an enemy of so very
superior numbers, and advantageously posted, proved ineffectual. As
the brigade withdrew, it was charged by some French cavalry, who
were repulsed by the fire of a Hessian brigade. Brigadier-General
Fergusson led a brigade against the other side of the village;
but without success. A sharp fire was afterwards kept up at this
point, and the army deployed to engage the main body of the French
and Bavarians. In the conflict which followed, British valour was
conspicuous, and after a contest of several hours' duration, the
French and Bavarian armies were overthrown and nearly annihilated;
Marshal Tallard, and many officers and soldiers being made
prisoners.
When the main body of their army was overthrown, the French troops
in Blenheim were insulated; thrice they attempted to escape, but
they were forced back. They took shelter behind the houses and
enclosures; but they were soon surrounded, and twelve squadrons
of cavalry, with twenty-four battalions of infantry, surrendered
prisoners of war. Thus ended the mighty struggle of this eventful
day, so glorious to the British arms!
The honours acquired by the regiment had been attended with the
loss of many valuable lives. Captains Dawes, Sir John Sands,
Cavendish, and Burton; Lieutenants Frazer and Wycks; Ensigns Breams
and Dawson, were killed: Colonel Lord North and Grey lost his
right hand; Major Granville; Captains Cunningham and Spotswood;
Lieutenants Bulwer, Boylblanc, and Hornby; Ensigns Crow and
Rossington, were wounded. The number of non-commissioned officers
and private soldiers of the regiment, killed and wounded, has not
been ascertained.
After passing the night on the field of battle, surrounded with
the ensanguined trophies of victory, the TENTH were selected to
guard the prisoners from Germany to Holland, in which service five
British battalions were employed. The prisoners were marched to
Mentz, where they were put on board of small vessels, and sailed
to Holland. The regiment arrived at the Hague in October, and,
having delivered up the prisoners, it was placed in garrison for
the winter: its services are not, therefore, connected with the
operations of the army in Germany after the victory at Blenheim.
[Sidenote: 1705]
A numerous body of fine recruits arrived from England, in the
spring of 1705, to replace the losses of the preceding campaign,
and in May, 1705, when the regiment took the field, its appearance
was admired. It was reviewed by the Duke of Marlborough, at the
camp on the left bank of the Maese, and afterwards marched to
Juliers. From Juliers the regiment marched through a mountainous
country to the valley of the Moselle, and pitched its tents near
the ancient city of Treves. The army being united, it passed the
rivers Moselle and Saar on the 3rd of June, traversed the difficult
defile of Tavernen, and encamped within seven miles of Syrk. At
this place the army halted, waiting for the imperialists, whose
tardy movements and inefficient state disappointed the expectations
of the English commander, and rendered it necessary for him to
hurry back to the Netherlands to arrest the progress of the French
on the Maese.
In the forced march from Syrk to the Maese, the regiment lost many
men from fatigue; and soon after its arrival, it was selected to
take part in storming the enemy's fortified lines, which were
protected by a numerous army. To render this great undertaking as
certain as possible, these formidable barriers were menaced on the
south of the Mehaigne, and the French troops being drawn in that
direction, the point selected for the attack was thus weakened. On
the evening of the 17th of July, the corps selected to commence the
attack marched in the direction of _Helixem_ and _Neer-Hespen_, the
TENTH forming part of the leading brigade of infantry; and they
were followed by the remainder of the army. About four o'clock on
the following morning, they approached the lines and surprised
the enemy's guards. Inspired with emulation, the soldiers soon
cleared the villages of Neer-Winden and Neer-Hespen, seized the
village and bridge of Helixem, and carried the castle of Wange
with little loss; the enemy being surprised and confounded by
the suddenness of the attack. Encouraged by this success, and
stimulated by the noble example of several officers, the troops
rushed through the enclosures and marshy grounds, forded the river
Gheet, and crowded across the fortifications; the French retreating
in a panic. Thus the lines were forced, and the soldiers of the
TENTH stood triumphant on the captured works, where the cross of
St. George, floating in the air, served as a beacon to impart a
knowledge of this splendid success to the main body of the army,
still at some distance. A numerous body of the enemy's cavalry and
infantry hurried to the spot to drive back the troops which had
passed the lines, when some sharp fighting occurred, which ended in
the overthrow of the enemy, who made a precipitate retreat behind
the river Dyle. This daring enterprise was thus achieved; and the
talents of the Duke of Marlborough, with the intrepidity and valour
of the British soldiers, were admired by all nations. The English
commander stated in his despatch, that the troops _acquitted
themselves with a bravery surpassing all that could have been hoped
of them_.
The TENTH shared in the operations of the main army during the
remainder of the campaign, but had no opportunity of distinguishing
themselves in action: they passed the winter in garrison in Holland.
[Sidenote: 1706]
Each successive victory had inspired the troops with additional
confidence in their commander, and in their own prowess: to besiege
a town, or fight a battle, and not conquer, when the DUKE OF
MARLBOROUGH commanded, appeared impossible. With a bold assurance
that fresh triumphs awaited them, the soldiers took the field in
May, 1706, and the TENTH foot joined the camp near Tongres on the
19th of that month. On the 23rd of May, as the army was advancing
in eight columns, information was received that the French,
Spaniards, and Bavarians, commanded by Marshal Villeroy and the
Elector of Bavaria, were taking up a position at Mont St. André,
with their centre at the village of _Ramilies_, and the allies
prepared for battle.
Diverging into the open plain, the allied army formed line and
advanced against the enemy. The TENTH foot, being on the right of
the line, proceeded, with a number of other corps, in the direction
of the village of Autreglise, and made a demonstration of attacking
the enemy's left. The French weakened their centre to support their
left, and the British commander instantly seized the opportunity
and attacked the weakened point. The TENTH foot were among the
corps which, occupying some high ground on the right, were not
engaged during the early part of the battle; but they had a full
view of the conflict on the plain. At length a crisis arrived: the
brigades on the right were ordered into action, when the TENTH
evinced that intrepidity and firmness for which the regiment had
been distinguished on former occasions, and another decisive
victory exalted the fame of the British arms. The broken remains
of the French, Spanish, and Bavarian legions were pursued for many
miles, and an immense number of prisoners, cannon, standards, and
colours was captured.
The effect of this surprising victory was the immediate surrender
of Brussels, Ghent, and the principal towns of Brabant, and the
intelligence of these events produced such an electric sensation
throughout England, that the gallant exploits of the heroes of
_Ramilies_ became a general theme of conversation, and the subject
of numerous addresses to the throne. Rewards were conferred on
officers who had distinguished themselves, and the commanding
officer of the TENTH, the gallant Lord North and Grey, was promoted
to the rank of brigadier-general, and placed at the head of three
battalions of infantry.
Several towns in Flanders held out; and in June the TENTH marched
to Arseele, and afterwards to Rouselaer, and formed part of the
covering army during the siege of _Ostend_, which fortress was
delivered up on the 8th of July.
After the surrender of Ostend, the regiment was selected to take
part in the siege of _Menin_, a strong town pleasantly situated on
the little river Lys. This fortress was accounted the key to the
French conquests in the Netherlands, and one of the masterpieces
of the celebrated Vauban: the siege therefore excited an unusual
degree of interest. The town was invested on the 23rd of July;
and the conduct of the TENTH during the progress of the siege,
corresponded with the high character of the regiment. Considerable
loss was sustained in carrying on the attacks, but the soldiers had
the gratification of witnessing this place added to the numerous
conquests made during this memorable campaign.
Dendermond and Aeth were afterwards captured; and in November the
regiment took up its winter-quarters at Ghent.
[Sidenote: 1707]
During the campaign of 1707, the regiment formed part of the
brigade commanded by its colonel, Brigadier-General Lord North and
Grey, and it was some time encamped near the village of Waterloo.
The English commander was unable, this year, to bring his cautious
opponents to a general engagement. In October, the regiment
returned to Ghent.
[Sidenote: 1708]