The Grand Seignior, with a view to perpetuate the services rendered to
the Ottoman empire, established an order of knighthood, designated the
Crescent, which was conferred on the general officers. He also presented
gold medals of three sizes to the field officers, captains, and
subalterns, which they were authorized by His Majesty to accept and
wear. A palace was built at Constantinople for the future residence of
the British ambassadors. The medal from which the engraving has been
made is the smaller one, given to captains and subalterns, but is the
same in pattern as the larger size, conferred on the field officers.
Obverse, a Crescent and Star of eight points, surrounded by an
ornamental border; Reverse, the Sultan’s cypher, under which is the year
1801; the border is the same on both sides; the ribbon is dark orange,
with a hook and chain.
BATTLE OF MAIDA.
4TH JULY, 1806.
A squadron of British and Russian vessels having, in November, 1805,
landed some troops at Naples, without any opposition from the Neapolitan
court, shortly afterwards departed. On receiving intelligence of this
transaction, the French Emperor issued a proclamation, that “the
Neapolitan dynasty had ceased to reign,” and his brother Joseph,
assisted by Marshal Massena, proceeded with an army to that country. The
French entered Naples on the 15th. of February, and shortly obtained
possession of the whole kingdom, excepting Gaeta. Meanwhile the Court
had retired to Sicily. A decree was soon issued, by which the crown of
Naples was conferred by Napoleon on his brother Joseph, who was
proclaimed king on the 30th. of May.
[Illustration:
Turkish Medal for Egypt.—1801
]
A body of troops was assembled by the French in Calabria, and extensive
preparations were made for the invasion of Sicily. Major-General Stuart,
who then commanded the British troops in Sicily, formed the design of
penetrating Calabria, and attacking the French division, under General
Regnier: the result was the Battle of Maida, Upper Calabria, which was
fought on the 4th. of July, 1806. On hearing of the disembarkation of
the British at St. Euphemia, General Regnier made a rapid march from
Reggio, uniting, as he advanced, his detached corps. seven-pounders
Stuart resolved to anticipate the attack, and the army commenced its
march on the morning of the 4th. of July. By nine o’clock in the morning
the opposing fronts were warmly engaged. The right of the advanced line
consisted of the battalion of light infantry, commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel, afterwards Sir James, Kempt, consisting of the light
companies of the 20th., 27th., 35th., 58th., 61st., 81st., and
Watteville’s, (since disbanded,) together with one hundred and fifty
chosen battalion men of the 35th. regiment, under Major Robinson.
Directly opposed to them was the favourite French regiment, the Ire.
Légére. The two corps, at the distance of about one hundred yards, fired
reciprocally a few rounds, when, as if by mutual consent, the firing was
suspended, and in close compact order and dreadful silence they advanced
towards each other, until their bayonets began to cross. This momentous
crisis appalled the enemy; they broke and endeavoured to fly, but it was
too late, and they were overtaken, when the most terrible slaughter
ensued.
Brigadier-General Acland, whose brigade, consisting of the 78th. and
81st. regiments, was immediately on the left of the light infantry,
availed himself of this favourable moment to press instantly forward
upon the corps in his front, when the 78th., under Lieutenant-Colonel
Macleod, and the 81st., under Major Plenderleath, had an opportunity of
distinguishing themselves. The enemy fled in dismay and disorder,
leaving the plain covered with their dead and wounded.
Being thus completely discomfited on his left, General Regnier commenced
a new effort in the hope of recovering the day. The grenadier battalion
and the 27th. regiment, which formed the first brigade, under
Brigadier-General Cole resisted the enemy most gallantly. Nothing could
shake the undaunted firmness of the grenadiers, under Lieutenant-Colonel
O’Callaghan, and of the 27th. regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Smith.
The cavalry successively repelled from before their front, attempted to
turn their left, when Lieutenant-Colonel Ross, who had that morning
landed from Messina with the 20th. Foot, and was coming up to the army
during the action, having observed this movement, threw his regiment
opportunely into a small cover upon their flank, and by a heavy and
well-directed fire completely frustrated the attempt. The 20th., with
natural pride, always commemorated this day’s glory. The enemy having
succeeded with his cavalry in turning the British left, owing to the
total deficiency of that arm on the part of the English, might possibly
have retrieved the day, but for this movement. This was the final
struggle, and the French began precipitately to retire; leaving above
seven hundred of their dead upon the field of battle.
The British infantry continued in pursuit as long as they were able, but
as the enemy dispersed in every direction, and the victors were under
the necessity of preserving order, the trial of speed became unequal.
The total loss sustained by the French was estimated at four thousand
men.
For this victory Major-General Stuart received the thanks of Parliament,
with a vote of a thousand pounds a year for life; the approbation of his
Sovereign, and the dignity of a Knight of the Bath; he was created Count
of Maida by the King of Naples, and the city of London voted him its
freedom and a sword.
In the official communication from the British minister at Palermo, the
battle of Maida was thus adverted to:—“There is not to be found in the
annals of military transactions an enterprise prepared with more
deliberate reflection, or executed with greater decision, promptitude,
and success, than the late invasion of Calabria by Sir John Stuart. I
trust, therefore, you will not think me presumptuous for venturing to
add my testimony of the high sense entertained by this Court, of the
merits of the British General, and of his gallant army, who, on the
fertile plains of Maida, have added new trophies to those which the same
troops had formerly earned, from the same enemy, on the sandy regions of
Egypt.”
The following regiments were engaged in this action, the 20th., 27th.,
35th., 58th., 61st., (flank companies,) 78th., and 81st. Foot.