“Sir,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter, conveying the kind expression of the Mayor, Justices, and
Inhabitants at large, on the conduct of the detachment under my
command, and am much gratified that their constant good conduct
should have called forth the approbation of those among whom
they have so long been quartered, requesting you to accept my
best thanks for the handsome manner you have communicated their
sentiments to me.
“Believe me, Sir,
“Your most obedient humble servant,
(Signed) “MARTIN ORR, Capt. 88th regt.
“_To B. Chapman, Esq., Town Clerk._”
In June, 1834, the depôt marched in _two_ divisions from Sheerness,
and returned to Chatham, where, soon after, one of those incidental
riots took place between some soldiers and some of the seamen and
labourers in the Dock-yard, which, as in most cases of the kind,
originated from some trifling cause, and was in the first instance
considered of no importance; but unhappily it shortly after assumed
a more grave and serious form, as very frequent opportunities were
taken to grossly insult and assault the soldiers, who, though
fully impressed with that good sense of discipline which commands
forbearance, were forced in self-defence to retaliate. Again, on the
21st August, after the races, an altercation took place between some
soldiers and sailors, the origin of which could not be ascertained,
but the sailors were joined by a vast rabble of the lowest kind, who
aided in seriously maltreating the soldiers, whose numbers being
comparatively few, acted alone in self-defence, until some of the
well-disposed of the inhabitants ran to the barracks and gave notice
to the guard of what was passing: when the soldiers in barracks
were made aware of it, they rushed therefrom to the aid of their
comrades, some of whom they met, in appearance frightfully maimed,
the consequences of which might have been most serious, had not
the Officers of the depôt hurried forward and arrested the advance
of the soldiers, who in obedience to orders immediately returned
to the barracks. In the course of this proceeding, no interference
was made by the civil authorities, nor on the following day when a
party of seamen in a state of intoxication, accompanied by a vast
rabble armed with bludgeons, and preceded by persons with musical
instruments, marched up to the barrack-gate and called for the
soldiers of the EIGHTY-EIGHTH, to come out for fight, and decide
the affray of the previous day, a challenge which no doubt would
have been readily accepted, more especially as the men were termed
cowards, &c. had not the serjeant of the barrack-guard and his men
done their duty by keeping their comrades within the walls, until the
Commanding Officer and Officers were made aware of what was passing,
and ordered the barrack-gates to be closed, and thus terminated this
threatened fight. A detailed report of these proceedings was made
by the Officer commanding the depôt to the Commandant of Chatham,
and a complaint against the military having been forwarded in the
name of the inhabitants of that place, a Court of Enquiry of _five_
Officers (Major Dubourdieu of the Provisional Battalion, President)
was assembled on the 1st September for the investigation of the
complaints, of which due notice was given to the complainants, with
an invitation to attend and support the charges they had preferred:
notwithstanding which, not one individual appeared before the court;
and however blameable the civil authorities may be considered for
their non-interference to check the scenes which took place, it
may be justly inferred that no guilt could be established against
the military, more especially, as such a report was made for the
General Commanding-in-Chief’s information, as brought a letter from
the Adjutant-General, expressive of Lord Hill’s satisfaction at the
exertions of Major O’Hara and that of the Non-Commissioned Officers,
in supporting his exertions to prevent and stop the irregular
proceedings which took place, of which letter the following is a
copy, viz.:—
“_Horse-Guards, 20th September, 1834._
“Sir,—Having had the honour to submit to the General
Commanding-in-Chief, your letter of the 5th inst., and that of
Major O’Hara of the EIGHTY-EIGHTH Regiment therewith received,
I have it in command to say, that Lord Hill learns with great
satisfaction from the detailed explanation which the Major has
submitted on the present occasion, that he did not fail to exert
himself to the very utmost to prevent and put a stop to the
irregular proceedings to which that explanation alludes; and that
his Lordship’s satisfaction is greatly enhanced, from learning,
also, that the Non-Commissioned Officers of the EIGHTY-EIGHTH did
their duty in supporting their Commanding Officer’s exertions
on that occasion, as the contrary line of conduct had been
calumniously imputed to them.
“I have the honour to be, Sir,
“Your very obedient humble Servant,
(Signed) “JOHN MACDONALD, Adjt.-Gen.
“_To Colonel Sir Leonard Greenwell,
K.C.H., Chatham._”
The depôt marched in two divisions to Dover, on the 6th and 8th
of September, and arrived on the 10th and 12th. They occupied the
Western Height Barracks, giving a detachment to the Castle until
the 3rd of January, 1835, when the entire of the depôt were moved
to the Castle. Soon after its arrival in Dover it actively assisted
with the Artillery in extinguishing a fire, for which the thanks of
the inhabitants were received; and after being quartered in Dover
for eleven months, it embarked for Ireland in the Messenger steamer,
the 5th August. The feeling of the inhabitants at its departure will
be best understood by reading the following description thereof,
extracted from the “Dover Telegraph,” which, with a letter from the
Magistrates, and a garrison order, on the occasion, sufficiently
refute the calumny cast on the corps when at Chatham.
_From the Dover Telegraph._
DEPARTURE OF THE EIGHTY-EIGHTH.
The official documents which follow this article, so justly embody
the sentiments of the chief civil and military authorities of the
town and garrison, on the uniform good conduct of the depôt companies
of the CONNAUGHT RANGERS, since they have been stationed here, as to
leave us but the alternative of referring to our humble testimony in
their favour on the first arrival of their route for Ireland.
That the inhabitants of all ranks fully concur in these testimonies,
is best proved by the voices of the _thousands_ assembled to greet
them with a farewell cheer. At five o’clock on Wednesday evening, the
depôt marched from their quarters in the Castle through the town to
the new cross wall, where they were immediately embarked on board the
Messenger steamer, and from that hour till nearly half-past eight,
the piers and quays were literally crowded with the largest concourse
of persons witnessed there for many years. During the flowing of the
tide the brass band gave their final entertainment, by performing
several national and appropriate airs in their acknowledged excellent
style, and considerable amusement was afforded to those near the
vessel by the leave-takings of the soldiers’ female friends, most
of whom seemed more desirous of taking leave to accompany them. At
nearly half-past eight the Messenger was warped into the middle of
the harbour, and presently afterwards the paddle wheels were in
motion. At this moment the most perfect silence was observed by the
troops, an arrangement that seemed necessary for every order being
distinctly heard, relative to navigating in the harbour a vessel
of eight hundred tons, propelled by machinery of two hundred horse
power. But no sooner had she passed the boom-house jetties, than the
cheers of the troops burst forth in a genuine Hibernian hurra, which
was immediately answered most cordially by the multitude assembled
on the piers, and continued for some minutes. The band played “Rule
Britannia” as the ship glided majestically to sea, and in a few
minutes the CONNAUGHT RANGERS were out of sight and progressing
towards their native land.
[Sidenote: 1835]
We have entered more into detail than is usual on the embarkation
of a single corps, but the peculiarly disadvantageous circumstances
under which the EIGHTY-EIGHTH arrived at Dover, thus contrasted with
the interest excited by their departure, after a stay of nearly
twelve months amongst us, we think may warrant our doing so, as a
proof that the odium attached to the corps at Chatham was undeserved.
We now turn cheerfully to the documents before alluded to, the
communication from the town clerk, and the garrison order of Colonel
Arnold, viz.:—
“_Dover, 3rd August, 1835._
“Sir,—I am directed by the Mayor and Magistrates to express
to you their regret that the town is shortly to be deprived of
the EIGHTY-EIGHTH depôt under your command. When the peculiar
circumstances attending its removal to this town are taken into
consideration, the Mayor and Magistrates deem it but an act of
justice to the regiment, to state their great satisfaction with the
general good conduct of all parties connected with it during the
period it has been stationed in this garrison.
“I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
(Signed) “G. W. LEDGER, Town-Clerk.
“_To Major O’Hara, Commanding Depôt
Eighty-Eighth Regiment, Dover Castle._”
“_Dover Castle, 4th August, 1835._
“Sir,—I have received with much satisfaction your letter of the
3rd inst. expressive of the regret of the Mayor and Magistrates at
our departure from this garrison. In the present instance its value
is much enhanced from the circumstance to which it refers, and
their favourable opinion is the best refutation to those unfounded
calumnies which were disseminated to our disadvantage at Chatham.
Here we have found no unjust prejudice; on the contrary, we are
much indebted to the inhabitants for their invariable kindness and
attention, and we feel a pride and satisfaction in having elicited
this testimony of approbation from so highly respectable a body
as the Mayor and Magistrates of Dover, to whom, as well as to the
inhabitants, we sincerely bid farewell.
“I have the honour to be, Sir,
“Your obedient servant,
(Signed) “ROBERT O’HARA, Major 88th,
“Commanding Depôt.
“_To Mr. G. W. Ledger, Town-Clerk, Dover._”
Copy of a Garrison Order issued by the Commanding Officer at Dover,
on the departure of the depôt of the EIGHTY-EIGHTH regiment:—
“_Dover, 3rd August, 1835._
“The depôt of the EIGHTY-EIGHTH regiment being about to embark
for Cork, Colonel Arnold cannot suffer it to leave Dover without
expressing his high sense of its excellent and exemplary conduct
since it has been stationed here, and which he has frequently
had much satisfaction in reporting to his Lordship the General
Commanding-in-Chief. By its correct and soldier-like behaviour, the
depôt of the EIGHTY-EIGHTH regiment has fully supported in garrison
the high character which that distinguished corps has always
maintained in the field, and conciliated the respect and regard of
the inhabitants generally, by whom Colonel Arnold is confident its
departure will be greatly regretted, and he sincerely wishes the
depôt health and prosperity.
(Signed) “T. B. ARNOLD, Colonel,
“Royal Engineers, Commg. the Garr.”
[Sidenote: 1836]
On the arrival of the Messenger steamer at the Cove of Cork,
orders were received to convey the depôt to Kinsale, where it
disembarked the 10th September, and went into barracks at Charles
Fort, from which a company was detached to Bandon on the 14th.
On the 6th October, the depôt was inspected by Major-General Sir
Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B., commanding the southern district, who
expressed himself highly satisfied with it in every particular. On
19th October, Assistant-Surgeon Douse, Lieutenant Mackie, with one
serjeant, and twenty-one privates, proceeded to Spike Island, where
(with the exception of Surgeon Douse, promoted to the 14th foot, who
was replaced by Assistant-Surgeon Dalmage) they remained until the
9th February, 1836, when they embarked in the Bristol freight ship to
join the service companies at Corfu. On the 31st March, a company was
detached to Dunmanway.
The depôt received the route for Nenagh, and two companies, with
head-quarters, marched from Charles Fort on the 19th of April,
detaching, _en route_, a company to Killaloe, and relieved the depôt
of the 27th regiment at Nenagh, on the 27th. The companies at Bandon
and Dunmanway joined head-quarters on the 12th May, and the depôt was
inspected by Major-General Sir James Douglas, K.C.B., commanding the
south-western district, on the 14th, who was pleased to say, “he had
seen no depôt of which he should make a more favourable report.”
A letter, of which the following is a copy, was received by Captain
Rutherford, commanding the detachment at Bandon, on his departure
from that town:—
“_Bandon, 2nd May, 1836._
“Sir,—We the undersigned inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood
of Bandon, having learned with regret that you are about to be
removed with the detachment under your command of the EIGHTY-EIGHTH
regiment, consider it but justice to express to you before your
departure, our perfect satisfaction at the regular and strict
propriety of conduct of the men of your distinguished corps while
they have been stationed here, now upwards of seven months; thus
proving to their friends at home, as they have often done to their
enemies abroad, what can be effected by uniform steadiness and high
discipline.
“We beg you to accept and express to your men, our very best
wishes for yours and their happiness and success, and the great
satisfaction we shall feel, should the CONNAUGHT RANGERS at any
future period be quartered among us.”
Signed by the Honourable WM. BERNARD, Provost of Bandon, eight
Magistrates, ten Clergymen, and one hundred and forty-eight of
the most respectable and influential inhabitants of the town and
neighbourhood.
To the foregoing Captain Rutherford made the following reply:—
“To the Provost, Magistrates, Clergymen, and Inhabitants of the
town and neighbourhood of Bandon.
“_Bandon, 3rd May, 1836._
“Gentlemen,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your
very flattering address of the 2nd inst.
“That the conduct of the men of the EIGHTY-EIGHTH regiment, since
they have been quartered here, has elicited the approbation of so
numerous and highly respectable a body of the inhabitants, is to
me, as I am sure it will be to every officer of the corps, a source
of the greatest gratification.
“The regret you express at the departure of the detachment, and
the satisfaction it would afford, should the CONNAUGHT RANGERS at
any future period return to Bandon, must be fully participated in
by every individual who has had the good fortune to be stationed
here, where the officers have received such general and friendly
attention, and where the men have witnessed such cordiality and
good feeling.
“With a deep sense of the honour you have conferred, not only on
me, but the EIGHTY-EIGHTH regiment if generally,
“I have the honour to remain,
“Your very obedient humble servant,
(Signed) “H. W. RUTHERFORD,
“Capt. 88th, Commandg. Detach.”
The depôt marched from Nenagh to Buttivant on the 9th June, where it
arrived on the 14th, and received orders to hold itself in readiness
to embark for England, which it did in September following, on board
the Athol troop ship, and joined the service companies at Portsmouth,
on the 23rd of that month, when they landed from Corfu.
[Sidenote: 1837]
The regiment continued to do duty in the garrison of Portsmouth
nearly eleven months, in the course of which time it was twice
inspected by Major-General Sir Thomas M‘Mahon, K.C.B., who, on each
occasion, expressed his most unqualified approbation of it in every
particular, and his intention to report accordingly to the General
Commanding-in-Chief. Whilst at Portsmouth the regiment discharged
nine serjeants and ninety-two rank and file, most of them after long
service, worn out and unfit for further service; those numbers were,
however, recruited in the course of fourteen weeks, forty-one of whom
were chosen from disbanded soldiers of Evans’s legion on their return
from Spain, and the regiment discontinued to recruit. It marched
for Weedon Barracks, Northamptonshire, in three divisions, on the
14th, 15th, and 16th August, 1837, and on the 20th of September, it
was inspected by Lord Hill, General Commanding-in-Chief, when his
Lordship was pleased to express himself in high terms of approbation.
After a stay of only seven weeks at this most desirable station, it
again marched in four divisions into Lancashire, on 16th, 17th,
18th, 19th, of October, to Bolton (head-quarters), Wigan, Haydock
Loch, and Liverpool.
The EIGHTY-EIGHTH, or CONNAUGHT RANGERS, though comparatively a young
regiment, has performed much arduous service. A few months after
it was embodied, it was engaged in operations against the enemy
in Flanders and Holland, and shared in all the difficulties and
privations of a winter campaign in 1794. A portion of the corps was
afterwards employed in active operations in the West Indies. In a
few years it appeared on the shores of India; and it formed the van
of the Indian army through the deserts of Egypt. In South America
the CONNAUGHT RANGERS performed their duty as gallant soldiers: and
throughout the Peninsular campaigns their services are associated
with the _Third Division_ of the British army, which was eminently
distinguished for gallantry. After a series of victories in Europe,
the services of the regiment were transferred to North America, where
it was distinguished for a praiseworthy national feeling, which is
inherent in brave men, and was evinced by the absence of desertion.
Its services may be estimated from the circumstance, that in a period
of six years it lost forty-three Officers, twenty-eight of whom fell
in the field; the remainder died from wounds, from the effects of
climate, or from fatigue; and its loss in Non-Commissioned Officers
and Privates during the same period, and from the same causes, was
above two thousand. Since the termination of the war, this regiment,
whether on home service, or in garrison abroad, has been eminent for
good conduct; and its past services furnish a laudable incentive
to perseverance in well-doing, to all who have the honour of being
enrolled under its Colours.
_In compiling this Record of the_ EIGHTY-EIGHTH _Regiment, or_
CONNAUGHT RANGERS, _in conformity to the King’s Command, as
conveyed in the General Orders of the Army, great credit is due
to Colonel O’Malley, who, with much diligence, has obtained a
very circumstantial and correct statement of the services of the
regiment; and Colonel O’Malley has acknowledged his obligations for
much valuable information which has been furnished to him by the
late Captain Robertson, and several other Officers who formerly
served in the regiment;—particularly by Lieutenant Grattan,
who served with the regiment in the Peninsular Campaigns and in
North America, and has evinced the most indefatigable zeal and
perseverance in contributing to the completion of this Memoir._
SECOND BATTALION OF THE EIGHTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
This battalion was composed of recruits raised in Ireland, for
limited service, under the authority of the Additional Force Act,
which passed 4th of July, 1804, and was placed on the establishment
of the army, December 25th of the same year. It was formed at
Dumfries, in Scotland, in November, 1805, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel John Alexander Wallace, embarked at Leith for
the Thames, and landing at Gravesend, marched into Sussex, where
it occupied various quarters, and furnished, from time to time,
reinforcements for the First Battalion. In January, 1807, it returned
to Ireland, and was quartered principally in Connaught, where it
recruited numerous volunteers from the Irish militia regiments.
In the summer of 1809 it embarked from Cork for Lisbon; but on its
arrival, and subsequent inspection there, it was sent, in consequence
of the youth of the men, to Gibraltar, and did duty in that garrison
for a few months. From Gibraltar it was ordered, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, to Cadiz, in which city it was quartered
during the operations against Fort Matagorda. After the reduction
of that fort it was encamped for two or three months in the Isla de
Leon, under the command of Major (afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel)
Macpherson, and assisted in the construction of the lines thrown
up for the defence of that island against the French. A short time
before Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham engaged in the expedition
which led to the battle of Barossa, the Second Battalion of the
EIGHTY-EIGHTH was ordered again to Lisbon, where Colonel Taylor
resumed the command.
In the pursuit of Massena’s army from the lines of Torres Vedras,
the second battalion, under the command of Major Dunne, was attached
to the third division of the army. It was engaged in the action
at Sabugal, and was present in the operations of the army down to
the storming of Badajoz, after which, it furnished, as formerly
stated, a large draft of men to the First Battalion and returned
to England. In the end of 1813 it was ordered to Ireland, for the
greater facility of recruiting. The very liberal encouragement which
Lieutenant-General Lord Beresford afforded to this service, enabled
Major Dunne to obtain a number of volunteers from the Irish militia;
the liberality of the Colonel, and the judicious management of the
Commanding Officer, were so successful, that in two months the
battalion was increased from one hundred and forty to eight hundred
strong. It continued in Ireland, furnishing occasional drafts to the
First Battalion until January, 1816, when it was finally reduced at
Clare Castle, after transferring all the men who were fit for service
to the 1st battalion, then quartered in France.
SUCCESSION OF FIELD OFFICERS;
THE
NAMES OF OFFICERS, &c., KILLED AND WOUNDED;
WITH A
LIST OF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, &c.,
WHO HAVE RECEIVED MEDALS FOR MERITORIOUS
SERVICE.
SUCCESSION OF FIELD OFFICERS.
COLONELS.
Date of Appointment. Date of Removal, &c.
The Honourable John Thomas } { Removed to the 66th
De Burgh, afterwards } Sept. 25th, 1793. { Regt., 27th Nov.
Major-General the } { 1794.
Earl of Clanricarde }
General John Reid Nov. 27th, 1794. Died in 1807.
Colonel William Carr } { Removed to the 16th
Beresford, now General } Feb. 9th, 1807. { regiment of foot
Viscount Beresford } { in 1819.
Lieut.-General Sir Gordon } { Removed to the 71st
Drummond, G.C.B. } Mar. 11th, 1819. { regiment of foot
{ in 1824.
Lieut.-General Sir Henry } { Removed to the 25th
Fred. Campbell, K.C.B. } Jan. 16th, 1824. { regiment of foot
{ in 1831.
Lieut.-General Sir John }
Alexander Wallace, Bt. } Oct. 20th, 1831.
and K.C.B. }
LIEUTENANT-COLONELS.
Date of Appointment. Date of Removal, &c.
Robert Brownrigg September 25, 1793. Coldstream Guards.
Frederick Keppell March 28, 1794. 49th foot.
Wentworth Serle June 21, 1795. To half-pay.
Wm. Carr Beresford September 16, 1795. { Promoted to the
{ Colonelcy in 1807.
Alexander Duff April 14, 1798. To half-pay.
John Alex. Wallace February 6, 1805. { Promoted to
{ Major-General, 1819.
John Taylor May 18, 1809. To half-pay.
James Ferguson August 12, 1819. To 52nd foot.
George N. O’Malley June 2, 1825.
MAJORS.