What I have next to propose, will I think be allowed to be of
importance; for I wish to free our army from much inconvenience, and at
the same time to insure its efficiency. I have therefore to recommend,
that the East India Company should have the power of raising, as usual
by bounty, in the United Kingdom, such a number of regiments as they
may require for their service; to be commanded by their own officers,
in the same manner as has hitherto been the custom in their European
corps; so as to enable them to maintain their ascendancy in the East,
without the aid of Her Majesty's troops, except in cases of great
emergency; for I am most anxious that any of our regular regiments sent
there, as I have before observed, should be immediately ordered home,
as soon as the cause for which they may have been sent out had been
removed.
I am convinced that the Honourable Company's native armies would be
greatly improved, and rendered fully competent to contend with any
troops in the world, if several corps of Malays were formed for their
service, and officered in the manner now practised in Ceylon, and when
in the field made to act along with the Sepoys; and for very unhealthy
parts of India, where the heat is almost unbearable, some corps of
those always effective, and light-hearted beings--Caffres, would be
found most admirably calculated for service, either in garrison or in
the field. I am however aware that prejudices exist against both Malays
and Caffres, but they should be got over.
From what I have seen of Malays, I believe them to be the bravest
people of the East. The only resistance, worth talking of, which our
troops met with in taking Ceylon from the Dutch, was from a battalion
of Malays in their service; and I am convinced, that Sir Stamford
Raffles did not speak too highly in their praise. It was however, a
sad mistake, our having relinquished so much of their country, and I
fear too without their consent, to the tender mercies of the Dutch;
for they were always greatly attached to us, and it is well known that
they make excellent faithful soldiers. They are also very healthy in
almost any situation, and this alone should induce us to prefer them to
every other description of troops, which could be employed in Indian
warfare. Ought we not to look forward, and that too before long, to
the Company's wars increasing in number and importance; for does not
history and experience show us, that conquerors cannot easily stop in
their conquests, and say, this river, or that range of mountains shall
be our future boundary, and we shall go no farther; do we not almost
invariably find, that before they had long endeavoured to halt, and
when they had just began to expect, in rest and peace, to enjoy the
fruits of their victories, that they were either again obliged to go
forward, or else to retrace their steps. These historical facts are
particularly applicable, even at the present moment, and ought to be
considered as timely notice to beware of rendering our already vast
Eastern Empire too extensive, unless we are prepared to support our
high pretensions, by powerful and well organized fleets and armies;
and that our chief object is to disseminate the blessings of pure and
reformed Christianity throughout the East, for the long neglect of
which we have, as a nation, so much to answer for.
I well remember looking upon it as a hopeless business to expect that
the Portuguese could ever be brought to stand before French troops;
and in making this remark, I more particularly allude to the period
when Marshal Soult occupied Oporto. I could then have got, most
advantageously, as many did, into the Portuguese army; but having, by
chance, witnessed what took place on that occasion, and on some others,
nothing could induce me to have any thing to do with them. I certainly
came to a wrong conclusion, and I did not calculate, as I ought to have
done, that British officers can make almost any men in the world fight;
at all events, when they have an opportunity of seeing how British
troops set about their work.
I should greatly fear, that it cannot now be safe to employ--at least
in some of our West India Islands--corps composed of Blacks; I must
therefore beg leave to recommend, that regiments should be raised by
bounty in the United Kingdom, for service in that part of the world,
and in some of our other foreign possessions; and none of our regular
regiments should be required to serve there, but in cases of emergency;
and they ought always to be immediately re-called from such countries,
when the cause for which they were sent out had been removed. Such an
arrangement would obviate many objections to the plan of the ballot,
and would be found the means (so desirable an object in these times)
of keeping our regiments in a very high state of discipline and
efficiency; for they would be then very superior in these respects to
any troops we can now, or even could avail ourselves of; and if what I
suggest be adopted, a vast saving of expense to the country would be
the consequence, which is incurred in constantly relieving the number
of regiments we are obliged to have always stationed abroad.
In order to shew in the strongest manner, how serious a drawback such
prolonged service in tropical climates is to the British army, I shall
here take the liberty of stating, that in the year 1820, the regiment
to which I then belonged arrived in the East, complete in officers and
men. It lately returned to England, without having lost, I believe,
any individual in action; but the climate alone had produced great
changes in its ranks; and although volunteers from other corps were
added to it, and many recruits had been sent out during the period of
its absence from home, to keep up its strength, yet when it returned
it could scarcely be called a regiment. Some of the officers had
certainly exchanged into other corps at home, or had sold out; but
only one or two reached England of all those who had embarked with
it. This is most injurious to the discipline and efficiency of our
army; for, according to present arrangements, and from unavoidable
circumstances, a corps can only be at home for so short a period,
that there is not sufficient time allowed to bring it into that
state in which it ought to be for service; and when regiments arrive
in foreign stations, they are too often so much detached in small
bodies, that notwithstanding all the zeal and exertions of officers,
a certain degree of relaxation in discipline necessarily takes place,
and generally increases the longer a regiment, always hoping to be
re-called--is kept abroad. This feeling, or anxiety about home, at
least to any considerable extent, could not be supposed to exist in
Colonial corps; for those who voluntarily entered them, would have, in
a great measure, made up their minds to consider such foreign stations
as their homes, at all events, for a certain number of years, which
both officers and men can, in most instances, contrive to pass both
profitably and agreeably.
The officers of Colonial corps should be kept distinct from those of
the regular army, and there ought to be no exchanges permitted from
the one to the other; and it might perhaps be thought advisable, that
Colonial officers should receive a higher rate of pay or allowances,
and they ought to be allowed--as the same system of promotion is
supposed to exist in such corps as in the regulars--to join the latter
in making a provision for their retirement from the service, upon
the plan I have endeavoured to establish. But fixed rates of pensions
for service in the Colonial corps should be established for the
non-commissioned officers and privates, which ought invariably to be in
proportion to good conduct, and to the period spent in those generally
unhealthy climates. In these stations, and in the East particularly,
I have observed that soldiers of regiments of the line, were very
liable to be cast down, in consequence of the expectations they had
formed of the pleasures they were led to look for, not being by any
means realized; and being exposed to temptations which they could not
resist, especially that of drinking, they were more likely to become
slaves to it, and reckless, than in other parts of the world; it would
therefore be a point requiring serious consideration, how far it might
be prudent, when the composition of these Colonial corps is borne in
mind; to dispense entirely with corporal punishment; it ought not,
however, to be permitted to take place, but when called for by the
strongest possible causes, and a special report of the circumstance,
should invariably and immediately be made, by the officer commanding
the corps, for the information of the Commander-in-Chief.
The establishments of Colonial corps ought to be fixed according to the
service likely to be locally required of them; and where their officers
obtained the rank of generals, they could, of course, be employed in
any manner, or upon any service for which the Commander-in-chief might
think fit to select them; but their knowledge of these countries would
eminently qualify them for colonial commands, and thus this branch of
the service would not only be rendered highly honourable, but it would
also hold out many advantages to those who entered it. They ought,
therefore, to be obliged to undergo before appointment, and afterwards
before they get the rank of major, the examinations to which the
officers of the regular army must submit.
I must now request attention to what I shall next bring before the
reader--that is to say--as no one would hereafter, according to the
plan proposed, be permitted to enter our regular army, who was not of
a certain height, and of a sound constitution, I must strongly urge,
that the old fashioned fancy of having grenadier and light infantry
companies to regiments should be discontinued; for it takes away the
best, or the picked men from the others, to gratify the vanity of
two of the captains, at the expense of the feelings of the rest, and
which also most seriously affects the general efficiency, and ruins
the appearance of regiments: and how galling and discouraging it is
to a corps, but especially to its commanding officer, to have these
companies placed under the orders of probably a stranger; who may
have sufficient influence or interest with a general commanding an
expedition, so as to be able to induce him to form grenadier, or light
infantry battalions, for a particular service, and which any regiment,
or part of it, ought to be as well able to perform.
A battalion, or any body of troops, which is not perfect in the
exercises and duties of light infantry as well as in the less rapid
movements of the line, should be looked upon as unfit for modern
warfare. All regiments of infantry ought therefore to be like the
old 43d and 52d; and I must, at whatever risk, presume to say, that
officers unable to make their corps, if not altogether, at least almost
as efficient as these were when they came from the hands of Sir John
Moore, ought to be considered incapable of commanding them. I have also
no hesitation in adding, that during the late wars, these corps and the
Rifles, far surpassed all others in many respects.
We all know that the celebrated Marshal Saxe, who was looked upon as a
high military authority in olden times, is reported to have said, that
the whole art of war was in the legs. This, to a certain extent, is
true; but he then, of course, only spoke of the trade and not of the
science. I have no doubt but that some of our ancients may be inclined
to think they got on well enough without exerting much activity in
their day; yet I must say, that officers unfit for rapid movements
_on foot_ should be recommended to retire from the service, as their
unfitness in this respect might render it indispensable that they
should not be allowed to remain a burden upon it. And I would likewise
take the liberty of suggesting, that all regimental officers, according
to their rank, should be dressed and appointed alike; and all the
soldiers of the ten companies alike.
If all our regular regiments were made light infantry, which they
ought to be, it might no longer be considered advisable to encumber
them with the large colours now in use. Once upon a time, a commanding
officer of a light corps (not belonging to the famous light division),
expecting next day to be engaged, actually came to the strange
determination of burning those of his regiment; but when acting in
line, I would propose (though some one else might think of something
very superior), that there should be substituted as rallying points,
and to which should be attached the same importance as to colours, two
golden-lions, which might be ornamented by a scroll, upon which could
be emblazoned, or inscribed, the actions in which the corps may have
distinguished itself--these should be screwed on to light staffs; those
for English regiments, being near their heads, adorned with Roses;
those for Scotch, with Thistles; and those for Irish, with Shamrocks:
these standards in the field should be consigned to the care of the
two youngest lieutenants, and they should be made strictly responsible
for them; for I once knew an ensign, who, in action, actually threw
down one of the colours of a renowned regiment, and made off to the
rear, without thinking more of it, from having been hit rather sharply
by a spent ball. These are likely, I fear, to be thought too trifling
matters for a work of this kind; but I hope the reader will excuse me
for having introduced them; and also for adding, that in order to keep
pace with improvements made by other nations in modern warfare, ought
it not to be well considered whether our slowest movements, in what
is termed ordinary time, would not be improved, if the soldier was
required to take a greater number of steps, say 87, of only 30 inches
in length in the minute; and if what is called quick time was made 126
paces of only 30 inches each per minute, which would make him pass
over the same extent of ground in the same space of time as he does by
the present plan. At least, I have no doubt, and I speak, as an old
adjutant, and as an officer long practised in the movements of both
small and large bodies of troops, that all manœuvres would be performed
at these paces with much less chance of confusion, and with more ease
to the soldier, especially in action, than according to the present
mode.
It would lead me far beyond my present intentions if I were to enter
extensively upon the subject of military evolutions; but I beg leave to
say, that to simplify and render their execution easy, ought to become
the primary object of all modern tacticians.
In manœuvring, especially large bodies of troops, rapid movements in
columns at quarter distances ought to be much more attended to than
they are.--Masses of such columns, or close columns, as practised
by the Duke of Wellington at Paris or elsewhere, can be quickly and
scientifically placed or prepared for advancing or retiring in any
direction, or for deployment, by simply, when put in motion, marking
time and bringing up the shoulder; and by this means gradually
producing a change of position or of formation of the whole mass.
Deployments can be made from such columns in quick or double-quick
time, and with the greatest accuracy, by merely moving in threes or
fours to the right or left. What an advantage an army thus instructed
would have over one proceeding in the old heavy manner, in seizing
hold of a position, or of a point, presenting evident advantages,
and that too with perfect safety; for, in case of a sodden attack of
cavalry, a quarter-distance column is in security in square in an
instant. This column also possesses many advantages over the close
column, not only in the superiority and rapidity of its movements, but
likewise in its being much less liable to get into disorder in broken
ground, or to suffer from cannon, which very soon, if well served,
destroy a perfectly solid mass, especially if steady battalions of
infantry are also firing into it, as was the case at Talavera, when
our Guards in the afternoon made a gallant but injudiciously-directed
charge; and when the 48th regiment, on the one hand, and the 45th on
the other, taught the French, that breaking through an enemy's line
in dense columns would not answer with a British army.--Echelons of
these quarter-distance columns would, in many instances, be very
superior to lines of battalions or brigades, as they could be moved
with rapidity to the points of formation in a new line or position,
and without any risk of getting into confusion; commanding officers
of corps, their majors and adjutants having only carefully to attend
to, judge, and preserve their respective distances; and even in common
drill or manœuvres of a single battalion, this ought always to form
an important part of the practice and instruction of these officers,
who in regimental tactics are, in general, not sufficiently occupied,
and consequently are too often found ignorant of their business when
obliged to act in brigade, and with this object in view every movement
should be performed as if in reference to a corps supposed to be upon
either or both flanks, with which they ought to work in unison. Now I
must beg the unmilitary reader to imagine a large body of troops thus
manœuvring in columns at quarter-distances, or in open columns, or
lines formed from them, covered by clouds of sharpshooters, supported
by these columns or lines, cannon and cavalry, and he will have at
once before him a chief feature in modern warfare, in which science
and experience on the part of generals and staff officers must be so
essential and indispensable.
In thus endeavouring to bring certain matters under consideration, and
in doing so I fear I may exhaust the patience of the reader, I hope I
may not give offence to some of those interested in their remaining as
they are at present; but I must proceed in the task I have assigned
myself, and observe, that I look upon it to be a point of importance
that the present mode of furnishing clothing and accoutrements for
regiments should be altered, and that upon a general being appointed
colonel of a regiment, he should receive a fixed income as such; but
all clothing and accoutrements of every description, ought, under
proper regulations, to be supplied through the regimental agents, upon
the responsibility of the colonels, but it should be so arranged that
neither could have any interest in the articles being procured at a
cheap rate. The granting, however, a fixed income to colonels need be
no additional expense to the country; for what are the off-reckonings
which go to colonels of regiments but an over-payment on the part of
Government for clothing, &c. &c. Some colonels are very liberal to
their corps, but many more cannot afford to be so; an alteration,
whatever it may be, ought therefore to come under the notice of some
board or other, so as to be kept, if possible, out of the hands of Mr.
Joseph Hume and his liberal associates.
To all who saw much service during the late wars, it must have been
obvious under what disadvantages, owing to the colours of their dress,
our soldiers had often to contend with the French, but especially with
the United States troops in skirmishing. The latter were certainly,
from having much practice, good marksmen; and thickly wooded America
was very favourable to their irregulars; for our brilliant scarlet
coats, white belts, and bright belt and cap-plates, enabled the enemy
to discover, whether in a wood, at the back of a hedge, or wherever
they were posted, our unlucky soldiers, who were too apt to expose
themselves, and many of them were in consequence laid low; whereas
the French, or wary Yankees, almost entirely escaped; and that much
owing to their being dressed in dark colours, which enabled them
easily to conceal themselves. But officers who served in our Rifle
brigade, and in that also experienced corps, of which I saw so much
on many occasions, the 5th battalion of the 60th, could give the best
information, and a correct opinion upon this head; and I feel certain
that they would join with me in recommending that a change should be
made in the dress of our army, so as to make it more suitable for
modern warfare, in which light troops are so much employed. I must
beg, at the same time, to say, that I often regretted that these fine
regiments were not armed with superior muskets in place of rifles, for
they are seldom to be preferred to muskets, and never but when loaded
with great care, and this, in action, takes up too much time.
We every day hear of experiments and improvements in the construction
of fire-arms; and the country can surely afford to supply our army with
a superior musket, with a proper elevation, and a percussion lock. The
present old fashioned firelock, with which nearly all our troops are
still supplied, is very imperfect, and heavier than it ought to be. But
would it not be well to consider, whether the new musket should not be
considerably longer in the barrel and smaller in the bore; and that
the bayonet should be much reduced in size; and I would also arm the
soldiers, I have in view, with a sword, of the shape and size used by
the ancient Romans; for we may depend upon it, that our brave, powerful
men, would follow their officers, sword in hand, into the midst of
their enemies. The musket could be then carried either in the left hand
or slung upon the soldier's shoulder, and the bayonet could be fixed to
it if preferred. It might be necessary to weigh well the consequences
before we so armed our impetuous soldiers, for it would be certain to
lead to a new era in war; and would expose troops so fighting, which
must be in a degree of loose order, to be charged by cavalry; yet the
Romans fought in that manner, and with great success, though equally
liable to be so attacked. Every thing would, however, depend upon so
high a state of discipline being established amongst the troops, as
would enable officers to keep them in hand, and at all times obedient
when commanded to resume their places; and our dragoons ought always to
be at hand, ready to support infantry so acting. Such views as these
are, I suppose, entertained by those officers who seem to be so anxious
to have broad sword and bayonet exercises, introduced. I do not wish
to enter farther into this discussion; yet I beg leave to say, that,
though I am certain our soldiers would have closed with their enemies,
yet, in all my practice, which was tolerably extensive, I never saw
two bodies of troops fairly charge each other with the bayonet; for
one side or other (and generally it was that attacked) gave way. I
have certainly seen a few instances of individuals, French and British
soldiers, actually attacking each other with the bayonet; and at the
battle of Roliça, I remember seeing a soldier of the 29th regiment, and
a fine-looking Frenchman, lying on the ground close together, who had,
judging from the positions in which they lay, evidently killed each
other with their bayonets; but such occurrences were, I believe, very
rare.
The introduction of the percussion lock into the army will necessarily
cause a change to be made in part of the musket exercise; but it will
simplify the motions and expedite the firing. I, however, hope, that
before any thing of this kind is decided upon, the following remarks
may be allowed to have due consideration.
The pouch might be differently constructed, and advantageously
converted into a magazine, to carry securely a certain quantity of
powder in bulk, in an air tight tin canister, with a screw stopper, to
insure its being, at all times, and in all situations, kept perfectly
dry; and this is a very essential point, as many cartridges are
destroyed or rendered unserviceable in the men's present pouches by
rain, a damp atmosphere, and even continued friction; and this is too
often only found out at the moment when they are required for service,
and when there is, perhaps, no opportunity of exchanging them; and
as this magazine ought at all times on service to be kept full of
powder, the officer when inspecting his company or detachment, could
easily ascertain if any of it had been made away with: indeed, the
stopper might be safely sealed over, or otherwise secured; and thus
the soldier could be made, without inconvenience, to carry such a
supply of ammunition as to render it unnecessary that recourse should
be so constantly had to that carried in reserve for the army. The
pouch should also be made to contain, besides the powder, a sufficient
supply of percussion caps, and a proportionate number of balls, to
the quantity of powder in the canister; and every ball should be
separately, thinly, yet sufficiently covered with a kind of stuff
similar to soft leather, so as to make it fit tightly when rammed down
into the barrel of the musket, and it would thus become a good wadding
over the powder. For what is called blank cartridge firing, waddings of
the common kind, and of the proper size, could be used.
The pouch thus contracted, would hold the soldier's reserve ammunition,
which would amount to a much greater number of rounds than it contains
according to the present plan. But to effect what I have in view, every
soldier should be supplied with a good powder flask, with a proper
measure to suit the musket, according to the most improved method, and
similar to that which Mr. John Manton usually supplied along with his
guns; having the measure forming an angle to one side, so as, in case
of explosion, if such a thing could happen in loading, the right hand
would not be much, if at all, hurt. This flask could be made to contain
a sufficient quantity of powder, say for twenty rounds, at all times
on service ready for use, and which, for the reason I have already
assigned, ought, when the soldier is required to have ammunition in
his possession, to be likewise kept full; and should it at any time be
suspected that the powder in it had become damp, it could be easily
aired by simply dipping the flask in boiling water.
I regret that I am obliged to be particular in my descriptions of such
trifles; but this flask should, I conclude, be carried for convenience
on the left side or breast, and secured from falling when the soldier
is in movement, by a slight chain attached to the belt, to which the
flask might also be steadily fixed by some simple contrivance; and
to render this the more easily done, it ought to be rather flat in
shape, and not larger than to contain the quantity of powder I have
mentioned; and twenty rounds are quite as many as can be wanted at
reviews or field days. In action, if these twenty rounds are expended,
I need scarcely observe, that if no other reserve powder be at hand,
the flask could be replenished instantly from the magazine; but under
an apprehension that ammunition might be made away with, the quantity
in bulk should be touched as seldom as possible, and if any of it be
used, it ought to be immediately replaced. A small pocket might be
made in the right side of the soldier's coat, which should be only
sufficiently large to contain a number of covered balls in proportion
to the quantity of powder in the flask; and a flap should button over
this pocket to prevent the balls from falling out. Each soldier would
likewise require to be equipped with one of those brass cases for
holding percussion caps, which, by a spring inside, forces each cap out
in succession as it is wanted. Those I use contain thirty caps. This
case should also be attached to the belt, but upon the right side.
The buck shot, I before mentioned, can easily be made up so as to serve
for wadding, in place of the covered ball; and a sentry upon his post,
especially at night, in many situations, would have more confidence
with his piece so loaded, than if he had only a single ball in it. A
better method than that which I have ventured to propose, may very
likely be pointed out; but whatever it may be, the admitting of the
knapsack being carried somewhat lower and easier to the soldier, ought
to be kept in view; and he should not be obliged, as at present, to
take cartridges with so much inconvenience out of his pouch every time
he loads his musket; and the new exercise introduced on account of the
percussion lock, must of course be made to suit the alterations.
Should the soldier be supplied with a well-constructed musket with
a percussion lock--and if he be required to use a muzzle stopper, a
charge though a day or two in the barrel, will go off almost as well
as if just loaded, and this too in any kind of weather. Our commanding
officers when going into action, or rather on supposing that they were
about to do so, in general made the soldiers prime and load too soon,
for this, I may say, is the business of a moment; and how often after
the regiments had loaded, have they never had an opportunity of firing
a shot the whole day. At night probably the soldiers bivouacked, and
it rained heavily, so that in the morning not a firelock, if it had
been attempted, would have gone off. Darkness had prevented it from
being done the night before, and when the charge had next morning
to be drawn, it was found to be a very difficult job, when the ball
was held tight by wet paper. And then the barrel required to be well
washed out, which took more time than could be allowed for the purpose,
and consequently it was badly done. I need, therefore, now scarcely
observe, that the percussion lock, in a great measure, obviates, by a
very little attention, such serious inconveniences and defects.
It may very likely be deemed great presumption for me to propose so
many changes; yet, having spoken of an alteration in the uniform of the
regiments, I shall now venture to mention what has been suggested to me
as likely to be a great improvement; but I do not by any means pretend
to say that nothing superior could be thought of or invented. But if
people take the liberty of finding fault with fashions or systems,
whether old or new, it is but fair that they should be required to
point out remedies or improvements.
Suppose that the uniform of the regular infantry was nearly assimilated
to that of our Rifle Brigade (with Her Majesty's Guards I don't venture
to interfere). It is generally allowed, that the dress of both officers
and men of these corps is soldier-like, handsome, and far better
adapted for service than that now worn by the rest of our army. But I
am most anxious that the soldier's coat should be made for comfort as
well as for appearance; and I should, therefore, greatly prefer that
it was made in the shape of what is usually termed a frock, but to
have a stand up collar, and to come down nearly to the knee. Both coat
and trousers could, at a very trifling additional expense, be made
water-proof. But soldiers ought never again to be overloaded on service
with blankets, and let the reader only imagine their being obliged,
as was often the case, to carry them when wet. But to make up for the
blanket, they should be furnished with a large sized water-proof cloth
great coat; in these they could sleep sufficiently warm and secure from
any damp that might rise from the ground, and which in campaigning is
of such importance towards preservation of health. The country would
also be saved expense if this plan were adopted, by not being obliged
to provide and convey bulky blankets to the points where they were
to be delivered out to the troops; and these water-proof great coats
being of a very durable material, would last much longer than the old
fashioned ones.
Many of the absurdities which once existed in the dress of our infantry
officers and soldiers; such as the powdered heads and long pigtails,
and white pipe-clayed tight buckskin breeches, and large jack-boots of
the former; and the soaped hair with finely feathered sidelocks, as
they were termed, and long highly polished leather queues, tight white
cloth breeches, and long tight gaiters of the latter, have long been
done away with; and why not go a step farther, and in the way hinted
at, in order to secure to our infantry great and decided advantages.
Many may remember the strange figures, which most of our soldiers cut
in Paris after the battle of Waterloo, in their dirty red coats, and
ugly shaped caps; the former much stained, and the latter become brown
and disfigured by exposure to rain and weather; the consequence was,
that our army made, I do not hesitate to say, the worst appearance of
all those assembled in and around that capital.
I do not intend in this work to make many remarks upon our cavalry, but
I must say, that I hope yet to see some of our lights made heavier,
and mounted on powerful yet sufficiently active horses. I confess I am
not one of those who admire what are called hussars, &c., because I
know how to value our heavy cavalry, and am therefore induced to draw
a comparison between the two; and I boldly assert, that no cavalry
in the world can stand before our splendid heavy dragoons and their
noble steeds. One regiment--and I am enabled to judge from what I saw
of them upon several occasions--would with ease cut their way through
all the Cossacks of the Don, or any such _Lights_, which are seldom
of any other use but to follow up a beaten enemy; and, I must say,
that it has often surprised me, how we could think of copying the
inefficient cavalry of any nation. Sir Thomas Picton, but he was an
infantry officer, was also no great admirer of our light cavalry, and
some of them may, perhaps, remember an opinion he publicly expressed
of their efficiency at Roncesvalles, when he, in his emphatic way,
and, I must admit, not very politely, drew a comparison between them
and the dragoons of the German Legion, who were not only excellent and
experienced, but always effective. We were all greatly attached to the
German dragoons, and for nothing more, than for their literally making
companions, or playfellows, of their fine English horses, which they
always thought of, with respect to care and food, before they did of
themselves.
At the opening of one of the campaigns, a body of these German
dragoons, so much and deservedly admired by Picton, which had been
attached to the third division during most of the previous one,
returned to us from their cantonments, when we were again close
up to the enemy, and hourly expecting to be engaged; officers,
non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, turned out in a body to
welcome their old friends, who passed through the camp to where
they were to be stationed for the night, amidst the cheering and
congratulations of the fighting division--and Picton's division knew
well who were good soldiers. In making these remarks, I by no means
presume to say any thing against our light cavalry, but I must protest
against a system of mounting brave men upon horses unable to carry
them through their work on the day of trial, and in this respect
foolishly aping foreigners, who would give the world for such horses
as we possess; and who are doing all they can to improve their breeds
in order to be able to meet us at a future period. The plan, however,
which I have suggested for promotion in the army, would wonderfully
change matters in our cavalry regiments, into which many officers
would no longer go merely for the day, and for amusement, but into a
profession to which they were to belong for life. But mentioning these
German dragoons, reminds me of a welcome Sir Thomas Picton himself met
with on his return to the 3d division in the South of France, after
an absence occasioned by severe illness, and to which the following
letters allude.
"_Valley of Bastau, August 27, 1813._
"Dear Sir,
"It has long been the wish of the officers of the three brigades,
which we have had the honour to command under you in the 3d division,
as also of the divisional staff, to have an opportunity of offering
you an ostensible mark of their high respect, gratitude, and esteem,
which we so sincerely feel in our hearts.
"Every objection seems now removed, in point of time and otherwise,
when on the recurrence of severe illness, which has in four successive
seasons assailed you; you at present only await a sufficient degree of
convalescence, to admit of your trying change of climate, with but too
little prospect, we lament to think, of your returning to your command
in this country.
"Services such as yours, cannot but have been acknowledged before
this, by the offering of one or more swords from your attached
military brethren, or a grateful country. We therefore, for ourselves,
and those who have desired us to represent them, request you will do
us the honour to accept of a piece of plate with a short inscription,
commemorative of the circumstance, and of the corps which composed the
3d division under your command in the Peninsula.
"With most sincere wishes for your early convalescence, followed by
your confirmed good heath, on leaving a climate that has proved so
unfriendly to you, we have the honour to subscribe ourselves,
"Dear Sir,
"Your ever faithful Servants,
(Signed,) "C. Colville,
Thomas Brisbane,
M. Power.
"_For the Staff of }
the Division_, } F. Stovin, A.A. G^r.
"_Lt.-Gen. Sir Tho. Picton, K.B.
&c. &c. &c._"
"_London, 18th Sept. 1813._
"My Dear General,
"In the extreme weak state to which I was reduced previous to my
leaving the Peninsula, my feelings were too powerful for my spirits,
and it was not possible for me adequately to answer the kind letter of
the general officers commanding brigades in the 3d division, which you
did me the honour of forwarding to me from the Valley of Bastau, on
the 29th of August last.
"I cannot but highly value the testimony of gentlemen, to whose
talents, zealous co-operation, and gallantry on every occasion, I feel
myself indebted for the honours that have been conferred upon me, and
for the degree of reputation to which I have risen in the service;
and I shall receive any memento of their esteem and regard with
corresponding sentiments and feelings of the heart.
"The period of my life to which I shall always recur with the greatest
satisfaction, is that which was passed at the head of the 3d division,
when I always experienced such a spirit of unanimity and heroism,
as never once failed of success in any of the difficult enterprises
we were employed upon. Though I may never again have the honour
of commanding so distinguished a corps, I shall ever feel myself
identified with the 3d division in all its operations, and shall take
as strong an interest in its success as I ever did, whilst I had the
honour of presiding at its head.
"Accept my many acknowledgments for your kind attention, and of my
sincere and constant wishes for your success and prosperity on all
occasions.
"Your devoted and faithful,
"Humble Servant,
(Signed,) "Thomas Picton, Lt.-Gen.
"_To the Hon. Major-General Colville,
Major-General Brisbane,
Major-General Power,
Lt.-Colonel Stovin, &c._"
The day upon which Sir Thomas Picton unexpectedly rejoined his
division, the 45th regiment was lying down at the head of Sir Thomas
Brisbane's brigade, which was concealed behind a height, ready for an
intended attack. The enemy were posted at a bridge on the right bank
of a brook, and occupying, advantageously, a few houses close to it.
Our sentinels and theirs were within ten yards of each other, when to
this corps delight, which had so long served under him, up rode their
favourite chief: in an instant, and under strong and general impulse
of feeling, which could not be suppressed, they to a man stood up, and
gave him three hearty cheers, which were immediately responded to by
the 74th and 88th regiments; thus discovering where they were to the
French. "Well 45th, you have let the enemy hear you, you may now, if
you please, let them feel you," was Picton's smiling reply; and at
the same instant he ordered the attack, which I need scarcely say was
completely successful.
I hope I may be excused for giving here another trifling anecdote. I
remember well Colonel Guard, whose adjutant I was at the time, being
most anxious that the 45th regiment, which he for some years commanded,
should be made Light Infantry, and also to have had them styled, "The
Sherwood Foresters." He, however, for what reason I know not, failed in
the objects he had in view. Not long after, the 45th was brigaded in
England for exercise with the 87th and 88th regiments. Colonel Guard
had constantly, and much to his annoyance, and more particularly on
account of his recent failure, heard these corps called to attention
by their appropriate local designations, in place of their numbers;
but one day he could stand it no longer, and when Colonels Butler and
Duff loudly and proudly exclaimed, "Prince's Irish," and "Connaught
Rangers,"--he in a very shrill voice, called out at the same instant,
"Nottingham Hosiers," attention. His brother chiefs, who seemingly had
not heard, or understood what he had said, looked all astonishment,
when the whole brigade burst into an irrepressible, and unmilitary
fit of laughter. I fear that in this instance, like old soldiers in
general, I have been led away by the love of telling my story, and
must therefore apologize for the liberty I have taken with the reader;
yet, if I am not mistaken, I think I have shown, that a particular
designation, however acquired, is considered by many, as of more
importance to a corps, than a mere number; I therefore look forward to
the day, if my views are adopted, when a district will have just cause
to be proud of its regiment; and to a regiment never hearing it named
but with a feeling of revived affection, and a determination, that
their home shall never be disgraced by any act of theirs.