TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
A superscript is denoted by ^x or ^{x}; for example, S^t or
Esq^{re}.
Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been
corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within
the text and consultation of external sources.
More detail can be found at the end of the book.
[Illustration:
BY COMMAND OF His late Majesty WILLIAM THE IV^{TH}.
_and under the Patronage of_
Her Majesty the Queen.
HISTORICAL RECORDS,
_OF THE_
British Army
_Comprising the
History of every Regiment
IN HER MAJESTY'S SERVICE_.
_By Richard Cannon Esq^{re}._
_Adjutant Generals Office, Horse Guards._
London
_Printed by Authority:_]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SEVENTEENTH,
OR
THE LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT;
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
IN 1688,
AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
TO 1848.
COMPILED BY
RICHARD CANNON, ESQ.,
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, HORSE GUARDS.
LONDON:
PARKER, FURNIVALL, & PARKER,
30, CHARING-CROSS.
MDCCCXLVIII.
LONDON. PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,
FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE.
THE SEVENTEENTH,
OR
THE LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT,
BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR
"_THE ROYAL TIGER_;"
WITH THE WORD
"HINDOOSTAN,"
AS A LASTING TESTIMONY OF THE EXEMPLARY CONDUCT OF THE REGIMENT
DURING ITS SERVICE IN INDIA FROM
1804 TO 1823;
AND THE WORDS
"AFFGHANISTAN," "GHUZNEE," AND "KHELAT,"
IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN AFFGHANISTAN,
THE STORMING OF GHUZNEE, AND THE CAPTURE OF KHELAT,
IN THE YEAR 1839.
SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT OF FOOT.
CONTENTS
OF THE
HISTORICAL RECORD.
YEAR PAGE
INTRODUCTION
1688 Formation of the Regiment in the vicinity of
London 1
---- Solomon Richards appointed to be Colonel 2
---- Reported fit for duty, and marched to Windsor,
Slough, Datchet, Staines, and Egham -
---- Furnished a Guard at Windsor Castle, to His
Majesty King James II. -
---- Revolution took place in Great Britain -
---- King James II. proceeded to France -
1689 King William III. and Queen Mary elevated
to the Throne -
---- Regiment adhered to the Protestant interest -
---- Embarked for Ireland with Ninth Foot to aid
in the defence of Londonderry 3
---- Returned to England, having failed to land at
Londonderry -
---- Colonel Richards deprived of his commission by
King William III. -
---- Sir George St. George appointed Colonel -
1693 Embarked for Flanders 4
1694 Quartered for the winter at Ostend 4
1695 Marched to Dixmude -
---- Colonel Courthorpe exchanged with Colonel
Sir George St. George -
---- Engaged at the Fortress of Kenoque -
---- Joined in the Siege of Namur 5
---- Engaged at the storming of St. Denis -
---- Colonel Courthorpe killed 6
---- Lieut.-Colonel Sir Matthew Bridges promoted
to the Colonelcy -
---- Surrender of the Castle of Namur -
---- Quartered for the winter in Bruges -
1696 Encamped near Ghent -
---- Served the Campaign under the Prince of
Vaudemont 7
1697 Engaged in operations in Brabant -
---- Termination of Hostilities by the Treaty of
Ryswick -
---- Returned to England -
---- Embarked for Ireland -
1701 Preparations for War recommenced -
---- Re-embarked from Cork for Holland -
---- Reviewed by King William III. on Breda-heath -
1702 Proceeded to Rosendael -
---- Encamped at Cranenburg -
---- Siege and Capture of Kayserswerth 8
---- ---------------- of Venloo -
---- ---------------- of Ruremonde -
---- ---------------- of Liege -
1703 ---------------- of Huy 9
---- ---------------- of Limburg -
---- Lieut.-Colonel Blood promoted to the Colonelcy,
_vice_ Sir M. Bridges -
---- Embarked from Holland 10
1704 Proceeded to Portugal 10
1705 Siege and Capture of Valencia de Alcantara 11
---- ---------------- of Albuquerque --
---- Siege of Badajoz --
1706 Siege and Capture of Alcantara --
---- Advanced to Placencia --
---- Siege and Capture of Ciudad Rodrigo 12
---- Marched to Madrid --
---- Retreated to Valencia --
1707 Battle of Almanza --
---- Lieut.-Colonel Wightman promoted to the
Colonelcy, in succession to General Blood,
deceased 14
1708 Engaged in operations in Catalonia 15
1709 Returned to England --
1710 Stationed in Scotland --
1714 Proceeded to Ireland --
1715 Removed to Scotland --
---- Engaged at Sheriff-Muir --
1722 Promotion of Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Ferrers
to the Colonelcy, in succession to General
Wightman, deceased 16
---- Appointment of Colonel James Tyrell, vice
Colonel Ferrers, deceased --
1726 Embarked for Minorca --
1742 Colonel John Wynyard from the Marines (4th
Regiment) appointed Colonel, in succession
to General Tyrell, deceased --
1748 Peace concluded at Aix la Chapelle 17
---- Embarked for Ireland --
1751 Royal Warrant issued on 1st July for regulating
clothing, colours, &c. --
1752 Colonel Edward Richbell appointed to the
Colonelcy, in succession to General Wynyard,
deceased --
1757 Colonel John Forbes appointed Colonel, in
succession to General Richbell, deceased 17
---- Embarked for Nova Scotia --
1758 Proceeded on an expedition against Cape Breton --
---- Siege of Louisburg, and capture of the island
of Cape Breton 18
---- Joined the troops at Lake George --
1759 Siege of Ticonderago 19
---- Proceeded to Crown Point --
---- Hon. Robert Monckton appointed Colonel,
_vice_ Forbes, deceased --
1760 Embarked from Crown Point, and formed part
of the army which advanced to Montreal, and
effected the conquest of the whole of Canada --
1761 Proceeded to New York 20
---- Encamped at Staten Island --
1762 Embarked for the West Indies --
---- Capture of Martinique --
---- ------ of Grenada 21
---- ------ of St. Lucia --
---- ------ of St. Vincent --
---- Formed part of the expedition against the
Havannah --
---- Siege and Capture of Moro Fort, with nine ships
of war, &c. --
1763 Treaty of Peace concluded 22
---- Havannah restored to Spain in exchange for
Florida --
---- Re-embarked for North America --
1767 Returned to England --
1771 Embarked for Ireland --
1775 Embarked for North America --
1776 Arrived at Boston, and proceeded to Nova Scotia 23
---- Embarked for New York, and landed at Staten
Island --
1776 Proceeded to Long Island 23
---- Engaged with the American army at Brooklyn 24
---- Capture of New York --
---- Engaged at White Plains --
---- Reduction of Fort Washington --
1777 Engagement with the American army at Trenton 25
---- Proceeded on an Expedition to Pennsylvania 26
---- Attacked the American position at Brandywine --
---- Advanced, and took possession of Philadelphia --
---- Took a position at Germantown --
1778 Marched with the army from Philadelphia
through the Jerseys, on its return to New York 27
1779 Placed in garrison at Stoney Point --
---- Attacked and made prisoners of war --
---- Exchanged and united with detachments of
Provincial troops and employed on various
services in Virginia 28
1781 Attacked the Americans at Guildford Court
House --
---- Defended York Town, where they became
prisoners of war --
1782 Major-General George Morrison appointed
Colonel, _vice_ Monckton, deceased --
---- Authorized to assume the County Title of
Leicestershire Regiment --
1783 Removed from New York to Nova Scotia and
Newfoundland 28
1786 Embarked for England --
1792 Major-General George Garth appointed Colonel,
_vice_ Morrison, removed to the Fourth Foot --
1793 Embarked for Ireland --
1796 Embarked for St. Domingo --
1798 Re-embarked for England 30
1799 A Second Battalion added to the Establishment of
the Regiment by volunteers from the Militia --
1799 The two Battalions embarked for Holland under
Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby 30
---- Engaged in action with the Enemy on 19th
September --
---- Again engaged at Bergen on 2nd October 31
---- Returned to England --
1800 Embarked for Minorca --
1802 Embarked for Ireland --
---- Second Battalion reduced --
1803 Hostilities with France resumed --
---- Ordered suddenly from Limerick to Dublin, on
account of serious riots --
1804 Embarked from Ireland for the Isle of Wight --
---- Proceeded to the East Indies --
1806 Proceeded to Bundelkund 32
1807 Captured the Fort of Chumar by storm --
---- Attack on the Fort of Comona 33
---- Employed in pursuit of the hostile tribes --
1808 Joined the force under Major-General St. Leger --
---- Proceeded to the Sutlej --
1814 War with Nepaul 34
---- Attack on Jutgurgh --
1816 Flank Companies joined a flank Battalion
forming at Allahabad 35
1817 Battalion Companies ordered to Nagpore --
---- Action at Jubblepore 36
1819 Lieut.-General Sir Josiah Champagné, G.C.H.,
appointed Colonel, _vice_ Garth, deceased --
1823 Embarked for England 37
---- Landed at Gravesend and marched to Chatham --
---- Reviewed at Southsea Common by H. R. H.
the Duke of Clarence 38
1825 Permitted to bear the figure of the Royal Tiger,
with the word Hindoostan superscribed --
---- Proceeded to Scotland --
1826 Returned to England 39
---- Embarked for Ireland --
1829 Returned to England --
1830 Embarked by detachments for New South Wales --
1836 Proceeded to Bombay --
1837 Encamped at Poona --
1838 War with Affghanistan --
---- Proceeded to Tatta in Lower Scinde --
1839 Marched into Scinde 40
---- Captured Hyderabad --
---- Marched into Affghanistan --
---- Fortress of Ghuznee captured by storm 41
---- Expedition against the Khan of Khelat --
---- Khelat captured --
---- Medal presented for storming Ghuznee 42
---- Permitted to bear on its colours and
appointments the words "Affghanistan,"
"Ghuznee," and "Khelat" --
1840 Returned to British India 43
---- General Sir F. A. Wetherall, G.C.H., appointed
Colonel, _vice_ Champagné, deceased --
1841 Proceeded to Aden, in Arabia Felix --
1843 Lieut.-General Sir Peregrine Maitland, K.C.B.,
appointed Colonel, _vice_ Wetherall, deceased 44
1845 Returned to Bombay 45
1847 Embarked for England --
---- Arrived at Gravesend and marched to Canterbury --
1848 Proceeded to London in consequence of Chartist
riots 46
---- The Conclusion --
PLATES.
Costume of the Regiment to face 1
Colours of the Regiment " 46
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF THE
SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT OF FOOT.
YEAR PAGE
1688 Solomon Richards 47
1689 Sir George St. George --
1695 James Courthorpe 48
---- Sir Matthew Bridges --
1703 Holcroft Blood --
1707 James Wightman 49
1722 Thomas Ferrers 50
1722 James Tyrrell --
1742 John Wynyard 51
1752 Edward Richbell --
1757 John Forbes --
1759 The Honourable Robert Monckton 52
1782 George Morrison --
1792 George Garth 53
1819 Sir Josiah Champagné, G.C.H. --
1840 Sir Frederick Augustus Wetherall, G.C.H. 55
1843 Sir Peregrine Maitland, K.C.B. 56
GENERAL ORDERS.
_HORSE-GUARDS_,
1_st January_, 1836.
His Majesty has been pleased to command that, with the view of
doing the fullest justice to Regiments, as well as to Individuals
who have distinguished themselves by their Bravery in Action with
the Enemy, an Account of the Services of every Regiment in the
British Army shall be published under the superintendence and
direction of the Adjutant-General; and that this Account shall
contain the following particulars, viz.:--
---- The Period and Circumstances of the Original Formation of
the Regiment; The Stations at which it has been from time to time
employed; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations in
which it has been engaged, particularly specifying any Achievement
it may have performed, and the Colours, Trophies, &c., it may have
captured from the Enemy.
---- The Names of the Officers, and the number of Non-Commissioned
Officers and Privates Killed or Wounded by the Enemy, specifying
the place and Date of the Action.
---- The Names of those Officers who, in consideration of their
Gallant Services and Meritorious Conduct in Engagements with the
Enemy, have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other Marks
of His Majesty's gracious favour.
---- The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and
Privates, as may have specially signalized themselves in Action.
And,
---- The Badges and Devices which the Regiment may have been
permitted to bear, and the Causes on account of which such Badges
or Devices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have been granted.
By Command of the Right Honorable
GENERAL LORD HILL,
_Commanding-in-Chief_.
JOHN MACDONALD,
_Adjutant-General_.
PREFACE.
The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly depend
upon the zeal and ardour by which all who enter into its service
are animated, and consequently it is of the highest importance that
any measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation, by which
alone great and gallant actions are achieved, should be adopted.
Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this desirable
object than a full display of the noble deeds with which the
Military History of our country abounds. To hold forth these bright
examples to the imitation of the youthful soldier, and thus to
incite him to emulate the meritorious conduct of those who have
preceded him in their honorable career, are among the motives that
have given rise to the present publication.
The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced in the
"London Gazette," from whence they are transferred into the public
prints: the achievements of our armies are thus made known at the
time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute of praise and
admiration to which they are entitled. On extraordinary occasions,
the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on
the Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their
orders, expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill
and bravery; and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour
of their Sovereign's approbation, constitute the reward which the
soldier most highly prizes.
It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which
appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental armies)
for British Regiments to keep regular records of their services
and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been experienced in
obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, an authentic
account of their origin and subsequent services.
This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His Majesty
having been pleased to command that every Regiment shall, in
future, keep a full and ample record of its services at home and
abroad.
From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth
derive information as to the difficulties and privations which
chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In
Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to
the active concerns of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and
where these pursuits have, for so long a period, being undisturbed
by the _presence of war_, which few other countries have escaped,
comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of active service
and of the casualties of climate, to which, even during peace, the
British Troops are exposed in every part of the globe, with little
or no interval of repose.
In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country
derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist
and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to
reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,--on
their sufferings,--and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which
so many national benefits are obtained and preserved.
The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance,
have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and
their character has been established in Continental warfare by the
irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in
spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and
steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against
superior numbers.
In the official Reports made by the respective Commanders, ample
justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions of the
Corps employed; but the details of their services and of acts of
individual bravery can only be fully given in the Annals of the
various Regiments.
These Records are now preparing for publication, under his
Majesty's special authority, by Mr. RICHARD CANNON, Principal Clerk
of the Adjutant General's Office; and while the perusal of them
cannot fail to be useful and interesting to military men of every
rank, it is considered that they will also afford entertainment and
information to the general reader, particularly to those who may
have served in the Army, or who have relatives in the Service.
There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or
are serving, in the Army, an _Esprit de Corps_--an attachment
to everything belonging to their Regiment; to such persons a
narrative of the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove
interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions of the great, the
valiant, the loyal, have always been of paramount interest with
a brave and civilized people. Great Britain has produced a race
of heroes who, in moments of danger and terror, have stood "firm
as the rocks of their native shore:" and when half the world has
been arrayed against them, they have fought the battles of their
Country with unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of
achievements in war,--victories so complete and surprising, gained
by our countrymen, our brothers, our fellow citizens in arms,--a
record which revives the memory of the brave, and brings their
gallant deeds before us,--will certainly prove acceptable to the
public.
Biographical Memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished
Officers will be introduced in the Records of their respective
Regiments, and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from time to
time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying the value
and importance of its services, will be faithfully set forth.
As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record of each Regiment
will be printed in a distinct number, so that when the whole shall
be completed, the Parts may be bound up in numerical succession.
INTRODUCTION TO THE INFANTRY.
The natives of Britain have, at all periods, been celebrated for
innate courage and unshaken firmness, and the national superiority
of the British troops over those of other countries has been
evinced in the midst of the most imminent perils. History contains
so many proofs of extraordinary acts of bravery, that no doubts can
be raised upon the facts which are recorded. It must therefore be
admitted, that the distinguishing feature of the British soldier is
INTREPIDITY. This quality was evinced by the inhabitants of England
when their country was invaded by Julius Cæsar with a Roman army,
on which occasion the undaunted Britons rushed into the sea to
attack the Roman soldiers as they descended from their ships; and,
although their discipline and arms were inferior to those of their
adversaries, yet their fierce and dauntless bearing intimidated
the flower of the Roman troops, including Cæsar's favourite tenth
legion. Their arms consisted of spears, short swords, and other
weapons of rude construction. They had chariots, to the axles of
which were fastened sharp pieces of iron resembling scythe-blades,
and infantry in long chariots resembling waggons, who alighted
and fought on foot, and for change of ground, pursuit or retreat,
sprang into the chariot and drove off with the speed of cavalry.
These inventions were, however, unavailing against Cæsar's
legions: in the course of time a military system, with discipline
and subordination, was introduced, and British courage, being
thus regulated, was exerted to the greatest advantage; a full
development of the national character followed, and it shone forth
in all its native brilliancy.
The military force of the Anglo-Saxons consisted principally of
infantry: Thanes, and other men of property, however, fought on
horseback. The infantry were of two classes, heavy and light. The
former carried large shields armed with spikes, long broad swords
and spears; and the latter were armed with swords or spears only.
They had also men armed with clubs, others with battle-axes and
javelins.
The feudal troops established by William the Conqueror consisted
(as already stated in the Introduction to the Cavalry) almost
entirely of horse; but when the warlike barons and knights, with
their trains of tenants and vassals, took the field, a proportion
of men appeared on foot, and, although these were of inferior
degree, they proved stout-hearted Britons of stanch fidelity. When
stipendiary troops were employed, infantry always constituted a
considerable portion of the military force; and this _arme_ has
since acquired, in every quarter of the globe, a celebrity never
exceeded by the armies of any nation at any period.
The weapons carried by the infantry, during the several reigns
succeeding the Conquest, were bows and arrows, half-pikes, lances,
halberds, various kinds of battle-axes, swords, and daggers. Armour
was worn on the head and body, and in course of time the practice
became general for military men to be so completely cased in steel,
that it was almost impossible to slay them.
The introduction of the use of gunpowder in the destructive
purposes of war, in the early part of the fourteenth
century, produced a change in the arms and equipment of the
infantry-soldier. Bows and arrows gave place to various kinds of
fire-arms, but British archers continued formidable adversaries;
and, owing to the inconvenient construction and imperfect bore of
the fire-arms when first introduced, a body of men, well trained
in the use of the bow from their youth, was considered a valuable
acquisition to every army, even as late as the sixteenth century.
During a great part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth each company
of infantry usually consisted of men armed five different ways; in
every hundred men forty were "_men-at-arms_," and sixty "_shot_;"
the "men-at-arms" were ten halberdiers, or battle-axe men, and
thirty pikemen; and the "shot" were twenty archers, twenty
musketeers, and twenty harquebusiers, and each man carried, besides
his principal weapon, a sword and dagger.
Companies of infantry varied at this period in numbers from 150
to 300 men; each company had a colour or ensign, and the mode of
formation recommended by an English military writer (Sir John
Smithe) in 1590 was:--the colour in the centre of the company
guarded by the halberdiers; the pikemen in equal proportions, on
each flank of the halberdiers: half the musketeers on each flank
of the pikes; half the archers on each flank of the musketeers,
and the harquebusiers (whose arms were much lighter than the
muskets then in use) in equal proportions on each flank of the
company for skirmishing.[1] It was customary to unite a number
of companies into one body, called a REGIMENT, which frequently
amounted to three thousand men: but each company continued to carry
a colour. Numerous improvements were eventually introduced in the
construction of fire-arms, and, it having been found impossible to
make armour proof against the muskets then in use (which carried
a very heavy ball) without its being too weighty for the soldier,
armour was gradually laid aside by the infantry in the seventeenth
century: bows and arrows also fell into disuse, and the infantry
were reduced to two classes, viz.: _musketeers_, armed with
matchlock muskets, swords, and daggers; and _pikemen_, armed with
pikes from fourteen to eighteen feet long, and swords.
In the early part of the seventeenth century Gustavus Adolphus,
King of Sweden, reduced the strength of regiments to 1000 men. He
caused the gunpowder, which had heretofore been carried in flasks,
or in small wooden bandoliers, each containing a charge, to be
made up into cartridges, and carried in pouches; and he formed
each regiment into two wings of musketeers, and a centre division
of pikemen. He also adopted the practice of forming four regiments
into a brigade; and the number of colours was afterwards reduced to
three in each regiment. He formed his columns so compactly that his
infantry could resist the charge of the celebrated Polish horsemen
and Austrian cuirassiers; and his armies became the admiration of
other nations. His mode of formation was copied by the English,
French, and other European states; but so great was the prejudice
in favour of ancient customs, that all his improvements were not
adopted until near a century afterwards.
In 1664 King Charles II. raised a corps for sea-service, styled
the Admiral's regiment. In 1678 each company of 100 men usually
consisted of 30 pikemen, 60 musketeers, and 10 men armed with light
firelocks. In this year the King added a company of men armed with
hand-grenades to each of the old British regiments, which was
designated the "grenadier company." Daggers were so contrived as to
fit in the muzzles of the muskets, and bayonets similar to those
at present in use were adopted about twenty years afterwards.
An Ordnance regiment was raised in 1685, by order of King James
II., to guard the artillery, and was designated the Royal Fusiliers
(now 7th Foot). This corps, and the companies of grenadiers, did
not carry pikes.
King William III. incorporated the Admiral's regiment in the second
Foot Guards, and raised two Marine regiments for sea-service.
During the war in this reign, each company of infantry (excepting
the fusiliers and grenadiers) consisted of 14 pikemen and 46
musketeers; the captains carried pikes; lieutenants, partisans;
ensigns, half-pikes; and serjeants, halberds. After the peace in
1697 the Marine regiments were disbanded, but were again formed on
the breaking out of the war in 1702.[2]
During the reign of Queen Anne the pikes were laid aside, and every
infantry soldier was armed with a musket, bayonet, and sword; the
grenadiers ceased, about the same period, to carry hand grenades;
and the regiments were directed to lay aside their third colour:
the corps of Royal Artillery was first added to the Army in this
reign.
About the year 1745, the men of the battalion companies of infantry
ceased to carry swords; during the reign of George II. light
companies were added to infantry regiments; and in 1764 a Board of
General Officers recommended that the grenadiers should lay aside
their swords, as that weapon had never been used during the Seven
Years' War. Since that period the arms of the infantry soldier have
been limited to the musket and bayonet.
The arms and equipment of the British Troops have seldom differed
materially, since the Conquest, from those of other European
states; and in some respects the arming has, at certain periods,
been allowed to be inferior to that of the nations with whom they
have had to contend; yet, under this disadvantage, the bravery and
superiority of the British infantry have been evinced on very many
and most trying occasions, and splendid victories have been gained
over very superior numbers.
Great Britain has produced a race of lion-like champions who have
dared to confront a host of foes, and have proved themselves
valiant with any arms. At _Crecy_ King Edward III., at the head of
about 30,000 men, defeated, on the 26th of August, 1346, Philip
King of France, whose army is said to have amounted to 100,000
men; here British valour encountered veterans of renown:--the
King of Bohemia, the King of Majorca, and many princes and nobles
were slain, and the French army was routed and cut to pieces. Ten
years afterwards, Edward Prince of Wales, who was designated the
Black Prince, defeated, at _Poictiers_, with 14,000 men, a French
army of 60,000 horse, besides infantry, and took John I., King of
France, and his son Philip, prisoners. On the 25th of October,
1415, King Henry V., with an army of about 13,000 men, although
greatly exhausted by marches, privations, and sickness, defeated,
at _Agincourt_, the Constable of France, at the head of the flower
of the French nobility and an army said to amount to 60,000 men,
and gained a complete victory.
During the seventy years' war between the United Provinces of the
Netherlands and the Spanish monarchy, which commenced in 1578 and
terminated in 1648, the British infantry in the service of the
States-General were celebrated for their unconquerable spirit and
firmness;[3] and in the thirty years' war between the Protestant
Princes and the Emperor of Germany, the British Troops in the
service of Sweden and other states were celebrated for deeds of
heroism.[4] In the wars of Queen Anne, the fame of the British
army under the great MARLBOROUGH was spread throughout the world;
and if we glance at the achievements performed within the memory
of persons now living, there is abundant proof that the Britons
of the present age are not inferior to their ancestors in the
qualities which constitute good soldiers. Witness the deeds of
the brave men, of whom there are many now surviving, who fought in
Egypt in 1801, under the brave Abercromby, and compelled the French
army, which had been vainly styled _Invincible_, to evacuate that
country; also the services of the gallant Troops during the arduous
campaigns in the Peninsula, under the immortal WELLINGTON; and
the determined stand made by the British Army at Waterloo, where
Napoleon Bonaparte, who had long been the inveterate enemy of Great
Britain, and had sought and planned her destruction by every means
he could devise, was compelled to leave his vanquished legions to
their fate, and to place himself at the disposal of the British
Government. These achievements, with others of recent dates in the
distant climes of India, prove that the same valour and constancy
which glowed in the breasts of the heroes of Crecy, Poictiers,
Agincourt, Blenheim, and Ramilies, continue to animate the Britons
of the nineteenth century.
The British Soldier is distinguished for a robust and muscular
frame,--intrepidity which no danger can appal,--unconquerable
spirit and resolution,--patience in fatigue and privation, and
cheerful obedience to his superiors. These qualities,--united with
an excellent system of order and discipline to regulate and give
a skilful direction to the energies and adventurous spirit of
the hero, and a wise selection of officers of superior talent to
command, whose presence inspires confidence,--have been the leading
causes of the splendid victories gained by the British arms.[5]
The fame of the deeds of the past and present generations in the
various battle-fields where the robust sons of Albion have fought
and conquered, surrounds the British arms with a halo of glory;
these achievements will live in the page of history to the end of
time.
The records of the several regiments will be found to contain a
detail of facts of an interesting character, connected with the
hardships, sufferings, and gallant exploits of British soldiers in
the various parts of the world, where the calls of their Country
and the commands of their Sovereign have required them to proceed
in the execution of their duty, whether in active continental
operations, or in maintaining colonial territories in distant and
unfavourable climes.
The superiority of the British infantry has been pre-eminently set
forth in the wars of six centuries, and admitted by the greatest
commanders which Europe has produced. The formations and movements
of this _arme_, as at present practised, while they are adapted
to every species of warfare, and to all probable situations and
circumstances of service, are well suited to show forth the
brilliancy of military tactics calculated upon mathematical and
scientific principles. Although the movements and evolutions have
been copied from the continental armies, yet various improvements
have from time to time been introduced, to ensure that simplicity
and celerity by which the superiority of the national military
character is maintained. The rank and influence which Great Britain
has attained among the nations of the world have in a great measure
been purchased by the valour of the Army, and to persons who have
the welfare of their country at heart the records of the several
regiments cannot fail to prove interesting.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] A company of 200 men would appear thus:--
__|
| |
|__|
|
20 20 20 30 2|0 30 20 20 20
Harquebuses. Muskets. Halberds. Muskets. Harquebuses.
Archers. Pikes. Pikes. Archers.
The musket carried a ball which weighed 1/10th of a pound; and the
harquebus a ball which weighed 1/25th of a pound.
[2] The 30th, 31st, and 32nd Regiments were formed as Marine corps
in 1702, and were employed as such during the wars in the reign
of Queen Anne. The Marine corps were embarked in the Fleet under
Admiral Sir George Rooke, and were at the taking of Gibraltar, and
in its subsequent defence in 1704; they were afterwards employed at
the siege of Barcelona in 1705.
[3] The brave Sir Roger Williams, in his Discourse on War, printed
in 1590, observes:--"I persuade myself ten thousand of our nation
would beat thirty thousand of theirs (the Spaniards) out of the
field, let them be chosen where they list." Yet at this time the
Spanish infantry was allowed to be the best disciplined in Europe.
For instances of valour displayed by the British Infantry during
the Seventy Years' War, see the Historical Record of the Third
Foot, or Buffs.
[4] _Vide_ the Historical Record of the First, or Royal Regiment of
Foot.
[5] "Under the blessing of Divine Providence, His Majesty ascribes
the successes which have attended the exertions of his troops in
Egypt to that determined bravery which is inherent in Britons; but
His Majesty desires it may be most solemnly and forcibly impressed
on the consideration of every part of the army, that it has been a
strict observance of order, discipline, and military system, which
has given the full energy to the native valour of the troops, and
has enabled them proudly to assert the superiority of the national
military character, in situations uncommonly arduous, and under
circumstances of peculiar difficulty."--_General Orders in 1801._
In the General Orders issued by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope
(afterwards Lord Hopetoun), congratulating the army upon the
successful result of the Battle of Corunna, on the 16th of January,
1809, it is stated:--"On no occasion has the undaunted valour of
British troops ever been more manifest. At the termination of a
severe and harassing march, rendered necessary by the superiority
which the enemy had acquired, and which had materially impaired
the efficiency of the troops, many disadvantages were to be
encountered. These have all been surmounted by the conduct of the
troops themselves; and the enemy has been taught, that, whatever
advantages of position or of numbers he may possess, there is
inherent in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows
not how to yield,--that no circumstances can appal,--and that will
ensure victory, when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any
human means."
[Illustration: SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT OF FOOT.
FOR CANNON'S MILITARY RECORDS]
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE SEVENTEENTH, OR THE LEICESTERSHIRE
REGIMENT OF FOOT.
[Sidenote: 1688]
In the autumn of 1688, when the adoption of pernicious counsels
by the Court had given rise to the preparation of an armament
in Holland to support the British people in the preservation of
their religion and laws, and King James II. began to entertain
apprehension for the permanence of his government, His Majesty
issued commissions for adding to his regular army five regiments of
cavalry and seven of infantry, including two corps formed of men
who had quitted the Dutch service; and of these twelve regiments,
the sixteenth and SEVENTEENTH regiments of foot in the British line
are the only remaining corps.[6]
The SEVENTEENTH regiment was raised in London and its immediate
vicinity, and the colonelcy was conferred on Solomon Richards, by
commission dated the 27th of September, 1688.
Great success attended the efforts made to procure men for
completing the ranks of the regiment, and in three weeks after the
letter of service for its formation was issued, it was embodied,
armed, and clothed. It was composed to a great extent of men
who had entered the army at the augmentation in 1685, and had
been discharged after the suppression of the Duke of Monmouth's
rebellion. The regiment was speedily reported fit for duty, and
on the 23rd of October orders were received for four companies
to march to Colnbrook and Longford, four to Staines and Egham,
and five to Windsor, Datchet, and Slough; at the same time two
companies were directed to mount guard at the Castle at Windsor:
thus were the first duties of the regiment those of a guard to the
Royal person.
On the 29th of October the quarters were changed to Maidenhead,
Datchet, and Windsor; and on the 6th of November, when the Prince
of Orange had landed in Devonshire, the regiment received orders
to march to Greenwich and Deptford, to be in readiness to protect
the establishments in the vicinity of those places, and to aid, if
required, in the preservation of the peace of the Metropolis.
[Sidenote: 1689]
The events which followed in rapid succession occasioned the flight
of King James to France, and the services of the regiment were
transferred to the Prince and Princess of Orange, who were elevated
to the throne by the title of King William and Queen Mary, in
February, 1689.
In Ireland, the army adhered to the interest of King James; but the
Protestants of Inniskilling and Londonderry embraced the principles
of the Revolution, and wrote to King William for assistance to
enable them to preserve those places in his interest. The ninth
and SEVENTEENTH regiments were directed to proceed to Ireland, to
support the people of Londonderry; and the two corps sailed from
Liverpool on the 3rd of April. Contrary winds forced the transports
to anchor at Highlake; but they again put to sea on the 10th of
that month, and on the 15th arrived in the vicinity of Londonderry.
The governor, Colonel Lundy, had resolved to surrender the place
to King James, who had arrived in Ireland with a body of troops
from France, and this officer called a council of war, to which he
stated, that there was not provision in the town for the garrison
for more than ten days, and that it would be impossible to resist
the army which was advancing against it, and a resolution was
passed against the two regiments landing. The two colonels had
received orders to obey the governor, and they accordingly returned
with their regiments to England. It afterwards appeared that the
governor's statements were not true; the town was defended, and
King William, considering that the two colonels (Cunningham and
Richards) had not sufficiently investigated the state of the
fortress, and of its stores, deprived them of their commissions.
The colonelcy of the SEVENTEENTH regiment was conferred on Sir
George St. George, by commission dated the 1st of May, 1689.
[Sidenote: 1690]
[Sidenote: 1691]
[Sidenote: 1692]
[Sidenote: 1693]
The regiment was employed on home service during the years 1690,
1691, and 1692. In 1693, the confederate army in the Netherlands,
commanded by King William III., sustained severe loss at the battle
of Landen, on the 29th of July; and after His Majesty's return to
England, at the end of the campaign, the SEVENTEENTH regiment
received orders to hold itself in readiness for foreign service.
It embarked for Flanders, and was stationed in garrison at Ostend
until the spring of 1694.
[Sidenote: 1694]
During the campaign of this year, the regiment served in the
brigade commanded by Brigadier-General Stewart; and it took
part in the operations of the army commanded by the British
monarch,--performing many long and toilsome marches in Flanders
and Brabant; but it had no opportunity of distinguishing itself in
action, and in the autumn it returned to the port of Ostend, where
it passed the winter.
[Sidenote: 1695]
In May, 1695, the regiment marched to Dixmude, where a body of
troops was assembled under the Duke of Wirtemberg for the purpose
of making a diversion in favour of the main army.
At this period Colonel Sir George St. George obtained His Majesty's
permission to exchange with Colonel James Courthorpe, to a
newly-raised regiment, which was afterwards disbanded.
The troops under the Duke of Wirtemberg encamped before the
_Kenoque_, a fortress at the junction of the Loo and Dixmude
canals, where the French had a garrison. The SEVENTEENTH regiment,
commanded by Colonel Courthorpe, took part in the capture of
several outposts belonging to the fort, and its grenadier company
was engaged on the 9th of June in driving the French from the
entrenchments and houses near the Loo Canal, and had several men
killed and wounded.
While the regiment was before the Kenoque, King William invested
the strong fortress of _Namur_, and the SEVENTEENTH and several
other corps marched to join the covering army, under Charles Henry
of Lorraine, Prince of Vaudemont. Against this army Marshal
Villeroy advanced with a French force of about seventy thousand
men; and the Prince, not having above thirty-six thousand men under
his orders, withdrew to the vicinity of Ghent.
The regiment was subsequently employed in operations to protect
the maritime and other towns of Flanders, and to cover the troops
carrying on the siege of Namur; and after the surrender of the town
it was selected to relieve one of the corps which had suffered
severely in the siege, and to take part in the operations against
the castle. The regiment arrived at Namur on the 11th of August,
and took its turn of duty in the trenches, and in all services
connected with this great undertaking; it had several men killed
and wounded, and on the 16th of August Captain Hart was killed in
the trenches.
When Marshal Villeroy approached at the head of a numerous army to
raise the siege, the SEVENTEENTH regiment was in position at the
post of St. Denis, where it was expected that the most vigorous
exertions of the enemy would be made. The French not hazarding an
engagement, the regiment was selected to take part in storming
the outworks of the castle on the 30th of August. About midday
the signal for the assault was given, when the grenadiers rushed
forward, under a heavy fire from the castle, to storm the breach
of the Terra Nova, and were followed by the SEVENTEENTH regiment
with drums beating and colours flying,[7] and a gallant effort was
made; but the three regiments ordered to support the assault did
not move forward in time, and the assailants were overpowered by
superior numbers. The SEVENTEENTH advanced in gallant style; but
they were assailed by a storm of bullets which nearly annihilated
the regiment; Colonel Courthorpe was killed, Lieut.-Colonel Sir
Matthew Bridges was severely wounded; and two hundred and fifty
officers and soldiers were put _hors de combat_ in a few minutes,
when the survivors received orders to withdraw from the unequal
contest. Some partial advantages were gained, but the loss was very
severe.
The SEVENTEENTH had Colonel Courthorpe, Captain Coote, Lieutenant
Evans, and one hundred and one serjeants and rank and file killed;
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Matthew Bridges, Captains Wolfe and Du Bourgnay,
Lieutenants Disbordes and Ashe, Ensigns Foncebrand, Eyres, and
Dennis, and one hundred and forty-nine soldiers wounded.
King William was pleased to confer the colonelcy of the regiment
on the Lieut.-Colonel, Sir Matthew Bridges, who had evinced great
gallantry on this occasion.
Preparations were made for a second assault of the works, which
was prevented by the surrender of the garrison. The SEVENTEENTH
remained a short time near the captured fortress, and afterwards
marched to the opulent city of Bruges, where they passed the winter.
[Sidenote: 1696]
Early in the spring of 1696, the regiment was joined by a numerous
body of recruits from England, and on the 12th of May it marched
from Bruges to Marykirk, and it was afterwards encamped along the
canal towards Ghent. It was formed in brigade with the third,
fifth, and eighteenth regiments, under Brigadier-General Selwyn,
and served the campaign with the army of Flanders under the Prince
of Vaudemont; but no general engagement occurred, and in the autumn
the regiment marched into quarters at Bruges.
[Sidenote: 1697]
On the 13th of March, 1697, the regiment quitted its quarters
at Bruges, and was afterwards stationed a few weeks in villages
between Brussels, Vilvorde, and Malines; it was subsequently formed
in brigade with a battalion of the royals, the fifth, and two
regiments in the Dutch service, under Brigadier-General the Earl of
Orkney, and it took part in the operations of the army of Brabant,
under King William, until hostilities were terminated by the treaty
of Ryswick, and the British monarch saw his efforts to preserve the
liberties and balance of power in Europe attended with complete
success.
[Sidenote: 1699]
During the winter the regiment returned to England, and it was
shortly afterwards removed to Ireland, where it was stationed
during the years 1699 and 1700.
[Sidenote: 1700]
[Sidenote: 1701]
The decease of Charles II., King of Spain, on the 1st of November,
1700, was followed by the elevation of the Duke of Anjou, grandson
of Louis XIV., to the throne of that kingdom, in violation of
existing treaties; and war being resolved upon, the SEVENTEENTH
regiment embarked from Cork on the 15th of June, 1701, and sailed
for Holland, where it was placed in garrison at Gorcum. In
September it was reviewed by King William III. on Breda-heath.
[Sidenote: 1702]
On the 10th of March, 1702, the regiment quitted its quarters, and
proceeded to Rosendael, where the officers and soldiers received
information of the death of King William III., and of the accession
of Queen Anne. They afterwards marched across the country to the
Duchy of Cleves, and encamped with the army, under the Earl of
Athlone, at Cranenburg, during the siege of _Kayserswerth_ by the
Germans. During the night of the 10th of June the army quitted
Cranenburg, to preserve its communication with _Nimeguen_, in front
of which fortress the regiment skirmished with the French on the
following morning.
The Earl of Marlborough assembled the army, composed of the troops
of several nations, and advanced against the French, who withdrew
to avoid a general engagement; and the regiment was afterwards
selected to take part in the siege of _Venloo_, a town in the
province of Limburg, on the east side of the river Maese, with
a detached fortress beyond the river, against which the British
troops carried on their attacks. The SEVENTEENTH took their turn
of duty in the trenches, and their grenadier company was engaged
in storming the counter-scarp of _Fort St. Michael_ on the 18th of
September, when the soldiers followed up their first advantage with
astonishing intrepidity, and captured the fort.
On this occasion, Lieut.-Colonel Holcroft Blood of the regiment,
who was performing the duty of principal engineer, highly
distinguished himself.
In a few days after the capture of Fort St. Michael, the besieging
army formed to fire a _feu-de-joie_ for the taking of Landau by
the Germans, when the people and garrison of _Venloo_, supposing
a general attack was about to be made on the town, induced the
governor to surrender.
The SEVENTEENTH were afterwards employed in the siege of
_Ruremonde_, which fortress was invested towards the end of
September, and was forced to surrender before the middle of October.
Rejoining the main army after the surrender of Ruremonde, the
regiment advanced to the city of _Liege_, and its grenadier company
was engaged in the siege of the citadel, which was captured by
storm on the 23rd of October. After these conquests the regiment
marched back to Holland.
[Sidenote: 1703]