arriving off Alexandria on the 1st of March, bore down at sunset
into the bay of _Aboukir_. On the morning of the 8th of March, as
the rays of light gilded the horizon, one hundred and fifty boats
laden with soldiers approached the shore, which was crowded with
French troops assembled to oppose the landing. The murmuring sound
of a thousand oars, urging forward the _élite_ of a brave army,
whose arms glittered in the rays of the morning sun, was soon lost
in the loud thunder of cannon, and a storm of bullets from the
shore cut furrows in the surface of the water; a few boats were
struck and began to sink, others stopped to save the men, and a
momentary check was given; but the impulse returned with increased
ardour, and pressing through the storm of grape and musketry, the
rowers forced their boats to the beach. The soldiers instantly
leaped on the shore, formed as they advanced, and rushing up the
heights with supernatural energy, charged with bayonets, and
overthrew the opposing ranks. A sharp combat ensued; the THIRTEENTH
regiment landed during the action, and the French were driven from
their position, with the loss of three hundred men, eight pieces
of cannon, and many horses. Thus was the first step gained towards
the accomplishment of this brilliant enterprise; and the landing on
the shores of Egypt ranks among the splendid achievements of the
British arms.
Advancing towards _Alexandria_, the troops arrived, on the 12th
of March, at the vicinity of Mandora Tower, and on the succeeding
day marched through a wood of date trees to attack the enemy on
the ridge of heights in front. As the British emerged from among
the trees, the French advanced from the high ground and commenced
the action. The brigade to which the THIRTEENTH belonged was
advancing in column, when it was charged by a body of French
cavalry, which was repulsed by the ninetieth regiment, forming the
advance guard of the right column. Major-General Cradock instantly
formed the brigade under a heavy fire, and the gallant conduct
of the regiments was equal to the most sanguine expectation of
their commander. The French were driven from their position, and
compelled to retreat over the plains into the lines on the heights
before Alexandria.
The regiment had Captain Chester, one serjeant, and fifteen rank
and file killed; Captain Brown, Lieutenant Dolphin, and three
soldiers, died of their wounds; Lieutenants Handcock, Copland,
Serle, and Rich, Ensigns Hewson, Andrews, and O’Malley, three
serjeants, and ninety-seven rank and file, wounded.
In general orders, issued on the following day, it was stated--‘The
Commander-in-chief has the greatest satisfaction in thanking the
troops for their soldier-like and intrepid conduct in the action
of yesterday; he feels it incumbent on him particularly to express
his most perfect satisfaction with the steady and gallant conduct
of Major-General Cradock’s brigade.’ This brigade consisted of the
eighth, THIRTEENTH, eighteenth, and ninetieth regiments.
The French forces at _Alexandria_ having been augmented in numbers
by the arrival of additional troops from the interior, General
Menou advanced early on the morning of the 21st of March, and
attacked the English position with great intrepidity; but the
French were repulsed at every point of attack, and the British
soldiers stood triumphant over Buonaparte’s “_invincible_” legions,
at the close of the third engagement on the distant shores of
Egypt. Sir Ralph Abercromby was wounded in the action, and died a
few days afterwards, much regretted by the army: he was succeeded
by Lieut.-General (afterwards Lord) Hutchinson.
After this victory, one division traversed the country to Rosetta,
and captured the forts at that place; part of the army then
advanced up the river Nile, and forced the French troops at the
city of Cairo to surrender. The THIRTEENTH foot were, however, not
employed in these services, but were engaged in the _blockade of
Alexandria_.
A body of troops arrived in Egypt from India; the forces which had
captured Cairo returned to the vicinity of Alexandria, and the
siege of this city was commenced. The French were unable to defend
the place, and they surrendered in the beginning of September.
Egypt was thus delivered from the power of the French “_Army of
the East_,” which was forced to quit that country, shorn of its
laurels, and to return to France with blighted hopes.
The British soldiers received the thanks of Parliament, and the
expression of their Sovereign’s approbation of their heroic
conduct; and the “SPHINX,” with the word “EGYPT,” on the colours of
the THIRTEENTH REGIMENT, commemorates its gallant conduct on this
splendid enterprise. The Grand Seignior established an order of
Knighthood, of which the general officers were made members; and
large gold medals were presented to the field officers, captains,
and subalterns.
As a further proof of the estimation in which the Grand Seignior
held the services of the British soldiers in Egypt, he ordered a
palace to be built at Constantinople for the future residence of
the British Ambassadors.
NAMES of the officers of the THIRTEENTH Regiment who received gold
medals for service in Egypt:--
_Lieut.-Colonels._
Lawrence Bradshaw.
Hon. Charles Colville (_Commanding the regiment._)
_Majors._
Edward Scott (_Lieut.-Colonel_).
G. Kinnaird Dana (_Lt.-Colonel_).
_Captains._
Francis Weller.
William Belford.
John Beaver Brown (_wounded 13th March, 1801_).
A. W. Young.
John O’Neil Bayley.
Arthur Wilkinson.
Francis Wm. Schyler.
John Staunton (_Captain, Lieut. and Captain_.)
_Lieutenants._
Thomas Serle.
Cæsar Colclough.
James Wood.
George Innes.
Alexander Patterson.
George Thornhill.
Hyacinth Daly.
Richard Butler Handcock (_wounded 13th March, 1801_.)
John Peck (_wounded 13th March, 1801_).
James Blake.
James Kearnay Browne.
Richard Huson.
William Trench.
Patrick Hering.
George O’Malley.
Eyre Trench.
John Dunn.
Richard M. West.
_Ensigns._
Soden Davys.
Brinley Purefoy.
James Galbreath.
Edward Sheridan.
Peter Shansey.
John Richardson.
Richard Church.
James Fitzsimons O’Reilly.
John Custice.
Peter Shansey.
_Adjutant_, Geo. Parson.--_Quarter-Master_, Edw. Murray.
_Surgeon_, Wm. Patton.--_Assistant Surgeons_, Jas. McGuire,
and Francis Coul.
The British army in Egypt had equalled the most sanguine
expectations of their country; and when ages have passed, the
story of the gallant achievements of the soldiers who fought under
the brave Sir Ralph Abercromby will stimulate to heroic actions
the future warriors of the British empire. The English army had
proved to the world that French soldiers were not invincible; the
expectations of Buonaparte had been defeated, and negociations for
a treaty of peace were commenced.
[Sidenote: 1802]
The THIRTEENTH regiment remained in Egypt until the 13th of
January, 1802, when it embarked from Alexandria for the island of
Malta, where it arrived on the 2nd of March.
The regiment was stationed at Malta twelve months, during which
time a treaty of peace was concluded at Amiens, on the 25th March,
1802, in which the British government agreed to give up Malta; but
the conduct of Buonaparte, then First Consul of France, was marked
by so many acts of aggression, that the government considered
itself justified in refusing to deliver up the island.
[Sidenote: 1803]
In March, 1803, when hostilities were on the eve of re-commencing,
the regiment embarked for Gibraltar, to relieve the second
battalion of the royal regiment of foot from garrison duty at that
fortress.
[Sidenote: 1804]
On the decease of General Ainslie, in 1804, King George III.,
conferred the colonelcy of the THIRTEENTH foot on Lieut.-General
Sir Alexander Campbell, (who had commanded the seventh West India
regiment which was disbanded in 1802,) by commission dated the 11th
of July, 1804.
While the regiment was stationed at Gibraltar, a fever of a very
fatal character broke out in the town and garrison, and during the
months of September, October, and November, the regiment lost four
officers, and one hundred and twenty-six non-commissioned officers
and private soldiers.
[Sidenote: 1805]
[Sidenote: 1806]
In the autumn of the following year, the regiment was relieved from
garrison duty at Gibraltar, and it landed on the 1st of January,
1806, at Portsmouth, from whence it proceeded to Winchester and
Weymouth.
The court of Spain had again united with Napoleon Buonaparte in
hostilities against Great Britain, and in August the regiment
returned to Portsmouth for the purpose of forming part of an
expedition against the Spanish possessions in South America; but
the order for the embarkation of the regiment was countermanded,
and it marched to Dover, and afterwards to Deal barracks.
[Sidenote: 1807]
The regiment left Deal on the 4th of May, 1807, for Ramsgate, where
it embarked for Ireland; and landing at Monkstown on the 23rd of
May, marched from thence to Middleton barracks and afterwards to
Cahir.
In the autumn, the regiment was completed to its establishment
by volunteers from the militia, and embarking at Monkstown for
England, landed at Portsmouth on the 2nd of December.
[Sidenote: 1808]
On the 26th of January, 1808, the regiment embarked for the West
Indies, and on its arrival it was appointed to the garrison of
Bermuda, where it landed on the 26th of March.
The West India islands belonging to France, which had been restored
to that country at the peace of Amiens in 1802, had not been
recaptured at the re-commencement of hostilities in 1803; but
in 1808 an expedition was assembled at Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes,
for the reduction of the French island of _Martinique_; the land
forces were under Lieut.-General George Beckwith, and the navy
was commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, K.B. The
THIRTEENTH foot embarked from Bermuda on the 23rd of November to
join the expedition, and remained at Barbadoes until the armament
was ready for the enterprise.
[Sidenote: 1809]
The fleet left Carlisle Bay on the 28th of January, 1809, and
arrived off the island of _Martinique_ in two days. On the 30th,
the troops landed in two divisions; the first division at Bay
Robert, under Lieut.-General Sir George Prevost; and the second
division, commanded by Major-General Maitland, near St. Luce and
Point Solomon. Both divisions were actively engaged in operations
for the reduction of the island. After a night march of seven
miles through a difficult country, the first division occupied a
position on the Great Lizard River; and on the 1st of February
it engaged the enemy on Morne Brune and the heights of Surirey,
which were warmly contested; but British valour was triumphant. In
eight days from the time the fleet quitted Barbadoes, Fort Desaix
(or Fort Bourbon) was invested, ‘notwithstanding heavy rains, and
most unfavourable weather, in which the troops have borne every
species of privation in a manner worthy the character of British
soldiers.’[10] The siege of the fort was prosecuted with vigour;
and on the 24th February, the French governor, General Villaret,
surrendered, the French twenty-sixth and eighty-second regiments
becoming prisoners, and delivering up their arms and EAGLES to the
British troops. The conduct of the regiment, at the capture of this
valuable island, was afterwards rewarded with the royal authority
to bear on its colours the word “MARTINIQUE,” to commemorate its
services on this occasion.
The THIRTEENTH were stationed at Martinique, where they received
two hundred and fifty volunteers from the English militia, in
October, 1809.
[Sidenote: 1810]
A strong detachment of the regiment embarked from Martinique
on the 21st of January, 1810, and sailed to Prince Rupert’s,
Dominica, where it joined the expedition against _Guadaloupe_,
under the orders of Lieut.-General Beckwith: the detachment of
the THIRTEENTH, sixty-third (600 rank and file), York light
infantry volunteers, and fourth West India regiment, formed the
fourth brigade under Brigadier-General Skinner, in the first
division, commanded by Major-General Hislop. This division sailed
from Dominica on the 26th of January, landed at St. Mary’s, in
Capesterre, on the 28th, and took an active part in the operations
by which the French troops in the island of Guadaloupe were forced
to surrender on the 6th of February. The loss of the THIRTEENTH
foot, in this service, was limited to one man killed and five
wounded; and immediately after the capture of the island, the
detachment rejoined the regiment at Martinique.
[Sidenote: 1811]
[Sidenote: 1812]
During the years 1811 and 1812, the THIRTEENTH were stationed at
the island of Martinique.
[Sidenote: 1813]
On the 15th of February, 1813, General Campbell was removed to
the thirty-second regiment, and was succeeded in the colonelcy
of the THIRTEENTH by Lieut.-General Edward Morrison, from
Colonel-Commandant in the sixtieth foot.
In the meantime, the measures adopted by the English government,
to counteract the tyrannical decrees of Napoleon, designed for the
destruction of the commerce of Great Britain, had involved England
in war with the United States of America, and the frontiers of
Canada had become the theatre of conflict, to which the THIRTEENTH
foot were directed to repair. The regiment accordingly embarked
from Fort Royal, Martinique, on the 2nd of May, 1813, arrived
on the 28th of June at Quebec, and proceeded from thence in
steam-boats and bateaux to Montreal.
At this period, a numerous American force had penetrated Upper
Canada; and a small expedition was fitted out on Lake Champlain,
with the view of calling the attention of the Americans to the
defence of their own settlements on the borders of that sheet of
water. To engage in this service, nine officers and one hundred
and eighty-one soldiers of the THIRTEENTH foot crossed the river
St. Lawrence in boats, on the 24th and 25th of July, and proceeded
to the Isle aux Noix, where an expedition was assembled under
Lieut.-Colonel J. Murray; Lieut.-Colonel William Williams, of
the THIRTEENTH, being second in command. Sailing from the Isle
aux Noix in boats, the expedition navigated the lake, and as it
approached the enemy’s post at _Plattsburg_, the American militia
abandoned the place. The British landed, destroyed the arsenal,
block-house, commissary’s buildings and stores, with the barracks
at Saranac, capable of containing four thousand men. The flotilla
afterwards returned to Isle aux Noix. In concluding his public
despatch, Lieut.-Colonel Murray expressed his sense of the conduct
of Lieut.-Colonel Williams, of the THIRTEENTH foot, in terms of
commendation; and added, ‘I have to report in the highest terms
of approbation, the discipline, regularity, and cheerful conduct
of the whole of the troops; and feel fully confident, that, had
an opportunity offered, their courage would have been equally
conspicuous.’
[Sidenote: 1814]
Active operations were continued during the winter, when the
weather permitted; and in the spring of 1814, Lieut.-Colonel
Williams, of the THIRTEENTH foot, had charge of the advance-posts
on the river Richelieu.
The American commander, Major-General Wilkinson, concentrated a
considerable force for the invasion of Lower Canada; the THIRTEENTH
and forty-ninth regiments, the Canadian voltigeurs, a troop of the
nineteenth light dragoons, and a field train, were assembled at
St. John’s, and its vicinity, to oppose the invaders. This force
was placed under the orders of Colonel Sir Sidney Beckwith, and it
was ordered to dislodge a body of Americans, who had taken post at
Philipsburg, in the seigniory of St. Armand; but the enemy made a
precipitate retreat across the ice on Lake Champlain.
On the 30th of March, the American light troops entered Odell-town,
followed by three brigades of infantry, a squadron of cavalry,
and eleven guns; they drove in the British piquets, and attached
the post at Burton Ville; but were so well received by the troops
stationed there, that they soon desisted in the attempt on that
post. Their leading brigades afterwards attacked the mill and
block-house on the _La Cole_ river, where a detachment of the
THIRTEENTH foot and a party of Canadians were stationed, under
Major Handcock, of the THIRTEENTH. The Americans drove in the
piquet, gained possession of a wood, established a battery among
the trees, and opened a sharp fire upon the post, which was
gallantly defended. Major Handcock having ascertained that the
flank companies of the THIRTEENTH had arrived at the mill, directed
an effort to be made to capture the American artillery, when
Captain Ellard led his company to the charge with distinguished
bravery, and a spirited attempt was made on the battery; but the
wood was found crowded with American infantry. Captain Ellard was
severely wounded, and the few men who had made the sally, finding
themselves opposed by several entire regiments of the enemy,
withdrew from the unequal contest. The Americans persevering in
the attack, a second attempt was made to capture their guns, but
their brigades were too numerous to admit of a chance of success.
The post was, however, successfully defended; every attempt of
the Americans to capture it was repelled, and they retired, after
sustaining considerable loss.
Major Handcock, and the officers and soldiers who had so nobly
defended this post, were thanked for their conduct, by the
commander of the forces, Lieut.-General Sir George Prevost. The
regiment had thirteen rank and file killed; Captain Ellard, Ensign
Whitford, two serjeants, and forty-six rank and file wounded.
In April the war with France was terminated, and Napoleon
Buonaparte was removed from the throne of that kingdom; but the
contest in America was continued, and the THIRTEENTH regiment
was employed on the frontiers of Lower Canada, but it had no
opportunity of distinguishing itself.
[Sidenote: 1815]
Peace was concluded with the United States in 1815, when the
regiment received orders to return to England: it embarked from the
Isle aux Noix in bateaux, was removed into smaller boats at William
Henry, on the river St. Lawrence, and embarking in transports at
the Three Rivers, arrived at Portsmouth on the 15th of July, when
it landed, and was employed in garrison duty at that fortress. The
period of its arrival from America, did not, therefore, afford an
opportunity of the services of the regiment being available on the
occasion of the return of Buonaparte to France, his overthrow at
Waterloo, nor on the restoration of Louis XVIII.
The regiment remained at Portsmouth until August, when it embarked
for the island of Jersey, where it was stationed upwards of two
years; and its orderly conduct, on all occasions, procured for it
the respect and esteem of the inhabitants and civil authorities of
the island.
[Sidenote: 1816]
In January, 1816, an order was received for the reduction of the
regiment to ten companies, of sixty rank and file each.
[Sidenote: 1817]
On the 24th of May, 1817, new colours were presented to the
regiment, on the parade in Fort Regent-square, Jersey. The colours
bore on them the “SPHINX,” with the words “EGYPT” and “MARTINIQUE,”
and were consecrated by the Rev. George Lawrence, garrison
chaplain, who delivered a very learned and suitable address to the
regiment on the occasion.
In June of the same year, the establishment was augmented to nine
hundred and seven officers and soldiers.
The regiment embarked from Jersey in August, and proceeded to
the islands of Guernsey and Alderney. Its conduct, while at
Jersey, had excited the admiration of the inhabitants and civil
authorities of the island; and on its departure, a numerous public
meeting of the inhabitants and functionaries of the parish of
Saint Heliers, expressed the high sense they entertained of the
distinguished merits of the corps, which was communicated to the
commanding officer, Colonel Sir William Williams, by the principal
constable of St. Helier. The states of the island also passed an
act, setting forth their estimation of the discipline and orderly
behaviour of the regiment;[11] which was communicated to the
commanding officer, by his Excellency Major-General H. M. Gordon.
In acknowledging the receipt of the act of the states, Colonel
Sir William Williams observed, ‘To possess the good wishes of
those with whom a soldier resides must ever be the most pleasing
reflection, but particularly where, in the performance of his duty,
approval emanates from so high and so respectable an assembly
as the states of Jersey; it thence becomes a source of the most
heart-felt and lasting gratification, and will be recorded, and
handed down, as one of their dearest memorials. In communicating
the contents to the officers of the THIRTEENTH regiment, I am to
request you may accept their thanks; they being actuated with the
most fervent wishes for the prosperity of the island.’
[Sidenote: 1818]
[Sidenote: 1819]
The regiment remained at the islands of Guernsey and Alderney
during the two following years. In October, 1818, the establishment
was reduced to seven hundred and forty-six officers and soldiers.
In May and June, 1819, the regiment embarked by detachments for
Portsmouth.
On quitting Guernsey, the following letter was received, dated 4th
May, 1819:--
‘SIR,
‘The Royal Court of this island have desired me, as their
president, to express the high regard which they in common with
its inhabitants entertain for the officers of His Majesty’s
THIRTEENTH regiment of foot; as well as their approbation and
admiration of the general good conduct of the men of that corps,
while quartered among us; and I feel much pleasure, in being thus
enabled to assure you, Sir, that from all classes I have heard
no other sentiments but those of regret, at the approaching
departure of the THIRTEENTH regiment, which under your command,
and that of Lieut.-Col. Sir William Williams, has shown itself
throughout so orderly, and worthy of the esteem of this and the
neighbouring islands; and the officers in particular, by their
gentlemanly and social manners, have so thoroughly gained the
good will of those who had the pleasure of their acquaintance,
that one and all unite in the best wishes for the happiness and
prosperity of the whole corps, in which none is more sincere than
he who has the honour to be,
‘Sir, yours, &c.,
‘PETER DE HAVILLAND,
‘_Bailiff of Guernsey_.’
In acknowledging the receipt of this letter, Lieut.-Colonel R. B.
Hancock, stated,--‘It will, no doubt, be extremely gratifying to
Sir William Williams, as it is to all ranks of the regiment now
here, to find that their conduct has been thought deserving of
so great an honour. Penetrated by the repeated proofs of esteem
and affection, which they have received from the inhabitants of
Guernsey, the officers request me to offer their sincere wishes
for the general prosperity of the island, and for the individual
happiness and welfare of those friends to whose polite and marked
attention they are so deeply indebted.’
In September the regiment embarked for Scotland, and landing at
Leith, proceeded from thence to Stirling castle, with detachments
to Dumbarton castle, Paisley, Callender, and Buchlivie.
[Sidenote: 1820]
The regiment marched to Edinburgh castle in September, 1820:
towards the end of October it proceeded to Port Patrick, where it
embarked for Ireland, landing at Donaghadee, marched from thence to
Dublin, with detachments to Stranorlane, Carndonagh, Greencastle,
Buncrana, Rethinilton, and Letterkenny.
[Sidenote: 1821]
After occupying these stations ten months, the regiment called in
its detachments, and marched to Richmond barracks, Dublin, where it
arrived on the 21st of September, 1821.
[Sidenote: 1822]
From Dublin the regiment embarked, on the 18th of July, 1822, for
England, and two days after landing at Liverpool, orders were
received from the Horse Guards for the regiment to embark for
Greenock, proceed from thence to Edinburgh, and do duty there
during the visit of His Majesty King George IV. to that city.
The regiment arrived at Edinburgh on the 31st of July and 1st of
August: it had the honour of mounting guard over the royal person,
when the King visited that city, and Captain Ellard, who commanded
the guard of honor assembled to receive His Majesty on landing,
obtained the brevet rank of major.