Pearce from a newly-raised regiment of foot (afterwards disbanded)
to the Colonelcy of the FIFTH in succession to Thomas Fairfax.
[Sidenote: 1706]
[Sidenote: 1707]
During the early part of the war of the Spanish succession,
this regiment was stationed in Ireland; but the united English,
Dutch, and Portuguese armies having, in 1706, advanced to Madrid,
the enemy cut off their communication with Portugal; the troops
retired from Madrid to Valencia and Catalonia, and from that
period their only communication with Portugal was by sea. At the
same time it was found necessary to have a small army on the
frontiers of Portugal, and the FIFTH, Twentieth, Thirty-ninth,
and a newly-raised regiment commanded by Colonel Stanwix, having
been selected for this service, sailed from Cork on the 22nd of
May, 1707, and landed at the capital of Portugal on the 8th of
June[16]. This seasonable reinforcement arriving soon after the
defeat of the allied army at Almanza, in the south-east of Spain,
and at the moment when the enemy, having captured Serpa and Moura
in the Alentejo, had seized on the bridge of Olivenza in Portuguese
Estremadura, and menaced that important place with a siege, its
presence revived the drooping spirits of the Portuguese. The
four regiments, being the only British troops in that part of
the country, were disembarked with every possible expedition,
and marched to the frontiers under the command of the Marquis
de Montandre, when the enemy immediately ceased to act on the
offensive and retired[17]. The four regiments, having halted at
Estremos, a strong town of the Alentejo, situate on an agreeable
tract on the Tarra, remained in this pleasant quarter during the
summer heats, and afterwards encamped in the fruitful valley of the
Caya near Elvas, having detached parties on the flanks to prevent
the enemy making incursions into Portugal, in which service the
regiments were engaged until November, when they went into quarters
in the towns on the frontiers of Portugal.
[Sidenote: 1708]
The regiment again took the field in the spring of 1708, and was
encamped at Fuente de Sapatores between Elvas and Campo Mayor. The
British division was soon afterwards increased to six regiments,
by the arrival of the Thirteenth[18] and a newly-raised regiment
(Paston's) from England; and the little army in the Alentejo was
commanded by the Marquis de Fronteira; but the characteristic
inactivity of the Portuguese occasioned the services of the FIFTH
to be limited to defensive operations. It was encamped in the
autumn at Campo Mayor, and afterwards proceeded into cantonments.
[Sidenote: 1709]
After moving from its quarters in the spring of 1709, the regiment
was again engaged in active operations. It was first encamped near
Estremos, from whence it proceeded on the 23rd of April to Elvas,
and was subsequently encamped with the army on the banks of the
Caya, where the Earl of Galway, who had been removed from the army
in Catalonia, appeared at the head of the British division.
On the 7th of May the French and Spaniards, commanded by the
Marquis de Bay, marched in the direction of Campo Mayor, when the
Portuguese generals, contrary to the advice of the Earl of Galway,
resolved to pass the _Caya_ and attack the enemy. The Portuguese
cavalry and artillery took the lead, and, having passed the river
and gained the opposite heights, opened a sharp cannonade; but upon
the advance of their adversaries to charge, these squadrons faced
about and galloped out of the field, leaving their cannon behind.
The British division, arriving at the moment, repulsed the enemy;
and the leading brigade, consisting of the Thirteenth, Stanwix's,
and Galway's regiments, commanded by Brigadier-General Thomas
Pearce, charging with great fury, recaptured the Portuguese guns;
but the three regiments, pressing forward too far, were surrounded
and made prisoners, and with them Major-Generals Sankey and the
Earl of Barrymore, and Brigadier-General Thomas Pearce, fell into
the hands of the enemy[19]. At the same time the FIFTH, Twentieth,
Thirty-ninth, and Lord Paston's regiments, though deserted by the
whole of the cavalry, made a determined stand, bearing the brunt
of the enemy's reiterated attacks with admirable firmness, until
the Portuguese infantry had retired; then moving to the rear in
firm array--while the balls flew thick on every side, and the
Earl of Galway's horse was shot under him,--the enemy coming on
in full career, threatening the destruction of this little band;
yet, with ranks unbroken and steady tread, these undaunted English
calmly retraced their steps--exhibiting one of the most noble
spectacles of war,--and occasionally punishing the temerity of
their pursuers with a cool and deliberate resolution which laid
a thousand Spaniards dead upon the field[20], and impressed the
enemy, and also the Portuguese, with a sense of British courage and
magnanimity. Thus they effected their retreat, with the loss of
only one hundred and fifty men killed and wounded, and passed that
night at Arronches.
The FIFTH acquired great honour by its signal gallantry on this
occasion. It was afterwards encamped at Elvas, was subsequently in
position on the banks of the Guadiana, and again passed the winter
in cantonments in the Alentejo.
[Sidenote: 1710]
The casualties of the preceding campaign having been replaced by
recruits from England, the FIFTH again took the field in the spring
of 1710, and was employed in the Alentejo; but the army was weak
and unequal to any important undertaking, and the French having
had some success in the province of Tras os Montes, occasioned a
detachment to be sent thither. In the autumn the army advanced
across the Guadiana, and on the 4th of October arrived at the rich
plains of _Xeres de los Cabaleros_ on the river Ardilla in Spanish
Estremadura. It was resolved to attack this place by storm on
the following day, and the FIFTH, Twentieth, and Thirty-ninth,
British regiments, having been selected to perform this service
under the command of Brigadier-General Stanwix[21], advanced at
four in the afternoon to attack the works near St. Catherine's
gate by escalade: a few minutes after the regiments had commenced
the assault, the governor sent proposals to surrender, which were
agreed to, and the garrison, consisting of 700 men, were made
prisoners of war. The army afterwards retired to Portugal by the
mountains of Orlor, and went into quarters. This summer the army
on the other side of Spain gained two victories, and advanced to
Madrid, when the most pressing instances were made by King Charles
III. and General Stanhope, to induce the army of Portugal to
advance upon the Spanish capital; but the Portuguese generals were
unwilling to engage in so great an undertaking.
[Sidenote: 1711]
During the campaign of 1711, the FIFTH formed part of the army
which assembled at Olivenza in May, and, having passed the Guadiana
by a pontoon bridge at Jerumencha, advanced against the enemy, who
took refuge under the cannon of Badajoz. The FIFTH was afterwards
engaged in the capture of several small towns, and in levying
contributions in Spanish Estremadura; but the summer passed without
any occurrence of importance, excepting a discovery made by the
Earl of Portmore, who commanded the British troops in Portugal,
of a clandestine treaty in progress between the crown of Portugal
and the enemy, in which the former had agreed to separate from
the Allies; and, to give an excuse for this, a mock battle was
to have been fought, in which the British troops were to have
been sacrificed[22]. This treaty was broken off, but the British
Government soon afterwards entered into negotiations with France.
[Sidenote: 1712]
The FIFTH continued in Portugal, and was encamped during the
summer of 1712 on the pleasant plains of the Tarra. In the
autumn a suspension of hostilities was proclaimed at the camp by
Major-General Pearce, and the regiment went into cantonments.
[Sidenote: 1713]
From Portugal, the regiment proceeded to Gibraltar, which fortress
had been captured by an English and Dutch force in 1704, and was
ceded to Great Britain in 1713 by the treaty of Utrecht, when the
Earl of Portmore was appointed Governor; and the protection of
the place was confided to the FIFTH, Thirteenth, and Twentieth
regiments. Here the regiment remained in garrison for a period of
fifteen years; its establishment was 500 men, and it became as
celebrated for its excellent conduct in time of peace, as it had
been distinguished for its noble bearing and gallantry in war.
[Sidenote: 1726]
The crown of Spain had relinquished its claim on Gibraltar with
reluctance, and having, towards the end of 1726, resolved to
engage in a war with Great Britain, a Spanish army was assembled
in Andalusia under the command of the Count de la Torres, to
commence hostilities with the siege of this desirable entrepôt
to the Mediterranean. This gave the FIFTH another opportunity
of signalizing itself, and of adding to its honours already
acquired,--the proud distinction of a successful defence of this
important conquest.
[Sidenote: 1727]
The preparations of the enemy were made upon a most extensive
scale. Their troops were encamped before the place in January,
1727, the bringing up of cannon, mortars, and stores to the camp,
occupied several weeks, and the heavy artillery was removed from
the works at Cadiz and other fortified towns; at the same time the
whole disposable force, including part of the garrison of almost
every town in Spain, was assembled to take part in the siege. The
works having been commenced in February, before any declaration
of war was made, and persisted in against the remonstrance of
the Lieutenant-Governor, Colonel Jasper Clayton, a council of
war of the commanding officers of regiments was assembled, and a
determined opposition was resolved upon. On the 21st of February
the garrison opened its fire on the besiegers, and from that day
the storm of war raged round the rocks of Gibraltar with dreadful
violence, increasing in fury until the roar of a hundred cannon and
the fire of small arms became almost incessant in the day-time,
and was partially continued throughout the night, with the most
fatal effects to the Spaniards, whose loss was particularly great.
This contest was continued with a few partial intermissions until
many thousands of the besiegers had perished in the attempt; while
the tremendous fire of the Spaniards had produced little effect
beyond the bursting of many of their own cannon, and the enlarging
of the touchholes of others so as to render them useless. In the
early part of June the fire slackened, and on the 18th of that
month hostilities ceased. Thus the ostentatious vaunts of Spain
terminated in defeat and confusion.
[Sidenote: 1728]
The FIFTH embarked from Gibraltar on the 12th of April, 1728, and
proceeded to Ireland, in which country it remained seven years.
[Sidenote: 1732]
In September 1732, General Thomas Pearce, who had commanded the
regiment for twenty-eight years, was removed to the Fifth Horse,
now Fourth Dragoon Guards, and was succeeded by Colonel John
(afterwards Sir John) Cope from the Thirty-ninth regiment.
[Sidenote: 1735]
[Sidenote: 1737]
The regiment left Ireland in 1735, and was stationed in England
in that and the following year; but in 1737 it again proceeded to
Ireland. At the same time Colonel Cope was removed to the Ninth
Dragoons, and the Colonelcy of the FIFTH was conferred on Alexander
Irwin.
[Sidenote: 1738]
A period of seventeen years was now passed by the regiment in
Ireland, where it continued to retain its high state of discipline
and efficiency, and preserved untarnished the laurels it had
previously won.
[Sidenote: 1752]
[Sidenote: 1754]
After the decease of Colonel Irwin, in 1752, the command of the
regiment was given to Charles Whiteford; who was succeeded on the
20th of August, 1754, by Lord George Bentinck.
[Sidenote: 1755]
In the spring of 1755, the regiment left Ireland, and was quartered
in England; and in September of that year it had the honour to
receive King George II. at Chelmsford, on his way from Harwich to
London.
[Sidenote: 1756]
[Sidenote: 1758]
The regiment remained in the south of England during the two
succeeding years; and in 1758, another war having broken out, it
formed part of an expedition designed to effect the reduction of
the maritime power of France, and to make a diversion in favour
of the Hanoverians. It accordingly proceeded to the Isle of
Wight,--the general rendezvous,--embarked at Cowes eight hundred
and eighty-eight men strong on the 25th of May, and its grenadier
company was the first to make good its landing on the coast of
France on the evening of the 5th of June, when seven companies of
French foot, and three troops of dragoons, were quickly dispersed.
On the 7th the army advanced in two columns;--the FIFTH, taking the
main road to _St. Maloes_, encamped in the evening about a mile
from the town, and after sunset furnished, in common with the other
regiments, a detachment, which, proceeding to the harbour, set fire
to the shipping, magazines, &c., when a grand yet dreadful scene
of conflagration presented itself. Having destroyed a valuable
fleet and all the stores, the troops re-embarked and returned to
England.
In August of the same year, the FIFTH was engaged in a second
expedition to the coast of France, when _Cherbourg_ was captured,
and the harbour, forts, magazines, and ordnance, consisting of
173 pieces of iron cannon and 3 mortars, were destroyed: at the
same time 22 pieces of fine brass cannon, and two brass mortars,
were brought off as trophies, and sent to England; and these guns,
having been seen by King George II. in Hyde Park on the 16th of
September, were conducted in procession through the city to the
Tower of London.
The FIFTH was also engaged in the descent made on the coast of
Brittany on the 4th of September, when the batteries in the bay
of St. Lunaire were destroyed, and the troops, marching into the
interior, crossed the Drouette and Equernon, and advanced to
Matignon, while the fleet proceeded to the Bay of St. Cas; thus
alarming the country with the view of producing the return of the
French army from Germany. While the FIFTH was in France, some sharp
skirmishing occurred, and when the troops re-embarked at St. Cas,
the enemy attacked the rear-guard and occasioned considerable loss.
The loss of the FIFTH in these three descents was ninety-five men.
Towards the end of September the regiment landed at Cowes, and,
having encamped a short period near Newport, went into quarters.
[Sidenote: 1759]
The decease of Lord George Bentinck having occurred in 1759,
Studholme Hodgson was appointed to the Colonelcy of the FIFTH, from
the 50th regiment.
[Sidenote: 1760]
In the mean time the war was continued in Hanover and the
neighbouring States, and the FIFTH, having been ordered to proceed
to Germany, embarked at Gravesend on the 12th of May, 1760, and
arrived in the Weser on the 22nd of that month. After landing
near Bremen, the regiment marched up the country, and joined the
allied army commanded by Ferdinand Duke of Brunswick, at Fritzlar
in Hesse-Cassel, on the 17th of June; when the grenadier company
was detached to form, with the grenadier companies of the other
regiments, two Battalions, which, being united in Brigade with the
Scots Highlanders, usually formed the advance-guard of the army.
The regiment, after being employed in several manœuvres, formed
part of the corps commanded by the hereditary Prince of Brunswick,
which marched on the 10th of July to take post on the heights of
_Corbach_; but found the ground occupied by the enemy in force;
when a sharp skirmish occurred in which the FIFTH lost five men.[23]
Towards the end of July the regiment was encamped at Kalle. At 11
o'clock on the night of the 30th of that month it marched with the
main army for Liebenau, and, having crossed the Dymel, advanced at
five on the following morning to attack the enemy in his position
on the heights of _Warbourg_.
The German corps and British grenadiers in advance having commenced
the action, the French retired before the English infantry arrived.
"No troops could show more eagerness than they showed. Many of the
men, from the heat of the weather, and overstraining themselves
to get on through morasses and difficult ground, suddenly dropped
down on their march.[24]" The grenadier company of the FIFTH, being
in the column which commenced the attack, highly distinguished
itself[25], and had four men killed, and Captain Ross, Lieutenant
Baker, and twenty-six men, wounded.
The regiment remained for some time encamped near Warbourg; and
the grenadier company, being encamped on the heights of Wilda,
was engaged, on the night of the 5th of September, in surprising
a French force in the town of _Zierenberg_, which service was
performed with distinguished gallantry and success. The grenadiers
were afterwards detached to the Lower Rhine, and were engaged
in the attempt to surprise the enemy's camp at Rheinberg on the
morning of the 16th of October, when a sharp action was fought at
the Convent of _Campen_, in which the company of the FIFTH lost
several men. In December the regiment left the camp at Warbourg,
and went into cantonments in the villages on the bank of the Weser.
[Sidenote: 1761]
In February, 1761, it again advanced, and, having crossed the
Dymel, proceeded through a deep snow into Hesse-Cassel, where it
had great success in several actions with the enemy; but returned
to its former quarters in March.
The regiment again took the field in June, forming part of
the Marquis of Granby's corps, and, after some manœuvring and
skirmishing, it was encamped upon the heights in front of
_Kirch-Denkern_ in the bishopric of Paderborn. This post was
attacked on the 15th of July, and was defended by the British
troops with admirable firmness and resolution, and eventually the
enemy was driven back with great loss. The attack was renewed by
the enemy on the following morning with great fury, when the
FIFTH displayed its usual spirit and determination in the defence
of its post; and, after five hours' sharp fighting, some disorder
appearing in the enemy's ranks, the regiment advanced to the charge
and routed the enemy; at the same time the grenadier battalion, of
which the company of the FIFTH formed a part, took prisoners the
regiment of Rouge (formerly Belsunce) with its cannon and colours.
The FIFTH lost in this action, Lieutenant Lillewood, 2 serjeants,
and 9 men killed; also two officers, 5 serjeants, and 12 men
wounded.
The regiment remained at its post near Kirch-Denkern until the 27th
of July; it was afterwards employed in manœuvring and skirmishing
in various parts of the bishopric of Paderborn and on the river
Weser, and in September, it was employed in a diversion in the
country of Hesse. It was engaged, on the 5th of November, in
forcing the enemy's post at _Capelnhagen_, and on the 6th and 7th
it took part in slight skirmishes at _Eimbeck_ in the Electorate
of Hanover. The grenadier company of the FIFTH was also engaged in
a skirmish at _Foorwohle_ on the 7th of November, and again on the
10th of that month, when the combatants were knee deep in snow.
On the 12th the regiment encamped on the banks of the Huve near
Eimbeck, from whence it proceeded in the early part of December
into cantonments in the bishopric of Osnaburg.
[Sidenote: 1762]
Having passed the winter amongst the rude peasantry of Osnaburg,
the regiment again took the field, and joined the camp on the
heights near Blumberg on the 4th of June 1762, from whence it
proceeded to Corbeke.
The enemy took post at _Groebenstien_, and Prince Ferdinand formed
a design of surprising them in their camp. For this purpose the
army was formed into several columns. The FIFTH forming part of
the centre column, left its camp before daylight on the morning
of the 24th of June, and crossed the Dymel at Liebenau at four
o'clock; then, advancing a distance of nine miles through a
rugged and woody country, arrived in front of the enemy's camp,
and commenced a sharp fire. The French, surprised and confounded,
abandoned their camp, leaving their tents standing, and commenced
their retreat: at the same time General Stainville threw himself
with his division into the woods of _Wilhelmsthal_ to favour the
movement. Against this division, the right column of the allies,
commanded by the Marquis of Granby, and the centre column under
Prince Ferdinand, immediately advanced.
The FIFTH, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Marlay, taking
the lead of the centre column, threw itself into the wood, and
opened its fire with good effect; at the same time the Marquis
of Granby's column attacked the enemy's rear. The French made
a spirited resistance; but the FIFTH pressed forward with a
conquering violence which overcame all opposition, while the
main body followed in full career, and the Marquis of Granby
intercepting the enemy's retreat captured many prisoners; when the
remainder of the French division (excepting two battalions that
escaped) after one fire, surrendered to the FIFTH[26]. After the
French had surrendered, an officer of the FIFTH regiment, who went
up to receive their colours from their standard-bearer, was shot
dead upon the spot by a French serjeant who was standing near. This
circumstance might have led to much bloodshed, but, fortunately,
little confusion resulted; the serjeant was instantly put to death,
and the colours were quietly taken possession of[27]. The loss
of the regiment was Lieutenant Robinson, killed; and 1 serjeant,
and 11 men wounded; also six men taken prisoners in the skirmish
at the commencement of the action. Its conduct on this occasion
excited much admiration;--as a mark of distinction the men were
permitted to exchange their hats for the French grenadier caps;
and the regiment for many years afterwards, wore a fusilier's
cap instead of the hat then used by the infantry of the line. In
commemoration of the gallantry displayed by the FIFTH Regiment on
this occasion, his Majesty King William IV. was graciously pleased,
in 1836, to authorize the regiment to bear the word 'WILHELMSTHAL'
on its Colours and Appointments.
After the action the FIFTH encamped on the heights of Wilhelmsthal;
it was subsequently employed in several operations; and on the 23rd
of July, the grenadier company was engaged in a gallant affair at
_Lutterberg_, when the Saxons under Prince Xavier were driven from
their post and thirteen pieces of ordnance were captured. On the
24th of the same month one hundred men of the regiment were engaged
with other corps in dislodging a detachment of the enemy from the
heights of _Homburg_. The regiment was subsequently employed in
operations on the Ohm, and the Lahn, and in several skirmishes
in which it lost many men. It also formed part of the covering
army during the siege of _Cassel_, which was terminated by the
surrender of the place on the 1st of November. Shortly afterwards
a suspension of hostilities took place; which was followed by a
treaty of peace, concluded at Fontainbleau, and the regiment was
ordered to return to England.
[Sidenote: 1763]
It accordingly marched from Germany, through Holland, to
Williamstadt, where it embarked on the 22nd of February, 1763[28],
and landed in England in the early part of the following month.
In May of the same year it proceeded to Bristol and embarked for
Ireland, where it arrived on the 2nd of June, and landed at Passage
near Waterford.
[Sidenote: 1764]
The regiment passed the next ten years in Ireland, and was
so remarkable for its cleanliness and attention to dress and
appointments, that the men were usually called "The Shiners."
[Sidenote: 1767]