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HISTORICAL RECORDS
OF
THE BRITISH ARMY.
GENERAL ORDERS.
_HORSE-GUARDS_,
_1st January, 1836_.
His Majesty has been pleased to command, that, with a 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 Honourable
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 honourable 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, been 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 du Corps_--an attachment
to every thing 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.
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SEVENTEENTH
REGIMENT OF LIGHT DRAGOONS;--
LANCERS:
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF
THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
IN 1759,
AND OF ITS
SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
TO
1841.
_ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES._
LONDON:
JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND.
M.DCCC.XLI.
LONDON:
HARRISON AND CO., PRINTERS,
ST. MARTIN'S LANE.
[Illustration: (Death's Head--Skull)]
THE
SEVENTEENTH LANCERS
BEAR ON THEIR APPOINTMENTS, AS A
REGIMENTAL BADGE,
"DEATH'S HEAD,"
WITH THE MOTTO,
"OR GLORY."
CONTENTS.
Year Page
1759 Formation of the Regiment 9
1760 Names of the Officers 12
---- Proceeds to Scotland --
1761 Draft to Germany --
1764 Embarks for Ireland 13
1768 Uniform fixed by Royal Warrant --
1775 Embarks for North America 15
---- Battle of Bunker's Hill --
1776 Proceeds to Nova Scotia 16
---- Sails for Staten Island --
---- Expedition to Long Island --
---- Action at Brooklyn 17
---- Proceeds to New York 18
---- Skirmish at Pelham Manor --
---- Battle of White Plains --
---- Capture of Fort Washington --
---- Reduction of Rhode Island 19
1777 Expedition to Danbury --
---- ---------- against Forts Montgomery and Clinton 20
---- Embarks for Pennsylvania 21
1778 Rencounter near White Marsh --
---- Actions at Crooked Billet and Barren Hill 22
---- Covering the March from Philadelphia 23
---- Action at Freehold --
---- Arrival at New York 24
1779 Detachment to South Carolina 26
1780 Covering the Siege of Charlestown 27
---- Action at Monk's Corner --
---- --------- Lenew's Ferry 28
1780 Action at Wacsaw 30
---- Battle of Camden 31
1781 --------- Cowpens 32
---- Embarks for New York 36
1783 Returns to Ireland 37
1784 Clothing changed from Scarlet to Blue --
1794 Suppressing the Rioters called Defenders, &c. 38
1795 Four troops embark for England 39
---- ----------- sail for the West Indies 40
---- Serve against the Maroons at Jamaica --
1796 Five troops embark for St. Domingo 42
---- Capture of Grenada --
1797 Services in St. Domingo 44
---- Embarks for England --
1798 Detachment to Ostend --
1799 Augmented to ten troops 45
1800 Suppressing Riots at Duffield, &c. 46
1802 Reduction of Establishment --
1803 Embarks for Ireland --
1805 Returns to England 47
1806 Reviewed by the Prince of Wales --
---- Embarks for South America --
---- Capture of Monte Video 48
1807 Attack on Buenos Ayres 50
---- Returns to England 52
1808 Embarks for India 53
---- Arrives at Calcutta 55
1809 Proceeds to Bombay --
1810 Action at Burding --
---- Detachment to Persia 56
1815 Marches into the Province of Cutch 59
---- Capture of Anjar 61
1816 ---------- Dwarka --
1817 Services against the Pindarees --
1817 Skirmish with a body of Bheels 63
1818 Actions with the Pindarees 64
1820 Expedition to Cutch 68
---- Capture of Dwarka 69
1822 Ordered to return to England --
---- Constituted Lancers 70
1823 Arrives at Gravesend --
1828 Embarks for Ireland 71
1830 Clothing changed from Blue to Scarlet 72
1832 Returns to England --
1833 Reviewed by King William IV. 73
1838 Embarks for Ireland --
1841 Proceeds to Scotland 74
---- The Conclusion --
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
1763 John Hale 75
1770 George Preston 77
1782 The Honourable Thomas Gage 78
1785 Thomas Earl of Lincoln 79
1795 Oliver de Lancey 80
1822 Lord R. E. H. Somerset, K.C.B. 82
1829 Sir John Elley, K.C.B., K.C.H. --
1839 Sir Joseph Stratton, K.C.H. 84
1839 Sir Arthur B. Clifton, K.C.B., K.C.H. --
LIST OF PLATES.
Page
The Costume of 1768 to face 9
The Costume of 1810 " 24
The Costume of 1817 " 40
View in Camp in India " 56
The Costume of 1824 " 64
The Costume of 1829 " 70
The Costume of 1832 " 74
[Illustration: 17th Lancers, 1768. [To face page 9. ]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SEVENTEENTH
REGIMENT OF LIGHT DRAGOONS;--
LANCERS.
[Sidenote: 1759]
The institution of entire regiments of Light Cavalry, as part of
the standing army of Great Britain, in the spring of 1759, was
attended with such signal success, that, after the formation of
the two splendid corps of Eliott and Burgoyne, which were numbered
the Fifteenth and Sixteenth, King George II. was induced to carry
the plan to a still greater extent, and to augment the Light
Dragoon establishment with five additional regiments, which were
numbered the Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth, and
Twenty-first Light Dragoons. The first of these additional corps
was raised in Scotland by Lord Aberdour; it never consisted
of more than two troops, and was disbanded at the termination
of the seven years' war, in 1763. The second was embodied in
Hertfordshire, under the superintendence of Lieut.-Colonel JOHN
HALE, from the Forty-seventh Foot, an officer who had served
with credit in Europe and America, and who was the bearer of the
public despatches announcing the victory at Quebec on the 13th of
September, 1759, and the fall of the brave Major-General JAMES
WOLFE, a name which will be ever recorded among the heroes of the
British army.
This corps was numbered the EIGHTEENTH Light Dragoons; but after
the reduction of Lord Aberdour's regiment it obtained rank as
Seventeenth, and now bears the title of the "SEVENTEENTH LANCERS."
Its first rendezvous was at Watford and Rickmansworth, and it
consisted of four troops. The first troop was raised by Captain
Franklin Kirby, from Lieutenant in the Fifth Foot; the second by
Captain Samuel Birch, from Lieutenant in the Eleventh Dragoons;
the third by Captain Martin Basil[1], from Lieutenant in Eliott's
Light Horse; and the fourth by Captain Edward Lascelles, from
Cornet in the Royal Horse Guards. Of this corps, Lieut.-Colonel
JOHN HALE, whose merits had procured for him the favour of his
sovereign, was appointed Lieut.-Colonel Commandant, by commission
dated the 7th of November, 1759; and purposing that his regiment
should consist of men of decided character, who would emulate the
glorious example of the heroic WOLFE, whose gallant conduct the
Colonel had witnessed, he procured His Majesty's authority for his
regiment to bear on its standards and appointments the "_Death's
Head_," with the motto, "_Or Glory_," which it has continued to
bear to the present time.
The zeal of the officers, with the popular feeling of interest,
which existed in England at this period, and particularly in London
and the southern counties, in favour of light cavalry, occasioned
the regiment to be speedily completed with men and horses, and, in
the beginning of December, it marched to Warwick and Stratford upon
Avon, and soon afterwards to Coventry, where it was augmented to
six troops.
[Sidenote: 1760]
In January, 1760, the following officers were holding commissions
in the regiment:--
_Lieut.-Colonel Commandant_, JOHN HALE.
_Major_, JOHN BLAQUIERE.
_Captains._ _Lieutenants._ _Cornets._
Franklin Kirby Thomas Lea Rob. Archdall
Samuel Birch William Green -- Bishopp
Martin Basil Joseph Hall -- Stopford
Edward Lascelles -- Wallop Henry Crofton
John Burton -- Cope Jos. Moxham
Samuel Townshend Y. Peyton Daniel Brown
_Adjutant_, Richard Westbury, _Surgeon_, John Francis.
Ten months after the authority for its formation was issued, the
regiment was directed to march to Berwick, and place itself under
the orders of the Commander-in-Chief in North Britain; it arrived
in Scotland in October, and was stationed in that part of the
United Kingdom during the following three years.
[Sidenote: 1761]
[Sidenote: 1762]
In the spring of 1761 the regiment sent a draft of fifty men and
horses to Germany, to serve under Lieut.-General the Marquis
of Granby, and the Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick; and in 1762
hostilities were terminated by the treaty of Fontainbleau.
[Sidenote: 1763]
The restoration of peace was followed, in 1763, by reductions in
the military establishment of the kingdom; but this was one of the
corps selected to be retained in the service, and Lieut.-Colonel
Commandant John Hale was promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment
by commission dated the 27th of April, 1763.
[Sidenote: 1764]
From Scotland the regiment embarked, in 1764, for Ireland, where it
was stationed during the succeeding eleven years.
[Sidenote: 1768]
The following particulars respecting the clothing and guidons of
the SEVENTEENTH Light Dragoons, are extracted from His Majesty's
warrant, dated the 19th December, 1768.
COATS,--scarlet, with half-lappels; lined with white; white collar
and cuffs; white metal buttons, and the button holes ornamented
with white braid.
WAISTCOATS AND BREECHES,--white.
HELMETS,--ornamented with white metal and a scarlet horse-hair crest.
BOOTS,--reaching to the knee.
CLOAKS,--scarlet, with white capes.
HORSE FURNITURE,--of white cloth; the holster caps and housings
having a border of white lace with a black edge; XVII, L. D. to
be embroidered upon the housings, upon a scarlet ground, within a
wreath of roses and thistles; the king's cipher, with the crown
over it, and XVII, L. D. underneath, to be embroidered on the
holster caps; the officers to have a silver tassel on their holster
caps, and at each corner of their housings.
OFFICERS,--to be distinguished by silver lace or embroidery;
silver epaulettes; and crimson silk sashes worn round their waists.
QUARTER MASTERS,--to have no lace or embroidery on their coats; to
have silver epaulettes, and crimson sashes.
SERJEANTS,--to be distinguished by narrow silver lace, and crimson
and white sashes.
TRUMPETERS,--to wear hats with white feathers; white coats faced
with scarlet, and ornamented with white lace with a black edge; red
waistcoats and breeches.
GUIDONS,--the first, or King's, guidon to be of crimson silk; in
the centre the rose and thistle conjoined, and crown over them,
and His Majesty's motto, _Dieu et mon Droit_, underneath; the
white horse in a compartment in the first and fourth corners; and
XVII, L. D. on a white ground, in a compartment in the second and
third corners: the second and third guidons to be of white silk;
in the centre the "DEATH'S HEAD" on a crimson ground, within a
wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk, and the motto "_Or
Glory_," underneath; the white horse on a red ground, in the first
and fourth compartments; and the rose and thistle conjoined, upon
a red ground, in the second and third compartments; the third
guidon to be distinguished by a figure 3, on a circular red ground,
underneath the motto.
[Sidenote: 1770]
Colonel John Hale, having been appointed Governor of Limerick,
was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment by Colonel George
Preston, from the lieut.-colonelcy of the Scots Greys, by
commission dated the 2nd of November, 1770.
[Sidenote: 1775]
While the SEVENTEENTH were in Ireland, they had the reputation
of being a well-disciplined and an efficient corps, and on the
breaking out of hostilities, in 1775, between Great Britain and
her North American colonies, the high character of the regiment
occasioned it to be the first cavalry corps selected to proceed
across the Atlantic. It embarked from Ireland towards the end of
March, and landed at Boston on the 24th of May.
Soon after the regiment arrived at Boston, the American troops
attempted to establish themselves on _Bunker's Hill_, but were
driven from thence, after a sharp engagement, on the 17th of June.
During the action a party of the SEVENTEENTH volunteered to proceed
dismounted with the reinforcement sent from Boston to support the
troops engaged.
Notwithstanding their defeat at Bunker's Hill, the American
troops crowded round Boston in such numbers, and constructed such
extensive works, that the British were kept in a state of blockade
on the land side, and were so distressed for fresh provisions, that
live cattle, vegetables, and even fuel, were sent from England
for their use. These supplies proved insufficient, and the troops
endured much distress. In the mean time the Americans, possessing
every necessary article in abundance, began to act with vigour,
raising batteries and opening a cannonade on the place.
[Sidenote: 1776]
In March, 1776, the King's troops evacuated Boston and sailed to
Halifax. The SEVENTEENTH landed at Halifax, and remained in Nova
Scotia about two months; in the early part of June they again
embarked, and, sailing towards New York, landed on Staten Island
in the beginning of July. At this place the army was reinforced
with troops from Great Britain, also with a body of Hessians;
and the SEVENTEENTH, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Samuel Birch,
were attached to the Highland Brigade under Brigadier-General Sir
William Erskine.
On the 22nd of August a landing was effected on _Long Island_;
on the 25th the American piquets were surprised by detachments
of the SEVENTEENTH under Captain Oliver de Lancey; and at nine
o'clock on the evening of the 26th the regiment led the van of
the army from Flatland across the country to seize on a pass in
the heights extending along the middle of the island. Arriving
within half a mile of the pass, an American patrole was captured,
and Lieut.-General Clinton learning that the enemy had not taken
possession of the pass, it was immediately occupied. Passing
the heights at day-break, the regiment moved towards Bedford,
where it arrived about half-past eight o'clock, and immediately
attacked a large body of Americans, who were quitting the woody
heights to join their army in the fortified lines at _Brooklyn_;
some desultory fighting took place, in which the SEVENTEENTH
evinced great gallantry;--Lieutenant William Loftus particularly
distinguishing himself,--and the Americans were driven back with
severe loss: General Sulivan, two brigadier-generals, and ten field
officers being among the prisoners. The SEVENTEENTH routed the
American cavalry at the village of Jamaica, and at the close of the
action Lieut.-General Clinton and Brigadier-General Sir William
Erskine thanked the officers and men of the regiment for their
gallant conduct. General Sir William Howe stated in his public
despatch, "The behaviour of both officers and soldiers, British
and Hessians, was highly to their honour. More determined courage
and steadiness in troops have never been experienced, or a greater
ardour to distinguish themselves."
On the night of the 29th of August the Americans abandoned their
works, and crossed the East-river to New York. Long Island having
thus been reduced, with little loss, the SEVENTEENTH embarked from
thence, and, crossing the river, took part in forcing the enemy to
evacuate New York: the regiment was also engaged in the action at
_Pelham-manor_ on the 18th of October.
Advancing up the country the regiment joined the army on the
20th of October, and on the 28th it was one of the corps engaged
in forcing the passage of the Brunx River, and in chasing the
Americans to their entrenchments at the entrance of _White Plains_.
The regiment had one man and five horses killed; Lieutenant William
Loftus, four rank and file, and three horses wounded.
The Americans withdrew from their lines, when the British retired
to undertake the siege of _Fort Washington_, and at the storming of
the lines and redoubts near the fort, on the 16th of November, the
SEVENTEENTH Light Dragoons supported the infantry, and had one man
wounded.
One troop of the regiment formed part of the force under
Lieut.-General Clinton, which sailed from New York on the 1st of
December, landed on _Rhode Island_ on the 8th, and overpowering
the American troops, reduced the island to submission to the
British Government. This troop remained on Rhode Island during
the succeeding twelve months under Major-General Earl Percy,
and afterwards under Major-General Prescott. Five troops of the
regiment were stationed, during the winter, at New York and other
places in the vicinity of that city.
[Sidenote: 1777]
The Americans having formed extensive magazines at _Danbury_ and
other places on the borders of Connecticut, a detachment of the
SEVENTEENTH formed part of the force sent from New York, under
Major-General Tryon, to destroy the stores. Sailing from New York
in transports, the troops arrived, on the evening of the 25th of
April, 1777, off Norwalk, landed without opposition, and commenced
their march at ten o'clock that night for Danbury, where they
arrived about two in the afternoon of the following day. On their
approach the American soldiers fled, and as no carriages could
be procured to bring off the stores, they were destroyed by fire;
the flames communicating to the town, it was also consumed. On the
following morning the British commenced their march back to their
shipping, but had to fight their way through troops assembled to
oppose them. They overthrew one body of Americans at _Ridgefield_,
routed another party at the _Hill of Campo_, and afterwards
embarked without molestation for New York.
In June the army took the field, and endeavoured to draw the
American forces under General Washington from their strong position
in the mountains in the Jerseys, but without success. The British
General afterwards embarked with the greater part of his army on an
expedition against the populous and wealthy city of Philadelphia,
taking with him the Sixteenth Light Dragoons, and leaving five
troops of the SEVENTEENTH at New York, and one troop at Rhode
Island.
From New York one troop of the SEVENTEENTH embarked, dismounted,
in the early part of October, with the expedition against _Forts
Montgomery_ and _Clinton_. Having landed at Stoney-point, on the
6th of October, the troop of the SEVENTEENTH formed part of the
column under Major-General Vaughan, which captured one of the forts
by storm on the same evening; the other fort was abandoned by the
Americans.
After returning from this enterprise the troop rejoined the
regiment at New York, and during the winter the SEVENTEENTH
embarked for Pennsylvania, and were stationed at Philadelphia under
General Sir William Howe.
[Sidenote: 1778]
In the spring of 1778 a succession of detachments ranged
the country for many miles round Philadelphia, and opened
communications for bringing in supplies of provision, in which
service the SEVENTEENTH were actively employed.
The American troops were encamped in Valley Forge, and Captain
Lord Cathcart, of the SEVENTEENTH, being sent out with twenty-five
men to reconnoitre the enemy's position in the direction of
White-marsh, ascertained that a patrole of ten American soldiers
had taken possession of a house on the road leading to that place.
The men of the SEVENTEENTH surrounded the house, and his lordship
summoned the Americans to surrender; but they had barricaded the
doors and windows, and refused to obey the summons. A few men of
the SEVENTEENTH dismounted, sent some shots through the door,
and approached the house to try the effect of cold steel, when
the Americans begged for quarter, and were taken prisoners to
Philadelphia. This excursion of twenty-eight miles was performed
without a halt.
On the evening of the 3rd of May a small detachment of the regiment
left Philadelphia to co-operate with the troops destined to drive
nine hundred Americans, under Brigadier-General Lacy, from their
post at _Crooked Billet_. The Americans retreated, but were
overtaken, attacked, and one hundred and fifty men killed, wounded,
and taken prisoners; their baggage was also captured, and sold for
the benefit of the troops employed in this service.
Three thousand Americans, under the Marquis de la Fayette,
took post on _Barren Hill_, seven miles in advance of General
Washington's camp, and a detachment of the regiment formed part
of the force sent against this portion of the American army. On
the morning of the 21st of May, as the British approached, the
Marquis de la Fayette made a precipitate retreat; but his rear was
overtaken by the dragoons, and some execution done.
The French monarch having acknowledged the independence of the
revolted British provinces, and concluded a treaty with them, the
nature of the war became so far changed that the evacuation of
Philadelphia took place, and the army proceeded to New York. In the
march from Philadelphia, through the Jerseys, the SEVENTEENTH were
actively employed, and performed much severe and harassing duty;
the route lying through woods, over rivers, and along difficult
roads, with the enemy hovering on the flanks and rear, occasioned
the services of the light cavalry to be much required. On the
28th of June, as the last brigade descended from the heights of
_Freehold_, in New Jersey, the enemy appeared in the rear and
on both flanks, and some sharp fighting took place; when the
SEVENTEENTH, being with the advance guard, were ordered from the
front to take part in the engagement. The enemy was repulsed; the
army resumed its march, and one troop of the regiment, being in
advance, took part in putting to flight a body of Americans. Having
crossed the channel to Sandy Hook, the army embarked from thence
for New York.
Soon after their return from Philadelphia the strength of the
SEVENTEENTH was increased by the receipt of many effective men and
all the serviceable horses from the Sixteenth Light Dragoons, which
corps was ordered to return to Great Britain; the horses were many
of them American, as the Sixteenth had only eighty English horses
left.
[Sidenote: 1779]
From New York the regiment was sent to the east end of Long Island,
where it remained during the winter; and in the spring of 1779 it
was ordered to take up a position in advance of the lines in front
of New York.
[Illustration: 17th Lancers, 1810. Review Order. [To face page 24. ]
The SEVENTEENTH was the only British cavalry regiment in America,
and no other corps was sent out; there were, however, several
independent troops of provincial cavalry in the British service,
also a corps, partly cavalry and partly infantry, commanded by
Captain Lord Cathcart of the SEVENTEENTH Light Dragoons, who held
the rank of Colonel in the provincials, and also another corps, or
"legion," as it was more frequently called, under Colonel Banastre
Tarleton. This legion had usually a select party of the SEVENTEENTH
attached to it, who wore their own uniform, and became celebrated
for their excellent conduct on the out-post duty, also for their
daring spirit of enterprise when employed on detached services.
While serving remotely from the head-quarters, their own uniform
became worn out, and they were offered the dress of the legion; but
they were proud of their regiment, and they preferred patching up
their old clothing to preserve the distinction[2].
The post occupied by the regiment in front of New York was held for
the purpose of clearing the country of the hostile parties, and
keeping the roads clear to enable the supplies of the army to be
brought in, and skirmishes occurred almost daily.
Serjeant THOMAS TUCKER, of the SEVENTEENTH Light Dragoons,
traversing the country with twelve men, came suddenly upon a
small American fort, when he leapt into it and made the garrison
prisoners. TUCKER accompanied the regiment from England as a
volunteer; he evinced signal bravery on all occasions, and was
rewarded, on the 10th of April, 1779, with a commission of cornet
in the regiment: he proved an efficient officer.
[Sidenote: 1780]
In the winter, when the French fleet and land forces, after
having been repulsed at Rhode Island and Savannah, withdrew from
the American coast, General Sir Henry Clinton fitted out an
expedition against South Carolina, where the mildness of the
climate, the richness of the country, its vicinity to Georgia,
and its distance from the position occupied by the American army
under General Washington, pointed out the advantage and facility of
conquest. A detachment of the SEVENTEENTH Light Dragoons, attached
to Tarleton's legion, formed part of the force employed on this
enterprise. The fleet sailed towards the end of December, but was
dispersed by strong gales of wind, and the tempestuous weather
occasioned the death of nearly all the horses. The transports in
which the SEVENTEENTH and Tarleton's legion were embarked, took
refuge from the tempest in the harbour of Tybee, an island near the
coast of Georgia, from whence the officers and soldiers proceeded
in boats to the island of Port Royal, where a number of horses of
an inferior description were procured.
The SEVENTEENTH and Tarleton's legion were quartered at Beaufort,
from whence they proceeded to join Brigadier-General Patterson, who
was proceeding from Savannah, with a body of infantry, to reinforce
the expedition under Sir Henry Clinton, who had undertaken the
siege of Charlestown. The inhabitants of the country through
which the detachment had to travel having heard of the loss of
the cavalry horses at sea, many of them equipped themselves as
cavaliers, to confine the British to the line of march, and prevent
them collecting horses in the country. Some of these cavaliers
insulted the front of the column, but were overthrown by a charge
of the dragoons, and the SEVENTEENTH took some prisoners and a
number of horses, without any loss on their part; but in the
neighbourhood of Rantol's bridge the Americans captured an officer
and several foot soldiers.
After a march of twelve days through a country intersected with
rivers, rendered difficult by heavy rains, and infested with
enemies, the SEVENTEENTH arrived on the banks of the Ashley-river
with a large quantity of forage and some horses, which they had
collected on the march: the cavalry of the detachment halted
at Quarter House, but the infantry joined the army before
_Charlestown_.
On the 12th of April, 1780, the men of the SEVENTEENTH advanced,
with other troops, to cut off the communications of the garrison
of Charlestown with the adjacent country; they halted that night
at Goosecreek, and on the evening of the following day they moved
silently towards one of the enemy's posts of communication on
Cooper's river,--several corps co-operating in the movement. At
three o'clock on the following morning the advanced guard of
dragoons and mounted infantry approached _Monk's Corner_, and
charging and routing the enemy's guard on the main road, dashed
forward into the American cavalry camp. The enemy was surprised,
all who made resistance were speedily cut down; favoured by
darkness, General Huger, Colonels Washington and Jamieson, and
seven others, took refuge in some swampy grounds near the camp; and
one hundred and fifty dragoons and hussars, four hundred horses,
and fifty waggons loaded with arms, ammunition, and clothing, were
captured. The enemy's infantry at Biggin's bridge were routed by
a charge with the bayonet; the boats at Bonneau's ferry were also
seized, and the American army in Charlestown was closely invested.
On the 6th of May Lieut.-Colonel Tarleton advanced at the head
of a patrole of one hundred and fifty men of the SEVENTEENTH and
dragoons of the legion, to gain intelligence, when he was overtaken
by a loyal American, who informed him that a strong body of the
enemy's cavalry had taken a British foraging party, of an officer
and seventeen mounted light infantry, prisoners, and was moving
towards _Lenew's ferry_. Stimulated by this news, the patrole
quickened its pace, and arrived at three in the afternoon in the
presence of the enemy's videts. The SEVENTEENTH instantly charged
the American out-guard, which was routed, and pursued upon the
main body; the enemy was surprised; five officers and thirty-six
soldiers were cut down; seven officers and sixty dragoons were made
prisoners, and Colonels White, Washington, and Jamieson, with some
other officers and a few soldiers, escaped by swimming across the
river, but many were drowned in the attempt.
The foraging party, captured by the Americans in the morning, was
rescued as the ferry-boat was pushing off to convey the men across
the river.
In this enterprise the British had only two men and four horses
killed; the patrole joined the troops under Lieut.-General Earl
Cornwallis on the same evening, but upwards of twenty horses died
of fatigue.
Charlestown surrendered to the British arms on the 12th of May.
Soon after this event the SEVENTEENTH were attached to the
troops under Lieut.-General Earl Cornwallis, and marched up
the north-east bank of the Santee river in pursuit of a body of
Americans under Colonel Burford, who was retreating to North
Carolina. Lord Cornwallis halted at Georgetown, from whence forty
of the SEVENTEENTH, one hundred and thirty of Tarleton's legion,
a hundred mounted infantry, and a three-pounder, followed the
Americans by forced marches. After travelling one hundred and five
miles in fifty-four hours, the detachment approached _Wacsaw_, on
the confines of South Carolina, at three o'clock in the afternoon
of the 29th of May, and the advance-guard, overtaking the enemy's
rear, took a serjeant and four American light dragoons prisoners.
Three hundred and eighty American infantry, a detachment of
cavalry, and two six-pounders, formed for battle in an open wood;
the British, though not half so numerous, (many men and the only
gun with the detachment being unable to keep up,) moved forward in
three columns to charge their opponents; the men of the SEVENTEENTH
being in the centre column under Captain Talbot. The Americans
remained steady until the British were within ten yards, and then
fired a volley, which produced little effect; and before the
smoke cleared away, their ranks were broken, and the British were
cutting them down with a terrible carnage. In a few minutes the
conflict had ceased; one hundred Americans lay dead on the spot,
two hundred were made prisoners, and three colours, two guns, and a
number of waggons containing stores and baggage, were captured by
the British, who had only five officers and soldiers killed, and
twelve wounded; Lieutenant Matthew Pateshall, of the SEVENTEENTH,
being among the wounded.
Thus South Carolina was cleared of the enemy's troops, and, in a
few days after this exploit, the detachment joined Earl Cornwallis
at Camden, a town situate on the east side of the Wateree river.
In the mean time General Sir Henry Clinton had returned to New
York, and had left orders for the SEVENTEENTH to follow; the
detachment, accordingly, embarked from South Carolina, leaving the
sick and a few men attached to Tarleton's legion behind, and joined
the regiment at New York, where it had remained under General
Knyphausen.
The Americans made great efforts to regain possession of South
Carolina; but their army of six thousand men, under General
Gates, was routed at _Camden_ by two thousand British, under Earl
Cornwallis, on the 16th of August. The men of the SEVENTEENTH
attached to Tarleton's legion shared in the conflict. "The cavalry
completed the route with their usual promptitude and gallantry,
and after great exertions during the action, continued the pursuit
to Hanginrock, twenty-two miles from the place where the action
commenced, during which many of the enemy were slain, and many
prisoners taken, with one hundred and fifty waggons, and all the
baggage and camp equipage. On the morning of the 17th Colonel
Tarleton was again despatched in pursuit, and on the 18th surprised
seven hundred men, killing one hundred and fifty on the spot,
and taking three hundred prisoners, three cannon, and forty-four
waggons[3]."
[Sidenote: 1781]
During the winter reinforcements were sent from New York to South
Carolina, including a detachment of the SEVENTEENTH Light Dragoons,
which landed in December, and joined Earl Cornwallis's camp on the
6th of January, 1781.
The SEVENTEENTH were afterwards attached to the troops under
Colonel Tarleton, who was directed to force the Americans under
General Morgan to pass the Broad river. The British overtook their
opponents on the 17th of January, at a place called _Cowpens_; the
Seventh Royal Fusiliers, the infantry of the legion, and a corps of
light infantry, with a troop of cavalry on each flank, commenced
the action, and soon forced the enemy to give way; but being
too eager in the pursuit to preserve sufficient order, Morgan's
corps faced about and gave them a heavy fire; this produced great
confusion and serious loss, including two guns. The cavalry of
the legion quitted the field, excepting about fourteen men, who
joined forty of the SEVENTEENTH Light Dragoons, and, at the head
of this little band of heroes, Colonel Tarleton made a desperate
charge on the whole of the American cavalry, and drove them back
on their infantry, recapturing his baggage, and cutting to pieces
the detachment of the enemy which had taken possession of it. He
afterwards retired to Hamilton's ford.
Cornet Thomas Patterson of the regiment was killed on this
occasion[4], and Lieutenant Henry Nettles wounded; several private
soldiers and troop horses were also killed and wounded.
When Earl Cornwallis advanced into North Carolina, the SEVENTEENTH
were left in South Carolina, under the command of Lord Rawdon,
and had to perform duties which called forth the intelligence,
activity, and bravery of the officers and soldiers. The occupation
of posts distant from each other gave the light cavalry left in the
province full employment in keeping up the communications. Many of
the inhabitants were hostile to the royal cause; they performed
their duties of allegiance with reluctance, and broke their
engagements at the first opportunity: the troops of the Congress
also made incursions into the province. These circumstances
occasioned the duties of the detachment to be particularly
harassing; the men and horses were exhausted by constant motion
along bad roads, and reduced in numbers by continual skirmishes.
While employed in these duties instances of individual gallantry
and devotion to the interests of the service were numerous. On
one occasion, when Private MCMULLINS was carrying a despatch to
the Commander-in-Chief, he was beset by four militia men; he shot
one, disabled another with his sword, and brought the other two
prisoners to head-quarters[5].
On another occasion a despatch of great importance had to be
forwarded to Lord Rawdon, through a country infested by the enemy,
and Corporal O'LAVERY, of the SEVENTEENTH, being a man of known
courage and experience, was selected to accompany the bearer of
the despatch. They had not proceeded far before they were attacked
and both severely wounded. The bearer of the despatch died on the
road; the corporal snatched the paper from the dying man, and rode
on until he fell from loss of blood, when, to conceal the important
secret from the Americans, should he fall into their hands, he
thrust the paper into his wound. He was found, on the following
day, with sufficient life to point to the fatal depository of the
secret. The surgeon declared the wound itself not to be mortal, but
rendered so by the insertion of the despatch. Corporal O'LAVERY was
a native of the county of Down, where a _monument_, the gratitude
of his countryman and commander, LORD RAWDON, records his fame.
The services of the British troops in the Carolinas, are spoken of
in the 'Annual Register' of 1781, in the following terms:--"It is
impossible to do justice to the spirit, prudence, and invincible
fortitude displayed by the commanders, officers, and soldiers
during these dreadful campaigns in the Carolinas. They had not only
to contend with men, and those by no means deficient in bravery or
enterprise, but they encountered and surmounted difficulties and
fatigues from climate and country that would appear insuperable in
theory, and incredible in relation. During renewed successions of
forced marches, under a burning sun, and in seasons inimical to
man, they were frequently, when sinking under excessive fatigue,
not only destitute of comforts, but even of necessaries that seemed
essential to existence. During the greatest part of the time they
were destitute of bread, and the country afforded no vegetables;
salt failed; and their only resource was water and the cattle found
in the woods. It is a melancholy consideration, that such talent,
bravery, and military virtue should have been exercised in vain."
During the summer of this year an attack of the enemy on New York
was apprehended, and General Sir Henry Clinton, in a letter to
Lord Cornwallis, dated the 11th of June, 1781, requested that some
of the troops, and, among others, the remaining officers and men of
the SEVENTEENTH Light Dragoons, should be sent back to New York.
[Sidenote: 1782]
Lieut.-General George Preston was removed on the 18th of April,
1782, to the Scots Greys, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of
the SEVENTEENTH by General the Honourable Thomas Gage, from the
Twenty-second Foot.
[Sidenote: 1783]
His Majesty having been induced to concede the independence of the
United States, the war was terminated by a treaty of peace, and in
1783 the SEVENTEENTH Light Dragoons embarked from New York, and
returned to Ireland, where the regiment was stationed during the
succeeding eleven years.
[Sidenote: 1784]
In 1784 the colour of the clothing was changed from scarlet to blue.
[Sidenote: 1785]
On the 4th of February, 1785, General Gage was removed to the
Eleventh Dragoons, and His Majesty conferred the colonelcy of the
SEVENTEENTH on Colonel Thomas, Earl of Lincoln, from the half-pay
of the Seventy-fifth Foot, which corps was disbanded in 1783.
[Sidenote: 1794]
In February, 1794, the Earl of Lincoln succeeded, on the death of
his father, to the dignity of Duke of Newcastle.
In the mean time the success of the French republicans, who had
seized the reins of government and beheaded their sovereign, had
been followed by the adoption of republican principles by many
evil-disposed persons in Ireland, who attempted to organize a
rebellion in that part of the United Kingdom; and the SEVENTEENTH
were employed, under Major-General Eustace, in suppressing the
proceedings of a body of rebels called _Defenders_, in the counties
of Dublin, Louth, and Meath. The regiment was employed many months,
night and day, in this service. It was afterwards sent to the
north of Ireland, and quartered at Lisburn, Carrickfergus, &c., in
consequence of some opposition to authority made by the Belfast
volunteers. Major-General White took the command of the troops at
Belfast, and ordered the volunteers to give up their cannon; they
refused, and barricaded the streets in one part of the town; but
the SEVENTEENTH Light Dragoons being sent for, entered Belfast in
so dashing a manner that the volunteers were dismayed, and their
commanding officer waited on General White, and represented that
they did not understand the reason of the regiment entering the
town in so rapid and hostile a manner, and that the volunteers
would give up the cannon on condition of being sent back to their
quarters, to which they proceeded on the same day.
[Sidenote: 1795]
Major-General His Grace the Duke of Newcastle died on the 17th of
May, 1795, and King George III. conferred the vacant colonelcy on
Major-General Oliver de Lancey, from the lieut.-colonelcy of the
regiment.