protector of the reformed religion, and the accession of Queen
Anne, produced no alteration in the foreign policy of the
British court. The war was prosecuted with vigour, and the three
troops of ARRAN'S HORSE, forming one squadron, were attached to
Brigadier-General Wood's regiment (now Third Dragoon Guards), and
served the campaign of this year under the Earl of Marlborough.
The British horse, had, however no opportunity of signalizing
themselves in action this year; their services being limited to
out-post duty, and covering the sieges of _Venloo_, _Ruremonde_,
_Stevenswaert_, and the famous city of _Liege_, which fortresses
were captured by the British commander.
[Sidenote: 1703]
The Earl of Arran having been promoted to the Colonelcy of the
third troop of Life Guards, Queen Anne conferred the command
of the regiment on BRIGADIER-GENERAL CADOGAN (afterwards EARL
CADOGAN), from the Sixth, or Inniskilling Dragoons, by commission,
dated the 2d of March, 1703.
The three troops of the regiment on foreign service, now bearing
the title of CADOGAN'S HORSE, continued to serve throughout the
campaign of this year with Brigadier-General Wood's regiment.
In a slight skirmish near _Haneff_, in the beginning of June, a
small detachment evinced the martial spirit and valour of British
troopers; and in the various movements of the army before the
enemy, the national character was fully sustained. The French
commanders avoided an engagement, and after covering the sieges of
_Huy_ and _Limburg_, CADOGAN'S HORSE went into quarters for the
winter in Holland.
[Sidenote: 1704]
In the beginning of the following year the other three troops of
the regiment were withdrawn from Ireland, and after occupying
quarters a short time at Northampton, embarked (4th April, 1704)
for Holland.
The six troops were thus united in time for the whole regiment
to take part in the glorious exploits of the campaign of 1704,
in which that noble ardour and chivalric spirit which has raised
Britain to its present exalted station among the nations of
Europe, were displayed by the army under the Duke of Marlborough
in a signal manner. Confidence in the commander has always given
additional life and vigour to innate valour, and the troops having
already proved the military virtues of their leader, the great
Marlborough was enabled to march his forces from the ocean to the
Danube, and to gain new honours in the heart of Germany.
This enterprise was undertaken in consequence of the armies of
France and Bavaria having united against the Emperor of Germany,
and the British general advanced to the aid of the house of
Austria, which was thus menaced by a force which it was unable to
withstand. Quitting the territory of the Dutch republic the army
crossed the Rhine, and traversed the various states of Germany with
a degree of order and regularity which bespoke a high state of
discipline, united with excellent arrangements, while the nations
of Europe gazed with astonishment at the undertaking.
Having arrived at the theatre of war and joined the Imperial
army, the first action of importance was the attack of a body
of French and Bavarians commanded by the Count d'Arco, at their
entrenched camp on the lofty heights of _Schellenberg_, on the 2d
of July. On this occasion the cavalry supported the attacks of the
infantry, and when the enemy was forced from the entrenchments, the
brilliant charge of the English horse, and Royal Scots Dragoons
(the Greys) completed the overthrow; the hostile army lost its
colours, cannon, and baggage, and numbers of French and Bavarians
fell beneath the conquering sabres of the British horsemen, who
chased their adversaries to the banks of the Danube, and captured
many prisoners. CADOGAN'S HORSE were commanded on this occasion
by Lieutenant-Colonel George Kellum, and had Major Napier,[8]
Lieutenant Tettefall, and several private men wounded; and
sustained a serious loss in troop horses, from having been exposed
to a heavy cannonade: their Colonel, Brigadier-General Cadogan, was
also wounded.
This action was the precursor of a greater overthrow to the forces
of the enemy, who made efforts to retrieve his affairs; new armies
and new generals appeared; but these only served to augment the
splendour of victory, and to enhance the value of the conquerors in
the estimation of the world. The action was fought in the valley of
the Danube, near the village of _Blenheim_, on the 13th of August,
and the English horsemen, who during the two preceding campaigns
had panted for an opportunity to signalize themselves, had a fair
field in which to display their valour and prowess, and they gave
undeniable proofs of their good qualities. The Gallo-Bavarian army
was destroyed; its commander, Marshal Tallard, and many entire
battalions and squadrons were made prisoners of war; and the field
of battle was literally covered with trophies.
The victory was most complete and decisive, and it was not gained
over new levies; but over an army of veterans fully instructed in
the art of war,--select troops flushed with former successes, and
commanded by generals of great bravery and experience.[9] This
regiment had only one officer (Lieutenant Groubere) killed; its
loss in non-commissioned officers and private men has not been
recorded.
The regiment took part in the subsequent operations of the main
army; and after covering the siege of _Laudan_, it marched back to
Holland for winter quarters.
[Sidenote: 1705]
In the following summer the regiment marched with the army
through the Duchy of Juliers, and crossed the Moselle and the
Saar, in order to carry on the war in Alsace; but the Duke of
Marlborough, being disappointed of the promised co-operation of the
Imperialists, marched back to the Netherlands.
The French had, with much labour and art, constructed a line
of fortifications of many miles extent to cover their recently
acquired territory in the Spanish Netherlands, and CADOGAN'S HORSE
having been selected to form part of the division to be employed
in forcing these lines, had an opportunity of distinguishing
themselves, and their valour shone forth with as bright a lustre
as in any of the heroes in the ancient days of chivalry. The
British commander, having by skilful movements succeeded in
drawing the main body of the French army from the point selected
for the attack, forced the lines at _Helixem_ and _Neer-Hespen_
at day-break on the morning of the 18th of July, and the pioneers
levelled a space for the cavalry to pass over; but scarcely had
the British horse passed the barriers, when the Marquis d'Allegre
appeared with fifty squadrons of cavalry and twenty battalions of
infantry to drive back the British forces. The sun had risen, and
the French army was in full march to oppose this sudden attack on
their lines; hence every moment was of importance, and a sharp fire
of musketry having forced the enemy from a hollow way, the Duke of
Marlborough ordered forward his heavy cavalry to charge the hostile
horsemen. The two squadrons of this regiment led the attack with
their characteristic gallantry, and were opposed to adversaries of
valour and renown,--the famous Bavarian Horse Grenadier Guards.
Against these celebrated antagonists CADOGAN'S HORSE advanced;
the weight and power of their compact line were irresistible,
and the Bavarians were broken at the first shock; but they soon
rallied, and renewing the conflict with increasing ardour, gained
a temporary advantage. At this critical juncture the Duke of
Marlborough was separated from his troops and in imminent danger,
when CADOGAN'S HORSE, exasperated at the momentary repulse, and
still more so at the peril of their renowned chief, returned to the
charge; the grand spectacle of two spirited corps of heavy cavalry
rushing upon each other with reckless fury, was soon followed by
the clash of swords and shouts of the combatants as they fought
hand to hand with sanguinary fury; but British prowess and British
valour soon proved triumphant, and the Bavarians were overpowered
and fled before the conquering sabres of CADOGAN'S troopers, who
chased their adversaries from the field, took many prisoners, and
captured _four standards_. In their flight the hostile horsemen
rode over two battalions of their own foot, and these battalions
were severely handled by the British horse. Finally, the enemy was
routed; the Marquis d'Allegre, and many officers and men were made
prisoners, and this gallant enterprise was attended with complete
success.
On this occasion the regiment, which forms the subject of this
memoir, gained great honour; the Duke of Marlborough observed in
one of his letters,--"_Never men fought better!_" and in his public
despatch he states, "_They acquitted themselves with a bravery
surpassing all that could have been hoped of them_." The author
of the Annals of Queen Anne observed:--"All the troops of the
confederates behaved themselves with great bravery and resolution;
but among the HORSE the regiment of Brigadier CADOGAN distinguished
themselves, having had the honour to charge first, which they did
with that success, that they defeated four squadrons of Bavarian
Guards, drove them through two battalions of their own foot, and
took four standards; and this with the loss only of Lieutenant
Austin and some few men killed."
The following description of the standards captured on this
occasion is copied from the London Gazette.
"Nine standards of blue satin, richly embroidered with the Bavarian
arms; six belonging to the Elector's own troops, and three to those
of Cologne, having the following devices and mottoes."
1st. A laurel; motto, _Aut Coronari aut rumpi_.
2d. An olive-tree on a rock; motto, _Per Ardua Laurus_.
3d. A pillar reaching to the clouds; motto, _Tantum Umbra movetur_.
4th. A bear rampant; motto, _Ex Vulnere Crudelior_.
5th. A dove with a laurel branch; motto, _Uni servo fidem_.
6th. A chaos; motto, _Obstantia firmant_.
7th. A helmet with a feather on a pedestal; motto, _Ex duris
Gloria_.
8th. An olive-tree shading serpents; motto, _Nocet Umbra nocenti_.
9th. A standard of the Elector's guards with the colour torn to
pieces.
Four of these standards were taken by CADOGAN'S HORSE; the corps
which captured the other five standards are not specified.
[Illustration: Brigadier-General Cadogan's Horse forcing the French
Lines, 18th July, 1705:--
NOW FIFTH (THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF WALES'S) REGIMENT OF DRAGOON
GUARDS.]
[Sidenote: 1706]
After this victory the regiment was employed in several manœuvres;
but it was not engaged in any action of importance until the
battle of _Ramilies_, fought on Whit-Sunday, the 23d of May,
1706, when the French, Bavarians, and Spaniards, commanded by
Marshal Villeroy and the Elector of Bavaria, sustained another
decisive overthrow, and CADOGAN'S HORSE acquired new laurels
in the contest. On this occasion the English cavalry were kept
in reserve near the heights of Foulz until towards the close of
the action, when they were brought forward, and the weight and
fury of the charge of these heavy horsemen were irresistible; the
enemy's squadrons and battalions were broken; and the British
troopers,--strong men on powerful horses,--smote their antagonists
to the ground with a dreadful slaughter. The victorious squadrons
pursued their adversaries throughout the night, capturing officers
and soldiers, colours, standards, and cannon; and thus, in a few
hours, the French monarch's fine and well-appointed army was
nearly annihilated, and its commanders escaped from the field with
difficulty.
This glorious victory was followed by the submission of a great
part of Spanish Brabant and Flanders to the house of Austria; and
in a few days after the battle, this regiment was selected to form
part of a detachment commanded by its Colonel, Brigadier-General
Cadogan, sent from the main army, to summon _Antwerp_, which place
was surrendered on the 7th of June.
The regiment was subsequently employed in the blockade of
_Dendermond_, and continued before that town until its surrender on
the 5th of September.
[Sidenote: 1707]
During the campaigns from 1702 to 1706 the British regiments of
horse had not worn cuirasses. In the preceding century armour had,
as already stated, fallen, to a great extent, into disuse; several
English regiments of heavy cavalry delivered their cuirasses into
the Tower of London in November, 1688; but subsequently had them
returned: they were, however, again placed in store after the peace
of Ryswick. The French and other continental nations had continued
the use of defensive armour, and it having been observed that the
English heavy cavalry, though they proved victorious, frequently
sustained a very serious loss in killed, they were, in order to
place them on an equality with their antagonists, again supplied
with cuirasses in the spring of 1707.
In the summer of this year, when the regiment took the field, it
again appeared as a corps of CUIRASSIERS: the campaign was passed
in manœuvring; and the French acting on the defensive, a few
skirmishes between detached parties was all the fighting which took
place.
[Sidenote: 1708]
The following campaign was, however, distinguished by more
important events. The enemy assembled an immense army, and
advancing from behind their lines, gained possession of Ghent
and Bruges (which places had been wrested from them in 1706),
and advanced to _Oudenarde_, with the design of besieging that
town. The Duke of Marlborough sent Major-General Cadogan forward
with three brigades of infantry and eight squadrons of Hanoverian
cavalry, and following with the main army, this movement brought on
a general engagement, which was fought in the ground near the banks
of the Scheldt on the 11th of July. The reputation already acquired
by the British regiments of horse, occasioned them to be accounted
a choice body of troops; and they were kept in reserve ready to
advance at the moment when a powerful charge of heavy cavalry was
likely to prove decisive. For a short time they were formed in
column behind the right wing; and advancing from thence, supported
the attacks of the infantry; but the enemy was overpowered, and
darkness put an end to the conflict before this compact body of
CUIRASSIERS was called upon to charge.
After this victory, the Duke of Marlborough was joined by a body
of Germans, under the orders of Prince Eugene of Savoy, and, to
the astonishment of all Europe, these two commanders resolved to
besiege the important fortress of _Lisle_. CADOGAN'S CUIRASSIERS
formed part of the covering army, and the attempts of the enemy to
raise the siege were all frustrated.
Six hundred waggons, laden with necessaries for the army, were
advancing from Ostend towards Lisle, under an escort commanded
by Major-General Webb; and the enemy having detached twenty-two
thousand men to intercept this convoy, the Duke of Marlborough sent
Major-General Cadogan with a body of horse to reinforce the guard,
and this regiment formed part of the force sent forward. The enemy
attacked the convoy in the wood of _Wynendale_, and Major-General
Webb made a most skilful and gallant defence. As this regiment
approached the wood, the noise of combat was heard; the squadrons
galloped forward, and the moment they arrived at the scene of
conflict, the French desisted, and made a precipitate retreat; and
the waggons were brought in safety to the camp. The fate of Lisle
depended, in a great measure, on the safe arrival of this convoy;
and Major-General Webb was rewarded with the thanks of Parliament
and the approbation of Queen Anne for his conduct.
The siege of _Lisle_ was continued, and the enemy being unable to
relieve the place, resolved to make an attack upon Brussels. The
covering army, of which CADOGAN'S CUIRASSIERS formed part, was put
in motion; and having forced the passage of the _Scheldt_, the
Elector of Bavaria raised the siege of Brussels and retreated. The
citadel of Lisle surrendered on the 9th of December, and Ghent and
Bruges were also recaptured before the army entered into winter
quarters.
[Sidenote: 1709]
In the summer of 1709, when the siege of the strong fortress of
_Tournay_ was resolved upon, this was one of the regiments which
first invested the town on the 27th of June, 1709. After the
capture of this place, the army advanced towards Mons, the capital
of the province of Hainault, with the design of capturing that
important city. The French army, commanded by Marshals Villiers
and Boufflers, manœuvred to prevent the loss of Mons, and this
brought on the sanguinary battle of _Malplaquet_, where the British
regiments of horse encountered enemies who fought with greater
spirit and obstinacy than on any former occasion during this war.
This battle was fought on the 11th of September, 1709. The enemy
had an advantageous position, covered by thick woods, protected
by barriers of trees cut down and laid across each other, with a
treble entrenchment, batteries, and pallisades; and within these
formidable works were collected the choicest troops of France under
commanders of renown. This post was attacked with a bravery which
overcame all opposition; the woods were pierced, the obstacles
were overcome, and the fortifications were trampled down. The
position having been forced, the Duke of Marlborough led the
British CUIRASSIERS and Prussian cavalry against the French gens
d'armes, who were routed and chased from the ground; but scarcely
were these squadrons overcome, when the British and Prussian
horse encountered a compact line of French cavalry of the royal
household, and were driven back in some disorder. The British
horse soon rallied, and returning to the charge, overcame their
celebrated adversaries, and the French squadrons were driven from
the field. The allies were victorious, but they sustained a severe
loss in killed and wounded.
CADOGAN'S HORSE were afterwards employed in covering the siege of
_Mons_, which was terminated by the surrender of the place on the
20th of October.
[Sidenote: 1710]
During the campaign of 1710, the regiment was employed in covering
the sieges of _Douay_, _Bethune_, _Aire_, and _St. Venant_, and in
protecting convoys of military stores to the besieging troops.
[Sidenote: 1711]
In the summer of 1711, the imperialists, under Prince Eugene,
having returned to Germany, the Duke of Marlborough confronted
the French army with the forces under his orders. The French had
constructed very extensive and strong lines of fortifications to
cover their frontiers, and within these lines they had collected
a numerous army. The Duke, by a skilful device, induced them
to destroy their fort at Arleux; and then, by menacing their
lines between the head of the Sanzet and Hesdin, caused them to
withdraw part of their garrisons from Arras and Cambray, with the
troops which guarded the lines in the direction of Arleux. In the
mean time his grace was continually sending detachments towards
Douay, where a considerable body of troops was assembled without
attracting notice, and amongst these forces were the two squadrons
of CADOGAN'S CUIRASSIERS. Having reconnoitred the lines on the
4th of August, the Duke gave orders for the troops to prepare
for the attack on the following morning, and the French army
prepared to receive him with eclat; but at the dead of the night,
Lieutenant-General Cadogan, having advanced with great secrecy
with the troops from Douay, passed the lines at the causeway of
_Arleux_, which the French commander, in his anxiety to collect
all the troops he could to resist the menaced attack, had left
unguarded; and the main army struck its tents in the night, and
marched in the same direction. When Marshal Villiers heard that his
lines were passed, he was astounded. He took with him the household
cavalry, and, ordering his army to follow as quickly as possible,
rode with all speed, until he came within the English out-guards,
and his feelings were so excited, that he was nearly surrounded
by a troop of CADOGAN'S HORSE before he was conscious of danger;
he had proceeded with such rapidity that the whole of his escort,
except a hundred of the best mounted dragoons, was left behind; he
ordered these dragoons to throw themselves into the old castle of
Oisy, which was at hand, and himself and two officers of his staff
escaped; but the dragoons were surrounded and made prisoners.
Having thus passed these extensive lines, which the French
commander had vauntingly called Marlborough's _ne plus ultra_, his
grace besieged the strong and important fortress of _Bouchain_,
situate on the Scheldt, in the taking of which place, difficulties
of great magnitude had to be overcome. Marshal Villiers, by a
secret march, during the night of the 9th of August, gained
possession of the heights of _Wavrechin_, in order to preserve the
line of communication which runs from thence, through a morass
between the Scheldt and the Senset, to the town of Bouchain, that
he might be enabled to relieve the garrison from time to time.
The Duke of Marlborough, observing the enemy at work, throwing up
entrenchments on the hill, ordered Lieutenant-Generals Cadogan and
Fagel to march with a body of troops, of which CADOGAN'S HORSE
formed part, to dislodge the French. As the British grenadiers
advanced to the attack, his grace rode forwards to reconnoitre
the works on the hill; and observing that the entrenchment was a
perfect bulwark, strong and lofty, and crouded with men and cannon,
he gave orders for the troops to retire.
On the following day Marshal Villiers issued from the works with
a hundred hussars, to observe the progress of his opponent, and
encountered Lieutenant-General Cadogan, who was reconnoitering
with a squadron of horse. A skirmish ensued, and four squadrons of
French carabineers advanced to aid the marshal. Cadogan, being
thus out-numbered, made a precipitate retreat, which occasioned
the enemy to pursue with great eagerness. Meanwhile, CADOGAN'S
HORSE and two other squadrons, advanced from the camp, and formed
up beyond the summit of a rising ground, where they were out of
the enemy's sight; and the moment the French carabineers appeared
on the top of the hill, they were charged by Cadogan's squadrons
with such resolution, that they were immediately broken. Marshal
Villiers was in danger of being surrounded and taken prisoner, but
a French brigadier-general interposed, with singular bravery, and
rescued the marshal. The gallant brigadier was severely wounded
and taken prisoner, and most of his men cut down by the British
CUIRASSIERS; and Marshal Villiers galloped back with his shattered
squadrons with greater haste than he had advanced.
Fortifications were afterwards constructed, with a causeway through
the inundations, and the communication between the town of Bouchain
and the troops on the heights of Wavrechin was cut off. The siege
was prosecuted with zeal and energy, and Marshal Villiers and
a numerous French army were spectators of the capture of this
important fortress. After the works were repaired and the place put
in a state of defence, the troops were placed in winter quarters.
The splendid successes of the army commanded by the Duke of
Marlborough, who never fought a battle which he did not win, nor
besieged a town which he did not capture, had effected a complete
revolution in the affairs of Europe, and the King of France saw his
generals over-matched,--his armies beaten and dispirited,--his
possessions wrested from him,--the barriers of his kingdom trampled
down,--his fortresses captured, and a powerful army, with an
invincible leader, ready to carry all the horrors of war into the
heart of France: with his designs thus frustrated, and his kingdom
thus menaced, the ambitious Louis XIV., who had thought to have
dictated laws to christendom, became a negociator for peace.
[Sidenote: 1712]
In the summer of 1712, while the conditions of the treaty were
under consideration, the regiment again took the field, and,
advancing to the frontiers of France, formed part of the army under
the orders of the Duke of Ormond, and encamped at Cateau-Cambresis
during the siege of _Quesnoy_.
A suspension of hostilities was soon afterwards published between
the British and French, and the army retired from Cateau-Cambresis
to Ghent, where the English CUIRASSIERS and several other corps
were encamped for a short time, and afterwards were placed in
quarters.