TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
Some minor changes are noted at the end of the book.
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 de 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 TWELFTH,
OR
THE PRINCE OF WALES'S ROYAL REGIMENT
OF
LANCERS:
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF
THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
IN 1715,
AND OF
ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
TO
1842.
_ILLUSTRATED WITH A PLATE OF THE UNIFORM._
LONDON:
JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND.
M.DCCC.XLII.
LONDON:
HARRISON AND CO., PRINTERS,
ST. MARTIN'S LANE.
THE TWELFTH,
OR
THE PRINCE OF WALES'S ROYAL
LANCERS,
BEAR ON THEIR GUIDONS AND APPOINTMENTS
THE
"SPHINX," WITH THE WORD "EGYPT;"
"PENINSULA;" AND "WATERLOO;"
TO COMMEMORATE THEIR DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN
EGYPT IN 1801;
UNDER FIELD MARSHAL
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON,
IN SPAIN AND THE SOUTH OF FRANCE, FROM 1811 TO 1814;
AND AT THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO, ON THE
18TH OF JUNE, 1815.
CONTENTS.
Year Page
1715 Formation of the Regiment 9
---- Names of Officer 10
---- Rebellion of the Earl of Mar 11
1718 The Regiment embarks for Ireland --
1751 Description of the Uniform and Guidons 13
1768 Styled the _Prince of Wales's Regiment_ 15
---- Constituted a corps of _Light Dragoons_ 16
1784 Uniform changed from Scarlet to _Blue_ --
1793 Embarks for the Mediterranean 17
---- Capture of the Island of Corsica 18
1794 Stationed in Italy--Approbation of Pope Pius VI. --
1795 Embarks for England 20
1796 Proceeds to Portugal --
1800 Embarks for the Mediterranean 21
1801 Lands in Egypt 22
---- Battle of Alexandria --
---- Capture of a French Convoy in the Lybian Desert 25
---- ---------- Cairo and Alexandria 27
1802 Returns to England 28
---- Embarks for Ireland 29
1805 Returns to England --
1809 Expedition to Walcheren --
---- Returns to England 30
1811 Embarks for Portugal --
---- Blockade of Ciudad Rodrigo --
1812 Covering the Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo 31
---- --------------------- Badajoz --
---- Skirmish at Usagre--Action at Llerena 32
---- Action at Castrejon 34
---- Battle of Salamanca 35
---- Covering the Siege of Burgos-Castle 37
---- Skirmishes at Monasterio --
---- Covering the Retreat at Burgos --
1813 Battle of Vittoria 39
---- Skirmishes at Villa Franca and Tolosa 40
---- Covering the Siege of St. Sebastian 41
---- Passage of the Bidassoa 42
---- Battle of the Nivelle --
1814 Passage of the Adour--Blockade of Bayonne 43
---- Marches to Bordeaux--Skirmish at Etoliers 44
---- Returns to England --
1815 Embarks for Flanders 46
---- Battle of Quatre Bras 47
---- Battle of Waterloo 48
---- Names of the Officers who received Medals 58
---- Advances to Paris --
---- Forms part of the Army of Occupation in France 59
---- Constituted a corps of "_Lancers_" --
1817 Rewarded with the title of the _Twelfth, or Prince
of Wales's, Royal Lancers_ --
1818 Returns to England 60
1820 Embarks for Ireland 61
1824 Returns to England --
1826 Embarks for Portugal 63
1828 Returns to England 64
1829 Proceeds to Scotland --
1830 Embarks for Ireland --
---- Resumes wearing _Scarlet_ Clothing --
1833 Returns to England --
1837 Reviewed by the Queen, Victoria 65
1838 Her Majesty's Coronation 66
1839 His Royal Highness the Prince George of Cambridge
attached to the Regiment --
1840 Embarks for Ireland 67
1842 Resumes wearing _Blue_ Clothing --
---- The Conclusion 68
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
1715 Phineas Bowles 69
1719 Phineas Bowles 70
1740 Alexander Rose --
1743 Samuel Walter Whitshed --
1746 Thomas Bligh 71
1747 Sir John Mordaunt, K.B. 72
1749 Honorable James Cholmondeley 73
1749 Lord George Sackville 74
1750 Sir John Whitefoord, Baronet 75
1763 Edward Harvey 76
1764 Benjamin Carpenter 77
1770 William Augustus Pitt --
1775 Honorable William Keppel 78
1782 Honorable George Lane Parker 79
1791 Sir James Steuart, Baronet 79
1815 Sir William Payne, Baronet 81
1825 Sir Colquhoun Grant, K.C.B., K.C.H. 82
1827 Sir R. H. Vivian, Baronet, now Lord Vivian, K.C.B., G.C.H. 84
1837 Sir H. J. Cumming, K.C.H. --
[Illustration: Twelfth, The Prince of Wales's Royal Lancers.]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE TWELFTH,
OR,
THE PRINCE OF WALES'S, ROYAL REGIMENT
OF
LANCERS.
[Sidenote: 1715]
On the 20th of January, 1715, King George I. proceeded in state to
St. Paul's Cathedral, to return thanks for his peaceful accession
to the throne of Great Britain and Ireland; but in a short time
afterwards the tranquillity of the kingdom was disturbed by the
rash proceedings of the adherents of the Stuart dynasty, who were
conspiring to elevate the Pretender to the throne, in which they
were abetted by the courts of Louis XIV. of France and of other
foreign potentates. These proceedings occasioned the army to be
augmented, and in July, 1715, Brigadier-General PHINEAS BOWLES,--a
warm-hearted loyalist, distinguished for his attachment to the
house of Hanover,--who had acquired a reputation at the head of
a regiment in the war of the Spanish succession, was commissioned
to raise a corps of cavalry in the counties of Berks, Bucks, and
Hants, having his general rendezvous at Reading.
His Majesty's appeal to his subjects was cheerfully responded to,
and a number of loyalists coming forward to hazard their lives in
defence of their King and constitution, Brigadier-General Bowles
was soon at the head of a regiment of six troops, which, having
been continued in the service to the present time, now bears the
title of THE TWELFTH, OR THE PRINCE OF WALES'S, ROYAL REGIMENT OF
LANCERS.
The following officers were appointed to commissions in the
regiment:--
_Captains._
Phineas Bowles, _Col._
T. Strickland, _Lt.Col._
J. Orfeur, _Major_
John Pierson
Giles Stevens
John Prideaux
_Lieutenants._
W. Wills, _Capt.Lt._
William Bourden
Christopher Bland
James Baker
John Johnson
Hugh Hilton
_Cornets._
William Pomfret
Thomas Johnson
Richard Hull
William Pierce
Bret. Norton
---- Forfar.
While the regiment was in quarters in Berkshire, the Pretender's
standard was raised in Scotland by the Earl of Mar; but this
rebellion was suppressed without Brigadier-General BOWLES's
dragoons being required to proceed to the north; in October they
escorted a number of state prisoners to London, who were tried, and
several of them executed for endeavouring to excite the people to
rebellion, and for enlisting men for the Pretender's service.
[Sidenote: 1716]
[Sidenote: 1717]
[Sidenote: 1718]
In 1716 the regiment was stationed in Gloucestershire; in 1717 in
Wiltshire; and in October, 1718, it marched to Bristol, where it
embarked for Ireland, to replace a regiment of dragoons ordered to
be disbanded in that country.
The TWELFTH Dragoons were placed upon the Irish establishment,
and they remained in that part of the United Kingdom during the
following seventy-five years.
[Sidenote: 1719]
[Sidenote: 1735]
[Sidenote: 1739]
[Sidenote: 1740]
Brigadier-General Bowles was removed in March, 1719, to the Eighth
Dragoons, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the TWELFTH, by
Lieut.-Colonel Phineas Bowles. This officer was promoted to the
rank of brigadier-general in 1735; to that of major-general in
1739, and was removed, in 1740, to the Seventh Horse, now Sixth
Dragoon Guards, when King George II. conferred the colonelcy of
the TWELFTH Dragoons on Colonel Alexander Rose, from the Twentieth
Foot.
[Sidenote: 1743]
[Sidenote: 1746]
Colonel Rose commanded the regiment until the summer of 1743,
when he was succeeded by Colonel Samuel Walter Whitshed, from the
Thirty-ninth Foot; and in April, 1746, Brigadier-General Thomas
Bligh was appointed to the colonelcy of the regiment, from the
Twentieth Foot.
[Sidenote: 1747]
[Sidenote: 1749]
Brigadier-General Bligh was promoted to the rank of major-general
in 1747, and removed to the Second Irish Horse, now Fifth Dragoon
Guards; and the colonelcy of the TWELFTH Dragoons was conferred
on Major-General Sir John Mordaunt, from the Eighteenth regiment
of Foot. This distinguished officer was promoted to the Tenth
Dragoons, in 1749, and was succeeded by Major-General Lord George
Sackville, afterwards Viscount Sackville, from the Twentieth
regiment of Foot.
[Sidenote: 1750]
On the 18th of January, 1750, Lord George Sackville was promoted to
the Third Irish Horse, now Sixth Dragoon Guards; and the colonelcy
of the TWELFTH Dragoons was conferred on Lieut.-Colonel Sir John
Whitefoord, Baronet, from the Thirty-fifth Foot.
[Sidenote: 1751]
King George II. issued, on the 1st of July, 1751, a warrant
regulating the clothing, standards and colours of the several
regiments, from which the following particulars have been
extracted respecting the TWELFTH DRAGOONS:--
COATS,--_scarlet_, double-breasted, without lapels, lined with
_white_; slit sleeves, turned up with white; the button-holes
ornamented with narrow white lace; the buttons flat, of white
metal, set on two and two; a long slash pocket in each skirt; and a
white worsted aiguillette on the right shoulder.
WAISTCOATS AND BREECHES,--white.
HATS,--bound with silver lace, and ornamented with a white metal
loop and a black cockade; the forage cap red, turned up with white,
and XII.D. on the little flap.
BOOTS,--of jacked leather.
CLOAKS,--of scarlet cloth, with a white collar, and lined with
white shalloon; the buttons set on two and two, on yellow frogs or
loops, with a green stripe down the centre.
HORSE FURNITURE,--of white cloth; the holster-caps and housings
having a border of yellow lace, with a green stripe down the
centre; XII.D. embroidered upon the housings, on a red ground,
within a wreath of roses and thistles; the King's cipher, with
the crown over it, and XII.D. underneath, embroidered upon the
holster-caps.
OFFICERS,--distinguished by silver lace and embroidery, and a
crimson silk sash across the left shoulder.
SERJEANTS,--to have narrow silver lace on their cuffs, pockets, and
shoulder-straps; silver aiguillettes, with green and yellow worsted
sashes tied round their waists.
DRUMMERS AND HAUTBOYS,--white coats, lined with scarlet, and
ornamented with yellow lace with a green stripe down the centre;
scarlet waistcoats and breeches.
GUIDONS,--the first, or King's guidon, to be of crimson silk, with
a silver and green fringe; in the centre the rose and thistle
conjoined, and crown over them, with the motto--_Dieu et mon
Droit_, underneath; the white horse in a compartment in the first
and fourth corners, and XII.D. in silver characters on a white
ground, in the second and third corners: the second and third
guidons to be of white silk; in the centre, XII.D. in silver
characters, on a crimson ground, within a wreath of roses and
thistles on the same stalk; 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; on the
third standard, a figure 3, on a circular red ground underneath
the wreath.
[Sidenote: 1763]
[Sidenote: 1764]
Lieut.-General Sir John Whitefoord died in 1763; and was
succeeded in the colonelcy by Colonel Edward Harvey, from the
lieut.-colonelcy of the Sixth Dragoons. In the following year, this
officer was removed to the Third Irish Horse, now Sixth Dragoon
Guards, and the colonelcy of the TWELFTH Dragoons was conferred on
Major-General Benjamin Carpenter, from lieut.-colonel of the second
troop, now second regiment, of Life Guards.
[Sidenote: 1768]
Although the necessity for maintaining an efficient military force
in Ireland, had prevented the regiment sharing in the perils and
conflicts of the war from 1741 to 1748, and from 1755 to 1762,
during which periods several corps had acquired never-fading
laurels, yet its excellent conduct during its service in Ireland
had been noticed and appreciated; it was held in high estimation,
and in 1768, King George III. conferred upon it the distinguished
title of "THE PRINCE OF WALES'S REGIMENT," in honor of the
heir-apparent to the throne, afterwards King George IV., who was
then in the seventh year of his age. At the same time the arms,
clothing, and equipment were changed, and it was constituted a
corps of "LIGHT Cavalry," and was designated "THE TWELFTH, OR THE
PRINCE OF WALES'S REGIMENT OF LIGHT DRAGOONS." The regiment was
also permitted to assume as a regimental badge, a coronet, with
three feathers, and the motto "ICH DIEN;" also a rising sun, and a
red dragon.
[Sidenote: 1770]
Major-General Carpenter was removed to the Fourth Dragoons in 1770,
and was succeeded by Major-General William Augustus Pitt, from the
lieut.-colonelcy of the Tenth Dragoons.
[Sidenote: 1775]
[Sidenote: 1782]
After commanding the regiment five years, Major-General Pitt was
removed to the Third Irish Horse, now Sixth Dragoon Guards, and
was succeeded by Lieut.-General the Honorable William Keppel, from
the Fourteenth Foot, who died in 1782, when His Majesty appointed
Lieut.-General the Honorable George Lane Parker, from the Twentieth
Foot, to the colonelcy of the PRINCE OF WALES'S Light Dragoons.
[Sidenote: 1784]
[Sidenote: 1785]
In 1784 the uniform was changed from scarlet to _blue_, and in 1785
blue cloaks were adopted.
[Sidenote: 1789]
On the 25th June, 1789, Lieutenant the _Honorable Arthur
Wellesley_, now Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington, was removed
to the TWELFTH Light Dragoons from the Forty-first Foot, and
continued to belong to this regiment until the 30th June, 1791.
[Sidenote: 1791]
Lieut.-General Parker commanded the regiment nine years, and dying
in the autumn of 1791, was succeeded by Colonel Sir James Steuart,
Baronet, from the lieut.-colonelcy of the Fifth Dragoons.
[Sidenote: 1793]
[Sidenote: 1794]
The French revolution, which occurred at this period, occasioned
the regiment to be withdrawn from Ireland, where it had been
stationed seventy-five years, and to be employed in more active
services. Although the King of France was beheaded, and the
republicans maintained their authority by the terrors of the
guillotine, yet many patriots stood forward in the cause of
royalty, and the inhabitants of the celebrated port of Toulon,--the
principal station of the French navy, delivered up their port and
city to Admiral Lord Hood, who took possession in August, 1793,
in the name of Louis XVII. A French army advanced against Toulon,
which was defended by a few British, Spanish, Neapolitan, and
Sardinian troops; succours were sent out, and the TWELFTH Light
Dragoons embarked for the Mediterranean. Toulon was, however,
abandoned, and arrangements were made for attacking the island
of _Corsica_; part of the regiment landed and was at the taking
of _Bastia_, which surrendered on the 22nd of May, 1794; and an
assembly of the deputies afterwards agreed to unite the island to
Great Britain. The remainder of the regiment sailed to Italy, and
landed at Civita Vecchia,--a fortified sea-port in the bay of the
Tuscan sea,--and the conduct of the officers and soldiers attracted
the notice of Pope Pius VI., whose thanks were communicated by
Cardinal de Zelada, Secretary of State to His Holiness, in the
following letter:--
"_From the Vatican, May 30th, 1794._
"The marked consideration which the Holy Father has always
entertained, and never will cease to entertain, for the
generous and illustrious English nation, induces him not to
neglect the opportunity of giving a proof of it, which is now
afforded by the stay of a British regiment at Civita Vecchia.
As his holiness cannot but applaud the regular and praiseworthy
conduct of the troops in question, he has determined to evince
his entire satisfaction by presenting a gold medal to each of
the officers, including General Sir James Steuart, Baronet,
and Colonel Erskine[1], though absent; and since these medals,
twelve in number, are not, at the present moment, in readiness,
nor can be provided before the departure of the regiment from
Civita Vecchia, the Holy Father will be careful that they shall
be sent, as soon as possible, to Sir John Cox Hippesly, who will
be pleased to transmit them to the respective officers, making
them acquainted, at the same time, with the feelings by which
His Holiness is animated, and with the lively desire which he
entertains of manifesting, on all occasions, his unalterable
regard, whether it be towards the nation in general, or towards
every individual Englishman. In thus making known to Sir John
Cox Hippesly, member of the British parliament, the dispositions
of the Supreme Pontiff, the Cardinal de Zelada, Secretary of
State, begs leave to add an offer of his own services, and the
assurances of his distinguished esteem[2]."
[Sidenote: 1795]
The TWELFTH Light Dragoons were withdrawn from Italy and Corsica,
and, sailing to England, landed at Plymouth in January, 1795; they
were stationed, during the summer, at Tavistock, and passed the
winter at Nottingham.
[Sidenote: 1796]
In the summer of 1796 the regiment was removed to Croydon,
and in October to York. The French republic was, in the mean
time, conspiring the destruction of British commerce, and
having concluded a treaty of peace with Spain, had entered into
negociations with the Portuguese; but the Queen of Portugal refused
to ratify the treaty, and agreed to receive British troops into
several ports of Portugal. The TWELFTH Light Dragoons were selected
to proceed to Portugal, to assist in the defence of that kingdom,
in the event of its being attacked by France or her allies.
[Sidenote: 1797]
The regiment left England during the winter, arrived at Portugal
in the beginning of 1797, and was followed by the Twenty-sixth
Dragoons, the second battalion of the First (Royals), and the
Eighteenth, Fiftieth, and Fifty-first regiments of foot.
[Sidenote: 1800]
[Sidenote: 1801]
The TWELFTH Light Dragoons were stationed at Lisbon, where they
remained until the winter of 1800, when they embarked to join
the expedition under General Sir Ralph Abercromby, destined to
undertake the expulsion of the French "Army of the East" from
Egypt. The regiment sailed under the convoy of the Braakel, armed
_en flûte_, and arrived on the 11th of January, 1801, at the Bay
of Marmorice, in Asiatic Turkey, where the fleet was anchored in
a splendid basin of water, surrounded by mountains covered with
trees. The regiment landed, and received a supply of Turkish
horses, which proved of so very inferior a description, that the
commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Mervyn Archdall, solicited to
serve with the regiment as infantry; the necessity of having a
body of mounted cavalry was, however, urgent, and three hundred of
the best of the horses were trained[3]; a number of men, however,
remained dismounted. The TWELFTH and Twenty-sixth Light Dragoons
were formed in brigade under Brigadier-General Finch.
From the Bay of Marmorice the fleet sailed on the 23rd of February,
and the greatness of the armament, with the gaiety of the brave
men on board, was calculated to excite a deep feeling of interest
respecting the destiny of the expedition, which involved the
dearest interests of Great Britain. The gallant troops employed on
this enterprise proved worthy of the confidence reposed in them,
and they more than realized the expectations of their king and
country. Arriving off the celebrated city of Alexandria in the
beginning of March, the fleet bore down into the Bay of Aboukir,
and on the 8th of that month, the troops landed, and defeated a
numerous body of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, formed to oppose
them. Advancing towards _Alexandria_, the army encamped, on the
12th of March, near Mandora Tower, and on the following day marched
through a grove of date-trees, and drove the enemy from a position
he occupied. The TWELFTH Light Dragoons had one man and four horses
killed; one serjeant, and one private soldier wounded.
After this success the army encamped, and the Egyptian peasantry
brought a supply of sheep, goats, poultry, and eggs. On the
18th of March, when a great part of the regiment had left the
camp to water the horses, information arrived of the approach
of a reconnoitring party, and Lieut.-Colonel Archdall collected
sixty men, with whom he advanced to meet the enemy, taking also
a piquet of twenty men. After proceeding about three miles, he
met one hundred and fifty French hussars and infantry, under
General D'Estin, and, notwithstanding the disparity of numbers, he
instantly detached Lieutenant Levingston with twelve men to attack
the left flank of the French hussars, while he charged the front
with the main body. Dashing furiously upon his opponents, Colonel
Archdall broke the French infantry at the first onset; their
cavalry instantly fled, and the British troopers pursued, killing
and wounding several, but the main body of the French hussars,
being better mounted than the British, escaped. The precaution of
securing the French infantry had been, inconsiderately, omitted,
and when the troopers returned from the pursuit, they were fired
upon by the foot from behind a sandhill, which occasioned some
loss, and, finally, the French infantry effected their retreat.
The TWELFTH Light Dragoons had five horses killed; Lieut.-Colonel
Archdall, and one serjeant wounded; Captain the Honorable Pierce
Butler, Cornet Earle Lindsay Daniel, and seven men, who had been
most eager in the pursuit, were intercepted in their return, and
made prisoners.
Lieut.-Colonel Archdall lost his arm, and the command of the
TWELFTH Dragoons devolved on Lieut.-Colonel Robert Browne.
On the 21st of March the British repulsed an attack of the French
on their position; but they had to lament the loss of Sir Ralph
Abercromby, who was mortally wounded. The loss of the TWELFTH Light
Dragoons was limited to seven men wounded.
From the vicinity of Alexandria the regiment afterwards traversed
the country to Rosetta, and advanced from thence along the banks
of the Nile, taking part in the operations by which the French
were forced to quit their fortified post at _Rahmanie_, where the
TWELFTH lost several men and horses.
While possession was being taken of the fort of Rahmanie,
Lieutenant Drake and thirty men of the regiment went out to
water their horses, and hearing a firing at a distance, they
proceeded to the spot, and found fifty men of the Twenty-second
French Dragoons skirmishing with a party of Arabs. The TWELFTH
advanced with the most determined gallantry, but at the moment
when they were about to charge, the French captain held up a white
handkerchief, and agreed to surrender. An aide-de-camp, with
despatches, was also made prisoner on this occasion.
From Rahmanie, the army advanced along the banks of the Nile
towards Cairo, and arrived on the 16th of May at _Algam_ and
Nadir. On the following morning some Bedouin Arabs arrived at
Colonel Browne's tent with information that a body of French were
in the Lybian Desert; the colonel sent them to head-quarters, and
immediately despatched Lieutenant Francis Raynes with a small
detachment into the desert; also ordered the light artillery and
cavalry to feed and water their horses, and be ready to move at a
moment's notice: Lieutenant Catson was afterwards sent out with
another small detachment to keep up the communication with the
first. Soon afterwards Brigadier-General Doyle was directed to
enter the desert with his brigade of infantry,--the TWELFTH and
Twenty-sixth Light Dragoons (two hundred and fifty men) and some
artillery. At the same time Colonel Abercromby and Major Wilson
galloped forward to find the enemy. After proceeding some distance
at a brisk trot the Light Dragoons came in sight of the French
column, which had been skirmishing with the Arabs. The enemy was
very superior in numbers; the British artillery was some distance
in the rear, and the infantry was not in sight; but Major Wilson
advanced with a white handkerchief on the point of his sword, and
proposed to the French commander, Colonel Cavalier, to surrender on
condition of being sent to France, and the officers to retain their
private property. This was at first refused, but Colonel Browne
forming the TWELFTH and Twenty-sixth Light Dragoons rank-entire,
with extended files, they presented a formidable appearance;
and the French officers and soldiers, being weary of Egypt, and
desirous of returning to France, surrendered. This proved to be a
valuable French convoy of
28 officers.
570 rank and file,
1 stand of colours,
1 light four-pounder,
300 horses and dromedaries, and
500 camels.
One hundred and twenty men of Bonaparte's famous dromedary
corps were among the prisoners, and presented a grand and novel
appearance; and the horses and camels formed a valuable acquisition
to the British army.
Brigadier-General (afterwards Sir John) Doyle expressed, in a
letter to Colonel Browne, his approbation of the excellent conduct
of the TWELFTH and Twenty-sixth Light Dragoons, adding,--"With such
troops I shall always feel a pride to serve; and at their head, be
content to fall, being convinced it must be with honor." When this
officer received supporters to his arms, he chose, as one of them,
a light dragoon of the TWELFTH, holding the French color taken with
the convoy.
The army, continuing to advance, arrived, on the 8th of June,
near the Pyramids, where it halted several days, and subsequently
advanced to _Cairo_, and invested the city; the TWELFTH Light
Dragoons being posted on the left of the river. In a few days the
French surrendered the capital of Egypt, which added additional
lustre to the British arms, and the brave soldiers, whose skill
and valor gained these honors, were rewarded with the approbation
of their Sovereign, and the thanks of Parliament.
From Cairo the army retired down the Nile, and commenced the siege
of _Alexandria_, which city was surrendered in September, and the
deliverance of Egypt from the power of France was thus completed.
[Sidenote: 1802]
On the evacuation of Egypt, the TWELFTH Light Dragoons returned
to England, where they arrived in 1802. The officers received
each a gold medal from the Grand Seignior, and the regiment was
subsequently honored with the royal authority to bear on its
guidons and appointments, a "SPHYNX," with the word "EGYPT," as a
mark of His Majesty's approbation of their gallant services in the
Egyptian campaign[4].
[Sidenote: 1803]
[Sidenote: 1804]
After their return from Egypt, the TWELFTH Light Dragoons were
stationed at Weymouth until the end of the year, when they
proceeded to Ireland, and the head-quarters were established at
Clonmel, from whence they were removed, in 1803, to Limerick, and
in 1804, to Dublin.
[Sidenote: 1805]
[Sidenote: 1806]
[Sidenote: 1807]
[Sidenote: 1808]
Returning to England in 1805, the regiment was stationed at
Guildford and Romford; in 1806 the head-quarters were at
Blatchington, with numerous detachments on the Sussex coast. In
1807 they were removed to Hythe, with detachments on the coast of
Kent. In 1808 the regiment marched to Hounslow and Hampton Court,
and took the escort duty for the royal family.
[Sidenote: 1809]
[Sidenote: 1810]
The regiment was relieved from the escort duty, in 1809, and
embarked with the expedition to Holland under General the Earl of
Chatham. It was on board the fleet during the siege and capture of
Flushing on the island of _Walcheren_; and when the object of the
expedition was relinquished, the regiment returned to England; the
head-quarters were established at Deal, with detached troops along
the coast of Kent, where they were stationed in 1810.
[Sidenote: 1811]
In the spring of 1811 the TWELFTH Light Dragoons received orders
to hold themselves in readiness to join the allied army commanded
by Lord Wellington, engaged in the glorious struggle to effect the
expulsion of the legions of Bonaparte from Spain and Portugal;
and six troops of the regiment embarked at Portsmouth in May and
June. On the 11th of June Lieut.-Colonel Hon. F. C. Ponsonby
was appointed lieut.-colonel in the regiment in succession to
Major-General Robert Browne. The regiment landed at Lisbon on
the 25th of June, and, after a halt of ten days, advanced up
the country. The allied army retired, soon afterwards, from its
position on the Caya in the Alentejo, and moved towards Ciudad
Rodrigo; and the TWELFTH Light Dragoons were formed in brigade
with the First (Royal) Dragoons under the command of Major-General
Slade. This brigade was employed in the operations connected with
the blockade of _Ciudad Rodrigo_, and with the action at El Bodon,
which took place when the armies of Marshal Marmont and General
Dorsenne advanced to relieve the blockaded fortress. A series of
movements followed, in which the TWELFTH took part, and after the
retrograde of the French army, the brigade went into cantonments in
the valley of the Mondego, the TWELFTH occupying Celerico.
[Sidenote: 1812]
In the winter, when the siege of _Ciudad Rodrigo_ was undertaken,
the TWELFTH Light Dragoons advanced to take part in covering the
operation, and were posted at Regarda, and on the capture of
fortress in January, 1812, they fell back to Seixo, in the valley
of Mondego, where they were formed in brigade with the Fourteenth
and Sixteenth Light Dragoons, under the orders of Major-General
Anson.
In February the TWELFTH Light Dragoons marched to Thomar, where
they remained until the siege of _Badajoz_ was undertaken, when
they proceeded to the Alentejo. On the approach of the French army,
they crossed the Guadiana and advanced to Los Santos, where they
took the outpost duty, and Badajoz was captured by storm on the
6th of April. The covering army afterwards advanced towards the
enemy, who fell back, and on the 10th of April the TWELFTH Light
Dragoons drove the enemy's posts from the vicinity of _Usagre_, and
occupied the town. On the following day the brigade, commanded on
this occasion by Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable Frederick Ponsonby of
the TWELFTH Light Dragoons, moved towards _Llerena_, and kept the
attention of a large body of French cavalry engaged by skirmishing,
while the Fifth Dragoon Guards, and Third and Fourth Dragoons,
commanded by Major-General Le Marchant, passed secretly at the
back of some heights, and gained the enemy's flank. Everything
succeeded according to expectation; as three squadrons under
Lieut.-Colonel Ponsonby skirmished, the Fifth Dragoon Guards issued
from a grove of olive-trees and charged the enemy's flank; and in
the next moment the light brigade charged the front of the French
line, which was instantly broken and pursued for several miles. A
hundred Frenchmen were killed and wounded in the field, and a much
greater number, including one lieut.-colonel, two captains, and
a lieutenant, were made prisoners. The loss of the TWELFTH Light
Dragoons was limited to one serjeant, two private soldiers, and
one horse killed; one serjeant, four private soldiers, and three
horses wounded. A cavalry order was issued on the following day,
from which the following is an extract:--
"Lieut.-General Sir Stapleton Cotton begs Major-General Le Marchant
and the Honorable Lieut.-Colonel Ponsonby will accept his best
thanks for the gallant and judicious manner in which they commanded
their brigades yesterday, and he requests they will make known
to the officers commanding regiments the lieut.-general's high
approbation of their conduct, as well as of the zeal and attention
displayed by all ranks. The order which was observed by the
troops in pursuing the enemy, and the quickness with which they
formed after every attack, does infinite credit to the commanding
officers, and is a convincing proof of the good discipline of the
several regiments."
The French army under Marshal Soult retired; but another army under
Marshal Marmont had entered Portugal, and Major-General Anson's
brigade left Spanish Estremadura, and marched for the province of
Beira. Marshal Marmont retired; and the TWELFTH Light Dragoons,
having halted a short period at Castello-Branco, were afterwards
removed to Cano.
In June, when the army took the field, the TWELFTH Light Dragoons
proceeded to the vicinity of Ciudad Rodrigo, and subsequently
advanced upon _Salamanca_, from whence the French were driven;
the regiment, having crossed the Tormes below that city, with the
column under Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Picton, advanced, by St.
Christoval, along the road to Toro, and after skirmishing with the
French rear-guard, took the outposts in front of St. Christoval,
where the army was placed in position during the siege of the forts.
After the capture of the forts at Salamanca, the army advanced to
the bank of the Douro, and the French under Marshal Marmont were
posted on the opposite side of the river. In the middle of July the
French passed the Douro, when Lord Wellington united his centre and
left on the Guarena; but caused two divisions, and Major-General
Anson's brigade of cavalry, to halt at _Castrejon_, on the
Trabancos, under Lieut.-General Sir Stapleton Cotton. The TWELFTH
Light Dragoons arrived at Castrejon on the 17th of July, and in
the evening the piquet under Captain Dickens was attacked. On the
following morning at day-break, the out-posts were driven in, and
the French appeared in great force; the cavalry formed in front of
the infantry, but afterwards advanced towards the river and some
sharp skirmishing occurred. Lord Wellington arriving, the whole
were directed to retire behind the Guarena, which was executed with
little loss. The TWELFTH Light Dragoons had five rank and file, and
eight horses killed; Adjutant Getterick, twelve rank and file, and
four horses wounded; one rank and file and three horses missing.
The TWELFTH Light Dragoons were actively employed during the
operations which followed the retreat behind the Guarena, and on
the 20th of July, when the opposing armies were moving parallel to
each other, Captain Barton's squadron suffered from a cannonade;
this squadron furnished the out-posts at night.
The army subsequently withdrew to the vicinity of _Salamanca_,
where a general action was fought on the 22nd of July. The TWELFTH
Light Dragoons were stationed on the left, and not far from the
rocky Arapiles, and they had the honor of taking part in the
overthrow of the French army. The regiment charged twice in the
evening, and broke some French infantry, after which a squadron
under Captain Andrews moved to Huarte. Its loss was Captain
Dickens, one serjeant, one rank and file and one horse killed; two
rank and file and three horses wounded.
On the day after the battle, the TWELFTH joined the other
regiments of the brigade, which had been in pursuit of the enemy's
rear-guard, and following the French army in its retrograde
movement, arrived at the ancient city of Valladolid, in Leon, on
the 30th of July. The pursuit was not continued; but the Marquis of
Wellington left a small force in the neighbourhood of Valladolid,
including the TWELFTH Light Dragoons, and marched with the army to
Madrid, a distance of about one hundred miles.
When the allied army had left the vicinity of the Douro, General
Clauzel advanced with the French troops which had been defeated
at Salamanca, and occupied Valladolid, and Major-General Anson's
brigade was withdrawn across the Douro at Tudela in the middle of
August, when the TWELFTH had one man killed in a skirmish with the
French.
On the return of the army from Madrid, the French retreated; the
British moved forward, and on the 7th of September the TWELFTH
Light Dragoons entered Valladolid, and skirmished with the enemy's
rear-guard when the bridge was blown up.
Leaving Valladolid the French army retired down the beautiful
Pisuerga and Arlanzan valleys; the allies followed, and the ground
being favorable for a retiring army, repeated skirmishes took
place, in which the TWELFTH Light Dragoons were engaged. Arriving
at _Burgos_, the capital of Old Castille, the army halted, and
commenced the siege of the castle; the cavalry being pushed forward
to _Monasterio_, where the TWELFTH Light Dragoons had frequent
skirmishes with parties of the enemy.
The French army having been reinforced and placed under the orders
of General Souham, advanced upon Burgos; and this circumstance,
with the movements of the forces under Joseph Buonaparte and
Marshal Soult, induced the British commander to raise the siege of
Burgos castle, and to retire.
During the retreat from Burgos to Ciudad Rodrigo, the TWELFTH Light
Dragoons were actively employed in covering the rear, and they had
frequent rencontres with the French advance-guards, on one of which
occasions their commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable
Frederick Ponsonby, was wounded; Lieutenant Taylor was also
wounded; and the regiment had several private soldiers and horses
killed and wounded.
After passing the Agueda the army went into quarters; the TWELFTH
Light Dragoons were stationed at Oliveira de Condé; and from the
period they had taken the field in June, they reckoned thirty-three
skirmishes and one general engagement, in which the regiment, or a
portion of it, had taken part.
[Sidenote: 1813]
In February, 1813, the regiment was removed to St. Pedro de Sul,
on the Vouga, and in April to Agueda, between Coimbro and Oporto.
In the mean time arrangements were made for opening the compaign,
and in May, the British cavalry of the left wing crossed the Douro,
some at Oporto, some at Lamega and other places, and entered the
mountainous district of the Tras-os-Montes; they were followed
by several divisions of infantry, and by the pontoon train; the
whole under Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Graham. The TWELFTH Light
Dragoons formed a part of this force; they passed the Douro at
Oporto, accompanied this portion of the army in its difficult
march through mountainous regions held to be nearly impracticable
even for small corps, and forded the Esla at the end of May. The
French, finding their position turned, fell back without hazarding
a battle, and a series of retrograde movements brought them behind
the Ebro. The TWELFTH Light Dragoons followed close on the rear of
the retiring enemy, and moving towards the sources of the Ebro,
traversed those wild, but beautiful, mountain-regions, through
which the Marquis of Wellington moved his numerous columns to turn
the position occupied by the French, who fell back upon Vittoria.
On the 18th of June, the TWELFTH Light Dragoons overtook a French
division, with which they skirmished until a British column came
up, when the enemy retired.
The skilful and brilliant movements of the British commander had
forced the enemy back in confusion from the banks of the Tormes to
the confines of the Pyrenees, in three weeks; and this splendid
success was followed by a great victory in the valley of _Vittoria_
on the 21st of June, in the gaining of which the TWELFTH Light
Dragoons had the honor to take part. They formed part of the left
column under Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Graham, and supported the
attacks of the infantry and artillery on the right of the enemy's
positions at Abechuco and Gamarra Major, and towards the close of
the action they crossed the little river Zadora, turned the enemy's
right, and cut off his retreat by the Bayonne road. The loss of the
regiment was small, viz.:--Cornet Hammond and one man killed, and
three men wounded: its gallant bearing throughout the action, and
the zeal, spirit, and activity evinced by the officers and men,
were, however, conspicuous, particularly in its movements in the
evening of that eventful day.
On the 23rd of June, the TWELFTH Light Dragoons were detached,
with other forces under Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Graham, by the
pass of Adrian to the district of Guipuscoa, in the province of
Biscay, and in the evening the head of the column, having crossed
the Mutiol mountain, descended upon Segura. The TWELFTH passed the
night in the mountain, resumed the march on the following day, and
arrived in the evening in the neighbourhood of _Villa Franca_, at
the moment when the rear-guard of General Foy's division, which
was escorting a valuable convoy towards France, was entering the
town. The French took up a strong position, some sharp fighting
occurred, and eventually General Foy fell back to _Tolosa_, from
whence he was driven with the loss of four hundred men killed and
wounded; but the convoy entered France in safety.