John's_, and the SEVENTH and twenty-sixth regiments made a
determined resistance. The hardships they endured were borne with
patience; they were often knee-deep in mire, and were reduced to
half-allowance of provision; yet they held out with the most heroic
bravery until their strength was exhausted, and no chance of being
relieved remained, when they surrendered. Thus at the commencement
of the war the ROYAL FUSILIERS were nearly all made prisoners.
The enemy subsequently advanced upon Montreal, and Lieut.-General
Carlton, being deserted by the Canadians, and without the means of
defence, retired down the river St. Lawrence to Quebec, accompanied
by a party of the ROYAL FUSILIERS.
_Quebec_ was besieged by two divisions of Americans under Colonels
Montgomery and Arnold, and the garrison, of which sixty men of the
ROYAL FUSILIERS formed part, defended the place with firmness and
intrepidity; the winter was particularly severe, and the soldiers
of both sides served amidst ice and snow. About five o'clock on the
morning of the 31st of December, during a storm of sleet and snow,
the Americans made a general assault with the view of carrying the
place by storm; but the garrison withstood the tempest of war with
such determined resolution, that the storming party was repulsed
with the loss of between six and seven hundred men; Colonel
Montgomery was killed, and Colonel Arnold wounded. The garrison
only lost one officer and four private soldiers killed, and seven
private soldiers wounded.
[Sidenote: 1776]
After this repulse the Americans turned the siege into a blockade,
and placed their troops in village cantonments: in April, 1776,
they resumed the siege, and the British defended the place with
resolution. In the early part of May reinforcements arrived from
England, and on the 6th of that month Lieut.-General Carlton
marched out of the fortress at the head of the garrison to attack
the American camp, when the besieging army made a precipitate
retreat, leaving its artillery, stores, scaling ladders, &c.,
behind. The British followed their opponents up the country,
recovered Montreal, and drove the Americans out of Canada.
In the meantime a detachment of the regiment had arrived at Boston
from England, and on the evacuation of Boston, it proceeded to
Halifax in Nova Scotia.
In October, 1776, Lord Robert Bertie was appointed to the command
of the second troop (now second regiment) of life guards; and
the colonelcy of the ROYAL FUSILIERS was conferred on their
lieut.-colonel, William Prescott, by commission dated the 12th of
November, 1776.
In the autumn of this year the ROYAL FUSILIERS transferred their
services from Canada to New York; as the men taken prisoners were
exchanged, the numbers of the regiment were increased; clothing
and appointments arrived from England, and the regiment occupied
quarters for the winter at Amboy in Middlesex county.
[Sidenote: 1777]
From Amboy the ROYAL FUSILIERS were removed to _Staten Island_,
which was attacked in August, 1777, by the Americans under General
Sullivan, who were repulsed with loss.
At this period a British force under Lieut.-General Burgoyne
was advancing from Canada upon Albany; at the same time another
British army under General Sir William Howe was proceeding against
Philadelphia; and Lieut.-General Sir Henry Clinton, who commanded
at New York, resolved to penetrate into Jersey for a diversion in
favour of both armies. The ROYAL FUSILIERS, with several other
corps, were accordingly embarked for this service, and on the 12th
of September effected a landing at four different places without
meeting with serious opposition. The SEVENTH, twenty-sixth, and
fifty-second regiments, with a body of German grenadiers and three
hundred provincials under Brigadier-General Campbell, landed at
Elizabeth-Town-Point, at about four in the morning, and advanced
up the country: the enemy opposed the march, and a sharp firing
was kept up throughout the day. The King's forces, however, had
the advantage; they took Newark, and were advancing on Aquakinack,
when they received orders to halt and wait the advance of the
troops which had effected a landing at the other points. The enemy
afterwards appeared in force, and several skirmishes occurred, but
the British succeeded in capturing four hundred head of cattle,
four hundred sheep, and a few horses. On the 16th of September the
ROYAL FUSILIERS marched to Bergen Point, where they re-embarked
and returned to Staten Island, without the loss of one man in this
expedition, and with only Lieutenant Haymer and one private soldier
wounded.
In October of the same year the ROYAL FUSILIERS were embarked to
join an expedition against the enemy's forts up _Hudson's River_.
About three thousand men were collected for this service from New
York and the lines at Kingsbridge; and having embarked on board
of transports, were convoyed up the river by some frigates and
other armed vessels under Commodore Hotham. The troops landed at
day-break on the 6th of October at Stony-point, and arrangements
were immediately made for the attack of _Forts Montgomery_ and
_Clinton_. The troops had to march a distance of twelve miles
over mountains, and to overcome many obstructions; they, however,
surmounted every difficulty, and attacked the forts by storm on the
same day. As the Americans were prepared, and their works strong,
they made an obstinate defence; but nothing could withstand the
ardour of the royal troops, and every corps gained a share in the
glory. _Fort Constitution_ was also taken on the 7th of October.
Not far from these forts was a new settlement called _Continential
Village_, where there was a barrack for fifteen hundred men. The
ROYAL FUSILIERS, with two German corps and two three-pounders, were
sent against this place, and having destroyed the settlement and
burnt the barrack and stores, the troops returned.
Notwithstanding these successful diversions, Lieut.-General
Burgoyne experienced great difficulties in his advance, and
eventually, his troops being exhausted with fatigue and privation,
his advance opposed by superior numbers, and his retreat cut off,
he capitulated. The army under General Sir William Howe had better
success, and captured Philadelphia. The enemy having despatched
part of the force originally opposed to Lieut.-General Burgoyne, to
join their army of the south under General Washington, the ROYAL
FUSILIERS were sent from the vicinity of New York to reinforce the
army in Pennsylvania, and in the early part of December they were
engaged in a skirmish with the Americans in front of Philadelphia;
but only lost one man.
[Sidenote: 1778]
Louis XVI. having acknowledged the independence of the revolted
British States in America, and concluded a treaty of alliance with
them, Great Britain declared war against France; and as the French
had agreed to assist the Americans, a concentration of the British
forces was deemed advisable. The army accordingly retired in June,
1778, from Philadelphia, and crossed the Delaware, and proceeded
through the Jerseys, from whence it embarked for New York. Numerous
obstacles had to be overcome in this retreat, and the troops
suffered much from the excessive heat of the weather: some sharp
skirmishing also took place, but the ROYAL FUSILIERS do not appear
to have sustained any loss.
[Sidenote: 1779]
The regiment remained at the lines near New York until the summer
of 1779, when it was employed in an expedition commanded by
Major-General Tyron, sent into East Sound with a view of drawing
General Washington from the strong post which he occupied in the
mountains into Connecticut for the defence of the towns on that
coast. The fleet arrived at the harbour of _Newhaven_ on the 5th
of July, and the first division of the Army, which consisted of
the flank companies of the guards, ROYAL FUSILIERS, fifty-fourth
regiment, and a detachment of Jagars, with four field-pieces,
under Brigadier-General Garth, landed about five o'clock in the
morning a mile south of the town, and advanced, making a circuit of
seven miles to gain the head of the creek on the western side of
the place. Some skirmishing occurred on the march, but the King's
troops overcame all opposition and took possession of the town:
at the same time the second division landed and took post at Rock
Fort. On the following day the troops destroyed all the public
stores, and part of the ordnance, with a number of vessels, and
afterwards re-embarked, bringing off six field-pieces and an armed
privateer. On the 7th of July the fleet anchored off the village
of _Fairfield_; the British troops landed and defeated a party
of Americans; the enemy kept firing from windows and the tops of
houses, which provoked a band of loyal emigrants to set the place
on fire, by which the town and a number of boats were destroyed.
On the 11th of July the fleet sailed to the bay of _Norwalk_. The
troops landed on the following day and advanced against the town.
"The FUSILIERS, supported by the light infantry of the guards,
began the attack, and soon cleared the quarters--pushing the main
body of the enemy and an hundred cavalry from the northern heights,
and taking one piece of their cannon. After many of the salt-pans
were destroyed, whale-boats carried away on board the fleet, and
the magazines, stores, and vessels set in flames, with the greatest
part of the dwelling-houses, the advanced-corps were drawn back,
and the troops retired in two columns to the place of our first
debarkation, and, unassaulted, took ship and returned to Huntingdon
bay."[12] This expedition did not produce the desired effect in
the movements of the American general. The troops were ordered to
return to New York. Major-General Tyron stated in his despatch--"I
should do injustice if I closed this report without giving every
praise to the troops I had the honour to command."[13]
The ROYAL REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS lost five men in this expedition,
and had three serjeants and nineteen men wounded.
During the autumn of this year the operations of the army were
limited to defensive measures; but in December an attack on the
opulent province of South Carolina was determined on, and the ROYAL
FUSILIERS formed a part of the force employed on this service,
which was commanded by General Sir Henry Clinton.
[Sidenote: 1780]
The troops having embarked, the fleet and convoy sailed from
New York on the 26th of December, and after experiencing much
tempestuous weather, which separated the fleet and occasioned the
loss of several transports, arrived at the Savannah about the end
of January, 1780, and gained the harbour of North Edisto, on the
coast of South Carolina, in February. The troops were immediately
landed, and took possession of John's and James's Island, the
ROYAL FUSILIERS taking post at Stono-ferry on John's Island. The
passage of the Ashley River was effected on the 29th of March, and
on the 1st of April the army besieged _Charlestown_. The works
were carried on with perseverance and judgment, and, on the 11th
of May, all things being ready for a general assault, the governor
capitulated, and ten American regiments, with three battalions of
artillery, and the town and county militia, became prisoners of war.
The loss of the royal army in this siege was only seventy-six
killed and one hundred and ninety wounded, including all ranks. The
ROYAL FUSILIERS had one man killed and two wounded.
[Sidenote: 1781]
The regiment appears to have been in garrison during the remainder
of this year; and in January, 1781, it was ordered to proceed to
Fort Ninety-Six, which place was then besieged by the Americans;
but when on the march, the regiment received orders to join a body
of troops under Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, and march against
General Morgan, who was posted at Pacolet with a strong division of
the American army. "The progress of the King's troops was greatly
impeded by heavy rains, which swelled the rivers and creeks; yet
Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton conducted his march so well, and got so
near to General Morgan (who was retreating before him), as to make
it dangerous for him to pass the Broad-River, and came up with him
at eight o'clock A.M. on the 17th of January, at a place called
_Cow-Pens_. The attack was begun by the first line of infantry,
consisting of the SEVENTH regiment, the infantry of the legion, and
the corps of light infantry annexed to it: a troop of cavalry was
placed on each flank: the first battalion of the seventy-first,
and the remainder of the cavalry, formed the reserve. The enemy's
line soon gave way, and their militia quitted the field; but our
troops having been thrown into some disorder by the pursuit,
General Morgan's corps faced about and gave them a heavy fire: this
unexpected event occasioned the utmost confusion in the first line.
The two three-pounders were taken, and I fear the colours of the
SEVENTH regiment shared the same fate."[14]
In this unfortunate engagement the Royal Fusiliers sustained a very
serious loss in killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.
[Sidenote: 1782]
[Sidenote: 1783]
The regiment was subsequently placed in garrison in South Carolina,
where it remained until 1782; when, the British Government having
been induced to concede the independence of the United States,
pacific overtures were made, which were succeeded by a cessation of
hostilities. South Carolina was evacuated, and the ROYAL FUSILIERS
proceeded to New York, where they remained until the conclusion of
the treaty of peace in 1783, when they returned to England; at the
same time the establishment was reduced to eight companies.
[Sidenote: 1784]
[Sidenote: 1785]
[Sidenote: 1786]
After occupying quarters at Gloucester and Plymouth, the regiment
proceeded to Scotland in the spring of 1786.
[Sidenote: 1788]
[Sidenote: 1789]
On the decease of General Prescott in the autumn of 1788, the
colonelcy was conferred on Major-General the Honourable William
Gordon, who was removed in April, 1789, to the seventy-first
regiment, and the colonelcy of the ROYAL FUSILIERS was conferred on
PRINCE EDWARD (fourth son of King George III.), afterwards DUKE OF
KENT.
[Sidenote: 1790]
In 1790 the regiment embarked from Leith and the Isle of Man for
Gibraltar, and, arriving at that important fortress in August,
occupied the King's barracks, under the command of its colonel, His
Royal Highness PRINCE EDWARD.
[Sidenote: 1791]
[Sidenote: 1792]
[Sidenote: 1793]
From Gibraltar the regiment embarked, in May, 1791, for
Canada,--the right wing under PRINCE EDWARD on board His Majesty's
ship "Ulysses," and the left wing under Captain Shuttleworth in
the "Resistance;" both wings landed in August at Quebec, where the
regiment was stationed, under PRINCE EDWARD'S command, nearly three
years: His Royal Highness afterwards proceeded to the West Indies,
and acquired a reputation for valour and intrepidity at the capture
of Martinique, St. Lucie, and Guadaloupe.
[Sidenote: 1794]
Two companies of the regiment were detached in June, 1794, from
Quebec to Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and in October of the same year
the regiment proceeded to that station.
[Sidenote: 1795]
[Sidenote: 1796]
A strong draft of recruits arrived from England in September,
1795, and the regiment was formed into _two battalions_. Both
battalions were, however, incorporated, in April, 1796, into
_one_,--consisting of fifty-four serjeants, twenty-two drummers,
and a thousand rank and file; and the supernumerary men were
transferred to the fourth, or the King's own regiment.
[Sidenote: 1797]
[Sidenote: 1798]
[Sidenote: 1799]
PRINCE EDWARD, having returned from the West Indies, was appointed
Commander of the Forces in Nova Scotia and its dependencies, and
was subsequently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General. The
ROYAL FUSILIERS experienced the advantage of His Royal Highness's
assiduous attention to their interests; his military virtues,--his
liberality,--his care to bring merit into notice, and to procure
suitable rewards for the well-conducted,[15] with his constant
attention to everything calculated to promote the welfare of the
regiment, endeared his name in the grateful remembrance of the
officers and soldiers; at the same time, the facility with which
he procured a constant supply of fine recruits for his corps,
with his indefatigable efforts to inculcate the true principles
of subordination in the regiment, and to bring it into a state of
perfection in discipline, occasioned the ROYAL FUSILIERS to become
one of the most efficient corps in the service,--distinguished
alike for its uniform and warlike appearance,--excellent conduct
in quarters,--and the superior style in which it performed its
exercises and field movements. His Royal Highness having returned
to England on account of ill health, was created, on the 23rd
of April, 1799, EARL of DUBLIN in Ireland, and DUKE of KENT and
STRATHEARN in Great Britain.
[Sidenote: 1801]
In August, 1801, the DUKE of KENT was removed to the first
or the royal regiment; and was succeeded in the colonelcy by
Lieut.-General Sir Alured Clarke from the fifth foot, who had
commanded the ROYAL FUSILIERS during a great part of the American
war.
[Sidenote: 1802]
After passing eleven years in the protection of the British North
American provinces, the regiment embarked from Nova Scotia, the
right wing under Lieut.-Colonel Layard, for Bermuda, and the left
wing under Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Burrows for the Bahamas; and both
wings arrived at their destinations in October and November, 1802.
[Sidenote: 1804]
[Sidenote: 1805]
While the regiment was in the West Indies, a _second battalion_ was
added to its establishment, and formed of men raised for limited
service in the West Riding of Yorkshire, under the provisions
of the Additional Force Act, passed in July, 1804. The second
battalion was placed on the establishment on the 25th of December,
1804, and in 1805 it marched from Yorkshire to Winchester.[16]
[Sidenote: 1806]
[Sidenote: 1807]
In July, 1806, five companies embarked from Bermuda, and landed at
Plymouth in August; they were followed by the five companies from
the Bahamas, which landed at Plymouth in November and December.
The first battalion, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable E.
M. Pakenham, received a draft of between four and five hundred men
from the second, and, embarking at Liverpool for Ireland, landed
at Dublin in the beginning of January, 1807: the second battalion,
commanded by Lieut.-Colonel William J. Myers, remained in England.
Information having been obtained that Napoleon, Emperor of France,
purposed employing the navy of Denmark against Great Britain, an
armament was prepared for obtaining possession of the Danish fleet
by treaty or force. The first battalion of the ROYAL FUSILIERS,
having been inspected by Major-General Leith, and commended
for its appearance and discipline, was withdrawn from Ireland
to take part in this enterprise. It embarked from Dublin in
July,--landed at Liverpool,--marched to Hull, from whence it sailed
to Denmark, and, disembarking on the island of Zealand, joined
the army under General Lord Cathcart, and was employed in the
siege of _Copenhagen_. After a bombardment of three days the city
surrendered, and the Danish fleet was delivered up. The British
troops afterwards returned to England; the ROYAL FUSILIERS landed
in November at Portsmouth, from whence they proceeded to Lewes,
where another draft of nearly four hundred men was received from
the second battalion.
[Sidenote: 1808]
Returning to Portsmouth in January, 1808, the first battalion
embarked immediately for Nova Scotia; the fleet called at Bermuda
to leave the thirteenth regiment, and afterwards proceeding direct
to Nova Scotia, the ROYAL FUSILIERS landed at Halifax in the middle
of April.
In May, 1808, the second battalion embarked at Tilbury Fort for
Ireland, and landed at Monkstown in the middle of June.
Soon after its arrival at Nova Scotia, the first battalion was
selected to proceed, with other corps under the command of
Lieut.-General Sir George Prevost, to the West Indies to take part
in an expedition against the French island of _Martinique_.
[Sidenote: 1809]
The armament assembled at Carlisle-bay in Barbadoes, under the
command of Lieut.-General Beckwith, and sailing on the 28th of
January, 1809, arrived off Martinique on the following day. At
four o'clock on the afternoon of the 30th the ROYAL FUSILIERS
landed at Malgré Tout, in Bay Robert, and marched that evening
through difficult roads to De Manceaux's estate. After a few hours'
repose the troops resumed their march to Papin's, where part of
the division halted; but the ROYAL FUSILIERS and grenadier company
of the first West India regiment pushed forward to the heights on
De Bork's estate, where they passed the night. On the following
day they were joined by the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and the light
infantry battalion; when Lieut.-Colonel Pakenham advanced with the
ROYAL FUSILIERS, supported by the light battalion, to the heights
of _Morné Bruno_. From this post the ROYAL FUSILIERS, with the
rifle company of the twenty-third, and grenadiers of the first
West India regiment, advanced, supported by the Welsh Fusiliers,
against the height of _Desfourneaux_. The French, under General
De Houdelot, were advantageously posted on the declivity of the
hill, with a river in their front, and their left protected by
artillery. Lieut.-Colonel Pakenham, with the flank companies of
the SEVENTH, and rifle company of the twenty-third, turned the
enemy's right; the light battalion moved against the enemy's
left; and the battalion companies of the SEVENTH, and grenadiers
of the first West India regiment, advanced against the front.
Animated by a spirit of emulation and a thirst for glory, the
British troops rushed onward with enthusiasm; the ROYAL FUSILIERS
forded the river under a heavy fire, and attacking their more
numerous antagonists with signal gallantry, drove the French from
their formidable position in disorder. Lieut.-Colonel Pakenham
continued his victorious career against the heights of _Surirey_,
and being gallantly supported by the twenty-third regiment, the
soldiers under his orders, animated by the zeal and ardour of
their brave leaders, overcame obstacles of a formidable character
with heroic valour; they carried the hill, and, by a spirited
charge, forced the French to take shelter under the guns of their
redoubts. In this attack the valour and judgment of Lieut.-Colonel
Pakenham, and the excellence of the FUSILIER BRIGADE, were
conspicuous. Lieut.-General Sir George Beckwith observed in
General Orders:--"The Commander of the Forces desires to express
his entire approbation of the manly conduct of the troops engaged
yesterday, and desires that the general officers and soldiers will
be pleased to accept his thanks, and to assure them that he will
not fail to lay their merit before the King. Lieutenant-General
Sir George Prevost having reported the unremitting exertions of
Lieutenant-Colonel the HONOURABLE EDWARD MICHAEL PAKENHAM, of the
ROYAL FUSILIERS, the Commander of the Forces feels great pleasure
in making this known to the army."
The regiment had Captain Taylor (acting Deputy
Quarter-Master-General) and nine rank and file killed; two
serjeants, one drummer, and fifty-six rank and file wounded; four
rank and file missing.