commanding the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, was promoted to the rank
of Major-General, and Major Edward Basil Brooke was promoted to
the lieutenant-colonelcy, vacant by the promotion of Major-General
Bunbury.[17]
[Sidenote: 1847]
During the year 1847 the SIXTY-SEVENTH continued at Cork.
[Sidenote: 1848]
The first battalion embarked at Cork, under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel Edward Basil Brooke, in the Herefordshire
freight-ship, on the 8th of January, 1848, and arrived at Gibraltar
on the 19th of that month.
On the 20th of January, 1848, the reserve battalion of the
SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel William
Nesbitt Orange, embarked at Cork, in the Bombay freight-ship, and
arrived at Gibraltar on the 8th of February following.
General Sir Robert Wilson, then Governor of Gibraltar, in his report,
dated the 18th of May, 1848, on the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, remarked,
"It is a corps composed of a superior body of men, well regulated and
well conducted, having had since its arrival but nine courts-martial.
"Its interior economy is carefully superintended by
Lieutenant-Colonel Brooke.
"Her Majesty's Regulations are strictly observed in all the
prescribed cases.
"It discharges every duty commendably, and is an efficient portion of
the Garrison for every service."
The depôt company was removed from Cork to the Isle of Wight, in
February, 1848.
[Sidenote: 1849]
On the 1st of May, 1849, the period to which this Record has been
continued, the two battalions of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment were
stationed at Gibraltar.
1849.
FOOTNOTES:
[6]
3rd Foot, 2nd Battalion, constituted the 61st Regiment.
4th " " " 62nd Regiment.
8th " " " 63rd Regiment.
11th " " " 64th Regiment.
12th " " " 65th Regiment.
19th " " " 66th Regiment.
20th " " " 67th Regiment.
23rd " " " 68th Regiment.
24th " " " 69th Regiment.
31st " " " 70th Regiment.
32nd " " " 71st Regiment.
33rd " " " 72nd Regiment.
34th " " " 73rd Regiment.
36th " " " 74th Regiment.
37th " " " 75th Regiment.
The 71st, 72nd, 73rd, 74th, and 75th regiments, were disbanded after
the peace of Fontainebleau in 1763.
[7] Disbanded in 1763.
[8] Disbanded in 1763.
[9] On the 17th June, 1761, the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Council
assembled, waited on His Majesty, and the Recorder, Sir William
Moreton, spoke the following address, referring to the capture of
_Belle-Isle_:--
To the King's _most excellent_ Majesty. _The humble Address of the
Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common
Council assembled._
Most Gracious Sovereign,
With reverential awe and gratitude to the Supreme Giver of all
victory, we, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the
Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of your City of London, in Common
Council assembled, humbly approach your Royal Presence, to express
our joy and exultation on the entire reduction of the important
island of _Belle-Isle_, by the conduct, intrepidity, and perseverance
of your Majesty's land and naval forces:--a conquest which, after
more than one fruitless attempt in former times, seems to have been
reserved by Divine Providence to grace the auspicious beginning of
your Majesty's reign, and confirms our hopes of a long continuance of
wise, steady, and successful measures.
A blow so humiliating to the pride and power of France, cannot but
impress that haughty nation with a due sense of the superiority of a
Patriot King ruling over a free, brave, and united people, and will,
we trust, convince them of the danger of delaying to accept such
terms of peace as Your Majesty's equity, wisdom, and moderation shall
think fit to prescribe.
What therefore have we more to wish, but that Your Majesty may long,
very long, continue the guardian and protector of the religious,
civil, and commercial rights of Great Britain and her Colonies; and
that Your Majesty's wisdom may ever be seconded by equally faithful
and spirited councils; and your commands executed with no less
ardour, emulation, and success.
On our part, permit us humbly to assure Your Majesty, that
your faithful citizens of London will, with unwearied zeal and
cheerfulness, contribute to support a vigorous prosecution of this
just and necessary war; until Your Majesty, having sufficiently
vindicated the honor of your Crown, and secured the trade,
navigation, and possessions of your subjects, shall enjoy the
blessing and the glory of giving repose to Europe, of wholly
attending to and promoting the virtue and happiness of your people,
and of cultivating all the softer arts of peace.
Signed by Order of the Court,
JAMES HODGES.
[10] Minorca, an island in the Mediterranean, on the eastern coast
of Spain, is about thirty miles in length and twelve in breadth,
and is chiefly valuable for the excellent harbour of Port Mahon. In
September, 1708, Minorca was taken by Admiral Leake and a land force
under Lieut.-General Stanhope, after a siege of about three weeks.
The island was ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of Utrecht,
and remained in its possession until 1756, when, in April of that
year, it was besieged by the French, under Marshal the Duke de
Richelieu. After a brave defence by the Governor, General Blakeney,
the garrison surrendered, and in consideration of their gallantry
were permitted to march out with all the honours of war. At the peace
of Fontainebleau, in 1763, Minorca was restored to the English in
exchange for Belle-Isle. In February, 1782, the garrison, under the
Governor, Lieut.-General the Honorable James Murray, after suffering
severely from sickness, surrendered to the Duke de Crillon, the
Commander-in-Chief of the combined French and Spanish forces, and
Minorca was retained by Spain by the treaty of peace of 1783. Minorca
again surrendered to a British force under General the Honorable
Charles Stuart, on the 15th of November, 1798; and at the peace of
Amiens, in 1802, Minorca was restored to the Spaniards, under whose
sway it remains at the present period.
[11] The _Concan_ is the territory situated between the range of
hills which bounds the Deccan on the west and the sea-coast, and is
now under the Bombay Government.
[12] Now Lieut.-General Samuel Huskinson.
[13] Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell died at Asseerghur, on the 5th of
April, 1819.
[14] Named after its founder Assa, a celebrated Hindu zemindar, or
landholder, of the Aheer tribe, which has been corrupted from Assa
Aheer, to Asseer.
[15] Pettah, the suburbs of a fortified town.
[16] Now major in the regiment.
[17] Now commanding the troops at Jamaica and its dependencies.
[Illustration: SIXTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
_Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t. Strand_
_For Cannon's Military Records_]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SECOND BATTALION
OF
THE SIXTY-SEVENTH,
OR
THE SOUTH HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.
[Sidenote: 1803]
Europe gained a short cessation from hostilities by the Treaty of
Amiens, and the interval of peace was employed by Napoleon Bonaparte
in furthering his views for the aggrandizement of France, to enable
him to become the dictator of Europe. The British Government and
people, suspicious of Napoleon's projects, and roused to active
measures by the threat of invasion, were enthusiastic in devising
means to frustrate his designs, and the "_Army of Reserve Act_" was
passed, for raising men for home service by ballot, while numerous
volunteer and yeomanry corps were formed in every part of the kingdom.
To these circumstances the SECOND BATTALION of the SIXTY-SEVENTH
regiment owes its origin, and the battalion was formed of men raised
in Ireland, for limited service under the provisions of the "Army
of Reserve Act," which was passed in June, 1803; the battalion was
placed on the establishment from the 9th of July following.
[Sidenote: 1804]
The _Second Battalion_ was also authorised to receive men raised in
Ireland, for limited service, under the "_Additional Force Act_,"
which was passed on the 14th of July, 1804.
The battalion was stationed in Ireland until the 20th of January,
1804, when it embarked at Warren's Point, and arrived at Greenock on
the 23rd of the same month.
[Sidenote: 1807]
On the 29th of February, 1804, the battalion proceeded to Guernsey,
where it remained until the 17th of November, 1807, when it was
removed to Alderney.
[Sidenote: 1810]
From Alderney the battalion returned to Guernsey in July, 1810.
Six companies of the battalion, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel William Prevost, embarked for Gibraltar on the
29th of July, 1810, at which station they arrived on the 24th of
September.
The four companies left at Guernsey, embarked for England in August,
1810, where they continued to be stationed during the remainder of
that year.
The six companies of the second battalion remained at Gibraltar
until the 22nd of November, 1810, when they embarked for Cadiz, to
join the army under the command of Lieutenant-General Thomas Graham,
afterwards Lord Lynedoch.
The six companies arrived at Cadiz on the 9th of December, 1810,
which was at that period besieged by a powerful French army, under
Marshal Soult, who subsequently proceeded on an expedition into
Estremadura, leaving Marshal Victor to blockade Cadiz.
[Sidenote: 1811]
The SIXTY-SEVENTH remained at Cadiz until the 18th of February,
1811, when they proceeded with the army under the command of
Lieutenant-General Thomas Graham, which consisted of a British
force of about three thousand, and a body of seven thousand troops
commanded by General La Pena. The design of the expedition was to
make a combined attack on the rear of the French army blockading
Cadiz. The forces disembarked at Algesiras on the 23rd of February,
and being all united at Tarifa, marched from thence on the 28th of
February.
General Zayas pushed a strong body of Spanish troops across the river
Santi Petri, near the coast, on the 1st of March, threw a bridge
over, and formed a _tête-de-pont_. This post was attacked by the
enemy on the nights of the 3rd and 4th of March, who was repulsed,
though the Spaniards sustained considerable loss.
On the 5th of March, 1811, Lieutenant-General Graham and the army
under his command arrived on the low ridge of _Barrosa_, where a
brilliant victory was gained over the French army under Marshal
Victor, composed of the two divisions of Generals Rufin and Laval.
Lieutenant-General Graham in his despatch to the Earl of Liverpool,
dated Isla de Leon, March 6th, 1811, stated:--
"The circumstances were such as compelled me to attack this very
superior force. In order as well to explain to your Lordship the
circumstances of peculiar disadvantage under which the action was
begun, as to justify myself from the imputation of rashness in the
attempt, I must state to your Lordship, that the allied army, after
a night march of sixteen hours from the camp near Veger, arrived, on
the morning of the 5th, at the low ridge of Barrosa, about four miles
to the southward of the mouth of the Santi Petri river. This height
extends inland about a mile and a half, continuing on the north the
extensive heathy plain of Chiclana. A great pine forest skirts the
plain, and circles round the height at some distance, terminating
down to Santi Petri; the intermediate space between the north side
of the height and the forest being uneven and broken.
"A well-conducted and successful attack on the rear of the enemy's
lines near Santi Petri, by the vanguard of the Spanish army, under
Brigadier-General Ladrizabel, having opened the communication with
the Isla de Leon, I received General La Pena's directions to move
down from the position of Barrosa to that of the Torre de Bermesa,
about half-way to the Santi Petri river, in order to secure the
communication across the river, over which a bridge had been lately
established. This latter position occupies a narrow woody ridge, the
right on the sea cliff, the left falling down to the Almanza creek on
the edge of the marsh. A hard sandy beach gives an easy communication
between the western points of these two positions.
"My division, being halted on the eastern slope of the Barrosa
height, was marched about twelve o'clock through the wood towards
the Bermesa, cavalry patrols having previously been sent towards
Chiclana, without meeting with the enemy. On the march I received
notice that the enemy had appeared in force on the plain, and was
advancing towards the heights of Barrosa.
"As I considered that position as the key of that of Santi Petri, I
immediately countermarched in order to support the troops left for
its defence, and the alacrity with which this manœuvre was executed,
served as a favourable omen. It was, however, impossible in such
intricate and difficult ground to preserve order in the columns, and
there never was time to restore it entirely.
"But before we could get ourselves quite disentangled from the wood,
the troops on the Barrosa Hill were seen returning from it, while
the enemy's left wing was rapidly ascending. At the same time his
right wing stood on the plain, on the edge of the wood, within
cannon-shot. A retreat in the face of such an enemy, already within
reach of the easy communication by the sea-beach, must have involved
the whole allied army in all the danger of being attacked during the
unavoidable confusion of the different corps arriving on the narrow
ridge of Bermesa nearly at the same time.
"Trusting to the known heroism of British troops, regardless of
the numbers and position of their enemy, an immediate attack was
determined on. Major Duncan soon opened a powerful battery of ten
guns in the centre. Brigadier-General Dilkes with the brigade
of Guards, Lieut.-Colonel Browne's (of the Twenty-eighth) flank
battalion, Lieut.-Colonel Norcott's two companies of the second
Rifle corps, and Major Acheson with a part of the SIXTY-SEVENTH foot
(separated from the regiment in the wood) formed on the right.
"Colonel Wheatly's brigade, with three companies of the Coldstream
Guards, under Lieut.-Colonel Jackson (separated likewise from his
battalion in the wood) and Lieut.-Colonel Barnard's flank battalion,
formed on the left.
"As soon as the infantry was thus hastily got together, the
guns advanced to a more favourable position, and kept up a most
destructive fire.
"The right wing proceeded to the attack of General Rufin's division
on the hill, while Lieut.-Colonel Barnard's battalion, and
Lieut.-Colonel Bushe's detachment of the twentieth Portuguese, were
warmly engaged with the enemy's tirailleurs on our left.
"General Laval's division, notwithstanding the havoc made by Major
Duncan's battery, continued to advance in very imposing masses,
opening his fire of musketry, and was only checked by that of the
left wing. The left wing now advanced firing; a most determined
charge by the three companies of Guards and the eighty-seventh
regiment, supported by all the remainder of the wing, decided the
defeat of General Laval's division.
"The eagle of the eighth regiment of light infantry, which suffered
immensely, and a howitzer, rewarded this charge, and remained in
possession of Major Gough,[18] of the Eighty-seventh regiment.
These attacks were zealously supported by Colonel Belson with the
Twenty-eighth regiment and Lieut.-Colonel Prevost with a part of the
SIXTY-SEVENTH.
"A Reserve formed beyond the narrow valley, across which the enemy
was closely pursued, next shared the same fate, and was routed by the
same means.
"Meanwhile the right wing was not less successful; the enemy,
confident of success, met General Dilkes on the ascent of the hill,
and the contest was sanguinary: but the undaunted perseverance of
the brigade of Guards, of Lieut.-Colonel Browne's battalion, and of
Lieut.-Colonel Norcott's, and Major Acheson's detachment, overcame
every obstacle, and General Rufin's division was driven from the
heights in confusion, leaving two pieces of cannon.
"No expressions of mine could do justice to the conduct of the troops
throughout. Nothing less than the almost unparalleled exertions of
every officer, the invincible bravery of every soldier, and the most
determined devotion to the honor of His Majesty's arms, in all, could
have achieved this brilliant success, against such a formidable enemy
so posted.
"In less than an hour and a half from the commencement of the action,
the enemy was in full retreat. The retiring division met, halted, and
seemed inclined to form; a new and more advanced position of our
artillery quickly dispersed them.
"The exhausted state of the troops made pursuit impossible. A
position was taken on the eastern side of the hill; and we were
strengthened on our right by the return of the two Spanish battalions
that had been attached before to my division, but which I had left
on the hill, and which had been ordered to retire. These battalions
(Walloon Guards and Ciudad Real) made every effort to come back in
time, when it was known that we were engaged....
"When all have so distinguished themselves, it is scarcely possible
to discriminate any as the most deserving of praise. Your Lordship
will, however, observe how gloriously the brigade of Guards under
Brigadier-General Dilkes, with the commanders of the battalions,
Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable C. Onslow and Lieut.-Colonel Sebright
(wounded), as well as the three separated companies under
Lieut.-Colonel Jackson, maintained the high character of His
Majesty's household troops. Lieut.-Colonel Browne, with his flank
battalion, Lieut.-Colonel Norcott, and Major Acheson deserve equal
praise.
"I must equally recommend to your Lordship's notice, Colonel Wheatly,
with Colonel Belson, Lieut.-Colonel Prevost, and Major Gough, and the
officers of the respective corps composing his brigade....
"The assistance I received from the unwearied exertions
of Lieut.-Colonel Macdonald,[19] and the officers of the
Adjutant-General's department, of Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable
C. Cathcart, and the officers of the Quartermaster-General's
Department, of Captain Birch and Captain Nicholas, and the officers
of the Royal Engineers, of Captain Hope, and the officers of my
Personal Staff, (all animating by their example,) will ever be most
gratefully remembered....
"I cannot conclude this despatch without earnestly recommending to
His Majesty's gracious notice for promotion, Brevet Lieut.-Colonel
Browne, Major of the 28th foot, Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Norcott,
Major of the 95th Rifle Regiment, Major Duncan, Royal Artillery,
Major Gough of the 87th, Major the Honorable E. Acheson of the
SIXTY-SEVENTH, and Captain Birch of the Royal Engineers, all in the
command of corps or detachments on this memorable service; and I
confidently trust that the bearer of this despatch, Captain Hope, (to
whom I refer your Lordship for further details,) will be promoted, on
being permitted to lay the Eagle at His Majesty's feet."
Such are the details of the battle of _Barrosa_, in which the enemy
lost about three thousand men in killed, wounded, and prisoners,
while that of the English amounted to 1243 killed and wounded.
The SIXTY-SEVENTH had Lieut.-Colonel Prevost, Captain Patrickson,
Lieutenant W. Ronald, and Ensign Sutherland wounded; ten men of the
regiment were killed; and one serjeant and thirty rank and file were
wounded.
The British captured an Eagle, six pieces of cannon, and among the
prisoners were the General of Division Rufin, the General of Brigade
Rosseau; the Chief of the Staff, General Bellegrade; an Aide-de-Camp
of Marshal Victor, the Colonel of the eighth regiment, and several
other officers. The prisoners amounted to two General Officers, one
field-officer, nine captains, eight subalterns, and 420 rank and
file.
Both Houses of Parliament unanimously voted their thanks to
Lieut.-General Graham, and the officers and men under his command,
for this victory, and their valour and ability were highly applauded
by the nation. On the 11th of November following, His Majesty's
commands were communicated in the subjoined memorandum:--
_Horse Guards, November 11th, 1811._
MEMORANDUM.
The Prince Regent having been graciously pleased, in the name and
on the behalf of His Majesty, to command that, in commemoration of
the brilliant victory obtained over the enemy by a division of His
Majesty's army under the command of Lieut.-General Thomas Graham,
at Barrosa, on the 5th of March, 1811, the undermentioned officers
of the army, present upon that occasion, should enjoy the privilege
of bearing a Medal, and His Royal Highness having approved of the
medal which has been struck, is pleased to command, that it should
be worn by the General Officers, suspended by a riband, of the
colour of the sash, with a blue edge, round the neck, and by the
Commanding Officers of corps and detachments, and the Chiefs of
Military Departments, attached by a riband of the same colour to the
button-hole of their uniform:--
Lieutenant-General Thomas Graham.
Major-General William Thomas Dilkes.
Colonel William Wheatley, 1st Foot Guards.
Lieut.-Colonel Charles P. Belson, 28th Foot.
" William Augustus Prevost, SIXTY-SEVENTH Regt.
" the Hon. T. Cranley Onslow, 3rd Foot Guards.
" Andrew F. Barnard, 95th Rifle Regt.
" John Macdonald, _Deputy-Adjutant-General_.
" Edward Sebright, 1st Foot Guards.
" John Frederick Brown, 28th Regt.
" Amos Godsill Norcott, 95th Rifle Regt.
" the Hon. Charles M. Cathcart,
_Deputy-Quartermaster-General_.
" Richard Bushe, 20th Portuguese Regt.
" Alexander Duncan, Royal Artillery.
" Hugh Gough, 87th Regt.
Major A. F. Baron Bussche, 2nd Light Dragoons, King's
German Legion.
"By the command of His Royal Highness the
Prince Regent, in the name and on the
behalf of His Majesty.
"FREDERICK, _Commander-in-Chief_.
"HENRY TORRENS, _Lieut.-Colonel
and Military Secretary_."
Major the Honorable Edward Acheson, of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment,
was promoted to the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel in the army on
the 30th March, 1811, for his gallantry at Barrosa, as particularly
noticed in Lieut.-General Graham's despatch.
On the 26th May, 1817, the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment received the Royal
Authority to bear the word "_Barrosa_" on the regimental colour and
appointments, to commemorate the gallantry of the second battalion on
that occasion.
Lieut.-General Graham, after this conflict, remained some hours at
the Barrosa heights, without being able to procure any supplies
for the exhausted troops, in consequence of the commissariat mules
having been dispersed on the enemy's first attack of the hill. Major
Ross, with the detachment of the third battalion of the Ninety-fifth
Rifle regiment, was left, while the remainder of the division was
withdrawn, and early the next morning crossed the Santi Petri river.
The favourable opportunity gained by British valour was not improved
by the Spanish General, who did not strike a severe blow at the
remains of the French army retreating in disorder. The inactivity of
the Spaniards continuing, the English army returned to Cadiz.
On the 11th of December, 1811, two companies embarked at Portsmouth
for Spain, and joined the six companies at Cadiz, in January, 1812.
[Sidenote: 1812]
In January, 1812, the battalion embarked at Cadiz for Carthagena, and
shortly afterwards proceeded to Alicant, to join the troops under
the command of Major-General Andrew Ross. On the 21st of August the
SIXTY-SEVENTH returned to Carthagena, where they remained until the
20th of April, 1813, when they again embarked for Alicant.
[Sidenote: 1813]
On the 31st of May, 1813, the battalion proceeded with the army,
under Lieut.-General Sir John Murray, intended for the reduction of
_Tarragona_, and on arrival formed part of the force detached under
Lieut.-Colonel Prevost, of the SIXTY-SEVENTH, for the purpose of
investing the fort of _San Philippe_, in the Col de Balaguer, which
blocks the direct road from Tortosa to Tarragona.