Chapter III: Part 3

War having been declared against Spain, the regiment was attached to the armament under General the Earl of Albemarle, destined to attack the valuable settlement of the _Havannah_, on the island of Cuba. Passing through the straits of Bahama, the expedition arrived within six leagues of the Havannah on the 6th of June; a landing was effected on the following day; and on the 9th, the troops took up a position between Coximar and the _Moro_, a fort which it was deemed necessary to besiege and capture before an attack was made on the town. In this service, great hardships had to be endured; a thin soil, hardly sufficient to cover the troops in their approaches, a scarcity of water, and the labour of dragging the artillery several miles over a rocky country, and under a burning sun, called forth the efforts of the army and navy. The works were carried on, the sallies of the enemy were repulsed, and the Moro fort was captured by storm on the 30th of July. A series of batteries were erected against the town; and on the 11th of August they opened so well-directed a fire, that the guns of the garrison were silenced, and flags of truce were hung out from the town, and ships in the harbour. The terms of capitulation were agreed upon, and the British took possession of this valuable settlement, with nine men of war in the harbour, and two upon the stocks.

The regiment lost a number of men on this important service; Lieutenant Skene was among the killed; Captain Tyrwhitt and Lieutenant Winter died from the effects of climate.

After the capture of the Havannah, the regiment was stationed at that place eleven months.

[Sidenote: 1763]

In the meantime a treaty of peace had been concluded, and in 1763 the Havannah was restored to Spain; the regiment was relieved by the Spanish troops which arrived to take possession of the colony, and embarked for New York, from whence it proceeded, by Albany and Lake Champlain, to Canada, where it was stationed several years.

[Sidenote: 1764]

[Sidenote: 1765]

[Sidenote: 1768]

After occupying quarters successively at Montreal, Quebec, and on the upper lakes, until the summer of 1768, the regiment embarked for England, and landed at Portsmouth in July.

Occurrences of a political character having induced Sir Jeffery Amherst to resign the colonelcy of the regiment, he was succeeded, on the 21st of September, 1768, by Colonel Charles Hotham (afterwards Sir Charles Thompson, Baronet) from the sixty-third regiment.

[Sidenote: 1769]

[Sidenote: 1770]

[Sidenote: 1771]

The regiment occupied various quarters in the southern and midland counties of England, until the summer of 1770, when it was reviewed at Chatham by King George III. and in the spring of 1771 marched into Yorkshire.

[Sidenote: 1772]

[Sidenote: 1773]

[Sidenote: 1774]

In 1772 the regiment marched to Scotland, where it was stationed during the following year, and in the spring of 1774 it embarked at Port Patrick for Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1775]

Major-General Sir Charles Thompson was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment, in September, 1775, by Major-General Richard Earl of Cavan, from the fifty-fifth regiment of foot.

[Sidenote: 1776]

In the meantime, the determined spirit evinced by the British colonists in North America to resist the acts of parliament passed in England for raising a revenue in their country, had been followed by hostilities, and the FIFTEENTH regiment was one of the corps selected to proceed across the Atlantic, to aid in the attempt to reduce the refractory provincials to submission. The regiment embarked from Ireland early in 1776, and proceeded to Cape Fear, in North Carolina, with four other corps, under Major-General the Earl Cornwallis. These troops arrived on the coast of North Carolina early in April, and Lieut.-General Clinton assumed the command. The men landed at Cape Fear to refresh themselves after the voyage, and returning on board the transports, sailed, on the 1st of June, with the expedition against _Charleston_. After passing Charleston bar, the troops landed on one of the islands, but the armament proved of insufficient strength for the capture of the capital of South Carolina, and the five regiments re-embarked and proceeded to Staten Island, where the main body of the British forces was assembled under General Sir William Howe. The FIFTEENTH, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel John Bird, were formed in brigade with the fourth, twenty-seventh, and forty-fifth regiments, under Major-General Pigot.

A landing was effected on _Long Island_ on the 22nd of August, and the FIFTEENTH regiment formed part of the force under Lieut.-General Clinton, which advanced after dusk on the evening of the 26th to seize on a pass in the heights, and turn the enemy's left flank at Flat-bush. This pass was taken possession of on the following morning; the army advanced, and the Americans were driven from their position with considerable loss, and forced to retreat to their fortified lines at _Brooklyn_. The loss of the regiment on this occasion was limited to a few men wounded.

The Americans quitted their fortified lines during the night of the 28th of August, and retired across the East River, in boats, to New York; and the reduction of Long Island was thus accomplished in a few days, with little loss.

From Long Island the regiment proceeded with the army across the East River, when General Washington was forced to abandon New York, which city was taken possession of by the British.

Proceeding up the river, the regiment took part in the operations of the army by which the Americans were forced to evacuate their lines on _White Plains_; but it did not sustain any loss.

The regiment took part in the attack and capture of the enemy's lines and redoubts near _Fort Washington_, on the 16th of November, when it had a few private soldiers killed and wounded.

After taking part in these services, the regiment proceeded into winter quarters at the city of New York.

[Sidenote: 1777]

Information being received that the Americans were forming magazines at _Peek's-hill_, about fifty miles up the North River, Lieut.-Colonel Bird, of the FIFTEENTH, was detached from New York against that post, with a body of troops, of which a division of the regiment formed part. The troops sailed from New York on the 22nd of March, 1777, and as they approached Peek's-hill, the Americans set fire to the stores and retreated. The British landed, completed the destruction of the magazines, barracks, &c., and afterwards returned to New York.

Extensive depôts were also prepared by the Americans at _Danbury_, and other places on the borders of Connecticut, and the FIFTEENTH regiment formed part of a body of troops which embarked from New York, under Major-General Tyron, for the destruction of these magazines. The British arrived off Norwalk on the evening of the 25th of April, landed without opposition, and commenced their march for Danbury, from whence the American troops fled, as the English approached that place on the afternoon of the following day. As no carriages could be procured to bring off any part of the immense collection of stores at this place, the magazines were set on fire, and in the progress of the flames the town was unavoidably burnt. This service accomplished, the British commenced their march back to the coast, early on the morning of the 27th of April, when a body of Americans hung upon their rear, and at every eminence a corps of militia was found ready to oppose their march; but they attacked and routed their opponents; and in one of the skirmishes the American General Wooster was killed.

Arriving at _Ridgefield_, the British were opposed by a strong force under General Arnold, protected by intrenchments, which the Americans were preparing; but a few rounds from the English artillery, and a gallant charge with bayonets, routed the American force, and the King's troops halted at Ridgefield during the night.

Resuming the march on the following morning, the British were harassed by the enemy, in their retrograde movement, and numerous skirmishes occurred. Arriving at the _Hill of Compo_, contiguous to the place of embarkation, the Americans appeared in force, and commenced an attack with greater spirit and determination than before; the British troops confronted their numerous assailants, fired a volley, and charged with bayonets with so much impetuosity and valour, that the Americans were unable to withstand the shock, and they retreated. The King's troops afterwards embarked without molestation for New York.

Eight rank and file of the FIFTEENTH regiment were killed on this expedition; Captain Harry Ditmas, one serjeant, and fifteen rank and file wounded; two men missing. Lieutenant Charles Hastings, of the twelfth foot, serving as a volunteer with the regiment, was also wounded.

Afterwards taking the field with the army in the Jerseys, the regiment was engaged in the operations designed to bring the enemy to a general engagement, but the Americans kept close in their fortified lines in the mountains; and an expedition against the populous and wealthy city of Philadelphia was resolved upon. The FIFTEENTH, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel John Bird, were employed in this enterprise, and were formed in brigade with the seventeenth, forty-second, and forty-fourth regiments, under Major-General (afterwards Earl) Grey.

Embarking from Sandy Hook, the army sailed to the Chesapeake, and proceeding up Elk River, landed on the northern shore on the 25th of August. The American army took up a position at _Brandywine_ to oppose the advance, and on the 11th of September the royal forces moved forward to engage their opponents. The FIFTEENTH formed part of the column under Major-General the Earl Cornwallis, which made a circuit of some miles to turn the right and gain the rear of the American army. The action proved decisive; the enemy was driven from his position, and forced to make a precipitate retreat. The battalion companies of the regiment did not sustain any loss on this occasion; but the flank companies, being formed in grenadier and light infantry battalions, had Lieutenant Faulkener killed; Captain Cathcart, Captain Douglas, and Lieutenant Leigh wounded; also several men killed and wounded.

After this victory, the army continued its advance; Philadelphia was taken possession of, and the British troops took up a position at Germantown, the FIFTEENTH being posted on the left of the village.

Making a forced march during the night of the 3rd of October, the American army appeared suddenly in front of _Germantown_ before daylight on the following morning, and attacked the British outposts, thinking to surprise the troops in an unprepared state. The first assault was opposed by the second battalion of light infantry, and the fortieth regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel Musgrave, posted at the head of the village; these corps were forced to fall back, and Lieut.-Colonel Musgrave threw himself, with six companies of the fortieth, into a large store-house, where he was attacked by an American brigade, aided by four pieces of cannon. During the contest, while the soldiers of the fortieth were defending their post manfully, Major-General Grey brought forward the FIFTEENTH, and two other corps; and making a determined attack on the American regiments, drove them back with great slaughter. The enemy was also repulsed at every part of the field, and forced to make a precipitate retreat.

Lieut.-Colonel John Bird, Ensign Anthony Frederick, and five rank and file of the regiment were killed; Captains George Goldfrap and Harry Ditmas, Lieutenant George Thomas, Ensign Henry Ball, two serjeants, and forty-two rank and file wounded. In alluding to the death of Lieut.-Colonel Bird, General Sir William Howe spoke of it as an event 'much to be lamented, he being an officer of experience and approved merit.' General Washington formed a fortified camp at _Whitemarsh_; and early in December the British army advanced with the view of inducing the Americans to quit their lines and offer battle, or of finding a vulnerable part in their fortified camp. Several skirmishes occurred, in which the British troops evinced their native intrepidity and firmness, and were victorious in every instance; but the defences of the American camp were found too strong to be attacked, and the army marched into winter quarters at Philadelphia.

[Sidenote: 1778]

After passing the winter at the capital of Pennsylvania, the regiment furnished several parties, in the spring of 1778, to range the country, and open communications for bringing in supplies.

The regiment also shared in the fatigues and difficulties of the march of the army from Philadelphia to New York, under Lieut.-General Sir Henry Clinton, rendered necessary by the French monarch having united with the revolted British provinces, and thus changed the character of the war. As the army pursued its journey, crossing rivers, and traversing a wild and woody country, the enemy menaced the flanks and rear with an attack in force; and on the 28th of June, some sharp fighting took place, near _Freehold_ in New Jersey, when the grenadier company of the FIFTEENTH distinguished itself, and the enemy was repulsed. Captain Cathcart, of the regiment, was wounded; and also Captain Ditmas, who was attached to the second grenadier battalion.

The army afterwards continued its route, and arrived at New York in July.

A powerful French armament menacing the British possessions in the West Indies, the FIFTEENTH, and several other corps, sailed from North America, early in November, for Barbadoes, under Major-General Grant.

While the regiment was at sea, its colonel, Major-General the Earl of Cavan, died at Dublin, and was succeeded by Major-General William Fawcett, deputy adjutant-general to the forces.

On the arrival of the reinforcements at Barbadoes, the British naval and military commanders resolved to act offensively, and attack the French island of _St. Lucia_. On this occasion the regiment was formed in brigade with the twenty-eighth, forty-sixth, and fifty-fifth, under Major-General Prescott. The expedition sailed from Carlisle-bay on the 12th of December, a landing was effected at St. Lucia on the following day, and on the 14th, the French troops were driven from several important posts. In the meantime a French armament of very superior numbers approached the island, and the British took up positions to repel the enemy. The French fleet made a desperate attack on the British naval force, but was repulsed. A numerous body of the enemy landed, and stormed the post of La Vigie, which was occupied by the grenadiers, light infantry, and fifth regiment, under Brigadier-General Medows; when the determined bravery of the British proved triumphant over very superior numbers, and the French were repulsed and forced to re-embark, leaving the ground covered with killed and wounded. The flank companies of the FIFTEENTH had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves on this occasion. The governor surrendered the island to the British arms immediately after the departure of the French armament.

[Sidenote: 1779]

[Sidenote: 1780]

The FIFTEENTH remained at St. Lucia several months. In the meantime, the French possessed a great superiority of numbers, both of naval and land force, in the West Indies; and in June, 1779, they attacked the island of _St. Vincent_, and in July _Grenada_; the regiment embarked from St. Lucia, for the relief of these islands; but they were captured before any force could arrive to their assistance. While the regiment was at sea, some sharp fighting occurred between the hostile fleets, without decisive results, and the regiment was afterwards landed at the island of St. Christopher's, where it was stationed during the year 1780.

[Sidenote: 1781]

Holland having adopted a line of politics hostile to the British, and favourable to the American interest, war took place between Great Britain and the United Provinces; and in February, 1781, the Dutch island of _St. Eustatius_ was captured. The FIFTEENTH regiment was afterwards removed from St. Christopher's to St. Eustatius, and the flank companies were subsequently detached to the former island.

The British commandant at St. Eustatius neglected to adopt the necessary precautions for the security of the island, and during the night of the 26th of November, a French force, under the Marquis of Bouillé, effected a landing, captured the commandant as he was taking a morning ride, overpowered the posts, and forced the garrison, consisting of the battalion companies of the thirteenth and FIFTEENTH regiments, to surrender prisoners of war. The commandant, Lieut.-Colonel Cockburn, was afterwards tried by a general court-martial, and cashiered.

After being detained a short period, the regiment was exchanged, and resumed its duties.

[Sidenote: 1782]

The flank companies were stationed at _St. Christopher's_, with the first battalion of the royals and a detachment of artillery, which constituted the military force of the island, under Brigadier-General Fraser, when a powerful French armament appeared off that place in the beginning of January, 1782. Eight thousand French troops landed, with a powerful train of artillery, under the Marquis of Bouillé; and the English troops, being unable to oppose so numerous a host on open ground, took possession of _Brimstone-hill_, a formidable post, but the fortifications were old and in a ruinous state, and the soldiers had no intrenching tools; a desperate defence was however determined on, in hopes of being relieved.

Against this post the French batteries opened their fire, on the 19th of January, and from that day a storm of balls and bombs rattled round the hill with increasing fury, until the houses on the heights were battered to pieces, and the old works were nearly destroyed. During this period a British naval force approached the island, and a body of troops landed; but the enemy had so great a superiority of numbers, that no reasonable expectation could be entertained of being able to save the island, and the troops returned on board the fleet. In the meantime, the works on Brimstone-hill had been breached in several places, and the garrison was reduced to the last extremity; yet the troops continued to evince that valour and firmness for which British soldiers have been distinguished; and their conduct excited the admiration of their enemies. When all prospect of being able to resist many hours longer was gone, the garrison capitulated, and was permitted to march through the breach with the honours of war, and return to England, on condition of being considered as prisoners of war until exchanged. The conduct of the officers and soldiers who defended Brimstone-hill was highly commended in Brigadier-General Fraser's despatch; and has been held up as an example of British courage and resolution, by historians.

The regiment returned to England, and many of the officers and men, who had been made prisoners, were lost on the voyage, in the _Ville de Paris_, a French ship, which had been captured by Admiral Rodney.

This year the FIFTEENTH received the title of the EAST RIDING YORKSHIRE regiment, and was directed to cultivate a connexion with that part of the county, to facilitate the procuring of recruits.

[Sidenote: 1783]

[Sidenote: 1784]

[Sidenote: 1785]

During the year 1783, the regiment was stationed in Yorkshire, and rapidly increased in numbers; in the following year it proceeded to Ireland, and was employed on Dublin duty in 1785.

[Sidenote: 1790]

[Sidenote: 1791]

After remaining in Ireland six years, the regiment embarked at Cork, in the summer of 1790, mustering seven hundred men, and proceeded to Barbadoes. In 1791, its establishment was reduced, and upwards of two hundred men were transferred to other corps.

[Sidenote: 1792]

Lieut.-General Fawcett was removed to the third dragoon guards, in August, 1792; and King George III. conferred the colonelcy of the FIFTEENTH foot on Major-General James Hamilton, from the lieut.-colonelcy of the twenty-first, or royal North British fusiliers.

[Sidenote: 1793]

In 1793 the regiment was removed from Barbadoes to Dominica, where it was stationed several months.

[Sidenote: 1794]

Resistance to the authority of the crown, in France, had, in the meantime, led to a violent and sanguinary revolution, and the French West India Islands had become the scene of democratic outrage. Great Britain engaged in war to arrest the progress of anarchy; and the FIFTEENTH regiment was selected to join an expedition under General Sir Charles Grey, prepared to rescue the French West India Islands from republican outrage.

The expedition sailed from Carlisle-bay, Barbadoes, early in February, 1794; landed at three different points on the island of _Martinique_, on the 5th, 6th, and 8th of that month, and drove the enemy from numerous strong posts. Two companies of the FIFTEENTH distinguished themselves in storming Mount Mathurine, where a battery was erected, which compelled the garrison of Pigeon Island to surrender at discretion. 'The FIFTEENTH regiment, led by Major Lyon and commanded by Captain Panmier, surprised several hundreds of the enemy, very strongly posted, on the heights of Le Grand Bouclain, on the 12th of February, killing several and taking all their arms, ammunition, cattle, &c.'[13] The enemy's out-posts being driven in, Fort Royal and Fort Bourbon were besieged; the former was captured on the 20th of March, and the latter surrendered two days afterwards. The loss of the regiment on this service was limited to a few soldiers killed and wounded.

The regiment remained at Martinique, while a detachment proceeded to St. Lucia, and captured that island.

From Martinique the expedition proceeded against _Guadaloupe_. A determined resistance was experienced at this place, but the island was captured before the end of April; and Sir Charles Grey stated in his despatch, that he 'could not find words to convey an adequate idea, or to express the high sense he entertained of the extraordinary merit evinced by the officers and soldiers in this service.' The regiment had Captain Comb and Ensign Croker killed, and several private soldiers killed and wounded.

[Sidenote: 1795]

The regiment remained a short time at Martinique, and afterwards proceeded to Dominica; but returned to Martinique in January, 1795, and was stationed at that island twelve months, under Lieut.-Colonel Madden.

[Sidenote: 1796]

In 1796 the regiment transferred two hundred and fifty men to the forty-fifth foot, and embarked for England, its numbers being reduced to fifty-three men. It landed in November at Portsmouth, marched to Derby, and active measures were adopted to recruit its ranks to the augmented establishment of a thousand men.

[Sidenote: 1797]

[Sidenote: 1798]

[Sidenote: 1799]

Marching northward from Derby, in April, 1797, the regiment proceeded across the border, and was stationed two years in Scotland. It afterwards returned to England, and was quartered at Sunderland barracks.

The militia regiments being permitted to volunteer into the regular army, fifteen hundred and thirty-eight men volunteered to the FIFTEENTH, and the regiment was augmented to _two battalions_.

[Sidenote: 1800]

Both battalions proceeded to Ireland in 1800, the first under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Madden, and the second under Major Lord Sinclair; Lieut.-Colonel Barry afterwards succeeded to the command of the first battalion.

[Sidenote: 1802]

In 1802, the war was terminated by the treaty of Amiens; when the British army was reduced, and the second battalion was disbanded,--the establishment of the regiment being fixed at seven hundred and fifty rank and file.

[Sidenote: 1803]

The conduct of Napoleon Buonaparte, then First Consul of France, occasioned hostilities to be resumed in 1803, when the British army was augmented, and preparations made to repel a threatened invasion of the French. The FIFTEENTH regiment remained in Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1804]

Preparations to repel the menaced French invasion were continued in 1804, and a _second battalion_ was added to the regiment. It was formed of men raised for limited service under the Additional Force Act passed on the 29th of June, 1804, and was quartered at Scarborough, in Yorkshire.

[Sidenote: 1805]

During the winter, the first battalion again embarked for the West Indies, and landed at Barbadoes on the 12th of March, 1805. In May, Surgeon Shaw died at Barbadoes.

This year is celebrated in the naval annals of Great Britain for the splendid achievements of the marine forces of the kingdom. Rear-Admiral Viscount Nelson having proceeded to the West Indies in quest of the French fleet, the FIFTEENTH regiment received orders to embark and serve as marines. It went on board on the 4th of June, Lieut.-Colonel Barry and the staff being appointed to the "Conqueror" of seventy-four guns; but after a cruise of fourteen days, the fleet returned to port, and the regiment landed: it therefore missed sharing in the glorious victory of Trafalgar, on the 21st of October, 1805. During the months of July, August, and September, the regiment lost nine officers and two hundred and twelve men by fever.

[Sidenote: 1806]

In May, 1806, a draft of one hundred and twenty-four men joined from the second battalion, and a few volunteers from the eleventh regiment.

[Sidenote: 1807]

On the 24th of January, 1807, the regiment was suddenly embarked on board the fleet; but after a short cruise returned to Barbadoes, from whence it was removed to Grenada in April.

The court of Denmark having united with France, in hostilities against Great Britain, an expedition was prepared against the Danish islands of _St. Thomas_ and _Santa Croix_, and the FIFTEENTH embarked from Grenada to take part in this service. These colonies surrendered on being summoned, and loss of life was thus prevented.

[Sidenote: 1808]

In July, 1808, a draft of six serjeants and two hundred and ninety-three rank and file joined from the second battalion.

In November and the early part of December, the regiment lost about one hundred and fifty men from the effects of the climate of the West Indies.

[Sidenote: 1809]

The regiment joined the expedition under Lieut.-General Beckwith, which sailed from Carlisle-bay, Barbadoes, on the 28th of January, 1809, against the island of _Martinique_. The first division landed in Bay Robert, and the second near St. Luce and Point Solomon. The enemy's force was numerous, and some sharp fighting occurred, in which the regiment had the honor to distinguish itself, and had several men killed and wounded. The conquest of the island was achieved in a few weeks, and Lieut.-General Beckwith stated in his public despatch,--'The having commanded such an army will constitute the pride of my future life. To these brave troops, conducted by Generals of experience, their king and country owe the sovereignty of this important colony; and I trust, that by a comparison of the force which defended it, and the time in which it has fallen, the present reduction of Martinique will not be deemed eclipsed by any former expedition.'

The royal authority was afterwards given for the regiment to bear the word "MARTINIQUE" on its colours, to commemorate its distinguished gallantry on this occasion. Lieut.-Colonel Riall received a medal for commanding a brigade, and Major Andrew Davidson for commanding the regiment.

Three French sail of the line and two frigates, from L'Orient, having taken shelter in the _Saints_, in the vicinity of Guadaloupe, they were blockaded by Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane; and three thousand men, of which force the FIFTEENTH formed part, were detached, under Major-General Maitland, for the reduction of the islands. This expedition sailed from Port Royal on the 12th of April; a landing was effected in Ance Bois Joly, and the difficult heights of Mount Russel, eight hundred feet high, were stormed and captured, and a battery soon forced the French shipping to put to sea. The reduction of the islands was accomplished in a few days, and the enemy's garrison was made prisoners of war. During the action on the 15th of April, Lieut.-Colonel Phineas Riall volunteered to storm Fort Morelli, with the FIFTEENTH regiment; but Major-General Maitland would not allow the corps to engage in so dangerous an enterprise.

Towards the end of April, the regiment returned to Grenada, where it was stationed about nine months.

[Sidenote: 1810]

Three hundred men of the regiment, including the flank companies, embarked from Grenada, early in January, 1810, under Lieut.-Colonel Riall, for Barbadoes, to join the expedition against _Guadaloupe_, under Lieut.-General Sir George Beckwith, and were formed in brigade with a battalion of light infantry, and the third West India regiment, under Brigadier-General Harcourt; this officer being afterwards appointed to the command of a division, the brigade was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Riall, of the FIFTEENTH.

The expedition rendezvoused at Prince Rupert's, Dominica, and the FIFTEENTH accompanied the second division, which sailed on the 26th of January, and anchored at the Saints until the 29th, when it proceeded towards Guadaloupe, and menaced the enemy's defences at the Three Rivers. During the night the regiment landed in the bay near the village of Les Vieux Habitans without opposition, and afterwards advanced, the enemy's posts falling back skirmishing. The French appearing in force on some high open ground, the FIFTEENTH turned their right flank, the Royal West India Rangers the left, and the thirteenth light infantry advanced against the front, when the enemy was speedily forced from his ground.

The regiment afterwards took part in completing the conquest of the island, an achievement which reflected credit on the troops employed in the enterprise. The conduct of Lieut.-Colonel Riall was commended in the public despatch of the Commander of the Forces.

The following statement appeared in general orders, dated 6th February:--'The Commander of the Forces returns his thanks to the officers of all ranks, for their meritorious exertions, and to the non-commissioned officers and soldiers, for the cheerfulness with which they have undergone the fatigues of a march, difficult in its nature, through the strongest country in the world, and the spirit they have manifested on all occasions to close with the enemy.'

The loss of the regiment was limited to a few private soldiers killed and wounded, and Captain William Grierson wounded.

To commemorate the distinguished gallantry of the regiment on this occasion, the royal authority was afterwards given for the word "GUADALOUPE" to be displayed on its colours. Lieut.-Colonel Riall received a medal for commanding a brigade.

In March, that portion of the regiment which had been left at Grenada, joined at Guadaloupe; also a draft of ninety men from the second battalion. Another draft of one hundred men joined from the second battalion in July, under Lieut.-Colonel Barry, who assumed the command of the regiment,--Lieut.-Colonel Riall proceeding to Europe on leave of absence.

The health of the men soon afterwards suffered severely from the effects of the climate of Guadaloupe, and two hundred and seventy-six non-commissioned officers and soldiers died. The survivors were moved to the Champ de Mars, and afterwards occupied the convalescent posts of Matuba, Dolce, Vermont, and Vieux Fort.

[Sidenote: 1811]

[Sidenote: 1812]

The regiment remained at Guadaloupe during the year 1811; in May, 1812, it was removed to St. Christopher's and stationed on Brimstone-hill, under Lieut.-Colonel Davidson.

On the 21st of September, Lieut.-Colonel Renny joined with a detachment of two serjeants, and one hundred and forty-six rank and file, from the second battalion.

[Sidenote: 1813]

Several detachments also joined from the second battalion in 1813.

[Sidenote: 1814]

After commanding the regiment twenty years, General Powell died in the summer of 1814, and was succeeded in the colonelcy by Lieut.-General Moore Disney, from major in the first foot guards.

The victories of the British troops, in the Peninsula and the south of France, having accomplished the reduction of the power of Napoleon Buonaparte, and the restoration of the house of Bourbon to the throne of France, a general peace was proclaimed, the army was reduced, and the second battalion of the FIFTEENTH was disbanded in October, 1814, on the island of Jersey, whither it had proceeded in June, 1811: its services had been limited to Great Britain and Jersey.

[Sidenote: 1815]

Early in 1815, the men of the late second battalion embarked to join the regiment at the island of St. Christopher; but the transports encountered much severe weather, and were forced into Falmouth harbour, and the soldiers landed. At this period, Buonaparte had violated the treaty of 1814, and regained the throne of France. War immediately followed; and His Royal Highness the Prince Regent directed the second battalion of the FIFTEENTH regiment to be re-formed; this took place accordingly, and the men who had landed at Falmouth proceeded to Guernsey, where they were joined by the depôt.

The French troops on the islands of Martinique and Guadaloupe evinced a disposition to renounce their allegiance to Louis XVIII., and proclaim Buonaparte, and the former island was taken possession of by British troops in June; at _Guadaloupe_, the Emperor Napoleon was proclaimed on the 18th of June, a day fatal to his power on the field of Waterloo; and the first battalion of the FIFTEENTH regiment proceeded from St. Christopher to Barbadoes, from whence it sailed with the expedition against Guadaloupe, under Lieut.-General Sir James Leith. A landing was effected on the island on the 8th of August, and the French troops were speedily forced to surrender prisoners of war.

The regiment proceeded to the Champ de Mars, where it was stationed until the end of September, when it embarked for Barbadoes.

[Sidenote: 1816]

Peace having been restored, and Buonaparte sent in exile to St. Helena, the second battalion of the regiment was disbanded in the island of Guernsey, on the 25th of January, 1816; the men fit for service embarking to join the first battalion at Barbadoes.

On the 15th of April, the regiment marched from garrison at St. Anne's, to quell an insurrection among the negroes in the interior of the island of Barbadoes, where strong detachments remained until June, when the regiment was removed to Martinique.

In August, the French eighty-eighth regiment, or Martinique Legion, arrived to garrison the island, and the FIFTEENTH, being relieved, proceeded to Grenada, where they landed on the 5th of September, and marched into garrison at Richmond-hill.

[Sidenote: 1817]

[Sidenote: 1818]

From Grenada the regiment embarked, in the spring of 1817, in two divisions, under Lieut.-Colonel Davidson and Major Maxwell, for Halifax in Nova Scotia, where it was stationed two years.

[Sidenote: 1819]

The right wing, under Major Maxwell, embarked for Bermuda in June, 1819, and relieved the left wing of the sixty-second regiment at Fort George barracks, where the FIFTEENTH lost between sixty and seventy men of the yellow fever, in August and September.

[Sidenote: 1820]

[Sidenote: 1821]

During the year 1820, the regiment was stationed at Bermuda and Nova Scotia. In the summer of 1821, it was relieved at the former station by a wing of the second battalion of the sixtieth, and at the latter by the eighty-first regiment; and embarking for England, landed at Portsmouth in July and August, and was stationed at Fort Cumberland until November, when it embarked for Plymouth.

[Sidenote: 1822]

In the summer of 1822, the regiment was removed to Hull; in October it embarked at Liverpool for Ireland, and landing at Dublin, occupied Richmond barracks a few weeks, and afterwards proceeded to Naas.

[Sidenote: 1823]

[Sidenote: 1824]

The regiment was removed in the summer of 1823 to Waterford, and in the autumn to Cork, with a detachment at Spike Island; and it occupied this station during the year 1824.

[Sidenote: 1825]

Leaving Cork in July, 1825, the regiment proceeded to Buttevant, with detachments to the towns in the neighbourhood.

[Sidenote: 1826]

A division of the regiment marched to Templemore in February, 1826, and sent out numerous detachments. One party stationed at Thurles, under Captain Temple, evinced great patience and forbearance, united with a proper degree of firmness, in suppressing a riot at that place, when several persons had been killed by the police. Captain Temple received an address of thanks and approbation from the magistrates and principal inhabitants of the town, for his cool and judicious conduct on this occasion. In the autumn the regiment marched to Galway, sending out eleven detachments.

[Sidenote: 1827]

In April, 1827, the regiment was divided into six _service_ and four _reserve_ companies, and marched to Fermoy, where it was inspected by Major-General Sir George Bingham, who expressed his unqualified approbation of its appearance, discipline, and interior economy. In May, the service companies embarked from the Cove of Cork, under Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh, for Canada, and arrived at Quebec on the 29th of June and 6th of July; they immediately proceeded up the river St. Lawrence, to Kingston in Upper Canada, where they remained ten months.

[Sidenote: 1828]

Retiring down the River St. Lawrence, in boats, in May and June, 1828, the service companies proceeded to Montreal, from whence the first division continued its journey, in a steam vessel, to Quebec, and was followed by the second division in August.

[Sidenote: 1830]

The regiment was stationed at Quebec during the years 1829 and 1830; in October of the latter year, a strong detachment proceeded to the Isle aux Noix, on Lake Champlain.

The regiment continued in garrison at Quebec, detaching 100 rank and file to the Isle aux Noix and St. John's, with a proportion of officers and non-commissioned officers.

[Sidenote: 1831]

The regiment moved to Montreal on the 3rd of May of this year, continuing its detachments.

[Sidenote: 1832]

On the 21st of May, 1832, Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh, commanding the regiment, and Commandant of the Garrison of Montreal, was called upon by the magistrates of that place to be prepared to assist the civil power in the event of a riot occurring at a contested election for the west ward of the city, which was to terminate on that day. Captain Temple was the captain of the piquet on the occasion, but when it was turned out, Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh took command of it in person. At the close of the poll, several acts of violence were perpetrated both on persons and property, when it became necessary to require the co-operation of the piquet in restoring order. The Riot Act having been read, the Lieut.-Colonel was authorised by the Magistrates to take such steps as might appear to him necessary. The piquet was immediately marched in the direction of the rioters, who assailed the party with stones and other missiles, when the order to "fire" was given, not, however, until every effort had been exerted to cause them to disperse. The front rank alone, consisting of about sixteen men, discharged their pieces in quick succession, the consequences of which proved fatal on the spot to three of the rioters; several others were severely wounded, but the disturbance was effectually checked. The regiment remained under arms in different parts of the town during the night.

A company of the Royal Artillery stationed at the Island of St. Helen's, under the command of Captain W. C. Anderson, brought over two nine-pounders in the short space of twelve minutes from the time the signal was given for their services, and remained on duty with the regiment until the next day. This was remarkable, as the river is nearly a mile broad, with a very rapid current, and the guns had to be shipped in bateaux after the signal was made, and re-limbered on landing at the Montreal side.

The conduct of the troops, particularly that portion under the immediate orders of Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh, was marked by great steadiness and forbearance, notwithstanding that they had been harassed by continual alarms for some days previous to the riot. On the day of the 21st the rain fell in torrents, whilst the men were exposed to it for hours before the riot commenced.

The following documents are deemed worthy of a place in these Records; the conduct and discipline of the corps, on the occasion referred to, being highly estimated by the civil and military authorities.

_Presentment of Grand Jury._

'The grand jury humbly represent to the court, that, in the
investigation of the occurrence upon which were founded the
bills for murder against William Robertson and Pierre Lukin,
esquires, Colonel Macintosh and Captain Temple, they have fully
and impartially examined into all the circumstances of the case,
and the result of their proceedings is the conviction, that no
ground exists for any criminal charge against those individuals.
In such an instance as the present, where violent agitation has
convulsed society, the grand jury are compelled by a sense of
duty, beyond the mere rejection of the bills, to endeavour at
allaying excitement, by an expression of the knowledge at which
they have arrived after a severe inquiry into the transaction.

'However much the grand jury may deplore the fatal consequences
which flowed from the introduction of an armed force on that
occasion, they feel persuaded that it was fully justified by
the conjuncture; and its timely interposition, in their belief,
averted the calamities which must have ensued if the rioters had
been suffered to pursue their impetuous and destructive course.

'With this view of the case, the grand jury cannot withhold the
public declaration of their opinion, that the conduct observed,
as well by the magistrates as by the military authorities, during
those events, is worthy of commendation at the hands of those
who love peace and respect the laws; while the inhabitants of
the city of Montreal, in particular, are deeply indebted to the
firm discharge by those gentlemen of their respective duties,
for restoration to a state of security and for the protection of
their lives and property.'

GENERAL ORDER.

'_Head Quarters_,
'_Quebec, 2nd September, 1832_.

'On the 21st of May last, a detachment of the FIFTEENTH regiment,
commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh, having under his orders
Captain Temple of the same regiment, was called out by the
magistrates of Montreal, for the purpose of aiding the civil
power in the suppression of a riot in that city, by which the
lives and property of the inhabitants were endangered; and the
magistrates having failed in their efforts to restore order by
other means, the troops were required to make use of their arms,
on which occasion three individuals were unfortunately killed,
and others wounded.

'The loss of life caused by the fire of the troops is an event
deeply to be deplored, and the Commander of the Forces is
persuaded that throughout the colony there are not to be found
any individuals who more sincerely and more sensibly lament that
event than Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh, Captain Temple, and those
very soldiers whose painful duty it was to make use of their arms
on the 21st of May. It is, however, consoling to reflect that
the riot was suppressed without a further sacrifice of human
life, which there was every reason to apprehend; and perhaps very
many of the peaceable inhabitants of the city of Montreal are
at this moment indebted for the preservation of their lives and
property, to the timely interference of the troops acting under
the direction of the magistrates.

'Although the Commander of the Forces was disposed to place
the greatest reliance on the discretion and judgment of
Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh, and upon the steadiness and discipline
of the regiment under his command, his Lordship, nevertheless,
considered it to be incumbent upon him to suspend the judgment
in regard to the events of the 21st of May, until the whole
of the circumstances connected with those events should have
undergone the fullest investigation before the proper tribunals
of the country, whose duty it is to take cognizance of criminal
offences.

'This duty has now been performed, and Lieut.-Colonel
Macintosh, Captain Temple, and the troops under their command,
in suppressing the riot at Montreal on the 21st of May last,
having been absolved from all blame, the Commander of the
Forces hastens to embrace the opportunity thus afforded him,
to convey to Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh, Captain Temple, and the
non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the FIFTEENTH regiment,
employed in the suppression of a riot at Montreal on the 21st
of May last, his approbation of the judgment, steadiness, and
discipline, displayed by them in their respective stations on
that occasion.'

An address was likewise presented to Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh and Captain Temple, by the citizens of Montreal, from which the following extracts are made:--

'Gentlemen--We, the subscribers, citizens of Montreal, feel it a
duty that we owe to you, to express our thanks for your conduct
and that of the troops under your command, on the occasion of
your being called upon to restore and preserve the public peace,
so unhappily broken, at the close of the poll for the election of
a member for the west ward of this city on the 21st of May last.

'So strong was our conviction of the importance of the services
rendered by you and the magistrates on that occasion, that our
desire was to have expressed our testimony of them immediately
upon their occurrence; but considerations arising from the
interposition of judicial authority prompted us to defer it.

'These considerations having now been removed in a manner
the most satisfactory to you and to ourselves, we beg most
respectfully to convey to you this expression of the obligation
we feel we are under to you for the safety, that we then, and
have since, enjoyed in our persons and property through your
means; for that it is to the military, and to the magistrates,
that we owe our preservation, has been manifestly brought to
light before the grand jury, by their finding and presentments
lately returned into the Court of King's Bench.

'We have only further to express a regret that the performance of
a necessary but painful duty, should have subjected any one of
you to unpleasant and unmerited restraint.'

The following letter from the Military Secretary of the General Commanding in Chief, addressed to Lieut.-General Lord Aylmer, _K.C.B._, Commander of the Forces in Canada, was published in the General Orders of the Colony:--

'_Horse Guards, Oct. 23rd, 1832._

'MY LORD,

'I have had the honor to receive and submit to the General
Commanding in Chief, your Lordship's despatches of the 30th July
and 7th September last, conveying, for Lord Hill's information,
reports of what had taken place in consequence of a detachment
of the FIFTEENTH Regiment of Foot, under the command of
Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh and Captain Temple, called out in aid
of the civil power at Montreal on the 21st of May last, having
been compelled to resort to the use of their arms, by which,
unfortunately, three persons were killed, and several wounded.
The General Commanding in Chief, equally with your Lordship,
laments the loss of life upon the occasion adverted to; but, in
justice to Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh and Captain Temple, feels
bound to say, after an attentive perusal of all the papers
bearing upon the case, that he knows no instance in which troops
have been employed in the suppression of riots, where greater
judgment, discretion, or humanity, has been displayed; and
if these officers have since been annoyed by accusations of
murder, and by every proceeding which could tend to keep alive
anxiety, they have at least the consolation of feeling that they
have discharged a painful but imperative duty, with temper and
moderation, and that by so doing they put an end to disorders,
which would probably have led to consequences most disastrous to
the city of Montreal.

(Signed) 'FITZROY SOMERSET.'

In the month of June of this year, the colony was visited by that afflicting scourge, the Asiatic cholera. One of the very first individuals attacked was a sentry on the regimental guard; he was relieved from his post, complaining of the usual symptoms, and despite the most prompt attention, he expired in a few hours. From this time the utmost consternation prevailed in the city, the disease making rapid progress: the deaths were one in ten of the whole population, without distinction of age or rank. Several men were hourly admitted into hospital, where death very shortly ended their sufferings. The hospital serjeant and all the orderlies (several of whom had volunteered to assist their unfortunate comrades) fell sacrifices to their zeal, when the disease was on the decline. One man only, who was in the worst stage of the disease, finally survived. It is worthy of remark that none of the officers were in the least affected, although their duties exposed them constantly, by day and night, to an infected atmosphere.

In order to give increased ventilation in the barracks, as well as to relieve the attention of the soldiers, a large detachment, chiefly of married men, was sent to La Prairie to occupy an old cavalry barrack there; but this step proved fatal to many of them. It was shortly after determined to remove the whole regiment to the Island of St. Helen's, opposite to the city, where the men were encamped. Thirty-seven men died of this scourge between the 12th and 24th of June, 1832, but not a single case occurred after the regiment was placed under canvass. Lieut.-Colonel Macintosh proceeded to England, and did not again rejoin the regiment, having exchanged to half-pay with Lieut.-Colonel G. W. Horton.

[Sidenote: 1833]

The regiment was moved to Kingston, Upper Canada, in the spring of this year, where it had been stationed on first arriving in the colony, detaching one company to Brockville in aid of the civil power, and a company to Cornwall, where some public works were in course of construction.

[Sidenote: 1834]

The FIFTEENTH moved this year to Toronto, the seat of Government in Upper Canada, detaching one company to Fort George and another to Amherstburg, frontier posts; and a subaltern's party proceeded to Penetanquishene, the most advanced military post on Lake Huron. The Canadas were again visited this year by the Asiatic cholera; the regiment, however, did not suffer in the least.

[Sidenote: 1835]

Lieut.-Colonel G. W. Horton, from the half-pay, _vice_ Macintosh, assumed the command of the regiment.

[Sidenote: 1836]

During the year 1836 the detachments at Fort George and Amherstburg, were relieved by companies from head quarters.

[Sidenote: 1837]

In the year 1837 all the detachments were withdrawn, and the regiment moved to Quebec, in expectation of returning to England: the unsettled state of the Canadas, however, called for an increased force, and the regiment remained in that garrison during the autumn and winter of 1837.

The importance of the citadel at a time when a rebellion had actually broken out, and the population of the place hostile to the government, caused the duty of the garrison to bear heavily upon the regiment, which, with two companies of the sixty-sixth regiment, two companies of artillery, and a battalion of volunteer militia, raised on the emergency, formed the whole force for the protection of this important place.

[Sidenote: 1838]

On the 9th May, several ships of war were announced by telegraph; and they shortly after anchored opposite the citadel, having on board the Governor-General, the Earl of Durham, and suite, and a brigade of guards, consisting of upwards of 1600 men, under Major-General Sir James Macdonnell.

The regiment immediately vacated its quarters and proceeded to Chambly, on the river Richelieu, an important post, as being situated in the centre of a populous and disaffected country.

Two drafts consisting of 226 men joined from the depôt companies, nearly 100 of them volunteers from the nineteenth regiment. New accoutrements were supplied, and all unserviceable arms were likewise replaced.

Lieut.-Colonel Horton resigned the command of the regiment, and proceeded to England in the month of June, at which time two troops of the seventh hussars were added to the garrison of Chambly.

Lieut.-Colonel Lord Charles Wellesley, who exchanged from half-pay with Lieut.-Colonel Horton, arrived in Canada, and assumed the command of the regiment in October, 1838.

On the 18th of October the head-quarter division of the first (or King's) dragoon guards, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable George Cathcart, replaced the squadron of the seventh hussars. About midnight, a fire was discovered in the centre of the officers' quarters, which consisted of a long range of buildings of one story only, but being very old, and entirely of wood, they were consumed in less than half an hour. The regiment had to deplore the loss of the two senior Ensigns (Walter Carey and William Dering Adair Roe), the fire having originated in the particular porch in which their quarters were situated. Ensign Carey had got clear of all danger, but incautiously attempted to secure a favourite object of value, when he sank in the midst of the burning mass. Ensign Roe was rescued from the flames, apparently not much burnt; he walked nearly half a mile to the hospital without assistance, but died in the course of the day, mortification having rapidly taken place: the unfortunate sufferers were committed to the same tomb, and a tablet was erected to their memory in the parish church, by their brother officers, as a mark of their regard, and of deep regret at their untimely fate. The cause of the fire could not be ascertained.

Although the revolt of 1837 had been put down, another attempt to wrest the colony from the control of the Supreme Government was known to be in agitation; and, as the line of the Richelieu was the most disaffected, several parties of the military forces were employed in searching for arms, and apprehending suspected persons. About mid-day of the 8th November, an unexpected order was received to move the chief part of the regiment to St. John's, (where a detachment of 100 men had been stationed for some time,) and although the weather was most inclement, the regiment reached its destination shortly after dark.

His Excellency Lieut.-General Sir John Colborne, now Lord Seaton, Commander of the Forces and Governor-in-Chief, was there in person, with the whole of his staff. The seventy-third regiment had also been brought from Montreal.

A large body of insurgents having taken possession of a village near the frontier, their sympathizing friends in the United States endeavoured to open a communication with them and join them; that, being united, they might act with more effect against the isolated positions occupied by the troops: in this object they were, however, frustrated by the timely approach of the Commander of the Forces in person.