Chapter IX: Part 9

The advance was commenced on the 12th of February; owing to the nature of the country and the want of sufficient means for transporting the necessary military stores, part of the force proceeded by land, and the remainder in boats up the river Irawaddy. The flank companies of the ROYALS, commanded by Captain Tenison, formed the advance-guard of the land column, which was commanded by Brigadier-General Sir A. Campbell. Proceeding along a narrow and difficult path, tending obliquely toward the Irawaddy river, the column marched through the provinces of Lyng and Sarrawah; and on its arrival at Mophi, between two and three thousand Burmese, commanded by Maha Silwah, quitted an old pegaun fort, where they had evinced some determination to resist, and dispersed into a close jungle in the rear. From Mophi the column continued its progress, uninterrupted by the enemy, and forded the river Lyng at Thaboon on the 1st of March. The Carian inhabitants of the country through which the army marched viewed the expulsion of the Burmese with much satisfaction, and assisted the troops in making roads and in procuring supplies of rice and buffaloes. On the 2nd of March the division arrived at Sarrawah, on the Irawaddy, where its junction with the water column had been intended. This column had destroyed several of the enemy's stockades, and had continued its course up the river until it arrived within sight of _Donabew_, where a series of formidable stockades extending nearly a mile along the banks of the Irawaddy, and protected by about 15,000 Burmese, presented a formidable opposition. Information was received of a gallant but unsuccessful attack having been made on this post by the water column; and Sir Archibald Campbell resolved to retrace his steps with the land column, and concentrate his force for the reduction of this formidable position. He accordingly crossed the Irawaddy at Sarrawah by means of canoes and rafts, which, owing to the insufficiency of the craft employed, was not effected in less than five days. After halting two days at Henzada, the column pursued its march along the right bank of the river, and arrived before Donabew on the 25th of March: on the 27th a communication was opened with the water column, under Brigadier-General Cotton, of the 47th regiment, and both columns co-operated in the reduction of the place. Batteries were constructed without delay, and during the progress of these operations the enemy made several spirited _sorties_: on one occasion _seventeen elephants_ were sent out, each carrying a complement of men, supported by a body of infantry; but the result proved the inutility of employing such means against British troops. In the beginning of April the batteries opened their fire, and shortly afterwards, the Burmese commander, Maha Bandoola, having been killed by the bursting of a shell, the enemy deserted the place and retreated through the jungles in the direction of Lamina. The intrenchments were immediately taken possession of, and considerable stores of grain and ammunition, with a number of guns of various descriptions, fell into the hands of the British. The ROYALS at this place had only one private man wounded.

After the capture of Donabew the troops resumed their march; and having crossed the Irawaddy on the 7th of April, at Sarrawah, were joined at that place by the reserve from Rangoon, consisting of eight companies of the ROYALS, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Armstrong, a regiment of native infantry, and a supply of elephants; the whole under the orders of Brigadier-General M'Creagh. Thus reinforced the army pushed forward; the Burmese retreated; and the British troops arrived before Prome without the necessity of firing a shot: this city, though strongly fortified, was deserted, and in part burnt. Shortly afterwards the wet season set in, and during the heavy rains the army remained inactive; but no opportunity was omitted of entering upon pacific negociations with the Burmese government.

Information having been received of the approach of the enemy with a considerable force towards the British position, a reconnoissance was made up the river in a steam-boat by fifty men of the ROYAL Regiment, under Brigadier-General Cotton; and on the 15th of August the enemy was discovered at Meeaday, on the left bank of the river, about forty miles from Prome, with a force of between 16,000 and 20,000 men, who appeared all armed with muskets: they had also a small force on the right bank of the river. The Burmese opened a battery of 16 guns upon the reconnoitring party, but the width of the river being upwards of three-quarters of a mile, their shot fell short. On the 16th the steam-boat returned to Prome.

In the early part of September pacific overtures were made by the enemy, and an armistice was afterwards concluded, when the ROYALS were selected to preserve the line of demarcation between the two armies. Terms of peace were also proposed, namely,--"a large portion of territory was to be ceded by the Burmese, and two crores of rupees paid as an indemnification for the expenses of the war." These conditions produced the utmost indignation at the court of Ava, and a determination to resist their invaders and prosecute the war with vigour. Hostilities recommenced on the 16th of November; and three bodies of British native infantry were soon afterwards repulsed in an attack upon the enemy's advanced position;--the Burmese being in greater force than was anticipated, and the troops sent against them insufficient to contend against so considerable a superiority of numbers.

The result of this attack inspired the Burmese generals with a high but false idea of their own power; and they advanced from their position with their whole force, amounting to between 50,000 and 60,000 men. Brigadier-General Campbell had only about 6000 men to oppose to this formidable host, which threatened to surround him; but though so very inferior in numbers to the enemy, he calmly awaited their approach, and determined to avail himself of any favourable opportunity of attacking them. In the meantime, in order to prevent the enemy's attempts to intercept his communication with Rangoon, and cut off his supplies, which had to be brought a distance of 150 miles up the river Irawaddy, the British commander established 100 men of the ROYAL Regiment, and an equal number of native infantry, under the command of Captain Deane of the ROYALS, at _Pagahm-Mew_, a few miles below Prome, on the Irawaddy, supported by a division of the flotilla on the river under Lieutenant Kellett, of the Royal Navy. This detachment was frequently attacked by superior numbers, and the meritorious conduct of both officers and men is detailed in the following copies of letters from Captain Deane to the Adjutant-General of the Forces serving in Ava:--

20th November.--"I have the honour to report, for the information of the Commander of the Forces, a brush which took place between the party under my command and the enemy this morning.

"In the early part of the morning the fog was so thick as to preclude our seeing anything in our front, and on its clearing up I discovered, by means of a reconnoitring party, that the enemy were in considerable force on the edge of the jungle in front of my left, and shortly afterwards I discovered them marching in three columns across my front, for the attack of my right, left, and centre;--their main object being evidently to gain the right of the village. I, consequently, detached a party to turn their left, and had, in a few minutes, the satisfaction to observe that column retiring in confusion, and with considerable loss. I then moved forward with the remainder of my party to attack their centre, which also retired in confusion after a very few rounds: during this time their right was engaged with a strong piquet which I had placed to dispute the passage of a bridge on the left of the village--this the piquet effectually did. In both the defence of my centre and left, I was much indebted to the prompt assistance afforded me by Lieutenant Kellett, R.N.

"The enemy's force consisted of two gilt chattahs, and about 800 men armed with muskets and spears, with two or three jinjals; their loss I conceive to have been about 25 or 30 men killed. We had not, I am happy to say, a single man wounded. The enemy, however, from the great extent of the village, succeeded in setting fire to it at both ends, but very little damage was done, as we extinguished it almost immediately. The Rajah and all his attendants deserted the place the moment the firing commenced; he has, however, just returned, and appears much more composed, and highly delighted with the result."

November 25th.--"I have the honour to report, for the information of the Commander of the Forces, another affair which we have had with the Burmese this morning.

"A little before day-break we had embarked 20 men of the ROYALS, and 30 sepoys of the 26th Madras native infantry, in light row-boats, intended to co-operate with Lieut.-Colonel Godwin, on the opposite side of the river. They were just in the act of shoving off from the shore when the enemy, to the amount of 5000 or 6000, made a rush at our works, howling most horribly, and, at the same time, setting fire to the village, which they had entered at all points. We had fortunately got an 18-pounder into battery late yesterday evening, which, added to two 12-pounders which we had before, did great execution. Lieutenant Kellett, R.N., was at this moment shoving off with the row-boats, but instantly returned to our assistance with all his men, and kindly undertook the superintendence of our guns, the well-directed fire of which so mainly contributed to our success. The enemy, after nearly two hours' sharp firing, retired in admirable order, carrying off great numbers of dead and wounded; so much so, that we have not been able to find more than 10 or 12 dead bodies. I am happy to add, that, with the exception of one man slightly grazed in the elbow by a musket-shot, we have not a man either killed or wounded. The Rajah's house was very early in flames, and is burnt to the ground; indeed, I may say the village is completely destroyed. The guns in the boats were of the greatest assistance in scouring the village with grape. We got possession of one jingal and three muskets. The enemy appeared to have several mounted men, but I cannot say what they were."

November 26th.--"The enemy appeared in great force this morning at day-break all along our front, and had a good deal of skirmishing with the piquets; but we could not succeed in drawing them within musket-shot of our works. They are all armed with muskets, and have a great many jinjals, and two or more guns, with which they annoyed us very considerably, having taken up a position in the woody part of the village, from whence they opened a musket fire on the boats. From this I determined to dislodge them, and sent out a strong party for that purpose; these came close upon them, and drove them out, with, I have every reason to believe, considerable loss. They are, however, by no means discomfited, and are, I understand, determined to entrench themselves round us, and make regular approaches, as their orders are peremptory to carry the place. In confirmation of this a number of their entrenching tools were left behind by the killed and wounded. Our only casualty this morning, I am happy to say, is one Lascar severely, but not dangerously, wounded: the shot first grazed the jaw-bone, entered the shoulder, and came out under the arm-pit. From one of the prisoners taken this morning, whom I have, by this opportunity, forwarded to Major Jackson, I learn there are absolutely 5500 men now here, and that a further force is hourly expected from Puttow-down, where, he says, the Setahwoon now is."

Thus 200 British troops resisted the attack of between 5000 and 6000 of the enemy; which occasioned Sir Archibald Campbell to observe in his despatch, "the meritorious conduct of both officers and men, as detailed in the enclosed copies of letters from Captain Deane, will, I am certain, obtain for them the approbation of the Right Honourable the Governor-General in council."

While this detachment was maintaining its post against such very superior numbers of the enemy, Brigadier-General Sir A. Campbell had resolved to make an attack upon every accessible part of the Burmese line, to the east of the Irawaddy, extending from a commanding ridge of hills to two villages about eleven miles north-east of Prome. The enemy's army was divided into three corps, all protected by stockades, and occupying positions of difficult approach; but each separated from the other by local obstructions, so that they could be attacked separately.

Leaving four native regiments for the defence of Prome, the General marched early on the morning of the 1st of December against the enemy's left flank at _Simbike_; during this movement the battalion companies of the ROYALS were on board the flotilla under Sir James Brisbane, diverting the attention of the enemy from this movement by an attack upon another part of their position, and otherwise co-operating with the land force. On arriving at the Nawine river the army was divided into two columns. The right, under Brigadier-General Cotton, in which were the flank companies of the ROYALS, proceeding along the left bank of the river, came in front of the enemy's works, consisting of a series of stockades, covered on both flanks by thick jungle, and by the river in the rear, and defended by a considerable force, in which were 8000 Shans, a people of Laos, under their native chiefs, who bore a high character for gallantry, and these people were inspired with confidence by the presence of a female, whom they considered a prophetess. Notwithstanding the formidable appearance of these works, crowded with Burmese and Shans, and bristling with spears, the flank companies of the ROYALS, commanded by Captain Harvey, with the 41st and 89th regiments, supported by the 18th Madras native infantry, the whole commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Godwin, instantly stormed the stockades, in gallant style, and carried them in less than ten minutes.[140] The Burmese fled,--the Shans, who had never encountered British troops before, fought manfully a short time, but were soon overpowered, and their prophetess mortally wounded. The enemy left 300 dead, including their veteran commander, Maha Memiow, who was 75 years of age, in the works; also their stores and ammunition, with a considerable quantity of arms, and 100 Cassay horses. The left column, under Sir Archibald Campbell, having crossed the Nawine, came up as the fugitives were retreating, and completed the dispersion of this wing of the Burmese army. The loss of the flank companies of the ROYAL Regiment in this action was--1 serjeant and 2 rank and file, killed: Ensign Campbell, who died on the succeeding day, and 5 rank and file, wounded.

Following up this advantage, Sir A. Campbell resolved to attack the centre division of the Burmese army, posted on the Napadee hills, which was not effected without considerable difficulty and some loss, but which proved quite successful; the Burmese were driven from their stockades and entrenchments, and forced to seek safety in a precipitate flight.

The battalion companies of the ROYALS, having quitted the flotilla, joined the division under Brigadier-General Cotton,[141] which crossed the _Irawaddy_ in the course of the night of the 4th of December, to attack the enemy's right wing under Sudda Woon, posted on the left bank of the river. On the following morning the attack was made in conjunction with the navy and flotilla, and the Burmese were soon driven from their extensive works near the banks of the stream. On taking possession of these defences it was discovered, that the enemy had a stockaded work about half a mile in the interior, completely manned and occupied by guns. Against this stockade the troops instantly advanced with their native energy and fortitude;--Brigadier-General Armstrong, of the ROYALS, Colonel Brodie, and Colonel Godwin, moved against the enemy's centre and right; at the same time Brigadier-General Cotton advanced with the companies of the ROYAL Regiment against the left, and the work was instantly carried,--the enemy leaving 300 dead on the field, and dispersing in every direction. Several prisoners were taken, and from 300 to 350 muskets, which the Burmese had abandoned in their flight, were broken by the soldiers. Brigadier-General Cotton observed in his despatch,--"I have to add my warmest acknowledgments to Brigadier Armstrong, who commanded the advance; to Colonel Brodie, who had charge of the light companies; and to Colonel Godwin, who commanded the reserve; and to every officer and man engaged. I am happy to say this service was performed with the trifling loss of one man killed and four wounded." Thus in the course of four days the immense army of Ava, which had threatened to envelope Prome, and to swallow up the little body of British troops which had penetrated into the interior of the Burmese empire, was driven from its positions; and, as the timorous herd is put to flight by the lion of the forest, so the legions of Ava fled with precipitation before the fierce attacks of the British, and sought for shelter amongst their thick jungles.

The British force was now at liberty to advance upon Ummerapoora, the modern capital of the Burmese empire, situated on the shores of a romantic lake at a short distance from the left bank of the Irawaddy. Part of the Burmese army had been rallied and had taken post on some strong positions near Meeaday. Against these positions the British troops advanced in two divisions; the ROYALS were embarked and sailed up the river in the flotilla, to support one of the land divisions under Brigadier-General Cotton. During the first stages of the march the troops proceeded along a difficult road through thick jungle, and the men were frequently deluged with rain, which proved injurious to their health, and many of them suffered from attacks of the cholera. When the troops drew near to Meeaday the Burmese evacuated their position and took post at _Melloone_, on the right bank of the Irawaddy, on a series of fortified heights, and a formidable stockade, which was considered the _chef-d'œuvre_ of the Burmese engineers. The British troops took post at Patanagoh, on the left bank of the river, opposite the enemy's works. The Burmese sent a flag of truce, and expressed a desire to put an end to the war; they also not only permitted the flotilla, on which the ROYALS had embarked, to pass close under their works without interruption, but likewise sent out two gaudy war-boats to act as pilots, and the British naval force anchored above the town, by which the enemy's retreat by the river was cut off. The conditions of the treaty were afterwards discussed. The Burmese negotiators objected to the payment of money, and stated they were unable to raise such a sum. They stated they might, by using great economy, pay a million baskets of rice within a year, but they did not grow rupees; and, if the British had any objection to the rice, there were abundance of fine trees in the forests which they might cut down and take away instead of the money. Finding these and other arguments unavailing, the treaty was concluded, and a limited time given for its being ratified. In the meantime a cessation of hostilities had been agreed upon until the 18th of January, 1826, and the troops remained stationary.

[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]

[Sidenote: 1826]

While the 2nd battalion was thus employed in the interior of the Burmese empire, where British troops had never appeared before, the 1st battalion remained in Ireland, whither it had proceeded in the early part of the year 1816, as before stated. On the 25th December, 1825, it was separated into six _service_ and four _reserve_ companies; and in January, 1826, the _service_ companies embarked at Cork for the West Indies, and the _reserve_ companies embarked, at the same time and place, for the Isle of Wight: the former landed at Barbadoes in the spring, and the latter, after remaining a short time in the south of England, embarked at Gravesend for Scotland, and landed at Leith in July.

[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]

Leaving the 1st battalion at Barbadoes and in Scotland, the record resumes a statement of the military operations in which the 2nd battalion was engaged against the barbarian forces of Ava. The armistice being in force, a free intercourse prevailed between the two armies; and on the 6th of January, 1826, a boat arrived at Patanagoh from Ava with letters from Surgeon Sandford and Lieutenant Bennett, of the ROYAL Regiment: these officers had left Prome while the battalion was stationed at that place in order to proceed to Rangoon, in consequence of ill health, and fell into the enemy's hands a little below Padoun.[142]

The treaty of peace not having been ratified within the stipulated time, and the Burmese authorities appearing to follow a system of perfidy and evasion, hostilities recommenced on the morning of the 19th of January; and, after the British batteries had made an impression on the enemy's works at _Melloone_, the position was attacked by storm and carried in gallant style. The Burmese fled in confusion and dismay, leaving their ordnance and military stores behind; and the terror of the British arms filled the court of Ava with consternation: but, still indulging a vain and delusory hope of eventual success, new levies were made, and a new general and a new army took the field.

On the 25th of January the army resumed its march towards the enemy's capital, and on the 31st it was met by Dr. Price, an American missionary, and Dr. Sandford, whom the sovereign of Ava had despatched as messengers of peace. Terms, similar to what had already been agreed upon, were offered, but the British commander refused to halt until they were accepted; he, however, promised not to pass Pagahm-Mew, which was between him and the capital, in less than twelve days.

The Burmese resolved once more to try their fortune in battle, and their army was formed in position to stop the advance of their invaders. This brought on an action, which was fought on the 9th of February, near _Pagahm-Mew_; and on this occasion the Burmese abandoned their system of combating behind barriers, and encountered the British force in the open field; but after a contest of five hours the barbarians were overthrown, and the conquerors were left in possession of Pagahm-Mew, with all its stores, ordnance, arms, and ammunition.

No opposing army now remained between the British and the capital of the Burmese empire; the troops continued their route through a country which presented a wide extent of rich and well-cultivated grounds, thickly interspersed with copsewood and villages; while temples and pagodas adorned the banks of the river, and gave an imposing effect to this glittering eastern scenery. Terror and consternation prevailed at the Burmese court; and when the army had arrived within four days' march of the capital, it was met by the ratified treaty, which put an end to the war. A party of officers from the army visited the capital, and were received by the humbled monarch with every honour.

Thus an eastern empire, with its myriads of inhabitants, was subdued by the constancy and valour of a handful of British troops, who had marched from victory to victory, and had forced a haughty monarch to sue for peace. The following is an extract from an order issued by the Governor-General of India on this subject:--

"While the Governor-General in Council enumerates, with sentiments of unfeigned admiration, the achievements of the First, or ROYALS, the 13th, 38th, 41st, 45th, 47th, 87th, and 89th Regiments, the Honourable Company's Madras European Regiment, and the Bengal and Madras European Artillery, as the European troops which have had the honour of establishing the renown of the British arms in a new and distant region, his Lordship in Council feels that higher and more justly-merited praise cannot be bestowed on those brave troops than that, amidst the barbarous hosts which they have fought and conquered, they have eminently displayed the virtues and sustained the character of the British soldier."

The meritorious conduct of the ROYALS was rewarded by King George IV. with the honour of bearing the word "AVA" on their colours.

The object of the war having been accomplished, the troops commenced retiring in the early part of March; the 2nd battalion of the ROYAL Regiment proceeded down the river Irawaddy in boats to Rangoon, where it arrived on the 25th of March. After remaining at this place a few days, the 1st division, under Lieut.-Colonel Armstrong, embarked for Madras, where it landed on the 18th of May. The 2nd division, under Captain L. MacLaine, followed, and, having landed on the 19th of June, the battalion was encamped near Madras until the beginning of July, when it marched to Bangalore.

[Sidenote: 1827]

[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]

The _service_ companies of the 1st battalion remained at Barbadoes until 1827, when they were ordered to Trinidad; and they were stationed at that island during the succeeding four years.

[Sidenote: 1830]

[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]

[Sidenote: 1831]

The 2nd battalion remained at Bangalore until July, 1830, when it was ordered to Arnee, as a preparatory measure previous to its embarkation for Europe[143]. From Arnee the battalion proceeded to Marmalong Bridge, about seven miles from Madras, where it was encamped for several weeks; and while at this station the following order was issued:--

"Fort St. George, 25th February, 1831.

"GENERAL ORDER BY GOVERNMENT.

"The Right Honourable the Governor in Council cannot permit His Majesty's ROYAL REGIMENT to quit India, after forming a part of the army of this presidency for 23 years, without publicly recording his high sense of its distinguished merits.

"During the Mahratta war the ROYAL Regiment was more than three years in the field.

"It nobly maintained the character of British soldiers at the battle of Maheidpoor; and, after gallantly sharing in other conflicts of that eventful period in the peninsula, it embarked for Rangoon, and assisted in maintaining the honour of the British arms, and in establishing peace with the Ava dynasty.

"The Right Honourable the Governor in Council has only further to add, that the conduct of the officers and men of His Majesty's ROYAL REGIMENT, when in garrison, has been such as to meet with the entire approbation of Government, and that his best wishes for their continued welfare and fame will accompany them in whatever part of the world the national interest and honour may call for their services."

The first division of the battalion embarked for England on the 29th of January 1831; the remainder proceeded on the 21st of March to Fort St. George, and the second division embarked at Madras on the same day. The other divisions embarked on the 3rd and 16th of June, 9th of July, and 5th of September.

The first five divisions arrived in England during the summer and autumn of 1831; and on the 25th of December they embarked at Chatham for Scotland, under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel G. A. Wetherall, and landed at Leith on the 6th of January following.

[Sidenote: 1832]

The last division disembarked at Chatham on the 15th of January, 1832; and the battalion passed that and the succeeding year in Scotland.

In October of this year His Majesty was pleased to approve of the following regulation:--

"That the devices and distinctions on the colours and appointments of the two battalions of the FIRST, or ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT, be the same in each battalion, as is the case in the several battalions of the three regiments of Foot Guards, and also in those regiments of the line which formerly consisted of two or more battalions.

"Approved.

"WILLIAM R.

"_18th October 1832._"

[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]

In the meantime the _service_ companies of the 1st battalion had removed from the island of Trinidad,--three companies and head-quarters to St. Lucia, and three companies to Dominica. On their departure from Trinidad, the following order was issued by the Governor of the island:--

"Trinidad, 16th January, 1832.

"AFTER BRIGADE ORDERS.

"His Excellency Major-General Sir Lewis Grant cannot allow the head-quarters of the ROYAL Regiment to quit Trinidad without expressing to Lieut.-Colonel Carter, and the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the regiment, the very great satisfaction their general conduct, both as officers and men, has afforded him since his landing at Trinidad.

"The decorous conduct of the corps, and the perfect manner in which its duties have been performed, entitle it to the greatest praise. For this His Excellency returns to Lieut.-Colonel Carter his particular thanks, and requests he will make a communication to the same effect to the officers and others under his command.

"His Excellency assures the officers and men of the ROYAL REGIMENT that they carry with them his best wishes for their welfare."

[Sidenote: 1833]

On the 26th of October, 1833, the _reserve_ companies of the 1st battalion embarked from Glasgow for Ireland, and landed at Londonderry on the 28th of that month.

[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]

In December of the same year the second battalion embarked from Glasgow, and, having landed at Belfast, was stationed in Ireland two years and a half.

[Sidenote: 1834]

His Grace the Duke of Gordon was removed in December, 1834, to the Third, or Scots Fusilier Regiment of Foot Guards; and the Colonelcy of the ROYAL Regiment was conferred by His Majesty King William IV., on General Thomas Lord Lynedoch, G.C.B., from the 14th Regiment of Foot.

[Sidenote: 1835]

[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]

The six _service_ companies of the 1st battalion quitted the West Indies in December, 1835, and proceeded to Ireland, where they arrived in the early part of 1836; and, having joined the _reserve_ companies, the battalion remained in that part of the United Kingdom upwards of two years.

[Sidenote: 1836]

[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]

During the summer of 1836, the 2nd battalion was divided into six _service_ and four _depôt_ companies; and in July the _service_ companies embarked at Cork for Canada, leaving the depôt companies at Boyle, from whence they were removed in the succeeding year to Newbridge.

The _service_ companies landed at Quebec on the 24th of August, and passed the winter and succeeding spring in garrison at that city.

[Sidenote: 1837]

In May, 1837, two serjeants and twenty rank and file were detached from Quebec to Grosse Isle, where they were stationed, with a detachment of the Royal Artillery, and of the 15th and 66th regiments, under Major Jackson. The remainder of the service companies proceeded in July from Quebec to Montreal, where they were stationed, with the 32nd and a small detachment of the 15th, under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall, K.H., of the ROYALS. A detachment of nine rank and file of the ROYALS was stationed at Sorel; and in August the party was withdrawn from Grosse Isle.

[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]

On the 24th of September the _depôt_ companies of this battalion embarked at Kingstown for England, and landed on the 26th at Devonport.

Previous to the arrival of the ROYALS in Lower Canada, the minds of the inhabitants of that flourishing colony were agitated by factious men, who sought to dictate to the Government measures not deemed conducive to the welfare of the state. During the summer, the House of Assembly refused to proceed in its deliberations until the demand for the total alteration of the legislative powers was complied with; and this was followed by the appearance of many of the colonists in arms, and by open violations of the law. The revolt rapidly extending, the law-officers of the Crown and the magistrates of Montreal applied to Lieut.-General Sir John Colborne, K.C.B. (now Lord Seaton), the commander of the forces in Canada, for a military force to assist in apprehending several persons charged with high treason, who were supposed to be at the villages of St. Denis and St. Charles; and Colonel Gore was sent with detachments of the 24th, 32nd, and 66th regiments, and one howitzer, with a magistrate to St. Denis; at the same time Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall, K.H., of the ROYALS, was directed to move with Captain David's troop of Montreal cavalry, four companies of the ROYALS, a detachment of the 66th, and two six-pounders, from Chambly, on _St. Charles_, a village seventeen miles from the ferry at Chambly, to assist the magistrates in executing the warrants.

The detachment under Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall passed the river Richelieu by the upper ferry at Chambly; but the severity of the weather, and the bad state of the roads, impeded the march, and information having been received of the increased numbers of the rebels at St. Charles, the detachment halted at St. Hilaire until joined by another company of the ROYALS from Chambly. On the 26th of November the detachment resumed its march, and on arriving within a mile of St. Charles it was fired upon by the insurgents on the opposite side of the river, and one man of the ROYAL Regiment was wounded. Several rifle shots were also fired from a barn in front, which was burnt by the detachment. On arriving at the vicinity of St. Charles 1500 rebels were found posted in a close stockaded work, which was attacked; and after firing a few rounds, the troops assaulted and carried the defences by storm, killed a number of the rebels, took sixteen prisoners, and burnt the buildings. The ROYALS had 1 Serjeant and 1 rank and file killed; 8 rank and file severely, and 7 slightly, wounded. Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall's horse was shot under him during the action, and Major Warde's horse was severely wounded, and died afterwards. The detachment of the 66th had 1 man killed and 3 wounded.

Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall observed in his despatch:--"Every officer and man behaved nobly. Major Warde carried the right of the position in good style, and Captain Glasgow's artillery did good execution. He is a most zealous officer. Captain David's troop of Montreal cavalry rendered essential service during the charge."

After this success the detachment retired, on the 27th of November, to St. Hilaire, and advanced on the following day towards _Point Olivière_, to attack a body of rebels who had taken post at that place, and constructed an abatis, for the purpose of cutting off the retreat of the detachment; but when the troops formed for the attack, the rebels, after exchanging a few shots, fled, leaving two guns mounted on carts behind them. The detachment returned on the same day with 25 prisoners to Chambly, the men having suffered much from heavy rains, roads knee-deep in mud, and also from frost and snow.

In the meantime the detachments under Colonel Gore had, from obstructions of a formidable nature, and from the severe state of the weather, failed in the attempt on St. Denis, and had retired. The conduct of Lieutenant Lysons of the ROYAL Regiment, attached to the Quarter-Master General's department, who was employed on this service, was spoken of in terms of commendation, and also the exertions of Surgeon Farnden, in rendering assistance to the wounded. After the success of the ROYALS at St. Charles, the rebels broke up from their post at St. Denis.

The rebellion was, however, not arrested in its progress, and the troops had much harassing duty to perform in severe weather. On the 13th of December Lieut.-General Sir John Colborne proceeded with all his disposable force (including the companies of the ROYAL Regiment) towards _St. Eustache_, to put down the revolt in the country of the Lake of the Two Mountains, where the insurgents had driven the loyal inhabitants from their homes, and had pillaged an extensive tract of country. The ROYALS, with the Montreal rifles, and Captain Globinsky's company of volunteers, formed a brigade under Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall. The volunteers were detached to the woods bordering on the upper road to St. Eustache, to drive in and disperse the rebel piquets. The remainder of the brigade, with the other disposable troops, crossed the north branch of the Ottawa river on the ice, on the 14th of December, advanced upon St. Eustache, and entered the village at several points. The ROYALS and Montreal rifles advanced up the main street, and took possession of the most defensible houses. An officer was detached to bring up the artillery; but he was driven back by the fire of the rebels, who had taken post in the church. The artillery entered the village by the rear, and opened their fire on the church door, while some companies of the ROYALS and rifles occupied the houses nearest to the church. After about an hour's firing, and the church doors remaining unforced, a party of the ROYALS assaulted the presbytery, killed some of its defenders, and set it on fire. The smoke soon enveloped the church, and the remainder of the battalion advanced; a straggling fire opened upon them from the Seignior's house, forming one face of the square in which the church stood, and Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall directed the grenadiers to carry it, which they did, killing several, taking many prisoners, and setting it on fire. At the same time part of the battalion commanded by Major Warde entered the church by the rear, drove out and slew the garrison, and set the church on fire. 118 prisoners were made in these assaults. The ROYALS had 1 man killed and 4 wounded in this service.

On the 16th the ROYALS advanced with the remainder of the disposable force to St. Benoit, where no opposition was offered; and the rebels sent delegates to say they were prepared to lay down their arms unconditionally. The ROYALS returned to Montreal, where they arrived on the 17th of December with the prisoners. The good results of these movements were the return of the peasantry to their usual occupations, and the disappearance of armed parties of the rebels.

[To face page 261.]

[Sidenote: 1838]

[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]

In May, 1838, the first battalion proceeded from Ireland to Scotland.

[Sidenote: 1839]

[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]

In November, 1839, the first battalion was again directed to prepare for foreign service, and the six service companies were embarked from Greenock for Gibraltar on the 11th and 25th of that month, on board the troop ships Athol and Sapphire.

[Sidenote: 1841]

The four depôt companies remained in Scotland until May, 1841, when they were embarked for Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1843]

[Sidenote: 2nd Batt.]

In September, 1843, three companies of the second battalion were embarked at Toronto for the West Indies; and on the 28th October the head-quarters, with the other three companies, under the command of Major Bennett, were embarked at Quebec for the same destination on board of the Premier transport, which was wrecked in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but fortunately no lives were lost, and the three companies returned to Quebec on the 12th November.

On the 18th December, 1843, General Lord Lynedoch died, and the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred by Her Majesty on General the Right Honourable Sir George Murray, G.C.B., from the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment.

[Sidenote: 1844]

The head-quarters and the three companies of the second battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Bell, again embarked from Quebec on the 20th May 1844, and arrived on the 1st June at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where they remained until November, when they proceeded from Halifax to the West Indies, and arrived at Barbadoes on the 8th and 17th November.

[Sidenote: 1846]

The service companies of the second battalion returned from the West Indies in January, 1846, and arrived at Leith on the 21st March, from whence they proceeded to Glasgow, where they were joined by the depôt companies, which embarked from Belfast in May, 1845.

[Sidenote: 1st Batt.]

The service companies of the first battalion embarked from Gibraltar for the West Indies, on the 17th February, 1846, and arrived at Barbadoes on the 21st March. The depôt companies, which proceeded from Glasgow to Dublin in 1841, remained in Ireland.

On the 28th July, 1846, General the Right Honourable Sir George Murray, G.C.B. died, and Her Majesty was pleased to confer the colonelcy of the First or Royal Regiment of Foot on General the Right Honourable Sir James Kempt, G.C.B., from the Second, or Queen's Royal Regiment of Foot.

The head-quarters of the first battalion are at Trinidad: the depôt companies at Newbridge: the second battalion is at Edinburgh, at the close of the year 1846, at which period this record is concluded.

1846.

The foregoing account proves the antiquity of the FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT, and gives a statement of its services for a period of more than 200 years, during which it has acquired laurels under the great GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS, king of Sweden, and under the French Marshals, TURENNE, the Prince of CONDÉ, LUXEMBOURG, and DE CREQUI: it has since formed a part of the British army which has fought and conquered under King WILLIAM III., MARLBOROUGH, ABERCROMBY, MOORE, and WELLINGTON, the most celebrated warriors and consummate generals of their periods; thus establishing a fame and distinction which, it is presumed, few, if any, other military bodies in Europe can claim. The career of the ROYAL REGIMENT has not evinced a feverish and uncertain valour, sometimes emitting sudden flashes which startle and surprise, and at others betraying weakness and pusillanimity, but it has proved uniform and invincible; and whether employed against the barbarous tribes of Asia, Africa, and America, or the disciplined legions of Europe, the officers and men of the ROYAL REGIMENT have, on all occasions, displayed the native energy, firmness, and contempt of danger peculiar to Britons; and by their victories in every quarter of the globe, they have established a reputation for future ages to emulate.

Posterity, looking back at the splendid achievements of the British arms in various parts of the world, will naturally inquire what regiments won honour and fame in the several fields of glory where British valour was sternly proved. To this it may be answered that, in the seventeenth century, when GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS stood forth the champion of the Protestant princes of Germany, this regiment fought and conquered in that glorious cause; and it claims the honour of having fought at the battle of LEIPSIC, famous in the history of Sweden, and at ROUCROY, celebrated in the annals of France.

In the succeeding century, when the balance of power in Europe was destroyed by the union of France and Spain, and LOUIS XIV. sought to dictate laws to Christendom, this regiment was one of the first which appeared at the scene of conflict, and it shared in the victories of BLENHEIM, RAMILIES, OUDENARDE, and MALPLAQUET, also in the honour of capturing the fortresses which that ambitious monarch had erected as bulwarks to his kingdom; and thus purchased peace for Europe.

When BONAPARTE, whose hatred and jealousy of England were unalterable, sought to become more than the dictator of Europe, this regiment met the legions of the usurper, and fought and triumphed in battles, which are inscribed on its colours as monuments to stimulate to deeds of valour the men of future generations, who shall enrol themselves under the banners of the ROYAL REGIMENT. Besides these leading features of its career, in which the national character and influence have been elevated, this regiment has evinced equally brilliant qualities in actions which, though less important in their bearing on the affairs of Europe, have attested the intrinsic merit of the corps, and have purchased numerous advantages to the commerce, power, stability, and happiness of Britain.

FOOTNOTES:

[6] Bishop Lesley; and Abercromby's Martial Achievements of the Scots Nation.

[7] L'Escosse Françoise, par A. Houston; and the Translator's Preface to Beauge's History of the Campaigns in 1548 and 1549.

[8] Milan, a military publisher remarkable for correct dates, states, in an account of the French army printed in 1746, that the _Scots Gendarmes_ were instituted in 1422, and the _Scots Garde du Corps_ in 1440. Père Daniel, the French military historian, adduces proof that they were instituted by Charles VII., but does not give the dates.

[9] Bishop Lesley; and Philip de Commines.

[10] List of the French army printed at the time.

[11] L'Ecosse Françoise, par A. Houston.

[12] Histoire de la Milice Françoise, par Le Père Daniel. 2 tom. 4to. Paris, 1721.

[13] The companies obtained from the Netherlands were part of a distinguished body of Scots, who had been many years in the service of the States-General of the United Provinces; and were, in consequence of a truce having been concluded for 12 years, at liberty to engage in the service of Sweden. Vide _Historical Record of the Third Foot_.

[14] Introduction de Puffendorf, tome iv. p. 84.

[15] Harte's Life of Guslavus Adolphus.

[16] The regiment alluded to was raised by Donald Mackay, Lord Reay, in 1626, for the service of the King of Denmark; it was afterwards in the service of the King of Sweden, and was reduced in 1634 to one company. In 1637, Colonel Robert Monro, who had served in the regiment from the time it was raised, published an historical account of its services, under the title of _Monro's Expedition_; from which history much valuable information has been obtained relating to the ROYAL REGIMENT, and its first Colonel, Sir John Hepburn, who had lived in terms of intimacy and strict friendship with Colonel Monro from the time they were schoolfellows.

[17] Monro's expedition; and Harte's Life of Gustavus Adolphus.

"He maintained his post for nine weeks, repulsing every attempt to retake it, till he was relieved by a Scotch regiment (the Royals) under Colonel Hepburn, and a body of Swedish troops."--_General David Stewart's History of the Highland Regiments_, published in 1822.

[18] Swedish Intelligencer.

[19] Monro's Expedition.

[20] The Imperialists had previously enacted a cruel tragedy on a party of Scots at Old Brandenburg.

[21] Harte's Life of Gustavus Adolphus; Monro's Expedition; and the Swedish Intelligencer.

[22] In a list of Gustavus's army published at the time, in the _Mercure François_, the regiment is stated to have displayed four colours at the battle of Leipsic.

[23] "The King having noticed that the Duke of Saxony was leaving the field, and that Count Tilly was ready to charge his main body, selected 2,000 musketeers of the brave Scots nation, and placed 2,000 horse on their flanks. The Scots formed themselves in several bodies of six or seven hundred each, with their ranks three deep (the King of Sweden's discipline being never to march above six deep;) the foremost rank falling on their knees, the second stooping forward, and the third standing upright, and all giving fire together, they poured, at one instant, so much lead amongst the enemy's horse, that their ranks were broken, and the Swedish horse charging, the enemy were routed."--_Account of the battle of Leipsic published at the time._

[24] "We were as in a dark cloud, not seeing the half of our actions, much less discerning either the way of our enemies, or the rest of our brigades; whereupon, having a drummer by me, I caused him to beat the _Scots March_, till it cleared up, which re-collected our friends unto us."--_Monro's Expedition._

[25] Monro's Expedition.

[26] "His Majesty, accompanied by a great and honourable train of cavaliers, alighted from his horse at the head of our brigade; the officers coming together about his Majesty in a ring, his Majesty made a speech of commendation of the brigade, thanking them for their good service, and exhorting them to the continuation thereof, promised he would not forget to reward them; and turning towards the superior officers, they did kiss his Majesty's hand; the inferior officers and soldiers crying aloud, they hoped to do his Majesty better service than ever they had done."--_Monro's Expedition._

"His Majesty bestowed particular encomiums on the Swedish and Finland horse, conducted by Horne; as also on that brave body of Scottish infantry which Hepburn commanded."--_Harte's Life of Gustavus Adolphus._

[27] Harte.

[28] "The foot brigades were commanded to their several posts. Colonel Hepburn's brigade (according to custom) was directed to the most dangerous post, next the enemy; and the rest to theirs. The night coming on, we began our approaches, and prepared for making ready our attacks, when certain men were ordered to make cannon baskets, some to provide materials, some to watch, some to dig, some to guard the artillery, some to guard the workmen, and some to guard the colours before the brigade. The day approaching, we having made ready the batteries in the night, the service on both sides beginneth with cannon and musket."--_Monro's Expedition._

[29] Monro gives the name of every British officer above the rank of Captain in the Swedish army. Many Scots officers had been promoted to the command of Swedish, Finland, and Dutch regiments.

[30] "Here also we see the valour of Hepburn and his brigade praiseworthy, being, first and last, the instruments of the enemy's overthrow."--_Monro's Expedition._

"The King returned Hepburn public thanks for suggesting the idea of crossing the Wernitz, and for executing his plan with such judgement and valour."--_Harte's Life of Gustavus Adolphus._

[31] In some accounts of the battle of Lützen the _Green Brigade_, of which Hepburn's regiment formed a part, is mentioned by mistake amongst the troops engaged, instead of the _White Brigade_. As Colonel Monro commanded the brigade at the time the battle was fought, his narrative is considered sufficient authority for stating that it was not present.

[32] Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden was born on the 9th of December, 1594. He learnt the duty of a musketeer as soon as he could carry a musket; and when seventeen years of age he was Colonel of a Cavalry corps, and served a campaign against the Danes. In the same year (1611) his father died, and the young Gustavus succeeded to the throne of Sweden; and he soon afterwards evinced, to the surprise of all Europe, the most distinguished abilities as a commander, a hero, and a politician. The discipline which he introduced into his army was strict beyond all precedent, and to this many of his victories may be attributed. His improvements in arms, equipment, and in military tactics, were particularly important; and he was brave even to rashness. He was wounded in action on six different occasions, had three horses killed under him, and was several times in the power of the enemy, but was rescued by his own men. On the fatal 6th of November, 1632, he fought sword in hand at the head of the Smoland cavalry, and was shot through the left arm, but continued fighting until his voice and strength failed from loss of blood, when he attempted to retire. At that instant an Imperial cavalier came galloping forward, and, crying "_Long have I sought thee_," shot the King through the body; and the next moment one of his Majesty's attendants shot the cavalier dead on the spot. As the King and his attendants were retiring, they were charged by a troop of cuirassiers; his Majesty was held for a few moments on the saddle, but his horse, being shot in the shoulder, made a desperate plunge, and threw the rider to the ground. After his fall the King received five wounds in different parts of his body, and was shot through the head. Thus fell the brave Gustavus, the most distinguished warrior of his age; with whose life the early services of HEPBURN'S regiment, now represented by the FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT, are intimately connected.

[33] Monro's Expedition.

[34] In the _Mercure François_ and other French works he is called _Colonel Hebron_ and _Le Chevalier d'Hebron_; Père Daniel, the French historian, gives the following reason for this change--"On l'appelloit en France 'le _Chevalier d'Hebron_,' son nom d'_Hepburn_ étant difficile à prononcer."

[35] This transfer of men from the service of the Crown of Sweden to that of France was not peculiar to Hepburn's veterans; but the German and Swedish forces which, after the defeat at Nordlingen, retreated, under the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, towards the Rhine, were nearly all taken into the pay of France.

[36] Mercure Françoise; Anderson's History of the Reign of Louis XIII.; and the Complete History of Europe.

[37] "The most deplorable accident was the death of the Scottish "Colonel Hepburn, who, with his usual coolness, surveying the breach, received a ball in his neck, and died, extremely regretted in the army, and by the Court of France."--_Anderson's History of France_, vol. v. p. 90.

"Le combat fut fort opiniâtre en ceste prise, et de telle façon; que le Colonel Hebron Escossois, y fut tué d'une mousquetade dans le col, qui luy passoit dans les reins, ayant laissé une reputation digne de sa valeur, fidelité, et experience au fait de la guerre."--_Mercure François_, tom. xxi. p. 277.

[38] The following return of the establishment of the regiment in 1637 was procured by its Colonel, General Lord Adam Gordon, who died in 1801:--

Colonel (Lord James Douglas) 1
Lieutenant-Colonel (Colonel Monro) 1
Major (Sir Patrick Monteith) 1
Captains 45
Captain-Lieutenant 1
Lieutenants 45
Ensigns 48
Surgeons 4
Adjutants 6
Chaplains 2
Drum-Major 1
Piper 1
Sergeants 88
Corporals 288
Lance-Parade 288
Drummers 96
48 Companies of 150 Privates each 7200
----
Total 8316
----

[39] Mercure François.

[40] In a plan of the siege of Hesdin, published at Paris in 1639, _Douglas' Scots Regiment_ appears formed in brigade with the Regiment of Champaigne.