Chapter IV: Part 4

After this action the ROYALS bivouacked near La Orbado until the 3rd of June, when they advanced, with the army, on Valladolid. The enemy withdrew his troops from Madrid, and retired on Burgos; and on the approach of the allied army blew up the castle and fell back towards the Ebro, and subsequently to _Vittoria_, where he prepared to give battle. The allied army followed in pursuit; and in this long and toilsome march the ROYALS were subjected to much fatigue and privation,--frequently marching from daybreak in the morning until dusk in the evening, through a romantic and difficult tract of country, and climbing mountains and passing defiles and rugged precipices heretofore deemed impracticable. The horses, from practice, ascended and descended the mountains with astonishing facility; and on the 20th of June the troops were in front of the enemy's position.

At daylight on the morning of the 21st of June the ROYAL DRAGOONS left their bivouac, and advanced to support the attack of the infantry on the heights in front of _Vittoria_. The face of the ground was so rugged that the operations of the cavalry were impeded, and for some time the services of the ROYALS were limited to supporting the columns of attack: towards the evening they, however, advanced to charge, but the enemy fled in confusion, leaving behind them cannon, ammunition, baggage, and the military chest of the army. The ROYALS moved forward in pursuit, and bivouacked about three miles beyond _Vittoria_: their loss was only one man and two horses killed, and one horse wounded. On this occasion the regiment was commanded by Major Purvis, Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton being in command of the brigade.

The ROYALS advanced in pursuit of the enemy on the following morning, and on the 2nd of July they were at Suista and other villages near _Pampeluna_, which place was blockaded by the allied army. They left that quarter, however, on the 18th of July, for Sanguesa, a town of Navarre, on the river Arragon, twenty-five miles from _Pampeluna_. Towards the end of that month the French army advanced to relieve _Pampeluna_, when the ROYALS were immediately ordered to return to the vicinity of that place, and they were formed in column at the foot of the mountains during the battle of the _Pyrenees_. They remained with the blockading force near _Pampeluna_ until the 10th of August, when, forage becoming scarce, they again proceeded to the plains of the Arragon, where they remained, together with General Mina's division of Spaniards, as a corps of reserve and support to the blockade, until after the surrender of that fortress. They were subsequently stationed at Villa Franca during the winter.

[Sidenote: 1814]

In the mean time the main army had entered France. On the 3rd of February, 1814, the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched to Tauste: from whence they proceeded, in the beginning of March, through the Pyrenean mountains, and entered France on the 9th of that month. For a short period they were stationed near _Bayonne_, which place was blockaded by the allied army; but they subsequently advanced up the country, and on the 10th of April were at the battle of _Toulouse_, when they were employed in covering the light brigade of guns, and in driving the piquets of the enemy under the walls of the city, which was immediately besieged. The French, having retired, the ROYALS were ordered forward to Villa Franche, and afterwards to Gardouch. These brilliant successes of the British troops were followed by the abdication of Buonaparte, and the restoration of peace.

The ROYAL DRAGOONS returned to Villa Franche on the 23rd of April, where they remained about a month, and then moved to Montguiscarde; and on the 2nd of June commenced their march through France to Calais, where they arrived on the 17th of July. They embarked on the following day, landed at Dover on the 19th, and marched from thence to Bristol, where they arrived on the 11th of August; and shortly afterwards the establishment was reduced from ten to eight troops. In November the quarters were removed from Bristol to Exeter; and the brilliant services of the regiment were rewarded with permission to bear the word "PENINSULA," as an honorary distinction, on the standards and appointments.

[Sidenote: 1815]

The prospect of a lasting peace soon vanished, and unexpected events brought the ROYAL DRAGOONS again into the field of conflict. The return of Buonaparte to France, the flight of Louis XVIII. from Paris, and the appearance of a British army near the frontiers of France, followed in rapid succession. An express arrived at the quarters of the ROYALS on the morning of the 24th of April, 1815, with orders to march on the following morning for Canterbury, and afterwards to Dover and Ramsgate, and to embark for the Netherlands. An augmentation of two troops was at the same time ordered; a hundred horses were received at Canterbury by transfer from the fifth dragoon guards; and about the middle of May the ROYALS were in Belgium, in quarters in the villages between Ghent and Brussels, where, to pass away the time unemployed by military duties, the officers amused themselves with horse-races and athletic sports.[59]

On the morning of the 16th of June the ROYALS were suddenly aroused before daybreak by the loud notes of the bugle sounding "to horse." The summons had a highly exhilarating effect on the spirits of the men: they turned out with alacrity, not doubting but the day was big with events, and in a short time they were advancing on _Quatre Bras_, where the enemy had commenced a furious attack on the advanced-posts. After continuing the march about fifty miles, the ROYALS arrived at the scene of conflict about dusk in the evening:[60] the fighting had ceased, and the troops bivouacked on the field of battle.

The Prussians had been defeated at Ligny and forced to retire; the Duke of Wellington made a corresponding movement; and the ROYAL DRAGOONS, after passing the night under arms in the open fields, were formed in line, on the forenoon of the 17th of June, with the other cavalry regiments, to cover the retreat of the infantry. The British cavalry, manœuvring, and, by their varied evolutions, masking and covering the retreat of the infantry, exhibited a splendid spectacle of war. One squadron of the ROYALS, commanded by Major Radclyffe, was sent to the front to skirmish. "I was detached," observes the major, in his narrative, "with my squadron to cover the brigade by skirmishing, and Major-General Sir William Ponsonby, and the brigade generally, were pleased to applaud the style in which we acquitted ourselves. It rained with greater violence than I ever witnessed before, which I found to my advantage when it was my turn to skirmish. The enemy had two squadrons of Chasseurs opposed to me, and as they could not overpower us by their fire, they huzzaed and endeavoured to excite each other on with 'Vive l'Empereur!' and once actually charged towards my skirmishers, but they stopped short, not daring to come to daggers with us." Towards the evening the ROYALS arrived at the position in front of _Waterloo_, where they halted, and again passed the night in the open fields, without provisions, without drink, and exposed to continued rain.

On the morning of the 18th of June the army was formed in order of battle. "We" (the ROYALS) "found ourselves," states the Major, in his journal, "in our place in close column behind the second line of infantry, fetlock deep in mud; no baggage for the officers, and neither provision nor water for the men (though some stray cattle had been killed and eaten, and a small supply of spirits had, a short time before, been found on the road), so that we might be said to go _coolly_ into action, for every man was wet to the skin." Notwithstanding these disadvantages the ROYALS proved "true Britons."

At ten o'clock the French army was seen forming on the opposite heights, from whence a cloud of skirmishers rushed forwards: the fire of the artillery gradually opened, and about noon the columns of attack came sweeping through the valley in all the pomp and majesty of war. A succession of attacks was made at various points, and the ROYALS were formed in column, awaiting the moment when their services should be required. At length, twenty thousand French infantry (Count d'Erlon's corps) suddenly appeared on the opposite heights, and rushing forward, such was the celerity of their course, that, scarcely seeming to traverse the intermediate space, they quickly ascended the position,--dispersed a Belgic brigade with which they first came in contact,--forced the artillery-men, posted in the rear of the double hedge and narrow road, to abandon their guns,--broke through parts of the British supporting infantry,--and several thousand of French foot having passed La Haye Sainte, had actually crowned the allied position, when Lieutenant-General the Earl of Uxbridge came galloping to that part of the field. A few words issued from his lips: speedily the ROYALS, the Scots Greys, and Inniskillen dragoons were seen advancing in line; the noble bearing of these distinguished horsemen was characteristic of the innate valour of the officers and men, and the spectacle was singularly imposing. The three regiments halted a few moments to permit the broken battalions to pass through the intervals of squadrons, and then rushed forward, with terrific violence, upon the enemy's infantry. The effect was magical: the heads of the French columns were instantly broken and forced back,--a general flight commenced; the firing ceased, and the smoke having cleared away, those formidable masses, a moment before so menacing and conspicuous, had almost disappeared, or left only the traces of a dispersed rabble flying over the plain. Some, despairing to escape, abandoned their arms, and threw themselves on the ground, and the ROYALS, Greys, and Inniskillen dragoons were seen trampling down and sabring the French infantry with uncontrollable power. Crowds of French soldiers appeared at different points, surrendering as prisoners: many, however, defended themselves to the last; and others again, rising up, after being ridden over or passed by the dragoons, were observed firing on their rear, the slope of the position being left literally covered with dead.

During the heat of this conflict, Captain ALEXANDER KENNEDY CLARK,[61] commanding the centre squadron of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, having led his men about two hundred yards beyond the second hedge on the British left, perceived in the midst of a crowd of infantry the EAGLE of the French 105th regiment, with which the bearer was endeavouring to escape to the rear. Against this body of men, Captain Clark instantly led his squadron at full speed, and plunging into the midst of the crowd, overtook and slew the French officer who carried the EAGLE; and several men of the ROYAL DRAGOONS coming up at the moment, the EAGLE was captured, and Captain Clark, giving it to Corporal Stiles,[62] directed him to carry it to the rear.[63]

Another EAGLE was captured by the Greys; and the three regiments, animated by this tide of success, pursued their advantage too far. They crossed the ravine; carried several batteries; and continued their course even to the rear of the enemy's position. The latter, recovering confidence from the disorder too apparent in the movements of this insulated and unsupported brigade, fell upon it with a large body of lancers and some cuirassiers. The three regiments being broken and dispersed in the pursuit, were forced back, and they sustained considerable loss. Their gallant leader, Major-General SIR WILLIAM PONSONBY was killed,[64] and the command of the brigade devolved on Colonel Muter[65] of the Inniskillen dragoons.

In this attack the ROYALS took an immense number of prisoners: their conduct excited great admiration, and has been commended by historians. The following is an extract from one of the numerous accounts of the battle of Waterloo:--"The Marquis of Anglesey, galloped up to the second brigade (1st, 2nd, and 6th dragoons), and the three regiments, wheeling into line, presented a beautiful front of about one thousand men. The noble Marquis ordered a charge, which was most gallantly executed. They took the enemy in flank and a most tremendous fight commenced. Every man fought with unparalleled heroism, for every man had his own individual task to perform. The ROYALS, fired with a noble emulation, rushed into a column of four thousand men, where they captured the Eagle of the 105th regiment and bore it off in triumph. The greater part of this column then threw down their arms, and were immediately conducted to the rear. The Greys also captured an Eagle. Thus the great attack of the enemy on the left was finally overthrown, and two thousand men made prisoners."

After returning from the charge, the ROYALS resumed their post in position, and were exposed to a heavy cannonade. In the afternoon the brigade was moved to its right; and, Colonel Muter having been wounded, Lieut.-Colonel CLIFTON of the ROYALS took the command of the three regiments; when the command of the ROYALS devolved on Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Dorville. The enemy made several attacks on various points, but was uniformly repulsed. At length the Duke of Wellington assumed the offensive. The ROYALS again advanced, and the allied army made a simultaneous rush upon the enemy, who was overthrown, cut down, and pursued with dreadful slaughter from the field of battle. Thus ended a day glorious to the British arms beyond precedent. The distinguished services of the HEAVY CAVALRY did not fail to excite admiration:--by their powerful attacks they more than once restored the battle; and they were especially noticed by the Duke of Wellington in his despatch.

The ROYAL DRAGOONS had Captain Windsor, Lieutenant Foster, Cornets Magniac and Sykes, Adjutant Shepley, six serjeants, eighty-six men, and one hundred and sixty-one horses killed: Brevet Major Radclyffe[66], Captain Clark, Lieutenants Gunning, Keily, Trafford, Wyndowe, Ommaney, Blois, and Goodenough, with six serjeants, eighty-two men, and thirty-five horses, wounded; also two men wounded and taken prisoners.

On the following morning the allied army advanced, directing its march upon Paris, which city was surrendered in the early part of July. The ROYALS accompanied the army, and on the 7th of July marched into quarters at Nanterre, a village situate about seven miles from the French capital. The Bourbon dynasty was restored to the throne, and the campaign terminated.

[Sidenote: 1816]

The ROYALS left Nanterre on the 30th of July, and proceeded to Rouen, and in October to Montevilliers; from whence they marched, in December, to the vicinity of the coast; and in the early part of January, 1816, embarked at Calais. The regiment landed at Dover and Ramsgate on the 15th of that month, and proceeding from thence to Ipswich barracks, arrived there on the 23rd; and, on the 25th, the establishment was reduced from ten to eight troops. For their distinguished gallantry on the 18th of June, 1815, permission was granted for the ROYAL DRAGOONS to bear the word "WATERLOO" and an "EAGLE" on their standards and appointments: every officer and man present at that engagement received a silver medal to be worn on the left breast, and the subaltern officers and soldiers had the privilege of reckoning two years' service for that day, towards increase of pay and pension.

The following officers of the ROYAL DRAGOONS received medals and marks of royal favour for their services during the war:--

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
COLONEL ARTHUR BENJAMIN CLIFTON.

Medal and one clasp for Fuentes d'Onor, and Vittoria.
Companion of the order of the Bath.
Medal for Waterloo.
The second class of the Russian order of St. Anne.
The fourth class of the order of Wilhelm of Holland.

MAJORS.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL PHILIP DORVILLE.

Companion of the order of the Bath.
Waterloo Medal.

CHARLES PURVIS.

Medal for Vittoria.

MEDALS FOR WATERLOO.

CAPTAINS.

Major Charles E. Radclyffe
Alexander Kennedy Clark
Paul Phipps

LIEUTENANTS.

Henry Robert Carden
Sigismund Trafford
George Gunning
Townshend Richard Keily
Samuel Windowe
Cornthwaite Ommaney
Charles Blois
Stephen Goodenough

CORNETS.

C. B. Stephenson
Honourable John Massey
Quarter-Master W. Waddell
Surgeon George Steed
Veterinary-Surgeon W. Ryding

[Sidenote: 1817]

[Sidenote: 1818]

Towards the end of August, 1817, the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched for Scotland, and were stationed at Hamilton, Ayr, Dumfries, Stirling, and Glasgow. In June, 1818, they embarked at Portpatrick for Ireland, and, having landed at Donaghadee, proceeded to Ballinrobe, Sligo, Longford, Roscommon, and Dunmore. In November a reduction of eight serjeants, ninety-six men, and fifty-six horses, was made in the establishment.

[Sidenote: 1819]

[Sidenote: 1820]

In June, 1819, the regiment proceeded to Dublin, where it remained on garrison duty until August of the following year, when it embarked for England; and, after landing at Liverpool, marched to Manchester, Oldham, Ashton, and Altringham.

[Sidenote: 1821]

On the 19th of March, 1821, the ROYALS commenced their march for Radipole barracks, from whence a number of parties were detached on revenue duty; and, for the seizure of smuggled goods made whilst on this duty, the regiment received upwards of £200. In September the establishment was reduced to six troops, of three officers, three serjeants, one trumpeter, one farrier, fifty rank and file, and forty-two horses each.

[Sidenote: 1822]

The regiment marched, on the 13th of June, 1822, from the west and south-west districts, to Richmond and other villages near the metropolis, and was reviewed on Wormwood Scrubbs by His Royal Highness the Duke of York on the 6th of July. Two days after the review it marched for Canterbury, detaching troops and parties on the revenue duty.

[Sidenote: 1823]

Having called in the detachments, the regiment marched from Canterbury, on 1st of July, 1823, for the cavalry barracks near the Regent's Park, London, and on their arrival took the King's duty--the life guards and royal horse guards having marched into quarters near Hounslow, preparatory to a review, which took place on the 15th of July, when the ROYALS furnished a guard of honour for His Royal Highness the Duke of York, and a squadron to assist in keeping the ground. They were relieved from the King's duty on the following day, and marched for York barracks, where they arrived on the 29th of July.

[Sidenote: 1824]

From York the ROYALS marched, on the 24th of May, 1824, for Scotland, and occupied Piershill barracks, Edinburgh, and Perth,--with detachments at Cupar, Angus, and Forfar; and were employed, during the calamitous fire in Parliament Square, Edinburgh, in November, on three successive days, in preserving order, protecting property, and rendering assistance to the unfortunate sufferers; and the dismounted men, with the barrack engine, assisted materially in extinguishing the fire in the Tron church. The services of the regiment, on this occasion, were commended in a general order, issued by the commander of the forces in Scotland; and in a vote of thanks from the lord provost, magistrates, and town council of Edinburgh.

[Sidenote: 1825]

In the early part of March, 1825, the regiment proceeded to Hamilton, and Glasgow, and in the following month embarked for Ireland; after landing at Donaghadee, it marched to Dundalk and Belturbet, from whence several strong escorts were detached for the safe-conduct of specie,--the currency of the two kingdoms having been assimilated.

[Sidenote: 1826]

[Sidenote: 1827]

[Sidenote: 1828]

On the 30th of March, 1826, the ROYALS marched for Dublin, where they remained until April, 1827, and then marched for Newbridge; and in October following proceeded to Cork, Fermoy, and Bandon. The whole assembled at Cork in March, 1828, and proceeded from thence to Ballincollig.

[Sidenote: 1829]

The regiment commenced its march for Dublin on the 28th of April, 1829, embarked for England in the early part of May, and, after disembarking at Liverpool, proceeded into quarters in the town of Manchester,--the barracks at that place having been pulled down for the purpose of being rebuilt. During their stay at this place the ROYALS furnished a number of piquets and parties for the prevention of riot and open violation of the law by the operatives, who were in a state of disaffection: detachments were also sent to Blackburn and Bolton for the same purpose.

The death of Lieutenant-General Garth having taken place on the 18th of November, 1829, on the 23rd of that month, His Majesty conferred the colonelcy on Lieut.-General Lord R. E. H. Somerset, G.C.B. from the seventeenth lancers.

[Sidenote: 1830]

In the summer of 1830 the regiment marched to Norwich and Ipswich; at the same time the establishment was reduced to two hundred and seventy rank and file. In the autumn of this year the agricultural labourers, having been excited by designing men, committed numerous acts of incendiarism and effected the destruction of property to a most alarming extent in several counties. The ROYAL DRAGOONS were, in consequence, called upon to furnish a number of detachments to assist the civil authorities in suppressing these outrages. A resolution of thanks from the magistrates of Norfolk, acknowledging the very effective services rendered by the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, was forwarded by the lord-lieutenant of the county, to the general commanding-in-chief, who was pleased to express the satisfaction he experienced in being presented with so honourable a testimonial of their behaviour.

[Sidenote: 1831]

[Sidenote: 1832]

[Sidenote: 1833]

[Sidenote: 1834]

[Sidenote: 1835]

The regiment remained at Norwich and Ipswich during the whole of the year 1831. In the spring of 1832 it marched to Canterbury[67]; in 1833 to Dorchester; and in 1834 to Brighton. During the following winter it proceeded to Bristol, from whence it embarked, in January, 1835, for Ireland; and, after landing at Dublin, was stationed at Newbridge for sixteen months.

[Sidenote: 1836]

On the removal of Lieutenant-General Lord Edward Somerset to the fourth dragoons in March, 1836, the colonelcy of the ROYALS was conferred on Major-General Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby, K.C.B., G.C.M.G., and K.C.H., from the eighty-sixth foot.

[Sidenote: 1837]

During the summer of 1836 the regiment proceeded to Dublin; and, while stationed at that place, its colonel, Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby, died; and was succeeded, on the 20th of January, 1837, by Lieutenant-General the Right Honourable Sir Hussey Vivian, K.C.B. and G.C.H.

[Sidenote: 1838]

[Sidenote: 1839]

The regiment left Dublin in the autumn of 1837, and was stationed during the following year at Cork; from whence it embarked, in May, 1839, for Liverpool; and, after landing at that port, was removed to Sheffield, where it has remained until the conclusion of this memoir.

In taking a retrospective view of the services of the ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, its conduct cannot fail to excite admiration. The details given in the preceding pages afford numerous instances of determined bravery, steady discipline, and constant efficiency. These qualities were eminently displayed when charging the Moorish legions on the confines of _Africa_, and bearing away in triumph the Mahomedan colours in 1664 and 1680;--when routing the insurgent bands at _Sedgemoor_ in 1685;--forcing the passage of the Boyne in 1690;--on detached services in Ireland in 1691; and opposing the troops of Louis XIV. in the Netherlands from 1694 to 1697. Nor were they less conspicuously evinced when serving on the frontiers of Holland under the great Duke of Marlborough in 1702 and 1703;--skirmishing in the mountains of Catalonia and in the valleys of Valencia, under the Earl of Peterborough, in 1705 and 1706;--and charging the Spanish forces at _Almanara_, and at _Saragossa_ in 1710.

The ROYAL DRAGOONS also distinguished themselves under the eye of their sovereign when fighting the French cuirassiers at the battle of _Dettingen_ in 1743, where they captured the standard of the _mousquetaires noirs_; they again displayed signal valour at _Warbourg_ in 1760; and under the Duke of York in _Flanders_ in 1794. In numerous fights with the legions of Napoleon in the _Peninsula_, from 1810 to 1814, they acquired new honours: they were also engaged at the glorious battle of _Waterloo_ on the 18th of June, 1815, where they captured one of the two French Eagles taken on that day.

On all occasions the ROYAL DRAGOONS have evinced a dauntless bearing, united with steady valour, and unshaken firmness, the characteristics of a British corps. These qualities, as well as the temper, patience, and forbearance which have distinguished their conduct, when employed in aiding the civil power on duties at home, have rendered the regiment a valuable acquisition to the crown, and have afforded the strongest proofs of its usefulness to the country.

[To face page 116.
]

FOOTNOTES:

[7] Bibl. Harl. No. 1595.--Mercurius Publicus.--Kingdom's Intelligencer.--War-Office Records.--History of Tangier, &c.

[8] Bibl. Harl. 6844.

[9] History of Tangier, 8vo., 1664.

[10] Sir John Lanier was afterwards colonel of the Queen's horse, now first dragoon guards.

[11] John Coy was afterwards colonel of the seventh horse, now fifth dragoon guards.

[12] Thomas Langston was celebrated for taking the Princess Anne of Denmark's regiment of horse over to the Prince of Orange at the Revolution in 1688: he was appointed colonel of that regiment on the 31st of December, 1688, and died in Ireland in 1689: the regiment was disbanded in 1692.

[13] Vide the Historical Record of the Life Guards.

[14] Narrative of the great engagement at Tangier: Tangier's Rescue, by John Ross; London Gazettes, &c. &c.

[15] One of the regiments of dragoons raised in 1678 was styled _the Royal Regiment of Dragoons_; but it was disbanded after the peace of Nimeguen.

[16] 'CHARLES R.

'OUR WILL AND PLEASURE IS, that as soon as the troop of OUR ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS, whereof Charles Nedby, Esq., is Captain, shall arrive from our garrison at Tangier, you cause the same forthwith to march to the town of Ware, in Our county of Hertford, where they are to remain until further orders. And the officers of the said troop are to take care that the soldiers duly pay their intended quarters.

'Given at Our Court at Whitehall this 1st day of February, 1683-4.

'By His Majesty's command,
'WILLIAM BLATHWAYTE.'

A similar order was given for Captain Thomas Langston's troop to quarter at Hoddesdon, Captain John Coy's at Hampstead, and Captain Alexander Mackenzie's (the troop raised in 1661) at Watford and Bushey.--_War-Office Records._

[17] The following arms and appointments were issued from the Tower of London for the equipment of the regiment, viz.--

318 Muskets and bayonets
12 Halberds
12 Partizans
12 Drums
318 Cartouch boxes and belts
318 Waist belts and bayonet frogs
358 Saddles and bridles
358 Sets of holster caps and housings.--_Ibid._

[18] Nathan Brook's Complete List, Military: London, 1684.

[19] Hugh Wyndham was afterwards colonel of the seventh horse, now sixth dragoon guards.

[20] Francis Langston was afterwards colonel of the fifth horse, now fourth dragoon guards.

[21] War-Office Records.

[22] Ibid.

[23] War Office Records.

[24] Mémoires de Berwick.

[25] Lingard's History of England.

[26] London Gazette; War Office Records; Life of King James II., &c.

[27] War Office Route Book.

[28] London Gazette.

[29] "There were two priests in the garrison of _Charlemont_, and there happened a pleasant adventure between one of them and a dragoon of Colonel Hayford's regiment (the Royal Dragoons) as they were guarding the Irish towards Armagh. They fell into a discourse about religion; the point in hand was _Transubstantiation_: the dragoon, being a pleasant, witty fellow, drolled upon the priest, and put him so to it, that he had little to say, upon which he grew so angry that he fell a-beating the dragoon, who, not being used to put up with blows, thrashed his fatherhood very severely. Upon which, complaint being made to Teague, as he was at dinner with our officers at Armagh, all that he said was, he was very glad of it, adding, 'What te de'il had he to do to dispute religion with a dragoon?'"--_Story's History of the Wars in Ireland_, p. 63.

[30] Story's History.

[31] Story.

[32] Colonel Clifford, of the Royal Dragoons, adhered to King James at the Revolution, and having proceeded to Ireland he was appointed a Brigadier-General.

[33] Story.--London Gazettes, &c. &c.

[34] D'Auvergne's History of the Campaigns in Flanders.

[35] Official Records, London Gazettes, &c.

[36] London Gazettes, Millner's Journal, and Annals of Queen Anne.

[37] London Gazettes; Present State of Europe; Mémoires de Berwick; Annals of Queen Anne; and Official Records in the War-Office.

[38] "Notwithstanding King Charles has received no reinforcements since he landed in Catalonia, his partisans, and the small army under the Earl of Peterborough, have been so active, that their progress looks altogether romantic, and will hardly be believed by posterity. They have not only maintained their conquest of the whole principality of Catalonia, but they have gained the kingdom of Valencia, and carried their arms as far as Alicant; at the same time they blockaded Roses, though the two places were above four hundred miles one from the other."--_Present State of Europe_, January, 1706.

[39] Doctor Freind's Account of the Earl of Peterborough's Conduct in Spain.

[40] The Present State of Europe for 1708.

[41] List of British troops which surrendered in the village of Brihuega, 9th December, 1710:--

Harvey's horse, now second dragoon guards.
Royal Dragoons (one squadron), now first, or the royal dragoons.
Pepper's dragoons, now the eighth light dragoons.
Stanhope's dragoons, disbanded.
Foot Guards, one battalion.
Harrison's foot, now the sixth.
Wade's ditto, now the thirty-third.
Dormer's ditto, disbanded.
Bowle's ditto, ditto.
Gore's ditto, ditto.
Munden's ditto, ditto.
Dalzel's ditto, ditto.

[42] Marching Order Books and Establishment Books in the War-Office.

[43] The seventh and eighth regiments of dragoons were disbanded after the Peace of Utrecht; but the seventh was restored, as stated above, and the eighth in a few months afterwards.

[44] Two newly-raised corps, afterwards disbanded.

[45] Annals of George I., &c.

[46] The Lieutenant of the Colonel's troop was styled Captain-Lieutenant.

[47] London Gazette.

[48] War-Office Establishment Book.

[49] Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston rose to the rank of general: he was, at different periods, colonel of the ninth dragoons, first horse (now fourth dragoon guards), and sixth dragoons: he was also governor of Quebec. He died 13th December, 1797, and was interred in Westminster Abbey. He wrote a Journal of the Campaign of 1760, which has been forwarded to the compiler of this record by his grandson, Major Frederick Johnston, unattached.

[50] Journal of Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston, Royal Dragoons, MS.

[51] Journal of the Campaigns in Germany, by an Officer present with the Army.

[52] On the 19th of December, 1768, a royal warrant was issued for regulating the clothing, horse-furniture, and standards of the regiments of cavalry, which contained similar directions to the warrant of the 1st of July, 1751. See page 65.

[53] Official Records, Adjutant-General's Office.

[54] GENERAL ORDERS.

"The heavy cavalry, with the exception of the two regiments of life guards and royal regiment of horse guards, are to be mounted on nag-tailed horses.

"The first, or King's regiment of dragoon guards; the first, or royal regiment of dragoons; the third, or King's own regiment of dragoons, are to be mounted on _black_ nag-tailed horses.

"The second, or Queen's regiment of dragoon guards, are to be mounted on nag-tailed horses of the colours of _bay_ and _brown_.

"The second, or royal North British regiment of dragoons, are to be mounted on nag-tailed _grey_ horses.

"All other regiments of heavy cavalry on the British establishment are to be mounted on nag-tailed horses of the colours of bay, brown, and chestnut.

"The custom of mounting trumpeters on grey horses is to be discontinued, and they are in future to be mounted on horses of the colour or colours hereby prescribed for the regiment to which they belong.

"HARRY CALVERT,
Adjutant General.

"_Horse Guards_,
_10th August, 1799_."

[55] 28th Aug. "A piquet of this regiment (ROYALS) made a _gallant and successful charge_ on a party of the enemy's cavalry and infantry, and took some prisoners."--_Lord Wellington's Despatch._

[56] "I have received a report of a gallant action of one of our patroles yesterday evening, under the command of Lieutenant Persse, of the 16th Light Dragoons, and Lieutenant Foster, of the Royals, who attacked a detachment of the enemy's cavalry between Alverca and Guarda, and killed and wounded several of them, and took the officer and 37 men prisoners."--_Lord Wellington's Despatch, 27th March, 1811._

[57] "It is with great pleasure I have to mention _the very admirable conduct of the Royals_ under the command of _Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton_, and one troop of the fourteenth light dragoons, which being all that were employed in covering the front from Villa de Egua to Espejo, were assembled at Gallegos, and retreated from thence agreeably to my directions. And notwithstanding all the efforts of General Montbrun (who commanded the French cavalry) to outflank the British, pressing them at the same time in front with eight pieces of cannon, _their retreat to Nave d'Aver merits the highest commendation_.

"Major-General Slade speaks in much praise of _Major Dorville_, of the _Royal Dragoons_, and of _Captain Purvis_, of the same regiment, who had opportunities of distinguishing themselves."--_Lieutenant-General Sir Brent Spencer's Despatch._

[58] "Nothing could exceed the gallantry displayed by the officers and men on this occasion. Sir Granby Calcraft, and Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton, commanding the two regiments, particularly distinguished themselves, as well as all the officers present.

"I beg particularly to report the conduct of Brigade Major Radclyffe, of the Royal Dragoons, to whom I feel particularly indebted for his assistance on this occasion."--_Major-General Slade's Despatch._

[59] Journal of Major Radclyffe, of the Royal Dragoons--MS.

[60] "The infantry complained they had suffered much from our absence and tardy arrival, though, God knows, we had lost no time."--_Major Radclyffe's Journal._

[61] Now Colonel A. K. Clark Kennedy, C.B. and K.H., lieutenant-colonel of the seventh dragoon guards.

[62] Francis Stiles was rewarded with an ensigncy in the sixth West India regiment on the 11th of April, 1816, and was placed on half-pay on the 28th of December, 1817: he died in London on the 9th of January, 1828.

[63] "I was in command of the centre squadron of the ROYAL DRAGOONS in this charge. While following up the attack, I perceived, a little to my left, in the midst of a body of infantry, an Eagle and Colour, which the bearer was making off with towards the rear. I immediately gave the order, 'Right shoulders forward,' to my squadron, at the same time leading direct upon the Eagle, and calling out to the men with me to 'Secure the colours.' The instant I got within reach of the officer who carried the Eagle, I ran my sword into his right side, and he staggered and fell, but did not reach the ground on account of the pressure of his companions. As the officer was in the act of falling, I called out, a second time, to some men close behind me, 'Secure the colour; it belongs to me!' The standard coverer, Corporal Stiles, and several other men, rushed up, and the Eagle fell across my horse's head, against that of Corporal Stiles, who came up on my left. As it was falling I caught the fringe of the flag with my left hand, but could not at the first pull up the Eagle: at the second attempt, however, I succeeded. Being in the midst of French troops, I attempted to separate the Eagle from the staff, to put it into the breast of my coatee; but it was too firmly fixed. Corporal Stiles said, 'Pray, Sir, do not break it!' to which I replied 'Very well; carry it off to the rear as fast as you can,' which he did. Though wounded, I preferred remaining in the field in the command of my squadron, which I did until near seven o'clock in the evening, when I was obliged to withdraw; having had two horses killed under me, and having received two wounds, which confined me to my quarters at Brussels nearly two months."--_Captain Clark's Narrative of the Capture of the Eagle._

[64] This respected and lamented officer (Major-General Sir William Ponsonby), beloved by all who served with or under him, met his death in a manner which conferred upon it an interesting character. When the order was given for attacking the enemy, he led the three regiments forward with that noble ardour for which he had been distinguished in the campaigns in the Peninsula. Having cut through the first column, he proceeded where the ROYALS were so hotly engaged, and found himself outflanked by a regiment of Polish lancers in a newly-ploughed field, the ground of which was so soft that his horse became blown, and was unable to proceed. He was attended by only one aide-de-camp. At this instant the lancers were approaching him at full speed. His own death, he knew, was inevitable, but supposing his aide-de-camp might escape, he drew forth the picture of his lady and his watch, and was in the act of delivering them to his attendant to be conveyed to his family, when the enemy came up and they were both speared upon the spot.

[65] Now Lieutenant-General Sir Joseph Straton, K.C.H. and C.B., colonel of the eighth royal Irish hussars, who was authorised to take and use the surname of _Straton_, instead of Muter, on the 28th of September, 1816.

[66] Major Radclyffe was wounded in the first charge, and taken from the field. He was an excellent swordsman, and had taught many of his men his peculiar method of giving point, and he was afterwards much delighted on being informed that the troopers, by adhering to his instructions, had been signally successful in their attacks. The decease of this gallant and excellent officer, clever man, and good scholar, took place on the 24th of February, 1827: the following is an extract from a periodical work respecting him:--

"Died on the 24th of February, 1827, in Connaught-square,
Lieutenant-Colonel Radclyffe, Major of Brigade to the Cavalry in
Great Britain, aged 53.--This distinguished officer served in
all the campaigns of the late revolutionary war, commencing with
the Duke of York's, in Flanders, in 1793, and ending with the
sanguinary battle of Waterloo. There he received a severe wound
from a musket-ball, which lodged in his knee, the constant pain
and irritation of which (as it could not be extracted) has thus
prematurely destroyed his valuable life. His Lieut.-Colonelcy took
its date from that glorious day. He was present at the battles
of Salamanca, Vittoria, Busaco, Fuentes d'Onor, the blockade of
Pampeluna, and the attack of Bayonne, besides numerous engagements
of minor note. He was Major of Brigade during the campaigns in
Spain to the battle of Toulouse in April, 1814; after which he
was appointed Assistant-Adjutant General to the Cavalry, and
accompanied it as such through France to England. So entirely was
his mind devoted to his profession, that almost the last words he
spoke (only two hours before his death), in answer to a question
from his physicians as to how he felt, were, 'I am retreating,
retreating, retreating: I cannot advance.' He was a most scientific
and dexterous swordsman, a skilful officer, and able tactician.
Witness a small work which he printed on those subjects. He was a
sincere and ardent friend, a conscientious Christian, and a brave
and good man. He lived highly and universally respected, and died
sincerely lamented."

[67] A guard of honour, consisting of one major (Major Marten), two captains, two subalterns, four serjeants, and one hundred rank and file, with the royal standard, was ordered, by the king's special command, from Canterbury to Windsor Castle, for the purpose of escorting their majesties on the occasion of the presentation of a new standard to the royal horse guards (blues) by King William IV. on the 13th of August, 1832.

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF

THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS.

JOHN LORD CHURCHILL.

_Appointed 19th November, 1683._

At its formation the ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS had the honour of being commanded by one of the most distinguished officers Great Britain has produced,--a general who acquired celebrity in the field and in the cabinet,--who never fought a battle he did not win, nor besiege a town which he did not capture.

JOHN CHURCHILL was born on the 24th of June, 1650. At sixteen years of age he was page of honour to the Duke of York, who procured him an ensign's commission in the first foot guards; and he soon afterwards resigned the pleasures of the court to acquire a practical knowledge of his profession at Tangier, in Africa, where he served as a volunteer against the Moors, and gave presage of those bright qualities for which he afterwards became distinguished. On the breaking out of the Dutch war in 1672 he was appointed captain in the Duke of Monmouth's regiment of foot, in the service of the King of France, with which corps he served in the Netherlands, where he signalised himself by a regular attention to his duties, and by volunteering his services on occasions of difficulty or danger; and he evinced signal gallantry in 1673, at the siege of Maestricht,[68] where he was wounded. He subsequently served with the French army on the Rhine,--attracted the particular attention and regard of the celebrated Marshal Turenne,--and in 1674 he was appointed colonel of one of the English regiments in the service of the French monarch, in succession to the Earl of Peterborough. His regiment was recalled from France in 1678, and he was appointed to the command of a brigade of foot in Flanders; but the peace of Nimeguen taking place, he returned to England, and his regiment was disbanded. He became the constant attendant of the Duke of York, and being employed in several delicate missions between His Royal Highness and the King, he evinced great address.

The King having resolved to add to the regular army a regiment of dragoons for permanent service, Colonel Churchill was commissioned to raise a troop of dragoons, and was appointed colonel of the regiment, which was honoured with the distinguished title of the ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS. He was also advanced to the peerage of Scotland by the title of Baron Churchill of Aymouth. Soon after the accession of King James II. he was created an English peer by the title of Baron Churchill of Sandridge. On the 14th of May, 1685, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general: on the breaking out of the rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth he was sent, with a body of cavalry, to the west of England, and he was second in command at the battle of Sedgemoor. His meritorious conduct during this rebellion was rewarded with the colonelcy of the third troop of life guards, and the rank of major-general. No ties of interest, or charms of royal favour, could, however, induce him to abandon the best interests of his native country; and at the Revolution in 1688 he joined the standard of the Prince of Orange, for which he was removed from the life guards by King James. On the accession of King William III. he was restored to the command of the third troop of life guards,--appointed colonel of the royal fusiliers,--sworn a member of the privy council,--made lord of the bedchamber to his Majesty,--created EARL OF MARLBOROUGH, and appointed to the command of the British troops sent to the Netherlands, to be employed in the war with France. During the campaign of 1689 he served under Prince Waldeck, and gave proof of his personal bravery, and ability to command, at the battle of Walcourt. In June, 1690, he was appointed commander-in-chief, and proceeding, in the autumn of that year, with a body of troops to Ireland, captured Cork and Kinsale. In 1691 he commanded the British infantry under King William in the Netherlands. In the following year he was confined in the Tower of London on a charge of high treason; but was subsequently released without being brought to trial, and restored to royal favour. On the breaking out of the war in 1701, he was selected by King William to command the British forces sent to the Netherlands, and to negotiate the treaties to be formed with foreign powers; and he was appointed colonel of a regiment of foot (now twenty-fourth). Queen Anne confirmed these appointments; also advanced him to the post of captain-general of her forces, and procured him the chief command of the united British, Dutch, and auxiliary troops. At the head of these forces he evinced the abilities of a great captain; he forced the enemy to take shelter behind their lines; took Venloo, Ruremonde, Stevenswaert, and Liege with surprising rapidity; extended and secured the Dutch frontiers; and was rewarded with the thanks of parliament, the approbation of his sovereign, and the dignity of DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH. In the campaign of 1703 he was again victorious; he captured Bonn, Huy, and Limburg; but his career of victory was impeded by the jealousy or timidity of the Dutch, which he bore in a manner corresponding with the greatness of his mind. On the 25th of April, 1704, he was appointed colonel of the first foot guards. The succeeding campaign was splendid in glorious achievements. He led his army from the ocean to the Danube; forced the heights of Schellenberg on the 2nd July, 1704, and compelled the enemy to take shelter behind the lines of Augsburg. New armies and new generals appeared, and their overthrow, at the decisive battle of Blenheim on the 13th of August, added new lustre to the reputation of the British commander: there the heaps of slain gave dreadful proofs of British valour, and whole legions of prisoners of their mercy. This victory displayed the distinguishing character of MARLBOROUGH, and produced important results: Bavaria was subdued; Ratisbon, Augsburg, Ulm, Meninghen,--all were recovered. From the Danube he marched to the Rhine and the Moselle; Landau, Treves, and Traerbach were taken; and the British commander,--courted and honoured by sovereign princes,--applauded by nations, became the pride of armies, and was rewarded with the dignity of a PRINCE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. While his judgment swayed the councils of the states of Christendom, he led their armies to battle and victory. In 1705 he experienced disappointment from the princes he had delivered in the preceding year; but, suddenly changing the scene of his operations, he led his army from the Moselle to the Maese; Liege was relieved; Huy retaken; and the boasted impregnable French lines forced. In the spring of 1706 another campaign opened, when the discipline he had introduced, and the confidence he had inspired, again proved invincible. He met, attacked, and triumphed over the French, Spaniards, and Bavarians, at Ramilies, on the 23rd of May. This decisive action was followed by the surrender of Louvain, Brussels, Malines, Liege, Ghent, Oudenarde, Antwerp, Damme, Bruges, and Courtray; and by the capture of Ostend, Menin, Dendermond, and Aeth,--places which had resisted the greatest generals for months--for years; provinces, disputed for ages, were the conquests of a summer. So great was his reputation, that, throughout the campaign of 1707, the enemy avoided a general engagement: but in the following summer a gallant French army, led by the princes of the blood, was overcome at Oudenarde; and, although new armies and new generals appeared, the career of Marlborough could not be stopped. The barriers of France on the side of the Low Countries,--the work of half a century,--were attacked. A numerous French army were spectators of the fall of Lisle, the bulwark of their barriers. Every campaign added new conquests. In 1709 Tournay was taken; and a powerful French army posted near Malplaquet, in a position covered by thick woods, defended by triple intrenchments, was attacked. The battle was bloody,--the event decisive; the woods were pierced; the fortifications were trampled down; and the enemy fled. After this victory Mons was taken. In the succeeding year Douay, Bethune, Aire, St. Venant, shared the same fate; and the campaign of 1711 was distinguished by splendid success. A new series of lines were passed, and Bouchain captured. Nothing availed against a general whose sagacity foresaw everything, whose vigilance attended to everything, whose constancy no labour could subdue, whose courage no danger could dismay, and whose intuitive glance always caught the decisive moment and insured victory; while the discipline he maintained, and the confidence he inspired, were equivalent to an army. The French monarch saw with alarm his generals overmatched, his armies beaten and discouraged, his fortresses wrested from him, and an invincible leader with a victorious army on the confines of France, ready to carry all the horrors of war into the heart of his kingdom, and he sued for peace. A change of the ministry in England, with the adoption of a policy favourable to the French interest, was followed by the removal of the great MARLBOROUGH from all his offices dependent on the British crown. He retired to the Continent, where he remained until the accession of King George I., when he was replaced in his former posts, in which he continued until his decease in 1722.

EDWARD VISCOUNT CORNBURY.

_Appointed 1st August, 1685._

EDWARD HYDE VISCOUNT CORNBURY, son of the second Earl of Clarendon, was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the ROYAL DRAGOONS when that corps was first embodied; and having distinguished himself at the battle of Sedgemoor, he succeeded Lord Churchill in the colonelcy of the regiment. The circumstances of his removal are stated at page 19 in the 'Historical Record of the Royal Dragoons.'

ROBERT CLIFFORD.

_Appointed 24th November, 1688._

MAJOR ROBERT CLIFFORD of the ROYAL DRAGOONS was firmly devoted to the Roman Catholic interest, and in November, 1688, by his exertions he recovered the regiment for the service of King James, as stated at page 19 in the Historical Record of the corps. At the revolution he adhered to King James, and he commanded a corps of dragoons in Ireland, until the siege of Limerick in 1691, when he was imprisoned by the Irish on a charge of favouring the passage of the Shannon by the English; and would have been condemned to death, if the town had not surrendered soon afterwards.

EDWARD VISCOUNT CORNBURY.

_Re-appointed 31st December, 1688._

LORD CORNBURY was restored to the colonelcy of the ROYAL DRAGOONS by the Prince of Orange; but was removed from his command a few months afterwards. He was governor of New York, in the reign of Queen Anne; and in October, 1709, succeeded to the title of EARL OF CLARENDON. His decease occurred on the 31st of March, 1723.

ANTHONY HAYFORD.

_Appointed 1st July, 1689._

This Officer served in the life guards as a private gentleman, and afterwards in the Duke of Monmouth's regiment of horse in the reign of Charles II. In 1684 he was appointed lieutenant in the horse grenadier guards. In 1687 he was lieutenant-colonel of the ROYAL DRAGOONS. He joined the Prince of Orange in November, 1688; and succeeding Lord Cornbury in the colonelcy of the regiment in 1689, served in Scotland and Ireland.

EDWARD MATTHEWS.

_Appointed in June, 1690._

This Officer served as a volunteer at Tangier, in Africa; also in Ireland in 1690 and the following year, and distinguished himself on several occasions. He also commanded a brigade of dragoons under King William in Flanders, in 1694, 1695, and 1696; and died on the 28th of May, 1697.

THOMAS LORD RABY.

_Appointed 30th May, 1697._

THOMAS WENTWORTH, son of Sir William Wentworth, baronet, was appointed cornet of the fourth horse, now third dragoon guards, on the 31st of December, 1688; and in the following summer served with his regiment against the rebel Highlanders in Scotland. In 1692 he served in Flanders, and was in the advance-guard at the battle of Steenkirk on the 3rd of August in that year, where he highly distinguished himself, and the squadron he was with, being exposed to a heavy cannonade, only brought off fifty men alive out of one hundred and fifty. His gallantry on this occasion was especially reported to his sovereign, and he was appointed aide-de-camp to His Majesty: in which capacity he served at the battle of Landen, on the 19th of July, 1693, when his conduct obtained the approbation of King William III., who promoted him to the commission of cornet and major in the first troop, now first regiment, of life guards.

Major Wentworth served with the life guards in the subsequent campaigns in the Netherlands, and rose to the rank of lieutenant, and lieutenant-colonel. He succeeded, on the decease of William Earl of Strafford, to the title of LORD RABY; was appointed colonel of the ROYAL DRAGOONS in May, 1697; and attended the Earl of Portland in the interviews with Marshal Boufflers, which preceded the conclusion of peace at Ryswick. In 1698 his lordship accompanied King William to Holland, and, on one occasion, when hunting with His Majesty, he went alone and attacked a wild boar; the animal, however, threw him down, and had already torn his clothes and lacerated his flesh, when the King sent two huntsmen to his aid, who speared the boar.

In the first year of the reign of Queen Anne, Lord Raby served with his regiment on the Continent, and in January, 1703, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. In the spring of the same year he was appointed envoy extraordinary to the King of Prussia, and subsequently ambassador extraordinary at the same court; and on the first of January, 1705, was advanced to the rank of major-general. His lordship served in the army under the Duke of Marlborough, during the brilliant campaign of 1706; and, on the 1st of January following, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general. In 1711 he was sworn of the privy council, and appointed ambassador extraordinary to the States-General of Holland; and in September of the same year he was advanced to the dignity of EARL OF STRAFFORD. His Lordship took an active part in negociating the treaty of peace at Utrecht; but after the accession of George I., he was removed from his public employments. The Earl of Strafford died on the 15th of November, 1739.

RICHARD LORD COBHAM.