Chapter II: Part 2

Lieutenant-General Lord Tyrawley, after commanding the regiment nearly four years, was removed to the Colonelcy of the Second Troop of Horse Grenadier Guards, and the command of the FIFTH HORSE was conferred on Colonel John Brown from the Ninth Dragoons, his commission bearing date the 1st of April, 1743.

[Sidenote: 1744]

In the beginning of the following year another draft of men and horses was sent on foreign service.

[Sidenote: 1745]

In April, 1745, the regiment was reviewed at Maryborough by Major-General de Grangues; and after the rebellion headed by Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, broke out in Scotland, this regiment was ordered to Dublin, and the army in Ireland was placed in dispersed cantonments near the coast to resist any descent which might be attempted upon the island.

[Sidenote: 1746]

After the suppression of the rebellion in Scotland, three of the four regiments of _Horse_ in England were reduced to the quality of _Dragoons_ (25th December, 1746), and styled _Dragoon Guards_, and this regiment obtained the designation of the FIRST IRISH HORSE. The regiments of horse on the Irish establishment (now the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Dragoon Guards) were frequently designated by the colour of their facings; the FIRST being frequently called the _Blue Horse_; the _Second_ the _Green Horse_; the _Third_, the _Carabiniers_; and the _Fourth_ the _Black Horse_.

[Sidenote: 1748]

A treaty of peace was concluded with France and Bavaria at Aix-la-Chapelle in the winter of 1748-9; and, while the negociations were in progress, the establishment of the FIRST IRISH HORSE (with that of all other regiments of horse and dragoons in Ireland) was reduced to twenty-one private men per troop.

[Sidenote: 1751]

On the 1st of July, 1751, a warrant was issued under the sign-manual, regulating the uniform, colours, and standards of the regiments of the line, from which the following particulars are extracted respecting the FIRST IRISH HORSE.

HATS--Ornamented with silver lace, and a black cockade.

COATS--Scarlet, faced and lappelled with pale blue, button-holes
worked with white, white metal buttons set on two and two, and a
long slash pocket in each skirt.

WAISTCOATS AND BREECHES--Pale blue.

CLOAKS--Red, lined with pale blue, and the buttons set on two and
two, on white frogs, or loops.

HORSE FURNITURE--Pale blue, with a border of broad white
mohair lace, having a scarlet stripe down the centre, and I/H
embroidered on a red ground, within a wreath of roses and
thistles, on each holster-cap and on each corner of the housing.

STANDARDS--The King's, or First Standard, to be of crimson
damask, embroidered and fringed with gold and silver; in the
centre the rose and thistle conjoined and crown over them, and
the motto _Dieu et mon Droit_ underneath; the white horse in a
compartment in the first and fourth corners, and I/H in silver
character on a pale blue ground in a compartment in the second
and third corners. The second and third Standard to be of pale
blue damask; in the centre the rank of the regiment in silver
Roman characters, on a crimson ground, within a wreath of roses
and thistles; the white horse on a red ground in the first and
fourth compartments, and the rose and thistle conjoined upon a
red ground in the second and third compartments.

OFFICERS--Distinguished by silver lace, coats bound with silver
embroidery, the button-holes worked with silver, and a crimson
silk sash worn over the left shoulder.

QUARTERMASTERS--To wear a crimson sash round the waist.

CORPORALS--To have narrow silver lace on the lappels, cuffs,
pockets, and shoulder-strops.

KETTLE-DRUMMERS AND TRUMPETERS--Clothed in pale blue, faced and
turned up with red, with long hanging sleeves fastened at the
waist; red waistcoats and breeches; and the lace to be white with
a red stripe.

[Sidenote: 1753]

[Sidenote: 1754]

In May, 1753, the regiment was reviewed by Major-General Blyth at Carlow, and immediately afterwards marched to Dublin; in 1754 it was reviewed by the Earl of Rothes at Philipstown.

[Sidenote: 1756]

During the summer of 1756 detachments from the regiments of horse and dragoons in Ireland, with the whole of the Second and Third Regiments of Horse, were encamped at Kilkenny, with the view of establishing a uniform system of drill and manœuvre in the cavalry.

[Sidenote: 1759]

Another war having commenced with France, some preparations were made in 1759 to resist a menaced descent in Ireland by 28,000 French under the Duke of Aguillion, and the FIRST IRISH HORSE were directed to hold themselves in readiness to march on the shortest notice.

In the early part of December of this year the regiment was employed in suppressing riots in Dublin, occasioned by a supposition that an union with England was in contemplation. The rioters broke into the House of Lords, and committed other outrages, but were eventually suppressed.

[Sidenote: 1760]

[Sidenote: 1762]

The regiment furnished a draft of twelve men and horses, in February, 1760, to complete the Third and Fourth Horse to forty-nine men per troop, previous to their embarkation for Germany; and another draft of twenty-two men was ordered in the spring of 1762. During the latter year the regiment was directed to recruit in Ireland, the cavalry corps having, previously to this period, usually procured recruits from England. In a few years afterwards the ranks of the FIRST IRISH HORSE were composed almost exclusively of Irishmen.

Lieut.-General Brown died in the summer of this year, and was succeeded in the Colonelcy of the regiment by Colonel James Johnston, from the Lieut-Colonelcy of the Royal Horse Guards, by commission dated the 3rd of August, 1762.

[Sidenote: 1763]

At this period commotions and tumults prevailed in various parts of Ireland to a most alarming extent; and in the beginning of 1763 the troops were employed in assisting the high sheriffs and magistrates in dispersing and securing bands of rioters known by the name of _levellers_. The head-quarters of the FIRST HORSE were at Carlow, and detachments were furnished to assist the civil power. In May, 1763, the regiment proceded to Dublin; in July it was ordered to march to the county of Monaghan to form escorts for the judges in their circuits; and subsequently Lieutenant-Colonel Roberts (commanding the regiment at Monaghan) was directed to furnish such detachments as Charles Coote, Esq., justice of the peace, should require to suppress riots, the county of Cavan being in a very disturbed state.

A treaty of peace having been concluded with France, the two regiments of horse returned from Germany, and the establishment of this regiment was reduced to twenty private men per troop.

[Sidenote: 1764]

The regiment was again employed on Dublin duty in 1764,[14] and while there, orders were received for all the regiments of horse and dragoons, excepting the light dragoons, to be mounted on long-tailed horses; all the English horse and dragoons were originally mounted on long-tailed horses, but the fashion of the short dock was introduced about the close of the seventeenth and beginning of the eighteenth centuries.[15] The regiment was also directed to discontinue the white lace on the button-holes of the waistcoat.

[Sidenote: 1765]

[Sidenote: 1766]

The regiment having been relieved from Dublin duty, its head-quarters were established in January, 1765, at Tullamore, from whence it marched in July to Birr, Maryborough, and Mount Mellick. In December of this year a ration of forage was fixed at 28 lbs. of hay, 7 lbs. of oats, and 6 lbs. of straw. During the following year the establishment of the regiment was reduced to 19 private men per troop.

[Sidenote: 1767]

In January 1767 the FIRST HORSE were again stationed at Dublin; and were reviewed in the fifteen-acres in Phœnix Park on the 22nd of that month, by the Earl of Granard, who was pleased to express his approbation of their appearance and discipline. They were withdrawn from Dublin in May, and proceeded to Carlow, but returned in the following month; and in December marched to Philipstown. Sword-belts suspended across the right shoulder, which had been used by the horse more than half a century, were this year adopted by the dragoons.

[Sidenote: 1768]

From Philipstown the regiment removed to Tullamore, where its head-quarters were established in the beginning of 1768. In a return of the distinctions of the regiment in Ireland, dated in February of this year, the FIRST HORSE are stated to have _deep blue facings, buff waistcoats and breeches, white lace, and white metal buttons_.[16]

On the 24th of May the regiment was reviewed by Major-General Lambert; and in June the head-quarters were removed from Tullamore to Maryborough, where the regiment was reviewed on the 9th of June, 1769, by the Earl of Drogheda.

[Sidenote: 1769]

Some alterations were this year (1769) made in the uniform of the regiment;--the coats were made with half-lappels, a red stripe was introduced into the lace, and the colour of the horse-furniture was changed from _light_ to _dark blue_. The cavalry officers were directed to wear their sashes with the fringe upon the right side, and the infantry officers upon the left, and the officers of the regiments of horse were directed to wear their sword-belts across the right shoulder, over the waistcoat and under the coat.

[Sidenote: 1770]

A change of cantonments, took place during the winter, and in January, 1770, the head-quarters of the regiment were at Kilkenny; but they were again established at Maryborough in July.

[Sidenote: 1771]

[Sidenote: 1772]

[Sidenote: 1773]

[Sidenote: 1774]

[Sidenote: 1775]

In the summer of 1771 the regiment marched to Dublin, and was reviewed by the Lord-Lieutenant in July, in the Phœnix Park.[17] After performing duty at the capital until December, it marched into country quarters, and occupied for short periods Tullamore, Philipstown, Carlow, and Maryborough, during the three succeeding years; and in the summer of 1775 was again stationed at Dublin.

Major-General Johnston having been removed to the 11th Dragoons, His Majesty conferred the Colonelcy of the FIRST HORSE on Major-General James Johnston (cousin of the former colonel of the same name), from the Ninth Dragoons, by commission dated the 27th of April, 1775.

[Sidenote: 1776]

The British colonies in North America having rebelled against the mother-country, the regiment furnished in February, 1776, a draft of sixteen troop-horses to be sent to North America and employed in that country as the service required; 180 horses were sent from the cavalry corps in Ireland, and 16 guineas were allowed to the regiment for each horse. In July an augmentation of one corporal and 10 private men per troop was made to the establishment; parties of mounted men were sent out to enlist recruits, and directions were given that none but Protestants be engaged.

[Sidenote: 1777]

[Sidenote: 1778]

In the beginning of 1777 the regiment was again in cantonments in the country, the head-quarters being at Castlebar, from whence they were removed in June to Roscommon, &c., but returned to Castlebar in the winter, and in May, 1778, proceeded to Birr, where the regiment was reviewed, on the 24th of that month, by Major-General De Burgh. While at this station the officers were ordered to provide themselves with tents, and to be in constant readiness to take the field. In June the head-quarters were removed to Belfast, in July to Armagh, and in September returned to Belfast.

In April, 1778, Lieutenant-General James Johnston was removed to the Enniskillen Dragoons, and was succeeded in the command of the FIRST HORSE by Major-General George Warde, from the 14th Dragoons.

[Sidenote: 1779]

[Sidenote: 1780]

[Sidenote: 1781]

On the 1st of June, 1779, the regiment marched to Lisburn, and in July the head-quarters were established at Belturbet. At this station they appear to have remained until July, 1781, when they were removed to Athlone, where the regiment was reviewed by Major-General Massey on the 2nd of August, and soon afterwards proceeded to Dublin, but in November returned to Athlone.

[Sidenote: 1782]

[Sidenote: 1783]

The regiment was again reviewed by Major-General Massey, on the 21st of June, 1782, at Athlone, from whence it marched, in a few days afterwards, to Mount Mellick, and, in January of the following year, to Dublin.

[Sidenote: 1784]

From Dublin the regiment proceeded, in July, 1784, to Tullamore. Its establishment, at this period, was 21 officers, 174 non-commissioned officers and private soldiers, and 133 troop-horses; but the American war having been terminated by acknowledging the independence of the United States, the numbers of the regiment were reduced 10 men per troop.

[Sidenote: 1785]

Major-General Sir Henry Calder reviewed the regiment at Tullamore on the 4th of June, 1785, and on the 9th it marched to Nenagh, from whence a detachment of one corporal and six private men was sent to Dublin, where parties from every cavalry regiment in Ireland were assembled to establish an uniform system of horsemanship.

[Sidenote: 1786]

[Sidenote: 1787]

After remaining upwards of a year at Nenagh, the regiment marched, in July, 1786, to Carlow, where it passed the succeeding twelve months, and in July, 1787, proceeded to Longford.

[Sidenote: 1788]

While at this station, His Majesty's commands were conveyed to the regiment for converting it from a corps of HORSE into a corps of DRAGOONS, with the title of DRAGOON GUARDS. The following is a copy of the order for this change:--

'GENERAL ORDER.

'_Adjutant-General's Office, Dublin_,
'14th Feb., 1788.

FIRST HORSE
to
FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS,

SECOND HORSE
to
FIFTH DRAGOON GUARDS,

THIRD HORSE
to
SIXTH DRAGOON GUARDS,
and
FOURTH HORSE
to
SEVENTH DRAGOON GUARDS.

'It is His Majesty's pleasure that the four regiments of HORSE
on this establishment be converted to DRAGOON GUARDS, according
to the number specified in the margin: this regulation to take
effect from the 1st of April next inclusive; and, in consequence
of the alteration of the establishment of the regiments of horse,
His Majesty has been pleased to direct that compensation shall
be made to every officer of the four regiments of horse, for
the reduced pay of each, of which a proper scheme shall be made
known as soon as the same can be digested. His Majesty has also
been pleased to signify, that, in the change now proposed, it is
not intended that any injury shall be sustained by the Colonels
of the regiments, and that a compensation will be made to them
for any reduction of pay or emolument they may suffer by the
change; and also, that they will be reimbursed such reasonable
extra expense as will be necessary for altering their present
accoutrements, as likewise for the clothes, accoutrements,
&c., of the augmented numbers, proper estimates of which will
be immediately delivered to the Commander-in-Chief, to be laid
before his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant.

'Such men of the regiments of horse as choose to re-enlist will
receive a bounty of two guineas, excepting such corporals as
shall be made serjeants, and, in consequence, have their pay
advanced. I am to inform you that in all other respects the
regiments of DRAGOON GUARDS are to conform to all His Majesty's
regulations relative to the regiments of DRAGOONS.

'WILLIAM FAWCETT,
'_Adjutant-General_.'

The compensation granted to the Colonel of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS was 150_l._ per annum for life, with 180_l._ 10_s._ for the alterations in the equipment; the Lieut.-Colonel received 575_l._; Major, 525_l._; Captains, each 475_l._; Captain-Lieutenant and Lieutenants, 350_l._; and the Cornets each 250_l._

The establishment of the regiment was fixed at 1 colonel and captain, 1 lieutenant-colonel and captain, 1 major and captain, 3 captains, 6 lieutenants, 6 cornets, 1 chaplain, 1 adjutant, 1 surgeon, 6 quarter-masters, 6 serjeants, 12 corporals, 6 trumpeters, 114 private men, and 6 dismounted men. The carbines were cut shorter; the width of the belts was reduced from 4½ to 3 inches; and the officers were directed to wear their sword-belts over their coats when on duty, and when off duty over their waistcoats. The standard for recruits was fixed at from 5 feet 8½ inches, to 5 feet 11 inches.

The necessary alterations having been completed, and the regiment constituted the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, its head-quarters were established at Belturbet; and on the 18th of April His Majesty was graciously pleased to approve of its bearing the title of the ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS, in consideration of its long and faithful services in Ireland[18].

[Sidenote: 1790]

[Sidenote: 1791]

[Sidenote: 1792]

From Belturbet the regiment marched on the 1st of May, 1790, for Dublin, where it was reviewed on the 20th of August by Major-General Lyon, and in August, 1791, by Major-General White, and again by the same officer in May, 1792. In July of the latter year it marched from Dublin to Carlow.

[Sidenote: 1793]

During the period the regiment lay at Carlow, the violent republicans of France, who had previously overturned the ancient form of government in that country, were guilty of the atrocious conduct of beheading their King and Queen, and of involving the kingdom in scenes of outrage, massacre, and devastation. These proceedings were followed by a war between Great Britain and the regicide Government of France; and the establishment of the ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS was augmented in August, 1793, to 334 non-commissioned officers and privates, and 276 troop horses.

In the meantime, a British army, commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke of York, had proceeded to the Netherlands, and the ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS marched on the 10th of August, 1793, for Dublin, where they embarked in October for England, in the expectation of proceeding to join the Duke of York's army in Flanders.

[Sidenote: 1794]

[Sidenote: 1795]

[Sidenote: 1796]

After its arrival in England, the regiment was stationed at Nottingham, and its establishment was further augmented to nine troops of 56 men per troop. The order for its proceeding on foreign service was, however, rescinded, and it was directed to return to Ireland. It accordingly marched from Nottingham to Liverpool, where it embarked in the winter of 1795, and after landing at Dublin, halted a short time in that city, and afterwards proceeded into cantonments in the country, the head-quarters being established at Belturbet. While stationed at this place, the establishment was augmented (1st April, 1796) to 65 rank and file per troop, making a total of 612 officers and soldiers.

The Roman Catholics of Ireland had, for some years past, been combining against the British government, forming secret associations, and committing numerous acts of outrage and murder upon the Protestants, and at this period they were preparing for open resistance; a military organization was secretly taking place in several counties,--fire-arms were procured, and pikes manufactured. Several Irishmen of property, who had been implicated in treasonable practices, had fled to France, through whose agency application was made, by the disaffected in Ireland, to the French Government, for a force to assist them in breaking their connection with England, and in establishing their independence as a republic. The French Directory cherished a decided antipathy to the British, as a people from whose firm determination, constancy of purpose, and immense resources the towering expectations of their republic were likely to be brought down. The proposal from Ireland was consequently acceded to, and an armament was prepared at Brest, with transport for 25,000 men, to be commanded by General Hoche. The assemblage of shipping and troops at Brest, with the agitated state of Ireland, occasioned the army in that kingdom to be augmented; and the country to be divided into five military districts. On the 24th of December the French fleet appeared in Bantry Bay. The ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS were immediately despatched to oppose the enemy, and had a most harassing march from Belturbet to Bantry in severe and inclement weather.

Some misunderstanding appears to have occurred between the French Directory and Irish malcontents, respecting the period when the troops were to arrive; the Irish were not prepared to rise at this time, and they were overawed by the number of the King's troops near the coast. The French fleet was partly dispersed by a storm, and the remainder of the force, alarmed at the preparations made to oppose their landing, returned to France. After the departure of the hostile fleet the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS marched back to their former quarters, and occupied Belturbet and the adjacent towns.

[Sidenote: 1797]

In the spring of 1797 the establishment was augmented to 703 officers and men, at the same time a second Lieut.-Colonel and a second Major were added to the regiment. In August of this year the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS encamped on the Curragh of Kildare, together with the 5th, 6th, and 7th Dragoon Guards, and 5th and 9th Dragoons; and these corps were reviewed in September by Lieut.-General Sir David Dundas, who issued very complimentary orders on the occasion. The camp broke up in October, when the regiment marched to Maryborough, with detachments at Mount Mellick and Ballinakill.

During this year some alterations were made in the equipment of the regiment: the large carbines were exchanged for others of a smaller size; and the pair of large pistols for a single pistol; and the saddles were also considerably reduced in size. Lappels to the coats and silver lace on the men's hats were discontinued; and the colour of the waistcoats was changed from buff to white.

[Sidenote: 1798]

In the succeeding year the disaffected in Ireland broke out into open rebellion. Their leaders, having received fresh promises of aid from France, became confident of having their hopes and wishes accomplished, and the 22nd of May, 1798, was appointed for a general rising. The government had taken measures to meet the coming danger; a numerous yeomanry force was embodied; the regular troops were kept in constant readiness for active service; and, information of the designs of the insurgents having been procured, the leaders were seized and imprisoned, and the plan of the rebellion was disorganized. The passions of the misguided peasantry had, however, been wrought into fury and madness by all the motives which bigotry, hope of personal advantage, and thirst for vengeance could inspire, and the rebellion, so long suppressed, broke out with accumulated horrors. During the whole of its continuance the ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS were constantly employed in this painful and unnatural warfare.

The regiment, having marched from Maryborough, was detached to the different towns near Dublin, where the rebels were in force. Captain William Smith's troop was stationed at _Naas_, with a party of fencible cavalry and another of Armagh militia. This town was attacked on the 24th of May by two thousand rebels: their first attempt was upon the county jail, where they were repulsed with great loss; and they then possessed themselves of all the principal avenues to the town, and made a simultaneous attack on the posts occupied by the troops. The wild and disorderly rush of the undisciplined multitude was opposed by the troops with firmness, and after a contest of an hour's duration, the rebels were repulsed with the loss of one-hundred and forty men left dead in the streets. The FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS and fencibles charged several times and slaughtered many of the rebels in the pursuit. The regiment had Quarter Master Rowayne and private Hughes, with eleven horses killed; and ten men and a number of horses wounded. This loss was occasioned by the rebel pikemen.

During the night a party of rebels set fire to the barracks at _Prosperous_, where one officer and twenty-eight men of the militia perished: a party of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS was also surprised in quarters and nearly every man put to death: a few men were taken prisoners and afterwards butchered by the insurgents with the most inhuman cruelty. A party of fencibles was also surprised and murdered at Dunboyne; and the same misfortune befel a party of the Suffolk militia escorting baggage to Kildare. A number of other towns were attacked: in some instances the rebels were successful, in others they were defeated; and on the 25th, 26th, and 27th of May numerous skirmishes occurred, and civil war with all its horrors raged in the heart of Ireland.

A body of rebels attempted to surprise _Carlow_, which was garrisoned by detachments of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS and Ninth Dragoons, with some Yeomanry, Militia, and Volunteers, amounting to about 450 men. The rebels assembled nearly 3000 strong on the estate of Sir William Crosbie, Bart., who led them to the attack; and after a sharp conflict they were defeated, with the loss of 500 men killed, and many prisoners, including their leader, who was immediately tried by martial law and hanged.

Numerous encounters occurred in other parts of the country; and on the 30th of May a detachment of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, with a party of fencibles and Antrim militia, proceeding under the command of Colonel Walpole to join Major-General Loftus at _Gorey_, arrived at a place where the road was low and narrow, with high clay banks on each side crowded with bushes, and beyond them deep trenches, where they were attacked by an ambush of rebels of overwhelming numbers. The cavalry, by repeated charges to the front and right, endeavoured to extricate themselves, but their utmost efforts could not avail against the immense numbers by which they were opposed; and after an unequal fight of an hour's duration, in which their commanding officer, Colonel Walpole, and many men and horses were killed, they were forced to retire, covered by the militia, and had the mortification of losing three guns. About the same date 15,000 rebels took Wexford, and in the beginning of June made an attack upon New Ross, but were repulsed.[19] Enraged at this failure, they murdered, at the instigation of their priests, 241 Protestant prisoners in cold blood, and evinced, in this act, a ferocious cruelty not exceeded by the savage barbarians of the most uncultivated part of the world.

On the 4th of June Captain Sir Richard Steel engaged, with his troop of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, a body of rebels posted at _Ovidstown_, and the insurgents fought for some time with bravery, but were eventually dispersed with great slaughter. The troop had one serjeant, two rank and file, and three horses killed; with nine men and a number of horses wounded. Captain Sir Richard Steel had his horse killed under him, and was himself severely wounded.

About the same period a body of rebels attacked the first, or Colonel's, troop of this regiment, at _Goff's Bridge_, when the Dragoon Guards repulsed the furious onsets of their reckless opponents with signal gallantry, and drove back the insurgents with loss.

Part of the regiment afterwards proceeded to _Arklow_, in the neighbourhood of which place the rebels were in great force. On the morning of the 9th of June, 30,000 insurgents advanced to attack the town with three guns and such a multitude of pikemen, that they appeared like a moving forest. Thrice they attacked the town, headed by their priests in clerical vestments, and evinced astonishing intrepidity; but were unable to make any impression on the steady valour of the King's troops, though they had an advantage in numbers of twenty to one. The celebrated Father Murphy was cut in two by a cannon-ball while in the act of heading one of the attacks, waving a green flag, and shouting "Liberty or death." The contest was continued until evening; and the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS and Fifth Dragoons repeatedly charged, and in every instance routed the rebels with immense loss. The Fencible regiment of Ancient Britons also distinguished itself, and its Colonel, Sir W. Williams Wynne, was overpowered, and a rebel was in the act of piking him, when Corporal James M'Connel, of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, rushed forward to his aid, and slew the rebel. Captain William Smith also distinguished himself at the head of his troop of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS in a particular manner. About eight o'clock in the evening the rebels retreated, leaving the ground literally covered with slain, their loss being estimated at between 6000 and 7000 men.

After repulsing the enemy at Arklow, dispositions were made for a combined attack of the King's forces on the rebels' stronghold at _Vinegar Hill_,[20] in the neighbourhood of Enniscorthy; and the ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS marched to the scene of conflict under the orders of Major-General Wilford. The design of the Commander-in-Chief was to surround the post; and with this view 15,000 men, with artillery in proportion, advanced by four different routes. The _first_ division commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir David Dundas; the _second_ under Major-Generals Sir James Duff and Loftus; the _third_ under Major-General Needham; and the _fourth_ under Major-Generals Johnson and Ross: the last was to attack the town of Enniscorthy, situate at the base of the hill, and to drive the rebels from thence. The troops having arrived at their stations (excepting Major-General Needham's division), the attack commenced about seven o'clock on the morning of the 21st of June, with a sharp cannonade. The rebels sustained the fire of the artillery and troops for nearly two hours, when they gave way and fled through the space which should have been occupied by the third division (hence called Needham's gap) in the greatest confusion towards Wexford; the cavalry galloped forward in pursuit, and made a dreadful slaughter among the fugitives. In their haste to escape from the sabres and bayonets of the King's troops, the rebels left behind them their cannon (fourteen pieces), with an immense quantity of plunder collected from the neighbouring towns and gentlemen's houses; also a number of muskets, pistols, and swords, and a great quantity of pikes, scythes, and other implements of destruction. The loss of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS was, four men killed, and ten wounded; besides a number of horses killed and wounded. After the action the regiment proceeded to its former quarters at Maryborough and Mount Mellick, where it was kept in constant readiness for further operations; and detachments were employed on various services.

The remains of the rebel army continued to make an unavailing resistance, and endeavoured to force the passes which separate the counties of Wexford and Carlow. On one occasion, a party of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS and a small body of the Wexford militia disputed the passage of the river Barrow at _Gore's Bridge_, against an overwhelming force of rebels; after displaying much intrepidity and heroism, and losing many men in killed and wounded, the soldiers were overpowered, and 27 taken prisoners: 7 of the captives were supposed to be Orangemen, and were instantly shot, and their fellow-soldiers were forced to be their executioners.

In July, the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS marched, under the command of Colonel Thewles (accompanied by Major-General Sir James Duff), to attack, in conjunction with other troops, a considerable body of rebels who had taken post at _Kildare_. On the advance of the King's forces, the insurgents, after a short resistance, set the town on fire and retired to a position on the curragh of Kildare. Here they were attacked, overpowered, and routed by the cavalry, with a loss of 250 killed and many wounded. Previous to the termination of this sanguinary affair, Lieutenant-General Sir David Dundas arrived with a body of troops, to whom the surviving rebels surrendered,--the General having authority to give protection to such of the insurgents as should lay down their arms and return to their allegiance.

From this period the rebellion may be considered suppressed; some of the most obstinate of the rebels, however, continued in a body and committed many enormities; and the French endeavoured to revive the conflict by sending General Humbert, with upwards of 1000 men, all desperate characters, who landed at Killala on the 22nd of August. The FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS were immediately ordered to march for Connaught, but the French having been made prisoners, the order was countermanded, and the regiment returned to its quarters at Maryborough. Thus was this unnatural contest terminated; but the repeated atrocities of the Catholics led to equally frightful retaliations, and the sanguinary hatred engendered by religious antipathy and a thirst for revenge produced a fearful catalogue of crime after the rebels were subdued. The loss of the insurgents during this rebellion has been estimated at 50,000 men, and that of the royalists at 19,000 men.

[Sidenote: 1799]

Scarcely were the troubles in Ireland terminated and the country restored to tranquillity, when the regiment received orders to hold itself in readiness for foreign service, and, having marched to Dublin, it there received a draught of men and horses from the 6th Dragoon Guards.

Embarking from Dublin in August, 1799, it landed at Liverpool, from whence it proceeded by forced marches to Northampton, expecting to form part of the Anglo-Russian army, destined to attempt to rescue Holland from the power of France; but the Dutch not seconding the efforts made for their deliverance, the troops were withdrawn, and the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS continued at Northampton during the remainder of that year.

During the summer the regiment received orders to cut the horses' tails, which had been worn of the natural length since 1764, and the operation occasioned the loss of several valuable horses, which died of locked-jaw.

[Sidenote: 1800]

In the beginning of the following year the establishment was augmented to ten troops, and the total numbers to 850 officers and men. In February the regiment marched from Northampton for Scotland, and on its arrival occupied Hamilton barracks; in the autumn it proceeded to Edinburgh, where it remained nearly two years.

[Sidenote: 1802]

After the conclusion of the peace of Amiens with the French government, the establishment of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS was reduced to eight troops, and the total numbers to 550 officers and soldiers and 500 troop horses. In August, 1802, the regiment proceeded to Ireland, and, having landed at Donaghadee, it occupied Belturbet, Longford, and Enniskillen. This year the length of the skirts of the men's coats was reduced, and the blue half-lappels discontinued.

[Sidenote: 1803]

The peace, ratified in 1802, did not long 'diffuse its blessings o'er the land.' The First Consul of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, soon found opportunities to violate the conditions of a treaty which he never intended should be permanent,--merely wishing to have the army of Great Britain disbanded or reduced to a peace establishment, to further his hostile views against the country; and he ventured to make preparations to invade England. Happily his designs were frustrated; the spirit and energy of the British people were soon roused; an extraordinary feeling of patriotism pervaded the whole country,--the regular army was augmented,--the militia called out,--the yeomanry and volunteers enrolled,--and in a few months a force of 500,000 men was prepared for any emergency. Bonaparte's threat of invasion soon evaporated, his proud spirit quailed before such a mighty preparation, and he feared to attempt the shores of Britain with his legions. The establishment of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS was augmented on this occasion to 670 officers and soldiers.

After a service of sixty years the veteran General, George Warde, died (11th March, 1803) in the 78th year of his age, and was succeeded in the Colonelcy of the ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS by Major-General Miles Staveley, whose regiment, the 28th, or Duke of York's own Light Dragoons, had been disbanded a few months previously to this period.

In April of this year (1803) the regiment marched to Longford and adjacent towns; and the efficiency of the corps was increased by the addition of three Captains to the establishment, which released the Field Officers from the charge of troops.

On the 16th December Captain Charles Dodgson, who commanded the troop at Philipstown, went in search of an outlaw, for whose apprehension the government had offered a large reward: arriving at the ruins of an old castle, where the rebel had established himself, the captain summoned him to surrender: he refused, and instantly fired at the captain, and so severely wounded him as to occasion his death in a few moments. This murder caused a great feeling of regret in the regiment, by which Captain Dodgson was much beloved.

[Sidenote: 1804]

In the spring of the following year it marched to Dublin, and embarked for England; and, after landing at Liverpool, marched to Exeter, Truro, Totness, and Honiton; and in December, 44 men and 80 horses were added to the establishment.

[Sidenote: 1805]

The regiment quitted Devonshire and Cornwall in the spring of 1805, for Kent, and was assembled at Canterbury in May. On the 23rd of August it was inspected by His Royal Highness the Duke of York, and was honoured with his royal approbation of the appearance and discipline of the regiment. It was also inspected, on the 4th of October, by its Colonel, Major-General Staveley, who expressed great satisfaction at its condition. During its stay at Canterbury its establishment was augmented to 769 men and 769 troop horses.

In September of this year a regulation was established in the regiment, for each man to pay 1_s._ per month, and the sums thus produced to be invested in the public funds, and to be designated _St. Patrick's Fund_. From this fund every soldier, after a continued contribution for twelve years or upwards, was to receive, on his discharge, either the whole amount of his subscription, or a yearly pension, according to a fixed scale. Great advantages have accrued to the men of the regiment from this excellent institution. There are now (1838) 36 pensioners upon the fund, and the highest upon the list receives 6_l._ 1_s._ 6_d._ annually, after twenty-seven years' contribution. The stock amounts to 3350_l._ reduced 3 per cent. annuities.

[Sidenote: 1806]

The regiment quitted Canterbury in December, on route for Scotland; and in February, 1806, was established in quarters at Piershill barracks, Edinburgh, with Hamilton and Glasgow; but it was recalled to England in a few weeks afterwards, and occupied Manchester, Liverpool, and Chester.

On the 8th of August two troops were inspected at Liverpool by His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, accompanied by the Duke of Clarence (afterwards King William IV.); their Royal Highnesses also saw the whole regiment at Manchester on the 25th of September, and expressed their approbation of its appearance and discipline in the most flattering terms.[21]

While the regiment was stationed in Lancashire its establishment was augmented to ten troops; and the total numbers to 904 officers and soldiers, and 854 troop horses.

[Sidenote: 1807]

The regiment was reviewed on the 9th of June, 1807, at Manchester, by Major-General Fisher; and in the following month two troops marched to Nottingham: in the autumn the regiment occupied quarters at Birmingham (head-quarters), Nottingham, Coventry, Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, and Warrington.

[Sidenote: 1808]

In the summer of the following year great excitement prevailed in the manufacturing towns in Lancashire and the adjoining counties; and in May a serious riot took place at _Manchester_, in consequence of a bill, fixing the minimum of wages, having been rejected by parliament: so great was the violence of the rioters, that the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS and militia were obliged to use violent means, and unfortunately eight men were killed and several wounded. This severity did not, however, prevent another body of weavers assembling on the 1st of June, and committing many acts of violence and outrage; and the cavalry was again obliged to act. The weavers of other towns were equally outrageous; and at Rochdale they attacked and burnt the prison, and were only prevented committing further mischief by the arrival of a troop of the ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS from Manchester.

The disturbed state of the manufacturing towns, and the numerous calls of the civil authorities for the aid of a military force, occasioned much harassing duty to the regiment throughout the summer, and these services were rendered particularly painful to the troops, from the necessity of frequently using coercive measures to restrain the lawless violence of the people.

In November Major-General Pigott inspected the regiment at Birmingham, and expressed himself gratified at finding it so effective after the severe duties on which it had been employed.

[Sidenote: 1809]

During this year the men's hair, which had been worn long and tied behind with a queue, was ordered to be cut short; and in 1809 the use of powder to the hair was abolished. An order was also received for the appointment of troop serjeant-majors in the place of troop quartermasters, when vacancies occurred. A reduction of one hundred horses was also made to the establishment in 1808, and again in 1809.

[Sidenote: 1810]

Numerous changes of quarters took place during the year 1809, and the spring of 1810, and in the summer of the latter year the regiment occupied York, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Beverley, &c. &c. During the autumn and early part of the winter of this year (1810) four troops (A. B. C. and D.) were employed under Major Ross in suppressing the riotous conduct of the workmen in the coal-districts in the counties of _Northumberland_ and _Durham_, which, after much difficulty and painful service, was happily effected to the satisfaction of the coal-owners, who presented the regiment with a handsome SILVER VASE, with the following inscription:--

'PRESENTED to the Mess of the FOURTH ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS, by
the COAL-OWNERS on the rivers Tyne and Wear, as a mark of grateful
respect for services performed by a part of that corps, called out
in aid of the civil power, in suppressing a riotous combination of
their workmen in the year 1810.'

[Sidenote: 1811]

In November, 1810, and again in May, 1811, the regiment was inspected by Major-General Vyse, who passed very high encomiums on its appearance and discipline. In June following it marched to Radipole barracks, where it received orders, on the 5th of July, for six troops to be held in readiness to proceed on foreign service, to join the army commanded by General the Earl of Wellington, which was fighting against the legions of Bonaparte in Portugal and Spain; and the establishment was augmented to 800 troop horses. The six troops, amounting to 550 men, and 534 horses, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sherlock, embarked at Plymouth on the 24th of July, and, having a quick voyage, landed at Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, on the 4th of August.

The allied army under the command of Lord Wellington was, at this period, on the frontiers of Spain, and the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, after halting three weeks at the royal barracks at Belem to refresh the horses, received orders to march up the country and join Major-General Le Merchant's brigade of heavy cavalry. Leaving Belem on the 1st of September, the regiment proceeded by Villa Franca and Santarem, to Abrantes--a romantic-looking town situate on the summit of a lofty precipice on the right bank of the Tagus.

After occupying Abrantes and the adjacent villages a few days, the regiment resumed its march, and proceeded by Niza, and Villa Velha, to Castello Branco, where it was reviewed by Lord Wellington, who expressed his entire approbation of the appearance and discipline of the corps, and of the excellent quality and condition of the horses, and ordered twenty of the lightest to be transferred to the regiments of light dragoons. In October the regiment marched to Bismula, subsequently to Fundão, and from thence to Santa Combadão, and after the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo was raised, it proceeded into quarters for the winter at Fundão.

[Sidenote: 1812]

When the siege of _Ciudad Rodrigo_ was resumed, the regiment moved forward and formed part of the force employed in covering the operation; and whilst engaged in this service a scarcity of forage was so severely experienced, that the condition of the horses was much deteriorated. After the capture of this fortress by storm on the 19th of January, 1812, some changes took place in the cavalry brigades, and this regiment was removed to Major-General Slade's brigade, which consisted of the Third and FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS and First Royal Dragoons. This brigade marched to Santa Combadão and adjacent villages; and subsequently proceeded to the Alentego to join the southern army, and cover the siege of the important fortress of _Badajoz_. Marshal Soult advanced with a strong French corps to relieve the town; but it was taken by storm (6th April) before his arrival. He then retired, leaving a strong rear-guard at _Llerena_, towards which place the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, and other cavalry corps, advanced; and the French troops at this place were attacked and defeated on the 11th of April, by the British cavalry.

The brigade, of which the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS formed part, was afterwards attached to the army of the south under the command of Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, and was employed in all the operations and movements performed by that body of troops.

After the important victory gained by the main army under Lord Wellington, on the 22nd of July, at Salamanca, the army of the south advanced upon Madrid, in which city the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS were stationed for several days; at the same time Lord Wellington was engaged in the siege of Burgos. A powerful French army under General Clausel having advanced to raise the siege, while another army under Marshal Soult, and a third under Joseph Bonaparte (who had been elevated by his brother to the throne of Spain), were advancing upon Madrid, Lord Wellington found himself unable to cope with the combined forces thus assembled to attack him, and he commenced retreating upon Salamanca. At the same time Sir Rowland Hill's corps withdrew from its forward position, and after a long and toilsome retreat the whole army was concentrated near Salamanca. The French afterwards crossed the Tormes at Alba de Tormes, and Lord Wellington retreated across the Agueda and entered Portugal. During this movement the troops suffered severely from the inclemency of the weather and the want of provision: the rain fell in torrents almost the whole of the time; and the bad condition of the roads, added to the scanty supply of forage, was particularly injurious to the cavalry, and occasioned the death of many horses of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, and other corps. The regiment was ordered into quarters at Zarga Maior; from whence it marched, towards the end of December, into cantonments at Brozas.

Several alterations were this year made in the clothing and appointments of the regiment: the men's coats were altered to short coatees, with blue collar and cuffs, and white bar lace with a blue cord across the breast; the cocked hat and white feather were discontinued, and a brass helmet, having the crest surmounted with long black horse-hair, was adopted. The horse appointments were changed from black to brown leather; the leather saddle-bags to a cloth valise; and sabretaches were introduced.

[Sidenote: 1813]

Strenuous exertions were made during the winter to render the regiment particularly efficient for the ensuing campaign: men, horses, clothing, and appointments, arrived from England, and the corps was brought into the most perfect condition for the field; when an order was given for four regiments of cavalry to transfer their horses to the other corps and proceed to England; and to the extreme regret of the officers and men, who panted for an opportunity to distinguish themselves in action with the enemy, the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS was one of the regiments ordered to return home,--the other three were the 9th, 11th, and 13th Light Dragoons. The commanding-officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Sherlock, used his utmost endeavours to have the order rescinded, and to obtain permission for the regiment to remain on foreign service, but without avail; and the only ST. PATRICK'S DAY the ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS ever hailed with sorrowful feelings was the one which brought the order for the surrender of their horses to other corps, and for their ceasing to form part of the army under Lord Wellington's command.

Having transferred 220 horses to the First Royal Dragoons, and 110 to the Third Dragoon Guards, the dismounted men proceeded to Lisbon, where they embarked for Portsmouth, and after their arrival marched to Hilsea barracks. On the 3rd of June they re-embarked at Portsmouth, and proceeded by sea to Hull, and from thence to York, where the four depôt troops and heavy baggage joined under the command of Major Ogilvie, from Canterbury.

During the period the regiment was serving in Portugal and Spain, it sustained, from change of climate, sickness, fatigue, privation, and other causes arising out of the arduous duties in which it had been employed, a loss of 239 men, and 445 horses.

While on foreign service a schoolmaster-serjeant was added to the corps, and that excellent institution, the regimental school, was established under the auspices of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, whose kind care and attention to the interests and welfare of the soldiers on numerous occasions renders the memory of His Royal Highness dear to every individual of the British army.

[Sidenote: 1814]

In October of this year (1813) the regiment was inspected at York by Major-General Cheney, who expressed great satisfaction at its appearance. In the following spring it occupied quarters at York, Sheffield, Newcastle, and Durham; from whence it marched, in May, in divisions for Edinburgh, and was there inspected by Major-General Sir Granby Calcraft on the 29th and 30th of that month: one squadron was afterwards stationed at Haddington.

In the meantime the legions of Bonaparte had not only been driven out of Spain, but he had also lost that immense accession of territory which had been acquired by the armies of France since the revolution; and even the capital of their country had fallen into the hands of the allied powers, who had removed the tyrant of Europe, the perfidious Emperor Napoleon, from his throne, and sent him into exile, and had restored the Bourbon dynasty. Thus tranquillity was restored in Christendom under circumstances which warranted the anticipation of a long period of peace and prosperity to the nations of Europe. The strength of the British army was consequently diminished, and the establishment of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS was reduced to eight troops, and the total to 545 men and 453 horses.

Soon after this reduction had been made in its numbers, the regiment was ordered to proceed to Ireland; it embarked at Port Patrick in the middle of August, and after landing at Donaghadee, it occupied Belturbet, Longford, Enniskillen, Sligo and Mullingar.

Lieut.-General Miles Staveley, who had held the Colonelcy of the regiment upwards of eleven years, died in September, 1814; and was succeeded by Lieut.-General Sir Henry Fane, G.C.B., by commission dated the 3rd of the following month.

A slight alteration was this year made in the uniform: the bars of white lace across the breast were discontinued, and two broad stripes of white lace with a blue worm were placed down the front of the coat and upon the cuffs; the jacked-leather boots were also replaced by others of a lighter description called Hessian boots;--the white plush breeches, by white web pantaloons; and a blue and white girdle (or sash) was adopted for the men.

[Sidenote: 1815]

The anticipations of a lengthened peace vanished in the spring of 1815, and the long-wished for repose of Europe was disturbed by Bonaparte, who violated the conditions of his treaties and engagements, quitted the island of Elba, and once more trod the soil of France. His former associates in war flocked to his banner; his advance was rapid and decisive; Louis XVIII. was forced to vacate his newly-acquired throne and fly to the Netherlands; and the edicts of Napoleon were again issued from the Tuilleries. He was now singly opposed to nearly the whole of Europe; and, with the hardihood of desperation, he braved the resentment of the united powers. The ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS were not fortunate enough to be again called on foreign service: but, every power in Christendom increasing the strength of its armies, the establishment of this regiment was augmented ten men per troop, and subsequently a further addition of 48 men and 128 horses was made to its numbers.

The battle of Waterloo disposed of Bonaparte and his legions, and a few days of contest sufficed to re-establish the tranquillity of Europe. The peace then restored has continued, with the exception of commotions in particular kingdoms, to shed its benign influence over Christendom for a longer period than on any former occasion during the two preceding centuries; and knowledge, refinement, arts, and manufactures have advanced to a state beyond that to which they ever previously attained.

The head-quarters of the regiment were removed from Belturbet to Tullamore in April, 1815; and various changes took place in the stations of the detached troops[22].

[Sidenote: 1816]

The peace of Europe having been re-established, the strength of the regular army was reduced, and in August, 1816, the numbers of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS were decreased to 493 men and 333 horses.

[Sidenote: 1817]

In February, 1817, the head-quarters of the regiment were removed to Dublin, and detachments were stationed at Tullamore, Longford, Kavan, Philipstown, and five other places.

[Sidenote: 1818]

The regiment assembled at Dublin in June, 1818, and having embarked for England, landed at Bristol in the early part of July, and occupied Radipole barracks, with two troops at Bristol, and one at Taunton; and furnished a strong detachment on revenue duty on the coast. In the autumn the head-quarters were removed to Nottingham, and the detached troops occupied Northampton and Leicester. The regiment was inspected at this station by Major-General Bolton, in October; and again in May of the following year. In December, 1818, the establishment was reduced to 405 men and 273 horses.

[Sidenote: 1819]

A change of quarters took place in June and July, 1819, and the regiment was stationed at York, Sheffield, Leeds, and Huddersfield. In the middle of August five troops were employed in suppressing riots at Leeds; and in September one troop proceeded to Durham, in consequence of some commotions among the people of that city.