Chapter I: Part 1

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE

Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.

Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been
corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within
the text and consultation of external sources.

More detail can be found at the end of the book.

HISTORICAL RECORDS

OF

THE BRITISH ARMY.

GENERAL ORDERS.

_HORSE-GUARDS_,
_1st January, 1836._

His Majesty has been pleased to command, that, with a view of doing the fullest justice to Regiments, as well as to Individuals who have distinguished themselves by their Bravery in Action with the Enemy, an Account of the Services of every Regiment in the British Army shall be published under the superintendence and direction of the Adjutant-General; and that this Account shall contain the following particulars, viz.

---- The Period and Circumstances of the Original Formation of
the Regiment; The Stations at which it has been from time to time
employed; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations,
in which it has been engaged, particularly specifying any
Achievement it may have performed, and the Colours, Trophies,
&c., it may have captured from the Enemy.

---- The Names of the Officers and the number of Non-Commissioned
Officers and Privates, Killed or Wounded by the Enemy, specifying
the Place and Date of the Action.

---- The Names of those Officers, who, in consideration of their
Gallant Services and Meritorious Conduct in Engagements with the
Enemy, have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other
Marks of His Majesty's gracious favour.

---- The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers
and Privates as may have specially signalized themselves in
Action.

And,

---- The Badges and Devices which the Regiment may have been
permitted to bear, and the Causes on account of which such Badges
or Devices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have been granted.

By Command of the Right Honourable
GENERAL LORD HILL,
_Commanding-in-Chief_.

JOHN MACDONALD,
_Adjutant-General_.

PREFACE.

The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly depend upon the zeal and ardour, by which all who enter into its service are animated, and consequently it is of the highest importance that any measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation, by which alone great and gallant actions are achieved, should be adopted.

Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this desirable object, than a full display of the noble deeds with which the Military History of our country abounds. To hold forth these bright examples to the imitation of the youthful soldier, and thus to incite him to emulate the meritorious conduct of those who have preceded him in their honourable career, are among the motives that have given rise to the present publication.

The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced in the "London Gazette," from whence they are transferred into the public prints: the achievements of our armies are thus made known at the time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute of praise and admiration to which they are entitled. On extraordinary occasions, the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on the Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their orders, expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill and bravery, and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour of their Sovereign's Approbation, constitute the reward which the soldier most highly prizes.

It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental armies) for British Regiments to keep regular records of their services and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been experienced in obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, an authentic account of their origin and subsequent services.

This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His Majesty having been pleased to command, that every Regiment shall in future keep a full and ample record of its services at home and abroad.

From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth derive information as to the difficulties and privations which chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to the active concerns of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and where these pursuits have, for so long a period, been undisturbed by the _presence of war_, which few other countries have escaped, comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of active service, and of the casualties of climate, to which, even during peace, the British Troops are exposed in every part of the globe, with little or no interval of repose.

In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,--on their sufferings,--and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which so many national benefits are obtained and preserved.

The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance, have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and their character has been established in Continental warfare by the irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against superior numbers.

In the official Reports made by the respective Commanders, ample justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions of the Corps employed; but the details of their services, and of acts of individual bravery, can only be fully given in the Annals of the various Regiments.

These Records are now preparing for publication, under His Majesty's special authority, by Mr. RICHARD CANNON, Principal Clerk of the Adjutant-General's Office; and while the perusal of them cannot fail to be useful and interesting to military men of every rank, it is considered that they will also afford entertainment and information to the general reader, particularly to those who may have served in the Army, or who have relatives in the Service.

There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or are serving, in the Army, an _Esprit de Corps_--an attachment to every thing belonging to their Regiment; to such persons a narrative of the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions of the great,--the valiant,--the loyal, have always been of paramount interest with a brave and civilized people. Great Britain has produced a race of heroes who, in moments of danger and terror, have stood, "firm as the rocks of their native shore;" and when half the World has been arrayed against them, they have fought the battles of their Country with unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of achievements in war,--victories so complete and surprising, gained by our countrymen,--our brothers,--our fellow-citizens in arms,--a record which revives the memory of the brave, and brings their gallant deeds before us, will certainly prove acceptable to the public.

Biographical memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished Officers, will be introduced in the Records of their respective Regiments, and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from time to time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying the value and importance of its services, will be faithfully set forth.

As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record of each Regiment will be printed in a distinct number, so that when the whole shall be completed, the Parts may be bound up in numerical succession.

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE SEVENTH,

OR

THE QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT OF

HUSSARS:

CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF

THE ORIGIN OF THE REGIMENT IN 1690,

AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES TO 1842.

_ILLUSTRATED WITH A PLATE OF THE UNIFORM._

LONDON:
JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND.

M.DCCC.XLII.

LONDON:
HARRISON AND CO., PRINTERS,
ST. MARTIN'S LANE

To face Title-page.]

THE SEVENTH,

OR

THE QUEEN'S OWN HUSSARS,

BEAR ON THEIR APPOINTMENTS THE WORDS

"PENINSULA," AND "WATERLOO,"

TO COMMEMORATE
THEIR GALLANTRY IN SPAIN AND THE SOUTH OF FRANCE,
IN 1813 AND 1814,

AND AT THE MEMORABLE BATTLE OF WATERLOO,
IN 1815.

CONTENTS.

Year Page

1689 Several Independent Troops of Horse and Dragoons
raised in Scotland 10

---- Battle of Killicrankie 11

1690 The Independent Troops formed into two regiments
of Cavalry 12

---- Their Services during the Campaign of 1690 --

---- The two Regiments incorporated, and constituted a
regiment of Dragoons, now SEVENTH HUSSARS 13

1694 Proceeds to the Netherlands 14

1695 Action at Moorsleede 16

---- Covering the Siege of Namur 16

1696 Serves under the Prince of Vaudemont 18

1697 ---------------- Elector of Bavaria --

---- Embarks for England 19

1698 Marches to Scotland --

1711 Embarks for Holland 21

---- Serves under the Duke of Marlborough --

1712 ---------------- Duke of Ormond --

1713 Proceeds to Ireland 23

1714 Reduced after the Peace of Utrecht --

1715 Re-Established --

---- Styled _Her Royal Highness the Princess of
Wales's Own Royal Regiment of Dragoons_ 26

---- Battle of Dumblain 27

1716 Marches to England 28

1721 Returns to Scotland 29

1722 Proceeds to England --

1727 Styled the _Queen's Own Regiment of Dragoons_ 30

1733 Marches to Scotland 31

1735 Returns to England --

1740 Encamped near Newbury 31

1741 Proceeds to Scotland 32

1742 Returns to England--Embarks for Flanders --

1743 Battle of Dettingen 33

1745 --------- Fontenoy 35

1746 --------- Roucoux 36

1747 --------- Val 37

1749 Returns to England 38

1751 Description of the Clothing and Standards 39

1754 Proceeds to Scotland 41

1755 A Light Troop added to the Establishment --

1758 Expedition to St. Maloes 42

---- Capture of Cherbourg 43

1760 Proceeds to Germany --

---- Battle of Warbourg 44

1761 --------- Kirch-Denkern 46

---- Skirmishes at Eimbeck and Foorwohle --

1762 Battle of Groebenstein 47

1763 Returns to England--Light Troop Disbanded 48

1766 Drummers replaced by Trumpeters 49

1768 Proceeds to Scotland --

1769 Returns to England --

1773 Proceeds to Scotland --

1774 Returns to England --

1778 Encamped near Bury St. Edmunds 50

1779 Proceeds to Scotland --

1781 Returns to England --

1783 _Constituted a Corps of Light Dragoons_ 51

1784 _Blue_ Clothing adopted 51

1786 _Blue_ Cloaks ---- 53

1793 Embarks for Flanders 54

---- Attack on Lannoy 55

1794 Action at Prémont 56

---- Battle of Cateau --

---- --------- Tournay 57

---- Actions at Roubaix and Mouvaux 58

---- Second Battle of Tournay 62

---- Skirmish near Breda --

1794 Skirmish near Nimeguen 63

1795 Retreats through Holland to Germany --

---- Embarks for England 64

1799 ----------- Holland --

---- Battle of Bergen 65

---- --------- Egmont-op-Zee --

---- Actions at Beverwyck and Wyck-op-Zee 66

---- Embarks for England 67

1807 Equipped as a _Regiment of Hussars_ 68

1808 Embarks for Spain --

---- Action at Sahagun 70

---- ------ near Carrion --

---- ------ Benevente 71

1809 Retreats to Corunna--Embarks for England 73

1810 Proceeds to Ireland 74

1813 Returns to England --

---- Embarks for Spain --

---- Passage of the Bidassoa 75

1814 Battle of Orthes 76

---- --------- Toulouse 77

---- Returns to England 78

1815 Embarks for Flanders --

---- Battle of Quatre-Bras 79

---- Action at Genappe 79

---- Battle of Waterloo 80

---- Capture of Cambray 82

---- Advances to Paris --

1816 Forms part of the Army of Occupation --

1818 Returns to England 83

1819 Marches to Scotland --

1820 Embarks for Ireland --

1823 Returns to England 84

1826 Proceeds to Scotland --

1828 Embarks for Ireland 85

1830 _Scarlet Pelisses_ adopted --

1831 Returns to England --

1833 Proceeds to Scotland --

1834 Returns to England 86

1837 Embarks for Ireland 86

1838 Four service troops embark for Canada --

---- Employed against the Insurgents in Lower Canada --

1841 Resumes wearing _Blue Pelisses_ --

1842 The Conclusion 87

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.

1690 Robert Cunningham 89

1696 William, Lord Jedburgh 90

1707 Patrick, Lord Polwarth 91

1709 Honorable William Kerr --

1741 John Cope 92

1760 John Mostyn 93

1763 Sir George Howard, K.B. 94

1779 Sir Henry Clinton, K.B. --

1795 David Dundas 96

1801 Marquis of Anglesey, K.G., G.C.B., K.St.P.,
G.C.H. 99

SUCCESSION OF LIEUTENANT-COLONELS 101

SUCCESSION OF MAJORS 102

The Plate of the Uniform in 1842, to follow the Title-Page.

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE SEVENTH,

OR,

THE QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT
OF
HUSSARS.

[Sidenote: 1688]

THE QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT OF HUSSARS was originally a corps of heavy cavalry, and was formed of independent troops of horse and dragoons, raised in Scotland during the commotions which followed the Revolution of 1688, when a number of patriotic Scots arrayed themselves, under the banners of William and Mary, and fought against the adherents of King James II., who sought to establish papacy and arbitrary government.

[Sidenote: 1689]

After King James's flight to France, England became comparatively tranquil, and the establishment of the Prince and Princess of Orange on the throne, in February, 1689, was hailed with public rejoicings. In Scotland, the Catholic clans, and other partisans of King James were numerous; and, while the chivalrous Viscount Dundee aroused the Highlanders to arms, the Duke of Gordon held the castle of Edinburgh, of which he was governor, in the interest of the Stuart dynasty.

King William sent Major-General Mackay, an experienced officer, who had served in the armies of France and Holland, to take the command of the forces in Scotland; and, while Viscount Dundee was organising a plan of co-operation among the clans, additional corps were embodied by the government.

The Earl of Annandale, who was one of the first of the Scottish noblemen to advocate the principles of the Revolution, raised a troop of horse; a second was raised by the Lord Belhaven, a nobleman distinguished for his steady opposition to the tyrannical measures of King Charles II., and King James II.; and a third troop was raised by William, Laird of Blair: independent troops of dragoons were also embodied by several gentlemen who were zealous for the interests and welfare of their country; also several regiments and independent companies of foot.

While these corps were being embodied, Viscount Dundee descended from the mountains with several bands of Highlanders, seized on the town of Perth, and took the Laird of Blair, and his lieutenant, the Laird of Pollock, prisoners. These gentlemen were carried about like felons, in an ungenerous triumph, for six weeks, and afterwards sent to the Isle of Mul, where the Laird of Blair died, in consequence of the barbarous treatment he received.

The Earl of Annandale's and Lord Belhaven's troops of horse, having been completed and equipped, took the field, and formed part of the force under Major-General Mackay, which engaged the Highlanders and Irish, under Viscount Dundee, at the pass of _Killicrankie_, on the 27th of July, 1689, and were the only cavalry corps with the army on that occasion[1]. For a short time after the commencement of the action, the advantage was on the side of Major-General Mackay. When the infantry began to give way before the superior numbers of the clans, the two troops of horse were ordered forward,--one on the right, and the other on the left,--to attack the flanks of the opposing army; but, being untrained men, instead of dashing, sword in hand, upon the adverse ranks, they halted at a short distance, and commenced a straggling fire with carbines and pistols. This mode of attacking a body of men on foot of very superior numbers, could not fail to prove disastrous; and the two troops were speedily driven from the field with loss. The army was defeated; but the ability evinced by Major-General Mackay, in conducting the retreat, and in assembling another army, with the loss of the Jacobite commander, Viscount Dundee, who was killed at the commencement of the action, occasioned the result to be less disastrous than was anticipated, and the Highlanders were forced to take refuge in their mountain fastnesses.

[Sidenote: 1690]

In the beginning of 1690 the newly-raised horse were formed into a regiment, of only three troops, of which the Earl of Eglintoun was appointed colonel,--the Honorable William Forbes (eldest son of Lord Forbes), lieut.-colonel,--and Sir George Gordon, of Edinglassie, major; the dragoons were also formed into a regiment of three troops, under the command of Lord Cardross,--Jackson, lieut.-colonel, and--Guthrie, major; at the same time three of the newly-raised regiments of foot were incorporated into one, which were placed under the orders of Colonel Cunningham.

During the subsequent contest the two cavalry corps performed much harassing and faithful service; they took part in several skirmishes, and evinced intrepidity and valour; the clans were repulsed and driven back to the mountains; garrisons were placed in the heart of the Highland districts, and the adherents of King James lost all hope of success.

In the following winter the Scots army was remodelled; several corps of infantry were disbanded; and the two regiments of cavalry, of three troops each, were incorporated and constituted a regiment of dragoons, of six troops of fifty men each, of which ROBERT CUNNINGHAM was appointed colonel by commission dated the 30th of December, 1690; William Forbes was appointed lieut.-colonel; and Patrick Hume, major. The corps thus formed now bears the distinguished title of the SEVENTH, OR QUEEN'S OWN, REGIMENT OF HUSSARS, and its services form the subject of the following pages. Until the reign of King George II., it was distinguished by the name of its colonel.

[Sidenote: 1691]

[Sidenote: 1692]

Being constituted of men of approved fidelity and devotion to the principles of the Revolution, CUNNINGHAM'S regiment was held in estimation by the government; it was quartered near the confines of the Highlands, to hold in check the disaffected clans; and was afterwards removed to the vicinity of Edinburgh. In August, 1691, a proclamation was published, proffering indemnity and pardon to all persons who would submit to the government and take the oath of allegiance to King William and Queen Mary. Before the end of January, 1692, the heads of clans had ratified their submission, and hostilities ceased in Scotland.

[Sidenote: 1693]

The British monarch had, in the mean time, engaged in a war with Louis XIV., and on His Majesty's return to England, after the termination of the campaign of 1693, the two Scots regiments of dragoons (Livingstone's, now Second, or the Scots' Greys, and CUNNINGHAM'S, now SEVENTH HUSSARS) were selected to proceed on foreign service.

[Sidenote: 1694]

CUNNINGHAM'S dragoons commenced their march from Scotland in February, 1694, and on arriving at Berwick they were placed on the English establishment; at the same time exertions were made to complete an augmentation of two troops, and of ten additional men and horses to each of the six old troops. The augmentation troops left Scotland in the spring, and the six old troops continued their march southward until they arrived at London, where the eight troops were united in May, and the whole embarked at Greenwich for the Netherlands.

The regiment, commanded by its colonel, Robert Cunningham, landed at Williamstadt, in North Brabant, on the 31st of May; advanced up the country to the vicinity of Arschot, and was reviewed by King William on the 16th of June, together with Livingstone's regiment: and the hardy and warlike appearance of the Scots troopers elicited the commendations of His Majesty, and of the British and foreign general officers present at the review.

After several marches the regiment was encamped at Mont St. André, where an army of eighty-eight thousand men of several nations was assembled under the command of the British monarch, and CUNNINGHAM'S dragoons were formed in brigade with Eppinger's (foreign), Essex's (now fourth), and Wynne's (late fifth), regiments of dragoons, under the orders of Brigadier-General Wynne. No general engagement occurred; and after taking part in the operations of a toilsome campaign, the regiment went into cantonments for the winter among the Flemish peasantry, in the villages between Ghent and Sas van Ghent.

[Sidenote: 1695]

From its winter quarters, the regiment marched in April, 1695, to Dixmude, in West Flanders; it joined the army in May, at the camp at Arseele, and was formed in brigade with Dopf's (Dutch) dragoons under Brigadier-General Wynne.

In the beginning of June, the army advanced to Becelaer. On the 14th of that month five hundred dragoons (among whom was a large detachment from CUNNINGHAM'S regiment) under the command of the Earl of Portland and Brigadier-General Wynne, left the camp with the view of intercepting a numerous French force, which was moving quietly across the country to attack the bread-waggons of the confederate army, on their way from Bruges to the camp. On arriving at _Moorsleede_, the French detachment was found in the village, with the streets barricaded with waggons and implements of husbandry. The dragoons instantly dismounted and attacked the barricades with signal gallantry, CUNNINGHAM'S men evincing true Scottish heroism; and in a few moments the French gave way and fled, leaving a number of killed and wounded behind them, and one captain and thirty men prisoners. Count de Soissons, brother of Prince Eugene of Savoy, served as a volunteer on this occasion, and expressed, in the strongest terms, his admiration of the valour of the dragoons. Lieutenant Webb, and several men were killed; Captains Collins and Holgate were wounded. Brigadier-General Wynne, who commanded the brigade of which CUNNINGHAM'S dragoons formed part, received a severe wound of which he afterwards died.

When King William undertook the siege of the important fortress of _Namur_, the regiment formed part of the covering army under Charles Henry of Lorraine, Prince of Vaudemont, and on the evening of the 14th of July, it was formed in order of battle, while the immense columns of the enemy, commanded by Marshal Villeroy, were seen in the open grounds in front. The two armies confronted each other during the night, and the French commander, having an immense superiority of numbers, detached a division to turn the right flank of the confederate army. The Prince ordered a retreat, which he masked with judgment; the cavalry advancing to the front--the dragoons dismounting and forming on foot at extended files, while the artillery, and infantry, with their pikes trailed and colours furled, quietly withdrew. The enemy prepared for the attack, and sent forward a cloud of light musketeers to commence the action; but the dragoons retired a few paces and mounted their horses, and when the enemy thought to have commenced the battle, the skeleton squadrons withdrew; presenting to the astonished French what appeared to be the magic spectacle of an army vanishing out of sight. The enemy's horsemen galloped forward in pursuit; but the allies effected their retreat in good order to Ghent, from whence CUNNINGHAM'S dragoons were detached, with Rosse's troopers, and twelve battalions of infantry under Lieut.-General Sir Henry Bellasis, to cover Nieuport, a place celebrated for the victory gained by the English and Dutch, over the Spaniards under Archduke Albert, on the 2nd of July, 1600[2].

The regiment was stationed between Bruges and Nieuport, until Marshal Villeroy advanced towards Namur with the view of raising the siege, when it proceeded to Brussels, which city the French had, a short time previously, bombarded. The enemy's designs were frustrated; Namur was captured; the regiment left Brussels, and, after encamping a short time on the Bruges canal, went into cantonments in the villages on the banks of the canal of Ostend, in the Pays du Nord.

[Sidenote: 1696]

When the army took the field to serve the campaign of 1696, the excellent condition of this corps excited admiration; it mustered four strong squadrons, and when King William saw the regiment, he promoted its colonel, ROBERT CUNNINGHAM, to the rank of brigadier-general.

During the summer of this year the regiment served with the army of Flanders under the Prince of Vaudemont, and was brigaded with the regiments of Eppinger and Miremont, commanded by its colonel. It was employed in defensive operations for the preservation of Ghent, Bruges, and the maritime towns of Flanders. It passed the winter in the villages behind the Bruges canal.

On the 1st of October, 1696, Brigadier-General Cunningham was succeeded in the colonelcy by WILLIAM, LORD JEDBURGH, eldest son of the Marquis of Lothian.

[Sidenote: 1697]

The regiment, bearing the title of JEDBURGH'S dragoons, served the campaign of 1697 in Flanders with the army commanded by the Elector of Bavaria, and was formed in brigade with the regiments of Nassau-Sarbruck, and Opdam, under the orders of Brigadier-General Pyper. It took part in several operations; and in May joined King William's army in Brabant, but, subsequently, returned to Flanders. In September tranquillity was restored in Europe by the treaty of Ryswick.

During the winter JEDBURGH'S dragoons embarked from Flanders, and after landing at Harwich in December, proceeded to London, where they occupied quarters for several weeks; at the same time their numbers were reduced to a peace establishment.

[Sidenote: 1698]

The regiment left its cantonments in Southwark, in February, 1698, on route for Scotland, where it arrived towards the end of March.

[Sidenote: 1702]

[Sidenote: 1703]

[Sidenote: 1704]

[Sidenote: 1705]

[Sidenote: 1706]

The accession of Queen Anne, in 1702, was followed by another war on the continent; but the exertions made by the friends of the Pretender to effect his elevation to the throne, rendered it necessary to detain an efficient force at home, and Jedburgh's was one of the corps selected to remain in Scotland, where it was stationed, while the army under the renowned Marlborough was gaining laurels in Germany and the Netherlands[3], the fields of Blenheim, Ramilies, &c., giving dreadful proof of British valour.

[Sidenote: 1707]

In April, 1707, Patrick Lord Polwarth was appointed colonel of the regiment, in succession to the Marquis of Lothian, who was removed to the colonelcy of the Scots foot guards.

[Sidenote: 1708]

The king of France having fitted out a fleet and embarked troops in the early part of 1708, for the invasion of Britain by the Pretender, Lord Polwarth's regiment was held in readiness to take the field at a moment's notice, and the establishment was augmented to fifty-four men per troop; but the French fleet was driven from the Scottish coast, and the country was preserved from the horrors of civil war.

[Sidenote: 1709]

In October, 1709, Lord Polwarth was succeeded in the colonelcy by William Kerr, brother of the duke of Roxburgh.

[Sidenote: 1710]

[Sidenote: 1711]

The gallant achievements of the forces under the great duke of Marlborough had, in the mean time, removed the theatre of war from the frontiers of Holland to the confines of France; Louis XIV. assembled an immense army to preserve the interior of his kingdom from the power of his opponents; and Queen Anne sent additional corps to the scene of contest. KERR'S dragoons were selected to proceed to the Netherlands; their establishment was augmented, in March, 1711, to sixty men per troop; and in the same month they embarked at Leith, but were driven back to the Frith and detained by contrary winds until the end of April, when they sailed for Holland.

Having been detained by the weather, the regiment did not arrive until the army had taken the field, and the men and horses had suffered by being so long on board of ship; they consequently remained in Holland for a short time in quarters of refreshment, and afterwards commenced their march for the frontiers; but when passing through Brabant, they were ordered to halt at Brussels. The regiment appears to have remained in reserve during the campaign of this year.

[Sidenote: 1712]

Taking the field in the spring of 1712, the regiment formed part of the army commanded by his grace the duke of Ormond, which advanced to the confines of France, and was ready to carry the war into Picardy; but the French monarch, finding his generals overmatched, and his armies beaten and dispirited, agreed to the conditions of a treaty of peace. A suspension of hostilities was proclaimed, and the army retired to Ghent, and after encamping a short period went into quarters.

[Sidenote: 1713]

In the summer of 1713 the regiment was ordered to embark at Dunkirk for Ireland. The royal dragoons had, in the mean time, returned from Spain dismounted[4], and the government, contemplating the disbanding of KERR'S regiment, directed its horses to be embarked for Dover and delivered to the royal dragoons. The following order was received on this subject:--

"ANNE R.

"OUR will and pleasure is, that upon the embarkation of our
regiment of dragoons under your command, for our kingdom
of Ireland, you cause all the horses belonging to the
non-commissioned officers and private dragoons thereof to be
delivered over to such person or persons as shall be appointed to
receive the same; your said regiment being to continue unmounted
until further orders.

"Given at our court at Kensington, this 6th day of June, 1713, in
the twelfth year of our reign.

"By Her Majesty's command,
"WILLIAM WYNDHAM."

_To our trusty and well-beloved Colonel William Kerr,
commanding one of our regiments of dragoons,
Flanders._

The regiment arrived at Dunkirk on the 15th of August, and having delivered up its horses, embarked for Ireland on the 21st of that month.

[Sidenote: 1714]

After the conclusion of the treaty of Utrecht, the strength of the army was reduced, and Colonel KERR'S regiment of dragoons was disembodied in Ireland in the spring of 1714.

[Sidenote: 1715]

At the time this regiment was reduced, the royal dragoons and Scots greys were augmented, and many men from Kerr's dragoons entered these two veteran corps. Few months, however, elapsed after the decease of Queen Anne, (1st August, 1714,) and the accession of King George I., when a change took place in the circumstances of the British court. His Majesty arrived from Hanover on the 17th of September. The result of the measures pursued by the ministry of Queen Anne, during the last three years of her reign, was soon manifested in the prevalence of Jacobin principles, and the king found it necessary to augment the army. One of the first acts of His Majesty on this occasion, was the restoration of KERR'S regiment of dragoons, now the SEVENTH, OR QUEEN'S OWN HUSSARS, by a warrant under the sign manual, of which the following is a copy:--

"GEORGE R.

"WHEREAS we have thought fit that a regiment of dragoons be
immediately formed to be under your command, to consist of
one colonel, one lieut.-colonel, one major, one chaplain, one
adjutant, one chirurgeon, and six troops, each consisting of one
captain, one lieutenant, one cornet, one quarter-master, one
serjeant, two corporals, one drummer, one hautboy, and thirty
private dragoons, (including two for widows.) And, WHEREAS we
have directed our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin
Thomas, Earl of Strafford, to deliver over unto you the two
youngest captains, two youngest lieutenants, two youngest
cornets, and the two youngest quarter-masters, together with the
non-commissioned officers and private men of the two youngest
troops of our royal regiment of dragoons under his command,
with the horses, arms, clothing, and accoutrements; and also
our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin David, Earl of
Portmore, to deliver unto you the three youngest captains, three
youngest lieutenants, three youngest cornets, and three youngest
quarter-masters, together with the non-commissioned officers
and private men of the three youngest troops of our regiment of
dragoons under his command, with their horses, arms, clothes,
and accoutrements; our will and pleasure is, that you receive
from the said Earl of Strafford, and the said Earl of Portmore,
the commissioned and non-commissioned officers and private men
directed to be delivered over unto you as aforesaid, towards
forming the said regiment of dragoons. And we do hereby authorize
you, by the beat of drum, or otherwise, to raise so many
volunteers as shall be wanting to complete and fill up the said
regiment to six troops, each consisting of the numbers aforesaid.
And all magistrates, justices of the peace, constables, and
other of our officers, whom it may concern, are required to be
assisting unto you, in providing quarters, impressing carriages,
and otherwise, as there shall be occasion.

"Given at our court at St. James', this 3rd day of February,
1714-15, in the first year of our reign.

"By His Majesty's Command,
"WILLIAM PULTENEY."

_To our trusty and well-beloved
Colonel William Kerr._

In compliance with this order, Captains Lewis Dollon's and Peter Renourds' troops from the royal dragoons, and Captains William Crawford's, George Dunbar's and James Levingtone's troops from the greys, (being augmentation troops raised when KERR'S regiment was disembodied,) with a sixth troop raised near London, were constituted a regiment, which now bears the designation of SEVENTH, OR QUEEN'S OWN HUSSARS; but was then styled "KERR'S DRAGOONS."

Soon after its second formation, the regiment marched into quarters in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the county of Durham; and in July His Majesty was pleased to confer upon it the distinguished title of "HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS OF WALES' OWN ROYAL REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS"[5] in honour of Wilhelmina Carolina, consort of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

The augmentation of the army, and other measures adopted by the government for the preservation of tranquillity, did not sufficiently intimidate the disaffected so as to prevent an appeal to arms. In the early part of September the Earl of Mar raised the standard of the Pretender in the Highlands, and summoned the friends of the Stuart dynasty to his aid. At the same time, the PRINCESS OF WALES'S dragoons were ordered to march to Scotland and join the troops commanded by Major-General Whetham, encamped at Stirling.

At this camp the regiment remained several weeks; additional forces arrived; the establishment was augmented, and the Duke of Argyle took the command of the army. The rebel forces, ten thousand strong, advancing with the view of penetrating southward, the King's troops, not four thousand men, proceeded to the vicinity of _Dumblain_, to oppose the progress of the clans. On the morning of Sunday, the 13th of November, the two armies confronted each other on Sheriff-muir, and the PRINCESS OF WALES', with Carpenter's (third), and a squadron of the Inniskilling (sixth) dragoons were on the left of the line, under Major-General Sabine and Brigadier-General Newton. The action commenced on the right, where the royal forces overthrew their opponents and chased them from the field. On the left the fortune of the day was in favour of the rebels; six hundred select Highlanders surprised the infantry in the act of forming, and put them into confusion. The gallant Colonel KERR led his regiment of dragoons (the SEVENTH) to the charge with signal intrepidity; his horse was killed under him; but he speedily mounted another, and his brave troopers, with some gentlemen volunteers and Carpenter's squadrons, drove the rebel horsemen before them, capturing a standard. Colonel KERR had a second horse killed under him, and a rebel trooper fired a pistol at his breast, which did him no harm, although his coat was torn. The royal infantry on the left were unable to recover from the disorder into which they had fallen; they retired before the clans; their communication with the remainder of the army was cut off; and mingling with the cavalry, both became confused, and fell back a short distance to gain an opportunity of re-forming their ranks. They retired beyond Dumblain, and took possession of the passes, to prevent the clans penetrating to Stirling. Meanwhile, the right wing of the king's army had returned from the pursuit of the left wing of the rebel forces: the Earl of Mar withdrew with the clans during the night, and the Duke of Argyle returned with the royal forces to Stirling.

Colonel KERR lost three horses on this occasion; the regiment had also two troop horses killed, and one man and four horses wounded.

[Sidenote: 1716]

In January, 1716, the royal army, having been augmented, advanced against the rebels, who fled in every direction. The Pretender and his principal officers escaped to the continent; the common men dispersed; and the rebellion being suppressed, the regiment went into quarters in Fife.

In the following spring, the PRINCESS OF WALES' dragoons returned to England, and occupied quarters in Yorkshire; but proceeded southward during the summer; and in December one troop was ordered to attend His Majesty on his landing from Hanover.

[Sidenote: 1717]

[Sidenote: 1718]

The regiment occupied quarters in Lincolnshire in the summer of 1717; passed the following winter in Yorkshire; and in July, 1718, was reviewed by Major-General Macartney, at Leicester.

[Sidenote: 1719]

[Sidenote: 1720]

In July, 1719, one troop was employed in suppressing riots at Halifax. In December, 1720, the regiment was occupying quarters in Lancashire, and received orders not to permit any person to land from the Isle of Man, in consequence of a report that the plague was in that island.

[Sidenote: 1721]

[Sidenote: 1722]

[Sidenote: 1723]

[Sidenote: 1724]

The regiment marched to Scotland in April, 1721; it returned to England in April, 1722; and after encamping several months near Manchester, went into quarters in the town. It encamped near York in June, 1723, from whence it marched, in the autumn, into Berkshire; and in January, 1724, detachments were employed on revenue duty on the Hampshire and Dorsetshire coast; in April following, the remainder marched into Yorkshire and Durham.

[Sidenote: 1725]

[Sidenote: 1726]

Lieut.-General Carpenter reviewed the regiment at York, in September, 1725; and Lieut.-General Sir Charles Wills, in April, 1726.

[Sidenote: 1727]

On the prospect of war between Holland and the Emperor of Germany, the regiment was augmented, in February, 1727, to nine troops, and four regiments of cavalry and eight of infantry were held in readiness to assist the Dutch; but no embarkation took place.

King George I. died in June of this year, on his journey to Hanover; and his son, George, Prince of Wales, succeeded to the throne: the Princess of Wales became Queen, and this regiment was honoured with the title of "THE QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS." It marched to the vicinity of Hounslow in October, and was reviewed on the heath, on the 28th of that month, by King George II., who was pleased to express his high approbation of its appearance and discipline. After the review it marched into cantonments in Dorsetshire and Somersetshire, with a detachment on revenue duty on the Sussex coast.

[Sidenote: 1728]

A detachment attended the Princess Amelia at Bath, in May, 1728; in July the regiment was reviewed at Salisbury; and in the autumn another detachment was ordered to attend the Princess Amelia at Bath.

[Sidenote: 1729]

[Sidenote: 1730]

[Sidenote: 1731]

In 1729 the establishment was reduced from nine to six troops. In 1730 the regiment occupied cantonments in Dorsetshire, Somersetshire, and Wiltshire; and was reviewed on Hounslow-heath, on the 15th of May, 1731, by King George II., attended by several noblemen and general officers; its warlike appearance, the condition of the horses, and the discipline of the regiment, were commended.

[Sidenote: 1732]

[Sidenote: 1733]

[Sidenote: 1734]

After the review, the QUEEN'S OWN DRAGOONS returned to their former quarters; in 1732 they were removed to Gloucestershire and Herefordshire; and in April, 1733, they commenced their march for Scotland, where they remained during the following year.

[Sidenote: 1735]

[Sidenote: 1736]

[Sidenote: 1737]

[Sidenote: 1738]

[Sidenote: 1739]

Returning to England in April, 1735, the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons proceeded into quarters in Leicestershire and Staffordshire, with detachments on revenue duty on the coasts of Lincolnshire and Norfolk, in which duties they were employed during the remainder of that and in the two succeeding years; and in 1738 they marched into quarters in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. In 1739 they furnished detachments on coast duty in Sussex; at the same, war having been declared against Spain, the establishment was augmented to four hundred and thirty-five men.

[Sidenote: 1740]

[Sidenote: 1741]

During the summer of 1740, the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons were encamped, with four other regiments of cavalry and four of infantry, near Newbury, under the orders of Lieut.-General Wade; and subsequently near Kingsclear; in October the regiment marched from the camp to cantonments in Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire. In 1741 they marched into Scotland.

The Honourable William Kerr, after commanding the regiment upwards of thirty years with reputation to himself, and advantage to the service, was succeeded in the colonelcy by Major-General Sir John Cope, K.B., by commission, dated the 12th of August, 1741.

In the mean time, the death of Charles VI., Emperor of Germany, had been followed by war on the continent; and the Elector of Bavaria, aided by the French monarch, was endeavouring to deprive the Archduchess, Maria Theresa, of the kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia.

[Sidenote: 1742]

The QUEEN'S OWN dragoons left Scotland in April, 1742: and soon after their arrival in England, they were selected to form part of an army of sixteen thousand men, sent to the Netherlands under the command of Field-Marshal the Earl of Stair, to support the interests of the Queen of Hungary and Bohemia. The regiment embarked in the early part of August; and after landing at Ostend, marched a few stages up the country, where it halted until the beginning of the following year.

[Sidenote: 1743]

In February, 1743, the regiment commenced its march for Germany; and after taking part in several manœuvres, it was encamped at Aschaffenburg, where King George II. and the Duke of Cumberland joined the army. On the 26th of June, as the troops were marching along the bank of the river Maine, a French force was discovered in position near _Dettingen_, a village in the Bavarian States, in the circle of the Lower Rhine; and King George II. commanded the British, Austrians, and Hanoverians to form line opposite the enemy. After a severe cannonade of several hours' duration, the French advanced from their formidable position, and a series of charges of cavalry, with a heavy fire of musketry, commenced on the left of the allied army, and extended along the front. During the heat of the engagement, the regiment which forms the subject of this memoir, had an opportunity of displaying its intrepidity and prowess in close combat with the cavalry of the opposing army, and obtained the approbation of its sovereign. The British dragoons encountered the French _gens d'armes_ and household cavalry, and, though without armour, they fought their steel-clad opponents with signal gallantry. Twice the British horsemen were forced back; but, rallying and returning to the charge, at the third onset they overthrew the opposing squadrons, and chased them from the field with great slaughter, and with the loss of several standards and kettle drums. The infantry of the allied army evinced great bravery, and a complete victory was gained over the enemy.

The QUEEN'S OWN regiment of dragoons had Lieutenant Falconer, Cornet Hobey, one serjeant, ten rank and file, and twenty-two horses killed; Lieutenant Frazer, Cornet St. Leger, one quarter-master, two serjeants, thirteen rank and file, and thirteen horses wounded: Cornet St. Leger afterwards died of his wounds.

After passing the night in the open grounds near the field of battle, the regiment marched on the following day to Hanau, and was subsequently encamped with the army on the banks of the Kinzig. In the early part of August the king proceeded towards the Rhine, passed that river beyond Mentz, and advanced to Worms. The QUEEN'S OWN dragoons were employed in West Germany, but nothing of importance occurred; and in the autumn they re-passed the Rhine, and marched back to Brabant and Flanders, where they remained during the winter.

[Sidenote: 1744]

The regiment served the campaign of 1744 under Field-Marshal Wade, and was employed in several movements, but no general engagement occurred, and in the autumn it marched into winter quarters at Bruges.

[Sidenote: 1745]

The establishment having been augmented, the regiment was joined in the spring of 1745, by a number of men and horses from England. Soon afterwards it took the field, and advanced with the troops commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, to the relief of _Tournay_, which fortress was besieged by an immense French army. On the 10th of May, two troops of the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons were employed in driving back the enemy's out-guards and piquets; and on the following day, they were engaged in supporting the attack of the infantry on the formidable position, occupied by the French, near the village of _Fontenoy_. The centre of the position was twice forced by the British regiments; but the Dutch having failed in their point of attack, a retreat was ordered. Towards the close of the action, several squadrons of cavalry charged with signal intrepidity, but were unable to retrieve the fortune of the day, and the army withdrew to Aeth.

The regiment lost, on this occasion, ten men, and forty-six horses killed; Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, Captain-Lieutenant Ogilvy, Lieutenant Forbes, Cornet Maitland, Quartermaster Smith, thirty-five men, and forty-seven horses wounded; one man and two horses missing.

After the capture of Tournay, the French army advanced with such overwhelming numbers, that the allies were unable to prevent the loss of several important towns. The QUEEN'S OWN dragoons were employed in defensive operations, and were encamped a short time before Brussels.

[Sidenote: 1746]

Meanwhile, a rebellion had broken out in Scotland, and Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, was at the head of the insurgent clans. Several corps were ordered to return to England; and in February, 1746, the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons proceeded to Williamstadt and embarked; but some delay was occasioned by severe weather, and one transport was stranded. The regiment disembarked to wait for more favourable weather; in the mean time, the prospect of a speedy termination to the rebellion occasioned the order for its return to be countermanded.

The war on the continent was continued; the regiment, having received a remount of one hundred and two men, and one hundred and fifty-six horses, took the field in the summer of 1746, and served on the Dutch frontiers, under the command of General Sir John Ligonier, and afterwards under Prince Charles of Lorraine. On the 11th of October, the regiment was formed in line, with the Greys and Inniskilling dragoons, with its right behind _Roucoux_, a village near the city of Liege, while the infantry occupied the houses and streets of several hamlets along the front. An immense French force, commanded by Marshal Saxe, advanced and attacked the left of the allied army; and by superior numbers, succeeded in carrying the villages, and a retreat was ordered. As the enemy's infantry emerged from among the houses, the Greys, Inniskilling, and QUEEN'S OWN dragoons, dashed forward, broke their ranks, and chased them back in gallant style. The army afterwards withdrew to the vicinity of Maestricht; and the regiment passed the severe winter months in cantonments in the country along the Lower Maese.

[Sidenote: 1747]

In the spring of 1747, the regiment encamped a short period near the banks of the Scheldt, and was subsequently employed in operations on the Great Nethe and the Demer, during which period a remount of fifty men and one hundred and twenty horses, joined from England. On the 1st of July, it confronted the French army in one of the valleys in the province of Liege, and passed the night in a state of constant readiness for action.

The French infantry descended from the hills on the following morning, and made a furious attack on the troops stationed in the village of _Val_. After much severe fighting, the enemy, by means of a great superiority of numbers, forced the centre of the Allied army. The cavalry of the left wing was ordered forward, and the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons had another opportunity of distinguishing themselves. Having broken the enemy's first line, the British dragoons continued their victorious career, and overthrew a second line with terrific violence; then, mixing with the French horsemen and musketeers, used their broad swords with dreadful execution. While pursuing their opponents, they received a volley from some French infantry posted in a hollow, and behind hedges, and several men and horses fell mortally wounded. The survivors rushed furiously upon the infantry, drove them from behind the hedges, and pursued them across the fields with great slaughter. This brilliant success enabled the Duke of Cumberland to make arrangements for a retreat; and the army withdrew to Maestricht, where it arrived on the same evening.

The regiment lost several men and horses on this occasion; and had Cornet Bulmere, five men, and ten horses captured by the enemy. It was subsequently stationed a short time in the province of Limburg, and was employed in various operations until the winter.

[Sidenote: 1748]

In the spring of 1748, the army again confronted the enemy in the province of Limburg. Preliminary articles for a treaty of peace were agreed upon; a suspension of hostilities took place, and the British troops went into cantonments among the Dutch peasantry.

[Sidenote: 1749]

During the following winter, the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was concluded. The British troops left Holland; and the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons, after landing at Purfleet in January, 1749, were reduced to a peace establishment, and quartered at Norwich and Yarmouth, with detachments on coast duty.

[Sidenote: 1750]

The regiment was inspected by Lieutenant-General Campbell at Wells, in April, 1750, and at Gloucester in October following; and by Lieutenant-General Onslow at Gloucester in April, 1751.

[Sidenote: 1751]

On the 1st of July, 1751, King George II. issued a warrant relative to the colours, standards, and clothing of the several regiments, from which the following particulars have been extracted respecting the SEVENTH, OR QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS.

COATS,--scarlet, double-breasted, without lapels, lined with white; slit sleeves turned up with white; the button-holes ornamented with narrow white lace; the buttons flat, of white metal, set on three and three; a long slash pocket in each skirt; and a white worsted aiguillette on the right shoulder.

WAISTCOATS AND BREECHES,--white.

HATS,--bound with silver lace, and ornamented with a white metal loop and a black cockade.

BOOTS,--of jacked leather, reaching to the knee.

CLOAKS,--of scarlet cloth, with a white collar, and lined with white shalloon; the buttons set on three and three upon yellow frogs, or loops, with a blue stripe down the centre.

HORSE FURNITURE,--of white cloth; the holster-caps and housings having a border of royal lace, with a blue stripe down the centre; the Queen's cipher within the garter, embroidered on each corner of the housing; and on the holster-caps, the King's cipher and crown, with VII. D. underneath.

OFFICERS,--distinguished by silver lace; their coats and waistcoats bound with silver embroidery; the button-holes worked with silver; and a crimson silk sash worn across the left shoulder.

QUARTER-MASTERS,--to wear a crimson sash round their waists.

SERJEANTS,--to have narrow silver lace on the cuffs, pockets, and shoulder-straps; silver shoulder-knots, or aiguillettes, and blue and white worsted sashes tied round their waists.

DRUMMERS and HAUTBOYS,--clothed in scarlet coats lined with blue, and ornamented with royal lace with a blue stripe down the centre; their waistcoats and breeches of white cloth.

GUIDONS,--The first or King's guidon to be of crimson silk, embroidered and fringed with gold and silver; in the centre the rose and thistle conjoined and crown over them, with the motto _Dieu et mon Droit_ underneath: the white horse in a compartment in the first and fourth corners, and VII. D., in gold characters, on a blue ground, in a compartment in the second and third corners. The second and third guidons to be of white silk, in the centre the Queen's cipher within the garter on a crimson ground: the white horse on a scarlet ground in the first and fourth compartments, and VII. D. within a wreath of roses and thistles upon a scarlet ground in the second and third compartments.

[Sidenote: 1752]

[Sidenote: 1753]

[Sidenote: 1754]

The regiment was inspected at Birmingham, in October, 1751, by Lieutenant-General Sir Philip Honeywood; at Lichfield, in April, 1752, by Lieutenant-General Campbell; and at Manchester in April, 1753, by Major-General Cholmondeley. In October following it commenced its march to Scotland, and remained in that part of the kingdom upwards of four years, during which period the undetermined limits of the British territory in North America had given rise to another war with France.

[Sidenote: 1755]

[Sidenote: 1756]

[Sidenote: 1757]

Hostilities commenced in 1755, and the establishment of the QUEEN'S OWN dragoons was augmented to three hundred and forty-seven officers and men. A seventh troop was also added, of which Captain-Lieutenant William Erskine was appointed captain by commission dated the 25th of December, 1755, and the officers and men of this troop were mounted on small horses and equipped as _light dragoons_. The establishment of the light troop was fixed, by a royal warrant dated the 29th of January, 1756, at three officers, one quarter-master, two serjeants, two drummers, and sixty-three rank and file; but it was subsequently augmented to upwards of one hundred officers and men.

[Sidenote: 1758]