Chapter II: Part 2

In the spring of 1702, the regiment took the field to serve as auxiliaries to the army of the Emperor of Germany, England not having declared war against France; and at the camp at Rosendael, news was received of the death of King William III. and of the accession of Queen Anne on the 8th of March. From Rosendael the TENTH marched to the Duchy of Cleves, and encamped at Cranenburg on the Lower Rhine, forming part of the covering army during the siege of _Kayserswerth_. In June a French force of superior numbers marched through the forest of Cleves and plains of Goch to cut off the allied army from Grave and Nimeguen; in consequence of this movement the British, Dutch, and Germans at Cranenburg, struck their tents a little before sunset on the 10th of June, and, by a forced march, arrived within a few miles of _Nimeguen_, about eight o'clock on the following morning, at which time the French columns appeared on both flanks and in the rear. Some sharp fighting occurred; the British corps forming the rear-guard evinced signal gallantry, and the TENTH regiment distinguished itself: the enemy was held in check until the army effected its retreat under the works of Nimeguen.

England declared war against France: additional troops arrived in Holland, and the EARL OF MARLBOROUGH assumed the command. The TENTH were engaged in the movements by which the French were driven from their menacing position near the confines of Holland. The regiment also formed part of the covering army during the siege of _Venloo_,--a fortress on the east side of the river Maese, which surrendered on the 25th of September. The regiment was next engaged in covering the sieges of _Ruremonde_ and _Stevenswart_, both of which places were captured in the early part of October. The army afterwards advanced to the city of _Liege_, which immediately opened its gates, but the citadel, and a detached fortress called the Chartreuse, held out. The TENTH regiment was employed in the siege of the citadel, and the grenadier company behaved with great gallantry at the capture of that fortress by storm on the 23rd of October. The citadel being carried by assault, the garrison was nearly annihilated; the garrison of the Chartreuse were eye-witnesses of this event, and surrendered immediately afterwards, from apprehension of a similar fate.

The city of Liege being rescued from the power of the enemy, the regiment marched back to Holland, and passed the winter in garrison at Breda.

[Sidenote: 1703]

Sir Beville Granville having been appointed governor of Barbadoes, the colonelcy of the TENTH foot was conferred on William, Lord North and Grey, by commission dated the 15th of January, 1703.

Colonel Lord North and Grey proved a very gallant aspirant for military fame; serving at the head of his regiment, and distinguishing himself on numerous occasions. The TENTH left their winter-quarters towards the end of April, 1703; on the 6th of May, they arrived at Maeswyck, where they halted on the following day; but, information having been received of the approach of a powerful French army to cut off the detachments of the confederate forces, the regiment struck its tents at sunset, with several other corps, and, by a forced march, arrived at the city of _Maestricht_ about noon on the following day. When the French army approached that city, the regiment was in position, being one of the corps stationed at Lonakin; some skirmishing and cannonading occurred, and the French withdrew without venturing a general engagement.

When the Duke of Marlborough advanced against the French at Tongres, the TENTH were formed in brigade with the second battalion of the royals, and the sixteenth, twenty-first, and twenty-sixth regiments, under Brigadier-General the Earl of Derby. The enemy took refuge behind an extensive line of works, and the English General besieged the strong fortress of _Huy_, situate on the Maese above Liege. The TENTH foot were employed at the siege; and, on the 18th of August, when the enemy had vacated that portion of the town which lay beyond the river, Colonel Lord North and Grey took possession of it with the TENTH: another corps was afterwards placed under his lordship's command, and the regiment held this post during the remainder of the siege.

_Huy_ having been captured, the siege of the city of _Limburg_ was next undertaken, and this fortress was surrendered before the end of September. Thus Spanish Guelderland was wrested from the power of France, and in October the regiment marched back to Holland, where it passed the winter.

[Sidenote: 1704]

While the Duke of Marlborough was capturing fortress after fortress in the Netherlands, the French and Bavarians had great success in Germany; their united efforts threatened to overturn the imperial throne, and, in 1704, the British commander led his army from Holland to the Danube, to the succour of the Emperor Leopold. The TENTH foot, commanded by Colonel Lord North and Grey, had the honour of being employed in this splendid enterprise, which elevated the reputation of the British arms, and immortalized the name of Marlborough for the conception of the movement, and the secrecy and rapidity with which it was executed.

To engage in this undertaking, the regiment left its winter-quarters early in May, 1704, and directing its march to the Rhine, proceeded along the banks of that river to Coblentz, where it passed the Rhine and the Moselle on the 25th and 26th of that month. From Coblentz the army marched towards the Maine, and traversing the several states of Germany, arrived at the seat of war to co-operate with the forces of the empire.

On the 2nd of July, after a long march through a difficult country, the British approached the fortified post of _Schellenberg_, a commanding height on the left bank of the Danube, where a body of French and Bavarians were stationed under the Count d'Arco, and about six in the evening, a detachment from each British regiment, with the foot guards, royals, and twenty-third, under Brigadier-General Fergusson, and a Dutch force under General Goor, advanced to attack the entrenchments. A very spirited resistance was made by the enemy, and, eventually, the TENTH were led up the contested height to join in the attack. Firmly and steadily the soldiers of the TENTH moved up the steep ascent, which was strewed with killed and wounded; arriving within range of the enemy's fire, an iron tempest smote the ranks, and the firm order of the regiment was shaken: a short pause ensued. At that moment the British cavalry approached to support the infantry, and the Germans under the Margrave of Baden arrived to prolong the attack and assail the enemy in the rear. Encouraged by these circumstances, the British and Dutch infantry raised a loud shout, and, breaking with terrific violence into the entrenchments, overpowered all resistance. The Duke of Marlborough led the British cavalry forward, and completed the overthrow of the enemy.

The TENTH had Captain Crow and fifteen rank and file killed; three serjeants, and thirty-six rank and file wounded.

Crossing the Danube, and advancing into Bavaria, the regiment was engaged in various operations; it proceeded to the vicinity of the enemy's fortified camp at Augsburg, and afterwards returned to the Danube at Donawerth: in the meantime a numerous body of French troops had traversed the Black Forest and joined the enemy.

About ten o'clock on the night of the 11th of August, the army under the Duke of Marlborough joined the imperialists commanded by Prince Eugene of Savoy, at the village of Munster, near the bank of the Danube. On the following day the regiment was ordered forward to support the piquets, which were attacked by the enemy's hussars.

At daybreak, on the morning of the memorable 13th of August, the regiment was under arms, to engage in a battle which appeared to involve the fate of the Christian world: it formed, on this occasion, part of the brigade under Brigadier-General Row.

Advancing from the camp-ground, the soldiers arrived in front of the enemy's position, and the TENTH, commanded by their gallant young colonel, LORD NORTH AND GREY, were destined to attack the village of _Blenheim_, where the enemy had posted a numerous body of troops, thrown up entrenchments, and constructed palisades. Against this village, Brigadier-General Row's brigade advanced with great gallantry: the TENTH and Royal Scots Fusiliers led the attack, and were distinguished for their intrepid bearing; but all efforts to force the village against an enemy of so very superior numbers, and advantageously posted, proved ineffectual. As the brigade withdrew, it was charged by some French cavalry, who were repulsed by the fire of a Hessian brigade. Brigadier-General Fergusson led a brigade against the other side of the village; but without success. A sharp fire was afterwards kept up at this point, and the army deployed to engage the main body of the French and Bavarians. In the conflict which followed, British valour was conspicuous, and after a contest of several hours' duration, the French and Bavarian armies were overthrown and nearly annihilated; Marshal Tallard, and many officers and soldiers being made prisoners.

When the main body of their army was overthrown, the French troops in Blenheim were insulated; thrice they attempted to escape, but they were forced back. They took shelter behind the houses and enclosures; but they were soon surrounded, and twelve squadrons of cavalry, with twenty-four battalions of infantry, surrendered prisoners of war. Thus ended the mighty struggle of this eventful day, so glorious to the British arms!

The honours acquired by the regiment had been attended with the loss of many valuable lives. Captains Dawes, Sir John Sands, Cavendish, and Burton; Lieutenants Frazer and Wycks; Ensigns Breams and Dawson, were killed: Colonel Lord North and Grey lost his right hand; Major Granville; Captains Cunningham and Spotswood; Lieutenants Bulwer, Boylblanc, and Hornby; Ensigns Crow and Rossington, were wounded. The number of non-commissioned officers and private soldiers of the regiment, killed and wounded, has not been ascertained.

After passing the night on the field of battle, surrounded with the ensanguined trophies of victory, the TENTH were selected to guard the prisoners from Germany to Holland, in which service five British battalions were employed. The prisoners were marched to Mentz, where they were put on board of small vessels, and sailed to Holland. The regiment arrived at the Hague in October, and, having delivered up the prisoners, it was placed in garrison for the winter: its services are not, therefore, connected with the operations of the army in Germany after the victory at Blenheim.

[Sidenote: 1705]

A numerous body of fine recruits arrived from England, in the spring of 1705, to replace the losses of the preceding campaign, and in May, 1705, when the regiment took the field, its appearance was admired. It was reviewed by the Duke of Marlborough, at the camp on the left bank of the Maese, and afterwards marched to Juliers. From Juliers the regiment marched through a mountainous country to the valley of the Moselle, and pitched its tents near the ancient city of Treves. The army being united, it passed the rivers Moselle and Saar on the 3rd of June, traversed the difficult defile of Tavernen, and encamped within seven miles of Syrk. At this place the army halted, waiting for the imperialists, whose tardy movements and inefficient state disappointed the expectations of the English commander, and rendered it necessary for him to hurry back to the Netherlands to arrest the progress of the French on the Maese.

In the forced march from Syrk to the Maese, the regiment lost many men from fatigue; and soon after its arrival, it was selected to take part in storming the enemy's fortified lines, which were protected by a numerous army. To render this great undertaking as certain as possible, these formidable barriers were menaced on the south of the Mehaigne, and the French troops being drawn in that direction, the point selected for the attack was thus weakened. On the evening of the 17th of July, the corps selected to commence the attack marched in the direction of _Helixem_ and _Neer-Hespen_, the TENTH forming part of the leading brigade of infantry; and they were followed by the remainder of the army. About four o'clock on the following morning, they approached the lines and surprised the enemy's guards. Inspired with emulation, the soldiers soon cleared the villages of Neer-Winden and Neer-Hespen, seized the village and bridge of Helixem, and carried the castle of Wange with little loss; the enemy being surprised and confounded by the suddenness of the attack. Encouraged by this success, and stimulated by the noble example of several officers, the troops rushed through the enclosures and marshy grounds, forded the river Gheet, and crowded across the fortifications; the French retreating in a panic. Thus the lines were forced, and the soldiers of the TENTH stood triumphant on the captured works, where the cross of St. George, floating in the air, served as a beacon to impart a knowledge of this splendid success to the main body of the army, still at some distance. A numerous body of the enemy's cavalry and infantry hurried to the spot to drive back the troops which had passed the lines, when some sharp fighting occurred, which ended in the overthrow of the enemy, who made a precipitate retreat behind the river Dyle. This daring enterprise was thus achieved; and the talents of the Duke of Marlborough, with the intrepidity and valour of the British soldiers, were admired by all nations. The English commander stated in his despatch, that the troops _acquitted themselves with a bravery surpassing all that could have been hoped of them_.

The TENTH shared in the operations of the main army during the remainder of the campaign, but had no opportunity of distinguishing themselves in action: they passed the winter in garrison in Holland.

[Sidenote: 1706]

Each successive victory had inspired the troops with additional confidence in their commander, and in their own prowess: to besiege a town, or fight a battle, and not conquer, when the DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH commanded, appeared impossible. With a bold assurance that fresh triumphs awaited them, the soldiers took the field in May, 1706, and the TENTH foot joined the camp near Tongres on the 19th of that month. On the 23rd of May, as the army was advancing in eight columns, information was received that the French, Spaniards, and Bavarians, commanded by Marshal Villeroy and the Elector of Bavaria, were taking up a position at Mont St. André, with their centre at the village of _Ramilies_, and the allies prepared for battle.

Diverging into the open plain, the allied army formed line and advanced against the enemy. The TENTH foot, being on the right of the line, proceeded, with a number of other corps, in the direction of the village of Autreglise, and made a demonstration of attacking the enemy's left. The French weakened their centre to support their left, and the British commander instantly seized the opportunity and attacked the weakened point. The TENTH foot were among the corps which, occupying some high ground on the right, were not engaged during the early part of the battle; but they had a full view of the conflict on the plain. At length a crisis arrived: the brigades on the right were ordered into action, when the TENTH evinced that intrepidity and firmness for which the regiment had been distinguished on former occasions, and another decisive victory exalted the fame of the British arms. The broken remains of the French, Spanish, and Bavarian legions were pursued for many miles, and an immense number of prisoners, cannon, standards, and colours was captured.

The effect of this surprising victory was the immediate surrender of Brussels, Ghent, and the principal towns of Brabant, and the intelligence of these events produced such an electric sensation throughout England, that the gallant exploits of the heroes of _Ramilies_ became a general theme of conversation, and the subject of numerous addresses to the throne. Rewards were conferred on officers who had distinguished themselves, and the commanding officer of the TENTH, the gallant Lord North and Grey, was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, and placed at the head of three battalions of infantry.

Several towns in Flanders held out; and in June the TENTH marched to Arseele, and afterwards to Rouselaer, and formed part of the covering army during the siege of _Ostend_, which fortress was delivered up on the 8th of July.

After the surrender of Ostend, the regiment was selected to take part in the siege of _Menin_, a strong town pleasantly situated on the little river Lys. This fortress was accounted the key to the French conquests in the Netherlands, and one of the masterpieces of the celebrated Vauban: the siege therefore excited an unusual degree of interest. The town was invested on the 23rd of July; and the conduct of the TENTH during the progress of the siege, corresponded with the high character of the regiment. Considerable loss was sustained in carrying on the attacks, but the soldiers had the gratification of witnessing this place added to the numerous conquests made during this memorable campaign.

Dendermond and Aeth were afterwards captured; and in November the regiment took up its winter-quarters at Ghent.

[Sidenote: 1707]

During the campaign of 1707, the regiment formed part of the brigade commanded by its colonel, Brigadier-General Lord North and Grey, and it was some time encamped near the village of Waterloo. The English commander was unable, this year, to bring his cautious opponents to a general engagement. In October, the regiment returned to Ghent.

[Sidenote: 1708]

While the regiment was reposing in quarters at this city, the king of France fitted out a fleet, and embarked troops at Dunkirk, for the invasion of Great Britain, with a view of placing the Pretender on the throne. To repel the invaders, the TENTH regiment embarked for England in the middle of March, 1708, and arrived at Tynemouth on the 21st; but the French squadron, with the Pretender on board, was chased from the British coast by the English fleet, and the TENTH were ordered to Flanders: they landed at Ostend, and proceeded in boats to Ghent, where they arrived towards the end of April.

In May the regiment quitted Ghent, and was engaged in the operations of the main army; and soon afterwards the French, by treachery and stratagem, obtained possession of the two towns of Ghent and Bruges. They also invested _Oudenarde_, and this circumstance led to a general engagement, in which the TENTH gained new honours.

Passing the Scheldt on pontoon bridges near Oudenarde, on the 11th of July, the allied army encountered the legions of the enemy, commanded by his Royal Highness the Duke of Burgundy and the Duke of Vendome, in the fields beyond the river, and the battle immediately commenced. The TENTH, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Grove, passed the Scheldt by the bridge between Oudenarde and the abbey of Eename, and ascended the heights of Bevere. At this place they halted a short time, then descended into the plain, and engaged the French battalions in the grounds beyond the rivulet, near the village of Eyne. About five o'clock in the afternoon the regiment opened its fire, and it continued to gain ground upon its opponents, until the shades of evening gathered over the field of battle. The wings of the allied army gained upon the enemy, and the circling blaze of musketry enveloped the French troops, whose destruction appeared inevitable, but the darkness of the night soon rendered it impossible to distinguish friends from foes, and the Duke of Marlborough ordered his soldiers to cease firing, and to halt. The darkness favoured the escape of the enemy, and the wreck of the French army retreated in disorder towards Ghent.

This victory prepared the way for an undertaking of great magnitude,--viz., the siege of _Lisle_, the capital of French Flanders,--a fortress deemed almost impregnable, and garrisoned by fifteen thousand men, commanded by the veteran Marshal Boufflers. This enterprise put the abilities of the generals, and the courage and endurance of the troops, to a severe trial. The TENTH formed part of the covering army under the Duke of Marlborough, while the siege was carried on by the brigades under Prince Eugene of Savoy. The services of the TENTH were of a varied character,--escorting supplies,--furnishing out-posts,--confronting the French army which advanced to raise the siege; and eventually the grenadier company joined the besieging army, and took part in the attacks on the town.

When the Elector of Bavaria besieged Brussels, the TENTH formed part of the force which advanced to raise the siege. The enemy's strong positions on the _Scheldt_ were forced on the 27th of November; and the Elector made a precipitate retreat from before Brussels.

The citadel of Lisle surrendered on the 9th of December, and, notwithstanding the lateness of the season, the soldiers of the TENTH were called upon to engage in another enterprise. They appeared before _Ghent_,--drove back the enemy's out-guards, and took part in opening the trenches between the Scheldt and the Lys, on the night of the 24th of December, on which occasion their colonel, Lord North and Grey, evinced signal gallantry, and he was rewarded, a few days afterwards, with the rank of major-general. On the 26th of December, ten companies of French grenadiers issued from the town to attack the besieging troops, and they put the first regiment they came in contact with in some confusion.

The TENTH were immediately led to the spot, and they engaged the French grenadiers with spirit. The commanding officer of the regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Grove, was made prisoner, and Brigadier-General Evans, who commanded the troops at that point, was also captured; but the enemy was soon driven back into the town. On the 2nd of January, 1709, the governor surrendered; and the TENTH took up their quarters for the winter in the captured town.

[Sidenote: 1709]

From Ghent, the regiment marched, in the spring of 1709, to the plain of Lisle; and was afterwards encamped on the Upper Dyle. After menacing the enemy's lines, and causing Marshal Villars to draw all the troops out of the fortified towns, which could possibly be spared, to strengthen his army in the field, the allies suddenly invested _Tournay_. During the siege of the town the TENTH regiment formed part of the covering army, but when the citadel was attacked, this, with several other regiments, left the covering army, and marched to Tournay to take part in the siege.

The citadel of Tournay was situated on some high ground, with a gentle ascent from the town, and the siege proved a service of the most difficult character. The peculiarities arose not so much from the strength of the fortifications, as from the multiplicity of the subterraneous works, which were more numerous than those aboveground. The approaches were carried on by sinking pits several fathoms deep, and working from thence underground, until the troops arrived at the casements and mines. The soldiers engaged in these services frequently encountered parties of the enemy, and numerous combats occurred in these gloomy labyrinths. On some occasions the men at work underground were inundated with water; on another occasion three hundred men were suffocated with smoke, and a hundred men were buried by the explosion of a mine. A detachment of the eighteenth foot was blown into the air, and their limbs scattered to a distance; and a battalion of Germans was destroyed by another mine; the TENTH foot also lost a number of men in the mines. At length it became difficult to induce the soldiers to enter these dark caverns, and engage in so appalling a service; they were, however, persuaded to persevere, and the citadel surrendered in the beginning of September.

After the capture of Tournay, the allied army traversed the country with a view of besieging the city of Mons, the capital of the province of Hainault; but when on the march, the allies found the French army, under Marshals Villars and Boufflers, in position near _Malplaquet_, and resolved to hazard an engagement.

At three o'clock on the morning of the 11th of September, the TENTH were on parade in the meadow where they had passed the night, and the chaplain performed divine service. A thick mist concealed the opposing armies from each other, but the din of hostile preparation was heard, and the soldiers, having confidence in their leaders, were anxious to acquire new laurels under their favourite chiefs. They waited till the sun broke forth, and then the battle commenced.

Entrenchments, _abatis de bois_, and other defensive works, covered the front and flanks of the French, and the storming of these formidable works occasioned a greater loss of life, than occurred at the battles of Blenheim, Ramilies, and Oudenarde put together.

The TENTH were formed in brigade, on this occasion, with the foot guards, royals, and thirty-seventh, and were in the column commanded by General Count Lottum. To this column was allotted the task of storming the enemy's entrenchments in the wood of Taisniere, which proved a difficult service. The foot guards led the attack, and behaved with great gallantry, but they encountered such formidable opposition that they were repulsed. The royals seconded the foot guards, and the buffs, being at the head of the next brigade, prolonged the attack to the left. The TENTH penetrated between the royals and the buffs, and the whole rushing forward with determined resolution, forced the entrenchments, when the French fell back fighting, but halted and renewed the contest in the wood. The TENTH, and other corps at this point, penetrated among the trees, and a sharp fire of musketry was kept up. The foliage was thick, every tree was disputed, and the wood re-echoed the din of battle. In the meantime a severe contest was taking place at other parts of the field, and obstacles deemed insurmountable were overcome; but the carnage was dreadful. The enemy's centre was forced; the cavalry of the allied army triumphed over the French horsemen, and the TENTH, and other British regiments in the woods of Taisniere, gained ground on their opponents. Eventually the French legions were driven from the field, with the loss of many prisoners, colours, standards, and cannon. When the soldiers of the allied army gazed at the formidable entrenchments, and other difficulties they had overcome, they were astonished at their own success.

On this occasion the regiment did not sustain a very severe loss in killed and wounded: the only officers mentioned in the list are Lieutenants Fellowes and Elstead wounded.

After the victory of Malplaquet, the siege of _Mons_ was undertaken, and the TENTH formed part of the covering army: the garrison surrendered on the 20th of October, and shortly afterwards the regiment marched into winter-quarters at Ghent.

[Sidenote: 1710]

Leaving its winter-quarters in the middle of April, 1710, the regiment directed its march to the vicinity of Tournay, where the allied army assembled. The capture of the small post of _Mortagne_ proved a prelude to another campaign in which several fortresses were wrested from the French monarch. By a forced march the enemy's lines were passed at _Pont-à-Vendin_, and the siege of _Douay_, a considerable fortress in the second line of defence which covered the frontiers of Artois, was undertaken. Douay is a town of antiquity, having been a place of note in the time of the first Counts of Flanders; the river Scarpe running through the town, the river Haine being near it, the works being also strong, numerous, and well garrisoned, the siege of this place was an important undertaking. The TENTH foot, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Henry Grove, had their post in the lines of circumvallation, but did not take part in the attacks upon the works. When the French army, under Marshal Villars, advanced to raise the siege, the regiment was in position to oppose the enemy, and it had several men killed and wounded by a heavy cannonade which occurred on that occasion. Marshal Villars did not hazard an engagement, and the governor of Douay, after a very gallant defence, surrendered on the 27th of June.

After this conquest the English general resolved to attack _Bethune_, a strong town formerly belonging to the Counts of Flanders; but having been taken by Gaston, Duke of Orleans, it was annexed to the French monarchy at the peace of the Pyrenees in 1659. During the siege of Bethune, the TENTH had their post in the covering army encamped at Villars-Brulin, where the regiment was stationed until the garrison surrendered on the 29th of August.

The next undertaking in which the army was engaged was the siege of _Aire_ and _St. Venant_, which towns were so situated as to admit of a simultaneous investment, and as the capture of these fortresses would secure the navigation of the Lys, and open a water communication with Tournay, Lisle, and Ghent, the skill of the generals and the valour of the troops were called forth to insure their reduction. The TENTH were among the corps engaged in the siege of Aire, and as the governor of that place made a very vigorous defence, a severe loss was sustained in killed and wounded. The regiment was several times warmly engaged in carrying on the attacks and storming the out-works; on which occasions its gallant bearing called forth the commendations of the Prince of Anhalt, who commanded the troops employed in the siege. On the 9th of November, the garrison surrendered; but the possession of Aire was purchased at a serious loss of brave soldiers.

Thus, fortress after fortress fell before the superior skill of the commanders and the prowess of the troops composing the allied army. After the surrender of Aire, the TENTH marched to Courtray, a town of Hainault, situate on the river Lys, and defended by towers and a strong castle erected by Philip, Duke of Burgundy, in 1385: at this place the regiment passed the winter, and its losses were replaced by recruits from England.

[Sidenote: 1711]

Towards the end of April, 1711, the regiment was again in the field; it was reviewed at the camp at Warde by the Duke of Marlborough, on the 8th of June, and commended for its appearance and discipline: it afterwards encamped on the plains of Lens. A new line of formidable entrenchments, defended by a powerful French army under the command of Marshal Villars, appeared as a barrier to arrest the victorious career of the allied army; but the British General, by menacing the enemy's left, and making ostentatious preparations for storming the works at that point, occasioned the French troops to be drawn to that quarter; in the meantime he had privately assembled a number of corps at Douay, and by a forced march these formidable works were passed at the unguarded post of _Arleux_. The TENTH regiment of foot had the honor to take part in forcing these lines, on which occasion the British General developed that sublimity of military talent which has justly stamped this campaign as peculiarly scientific and glorious. The regiment was afterwards engaged in the siege of _Bouchain_, a well-fortified town, situate on both sides of the river Scheldt: and in carrying on the attacks, and performing its turn of duty in the trenches, the regiment had several men killed and wounded. The garrison surrendered in September, and after the damaged works were repaired, the TENTH went into winter-quarters.

[Sidenote: 1712]

The French monarch saw his generals overmatched, his soldiers beaten and dispirited, the barriers of his kingdom trampled down, and the great Duke of Marlborough ready to lead his victorious legions into the heart of France. Under these circumstances the ambitious Louis XIV. solicited peace. Negociations commenced before the TENTH foot took the field in April, 1712: the British troops were, however, assembled near Tournay, and the Duke of Ormond assumed the command in succession to the Duke of Marlborough.

According to the returns of this period, the regiment brought six hundred and twenty-three rank and file into the field.

From Tournay the regiment advanced to the vicinity of Bouchain; it subsequently formed part of the covering army, encamped at Cateau-Cambresis, during the siege of _Quesnoy_, which fortress surrendered on the 4th of July. Soon afterwards a suspension of arms was proclaimed between the British and French, preparatory to a treaty of peace, and the Duke of Ormond withdrew, with the troops under his orders, to Ghent, from whence several corps were detached to Dunkirk, to take possession of that fortress.

[Sidenote: 1713]

[Sidenote: 1714]

The TENTH regiment of foot was subsequently quartered at Ghent; it remained in Flanders while the negociations were being carried on at Utrecht, and, in April, 1714, it was in garrison at the strong maritime town of Nieuport.

While the regiment was in garrison at Nieuport, Queen Anne died (1st August), and was succeeded by King George I.; several corps were ordered home on this occasion, but the TENTH were selected to garrison one of the fortresses in Flanders during the negociations for the barrier treaty.

[Sidenote: 1715]

In the summer of 1715, the adherents of the Stuart dynasty, who were numerous, particularly in Scotland, made active preparations for the elevation of the Pretender to the throne, and Lieut.-General Lord North and Grey, being known to entertain sentiments favourable to the Stuart family, was removed from the colonelcy of the TENTH foot, which was conferred on the Lieut.-Colonel, Brigadier-General Henry Grove (who had often signalized himself at the head of the regiment), by commission dated the 23rd of June, 1715.

King George I., supported by his parliament, adopted very energetic measures to oppose the designs of the Jacobites, and His Majesty, having great confidence in the zeal of Brigadier-General Grove, and in the attachment of the TENTH foot to the Protestant succession, gave directions for the regiment to return to England: it landed at the Tower-stairs, London, about the middle of August, and afterwards marched to Colchester.

The rebellion broke out in Scotland in September, and the Earl of Mar headed the insurgent bands; but it was found necessary to detain a number of corps in England, to overawe the disaffected; and the TENTH were ordered to march, in the beginning of October, to Hammersmith, Kensington, and Chelsea, to be near the court. After the victories gained by the King's troops at Dumblain and Preston, the regiment marched to Lichfield and Newcastle, in Staffordshire, where it remained during the winter and the following spring.

[Sidenote: 1716]

[Sidenote: 1717]

In the summer of 1716, the regiment was stationed in Warwickshire, and in 1717, in Lancashire.

[Sidenote: 1722]

The regiment continued to occupy various quarters in England, until the summer of 1722, when it was encamped on Salisbury Plain, where it was reviewed with a number of other corps, on the 30th of August, by King George I. and his royal highness the Prince of Wales. After the review, the regiment proceeded to Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

[Sidenote: 1723]

[Sidenote: 1724]

During the summer of 1723, the regiment marched to Scotland, from whence it returned in 1724, and was stationed at Nottingham.

[Sidenote: 1727]

On the prospect of hostilities taking place on the Continent, in the spring of 1727, between the Emperor of Germany and the Dutch, the regiment was held in readiness to proceed on foreign service; at the same time its colonel was promoted to the rank of major-general, but no embarkation took place.

On the 11th June, 1727, King George I. died, and King George II. was proclaimed Sovereign of Great Britain and Ireland on the following day.

[Sidenote: 1730]

In June, 1730, the regiment marched to Portsmouth, where it embarked for Gibraltar, and formed part of the garrison of that important fortress during the following nineteen years.

[Sidenote: 1736]

[Sidenote: 1737]

[Sidenote: 1746]

The decease of Lieut.-General Grove occurred on the 20th of November, 1736, and the colonelcy of the regiment remained vacant until June of the following year, when it was conferred on Major-General Francis Columbine, who commanded the regiment nine years, and was succeeded in December, 1746, by Lieut.-General James Lord Tyrawley, from the third troop of life guards, which King George II. had resolved to reduce, in order to diminish the public expenditure.

[Sidenote: 1749]

On the conclusion of the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1749, the regiment was relieved from garrison duty at Gibraltar, and proceeded to Ireland.

General Lord Tyrawley was removed to the fourteenth dragoons, in July, 1749; and in August King George II. conferred the colonelcy of the TENTH foot on Colonel Edward Pole, from the lieut.-colonelcy of the twelfth dragoons.

[Sidenote: 1751]

A royal warrant was issued on the 1st of July, 1751, in which the King's or first colour of the regiment was directed to be the great Union: the second colour to be of _bright yellow_ silk, with the Union in the upper canton, and in the centre of the colour the rank of the regiment, in gold Roman characters, within a wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk.

The costume of the regiment at this period was,--Three-cornered cocked hats bound with white lace; scarlet coats faced and turned up with bright yellow, and ornamented with white lace; scarlet waistcoats and breeches; white linen gaiters reaching above the knee; white cravats; buff belts.

[Sidenote: 1757]

[Sidenote: 1759]

[Sidenote: 1762]

Colonel Pole was promoted to the rank of major-general in 1757, and to that of lieut.-general in 1759. He commanded the regiment thirteen years, and died in the winter of 1762; when King George III. conferred the colonelcy on Major-General Edward Sandford, from the twenty-sixth regiment, by commission dated the 4th of January, 1763.

[Sidenote: 1763]

[Sidenote: 1767]

[Sidenote: 1768]

The regiment was stationed in Ireland during the whole of the seven years' war, but when the disputes between Great Britain and her North American colonies began to assume a serious aspect, the TENTH was one of the first corps ordered to proceed across the Atlantic. The regiment embarked from Ireland in the spring of 1767, and after a short stay in Nova Scotia, it was ordered to Boston, where, in 1768, the conduct of the populace assumed so violent a character as to render the presence of a military force necessary.

[Sidenote: 1769]

The policy pursued by the British government towards the North American provinces alienated the affections of the people from the mother-country, and the idea of these extensive colonies becoming a great and independent empire, having gained possession of many minds, the Americans became impatient of their condition. The events of each succeeding year appeared to mature the revolutionary designs of the colonists, and the determination to assert their independence became prevalent.

[Sidenote: 1775]

In the spring of 1775, General Gage, who commanded the British troops at Boston, ascertained that the Americans were collecting military stores at Concord, about eighteen miles from Boston, and the flank companies of the TENTH, and of several other corps, embarked in boats, at ten o'clock on the night of the 18th of April, under Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Smith of the TENTH, for the purpose of destroying the stores. Proceeding to the entrance of the Cambridge-river, the troops landed at Phipps's farm, and advanced upon Concord, while the Americans, by the ringing of bells and the firing of guns, spread an alarm over the country. About four o'clock on the morning of the 19th of April, the light company of the TENTH, being in advance, approached the village of _Lexington_, where a body of American militia was forming; they were called upon to lay down their arms, but instead of obeying the order, they attempted to take shelter behind a stone wall, and several of them fired at the King's troops, wounding a soldier of the TENTH, which was the first blood shed in this unhappy contest. The light infantry responded to this act of hostility with an irregular volley, which killed and wounded several Americans, and dispersed the remainder: the commencement of the American war thus took place.

After this rencounter, the flank companies continued their route to _Concord_, and Captain Parsons of the TENTH was detached with several companies to secure the bridge beyond the town, while the remainder of the detachment searched for and destroyed the military stores. The light companies of the fourth and TENTH regiments were posted on some heights near the bridge; crowds of armed men assembled on the high grounds near the town, and a party of Americans fired upon the soldiers at the bridge, killing three men and wounding several others, when the fire was returned, and the detached companies joined the main body in the town.

The military stores having been destroyed, the troops commenced their march back to Boston, when the country was found swarming with armed men, who commenced a sharp fire from behind walls, fences, trees, &c., and skirmish succeeded skirmish until the soldiers were exhausted, and had expended nearly all their ammunition. Arriving at Lexington, they were met by a brigade of infantry and two guns, under Colonel Earl Percy, who formed his men into a square, with the exhausted flank companies in the centre, and, after a short halt, continued the retreat to Charlestown, from whence he crossed the river by the ferry to Boston, having lost several men from the incessant fire which the Americans kept up from behind walls, trees, and other coverts on both sides of the road.

The regiment had two men killed; Lieut.-Colonel Francis Smith, Captain Lawrence Parsons, Lieutenant Waldron Kelly, Ensign Jeremiah Lester, and thirteen rank and file wounded.

Hostilities having thus commenced, the whole province of Massachusetts-bay was speedily in arms, and an immense number of men invested Boston, where the King's troops were stationed on the land side. The Americans commenced constructing works on _Bunkers-hill_, a high ground beyond the river, from which it was determined to dislodge them, and the flank companies of the TENTH formed part of the force selected for this service.

Embarking from Boston in boats, about noon on the 17th of June, the soldiers crossed the river, and landed on the opposite shore. The ships of war opened their fire upon the enemy's works, and the troops ascended the steep hill, which was covered with grass reaching to the knees, and intersected with walls and fences of various enclosures, and advanced to storm the works in the face of a well-directed fire. The difficulty of the ascent, the heat of the weather, and the enemy's superior numbers and incessant fire, combined to render this enterprise particularly arduous; twice the King's troops appeared to stagger; but recovering, they rushed forward with renewed ardour, and drove the Americans out of the works at the point of the bayonet; thus proving their superior bravery and discipline, by gaining a complete victory over an enemy three times as numerous as themselves and protected by entrenchments.

The flank companies of the TENTH were among the troops which distinguished themselves, and every officer was wounded. Their loss was two serjeants and five rank and file killed; Captains Parsons, Fitzgerald, Lieutenants Pittigrew, Verner, Hamilton, Kelly, one drummer, and thirty-nine rank and file wounded.

The valour of the British soldiers in North America excited the admiration of their sovereign and country; yet, the circumstances in which they were placed rendered it impossible for their prowess to be exercised with the prospect of ultimate success. The great superiority of the numbers of the enemy more than counter-balanced the advantages of superior skill and discipline, and the troops in Boston remained in a state of blockade; live cattle, vegetables, and even fuel, were sent for their use from England; many of the vessels were, however, wrecked, and others captured by the Americans, and great distress, sickness, and loss of life occurred.

[Sidenote: 1776]

No advantage being likely to result from the possession of Boston under the circumstances in which the troops were placed, it was evacuated in the middle of March, 1776, and the TENTH were moved to Nova Scotia. They were stationed at Halifax until June, when they sailed with the expedition to Staten Island, to take part in an extensive plan of operations.

The regiment landed on Staten Island in the early part of July; reinforcements arrived from England, also a body of Hessians, and the TENTH, thirty-seventh, thirty-eighth, and fifty-second regiments, formed the third brigade of the army, under Major-General Jones, in the division commanded by Lieut.-General Earl Percy.

On the 22nd of August, a descent was made on the south-west end of _Long Island_, and on the night of the 26th, the TENTH advanced, in support of the leading division, to seize on a pass in the mountains. This pass was occupied without opposition; the troops crossed the hills, and directed their march towards the enemy's lines at _Brooklyn_. Arriving at Bedford, an attack was commenced on the American battalions which were quitting the woody heights to return to their lines, and the enthusiastic ardour of the royal forces overcame all opposition. Encouraged by their success, and inspired with lively anticipations of victory, the soldiers urged their way towards the lines to storm the works; but they were ordered to desist, to spare the unnecessary effusion of blood which an attack by storm would have occasioned. The conduct of the British troops on this occasion was highly commended in General Sir William Howe's despatch.

The Americans abandoned their lines, and retreated across the East River to New York. The TENTH having thus had the honour of taking part in the reduction of _Long Island_, crossed the river to New York Island, and were engaged in the movements by which the American army was driven from the city of _New York_.

In the second week of October, the regiment again embarked in boats, and proceeded up the river to the vicinity of West Chester, where it went ashore; but afterwards re-embarked and sailed to Pell's Point, where a sharp skirmish occurred. The regiment was also engaged in the movements by which the passage of the Brunx river was effected, and the American army forced to abandon its fortified lines on _White Plains_. In the action on the 28th of October, the TENTH lost two men.

From White Plains the army withdrew to engage in the siege of Forts Washington and Lee, which obstructed the navigation of the North River. _Fort Washington_ was invested, and on the 16th of November, the TENTH were engaged, under Lieut.-General Earl Percy, in assaulting the right flank of the enemy's entrenchments; they took part in carrying an advanced work, and afterwards passed the lines, which were carried in a most gallant manner, and upwards of two thousand provincials surrendered prisoners of war. The loss of the regiment was limited to Captain Mackintosh and three rank and file killed; five rank and file wounded.

In the early part of December, the regiment was detached, with other troops, under Lieut.-Generals Clinton and Earl Percy, against _Rhode Island_, which was the principal station of the enemy's naval force, and from whence the Americans sent out privateers which interrupted the British commerce. The regiment sailed on this enterprise in the early part of December; a landing was effected on the morning of the 9th of that month, and the island was speedily reduced to submission to the British government.

[Sidenote: 1777]

After passing several months on Rhode Island, the TENTH embarked for New Jersey, and formed part of the army which took the field, under General Sir William Howe, in the early part of June, 1777.

General Washington kept the American army in the mountain fastnesses, where he could not be attacked, except under great disadvantages, and the English general resolved on an expedition against Philadelphia.

Embarking on board the fleet, the regiment sailed for Chesapeak-bay, and from thence up the Elk River, to Elk Ferry, where it landed about the end of August: the fifth, TENTH, twenty-seventh, fortieth, and fifty-fifth regiments, formed the second brigade under Major-General Grant.

The American army took up a position at _Brandywine Creek_, to oppose the advance of the British on Philadelphia, and on the 11th of September the enemy's posts were attacked; the TENTH forming part of the force selected to attack the American troops posted at Chad's Ford. After a sharp cannonade, the troops rushed through the stream with fixed bayonets, the fourth foot taking the lead, and, overpowering all resistance, captured three brass field-pieces and a howitzer. The Americans were routed at all points, and they made a precipitate retreat. The TENTH had two rank and file killed, and six wounded, on this occasion.

The regiment passed the night on the field of battle, and marched on the following day to Concord; on the 13th of September it arrived at Ashtown, and on the 25th the troops pitched their tents at Germantown, about six miles from Philadelphia, which city was taken possession of by the grenadiers.

On the 29th of September, the TENTH and forty-second regiments were detached from the camp at Germantown, under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Stirling, of the forty-second, to attack a strong redoubt erected by the Americans on the Jersey shore, at a place called _Billing's-point_, to prevent the removal of a sunken barrier across the river Delaware. The two regiments crossed the river from Chester on the 1st of October, and on approaching the redoubt, three hundred Americans in garrison fled; having first set fire to their barracks and spiked their cannon. The TENTH and forty-second pursued the Americans about two miles, but were unable to overtake them.

Billing's-point redoubt being thus captured, the obstructions to the navigation of the Delaware at that point were removed, and the TENTH and forty-second crossed the river to Chester, where they were joined by the twenty-third, and the three regiments escorted a large convoy of provisions to the camp at Germantown.

The British general having sent off several detachments, the Americans resolved to hazard another battle, and they attacked the position at _Germantown_ at daybreak on the morning of the 4th of October; but were repulsed. The light company of the TENTH signalized itself on this occasion and had several men killed and wounded: the battalion companies of the regiment had their post on the right of the village, but they were not engaged.

In the middle of October, the army removed to the immediate vicinity of Philadelphia, and two forts on the river were reduced. In the early part of December, the British advanced towards the enemy's fortified camp at _Whitemarsh_; the TENTH took part in several movements and skirmishes, designed to bring on a general engagement, but the Americans kept close behind their entrenchments and abatis-de-bois, and the British returned to Philadelphia.

[Sidenote: 1778]

The TENTH regiment passed the winter in comfortable quarters in the city of Philadelphia; but before the season for opening the campaign of 1778 arrived, the King of France concluded a treaty with, and agreed to aid, the Americans, which so completely changed the nature of the war, that it was deemed necessary to concentrate the army at New York.

Philadelphia was evacuated in the middle of June, and the TENTH took part in the difficult service of retreating through a wild and woody country, intersected by rivulets, the bridges over which had been destroyed. On the 28th of June, the regiment was in advance under Lieut.-General Knyphausen, and as the last division of the army descended from the heights above _Freehold_, in New Jersey, the American troops appeared in the rear and on both flanks, and some sharp fighting took place, which terminated in the repulse of the enemy. The grenadier company of the TENTH had an opportunity of distinguishing itself on this occasion; it had Major Gardiner wounded, and several private soldiers killed and wounded.

Having repulsed the enemy, the army continued its march, crossed the channel to Sandy Hook, and embarked from thence for New York.

The TENTH had lost many men, during the period they had been in America, from fatigue, privation, disease, and other casualties, besides those killed and disabled in action with the enemy, and soon after the regiment arrived at New York, it was selected to return to England. The men fit for service, who volunteered to remain in the country, were transferred to other corps, and the remainder embarked from New York towards the end of October; they arrived in England in December, and immediately commenced recruiting their numbers.

[Sidenote: 1781]

After the decease of Lieut.-General Sandford, King George III. conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Major-General Sir R. Murray Keith, K.B., from the late eighty-seventh foot (which was disbanded at the peace in 1763), by commission dated the 10th of October, 1781.

[Sidenote: 1783]

[Sidenote: 1784]

[Sidenote: 1785]

The American War having ceased in 1783, reductions took place in the military establishments, and the numbers of the Tenth Regiment were consequently diminished; in the autumn of 1783 the regiment embarked for Ireland, and it was stationed in that part of the United Kingdom during the years 1784 and 1785.

[Sidenote: 1786]

On the 2nd of March, 1786, the regiment embarked from Ireland for Jamaica, to relieve the first battalion of the sixtieth foot, which was ordered to proceed to Nova Scotia.

[Sidenote: 1793]

[Sidenote: 1794]

[Sidenote: 1795]