Chapter VIII: Part 8

Marshal Soult having retired to the Upper Tormes, towards the pass of Banos, it was reported that he intended to invade Portugal by the valley of the Tagus. Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s division was therefore moved to the right as far as Robledo, to cover the pass of Perales. King Joseph, however, in December, took up his position for the winter, and the allied army was also distributed in quarters.

Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s division occupied Coria and Placentia, the THIRTY-FIRST being cantoned in the latter place.

[Sidenote: 1813]

The allied army remained in cantonments until the month of May 1813; on the 19th of that month the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST, in the second division, broke up from its winter quarters, and, forming a part of the right wing of the army, shared in the operations during the advance upon Burgos and Vittoria; in the plan for the action of the 21st of June, before _Vittoria_, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s corps, composed of Morillo’s Spaniards, Sylveira’s Portuguese, and the second British division, forming the right of the allied army, was to attack the enemy’s left, and forcing the passage of the lower Zadora, at Puebla, assail the French on the heights beyond, entering the plain of Vittoria, by the defile of La Puebla. The river was passed about ten o’clock A.M., and Morillo’s Spaniards assailed the mountain with his first brigade; but meeting with much resistance on the heights, called up his second brigade, which, the French being also reinforced, was supported by part of the second division, while Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, with the rest, passed through the defile, and, seizing the village of _Subijana de Alava_, held his ground: he thus connected his own right with the troops on the mountain, and maintained this forward position, although the French made great efforts to dislodge the allies from this vantage-ground.

Meanwhile the fourth division crossed by the bridge of Nanclares. The action on the British right was severe, and sustained with great gallantry. The French, being driven from all their defences, retreated with such precipitation towards Pampeluna as to abandon all their baggage, artillery, ammunition, military chests, and the court equipage of King Joseph, whose carriage being seized, he had barely time to escape on horseback. The defeat was the most complete that the French had experienced in Spain.

The bâton of Marshal Jourdan was taken, and the Prince Regent, in the name and behalf of his Majesty, appointed the Marquis of Wellington a Field-Marshal. In a most flattering letter, the Prince Regent thus conferred the honor:--“You have sent me among the trophies of your unrivalled fame, the staff of a French Marshal, and I send you in return that of England.”

During part of the day, the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST was stationed to cover a brigade of guns: its loss was not very great, being one private killed, and thirteen wounded. Captain Girdlestone was the only officer of the THIRTY-FIRST who was wounded.

Lieut.-Colonel Leith received a medal for his conduct in command of the battalion, and the Royal Authority was afterwards given for the word “VITTORIA” to be inscribed on the Regimental Colour and Appointments of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, to commemorate the gallantry of the second battalion in that battle.

The second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment shared in the pursuit of the enemy after his defeat at Vittoria, and, when the Marquis of Wellington marched on the 26th of June to intercept the French General Clausel, it remained with the other corps of the second division for the siege of _Pampeluna_.

Although the enemy had withdrawn his right and left into France, he maintained his centre in force in the rich valley of _Bastan_, which afforded numerous strong positions, and the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, having been relieved from the blockade of Pampeluna, advanced to dislodge the French. On the 4th of July, and the three following days, General Gazan was driven from the valley of Bastan by the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, and the positions abandoned by the enemy were occupied by the British. Major-General Byng’s brigade, of which the THIRTY-FIRST formed part, with some Spanish corps under General Morillo, took possession of the Pass of _Roncesvalles_ on the 7th of July. In this celebrated valley the THIRTY-FIRST remained for a few days.

Marshal Soult having arrived at Bayonne on the 13th of July to command, as Lieutenant of the Emperor, the united French army of Spain, amounting to above seventy-eight thousand men, exclusive of garrisons, collected more than sixty thousand of his own left, and advanced on the 25th of July to force the Pass of _Roncesvalles_. The brigade which had been ordered to occupy the Pass, and of which the THIRTY-FIRST formed a part, kept the French in check for several hours, but was obliged to fall back, on perceiving that a strong body had succeeded in turning the position.

The THIRTY-FIRST had two privates killed, and three wounded, in the action on the 25th of July. On the 28th and 30th of July, the battalion was engaged in the attack made upon the enemy on the heights in front of _Pampeluna_, and had Captain Girdlestone, Ensign Smith, and Quarter-Master McIntosh, together with thirty-three rank and file, wounded:--two rank and file were killed.

Lieut.-Colonel Leith received a clasp, in addition to his former medal, for his conduct on these occasions.

The THIRTY-FIRST regiment subsequently received the Royal Authority to bear the word “PYRENEES” on the Regimental Colour and Appointments, to commemorate the services of the second battalion in these several combats, which have been designated the “_Battles of the Pyrenees_.”

On the 31st of July, Major-General Byng’s brigade captured a large convoy near _Elizondo_, and made many prisoners.

The British troops resumed their position in the Pyrenees, awaiting the capture of St. Sebastian and Pampeluna. St. Sebastian was captured on the 31st of August, and on the 31st of October the French garrison of Pampeluna surrendered prisoners of war.

Pampeluna being captured, the right of the allied army, which had been employed in covering the blockade, became disengaged, and the British Commander looking down from the lofty Pyrenees on the well-guarded territory of France, resolved to carry the war into the heart of that country. The British army, early on the morning of the 10th of November, descended into the valleys on the French side; the division of which the THIRTY-FIRST formed part entered France by the Pass of _Maya_, having sustained some loss in the capture of one of the enemy’s redoubts. Only one man belonging to the battalion was killed, but Captain Girdlestone and eleven rank and file were wounded. Marshal Soult’s army was driven from his fortified position on the river _Nivelle_, and several guns and prisoners were captured. The French being pursued on the following day, retired to their fortified camp near Bayonne.

Captain Thomas Samuel Nicolls was promoted to the rank of Major in the army for his conduct on this day, and the THIRTY-FIRST afterwards received the Royal Authority to bear the word “NIVELLE” on the Regimental Colour and Appointments, in testimony of the gallantry of the second battalion in that action.

The passage of the river _Nive_ was effected on the 9th of December: the THIRTY-FIRST passed over without the loss of a man, one serjeant only being wounded.

Lieut.-Colonel Leith received an additional clasp for his conduct on this occasion, and Captains Patrick Dowdall and Peter Fearon were promoted to the rank of Majors in the army.

On the 13th of December, the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment shared in the action at _St. Pierre_, near Bayonne, when the enemy abandoned two pieces of cannon, which were taken possession of by Captain Hemsworth’s company.

The Marquis of Wellington, in his despatch dated _St. Jean de Luz_, 14th December 1813, thus alluded to the conduct of the brigade under Major-General John Byng,[42] of which the THIRTY-FIRST formed part.

“I had great satisfaction, also, in observing the conduct of
Major-General Byng’s brigade of British infantry, supported
by the fourth Portuguese brigade, under the command of
Brigadier-General Buchan, in carrying an important height from
the enemy on the right of our position, and maintaining it
against all their efforts to regain it.

“_Two guns and some prisoners_ were taken from the enemy, who
being beaten at all points, and having suffered considerable
loss, were obliged to retire upon their entrenchment.”

In a very interesting life of the late Viscount Hill, by the Reverend Edwin Sidney, A.M. is the following account of the action at _St. Pierre_, near Bayonne.

“This great service was thus performed by Sir Rowland Hill.
The enemy, who had failed in all their attempts with their
whole force upon Lord Wellington’s left, withdrew to their
entrenchments on the night of December 12th, and passed a large
body of troops through the town of Bayonne. With these, on
the morning of the 13th, they made a desperate attack on Sir
Rowland Hill. This, as has appeared, was not unexpected; and
Lord Wellington had placed at his disposal not only the sixth
division, but the fourth division, and two brigades of the third.
Soult’s objects were to gain the bridge of _St. Pierre_, to
make himself master of the road to St. Jean Pied de Port, and
to break through the position of the allies. For these purposes
he put forth his whole strength, and was completely vanquished.
Even before the sixth division arrived, Sir Rowland Hill had
repulsed him with prodigious loss; and although he skilfully
availed himself of a high ground in retreating, he could not
stand against the famous charge of General Byng, and was entirely
defeated. It was a battle fought and won by the corps of Sir
Rowland Hill alone and unaided. At the instant of victory Lord
Wellington came up, and in the ecstasy of the moment of triumph,
caught him by the hand, and said, ‘Hill, the day is your own.’”

The THIRTY-FIRST had seven rank and file _killed_, and three serjeants, two drummers, and twenty-seven rank and file _wounded_.

Lieut.-Colonel Leith, who received a cross for his conduct, was slightly wounded. Ensign Hardy died of his wounds.

Brevet Major Peter Fearon, of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, who commanded the fifth Portuguese Caçadores, received an additional distinction to the medal which had been granted him for the battle of Albuhera.

The THIRTY-FIRST subsequently received the Royal Authority to bear on the Regimental colour the word “NIVE,” to commemorate the gallantry of the second battalion in the actions which ensued on the passage of that river.

No further actions occurred during the few remaining days of the year 1813; and the army occupied winter-quarters.

[Sidenote: 1814]

Leaving their cantonments at the village of St. Pierre, the THIRTY-FIRST advanced with the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, in the middle of February 1814, when the French corps, under General Harispe, were driven from Hellete, and afterwards forced from a position on the heights of _Garris_ on the 15th of February. The battalion had one private killed, and six rank and file wounded. Brevet Major Peter Fearon, who commanded the fifth Portuguese Caçadores, died of his wounds. The other officer wounded was Captain Knox, who was subsequently promoted to the brevet rank of major.

On the 27th of February, the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST, in Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s division, crossed the Adour, on the right of _Orthes_, with the loss of only two rank and file wounded.

Lieut.-Colonel Leith gained another distinction, and the THIRTY-FIRST afterwards received the Royal Authority to bear the word “ORTHES” on the Regimental Colour and Appointments, in commemoration of the conduct of the second battalion in that battle.

Advancing rapidly against the enemy, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill engaged him at _Aire_, on which occasion the THIRTY-FIRST had Ensign Hardcastle (Captain in the third Portuguese Caçadores) one serjeant, and two rank and file wounded.

On the 10th of April, the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment was in action with the French in the suburbs of _Toulouse_, and had one private wounded.

During the night of the 11th of April, the French army evacuated Toulouse, and the white flag was hoisted. On the day following, the Marquis of Wellington entered the city amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants. In the afternoon of this day intelligence was received of the abdication of Napoleon; and had not the express been delayed on the journey by the French police, the sacrifice of many valuable lives would have been prevented. A disbelief in the truth of this intelligence occasioned much unnecessary bloodshed at _Bayonne_, the garrison of which made a desperate sortie on the 14th of April, and Lieut.-General Sir John Hope (afterwards Earl of Hopetoun) was wounded and taken prisoner. Major-General Andrew Hay was killed, and Major-General Stopford was wounded. This was the last action of the Peninsular war.

The advance of the Allied troops into the heart of France led to a Treaty of Peace, by which Louis XVIII. was restored to the throne of that kingdom, and Napoleon Bonaparte was permitted to reside at Elba, the sovereignty of that Island having been conferred upon him by the Allied Powers.

The war being ended, the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment was ordered to return to England. It marched from Toulouse to Bourdeaux on the 3rd of June, and on the 12th of July embarked in the Rodney, disembarking on the 23rd at the Cove of Cork, whence it immediately marched to Middleton.

In commemoration of the services of the second battalion, the THIRTY-FIRST subsequently received the Royal Authority to bear the word “PENINSULA,” on the Regimental Colour and Appointments, in addition to the names of the several actions in which the second battalion had taken a prominent part, during the war in Spain from 1808 to 1814, namely, “TALAVERA,” “ALBUHERA,” “VITTORIA,” “PYRENEES,” “NIVELLE,” “NIVE,” and “ORTHES.”

Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Leith was nominated a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath for his conduct in command of the second battalion during the Peninsular war.

Lieut.-Colonel George Guy Carleton L’Estrange, who was promoted from major in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel in the twenty-sixth regiment on the 15th of December 1812, was nominated a Companion of the Order of the Bath for his conduct while serving with the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment.

On the 23rd of September, the _second battalion_ proceeded to Portsmouth, where it was disbanded on the 24th of October 1814, the officers and men, fit for service, being transferred to the _first battalion_ of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, at that period stationed in Sicily.

1814

ERECTED IN CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL

_For Cannon’s Military Records_]

FOOTNOTES:

[38] Vide page 64.

[39] Major-General Sir William Napier’s History of the Peninsular War.

[40] History of the Peninsular War by Major-General Sir William Napier.

[41] Lieut.-General Rowland Hill was nominated a Knight of the Bath on the 22nd of February, 1812.

[42] Major-General Byng, the present General the Earl of Strafford, and Colonel of the Coldstream Guards, in consideration of his gallantry in the action of the 13th of December, 1813,--wherein he led his troops, under a most galling fire, to the assault of a strong height occupied in great force by the enemy, and having himself ascended the hill first with the Colour of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment of foot in his hand, he planted the Colour upon the summit, and drove the enemy (far superior in numbers) down the ridge to the suburbs of _St. Pierre_,--received the Royal Authority on the 7th of July, 1815, to bear the following honorable augmentation, namely, “Over the arms of the family of Byng, in bend sinister, a representation of the Colour of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment,” and the following crest, namely, “Out of a mural crown an arm embowed, grasping the Colour of the aforesaid THIRTY-FIRST regiment, and, pendent from the wrist by a riband, the Gold Cross presented to him by His Majesty’s command, as a mark of his royal approbation of his distinguished services,” and in an escrol above the word “_Mouguerre_,” being the name of a height near the hamlet of _St. Pierre_.

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF

THE THIRTY-FIRST,

OR

THE HUNTINGDONSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.

GEORGE VILLIERS,

_Appointed 12th February 1702_.

This officer did not long enjoy the colonelcy of the regiment, as his decease occurred in December 1703, when he was unfortunately drowned while in command of the regiment on board the fleet.

ALEXANDER LUTTERELL,

_Appointed 6th December 1703_.

Upon the decease of Colonel Villiers, Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Lutterell was promoted to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, which he held but for a few years, his decease occurring early in the year 1706.

JOSIAH CHURCHILL,

_Appointed 1st February 1706_.

LIEUT.-COLONEL JOSIAH CHURCHILL was promoted on the 1st of February 1706, to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, at that period serving as _Marines_. In March 1711 Colonel Churchill received permission from Her Majesty Queen Anne to sell his commission.

SIR HARRY GORING, BART.,

_Appointed 1st March 1711_.

Colonel Churchill having sold his commission, Lieut.-Colonel Sir Harry Goring, Bart., was promoted to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 1st of March, 1711. Sir Harry Goring retired on the 8th of September, 1716.

LORD JOHN KERR,

_Appointed 8th September 1716_.

Colonel Sir Harry Goring having retired, His Majesty King George the First conferred the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on Lord John Kerr, the commission being dated 8th of September, 1716. His Lordship’s decease occurred on the 1st of August 1728.

THE HONORABLE CHARLES CATHCART,

_Appointed 13th August 1728_.

THE HONORABLE CHARLES CATHCART, son of Alan, seventh Lord Cathcart, entered the army in the eighteenth year of his age, and in 1704 he commanded a company in Colonel Macartney’s regiment (since disbanded), serving on the frontiers of Holland. In 1706 he commanded a troop in the Scots Greys, which corps distinguished itself at the battle of Ramilies in the same year: in 1707 he was brigade major to the Earl of Stair. Continuing in active service with the army under the Duke of Marlborough, he acquired the reputation of a brave and zealous officer: in 1709 he was appointed major of the Scots Greys, and was soon afterwards promoted to the lieut.-colonelcy of the regiment. On the accession of King George I., he was appointed one of the grooms of His Majesty’s bedchamber. In the autumn of 1715 he joined the forces under the Duke of Argyle at Stirling, and served against the rebels under the Earl of Mar. On the 23rd of October, he was detached against a hundred rebel horse and two hundred foot, whom he attacked with his dragoons, killed many, and took seventeen prisoners. At the battle of Sheriffmuir on the 13th of November, in the same year, he charged the insurgents at the head of the Scots Greys, and contributed materially to the overthrow of the left wing of the rebel army. His Majesty rewarded him with the colonelcy of the ninth foot, in 1717; but he only retained this appointment eleven months. In 1728 he obtained the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, and was removed, in 1731, to the eighth dragoons. In 1732 he succeeded to the title of LORD CATHCART; he was appointed lord of the bedchamber to King George II. in the following year, and was promoted to the colonelcy of the seventh horse, now sixth dragoon guards. In 1739 he was advanced to the rank of major-general. His Lordship was chosen one of the representatives of the Scottish peerage in several parliaments; and was governor of Duncannon fort, and of Londonderry. An attack on the Spanish possessions in America having been resolved upon, in the year 1739, Lord Cathcart was selected to command the expedition: at the same time he was appointed commander-in-chief in America; but he died on his passage in December, 1740, and was buried on the beach of Prince Rupert’s Bay, Dominica, where a monument was erected to his memory.

WILLIAM HARGRAVE,

_Appointed 1st January 1731_.

WILLIAM HARGRAVE was appointed ensign in a regiment of foot in 1694, and he served in the wars of Queen Anne. He proved a good and useful officer, but was not conspicuous for any quality calculated to attract attention. After serving twenty years he was appointed major of the thirty-sixth foot, and subsequently lieut.-colonel of the seventh Royal Fusiliers. In 1731 he was promoted to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST foot, and was appointed to the ninth in 1737. He was removed to the seventh royal fusiliers, and promoted to the rank of major-general in 1739, and was advanced to the rank of lieut.-general in 1743. He died in 1751.

WILLIAM HANDASYD,

_Appointed 27th January 1737_.

COLONEL WILLIAM HANDASYD was promoted from the fifteenth foot to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 27th of January 1737, in succession to Colonel William Hargrave, who was removed to the ninth foot. Brigadier-General Handasyd died near Hammersmith on the 27th of February 1745.

LORD HENRY BEAUCLERK,

_Appointed 22nd April 1745_.

King George II. appointed Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk from the forty-eighth to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 22nd of April 1745, in succession to Brigadier-General Handasyd, deceased. Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk retired from the service on the 8th of May, 1749.

HENRY HOLMES,

_Appointed 8th May 1749_.

Colonel Lord Henry Beauclerk having retired from the service, Colonel Henry Holmes was appointed to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 8th of May 1749. Colonel Holmes was promoted to the rank of Major-General on the 2nd of February, 1756, and to that of Lieut.-General on the 2nd of April, 1759. Lieut.-General Holmes died in the year 1762.

SIR JAMES ADOLPHUS OUGHTON,

_Appointed 20th August 1762_.

COLONEL OUGHTON was removed by His Majesty King George III. from the colonelcy of the fifty-fifth to that of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 20th of August 1762, in succession to Lieut.-General Holmes deceased. Colonel Oughton was promoted to the rank of major-general on the 15th of August 1761, and to that of lieut.-general on the 30th of April 1770. His Majesty King George III. also constituted him a Knight of the Order of the Bath. Lieut.-General Sir James Adolphus Oughton, K.B., died in April 1780.

THOMAS CLARKE,

_Appointed 3rd May 1780_.

MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS CLARKE, from the Coldstream Guards, was appointed on the 3rd of May 1780 to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment in succession to Lieut.-General Sir James Adolphus Oughton, deceased. Major-General Clarke was promoted to the rank of lieut.-general on the 20th of November 1782; and on the 8th of February 1792, he was removed to the thirtieth regiment. On the 3rd of May, 1796, he was advanced to the rank of general. His decease occurred in the year 1799.

JAMES STUART,

_Appointed 8th February 1792_.

MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES STUART was appointed from the half-pay ninetieth regiment, which corps was disbanded at the Peace of 1763, to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, on the 8th of February 1792, in succession to Lieut.-General Thomas Clarke, removed to the thirtieth foot. Major-General Stuart’s decease occurred in the following year.

HENRY EARL OF MULGRAVE, G.C.B.

_Appointed 8th February 1793._

LORD MULGRAVE entered the army on the 8th of June 1775, as an ensign in the first foot guards, in which regiment he was promoted lieutenant and captain on the 2nd of April 1778; on the 30th of August 1779 he was promoted to the rank of major in the eighty-fifth regiment, and to that of lieut.-colonel of the eighty-eighth regiment on the 4th of October 1780. He was removed to the forty-fifth regiment on the 9th of January 1782, and was appointed captain and lieut.-colonel in the first foot guards on the 6th of June 1783. He was advanced to the rank of colonel in the army on the 18th of November 1790. His Majesty King George III. conferred the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment upon Colonel Lord Mulgrave on the 8th of February, 1793. Lord Mulgrave was advanced to the rank of major-general on the 3rd October 1794; to that of lieut.-general on the 1st of January 1801; and to that of general on the 25th of October 1809.

Lord Mulgrave served in America from 1776 to the end of 1778; in the West Indies in 1780:--he commanded at Toulon in 1793; in Zealand in 1794; and in 1799 his Lordship was employed on a military mission to the Archduke Charles and Marshal Suvaroff. During the course of his military career, Lord Mulgrave received the thanks, in public orders, of the officers under whom he served. His Lordship was appointed Master-General of the Ordnance on the 5th of May 1810, and held that appointment until the 31st of December, 1818. On the 15th of August 1812, he was created Earl of Mulgrave and Viscount Normanby. His Lordship was also appointed Governor of Scarborough Castle. On the 20th of May 1820, his Lordship was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. General the Earl of Mulgrave died on the 12th of April 1831.

SIR HENRY WARDE, G.C.B.

_Appointed 13th April 1831._

In March 1783, this officer was appointed ensign in the first regiment of foot guards, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and captain in 1792; in the following year he landed in Holland with the first troops sent to that country, and was wounded in storming the outworks at the siege of Valenciennes. He came home, and when recovered, returned early in July 1794, and acted as adjutant to the third battalion of foot guards; he returned in November, on being promoted to a company, with the rank of lieut.-colonel. He served in the expedition to Ostend, as lieut.-colonel, with Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby at the Helder, and was present in all the actions. On the 1st of January 1801, His Majesty King George III. conferred on him the brevet of colonel, and in 1804 he was appointed brigadier-general; he served under Lord Cathcart at Copenhagen in 1807, and his name was included in the vote of thanks from Parliament for his services on that expedition. He was appointed major-general on the 25th of April 1808, and he commanded the first brigade of guards, in the force under Lieut.-General Sir David Baird sent to Corunna in 1808, and returned after that battle. For his services at the battle of Corunna, he again received the thanks of Parliament, and a medal. He proceeded to India in 1809, and as second in command under Lieut.-General Abercromby, to the Mauritius in 1810, where he remained in command of the troops after the capture. For the conquest of the Island of the Mauritius his name was included in the vote of thanks from Parliament. He was afterwards acting governor for three months, and was subsequently appointed to the command of the forces at the Mauritius. On the 1st of January 1813, Major-General Sir Henry Warde was appointed colonel of the sixty-eighth foot, and was advanced to the rank of lieut.-general on the 4th of June, 1813. In January 1815, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, and was advanced to the dignity of a Knight Grand Cross on the 13th of September, 1831. On the 22nd of July 1830, he was promoted to the rank of general.

On the 13th of April 1831, General Sir Henry Warde was removed from the sixty-eighth to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. His decease occurred on the 1st of October, 1834, at Alresford, in Hampshire.

SIR EDWARD BARNES, G.C.B.

_Appointed 10th October, 1831._

This officer was appointed major in the ninety-ninth regiment on the 16th of November, 1794, which corps was directed to be raised early in that year, in consequence of the war with France. In the year 1796 the ninety-ninth regiment was reduced. Major Barnes was promoted to the brevet rank of lieut.-colonel on the 1st of January, 1800, and on the 17th of February following, was appointed from the half-pay of the late ninety-ninth Foot to be major in the seventy-ninth regiment, from which he was promoted to the rank of lieut.-colonel of the forty-sixth regiment on the 23rd of April 1807. He was promoted colonel in the army on the 25th of July 1810, and was advanced to the rank of major-general on the 4th of June 1813. He served on the staff in Spain and Portugal, to which he was appointed on the 8th of August, 1812, and commanded a brigade at the battles of Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, and Orthes. He also served with the army in the campaign of 1815 in the Netherlands and France, as adjutant-general, and was severely wounded in the battle of Waterloo. For his services the major-general was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, and had the honor to wear a cross and three clasps; was also appointed a Knight of the Austrian Order of Maria Theresa, and of the first class of St. Anne of Russia.

Major-General Sir Edward Barnes was appointed colonel of the late ninety-ninth regiment on the 24th of October 1816, and on the 13th of January 1819, he was appointed major-general on the staff at Ceylon, of which island he was appointed governor, and lieut.-general on the staff, in March 1823, which he held until October 1831. On the 13th of May 1820, he was appointed Colonel-Commandant of the Rifle Brigade, and was removed to the seventy-eighth regiment on the 25th of August, 1822. On the 27th of May 1825, he was promoted to the rank of lieut.-general, and in the year 1832 was nominated a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. On the 10th of January, 1832, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief in the East Indies with the local rank of general, which he held until the 15th of October of the following year. Lieut.-General Sir Edward Barnes was appointed by His Majesty King William IV. to the colonelcy of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 10th of October 1834. His decease occurred in London on the 19th of March 1838.

SIR COLIN HALKETT, G.C.B.

_Appointed, 28th March 1838._

_Removed to the forty-fifth regiment on the 12th July 1847._

THE HONORABLE HENRY OTWAY TREVOR, C.B.

_Appointed 12th July 1847._

APPENDIX.

_Battles, Sieges, &c., which occurred in Germany and in the Netherlands from 1743 to 1748, during the “War of the Austrian Succession.”_

Battle of Dettingen (Germany) 27 June, 1743
Menin invested by the French 18 May, and captured. 5 June, 1744
Ypres invested by the French 7 June, and captured. 14 June, ----
Fort Knocque surrendered to the French June, ----
Furnes surrendered to the French 5 July, ----
Friburg (Germany) invested by the French 21 Sept. ----
Citadel of Friburg captured by the French 28 Nov. ----
Tournay invested by the French 23 April, 1745
Battle of Fontenoy 11 May, ----
Citadel of Tournay surrendered to the French 21 June, ----
Skirmish near Ghent 9 July, ----
Citadel of Ghent captured by the French 15 July, ----
Bruges captured by the French July, ----
Oudenarde captured by the French 21 July, ----
Dendermond captured by the French Aug. ----
Ostend invested by the French on 14 July, and captured 23 Aug. ----
Nieuport captured by the French 26 Aug. ----
Aeth captured by the French 28 Sept. ----
Brussels invested by the French 24 Jan., and captured 20 Feb. 1746
Mechlin captured by the French May, ----
Antwerp captured by the French 20 May, ----
Citadel of Antwerp captured by the French 31 May, ----
Mons invested by the French on 7 June, and captured 11 July, ----
Fort St. Ghislain captured by the French 21 July, ----
Charleroi invested by the French on 25 July, and
captured 2 Aug. ----
Huy captured by the French Aug. ----
Namur invested by the French 26 Aug.; Citadel captured 19 Sept. ----
Battle of Roucoux, near Liege 11 Oct. ----
Sluys surrendered to the French 11 April, 1747
Fort Sandberg in Hulst, and Axel, surrendered to the
French 28 April, ----
Sandvliet captured by the French June, ----
Battle of Val, or Laffeld, near Maestricht 2 July, ----
Bergen op-Zoom invested by the French 13 July, and
captured 16 Sept. ----
Forts Lillo, Frederick Henry, and Croix 2 Oct. ----
Limburg captured by the French Mar. 1748
Maestricht invested by the French 3 April, ----
Maestricht surrendered to the French 3 May, ----
Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle 7 Oct. ----

LIST of the BRITISH REGIMENTS which served in FLANDERS and GERMANY between 1742 and 1748, during the “_War of the Austrian Succession_.”

+--------------------+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+
| Rejoined the Army in Flanders, after |
| the suppression of the Rebellion. |
| || |
| Returned to Great Britain in consequence of | || |
| the Rebellion in favor of the Pretender. | || |
| || | || |
| Year in which embarked for Flanders. | || | || |
| || | || | \/ |
| REGIMENTS. | COLONELS. | || | \/ | |
| | | \/ | | |
+--------------------+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+
| | | | | |
| CAVALRY. | | | | |
| | | | | |
|3rd Troop Horse }|Earl of Albemarle | 1742 | 1746 | .. |
| Guards }| | | | |
|4th ditto ditto |Earl of Effingham | 1742 | 1746 | .. |
|2nd ditto Horse }|Earl of Cranfurd | 1742 | 1746 | .. |
| Grenadier Guards.}| | | | |
|Royal Regiment }|Earl of Hertford | 1742 | 1746 | .. |
| Horse Guards }| | | | |
|1st Horse (1st }|Earl of Pembroke | 1742 | 1746 | .. |
| Dragoon Guards) }| | | | |
|4th Irish Horse }|Sir John Ligonier | 1742 | 1745 | .. |
| (7th Dragoon | | | | |
| Guards) }| | | | |
|1st Dragoons |Hawley | 1742 | 1745 | .. |
|2nd ditto |Campbell | 1742 | RF | .. |
|3rd ditto |Honeywood | 1742 | 1745 | .. |
|4th ditto |Rich | 1742 | 1746 | 1747 |
|6th ditto |Lord Cadogan | 1742 |} }| .. |
| (Inniskilling) | | |} RF }| |
|7th ditto |Cope | 1742 |} }| |
| | | | | |
| FOOT GUARDS. | | | | |
| | | | | |
|1st Foot Guards }|Duke of Cumberland | 1742 | 1745 | 1747 |
|1st Battalion }| | | | |
|2nd ditto ditto |Duke of Marlborough | 1742 | 1745 | .. |
|3rd ditto ditto |Earl of Dunmore | 1742 | 1745 | 1747 |
| | | | | |
| INFANTRY. | | | | |
| | | | | |
|1st Foot 1st Batt. |St. Clair | 1744 | 1745 | .. |
|3rd ditto (Buffs) |Howard | 1742 | 1745 | 1747 |
|4th ditto |Barrel | 1744 | 1745 | .. |
|8th ditto |Onslow | 1742 | 1745 | 1746 |
|11th ditto |Cornwallis | 1742 | RF | .. |
|12th ditto |Duroure | 1742 | 1745 | .. |
|13th ditto |Pulteney | 1742 | 1745 | 1746 |
|18th ditto |Mordaunt | 1743 | 1745 | .. |
|19th ditto (Green) |Howard | 1744 | RF | .. |
|20th ditto |Bligh | 1742 | 1745 | 1748 |
|21st ditto, Royal }| | | | |
| Nth. British }|Campbell | 1742 | 1745 | 1747 |
| Fusiliers }| | | | |
|23rd ditto, Royal } |Peers | 1742 | 1745 | 1747 |
| Welsh Fusiliers } | | | | |
|25th ditto |Earl of Rothes | 1744 | 1745 | 1747 |
|28th ditto |Bragg | 1744 | 1745 | .. |
|31st ditto |Handasyd | 1742 | 1745 | .. |
|32nd ditto |Skelton | 1742 |} RF }| .. |
|33rd ditto |Johnson | 1742 |} }| |
|34th ditto |Cholmondeley | 1744 | 1745 | .. |
|36th ditto |Fleming | 1744 | 1745 | 1747 |
|37th ditto |Ponsonby | 1742 | 1745 | 1747 |
|42nd ditto |Lord Semphill | 1744 | 1745 | .. |
|48th ditto (orig. |Lord Harry Beauclerk| 1744 | 1745 | 1747 |
| 59th) | | | | |
+--------------------+--------------------+--------+--------+--------+
RF = Remained in Flanders

_Memoir of the Services of_ COLONEL SAMUEL BOLTON, C.B. _of the_ THIRTY-FIRST _Regiment_.

This officer was appointed an ensign in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 5th of February 1807, in which regiment he was promoted to be lieutenant on the 6th of April 1809. Lieutenant Bolton served with the second battalion during the Peninsular war from 1808 to 1814, and was present at the battles of Talavera, Busaco, and Albuhera, in the last of which he was wounded: took part in the capture of Marshal Girard’s division at Arroyo dos Molinos on the 28th of October 1811, and shared in the battle of Vittoria; also in the actions in the Pyrenees, at the Nive, Garris, Orthes, Aire, and Toulouse.

Lieutenant Bolton was appointed adjutant to the second battalion on the 31st of March 1813, but returned to his duty as lieutenant upon the reduction of the second battalion on the 24th of October 1814. He was promoted to the rank of captain on the 24th of October 1822; and on the 7th of February 1825, embarked with the left wing of the regiment for the East Indies. Captain Bolton was promoted to the rank of major in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 14th of June 1833, and to that of lieutenant-colonel on the 24th of November 1835.

Lieut.-Colonel Bolton served in the Affghanistan campaign of 1842, and commanded the THIRTY-FIRST regiment in the action at Mazeena, in the Shinwaree valley, on the 26th of July 1842; at Tezeen on the 13th of September 1842, and at the occupation of Cabool by Major-General Pollock.

For his services in Affghanistan, Lieut.-Colonel Bolton received a medal, and was promoted to the rank of colonel on the 23rd of December 1842; he was also appointed aide-de-camp to Her Majesty, and was nominated a Companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath.

Colonel Bolton served with the army of the Sutlej in 1845, as Brigadier to the first brigade under the command of General Sir Hugh (now Viscount) Gough, Commander-in-Chief in India at that period. Colonel Bolton received a severe wound at the battle of _Moodkee_ on the 18th of December 1845, from the effects of which he died on the 4th of January 1846.

LIEUT.-COLONEL THOMAS SKINNER, C.B.[43]

Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Skinner, the eldest son of Lieut.-General John Skinner, while at Eton College, was on the 25th of January 1816, appointed to an ensigncy in the sixteenth regiment of foot, to which regiment his father had been attached for thirty-nine years, before he attained the rank of Major-General; Ensign Skinner joined the sixteenth regiment in Ireland in the year 1817, then commanded by the late Major-General (then Colonel) Tolley. Major-General Tolley, the best Greek scholar of his day at Westminster, amused his leisure with classical literature, and invited the young Etonian to share his studies; and thus making complete his education, fortunately imbued him with that taste for letters which secured to him through life a most agreeable resource. In 1819, the regiment being ordered to Ceylon, he obtained, by purchase, a lieutenancy on the 6th of August, and proceeded to that colony. While there he was employed to make the roads constructed by the late Lieut.-General Sir Edward Barnes, afterwards Colonel of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. Lieutenant Skinner was appointed adjutant to the sixteenth regiment on the 20th of April 1820, and did duty in that capacity until 1822, when his Commanding Officer returned to England, and obtaining leave of absence for his young friend, they travelled home together through India and Egypt, visiting Malta and Sicily, and thence through Italy and France to England. Lieutenant Skinner was promoted to an unattached company on the 9th of October 1823, and on the 20th of March, 1824, was appointed Captain in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. In February 1825, he sailed with the left wing of the THIRTY-FIRST in the _Scaleby Castle_ for Calcutta, the regiment being ordered to reinforce the army at that time acting in Burmah; but owing to the burning of her consort, the _Kent_ East Indiaman, in the Bay of Biscay, with the right wing, the regiment was inefficient, and remained in garrison at Calcutta. In 1829, Captain Skinner returned home on leave of absence in the _Cartha_, and nearly suffered shipwreck on the coast of Wales. The vessel being driven by storm when off Liverpool, was unable to weather Bardsea Island, and fortunately passed safely through the narrow channel between that rock, and the coast of Carnarvon into Pwelli Bay. He did not lose his time in India; for with his brother, Captain James Skinner, of the sixty-first regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, he travelled to the sources of the Ganges and the Jumna, an account of which was published in 1833, from letters written at the time, in two volumes, entitled “_Excursions in India_,” and the work passed through two editions. During his leave of absence he travelled over England and Scotland, and made himself as well acquainted with those parts of his native land, as, in the course of his professional duties, he had previously become with Ireland. In December 1833, by permission of General Lord Hill, Commanding in Chief, he travelled by the Holy Land and Bagdad to India to rejoin the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. An account of these travels, in two volumes, was published in 1836, under the title of “_Adventures during a Journey overland to India_” which also passed through two editions. On the 24th of November, 1835, he was promoted Major in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. Emulous of his father’s skill as an officer of Light Infantry, he diligently cultivated that branch of the service, availing himself of the opportunity of practising manœuvres in the field afforded to those serving in India, by the collection of large bodies of men at the principal stations. In 1840, his health being affected by the climate, Lord Hill considerately forwarded to him, through the General commanding in India, leave of absence, of which he declined to avail himself, as he thought his services might be useful in the then state of India. On the 23rd of November 1840, he was entrusted to take from Chinsurah a large body of recruits, about twenty young officers, and about twenty-two young women and as many children, to their destinations where they arrived in health, and without complaint of any sort against them in the districts through which they passed. The Commander-in-Chief in India thus expressed his thanks for this unprecedented success in such duty.

“The Commander-in-Chief takes an early opportunity of conveying
his best thanks to Major Skinner, of Her Majesty’s THIRTY-FIRST
regiment, for the forethought, caution, and exertion shown by him
in marching a body of 489 recruits from Chinsurah to Cawnpore and
Agra, without the loss of a man, except one accidentally drowned
while bathing in the Soane. His Excellency requests that Major
Skinner will report to him in what degree the medical officers
contributed to this very desirable result, in order that their
skill and attention may be duly appreciated and remembered.”

Major Skinner, for this service, was rewarded with the appointment of Commandant of the Convalescent Depôt at Landour.

Upon the march of the army under Major-General Pollock to Affghanistan, where Captain James Skinner, of the sixty-first Bengal Native Infantry, was reported to be a prisoner, having been wounded on the retreat from Cabool, Major Skinner resigned at once his lucrative and pleasant post, and by forced journeys, joined the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, in February 1842; his anxiety for his brother, whom he had hoped to be in part the means of rescuing, only appeased by the distressing certainty of his violent and untimely death. Major Skinner rendered very important services at the battle of _Mazeena_, for which he was particularly thanked by Brigadier Monteath; Major Skinner’s account of the transaction was also included in the despatches published in the “London Gazette.”

From the fatigue and exposure in the action at _Mazeena_ on the 26th of July 1842, Major Skinner was seized with the fever of that country, living, to avoid the heat and dust, in a hole dug in the ground, the air being pestilent and the water corrupt, from the mortality of animals. His life was, however, spared for the service of his country. Though still suffering from the malignant disease, which rest might then have cured, he commenced his labours, being removed from the sick list on the very day he marched with the second division, under Major-General McCaskill, commanding, on the 8th of September 1842, the advance guard to Soorkhab, on the 9th to Jugdulluck; a running fight being kept up the whole way; on the 10th to Kutta Sung; and on the 11th the rear-guard to Tezeen. He was specially thanked in Major-General McCaskill’s despatches for the manner in which he performed these duties. In the afternoon of the 12th of September he was despatched to the heights of the Huft-Kotul, and commenced at daylight of the 13th, by attacking the enemy on the heights, those operations which ended in the victory of Tezeen. Major-general Pollock stated, “that the Major’s duty was performed with great gallantry, and his operations contributed much to frustrate the attempts of the enemy on the right flank.” The Major-General enclosed in the despatches the detailed account of Major Skinner’s movements, which were published in the “London Gazette.”

Proceeding from Tezeen to Cabool on the 10th of October, he commanded five companies of the THIRTY-FIRST regiment at the destruction of the Great Bazaar, which, from the skilful arrangement of the force, was effected almost without loss of life. On the march from Cabool to India his conduct was thought from time to time deserving of praise by those under whom he acted. On his arrival at Ferozepore, he was chosen for the imposing duty of commanding the Guard of Honor, consisting of artillery, cavalry, and infantry, escorting the embassy to Lahore.

On the 23rd of December 1842, he was promoted to the rank of lieut.-colonel in the army, was three days afterwards made a Companion of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath, and was presented by the government of India with the silver medal of Cabool, bearing on one side “_Cabool_ 1842,” and on the other “_Victoria Vindex_.”

Unfortunately Lieut.-Colonel Skinner did not live long to enjoy the rewards of his useful services, for his decease occurred on the 5th of May 1843, at Mussoorie, in the Himalaya Mountains, from disease brought on by privation and fatigue during the Affghan campaign. Lieut.-Colonel Skinner was buried the next morning at Landour with military honors, the arms of a native corps being borrowed for the European invalids stationed there at their own request. They formed the funeral procession and firing party, an honorable mark of respect never before paid by them on any similar occasion. The body was attended to the grave by every European, civil or military, in the place, and by a very large proportion of the native population, to whom he had been previously known as commandant, and by whom he was greatly loved and deeply lamented. His brother officers erected over his remains a tomb of Delhi stone, and his death was announced to the regiment by Colonel Bolton in a regimental order, which did full justice to his merits “_as a good and gallant officer_,” expressing at the same time, that “_he was devotedly attached to his profession, and that he was the warm advocate and steady friend of the well-deserving soldier_.”

MAJOR GEORGE BALDWIN.

This officer commenced his military career as ensign in the thirty-sixth regiment, on the 2nd of June 1808. He served in Holland during 1809 and 1810, and was present at the capture of Walcheren and siege of Flushing. Ensign Baldwin was removed from the thirty-sixth to the third Ceylon regiment on the 4th of April 1811, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the fourteenth regiment of foot on the 9th of November 1814. Lieutenant Baldwin was present at the memorable battle of Waterloo, for which he received a medal, and served at the storming of Cambray on the 24th of June 1815. He exchanged from the half-pay of the seventy-fifth regiment to the THIRTY-FIRST on the 14th of March 1822, and embarked for India on the 7th of February 1825, with the right wing of the regiment on board the ship _Kent_, which was burnt at sea on the 1st of March following. Lieutenant Baldwin received a severe injury when the ship was in flames, by an iron spike running into his thigh. Lieutenant Baldwin was promoted to the rank of Captain in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment on the 14th of June 1833. He served in the campaign of Affghanistan in 1842; was present in the action at Mazeena on the 26th of July 1842; at Tezeen on the 13th of September following; and at the occupation of Cabool by Major-General Pollock. For his services in Affghanistan he was rewarded with a medal, and received the brevet rank of major on the 23rd of December 1842. On the 8th of October 1844 he was promoted to the rank of major in the THIRTY-FIRST regiment. Major Baldwin served with the army of the Sutlej in 1845, was present at the battles of Moodkee and Ferozeshah; in the latter he was mortally wounded. Major Baldwin died on the 30th of December 1845.

FOOTNOTE:

[43] This account of the services of Lieut.-Colonel Skinner has (with permission) been abridged from a printed (but unpublished) “_Sketch of the Military Services of Lieut.-General Skinner and his Sons_,” by Allan Maclean Skinner, Esq., of Lincoln’s Inn, Barrister at Law, youngest son of the late Lieut.-General Skinner.

* * * * *

As the _Thirtieth_, _Thirty-first_, and _Thirty-second_ Regiments were originally raised, in 1702, as _Marine Corps_, and served in that capacity until the year 1714, when they were retained, as Regiments of regular Infantry, on the Establishment of the Army, the following account of the _Marine Corps_ is appended,--it being found impracticable to record the earlier services of the _Thirtieth_, _Thirty-first_ and _Thirty-second_ Regiments distinct from those of the _Marine Corps_, in consequence of their being employed, from 1702 to 1714, _by detachments_ on board the Fleet, and engaged on various services at Sea, as well as on land, according to the purposes for which they were originally raised.

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE MARINE CORPS,

CONTAINING

AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR FORMATION AND SERVICES
FROM 1664 TO 1748;

AT WHICH PERIOD THOSE CORPS CEASED TO FORM PART OF THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGULAR ARMY.

FROM THE YEAR 1755

THE PRESENT CORPS OF

ROYAL MARINES

HAVE BEEN UNDER THE CONTROL OF

THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY.

COMPILED BY

RICHARD CANNON, Esq.,

ADJUTANT-GENERAL’S OFFICE, HORSE-GUARDS.

ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES.

THE MARINE REGIMENTS.

CONTENTS

OF THE

RECORDS OF THE MARINE CORPS.

YEAR PAGE
INTRODUCTION.

1664 Formation of a Corps for Sea-service on commencement
of war with Holland 1

---- Designated “_The Admiral’s Maritime Regiment_,”
and commanded by the Duke of York, afterwards
King James II. --

1672 Formation of additional Corps of Marines on renewal
of hostilities with Holland 2

1689 _The Admiral’s Maritime Regiment_ incorporated
in the Second Foot Guards --

1702 Formation of six Regiments of Marines --

---- Six other Regiments of Infantry selected for
Sea-service --

---- The Royal Warrant for forming the six Regiments of
Marines, and for selecting six other Regiments for
Sea-service 3

---- Other Regiments embarked, at different periods during
the war, to serve as Marines on board the Fleet --

---- Rules and Instructions for the duties, pay, and
clothing of the Marine forces 4

1702 Placed under the control of the Lord High Admiral,
the Prince George of Denmark 4

---- Appointment of Brigadier-General W. Seymour, of the
Fourth Foot, to superintend the details of the
Marine Regiments 5

---- Uniform prescribed for the Marine forces --

---- Independent Companies of Marines formed for the fleet
in the West Indies --

---- Services of the Marines on board the fleet in the
Mediterranean --

1704 Proceeded in the fleet to Lisbon, to aid the cause
of the Archduke Charles of Austria --

---- Proceeded against Barcelona, but afterwards withdrew,
and re-embarked 6

---- Attack and Capture of Gibraltar --

---- Engagement of the British and French fleets in the
Mediterranean 7

---- Siege of Gibraltar by the Spaniards and French 8

1705 The attempt to retake the fortress abandoned after
a siege of seven months 9

---- The Marine Corps distributed in the several ships
of war on the coast of Spain 10

---- Proceeded against Barcelona with the troops under
the Earl of Peterborough --

---- Capture of Fort Montjuich by storm 11

---- Surrender of the garrison of Barcelona 12

1706 Siege of Barcelona by the French 13

---- The French raised the siege and retreated --

---- Capture of Carthagena --

---- Capture of Alicant 14

---- Surrender of Iviça --

---- Surrender of Majorca --

1707 Attack and siege of Toulon 15

---- The siege of Toulon raised --

1708 Surrender of Sardinia --

1708 Capture of the Island of Minorca 16

---- Decease of H. R. H. the Prince George of Denmark,
Consort of Queen Anne, and Lord High Admiral of
England --

1709 Capture of _Anna-polis Royal_, in Nova Scotia 17

---- Surrender of Alicant to the forces of Spain and
France --