Chapter IV: First Part of the Long European Peace (1)

Distress in England after the war—Reductions in the Army and
Navy—Stations of the Brigade—French Eagles captured, deposited in
the Chapel Royal, Whitehall—Reforms in interior economy—Death of
George III., and Accession of George IV.—Cato Street
Conspiracy—Trial of Queen Caroline—Coronation of George IV.—Guards
in Dublin—Distress in 1826—Death of the Duke of York—Changes in
uniform—Death of George IV.; succeeded by William IV.—Political
agitation at home, revolution abroad; the Reform Act—Coronation of
William IV.—First appearance of cholera—Death of the King, and
Accession of Her Majesty Queen Victoria—Changes and reforms
introduced during the reign of William IV.

The defeat of Napoleon brought about a period of peace in Europe, which, lasting till 1853, almost entirely undisturbed by the clash of arms, is chiefly conspicuous in history for the internal changes, and for the popular and national ideas that were then developed, both in England and on the Continent. This period, containing necessarily, as far as the Coldstream is concerned, few of those stirring incidents which invest the annals of a regiment with public interest, marks the introduction to our present modern society, and exhibits a rapid growth in the British Empire, and a great improvement in the material lot of the people. But it opened inauspiciously, and was at its commencement tinged with gloom.

The principles of the French Revolution, generating dangerous and violent forces, and threatening Christendom with anarchy and destruction, were at length laid low, and, to outward appearances at least, they were finally crushed and eradicated. The victory rested with England, to whose indomitable energy, national power, and vast financial resources, the result of the gigantic contest had been due. And as men who have conquered in a desperate struggle, to rest and refreshment as the fruit of their labours, so did Great Britain indulge in the expectation that, the enemy being vanquished, she would at once be compensated for her innumerable sacrifices by the quiet and unalloyed enjoyment of the rewards of her valour. Nor was this an extravagant hope. Even during the war, while the people were oppressed by a crushing taxation, and when the country was in the very throes of an exhausting and terrible conflict, England, thanks to her commanding maritime supremacy, that alone endowed her with extraordinary strength, advanced steadily in riches and in population.[126] It may, then, be readily conceived that, if such was the case in the hour of darkness, the nation had cause to look forward with confidence, to a rapidly accelerating progress in material prosperity, as soon as the millennium of a general peace should dawn upon the civilized world. But anticipations are frequently disappointed, and in this case they were not immediately realized. The cessation of hostilities, instead of heralding an era of plenty, was the signal of much misery and distress, which cast a dark shadow over the last few years of the reign of George III., and chastened the rejoicings that followed the successful termination of the greatest war of modern times.

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Footnote 126:

The exports, which in 1792 were valued at £27,000,000, amounted to
nearly £58,000,000 in 1815; imports rose from £19,000,000 to
£32,000,000 between those years; the shipping advanced from 1,000,000
to 2,500,000 tons; and the population of the three kingdoms, from
14,000,000 to 18,000,000 souls (Alison, _History of Europe_ ,
1815-1852, i. 79).

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Various causes are assigned for this unexpected suffering, into which we cannot enter. Suffice it to record the fact, and to note, that the widespread poverty that then prevailed, led to disorder, which, breaking out in many parts of the country, had to be quelled by the interference of military force. In London there were also disturbances or threats of riots, so that, from the end of 1816 until the autumn of 1817—and, indeed, upon many occasions afterwards—the Guards quartered in the Metropolis were constantly kept ready for the preservation of the public peace; the troops were often confined to barracks, the Officers recalled from leave, the public duties strengthened, and piquets temporarily sent to protect vulnerable points in the city. The rabble, urged by leaders, who endeavoured, as usual, to convert the distress to their own purposes, began to display a rising animosity towards the soldiery;[127] and schemes were formed for the purpose of burning the barracks in London, and of attacking the Tower, the Bank, and other places of importance. No actual outbreak occurred until the 2nd of December, when a disturbance took place, known as the Spafield riots, in which the mob, having procured arms, marched into the City and retained possession of the Minories for some hours. After doing much damage, they were dislodged by the troops sent to put them down, and the district was patrolled till order was completely restored.[128]

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Footnote 127:

Adverting to the insults to which both Officers and men were exposed
when mounting and dismounting guard, marshal-men and park-keepers were
warned to attend those parades, and to prevent the disorder complained
of, and Officers were ordered to report them, if this duty was not
properly performed (_Brigade Order_ , Oct. 17, 1816).

Footnote 128:

_Annual Register_ , 1816, “Chronicle,” 190; _ibid._, 1817, “General
History,” 7, 12. The following letter from the Adjutant-General of the
Forces to the Field-Officer in Brigade Waiting, dated December 4th,
and published in Brigade Orders of the 6th, refers to this riot: “I
have received the Commander-in-Chief’s commands to desire that you
will convey to the Brigade of Foot Guards, H.R.H.'s entire approbation
during the last two days, of the temper and discipline they have
displayed, while rendering the most effectual aid to the civil
authorities, by which the tranquillity of the metropolis has been
secured.”

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The abrupt cessation of hostilities occasioned reductions in the large naval and military establishments which had to be maintained for the vigorous prosecution of the war; and the promptitude with which they were effected, aggravated not a little the general distress that followed. The Government, defeated in their proposal to continue the property tax, and having thereupon voluntarily given up the war duty on malt, found themselves suddenly deprived of £17,000,000 of revenue, and had no option but to discharge forthwith, and in no sparing manner, a large portion of the forces of the Crown. Of the 100,000 men required for the Navy in 1815, only 33,000 were retained in 1816; the military establishment was also fixed during the Session, at 111,756 men, not counting the regiments serving in India, paid by the East India Company, nor the contingent quartered in France and provided for by that nation. To effect the necessary reductions in the land services, some 50,000 of the regular Army, the Militia 80,000 strong, and of course the foreign corps, nearly 21,000 men, were disbanded.[129] Some of these changes did not take place until 1817, but they affected the Coldstream as early as the 24th of December, 1815, when the Regiment lost 400 men; on the 24th of March, 1817, simultaneously with the reduction effected in the army of occupation in France, another diminution of 200 men was made in the establishment; again, shortly after the 2nd Battalion returned from Cambrai (December, 1818), the services of four Lieutenants, sixteen Ensigns, two Assistant-Surgeons, and 200 men were further dispensed with; and lastly, on the 25th of August, 1821, four companies were abolished, twelve Officers were seconded, and 216 Non-commissioned officers and men were discharged.[130] The sweeping nature of these reductions, rendered necessary by the termination of the war, is perhaps best appreciated by comparing the Regimental establishment as it stood in the spring of 1814, with that which was in force in the autumn of 1821:—

1814. 1821.

22 Companies. 16 Companies.

4 Field-Officers (Colonel, 4 Field-Officers (Colonel,
Lieutenant-Colonel, and 2 Lieutenant-Colonel, and 2
Majors). Majors).

22 Captains. 16 Captains.

46 Lieutenants. 20 Lieutenants.

20 Ensigns. 12 Ensigns.

2 Adjutants. 2 Adjutants.

2 Quartermasters. 2 Quartermasters.

3 Surgeon-Major and Battalion 3 Surgeon-Major and Battalion
Surgeons. Surgeons.

4 Assistant-Surgeons. 2 Assistant-Surgeons.

1 Solicitor. 1 Solicitor.

2 Drum-Majors. 2 Drum-Majors.

1 Deputy Marshal. 1 Deputy Marshal.[131]

2 Sergeants-Major. 2 Sergeants-Major.

2 Quartermaster-Sergeants. 2 Quartermaster-Sergeants.

2 Armourer-Sergeants. 2 Armourer-Sergeants.

2 Schoolmaster-Sergeants. 2 Schoolmaster-Sergeants.

176 Sergeants. 64 Sergeants.

176 Corporals 63 Corporals.

47 Drummers and Fifers. 35 Drummers and Fifers.

2706 Privates. 1344 Privates.

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3220 Total. 1580 Total.

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Footnote 129:

Alison, _History of Europe_ , 1815-1852, i. 108. “We have had one of
the most disagreeable sessions I ever remember; a sour, discontented
temper among our friends, considerable distress throughout the
country, and endless debates upon economy, whilst everything that has
been done by the Prince and his Government, is either forgotten or
thrown into the shade” (Lord Castlereagh to the Duke of Wellington,
May 13th, 1816: _Supplementary Despatches, etc._ , xi. 401).

Footnote 130:

If Officers, not included in the reduction of 1818, wished to retire
on half-pay, the difference to be paid on an exchange was fixed at
£1000 for a Lieutenant, and at £600 for an Ensign, “to those on the
permanent establishment who may be entitled to such indulgence.” In
the reduction of 1821, the men were allowed to take away their
knapsacks, their regimental clothing of the year, and their great
coats, if they had been two years in wear; the Officers seconded, were
to be re-absorbed into the Regiment, by seniority, as vacancies
occurred. (Lord Palmerston to Field-Marshal H.R.H. the Duke of
Cambridge, Colonel of the Coldstream Guards, War Office, Aug. 16,
1821.)

Footnote 131:

The Deputy Marshal ceased to form part of the Regimental establishment
in December, 1828.

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In consequence of these changes, the King’s Guard and the Buckingham House Guard were reduced to ninety and thirty privates respectively, and the other public duties were lightened (January 1, 1822); very shortly afterwards (February 14th), the guards furnished by the Tower Battalion at the East and West India Docks were also abolished, and the Dock companies were thereby obliged to provide themselves with adequate protection.

During the war of 1815, and the subsequent occupation of Paris, there were only three Battalions of the Brigade in England, and they were all quartered in the West-end of London. In the winter of 1815-16, after the conclusion of the peace, two more Battalions returned home, when Windsor and the Tower were again occupied. On the 20th of August, 1816, a roster was published for the regular half-yearly change of quarters, viz. from the Tower, to Windsor, to Lower Westminster, to Portman Street barracks, to Knightsbridge barracks. This arrangement was slightly altered in December, 1818, when French territory was evacuated, and Finsbury and Chatham were added to the list.[132] The quarters at these last two places were shortly afterwards vacated, or irregularly occupied, and Holborn and Brighton (or Portsmouth) substituted for them; in the end of 1821, a Battalion of Foot Guards proceeded to Dublin, and six months later the Brigade was stationed as follows:—Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion, Dublin; 2nd Battalion, Tower; 3rd Battalion, Knightsbridge: Coldstream Guards, 1st Battalion, King’s Mews barracks (now known as St. George’s barracks); 2nd Battalion, Portman Street: Third Guards, 1st Battalion, Lower Westminster; 2nd Battalion, Windsor.[133]

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Footnote 132:

_Brigade Orders_ , Aug. 20, 1816, and Dec. 9, 1818; the latter of
which contained a provision to enable the Coldstream and the Third
Guards to exchange quarters with a Regiment having two Battalions in
London, in the event of both their Battalions being simultaneously out
of town.

Knightsbridge barracks occupied a site near St. George’s Place, Hyde
Park Corner, at the back of the present Alexandra Hotel; Portman
Street barracks was situated where Granville Place, Portman Square, is
now built.

Footnote 133:

The changes of stations, as far as they affect the Regiment, up to
January, 1833, are given in Appendix No. 273 of MacKinnon’s _Origin
and Services of the Coldstream Guards_ ; after that date, they are to
be found in Appendix No. XV.

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As there was not, at this time, sufficient accommodation for a battalion at any of the London barracks, that portion of the men who could not be lodged there were billeted in the vicinity. At Windsor, also, the Foot Guards, though sometimes furnishing detachments at Hungerford, Reading, Kew, and Sandhurst, had not enough room in the barracks, and a portion of the men were similarly provided with quarters in the town. The system of billeting was gradually brought to an end, but it does not seem to have entirely disappeared, in London at least, until 1837, when barrack accommodation was provided for the whole Brigade. The discipline of the men in quarters was specially looked after, each company being told off into squads under proper superintendence; the men were frequently visited, and were efficiently controlled, and reports were made of any complaint either on the part of the soldiers, or on the part of the landlords.[134] The following appears in the 1st Battalion Orders of the 25th of February, 1820:—

Colonel Woodford feels certain, from the excellent conduct of the
Battalion throughout the past year, that he may look forward with
confidence to a continuance of good order, sobriety, and discipline in
quarters, and although many soldiers will be dispersed in the
public-houses, he trusts that they will never dishonour themselves by
associating with any disaffected or ill-disposed people. The men must
be regular and clean in their quarters, and they may expect to be
visited frequently and at uncertain times and hours, both by day and
in the evening; and any man reported for improper behaviour will be
removed to barracks immediately.

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Footnote 134:

See _2nd Battalion Order_, Sept. 11, 1819. It appears that the men of
the Brigade were at one time allowed to earn money as coal porters,
but no record has been found to show when the practice ceased. It is
said that a certain number of men on guard were also allowed to do the
same thing, provided they joined their posts at the evening roll-call,
and that this was the origin of beating the taptoo on the Queen’s
Guard.

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From May, 1816, until the summer of 1820, the West-end Battalions supplied a detachment of some 250 men, at Deptford and Woolwich, to protect the Government establishments maintained there. The detachment was relieved every fortnight at first, and afterwards once a month. Later, the Brigade supplied detachments of variable strength, for the same purpose, at irregular periods, to both, or to either of, these places, viz.: April, 1836-April, 1837; June, 1847-November, 1847; July, 1850; March, 1851; October 28, 1853-February 8, 1854.

On the 18th of January, 1816, the Eagles captured at Waterloo, were deposited with great solemnity in the Chapel Royal, Whitehall. An escort, consisting of Officers and men of the three Regiments, who had all been present at the battle (of which the Coldstream furnished 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 23 privates), marched past the public duties and the rest of the Brigade, assembled on the Horse Guards parade, lowering the Eagles as they approached the King’s Colour, and proceeded thence to Whitehall, accompanied by the band of the Coldstream. Divine Service was then read, during which, the trophies were brought in, and were lodged in the Chapel.

It is perhaps worthy of remark that, as early as 1817, Government granted to soldiers the privilege of sending their own letters by post, at the then very cheap rate of one penny.[135]

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Footnote 135:

_General Order_ , Jan. 22, 1817.

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The supply of Regimental necessaries had hitherto not been satisfactorily managed. The Commanding Officer accordingly established stores, from which all the articles required by the men could be procured, of good quality, at the cheapest rate, and at fixed and known prices; and he published an order, January 23, 1817, directing that, for the future, all the men’s necessaries should be got for them there, and at no other place.[136] This order was enforced in the 2nd Battalion, then at Cambrai, on the 9th of February.[137]

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Footnote 136:

By 1st Battalion Order, October 10, 1819, all articles of necessaries
and clothing were to be marked with the Regimental mark previous to
their delivery to the men.

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Footnote 137:

The following Battalion Order was issued on this subject, dated
Cambrai, February 11, 1817: “The monthly inspection of necessaries is
to take place every 24th, if possible. The different articles sealed
and approved by the Commanding Officer are to be the patterns for the
Battalion, and no necessaries are to be considered as Regimental
excepting such as are stamped by the Quartermaster. The
Non-commissioned officers and men are to be completed according to the
list sent to each company. There will be only one delivery of
necessaries in the month from the store-room, as soon after the
inspection as possible. The sealed patterns are to be sent to each
company with the new articles, to enable the men to compare them, and
if they are not equally good, the pay-sergeants are to send them back
immediately to the Quartermaster.”

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Increased attention was paid about this time to interior economy, and former orders on the subject, issued piecemeal, were summarized. The method of paying the men and of keeping their accounts, established by the Commanding Officer, was enforced by Regimental Orders of January 19, 1818, and July 28, 1820; the messing was more closely looked after; and the duties of the company Officers, and of the Officer of the day, were better defined. By a Regimental Order of June 20, 1822,[138] Officers commanding companies were directed frequently to visit the barrack rooms, and to see the messes, also to inspect the men’s necessaries weekly, instead of monthly as heretofore; marching order parades every Sunday morning were then instituted for this purpose, and the custom was not abolished until the year 1843, when Saturday was finally substituted for Sunday, as the day upon which the inspection was to take place.

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Footnote 138:

Repeated and somewhat enlarged by 2nd Battalion Orders of August 2,
1827, and February 25, 1830. By the former, the Officer for the week
was directed to inspect the breakfast messes every morning at eight
a.m.

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Colonel Sir Richard Jackson, K.C.B. (First Major of the Regiment), having left the Coldstream, Colonel Alexander Woodford, C.B., succeeded him in the command of the 1st Battalion, and Colonel Sir Henry Bouverie, K.C.B., promoted Second Major, assumed the command of the 2nd Battalion (January 18, 1820).

George III., after a long and glorious reign of sixty years, died on the 29th of January, 1820, and was succeeded by the Prince of Wales, who, through the illness of the King, had been Prince Regent, or Monarch in fact, though not in name, ever since the end of 1810. The ten years during which George IV. occupied the Throne, did not differ generally from the five that succeeded Waterloo: they were marked by disturbances and political commotions, which, lasting until the reign of his successor, William IV., brought about important and radical changes in the constitution of the country. During this period, moreover, the power of steam was brought into practical use, and railways and steam-ships began to take the place of stage coaches and sailing vessels. England, in short, was passing through a phase of transition, when a new order was being established both in the political and social life of the people.

The first Battalions of the three Regiments of Foot Guards attended the obsequies of George III., which took place at Windsor, February 16th, and received from General Earl Cathcart, Gold Stick in Waiting, in chief command of the troops, through Colonel Askew, the Field-Officer in Brigade Waiting, “the entire approbation of H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief of their appearance, attention, and regularity, on that most melancholy occasion, and his sincere thanks for the propriety of their conduct in performing the several services assigned to them.” Next day the 1st Battalion Coldstream proceeded for four months to Portsmouth, returning to Windsor in June.

The 2nd Battalion meanwhile remained at Portman Street, and rendered good service on the occasion of the apprehension of the Cato Street conspirators, on the 23rd of February. It was ascertained that the latter, not unlike a modern gang of anarchists, were plotting to murder the King’s ministers, and to overturn every form of government; that they were well armed, and were lying concealed in a loft over a stable in Cato Street, the only approach to which was by a ladder and through a trap-door. Some police, accompanied by a detachment of thirty men of the 2nd Battalion, under Lieutenant F. FitzClarence, stormed the loft, garrisoned by twenty-five desperate characters, and a fight ensued in the dark, under circumstances of great confusion. Several conspirators succeeded in making their escape, but nine were secured, and sufficient arms and ammunition for one hundred persons were seized; not, however, before one of the policemen was killed, and a sergeant of the 2nd Battalion, named Legge, wounded.[139] A Regimental Order, dated February 25th, was issued, referring to this incident:—

The Commanding Officer has great pleasure in expressing his
satisfaction with the piquet of the 2nd Battalion commanded by
Lieutenant FitzClarence, on the night of the 23rd instant. The
gallantry and moderation with which they performed their duty, are in
the highest degree creditable.

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Footnote 139:

_Annual Register_ , 1820, “Chronicle,” 51. Alison, _History of
Europe_ , 1815-1852, ii. 424.

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The new reign began with an event that stirred the whole nation to the very depths, and wrought irreparable scandal through every grade of society—the trial of the unfortunate Caroline, Queen of George IV. Happily, the episode is now forgotten, and there is no necessity to revive it. But the trial of a Queen, publicly charged with degrading personal conduct, is unique in modern history, and it created naturally an extraordinary excitement among all classes at the time; and, as feeling upon the subject ran exceedingly high, and a spirit of disorder and disaffection was widespread, the Brigade had a part to play in it, which cannot entirely be passed over. The trial itself took the form of a Bill of Pains and Penalties, read a first time in the House of Lords, July 5th. On the second reading, evidence was heard, and the proceedings, beginning on the 17th of August, did not end until the 6th of November, when there was a majority of twenty-eight in favour of the measure. At the third reading (November 10th), the majority sank to nine votes, and thereupon Government abandoned the Bill. The populace had ever been the partisans of the unhappy Queen, and, when she arrived in England in June, she met with a reception which could only compare with that which greeted Charles II. on the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660. So, also, when the withdrawal of the Bill was announced, London was illuminated on three successive nights, and, the results of the inquiry being forgotten, a universal joy manifested itself through the whole country, which almost equalled the unbounded enthusiasm displayed after the fall of Napoleon.

During this trying time, the Battalions of the Brigade quartered in the Metropolis formed the main force for the repression of disorder, and arrangements of the most comprehensive nature were made to prevent an outbreak that was almost hourly expected. A detachment of 350 rank and file was furnished daily, from the 17th of August, for the protection of the House of Lords. For this purpose, 50 men were added to the Tylt, a guard of 50 men was stationed during the trial, in the Cotton Yard behind Westminster Palace, the piquet at Carlton Palace was permanently posted, and a force was held as a reserve in St. James’s Park. The guard at the British Museum was doubled, the Tower Battalion was prepared to supply 200 men at any moment, on the requisition of the Lord Mayor, while a Captain’s piquet of 100 rank and file was kept constantly ready at each of the three principal West-end barracks—the King’s Mews, Knightsbridge, and Portman Street. The usual half-yearly change of quarters took place on the 26th of August, when the 1st Battalion Coldstream proceeded from Windsor to the Tower, and the 2nd Battalion from Portman Street to Knightsbridge barracks, and to that part of Upper Westminster contiguous thereto. The military arrangements made for the trial were sometimes modified during its procedure, now being reduced and again increased. During October, a guard was placed in Westminster Hall, and the Bank piquet remained on duty for twenty-four hours. These precautions were finally discontinued on the 15th of November, and the ordinary leave granted to Officers; though we find, on the 28th, riots were again apprehended, and the 1st Battalion was directed to attend to the Lord Mayor’s requisition to the extent of 300 men.

The violence of popular excitement soon subsides, and, the inquiry over, the Queen’s partisans lost interest in her cause. The King, too, became more popular with the mob, and it was possible to fix a date for his Coronation. This great event was solemnized upon the 19th of July, 1821, with all the magnificent pomp and quaint ceremonial of past ages, and is more than usually interesting in that it was carefully conducted upon ancient models, and that it is the last pageant of its kind which is ever likely to be seen in England. The Royal procession, in gorgeous and mediæval array, moved from Westminster Hall to the Abbey by a covered platform, 1500 feet long, by 25 broad, fitted with a lower edging three feet wide on each side, and returned by the same route, after the religious ceremony was concluded. The whole of the Foot Guards (except the 1st Battalion Third Guards) were present (the 2nd Battalion Coldstream having been brought up from Windsor for the purpose), and were commanded by Colonel Hon. H. Brand, Lieut.-Colonel of the Regiment. The two Grenadier companies of the Coldstream were stationed in the Abbey with the State Colours. The platform was lined throughout by 1500 men standing in single file on each side, on the lower portions just mentioned. They were divided into three divisions, each under a Field-Officer, with a part of the bands, drums, etc. Forty Officers and 1141 men were employed in furnishing strong piquets, extra guards, and Guards of Honour, in strengthening the public duties, and in patrolling the neighbourhood of Westminster. A portion of the streets was also lined, the Coldstream having its right at the west gate of the Abbey, and extending towards Westminster Hall. The troops got into position at one o’clock in the night preceding the ceremony; and a large force of cavalry, aided by Yeomanry, the Light Horse Volunteers, and the Honourable Artillery Company, were also present under Major-General Lord Edward Somerset, and furnished patrols throughout the Metropolis. These ample precautions were rendered necessary by the apprehension of a riot; for the Queen, whose application to be crowned had been refused, expressed a determination, nevertheless, to appear in person, and serious disturbances were expected to be the result. To such an extent did the panic spread, that, we are told, places to see the procession, which had been selling for ten guineas, were to be had, on the morning of the ceremony, for half a crown.[140]

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Footnote 140:

Alison, _History of Europe_ , 1815-1852, ii. 484. For a full account
of the Coronation of King George IV., see _Annual Register_ , 1821,
“Appendix to Chronicle,” p. 324, etc.

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The following General Order was published on the day after the Coronation:—

“The Commander-in-Chief has received the King’s gracious command to
express to the troops employed yesterday in aid of the arrangements
for the Coronation, His Majesty’s thanks for the orderly, soldierlike,
and exemplary conduct which they have evinced upon the occasion. The
Commander-in-Chief has received the King’s further command, through
the Secretary of State, to convey to the Light Horse, His Majesty’s
thanks for their services upon the same occasion, and his full sense
and approbation of the loyalty and zeal which they have manifested in
the offer of them.”

Next day, on the appointment of Colonel Brand, C.B., to the rank of Major-General, Colonel Woodford, who had commanded the Coldstream Battalion at Waterloo, became Lieut.-Colonel of the Regiment, and Colonel Macdonell, C.B., promoted Major, was posted to the command of the 2nd Battalion.

On the 3rd of September, the sum of £665 was distributed among the Non-commissioned officers and men of the Brigade who had taken part in the King’s Coronation, under the name of “Platform money.” The 6 Sergeants-Major received each 14_s._ 1½_d._; 226 Sergeants, 7_s._ 1½_d._; 225 Corporals, 4_s._ 8¾_d._; and 3575 Drummers and Privates, 2_s._ 11¼_d._ A little more than £100 was allotted per Battalion, the Coldstream receiving £212 2_s._ 1½_d._

It seems unnecessary to record the various and numerous reviews that have at all times taken place; it would be monotonous to do so, and little interest would thereby be afforded. For the most part, therefore, they will be omitted. It was usual upon these and other occasions, for the inspecting Officer to record publicly his opinion of the state of the troops reviewed; thus very many testimonials exist—speaking of the efficiency which has ever distinguished the Coldstream, and thanking the Officers and men for their zeal and exertions—written by order of the Sovereign, the Commander-in-Chief, the Colonel of the Regiment, the Lieut.-Colonel, Generals under whom a Battalion happened to be serving, and also giving messages from foreign Princes. These communications to the Regiment have also been generally omitted, as their number renders it difficult to reproduce them, and as their repetition would be tedious.

It has been already mentioned that a Battalion of the Foot Guards was sent to Dublin at the end of 1821. The step was rendered advisable by the increasing trouble which afflicted Ireland, where discontent prevailed, and where the recent currency laws had reduced the value of agricultural produce, on which alone the peasants had to depend. Each Battalion was kept there for a year, the change being made in the summer. It became the turn of the 1st Battalion Coldstream to proceed to Dublin in July, 1823, and on the 25th the troops were conveyed in canal boats from Paddington on the road to Liverpool, whence they were sent to their destination. The Lieut.-Colonel of the Regiment thus published his opinion on the manner in which the start was effected from London:—

_Regimental Order, July 25, 1823._ Colonel Woodford desires to
express the satisfaction he felt at witnessing the highly creditable
manner in which the 1st Battalion turned out for the embarkation this
morning; he has particularly to notice the sobriety of the men, and
the activity and propriety with which the Non-commissioned officers
performed their duties, and he has made a favourable report to H.R.H.
the Duke of York on the subject.

During their stay in Ireland, this Battalion gained the unqualified approbation and praise of the Lieut.-General, the Commander of the Forces, and of the Major-General commanding the District; and this will be best shown by giving two orders issued in Dublin. The first appeared in Regimental Orders of February 19, 1824:

_Garrison Orders, Dublin, January 24, 1824._ Major-General Sir C.
Grant has great pleasure in expressing to the garrison of Dublin, the
satisfaction the Lieutenant-General Commanding the Forces experienced
yesterday in making the inspection of the Coldstream Guards. The
order, cleanliness, and regularity which were so observable, reflect
much credit on Lieut.-Colonel Milman and the Officers of this
distinguished corps, generally, and the great attention which has been
paid to that essential branch of interior economy. As all Commanding
Officers in Garrison were present at this inspection, they have had an
opportunity of seeing how much can be done, even in very indifferent
barracks, by a little care and attention. The Major-General will
expect to find all the barracks of the Garrison of Dublin in the same
creditable state as those of the Coldstream Guards.

The second was published as follows:—

“_Regimental Order, August 7, 1824._ Colonel Woodford has great
pleasure in communicating to the 2nd Battalion, the General Order
issued in Dublin, so flattering to the Officers, Non-commissioned
officers, and men of the 1st Battalion.”

“_General Order, Adjutant-General’s Office, Dublin, August 2, 1824._
The 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards being on the point of
embarkation to return to England, Lieut.-General Lord Combermere feels
he cannot in too strong terms, express his approbation of the good
conduct and discipline of this fine Battalion, during the time it has
been employed in this command. The Lieutenant-General could not but be
highly gratified in his recent inspection of the Battalion, by the
soldierlike appearance, steadiness, and extreme precision with which
the movements were executed. The Battalion has no less claim to merit
for the extreme order and regularity which prevail in the barracks,
affording ample proof of excellent interior arrangement, unremitting
attention on the part of all ranks, and of the zeal and ability with
which the command is conducted. In conveying his best thanks to the
Battalion generally, Lord Combermere feels desirous to express
particularly to Colonel Sir H. Bouverie, the sense he entertains of
his zeal and exertion in the performance of every point of duty, and
especially during the period he had the superintendence and command of
this Garrison.”

The Duke of York recorded his appreciation of the conduct of the Battalion, by causing a letter, dated August 12th, to be addressed to Colonel Woodford, which was published in Regimental Orders of the 14th:—

H.R.H. has learnt with great satisfaction from your letter, as well as
from the reports from Ireland, that the conduct of the 1st Battalion
of the Coldstream has received the unqualified approbation of the
Commander of the Forces, which would offer a confirmation, if any had
been necessary, of the favourable opinion he has always entertained of
the discipline, and meritorious discharge of every duty.

Alterations in the Regimental Hospital in Vincent Square, established in 1814, were completed in September, 1823, and the building was re-occupied on the 9th; quarters were provided therein for a Medical Officer, under whose care the recruits of the Regiment (then at the Recruit House in London) were also placed.[141] About the same time, 1824, another Medical Officer took up his residence in barracks, and was made specially responsible for the men, women, and children of the Battalion stationed there. After an inspection made by the Duke of Cambridge, the Colonel of the Regiment, an order was published, dated August 10, 1825, expressing to Dr. Whymper and the Medical Officers His Royal Highness' satisfaction and pleasure at the perfect state, regularity, comfort, and cleanliness of the Regimental Hospital.[142]

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Footnote 141:

_Regimental Order, Aug. 16, 1824._

Footnote 142:

See Appendix No. VII.

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A boat-race against time was got up in 1824, the conditions being, that “six Officers of the Guards belonging to aquatic clubs” should row in a six-oared wherry from Oxford to Westminster Bridge in sixteen consecutive hours, the crew to choose their own coxwain. The distance is 118 miles; there were no outriggers in those days, and many locks intervene and obstruct the course to be rowed over, which, however, on application to the Thames Commissioners, were kept in readiness to let the boat through without delay. An attempt had previously been made to perform the same feat in seventeen hours, by Lord Newry (the late Lord Kilmorey), with a crew selected by himself from among his own people, but it failed. The present match was looked forward to with considerable interest, and large sums of money were laid upon the event. Captain Short (Coldstream Guards) seems to have been captain of the boat, the other oars being Captains Gordon-Douglas (afterwards Lord Penrhyn), and H. S. Blane (Grenadier Guards), and Captains G. F. H. Hudson, G. D. Standen, and Hon. J. C. Westenra (Third Guards). The wherry left Oxford at 3 a.m. on the 14th of May, and, reaching Bolter’s Lock at 11.30, Windsor Bridge at 1 p.m., Teddington Lock at 5.30, Putney Bridge at 6, and Battersea Bridge at 6.30, arrived at Westminster Bridge, at 6.45, “amidst the acclamations of thousands of spectators,” with just a quarter of an hour to spare. “They were assisted out of the boat, carried on shore, and put to bed.” The average rate was about seven and a half miles an hour, counting stoppages for refreshment and those occasioned by going through the locks, and the feat was remarkable, considering the class of boat that existed at that time. We are told, moreover, that all the crew were in a state of great exhaustion at the conclusion of the race, and that one or two could not stand without support.[143]

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Footnote 143:

_Annual Register_ , 1824, “Chronicle,” p. 59.

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On the 16th of July, 1825, Major-General Woodford, promoted to that rank on May 27th, retired from the command of the Regiment, and was succeeded by Colonel Macdonell, Sir H. Bouverie having also been appointed a General Officer in May. Thereupon Colonel Hamilton became Senior Major (commanding the 1st Battalion), and Colonel Raikes, Junior Major (2nd Battalion).[144]

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Footnote 144:

The distinction between the First and Second Majors, which existed in
Regiments of Foot Guards, was abolished by authority, dated, September
11, 1821 (MacKinnon, _Origin and Services of the Coldstream Guards_ ,
ii. 503).

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In July, 1825, the Regiment contained the following Officers:—

_Colonel._—Field-Marshal H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, K.G., G.C.B.,
etc.

_Lieutenant-Colonel._—Colonel J. Macdonell, C.B.

_Majors._—Colonels J. Hamilton; and W. H. Raikes.

_Captains._—Lieut.-Colonels F. Milman; T. Barrow; D. MacKinnon; and H.
Dawkins; (_Mounted_).

Colonel Sir R. Arbuthnot, K.C.B.; Lieut.-Colonel Sir W. Gomm, K.C.B.;
Colonel Waters, C.B.; Lieut.-Colonels T. Steele; J. Fremantle, C.B.;
W. Walton; A. Wedderburn; C. Shawe; G. Bowles; C. Bentinck; G.
FitzClarence; F. Russell.

_Lieutenants._—Major J. S. Cowell; Captains J. Drummond; C. Girardot; T.
Chaplin; H. Salwey; Hon. J. Forbes; A. Cuyler; W. Kortright; H.
Armytage; H. Gooch; T. Powys; H. Bentinck (Adjutant); F. Shawe; F.
Buller; J. Montagu; H. Vane; R. Bowen; C. Short; J. Hall; Hon. H.
Dundas; W. Cornwall; Hon. W. Graves; H. Murray; B. Broadhead.

_Ensigns._—Lieutenants C. Hay; G. Bentinck; W. Northey (Adjutant); J. D.
Rawdon; Hon. T. Ashburnham; Hon. E. Erskine; W. J. Codrington; E. D.
Wigram; St. J. Dent; Hon. H. Fane; Hon. J. Hope; W. Cotton; Hon. A.
Upton; F. Paget; B. Manningham; E. B. Wilbraham; Lord M. W. Graham.

_Quartermasters._—T. Dwelly and B. Selway.

_Surgeon-Major._—J. Simpson. _Battalion Surgeons._—W. Whymper, M.D., and
T. Maynard. _Assistant Surgeons._—G. Smith and F. Gilder.

_Solicitor._—W. G. Carter, Esq.

The year 1826 was one of distress in England, which led to considerable disorder, especially in the manufacturing parts of Lancashire. The workmen, believing that the introduction of machinery, then beginning to be used, was the cause of their sufferings, committed many acts of outrage, and, during the last week of April, a large amount of property was destroyed by riotous mobs in that county. In order to strengthen the military force required to suppress these disturbances, the 2nd Battalion Coldstream and the 1st Battalion Third Guards proceeded to Manchester (by canal from Paddington) on the 1st and 2nd of May respectively. The 2nd Battalion were stationed there until the end of July, when they were sent to Dublin to relieve the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers, which, on reaching Liverpool, were ordered to remain in the Northern District.

On leaving this District, the following letter was addressed by the Lieut.-General Commanding (Sir J. Byng) to the Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion Coldstream, dated July 23rd, and published in Regimental Orders, August 8th:—

The Battalion of Coldstream Guards under your command, being on the
point of its departure for Ireland, Sir John Byng thinks it but due
to the Officers and men, to notice to them the very creditable
reports which have reached him of the orderly and soldierlike
conduct of the Battalion during the time it has been stationed at
Manchester—testimonials which, joined to what he has observed
himself when on the spot, are the more gratifying to the
Lieutenant-General, because, whilst they afford him an opportunity
of thanking them for their useful services in the District under his
orders, another occasion presents itself of recording his
unqualified approbation of a corps which so highly distinguished
itself under his command at the Battle of Waterloo; and for whose
welfare and high character he must ever feel sincerely interested.
In communicating the above to you, the Lieutenant-General requests
you will be so good to make it known to the Battalion in such manner
as you may judge proper.

Colonel Raikes having retired from the service, June 21, 1826, Colonel MacKinnon became Junior Major, commanding the 2nd Battalion.

It was not until towards the end of the year that the two Battalions of Guards quartered in Lancashire were brought back to London, and then a fresh duty awaited the Brigade. There was trouble between Spain and Portugal, and the Government determined to support the latter Power. The resolution to do so, was hastily formed or tardily published, and on the same day that it was announced in Parliament (December 11th), orders were issued for six companies of the 1st Grenadiers and of the 2nd Battalion Third Guards, made up to 84 rank and file each, to be held in readiness for foreign service; the Brigade so formed, to be commanded by Major-General Sir H. Bouverie (late of the Coldstream). The expedition, numbering 5000 men, under Sir H. Clinton, started immediately afterwards, and, before Christmas, the troops began to land at Lisbon. As no portion of the Coldstream took part in this service, it is unnecessary to make any further allusion to it in this volume, except to note that it lasted more than a year, and that the two Battalions did not return home until the spring of 1828.

The death of the Duke of York, January 5, 1827, brought to a close the career of an able military administrator who, for twenty-one years of his early life (1784-1805), had been Colonel of the Coldstream Guards. His unremitting devotion to the best interests of the service, during a period of thirty-two years (broken by a short interval only), in which he served as Commander-in-Chief (1795-1827), earned for him an enduring fame in the annals of the country. When he first was entrusted with this high office, the British army was still afflicted by that inefficiency which caused disaster in North America, and brought ruin and disgrace upon our arms; but, at the end of his life, greatly owing to his vigour and ability, this lamentable state of things was completely changed, and victory and glory once more shone upon our banners.

“It is not on account of his early services,” wrote Sir Walter Scott,
“that we now venture to bring forward the late Duke of York’s claims
to the perpetual gratitude of his country. It is as the reformer and
regenerator of the British army, which he brought, from a state nearly
allied to general contempt, to such a pitch of excellence, that we
may, without much hesitation, claim for them an equality with, if not
a superiority over, any troops in Europe.”[145]

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Footnote 145:

_Annual Register_ , 1827, “History and Biography,” p. 460.

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At the funeral, which took place at Windsor, the Brigade was represented by a force of about 1400 Officers and men, of whom the 1st Battalion Coldstream furnished 12 Officers and 269 Non-commissioned officers and men.

In the summer of this year, the 2nd Battalion returned from Ireland, and was quartered in Portman Street, the 1st Battalion being stationed in King’s Mews barracks (August 1st).

Next year, the 1st Battalion marched to Manchester (October 1st),[146] and remained there for ten months, when they were sent to Dublin, by Liverpool (July, 1829), for a year’s service in Ireland, returning to London (Portman Street) in August, 1830. During this period, the Battalion continued to receive the highest commendation for the excellent discipline and good conduct that prevailed among all ranks, and the following extract from Major-General Dalbiac’s confidential report, dated May 6th, and sent by order of the Commander-in-Chief (Lord Hill) to the Lieut.-Colonel, for the information of the Colonel of the Regiment, Field-Marshal H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, will be read with interest:—

“It is impossible to speak in terms too commendable of the good order,
the interior economy, and the general efficiency of the 1st Battalion
Coldstream Guards, which I consider to be a corps of the first value.
The body of men is particularly good; the Battalion thoroughly
instructed in its duties in garrison and in the field; the conduct of
the men very exemplary. The Commanding Officers have severally
afforded me much valuable assistance in upholding the discipline of
the Garrison.”[147]

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Footnote 146:

The following Regimental Order was published upon this occasion, dated
20th: “The Commanding Officer of the Regiment cannot withhold his
great satisfaction at the reports made to him of the exemplary conduct
of the 1st Battalion on the march from London to Manchester.”

Footnote 147:

Deputy Adjutant-General, Horse Guards, to Colonel Macdonell, July 5,
1830. It may be stated that the Regimental standard of height for
recruits, was fixed at 5 ft. 9 in. in the autumn of 1828, and was
raised to 5 ft. 10 in. three months later.

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In this connection, a Battalion Order of February 11th, published in Dublin, may also be quoted:—

In consequence of the diminution in the list of defaulters,
Lieut.-Colonel Fremantle requests that Officers will set at liberty
the defaulters in their respective companies.

On May 16, 1829, Colonel Hamilton having retired, Colonel MacKinnon became Senior Major (1st Battalion), and Colonel Sir W. Gomm was promoted Junior Major (2nd Battalion).

It should be noted here, that, about this time, a mistake began to creep in with respect to the title of the Regiment, which, being placed in the Army List between the First, or Grenadier, and the Third Regiment of Foot Guards, was occasionally described as the “Second Foot Guards.” In December, 1829, the Lieut.-Colonel (Colonel Macdonell) protested against this innovation; and, in reply, Sir H. Hardinge, then Secretary at War, had it stopped, and regretted that a clerical error should have accidentally been made.[148]

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Footnote 148:

There is evidence to show that when the standing army was in its
infancy, the designation “Second” instead of “Coldstream” Guards was,
upon a few occasions, used in official documents; but this happened
through inadvertence, and the Regiment invariably protested against
this name, basing the objection on the origin of the corps and its
services at the Restoration of King Charles II. The military
authorities acquiesced in this protest, and admitted the validity of
the objection. Hence the motto “Nulli Secundus” was used; and the
motto soon took a wider meaning than is merely expressed by Regimental
succession in the army roll. While on this subject, it will not be
amiss to note that the modern ungrammatical appellation of
“Coldstreams” is incorrect. The Regiment is the “Coldstream,” and the
men are called “Coldstreamers.” Soldiers who handle grenades or fusils
may be known as Grenadiers or Fusiliers; but those who are called
after one town (Coldstream), cannot be designated by the plural of
that town. One or two old documents, dated about 1689, contain the
word “Coldstreams.” The rest are invariably correct; but if language
was, in a very few instances, defective at that period, it might
surely be corrected in the present day.

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Some changes had been made in the uniform of the Officers of the Brigade after 1815, especially in the beginning of the reign of George IV.; but a more complete and permanent change began to be adopted in the year 1830, and was not finally effected until 1834. It may be sufficient to state here, that blue trousers with gold lace, those of Oxford grey mixture with the red stripe (for winter wear), and the present gold and crimson sashes were then introduced. The gorget, the white pantaloons, or breeches and stockings (worn in the evening), and the cap-lines and tassels of Non-commissioned officers were discontinued; and the bearskin cap became the head-dress of the whole Regiment instead of the Grenadier company only, as was formerly the case. The Rose—one of the distinctive badges of the Coldstream, which has now, unfortunately, entirely disappeared from the uniform of Officers, though still happily to be seen on that belonging to Non-commissioned officers and men—was then retained on the epaulettes, and was not removed until a quarter of a century later. Further, a braided great-coat was allotted to Officers of the Brigade, of the same pattern for the three Regiments, to distinguish them from the Line. Lastly, Field-Officers of the Guards were ordered by the King (_Brigade Order_ , March 2, 1831) to wear the same sword belt, as that of a General Officer. Uniform, at that time, seems to have been worn in out-quarters more frequently than is customary at present; and orders exist, which show that Officers stationed in Dublin, were not allowed to appear in plain clothes, unless going to some distance in the country, and remaining absent all night from their quarters. On the other hand, there was no special mess-dress; but uniform at mess was nevertheless the rule, and Officers did not dine in barracks in plain clothes.

The death of George IV. occurred on June 26, 1830, and William IV. ascended the Throne. The funeral of the late King took place at Windsor, and was attended by the 2nd Coldstream (the 1st Battalion was in Dublin). Upon this occasion an order was issued intimating that, “Colonel Macdonell has been honoured by His Majesty’s commands to communicate to the 2nd Battalion, in the strongest possible terms, his approbation of their conduct during the ceremonial of the Funeral of His late Majesty King George IV.,” adding that “the King has further directed Colonel Macdonell to say that it affords him the greatest pleasure thus to express his satisfaction, on the first opportunity he has had of seeing them since his accession to the Throne.” An order couched in similar terms was addressed to that part of the Brigade, employed in the ceremonial just mentioned, viz. 1st Grenadiers, quartered at Windsor, 100 men each from the 2nd and 3rd Grenadiers, the 2nd Coldstream, and the 1st Battalion Third Guards.

During the early years of his reign, William IV. frequently inspected the Foot Guards. The 2nd Battalion Coldstream was the first reviewed (July 19th), and on the same day, the King granted the Regiment the privilege of receiving His Majesty with the Coldstream March instead of the National Anthem. This was communicated by the following Regimental Order:—

“Colonel Macdonell has received His Majesty’s commands to communicate
to the Officers, Non-commissioned officers and men, his entire
satisfaction with their appearance this morning. His Majesty has been
further pleased to command that hereafter, when he is received by
either Battalion of the Regiment, the band is to play the Coldstream
Regimental March instead of 'God save the King.'”[149]

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Footnote 149:

The Coldstream March is taken from Mozart’s _Nozze di Figaro_ (“_Non
piu Andrai_”), and it used to be called “The Duke of York’s March.”
About fifty years ago, “The Milanollo” was introduced as a Regimental
Quick March.

A like privilege to play their Regimental Marches instead of the
National Anthem, when receiving His Majesty, was also granted (July
19th) to the other two Regiments of Foot Guards. Two Battalions of the
Grenadiers were inspected by the King on July 22nd, when it was
ordered that the spears of their Colours should be surmounted by a
wreath of oak leaves, and that the whole of the Officers and men of
these Battalions, and of the detachments from the Brigade keeping the
ground, should wear laurel in their caps, in compliment to the Duke of
Wellington, it being the anniversary of the battle of Salamanca.

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On the same day, the King commanded that the Field-Officer in Brigade Waiting, accompanied by the Adjutant in Waiting, and an Orderly Sergeant from each Regiment of Foot Guards, should attend His Majesty’s carriage on State occasions. The former practice was that the Field-Officer attended the Sovereign, and had a place in a Royal carriage assigned to him.

A few days later the members of the Nulli Secundus Club were honoured by an invitation to dine with His Majesty (July 31st). Upon this occasion, the King was pleased to express the attachment which he felt, especially, for the Coldstream Guards, and the sincere interest he took in the continued prosperity of the Nulli Secundus Club, and he intimated it to be his intention to receive the members at dinner every year.[150]

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Footnote 150:

See Appendix No. VII.

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On the 22nd of July, Colonel Macdonell, having been promoted Major-General, was succeeded in the command of the Regiment by Colonel MacKinnon; thereupon Colonel Sir. W. Gomm became Senior Major (1st Battalion), and Colonel Milman, Junior Major (2nd Battalion).