Chapter III: Part 3

JAMES HENRY CRAIG obtained a commission of ensign in the thirtieth foot on the 1st of June, 1763, and he served with his regiment several years at the fortress of Gibraltar. In March, 1771, he was promoted captain in the forty-seventh foot, with which corps he served in the American war. The forty-seventh were at Boston when hostilities commenced; they took part in the actions at Concord and Bunker’s Hill in 1775, and in 1776 they served in Canada. In December, 1777, Captain Craig was promoted major in the eighty-second regiment, then serving in America, and in 1781 he obtained the lieutenant-colonelcy of that corps, from which he was removed, in 1783, to the sixteenth foot. In 1790 he was promoted to the rank of colonel, in 1794 to that of major-general, and in 1795 his services were rewarded with the colonelcy of the forty-sixth foot. In 1801 he was advanced to the rank of lieutenant-general, and was removed to the EIGHTY-SIXTH regiment in 1804. On the 25th of March, 1805, he was appointed commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean, with the local rank of general; he was also honoured with the dignity of a Knight of the Bath, and nominated governor of Blackness Castle; in 1806 he was removed to the twenty-second regiment. The services of General Sir James Craig were afterwards transferred to British North America, of which country he was appointed governor, with the local rank of general in Upper and Lower Canada, dated the 21st of August, 1807. In 1809 he was removed to the colonelcy of the seventy-eighth highland regiment, or Ross-shire buffs. On the 1st of January, 1812, he was promoted to the rank of general in the army, which he only held a few days, his decease occurring on the 12th of the same month.

SIR CHARLES ROSS, BART.

_Appointed 30th October, 1806._

CHARLES ROSS, son of Admiral Sir Lockhart Ross, of Balnagown, Bart., who signalized himself during the seven years’ war, obtained a commission of cornet in the seventh dragoons, in January, 1780, and in May, 1784, he was promoted captain in the third Irish horse, now sixth dragoon guards, in which corps he remained three years, when he was advanced to the commission of major in the thirty-seventh foot. On the 16th of March, 1791, he was promoted to the lieut.-colonelcy of his regiment, and he performed the duty of commanding officer several years with reputation to himself and advantage to the service. He afterwards took an active part in raising the hundred and sixteenth regiment, but this corps was disbanded in 1796. On the 18th of June, 1798, he was promoted to the rank of major-general, and to that of lieut.-general, in October, 1805. In December of the same year, he was appointed colonel of the eighty-fifth foot, from which he was removed, in October, 1806, to the EIGHTY-SIXTH, and in June, 1810, he was appointed to the thirty-seventh regiment. He was endowed with many amiable qualities, which rendered him an ornament to his country; he was eminently useful in every relation which connected him with society, particularly courteous in public life, and affectionate and valuable as a friend. He died at Balnagown Castle, in the county of Ross, on the 8th of February, 1814.

THE HONORABLE FRANCIS NEEDHAM.

_Appointed 25th June, 1810._

THE HONORABLE FRANCIS JACK NEEDHAM, third son of John, tenth Viscount of Kilmorey, choosing the profession of arms, procured a commission of cornet in the eighteenth dragoons, on the 17th of December, 1762; in February, 1765, he was removed to the first dragoons, in which corps he obtained a lieutenancy in 1771, and in May, 1774, he was promoted captain in the seventeenth dragoons. He accompanied his regiment to North America, in the spring of 1775, and served at Boston under Lieut.-General Gage; he also served at the capture of Long Island under General Sir William Howe, and received, with his regiment, the thanks of the Commander-in-Chief, for his conduct at the battle of Brooklyn. He also served in the actions at White Plains, and in the Jerseys; afterwards proceeded to Philadelphia, took part in several skirmishes in Pennsylvania, and in covering the retreat to New York, in the performance of which service he was engaged at Freehold. He was subsequently stationed in the lines in front of New York, where he was taken prisoner by the Americans. In August, 1780, he was promoted major in the seventy-sixth Highland regiment, then serving in America, with which corps he shared in the contest until the peace. In February, 1783, he was promoted to the lieut.-colonelcy of the hundred and fourth regiment, and six weeks afterwards he was appointed captain and lieut.-colonel in the first foot guards; he was nominated aide-de-camp to the King in 1793, with the rank of colonel. In 1794 he was appointed adjutant-general of the expedition to the coast of France, under Lieut.-General the Earl of Moira; and in 1795 he was appointed third major in the first foot guards, promoted to the rank of major-general, and placed on the home staff. He was subsequently detached, second in command to Major-General Doyle, with Monsieur Compte D’ Artois and his suite, to take possession of Isle Dieu, which place the troops maintained so long as the navy could afford them protection. An appointment on the staff of Ireland was next conferred on him, and he commanded a body of troops during the rebellion in 1798; he was at the battle of Arklow, on the 9th of June, and commanded a division at Vinegar Hill, on the 21st of June. He continued on the staff of Ireland until April, 1802, when he was promoted to the rank of lieut.-general. He had previously been appointed lieut.-colonel in the first foot guards (21st of August, 1801,) and in April, 1804, he obtained the colonelcy of the fifth veteran battalion. In 1806, he was elected member of parliament for Newry, and he sat for that borough in four parliaments. He was appointed colonel of the EIGHTY-SIXTH Regiment in 1810, and took great interest in the reputation and welfare of his corps: in 1812 he was promoted to the rank of general. On the decease of his brother Robert, in 1818, he succeeded to the dignity of VISCOUNT KILMOREY. Large and influential estates in Ireland were bequeathed to him by a distant relation; and in January, 1822, he was advanced to the dignity of EARL OF KILMOREY and Viscount Newry and Morne, in the County Down, Ireland. This excellent and patriotic nobleman died at his seat of Shavington, in Shropshire, on the 21st of November, 1832, much regretted, particularly by his numerous tenants in Ireland, to whom he had evinced great kindness.

WILLIAM GEORGE LORD HARRIS.

_Appointed 3rd December, 1832._

Removed to the seventy-third regiment of foot, 4th December, 1835.

THE HONORABLE SIR FREDERICK CAVENDISH PONSONBY, KCB., GCMG., KCH.

_Appointed 4th December, 1835._

HONORABLE FREDERICK CAVENDISH PONSONBY, third son of Frederick, third Earl of Besborough, was appointed cornet in the tenth dragoons, in 1800, and rose, in 1803, to the commission of captain in the same corps, from which he exchanged to the sixtieth regiment, in 1806. In 1807, he was appointed major in the twenty-third light dragoons, at the head of which corps he distinguished himself at the battle of Talavera, in 1809, and was promoted, in 1810, to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment. In 1811 he served under Lieut.-General Graham, at Cadiz: and at the battle of Barossa, in March of that year, he attacked, with a squadron of German dragoons, the French cavalry covering the retreat, overthrew them, took two guns, and even attempted, though vainly, to sabre Rousseau’s battalions. On the 11th of June, 1811, he was appointed lieut.-colonel of the twelfth light dragoons; at the head of which corps he served under Lord Wellington, and distinguished himself, in April, 1812, at Llerena, in one of the most brilliant cavalry actions during the war. At the battle of Salamanca he charged the French infantry, broke his sword in the fight, and his horse received several bayonet wounds. He repeatedly evinced great judgment, penetration, and resolution in the out-post duty, and was wounded in the retreat from Burgos, on the 13th of October, 1812. At the battle of Vittoria he again distinguished himself: his services at Tolosa, St. Sebastian, and Nive were also conspicuous; and, on the king’s birth-day, in 1814, he was promoted to the rank of colonel in the army. He commanded the twelfth light dragoons at the battle of Waterloo, where he led his regiment to the charge with signal intrepidity,--received sabre cuts on both arms,--was brought to the ground by a blow on the head,--pierced through the back by a lancer,--plundered by a tirailleur,--ridden over by two squadrons of cavalry,--and plundered a second time by a Prussian soldier; but afterwards recovered of his wounds. His services were rewarded with the following marks of royal favour:--Knight Companion of the order of the Bath,--Knight Grand Cross of the order of St. Michael and St. George,--Knight Commander of the Hanoverian Guelphic order,--a cross,--a Waterloo medal,--Knight of the Tower and Sword of Portugal,--and Knight of Maria Theresa of Austria. In January, 1824, he was nominated inspecting field officer in the Ionian Islands; he was promoted brigadier-general on the staff of those islands, in March, 1824; and in June, 1825, he was advanced to the rank of major-general. He was removed to the staff of Malta, and retained the command of the troops in that island until May, 1835. In December, 1835, he obtained the colonelcy of the EIGHTY-SIXTH Regiment, from which he was removed to the royal dragoons in the following year. He was an ornament to his profession. In him, military talent was united with the most chivalrous bravery,--calm judgment,--cool decision,--resolute action, and modest deportment. He died on the 10th of January, 1837.

JAMES WATSON.

_Appointed 31st March, 1836._

Removed to the fourteenth foot, 24th May, 1837.

SIR ARTHUR BROOKE, KCB.

_Appointed 24th May, 1837._

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

FOOTNOTES:

[1] “GEORGE R.,

“Whereas we have thought fit to order a regiment of foot to be forthwith raised, under your command, which is to consist of ten companies, with three serjeants, three corporals, two drummers, and fifty-seven private men in each company, with two fifers to the grenadier company, besides a serjeant-major and quarter-master-serjeant, together with the usual number of commissioned officers; these are to authorise you, by beat of drum, or otherwise, to raise so many men in any county or part of our kingdom of Great Britain, as shall be wanted to complete the said regiment to the above-mentioned numbers.

“And all magistrates, justices of the peace, constables, and other our civil officers, whom it may concern, are hereby required to be assisting unto you, in providing quarters, impressing carriages, and otherwise, as there shall be occasion.

“GIVEN at Our Court, at St. James’s, this 1st day of November, 1793, in the thirty-fourth year of Our reign.

“By His Majesty’s command,
“(Signed) GEORGE YONGE.”

“_To Our trusty and well-beloved C. Cuyler, Esq., Major-General in
our Army, and Colonel of a Regiment of Foot to be forthwith raised,
&c., &c., &c._”

[2] Now General Commanding-in-Chief.

[3] The troops designed for this service consisted of the tenth, eightieth, and eighty-eighth regiments, seven companies of the nineteenth, three of eighty-sixth, a battalion of native infantry, and a proportion of artillery, under Colonel the Honourable Arthur Wellesley.

[4] OFFICERS PRESENT,--_Majors_ Henry Torrens, (commanding,) George Cuyler; _Captains_ James Richardson, John Grant, ---- Maclaurin; _Lieutenants_ W. Martin, J. H. Wilson, Peter Drummond, John Harvey, Alexander Grant, R. Travers, William Bourd, S. G. McKay, Thomas Lanphier, J. Wilson, David Morrice, Edmund Carter, G. D’Aigular; _Ensign_ Neill Maclaurin; _Adjutant_ W. Moreton; _Quarter-Master_ J. Coor; _Surgeon_ P. W. Deane; _Assistant-Surgeons_ Bellars and Liddle: 53 serjeants, 22 drummers, 668 rank and file.

[5] OFFICERS PRESENT, 1st January, 1805:--_Major_ George Cuyler, (commanding); _Captains_ James Grant, William Moreton; _Lieutenants_ R. Travers, W. Baird, Thomas Lanphier, J. Wilson, D. Morrice, George D’Aguilar, N. Maclaurin, H. Steele; _Surgeon_ P. W. Deane; _Assistant-Surgeons_ Bellars and Liddle:--51 serjeants, 22 drummers, 511 rank and file.

[6] OFFICERS PRESENT, 1st December, 1805. _Major_ George Cuyler (commanding a brigade); _Captains_ John Grant, (commanding the regiment), William Baird; _Lieutenants_ D. Morrice, N. Maclaurin, H. Steele, Thomas Lanphier, George D’Aguilar, (brigade-major); _Quarter-Master_ J. Smith; _Surgeon_, P. Deane; _Assistant-Surgeon_ R. Bellars: 48 serjeants, 19 drummers, 354 rank and file.

[7] Major Edwards was killed at the storming of Bhurtpore, under Lord Cumbermere, while in command of the Fourteenth Foot.

[8] The Regiment erected a handsome Monument where this officer fell, with the following inscription:--

“Lieut. John Graham Munro fell near this spot on the 8th of July,
1810, while charging the enemy, at the head of His Britannic
Majesty’s 86th Grenadiers. The Officers of the Regiment have
erected this Monument as a mark of their respect for his memory.”

This monument having, some years back, suffered by a hurricane, the French officers stationed on the island, (to their honour be it known,) had it put in a thorough state of repair at their own expense.

[9] A division of the regiment on marching through Tipperary, in 1823, halted at the village of Middleton: in the evening the commanding officer observed the soldiers assembled round a tomb in the burial ground, with their caps off; on enquiring the cause, a soldier of the grenadiers replied, “Your honour, we are come up to see our old captain.” On joining the group, he observed the tomb of his old and respected comrade, Lieut.-Colonel Lanphier, and the following words, which had been scratched by the soldiers beneath the inscription on the tomb-stone, “A BRAVE SOLDIER!” “Please your honour,” (the soldier continued) “the Boys of the company would like to fire three rounds over the grave, and would be glad to pay for the powder if your honour will let them fire.” On the following morning the grenadier company, which the deceased had gallantly commanded for a number of years, paid the last tribute of respect to their late captain’s remains which was duly appreciated by his surviving relatives, and also by the villagers. Lieut.-Colonel Lanphier entered the army as Ensign in the 10th Foot, in 1798, and was promoted to be Lieutenant in the 86th Regiment in 1800, to be Captain in 1806, to the rank of Brevet-Major in 1810, and of Brevet Lieut.-Colonel in 1819; he retired from the service by the sale of his Commission on the 30th of January, 1823, being then the Senior Captain of the 86th Regiment.

[10] List of officers who served against the Kandians.

Major Marston commanding.

_Grenadier Company_, Captain, Michael Creagh; Lieutenants, William Home, David Bradford, Andrew Russell.

_Light Company_, Captain, Archibald McLean; Lieutenants, James Creagh, P. P. Goold, and Edward Caddell; Assistant-Surgeon, R. H. Bell.

[11] See Preface.

[12] At Clonmel, the regiment lost a fine young officer, Lieutenant Frederick Close, whose body was found in the river Suir, together with the body of a young lady named Grubb. The cause of their melancholy fate was never ascertained.

[13] NAMES OF THE OFFICERS who proceeded to the West Indies, in 1826:--

In the “Princess Royal,”--_Lieut.-Colonel_ J. W. Mallet; _Captains_ Robert Crawford, James Creagh; _Lieutenants_ Francis Kearney, Lewis Halliday; _Ensign_ Robert Mayne; _Adjutant_ John Dolman; and _Surgeon_ A. Cunningham.

In the “Waterloo,”--_Captain_ R. B. Usher; _Lieutenants_ P. North, F. H. Dalgety, Lewis Grant; _Ensigns_ James Galwey, J. B. Selway, E. Davis, and W. Johnson.

In the “Thetis,”--_Major_ Michael Creagh: _Captains_ Alexander McLean, R. B. Wolseley; _Lieutenants_ J. Grant, J. McIntyre; and _Quarter-Master_ J. Jerome.

[14] STATE OF LOSS:--

Trinidad and Tobago 42
Barbadoes 71
Antigua, St. Kitts, Montserrat, and Tortola 72
British Guiana 114
----
299

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

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

Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added,
when a predominant preference was found in the original book.

Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text,
and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained.

Pg 16: ‘a langour pervaded’ replaced by ‘a languor pervaded’.
Pg 22: ‘Rao Holkur, one’ replaced by ‘Rao Holkar, one’.
Pg 24: ‘above Bareach’ replaced by ‘above Baroach’.
Pg 38: ‘The moonson having set’ replaced by ‘The monsoon having set’.
Pg 46: ‘Sidenote: 1814’ replaced by ‘Sidenote: 1813’.
Pg 60: ‘SEPARABIT?” the harp’ replaced by ‘SEPARABIT?”. The harp’.
Pg 60: ‘removed to Demarara’ replaced by ‘removed to Demerara’.
Pg 61: ‘Frederic Cavendish’ replaced by ‘Frederick Cavendish’.
Pg 61: ‘his acknowlgements’ replaced by ‘his acknowledgements’.
Pg 64: ‘fort of Ticonderago’ replaced by ‘fort of Ticonderoga’.