Chapter IV: Part 4

In August, 1830, whilst the regiment was stationed in Galway, a general election took place, and the representation of both the town and county was keenly contested; during the fortnight the elections lasted, the corps was constantly under arms and patrolling, and performed the harassing duty of that period with so much temper, conduct, and forbearance, that a public meeting was held, composed of the most respectable inhabitants of the town and its vicinity, including the several candidates and their supporters, and the following resolution, declaratory of their grateful sense of the good conduct of the regiment unanimously passed:--

"RESOLVED,

"That having witnessed the prompt, active, and efficient
exertions of Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and privates of the FIFTH REGIMENT,
in preserving peace and good order during the late contested
election for the representation of this town, we deem it an act
of justice thus to put upon public record the high value we
entertain of their services; and that our worthy chairman is
requested to convey to the gallant Commander of our garrison this
expression of our warmest gratitude and thanks, and we request he
will convey these sentiments to the officers, non-commissioned
officers, and privates of the corps."

It may not be irrelevant to mention, that the FIFTH REGIMENT has always been remarkable for the good feeling that has subisted between it and the inhabitants of the different stations at which it has been quartered.

The regiment being ordered to Cork, the head-quarters and detachments marched from their respective stations on the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd of October, and on the 26th it was countermanded to Buttevant barracks, where the several divisions arrived on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of the same month.

[Sidenote: 1831]

A detachment was furnished by the corps to Mitchelstown on the 14th of February, 1831, and being removed on the 2nd of May to Galbally, it rejoined at Buttevant on the 15th of June.

On the 14th of March, the head-quarters, with four companies,--and on the 16th, four more companies, marched per route to Clare Castle, where they arrived to preserve order during the Clare election on the 17th and 19th, detaching one company to Kilrush, one to Corrofin, and subalterns' parties to Kildysart, Quinn, Kilkeshan, and Six Mile Bridge. The head-quarters marched to Ennis on the 30th of March; and the detachments at Quinn, Kilkeshan, and Six Mile Bridge, to the same place on the 6th of April. On the 5th of May the head-quarters returned to Buttevant, leaving eight companies detached in various directions (some being afterwards encamped) in the county of Clare, which was then, and had for some months been, in a very disturbed state--in fact, bordering on open rebellion. A small party of fifteen, half military (of the FIFTH) and half police, who were almost unarmed, having only a pistol and five rounds of ammunition each (being employed on a particular service), were attacked on the morning of the 8th of May, by some hundreds of the turbulent peasantry of the parish of Clondegad, in the county of Clare, and, in the course of a running fight, which was bravely sustained by these few men for several miles, Colour-Serjeant James Robinson of the grenadier company, was basely and barbarously murdered. His remains were buried at Ennis, and a handsome tomb with an appropriate inscription, placed over them by the regiment.

While the counties of Clare and Galway were in this disturbed state many of the magistrates declined to act. Under these circumstances, Lieutenant-Colonel Tovey and Captains McDonald and Spence, of the FIFTH regiment, were selected as gentlemen in whose firmness, prudence, and discretion, the Government could confide, and they received Commissions of the Peace for the above counties. The judicious conduct of those gentlemen as magistrates reflected credit on the regiment; their exertions were followed by happy results;--the two counties became tranquil, and the inhabitants returned to their peaceful and industrious habits[44].

On the 20th of September these companies were all concentrated at Buttevant; and a letter conveying the high sense entertained by Major-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot of the good conduct of the regiment, of which the following is a copy, was received with the notification of their march from Clare:--

"_Ennis, September 6th, 1831._

"Sir,

"In transmitting you the annexed notification of the arrival
at Buttevant of several of your detachments from Clare, I am
directed by Major-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot to express to you
the very great pleasure he feels in having to assure you, that
both the officers and men of the FIFTH REGIMENT performed their
duty, under most trying circumstances, during the disturbances in
this county, to his perfect satisfaction in every respect.

"I have, &c.
(Signed) "W. VINCENT, Lt.-Col., A.Q.M.G.

"Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland,
"Commanding FIFTH FOOT."

On the 16th of September, orders were received at Buttevant to hold the six service companies in readiness to embark for Gibraltar, and in consequence, the reserve, or depôt, was with great promptitude formed on the same day. On the 23rd the regiment was reviewed by Lieutenant-General Sir Hussey Vivian, K.C.B., Commander of the Forces in Ireland; and on the 29th it was inspected by Major-General Sir George Bingham, K.C.B., commanding the district, when both these distinguished officers expressed their unqualified approbation of its appearance, movements, and interior economy.

[Sidenote: 1832]

The reserve marched on the 7th of November to Fermoy, being destined to remain for the present in Ireland, which continued in a very disturbed state; and the service companies moved to Cork towards the end of the month, and there embarked under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, on the 29th of November and 5th and 6th of December, on board the "Marquis of Huntley," (head-quarters,) "William Harris," and "Sylvia," transports; sailed from Cove on the 26th of December, arrived in the bay of Gibraltar, after a very quick but boisterous passage, on the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, and disembarked on the 9th, 10th, and 12th of January, 1832, to do duty in that far-famed fortress.

Previous to the embarkation of the FIFTH from Ireland, the circumstance of the regiment having an "Order of Merit," a privilege established in this regiment in the year 1767 (as explained in page 37), attracted the attention, and elicited the representations, of the local military authorities. The commanding officer, after the arrival at Gibraltar, was in consequence called upon by the General Commanding-in-Chief, Lord Hill, to explain under what regulations and arrangements the Order was conferred, candidates selected, medals provided and distributed, and other particulars connected with this most laudable institution. The required information was promptly afforded, proved satisfactory, and the following gratifying letter was the result, viz.:--

"_Horse-Guards, 20th June, 1832._

"Sir,

"I have had the honour to submit to the General
Commanding-in-Chief, your letter of the 4th instant, with its
enclosure, on the subject of the 'Order of Merit' existing in the
FIFTH FOOT, and am directed to acquaint you, that the explanation
afforded by Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, shows that the order
in question is dispensed under the most laudable regulations, and
has been productive of the best effects, during the long period
since its original establishment in the regiment.

"It is considered highly desirable, however, that both officer
and soldier should, under all circumstances, be taught to expect
professional honours from the sovereign alone; and under this
impression, Lord Hill has been induced to recommend to the king
to give the royal authority for the confirmation and continuance
of this regimental Badge of distinction, an arrangement, which,
while it bestows upon it legitimate existence, will, at the same
time, no doubt, enhance its value in the estimation of those on
whom it is conferred.

"You will, therefore, be pleased to communicate this decision to
Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, and acquaint him, that he is at
liberty to proceed in the distribution of the medals and badges
as heretofore.

"I have, &c.
(Signed) "JOHN MACDONALD,
"Adjutant-General.

"Lieutenant-General
"Sir William Houstoun, G.C.B., and G.C.H.,
&c. &c. &c.,
"Commanding at Gibraltar."

The "Order of Merit," which has been so long held by the regiment, consecrated and enhanced by purity and justice of distribution, and the real worth of the meritorious though humble individuals who earn so honourable a mark of good conduct, and brightened by the numerous distinguished services of the FIFTH REGIMENT since its foundation, is thus confirmed by the sanction of the Sovereign, the legitimate fount of honour, distinction, and reward.

[Sidenote: 1833]

On the 27th of July, in this year (1832), the reserve companies of the regiment marched from Fermoy to Kilmallock, and in August to Bruff, where they continued until the 24th of January, 1833, when they proceeded to Nenagh: and from thence, in October to Templemore.

On the night of the 24th of April, 1833, whilst at Gibraltar, the roof of the Line Wall House, in which were the mess-rooms and the quarters of Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, suddenly burst out into an immense blaze of fire, in consequence of one of the wooden wall-plates, which had been carelessly built into the flue of a chimney, imperceptibly igniting the joists, lathing, couples, and lining of the roof over the ceiling: from the quantity of timber used in its construction, the house burnt with such fierceness and rapidity, that the ceilings of the rooms, almost instantly falling in, it was found impossible, notwithstanding the utmost exertions of the garrison, to save even the colours of the regiment, which were thus unfortunately, although accidentally, consumed.

[Sidenote: 1834]

In June and July, 1834, that scourge, the cholera, attacked the garrison with such violence that the FIFTH lost one officer, two serjeants, one drummer, forty-one privates, three women, and four children, in all fifty-two souls, some of the former being among the finest and best-conducted young men in the regiment, whilst it may be mentioned, as a somewhat singular fact, that during the whole period of its ravages, not one case of cholera occurred in the Provost prison, at that time crowded with the most dissipated characters of the garrison, although it raged in the Artillery barracks, and the civil habitations in its immediate vicinity--an undeniable proof of the efficacy of abstemiousness and temperance, even though forced, on such occasions.

In the autumn of this year, the regiment having received orders to be prepared for removal to Malta, on the eve of embarkation the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir William Houstoun, G.C.B. and G.C.H., expressed his approbation of its conduct whilst under his command, in the following flattering terms:--

"_Head-Quarters, Gibraltar_,
_14th October, 1834._

GARRISON ORDERS.

No. 1. "His Excellency, the Lieutenant-General Commanding,
cannot suffer the FIFTH REGIMENT to embark from hence, without
expressing his approval of the general conduct of this corps,
during the period it has been under his command in this
garrison, and he desires to offer his thanks to the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and privates of this regiment, and
more particularly, he begs to acknowledge his sense of the
zealous and constant exertions of Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland,
which have so essentially contributed to maintain the discipline
and good order of the corps under his command."

The regiment embarked in His Majesty's troop ship, "Romney," on the 15th October,--sailed on the next day,--and anchored on the 26th, after a very stormy passage, in the harbour of Valetta, under those stupendous fortifications which had been rendered famous by the prowess of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, and had for some generations been designated by the proud title of "the Bulwarks of Christendom:"--it disembarked without any accident or casualty on the 27th of the same month,--and for a short time occupied Fort Manoel.

The colour of the regimental facings was this year authorized by the subjoined letter to be changed to a handsome and lively green, viz.:--

"_Horse-Guards, 30th June, 1834._

"Sir,

"With reference to the correspondence that has taken place
respecting the Colour of the Facing of the FIFTH REGIMENT
OF FOOT, of which you are Colonel, I have now the honour to
acquaint you, that the Colour of the pattern exhibited by
Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, with your sanction, has been
approved by the King, and the General Commanding-in-Chief desires
that the clothing of the regiment for the ensuing year may
therefore be prepared accordingly.

"I have, &c.
(Signed) "JOHN MACDONALD,
"Adjutant-General.

"General Sir Henry Johnson, Bt., and G.C.B.
"Colonel of the FIFTH FOOT."

In September of this year (1834) the reserve companies marched from Templemore to Cork, where they remained ten months.

[Sidenote: 1835]

General Sir Henry Johnson, Bart., G.C.B., having died on the 18th of March, 1835, at a very advanced age, was succeeded in the Colonelcy of the regiment, on the 25th of the same month, by Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir Charles Colville, G.C.B. and G.C.H., who with much distinction, and especially in the affair at El Bodon, commanded the brigade in which the FIFTH served during a considerable period of the Peninsular war.

New colours having been received early this year to replace those accidentally consumed with the Line Wall House at Gibraltar, as before narrated, Major-General Sir Frederick Ponsonby, K.C.B., the Lieutenant-Governor, was requested to present them, but, a question having arisen relative to an additional banner[45] which the regiment had long carried, the subject was, after some discussion and correspondence, submitted to the decision of His Majesty, whose commands and pleasure on this head will be found in the following letter:--

"_Horse-Guards, 31st July, 1835._

"Sir,

"I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter,
dated 4th April last, which I have laid before the General
Commanding-in-Chief, and by his Lordship's command the same has
been submitted to the King.

"In reply to which, I am directed to acquaint you, that
His Majesty considers it quite contrary to the established
regulations, for any regiment to bear a _third Colour_, and on
that ground he cannot consent to a flag or banner, which is
stated to have been borne by the FIFTH REGIMENT since the
year 1762, and which was accidentally destroyed by a fire at
Gibraltar on the 24th of April, 1833, being replaced.

"His Lordship has received the King's commands to direct it to be
made known to the officers and men of the FIFTH REGIMENT, that
His Majesty has the strongest reason to be satisfied with the
general conduct of the regiment, and, although His Majesty feels
that he cannot comply with the request made on this occasion, by
authorizing the additional flag, or banner, being retained by
the corps, which, it must be stated, has never been sanctioned
either by the Royal warrant of the 19th of December, 1768, or by
any subsequent grant, yet his Majesty is desirous of conferring
a mark of distinction on the regiment, which shall tend to
perpetuate the record of its services at _Wilhelmsthal_ in June,
1762: with this view his Majesty has commanded, that the regiment
shall be distinguished by wearing grenadier caps, with the King's
Cipher, _W. R._ IV., in the front, and the ancient badge of the
regiment, _viz._ _St. George killing the Dragon_, on the back
part.

"I have, &c.
(Signed) "JOHN MACDONALD,
"Adjutant-General.

"Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland,
"Commanding the FIFTH Regiment, Malta."

The reserve companies embarked from Cork on the 1st of August, 1835, and proceeded to Dover, where they passed the succeeding fifteen months, and in October, 1836, marched to Gosport.

[Sidenote: 1836]

His Majesty King William IV. having been pleased, in 1836, to approve of the corps being equipped as Fusiliers, and designated the "FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT, OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS;" commissioned the Ensigns as second Lieutenants accordingly, and gave his Royal permission that the word "WILHELMSTHAL," in commemoration of _the field_ on which it originally took its grenadier caps from the enemy, should be borne on its colours and appointments, as will appear by the subjoined copies of letters.

"_Horse-Guards, 4th of May, 1836._

"Sir,

"I have the honour to acquaint you, by direction of the General
Commanding-in-Chief, that his Majesty has been graciously pleased
to approve of the FIFTH OR NORTHUMBERLAND REGIMENT OF FOOT, being
in future equipped as a Fusilier Regiment, and being styled the
FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT, OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

"I have, &c.
(Signed) "JOHN MACDONALD,
"Adjutant-General.

"Officer commanding the Fifth Regiment of Foot,
"or Northumberland Fusiliers."

"_Horse-Guards, 14th of May, 1836._

"Sir,

"I have the honour to acquaint you, by direction of the General
Commanding-in-Chief, that his Majesty has been graciously
pleased to permit the FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT, OR NORTHUMBERLAND
FUSILIERS, to bear on its colours and appointments, in addition
to any other badges or devices which may have heretofore been
authorized, the word 'WILHELMSTHAL,' in commemoration of the
gallantry displayed by the regiment while serving with the
allied army, under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, at the battle
of Groebenstein, on the 24th of June, 1762, particularly in
the capture of a great number of prisoners belonging to the
grenadiers of France, and the regiment d'Aquitaine, in the woods
of 'WILHELMSTHAL.'

"I have, &c.
(Signed) "JOHN MACDONALD,
"Adjutant-General.

"Officer commanding Fifth Foot,
"or Northumberland Fusiliers,
"Malta."

On the 14th of December, 1836, the Governor of Malta, Major-General Sir Henry Bouverie, presented the new colours to the regiment, drawn up for the purpose in review order on the Florian Parade.

His Excellency, on arriving in front of the line, was received with a general salute, the band playing and drums beating, after which the company on the right flank closed ranks, and was marched by its Captain in quick time (the band playing the grenadier's march) to the point in the front of the line, where the new colours were stationed, under a guard, and an escort of colour-serjeants; on arriving at which the company was halted, its ranks opened, and the colours, which appeared for the first time displayed, were saluted with presented arms, the music playing "God save the King."

The march was then resumed in open order, and the colours escorted in slow time towards the left flank of the line, and thence to their appointed station in front of the centre, whilst the band and escort filed through the ranks to their posts on the right; the colours were received by a general salute from the regiment; arms were then shouldered, three sides of a square, open to the front, formed, and the service of consecration read in a most appropriate and impressive manner by the Rev. J. T. H. Le Mesurier, Chaplain to the Forces; the children of both sexes of the soldiers of the regiment, attired in uniform suits of new clothes that had lately been presented to them, repeating the responses.

Prayers being ended, His Excellency Sir Henry Bouverie handed the colours to the Lieutenants, under a general salute from the square, and then addressed the regiment in nearly the following terms:--

"Officers and Soldiers of the FIFTH Fusiliers,

"I am happy that it has fallen to my lot to present to you these
colours. I do it in the full confidence that they will never
be disgraced by insubordination, by loss of discipline, or
misconduct in garrison, or in the field.

"The glorious deeds which are recorded in your annals, and
inscribed upon these colours, will serve to incite in you the
determination to equal them; to surpass them I believe to be
impossible.

"The inspection, which I shall this day finish, of your regiment,
will, I have no doubt, furnish me with the opportunity of
reporting my entire satisfaction with the interior economy and
management of the regiment, as well as with your movements in the
field; and I trust that I shall never have occasion to alter the
high opinion I have formed of you, not only here, but in scenes
on service, of which I was myself a witness."

His Excellency having concluded his appropriate address, Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland replied to the following purport.

"Permit me, Sir, on behalf of myself and the regiment, to return
our best thanks for the very kind and flattering terms in which
you have been pleased to present these colours. It must be a
great additional source of gratification to all ranks to receive
so honourable a charge from the hand of a distinguished officer,
who, having personally witnessed the regiment in conflict with
the enemy, can therefore duly appreciate its conduct; and this
will doubtless prove a strong incitement to such a discharge
of their duty, whenever they may have the good fortune to be
similarly circumstanced, as will emulate those deeds to which
your Excellency has so handsomely alluded."

The square was then reduced, and his Excellency having rode down the line, ranks were closed, open column formed, and the review commenced by marching past in slow and quick time, and in column at quarter distance. The manual and platoon exercises (the latter also kneeling as light infantry) were then performed, under the orders of Brevet Major Johnson, after which the Lieutenant-Colonel put the regiment through a variety of manœuvres and firings, in close, extended, and skirmishing order, of which his Excellency expressed his unqualified approbation.

In the evening his Excellency dined with the officers of the regiment at the mess, where a large party of about fifty persons, consisting of Vice-Admiral Sir Josias Rowley, the Captains of the squadron, commanding officers of corps, heads of departments, and staff, was assembled to meet him.

On the following Sunday the colours were, according to custom on such occasions, taken with the regiment to church; when the duties of soldiers, both as men and Christians, were inculcated by the chaplain to the forces in the most impressive manner.

[Sidenote: 1837]

The regiment embarked from Malta on the 28th of March, 1837, and arrived on the 4th of April following at Corfu, where it has continued until the end of the year 1837, which brings this memoir to a conclusion.

The foregoing pages show that the FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT, OR NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, has preserved by its conduct in time of peace, untarnished, the laurels which it has acquired in war. Soon after its formation it availed itself of the opportunities which then occurred of acquiring a reputation for gallantry in action; and, under the influence of zealous officers and an excellent _esprit de corps_, it has conducted itself, in the various situations in which it has been placed during a period of more than one hundred and sixty years, so as to preserve its character and acquire additional honour. The distinctions which have, from time to time, been conferred on this corps, show the estimation in which its services are held:--the inscriptions which it bears on its colours are memorials of its gallantry in battles and sieges, where the British troops have acquired never-fading laurels, and have elevated the military character of their country, to the admiration of the nations of Europe.

* * * * *

The Compiler of the Records of the Army feels it his duty
to state, that Colonel Sutherland, of the FIFTH FOOT, OR
NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, has evinced great zeal and devotedness
in procuring information on all subjects in which the honour
of his regiment is concerned, and furnished a statement of its
services which has facilitated the preparation of this narrative
for publication. The most effective assistance has also been
afforded by Captain John Spence, of the same regiment, in the
completion of this memoir.

[_To face page 106._
]

FOOTNOTES:

[1] This treaty was conducted, on the part of Great Britain, by Sir William Temple, whose memoirs and correspondence on the subject are extant.

[2] "In this siege the Prince and the Rhingrave were ever at the head of the attacks, and made great use as well as proof, of the desperate courage of the English troops."--_Sir William Temple's Memoirs._

"Amongst the rest of the troops that lay before the town, the English under Colonels Fenwick, Widdrington, and Ashley, to the number of 2600 men, petitioned his Highness to assign them a particular quarter, that they might be commanded separately, that so, if they behaved themselves like valiant men, they might have all the honour, and if otherwise, all the shame to themselves. This request his Highness readily granted, and they made it appear, by their fierce attacks, that they deserved this distinction."--_Boyer's Life of King William._

[3] The English made their attack in the following order:--

2 Serjeants and 10 Firelocks.

1 Serjeant and 12 Grenadiers.

1 Officer, 1 Serjeant, and 12 Grenadiers.

1 Lieutenant, 2 Serjeants, and 30 Firelocks.

1 Serjeant and 12 men with Half-pikes.

1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 2 Serjeants, and 50 Firelocks.

1 Serjeant and 12 men with Half-pikes.

1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Serjeant, and 28 men with spades and shovels.

The support:

1 Captain, 1 Serjeant, and 58 Men.--_London Gazette._

[4] "The English Brigade being frequently put on the most desperate attacks, and always behaving themselves according to their accustomed bravery; his Highness, after a very sharp night's service performed by them, gave each regiment a fat ox, and six sheep, which they killed and hung upon poles in sight of the army, to divide into equal parts to each company. Some of the Dutch murmuring at this bounty to the English in particular, were told that the same was given to save Dutchmen's lives, and therefore they ought to be thankful to his Highness for it."--_Life of Major John Bernardi._

[5] "The Earl of Ossory with his troops performed wonders."--_London Gazette_, No. 1329.

Brussels.--"Many wounded men have been brought hither, which are most of the Prince of Orange's Guards, and the English and Scots regiments, who did things to the admiration of those that beheld them."--_London Gazette_, No. 1330.

"The Earl of Ossory, with the English and Scots regiments, engaged in the attack on the side of Castehau, in which the Officers and Soldiers, in imitation of his Lordship, who always charged with them, behaved themselves with that courage and bravery which is so natural to them, and consequently suffered much."--_Account of the Battle of St. Denis._

[6]

"Whitehall, 4th July, 1685.

"This day three Scots Regiments of Foot, consisting of about 1500 men, lately come from Holland, marched through the city, on their way to Hounslow Heath, where they are to encamp. They are the best men, and best prepared for service, that ever were seen, having their tents, and all other necessaries of their own with them. To-morrow the three English Regiments are expected from Holland.

"I send your Grace the Articles of War, prepared by his Majesty's order for the present occasion.

"WILLIAM BLATHWAYTE,
"Secretary at War.

"To the Duke of Albemarle."

_War-Office Records._

[7] While the Fifth was in England one of its officers, Cornet George Carleton, quitted the Dutch service, and obtained a commission in a newly-raised regiment on the English establishment. This officer served as a volunteer with the Fleet under the Duke of York in 1672 and 1673; and in the same capacity with the army, commanded by the Prince of Orange, from 1674 to 1676, when he obtained a commission in the Fifth. He saw much service in the reign of King William III.; and served during the war of the Spanish succession, as engineer, with the army in Valencia and Catalonia; and was made prisoner at the surrender of Denia in 1708. In 1728 he published an interesting narrative of his services, interspersed with many curious anecdotes, under the title of _Military Memoirs_, which are allowed to contain the best account extant of the services of the Earl of Peterborough in Spain. These memoirs were reprinted in 1741 with the title of _History of the two last Wars_, and again in 1743, with that of _Memoirs of Captain George Carleton_; and a new edition appeared in 1809, with the latter title.

[8] One of the officers who quitted the Dutch service on this occasion was Captain John Bernardi, of the Fifth. He obtained a commission in the regiment at its formation in 1674; had distinguished himself on several occasions, and had received many honourable wounds.

At the Revolution in 1688, he adhered to King James, and served in his cause in Ireland and Scotland. He subsequently resided in London, and being implicated in the plot to assassinate King William, in 1696, he was imprisoned. Although his guilt could not be established, and he was never brought to trial, yet he was detained in prison by authority of an Act of Parliament passed expressly for that purpose. After remaining upwards of thirty years in confinement, he wrote his life, which was published in 1729; and contains many interesting particulars relative to the early services of the regiment.

[9] _Life of Major John Bernardi._--Rapin says only forty declared for King James.

[10] This officer's name is sometimes written Talmash.

[11] Boyer's Life of King William.

[12] Dalrymple.

[13] Boyer.

[14] Afterwards the celebrated General Wood, who was many years Colonel of the 4th Horse, now 3rd Dragoon Guards.

[15] London Gazette, No. 2661; Dublin Intelligencer; and Story's History of the Wars in Ireland.

[16] Inquiry into the Management of the War in Spain, Part II. Account of Embarkations, page 9.--_London Gazettes_, 4340, 4347, and 4348.

[17] "Estremos.--The enemy, having resolved to besiege Olivenza, or oblige the Portuguese to a battle, had all their heavy cannon and fascines in readiness before the town; but upon the approach of the four regiments lately arrived from Ireland, they retired in great precipitation, and sent away their cannon to Badajoz. These regiments are in very good condition, and will be able to do great service."--_Ibid._ No. 4350.

[18] In 1706, six hundred and sixty men of the Thirteenth Foot were formed into a regiment of Dragoons by the Earl of Peterborough, in Catalonia, and the Colonelcy conferred on the Lieutenant-Colonel, Edward Pearce. The remainder of the regiment returned to England to recruit, and, having completed the establishment, arrived in Portugal as above stated. The regiment of Dragoons thus formed was disbanded at the peace of Utrecht.

[19] Annals of Queen Anne, and London Gazette.

[20] The Monthly Mercury for May, 1709.

[21] London Gazette.

[22] Annals of Queen Anne, Vol. 10, page 95.

[23] London Gazette.

[24] The Marquis of Granby's Despatch.

[25] "The Brigade formed of the English Grenadiers and Scotch Highlanders greatly distinguished itself, performing wonders."--_Operations of the Allied Army_, page 161.

[26] "The FIFTH Foot behaved nobly, and took above twice its own numbers prisoners."--_Letter from an Officer of the Artillery._

"Prince Ferdinand pursued and pressed upon them as close as possible: and they would, without doubt, have been entirely routed, if M. de Stainville had not thrown himself, with the Grenadiers of France, the Royal Grenadiers, the regiment of Aquitaine, and other corps, being the flower of the French infantry, into the woods of Wilhelmstahl to cover their retreat. That resolution cost him dear; his whole infantry having been taken, killed, or dispersed, after a very gallant defence, excepting two battalions which found means to get off; some of these troops had before surrendered to Lord Granby's corps, and upon the coming up of the army, the remainder, after one fire, surrendered to the FIFTH regiment of Foot."--_London Gazette._

[27] Return of Prisoners taken in the action at Groebenstien, and in the woods of Wilhelmsthal, on the 24th June 1762.

CORPS. Number of
Men.

Grenadiers of France 635
Royal Grenadiers. Rochelambert 208
" L'Espinasse 135
" Le Camus 121
" Narbonne 60
Aquitaine 432
Poictou 29
Royal Deux-Ponts 30
Waldner 108
D'Epring 55
Choiseul,--Dragoons 64
Royal Picardy,--Cavalry 30
Fitz-James',--Cavalry 77
Chamboran 28
Monnet 112
Of different corps 446
----
2570
Officers 162
----
Total 2732

Also one standard, six pair of colours, and two pieces of cannon, were taken.--_Operations of the Allied Army._

[28] According to the embarkation return the strength of the regiment when it quitted Germany was, 27 officers, 692 men, 54 women, and 67 horses.

[29] A full account of these medals is given in a work published in America by General Donkin in 1777.

[30] How the badge of St. George and the Dragon with the motto "_Quo fata vocant_" above mentioned, were first acquired by the regiment, has not been ascertained. There is a tradition in the corps that they were conferred as an honorary distinction for gallant conduct either in the German war or that of the Spanish succession; but it is probable they might have been assumed when the regiment in 1675 was given to Colonel John Fenwick, and became English. A portrait of Major Bernardi (who was an Ensign in this corps at its formation in 1674, and rose to the rank of Captain in it) prefixed to his Memoirs published in 1729, is surmounted by the motto "_Quo fata trahunt_," evidently a metamorphosis of, and borrowed from the "_Quo fata vocant_" of the regiment. The Royal Warrants of the 1st of July, 1751, and 19th of December, 1768, while they recognise and confirm the badge, are silent respecting the motto; an omission, however, not confined to the FIFTH Regiment only, for the warrants do not notice the motto of any one infantry regiment, though others (the Royal Scots for instance,) must have had mottoes. It will be seen in the text that the motto surmounted the badge on the medal of merit, one of which from the original die with the date 10th of March, 1767, is now (1837) in possession of Colonel Sutherland, commanding the regiment. This motto and badge has for many years been borne on the officers' and men's appointments, and there is no doubt but they form one whole, and are coeval with each other.

[31] "Lord Percy now formed his detachment into a square, in which he enclosed Colonel Smith's party, who were so much exhausted with fatigue that they were obliged to lie down for rest on the ground, their tongues hanging out of their mouths like those of dogs after a chase."--_Stedman's History of the American War._

[32] London Gazette.

[33] London Gazette.

[34] "If any thing had been wanting to show the bravery and discipline of the British troops, the action at Bunker's Hill furnished an ample proof of both. Twice they were stopped and twice they returned to the charge. In the middle of a hot summer's day; encumbered with three days' provisions, their knapsacks on their backs, which, together with cartouch-box, ammunition, and firelock, may be estimated at 125lbs; with a steep hill to ascend, covered with grass reaching to their knees, and intersected with walls and fences of various enclosures; and in the face of a hot and well-directed fire,--they gained a complete victory over three times their own numbers."--_Stedman._

[35] Stedman.

[36] London Gazette.

[37] Lieutenant-Colonel Smith continued in the command of the fortress of Niagara until the 19th November, 1795, when he died, and was buried with military honours, in a vault prepared for the family on the Canada side of the Niagara River. His son, Sir David William Smith, baronet, was born in the regiment, and having obtained a commission at an early age, he attained the rank of Captain in it before he quitted the service; he afterwards settled in the province of Upper Canada, and was called to the bar there. He communicated to the compiler of this record, with great zeal and kindness, several interesting particulars relative to the history of the regiment. He died on the 19th of May, 1837, at Alnwick, in Northumberland.

[38] Now (1837) Lieutenant-General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe, Bt.

[39] Marshal Soult, Duc de Dalmatia.

[40] Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, K.B., was created a Peer on the 26th August, 1809, by the titles of Baron Douro of Wellesley, and Viscount Wellington of Talavera.

[41] Late Scots Brigade, formed from the three Scots regiments, mentioned at page 10.

[42] "Ridge fell, and no man died that night with more glory:--yet many died, and there was much glory."--_Napier._

[43] The chivalrous spirit displayed throughout these campaigns by private James Grant, of the second battalion, deserves to be recorded in these memoirs. This brave fellow was a native of Strathspey; being a musician in the band, he was, as usual, left with it in the rear whenever there was any expectation that the battalion might be seriously engaged. On such occasions, however, Grant uniformly stole away from the band, appropriated to himself the arms of the first man he found in the field disabled from using them himself, and, being a tall, fine-looking soldier, fell in on the right of the grenadier company, and there fought till the day was won, when he returned to his instrument. In this manner he took part in the actions of Busaco, Sabugal, Fuentes D'Onor, El Bodon, and Salamanca, the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo, and was amongst the foremost in the escalade of the castle of Badajoz. From all these he escaped without a wound: he was appointed serjeant-major of the regiment in 1828; and he died in 1835 from the effects of a fall, at Malta, where a handsome tomb was erected by the regiment, on which his achievements were recorded.

[44] On the 21st May, 1831, Captain Spence (being a magistrate) was directed to proceed with his company to _Kilfenora_, by the following letter, viz.:--

"_Ennis, 21st May, 1831._

"Sir,

"I am desired by Major-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot to acquaint
you, that as it is very desirable to have a magistrate stationed
at _Kilfenora_, and as, moreover, he was extremely pleased
with your zeal and exertions, while in command of a post, he
has directed Lieutenant-Colonel Tovey to send your Company to
Kilfenora, having every expectation that your services there will
prove of much benefit to the country.

"I have, &c.
(Signed) "W. VINCENT, Lt.-Col., A.Q.M.G.

"_To Captain Spence_, FIFTH FOOT."

[45] The FIFTH regiment for many years carried a _small green silk banner_, inscribed with the badge, motto, number, and designation of the corps, at the head of the regiment, amidst the corps of band and drummers. This distinction is supposed to have originated from the battle of Wilhelmsthal, where the regiment took the colours of the French grenadiers--as stated at page 34.

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF THE

FIFTH REGIMENT OF FOOT,

OR

NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

DANIEL VISCOUNT OF CLARE,

_Appointed in 1674_.

Daniel O'Brien was one of the distinguished loyalists who attended King Charles II. during the period His Majesty was in exile on the continent, and he obtained at the Restoration the title of Viscount of Clare for his grandfather, who had frequently given proofs of his loyalty and attachment to his King, in the reign of Charles I. Daniel, the third Viscount of Clare, succeeded to the title in 1670, and having proceeded to Holland, after the treaty of London, in 1674, he obtained the Colonelcy of the FIFTH FOOT, then newly raised; but, being afterwards charged with holding a treasonable correspondence with the French, he relinquished his commission and returned to Ireland.

After the Revolution in 1688, the Viscount of Clare displayed great zeal in the cause of King James,--having raised two Irish regiments of foot and one of dragoons for the service of that unhappy monarch; he was also a member of the Privy Council in Ireland, and Lord-Lieutenant of the county of Clare. He served under King James at the battle of the Boyne, in 1690: and died in the same year.

JOHN FENWICK,

_Appointed 2nd August, 1675_.

John Fenwick was many years an officer of the Queen's troop (now Second Regiment) of Life Guards, in the reign of Charles II., and he served under the Duke of Monmouth in the campaigns of 1672 and 1673. In the succeeding year he obtained permission to proceed to Holland, and in 1675 he was appointed to the Colonelcy of the FIFTH FOOT, retaining, at the same time, his commission of Guidon and Major in the Life Guards.[46] After his recovery of a wound received during the siege of Maestricht, some angry expressions occurred between him and the Prince of Orange, when he quitted the Dutch service, returned to England, and resumed his duties in the Life Guards; and shortly afterwards he succeeded to the dignity of a Baronet.

In 1678 Sir John Fenwick was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, and appointed Colonel of a newly-raised regiment of foot, which was disbanded after the peace of Nimeguen. He was subsequently governor of Holy Island, one of the Inspecting-Generals of cavalry, and a member of Parliament for the county of Northumberland: and in 1687 he was promoted from the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Queen's troop of Life Guards, to the Colonelcy of the Fourth regiment of Horse, now Third Dragoon Guards, from which he was removed by the Prince of Orange at the Revolution in 1688. In 1695 he engaged in a conspiracy to raise an insurrection in behalf of King James, for which he was apprehended and brought to trial before the Parliament. No direct proof of his guilt could be produced, yet a bill of attainder for high treason was passed against him; and he was beheaded on Tower Hill on the 28th of January, 1697.

HENRY WISELY,

_Appointed 11th September, 1676_.

Henry Wisely was an Officer of repute in the Dutch service, and his meritorious conduct was rewarded with the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the FIFTH. After the resignation of Colonel (afterwards Sir John) Fenwick, he was promoted, at the recommendation of the Prince of Orange, to the Colonelcy of the regiment, by commission from the States-General of Holland dated the 11th of September, 1676. He served with his regiment against the French until the peace of Nimeguen, acquiring, by his zealous exertions on all occasions, the character of a good officer. He was drowned on his passage to England in the winter of 1680.

THOMAS MONK,

_Appointed 10th December, 1680_.

This Officer also served with distinction under the Prince of Orange, and was advanced to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of Sir Henry Bellasis' regiment (now Sixth Foot), from which he was promoted to the Colonelcy of the FIFTH in December, 1680; but his death appears to have occurred before he acquired any higher rank.

THOMAS TOLLEMACHE,

_Appointed 9th October, 1688_.

Thomas Tollemache (or Talmash), son of Lionel third Earl of Dysart, was an officer in the English army in the reign of King Charles II., and in January, 1678, he obtained the rank of Captain in the Second Foot Guards. In March of the same year he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of Lord Arlington's newly-raised regiment, which was disbanded after the peace of Nimeguen. He was afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Foot Guards; but subsequently entering the Dutch service, he was promoted to the Colonelcy of the FIFTH in October, 1688; from which he was removed to the Colonelcy of the Second Foot Guards in May following. He was advanced to the rank of Major-General in December, 1690; and to that of Lieutenant-General in January, 1692. He commanded an expedition to the coast of France in the summer of 1694, was wounded at Cameret Bay on the 8th of June, and died on the 12th at Plymouth.

EDWARD LLOYD,

_Appointed 1st May, 1689_.

Edward Lloyd became proficient in the duties of his profession in active service under the Prince of Orange, who promoted him to the Colonelcy of the FIFTH FOOT in May, 1689. While serving with his regiment in Ireland, and in the Netherlands, he acquired the confidence and esteem of his superior officers, and he had every prospect of rising to high military rank; but his mortal career was terminated by death on the 26th of August, 1694.

THOMAS FAIRFAX,

_Appointed 6th November, 1694_.

This Officer, after a progressive service in the subordinate ranks, obtained, on the 8th of March, 1689, the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of Lord Castleton's regiment, from which he was promoted by King William III., in November, 1694, to the Colonelcy of the FIFTH FOOT. He served with his regiment in Flanders, was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General in 1696, and commanded a brigade of infantry during the campaign of the following year. He was removed from the FIFTH in 1703, was afterwards promoted to the rank of Major-General; and died on the 6th of January, 1710.

THOMAS PEARCE,

_Appointed 5th February, 1704_.

Thomas Pearce obtained the commission of Ensign in a regiment of Foot on the 28th of February, 1689; and in October, 1694, he was appointed Captain of the Grenadier Company in the Second Foot Guards. He served at the siege of Namur in 1695, and, being engaged in storming the covered-way on the night of the 8th of July, he advanced, in the heat of the conflict, too far in front of his men, and was wounded and taken prisoner.

In 1702 he served under the Duke of Ormond in the expedition to Cadiz; and, commanding a brigade of Grenadiers at the storming of the forts of Vigo, he was wounded in the thigh by a cannon-ball. His gallantry was rewarded on the 10th of April in the following year with the Colonelcy of a newly-raised Irish regiment of Foot;[47] from which he was removed to the FIFTH, on the 5th of February, 1704. He was promoted on the 1st of January, 1707, to the rank of Brigadier-General, and, proceeding with his regiment to Portugal, he highly distinguished himself at the head of a brigade of infantry at the battle of Caya in 1709, and was taken prisoner. He was shortly afterwards exchanged for a French Brigadier-General, and on his return to England he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He was further promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General on the 5th of March, 1727; and in 1732 he was removed to the Colonelcy of the Fifth Horse, now Fourth Dragoon Guards. He was several years a member of Parliament for Melcomb Regis, and died in 1739.

JOHN COPE,

_Appointed 15th December, 1732_.

This Officer entered the army in the reign of Queen Anne, and was several years Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second troop of Horse Grenadier Guards. He obtained the rank of Colonel in the army on the 15th of November, 1711; and was promoted to the Colonelcy of the Thirty-ninth Foot on the 10th of November, 1730, from which he was removed to the FIFTH FOOT on the 15th of December, 1732. In 1735 he obtained the rank of Brigadier-General; in 1737 he was removed to the Ninth Dragoons; and on the 2nd of July, 1739, he was advanced to the rank of Major-General. He was several years on the staff of Ireland, and, after having been removed to the Colonelcy of the Seventh Dragoons in 1741, he proceeded in the summer of 1742 to Flanders with the army commanded by Field-Marshal the Earl of Stair. In the beginning of the following year he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General; and, having signalized himself at the battle of Dettingen under the eye of his sovereign, he was constituted a Knight of the Bath.

In 1745 Sir John Cope was Commander-in-Chief in Scotland, and a small body of troops under his immediate command were defeated by the Highlanders under the Young Pretender at Preston Pans; which unfortunate circumstance enabled the rebels to penetrate into England and advance as far as Derby. He retained the Colonelcy of the Seventh Dragoons until his decease in 1760.

ALEXANDER IRWIN,

_Appointed 27th June, 1737_.

Alexander Irwin commenced his military career as Ensign on the 1st of October, 1689, and, after serving the crown nearly forty-eight years in various parts of Europe, he was promoted to the Colonelcy of the FIFTH FOOT, by commission dated 27th of June, 1737. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General on the 24th of February, 1744; he was subsequently on the Staff of Ireland, and also held the appointment of Lieutenant-Governor of Kinsale. He was further advanced to the rank of Lieutenant-General in 1748, and died four years afterwards.

CHARLES WHITEFORD,

_Appointed 25th November, 1752_.

Charles Whiteford entered the army as Cornet on the 3rd of May, 1720; and on the 27th of April, 1741, he was promoted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Fifth regiment of Marines, with which corps he served several years on the continent of America and in the West India islands. In 1752 King George II. conferred the Colonelcy of the FIFTH FOOT on Colonel Whiteford, who did not long enjoy the promotion; his decease having occurred in the summer of 1754.

LORD GEORGE BENTINCK,

_Appointed 20th of August, 1754_.

Lord George Bentinck, second son of Henry first Duke of Portland, received the appointment of Ensign on the 3rd of November, 1735; and having been promoted on the 12th of April, 1743, to the command of a company in the First Foot Guards with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, he served at the battle of Dettingen in June of the same year. He obtained the appointment of Aide-de-camp to the King on the 17th of March, 1752; and the Colonelcy of the FIFTH FOOT, in August, 1754. He was afterwards promoted to the rank of Major-General; and died at Bath on the 2nd of March, 1759.

STUDHOLME HODGSON,

_Appointed 24th of October, 1759_.

Studholme Hodgson, after serving several years in the army, was appointed, in 1745, Aide-de-camp to the Duke of Cumberland, whom he attended at the battles of Fontenoy and Culloden. He obtained the command of a company, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, in the First Foot Guards, on the 22nd of February, 1747; and on the 30th of May, 1756, he was promoted to the Colonelcy of the Fiftieth Foot. He obtained the rank of Major-General on the 25th of June, 1759; and was removed to the Colonelcy of the FIFTH FOOT in October of the same year. In 1761 he was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant-General, and he commanded the land forces of a successful expedition against Belle-Isle in the same year, for which he obtained the approbation of the King, and was appointed, in 1765, Governor of Forts George and Augustus. In 1768 he was removed to the Fourth Foot; in 1778 he was promoted to the rank of General; and in 1782 he was removed to the Colonelcy of the Fourth Irish Horse, now Seventh Dragoon Guards. He was again removed, in 1789, to the Eleventh Light Dragoons, and on the 30th of July, 1796, he was promoted to the rank of Field-Marshal. He enjoyed this elevated rank two years, and died in the autumn of 1798, at the advanced age of ninety years.

HUGH EARL PERCY,

_Appointed 7th November, 1768_.

Earl Percy entered the army at an early age, and was first engaged in actual warfare under the Duke of Brunswick during the seven years' war in Germany. He obtained the rank of Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel in the First Foot Guards, on the 17th of April, 1762; and was promoted on the 7th of November, 1768, to the Colonelcy of the FIFTH FOOT, the command of which corps he retained nearly sixteen years, displaying, during that period, such distinguished military virtues, with a kind liberality, and a constancy of attention to, and interest in, the welfare and credit of the regiment, as endeared his name in the grateful remembrance of the officers and men. His Lordship commanded a brigade in America, and distinguished himself in the retreat from Lexington to Boston, and in the storming of Fort Washington near New York. In 1784 he was promoted to the Colonelcy of the Second troop of Horse Grenadier Guards; and succeeded, in 1786, to the dignity of DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND. In 1788 the Second troop of Horse Grenadier Guards was incorporated in the Second Regiment of Life Guards; and in 1806 his Grace was appointed to the Colonelcy of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, which he resigned in 1812. The decease of this respected nobleman occurred in 1817.

THE HONOURABLE EDWARD STOPFORD,

_Appointed 1st November, 1784_.

This Officer entered the army as Ensign in the Twenty-ninth regiment on the 16th of December, 1750, and, having attained the rank of Captain, he was promoted on the 17th of January, 1760, to the Majority of the Seventy-sixth regiment. On the 3rd of October, 1766, he obtained the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Sixty-sixth regiment, with which corps he served several years in Jamaica, and was promoted to the rank of Major-General in 1782. In 1784 King George III. conferred the Colonelcy of the FIFTH FOOT on Major-General Stopford, who retained this appointment until his decease in 1794.

SIR ALURED CLARKE, G.C.B.,

_Appointed 25th October, 1794_.