Chapter X: Part 10

[41] The three Scots regiments in the service of France at this period, are designated by the French historians, the regiments of DOUGLAS, CHAMBERS, and PRASLIN.

[42] Père Daniel.

[43] Mercure François; and Le Histoire Militaire de Louis le Grand, par M. Le Marquis de Quincy.

[44] This division consisted of the following corps; viz.: The French Guards, the Swiss Guards, the regiments of Picardy, DOUGLAS, La Meilleraie, Grancy, and Molondin.--_Mercure François._

[45] Account of the battle of Lens, published at the time; Life of the Prince of Condé; and Histoire Militaire de Louis le Grand.

[46] A detailed account of this action is given in the Life of King James II., from the memoirs written with his own hand, and published by the Rev. J. S. Clarke in 1818. His Majesty was then (1652) Duke of York, and was serving with the French Army, of which DOUGLAS' Regiment formed part.

[47] Life of King James II., from the Memoirs written with his own hand.

[48] The forces were designated by the following titles:--

HORSE GUARDS

The Duke of York's Troop afterwards the third troop of
Life Guards, and disbanded in
1746.

FOOT.

The King's Regiment of Guards, afterwards constituted, with a
battalion of Guards raised in
England in 1661, the FIRST
FOOT GUARDS.

{ The few remaining men of these
The Duke of York's Regiment { regiments were, in 1660, placed
The Duke of Gloucester's Regt. { in garrison at Dunkirk; they
The Earl of Bristol's Regiment { were afterwards removed to
Lord Newborough's Regiment { Tangier, and incorporated in
Colonel Richard Grace's Regt. { the SECOND, or QUEEN'S REGIMENT
{ OF FOOT.

[49] "Ce Régiment de Douglas, étant en garnison à Avesnes en 1661, eut ordre de passer en Angleterre, où il rendit des services très considerables au Roy Charles II.

"Il n'était que de huit compagnies en partant de France, et se trouva en y revenant, un an aprés, de trente-trois compagnies, qui étoient composées pour le moins de cent hommes chacune. Mylord George Douglas l'a toujours commandé en France."--_Père Daniel._

[50] London Gazette; and Military Records in the State Paper Office.

[51] "_Le Régiment de Douglas Escossois._ Ce Régiment a servi plusieurs années en France, et s'y est fort distingué. Je trouve dans l'Ordonnance de Louis XIV., de l'an 1672, pour le rang des Régimens, qu'il étoit un des premiers."--_Père Daniel._

[52] Comte de Chamilly's despatch, in the original correspondence respecting the campaign of 1672, published in France.

[53] See the Historical Record of the Life Guards, p. 43.

[54] Histoire du Vicomte de Turenne par L'Abbé Raguenet.

[55] Mémoires de deux dernieres Campagnes de Monsieur de Turenne en Allemagne.

[56] London Gazette.

[57] The Colonel of the Regiment, Lord George Douglas, was created _Earl of Dumbarton_ on the 9th of March, 1675; but the French historians continued to designate the corps, "_Le Régiment de Douglas_."

[58] In the order of battle for the French army on the Rhine in 1677, printed in the _Histoire Militaire de Louis le Grand_, the First Battalion of DOUGLAS' Regiment appears formed in brigade with the regiments of _La Marine_, _Couronne_, and _Vendôme_, and the second battalion is posted between two cavalry brigades, on the left of the line.

[59] "Captain Hume, who commanded our advance-party, showed great conduct and courage, standing several charges of the enemy's horse; and when the action was over, and he was upon his retreat to the main body, one of the Moors' chief commanders charged the rear of his party and overthrew him; but the Moor's horse falling, he was immediately killed."--_London Gazette._

[60] Tangier's Rescue by John Ross, fol. 1681.

[61] Tangier's Rescue by John Ross, fol. 1681.

[62] "This day the Scots and their grenadiers charged first, if there was any time at all between their charging: for, like fire and lightning, all went on at once."--_Tangier's Rescue._

[63] Tangier's Rescue.

[64] Four colours were captured in this action; one by DUMBARTON'S Scots, one by the Admiral's battalion, one by the English horse, and one by the Spaniards. Three guns were also taken; two by the Foot Guards, and one by the battalion of Marines and Seamen.

[65] The following return shows the loss sustained by the British troops in this engagement:--

+---------------------------------------+-----------++-----------+
| | Killed. || Wounded. |
| +---+---+---++---+---+---+
| | O | | || O | | |
| | f | | || f | | |
| | f | | H || f | | H |
| Corps. | i | | o || i | | o |
| | c | | r || c | | r |
| | e | M | s || e | M | s |
| | r | e | e || r | e | e |
| | s | n | s || s | n | s |
| | . | . | . || . | . | . |
+---------------------------------------+---+---+---++---+---+---+
| Four troops of English Horse, now | | | || | | |
| Royal Dragoons | | | 5|| 2| 5| 9|
| Three do. of Spanish Horse, disbanded | | | || | | |
| in 1683 | 1| 13| 24|| 6| 30| 25|
| Battalion of Foot Guards | | 7| || 1| 51| |
| The Earl of Dumbarton's Regiment, now | | | || | | |
| 1st Royal | 6| 36| || 15|100| |
| The Earl of Inchiquin's do., now 2nd | | | || | | |
| or Queen's Royal | 2| 34| || 10|124| |
| Vice Admiral Herbert's Battalion, | | | || | | |
| consisting of Marines and Seamen | 2| 10| || | 24| |
| +---+---+---++---+---+---+
| Total | 11|100| 29|| 34|334| 34|
+---------------------------------------+---+---+---++---+---+---+

_Narrative of the Siege of Tangier, published by authority, fol. 1680._

[66] The First Regiment of Foot Guards was for several years designated the _Royal Regiment_. There was also at this period a _Royal Regiment_ in _Ireland_, which was sometimes styled Foot Guards. This corps adhered to King James II. at the Revolution in 1688. One battalion had previously arrived in England, and, being composed of papists, it was disbanded by William III. The men were confined a short time in the Isle of Wight, and afterwards transferred to the service of the Emperor of Germany. The other battalion fought in the cause of James II. in Ireland, until the surrender of Limerick in 1691, when it proceeded to France, and remained in the French service until it was disbanded.

[67] The author of the account of this review here means two battalions of the 1st Foot Guards.

[68] War-Office Records.

[69] War-Office Records.

[70] Sixteen field-pieces were employed. Nine were sent from the Tower of London, and seven from Portsmouth.

[71] Lediard, and several other historians, attribute the preservation of the King's army from a complete overthrow at Sedgemoor to the excellent conduct of the ROYALS, in being under arms so quickly as to be able to hold the rebels in check until the other corps had time to form their ranks.

[72] Fountainhall's Diary, p. 59.

[73] War-Office Establishment Book.

[74] Sir John Dalrymple, and several other historians who wrote many years after these events occurred, have mistaken the Royal Regiment of Scots Horse for the Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons, now the 2nd or Royal North British Dragoons, or _Scots Greys_; but the latter regiment did not mutiny. The Scots Horse escaped to Scotland, and many of them joined the Highlanders in their resistance to King William III.; and the regiment was taken off the establishment of the army and was not afterwards restored.

[75] List of troops sent to the Netherlands, in 1689, under the Earl of Marlborough:--

Second troop of Guards, now 2nd Regiment of Life Guards.

Royal Regiment of Horse Guards.

One Battalion of the 2nd Foot Guards.

One Battalion of the Scots Foot Guards, now 3rd Foot Guards.

One Battalion of the Royal Regiment.

Prince George of Denmark's Regiment, now 3rd Foot, or the
Buffs.

Royal Fusiliers, now 7th Royal Fusiliers.

Col. John Hales' Regiment, afterwards disbanded.

" Sir David Collier's " " "

" Robert Hodges' " now 16th Foot.

" Edwd. Fitzpatrick's " afterwards disbanded.

" Fergus D. O'Ffarrel's " now 21st Royal Scots Fusiliers.

[76] This officer commanded the _Grenadier Company_ of the ROYAL Regiment when it was raised in 1678; and frequently distinguished himself against the Moors at Tangier in 1680. In October, 1688, Lieut.-Col. Archibald Douglas of the ROYAL Regiment was appointed Colonel of a newly-raised regiment, now the 16th Foot; and was succeeded in December of the same year by Lieut.-Col. Hodges, from the ROYAL Regiment, who was killed at the battle of Steenkirk.

[77] D'Auvergne's History of the Campaigns in Flanders.

[78] D'Auvergne.

[79] "The bravery of our men was extraordinary, and admired by all; ten battalions of ours having engaged above thirty of the French at one time, and _Sir Robert Douglas_, at the head of _one_ battalion of his own regiment, having driven _four_ battalions of the enemy from their cannon."--_London Gazette._

[80] Memoirs of Captain George Carleton.

[81] The General History of Europe.

[82] D'Auvergne.

[83] The French brigades, which attacked the post occupied by the first battalion of the _Royal_ Regiment, were those of Bourbonnois, Lyonnois, Anjou, and Artois, and King James' Royal Regiment, or Irish Guards, were amongst them.--(_D'Auvergne._)

[84] Official Records in Ireland.

[85] Millner's Journal of the Marches, Battles, and Sieges of the British troops on the Continent from 1701 to 1712.

[86] Portmore's, now 2nd or Queen's Royals, and Elsts, afterwards disbanded.

[87] Now the 9th, 15th, 23rd, and 24th Regiments.

[88] Now the 10th, 16th, 21st, and 26th Regiments.

[89] The following Return shows the number of Officers killed and wounded in each British Regiment at the battle of Blenheim:--

Officers.
Killed. Wounded.

The Queen's Horse, now 1st Dragoon Guards 0 2
Lieut.-Gen. Wood's Regt. 3rd " " - 2 5
Colonel Cadogan's " 5th " " - 1 0
Lieut.-Gen. Wyndham's 6th " " - 5 5
Duke of Schomberg's 7th " " - 3 3
Royal Scots Dragoons 2nd Drags. (Greys) 0 0
Royal Irish Dragoons, late 5th " - - 0 1
Foot Guards, one battalion - - - - 1 5
Royals two do., now 1st Foot - - 3 7
Prince George's Regt., " 3rd " - - 2 9
Brig.-Gen. Webb's " " 8th " - - 0 2
Ld. North & Grey's " " 10th " - - 8 9
Brig.-Gen. Howe's " " 15th " - - 5 13
Earl of Derby's " " 16th " - - 4 12
Royal Irish " " 18th " - - 3 10
Brig.-Gen. Row's " " 21st " - - 6 12
Lt.-Gen. Ingoldsby's " 23rd " - - 0 9
Dk. of Marlborough's " 24th " - - 3 9
Brig.-Gen. Fergusson's " 26th " - - 5 14
Colonel Meredith's " " 37th " - - 0 3
---- ----
Total - 51 130

[90] Milner's Journal.

[91] London Gazette, &c.

[92] War-Office Marching-Order Book.

[93] War-Office Establishment Book.

[94] Records of the Adjutant-General's Office.

[95] Extract of a letter from an officer.

[96] "The troops did honour to their country, particularly the 1st battalion of the Royal Scots, who were put to the hardest trials, behaved heroically, and suffered much."--_Scots Magazine._

[97] London Gazette, &c. &c.

[98] In 1684, and for many years afterwards, the facing of the regiment was _white_.

[99] His Majesty's commands were issued in October, 1832, directing that the colours of both battalions of the Royal Regiment should bear the same devices and distinctions.

[100] South Carolina Gazette.

[101] Return of troops engaged in the assault of Fort Moro, on the 30th July, 1762.

Officers. Serjeants. Rank and File.
Royal Regiment 6 5 102
Marksmen 8 8 129
90th Regiment 8 2 50
To sustain them--
56th Regiment 17 14 150
-- -- ----
Total 39 29 431

[102] Stedman's History of the American War.

[103] Naval and Military Memoirs of Great Britain from 1727 to 1783, by Robert Beatson, Esq., LL.D.

[104] Lieut.-General Stuart's despatch.

[105] Afterwards General Sir William Hutchinson, K.C.H.

[106] Rainsford's Historical Account of the Black Empire of Hayti.

[107] The Duke of York's despatch.

[108] This officer rose to the rank of Major-General, and was killed before Bayonne in 1814.

[109] Journal of Quartermaster-General Brownrigg, laid before Parliament.

[110] Captain Mullen was on the Staff at Barbadoes, but volunteered his services on this expedition.

[111] Now Lieut.-General Sir J. Stevenson Barns, K.C.B., Colonel of the Twentieth Regiment of Foot.

[112] In this year (1811) was living at the village of Delmes, in Scotland, John Reed, aged 100 years; he was a private in the 2nd battalion of the ROYAL Regiment at the battle of _Culloden_, in 1746, and was in the battalion upwards of 40 years.

[113] At a Scots corporation dinner, held in London on the 4th of May, 1811, on the health of the Duke of Kent, the Colonel of the ROYAL Regiment, being drunk, his Royal Highness rose to return thanks, and, in the course of his speech, said:--"My royal brother has been pleased to praise the regiment in which I have been employed, and have had the honour to command, and I too can bear testimony to the spirit and gallantry of the Scottish soldiers. From the earliest days, when I commenced my military life, it was always my utmost aim to arrive at the command of a Scots regiment, and to bring that regiment into action would have been the greatest glory I could have attained, as I am well convinced the officers and men would have justified my most sanguine expectations; their courage, perseverance, and activity, being undoubtedly such as may always be relied on; and they are always able and willing to do their duty, if not more than their duty." His Royal Highness took great interest in the welfare of the regiment; and he this year presented, by the hands of Lieut.-Colonel M'Leod, a gold medal to Serjeant Manns of the regiment, for the very meritorious manner in which he had educated upwards of 800 soldiers and soldiers' children.

[114] This officer was shot through the hand whilst bearing the colours, the ball passing through the flag.

[115]

"Demerara, 20th of April, 1812.

"GENERAL ORDER.

"Major-General Carmichael cannot refrain from expressing his regret on the departure of the ROYAL SCOTS. The honourable testimony from Governor Bentinck and the inhabitants of the good conduct of the regiment for nearly nine years corresponds with the opinion the Major-General has formed of their correct discipline and military order in all respects, which evince the incessant attention of Colonel Stewart and the officers of the corps. He sincerely wishes them every happiness, and looks forward with the pleasing hope of meeting the regiment on future service.

(Signed) "A. STEWART,
_Brigade-Major_."

[116] "The ROYALS led the attack, on which occasion the distinguished gallantry of this corps was most conspicuous."

"The ROYALS refused to give way in the least, until General Hay received orders, through General Oswald, from General Graham, to retire, it having been found that success was physically impracticable, as the defences round the breach were not destroyed; and, from the showers of musketry, grape, hand-grenades, shells, and large stones, with which the attacking column was assailed, it appears miraculous that any escaped."--_Extract from Sir T. Graham's despatch._

"The ROYAL REGIMENT proved, by the numbers left in the breach, that it would have been carried, had they not been opposed by real obstacles, which no human prowess could overcome."--_Extract from Division Orders._

[117] "Major-General Hay speaks most highly of the conspicuous gallantry of Colonel Barns in the successful assault of the coverlain, with the brave battalion of the ROYAL SCOTS.

"Indeed I conceive our ultimate success depended upon the repeated attacks made by the ROYAL SCOTS."--_Sir Thomas Graham's despatch_.

[118] Extract from General Orders.

[119] The Americans were about 6000 strong, and the British only 1500: namely, ROYAL SCOTS, 500; 1st battalion King's Own, 480; 100th regiment, 450; one troop 19th Light Dragoons; and a proportion of artillery.--_London Gazette._

[120] The Americans were 5000 strong; the British were 2800.--_London Gazette._

[121] Lieut.-General Drummond's Despatch.

[122] General Orders.

[123] A stone was placed in the church at Montreal, Lower Canada, with the following inscription:--

"In memory of Lieut.-Colonel JOHN GORDON, commanding the 1st battalion Royal Scots Regiment of Foot, who departed this life on the 25th of September, 1814, in consequence of a wound received in action with the enemy in front of Fort Erie, on the 17th of the same month.

"This slab is placed by the officers of the battalion, to commemorate their high esteem for him as a man, and their respect for his character as a soldier."

[124] This valuable and gallant officer had served many years in the Royal Regiment, in which he had a son, Captain George Hay, killed at the battle of Vittoria.

A monument was erected to his memory in the cemetery of the church of Etienne, Bayonne, with the following inscription:--

This tomb is placed here
By the officers of the 3rd battalion, 1st, or Royal Scots
Regiment of Foot,
As a testimony of respect to the memory of
The late
MAJOR-GENERAL ANDREW HAY,
Commanding the First Brigade of the Fifth Division of the British
Army in France,
Who gallantly fell on the morning of the 14th of
April, 1814,
In defence of the ground in which
His body is deposited,
Aged 52 years.

Near the north door of St. Paul's Cathedral, London, a monument has also been erected to the memory of this gallant veteran. He is represented falling into the arms of Valour, with a soldier standing, lamenting the loss of his commander.

[125] "The 3rd battalion of the Royal Scots _distinguished itself in a particular manner_. Being removed from the centre of the 5th division, it charged and routed a column of the enemy. It was then formed in a square, to receive the cavalry, and though repeated attacks were made, not the slightest impression was produced. Wherever the lancers and cuirassiers presented themselves, they found a stern and undismayed front, which they vainly endeavoured to penetrate."--_Mudford's Historical Account of the Campaign in the Netherlands in 1815._

[126] "Though charged six or seven times by an infinite superiority of numbers, the French cavalry never for an instant made the slightest impression upon the square of the Royal Scots."--_Narrative by an Officer who was an eye-witness._

[127]

"Whitehall, 13th December, 1815.

"HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE REGENT, taking into His Royal Highness's consideration the highly distinguished services of COLONEL JAMES STEVENSON BARNS, Lieut.-Colonel of the 1st, or ROYAL SCOTS REGIMENT OF FOOT, Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, and Knight of the Royal Portuguese Order of the Tower and Sword, manifested by him on divers important occasions in the campaigns of Toulon, Corsica, Holland, Egypt, and during the recent arduous operations and splendid achievements of His Majesty's arms in Portugal, Spain, and France, and being desirous of conferring upon that officer such a mark of favour as may in an especial manner evince the sense his Royal Highness entertains of the intrepidity and valour displayed by him at the battle of Busaco, wherein, as Lieut.-Colonel of the Staff, he commanded a brigade; at the capture of Badajoz, on the 6th of April, 1812; at the victory of Salamanca, where, in leading his battalion to the charge, he was severely wounded; and his distinguished gallantry at the assault and capture of St. Sebastian, and the battles of the Nive, hath been pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to grant unto the said Colonel Barns, His Majesty's Royal license and authority that he and his descendants may bear the following honourable augmentation to the arms of his family:--

"A chief, thereon the representation of the curtain of a fortification; and above the words 'St. Sebastian,' as also a canton charged, with the representations of the gold cross presented by His Majesty's command to the said James Stevenson Barns, and of the badge of the Royal Portuguese Military Order of the Tower and Sword pendant from the ribands from which the said distinctions are respectively attached.

"And the following crest of honourable augmentation:--

"Issuant from a broken battlement, a dexter arm in armour, the hand grasping a banner inscribed 'St. Sebastian;' in allusion to the conspicuous conduct of the said Colonel Barns, on the 31st of August, 1813, when he gallantly led the 3rd battalion of the ROYALS, and assaulted and carried the curtain of the fortress, thereby eminently contributing to the ultimate capture of that important place; provided the said armorial distinctions be first duly exemplified, according to our law of arms, and recorded in the Herald's Office; otherwise His Majesty's royal license and permission to be void, and of none effect."

[128]

"Port Chatlerain, 29th November, 1815.

"Brigade Order.

"The 4th battalion of the Royals, the 42nd and 92nd regiments, are to march to-morrow morning for Meulans, on their route for Boulogne, to embark for England.

"Major-General Sir Denis Pack, cannot allow these corps to depart from his command without expressing his regret at losing them.

"The conduct of the 4th battalion, Royals, in camp and quarters has been, like that of the 3rd battalion and the two regiments, orderly and soldier-like; and he is confident, from the high state of discipline these corps appear in, they would have emulated their comrades in the 3rd battalion, had the same glorious opportunity been afforded them."

[129] The following return shows the number of men drafted from the 4th to the other battalions on foreign service:--

Key to table:
A.=To what Battalion.
S.=Serjeants.
C.=Corporals.
D.=Drummers.
P.=Privates.
B.=Boys.

+-----------------------+-------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| Date of transfer. | | | | | | | |
+-------+---------------+ A. | S. | C. | D. | P. | B. | Total. |
| Year. | Month. | | | | | | | |
+-------+---------------+-------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| 1807 | April | 2nd | 3 | 3 | 5 | 75 | 68 | 154 |
| 1808 | February | 1st | 3 | 4 | " | 198 | 1 | 206 |
| ---- | June | 3rd | 1 | 1 | " | 124 | 60 | 186 |
| ---- | 6th November | 2nd | 2 | 6 | 7 | 95 | 12 | 122 |
| ---- | 24th December | 3rd | " | 1 | 3 | 146 | " | 150 |
| ---- | 25th " | 2nd | " | " | " | 90 | " | 90 |
| 1809 | 19th January | 3rd | 25 | 23 | 4 | 385 | " | 437 |
| ---- | 25th " | 3rd | " | " | " | " | 91 | 91 |
| ---- | 25th May | 3rd | " | " | 1 | 450 | " | 451 |
| ---- | 3rd December | 1st | 2 | " | " | 120 | " | 122 |
| 1811 | March | 3rd | 4 | 4 | " | 200 | " | 208 |
| 1812 | November | 1st | 5 | 5 | " | 300 | " | 310 |
| ---- | " | 2nd | 2 | 2 | " | 200 | " | 204 |
| ---- | " | 3rd | 2 | 2 | " | 250 | " | 254 |
| | | +-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+
| | | Total | 49 | 51 | 20 | 2633 | 232 | 2985 |
+-------+---------------+-------+-----+-----+-----+------+-----+--------+

[130] This officer was promoted to the rank of Major-General in 1830, and was drowned in the 'Frolic' steam-boat, between Tenby and Bristol, in March, 1831, with his wife, Lady Arabella M'Leod.

[131] This officer was Deputy Adjutant-General to the King's troops, and he placed himself with the flank companies of the Royal Scots on the right, and encouraged the men by his example.

[132] This officer received a severe wound while protecting his brother's body.

[133] Captain Wetherall afterwards rose to the rank of Major in the regiment, and he wrote an historical record of his corps, which was printed in 1832, at the expense of the Colonel, the Duke of Gordon. Although there are some inaccuracies in the work, particularly as regards the formation and early services of the regiment, yet the record was as correct as could be expected from the limited information he was in possession of; and he evinced much laudable zeal and industry in its compilation. He followed the idea of Hamilton, who, in his printed sketch of the ROYAL Regiment, supposes it to have been a continuation of the Scots Guards at the French Court; but this has been proved to be an error. Major Wetherall died, while serving with the 1st battalion at Dominica, on the 7th August, 1833.

[134] It is only an act of justice to state that such was the soldier-like feeling and _esprit de corps_ of the men, after they were made acquainted with the duty that lay before them, that on their falling in with their companions in the camp at Neembolah at twelve o'clock on the night of the 17th of March, there was not one individual amongst them in the least intoxicated, or unfit for duty.

[135] "The promptitude and energy with which the attack was made by the troops under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Fraser, of His Majesty's ROYAL SCOTS, reflect high credit on him and on all the officers and men employed. Our loss has been trifling; Lieutenant Bland, of the ROYAL SCOTS, is wounded. We are now in complete possession of the pettah, and the superintending engineer is employed in erecting a mortar battery to bombard the fort."--_Brigadier-General Doveton's Letter to Captain Stewart, Acting Resident at the Court of Doulat Rao Scindia._

[136] "Yesterday evening a desperate and unexpected sally from the fortress was made upon an advanced post of our troops in the pettah; and it is with extreme regret I have to add that LIEUT.-COLONEL FRASER, of His Majesty's ROYAL SCOTS, who had been appointed by me to command in the pettah, was killed when in the act of gallantly rallying the party and keeping the advance in their position. The enemy was, however, immediately driven back, and compelled to retire again into the fort."--_Brigadier-General Doveton's Despatch._

[137] Lieut.-Colonel Blaker's Mahratta War.

[138] Afterwards Lieut.-General Sir Archibald Campbell, Bt. G.C.B., Colonel of the 62nd Regiment, who died at Edinburgh on the 6th October, 1843.

[139] Now Major-General Sir Richard Armstrong.

[140] "The attack upon Simbike was most handsomely led by Lieut.-Colonel Godwin, with the advanced guard of the right column, consisting of the flank companies of His Majesty's ROYALS, &c. &c."--_London Gazette._

[141] This division consisted of 250 of the ROYALS, 270 of the 41st, 260 of the 89th, the light company of the 28th Madras native infantry, and 100 pioneers.--_London Gazette._

[142] When Dr. Sandford and Lieutenant Bennett were captured, preparations were made to crucify them, but, after an hour's suspense, they were sent away from the river, and eventually forwarded in chains to the capital, a distance of 300 miles. On reaching Ava they were thrown into a loathsome dungeon, crowded with criminals and deserters, where the Doctor remained five, and Lieutenant Bennett ten days, with nothing but a little rice to support them, and even this was occasionally omitted. After being released from gaol they were kept separate. The Doctor was a prisoner at large in the house of an American missionary (Mr. Price), and the king's interpreter; and Lieutenant Bennett was placed under charge of a Burmese constable, and was in chains in a lonely situation during the troubled and fearful state of Ava. From the vindictive and sanguinary disposition of some of the Burmese ministers and chiefs, the lives of the prisoners were in constant jeopardy, particularly during the moments of excitement produced by disastrous intelligence from the army. The prisoners had also to dread that, through the influence and fury of the Queen and Priests, they should be sacrificed as a propitiatory offering to the Burmese gods. On the nearer approach of the British army, the Doctor and Lieutenant Bennett were frequently consulted on European modes of concluding treaties of peace; and the Burmese acknowledged they could not reconcile to their minds the idea that a victorious army, with nothing to impede its progress, should halt within a day or two's march of the capital, and terminate the war on conditions; this was not Burman custom. To use their own simile, they could not believe the cat with the mouse in her claws would refrain from demolishing it; and, therefore, they concluded the pecuniary demand of the English general was merely a ruse to obtain as much precious metal as possible, and afterwards as much territory would be retained as was deemed convenient. To raise their opinion of British faith, the Doctor engaged to convey a letter to the British camp, and to return of his own accord, and his re-appearance astonished the Burmese ministers, and whole population of Ava.

Lieutenant (now Major) Bennett wrote an interesting narrative of the various scenes and incidents he met with, all of a novel and singular nature, and exhibiting traits and peculiarities of the Burman character, which his situation as a prisoner of war could alone develope. This narrative was published in the first and second volumes of the United Service Journal.

[143] _Copy of a letter from Major-General Sir Theophilus Pritzler to the Colonel of the Royal Regiment_:--

"Bangalore, East Indies, 30th July, 1830.

"MY LORD DUKE,

"The 2nd battalion of the ROYAL REGIMENT having been under my command for nearly five years, I cannot allow it to march from Bangalore without conveying to your grace the high opinion I entertain of it both collectively and individually. Its zeal and good conduct as soldiers have been equally conspicuous as its anxiety to produce harmony and good fellowship in society; and it will leave a lasting impression upon the inhabitants of this place, which has been marked in a most flattering manner.

"This battalion has of late been commanded by a particular friend of mine (Lieut.-Colonel Wetherall), in a manner which has produced the goodwill of his officers and soldiers in an eminent degree, and placed the battalion in the highest state of discipline; and I only regret that your grace cannot see it in the state in which it leaves this station, which, after a service in India of 23 years, has, I believe, astonished our Commander-in-Chief, who is now here.

"The corps of officers is highly respectable, and amongst them are some of the finest young men in the army. I am, therefore, confident that, under your grace's protection, the 2nd battalion of the ROYALS will very soon rival our best regiments in England.

"I trust your grace will excuse this long intrusion; I sincerely hope that you enjoy your health; and I have the honour to be,

"My Lord Duke,
"Your faithful and obedient servant,

"THEOPHILUS PRITZLER.

"_To His Grace the Duke of Gordon._"

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF THE

FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT.

SIR JOHN HEPBURN,

_Appointed 26th January, 1633_.

JOHN HEPBURN[144] descended from the Hepburns of Bothwell, an ancient and distinguished family, which for many ages had extensive possessions in East Lothian. His father was proprietor of the lands of Althestaneford, and gave young Hepburn a liberal education. From his earliest youth he was remarkable for spirit and resolution. When he quitted college he made the tour of part of Europe (in 1615), and the rising fame of Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, of whose character he heard frequent commendations, gave birth to a spark of military ardour within his breast which was never extinguished till his death. Soon after his return from his travels, when the attempt was made to rescue Bohemia from the power of Austria, he engaged in the cause of liberty, and commanded a company of foot at several sieges and actions in Bohemia, Alsace, and Germany, and at the battle near Fleurus. When the King of Bohemia's forces were disbanded, he entered the service of the Swedish monarch. In his first essay in arms he displayed an ardour which procured him the favour and approbation of Gustavus, whose vigilant eye soon detected in this aspiring youth all the qualities requisite to constitute an excellent soldier. After a short service in the subordinate commissions he was quickly advanced to the command of a regiment, and was employed in services which required a considerable portion of skill and valour. He was invariably either at the head of his regiment, or at the head of the brigade of which his regiment formed part, and, as his regiment was incorporated into a Scots corps in the French service, now the FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT, his services are set forth in the historical record of this corps, where his name will be found associated with deeds of valour and heroism of particular brilliancy. He appears to have been celebrated equally for bravery, skill, and humanity: he was beloved and esteemed by Gustavus Adolphus, and also by his companions in arms, both officers and soldiers; and his presence inspired confidence in the ranks of the brave Scots who fought under his command.[145]

That innate spirit and fire which constituted a part of his character, rendered him incapable of brooking even an imaginary injury; and Gustavus Adolphus, who was equally remarkable for the fiery temperament of his constitution, having uttered one or two sharp expressions to the brave Scottish warrior, he declared he would never more unsheath his sword in the Swedish quarrel. The king is said to have placed more confidence in this officer than in any other colonel in the Swedish army; and some days before their disagreement his Majesty had appointed him to the command of half the infantry in the camp at Nuremberg. The king afterwards made several condescensions to Hepburn, and appeared particularly desirous of retaining this valuable officer in his service; but the Scottish hero was inflexible, and he quitted the Swedish army in 1632. On his arrival at the British court, his fame having preceded him, he was knighted. He soon afterwards tendered his services to the king of France, who was too well acquainted with the character, capabilities, and experience of this renowned Scot, not to give him employment, and he was placed at the head of a regiment, constituted of some new levies and old Scots companies in the French service, now the FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT, in the BRITISH line. His commission was dated the 26th of January, 1633; and at the head of this corps he distinguished himself in Alsace and Germany, and had the satisfaction of seeing many of the veterans of his former regiment incorporated in his new corps. He commanded a division of the French army on the Rhine, and was on the point of being advanced to the dignity of a Marshal of France; but he was killed at the siege of Saverne, before the diploma reached him. Thus terminated the career of one of the best officers Scotland ever produced. He was known in France by the title of the CHEVALIER HEBRON; and such was the fame of his gallantry, that, although he was killed in the reign of Louis XIII., a monument was erected to his memory some years afterwards by Louis XIV., in the cathedral of Toul. A contemporary historian (Lithgow) states "_he was one of the best soldiers in Christendom, and, consequently, in the world_."

JAMES HEPBURN,

_Appointed 26th August, 1636_.

This officer was cousin to Sir John Hepburn, and heir apparent of the ancient house of Wachton. He was one of the gallant Scots, who, led by a native ardour for military fame, sought renown in foreign lands, and fought under the great Gustavus Adolphus in the glorious attempt made by that monarch to rescue the Protestant princes of Germany from the power of the emperor. In toils, dangers, and triumphs, he was the companion of Sir John Hepburn. He rose to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel in the Swedish army; and having transferred his services to the crown of France, he succeeded Sir John Hepburn in the Colonelcy of the Scots corps, now the ROYAL REGIMENT. He was killed in action in Lorraine a few months afterwards; but the particular circumstances connected with his fall have not been ascertained.

LORD JAMES DOUGLAS,

_Appointed in 1637_.

LORD JAMES DOUGLAS, second son of William, first Marquis of Douglas, acquired celebrity in the wars between the house of Austria and the Protestant league, and distinguished himself in France, Flanders, Italy, and Germany. He obtained the Colonelcy of the Scots corps, now the ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT, in 1637; and was killed while in the command of a flying camp between Douay and Arras in October, 1655. A monument was erected to his memory in the church of St. Germain de Prez, at Paris, with an inscription in Latin.

LORD GEORGE DOUGLAS,

_Appointed 21st October, 1655_.

LORD GEORGE DOUGLAS was the son of William, first Marquis of Douglas, by his second wife Mary, daughter of George, first Marquis of Huntly. In his youth he was page of honour to Louis XIV. Having made choice of the profession of arms, he entered the service of the king of France, and succeeded his brother in the Colonelcy of the Scots Regiment, now the ROYAL REGIMENT, in the British line. In 1672 he served with the French army in the Netherlands, and was attached to the division commanded by Marshal Turenne. He afterwards served several campaigns with the French army on the Rhine; highly distinguished himself in the defence of Treves, and was promoted to the rank of Major-General in France. He was created EARL OF DUMBARTON on the 9th of March, 1675.

In the early part of the reign of King James II. the Earl of Dumbarton was Commander-in-Chief in Scotland; and he commanded the troops which suppressed the rebellion of the Earl of Argyle in the summer of 1685. He was subsequently elected a Knight Companion of the Order of the Thistle. He held the rank of Lieut.-General in England, and was second in command of the army encamped on Hounslow Heath in 1687 and 1688. At the Revolution he adhered to King James II., whom he followed to France, where he died in 1692.

FREDERICK DUKE SCHOMBERG,

_Appointed 31st December, 1688_.

FREDERICK DE SCHOMBERG descended from an ancient and noble family of that name of the Palatinate, or Lower Rhine; and, during the struggle made by the Protestant states of Europe against the power of Austria and Spain, he served under Frederick Henry Prince of Orange, after whose death he engaged in the service of the King of France.

Portugal, after having been subject to Spain many years, asserted its independence in 1640; and a sanguinary war commenced between the two kingdoms. The Spaniards had penetrated into the heart of Portugal, and were anticipating its speedy subjugation, when Louis XIV. sent General de Schomberg secretly to the aid of the house of Braganza. He was already famous for his successful defence of Bourbourg against two powerful armies, and for his conduct in the wars in Rouissillon; and, when placed at the head of the Portuguese forces, his name at once aroused the desponding adherents of the Braganza family, and inspired them with new hopes and new expectations. While his presence infused courage into the army, his discretion, for which he was always remarkable, directed its energies to advantage; towns were taken, battles were won, and finally a powerful army headed by Don John of Austria was defeated, and the Spanish monarch forced, in 1668, to acknowledge the independence of Portugal, and to conclude a peace with the house of Braganza. His success excited the surprise of Europe, and his achievements were celebrated by poets and orators in several languages.[146]

After his success in Portugal he commanded a French force against the Spaniards in Catalonia; and his merits became so conspicuous, that in 1675 he was promoted by Louis XIV. to the dignity of a marshal of France. He subsequently commanded the French army in the Netherlands, and in 1676 he forced the Prince of Orange to raise the siege of Maestricht. In a few years afterwards the king of France endeavoured to suppress the Protestant religion in his kingdom, when Marshal de Schomberg, refusing to become a papist, his services appear to have been, to a certain extent, forgotten. Various means had formerly been used, and prospects of advancement to the highest honours held out, to induce him to change his religion, but in vain; and he now obtained liberty to quit France on condition of his proceeding to Portugal. Soon afterwards he obtained permission to proceed to Germany; and the emperor designed to have placed this distinguished veteran at the head of his armies, but was prevented by the influence of the Jesuits. The Elector of Brandenburg availed himself of the services of Marshal de Schomberg, and appointed him a minister of state, and Generalissimo of Prussia.

When William Prince of Orange (afterwards William III.) was preparing an army for a descent on Britain, to oppose the proceedings of James II., his Highness was desirous of obtaining the services of Marshal de Schomberg, who was considered one of the greatest captains of his time, and, being devoted to the Protestant interest, he consented to accompany the Prince. The success which attended this enterprise enabled his Highness to reward the veteran commander, who was appointed Colonel of the ROYAL REGIMENT, and Master-General of the Ordnance. He was also constituted a Knight of the Garter, and created Baron of Teyes, Earl of Brentford, Marquis of Harwich, and DUKE SCHOMBERG. During the summer of 1689 he was sent Commander-in-Chief to Ireland to relieve the persecuted Protestants, and to rescue that kingdom from the power of King James; and he was killed at the battle of the Boyne, in July, 1690, while gallantly advancing with a regiment of foot to charge the enemy. Thus terminated the life of this distinguished veteran in the 84th year of his age. He was buried at St. Patrick's, Dublin, where a stone with an inscription was placed over his tomb by the Dean and Chapter of the church.

SIR ROBERT DOUGLAS,

_Appointed 5th March, 1691_.

Amongst the many officers which Scotland has produced, who have signalized themselves in war, few have evinced brighter military virtues than the brave SIR ROBERT DOUGLAS of Glenbervie. He was second cousin to the Earl of Dumbarton; he served many years in the ROYAL REGIMENT, in which he rose to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel; and he was known as a brave and generous aspirant to military fame, when King William III. promoted him to the Colonelcy of the REGIMENT. Bright prospects of future glory were before him. He had already given astonishing proofs of personal bravery at the battle of STEENKIRK, when he saw one of the colours of his regiment in the hands of the French. He instantly rushed forward into the thickest of the enemy's ranks, and rescued the colour at the expense of his life, as more fully detailed in the historical record of the ROYAL REGIMENT. He lived beloved and admired, and fell regretted by his sovereign and country, but more particularly by the officers and men of his regiment, with whom he had served in various parts of the world, and in whose breasts his memory was cherished with particular tenderness. By his fall he purchased a renown which more fortunate commanders have failed to acquire; and the story of his gallantry will survive to the remotest ages.

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON,

_Appointed 1st August, 1692_.

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON, fifth son of William Duke of Hamilton, was an officer in the ROYAL REGIMENT in the reign of Charles II., and also of James II.,[147] and, adhering to the Protestant interest at the Revolution in 1688, he was advanced to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel, and on the 1st of March, 1690, to the brevet rank of Colonel. He served under King William III. in Ireland, and distinguished himself at the battle of the Boyne; and in 1691 he was at the siege of Athlone, at the battle of Aghrim, and at the capture of Limerick. In January, 1692, he was appointed Colonel of the 7th Royal Fusiliers, at the head of which corps he distinguished himself at the battle of Steenkirk, and his gallantry was rewarded with the Colonelcy of the ROYAL REGIMENT. Continuing to serve under King William in the Netherlands, he distinguished himself in 1693 at the unfortunate battle of Landen, and in 1695 at the siege and capture of Namur, and while engaged in this service he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General. On the 3rd of January, 1696, he was advanced to the peerage by the title of Baron Dechmont, Viscount of Kirkwall, and EARL OF ORKNEY; and in March, 1702, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He served the campaign of this year under the Earl of Marlborough, and was engaged in the siege of Stevenswart. He commanded a brigade of infantry during the campaign of 1703, was advanced to the rank of Lieut.-General, and invested with the Order of the Thistle in 1704; and, having proceeded with the army into the heart of Germany, took part in gaining the glorious victories of Schellenberg and Blenheim. In 1705 he distinguished himself at the siege and capture of Huy; and in the following year at the battle of Ramilies, and the siege of Menin. He also took a distinguished part in the battle of Oudenarde; in covering the siege of Lisle; and in forcing the passage of the Scheldt in 1708. In 1709 he distinguished himself in the movements which preceded and led to the battle of Malplaquet, and during this hard contested action he signalized himself at the head of fifteen battalions of infantry. He also signalized himself at the siege of Douay in 1710; and in the beginning of the following year he was promoted to the rank of General. He was also engaged in passing the French lines in 1711, and commanded twenty battalions of infantry at the siege of Bouchain.

On these occasions the EARL OF ORKNEY had evinced personal bravery and military talents of a superior character. At the close of the war he was a member of the Privy Council, and Governor of Edinburgh Castle. On the accession of George I. he was appointed one of the Lords of the Bedchamber to His Majesty, and Governor of Virginia; and in January, 1736, he was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. He was many years one of the sixteen representatives of the Scottish peerage, and died in January, 1737.

HONOURABLE JAMES ST. CLAIR,

_Appointed 27th June, 1737_.

This officer entered the army in the reign of Queen Anne, and had the honour of serving under the celebrated John Duke of Marlborough. He was several years in the 3rd Foot Guards; and in 1722 he obtained the brevet rank of Colonel. In October, 1734, King George II. appointed him Colonel of the 22nd Foot; and in 1737 promoted him to the Colonelcy of the ROYAL REGIMENT. He obtained the rank of Brigadier-General in 1739, that of Major-General in 1741, and Lieut.-General in June, 1745, at which time he was performing the duty of Quarter-Master General to the army in the Netherlands, commanded by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland. In the following year he commanded an expedition which was originally designed for an attack on the French settlements in Canada; but was countermanded, and afterwards made an attack on the French sea-port L'Orient, and on the peninsula of Quiberon.[148] He was subsequently employed on an embassy to the courts of Vienna and Turin.[149] On the decease of his brother in 1750, he became entitled to the dignity of Lord Sinclair, a Scottish peerage; but he preferred a seat in the House of Commons, of which he had been many years a member, and he therefore did not assume the title. He was promoted to the rank of General in 1761, and died at Dysart in November, 1762.

SIR HENRY ERSKINE, BART.,

_Appointed 17th December, 1762_.

SIR HENRY ERSKINE was an officer of the ROYAL REGIMENT, in which corps he was appointed Captain on the 12th March, 1743; in April, 1746, he was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel, and held the appointment of Deputy Quarter-Master General to the expedition under Lieut.-General St. Clair, which made a descent on the French coast, in which service he was wounded. In June, 1759, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General; and in October, 1760, he obtained the Colonelcy of the 67th regiment, from which he was removed in 1761 to the 25th Regiment, and in 1762 to the Colonelcy of the ROYALS. He was a Member of Parliament, and Secretary to the Order of the Thistle, and died in August, 1765.

JOHN MARQUIS OF LORNE,

_Appointed 11th September, 1765_.

JOHN CAMPBELL entered the army in the reign of King George II., and was appointed Lieut.-Colonel of the 54th Regiment, now the 43rd Light Infantry, on the 25th of April, 1745, and served a short time on the Continent. The rebellion breaking out in Scotland in the same year, he quitted the Netherlands, and joined General Hawley with 1000 Argyleshire highlanders in January, 1746, on the day of the unfortunate battle of Falkirk. He subsequently joined the Duke of Cumberland at Perth, and accompanied his Royal Highness to the north. In November, 1755, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel, and appointed Aide-de-camp to the King. In the following month he obtained the Colonelcy of the 54th Regiment, then first embodied, from which he was removed in April, 1757, to the 14th Dragoons, and two years afterwards he was promoted to the rank of Major-General, and appointed Colonel of the Argyleshire Fencibles. In January, 1761, he was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General. On the decease of his uncle, Archibald, third Duke of Argyle, in 1761, his father, General John Campbell, of the Scots Greys, succeeded to that title, and Lieut.-General Campbell of the 14th Dragoons obtained the designation of MARQUIS OF LORNE. In 1762 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief in Scotland, and in 1765 he obtained the Colonelcy of the ROYAL Regiment of Foot. He was again appointed Commander-in-Chief in Scotland in 1767, and in 1770 he succeeded to the title of DUKE OF ARGYLE. In March, 1778, he was promoted to the rank of General; four years afterwards he was removed from the ROYALS to the 3rd Foot Guards, and he was advanced to the rank of Field Marshal in 1796. The many virtues for which his Grace was distinguished occasioned him to be highly honoured and respected in society; and he died lamented on the 24th of May, 1806, in the 83rd year of his age.

LORD ADAM GORDON,

_Appointed 9th May, 1782_.

LORD ADAM GORDON, fourth son of Alexander second Duke of Gordon, was appointed Captain in the 18th Royal Irish Regiment of Foot on the 12th of December, 1746, and Captain and Lieut.-Colonel in the Third Foot Guards on the 2nd of January, 1756. In 1758 he proceeded with the expedition under General Bligh against the French coast; was at the capture of Cherbourg, and the descent on the coast of Brittany, and distinguished himself at the head of his company while bringing up the rear of the army when attacked by the enemy during the embarkation at St. Cass. He was promoted to the Colonelcy of the 66th Regiment in January, 1763, and subsequently held a command in North America. In May, 1772, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General; in December, 1775, he was removed to the 26th Cameronians; and in the following year he rose to the rank of Lieut.-General. He was appointed Governor of Tynemouth Castle in 1778; was removed to the ROYAL REGIMENT in 1782; and appointed Commander-in-Chief in Scotland in 1789. He was further promoted to the rank of General in 1793, and in 1796 he was appointed Governor of Edinburgh Castle. He was several years a Member of Parliament, but vacated his seat in 1788. He prided himself much on being Colonel of the ROYAL REGIMENT, and took particular interest in everything connected with the corps. His decease took place in August, 1801.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF KENT,

_Appointed 21st August, 1801_.

During the early part of this century the ROYAL Regiment of Foot had the honour of being commanded by a Prince who was distinguished alike for his social and military virtues,--namely, FIELD MARSHAL HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS EDWARD DUKE OF KENT and STRATHEARN, the father of HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN VICTORIA.