Chapter III: Part 3

During the summer of 1740 the ROYAL DRAGOONS were encamped (with three other regiments of cavalry and six of infantry) near Newbury, and afterwards near Devizes, under the orders of General Wade. In October they marched from camp into quarters in Leicestershire; and in November, 1741, removed into Somersetshire.

[Sidenote: 1742]

In the mean time hostilities had commenced on the continent, and France, Bavaria, and Prussia were endeavouring to deprive the house of Austria of its hereditary dominions. King George II. resolved to support the Austrians; and in the summer of 1742 his Majesty sent Field Marshal the Earl of Stair with sixteen thousand men to Flanders. The ROYAL DRAGOONS were selected for this service, and, having been reviewed by his Majesty on Hounslow Heath, they embarked in August, and after their arrival in Flanders were stationed in the cavalry barracks at Ghent.

[Sidenote: 1743]

Leaving Ghent in February, 1743, the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched for Germany; and in June they were encamped, with the other forces, near Aschaffenburg, on the river Maine, where they were joined by King George II. and the Duke of Cumberland. On the 26th of June the army marched for Hanau, a town of Hesse-Cassel, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS formed part of the advance-column. When on the march the French were discovered in position near _Dettingen_: his Majesty commanded the army to form opposite the enemy, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS were posted near the right of the line.

The French advanced from their position and attacked the left of the allied army; the contest soon became general, and the English cavalry engaged the French cuirassiers with varied success. The MOUSQUETAIRES NOIRS, a choice corps of French cavalry, separated themselves from their line, and, passing between two columns of infantry, rushed headlong towards the British cavalry. The ROYAL DRAGOONS, undaunted by this audacity, met the French horsemen with a cool, determined bearing, and, encountering them in mid-onset, overthrew the presumptuous squadrons, cut them down with a dreadful slaughter, and captured a STANDARD. The ROYAL DRAGOONS were afterwards engaged with the enemy's household troops; they were again victorious, and, though without armour, fought and triumphed over their steel-clad opponents, and received the thanks of his Majesty for their gallant conduct. Eventually the French army was overthrown, and driven from the field with great loss.

In this action the ROYAL DRAGOONS had six men and thirty-four horses killed and wounded. The STANDARD of the MOUSQUETAIRES NOIRS was taken by a serjeant of the right squadron. It was of white satin, embroidered with gold and silver: in the middle a bunch of nine arrows tied with a wreath, with the motto _Alterius Jovis altera tela_. The lance was broken, the standard was stained with blood; the cornet who carried it was killed without falling, being buckled to his horse, and his standard buckled to him.[47]

The ROYAL DRAGOONS passed the night near the field of battle, exposed to a heavy storm of rain, and on the following day marched with the army to Hanau, and encamped on the banks of the river Kinzig, where they remained until the early part of August, when they advanced, and, having crossed the Rhine above Mentz, were employed in operations in West Germany. Nothing of importance, however, transpired; and in October they commenced their march for Mentz, where they repassed the Rhine, and, proceeding through the duchy of Nassau, the principality of Liege, and province of Brabant, entered Flanders, and, arriving at Ghent on the 18th of November, again occupied part of the cavalry barrack at that place.

[Sidenote: 1744]

The campaign of 1744 passed without any general engagement. The army penetrated the French territory; but the services of the ROYAL DRAGOONS were limited to piquets, out-guards, and protecting foraging parties from the attacks of the French garrisons; and in October they returned to their former station at Ghent.

[Sidenote: 1745]

In April, 1745, the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched from their winter quarters, and encamped near Brussels. The enemy assembled a numerous army, and invested _Tournay_, the chief town of a district in the province of Hainault; and the Duke of Cumberland, though inferior to the French in numbers by above thirty thousand men, resolved to attack them. His Royal Highness accordingly advanced; and on the 10th of May (N.S.) a squadron of the ROYAL DRAGOONS was engaged, with other forces, in driving in the enemy's out-guards and piquets. The French army was discovered in order of battle on a gentle ascent protected by batteries, and rising gradually from the plain near _Fontenoy_. At daybreak on the morning of the 11th of May the allies moved forward, but, having many defiles to pass, the attack did not commence until near ten o'clock. The British infantry advanced against the enemy, and throughout the day they displayed the greatest valour and intrepidity; but the Dutch did not evince equal resolution, and their failure occasioned the most unfortunate results. It was near the conclusion of the action before the ROYAL DRAGOONS were called upon to charge, when they advanced through a hollow way abounding with difficulties, and were exposed to the destructive fire of two batteries: they charged by alternate squadrons with all the spirit and resolution which characterizes the attack of British cavalry. But the Duke of Cumberland, perceiving that, from the failure of the Dutch and other causes, it was impossible to retrieve the fortune of the day, ordered a retreat, and the army marched from the field of battle, and encamped near Aeth.

The loss of the regiment in this engagement was fifteen men and sixty-nine horses killed; with Lieutenant-Colonel Naizon, Cornets Hartwell, Desmeret, and Creighton, thirty-one men, and forty-seven horses wounded.

The allied army afterwards encamped on the plain of the Dender, near Lessines; and subsequently near Brussels.

In the mean time Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, arrived in Scotland with a ship laden with arms, and, being joined by several of the Highland clans, took the opportunity of the King's army being abroad to make a desperate effort to gain the throne. Several regiments were immediately ordered to England; and in November the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched to Williamstadt, in North Brabant, and embarked; but the shipping was delayed for some time by contrary winds, and several horses were lost from the transports being stranded.

[Sidenote: 1746]

After their arrival in England the ROYAL DRAGOONS formed part of the army assembled near the metropolis to repel the threatened descent of a French force on the southern coast of the kingdom.

[Sidenote: 1747]

[Sidenote: 1748]

The rebellion having been suppressed by the victory at Culloden, the ROYAL DRAGOONS continued in the south of England: they were stationed at Windsor, Reading, and Colnbrook, and had the honour of furnishing travelling escorts for the royal family: in July, 1746, one troop attended the Princess Caroline at Bath. On the 26th of December, 1747, they were reviewed by His Majesty on Hounslow Heath: in the following summer they were employed on coast duty in Lincolnshire, and in suppressing riots among the weavers in Lancashire.

[Sidenote: 1749]

[Sidenote: 1750]

After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle the establishment was reduced to two hundred and eighty-five officers and men; and in 1750 the regiment marched to Scotland.

[Sidenote: 1751]

A regulation was issued in 1751 relative to the clothing and standards of the several regiments; from which the following particulars have been extracted relative to the ROYAL DRAGOONS:--

COATS--scarlet; double breasted; without lappels; lined with blue; slit sleeves turned up with blue; the button-holes worked with narrow yellow lace; the buttons of yellow metal, set on two and two; a long slash pocket in each skirt; and a yellow worsted aiguillette on the right shoulder.

WAISTCOATS and BREECHES--blue.

HATS--bound with gold lace, and ornamented with a yellow metal loop, and a black cockade.

BOOTS--of jacked leather.

CLOAKS--of scarlet cloth, with a blue collar, and lined with blue shalloon; the buttons set on two and two upon yellow frogs or loops, with a blue stripe down the centre.

HORSE FURNITURE--of scarlet cloth; the holster-caps and housings having a border of royal lace, with a blue stripe down the centre; the crest of England within the garter, embroidered on each corner of the housing; and on the holster-caps, the King's cipher and crown, with I.D underneath.

OFFICERS--distinguished by gold lace; their coats and waistcoats bound with gold embroidery; the button-holes worked with gold; and a crimson silk sash worn across the left shoulder.

QUARTER-MASTERS--to wear a crimson sash round the waist.

SERJEANTS--to have narrow gold lace on the cuffs, pockets, and shoulder-straps; gold shoulder-knots or aiguillettes, and yellow and blue worsted sashes tied round the waist.

DRUMMERS and HAUTBOYS--clothed in scarlet coats lined with blue, and ornamented with royal lace with a blue stripe down the centre; their waistcoats and breeches of blue cloth.

_Guidons._--The first or King's guidon to be of crimson silk, embroidered and fringed with gold and silver; in the centre the rose and thistle conjoined and crown over them, with the motto _Dieu et mon Droit_ underneath: the white horse in a compartment in the first and fourth corners, and I.D in gold characters on a blue ground in a compartment in the second and third corners. The second and third guidons to be of blue silk, in the centre the crest of England within the garter on a crimson ground: the white horse on a scarlet ground in the first and fourth compartments, and I.D within a wreath of roses and thistles upon a scarlet ground in the second and third compartments.

[Sidenote: 1752]

[Sidenote: 1753]

[Sidenote: 1754]

In 1752 the ROYAL DRAGOONS returned to England, and were stationed at York, from whence they marched, in October, 1753, into quarters in Norfolk and Essex, and in September of the following year they proceeded into extensive cantonments in Kent.

[Sidenote: 1755]

Disputes having occurred between England and France relating to the boundaries of the British possessions in North America, hostilities commenced in 1755, when an augmentation of one hundred men was made to the establishment: a _light troop_, consisting of three officers, one quarter-master, two serjeants, three corporals, two drummers, and sixty private soldiers,[48] was raised and added to the regiment on the same principle as the light companies to regiments of infantry.

[Sidenote: 1756]

[Sidenote: 1757]

War was declared against France in 1756, when the French monarch made preparations for a descent on the British coast, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS were stationed in the maritime towns in the southern counties: during the summer of 1757 they were encamped near Salisbury.

[Sidenote: 1758]

The British military establishment having been considerably augmented, His Majesty was prepared to act offensively against France; and in 1758 the _light troop_ of the ROYAL DRAGOONS formed part of an expedition commanded by Charles, Duke of Marlborough, which landed on the coast of Brittany and destroyed the French shipping and magazines at _St. Maloes_. This troop was afterwards engaged in a second expedition to the coast of France, commanded by General Bligh, when a landing was effected in the Bay des Marées, and _Cherbourg_ was taken: it was also engaged in the second descent on the coast of Brittany.

[Sidenote: 1759]

[Sidenote: 1760]

On the 5th of April, 1759, the colonelcy, having become vacant by the decease of General Hawley, was conferred on HENRY SEYMOUR CONWAY, from the fourth Irish horse, now seventh dragoon guards. In the same year the establishment of each of the six heavy troops was augmented to sixty private men, and the light troop to eighty-nine; making a total of five hundred and forty-four officers and men; and in the following year the light troop was further augmented to four officers, one quarter-master, four serjeants, four corporals, two drummers, and one hundred and eighteen private men.

In the mean time a British army had proceeded to Germany, and was serving in conjunction with the Hanoverian, Hessian, and Brunswick troops, commanded by Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick; and in the spring of 1760 the ROYAL DRAGOONS, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel JAMES JOHNSTON,[49] embarked for foreign service, and, having landed at Bremen, in Lower Saxony, on the 16th and 17th of April, joined the army encamped near Fritzlar, in the principality of Lower Hesse, on the 21st of that month. On the 22nd they were reviewed by the Duke of Brunswick, who was pleased to express his approbation of their appearance.

After much manœuvring and skirmishing, thirty thousand French troops, commanded by the Chevalier de Muy, crossed the Dymel to cut off the communication of the allied army with Westphalia. The ROYAL DRAGOONS, with several other corps, were immediately sent forward to Liebenau, under the command of the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick, to secure the bridge across the Dymel; and being followed by the main body, the Prince advanced to the vicinity of _Warbourg_, and reconnoitred the French forces in position near that place, whom he resolved to attack on the following day.

At daybreak on the morning of the 31st of July the ROYAL DRAGOONS, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel JAMES JOHNSTON, left their camp on the heights of Corbeke, and making a detour through several villages gained the left flank of the French army. Several other corps having arrived at the same point, the attack was immediately commenced, and after a sharp dispute the enemy gave way and retired upon _Warbourg_, where he was again attacked and driven across the Dymel with great loss. The ROYAL DRAGOONS encountered the French cavalry corps of royal Piedmont, and acquitted themselves with their accustomed gallantry. They afterwards charged a corps of Swiss infantry (the regiment of Planta) with distinguished bravery, broke its ranks, and after sabring many of the men took twenty-one officers and two hundred soldiers prisoners: many of the Swiss attempting to escape were drowned in the Dymel. Three troops of the ROYAL DRAGOONS formed part of the force under the Marquis of Granby, which pursued the enemy across the Dymel and halted that night on the heights of Wilda: the other three, having suffered severely in the attack on the Swiss infantry, remained at Warbourg.[50] In a general order issued on the occasion, Prince Ferdinand declared that "ALL THE BRITISH CAVALRY PERFORMED PRODIGIES OF VALOUR."

The ROYAL DRAGOONS lost in this action eight men and twenty-one horses killed; and twelve men and thirteen horses wounded.

The regiment was subsequently encamped on the banks of the Dymel, and on the 1st of October was despatched towards the Lower Rhine, forming part of a separate corps under the Hereditary Prince, which invested _Wesel_, a town in the duchy of Cleves.

The enemy advanced in force to relieve the besieged, and encamped, on the 14th of October, behind the convent of _Campen_. Immediately after dark on the evening of the same day, the ROYAL DRAGOONS and other corps advanced towards the enemy, the Hereditary Prince designing to surprise him in the night; but it was found necessary to dislodge a corps which occupied the convent of _Campen_, and this occasioned some firing, which alarmed the French camp, and the troops were immediately formed in order of battle.

The action commenced before daybreak, and a succession of attacks, repulses, and charges were kept up until nine at night, in which the ROYAL DRAGOONS took an active part, and they are reported to have "behaved extremely well." Two pieces of cannon and a pair of colours were captured; but at length the Prince perceived that it was impossible to drive the enemy out of a wood of which he had possessed himself, and, the allied infantry having expended all their ammunition, his Highness ordered a retreat.

The ROYAL DRAGOONS had eight men and ten horses killed; Lieut.-Colonel Johnston, two men, and four horses, wounded; Captain Wilson, Lieutenant Goldsworthy, Cornet Duffe, and twenty-five men, taken prisoners. The regiment repassed the Rhine on the 18th of October, and was cantoned in the principality of Hesse, where the officers received orders to wear mourning for his late Majesty King George II.

[Sidenote: 1761]

In February, 1761, the regiment was engaged in an incursion into the French cantonments, and took part in several skirmishes with the enemy. In the spring a remount joined from England.

After much manœuvring, the allied army took post in Prussian Westphalia, on the rivers Asse and Lippe, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS were encamped on the heights between Illingen and Hohenover.[51] On the 15th of July the enemy attacked the troops under the Marquis of Granby at _Kirch Denkern_, when the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched across the Asse by the bridge at Hans Hohenover, and advanced to support the corps attacked. After a sharp action the enemy was repulsed with loss. The fire of the skirmishers was, however, kept up throughout the night, and on the following morning the enemy renewed the engagement with great fury. During this day the ROYAL DRAGOONS were posted near Vellinghausen, and, when the enemy's columns of attack were repulsed, advanced to charge, but were prevented by the hedges and marshy hollows which intersected the country. They were subsequently employed in military operations on the Dymel, and afterwards marched into the electorate of Hanover, and were engaged in a skirmish near _Eimbeck_ in the early part of November. On the same night they marched through a heavy snow to _Foorwohle_, where they encountered and drove back some French cavalry. On the 9th of November they had another skirmish at _Foorwohle_, and subsequently marched into quarters in East Friesland.

[Sidenote: 1762]

The ROYAL DRAGOONS left their winter quarters in May, 1762, and on the 18th of June joined the army encamped at Brackel, in the bishopric of Paderborn, from whence they marched to the heights of Tissel. The French army, commanded by Marshals d'Estrées and Soubise, took post at _Groebenstien_, where Prince Ferdinand resolved to attack them on the 24th of June, and the army was ordered to move forward in several columns for that purpose.

Moving from their camp-ground at daybreak, the ROYAL DRAGOONS passed the Dymel at Liebenau about four in the morning, and advanced against the enemy's camp. The manœuvre was conducted with such address, that the army was in presence of the French before they had the least apprehension of an attack, and, being instantly assaulted in front, flank, and rear, they retired in confusion, leaving all their equipage behind them. The ROYAL DRAGOONS had advanced against the enemy's front, and they were subsequently employed in surrounding a division of the French army commanded by General Stainville in the woods of _Wilhelmsthal_, where several corps were made prisoners. The pursuit was continued, and the French took refuge under the cannon of Cassel; the ROYAL DRAGOONS then retired a few miles, and encamped near Holtzhausen.

During the remainder of the campaign the ROYAL DRAGOONS were employed in operations on the Fulde, the Eder, and the Lahn, which were attended with such signal success, that a considerable portion of territory was wrested from the power of the enemy, and the allies took Cassel.

These successes were followed by a treaty of peace, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS proceeded into quarters in the bishopric of Munster.

At the close of the military operations of the year, when the army marched into winter quarters, Colonel JAMES JOHNSTON, of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, who had commanded the regiment since the 7th of April, 1759, and during the campaign of 1762 had commanded the brigade composed of the ROYALS and second dragoon guards, received a most flattering mark of the approbation of the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick (afterwards reigning Duke, who married Princess Augusta, sister to George III.; he died of the wounds he received at the battle of Jena in 1808), namely, a valuable gold snuff-box, embellished with highly-chased military trophies, accompanied by an autograph letter, of which the following is a copy:--

"_Munden_, ce 17 de Nov. 1762.

"Monsieur,

"Vous m'obligerez sensiblement en acceptant la babiole que je
joins ici, comme une marque de l'estime et de la considération
parfaite que je vous porte, et comme un souvenir d'un ami qui
jamais ne finera d'être,

"Monsieur,
"Votre très humble et très dévoué serviteur,
"CHARLES PR. HER. DE B.

"_A Mons. le Col. Johnston._"

[Sidenote: 1763]

During the winter shipping arrived from England to convey the troops home. The ROYAL DRAGOONS commenced their march for Williamstadt in February, 1763, and embarked at that port for England. According to the official returns, the strength of the regiment was fourteen officers, three hundred and twenty-nine men, and four hundred and twenty-three horses, with twenty-four servants and thirty-five women.

After their return from Germany the ROYAL DRAGOONS were ordered to proceed to Scotland; at the same time the light troop was disbanded, and the establishment was reduced to two hundred and thirty-one officers and soldiers. Eight men per troop were equipped as light dragoons, and mounted on small horses for skirmishing and other light services; the remainder of the regiment was mounted on large horses of superior weight and power.

[Sidenote: 1764]

In 1764 the regiment marched to South Britain; and an order was received to remount with long-tailed horses. On the 9th of May in the same year the colonelcy was conferred on HENRY EARL OF PEMBROKE, who had recently distinguished himself in the campaigns in Germany.

[Sidenote: 1766]

[Sidenote: 1767]

[Sidenote: 1768]

[Sidenote: 1769]

[Sidenote: 1770]

[Sidenote: 1771]

[Sidenote: 1772]

[Sidenote: 1773]

The six drummers borne on the establishment were, in 1766, ordered to be replaced by trumpeters; and on the 4th of May in the following year King George III. reviewed the regiment in Hyde Park, and expressed his approbation of its appearance and high state of discipline.[52] After the review it marched to the north of England; and in 1769 was stationed in Scotland; but returned to England in the following year, and, after occupying various quarters in the southern and western counties, was again reviewed by his Majesty on the 17th of May, 1773, on Finchley Common; and, according to the journals of that period, its excellent condition and correct manœuvring procured the approbation of the King, and excited the admiration of the princes, noblemen, general officers, and other spectators.

[Sidenote: 1774]

[Sidenote: 1775]

[Sidenote: 1777]

During the summer the ROYAL DRAGOONS again proceeded to the north, and, after occupying quarters for a short period in Yorkshire, marched to Scotland, where they were stationed during the summer of 1774; but returned to England in the succeeding year; and on the 24th of May, 1777, were reviewed in brigade with the second dragoon guards, on Wimbledon Common, by the King, accompanied by several of the young princes, and attended by a retinue of noblemen and general officers.

[Sidenote: 1778]

Hostilities having commenced between Great Britain and the colonies in North America, an augmentation was made in the strength of the regular army; and in 1778 six serjeants, six corporals, and one hundred and twenty-six private men were added to the ROYAL DRAGOONS. During the summer they were encamped, with several other corps, on Coxheath, near Maidstone, where they were reviewed by the King.

[Sidenote: 1779]

In 1779 the men of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, equipped as light dragoons, with the light troops of the third dragoon guards, and sixth and eleventh dragoons, were incorporated into a regiment which was numbered the twentieth light dragoons.[53] During the summer the third dragoon guards, ROYALS, fifteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first dragoons were encamped on Lexden Heath, near Colchester.

[Sidenote: 1780]

[Sidenote: 1781]

[Sidenote: 1783]

During the great riots in London in 1780 the ROYAL DRAGOONS were ordered to march thither. In the following year they proceeded to Scotland; and at the termination of the American war, in 1783, the establishment was reduced to two hundred and thirty-one officers and soldiers.

[Sidenote: 1784]

[Sidenote: 1789]

[Sidenote: 1790]

[Sidenote: 1791]

The regiment left Scotland in 1784, and occupied various quarters in the western and northern counties of England six years. On the breaking out of the revolutionary proceedings in France, the establishment was augmented nine men per troop, and in the spring of 1790 the six troops proceeded to Scotland; they, however, returned to England in the following year, and were employed in suppressing riots at Birmingham.

[Sidenote: 1792]

[Sidenote: 1793]

A further augmentation was made to the establishment in 1792, and again in the spring of 1793, when four troops were ordered to be held in constant readiness for foreign service.

The enormities committed by the French republicans occasioned another war; Holland was attacked; a body of British troops was sent to assist the Dutch; and on the 10th of June, 1793, four troops of the ROYAL DRAGOONS embarked for the Netherlands to join the army commanded by his Royal Highness the Duke of York. After landing at Ostend the four troops marched up the country, and formed part of the force which drove a body of French from the _Camp de Cæsar_, behind the Scheldt, on the 8th of August. The ROYAL DRAGOONS were also with the covering army during the siege of Dunkirk, and after the attempt on that place was abandoned, they were employed in operations near the frontiers of Flanders, where they had a sharp encounter with a corps of French cavalry on the 27th of October.

[Sidenote: 1794]

On the 28th of January, 1794, the colonelcy of the regiment, being vacant by the decease of the Earl of Pembroke, was conferred on Major-General PHILIP GOLDSWORTHY.

In April the four troops on foreign service were assembled with the army near Cateau, and were engaged in the general attack made on the enemy's positions at _Prémont_, &c. on the 17th of April, when Captain-Lieutenant the Honourable Thomas Carlton, of the regiment, was killed. The siege of Landrécies was immediately undertaken: the ROYAL DRAGOONS formed part of the covering army, and on the 24th of April were engaged in an affair with the enemy at _Villers en Couché_, when the French lost twelve hundred men and three pieces of cannon: the ROYALS had one man and two horses killed, and two men and three horses wounded.

The ROYAL DRAGOONS had another opportunity of distinguishing themselves on the 26th of April at _Cateau_. The enemy had marched out of Cambray, and at daybreak attacked the British army. The Duke of York detached the ROYALS and seven other cavalry regiments to turn the left flank of the French army: this movement was attended with the most brilliant success; the enemy was overthrown with immense slaughter; the rout became general--cavalry and infantry, mingled in promiscuous crowds, were scattered over the plains, and the fugitives fell beneath the sabres of the British dragoons, who captured the French commander, Lieut.-General Chapuy, and thirty-five pieces of cannon. The Duke of York, in his account of this action, observes, "THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE BRITISH CAVALRY HAS BEEN BEYOND ALL PRAISE." The ROYAL DRAGOONS were among the corps which were declared in general orders to have "ACQUIRED IMMORTAL HONOUR." Their loss on this occasion was six men and twelve horses killed; with Lieutenant Froom, two serjeants, eleven men, and fourteen horses wounded.

After the capture of _Landrécies_ the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched to the vicinity of _Tournay_, where they were again engaged with the enemy on the 10th of May; and the Duke of York observed in his public despatch, that the troops had "well supported the reputation acquired on the 26th of last month." The loss of the ROYALS was only two horses killed, and one man and three horses wounded.

The ROYALS were in reserve when the attack was made on the French positions on the 17th of May. The army afterwards resumed its post before _Tournay_, where it was attacked on the 22d of May by General Pichegru with an immense force. The British heavy cavalry had, it appears, become a terror to the enemy, for Brown, in his Journal, observes (22d May), "A column of five or six thousand men made its appearance towards our left, on which account the brigade of guards and the British heavy cavalry remained ready for action on their camp ground; but the French, observing our advantageous situation, _and dreading the thought of meeting the British cavalry a second time on an open plain_, thought proper not to approach." Finally the French were repulsed at every point of attack, and retreated in the evening.

At length the enemy defeated the Austrians, and brought forward such immense numbers that the English army had no chance of success: the Duke of York retreated, and the final evacuation of Flanders followed.

In the mean time another squadron of the ROYALS embarked for foreign service; but having been driven back by severe weather, the officers and men were ordered to disembark and remain in England. In July that part of the regiment which was in England marched from Salisbury to Weymouth, in consequence of his Majesty visiting that place; and in October, when the King returned to London, they marched to Dorchester barracks.

During the winter the four troops on foreign service were exposed to privations and inclement weather, which occasioned the death of many men and horses. The winter was particularly severe, the Dutch people were favourable to the French, and the British troops, in their retreat through Holland during a hard frost and storms of snow and sleet, were treated as enemies by the inhabitants; at length the troops arrived in the duchy of Bremen, where they had repose and kind treatment.

[Sidenote: 1795]

The ROYAL DRAGOONS were not engaged in any further hostilities on the continent. During the summer of 1795 they were encamped on one of the plains of Westphalia, and in the winter embarked for England.

[Sidenote: 1796]

Meanwhile, that part of the regiment which was on home service was again employed on King's duty at Weymouth, during his Majesty's stay at that place, and afterwards proceeded to Dorchester, where the four troops returning from the continent arrived in January, 1796. In July of the same year the regiment encamped on Barham Downs, near Weymouth, and in September marched into quarters at Canterbury.

[Sidenote: 1797]

[Sidenote: 1798]

[Sidenote: 1799]

In October, 1797, the regiment marched for Birmingham and Coventry; in July, 1798, for Exeter and Taunton; and in the following summer proceeded to Radipole barracks, Weymouth; but marched from thence, in November of the same year, for Salisbury, Warminster, &c.

In August, orders were received for the regiment to be mounted on nag-tailed black horses;[54] and the horse's tails were consequently cut.

[Sidenote: 1800]

During the summer of 1800 an encampment of about thirty thousand men was formed on Swinley common, near Windsor; the ROYAL DRAGOONS joined the camp in July; the troops were frequently exercised in the presence of the royal family, and the King reviewed the several corps previous to their departure. On the 11th of August the regiment quitted the camp, and proceeded to Croydon barracks and Epsom, with a squadron detached on coast duty in Sussex.

[Sidenote: 1801]

On the 7th of January, 1801, his Majesty conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Major-General THOMAS GARTH, in succession to Lieut.-General Goldsworthy, deceased.

Towards the end of May the regiment marched to Canterbury, and furnished numerous detachments on the revenue duty at the maritime towns and villages on the coast of Kent, where they assisted in making large seizures of smuggled goods, for which they received a reward of upwards of one pound per man.

[Sidenote: 1802]

A treaty of peace with the French republic having been signed at Amiens, a reduction of two troops was made in the establishment, and the officers were placed on half-pay.

[Sidenote: 1803]

In July, 1802, four troops were ordered to Trowbridge to aid the civil power in the suppression of riots. In October following the regiment proceeded to Exeter and Taunton, with detached troops on coast duty in Cornwall; and in April, 1803, it was removed to Dorchester, Radipole, and Wareham barracks, from whence it marched in July following to Arundel and Chichester. At the same time, the war with France having recommenced, the establishment was augmented from eight to ten troops.

[Sidenote: 1804]

A change of quarters took place in April, 1804, and the regiment was stationed at Ipswich and Woodbridge; from whence it proceeded, in November following, to Colchester, where it passed the winter.

[Sidenote: 1805]

[Sidenote: 1806]

The regiment quitted Colchester in April, 1805, and proceeded to York, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Birmingham. In January, 1806, it returned from the north, and was again stationed at Woodbridge; and in March of the same year it once more proceeded northward, and, on arriving in Scotland, its head-quarters were established at Edinburgh, with detached troops at Dunbar, Haddington, and Perth, having marched upwards of six hundred miles in three months.

[Sidenote: 1807]

[Sidenote: 1808]

Embarking from Scotland in January, 1807, the regiment proceeded to Ireland, from which country it had been absent one hundred and fifteen years; and on its arrival the head-quarters were stationed at Dundalk, with detached troops at Belturbet, Lisburn, Monaghan, Enniskillen, Sligo, and Londonderry. In June, 1808, it proceeded to Dublin, with detached troops at Carlow and Athy.

In the mean time important events had transpired in the Peninsula. Napoleon Buonaparte (whom the French had elevated to the throne) had obtained possession of the kingdoms of Portugal and Spain by treachery; had placed his brother Joseph on the throne of Spain, and supported these usurpations by an immense French army. The Spaniards and Portuguese, being impatient of the bondage into which they were brought, made energetic struggles for liberty, and, a British force proceeding to their aid, Portugal was delivered from the power of Buonaparte. Lieut.-General Sir John Moore advanced from Lisbon into Spain to aid the patriots; and the ROYAL DRAGOONS were directed to proceed on foreign service to reinforce the army in the Peninsula; but, on arriving at Cork for embarkation, news of the result of Sir John Moore's expedition occasioned the order to be countermanded.

[Sidenote: 1809]

The regiment remained at Cork barracks until April, 1809, when it proceeded into extensive cantonments (head-quarters at Clonmell), from whence it was withdrawn in August following, and eight troops, of eighty rank and file and eighty horses per troop, embarked at Cork for Portugal. The transports sailed on the 2nd of September, and on the 12th and 13th of that month the regiment landed at Lisbon, and occupied the barracks at Belem.

[Sidenote: 1810]

The British army in Portugal, commanded by Lord Wellington, was occupying quarters on the Mondego. The ROYAL DRAGOONS marched a few stages up the country in January, 1810, and were stationed at Santarem and Torres Novas, in the province of Estremadura; from whence they marched, in February, to Niza and Alphalo, in the Alentejo.

The enemy having an immense superiority of numbers, the British commander was reduced to the necessity of acting on the defensive, and his ultimate object was the protection of Lisbon. He, however, resolved to maintain a frontier position as long as possible; and, Ciudad Rodrigo being menaced in the end of April, the ROYAL DRAGOONS were ordered to advance to Belmonte, in the province of Beira, where they arrived on the 5th of May. The French army, commanded by Marshal Massena, Prince of Esling, proved so numerous, that all hope of preserving Ciudad Rodrigo was abandoned. The ROYAL DRAGOONS left Belmonte on the 9th of June, and proceeded to Villa Velha, from whence they marched, on the 1st of July, to Ville de Touro, and towards the end of the same month to Alverca; the enemy having taken Ciudad Rodrigo and besieged Almeida, the advanced posts of the British army were removed to _Frexadas_.

The French took Almeida on the 27th of August, and on the following day attacked a squadron of the ROYALS and a squadron of the fourteenth light dragoons on piquet at _Frexadas_, under the command of Major Dorville. The enemy brought forward a superior force of cavalry, supported by infantry; but the two British squadrons, undaunted by superior numbers, charged the French horsemen with signal gallantry, and drove them from the field with the loss of many men killed and wounded, and five taken prisoners.[55] The ROYALS lost, in this encounter, two men and one horse killed, and two men and one horse wounded.

The allied army retired a short distance. The ROYAL DRAGOONS continued to be actively employed, and, in a skirmish with the enemy on the 2nd of September at _Alverca_, on the main road to Almeida, they had a serjeant wounded. The regiment retired from its advanced position on the same day, and on the 19th of that month was stationed at Santa Comba Dão.

The enemy continued to press upon the rear of the British army, and a party of the ROYAL DRAGOONS had another encounter with the French on the 21st of September, and had one man wounded, and another wounded and taken prisoner.

Lord Wellington having resolved to make a stand on the heights of _Busaco_, the army retired to that position, covered by the ROYALS and fourteenth light dragoons. During the severe contest in the mountains on the 27th of September, the ROYALS were formed in reserve behind the position; and when the army retired to the celebrated lines of _Torres Vedras_, the ROYALS once more occupied the post of honour in the rear of the line of march. The French pressing upon the retiring army near _Pombal_ on the 5th of October, their audacity was punished by a piquet of the ROYALS commanded by Lieutenant Carden, who charged the enemy and drove them back with loss; but, having advanced too far in pursuit, the lieutenant and one man, who were both wounded, were taken prisoners: the piquet, however, captured and brought off a French cavalry officer. The enemy's leading corps, being supported by immense columns, continued to hover round the rear of the allied army; and the temerity of their cavalry was again chastised on the 9th of October, near _Quinta de Torre_, by a squadron of the ROYAL DRAGOONS, which made a gallant charge, driving the French horsemen back with loss, and forcing them to take shelter behind a corps of infantry. This corps was too strong to be attacked by the squadron, and the ROYALS, having received a volley, retired with the loss of six horses killed, and one serjeant-major and two men wounded, with four men wounded and taken prisoners.

On the following day the allied army was in position in the fortified lines, where it opposed to the advance of the enemy a barrier so formidable that Marshal Massena, after several reconnoisances, declined to attack it, and retired during the night of the 14th of November. On the 15th the ROYAL DRAGOONS were despatched after the enemy, and a piquet of the regiment took a serjeant and five French dragoons prisoners.

The French army took post on the heights of Santarem; and the ROYAL DRAGOONS were stationed at Cazal Diera, Quinta, St. Christol, and Porto de Mugem, from whence they sent out detachments on piquet and outpost duty.

[Sidenote: 1811]

The French Marshal, having consumed his resources and wasted the numbers and physical power of his army, retired from Santarem on the night of the 5th of March, 1811. The ROYALS were again despatched in pursuit, and in the series of brilliant exploits which followed they took a distinguished part. They had a skirmish with the enemy near _Pecoloo_ on the 7th of March, when they took three prisoners, and had one man and one horse wounded. They had another encounter with the French on the 8th of March, and had two men and one horse wounded. They again came in contact with the enemy on the 11th of March, near _Pombal_, and took two serjeants and seventy-six men prisoners.

Resuming the pursuit on the following day the allies discovered in their front a body of French cavalry, infantry, and artillery, posted on a high table land near _Redinha_. Lord Wellington ordered the troops to form in line, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS were directed to support the attack of the infantry. Three shots from the British centre was the signal to advance, and suddenly a most splendid spectacle of war was exhibited. The woods seemed alive with troops, and in a few moments thirty thousand men, forming three lines of battle, were stretched across the plain, bending in a gentle curve, and moving majestically onwards, while the horsemen and guns, springing forward simultaneously from the centre and left wing, charged under a general volley from the French battalions: the latter were instantly hidden by the smoke, and when that had cleared away, no enemy was to be seen, the French having made a precipitate retreat to Condeixa.

The British again moved forward in pursuit, and on the 14th of March the ROYAL DRAGOONS supported a successful attack of the infantry on a French force posted in the mountains at _Casal Nova_: they also supported the attack on the French position at _Foz d'Aronce_ on the 15th; and on the 18th they encountered a party of the enemy near _Sernadilla_, when they took a serjeant and twelve men prisoners, and captured twelve mules: the ROYALS had only one man wounded on this occasion. They continued hovering near the French army; and on the 26th of March a patrole of the ROYALS, commanded by Lieutenant Foster, with a patrole of the sixteenth light dragoons, attacked a detachment of French cavalry near _Alverca_ with distinguished gallantry, sabred several dragoons, and took an officer and thirty-seven men prisoners.[56]

The ROYALS had another affair with a party of the enemy on the 28th of March, when they captured a car laden with officers' baggage near Ardés, and had one man wounded. On the third of April they were posted in reserve during the action at _Sabugal_; and, on the retreat of the French, they were detached in pursuit, and captured several mules laden with baggage near _Alfayates_.

On the 7th of April the ROYALS were sent to the relief of a corps of Portuguese militia, commanded by Colonel Trant, who had taken post near _Fort Conception_. A brigade of French infantry was within half a mile of the militia, whose destruction appeared inevitable, when suddenly two cannon shots were heard to the southward,--the French formed squares in retreat,--and in a few minutes six squadrons of British cavalry and a troop of horse artillery came sweeping up the plain in their rear. The Portuguese were rescued from impending danger. The enemy, however, contrived to effect their escape, with the loss of about three hundred men killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, and part of their baggage: among the other captures the ROYAL DRAGOONS took a drove of fourteen bullocks and a horse.

The French army having been driven out of Portugal, the allies blockaded _Almeida_. Marshal Massena advanced to relieve that place, and he found the allied army posted on a fine table land, the left at Fort Conception, and the right at the beautiful village of _Fuentes d'Onor_. The village was attacked on the 3rd of May, and on the 5th a general assault was made on the British army. The French drove in the cavalry out-guards, and by the impetuosity of their attacks gained some advantage; when two squadrons of the ROYALS, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel CLIFTON, made a gallant and successful charge on the enemy's cavalry, took a serjeant and twenty-three men, and released a party of the foot guards who had been made prisoners by the French. A party of the enemy's cavalry made a gallant charge, and captured two guns belonging to Captain Bull's troop of horse artillery; when a squadron of the ROYALS dashed forward, routed the enemy, and retook the guns, which they brought back to the British line, with several French prisoners. Finally, the French were repulsed at every point of attack, and forced to relinquish their design of relieving _Almeida_. The ROYAL DRAGOONS had four men and nineteen horses killed; also two serjeants, thirty-four men, and twenty-four horses wounded; and they subsequently occupied their former quarters at Villa de Ceirva.

About midnight on the 10th of May the French garrison in _Almeida_ blew up the works, then rushed in one column out of the town, forced their passage through the blockading troops, and directed their march on Villa de Ceirva; but finding it occupied by the ROYALS they changed the direction of their march and moved on Barba del Puerco. A party of the ROYAL DRAGOONS having been suddenly called out in the night, overtook the rear of the French column, which they attacked, and took a serjeant and nine men prisoners. The fourth and thirty-sixth foot also pursued the enemy; but the main body of the garrison made good their retreat. The regiment had two men wounded on this occasion.

After this affair Lord Wellington proceeded to Estremadura, to besiege Badajoz: but the ROYAL DRAGOONS remained with the forces left on the frontiers of Portugal, near Ciudad Rodrigo; and they were stationed in advance to cover the front from Villa de Egua to Espejo.

The French army, having been reinforced, and placed under the command of Marshal Marmont, advanced at daybreak on the morning of the 6th of June in two columns, when the light division was directed to retire from Gallegos upon _Nave d'Aver_, and subsequently upon Alfayetes; and the ROYALS, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel CLIFTON, with a troop of the fourteenth light dragoons, were assembled at Gallegos to cover the retreat. The French brought forward about two thousand cavalry, six thousand infantry, and ten guns; and the ROYALS confronted this immense force with a degree of fortitude and valour seldom equalled.[57] That celebrated French cavalry officer, General Montbrun, manœuvred to outflank the ROYALS; but his squadrons were attacked and defeated twice, and the retreat was effected with little loss. For their distinguished conduct on this occasion the ROYALS were publicly thanked by Lieutenant-General Sir Brent Spencer, who commanded, in the absence of Lord Wellington in Estremadura. They lost on this occasion a troop-serjeant-major, three men, and six horses killed; and nine men wounded.

The ROYALS subsequently bivouacked near Sabugal, from whence they proceeded to Arronches, and were encamped at the conflux of the Caya and Algrette: towards the end of July they marched to Idanha a Nova, on the frontiers of Portugal; and in August to Villa de Toura and Iteura. Meanwhile Lord Wellington returned from Estremadura, and afterwards blockaded Ciudad Rodrigo. Marshal Marmont advanced; when his lordship raised the blockade, and took up a defensive position, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS were posted on the 22nd of September on the Upper Azava. A series of attacks and manœuvres followed, and on the 25th the ROYALS were in the position of Fuente Guinaldo: from whence they were ordered to retire on the following day; and on the 27th were posted near Alfayates, with a piquet at _Aldea de Ponte_, which was attacked by the enemy, when Lieutenant Ross had his horse killed under him, and three men and six horses were wounded. On the following day the ROYALS were with the army in position behind Soito; and Lord Wellington offered battle, but the enemy retired, and the allied army went into cantonments. The ROYALS were stationed at Adão; subsequently at Espejo, and towards the end of November marched for Meda.

[Sidenote: 1812]

Lord Wellington having resolved to besiege _Ciudad Rodrigo_, the ROYAL DRAGOONS marched to the vicinity of that city in January, 1812, and took post at Villa Turpina, to cover the troops employed in the siege. This city was taken by storm on the 19th of that month, and, when the works were put in a state of defence, the ROYALS marched to St. Jao de Presquere. The siege of _Badajoz_--the capital of Spanish Estremadura, situate on a beautiful plain on the banks of the Guadiana, was next determined upon: the army was accordingly put in motion for the south, and the ROYAL DRAGOONS, proceeding by way of Abrantes into Spanish Estremadura, were placed under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham; and, having crossed the Guadiana on the 16th of March, advanced upon Valverde and Santa Martha, and thence towards Llerena,--an old town of Estremadura, which once belonged to the knights of St. John. On the 19th of March the ROYALS were at Villa Franca; but on the advance of Marshal Soult, with a considerable force, they retired. _Badajoz_ was taken on the 6th of April, and Lord Wellington afterwards proceeded to the north; but the ROYAL DRAGOONS remained in Estremadura, forming part of the force left in the south under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill.

On the 25th of May a squadron of the ROYALS, commanded by Major DORVILLE, proceeded on out-post duty to _Llera_. On the 27th, at night, the commanding officer ascertained that a French brigade had advanced within a short distance of his post: he therefore retired to a wood about a mile behind the village, and having placed a small piquet on an eminence, with a support at the ford of a rivulet in front of the wood, the squadron bivouacked for the night. In the mean time a brigade of French cavalry, commanded by Brigadier-General L'Allemand, advanced to _Llera_, and surrounded the village at midnight, expecting to surprise the squadron in its quarters; but on discovering that it had marched, he advanced towards the wood, and, attacking the piquet, wounded and took prisoners one serjeant and five men. Meanwhile the support commenced a brisk fire, and gallantly defended the passage of the ford, and the squadron, not having drawn bit, immediately mounted and formed; when the French, being foiled in their object, retired: the squadron followed, and continued skirmishing with the enemy until they had passed _Llera_, and then resumed its former post.

On the 11th of June the seventeenth and twenty-ninth regiments of French dragoons, commanded by Brigadier-General L'Allemand, again proceeded to the vicinity of _Llera_, when Major-General Slade advanced with the ROYALS and third dragoon guards, and having attacked the French, routed them, and continued the pursuit about nine miles. On arriving at the vicinity of _Maguilla_ the British regiments had another opportunity of charging, when they broke the enemy's first line, sabred many of the men, and took one of General L'Allemand's aides-de-camp prisoner. The British regiments rushed forward in pursuit with too much eagerness, each vying with the other which should most distinguish itself; and in a moment of confusion the French brought forward a reserve, and charged the broken squadrons with such fury that they were obliged to retire.[58] The ROYALS lost in this encounter one serjeant, eleven men, and six horses killed; also nineteen men, and eight horses wounded; and Lieutenant Windsor, with four serjeants and thirty-nine men, taken prisoners. Lieutenant Windsor and most of the men were wounded before they were taken.

Patroles were afterwards sent on the road to _Maguilla_, and on the 14th of June a serjeant and twenty-five men of the ROYALS, with the like number of the third dragoon guards, encountered a squadron of French dragoons, which they charged with distinguished gallantry, and having sabred a number of men, took a captain (the commanding officer of the squadron), with a serjeant and twenty men, prisoners; and captured twenty-three horses.

On the 18th of June the ROYALS marched for Albuhera: they were subsequently encamped near Llerena, from whence they marched to Los Santos. Meanwhile the forces under Lord Wellington had defeated the French at _Salamanca_; and on the news of this success Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill advanced. The ROYALS were in motion on the 30th of July, and proceeded to Villa Franca, and subsequently to Fuente del Maestre.

The main army having marched to Madrid, Sir Rowland Hill advanced to act in concert with Lord Wellington. The ROYALS advanced on the 27th of August, and on the 6th of September were at Villa Nova; left that place on the 13th of September; crossed the pontoon bridge at Almarez on the 19th, and arrived at Talavera, in the valley of the Tagus, on the 28th; from whence they proceeded to Tembleque, in New Castile. Lord Wellington having left Madrid and besieged the castle of Burgos, Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill took up a position on the Tagus, and the ROYALS marched by Aranjuez,--a beautiful palace of the kings of Spain,--to Morata. The enemy, however, concentrated his forces, and advanced, with an immense superiority of numbers, to relieve Burgos, when Lord Wellington raised the siege and retired, and Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill made a corresponding movement. The ROYALS commenced retiring on the 27th of October by Madrid and the pass of the Guadarama mountains, and arrived, on the 12th of November, at Salamanca; from whence they proceeded on the 15th to _Arguilla_, and on the 17th had an encounter with the enemy, when four men and one horse were wounded. Leaving Arguilla on the 28th of November they proceeded to Zelreira, and towards the end of December to Alcantara.

[Sidenote: 1813]

The ROYAL DRAGOONS passed the winter and spring of 1813 in Spanish Estremadura, from whence they advanced, in the middle of May, to turn the enemy's position on the northern bank of the Douro; and, arriving at Salamanca on the 26th of that month, they forded the river Tormes above the town, and encountered a body of French infantry and a few cavalry under General Villatte, who was retiring from Salamanca in the direction of Alba de Tormes, when the right squadron, led by Lieutenant-Colonel CLIFTON, charged the enemy with signal gallantry, sabred a number of men, and took one hundred and forty-three prisoners, with four tumbrils. In this action the ROYALS had five horses killed, and ten men and three horses wounded: Major Purvis's charger was also killed under him.