Chapter III: Part 3

A further alteration was made in the uniform this year: the coats were made with long skirts, with four bars of white lace with a blue worm upon the sleeves, two bars on each side of the collar; and four bars, two rows in each bar, across the breast. The colour of the cloth overalls was changed to blue-grey, with a blue stripe down the outside of the leg. The officers wore aiguillettes on the right shoulder, and a stripe of silver lace on their overalls.

[Sidenote: 1820]

The decease of His Majesty King George III. having taken place on the 29th of January, 1820, on the 31st of that month the troops of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS at head-quarters attended the Lord Mayor, corporation, and societies of the city of York in solemn procession, while making proclamation of the accession of King George IV.; and on the 8th of February, 1820, they marched in procession at 8 o'clock, P.M., in funeral order to York minster, where a solemn dirge and funeral service was performed on the death of King George III.

On the 11th of April three troops marched from York to assist the civil power in suppressing some serious disturbances which had occurred in the neighbourhood of Wakefield. A collision afterwards took place with the rioters near Sheffield, when one sergeant, one private, and two horses were wounded with pikes, many of which were found in possession of the people.

[Sidenote: 1821]

Another change of quarters took place in August of this year, and the regiment was stationed at Newcastle upon Tyne, Carlisle, Penrith, and Whitehaven; and in October it was inspected by Major-General Sir Andrew Barnard, at Newcastle. In March, 1821, it marched to Scotland, and was stationed at Piershill barracks, Edinburgh, Greenock, Irvine, and Ayr. On the 6th of June it was inspected by Major-General Sir Thomas Bradford; and, in August, the establishment was reduced to six troops. Previous to this date the troops were classed according to the colour of the horses, and the regiment consisted of two black troops, two brown, two bay, one bright bay, and one chestnut; when this reduction was ordered, the horses of one of the black troops, and of the chestnut troop, were transferred to the others; the horses thus became mixed, and they have since been trooped without reference to colour. The reduced establishment was 27 officers, 24 serjeants, 18 corporals, 6 trumpeters, 6 farriers, 281 privates and 253 troop horses. In September the regiment was again inspected by Major-General Sir Thomas Bradford; and in a few days afterwards the head-quarters were removed to Glasgow, where five troops were stationed, and one troop was quartered at Hamilton.

[Sidenote: 1822]

On the 10th of June, 1822, Major-General Sir Thomas Bradford again inspected the regiment, and expressed in strong terms his approbation of its appearance and discipline on this and the former occasion when he had seen the corps.

In July the regiment marched to Port Patrick, where it embarked for Ireland; and after landing at Donaghadee, the head-quarters were established at Dundalk, and detachments were stationed at Belturbet, Monaghan, Enniskillen, &c.: on the 23rd of October it was inspected by Major-General Egerton. An alteration was this year made in the shape of the helmet; and a large bear-skin crest was adopted.

[Sidenote: 1823]

The regiment marched from the northern district in June, 1823, for Dublin, where it was reviewed on the 12th of that month by Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant, by whom its appearance and discipline were commended. In a few days after this review it was removed to Newbridge, and was again inspected by the same officer in November following.

[Sidenote: 1824]

[Sidenote: 1825]

In June, 1824, the regiment marched to the royal barracks at Dublin, where it was inspected by Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant on the 12th of July; and again on the 14th of May, 1825. In June it marched to Cahir, Limerick, Clogheen, and New Ross; and on the 20th of October it was inspected by Major-General Sir Charles Doyle.

[Sidenote: 1826]

From these quarters the regiment was withdrawn in March, 1826, and proceeding to Dublin, was there once more inspected by Sir Colquhoun Grant, and afterwards embarked for Liverpool, where it landed on the 29th of March. On the 31st it marched for Coventry, Birmingham, and Abergavenny; and in July was inspected by Major-General Sir Hussey Vivian.

In consequence of serious riots having taken place at Dudley and Wolverhampton, two troops marched to these places in the beginning of August. Serious disturbances also occurred at Lichfield during the election in the early part of September, and much mischief would have been done, but was prevented by the timely arrival of a troop of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS from Birmingham. The troops were obliged to act against the people on several occasions, and a few persons were wounded.

[Sidenote: 1827]

On the 8th of January, 1827, this regiment, in common with the other corps of the army, testified, by articles of mourning, the general grief on account of the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the Commander-in-Chief of the army. The decease of His Royal Highness occurred on the 7th of January, and the whole army had to deplore the loss of a Prince who had justly obtained the appellation of "The Soldiers' friend." He was succeeded in the command of the army by the Duke of Wellington.

After the decease of Lieutenant-General Cartwright, Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Fane, G.C.B., was removed to the First Dragoon Guards, and was succeeded in the Colonelcy of the FOURTH ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS by Lieutenant-General Sir George Anson, G.C.B., by commission dated the 27th of February, 1827.

In April of this year the regiment marched to Dorchester, and occupied also Christchurch, Trowbridge, and Dursley; and was inspected on the 29th of April by Major-General Sir Hussey Vivian.

In consequence of the Dorchester barracks requiring repairs, two troops and the head-quarters marched to Weymouth on the 1st of June. On the 12th of July, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Clarence (afterwards Queen Adelaide) arrived at Weymouth, and the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS had the honour of escorting Her Royal Highness into the town, and of mounting a guard of honour where she alighted. Her Royal Highness left Weymouth on the following day with a similar escort. The regiment had also the honour of furnishing an escort for, and of receiving, the Duke of Clarence (afterwards King William IV.) when His Royal Highness passed through Dorchester.

On the 20th of August the regiment was again inspected by Major-General Sir Hussey Vivian; and in October the head-quarters returned to Dorchester. In December, it furnished an escort and a guard of honour for His Royal Highness Don Miguel of Portugal on his visiting Dorchester.

[Sidenote: 1828]

The lace across the breast of the coats was this year discontinued, the coats were made to button in front without lace, and the skirts lengthened: four bars of lace were worn on the sleeve, and the facing was directed to be a blue velvet. The officers were ordered to wear two silver epaulettes and an aiguillette; and the men brass scales on the shoulders. At the same time the men's girdles were discontinued, but the officers continued to wear a crimson and gold sash with long pendent tassels. In the following spring the colour of the overalls was changed to dark blue, with a broad stripe of silver lace for the officers, and of white lace for the men. A blue great coat was also introduced for the officers; and horse furniture[23] of dark blue cloth with a double row of broad silver lace, with the King's cypher, crown, and the star of St. Patrick on each corner: and a black bearskin flounce.

Sir Hussey Vivian inspected the regiment on the 13th of April, and repeated the expressions of approbation he had invariably used on former occasions, of its appearance and discipline. In May its quarters were changed to Exeter and Topsham barracks, with one troop at Dursley, and Sir Hussey Vivian made the autumnal half-yearly inspection on the 25th of August. During the summer the regiment had again the honour of furnishing travelling escorts for the Duchess of Clarence; and in September for Her Majesty the Queen of Portugal.

Gauntlet gloves were originally part of the equipment of every cavalry soldier; but were replaced by short gloves in the early part of the reign of George III.; and in December of this year the short leather gloves were laid aside and gauntlets again adopted.

[Sidenote: 1829]

[Sidenote: 1830]

The regiment marched from its quarters in Devonshire and Gloucestershire in April, 1829, for the north of England, and occupied York, with detached troops at Beverley and Newcastle upon Tyne. In September, Sir Hussey Vivian again inspected the regiment; and in April, 1830, it marched for Scotland, and occupied quarters at Piershill barracks, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Perth. It was inspected on the 31st of May by Major-General Sir Robert O'Callaghan, K.C.B.; and on the 26th of June it was formed, with the remainder of the garrison, at the mound of Edinburgh Castle and fired a _feu-de-joie_, in consequence of the accession of His Majesty King William IV. to the throne.

Soon after His Majesty's accession orders were given for all the army, excepting the Royal Horse Guards, to wear _scarlet_; also for all the regular forces to wear _gold_ lace and embroidery, and the militia silver. The lace and embroidery of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, which had been silver from the period of its formation, were at this period changed to GOLD.

On the 27th of October the regiment was inspected by Major-General the Honourable Patrick Stewart, who expressed himself in terms of approbation of its appearance and discipline.

[Sidenote: 1831]

In April and May of the following year the troops performed several marches and much extra duty in consequence of the riotous conduct of the people at the elections. Escorts were required for the voters, and so violent were the rioters, that one man was killed by a brick while proceeding to vote in charge of a party of the military. Many of the soldiers were knocked off their horses with stones, and others had their helmets broken; yet such was the exemplary patience and forbearance of the soldiers of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, under these painful and trying circumstances, that not a single civilian was hurt by them during the whole period. During the riots at Ayr the prisoners in the gaol rose against the turnkeys, whom they overpowered; but a few men of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS arriving, they dismounted, entered the gaol with loaded carbines, secured the prisoners before they could effect their escape, and restored order.

The usual half-yearly inspection was made by Major-General Hon. Patrick Stuart on the 16th of June; and on the 8th of September the regiment, with the garrison at Edinburgh, assembled and fired a _feu-de-joie_, on the occasion of the coronation of King William IV. and Queen Adelaide.

A change of quarters took place towards the end of September, and the regiment was stationed at Glasgow, Hamilton, and Haddington. It was inspected by Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac, K.C.H., on the 29th of September; and its present commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel James Charles Chatterton was appointed to the regiment on the 9th of December, in succession to Lieut.-Colonel Ross, who exchanged to the half-pay.

[Sidenote: 1832]

In March, 1832, one troop of the regiment marched to Paisley to aid the civil power in suppressing the riots which had occurred in that town. On the 4th of April, the half-yearly inspection was made by Major-General the Honourable Patrick Stewart, and the regiment being on the eve of its departure for Ireland, the Major-General issued the following order.

'_Glasgow, April, 1832._

'GENERAL ORDER.

'On the departure of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS for Ireland,
Major-General Stewart takes the opportunity of expressing to
the regiment the great satisfaction its conduct has given him
during the period of upwards of a year and a half that it has
been under his command, and during that time frequently under
very trying circumstances, when upon all occasions it has evinced
that steadiness, temper, and coolness, the certain results of
the high state of discipline which the regiment has so eminently
maintained.

'The Major-General requests that Lieutenant-Colonel Chatterton,
the officers and men of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, will accept
his best wishes for their future prosperity and welfare.

'By Order of the Major-General,
'P. EDWARDS, Major and A.D.C.'

The regiment embarked at Glasgow in steam-vessels for Belfast, and, after landing, occupied quarters at Dundalk, Belturbet, Ballyshannon, and Monaghan. On the 11th of May Major-General Macdonell made the usual half-yearly inspection.

During the summer and autumn of this year, the election riots, and other disturbances which occurred in Ireland, occasioned the regiment much harassing duty, detachments being almost constantly on the march to aid the civil power.

On the 20th of September Lieut.-General Sir Hussey Vivian inspected the regiment, and complimented the officers and men very highly on their appearance after the harassing duties they had lately performed. On the 7th of October the regiment was again inspected by Major-General Macdonell.

Ireland continued in a disturbed state, and during the autumn and winter the regiment was employed in most fatiguing and painful services. In one month the regiment furnished fifty-one parties to assist the civil power in making tithe-collections, quelling riots at fairs, dispersing illegal meetings, or suppressing election riots; and each of these parties was under the command of one or more officers.

[Sidenote: 1833]

In the spring of 1833 the head-quarters were removed to Cahir, and the regiment occupied also Limerick, Clonmell, and Carrick-on-Suir; and on the 16th of April Lieut.-Colonel Chatterton had the satisfaction to receive a letter from Major-General Macdonell, expressing 'his perfect approbation of the exemplary and excellent conduct of the regiment during its service in the northern district.'

The half-yearly inspection was made by Major-General Sir James Douglas in the beginning of June. In September a squadron was employed in suppressing the riots at Cahir races, where two violent parties attacked each other, and the Dragoon Guards separated the combatants; but unfortunately several lives had been lost, and many of the peasantry dangerously wounded.

On the departure of the Marquis of Anglesey from Ireland the following order was issued.

'_Adjutant-General's Office_,
'_26th September, 1833_.

'GENERAL ORDER.

'Lieut.-General Sir Hussey Vivian has the greatest satisfaction
in publishing to the troops in Ireland the accompanying
expression of the Lord Lieutenant's approbation of their conduct
and services, on the occasion of his Excellency's departure from
this country.

'THE LORD LIEUTENANT cannot quit these shores without reiterating
to the army of Ireland the high sense he entertains of its
admirable and truly soldier-like conduct.

'To the Lieut.-General commanding the forces he need hardly
express his approbation and esteem, a feeling won for him by
forty years' knowledge of his excellent qualities as a soldier
and a man.

'Of the zeal, intelligence, and assiduity of the general
officers and staff of the army he cannot speak in terms of too
high praise. He desires that the officers, non-commissioned
officers, and soldiers, as well of the army now present, as of
those corps which have served here during the government of the
Lord Lieutenant, will be assured he feels he cannot too highly
appreciate and applaud their excellent conduct.

'Their patience, firmness, and forbearance (under circumstances
that it may reasonably be hoped will never occur again), while
they have salutarily supported the administration of the laws,
have, with their mild demeanour, won the approbation and applause
of all parties.

(Signed) 'ANGLESEY.
'_Phœnix Park, 25th September, 1833._
'By command of the Lieut.-General Commanding,
'GEORGE D'AGUILAR, D.A.G.'

Major-General Sir James Douglas inspected the regiment on the 11th of October.

[Sidenote: 1834]

On the 27th of April, 1834, the following gratifying address was presented to Lieut.-Colonel Chatterton, K.H., and the assembled Officers of the regiment, by James Archer Butler, Esq., attended by a large deputation of the gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood of Cahir.

'At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood
of CAHIR, held at Cahir Castle Hotel on the 27th of April, 1834;
James Archer Butler, Esq., in the Chair, the following address to
Lieut.-Colonel Chatterton, K.H., the officers, non-commissioned
officers, and privates of the FOURTH ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS,
was unanimously agreed to.

'Whilst we consider your departure from Cahir barracks with
unfeigned regret, permit us to express our high admiration of the
gentlemanly and soldier-like conduct of every officer in your
gallant corps. Of the non-commissioned officers and privates we
feel the utmost pleasure in bearing testimony to their orderly
conduct, evidently the result of inclination as well as of the
high state of discipline, and the good feeling which so happily
subsisted between them and the inhabitants of every class during
their stay in these quarters.

'When we recollect the unexampled exertion of yourself and the
officers to promote the amusement and good fellowship of this
neighbourhood (which it fell to the lot of most of us to enjoy),
it is but natural that your removal should cause pain and sorrow;
but we have the consoling hope that events may occur to cause
your speedy return to these barracks.

'In taking leave of you, Lieut.-Colonel Chatterton, the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and men of the truly distinguished
FOURTH ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS, we wish you, in the sincerity
of our hearts, every happiness and prosperity.

(Signed)
'JAMES ARCHER BUTLER, Chairman.
'_To Lieut.-Colonel Chatterton, K.H.,
&c. &c. &c._'

The regiment marched from Cahir and the out-stations on the 28th and 29th of April, and proceeded to Cork, where the head-quarters were established with detached parties at Ballincorrig and Buttevant; and on the 4th of May a communication was received from Major-General Sir James Douglas, K.C.B., expressing his 'perfect satisfaction at the conduct and high state of discipline of the regiment whilst under his orders in the South-western district.'

On the 23rd and 24th of May, the regiment was inspected by Major-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot, K.C.B., and again, by the same officer, on the 22nd of October; also by Lieut.-General Sir Hussey Vivian, K.C.B., on the 3rd of the latter month.

The lawless resistance of the peasantry to the collection of tithes gave rise to additional duty during the autumn and winter of this year; and their violent conduct brought on collisions, which had the painful result of producing loss of life. Several persons were wounded at Ballincorrig on the 18th of December. On the 20th a large and tumultuous assembly of the peasantry at Gortroe, near Rathcormac, showed much obstinacy and lawless violence, attacking the military with sticks and stones, and were fired upon, when ten were killed and several wounded. The greatest excitement prevailed, and the military were obliged to assemble again on the 21st of December, and for several days afterwards.

This year a new-pattern brass helmet with bear skin crest was adopted, and the trumpeters' clothing was directed to be Scarlet, distinguished by lace.

[Sidenote: 1835]

The elections which took place in January, 1835, occasioned the regiment much extra duty and many harassing marches; and its conduct, with that of the other regiments in Ireland, elicited the following communications.

'DISTRICT MEMORANDUM.

'_Adjutant-General's Office_,
'_Cork, 30th January, 1835_.

'The Major-General is most happy to notify to the commandants
of corps, that it appears from communications which he has
received from the magistrates of this district, that the conduct
of the detachments called out in aid of the civil power during
the late elections, was, without exception, _remarkably good_.
That the troops, to their praise be it said, never entered into
party spirit on one side or the other, and that they never were
employed except to protect the voters, and acting under the
magistrates for the preservation of the peace.

(Signed) 'CHARLES TURNER,
'Asst. Adjutant General.'

'_Adjutant-General's Office_,
'_Dublin, 30th January, 1835_.

'GENERAL ORDER.

'Lieut.-General Sir Hussey Vivian experiences the greatest
gratification in communicating to the troops serving in
Ireland the subjoined letter, received from His Excellency the
Lord-Lieutenant, expressive of His Excellency's approbation of
their conduct during the late elections.

'To a testimony so valuable, and emanating from so high a
quarter, the Lieut.-General feels that any addition on his
part must be quite unnecessary; but he cannot refuse himself
the satisfaction of uniting with it his own individual
acknowledgments to the general officers and men serving under his
orders, and of congratulating them on the possession of a tribute
so honourable to themselves, and so calculated to confirm their
zeal in the service of their King and Country.'

'By command of the Lieut.-General commanding,
(Signed) 'G. D'AGUILAR, D.A.G.'

'_Dublin, 30th January, 1835._

'Sir,--The elections being now over, and the service on which
so many of the troops under your command have been for some
weeks past engaged being now nearly at an end, I feel myself
called upon to express to you the high sense I entertain of the
admirable conduct of both officers and men, while employed in the
performance of a duty in its very nature harassing and unpleasant.

'According to all the reports which have been under my
cognizance, nothing could have exceeded their coolness, patience,
and forbearance.

'Their presence in aid of the police and civil power (whose
conduct is also above all praise) generally insured the peace,
where, but for their the few occasions on which they were called
upon to act, they did so, strictly, in self-defence, and not till
they had been themselves assailed, and in many instances severely
injured.

'I have to beg you will convey to them my best acknowledgments,
and the assurance that I will, without loss of time, lay before
His Majesty their claims to His Royal approbation.

'I cannot conclude this letter without offering you my best
thanks for the readiness with which you have attended to every
call made upon you, for your judicious arrangements of the force
under your command, and for the zeal, promptitude, and ability by
which your conduct has been distinguished.

'The same thanks are due to the general commanding the garrison
of Dublin, and to the general and superior officers in the
different military divisions, for the able manner in which their
duty was performed, whether in giving orders upon the spot when
called upon by the civil power for protection, or in obeying the
orders they received from head-quarters.

'I am, &c.,
(Signed) 'HADDINGTON.

'_To Lieut.-General the Right Honourable_
'_Sir Hussey Vivian, &c. &c. &c._'

The regiment having completed three years' service in Ireland, embarked at Cork on board of steam-vessels in May, 1835, for Bristol, from whence it marched to Brighton, with detached troops at Canterbury, Chichester, and Horsham; and relieved the Grenadier Guards in the duty at the Royal Pavilion.

In July the regiment was inspected by Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac, who expressed himself much pleased with its steadiness and discipline; and on the 10th of August it was inspected by Lieut.-General Lord Hill, the General Commanding-in-Chief, who was pleased to direct Lieut.-Colonel Chatterton to issue an order, stating that 'the appearance of the men and horses, and the discipline and interior economy of the regiment were such as to merit his fullest approbation; and that the squadron he had lately inspected at Canterbury was also in the most perfect order.'

A riotous assemblage of people having taken place at Steyning in opposition to the poor-laws, one troop marched thither on the 11th of September, and its timely arrival rescued the magistrates and relieving officer from a situation of very great danger. A troop also marched to Horsham for a similar purpose on the 15th of September; and another troop from Canterbury to Bath on the 20th of October.

The Colonel of the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS Lieut.-General Sir George Anson, G.C.B., inspected the regiment on the 26th of October, and directed the following paragraph to be inserted in the orderly books.

'Lieut.-General Sir George Anson has the greatest satisfaction in expressing his entire approbation of the general appearance of his regiment, and of the zeal and attention manifested by all ranks to good order and discipline.'

Their Majesties King William IV. and Queen Adelaide having arrived at the Royal Pavilion, the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS had the honour of being on the King's duty for the first time since the reign of William III. His Majesty heard the records of the regiment read in the early part of November, and expressed great interest and gratification at hearing their contents.

In December a detachment of the regiment was employed in aiding the civil power at Horsham; and a letter of thanks was received from the Duke of Richmond and magistrates assembled at that town, 'for the conduct of the detachment of the regiment there when called upon to assist the civil power, as well as for their excellent behaviour since quartered in that town.'

[Sidenote: 1836]

On the 17th of December Colonel Lord Frederic Fitz-Clarence, with a number of noblemen and general officers from the Pavilion, saw the regiment; and on the 27th of January, 1836, it was inspected by His Serene Highness Prince Ernest of Hesse Phillipstal, who was pleased to say to Lieutenant-Colonel Chatterton--'I have heard from every quarter the greatest praise of your regiment, but what I have seen has surpassed my utmost expectation, and I shall not fail to mention to His Majesty the pleasure I have experienced in seeing so fine a corps.' His Majesty was afterwards pleased to express his royal satisfaction at what Prince Ernest had reported; and also his approbation, and that of the Queen, at the excellent performance of the band at all times when playing at the Pavilion; and at the good conduct of the regiment during their Majesties' sojourn at Brighton.

A change of quarters took place in May, and the regiment was stationed at Dorchester, Trowbridge, and Weymouth, and was inspected on the 11th and 12th of July by Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac.

[Sidenote: 1837]

During the following summer the regiment marched for Manchester, and was stationed at Hulme barracks; and on the 29th of May took part in a grand procession and spectacle at Manchester in honour of His Majesty's birth-day.

The decease of King William IV. having taken place on the 20th of June, the FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS, 48th regiment, and artillery, took part in a grand procession on the 23rd of that month, at Manchester, on the occasion of the proclamation of the accession of HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA to the throne. On the following day the regiment assumed the usual mourning for His late Majesty.

In July the regiment marched out of Manchester, during the election, and on two or three occasions the troops were called upon to assist the civil power at Salford, and also at Prescot; and on the 26th of July a subaltern and 20 men marched to Bury on a similar duty. On the 9th of August the regiment returned to Hulme barracks, and on the 10th and 11th was inspected by Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac.

After the termination of the elections the following communication from Lord John Russell to the general commanding-in-chief was communicated to the regiment by Major-General Sir Richard Jackson.

'My Lord,

'I have received the Queen's commands to signify to your Lordship
Her Majesty's entire approval of the conduct of the military
employed during the elections in England and Wales, where their
assistance has been called for by the magistrates for the
preservation of the public peace; and to desire your Lordship
will communicate to the military, whose services have been so
required, Her Majesty's gracious approval of their conduct.'

On the 4th of October Major-General Sir Richard Jackson, K.C.B., inspected the regiment. In December detachments were employed in supporting the civil power at Halifax and Bradford against persons resisting the poor-laws.

[Sidenote: 1838]

The regiment took part, with the royal artillery, 98th foot, and magistrates, clergy, &c., in a solemn procession in honour of Her Majesty's birth-day at Manchester on the 17th of May. During the following month it marched to the vicinity of London, and was quartered at Islington and Clerkenwell; and on the 28th of June two squadrons occupied stations near Westminster Abbey during the ceremonial of Her Majesty's coronation.

On the 8th of July the regiment took the Queen's Guard at the Horse Guards; and on the following day furnished two squadrons to keep the ground in Hyde Park during the time the Household Cavalry Brigade, Tenth Royal Hussars, Twelfth Royal Lancers, three troops of Royal Horse Artillery, three batteries of Field Artillery, four battalions of Foot Guards, and two battalions of the Rifle Brigade, commanded by General the Marquis of Anglesea, K.G. and G.C.B., were reviewed by Her Majesty. A letter was afterwards received from Lieutenant-General Sir Willoughby Gordon, G.C.B., Quartermaster-General, expressive of his 'perfect satisfaction at the very attentive and soldierlike conduct of, and the great assistance afforded by, the detachment of the regiment, whilst keeping the ground in Hyde Park.'

After the review, the regiment marched to Ipswich and Norwich, where it was inspected by Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac, K.C.H., on the 23rd of July: the regiment had not been stationed in the county of Suffolk since the year 1688.

Her Majesty Queen Victoria was graciously pleased to approve of this regiment bearing on its standards and appointments the _Harp_ and _Crown_, in addition to the _Star_ of the most illustrious _Order of St. Patrick_, with the motto _Quis separabit?_ as a national badge connected with its title of "ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS."

On the 24th September a detachment of the regiment marched from Norwich to Stanfield Hall, where its presence was required to assist the civil power in securing some persons who were illegally assembled, and who bade defiance to the magistrates. After some resistance the rioters were secured, and eighty-four of them lodged in Norwich Jail. The Magistrates transmitted to the General Commanding in Chief a letter, explanatory of the circumstances which had occasioned them to call for the aid of the troops, and expressive of their thanks for the promptitude with which assistance was granted, as well as for the steadiness and good conduct of the detachment, and for the valuable aid afforded by the officers and soldiers.

The Fourth Dragoon Guards, under a well-regulated system of discipline and the direction of intelligent officers, in whom the men have confidence, have evinced their usefulness to the country by their firm and temperate conduct on home duty, as well as by their bravery in the field when called upon to combat a foreign enemy. Instances frequently occur, in which the magistrates call for the aid of the military, without whose co-operation the civil police would sometimes be unequal to repress and control the violence of a lawless mob. On these occasions, the conduct of the troops has been such as to draw forth the commendations and thanks of the civil authorities, which have been communicated to the General Commanding in Chief, and by his authority signified in orders to the troops who have been so employed, and whose conduct has merited such commendations.

_Madeley, lith. 3, Wellington St. Strand._
_J. Spence det._

FOURTH, or ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS.]

FOOTNOTES:

[7] Captain Charles Nedby commanded a troop in the Duke of Monmouth's regiment of horse, which was raised in 1678, in the expectation of a war with France, and was disbanded in the following year. In 1680 he raised an independent troop of horse for service at Tangier in Africa, and proceeding thither immediately, distinguished himself in an action with the Moors, on 27th of September, 1680. In 1683 the four troops of Tangier horse were constituted, together with two troops raised in England, the Royal Regiment of Dragoons. Captain Nedby continued in the Royal Dragoons until June, 1685, when he raised a troop of horse for the Queen's Regiment, now 1st Dragoon Guards; and in July of the same year he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the EARL OF ARRAN'S Regiment.

[8] According to the estimates of this period, the following sums were usually paid for the clothing of the horse:--

£ _s._ _d._
Scarlet coats 3 10 0
Corporal's ditto 4 10 0
Red cloaks, lined 2 5 0
Hats edged with lace 0 15 0
Sword and belts 1 0 0
Carbine belts 0 7 0
Cloth waistcoats 0 1 5
Buff gloves 0 7 6
Horse furniture,--viz.: housing }
and holster-caps, embroidered } 1 5 0
Jacked boots 1 6 0
Cartouch boxes 0 2 6

Each Captain clothed his own trumpeter, and the Colonel the kettle-drummer.

[9] The Fifth Horse were embodied in July, 1685, under the command of the Earl of Thanet, who was succeeded, on the 24th of October of the same year, by Major-General Werden. This officer commanded the regiment until December, 1688, when Lord Deloraine was appointed to the command; his Lordship was succeeded in the following year by Colonel Francis Russell, who commanded it until it was disbanded.

[10] Lord Mountjoy was a warm-hearted Irish nobleman, devoted to the Protestant interest. At the Revolution he was desirous of having Ireland delivered into the hands of King William; the Lord-Lieutenant, Earl Tyrconnel, appeared to acquiesce, and sent Lord Mountjoy to France to obtain the sanction of King James, who confined him in the Bastile, where he remained until 1692, when he was exchanged for General Richard Hamilton. He arrived from France a few days before the battle of Steenkirk, and though holding no military rank, he served with this regiment as a volunteer, and was killed as above stated.

[11] The Princess Anne's regiment was formed of independent troops of horse raised in June, 1685, and the Colonelcy conferred on the Earl of Scarsdale, who was succeeded, on the 1st of December, 1687, by Charles, Duke of St. Alban's. This regiment was remarkable for being one of the first corps which joined the Prince of Orange in November, 1688; having been conducted to His Highness's quarters by the Lieutenant-Colonel, Thomas Langston, who was immediately promoted to the Colonelcy of the regiment, and his brother, Captain Francis Langston, of the Royal Dragoons, was promoted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy. Colonel Thomas Langston died of a fever at Lisburn, in Ireland, in December, 1689, and the Colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on his brother Francis. This regiment served at the battles of the Boyne and Aghrim in Ireland, and at Steenkirk in the Netherlands; but having lost many men and horses, the remainder were transferred to other corps, and the regiment was taken off the establishment of the army in the autumn of 1692. The officers served _en seconde_ until vacancies occurred in other regiments.

[12] When the regimental record was read to King William IV. in November, 1835, at the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, His Majesty observed--'I was often at the house where the peace of Ryswick was signed. It was then the property of the Earl of Athlone, but now belongs to the Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen, sister to her Majesty the Queen.'

[13] Official Records in Ireland.

[14] While the regiment was on Dublin duty the following curious order was received.

'_Dublin, 31st January, 1764._

'Lieutenant-General Fowkes recommends to the officers of the garrison that they would not play at the castle whilst on duty; and that the officers of the Horse Guards will avoid mixing with the ladies in the drawing-room, on account of the inconveniency of spurs to the ladies' hoop petticoats.

(Signed) 'D. GRANT, Captain 52nd Reg.,
for the Major of Brigade.'

[15] It has been stated that the troop-horses' tails were first docked in 1698; but the practice did not become general until ten years afterwards.

[16] See the Royal Warrant of the 19th December, 1768.

[17] Previous to reviews at this period a set of movements were fixed on by the Lord-Lieutenant, and ordered to be performed in his presence; the movements of the First Horse on this occasion were:--Salute--march past by squadrons--ditto by fours--dismount--manual exercise--march past by divisions--ditto by files--mount--cavalry evolutions--form line to the right twice--wheel to the right about--form line to the left twice--wheel to the left about--form two columns by quarter ranks from the centre of each squadron--double up to half-ranks--form squadrons--file from the right of fours--form squadrons--file from the left of fours--form squadrons--by fours to the right about--file from the right of fours--form to the rear--by fours to the right about--form four squadrons--wheel the line--charge--retreat by files from the right--form to the front--form two lines opposite, by squadrons wheeling outwards--charge through the intervals--form two columns to the rear by each line wheeling by squadrons inwards--squadrons wheel to the front--form two squadrons--advance--form six squadrons--form two columns on the centre squadrons--form line--charge--retreat by three squadrons, the three others supporting--move to the right to gain a flank--form and charge--form two squadrons--centre troops advance and pursue--retire and form in the rear of their own squadrons--charge--take ground to both flanks and rear by fours--charge--retreat by fours--form line--advance--halt--general salute.

[18]

'_Adjutant-General's Office, 19th April, 1788._

'Dear Sir,

'Having had the honour of laying yesterday before His Majesty your request that the FOURTH REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS, late the _First Regiment of Horse_, under your command, might bear the title of ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS, I have the pleasure to acquaint you that His Majesty has been graciously pleased to grant his royal permission for the same.

'I am, &c.
'WILLIAM FAWCETT, _Adjutant-General_.

'Lieut.-General George Warde,
Colonel of the Fourth Regt.
of Dragoon Guards.'

[19] In this attack Lord Mountjoy was killed. He was the second nobleman of that name who fell while serving with this Regiment. See the account of the battle of Steenkirk, in 1692, page 12.

[20] This eminence had been the scene of the most infamous and inhuman proceedings. Here the hapless Protestants seized by the rebels were taken and maliciously butchered, after a mock trial, and often no trial at all: some were shot, others transfixed with pikes, and many were barbarously tortured before their final execution. It appears, from unquestionable authority, that upwards of 500 Protestants were murdered on this fatal hill; and the priests were the instigators of these horrid religious massacres.

[21] When this part of the record was read to King William IV. at the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, on the 9th day of November, 1835, His Majesty observed:--'I recollect perfectly well inspecting the squadron at Liverpool with the Duke of Gloucester, and I think _they were the finest men and horses I ever saw_. In a short time afterwards we went to see the regiment at Manchester, and were equally pleased with the whole. It is a long time ago now, but the circumstance is fresh in my memory.' His Majesty directed Colonel Chatterton to make a note of this in the record.

[22] During this year, 1815, the white web pantaloons and Hessian boots, were replaced by dark-coloured cloth overalls and short boots.

[23] Horse furniture was originally used by both officers and men of the regiment, but it was discontinued in the early part of the reign of George III.

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF THE

FOURTH, OR ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT OF DRAGOON GUARDS.

JAMES EARL OF ARRAN.

_Appointed 28th of July, 1685._

THE EARL OF ARRAN was the eldest son of Lord William Douglas, a faithful supporter of the royal cause during the rebellion, who was created Earl of Selkirk by King Charles I. in 1646, and having married Anne Duchess of Hamilton, only surviving daughter of James first Duke of Hamilton, was, in consequence of a petition from the Duchess, created DUKE OF HAMILTON for life by King Charles II.

Shortly after the restoration the EARL OF ARRAN obtained an appointment in the household of King Charles II.,[24] and after remaining some time at court, he was sent with a congratulatory communication to the French Monarch, and served two campaigns with the French army in the capacity of aide-de-camp to Louis XIV. In 1685, when the Earl of Argyle raised the standard of rebellion in Scotland, the EARL OF ARRAN took an active part against the insurgents: he also raised a troop of horse for the service of King James II., who appointed him Colonel of the SIXTH REGIMENT OF HORSE, now FOURTH, OR ROYAL IRISH DRAGOON GUARDS. He was nominated a Knight Companion of the Thistle, on the revival of that Order in 1687, and in the following year he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, and appointed Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards. At the Revolution his conduct was remarkable for the unshaken fidelity which he evinced to his sovereign under all circumstances. When he could no longer serve the King in a military capacity, he performed his duty as gentleman of the bed-chamber, and attended His Majesty from the time of his departure from London to the moment of his embarkation at Rochester; and at the meeting of the Scottish nobility and gentry in London, in January, 1689, at which the duke, his father, presided, he expressed himself in reply to the request of the Prince of Orange for advice:--'The surest way to heal the breach is to address His Majesty to return from France, and call a free parliament. I can distinguish between his popery and his person: I dislike the one; but I have sworn, and do owe, allegiance to the other.' He had previously been removed from his regiment by the Prince of Orange.

During the hostilities which followed the accession of William and Mary, the EARL OF ARRAN did not appear in arms in favour of King James; but he was suspected of corresponding with the court of France, and was twice committed a prisoner to the Tower of London: he was, however, discharged without being brought to trial. After the decease of his father the dukedom of Hamilton reverted to his mother, in whom it was hereditary; but she resigned that honour in favour of his lordship, who was created DUKE OF HAMILTON, by patent, dated the 10th of August, 1698. His grace adhered, privately, to the interest of King James and the Pretender, until his decease, which was tragical, being killed in a duel with Lord Mohun, who was also slain at the same time in Hyde Park, on the 15th of November, 1712.

CHARLES EARL OF SELKIRK.

_Appointed 20th November, 1688._

LORD CHARLES HAMILTON, third son of William Duke of Hamilton, entered the Life Guards in the year 1686, and obtained the appointment of Guidon and Major in the fourth troop. He was advanced to the peerage by the title of EARL OF SELKIRK, on his father's resignation of that honour, in October, 1688; and adhering to King James II. at the Revolution, was promoted to the Colonelcy of the SIXTH HORSE, in succession to his brother the Earl of Arran; but was removed from his regiment by the Prince of Orange, in December of the same year. The EARL OF SELKIRK subsequently entered warmly into the protestant interest, and held civil appointments under the crown in the reigns of William III., George I., and George II.; and died on the 13th of March, 1739.

CHARLES GODFREY.

_Appointed 31st December, 1688._

When the army was augmented in 1678, in the expectation of a war with France, CHARLES GODFREY, Esq., obtained a commission in the Duke of Monmouth's Regiment of Horse, which was disbanded in the following year. He appears not to have held any military appointment from that period until the revolution in 1688, when, being a strenuous advocate of the protestant cause, he obtained, through the interest of John Lord Churchill, the Colonelcy of the SIXTH HORSE.[25] After the Earl of Marlborough had been sent prisoner to the Tower of London, on a charge of treason, Colonel Godfrey was removed from his command; and he did not afterwards serve in a military capacity. He was many years Master of the Jewel House, and a Member of Parliament in the reign of Queen Anne; and died in 1715.

FRANCIS LANGSTON.

_Appointed 7th March, 1693._

This officer served under his brother, Captain Thomas Langston, who commanded a troop of horse at Tangier in Africa, and signalized himself against the Moors. When the troops of Tangier Horse were constituted Royal Dragoons, in 1683, FRANCIS LANGSTON obtained a commission in that corps, and he served in the Royal Regiment of Dragoons until December, 1688, when the Prince of Orange promoted him to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Eighth, or Princess Anne's Regiment of Horse, of which his brother was appointed Colonel. He proceeded with his regiment to Ireland in the same year; and his brother Thomas dying in that country, he was appointed to succeed him in the Colonelcy of the Eighth Horse. He served at the head of his regiment at the battles of the Boyne and Aghrim, and in numerous skirmishes, until the final reduction of Ireland under the dominion of William III. His services were immediately afterwards transferred to the Netherlands; and his regiment having suffered severely, from having been long exposed to a furious cannonade at the battle of Steenkirk, it was disbanded, and Colonel Langston was appointed to the command of the FIFTH HORSE, now FOURTH DRAGOON GUARDS. At the battle of _Landen_ this officer highly distinguished himself at the head of the right squadron of his regiment, and was wounded and taken prisoner. He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General on the 1st of June, 1697; and proceeding, after the peace of Ryswick, with his regiment to Ireland, he was placed on the staff of the army in that country.

During the wars in the reign of Queen Anne this officer was not employed on foreign service, but was continued on the staff of Ireland. He was promoted to the rank of Major-General on the 1st of June, 1703, and to that of Lieutenant-General on the 1st of June, 1704.

When the great Duke of Marlborough was removed from his military commands, Lieutenant-General Langston appears to have been considered too firmly devoted to the protestant cause, and to the succession of the House of Hanover, for the new ministry to confide in him, and he retired from the army. This veteran died on the 6th of April, 1723.

GEORGE JOCELYN.

_Appointed 20th October, 1713._

This officer obtained the commission of Cornet in _the Queen Dowager's_ Regiment of Horse, commanded by George Viscount Hewyt (now Sixth Dragoon Guards) in 1689, and served at the battle of the Boyne under King William III. On the 5th of May, 1690, he was engaged in a gallant affair with the enemy near Castle Cuff, and was wounded.[26] He also served at the battle of Aghrim, and siege of Limerick; and in 1693 at the hard-contested battle of Landen. After the peace of Ryswick he entered the corps of Life Guards, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Troop (now Second Regiment), commanded by the Duke of Ormond. On the 29th of May, 1706, he obtained the rank of Colonel in the army, and on the 12th of February, 1711, that of Brigadier-General. After the Duke of Ormond was promoted to the elevated station of Captain-General of the Forces, Brigadier-General Jocelyn obtained the Colonelcy of the FIFTH HORSE; and when his Grace was removed from the command of the army by King George I., this officer obtained permission to dispose of his appointment: he died on the 9th of November, 1727.

SHERRINGTON DAVENPORT.

_Appointed 9th February, 1715._

SHERRINGTON DAVENPORT was appointed Adjutant of the Queen Dowager's Regiment of Horse in 1687; and after serving at the battles of the Boyne and Aghrim, and at both sieges of Limerick, in Ireland; and at the battle of Landen, and covering the siege of Namur in the Netherlands, he was promoted to the Majority of the regiment on the 13th of August, 1696. He subsequently obtained a commission in the First Troop (now First Regiment) of Life Guards, in which corps he obtained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He was appointed Brigadier-General in 1707, and Major-General in 1710; and being firmly devoted to the protestant interest, he was permitted, soon after the arrival of King George I. from Hanover, to purchase the Colonelcy of the FIFTH HORSE, which he retained until his decease on the 2nd of July, 1719.

OWEN WYNNE.

_Appointed 6th July, 1719._

OWEN WYNNE entered the army on the 8th of March, 1688. After the Revolution he proceeded to Ireland, of which country he was a native, and he was engaged with the Enniskillen men in their determined resistance to the power of King James II. When the Enniskillen bands were incorporated into regiments, he obtained a commission in Wynne's (afterwards Fifth or Royal Irish) Dragoons. With this corps he served in numerous skirmishes and engagements until after the reduction of the whole of Ireland under the power of King William III. He also served under the King in Flanders, and was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment on the 20th of July, 1695. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1703, and was commissioned, in 1705, to raise and discipline a regiment of foot, of which he was appointed Colonel. In 1706 he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, and on the 1st of January, 1709, to that of Major-General. His regiment of foot served the campaigns of 1710 and 1711 under the great Duke of Marlborough, and that of 1712 under the Duke of Ormond, and was disbanded after the conclusion of the peace of Utrecht; but in 1715, when Jacobite principles had become so prevalent in the nation that an insurrection was expected, a regiment of dragoons (now the Ninth Lancers) was raised, of which Major-General Owen Wynne was appointed Colonel; and he was instrumental in suppressing the rebellion which broke out in the autumn of that year in favour of the Pretender. In 1719 he was removed to the Colonelcy of the FIFTH HORSE; and on the 10th of March, 1726, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General. He was removed to the Colonelcy of the Royal Irish Dragoons, in which corps he had performed his early services, in August, 1732; and he held the command of that regiment until his decease on the 28th of February, 1737.

THOMAS PEARCE.

_Appointed 27th September, 1732._

THOMAS PEARCE, choosing the profession of arms, obtained the commission of Ensign on the 28th of February, 1689, and after serving three campaigns in the Netherlands, he was appointed Captain of the Grenadier company in the Second Foot Guards in October, 1694. In the following summer he served at the siege of Namur, and was engaged on the night of the 8th of July in storming the covered way, when, led by his innate ardour, he advanced too far in front of his men, and was wounded and taken prisoner. He served in the expedition to Cadiz in 1702, and commanded the first division of Grenadiers, which effected a landing between Rota and Fort St. Catherine. Himself and eight men only had landed, when they were charged by a troop of Spanish horse. The grenadiers fought manfully, slew the Spanish commanding officer and five men, took two officers prisoners, and forced the remainder to retreat: he afterwards summoned the Fort of St. Catherine, which surrendered: he also commanded a party of grenadiers at the storming of the Forts of Vigo, and was wounded. His gallantry was rewarded, in April of the following year, with the Colonelcy of a newly-raised regiment of foot, from which he was removed in February, 1704, to an older corps--now the Fifth or Northumberland Fusiliers. In 1707, he proceeded with his regiment to Portugal; and in 1709 highly distinguished himself at the head of a brigade of infantry at the battle of the Caya, where he was taken prisoner. After being exchanged he was promoted to the rank of Major-General, and returning to Portugal, commanded a brigade in that country until the peace of Utrecht. On the 5th of March, 1727, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General, and in 1732 he was removed to the FIFTH HORSE. He was a member of Parliament for Melcombe Regis, and died in 1739.

JAMES LORD TYRAWLEY.

_Appointed 26th August, 1739._