Chapter II: Part 2

"It gives me the greatest satisfaction to have to announce to you, for the information of the Most Noble the Governor-General in India, that the fort of Amulneir surrendered unconditionally to the force I have the honor to command, about noon this day, where, as soon after as possible, Brevet Major Owen, of His Majesty's SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, by my orders, occupied the whole of the gates and fort with part of the flank companies of that regiment. This service, I am happy to say, was effected without firing a shot. May I request your orders respecting the disposal of Ally Jemadar and his followers, who are now prisoners in camp."

Here the four companies, which left head-quarters in May, rejoined the regiment.

Leaving Amulneir on the 4th of December, the SIXTY-SEVENTH proceeded to Malligaum, where the battalion arrived on the 14th of that month.

[Sidenote: 1819]

The SIXTY-SEVENTH marched for Amulneir, with the force under the command of Colonel Huskinson, on the 25th of February, 1819. On the 3rd of March eight companies of the regiment, under Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell,[13] proceeded to Asseerghur, and joined the force under Brigadier-General Doveton, before the fortress of _Asseerghur_,[14] which, on account of its strength, has been designated the "Gibraltar of the East."

The fortress of Asseerghur, which had been held by one of Scindiah's refractory chiefs, is situated on a detached hill between the rivers Nerbudda and Tapty: it consists of an upper and lower fort; the upper one is of an irregular form, about 1100 yards from east to west, and about 600 from north to south; it crowns the top of the hill, which is about 750 feet in height; a perpendicular precipice from 80 to 120 feet, surmounted with a low wall full of loopholes, surrounds it, with the exception of one place, which is strongly fortified. Below are two lines of works, the outer one forming the lower fort, which rises directly above the Pettah,[15] and the entrance to which is protected by strong gateways and flanking works. Immense labour and great skill had been employed to render this naturally strong post almost impregnable; and at the siege of which the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment was present.

The Hyderabad division was encamped at Neembolah, about seven miles from Asseerghur, and negotiations having failed, about twelve o'clock on the night of the 17th of March five companies of the Royal Scots (First regiment of foot) with the flank companies of the Thirtieth, SIXTY-SEVENTH, and Madras European regiment, five companies of native infantry, and a detachment of sappers and miners, the whole commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Fraser, of the Royal Scots, and a reserve commanded by Major Dalrymple, of the Thirtieth, assembled at the camp for the attack of the pettah of Asseer; another party was also directed to co-operate in this service from Brigadier-General Sir John Malcolm's division.

The column commenced its march between one and two o'clock, advancing up the bed of a deep nullah, or small river, nearly dry at the time; the assaulting party arrived unobserved within five hundred yards of the pettah, then rushed upon the gate with the greatest ardour and steadiness, the Royal Scots leading the way. The enemy was surprised, and, after discharging a few rounds of grape, retired. The head of the attacking column forced the gate, and proceeding up the main street, encountered an advanced piquet of the enemy, which retired to the lower fort, firing occasionally at the head of the column. Major Charles MacLeod, of the East India Company's service, Deputy-Quartermaster-General, acted as guide on the occasion; by his direction the leading files of the Royal Scots pursued the enemy close under the walls of the fortress, from whence an incessant fire of artillery and matchlocks was kept up; a few ill-directed rockets were also discharged.

The leading sections of the Royal Scots, which had pursued the enemy up the hill, were joined by one or two files of the Thirtieth and SIXTY-SEVENTH regiments, the whole amounting to about 25 or 30 men. As soon as the enemy saw the small force before which he had so precipitately fled, he immediately rallied, and came shouting down the hill with augmented numbers to attack this small party, but was repulsed by a spirited charge with the bayonet, which, with a few rounds of musketry, obliged him to retreat within the works, some of which were within about fifty yards of this handful of men, leaving the Chief, who was shot in the _melée_, and several men on the field.

The pettah of Asseerghur was thus captured on the morning of the 18th of March, with trifling loss; but on the evening of the following day a desperate sally was made by a part of the garrison on the advanced post of the troops in the pettah, on which occasion Lieutenant-Colonel Fraser, of the Royal Scots, was unfortunately killed, while gallantly rallying the party under his command, and keeping the advance in their position. The enemy was, however, immediately driven back, and compelled to retire into the fort.

During the progress of constructing new batteries on elevated and commanding situations, the dragging of ordnance into many of them was performed by the European soldiers, who literally worked like horses; during the whole of the time they were annoyed by a constant fire of matchlocks from the walls of the upper fort (the lower fort had been taken possession of on the 30th of March, by part of Brigadier-General Sir John Malcolm's division), but which was too distant to prevent the execution of this Herculean labour, which was performed with that ardour and cheerfulness so characteristic of British soldiers, when necessity demands from them any extraordinary exertions.

On the 31st of March, part of the Bengal army, consisting of 2200 native troops, with 22 pieces of heavy ordnance, commanded by Brigadier-General Watson, joined the besieging force; and these guns were soon placed in battery, and opened on the fort. The storm of war now raged furiously round Asseerghur, and a breach was soon effected in the outer wall at the only assailable part of the fort; at the same time two batteries were directed against the inner wall. This unremitting fire was continued until the 6th of April, when the garrison forced the Killedar to sue for terms, namely, "liberty to preserve their arms, and to depart with their personal property."

These conditions were refused, and hostilities recommenced; the Killedar, however, accepted the terms offered on the 8th, and agreed to surrender the fort on the morning of the 9th, when the firing ceased; but as he stated that he could not answer for the garrison, the control of which he had lost, preparations were made for renewing operations in case of refusal.

The garrison surrendered unconditionally on the 9th of April, and five hundred men of the SIXTY-SEVENTH, under the command of Major Benjafield, with the 7th Madras light cavalry, and the second battalion of the 13th Madras native infantry, took possession of the fortress, on the garrison marching out and laying down their arms on the public parade.

The following was the return of ordnance, &c. taken in the fortress of Asseerghur by the troops under the command of Brigadier-General Doveton. Brass and iron ordnance, 128; about 36,000 stone and iron shot, of different sizes; two hundredweight of gunpowder; 2000 wall-pieces, of different sizes; and about four hundredweight of grape-shot.

During the siege the SIXTY-SEVENTH had Lieutenants J. Adair and John Hannah severely wounded; Lieutenant Adair[16] was twice severely wounded by matchlock balls in the left arm and right side, on the 19th of March, in repulsing the sortie of the garrison of Asseerghur:--one serjeant, one drummer, and eleven rank and file were wounded.

Major Owen, who commanded the flank companies of His Majesty's SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, was particularly mentioned in Orders by Brigadier-General Doveton, who also reported that "the fall of Asseer leaves to the Brigadier-General only the pleasing task of recording his sense of the merits and exertions of the officers and troops, and of bringing them to the notice of superior authority, where they can alone be fully and properly appreciated.

"To the means placed at the Brigadier-General's disposal, by the rapid advance of the division under the personal command of Brigadier-General Sir John Malcolm, K.C.B., as well as of the troops from the Nerbudda field force and from Saugur, under the personal command of Brigadier-General Watson, C.B., to the science and skill of the engineer and artillery branches, and finally to the distinguished gallantry and persevering exertions of the whole of the officers and troops whom the Brigadier-General has the honor to command, are principally to be attributed the fall of so stupendous a fortress in eleven days from the opening of the trenches....

"He requests also that Lieutenant-Colonels MacDowell, Dewar, Ewart (Lieut.-Colonel of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment), Greenstreet, and Pollock, commanding brigades of infantry, will be fully persuaded of the high estimation in which he holds the eminent services rendered by them, as well as by the officers and men of their several brigades"....

Brigadier-General Sir John Malcolm also reported:--

"I have to state my sense of the zeal and activity of my Aide-de-Camp, Ensign G. Pasley, of His Majesty's Fourteenth foot, and extra Aide-de-Camp Lieutenant J. Pasley, of His Majesty's SIXTY-SEVENTH foot."

On the 12th of April, the SIXTY-SEVENTH marched from Asseerghur, and arrived at Mallygaum on the 26th of the same month.

The decease of Major Nathaniel Benjafield, of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, occurred on the 2nd of June, 1819.

[Sidenote: 1820]

The regiment proceeded on the 6th of December, 1820, from Mallygaum, in Candeish, and arrived at Sholapore, in the Deccan, on the 29th of that month.

[Sidenote: 1823]

Colonel Samuel Huskinson, the Lieut.-Colonel of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, was promoted on the 19th of July, 1821, to the rank of Major-General, and on the 10th of January, 1837, was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant-General.

Marching from Sholapore on the 23rd of April, the regiment arrived at Poonah on the 10th of May, 1823.

[Sidenote: 1826]

On the 2nd of January, 1826, the first battalion of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment embarked in three divisions at Bombay for Calcutta, and arrived there on the 2nd of March following. On the 13th of March the battalion proceeded to Rangoon, and arrived opposite the town on the 27th of the same month. The battalion returned to Calcutta on 5th of April following.

Major S. B. Taylor, Captain W. Webster, and Lieutenant J. Hassall, of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, died at Fort William during April and May of this year.

The SIXTY-SEVENTH embarked for England in the ships Zenobia, Caroline, and Catherine Stewart Forbes, under the command of Major Poyntz on the 9th of June, 1826. The head-quarters and second division arrived at Gravesend on the 28th of November following, after an absence of twenty-one years in India; the remainder of the regiment arrived at Gravesend on the 16th of April, 1827.

On the 20th of December, 1826, the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment was authorised by His Majesty King George IV. to bear on its colours and appointments, in addition to any other badges or devices heretofore granted, the figure of the ROYAL TIGER, with the word "INDIA" superscribed, in commemoration of its services in that part of the world from the year 1805 to 1826.

The regiment marched from Chatham to Windsor in December, 1826.

In March, 1827, the regiment proceeded from Windsor to Weedon, and in October the head-quarters were stationed at Bolton, in Lancashire.

[Sidenote: 1828]

Towards the end of July, 1828, the regiment proceeded to Manchester, and in October it marched to Liverpool.

His Majesty King George the Fourth was pleased to appoint Major-General John Macdonald, C.B. (Deputy Adjutant-General to the Forces) to the colonelcy of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, on the 25th of August, 1828, in succession to General Sir William Keppel, removed to the Second or Queen's Royal regiment of foot.

[Sidenote: 1829]

The regiment marched from Liverpool to Stockport in January, 1829, and in May following proceeded to Chester.

Major the Honorable H. R. Molyneux was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel in the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, on the 9th of April, 1829, Lieut.-Colonel Nathaniel Burslem having retired from the service.

[Sidenote: 1830]

On the 18th of May, 1830, the regiment proceeded from Chester to Liverpool, and embarked for Dublin, from whence it proceeded to Mullingar.

On the 23rd of December, 1830, the regiment proceeded from Mullingar to Newry, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel the Honorable Henry R. Molyneux.

[Sidenote: 1832]

On the 14th of January, 1832, the SIXTY-SEVENTH, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel the Honorable H. R. Molyneux, embarked at Dublin in the Stentor and Prince Regent transports for Gibraltar, and the service companies arrived at that fortress on the 25th of February. The depôt companies of the regiment remained in Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1833]

The service companies embarked in His Majesty's ship Revenge, from Gibraltar, on the 28th of February, 1833, for the West Indies, and arrived at Barbadoes on the 29th of March.

[Sidenote: 1834]

[Sidenote: 1836]

In May, 1834, the service companies proceeded to St. Christopher's; and in May, 1836, were removed to Demerara.

The depôt companies were removed from Cork to Sheerness, in August, 1836, and in September, 1839, proceeded from Gosport to Cork.

[Sidenote: 1837]

The service companies remained at Demerara during the year 1837.

[Sidenote: 1838]

In January, 1838, the service companies proceeded to Berbice, but returned to Demerara in June following.

[Sidenote: 1839]

The service companies proceeded from Demerara to Barbadoes, in June, 1839.

[Sidenote: 1840]

On the 21st of April, the service companies, consisting of 30 serjeants, 8 drummers, and 449 rank and file, embarked, under the command of Brevet Major T. C. Harpour, from Barbadoes for North America, in Her Majesty's ships Sapphire and Athol. The regiment disembarked at Chambly, in Canada, on the 21st of May.

During the year 1840 the depôt companies were stationed at Buttevant and Galway.

[Sidenote: 1841]

The service companies proceeded from Chambly to Drummondville, in May, 1841.

In June, 1841, the depôt companies were removed from Galway to Templemore.

[Sidenote: 1842]

The head-quarters, under the command of Major E. B. Brooke, marched from Drummondville on the 19th of May, and arrived at St. Helen's, Montreal, on the 25th of May, 1842. On the 3rd of November, 1842, the service companies embarked in the Pestonjee Bomonjee transport at Quebec, and disembarked at Plymouth on the 15th of December following.

The depôt companies joined the regiment on the 15th of December, 1842, having been removed from Ireland to Plymouth in October.

[Sidenote: 1843]

In May, 1843, the regiment proceeded from Plymouth to Weedon, and in July marched to Manchester.

[Sidenote: 1844]

Lieutenant-General John Clitherow was appointed by Her Majesty to be Colonel of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, on the 15th of January, 1844, upon Lieutenant-General Sir John Macdonald, G.C.B. (Adjutant-General to the Forces), being removed to the Forty-second, Royal Highland, regiment.

In December, 1844, the regiment was removed from Manchester to Dublin.

[Sidenote: 1845]

During the year 1845 the regiment continued to be stationed at Dublin.

[Sidenote: 1846]

In January, 1846, the regiment marched to Limerick, and in May proceeded to Cork.

At this period the regiment was augmented to twelve companies, consisting of 67 serjeants, 25 drummers, and 1200 rank and file, and was subsequently organised into two battalions, preparatory to embarking on foreign service.

On the 9th of November, 1846, Colonel Thomas Bunbury, K.H., commanding the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, was promoted to the rank of Major-General, and Major Edward Basil Brooke was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy, vacant by the promotion of Major-General Bunbury.[17]

[Sidenote: 1847]

During the year 1847 the SIXTY-SEVENTH continued at Cork.

[Sidenote: 1848]

The first battalion embarked at Cork, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Edward Basil Brooke, in the Herefordshire freight-ship, on the 8th of January, 1848, and arrived at Gibraltar on the 19th of that month.

On the 20th of January, 1848, the reserve battalion of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel William Nesbitt Orange, embarked at Cork, in the Bombay freight-ship, and arrived at Gibraltar on the 8th of February following.

General Sir Robert Wilson, then Governor of Gibraltar, in his report, dated the 18th of May, 1848, on the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, remarked,

"It is a corps composed of a superior body of men, well regulated and well conducted, having had since its arrival but nine courts-martial.

"Its interior economy is carefully superintended by Lieutenant-Colonel Brooke.

"Her Majesty's Regulations are strictly observed in all the prescribed cases.

"It discharges every duty commendably, and is an efficient portion of the Garrison for every service."

The depôt company was removed from Cork to the Isle of Wight, in February, 1848.

[Sidenote: 1849]

On the 1st of May, 1849, the period to which this Record has been continued, the two battalions of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment were stationed at Gibraltar.

1849.

FOOTNOTES:

[6]

3rd Foot, 2nd Battalion, constituted the 61st Regiment.
4th " " " 62nd Regiment.
8th " " " 63rd Regiment.
11th " " " 64th Regiment.
12th " " " 65th Regiment.
19th " " " 66th Regiment.
20th " " " 67th Regiment.
23rd " " " 68th Regiment.
24th " " " 69th Regiment.
31st " " " 70th Regiment.
32nd " " " 71st Regiment.
33rd " " " 72nd Regiment.
34th " " " 73rd Regiment.
36th " " " 74th Regiment.
37th " " " 75th Regiment.

The 71st, 72nd, 73rd, 74th, and 75th regiments, were disbanded after the peace of Fontainebleau in 1763.

[7] Disbanded in 1763.

[8] Disbanded in 1763.

[9] On the 17th June, 1761, the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common Council assembled, waited on His Majesty, and the Recorder, Sir William Moreton, spoke the following address, referring to the capture of _Belle-Isle_:--

To the King's _most excellent_ Majesty. _The humble Address of the
Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common
Council assembled._

Most Gracious Sovereign,

With reverential awe and gratitude to the Supreme Giver of all victory, we, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of your City of London, in Common Council assembled, humbly approach your Royal Presence, to express our joy and exultation on the entire reduction of the important island of _Belle-Isle_, by the conduct, intrepidity, and perseverance of your Majesty's land and naval forces:--a conquest which, after more than one fruitless attempt in former times, seems to have been reserved by Divine Providence to grace the auspicious beginning of your Majesty's reign, and confirms our hopes of a long continuance of wise, steady, and successful measures.

A blow so humiliating to the pride and power of France, cannot but impress that haughty nation with a due sense of the superiority of a Patriot King ruling over a free, brave, and united people, and will, we trust, convince them of the danger of delaying to accept such terms of peace as Your Majesty's equity, wisdom, and moderation shall think fit to prescribe.

What therefore have we more to wish, but that Your Majesty may long, very long, continue the guardian and protector of the religious, civil, and commercial rights of Great Britain and her Colonies; and that Your Majesty's wisdom may ever be seconded by equally faithful and spirited councils; and your commands executed with no less ardour, emulation, and success.

On our part, permit us humbly to assure Your Majesty, that your faithful citizens of London will, with unwearied zeal and cheerfulness, contribute to support a vigorous prosecution of this just and necessary war; until Your Majesty, having sufficiently vindicated the honor of your Crown, and secured the trade, navigation, and possessions of your subjects, shall enjoy the blessing and the glory of giving repose to Europe, of wholly attending to and promoting the virtue and happiness of your people, and of cultivating all the softer arts of peace.

Signed by Order of the Court,

JAMES HODGES.

[10] Minorca, an island in the Mediterranean, on the eastern coast of Spain, is about thirty miles in length and twelve in breadth, and is chiefly valuable for the excellent harbour of Port Mahon. In September, 1708, Minorca was taken by Admiral Leake and a land force under Lieut.-General Stanhope, after a siege of about three weeks. The island was ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of Utrecht, and remained in its possession until 1756, when, in April of that year, it was besieged by the French, under Marshal the Duke de Richelieu. After a brave defence by the Governor, General Blakeney, the garrison surrendered, and in consideration of their gallantry were permitted to march out with all the honours of war. At the peace of Fontainebleau, in 1763, Minorca was restored to the English in exchange for Belle-Isle. In February, 1782, the garrison, under the Governor, Lieut.-General the Honorable James Murray, after suffering severely from sickness, surrendered to the Duke de Crillon, the Commander-in-Chief of the combined French and Spanish forces, and Minorca was retained by Spain by the treaty of peace of 1783. Minorca again surrendered to a British force under General the Honorable Charles Stuart, on the 15th of November, 1798; and at the peace of Amiens, in 1802, Minorca was restored to the Spaniards, under whose sway it remains at the present period.

[11] The _Concan_ is the territory situated between the range of hills which bounds the Deccan on the west and the sea-coast, and is now under the Bombay Government.

[12] Now Lieut.-General Samuel Huskinson.

[13] Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell died at Asseerghur, on the 5th of April, 1819.

[14] Named after its founder Assa, a celebrated Hindu zemindar, or landholder, of the Aheer tribe, which has been corrupted from Assa Aheer, to Asseer.

[15] Pettah, the suburbs of a fortified town.

[16] Now major in the regiment.

[17] Now commanding the troops at Jamaica and its dependencies.

_Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t. Strand_

_For Cannon's Military Records_]

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE SECOND BATTALION

OF

THE SIXTY-SEVENTH,

OR

THE SOUTH HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.

[Sidenote: 1803]

Europe gained a short cessation from hostilities by the Treaty of Amiens, and the interval of peace was employed by Napoleon Bonaparte in furthering his views for the aggrandizement of France, to enable him to become the dictator of Europe. The British Government and people, suspicious of Napoleon's projects, and roused to active measures by the threat of invasion, were enthusiastic in devising means to frustrate his designs, and the "_Army of Reserve Act_" was passed, for raising men for home service by ballot, while numerous volunteer and yeomanry corps were formed in every part of the kingdom.

To these circumstances the SECOND BATTALION of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment owes its origin, and the battalion was formed of men raised in Ireland, for limited service under the provisions of the "Army of Reserve Act," which was passed in June, 1803; the battalion was placed on the establishment from the 9th of July following.

[Sidenote: 1804]

The _Second Battalion_ was also authorised to receive men raised in Ireland, for limited service, under the "_Additional Force Act_," which was passed on the 14th of July, 1804.

The battalion was stationed in Ireland until the 20th of January, 1804, when it embarked at Warren's Point, and arrived at Greenock on the 23rd of the same month.

[Sidenote: 1807]

On the 29th of February, 1804, the battalion proceeded to Guernsey, where it remained until the 17th of November, 1807, when it was removed to Alderney.

[Sidenote: 1810]

From Alderney the battalion returned to Guernsey in July, 1810.

Six companies of the battalion, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel William Prevost, embarked for Gibraltar on the 29th of July, 1810, at which station they arrived on the 24th of September.

The four companies left at Guernsey, embarked for England in August, 1810, where they continued to be stationed during the remainder of that year.

The six companies of the second battalion remained at Gibraltar until the 22nd of November, 1810, when they embarked for Cadiz, to join the army under the command of Lieutenant-General Thomas Graham, afterwards Lord Lynedoch.

The six companies arrived at Cadiz on the 9th of December, 1810, which was at that period besieged by a powerful French army, under Marshal Soult, who subsequently proceeded on an expedition into Estremadura, leaving Marshal Victor to blockade Cadiz.

[Sidenote: 1811]

The SIXTY-SEVENTH remained at Cadiz until the 18th of February, 1811, when they proceeded with the army under the command of Lieutenant-General Thomas Graham, which consisted of a British force of about three thousand, and a body of seven thousand troops commanded by General La Pena. The design of the expedition was to make a combined attack on the rear of the French army blockading Cadiz. The forces disembarked at Algesiras on the 23rd of February, and being all united at Tarifa, marched from thence on the 28th of February.

General Zayas pushed a strong body of Spanish troops across the river Santi Petri, near the coast, on the 1st of March, threw a bridge over, and formed a _tête-de-pont_. This post was attacked by the enemy on the nights of the 3rd and 4th of March, who was repulsed, though the Spaniards sustained considerable loss.

On the 5th of March, 1811, Lieutenant-General Graham and the army under his command arrived on the low ridge of _Barrosa_, where a brilliant victory was gained over the French army under Marshal Victor, composed of the two divisions of Generals Rufin and Laval.

Lieutenant-General Graham in his despatch to the Earl of Liverpool, dated Isla de Leon, March 6th, 1811, stated:--

"The circumstances were such as compelled me to attack this very superior force. In order as well to explain to your Lordship the circumstances of peculiar disadvantage under which the action was begun, as to justify myself from the imputation of rashness in the attempt, I must state to your Lordship, that the allied army, after a night march of sixteen hours from the camp near Veger, arrived, on the morning of the 5th, at the low ridge of Barrosa, about four miles to the southward of the mouth of the Santi Petri river. This height extends inland about a mile and a half, continuing on the north the extensive heathy plain of Chiclana. A great pine forest skirts the plain, and circles round the height at some distance, terminating down to Santi Petri; the intermediate space between the north side of the height and the forest being uneven and broken.

"A well-conducted and successful attack on the rear of the enemy's lines near Santi Petri, by the vanguard of the Spanish army, under Brigadier-General Ladrizabel, having opened the communication with the Isla de Leon, I received General La Pena's directions to move down from the position of Barrosa to that of the Torre de Bermesa, about half-way to the Santi Petri river, in order to secure the communication across the river, over which a bridge had been lately established. This latter position occupies a narrow woody ridge, the right on the sea cliff, the left falling down to the Almanza creek on the edge of the marsh. A hard sandy beach gives an easy communication between the western points of these two positions.

"My division, being halted on the eastern slope of the Barrosa height, was marched about twelve o'clock through the wood towards the Bermesa, cavalry patrols having previously been sent towards Chiclana, without meeting with the enemy. On the march I received notice that the enemy had appeared in force on the plain, and was advancing towards the heights of Barrosa.

"As I considered that position as the key of that of Santi Petri, I immediately countermarched in order to support the troops left for its defence, and the alacrity with which this manœuvre was executed, served as a favourable omen. It was, however, impossible in such intricate and difficult ground to preserve order in the columns, and there never was time to restore it entirely.

"But before we could get ourselves quite disentangled from the wood, the troops on the Barrosa Hill were seen returning from it, while the enemy's left wing was rapidly ascending. At the same time his right wing stood on the plain, on the edge of the wood, within cannon-shot. A retreat in the face of such an enemy, already within reach of the easy communication by the sea-beach, must have involved the whole allied army in all the danger of being attacked during the unavoidable confusion of the different corps arriving on the narrow ridge of Bermesa nearly at the same time.

"Trusting to the known heroism of British troops, regardless of the numbers and position of their enemy, an immediate attack was determined on. Major Duncan soon opened a powerful battery of ten guns in the centre. Brigadier-General Dilkes with the brigade of Guards, Lieut.-Colonel Browne's (of the Twenty-eighth) flank battalion, Lieut.-Colonel Norcott's two companies of the second Rifle corps, and Major Acheson with a part of the SIXTY-SEVENTH foot (separated from the regiment in the wood) formed on the right.

"Colonel Wheatly's brigade, with three companies of the Coldstream Guards, under Lieut.-Colonel Jackson (separated likewise from his battalion in the wood) and Lieut.-Colonel Barnard's flank battalion, formed on the left.

"As soon as the infantry was thus hastily got together, the guns advanced to a more favourable position, and kept up a most destructive fire.

"The right wing proceeded to the attack of General Rufin's division on the hill, while Lieut.-Colonel Barnard's battalion, and Lieut.-Colonel Bushe's detachment of the twentieth Portuguese, were warmly engaged with the enemy's tirailleurs on our left.

"General Laval's division, notwithstanding the havoc made by Major Duncan's battery, continued to advance in very imposing masses, opening his fire of musketry, and was only checked by that of the left wing. The left wing now advanced firing; a most determined charge by the three companies of Guards and the eighty-seventh regiment, supported by all the remainder of the wing, decided the defeat of General Laval's division.

"The eagle of the eighth regiment of light infantry, which suffered immensely, and a howitzer, rewarded this charge, and remained in possession of Major Gough,[18] of the Eighty-seventh regiment. These attacks were zealously supported by Colonel Belson with the Twenty-eighth regiment and Lieut.-Colonel Prevost with a part of the SIXTY-SEVENTH.

"A Reserve formed beyond the narrow valley, across which the enemy was closely pursued, next shared the same fate, and was routed by the same means.

"Meanwhile the right wing was not less successful; the enemy, confident of success, met General Dilkes on the ascent of the hill, and the contest was sanguinary: but the undaunted perseverance of the brigade of Guards, of Lieut.-Colonel Browne's battalion, and of Lieut.-Colonel Norcott's, and Major Acheson's detachment, overcame every obstacle, and General Rufin's division was driven from the heights in confusion, leaving two pieces of cannon.

"No expressions of mine could do justice to the conduct of the troops throughout. Nothing less than the almost unparalleled exertions of every officer, the invincible bravery of every soldier, and the most determined devotion to the honor of His Majesty's arms, in all, could have achieved this brilliant success, against such a formidable enemy so posted.

"In less than an hour and a half from the commencement of the action, the enemy was in full retreat. The retiring division met, halted, and seemed inclined to form; a new and more advanced position of our artillery quickly dispersed them.

"The exhausted state of the troops made pursuit impossible. A position was taken on the eastern side of the hill; and we were strengthened on our right by the return of the two Spanish battalions that had been attached before to my division, but which I had left on the hill, and which had been ordered to retire. These battalions (Walloon Guards and Ciudad Real) made every effort to come back in time, when it was known that we were engaged....

"When all have so distinguished themselves, it is scarcely possible to discriminate any as the most deserving of praise. Your Lordship will, however, observe how gloriously the brigade of Guards under Brigadier-General Dilkes, with the commanders of the battalions, Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable C. Onslow and Lieut.-Colonel Sebright (wounded), as well as the three separated companies under Lieut.-Colonel Jackson, maintained the high character of His Majesty's household troops. Lieut.-Colonel Browne, with his flank battalion, Lieut.-Colonel Norcott, and Major Acheson deserve equal praise.

"I must equally recommend to your Lordship's notice, Colonel Wheatly, with Colonel Belson, Lieut.-Colonel Prevost, and Major Gough, and the officers of the respective corps composing his brigade....

"The assistance I received from the unwearied exertions of Lieut.-Colonel Macdonald,[19] and the officers of the Adjutant-General's department, of Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable C. Cathcart, and the officers of the Quartermaster-General's Department, of Captain Birch and Captain Nicholas, and the officers of the Royal Engineers, of Captain Hope, and the officers of my Personal Staff, (all animating by their example,) will ever be most gratefully remembered....

"I cannot conclude this despatch without earnestly recommending to His Majesty's gracious notice for promotion, Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Browne, Major of the 28th foot, Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Norcott, Major of the 95th Rifle Regiment, Major Duncan, Royal Artillery, Major Gough of the 87th, Major the Honorable E. Acheson of the SIXTY-SEVENTH, and Captain Birch of the Royal Engineers, all in the command of corps or detachments on this memorable service; and I confidently trust that the bearer of this despatch, Captain Hope, (to whom I refer your Lordship for further details,) will be promoted, on being permitted to lay the Eagle at His Majesty's feet."

Such are the details of the battle of _Barrosa_, in which the enemy lost about three thousand men in killed, wounded, and prisoners, while that of the English amounted to 1243 killed and wounded.

The SIXTY-SEVENTH had Lieut.-Colonel Prevost, Captain Patrickson, Lieutenant W. Ronald, and Ensign Sutherland wounded; ten men of the regiment were killed; and one serjeant and thirty rank and file were wounded.

The British captured an Eagle, six pieces of cannon, and among the prisoners were the General of Division Rufin, the General of Brigade Rosseau; the Chief of the Staff, General Bellegrade; an Aide-de-Camp of Marshal Victor, the Colonel of the eighth regiment, and several other officers. The prisoners amounted to two General Officers, one field-officer, nine captains, eight subalterns, and 420 rank and file.

Both Houses of Parliament unanimously voted their thanks to Lieut.-General Graham, and the officers and men under his command, for this victory, and their valour and ability were highly applauded by the nation. On the 11th of November following, His Majesty's commands were communicated in the subjoined memorandum:--

_Horse Guards, November 11th, 1811._

MEMORANDUM.

The Prince Regent having been graciously pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to command that, in commemoration of the brilliant victory obtained over the enemy by a division of His Majesty's army under the command of Lieut.-General Thomas Graham, at Barrosa, on the 5th of March, 1811, the undermentioned officers of the army, present upon that occasion, should enjoy the privilege of bearing a Medal, and His Royal Highness having approved of the medal which has been struck, is pleased to command, that it should be worn by the General Officers, suspended by a riband, of the colour of the sash, with a blue edge, round the neck, and by the Commanding Officers of corps and detachments, and the Chiefs of Military Departments, attached by a riband of the same colour to the button-hole of their uniform:--

Lieutenant-General Thomas Graham.
Major-General William Thomas Dilkes.
Colonel William Wheatley, 1st Foot Guards.
Lieut.-Colonel Charles P. Belson, 28th Foot.
" William Augustus Prevost, SIXTY-SEVENTH Regt.
" the Hon. T. Cranley Onslow, 3rd Foot Guards.
" Andrew F. Barnard, 95th Rifle Regt.
" John Macdonald, _Deputy-Adjutant-General_.
" Edward Sebright, 1st Foot Guards.
" John Frederick Brown, 28th Regt.
" Amos Godsill Norcott, 95th Rifle Regt.
" the Hon. Charles M. Cathcart,
_Deputy-Quartermaster-General_.
" Richard Bushe, 20th Portuguese Regt.
" Alexander Duncan, Royal Artillery.
" Hugh Gough, 87th Regt.
Major A. F. Baron Bussche, 2nd Light Dragoons, King's
German Legion.

"By the command of His Royal Highness the
Prince Regent, in the name and on the
behalf of His Majesty.

"FREDERICK, _Commander-in-Chief_.

"HENRY TORRENS, _Lieut.-Colonel
and Military Secretary_."

Major the Honorable Edward Acheson, of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, was promoted to the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel in the army on the 30th March, 1811, for his gallantry at Barrosa, as particularly noticed in Lieut.-General Graham's despatch.

On the 26th May, 1817, the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment received the Royal Authority to bear the word "_Barrosa_" on the regimental colour and appointments, to commemorate the gallantry of the second battalion on that occasion.

Lieut.-General Graham, after this conflict, remained some hours at the Barrosa heights, without being able to procure any supplies for the exhausted troops, in consequence of the commissariat mules having been dispersed on the enemy's first attack of the hill. Major Ross, with the detachment of the third battalion of the Ninety-fifth Rifle regiment, was left, while the remainder of the division was withdrawn, and early the next morning crossed the Santi Petri river.

The favourable opportunity gained by British valour was not improved by the Spanish General, who did not strike a severe blow at the remains of the French army retreating in disorder. The inactivity of the Spaniards continuing, the English army returned to Cadiz.

On the 11th of December, 1811, two companies embarked at Portsmouth for Spain, and joined the six companies at Cadiz, in January, 1812.

[Sidenote: 1812]

In January, 1812, the battalion embarked at Cadiz for Carthagena, and shortly afterwards proceeded to Alicant, to join the troops under the command of Major-General Andrew Ross. On the 21st of August the SIXTY-SEVENTH returned to Carthagena, where they remained until the 20th of April, 1813, when they again embarked for Alicant.

[Sidenote: 1813]

On the 31st of May, 1813, the battalion proceeded with the army, under Lieut.-General Sir John Murray, intended for the reduction of _Tarragona_, and on arrival formed part of the force detached under Lieut.-Colonel Prevost, of the SIXTY-SEVENTH, for the purpose of investing the fort of _San Philippe_, in the Col de Balaguer, which blocks the direct road from Tortosa to Tarragona.

The fort of San Philippe is situated upon the eastern extremity of an insulated village, in the centre of the Col de Balaguer, commanding completely the great road through the pass. It was a square fort with some bastions, and commanded on two sides by almost inaccessible mountains.

Lieut.-Colonel Prevost and the brigade under his command, consisting of the second battalion of the SIXTY-SEVENTH, the battalion of Roll Dillon, and a detachment of royal artillery, landed, about eleven o'clock in the forenoon of the 3rd of June, about one mile to the eastward of the entrance to the pass from Tarragona, where he was joined by the Spanish regiments of Barcelona and Palma, under the command of Don Jose Charles. On the 3rd of June the fort was invested, and on the day following a summons was sent to the commanding officer to surrender, offering favourable terms, which were, however, rejected.

On the 5th of June the batteries continued a heavy fire upon the fort, which was returned by the enemy, who kept up a heavy and galling fire of shells, round and grapeshot, during the whole of the night, which occasioned some loss.

About ten o'clock a most violent storm of thunder and lightning commenced, which impeded the works greatly, and as the seamen and troops were quite exhausted, it became expedient to delay bringing the guns upon the platforms, and to keep the embrasures masked. In the evening of the 6th of June a battery of two eight-inch mortars was placed upon the road, within a few hundred yards of the Castle, under the breaching battery; one four-pounder was likewise placed upon the heights to the right, where the riflemen were stationed.

At daybreak on the 7th, three batteries opened to protect the working party at the breaching battery, and kept up a tremendous fire until six o'clock, when that of the Castle having ceased, their magazines upon the batteries having been blown up by the shells from the mortars, the white flag was hoisted upon the Castle, and the garrison offered to surrender upon conditions of marching out and grounding their arms upon the glacis, with permission to carry off the personal baggage, which terms were granted, as Marshal Suchet's approach was hourly expected, and Lieutenant-Colonel Prevost would be enabled to put the fort in a good state of defence. Possession was taken of the Castle on the 7th of June.

Lieutenant-General Sir John Murray, in his despatch to the Marquis of Wellington, stated--

"This capture, in the present situation of our affairs, is of great importance, as it blocks up the nearest and most accessible road from Tortosa to Tarragona....

"The troops of both nations bore their fatigue, and performed their duty with the greatest alacrity and spirit, and deserve every commendation. Lieutenant-Colonel Prevost has in a former despatch particularly noticed the gallantry and good conduct of Ensign Nelson, of the SIXTY-SEVENTH, and Ensign John Dermot, of Roll Dillon's battalion."

The SIXTY-SEVENTH had two rank and file killed, and eight rank and file wounded.

Marshal Suchet advancing with an army of superior numbers, the siege of _Tarragona_, which had been invested by Lieutenant-General Sir John Murray on the 3rd of June, was raised, and on the 12th of that month the troops embarked for the Col de Balaguer.

Lieutenant-General Lord William Bentinck assumed the command of the troops in the East of Spain, in succession to Lieutenant-General Sir John Murray. His Lordship joined the army at the Col de Balaguer on the 17th of June, and re-embarked with it for Alicant, at which place the SIXTY-SEVENTH and the rest of the troops arrived about the 24th of June.

The battle of Vittoria, on the 21st of June, 1813, gained by the army under the Marquis of Wellington, changed the aspect of affairs in Spain, and the troops under Marshal Suchet made some retrograde movements. The Anglo-Sicilian army, under Lieut.-General Lord William Bentinck, advancing into Catalonia, proceeded to invest _Tarragona_.

On the 4th of July the army, under the command of Lieutenant-General Lord William Bentinck, marched for Tarragona. The SIXTY-SEVENTH were employed in the subsequent operations, and were present at the occupation of Tarragona by the British, which place was blown up by the French under Marshal Suchet on the night of the 18th of August, after which the enemy retired towards Barcelona.

Lieutenant-General Lord William Bentinck continued in command of this division of the army until the 23rd of September, 1813, when his Lordship embarked for Sicily, where fresh changes injurious to the British policy required his presence, and was succeeded by Lieutenant-General William Clinton. Previously to his embarkation his Lordship issued the following General Order, dated _Tarragona_, 23rd of September, 1813:--

"The Commander of the Forces deeply laments that he is compelled to leave the army. It is a pleasing part of his duty to express his perfect satisfaction with the subordination and perseverance displayed by the troops upon all occasions.

"He only regrets that the part assigned to this army in the plan of the campaign has not permitted the troops to partake in those brilliant triumphs which would have been the just recompense of their valour and discipline."

In September the battalion marched into quarters at Valls, and in October it was removed to Vendrills.

[Sidenote: 1814]

Napoleon's reverses in Germany, and the brilliant successes of the allied army under the Marquis of Wellington, had a great effect upon the war in Catalonia, and the troops under Marshal Suchet withdrew from several posts. The SIXTY-SEVENTH marched, in February, 1814, to the vicinity of _Barcelona_, and formed part of the force employed in the investment of that place.

Hostilities were terminated in April by a treaty of peace. Napoleon abdicated the throne of France, and the island of Elba was ceded to him in full sovereignty with the imperial title for life, and a pension payable from the revenues of France; and on the 3rd of May, 1814, Louis XVIII. entered Paris, and ascended the throne of his ancestors.

Field-Marshal the Marquis of Wellington, in his despatch dated Toulouse, 19th of April, 1814, alluded to the conduct of the troops under Lieutenant-General William Clinton in the following terms:--

"Upon the breaking up of this army, I perform a most satisfactory duty in reporting to your Lordship my sense of the conduct and merit of Lieutenant-General William Clinton, and of the troops under his command since they have been employed in the Peninsula. Circumstances have not enabled those troops to have so brilliant a share in the operations of the war as their brother-officers and soldiers on this side of the Peninsula; but they have not been less usefully employed; their conduct, when engaged with the enemy, has always been meritorious; and I have had every reason to be satisfied with the General Officer commanding, and with them."

The SIXTY-SEVENTH withdrew from Barcelona, marched to Tarragona, and embarked at that port on the 24th of April for Gibraltar, where they arrived on the 4th of May.

[Sidenote: 1815]

Peace was of short duration. The return of Bonaparte to France, and his enthusiastic reception at Paris, caused Louis XVIII. to retire to Ghent. The Allied Powers, however, refused to acknowledge the sovereignty of Napoleon, and he was obliged to trust once more to the chances of war. The campaign was brief; totally defeated in the celebrated battle of Waterloo, on the 18th of June, 1815, Bonaparte was subsequently compelled to surrender himself a prisoner to Captain Maitland, commanding the Bellerophon ship of war; and the island of St. Helena was afterwards appointed for his future residence.

On the 6th of April, 1815, the second battalion of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment received the royal authority to bear on its colours and appointments the word "PENINSULA," in commemoration of its services in Spain.

[Sidenote: 1817]

During this period the SIXTY-SEVENTH remained at Gibraltar, from which station the battalion embarked for England, on the 25th of March, 1817, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel H. P. Davison, and arrived at Chatham on the 14th and 15th of May following.

All apprehensions that the peace of Europe would be disturbed having ceased, the Government decided on making certain reductions in the army, and the second battalion of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment was disbanded at Canterbury on the 25th of May, 1817.

1817.

CONCLUSION.

The details contained in the foregoing pages show, that the reputation acquired by the Twentieth Regiment in the wars during the reigns of King William III. and of Queen Anne,--in the defence of Gibraltar in 1727,--and at the battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy, has been preserved unsullied by the SECOND BATTALION of that corps since the year 1758,--at which period it was constituted the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment.

In the rocky and almost impregnable position of _Belle-Isle_ may be traced an analogy between its capture, and that of _Quebec_, although in the acquisition of the former the Nation had not to regret the loss of such a Commander as MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES WOLFE, the first Colonel of the SIXTY-SEVENTH regiment, whose death cast a gloom over the triumphs of the British Arms in the conquest of Canada.

The _Royal Tiger_, and the word "_India_" superscribed, borne on the regimental colour, record the services of the FIRST BATTALION in the East during a period of twenty-one years from 1805 to 1826; while the inscriptions of "_Barrosa_" and "_Peninsula_" denote the share taken by the SECOND BATTALION in support of Spanish Independence from 1810 to 1814.

Services like these, combined with arduous duties in the Colonies of Great Britain, have acquired for the regiment the confidence of the Nation and the approbation of the Sovereign, while its orderly conduct in quarters has obtained the commendation of the Military Authorities under whom it has been employed.

_Benjamin West Pinx^t._ _Madeley lith. 3 Wellington S^t. Strand_

THE DEATH OF MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES WOLFE, THE FIRST COLONEL OF THE SIXTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT; KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF QUEBEC ON THE 13^{TH}. SEPTEMBER 1759.

_For Cannon's Military Records_]

FOOTNOTES:

[18] Now General Lord Gough, G.C.B., and Colonel of the Eighty-seventh, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

[19] Now Lieut.-General Sir John Macdonald, G.C.B., _Adjutant-General to the Forces_.

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF

THE SIXTY-SEVENTH,

OR

THE SOUTH HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.

JAMES WOLFE.

_Appointed 21st April, 1758._