Chapter I: Part 1

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE

Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.

A superscript is denoted by ^x or ^{xx}. For example, M^cDonald or
Esq^{re}.

Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been
corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within
the text and consultation of external sources.

More detail can be found at the end of the book.

BY COMMAND OF His late Majesty WILLIAM THE IV^{TH}.
_and under the Patronage of_
Her Majesty the Queen.

HISTORICAL RECORDS,
_OF THE_
British Army

_Comprising the
History of every Regiment
IN HER MAJESTY'S SERVICE._

_By Richard Cannon Esq^{re}._

_Adjutant Generals Office, Horse Guards._

London

_Printed by Authority_:]

GENERAL ORDERS.

_HORSE-GUARDS_,
_1st January, 1836_.

His Majesty has been pleased to command that, with the view of doing the fullest justice to Regiments, as well as to Individuals who have distinguished themselves by their Bravery in Action with the Enemy, an Account of the Services of every Regiment in the British Army shall be published under the superintendence and direction of the Adjutant-General; and that this Account shall contain the following particulars, viz.:--

---- The Period and Circumstances of the Original Formation of
the Regiment; The Stations at which it has been from time to time
employed; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations
in which it has been engaged, particularly specifying any
Achievement it may have performed, and the Colours, Trophies,
&c., it may have captured from the Enemy.

---- The Names of the Officers, and the number of
Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates Killed or Wounded by the
Enemy, specifying the place and Date of the Action.

---- The Names of those Officers who, in consideration of their
Gallant Services and Meritorious Conduct in Engagements with the
Enemy, have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other
Marks of His Majesty's gracious favour.

---- The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers,
and Privates, as may have specially signalized themselves in
Action.

And,

---- The Badges and Devices which the Regiment may have been
permitted to bear, and the Causes on account of which such Badges
or Devices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have been granted.

By Command of the Right Honorable

GENERAL LORD HILL,
_Commanding-in-Chief_.

JOHN MACDONALD,
_Adjutant-General_.

PREFACE.

The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly depend upon the zeal and ardour by which all who enter into its service are animated, and consequently it is of the highest importance that any measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation, by which alone great and gallant actions are achieved, should be adopted.

Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this desirable object than a full display of the noble deeds with which the Military History of our country abounds. To hold forth these bright examples to the imitation of the youthful soldier, and thus to incite him to emulate the meritorious conduct of those who have preceded him in their honorable career, are among the motives that have given rise to the present publication.

The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced in the "London Gazette," from whence they are transferred into the public prints: the achievements of our armies are thus made known at the time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute of praise and admiration to which they are entitled. On extraordinary occasions, the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on the Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their orders, expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill and bravery; and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour of their Sovereign's approbation, constitute the reward which the soldier most highly prizes.

It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental armies) for British Regiments to keep regular records of their services and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been experienced in obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, an authentic account of their origin and subsequent services.

This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His Majesty having been pleased to command that every Regiment shall, in future, keep a full and ample record of its services at home and abroad.

From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth derive information as to the difficulties and privations which chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to the active concerns of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and where these pursuits have, for so long a period, being undisturbed by the _presence of war_, which few other countries have escaped, comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of active service and of the casualties of climate, to which, even during peace, the British Troops are exposed in every part of the globe, with little or no interval of repose.

In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,--on their sufferings,--and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which so many national benefits are obtained and preserved.

The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance, have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and their character has been established in Continental warfare by the irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against superior numbers.

In the official Reports made by the respective Commanders, ample justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions of the Corps employed; but the details of their services and of acts of individual bravery can only be fully given in the Annals of the various Regiments.

These Records are now preparing for publication, under his Majesty's special authority, by Mr. RICHARD CANNON, Principal Clerk of the Adjutant General's Office; and while the perusal of them cannot fail to be useful and interesting to military men of every rank, it is considered that they will also afford entertainment and information to the general reader, particularly to those who may have served in the Army, or who have relatives in the Service.

There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or are serving, in the Army, an _Esprit de Corps_--an attachment to everything belonging to their Regiment; to such persons a narrative of the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions of the great, the valiant, the loyal, have always been of paramount interest with a brave and civilized people. Great Britain has produced a race of heroes who, in moments of danger and terror, have stood "firm as the rocks of their native shore:" and when half the world has been arrayed against them, they have fought the battles of their Country with unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of achievements in war,--victories so complete and surprising, gained by our countrymen, our brothers, our fellow citizens in arms,--a record which revives the memory of the brave, and brings their gallant deeds before us,--will certainly prove acceptable to the public.

Biographical Memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished Officers will be introduced in the Records of their respective Regiments, and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from time to time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying the value and importance of its services, will be faithfully set forth.

As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record of each Regiment will be printed in a distinct number, so that when the whole shall be completed, the Parts may be bound up in numerical succession.

INTRODUCTION TO THE INFANTRY.

The natives of Britain have, at all periods, been celebrated for innate courage and unshaken firmness, and the national superiority of the British troops over those of other countries has been evinced in the midst of the most imminent perils. History contains so many proofs of extraordinary acts of bravery, that no doubts can be raised upon the facts which are recorded. It must therefore be admitted, that the distinguishing feature of the British soldier is INTREPIDITY. This quality was evinced by the inhabitants of England when their country was invaded by Julius Cæsar with a Roman army, on which occasion the undaunted Britons rushed into the sea to attack the Roman soldiers as they descended from their ships; and, although their discipline and arms were inferior to those of their adversaries, yet their fierce and dauntless bearing intimidated the flower of the Roman troops, including Cæsar's favourite tenth legion. Their arms consisted of spears, short swords, and other weapons of rude construction. They had chariots, to the axles of which were fastened sharp pieces of iron resembling scythe-blades, and infantry in long chariots resembling waggons, who alighted and fought on foot, and for change of ground, pursuit or retreat, sprang into the chariot and drove off with the speed of cavalry. These inventions were, however, unavailing against Cæsar's legions: in the course of time a military system, with discipline and subordination, was introduced, and British courage, being thus regulated, was exerted to the greatest advantage; a full development of the national character followed, and it shone forth in all its native brilliancy.

The military force of the Anglo-Saxons consisted principally of infantry: Thanes, and other men of property, however, fought on horseback. The infantry were of two classes, heavy and light The former carried large shields armed with spikes, long broad swords and spears; and the latter were armed with swords or spears only. They had also men armed with clubs, others with battle-axes and javelins.

The feudal troops established by William the Conqueror consisted (as already stated in the Introduction to the Cavalry) almost entirely of horse; but when the warlike barons and knights, with their trains of tenants and vassals, took the field, a proportion of men appeared on foot, and, although these were of inferior degree, they proved stout-hearted Britons of stanch fidelity. When stipendiary troops were employed, infantry always constituted a considerable portion of the military force; and this _arme_ has since acquired, in every quarter of the globe, a celebrity never exceeded by the armies of any nation at any period.

The weapons carried by the infantry, during the several reigns succeeding the Conquest, were bows and arrows, half-pikes, lances, halberds, various kinds of battle-axes, swords, and daggers. Armour was worn on the head and body, and in course of time the practice became general for military men to be so completely cased in steel, that it was almost impossible to slay them.

The introduction of the use of gunpowder in the destructive purposes of war, in the early part of the fourteenth century, produced a change in the arms and equipment of the infantry-soldier. Bows and arrows gave place to various kinds of fire-arms, but British archers continued formidable adversaries; and, owing to the inconvenient construction and imperfect bore of the fire-arms when first introduced, a body of men, well trained in the use of the bow from their youth, was considered a valuable acquisition to every army, even as late as the sixteenth century.

During a great part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth each company of infantry usually consisted of men armed five different ways; in every hundred men forty were "_men-at-arms_," and sixty "_shot_;" the "men-at-arms" were ten halberdiers, or battle-axe men, and thirty pikemen; and the "shot" were twenty archers, twenty musketeers, and twenty harquebusiers, and each man carried, besides his principal weapon, a sword and dagger.

Companies of infantry varied at this period in numbers from 150 to 300 men; each company had a colour or ensign, and the mode of formation recommended by an English military writer (Sir John Smithe) in 1590 was:--the colour in the centre of the company guarded by the halberdiers; the pikemen in equal proportions, on each flank of the halberdiers: half the musketeers on each flank of the pikes; half the archers on each flank of the musketeers, and the harquebusiers (whose arms were much lighter than the muskets then in use) in equal proportions on each flank of the company for skirmishing.[1] It was customary to unite a number of companies into one body, called a REGIMENT, which frequently amounted to three thousand men: but each company continued to carry a colour. Numerous improvements were eventually introduced in the construction of fire-arms, and, it having been found impossible to make armour proof against the muskets then in use (which carried a very heavy ball) without its being too weighty for the soldier, armour was gradually laid aside by the infantry in the seventeenth century: bows and arrows also fell into disuse, and the infantry were reduced to two classes, viz.: _musketeers_, armed with matchlock muskets, swords, and daggers; and _pikemen_, armed with pikes from fourteen to eighteen feet long, and swords.

In the early part of the seventeenth century Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, reduced the strength of regiments to 1000 men. He caused the gunpowder, which had heretofore been carried in flasks, or in small wooden bandoliers, each containing a charge, to be made up into cartridges, and carried in pouches; and he formed each regiment into two wings of musketeers, and a centre division of pikemen. He also adopted the practice of forming four regiments into a brigade; and the number of colours was afterwards reduced to three in each regiment. He formed his columns so compactly that his infantry could resist the charge of the celebrated Polish horsemen and Austrian cuirassiers; and his armies became the admiration of other nations. His mode of formation was copied by the English, French, and other European states; but so great was the prejudice in favour of ancient customs, that all his improvements were not adopted until near a century afterwards.

In 1664 King Charles II. raised a corps for sea-service, styled the Admiral's regiment. In 1678 each company of 100 men usually consisted of 30 pikemen, 60 musketeers, and 10 men armed with light firelocks. In this year the King added a company of men armed with hand grenades to each of the old British regiments, which was designated the "grenadier company." Daggers were so contrived as to fit in the muzzles of the muskets, and bayonets, similar to those at present in use, were adopted about twenty years afterwards.

An Ordnance regiment was raised in 1685, by order of King James II., to guard the artillery, and was designated the Royal Fusiliers (now 7th Foot). This corps, and the companies of grenadiers, did not carry pikes.

King William III. incorporated the Admiral's regiment in the second Foot Guards, and raised two Marine regiments for sea-service. During the war in this reign, each company of infantry (excepting the fusiliers and grenadiers) consisted of 14 pikemen and 46 musketeers; the captains carried pikes; lieutenants, partisans; ensigns, half-pikes; and serjeants, halberds. After the peace in 1697 the Marine regiments were disbanded, but were again formed on the breaking out of the war in 1702.[2]

During the reign of Queen Anne the pikes were laid aside, and every infantry soldier was armed with a musket, bayonet, and sword; the grenadiers ceased, about the same period, to carry hand grenades; and the regiments were directed to lay aside their third colour: the corps of Royal Artillery was first added to the Army in this reign.

About the year 1745, the men of the battalion companies of infantry ceased to carry swords; during the reign of George II. light companies were added to infantry regiments; and in 1764 a Board of General Officers recommended that the grenadiers should lay aside their swords, as that weapon had never been used during the Seven Years' War. Since that period the arms of the infantry soldier have been limited to the musket and bayonet.

The arms and equipment of the British Troops have seldom differed materially, since the Conquest, from those of other European states; and in some respects the arming has, at certain periods, been allowed to be inferior to that of the nations with whom they have had to contend; yet, under this disadvantage, the bravery and superiority of the British infantry have been evinced on very many and most trying occasions, and splendid victories have been gained over very superior numbers.

Great Britain has produced a race of lion-like champions who have dared to confront a host of foes, and have proved themselves valiant with any arms. At _Crecy_, King Edward III., at the head of about 30,000 men, defeated, on the 26th of August, 1346, Philip King of France, whose army is said to have amounted to 100,000 men; here British valour encountered veterans of renown:--the King of Bohemia, the King of Majorca, and many princes and nobles were slain, and the French army was routed and cut to pieces. Ten years afterwards, Edward Prince of Wales, who was designated the Black Prince, defeated, at _Poictiers_, with 14,000 men, a French army of 60,000 horse, besides infantry, and took John I., King of France, and his son Philip, prisoners. On the 25th of October, 1415, King Henry V., with an army of about 13,000 men, although greatly exhausted by marches, privations, and sickness, defeated, at _Agincourt_, the Constable of France, at the head of the flower of the French nobility and an army said to amount to 60,000 men, and gained a complete victory.

During the seventy years' war between the United Provinces of the Netherlands and the Spanish monarchy, which commenced in 1578 and terminated in 1648, the British infantry in the service of the States-General were celebrated for their unconquerable spirit and firmness;[3] and in the thirty years' war between the Protestant Princes and the Emperor of Germany, the British Troops in the service of Sweden and other states were celebrated for deeds of heroism.[4] In the wars of Queen Anne, the fame of the British army under the great MARLBOROUGH was spread throughout the world; and if we glance at the achievements performed within the memory of persons now living, there is abundant proof that the Britons of the present age are not inferior to their ancestors in the qualities which constitute good soldiers. Witness the deeds of the brave men, of whom there are many now surviving, who fought in Egypt in 1801, under the brave Abercromby, and compelled the French army, which had been vainly styled _Invincible_, to evacuate that country; also the services of the gallant Troops during the arduous campaigns in the Peninsula, under the immortal WELLINGTON; and the determined stand made by the British Army at Waterloo, where Napoleon Bonaparte, who had long been the inveterate enemy of Great Britain, and had sought and planned her destruction by every means he could devise, was compelled to leave his vanquished legions to their fate, and to place himself at the disposal of the British Government. These achievements, with others of recent dates, in the distant climes of India, prove that the same valour and constancy which glowed in the breasts of the heroes of Crecy, Poictiers, Agincourt, Blenheim, and Ramilies, continue to animate the Britons of the nineteenth century.

The British Soldier is distinguished for a robust and muscular frame,--intrepidity which no danger can appal,--unconquerable spirit and resolution,--patience in fatigue and privation, and cheerful obedience to his superiors. These qualities, united with an excellent system of order and discipline to regulate and give a skilful direction to the energies and adventurous spirit of the hero, and a wise selection of officers of superior talent to command, whose presence inspires confidence,--have been the leading causes of the splendid victories gained by the British arms.[5] The fame of the deeds of the past and present generations in the various battle-fields where the robust sons of Albion have fought and conquered, surrounds the British arms with a halo of glory; these achievements will live in the page of history to the end of time.

The records of the several regiments will be found to contain a detail of facts of an interesting character, connected with the hardships, sufferings, and gallant exploits of British soldiers in the various parts of the world where the calls of their Country and the commands of their Sovereign have required them to proceed in the execution of their duty, whether in active continental operations, or in maintaining colonial territories in distant and unfavourable climes.

The superiority of the British infantry has been pre-eminently set forth in the wars of six centuries, and admitted by the greatest commanders which Europe has produced. The formations and movements of this _arme_, as at present practised, while they are adapted to every species of warfare, and to all probable situations and circumstances of service, are calculated to show forth the brilliancy of military tactics calculated upon mathematical and scientific principles. Although the movements and evolutions have been copied from the continental armies, yet various improvements have from time to time been introduced, to insure that simplicity and celerity by which the superiority of the national military character is maintained. The rank and influence which Great Britain has attained among the nations of the world, have in a great measure been purchased by the valour of the Army, and to persons who have the welfare of their country at heart, the records of the several regiments cannot fail to prove interesting.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] A company of 200 men would appear thus:--

__|
| |
|__|
|
20 20 20 30 2|0 30 20 20 20
Harquebuses. Muskets. Halberds. Muskets. Harquebuses.
Archers. Pikes. Pikes. Archers.

The musket carried a ball which weighed 1/10th of a pound; and the harquebus a ball which weighed 1/25th of a pound.

[2] The 30th, 31st, and 32nd Regiments were formed as Marine corps in 1702, and were employed as such during the wars in the reign of Queen Anne. The Marine corps were embarked in the Fleet under Admiral Sir George Rooke, and were at the taking of Gibraltar, and in its subsequent defence in 1704; they were afterwards employed at the siege of Barcelona in 1705.

[3] The brave Sir Roger Williams, in his Discourse on War, printed in 1590, observes:--"I persuade myself ten thousand of our nation would beat thirty thousand of theirs (the Spaniards) out of the field, let them be chosen where they list." Yet at this time the Spanish infantry was allowed to be the best disciplined in Europe. For instances of valour displayed by the British Infantry during the Seventy Years' War, see the Historical Record of the Third Foot, or Buffs.

[4] _Vide_ the Historical Record of the First, or Royal Regiment of Foot.

[5] "Under the blessing of Divine Providence, His Majesty ascribes the successes which have attended the exertions of his troops in Egypt to that determined bravery which is inherent in Britons; but His Majesty desires it may be most solemnly and forcibly impressed on the consideration of every part of the army, that it has been a strict observance of order, discipline, and military system, which has given the full energy to the native valour of the troops, and has enabled them proudly to assert the superiority of the national military character, in situations uncommonly arduous, and under circumstances of peculiar difficulty."--_General Orders in 1801._

In the General Orders issued by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope (afterwards Lord Hopetoun), congratulating the army upon the successful result of the Battle of Corunna, on the 16th of January, 1809, it is stated:--"On no occasion has the undaunted valour of British troops ever been more manifest. At the termination of a severe and harassing march, rendered necessary by the superiority which the enemy had acquired, and which had materially impaired the efficiency of the troops, many disadvantages were to be encountered. These have all been surmounted by the conduct of the troops themselves: and the enemy has been taught, that whatever advantages of position or of numbers he may possess, there is inherent in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows not how to yield,--that no circumstances can appal,--and that will ensure victory, when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any human means."

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

OR

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

CONTAINING

AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
IN 1678,

AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
TO 1849.

COMPILED BY
RICHARD CANNON, ESQ.,
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, HORSE GUARDS.

ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES.

LONDON:
PARKER, FURNIVALL, & PARKER,
30, CHARING-CROSS.

MDCCCXLIX.

London: Printed by WILLIAM CLOWES and SONS, Stamford Street,
For Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

OR

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS,

BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR

"THE THISTLE"

WITHIN THE CIRCLE AND MOTTO OF SAINT ANDREW,

"_Nemo me impune lacessit_;"

SURMOUNTED BY

THE IMPERIAL CROWN.

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

OR

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH REGIMENT,

CONTENTS

OF THE

HISTORICAL RECORD.

YEAR PAGE

INTRODUCTION.

1678 Formation of the Regiment 1

---- Appointment of Charles, Earl of Mar, to the
Colonelcy -

---- Armed with light muskets, and called _Fusiliers_ 2

1679 Rebellion in Scotland, and murder of _Archbishop
Sharp_ -

---- Attack and defeat of the rebels at _Bothwell
Bridge_ -

1685 Death of King Charles II., and accession of
King James II. -

---- Rebellion in Scotland excited by the Earl of
Argyle 3

1686 Colonel Thomas Buchan appointed to the Colonelcy,
in the place of the Earl of Mar -

1688 Marched from Scotland to London, on occasion
of the expected landing of the Prince of
Orange -

---- Flight of King James II. to France 4

---- Regiment marched into Oxfordshire -

1689 The Prince and Princess of Orange elevated
to the throne, by the titles of King William
III. and Queen Mary 4

---- Colonel F. F. O'Farrell appointed to the Colonelcy,
in place of Colonel T. Buchan -

---- Regiment embarked for Holland -

---- Joined the Army under the Earl of Marlborough -

---- Engaged with the French at _Walcourt_ -

1691 Encamped near Brussels 5

1692 Battle of _Steenkirk_ -

1693 Battle of _Landen_ 6

1694 Performed many marches, and arrived at
_Deinse_ 7

---- Directed to take rank and precedence as the
_Twenty-first_ Regiment of Infantry -

1695 Surrender of the town of _Deinse_ by Brigadier-General
O'Farrell 8

---- Appointment of Colonel Robert Mackay, in
place of Brigadier O'Farrell, cashiered by a
General Court-Martial -

1696 Proceeded to the camp at Marykirk, and served
with the army of Brabant -

1697 Appointment of Colonel Archibald Row to the
Coloneley, in succession to Colonel R. Mackay,
deceased 9

---- Treaty of Peace concluded at Ryswick -

---- Regiment returned to Scotland -

1702 Death of King William III. -

---- Accession of Queen Anne -

---- Declaration of War with France and Spain -

---- Embarked from Scotland for Holland -

1703 Joined the allied army at Maestricht -

---- Siege and capture of _Huy_ 10

---- ---------------- of _Limburg_ --

1704 Marched from Holland into Germany 10

---- Engaged in the Battle of _Schellenberg_ --

---- ------ in the Battle of _Blenheim_ 11

---- The three Field-Officers, Brigadier-General
Row, Lieut.-Colonel Dalyel, and Major
Campbell, killed in obtaining the glorious
Victory of Blenheim 12

---- Appointment of John, Viscount Mordaunt, to
the Colonelcy, in succession to Brigadier-General
Row --

1705 Completed with recruits from Scotland, and
engaged in forcing the French lines at _Helixem_
and _Neer Hespen_ 13

1706 Engaged in the Battle of _Ramilies_ --

---- ------ in the capture of _Ostend_, _Menin_, and
_Aeth_ 14

---- Appointment of Colonel Sampson de Lalo,
from the 28th Regiment, in exchange with
Viscount Mordaunt --

1707 Engaged in marches, &c., in West Flanders --

---- The Union of Scotland and England took place;
and certain additions and alterations were
made in consequence in the colours and titles
of Regiments --

1708 Engaged in the Battle of _Oudenarde_ --

---- ------ in the siege and capture of _Lisle_ 15

1709 ------ in the siege and capture of _Tournay_ --

---- ------ in the Battle of _Malplaquet_ --

---- Re-appointment of Viscount Mordaunt to the
Colonelcy, in succession to Major-General
De Lalo, killed in the Battle of Malplaquet 16

---- Engaged in the siege and capture of _Mons_ --

1710 ------ in passing the French lines at _Pont-à-Vendin_ --

---- ------ in siege and capture of _Douay_ --

1710 Engaged in siege and capture of _Bethune_ 16

---- ---------------------------- of _St. Venant_ --

---- ---------------------------- of _Aire_ --

---- Appointment of Lieut.-General Thomas Meredith
to the Colonelcy, in succession to Viscount
Mordaunt --

---- Appointment of the Earl of Orrery to the
Colonelcy, in succession to Lieut.-General
Meredith, removed --

1711 Engaged in passing the French lines at _Arleux_ 17

---- ------ in the siege and capture of _Bouchain_ --

1712 Joined the Army under the command of the
Duke of Ormond --

---- Suspension of hostilities --

1713 Treaty of Peace concluded at Utrecht --

1714 Returned from Flanders to England --

---- Proceeded to Scotland 18

1715 Rebellion in Scotland, excited by the Earl of
Mar, in favour of the Pretender --

---- Encamped at Stirling, under the command of
the _Duke of Argyle_, and advanced to _Dumblain_ --

---- Engagement at _Sheriff-muir_ between the King's
troops and the rebel forces --

1716 The King's troops advanced; the insurgents
retreated; the Pretender escaped to the Continent;
and the rebellion suppressed 19

---- Appointment of Colonel George Macartney
to the Colonelcy, in place of the Earl of
Orrery --

1727 Appointment of Brigadier-General Sir James
Wood to the Colonelcy, in succession to Lieut.-General
Macartney, removed to the Sixth
Dragoon Guards 19

1728 Embarked for Ireland --

1738 Appointment of Colonel John Campbell to the
Colonelcy, in succession to Sir James Wood,
deceased 19

1739 War declared against Spain 20

1740 Removed from Ireland to South Britain --

1741 Encamped on Lexden Heath --

1742 Embarked for Flanders --

1743 Marched for Germany, and engaged at the
Battle of _Dettingen_ --

1744 Encamped at Asche and Alost --

---- Returned to Ghent for winter-quarters --

1745 Marched to the relief of Tournay 21

---- Engaged at the Battle of _Fontenoy_ --

---- Placed in garrison at Ostend 22

---- Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender,
landed in Scotland --

---- Regiment ordered to return from Flanders --

1746 Proceeded to Scotland, and engaged at the
Battle of _Culloden_ --

---- Removed to Glasgow 23

1747 Re-embarked for the Netherlands --

---- Engaged at the battle of Val --

1748 Treaty of Peace concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle --

---- Returned to England --

1751 Regulations, prescribed by Royal Warrant, for
establishing uniformity in the clothing, standards,
and colours of regiments, &c. &c. --

---- Received the commendations of the Duke of
Cumberland for good conduct in quarters and
bravery in the field 24

---- Embarked for Gibraltar --

1752 Appointment of the Earl of Panmure to the
Colonelcy, in succession to Lieut.-General
Campbell, removed to the Second Dragoons,
Scots Greys --

1760 Returned from Gibraltar to England 24

1761 Embarked on an expedition to Belle-Isle --

---- Capture of the island 25

---- Returned to England --

1763 Proceeded to Scotland --

1765 Embarked for America, and quartered in West
Florida --

1770 Removed to Canada --

---- Appointment of Major-General Hon. Alexander
Mackay to the Colonelcy, in succession to
Lieut.-General the Earl of Panmure, removed
to the Scots Greys 26

1772 Returned from Canada to England --

1775 Commencement of the American War of Independence --

1776 Re-embarked for America, and engaged in the
relief of Quebec --

1777 Engaged in active operations on Lake Champlain,
at Ticonderago, and other places, with the
American troops --

---- The British troops under Lieut.-General Burgoyne
surrendered 28

1781 Returned to Europe, and stationed in Scotland --

1783 Removed to Ireland --

1789 Embarked for Nova Scotia --

---- Appointment of General Hon. James Murray,
from the 13th regiment, to the Colonelcy, in
succession to Lieut.-General Hon. A. Mackay,
deceased --

1793 Embarked for the West Indies --

---- Proceeded to Martinique, to aid the French
Royalists 29

1794 Engaged in the capture of Martinique, St. Lucia,
and Guadaloupe --

---- Guadaloupe recaptured by the French 30

1794 Appointment of Major-General James Hamilton
to the Colonelcy, in succession to General
Hon. James Murray, deceased 31

1796 Returned from the West Indies --

---- Proceeded to Scotland to recruit --

1800 Embarked for Ireland, after completing its
numbers --

1802 Received the compliments of the principal inhabitants
of Enniskillen for its excellent
conduct 32

---- Establishment reduced in consequence of the
Peace with France concluded at _Amiens_ --

1803 Removed to Dublin --

---- The Establishment again augmented, in consequence
of a renewal of war with France --

---- Insurrection at Dublin --

---- The Lord Chief-Justice, Viscount Kilwarden,
murdered by the populace; his nephew, the
Rev. R. Wolfe, wounded, and many other
acts of violence committed --

---- Regiment assembled to suppress the riots, and
Lieut.-Colonel Brown murdered by the Insurgents
on his way to the station of the
regiment --

---- The command of the regiment devolved on
Major Robertson --

---- Received the approbation and thanks of the
Commander-in-Chief, and of the Civil Authorities,
in Dublin, for the exertions used in
restoring tranquillity --

---- Appointment of General Hon. William Gordon,
from 71st regiment, to the Colonelcy, in succession
to General Hamilton, deceased 33

1804 Measures adopted for repelling the threatened
invasion of the French --

1804 A second battalion added to the regiment, composed
of men raised under the "_Additional
Force Act_" in the counties of Ayr and
Renfrew 33

1805 First battalion embarked from Ireland for Portsmouth --

---- Removed to Weymouth, and reviewed by His
Majesty King George III., and other members
of the Royal Family --

1805 Removed to Lewes --

1806 Marched to London to attend the funeral of
Admiral Viscount Nelson, who was killed at
the battle of Trafalgar, and was honored with
a public funeral at St. Paul's Cathedral 34

---- First battalion embarked for Sicily --

---- Second battalion embarked from Scotland for
Ireland --

1807 Hostilities with the Grand Seignior --

---- First battalion embarked from Sicily on an expedition
to Egypt; landed at Alexandria,
and marched to Aboukir --

---- Peace with the Turks being restored, the battalion
returned to Sicily --

1809 Flank companies engaged in the capture of the
Islands of _Ischia_ and _Procida_, in the Gulf of
Naples 35

---- Attempt made to reduce the Castle of _Scylla_ --

1810 The invasion of Sicily by Murat, King of Naples,
defeated 36

1811 Second battalion embarked from Ireland for
Scotland 37

1814 First battalion embarked for Italy, with a force
under Lieut.-General Lord William Bentinck --

---- Landed at _Leghorn_, marched to _Pisa_, thence to
Lucca --

1814 Advanced to _Genoa_, and took possession of that
town and fortress 37

---- Second battalion embarked from Scotland for
Holland 38

---- Employed in the attack of Bergen-op-Zoom --

---- Hostilities on the Continent ceased --

---- Abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte --

---- Second battalion embarked for England, and
returned to Scotland --

---- First battalion embarked for service in America 39

---- Defeated the American Army at _Bladensburg_ --

---- Advanced to _Washington_, captured the city,
and destroyed the arsenal, docks, &c. 40

---- Marched back to St. Benedict --

---- Re-embarked and landed at North Point --

---- Advanced towards _Baltimore_, and engaged the
American troops --

---- Major-General Robert Ross killed, and the command
devolved on Colonel Brooke, 44th
regiment --

---- Attacked and defeated the American Army at
_Godly wood_ --

---- Colonel Paterson, 21st regiment, commanded a
brigade and commended in the public despatches 41

---- Attack on the town of Baltimore abandoned,
and the British troops re-embarked on board
the Fleet --

---- Proceeded to Jamaica, and there reinforced by a strong
detachment from the second battalion --

---- Re-embarked, and proceeded to make an attack
on _New Orleans_ --

1815 Major-General Hon. Sir Edward Pakenham
killed, and many other officers and soldiers
killed, wounded, or made prisoners 42

1815 The capture of New Orleans abandoned 43

---- Capture of Fort Bowyer --

---- Peace with America concluded --

---- First battalion returned to the West Indies, and
thence to Portsmouth, and proceeded to
Cork --

---- Napoleon Bonaparte returned to France, and
regained possession of that kingdom --

---- The Battle of Waterloo took place --

---- First battalion embarked from Ireland for
Ostend, and proceeded to join the army under
the command of Field-Marshal the Duke of
Wellington 44

---- Formed part of the Army of Occupation in
France --

1816 Second battalion disbanded at Stirling --

---- Reviewed by Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington --

---- Appointment of Lieut.-General Lord Forbes,
from 54th regiment, to the Colonelcy, in
succession to General Hon. William Gordon,
deceased --

1817 Proceeded to Calais, and embarked for England --

1818 Marched to Portsmouth --

---- Officers authorised to wear long coats --

1819 Embarked for the West Indies --

---- Received the particular thanks of Major-General
Lord Howard of Effingham, commanding at
Portsmouth, for its excellent qualities 45

---- Landed at Barbadoes, and inspected by Lieut.-General
Lord Combermere --

1821 Proceeded to Demerara 46

---- Lieut.-Colonel J. M. Nooth died, and succeeded
by Lieut.-Colonel J. Leahy --

1823 Insurrection among the negroes at Demerara --

1823 Received the thanks of the Lieut.-General commanding
in the West Indies, of His Royal
Highness the Duke of York, and of His
Majesty King George IV., for its conduct in
suppressing this revolt 46

---- Certain sums voted by the Court of Policy of
Demerara to the regiment, for its efficient
services on this occasion --

1824 Removed to St. Vincent and Grenada --

1827 Embarked for England 47

---- Arrived at the Isle of Wight, marched to
Windsor, and furnished the duties at the
Castle --

1828 Removed from Windsor to Portmouth --

---- Marched to Bath and thence to Bristol --

---- Embarked for Ireland --

1831 Marched to Dublin, and embarked for England --

1832 Removed to Chatham --

1833 Embarked for New South Wales, by detachments,
as guards over convicts 48

1839 Embarked from Hobart Town for the East
Indies --

---- Arrived at Calcutta --

1840 Removed to Dinapore --

1843 Marched to Kamptee --

1846 Removed to Agra --

1847 Removed to Cawnpore, thence to Calcutta --

1848 Embarked for England, and arrived at Gravesend 49

---- Marched to Canterbury --

---- Proceeded to Edinburgh --

1849 Conclusion 50

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

OR

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

YEAR PAGE

1678 Charles, Earl of Mar 51

1686 Thomas Buchan 52

1689 Francis Fergus O'Farrell --

1695 Robert Mackay --

1697 Archibald Row 53

1704 John, Viscount Mordaunt --

1706 Sampson De Lalo 54

1709 John, Viscount Mordaunt--_Re-appointed_ --

1710 Thomas Meredith 55

---- Charles, Earl of Orrery, K.T. --

1716 George Macartney 56

1727 Sir James Wood --

1738 John Campbell--afterwards Duke of Argyle --

1752 William, Earl of Panmure 57

1770 _Hon._ Alexander Mackay --

1789 _Hon._ James Murray 58

1794 James Hamilton 59

1803 _Hon._ William Gordon --

1816 James, Lord Forbes --

1843 Right Hon. Sir Frederick Adam, G.C.B. 60

APPENDIX.

YEAR PAGE

List of Battles, Sieges, &c., in the Netherlands, from
1689 to the Peace of Ryswick in 1697, during the
reign of King William III. 61

List of Battles, Sieges, &c., in the Netherlands and
Germany, during the Campaigns under the Duke
of Marlborough, from 1702 to 1711 62

List of Battles, Sieges, &c., which occurred in Germany
and in the Netherlands, from 1743 to 1748,
during the "War of the Austrian Succession" 63

List of the British Regiments which served in Flanders
and Germany between 1742 and 1748, during
the "War of the Austrian Succession" 64

PLATES.

Colours of the Regiment _to face Page_ 1

Costume of the Regiment in 1742 " 24

Costume of the Regiment in 1849 " 50

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT OF FOOT,

OR

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

_Madeley lith 3 Wellington Street Strand_

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

1742

_For Cannon's Military Records_]

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT OF FOOT,

OR

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

[Sidenote: 1678]

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH REGIMENT OF FUSILIERS derives its origin from the commotions in Scotland, during the reign of King Charles II., who attempted to establish Episcopacy in that country; but was opposed by the Presbyterians, who wished to adhere to their religious institutions, and prosecutions being used in Scotland by the Government, to enforce obedience, collisions occurred between the inhabitants and the military, which were sometimes attended with loss of life. Several Highland clans were called out, in 1678, and quartered upon the Presbyterians, and in the autumn of the same year a regiment of foot was added to the military establishment of Scotland, of which Charles, Earl of Mar, was appointed Colonel, by commission dated the 23rd of September, 1678: this corps, having been retained in the service, now bears the title of the TWENTY-FIRST Regiment of Foot, or the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

Regiments of infantry, at this period, were generally armed with pikes and muskets; but the practice was introduced of arming every man, of a few select corps, with a fusil, or a light musket, and these regiments were called FUSILIERS. The EARL OF MAR'S regiment was one of the first corps which obtained this distinction.

[Sidenote: 1679]

[Sidenote: 1680]

In the following year, Archbishop Sharp, who had become particularly obnoxious to the non-conformists, was murdered. This event was followed by severities against the Presbyterians, and a meeting for public worship, at Loudon-hill, having been attacked by a body of horse and dragoons, under Captain Robert Graham, of Claverhouse, afterwards Viscount Dundee, the countrymen, being numerous, and provided with arms, gained some advantage over the military. The persons, who had thus committed themselves, resolved to keep together in arms, and to seek by their valour, that redress to which they considered themselves entitled. They were soon augmented in numbers, and taking post behind the river Clyde, they barricaded _Bothwell Bridge_. The EARL OF MAR'S regiment was called upon to take the field against the insurgents, and it formed part of the army, commanded by James, Duke of Monmouth, which attacked the rebels on the 22nd of June, and gained a decisive victory. The rebels made a feeble resistance on this occasion; twelve hundred foot laid down their arms without striking a blow, and the other divisions of their army fled in dismay; about four hundred were killed by the King's troops in the pursuit, and the rebellion was suppressed. Several parties, however, kept together in arms for some time, and gave the military much trouble in that and the following year.

[Sidenote: 1685]

In the early part of 1685, King Charles II. died, and was succeeded by his brother, King James the Second of England, and Seventh of Scotland. The King being a Roman Catholic, some disaffected persons supposed the people would not submit to his government; and the Earl of Argyle and the Duke of Monmouth, who were both in exile on the Continent, for their political conduct, agreed to raise the standard of rebellion,--the former in Scotland, and the latter in England. The Earl of Argyle landed in Argyleshire in May, and assembled a body of men; when the EARL OF MAR'S regiment was again called into the field. The King's troops were commanded by the Earl of Dumbarton; and on the night of the 19th of June, the two armies encamped in sight of each other. The rebels attempted to avoid an engagement, by a night march; but they were led into a bog in the dark; alarm and disorder followed; and the insurgents, proceeding some in one direction and some in another, left the Earl of Argyle without an army; he was captured and executed. The Duke of Monmouth met with a similar fate, and the rebellion in England was suppressed without the EARL OF MAR'S regiment being required to pass the border.

[Sidenote: 1686]

The Earl of Mar was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment, in 1686, by Colonel Thomas Buchan, from a regiment of horse.

[Sidenote: 1688]

When the attempts made by King James to establish papacy and arbitrary government had alarmed his subjects, and the Prince of Orange was preparing an armament for the invasion of England, the regiment was one of the corps which marched from Scotland to support the authority of the King; and in the early part of November, 1688, it arrived in the vicinity of London, when it was ordered to occupy quarters in Spitalfields and the Tower Hamlets. The Prince of Orange landed on the 5th of November; King James discovered that he had alienated the affections of his subjects, both civil and military, and he fled to France. Colonel BUCHAN'S regiment was ordered, by the Prince of Orange, to occupy quarters at Witney, in Oxfordshire.

[Sidenote: 1689]

The Prince and Princess of Orange were elevated to the Throne by the titles of King William and Queen Mary; and Colonel Buchan having adhered to the interests of King James, King William conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Colonel Francis Fergus O'Farrell, by commission dated the 1st of March, 1689.

From Oxfordshire, the regiment marched to Gravesend, where it embarked for Holland, and joining the Dutch army commanded by Prince Waldeck, served the campaign of that year with the division under the Earl (afterwards Duke) of Marlborough. The regiment took part in a sharp action with the French troops, commanded by Marshal d'Humières, at _Walcourt_, in the province of Namur, on the 25th of August, on which occasion the French were repulsed in their attacks on the allied army, with considerable loss.

[Sidenote: 1690]

The regiment passed the winter in Flanders, and in the summer of 1690 again took the field; it was on its march for Brussels on the 21st of June, in order to join the allied army; but Prince Waldeck engaged the French at Fleurus, without waiting for the arrival of the British troops, and was defeated. This disaster occasioned the services of the army to be limited to defensive operations during the remainder of the campaign.

[Sidenote: 1691]

In March, 1691, the regiment was encamped at Halle, in South Brabant, and formed in brigade with the second battalion of the Royals; the French besieged Mons, and the allies were too few in numbers to prevent the capture of the place by the enemy. After the surrender of Mons, the regiment was placed in quarters until May, when it encamped near Brussels, and was formed in brigade with the Royals, and the Scots regiments of Mackay, Ramsay, and Angus, under the orders of Brigadier-General Ramsay.

In a list of the army in Flanders, printed in July, 1691, the regiment is styled "O'FARRELL'S FUSILIERS;" and its uniform is stated to be _red, faced and lined with the same colour_.

At the termination of the campaign, the regiment was again placed in winter-quarters.

[Sidenote: 1692]

A numerous French army appeared in the Netherlands in the spring of 1692, and besieged Namur; when O'FARRELL'S FUSILIERS were called from their quarters, and advanced with the army, commanded by King William III., to the relief of the place; but the march having been delayed by heavy rains, the garrison surrendered on the 20th of June. A few days afterwards, a detachment of the regiment was employed in an attempt to surprise Mons; but the garrison was found prepared. On this occasion, Colonel Sir Robert Douglas and Colonel O'Farrell, having proceeded a short distance to consult with the Prince of Wirtemberg, who commanded the party, mistook their way in the dark, and were made prisoners by a detachment of French cavalry: they were released on paying the regulated ransom.

O'FARRELL'S FUSILIERS formed part of the advance-guard at the battle of _Steenkirk_ on the 3rd of August; and were severely engaged with the superior numbers of the enemy under the Duke of Luxembourg. The regiment distinguished itself on this occasion, and sustained the loss of many brave officers and soldiers. D'Auvergne states, in his history of this campaign,--"Our van-guard behaved in this engagement to such wonder and admiration, that though they received the charge of several battalions of the enemy, one after another, yet they made them retreat almost to their camp." The corps in advance were not supported in time to enable them to persevere in their career of victory; and King William commanded the army to retreat.

The regiment had Major Keith, Captains White, Cygnoe, Mackenzie, and Sharp, Lieutenants Charles King and Edward Griffith killed; and Lieutenant Newton wounded. The regiment was not engaged in any service of importance during the remainder of the campaign, and it passed the winter at Ghent.

[Sidenote: 1693]

Again taking the field in the summer of 1693, the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were formed in brigade with the regiments of Leven (twenty-fifth), Monro (twenty-sixth), Mackay, and Lander (afterwards disbanded), under the command of Brigadier-General Ramsay, and, after taking part in several manœuvres, were engaged at the battle of _Landen_ on the 29th of July. At sunrise on the morning of that day, a French force of very superior numbers, commanded by the Duke of Luxembourg, appeared before the position occupied by the confederate army under King William III., when the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, and other regiments of their brigade, were ordered to occupy some hedges and narrow roads, beyond the village of Laer, on the right of the line. This village, and the ground occupied by General Ramsay's brigade, being attacked by a numerous body of the enemy, the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were engaged in a sharp musketry battle in the fields and open grounds. At length the Third foot, and other corps in the village of Laer, were forced to retire; but they rallied, and, being joined by Brigadier-General Ramsay's brigade, the whole charged, and by a gallant effort recaptured the village; the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS distinguished themselves on the occasion. The French afterwards carried the village of Neer-Winden, and forced the position; the regiments at Laer then became separated from the main body of the confederate army; they gallantly defended their post some time, and eventually retired, fighting, to the Gheet, forded that river, and joined several corps which had crossed the bridge of Neer-Hespen. The army was retreating, and the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS accompanied King William to the vicinity of Tirlemont. The regiment had Captains Campbell and Strayton, Lieutenants Douglas and Dunbar, and Adjutant Walle wounded; Captain Paterson taken prisoner; also a number of soldiers killed, wounded, and prisoners.

At the end of the campaign, the regiment was placed in garrison at Bruges.

[Sidenote: 1694]

During the summer of 1694, the regiment performed many long marches in Brabant and Flanders; but was not engaged with the enemy, and in the autumn it marched to Deinse.

This year the King commanded a board of General Officers to assemble and decide upon the rank of the several corps of the army. This board gave precedence to the English regiments, and gave the Scots and Irish regiments rank in the English army from the date of their first arrival in England, or from the date when they were first placed on the English establishment. The NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, not having entered England until the Revolution in 1688, received rank as TWENTY-FIRST regiment. Numerical titles were not generally used until the reign of King George II.

[Sidenote: 1695]

When the army took the field to serve the campaign of 1695, the TWENTY-FIRST were left in garrison at Deinse, where some stores of provision were formed. King William undertook the siege of Namur, and the regiment was directed to join the covering army under the Prince of Vaudemont; but it subsequently returned to Deinse, of which place its colonel, Brigadier-General O'Farrell, was commandant.

The French commander, Marshal Villeroy, detached a strong body of troops, under the Marquis of Feuqueres, to reduce the town of _Deinse_ where the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were stationed. This town was situate on the river Lys; it was only slightly fortified, and in many places there was only an entrenchment and some palisades as defensive works; eight pieces of cannon were the only ordnance in the town. Under these circumstances Brigadier-General O'Farrell considered it impossible to make a successful defence of the place, and he surrendered on the 21st of July without having fired a shot. The FUSILIERS became prisoners of war on this occasion.

Brigadier-General O'Farrell was afterwards tried by a general court-martial, and cashiered: and King William conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Colonel Robert Mackay, from a Scots corps, which was afterwards disbanded.

After the surrender of Namur, the regiment rejoined the allied army, and was again stationed at Bruges.

[Sidenote: 1696]

From Bruges the regiment proceeded to the camp at Marykirk, and it served the campaign of 1696 with the army of Brabant: in the autumn it went into village cantonments.

[Sidenote: 1697]

In December, Colonel Robert Mackay died; and on the 1st of January, 1697, King William conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Lieut.-Colonel Archibald Row, from the Sixteenth foot.

Quitting its village quarters on the 13th of March, 1697, the regiment entered upon the operations of another campaign. While the troops were in the field, negotiations for a general peace commenced at Ryswick, and the treaty was signed in September. Thus the British monarch witnessed his efforts for the liberties of Europe, and for the preservation of the balance of power in Christendom, attended with success.

The regiment returned to Scotland during the winter, and was stationed there during the remainder of King William's reign.

[Sidenote: 1702]