Chapter II: Part 2

Queen Anne succeeded to the throne on the 8th of March, 1702; and the French monarch, having violated the conditions of existing treaties, by procuring the accession of his grandson, Philip, Duke of Anjou, to the throne of Spain, war was declared against France soon afterwards. At the commencement of hostilities the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were selected to proceed on foreign service, and they embarked from Scotland for Holland, to serve with the allied army commanded by the Earl of Marlborough. The regiment did not join the army immediately on its arrival in Holland, but was stationed some time at Breda, and in September it marched towards Flanders.

[Sidenote: 1703]

Quitting its winter-quarters in April, 1703, the regiment marched towards Maestricht, where the allied army was assembled, and the second battalion of the Royals, with the Tenth, Sixteenth, TWENTY-FIRST, and Twenty-Sixth regiments, were formed in brigade, under Brigadier-General the Earl of Derby.

The regiment took part in the operations of the campaign, and its services were connected with the reduction of _Huy_, a strong fortress on the Maese, above the city of Liege, which was besieged and captured in ten days. The regiment was afterwards detached from the main army, to take part in the capture of _Limburg_, a city of the Spanish Netherlands, situate on a pleasant eminence near the banks of the Wesdet. The siege of this place was commenced on the 10th of September, and the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were employed in carrying on the approaches, and in making the attacks; and in seventeen days the garrison surrendered at discretion.

[Sidenote: 1704]

In October the regiment marched back to Holland, where it was stationed during the winter.

From Holland the regiment marched, in the months of May and June, 1704, to the interior of Germany, to arrest the progress of the French and Bavarians, who had gained considerable advantage over the Imperialists. A junction was formed with the Germans under the Margrave of Baden; and on the 2nd of July the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS took part in the attack of the enemy's position on the lofty heights of _Schellenberg_ on the north bank of the Danube; when the entrenchments were carried, and the French and Bavarians, commanded by the Count d'Arco, were driven from their post with severe loss.

The regiment had a few private soldiers killed and wounded; also Captain Kygoe, Lieutenants Johnston and John Campbell, wounded.

After this victory the regiment penetrated the Electorate of Bavaria to the vicinity of the enemy's fortified camp at Augsburg, which was found too strong to be attacked with any prospect of success, and the army retired a few stages to undertake the siege of Ingoldstadt. At the same time a numerous reinforcement of French troops arrived at the theatre of war.

These events were followed by the battle of _Blenheim_, on the 13th of August, when the French and Bavarians, commanded by Marshal Tallard and the Elector of Bavaria, were overpowered by the allies under the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene of Savoy, and a victory was gained which reflected lustre on the British arms. The NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were selected to lead the attack against the French troops in the village of BLENHEIM, and their colonel, Brigadier-General Row, placed himself at the head of his regiment, which was followed by four other corps. In the Annals of Queen Anne it is stated--"The five English battalions, led on by Brigadier-General Row, who charged on foot at the head of his own regiment with unparalleled intrepidity, assaulted the village of Blenheim, advancing to the very muzzles of the enemy's muskets, and some of the officers exchanged thrusts of swords through the palisades;"--but the avenues of the village were found strongly fortified, and defended by a force of superior numbers. Brigadier-General Row led the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS up to the palisades before he gave the word "fire," and the next moment he fell mortally wounded; Lieut.-Colonel Dalyel and Major Campbell, being both on the spot, stepped forward to raise their colonel, and were both instantly pierced by musket-balls; the soldiers, exasperated at seeing the three field officers of the regiment fall, made a gallant effort to force their way into the village, but this was found impossible, and the regiment was ordered to retire. The moment the soldiers faced about, thirteen squadrons of French cavalry galloped forward to charge them, and one of the colours of the regiment was captured by the enemy; but the French horsemen were repulsed by the fire of a brigade of Hessians, and the colour was recovered.

Another attempt to capture the village of Blenheim having failed, the firing was continued against this post, and the army advanced against the enemy's line, which was driven from the field with great slaughter, and the loss of its cannon, and of many officers and soldiers made prisoners, among whom was the French commander, Marshal Tallard. Additional forces were then brought against the French troops in Blenheim, and they surrendered prisoners of war. The Germans, who attacked the enemy's right, were also victorious; and the gallant achievements of the allied army raised on the banks of the Danube a trophy which time cannot destroy.

The regiment had Lieut.-Colonel Dalyel, Captain Stratton, jun., Captain Stratton, senior, Lieutenants Vandergracht, Hill, Campbell, and Travallion killed; Brigadier-General Row and Major Campbell died of their wounds; Captains Craufurd and Fairlee, Lieutenants Dunbar, J. Douglas, Elliott, Ogilvy, Maxwell, Stuart, Primrose, and Gordon wounded.

The number of the enemy captured on this occasion was so great, that the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, and four other corps, were sent to Holland in charge of prisoners. These corps marched in charge of the captured French and Bavarians to Mentz, where they embarked in boats and sailed to Holland, under the orders of Brigadier-General Fergusson; and having delivered them into the charge of other regiments, went into quarters.

[Sidenote: 1705]

The colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on John, Viscount Mordaunt, who had distinguished himself at the head of the foot guards which commenced the attack on the heights of Schellenberg. A number of recruits from Scotland having replaced the losses of the preceding campaign, the regiment appeared complete and in good order when it took the field to serve the campaign of 1705. It was employed in the expedition up the Moselle: and returning to the Netherlands, was afterwards engaged at the forcing of the French lines at _Helixem_ and _Neer Hespen_, on the morning of the 18th of July, when the superior tactics of the British Commander, and the gallantry of his troops, were very conspicuous.

[Sidenote: 1706]

The regiment had also the honor to take part in gaining another splendid victory over the combined French, Spanish, and Bavarian forces, at _Ramilies_, on Whit-Sunday, the 23rd of May, 1706. During the early part of the action the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, the Third foot, and three regiments of cavalry, were stationed on the heights of Foulz, where they had a view of the field of battle. An important crisis in the battle arriving, these corps descended from the heights,--the FUSILIERS and Third Foot forced their way through a morass, crossed the Little Gheet, ascended the acclivity between that river and the Jauche, and charging the enemy's left flank, forced three French regiments into some low grounds, where the greater part of them were either killed or taken prisoners. The allies were successful at every part of the field, and the legions of the enemy were overpowered, and pursued from the plains of Ramilies with great slaughter until the following morning, by which time nearly all the enemy's cannon, with many standards, colours, and kettle-drums, had been captured.

This victory augmented the reputation of the British arms; and was followed by very important results. Spanish Brabant, and many of the principal towns of Flanders, were rescued from the power of the enemy. The services of the regiment are connected with the capture of Ostend, Menin, and Aeth; and it passed the winter in garrison in Flanders.

In June of this year Viscount Mordaunt exchanged with Colonel Sampson de Lalo, a French gentleman of the Protestant religion, who had been forced to quit his native country by the Edict of Nantes; Colonel de Lalo had served as Lieut.-Colonel and Colonel of the Twenty-eighth regiment several years, and had the reputation of being an excellent officer.

[Sidenote: 1707]

During the campaign of 1707, the services of the regiment were limited to marches and occupying positions; and it passed the winter in West Flanders.

The Union of Scotland and England took place this year, which occasioned St. George's cross to be added to the colours of the Scots regiments, and St. Andrew's cross to the colours of the English regiments. The corps, previously designated _Scots_ regiments, took the title of _North British_ regiments.

[Sidenote: 1708]

In May, 1708, the regiment again took the field, and on the 11th of July it had an opportunity of acquiring fresh laurels at the battle of _Oudenarde_, which was fought in the broken grounds near the river Scheldt. On this occasion the regiment was engaged in a severe musketry action, and it succeeded in driving the French corps opposed to it from field to field, until the darkness of the night put an end to the conflict. Before the following morning the wreck of the French army had retreated in disorder towards Ghent.

After this victory, the siege of _Lisle_, the capital of French Flanders, was resolved upon. This fortress was deemed almost impregnable; it was garrisoned by fifteen thousand men, commanded by Marshal Boufflers, who resolved upon making a desperate defence. The NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were selected to take part in the attack of this important fortress, under the orders of Prince Eugene of Savoy; the covering army was commanded by the Duke of Marlborough. The regiment had several men killed and wounded in carrying on the approaches, and at the attack of the counterscarp it had thirteen men killed; three officers, four serjeants, and sixty-six rank and file wounded. The progress of this siege was a subject of peculiar interest throughout Europe; and the besieging army witnessed its extraordinary efforts for the capture of the place, attended by complete success, on the 9th of December, when the citadel surrendered.

[Sidenote: 1709]

Having reposed a few months in quarters, and received a body of fine recruits from Scotland, the regiment joined the army, and was employed in covering the siege of _Tournay_, in July and August, 1709. The citadel of Tournay surrendered in the beginning of September, and the army afterwards marched in the direction of Mons.

A numerous French army, commanded by Marshals Villars and Boufflers, took up a position at _Malplaquet_, and strengthened the post by entrenchments and other works of art. The Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene had confidence in the valour and perseverance of the troops under their orders, and they attacked the enemy's formidable position on the 11th of September, on which occasion the heroic valour of the troops was conspicuous; the enemy's entrenchments and _abatis-de-bois_ were stormed with distinguished gallantry, the determined resistance of the French was overcome, and another trophy was acquired; but with the loss of many brave officers and soldiers, including the Colonel of the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, Brigadier-General DE LALO, who was killed at the head of a brigade, and his fall was much regretted.

In addition to the loss of its Colonel, the regiment had also Captains Monroe, Wemys, and Farley killed; Captains Montressor and Lowther wounded.

After the death of Brigadier-General de Lalo, Viscount Mordaunt was re-appointed on the 4th of September to the colonelcy of the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, from the Twenty-eighth regiment.

The regiment was afterwards employed in covering the siege of _Mons_, which was terminated by the surrender of the garrison on the 20th of October; when the regiment marched into quarters.

[Sidenote: 1710]

On the 14th of April, 1710, the regiment marched out of its winter-quarters towards the frontiers of France, and was engaged in the movements by which the French lines were passed at _Pont-à-Vendin_: it was afterwards selected to take part in the siege of _Douay_, where it performed much severe service. It was employed in carrying on the approaches, in storming the outworks, and other duties connected with the siege, and sustained considerable loss in killed and wounded. The garrison beat a parley on the 25th of June, and afterwards surrendered the fortress.

After the capture of Douay, the regiment was employed in covering the siege of _Bethune_, which place was surrendered in August. The regiment was also with the covering army during the sieges of _St. Venant_ and _Aire_; the former place surrendered on the 30th of September, and the latter on the 9th of November.

Viscount Mordaunt died this year, and was succeeded in the colonelcy by Major-General Meredith, from the Thirty-seventh regiment. This officer was succeeded, in December, by Major-General the Earl of Orrery, from a newly-raised regiment, which was afterwards disbanded.

[Sidenote: 1711]

After passing the winter in quarters at Dendermond, the regiment joined the army in May, 1711, and it took part in the movements by which the boasted impregnable French lines were passed at _Arleux_ on the 5th of August. The regiment was afterwards employed in the siege of _Bouchain_, in which service obstacles of the greatest magnitude had to be overcome, and the abilities of the commanders, with the valour of the troops, were put to a severe test. These qualities were found in the besieging army; on more than one occasion the soldiers fought up to their middle in water, and by a gallant perseverance, which reflected honor on all the corps engaged in the siege, every difficulty was overcome; and the garrison surrendered on the 13th of September.

[Sidenote: 1712]

The regiment joined the army commanded by the Duke of Ormond, in the campaign of 1712, and advanced to the frontiers of Picardy; but a suspension of hostilities was soon afterwards proclaimed, preparatory to a general peace, when the British army marched to Ghent, and afterwards went into quarters.

[Sidenote: 1713]

A treaty of peace was concluded at Utrecht, and the soldiers of the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS could look back with exultation at the career of victory and honor which had attended their corps during these memorable campaigns. At this period the regiment is designated by historians, and in official documents, by the title of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS; but the date when this honorary distinction of "ROYAL" was conferred upon it, has not been ascertained.

[Sidenote: 1714]

The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were stationed in Flanders until the decease of Queen Anne, on the 1st of August, 1714, and the accession of King George I., when they were ordered to embark for England. They landed at Gravesend on the 23rd of August, and were afterwards directed to march to Scotland.

[Sidenote: 1715]

In 1715 the Earl of Mar[6] erected the standard of rebellion in Scotland, and summoned the Highland clans to aid him in establishing the Pretender on the throne. The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were encamped at Stirling, under the command of the Duke of Argyle, and advanced with the Royal army to _Dumblain_, to defeat the attempts of the enemy to march southward. On the morning of the 13th of November the two armies confronted each other on _Sheriff-muir_. On the approach of the clans, it was found necessary for the Royal forces to change position, and this movement was executed at a critical time with steadiness; but several corps were suddenly attacked by the clans while in the act of forming, and suffered severely. The left wing of the rebel army was overpowered, and driven from the field with great slaughter; and the left wing of the Royal army was also forced to retire; thus each commander had one wing victorious, and one wing defeated: the rebels were prevented marching southward, and retired; and the King's troops returned to their camp at Stirling.

The regiment had one captain, two lieutenants, three serjeants, and eighty-five rank and file killed; one captain, one serjeant, and twenty-four rank and file wounded.

[Sidenote: 1716]

Reinforcements having arrived, the King's troops advanced, in January, 1716, to attack the insurgents, who made a precipitate retreat. The Pretender, and several leaders in the rebellion, escaped to the Continent, and the clans separated. The rebellion was thus suppressed.

In July of this year the Earl of Orrery was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment by Colonel George Macartney, whose regiment of foot had been disbanded at the peace of Utrecht.

[Sidenote: 1727]

The regiment was employed on home service many years; and in 1727 it was held in readiness to embark for Holland, to aid the Dutch in their approaching war with the Emperor of Germany; but the presence of British troops was not required.

In the same year Colonel Macartney was removed to the Seventh horse, now Sixth Dragoon Guards, and the colonelcy of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS was conferred on Brigadier-General Sir James Wood, from the Dutch service.

[Sidenote: 1728]

[Sidenote: 1729]

The order for embarking for Holland having been countermanded, the regiment afterwards proceeded to Ireland, and was placed upon the establishment of that country.

[Sidenote: 1738]

Major-General Sir James Wood died in 1738, and King George II. nominated Colonel John Campbell, afterwards Duke of Argyle, to the colonelcy of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, from the Thirty-ninth regiment.

[Sidenote: 1739]

[Sidenote: 1740]

[Sidenote: 1741]

War having been declared against Spain, in the autumn of 1739, the regiment was withdrawn from Ireland, and landing at Liverpool, was stationed in South Britain during the year 1740; in the summer of 1741 it was encamped on Lexden Heath, where seven regiments of cavalry and seven of infantry were assembled, and held in readiness for foreign service.

[Sidenote: 1742]

In the summer of 1742 King George II. sent sixteen thousand men to Flanders, to support the interest of the House of Austria against the aggressions of France and Bavaria: the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS formed part of this force, and were stationed some time at Ghent.

[Sidenote: 1743]

Early in 1743 the regiment commenced its march for Germany, and after taking part in several movements in the field, had the honor to distinguish itself, under the eye of its Sovereign, at the battle of _Dettingen_, on the 27th of June, when the French troops, under Marshal Noailles, were driven from the field of battle with great slaughter, and the loss of a number of standards and colours.

The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS had Lieutenant Yonge, one serjeant, and thirty-five rank and file killed; Lieutenant Levingstone, one serjeant, two drummers, and fifty-three rank and file wounded.

The regiment was afterwards encamped near Hanau; in August it crossed the Rhine, and was employed in West Germany; but in the autumn it returned to Flanders.

[Sidenote: 1744]

During the campaign of 1744 the regiment served with the army under Field-Marshal Wade; it was encamped between Asche and Alost, afterwards on the banks of the Scheldt, and subsequently penetrated the French territory to the vicinity of Lisle; but returned to Ghent for winter-quarters.

[Sidenote: 1745]

Quitting its cantonments in April, 1745, the regiment marched, with the army commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, to the relief of _Tournay_, which fortress was besieged by a numerous French army, which took up a position near the village of _Fontenoy_. The enemy had a great superiority of numbers; but the Duke of Cumberland, trusting to the innate bravery of his troops, resolved to hazard a general engagement on the 11th of May, when the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS had their valour and endurance put to a severe test, and they proved themselves not unworthy successors of the gallant officers and soldiers who triumphed at _Blenheim_ and _Ramilies_ under the great Duke of Marlborough.

Soon after nine o'clock the British infantry advanced in the face of a heavy fire of grape and musketry, and by a gallant charge broke through the French lines; but the Dutch failed to carry the village of _Fontenoy_, and a brigade under Brigadier-General Ingoldsby did not capture the battery it was appointed to attack; the troops, which had forced the enemy's centre, were thus exposed to so severe a cross fire, that they were ordered to retire. A second attack was made; British valour and intrepidity were again triumphant; but the failure of the Dutch a second time, produced disastrous results, and the British regiments, which had carried the enemy's entrenchments, and forced the centre, were nearly annihilated by a destructive cross fire. The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS suffered severely on this occasion. The Duke of Cumberland afterwards ordered a retreat, and the army withdrew from the field of battle to Aeth.

Lieutenants Campbell, Houston, and Serjeant, of the regiment, were killed; Major Colville, Captains Latan, Olivant, and Knatchbull, Lieutenants Maxwell, Colville, Ballenden, Macgaken, and Townsend, wounded; Captain Sandilands, Lieutenant Stuart, and Quarter-Master Stewart prisoners; eleven serjeants and two hundred and fifty-nine rank and file killed, wounded, and prisoners.

The severe loss which the regiment had experienced occasioned it to be placed in garrison at _Ostend_. This place was besieged by a numerous French force; and the garrison defended their post some time; but the works were not in repair, the stores were defective, and the garrison not sufficiently numerous: under these circumstances the governor surrendered, on condition that the garrison should join the allied army.

While the regiment was in Flanders, Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, arrived in Scotland, and being joined by a number of Highland clans, he made a desperate attempt to overturn the existing government, and establish his father's authority in the kingdom. The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were ordered to return to England; they arrived in the river Thames on the 4th of November, and after landing, marched northward: the efficiency of the regiment was increased by a body of fine recruits enlisted in Scotland.

[Sidenote: 1746]

The regiment arrived at Edinburgh in January, 1746, and advanced with the army commanded by the Duke of Cumberland, towards Stirling, when the young Pretender raised the siege of Stirling castle and made a precipitate retreat. The pursuit was retarded by severe weather; but the army continued its advance when the season permitted, and on the 16th of April encountered the clans on _Culloden_ moor. The regiment was in the front line on this occasion, and took part in repulsing the attacks of the Highlanders, and in driving them from the field of battle with great slaughter. This victory proved decisive, and the rebellion was suppressed.

The loss of the regiment was limited to seven private soldiers killed and wounded. It was encamped a short time at Inverness, and afterwards removed to Glasgow.

[Sidenote: 1747]

From Scotland, the regiment was again removed to the theatre of the war in the Netherlands, where it arrived in time to take part in the operations of the campaign of 1747; and it was engaged at the battle of _Val_, on the 2nd of July. On this occasion the allied army was very inferior in numbers to the enemy, and although the gallantry of the British infantry was very conspicuous throughout the action, the Duke of Cumberland was obliged to order a retreat to Maestricht.

Eight rank and file of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were killed; one serjeant and fifteen rank and file were wounded; and five men missing.

[Sidenote: 1748]

The regiment was again in the field in the summer of 1748. Hostilities were this year terminated by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, and during the winter the regiment returned to England.[7]

[Sidenote: 1751]

In the Royal Warrant, issued on the 1st of July, 1751, for ensuring uniformity in the clothing, standards, and colours of the army, the following directions are given for the TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT, OR THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS:--

"In the centre of their colours, the THISTLE within the CIRCLE OF ST. ANDREW, and the CROWN over it; and in the three corners of the second colour, the KING'S CIPHER AND CROWN.

"On the grenadier caps, the THISTLE as on the colours; the WHITE HORSE, and motto over it, _Nec aspera terrent_, on the flap. On the drums and bells of arms, the THISTLE and CROWN to be painted, as on the colours, with the rank of the regiment underneath."

During the period the regiment was stationed in England, where it remained until 1751, it received the commendations of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, on account of its good conduct in quarters, and of its former gallantry in the field.

The TWENTY-FIRST regiment embarked for Gibraltar towards the end of the year 1751, in order to relieve the Eighth, or King's Regiment.

[Sidenote: 1752]

Lieut.-General Campbell was removed to the Scots Greys, and King George II. nominated Colonel the Earl of Panmure, from the Twenty-fifth regiment, to the colonelcy of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, by commission dated the 29th of April, 1752.

[Sidenote: 1760]

The regiment remained at Gibraltar until 1760, when it was relieved from duty at that fortress, and returned to England.

XXI.

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

1742

_For Cannon's Military Records._]

[Sidenote: 1761]

In the meantime another war had commenced between Great Britain and France, and in 1761 the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, mustering eight hundred men, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Edward Maxwell, sailed with the expedition under Major-General Hodgson, for the attack of the French island in the Bay of Biscay, called _Belle-Isle_. The fleet appeared before the island on the 7th of April; but the coast was found like a vast fortress,--the little which nature had left undone by rocks and crags, having been supplied by art. A landing was, however, effected on the following day; the TWENTY-FIRST was one of the regiments which leaped on shore, and stormed the works of Port Andro, under a heavy fire of cannon and musketry; the works were found too steep to be ascended, and although the officers and soldiers made a gallant effort, one attempting to lift another up, it was found impossible to succeed, and they were ordered to return on board of the fleet. The regiment had three serjeants, one drummer, and eight rank and file killed; eight rank and file wounded; Lieutenants Innis and Ramage, and thirty-five rank and file, prisoners;--many of the officers and soldiers taken prisoners were severely wounded, and were unable to return on board of the fleet when the order was given to retire.

A landing was effected on the 22nd of April at a rugged spot near Point Lomaria, where the difficult ascent had occasioned the enemy to be less attentive to that part of the coast; and the troops, under Brigadier-General Lambert, having landed, gained the summit of the rock, and repulsed the attempts of the enemy to dislodge them,--capturing three brass field-pieces. The cannon was afterwards landed from the ships, and dragged up the rocks; the lines which covered the town of Palais were captured, and the siege of the citadel commenced. The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS took part in the siege of the _Citadel_ of _Belle-Isle_, which was prosecuted with so much vigour, that the governor, the Chevalier de St. Croix, was forced to surrender on the 7th of June. The capture of the island was thus effected, with the loss of about eighteen hundred men killed and wounded.

[Sidenote: 1762]

[Sidenote: 1763]

[Sidenote: 1764]

After the surrender of the Castle of Belle-Isle, the regiment returned to England, where it was stationed in 1762; and in 1763 and 1764 it occupied quarters in Scotland.

[Sidenote: 1765]

[Sidenote: 1770]

On the 6th of May, 1765, the regiment embarked for America, and was quartered five years in West Florida; in 1770, it was removed to Canada, and was stationed some time at Quebec.

In November, 1770, Lieut.-General the Earl of Panmure was removed to the Scots Greys, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS by Major-General the Honorable Alexander Mackay, from the Sixty-fifth regiment.

[Sidenote: 1772]

[Sidenote: 1773]

[Sidenote: 1774]

Having been relieved from duty at Quebec, in 1772, the regiment embarked for England, where it was stationed in 1773 and the two following years.

[Sidenote: 1775]

The American war commenced in 1775, and during the winter of that year Quebec was besieged by an American force.

[Sidenote: 1776]

In the spring of 1776, the regiment embarked for the relief of _Quebec_; on the arrival of the British reinforcement to the garrison, the Americans raised the siege, and made a precipitate retreat; they were pursued up the country, and driven from all the posts which they occupied in that province. After these services were performed, the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were quartered at St. John's, where they were stationed during the winter.

[Sidenote: 1777]

The regiment was called into active operations in the spring of 1777, with the armament commanded by Lieut.-General Burgoyne; it embarked in boats on Lake Champlain, and sailed to Crown Point, where the troops halted three days, and afterwards proceeded against Ticonderago; but the Americans quitted the fort without hazarding the events of a siege. The regiment returned on board of the flotilla, and sailing along the lake, arrived, about three o'clock on the afternoon of the 6th of July, within three miles of Skenesborough, where the Americans had a stockaded fort. The Ninth, Twentieth, and TWENTY-FIRST regiments leaped on shore, and ascended the mountains, to get behind the fort and cut off the retreat of the garrison; but the Americans made a precipitate retreat, and escaped with the loss of a few men made prisoners.

On the 8th of July, the regiment was detached towards Fort Anne, to support the Ninth, who were attacked by an American force of very superior numbers. The enemy was repulsed, and retreated towards Fort Edward.

To follow up these advantages proved a difficult undertaking; trees and other obstacles had to be removed; creeks and marshes had to be crossed; forty bridges had to be constructed; but by great exertion these difficulties were overcome, and on the 30th of July, the army arrived at the bank of the Hudson's River, which was crossed by a bridge of boats on the 13th and 14th of September, and on the 19th the army advanced against the Americans, in position on an island called Still-Water, when a severe action was fought. Lieut.-General Burgoyne stated in his public despatch,--"About three o'clock, the action began by a very vigorous attack on the British line, and was continued with great obstinacy until after sunset; the enemy being constantly supplied with fresh troops. The stress lay upon the Twentieth, TWENTY-FIRST, and Sixty-second regiments, most parts of which were engaged nearly four hours without intermission.... Just as night closed, the enemy gave ground on all sides, and left us completely masters of the field of battle."

Several other actions occurred, and the regiment sustained considerable loss in killed and wounded; among the former were Lieutenants Currie, Mackenzie, Robertson, and Turnbull; and among the latter Captain Ramsay, and Lieutenant Richardson.

The circumstances under which the troops commanded by Lieut.-General Burgoyne eventually became placed, assumed a desperate character; their numbers were reduced to about three thousand five hundred men able to bear arms; they were environed by sixteen thousand Americans; their retreat cut off, and they were short of provisions. Under these accumulated difficulties, they agreed to lay down their arms on condition of being sent to England, and of not serving again in North America during the war. These conditions were, however, violated by the American Congress, and the troops were detained some time in the provinces.

[Sidenote: 1781]

The TWENTY-FIRST regiment having been liberated returned to Europe, and in 1781 it was stationed in Scotland, recruiting its numbers.

[Sidenote: 1782]

At the termination of the American war, in 1782, the regiment was placed on the peace establishment; and in 1783 it proceeded to Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1789]

The regiment remained in Ireland until the spring of 1789, when it embarked from Cork for Nova Scotia, and landing at Halifax, was stationed in the British provinces in North America nearly four years.

Lieut.-General the Honorable Alexander Mackay died in 1789, and the colonelcy of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS was conferred on General the Honorable James Murray, from the Thirteenth regiment.

[Sidenote: 1793]

While the regiment was in North America a revolution took place in France, and republican principles were extended to the French West India islands, where the inhabitants of colour rose in arms against the European settlers, many of whom sought protection from Great Britain. Under these circumstances the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were removed to the West Indies in the spring of 1793.

The French royalists of _Martinique_ sent pressing applications for assistance, and Major-General Bruce, commanding the British troops in the West Indies, was induced to proceed with a small force to their aid. The TWENTY-FIRST were employed on this service; they landed at Caise de Navire on the 14th of June; the other corps landed on the 16th, and eleven hundred British, and eight hundred French loyalists, advanced to attack the town of St. Pierre: but the Royalists were undisciplined; they got into confusion, fired by mistake on one another, and so completely disconcerted the plan of attack, that the English General, not having a force sufficiently numerous for the purpose without them, ordered the British troops to return on board of the fleet.

[Sidenote: 1794]

General Sir Charles (afterwards Earl) Grey assembled a body of troops at Barbadoes, in January, 1794, for the attack of the French islands, and the flank companies of the TWENTY-FIRST were employed on this service. A landing was effected on the island of _Martinique_ in the early part of February, and after some sharp fighting, in which the regiment had several men killed and wounded, this valuable possession was delivered from the power of the republicans.

From Martinique the grenadiers, under Prince Edward (afterwards Duke of Kent), the light infantry, under Major-General Dundas, and three other corps, embarked on the 30th of March for _St. Lucia_, where they arrived on the 1st of April, and the conquest of that fine island was completed in three days.

The flank companies of the TWENTY-FIRST were afterwards employed in the reduction of the island of _Guadaloupe_. A determined resistance was made by the enemy; but the island was captured before the end of April. The regiment had several men killed and wounded; Captain Macdonald was also wounded on the 12th of April.

After the reduction of Guadaloupe, the flank companies of the regiment were removed to Antigua.

The loss of so many valuable colonial possessions was not regarded with indifference by the republican government of France, and in June a French armament arrived at _Guadaloupe_ for the recovery of that island. The negroes and other men of colour flocked to the standard of republicanism; they were instantly armed and clad in uniforms; the doctrines of liberty and equality were disseminated among this motley crowd, which led to a frightful catalogue of crime and bloodshed. The flank companies of the TWENTY-FIRST were called from Antigua to aid in the defence of Guadaloupe; they arrived on the 10th of June in the Winchelsea ship of war, landed on the 19th, at Ance Canot, and were engaged in several arduous services, in which Lieutenants Harry Foley Price, Samuel Knollis, and J. S. Colepeper were wounded; also several private soldiers killed and wounded: but the British troops were not sufficiently numerous to contend with the republican forces.

Lieut.-Colonel Colin Graham of the TWENTY-FIRST was appointed to the command of the troops in Basse Terre, and he defended Beville camp until the 6th of October, when he was forced to surrender, his force having become reduced to one hundred and twenty-five rank and file fit for duty.

Three companies of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were engaged in the defence of _Fort Matilda_, under Lieut.-General Prescott, and the garrison made a resolute resistance, until the place became so much injured by the enemy's fire that it was not tenable, when it was evacuated during the night of the 10th of December. One company of the TWENTY-FIRST occupied the rampart,--the light company, under Lieutenant William Paterson, was stationed on the right of the breach, and the third company, under Captain Mackay, was posted along the Gallion river; they thus covered the embarkation of the garrison and stores, and afterwards retired on board of the fleet. The three companies were reduced by casualties to one captain, three lieutenants, six serjeants, and ninety-two rank and file. Lieut.-General Prescott stated in his despatch,--"During the whole progress of this long and painful siege, the officers and men under my command have conducted themselves in such a manner as to deserve my warmest praise; bearing their hardships with the utmost patience, and performing their duty with alacrity."

General the Honorable James Murray died in this year, and King George III. nominated Major-General James Hamilton from the Fifteenth regiment, to the colonelcy of the TWENTY-FIRST FUSILIERS.

[Sidenote: 1795]

[Sidenote: 1796]

In addition to the casualties in action, the regiment also sustained, during its services in the West Indies, severe loss from the yellow fever, and in 1796 it returned to England much reduced in numbers; it landed at Portsmouth, and proceeded from thence to Scotland, where it commenced active measures for completing its ranks with recruits.

[Sidenote: 1800]

[Sidenote: 1801]

[Sidenote: 1802]

The regiment occupied various stations in Scotland until June, 1800, when it embarked from Portpatrick for Ireland, where its numbers were increased to eight hundred rank and file by volunteers from the Scots fencible regiments then in that country.

In October of the same year, the regiment marched to Enniskillen, where it was quartered nearly two years, during which time its numbers were increased to a thousand men by recruits. The good conduct of the regiment, during its stay at this place, occasioned it to stand very high in the estimation of the inhabitants; and on its removal, in 1802, a hundred gentlemen and respectable persons sent a memorial to the Commander-in-chief, requesting that it might be again quartered at Enniskillen, and offered to defray the expense of removal.

On the 15th of July, 1802, the regiment arrived at Londonderry, where its establishment was reduced in consequence of the peace of Amiens having been concluded with France.

[Sidenote: 1803]

From Londonderry the regiment was removed to Dublin, in February, 1803; its establishment was again augmented in the summer of this year after the renewal of hostilities with France.

An alarming insurrectionary spirit was manifested at _Dublin_ in the summer of this year; and on the evening of the 23rd of July an immense number of persons assembled with fire-arms and pikes, dragged the Lord Chief-Justice, Viscount Kilwarden, out of his carriage, and murdered him; also wounded his nephew, the Rev. Richard Wolfe, and committed numerous other acts of outrage and violence. At this period the regiment was quartered in Cork Street, Thomas Street, and Coombe Barracks, and it quickly assembled to suppress the riots. Lieut.-Colonel Brown was murdered by the insurgents as he was proceeding from his quarters to head the regiment. The command devolved on Major Robertson, under whose orders the regiment was actively employed in restoring tranquillity, in which service it had twelve men killed and wounded. The regiment received the thanks and approbation of the Commander-in-chief in Ireland, Lieut.-General the Honorable H. E. Fox, for its conduct on this occasion. Also the thanks of the city of Dublin. Lieutenant Douglas, who commanded the light company, and Adjutant Brady, particularly distinguished themselves, and were each presented with a piece of plate by the city of Dublin, accompanied with the expression of the gratitude and admiration of the citizens, for their gallant exertions.

On the decease of General Hamilton, in this year, he was succeeded in the colonelcy by General the Honorable William Gordon, from the Seventy-first regiment.

[Sidenote: 1804]

Leaving Dublin in July, 1804, the regiment proceeded to Loughrea.

Napoleon Bonaparte, whom the French had elevated to the dignity of Emperor, having made preparations for the invasion of England, his menace was met by a meritorious display of loyalty and patriotism by the British people, who armed to repel the threatened invasion. Among the precautionary measures adopted at this period, an "Additional Force Act" received the Royal Assent in July, 1804. The men raised for limited service, under the provisions of this Act, in the counties of Ayr and Renfrew, were added to the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, and were formed into a _second battalion_, which was embodied at Ayr, and placed on the establishment of the army on the 25th of December, 1804.

[Sidenote: 1805]

On the 30th of April, 1805, the first battalion embarked from Monkstown for England; it landed at Portsmouth, and was subsequently encamped at Weymouth, where several corps were assembled, and were repeatedly reviewed by the King, and other members of the Royal Family, who expressed their high approbation of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS on every occasion on which the corps appeared before them. In the autumn the battalion marched to Lewes.

[Sidenote: 1806]

From Lewes the first battalion marched to London, in January, 1806, to attend the funeral of Vice Admiral LORD VISCOUNT NELSON, who was killed at the battle of Trafalgar, where the British navy gained a decisive victory over the combined fleets of France and Spain. The remains of this highly distinguished naval commander were honored with a public funeral, which was conducted with great state. The interment took place on the 9th of January, in St. Paul's Cathedral: the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS afterwards marched to Colchester.

At this period the French arms were triumphant in Germany; and the Court of Naples having displeased the Emperor Napoleon, the Neapolitan territory was seized by the armies of France, and Joseph Bonaparte was proclaimed King of Naples. The British preserved the island of Sicily in the interest of the dethroned family: and in April the first battalion of the TWENTY-FIRST embarked from Tilbury for Sicily, and landed at Messina on the 26th of July.

On the 15th of August the second battalion embarked from Portpatrick for Ireland, where it was stationed during the following five years.

[Sidenote: 1807]

The Court of the Grand Seignior having become involved in hostilities with Great Britain, the first battalion embarked from Sicily on the 17th of May, 1807, and joined the expedition to Egypt under Major-General Alexander Mackenzie Fraser. The battalion landed at Alexandria, and marched to the camp at Aboukir. Peace having been concluded with the Turks, the battalion returned to Sicily, where it arrived in October.

[Sidenote: 1808]

The first battalion occupied quarters in Sicily during the year 1808.

[Sidenote: 1809]

In June, 1809, Lieut.-General Sir John Stuart, commanding in chief in the Mediterranean, resolved to menace the capital and kingdom of Naples, as a diversion in favour of the Austrians, who were contending against numerous difficulties in their war with France. The flank companies of the TWENTY-FIRST were employed on this service; and after menacing a considerable extent of coast, which produced much alarm, the romantic and fruitful island of _Ischia_, celebrated for the beauty of its scenery, and situate in the Bay of Naples, about six miles from the coast, was attacked. A landing was effected in the face of a formidable line of batteries, from which the enemy was speedily driven; Lieut. Cameron of the TWENTY-FIRST, who was attached to the British flotilla, attacked the enemy's gun-boats with great gallantry, and captured twenty-four of their number; but was mortally wounded at the moment of victory. The siege of the castle was undertaken, and in a few days the garrison was forced to surrender. The island of _Procida_ surrendered on being summoned. Two valuable islands were thus rescued from the power of General Murat, whom the Emperor Napoleon had nominated King of Naples, in succession to Joseph Bonaparte, upon whom the Emperor had conferred the crown of Spain; and one thousand five hundred regular troops, with one hundred pieces of ordnance, were captured.

An attempt was, at this period, made to reduce the castle of _Scylla_; but the large force, which the enemy possessed in Calabria, rendered this impracticable. The battalion companies of the regiment were employed in this service, and had Captain Hunter killed, eight rank and file killed and wounded.

A detachment of the regiment was sent, at the request of the inhabitants, to the town of Valmi, for the protection of the place; but was intercepted by the enemy, and Captains Mackay and Conran, Lieutenants M'Nab and Mackay, four serjeants, two drummers, and seventy-six rank and file, were made prisoners.

[Sidenote: 1810]

In the summer of 1810, General Murat assembled upwards of one hundred heavy gun-boats, a number of others more lightly armed, and about four hundred transport-boats, and brought thirty thousand troops to the coast of Calabria for the purpose of invading Sicily. The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were employed on the coast watching the approach of the enemy, and were at the alarm-post, under arms, every morning, two hours before daylight, for several months. During a dark night between the 17th and 18th of September, four thousand men, under General Cavaignac, made good their passage, and commenced landing about seven miles to the southward of Messina. The alarm being given, the TWENTY-FIRST regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Adam (now General the Right Honorable Sir Frederick Adam, G.C.B., Colonel of the TWENTY-FIRST ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS), hurried to the spot, accompanied by two field-pieces which were attached to the regiment, and prevented several of the boats from reaching the shore: as the boats were retiring, a few of them were sunk by the fire of the field-pieces. The regiment next turned towards that portion of the enemy which had landed, and had taken post on two hills. The flankers were thrown out, and a fire of musketry was kept up until daylight, when the enemy, being cut off from the boats and surrounded, surrendered prisoners of war, delivering up one stand of colours. The prisoners, amounting to about one thousand officers and soldiers, were marched to Messina. This repulse, with the destruction of many of the enemy's gun-boats, by the British and Sicilian flotillas, disconcerted the plans of Murat, and no further attempts were made against Sicily.

[Sidenote: 1811]

In September, 1811, the second battalion embarked from Belfast for Scotland; and in this year it sent a strong detachment, with a number of volunteers from the militia, to Sicily, which increased the strength of the first battalion to twelve hundred rank and file.

[Sidenote: 1812]

Meanwhile the British army, commanded by Lord Wellington, now Field-Marshal the DUKE OF WELLINGTON, was fighting the battle of Spanish and Portuguese independence in the Peninsula; and in November, 1812, the grenadier company of the TWENTY-FIRST FUSILIERS proceeded, with the grenadier battalion, to the eastern coast of Spain, to take part in the war. It arrived at Alicant, on the 2nd of December; but circumstances occurred soon afterwards, which occasioned its return to Sicily, where it arrived in the spring of 1813.

[Sidenote: 1813]

Two companies proceeded, in 1813, to the island of Ponza; and in the same year, a strong detachment, commanded by Captain Renny, joined from the second battalion.

[Sidenote: 1814]

The brilliant success of the British troops in the Peninsula, and of the armies of the Allied Sovereigns on the Continent of Europe, was followed by the embarkation of a body of troops for Italy, under Lieut.-General Lord William Bentinck and Major-General H. T. Montresor. The TWENTY-FIRST regiment embarked for this service, in February, 1814, under Major Whitaker (Colonel Paterson commanding a brigade), and landed at Leghorn on the 13th of March; on the 23rd it marched to Pisa, and on the 25th to Lucca. In April, the battalion advanced upon _Genoa_; on the 12th of that month, the enemy was driven from Mount Facia and Nervi, and the British took post at Sturla. On the 17th of April, at daybreak, the French position in front of Genoa was attacked, the enemy was driven from the strong position he occupied, and afterwards evacuated the town, which was taken possession of on the 19th of April, by the TWENTY-FIRST, and other corps. The regiment had Lieutenant Sabine wounded; one serjeant and fourteen rank and file killed and wounded.

In the meantime the second battalion had been withdrawn from Scotland, to take part in the war on the Continent; it embarked from Fort George, on the 30th of December, 1813, landed in Holland on the 10th of January, 1814, and was employed in the attack of _Bergen-op-Zoom_, on the night of the 8th of March. One portion of the battalion formed part of the third column, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel ROBERT HENRY, of the TWENTY-FIRST, who was directed to draw the enemy's attention by an attack near Steenbergen gate; the flank companies were attached to the fourth column, under Brigadier-General Gore. Some severe fighting took place, and advantages were gained in the first instance; but the attack failed, and a number of officers and men, who had penetrated the works, were forced to surrender prisoners of war. The battalion had a number of men killed and wounded on this occasion; Lieutenant John Bulteel died of his wounds; Lieut.-Colonel Henry, Captains Durrah and Donald Mackenzie, Lieutenants the Honorable F. Morris, H. Pigou, D. Moody, D. Rankin, and Sir William Crosby, were wounded. Hostilities were soon afterwards terminated; Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated the throne of France; and in September the second battalion embarked from Ostend for England; it landed at Deal, and in October embarked from Gravesend for Scotland, where it arrived in the beginning of November, and landed at Leith.

The war in Europe having terminated, the first battalion of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS was selected to proceed to America, in consequence of Great Britain having become involved in war with the United States; it embarked from Genoa on the 12th of May, and arrived at Gibraltar on the 7th of June; and on the 11th, sailed with the Twenty-ninth and Sixty-second regiments, for the West Indies, where it joined the corps under Major-General Robert Ross. The fleet, with the troops on board, sailed from Bermuda on the 3rd of August, and proceeded to the Bay of Chesapeake, when the American flotilla fled for refuge up the Patuxent river. To ensure the capture or destruction of this flotilla, the troops landed at the village of St. Benedict, from whence they advanced to the delightful village of Upper Marlborough, when the Americans destroyed their flotilla to prevent its falling into the hands of the British. The object of the expedition had thus been accomplished; but the army had advanced within sixteen miles of _Washington_, and the enemy's force was ascertained to be such as would authorise an attempt to carry the capital. The troops accordingly advanced on the 23rd of August; routed some detachments on the road, and encountering the American army under General Winder, at the village of _Bladensburg_, gained a decisive victory over a force more than twice their own numbers, and occupying a position deliberately chosen. The light company of the regiment distinguished itself on this occasion; it had two men killed; Captain Robert Rennie, Lieutenant James Grace, and eleven rank and file wounded.

Advancing from the field of battle, the regiment moved towards _Washington_, and was the first corps which entered that city; it was fired upon by the Americans, and had sixty-eight men killed and wounded; but all resistance was soon overcome: the arsenal, docks, and other public property were set on fire, and the conflagration of burning buildings illuminated the sky during the night, while the exploding magazines shook the city, and threw down houses in their vicinity. Having completed this service, the British troops marched back to St. Benedict, and re-embarked on board of the fleet.

Early on the morning of the 12th of September, the troops landed at North Point, and advancing towards Baltimore, a division of Americans fled from an entrenched position which they were preparing across a neck of land. Continuing to advance, the troops entered a closely wooded country, where they encountered a party of Americans, and Major-General Robert Ross, mixing among the skirmishers, was mortally wounded,[8] when the command of the army devolved on Colonel Brooke.

Six thousand Americans, with six pieces of artillery and a corps of cavalry, were discovered in position in _Godly wood_. The light brigade extended and drove in the American skirmishers; the Forty-fourth, a party of Marines, and a body of seamen from the fleet, formed line behind the light infantry; the TWENTY-FIRST, commanded by Major Whitaker, (Colonel Paterson commanding a brigade,) and the second battalion of Marines, formed column in reserve, and the Fourth regiment made a flank movement to turn the enemy's left. The signal was given, the British troops rushed to the attack, and in fifteen minutes the American army was driven from the field with severe loss.

The regiment had Lieutenant James Gracie and fifteen rank and file killed; Major Robert Kenny, Lieutenant John Leavock, two serjeants, and seventy-seven rank and file wounded.

Colonel Paterson was commended in the public despatch, for the steady manner in which he brought the brigade into action.