Lady Butler
By kind permission of the Artist, and by arrangement with the proprietors of the Copyright, Messrs. S. Hildesheimer & Co. Ltd.
Title: The History of the 2nd Dragoons: "Royal Scots Greys"
Author: Edward Almack
Release date: July 19, 2015 [eBook #49488]
Most recently updated: October 24, 2024
Language: English
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THE HISTORY OF THE
SECOND DRAGOONS
"Royal Scots Greys"
Lady Butler
By kind permission of the Artist, and by arrangement with the proprietors of the Copyright, Messrs. S. Hildesheimer & Co. Ltd.
BY
EDWARD ALMACK, F.S.A.
With Forty-four Illustrations
LONDON
1908
Aberdeen University Library, per P. J. Anderson, Esq., Librarian
Edward Almack, Esq., F.S.A.
Mrs. E. Almack
E. P. Almack, Esq., R.F.A.
Miss V. A. B. Almack
Miss G. E. C. Almack
W. W. C. Almack, Esq.
Charles W. Almack, Esq.
Army & Navy Stores, Ltd., London, S.W.
Lieut.-Col. Ashburner, late Queen's Bays
His Grace The Duke of Atholl, K.T., etc., etc.
C. B. Balfour, Esq.
G. F. Barwick, Esq., Superintendent, Reading Room, British Museum
Lieut. E. H. Bonham, Royal Scots Greys
Lieut. M. Borwick, Royal Scots Greys
Messrs. Bowering & Co., Booksellers, Plymouth
Mr. W. Brown, Bookseller, Edinburgh
Major C. B. Bulkeley-Johnson, Royal Scots Greys
Messrs. Cazenove & Son, London, W.C.
Major Edward F. Coates, M.P., Tayles Hill, Ewell, Surrey
Major W. F. Collins, Royal Scots Greys
W. J. Collins, Esq., Royal Scots Greys
Capt. H.R.H. Prince Arthur of Connaught, K.G., G.C.V.O., Royal Scots Greys
The Hon. Henry H. Dalrymple, Lochinch, Castle Kennedy, Wigtonshire
Cyril Davenport, Esq., F.S.A.
J. Barrington Deacon, Esq., Royal Western Yacht Club, Plymouth
Messrs. Douglas & Foulis, Booksellers, Edinburgh
E. H. Druce, Esq.
Second Lieut. Viscount Ebrington, Royal Scots Greys
Mr. Francis Edwards, Bookseller, London, W.
Lord Eglinton, Eglinton Castle, Irvine, N.B.
Lieut. T. E. Estcourt, Royal Scots Greys
[Pg vi]Capt. R. D. Fordyce, Royal Scots Greys
Mr. H. G. Gadney, Bookseller, Oxford
The Galignani Library, Booksellers, Paris
J. Hamilton, Esq., Houldsworth, Castlebank, Lanark, N.B.
Second Lieut. E. J. Hardy, Royal Scots Greys
Lieut. S. J. Hardy, Royal Scots Greys
Capt. Claudius Shirley Harris, 90, Woodstock Road, Oxford
Capt. The Hon. A. M. Henley, 5th Lancers, York
Walter Johnson, Esq., Armcliffe Hall, Northallerton
Mr. G. P. Johnston, Bookseller, Edinburgh
Percy R. Laurie, Esq., Royal Scots Greys
Capt. W. E. Lawrence, Royal Scots Greys
Major A. Lawson, Royal Scots Greys
Major The Hon. R. H. Lindsay
Capt. and Adj. W. Long, D.S.O., Royal Scots Greys
Lieut. C. J. A. Maberly, 5th Lancers
Mrs. N. Maberly, 14 The Avenue, Clifton, Bristol
Messrs. Macniven & Wallace, Booksellers, Edinburgh
Lieut. W. M. Duguid McCombie, Royal Scots Greys
Capt. Geo. Middleton, Royal Scots Greys, Wilderness, Kelmarsh, Northampton
Col. A. D. Miller, D.S.O., Royal Scots Greys
W. R. Mitchell, Esq., 68, Washington Place, New York, U.S.A.
Lieut. A. R. Moncrieff, Royal Scots Greys
Second Lieut. Hon. F. C. Montgomerie, Royal Scots Greys
Alexander Moring, Esq.
Clement O. E. Nicholson, Esq., late Royal Scots Greys
H. Stafford O'Brien, Blatherwyche Park, Wansford, Northamptonshire
Cecil W. Otway, Esq., Royal Scots Greys
Second Lieut. H. D. Pender, Royal Scots Greys
Lieut. F. A. U. Pickering, Royal Scots Greys
J. J. Readman, Esq.
Messrs. Robson & Co., Booksellers, London, W.
The Right Hon. The Earl of Rosebery, K.G., etc., etc.
Capt. Hon. A. J. M. St. Clair, Royal Scots Greys
Mrs. Sanderson, "Glenlaggan," Parton, N.B.
Major-General H. Scobell, C.B., Commander 1st Cavalry Brigade, Aldershot
Capt. A. G. Seymour, Royal Scots Greys
The Signet Library, Edinburgh
Col. Smythe, of Methven
J. M. F. Sprot, Esq., of Riddell, Roxburghshire, Lieut. Royal Scots Greys
[Pg vii]John Stansfeld, Esq., late Capt. Royal Scots Greys, Dunninald, Montrose
Capt. F. Swetenham, Royal Scots Greys
Toronto Public Library
Capt. H. B. Towse, Royal Scots Greys
Col. F. J. A. Wallace, Arrandale, Ayre, N.B.
Lieut.-Col. Welby, M.P., 26, Sloane Court, Chelsea, S.W.
Col. Coventry Williams, late Royal Scots Greys
Second Lieut. J. M. Wilson, Royal Scots Greys
A. B. Winch, Esq., Royal Scots Greys
"Ane Account deu be Thomas Dalzell of bins for his fathers funerall, to George Porteous the 2 of Sept 1685."
In bidding farewell to this book before publication, I am most anxious to thank with hearty sincerity all those who, as past or present officers and friends of this historic regiment, have helped my efforts. There are two names above all that I must most particularly record—(i.) that of Colonel Coventry Williams, lately commanding the Greys, who has helped in so many details, though I can only particularly refer readers to pages 291, 292 and 293. Colonel Williams is the half-brother of Captain Williams, a portrait of whom, as he stands by his charger, I have been able to include in this volume, and who, as named by Kinglake (quoted on page 78), brought the Greys out of action at Balaclava. There, too, Kinglake refers to the anonymous officer whose Crimean recollections are given on pages 80 to 84. That officer has since died, and so, too, has Russell, the famous Times correspondent, with whom he was exchanging affectionate greetings. (ii.) In the next place I must record my gratitude to Major Lindsay, who has shown the keen instinct native to the noble house of Crawford. His grandfather opened his famous record with this quotation from "Schir David Lyndesay of the Mont allias lyoun herauld king of Armes":—
The fact is that to hold the King's commission in the Royal Scots Greys inspires a host of chivalrous thoughts and memories. Picture the simple pride shown in the laconic words quoted on page 293, "Greys, from your right number off ten!" and see pages 52 to 74. Here are letters from Francis Charlton Kinchant, who received his commission on 18th January, 1815, and was killed at Waterloo. After[Pg x] writing to a friend accounts describing how zealously he was learning to practise the art of war, he goes on: "The regiment is without doubt the best and the most crack cavalry corps in the service. I don't think there is a private in it under 5 feet 11 inches." The next personal allusion, describing the uniform of the corps, is to his own father: "Our dress altogether is extremely rich and consequently costs lots of money. The Court dress coat alone is 40 guineas. It is covered with lace from head to foot. The jackets are handsome, but they cost £15. 15. each. Every other part of the equipment is equally as expensive. In fact we make a most dashing appearance. I should like much to meet the old Buck at Bath or Clifton. I do not think he would know his hopeful son."
It is interesting to identify the noble Colonel James Gardiner, killed at Preston Pans, as an officer in the Greys. Of course the regiment has always held a peculiarly interesting position. For instance, it does not join the ordinary rota for foreign service. It shares with a very few the privilege of having a special honorary Colonel-in-chief.
Before writing of Sir Thomas Dalyell, the first colonel of the regiment, I wish to thank most cordially Mrs. Cornwall Dalyell of The Binns, who most kindly allowed photographs to be taken of the manuscripts of (and relics pertaining to) Sir Thomas Dalyell himself.
Thomas Dalyell or Dalzell, of Binns, was born about 1599, and seems to have taken part in the Rochelle expedition in 1628, as captain in the Earl of Morton's regiment. In 1640 he was serving under Major Robert Monro at Aberdeen. He accompanied Monro in his expedition to Ireland, 8th April, 1642, having obtained a commission as colonel to command 2,500 men. On 6th May, 1651, he was appointed by the King as General-Major of Foot, and fought at Worcester on 3rd September. He was taken prisoner and committed to the Tower, but escaped to the Continent. In March, 1654, he appeared off the northern coasts of Scotland, and helped in the rebellion in the Highlands in that year. Although a reward and free pardon were offered to anyone who would give him up, dead or alive, he again escaped to the Continent, and received from Charles a special[Pg xi] letter of thanks, dated Cologne, 30th December, 1654. On 19th July, 1666, he was appointed Commander-in-chief in Scotland. Captain Crichton wrote of him: "He was bred up very hardy from his youth; he never wore a peruke, nor did he shave his beard since the murder of King Charles the First. He died on Sunday evening, 23rd August, 1685."
E. A.
P. 76. For "India" read "Brighton, 1841, Exeter, 1842 and 1843."
P. 84, last line. Add Middelburg, 1904.
P. 102, l. 22. For Capt. C. B. Bulkeley Johnston read Capt. C. B. Bulkeley-Johnson.
P. 226, l. 18. For 1844 read 1848.
P. 292, sixth line from foot. For "charged on a trout" read "changed on a trout."
P. 293, l. 7. After "Greys, from your right number off!" add "ten." (Note.—See a variant of this story on p. 82.)
(See also Addenda to List of Officers Past and Present, on p. 261.)
The title Dragoon—the beginning of the Royal Scots Greys (royal warrants of 1672 and 1678)—the state of Scotland in 1678—warrants appointing officers, 1678—order relating to three Independent Troops of Dragoons—appointment of the Duke of Monmouth, 1679—appointment of Thomas Dalzell, 1679—memoirs and experiences of Captain John Crichton—murder of the Archbishop of St. Andrews—battle of Bothwell Bridge—desperate fight in Airs Moss—warrant of Charles II. regimenting six troops and establishing Royal Scots Greys, 1681—warrant of establishment, 1681—commission of Lord Charles Murray, and of Thomas Dalzell as colonel, 1681—Creighton's account of the coming of William III.—Creighton's imprisonment in the Tolbooth—establishment of the regiment at accession of James II. and William III.—the Greys proceed to Flanders, 1694—take part in the campaigns of Marlborough, siege of Venloo, Stevenswaert, Ruremond, Liege—brilliant rescue of treasure from French troops by the Greys—their gallant capture of the enemy's post at Schellenberg—the Greys take part in the battle of Blenheim, a cavalry victory—contemporary account from Hare's journal.
The siege of Landau, 1704—British camp visited by the King of the Romans—battle of the river Geet—Sir Walter Scott's praise of the regiment—victory of Ramillies—the Greys defeat the Regiment du Roi at Autreglize—strange history of "Mother Ross," a famous Amazon, wounded as a trooper of the Greys at Ramillies—desperate battle of Malplaquet, signal bravery of the Greys—battle of Oudenarde—exploit of the Greys at Pont-à-Nache—sieges of Aire and Saint-Venant—end of the campaign—fresh campaign in French Flanders—siege of Bouchain—French sue for peace, 1712—Treaty of Utrecht, 1713—question of precedence, 1694—Greys rank as Second Dragoons, 1713—Greys take part in putting down the Rebellion of the Old Pretender—and defeat Jacobites at Strachell—Greys reviewed at Hounslow by George II.—suppression of Kentish smugglers, 1737—Greys encamped in Windsor Forest—reviewed by George II. on Kew Green—arrive at Dover—British Military Journal, 1799—heroism of the Greys at Dettingen—and Fontenoy—Greys capture the White Standard—campaign in Flanders.
Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, 1748—short-sighted reduction of the Greys' numbers—the brigade fire the shipping at St. Malo—Greys take part in the capture of Cherbourg—notes from a Regimental Order Book, 1759—defeat of the French under Marshal Broglio at Zierenberg—account of the battle in the London Gazette, 1760—surprise and complete success of the night attack—signing of peace, 1763—Greys return to England, and are reduced as usual!—Greys reviewed by George III.—Greys during the French Revolution, 1793—war declared against England by the Convention, 1793—siege of Valenciennes, Dunkirk—magnificent charge of Greys at the battle of Tournay—return to England—the folly of reduction again!—war with France, 1803—Greys take part in the procession at Nelson's funeral—return of the Greys to Scotland, 1807—the Greys reviewed by the Prince Regent, King of Prussia, and Czar of Russia, in Hyde Park, 1814—Napoleon returns to France, 1815.
Records relating to Colonel Hamilton (originally James Anderson)—account of Colonel Hamilton's heroism when wounded at Waterloo—story of Colonel Hamilton (James Anderson) from Good Words, 1866—letters by Cornet Kinchant before Waterloo, also letters describing his death by treachery in the battle, and the vengeance taken by Sergeant Ewart of his troop—great gallantry and success of Sergeant Ewart—his capture of a French Eagle—extracts from a Waterloo Journal, by Lieutenant A. J. Hamilton—copy of a letter from Lieutenant A. J. Hamilton, written from the camp, near Mons—letter from Cornet Clape, of the Greys, a week after the battle—letter from Lieutenant Macmillan, Adjutant of the Scots Greys, at the battle of Waterloo, giving an account of the part played at Waterloo by the Scots Greys.
Greys return to England, 1816—and are reduced in numbers, 1816 and 1821—Greys attend on George IV. in Scotland—Greys inspected by Queen Adelaide, 1830—the Crimean campaign, account from the Historic Register of the Second Dragoons, describing the Greys' action at Balaclava—account given by Kinglake—account from the Illustrated London News of 1854—charges of the Light and the Heavy Brigade.
Crimean campaign, continued—account written by a Crimean officer of the Greys—decision to invade the Crimea—Greys embark for Constantinople—French and British fleets in the harbour of Sebastopol—victory of the Alma—Greys as the advanced guard of the allied forces—Burgoyne's suggested plan of attack—the flank march—Sir Edward Hamley's account, 1855—circumstances of the battle of Balaclava sifted—the battle not merely 'a dash and a ride'—Sir E. Hamley and the Heavy Brigade—subsequent home movements of the regiment, 1857-1906.
The Boer War—account taken from the Historical Records of the Royal Scots Greys, 1899-1902—the Greys embark at Glasgow, 1899—the Greys hold the line of the Orange River, December, 1899—messages from the Queen—action at Koodoosburg—relief of Kimberley—the Queen's telegram—Greys march to Paardeburg—Cronje's surrender—1st Squadron Australian Horse attached to Greys—Greys take key of Boer position at Bloemfontein—surrender of Bloemfontein—relief of Ladysmith—Army Order by Lord Roberts—Greys march to relief of General Broadwood's column at Sannah's Post—Greys take part in general advance of the army to Pretoria—Greys dislodge enemy at Kalkheuvel Pass—Greys help to release prisoners at Watervaal—reverse at Commando Nek—great captures made by the Greys at Barberton—address by General French at Ermelo—farewell order by General French—Greys take enemy's position at Reit Kuil—Greys take part in holding the railway—lists of Greys' casualties in 1900—engagement at Naauwpoort Hill—Greys cover return of convoy at Kaalbult—Greys march to Johannesburg—farewell address by General Gordon—operations under Lieut.-General French in Eastern Transvaal against General Botha—engagement at Boschman's Kop—Greys march to Vereeniging—crossing of the Assegai River—telegram from the Commander-in-Chief to General French—Greys capture guns—engagements at Idalia and Reitvlei—Boers attack Greys' rearguard at Mooifontein, but are repulsed—regiment remounted at Witbank—enemy engaged at Vierfontein, Straffontein, and Van Dyks Post—enemy repulsed at Rustenburg—captures at Kleinfontein, Brakspruit, and Vlaksplaats—continued sniping—successful ambush at Wagons-pad Spruit—engagement at Damhoek—Greys protect S.A.C. building blockhouses—Greys rush Boer laager at Schaap's Kraal—crossing of the Buffalo River—many horses lost from exposure—Greys take part in relief of Colonel Benson's column near Standerton—telegram from Lord Kitchener—rearguard attacked at Rooipoort—captures at Tweefontein, Wilmansrust, and Middelkraal—[Pg xvi]Greys take part in capture of Boers, including Major Pretorius (Staats artillery), at Roodebloem—further captures by Greys—losses of Greys in action at Klipfontein—list of Greys' casualties in 1901—capture of Boers at Straffontein—losses of Greys in action at Leeuwkop—Greys take part in drives at Balmoral, Vlakfontein, Heidelburg, etc.—Peace signed—lists of Greys' casualties in 1902 and during campaign.
General Dalzell's action in obtaining cloth for uniforms—other details of uniform, 1683-1704—inventory of clothes and accoutrements, 1706—regulation of George II. relating to the Greys' uniform, 1751—further changes, 1759-1788 (bearskins, 1768)—account of articles of cavalry equipment furnished to recruits, 1803-1807—order to cut hair short, 1808—changes in 1811 and 1812, badge of an eagle displayed on the guidons—"Waterloo" added to guidons and grenadier caps to commemorate the battle—changes in 1846 (officers' bearskin cap with white hackle feather), 1864, and 1894.
Composition of the Greys at their first recorded muster in 1683, from the original Roll in Edinburgh—pay of the regiment—account of money paid by the Greys' Quartermaster in 1688, from an original document of the Greys—List of Officers, past and present.
Extracts from orders of the Scots Greys' Troop Orderly Book—notes of Inspection Returns, from the Record Office—a notable prayer, commending the Greys to favour—copies of two holograph letters of Charles II. relating to Thos. Dalzell, and translation of General Dalzell's Russian commission, furnished by Captain Lindsay—entry from the original MS. in the General Register House, Edinburgh, 1685—extract from "Papers connected with the Royal Scots Dragoons," 1696—1704-6 (two letters from General Dalzell)—extract from order in Record Office, 1684—muster-roll, 1702-3—account of the Waterloo Ball, from reprint in the Globe, 1906—extract from pamphlet, "Military and Biographical Notices of the Fallen Heroes," 1815—extract from contemporary pamphlet relating to cavalry losses at Waterloo—letter of William Knox, 1759—anecdotes of the Greys—song, "The Bonnie Scots Greys," by A. C. E. Welby—inscription on mural tablet in memory of Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Pate Hankin, Kt.—extract from letter written by the Hon. Charles Hamilton to his brother, during the Westphalian campaign—notes on Creichtoun's Memoirs, and on General Dalyell, by J. B. Dalzell, Esq.
| Facing Page | |
|---|---|
| "Scotland for Ever." By kind permission of the Artist, and by arrangement with the proprietors of the copyright, Messrs. S. Hildesheimer & Co., Ltd. | Frontispiece |
| Facsimile of "Ane Account deu be Thomas Dalzell of Bins for his Fathers funerall, to George Porteous the 2 of Sept 1685" | ix. |
| Facsimile of a letter to General Dalzell, dated 30th December, 1654, wholly in the King's own hand | xiii. |
| "Generall Thomas Dalyell who served Charles the Second King of Great Brittaine as Major Generall of his Army at the Battle of Worcester and thereafter being taken prisoner by the Rebells after long imprisonment made his escape out of the Tower of London went to Muscovie where he served the Emperor of Russia as one of the Generals of his Forces against the Polanders and Tartars till the year 1665 when he was recalled by King Charles the second and thereafter did command His Majesties Forces at the defeat of the Rebells at Pentland Hills in Scotland and continued Lieutenant Generall in Scotland when His Majestie had any standing Forces in that Kingdom till the year of his death 1685 in the Raigne of our present Soveraigne James the second of Great Brittaine" | 1 |
| Facsimile of Charles II.'s Commission, dated 19th July, 1666, appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Captaine' of a Troupe of Horse" | 2 |
| Facsimile of Charles II.'s Commission, dated 19th June, 1679, appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Lieutenant Generall' over all the Forces within our ancient Kingdome of Scotland" | 6 |
| Facsimile of Charles II.'s Commission, dated 11th November, 1681, appointing "Lieutenant Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Colonell' of a Regiment of Dragoones to be formed out of the three Companies of Dragoones already standing in that our Kingdome" | 8[Pg xviii] |
| Facsimile of Warrant of Charles II., granting "certain revenues to Thomas Dalzell as Lieutenant Generall in command of the Forces in Scotland" | 16 |
| Facsimile of James II.'s Commission, dated 30th March, 1685, appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Lieutenant Generall' over all our Forces within our ancient Kingdome of Scotland" | 18 |
| Facsimile of Warrant of William and Mary, 1692, confirming the title "Our Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons" | 20 |
| His Excellency, John, Earl of Stair | 21 |
| Facsimile of "Signatures of Colonel Agnew's Troop, for receipt of Bountie Monie for Campaigne of 1704" | 29 |
| Field Marshal John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair, K.T. Born 1673; died 1747. From the painting at Lochinch | 30 |
| Grenadier Cap of the Scots Greys, 1743, preserved in the Museum of the United Service Institution | 36 |
| Farm Buildings, Lochinch, Castle Kennedy, Wigtonshire. The farm buildings were used as barracks by the Scots Greys under command of John, Earl of Stair | 36 |
| Charles Ewart, Sergeant in the Scots Greys, carrying off the Eagle belonging to one of the most distinguished divisions of the French Infantry at the Battle of Waterloo | 60 |
| The Grave of Ewart, who captured the Eagle at Waterloo | 61 |
| Facsimile of "Muster Role of Waterloo Men 2nd (or R.N.B.) Regiment of Dragoons." Rouen, 11th September, 1815 | 64, 65 |
| Facsimile of "Signatures of Officers present of the 2nd (or R.N.B.) Regiment of Dragoons entitled to share of Prize Money granted for the Waterloo Campaign." Canterbury, 29th May, 1817 | 69 |
| Hoof of a Charger of the Greys at Balaclava | 76 |
| Captain Toosey Williams | 78 |
| Memorial to the Memory of Fallen Heroes of the Royal Scots Greys, Edinburgh | 85 |
| From a Coloured Drawing in the British Museum, dated 1742 | 136 |
| General Dalzell's Comb | 139 |
| General Thomas Dalzell's Dagger and Spoon | 140[Pg xix] |
| An Officer of the Royal Scots Greys, about 1834. From a rare print kindly lent by Messrs. Robson & Co. | 141 |
| An Officer in Levée Dress, Crimean period | 142 |
| Anitchkoff Palace, St. Petersburg, 2nd of February, 1895—The Emperor of Russia accepting the Picture, presented by the Officers, of H.I.M. as Colonel-in-Chief marching past at the head of the Regiment | 155 |
| Colonel Clarke | 173 |
| John, Earl of Craufurd | 176 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Thomas Hankin, present with the Greys at Waterloo | 201 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Hippisley | 205 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel James Charles Maberly | 220 |
| Lord Charles Murray, 1st Earl of Dunmore | 227 |
| H.I.M. the Emperor of Russia, Colonel-in-Chief of the Scots Greys | 229 |
| General Nugent | 230 |
| Colonel Sanderson | 241 |
| Colonel H. J. Scobell | 242 |
| The Right Honourable John, Earl of Stair | 246 |
| Colonel Wallace | 255 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Welby | 256 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Coventry Williams | 258 |
| Regimental Standards | 282 |
Colonel-in-Chief
His Imperial Majesty Nicholas II., Emperor of Russia
Colonel
Major-General A. S. M. Browne
Lieutenant-Colonel
Coventry Williams
Major (2nd in command)
A. D. Miller
Majors
C. B. Bulkeley-Johnson
W. F. Collins
A. Lawson
Captains
Hon. R. H. Lindsay
A. G. Seymour
Hon. A. J. M. St. Clair
F. Swetenham
R. D. Fordyce
W. Long
[1]H. B. Towse
G. G. Middleton
W. E. Lawrence
[1]H.R.H. Prince Arthur of Connaught
Lieutenants
W. McC. Duguid McCombie
Hon. A. M. Henley
C. R. Pawson
F. A. U. Pickering
S. J. Hardy
J. M. F. Sprot
[1]A. R. Moncrieff
[1]E. H. Bonham
[1]P. R. Laurie
[1]M. J. C. S. Johnstone
[1]A. B. Winch
Second Lieutenants
[1]M. Borwick
[1]T. E. Estcourt
[1]J. J. Readman
E. J. Hardy
J. M. Wilson
[1]Viscount Ebrington
Adjutant
Capt. W. Long
Riding Master
G. Parker (Hon. Captain)
Quarter Master
T. M. Ross (Hon. Lieutenant)
[1] This list is taken from the June Army List and checked with that for July, 1907. The officers marked with an asterisk are those who joined while the book was passing through the press.
Generall Thomas Dalyell who served Charles the Second King of Great Brittaine as Major Generall of his Army at the Battle of Worcester and thereafter being taken prisoner by the Rebells after long imprisonment made his escape out of the Tower of London went to Muscovie where he served the Emperor of Russia as one of the Generals of his Forces against the Polanders and Tartars till the year 1665 when he was recalled by King Charles the second and thereafter did command His Majesties Forces at the defeat of the Rebells at Pentland Hills in Scotland and continued Lieutenant Generall in Scotland when His Majestie had any standing Forces in that Kingdom till the year of his death 1685 in the Raigne of our present Soveraigne James the second of Great Brittaine.
HISTORICAL RECORDS
OF THE
ROYAL SCOTS GREYS.
In writing this record of the history of the Royal Scots Greys I have aimed at giving scenes and characters as exactly as possible. I have, therefore, used contemporary language without any modern editing. The book will contain particulars relating to every officer who has ever held a commission in the Regiment.
Before describing the origin of this famous Regiment, it will be well to refer briefly to the title Dragoon. It will be noticed that in the early official warrants, Horse, Foot, and Dragoons, are always three distinct forces. The Dragoon was nearly allied to the Mounted Infantryman, who, in modern times, has evoked such great public interest. A captain was usually described as appointed to command, not a troop, but a company.
On the breaking out of the war with Holland in 1672 a regiment of Dragoons was raised; the pay was at a lower rate than the Horse, and the men were armed as Infantry, except that a limited number carried halberds instead of pikes, and the others muskets and bayonets, and a few in each troop had pistols.
The warrant, dated 2nd April, 1672, requires that the new force—
"shall be armed out of our stoares remaining within Our office of the Ordinance as followeth; that is to say, three corporalls, two serjeants, the gentlemen at armes, and twelve souldiers of each of the said twelve Troopes, are to have and carry each of them one halbard, and one case of pistolls with holsters; and the rest of the souldiers of the several Troopes aforesaid, are to have and to carry each of them one matchlocke musquet, with a collar of bandaliers, and also to have and to carry one bayonet or great knife. That each lieutenant have and[Pg 2] carry one partizan, and that two drums be delivered out for each Troope of the said Regiment."
By warrants dated 21st May, 1678, two independent troops of Dragoons were raised, their respective Captains being John Strachan and John Inglis.
This was the beginning of the Royal Scots Greys.
On 23rd September, 1678, Viscount Kingstoun was commissioned to be Captain of "a new company of Dragoons appointed by us to be forthwith levyed."
Four days later, Francis Stuart, of Coldingham, was appointed Lieutenant of this new company.
On July 24th, 1679, Francis Stuart became Captain of this new company in succession to Viscount Kingstoun who resigned.
By Royal Warrant on the 25th of November, 1681, three troops were ordered to be added to the three already raised, and the whole six formed into a regiment. See page 13.
The following extract relates to the state of Scotland and proposed increase of forces there. (State Papers—Scotland—Warrant Books, vol. iv., folio 370):—
"CHARLES R.
"Right trusty and welbeloued Cousins and Councellors.—Wee greet you well. After full and satisfactory information from the Lords commissionated by you here, of what has been done by you in our Service, Wee doe againe approve of your proceeding, and thank you for your care, assuring you of our favour, assistance, and protection, upon all occasions; and for the more effectual prosecution thereof, wee find it necessary to signify to you, and by you to our people there, that wee are firmly resolved to owne and assert our authority, so as may equally encourage you and discourage all such as by seditious Practices endeavour in aspersing you to lessen our Prerogative: And finding by good information that the Phanaticks there, expecting encouragement from such as oppose you, and taking advantage of the present juncture of affaires here, have of late with great insolence flocked together frequently and openly in ffield conventicles those Rendevouses of Rebellion, and haue dared to oppose our fforces, though wee neither heed nor doe fear such insolent attempts, yet from a just care of our own authority, and a kindnesse to our good subjects there, we haue thought fit to order that some more fforces may be trained; and for that effect wee haue commanded the Lords of our Treasury to take an effectuall course for providing what money wee shall find necessary for raising and maintaining those Troopes at our charge, And wee expect from you an exact and speedy Account of what number and quality of Troopes may be necessary there upon this occasion; to the end wee may direct commissions, and give such other orders as wee shall find requisite. For doing whereof this shall be your Warrant, and so wee bid you heartily ffarewell.
"Given at our Court at Whitehall the 7th day of May 1678, and of our Reigne the 30th."
Charles the Second's Commission dated 19th July, 1666,
Appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Captaine' of a Troupe of Horse, to be raised by you for Our Service, in the Regiment whereof Lieut.-Generall Drumond is Colonell."
Directed on the back thus:—
"To our right trusty and welbeloved Cousins and Councellors ... our Privy Councell of our ancient Kingdome of Scotland."
The very next warrant makes John Strachan Captain of one of "ye two companies of Dragoons to be forthwith leavied." It was followed under the same date by others, one making John Inglis Captain of the other company, one making John Lauder Lieutenant of Strachan's company, and another making William Cleland Lieutenant of Inglis's company. Then followed still two more, one appointing John Livingston Ensign in Strachan's and the other, Henry Dundas, Ensign under Inglis.
"CHARLES R.
"Charles the Second by ye grace of God king of Scotland, england, france and Ireland Defender of ye faith &c. to our trusty and welbeloved John Strachan greeting: Wee reposing speciall trust and confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct, doe by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Captaine of one of ye two Companies of Dragoones appointed by us to be forthwith leavied for our service in our ancient Kingdome of Scotland, which Company is to consist of one hundred men besides officers. You are therefore carefully to discharge the Duty of a Captaine by exercising ye said Company in Armes, both Officers and soldiers, and keeping them in good order and Discipline. And wee doe hereby command them to obey you as their Captaine, and you likewise exactly to observe and follow all such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time receive from Us, our Privy Councell, the Commander in chiefe of our fforces in that our Kingdome now or for the time being, or any other your superiour officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of Warre, in pursuance of ye trust which wee doe hereby repose in you.
"Given at our Court at Whitehall the 21th day of May 1678—and of our Reigne the 30th year."
The following order relates in part to the three Independent Troopes of Dragoones. (War Office Miscellany Orders, vol. v., folio 179):—
"Whereas his Majesty hath thought fitt to order the immediate Raiseing of three Regiments of Horse consisting of eight Troopes each Regiment, and sixty men in each Troope besides Officers: as also three Regiments of Foot consisting of four Companyes each Regiment, and one hundred men in each Company, besides officers; and one Regiment of Dragoons consisting of eight Troopes, and eighty men in each troope, besides officers, and three other Independent Troopes of Dragoons, of the like number; and three Troopes of Horse Granadiers, consisting of eighty men in one of the Troopes, and sixty men in each of the other two Troopes, besides officers.
"You are to pass and allow the said Regiments, Troopes and Companies, according to the directions following.
"The first muster of any of the troopes of Horse is to be from the officers first produceing twenty or more good men well mounted to be mustered, and the following musters shall be upon produceing five men with their Horses till the whole Troope be compleated. The officers are to be allowed and enter into Pay from their said first muster of Twenty.
"The foot are to be mustered as any of them are raised, and the officers of each Company are to be allowed from the time they muster twenty.
"The first muster of every Troope of Dragoones, is to be upon the officers produceing twenty-five good men suitably mounted, and the officers then are to be allowed, and the following musters shall be of eight men with their Horses till the troope be compleated. The first Muster of the Horse Granadiers is to be upon produceing thirty men well mounted and the officers then to be allowed, and the following Musters to be in the same manner as those of the Dragoons. The field officers of each Regiment are to be allowed from the first muster of their respective Companies, and you are to pay the staff officers from the time appointed for the Regiment to Rendezvous.
"Given at the Court at Whitehall this 11th day of June 1679.
"Monmouth.
"To Henry Howard, Esqre., Commissary General of the Musters."
The next is of varied interest, giving the Duke of Monmouth supreme command, and urging to be kept informed by "flying packets." (Vol. v., page 156.)
"Whitehall, 11th June, 1679, at Midnight.
"May it please your Lordship I am commanded by his Majesty to acquaint you that in pursuance of his Resolution to send some Supplyes from hence to you for suppressing the Rebellion now amongst the Phanaticks in the West of Scotland, he hath ordered a Regiment of ffoote to be presently embarqued to goe by Sea to Barwick together with cannon and ammunition[Pg 5] sufficient, and his Majesty has ordered two Regiments of ffoote more to be presently leauied, the one to be commanded by the Lord Cavendish and the other by the Lord Gray of Wark, as also three Regiments of Horse under the command of the Duke of Monmouth, Duke of Albemarle, the Lord Gerard, Together with eight hundred Dragoons, There is likewise three troopes of Granadiers, and these last are to march towards Scotland to-morrow. The King has also thought fit to name the Duke of Monmouth Generall to command all his fforces so long as his Grace shall remaine in Scotland. His Majesty by this Expedition will be at the charge of upwards of five hundred pounds sterline a day, which is more than £150,000 sterline by year if they continue so long. And seeing the King has so early provided for the preservation of his royall government and your common safety, he has just reason to expect that in the meantime you will bestow your utmost care and diligence as far as possible to suppresse that vile Rebellion. His Majesty presseth much that frequent flying packets may be sent at least every other day that he may know all things that pass, and that they may bear large and exact accounts. All which by his Majesty's command is signified to your Lordship by my Lord, your Lordships most humble and most faithfull servant, Lauderdale.
"To the Right Honble. The Earl of Rothes, Lord high Chancellor of Scotland. To be communicated to the remnant Lords and other of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Councell of that Kingdome."
The next relates to the rebellion, and to the appointment of "Thomas Dalzell to be Lieutenant General of all His Majesty's forces in that his ancient kingdome." (Vol. v., folio 167.)
"Whitehall, 19th June, 1679.
"May it please your Lordships. It was yesterday in the evening that your Letter of ye 15th instant (by a flying Packett) came to my hand, and I did immediately waite on the King with it, who after his reading it was pleased to declare that he was very well satisfied with your recommending Generall Thomas Dalzell to be Lieutenant Generall of all his Majesty's Forces in that his ancient Kingdome, and gave me a command for Preparing his Commission for that purpose; wherein I would lose no time, for it was ready this morning for his Royall hand, and he was graciously pleased to signe it, as you have it now hereinclosed. His Majesty is also exceedingly well pleased with the march of his fforces last Munday against the Rebells, and with the extraordinary care and diligence that have appeared in all your consultations and actions since the first notice you had of the breaking out of this Rebellion, which he hopes (by the blessing of God, and the continuance of your faithfull endeavours) will be soone crushed. It was likewise a great satisfaction to his Majesty to know that you[Pg 6] were resolved to send fflying Packetts frequently for he has a very earnest desire to be informed as often as possible, of the transactions there, during the continuance of this Rebellion. Your Lordships may be pleased to send this Letter to the Duke of Buccleugh, and this commission to the Lieutenant Generall with all speed.
"I am My Lords, ...
"Lauderdale.
"To Earl Rothes...."
Folio 168 contains the Commission.
All the foregoing are from documents in the Record Office.
The next extracts are picked from the British Museum copy of a rare autobiography, "The Memoirs of Captain John Crichton, written by Himself." Printed in the year 1731. The peculiar interest of the words that follow is that they were written wholly as the experiences of one of the first officers of the Greys.
Whereupon Mr. Francis Stuart, grandson to the Earl of Bothwell, a private gentleman in the Horse-Guards, like myself, and my intimate acquaintance, was sent for, in haste, by the General; because the Council of Scotland was then writing to the King that his Majesty would be pleased to grant commissions to those persons whose names were to be sent up to London that very night. Mr. Stuart gave me notice of this: whereupon, although I was not sent for, I resolved to go up with him to Edenborough, and solicit for myself.
The General: "Wha' the Deel sent for you up?" I answered that I hoped his Excellency would now make good his promise of preferring me ... the General stood my firm friend, and although the sons and brothers of Lords and Baronets and other persons of quality solicited to be made Lieutenants and Cornets, in these new raised Troops, yet the General in regard to my services, prevailed with the Council that I might be appointed Lieutenant to Mr. Stuart, who was then made Captain of Dragoons.
Soon after this, the Archbishop of St. Andrews was murdered by the Laird of Hackston and Balfour, assisted by four poor weavers.
Charles the Second's Commission dated 19th June, 1679.
Appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Lieutenant Generall' over all the Forces within our ancient Kingdome of Scotland."
The Council finding the Rebels daily increasing in their numbers ... his Majesty sent down the Duke of Monmouth ... to be Commander-in-chief.... General Dalziel refused to serve under him, and remained at his lodgings in Edenborough, till his Grace was superseded, which happened about a fortnight after.... The General Officers ... desired his Grace to let them know which way he designed to take to come at the Enemy, the Duke answered, it must be by Bothwell Bridge. Now the bridge lay a short mile to the right of the King's Army, was narrow, and guarded with 3,000 of the Rebels, and strongly barricaded with great stones; but although the Officers were desirous to have passed the river, by easy fords, directly between them and the Rebels and to march to their main body on the moor, before those 3,000, who guarded the bridge, could come to assist them; yet the Duke was obstinate, and would pass no other way than that of the bridge. Pursuant to this preposterous and absurd resolution, he commanded Captain Stuart (whose Lieutenant I was) with his troop of Dragoons, and 80 Musqueteers, together with four small Field-pieces, under cover of the Dragoons, to beat off the party at the bridge. The Duke himself, with David Lesly and Melvill, accompanyed us, and ordered the Field-pieces to be left at the Village of Bothwell, within a musquet-shot of the bridge. When the Duke and his men came near the bridge, the Rebels beat a parly, and sent over a Laird, accompanied with a Kirk Preacher.... While this Parly lasted, the Field-pieces were brought down and planted over against the bridge, without being perceived by the Rebels. The messengers ... they would not lay down their arms unless their conditions were granted them; whereupon the Dragoons and Musqueteers fired all at once upon those who guarded the bridge, and the Field-pieces played so warmly, that some hundreds of the Rebels were slain; the rest flying to the main body on the moor. The Duke, as soon as he had commanded to fire, retired into a hollow from the enemies' shot; ... and continued there till the action was over. Then Captain Stuart ordered the Musqueteers to make way for the Horse, to pass the bridge, by casting into the river the stones which had been placed there to obstruct the passage over it; but the army could not pass in less than five hours; and then marched up in order of battle towards the enemy, who waited for them on the moor, confiding in the superiority of their numbers. Clavers commanded the Horse on the right, and Captain Stuart the Dragoons on the left. The Field-pieces were carried in the centre of the Footguards, while the rest of the Officers commanded at the head of their men; and the Duke, after the enemy was beaten from the bridge, rode[Pg 8] at the head of the Army. Upon the first fire, the Rebel Horse turned about.... Sir John Bell, Provost of Glasgow as soon as he saw the Rebels fly, rode into the town; from whence, in a few hours, he sent all the bread he could find, together with an hogshead of drink to each troop and company in the Army, out of the cellars of such townsmen as were found to be abettors or protectors of the Rebels.
The Pursuers were no sooner returned, and the whole action over, than General Dalziel arrived at the camp from Edenborough, with a commission renewed to be Commander-in-Chief, which he received that very morning by an Express....
Charles the Second's Commission dated 11th November, 1681.
Appointing "Lieutenant Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Colonell' of a Regiment of Dragoones to be formed out of the three Companies of Dragoones already standing in that our Kingdome, and three Companies more to be added to them."
On Saturday morning when the army was to march to Glasgow, I desired the General's leave to go with twelve Dragoons in search of some of the Rebels, who might probably pass the Clyde, about Dunlatton, to shelter themselves in the Highlands. With these Dragoons, clad in grey coats and bonnets, I made haste down the side of the river; and about midnight, after travelling twenty-four miles, I came to a church, and while the soldiers stayed to refresh their horses in the churchyard, I spyed a country fellow going by, and asked him in his own dialect, "Whither gang ye this time of night?" He answered, "Wha are ye that speers?" I replied, "We are your ane Foke." Upon this the fellow came up and told me; there were 18 friends with horses at an old Castle waiting for a boat to pass over into the Isle of Arran. I mounted the man behind one of my Dragoons, and went towards the place; but the Rebels not finding a boat were gone off, and the guide dismissed. There was a great dew on the grass, which directed me and my party to follow the track of their horses for three or four miles, till the dew was gone off; I then enquired of a cowherd on a hill whether he saw any of our poor Foke travelling that way; he answered that they had separated on that hill and gone three several ways, six in a party, adding, that in one party there was a bra muckle kerl, with a white hat on him, and a great bob of ribbons on the cock o't. Whereupon I sent 4 of my Dragoons after one party, 4 more after another, and myself with the remaining 4 went in pursuit of him with the white hat.... The good man of the house returning from putting the horses to grass in the garden was going to shut the door, whereupon myself and one of the Dragoons commanded him, with our pistols at his breast, to lead us to the room where the man lay who wore a white hat. We entered the room, and before he awaked I took away his arms, and commanded him to dress immediately; then finding his companion asleep in the barn, I forced him likewise to arise, and mounting them both on their own horses, came at 9 o'clock in the morning with my two prisoners to the other Dragoons at the place where we appointed to meet. From thence we rode strait to Glasgow, and arrived thither about 8 in the evening, after a journey of 50 miles since we left the Army at Bothwell the day before. The man with a white hat had turned out to be Master John King.... About a month after I happened to dream that I found one Wilson, a Captain among the Rebels at Bothwell Bridge, in a bank of Wood upon the river Clyde. This accident made so strong an impression upon my mind that as soon as I awaked I took six-and-thirty Dragoons, and got to the place by break of day. Then I caused some of them to alight and go into the wood and set him up, as hounds do a hare, while the rest were ordered to stand sentry to prevent his escape. It seems I dreamt fortunately, for Wilson was actually in the wood with 5 more of his company, as we afterwards learned, who all seeing me and my party advancing, hid themselves in a little island on the river among the broom that grew upon it. Wilson had not the good fortune to escape.... I seized and brought him to my quarters, and from thence immediately conveyed him to Edenborough, where he was hanged; but might have preserved his life if he would have condescended only to say, God save the King. This he utterly refused to do, and thereby lost not only his life, but likewise an estate worth twenty-nine thousand marks Scots. For this service, the Duke of Queensberry, then High Commissioner of Scotland, recommended me to the King, who rewarded me with the gift of Wilson's estate; but although the grant passed the Seals, and the Sheriff put me in possession, yet I could neither sell it nor let it, nobody daring, for fear of the Rebels who had escaped at Bothwell Bridge, either to purchase or farm it, by which means I never got a penny by the grant; and at the Revolution the land was taken from me, and restored to Wilson's heirs....
"The winter following, General Dalziel, with a battalion of the Earl of Linlithgow's Guards, the Earl of Airly's troop of Horse, and[Pg 10] Captain Stuart's troop of Dragoons, quartered at Kilmarnock in the west, 50 miles from Edenborough. Here the general one day, happening to look on while I was exercising the troop of Dragoons, asked me, when I had done, whether I knew any of my men who was skilful in praying well in the style and tone of the Covenanters; I immediately thought upon one James Gibb, who had been born in Ireland, and whom I made a Dragoon. This man I brought to the General, assuring his Excellency that if I had raked Hell, I could not find his match for his skill in mimicking the Covenanters. Whereupon the General gave him £5 to buy him a gray coat and a bonnet, and commanded him to find out the Rebels, but to be sure to take care of himself among them. The Dragoon went 8 miles off that very night, and got admittance into the house of a notorious Rebel, pretending he came from Ireland out of zeal for the cause, to assist at the fight of Bothwell Bridge, and could not find an opportunity since of returning to Ireland with safety, he said he durst not be seen in the day-time, and therefore after bewitching the family with his gifts of praying, he was conveyed in the dusk of the next evening, with a guide, to the house of the next adjoining Rebel; and thus in the same manner, from one to another, till in a month's time he got through the principal of them in the west, telling the General at his return, that wherever he came he made the old wives in their devout fits tear off their biggonets and mutches; he likewise gave the General a list of their names and places of their abodes; and into the bargain, brought back a good purse of money in his pocket. The General desired to know how he had prayed amongst them; he answered that it was his custom in his prayers to send the King, the Ministers of State, the Officers of the Army, with all their soldiers, and the Episcopall Clergy, all broadsides to Hell, but particularly the General himself: "What," said the General, "did you send me to Hell, Sir?" "Yea," replied the Dragoon, "you at the head of them, as their leader....
"During the winter and the following spring I secured many of those whose names and abodes the canting Dragoon had given a list of.... In July following, the General, by order of Council, commanded me to go with a detachment of 30 Horse and 50 Dragoons in pursuit of about 150 rebels who had escaped at Bothwell[Pg 11] Bridge, and ever since kept together in a body up and down in Galloway. I followed them for 5 or 6 days from one place to another; after which, on 22nd of July, they stayed for me at Airs Moss.... The Moss is 4 miles long from east to west and 2 broad. The Rebels drew up at the east end, and consisted of 30 Horse and 120 Foot. I faced them upon a rising ground with my 30 Horse and 50 Dragoons. The reason why the Rebels chose this place to fight on rather than a plain field was for fear their Horse might desert the Foot, as they did on Hamilton Moor, near Bothwell Bridge: and likewise, that in case they lost the day they might save themselves by retreating into the Moss. I placed myself on the left, as judging that the best officer the Rebels had would command on the right. The action began about 5 in the afternoon, but lasted not long; for I ordered my men first to receive the enemy's fire, then to ride down the hill upon them and use their broad-swords. They did so, and before the enemy had time to draw theirs, cut many of them down in an instant. Whereupon they wheeled about, and Captain Fowler, who commanded the Rebels on the right, being then in the rear, advancing up to me, I gave him such a blow over the head with my broad-sword as would have cleaved his scul had it not been defended by a steel cap. Fowler turning about, aimed a blow at me, but I warded it off, and with a back stroke cut the upper part of his head clean off from the nose upwards. By this time the Rebells, leaving their horses, fled to the Moss; but the Royalists pursuing them killed about 60 and took 14 prisoners. Here Cameron, the famous Covenanter, lost his life, and Haxton was taken prisoner, infamous for embruing his hands in the blood of the Archbishop of St. Andrews ... for which paricide both his hands were afterwards cut off, and he was hanged at Edenborough. But this victory cost me very dear, for being then in the rear I rode into the Moss after the Rebels where I overtook a dozen of them hacking and hewing one of my men whose horse was bogged; his name was Elliot, a stout soldier and one of Claver's troop. He had received several wounds, and was at the point of being killed when I came to his relief. I shot one of the rogues dead with my carbine, which obliged the rest to let the poor man and his horse creep out of the hole, but at the same time drew all their fury upon myself; for Elliot made a shift[Pg 12] to crawl out of the Moss leading his horse in his hands, but was wholly disabled from assisting his deliverer, and was not regarded by his enemies who probably thought he was mortally wounded, or, indeed, rather that they had no time to mind him; for I laid about me so fast that they judged it best to keep off and not to venture within my reach, till it unfortunately happened that my horse slipped into the same hole out of which Elliot and his horse had just got. When they had me at this advantage they began to show their courage and manfully dealt their blows with their broad-swords, from some of which the carbine that hung down my back defended me a little. As I was paddling in the hole, the horse not able to get out, one of the rebels ran me through the small of the back with his broad-sword, and at the same instant two more wounded me under the ribs with their small ones. Then I threw myself over the head of my horse, taking the far pistol out of the holster in my left hand, and holding my broad-sword in my right; and as one of the villains was coming hastily up to me his foot slipped, and before he could recover himself I struck my sword into his skull; but the fellow, being big and heavy, snapped it asunder as he fell within a span of the hilt. The Rebels had me now at a great advantage. One of them made a stroak at me which I guarded off with the hilt of the sword that was left in my hand, but the force with which he struck the blow—and I kept it off—brought us both to the ground. However I got up before him, clapped my pistol to his side and shot him dead. As soon as this was done another came behind me, and with some weapon or other struck me such a blow on the head as laid me flat on my back, in which posture I remained a good while insensible, the rogues taking it for granted that I was dead, scoured off.
"A little recovering my senses, I strove to lift up my head, which one of the rogues happening to see at some distance, immediately returned, and said in my hearing: 'God, the dog is no deed yet.' Then coming up to me, took his sword, and putting its hilt to his breast and guiding it with both his hands, made a thrust at my belly; but my senses were now so far recovered that I parried the thrust with the piece of the sword which remained still in my hand. The fellow, when he missed his aim, almost fell on his face, for the sword ran up to the hilt in the moss; and as he was recovering himself I gave him[Pg 13] a dab in the mouth with my broken sword which very much hurt him, but he aiming a second thrust, which I had likewise the good fortune to put by, and having as before given him another dab in the mouth, he immediately went off for fear of the pursuers, whereof many were now returning. In this distress I made a shift, with much difficulty and pain, to get upon my feet, but my right leg being disabled by the wound I received from the broad-sword, I was forced to limp by the help of the carbine, which I made use of as a staff. I had lost my horse, for one of the rogues, when I had quitted him in the hole, led him away through the Moss. I recovered him about a year after from the man to whom the rebel had sold him."
This next letter, from the King, taken from the Record Office, refers to the three Independent Troops of Dragoons, and orders three more Troops to be levied, and the whole six to be then regimented, thus establishing the Royal Scots Greys:—
"CHARLES R.
"My dear and most entirely beloved Brother. Wee greet you well. Wee have thought fit for the good of our Service to retrench all the Companyes of ffoote of our Regiment of Guard commanded by the Earle of Linlithgow, and likewise all the companies of the Regiment of ffoote commanded by the Earle of Mar, as also to retrench every one of the three Companies of Dragoons now standing. Therefore you are to give order to Generall Thomas Dalyell, our Lieutenant Generall, to reduce and disband six men out of every Company of the above mentioned two Regiments of ffoote (and this ouer and aboue any former Retrenchment made by us as to the ffoote) and forty-five Dragoones of every one of the three Companies of Dragoones aboue mentioned, together with one Corporall of Dragoones out of every one of the said three Companies, and that this Retrenchment be made upon the last day of November instant, and that these Souldiers ffoote and Dragoones so disbanded receive pay till that day inclusive. Wee have likewise thought it necessary for our Service that three Companies of Dragoones be presently leavied, each Company consisting of fifty souldiers, centinell Standers (besides the officers' servants allowed by our Establishment), and wee appoint each Company to haue two Sergeants, two Corporalls and two Drummers, besides the officers commissioned by us. Wee haue likewise resolved that the three Companies of Dragoones already standing so reduced with those three to be Leavied shalbe Regimented; and to that affect wee have commissioned our said Lieutenant Generall to be Colonel thereof, Lord Charles[Pg 14] Murray to be Lieutenant Colonell and Sir James Turner to be Major; and that each of them have one Company in that Regiment. You are therefore to give order to our Lieutenant Generall to cause these Companies to be leauied accordingly, and to bring them as soon as can be to a Muster; at and after which Muster they are to enter into Pay conforme to our establishment. For doing of all which this shalbe your Warrant, and so Wee bid you heartily farewell. Given at our Court at Whitehall the 25 day of November 1681, and of our Reigne ye 33d year.
"By his Majesty's command,
"Murray.
"To our most dear and most entirely beloved Brother James Duke of Albany and York, our high Commissioner in our ancient kingdome of Scotland."
[Folio 515.]
"CHARLES R.
"Establishment for the Pay of his Majesty's present standing Forces in his ancient kingdome of Scotland, according to twenty eight dayes in each month, and for twelve months in the year."
Then are described the following; but I only give in full the Regiment with whose history we are dealing:—
"His Majesty Troope of Guard.
"His Majesty's Regiment of ffoote Guard commanded by the Earle of Linlithgow.
"The Regiment of ffoote commanded by the Earle of Marr.
"The Troope of Horse commanded by the Earle of Airlie, and 2 more troopes, one commanded by the Master of Rosse, and the other by John Graham of Claverhouse."
"The Pay of one Regiment of Dragoones consisting of Colonell, Lieutenant Colonell, and Major, and six Companies, and for each Company consisting of 50 souldiers, is as followeth, vizt.:
| PER DIEM. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonell as Colonell | 00 | 13 | 8 |
| Lieutenant Colonell as such | 7 | ||
| Major as Major | 5 | ||
| Quartermaster | 5 | ||
| Marishall | 2 | ||
| Chyrurgeon and Mate | 5 | ||
| Aid Major | 7 | 4 | |
| £2 | 5 | [Pg 15] | |
| Captaine 8s. and 2 Dragoones each 1s. 2d. | 10 | 4 | |
| Lieutenant 5s., and 2 Dragoones each 1s. 2d. | 7 | 4 | |
| Ensigne 4s., and 2 Dragoones at 1s. 2d. | 5 | 2 | |
| Two Sergeants each 2s. 6d. | 5 | ||
| Two Corporalls each 1s. 8d. | 3 | 4 | |
| Two Drummers each 1s. 8d. | 3 | 4 | |
| Fifty Souldiers each 1s. 2d. | 2 | 18 | 4 |
| £4 | 12 | 10" | |
After this come particulars of the gunners garrisoning Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, etc!
And lastly, the Militia, at an annual cost of £400 and occupying only half a page in the book!
The foregoing establishment is dated 25 November, 1681, and the following memorandum appears in the margin:—
"Nota.—That the Originall of this establishment was written upon a large sheet of velum in three columns; His Majesty having signed on the middle of ye top thereof, and added C:R: at the bottome of each of the columns."
This next extract is Charles the Second's commission to Lord Charles Murray as first Lieutenant-Colonel:—
"CHARLES R.
"Charles the Second by the grace of God, King of Scotland, England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., To our right trusty and welbeloved Lord Charles Murray, greeting.
"We reposing speciall trust and confidence in your loyalty, courage and good conduct. Have nominated, constituted and appointed, and by these presents doe nominate, constitute and appoint you to be Lieutenant Colonell of that our Regiment of Dragoones in our Ancient Kingdome of Scotland, Whereof Wee have appointed our right trusty and welbeloved Councellor Thomas Dalyell Lieutenant Generall of all our Forces there to be Colonell: As alsoe Wee doe nominate, constitute and appoint you to be Captain of a Company thereof.
"You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Lieutenant Colonel and Captain of the said Regiment and Company respectively by exercising the saem in armes both Officers and Souldiers, and keeping them in good order and discipline. And Wee doe hereby command them to obey you as their Lieutenant Colonell and Captain, and your selfe likewise exactly to obserue and follow all such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to[Pg 16] time receive from Us, our most Dear and most entirely beloved Brother James Duke of Albany and York, our high Commissioner or our Privy Councell of that our kingdome, our Lieutenant Generall and Commander in Cheife of our Forces there, now or for the time being, your Colonell or any other your superiour Officer, according to the Rules and Dispositions of Warre, in pursuance of the trust hereby reposed in you. Given at our Court at Whitehall the 25th day of November 1681, and of our Reigne the 33d year.
"By his Maties command
"Murray."
This next is the King's commission to Thomas Dalyell as Colonel of the Regiment; it recites particulars of the founding of the Regiment:—
"CHARLES R.
"Charles the Second by ye grace of God king of Scotland, England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.: To our right trusty and welbeloved Councellor, Thomas Dalyell our Lieutenant Generall of all our fforces in our ancient kingdome of Scotland, greeting: Whereas Wee have thought fit for the good of our Service to order a Regiment of Dragoones to be formed out of the three Companies of Dragoones already standing in that our kingdome, and three Companies more to be added unto them; Wee doe now (out of the great experience wee haue of your Loyalty, Courage, and good conduct) Nominate, Constitute and appoint you to be Colonell of our said Regiment of Dragoones, as also Captain of a Company thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Colonel and Captain of the said Regiment and Company respectively, by exercising the same in Armes both Officers and Souldiers, and keeping them in good Order and Discipline. And wee doe hereby command them to obey you as their Colonell and Captain, and yourself likewise exactly to observe and follow all such Orders and Directions as you shall from time to time receive from Us, our most Dear and most entirely beloved Brother James Duke of Albany and York, our high Commissioner, or our Privy Councell of that our kingdome, in pursuance of the Trust hereby reposed in you. Given at our Court at Whitehall the 26th day of November 1681, and of our Reigne ye 33d year.
"By his Majesty's command
"Murray."
Warrant of Charles II.,
Granting "certain revenues to Thomas Dalzell as Lieutenant Generall in command of the Forces in Scotland."
John Creichton, of the Massacre of Glencoe, writes:—
"McDonnal, Laird of Cappagh, in the Highlands, ... was unjustly possessed, as most men believed, for many years, of an estate, which in right belonged to the Laird of Mackintosh.... Soon after, the Government ordered me to detach 60 Dragoons, with a Lieutenant, Cornet, and Standard, and to march with Captain Streighton, and 200 of the Foot Guards against the McDonnels.... Whereupon we, who were sent against him, continued to destroy all the houses and corn, from the time of Lammas to the 10th of September; and then we advanced towards the Borders, to join the Scotch army, at that time marching towards England, against the Prince of Orange, then intending an invasion."
[Creichton now goes on with his account of the coming of William the Third, which is, of course, a mistake in order.]
"We arrived thither October 1st, after a march of 200 miles.... The army did not reach London till about 25th October.... The Earl of Airly, when he was Lord Ogleby, had attended the great Marquess of Montrose in all his Actions, for King Charles the First and Second. But at this time being old, it was reported that he was dead, before the Scotch Forces went into England, to oppose the Prince of Orange; whereupon the King had given his troop in Dundee's Regiment to the Earl of Anandale: but the Earl having overtook the Army at Cambridge, in their march, went on to London, and there presenting himself before the King; his Majesty ... immediately restored his Lordship to his Troop, ordering him at the same time to command those 200 men who attended him down to Salisbury. When all the Forces were arrived at Salisbury, the Earl of Dunmore, with his Regiment of Dragoons, wherein I served, was ordered to a Pass 3 miles below the City, where I commanded the Guard that night.
"I now return to my Lord Dundee, and my Lord Dunmore. Their Lordships acted no longer as Colonels, when they understood that the Prince intended to place himself on the throne during his Majesty's life.... After their Lordships were gone to Scotland, I went to Watford, where my Lord Kilsythe, as Lieutenant Colonel, commanded the Lord Dunmore's Regiment of Dragoons.... Major General McCoy ordered the Lord Kilsythe to march the Regiment from place to place till they should come to Congerton, a town in Cheshire. Here they quartered, when the Prince and Princess of Orange were proclaimed King and Queen of England, &c., by the Sheriff and 3 or 4 Bailiffs. It happened to be a very stormy day; and when the Sheriff had done his Office, a crack-brained fellow, at the head of a great rabble, proclaimed the Duke of Monmouth king, to the great diversion of the Regiment; not believing he had[Pg 18] been beheaded. When my Lord Dunmore refused to serve the Prince of Orange, Sir Thomas Levingston, of my Lord Kilsythe's family, got the Regiment. This gentleman was born in Holland, and often used to raise recruits in Scotland; upon which account he was well known to the Regiment. He came down, Post, to Congerton, and at Supper, told the officers that he was sent to know, which of them would serve King William and which would not? Now the oath of allegiance to that Prince, having not been offered to that Regiment, one of the Company answered that we having sworn Allegiance to King James, could not, in conscience and honour, draw our swords against him: Whereupon Sir Thomas, drinking an health to King James, upon his knees, answered that he wished he might be damned, whenever he should command them to break that oath: and in order to ingratiate himself further with the Regiment, added: that he would return to London next day, for a command to march them strait to Scotland, where their wives and friends were; and likewise to procure a Captain's commission for me, since Sir Adam Blair, who commanded the troop, in which I was Lieutenant, had refused to serve King William, both which he accordingly obtained. When he returned from London, he marched with the Regiment, directly through Berwick, into Scotland.
"From this period, my troubles began; for I was then sent up to Edenborough, and there imprisoned in the Tolbooth, together with my Lord Kilsythe, Captain Levingston, Captain Murray, and Lieutenant Murray, each of us in a separate dungeon; with orders that none should be permitted to speak with us, except through the keyhole; and in this miserable condition we lay for two months.... The Council, although they could force no confession from me, or my companions, that might affect my Lord Kilsythe, on whose estate their hearts were much set, yet resolved to make a sacrifice of someone among us ... the lot fell on me.... Lord Dundee, then at Blair Castle in Athole, hearing this, wrote to the Council—that if they hanged Captain Creichton, he would cut the Laird of Blair, and the Laird of Pollock, joint by joint, and would send their limbs in hampers to the Council."
The following entries are from two large folio manuscript Establishment Books in my possession. Each volume is bound in boards covered with fine white vellum, with gold tooling in Mearne's style.
The first opens with the Accession of James the Second; but the first entry that concerns us is on page 63:—
"Our Will and Pleasure is that this Establishment for our Scots Forces hereafter mentioned, do commence from the First day of November, in the 4th year of our Reigne, and continue during their stay in England."
James the Second's Commission dated 30th March, 1685.
Appointing "Generall Thomas Dalzell 'Lieutenant Generall' over all our Forces within our ancient Kingdome of Scotland."
| Field and Staff Officers. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PER DIEM. | PER ANNUM | |||
| Colonel as Colonel | 273 | 15 | ||
| Lieut. Col. as Lt. Col. | 164 | 5 | ||
| Major who has no troop, for himself and servants | 365 | |||
| Adjutant | 91 | 5 | ||
| Chirurgeon 4s., and a horse to carry his chest, 2s. | 109 | 10 | ||
| One Troop. | ||||
| Capt. 8s., and 3 Horses 3s. | 200 | 15 | ||
| Lieut. 4s., and 2 Horses 2s. | 109 | 10 | ||
| Cornet 3s., and 2 Horses 2s. | 91 | 5 | ||
| Quarter Master for himself and Horse 4 | 73 | |||
| 2 Serjeants each 18d., and 2 for Horses | 91 | 5 | ||
| 2 Drummers each 12d., and 2 for Horses | 73 | |||
| 49 private soldiers at 18d. each per diem | 1471 | 7 | 6 | |
| Two Corporals each at 12d., and 2s. for Horses | 73 | |||
| Five Troopes more at the same rates and numbers | £10265 | 12 | 6 | |
| Total | 18499 | 6 | 8 | |
The next entry is under the 1st of May, 1689, in William the Third's Establishment for England. On page 78 is recorded Sir Thomas Levingston's Regiment of Dragoons.
The numbers and pay appear as before, except for these additions:—
| Chaplain | £134 | |
| Gunsmith 4s., and his servant 1s. | 91 | 5 |
Also for each Troop are added:—
The second volume begins with April, 1692, and on page 11 the Dragoons are recorded with the same numbers and pay, as before.
The Establishment for Land Forces and Garrisons, 1694, opens on page 75 with an interesting list of Regiments and their commanding Officers:—Under Dragoons one entry is "Lord Tiviot's."
After the 1694 Establishment comes that for the 26th March, 1699. On page 133, Dragoons are recorded. There is no mention of a gunsmith. There is one "Hoboy" 2s. per diem.
Then on page 161 we reach the Establishment of Guards and Garrisons, 25th April, 1700.
The Dragoon Regiments, as detailed on page 168, had only 40 private soldiers to each troop.
The 1st of June (1702) Establishment gives the Dragoons 54 private soldiers to a company.
The following relates to the title of the Regiment:—
William and Mary, by the Grace of God, King and Queen of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, Defenders of the Faith, &c., &c. Whereas that Regiment of Dragoons to which our trusty and most beloved Councillor, Sir Thomas Livingstone, Brigadier-General of our Army, is Colonel, hath been formerly designed the Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons, and so, reposing special confidence in the said regiment, we do, hereby, appoint and ordain the same to be designed our 'Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons,' and we require all general officers and others in our army so to design that regiment; and to give the full title and honour that is due to our 'Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons.' Given under our royal hand and signet, at our Court at Breda the seventh day of May, 1692, and of our reign the fourth year.
"By His Majesty's command,
"J. O. Dalrymple."
On 31st May, 1694, the Regiment landed at Williamstadt, in North Brabant, and on June 16th was reviewed by King William before occupying cantonments near Arschot. No general engagement took place this year: but the Regiment was twice engaged in skirmishes with the French cavalry, and in October marched into cantonments in the villages near Ghent. Coming out of winter quarters in April, 1695, the Regiment proceeded to Dixmude, in West Flanders, and thence to join the Army encamped at Arseele, and on 31st May were reviewed by King William with the rest of the Army. During the progress of the siege of Namur the Regiment formed part of the Army under the Prince of Vaudemont which manœuvred so as to protect the troops employed before the town. The Regiment was encamped a short time between Genappe and Waterloo; it afterwards occupied, together with the Regiment of Foot of Holstein-Ploen, an important post at Masy, and after the surrender of the citadel of Namur marched into winter quarters in West Flanders.
Warrant of William and Mary, 1692,
Confirming the Title "Our Royal Regiment of Scots Dragoons."
His Excellency John Earl of Stair, Field Marshal, General and Commander in Chief of his Majesties Forces & General of the Hanoverian and Hessian Armies in the Service of Great Britain, His Majesties Ambafsador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to the States General of the United Provinces.
In May, 1696, they encamped near Bruges and for some months were stationed behind the canal between Ghent and Bruges, their duty being to observe the motions of the French Army commanded by Marshal Villeroy, which was encamped on the opposite side of the canal. In October they marched into winter quarters in the villages behind Bruges. In the spring of 1697 negotiations were opened for a general peace. They were encamped for a short time between Brussels and Aeth, afterwards between Vilvorde and Burntbridge, on the Brussels canal; and when the peace of Ryswick was concluded they marched to Bruges. Before the end of December the Regiment embarked for England and landing at Harwich early in January, 1698, marched at once to Scotland. The establishment which, during the war, had been 8 troops and 590 officers and men was ordered to be reduced to 6 troops and 294 officers and men.
In 1701 the accession of the Duke of Anjou to the throne of Spain caused war to be declared again on May 15th. The two troops were again added, and early in 1702 the Regiment embarked for Holland.
The Regiment formed part of the guard for the English artillery train at Breda, with which it joined the allied army under John Churchill, Earl of Marlborough.
In the autumn of 1702 the Greys were engaged in covering the sieges of Venloo, Ruremonde and Stevenswaert. The following is taken from those most interesting records, Marlborough's own correspondence and despatches:—
Sutendal, 21st September, 1702. The castle of Venloo was carried by storm last Monday, so that they hope to be masters of the town by Sunday or Monday. My Lord Cutts commanded at one of the breaches, and the English grenadiers had the honour of being the first that entered the fort. We are making all preparations we can for the attack of Ruremond and Stevenswaert, and I think no other enemy but ill weather can hinder us from taking them.
2 October. Our batteries began to play upon Stevenswaert on Saturday last, and continued firing without intermission till about 10 last night, when, the besieged having abandoned the counterscarp, and our men being ready to mount the breach, they beat the chamade, and desired to capitulate.
[Pg 22]9 October. On Saturday at 3 in the morning, his Excellency the Earl of Marlborough received an express from Ruremond, that our batteries having begun to play upon the town on Friday morning, about 6 the same evening the besieged had desired to capitulate. The garrison, consisting of near 2000 men, are to march out this day, and to be conducted, with two pieces of cannon, to Antwerp. We found in the place 30 pieces of cannon....
The Regiment was also present at the taking of Liege, on October 23rd. Before going into winter quarters one squadron acted as a body-guard to Marlborough in visiting Venloo and Ruremonde. The Regiment wintered in Dutch Brabant. Before the end of April, 1703, the Regiment took the field again and encamped near Hamont, in the province of Limburg, from whence they marched to Lardner Heath, afterwards to Château D'Horn, near Ruremonde, and on May 7th they reached near to Tongres. In the meanwhile a party of English cavalry, escorting a quantity of specie for the Army, was attacked and defeated by a detachment of French troops, who captured the treasure. The Greys were instantly ordered out, and dashing across the country intercepted and defeated the French troops and returned with the specie in triumph back to camp.
Next the Regiment was sent towards Bonn, then being besieged. After the taking of Bonn it joined the main army near Maestricht on May 21st.
The Regiment was engaged in the siege of Limburg, which fell on September 28th.
When the famous campaign of 1704 opened Lord John Hay, son of the Marquis of Tweeddale, became, by purchase, Colonel in succession to Viscount Teviot.
During the operations under Marlborough on the Dutch frontiers a body of French troops passed the Black Forest and, joining the Bavarians, gained several advantages over the Austrians, endangering the Imperial throne.
In April, 1704, the Greys, joined by a remount from Scotland, marched to Bedburgh on the Lower Rhine, where they were reviewed by Marlborough, and on May 19th began its march on that important expedition. To keep the enemy in suspense, the troops proceeded towards the Moselle, but on the 25th May changed their[Pg 23] route, and marched to Coblentz. Having crossed the Rhine and the Moselle, Marlborough pushed forward in advance with the cavalry for the Danube, ordering the infantry to follow. Continuing their march through the States of Germany, the regiments crossed the Necker in the early part of June, while the rapidity of their movements and the secrecy of their design filled all Europe with wonder and anxiety, and the enemy appeared confused and lost in doubt and conjecture.
The British Regiments joined the forces of the Emperor, commanded by the Margrave of Baden, when the new line of battle was formed and the brigade, consisting of the Royal Scots and Royal Irish Dragoons, was posted on the left of the first line. Marlborough wishing to possess Donawerth as a place of arms, decided to attack a division commanded by the Count D'Arco, posted on the lofty heights of Schellenberg, on the north of the Danube commanding the passage of that river at Donawerth, and the Greys formed part of the force chosen for this service. After marching, on July 2nd, through a country intersected with rivulets and other obstacles the troops came near to Schellenberg. At 6 in the evening the attack was ordered, and the British infantry going forward with firm and resolute step assaulted the entrenchments, while the Greys and other cavalry moved forward in support. In a few moments a storm of bullets assailed the ranks of the Bavarians, and the thunder of the British fire echoed in the valley below. The post was valiantly defended, and a fierce fight had gone on for some time when the Greys were ordered to dismount, form as infantry, and assault the trenches. The regiment instantly obeyed, and led by its gallant Colonel, Lord John Hay, advanced boldly to the attack and mixed fiercely in the conflict. At this instant the enemy gave way on all sides, and the cavalry rushing forward sabred many as they fled towards the Danube; whilst the Count D'Arco, and other officers escaped by crossing the river.
The post won and the enemy's baggage, artillery, and many standards captured, the Royal Scots Dragoons remounted. The Regiment lost in the action Captain Douglas and 7 men killed, two officers, and 17 men wounded. Donawerth was occupied on the following day.
The next great event to refer to is the Battle of Blenheim, in the[Pg 24] valley of the Danube, fought on August 13th. The following words are Sir Edward Creasy's:—"Like Hannibal, Marlborough relied principally on his cavalry for achieving his decisive successes, and it was by his cavalry that Blenheim, the greatest of his victories, was won. The battle had lasted till five in the afternoon. Marlborough had now 8,000 horsemen drawn up in two lines, and in the most perfect order for a general attack on the enemy's line along the space between Blenheim and Oberglau. The infantry was drawn up in battalions in their rear, so as to support them if repulsed and to keep in check the large masses of the French that still occupied the village of Blenheim.
"Tallard now interlaced his squadrons of cavalry with battalions of infantry, and Marlborough, by a corresponding movement, brought several regiments of infantry and some pieces of artillery to his front line at intervals between the bodies of horse. A little after 5 Marlborough commenced the decisive movement, and the allied cavalry, strengthened and supported by foot and guns, advanced slowly from the lower ground near the Nebel up the slope to where the French cavalry, 10,000 strong, awaited them. On riding over the summit of the acclivity the allies were received with so hot a fire from the French artillery and small arms that at first the cavalry recoiled, but without abandoning the high ground. The guns and the infantry, which they had brought with them, maintained the contest with spirit and effect. The French fire seemed to slacken; Marlborough instantly ordered a charge along the line. The allied cavalry galloped forward at the enemy's squadrons, and the hearts of the French horsemen failed them. Discharging their carbines at an idle distance they wheeled round and spurred from the field, leaving the nine infantry battalions of their comrades to be ridden down by the torrent of the allied cavalry."
The Greys lost several men and horses wounded but none killed.
Extracts from a journal of the 1704 campaign kept by Mr. Hare, chaplain to the Duke, and afterwards Bishop of Chichester:—
"Being thus resolved to attack the enemy, they gave orders that the Army should march before break of day, and range itself in order of battle upon the plain, between Grenhiern and Orklau. The whole army as it was now [Pg 25] (Brigadier Baldwyn and several other parties not being yet come in) consisted of 66 Battalions and 160 Squadrons on the right wing, under Prince Eugene, there were the seven Danish and eleven Prussian Battalions, which were all the Foot his Highness had under his command; he had also 74 Squadrons composed of the Imperial and Prussian Troops, with those of Swabia, Franconia, Wurtemberg, and other Troops of the Empire.
"On the left wing against Marshal Tallard were 48 Battalions (viz.) 14 English, 14 Dutch, 7 Hessian, and 13 of Hanover, Luxembourg, Zell, and Swiss; also 86 Squadrons (viz.) 14 English, 22 Danes, and 18 Dutch, 7 Hessian, and 25 of Lunenbourg, Hanover, and Zell. This Army marched directly towards the enemies (which were then about 4 miles distant) before break of day in the following order.
"The Imperial Army filed off to the right in 4 columns (viz.) two of Infantry and two of Cavalry. The Infantry marched to the right of the Cavalry upon a rising ground, close by a wood which came down to the River Kessel before mentioned. The two lines of Cavalry marched to the left of them; the English and Dutch army filed off also in 4 such Columns, having on their right the 2 Columns of the Imperial Cavalry, and on their left the villages of Dapsheim, Schwening and the Danube. Major General Wilkies and Brigadier Rowe, with 9 Battalions that were left in Dapsheim, to maintain that post all the last night, now marched to the left of all by themselves, next the Danube. The Imperial Artillery followed the Infantry of that wing, and the English and Dutch artillery and Pontoons marched through the villages of Erlinghoffen, Dapsheim and Schweingen; and all the baggage was sent back to Rittingen near Donawert, where it was to be drawn up till further orders.
"His Grace caused the whole Army to halt, and then detached 11 Battalions out of both lines of the left wing to be joined to the 9 already detached under Major General Wilkie near the Danube. The whole twenty were to be commanded by the Lord Cutts, and under him Major General Wilkies and St. Paul, and Brigadier Ferguson, Rowe and Hulson. Major General Wood and Brigadier General Ross were ordered with 15 squadrons of Dragoons to sustain the Lord Cutts. These Battalions and squadrons being joined with the other nine, made a ninth column which marched upon the left of all, by itself, next the Danube, the Lord Cutts being ordered with this detachment to attack the village of Blenheim, which joined to that River.
"This being done the Army moved forwards, His Grace and Prince Eugene advancing before all, with some squadrons of the Grand Guard to take a view of the enemy; they discovered their advanced parties before 6 in the morning, which parties as our squadrons came up retired by degrees into their camp. About 7 our Generals stood and took a full view of the enemies' camp upon a rising ground over against Overklau, on our side the Rivulet; it continues to run in[Pg 26] two Branches till within a few paces before it falls into the Danube, the meadows between them being soft and marshy. One of the Branches had two mills upon it, at both which there was an easy passage over the Rivulet.
"His Grace saw all this very plainly at half-a-mile distance, but he was more particularly informed of the nature of this ground by Major General Nazemere, of the King of Prussia's troops, who had been wounded the year before in the defeat of Count Styrum by the Elector of Bavaria and Monsieur Dupon upon the very place. All this while, the morning being a little hazy, the enemy might think we had only little parties abroad and not know that our whole Army was in motion. However it was they lay quiet in their camp, and two deserters from them gave his Grace a particular account how their troops were encampt.
"Our Columns began to appear a little after 7 in the morning, both officers and soldiers advancing very cheerfully and shewing a firm and glad countenance and persuading themselves of a victorious day.
"All this while the village of Blenheim had been incessantly attacked by the Lord Cutts, who having found it impracticable to enter that place sword in hand, as the enemy were posted, had altered his method and attacked with his fire only. The first of his lines (which was posted near the enemy's entrenchments) continually discharged in Platoons, and the other lines relieved this and each other successively.
"Notwithstanding all which it held out still, and now gave work to all our Infantry. For the moment that our Cavalry had beaten that of the enemy and cleared the field of them, General Churchill marched both the lines of Foot and laid them upon this village in two different places, so that it was now quite surrounded and there was no getting out of it but through the Danube, and to prevent their escaping that way the Queen's Regiment (commanded by Brigadier Webb) took possession of a little Barrier the enemy had made to cover their retreat and was posted to the right of all fronting to the street which led down to the Danube. By this means several hundreds of the enemy endeavouring to get of that way were made Prisoners by that Regiment which besides this service, has the consideration due to it, that the Horses belonging to the dismounted Regiments of French Dragoons were at their Piquets close by this Regiment, yet there was not a man stirred out of his rank to take one of them but they all fell a booty to other soldiers. Prince George's Regiment (commanded by Colonel Byton) was posted next the Danube to the left, on the other side of the Town; so that all those of the enemy which came out that way were either taken prisoners, killed, or forced into the Danube; some of them endeavoured to break out in two other places of the village, but Major-General Wood (who was left with only the Lord John Hayes's Regiment of Grey Dragoons) perceiving it immediately advanced towards them, and taking the advantage of a rising ground, amused them, and made them believe he had more squadrons behind him and so drew up and stopped them there.
"Brigadier Ross (who was ordered to sustain Lieutenant-General Ingoldsby) did the like on the other side of the Town with 5 squadrons of Dragoons and 3 squadrons of Horse which Lieutenant-General Lumley had sent from the pursuit for this purpose; two of which he soon after sent back again, upon order he had received from the Duke of Marlborough to bring all the squadrons he could to the right, where the Elector was marching off.
"It was now betwixt 3 and 4 o'clock when General Churchill sent word to the Lord Cutts that the Duke of Marlborough had beaten the enemies Horse out of the field. He also let him know that he himself was going to attack the same village in Flank and Rear, and therefore desired his Lordship to make another attack at the same time in the front, if his troops were not too much spent, or at least to make a feint of doing it. This was effectually executed at once on all sides. The Earl of Orkney and Lieutenant-General Ingoldsby entered the village at two different places at the Head of their respective Lines, but not being able to make a front equal to what the enemy had in the village, especially in the Churchyard which had high walls round about it, they were forced to retire. However this, and the frequent attacks the enemy had sustained in their front for several hours together; the damage they suffered by our Cannon which played all the afternoon furiously upon them within musket shot, the great disorder they were put into by a Battery of Howitzers, whose shells set all the Barns and Houses on fire, and especially Monsieur Clerambaut their commander being fled and as they were told, drowned in the Danube, and being quite surrounded, and obliged to stand another attack at a time when they had no hopes of relief, the Cavalry which was to sustain them, being drove quite out of the Field: all these together put them into so great consternation, that they demanded a cessation, which being allowed, General Churchill sent orders to the Lord Cutts to cease attacking in the Front, and the Lord Orkney immediately sent in Captain Abercromby his Aid du Camp on one side as Lieutenant-General Ingoldsby did Lieutenant-Colonel Belville of the Tell regiment of de Beial on the other side. After a very little time their Lieutenant-Colonel returned with Monsieur Hautefeuille and Monsieur Blansac, and the Lieutenant-Colonel's own Brother, who was Captain in Nasseys Regiment of Dragoons, then dismounted in the Town. The Lord Orkney had also met with the Marquis Desnouville, who commanded the French regiment Royal and was already made prisoner, but was suffered to go into the Town again, upon his parole to return immediately. This he did bringing with him to the Lord Orkney several French generals. And as they were all capitulating, General Churchill came up and told the French Generals that he had no time to lose, (it being now past 7 in the evening), and that if they did not lay down their arms immediately he would renew the attack, upon this they thought fit to submit, and they, with all their regiments, were made Prisoners at discretion."
The campaign of 1704 closed with the Siege of Landau, the Greys forming part of the army covering the siege. In September, when the King of the Romans visited the British camp, the Duke of Marlborough placed himself at the head of the "Royal Scots Dragoons" to receive his Majesty.
The interesting incident is thus entered by Hare in his Journal:
"On 2nd of October the King of the Romans came from before Landau, to take a view of the Army commanded by his Grace at Weissembourg. His Grace sent Colonel Cadogan to conduct His Majesty to the left of the Army which was drawn out in two lines for this purpose. His Grace there received and saluted His Majesty at the head of Lord John Hayes' regiment of Dragoons, and afterwards accompanied His Majesty along the lines, which appeared extremely fine and gave great satisfaction to his Majesty."
In November they marched back to Holland for the winter, and in Guelderland were joined by another remount from Scotland.
They were withdrawn from their cantonments early in May of 1705, and after traversing Limburg, encamped near the banks of the river Maese, where the Duke of Marlborough assembled the army for the purpose of proceeding up the Moselle. After a halt of two days, the cavalry crossed the Maese, and marched to Coblenz, and thence to Juliers. After leaving this, they crossed a barren country to Triersweiler, where the troops encamped on May 26th. Thence the Moselle and the Saar were crossed, and plans made for offensive warfare. This was all frustrated by Austrian delays and German commanders' jealousies. The Duke of Marlborough resolved therefore to return.
At midnight on June 17th the troops decamped in the midst of a heavy rain, and the Royal Scots Dragoons, with several other regiments, formed up to cover the retreat through a long and narrow defile. No enemy, however, appeared to interrupt the army, and retracing their former steps by forced marches, the Greys reached the vicinity of Maestricht on June 30th; when the French forces in the Netherlands instantly ceased acting on the offensive, and took refuge behind their lines.
"Signatures of Colonel Agnew's Troop, for receipt of Bountie monie, for Campaigne of 1704."
After several changes of position, the Greys and other corps were ordered to be ready to march immediately after dark on the evening of July 17th; and the regiment was formed on this occasion as usual in brigade with the Royal Irish Dragoons under the command of Brigadier-General Lord John Hay. The French lines to be taken were very formidable, for besides the height of the rampart, and the largeness of the ditch, they were further defended by the difficulties of the ground over which they were to be approached; and by the river Geet, which could not be crossed without laying bridges over it, and which was near enough to the lines to be defended by the fire from the parapet. Our troops continued their march throughout the night, which was extremely dark, and at four in the morning surprised the French guards and took the position. Scarcely had the Greys and Irish Dragoons, with a few squadrons of horse, passed the lines, when the Marquis d'Allegre appeared with twenty battalions of infantry and fifty squadrons of cavalry. The Duke of Marlborough led his horse and dragoons forward, and by an impetuous charge, broke the enemy's ranks. A short but fiery conflict followed with varied success, and the Greys displayed their usual spirit. Finally the enemy's squadrons were dispersed, their standards and kettledrums were captured, and many officers and men were taken prisoners. The enemy's infantry also suffered severely; a few battalions however retired in a square in admirable order.
The campaign closed, and the Scots Greys marched to Dutch Brabant, where they spent the winter.
From the archives of the Regiment:—
"Early in 1705 the sheriff (i.e., Sir James Agnew) parted with his eldest son (Andrew), who at seventeen joined the army in Flanders as a volunteer. Pleased at the idea of the boy's winning his own spurs, he supplied him with a moderately well-filled purse, while his mother, along with her blessing, furnished him with an introduction to the Duke of Marlborough, as well as other letters of introduction. Thus furnished, the youth embarked, and reached the camp in February in safety, where he attached himself to the 'Royal Grey Dragoons.'[Pg 30] At the mess of this distinguished corps he met many friends from Galloway. His brother-in-law, Colonel Agnew, was Major, whose brother Thomas was also a Captain in the regiment; and among the subs. were the young Laird of Mochrun, George Dunbar, as well as John Dunbar, his youngest brother. Within a few weeks of his arrival he received, to his no small gratification, a commission signed by the Duke of Marlborough in camp at Rastad on the 11th of May, 1705, appointing Andrew Agnew to be cornet of that troop in Her Majesty's Royal Regiment of Scotts Dragoons, commanded by the Right Honourable John Hay, whereof Major Andrew Agnew is Captain."
Then come three pages of the adventures of the Greys in the campaign in which the said Andrew took his part. He was afterwards the famous Sir Andrew who fought in the Rebellion of 1745, and specially noted for his defence of Blair Castle at that time.
"Lord Mahon's History of England, Vol. I., chapter 5, page 155, edition Murray, 1853.
"1715.
"Meanwhile the Duke of Argyle had arrived in Scotland about the middle of September, and hastened to the camp at Stirling. He had brought with him not a single battalion of troops, not one piece of artillery. He had found under his command no more than 1,000 foot, and a body of Dragoons, partly from that excellent regiment the Scots Greys, but altogether of only 500 men."
Sir Walter Scott, in his note on Sinclair's MS., page 304, wrote:—
"The Dragoons called the Scots Greys, for many years maintained a character greatly superior to that of an ordinary regiment. They never gave a bounty exceeding a crown, and were recruited from a class of persons greatly superior to those who usually enter the army, such as the sons of decent farmers and tradesmen, who felt a vocation for the army. No ignominious punishment was ever inflicted, and a criminal who had merited such was previously transferred to another regiment."
"Field Marshal John Dalrymple, Second Earl of Stair, K.T."
Born, 1673. Died, 1747.
From the Painting at Lochinch.
Early in May, 1706, they left their winter quarters, and after crossing the plains of Limburg and the rich valleys of Liege, they on May 20th joined the army encamped at Bilsen, and afterwards marched to Borchloen. On May 23rd a detachment of the Greys, and several squadrons of horse, were ordered to march towards Mont St. André, and were soon after followed by the army in eight columns. There was a thick fog, but the cavalry pushed on until they gained the heights near Mierdorp, when through the misty dawn they espied a few of the enemy's cavalry crossing the plains of St. André, and soon the fog lifting, the French army was discovered in position at Ramillies. Advancing into the plains of Tandrinœuil, the Allies prepared for action, the Queen's Horse, the Greys, and the Royal Irish Dragoons, with Churchill's and Mordaunt's regiments of infantry, being posted on the heights of Foulz on the right of the line. About 1·30 in the afternoon the Allies began heavy artillery fire, which was quickly answered by the enemy, and the action became general. For some time the troops on the heights on the right were only spectators, but Marlborough, seeing that an attack made by the Dutch and Danish cavalry on the French Household regiments, Gens D'Armes, Gardes du Corps, and others, was not succeeding, ordered his right wing to advance. Churchill's and Mordaunt's regiments descended first, and meeting three battalions of French infantry, drove them into a morass, where most of them were killed or captured. At the same time the Queen's Horse, the Greys, and the Irish Dragoons galloped through the morass, crossed the high ground beyond it, and attacking the enemy's left, routed the French cavalry, and cut several battalions of infantry to pieces. The Greys charged into the village of Autreglize, overthrew and sabred the infantry in the streets. Coming out of the village, they encountered the famous French regiment du Roi, which at once surrendered and delivered up its colours and arms to the victorious Dragoons.
The contemporary account in the "London Gazette" was as follows:
"The horse of their left wing seemed to make a stand to gain time for their foot to retire, but were charged so quickly and with so much bravery by the English, that they entirely abandoned the foot, and our Dragoons pushing into the village of Autreglize, made a terrible slaughter. The French King's Own regiment of foot called the regiment du Roi, begged for quarter, and delivered up their arms and colours to Lord John Hay's Dragoons (the Greys)."
In connection with the battle of Ramillies, some account must be given of a woman, Christian Davies, or Mother Ross, who served as a trooper in the Greys until, fighting at Ramillies, her skull was fractured, and her sex afterwards discovered.
In 1740 appeared a book of nearly 200 pages, purporting to record her life and adventures; also in 1893 she was included in a[Pg 32] volume called "Women Adventurers," published by T. Fisher Unwin. The account of her given in the D. N. B. seems excellent. Presumably she was brave, but she seems to have been a very coarse woman. Born in Dublin in 1667, she married Richard Welsh. He, without her knowledge, was in some way forced to enlist in a foot regiment, and wrote letters to his wife which never reached her. At last she heard of his being in the army, and so disguised herself as a soldier to go in search of him.
She enlisted in Captain Tichborne's company of foot as Christopher Welch. In a skirmish before the battle of Landen she was wounded, and in the next year—1694—taken prisoner by the French, but exchanged.
At her own wish she was now allowed to join the Greys, and continued so until after the peace of Ryswick. On the renewal of war in 1701 she went back to Holland and re-enlisted in the Greys. She fought at Niuwegen, Venloo, Bonn, and in most of the engagements of the campaign, till at the battle of Donauwerth she received a ball in the hip, which caused a temporary retirement into hospital. The ball was never extracted, but Christian was again under arms in time to share in the spoil after Blenheim. While forming one of a guard to some prisoners taken in that battle, she again saw her husband after a separation of thirteen years. She lost no time in revealing her identity to him; but so enamoured was she of camp life that she extracted a promise from Welsh that he would pass himself off as her brother. After Ramillies she, of course, had to cease to be a trooper, but she still continued to live in camp, and accompanied her husband as his acknowledged wife. In 1709 Richard Welsh was killed at Malplaquet. Christian herself found his body, and her lamentations were so extravagant as to excite the open commiseration of a Captain Ross, whence it is said she gained the sobriquet of Mother Ross, by which she was known for the rest of her days. Although grieving so that for a whole week she refused to touch food, she married Hugh Jones, a grenadier, within three months. In 1710 Jones was killed at the siege of Saint-Venant. In 1712 she returned to England, was presented to Queen Anne, and awarded a life pension of a shilling a day. She afterwards went to Dublin and married a soldier named Davies. She died on July 7th,[Pg 33] 1739, and, at her own request, her body was interred among the pensioners in Chelsea burying ground, and three grand volleys were fired over her grave.
After this great victory at Ramillies, on Whit Sunday, May 23rd, 1705, the Greys were occupied in covering the successful sieges of several fortified towns in Flanders, and in the autumn the British troops went into quarters in Flanders, excepting the Royal Scots Greys and Irish Dragoons, who proceeded to Holland.
Early in the spring of 1707 the Greys went to Spanish Brabant, and encamped near the banks of the little river Sienne. In this year the Acts of Parliament were passed for the Union of the crowns of England and Scotland, and from that time the Greys were designated "The Royal Regiment of North British Dragoons."
The army was assembled at Brussels, and afterwards encamped near Weldert. The year passed off very quietly; but Richard Cannon found some record of a sharp fight between twenty-five troopers of the Greys sent out to cut forage and thirty French musketeers, the result alleged being fourteen Frenchmen killed and the rest taken.
On July 11th, 1708, the Greys were engaged in the important battle of Oudenarde, and this battle, with the story of the events preceding it, is full of interest, but would be out of place in this record of one particular regiment.
After this the Regiment formed part of the covering army, and was employed in escorting provisions and ammunition to the troops laying siege to Lisle, the capital of French Flanders. After Lisle had fallen to the Allies, the Greys were sent into winter quarters in Flanders. The winter proved extremely severe, and a considerable number of men and horses are said to have been frozen to death.
In 1709 the Greys formed part of the troops covering the siege and fall of Tournay; but the event of the year was the battle of Malplaquet, fought on September 11th, 1709. The Greys were brigaded with the Royal Irish Dragoons, under Brigadier-General Sybourg. They were posted near the centre of the Allied Army to sustain the attacks of the infantry and protect the artillery, and for some time were only spectators of the fierce storm of battle which[Pg 34] raged on all sides; at length, however, they were ordered to file through a wood in their front, and charge. Scarcely had the brigade emerged from among the trees before it encountered a line of French cavalry; these squadrons were, however, soon dispersed, but they were instantly succeeded by a new line of champions, consisting of a number of squadrons of the French household cavalry, clad in armour, and advancing in firm array. Richard Cannon has described how the Greys and Irish Dragoons met these foaming squadrons with signal bravery, but were driven from their ground by superior numbers. The two regiments soon rallied, and being joined by several corps of horse, returned to the charge; yet such was the resolution displayed by the French troopers that it was not until the third charge that they were driven from the field. The two victorious regiments were specially thanked by the Duke of Marlborough. The Greys lost about thirty killed and wounded.
The regiment was afterwards employed in covering the siege of Mons, the capital of Hainault, and after the surrender of Mons marched into winter quarters at the little town of Tiel.
Malplaquet was a desperately hard-fought battle. Not for the first or last time in our history, an important battle was nearly lost through the imbecile action of the authorities at home in failing to support an able general abroad.
In Coxe's "Marlborough," large paper edition, Vol. III., page 90, we find the following:—
"In considering the consequences of this eventful day, we cannot but applaud the foresight of Marlborough, who before the opening of the campaign had so earnestly pressed for a powerful augmentation of troops. He was conscious that the French were prepared to make their final effort in the Netherlands, and that he should have to contend with a far greater force than he had yet encountered. The battle proved that his calculations were well founded, and that an additional number of 10,000 men on that eventful day would have more contributed to the advancement of peace, than all the efforts of the ablest negotiators in Europe. The Allies, indeed, remained masters of the field; but the laurels of their two great commanders were deeply tinged with blood, and the result of the campaign was far from being commensurate with the sacrifice of so many valuable lives."
Of the springing valour displayed by the enemy on the day of[Pg 35] Malplaquet there can be no question, and a distinguished French officer wrote to a correspondent at the time:—
"The Eugenes and Marlboroughs ought to be well satisfied with us during that day; since till then they had not met with resistance worthy of them. They may say, with justice, that nothing can stand before them; and, indeed, what shall be able to stem the rapid course of these two heroes, if an army of 100,000 of the best troops, posted between two woods trebly entrenched, and performing their duty as well as any brave men could do, were not able to stop them for one day? Will you not then own with me, that they surpass all the heroes of former ages?"
Early in 1710 the regiment was joined by a remount of 100 men and horses from Scotland, and marching from its cantonments, encamped on high ground near Tournay. In the afternoon of April 20th it was again on the march, and formed part of the First Division of the Allied Army which forced the enemy's fortified lines at Pont-à-Vendin on the 21st, and encamped at night on the plain of Lens; and afterwards helping in covering the siege of Douay, a strong town on the river Scarpe, and finally was stationed at Pont-à-Nache. While here, the Duke of Marlborough, by special commission from Queen Anne, invested its Colonel—the Earl of Stair—with the Order of the Thistle.
On May 10th the enemy made a sudden sally from Fort Scarpe to take the bread waggons going to the Allies; but reaching Pont-à-Nache, their career was suddenly stopped by a squadron of the Greys, and two squadrons of the Royal Irish Dragoons, who came sweeping up the plain at full gallop, and routing the enemy in an instant, chased them with heavy loss under the cannon of the fort. Lieutenant-Colonel Caldwell, of the Royal Irish Dragoons, who commanded the three squadrons, was wounded in the pursuit.
After the fall of Douay, the Greys crossed the country of Artois to the banks of the river Bietres; and encamped before Bethune, which was at once besieged. They were subsequently occupied in escorting military stores up the country, and after the taking of Bethune, they were occupied with the sieges of Aire and Saint-Venant. The surrender of Aire ended the campaign.
Early in May, 1711, the army assembled in French Flanders, and[Pg 36] encamped, first at Warde, and next on the plain of Lens. After manœuvring skilfully, Marlborough succeeded in forcing the enemy's lines by the causeway at Arleux, crossed the Scheldt, and besieged Bouchain. In all this the Greys took part. After the fall of Bouchain, the army retired into winter quarters.
In 1712 the French sued for peace, and the Greys marched from the frontiers of Picardy into Flanders, staying there until the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. They then returned to England at the close of eleven years of hard war service.
A satisfactory change now took place in the official status of the Greys. In 1694, when many English, Irish, and Scots regiments were serving in the Netherlands, King William commanded a board of general officers to assemble and decide upon the rank of the several corps. This board gave precedence to the English regiments, and the Scots and Irish were only allowed to take 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. There being three regiments of English Dragoons raised previous to 1688, when the Royal Scots Dragoons were first placed upon the English establishment, this regiment consequently obtained rank as Fourth Dragoons only.
But in 1713, when Queen Anne had ordered another board of general officers to assemble to decide upon the rank of several newly-raised regiments, proof was adduced that the Royal Scots Dragoon crossed the Border and entered England in June, 1685, when there was only one regiment of Dragoons on the English establishment.
This was taken into consideration, and after some delay the Scots Greys obtained the rank of Second Dragoons.
Regiments were not, however, distinguished by numerical titles before the reign of George the Second.
In 1713 the regiment was increased to nine troops.
The Greys were next occupied in quelling the Rebellion of the Old Pretender, and here they won special distinction.
In 1719 the Jacobites, aided by Spain, made another attempt on Scotland, but were routed on June 10th at Strachell. Three troops of the Greys under Major Robinson were engaged.
Grenadier Cap of the Scots Greys, 1743.
Preserved in the Museum of the United Service Institution.
Farm Buildings—Lochinch, Castle Kennedy, Wigtonshire.
The Farm Buildings used as Barracks by the Scots Greys under command of John Earl of Stair. The Terraces at Lochinch were constructed by him during the period the Greys were quartered there, and it is recorded that the men of the regiment did the work.
In April, 1721, reduced on account of peace to 207 men, the regiment left Scotland, and was placed in cantonments in the northern counties of England. In 1723 it returned to Scotland, and in 1725 marched into quarters in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Early in 1727 the Regiment was again increased to nine troops, and it was ordered to be ready for foreign service, but no embarkation took place. The nine troops were marched into quarters near Hounslow, and on October 28th were reviewed on the heath by King George the Second. They afterwards marched into quarters in Yorkshire, where the three augmentation troops were reduced, and the numbers of the establishment of the Regiment fixed at 309 officers and men.
In 1730 the Regiment was again in Scotland.
In 1737 it came back to England, and was chiefly busy on the Kentish coast suppressing smugglers.
In April, 1738, the regiment marched into Dorset and Wilts, to suppress popular riots.
In September, 1739, the Regiment was increased to 435 officers and men. Richard Cannon pictures the regiment spending the following summer encamped among the ancient oaks in Windsor Forest. In October it marched into Yorkshire, but soon came south again and was quartered in Berkshire.
Charles the Sixth, Emperor of Germany, died in 1740, and England was a party to the Pragmatic Sanction by which the crown was guaranteed to his daughter Maria Theresa as Queen of Hungary and Bohemia.
On the other hand, the Elector of Bavaria, as descendant of Ferdinand the First, claimed these countries, and was supported by the French King, Louis the Fourteenth.
On June 19th, 1742, the Greys were reviewed by King George the Second on Kew Green, and three days later marched for Dover. A publication called "The Champion" records:—
"On Tuesday, General Campbell's fine regiment of Scots Greys arrived in the Borough of Southwark on their march to Dover, where they are to embark for Flanders. They are fine hardy fellows, and want no seasoning, and made an appearance agreeable to all but the innkeepers."
For the two great campaigns that now followed I copy from the archives preserved by the Regiment a
"Note from the British Military Library or Journal, published 1799.
*****
"This regiment frequently distinguished itself in the wars of King William and Queen Anne, and in many actions by its own individual prowess might justly be said to have inclined the balance in favour of the British arms, nor was it less active in the Rebellion of 1715.
"In the battles of Dettingen and Fontenoy, the cool, intrepid and invincible courage of this corps was eminently conspicuous.
"In the battle of Dettingen, the French were commanded by the celebrated Marshal de Noailles, and the Allied Army by his late Majesty King George the Second and the great Duke of Cumberland. The French had nearly effected the utter ruin of the Allies, by surrounding them, in order to cut off all supplies, in which case the whole must have been reduced to the disagreeable necessity of surrendering at the mercy of the enemy, nor could anything short of the most unexampled heroism rescue them from the impending danger—that heroism was not wanting. The combined troops, animated by the presence and example of the King and Prince, little regarded the enemy's vast superiority of numbers, while the Earl of Stair made a vigorous charge with the cavalry, among whom were the Scots Greys, then under the command of Sir James Campbell, an officer of high talents in his profession, and who signalised himself on this occasion in a manner which proved him truly worthy the command. Unfortunately for his country and the service this meritorious officer fell by a cannon shot the succeeding year, at the battle of Fontenoy in 1744.
"In this battle, fought on the 30th of April, than which few have been more bloody, the laurel was snatched from the enemy by this corps and three others, who covered the British and Hanoverian Infantry, under General Lord Ligonier, and that in so gallant a manner as to render wholly abortive one of the greatest objects of the French commander, for the timid Dutch had retreated, leaving a wing of the Allied Army exposed to the enemy, and this, although supported by two British battalions.
"The hazard was great and the moment more critical inasmuch as its brave Colonel was killed and his post left defective for a considerable time until His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland ordered some pieces of cannon to be brought up, at the head of the Foot Guards, which soon silenced the enemy's guns, and by exciting universal admiration at the General's presence of mind in the midst of such danger, the troops were roused to unusual exertions and actually took possession of some of their batteries, although, to effect this,[Pg 39] they were necessarily exposed to a most terrible and incessant cannonade. Perhaps the page of history could not produce a parallel to the bravery of the British troops in this engagement, who, after having stood for upwards of three hours the incessant fire of three strong batteries, could drive the French, their superiors in point of number, from their lines into their Camp; who when thinned in their ranks, tired with slaughter and almost sinking beneath their wounds, could break the same host of troops, drive them back a second time, and at length make good a safe retreat, at the moment when the enemy was reinforced by seven fresh battalions."
At the risk of seeming lengthy, I must here add, without pretending to edit it, a paragraph from Cannon's very scarce record:—
"A tremendous cannonade was followed by volleys of musketry and charges of cavalry. The Greys supported the infantry for some time; but at length they were led forward by their Colonel, the chivalrous and daring Lieutenant-General James Campbell, against a line of French Cuirassiers. Their grey horses and grenadier caps rendered them conspicuous—their noble bearing excited admiration. Before them appeared the enemy's squadrons, formidable in numbers, and bright in polished armour; but undismayed by the opposing ranks of war, the Greys raised a loud huzza, and rushed at speed upon their steel-clad opponents, who were overthrown and pursued to the rear of their own lines....
"The Greys pursued their adversaries to the banks of the river, and captured a White Standard, with which they returned in triumph to their own lines, where they received the expression of the approbation of their Sovereign, who had witnessed their gallantry.... The standard was of white damask, finely embroidered with gold and silver; a thunderbolt in the middle, upon a blue and white ground; motto, Sensere Gigantes."
The following interesting 1747 record I copy from the Manuscript Papers now preserved by the Greys:—
"Extract from the Record Book of the Enniskilling Dragoons.
"Signed, E. M. W. Gres, Major.
"1747. The Duke of Cumberland arrived at the Hague on the 15th of February. The French made some hostile movements in April. The Allied Army were encamped near to Antwerp, their right extending to Breschater. The army of the Allies marched 30th of June in three columns towards Lonaken, and encamped between that place and Ghenck. The French corps of the Count de Clermont occupied the high ground from Tongress to Tonggrebech. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland and Marshal Bathiani resolved to take possession of the camp of Bilsen. On the 2nd of July an action was[Pg 40] fought between Tongress and Bilsen, near Maestricht, called the battle of Keselt or of Lafeldt, or Vol. The British cavalry charged and broke the enemy's first line, and afterwards when His Royal Highness was with them, charged a second time and broke the enemy again; hereupon the enemy made a desperate effort on the centre of the Allies; their squadrons penetrated and divided the army.
"At this juncture the British cavalry, led on by Sir John Ligonier, charged the French with so much success that they overthrew all before them, but too eager in pursuit of the enemy, received a sharp fire from the Foot, which they had posted in a hollow way and some hedges, to favour the flight of their horse, by which they suffered a good deal; they dispersed, however, that Foot and some fresh squadrons which the enemy had sent down upon them, but was all in vain whilst the army was divided in two.
"His Royal Highness, therefore, called the Cavalry off and sent word to the Marshal that he should retire towards Maestricht, and would move towards Velt Wesel and Lanaken to favour his Retreat. This done, he retired the left wing slowly and in good order, bringing off all the heavy field artillery. His Royal Highness gave the greatest commendation to His Majesty's British and Electoral troops, of which there was not a squadron or Battalion which did not charge and beat the enemy more than once. The Scots Greys, the Duke's, Rothe's, the 6th Inniskilling, and Sir Robert Rich's Dragoons, gave the French cavalry a prodigious overthrow and took several standards.
"The Brigade of Scotch and Irish in the French service fought desperately, and would have taken the Duke of Cumberland prisoner, had not Sir John Ligonier come up with a party of cavalry and thereby saved His Royal Highness.
"The Allies took five standards and seven pair of Colours. In this Battle the Regiment suffered severely. The allies passed to the eastern side of the Meuse immediately after the Battle of 2nd of July. Encamped at Gronfelt. The French laid siege to Bergen Op Zoom:
"Several sallies and skirmishes. In August the Allies moved nearer to Liege. The French had their left towards Tongress and their right towards Liege.
"Bergen Op Zoom taken by the French 16th September.
"In October the troops went into winter quarters on the Dutch Frontier in the neighbourhood of Breda.
"The Duke of Cumberland and General Ligonier arrived in England 13th November.
"20th November five regiments of Foot embarked at Gravesend for Flanders."
[The latter part of the foregoing extract is curiously worded; but I have made no alterations.—E. A.]
The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was signed on October 7th, 1748, and the Greys returned to England, and were stationed at Leicester, Coventry, and Warwick. By the usual mean and miserable policy, or want of any policy, the Regiment was at once reduced to 285 officers and men! (In time of peace, always take care not to be prepared for war.) In December, 1749, the Regiment went into quarters in Kent, and was employed on revenue duty on the coast. In 1750 they were in Sussex and Devon, and in 1751 in Dorsetshire. The Regiment marched into Lancashire in the spring of 1753; with detached troops in Somersetshire, where it was stationed during the following year; and in the spring of 1755 proceeded to Northampton and other towns in that part of the kingdom. Complications now coming to a point about British and French possessions in North America, the Regiment's establishment was made up to 357 of all ranks, and very soon a light troop was added, in the same way as light companies had been added to regiments of infantry.
In the summer of 1755 the Greys occupied quarters in Herefordshire and in the winter months were dispersed in cantonments in Kent. In the next spring they marched into Surrey, and afterwards into Dorsetshire, and in June encamped with several other corps near Blandford.
In April, 1757, they went into cantonments in Essex, staying there four months, and then going into Suffolk. In October four troops proceeded to Newmarket.
An expedition was now made ready for a descent on the coast of France, and the "light troop," commanded by Captain Francis Lindsay, was ordered on this service.
The following is from the "Weekly Journal," 23 May, 1758:—
"The nine troops of Hussars (Light Dragoons) belonging to the nine regiments of cavalry, are now preparing to go upon this expedition. The flower[Pg 42] of these Hussars is the troop commanded by Captain Lindsay, quartered at Maidenhead, where they have been practising the Prussian exercise, and for some days have been digging large trenches and leaping over them, also leaping high hedges with broad ditches on the other side. Their Captain on Saturday last, swam with his horse over the Thames and back again; and the whole troop were yesterday to swim the river."
On June 5th, 1758, the Brigade landed on the coast of France about nine miles from St. Malo, and on the 7th set fire to the shipping in St. Malo.
The troops having succeeded in this, now came home again.
In August the Greys light troop formed part of another expedition which captured Cherbourg. After returning to England the light troop was quartered in towns on the coast of Sussex.
The Greys were among the troops sent to Germany under the command of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick in the year 1758, at which time the Duke of Argyle commanded the Regiment. These troops landed at Embden on the 20th of July and were headed by the Duke of Marlborough and the Lord George Sackville.
Still did their gallantry and good conduct preserve to them the high opinion which the Regiment had so justly merited in every conflict to which its squadrons were exposed.
The following notes are from a volume (belonging to the Regiment) lettered outside
"Regimental Orders, 1759."
Inside:—
"Copied from an old Regimental Order Book in possession of R. B. Wardlaw Ramsay, Esqre., of Whitehill, Laeswale.
"Piershill Barracks.
"Edinburgh
"1873.
"Tule, 8 January 1759
"Weaver 12 January
"Wever 19 January
"The Major recommends it to the commanding officers of Troops, that before they clear their men, they will stop from each man for a pair of new shoes to carry into the field with them, as he apprehends those they have will be wore out before that time.
[Pg 43]"Wever, 22nd January
"A stiver to be stopped from each man for having his hatt cocked, which the Major hopes the men wont be against paying as it is for their own advantage.
"Wever, 25 January
"The Troops to send the Bread waggons for their Hatts and Gloves on Monday next, and no man to presume to alter the Cock, otherwise it will be done over again, and he be obliged to pay every time it is not in shape.
"Tule, 6 January
"George. Farrier of Captain Douglas's Troop to be sent to Head Quarters to cock all the New Hats.
"The men not to dispose of their old Hats, as they will serve for the Nosebags.
| "Wever | 27 | January | |
| "Engern | 21 | March | 1759 |
| "Neider Meiser | 22 | " | |
| "Ober Velner | 24 | " | |
| "Rangershausen | 26 | " | |
| "Hanven | 27 | " | Tuesday |
| (Buff caps sold here) | |||
| "Herschfeld | 28 | " | |
| "Grebenan | 29 | " | |
| "Affhausen | 30 | " | |
| "Ofhausen | 1 | April, | Sunday |
| " | 4 | " | |
| " | 5 | " | |
| " | 6 | " | |
| " | 7 | " | |
| " | 8 | " | Sunday |
| " | 9 | " | |
| "Richlos | 10 | " | |
| "Heldenbergen | 12 | " | |
| (13th fighting.) | |||
| "Wendroken Camp | 14 | " | |
| "Waryenburn | 15 | April | 1759 |
| "Bergesernesde | 17 | April " | |
| "Neidierbessingen | 18 | " | |
| (19th fighting.) | |||
| "Alsfelt | 20 | " | |
| "Gabersdorff | 22 | " | Sunday[Pg 44] |
| "Neidzuren | 27 | Friday | |
| "Neiderzueren | 29 | April | 1759 |
| "Steinhausen | 17 | May | |
| "Beringbrocet | 19 | " | |
| "Beren Broick | 21 | " | |
| "Gronenberg | 26 | " | |
| "Werle Camp | 7 | June. | |
| " | 9 | " | |
"It is Lord George Sackville's orders that for the future, the officers and men of the Cavalry carry their swords upright, with the hilt resting on the Right Pistol, that the Regiment march by Sub-Divisions, and the officers strictly keep their posts. These to be standing orders for the whole British cavalry for the future.
| "Toest Camp | 11 | June |
| "Aurnchte Camp | 13 | " |
| "Brink Camp | 15 | " |
| "Overhagen Camp | 19 | " |
| "Ritberg Camp | 22 | " |
| "Marienvelt Camp | 30 | " |
| "Disson Camp | 3 | July |
| "Osneburg Camp | 8 | " |
| "Stoltzenaw | 15 | " |
| "Hilbs Camp | 31 | " |
| "Petershagen Camp | 23 | " |
"From the "London Gazette," Saturday, September 6th, 1760.
"Hague, Septr. 1st.
"By the last letters from Prince Ferdinand's Army, which are of the 28th past, we have received information that the French under Marshall Broglio, left their camp upon the Dymel in the night between the 21st and 22nd, marching off by their right, and that the Hereditary Prince crossed that river on the 22nd at the head of 12,000 men, in order to gain the left flank of the enemy. That the advanced troops of that corps came up with their rearguard near Zierenberg; and that, after the light troops on each side had been engaged with different success, the Hereditary Prince arrived in person with the Greys and Iniskilling Dragoons, supported by the English Grenadiers, and put an end to the affair in a quarter of an hour, by forcing the enemy to a precipitate flight with great loss."
[Pg 45]The "London Gazette," Saturday, September 13th, to Tuesday, September 16th, 1760.
"Prince Ferdinand's Head Quarters at Buhne, Sept. 9.
"On the 5th past, a very considerable body of the enemy, amounting to 20,000 men and upwards, attempted to make a general forage in the neighbourhood of Geismar; But Prince Ferdinand, having received previous intelligence of their design, crossed the Dymel early in the morning of that day, and went in person with a corps of troops to oppose them; and though His Serene Highness was much inferior in number to the French, yet he took his precautions so well, by occupying some advantageous heights, and placing artillery there, that he rendered the enemy's attempt totally ineffectual, notwithstanding a large portion of their Army was in motion to cover the foragers.
"On the morning of that day likewise, the Hereditary Prince (upon intelligence that the volunteers of Clermont and Dauphiné, consisting each, when compleat, of 600 Horse and 600 foot, were cantoned at Zierenberg; and, from the very small distance of the French camp at Dierenberg, thought themselves in perfect security) went from his camp at Warbourg to Maltzberg, which is not much more than a league from Zierenberg, without seeing any of their Posts, or meeting any of their Patroles. This made His Serene Highness resolve on an attempt to surprise them; for which purpose he ordered five Battalions, a Detachment of 150 Highlanders under the command of Captain McLeon, and eight squadrons of Dragoons to be ready to march at eight at night.
"They left their tents standing, and passed the Dymel near Warbourg; Maxwell's Battalion of Grenadiers, the Detachment of Highlanders, and Kingsley's Regiment, forming the Head of the Column. These were followed by two other Battalions of Grenadiers and by Block's Regiment. The eight squadrons of Dragoons were Block's, the Greys, and Iniskillings. At the village of Witzen, about a league on the other side of the Dymel, we found all the light troops, which were under Major Bulow's command, and whose destination was to turn the town of Zierenberg, and to take post between it and Durenberg, in order to intercept whoever should attempt passing to the enemy's Camp. At the entrance of a large wood, near Maltzberg, the Greys and Iniskillings were posted. At Maltzberg, a Battalion of Grenadiers. The other Battalion of Grenadiers, the regiment of Block, and Block's Dragoons, were posted at proper distances between Maltzberg and Zierenberg to cover us, in case we had been repulsed and pursued. At a mill, about two English miles from the town and within sight of the fires of the enemy's grand guards, Maxwell's Grenadiers took one Road, Kingsley's Regiment and the Detachment of Highlanders another. When we came within less than half a mile of the Town the vedettes of their grand guards challenged us, but did not push forward to[Pg 46] reconnoitre us. Our men marched in the most profound silence. In a few minutes we saw the fires of their piquets, which they had posted close to the Town. The noise of our trampling over gardens gave them the alarm, and they began to fire; upon which our Grenadiers, who had marched with unloaded firelocks (as had been agreed on), ran on towards the town, pushed the Piquets, and having killed the guard at the gate, rushed into the Town, and drove everything before them. Never was a more compleat surprize. The attack was so sudden, that the enemy had not time to get together in any numbers, but began to fire at us from the windows; upon which our men rushed into the houses, and for some time made a severe use of their Bayonets. They afterwards loaded and killed a great many of the enemy, who had mounted their horses. It was about two in the morning when we got into the Town, and about three the Prince ordered the Retreat, after we had taken M. de Norman, Brigadier, who commanded the volunteers of Dauphiné, and M. de Comeiras, Colonel of those of Clermont, with about 40 more officers and 300 private men. The number of killed and wounded is very considerable, from an ill-judged resistance of those who were in the houses; but in justice to our men, it must be said that they gave quarter to all who asked it; and there are several noble instances of their refusing to take money from their prisoners, who offered them their purses. General Griffin, who went into the Town at the head of Kingsley's Regiment, received a thrust in the breast with a Bayonet (as it is supposed from one of our own people) upon hearing him talk French to a soldier whom he had seized, and who would not quit his firelock, but the wound is a very slight one. What makes this affair the more satisfactory is that it has not cost us ten men, which is wonderful in a night attack, where we might have expected to have lost more by our own mistaking friends for foes.
"The behaviour of the Officers and the bravery of the Troops upon this occasion deserve the greatest commendation. Lord George Lennox was a volunteer in this expedition, and had his horse wounded under him by a shot from a window. With our prisoners we brought off two pieces of cannon, and had we had time to search the houses the number of our prisoners would have been doubled; but as day was coming on, and we might have been cut off from Warburg, we returned the same way we came, and arrived there at eight in the morning of the 6th without being at all molested."
In 1763 a treaty of peace was signed, and as early as February, 1763, the Greys quitted Germany, and marching through Holland, embarked at Williamstadt in North Brabant, landed at Gravesend, and proceeded to Hereford. Soon the light troop, which had remained in England, was disbanded, but 8 men per troop were now equipped as Light Dragoons. The establishment was reduced to 213 men![Pg 47] In November the Regiment marched to Scotland, and were stationed at Dalkeith and Musselburgh; but soon returned South, and in 1764 were stationed at Manchester and Warrington. In April, 1765, they marched to Worcester and Pershore. In 1766 they went to Sussex.
At this date "Drummers," who had been on the establishment from the foundation of the Corps, were ordered to be replaced by "Trumpeters."
In May, 1767, the Regiment marched to Canterbury, and in the winter of 1768 it was in winter cantonments in Lincoln and Boston.
In 1769 they went to Scotland, returning the next year to Warwick, Lichfield and Stratford-upon-Avon.
The greater part of 1771 was spent in cantonments in Dorsetshire and Somersetshire. In 1772 the Regiment was stationed at Canterbury, with detachments on coast duty in Kent. In May, 1773, it marched into quarters at Greenwich and the neighbouring villages; and on May 22nd King George the Third reviewed the Greys,—expressing his high admiration of the Regiment's appearance and discipline.
The newspapers of the time describe the day as particularly fine, and allude to the great crowds assembled to witness "the martial appearance and correct manœuvring of this gallant old corps."
The Regiment now went to Ipswich and Bury St. Edmund's, and in the autumn extended its quarters to Norwich. In 1774 it marched to York, and again sent detachments on coast duty. In the spring of 1775 it marched again North, and remained in Scotland until April, 1776. After this it spent 11 months in Lancashire. Next the Regiment went to Worcester for a summer station, passing the autumn in Gloucester, Tewkesbury, Pershore, and Ludlow.
In 1778, when the War of Independence broke out, no heavy cavalry corps were sent to North America; but the establishment of the Greys was increased by some 250 men and horses, and 48 of these were equipped as Light Dragoons. The "light" part of the Regiment now consisted of 6 sergeants, 6 corporals, and 84 private men; and in April, 1779, these light horsemen were incorporated, with detachments from the 7th, 15th and 16th Dragoons, into a Regiment which was[Pg 48] numbered 21st Dragoons. During the summer of 1779 the Greys were encamped on Salisbury Plain, and other Dragoon Regiments with them. In November the Regiment went into quarters at Marlborough, Chippenham, Colne, and Malmesbury.
In the autumn of 1780 they marched into Worcestershire.
In January, 1781, two troops requisitioned by magistrates on account of disturbances, marched to Ludlow. In June the Regiment marched into Dorsetshire.
In 1782 the Regiment was at Durham, and in 1783 went north to Scotland. In this year, peace having been made with the United States of America, the Regiment's establishment was reduced to 232 all told.
In 1784 they marched south, and were stationed 11 months in Manchester.
In April, 1785, they went to Worcester.
In the summer of 1786 they occupied extensive cantonments in Dorsetshire, and early in 1787 four troops were called in to aid the civil power in Wiltshire. In June the Regiment marched into quarters in Hampshire.
In April, 1788, they were in quarters near Hounslow, and thence went to Ipswich, removing in the summer of 1789 to Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. Early in 1790 the Regiment marched into Yorkshire; from there 3 troops were soon sent to Newcastle-on-Tyne, and in September the other 3 troops marched to Durham. In the spring of 1791 they marched to Scotland, returning in the spring of 1792, and quartering in Lancashire. In December, 1792, an increase of 60 men was ordered.
The French Revolution having broken out, the Regiment was, in 1793, made up to 9 troops of 54 non-commissioned officers and men each; and soon 4 troops were ordered to be held perfectly ready for foreign service.
On January 20th, 1793, Louis the Sixteenth was murdered. The French envoy was at once ordered to leave England, and on February the 3rd the Convention declared war against England. The French attacked Holland, and a united British and Hanoverian force, commanded by the Duke of York, went to the help of the Dutch.
On July the 9th, 1793, 4 troops of the Greys embarked at[Pg 49] Blackwall for Flanders. The rest were left at Worcester, Tewkesbury and neighbouring towns. The 4 troops landed at Ostend on July 16th, and marching towards France joined the army laying siege to Valenciennes. After Valenciennes had been taken, they were at first occupied in covering the siege of Dunkirk; but this was soon abandoned, and they were next occupied near Lisle, and made a successful charge against some French cavalry on the heights of Cateau Cambresis. In November the 4 troops marched to Ghent.
The 5 troops remaining in England were increased to 80 men each.
In February, 1794, the 4 troops quitted Ghent for Beveren.
On April the 17th, after joining the army on the plains of Cateau, they supported the infantry attack on the villages of Vaux and Prêmont.
At day-break on May the 10th, the army was in position on the heights in front of Tournay, the Greys being formed in column of troops behind the left wing. The Bays, Greys, and Inniskilling Dragoons forming one brigade, advanced in open column of half-squadrons, with the Duke of York at their head; on approaching the enemy they formed line under a heavy cannonade and charged.
The following is in the Honourable J. W. Fortescue's account, Vol. IV., p. 249, of his splendid new History of the British Army:—
"At last, however, a little to the south of Willems, the battalion-guns of the British infantry came up and opened fire, when the French, after receiving a few shots, began to waver. The squadrons again charged, and an officer of the Greys, galloping straight at the largest of the squares, knocked down three men as he rode into it, wheeled his horse round and overthrew six more, and thus made a gap for the entry of his men. The sight of one square broken and dispersed demoralised the remainder of the French. Two more squares were ridden down, and for the third time the British sabres had free play among the French infantry.... Not for eighteen years was the British Cavalry destined again to ride over French battalions as they rode on this day; and then Stapleton Cotton was fated once more to be present, leading not a squadron of Carabiniers, but a whole division of horse to the charge at Salamanca. But the 10th of May 1794 is chiefly memorable as marking the date on which the new French infantry showed itself not unworthy of the old."
In November, 1795, the 4 troops of Greys embarked at Bremen for England and landed at South Shields on Christmas Eve. From[Pg 50] here they went to Northallerton, and in February, 1796, joined the rest of the Regiment at Canterbury.
In July of this year the Regiment was encamped near Weymouth; in September it went into quarters at Dorchester, Bridport, Weymouth, and Wareham.
Late in 1797 the Regiment marched to Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicester, and Ashby-de-la-Zouch; in July, 1798, it was encamped in Windsor Forest, and in September went from there to Birmingham, Coventry, and Lichfield.
In the summer of 1799 the Regiment went to Dorchester, Bridport, and Weymouth. A ninth troop was now added, and in April, 1800, a tenth was added. A force called the Fencible Cavalry was disbanded, and from it 81 men, with 220 horses, were drafted to the Greys.
In October, 1800, the Regiment marched to Salisbury, Southampton, Blandford, Rumsey, and Portsmouth.
In 1801 the Greys marched to Dorchester.
Now came the inevitable policy of parsimony, and no war being on hand, the Greys establishment was reduced to 8 troops of 29 officers, 8 quarter-masters, 28 sergeants, 8 trumpeters, and 480 rank and file, including 10 dismounted men in each troop.
In July, 1802, the Regiment marched to Croydon, Rumsey, and Eastbourne.
The folly of reduction was now shown. War opened with France again in 1803, and the Regiment's strength was brought up to 10 troops. Its efficiency was also promoted by adding 3 captains, and thus releasing the field officers from the charge of troops. The establishment now became 51 officers, 10 quarter-masters, 54 sergeants, 10 trumpeters, and 1,000 rank and file.
In June, 1803, the Regiment marched to Canterbury, staying there nearly two years, the period when Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of France, was hourly expected to attempt an attack on our coast.
In May of 1805 the Greys marched to Ipswich and Colchester.
On Thursday, January 9th, 1806, Lord Nelson was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral, and two squadrons of the Greys took part in the procession on this occasion.
Soon afterwards the Regiment marched into Yorkshire and[Pg 51] Northumberland; and the talk of invasion having passed off, the Regiment was once more reduced, and the establishment became 40 officers, 10 quarter-masters, and 854 non-commissioned officers and men.
In January, 1807, the Regiment marched to Scotland. In June, 1808, the Regiment sailed to Ireland. In June, 1809, an alteration was made by substituting a regimental quarter-master and 10 troop sergeant-majors, in the place of the 10 troop quarter-masters.
In 1810 the Regiment sailed from Dublin for England, and now occupied quarters in Yorkshire and Lancashire. In the spring of 1813 the quarters of the Regiment were extended to Leicestershire and Derbyshire. Two troops were left at Birmingham, and in December 8 troops marched to Canterbury, remaining there and at Dover, Deal, and Hythe.
The following account relates to the review in Hyde Park before the Prince Regent, the King of Prussia, and the Czar of Russia, on June 21st, 1814, and is from The Times of Wednesday, the 23rd:—
"It is little less than impossible to keep pace in the public journals with all the movements of the illustrious personages now in the British metropolis, or to describe the affectionate zeal with which they are received.... Our army has now, with great reason, become as much our boast as our navy, and therefore the display of its merits—of the persons, the horses, the accoutrements, of its component parts—ought to excite as great an interest as the exhibition of our ships of war and their equipages. Their Majesties, we have reason to believe, were as highly gratified by the review as British hearts could wish. A detachment of the Greys attended the great potentates, accompanied by the Hetman Platoff and a small detachment of Cossacks.
"They were received with the loudest shouts by the populace. The Prince Regent, who was accompanied on one side by the King of Prussia, and on the other by the Emperor of Russia, was greeted with high applause. He was followed by Blucher and a most magnificent staff, superbly attired."
In July, 1814, the Regiment was reduced to 8 troops, amounting to 584 officers and men, including 16 dismounted men for each troop. In a few months the Regiment went into winter quarters at Bristol and Trowbridge.
Early in 1815 Napoleon was once more in France, and the Greys establishment was again made up to 10 troops, comprising in all 946 officers and men. Six troops were to be held in readiness to go abroad, and the other four were marched to Ipswich.
Before giving the several interesting contemporary records of 1815 in possession of the Regiment, allusion must be made to the two touching original records now belonging to the Regiment, relating to Colonel Hamilton, the commanding officer killed at Waterloo. One is a letter of May 15th, 1793, acquainting a Mr. Anderson that "the King had been pleased to appoint Jamie a cornet in the Royal North British Dragoons."
The other letter is dated July 10th, 1815, and is from James Swan, 53, York Place, Edinburgh, to Mr. McLachlane, Writer, Glasgow. The letter records Colonel Hamilton's (son Jamie's) death.
A folio volume, lettered outside:—
"Royal Scots Greys, Waterloo, 18th June, 1815, letters, etc., connected with Lieutenant-Colonel Inglis Hamilton, who was killed in action, in command of the regiment at Waterloo."
Inside is:—
"The letters in this book relating to the history of Lieutenant-Colonel Inglis Hamilton were presented to the officers of the Regiment, on the occasion of the celebration of the Bicentenary of the raising of the Regiment, on the 18th of June, 1881, by the family of the late Peter Mackenzie, Esq., author of the 'Reminiscences of Glasgow.' The papers were entrusted to the charge of Mr. Mackenzie by the sisters of Lieut.-Colonel Hamilton.
"John W. Hozier, Lieut.-Colonel.
"Commanding Scots Greys."
"Royal Barracks, Dublin,
"18th June, 1881."
"This book in which the papers are now preserved, was presented by Lieutenant-Colonel Hozier."
"Major-General Hamilton has to acquaint Mr. Anderson that he received on Sunday night a card from Lord Amherst, acquainting him that the King had been pleased to appoint Jamie a cornet in the Royal North British Dragoons, at[Pg 53] the same time his Lordship called him James Hamilton. How this has happened he cannot say, as the General has received no explanation, but can assure Mr. Anderson that he gave in his name when in London to the Secretary at War Jas. Anderson; he likewise gave in his name on Watson's return from Glasgow, my godson James Anderson, since which he has heard little until last night, but has wrote this day.
"If the nomination is given in and past recall, the General hopes that Mr. Anderson will agree to it, as it must be of such advantage to the young man. Besides, he has to acquaint Mr. Anderson that he always intended to leave Jamie something handsome at his death, on condition that he bore his name, and will condescend to say, if agreed to, that the annual rent in money, bondes, or stock shall exceed the rents of Murdiestone when the General's father changed his name from Hamilton to Inglis, by virtue of the testator's will.
"The General wishes that Mr. Anderson will observe that this is every day done both in North and South Britain, and was the constant practice among the ancients. On these considerations, and seeing it will save a thousand pounds and enable him to assist Willie and John, which it is the General's purpose to do, he hopes that Mr. Anderson will cheerfully acquiss."
"Murdiestone, 20th May, 1793."
The above letter bears the following most pathetic endorsement:—
"MEMOR.
"J. A.—15th May, 1793.
"A cornet 2 Dragoons.
"July 11th, '93. Parted with son James half past five o'clock night, at Lark-hall. He was then aged 16 years and seven days. I walked to Hamilton that night with a heart full of grief."
The following letter, addressed:—
"Mr. H. McLachlane, Writer, Glasgow.
"Edr., 53, York Place,
"10 July, 1815.
"Sir,—I recd. your letter of the 7th inst. and with reference to a letter I wrote Mr. Une not knowing the address of my lamented friend Col. Hamilton's sister, I beg leave to inform you that with deep regret I have ascertained the intelligence of the Col.'s death to be correct. His bravery was most gallant throughout the 18th, and he was killed giving a word of command. Several accounts agree that latterly in the action he was seen by his men still commanding with both arms shot off, holding the reins of his charger in his teeth. This[Pg 54] must have been momentary desperation. I saw a letter from an officer in the Greys (Gen. Hamilton of Dalziel's son) stating that it was ascertained that on examining Col. Hamilton's body previous to his burial on the field of battle he had received a shot through his heart, and Sir James Stewart showed me a letter from Col. Clark of the Greys mentioning that the Colonel's body had been found and had been buried."
The letter is signed James Swan. In the margin Major J. W. Hozier has noted:—
"Trotter, son of Mr. Trotter of Worton Hall, Edinburgh."
Inserted in this volume are the leaves from "Good Words" of September 1st, 1866, containing "Two Glasgow Stories," "By the Editor."
"1. James Anderson.
"About ninety years ago the 21st, or North British Fusiliers, were engaged in the American war, and fighting at Ticonderoga.... The Fusiliers were then commanded by Colonel Inglis Hamilton, formerly of the Scots Greys, who inherited from a long line of ancestors the property of Murdiestoun, in the vicinity of Glasgow.
"William Anderson, a Glasgow man of excellent character, was a private in the 21st, and rose to the rank of Sergeant-Major. He had born to him in America two sons, James and John, and two daughters. Having been wounded he was discharged with a pension, and with his family settled in the Gallowgate of Glasgow.... Colonel Hamilton, having attained the rank of Major-General, left the service, and with an old sister resided at his estate of Murdiestoun.
"... One day the General driving in his carriage, saw to his surprise, Sergeant-Major Anderson playing with his children on the opposite side of the road, and no less to the surprise and delight of the old Sergeant, he saw his General, and felt the grasp of his affectionate hand. The children remembered the General, who delighted with the appearance of James, seized him in his arms and tossed him in the air, which so charmed the boy that he exclaimed,—Do it again, General; please give me another toss over your head. From that day the General's heart was knit to Jamie Anderson. He showed the greatest kindness to all the family, educating the boys in the grammar school, and afterwards at the University; while the girls received the best teaching which the boarding schools of Glasgow could then afford.
"James moreover was taught riding, a pony was provided for his daily use;[Pg 55] and Murdiestoun became his home almost as much as the more humble, but not less happy and contented abode in the Gallowgate. This kindness had a purpose in it. In carrying out this purpose, the General obtained a commission for 'Jamie' as a Cornet in the Scots Greys. The Secretary at War assumed the boy's name to be Inglis Hamilton....
"Years passed. The Cornet behaved like an officer and a gentleman, and was the pride of the old General, who had the satisfaction of seeing him become Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment, respected and beloved by officers and men. The General in the meantime made his will, leaving his property to James and his heirs male....
"The General died, and according to a request written by him and placed in his prayer book, Jamie acted as chief mourner, accompanied by the nobility and gentry of the county."
From a small unbound volume belonging to the Regiment:—
Copies of letters written just previous to the battle of Waterloo, by F. C. Kinchant, Cornet, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys); also one describing his death by treachery during the battle, and the summary revenge taken therefor by the sergeant of his troop.
The originals are addressed to John Rose Hall, Esq., Cockshut Lydiate, Ludlow, Shropshire, England. They are now in the possession of Mrs. McLaughlin, step-daughter of the above-mentioned John Rose Hall.
"Bristol, March 28th, 1815.
"My Dear Hall,
"I fear you have again an opportunity of calling me an idle correspondent. I have certainly delayed writing to you much longer than I intended. In truth my time is totally occupied in drills, &c. three times a day, an hour and a half each. I rise every morning at six and attend at the Riding School till nine.
"I have already made great progress in the equestrian art.
"I and a brother Cornet (junior to myself) perform together.
"The method of riding is altogether different to that of the country squires. At present we ride without stirrups, in order that we may obtain a firm seat. We must leap the bar, ditches and go through all the different evolutions of the field exercise, &c. without stirrups, indeed I find I can already ride better without their support than with it. So much for horsemanship.
"The reason I have so much drilling is I much wish to go on service and share the honours my comrades are likely to reap.
"We are in daily expectation of receiving orders to proceed to Flanders.
"The Regiment is without doubt the best disciplined and the most crack[Pg 56] cavalry corps in the service. I don't think there is a private in it under 5 feet 11 inches, and the officers are a fine gentlemanly set of fellows. There are only three Scotchmen among the officers, but the privates are in general Scotch.
"The horses are all grey and in excellent condition.
"Mine is two inches too low but the colonel has passed him for a second charger. He has desired I will get one much stronger and higher immediately as a first charger, but where I am to find a horse of that description I am at a loss to know.
"It is the general opinion there will be more hard fighting and more bloodshed than in any preceding war, as that arch fellow Bony (who has been too deep for all our wise heads) will dispute every inch of ground with the sword.
"Pray have you been to Easton lately? What does the old gent say of the present appearance of things?
"If we go on service I shall be obliged to call on him for a further advance of cash, as I shall have to purchase many essential though expensive articles, such as tent and tent equipage, &c., and many other things necessary for service.
"Our dress altogether is extremely rich and consequently costs lots of money. The Court dress coat alone is 40 guineas. It is covered with lace from head to foot. The jackets are handsome, but they only cost £15 15s. each. Every other part of the equipment is equally as expensive.
"In fact we make a most dashing appearance. I should like much to meet the old Buck at Bath or Clifton. I do not think he would know his hopeful son....
"Believe me my dear John your sincerely attached friend
"F. C. Kinchant."
"In great haste. Pray write soon and don't follow my example. Burn this scrawl when read!"
(Thus ends the first letter, and let us rejoice that it was not burnt.)
"Bristol, April 6th, 1815.
"My Dear John,
"I have only time to tell you that we received orders yesterday to hold ourselves in perfect readiness for foreign service.
"To-day another order arrived for the regiment to proceed to North Fleet (about 30 miles below London) and there embark for the Continent. It will be about seven days' march from hence to North Fleet. The order and march came so near together that most of us are unprovided with tents, camp equipage,[Pg 57] canteens, &c., all which necessaries I must order from London to meet me by the time I arrive at North Fleet. We have been long expecting this move. Since I joined I have not had a spare half hour. Three drills a day on horseback and on foot I assure you did not a little fatigue my bones. However, I trust I am now a tolerable good match for a Frenchman.
"The Regiment is in the finest condition and in the highest spirits and most anxious for an opportunity to distinguish itself.
"Believe me, &c.,
"F. C. Kinchant.
"We shall have seven days' march—the first day from hence to Chippenham,
the next Marlbro',
" Newbury,
" Reading,
" Staines,
" Camberwell,
" Gravesend.
"In greatest haste."
"Ghent, April 23rd, 1815.
"My Dear John,
"I have taken the earliest opportunity to inform you of my arrival as far as this place. I should have written sooner, but my time has been most fully engaged since we landed. We are quartered for a day or two in a village contiguous to this town, are in hourly expectation of receiving orders to proceed to the frontiers to join the army under the Duke of Wellington. There are an immense number of troops daily arriving, and the united forces of the Allies, will it is stated, in a short time amount to 900,000 men.
"We are here quite ignorant of the politics of the country. Nothing is said of Buonaparte, but he has doubtless many adherents in Flanders. Deserters from his army are constantly coming into Ghent. They state that they receive neither their rations nor pay. Some of the inhabitants seem well inclined towards the English and are what may be termed hospitable, but adieu to English comforts.
"We embarked at Gravesend on the 15th, sailed on the 16th, and reached Ostend on the 19th. We had a rough passage the last day and night—the wind blowing hard right in our teeth, with snow storms. Many of the horses were a good deal bruised, but none sustained any material injury. We expect[Pg 58] some hard fighting before the business will be settled. Never was a Regiment in better condition for service than this, both in men and appointments.
"Louis the Eighteenth is here. He keeps himself closely shut up, and is at present in an ill state of health.
"I am, my dear John, your ever attached friend,
"F. C. Kinchant."
"Denderhanten, near Gramont,
"May 21st, —15.
"My Dear John,
"Week after week has passed without my having the gratification of hailing your long expected, most welcome letter. I assure you I am most anxious to hear from you, having as yet received only one letter from old England....
"My father has not yet replied to the letters I sent him from Bristol, but my sister says he intends advancing the money I applied for. I shall therefore write to him very soon on the subject as my last bills are unpaid in London for camp equipage, &c., and the tradesmen are continually dunning for their accounts to be settled. Exchange between this country and England is extremely low, only 17⅓ francs for a Bank of England £1. I shall therefore have as little money as possible sent here. We, however, do not expect to receive any pay for four months. The Regiment has been here about a fortnight. It is a miserable small village, not large enough to contain one troop. The remainder, officers and men, are quartered at cottages in the neighbourhood. A pig-sty in England is a palace to my quarters. Hosts of lice, bugs, fleas, and filth of every description, abound in a most extraordinary degree in all the habitations of these dirty vagabonds. To counteract, however, as much as possible, the unpleasant effects of sleeping in such a dirty hut, I have pitched my tent and sleep quite comfortably su Dio, in a green field totally independent of the above-mentioned black backed gentry.
"The men and women are very plain, with mouths that reach from ear to ear, and are extremely ignorant. It is with great difficulty I can make them understand my wants as few can speak French, nothing but the Flemish is spoken among the lower classes. The only answer I can ever obtain is "yaw," in English, "yes."
"To-morrow we are again reviewed, for the fourth time since we landed, by the Earl of Uxbridge, who commands the English cavalry, and on Wednesday this regiment will be inspected by the Prince of Orange and a Prussian General. I assure you we are considered the finest cavalry corps on the continent. Every[Pg 59] one wishes to see us, and all the Generals that have reviewed us, speak in the highest possible terms of the excellent appearance and condition of the men and horses. A Prussian General expressed a wish to see an English Dragoon Regiment, the Greys were immediately brought forward as a specimen. In fact we have every compliment paid us.
"A few years ago the Regiment behaved most gallantly in this country in several actions and I think it is probable they will distinguish themselves in this campaign, for I never saw men more anxious for an opportunity. You may perhaps think I speak with partiality, but I assure you what I have expressed is the real matter of fact. We are within about 35 miles of the French army—a day's march.
"The English army will not advance till the Russians, Cossacks, &c., come up. There are a great number of Prussian, Hanoverian and Belgic troops in this neighbourhood.
"I am sorry to hear old Blucher has been insulted by some Saxon troops. He is a gallant old cock.
"Whatever the newspapers say of the increasing popularity of the Bourbons, you have no idea how much Bonaparte is adored by the lower order. There is scarce a house here from which there is not one or two young men now serving in the French army, and the deserters are by no means so numerous as the papers would persuade us.
"The French are collecting a very large force on the frontiers. At Lisle they have near 40,000 men, at Valenciennes and other places they are also very strong. It is the unanimous opinion of the army that we shall have some very hard fighting before we reach Paris. Much will depend on the first battle. It is generally supposed we shall advance in the course of a week and that hostilities will commence immediately.
"I trust the next time I write to you we shall be on the road to the French Capital.
"I am sorry to say the horse I bought in London has turned out very bad. I shall be obliged to send to England for another. The grey I took from Easton is a very promising horse, but is rather too slight for my weight.
"I must now bid you adieu.
"Give my kindest regards to all the family at Cockshut.
"F. C. Kinchant."
"July 2nd, 1817.
"Dear Sir,
"In the course of a short excursion which I was obliged to make last week thro' the lower part of Lancashire, I met at the Rectory house, Middleton,[Pg 60] with Dr. Hardie, a young Scotch physician of considerable eminence in his profession at Manchester, where he practises. The battle of Waterloo being accidentally mentioned, Dr. H. amused myself and the rest of the party after supper with various anecdotes of the gallantry and success of Sergeant Ewart of the Scots Greys, who performed prodigies of valour on that day and whose good fortune it was to be the captor of one of the three French Eagles that were taken during the battle.
"To a remark made by one of the party that he supposed Ewart must be very proud of the honour of having taken a French Eagle, Dr. H. observed that he always seemed to speak of it with much indifference, and that when once asked the name of the regiment to which the Eagle belonged, he answered, with much sangfroid, 'The Invincible or the like.' The only exploit, Dr. H. observed in continuance, of which Ewart appears to be proud, is the summary revenge which he had an opportunity of taking for the death of Mr. Kinchant, who was the cornet of his own troop.... On the morning of the 18th, a little before 12 o'clock, the Scots Greys were ordered to charge a body of French infantry at some distance, which order they instantly proceeded to execute in a column of two deep, Sergeant Ewart in this charge being the front man of Cornet Kinchant. Ewart, on reaching the enemy, immediately singled out a French officer, whom, from being a very expert swordsman, he soon disarmed and was on the point of cutting him down, when Mr. Kinchant, on hearing the officer crying out, 'Ah, mercy, mercy, Angleterre,' said, 'Sergeant, Sergeant, spare his life, and let us take him prisoner.' Ewart considering that moment as a period for slaughter and destruction, and not the proper time for taking prisoners, replied, 'As it is your wish, sir, it shall be done.' (I ought to have said that the French officer, prior to Mr. K.'s address to the Sergeant, had cried that he had surrendered and was their prisoner and had dropped his sabre.) Mr. K. to whom the French officer had delivered up his sword, addressed him in French and ordered him to move to the rear. Ewart was preparing to proceed in the charge when he heard the report of a pistol behind him, and turning round, from a suspicion of some treachery, the first object which met his eye was Mr. K. falling backwards over his horse, apparently in a lifeless state, and the French officer attempting to hide his pistol under his coat. Indignant at such a dastardly act, Ewart instantly wheeled round, and was again entreated by this villain for mercy in the same supplicating terms as before. The only answer which he returned was, 'Ask mercy of God, for the deil a bit will ye get at my hands,' and with one stroke of his sabre, severed his head from his body, leaving it a lifeless trunk on the field of battle."
Charles Ewart, Serjeant in the SCOTS GREYS.
CARRYING OFF THE EAGLE BELONGING TO
ONE OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED DIVISIONS
of the
FRENCH INFANTRY.
at the
BATTLE OF WATERLOO:
Which he captured in a CHARGE made by his REGIMENT about the middle of the Action.
From a Contemporary Print.
The Grave of Ewart, who captured the Eagle at Waterloo.
From a small volume lettered outside:—
"Extracts from a journal kept during the Waterloo campaign, by Lieutenant Archibald James Hamilton, of the 2nd or Royal North British Dragoons, presented to the Officers of the Royal Scots Greys by Major John G. C. Hamilton, M.P., of Dalzell, Lanarkshire, on the anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, 1881."
"This is a portion of the Journal of my father, Archibald James Hamilton, who was a Lieutenant in the Scots Greys during the Waterloo campaign."
"We were quartered in small villages between Brussels and Ghent, and chiefly in farm houses.
"I went to bed in my farm house about twelve o'clock on the night of the 15th of June 1815, and was scarcely asleep when the trumpets sounded the turn out: in an instant we were out of bed, the clothes out of the washtub, and in a short time we were ready to march: long indeed before orders came to tell us to what point our march was to be directed. At length an order came which directed us to proceed to Ninove, where we should receive further orders. We were soon there: but the day was gone, and it was dark, and the firing had entirely ceased before we reached the army, having been repeatedly halted on the road during the day, from an apparent want of knowing where to go, and at a time too when the French Cavalry were charging our Infantry with considerable and unusual success.
"We encamped in a clover field for the night. A few of us went to a village not far off, which had been completely plundered: we there met with some soldiers of the Highland Brigade, who gave us a most dismal account of the manner in which the French Cavalry had attacked them on the previous day. Never having before seen our army other than victorious, we felt rather dispirited at these accounts, and had not Buonaparte, with his characteristic selfishness, sent for the division which ought to have supported Ney, and which division never fired a shot during the day, there can be little doubt that the battle, instead of being a drawn one, must have turned out positive, and with the aid of his cavalry, of which we had none, Napoleon would have completely defeated the allied troops.
"On this day Buonaparte kept his own opposed to our army, notwithstanding he neutralized one of his whole divisions, and he totally defeated the Russian army with a loss, according to their own accounts, of twenty-five thousand men, as their total loss as returned by themselves was upwards of thirty-three thousand: and they could not at Wavre and Waterloo have lost five thousand men.
[Pg 62]"The next morning we received orders to retire, and to cover the retreat of the army into the lines at Mont St. Jean. The infantry retired by the high road: the cavalry were formed in line: and the different brigades fronted alternately to prevent the advance of the enemy's cavalry and cannon.
"Notwithstanding the torrents of rain which fell, the French continued to press us closely: their light cavalry charged ours on the road and drove them back: when Lord Uxbridge, seeing them do so, charged at the head of a regiment of the Life Guards and completely upset them, they being unable to stand against the superior weight of the men and horse of the household troops. At this moment it rained in such a way as I never saw either before or since: it rained as if the water were tumbled out of tubs: there was also a good deal of thunder with it. Some of the hussars that were driven in upon us were so covered with mud that it was impossible to distinguish their features. The ground was so soft that at every step our horses sank half way to the knees: and in several places, in our passing over fallow land, it had the appearance of a lake, the rain falling upon it faster than it could either be absorbed or run off. It continued to rain and we to retire till we halted for the night in the position of Mont St. Jean: we were placed in bivouac at the distance of three hundred yards from the front of a farm house which lay between us and the village of Waterloo. The firing of cannon continued till it was dark: but as it was on the other side of the hill we saw nothing of what passed, hearing merely the cannonade. It continued to rain and thunder during the whole of the night: being hungry and cold, and wet through to the skin, we passed a most wretched night: the ground upon which we lay was a fallow upon which it was impossible to lie: we therefore obtained some straw at the farm house: we found there also some wood with which we made a fire, although from the rain it was difficult to keep it burning....
"In spite of the rain we slept pretty soundly, lying at our horses' heads, they being formed in line, and linked together, but we were repeatedly awoke during the night, by their taking fright at the lightning and thunder, at the same time advancing over us! but no one was hurt! and as the nights in the middle of summer are short, we arose with the day break: a miserable looking set of creatures we all were—covered with mud from head to foot—our white belts dyed with the red from our jackets, as if we had already completed the sanguinary work, which we were soon about to begin.
"(Sir W. Ponsonby) the General who commanded the brigade, had also commanded our brigade in the Peninsula, and as I was the only subaltern in it whom he knew, he asked me to be with him on the 17th and on this day also. This was just what I wished, for a man sees more, and suffers less in action when on the Staff, than with a regiment, being obliged in the latter case to[Pg 63] stand still and be shot at, while in the former he is constantly on the alert carrying orders, and seeing and hearing everything that is going on.
"When the General appeared on the ground I joined him, his Aide-de-Camp being at Brussels, whither the General had sent him, not expecting the action to begin so early if at all that day: his major of brigade and an officer who acted as extra Aide-de-Camp, were however with him.
"We proceeded, after we had looked at the brigade, to the top of the hill, leaving the brigade drawn up close at the bottom of it. When we reached the summit we found the Duke of Richmond and one of his sons, as amateurs in plain clothes, with a number of officers, having their glasses on the look out for the Prussians: but we could see nothing of them, although we were on the extreme left of our army. Someone thought he saw a Prussian picquet at the foot of some trees near a wood, and for a time we were all of the same opinion—so fondly do people's hopes make things appear in the desired light: but there was no Prussian picquet, and the whole party seemed much dispirited. At this moment occurred a circumstance not mentioned by any writer whose account of the battle of Waterloo I have read: Buonaparte appeared in the front of his troops, and the loudest cheering began on the left of the French, and ran along their whole line. I confess that I never before felt so disheartened: it had evidently a powerful effect upon all present, but not one of our party said a word about it: nor was any attempt at a reply to it made on our side, by the troops near us: they were however chiefly Belgians, with the Highland Brigade, and some of the other regiments, which had suffered severely on the 16th.
"At this time we did not know whether we were to fight that day or not: for having retired the whole of the day before, we thought as the Prussians were not to be seen, that we should again retreat, and seeing, or rather hearing by their shouts, that the French were in such spirits, ours were not enlivened by the circumstance, but the very reverse.
"However, immediately afterwards the cannonade began on the right and increased every minute, till it was opposite to us, a gentle breeze wafting the smoke of the French guns towards us, which wholly prevented our seeing anything in front of us. Our brigade continued drawn up at the bottom of the hill, and I was sent to desire the commanding officers of the different regiments to draw them up as close to the hill as possible, as they began to suffer both from shells and shot, the effects of the cannonade....
"The cannonade now greatly increased, and under cover of the smoke from both their cannon and our own, the French advanced the division the Count D'Erbon,[2] who had by this time got close to our infantry, who opened their fire upon them: but the enemy much more powerful in numbers continued [Pg 64]to push on. Our general observing what was about to take place, immediately sent me down to bring up the brigade with all speed. I did so: the general met us just before we reached the summit of the hill: had we been five minutes later, it would have been too late to have effected what we did, as the French had charged our infantry with the bayonet, who fled through the intervals of our squadrons, but immediately rallying, advanced again with us to the hedge, a little way down the hill, where they fired a volley at the French, when they were close to each other. Our three regiments of dragoons were not quite in line: the —— Dragoons were on the right, and some yards in advance, so that the general placing himself in front of them, they charged a little before the other regiments did: the French gave us only a partial volley, being in some disorder in consequence of their previous exertions against our infantry, and from having no idea of our brigade being so near at hand. We accordingly went right through them: not a horse, as is usually the case, went round from the fire, and the enemy threw down their arms.
[2] I make no attempt to alter the wording.—E. A.
"The other two regiments came up in succession, but were a little delayed by the hedge: we again charged—the general riding along the whole line to the left of the brigade—so that we saw the whole three regiments charge: the result in each instance the same—namely—the enemy throwing down their arms, and begging their lives.
"In this conflict two eagles were taken, one by the —— Dragoons, and the other by —— Dragoons.
"After passing through and killing, wounding, and making prisoners the whole of the advanced column of the French, we ought to have stopped and re-formed the brigade: but our men were not contented with what they had done: they still went on. The General, his aide-de-camp and I, got however about thirty of them collected together, in the hope of reassembling all who remained of those who had come on: for a great many, particularly of the officers, had remained with the prisoners: when Colonel of the —— Dragoons came past us at full gallop, with about twenty men of his regiment following him: in a second all the men which we had collected set off in the same direction. In the hopes of stopping them we followed and passed between the columns of the French infantry, when their red lances closed behind us. One of the red lancers put his lance to my horse's head, I made a cut at his arm as I passed him; and as I did not look behind me to see whether I had struck him or his lance, I should not have known that I had cut his arm, had I not in recovering my sword thrown the blood on my white pouch belt.
"On inspecting the sword, I saw that I had succeeded in wounding the lancer and possibly thus saved my own life. My fears were, when I saw him thrust at my horse's reins that he would shoot me with his pistol, having heard of the red lancers sometimes doing so.
"Muster Role of the Waterloo Men 2nd (or R.N.B.) Regiment of Dragoons."
"Rouen 11th Sepr 1815."
"Muster Role of the Waterloo Men 2nd (or R.N.B.) Regiment of Dragoons."
"Rouen 11th Sepr 1815."
[Pg 65]"Upon getting quite clear of the French, the first person I saw was Captain —— our General's extra aide-de-camp, who had lost sight of the General some minutes before I had, and a little way before us was Captain ---- of my regiment who had been with me in the —— Dragoons in Spain. He returned to his regiment to collect his troops: and the aide-de-camp and I sought for assistance with the view of recovering the General, and such other of our officers and men who were in the hands of the French. I went to Lord E. R. S. who commanded the Life Guard Brigade, and found him alone with the exception of Lieutenant M. and Colonel Harvey of the 14th.
"Lord E. R. S. said to me, 'You see Mr. —— I can do nothing for you.' Upon this I went to a regiment that afterward ran off the field altogether, and asked the Colonel in French, to advance, and that I would show him where our General was prisoner; but he declined moving, saying he had no orders; and he was right, as it would have been in vain to make the attempt.
"A little further to the left, I found Sir J. Vandeleur's brigade in column of divisions and an old brother officer of mine in the —— Dragoons, was riding in front of the General giving him advice. 'No orders' was again the reply to my request. I then joined my regiment.
"After being once more in the form of a regiment, we retired to a situation behind a wood where the enemy's shot and shells passed over us: here the regiment, about three hundred strong, was re-formed under the command of Colonel ——; we were then marched up to the slaughter afresh, and placed nearly in the centre of the enemy. On our right was the first brigade of cavalry, about the same in number as ourselves. On each side of us were some regiments of infantry formed in squares—some Hanoverian, some British.
"Repeatedly during the evening we retired, either by orders given, or voluntarily after the charges were made. But whenever we were out of the fire of the enemy we faced about and resumed our former position.
"The infantry squares did the same, but were also brought back to their positions; and I observed the officers in some of the Hanoverian regiments exerting themselves to the utmost to keep their men in order. We were twice led on by the Earl of Uxbridge, and charged the squares of the French infantry opposed to us, but were as often repulsed, losing about half our number every time.
"The first time we charged, the first brigade of cavalry on our right charged at the same moment, and having received the fire of their square of infantry before we did ours, they wheeled about and charged as we advanced: so great was the confusion that the General commanding them rode up against me, I being on the left of our brigade, and he in the centre of his.
"I said 'Bad work this.' He shook his head, which I construed into 'It's all over with us.' Just as this occurred, the French square opposite to us[Pg 66] fired, and a great many of both brigades fell. This reminded me of an old Scotch poacher who always waited till two partridges 'clipt' before he fired, by clipt he meant, came so near that their wings touched each other.
"At the conclusion of the last of these charges the Earl of Uxbridge was shot in the leg; we saw him lifted off his horse and carried off the field by six men, Captain H. Seymour walking at their head. At this time the action was evidently all against us, the enemy's infantry were steady in their squares; but their heavy cavalry was as much reduced in number as our own: they however sent out their skirmishers, who rode close up to us and fired their pistols in our men's faces, who at last got in some degree unmanageable, and fired their carbines in return over their horses' heads at the French, and it was with some difficulty that we prevailed upon them to put up their carbines. At this moment one of our men was shot dead. We retired about twenty yards, the dead man at the same time being left sitting on his tired horse, quite upright, yet completely dead. Fearing that such a spectacle might have a bad effect upon the men, he was taken off his horse and carried to the rear; but I shall never forget his singular and horrible appearance while he remained in the position in which he was killed.
"During the evening we repeatedly retired to the bottom of the hill, and as we supposed out of the reach of the fire of the enemy: but even here, towards the close of the battle, we had men killed and wounded: a pretty strong proof that the enemy had gained the summit of the hill, and therefore crowned our position! Why they did not advance further I cannot say; but it may be presumed that they were without any further order, and that probably their superior officers were killed or wounded, and the other officers that they had fulfilled their orders having gained the top of our position.
"As it got dusk we could plainly perceive the flashes of the Prussian guns in the rear of the French army as we looked over it towards the left. This may give a tolerably good idea of the time at which the French retired: it was eight o'clock, and the victory to all appearance was then quite undecided.
"During nine hours we had been exposed to a fire, which had, by this time, reduced our brigade from about fifteen hundred strong in the morning to a mere skeleton of thirty-three officers and men, the number we mustered when we encamped for the night!
"It was after nine o'clock at night when the French gave way, and our whole line advanced: we, as well as the first brigade of cavalry, were now such mere handfuls, that, of course, we could do nothing, but followed slowly in the rear of others. We heard firing, but it was too dark to see anything clearly: we heard also huzzas as the different charges were made by our light cavalry upon the retreating enemy. We continued to advance along the right of the road by which the French retired, and passed by many cannon and waggons[Pg 67] which they had abandoned, when I heard some English voices calling out 'Are these the Dragoons?' Upon which I answered 'Yes.' 'Then' continued the voice 'here is Captain —— of the Dragoons badly wounded,' upon which I immediately sent one of the men of his regiment, and one of the men of my own, with him to Brussels. I heard nothing more of him for four years, further than that he had got quite well, till going to visit some of my relations at * * * in the east of Scotland, I found him quietly settled there, and in the belief that his life had been saved by a French officer.
"When we halted for the night I was sent with a Cornet of the regiment to the village of Waterloo to collect the stragglers, and bring them up the next day. On my way to Brussels I overtook on the road Captain P—— of the horse artillery, and rode with him into the town. He was so kind as to inform a cousin of mine in the same corps that I was safe; and thus my friends heard through him, that I was neither killed nor wounded.
"Upon entering into a large house at Waterloo we found every room in it filled with either the dead or the dying. I was glad to get a chair, and sat down at a table in a large room, in every corner of which were poor creatures groaning. The master of the house having brought us a piece of bread and a bottle of wine, we began to talk over the events of the day: and as he had been for years a soldier of Buonaparte's himself, we found no lack of subjects for conversation. After we had finished our bread and wine, which we enjoyed very much notwithstanding the room was full of poor wounded human beings, we retired to a hay loft for the night, which we passed in profound repose. In the morning we saw the Belgians completing the plunder of a number of baggage waggons, which stood in the yard of the house. Here some of our men joined us, and my private servant came up from the rear to look for my body, he having been informed by two different officers of the brigade whom he met on their way to Brussels the evening before, that I was killed, assuring him that they had seen me lying on the field of battle before they left it.
"I saw on my left, during one of the many times that we were in some confusion, a soldier of the —— Dragoons whose cheek, just as I looked at it, opened, while I felt a ball pass close to my lips,—the man immediately fell off his horse and I saw no more of him.
"Several years afterwards I inquired of the Surgeon of his regiment, and found that he had recovered with the loss of his teeth on both sides, but that no injury was done either to the upper or lower jaw, the ball having passed between them. The man's name was Pye, the son of an English clergyman, who had left his home and enlisted as a dragoon—he was probably a relation of Southey's predecessor, the poet laureate of that name. After I had got as many of our men ready to march as were in the village of Waterloo, we were just setting off when we were joined by a party from Brussels under the command[Pg 68] of a senior officer to me, who had gone there to dinner the day before we proceeded to join the regiment, taking the field of battle on our way, where we found the dead officers of the regiment and buried them, and then proceeded on. But we did not come up with the regiment till the day after when we found it encamped for the night, and my troop without an officer."
Copy of a letter from A. J. Hamilton, Esq., of Dalziell House, Lanarkshire, N.B., a Subaltern in the Scots Greys at the Battle of Waterloo, giving an account of the battle. John W. Hozier, Major, Royal Scots Greys, has recorded:—N.B.—The above has been copied from a letter in the possession of John Hamilton, Esq. of Dalziell House, Lanarkshire, N.B., whose Father was the writer of the original letter.
"Camp, near Mons,
"June 24th, 1815.
"Dear Captain,
"Till this day, I have had no time to write to you. You must have received e'er this the accounts of what happened on the 18th, the slaughter of both armies has been terrible; we have lost three-fourths of our officers in killed and wounded, 200 men, and nearly 800 horses, which was a pretty day's work. The Grays took an Eagle, and the Royals another. I was Orderly Officer to General Ponsonby, and was with him till he fell, the aide-de-camp and I then cut our way through the enemy who had got into our rear.
"The first thing we did in the morning was to charge a column of French infantry who had forced the left centre of our position, supported by the Cuirassiers and some of the Imperial Guard; they had just driven the Belgians from the heights and got possession of six guns, when Ponsonby led on the Brigade in line; they immediately halted, fired a volley which dropped a few of us, not a man or horse went about, and in a minute we were in the middle of them; those to the rear of the column still continued to fire at us. After killing I can't tell what number, we made all the rest prisoners, about 3,000, which were immediately sent to the rear. Nothing could stop the men; they went on, took a great many of the enemy's guns, and then, instead of halting, charged the Lancers and Cuirassiers. At this moment I lost sight of the General, who was killed, and cut my way to the rear, we being completely overpowered by a fresh column of Infantry firing upon us and by the Cuirassiers and Lancers having by this time rallied. We then retired and three squadrons were formed, nine in the Brigade. We were then led to the centre of the Army, where the battle became dreadful. We then charged a square of Infantry on our left, and the Life Guards on our right; between the two were formed the French Cuirassiers, and each flank of our two Brigades rested on a square of Hanoverian Infantry. At this moment everyone thought the battle lost, when we charged and the Life Guards and one half of our men were destroyed. We threw the French into some confusion. The two Brigades, the Life Guards and ourselves, were then formed into one squadron of about 50 file, and we again charged the Cuirassiers in front of us; after which we stood, and the French did the same, and fired at each other with our carbines, not being more than forty yards from each other, both afraid to advance for fear of the Infantry giving way. The French then brought up their guns close to us, and our guns came up also and fired grape shot, the French throwing something like broken glass amongst us, at least it seemed so, which made some dreadful wounds. The Prussians fired the right of the French and they gave way; all our light cavalry then charged, and we pursued them as long as we could see them.
"Signatures of Officers Present of the 2nd (or R.N.B.) Regiment of Dragoons entitled to share of Prize Money granted for the Waterloo Campaign."
"Canterbury 29 May 1817."
"At the end of the night I was sent to collect what men I could that had gone off with the wounded, and all that were left with the regiment was 16 officers and men.
"I buried 8 officers the next day. Trotter was the first, he was shot through the heart; I have written to his brother-in-law, and said I would pay his bills and remit home the money that arose from his things being sold. I have bought Colonel Hamilton's horse, which is a very fine one, 5 years old and fit to carry 15 stone, for £55; he refused £100 for him often. When the bills for Trotter's things are given, I shall send them either to you or the agent. I lost some of my things, many officers their whole baggage. The Belgian cavalry ran off to Brussels, saying the Army was defeated, and took our baggage from the men by force; such a scene never was witnessed; the road at last got blocked with waggons, and the Brunswick Hussars and the Belgians seized upon everything. Let me hear from you as soon as possible. Write to my father when you get this and say I am well. I shall write you next from Paris, which is only 100 miles off, and with love to the children,
"Believe me,
"Yours truly,
"A. J. Hamilton.
"To Captain Lawson."
Letter from Cornet Clape (age 16), Scots Greys, to his Mother a week after the Battle of Waterloo.
"My dear Mother,
"I am afraid my long silence may have occasioned you some uneasiness, particularly as the list of killed and wounded was so long making its appearance. I would have written the day after the battle, but where could I[Pg 70] find pen and ink, in the middle of a cornfield that was occupied the night before by the enemy.
"I have certainly delayed writing to you this week, as I wanted to date my letter from Paris, which we have been expecting to enter every day. As you must now be certain that I have escaped without a broken head, and, as to my health, I could not enjoy better, you may perhaps wish for the history of our proceedings since we left Dunderhauten.
"On the morning of the 15th we were roused from a most comfortable sleep by the sound of Bugles, and noise of Sergeants crying 'Turn out,' 'Turn out!' We understood that the enemy had in some fear of our pickets, and that we were to march about 15 miles, which we did, when we were ordered to move on with all possible speed to the field of action. We could hear the firing distinctly. We got to Ne——lles about nine at night. The firing had almost ceased, they were bringing in the wounded by hundreds. We arrived on the field of Battle at 12 o'clock, where we bivouacked, after having marched upwards of 50 miles. I rolled my cloak round me, and laid down in some rye, where I slept as sound as ever I did in my life. On the morning of the 17th the firing commenced early, chiefly skirmishing. We could not see much of it, as we were covered by some rising ground. About 12 the Cavalry and Artillery took up positions upon the heights, to cover the retreat of the Infantry. We commenced our march in their rear about 4 o'clock, going through Jenappes: the rain fell in torrents. We soon after moved into the cornfields, where we what they called shewed a front, retiring, then fronting again. It was here that I first heard the whizzing of a Ball (there is really something very grand about it). They were coming pretty fast and very near us: however we had not a man killed, or wounded. At 7 we halted. The firing had ceased. We had touched nothing since we left Dunderhau—but a little bread and some . Luckily we were near a very large farm house, that supplied us with wood and straw. Such a scene of destruction I never before witnessed. Ploughs, Harrows, Chairs, Tables, everything that would burn was brought out to make fires. The straw was unthrashed. Old sows, little pigs, calves and cows, all shared the same fate. I got a calves kidney, and although it was not dressed in style (for one half of it was raw) I made a very dainty meal of it.
"Oh: the night: what could be more uncomfortable. It began raining again at 10, and we had nothing but our cloaks to cover us, which were soaked in half an hour. On the morning of the 18th, the clouds began to break, the sun made his appearance, and with good fires we soon got dry. At 10 the firing commenced, we then moved to the bottom of the Hill, where Colonel Hankins (?) Horse came down with him crossing a ditch: he was severely hurt: we were just in the range of the 12 Pounders. We were ordered up the[Pg 71] Hill, and after 3 hours, charged the enemy in the finest style possible. The men were only too impetuous, nothing could stop them, they all separated, each man fought by himself. I received a bullet from a Frenchman not 20 yards from me: it went through my cloak, and lodged in my saddle, which it has completely spoiled. I was the last person with Colonel Hamilton, who was just like a madman. He was crying 'Halt, Halt, the Greys,' when there was none to be seen. He then galloped completely into the French Lines, where I thought it time to leave him; and make the best of my way back, which by the greatest good fortune I effected. If we had been supported by the Light Dragoons, we should have lost very few, and done three times the execution. After we had collected all we could of the two Brigades, we retired behind a wood, where we remained till 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when we were ordered to the right. Talk of the charge, I say it was a farce to this; this tried a soldier: we were formed upon a hill facing the enemy, receiving his whole force of Artillery and Musketry, without being able to return a shot. Really the Bullets came as thick as Hail, the men were dropping on all sides, here we were until half-past seven, diminishing every moment. We seemed to be placed there only to be shot at, and the enemy threatening to charge us every instant with 6 times our number. We thought all was lost, yet all resolved to stand to the last. How can I express, my dear Mother, what we felt at seeing the Light Dragoons and Artillery come up, and in an instant saw the whole French Army in a rout. I must leave it to your own imagination. Our Regiment was only 36 strong when we marched to this Mount, when we left it we could only muster 14. Colonel Clarke had two horses shot under him, and was wounded himself. Major Vernon was wounded. Major Cheney had five horses shot under him, and kept mounting the fresh ones with the same coolness that he would had they been at his own stable door. My old mare received three slight wounds. One was a bullet through her ear. Poor Whindham was shot through the foot in the charge, he is doing well. What a scene did the field of action present to our view. The wounded groaning, the dead cut up in a most hideous manner. Horses standing upon three legs, you could not go a step without stumbling over something. We that night occupied the very ground that the enemy had bivouacked upon the previous night, and much obliged to them we were for the huts they had left us. Since that time we have been taking forced marches, and are now quartered at N——, six miles from Paris. Sergeant Ewart of the Greys took the Eagle."
Letter from the Adjutant of the Scots Greys at the Battle of Waterloo, Lieutenant Macmillan, to Major-General Balfour of Ballurnie, Fife, late Colonel of the Scots Greys, and giving an account of the part the Regiment took in the battle. Copied by Major[Pg 72] Donnithorne from the original in the possession of Mr. Balfour of Ballurnie, son of General Balfour.
"Nantevin. July 13th, 1815.
"5 miles west of Paris.
"Dear General,
"After a long silence on my part I shall attempt to give you a short extract of our late movements. No doubt ere this time you will have seen the Gazette containing a list of the killed and wounded of the Greys on the 18th ultimo. I fancy it's much greater than has ever occurred since it was a regiment. We took into the field that day three squadrons above sixty files each. Now we muster one of little more than that number. I fear many of the men and horses wounded, will never be again fit for service. Poor Colonel Hamilton led the regiment in grand stile into action. You know him, more than courage is required on such occasions.
"Major-General Ponsonby who commanded the Brigade fell early in the action, as did Colonel H.; but which of them fell first, the former being in the centre of the Brigade, and we being on the left, I do not know which of them was first killed.
"No regiment could behave better than the Greys, Sergeant Ewart took an Eagle, and the Royals another, which I believe were all that were taken, but not one word in the Despatch by whom taken, indeed the Despatch is extremely cold, and which is observed as such by everyone here, that has seen it. The Heavy Brigade are mentioned as having done their duty—the first consists of 2 Regiments, Life Guards, Blues, and first Dragoon Guards. The 2nd, second and sixth Dragoons: the Hussars and Light Dragoons had little or anything (sic) to do except look on. Sergeant Ewart cut down the officer and two soldiers before he could get possession of the Eagle.
"Hankin's horse fell with him at the commencement of the charge, we saw nothing more of him for that day, had he remained a short time in the field he must have been killed from his been (sic) so very inactive that the French Lancers immediately got into our regt. after each charge, he having no reserve he would certainly have been destroyed, the Light Dragoons this time might have been made extremely useful.
"Colonel Hankin's horse also fell with him twice on the 17th, when we in our turn covered the retreat of the British Army, which was done under a most tremendous fire of cannon from the enemy, the First Dragoons only lost one man, that was all, Lord Uxbridge's Hussars[3] (the 7th) were to have been the last and were so placed, but from some cause or other, behaved not very well, indeed his Lordship said in front of the first Life Guards, that he must call [Pg 73]upon them to advance for that his own regiment had deserted him. The Life Guards charged a mass of Lancers on the chasee (sic), and which they tumbled over like rats and the road covered with them and their horses.
[3] This Regiment no longer exists.—E. A.
"It is quite impossible to describe in a letter the battle of the 18th. The carnage is far beyond belief.
"The enemy fought most fureyously, indeed they fought with halters round their necks as well as their Master. The heavy Cavalry was the admiration of the whole army, they bore down everything that came in their way.
"I am pretty certain that had it not been for their exertions on that day, we should not now have had possession of the French Capital, with the aid of part of the Prussians at the close of the day, and which came very seasonably, not only to complete a hard day's work, but to follow a routed enemy which they did to perfection. I went over a part of the field of Battle next morning where we had principly been engaged, with the view of getting removed such of the wounded of the Greys as remained, and also to bury the officers, the former had all been removed, and the latter I saw put under ground as well as we could. Poor Carruthers died next day of his wounds. The men wounded say that they received their wounds after they were taken prisoners, this from their horses being killed, from which it would appear that the French expected no quarter was to be given on either side: the field is far beyond my power to describe, it was literally covered with men and horses, &c., &c.
"I beg you will excuse this horrid scrawl as I find that I am not competent to give even a faint description of this bloody battle.
"Clark had a horse killed under him and himself wounded. Poole had a horse killed and himself for some time a prisoner. Verner a horse shot through the head and himself through the shoulder and apparently by the same ball. Wemyss a horse shot. Cheney had five horses (only one his own, and the rest troopers), his own died next day. My horse shot through the shoulder and my cloak like a ridle from musket balls. Indeed only two officers escaped without being touched either themselves or horse.
"As Colonel Clark is now likely to succeed to the command of the Regiment."
"Interesting Anecdote.
"Sergeant Weir, of the Scots Greys, was pay-sergeant of his troop, and as such might have been excused serving in action, and perhaps he should not have been forward, but on such a day as Waterloo he requested to be allowed to charge with the Regiment. In one of the charges he fell mortally wounded, and was left on the field. Corporal Scot, of the same regiment (who lost a leg) asserts that when the field was searched for the wounded and slain, the body of Sergeant Weir was found with his name written on his forehead by his own hand dipped in his own blood. This his comrade said he was supposed to have done that his body might be found and known, and that it might not be imagined he had disappeared with the money of the Troop."
The Greys landed in England on January 12th, 1816, and on the 14th joined the depot at Canterbury.
The establishment was soon ordered to be reduced to 544 all told.
In June, 1817, they marched from Canterbury to Scotland.
In July, 1818, they went to Ireland.
Returning to England, the Regiment landed at Bristol in May, 1821, and marched to Birmingham and Coventry. In July, it went to London to attend the coronation of King George IV. In August, the establishment was further reduced to 6 troops.
In the summer of 1822 the Regiment marched to Scotland.
On August 15th, George IV. landed at Leith, where he was received by the Regiment, and the Regiment had the honour of attending upon him during his stay in Scotland. In July, 1823, the Regiment left Scotland, and was at first stationed at Newcastle-on-Tyne and Carlisle. In the summer of 1824, it was at Manchester and Nottingham; in May, 1825, at Coventry, Birmingham, and Northampton. In June, it was quartered near London—at Hammersmith and Turnham Green. On June 28th, the Greys, together with other cavalry and a brigade of Horse Artillery, were reviewed on Hounslow Heath by the Duke of York. The Greys now marched to Norwich and Ipswich. Early in 1826 they went to Ireland. In May, 1830, they embarked at Cork for Bristol, and marched into quarters at Dorchester, Weymouth, and Trowbridge; from whence they proceeded, in November, to Windsor.
On November 9th, Queen Adelaide inspected two squadrons in the riding-house at Pimlico. Before the end of November, the Regiment marched to Maidstone.
In 1831, they were at Brighton, Chichester, and Warley. In 1832, in Birmingham. In 1833, in York. In 1834, they marched to Edinburgh. In 1835, they were quartered at Leeds. In May,[Pg 76] 1836, they embarked at Liverpool for Ireland. The rest of the movements of the Regiment are, roughly: Brighton, 1841, Exeter, 1842 and 1843; Ipswich, 1844; Edinburgh, 1845; Dundalk, 1846; Clonmel, 1847; Athlone, 1848 and 1849; Longford, 1850; Canterbury, 1851; Dorchester, 1852; Birmingham, 1853; Nottingham, 1854.
Now next, in regard to the Crimea, it would be absurd to try to adjust or supplement the following records. They are of unique interest. The Greys reached the Crimea on September 24th, 1854.
A folio volume, the property of the Regiment, lettered—
"Historic Register, 2nd Dragoons," and inside, "from August 10th, 1854":—
"The average strength of the regiment during the period they have been in Turkey and the Crimea has been 223. They arrived in Turkey on August 10th, 1855, disembarking at Kulalie on the Adriatic side of the Bosphorus. Kulalie is about seven miles north of Scutari. There I joined the regiment from Varna on August 31st, having been transferred from the medical charge of the 93rd Highlanders to that of the Scots Greys on September 22nd.
"The corps embarked on board the Himalaya for the Crimea, and disembarked at the Katchu on September 24th, joining the allied army at the time it was executing its flank march on Balaclava. That night they bivouacked on the Belbee, and the following day came into collision with the enemy at the affair of Mackenzie's Farm, when they succeeded in capturing a quantity of baggage, ammunition, stores, &c.; also in capturing and destroying a portion of the rear guard of Prince Menchikoff's army, and without suffering the loss of a man on their part. The following day they were present at the capture of Balaclava, and bivouacked on the plains in front of that village. On October 25th they took a prominent part in the action in front of Balaclava, when the Russian army attempted to force that position, and they defeated and utterly routed a large body of the enemy's cavalry which had attacked and surrounded them in the proportion of three to one. After this 'feat of arms' they were led into the cross fires of the enemy's batteries, being ordered up to the support of the Light Cavalry Brigade their memorable but disastrous charge. On this occasion they sustained some severe injury, the wounds inflicted being nearly all of a serious nature caused by round shot, shell, grape and rifle balls.
"The loss of the regiment in this action amounted to 2 men killed and 54 wounded, several of whom subsequently died of their wounds, and 4 officers wounded. The three first men who fell were mortally wounded by rifle balls in covering the retreat of the Turks from the redoubts....
Hoof of a Charger of the Greys at Balaklava. (Reduced)
"Nothing of importance occurred from this period up to November 5th, when the sanguinary battle of Inkerman took place.
"The Greys were drawn up on the heights in reserve, and did not come into collision with the enemy.
"The regiment remained on the heights before Sebastopol till the beginning of December, when owing to the inclemency of the weather, having sustained considerable losses both in men and horses, they were ordered down to the sheltered valley close to the village of Kadekai, where they passed the winter.
"T. R. Brush, M.D."
I now put on record the following exceedingly pertinent passages from Kinglake's "Invasion of the Crimea," Vol. V., p. 98, &c., 6th edition, 1877:—
"All this while, the string of the 300 red coats were forming Scarlett's slender first line in the valley beneath, and they seemed to be playing parade. At the moment I speak of, the troop officers of the Greys were still facing their men; and their drill rules, it seems, had declared that they must continue to do so till the major of the regiment should at length bring them round by giving the order, Eyes right! Not yet would the Greys consent to be disturbed in their ceremonies by the descending column.
"A singular friendship had long subsisted between the Scots Greys and the Inniskilling Dragoons. It dated from the time of that famous brigade in which three cavalry regiments were so brought together as to express by their aggregate title the union of the three kingdoms, yet offer a sample of each (the 'Royals' represented England)....
"The friendship between the Scottish and the Irish regiment had the ardour of personal friendship, and a tenacity not liable to be relaxed by mere death; for a regiment great in history bears so far a resemblance to the immortal gods as to be old in power and glory, yet have always the freshness of youth. Long intervals of years often passed in which the Greys and the Inniskillings remained parted by distance, but whenever it became known that by some new change of quarters the two regiments would once more be brought together there used to be great joy and preparation.... When last the sworn friends were together in what they might deign to call fighting they were under the field glass of the great Napoleon.
"Then, as now, the Greys charged in the first line, and on the left of the Inniskillings.
"Of the two comrade regiments each had its distinguishing characteristics.[Pg 78] The Inniskillings, with still some remaining traces in their corps of the old warlike Orange enthusiasm, were eager, fiery, impetuous. The Scots Greys, with a great power of self-restraint, were yet liable to be wrought upon by their native inborn desire for a fight till it raged like a consuming passion.
"From the exceeding tenacity of their nature, it resulted that the combative impulses, when long baffled by circumstances, were cumulative in their effect; and the events of that day—the capture of British guns under the eyes of our horsemen—the marching, the counter-marching, the marching again, without ever striking a blow, and finally, the dainty dressing of ranks under the eyes of the enemy's host—all these antecedent trials of patience had been heating and still heating the furnace by the very barriers which kept down the flame....
"The Greys were led by Colonel Darby Griffith; and the two squadron leaders who followed him were Major Clarke on the right, and Captain Williams on the left. Handley, Hunter, Buchanan, and Sutherland were the four troop leaders of the regiment; the Adjutant was Lieutenant Miller; the serre-files were Boyd, Nugent, and Lenox Prendergast. And to these, though he did not then hold the Queen's Commission, I add the name of John Wilson, now a cornet, and the acting adjutant of the regiment, for he took a signal part in the fight."
The Illustrated London News of November 25th, 1854, has two large illustrations, one a full page, called "The Action at Balaclava: Charge of the Scots Greys, October 25th," and the other a double page illustration, "The Battle of Balaclava: Attack of the Scots Greys." The reference is to the following:—
"The Attack of the Scots Greys.
"A soldier who was in the midst of the terrible conflict at Balaclava, and who escaped unhurt, gives the following account of what he felt and saw in that deadly struggle:—
"'We charged. Oh, God! I cannot describe it; they were so superior in numbers; they "out-flanked" us, and we were in the middle of them. I never certainly felt less fear in my life than I did at that time; and I hope God will forgive me, for I felt more like a devil than a man. We fought our way out of them as only Englishmen can fight; and the 4th, 5th, and 6th were there up with us. I escaped without a scratch, thank God, though I was covered with blood; my horse was not even wounded. But oh! the work of slaughter that then began—'twas truly awful; but I suppose it was necessary. We cut them down like sheep, and they did not seem to have power to resist. The plain is covered and covered with dead Russians, and, of course, we left some of our poor comrades on the field. We only lost two and about seven wounded. Well, when we had finished this lot we thought of going home to breakfast; but no, they (the enemy) had some guns over the hills that Lord Raglan sent word were to be charged, and captured at any cost. So off we went again. They received us very quietly into their ground—Lord Lucan leading the Heavies, and Lord Cardigan the Light Brigade. The Light charged first this time, took the guns, cut down the gunners, and then, when they thought all was right, they were met by thousands of Cossacks, who had been in ambush. The Royals, the Greys, the 4th, 5th, and 6th, now charged again. The butchering was repeated; when suddenly a cross front and rear fire opened upon us from the hills—cannon, rifles, and file firing.
Portrait of Captain Toosey Williams,
Who died in the Crimea 1854, and was buried at Scutari.
"'I cannot attempt to describe to you the scene that ensued—balls, shells, and rockets whizzing about our ears. The men on the right and left of me were both killed on the spot. We hacked our way out of it as well as we could, but were obliged to leave the guns. Colonel Yorke had his leg broken, and all the officers in the front rank were wounded. The Heavy Brigade have not lost many men; but, sad to tell, out of about 600 of the Light Brigade that went into the field, only 400 came out; but this is nothing to what the enemy suffered.'"
The following is here set up in type direct from the handwriting of a retired officer of the Greys, giving his own Crimean recollections. He is modest of his name appearing; and at first intended that I should write my own account, after listening to his remarks; but I am glad to say that I induced him to make his own record, and I have even ignored his request that I would "edit" his writing.
"War in Europe had ceased for 40 years, when in the reign of Queen Victoria peace was broken, and troops from the United Kingdom were being sent out to concentrate eventually in Turkey at the call of that Power in its resistance to Russian aggression.
"The Greys were not included at first when the expedition started, though cavalry (Heavy and Light) supplied regiments for the force concentrated at Varna under Lord Raglan the commander-in-chief of the British Army allied to the French in the joint expedition.
"The Greys were naturally disappointed at receiving no order to embark at first, but when it was decided by the Government that an invasion of the Crimea was to be undertaken in July, 1854, they received orders to start at once for Constantinople, where they were quartered in the cavalry barracks at Kulalie on the Bosphorus for several weeks during the time the flotilla was in preparation for crossing the Black Sea.
"At last word came that it had embarked for the Crimea, and with it as far as cavalry was concerned only light cavalry regiments were included at that time.
"Very shortly, however, the transport Himalaya, which had originally brought out the regiment from England, appeared in the Bosphorus; and immediately embarked the Regt for service in the Crimea.
"It so happened that as the Himalaya was passing the Fortress of Sebastopol the Russians were engaged in sinking ships to block the harbour to our fleet; a momentous decision! as it proved.
"A remarkable scene then presented itself. First came the British Fleet, then the French Fleet, covering the flank of the allied army in full march towards the fortress—the French regiments being nearest to the sea were sighted first, then the British more inland, the whole army (though the fact was[Pg 81] yet unknown) flushed with victory of the Alma River which they left that morning behind.
"The Greys in fact joined the army at the Alma River where they were met by Lord Burghersh, Lord Raglan's Aide-de-Camp, who gave the first intimation of the Battle and suggested the steamer should drop down to the next river, the Katcha, and there disembark at any rate a squadron if possible before dark, so that it might watch for a force expected from Eupatoria to attack the rear of the army.
"This was done and the bulk of the Regt disembarked the following morning.
"At the next river, the Belbec, the Greys from being with the rearguard was moved right through the English and French armies, bivouacked near the great high road to Sebastopol so as to become the advanced guard of the whole army, for they were the freshest troops just arrived from England, and 'turned out' as if for a Horse Guards Parade!
"It was a strange scene; as soon as the French caught sight of the bearskin caps they began to cheer lustily, and as the Regt neared the Highlanders of the British army, hung on cheering and asking for news from home; the French meanwhile calling out 'Voila de la Cavalrie, voila des Grenadiers a cheval.'
"What followed is worth mentioning in some little detail, since the Greys was the only Heavy Cavalry Regt as yet landed in the Crimea, and a special job fell to their lot that day. The Regt being the advanced guard of the Allied Forces moving straight to the North side of the fortress a singular and most important change of direction had to be made quite suddenly when the Russian outposts had been reached.
"This movement is known as 'the flank march,' undertaken in consequence of the allied commanders' acceptance of a memorandum by Sir John Burgoyne, the distinguished officer of Engineers, pointing out that the South side of the fortress was practically undefended, and that if the Allied Forces could successfully move round, the North side might be left to itself.
"Sir John Burgoyne's memorandum, dated the day after the battle of the Alma, is given in full in an instructive volume by Sir John Adye, entitled 'A Review of the Crimean War, published by Hurst & Blackett, 1860.' On arrival at the Belbec river the allied commanders adopted the plan proposed in the able memorandum alluded to.
"In order to strike the main road which leads into the interior of the country down the Mackenzie heights towards Sebastopol and to the plains of Balaclava, the allies who, on the morning of the 25 September, were on the heights above the Belbec, had for some distance to march in a south-easterly direction through thick woods, in which there was only a slight track. On the same morning Prince Menschikoff, ignorant of the change, and doubtless[Pg 82] conceiving that the plans of the allied generals were fully decided upon the attack on the North side, was moving a force, a considerable force, by the same main road up the Mackenzie heights and into the country towards Bacskiverai, with the intention, probably, when his troops had somewhat regained their confidence, and when they had been joined by reinforcements, to return and attack the Anglo-French army in its rear.
"Thus, on the 25th September the two hostile forces were unconsciously moving in two lines which intersected each other at a point close to the crest of the heights. Consequently, to the surprise of both, the advanced guard of the one suddenly found itself in the presence of the rearguard of the other. The Russian rearguard after standing for a moment dispersed into the wood, taking pot-shots at the Greys, who were forming up on the first available open space; as this could not be submitted to it became necessary, as there were no infantry present, to dismount a portion of the Regt to skirmish in the wood against the irritating Russian Infantry, who, after firing at the horsemen, threw themselves down and pretended to be dead.
"Sir Edward B. Hamley, writing in 1855, in his book, 'The Campaign in the Crimea, London, Blackwood,' alludes to having been present at this incident, saying, 'Some of the Scots Greys dismounting went skirmishing through the wood, and about a dozen Russians throwing themselves down and pretending to be dead, rose after they were past and fired on them, for which discreditable ruse they were, as they deserved to be, all put to death.'
"This was too much for Jock and he proceeded to use his carbine, not however before consulting the Sergeant-Major, (so the regimental story goes,) in the words 'Sairgent-Major, shall I shoot 'em?' and the prompt reply came, 'Most unquestionably!'
"In the meantime an excited Staff Officer came to the Colonel of the Regt asking for 'six determined men' to gallop down the ravine road and upset the foremost Russian carriage so as to secure the convoy. Again the story goes that the Colonel promptly replied by ordering 'from the right number off six!' and away they went with the happiest result—amongst other loot there was Menschikoff's carriage in which was stored a lot of champagne which it is needless to say was broached without much delay.
"In the carriage was a Colonel of high rank who evidently had not forgotten to use the contents of the Prince's carriage.
"He was transferred as a prisoner to the Fleet later on—where he remained till at Petersburg the authorities consented to release Lord Dunkellin who had been taken prisoner and whose exchange was conditional on the return of this officer. There are stories extant about his subsequent fate.
"This casual encounter was so far useful for the moment, that it must have rather mystified the enemy as to the places of the allies, but Lord Raglan feeling[Pg 83] the importance of regaining the coast, his army being for the time scattered for miles along a thin line, at once retraced his steps and continued his march by the steep road down the Mackenzie heights: and towards sunset the light and first divisions streamed across the plain followed shortly after by the 2nd Division, and subsequently by the French Army bearing with them in a litter Marshall St. Arnaud in a dying condition. He died, a few days after the town of Balaclava was occupied, on board a French Ship of War.
"Sir John Adye who was present on the occasion describes 'the Flank march' as the one great strategic success of the whole War.
"'The fortunate result of the flank march, by giving the allied generals possession of the excellent, though diminutive, harbour of Balaclava, and thus affording them a safe communication with their fleets, relieved them of one of the anxieties hitherto attending their movements, and enabled them to devote all their attention to the one great object of the expedition—the capture of Sebastopol.'
"Considering the immense importance of this little harbour, the only depot of the English Army and considering its isolated position, it being several miles from the plateau on which the infantry of the army was encamped its defence was a cause of keen anxiety.
"It can scarcely be supposed that a few Turkish redoubts with the 93rd Highlanders under Sir Colin Campbell was a suitable defence for such a place—and yet what was there besides the Cavalry encamped in the plain?
"The Cavalry it is true had been reinforced by the arrival of the heavy Cavalry Regts (since the flank march described above) which had been left at Varna on the other side of the Black Sea: and their performance on the occasion of the coming battle is perhaps as well known as any incident during the Crimean War. But the battle was not merely a dash and a ride, and to understand what took place requires some sifting of the circumstances so as to arrive at a definite notion of the day's work.
"After the middle of October the first reinforcements for Prince Menschikoff's army having arrived the enemy had been observed for some days hovering in the neighbourhood of Balaclava and the troops there were constantly kept on the alert.
"At day break on the 25th October General Liprandi with 20,000 infantry, supported by a strong force of cavalry and about 40 guns made a determined attack and in the words of Sir E. Hamley the battle commenced by 'the Russian guns on the eminences and in the valley opened a cannonade on the outposts held by the Turks. A troop of Horse Artillery and a field battery supported by the Scots Greys were ordered up to Balaclava to the slopes between the outposts and found themselves opposed to the fire of several field batteries and service guns of position which covered an advance of infantry against the[Pg 84] hills on the right. As the troop was armed with only 6-pounders, it and the field battery were quite over-matched, both in metal and in numbers; nevertheless our artillery maintained the contest till its ammunition was exhausted, when it retired, having lost a good many horses and a few men besides Maude the Captain of the troop, who was severely wounded by a shell which burst in his horse.'
"Time had still to be given to the infantry to arrive from the plateau miles away, therefore the squadrons had to be withdrawn very gradually, all the time being under the fire of Liprandi's guns.
"Thus opened the Battle of Balaklava, the engagement continued through the day with separate incidents, with intervals between them, and marked by singular interest. Sir Edward Hamley, after speaking with measured words of one of these incidents which immediately preceded the well-known cavalry charge of the Heavy Brigade, says, 'There was something almost theatrical in the grandeur of this portion of the spectacle; the French stationed on the heights, and the English passing along them, looked down, as if from the benches of an amphitheatre, on the two bodies of cavalry meeting in mortal shock on the level grassy plain, which enclosed on every side by lofty mountains would have been a fit arena for a tournament of giants.'"
The next home movements of the Regiment were: 1857, Newbridge; 1858 and 1859, Dublin; 1860, Newbridge; 1861, Dublin; 1862 and 1863, Edinburgh; 1864, Birmingham; 1865, Aldershot; 1866, Newbridge; 1867, Dublin; 1868, Dundalk; 1869, Cahir; 1870, Dublin; 1871, Longford; 1872 and 1873, Edinburgh; 1874, Aldershot; 1875, Brighton; 1876 and 1877, Leeds; 1878, York; 1879 and 1880, Dundalk; 1881, Dublin; 1882 and 1883, Ballincollig; 1884 and 1885, Edinburgh; 1886 and 1887, Aldershot; 1888, Brighton; 1889 and 1890, Dundalk; 1891 and 1892, Newbridge; 1893, Dublin; 1895 and 1896, Aldershot; 1897, Hounslow; 1898 and 1899, Edinburgh; 1900, 1901, and 1902, South Africa; 1903 and 1904, Stellenbosch in Cape Colony; 1905, Norwich; 1906, Edinburgh; 1904, Middelburg.
Lord Rosebery, at the unveiling of the Memorial, spoke as follows:—
Colonel Coventry Williams, and Gentlemen of the Scots Greys,
You have done me a great honour in asking me to unveil this memorial, and, if I may say so, you have done a wise thing in erecting it. You have raised to the memory of your comrades a memorial in the Capital of Scotland, under the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, in the noblest street in the world. But, as things are, it must be a memorial not merely to the dead, to those who have fallen, but to that proud and illustrious regiment which you represent, and which, in the inscrutable dispensation of the higher powers, we are so soon to lose for ever from our midst. For the Scots Greys are bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. They were raised, indeed, in these Lowlands of ours under circumstances which do not so much elicit our sympathy as the events of their later history, though they were raised by a Lothian man, Colonel Dalziel of Binns; as they were raised for the purpose of harrying the Covenanters, who represented the backbone of the character and the history of Scotland in the reign of the last two Stuarts. However, they were soon to be called to higher duties than those of civil war. They served gloriously under Marlborough in the Low Countries; they fought all through the wars of the eighteenth century; they captured a standard at Dettingen; and yet the time of their full glory had not come. It was at Waterloo that their chance came; it was in that tremendous charge when, with the Inniskillings and the Royals, they rode down masses of French infantry—in that tremendous charge where Sergeant-Major Ewart, one of your non-commissioned officers, wrested an eagle from the French, and cut down successively three gallant Frenchmen who stood to defend it. Later on that day they came to the assistance of a small body of the 92nd Highlanders, and they together, to the cry of "Scotland for Ever," annihilated a greatly superior column of the enemy which was opposed to them. And, again, as the shades of evening drew on, they joined in the unrelenting pursuit of the broken enemy until darkness put an end to the engagement. Surely no regiment ever had a prouder day than that. It need not be fiction, but may well be believed, that Napoleon himself recognised their achievement, and honoured their heroic courage. It is not, then, in vain, that to this day, and for all time to come, the Scots Greys bear with them the symbol of the Eagle and the name of Waterloo.
Then they were called to serve in the Crimea. We speak in the presence of a distinguished Russian officer; but the brave honour the brave, and he will allow me to recall, even in his presence, that charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava, partially forgotten in the more startling achievement of the Light Brigade, but still splendid and memorable, when the Heavy Brigade, headed once more by the Scots Greys and the Inniskillings, rode through the dense masses of the enemy. It was at the close of that day that Sir Colin Campbell, afterwards Lord Clyde, rode up to the regiment and with bared head said to them: "Scots Greys, I am sixty-one, but were I a young man I would ask for nothing better than the honour of serving in your ranks." Then came the South African War. That was a very different campaign. It was war carried on in vast solitudes, against small bodies of men—against an enemy that was almost always invisible. No such heart-breaking or harassing work for a soldier can be conceived. It afforded no room for the splendid achievements of Waterloo and the Crimea. It required perseverance, patience, and vigilance, almost as much as courage; but is not cold courage—cold-blooded courage prolonged through long years—at least as meritorious as the hot, warm-blooded courage of the onset? The British Army in South Africa fought under harassing conditions. They fought a new warfare; they fought hardship and disease; and they fought under the discouragement of military operations carried on with patience through long years to a tardy but triumphant result.
Gentlemen, I was with the Scots Greys at their last dinner in this city; it was a cheerful dinner, but it was not glad or triumphant. We met under the shadow of a humiliating reverse; we knew that, humanly speaking, we could not expect that all who were then present would return to us again. We knew at any rate that all were about to face the unknown, and we then resolved and declared that evening that having put our hands to this thing we would see it through; that we would muddle through somehow, and somehow or other we did muddle through. Some of those who were there that night did not return, and it is to their memory that we erect this memorial to-day.
Honour to the unreturning brave, the brave who will return no more. We shall not see their faces again. In the service of their Sovereign and their country they have undergone the sharpness of death, and sleep their eternal sleep thousands of miles away in the green solitudes of South Africa. Their places, their comrades, their saddles will know them no more, for they will never return to us as we knew them. But in a nobler and a higher sense, have they not returned to us to-day? They return to us with a message of duty, of courage, of patriotism. They return to us with a memory of high duty faithfully performed. They return to us with the inspiration of their example. Peace, then, to their dust. Honour to their memory. Scotland for ever!
[A copy of the speech was presented to every Trooper of the Regiment, with Lord Rosebery's best wishes.]
The following very valuable history is kindly communicated by the officers of the Regiment:—
HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THE ROYAL SCOTS GREYS, 1899-1902.
The Regiment received orders to mobilise for service in South Africa on September 7th, 1899.
Mobilisation was completed on October 17th, 1899.
Absent, 1 man (No. 3325, Pte. Kimber).
Nov. 5th.—Headquarters and B Squadron embarked at Glasgow on s.s. Ranee. The following officers embarked:—
Owing to an outbreak of pink eye A and C Squadrons had to be entirely remounted.
16th.—C Squadron left Edinburgh for Southampton, and embarked on s.s. British Princess, having taken over commandeered horses at Aldershot.
The following officers embarked:—
Nov. 17th.—A Squadron left Edinburgh, and proceeded via Dublin to Cork, and embarked on s.s. Antillian at Queenstown, after taking over a squadron of horses from the 17th Lancers.
The following officers embarked:—
Dec. 6th.—Headquarters and B Squadron disembarked at Cape Town and marched to Maitland Camp.
Butts of lances and fronts of mess tins were painted khaki colour.
7th.—The Hon. R. H. Lindsay rejoined from Australia.
8th.—Arrival of remaining squadrons; one man died at sea.
11th.—Lieut. Lomer, with 14 drivers and wagonmen, left Maitland Camp for Stellenbosch, to take over transport for the regiment.
Major Forrester, Royal Canadian Dragoons, joined, to be attached.
12th.—The regiment entrained at Cape Town for Orange River, arriving there on 14th. The original destination was Naaupoort, but this was changed en route. Regiment employed holding line of Orange River.
15th.—Shaving was optional from this date.
16th.—A Squadron, under Major W. C. Middleton, with Capt. W. F. Collins, Lieuts. J. C. Harrison, A. G. Seymour, and[Pg 87] Second Lieut. G. G. Middleton, proceeded by rail to Honeynest Kloof.
Dec. 27th.—Telegram from H.M. the Queen to Commander-in-Chief:—
"I wish you and all my brave troops a Happy Christmas. God protect and bless you all."
30th.—Headquarters, with B and C Squadrons, marched from Orange River to Marks Drift, to co-operate, if opportunity arose, with Lieut.-Col. Pilcher's force, acting against a force of rebels near Douglas.
Jan. 1st.—Major H. J. Scobell rejoined from special duty (New Orleans), under Remount Department.
5th.—Headquarters, with B and C Squadrons, marched from Marks Drift to Orange River Station.
6th.—Message from the Queen:—
"I wish you all a bright and happy New Year. God bless you all."
8th.—C Squadron, under Major H. J. Scobell, marched from Orange River to Zoutpansdrift.
No. 3358 Pte. W. Cunningham killed by a bull at Stellenbosch.
14th.—Capt. C. J. Maxwell, with 38 N. C. officers and men C Squadron, marched from Orange River to Zoutpansdrift.
24th.—Casualties: Wounded, 3726 Pte. Twynholm, detached from regiment (Spearman's) in Natal.
28th.—No. 4071 S. S. A. Thompson died of enteric, Wynberg.
During the period it was at Orange River the regiment was occupied watching the river from Hopetoun on the west to Zoutpans on the east; also in patrolling the railway line to the north. We had a force at Hopetoun.
Feb. 2nd.—B Squadron and Headquarters marched from Orange River to Witteputs, en route to join the force at Modder River.
3rd.—B Squadron and Headquarters marched from Witteputs to Belmont.
4th.—B Squadron and Headquarters marched from Belmont to Wolfe's Well.
Feb. 5th.—Wolfe's Well halt.
No. 3297 Pte. W. Ross died of disease at Orange River Station.
6th.—B Squadron and Headquarters marched from Wolfe's Well to Modder River.
Rev. Cathel Kerr attached to regiment.
7th.—Modder River. The regiment was brigaded with the Household Cavalry and 10th Hussars, under General Babington.
8th.—A Squadron marched from Honeynest Kloof, and rejoined the regiment at Modder River.
B Squadron took part in the action at Koodoosburg, under General Babington. The cavalry was now reorganised. The regiment formed part of the 1st Cavalry Brigade (Carabiniers, Greys, one squadron Inniskillings, one squadron New South Wales Lancers, T Battery, R.H.A., under Colonel Porter).
11th.—A and B Squadrons, with Headquarters, marched from Modder River at 3 a.m. to Ram Dam, to the relief of Kimberley. C Squadron rejoined regiment at Ram Dam.
Lieut.-Col. the Hon. W. P. Alexander commanded the brigade, and Major W. H. Hippisley the regiment.
12th.—The division marched at 2 a.m., and forced passage of Riet River, engaged the enemy en route; no casualties. Bivouacked Waterval Drift; a few horses wounded.
Capt. J. Crabbie invalided to England.
13th.—The regiment marched from Waterval Drift at 8 a.m.; parties of the enemy met with on front and right flank. Surprised enemy's camp who were holding Klip Drift and captured it. Bivouacked Klip Drift. During the engagement with a party on the right flank, Lieut. Dixon Johnson, Inniskillings, was severely wounded.
A fire broke out on the veldt, and it was only with difficulty the wounded were got away.
15th.—The regiment marched from Klip Drift at 8.30 a.m. Strong force of the enemy located, holding strong positions. The brigade came under shell fire from the left flank, but[Pg 89] this fire was silenced, after considerable loss, by the R.H.A. The division was then ordered to charge in lines of brigades (3rd, 2nd, and 1st), and the centre of the enemy's position was forced under a heavy, but not very effective, fire from the flank and front. The gallop was continued for some three or four miles, and then the march to Kimberley resumed. Kimberley was reached about 7 p.m., enemy retiring from several positions round the town after firing a few rounds from their guns.
Casualties:—Wounded—No. 3354 Pte. Sutherland, 3237 Pte. McGinn.
Feb. 16th.—The regiment marched at 4.30 a.m. for reconnaissance; enemy located at Dronfield in strong position. Position was attacked by B and C Squadrons.
Casualties:—Killed—No. 4338 L.-Cpl. Stirrat?, No. 3352 Pte. Lynn, 3517 Pte. Watson. Wounded—Lieut. W. Long, Lieut. R. D. Fordyce, 2nd Lieut. Hon. W. McClintock Bunbury, No. 3007 Cpl. Cochrane, 4395 Pte. McHugh, 4216 Pte. Watt, 3711 Pte. Jones. Returned to Kimberley.
17th.—2nd Lieut. the Hon. W. McClintock Bunbury died of wounds received on 16th inst., and was buried in Kimberley Cemetery.
18th.—Kimberley.
19th.—Kimberley.
20th.—Kimberley.
Major W. H. Hippisley invalided to England; also Vety.-Surgeon Sullivan.
21st.—The regiment, with 1st Brigade, marched from Kimberley to Kameelfontein to rejoin the division at Paardeburg.
22nd.—The regiment marched from Kameelfontein to Koodoos Rand Drift.
Bivouacked on north bank of Modder River.
Telegram from H.M. the Queen to Lord Roberts:—
"Pray express my satisfaction to General French and those under him on his brilliant success. I trust that the sick and wounded are doing well."
Orders by General French:—
"In promulgating to the Cavalry Division Her Majesty's gracious message, the Lieutenant-General desires to convey to commanding officers, officers, N.C.O.'s and men, his warmest thanks for the support and assistance he has received from them, and to express his profound admiration for the skill and courage so abundantly displayed at every critical phase of the operations, and for the cheerfulness with which they have endured much privation and hardship. To this alone he attributes the great success which must go far to place the cavalry and R.H.A. high in the estimation of Queen and country."
Feb. 25th.—A reconnaissance was made of the enemy's position to the north; although the regiment came under heavy fire no casualty occurred.
Lieut. T. Connolly rejoined from Egyptian Army.
No. 4172 Cpl. Pott promoted Sergeant for gallantry in the field in the action at Dronfield.
26th.—The regiment marched for outpost duty, and remained holding portion of ground around Cronje's laager during night.
Returned to bivouac at 9.30 a.m.
27th.—Cronje surrendered.
Mar. 1st.—Telegram from H.M. the Queen:—
"Accept for yourself and all your command my warmest congratulations on the splendid news."
Telegram from H.R.H. the Prince of Wales:—
"Sincerest congratulations."
Similar telegram from F.-M. Viscount Wolseley and H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught.
No. 4351 Pte. Reid died of disease at Klip Drift.
4th.—No. 3762 Pte. Haig killed on railway, Maitland.
5th.—Vety.-Lieut. Ensor joined for duty.
Forage rations are nominally 5 lbs. per horse.
6th.—The regiment marched from Koodoosrand Drift to Osfontein, where a force was being concentrated to attack enemy's positions near Poplar Grove. Before leaving all[Pg 91] lances were handed in, and used no more during the campaign.
Capt. R. Thompson, Lieut. K. K. McKellor, J. F. M. Wilkinson, P. M. Vaughan, and A. Ebsworth, with 1st Squadron Australian Horse, joined, and were attached to the Greys during their stay in South Africa. They were a fine squadron, and did excellent work on all occasions.
Mar. 7th.—The regiment marched from Osfontein; enemy located about 9.30 a.m. They immediately evacuated their position, and as the horses were too weak to pursue properly, a running fight was kept up for several hours.
Bivouacked at Poplar Grove.
8th.—The regiment marched from Poplar Grove at 12 noon, to Wyaaihoek.
9th.—Wyaaihoek.
Rev. Cathel Kerr died of disease, Kimberley.
10th.—C Squadron, under Major H. J. Scobell, marched at 4 a.m. A and B Squadrons marched at 6.30 a.m. Enemy located in position at Driefontein, which was eventually taken, after heavy loss, by 6th Infantry Division.
Bivouacked Driefontein. Casualties:—Wounded—2423 Sergt. Tptr. Inkster, 4394 Pte. Harris.
11th.—The regiment marched from Driefontein to Francis Vlei.
12th.—The regiment marched from Francis Vlei. Enemy located in the evening in strong position near Bloemfontein. C Squadron, under Major H. J. Scobell, was detached to take a position, which they rushed under heavy fire, and held it during the night. Several horses killed. Bivouacked Skene's Farm. This position, taken and held by C Squadron, proved to be the key to Bloemfontein.
13th.—The regiment marched from Skene's Farm towards Bloemfontein. After firing a few shots, the enemy retired, and the city surrendered to Lord Roberts about 10.30 a.m.
Bivouacked west of Bloemfontein.
14th.—Army Orders: "It affords the F.-M. Commanding-in-Chief the greatest pleasure in congratulating the Army in South Africa on the events which have occurred during the past[Pg 92] few weeks, and he would especially offer his sincerest thanks to that portion of the Army under his immediate command which have taken part in the operations, resulting yesterday in the capture of Bloemfontein. On February 12th this force crossed the boundary which divided the Orange Free State from British territory. Three days later Kimberley was relieved. On the fifteenth day the bulk of the Boer army in the State, under one of their most trusted generals, was made prisoners.
"On the seventeenth day the news of the relief of Ladysmith was received, and on March 13th, 29 days from the commencement of the operations, the capital of the Orange Free State was occupied. This is a record of which any army may well be proud—a record which could not have been achieved except by earnest, well-disciplined men, determined to do their duty, and to surmount whatever difficulties or dangers might be encountered. Exposed to extreme heat by day, bivouacking under heavy rain, marching long distances, not infrequently with reduced rations, the endurance, cheerfulness, and gallantry displayed by all ranks are beyond praise; and Lord Roberts feels sure that neither H.M. the Queen nor the British nation will be unmindful of the efforts made by the Force to uphold the honour of their country.
"The Field-Marshal desires especially to refer to the fortitude and heroic spirit with which the wounded have borne their sufferings.
"Owing to the great extent of country over which modern battles have to be fought, it is not always possible to afford immediate relief to those who are struck down. Many hours have indeed elapsed before some of the wounded could be attended to, but not a word or murmur of complaint has been uttered. The anxiety of all when succour came was that their comrades should be cared for first. In assuring every officer and man how much he appreciates their efforts in the past, Lord Roberts is confident that in the future they will continue to show the same resolution and soldierly[Pg 93] qualities, and to lay down their lives if need be (as so many brave men have already done) in order to assure that the war in South Africa may be brought to a satisfactory conclusion."
Mar. 15th, 16th, and 17th.—At Bloemfontein.
18th.—The regiment marched from Bloemfontein at 7.50 a.m. to Wessel's Farm, where it bivouacked.
20th.—Information received of the death of General Clarke, C.B., Colonel of the regiment.
25th.—No. 4042 Cpl. Peters died of disease at Kimberley.
No. 3333 Pte. Kilgour died of disease at Kimberley.
28th.—The regiment which, owing to loss of horses, numbered 76 all ranks, marched from Wessel's Farm to take part in the operations at Karee Siding. Bivouacked at Glen Siding.
29th.—The regiment took part in the engagement near Karee Siding, one Australian trooper was killed and one wounded. A few horses hit. Bivouacked near Glen Station.
30th.—Returned to Wessel's Farm near Bloemfontein.
31st.—The regiment marched from Wessel's Farm about 12 noon, leaving behind all men and horses unable to march, under Major W. C. Middleton, to Sannah's Post, to the relief of General Broadwood's column, which had been ambushed by the enemy. Guns took up position. B Squadron located enemy in force in the waterworks and on the lines of the Modder River.
Apr. 1st.—80 wounded of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade were found in the station buildings, and after considerable difficulty were got away in ambulances and sent to Bloemfontein.
Major H. J. Scobell with C Squadron (about 30 all told) were left for the night at Sannah's Post.
Brigade returned to rejoin the Division.
2nd.—The Brigade marched to Springfield.
The detachment of the regiment under Major Middleton marched from Wessel's Farm at 2 p.m. to Springfield, being joined by the regiment from Sannah's Post.
10th.—2nd Lieuts. J. F. Rhodes and C. Otway joined from England.
Apr. 20th.—A patrol under Lieut. J. Lomer left camp at 9 a.m. for reconnaissance. No enemy.
27th.—Major F. H. T. Hawley died of disease at Bloemfontein.
28th.—2nd Lieut. W. Long invalided to England.
2nd Lieut. R. D. Fordyce invalided to England.
30th.—4326 Pte. Cormie died of disease, Bloemfontein.
May 1st.—Springfield.
2nd.—2nd Lieut. T. Parker joined from Inniskilling Dragoons.
6th.—The regiment marched from Springfield to Roodeheuvel to take part in the general advance of the army to Pretoria.
7th.—The regiment marched from Roodeheuvel to Eensgebonden.
No. 4137 Pte. Moore died of disease at Bloemfontein.
8th.—The regiment marched from Eensgebonden at 7 a.m. to Smaldeel. Capt. and Adjt. A. D. Miller to hospital.
9th.—The regiment marched from Smaldeel at 5.45 a.m. to Du Prees Laager.
10th.—The regiment marched from Du Prees Laager. Strong force of the enemy met with at Vredes Verdrag about 11 a.m. A squadron under Major Middleton with one squadron Inniskillings, and one squadron Carabiniers was detached to hold position, but enemy advancing in too strong numbers they were forced, with the following casualties, to retire:—
Killed: No. 3035 Pte. Wellstead, 3753 Pte. Barclay, 4229 Pte. Pegler.
Wounded: 2765 S. S. M. Casswell, 3688 Sergt. Ramage, 3313 Cpl. Morgan, 3467 Cpl. Wake, 4268 Cpl. White, 3614 Pte. Garrett, 3918 Pte. Kidd, 4145 Pte. Newberry, Lieut. Wilkinson, 1st Australian Horse.
Cpl. Tosh taken prisoner.
35 horses killed.
Bivouacked at Graspan.
11th.—The regiment marched from Graspan at 6.30 a.m. towards Kroonstad. Enemy had all retired. Bivouacked at Boospoort Drift.
No. 3615 Pte. Newberry died of wounds at Ventersburg Road.
May 12th.—The regiment marched from Boospoort Drift to Jordaan's Siding (Kroonstad).
Rev. W. Paterson joined.
Capt. R. Thompson, 1st Australian Horse, invalided to England.
13th to 19th.—The regiment was engaged in reconnaissance, small scattered parties of the enemy met with every day. No casualties.
20th.—The regiment marched from Jordaan's Siding to Mahemsvlei.
21st.—The regiment marched from Mahemsvlei at 7.40 a.m. to Welgelegen.
22nd.—The regiment marched from Roodeval at 2.45 a.m. Enemy reported to be in force on the railway, and regiment endeavoured to cut off their retreat. On arriving at the railway they had all retired. Bivouacked at Essenbosch. No casualties.
4053 Cpl. Rodgers died of disease at Kroonstad.
3432 Pte. Dyet died of disease at Kroonstad.
24th.—The regiment marched from Essenbosch to Viljoen's Drift, and crossed the Vaal into Transvaal. Civil Vety.-Surg. E. T. S. Ensor died of disease at Kroonstad.
25th.—The regiment marched from Viljoen's Drift to Zeekoefontein.
26th.—The regiment marched from Zeekoefontein, located strong force of enemy about 2 p.m. retiring in the direction of Johannesburg.
Bivouacked Reit.
27th.—The regiment marched from Reit Kuil to Elandsfontein.
28th.—The regiment marched from Elandsfontein at 7.15 a.m. Parties of enemy met with who opened fire at close range on advance scouts, then retired. Casualties:—Wounded—2928 Cpl. Kerin.
Bivouacked at Reitfontein.
29th.—The regiment marched from Reitfontein at 7.15 a.m. Strong force of the enemy in position defending Johannesburg.
Remained holding ground under heavy shell fire all day. No casualties.
Bivouacked Vlakfontein.
May 30th.—The regiment marched from Vlakfontein at 6 a.m., and attacked right flank of enemy's position which was driven back, and march continued to Klipfontein. No casualties.
June 1st.—The regiment marched from Klipfontein at 5 a.m. to Berg Vlei, small parties of the enemy met with en route, who retired.
3rd.—The regiment marched from Berg Vlei at 6.15 a.m., surprised enemy about 2.30 p.m., capturing several of their wagons and oxen and some prisoners. The enemy retired and took up a strong position at Kalkheuvel Pass which was attacked by the brigade.
A and part of C Squadron, under Major W. C. Middleton, occupied, under shell and rifle fires, commanding position on enemy's left flank, and remained holding it all night. The enemy retired under cover of the darkness, leaving several of their wagons overturned in donga. Casualties:—Wounded—4306 Pte. Hughes, and a few horses.
Bivouacked Kalkheuvel Pass.
4th.—The G.O.C. Cavalry Division ordered commanding officers to express to regiments his extreme satisfaction with the conduct of the officers and men of the regiments on the occasion of the fight near Kalkheuvel yesterday. He considers the position to have been very critical, and is of opinion that had it not been for the prompt action of the Cavalry and R.H.A. the result might have been different.
General French expressed his great satisfaction with the part taken by the regiment in this action.
The regiment marched from Kalkheuvel Pass at 7 a.m. to Zilikat's Nek. A Squadron under Major W. C. Middleton occupying the Nek.
5th.—The regiment marched from Zilikat's Nek at 9 a.m., to north of Pretoria Forts; no enemy.
Bivouacked Hartebeesthook.
Pretoria surrendered.
June 6th.—The regiment marched from Hartebeesthook at 6.15 a.m.
B Squadron with part of A, under Capt. E. A. Maude, forming advance guard towards Watervaal to release prisoners confined there. On the arrival of the advance scouts the enemy, after firing a few shots, retired. The wire of the prison was cut and prisoners released, numbering about 26 officers and 3,500 N.C.O.'s and men. During the departure of prisoners the enemy shelled them from their position. Casualties:—Wounded—Pte. Dunlop, and several horses.
Bivouacked at Koodoespoort.
7th.—The regiment marched from Koodoespoort to Silverdale.
8th.—The regiment marched from Silverdale to Kameel Drift.
11th.—The regiment marched from Kameel Drift at 5.20 a.m. Enemy reported at Pinaars Poort. The object was to try and turn enemy's right flank and operate in his rear.
The regiment came under heavy fire about 6.30 a.m., which continued all day, and eventually successful in turning enemy's flank, and occupied same ground. Several horses wounded. Bivouacked at Doornfontein. Later in the evening the enemy opened fire on the camp with two guns and pom-pom, Brigade had to move camp 400 yards (Diamond Hill).
13th.—The regiment marched from Doornfontein to Tweefontein. Enemy had retired.
14th.—The regiment marched from Tweefontein at 7.20 a.m., to Kameel Drift.
No. 3819 Pte. Proctor died of disease at Bloemfontein.
22nd.—No. 3782 Pte. Oliphant died of disease at Deelfontein.
25th.—London Gazette.—Lieut. K. K. McKellar, from 1st Australian Horse, to be 2nd Lieut. 7th Dragoon Guards.
During the regiment's stay at Kameel Drift it was employed in reconnaissance and outpost duties every day.
27th.—No. 3975 Pte. Powell died of disease at Wynberg.
Capt. W. F. Collins invalided to England.
A report having been received that Botha intended to attack the camp to-morrow, the regiment stood to from 5.45 a.m.
June 30th.—2nd Lieut. Pilkington, 1st Royal Dragoons, was attached to the regiment from this date.
July 1st.—No. 3663 Pte. Freeman died of disease at Bloemfontein.
4th.—A and B Squadrons under Major W. C. Middleton marched from Kameel Drift at 11 a.m., and C Squadron with Headquarters marched at 8.30 a.m. to De Onderstpoort.
5th.—A patrol under Lieut. Connolly left camp at 5.30 a.m. for reconnaissance.
6th.—A patrol under Lieut. Hon. A. J. M. St. Clair left camp at 5.30 a.m. for reconnaissance.
7th.—The regiment marched from De Onderstpoort at 5.30 a.m. to Hartebeestpoort.
8th.—C Squadron was detached to form part of a force to hold Zilikat's Nek, and B Squadron to hold Commando Nek.
Capt. Miller appointed to General French's Staff.
9th.—A Squadron and Headquarters marched from Hartebeestpoort at 3 p.m. to Reitfontein.
11th.—The Nek was attacked by a strong party of the enemy at daybreak, and after a very stubborn resistance for about 12 hours, C Squadron and the rest of the force were compelled to surrender to superior numbers, ammunition being finished. The horses had been turned loose early in the action and rejoined Headquarters.
Casualties:—Killed: Lieut. T. Conolly, 2nd Lieut. Pilkington, 1st Royal Dragoons (attached), 4089 Pte. Augarde.
Wounded: Capt. C. J. Maxwell, 4554 S. S. Sim, 3647 Cpl. Nathan, 2866 Pte. Adair, 4375 Allen, 4446 Baird, 3511 Currie, 3401 Downie, 3369 Fraser, 4304 Hagan, 4057 Kitchen, 3849 Lewis, 3294 McCulloch, 4200 McLure, 4499 McNicoll, 3873 Scudder, 4311 King.
Major H. J. Scobell and 69 N.C.O.'s and men prisoners.
Major Scobell succeeded in escaping the same evening, and walked to Pretoria.
B Squadron was forced to retire from Commando Nek and fall back on Pretoria, A Squadron and Headquarters marched from Reitfontein at 7 a.m. to Daspoort.
July 13th.—No. 4357 Pte. Fraser died of disease at Bloemfontein.
14th.—A and B Squadrons with Headquarters marched from Daspoort at 8.30 a.m. to Derdepoort, N.C.O.'s and men of 10th Hussars, 12th Lancers, 18th and 19th Hussars, 6th Dragoon Guards, 6th Dragoons, were formed into one squadron which was named C.
Wounded: 4270 Pte. Young at Olifantsfontein (detached).
Vety.-Lieut. Mellish joined the regiment.
17th.—The regiment marched from Derdepoort to join the 1st Cavalry Brigade at Olifantsfontein. Bivouacked at Grootfontein, 3332 Cpl. Howe died of disease at Bloemfontein.
18th.—The regiment marched from Grootfontein at 5.45 a.m. to Olifantsfontein, N.C.O.'s and men of Composite Regiment of Life Guards attached to C Squadron.
19th.—The regiment left camp at 5 p.m. for outpost duty.
20th.—Capt. Ricardo, R. H. Guards, E. G. Hardy, Imp. Yeo., Tristram, 12th Lancers; Lieuts. Campbell, 16th Lancers, W. D. P. Watson, Imp. Yeo., and J. Ashby, Imp. Yeo., attached to the regiment.
23rd.—The regiment marched from Olifantsfontein. Strong party of the enemy located, who opened with a heavy Pom-Pom and rifle fire, then retired. Casualties:—Killed: Lieut. A. Ebsworth, 1st Australian Horse, and several horses wounded. Bivouacked at Deeplaagte after dark.
4272 Pte. Bell died of disease at Bloemfontein.
24th.—The regiment marched from Deeplaagte. Enemy with guns located about 10 a.m., who kept up a heavy fire until evening, and then retired. No casualty. Bivouacked at Tweefontein.
25th.—The regiment marched from Tweefontein to seize Drifts at Naauwpoort and Wolverkrantz, which was done. Enemy retired after firing a few rounds. Bivouacked at Naauwpoort. Very wet and cold, several horses died from exposure.
26th.—The regiment marched from Naauwpoort. Enemy opened fire with a gun from truck on railway and then retired.
No casualties. Bivouacked at Sterkwater.
July 17th.—The regiment marched from Sterkwater at 9.45 a.m. to Erfdeel Drift (Middelburg).
Lieuts. F. Swetenham, C. P. Foster, and 2nd Lieut. C. Otway invalided to England.
Aug. 1st.—The regiment marched from Erfdeel Drift at 6.30 a.m. to Klippan.
2nd to 17th.—The regiment was engaged in reconnaissance and outpost duty every day during their stay at Klippan. Sniping on several occasions by enemy's outpost.
18th.—The regiment marched from Klippan to Goede Hoop.
21st.—The regiment marched from Goede Hoop. Small parties of the enemy met with about 10 a.m., who retired. Bivouacked at Blesbokspruit. No casualties.
22nd.—The regiment marched from Blesbokspruit. Party of enemy located about noon holding ridge, they were driven off. No casualties. Bivouacked at Geluk.
26th.—The regiment marched from Geluk. Enemy located holding position N.E. of Belfast. Regiment occupied the position under heavy fire from Pom-Pom and rifle, the enemy retiring were followed up by A Squadron and 1st Australian Horse under Major W. C. Middleton. Casualties:—Wounded: Lieut. J. C. Harrison. Bivouacked at Langkloof.
27th.—The regiment marched from Langkloof to Vlakplaats. Parties of enemy met en route. No casualties.
28th.—The regiment marched from Vlakplaats to Vlakfontein.
29th.—The regiment marched from Vlakfontein; advance delayed by rear-guard of the enemy, they were driven back; advance continued to Waterval Onder. No casualties.
30th.—The regiment marched from Waterval Onder to heights around Noitgedacht; prisoners were released, among whom were N.C.O.'s and men of C Squadron captured at Zilikat's Nek. Returned to Waterval Onder.
31st.—The regiment marched from Waterval Onder to Machadodorp.
Sept. 1st.—The regiment marched from Machadodorp to Zevenfontein.
Sept. 3rd.—Lieut. J. C. Harrison died of wounds at Pretoria.
Capt. C. J. Maxwell invalided to England.
4th.—The regiment marched from Zevenfontein to Welgelegen. A Squadron under Major W. C. Middleton located the enemy on left flank en route, who opened with heavy rifle fire, and then retired. Casualties, several horses wounded.
5th.—The regiment marched from Welgelegen to Bonnefoi. Snipers met with en route.
6th.—The regiment marched from Bonnefoi to Carolina. No enemy.
7th.—Lieut. R. Lomer, 3rd Dragoon Guards (attached), invalided to England.
9th.—The regiment marched from Carolina; enemy occupied strong position in front of advance, but retired when darkness set in. Bivouacked at Bruffelspruit.
10th.—The regiment marched from Bruffelspruit to Boschoek.
11th.—The regiment marched from Boschoek to Hiomohlom.
12th.—The regiment marched from Hiomohlom at 4.30 a.m., and surprised enemy preparing their breakfast, who retired, leaving everything.
The country was very difficult to work over, and guns had to be lifted up the inclines; enemy opened with heavy rifle fire from scrub on top of mountain, but were forced to retire on the guns getting into position.
Casualties:—Wounded: 2328 S. Q. M. S. Cairns. Bivouacked Vaalkop "Nelshoogte Pass."
13th.—The regiment marched from Vaalkop at 3.30 a.m., ascended very steep pass, and then across rough country by a small bridle path to Barberton. C Squadron, under Major H. J. Scobell, supported by A, under Major W. C. Middleton, were sent forward to cut the line north of the town, which was done with the assistance of a Farrier Cpl. of the 1st Life Guards (attached) with his tools. Several wagons and prisoners were taken, including the Landrost of Barberton with £14,000. In the town was captured 44 engines and rolling-stock to the value of several hundred thousand pounds, besides large quantities of stores, etc. The prisoners[Pg 102] were released, consisting of 23 officers and 59 N.C.O.'s and men. No casualties. Bivouacked on outskirts of town.
Sept. 14th.—The regiment paraded at 8.30 a.m. before the Courthouse for the ceremony of hoisting the Union Jack.
16th.—Regimental transport arrived.
21st.—Lieut. A. Lawson appointed A.D.C. to General Gordon.
22nd.—Lieut. Hon. R. H. A. Lindsay, and 2nd Lieut. G. Middleton invalided to England.
24th.—The regiment under Major H. J. Scobell marched at 6 a.m. for reconnaissance. No enemy.
25th.—Farewell Order by Col. Hon. W. P. Alexander:—
Col. Alexander desires to announce to the regiment that he relinquishes command of the Greys on his retirement to half-pay. He thanks all ranks for the support they have always given to him, and for their admirable conduct during the recent campaign. He wishes to say that his one thought has been, while maintaining the discipline and efficiency of the regiment, to make what all good regiments should be, a happy home to all those serving in it.
30th.—London Gazette.—2nd Lieut. W. Long to be Lieut., vice T. Connolly, killed in action.
Capt. C. B. Bulkeley-Johnson has been granted the Fourth Class Medjidieh decoration in recognition of services in connection with the recent military operations in the Soudan.
During the stay of the regiment at Barberton Col. Hon. W. P. Alexander was Military Governor of the Town.
Oct. 3rd.—The regiment marched from Barberton to Reit Spruit. Heavy thunderstorm and rain all day, great difficulty with transport.
4th.—The regiment marched from Reit Spruit to Kaapsche Hoop. Roads very bad.
6th.—The regiment marched from Kaapsche Hoop to Godwaan.
7th.—The regiment marched from Godwaan to Waterval Onder.
8th.—The regiment marched from Waterval Onder to Machadodorp.
9th.—Details of 16th Lancers under Lieut. Campbell ceased to be attached to the regiment.
Oct. 10th.—2nd Lieut. D. McCombie joined from England.
12th.—Pte. E. H. Bonham, Duke of Cambridge's I.Y., joined as transport officer.
13th.—The regiment marched from Machadodorp to Bonnefoi. Veldt fire in camp, 3.30 p.m.
14th.—The regiment marched from Bonnefoi. Small parties of enemy met with. Bivouacked at Carolina.
15th.—Halted Carolina.
16th.—The regiment marched from Carolina. Strong force of the enemy located about 9 a.m., who attacked advance scouts, but were driven off. Casualties:—Killed—4002 Pte. Valentine. Wounded—4185 Corporal Porter (died same night), 3433 Pte. Linnell, and several horses. Bivouacked at Witkrans, 10.30 p.m.
17th.—The regiment marched from Witkrans to Mooiplaats. Snipers met with en route, and enemy tried to drive in C Squadron's outpost about 6 p.m., but on being reinforced by A Squadron and a pom-pom the enemy retired. No casualties.
18th.—The regiment marched from Mooiplaats. Enemy attacked rear and left flank guard and followed up the regiment for several miles, then retired. No casualties. Bivouacked at Ermelo. Notification was received that the late Corporal Porter was promoted to a 2nd Lieutenancy in the 2nd Dragoon Guards.
19th.—General French addresses troops.
The regiment marched from Ermelo at 5.20 a.m. Shortly after moving off, the enemy attacked rear-guard, and during the time the oxen were outspanned to graze a party of about 50 attacked a post held by a N.C.O. and few men, who kept them off until arrival of a squadron of Carabiniers. Casualties:—Killed—4445 Pte. Smith. Wounded—3315 Sad. Cpl. Rodgers, 3983 Pte. Waterer, 4035 Hickey, 4412 Cpl. Lacker, 4981 Pte. Campbell, and several horses. Bivouacked at Reitvlei.
20th.—The regiment marched from Reitvlei to Bethel. Small parties of enemy attacked rear-guard and right flanks en route, but were driven off. No casualties.
Oct. 21st.—At Bethel. Outposts were sniped all day.
22nd.—The regiment marched from Bethel at 4 a.m. Heavy thunderstorm. Enemy attacked rear-guard shortly after leaving camp, but were driven off. No casualties. Bivouacked at Rooipoort.
23rd.—The regiment marched from Rooipoort to Winkleholk. Snipers en route. No casualties.
24th.—The regiment marched from Winkleholk to Kaffirskuil. Enemy attacked rear-guard en route, but were driven off. No casualties.
25th.—The regiment marched from Kaffirskuil to Witkop. No enemy.
26th.—Assisted General Dixon to guard Convoy.
The regiment marched from Witkop at 4 a.m. to Heidelberg. Sniping all day. Casualties: one man, Australian Horse, killed.
27th.—London Gazette.—Major W. H. Hippisley to be Lieutenant-Colonel, in succession to Col. Hon. W. P. Alexander; 2nd Lieut. I. A. Finlay to be Lieutenant.
29th.—N.C.O.'s and men of 1st Australian Horse, under the command of Lieut. Wilkinson, proceeded by rail to Pretoria, ceased to be attached (they had become reduced in numbers to 24 all ranks). N.C.O.'s and men of Composite Regiment Household Cavalry ceased to be attached.
2nd Lieut. Hon. W. Montgomerie joined from 3rd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
London Gazette.—Major W. C. Middleton to be second in command of the Regiment.
2nd Lieut. G. G. Middleton to be Lieutenant.
The regiment marched from Heidelberg to Springs.
31st.—The regiment was inspected by the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief.
Nov. 1st.—The regiment marched from Springs to Reitfontein. Heavy rain all day.
Nov. 2nd.—The regiment marched from Reitfontein to Grootfontein. Heavy rain all day and all night.
3rd to 4th.—The regiment marched from Grootfontein to Pretoria to refit.
5th.—4662 Pte. Graham died of disease at Norvals Pont.
2nd Lieut. J. L. M. Hutchison joined from England.
10th.—Farewell Order by General French:—
"The Lieut.-General, on relinquishing the command, desires to express his deep regret in severing his immediate connection with the splendid force it has been his honour to command throughout an almost continuous series of engagements and active operations, commencing in February last to the present time. General French recalls with pride and satisfaction the many occasions during that period upon which he has personally witnessed the intrepid gallantry displayed by all ranks of the Cavalry Division. A glorious reminiscence which will be ever present to the end of his life.
"The warmest thanks are due to Brigadiers, Commanding Officers, Officers, N.C. Officers and Men, for the skill, courage, and endurance which have been mainly instrumental in securing the successful results obtained."
13th.—The Committee of the Scottish Regiments Gifts Fund have sent 600 pipes and 600 boxes of tobacco for the regiment.
Civil Vety.-Surg. Gamble attached to the regiment.
Corpl. Hon. A. M. Henley, Compton's Horse, to be 2nd Lieutenant.
15th.—The regiment marched from Pretoria to Kaalfontein.
16th.—The regiment marched from Kaalfontein to Elandsfontein.
17th.—The regiment marched from Elandsfontein to Klip River Station.
18th.—The regiment marched at 4.30 a.m. for reconnaissance. No enemy.
19th.—Lieut. E. Usher appointed Adjutant from 10th May and promoted Captain.
20th to 30th.—The regiment marched from Klip River Station to Varkenfontein.
Nov. 27th.—Major H. J. Scobell appointed to the command of 1st Brabant's Horse.
29th.—The Rev. Greenfield attached to regiment.
During the regiment's stay at Varkenfontein it was employed on reconnaissance duty every day, and stood to arms at 3.30 a.m. every morning.
Dec. 1st.—The regiment marched from Varkenfontein to Reit Kuil.
2nd.—The regiment marched from Reit Kuil at 3.50 a.m. Enemy occupied strong position on right of advance, were driven out without difficulty. Casualties:—Wounded, 3594 Pte. Keogh, and several horses killed. Bivouacked at Kaalfontein.
4th.—The regiment marched from Kaalfontein at 4.45 a.m. in connection with General Hart from the north, General Babington from the west, and General Douglas from the south, against the Losberg; enemy had retired. Bivouacked at Losberg. Capt. Seymour sick. Lieut. Finlay in command of C Squadron.
5th.—The regiment marched from Losberg to Klopperskraal.
6th to 13th.—The regiment marched from Klopperskraal at 5 a.m. to Meyerton.
14th.—The regiment marched from Meyerton at 3.30 a.m. to Roodepoort.
11th.—B Squadron, under Capt. Maude, left for Orange Free State (attached to).
14th.—Four troops posted at different points on Railway north and south of Meyerton, where it was thought likely Boers would attempt a crossing. C Squadron to Loskop.
15th.—C Squadron joined on line of march.
The regiment marched from Roodepoort at 3.45 a.m. to Krugersdorp.
16th.—The regiment left camp at 8.20 a.m. for reconnaissance. A Squadron, under Capt. C. W. M. Feilden, located enemy's laager, and were forced to retire under heavy fire.
17th.—2nd Lieut. C. R. Pawson joined from England.
19th.—The regiment marched from Krugersdorp to Blauwbank.
Dec. 20th.—The regiment marched from Blauwbank to Zandfontein. No. 3588 Pte. White died of disease at Germiston.
21st.—The regiment marched from Zandfontein to Vlakfontein.
22nd.—The regiment marched from Vlakfontein to Hartebeestfontein.
23rd.—The regiment marched from Hartebeestfontein to Bank Station.
24th.—The regiment marched from Bank Station to Welverdiend.
25th.—Marched from Welverdiend to Reitfontein.
26th.—The regiment marched from Reitfontein to Welgevonden.
28th.—The regiment marched from Welgevonden to Moddersfontein.
30th.—The regiment marched from Moddersfontein to Welgevonden.
One troop, under Lieut. Montgomerie, sent out to watch drifts at night.
| How disposed of. | Received. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Killed in action | 185 | From remount depots | 1583 |
| Died of exhaustion | 159 | Captured from the enemy | 50 |
| Destroyed | 95 | ||
| To sick depots | 960 | ||
| Left on veldt by order | 226 | ||
| 1625 | 1633 | ||
| Officers. | N.C.O.'s and Men. | |
|---|---|---|
| Died at sea | — | 1 |
| Killed in action | 1 | 8 |
| Died of wounds | 2 | 4 |
| Do. of disease | 1 | 22 |
| Wounded | 3 | 43 |
| 7 | 78 |
Jan. 1st.—Regiment sent to meet convoy from Parkersdorp. No sign of enemy.
2nd.—Regiment escorted convoy to Welgevonden.
3rd.—The regiment marched from Welgevonden to Reitfontein.
4th.—The regiment marched from Reitfontein at 3.45 a.m. to Hartebeestfontein.
5th.—The regiment marched from Hartebeestfontein at 4 a.m. Engaged the enemy at Nauwpoort Hill. C Squadron, under Lieut. I. A. Finlay, held kopje under heavy fire until reinforced by Scots Guards, when enemy retired. Casualties:—Wounded—Lieut. I. A. Finlay, 4497 Pte. Quinn, 3705 Lance-Cpl. Hall. Bivouacked at Zandfontein.
6th.—The enemy in force attacked camp at daybreak, but were driven off.
All sick horses and dismounted men paraded at 5 a.m. and proceeded to Krugersdorp, C Squadron, under 2nd Lieut. D. McCombie, formed the escort.
7th.—The regiment marched from Zandfontein to Vlakfontein.
8th.—A Squadron, with a section of R.H.A., and a company of infantry, under Major W. C. Middleton, with one day's supplies, left camp at 3.45 a.m. and proceeded to the high ground on the Mafeking Road, south of Kaalbult, to cover return of convoy. The convoy returning from Krugersdorp was attacked by a large force of the enemy, who charged within 100 yards; they were driven off. No casualties.
9th.—The regiment marched from Vlakfontein to Kaalbult.
3075 Cpl. Hall died of wounds received at Nauwpoort Hill.
10th.—The regiment marched from Kaalbult to Blauwbank.
11th.—The regiment marched from Blauwbank to Roodeval Drift.
4646 Pte. Padget wounded while on patrol.
12th.—Marched to Roodeval Drift past Zwarttcop. Sniping.
The regiment marched from Roodeval Drift to Rangiesfontein.
13th.—The regiment marched from Rangiesfontein to Kaalfontein.
Enemy attacked station, but were driven off.
Jan. 14th.—The regiment marched from Kaalfontein to Johannesburg to refit.
15th.—2nd Lieut. Hon. W. Montgomerie, with party of C Squadron, left camp at 4 a.m. to patrol in the direction of Zuurfontein.
16th.—Halt.
17th.—No. 3087 Pte. G. Oswald to England for discharge.
1st Cavalry Brigade was broken up. The regiment formed part of the following force under Col. Allenby:—Carabiniers, Greys, C Battery R.H.A., one Elswick gun, and Lancashire Fusiliers.
18th.—Major Crabbie sent the C.O. £50 to be expended for the benefit of the N.C.O.'s and men. Messrs. McKinnell & Ross, Edinburgh, presented two cases of tobacco to the regiment.
23rd.—Sergt. Barron invalided to England.
26th.—Farewell address by General Gordon:—
"The 1st Cavalry Brigade having been broken up, General Gordon hopes that the O.C. Royal Scots Greys will be good enough to permit him to express through Regimental Orders to all ranks of the regiment his very sincere thanks for their gallantry and devotion during the six months the Brigadier has had the honour to command the Brigade. No leader could possibly have been better served, and the Brigadier will always think of the Scots Greys and other units of the 1st Cavalry Brigade with the sincerest feelings of admiration and true affection."
Carbines were now withdrawn and long rifles issued and carried to conclusion of the war.
27th.—The regiment marched from Johannesburg at 5.30 a.m., via Reitfontein to Putfontein, to take part in operations in Eastern Transvaal against Botha, under Lieut.-Gen. French, forming part of eight columns stretching from Middelburg, on Delagoa Railway, to Heidelberg, on Natal line.
29th.—The regiment marched from Putfontein at 4 a.m., engaging enemy at Boschman's Kop, which was strongly held. On arrival of Col. Pulteney's column the enemy[Pg 110] retired, leaving several dead and wounded. They were followed up by A Squadron under Capt. Feilden, and several prisoners and wagons were captured.
Casualties:—Killed—3735 Pte. J. Stokes. Wounded—Ptes. 3576 Harper, 3359 Bell, 3875 Angus, 3526 Sergt. Hughes, Ptes. 4586 Fergus, 4527 Colvin, 3896 Martin.
Bivouacked at Reitfontein.
No. 4937 Pte. T. Mercer died of disease at Germiston.
Jan. 30th.—Pom-pom of enemy opened fire as we were going into our lines. Made off on two squadrons being sent in pursuit.
The regiment marched from Reitfontein at 8.50 a.m. to Watervals Hoek. No. 3896 Pte. Martin died from wounds received in action at Boschman's Kop. No. 4720 Pte. Archer accidentally wounded.
31st.—No move. Patrols to front engaged with enemy throughout the day.
Lieut. I. A. Finlay invalided to England.
Feb. 1st.—Marched from Watervals Hoek 4.30 a.m. Encountered rear-guard of enemy with guns at Kromdraai. Three men of C Squadron wounded. Bivouacked at Winkelhoek.
2nd.—Marched to Rooipoort 4.30 a.m., enemy retiring before the scouts. Found a disabled gun at R.
100 men C Squadron left camp under Lieut. D. McCombie at 5 a.m., to escort convoy of empty wagons and sick.
3rd.—The regiment marched from Rooipoort to Elandsfontein.
4th.—The regiment marched from Elandsfontein to Reitfontein.
5th.—The regiment marched from Reitfontein at 4.20 a.m. to Vereeniging. Regiment sent in advance of column to seize Vereeniging Drift with two guns and battery, arriving 1.30, caught several wagons and prisoners, many sheep and oxen. Column arriving about 4 p.m.
Bivouacked at the drift.
6th.—The regiment marched from Vereeniging at 4.20 a.m. to Damascus. Encountered enemy at Langervock. Shelled ridge for an hour, and continued advance to Damascus.
Feb. 7th.—The regiment marched from Damascus at 4.50 a.m. to Uitspan. Small parties of enemy met with, who retired. No. 3909 Pte. Edwards was wounded whilst employed with the brigade scouts.
8th.—One troop A Squadron under Lieut. J. F. Rhodes reconnoitred along north bank of Vaal as far as Tweefontein on Kaffir Spruit.
9th.—A patrol under 2nd Lieut. Hon. A. M. Henley proceeded as far as high ridge over Welgelegen to communicate with Col. Knox's patrols.
Two troops C Squadron under 2nd Lieut. Hon. W. A. Montgomerie escorted wagons N.W. on foraging duties.
One troop B Squadron under 2nd Lieut. T. Parker reconnoitred along Vaal to Tweefontein on Kaffir Spruit, leaving camp 5.30 a.m.
One troop of A Squadron at 4.30 a.m., under 2nd Lieut. J. L. M. Hutchison, patrolled as far as Kliplaat Drift on Reit Spruit to communicate with Col. Dartnell's column.
Two troops A Squadron escorted wagons at 6 a.m. on foraging duty in N.W. direction.
10th.—B and C Squadrons under Capt. E. A. Maude, with two guns, left camp at 5 a.m., and proceeded 12 miles towards Morgenlon to meet convoy coming from Uitkijk. Enemy in considerable force.
12th.—The regiment marched from Uitspan to Kalkoenskranz.
13th.—The regiment marched from Kalkoenskranz to Kaalhoek.
14th.—The regiment marched from Kaalhoek to St. Helena, crossing Assegai River in afternoon.
Draft of 22 men and boys joined from England.
15th.—The regiment marched from St. Helena to Rooikraal.
Small scattered parties of the enemy were met with, who retired. Casualties:—4632 Pte. Horne wounded.
16th.—The regiment marched from Rooikraal to Marienthal.
17th.—The regiment marched from Marienthal in an E. direction towards Zandbank.
A Squadron was detached to escort convoys to and from Piet Retief and Bergen. Bivouacked at Vakenskop.
Feb. 18th.—The regiment marched from Vakenskop to Zandbank.
Seven men invalided to England.
19th.—Two troops C Squadron escorted foraging parties N. and N.W. Two troops C Squadron escorted wagons and telegraph party S.W. to right bank of Assegai River.
20th.—One troop B Squadron escorted refugees, etc., from Headquarters Camp to Piet Retief, leaving at 6 a.m.
21st.—Half troop C Squadron escorted wagons S.W. to collect food-stuffs and wood.
28th.—Telegram from the Commander-in-Chief to General French:—"Express to the troops under your command my admiration of the excellent work they have performed and the difficulties they have overcome."
During the regiment's stay at Zandbank rain fell every day. Supplies were scarce, country having been cleared, and rivers too swollen to permit convoys coming through.
Mar. 2nd.—The regiment marched from Zandbank.
Bivouacked at Mahamba Malengeni.
3rd.—B Squadron escorted foraging wagons to Witkoppies.
7th.—The regiment marched from Mahamba Malengeni to Witkoppies.
8th.—Forty men B Squadron, 80 men C, with 10 and 20 led horses respectively, paraded at 5.50 a.m. for reconnaissance.
9th.—The regiment marched from Witkoppies at 6.55 a.m. to Mahamba Malengeni.
13th.—Pte. A. Northey invalided to England.
17th.—The regiment marched at 6 a.m. to Verner's Store to commandeer supplies, and from there to Mahamba Malengeni.
22nd.—5 men transferred to South African Constabulary.
23rd.—Lieut.-Col. W. H. Hippisley joined from England, and took over command of the regiment.
24th.—The regiment marched from Mahamba Malengeni at 7 a.m., via Warren's Store, to Rudolph's Ground, Swaziland. Half B Squadron were left at Mahamba in charge of sick horses, and also to act as a communicating post between Zandbank and Rudolph's Ground.
Mar. 25th.—The regiment marched from Rudolph's Ground, via Muller's Farm, to Plat Nek. A Squadron, under Capt. Feilden, rejoined Headquarters from escorting convoys.
27th.—B and C Squadrons with Headquarters marched from Plat Nek, S.E., along the Hluit Road to Henwoods.
A Squadron left to hold Nek and to reconnoitre country towards Mahamba and Henwood's Concession.
C Squadron Greys, one squadron Carabiniers, under command of Lieut.-Col. Hippisley, marched at 8 a.m. in the direction of the Pongola River in pursuit of enemy, who were reported going in that direction having with them guns. The enemy crossed the river, leaving one 15-pounder field gun with carriage, ammunition wagon, and limber, and two pom-poms with ammunition complete, which were secured.
Casualties:—Wounded—3915 Pte. McPherson.
29th.—B and C Squadrons with Headquarters marched from Rooirand at 7 a.m. to Inkulu.
30th.—B and C Squadrons with Headquarters marched from Inkulu to Henwood's Store.
31st.—Forty men B Squadron under Capt. E. A. Maude (forming part of a mixed force under Major Garrett, the Carabiniers) marched from Henwood's Store to the neighbourhood of Langdrai Drift, capturing there two pom-pom limbers, two pom-pom carriages, one field battery limber, 84 rounds 15-pounder ammunition. This party remained holding the drift until the 6th proximo.
Apr. 4th.—Fifty (?) men of C Squadron paraded at 5.30 a.m. to escort an empty ox convoy from Henwood's Store to Piet Retief. The escort was under the command of Major W. C. Middleton as far as Plat Nek, at which place he took over command of the detachment stationed there.
7th.—The regiment marched from Henwood's Store to Plat Nek. Majors R. H. Adams and J. Crabbie joined from England.
9th.—The regiment marched from Plat Nek to Rudolph's Ground.
Apr. 10th.—The regiment marched from Rudolph's Ground towards Mahamba, and bivouacked at Zandbank.
12th.—The regiment marched from Zandbank at 7 a.m. to Piet Retief.
London Gazette.—2nd Dragoons: Sergt.-Major Thomas Milne Ross to be Quartermaster, with the hon. rank of Lieutenant, vice Lieut. P. F. Fleming.
Two men invalided to England. One man joined from England.
13th.—The combined columns of Allenby and Campbell acted as one force and was known as Campbell's Column. Lieut.-Col. Allenby commanded all the mounted troops, including Pom-pom and M. I.
14th.—The regiment marched from Piet Retief to Idalia, engaging enemy about 11.30 a.m. en route, the advance and right flank guards coming under heavy fire. Enemy was driven back.
Casualties:—Killed—4568 Pte. J. McAdam.
The dismounted men, who numbered about 180, formed an escort to the guns.
15th.—The regiment marched from Idalia in the direction of Stralsund and bivouacked at Springbok Kraal. Sniping was kept up by the enemy all day. No casualties.
16th.—The regiment marched from Springbok Kraal to Spitz Kop.
17th.—The regiment marched from Spitz Kop. Enemy opened fire with guns from front and left flank about 9 a.m., and little progress was made for about two hours. The front position was then taken and advance continued. No casualties. Bivouacked at Reit Vlei.
18th.—The regiment marched from Reit Vlei. Enemy were located by left flank guard about 7.30 a.m. in strong position, and who opened with guns and rifle fire. B Squadron under Major R. H. Adams took a commanding position, on which enemy retired.
Casualties:—Wounded—Corpl. Sperring.
Bivouacked at Weltevreden.
The Commanding Officer announced that Col. Campbell[Pg 115] expressed his satisfaction at the work done by the regiment to-day.
Apr. 19th.—The regiment marched from Weltevreden at 7.45 a.m. to Roodeval. Sniping all day.
20th.—The regiment marched from Roodeval to Jan Hendricks Fontein. Enemy met with en route, who retired before advance scouts.
21st.—The regiment marched from Jan Hendricks Fontein to Mooifontein. Enemy attacked right flank guard, were driven off. No casualties.
22nd.—The regiment marched from Mooifontein. Strong force of enemy made determined attack on rear-guard, which was under the command of Lieut.-Col. W. H. Hippisley. The enemy advanced to within 100 yards and then retired.
Casualties:—Wounded—No. 4049 Lance-Corpl. Lawrence, 4643 Pte. Fraser, 4626 Pte. Clarke. Bivouacked at Klip Stapel.
23rd.—The regiment marched from Klip Stapel to Boschman's Kop. Sniping all day. No casualties.
24th.—The regiment marched from Boschman's Kop to Vaal Bank.
Casualties:—Died of wounds—No. 3915 Pte. J. McPherson at Charlestown.
25th.—The regiment marched from Vaal Bank to Pullenshope.
26th.—The regiment marched from Pullenshope to Eikeboom.
27th.—The regiment marched from Eikeboom to Middelburg to refit. The dismounted men numbered 240.
28th.—Extract from London Gazette.—Lieut. E. Ussher to be Captain, to complete establishment. Dated 4th September, 1900.
29th.—The regiment marched from Middelburg to Oliphant's River Station. Dismounted men proceeded to Witbank by rail.
30th.—The regiment marched from Oliphant's River Station to Witbank. Casualties:—Died of disease—No. 3672 Pte. T. Finlay, Johannesburg.
May 1st.—N.C.O.'s and men transferred to S.A.C. Regiment was remounted here.
May 3rd.—Patrols sent out to Brug Spruit.
4th.—The regiment marched from Witbank Station to Leeuwpoort.
Four men to England for discharge.
5th.—The regiment marched from Leeuwpoort to Kranspoort.
6th.—The regiment marched from Kranspoort. Enemy opened fire on rear-guards at short range, but on the support coming up they retired. Casualties:—Wounded—4447 Lce.-Cpl. Scott, died same day. Bivouacked at Zaaihoek.
7th, 8th.—The regiment marched from Zaaihoek to Kwars River Spruit. A few shots from enemy en route. No casualties. One troop B Squadron under 2nd Lieut. Parker patrolled to Aasvogel Krantz.
9th.—The regiment marched from Kwars Spruit to Great Oliphants Station. No. 3564 Pte. Humphries died of disease at Newcastle.
14th.—The regiment marched from Great Oliphants Station to Witbank. No. 3208 Pte. H. Stewart to England for discharge.
15th.—The regiment marched from Witbank. Small parties of the enemy were met with, who retired after firing a few shots.
Bivouacked at Zaaiwater.
16th.—The regiment marched from Zaaiwater to Kromdraai. Sniping at advanced guards en route.
17th.—Halt.
All but two days' provisions handed over to Plumer's column.
18th.—The regiment marched from Kromdraai at 6.30 a.m. towards Springs. Bivouacked at Nooitgedacht. Some sniping.
19th.—The regiment marched from Nooitgedacht to Bloemdale.
20th.—The regiment marched from Bloemdale to Springs.
21st.—Lieut. W. Long rejoined from England. Draft of 53 N.C.O.'s and men joined from England.
22nd.—20 N.C.O.'s and men invalided to England.
Owing to Col. Allenby's illness, Lieut.-Col. Hippisley assumed command of the column.
May 24th.—The regiment marched from Springs to Witklip.
25th.—The regiment marched from Witklip to Zeeuwfontein.
26th.—The regiment marched from Zeeuwfontein to Hartebeestfontein.
27th.—The regiment marched from Hartebeestfontein to Middledrift. Sniping.
28th.—The regiment marched from Middledrift at 7 a.m. to Vierfontein.
29th.—The regiment marched at 7 a.m. from Vierfontein. The enemy attacked the rear-guard, but was driven off. Bivouacked at Weltevreden. No casualties.
30th.—The regiment marched from Weltevreden at 7 a.m. to Straffontein. Snipers.
31st.—The regiment marched from Straffontein at 7.30 a.m. Enemy located on left flank about 10 a.m., but after exchanging a few shots retired. No casualties. Bivouacked at Van Dyks Put. On arriving in camp regiment ordered to pursue reported wagons of enemy. One prisoner caught and 30 oxen.
June 1st.—Van Dyks Put.
2nd.—The regiment marched from Van Dyks Put to Hartebeestfontein.
3rd.—The regiment marched from Hartebeestfontein to Wilge River Station.
4th.—The regiment marched from Wilge River Station to Rooipoort. Left flank attacked by a few Boers as we were going into camp.
5th.—The regiment marched from Rooipoort to Witpoort.
6th.—The regiment marched from Witpoort to Donkerhoek.
7th.—The regiment marched from Donkerhoek to Arcadia, east side of Pretoria. Major Middleton left the regiment to take over command of a remount depot at Durban.
8th.—The regiment marched from Arcadia to Daspoort. Col. Allenby resumed command of column.
10th.—The regiment marched from Daspoort to Reitfontein.
11th.—The regiment marched from Reitfontein to Sheepoort.
June 12th.—The regiment marched from Sheepoort to Hekpoort. Snipers on the right.
13th.—The regiment marched from Hekpoort to Thorndale.
14th.—The regiment marched at 5.30 a.m. to cover the return of the Carabiniers from Rustenburg through Breedts Nek. On arriving at the Nek the enemy were found to be in possession, and opened with heavy rifle fire on the advance scouts. A party under command of Lieut. J. L. M. Hutchison succeeded in driving them out. The regiment then returned to bivouac.
Major H. J. Scobell is granted local rank of Lieut.-Colonel in South Africa whilst commanding 1st Regiment Brabant's Horse, dated 1/12/00; Lieut. A. Lawson seconded for service on the Staff, dated 11/9/00; Capt. A. D. Miller seconded for service on the Staff, dated 10/7/00; Major (now Lieut.-Col.) H. J. Scobell to be Brevet Lieut.-Colonel, dated 29/11/00.
15th.—The regiment marched from Thorndale to Zandfontein.
17th.—The regiment marched from Zandfontein to Vlakfontein.
18th.—The regiment marched to Kleinfontein.
19th.—Kleinfontein. Small parties of enemy attacked day outposts about 11 miles west. Were driven off; no casualties.
Two squadrons R.S.G. out clearing farms, were sniped; no casualties.
20th.—The regiment, accompanied by two companies Inniskilling Fusiliers and two guns under Lieut.-Col. Hippisley, cleared the valley to the north of camp (Kleinfontein), and returned at nightfall. Small parties of the enemy met with.
21st.—The regiment marched from Kleinfontein at 3 a.m. Squadrons were detached for the purpose of surrounding party of the enemy reported to be in the locality. The nature of the ground made the operations very difficult. The following was the result:—
2 Boers captured, 3 taken prisoners, 400 cattle, 1,000 sheep and goats, 20 donkeys and mules, 16 wagons destroyed or taken.
Casualties:—Wounded—4752 Pte. Aird, 3147 Pte. Glen.
Bivouacked at Groenfontein.
June 22nd.—The regiment marched from Groenfontein to Klepkraus.
23rd.—The regiment marched from Klepkraus to Ventersdorp. Held by S. W. B., drew three days' provisions.
24th.—The regiment marched from Ventersdorp to Klipfontein.
25th.—The regiment marched from Klipfontein to Brakspruit.
26th.—Two men to England.
27th to 28th.—Midnight. Marched to hills S.W. of camp. Hamilton's column moving up from opposite side. 9 Boers captured. Returned Brakspruit.
29th.—Halted Brakspruit.
30th.—Marched to Lapfontein.
July 1st.—The regiment marched from Lapfontein to Nooitgedacht (492).
2nd.—The regiment marched to Klipplate Drift.
3rd.—The regiment marched from Klipplate Drift to Ventersdorp.
4th.—Bivouacked noon Modderfontein. Moved off again 7 p.m. to hold drifts; 8 p.m. three companies Inniskilling Fusiliers with two troops Greys moved to reported Boer position, arriving 5th.
5th.—2.30 a.m. Inniskilling Fusiliers going up with fixed bayonets. Boers, however, had recently left. One Boer captured by C Squadron in the morning. Camped Varkenskraal on the Mooi River.
6th.—The regiment marched from Varkenskraal to Holfontein.
7th.—The regiment marched from Holfontein to Vlaksplaats, near Krugersdorp. Small parties of the enemy met with en route. Five horses captured. No casualties.
8th and 9th.—Halted Vlaksplaats.
9th and 10th.—Midnight. Col. Hippisley, with A and C Squadrons Greys and two squadrons Carabiniers, marched off midnight, captured 13 Boers. Remainder moved 4 a.m. Whole force bivouacked Vlaksplaats.
10th.—The regiment marched from Vlaksplaats. Some supplies and 3 horses were captured from the enemy, who fired a few shots and retired. Bivouacked at Zeekoehoek.
11th.—The regiment marched from Zeekoehoek to Hekpoort.
July 12th.—A and B Squadrons, 100 strong, with two squadrons Carabiniers, howitzer and pom-pom. Marched at 7 a.m. for reconnaissance. Enemy and laager located at foot of Hekpoort: nearly all their wagons were destroyed by shellfire. Squadrons returned to camp.
13th.—The regiment marched from Hekpoort to Dwarsvlei.
14th.—Halted Dwarsvlei.
15th.—The regiment marched from Dwarsvlei to Tweefontein.
16th.—The regiment marched from Tweefontein to Kromdraai, clearing farms en route. C Squadron under the command of Major J. Crabbie escorted convoy to Krugersdorp for supplies.
17th.—The regiment marched at 8 a.m., and were engaged all day in clearing the Kromdraai and neighbouring Kloofs.
18th.—Escort under Major J. Crabbie returned with convoy from Krugersdorp. A Squadron under the command of Capt. Feilden escorted convoy to Krugersdorp for supplies.
19th.—The regiment marched from Kromdraai to Vlakplaats.
20th and 21st.—Vlakplaats. A Squadron under the command of Capt. C. W. M. Feilden returned with convoy from Krugersdorp.
22nd.—The regiment marched from Vlakplaats via Zeekoehoek to Thorndale. Several snipers. No casualties.
23rd.—C Squadron under command of Major J. Crabbie, 100 strong, for reconnaissance. Strong force of the enemy located about 4 miles east of camp.
24th.—The regiment marched from Thorndale at 6 a.m. for Wagonpad Spruit. Sniping by the enemy all day.
25th.—A and C Squadrons were engaged in clearing farms.
26th.—The regiment marched from Wagonpad Spruit. On the regiment marching, an ambush was left on the old bivouac ground, composed of a few men from each squadron, supported by C Squadron under the command of Major J. Crabbie.
Small parties of the enemy came on to the ground to secure what was left as regards pieces of biscuits, etc. Fire was opened on them with the following results:—Killed 2, prisoners 7, three of whom were wounded. No casualties.
Bivouacked at Doorn Kloof.
July 27th.—A and C Squadrons under Major Crabbie engaged in clearing farms.
28th.—The regiment marched from Doorn Kloof at 7 a.m. Enemy opened fire on advance scouts at short range and then retired. Several horses killed. No casualties in men.
29th.—The regiment marched from Doorn Kloof to Zeekoehoek.
30th.—The regiment marched from Zeekoehoek at 6.30 a.m. to Boschfontein.
31st.—A and C Squadrons, under the command of Lieut.-Col. W. H. Hippisley, left camp at 5.30 a.m., for reconnaissance. No enemy.
Aug. 1st and 2nd.—Boschfontein.
3rd.—All mounted troops except A Squadron R.S.G. escorted Col. Kekewich's convoy through Oliphant's Nek.
4th.—Gifts received from the following were distributed:—
The Rt. Hon. Walter Long's Fund, Capt. Meysey Thompson, Mr. John Masterson, Perth.
Halted Boschfontein.
5th.—The regiment marched from Boschfontein. Took up a position covering the right of Col. Kekewich's convoy, which was moving from Nauwpoort to Oliphant's Nek, and rejoined column at Thorndale.
6th.—The regiment marched from Thorndale for Doornkloof.
7th.—Operations in connection with Col. Kekewich's column, commencing at Breedt's Nek and ending at Damhoek.
London Gazette.—5th Lancers—Major and Brevet Lieut.-Col. H. J. Scobell, from 2nd Dragoons, to be Lieut.-Col., vice J. F. M. Fawcett, on half-pay, on account of ill-health.
Capt. W. F. Collins is seconded for service as an Adjutant of Imperial Yeomanry in Great Britain.
8th.—The regiment marched from Doornkloof to Hekpoort. No. 4755 Pte. R. Graham died of disease at Johannesburg.
News received that the column under Col. H. J. Scobell inflicted heavy loss on Commandant Lategan in Cape Colony.
9th.—The regiment marched at 7 a.m. to Damhoek, which was strongly held by the enemy, who lost one killed and one wounded.
Bivouacked at Nooitgedacht.
Aug. 10th.—The regiment marched from Nooitgedacht at 7 a.m. to Damhoek.
Enemy were again attacked and driven from position, with the loss of 9 prisoners, 9 rifles, 400 rounds S.A.A., and 2 carts.
11th.—A and B Squadrons, with pom-pom, under command of Capt. C. W. M. Feilden, marched at 7.30 a.m., taking with them four days' supplies and all empty supply wagons, acting under General Barton's orders.
12th.—C Squadron, with three days' supplies, formed part of a force under Major Butler, Carabiniers, which marched west at 5 p.m.
16th.—A Squadron, with one troop of B, under command of C. W. M. Feilden, occupied Nooitgedacht Pass and Yeomanry Hill, to protect South African Constabulary building block-houses. Returned to camp 5.30 p.m.
17th.—One troop of A Squadron, under Lieut. J. L. M. Hutchison, escorted wagons to Scheerpoort, and returned to camp the following day.
18th.—The regiment marched from Damhoek to Grootplaats.
19th.—The regiment marched from Grootplaats to Reitfontein.
The regiment marched from Reitfontein at 10.15 p.m. through Zilikats Nek to Mamagalies Kraal.
21st.—B and C Squadrons left camp at 7 a.m., under command of Col. Allenby, to communicate with Col. Kekewich, and returned at sunset.
22nd.—The regiment marched from Mamagalies Kraal to Beeste Kraal; 16 of the enemy surrendered en route, with arms, of which only two were mounted.
23rd.—A and B Squadrons and half C Squadron marched, under Lieut.-Col. W. H. Hippisley, for reconnaissance. No enemy.
24th.—The regiment marched from Beeste Kraal to Bulhoek.
25th.—The regiment marched from Bulhoek to Kaffirs Kraal.
27th.—The regiment marched from Kaffirs Kraal to Waaikraal.
The regiment marched from Waaikraal to Zwartkoppies.
Aug. 28th.—The regiment marched from Zwartkoppies to Roodekoppies.
29th.—The regiment marched from Roodekoppies to Rustenburg.
Thirteen men to England.
30th.—Halted Rustenburg.
31st.—The regiment marched from Rustenburg about 12 noon to Boschoek.
Sept. 1st.—The regiment marched from Boschoek at 7 a.m. to Rhenoster Doorn.
2nd.—The regiment marched from Rhenoster Doorn at 6.30 a.m. for Rhenosterfontein. Small parties of the enemy met with en route. One prisoner taken. No casualties.
3rd.—The regiment marched from Rhenosterfontein at 6 a.m. Parties of enemy concealed in thick scrub kept up sniping all day. A party of C Squadron, which was detached to bring in cattle, came under a heavy fire; 350 head of cattle were secured.
Casualties:—Wounded—4727 Pte. W. Lauder. Missing—3886 Tptr. C. Lidsey. C. of I. held subsequently declared this man to have been killed in action. Has never been heard of.
Bivouacked at Koedoesfontein.
4th.—B and C Squadrons, under Col. W. H. Hippisley, marched at 8 a.m. on reconnaissance to the north. 130 head of cattle captured. No casualties.
No. 3410 Pte. J. McGee died of disease at Reitfontein.
5th.—The regiment marched from Koedoesfontein at 7 a.m., via Megatos Nek to Kraaihoek.
6th.—The regiment marched from Kraaihoek to Rustenburg.
7th.—The regiment marched from Rustenburg at 7 a.m. for reconnaissance. Enemy's laager at Schaap's Kraal located about 4.30 a.m. At daybreak it was rushed, and everything taken. The captures were:—Two killed, 22 prisoners, one of which was wounded, 30 rifles, 5,000 rounds S.A.A., 10 wagons, 4 carts, 7 ponies, 250 head of cattle.
Casualties:—Killed—4086 Sergt. Clements, 4346 Pte. Baker.
Bivouacked at Roodes Koppies.
Col. Allenby expressed his satisfaction at the work done by the regiment on this day.
Sept. 8th.—The regiment marched from Roodeskoppies to Noehuters.
9th.—The regiment marched from Noehuters to Zandfontein.
10th.—The regiment marched from Zandfontein to Kameeldrift.
11th.—The regiment marched from Kameeldrift for Pretoria.
14th.—The regiment marched from Pretoria to Silverton.
16th.—The regiment marched from Silverton to Pretoria Railway Station, and entrained for Dundee (Natal).
17th and 18th.—On train from Pretoria to Dundee.
19th.—The regiment marched from Dundee at 11 a.m. to De Jagers Drift.
22nd.—The regiment marched from De Jagers Drift to Vants Drift.
24th.—The regiment crossed the Buffalo River at 6 a.m.
25th.—C Squadron under Major J. Crabbie marched at 8 a.m. for reconnaissance, and returned about 5 p.m. No sign of enemy.
27th.—The regiment formed part of a force under Gen. Bruce Hamilton, which marched from Vants Drift at 12 noon to the relief of Fort Itala, arriving there about 4.30 a.m. 28th. The enemy had retired from Itala. Small party left to hold Rorke's Drift.
29th.—Took up and entrenched position west of Itala.
30th.—Marched to Babanango.
Oct. 1st.—The regiment marched from Babanango Spruit at 6 a.m. to Dliep Kloof.
2nd.—The regiment marched from Dliep Kloof at 8 a.m. to Fort Prospect.
Fifty men C Squadron under 2nd Lieut. C. R. Pawson marched at 5 a.m., escorted empty wagons to Melmoth, and rejoined with supplies the 4th prox.
3rd.—The regiment marched from Fort Prospect at 9.30 a.m. to Entombaneni.
4th.—The regiment marched from Entombaneni at 7 a.m. to Divars River.
Oct. 5th.—The regiment marched from Divars River at 4 a.m. to Tuklazati.
6th.—The regiment marched from Tuklazati at 5 a.m. to Sotskloof.
7th.—The regiment, with one gun, under command of Lieut.-Col. W. H. Hippisley, marched from Sotskloof at 6 a.m. to Kromellem Bog, and took over convoy, and rejoined column on 9th.
Capt. E. A. Maude appointed Assistant Provost-Marshal to Allenby's column from 4th inst. inclusive.
8th.—Kromellem Bog.
9th.—The regiment marched from Kromellem Bog at 5 a.m., and rejoined column at Nooitgezein.
10th.—The regiment marched from Nooitgezein at 6 a.m. to Ekuhlengeni.
11th.—The regiment marched from Ekuhlengeni at 6 a.m. Very cold and heavy rains. Thirteen horses died of exposure during night.
Bivouacked Taverner's Rust.
12th.—The regiment marched from Taverner's Rust at 5 a.m. to Metselfontein. Ten horses died from exposure during the night; very cold and wet.
14th.—A Squadron marched at 4 a.m. to escort the G.O.C. for Vryheid. When G.O.C. was well on his way, the squadron halted and waited for the remainder regiment. Headquarters with B and C Squadrons marched from Metselfontein at 10 a.m. to Vaalbank.
15th.—The regiment marched from Vaalbank to Welgevoden.
16th.—The regiment marched from Welgevoden to Vryheid. Sick horses sent to De Jagers Drift, under Lieut. Hon. A. M. Henley.
20th.—The following force under Major C. W. M. Feilden marched from Vryheid at 7 a.m., escorted a convoy to Paul Pietersburg for General Walter Kitchener, and rejoined the regiment at Standerton on 29th:—A Squadron—60 men, Lieut. J. L. M. Hutchison, 2nd Lieut. E. H. Bonham. B Squadron—65 men, Lieut. J. Feilden,
2nd Lieut. C. T. Parker. C Squadron—75 men, Lieut. C. R. Pawson.
Oct. 22nd.—The regiment marched from Vryheid to Bembeas Kop.
23rd.—The regiment marched from Bembeas Kop to De Jagers Drift.
24th.—The regiment marched from De Jagers Drift to Dundee.
25th.—The regiment entrained at Dundee for Standerton.
29th.—London Gazette.—Capt. C. W. M. Feilden to be Major, vice Brevet Lieut.-Col. H. J. Scobell, promoted into 5th Lancers; dated 23/8/01.
Lieut. C. P. Foster resigns his commission on account of ill-health.
The undermentioned Lieutenants to be Captains:
A. G. Seymour, vice W. F. Collins, seconded.
Hon. A. J. M. St. Clair (Master of Sinclair), vice C. W. M. Feilden, promoted.
The undermentioned 2nd Lieutenants to be Lieutenants:
C. R. Pawson, vice A. G. Seymour.
H. C. T. Parker, vice Hon. A. J. M. St. Clair.
Hon. A. M. Henley, vice C. P. Foster.
31st.—The regiment formed part of a force under Gen. G. Hamilton, which marched from Standerton at 2 p.m. towards Trichardsfontein to the relief of Col. Benson's column.
Enemy had retired.
Nov. 3rd.—The regiment marched from Trichardsfontein to New Denmark Farm.
4th.—The regiment marched from New Denmark Farm to Standerton.
Telegram from Lord Kitchener to General G. Hamilton:—"Please tell all troops who marched under your command from Standerton, that I was much pleased at their rapid start and the very good march they made."
London Gazette.—To be Companions of the Distinguished Service Order:
Major C. W. M. Feilden, Capt. and Adjt. E. Ussher.
To be Brevet Lieut.-Col., Major W. C. Middleton.
To be Brevet Major, Capt. E. A. Maude.
Granted Distinguished Conduct Medal:
R. S. M. F. Casswell, 4172 Sergt. A. J. Pott, 3939 Lce.-Cpl. J. Sweeting, and 4387 S. S. G. Banks.
Nov. 8th.—The regiment marched from Standerton to Eensgevonden.
9th.—The regiment marched from Eensgevonden to Bosjesspruit.
10th.—The regiment marched from Bosjesspruit to Trichardsfontein.
11th.—Reconnaissance, returned Trichardsfontein.
12th.—The regiment marched from Trichardsfontein for Rooipoort.
13th.—The regiment marched at 5 a.m. for reconnaissance; several scattered parties of the enemy met with, who, after firing on the advance scouts, retired. On returning, the enemy followed and attacked the rear-guard. Casualties, 6 horses killed. Returned to bivouac at 7.30 p.m. One dead Boer picked up.
14th.—Clearing operations under Lieut.-Col. W. H. Hippisley by all details left in camp on 13th. Advance scouts came under fire about 3 miles from camp, enemy then retired.
15th.—The regiment marched from Rooipoort to Trichardsfontein.
16th.—The regiment halted at Trichardsfontein.
17th to 20th.—Trichardsfontein.
21st.—The regiment marched from Trichardsfontein at 6 a.m. to Bethal.
22nd.—Forces divided for future operations into lines A, B, C.
A, fighting force, with no wheeled transport;
B, Cape carts and 2 wagons per regiment;
C, Heavy transport.
A line marched 7 p.m. Marched all night.
23rd.—Enemy located at daybreak, who retired without firing. Captures, 60 head of cattle, 11 ponies. No casualties.
24th.—The regiment marched from Tweefontein at 6 a.m. to Knapdaar (38).
25th.—The regiment marched to Bethal (4 ponies captured).
28th.—A and B Squadrons with 10 led horses formed part of a force under Col. Allenby which marched at 7 p.m. for reconnaissance.
No enemy. Returned to bivouac at 8 a.m. 29th.
Nov. 30th.—Bethal.
Dec. 1st.—The regiment marched from Bethal to Schurvekop.
2nd.—The regiment marched from Schurvekop at 7 a.m. to Knapdaar.
3rd.—The regiment marched from Knapdaar at 7 a.m. to Boschmansfontein.
4th.—A and B Squadrons out on reconnaissance. Located enemy. 4 horses wounded.
5th and 6th.—No move. Advance was fired upon by a few snipers en route. One horse captured. No casualties.
7th.—The regiment marched from Boschmansfontein at 8.55 a.m. to Wilmansrust. 26 head of cattle and 80 sheep captured. No casualties.
8th.—Marched 7 a.m. to Middelkraal (298).
9th.—B Squadron leaves with empty wagons to refit at Middelburg.
10th.—The regiment marched from Middelkraal at 5 a.m. Enemy encountered about 12 noon, who opened heavy fire and then retired, leaving their cattle and wagons, which were secured. Capture: 480 head of cattle, 7 wagons. No casualties. Bivouacked at Onverwacht.
12th.—The regiment marched from Mooifontein at 8 a.m. to Tweedraai. Party of the enemy located en route in farmhouse, which was rushed. Captures: 8 prisoners, 5 ponies, 2 Cape carts.
13th.—The regiment marched from Tweedraai to Roodebloem.
14th.—B squadron rejoined with convoy.
The regiment marched from Roodebloem at 4 a.m. to Steenkool Spruit. No. 2508 Pte. J. Neal died of disease at Standerton.
15th.—The regiment marched from Steenkool Spruit at 7 a.m. to Roodebloem. C Squadron under Major Crabbie formed part of a force under Major Butler which marched at 7 a.m. Enemy located at farm, which was surrounded. Captured 33 prisoners, including Major Pretorius, Staats Artillery, 50 ponies, 100 head of cattle.
No casualties. Squadron rejoined regiment at Brug Spruit.
Dec. 18th.—Marched to Stenkool Spruit.
19th.—A and B Squadrons marched from Stenkool Spruit to Brug Spruit.
20th.—3946 Pte. T. Noble accidentally wounded.
24th.—Three of the enemy with ponies and arms surrendered to outposts.
26th.—The regiment left Col. Allenby's force (being replaced by 13th Hussars), and marched from Brug Spruit to Klipfontein, which was fortified.
27th.—A and B Squadrons under Lieut.-Col. W. H. Hippisley left camp at 7.30 a.m. for reconnaissance. Small party of enemy located, were pursued and captured. Captured: 4 prisoners, 2 Cape carts, 4 ponies. Returned to bivouac 2.30 p.m.
30th.—The regiment marched from Klipfontein at 6 a.m. Strong force of the enemy located about midday, who opened with heavy rifle fire. Casualties:—Killed—4643 L. C. Fraser, 3674 Pte. Gibson, 4563 Mitchell, 4879 Hastings, 4764 Humphries. Wounded—Corpls. Scott, Griffiths, Ptes. Cockburn, Sharp, Roy, Kerr, Lindsay, Bruce, McKenzie, McKissock, McLeod, Parton. Enemy's loss unknown. Bivouacked Bronkhurst Spruit.
31st.—The regiment marched from Bronkhurst Spruit at 2 p.m. to Elands River. No. 4831 Pte. Bruce died of wounds received on the 30th.
| Killed, Died, etc. | Received. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Killed in action | 50 | From remount depots | 1639 |
| Destroyed | 367 | Captured from enemy | 66 |
| Died | 259 | ||
| Captured by enemy | 12 | ||
| Returned to sick horse depots | 1311 | ||
| 1999 | 1705 | ||
| Officers. | N.C.O.'s and Men. | |
|---|---|---|
| Killed in action | — | 10 |
| Died of wounds | — | 6 |
| Died of disease | — | 8 |
| Wounded | 1 | 30 |
| Captured | — | — |
1902.
Jan. 1st.—Elands River.
5034 Pte. R. Cochrane died of wounds, Pretoria.
2nd.—Elands River. Lieut. G. G. Middleton rejoined from England. (5th).
3rd.—The regiment marched from Elands River to Bapsfontein.
4th.—The regiment marched from Bapsfontein to Springs to refit. The regiment formed part of a force as under:—
5th Dragoon Guards, Greys, 2 guns 66th Battery.
The whole under the command of General G. Hamilton to operate between the blockhouse line and railway.
The regiment marched from Springs to Witklip.
5th.—One troop C Squadron under Lieut. G. G. Middleton marched at 6 a.m. in accordance with instructions issued. The party took a helio and kept up communication with camp.
6th.—Halt, Springs, 6th, 7th to 13th inclusive.
7th.—4962 Pte. R. Brooks died of disease Pretoria.
14th.—Marched 4 a.m. to Witklip (70).
15th.—Halt Witklip.
16th.—Marched 5 a.m. to Vlakvarkfontein. 10 p.m. A and B Squadrons under Major Adams proceed to Kroomdraai (100).
17th.—Remainder of column marched 5 a.m. to Kroomdraai (100).
18th.—Halted Kroomdraai (100).
19th.—Marched 7 p.m. till 1 a.m. on.
20th.—A and C Squadrons formed part of a force under Lieut.-Col. W. H. Hippisley which marched at 7 p.m. for reconnaissance. Small party of the enemy met with, who retired. Bivouacked at Middelburg. No casualties.
When A and C Squadrons R.S.G. with two squadrons of 5th D.G.'s pushed on; remainder moved daybreak; whole camping Middelburg (487).
Jan. 21st.—The regiment marched from Middelburg at 6 a.m. to Springs; a few snipers met with en route. No casualties.
23rd.—Regiment marched from Springs to Boschmans Kop.
24th.—The regiment marched from Boschmans Kop to Leeuwkop.
Party of the enemy attacked right flank guard, were driven off. Casualties:—Wounded—3803 Sergt. D. Coutts, 2 horses killed.
26th.—The regiment marched from Leeuwkop at 7.25 p.m. for reconnaissance. Party of enemy located at farm at daybreak, who retired. Returned to bivouac at Leeuwkop 26th.
Casualties:—Wounded—4535 Sergt. R. Currie, 4607 Cpl. Telford, 4497 Pte. C. Quinn; 3 horses killed.
28th.—The regiment marched from Leeuwkop to Welgevonden.
31st.—The regiment marched from Welgevonden to Witklipbank.
Feb. 1st.—The regiment marched from Witklipbank to Witpoort.
2nd.—The regiment marched from Witpoort to Straffontein.
3rd.—The regiment marched for reconnaissance. Enemy located just leaving farm, about 4 miles from camp. They were pursued and the following captures made:—16 prisoners, 2 surrendered, 300 head of cattle, 3 carts, 20 ponies. No casualties.
4th.—A and B Squadrons under Lieut.-Col. W. H. Hippisley marched at 8 p.m. for reconnaissance. No enemy. Joined remainder of regiment at Straffontein.
5th.—The regiment marched from Straffontein to Witklip.
7th.—The regiment marched at 9 p.m. for reconnaissance. No enemy. Bivouacked at Witpoort 10th.
3946 Pte. Noble died of wounds (accidentally received) at Pretoria.
9th and 10th.—Marched to Witklipbank from Witpoort. Two Boers captured.
11th.—Marched 6 p.m. to Waaikraal (240).
12th.—Reconnaissance in conjunction with Col. Wing. No Boers. Returned Waaikraal.
Feb. 13th.—Fifty men of C Squadron under Lieut. E. H. Bonham marched at 5 a.m. and escorted sick horses and wagons to Bronkhurst Spruit. Returned with supplies on 15th.
16th.—The regiment marched from Waaikraal at 6.30 a.m. to Reitkuil.
17th.—The regiment marched from Reitkuil at 8.15 p.m. to Leeuwkop.
3645 Sergt. Head died of disease at Standerton.
18th.—The regiment marched from Leeuwkop at 6 a.m.
Strong party of enemy located in a laager by advance scouts under Lieut. D. McCombie. Attack not being ordered at once by Gen. Hamilton, enemy inspanned and took up a strong position. A Squadron with one squadron 5th Dragoon Guards were ordered to attack, under Major C. W. M. Feilden.
The attack not being supported by the remainder of the column, the squadron 5th Dragoon Guards were forced to retire, and A Squadron suffered severely in extricating itself, with the following casualties:—
Killed—Lieut. J. F. Rhodes, 4225 Sergt. Glen, 4237 Pte. Cruickshank. Wounded—Capt. and Adjt. E. Ussher, Major C. W. M. Feilden, D.S.O., Ptes. 4749 Coffield, 4253 D. Ritchie, 4818 G. Welsh, 3955 E. Gray, 4709 R. Bell, 3375 D. Beatson.
Enemy estimated at 500. The whole force then retired and bivouacked at Nigel.
20th.—Major C. W. M. Feilden, D.S.O., died of wounds; 3575 Pte. Beatson died of wounds. The regiment marched from Nigel at 6.30 a.m. to Springs. Capt. and Adjt. E. Ussher died of wounds.
23rd.—The regiment marched at 11 p.m. for reconnaissance. No enemy. Returned to bivouac.
25th.—Civil Surgeon J. S. Clark attached to regiment.
27th.—The regiment marched from Springs to Goodhoop.
28th.—The regiment marched from Goodhoop to Witklip.
Mar. 2nd.—The regiment marched from Witklip to Grootfontein.
3rd.—The regiment marched from Grootfontein to Springs.
Mar. 4th.—4880 Pte. W. Reid died of disease at Germiston.
5th.—The regiment marched from Springs at 1.30 p.m. A few snipers met with en route. No casualties.
6th.—The regiment marched from Vischkuil to Leeuwkop.
7th.—A and C Squadrons under command of Major E. A. Maude marched at 4.45 a.m. for reconnaissance. No enemy. Returned to bivouac.
8th.—The regiment marched from Leeuwkop to Welgevonden.
9th.—The regiment marched from Welgevonden to Springs.
12th.—The regiment marched from Springs to Boksburg.
13th.—The regiment marched from Boksburg to Klip River Station.
14th.—The regiment marched from Klip River Station at 5 a.m. for reconnaissance. No enemy.
17th.—The regiment marched from Klip River Station to Boksburg.
18th.—The regiment marched from Boksburg to Springs.
19th.—The regiment marched from Springs to Boksburg.
20th.—The regiment marched from Boksburg to Kaalfontein.
21st.—The regiment marched from Kaalfontein to Irene.
22nd.—The regiment was employed reconnoitring the country and protecting South African Constabulary building blockhouses. No casualties.
Apr. 17th.—The regiment marched from Irene at 6.30 a.m. to Witpoort to take part in a drive to Balmoral connecting up with Col. Lawley's column on right, S.A.C. on left.
18th.—Drive continued from Witpoort 6.30 a.m.; held line near Bronkhurst Spruit.
19th.—Drive continued at 6.30 a.m. Camped Klipeiland.
20th.—Marched to Balmoral.
20th to 23rd.—The regiment marched from Balmoral at 7.45 a.m. to take part in a drive to Heidelburg. Bivouacked Boschkop.
24th.—The drive was continued from Boschkop at 7 a.m. to Koffe Spruit. Major J. Crabbie to England.
25th.—4981 Pte. Hood died of exposure.
26th.—Driving. S. Regiment holding front of 3,900 yards at night near Wolvefontein (460). Trenches and wire along whole front.
Apr. 27th.—The drive continued from Koffe Spruit at 6.30 a.m. to Vlakfontein.
29th.—The drive was continued from Vlakfontein at 6.30 a.m. and concluded at Heidelburg. No enemy.
30th.—The regiment marched from Heidelburg to Klip River Station.
May 1st.—The regiment marched from Klip River Station to Boksburg.
2nd to 11th.—The regiment marched from Boksburg to Springs.
Lieut. S. J. Hardy joined from England.
Lieut. J. M. F. Sprot joined from England.
Orders received for regiment to join troops under General French in Cape Colony.
12th.—The regiment marched from Springs to Elandsfontein, handed in horses and entrained for Rosmead, Cape Colony, at 7 p.m.
13th.—Train.
14th.—Train.
15th.—Rosmead. Detrained and took over 402 horses.
18th and 19th.—Rosmead.
20th.—The regiment entrained at Rosmead for Tarkastad.
22nd to 26th.—Tarkastad; 24th got 120 more horses.
27th.—The regiment marched from Tarkastad to Maraisburg.
28th to 31st.—Maraisburg.
June 1st.—Telegram from C.S.O. to General French:—
"Peace Signed Last Night."
| How disposed of. | Received. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Destroyed | 45 | Remount depot | 1285 |
| Killed | 21 | Captured | 3 |
| Died | 47 | ||
| Captured | 2 | ||
| S. H. Depots | 416 | ||
| Remount Depot: Elandsfontein | 382 | ||
| 913 | 1288 | ||
| Officers. | N.C.O.'s and Men. | |
|---|---|---|
| Killed in action | 1 | 2 |
| Died of wounds | 2 | 1 |
| Died of disease | — | 5 |
| Wounded | — | 9 |
| Captured | — | — |
| Officers. | N.C.O.'s and Men. | |
|---|---|---|
| Died at sea | — | 1 |
| Killed in action | 2 | 20 |
| Died of wounds | 4 | 11 |
| Died of disease | 1 | 35 |
| Wounded | 4 | 82 |
| 11 | 149 |
The Regiment marched from Rosmead on 17/6/02 via Middelburg, Graffe Reinet, and Aberdeen to Beaufort West, arriving 3/7/02.
Lieut.-Col. W. H. Hippisley proceeded to England on 16/6/02 on relinquishing command of the Regiment.
The Reservists serving with the Regiment proceeded to England for demobilisation on the 1/8/02.
Col. H. J. Scobell gazetted to command of the Regiment from 2/8/02.
The Regiment marched from Beaufort West on 8/8/02 to Victoria West, arriving on the 12/8/02.
The Regiment marched from Victoria West on 10/9/02 via Beaufort West, Matjesfontein, Worcester, and Paarl, to Stellenbosch (Remount Loop), arriving 6/10/02.
In February, 1683, General Dalzell, "finding that he cannot be provided in this kingdom with as much cloth of one colour as will be clothes to the regiment of dragoons," obtained from the Privy Council of Scotland a licence permitting the cloth manufacturing company at Newmills "to import 2,536 ells of stone-grey cloth from England, for clothing the said regiment of dragoons."
The men wore iron helmets and very high boots.
Each trooper seems to have been armed with a matchlock musket and a bayonet, and wore a collar of bandoliers. There were, however, twelve men in each troop not thus armed, but carrying halberds and pistols. These same twelve probably also carried hand grenades.
By an order dated February 21st, 1687, Dragoons were ordered to have "snaphanse musquets, strapt, with bright barrels of three foote eight inches long, cartouche boxes, bayonets, granado pouches, bucketts, and hammer-hatchetts."
The following is from a contemporary MS. belonging to the Regiment:—
| To 133 | ells of Linning for 38 Dragoon shirts. |
| 45 | ditto for necks. |
| 48½ | ells musline. |
| 8 | " sylks. |
| 8 | hatchets. |
| 48 | suit of furrage & caps. |
| 210 | ells whyte and bleu lining for Dragoon frocks. |
| 48 | cocades. |
| 48 | shoe buckels." |
From a Coloured Drawing in the British Museum, dated 1742.
| October 1705 | C l o a c k e s . |
C o a t e s . |
W a i s t C o a t e s . |
B r e e c h e s . |
G l o v e s . |
B o o t e s a n d S p u r r e s . |
S a i d l e s . |
S t e e r o p L e a t h e r s a n d I r o n e s . |
B r e e c k e t s a n d S t r a p e s . |
H u l s t e r s a n d S t r a p e s . |
G i r t h e s . |
M a e l l P i l l e o m e s . |
P a i r s o f C l o a c k S t r a p e s . |
B r y d l e h e a d s t e a l l e s a n d R e y n e s . |
C u r p l e a n d T e e s . |
H o u s e i n g a n d C a p e s . |
H a t t e s . |
B u f f s h o u l d e r s w o r d a n d s a b r e n t a s h b e l t e s . |
N e w G r a n a d e r C a p s . |
d i t t o s h o u l d e r b e l t s . |
d i t t o s w o r d b e l t e s . |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Att Gorcum in the Great Casque | 23 | 39 | 32 | 13 | 38 | 96 | 30 | 32 | 32 | ||||||||||||
| In the Little Casque | 7 | 160 | |||||||||||||||||||
| In the paymasters qrs. | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 26 | 11 | 43 | 60 | 11 | 3 | 143 | 5 | 37 | 5 | 5 | 3 | |||||
| To be sent from England | 275 | 366 | 366 | 366 | 373 | 373 | 94 | 100 | 75 | 77 | 112 | 43 | 120 | 98 | 118 | 373 | |||||
| Houtboyes | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Totall | 286 | 373 | 373 | 373 | 373 | 373 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 293 | 293 | 373 | |||||
| Notta.—Cloackes for the six old troopes; Coates, &c., for all the eight troopes; Saidles, 20 to each of the six old troopes, and 15 to each of the 2 new troopes. Brydles, head stealls and Reynes, Curples, and wasten from each troop deducted, 9h was given new last year. The hattes to be made according to the number of the Granadeers, mounting for the houtboyes to be mynded. | |||||||||||||||||||||
On July 1st, 1751, George II. issued the following regulation relating to the Regiment:—
"Coats.—Scarlet, double-breasted, without lappels, lined with blue; slit sleeves turned up with blue; the button-holes ornamented with narrow white lace; the buttons flat, of white metal set on two and two; a long slash pocket in each skirt; and a white worsted aiguillette on the right shoulder.
"Waistcoats and breeches.—Blue.
"Caps.—Blue cloth grenadier caps, having on the front the thistle within the circle of St. Andrew, and motto, 'Nemo me impune lacessit'; the flap red, with the white horse, and motto, 'Nec aspera terrent,' over it; the back part red, and the turn-up blue, with a thistle embroidered between the letters II. D.; the forage cap red, turned up with blue, and the rank of the regiment on the little flap.
"Boots.—Of jacked leather.
"Cloaks.—Of scarlet cloth, with a blue collar, and lined with blue shalloon; the buttons set on two and two on white frogs or loops, with a blue stripe down the centre.
"Horse furniture.—Of blue cloth; the holster caps and housings having a border of royal lace, with a blue stripe down the middle; the thistle, within the circle of St. Andrew, embroidered on the housing; and on the holster caps the King's cipher and crown with II. D. underneath.
"Officers.—Distinguished by silver lace; their coats and waistcoats bound with silver embroidery, the button-holes worked with silver; and a crimson silk sash worn across the left shoulder.
"Quarter Masters.—To wear a crimson sash round their waists.
"Serjeants.—To have narrow silver lace on the cuffs, pockets, and shoulder straps; silver aiguillettes, and blue and yellow worsted sashes tied round their waists.
"Corporals.—Narrow silver lace on the cuffs and shoulder-straps; and a white silk aiguillette.
"Drummers and Hautboys.—Scarlet coats lined with blue, and ornamented with royal lace, with blue waistcoats and breeches.
"Guidons.—The first, or king's guidon, to be of crimson silk, embroidered and fringed with gold and silver; in the centre the rose and thistle conjoined, and crown over them, with the motto, 'Dieu et mon Droit,' underneath; the white horse in a compartment in the first and fourth corners, and II. D. in gold characters on a blue ground, in the second and third corners; the second and third guidons to be of blue silk; in the centre the thistle within the circle of St. Andrew, and motto, 'Nemo me impune lacessit'; the white horse on a scarlet ground in the first and fourth compartments; and II. D., on a red ground, within a small wreath of roses and thistles, in the second and third corners."
General Dalzell's Comb.
In the volume belonging to the Regiment, and dated 1759, are the following entries relating to dress:—
"22 January.—A stiver to be stopped from each man for having his hatt cocked, which the Major hopes the regiment won't be against paying, as it is for their own advantage.
"25 January.—The troops to send the bread waggons for their hatts and gloves on Monday next, and no man to presume to alter the cock, otherwise it will be done over again, and he be obliged to pay every time it is not in shape."
In 1764 further changes were made. The Regiment was ordered to be remounted with long-tailed horses! The officers and men were directed to wear epaulettes on the left shoulder instead of aiguillettes. The colour of the waistcoats and breeches was changed from blue to white, and the button-holes were ordered to be plain. At the same time, jacked leather boots were replaced by others of a lighter description, and the silver binding on the officers' coats was discontinued.
On December 19th, 1768, appeared another royal warrant ordering the Regiment to wear black bearskin caps, with the thistle within the circle of St. Andrew, and the motto, "Nemo me impune lacessit," on the front of the cap.
In 1788, an order was issued for sword-belts to be worn suspended across the right shoulder, instead of being fastened round the waist; also to wear an epaulette, or strap, on the right shoulder uniform with that on the left.
"Account of Articles of Cavalry Equipment furnished to four Recruits of the 2nd (or R.N.B.) Regiments of Dragoons, enlisted at Head Quarters, from 25th December, 1803, to 24 January, 1804:—
"Account of Necessaries furnished to James Thomas, a Recruit enlisted by a Party of the 2nd (or R.N.B.) Regiment of Dragoons in the Leeds Recruiting District on the 3d of June, 1803, and who deserted on the 6th of the same month, but has since been recovered and joined the Regiment the 16th Jany. 1804.
General Thomas Dalzell's Dagger and Spoon.
Officer of the Royal Scots Greys, about 1834.
From a rare Print kindly lent by Messrs. Robson & Co.
"Account of Articles of Necessaries and Cavalry Equipment furnished to George Milward, a Recruit who was enlisted at the Head Quarters of the Regiment at Canterbury on the 1st March, 1805, and Deserted before being attested, and who has been recovered to, and joined the Regiment the 23d May, 1807, as per War Office Route, dated 6 April, 1807:—
| 1807. | £ | s. | d. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 3d. | To a Pair of Regimental Shag Breeches | 17 | 6 | |
| Pair of Breeches Slings | 1 | 6 | ||
| Stable Jacket | 15 | 6 | ||
| Trousers | 7 | 6 | ||
| Foraging Cap | 3 | 6 | ||
| Nose Bag | 1 | 0 | ||
| Watering Bridle | 5 | 6 | ||
| Horse Log | 6 | |||
| 3 Shirts at 9s. each | 1 | 7 | 0 | |
| Night Cap | 1 | 0 | ||
| Stock and Clasps | 1 | 8 | ||
| 3 Pair Worsted Stockings at 3s. 2d. p. pr. | 9 | 6 | ||
| 1 Pair of Long Black Gaiters | 8 | 4 | ||
| 2 Pair of Shoes at 8s. 6d. the pair | 17 | 0 | ||
| 1 Pair of Shoe Clasps | 8 | |||
| &c., &c. | ||||
| Scissors | 1 | 6 | ||
| Button Stock and Hook | 8 | |||
| Powder Bag, Powder and Puff | 1 | 6 | ||
| Carbine Lock Cover, Pair of Saddle Bags, Lock and Key | 18 | 4 | ||
| Horse Cloth | 8 | 0 | ||
| Surcingle | 4 | 6" |
In 1808, an order was issued for the men's hair to be cut short, instead of being plaited and tied up and powdered. In 1811, an order was made for the men's coats to be made in future shorter in the skirts, and broad yellow lace, down the front and round the skirts and cuffs, was introduced in the place of the narrow white lace hitherto worn across the breast, arms, and skirts. Also plush breeches were to be worn instead of leather.
In the summer of 1812, web breeches and grey cloth overalls were introduced, and a valice (sic) of scarlet cloth was substituted for the leather saddle bags. The battle of Waterloo, so famous in the Regiment's history, is commemorated by the badge of an eagle displayed[Pg 142] on the guidons, and the word "Waterloo" borne on the guidons and on the grenadier caps.
In the Official Regulations for Officers' Dress, dated 1846, page 109:—
"The Second or Royal North British Dragoons have permission to wear a bear-skin cap with a white hackle feather, nine inches long, according to regimental pattern."
In the Official Regulations of 1864 for Officers, at p. 57:—
"Head dress for the 2nd Dragoons, a bear-skin cap, with a gilt thistle on the front, and on the left side a gilt grenade to receive the plume bearing the Royal arms, above the badge of St. Andrew, and the word 'Waterloo' below.
"Plume, a white hackle feather, nine inches long."
At page 42 of the Officers' Dress Regulations, dated 1894, is:
"Cap for 2nd Dragoons (Scots Greys) black bearskin, 10 inches high; with a gilt thistle in front; and a gilt grenade on the left side, as a plume socket, bearing the badge of St. Andrew, with the Royal arms above, and the word 'Waterloo' below. Plain gilt burnished chain, lined with black leather.
"Plume—white hackle feather, 9 inches long."
An Officer in Levée Dress, Crimean Period.
The following, copied from the original Roll still existing in Edinburgh, was very kindly given to me by the Right Honourable the Earl of Dunmore:—
| Colonel-in-Chief | General Sir Thos. Dalzell, Commander-in-chief of his Majesty's Troops in Scotland. |
| Lieutenant-Colonel | The Right Honble. Lord Charles Murray. |
| Major (1). | |
| Sir James Turner, Bart. | |
| Captains (3). | |
| John Inglish | |
| John Strachan | |
| William Clelland | |
| The Col.-in-chief, The Colonel and The Major |
all Captains (3) of troops. |
| Quarter-Master. | |
| Andrew Ross | |
| Regimental Chirurgeon. | |
| James Irving | |
| Aide Major. | |
| David Beatson | |
| Marischall | |
| Lieutenants (6). | |
| James Murray | |
| Thomas Wynram | |
| Henry Dundas | |
| Alexander Bruce | |
| John Livingstone | |
| John Crichton | |
| Ensigns or Cornets (6). | |
| James Innes | |
| John Baillie | |
| John Whytford | |
| James Dundas | |
| Henry Drummond | |
| Lewis Lauder | |
| Sergeants | 12 |
| Corporals | 12 |
| Drummers | 12 |
| Rank and File | 311 |
| General Dalyell | Colonel |
| Thomas Wynram | Captain and Lieutenant |
| John Baillie | Ensigne |
| Andrew Rosse | Quarter-Master |
| David Beatston | Aide-Major |
| James Irving | Regimental Chirurgeon |
| David Currier | Sergeants |
| James Weymss | |
| David Dickers | Corporalls |
| Daniel McCallum | |
| James Matthews | Drumers |
| John Steuart | |
| Alexander Calhoune | |
| Alexander Ffrench | |
| Alexander Steuart | |
| Adam Rutherford | |
| Andrew Thomson | |
| Andrew Easone | |
| Andrew Page | |
| David Crichton | |
| David Williamson | |
| David Stevenson | |
| David Wright | |
| David Park | |
| George Purvis | |
| George Spence | |
| George Keith | |
| Gideon Coatts | |
| Henry Livingstone | |
| Henry McLellan | |
| Heugh Stirling | |
| John McMath | |
| John Maitland | |
| John Miller | |
| John Cowan | |
| John Gibb | |
| John Burnett | |
| John Baird | |
| John McLellan | |
| John Hermistoun | |
| John Murray | |
| John Bisket | |
| John Harrison | |
| James Sheill | |
| James Johnstone | |
| James Lawson | |
| James Hamilton | |
| James Cowan | |
| James Pringle | |
| James McCulloch | |
| Mungo Thompson | |
| Patrick Gibb | |
| Patrick McKellar | |
| Robert Mill | |
| Thomas Home | |
| William Rawlinson | |
| William Maillie | |
| William Downie | |
| William Reid | |
| Walter Browne | |
| Heugh Calthaine | |
| Alex. Wood, W. Edmonstone, James Alexander | Officers' servants |
This companie consists of Ffyftie Dragoones
The Officers being allowed
(Signed) Thos. Wynram
John Baillie
And. Middleton.
| Lord Charles Murray | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Alexander Bruce | Lieutenant |
| James Inneis | Ensigne |
| James Colvill | Sergeants |
| Patrick Logan | |
| Robert Ramsay | Corporals |
| Laurence Mercer | |
| James Malcolm | Drumers |
| John McKin'll | |
| Alexander Grig | |
| Alexander Stewart | |
| Alexander Callendar | |
| Andrew Johnson | |
| Archbal Wadell | |
| Archbal Buchanan | |
| Alexander MacDonald | |
| Colbert Andreson | |
| David Mick | |
| Francis Agniew | |
| Francis Espellin | |
| George Johnston | |
| George Lin | |
| Grigor MacGrigor | |
| John Balner | |
| John Christy | |
| John Wacker | |
| John Murray, | Lt. Col's servant |
| Jaems MacMillan | |
| Jaems Andrewson | |
| Jaems Ramsaye | |
| Jaems Fintry | |
| Jaems Dick | |
| Jaems Gooch | |
| Patrick Inneis | |
| Patrick Sampson | |
| Robert Foord | |
| Robert Grym | |
| Patrick Gray | |
| Robert Ward | |
| Robert Smith | |
| Robert Elison | |
| Robert Young | |
| William Ernwing | |
| William Wacker | |
| William Lassellee | |
| Patrick Bell | |
| Peter de mol | |
| Patrick Gardinier | |
| Patrick Miller | |
| Ritchard Hoop | |
| Ritchard Teyllieur | |
| Thomas Ewing | |
| Walter Murray | |
| William Grym | |
| William Fforbes | |
| William Bernabe | |
| William Dalzell | |
| William Stewart | |
| William Ward |
Thys is ye Mouster Rolle off Ld. Charles Murrays companie off Dragoones Moustered first att Bruntsfield Links 28 July and after att Bathgait the 4 December 1683 by me thys companie consists off Ffyftie Draggooners
(Signed) Alex. Bruce.
| Sir James Turner | Major and Captan |
| James Murray | Lieutenant |
| James Dundas | Ensigne |
| David Grive | Sergeants |
| Alex. Grive | |
| Wm. Borthwick | Corprales |
| Thomas Dunbar | |
| James Knox | Drumers |
| William Hall | |
| Sir James his servants |
Richard Turnbull |
| John McKinnie | |
| Lieutenants servants |
John Trevin |
| James Inglish | |
| Ensigneys servant |
James Collear |
| Andrew Knox | |
| Andrew Young | |
| Adame Turnbull | |
| Donald Henderson | |
| Duncan Grant | |
| Gavin Wood | |
| George Lauder | |
| George Willson | |
| George Edmiston | |
| George Stead | |
| George Stoddard | |
| James Ker | |
| James Inglish | |
| James Lauder | |
| James Paine | |
| John Watson | |
| John Heron | |
| John Morrison | |
| John Turner | |
| John Lillithorne | |
| John Yeats elder | |
| John Yeats yr. | |
| John Scott | |
| John Grant | |
| John Smart | |
| John Murray elder | |
| John Murray yr. | |
| John Muir | |
| Murdoch McKinnie | |
| Mathew Tam | |
| Mungo Murray | |
| Patrick Pennicuik | |
| Patrick Turner | |
| Robert Wilson | |
| Robert Yeats | |
| Robert McInrie | |
| Robert Stevenson | |
| Robert Dumbar | |
| Robert McCulloch | |
| Robert Alexander | |
| Thomas Johnston | |
| Thomas Pagan | |
| Walter Scott | |
| William Milne | |
| William Garbraith[Pg 147] | |
| William Craig | |
| William Edmistone | |
| William Watson | |
| William Smyth | |
| William Sutherland |
(Signed) J. Turner
James Murray
And. Middleton.
| John English | Captain |
| Henry Dundas | Lievtenant |
| Lewis Lauder | Ensigne |
| John Murray | Sergeants |
| John Pace | |
| Thomas Ker | Corporalls |
| John Drummond | |
| William Hendrie | Drums |
| Douggal Carmichal | |
| Andrew Ker | |
| Alexander Younger | |
| Alexander Eastoun | |
| Andrew Clogg | |
| David Durrham | |
| David Thompson | |
| David Colwar | |
| David Mitchell | |
| Daniel Carmichal | |
| Edward Lorrayn | |
| George Gordon | |
| George Monro | |
| George Carruthers | |
| George Kerr | |
| George Fforbes | |
| George Loudoun | |
| James Ker | |
| James Inglish | |
| John Lyon | |
| James Rutherford | |
| James Donaldson | |
| James Murray | |
| John Ruthven | |
| John McRooney | |
| (Officers Servt.) | |
| John Thompson | |
| John Cushnay | |
| John Innes | |
| John Watt | |
| (Officers Servt.) | |
| John Farloph | |
| John Cuithall | |
| John Murray | |
| John Bathew | |
| John Lalbrow | |
| John Speed | |
| John Robertson | |
| John Farquharson | |
| John McLean[Pg 148] | |
| John Wright | |
| John Harbid | |
| Lashbrown Turnbull | |
| Mathew Gray | |
| Pat Gillespie | |
| (Officers Servt.) | |
| Robert Rayfield | |
| Robert Kerr | |
| Richard Bryer | |
| Thomas Simm | |
| Thomas Brown | |
| William Rathoon elder |
|
| William Rathoon yr. | |
| William Cleghorn | |
| William Teylleour | |
| William Bell | |
| William Duncan | |
| William Craig |
(Signed) J. Inglish
H. Dundas
And. Middleton
| John Strachan | Captain |
| John Livingstone | Lieutenant |
| Harry Drumond | Cornet |
| John Smith | Sergeants |
| John McFarlan | |
| James Mitchell | Corporalls |
| Alexander Graham | |
| William McNaughton | Drums. |
| John Hord | |
| Andrew Proudfoot | |
| Andrew Clelland | |
| Andrew Caloell | |
| Alexander McLaren | |
| Adam Archbald | |
| Andrew Latimer | |
| Duncan MacGregor | |
| Duncan MacGruther | |
| Edward Sinclair | |
| Gilbert Ferguson | |
| George Keith | |
| George Stovie | |
| John Bell | |
| John Blekirn | |
| John Brokonaig | |
| John Strachan | |
| John Duncan | |
| James Boll | |
| James Moore | |
| James Patterson | |
| John Stimson | |
| John Goodall | |
| John Ffallrond | |
| John Ladoll | |
| James Kapell | |
| James Petrie | |
| John Scott | |
| James Thatcher | |
| John Wilsone | |
| John Johnstone | |
| John Carruthers | |
| John Wylderman | |
| Matthew McColl | |
| Peter Maitland | |
| Peter Miever | |
| Robert Livingstone | |
| Robert Litquhor | |
| Robert Smith | |
| Robert Morrison[Pg 149] | |
| Robert Storeyson | |
| Robert McAlexander | |
| Thomas Storeyson | |
| Thomas Harve | |
| Thomas Smith | |
| Thomas Tarth | |
| William Semorvil | |
| William Largs | |
| William Houston | |
| William Storroth |
(Signed) Jo. Strachan
Jo. Livingstone
And. Middleton.
| William Clelland | Capitaine |
| John Crichton | Lieut. |
| John Whytfold | Ensigne |
| James Irving | Sergeants |
| Will. McIntosh | |
| Duncan Ffrissall | Corporalls |
| William Pownie | |
| Walter Hutchison | Drumbors |
| Andrew Granford | |
| Alexander Lindsay | |
| Alexander Wood | |
| Alexander Irving | |
| Alexander Irving | |
| Alexander Crichtoun | |
| Andrew Atchison | |
| Andrew Donaldsone | |
| Andrew Martin | |
| Allan McLean | |
| Ffrancis Storo | |
| David Hop | |
| Edward Irving | |
| George Wood | |
| George Crawford | |
| George Falcon | |
| George Grahame | |
| Hugh Murray | |
| James Douglas | |
| James Gibb | |
| James Thomsone | |
| James Buchanan | |
| James Broune | |
| John Guthrie | |
| John Paibles | |
| John Wood | |
| David Goodfellow | |
| John Grahame | |
| James Lindsaye | |
| James Hendersone | |
| John Dunster | |
| John Grant | |
| John Pirie | |
| James Brydone | |
| Jon Dun | |
| John Clealland | |
| John Thomsone | |
| John Pattersone | |
| Ludovic Stewart | |
| Thomas Low | |
| Thomas Paibles | |
| Patrick Marshall | |
| Patrick Stewart[Pg 150] | |
| Robert Yooll | |
| Robert Grant | |
| Robert Craw | |
| Robert Watt | |
| William Harris | |
| William Pringle | |
| William Grahame | |
| William Smith |
(Signed) W. Clelland
John Crichton
And. Middleton.
The Pay of one Regiment of Scottish Dragoones consisting of one Colonel in Chief, one Lieutenant Colonel, one Major and six companies, each companie consisting of Fifty Souldiers is as followeth, viz:
| Colonell as Colonell | 00:13:08 | |
| Lyvetennant Colonell as such | 00:07:00 | |
| Major as Major | 00:05:00 | |
| Quartermaster | 00:05:00 | |
| Marischall | 00:02:00 | |
| Chyrurgeon & Mate | 00:05:00 | |
| Aide-Major | 00:07:04 | |
| £2:05:00 | ||
| Capitaine: 8s: &: 2 Dragoons each: 1s: 2d: | Inde | 00:10:04 |
| Lyvetennant: 5s: &: 2 Dragoons each: 1s: 2d: | Inde | 00:07:04 |
| Ensigne: 4s: &: 1 Dragoon att 1s: 2d: | Inde | 00:05:02 |
| Two Sergeants each 2s: 6d: | Inde | 00:05:00 |
| Two Corporalls each 1s: 8d: | Inde | 00:03:04 |
| Two Drummers each 1s: 8d: | Inde | 00:03:04 |
| Fyffty souldiers each 1s.: 2d: | Inde | 02:18:04 |
| £4:12:10 |
(1688) (James II.)
Scots Greys Document.
Account of the money given out by Andrew Ross of Muick, Quarter Master to the Scotts Regiment of Dragoones for the use of the said Regiment by the Earl of Dunmore's order after they came to England, being in October, 1688.
| Imprs. to James Irwin in ye Coll.'s Troop to buy a horse | £05:10:00 |
| To George Robinson in ye Leivt. Coll.'s troop | 06:00:00 |
| At York for twelve ells of blew cloth 8/p. ell. | 04:16:00 |
| The exchange of 20 logg dollars gave half to the bot that went to | 00:03:05 |
| A snatch of red cloth for the Regt. | 00:03:00 |
| To William Irwin in the Lievt. Coll.'s troop to buy a horse | 07:00:00 |
| For 3 poste horses with ye Major from Richmond to Yorke 34 miles | 01:05:06 |
| To the poste Boy those three stages | 00:03:00 |
| For 5 doz. of hat cloths @ 10/6 p. doz. | 02:12:06 |
| Given to Capt. Bruce for boots to his troop | 06:08:00 |
| To the Lievt. Coll. for boots to his troop | 06:08:00 |
| To Capt. Pat. Blair for boots to his troop | 03:04:00 |
| To Capt. Livingstone for boots to his troop | 03:12:00 |
| To General Adam Blair for boots to his troop. | 01:04:00 |
| For the Guard Fire at Southwark | 00:12:00 |
| For 2 teams from Southwark to Chester | 00:15:00 |
| For 2 teams from then to Ffarnham | 00:10:00 |
| From thence to Winchester | 01:01:00 |
| From thence to Donkton | 00:17:00 |
| From thence to Stockbridge | 00:12:00 |
| From thence to Odium | 01:01:00 |
| From thence to Reading | 00:12:00 |
| From thence to Wickham | 00:14:00 |
| From thence to London | 01:09:00 |
| To quarter Master Murray for going twice poste from Dunton to Salisbury upon the Regiment's accompt | 02:10:00[Pg 152] |
| To lievt. Murray to get 2 horses back which were taken from 2 dragoons by some of the Dutch Officers | 02:00:00 |
| To the Quarter Master for riding poste from Royston to London upon the Regts. accompt being 33 miles | 00:10:02 |
| To Edward Murray Quarter Master for coming poste from his quarters near Chester to London upon the Regiment's accompt | 09:10:00 |
| £71:03:07 |
The above written accompt of seventy one pounds three shillings and sevenpence Sterling being justly given out by Andrew Ross Quarter Master, for the use of the said Regiment conforms to my order since they came to England. Therefore these give the said Quartermaster full power and warrant to detayne and keep in his owne hand the like sum of seventy one pounds three shillings and sevenpence for his own payment out of the money belonging to the Regiment since they came to this country.
At London the 8th day of January, 1689.
The Detention money from the Scotts Regiment of Dragoons from the month of October 1686 and all preceedings being fully discharged by Colls. Lievt. and Captain all detayned from them since being from the 1st. November 1686 to the 1st. November 1688, being two yeares is disposed of as follows—
| Imprs. detayned from them from the 1st. Novr. 1686 to the 1st. Novr. 1687, being one logg dollar from each Serjeant, Corporal, Drummer and Sentinel per mensem makes in all 283 logg dollars for the whole Regiment which is | £792:08:00 |
| The like detayned from them from the first November 1687 to the first November 1688 | 792:08:00 |
| £1,584:16:00 |
| Scotts. £ s. d. |
|
|---|---|
| Imprs. 5½ ells red cloth 2s. Scots pr. ell | 11:00:00 |
| 6 ells blew serge for lyneing at 1 p. ell | 6:00:00 |
| Half ell green canvass for bindings | 00:04:00 |
| 10 dozen tin buttons at 5s. p. doz. | 02:10:00 |
| 10 drab weight red silk at 18d. p. drab | 00:15:00 |
| 3 ounces red thread at 3s. p. ounce | 00:09:00 |
| For ... to drabb on the buttons | 00:02:00 |
| For making the coat | 02:00:00 |
| 23:00:00 | |
| Conforme to whch. accot. the expenses of 283 coats amounts to 6509 £s Scots which in English money is | £542:08:04 |
| The expense of 283 belts to Serjeants, Corporals, Drummers, Sentinels with the exchange | 100:00:00 |
| The expense of 283 swords with bayonets and cartridges boxes | 200:00:00 |
| The expenses of 12 drums with the contingent charges of making boxes and chests for the swords, belts, baionets and cartridge boxes and put all aboard in England | 017:00:00 |
| To the Quartermaster for his expenses and trouble in bringing all from severall seaports to Edinburgh and for hiring room for keeping them more than one year | 020:00:00 |
| For boots to the Regt. @ 8s. a pair | 108:00:00 |
| Since they came to England given for their coats, caps and other necessaries | 590:02:00[Pg 154] |
| When they were in Scotland given back of the cloathing money by Geo. Drummonds order and Liev. Colonel Rattray to severall Dragoons that were reduced 120 logg dollars | 028:00:00 |
| Sums of the Discharge | 1,605:10:04 |
| DISCHARGE | £1,605:10:04 |
| CHARGE | 1,584:16:00 |
| To balance | 0,020:14:04 |
Anitchkoff Palace, St. Petersburg, 2nd February, 1895.
The Emperor of Russia accepting the Picture, presented by the Officers, of H.I.M. as Colonel-in-Chief marching past at the head of the Regiment.
LIST OF OFFICERS PAST AND PRESENT.
ALEXANDER ABERCROMBY.
Cornet, 16 August, 1799. Promoted Lieutenant, in 52nd Foot, 19 March, 1800.
SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY.
Colonel, 2 November, 1796. Died on or before 16 May, 1801.
The General who shares with Sir John Moore, the credit of renewing the ancient discipline and military reputation of the British soldier, was born at Menstry near Tullibody, in October, 1734. Educated at Rugby, and afterwards studied law at Edinburgh and Leipzig. In 1756 made a Cornet in 3rd Dragoon Guards. In 1758 he went with his regiment to Germany, where it formed part of the English force under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, the victor of Minden. Lieutenant, 1760. Captain, 1762. In 1767 he married Miss Menzies, with whom he lived very happily. Major, 1770. Lieutenant-Colonel, 1773. Became M.P. for county of Clackmannan, but soon gave up Parliamentary life. War broke out with France, he was made a Major-General, and ordered to Flanders with a Brigade. First made his mark at Furnes, commanded the storming column at the siege of Valenciennes, and was publicly thanked by the Duke of York for his conduct at Roubaix. Returned to England in 1795, and made a Knight of the Bath. In November, 1795, sailed for the West Indies with 15,000 men, to reduce the French Sugar Islands. In 1799 he was despatched with 10,000 men, to attack Holland. On 20 October in an attack on Bergen, he had two horses shot under him.... 24 October, 1800, he was ordered to proceed with all his troops, to Egypt to expel or capture the French Army left there by Napoleon.... 27 December, he cast anchor in the bay of Marmorice. Here[Pg 156] he waited 6 weeks, receiving some slight reinforcements, and discovering that the Turks were quite useless as allies. But while waiting he looked after his soldiers' health, and practised disembarkments until the whole force thoroughly understood how to promptly disembark, and every man knew his place in his boat.... On 2 March he anchored in Aboukir Bay.... In the end Menou was beaten back with immense loss, including 3 generals killed, while the English loss was only 1464 killed and wounded. Among the latter was Sir Ralph Abercromby, who riding in front in his usual reckless manner, was wounded in the thigh by a musket ball. He was carried to the Foudroyant, the flagship. "What is it you have placed under my head?" asked the wounded general. "Only a soldier's blanket," answered the aide de camp. "Only a soldier's blanket; make haste and return it to him at once."
He died on board the flagship on 28 March.
No biography would be complete which did not notice his extreme shortsightedness, almost blindness, nor yet without noticing the singular sweetness and purity of his domestic life, which made all who came across him, from the Duke of York, whom he eclipsed, to Lord Camden, with whom he quarrelled, acknowledge the charm of his society.
MICHAEL GOOLD ADAMS.
Cornet by purchase, 21 July, 1825. Lieutenant by purchase, 30 July, 1829. Captain by purchase, 28 December, 1838. Exchanged to half-pay, unattached, 31 December, 1844.
ROBERT HENRY ADAMS.
Born, 4 December, 1858. 2nd Lieutenant, 19 February, 1881. Lieutenant, 1 July, 1881. Captain, 9 October, 1889.
Expedition to Dongola, 1896. Despatches "London Gazette," 3 November, 1896. Fourth Class Medjidie.
Major, 29th April, 1900. Served in South African War, 1901-2, and took part in operations in the Transvaal, February, 1901, to May, 1902; the Zululand frontier of Natal, September and October, 1901; and in Cape Colony, May, 1902 (medal with five clasps).
ALEXANDER AGNEW.
Cornet, 31 May, 1715.
ANDREW AGNEW.
Captain-Lieutenant, 1 April, 1692, to 21 March, 1692-3. Captain, 22 March, 1692-3, to 9 March, 1697-8. Major, 1702.
ANDREW AGNEW.
Cornet, 20 September, 1703. Lieutenant, 11 May, 1705. Captain-Lieutenant, 8 February, 1712-13. Captain, 16 September, 1715.
Sir Andrew Agnew, fifth Baronet of Lochnau, twelfth and last of the hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway, was born in 1687. He joined Marlborough's army as a volunteer immediately after the battle of Blenheim.... He fought bravely at Ramillies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet. At the Peace of Utrecht he was reduced as Captain on half-pay of the Scots Greys. Soon after he eloped with a kinswoman, the daughter of Captain Thomas Agnew, of the same regiment. This lady, to whom he was married in London, bore him 18 children. She survived her husband, and died at the age of 87. At the time of the rebellion of 1715-16, the young laird of Lochnau was on full pay in Colonel Pocock's, which was disbanded in Ireland in 1718, when he was removed to the 21st Royal Scots Fusiliers, with which corps he served upwards of a quarter of a century, becoming Lieutenant-Colonel in 1740, and commanding it with distinction at the battle of Dettingen. He held Brigade commands under the Duke of Cumberland in Flanders, at Bruges, Ghent, and Ostend, and at the head of his Scots Fusiliers accompanied the army sent to Scotland in 1746, when he was detached to Blair Castle, and made a gallant stand there. In 1756 he became Major-General, and Lieutenant-General in 1759. Sir Walter Scott describes him as a soldier of the old school, stiff and formal in manner, brave to the last degree, and something of a humourist.
JAMES AGNEW.
Cornet, 31 May, 1715.
THOMAS AGNEW.
Cornet, 1702. Lieutenant, 11 May, 1705. Captain-Lieutenant, 31 May, 1715.
PATRICK AINGER.
Chirurgeon, 11 April, 1687.
GEORGE AINSLIE.
Made Cornet, 13 January, 1753. Made Sub-Lieutenant in the second troop of Horse Grenadier Guards, 8th August.
GILBERT AIRD.
Promoted from Sergeant in the Major's troop, to Quartermaster in Captain Clarke's troop, May, 1800. Cornet in Royal Wagon Train, 9 January, 1804.
THOMAS AIRD.
Cornet, 26 August, 1794. Lieutenant, 16 August, 1799. Captain in Royal Wagon Train, May, 1800.
THE HONOURABLE WALTER PHILIP ALEXANDER.
Son of the third Earl of Caledon. Born, 9 February, 1849.
Cornet by purchase, 3 February, 1869. Lieutenant by purchase, 10 May, 1871. Adjutant, 18 December, 1875. Captain, 24 November, 1877. Major, 5th July, 1886. Lieutenant-Colonel, 5 July, 1896.
Commanded the Greys in South Africa, 1899-1900; present in command of first cavalry brigade at crossing of Reit and Modder Rivers (mentioned in despatches).
CHARLES JEFFERYS WATSON ALLEN.
From half-pay in the 12th Lancers, Captain, 31 December, 1861. Retired 13 March, 1866.
EDWARD AMPHLETT.
Cornet by purchase, 28 June, 1844. Lieutenant by purchase, 25 June, 1847. Retired 21 June, 1850.
GEORGE ANDERSON.
Chaplain, 10 January, 1705-6.
CHARLES ANNESLEY, M.D.
Appointed Surgeon 27 February, 1817. Retired 28 June, 1836.
PHILIP ANTROBUS.
From Lieutenant 91st Foot, appointed Paymaster 1 January, 1849. Half-pay as Captain 21st Light Dragoons, 1 September, 1854.
GEORGE ARBUTHNOT.
From 53rd Foot, Lieutenant 6 October, 1875. (Apparently his first commission in the Army was 28 October, 1871.)
GEORGE ARMSTRONG.
Lieutenant in Sir Robert Hay's troop, 16 January, 1706-7.
JAMES J. ARMSTRONG.
Cornet, without purchase, 8 June, 1855. Exchanged to 89th Foot, 17 July, 1857.
F. J. ASHBURNER.
Paymaster, January, 1885. From 2nd Dragoon Guards.
THOMAS CARY ASKEW.
Lieutenant, 27 July, 1820, exchanged from half-pay, 18th Light Dragoons. Died 1826.
THOMAS ASKEW.
Cornet, 12 April, 1793. Appointed Lieutenant, 26 June, 1793. Appointed Captain in Lord Fielding's Light Cavalry, 25 February, 1794.
ALEXANDER AUCHENLECK.
Lieutenant, 31 May, 1715.
JAMES AUCHENLECK.
11 May, 1705, Cornet in Patrick Robertson's troop.
Brevet of Lieutenant, 21 February, 1707-8, in Colonel the Earl of Stair's troop.
ANTHONY BACON.
Lieutenant, 2 February, 1815. Half-pay in 16th Dragoons, 11 March, 1813.
JOHN BAILY (or BAILLIE) of Porkemat.
In 1681 made Ensign of Colonel Dalzell's own Company. Appointed Cornet of Lieutenant-General Dalzell's own troop, 30 March, 1685.
ROBERT BAINBRIDGE.
Cornet by purchase, 29 February, 1856. Seems to have joined the 17th Light Dragoons, 7 March, 1856.
WILLIAM BAIRD.
Cornet, 2 May, 1794. Lieutenant, 30 January, 1800. Captain September, 1805. Appointed in March, 1808, Captain in 66th Foot.
DAVID BAITSON.
On 30 March, 1685, appointed Aid Major to the Regiment.
GEORGE BALFOUR.
Appointed Cornet 1762. Lieutenant, 5 June, 1769. Captain, 3 November, 1774. Major, 28 July, 1790. Retired, 3 June, 1793.
In the Muster Roll ending 24 June, 1767, entered as George Balfour Ramsay, and after that, entered George Ramsay.
HENRY BALFOUR.
Major, 1 April, 1692, to 7 September, 1692.
ROBERT BALFOUR.
Captain, 9 July, 1793. 3 April, 1801, Major without a Troop. 17 February, 1803 appointed Major with a Troop. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, 22 August, 1805. Commission as "Colonel in the army," 25 September, 1803. Left the Regiment, on being appointed 4 June, 1814, Major-General.
JOHN BALLANTYNE.
Chaplain, June, 1739. Succeeded by Walter Paterson, 8 July, 1752.
HENRY BARING.
Cornet by purchase, 10 June, 1853. Exchanged on 5 July, 1853, to 13th Light Dragoons.
CHARLES LEVYNS BARNARD.
Captain, 2 February, 1815. In the Record Office, 1814 Army List, there seems to be an abbreviated MS. reference to him in connection with 20 December, 1806. Killed, 1815.
HENRY GEORGE BARNARD.
Cornet, 21 May, 1806. Lieutenant, 10 December, 1807. Captain by purchase, 15 July, 1813. In 1814 on half pay.
EDWARD BARNET.
Cornet by purchase, 23 February, 1838. Lieutenant by purchase, 28 December, 1841. Retired 16 May, 1845.
J. W. BARTON.
Cornet in Captain Johnston's troop, exchanged 19 August, 1803, to the half pay of Fenwick's Regiment.
OSBORNE BARWELL.
Lieutenant 13 April, 1815.
GEORGE FREDERICK ALEXANDER MUNGO BASHFORD.
From Royal Military College.
Cornet by purchase, 30 March, 1866. Lieutenant by purchase, 30 June, 1869. Exchanged into Ceylon Rifles, 5 April, 1871.
DAVID BEATSON.
1 August, 1683, appointed Aide-Major. 23 August, 1688, appointed Cornet of James Murray's troop.
JAMES BECK.
Cornet in Captain Hamilton's troop, 5 April, 1798. Entered as second Lieutenant in Muster ending 24 March, 1799. 30 January, 1800, resigned.
DAVID BELL.
Appointed Quartermaster 1 May, 1762.
JOHN BENNET.
Cornet, 11 May, 1705.
L. H. BENNETT.
Paymaster and honorary Captain, July, 1889.
South African War, 1879. Zulu campaign. Battle of Ulundi. Medal with clasp.
WILLIAM BENNET.
Captain 1 April, 1692, to 11 September, 1695.
JOHN P. BENTEIN.
Captain by purchase, 26 May, 1814.
LORD WILLIAM BENTINCK.
Captain-Lieutenant, 1 August, 1792. Appointed Captain in 11th Dragoons 20 February, 1793.
GEORGE BETHELL.
Cornet, 15 November, 1740.
DAVID BETSON.
Lieutenant, 12 November, 1794. Retired (about 3 May), 1796. Promoted Captain in 9th Regiment of Foot, 27 December, 1797 (!).
ROWLAND VEITCH BETTY.
Cornet, under the augmentation, without purchase, 12 February, 1858. 23 March, 1858, went to the 2nd Dragoon Guards.
JAMES BIGGERT.
Quartermaster, 25 April, 1798, in Major Andrew Gillon's troop.
WILLIAM CONNEL BLACK.
Cornet by purchase, 18 March, 1859. Lieutenant by purchase, 14 June, 1864. Captain by purchase, 19 January, 1870. Retired, 28 May, 1870.
EDWARD BLACKETT.
Cornet, 29 May, 1754. 26 December, 1755, made Lieutenant. 1 May, 1762, made Captain of the Light troop, in succession to Francis Lindsay, resigned.
ALEXANDER BLACKIE.
Quartermaster, 1 March, 1797. Promoted Cornet in Royal Wagon Train, 13 February, 1806.
SIR ADAM BLAIR, YOUNGER OF CARBERRY.
7 November, 1685, appointed Captain of that troop which was commanded by the deceased Captain William Cleland.
HAMILTON BLAIR.
Made a Cornet, 25 April, 1741, made Lieutenant, 6 August, 1742, Captain-Lieutenant, 2 April, 1746, Captain, 3 February, 1746-7, Major, 9 March, 1757.
Sir Bryce Blair, of Blair, afterwards knighted by Charles I., married in 1618 Marian, daughter of Walter Dundas, of Dundas. His son, John, died without issue, and was succeeded by his uncle, John Blair, who married Lady Jean Cunningham, daughter of William, eighth Earl of Glencairn, and dying in 1662, was succeeded by his son, William Blair, of Blair. This gentleman was named by the restoration government of Scotland a member of the Commission in Ayrshire for holding courts on the Covenanters, but he early joined the revolution party.... Having raised a troop of horse in support of King William, he marched with it into Perthshire. News of this reaching Viscount Dundee, then in arms in Atholl for King James, he determined to surprise them, and marching by night towards Perth, he entered the city unawares early the next morning, seized the laird of Blair and the laird of Pollock who was with him, and two other officers, in their beds. He carried them off prisoners to the highlands, where the laird of Blair died shortly afterwards. He had married Lady Margaret Hamilton, daughter of William, 2nd Duke of Hamilton. Their son, William Blair of Blair, was a commissioner of supply for the county of Ayr in the convention parliament which met in 1689. He married Magdalene, daughter of James Campbell. Their son John predeceased him unmarried, and was succeeded by his sister Magdalene, who married William Scott, and had a son William, her heir. The heiress of Blair is supposed to have died before 1715, and Mr. Scott, her widower, who had assumed the name and arms of Blair, married secondly Catherine Tait, of Edinburgh. Their eldest son, Hamilton, became Major in the Greys.
PATRICK BLAIR.
30 July, 1686, made Captain of the troop lately commanded by John Wedderburne.
THOMAS BLAIR.
Cornet in the Army, 25 June, 1747, and in the Greys, 21 June, 1749, succeeded by Second Cornet James Johnston, from half-pay in Crawford's, 27 November, 1752.
WILLIAM J. BLAKE.
Cornet from the 89th Foot, 17 July, 1857.
WILLIAM BLANE.
Cornet, 14 October, 1819. Lieutenant by purchase, 24 October, 1821.
BLEAN.
Chaplain, 1702.
J. HAYDOCK BOARDMAN.
Lieutenant in Captain Patrick Smith's troop, in Muster ending 24 December, 1779; Captain-Lieutenant, 7 February, 1787; Captain, 18 July, 1787; Major, 3 June, 1793. In the Roll ending 24 December, 1794, David Horne is noted under the formula:—"Absent by the King's leave"; and Boardman is evidently in command as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment, now abroad. Coming to the "Pay List from 25 December, 1797, to 24 February, 1798," he is entered as "Lieutenant-Colonel without a troop." Resigned, 17 February, 1803.
GEORGE BOGLE.
Cornet by purchase, 8 October, 1830. Retired, 21 November, 1834.
EDWIN BOLTON.
Sub-Lieutenant (from 1st Dragoon Guards), 15 August, 1877. Lieutenant, 11 November, 1877.
WILLIAM CUNNINGHAME BONTINE.
From Ensign in the 15th Foot. Cornet by purchase, 6 November, 1846. Retired, 22 November, 1850.
ARCHIBALD BOTHWELL.
Cornet, 2 November, 1785; Lieutenant, 28 July, 1790; Captain, 22 February, 1793; Major, 17 July, 1795. Both J. H. Boardman and A. Gillon still also appearing as Majors on the roll. In the "Pay List from 25 December, 1797, to 24 February, 1798," Bothwell is entered as "Major without a troop." 3 April, 1801, succeeded to a troop. Appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, 17 February, 1803.
ROBERT BOWER.
Appointed Cornet, 18 July, 1787. Retired, 14 December, 1790.
NINIAN BOYD.
Lieutenant, 1 October, 1694, to 27 April, 1697; Captain-Lieutenant, 28 April, 1697, to ye 9th March, 1697-8; Captain, 1702; Major and Captain, 24 August, 1706.
WILLIAM BOYD.
Captain, 24 December, 1852, exchanging from the 87th Foot. Major in the Army, 31 August, 1854. Died before 13 September, 1855.
ALWYN W. J. BRAMLY.
Second Lieutenant, 6 March, 1895.
MATTHEW BRICKDALE.
Cornet, 22 May, 1782, in Captain Patrick Smith's troop. Promoted Lieutenant in 70th Foot, 22 July, 1785.
JOHN BROWN.
Cornet, 1 January, 1693-4, to last day of February, 1694.
CHARLES BROWNE.
Cornet, 24 July, 1749. Resigned, 13 January, 1753.
ANDREW SMYTHE MONTAGUE BROWNE.
Cornet, from 56th Foot, 25 November, 1853. Lieutenant by purchase, 16 March, 1855. Wounded slightly, see Gazette, 12 November, 1854. Captain by purchase, 24 December, 1858. Major by purchase, 30 June, 1869, Lieutenant-Colonel of 3rd Dragoon Guards, 1 October, 1877.
Crimean campaign, 1855-6. Battle of Tchernaya and siege and fall of Sevastopol. Medal, with clasp; Turkish medal.
HUGH EDMOND BROWNING.
Cornet without purchase, 26 February, 1856. Lieutenant without purchase, by augmentation, 27 November, 1857. Captain by purchase, 19 July, 1864. Retired 22 June, 1870.
CAPTAIN ALEXANDER BRUCE.
On 11 May, 1683, appointed Lieutenant of Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Charles Murray's company. On 30 March, 1685, King James issues a similar commission. On 6 November, 1685, appointed Captain-Lieutenant of Lord Charles Murray, his own troop.
MICHAEL BRUCE.
Cornet, 10 May, 1751. On the 20th May, 1752, "exchanged with Second Lieutenant Alexander Coningham from half-pay in Batereau's."
JOHN RAMSAY BRUSH, M.D.
Surgeon, from 93rd Foot, 21 July, 1854. Exchanged to Second Class, Staff, 18 January, 1856.
DAVID CARRICK ROBERT CARRICK BUCHANAN.
Cornet by purchase, 16 May, 1845. Retired, 16 March, 1849.
GEORGE BUCHANAN.
Cornet by purchase, 16 March, 1849. Lieutenant by purchase, 27 August, 1852. Captain without purchase, 8 December, 1854. Retired, 28 April, 1863.
CHARLES B. BULKELEY-JOHNSON.
Born 19 November, 1867. Second Lieutenant, 5 February, 1887. Lieutenant, 16 March, 1889. Captain, 13 June, 1894.
Served in the Soudan Campaign, 1899, and commanded the Egyptian cavalry during the operations which resulted in the final defeat and death of the Khalifa (4th class Medjidie British medal and Khedive's medal with two clasps).
RICHARD BULLEN.
Cornet, 14 March, 1800. Lieutenant, 4 April, 1801. Captain, 19 May, 1808. Died before 1814.
RICHARD BURFORD.
Appointed Paymaster, 31 January, 1809. Resigned, 13 October, 1814.
SIR MONTAGU ROGER BURGOYNE, 8th Baronet.
Cornet, 1 May, 1789. Captain-Lieutenant, 1 May, 1793. Promoted to Major 27th Light Dragoons, 24 June, 1794. According to the D. N. B. he, in 1795, became Lieutenant-Colonel of the short-lived 32nd Light Dragoons. He was afterwards for some years one of the Inspecting Field Officers of Yeomanry and Volunteer Corps. He died at his mother's residence in Oxford Street, London, on 11 August, 1817.
JAMES TRAVERS BURKE.
Cornet, 22 August, 1816. Exchanged to half-pay 11th Light Dragoons, 23 March, 1820.
WILLIAM BURY.
Cornet, 4 October, 1745. Lieutenant, 29 November, 1750. Captain-Lieutenant, 9 March, 1757. Resigned, 24 April, 1762.
CHARLES BUSSELL.
Paymaster, from half-pay, 1 September, 1854.
SIR CHARLES CAIRNY.
31 December, 1686, to be Lieutenant-Colonel "of the Regiment of Dragoones of which Charles Earl of Dunmore is Colonel."
ALEXANDER CAMPBELL.
Cornet, 13 February, 1805. Lieutenant, September, 1806. Captain, December, 1808. Resigned, June, 1811.
COLIN JOHN CAMPBELL.
Cornet by purchase, 22 August, 1868. Lieutenant by purchase, 3 August, 1870. Retired, 24 January, 1874.
DOUGLAS CAMPBELL.
Cornet, 21 March, 1722.
HUGH MONTGOMERY CAMPBELL.
Cornet by purchase, 1 February, 1839. Lieutenant by purchase, 22 July, 1842. Exchanged to 89th Foot, 31 December, 1844.
SIR JAMES CAMPBELL OF LAWERS.
Third son of the second Earl of Loudoun, his mother being Lady Margaret Montgomery, daughter of the Earl of Eglintoun.
In the 1745 Army List, Sir James Campbell is given as:—
Colonel, 1 November, 1711. Lieutenant-Colonel, 24 August, 1706. Major, 25 April, 1705. Captain, 25 February, 1701-2.
The D. N. B. records as follows:—
"He entered the army as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 2nd Dragoons or Scots Greys, in 1708, ... and he greatly distinguished himself at the hard-fought battle of Malplaquet, on 11 September, 1709. In this battle the Scots Greys were stationed in front of the right of the allied line, under the command of Prince Eugène, and when the obstinate resistance of the French made the issue of the battle doubtful, Campbell, though he had been ordered not to move, suddenly charged with his dragoons right through[Pg 170] the enemie's line and back again. The success of this charge determined the battle in that quarter, and on the following day Prince Eugène publicly thanked Campbell before the whole army, for exceeding his orders." In 1717 he succeeded David, Earl of Portmore, as Colonel of the Scots Greys.
JAMES MURE CAMPBELL.
Cornet, 15 November, 1740. Lieutenant, 27 May, 1742. Captain, 29 May, 1745. Made Major to the 11th Dragoons, 24 July, 1754.
JOHN CAMPBELL, The Honourable.
Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, 19 April, 1712. Colonel in the Army, 27 June, 1737. Colonel of the 2nd or Royal North British Dragoons, 29 April, 1752. Also in Muster Roll ending 24 June, 1760. Died, 9 November, 1770.
JOHN CAMPBELL.
Ensign of the 25th Foot, made Cornet, 12 January, 1757. Promoted to Captain 24 April, 1762.
JOHN CAMPBELL.
Cornet, 26 December, 1755. "Made Captain in the '2nd Highland Battalion,' and succeeded by Ensign John Campbell, of the 25th Foot, 12 January, 1757." (See above.)
JOHN CAMPBELL.
Cornet by purchase, 6 November, 1835. Lieutenant by purchase, 28 December, 1838. Captain by purchase, 22 July, 1842. Deceased, 1846.
ROBERT LAWRENCE CAMPBELL.
Cornet in Captain David Home's troop, in Muster ending 24 June, 1772. "Promoted Captain in the 71st Regiment of Foot," Muster ending 24 December, 1775.
JOHN CARNEGIE.
Cornet by purchase, 17 April, 1823. Lieutenant by purchase, 10 June, 1826. Promoted Captain, unattached, 8 June, 1830.
JAMES CARRUTHERS.
Cornet by purchase, 22 August, 1811. Lieutenant by purchase, 9 February, 1815. Died of his wounds.
WILLIAM FRANCIS CARRUTHERS.
Cornet by purchase, 22 July, 1842. Lieutenant by purchase, 3 December, 1844. Retired, 25 June, 1847.
HENRY CARTER.
Cornet, 19 February, 1795. Lieutenant, 8 July, 1795. Captain, 16 March, 1797.
CHARLES CATHCART.
29 January, 1703-4, Brevet Captain in the Infantry, and in July, 1705, Captain. In May, 1707, made Major of Brigade, and in May, 1708-9, Major of Dragoons. Major, 24 March, 1708-9. 1 November, 1711, made Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel. 16 September, 1715, Lieutenant-Colonel.
FREDERICK MACADAM CATHCART, The Hon., of Craigengillan.
Cornet, 24 September, 1804. Aide-de-Camp to General Lord Cathcart. 17 September, 1807, Captain in the Army, and 11 February, 1808, Captain in this Regiment. No other Cathcart in the Greys in the 1812 printed Army List. Major in the Army, 28 July, 1814. Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, 24 February, 1820, exchanged to half-pay 92nd Foot, 18 May, 1820. Born at Twickenham Common, 28 October, 1789. Served as one of the Aides-de-Camp to his father, in 1805, 1806, and 1807. In the latter year he was sent home with the news of[Pg 172] the surrender of the citadel of Copenhagen and the Danish navy. On 8 September, his father wrote: "I send this despatch by Lieutenant Cathcart, who has been for some time my first Aide-de-Camp, who has seen everything that has occurred here and at Stralsund, and will be able to give any further details that may be required." He was Minister plenipotentiary at St. Petersburg from 1820 to 1822, and at Frankfort from 1824 to 1826. He was made a Knight of the Russian Order of St. Anne. He married in 1827 Jane, daughter and heiress of Quentin Macadam, of Craigengillan, Ayrshire, and consequently assumed the name of Macadam before that of Cathcart.
JAMES CAVALLIE.
Cornet, 1 April, 1692, to last day of February, 1693. Lieutenant in one of the two additional troops, 7 January, 1693, to 12 March, 1697-8.
JAMES CHADWICK.
Cornet, 20 September, 1810. Lieutenant by purchase, 15 July, 1813. In 1817, on half-pay.
THOMAS CHEATHAM (or CHETHAM).
Lieutenant, 26 September, 1795. Retired, 7 July, 1797.
EDWARD CHENEY.
Captain-Lieutenant, 3 May, 1800. Captain, 25 May, 1803. In the Muster Roll ending 24 June, 1810, he appears as Aide-de-Camp to General Earl Harrington. Major, 20 July, 1815. Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, 18 June, 1815. In 1816 List, C.B. In 1818, exchanged to half-pay in Wattville's Regiment.
ROBERT CHENEY.
Cornet, 3 September, 1794. Lieutenant, 22 October, 1794.
Colonel Clarke.
ARCHIBALD CHRISTIE.
Cornet, 8 May, 1806. Resigned in 1809.
JAMES CHRISTIE.
Appointed Cornet, 5 June, 1769. 16 March, 1770, promoted Adjutant in place of John Forbes, resigned. Resigned Adjutancy, 9 August, 1774. Promoted Lieutenant, 22 February, 1775. Promoted Captain-Lieutenant in the First Dragoons, 15 May, 1779.
GEORGE CALVERT CLARKE, Lieut.-Gen. (Hon. Gen.)
Born 23rd July, 1814. From 89th Foot.
Captain, 28 March, 1845 (exchanging with H. M. Campbell). Major in the Army, 11 November, 1851. Wounded severely, see Gazette, 12 November, 1854. Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, 12 December, 1854. Major without purchase, 26 February, 1858. Colonel in the Army, 23 April, 1860. Lieutenant-Colonel without purchase, 31 March, 1866. Retired on half-pay, 3 February, 1869. Appointed Colonel of the Greys, 23 September, 1891.
ISAAC BLAKE CLARK.
Cornet, 8 July, 1795. Lieutenant, 3 May, 1796. Captain, 7 September, 1797. Major, 16 June, 1807. 4 June given the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army. Appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Greys, 20 July, 1815, in succession to L. J. Hamilton, killed at Waterloo. In 1816 list, C.B. Retired, 11 October, 1821.
JOHN FRED. SALES CLARKE.
Cornet, 3 December, 1818, exchanged from half-pay 4th Dragoon Guards. Cornet by purchase, 11 October, 1821. Lieutenant by purchase, 4 October, 1822. Promoted to an unattached company, 21 July, 1825. Exchanged, 26 July, 1827, to a Captaincy in the Greys. Major by purchase, 30 December, 1837. Lieutenant-Colonel by purchase, 2 April, 1841. Exchanged to half-pay, unattached, 6 November, 1846.
GEORGE CLEGHORNE.
Lieutenant from 17th Dragoons, by exchange, 17 November, 1857. Captain by purchase, 14 June, 1864. Retired, 30 March, 1866.
SAMUEL FREDERICK STEWART CLELAND.
Cornet by purchase, 19 July, 1864. Retired, 8 September, 1865.
WILLIAM CLELAND.
Captain-Lieutenant, 1681. 30 March, 1685, appointed Captain.
DEVEREUX P. COCKBURN.
Cornet by purchase, 25 June, 1847. Retired, 18 September, 1849.
JAMES COCKBURN.
Captain, 30 December, 1795. Aide-de-camp to Sir W. Howe. Promoted Major in 81st Foot, 6 September, 1797.
THOMAS COCKRAN.
Cornet, 31 May, 1715.
MARTIN THOMAS COCKSEDGE.
Appointed Captain of the Troop lately commanded by J. P. Hamilton, 8 April, 1802. In Muster ending 24 June, 1802, Captain in Military Train.
JAMES COLHOUN.
Surgeon, 1 June, 1750. Made a Cornet, 26 October, 1756. Lieutenant, 24 April, 1762. Transferred in Muster ending 24 June, 1767, from Major Douglas's Troop to Captain Home's Troop. 16 March, 1770, transferred to Captain Law's troop. Captain-Lieutenant, 14 November, 1770. Resigned, 5 May, 1775.
WILLIAM FELLOWES COLLINS.
Born 17 September, 1865. Second Lieutenant, 6 February, 1889. Lieutenant, 15 October, 1890. Captain, 5 July, 1896.
CHARLES R. COLT.
Captain in the Army, 3 February, 1854. Paymaster, 1 September, 1854 to 10 August, 1855.
JAMES COMMON.
Quartermaster in Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas's Troop, in Muster ending 24 June, 1772. Died, 30 April, 1774.
H.R.H. PRINCE ARTHUR OF CONNAUGHT, K.G., etc.
Personal A.D.C. to His Majesty. Went on Special Mission to Tokio in 1906 to invest the Mikado of Japan with the Order of the Garter. Captain, 1907.
THOMAS CONOLLY.
Born, 1 September, 1870. Second Lieutenant, 28 June, 1893. Lieutenant, 5 December, 1894.
Rejoined from Egyptian army, February, 1900; killed in action at Commando Nek, South Africa, 11th July, 1900 (see p. 98).
ALEXANDER CONYNGHAM.
Lieutenant, 26 February, 1755. Also, 24 June, 1760. Resigned, 11 January, 1770.
JOSEPH COPE.
Appointed Surgeon, 9 April, 1794. Retired, 11 November, 1794.
JOHN CORRIE.
In Muster ending 24 June, 1798. Cornet, 30 May, 1800. Retired, 2 April, 1801.
JOHN COWAN.
Quartermaster, 11 January, 1804.
ROBERT COWAN.
Quartermaster, 30 April, 1794. Promoted Paymaster, 25 December, 1797. Resigned, 31 January, 1809.
JOHN CRABBIE.
Born, 9 September, 1861. Lieutenant, 10 May, 1882. Adjutant, 18 January, 1888. Captain, 9 October, 1889. Adjutant to Volunteers, 16 December, 1895. Major, 1900. South Africa, 1899-1902. Took part in the operations in Transvaal and Natal, 1901, including successful attack near Roodebloem on 15 December, 1901 (see p. 128).
LAWRENCE CRAIGIE.
Cornet, 17 December, 1800. Lieutenant, 21 June, 1802.
CHARLES CRAVEN.
Cornet by purchase, 22 January, 1836. Lieutenant by purchase, 6 November, 1840. Captain by purchase, 29 December, 1843. Retired, 18 April, 1845.
JOHN, EARL OF CRAWFORD.
Captain, 25 December, 1726.
"The gallant Earl of Crawford"—"the most generous, the most gallant, the bravest, and the finest nobleman of his time." Born 4 October, 1702, educated at University of Glasgow and Military Academy at Vandeuil, in Paris. Captain in the Scots Guards, 1734. Representative Peer, 1732, till his death in 1749. In 1733 he was appointed Gentleman of the Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales. In 1735 he joined the Imperial Army, and was at the Battle of Claussen, 17 October, 1735. In April, 1738, he served with the Russian Army against the Turks, declining however a regiment of Horse and the rank of Lieutenant-General in that service. He greatly distinguished himself in various engagements, as also at the Battle of Krotzha, near Belgrade, 22 July, 1739, when his horse was killed under him, and he himself fearfully and desperately wounded. He returned home, and that year was made Adjutant-General and Colonel of the 42nd Foot. (The Black Watch was then first made a Regiment, and called "Lord Crawford-Lindsay's Highlanders.") Colonel of the 2nd Troop of Grenadier Guards, 1740. Colonel in 1743 of the Scottish Horse Guards, disbanded 1746. Colonel of the Scots Greys and Lieutenant-General, 1747. He was in command at Dettingen, 16 June, 1743; at Fontenoy, where he conducted the retreat in excellent order, 30 April, 1745; in Scotland, to repress the rising in 1745; and at the Battle of Roucoux, in the Netherlands, in October, 1746. He married 3 March, 1747, Jean, eldest daughter of James Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl. He died in London, in great suffering (his wound of 1739 breaking out for the 29th time), 25 December, 1749.
"John Earl of Craufurd."
ROBERT GREGAN CRAWFORD.
Cornet by purchase, 22 January, 1824. Lieutenant, 29 June, 1826. Promoted to captain of an unattached troop, 5 April, 1831.
WILLIAM CRAWFORD.
Cornet, 10 October, 1694, to 9 March, 1697-8. Captain-Lieutenant, 16 January, 1706, in Colonel the Earl of Stair's troop. 24 February, 1707-8, Captain of an additional troop.
WILLIAM CRAWFORD.
Deputy-Adjutant, 9 July, 1793, and Cornet, 17 August, 1815. Lieutenant, 25 June, 1819. Resigns Adjutancy, 25 November, 1828. Appointed Paymaster, 24 March, 1829. Retired on half-pay, 1 January, 1849.
DAVID CRICHTON.
Lieutenant, 1 April, 1692, to last day of February, 1693. Captain-Lieutenant, 1 January, 1693, to ye 7 September, 1694. Captain of the two additional troops, from 1 October, 1694, to 15 March, 1697-8.
JOHN CRICHTON.
21 May, 1678, appointed Ensigne in Captain Francis Stuart's Independent Company. In 1681, Lieutenant in Stuart's Company. 30 March, 1685, appointed Lieutenant of Captain Cleland's troop.
STEPHEN CROFT.
Cornet, 19 February, 1760. In 1762 promoted to the 106th Regiment of Foot.
CHARLES CROSSBIE.
Captain-Lieutenant, 7 March, 1722-3. Captain, 25 December, 1726.
DAVID CUNNINGHAM.
Cornet, 10 September, 1778. Lieutenant, 3 March, 1779, in the Colonel's troop.
JOHN CUNNINGHAM.
Cornet, 9 September, 1805. Lieutenant, 4 June, 1807. Resigned 1811.
SIR WALTER MONTGOMERY-CUNNINGHAM.
Cornet in Captain Telfer's troop, 22 March, 1776. Resigned, 5th October, 1778.
4th Baronet, of Corshill, in the parish of Stewarton, County Ayr, was the son of Captain Alexander Montgomery-Cunningham. He succeeded to the Baronetcy 4 July, 1770. He was an unsuccessful claimant to the Earldom of Glencairn. He died unmarried, in March, 1814.
JAMES DALRYMPLE.
Cornet, 6 March, 1707-8. Captain-Lieutenant, 22 July, 1715. Lieutenant, 5 July, 1723. Retired and succeeded by Cornet John Forbess, 23 April, 1742.
JAMES DALRYMPLE.
Cornet, 21 June, 1749. Lieutenant, 11 January, 1755.
EDWARD DAVEY.
Lieutenant, 5 April, 1796. Retired, 2 August, 1796.
GEORGE DAWLER.
Cornet, 24 April, 1762. Transferred from the Lieutenant-Colonel's troop to Captain Law's troop, 24 April, 1763. Promoted Lieutenant, 14 November, 1770. Transferred to Captain Smith's troop, 25 April, 1779. In Muster Roll ending 24 December, 1779:—Promoted Captain-Lieutenant in 11th Regiment of Dragoons.
ROBERT DAWN, M.D.
Surgeon, 4 August, 1814. Exchanged, 16 January, 1816, to 89th Foot.
WILLIAM DAWSON.
Paymaster, 13 October, 1814. Died, 25 September, 1828.
JOSEPH BARRINGTON DEACON.
Cornet by purchase, 26 May, 1865. Retired, 30 May, 1866.
MATTHEW FITZMAURICE DEANE, The Honourable.
Cornet from the 10th Light Dragoons, 6 May, 1853. Transferred to 4th Dragoon Guards, 10 June, 1853.
WILLIAM DELAVALLY.
Lieutenant, 31 May, 1715.
SIR JAMES STEWART DENHAM, Bart.
Born in Scotland in August, 1744, and very soon his father had to leave Scotland on account of being implicated in the 1745 rebellion. The son, therefore, received his education in Germany. He became Cornet in the 1st or Royal Dragoons, 17 March, 1761, and served the campaigns of 1761 and 1762 with it in Germany. Passing over the rank of Lieutenant, he was made Captain in the 105th Royal Highlanders, 13 January, 1763. In[Pg 180] the next year this regiment was disbanded. He then travelled for two years in France and Germany, paying special attention to the cavalry of those two nations. In 1766 he was appointed to command a troop of the 5th Royal Irish Dragoons, now the 5th Royal Irish Lancers. 6 November, 1772, he was promoted Major into the 13th Dragoons. 26 September, 1775, he was transferred to the 1st Irish Horse, now the 4th Dragoon Guards. 15 July, 1776, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel of his old regiment, the 13th Dragoons, on its being made a Light Dragoon regiment. In 1781 he was elected M.P. for Lanark. 20 November, 1782, he was made a Colonel. In 1788 he was made President of a Commission for improving the discipline and general condition of the Cavalry in Ireland. 9 November, 1791, he was made Colonel of the 12th Light Dragoons. In October, 1793, made Major-General. In 1797 made a local Lieutenant-General. In the Rebellion of 1798 he shewed himself as a wise statesman as well as an able soldier. In 1813 he was made Colonel of the Scots Greys. Died at Cheltenham, 12 August, 1839.
DAVID RONALD DICKSON.
Cornet, 20 August, 1803. Lieutenant, 19 December, 1805.
JOHN DICKSON.
Quartermaster Muster Roll, 24 June, 1760. Cornet, 22 May, 1761. Resigned, 4 June, 1769.
---- DISNEY.
(Christian name not given). Made Cornet, 9 December, 1755.
CHARLES WILSHERE ONSLOW DOHERTY.
Lieutenant, from 97th Foot, 10 January, 1872. Lieutenant in the Army, 28 June, 1871. Captain, 1 October, 1878. Died, 27 June, 1879.
EDWARD GEORGE MOORE DONNITHORNE.
Cornet, by purchase, 8 September, 1865. Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, 18 December, 1861. New Zealand War, 1864. Action of the Gate Pah. Medal. Lieutenant in the Greys, by purchase, 3 February, 1869. Captain, 24th February, 1872. Major, 1 July, 1881.
JAMES DOUGLAS.
Quarter-master in Captain Charles Preston's troop, 1706.
JOHN DOUGLAS.
Cornet, 13 October, 1741. Lieutenant, 3 February, 1746-7. Adjutant, 1 June, 1750. Captain-Lieutenant, 13 September, 1754. Captain, 11 January, 1755. Major in Muster Roll ending 24 June, 1760. Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain, 14 November, 1770. Promoted Colonel of the 21st Dragoons, 25 April, 1779.
SIR WILLIAM DOUGLAS.
Adjutant and Captain, 1 April, 1692, to 31 March, 1694.
WILLIAM DOUGLAS.
Cornet, 21 April, 1692, to 27 April, 1697. Lieutenant, 28 April, 1697, to 15 March, 1698.
WILLIAM DOUGLAS.
Cornet, in Muster Roll of 24 June, 1760, in Major John Douglas's troop. Promoted Lieutenant, 3 March, 1764.
ROBERT DOUNES.
Lieutenant, from 19th Light Dragoons, by purchase, 23 October, 1817.
FRANCIS DREWE.
Cornet, by purchase, 10 November, 1837. Died, 23 July, 1838.
HENRY DRUMMOND.
In 1681 appointed Ensigne of Strachan's Company. 30 March, 1685, appointed Cornet of Captain John Strachan's Company. 23 August, 1688, appointed Lieutenant of P. Blair's troop.
PERCY CHARLES DU CANE.
Cornet, from the 4th Dragoon Guards, 16 July, 1858. Lieutenant, by purchase, 30 January, 1863. Captain, by purchase, 30 March, 1866. Retired 16 October, 1866.
ARTHUR CAMPBELL DUCKWORTH.
Born, 27 September, 1870. 2nd Lieutenant, 31 January, 1894. Lieutenant, 5 December, 1894.
GEORGE DUNBAR.
Cornet, 11 May, 1705. Captain-Lieutenant, 24 February, 1707-8; in Colonel the Earl of Stair's troop. In 1715 Captain.
JAMES BRANDER DUNBAR.
Cornet without purchase, 12 January, 1855. Lieutenant by purchase, 25 May, 1855. Captain without purchase, 31 March, 1866. Retired, 19 January, 1870.
JOHN DUNBAR.
24 February, 1707-8, Cornet in Patrick Robertson's troop.
SIR DAVID DUNDAS.
3rd son of Robert Dundas, a merchant of Edinburgh, was born in 1735, and educated at the Royal Academy at Woolwich. From 1752 to 1755 he assisted General David Watson, his maternal uncle, in the great survey of Scotland. Colonel, 16 May, 1801. General, 29 April, 1802. Resigned, 27 January, 1813, on being appointed Colonel of the 1st Dragoon Guards. In 1754 he was appointed a Lieutenant-Fireworker in the Royal Artillery, and in 1755 a Practitioner-Engineer. In 1756[Pg 183] he was made a Lieutenant in the 56th Regiment, and in the same year was made Assistant Quartermaster-General to General Watson. He threw up his staff appointment in 1758 to join his regiment, ordered on active service, and took part in the attack on St. Malo, the capture of Cherbourg, and the fight at St. Cas. At the close of the same year he joined the Army under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, in the threefold capacity of Assistant Quartermaster-General, Engineer, and Lieutenant of Infantry. After the campaign he left Germany, to become a Captain in the 15th Light Dragoons. He was in the battles of Corlach, Warburg, and Clostercampen, the siege of Wesel, the battle of Fellinghausen, and then, in 1762, in the expedition to Cuba. The Seven Years' War over, he became a deep student of his profession, and attended every year manœuvres of the French, Prussian, or Austrian armies. In 1770 he was promoted Major. In 1775 he purchased the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 12th Light Dragoons. In 1778 Quartermaster-General in Ireland. In 1781 promoted Colonel. In 1782 made Lieutenant-Colonel of the 2nd Irish Horse. In 1788 he published his valuable work "The Principles of Military Movements." In 1790 he was promoted Major-General, and in 1791 made Colonel of the 22nd Regiment. In June, 1792, were issued—Rules and Regulations for the Formation, Field Exercises, and Movements of His Majesty's Forces. These were drawn up by Dundas, and issued officially. "Rules and Regulations for the Cavalry," were also, at once, issued under similar conditions; but, in this case, he had been largely aided by the experience of Sir James Stewart Denham (also of the Greys). He commanded a brigade of Cavalry at Tournay, on 22 May, 1794. Next, he fought the battles of Geldermalsen and Tuyl. In 1795 he was made Colonel of the 7th Light Dragoons, Quartermaster-General in 1796.... In 1801 he was made Colonel of the Greys and Governor of Fort George, in the place of Sir Ralph Abercromby. In 1802 promoted General. Commander-in-Chief, 1809 to 1811. In 1813, Colonel of the 1st Dragoon Guards. Died, 18 February, 1820.
Sir Henry Bunbury recorded:—"Dundas was a tall, spare man,[Pg 184] crabbed and austere, dry in his looks and demeanour. He had made his way from a poor condition (he told me himself that he walked from Edinburgh to London to enter himself as a fireworker in the artillery).... There was much care and valour in that Scotchman."
HENRY DUNDAS.
In 1681 Lieutenant in Inglis's Company.
JAMES DUNDAS.
In 1681 Ensign of Turner's Company. On 11 May, 1683, appointed Lieutenant of Captain J. Strachan's Company. 7 November, 1685, commission to be Lieutenant of William Levingstoun's troop.
JAMES DUNDAS.
30 March, 1685, appointed Cornet of Wedderburne's troop.
HUGH DE C. EASTWOOD.
Lieutenant, 10 August, 1885.
CHARLES GASPAR EDLMANN.
Cornet, 14 December, 1815. In 1822 appointed Riding Master. Retired on half-pay, 19th Light Dragoons.
HERBERT EDWARDS.
Lieutenant, 12 November, 1852, from the 14th Light Dragoons, by exchange. Captain without purchase, 15 December, 1854. Retired, 13 June, 1856.
THE EARL OF EGLINTON.
Colonel of the Scots Greys, 2 December, 1785. Died, 1 November, 1796.
Archibald Montgomerie, Earl of Eglinton, born 18 May, 1726.[Pg 185] He raised the 77th Regiment of Foot, which he commanded in America, in 1757, becoming finally, 1793, General in the Army. He was M.P. for county Ayr, 1761 to 1768. Equerry to the Queen Consort 1761-1769. Governor of the Castle of Dumbarton, 1764, and Deputy Ranger of Hyde Park and St. James's Park, 1766; Governor of Edinburgh Castle, 1782. Representative Peer for Scotland, 1776-1796. He married, 30 March, 1772, Lady Jean, eldest daughter of George Lindsay, 18th Earl of Crawford and Lindsay. She died, 22 January, 1778, at Eglinton Castle. He married secondly, 9 August, 1783, Frances, daughter of Sir William Twisden, 6th Baronet of Roydon. He died 30 October, 1796.
JAMES DRUMMOND ELPHINSTONE.
Major, exchanged from half pay in Watteville's corps, 7 September, 1818.
CHRISTOPHER ERIE.
Second Lieutenant, 12 December, 1894.
JAMES ERSKINE.
As Ensign, 24 July, 1722. Cornet, 2 November, 1722. Made Lieutenant, 23 April, 1742. Made Captain-Lieutenant, 27 May, 1742.
WILLIAM ERSKINE.
Captain, 12 June, 1717. Major, 21 March, 1722-3. He is made Lieutenant-Colonel of "late Kerr's" Regiment, and is succeeded by Captain Sir Thomas Hay, on 6 February, 1740-1.
G. H. FALCONAR.
Cornet, 2 November, 1809. Lieutenant by purchase, 21 November, 1811, in place of Cunningham. Captain by purchase, 5 October, 1815. In 1816 on half pay.
Led a squadron of the Greys at Waterloo. He was great-uncle to Col. Coventry Williams, lately commanding the regiment (see p. 258).
FRANCIS GLENNIE FARQUHAR.
Cornet by purchase, 14 June, 1864. Lieutenant by purchase, 25 September, 1867. Captain by purchase, 2 August, 1871. Major, 1 July, 1881. Lieutenant-Colonel, 5 July, 1886.
PETER FARQUHARSON.
Cornet in roll ending 24 June, 1761.
RICHARD TWISTLETON FAWCETT.
Lieutenant, 27 April, 1815. Captain, 25 October, 1825. Retired, 23 February, 1838.
CECIL WILLIAM MONTAGUE FEILDEN.
Born, 13 January, 1863. Lieutenant, 2 August, 1882. Captain, 14 February, 1891. A.D.C. (extra) to Lt.-Gen., and Gen. Gov. Ireland, 2 February, 1891, to 17 August, 1892. Ditto, 3 October, 1892, to 8 July, 1895. Ditto, 30 July, 1895, to 31 October, 1895. Private Secretary to Commander-in-chief, 1 November, 1895, to 15 January, 1897.
Major, 1901. Served in South Africa, 1899; wounded 18th February, and died of wounds 20th February, 1902 (see p. 132).
WILLIAM LEYLAND FEILDEN.
Cornet by purchase, 5 July, 1853.
THOMAS CHARLES FENTON.
Captain, 6 April, 1815. (2 January, 1812, on half-pay in 4th Dragoons.) Retired, 24 June, 1819.
ROBERT ORDE FENWICK.
Appointed Cornet, 5 August, 1803. Lieutenant, 27 February, 1806. Resigned, 24 June, 1807.
JOHN FERGUSSON.
From Quartermaster-Sergeant, to Quartermaster, 12 April, 1864. Died, 27 September, 1871.
PATRICK FERGUSON.
Cornet in the Lieutenant-Colonel's troop, in the Muster signed at Kelso, 13 August, 1763. In Muster Roll ending 26 December, 1768, promoted to be a Lieutenant in the 70th Regiment. Born in 1744, his father being James Ferguson of Pitfours, Aberdeenshire. He was taught fortification, gunnery, &c., in a military academy in London, and in 1759, before he was 15, was appointed a Cornet in the Greys. On 2nd December, 1776, he obtained a patent for improvements in Fire-arms. The patent covers several forms of breech action, the use of sliding back sights, and also a peculiar mode of rifling. After some successful public experiments at Woolwich, and before the King at Windsor, the inventor returned to his regiment, then quartered at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was allowed to form a corps of riflemen with volunteers from regiments in America. The men were armed with breech-loading rifled carbines. This corps of riflemen, extended in front and supported by a corps of rangers, did good service in covering General Knyphausen's advance at the Battle of Brandywine, 11 September, 1777, when Ferguson received a severe wound. 26 October, 1779, he was made Major in the old 71st Highlanders, then in America. In Carolina under Lord Cornwallis, he was again wounded severely. At the fight of King's Mountain, on 9 October, 1780, he was surprised and killed. The D. N. B. concludes: "Ferguson is allowed by all to have been a generous, chivalrous soldier, but the partisan warfare in which he was engaged gave rise to rancorous feelings on both sides. It is alleged that indignities were offered to his mangled corpse and great barbarities practised on the wretched militiamen under him who were taken prisoners. Unable to show other marks of respect to his memory, Ferguson's brother officers published a notice of him in the form of a monumental epitaph in the New York Gazette, 14 February, 1781."
PETER FERGUISON.
Cornet in November, 1760.
TOWNLEY PATTEN HUME MACARTNEY FILGATE.
Captain, 28 April, 1863, by exchange from 8th Hussars. Retired, 14 February, 1865.
CONRAD WILLIAM CURLING FINZELL.
Cornet by purchase, 14 February, 1864. Retired, 22 August, 1868.
WILLIAM FRANCIS FIRMSTONE.
Cornet, 28 October, 1871. Sub-Lieutenant, 1 November, 1871. Lieutenant, 17 March, 1874. Resigned, 18 March, 1874.
RALPH BROMFIELD WILLINGTON FISHER.
From unattached list. Sub-Lieutenant, 27 June, 1874. To 10th Hussars, 27 August.
Fisher, R. B. W. (Lieut.-Col., 10th Hussars.) Afghan War, 1878-9-80. Attack and capture of the Peiwar, Kotal, actions of Matun and Futtehabad. Operations in the Shutargardan. Affairs around Kabul and Sherpur; and march from Kabul to relief of Kandahar, and battle of 1 September. Despatches, London Gazette, 4 May, and 3 December, 1880. Medal with 3 clasps: bronze star. Mahsood Wuzeeree Expedition, 1881. Transport Officer. Mentioned in Despatches.
PETER FRASER FLEMING.
Born, 9 June, 1855. Quartermaster (honorary Lieutenant), 21 February, 1894. "In the ranks 19 years, 135 days."
FITZROY CHARLES FLETCHER.
Second Lieutenant, 27 August, 1879, from Highland R. Mil. Lieutenant, 8 November, 1880.
RANDAL FOOT.
Cornet, 21 June, 1836, from half pay 6th Dragoon Guards.
ALEXANDER FORBES.
1706 Quartermaster to Patrick Robertson's troop. Cornet, 26 May, 1710. Lieutenant, 24 March, 1715-16. Captain, 9 August, 1721. Made Major, 27 May, 1742.
JOHN FORBES.
Cornet, 5 July, 1735. Made Lieutenant, 23 April, 1742. Captain, 24 September, 1744. Major, 3 February, 1746-7. Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, 24 December, 1745, and Lieutenant-Colonel of the Greys, 29 November, 1750. Made Colonel of the 17th Foot, 25 February, 1757. In the same year he was sent to America as Adjutant-General, and on 28 December appointed a Brigadier there. He was entrusted with the capture of Fort Du Quesne. George Washington commanded the Virginians of his force. Forbes died at Philadelphia, 11 March, 1759.
JOHN FORBES.
Made Cornet, 25th December, 1755. Lieutenant in Muster ending 24 June, 1763. Transferred in Muster ending 24 June, 1767, from Captain Home's troop to Major Douglas's troop. Resigned, 16 March, 1770.
FRANCIS CHARLES FORDE.
Cornet by purchase, 10 June, 1826. Lieutenant by purchase, 8 June, 1830. Captain by purchase, 10 July, 1835. Retired, 28 December, 1841.
GEORGE, LORD FORRESTER, of Corstorphine.
Born 23 February, 1688. Cornet, 1 January, 1706-7. He served in Marlborough's campaigns, but did not stay long in the Greys. He became Lieutenant-Colonel of the 26th Regiment, the Cameronians, and in command of them was wounded at the battle of Preston, 13 November, 1715. In 1716 he was promoted Colonel of the 30th Foot, and died on the 17th February, 1726.
"In the attack on the rebels at Preston, 13 November, 1715, as Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the 26th, or Cameronians, he showed extraordinary intrepidity. Ordering his men to halt, he deliberately rode into the street with his drawn sword in his hand, and amidst a shower of bullets coolly examined one of the four barriers which had been raised by the insurgents. He then sallied into the street at the head of his men, and whilst with one party he attacked the barrier, another under his directions seized two houses which overlooked the whole town."
ROBERT STEIN FERLONG.
Cornet from 13th Light Dragoons, 30 July, 1829. "To have the rank of Lieutenant, 22 May, 1835." Made Adjutant, 6 November, 1835. Resigned Adjutancy, 10 August, 1838. Captain by purchase, 26 February, 1841. Retired, 29 December, 1843.
JOSEPH FORTESCUE.
Cornet, 28 November, 1780. Lieutenant in Muster ending 24 December, 1789.
CHARLES PERCIVAL FOSTER.
Born 10 November, 1872. Second-Lieutenant, 29 May, 1895. Lieutenant, 16 September, 1896.
THOMAS FOWKE.
Cornet, 9 March, 1757.
ANDREW FRAME.
Quartermaster, 1706, in Major Boyd's troop.
JOHN FREEMAN.
16 May, 1782, appointed Cornet in the Colonel's troop. Lieutenant, 7 February, 1787.
JOHN ARTHUR FREEMAN.
Cornet by purchase, 7 August, 1846. Lieutenant by purchase, 21 June, 1850. Captain by purchase, 11 November, 1853. Died, 27 September, 1854.
JOHN FREESTONE.
Quartermaster, 1706.
JAMES CARNEGIE FULERTOUN.
Captain, 2 May, 1793. In Muster ending 24 March, 1799, en second.
JOHN FURNIER.
Cornet, 12 September, 1695, to 9 March, 1697-8.
(WILLIAM) GALLOWAY.
Cornet, 15 June, 1716.
The 3rd son of James, 5th Earl of Galloway and Catherine, daughter of the 9th Earl of Eglinton, is given by Burke, as "William, served as a Cavalry Officer. M.P., Wigtown Burghs."
JAMES GAPE.
Cornet, 29 April, 1813. Lieutenant, 3 May, 1815. Captain by purchase, 19 January, 1817. Exchanged to half pay, unattached, 6 December, 1833.
JAMES GARDINER.
24 February, 1707-8, Lieutenant in Captain William Crawford's Additional Troop.
The above entry in the original manuscript "Army List" at the Record Office was evidently unknown to the editors of the "Dictionary of National Biography," who have been careful to explain that the famous Colonel Gardiner killed at Prestonpans had not served in the Greys.
In the same manuscript the Earl of Stair is recorded as Colonel,[Pg 192] and this same William Crawford as Captain-Lieutenant commanding the Colonel's own troop. In the next MS. list, of about 1714, James Gardiner appears again.
The chief points in Gardiner's life must be taken from the Rev. Dr. Doddridge's "Some remarkable passages in the Life of the Hon. Colonel James Gardiner, who was slain at the battle of Prestonpans, September 21, 1745." He was the son of Captain Patrick Gardiner, of Torwood Head, Linlithgowshire, and was born 10 January, 1687. At the early age of 14 he bore an ensign's commission in a Scotch Regiment in the Dutch service until 1702, when he received an Ensign's commission from Queen Anne. At the age of 19, in the battle of Ramillies, he received a wound in his mouth by a musket ball. "He was of a party in the forlorn hope, and was commanded on what seemed almost a desperate service, to dispossess the French of the churchyard at Ramillies, where a considerable number of them were posted to remarkable advantage. He planted his colours on an advanced ground, and while he was calling to his men, he received a shot into his mouth."
Mr. Dalton has rightly recorded Gardiner as a Lieutenant in the Greys, and adds a note—"Master of the Horse to the Earl of Stair when that nobleman was sent Ambassador to France in 1715. Appointed Major of the Earl of Stair's Regiment of Dragoons (now the Inniskilling Dragoons), 14 January, 1717. Lieutenant-Colonel of the same Regiment, 4 January, 1730. Colonel of the Regiment now the 13th Hussars, 18 April, 1743."
On the 22nd July, 1715, at the battle of Preston, he headed a storming party of 12, and advancing to the barricades of the insurgents, set them on fire, in spite of a furious storm of musketry, by which 8 of his men were killed.
I abridge from the "Dictionary of National Biography," and other sources, the following note of Colonel Gardiner's last fight:—On 19 April, 1743, Gardiner became Colonel of the 13th Hussars, then quartered in East Lothian, in which district Gardiner had lately purchased a residence. On the outbreak, in 1745, Gardiner's and Hamilton's Dragoons were retained in the low country, while Cope set out to oppose the[Pg 193] Pretender in the highlands. 14 August, 1745, four troops of Gardiner's Dragoons marched to Perth, but had to retreat, chiefly owing to the supineness of Cope and the fame of the Pretender's highlanders. On 20 September, 1745, the two armies sighted each other at Prestonpans, and the battle was fought the following morning. "Gardiner's Dragoons were posted on Cope's right wing, and after the discomforture of Whitney's Dragoons were ordered to charge the enemy, but after a faint fire only 11 obeyed the word of command, the others wheeling round and galloping from the field. The battle was irretrievably lost; but Gardiner, who had already been wounded by shots in the left breast and right thigh, seeing a party of infantry who were bravely fighting near him without an officer to head them, rode up to them crying out, 'Fire on, my lads, and fear nothing!' but at that moment he was cut down by three more wounds—one in his shoulder by a ball, another in his fore-arm by a broadsword, and the third was a blow on the head from a Lochaber axe. He was carried to the manse of Tranent, and lived until the forenoon of the next day."
JOHN GARDNER.
Cornet, 12 May, 1797. Retired, 3 October, 1798.
DAVID GARIOCH.
On 30 March, 1685, appointed Cornet of Major Wedderburne's troop.
GEORGE GARIOCH.
Lieutenant in one of the Additional Troops, 1 January, 1693-4 to 1 March, 1697-8.
JOHN FRANCIS UPTON GASKELL.
From 6th Dragoon Guards. Captain, 29 December, 1877.
JOHN GORDON GEDDES.
Lieutenant-Colonel from half-pay, 27 August, 1852, retiring the same day.
---- GEDDES.
Cornet, 24 March, 1715-16.
DAVID GIBSON.
From Sergeant to Cornet, without purchase (on augmentation), 5 November, 1854. In 1856 promoted to a Lieutenancy in the Military Train.
JOHN GIBSON.
Quartermaster, 25 May, 1760.
THOMAS GILBERT.
Cornet, 29 November, 1750. Resigns, 29 May, 1754.
JAMES GILBRAITH.
Appointed Quartermaster, 28 July, 1761. Sold out, 25 March, 1762. In the Muster Roll, at Hammersmith, 22 January, 1763, is recorded:—Quartermaster James Gilbraith promoted in 104th Regiment, March 26.
---- GILL.
Surgeon, 10 December, 1794. Retired, 30 June, 1795.
JOHN GILLIES.
Cornet from Sergeant-Major (and Riding Master), 25 October, 1825. Lieutenant by purchase, 8 October, 1830. Retired on half-pay, unattached, 10 May, 1839.
ANDREW GILLON.
Cornet in Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas's troop, 17 September, 1778. Transferred to the Colonel's troop, 7 July, 1779. Promoted Lieutenant, 20 March, 1780. Captain-Lieutenant, 18 July, 1787. Captain, 28 July, 1790. In the muster ending 24 December, 1794, Gillon, as well as Ker, are entered as Majors. 3 April, 1801, Major Andrew Gillon retired.
JAMES GIRVAN.
Quartermaster, 1795. Retired, 28 February, 1797.
ADAM GLENDINING.
Quartermaster, 1 October, 1799. Promoted Cornet in Royal Wagon Train, 9 January, 1806.
SAMUEL GODDARD.
Appointed Quartermaster in the Colonel's troop, 27 February, 1775. Transferred to the 20th Light Dragoons, 1 May, 1779.
JOHN GODLY.
Appointed Quartermaster, 24 July, 1786. In Roll, December, 1797, to February, 1798, described as en second.
THOMAS GONNE.
Cornet by purchase, 25 November, 1855. Lieutenant by purchase, 11 September, 1857. Exchanged to 17th Dragoons, 17 November, 1857.
CHARLES GORDON.
Chaplain, 23 March, 1797.
GEORGE GORDON.
Cornet by purchase, 8 June, 1830. Lieutenant by purchase, 10 July, 1835.
HENRY GORDON.
Cornet in Sir Robert Hay's troop, 24 October, 1706.
LORD ROBERT GORDON.
Made a Cornet, 18 September, 1741.
THOMAS GORDON.
Born at Cairness, 8 December, 1788, son of Charles Gordon, of Buthlau. Was at Eton, 1800 to 1804. Matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford, 20 January, 1806. Cornet in the Greys 10 December, 1807. Lieutenant in March, 1809, and before the close of the year exchanged into the 43rd Regiment. In 1810 he quitted the British service and started on foreign travel. In 1813 he served as Captain on the Staff of the Russian army. In 1816 he was at Constantinople and married Barbara Kana, afterwards Baroness de Pedaiges, a lady of Armenian Greek extraction. In 1821 the war of Greek independence began, and he served as chef d'état major under Ipsilanti. He took an active part at the siege of Tripoliza, and after the town was taken he remonstrated against the treacherous massacre by the Greeks of several thousand Turks. His representations being disregarded, he quitted the service. At last, after many urgent requests that he would join the Greek service again, he, in May, 1826, returned to promote unity and military discipline. In January, 1827, he accepted the command of the expedition to the Piræus with the local rank of Brigadier. His aim was to relieve Athens, then blockaded by Kutahi. Gordon successfully landed his troops at Port Phalerus "under the nose of Reshid Pasha." On 11 February the Turks made a determined attack, but were driven back with great slaughter. Finding that Athens was still able to hold out, he wished to resign, but was induced to continue upon condition of receiving supplies and being "entirely master of his own operations." He continued until the arrival of General Church to take over supreme command as generalissimo. On April 16 Gordon was appointed Director-General of the Ordnance Department. On May 6 the disastrous battle before Athens put an end to all organised military operations by the Greeks in the Morea. The battle of Navarino soon ended the struggle. In 1832 was published in London his "History of the Greek Revolution," a work of great value. On the formation of the Greek Kingdom he was appointed Colonel à la suite and Colonel on the Staff of the Greek army. On 7 July, 1835, he was appointed Major-General. He died at Cairness, 20 April, 1841.
JOHN BLOOMFIELD GOUGH, C.B. (Lieutenant-General).
Colonel, 31 January, 1864. Lieutenant-General in the Army, 9 November, 1862. K.C.B., 1866.
"Gough, Sir J. B. (General, retired list)." China War, 1840-2. Capture of Canton, Amoy, Ningpo, Chapoo and Nankin. Despatches, London Gazette, 8 October, 1841, 11 February, 3 September, 18 October, and 11 November, 1842. Medal. Brevets of Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. C. B.
Gwalior campaign, 1843-4. Battle of Maharajpore. Despatches, London Gazette, 8 March, 1844. Bronze star.
Sutlej campaign, 1845-6. Battles of Moodkee, Ferozeshah, Sobraon (severely wounded). Despatches, London Gazette, 23 February and 1 April, 1846. Medal, with two clasps.
Punjaub campaign, 1848-9. Battle of Chillianwallah and Goojerat. Despatches, London Gazette, 3 March and 19 April, 1849. Medal, with two clasps. A.D.C. to the Queen.
FREDERICK GOULBURN.
Captain by purchase, 6 April, 1815. 12 July, 1810, on half-pay in 13th Dragoons, apparently.
FREDERICK ULRIC GRAHAM.
Cornet by purchase, 29 March, 1844. Soon transferred to 1st Life Guards.
JAMES REGINALD TOVIN GRAHAM.
Cornet by purchase, 20 January, 1814. Lieutenant by purchase, 8 June, 1815. Captain by purchase, 16 March, 1820. On half-pay, 1821. Retired, 5 April, 1844.
---- GRANT.
Cornet, 1702.
ALEXANDER GRANT.
Captain, 1 April, 1692, to 31 March, 1694.
WALTER COLQUHOUN GRANT.
Cornet by purchase, 26 February, 1841. Lieutenant by purchase, 7 April, 1843. Captain by purchase, 18 April, 1845. Exchanged to 47th Foot, 9 June, 1838.
SIR WILLIAM KEIR GRANT, K.C.B., G.C.H., Lieut.-Gen.
Colonel from the 8th Dragoons, 24 August, 1839. Lieutenant-General in the Army, 27 May, 1825. Died, 7 May, 1852.
THOMAS PRICE GRATRIX.
Cornet, exchanged from 1st Life Guards, 20 April, 1848. Lieutenant by purchase, 9 May, 1851. Exchanged to 14th Light Dragoons, 12 November, 1852.
JOHN UPPLEBY GRAYBURN.
Cornet without purchase, from Northampton Militia, 7 March, 1856.
PATRICK GREY.
Cornet, 1 April, 1692, to 31 December, 1693. Lieutenant, 1 January, 1693-4, to 12 May, 1697-8.
WILLIAM GRAY, The Honourable.
Cornet, 16 March, 1770. In 1775 transferred from Captain Telfer's troop to the Colonel's troop. Promoted Lieutenant 22 May, 1776, in Captain Ramsay's troop. Appointed Captain-Lieutenant in 15th Light Dragoons, 17 May, 1779.
(William John, 14th Lord Gray. Died unmarried, 12 December, 1807, in his 54th year.)
JOHN GREY.
From the 10th Light Dragoons. Major, 1 October, 1821, by purchase. Lieutenant-Colonel by purchase, 25 October, 1825. Exchanged to half-pay, unattached, 23 March, 1832.
JOHN GRIEVE, V.C.
Cornet from Sergeant-Major, without purchase, 4 December, 1857. Augmentation. Adjutant, 18 February, 1859. Lieutenant, 30 January, 1863. Retired, 26 May, 1865.
HENRY DARBY GRIFFITH.
Captain, exchanging from the 33rd Foot, 14 June, 1839. Major by purchase, 6 November, 1846. Lieutenant-Colonel by purchase, 27 August, 1852. Wounded slightly, Gazette, 12 November, 1854. Colonel in the Army, 28 November, 1854, and also Aide-de-Camp to the Queen. Appointed Colonel of the Greys, 31 March, 1866. Also appointed Major-General in the Army.
JOHN GRIFFITHS.
Quartermaster in Captain Law's troop, in Muster ending 24 June, 1760. Transferred to Captain Napier's troop in Muster ending 24 June, 1768.
EMANUEL GRISTOCK.
Surgeon, 2 April, 1788. Retired, 8 July, 1788.
JOHN HALL.
Cornet, 9 January, 1806. Lieutenant, 25 June, 1807. Captain, 1812, by purchase, in place of Lawrence Johnson, retired. In 1814 retired.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
Made a Cornet, 23 April, 1742.
ARCHIBALD HAMILTON.
Lieutenant, 16 March, 1815. On half-pay in 4th Dragoons, 11 June, 1812.
DIGBY HAMILTON.
Adjutant in Muster ending 24 December, 1785. Cornet's commission, 21 June, 1786. Lieutenant, 3 June, 1791. Captain-Lieutenant, 24 June, 1795. Retired, 18 February, 1796.
JAMES CAMPBELL HAMILTON.
From 5th Dragoon Guards. Second Lieutenant, 13 November, 1878. Lieutenant, 19 May, 1880.
JAMES INGLIS HAMILTON.
Cornet, 15 May, 1793. Lieutenant, 4 October, 1793. June, 1800, Captain. Appointed, 17 February, 1803, Major, without a troop. From August, 1805, apparently Major with a troop. 16 June, 1807, appointed Lieutenant-Colonel. 4 June, 1814, received the rank of Colonel in the Army. Killed, 15 June, 1815.
JOHN HAMILTON.
Quartermaster, 1762. In Muster Roll ending 24 December, 1775:—"Promoted Cornet in 17th Regiment of Dragoons." In Muster Roll ending 24 December, 1782:—"Captain-Lieutenant John Hamilton."
JOHN POTTER HAMILTON.
Quartermaster. "From half-pay. Appointed 23 May, 1786, and retired, 20 June." Then, in the Muster Roll ending 24 June, 1794, John Hamilton appears as appointed a Cornet, 26 March, 1794. Lieutenant, 13 August, 1794. Captain-Lieutenant, 16 August, 1799. Appointed Captain, 3 May, 1800. Appointed Major in Hompesch's Dragoons, 27 February, 1802.
WILLIAM HAMILTON.
Promoted, 12 February, 1806, from Sergeant-Major to Quartermaster.
Lt.-Colonel Sir Thomas Hankin, present with the Greys at Waterloo.
Reproduced and enlarged from a cabinet photograph given to Dr. Campbell, Edinburgh, by Colonel Hankin, West India Regiment, grandson of Sir Thomas. The original portrait in oils is in the hands of a lady in the female line of the Hankin Family, address unknown.
SIR GEORGE FRANCIS HAMPSON, Bart.
Cornet by purchase, 5 August, 1842. Lieutenant by purchase, 18 April, 1845. Captain by purchase, 24 September, 1847. Retired, 12 July, 1857.
9th Baronet, being the son of Sir George Francis, 8th Baronet and his wife, Mary Forman, daughter of Admiral William Brown.
HENRY EDWARDES HANDLEY.
Cornet by purchase, 30 September, 1853. Lieutenant (on augmentation), without purchase, 29 December, 1854. Retired, 30 July, 1858.
SIR THOMAS PATE HANKIN.
Cornet, 22 July, 1795. Lieutenant, 3 August, 1796. En second in Muster ending 24 October, 1798. Major, 4 April, 1808. Rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, 4 June, 1814. Lieutenant-Colonel by purchase, in succession to I. G. Clarke retired, 11 October, 1821. Knighted, 31 August, 1822. Retired, 25 October, 1825.
THOMAS C. HARDY.
Cornet, 6 July, 1792. "Appointed Captain to an Independent Company."
CLAUDIUS S. HARRIS.
Second-Lieutenant, 8 December, 1880. Lieutenant, 1 July, 1881. Captain, 18 July, 1888.
JOHN COLLINSON HARRISON.
Born 9 August, 1869.
Second-Lieutenant, 5 June, 1889. Lieutenant, 23 May, 1891.
South Africa, 1899-1901; died 3rd September, at Pretoria, of wound received in the action near Belfast on 26th August, 1901 (see pp. 100-1).
CHALONER HAWKE, The Honourable.
Cornet, 14 August, 1775, in Captain George Ramsay's Troop. Died, 17 September, 1777.
ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL DOUGLAS HAWKESLEY.
Lieutenant, 26 July, 1853, by exchange from 2nd Life Guards. Retired, 13 September, 1853.
FRANCIS HAWKSWORTH.
Lieutenant, 5 February, 1794.
FRANCIS HENRY TOOVEY HAWLEY.
Born 10 August, 1860. Second-Lieutenant, 11 August, 1880. Lieutenant, 29 June, 1881. Captain, 1 October, 1887. Adjutant, 18 January, 1892. Major, 3 April, 1897.
South Africa, 1899-1900; died at Bloemfontein, 27th April, 1900.
SIR ALEXANDER HAY.
Cornet, 25 December, 1778. Promoted, "Lieutenant to Colonel Stewart's Regiment of Foot, 27 November, 1780."
ANDREW HAY.
Cornet, 15 February, 1695-6, to 12 March, 1697-8.
GEORGE HAY.
Cornet, 24 December, 1726.
LOUIS HAY.
19 June, 1688, commission to be Cornet in the Earl of Dunmore's Troop.
LORD JOHN HAY.
Son of the second Marquis of Tweeddale.
Captain, 1 April, 1692, to 7 September, 1692. Major, 8 September, 1692, to 31 March, 1694. Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain, 1 April, 1694 to 12 March, 1697-8. "1702—The Lord Viscount Tiviot's Regiment of Dragoons—Colonel Lord John Hay."
"Camp at Helchin, 26 August, 1706.
"To Mr. Secretary Harley.
"I have not received the favour of any letter from you since my last. Yesterday we had the satisfaction to see the garrison of Menin march[Pg 203] out to the number of about 4,300 men, besides the sick and wounded, which could not yet be transported for want of conveniency. We have put 5 battalions into the place under the command of Major-General Welderen; and while the neighbourhood of the French army obliges us to continue here to level our works and repair the breaches at Menin, we have ordered some cannon, with a detachment, to attack Dendermonde. The troops will be all before the place to-morrow or Saturday. My brother Churchill is appointed to command the siege, and if the dry weather hold, I hope we shall in a few days be masters of the town, which will secure the Pays de Waes and a good part of Brabant.
"Yesterday Lord John Hay, Colonel of the royal regiment of Scots Dragoons, died of a lingering fever, after about twenty days' illness, being generally regretted through the whole army. I fear we shall have ill news from our fleet after this violent storm of wind.
"I am, Sir, yours, &c.,
"Marlborough."
PETER HAY.
Muster ending 24 June, 1798, Cornet en second. Appointed Lieutenant (in Captain Balfour's troop), 4 May, 1800. Appointed Captain in 26th Dragoons, 21 August, 1801.
SIR ROBERT HAY.
1 January, 1693-4, made Captain of Foot and joined this Regiment of Dragoons as Captain, 24 June, 1706. Made Brevet-Major, 1 November, 1711. Major, 16 September, 1715. Lieutenant-Colonel, 12 June, 1717. Retires, and is succeeded by Major Sir Thomas Hay, 27 May, 1742.
SIR THOMAS HAY, Baronet.
Cornet, 1 June, 1717. Captain, 11 June, 1720. Made Major, 6 February, 1740-1, and on 27 May, 1742, Lieutenant-Colonel.
Sir John Hay, the first Baronet, married Catherine, daughter of Sir George Suttie, Baronet. He died in 1706.
Second Baronet of Nova Scotia. Died without issue, 26 November, 1769.
F. H. HAYNES.
Honorary Captain. Paymaster, 1881.
JOSEPH HELY.
From 7th Dragoon Guards. Cornet, 27 June, 1826.
JOHN LEWIS VAUGHAN HENRY.
Sub-Lieutenant, 23 April, 1873. Lieutenant, 23 April, 1874. Captain, 29 June, 1881.
ALEXANDER HEPBURN.
Cornet, 18 September, 1741.
WILLIAM HEPBURN.
"Major William Hepburn, from half-pay in Ancaster's, made Captain (in succession to I. M. Campbell), 24 July, 1754."
RICHARD AUSTIN HERBERT.
Cornet without purchase, 21 May, 1858 (augmentation). Retired, 3 June, 1859.
ERNEST FREDERICK HERITAGE.
Second Lieutenant, 1 February, 1888.
ANTHONY HERON.
Cornet, 29 May, 1745. Lieutenant, 30 September, 1746. Captain, 29 November, 1750. Died, and was succeeded by John Douglas, 11 January, 1755.
BASIL HERON.
Cornet, 11 January, 1755. Lieutenant, in Roll ending 24 June, 1760. Captain-Lieutenant, 24 April, 1762. Lieutenant, 24 April, 1762. In Muster Roll ending 24 June, 1763, Captain (Lieutenant) of Colonel the Duke of Argyll's Troop. Promoted Captain, 14 November, 1770. In Muster Roll, ending 24 June, 1779, he is promoted Major. Retired, 27 July, 1790.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hippisley.
Commanding the Greys from September, 1900, to June, 1902.
Served with the Nile Expedition, 1884-5, in command of a detachment of the Scots Greys attached to the Heavy Camel Regiment, and took part in the operations of the desert column, including the action at Abu Klea, and the reconnaissance to Matemmeh—Medal with two clasps and Khedive's Star. South Africa, 1899-1902, including operations near Modder River. Appointed to command of the regiment March 23rd, 1901, and took part in all the subsequent operations.
AUGUSTUS WILLIAM HEYMAN.
Cornet by purchase, 5 October, 1815. Lieutenant by purchase, 14 October, 1819. Captain by purchase, 25 November, 1824. Retired, 8 October, 1830.
FREDERICK DRUMMOND HIBBERT.
Cornet by purchase, 29 December, 1843. Lieutenant by purchase, 7 August, 1846. Retired, 11 April, 1851.
LORD ARTHUR W. M. HILL.
Captain 10 September, 1816. Major in the Army, 27 July, 1815. Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, 21 January, 1819. Major by purchase, 25 October, 1825. Appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, 23 March, 1832. Appointed Colonel in the Army, 10 January, 1837. Also he became Lord Sandys, and 29 December, 1837, exchanged to half-pay, unattached.
CHARLES HILL.
Cornet by purchase, 11 September, 1857. Lieutenant by purchase, 2 September, 1862. Retired, 17 November, 1863.
LORD WILLIAM FREDERICK ARTHUR MONTAGUE HILL.
Lieutenant from the 43rd Foot, 10 May, 1839. Captain, 7 April, 1843. Died, 18 March, 1844.
WILLIAM HENRY HIPPISLEY.
Born, 1 December, 1855. From 7th Hussars. Sub-Lieutenant, 29 January, 1876. (Commission in the Army, 22 May, 1875.) Lieutenant (and Adjutant), 29 January, 1876. Captain, 1 June, 1884. Major, 28 June, 1893. On 5 July, 1896, appointed "second in command."
South African War, 1879. Zulu campaign. Medal, with clasp.
GEORGE HOBART.
Cornet from half-pay, 11th Light Dragoons, 23rd March, 1820. Lieutenant by purchase, 21 July, 1825. Promoted to Captain, half-pay, unattached, 17 December, 1829. Major, by purchase, 2 April, 1841. Retired, 7 April, 1843.
---- HODGSON.
Cornet, 11 July, 1811. Lieutenant, 10 December, 1814.
DENNIS HOLLINGWORTH.
Cornet by purchase, 16 January, 1822.
DAVID HOME.
Cornet, 17 December, 1754. Made Lieutenant 19 March, 1757. Captain in Muster ending 24 June, 1760. In the Musters from 24 December, 1772, he is Captain and Major:—Major Napier (now Lord Napier) still continuing Major. David Home's Commission as Major is stated to be dated 3 November, 1774. On Muster ending 24 June, 1779, David Home appears as Lieutenant-Colonel, and Basil Heron as Major. In Roll ending 24 December, 1794, Home appears as "Absent by the King's leave," and I. H. Boardman is evidently as Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding the Regiment, now abroad. In December, 1802, Lieutenant-Colonel David Home appointed Colonel of the "2nd Garrison Battalion."
JOHN PURVES HOME.
Cornet, 25 May, 1809. Lieutenant, 8 August, 1811, without purchase, in place of Legge. In 1814 retired.
JOHN ORD HONYMAN.
Cornet, 12 December, 1811. In 1813 appointed to 1st Foot Guards.
---- HOSIER.
Cornet by purchase, 25 May, 1815. Retired, 1816.
JAMES H. HOULDSWORTH.
Second Lieutenant, 9 January, 1889. Lieutenant, 15 October, 1890.
JOHN WALLACE HOZIER.
Born in 1834, a younger brother of W. W. Hozier. Cornet by purchase, 17 December, 1858. Lieutenant by purchase, 17 November, 1863. Adjutant and Lieutenant, 29 May, 1866. Captain by purchase, 30 June, 1869. Major, 31 January 1878, Lieutenant-Colonel, 21 June, 1880.
WILLIAM WALLACE HOZIER.
Cornet by purchase, 5 April, 1844. Lieutenant by purchase, 6 November, 1846. Retired, 9 May, 1851.
The eldest son of James Hozier, Deputy-Lieutenant for the County of Lanark and Catherine Margaret, daughter of Sir William Feilden, Baronet: he was born in 1825 and married Frances Ann, daughter of James O'Hara, Esq., of Raheen, County Galway.
WILLIAM HARTOP HULL.
Cornet by purchase, 4 April, 1822. Lieutenant, 25 October, 1825. Captain by purchase, 8 October, 1830. Retired, 10 July, 1835.
JOHN WILLIAM HUMPHREY.
Cornet by purchase, 30 May, 1866. Retired, 11 January, 1867.
THOMAS HUNT.
Cornet without purchase, 26 October, 1858. (Augmentation.) Lieutenant by purchase, 28 April, 1863. Captain by purchase, 3 February, 1869. Retired, 2 August, 1871.
ROBERT HUNTER.
Captain, 1 April, 1694, to 12 March, 1697.
ROBERT SCOTT HUNTER.
Cornet by purchase, 17 June, 1851. Lieutenant without purchase, 17 February, 1854. Captain without purchase, 13 September, 1855. Exchanged to 6th Dragoon Guards, 17 June, 1859.
JOHN INGLIS.
21 May, 1678, Commission to be Captain of one of the three Independent Companies of Dragoons raised. 25 November, 1681, Commission as Captain on the companies being regimented.
---- INGLIS.
Appointed Ensign of Captain John Inglis's Company, 3 December, 1684.
JAMES INNES.
In 1681 made Ensign of Murray's Company. On 30 March, 1685, appointed Cornet of Lord Charles Murray's troop.
ROBERT INNES.
Cornet by purchase, 6 April, 1815. Lieutenant by purchase, 10 October, 1816. Captain by purchase, 24 October, 1821.
WILLIAM, LORD INVERURY.
Cornet, 7 February, 1787. Retired, 2 June, 1791.
William (Keith-Falconer), Earl of Kintore, &c. Born, 11 December, 1766, at Inglisma'die, County Kincardine, styled Lord Inverurie till he succeeded to the peerage, 30 August, 1804. He married, 18 June, 1793, at Aberdeen, Maria, daughter of Sir Alexander Bannerman. He died, 6 October, 1812, at Keith Hall, aged 45. His widow died 30 June, 1826.
JAMES IRVING.
In 1681 Surgeon, and reappointed Surgeon, 30 March, 1685.
BASIL JACKSON.
Quartermaster, 1795. Promoted Cornet, Royal Waggon Train, 10 January, 1804.
PETER NEVILL JACKSON.
Surgeon, from 31st Foot, 22 December, 1869. Died, 14 May, 1872.
GEORGE THOMSON JACOB.
Cornet, 11 May, 1839, from half-pay, 3rd Dragoon Guards.
CHARLES JAMES.
Cornet, "by purchase, 21 May, 1812, for the benefit of Captain Hutton, late of the 4th Dragoon Guards." Lieutenant by purchase, 5 April, 1815. Captain by purchase, 3 December, 1818. Retired, 4 April, 1822.
GEORGE JAMES.
Cornet, 10 June, 1795. Lieutenant, 3 May, 1800. Captain, 16 June, 1807. Major by purchase, 3 December, 1818. Retired, 16 March, 1820.
WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER JAMES.
Sub-Lieutenant, 28 February, 1874. Lieutenant, 28 February, 1874. Captain, 22 December, 1880.
South African War, 1879. Zulu Campaign. Battle of Ulundi (slightly wounded). Despatches, London Gazette, 21 August, 1879. Medal with clasp. Egyptian Expedition, 1882. Aide-de-Camp to General Officer commanding the First Division. Actions of El Magfar, Tel-el-Mahuta, Kassassin of 9 September, battle of Tel-el-Kebir. Despatches, London Gazette, 2 November, 1882. Medal with clasp; bronze star. Brevet of Major. 4th class Medjidie.
Soudan Expedition, 1885. Suakim. In command of Camel Corps. Despatches, London Gazette, 25 August, 1885. Clasp.
JOHN JEBB.
From the 29th Foot. Appointed Lieutenant, 7 March, 1805. Resigned, 8 January, 1806.
THOMAS JESSOP.
Cornet by purchase, 16 October, 1860. Lieutenant by purchase, 19 July, 1864. Captain by purchase, 28 May, 1870. Retired, 23 October, 1875.
WALTER JOHNSON.
Cornet by purchase, 16 October, 1866. Lieutenant by purchase, 19 January, 1870. Retired, 10 January, 1872.
GEORGE JOHNSTON.
Quartermaster in Roll ending 24 June, 1760. Sold out, 2 April, 1784.
JAMES JOHNSTON.
"2nd Cornet James Johnston, from half-pay in Crawford's, 27 November, 1752." James Johnston is made Lieutenant 18 November, 1755. In Muster Roll ending 24 June, 1763, noted as received from the Light Troop into Captain William Napier's Troop. Resigned, 6 March, 1766.
JAMES JOHNSTON.
Surgeon, 3 November, 1769. Resigned, 2 May, 1780.
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL JAMES JOHNSTON.
Colonel, 1785. Died, 26 November, 1795.
LAURENCE JOHNSTON.
(The "t" omitted in printed Army List, 1812).
Cornet, 27 January, 1797. Lieutenant, June, 1802. Captain, 17 February, 1803. Retired in 1812.
MONTAGUE GEORGE JOHNSTON.
Cornet by purchase, 22 June, 1870. Lieutenant by purchase, 2 August, 1871. Captain, 31 January, 1878. Major, 5 July, 1888.
Served with the Bechuanaland Expedition, 1884-5, on the Headquarters Staff, and raised upwards of 100 men for the 2nd Mounted Rifles (Carrington's Horse).
RICHARD JOHNSTON.
Cornet, 14 November, 1770.
WILLIAM JOHNSTON.
Appointed Quartermaster, 29 September, 1786. Appointed Lieutenant in the Royal Corps of Waggoners, 26 February, 1794.
H. G. JOHNSTONE.
Captain, 12 August. Retired, 24 November, 1795.
OWEN GOODMAN JONES.
Surgeon in Muster ending 24 June, 1763. Resigned, 19 February, 1765.
RICHARD J. JONES.
Surgeon, 1 July, 1795. Resigned, 4 August, 1814.
ROBERT JONES.
Cornet, 6 April, 1791. Lieutenant, 21 February, 1793. Retired, 11 November, 1794.
GIDEON KEITH.
Lieutenant, 1702. Captain by Brevet, 1 January, 1706-7.
A. K. CLARK KENNEDY, C.B.
Lieutenant-General. From 6th Dragoon Guards. Colonel, 17 July, 1860. Died, 30 January, 1864.
JAMES KENNEDY.
Cornet, 31 May, 1715.
LOCKHART MURE HARTLEY KENNEDY.
From Ceylon Rifles Regiment, Lieutenant, 5 April, 1871. Lieutenant in the Army, 27 April, 1870. Captain, 24 February, 1877. Half-pay, 15 September, 1877.
GABRIEL KENYON.
Cornet, 31 August, 1815. Exchanged (19 March), 1818, to 58th Foot.
JAMES KER.
Cornet, 22 July, 1795. Lieutenant, 9 February, 1797. Captain, 23 June, 1803. Retires, 15 July, 1813.
JOHN KERR.
Quartermaster, 25 March, 1776. Retired, 12 June, 1786.
JOHN KERR.
Cornet, 1 April, 1692, to 11 September, 1695. Captain (?) 12 September, 1695, to ye 27th April, 1697.
---- KERR.
Cornet, 15 June, 1716. Succeeded by Thomas Hay.
JOHN S. KERR.
Lieutenant, 24 March, 1790. Captain, 21 February, 1793. In Muster Roll ending 24 December, 1794, Gillon, as well as Kerr, is entered as a Major. Died, 25 June, 1795.
FRANCIS CHARLTON KINCHANT.
Cornet by purchase, 18 January, 1815. Killed at Waterloo.
ANDREW KING.
4 April, 1704, Cornet. Lieutenant in Patrick Robertson's troop, 10 July, 1706. Captain-Lieutenant, 24 March, 1715.
JOHN HENRY KING.
Paymaster, 27 March, 1857, exchanging from the 2nd Dragoon Guards. Paymaster in the Army, 10 April, 1855, and Lieutenant in the Army, 31 December, 1853. Honorary Captain, 10 April, 1860. Honorary Major, 10 April, 1865. Retired, 17 April, 1866, to half-pay.
"—— KINNAIRD.
Lawful son to George, Lord Kinnard of Inchture, appointed to be Ensign of Sir James Turner's Company."
Sir George Kinnaird of Inchture, a steady loyalist during the Civil Wars, was knighted by Charles II., 1661. He represented the county of Perth in the Scots' Parliament, and was sworn a Privy Councillor on 28 December, 1682; he was raised to the peerage, as Lord Kinnaird of Inchture. He died, 29 September, 1689. He was descended from Radulphus, on whom King William the Lion bestowed, in 1170, the barony of Kinnaird. Richard de Kinnaird, the great grandson of Radulphus, was one of the Scots barons who swore fealty to Edward I., in 1296, as did also his son, Radulphus. (See Rymer's Foedera, 1304.) Reginald, 2nd son of the latter's grandson, married Margery, heiress of Sir John Kirkaldy, of Inchture. George, Lord Kinnaird, was ninth in direct descent from this union.
JOHN KIRKWOOD.
Quartermaster, 3 January, 1796. Promoted Cornet Royal Waggon Train, 11 January, 1804.
GEORGE KNOX.
Quartermaster in George Sheen's troop. Cornet, 31 May, 1715.
LAUDER.
In 1681 made Lieutenant in Major Sir James Turner's Company.
GEORGE LAUDER.
1706, Quartermaster in Lieutenant-Colonel James Campbell's troop. Cornet, 31 May, 1715.
LEWIS LAUDER.
In 1681 Ensigne of Inglis's Company. Appointed Lieutenant of Captain John Inglis's Company, 5 December, 1684. On 30 March, 1685, appointed Lieutenant of Major John Wedderburne's troop. 11 December, 1688, commission to be Lieutenant of Captain Blair's troop.
MUNGO LAW.
Cornet, 22 February, 1744-5. Lieutenant, 23 July, 1748, in the Army. Lieutenant, 13 September, 1754, in this Regiment. Captain in Muster Roll ending 24 June, 1760.
GEORGE LAWLER.
Cornet in Captain Mungo Law's troop in Muster, at Chichester, ending 24 June, 1766.
WILLIAM LAWRENCE.
Quartermaster, 1706, in Colonel the Earl of Stair's troop. 24 February, 1707-8, made Cornet in Captain William Crawford's Additional Troop. Lieutenant, 11 June, 1720. Captain-Lieutenant, 24 September, 1733. Died, 1740.
ALGERNON LAWSON.
Born, 16 December, 1869. Lieutenant, 11 January, 1893. Lieutenant in the Army, 28 December, 1892. (The foregoing entry in the April, 1893, printed Army List seems a mistake, as in the July List he is entered with these dates, but as only a 2nd Lieutenant.) Lieutenant, 13 June, 1894. Served in the South African War in 1899-1900 on the Staff, and was present at the relief of Kimberley; and took part in the operations in the Orange Free State from February to May, 1900, including engagement at Paardeberg, and actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Karree Siding, and Zand River; the operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill; and in the operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, including action at Belfast (mentioned in despatches); in the Transvaal west of Pretoria, July to 29 November, 1900; in the Transvaal 30 November,[Pg 215] 1900, to May, 1901; and in Cape Colony May, 1901, to 31 May, 1902 (twice mentioned in despatches). Medal with six clasps; King's medal with two clasps.
WILLIAM NICHOLAS LEADER.
From the 13th Foot. Sub-Lieutenant, 26 July, 1876. Lieutenant, 26 July, 1876. Resigned, 19 May, 1880.
LEVER LEGGE.
Cornet, 12 September, 1816.
LEVER LEGGE.
Cornet, 6 June, 1805. Lieutenant, September, 1806. Captain, 13 June, 1811. Retired, 1815.
JOHN LEIGH.
Cornet, 7 February, 1787. Lieutenant, 6 July, 1792. Retired, 19 February, 1793.
THOMAS LEIGH.
Brevet, as Captain, 11 May, 1708. Captain, 25 December, 1726.
ALEXANDER LEISHMAN.
Quartermaster, 1 May, 1779. Retired, 23 September, 1786.
JAMES LEITH, V.C.
By exchange from 6th Dragoons, Captain, 18 January, 1859. Major in the Army, 28 July, 1858. Retired on half-pay, 31 December, 1861.
JOHN LENNOX.
Promoted from Sergeant-Major to Quartermaster, 3 June, 1813. Died, 26 November, 1826.
THOMAS LESLIE.
Lieutenant, 26 December, 1726.
LEIVINGSTOUN.
In 1681, Lieutenant in Strahan's Company.
JAMES LEVINGSTON.
Cornet, 1702. Lieutenant 11 May, 1705, in George Sheen's troop. In 1715, Captain.
WILLIAM LEVINGSTOUN OF KILSYTH.
7 November, 1685, appointed "Captain of that troop which was lately commanded by Lord Charles Murray when he was Lieutenant-Colonel, and now he is Colonel." 23 August, 1688, commission to Livingstoun to be Aid-Major.
HARRY P. LEVITA.
Lieutenant, 23 August, 1884. Levita, H. P. (Captain, Reserve of Officers). Soudan Expedition, 1885, and Suakim. Medal with clasp; bronze star.
JENKYN LEYSON.
Lieutenant, 23 July, 1737. Retires and is succeeded by Cornet Hamilton Blair, 6 August, 1742.
JENKIN LEYTON (OR LEYSON).
Lieutenant, 22 May, 1723.
WILLIAM ROBERTSON LIDDERDALE.
Appointed Cornet 22 February, 1775, and transferred from the Colonel's troop to the Lieutenant-Colonel's troop. Resigned 16 September, 1778.
JOHN LIDDLE.
Quartermaster, from Quartermaster-Sergeant, 27 September, 1871.
THE HONOURABLE ROBERT HAMILTON LINDSAY.
Third son of the Earl of Crawford, was born 30 March, 1874, and married, 23 April, 1903, May Janet, eldest daughter of the late Sir William J. Clark, first Baronet. 2nd Lieutenant, 10 October, 1894. Lieutenant, 25 September, 1895. Captain, 20 March, 1901. Served in South African War in 1899 to 1900, and was present at relief of Kimberley; took part in operations in Orange Free State from February to May, 1900,[Pg 217] including Paardeberg, actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Karree Siding, and Zand River; and in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill. Medal with five clasps.
GEORGE HAYWOOD LINDSEY.
(Later written Hayward.)
Cornet, by purchase, 3 December, 1818. In 1823 promoted in 57th Foot.
JAMES LINDSEY, "EARL OF BALCARAS."
On 5 June, 1711, was a Lieutenant in the Navy. 26 December, 1726, appointed a Lieutenant in this Regiment. 25 April, 1741, made Captain.
Born 14 November, 1691. Joined his father at the rising of 1715, and was captain of a troop which acted with great gallantry at the battle of Sheriffmuir. He was, however, pardoned and made Lt. 2 R.N.B. Ds., under his uncle, Sir Jas. Campbell. Was in command at Dettingen in 1743; but retired after Fontenoy, 1745, in which his uncle was slain. Devoted rest of life to literature and improving his estate. At 60, 24 Oct., 1749, married Anne, dr. of Sir Robt. Dalrymple, of Castleton. He died at Balcarres 20 Feb., 1768.
HERBERT C. T. LITTLEDALE.
Captain, 20 November, 1889. Brevet-Major, 21 May, 1884.
"Littledale, H. C. T. (Major, 4th Dragoon Guards). Egyptian Expedition, 1884. Soudan; Battle of Teb (severely wounded). Despatches "London Gazette," 6 May, 1884. Medal with clasp; bronze star; brevet of Major."
JOHN LIVINGSTON.
Promoted from Sergeant in the Colonel's troop to Quartermaster, 3 May, 1800.
JOHN LIVINGSTOUN.
30 March, 1685, appointed Lieutenant of Captain John Strachan's troop.
SIR THOMAS LIVINGSTON.
Born in Holland, 1652, was elder of the two sons of Sir Thomas Livingstone, who was created a baronet by Charles I., and was colonel of a regiment of foot in the Dutch service. His mother was the daughter of Colonel Edmond, of Stirling. He succeeded his father as second baronet of Newbiggin, and acquired military reputation as an officer in the Scots Brigade in the pay of Holland. He came to England with William of Orange in 1688 as colonel of a regiment of foot, and on 31 Dec., 1688, was appointed colonel of the royal regiment of Scots Dragoons, now the Royal Scots Greys. Livingston served in Scotland under General Hugh Mackay, and when in command at Inverness, by forced marches with a body of horse and dragoons, surprised and completely routed the Jacobite forces under General Thomas Buchan at Cromdale, on 1 May, 1690. The engagement put an end to the resistance of the clans. Livingston succeeded General Mackay as commander-in-chief in Scotland, and was sworn of the Privy Council. On 1 Jan., 1696, he became Major-General on the English establishment, and on 4 Dec., 1696, was created Viscount of Teviot in the peerage of Scotland, by patent to him and his heirs male.
Livingstone married Macktellina Walrave de Nimmeguen, from whom he appears to have separated. She "pursued" him in the Scottish courts in November, 1703, for the sum of 500l., to pay her debts contracted since he left her, and alimony at the rate of 400l. a year. The lords of session "recommended, under the circumstances of the case, to cause pay her bygon debts, and to settle somewhat upon the lady yearly with the time coming, and to treat with the Viscount to that effect" (see Launder, Sir John, Lord Fountainhall, Decisions, ii., 200). As a result probably of this litigation, Teviot sold the colonelcy of the Scots Greys on 7 April, 1704, to Lord John Hay. In the Great Seal Registers are charters of resignation by him of the lands of Lethington, on 23 June, 1702, and of the lands of Waughton on 26 July, 1704. Teviot became a lieutenant-general on 1 Jan., 1704. He died in London, aged 60, on 14 Jan., 1711, when having no heirs male,[Pg 219] the viscountcy became extinct, and the family baronetcy devolved on his brother, Sir Alexander Livingstone, third baronet. Teviot was buried in Westminster Abbey, where his brother is said to have erected to his memory a sumptuous monument which no longer exists. By his will, dated 27 Sept., 1710, he left his house and estate, known as Livingston House, Wimbledon, Surrey, with furniture, plate, etc., to Lady Elizabeth Gordon, daughter of Charles Gordon, second earl of Aboyne. The lady, at this time a child, died unmarried in 1770. The remainder of his property went to his brother, Sir Alexander, except a legacy of 1,000l. to his cousin-german, John Cornelius Edmond, then residing in Holland.
JENKIN HOMFRAY LLEWELLYN.
Surgeon, 18 January, 1856, exchanging from 2nd class staff. Exchanged to 8th Hussars, 31 August, 1858.
MARK LLOYD.
Cornet by purchase, 20 July, 1815. Lieutenant by purchase, 24 June, 1819. Captain unattached, 1839.
AUGUSTUS PUREFOY LOCKWOOD.
Exchanged from 8th Light Dragoons. Surgeon, 31 August, 1858. Surgeon-Major, 17 September, 1861. On half-pay, 4 April, 1865.
GENERAL THE MARQUIS OF LOTHIAN.
From Col. the 11th Light Dragoons, Colonel, 27 January, 1813. William John (Kerr), Marquess of Lothian, Earl of Ancram, &c., born 13 March, 1737; entered the army, 1754, becoming finally, 1796, full General. Made a Knight of the Thistle, 11 October, 1776. Representative Peer for Scotland, 1778, 1780, and 1784-1790. He married in Ireland, 9 June, 1763, Elizabeth, daughter of Chichester Fortescue, of Dromisken, County Louth, and of Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Wellesley, first Baron Mornington. He died, 4 January, 1815.
JAMES LOUTHIAN.
Cornet, 11 May, 1705. Lieutenant, 31 May, 1715. (Another entry gives as Lieutenant, 13 February, 1712.)
LEWIS LOWTHER.
Lieutenant, 1 April, 1692, to last day of February, 1694. Captain-Lieutenant, 1 April, 1694, to 31 March, 1696.
ABRAHAM LUDLOW.
Cornet, 11 May, 1797. Lieutenant en second in Muster ending 24 October, 1798.
FREDERICK WILLIAM LUKIN.
From Lieutenant, 17th Foot. Paymaster, 10 August, 1855. Exchanged to 2nd Dragoon Guards in 1856.
FRANCIS LYNDSAY.
Cornet, 23 May, 1746. Lieutenant, 23 July, 1748. Captain-Lieutenant, 11 January, 1755. Captain, 25 December, 1755. The Muster Roll, signed at Dunse, November 25, 1760, refers to Captain Francis Lindsay's "Light Troop." This numbered then 79 privates and 102 horses. Captain Francis Lindsay resigned 30 April, 1762.
HENRY DALTON WITTIT LYON.
Cornet by purchase, 18 April, 1845. Lieutenant by purchase, 24 September, 1847. Exchanged to 2nd Life Guards, 26 July, 1853.
JAMES LYON.
Cornet, 24 December, 1726.
JAMES CHARLES MABERLY.
Cornet by purchase, 25 September, 1867. Lieutenant by purchase, 22 June, 1870. Captain, 24 June, 1876. Major, 5 July, 1882. Lieutenant-Colonel, 5 July, 1888.
Lieut.-Colonel J. C. Maberly.
THOMAS HAMILTON McBEAN.
Promoted from Troop Sergeant-Major to Quartermaster, 16 August, 1850. Died, 13 March, 1864.
PATRICK McCALLAM.
Adjutant, 10 August, 1774.
JOHN MACHELE.
Cornet, 5 March, 1796. Retired, 9 July, 1796.
JAMES MACLEOD.
Cornet by purchase, 20 September, 1833. Lieutenant by purchase, 29 July, 1836.
DONALD JOHN M. MACLEOD.
Cornet by purchase, 10 July, 1835. Lieutenant, 29 July, 1836. Lieutenant by purchase, 23 February, 1838. Captain by purchase, 28 December, 1841. Major by purchase, 27 August, 1852. Died, 16 October, 1854.
JOHN WILLIAM McCLINTOCK-BUNBURY.
Sub-Lieutenant, 30 December, 1871. Lieutenant, 28 February, 1874.
THOMAS KANE McCLINTOCK-BUNBURY.
Cornet, from 6th Dragoon Guards, 9 October, 1869. Lieutenant by purchase, 31 May, 1871. Retired, 4 February, 1874.
Now Lord Rathdonnell, having succeeded his uncle as second Baron in 1879; Honorary Colonel, 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
HON. WILLIAM MCCLINTOCK-BUNBURY.
Son of the above. Second Lieutenant, 4th January, 1899; died of wounds received in action at Dronfield, South Africa, 17th February, 1900 (see p. 89).
JOHN McDORVAL.
Cornet in Muster, 24 June, 1760.
GEORGE MACDOUGALL.
Cornet, 25 December, 1726. Made Lieutenant, 18 September, 1741.
JAMES McDOUGELL.
Lieutenant, 1 April, 1692, to 11 September, 1695.
HENRY McMILLAN.
Promoted on 1 October, 1802, from Sergeant-Major to Adjutant. Lieutenant (and still Adjutant), 10 April, 1805. Captain, 18 July, 1815, in place of Reignolds, 1816, Ex.
WILLIAM McNAUGHTON.
Promoted from Sergeant to Quartermaster, May, 1805.
DUNCAN McNEILL.
Cornet by purchase, 20 September, 1853. Lieutenant without purchase, 15 December, 1854. Captain by purchase, 17 July, 1857.
FRANCIS BEAUFORT MACONOCHIE.
Cornet (on augmentation), without purchase, 28 November, 1854.
LACHLAN MACQUARIE.
Cornet from 42nd Regiment, by purchase, 26 April, 1831. Lieutenant by purchase, 6 November, 1835. Captain by purchase, 23 February, 1838. Retired, 26 February, 1841.
JOHN McVICAR.
Promoted, 3 May, 1800, from Sergeant in the Lieutenant-Colonel's troop, to Quartermaster.
THOMAS McWALTER.
Quartermaster, 28 December, 1797.
DAVID A. A. MACKAY.
Cornet, 23 May, 1792. Lieutenant, 23 February, 1793. Promoted 24 June, 1794, to 26th Light Dragoons. (Captain 26th Light Dragoons, 25 September, 1795.)
JOHN MACKENZIE.
Quartermaster in Captain Napier's troop in 1763. Died, 28 September, 1767.
LEWIS MACKENZIE.
Captain, 18 May, 1820, from half-pay 92nd Infantry. Retired, 21 October, 1821.
ROBERT McKENZIE.
Quartermaster in Muster Roll ending 24 June, 1760.
WILLIAM McKERRALL.
Surgeon, 26 October, 1756.
VISCOUNT F. C. MAITLAND.
2nd Lieutenant, 16 November, 1887.
Frederick Colin Maitland, styled Viscount Maitland. Born 12 April, 1868. Lieutenant in the Scots Guards, 1889. He married, 16 April, 1890, Gwendoline Lucy, youngest daughter of the Right Honourable Sir Edward Vaughan-Williams, one of the Justices of the Common Pleas.
THOMAS MALLARD.
Lieutenant, 22 March, 1692-3 to 15 March, 1697-8. Captain-Lieutenant, 1702. Lieutenant, 25 August, 1704. Brevet, to act as Captain in the Army, 25 August, 1704; and to take rank as Captain in the Regiment, 10 January, 1706-7.
ROBERT MARKHAM.
Cornet by purchase, 24 June, 1819. In 1823 promoted in 9th Dragoons.
EUSTACE ADDISON MAUDE.
Born, 5 January, 1863. 2nd Lieutenant, 24 August, 1887. Lieutenant, 16 March, 1889. Captain, 16 December, 1895.
Served in South Africa, 1899-1902; Brevet Major, 1901.
CHARLES JAMES MAXWELL.
Born, 26 October, 1863. Lieutenant, 16 April, 1884. Captain, 19 August, 1891.
WILLIAM EUGÈNE MELLES.
Second Lieutenant, 4th December, 1901. Served in South African War, and in the Mediterranean. Medal. Resigned 2nd February, 1907.
WILLIAM MERRIE.
Quartermaster in Captain Clarke's troop, 9 January, 1804; on 25 August, 1810, "placed on the retired allowance."
WILLIAM CRAWFURD MIDDLETON.
Born 4 March, 1858. "From Gentleman Cadet Royal Military College." Second Lieutenant, 13 May, 1878. Lieutenant, 6 May, 1880. Adjutant, 18 June, 1881. Captain, 21 June, 1885. Major, 9 January, 1895. "Soudan Expedition, 1884-5. Nile medal with clasp: bronze star."
Served in the South African War, 1899-1901; mentioned in despatches, and promoted Brevet Lieut.-Colonel (see p. 126); was present at the relief of Kimberley, and took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May, 1900, including the engagements at Paardeburg and actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Karree Siding, and Zand River; the operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including engagements near Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill; the operations in the Transvaal east of Pretoria, including action at Belfast.
MARK WILLIAM VANE MILBANK.
Cornet by purchase, 30 December, 1837. Lieutenant by purchase, 2 April, 1841. Retired, 5 August, 1842.
HUGO W. R. MILLAIS.
Second Lieutenant, 29 April, 1891.
ALFRED DOUGLAS MILLER.
Born, 1 March, 1864. Lieutenant, 7 February, 1885. Captain, 28 June, 1893. Adjutant, 18 January, 1896. Major, 20 February, 1902; served in the South African War in 1899-1902 on the Staff, and as Adjutant of 2nd Dragoons to 9 May, 1900. He was present at the relief of Kimberley, and took part in the operations in the Orange Free State from February to May, 1900, including engagements at Paardeberg, and actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, and Karree Siding; in the Transvaal 30 November, 1900, to May, 1901; and in Cape Colony May, 1901, to 31 May, 1902 (mentioned in despatches); D.S.O. Medal with four clasps; King's medal with two clasps; qualified for Staff employment.
D.A.A.G., N.E. District, 6th February, 1903; Lieut.-Colonel commanding the Scots Greys, 1907; Brevet Colonel, 21st January, 1908.
ROBERT MILLER.
Cornet from 13th Light Dragoons, 12 March, 1829. Lieutenant by purchase, 21 February, 1834. Captain by purchase, 30 December, 1837. Retired, 28 December, 1838.
WILLIAM MILLER.
Cornet and Adjutant, 7 July, 1846, from Regimental Sergeant-Major. Lieutenant, 20 June, 1850. Captain without purchase, 30 September, 1854. In 1856 on half-pay.
ANDREW M. MILLS.
Captain, 1 September, 1795. Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Bruce. Retired, 9 May, 1796.
JOHN MILLS.
Lieutenant, 5 May, 1808. Captain 19 July, 1815. Major in the Army, 15 August, 1822. Major by purchase, 25 November, 1824. Promoted to an unattached Lieutenant-Colonelcy, 10 June, 1826.
NICHOLAS MILLS.
From Sergeant-Major promoted to Cornet, without purchase, 10 March, 1854. Lieutenant without purchase, 13 September, 1855. Riding Master, 11 September, 1857. Retired on half-pay, 6 November, 1867.
SIR JOHN MITCHELL.
Made Cornet, 18 November, 1755. Lieutenant in Muster Roll ending 24 June, 1761. Resigned, 27 October, 1769.
PATRICK MOIR-BYRES.
Born, 10 October, 1869. Second Lieutenant, 23 October, 1889. Lieutenant, 19 August, 1891. Staff service: employed with Lagos Constabulary, 25 April, 1894.
MAJOR-GENERAL ARCHIBALD MONEY, C.B. AND K.C.
Appointed Colonel, 24 May, 1852. Lieutenant-General, 2 June, 1854. (Waterloo Medal.) Died 25 August, 1858.
DANIEL MOODIE.
From Regimental Sergeant-Major to Cornet, without purchase, 30 September, 1854, being an augmentation. Lieutenant and Adjutant, 7 February, 1856. Resigned Adjutancy, 1858. Exchanged to 60th Foot, 31 March, 1863. Instructor of Music, 10 April, 1862, and the first to hold this appointment in the Regiment.
HENRY MOORE.
Cornet 27 November, 1752, from the Seventh Dragoons. Lieutenant, 25 December, 1755. Also 24 June, 1760.
WILLIAM MORRICE.
Promoted from Sergeant-Major to Quartermaster, in muster ending 24 February, 1804.
GEORGE HENRY, EARL OF MOUNTCHARLES.
Cornet by purchase, 31 December, 1844. Exchanged to 1st Life Guards, 28 April, 1848.
George Henry (Conyngham), Marquess Conyngham, &c., born 3 February, 1825. Entered the 1st Life Guards, 1848. Lieutenant-Colonel of the 1st Life Guards, 1861 to 1868. Lieutenant-General in the Army, 1881. Equerry to the Queen, 1870 to 1873, when he was made an extra Equerry. Vice-Admiral of the coast of Ulster. He married 17 June, 1854, Jane St. Maur Blanche, only daughter and heiress of Charles (Stanhope), 4th Earl of Harrington. He died 2 June, 1882.
HENRY MOWITT.
Captain, 10 May, 1796. Retired 15 March, 1797.
JOHN MULLINS.
From Staff. Surgeon, 4 April, 1865. Retired on half-pay, 22 December, 1869.
JOHN GROSET MURCHEID.
Cornet, 15 December, 1774. Transferred from Captain Ramsay's to Captain Telfer's troop, June, 1775. Resigned 21 March, 1776.
Lord Charles Murray 1st Earl of Dunmore Born at Knowesley 1661 2nd Son of John 1st Marquis of Atholl and Lady Amelia Stanley, Dau. of VII Earl of Derby And Charlotte de la Tremouille Colonel Scots Greys 1679. Master of the Horse to Queen Mary 1685. Imprisoned 1692 for attempting Restoration of Stuarts.
GEORGE MURE.
Cornet, 18 September, 1721. Lieutenant, 10 May, 1732. Made Captain-Lieutenant, 15 November, 1740. Made Captain, 27 May, 1742.
CHARLES MURRAY.
26 November, 1681, commission to be Lieutenant-Colonel.
30 March, 1685, James II.'s commission to be Lieutenant-Colonel. 6 November, 1685, appointed Colonel and Captain of a troop.
MURRAY, LORD CHARLES, FIRST EARL OF DUNMORE.
Second son of John, second Earl and First Marquis of Atholl, by Lady Amelia Sophia Stanley, daughter of the seventh Earl of Derby, was born in 1660. On the enrolment in 1681 of General Thomas Dalyell's regiment of horse, now the Scots Greys, Lord Charles Murray was appointed its first lieutenant-colonel. He was also master of horse to Princess Anne. After the death of Dalyell he, on 6 Nov., 1685, obtained the colonelcy of the regiment, and was also about the same time appointed master of the horse to Mary of Modena, queen consort of James II. During 1684 he was engaged in the campaign in Flanders, and was present at the siege of Luxemburg.
On 6 Aug., 1686, he was created by James II. Earl of Dunmore, Viscount Fincastle, and Lord Murray of Clair, Moulie, and Tillemot; at the Revolution he was deprived of all his offices.
After the accession of Queen Anne, Dunmore was sworn a privy councillor 4 Feb., 1703, and in the parliament of 21 May his patent was read and ordered to be recorded, whereupon he took his seat.
In 1704 Dunmore was appointed one of a committee of parliament for examining the public accounts, and in September, 1705, his services were rewarded by a gratuity. He gave constant support to the Union with England. In 1707 he was appointed governor of Blackness Castle. He died in 1710. By his wife Catherine, daughter of Richard Watts, of Hereford, Dunmore had six sons and three daughters:—James, viscount of Fincastle, who[Pg 228] died unmarried in 1706; John, third earl of Dunmore; William, third earl; Robert, brigadier-general; Thomas, lieutenant-general; Charles; Henriet, married to Patrick, third Lord Kinnaird; Anne, to John, fourth earl of Dundonald; and Catherine, to her cousin John, third Lord Nairn. The second son, John, second earl of Dunmore, who had a somewhat distinguished career as a soldier, and fought at Blenheim as ensign, 13 Aug., 1704, and as lieutenant-general under the Earl of Stair at Dettingen, in June, 1743; was on 22 June, 1745, appointed governor of Plymouth, and raised to the rank of full general. William, the third son, who became third earl of Dunmore on the death of his brother in 1752, had been concerned in the rebellion of 1745, and sent a prisoner to London, but pleading guilty, received a pardon.
THE HONOURABLE CHARLES MURRAY.
Cornet, 3 October, 1798. Lieutenant, 3 April, 1801.
THE HONOURABLE GEORGE AUGUSTUS FREDERICK JOHN MURRAY.
Cornet by purchase, 21 November, 1834. Lieutenant by purchase, 30 December, 1837. Retired 6 November, 1840.
JAMES MURRAY.
In 1681 Lieutenant under Major Sir James Turner. Appointed 30 March, 1685. Lieutenant of Major John Wedderburne's troop. 23 August, 1688, commission to be Captain of the troop lately Captain Strachan's.
JAMES MURRAY.
7 November, 1685, appointed Cornet of John Wedderburne's troop. 23 August, 1688, commission to be Lieutenant of Lieutenant-Colonel George Rattray's own troop.
JOHN MURRAY.
Cornet 1688.
H.I.M. the Emperor of Russia, COLONEL-IN-CHIEF OF THE SCOTS GREYS.
WILLIAM MURRAY.
Lieutenant, April 1, 1692, to 21 March, 1693. Captain-Lieutenant 22 March, 1692, to ye last, December, 1693. Captain, 1 January, 1693-4, to 12 March, 1697-8.
WILLIAM NAPIER.
Cornet, 2 February, 1746-7. Lieutenant, 21 June, 1749; Captain-Lieutenant, 25 December, 1755. Captain, 9 March, 1757. "23 February, 1760, Captain the Honourable William Napier, with the regiment in Germany." Promoted Major and Captain, 14 November, 1770. From the muster ending 24 December, 1772, David Home appears as a Major, and Napier (then Lord Napier) also is entered. Resigned, 3 November, 1774.
MICHAEL NELSON.
Quartermaster from Ensign, 45th Foot, 25 December, 1835. Retired on half-pay, 16 August, 1850.
JAMES NESBIT.
Chirurgeon, 1702, to 31 May, 1715.
HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY NICHOLAS II.
Emperor of Russia, K.G. Colonel-in-Chief, 8 December, 1894.
CLEMENT OCTAVIUS NICHOLSON.
Second Lieutenant, 26th March, 1902.
DAVID NICHOLSON.
Cornet, 1 May, 1794. Lieutenant, 27 May, 1795. Appointed Captain, 28th (or 20th) Light Dragoons, 5 March, 1796.
SIR JOHN NISBET.
Appointed Cornet in Major Douglas's troop, 3 March, 1764. Promoted Lieutenant in Captain Law's troop, 12 January, 1770. Resigned, 22 February, 1775.
JOHN NISBET.
Cornet. Lieutenant, 3 November, 1774, in Captain Ramsay's troop. 22 May, 1776, transferred to Captain Heron's troop. Captain-Lieutenant, 3 March, 1780.
CHARLES NORMAN.
Cornet by purchase, 12 February, 1824. Lieutenant by purchase, 12 December, 1826. Exchanged to half-pay, West Indian Regiment, 10 July, 1828.
THE HONOURABLE FRANCIS NORTH.
Fourth Earl of Guilford, born 25 December, 1761. Succeeded to the Earldom, 20 April, 1802. Died at Pisa on 11 January, 1817. He was a patron of the stage, and author of a dramatic piece, "The Kentish Baron," produced with success at the Haymarket in June, 1791. Cornet in Captain Ramsay's troop, 24 December, 1777. Promoted Lieutenant in 2nd Dragoon Guards, May, 1779. Lieutenant-Colonel in 1794.
ANDREW NUGENT.
Cornet by purchase, 17 December, 1852. Lieutenant without purchase, 8 December, 1854. Captain by purchase, 8 February, 1856. Major without purchase, 31 March, 1866. Lieutenant-Colonel by purchase, 3 February, 1869. Colonel in the Army, 3 February, 1867. To half-pay, 21 June, 1880.
ANDREW NUGENT.
(Hon. Lieutenant-General, retired list.) Crimean campaign, 1854-5. Battles of Balaklava, Inkerman, and Tchernaya, siege and fall of Sevastopol. Medal with 3 clasps; Turkish medal.
EDWARD O'BRIEN.
Cornet, 2 May, 1816.
HORACE STAFFORD O'BRIEN.
Cornet by purchase, 30 January, 1863. Lieutenant by purchase, 13 March, 1866. Retired, 9 October, 1869.
SIR JOHN OGILVY.
Cornet, 17 March, 1743-4. Lieutenant, 10 March, 1751. Resigns 26 February, 1755.
"Sir John Ogilvy, of Inverquharity, a zealous Royalist, created a Baronet of Nova Scotia, 29 September, 1626; married Anne, daughter of Sir Alexander Irvine, of Drum. His great-great-grandson was Sir John Ogilvy, 5th Baronet, who married in 1754, Charlotte, eldest daughter of Dr. Walter Tullieph of Tullieph Hall, Forfarshire. Sir John died on 15 March, 1802."
General Nugent.
WALTER OGILVIE.
Cornet, 15 December, 1774. Lieutenant, 26 December, 1779. Resigned (muster ending 24 June, 1780).
WILLIAM OGILVIE.
Cornet, 12 September, 1695, to 12 March, 1697-8.
WILLIAM HENRY ORAM.
Cornet by purchase, 19 January, 1817. Lieutenant by purchase, 4 April, 1822. Captain by purchase, 10 June, 1826. Exchanged to half-pay, unattached, 17 December, 1829.
HUGH OWEN.
Chaplain. Chaplain in muster ending 24 December, 1785. Retired, 24 December, 1796.
WILLIAM, EARL OF PANMURE.
Colonel, 10 November, 1770.
William Maule, of Kellie. Born in 1700. In June, 1734, succeeded his father, an ardent Jacobite. He became M.P. for Forfar, and remained so for 47 years. On 6 April, 1743, he was created an Irish Peer, as Viscount Maule of Whitechurch, and Earl of Panmure of Forth. He died unmarried, at Edinburgh, 4 January, 1782.
RICHARD PARK.
Quartermaster, 11 May, 1774, in Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas's troop. Resigned, 8 March, 1775.
THOMAS PHILIP PARR.
Cornet by purchase, 30 March, 1855. Lieutenant by purchase, 19 June, 1852. Captain by purchase, 28 April, 1863. Retired, 19 July, 1864.
RICHARD PARRY.
Cornet by purchase, 21 September, 1852. Retired, 6 May, 1853.
WALTER PATERSON.
Chaplain, 8 July, 1752.
GEORGE PAULET.
Lieutenant, by exchange, from 8th Dragoons, 22 April, 1859. 30 January, 1863, went to the 2nd Life Guards. On 6 July, 1867, exchanged back to the Greys.
EDWARD PAYNE.
Cornet, 17 March, 1807. Lieutenant, 13 October, 1808. Captain by purchase, 5 April, 1815. Retired, 1815.
JOHN PEASTON.
Promoted from Sergeant to Quartermaster, May, 1805. Placed on the retired allowance, 25 August, 1810.
GAVIN PEDEN.
Quartermaster, 10 January, 1804.
SIR HENRY CARSTAIRS PELLY, Baronet.
Cornet, from Royal Military College, by purchase, 2 September, 1862. Lieutenant, by purchase, 26 May, 1865. Exchanged to 2nd Life Guards, 6 July, 1867.
Third Baronet, son of Sir John Henry, second Baronet, high sheriff of Cambridge and Hunts, and his first wife—Johanna Jane, daughter and co-heir of John Carstairs, Esqre. Sir Henry was born 23 April, 1844. He was M.P. for Hunts, 1874 to[Pg 233] 1877, the date of his death. He married 22 November, 1872, the Honourable Lilian Harriet Charteris, daughter of Lord Elcho (Earl Wemyss).
ABRAHAM PEMBERTON.
Quartermaster, 3 May, 1793. Retired, 2 June, 1796.
G. W. PERROT.
Cornet, 22 December, 1803. Lieutenant, 12 September, 1805. Promoted Captain in 60th Regiment, June, 1807.
WILLIAM PERRY.
From Troop Sergeant-Major to Quartermaster, 7 December, 1826. Retired on half-pay, 25 December, 1835.
JOHN GODFREY PETERS.
From the King's German Legion. Appointed Lieutenant, April, 1805.
ALEXANDER PETTIGREW.
Quartermaster, 21 June, 1786.
WILLIAM PETTIGREW, Senr.
Quartermaster in Major Napier's troop, in Muster ending 24 June, 1772. Retired, 20 November, 1792.
WILLIAM PETTIGREW, Junr.
Quartermaster, 29 November, 1792. Deputy Adjutant in Muster Roll, ending 24 December, 1795.
FRANCIS MAITLAND PHILIPS.
Sub-Lieutenant, 24 February, 1872. Lieutenant, 10 March, . Captain, 28 June, 1879.
FREDERICK PHILLIPS.
Cornet by purchase, 11 May, 1839; also appointed Riding Master. Lieutenant by purchase, 29 December, 1843. Captain without purchase, 17 February, 1854. Retired, 25 May, 1855.
FRANCIS LAMB PHILP.
Cornet by purchase, 17 July 1857. Lieutenant by purchase, 24 December, 1858. Instructor of Musick, 22 July, 1863. Captain by purchase, 14 February, 1865. In the 1866-67 Army List a line has been ruled through both the office and the holder of it. F. L. P. continued to hold his Captaincy. Retired, 24 June, 1876.
GEORGE EDWARD GRAHAM FOSTER PIGOTT.
Lieutenant, 31 March, 1863, by exchange from 60th Foot. Captain by purchase, 16 October, 1866. Retired, 31 May, 1871.
HENRY THOMAS COWARD SMYTH PIGOTT.
Cornet by purchase, 28 December, 1841. Lieutenant by purchase, 5 April, 1844. Captain by purchase, 6 November, 1846. Retired, 24 September, 1847.
CHARLES PILGRIM.
Cornet, by purchase, 2 April, 1841. Retired, 29 March, 1844.
CHARLTON POLLOCK.
Cornet, 5 October, 1795. Lieutenant, 28 December, 1797. En second in Muster ending 24 March, 1799. Captain in 1805, and perhaps earlier. Resigned in December, 1808.
JAMES POOLE.
Lieutenant, 16 March, 1797. Appointed Captain, 25 May, 1803. Lieutenant-Colonel, 4 December, 1815. Retired, 1816.
DAVID SCOTT PORTEOUS.
Sub-Lieutenant, 28 February, 1874.
SIR DAVID COLYEAR, Baronet. Created 13 April, 1703, Earl of Portmore.
He served in the army of the Prince of Orange; commanded a Scotch regiment in the service of Holland; served under William III. in Ireland. Colonel and Captain of the Greys, 31 May, 1715. In 1717, succeeded by James Campbell. He was in 1710 appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Scotland. In 1713, Governor of Gibraltar. K.T., 17 January, 1713. He married in 1696, Catherine, suo jure, Countess of Dorchester.
LENOX PRENDERGAST.
Cornet by purchase, 11 March, 1853. Lieutenant (not in anyone's place, but as an augmentation), 8 December, 1854. Wounded severely (see "Gazette," 12 November, 1854). Captain, 13 June, 1856. Placed on half-pay, 9 October, 1857. On the same date appointed Captain under the augmentation arrangement. Major by purchase, 3 February, 1869. Retired on half-pay, 30 June, 1869.
WILLIAM TAYLOR PRENTIS.
Cornet by purchase, 16 August, 1850. Lieutenant by purchase, 11 November, 1853. Captain by purchase, 25 May, 1855. Retired, 24 December, 1858.
CHARLES PRESTON.
Captain, 24 August, 1706.
GEORGE PRESTON.
(In some cases entered as John.)
The son of William Preston of Gorton. A Major in the army, who died in 1733. Cornet, 16 July, 1739. Made Lieutenant, 23 April, 1742. Captain, 11 April, 1745. Major, 29 November, 1750. Lieutenant-Colonel, 9 March, 1757. Also in 24 June, 1760, Muster Roll. Promoted and transferred, 14 November, 1770. Lieutenant-General on 18 April, 1782,[Pg 236] succeeded William, Earl of Panmure, as Colonel. Died, 31 January, 1785.
GEORGE PRESTON.
Captain, 8 September, 1692, to 31 March, 1694. Major and Captain, 1 April, 1694, to 15 March, 1697-8. Lieutenant-Colonel, 1702.
GEORGE PRESTON.
Cornet, 5 May, 1800. Lieutenant, 2 September, 1801. Appointed Captain in the 40th Foot, 12 January, 1805.
ROBERT PRESTON.
Captain-Lieutenant in Muster ending 24 December, 1785. Retired, 6 February, 1787.
ROBERT PRESTON.
Lieutenant, 1 April, 1692, to last February, 1693 (of one of the two additional troops). Captain, 1 January, 1693-4, to 30 September, 1694.
PRESTON.
Lieutenant, 1702.
WILLIAM PRESTON.
Ensign in the 25th Foot, made a Cornet, 26 February, 1755. Resigns, 26 July, 1756.
GEORGE BARRINGTON PRICE.
Captain, 9 October, 1857, appointed from half-pay unattached, to an augmentation Captaincy. Retired, 14 June, 1864.
ALEXANDER PRINGLE.
Cornet, 28 April, 1697, to 15 March, 1697-8.
HENRY P. PULLEINE.
Cornet, 3 June, 1791. Lieutenant, 22 February, 1793. Captain, 14 April, 1794. In Muster Roll ending 24 December, 1795, Brigade-Major to Major-General Dundas. Major in 21st Light Dragoons, 16 August, 1799.
JOHN PURVIS.
Quartermaster, 1796. Appointed Lieutenant in Royal Wagon Corps, 30 September, 1799.
BALCARRES WARDLAW RAMSAY.
Cornet by purchase, 15 December, 1840. Lieutenant by purchase, 5 August, 1842. Transferred to 14th Light Dragoons, 22 March, 1844.
GEORGE RAMSAY—see George Balfour.
JAMES RAMSAY.
Chaplain, 4 May, 1714.
GEORGE RATCLIFFE.
Cornet, 21 April, 1803. Resigned, 6 June, 1805.
GEORGE RATTRAY.
22 March, 1687, commission to be Lieutenant-Colonel.
GEORGE RATTRAY.
23 August, 1688, commission to be Cornet of P. Blair's troop.
ROBERT RAUFIELD.
Cornet, 1 January, 1693-4, to 14 February, 1695-6.
HENRY RAWLINS.
Surgeon, 3 May, 1780. Resigned, 25 January, 1785.
GEORGE REID.
From Sergeant-Major, to have the rank of Cornet, 10 August, 1838; also made Adjutant. Promoted to Lieutenant, 21 July, 1842. Captain, 29 March, 1840.
HENRY REID.
Surgeon, 16 January, 1816, exchanged from 89th Foot. Retired, apparently on half-pay, in 1817.
THOMAS REIGNOLDS.
Cornet, 23 November, 1797. Lieutenant, . Appointed Captain, 11 April, 1805. September, 1805, a Major of Brigade, on the Staff of Great Britain. Major in the Army, 4 June, 1814. Killed, 18 June, 1815.
ALEXANDER L. RENTON.
2nd Lieutenant, 22 August, 1888. Lieutenant, 4 December, 1889.
MARK RENTON.
Cornet, 13 May, 1735. Made Captain in "Clayton's," 25 April, 1741.
ARTHUR WILLIAM MORDAUNT RICHARDS.
2nd Lieutenant, from 7th Dragoon Guards, 23 June, 1880. Lieutenant, 22 December, 1880. Captain, 5 July, 1886. Acting Paymaster, January, 1889.
JAMES RICHMOND.
Quartermaster, 13 June, 1786. Cornet, 30 April, 1794. Lieutenant, 8 October, 1794. Adjutant, 19 February, 1796. Captain, 16 August, 1799. Resigned, 7 March, 1800. On the printed form Muster of the Greys, ending 24 April, 1804, Captain James Richmond is noted as "a Major of Brigade on the Staff of Great Britain." 5 September, 1805, promoted Major. Placed on the Retired List, 25 May, 1811.
ST. VINCENT WILLIAM RICKETTS.
Cornet by purchase, 13 July, 1826. Lieutenant by purchase, 5 April, 1831. Adjutant, 18 May, 1832. Captain by purchase, 6 November, 1835. Major by purchase, 7 April, 1843. Lieutenant-Colonel by purchase, 6 November, 1846. Exchanged half-pay, unattached, 27 August, 1852.
GEORGE JAMES RIDDLE.
Cornet, 6 October, 1778. In Muster Roll ending 24 June, 1782, noted as promoted Lieutenant in 2nd troop of Grenadiers.
JOHN ROACHEARD.
(Later written Rochied.)
Cornet, in Muster Roll ending 26 December, 1768. In Muster Roll ending 24 December, 1769, spelt John Rocheid. Lieutenant, 3 November, 1774. Captain-Lieutenant, 5 May, 1775. Promoted Captain, 25 December, 1779. Resigned, 3 March, 1780.
ANDREW ROBERTSON.
From 7th Dragoon Guards. Lieutenant without purchase, 22 March, 1844. Captain by purchase, 7 August, 1846. Exchanged, 24 December, 1852, to the 87th Foot.
CHARLES GRAY ROBERTSON.
From the 87th Foot. Sub-Lieutenant, 31 October, 1877.
PATRICK ROBERTSON.
Cornet, 1691. Adjutant, 27 May, 1692. Lieutenant, 7 June 1693-4, to 9 March, 1697-8. Captain-Lieutenant, May, 1705. Captain, 10 January, 1706-7.
ROBINSON.
Lieutenant, 1702. Major, 12 June, 1717.
WILLIAM ROBINSON.
Quartermaster, 8 March, 1775, in Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas's troop. Died, 23 February, 1778.
GEORGE CAMPBELL ROSS.
Cornet by purchase, 19 June, 1857. Lieutenant by purchase, 30 July, 1858. Exchanged to 8th Dragoons, 22 April, 1859.
HUGH ROSS.
Cornet, 24 December, 1726. Died, and succeeded by George Preston, 16 July, 1739.
JAMES ROSS.
Cornet, March, 1718. Captain, 21 March, 1722.
JAMES CLARKE ROSS.
1 March, 1864. Paymaster, 14 August, 1877. In the Army Honorary Captain, 1 March, 1869.
ANDREW ROSSE OF NEWARK.
Appointed Quartermaster, 11 May, 1683, and also similar commission from King James on 30 March, 1685.
JOHN HENRY RAYMOND ROWE.
Cornet by purchase, 11 January, 1867. Lieutenant by purchase, 28 May, 1870.
WILLIAM ROWLEY.
Cornet, 17 November, 1808. Appointed Lieutenant in the 4th Dragoons, 4 October, 1809.
JOHN RUSSELL.
(On later lists John Ross.)
Quartermaster, 3 May, 1793.
Colonel Sanderson.
JAMES ST. CLEAR.
Quartermaster in Captain Patrick Smith's troop, in Muster ending 24 June, 1784.
HENRY SALWEY.
Lieutenant-Colonel, 6 November, 1846, from half-pay, unattached. Retired apparently same year.
PATRICK SANDERSON.
Cornet by purchase, 17 November, 1863. Lieutenant by purchase, 16 April, 1866. Captain by purchase, 31 May, 1871. Major, 1 July, 1881. Lieutenant-Colonel, 5 July, 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT WILLS SANDFORD.
Cornet by purchase, 8 July, 1862. Lieutenant by purchase, 14 February, 1865. Captain by purchase, 22 June, 1870. Retired, 10 May, 1871.
ALEXANDER SANDILANDS, The Honourable.
Was second son of the 8th Lord Torphichen. Cornet, 26 October, 1779, in David Home's troop. Appointed Lieutenant to Ramsay's troop, 7 April, 1784. Retired, 6 February, 1787. Died, unmarried, 20 November, 1806.
ARTHUR W. M., LORD SANDYS.
From the 7th Dragoon Guards. Colonel, 26 August, 1858. Died, 16 July, 1860.
Arthur Moyses William (Hill), Baron Sandys of Ombersley, born, 10 January, 1793. Entered the Army, 1810, serving in the Peninsular War, as also in France and in Flanders, and becoming finally, 1854, Lieutenant-General. He was M.P. for County Down, 1817 to 1836. He died at Ombersley Court, 16 July, 1860.
GEORGE SANFORD.
25 April, 1779, as Captain from the 7th Dragoons. Appointed Major in the 20th Dragoons, 19 January, 1792.
WALTER SAWYER.
(In later lists spelt Swayer.)
Quartermaster, 2 May, 1793. Retired, 24 June, 1796.
JAMES SCHOULS.
Quartermaster, 4 August, 1778. Died, 31 August, 1783.
HENRY JENNER SCOBELL.
Born, 2 January, 1859. 2nd Lieutenant from 20th Hussars. Lieutenant, 10 November, 1880. Captain, 27 January, 1886. Major, 5 July, 1896. Adjutant to Yeomanry Cavalry, 9 October, 1888-8 October, 1894. Brevet Lieut.-Colonel, 29 November, 1900. Lieut.-Colonel, 27 July, 1901. Colonel, 5 September, 1901. Served in the South African War, 1899-1902, in command of the first Regiment of Brabant's Horse. Mentioned in despatches. Queen's medal with 6 clasps, and King's medal with 2 clasps. Brigadier-General commanding first Cavalry Brigade, first Army Corps, Aldershot, 1 April to 30 September, 1903. Major-General, 1 October, 1903. C.B., 24 June, 1904. Inspector of Cavalry, 7 May, 1907.
HENRY SALES SCOBELL.
Cornet by purchase, 7 April, 1843. Lieutenant by purchase, 16 May, 1845. Captain by purchase, 27 August, 1852. Retired, 11 November, 1853.
CHARLES SCOTT.
Cornet in Muster, ending 24 June, 1760. Resigned, 1762.
CAROLUS FREDERICK SCOTT.
Cornet, 24 December, 1726. Made Captain in "Guize's," and succeeded by Alexander Hepburn, 18 September, 1741.
FREDERICK W. A. SCOTT.
2nd Lieutenant, 2 July, 1892. Lieutenant, 24 January, 1894.
GEORGE THOMAS SCOTT.
Cornet by purchase, 30 March, 1866. Lieutenant by purchase, 9 October, 1869. Captain, 30 June, 1875. Retired, 24 February, 1877.
JAMES SCOTT.
Adjutant, 11 May, 1705. Lieutenant, 24 February, 1707-8.
Colonel H. J. Scobell.
ROBERT SCOTT.
Adjutant, 1702. do., 31 May, 1715. Captain-Lieutenant, 7 June, 1720.
SAMUEL SEGGIE.
Cornet, from Sergeant-Major, without purchase, 19 February, 1855. Lieutenant, by augmentation, without purchase, 17 November, 1857. Exchanged to the 1st Foot, 29 March, 1861.
HENRY SELWYN.
16 September, 1705, Ensign in the Guards. 10 October, 1710, Captain of Foot. 31 May, 1715, Captain in the Greys.
ALEXANDER SETON, VISCOUNT KINGSTOUN.
Born about 1621, 3rd son of George, 3rd Earl of Winton. On the visit of Charles the First to Seton Palace in 1633, he as a boy of twelve, welcomed Charles in a formal Latin oration. In 1636 he went to study at La Flèche, in France, and afterwards made a tour in France, Italy, and Spain. In 1640 he came back to Scotland, but to avoid taking the covenant, he went to Holland in 1643. Venturing to return, and still declining to subscribe, he was excommunicated in Tranent Church, 8 October, 1644. He went to France and was for some while in attendance on the young Prince Charles. After the Coronation of Charles II. at Scone, he was created Viscount Kingston and Lord Craigiehall. He died, 21 October, 1691.
ARCHIBALD GEORGE SEYMOUR.
Born, 21 September, 1875. 2nd Lieutenant, 25 March, 1896.
WILLIAM R. SHAPTER.
Surgeon, 9 July, 1788. Appointed Apothecary to the General Hospital, 8 April, 1794.
JOHN WINGFIELD SHAWE.
Cornet by purchase, 10 October, 1816. Lieutenant by purchase, 16 March, 1820. Exchanged, 27 July, 1820, to half-pay, 18th Light Dragoons.
EDWARD R. C. SHELDON.
Cornet, 14 February, 1805.
SAMUEL SHULDHAM.
Cornet by purchase, 19 January, 1815. Killed at Waterloo.
JAMES SHUTTLEWORTH.
Cornet, 1800, in the Lieutenant-Colonel's troop.
CHARLES DE LAET WALDO SIBTHORPE.
Born, 14 February, 1783. Cornet, 24 September, 1803. Lieutenant, 9 January, 1806. Afterwards he went to the 4th Dragoon Guards, and served through the Peninsular War. In 1822, on the death of his eldest brother, he succeeded to the family estates, and in 1826 was elected M.P. for Lincoln, a borough which four members of his family had represented before him. He became Colonel of the South Lincoln Militia, and a Deputy-Lieutenant. He died at his London house in Eaton Square, 14 December, 1855.
FRANCIS BLAKE SIMPSON.
Born, 10 April, 1859. Lieutenant, 10 October, 1883. Captain, 19 August, 1891. Dep. Asst. Com. Gen. Ord. Store Dept., 5 March, 1888, to 31 March, 1896. Ord. Off. 4th Cl., 1 April, 1896.
ARCHIBALD J. M. ST. CLAIR, The Honourable.
Master of Sinclair. 2nd Lieutenant, 9 December, 1896.
WILLIAM SINCLAIR.
(Spelt St. Clair in the next Roll.)
Cornet in Captain Basil Heron's troop, in Muster ending 24 June, 1772. Resigned, 15 December, 1774.
CHARLES SKEEN.
Lieutenant, 10 January, 1706-7. do., 31.5.15. do., 1730.
DAVID SKENE.
Cornet, 30 January, 1800.
GEORGE SKEEN.
Lieutenant, 1702. Captain, 16 January, 1706-7.
CHARLES SERGISON SMITH.
Cornet by purchase, 11 October, 1821.
PATRICK SMITH.
(Or Peter Smith.)
Appointed Cornet, 1 May, 1762, in the Colonel's troop. 24 May, 1763, transferred to Captain Napier's troop. In the Muster ending 24 June, 1765, this is written as Patrick Smith, and then altered to Peter. 16 March, 1770, promoted (as Patrick) Lieutenant. Transferred to Captain Heron's troop, 8 June, 1775. Transferred to Major Home's troop, December, 1775. Promoted Captain-Lieutenant, 25 December, 1779. Promoted Captain, 3 March, 1780. Retired, 17 July, 1787.
PETER SMITH.
Quartermaster. In Roll of 24 June, 1760.
GEORGE RALPH SMYTH.
Cornet, 28 February, 1777. Resigned, 6 October, 1778.
ROBERT DUNKIN SMYTH.
Surgeon, from 87th Foot, 1 October, 1847. Retired, 21 July, 1854.
JOHN SOLSON.
(Or Sohon).
Quartermaster, 26 May, 1760.
JAMES RICHARD SOMERVILLE.
Cornet from 4th Light Dragoons, 25 February, 1825. Promoted Lieutenant and Adjutant, 25 November, 1828. Resigned Adjutancy, 18 May, 1832. Captain, 6 December, 1833, unattached. Retired, 6 November, 1835.
CECIL SPEID SOOTE.
Lieutenant, 29 December, 1886.
WILLIAM SPICER.
Cornet in Muster Roll ending 24 December, 1785. Died, 22 December, 1788.
ALEXANDER SPITTAL.
Cornet, 11 January, 1715-16. Lieutenant, 27 March, 1721.
WILLIAM D. SPOONER.
Captain, 20 April, 1815. On half-pay in 5th Dragoons, 5 December, 1811. Major by purchase, 16 March, 1820. Retired, 25 November, 1824.
THE EARL OF STAIR.
Colonel, 24 August, 1706.
John (Dalrymple), Earl of Stair, &c., born at Edinburgh, 20 July, 1673. When but nine years old, he accidentally killed his eldest brother, for which act, he was pardoned under the Great Seal. He was educated at the University of Leyden, served as a volunteer at the battle of Steinkirk, 2 August, 1692. In 1702, he served under the Duke of Marlborough, to whom he was aide-de-camp; and as Lieutenant-Colonel was first in the breach at the taking of Peer: he served with the storming party at Venlo. He was Colonel of the Cameronians (26th Foot) as well as of the Scots Greys, in 1706, and was in command at Ramillies. In 1708 he greatly distinguished himself at the battle of Oudenarde, and in 1709 was at the siege of Lille and the battle of Malplaquet. In 1709-10, he was envoy to Augustus, King of Poland. In 1710, he was at the siege of Douay, and of Bouchain in 1711, becoming General in 1712. He was a representative Peer for Scotland, 1707-1710, 1715-1734, and 1744-1747. K.T., 25 March, 1710. At the accession of George I., he was made P.C., a Lord of the Bedchamber, Colonel of the Inniskilling Dragoons, and in February, 1719, Ambassador to Paris. He was Vice-Admiral of Scotland, 1729-1733. He died at Queensberry House, Edinburgh, 9 May, 1747.
The Rt Honble John Earl of Stair
G Kneller Eques Pinxit R Cooper Edr Fecit
CHARLES ARTHUR STANILAND.
Captain, 12 January, 1887.
JOHN STANSFIELD.
Lieutenant, exchanged from the 1st Foot, 29 March, 1861. Captain by purchase, 13 March, 1866. Retired, 24 February, 1872.
LAWRENCE STAPLES.
Lieutenant in Basil Heron's troop, in Muster ending 24 June, 1779. Captain-Lieutenant, 6 July, 1792. Retired, 31 July, 1792.
JOHN STEELE.
In Muster ending 24 June, 1798, Quartermaster en second.
WALTER SCOTT STEELE.
Quartermaster, 27 September, 1882.
C. B. STEVENSON.
Lieutenant, 18 July, 1816. On half-pay, 25 October, 1821.
---- STEWART.
Captain, 1702.
JAMES STEWART.
Cornet, 10 July, 1706, in George Skeen's troop.
SIR JAMES STEWART, Bart.
Colonel, 12 January, 1815. General, 25 September, 1803. Died, 5 August, 1839.
JOHN LORN STEWART.
Cornet, from 7th Dragoon Guards, on augmentation, 20 February, 1855. Lieutenant by purchase, 8 February, 1856. Captain by purchase, 2 September, 1862. Exchanged to 18th Hussars, 2 March, 1864.
JOHN STEUART, called JOHN ROY, 1700-1752.
The "Dictionary of National Biography" is the authority for the following:—
"Belonged to the Steuarts of Kincardine. Was born at Knock in 1700. Served for some time as a Lieutenant and Quartermaster in the Scots Greys; but being refused a commission in the Black Watch, he resigned. Then he was employed as a Jacobite agent, and being arrested, he broke out of Inverness Gaol, by the connivance of Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat. He fought in the French Army at Fontenoy, 30 April, 1745. Then he joined Prince Charles at Blair Atholl, and was put in command of the Edinburgh regiment, and fought at Prestonpans and Culloden. Afterwards a price was placed on his head, but in spite of many hairbreadth escapes, he was never betrayed. Gaelic songs and laments composed by him, are to this day well known in the Highlands."
WILLIAM DRUMMOND STEWART.
Cornet by purchase, 12 December, 1826. Lieutenant by purchase, 20 September, 1833. Captain by purchase, 29 July, 1836. Exchanged to 35th Foot, 24 August, 1839.
JOHN STOBO.
Quartermaster, 1799. Adjutant, 7 March, 1800. Cornet, 3 May, 1800. Lieutenant, 25 June, 1803. In the Muster Roll ending 24 October, 1803, Lieutenant John Stobo is recruiting at Kilmarnock.
JOHN HERBERT RANDALL STODDART.
Cornet, without purchase, 16 November, 1855. In 1856 joined the 12th Light Dragoons.
ANDREW ACRES STONEY.
Surgeon, from the 94th Foot, 26 June, 1872. In the 1873-4 List, printed as Surgeon-Major.
JOHN STRACHAN.
21 May, 1678, commission to be Captain of one of three independent companies raised. 25 November, 1681, commission as Captain, on the companies being regimented. Captain, August 22nd, 1683. 30 March, 1685, James the Second's commission to be Captain of a troop.
J. LOBB STRINGER.
Cornet, 25 December, 1800. Lieutenant, 17 February, 1803. Promoted Captain in the 72nd Foot, in 1806.
FRANCIS STUART OF COLDINGHAM.
On 23 September, 1678, Viscount Kingstoun was commissioned to be Captain of "a new company of Dragoons appointed by Us to be forthwith levyed." On the 27th, Francis Stuart of Coldingham was appointed his Lieutenant. On July 24th, 1679, he was made Captain, on the resignation of Viscount Kingstoun.
FRANCIS STUPART.
Cornet, 1808. Promoted Lieutenant, 14 December, 1809. Captain, 20 July, 1815. In 1816 on half-pay.
WILLIAM STURGES.
Lieutenant, 15 September, 1815. Captain, by purchase, 4 April, 1822. Retired, 29 July, 1836.
GEORGE AUGUSTUS FILMER SULIVAN.
Cornet by purchase, 29 July, 1836. Lieutenant by purchase, 26 February, 1841. Captain by purchase, 5 April, 1844. Major without purchase, 17 February, 1854. Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, 12 December, 1854. 26 February, 1858, to the 5th Dragoons.
FRANCIS SUTHERLAND.
Cornet by purchase, 26 September, 1847. Lieutenant by purchase, 11 April, 1851. Captain, without purchase, 24 November, 1854. Retired, 8 February, 1856.
CUTHBERT SWADLE.
Cornet, 23 January, 1777. Sold out, 4 December, 1778.
FOSTER SWETENHAM.
Born, 21 June, 1876. 2nd Lieutenant, 9 December, 1896.
JOHN DENNIS SWINBURNE.
Paymaster, 17 April, 1866. Exchanged to 92nd Foot, 14 August, 1867.
JOHN EDWARD SWINDLEY.
From the 12th Light Dragoons, appointed Captain, without purchase, 5 March, 1858. Exchanged to 6th Dragoons, 18 January, 1859.
Swindley, I. E. (Honorary Major-General, retired pay). Kaffir[Pg 251] War, 1852-3. Action of the Berea, medal. Crimean campaign, 1855-6. Siege and fall of Sevastopol, battle of the Tchernaya, and operations near Eupatoria. Medal with clasp, and Turkish medal. Indian Mutiny, 1858-9. Actions of Teegunge, Kutrai, and capture of Banda, medal. Afghan War, 1879. Served with the Kandahar field force. Mentioned in despatches.
CHARLES GEORGE HARRINGTON TAYLOR.
From the 8th Hussars. 2nd Lieutenant, 19 December, 1877. Resigned, 17 May, 1879.
JAMES TELFER.
Promoted Lieutenant, 7 March, 1766. Captain in Muster ending 24 June, 1772. Promoted Major in 20th Dragoons, 26 April, 1779.
ROBERT TENNENT.
Sergeant in Major Home's troop, promoted Quartermaster in Muster ending 24 December, 1776. Retired, 22 May, 1786.
F. TRACEY THOMAS.
Cornet, 4 May, 1800. Lieutenant, 6 February, 1805. "A Major of Brigade on the Staff of Great Britain."
CARRIER THOMPSON.
Cornet, 20 December, 1780. Lieutenant, 7 February, 1787. Captain-Lieutenant, 28 July, 1790. Captain, 6 July, 1792. Retired, 13 April, 1794.
JAMES THOMPSON.
Promoted from Sergeant to Quartermaster, 13 February, 1806. "Placed on the retired allowance," 25 August, 1810.
CHARLES FREDERIC ST. CLAIR ANSTRUTHER THOMSON.
From unattached List. Sub-Lieutenant, 13 June, 1874. Went to 17th Lancers.
WILLIAM SEAMAN THOMSON.
Cornet, from the 79th Foot, 12 June, 1860. Retired, 8 July, 1862.
HENRY THORNTON.
Cornet, 8 October, 1794. Lieutenant, 23 June, 1795. Promoted Captain 40th Regiment, 23 November, 1796.
JOHN TOLSON.
Appointed Quartermaster on command, 26 March, 1762, and transferred, 12 October, 1761. 30 April, 1763, transferred from the Light troop to the Colonel's troop. Resigned, 27 February, 1775.
JOHN ARTHUR WELLESLEY O'NEILL TORRENS.
Lieutenant (from Lieutenancy in Londonderry Militia apparently), 20 November, 1875. Captain, 15 August, 1883. Major 5 July, 1892.
THOMAS WILLIAM TRAFFORD.
Cornet by purchase, 21 February, 1834. Lieutenant by purchase, 10 November, 1837. Captain by purchase, 2 April, 1841. Retired, 22 July, 1842.
BERNARD TROLLOPE.
Cornet, 19 March, 1818, exchanged from 58th Foot.
ARCHIBALD TROTTER.
Cornet, 15 June, 1815. Lieutenant by purchase, 19 June, 1817. In 1821 promoted to Captain in 19th Light Dragoons.
JOHN TROTTER.
Appointed Cornet, 12 January, 1770. Lieutenant, 5 May, 1775, and transferred to Ramage's troop. Transferred to Heron's troop, December, 1775. Resigned, 22 May, 1776.
THOMAS TROTTER.
Lieutenant, 13 April, 1815.
Thomas Trotter, killed at Waterloo, a descendant of the Trotters of Mortonhall, Midlothian, was the second son of Lieutenant-General Trotter, who in 1793 married Margaret Catherine, daughter of Richard Fisher, Esq., of Lovetts, Midlothian. The family had been devoted adherents of Charles the First, and John, a great uncle of Alexander Trotter, was in 1645 fined £500 by the "Scots Estates" for assisting the great Marquis of Montrose.
RICHARD TURNBULL.
Cornet, 22 March, 1692-3, to 11 September, 1695. Lieutenant, 12 September, 1695, to 12 March, 1697-8.
SIR JAMES TURNER.
25 November, 1681, commission to be Major.
Born in 1615. M.A. of Glasgow University, 1631. In 1632 enlisted in the service of Gustavus Adolphus under Sir James Lumsden, and saw much active service, until on the breaking out of the Civil War, he became Major in the Earl of Kirkcudbright's regiment of Covenanters; but he never took the Covenant. In 1647 he was made Adjutant-General of the Scots Army. In 1651, as Colonel and Adjutant-General of Foot, he accompanied Charles the Second to the Battle of Worcester. He was taken prisoner and sent up to London; but escaped on the way at Oxford. He then walked to London, where he lay hid for a time, and afterwards joined Charles at Paris. At the Restoration he was knighted. He received a commission as Major, 12 February, 1663, and in July was employed as one of the Visitors of Glasgow University. On 28 July, 1666, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel. He was in charge of the forces in the south-west of Scotland, whose object was to crush the opposition of the Covenanters to Charles the Second. On 15 November, 1666, at Dumfries, he was surprised by the Covenanters and taken prisoner. At the[Pg 254] engagement on the Pentland Hills, 28 November, his guards fled, and he escaped. On 10 March, 1668, he was deprived of his command, on charges of acting with too great rigour.
CECIL ALGERNON BROOKE TURNOR.
Second Lieutenant, from Royal North Lincoln Militia, 5 September, 1877. Lieutenant, 17 May, 1879. Died of pneumonia, 5 May, 1880.
LOUIS JOHN FRANCIS TWYSDEN.
Cornet by purchase, 16 May, 1851. Retired, 17 December, 1852.
CHARLES HILL UNIACKE.
Captain, 17 June, 1859, by exchange from 6th Dragoon Guards. Major in the Army, 5 July, 1872. Major, 24 May, 1877. Died, 30 January, 1878.
CHARLES GORDON URQUHART.
From the 18th Light Dragoons, appointed Cornet without purchase, 11 March, 1810. Lieutenant, 11 August, 1814. Retired, 1814.
EDWARD USSHER.
Born 26 November, 1869. 2nd Lieutenant, 29 March, 1890. Lieutenant, 21 September, 1892.
Captain, 1900. Served in South Africa, 1899-1902; wounded 11th February, 1902 (see p. 132); D.S.O., 1901.
HENRY VERELEST.
Lieutenant, 15 April, 1794.
ROBERT VERNON.
Quartermaster, 3 April, 1784. Cornet, 28 December, 1796. Lieutenant, 7 September, 1797. In Roll, December, 1797, to February, 1798, described as en second. Captain, 23 November, 1804. Major in the Army, 4 June, 1814. Retired, 1817.
Colonel Wallace.
ANDREW WACHOP.
Lieutenant, 24 February, 1707-8.
HENRY JOHN WALE.
From 15th Light Dragoons, made Lieutenant (on augmentation), without purchase, 15 December, 1854. Retired, 19 June, 1857.
THOMAS WALKER.
Cornet by purchase, 29 June, 1815. Lieutenant by purchase, 3 December, 1818. Retired, 14 October, 1819.
WILLIAM WALKER.
Cornet, 26 December, 1800. Lieutenant, 10 April, 1805. Ex. 1815.
JOHN WALKINGSHAW.
Cornet, 23 April, 1742.
FRANCIS JAMES AGNEW WALLACE.
Cornet by purchase, 28 April, 1863. Lieutenant by purchase, 30 March, 1866. Captain by purchase, 10 May, 1871. Major, 21 June, 1880. Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 July, 1881.
EMANUEL WALTON.
Lieutenant, 14 May, 1779. Resigned, 6 April, 1784.
JOHN RICHARD WARD.
Lieutenant-Colonel, 29 December, 1837, exchanged from half-pay, unattached. Retired, 30 December, 1837, apparently.
THOMAS WARD.
Cornet, 1 April, 1692, to 21 March, 1692-3.
CHARLES FITZGERALD WATKINS.
Sub-Lieutenant from 6th Dragoon Guards, 16 May, 1872. Lieutenant, 6 March, 1874.
WILLIAM DONALD PAUL WATSON.
Born, 19 April, 1872. 2nd Lieutenant, 12 December, 1894. Lieutenant, 16 December, 1895.
JAMES WATSON.
Surgeon, in Muster ending 24 December, 1785. Retired, 1 April, 1787.
WILLIAM WAUCHOPE.
Made a Cornet, 6 August, 1742. Lieutenant, 2 April, 1746. Captain-Lieutenant, 10 May, 1751. Resigns, 13 September, 1754.
ROBERT WAUGH.
Cornet in the Colonel's troop, 5 May, 1780. Promoted Lieutenant in the 20th Dragoons, 1781.
JOHN WEDDERBURNE OF GOSFORD.
On 30 March, 1685, appointed Major. On 6 November, 1685, appointed Lieutenant-Colonel and also Captain of a troop.
WILLIAM WEIR.
In the Muster Roll ending 24 December, 1809, appears Regimental Quartermaster William Weir.
ALFRED CHOLMELEY EARLE WELBY.
By exchange from the 90th Foot. Captain, 26 August, 1876. Major, 21 October, 1885. Lieutenant-Colonel, 5 July, 1892.
JAMES WEMYSS.
Cornet, 30 August, 1810. Lieutenant by purchase, 19 November, 1812. In 1814, on half-pay. Captain by purchase, 10 October, 1816. Major by purchase, 10 June, 1826. Exchanged to half-pay, unattached, 8 March, 1827.
Lieutenant-Colonel Welby.
EDWARD WESTBY.
Cornet by purchase, 12 May, 1814.
JOCELYN TATE WESTBY.
Cornet by purchase, 22 November, 1850. Retired, 11 March, 1853.
ROBERT WHITE.
Cornet, 15 December, 1790. Lieutenant, 20 February, 1793. Appointed Captain, 27th Light Dragoons, 24 March, 1795.
JOHN WHITEFOORD.
In 1681, Ensign of Stuart's Company. 30 March, 1685, appointed Cornet in Captain Cleland's troop.
THOMAS WICKHAM.
From half-pay, late 33rd Foot. Major, 30 June, 1869.
HENRY WIGLEY.
Cornet in Captain George Sanford's troop, 3 December, 1782. Lieutenant, 18 July, 1787. "Appointed to an Independent Company," 6 May, 1791.
GEORGE F. G. WILDES.
2nd Lieutenant, 2 September, 1891.
WILLIAM WILKINSON.
Cornet, 27 March, 1721. Lieutenant, 24 December, 1733. Retired, 23 April, 1742.
CHARLES WILLIAMS.
From Ensign in the 5th Foot. Cornet, without purchase, 25 March, 1858. Became Lieutenant in the Military Train.
COVENTRY WILLIAMS.
Second Lieutenant, 14 January, 1880, in the 3rd (the Prince of Wales') Dragoon Guards. Promoted Lieutenant, 1 July, 1881. Promoted Captain, 24 November, 1886, and exchanged to the 13th Hussars. 12 November, 1890, appointed Aide-de-Camp to Sir B. C. Russell. 8 June, 1896, appointed Adjutant. 25 April, 1897, appointed Major. In 1901 second in command. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, 26 June, 1902. Lieutenant-Colonel commanding Royal Scots Greys, 19 August, 1903.
Lieutenant-Colonel Williams served in the South African War in 1899-1902, and was present at the relief of Ladysmith, including actions at Colenso, the operations of 17 to 24 January, 1900, and action at Spion Kop; operations of 5 to 7 February, 1900, and action at Pieter's Hill; operations in the Transvaal, 30 November, 1900, to September, 1901, and October, 1901, to February, 1902; afterwards served on staff; in Orange River Colony, February to 31 May, 1902; on the Zululand Frontier of Natal in September and October, 1901; and in Cape Colony (mentioned in despatches, Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel, medal with five clasps, King's medal with two clasps); promoted to rank of Substantive Colonel, 27 November, 1907.
SAMUEL TOOSEY WILLIAMS.
Captain, 24 September, 1847, exchanging from the 47th Foot. Died 1854.
---- WILSON.
Cornet, 1702.
A. W. WILSON.
Cornet, 1 June, 1796. Lieutenant, 8 July, 1797.
GEORGE WINGFIELD WILSON.
Cornet in Captain Heron's troop, 4 December, 1778. Resigned, 19 December, 1780.
Lieutenant-Colonel Coventry Williams,
Commanding the Greys, August, 1903-7.
JOHN WILSON.
From Troop Sergeant-Major to Cornet, without purchase, 29 May, 1866. Lieutenant and Adjutant, 19 January, 1870. Captain, 23 October, 1875. Exchanged to 90th Foot, 26 August, 1876.
GEORGE WIMRAHAM.
In 1681, Lieutenant of Murray's Company. Made Captain of troop formerly commanded by John Inglis, 30 March, 1685. Appointed Major, 30 July, 1686. Made Lieutenant-Colonel with Lord Charles Murray as Colonel.
THOMAS WINRAM.
21 May, 1678, appointed Lieutenant in Francis Stuart's Independent Company. 11 May, 1683, appointed Captain-Lieutenant of Sir Thomas Dalzell's own company. 30 March, 1685, a similar commission from James the Second.
JOHN WINTERSCALE.
Surgeon from 71st Foot, 28 June, 1836. Retired, 1 October, 1847.
RICHARD WOLFE.
From 3rd Dragoon Guards. Second Lieutenant, 16 February, 1878. Lieutenant, 28 June, 1879.
ANDREW WOOD.
Surgeon, 19 February, 1765. Resigned, 3 November, 1769.
JOHN WOOD.
Quartermaster, 28 September, 1766, in Captain Napier's troop. In 1768, transferred to Captain Law's troop.
WILLIAM ALLEN WOODDROP.
Cornet by purchase, 18 September, 1849. Lieutenant by purchase, 13 September, 1853.
ALEXANDER WADHAM WYNDHAM.
Cornet by purchase, 16 March, 1820. Lieutenant by purchase, 25 November, 1824. Captain by purchase, 12 December, 1826. Exchanged to half-pay, unattached, 26 July, 1827.
CHARLES WYNDHAM.
Cornet by purchase, 13 May, 1813. Lieutenant, 4 May, 1815. Captain by purchase, 24 June, 1819. Promoted to an unattached majority. On 8 March, 1827, appointed Major in the Greys; James Wemys, becoming in exchange, an unattached half-pay Major. Lieutenant-Colonel by purchase, 30 December, 1837. Retired, 2 April, 1841.
GEORGE WYNNE.
Lieutenant, 10 July, 1828, from half-pay, West Indian Regiment. Retired, 21 February, 1834.
THOMAS YOUNG.
Captain-Lieutenant, 1 April, 1696, to 27 April, 1697. Captain, 28 April, 1697, to 15 March, 1697-8.
P. 156. Robert Henry Adams. Add: Major, 29th April, 1900. Served in South African War, 1901-2, and took part in operations in the Transvaal, February, 1901, to May, 1902; the Zululand frontier of Natal, September and October, 1901; and in Cape Colony, May, 1902 (medal with five clasps).
P. 158. Hon. Walter Philip Alexander. Add: Commanded the Greys in South Africa, 1899-1900; present in command of first cavalry brigade at crossing of Reit and Modder Rivers (mentioned in despatches).
P. 168. Charles B. Bulkeley-Johnson. Add: Served in the Soudan Campaign, 1899, and commanded the Egyptian cavalry during the operations which resulted in the final defeat and death of the Khalifa (4th class Medjidie British medal and Khedive's medal with two clasps).
P. 175. Thomas Conolly. Add: Rejoined from Egyptian army, February, 1900; killed in action at Commando Nek, South Africa, 11th July, 1900 (see p. 98).
P. 185. G. H. Falconar. Add: Led a squadron of the Greys at Waterloo. He was great-uncle to Col. Coventry Williams, lately commanding the regiment (see p. 258).
P. 186. Cecil William Montague Feilden. Add: Major, 1901. Served in South Africa, 1899; wounded 18th February, and died of wounds 20th February, 1902 (see p. 132).
P. 201. John Collinson Harrison. Add: South Africa, 1899-1901; died 3rd September, at Pretoria, of wound received in the action near Belfast on 26th August, 1901 (see pp. 100-1).
P. 202. Francis Henry Toovey Hawley. Add: South Africa, 1899-1900; died at Bloemfontein, 27th April, 1900.
P. 211. Montague George Johnston. Add: Served with the Bechuanaland Expedition, 1884-5, on the Headquarters Staff, and raised upwards of 100 men for the 2nd Mounted Rifles (Carrington's Horse).
P. 221. Thomas Kane McClintock-Bunbury. Add: Now Lord Rathdonnell, having succeeded his uncle as second Baron in 1879; Honorary Colonel, 6th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
Add: Hon. William McClintock-Bunbury, son of the above. Second Lieutenant, 4th January, 1899; died of wounds received in action at Dronfield, South Africa, 17th February, 1900 (see p. 89).
P. 223. Eustace Addison Maude. Add: Served in South Africa, 1899-1902; Brevet Major, 1901.
P. 224. Add: William Eugène Melles. Second Lieutenant, 4th December, 1901. Served in South African War, and in the Mediterranean. Medal. Resigned 2nd February, 1907.
P. 224. William Crawfurd Middleton. Add: Served in the South African War, 1899-1901; mentioned in despatches, and promoted Brevet Lieut.-Colonel (see p. 126); was present at the relief of Kimberley, and took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May, 1900, including the engagements at Paardeburg and actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Karree Siding, and Zand River; the operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including engagements near Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill; the operations in the Transvaal east of Pretoria, including action at Belfast.
P. 224. Alfred Douglas Miller. Add: D.A.A.G., N.E. District, 6th February, 1903; Lieut.-Colonel commanding the Scots Greys, 1907; Brevet Colonel, 21st January, 1908.
P. 229. Add: Clement Octavius Nicholson. Second Lieutenant, 26th March, 1902.
P. 254. Edward Ussher. Add: Captain, 1900. Served in South Africa, 1899-1902; wounded 11th February, 1902 (see p. 132); D.S.O., 1901.
EXTRACTS FROM ORDERS OF
THE SCOTS GREYS TROOP ORDERLY BOOK
8th January, 1759
[These books belong to Colonel R. G. Wardlaw Ramsay, of Whitehill, near Edinburgh (nephew of Balcarres Ramsay, of The Greys), who kindly placed them at the Editor's disposal.]
Weaver, 12th Jan: 1759. The Major is surprized to find that when the men go into Town to get Forrage, they get so Drunk that they are oblidged to be assissted in getting home their forrage by Troops of other regiments, Particularly Corporal Moore who some days ago was at Bork, and not only was Drunk but knocked a poor man of his horse and took it away from him after tumbling down all his forrage. He hopes the officers will take particular care to detect any man that are so: that they may be punished for such irregularity.
Wiver, 20th Jan: 1759. Six Ducats to be stopt from each Farrier to provide them forge cart horses; what is more than sufficient will be returned.
Wever, 22nd Jan: 1759. A stiver to be stopt from each man for having his hatt cocked, which the Major hopes the men won't be against paying as it is for their own advantage.
Wever, 25 Jan: 1759. The Troops to send the bread waggons for their Hatts and Gloves on Mon: next, & no man to presume to alter the cock otherwise it will be done over again & he be oblidged to pay every time it is not in shape.
Jule, 6 Jan: 1759. The Col's & Maj: Blairs troops to assemble at the Red Cross in order to put the following sentence of a Court Martial in execution—etc: etc: way to find Red Cross—guards there—& Members of the C.M. A Pieces & 1 Lieut & 3 cornets. Lieut Blacket of ye same regiment accuses John Livingstone of ye same Troop & Regiment of being Drunk, neglecting of Duty, & cutting at Boor with his broadsword in a cruel manner.
The Prisoner being asked, etc.
Corpl. Taite being asked, etc.
The Court Martial considering the excuse & his former bad behaviour find him guilty of a breach of the 3rd Article of War and therefore sentence him to receive upon his bare back by a cat of nine tails from the Drummers of ye regiment 600 Lashes where and by what proportion the C.O. shall judge most proper. Wm. Bury, Capt Lieut.
I approve the above sentence Wm. Hepburn.
Munster, copy of a letter, Feb: 12th 1759. Sir, The Duke has ordered a return to be given in dated the 22nd inst. of each regt. of Cav: & Inf: specifieing very particularly whether or not the Regiment is in a proper state to take the Field on the 25th inst: according to the Dukes first order, & if not, mentioning the particulars that are wanting to put the regiment in a proper condition.
The Paymaster to be at Munster on 22nd inst:
R. M. Kieth.
The officers commanding troops will order a picket mallett to be made immediately & put everything as to horse shoes accoutrements etc. in the best order possible to take the field.
Wever, 20th Feb 1759. As there is some reason to believe the regt. may march soon the C.O.'s of troops will get the old Camp necessaries put in as good order as possible, the tents slung & forrage cords etc ready to march on the shortest notice.
Wever, 1st Mrch 1759. Maj: Hepburn to be buried tomorrow at 11.0 o'clock. The officers of the Regt. are desired to attend. An officer, Sergt, Corpl. Drummer & 30 Private to fire over him. Maj: Hepburn's Troop to come over here on foot with side arms, leaving their guard on ye village, and bring 90 loaded cartridges with them.
Wever, 2nd Mrch 1759. As soon as the Burial is over a Court of Enquiry to sit by Capt. Douglas' orders commanding the R.N.B. Dragoons to examine into the effects of the Late Major Hepburn, for the above Duty Captn: Bury Lieuts Law Conyngham Blacket & Home.
Ober Kelmor, 24th Mrch 1759. The Hereditary Prince being about to leave this place, the regiments are now under the Orders of His Serene Highness Prince Isenbourg.
Caremback, 25th Mrch 1759. The Regiment to march tomorrow at 6.0 o'clock to their new cantonments.
The Genl. to beat at 4, Boots & Saddles at 5, and March at 6 o'clock.
| The Royal Regiment of horse guards Blue | to Baumback |
| Greys | to Rengershausen |
| Inniskillings | to Oberellenback. |
Rangershausen, 26th Mrch 1759. The regiment to march at 6.0 o'clock.
| Royal Regiment of Horse Guards Blue | to Wallshausen & Gersdorff |
| Greys | to Hausen in the Bailliags of Oberaula |
| Inniskillings | to Oberaula |
Herschfold, 28th Mrch 1759 (Extract).
Orderly cornet tomorrow Greys
" next day Innisks
Grebenan, 29th Mrch 1759. H.S.H. the Duke is not so apprehensive of Disorders being comited by the soldry as by the sutlers and their servants, the officers servants and women following ye armie but he wd have all belonging to diffrent corps informed that any offending will be punished with death.
Wendecken, Sat: 14 April 1759. H.S.H. the Duke desires all the officers in the Army will honour the memory of H.S.H. the late Duke of Isembourg by wearing black crapes for eight days.
The regiments to give in immediately exact lists of their accidence of yesterday, as well men & horses killed & wounded as Cannon carridges ammunition accoutrements etc lost.
Lost a Prussian sack.
Marienbourn, 16 Ap: 1759. Only one Petit Suttler to be allowed to each troop, who must endeavour to provide the men with beer, and if any other women do presume to sell gin, their Tent will be pulled down, & never be allowed to pitch another in the regiment.
Neider-Bessingen, 18.4.59. The men are on no account to have any dispute with the Hessians, and are to behave cively towards them.
Berge-Sernode, 19.4.59. Captn Hinslies horses and 2 German horses—a Bay & a Black horse—are wanting—whoever finds them are desired to send them to Capt Haltorn at Hd Qrs
2 German Bay horses with saddles & bridles are found by the Greys—the owner may send for them.
Alsfelt, 20.4.59. Corpl Trotter is reduced to the ranks by sentence of C.M. and ordered to receive 200 lashes for being Drunk on Duty; the Col: approves of the sentence & orders him to serve in the ranks as a Private Dragoon. But as the Regiment showed a good countenance before the enemy on the 19th he remits the punishment of 200 lashes, and also forbids the C.M. which he had ordered to try Rankin of the General's, Lander of Captn Lindsay's & Brown of Captn Homes' for being Mortally Drunk & incapable of Duty, & hopes the regiment will keep sober for the future, as whoever is seen incapable of Duty by Drunkenness will be tryed by a C.M. and the sentence immediately put in execution even tho' on a march.
A Court Martial to sit this day to try David Willie of the Colonel's Troop & George Ferrier of Captn Douglas' for neglect of Duty & lossing 2 Bullocks belonging to the regiment, & the C.M. is desired to consider how the money is to be made up, as the Bullocks was bought by the Colonels orders for the food of the regiment.
Neiderzwern, 26.4.59. The young horses to get a mash this night to be blooded tomorrow morning & get another mash.
Neiderzweren, 29.4.59. Any of the quartermasters who understand riding to attend the young horses, and an officer to superintend the whole and see that they are not hurried.
Neiderzweren, 2.5.1759. Each troop to order 6 men for the piquet, who are to take care the horses dont get out of the stables as complaints have been made that they are wandering about the streets in the night time.
Beren-Broictz, 21st May 1759. Lost. A mouse coulared Grayhound belonging to Prince Bevesen. Whoever finds it is desired to bring it to the Major of Brigade.
Beren-Broick, 22nd May 1759. Missing—a parcel belonging to Lieut Hartnell of the Inniskillings with 2 pairs of boots.
Gronenberg, 26.v.06. R.O. as there has been a bullock killed there this morning, the Colonel desires each troop may send for what they want—iff a Boors horse can be got they may bring one to carry it.
Gronenberg, 29th May, 1759. As there great complaints of Drunkeness among the men It is believed to be owing in some measure to so many of the women being allowed to sell Liquor, It is again Repeated that the Commanding Officer of troops be answerable that no women be allowed to sell Liquor but the one appointed to be the Sutler who is to take care not[Pg 267] to let the men have any Liquor if they see them in the least the worst of it, and if any of the women Persists in selling Liquor after those orders they will be Ducked and Drummed out of the Regiment.
Werle Camp, 9.vi.1759. It is Lord George Sackvill's orders that for the future the officers and men of the Cavalry, Carrie their swords upright with the hilt resting on the Right Pistol, that the Regiment march to Sub:Divisions & the officers strictly keep their Posts. These to be Standing Orders for the whole British Cavalry for the future.
Werle Camp, 10.6.1759. All Guards & Sentrys from the Dragoons on foot are for the future to have fixed Bayonets.
Anruckt Camp, 13.vi.1759. The Drums of the Dragoons must for the future march immediately behind the Officer who heads the Division.
Brincken Camp, 15.vi.1759. half past nine—The Cavalry to remain sadled till further orders, but not bridled. The Infantry accoutred, but to boil their kettles & go on with their usual Camps business, provided they remain in Camp. The horses that are come from the Grand Guard and those on the Picket to be unsadled and their Backs well brush'd for half an hour and sadled again.
Ritberg Camp, 23.vi.1759. The 21th at Night a British Grenadier found a grey mare with a bridle sadle & blue Cloak, & a Gray Valise whoever will apply to the Adjt of the British Grenadiers will be informed of them.
Hille Camp, 30.vii.1759. A Detachmt of 300 Dragoons to turn out Immediatly under the Command of Lt Col. Harvey British proportion 220. Detail for the Detachment Blands & Greys Captns Subs Blues—Blands. Howards & Innisks. Each Regt 1 sergt 1 corpl & 19 men per squadron. For this Detachment Captn Bury Sergt Watt, Corpls Brown Taite & 6 men, per troop Extr. men Genls & Majors. After Orders all the British Troops to hold themselves in Readiness to march, but not to strike their tents till further Orders. The Cavalry to saddle, the Infantry to Dress immediatly and the whole to wait for further orders—H S M Brigade 31 July Tuesday Countersign Augsbourg.
Hille Camp, 31.vii.1759. For the day to morrow Lt General Erwesadle Cavalry Majr Genl Mostyn Infis Maj Genl Schybee. Pickets British Inft Maj Hall, Hanoverian Infy Majr Hodenberg, Hessian Infy Lt Col. Knaphausen.
Cavalry Right wing Majr Kellot. Left wing Lt Col. Uffenbach.
Majors of Brigade Stubbs & Chebeart. Linslous Battn 1st Battn of Behr, Brunswick & the Regt of Prince Charles of Hesse marched Last Night under the orders of Lt General Gilso, and are encamped at Lubeck. Therefore all the men that were on Duty of those Corps & were Relieved yesterday, will march to Join their Regiments. A Detachment of 300 Cavalry of the Right wing under the Orders of Lt Coll Harvey marched this morning to Lubeck. If there are no orders to the contrary the Regiments may send to forrage at 9 of the morning as usuall.
There will be an Auction at oclock at Bruckhausens Regt. to morrow—
The Regimt Behr has lost a Brown horse Detale of the Detachment of 300, British proportion 200. Picket Innisks Capn Howards & Grays Subs.
| Estate Grand Guard | Blues Cap 1. | Sub | Sergt | 1 | Corpl | Drum | 1 | Private | 12 |
| Blands | 1 | 1 | 18 | ||||||
| Howards | 1 | 12 | |||||||
| Greys | 12 | ||||||||
| Inniskgs | 1 | 1 | 12 | ||||||
| Mords | 1 | 12 |
Orderly men Blands
Picket Cornet Campbell Sergt Edgar & 1 man per troop Extr Colonel & Captn Lindsay. Grand Guard to morrow 2 men per troop. Standard Guard Sergt Dale Corpls Willson Monox & 4 p. Troop.
After orders—H. I. M. orders that at one oclock to morrow morning the Army shall be ready to march. The Cavalry to sadle, the Artillery horses to be harnessed, & the Infantry gaitered, but the tents are not to be struck nor the troops put under arms till further orders. Chas Hotham Adjt Genl
1.viii.1759. Orders, Augt. 1st on the field of Battle. Countersign Calais.
For the Day to morrow Lt General Urff Cavalry—Maj:General Elliott: Infy: Maj:General Waldegrave.
At 9.0 o'clock tomorrow morning the army will Return Thanks to the Almighty God for the Victory of this Day.
The Army to be under Arms in the front of the Camp & to fire a feu de joy it will be repeated thrice, the Heavy Artillery and that taken from the enemy will be drawn up on the front, and the regimental guns will remain in the Lines.
H.S.H. will order when it shall begin & the Count La Lippe will direct everything relative to the Disposition of the Artillery.
Each regiment to make a strict search into the Boor's houses and on ye Field of Battle for ye wounded as well of our Army as the Enemy's, that they may be dressed and sent to Petershagen, where the Hospital will be established.
H.S.H. has ordered by express the Flying Hospital at Drokenberg to be Transported there. A return of the number of cartridges wanting to compleat ye Artillery and to compleat the Regiments to 36 Rounds per man, and likewise a list of the Horses the Artillery has lost, to be given in as soon as possible. A Return to be given in as soon as possible of the Killed wounded & missing specifieing those that are Mortally & slightly wounded—nameing the officers.
The Detachments at Hille and Getterbach will receive orders to return to camp. The Pickets will not ly out till further orders, but must remain ready on the first notice, those of the British Infantry will consist of a sub and 30 only from each Regiment & a Captn of Brigade. As soon as the camp is marked the Major General of the Day will post the Grand Guard. The Head Quarters is at Sud Hemmerer, British Generals at Holthausen. The Cavalry to fire on horseback. Grand Guard to turn out when called for Captn Blands—Blues—Blands sub—Howards Greys—Sergts—Howards, Greys Innisks Corporals. Picket this night Howards Captn Greys, Mordts subs etc etc. Grand Guard to morrow morning Mordts Capn Subs Blues & Blandys Sergts. Innisks & Mordts—Corpls Mords Blandys—Grays—
Countersign
Sud-Hemmerin Camp, 2nd Aug: 1759. For the Day tomorrow Lt General the Marquis of Granby, Cav: Maj: General Col. Ochom etc etc etc. Cavalry Right Wing Lt Col: Perston etc. The Detachment of 300 Brunswick & Hessian that were posted yesterday at Hartam to return to camp this day, The Pickets are not to ly out this night: The 2 Battns of Branks and Stoltzemberg that covered the Head Quarters to return to camp this afternoon.
H.S.H. orders his greatest thanks to be given to the whole Army for their great bravoury and good behaviour yesterday, particularly to the British Infantry and to the 2 Battallions of Hanoverian Guards, to all the Cavalry of the left wing, and General Wagenheim's Corps particularly to the regiments of Holstein and Hessian Cavalry and to the Hannoverian Regiment de Corps and Hammersteins; the same to all the Brigades of[Pg 270] Artillery. H.S.H. declares publickly that next to god he attributes the Glory of the Day to the Intrepidity & extraordinary good behaviour of these Troops, which he assures them he shall retain the strongest sense of as long as he lives, and if ever upon any occasion he shall be able to serve these brave troops or any one of them in particular it will give him the utmost pleasure. H S H orders his particular thanks to be likewise given to General Spocken, the Duke of Holstein, Lt Genl Imhoff, & Urff.—H.S.H. is extreamly obliged to the Count de Bucksberg for all his care & trouble in the management of the artillery which was served with great effect—Likewise the Commanding Officers of the Brigade of Artillery vizt Col Brown, Lt Col. Hulte, Major Hesse, and the three English Captains Phillips, Drummond, & Foy,—H S H thinks himself infinitely obliged to Majors Genl Waldegrave, & Kingsley, for their great courage & the good order in which they conducted their Brigades.—H S H further orders it to be declared to Lt Genl Marquis of Granby that he is persuaded that if he had had the good fortune to have had him at the head of the Cavalry of the Right wing, his presence would have greatly contributed to make the decision of the day more compleat, & more brilliant, in short H.S.H. orders that those of his suite whose behaviour he most admired be named, as the Duke of Richmond, Col Fitzroy, Capn Ligonier, Col Watson, Capn Wilson aid de Camp to Major Genl Waldegrave Adjt General Estoff, Ruleau, Dirandol, The Count Taube, and Malerly,—H S H having much reason to be satisfied with their conduct & H S H desires & orders, the Generals of the Army that upon all occasions when orders are brought to them by his aid de Camp, that they be obeyed punctually and without delay.
Francenberg Camp, 22.viii.1759. Lord George Sackville has applied for leave to return to England, His Majesty has been pleased to grant his request, directing him to leave the Command of the British troops to Lieut. Genl. the Marquis of Granby. His Lordship therefore takes this opportunity of returning his thanks, to the officers & men for their good behaviour since he has had the honour to command them, assureing them he shall upon every occasion be happy to do justice to their merit.
Weller Camp, 29.viii.1759. Lost from an Officers servant a dark gray horse a hunting saddle & goat skin—whoever brings him to the Adjutant of the Grays shall be well rewarded.
Worcester, 3 August 1777.[Pg 271]
13 Aug 1777. The Regiment will be mustered tomorrow at Ten Oclock on the Market Place. The men to be full accoutred in New Cloaths, in Long Gaiters.
The Cloaks for the Party Horses to be Roll'd white side out—The Officers to be in Boots.
14 Aug 1777. The Regiment to be out at the Drill tomorrow Morning at seven oclock in Hats & stockings.
17 Aug 1777. The Regiment to be out at exercise tomorrow at Ten oclock, in short Gaiters and Grenadier Caps & Old Cloaths, Parade in the Market place.
27 Aug 1777. The Regiment to be out at the Drill tomorrow morning at seven O'clock—in the usual order—
The Recruits and Aukward men to be at the Drill this evening at five in Hats & half Gaiters.
31 Aug 1777. Lord Panmure's troop to be at the Sign of the Sow and Pigs in the Dolic at 9 o'clock to receive their New Cloathing—which the Taylors are immediatly to set about to fit Serjeant Angus to superintend the whole.
Worcester, 15 March 1778. Such Officers & Quarter Masters or privates Whose Hair is short to be plated or club'd in the Style of the Horse Grenadiers are desired to provide themselves with false Hair of the Colour of their own Twenty-two inches wherefrom it is tied behind—the Weastcoats fronts that was got in place of sleves to be given out to the men and immediatly fitted to the Backs of the old Weastcoats.
Reading, 10th April 1778. Six men per troop of the Augmentation are to be mounted and accoutred as Light Dragoons, therefore so many Recruits may be taken at five feet six inches, or even ½ an Inch Lower—provided they are Young and well made, and it being Reported that numbers of People from Paesley, are here imploy'd in the Weaving trade perhaps some Recruits may be picked up to answer the above purpose.
Reading, 13 Apl 1778. The Regiment will march in three Divisions from their present Quarters in the following order to the Coast of Sussex—
1st Division to march on Thursday Next, Lieut Col. Homes troop to Haistens Battle & Winchelay—Capt Telfers troop Hythe New Rumley & Rye.
2nd Division to march on Friday, Lord Panmure's troop to Lewis New Haven & Eastborne. Col Douglas's troop to Do.
3rd Division The third division to march on Saterday, Capt Herons troop to Shoreham and Brighthelmston, Capt Ramsays Arundel.
East Bourne, 24 July 1778. Orders from Hastings for the Royal North British Dragoons Patroling the Coast from Dover to Seaford Inclusive. Every Morning at Day brake a Serjeant or Corporal from each station is to go to the Nearest High Ground where he has a View of the Sea and if He or the Patrole on his tour shall discover the appearance of anything extraordinary or an unusual Number of Shipes upon the coast—they are immediatly to make a report of it to the Officer or Non Commissioned Officer Commanding the Port to which he belongs, or where the Patrole is going to, which Officer is to see himself and carefully to examine as much as he possebly can whatever it may happen to be before He forwards his own Report to the nixt post to be sent to the Head Quarters at Hastings—and all Reports are to be made in Writing in which must be specified all that the Officer has seen himself or has been Reported to him by the others. When any Discovery is made from which there is reason to belive the Enemy is on the Coast A Patrole to be sent both ways along the Coast with all Expedition with a Report and to be Communicated from Seaford to the Party of the King's Light Dragoones at Newhaven to be forwarded to the Officer commanding that Regiment.
A patrole of a Dragoon Mounted to set out every Morning soon after Sun Rise from Dover and Seaford to the next Post on the Road to Hastings—they are to have a sealed card on which is written the time the patrole left each Station. The Patrole will on his arrival put up his Horse in the place of the Patrole going out—will carry and give his Horse a feed and set out to Return his Quarters in two Hours. The patrole to have his side armes and Pistols Loaded.
Canterbury, 26th January 1779. As the Adjutant is raither in Confusion, the Clerks of Troops are Directed to Assemble at Canterbury to morrow the 28th Instant they are to bring an exact state of their troops with them—Both of men and Horse and the No of Grays—& Bays—and any other transfers &c., &c., that may have happned.
By Order of Colonel Home,
Signed William Crawford, Sergt.
Canterbury, 17th Jany 1779. That an Equality may be observed in turning the Regiments Cloathing, two men from Each Troop are to be sent to Canterbury to get their Coats turned, and so soon as that is done the men will Return to the Troops Quarters.
Margate, 15th June 1779. The troops at Margate will march to morrow the first trumpet to sound at 5, and to Horse at seven o'clock. The troop at Ramsgate will march so as to meet the Margate troop at the Half way House and whichever are first there will wait the arrival of the others. The men to march out of Quarters in their New Cap, but when they return their swords, they are to put their Hats on, and wrap their Caps in a Handkerchief to prevent them from being Dusted. The Men to wear their old Cloaths untill further Order.
Head Quarters Salisbury, 1st September, 1779. Lord Amhersts Orders. Adjutant Generals Office. 30th August 1779.
The Length of the Charges of the Cavalry with continued speed being such that the Squadrons are subject to be Broken and thereby become incapable of attacking the Enemy with the advantage they will have when the Horses are in Hand and under the Command of their Riders, It is Lord Amhersts orders that the continued vehemence of the charge is no Longer to be practised & it is inconsistant with the necessary order of the Ranks so as to make impression with Effect.
That advancing in Squadrons to charge shall be practised in a trott & that the Squadrons shall not gallop above 50 yards the distance they may supposed to be from their Enemy when they fall into the Gallop.
Head Quarters, Salisbury, 14 Septembr 1779. That mistakes may no longer happen the following Directions for the mens Dressing on Horse Back are to be punctually attended to, & the Officers are Desired, to mark and Report any man therein offending—
Squadrons at Halt always to Dress to the Right. When marching in Line, with their Regiments, always to the center of that Line whether to Front or Rear.
When the Regiment is drawn up in three Squadrons by itself, at the word march—the whole Dress immediatly to the Center of the Center squadron—if formed in two or in Squadron. The men Dress at all times to the Center when marching. When the squadron is marching by half[Pg 274] ranks Quarter Ranks or Sub divisions the whole Dress to the Right and take the Distance of Ranks and files from the Right except after a charge of the squadron when it must be made by the Center.
Salisbury, 4th October 1779. The men to clean their gloves and coulor their Uniforms. The new Granadeer Caps to be fitted for the men, for which the troops are to parade in their lines tomorrow at ten oclock. The Mens Hair perfectly dressed with their Caps on, and the officers of troops to attend.
Orders Head Quarters Camp, near Salisbury, 22d Novemb 1779. The Regiment Men and Horses to be very clean and everything well put on, so as to suit the Camp to morrow in the Best order, New Caps and old cloaths, Officers in Hats, The squadrons to march off at 10.
The Horses on first coming into Quarters to be kept very Cool with a small allowance of Litter in the beginning, and to have all the air possible, on the march the troops to feed at ½ a peck, and in quarters at the full allowance.
Marlborough, 15th Feby 1780. The officers are to examine the mens Cloathing every day of parade whether on foot or Horse back, and order all wants to be repaired Directly, and give attention to the Method of doing their Hair and every other part of the Mens Dress, for a soldier may look Clean though his coat be not so good as might be wished.
Signed William Crawford, Serg. Major.
Marlborough, 2 July 1780. Major Herons troops will march to morrow as the orders Direct, & to parade at 7 o'clock by the Town Hall. The men are to be individually acquainted, that the Colonel does not mean to threaten them into Good Behaviour, But he will expect to see them entirely sober, and he thinks this Caution well timed, When they are leaving their Comerades and winter Quarters. Should wee fall in with troops on our march the officers of Course will pay them the Customary Compliment....
Memorandum.
In case of meeting with different troops upon the march, the Senior Regiment keeps the Road & the Junior troops forme up two deep, letting them pass from their Right, Swords Drawn, trumpets sound the March, Officers Salute.
Blandford, 21th Septr 1781. Complaint was made this morning that several of the Grays had stript some walnut trees, belonging to Farmer Page. The men are to learn that they must not Invade other Peoples property which is permitted in no Country whatever. Never the less, the Colonel has No Objection to their amusing themselves at leisure hours, when they have Consent of the Proprietor.
This ensuing volume has written inside the front cover:—
"Captain Ramsay's Troops Orderly Book/price 2s paid by Capt. Ramsay/Blandford, 17th Octr. 1781."
Dorchester, 11th April 1782. The Regiment begins its march to Durham in three Divisions upon Wednesday the 17th Instant. The Troops at Dorchester form the first, those at Bridport and Axminster the second, and Exeter the Rear Division. In so long a march the greatest attention will be required to keep the Horses Backs sound, and more especially at the Beginning, It is the Rider's Interest to Preserve them all in their Power, as on the Least swelling the men are expressly ordered to march on foot.
Durham, 8th Sept 1782. The Horse Mains and Tails are to be Clean Washed & their Mains Plaited, which if opened out are to be again Plaited up till the Morning of the Revieu. On Monday or Teusday Next the men will trim their Horses as Short and neat as possable. The New Granadeer Caps must in the best Order, when great care is to be taken not to hurt the Enameling on the fronts of the caps.
Next volume lettered on first page:—
"Orderly Book/Captain Ramsays Troop of R.N.B. Dragoons/price 2/6 paid by Captain Ramsay/Durham 6 Janry. 1783."
Durham, 17th Feby 1783. The Regiment to be mustered tomorrow. The troops at Durham to be ready to turn out at ten oclock—but to wait the trumpet sounding. The troops at Chester le street will be in readiness to be Mustered in the afternoon. The men to be in Revew Order, New Cloaths and Caps. The Boots Buckled above the Breeches. The officers to be in Hats as they will not probabily have occasion to mount their Horses.
The next volume:—
Worcester, 27th April 1785. The Regiment will be seen tomorrow by General Johnston, and at nine o'clock it will Parade at the usual place. The whole to be in the best Order, & the Officers as uniformly dressed as possible, with black Stock and Regimental Boots. Recruites in half Gaiters and foot accoutrements.... Bridle Bits exactly fitted to the Horses Mouths, and stirrups of a proper Length to the Men, who are to take care to sit well Down in their Sadles, and not to Roll about when in Motion.
Worcester, 10th Oct. 1785. The Horses may now have some Blood taken from them, whenever the Commanding Officers of Troops think fit.
Glocester, 13th May 1786. The Parade to morrow for divine Service is at Eleven oclock. The men to appear in Second Cloathing and in New Hats. Every man to be answerable for his present Hat—which is not to be given away or Disposed of till further order.
The officers will be Particularly attentive at their Troop parades to see that the Men wear their Hats agreeable to the following Directions—The first Loop to be Exactly in a Line with the Nose—and the Hat worn as low upon the Brow as Possible—if those Directions are properly attended to in the Begining—it will be the means of the whole appearing in a uniform and soldier like manner.
Gloucester, 30th May 1786. The new Gloves to be Delivered to the Troops this day and taken back after the Review. The Regiment to appear tomorrow in New Cloathing, Hair Dress'd agreeably to the pattern approved, and in Boots well tyed up, as also to have the Stockes Drawn close to the Necks and not slovenly put on.
Saddles placed well of the Horses shoulders, nor are the Goat skins to be too much forward.
The Firelocks must be well flinted and made very bright.
... The officers are to appear in Black Velvet stocks and turn over.
Salisbury, 1 June 1787. The Horses mains to be plaited this evening, the men are to have their hair firmly pasted well plaited at the Review and to be tyed with a ribbon the end of which is to hang down. But the officers of troops take care to Examine them upon the troops parade, to sea that the ends are not tow long—about 2 inches being Sufficient, and that they are tyed uniformly.
Winchester, 25th July 1787. In order that the officers Commanding at the different Quarters may perfectly understand the Parade Motions, here follows a list of them Placed in the Order which they ought to follow: viz.
The Parade being formed with shouldered Arms
Winchester, 27th Octr 1787. The Men are to be at more pains with their Hair, not in the Article of using more Powder, but in Plaiting it neatly.
Winchester, 8th Decr, 1787. General Orders. It is His Majesty's Pleasure that the Dragoons are for the future to wear their swords slung over their Coats; and in order to render the appearance of the two Belts when worn across the Shoulders, more uniform, the Pouch Belt is to be reduced from its present breadth of four Inches and a half, to three inches. The officers when on duty, and with their sashes on, are likewise to have their swords slung over their uniforms: and when off duty and without sashes, they are to wear them slung over their waistcoats.
Reading, 5th April 1788. As the Boots get much injury in being worn after the Troops are arrived in Quarters, they are in future to be Put off immediately, agreeable to long established Custom in this Regiment.
Reading, 10th April 1788. Except it be otherwise Ordered the Rules for dressing are as follows.
1st In Squadron or line marching always to the Center, when Halted generally to the Right, by word of Command
2d In Battalion always to the Centre in movement when Halted to the Right.
3d In all Divisions or subdivisions of the squadron or Battalion Dressing is generally to the Right.
4th In filing or Inclining the Body looks the way to which it files or Inclines.
5th When forming from File the whole Dress to the Right or left Hand to which the Divisions or squadrons are to form.
Reading, 21st April, 1788. Such Men as are in want of proper Hair for Plaiting behind, must be derictly provided theirwith Serjeant Cowan brought some from Scotland, which he will give to the Troops agreeable to their Several Returnes.
The last volume. Written inside cover:—
"Orderly Book of Major Ramsay's Troop of the Royal North British Dragoons. Price 4s/paid by Major Ramsay. Saxmundham 21st Augt. 1788."
Ipswich, 13th September 1788. The Horses of the Regiment to be taken up from Grass on Friday morning next the 19th Instant and Marched to their Respective Quarters, with proper number of Quartermasters, non commissioned officers and men for the Duty. The whole to be under the command of Cornet Laigh who will report to the Commanding Officer, of any improper behaviour of the Men on this Duty, and to be attentive to preventing any accident happening in lifting the Horses from Grass.
Ipswich, 27th Septr. 1788. The Commanding Officer being informed by Mr. Lander Collector of Customs at Poole that, he paid £16:19:3¾ to Quarter Master William Pettigrew on account of a seizure of copper made by the Regiment, it is the Major's Orders, that Quarter Master Pettigrew do immediatly remit the above sum to the Adjutant, in order for its being distributed to the Regiment agreeable to the King's Orders.
D. Hamilton Adjt.
Orders.
Any of the men who are not provided with Buck-skin Breeches, are to be furnished with them Previous to the Seizure money being Paid.
D. Hamilton, Adjutant.
Ipswich, 11th December 1788. In order that the Leather Breeches of the Regiment may be Coloured and appear uniform, the officers commanding Troops will see that every man is provided with a Ball for that Purpose, according to the following Proportions, viz 1 lb of Whiting and 2½ of Ochre well mixed together. No man to be allowed to Deviate from the above.
Stamford, 24th April 1789. The Troops to march to the feild at 9 oclock tomorrow with the same number of Cartridges as on Wednesday. The Standard to be out. Men to be in their second Granadier Caps, which must be fixed in such manner as to keep firm on the Head During Every part of the Exercise and this the Officers will exemine into before they leave the Parade.
Stamford, 26th April 1789. The Colonel will give Half a Guinea to any Serjeant, Corporal, or Dragoon; who shall contrive the best Method of fixing on the Grenadier Caps, and easiest for the Men, so as in all Situations to prevent them falling off.
Stamford, 7th May 1789. The springs of the Firelocks are to be oil'd that they may go of easely and toghater. Each man to be furnished with 10 good cartridges & a good flint.
Lincoln, 19th October 1789. First Market Day the Inhabitants are to have Notice by Sownd of Trumpet that the Men pay ready Money for every thing they want, and take no trust.
Lincoln, 18th Novemb 1789. The turnkey of the Castle having exacted fees without the knowladge or autority of the chief Jaylor, any Confined Men who have Paid such are to have it Descounted as in Future the Regiment will have the full Benefit of the Prison free of Demand (excepting Straw) which article Men who willingly bring themselves to that Despicable Situation, may or may not have at their own Opinion.
Musselburgh, 25th May 1791. The Clarks of each Troop may advance Sixpence for one quart of the best strong Beer to each man, from which if any the least Irregularity proceed, it shall stand for a warning not to do the like in future.
S. M. Milne, Esq., of Calverley House, Calverley, Leeds, has most kindly given me the following interesting notes:
Rough Index and Notes of Inspection Returns to be found at the Public Record Office, Fetter Lane, London:—
2nd DRAGOONS
1750. Canterbury, May 9th. Gen. Sir Philip Honeywood.—"Have grenadier caps, and wear them well; drums of wood in good order, buff accoutrements coloured white, the sergeants sashes striped red, blue and yellow, the standards and belts indifferent. Uniform red, faced blue, white buttons, and button holes, blue waistcoats, and breeches."
1750. Maidstone, October 6th. "Two standards good." (Evidently new since last inspection.)
1751. Wells, April 30th. "2 Standards good."
1755. November 4th. Standards as last mentioned. "Officers' uniforms all new, quartermasters, and sergeants' horses, have hunters tails, accoutrements coloured white, men have white gaiters, sergeants have sashes, Caps all new and remarkably fine. The whole regiment has grey horses, uniform red, lined blue, blue waistcoats and breeches, white buttons and button holes, grenadier caps."
1756. October 14th. The light troop has 65 swivel belts, 65 cartouche boxes and belts, 63 spades, 32 hand bills, 31 axes, dress red faced and lined blue, blue waistcoats, and breeches, white buttons, and button holes—caps.
1757. October 14th. Recruit horses cost £21 each, for the Light Troop horses £15 19s. each. The sergeants have sashes.
1758. Bury St. Edmunds. June 30th. "blue shag breeches. Caps, no hatts."
1764. Manchester. November 2nd. "Horses of great size."
1765. Worcester, November 13th. "Two standards in bad condition recd in 1752. Officers have blue cuffs embroidered with gold, blue waistcoats and breeches. There are two new Standards in store."
1768. Blackheath (no date). Two standards new in 1766.
1769. Musselburg, May 10th. Gen. Oughton.—"Officers' uniforms embroidered with gold."
1770. Coventry, May 15th. Major-Gen. Murray.—"two standards 1766. A very fine regt, and perfectly fit for service."
1771. Newbury, April 15th. Two standards 1766. "The regiment is fit for immediate business in all respects has a very serviceable and soldier like appearance, at the same time the latter might be improved by more air and addition of quickness in the movements."
1772. Salisbury, May 4th. Standards good.
1773. Blackheath, May 18th. (As above.)
1774. Colchester, May 2nd. Gen. Preston. (As above.)
1777. Worcester, May 10th. Major-Gen. Parker.—"The regiment is very fit for service, and though the men are not particularly upright, makes a handsome appearance, the men are to be supplied with bearskin caps at their next clothing, and the officers are to be provided likewise with bearskin caps, it was said in excuse for the badness of the horses tails, that on account of the colour their tails were frequently plucked, and the hairs stolen. The officers mess together and seem to live in harmony. The trumpeters when the regiment dismounted and formed in battalion, played two of them on clarionettes, two French horns and two on bassoons, and there is besides a music master paid to instruct them, who was present in the field."
Note.—I expect the hairs were stolen for fishing purposes, silk-worm gut not yet having come into use.—S. M. Milne.
1779. Salisbury, October 6th. Gen. Johnston.—Officers' uniform "royal facings, gold embroidered button holes, although the men have white, and caps with black bearskin fronts, handsomely embroidered and ornamented."
Note.—These caps had just superseded the tall cloth fronted old established Grenadier caps, fronted with blue cloth, displaying the "White Horse" and the Star of the Order of the Thistle.—S. M. Milne.
1781. Blandford, October 6th. By Gen. Warde.
1782. Durham, September 12th. Lord Adam Gordon.—"Has three standards one good and two bad. I do not recollect, in the thirty five years I have known the regiment, ever to have seen it finer; if the horse furniture was scarlet, instead of blue, it would shew better, in my humble opinion."
1783. Musselburgh, May 27th. Gen. Mackay.
1784. Manchester, June 3rd. Gen. Johnstone.—"New standards given out in 1783. Royal facings with gold embroidered button holes, two epaulettes, as grenadiers have, and black bearskin caps."
Note.—At this period all other heavy cavalry officers had only one epaulette!—S. M. Milne.
1786. Gloucester, May 31st. Gen. Phillipson.
1788. Ashford Common, May 9th. Gen. Douglas.
1790. York, May 10th. Gen. Tonyn.—"two standards and belts in 1783."
1791. Musselburgh, May 25th. Lord Adam Gordon.
1792. Manchester, June 7th. Gen. Hyde.
1801. Dorchester, September 28th. Gen. Garth.—"Five standards in good order."
Note.—The regiment had been increased to eight, or perhaps ten, troops.—S. M. Milne.
1802. Croydon, October 11th. Major-Gen. Cartwright.—Reviewed by "His Majesty" on Ashford Common, September 24th, 1801. "White stable jackets are made with the regiment, and paid for by the men, price 11/-. In marching order the men wear their fur caps—the horse cloth is placed on the saddle, cloak before water deck over the saddle bags, and collar chain in the horse shoe case,—in watering order the men wear Russia duck trousers, and make use of the bridoon as a bridle—reason assigned for placing the 'chain' in the horse shoe case is that when worn on the neck it stains the colour (grey) of the horse—no overalls are in use in the regiment, four standards are in use."
1803. Croydon, May 25th. Gen. Gwynn.
1803. Canterbury, December 16th. Gen. Staviley.
1804. Canterbury, June 11th. Gen. Staviley.—"Four standards in use."
1807. "Five Standards."
1814. Piershill had "five standards."
Regimental Standards, the property of Capt. D. W. Milne Home, of Wedderburn, used by the Regiment during the service of his ancestor, Gen. David Home, of Wedderburn, who died 1809.
1815. Note.—I could not find any Inspection Return, but I gather from other returns of this year, in France, that no cavalry regiments took their standards to the Waterloo campaign at all, nor, for that matter, to France afterwards!! (pace Lady Butler!)—S. M. Milne.
Newspaper cutting kindly sent by Captain Lindsay—
"For Those in Peril.
"The medal struck by Napoleon to commemorate the invasion of England, which has come into the sale-room again, would have fetched a far higher price when it was first cast could his contemporaries have had guarantee of the falseness of the prophecy which it expresses. Those were the days when the Volunteer movement was born; those the days when Pitt promised an importunate squad that they should not be sent out of the country—except in case of actual invasion. At about this time a notable prayer was published. It begins by invoking a blessing upon 'a' in this house, and a' within two miles ilka side this house, the cow, the kail-yard, and the muckle town o' Dumbarton.' The Scots Greys lying in Hamilton Barracks are commended to favour. 'They are braw chiels—they are not like the English whalps, that dash their foot against a stone, and damn the soul of the stone, as if a stone had a soul to be saved.'"
The following, all kindly transcribed by Captain Lindsay from the originals still at Binns, by generous permission of the present owner:—
Holograph.
Charles by the Grace of God etc. to the High & Mighty prince etc.
Most high and most mighty prince our deare Brother Cousin and freind. Knowing the esteem your highness has of men of valour and being persuaded by the repeated assurances of your good will towards us, we have been induced to recommend to your Highness the bearer hereof our most faithfull and well beloved subject Thomas Dalyell Lieut:Generall of foot who now desires to go to Polland in order to dedicate himself to your highnesse's service in your armys, and seeing he has behaved himself with all the fidelity bravery and conduct in ye post of Lieutenant Generall in our armys we doubt not that by his good & faithfull service he shall deserve your highness's favour, Wherefor we earnestly intreat your highns you would receive him kindly into your service and allow him your favour and protection, and whatever advantage he shall receive from this our recommendation we shall entirely owe it to your highness and shall loose no ocasion or opportunity to aknowlege it and so we recomend your highness to ye care of the eternall and almighty God. Given at Colloign the seventeenth day of Aprile yeare of God 1656 and of our reign the seventh year
Your highness
Most dear brother & cousin
Ch: R.
Holograph the 2nd.
Charles by the Grace of God etc. to ye Most illustrious & prince etc. Lord John Razivile prince of ye holy Roman Empire ... of ye great Dutchy of Lithuania and Great Generall of ye Armys of Polland our most dear frend and Cousin.
Most illustrious and prince our most dear cousin and freind. Seeing our most faithfull and well beloved subject ye noble and brave Lietenant Generall Tho: Dalyell resolves to go to Polland in order to serve in ye army of ye most high and mighty prince our dearest Brother the King of Polland and has behaved himself in ye post of Luetenant Genall in our army always undoubted fidelity conduct and courage we have thought fitt to recommend him who has served us so well to your Excellence that he may have your favour and protection and earnest entreat your excellence that you would so make use of your power and authority that he may not be disappointed in his design but by your interest may get such a post in your armys as one of his courage and conduct deserves, in doing of which your highness will not only intirely oblige him, but likewise do us such a favour as we shall take all occasions to acknowledge.—Given at Colloign the 17th day of August.
Your excellence's
Good Cousin
Ch: R.
(The date of this must be 1665.)
The Translation of General Thomas Dalyell's Russian Commission. Copy of this translation 1762. Original is lost, but there is an enrolment of this deed in the Russian Records.
"By the Grace of God We the Great Sovereign Czar and Great Prince Alexis Michaelovitch, self-upholder of All the Russias, the great, the little and the white, of Muscovy, Kiovia, and Novo Grodia, Czar of Cazan, Czar of Astracan, Czar of Siberia; Lord of Pscovia and Great Prince of Litovia, of Smolensk, of Twerr Wolsynia, Podolia, Jugovia, Permia, of Wiatca, Bulgaria and of others; Lord and Great Prince of Novegorode, of the country of Nizovia, Chernigovia, Rezania, Polovia, Rostovia, Jaroslavia, Belozeria, Udovia, Obdovia, Condia, Witebia, Mstislavia and Ruler of all the Northern Countries; Lord of the Iberian Nation, which is under the Castalinian and Georgian Czars; and of the Cabardinian Country which is under the Chercassian and the Mountainious Princes; and of many other Kingdoms and Nations of the East, West and North, to our Forefathers belonging, Lord, possessor and Heir.—
"Declare by this patent of our Czarian Majesty to the Great Sovereign Kings, to the Ministers of State, Dukes, Counts, and to all free Gentlemen, whom it may concern
"That Thomas Daliel Leutenant Generall, formerly came over hither in order to serve our Great Czarian Majesty; and whilst he was with us in our Dominions, he did serve our Great Sovereign and Czarian Majesty: He stood against our Enemies and fought valiantly. The Military men that were under his command, he regulated, disciplined and led them to the Battle himself: and he did and performed everything Faithfully, and becoming a Noble Commander.
"And for those his faithful services, We the Great Lord and Czarian Majesty were pleased to order the said Leutenant General to be a General, he being worthy of that honour through his Merit: and he accordingly served our Czarian Majesty as General, and he stood against our Enemies and fought them courageously. In consequence of which, we our Czarian Majesty granted him a stipend according to his Dignity for his Table and for his pay. And now he the General has petitioned our Czarian Majesty that we would please to give him Leave to return in to his own country. Therefore we the Great Sovereign and Czarian Majesty were pleased to order that the said Noble General, who is worthy of all Honor, Thomas, the son of Thomas Dalyel should have leave to go in to his own country. And, by this patent of our Czarian Majesty, we do testify of him That he is a man of Virtue and Honor, and in the Military operations of great experience. And in case he should be willing again to serve our Czarian Majesty he is to let us know of it before hand; and he shall come in to the Russian Dominions of our Czarian Majesty with our safe passports. And in Testimony of his services, We ordered to give him this Patent of our Czarian Majesty, under our Great Seal of State.
"Given at our Court in the Mitropolis City of Moscow in the year from the Creation of the World 7173 Jany 6th. (A.D. 1665.)
[N.B.—The inscription on the seal contains all the titles, as in the first paragraph of the Patent.]
"The foregoing Translation being entirely and truly conformed with the original Patent in Russian Dialect and Character, it is certified by the underwritten Counsellor of the Embassy and Chargé D'Affaires of His Imperial Majesty of all Russia in London
"the 30th day of March 1762.
"Signed Theodore Luders."
N.B.—The record of this in Russian is titled Recueil des Chartes de l'Etat et Traités publiés aux frais du Chancelier de l'Empire Comte Roumianzow. Volume iv., page 143. Moscou, 1828.
The following is transcribed from the original MS. in the General Register House, Edinburgh, under date 1685:—
A large thin folio volume lettered outside: "Papers connected with the Royal Scots Dragoons, 1696 to 1704-6." The first writing in the book (it is really a guard book for insertions) is—
The following old papers and letters were given to me by Sir William Wallace, Bart., and with his permission I now present them to the Royal Scots Greys.—Geo. Cleghorn, Weens, Roxburghshire. Late a Captain in the regiment. April, 1870.
The two following letters from General Dalyell do not relate to the Greys, but are charming specimens of written language. It may be well to remember that the great Duke of Marlborough was almost devoid of education.
General Dalyell to the Earl of Lauderdale.
My Lord, ...
I moist confes I could not hev thoight this cuntray so il prinsiplit as I find tham, and am confedent if foren forsis or armis cum this laind vil all go in Rebelion, and it simis this laist if it had not bein mistymed had bein muth moir terible, and no piple heve with moir egernes soight after marterdom then thir Roigis to karay thair desyn on deye; mane of the vimen upbraden thair husbends and childen for not deyen on the pleis; and that vhith is to me strange to see even thois vho profesis muth for his Maieste so mersefule inclynit to thois damnet crue.
My Lord,
I am your Lordships humble servent
Dalyell.
Kilmanoh, the 27 decembr 1666
Lieut.-General Dalyell to the Duke of Lauderdale.
Edeinburgh, 4 June [1680]
May it pleis your Greis,
The trust his Maieste hes honorit me with of his forsis in this kingdom forsis me to reyou the acompt of the troupe bestaued on the Erle of hume, whois karitha is so od that it uil onle rander the troup euslis to his Maiesty bot thingis may probable fal out to ingadg them against his Maiestes forsis, yai his Liutinant the Mr of Rois ken hardle stay on his imploiment nather is his quarter cliret nor his troup payit as is doon be the reist of the forsis. I kno the foilt is myn that he is not trayit be a court of uar: this I shun it for the honor of his famile and leist it migh damp his loialte. Remiting it to your greis to taik what couers you pleis to precrayne[?] in it
May it pleis your Greis of ever mois humble servant
T. Dalyell.
In the Record Office under the date 30th October, 1684, is the following order, which is of particular interest as incidentally illustrating that the Dragoon was neither Cavalry nor Infantry, but the chosen hero of modern story—the Mounted Infantryman.
For the preventing of all disputes that might arise concerning the Rank of our Royall Regiment of Dragoons or of any other Regiment of Dragoons that shall be employed in our Service; Wee have thought fit hereby to declare Our Pleasure—
That our own Royall Regiment of Dragoons, and all other Regiments of Dragoons to be employed in our Service shall have precedency both as horse and Foot as well in Guarrison an in the Field as in all Counsells of Warr and other Military occasions; and the Colonells and Officers of the said Regiments of Dragoons shall command as Officers of Horse and Foot according to the nature of the place where they shall be (that is to say) that in the Field the said Regiments shall take place as Regiments of Horse, according to the date of their commissions; and that in Guarison they command as Foot Officers, and their Regiments take place amongst the Foot according to their respective seniorities from the time they were raised.
An Account of Moneys disburst for the Ld Tiviots Regt of Dragns on their March from Scotland to Deptford & Greenwich to embark for Flanders in March 1693/4 and on their March from Harwich where they landed again from Flanders in Decr 97, to Berwick upon Tweed in their way to Scotland.
| £ s d | ||
|---|---|---|
| Feb 93/4 | For 4 wagons for the Regt from Harwich to Southwark, being one wagon to two troops—300 miles at 8d a mile for each waggon comes to | 40:0:0 |
| 27 Apr 94 | For 1 Waggon for 2 Troop from S'wark to Gravesend. 20 miles | 0:13:4 |
| For 1 waggon for a Troop from do. to Dartford and Crayford 14 | 0: 9:4 | |
| For 1 wagn for 2 Troops from do. to Croydon & Bromley 10 | 0: 6:8 | |
| For 1 wagn for two troops from do. to Putney & Wandsworth 5. | 0: 3:4 | |
| For wagons from the several places above mentioned to Deptford & Greenwich for Flanders | 2: 0:0 | |
| For fire and candle on their March from 8 Feb 93-4 to the last of March following | 15: 6:0 | |
| 58:18:8 | ||
| Andrew Agnew | Major & Capt |
| Patt: Robinson | Lieut |
| William Crawfoord | Cornet |
| James Douglas | Qr Mr |
| Thos: Taitt | Sarjants |
| And: Ffordyce | |
| John Vanmorgan | Hoyboyes |
| Henrick Bastine | |
| William Pattan | Drummers |
| David Jolly | |
| Walter Graham | Corpll |
| William Murray | Corpll |
| Robert Douglas | Corpll |
| Tho: Agnew | |
| James Agnew | |
| Anthony Alisone | |
| James Alexander | |
| Duncan Blair | |
| Halbert Broun | |
| John Blackburn | |
| James Bannerman | |
| George Cannon | |
| John Craig | |
| John Campbell | |
| Alexander Gordon | |
| Nathaniell Gordon | |
| Samuell Gordon | |
| Walter Graham | |
| Thomas Graham | |
| James Gray | |
| John Halling | |
| John Hunter | |
| William Hartley | |
| Andrew Hartley | |
| William Johnstoune | |
| David Kennedy | |
| David Kiddy | |
| Alexander Lawsone | |
| James Murdoch | |
| Thomas Manwell | |
| Andrew Mcffadrick | |
| John McMichan | |
| James Mcdonald | |
| Stephen Oliphantt | |
| John Portteous | |
| Quintine Robisone | |
| Thomas Ronnan | |
| John Simpsone | |
| John Smith | |
| James Stewartt | |
| Robertt Stewartt | |
| William Shirilaw | |
| William Simpsone | |
| George Steill | |
| John Taylor | |
| James Tellfoord | |
| John Weir | |
| George Wrightt | |
| George Duncan | |
| Archibald ffleming | |
| James fforbes | |
| James Knox | |
| John Lawrence | |
| John Moore | |
| John Buchanan | |
| John Thomsone | |
| William Stewartt |
Att Tyell y 1st of Dec 1702
Mustered in in Major Andrew Agnews Troop in her Majesties Royall Regiment of Scots Dragoons Commanded by the Right Honorable the Viscount of Teviott ye Capt, Lieut, Cornett and Qr Mr with their led horses two sarjants three Corplls two Hauttboyes two drummers with fifty four private dragoons Mounted. These comenceing the first of Decr to ye last of Janry both inclusive being sixty two daies.
G. Marshall
The following, by kind permission of the Editor of the Globe, and the author, Colonel R. M. Holden, F.S.A.Scot., is reprinted from the Globe of 14th June, 1906:—
THE WATERLOO BALL
The Congress of Vienna was about to break up, not in the best possible humour, when the announcement fell like a thunderbolt that Napoleon had escaped from Elba, which had been assigned to him on his abdication in 1814, that he had landed in France, had entered Paris, and had re-ascended the throne. The Allied Sovereigns soon silenced their differences in a harmonious resolution to combine against the disturber of the peace. Napoleon was declared the common enemy of Europe, his sovereignty was ignored, and preparations for war at once entered upon. It is estimated that by June a million of men were ready to fall upon France.
The Duke of Wellington established his headquarters at Brussels, where he had with him in and about the city over 25,000 men. The city was filled with fashionable non-combatants of all nations, including numbers of British who had long been cut off from the Continent, and had been drawn thither by curiosity, or from having relations in the army. The whole place teemed with[Pg 288] intrigue, for there were still a large number of officials who had served under Napoleon, and were ready to return to him. However, everything outwardly remained quiet, and there was no sense of immediate danger. Parties were common, "and all went merry as a marriage bell." Among the social entertainments none was so much talked about as the now historic ball which was given by Charlotte, Duchess of Richmond, wife of Charles, fourth Duke of Richmond and Lennox, K.G., who, with their family, had occupied a villa in Brussels since the Duke relinquished the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland in 1813. The Duchess was a daughter, by his beautiful wife, Jean, of the fourth Duke of Gordon, known by the Highlanders as the "Cock of the North." The daughter of a soldier, the wife of a soldier, and the mother of one, her Grace was in close touch with the army. In her youth there were few more attractive girls than Lady Charlotte Gordon when she used to appear in the feather bonnet and Gordon tartan plaid, in compliment to the 92nd Highlanders and Gordon Fencibles, which her father had raised.
The much-talked-of ball took place on the 15th June, 1815, ninety years ago yesterday. At three o'clock in the afternoon of that day a messenger arrived with important news for the Duke of Wellington that Napoleon at the head of his army had crossed the Sambre that morning, and had forced the Prussians to retire through Charleroi and Fleurus to a position near Ligny. The Duke immediately sent off orders for his troops to hold themselves in readiness to move, but not to advance. The latter he delayed until the evening, when reports from Mons had satisfied him that the attack was not a feint, and that Napoleon really had taken the Charleroi road. The critical state of affairs did not prevent the Iron Duke from attending the ball. On the contrary, he not only went himself, but he encouraged his officers to attend, thinking that their presence there would have a reassuring effect on the people of Brussels. In the room, the coachmaker's store improvised for the occasion, were assembled some two hundred guests, including ladies well known in English society, and most of the Duke of Wellington's staff—the Prince of Orange, the Duke of Brunswick, Lord Hill, Sir Thomas Picton, Sir Henry Clinton, the Earl of Uxbridge, Lord Edward Somerset, Sir Hussey Vivian, Sir William Ponsonby, Sir Denis Pack, and others. The news had spread that the French army was about to cross the frontier, and it caused a very natural sensation, but the dancing was not interrupted. Indeed, we are told that it was maintained with unusual spirit, as if to make the most of the enjoyment which was so soon to be interrupted. An interesting incident occurred which does not appear to have been recorded. During an interval in the dancing, a party of non-commissioned officers of the 92nd Highlanders, headed by their pipers, proudly marched into the room, having been specially invited to give an exhibition of the reel to her Grace's British and foreign guests; never did these Gay Gordons dance with greater grace, or to a more appreciative audience.
The imperturbable Duke of Wellington remained at the ball till past midnight, constantly receiving messages and giving orders privately to the staff. He then quietly withdrew for the desperate encounter which was destined to be the crowning scene in a military career of unequalled brilliancy. The other officers gradually left the room and joined their regiments, many in their dancing pumps. The Duchess of Richmond and her daughters took no further part in the ball; her husband and two of her sons had accompanied the troops. But the girls generally are said to have shown great heartlessness. After saying farewell to their partners, many of them for the last time, they continued dancing for some hours. Meanwhile, drums, bugles, and pipes sounded the assembly through the silent streets; the soldiers came swarming out like bees, and Brussels was soon astir at the unwonted bustle. What followed is well known. Two days later Napoleon's pride was crushed by the most glorious victory ever won by British arms; and, alas, the voice of many a gallant soldier who, but a few hours before, had been a welcome guest at the historic ball in Brussels, was silent in the grave.
The identity of the famous ball-room in Brussels has been the subject of much controversy. For many years it was assumed that the house had been pulled down and the ground built over. The villa occupied by the Duke and Duchess of Richmond has disappeared in the sense that it has been absorbed in the Hospital of the Augustinian Sisters; but it was established by the late Sir William Fraser to his own and the general satisfaction of the public, that the ball was never held in the villa. It took place in the store-room, hired for the occasion, of Mons. Simon, the coachmaker, he who built the famous carriage which Napoleon used in the campaign. It was separate from the villa, and still stands in the Rue de la Blanchisserie, in the lower part of the town, being part of the building which had returned a few years back to its original purpose of a coachmaker's factory and depôt. The room is a long barn-like one, with smooth, old-fashioned pillars, and a polished floor, and has been likened to the Lower School at Eton under Long Chamber—the same square, solid pillars, a low ceiling, and brick, whitewashed walls.
From the "Military and Biographical Notices of the Fallen Heroes" (pamphlet):
ROYAL SCOTS GREYS
"Honour to the Memory of the Brave."
The following is a list of the officers and men killed in action on the 18th June, 1815, belonging to the 2nd N. B. Dragoons (Scots Greys) given by Sir James Steuart, their Colonel:—
| OFFICERS | |
|---|---|
| Lieut.-Col. Hamilton | |
| Capt. C. L. Barnard | |
| Lieut. T. Trotter | |
| Captain T. Reynolds | |
| Lieut. J. Carruthers | |
| Cornet T. C. Kinchant | |
| Cornet Edward Westby | |
| Cornet L. Shuldham | |
| NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS | |
| Name and Rank. | Place of Birth. |
| Troop Sergt.-Major John Weir | Mauchline |
| Sergt. George Rennie | Glasgow |
| Sergt. Arthur Pollock | Blantyre |
| Sergt. James Shudrack | Rigegate |
| PRIVATES | |
| Name. | Place of Birth. |
| Alacorn, William | Stichill |
| Arthur, John | Cumbernauld |
| Baisby, William | Horton |
| Black, Alexander | Dunfermline |
| Brooks, John | Heaton Norris |
| Brown, Samuel | Nuttsford |
| Brown, Thomas | Alnwick |
| Brice, William | Bo'ness |
| Butler, George | Cailton |
| Christie, William | Auchterarden |
| Coupland, John | Kirkmahoc |
| Craig, John | Barony |
| Craig, Robert | Rutherglen |
| Craig, William | Paisley |
| Creighton, David | Dalmellington |
| Dawson, Thomas | Ambleside |
| Dawson, Joshua | Ottley |
| Dodds, John | Berwick-upon-Tweed |
| Donaldson, Robert | Barony |
| Dougal, John | Barony |
| George Ellingworth | Brotherton |
| Fergusson, James | Barony |
| Forbes, Duncan | Irvine |
| Frost, John | Tutbury |
| Gray, Alexander | Paisley |
| Hall, John | Cambleton |
| Harness, John | Glaistow |
| Jameson, John | Barony |
| Johnson, Garirn | Old Monkland |
| Kerr, Alexander | Ayr |
| Kidd, John | Kinross |
| Knight, Andrew | Inveresk |
| Leach, William | Norwich |
| Liddle, James | Airdrie |
| Love, James | Dalsey |
| Lyle, Robert | Kilbarchan |
| Mackie, Robert | Blantyre |
| Mackie, Alexander | Glasgow |
| Main, John | Worcester |
| McAlla, George | Carnwarth |
| McArthur, John | Barony |
| Mather, Gavin | Hamilton |
| Macauly, Hugh | Paisley |
| MacCulloch, John | Kilmarnock |
| McFarlan, Andrew | Glasgow |
| Miller, William | Egham |
| Miller, John | Old Monkland |
| Mitchell, William | Kilmarnock |
| McKechney, Daniel | Greenock |
| McLauchlan, John | Dumfries |
| McLauchlan, James | Sanquhar |
| McPherson, Angus | Mordant |
| Muirhead, Robert | Glasgow |
| Murdock, William | Auchinleck |
| Murray, Peter | Tippermuir |
| Picter, David | Stewarton |
| Priestley, Luke | Portsham |
| Rayburn, John | Paisley |
| Robertson, Thomas | Neelston |
| Robertson, John | Paisley |
| Rolland, David | Strathblane |
| Rose, James | Glasgow[Pg 290] |
| Sawyer, John | Rutherglen |
| Scott, John | Muiravonside |
| Senior, John | Earley |
| Simmons, John | Burnbury |
| Smith, James | Kilmarnock |
| Stoddard, David | Newbattle |
| Storie, William | Renfrew |
| Sutherland, William | Cambuslang |
| Taylor, Robert | Barony |
| Taylor, Thomas | Fording |
| Truwant, John | Dewny |
| Turnor, George | Yetholm |
| Turnor, John | Orwich |
| Urie, John | Gortals |
| Walker, Alexander | Tengle |
| Wotherspoon, Peter | Abernethny |
| Whitton, John | Peckington |
| Wylie, Andrew | Steuarton |
| Young, Robert | Paisley |
| 8 | Officers killed | 8 | Officers wounded |
| 4 | Sergeants killed | ||
| 84 | Privates killed | 89 | Privates wounded |
Memorandum relative to the Cavalry at Waterloo from a pamphlet printed at the time:—
| Corps, Etc. | Officers | Rank and File | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killed | Wounded | Missing | Killed | Wounded | Missing | Total | Effective Force | |
| General Staff | 12 | 46 | 3 | — | — | — | 61 | — |
| 1st Life Guards | 2 | 4 | — | 24 | 49 | 4 | 83 | 227 |
| 2nd Life Guards | 1 | — | 1 | 16 | 40 | 97 | 155 | 232 |
| Royal Horse Guards | 1 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 61 | 20 | 106 | 239 |
| 1st Dragoon Guards | 7 | 4 | — | 120 | 115 | — | 246 | 529 |
| 1st or Royal Dragoons | 4 | 9 | 1 | 86 | 88 | 9 | 197 | 395 |
| 2nd or Royal N.B. Dragoons | 6 | 8 | — | 96 | 89 | — | 199 | 391 |
| 6th Dragoons | 1 | 5 | 1 | 72 | 111 | 27 | 217 | 397 |
| 7th Hussars | — | 7 | 3 | 62 | 109 | 15 | 196 | 386 |
| 10th Hussars | 2 | 6 | — | 20 | 40 | 26 | 94 | 390 |
| 11th Light Dragoons | 2 | 5 | — | 10 | 34 | 25 | 76 | 398 |
| 12th Light Dragoons | 2 | 3 | — | 45 | 61 | — | 111 | 402 |
| 13th Light Dragoons | 1 | 9 | — | 11 | 69 | 19 | 109 | 390 |
| 15th Hussars | 2 | 3 | — | 21 | 48 | 5 | 79 | 389 |
| 16th Light Dragoons | 2 | 4 | — | 8 | 18 | — | 32 | 387 |
| 18th Hussars | — | 2 | — | 13 | 72 | 17 | 104 | 396 |
| 23rd Light Dragoons | — | 5 | 1 | 14 | 26 | 33 | 79 | 397 |
| 1st Light Dragoons K.G.L. | 3 | 11 | — | 30 | 99 | 10 | 153 | 498 |
| 2nd Light Dragoons K.G.L. | 2 | 4 | — | 19 | 54 | 3 | 82 | 518 |
| 1st Hussars K.G.L. | — | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 618 |
| 2nd Hussars K.G.L. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 487 |
| 3rd Hussars K.G.L. | 4 | 8 | — | 40 | 78 | — | 130 | 640 |
The Editor is indebted to Colonel Williams, commanding the Greys, for the following:—
Major Ker Fox, late 19th Hussars, to Colonel Williams, 14th December, 1905.
Dear Sir,—In looking through some family papers the other day I came across the enclosed letter written to an ancestor of mine, nearly 150 years ago, by a trooper in the North British Dragoons....
"Revd. Sir—Experiencing your wellwishes for me when presant & Expecting A Continuance of the same emboldens me to send you word of my welfare being assured that it will be acceptable. I have long since Designed to do what I am now about, That I might be answered By the good account that you and all my acquaintances are well. I have the greatest reason to bless God that I am still Alive For truely Sir since we have been Abroad many have fallen By Death some by the fatigues of War & number in ye Field, yet to me has the Lord been Sufficient having as yet saved my health & covered me from all the Dangers Ive been exposed to. I might here tell you of our transactions During this Campaign but being persuaded you are no stranger to them I will only say that our Fatigue has been great, For ever since the 20th of last March that our Regiment left winter quarters we have moved up & down. First from Paderborn to Bergen where we fought the French & the Battle being as it were Drawn on both sides we could not live there being then no forage on the ground & what was in the houses the French had it forraged into their Maggazins so that for want of forrage we were forced to Leave the Frontiers of the enemy & march for Hess Castle where we abode 3 weeks, till the Forrage appear'd in the Field, the French came down after us with one Army & Formed another near Lipstadt where we open'd the Campaing. It is strange indeed to hear the various accounts of the enemy amongst us for the perhaps not 3 miles Distant from others their Number will by talk Increas or decreas 50000 in a Day, here they were given out for 190000 Men which I beleve Did not amount to more than 100000. Which was by far the supperior Number for ours was never 80000. So that at the eve of the Battle & for some weeks before All was Hush non knew aney thing till directly put in Execution. So great was the conduct of our Brave Prince Ferdinand, Orders for marching on the 1st of August was no sooner given than the French began to cannonade the Princes Quarters thinking to draw our army there when they would have flank'd us. But the Prince Left the Place, & March'd us to the Left. That with the Blessing of God altered the whole for they were briskly Repulsed & By the same means there great numbers was put to a Wofull Flight. It is true the sight and presence of the Field is terrable, But the Victory soon Dispell'd it. Altho many suffer'd on Both sides, Here the face of affairs were chang'd And we are almost so far advanc'd After them as where we fought at Bergen. There is scarce a Day but we gain some Advantage over them & with Little Loss on our side, so that if God continues his Favours on our army the enemy will soon Leave Germany. Marbourg surrendered the 1st Days Seige & Never a Man lost on our side. About 4 days ago we forc'd the out Posts of their flying Camp & got 800 prisoners. We Rejoiced here yesterday for the Good News from England & Saxony By fireing all the Cannon & small arms in the Field 3 times. The French Ly about 6 miles from us, we march foreward the morrow, so that if they dont Abandon their Campment we expect another engadgement soon. I have here Dear & Revd Sir I am afraid taken to much time in telling you the thing you have long since been acquaint with; But I hope you will excuse Me in so Doing and Remember me with my comerades at the Throne of Grace, Being confident of your care, I pray that God give your endevours the Blessing of Turning Many that Dwell in Darkness to Him, And that your Reward may be great, is the ernest Prayer Rev. Sir of your Most Obedient Servant—William Knox Dragoon.
"If you Please Turn oer
"I will be obliged greatly if you would Answer this soon Derecting to Wm Knox Dragoon in the Royl. North British Dragoons Col. Prestons Troop With the Grand Alied Army—Germany. And Remember me earnestly to all my Worthy Friends that are your Hearers.
"N.B.—I had this By me since the 17th and has had no opertune of sending it away before this Date. We are now just by the French and its Beleved that we wont seperate Before we engadge again, we having been close to them these 7 days. A small River only parts us. The French head quarters is at Geeshen and ours at Stroffsdorf. Their Campment is strong and ours is the same. We saddle every Night & doe not unsadle till we see the enemy's Camp when the fog is off in the morning. Our Piquets and advanc'd Posts Lys by theirs all night & Returns to Camp when assured they are still.
"Kroffsdorf Camp 25th Sept 1759."
Frampton, North Berwick,
25th November, 1906.
Dear Colonel Williams,
I do not know whether you ever heard of the following, or not—if not, then perhaps it may serve its purpose....
During a big day at Aldershot, "the Greys," one of the cavalry regiments engaged, was missed from the scene of action in the Long Valley. A.D.C.'s, gallopers, and mounted orderlies were sent all over the place to find them.
The commanding officer had simply dismounted his men, and got them into the "Cocked Hat" wood, and told them they might get their pipes out and take it easy. When at length found, an A.D.C. rode up to the colonel, and said that the general had missed the regiment, and was extremely put about in consequence, and told the commanding officer that he (the general) wished the regiment to retire behind the crest of some rising ground.
It is reported that the commanding officer at that time, not being very good at handling his regiment, thought he saw his way out of the difficulty, and with great dignity said, "Young man, go back to your general, and tell him that the Greys never retire." ...
Montague Johnstone.
Somerset, Coleraine, Ireland,
25th November, 1906.
My dear Williams,
We were on the Curragh ... and next us were the old Gordons. We were always pointing out to them that, for Scotchmen in the ranks, they could not hold a candle to us. One day some of them came to us, and told us they had a batch of recruits coming, real Highlanders, such as we had not, "none of 'em had seen the English," and the band and pipes had gone to Newbridge to "march 'em up." So down we all went to the outlet of the Newbridge road to see the arrival on the Curragh. Sure enough, soon we heard the pipes and saw the sporrans swinging, always a glorious sight! and on the boys came, straight from their mountains and glens. But, alas! as they passed us and came in full view of the Curragh, a young recruit in the ranks turned to his comrade and said, "Why, bust me, Billy, if this ain't Putney 'Eath without the pubs." Tableau! and triumphal march home of the old Greys.
At the same period as this, one night the old Gordons poured through windows and doors into our mess and fairly wrecked us. So we joined forces and went for the 9th Lancers together in the same fashion. When all was smashed, all lights out, and everybody was leaning up against walls in torn and tattered mess uniform trying to get breath, in came a frightened mess waiter with a candle stuck in a ginger-beer bottle. This revealed a tablecloth on the floor still heaving up and down, the last struggle of a glorious fight. This was slipped away, and underneath was found the Junior Sub. of the Gordons tightly gripping the Colonel of the 9th Lancers by the throat—the chief nearly black in the face. But a more good-natured man never lived. He made it a subject of chaff, and a bond between all three regiments was thereby forged which I know will never be broken....
J. A. Torrens.
At Dundalk in 1868 during a good run with the Regimental Drag Hounds, a grey horse, Barabbas, owned and ridden by Lieutenant Bashford, pounded the field over a very boggy brook. At dinner the same evening, while discussing the extraordinary cleverness of the horse (after clearing the brook a native having roared out "Begorra, he changed on a trout"!), Mr. Wilkinson, the resident magistrate of Castle Bellingham, made a bet of £25 that Barabbas could not jump the mess-room table. The bet was at once accepted, and Mr. Bashford getting permission of the Colonel, went straight off to the stable, put on the saddle and bridle, and brought the horse into the mess-room. Captain Hicks, the paymaster, jumped on his back, and in a second had cleared the table.
Scene—The Crimea, two or three days before the charge of Balaclava. The Scots Greys are mounted and drawn up in line behind a hill waiting for orders. Lieut.-Colonel Darby Griffiths is sitting on his horse in front of the centre of the line. To him comes a young and very excited staff officer at full gallop, who says: "Colonel, ten men who dare go anywhere and know no fear are wanted at once. They must be desperate fellows, as they have a desperate job to perform. Please let me have them as soon as possible." Old Darby Griffiths, scarcely turning in his saddle, and without a moment's hesitation: "Greys, from your right number off ten!"
H. S.
THE LOST DUCKS
Some years ago a famous and historic cavalry regiment was moving from England to Ireland, marching by detachments, mostly of a troop each, to embark at Liverpool. These were billeted at nights in some town, foot and horse billets often widely scattered, and sometimes far separated one from the other. In the mornings, at the time appointed for marching away, all assembled at the rendezvous, usually the market-place, or a main street near the hotel where the officers were quartered. There a dense crowd watched the parade, the inspection, and the march off. On a certain occasion, the captain of C Troop, just before turning out, was interviewed by an angry, excited inn-keeper, who declared that the troopers billeted on him had stolen two of his fine, fat, white ducks. The captain assured him he must be mistaken, but that every means would be taken, if it were so, to detect and punish the culprits, and promised compensation. Owing to the great crowd round the parade, nothing could be done until clear of the town. On these marches, when horses were liable to sore backs and rubs from careless saddling, packing kit, girthing, etc., it was usual, after a trot, to halt a mile or so away from the billets, dismount, and carefully examine each horse and its equipment. On this occasion, the captain ordered kits to be unpacked, cloaks to be unrolled sufficiently to prevent the possibility of ducks being concealed in them. He then rode round the ranks drawn up on both sides of the road, and made a careful inspection. It revealed not even a feather of the ducks. From the next town he wrote to the aggrieved complainant, proving him to have been mistaken, and saying that such a charge should not have been brought against his men, who were incapable of stealing.
It was some years before the truth became known to the captain. In those days, officers on the line of march sent their light baggage by train with their servants, and carried nothing on their horses except brushes and stable rubbers for smartening up before entering a town, but they were ordered to carry behind the saddle a long-shaped valise, supposed to hold the kit, but usually filled with hay or straw to prevent rubbing the horse's back.
On that day the missing ducks were packed away in the captain's valise, and during his inspection and the whole of the day's march, he carried behind him the theft he was seeking to discover.
A. C. E. Welby.
The following by very kind leave of the author, an old officer of the Greys:—
THE BONNIE SCOTS GREYS.
(Air—"Bonnie Dundee.")
Alfred C. E. Welby.
On the eastern wall of the north transept of Norwich Cathedral is a memorial tablet as follows:—
To the memory of
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Thomas Pate Hankin, Kt.,
who died at Norwich
October 26th, 1825,
in the 60th year of his age.
This tablet is placed here as a tribute of respect
by the
Officers of the Royal Scots Greys,
in which regiment he had passed the greater part of his life, and commanded it
at the time of his death.
Extract from letter by the Honourable Charles Hamilton to his brother, George Baillie, during the Westphalian campaign. The original letter belongs to Lord Binning, who allowed his cousin, Captain Lindsay, to have this extract carefully made for him by the Honourable Hen. Dalrymple, brother of the Earl of Stair.
Buna Camp, Aug. 28th, 1760.
The Army stays where it was at Warburg. The Duke changed his quarters to Bunay a few days ago, it is about eight miles from Warburg. We are to march this day. The French marched from ground some time ago towards Cassel. The Hereditary Prince attacked their rearguard, the Grays & Inniskillings attacked some Cavalry, they were the only British Cavalry with the Prince, & tore them like pork & made dogs of them. In the persuit they were saluted with a fire from some infantry that killed several & wounded a good many. Col. Preston had his horse killed upon a bridge both he and his horse fell over, he was a good deal bruised.
(Kindly supplied by J. B. Dalzell, Esq.)
Creichtoun says:—
1. He commanded at Ayrsmoss. (Bruce of Earlshall did.) "The Royalists killed about sixty and took fourteen prisoners." (Nine only were killed and five taken prisoners.)
2. The "rebels" at Drumclog were "eight or nine thousand strong." (There were only 250 in all.)
3. Sir Robert Hamilton, who commanded at Drumclog was "a profligate who had spent all his patrimony." (The evidence of the historian, Bishop Barnet, and of other reputable authorities, is all the other way.)
4. The number of the "rebels" at Bothwell Bridge was 14,000, and the bridge was "guarded with three thousand of the rebels." (Three thousand is nearer the mark, with only two or three hundred guarding the bridge.)
5. The "rebels had set up a very large gallows in the middle of their camp, and prepared a cartful of new ropes at the foot of it in order to hang the king's soldiers." (This gallows was simply the usual permanent gallows of the Sheriff Court of Lanarkshire Netherward.)
6. David Steele was dispatched by swords in his absence. (Steele surrendered under promise of quarter and a fair trial. But Creichtoun conveyed him to Steele's house, nearly a mile, and there in the presence of the man's wife and her little babe, Mary Steele, ordered the dragoons to shoot him. To their credit, the dragoons absolutely refused and rode off, but the Highlanders, who probably knew Gaelic only, and were therefore ignorant of Creichtoun's gross breach of faith, fired.)
These six instances are but a sample of the exaggeration and mendacious inventions only too common throughout Creichtoun's memoirs, and the reader would therefore do well to hesitate before accepting what is not corroborated by independent evidence.
NOTE ON GENERAL DALYELL
Immediately after the death of General Dalyell, his eldest son Thomas was created a baronet of Nova Scotia. Considerably over one hundred varieties in spelling this curious ancient Scottish surname have been collected. The General and his father, the Sheriff of Linlithgowshire, uniformly spelt their surname Dalyell, as their descendants are in the habit of doing at the present day.
J. B. DALZELL.
To save confusion in compiling this list, all military titles have been omitted. Owing to the great mass of names dealt with, it has not been practicable to follow the fortunes of each individual. All identical names, therefore, have been indexed under a single entry, and names that differ in any respect whatever, even when belonging to the same individual, have been dealt with separately.
Corrected Errata on p. xi in the text.
Corrected Addenda to List of Officers Past and Present on p. 261 in the text.
Missing words or unexplained blank sections on pp. 70, 233, 238, and 283 indicated by gaps in the text.
Changed 2th to 12th, 5th to 15th, and 6th to 16th on p. 86.
Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.
Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.
