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1 2 3
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•
6
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF THE
FOURTEENTH, OR THE KING'S, REGIMENT
OF
LIGHT DRAGOONS:
CONTAININO
AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
COMPII.BO BV
RICHARD CANNON, Esq.,
ADJUTANT OENBBAl's OFFICE, HOBgE GUARDS.
ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES.
LONDON:
PARKER, FURNIVALL. & PARKER,
30, CHARING CROSS.
M DCCC XLVII.
London frinted by W. Ci.own and 8onk, Stamford Street,
For Her M<^erty'« Stationery OfBoe.
w—>m I III iiii .
•II
GENERAL ORDERS.
HORSE GUARDS,
\st January , 1836.
His Majesty has been pleased to com-
mand, that, with a view of doing the fullest justice
to Regiments^ as well as to Individuals who have
distinguished themselves by their Bravery in
Action with the Enemy, an Account of the Ser-
vices of every Regiment in the British Army shall
be published under the superintendence and
direction of the Adjutant-General ; and that this
Account shall contain the following particulars,
viz.,
The Period and Circumstances of the
Original Formation of the Regiment ; The Sta-
tions at which it has been from time to time em-
ployed ; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military
Operations, in which it has been engaged, par-
ticularly specifying any Achievement it may have
performed, and the Colours, Trophies, &c., it
may have captured from the Enemy.
a
it
0£NERAL ORDERS.
The Names of the Officers, and the
number of Non-Commissioned Officers and Pri-
vates, Killed or Wounded by the Enemy, spe-
cifying the Place and Date of the Action.
The Names of those Officers, who, in con-
sideration of their Gallant Services and Meri-
torious Conduct in Engagements with the Enemy,
have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or
other Marks of His Majesty's gracious favour.
The Names of all such Officers, Non-Com-
missioned Officers and Privates as may have
specially signalized themselves in Action.
And,
• The Badges and Devices which the Re-
giment may have been permitted to bear, and the
Causes on account of which such Badges or De-
vices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have
been granted.
By Command of the Right Honourable
GENERAL LORD HILL,
. Commanding-in- Chief,
John Macdonald,
Adjutant- General.
PREFACE.
The character and credit of the British Army must
chiefly depend upon the zeal and ardour by which
all who enter into its service are animated, and
consequently it is of the highest importance that any
measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation,
by which alone great and gallant actions are achieved,
should be adopted.
Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment
of this desirable object than a full display of the
noble deeds with which the Military History of our
country abounds. To hold forth these bright
examples to the imitation of the youthful soldier,
and thus to incite him to en; liate the meritorious
conduct of those who have preceded him in their
honourable career, are among the motives that have
given rise to the present publication^
The operations of the British Troops are, indeed,
a 2
IV
PREFACE.
announced in the " London Gazette," from whence
they are transferred into the public prints: the
achievements of our armies are thus made known at
the time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute
of praise and admiration to which they are entitled.
On extraordinary occasions, the Houses of Parliament
have been in the habit of conferring on the Com-
manders, and the Officers and Troops acting under
their orders, expressions of approbation and of thanks
for their skill and bravery; and these testimonials,
confirmed by the high honour of their Sovereign's
approbation, constitute the reward which the
soldier most highly prizes.
It has not, however, until late years, been the prac-
tice (which appears to have long prevailed in some of
the Continental armies) for British Regiments to keep
regular records of their services and achievements.
Hence some difficulty has been experienced in obtain-
iug, particularly from the old Regiments, an au-
thentic account of their origin and subsequent services.
This defect will now be remedied, in consequence
of His Majesty having been pleased to command
that every Regiment shall in future keep a full and
ample record of its services at home and abroad.
PREFACE. V
From the materials thus collected, the country
will henceforth derive information as to the difficulties
and privations which chequer the career of those who
embrace the military profession. In Great Britain,
where so large a number of persons are devoted to
the active concerns of agriculture, manufactures,
and commerce, and where these pursuits have, for so
long a period, been undisturbed by the presence of
war, which few other countries have escaped, com-
paratively little is known of the vicissitudes of active
service, and of the casualties of climate, to which,
even during peace, the British Troops are exposed in
every part of the globe, with little or no interval of
repose.
In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which
the country derives from the industry and the enter-
prise of the agriculturist and the trader, its happy
inhabitants may be supposed not often to reflect on
the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor, — on
their sufferings, — and on the sacrifice of valuable
life, by which so many national benefits are obtained
and preserved.
The conduct of the British Troops, their valour,
and endurance, have shone conspicuously under great
^«^<l
*'<fi.
VI
PREFACE.
and trying difficulties; and their character has been
established in Continental warfare by the irresistible
spirit with which they have effected debarkations in
spite of the most formidable opposition^ and by the
gallantry and steadiness with which they have main*
tained their advantages against superior numbers.
In the official Reports made by the respective Com-
manders, ample justice has generally been done to
the gallant exertions of the Corps employed; but
the details of their services, and of acts of individual
bravery, can only be fully given in the Annals of the
various Regiments.
These Records are now preparing for publication,
under His Majesty's special authority, by Mr.
Richard Cannon, Principal Clerk of the Adjutant-
General's Office ; and while the perusal of them can-
not fail to be useful and interesting to military men
of every rank, it is considered that they will also
afford entertainment and information to the general
reader, particularly to those who may have served in
the Army, or who have relatives in the Service.
There exists in the breasts of most of those who
have served, or are serving, in the Army, an Esprit
do Corps — an attachment to everything belonging
W. V-
-^;r»;."j.i;,t.v:
PREFACE.
VII
to their Regiment; to such persons a narrative of
the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove
interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions of
the great, the valiant, the loyal, have always been
of paramount interest with a brave and civilized
people. Great Britain has produced a race of heroes
who, in moments of danger and terror, have stood
*' firm as the rocks of their native shore ;" and when
half the World has been arrayed against them, they
have fought the battles of their Country with un-
shaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of
achievements in war, — victories so complete and sur-
prising, gained by our countrymen, our brothers,
our fellow-citizens in arms, — a record which revives
the memory of the brave, and brings their gallant
deeds before us, will certainly prove acceptable to
the public.
Biographical memoirs of the Colonels and other
distinguished Officers will be introduced in the
Records of their respective Regiments, and the
Honorary Distinctions which have, from time to
time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testify-
ing the value and importance of its service?, will be
faithfully set forth.
PREFACE.
As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record
of each Regiment will be printed in a distinct num-
ber, so that when the whole shall be completed, the
Parts may be bound up in numerical succession.
M
HI
INTRODUCTION.
The ancient Armies of England were composed
of Horse and Foot ; but the feudal troops esta-
blished by William the Conqueror in 1086, con-
sisted almost entirely of Horse. Under the feudal
system, every holder of land amounting to what
was termed a "knight's fee," was required to
provide a charger, a coat of mail, a helmet, a
shield, and a lance, and to serve the Crown a
period of forty days in each year at his"own
expense ; and the great landholders had to pro-
vide armed men in proportion to the extent of
their estates ; consequently the ranks of the feudal
Cavalry were completed with men of property,
and the vassals and tenants of the great barons,
who led their dependents to the field in person.
In the succeeding reigns the Cavalry of the
Army was composed of Knights (or men at arms
and Ho])iliers (or horsemen of inferior degree) ;
and the Infantry of spears and battle-axe men,
cross- bowmen, and archers. The Knights wore
INTRODUCTION.
J
armour on every part of the body, and their
weapons were a lance, a sword, and a small
dagger. The Hobiliers were accoutred and armed
for the light and less important services of war,
and were not considered qualified for a charge in
line. Mounted Archers* were also introduced,
and the English nation eventually became pre-
eminent in the use of the bow.
About the time of Queen Mary the appellation
of ** Men at Arms^' was changed to that of " Spears
and LauncesJ* The introduction of fire-arms ulti-
mately occasioned the lance to fall into disuse,
and the title of the Horsemen of the first degree
was changed to " Cuirassiers*' The Cuirassiers
were armed cap-a-pie^ and their weapons were a
swond with a straight narrow blade and sharp
point, and a pair of large pistols, called petronels ;
and the Hobiliers carried carbines. The Infantry
carried pikes, matchlocks, and swords. The
introduction of fire-arms occasioned the forma-
tion of Regiments armed and equipped as infantry,
but mounted on small horses for the sake of
expedition of movement, and these were styled
" Dragoons ;" a small portion of the military
* In the 14th yvur uf the reign of Edward IV. a snmll force was
ostublishcd in Ireland hy i'uriianient, consUting uf 1*20 Archers on
horseback, 40 Uorscnion, and 4U I'ttgo.
INTRODUCTION.
XI
force of the kingdom, however, consisted of this
description of troops.
The formation of the present Army commenced
after the Restoration in 1660, with the establish-
ment of regular corps of Horse and Foot; the
Horsemen were cuirassiers, but only wore armour
on the head and body ; and the Foot were pike-
men and musketeers. The arms which each
description of force carried, are described in the
following extract from the " Regulations of King
Charles H.," dated 5th May, 1663 :—
** Each Horseman to have for his defensive
" armes, back, breast, and pot ; and for his oiFen-
" sive armes, a sword, and a case of pistoUs, the
" barrels whereof are not to be und'. foorteen
•' inches in length ; and each Trooper of Our
*' Guards to have a carbine besides the aforesaid
•* armes. And the Foote to have each souldier a
" sword, and each pikeman a pike of 16 foote
" long and not und'. ; and each musqueteer a
" musquet with a collar of bandaliers, the barrell
" of which musquet to be about foor foote long
" and to conteine a bullet, foorteen of which shall
" weigh a pound weight*.'*
The ranks of the Troops of Horse were at this
period composed of men of some property — gene-
* Military I'upors, State Paper Ottiee.
xu
INTRODUCTION.
rally the sons of substantial yeomen : the young
men received as recruits provided their own horses,
and they were placed on a rate of pay sufficient
to give them a respectable station in society.
On the breaking out of the war with Holland
in the spring of 1672, a Regiment of Dragoons
was raised* ; the Dragoons were placed on a lower
rate of pay than the Horse, and the Regiment
was armed similar to the Infantry, excepting that
a limited number of the men carried halberds
instead of pikes, and the others muskets and bay-
onets ; and a few men in each troop had pistols ;
as appears by a warrant dated the 2nd of April,
1672, of which the following is an extract : —
** Charles R.
*' Our will and pleasure is, that a Regi-
*• ment of Dragoones which we have established
** and ordered to be raised, in twelve Troopes of
" fourscore in each beside officers, who qre to be
** under the command of Our most deare and most
** intirely beloved Cousin Prince Rupert, 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
* This Regiment was dUbaiidccl utter the Peace of 1G74.
INTRODUCTION.
XIU
** each of the said twelve Troopes, are- to have and
" carry each of them one halbard, and one case
** of pistoUs with holsters ; and the rest of the
" souldiers of the several Troopes aforesaid, are
" to have and to carry each of them one match-
" locke musquet, with a collar of bandaliers, and
** also to have and to carry one bayonet*, or great
** knive. That each lieutenant have and carry
** one partizan ; and that two drums be delivered
" out for each Troope of the said Regimentf ."
Several regiments of Horse and Dragoons
were raised in the first year of the reign of King
James II. ; and the horsemen carried a short car-
bine J in addition to the sword and pair of pistols:
and in a Regulation dated the 21st of February,
1687, the arms of the Dragoons at that period
were commanded to be as follows : —
*' The Dragoons to have snaphanse musquets,
** strapt, with bright barrels of three foote eight
" inches long, cartouch-boxes, bayonetts, granado
*' pouches, buckets, and hammer-hatchetts."
After several years' experience, little advantage
* This appears to be the first introduction of bayonets into the
English Army. t State Paper Office.
X The first issue of carbines to the regular Horse appears to have
taken place in 1684 ; the Life Guards, however, carried carbines
from their formation in 1660. — Vide the ' Historical Record of the
Life Guards.*
*4£ttAritH^!tili^B>
XIV
INTRODUCTION.
was found to accrue from having Cavalry Regi-
ments formed almost exclusively for engaging the
enemy on foot; and, the Horse having laid aside
their armour, the arms and equipment of Horse
and Dragoons were so nearly assimilated, that
there remained little distinction besides the name
and rate of pay. The introduction of improve-
ments into the mounting, arming, and equipment
of Dragoons rendered them competent to the
performance of every description of service re-
quired of Cavalry ; and, while the long musket
and bayonet were retained, to enable them to act
as Infantry, if necessary, they were found to be
equally efficient, and of equal value to the nation,
as Cavalry, with the Regiments of Horse.
In the several augmentations made to the
regular Army after the early part of the reign of
Queen Anne, no new Regiments of Horse were
raised for permanent service ; and in 1746 King
George II. reduced three of the old Regiments
of Horse to the quality and pay of Dragoons ; at
the same time, His Majesty gave them the title of
First, Second, and Third Regiments of Dragoon
Gxmrds : and in 1788 the same alteration was
made in the remaining four Regiments of Horse,
which then became the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and
Seventh Regiments of Dragoon Guards.
INTRODUCTION.
XV
At present there are only three Regiments
which are styled Horse in the British Army,
namely, the two Regiments of Life Guards, and
the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, to whom
cuirasses have recently been restored. The other
Cavalry Regiments consist of Dragoon Guards
Heavy and Light Dragoons, Hussars, and Lan-
cers ; and although the long musket and bayonet
have been laid aside by the whole of the Cavalry,
and the Regiments are armed and equipped on
the principle of the old Horse (excepting the
cuirass), they continue to be styled Dragoons.
The old Regiments of Horse formed a highly
respectable and efficient portion of the Army,
and it is found, on perusing the histories of the
various campaigns in which they have been en-
gaged, that they have, on all occasions, maintain-
ed a high character for steadiness and discipline as
well as for bravery in action. They were formerly
mounted on horses of superior weight and phy-
sical power, and few troops could withstand a
well-directed charge of the celebrated British
Horse. The records of these corps embrace a
period of 150 years— a period eventful in history,
and abounding in instances of heroism displayed
by the British troops when danger has threatened
the nation, — a period in which these Regiments
XVI
INTRODUCTION.
have numbered in their ranks men of loyalty,
valour, and good conduct, worthy of imitation.
Since the Regiments of Horse were formed
into Dragoon Guards, additional improvements
have been introduced into the constitution of the
several corps; and the superior description of
horses now bred in the United Kingdom, enables
the commanding officers to remount their regi-
ments with such excellent horses, that, whilst
sufficient weight has been retained for a powerful
charge in line,alightness has been acquired, which
renders them available for every description of
service incident to modern warfare.
The orderly conduct of these Regiments in
quarters has gained the confidence and esteem of
the respectable inhabitants of the various parts of
the United Kingdom in which they have been
stationed ; their promptitude and alacrity in at-
tending to the requisitions of the magistrates in
periods of excitement, and the temper, patience,
and forbearance which they have evinced when
subjected to great provocation, insult, and violence
from the misguided populace, prove the value of
these troops to the Crown, and to the Government
of the country, and justify the reliance which is
reposed in them.
ON THE INSTITUTION
OF
LIGHT CAVALRY
IN
THE BRITISH ARMY.
The records of the military events of the remote
ages speak of heavy-armed horsemen being accom-
panied by others mounted and equipped for light
services. The Barons and Knights, who rode the
powerful horses celebrated by historians, and took
the field completely cased in steel, had a few
light-armed attendants; the feudal horsemen were
variously armed ; and the practice of employing
Light, as well as Heavy Cavalry, was adopted, to
a limited extent, by several commanders of anti-
quity. Armour, proof against arrow, lance, and
sword, and men and horses of colossal appearance,
in whom the greatest amount of weight and phy-
sical power, consistent with a moderate share of
activity, could be combined, were however held in
the highest estimation ; but eventually the great
advantage of having a portion of Cavalry in which
lightness, activity, and celerity of movement,
might form the principal characteristics, was dis-
covered. The introduction of fire-arms occasioned
xvm
ON THE INSTITUTION OP
armour to be gradually laid aside, or limited to a
few heavy horsemen ; superiority of weight was
no longer thought so necessary; and in the seven-
teenth and eighteenth centuries the use of Light
Cavalry became more general than formerly.
During the seventy years* war between Spain
and the United Provinces of the Netherlands,
Prince Maurice of Nassau (afterwards Prince of
Orange) selected a few English and Dutch heavy-
armed Lancers, and constituted them Carabineers,
for skirmishing, and other services of a similar
character. The Emperor of Germany formed
regiments of Hungarian Htissars, who were light
men on small horses. The Carabineers were
of an intermediate class, being much heavier
than the Hussars, and lighter than the English
Lancers and Cuirassiers, who rode powerful
horses, and wore armour on the head, body, and
limbs. The French monarchs adopted the prac-
tice of having a few Carabineers in each troop of
Horse; and, in 1690, Louis XIV. added a troop
of Carabineers to each Regiment of Cavalry.
During the campaign of 1691, these troops formed
a Carabineer brigade ; but their motley appear-
ance, and the defects of the plan, occasioned them
to be constituted a regiment of Carabineers,
and clothed in blue. In 1693 the French King
added a regiment of Hussars to the Cavalry of
his army.*
In England the same principle was partially
* Hiatoire <Us la Milice Frangoise, par le ^'kek Damkl.
-'..-*»* *i-<«.>1^
LIGHT CAVALRY.
XIX
carried out ; the heavy horse laid aside their
armour, excepting cuirasses ; they were mounted
on horses of less weight than formerly, and they
were supplied with carbines by King Charles II.
In 1685, King James II. raised several indepen-
dent troops of Light Horse, and one of them (Sir
Thomas Burton's) was retained in his service until
the Revolution in 1688, when it was disbanded
In 1691-2 King William III. constituted the
Seventh Regiment of Horse, now Sixth Dragoon
Guards, a corps of Carabineers, as an honorary
distinction, and for the performance of services for
which the other regiments of Horse, being Cuiras-
siers, were not well adapted. The object was to
combine with strength and power a greater degree
of activity and speed than was to be found in the
Cavalry at that period ; and His Majesty appears
to have contemplated having several corps of this
description in his service, as he designated this
the First Regiment of Carabineers ; but no second
regiment was formed.* In 1694 a troop of
foreign Hussars formed part of the Army com-
manded by King William in Flanders. f
During the wars of Queen Anne the Regi-
ment of Carabineers was again supplied with cui-
rasses, and was mounted on the same description
of horses as the other regiments ; retaining, how-
ever, the title of Carabineers. The activity, size.
* National Records.
t The equipment of Hussars at this period is described by
D'AuvEBONK, in his History of the Campaign o^ 1694, pp. 22, 23.
b2
XX
ON THE INSTITUTION OF
weight, and strength of the horses ridden by the
British Cuirassiers and Heavy Dragoons, with the
bravery and muscular powers of the men, esta-
blished their superiority in continental warfare
over the Cavalry of other nations ; they acquired
great celebrity in the valley of the Dan ibe and
on the plains of the Netherlands, in the early part
of the eighteenth century, under the renowned
John Duke of Marlborough ; and after the peace
of Utrecht, in 1713, the reputation of the British
Horse and Dragoons was so high that no altera-
tion was thought necessary, and many years
elapsed without any attempt being made to re-
vive the practice of having either Carabineers, or
Light Horse, in the British Army.
The great utility of the Light Cavalry of the
continental armies had, in the mean time, become
apparent. Improvements in military tactics, and
in the arming and equipment of corps, were
taking place in various countries ; and a spirit of
,^mulation extending itself to Great Britain, on
he breaking out of the rebellion in 1745, his
Grace the Duke of Montague evinced his loyalty
and public spirit by raising a Regiment of Cava-
bineers for the service of King George H. ; at the
same time, his Grace the Duke of Kingston, with
equal zeal and generosity, raised, at his own ex-
pense, a Regiment of Light Horse, The latter regi-
ment approximated, in the lightness of the men,
horses, and equipment, to the Hussars of the con-
tinental armies ; the Duke of Montague's Cara-
bineers were of a heavier description of Cavalry.
LIGHT CAVALRY.
XXI
At this period the old Cavalry Regiments rode
black horses (excepting the Scots Greys) with
docked tails ; but the Duke of Kingston's Regi-
ment was mounted on light horses of various
colours, with swish or nag tails. The accoutre-
ments were as light as possible : the men carried
short carbines slung to their sides by a moveable
swivel, pistols, and light swords inclined to a curve.
The usefulness of the Duke of Kingston's
Regiment of Light Horse was proved in Scotland,
where it served under His Royal Highness the
Duke of Cumberland, and was found qualified
for every description of service ; the light horses
traversing hilly grounds with facility. It distin-
guished itself on several occasions, particularly
at the battle of CuUoden, on the 16th of April,
1746, when it charged the clans with signal gal-
lantry, and evinced great spirit and activity in the
pursuit of the rebel army upwards of three miles
from the field of battle. The Duke of Cumber-
land was highly pleased with its behaviour during
the period it was under his command; and the
conduct of the Light Horse throughout the con-
test reflected credit on the noble peer who had
raised them.
The rebellion being suppressed, the regiment
was, in consequence of the conditions on which
the men had enlisted, directed to be disbanded ;
but the Duke of Cumberland so highly approved
of its conduct that he obtained permission to em-
body as many of the men as would re-enlist, as
his own Regiment of Light Dragoons.
XXll
ON THE INSTITUTION OF
'S
:f
His Majesty's thanks and particular satisfac-
tion were communicated to His Grace the Duke
of Kingston, for his zeal and affection for His
Majesty's person and Government ; and His
Grace was desired to convey to the officers and
soldiers His Majesty's high sense of their loyalty,
activity, and gallant behaviour, at a period of
national danger. The regiment was afterwards
disbanded at Nottingham, and nearly every man
engaged in the Regiment of Light Dragoons, of
which, as a signal mark of honour and distinc-
tion, His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumber-
land was appointed Colonel.
The Duke of Cumberland's Light Dragoons
were mounted on active nag-tailed horses, from
fourteen and a-half to fifteen hands high. The
men were from five feet eight to five feet nine
inches in height ; and their equipment was upon
a new and light plan, but retaining the cocked
hat of the Heavy Dragoon i)attern. This regi-
ment served in the Netherlands, with the Army
commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke
of Cumberland: its general usefulness was fully
established, and it distinguished itself at the
battle of Val, in 1747. The treaty of Aix-la-
Chapelle having put an end to the war, it re-
turned to England, and was disbanded in 1741).
From this |)eriod the value of ligiit horsemen
was more aj)preeiat('d in England than formerly ;
the general utility of this arm, on home and
Foreign service, had bern fully proved ; and at
the comnieneement of hostilities with France, in
LIGHT CAVALRY.
XXlll
1755, King George II. resolved to possess the
advantage of a body of Light Cavalry in the
approaching contest. His Majesty accordingly
commanded a troop of Light Dragoons to be
added to the First, Second, and Third Regiments
of Dragoon Guards, and First, Second, Third,
Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Tenth, and Eleventh
Regiments of Dragoons. The First, Second,
Third, and Fourth Irish Horse (now Fourth,
Fiftli, Sixth, and Seventh Dragoon Guards),
and the Fifth, Eighth. Ninth, Twelfth, Thir-
teenth, and Fourteenth Dragoons, being on the
Irish establishment, did not receive the same
addition.
These troops of Light Dragoons were mounted,
armed, equipped, and trained, according to specific
instructions, calculated to render them available
for the services for which they were designed.
Several of them were reviewed in Hyde Park by
His Majesty ; and their neat appearance, celerity
of movement, and the spirited and exact manner
in whicli tliey performed their evolutions, were
much admired.
Nine of these troops were formed into a bri-
gade in 1708, under the command of one of the
King's aides-de-camp. Colonel George Augustus
Rliott, of tlio Horse Grenadier Guards ; and they
were employed in the cxj)editions to the coast of
France under Ciiarles Duke of Marlborough and
Lieut.-General Bligh. They landed in France
tvvice; skirmished with the French Cavalry; and
throiinjiout these enterprises they evinced activity
XXIV
ON THE INSTITUTION OF
spirit, and general usefulness. After their return
to England, they were augmented to 125 men
per troop.
At this period, the war on the Continent had
involved most of the European states; and the
extended and active operations which were taking
place in Germany rendered it necessary for a
British force to join the Allied Army under
Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick. This gave rise
to a further augmentation of the Army ; and the
increased estimation in which Light Cavalry was
held induced the King to give directions for the
raising of entire Regiments of Light Dragoons,
in addition to the five Regiments of Horse,
three of Dragoon Guards, and fourteen of Dra-
goons, already on the British and Irish establish-
ments. The following corps were accordingly
embodied : —
Light Dragoons.
Incorporated in 1759.
Fifteenth, in England, by Colonel George
A. Eliott; — now the Fifteenth, or the King's
Uussars.
Sixteenth, in England, by Lieut.-Colonel
John Burgoyne ; — now the Sixteenth, or the
Queen's Lancers.
Seventeenth, in Scotland, by Captain Lord
Aberdour; — disbanded in 17(>3.
Eighteenth, in England, by Lieut.-Colontl
•John Hale ; — now the Stventt'ontli Lancers.
LIGHT CAVALRY.
XXV
Nineteenth, in Ireland, by Lieut.-Colonel
Lord Drogheda ;— numbered the Eighteenth in
1763; constituted Hussars in 1807; and after
performing much valuable service at home and
abroad, it was disbanded at Newbridge, in Ire-
land, in 1821.
Incorporated in 1760.
Twentieth, in Ireland, by Captain Sir James
Caldwell; — disbanded in 1763.
Twenty-first, or Royal Foresters, in Eng-
land by Lieut.-General the Marquis of Granby,
and Colonel Lord Robert Sutton ; — disbanded in
1763.
After the peace of Fontainebleau, three of these
corps were disbanded, and the other four con-
tinued in the service. The light troops attached
to the heavy regiments were also disbanded, but
a few men of each troop were afterwards equipped
as Light Dragoons.
A more perfect knowledge of the efficiency
and capabilities of Light Cavalry, acquired during
the campaigns in Germany and Portugal, had
advanced the estimation in which that arm was
held; and, in 1768, the Twelfth Dragoons (one
of the heavy regiments raised by King George L
in 1715), underwent a change of equipment and
clothing, and was constituted a corps of Light
Dragoons^ by General Carpenter, in Ireland.
This alteration served as a precedent for sub-
se(|ueut changes ; and further experience, during
XXVI
ON THE INSTITUTION OF
the American war, from 1775 to 1783, con-
firming the value of Light Cavalry, the Seventh,
Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Thirteenth,
and Fourteenth Regiments of Dragoons were
changed from heavy to light. The Light Dra-
goons attached to the heavy regiments were in-
corporated into newly-raised corps, and the fol-
lowing regiments of
Light Dragoons
Were embodied in 1779.
Nineteenth, — by Major-General Russell Man-
ners; — disbanded in 1783.
Twentieth, — by Major-General Richard Bur-
ton Phillipson; — disbanded in 1783.
Twenty-first, — by Major-General John Dou-
glas ; — disbanded in 1783.
Twenty-second,^ — by Lieut.-Colonel John Lord
Sheffield ;— disbanded in 1783.
Embodied in 1781.
Twenty-third, — by Licut.-Gcncral Sir John
Burgoyne, Baronet, for service in India, and was
numbered the Nineteenth after the peace in 1783.
This regiment signalized itself on numerous occa-
sions in India, and was rewarded with the honour
of bearing on its guidons and appointments the
FAi'phdnt, with the words Af^myt' and S('rin(/<ip(it<inL
The word Niayuni was nUo added in cotnniemo-
LIGHT CAVALRY.
XXVll
ration of the gallantry of two troops, in the year
1813, in North America. In 1817 it was consti-
tuted a corps of Lancers. It was disbanded in
Ireland in 1821.
Thus a few years had produced a great change
in the British Army. Twenty-five years previ-
ously to the termination of the American war
there was not a single Light Dragoon Regiment
in the Service, and in 1783 there were seventeen;
four of them were disbanded at that period, and
thirteen retained in the Service.
Soon after the termination of the American
war, the French monarch having, by aiding the
rebellious British provincials, taught his own sub-
jects a lesson of insubordination, was deprived of
the reins of government ; and the violent conduct
of the French revolutionists in the West Indies
occasioned the Twentieth or Jamaica Regiment
OF Light Dragoons to be raised in 1791 by
Colonel Henry F. Gardner, for service in that
island. Besides its services in Jamaica, detach-
ments of this regiment served at Malta ; Sicily ;
at the taking of the Cape of Good Hope, in 1806 ;
at the capture of Alexandria, in 1807; at the
attack on Monte Video ; in Portugal ; at Genoa ;
and on the eastern coast of Spain ; and acquired
the honour of bearing the word Peninsula on its
guidons and appointments. It was disbanded in
Irolaud in 1818.
War with France commenced in 1793, and was
folio wotl by augmentations to the Army. It
was nut found necessary to add a bingle lluavy
XXVlll
ON THE INSTITUTION OF
Cavalry Regiment; but the following Regiments
of
Light Dragoons
Were incorporated in 1794.
Twenty-first, — by Lieut.-Golonel Thomas R.
Beaumont. This regiment served at the Cape of
Good Hope and in India thirteen years ; a detach-
ment was sent to do duty at St. Helena, when
Napoleon Buonaparte was removed thither. This
regiment was disbanded at Chatham in 1820.
Twenty-second, — by Major-General William
Viscount Fielding ; — served in Great Britain and
Ireland; — disbanded in 1802.
Twenty-third, — by Colonel WilHam Fuller-
ton ; — served in Great Britain and Ireland ; — dis-
banded in 1802.
Twenty-fourth, — by Colonel William Loftus ;
— served in Great Britain and Ireland ; — dis-
banded in 1802.
Twenty-fifth, — by Major-General Francis
Edward Gwyn. This regiment was numbered
the Twenty-second after the Treaty of Amiens
in 1802. It served with reputation in India ; was
employed at the reduction of Java ; signalized
itself on several occasions; and was rewarded with
the royal authority to bear tlie word Seringapatani.
on its guidons and a})pointmcnts. It was dis-
banded in England in 1820.
LIGHT CAVALRY.
XXIX
Raised in 1795.
Twenty-sixth, — by Lieut.-General R. Man-
ners ; — numbered the Twenty-third in 1803.
This regiment served in Egypt, Portugal, Spain,
Flanders, and France ; and its distinguished con-
duct was rewarded with the honour of bearing
on its guidons and appointments, the Sphinx^
with the words Egypt^ Peninsula^ and Waterloo.
In 1816 it was constituted a corps of Lancers.
It was disbanded in England in 1817.
Twenty-seventh, — by Major-General Wynter
Blathwayte ; — numbered the Twenty-fourth in
1804. This regiment served in India, distin-
guished itself at the battles of Ghur and Delhi,
and was permitted to bear the Elephant^ with
the word Hindoostan, on its guidons and appoint-
ments. It was disbanded in England, on its
arrival from Bengal, in 1819.
Twenty-eighth, — by Major-General Robert
Lawrie; — served in Great Britain, Ireland, and
at the Cape of Good Hope ; — disbanded in Ire-
land in 1802.
Twenty-ninth, — by Major- General Francis
Augustus Lord Heathfield ; — numbered the
Twenty-fifth in 1804. This regiment served
in India, and was at the reduction of the Isle of
France. It was disbanded at Chatham, on its
arrival from India, in 1819.
XXX ON THE INSTITUTION OF LIGHT CAVALRY.
I
Raised in 1794.
Thirtieth, — by Lieut.-Colonel J. C. Garden ;
— disbanded in 1796.
Thirty-first, — by Lieut.-Colonel William St.
Ledger; — disbanded in 1796.
Thirty-second, — by Lieut.-Colonel H. J.
Blake ;— disbanded in 1796.
Thirty-third, — by Lieut.-Colonel J. Black-
wood ; — disbanded in 1796.
Soon after the re-commencement of hostilities
with France in 1803, the Seventh, Tenth, Fif-
teenth, and Eighteenth Light Dragoons were
equipped as Hussars. Since the termination of
the war in 1815, the Third and Fourth Dra-.
goons have been changed from heavy to light ,* the
Ninth, Twelfth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth
Light Dragoons have been constituted Lancers ;
and the Eighth and Eleventh Light Dragoons
have also been equipped as Hussars.
At this period (184/), the Cavalry of the Bri-
tish Army consists of twenty-six regiments — thir-
teen Heavy and thirteen Light ; and is composed
of three regiments of Cuirassiers, ten of Heavy
Dragoons, four of Light Dragoons, five of Hussars,
and four of Lancers.
THE FOURTEENTH,
OB
THE KING'S, REGIMENT
or
LIGHT DRAGOONS,
BEARS ON ITS APPOINTMENTS
THE KING'S CREST,
AND THE WORDS,
" TALAVERA "—» FUENTES D'ONOR "— « SALAMANCA "-
« VITTORIA "— " ORTHES "— « PENINSULA."
THE WHITE HORSE AND THE PRUSSIAN EAGLE,
At shown in Plate opposite to Pag* 68,
WERE BORNE ON THE REGIMENTAL GUIDON UNTIL THE "V EAR 1834,
WHEN THE GUIDONS OF THE REGIMENTS OF LIGHT DRAGOONS, HUSSARS, AND
LANCEttS, WERE DIRECTED TO BE DISCONTINUED.
'*'<-'
CONTENTS.
X XV
Year
1715
1716
1717
1742
1745
1746
1747
1751
1768
1776
1784
1794
1795
1797
1798
Pat;e
Formation of the Regiment .... 1
Raised in South Britain by Brigadier General
James Dormer ...... 1
Numbered Fourteenth Dragoons ... 1
Names of the Officers 2
Engaged with the rebels at Preston in Lancashire 2
Proceeded into Lincolnshire ... 3
Embarked for Ireland 3
Returned to Great Britain .... 4
Advanced lo Edinburgh 5
Engaged with the Rebels at Prestonpans . 6
Returned to Scotland 7
Victory of Culloden ..... 8
Rebellion suppressed . . . • . 8
Returned to Ireland ..... 8
Clothing, Appointments, and Guidons regulated
by Royal Warrant of King George II. . 9
Ditto - ditto - by Royal Warrant of King
George III 10
Constituted a Corps of Light Dragoons . . 12
Uniform changed from Scarlet to Dark-blue . 13
Two troops embarked for Flanders . . 15
Embarked for the West Indies ... 16
Returned to England 17
Permitted to be styled the Fourteenth, or the
Duchess of York's Own, Light Dragoons ; to
bear the Prussian Eagle ; and to change the
Facings from lemon yellow to orange. . 18
XXXVl
CONTENTS.
Year P»g«
1808 Embarked for Portugal 19
1809 Engaged at Oporto ..... 20
Engaged at Talavera de la Reyna ... 22
1810 Advanced to Almeida .... 24
Engaged at Villa de Puerco .... 25
Engaged at Frexadas 28
Battle of Busaco and Retreat to Torres Vedras . 29
Affair at Rio Mandevilla .... 30
Posted on the Cartaxo road .... 30
1811 Pursuit of the French from Santarem . . 31
Skirmishes at Pombal ; at Redinha ; at Casal
Nova ; and at Foz d'Aronce . • 31
Action at Sabugal . . • • • 31
Engaged at Gallegos 32
Engaged at Fuentes d'Onor .... 32
Repulse of the French from Portugal . . 33
— — Siege of, and retreat from before Badajoz . 34
Action at Nave d'Aver, and at Carpio . . 35
1812 Capture of Ciudad Rodrigo ... 36
Siege and Capture of Badajoz .... 36
Skirmish near Villa Franca .... 36
Affair at Llerena .36
Skirmish at Alaejos 38
Action at Castrillos 38
Battle of Salamanca 39
Pursuit oi the French, and engagement at
Penerada 40
Affair at Blasco Sancho .... 40
March to Madrid 40
Retreat from Madrid to Alba de Tormes . 41
Repulse of French Lancers at Matilla . . 41
Reconnoitring parties on retreat from Salamanca
to Ciudad Rodrigo 41
1813 Advance to Salamanca 42
Passage of the Carion and Pisuerga . , 42
CONTENTS.
XXX Vll
Year
1813 Capture of Burgos ....
Skirmish at Huarte ....
Battle of Vittoria ....
Pursuit of the French to Fampeluna
to the Pyrenees
Capture of a party at Ostiz .
at Roncesvalles
Skirmish at Almandoz
at the pass of Maya .
Engagement at the valley of Bastan
Passage of the Nivelle .
Affair at the ford near Cambo
PSassage of the Nive
Affair in front of Mendionda
Engi^ement at Hasparren
1814 Active operations resumed .
Actions at Hellette, Garris, and Sauveterre
Battle of Orthes
■^ Engagement at Aire ....
Defeat of the enemy's designs at Pau .
Skirmish at Castel Paget
Affair at Tarbes
Battle of Toulouse
Termination of the Peninsular War .
Marched to Bourdeaux
Returned to England ....
Reviewed at Hounslow
Embarked for America ....
Proceeded on an Expedition to New Orleans
1815 Hostilities with America ceased
Returned to England ....
Authorised to bear the word " Peninsula"
Proceeded to Hounslow
1816 Embarked for Ireland ....
1819 Returned to England ....
Page
43
4
43
44
44
44
45
45
45
46
46
46
46
41
47
47
47
48
48
48
49
50
50
50
51
51
51
52
52
53
53
53
53
54
54
XXXYllI
CONTENTS.
I I
Year Page
1822 Reviewed at Hounslow 55
1825 Re-embarked for Ireland .... 55
1828 Returned to England 56
1830 Proceeded to London 57
Reviewed by King William IV. ... 57
Authorised to bear the title of the Fourteenth,
or the King's, Light Dragoons. . . 57
The Facings changed from Orange to Scarlet . 57
1831 Marched to Birmingham, Coventry, and Glou-
cester 58
Engaged in repressing Riots at Bristol . . 59
1832 Removed to Hounslow .... 60
Authorised to bear the King's Crest on the ap-
pointments ; and the Prussian Eagle on the
second and third corners of the regimental
guidon ...... 60
1833 Embarked at Bristol for Ireland . . 60
1834 Standards discontinued 60
1835 Embarked at Belfast for Scotland . . 60
1838 Returned to England from Scotland . . 60
1841 Embarked for Bombay .... 61
1 846 Proceeded to the Bengal Presidency . . 62
The Conclusion 63
CONTENTS.
XXXIX
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
Year Page
1715 James Dormer 65
1120 Clement Neville 66
1731 Archibald Hamilton 67
1749 James Lord Tyrawley 67
1752 Louis Dejean . . . . . . 68
1757 John Campbell, afterwards Marquis of Lome . 69
1765 Charles Fitroy, afterwards Lord Southampton . 70
1772 Daniel Webb 70
1773 George Warde 71
1778 Sir Robert Sloper, K.B 72
1797 John WilliaLn Egerton, afterwards Earl of
Bridgewater 73
1823 Sir John Ormsby Vandeleur, G.C.B. . . 74
1830 Sir Edward Kerrison, Bart., K.C.B. and G.C.H. . 74
LIEUTENANT-COLONELS.
Succession of Lieutenant-Colonels from the year 1800
MAJORS.
Succession of Majors from the year 1799
75
78
List of the Battles, Sieges, &c. which took place in
the Peninsula from 1808 to 1814 . . 81
PLATES.
Costume of the Regiment
Guidon of the Regiment in 1798
Guidon of the Regiment in 1832 .
to face 1
18
62
» »
> »
- >
» *
\i. -v vf
I*
• ; ^ ( i
'i K ■;. I
./-f^c
FOURTEENTU, OH TUB KINO'S OWN LlUHl' UllAaoONS.
[to faeiipag« I.
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF THE
FOURTEENTH (THE KING'S) REGIMENT
OF
LIGHT DRAGOONS.
The accession of the house of Hanover to the 1715
throne of Great Britain and Ireland, was the
commencement of a dynasty under which this
kingdom has attained a splendid elevation of
naval, military, commercial, and political import-
ance ; has extended its possessions in remote
countries ; — and its armies have fought and
conquered in every quarter of the globe. The
first year of His Majesty's reign had, however,
not expired, when it was found necessary to
augment the regular army, and the Fourteenth,
(the Kino's) Regiment of Light Dragoons, is
one of the corps incorporated on that occasion.
It was raised in South Britain, by Brigadier-
General James Dormek, who had acquired a
int
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
171.5 reputation in the war of the Spanish succession ;
and the following officers were appointed to the
regiment, by commissions dated the 22nd July,
1715.
Captains.
Lieutenants.
Cornets.
James Dormer (col). Jas. Stevens (cap.-lt.) Edward Stroude.
H. Killegrew (It. col.) Henry Lasale. Thomas Ellis.
Sol. Rapin. (major) Peter Davenport. Thomas Delahaye.
Henry Pelham. Jonathan Pirke. William Hamilton.
William Boyle. Cuthbert Smith. Rigley Molyneux.
Beverly Newcommin. James Flemming. Andrew Forrester.
His Majesty's protestant subjects arrayed them-
selves under the royal standard with great cheer-
fulness, but before the regiment was complete in
men and horses, the arrangements of the Jacobites
were in such a state of forwardness, that the
Pretender's standard was raised in Scotland by the
Earl of Mar, who was soon at the head of ten
thousand men. A body of rebels having penetrated
into Lancashire, Dormer's dragoons were among
the corps directed to advance, under Major-
Gcneral Wills, and fight the insurgent bands : the
regiment was formed in brigade with Pitt's horse,
now second dragoon guards, under its Colonel,
Brigadier-General Dormer. Arriving at Preston^
about three o'clock in the afternoon of the 12tli
of November, the rebels were found in force in the
town, with the avenues barricaded and defended
by cannon. The Fourteenth dragoons were
directed to dismount and form as infantry, to take
■II llgl I ■! II I
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
part in storming the avenue leading to Lancaster, 1715
in which they were assisted by Wynne's (ninth),
and a squadron of Stanhope's dragoons (afterwards
disbanded) under Brigadier- Generals Dormer and
Munden ; Pitt's horse, Munden's (thirteenth), and
a squadron of Stanhope's dragoons forming in
support. The first barrier was carried with great
gallantry ; but the inner barricade could not be
forced for want of cannon. The houses were
afterwards set on fire, and measures adopted to
prevent the escape of the rebels, who were
eventually forced to surrender at discretion. The
regiment had three men and sixteen horses killed
on this occasion, Brigadier-General Dormer, and
four private soldiers wounded.
The regiment escorted a number of the captured
insurgents to Lancaster gaol, and was afterwards
quartered in that town, and in the early part of
1716 the rebellion was suppressed by the troops
under tho Duke of Argyle.
In May 1716, the regiment inarched x'om 1715
Lancaster, into cantonments at Lincoln and the
neighbouring towns. , .
A reduction of the army took place in the
spring of 1717, and in May, Dormer's dragoons 1717
marched to Bristol and embarked for Ireland, to
replace a regiment ordered to be disbanded in that
country. '
The regiment remained in Ireland during the
B 2
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
U
u
1720 succeeding twenty-five years. In 1720, Brigadier-
General Dormer was removed to the sixth regi-
ment of foot, and was succeeded in the colonelcy
of the Fourteenth dragoons, by Colonel Clement
Neville, from the lieut.-colonelcy of the thirteenth
dragoons. ■ " • ' '
1721 Colonel Neville commanded the regiment
1737 seventeen years, and was removed in 1737, to the
eighth dragoons, and the colonelcy of the Four-
teenth was conferred on Colonel Archibald
Hamilton from the 27th foot.
1740 Charles VI. Emperor of Germany, died in
1740; the succession of the Archduchess Maria-
Theresa, as Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, was
Yj^Y disputed by the Elector of Bavaria, who was
1742 supported by a French army; and, in 1742, King
George II. sent a British force to Flanders to aid
the house of Austria ; at the same time the
Fourteenth dragoons were withdrawn from
Ireland, to replace the cavalry regiments which
had proceeded on foreign service from England.
The regiment was stationed in Great Britain
}^^^ during the years 1743 and 1744; and in 1745,
1745 when Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender,
raised his father's standard in Scotland, it was
ordered to Stirling. After Lieut.-General Sir John
Cope had marched from Stirling with the infantry
and some artillery, the Fourteenth dragoons
proceeded to Leith, where they were stationed
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
when the rebel army advanced towards Edin- 1745
burgh. They were suddenly ordered to join
Colonel Gardiner, who was retiring before the
rebel army, with the thirteenth dragoons ; they
rode through Edinburgh at a brisk pace during
public worship on Sunday, the 15th of September,
when the congregations rushed out of the churches
and chapels and filled the streets, and four
hundred volunteers, with a thousand men of
the trained bands, appeared in arms. The
Fourteenth dragoons joined Colonel Gardiner
at Carstorphin, from whence they fell back to
Coltsbridge, where they were joined by the
city guard and Edinburgh regiment. On a
report of the approach of the rebel bands, the
Edinburgh regiment and city guard withdrew
within the walls, and the dragoons moved towards
Haddington, the citizens refusing to admit them
into the place ; and while a tumultuary council
was being held to decide about the mode of dc
fending the city, the insurgents gained possession
of one of the gates : thus Edinburgh fell into the
hands of the young Pretender.
The Fourteenth dragoons were afterwards
ordered to join Lieut.-General Sir John Cope,
who had arrived at Dunbar with a small body
of infantry, and he advanced towards Edinburgh,
when the rebel army was put in motion to meet
him. On the 20th of September the King's
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
I
i
1745 troops confronted the insurgents near Preston-
pans and the night was passed in the field :
the Fourteenth dragoons, commanded by Lieut.-
Colonel William Wright, furnished videttes and
patrols on the flanks of the army. Before day-
break, on the following morning, a chosen band
of Highlanders advanced through the thick
atmosphere, and attacked the right of the King's
troops; their sudden advance in the dark, their
superior numbers, and peculiar mode of fighting,
struck with consternation the few men who
guarded the artillery, and who faced about and
fled. The dragoons advanced to charge the
Highlanders ; but seeing the very superior num-
bers of their opponents, and being discouraged by
the loss of their artillery, they made only a feeble
effort to stem the torrent of battle, and afterwards
retired from the field. Several officers, and a
few private soldiers, however, behaved with great
gallantry, and among others. Major Richard
Bowles, of the Fourteenth dragoons, particu-
larly distinguished himself; the few troopers,
who rallied round him, had been cut down, and
his own horse killed ; but he continued to fight
on foot; he was surrounded, and had received
eleven wounds, when a rebel leader interposed
and saved his life. When once troops are put
into confusion, and are afterwards closely pressed
by the enemy, no reserves being at hand for
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
them to rally upon, the difficulty of restoring 1745
order becomes particularly great, and, in this
instance, the loss of the battle was the result.
The Fourteenth dragoons withdrew from the
field, and afterwards marched to Berwick.
The regiment subsequently joined the army
assembled under Field-Marshal Wade at New-
castle ; when the rebels penetrated into Derby-
shire, it was employed in covering Yorkshire ;
and when the young Pretender made a precipitate
retreat to Scotland, the Fourteenth dragoons
marched to Edinburgh, where a few regiments
were assembled under Lieut.-General Hawley.
On their return to Scotland, the rebels be- 1746
sieged Stirling Castle ; and Lieut.-General Haw-
ley put the King's troops in motion to raise the
siege. The Fourteenth dragoons left Edin-
burgh on the 13th of January, 1746 ; they took
part in driving a body of rebels out of Linlithgow,
and were subsequently encamped near Falkirk.
On the 17th of January, as the soldiers were
at dinner in the camp, the approach of the rebel
army was descried, and the troops moved towards
some high grounds on Falkirk-moor, where the
insurgent bands were formed. The action was
commenced by a charge of the cavalry ; the
enemy's first line was broken, and some execution
done ; but the second line of insurgents repulsed
the dragoons. The infantry was, soon afterwards,
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
r
1746 brought into the fight; but a heavy storm of
wind and rain beat so violently in the soldiers*
faces, as nearly to blind them, and the wet pre-
vented their muskets giving fire. Several regi-
ments retired in some disorder; others main-
tained their ground and repulsed the Highlanders,
and after dark the whole withdrew to Linlithgow
and afterwards to Edinburgh.
The Duke of Cumberland subsequently took
the command of the troops in Scotland, and ad-
vanced towards Stirling ; when the rebels made a
precipitate retreat. His Royal Highness pursued ;
but the Fourteenth dragoons were left behind,
• and were directed to patrol along the roads lead-
ing westward from Edinburgh, to pjevent the
rebels obtaining intelligence. At length the High-
landers were overpowered in the field of Culloden,
and the rebellion was suppressed.
1747 In 1747 the regiment returned to Ireland, and
was stationed in that country during the succeed-
ing forty-eight years.
1749 Lieut.-General Hamilton died on the 8th of
July, 1749, and King George II. conferred the
colonelcy of the Fourteenth dragoons on Lieut-
General James, Lord Tyrawley, from the tenth
regiment of Foot.
1751 The following description of the clothing and
guidons of the regiment is taken from iim Royal
Warrant, dated the 1st of July, 1751.
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
t
Coats, — scarlet; double-breasted, without lap- 1751
pels ; lined with lemon colour ; slit sleeves turned
up with lemon colour ; the button-holes worked
with narrow white lace; the buttons of white
metal, set on three and three ; a long slash pocket
in each skirt ; and a white worsted aiguillette on
the right shoulder.
Waistcoats and Breeches, — lemon colour.
Hats, — ^bound with silver lace, and ornamented
with a white loop and a black cockade. Red
forage cap turned up with lemon colour, and
XIV. D. on the flap.
Boots, — of jacked leather, reaching to the knee.
Cloaks, — Scarlet, with a lemon-coloured cape ;
the buttons set on three and three, upon white
frogs or loops, with a red and green stripe down
the centre.
Horse Furniture, — of lemon-coloured cloth ;
the holster caps and housings having a border of
white lace, with a red and green stripe down the
centre ; XIV. D. embroidered upon a red ground,
within a wreath of roses and thistles, on the
housing ; and upon the holster caps G.R., with
the crown over it, and XIV. D. underneath.
Officers, — distinguished by silver lace and
embroidery ; and a crimson silk sash worn across
the left shoulder.
Quarter Masters, — to wear a crimson sash
round their waists.
I
R
ii
m
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1751 Serjeants, — to have narrow silver lace on the
cuffs, pockets, and shoulder-straps ; silver aiguil-
lettes ; and green, red, and white worsted sashes
tied round their waists.
Drummers and Hautboys, — clothed in lemon-
coloured coats, lined and faced with scarlet, and
ornamented with white lace, having a red and
green stripe down the centre : red waistcoats and
breeches.
Guidons, — the first, or King's guidon, to be
of crimson silk, with a silver and red fringe ; in
the centre, the rose and thistle conjoined, and
crown over them, with the motto Dieu et man
droit underneath ; the white horse in a compart-
ment in the first and fourth corners ; and XIV.
D., in silver characters, on a lemon ground, in
a compartment in the second and third corners :
the second and third guidons to be of lemon-
coloured silk ; in the centre XIV. D. on a red
ground within a wreath of roses and thistles on
the same stalk ; the white horse, on a red ground,
in the first and fourth compartments; and the
rose and thistle conjoined, on a red ground, in
the second and third compartments; the third
colour to have a figure 3, on a circular red
ground, under the wreath.
1762 Lieut.-General Lord Tyrawley commanded the
regiment two years, and was removed, in July,
1752, to the third dragoons, and was succeeded by
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
11
Colonel Lewis Dejean, whose regiment of foot 1752
had been disbanded at the peace of Aix-la-Cha-
pelle, in 1748-9.
Colonel Dejean was promoted to the rank of 1756
major-general in 1756, and in 1757 he was re- 1757
moved to the third Irish Horse, now sixth dragoon
guards ; and His Majesty conferred the colonelcy
of the Fourteenth dragoons on Colonel John
Campbell, from the fifty-fourth regiment.
The rank of major-general was conferred on 1751
Colonel Campbell in 1759; in 1761 his uncle, 1769
Archibald, third Duke of Argyle, died, when his
father, General John Campbell of the Scots Greys,
succeeded to that title, and Major-General Camp-
bell of the Fourteenth Dragoons obtained the
designation of Marquis of Lorne : he was re-
moved to the first, the royal regiment of foot, in
1765, and was succeeded in the command of the 1765
Fourteenth dragoons, by Colonel Charles Fitz-
roy, (afterwards Lord Southampton) whose regi-
ment of foot had been disbanded at the peace of
Fontainbleau in 1763.
On the 19th December, 1768, a warrant was 1768
issued, by authority of King George III., for
regulating the standards, guidons, clothing, &c.,
of the regiments of cavalry, in which it was
directed, that the uniform of tlie Fourteenth
dragoons should be red, with lemon-coloured
facings, without lappels, with silver lace ; the
\
I
\\
. 7
12
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1 768 uniform, &c., being the same as prescribed by
the Royal Warrant of the 1st July, 1751.
1772 Colonel Fitzroy was promoted to the rank of
major-general and removed to the third dragoons,
in 1772, when King George III. conferred the
colonelcy of the Fourteenth dragoons on Lieut.-
General Daniel Webb, from the eighth foot.
1773 Lieut.-Generdl Webb died in 1773, and was
succeeded by Colonel George Warde, from the
lieut.-colonelcy of the fourth dragoons.
1775 Hostilities between Great Britain and her
North American Colonies commenced in 1775,
and the rugged valleys and trackless forests which
became the theatre of this war, were not adapted
for the operations of heavy dragoons. The ne-
cessity of having a greater proportion of light
1776 cavalry had become apparent, and in 1776, the
Fourteenth, which were then in Ireland, were
constituted a corps of Light Dragoons. The
standard height for men and horses was reduced ;
the cocked hats were replaced by helmets ; arms
and appointments of a lighter description were
1777 adopted, and in the annual army list for 1777,
the regiment was designated, " The Fourteenth
Light Dragoons."
1778 In 1778, Major-General Warde was removed to
the first Irish horse, now fourth dragoon guards, and
was succeeded in the colonelcy of the Fourteenth
liglit dragoons, by Major-Guneral Robert Slopec
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
13
In 1784 the clothing of the light dragoon 1784
regiments was changed from scarlet to dark blue ;
and the following orders were issued on this sub-
ject, dated —
Adjutant GeneraVs Office^
Dublin^ \B>th May, 1784.
* His Majesty's pleasure having been signified
* to the Lord Lieutenant, that the clothing of the
* light dragoon regiments shall hereafter be
' made in conformity to the following regulations,
* it is the Commander-in-Chiefs order that the
* said regulations be observed accordingly.'
Regulations for the Cloihing of the Light Dragoons.
The clothing of a private light dragoon is to
consist of a jacket, shell, under- waistcoat, and
leather breeches.
The jacket and shell to be of blue cloth ; the
collars and cuffs of the royal regiments to be red,
and those of the other regiments to be of the
colour of the facing of the regiment ,* looped upon
the breast, edged with white cord, and to be lined
with white , the llth and 13th regiments ex-
cepted, which are to be lined with huff. The
under waistcoat to be of flannel with sleeves, and
made so as to be buttoned within the waistband
of the breeches.
The breeches to be of buckskin.
N.B. Tlie make of t^^e dress and method of
t I'
14
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1784 placing the cord upon the breast of the jacket, to
be exactly conformable to the pattern approved
by His Majesty.
Officers and Quarter Mobsters. — The dress-uni-
form of the officers and quarter-masters of the
light dragoons to be made according to the King's
regulations of the 19th December, 1768, except-
ing that the coats are to be him and faced with
the same colour as the private men, and that the
Royal regiments are to be faced with scarlet.
Field Uniform of the Officers and Quarter
Masters. — The jacket and shell to be made up in
the same manner as those of the men, excepting
that the shell is to have sleeves, and that the
looping is to be made oi silver, the 13th regiment
excepted, which is to be oi gold.
Serjeants. — The Serjeants of the light dragoons
to be distinguished by gold or silver looping.
Corporals. — The corporals of the light dra-
goons to be distinguished by a gold or silver
cord, round the collar and cuffs.
Trumpeters.— The trumpeters to have a jacket
and shell, the colour and facing of the regiment,
with lace, instead of looping, in front and down
the seams.
N.B. A pattern suit may be seen at the Com-
mander-in-Chiefs office at the Royal Hospital.
(Signed) H. Pigot,
Adjutant General.
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
15
The foregoing orders were sent to the officers 1784
commanding the 8th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 17th, and
18th light dragoons ; to the Earl of Drogheda ; to
the major of brigade for the general officers ; and to
the agents, Messrs. Montgomery, Wybrants, and
Cane.
-a
The regiment remained in Ireland performing 1791
the usual duties of a cavalry corps on home ser-
vice, until the events attendant on the French
revolution occasioned it to be employed in con-
tinental and colonial warfare. When this revo-
lution assumed its wild and violent character, the
spirit of republicanism soon extended to the
French West India Islands. The resolution to
grant the immediate freedom of the slaves, for
which they were unprepared, was followed, in 1791,
by acts of outrage and spoliation committed by
the blacks against the properties of their owners.
In 1793 the planters of St. Domingo obtained 1793
British aid ; and the revolutionists afterwards
received assistance from France.
In the same year, a British army appeared in
Flanders under the Duke of York, to arrest the
progress of the French aggressions on the conti-
nent ; and in 1794, two troops of the Fourteenth 1794
light dragoons were withdrawn from Ireland to
engage in the contest. On their arrival in Flan-
ders, the two troops of the rejjlment were attached
to the eighth light dragoons ; and they formed
part of the van of the forces under Lieut.-General
16
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
I
'.
3 I
II
i!
n
,■ j'
"1^
^794 the Earl of Moira, on the march from Ostend to
join the army under His Royal Highness the
Duke of York. The squadron of the Fourteenth
also shared in the toils and hardships of the win-
ter campaign in Holland ; it took part in several
skirmishes with the enemy, and after enduring
great privation and suffering from an unusually
severe season, which occasioned the loss of several
men and horses, it arrived in the early part of
1795 1795, in Germany, where it was incorporated in
the eighth regiment of light dragoons.
The contest in the West Indies had, in the
meantime, been carried on with varied success,
and the seven troops of the Fourteenth light
dragoons in Ireland were ordered to give up their
horses to the twenty-fourth light dragoons at
Clonmel, and to embark for the West Indies dis-
mounted. This transfer took place under the
direction of Major-General Egerton, who bore
testimony to the alacrity with which the officers
and men prepared for embarkation .
The regiment embarked on the 25th of Febru-
ary, 1795, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel
Arthur Carter; on arriving at St. Domingo^ it
was furnished with such horses as could be pro-
cured, and it was soon engaged in active operations
against the bands of armed negroes and mulattoes
who had enrolled themselves under the banners
of the French republic.
1796 During the years 1796 and 1797, numerous
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
17
actions occurred ; but against a hundred thousand 1797
trained blacks who had been instructed in Eu-
ropean discipline, the few British troops on the
island were unable to do more than exhibit many
brilliant examples of discipline and valour. In
an enterprise against the post of Mirebalais in
the beginning of June, 1797, a detachment of
the Fourteenth, Eighteenth, and Twenty-first
light dragoons, commanded by Lieut. -Colonel
Carter of the Fourteenth, distinguished them-
selves. They drove twelve hundred of the enemy
with three pieces of cannon from a strong position,
captured two guns, and chased a number of op-
ponents into the river Artibonite, capturing
their ammunition, mules, &c. The conduct of
Lieut.-Colonel Carter, and of the dragoons under
his orders, was commended in the public des-
patches. The climate of St. Domingo was,
however, so very injurious to the health of Eu-
ropean soldiers, that the regiment was soon
reduced to a skeleton. The few surviving men
who were fit for service, were permitted to volun-
teer into other corps, and the remainder, twenty-
five in number, embarked for England, where
they arrived in the month of October, and were
stationed at Chelmsford.
On the 1st of June, 1797, General Sir Robert
Sloper, K.B., was removed to the fourth dragoons,
and the colonelcy of the Fouuteenth was con-
I ^
&
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
if
: I
... |,
1797ferred on Major-General John William Egerton,
afterwards Earl of Bridgewater, from first lieut.-
colonel of the seventh light dragoons. This
officer being on the staff when the few men of the
regiment arrived from St. Domingo, he was em-
ployed in superintending the recruiting and re-
mounting of his corps, and in a short time he
had the satisfaction of seeing it a fine body of
light cavalry mustering six hundred mounted
men, who were divided into eight troops.
1798 In August, 1798, King George III. was
graciously pleased to approve of the regiment
being styled "the Fourteenth, or the Duchess
OF York's own Regiment of Light Dragoons,*' in
honour of Frederica Charlotte Ulrica Catherina,
Princess Royal of Prussia, who was married to His
Royal Highness the Duke of York in 1791 ; at the
same time the Royal authoritywas given for the
Fourteenth to assume the " Prussian Eagle"
as a regimental badge, and the colour of the
facing of the regiment was changed from lemon-
yellow to orange.
1800 The establishment was augmented to ten
troops, of ninety rank and file each, in 1800;
1802 but at the peace of Amiens, in 1802, a reduction
of two troops took place.
1803 Hostilities were resumed in 1803, and in 1804
1804 the regiment was again augmented to ten troops
of ninety rank and file each, for which a supply
anmON OF THF, TOnnTKF.NTn, OR TFTF DnCHE39 OF TOIIK'S OWN LIOHT DRAGOONS, M DCC XCVIIt.
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FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
19
of new carbines and pistols was received in 1807, 1S07
from the ordnance stores.
The French Emperor, Napoleon Buonaparte, jgQg
having attempted to reduce Spain and Portugal
to subjection to his power, a British army pro-
ceeded to Portugal to aid the inhabitants in their
struggles for freedom. Portugal had been deli-
vered, and the army under Lieutenant-General
Sir John Moore was advancing into Spain, when
the Fourteenth (the Duchess of York's Own)
regiment of light dragoons, was ordered to em-
bark for the Peninsula. The regiment marched
to Falmouth, where it was put on board of trans-
ports, and arrived at Lisbon on the 23rd of
December under the command of Colonel Samuel
Hawker.
The return to England of the troops which had .g^^
served under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore,
whose career of honour was terminated at the
battle of Corunna, left only a small British
force in the Peninsula, and these troops
were quartered near Lisbon, from whence the
Fourteenth light dragoons advanced in the
early part of 1809, to Bucellas, an out-post of the
army. In April the regiment formed the ad-
vance-guard on the march of the army to Coim-
bra, and in the beginning of May it was united
in brigade with the sixteenth and twentieth light
dragoons under Major- General Cotton, and was
c 2
<R'
20
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
II
's: ■:'
1809 reviewed on the plains of Coimbra by Lieutenant-
General Sir Arthur Wellesley. The French
troops under Marshals Soult and Victor had, in
the meantime, invaded Portugal, and Marshal
Soult had captured Oporto.
To expel the French from Oporto, was the
first service undertaken by the British comman-
der ; on this occasion two squadrons of the Four-
teenth, under Lieut.-Colonel Neil Talbot, were de-
tached with the Portuguese troops under Marshal
Beresford to intercept the French, if they should
attempt to retreat by Amarante ; the remaining
three squadrons under Colonel Hawker advanced
direct upon Oporto, and being employed, with
the other cavalry on the advance-piquets, they
took part in the rencounters with the enemy on
the 10th and 1 1th of May. Arriving on the 12th
of May, on the banks of the Douro near Oporto,
unperceived by the French, the English general
resolved to pass the river, when two squadrons of
the Fourteenth were detached, with the German
brigade and two guns under Major-General
John Murray, three miles up the river, to Barca
de Avintas, where they efl'ected a passage in
boats. In the meantime a portion of the army
had passed nearer the city, and was engaged in a
fierce action with tlic enemy, when the Four-
teenth light dragoons and the Germans were
seen advancing down the right bank of the river.
U\ l:
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
m
The French made a precipitate retreat. The 1809
leading squadron of the Fourteenth, comYnand-
ed by Major F. B. Hervey, and gallantly sup-
ported by the second squadron under Major the
Honourable Charles Butler, dashed sword in hand
upon the enemy's rear-guard and overthrew it,
as it was pushing through a narrow road to
gain an open space beyond the defile. Some ex-
ecution was done, the French General, Laborde,
was unhorsed, and General Foy was 'mounded ;
but no other troops advancing to support the
Fourteenth, the gallant dragv;ons had to fight
their way back, and had several r .an and hordes
killed and wounded. Major F. B. Hpj yjy lost
his right arm ; Captain Peter Ha^vker, Lieutenaii '-^
Robert Knipe, and Evelyn P iormer, were
wounded.
The conduct of the Fourteenth was com-
mended in Sir Arthur Wellesley's public despatch,
and also in general orders. They had marched
eighty miles in four days over the most difficult
country, and they were employed in pursuing,
along a mountainous region, the discomfited French
troops, whose line of rev . • .it could be traced by the
smoke of burning houses. Having followed the
enemy as far as Ginjo, the Fourteenth light
dragoons haltf d, and afterwards moved towards
Abrantes, where the army was concentrated for
operations on the Tagus.
t i
V
22
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
I.
, ■ !
1809 From Abrantes the army advanced into Spain,
and a body of French troops under Marshal
Victor retreated from Talavera de la Reyna.
The Spaniards under General Cuesta pursued
with avidity ; but the French were reinforced,
and they drove the Spaniards back upon Talavera,
where the allied army formed in order of battle ;
the Fourteenth light dragoons being posted in
the rear of Brigadier-General Alexander Camp-
bell's division.
When the army went into position, Major-
General Mackenzie was left with a division of
infantry and a brigade of cavalry, as an advanced
post, in the wood on the right of the Alberche,
which covered the left flank. The French at-
tacked this post between two and three o'clock
on the '27th of July, when the Fourteenth Hght
dragoons were ordered forward, and tliey crossed
the Alberche river, and sent out a line of skir-
mishers to cover the retrograde movements of the
infantry. The regiment was employed in skir-
mishing until night, and had nine liorses killed ;
Lieutenant Thcophilus Thomas Ellis, and one
private soldier wounded.
The Fourteenth light dragoons resumed their
|)ost in the position occupied by the allied annv,
and supj)orted the infantry during the severe con-
test on tlie 2Hth of July. The left of the British
line was attacked at <Iay-break, and when the
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
23
enemy was repulsed at this point, a long pause 1809
ensued. An attack on the centre was made soon
after two o'clock, and the French were again
driven back ; they also failed in another attack
on the left. A strong body of the enemy ad-
vanced against Major-General Sherbrooke's divi-
sion ; this attack was repulsed by a charge of the
whole division with bayonets; bat the brigade of
foot guards pursued so far as to be in danger of
being annihilated; when the forty-eighth regiment,
and the Fourteenth and sixteenth light dragoons
were brought forward, and the foot guards rallied
and again advanced. This was a moment of
great peril to the allied army; but the steady
valour of the British troops prevailed, and the
French fell back.
The Fourteenth light dragoons had three
men and twenty-one horses killed ; Colonel Sa-
muel Hawker, Captains John Chapman, and Peter
Hawker, Lieutenants William Wainman and
Thomas Smith, six rank and file, and three
horses wounded ; thirteen horses missing ; Lieu-
tenant Evelyn P. Dormer taken prisoner Lieu-
tenant Colonel Neil Talbot, and Major Baker
had each a liorse killed under him.
Colonel Ilawker was rewarded with a gold
medal, and the regiment was subsequently
authorised to bear on its guidons and ap-
pointments the word *'Talavera", in uomme-
li
il t
I
ii
•24
HISTORICAL RECOllD OF THE
1809moration of its distinguished services in this
action.*
After this battle the enemy brought forward
such very superior numbers, that the British
General was forced to act on the defensive, and
while the army was encamped on the banks of
the Guadiana, a malignant fever proved fatal to
numbers of officers and soldiers. The Four-
teenth dragoons were removed to Villa Vicosa,
a fortified town in the Alemtejo. from whence
they marched, in December, to Santarem,atown
very pleasantly situated on tlie right bank of the
Tagus, where they were formed in brigade with
the royal dragoons under Major-Gencral Slade.
1810 In February, 1810, Badajozand CiudadRodrigo
were both menaced by the enemy, and in March
the regiment returned to the Alemtejo, and took
the advanced posts of Licut.-(ieneral Rowland
Hill's corps at Arronclies, a town situate at the
conflux of the Caya and the Aigrette, near the
Spanish frontiers. A concentration of French
troops near Ciudad Rodrigo afterwards relieved
the other ])rovinces. Ciudad Rodrigo was event-
ually beseiged by Marshal Ney, and the British
coniniander, hoj)ing the enemy, by detaching
troops, would furnish an opportunity for relieving-
this fortress, withdrew tlie FouiiTKiiNTii liulit
• Set? iMt'tnoir ill Apiitiulix. I'hi(c r.i.
VOURTEENTK LIGHT DRAGOONS.
25
dragoons from the Alemtejo. The regiment 1810
advanced to Almeida in June ; it was attached to
the light division under Brigadier-General Crau-
furd, who was behind the Agueda river, watching
the enemy's moiions; and with the sixteenth
light dragoons, and first hussars King's German
Legion, took the out-post duty on this frontier.
No opportunity to relieve Ciudad Rodrigo oc-
curred ; but during the siege marauding parties
of French soldiers entered the villages of Barquillo
and Villa de Puerco on three successive nights.
Brigadier-General Craufurd, thinking to cut off
the next party, formed two ambuscades, one near
Villa de Puerco, with six squadrons, another of
three squadrons near Barquillo, and he also placed
his artillery, five companies of the ninety-fifth,
(Rifle-brigade) and the third Portuguese Ca^adores
in reserve ; the Fourteenth light dragoons were
employed in these ambuscades. On the morning
of the 11th of July, a little after day-break, a
party of Frencli infantry was observed near Villa
de Puerco, and a small body of cavalry at Bar-
quillo ; and the open country on the right would
have enabled the six squadrons to place themselves
between the infantry and their point of retreat ;
but this was circuitous, and Brigadier-General
Craufurd preferred passing along a narrow defile
between two stone walls. This proved difficult ;
in threading the defile in a long line the dragoons
26
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1810 were separated, and the French infantry, two
hundred strong, had time to form square, being
hidden in high standing corn. The French dra-
goons coming out of Barquillo, were charged by
the German hussars and a squadron of the six-
teenth, and two officers and twenty-nine men were
made prisoners. In the meantime the Four-
teenth light dragoons had threaded the defile,
and mounting the hill, rode with distinguished
gallantry against the square; but the French
infantry remained perfectly steady, and opened
such a fire, that Lieut. -Colonel Talbot and eight
men fell dead close to the bayonets, and twenty-
three men were wounded.* The survivors with-
drew a short distance to reform their ranks, and
the French square commenced its retreat with
singular steadiness and good order. The Four-
teenth dragoons seeing this, prepared to launch
against it another squadron, which was already in
speed for the purpose, when Colonel Arentschildt
of the hussars, observing cavalry approaching in
front and flank, checked the movement. It was
afterwards regretted that he took this step, as the
horsemen, who alarmed him, proved to be the
German hussars and sixteenth returning from the
pursuit of the French dragoons, tlie wliole of
whom they had captured.
On the death of Lieut.-Colonel Talbot the coni-
8«« Memoir in Appendix. Page 75.
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
27
mand of the regiment devolved on Lieut.-Colonel 1810
F. B. Hervey, under whose directions the Four-
teenth became celebrated as an eflGicient corps of
light cavalry, remarkable for the excellent manner
in which they performed the out-post duty.
Meanwhile Ciudad Rodrigo had surrendered ;
the Fourteenth remained in the villages near
Fort La Conception until the 21st of July, when
the enemy's masses approaching, they fell back
to Almeida, where Brigadier-General Craufurd
halted the few troops under his orders, and, with
astonishing hardihood, confronted the whole
French army. During the night of the 23rd of
July, the videttes and patrols of the regiment were
exposed to a heavy storm of wind and rain, and as
daylight appeared, they discovered the approach
of numerous legions of the enemy : a few shots
were fired ; the cavalry reserves and guns moved
forward, and a skirmish ensued in which the
Fourteenti: had one serjeant killed; Lieutenant
John Blachford, one private soldier, and four
horses wounded. After opposing the superior
numbers of the enemy for some time, the British
withdrew beyond the river Coa ; and Brigadier-
General Craufurd stated in his despatch, — ' The
' retreat of the Fourteenth light dragoons from
* Va 1 - de-la -Mu la to Almeida, was conducted in
' the most regular and soldier-like manner, though
' opposed to a superior force of French cavalry.'
1
E 'J
■':1
*iS
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
■'H
1810 A squadron of the regiment and a squadron of
the royal dragoons, on duty at Frexadas, were
sharply engaged with a superior force of the
enemy on the 28th of August, and highly distin-
guished themselves.
Marshal Massena invaded Portugal with such
an immense superiority of numbers, that the
British commander was under the necessity of
withdrawing from the frontiers, and the Four-
teenth and sixteenth light dragoons, with the
first German hussars, had the honour of covering
the retrograde movements. On the 24th of Sep-
tember the enemy skirmished with the piquets in
front of Mortagao, from whence a squadron of the
Fourteenth under Captain Thomas W. Brother-
ton, with one of the sixteenth and first hussars,
covered the retreat of the light division four miles
to some strong ground. The three squadrons re-
pulsed four of French hussars : some of the enemy's
dragoons approaching too close, were charged by
the squadron of the Fourteenth, and overthrown
with the loss of about thirty men. On the follow-
ing morning the cavalry skirmishers exchanged a
few shots, and the Fourteenth were employed in
covering the retreat of the light division to the
position of Busaco. During this retreat Captain
the Hon. Henry Percy was taken prisoner wliile
reconnoitring the flank movement of the enemy.
The FouRTJiENTH were in reserve during tlic
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
29
battle of Busaco on the 27th of September ; and 1810
they were subsequently employed in covering the
retreat of the army to the strong lines of Torres
Vedras.
On the 1st of October, the out-posts were at-
tacked and driven from the hills bounding the
plain of Coimbra to the north, when three troops
of the Fourteenth, under Major the Honourable
Charles Butler, proceeded through the town, and
formed the rear-guard on the main road from
Coimbra to Pombal. The remainder of the
regiment was formed on the plain, with the
other cavalry corps, and withdrew before a su-
perior force of the enemy, crossing the Mondego
at a ford below the town, and skirmishing to
prevent the passage of the river by the enemy.
The French army continuing to press forward,
its advance-guard skirmished with the rear of the
allies almost every day, and the Fourteenth
light dragoons had frequent opportunities of ex-
hibiting brilliant instances of the innate valour of
British soldiers. At Eio Mandevilla the Four-
teenth and sixteenth light dragoons, first Ger-
man hussars, royal dragoons, and Captain Bull's
troop of artillery, repulsed a very superior force
of the enemy, on which occasion the first French
hussars were nearly annihilated. The Four-
teenth had six men and six horses killed ; eight
men and twelve horses wounded.
»■■ . ! i J
m
',1 . ■f*
30
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
ill
m
m
II
1810 The French legions continued to press forward
as to an assured victory ; but the Hues of Torres
Vedras arrested their progress, and while they re-
mained in front of these extensive works, the Four-
teenth light dragoons took the line of out-posts
from the Sobral road. The French army with-
drew during the night of the 14th of November ;
the morning of the 15th was foggy, and it was
some hours after day-break when the British
General discovered the void space in his front.
The Fourteenth were ordered forward along the
Cartaxo road, and their patrols took a number
of French stragglers prisoners. Marshal Massena
took up a position at Santarem ; the head quarters
of the allied army were established at Cartaxo,
and the Fourteenth light dragoons furnished
the out-posts, extending from the causeway and
bridge over the river.
1811 After wasting his army by privation and sick-
ness, the French marshal retreated ; and at day-
light on the 6th of March, 181 1, Lord Wellington
discovered the empty camps at Santarem, and
moved his own army forward in pursuit. On
the 8th of March, a squadron of the Fourteenth
commanded by Captain Babington, and supported
by the other squadrons of the regiment under
Colonel Hervey, made a successful charge on
four squadrons of the eleventh and twenty-pixth
French dragoons at Venta de Serra, and captured
n|
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
31
fourteen men and fourteen horses; with the loss 1811
of two men and two horses.
Continuing to press upon the rear of the French
army, the regiment was present at the skirmish
at Pomhal on the 10th of March, at Redinha on
the 12th, at Casal Nova on the 14th, and at Foz
d* Aronce on the 15th. The Fourteenth were
also present at the action near Sabugal, on the
3rd April, but did not sustain any loss.
The French Commander continued his retreat
to Salamanca, and the British General stood vic-
torious on the confines of Portugal; the Four-
teenth light dragoons furnished the out-posts
on the left bank of the Agueda at Villa del Egua,
where a peasant arrived from Ledesma, with
intelligence that the French army was reinforced
and re-organized, and was advancing. A squadron
under Captain Brotherton was sent to Santa
Espirita, and it fell back behind the Agueda as the
French army advanced.
Almeida being blockaded by the allied army,
Marshal Massena advanced to its relief; the
Fourteenth withdrew gradually as the enemy
approached, and on the 3rd of May they were
engaged behind Gallegos ; when Lieutenant John
Townsend retired with the piquets under a heavy
cannonade towards Fuentes d* Onor, and a squad-
ron, under Captain Brotherton, had a sharp affair
near Pozo Velho.
«■ i,
iri
i
IN '
I
32
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1811 At the battle of i^Mew^es d' Onor, on the 5th
of May, the Fourteenth and first royal dragoons
covered the movement of the right of the army
from Nave d' Aver, retiring by alternate squad-
rons, under a heavy cannonade ; one squadron
of the regiment charged with signal gallantry
some French artillery, but was repulsed, and
Captain Robert Knipe commanding the squadron
was mortally wounded : he was succeeded in the
command of the squadron by Lieutenant (after-
wards Lieut.-Colonel) John Townsend : Lieut. -
Colonel Hervey had his horse killed under him,
and received a severe contusion.
An attack was made on the position in the rear
of the village. * The French with one shock
* drove in all the cavalry out-guards, and cutting
* off Captain Ramsay's battery, came sweeping in
* upon the reserves of horse and upon the seventh
* division. But their leading squadrons approach-
* ing in a disorderly manner, were partially
* checked by the British, and, at the same time,
* a great commotion was observed in their main
* body. Men and horses there closed with con-
* fusion and tumult towards one point, a thick
* dust arose, and loud cries, and the sparkling of
* blades, and the flashing of pistols, indicated some
* extraordinary occurrence. Suddenly the mul-
' titude became violently agitated, an English
* shout pealed high and clear, the mass was rent
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
33
* asunder, and Norman Ramsay burst forth at 1811
* the head of his battery, his horses, breathing fire,
* stretched like greyhounds along the plain, the
* guns bounding behind them as things of no
* weight, and the mounted gunners followed in
* full career. Captain Brotherton of the Four-
* TEENTH dragoons, seeing this, rode forth with a
* squadron and overturned the head of the pur-
* suing troops, and General Charles Stewart join-
* ing in the charge, took the French General
* Lamotte, fighting hand to hand.'* The French
were repulsed in their attempt to relieve Almeida*
and they withdrew from Portugal.
The Fourteenth light dragoons had Captain
Robert Knipe and three private soldiers killed ;
Captain Thomas Potter Milles, Lieutenants John
Townsend, John Gwynne, Lovell B. Badcock,
Theophilus Thomas Ellis, six Serjeants, and
twenty-one rank and file wounded ; three private
soldiers missing. Lieut.-Colonel Hervey was
rewarded with a gold medal, and the royal au-
thority was subsequently given for the regiment
to bear on its guidons and appointments the
words " Fuentes d' Onor," as a special mark
of His Majesty's approbation of its conduct on
this occasion.
Viscount Wellington subsequently proceeded
• Colonel Napier's History of the Peninsular War.
D
. i
34
HIStORICAL RECORD OP THE
'ii
181 1 to Estremadura, where the strong fortress of Ba-
dajoz was besieged by the allies, and the Four-
teenth dragoons formed part of the force left on
the Agueda. Marshal Marmont advanced with
a numerous French army, and having introduced
a convoy into Ciudad Rodrigo, he drove back the
British posts. On the morning of the 6th of
June, two French columns appeared, when the
light division was directed to retire from Gallegos
upon Nave d' Aver and subsequently upon Al-
fayetes, and the royal dragoons, with a squadron
of the Fourteenth, covered the retreat. Two
thousand French cavalry, six thousand infantry,
and ten guns, bore down upon the British squad-
rons and menaced their destruction ; but the
French horsemen were attacked and defeated
tvvice, and the retreat was effected with little
loss.
Marshal Marmont afterwards marched to
Spanish Estremadura, and the British General
withdrew from before Badajoz. The allied army
subsequently proceeded to the vicinity of Ciudad
Rodrigo, and eventually blockaded that fortress,
the Fourteenth taking part in the out-post
duty as usual. When the French army advanced
to relieve the blockade, the regiment was stationed
at Espejo, on the lower Azfiva, with advanced-
posts at Carpio and Marialva. Having thrown
a supply into Ciudad Rodrigo, the French Mar-
f
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS. M
shal marched against the allied army, arid on 1811
the morning of the 25th of September, fourteen
squadrons of the imperial guards drove the out-
posts from Carpio, across the Azava , the lancers
of Berg crossed the river in pursuit, but were
charged and driven back by a squadron of the
Fourteenth and two squadrons of the sixteenth
light dragoons, and Carpio was again occupied
by the British. Another body of the enemy
attacked the troops at El Bodon, and when the
British had witlidrawn from this post, the Four-
teenth fell back from Carpio, and a succession
of retrograde movements followed, until the allied
army took up a position behind Soita, when the
French withdrew into Spain. ' '
In the action at Carpio, and in the subsequent
movements, the regiment had Lieutenant Hall
and several private soldiers wounded ; and the
conduct of its commanding officer, Lieut. -Colonel
Hervey, was commended in the public despatches ;
the excellent behaviour of Captain Brotherton
was also particularly mentioned.
During the winter the strength of the regiment
on foreign service was reduced two troops.
CiudadRodrigo was captured in January, 1812; 1812
the regiment subsequently proceeded to Spanish
Estremadura, and was stationed near Badajoz
when the siege of that fortress was undertaken.
The Fourteenth subsequently joined that
n2
*-if
If"' '!
K ' il!
'
m
I
II
30
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1812 portion of the covering army which was under
Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Graham, and when
the French army under Marshal Soult advanced,
the British fell back upon Albuhera ; the Four-
teenth were employed in covering the retrograde
movement, and they skirmished with the enemy's
advanced-guard near Villa Franca. Badajoz
having been captured by storm during the night
of the 5th of April, the French army marching
to its relief fell back.
In a few days after the capture of Badajoz, the
Fourteenth were engaged in an enterprise
against several regiments of French cavalry.
The Regiment moved, on the night of the 10th
of April, from Villa Franca upon Usagre, and
afterwards along the Road to Llerena ; the light
brigade skirmished with the French, until the
heavy brigade turned their flank ; the enemy
was then charged, overthrown, pursued, and many
prisoners taken. On the following night a party
of the Fourteenth, under Lieutenant Edward
Pellew, took a piquet of twenty-two French dra-
goons prisoners. Tlie regiment had upward;^ of
twenty men and several horses wounded ; and the
conduct of Lieut.-Colonel Ilervey was commended
in Lieut.-General Sir Staj)leton Cotton's despatch.
From Estrcmadura, the regiment marched
towards tho A|i,ueda, and it formed tlie advjinced
guard of Sir Thomas Graham's rohiuui in tlie
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
87
march towards Salamanca, near which city it 1812
skirmished with a body of the enemy on the 16th
of June, and had one serjeant and one trumpeter
killed ; four private soldiers and five horses
wounded.
The enemy retired behind the Douro, and the
allies followed to the banks of that river, where
the Fourteenth were formed in brigade with the
first German hussars, and took the out-posts at
Tordesillas. In the middle of July, Marshal
Marmont commenced offensive operations and
passed tlie Douro at several points, when Lord
Wellington united his centre and left behind the
Guarena stream, and the Fourteenth and Ger-
man hussars covered the retreat from Rueda.
The right wing of the allied army and a brigade
of cavalry were at Castrejon on the Trabancas,
and to cover the retrograde of this force, the
Fourteenth and German hussars moved, on the
17th of July, to Alaejos. On the J8tli some
sharp skirmisliing occurred, and the troops at
Captrcjon fell back beliind the Guarena; the
Fourteenth retired from the [»lain near Alaejos
under a heavy fire, and took post l)ehind the
Guarena at Castrillos. The French army ad-
vanced to the opposite side of tlie river, andCieneral
Clausel sent a brigade of cavulry across under
Brigadier-General Carier, supporting it with a
•column of infantry, and manifesting an intention
38
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
is !j
1812 to press the British left. Major-General Victor
Baron Alten led the Fourteenth and first
German hussars against the French cavalry, and
some sharp fighting occurred, during which
General Carier was made prisoner. While the
British and French horsemen were warmly
engaged, the twenty-seventh and fortieth regiments,
supported by a Portuguese brigade, came rushing
down the hill and broke the French infantry with
an inii)etaou8 bayonet charge ; the Fourteenth
and German hussars had, in the meantime,
driven back the French cavalry, and the two
regiments charged the broken infantry, and
sabred some, and made others prisoners. The
regiment had eigliteen men and twenty horses
killed ; Captain Brotherton, Lieutenants John
Gwynne, Francis Fowke^ thirty-four rank and
file, and eighteen horses wounded.
The regiment was actively employed in the
operations of the succeeding three dnys, and
occasionally skirmished between the opposing
armies.
On the 22nd of July the memorable battle of
Saitnianca was fought; the Foijrteentii skir-
inisli(Ml with the enemy's advanced posts at day-
break, and afterwards took their station in the
line. By several clianges of positi(Mi, the French
Marshal endeavoured to turn the right ol'tlie allied
army and gain the road to Ciudad Kodrigo;
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
39
Lord Wellington detected a false movement in the 1812
opposing army, and instantly ordering his
divisions forward, commenced the battle. The
Fourteenth light dragoons participated with the
third division in its attack upon, and complete
discomfiture of, the enemy 's left ; two squadrons
under Lieut.-Colonel Hervey reinforced Brigadier-
General D'Urban's Portuguese brigade, which
turned the enemy's flank, and the regiment shared
in the glorious struggle by which the French army
was overthrown and driven from the field with a
severe loss.
The regiment had several men and horses killed
and wounded ; Captain Brotherton, though still
suffering from his wound received on the 18th of
July, mounted his charger during the fight, and
was again wounded ; and the gallant bearing of
the regiment was afterwards rewarded with the
royal authority to display ciie word " Salamanca"
on its guidons and apr ointments ; its commanding
officer, Lieut.-Coloucl Hervey, was presented with
a gold medal as a mark of royal favour and
aj)probation.
On tlie following day the regiment pursued tlie
rear of the French army, and two squadrons were
sharply engaged and took several prisoners near
Pemrada. On the 2()th, a patrol of three
ilragoouH of the Fourteenth, and four of the
(jJerman hussars, under Corporal William Hanley
II
■ f
m
40
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1812 of the former corps, detached to Blaseo SanchOf
captured a party of the enemy, consisting of two
officers, one serjeant, one corporal, and twenty-
seven mounted dragoons, with one private servant
and two mules, for which they received the ex-
pressions of the approbation of the Commander of
the Forces. The French horses were given to the
Fourteenth and German hussars, to complete
deficiencies ; the amount was divided among the
patrol, and a further pecuniary donation was
afterwards made to the men engaged in this
gallant exploit.
After driving the enemy across the Douro and
taking possession of Valladolid, the army marched
to Madrid, and the Fourteenth light dragoons
passed Segovia and bivouacked near Escurial,
a place celebrated for its magnificent palace, built
by Philip II. and used as a monastery. The head
quartersof the regimentwere established at Getafe,
and it took the out-post duly. Lieutenant Cust
commanded a post of observation at (^lusingia,
in La Mancha, and Lieutenant Ward a post of
communication between that stjition and Madrid.
When the Manpiis of WelHiigtou left Madrid
to undertake the siegeof Burgos, the Fourteenth
were left in the vicinity of the capital of Spain ;
and when a concentration of the French forces
rendered a retrograde movement necessary, the
regiment asMMubled, with the first German hussars,
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
41
at Guadalaxara, and fell back upon Madrid. J812
From Madrid the regiment formed part of the
rear-guard of Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill's
corps, to Alba de Tormes, and for several days it
was almost constantly engaged in manoeuvring
and skirmishing to retard the advance of the
enemy. On the 16th of November the regiment
repulsed the charge of a body of French lancers of
superior numbers, at Matilla, and had several
men killed and wounded. Colonel Hervey again
signalized himself, and narrowly escaped being
made prisoner.
In the retreat from Salamanca to Ciudad
Rodrigo, the regiment took part in the piquets and
other duties of the rear-guard, which it continued
to perform until the army went into cantonments
behind the Agueda ; and Captain Badcock was
detached with a reconnoitring party to the Sierra
de Francia and river Alagon.
After passing the winter in cantonments among 1813
the Portuguese peasantry, the regiment crossed
the confines of that kingdom, and formed part of
the centre column of the allied army in the ad-
vance in May 1813. Arriving at Salamanca on
tlio 2Gtli of that montli, tlie bridge and streets
were found barricaded, and a division of French
infantry, three squadrons of cavalry, and some
artillery, under General V'illattes, wore formed on
the heights above the ford of Santa Marta. A
n
42
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1813 British brigade passed the river at the ford, and
the Fourteenth light dragoons and first German
hussars removed the barricades and pushed
through the town, when the enemy fell back, but
was overtaken, and lost about two hundred men
killed and wounded, and two hundred pri-
soners.
The line of the Tormes was thus gained ; that
of the Douro was soon afterwards won ; and the
allied army, proudly confident in its distinguished
commander, advanced with a firmness which the
enemy could not withstand, and the Car ion and
the Pisuerga were speedily passed : the Four-
teenth light dragoons forming, as usual, part of
the advance of the allied army, were engaged, on
the 12th of June, in forcing a division of the
enemy from a position near Burgos, when one
squadron, under Captain Milles, charged and
took some prisoners and a gun. The loss of the
regiment was limited to one man and one horse
killed ; and one man and five horses wounded.
Unable to withstand the combinations of the
British general, the French destroyed Burgos
castle, and fell back with tumult and confusion
behind the Ebro ; the British urged their march
towards the sources of that river, and traversing
a wild but beautiful region, turned the enemy's
position ; the Fourteenth being in advance,
crossed the Ebro at the bridge of Frias on the
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
43
15th of June, and a patrol fell in with a body of 1813
the enemy near Pancorba.
The enemy concentrated in front of Vittoria ;
the Marquis of Wellington examined their po-
sition on the 20th of June, and the Fourteenth
skirmished with the French near the village of
Huarte.
On the 21st of June, the long-expected battle
was fought near Vittoria^ and the Fourteenth
light dragoons had the honour of sharing in a
conflict in which the French army sustained a
decisive overthrow. The regiment was attached
to the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland
Hill, and supported the attacks of the infantry
and artillery ; in the afternoon it was detaclied
to out-flank the enemy's left, and in the evening
it pursued the wreck of the French army along
the Pampeluna road, passing the whole of the
enemy's baggage, which had been abandoned.
The gallant bearing of the Fourteenth on
this occasion was subsequently rewarded with the
royal authority to bear the word *' Vittoria" on
their guidons and appointments ; and an ad-
ditional honorary distinction was conferred on
their commaudiug ofiicer. Colonel Hervey.
On the following day the regiment went in pur-
suit of the remains of the French army, and on
tbe 24th of June, fell in with the rear-guard at a
pass about two leagues from Painpelima, when
^2
44
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
i; I
^■1
li*'
111
1813 two battalions of riflemen drove the French in«
fantry through the pass, the horse artillery killed
several men, and dismounted one of the two pieces
of cannon brought off from Vittoria ; at the same
time the leading squadron of the Fourteenth,
under Major Brotherton, charged and captured a
tumbril.
The French withdrew into the passes of the
Pyrenean mountains ; the Fourteenth light dra-
goons followed the enemy, and on the 28th of
June, a patrol of three men of the regiment,
under Lieutenant Ward, penetrating to the
village of Ostizy found twenty-five French foot
soldiers regularly armed and formed up at the
village, who surrendered themselves prisoners of
war.
Advancing further into the mountains, a patrol
of six men of the regiment, commanded by
Lieutenant Clavering, encountered, on the 1st of
July, a body of infantry of the French rear-guard,
on the road from Roncesvalles to St. Jean-Pied-
de-Port, dispersed them, and took eighteen
prisoners.
A strong body of French troops occupied the
fruitful valley of Bastcm, in the mountains, from
whence they were driven by the troops under Sir
Rowland Hill. The Fourteenth were attached
to Lieut.-General Hill's division, and a squadron,
under Major Brotherton, was engaged, on the
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
4d
4th of July, with a body of the enemy near 1813
Almandoz. The allied army was established in
positions in the mountains; the Fourteenth
took the out-post duty in front of Maya, and also
furnished posts of correspondence for several
weeks. At length, the French army having been
reinforced, re-organized, and placed under the
command of Marshal Soult, advanced and com-
menced offensive operations. During the action
of the 26th of July, the regiment was employed
in carrying off the wounded from the pass of
Maya, and received the thanks of Sir Rowland
Hill. A squadron under Captain Milles was
similarly employed on the 30th of July, when Sir
Rowland Hill's post at Arestegui was attacked,
and another squadron under Major Brotherton
had a rencounter with the enemy.
The French having been repulsed, fell back in
disorder, and were pursued to the confines of
Spain. The Fourteenth formed the van of Sir
Rowland Hill's division, and were engaged with
the enemy in the valley of Bastan^ on the 1st and
2nd of August : on the 5th the regiment took the
out-post duty in front of Maya.
On the 1 0th of November the troops descended
from the Pyrenees, and traversed the mountain
passes by moonlight, until they arrived at the
line of piquets, where they halted until the day
dawned, when they transferred the seat of war to
M
46
HISTORICAL RECORD OP THE
1813 France, and taught the admirers of splendid but
unprincipled aggressions, that the day of retri-
bution had arrived. The Fourteenth light dra-
goons were attached to Sir Rowland Hill's divi-
sion, and one squadron formed the advance-guard
to Marshal Beresford's corps. The enemy's po-
sition on the Nivelle was forced, and the regiment
was united at Espelette on the following day.
The regimental baggage, which was attached to
the second division, fell into the hands of a party
of the enemy, in the rear of the pass of Maya, on
which occasion the regiment had one troop ser-
jeant-major and two private soldiers killed.
From the 15th of November to the 9th of
December the regiment furnished the out-posts
on the river Nive : it formed the advanced-guard
to Sir Rowland Hill's corps at the passage of the
Nive at the fords near Cambo, and the stream
being deep, two men and two horse*? were
drowned. On the 11th of December, a squad-
ron, under Major Brotherton, encountered a
body of the enemy in front of Mendionda^ and
captured a convoy of corn, wine, and salt, and
made four men and horses of the escort [)ri-
soners. On the 1 3th the regiment was engaged
with the French Light cavalry, under General
Pierre Soult, (brother of Marshal Soult), at
Hcu^arreriy when Major Brotherton and Lieu-
tenant Southwell were taken prisoners ; also one
FOOtlTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
47
t
Serjeant and one private soldier wounded, and is 13
one taken prisoner.
The regiment took the out-post duty in front
of Urt on the 14th of December ; and was formed
in brigade with the thirteenth light dragoons,
under Colonel Vivian, who was succeeded, in the
beginning of the following year, by Major-General
Fane.
After reposing a short period in quarters igH
during very severe weather, the army resumed
operations in the middle of February, 1814, and
the Fourteenth light dragoons took the van in
the advance against the enemy's left, which led
to the actions at Hellette^ Garrisy and Sauve-
terre.
On the 27th of February the battle of Orthes
was fought; the Fourteenth shared in the
operations of the troops under Sir Rowland
Hill, and passing the stream above Orthes,
advanced towards the great road to St. Sever,
thus operating against the enemy's left. The
French were overpowered and driven from the
field; the Fourteenth light dragoons earned
another inscription, the word * Orthes/ for their
guidons and appointments, and Colonel Hervey
was rewarded with another honorary distinction.
The French fell back in disorder, the Four-
teenth followed the enemy ; crossed the Adour
on the 1st of March, and, continuing the pursuit.
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48
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1814 were engaged, on the following day, at Aire, from
whence the French were driven by the troops
under Sir Rowland Hill. Serjeant Vernor, and
privates Craig and Rose, distinguished them-
selves on this occasion.
A party, favourable to the house of Bourbon,
was known to exist in this part of France, and
Marshal Soult sent a body of troops to Pau
on the night of the 7th of March, to arrest the
nobles who had assembled to welcome the arrival
of the Duke D'Angouleme ; but Major-General
Fane had arrived at Pau with a brigade of
infantry and two regiments of cavalry, and de-
feated the enemy's design. The Fourteenth
light dragoons, with two guus attached, made a
strong patrol to Pau on the 7th of March, and
on the following day fell in with the French de-
tachment, and Captain Townsend and four private
soldiers were taken prisoners.
Some offensive movements were made by the
enemy on the I3th and 14th of March, and General
Pierre Soult proceeded with three regiments of
cavalry to Clarac, on the Pau road, to intercept the
communication with that town, and to menace
the right flank of the allies. The piquet of the
Fourteenth at Clarac, repulsed the enemy
on the morning of 14th of March, but Captain
Babington was taken prisoner. In the evening
the piquet under Captain Badcock was attacked
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
49
by the whole of the fifth regiment of chasseurs 1814
and being reinforced by a squadron under Cap-
tain Milles, kept its ground until another squad-
ron arrived under Captain Anderson, when the
French were repulsed with loss. Captain Milles
was rewarded with the brevet rank of Major.
On the 16th of March the regiment repulsed
an attack of the enemy in front of Castel Paget.
On the 18th at daylight, the army was in move-
ment; the French right was turned by the
valley (tf the Adour, and their out-posts driven
back upon Lembege : the leading squadron of the
Fourteenth, under Captain Anderson, was
engaged with the French on the Lembege
road, and Lieutenant Lyons was killed.
A squadron of the regiment, under Captain
Milles, was attached to Lieut.-General Stewart's
division, and was engaged, on the 19th of March,
near Vic Bigorre; on the 20th the regiment took
part in the affair at Tarhea^ and assumed the out-
post duty in the evening ; and it was in advance
during the march of the army towards Toulouse
on the 22nd of that month.
The Fourteenth light dragoons had the honor
of serving at the battle of Toulouse on the lOth
of April ; they were attached to the troops under
Lieut. -General Sir Rowland Hill, and took part
in the operations by which the French army was
driven from its ground. Hostilities were soon
50
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1814 afterwards terminated; Napoleon Buonaparte
abdicated the throne of France, and the Bourbon
dynasty was restored.
Thus terminated, with glory to the British
arm8» a war in which the Fourteenth, the
Duchess of York's Own Regiment of Light Dra-
goons, had acquired a high reputation ; it had
become justly celebrated for the excellent esprit'
de«yrp8 which pervaded the ranks, and especially
for the superior style in which the officers and
soldiers had, during several years, performed the
duties of piquets, patrols, videttes, and other ser-
vices which devolve upon a corps employed in
the out-post duty.
At the termination of the contest, the regi-
ment marched into quarters at Monte Mar-
san, where the reputation it had acquired
occasioned it to be selected from among the other
cavalry corps of the army, to take part in the
contest between Great Britain and the United
States of North America. The regiment marched
to Bourdeaux in May, and being there reviewed
by Major-General Lord Dalhousie, was compli-
mented on its appearance and efficiency ; but the
order for its embarkation for America was coun-
termanded.
The regiment marched from Bourdeaux to
Calais, where it embarked for England, and
landing at Dover on the 17th of July, proceeded
BaBBBB* :!: I i'j i f;i ja a aengfr.'
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
61
firom thence to the vicinity of London. It was 1814
reviewed on Hounslow Heath, by His Royal
Highness the Duke of York, who complimented
Colonel Hervey on the appearance and eflSciency
of the several troops, adding, " They appear as if
they had never been on service." After the
review the regiment joined the depot at Wey-
mouth.
The non-effectives during the five years and a
half the regiment had been on foreign service,
including men invalided and sent home, and
horses cast and sold, were 654 non-commissioned
officers and private soldiers, and 1564 troop
horses. From the period of its leaving Ireland
in 1795, it had been recruited from the counties
of Worcester, Warwick, Salop, and Bucks, with
some volunteers from the fencible cavalry in 1800,
and from the royal waggon train in 1810.
'Jhe contest in North America, which had
been recommenced in 1813, had not terminated^
and in the autumn two squadrons of the regi-
ment, dismounted, embarked, and sailing from
Plymouth, arrived, on the 24th of November, at
Jamaica, where an expedition was assembled under
Major-General (afterwards Lord) Keane, for an
attempt on New Orleans, situate on the river Mis-
sissippi, one hundred and ten miles from the
Gulf of Mexico. The approach to this place
was particularly difficult; and when the fleet
b2
I
52
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1814 amved, on the 10th of December, off the coast
of Louisiana, the troops had to be removed into
light vessels, and eventually into open boats, for
the tedious navigation of Lake Bargne, and were
afterwards obliged to traverse a difficult morass.
Emerging from the morass^ the soldiers were op-
posed by such immense bodies of Americans,
with extensively fortified lines and batteries, and
armed vessels on the river, that after extraordi-
nary efforts, and exhibitions of valour and perse-
verance, the enterprise was relinquished.
1815 III the attack on the enemy's lines, on the 8th
January, 1815, the two squadrons served dis-
mounted. Major-General the Honourable Sir
Edward Pakenham, K.G.B., was killed ; Major-
Generals Gibbs and Keane were dangerously
wounded ; and the command devolved on Major-
General Lambert, who stated in his public des-
patch, * The conduct of the two squadpms of the
' Fourteenth light dragoons, latterly under the
' command of Lieut.-Colonel Baker, previously of
* Major Milles, has been the admiration of every
' one, by the cheerfulness with which they have
' performed all descriptions of service.'
The troops returned on board the fleet ; ai^d
one boat, containing Lieutenant Brydges, Cor-
net Hammond, one serjeant-major, and thirty-
nine rank and file of the regiment, was captured
by the Americans.
» ">, ' : ^ . l
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
53
Hostilities were soon afterwards terminated by a 1815
treaty of peace ; and the two squadrons arrived in
England, and joined the regiment at Hounslow
in May ; a third squadron which had embarked
for America, also rejoined the head-quarters.
This year the regiment was authorized to bear
the word ** Peninsula" on its guidons and ap-
pointments, in commemoration of its services in
Portugal, Spain, and France.
Napoleon Buonaparte having quitted Elba, and
returned to France, and having regained the
throne of that kingdom, war was immediately re-
commenced; three squadrons of the Fourteenth
having sailed for America, the regiment was pre-
vented sharing in the contest which followed ; but
Colonel Hervey and Major Percy served on the
staff of Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington.
In December the regiment embarked at Bristol 1816
for Ireland, and landed at Waterford and Cork in
January, 1816 r at the same time the establishment
was reduced to eight troops.
A further reduction took place in the two 1817
following years ; and in 1818 Captains Townsend 1818
and Badcock received the rank of major in the
army for services in the field during the Penin-
sular war.
During its stay in Ireland the regiment was 1819
several times commended for its conduct and
discipline by Major-General White, and Major-
54
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1819 General Sir Sydney Beckwith : and on the 27th
of May, 1819, it was formed in column and re-
ceived the personal thanks of Sir George Beck-
with, commanding the forces in that part of the
United Kingdom. The regiment embarked from
Dublin in June, and landed at Liverpool on the
11th of that month.
In the autumn of this year the Fourteenth
light dragoons lost their commanding officer,
Colonel Sir Felton Bathurst Hervey, Baronet,
who died on the 24th September, 1819, and
whose death was regretted by the corps.* His
services had been rewarded with the dignity of a
Baronet, and the following distinctions ; a cross
for the battles of Fuentes d'Onor, Salamanca,
Vittoria, and Orthes ; a medal for the battle of
Waterloo ; Companion of the Bath ; Companion
of the Guelphic Order; the Russian Order of
Wladimir ; Maria Theresa of Austria ; St. Henry
of Saxony ; Tower and Sword of Portugal ;
Maximilian Joseph of Bavaria ; and the Prussian
Order of Merit. He was succeeded by Lieut.-
Colonel Baker.
1821 In 1821 the establishment was reduced to six
troops.
1822 On the 1st of June, 1822, the regiment was re-
viewed on Hounslow-heath, with the first and
second life guards, royal horse guards, tenth and
* See Mein«ir in Appendix. Page 76.
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
5^
fifteenth hussars, and a brigade of horse of artillery, 1822
by His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the
Commander-in-Chief, who was pleased to express
his approbation of the appearance and movements
of the troops.
In the autumn of 1823 General the Earl of 1823
Bridgewater died, and was succeeded in the
colonelcy of the regiment by Lieut.-General Sir
John Ormsby Vandeleur, G.C.B., whose regiment,
the nineteenth light dragoons, had been disbanded .
two years previously.
The regiment remained in England until April, 1825
1825, when it embarked at Bideford for Ireland,
landed at Waterford, and marched to Cork and
Fermoy.
In 1826 the Fourteenth marched to Dublin, 1826
where its appearance, discipline, and interior
economy, were commended by Major-General Sir
Colquhoun Grant, K.C.B., at the inspections in
June and September. From Dublin the regiment
marched in January, 1827,toAthlone, Ballinrobe, 1827
Gort, and Loughrea; it return i' to Dublin in
March, 1828 ; was commended foi Its appearance, 1828
efficiency and discipline, and also for its good
conduct while in Ireland, by Lieut.-General Sir
George Murray, K.C.B., commanding the forces
in that country, at the inspection on the 22nd of
March ; and embarked for Liverpool on the 26th
of that month.
\i
I
1^^
Ij.
56
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1829 From Liverpool the regiment marched to Bir-
mingham and Coventry, and while in these
quarters Lieut.-Colonel Baker retired,* and was
succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel John Townsend, by
commission dated the 16th of April 1829. In
May, 1829, the regiment marched to Leeds,
Burnley, and Kochdale.
JS3Q In April, 1830, the regiment proceeded to
Brighton and Chichester, and its appearance,
discipline, and interior economy, were commended
by Major-General Sir Hussey Vivian at the
inspection on the 24th of May.
The regiment was inspected at Brighton on the
19th of June by its colonel, Lieut.-General Sir
John Ormsby Vandeleur, G.C.B. who was pleased
to express himself * much gratified by the highly
' military appearance of the regiment, the celerity
. ' and precision of its movements in the field, and
'the clean and orderly state of the barracks, as
' well as the fine condition of the horses, all of
* which prove the zeal and ability of the com-
* manding officer, and the active assistance he
' receives from the other officers, as well as the
* steady good conduct of the non-commissioned
* officers and privates, which he shall not fail to
' report to the Commander-in-Chief. He requests
* Lieut-Colonel Townsend to accept his thanks,
' and also to communicate them to the officers,
* See Memoir in Appendix. Page 76.
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
57
IS
[n
)ir
' and to the regiment. He cannot omit observing ^gSQ
' the excellent management of the school, and the
' great progress of the pupils.'
In the same month Lieut.-General Sir John
Ormsby Vandeleur was removed to the sixteentli
light dragoons, and was succeeded by Major-
General Sir Edward Kerrison, Baronet.
In July the regiment marched to London, and
was reviewed by His Majesty, King William IV.
on the 26th of that month, who was graciously
pleased to express his royal approbation of its ap*
pearance, and to command that it should in future
bear the distinguished title of '*The Four-
teenth, or The King's, instead of the Duchess of
York's Otun, Begiment of Light Dragoons."
This distinctive appellation occasioned the regi-
ment to discontinue the orange, and, as a Royal
regiment, to assume the scarlet facing.
From London the regiment marched to Bir- 1831
mingham and Coventry, where it was stationed
until July, 1831, when the head-quarters were
removed to Gloucester. ,. v ,i >
In October, 1831, the political feelings of the
lower classes of the city of Bristol being in a
highly excited state, and riotous proceedings being
anticipated, a troop of the Fourteenth Light
Dragoons (with one of the third dragoon guards)
was ordered to the vicinity, for the purpose of
aiding the magistracy in the preservation of order.
&
I
I
I
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1831 The arrival of the Recorder, Sir Charles Wetherell,
on Saturday the 29th October, for the purpose of
holding the sessions, was the immediate cause of
the outbreak. Large bodies of the populace
assembled from every quarter, parading the streets,
throwing stones at the authorities, breaking
windows, and committing other acts of violence.
This continued throughout the day ; but it was
not until'evening, that serious consequences began
to be apprehended. At dusk, the mob attacked
and forcibly entered the mansion house, the Riot
Act was consequently proclaimed, and the troops
were called to the immediate scene of outrage.
They cleared the streets in the neighbourhood of
the mansion house, but there not being at hand
a sufficient body of constables to act in concert
with the troops, the mob still retained possession
of the courts and alleys of the city, whither the
dragoons were unable to follow them. On Sunday
the rioters assembled in greater numbers, and
during that day, and the following night, suc-
ceeded in destroying the mansion house, custom
house, excise office, the bishop's palace, and a
vast amount of private property.
On the morning of the 31st October, an
additional troop of the Fourteenth light dragoons
arrived, and Major Beck with, who had preceded
it, (travelling post from head-quarters at
Gloucester), having concerted with the magistrates,
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
59
who saw the necessity of energetic measures, 1831
placed himself at the head of the squadron, and
proceeded against the rioters, who were engaged
in plundering the cellars of the bishop's palace,
which they had destroyed on the day before : the
troops were assailed with bottles, stones, &c., but
they quickly dispersed the mob ; and it having
been ascertained that in another part of the city
the rioters were about commencing the destruction
of the remaining portion of Queen-square, the
squadron of the Fourteenth proceeded thither,
and put the mob to flight ; thence it repaired to
the jail, which was regained possession of, and
restored to the charge of the civil authorities.
The squadron then traversed the quays and wharfs,
dispersing every riotous assemblage with which
it came in contact, and driving out and pursuing,
for some miles, a large body of colliers who had
been attracted to the scene of outrage. To this
energetic conduct of the Fourteenth Light Dra-
goons, under Major Beckwith, may be ascribed
the restoration of tranquillity and the preservation
of the remainder of the city of Bristol.
In June, 1832, the regiment was removed to 1832
Hounslow, and was employed on the King's duty,
in furnishing escorts for their Majesties and the
royal family, &c.
In 1832 the King's Crest was permitted to be
borne on the Appointments ; and the Prussian
glfTTTTr
60
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1832 EagU, which had been carried as the regimental
badge from the year 1798, was authorised to be
continued on the second and third comers of the
Regimental Guidon.
1833 In March, 1833, the regiment embarked at
Bristol for Dublin, from whence it marched in
April, 1834, to Longford.
1834 On the 24th May, 1834, His Majesty com-
manded that the use of Guidons in regiments
of Light Dragoons should be discontinued. The
Guidons in regiments of Hussars and Lancers
had been directed on 12th March, 1834, to be
discontinued.
1835 In May, 1835, the regiment was removed to
1836 Dundalk, and in May, 1836, it embarked at Belfast
for Glasgow.
The regiment was stationed at Glasgow until
1837 the spring of 1837, when it marched to Edinburgh,
and occupied Piershill barracks.
1838 In the summer of 1838 the regiment left Scot-
land; it was stationed at Birmingham until
1839 April, 1839, when it marched to Hounslow, from
whence it proceeded to Dorchester in May,
1840 1840.
1841 The regiment remained at Dorchester until the
30th of March, 1841, when it was removed to
Canterbury, where it arrived on the 10th of April,
preparatory to its being embarked for Bombay
to relieve the fourth ligtit dragoons.
oninoN OP rnv. fodri n^en i n, on thx. kino'm i.ianr duaqounb, m pcoc xxxm.
[ Till ptn pagi> 00.
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
61
The regiment being augmented to the India 1841
establishment, Major William Havelock, K.H.
(from the fourth light dragoons) was promoted to
be the second Lieut.-Colonel,and Captain Edward
Harvey was promoted to be second Major, on the
30th April, 1841. -
On the 24th of May, the first division, under
the command of Lieut.-Colonel Townsend, em-
barked at Gravesend for India in the freight ship
" Repulse," and arrived at Bombay on the 8th of
September, from whence it proceeded to Kirkee :
the second division embarked at Gravesend on
board of the freight ship ** Reliance " on the 14th
of June, under the command of Major Barton,
and landing at Bombay on the 5th of October
following, marched to join the regiment at Kir-
kee, where it arrived on the 13th of that month.
The Fourteenth light dragoons during the
years 1842, 1843, and 1844, continued to be {g^g
stationed at Kirkee: two squadrons however
proceeded on field service to Koiapoor in October,
1844. 1844
Lieut.-Colonel Townsend received leave from 1845
India, and he died at Castle Townsend, in Ireland,
on the 22nd April, 1845.^ He was succeeded by
Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Edward Harvey, on the
23rd of April.
The two squadrons of the Fourteenth light
* See Memoir in Appendix. Page 76.
62
HISTORICAL RECORD OF THE
1845 dragoons, which had proceeded on field service
in the southern Mahratta country, rejoined the
head-quarters on the 19th of March, 1845, and
in the following December the regiment marched
from Kirkee, en route to Mhow and Agra.
1846 On the 4th of March, 1846, the regiment
marched from Agra to Meerut, arriving at the
latter station on the 16th of that month ; and in
April, 1846, the regiment proceeded to Umballa,
where it has continued to the end of the year
1846.
3.
'1
FOURTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS.
ice
the
ind
led
ent
the
lin
ilia,
rear
The statement of the services of the Four-
teenth, OR THE King's, Light Dragoons, from
the period of the formation of the regiment in
1715 to the present time, (as given in the preced-
ing pages,) affords abundant proofs of the value
of its services abroad, as well as at home ; and its
order, discipline, good conduct, and bravery,
have, on numerous occasions, been attested by
the general officers under whom the regiment
has been employed.
During the Peninsular War, from 1808 to
1814, the Fourteenth and Sixteenth Light Dra-
goons were principally employed on the im-
portant duties of out-posts^ on which the safety of
an army in the field, and the success of its move-
ments greatly depend.
In the mode of performing these peculiar and
important services, the Fourteenth and Sixteenth
Light Dragoons, under the direction of active
and intelligent officers, acquired the confidence
of the Commander of the Forces, and of the
division of the army of which they formed a
portion.
At the period of the conclusion of this Record,
(1846) the regiment is reported to be in a high
state of efficiency, and in readiness to evince its
prowess whenever the public service may again
require its assistance.
[ 65 ]
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
, ' OF THB ':■ - * ' ' :•■'
FOURTEENTH, (THE KING'S) REGIMENT
w
LIGHT DRAGOONS.
James Dormer.
Appointed 22nd July, 1715.
James Dormer obtained a commission at the augmenta-
tion of the array in 1701, and his attention to duty, zeal
for the service, and personal bravery, evinced while serving
under the celebrated John, Duke of Marlborough, were
rewarded in 1707 with the rank of colonel in the army,
and he was soon afterwards appointed colonel of a newly-
raised Irish regiment of foot, with which he embarked
for Spain in 1709. He distinguished himself at the
battle of Saragossa, and in the advance to Madrid, in
1710, but was surrounded and made prisoner, with his
regiment, in the mountains of Castile in the following
winter. He was exchanged, and on arriving in England,
he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General ; and
in 1712, ho succeeded Lord Mohun, who was killed in a
duel with the Duke of Hamilton, in the command of a
regiment of foot, which was disbanded at the peace of
Utrecht. At the augmentation in the summer of 1715.
he was commissioned to raise a corps of dragoons, — the
present Fourteenth, the King's Regiment of Light
66
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
Dragoons. He commanded a brigade at the attack of
the rebels at Preston, and was wounded at the storming
of the avenue leading to Lancaster. He was removed in
1720, to the sixth foot ; he was promoted to the rank of
Major-General in 1727, and to that of Lieut.-General in
1735. In 1738, he was rewarded with the colonelcy of
the first troop of horse grenadier guards, and he retained
this appointment until his decease in 1742.
Clement Neville.
' Appointed Wi April, \120.
This Officer entered the army at the Revolution in 1688,
and he served under King William III, in the Nether-
lands. He also served in the wars of Queen Anne ; was
promoted to the Lieut. -Colonelcy of Munden's regiment
of foot, with which he served in Spain, and signalized
himself at the battle of Saragossa in 1710 ; but was
made prisoner at Brihuega. He was shortly afterwards
exchanged, and at the close of the campaign of 1711, he
was rewarded with the rank of colonel in the army. At
the peace of Utrecht, his regiment was disbanded ; and
in the summer of 1715, he was appointed Lieut-Colonel
of the thirteenth dragoons In 1720 he was promoted to
the colonelcy of the Fourteenth dragoons, from which
he was removed to the eighth dragoons in 1737, and in
1739, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General.
in 1740, he was appointed colonel of the sixth horse,
now fifth dragoon guards; and in 1743, he was promoted
to the rank of Lieut.-General. He died in 1744.
SUCCESSION OF COLONEM.
67
Archibald Hamilton.
Appointed 27th June, 1737.
Archibald Hamilton entered the army in November,
1688, and at the Revolution he adhered to the Prince of
Orange, afterwards King William III, under whose
command he served in Flanders. In the reign of Queen
Anne, he served in Portugal and Spain, and his regiment
(Montjoy's foot), was nearly annihilated at the battle of
Almanza in 1707, where he was taken prisoner. This
corps was subsequently incorporated into other regiments,
and the officers sent home to recruit, and at the peace of
Utrecht it was disbanded. In the summer of 1715, he
was appointed Lieut .-Colonel of the eleventh dragoons,
and in May, 1732, he was promoted to the colonelcy of
the twenty- seventh foot : from which he was removed, in
1737, to the Fourteenth dragoons. He died in 1749.
James Lord Tyrawley.
Appointed 2ith July, 1749.
The Hon. James O'Hara was appointed lieutenant in
the royal regiment of fusiliers, commanded by his
father, on the 15th of March, 1703, and in 1706 he pro-
ceeded with his regiment to the relief of Barcelona. In
the following year he served on the staff of the army in
Spain, and was wounded at the battle of Almanza,
where, it is said, he was instrumental in saving the Earl
of Gal way's life. He served several years at Minorca,
and, in 1713, obtained the colonelcy of the royal fusiliers
in succession to his father, at whose decease, in 1733, he
succeeded to the dignity of Baron Tyrawley. The
rank of brigadier-general was conferred on his lordship
F 2
es
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
on the 23rd of November, 1735 ; that of major-general
on the 2nd of July, 1739 ; and in August of the latter
year, he was removed from the royal fusiliers to the
fifth horse, now fourth dragoon guards. In March^
1743, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-
general, and in the following month obtained the colo-
nelcy of the second troop of horse grenadier guards,
from which he was removed, in 1 745, to the third troop
of life guards, which gave him the privilege of taking
the court duty of Gold Stick. In 1746, when King
George II. had resolved to disband the third and
fourth troops of life guards, his lordship was removed to
the tenth foot ; he was removed, in 1 749, to the
Fourteenth dragoons ; in 1752, to the third dragoons ;
and in 1755, to the second, or Coldstream regiment of
foot guards. He was appointed Governor of Portsmouth
on the 1st of May, 1759, and was promoted to the rank
of General on the 7th of March, 1761. He held the ap-
pointment of Governor of Minorca for several years,
and was employed as envoy and ambassador to the courts
of Portugal and Russia. He died at Twickenham on
the 13th of July, 1773.
Louis Dejeax.
' ■ Appointed 27th November, 1752.
Louis Dejean served many years in the first troop of
horse grenadier guards, in which corps he rose to the
rank of Lieut.-Colonel, and in 1746 he was promoted to
the colonelcy of a regiment of foot, which was afterwards
disbanded. In 1752, he was appointed to the colonelcy
of the Fourteenth dragoons; in 1756, he was promoted
to tlie rank of Major-General ; in 1757, he was removed
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS^.
m
to the third Irish horse, now sixth dragoon guards ; and
in 1759, he was advanced to the rank of Lieut.-General.
He died at Dublin, in 1764.
John Campbell.
Appointed 5th April, 1757.
John Campbell entered the army in the reign of King
George II., and in 1745, he was promoted to the Lieut.- •
Colonelcy of the fifty-fourth regiment, now torty-third, or
Monmouthshire light infantry, with which corps he served
a short period in the Netherlands. The rebellion
breaking out in Scotland, he quitted Flanders, and in
January, 1746, he joined Lieut.-General Hawley, with a
thousand Argyleshire highlanders, on the day of the
unfortunate battle of Falkirk. He subsequently joined
the Duke of Cumberland at Perth, and accompanied His
Royal Highness to the north. He was promoted to the
rank of colonel, and appointed aide-de-camp to the King
in November, 1755; in the following month he was
nominated colonel of the fifty-fourth regiment, then first
embodied, from which he was removed in 1757, to the
Fourteenth dragoons, and in 1759, he was promoted
to the rank of Major- General, and appointed colonel of
the Argyleshire fencibles ; in January 1761, he was
advanced to the rank of Lieut.-General. On the decease
of his uncle, Archibald, third Duke of Argyle, in 1761,
his father, General John Campbell, of the Scots Greys,
succeeded to that title, and Lieut.-General Campbell, of
the Fourteenth dragoons, became Marquis ok
LoRNE. Ill the following year he was appointed
Commander-in-Chief in Scotland, and m 1765 he was
removed to the royal regiment of foot. He was again
70
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
11
appointed Commander-in-Chief in Scotland in 1767,
and in 1770 he succeeded to the title of Duke op
Argyle. He was promoted to the rank of General in
1778 ; removed to the third foot guards in 1782, and
advanced to the rank of Field Marshal in 1796. Being
distinguished for many social, private, and public virtues,
he was highly honoured and respected in society, and he
died lamented, on the 24th day of May, 1806, in the
eighty-third year of his age.
Charles FiTZROY.
Appointed Wth September^ 1765.
Charles Fitzroy, brother of Augustus Henry, Duke
of Grafton, was appointed ensign in the first foot guards
in 1752 ; in 1758, he was promoted to the command of a
company, with the rank of Lieut.-Colonel, and in 1762 he
was appointed colonel of the 1 1 9th, or the Prince's Own
regiment of foot, which was disbanded in the following year.
He was appointed to the colonelcy of the Fourteenth
dragoons, in 1765 ; was promoted to the rank of Major-
General, and removed to the third dragoons in 1772, and
in 1 777, he was promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General ;
in 1780, he was created Lord Southampton. In 1793,
he was advanced to the rank of General. He died in 1 797.
Daniel Webb.
Appointed 20th October, 1772.
Daniel Webb was many years an officer of the eighth
horse, now seventh dragoon guards, at a period when that
corps acquired a high reputation for discipline, efficiency,
md valour, and was designated Ligonier's horse. He rose
to the rank of major in the regiment ; commanded a
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
71
squadron at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743, where his
corps highly distinguished itself under the eye of its
sovereign ; and lie also commanded a squadron at the
hattle of Font^noy, in 1745. In a few days after the
hattle, he was promoted to the Lieut. -Colonelcy, in suc-
cession to Lieut.-Colonel Francis Ligonier, who was
promoted to the colonelcy of the forty-eighth foot. Lieut.
Colonel Webb performed the duties of commanding
officer of the eighth horse, until November, 1755, when
he was rewarded with the colonelcy of the forty-eighth
foot : in 1759, he was promoted to the rank of Major-
General. He served in Germany under Prince Ferdi-
nand of Brunswick, and commanded a brigade of cavalry
at the battle of Warbourg in 1760; in 1761, he was
promoted to the rank of Lieut.-General. In 1766, he
was removed to the eighth foot, and in 1772, to the
Fourteenth dragoons, the command of which corps he
retained until his decease in the following year.
George Warde.
Appointed llth November j 1773.
This officer held a commission in the eleventh dragoons
for many years, and was appointed major of the regiment
in 1756. In 1758, he was promoted to the Lieut.-
Colonelcy of the fourth dragoons, and he brought that
corps into so excellent a state of discipline and efficiency,
that he received the expression of the high approbation
of King George ITL, on several occasions, when His
Majesty reviewed the regiment. He was promoted to
the rank of colonel in 1772; in the following year, the
King rewarded him with the colonelcy of the Fourteenth
dragoons, and four years afterwards he was advanced to
the rank of Major-Goncral. In 1778, he was removed
72
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
!|
u
mf
to the first Irish horse, now fourth dragoon guards, and
he was promoted to the rank of Lieut-General in 1782.
In 1 792 he was apj)ointed Commander-in-Chief in Ireland,
and while in that country he devoted much of his time in
bringing his regiment into a perfect condition for active
service. He possessed sound ideas of what cavalry ought
to be ; he had an aversion to slow movements, and,
although nearly seventy years of age, he exercised his
regiment five times a week, — often leading it across the
country over hedge and ditch, to the astonishment of
every one. In 1 796, he was promoted to the rank of
General. He was celebrated for philanthropy, and is
represented by historians as a " man of inviolable disin-
" terested integrity, public and private ; and the
" bestower of benefactions scarcely less secret than
•' extensive." He died in March 1803.
Sill Robert Sloper, K.B.
Appointed 2nd April, 1778.
Robert Swjper was appointed by King George II., to a
conimission in the tenth dragoons, and at the augmenta-
tion ofthcarmy in December, 1755, His Majesty promoted
liini to the majority of the regiment. In February, 1759,
hi' was promoted to the Lieut. -Colonelcy of tlie first
dragoon guards, and he commanded that regiment during
the remainder of the seven years' war in Germany, where
he was repeatedly commended by Prince Ferdinand of
Brunswick, and other general officers under whose com-
mand he served. While under his orders, the first
dragotm guards were preserved in a high state of
discipline and efficiency. He was promoted to tlie rank of
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
73
Major-General in 1771. and in 1778, King George III.
rewarded him with the colonelcy of the Fouhteenth
dragoons. In 1782, he was promoted to the rank of
Lieut.-General, and to that of General in 1796; and in
the following year he was removed to the fourth dragoons.
lie was further rewarded with the dignity of a Knight of
the Bath, and the government of Duncannon fort. He
died in 1802.
John William Egerton.
Appointed \st June, 1797.
John William Egerton, (eldest son of the Rev. John
Egerton, afterwards Lord Bishop of Durham), was
appointed cornet in the seventh dragoons in January
1771 ; he obtained the command of a troop in 1776, and
in 1779 he was promoted to the majority of the twenty-
second light dragoons, from which he was removed to the
twentieth in 1781 ; and in 1782, he was promoted to the
Lieut.- Colonelcy of the twenty-first light dragoons, which
corps was disbanded in the following year, in conseciuence
of the termination of the American war. In 1790, he
was appointed to the Lieut.-Colonelcy of the seventh light
dragoons ; he was promoted to the rank of Colonel in
1793, and to that of Major-General in 1795. He served
some time on the staff in Ireland, and was removed to the
eastern district of England in 1796: in the following
year His Majesty conferred uj)on him the colonelcy of
the FojiRTEKNTii light dragoonj^, and promoted him in
1802, to the rank of Lieut -(Jeneral. On the decease of
his cousin, rrancis, third Duke of Bridgewater, in 1803,
he succeeded to the title of Earl of Bridgf-watkh,
and in I8l2. he wa? promoted to the rank of General.
74
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.
He retained the colonelcy of the Fourteenth light
dragoons twenty-six years, and was particularly proud
of the high reputation which his regiment acquired during
the Peninsular war. He died in 1823.
Sir John Qrmsby Vandeleur, G.C.B.
Appointed '28th October, 1823.
General Sir John Ormsby Vandeleur, G.C.B., was
removed to the sixteenth lancers on the 18th of June
1830.
Sir Edward Kerrison, Bart., K.C.B., G.C.H.
Appointed 1 8fA June, 1 830.
ht
ud
APPENDIX.
as
General Sir Samuel Hawker, G.C.H., entered the army as a
Comet in the Sixteenth Light Dragoons, on the 15th May, 1779,
and rose to the rank of Major in April, 1797. On the 6tii June,
1799, he was appointed to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the Sussex
Fencible Cavalry, and was removed to the Fourteenth Light Dra-
goons on the 12th of June, 1800. On the 25th April, 1808, he
was appointed one of the aides-de-camp to King George III., with
the rank of Colonel in the arimr, as a mark of His Majesty's approval
of his services, and of the efficient state of the Fourteenth Light
Dragoons. In December, 1 808, he embarked for Portugal in command
of the regiment, and was engaged in several actions with the French
army, particularly at the momorable battle of Talavera, where the
regiment distinguished itself, and was highly commended in the official
despatches:— He was promoted to the rank of Major General on
the 4th June, 1811, and relinquished the command of the regiment
at that period : he was appointed to serve as a Major General upon
the statt' of Great Britam on the 25th November, 1811, and was
employed in the eastern district until the 24th September, 1814 ;
he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General on the 19th July,
1821 ; and on the 22nd July, 1829, was appointed Captain of
Yarmouth Castle in the Isle of Wight.
On the 22nd April, 1831, ho was nominated by His Majesty
King William IV., to the Colonelcy of the Third, or Prince ot
Wales's Dragoon Guards ; he was advanced to the rank of General
on the 28th June, 1838 ; and he died on the 27th December of that
year, after a faithful service of nearly sixty years.
LiKUTENANT-CoLONEL Nkil Taldot entered the army as an en-
sign in the twenty-seventh regiment on the 25th Juno 1789; was
promoted to a lieutenancy on the SOtli November 1791 ; ami to a
company in the hundred and eighteenth regiment, on the 10th July
1794. On the 19th October 1796, Captain Talbot was removed to
the FoiiBTKENTii light dragoons ; he was promoted to a majority on
the 25tli June 1802, and to a lieut. -colonelcy on the 22n(l August
1805. In December 1808, he embarked with the regiment for the
Peninsula. Lioutenant-Cohmel Talbot was engaged in an urtuir
with the onoiiiy near Sexmiro on the lith July 1810, when an
attempt was made t<» cut ((H" the French piquets on the Agucda.
On this occasion Lieutenant-Colonel Talbot was killed.
76
APPENDIX.
CoLONBL Sib Fbltok Bathvbst Hbbvbt, Bart., entered the army
as a comet in the third dragoon guards on the 6th May' '1800. He
was promoted to a company of infantry on the '9th July 1803, and
removed to the Foobtbbmth light dragootis on the 28th of July of
that year ; he was promoted major on the 8th May 1 806. On the 2nd
August 1810, he was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel of the regi-
ment in succession to Lieutenant-Colonel Talbot. He was appointed
aide-de-camp to the Prince Regent with the rank of colonel, on the
4th June 1814. After commanding the regiment during four years
of the Peninsular war, and obtaining several distinctions for gallant
conduct, he died on 24th September 1819, to the great regret of the
regiment, and of his numerous military and other friends.
. LiEVTBN ABT-CoLOKBL Chables Massbt Babbb, entered the army
as an ensign in the twenty-seventh regiment on the 30th March
1788 ; was promoted to a lieutenancy on the 30th November 1791 ;
and to a troop in the twenty-second dragoons on the 31st August
1795. He was removed to the Foubtbentii light dragoons on the
3rd March 1804 ; was promoted to a majority on the 30th January
1813, and tothelieut colonelcy of the regiment on the 30th Septem-
ber 1819 in succession to Colonel Sir Felton B. Hervey, deceased.
Lieutenant Colonel Baker retired from the service on the 15th April
1829, and was succeeded by Lieutenant- Colonel John Townsend.
LiBUTBNAMT-CoLONEL JoHN TowNSENo, entered the army as a
comet in the Foubtbemth light dragoons on the 24th June 1805 ;
was promoted to a lieutenancy on the 27th February 1806; to be
captam of a troop on the 6th June 1811. He served in the Peninsula
from December 1808, until taken nrisoner near the city of Pau in
France on the 8th March 1814, including the different aiiairs of the
10th and 11th May and in crossing the Douro on the 12th May
1809 ; battle of Talavera in July 1809 ; affair with the enemy's ad-
vanced postson the 1 1th July 1810 in front of Ciudad Rodri^o under
the command of Colonel Talbot, who was killed ; passage of the Coa ;
skirmishes of the rear guard from Almeida to the lines of Torres
Vedrns in 1810; affairs in the enemy's retreat from Santareni to the
frontiers of Spain from 6th March to 4th April 1811; battle of
Fucntes d'Onor, where he was wounded ; afl'air with the enemy's
lancers on the 25th September 1811 ; siege of Badujoz ; affairs with
tlie enemy's cavalry at Usagrc, Llerena, in front of Salamunca, and
near Caotrillos ; battle of Salamanca ; affair with the enemy's rear
guard near Panerandos ; several skirmishes from Madrid to Ciudad
Rodrigo, and from the 26th May near Salamanca to the battle of
Vittoria ; taking of a gun from the enemy near Pampeluna, and several
engagements and skirmishes from the entrance of the British army into
France, until the battle of Orthes. He embarked for America in
October 1814, and was present at the attack on New Orleans on the
8th of January 1815. He was promoted to a majority on the 13th Sep-
tember 1821 ; and to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment on the
APPENDIX.
71
IGtIi April 1829. He embarked in command of the regiment for
India on the 24th May 1841, and was appointed aide-de-camp to tlie
Queen, with the rank of colonel, on the 23rd November, 1841.
He returned from India, on .leave of absence, in the early part of
the year 1846, and died at Castle Ttfftiisend, in Ireland, on the
22nd April 1845.
LiEUTENANT-CoLONEi. William Havblock, entered the army as
ensign in the forty -third regiment on the 12th July 1810; was pro-
moted lieutenant on the 12th May 1812, and captain in the thirty-
second regiment on the I9th February 1818: he exchanged to the
fourth light dragoons on the 19th July 1821, and was promoted major
on the 31 St December 1830. Major Havelock was promoted from
the fourth light dragoons to be lieut.-colonel, on the augmentation
of the FouBTBUNTH light dragoons to the India establishment, on the
30th April 1841.
LiBUTBNA NT-Colonel Edwabd Habvbt, entered the army as cor-
net in the fourth light dragoons on the 24th March 1825 ; was pro-
moted lieutenant on tfic 4th May 1826, and captain of infantry on
the 12th October 1830 ; he exchanped to the Foubteenth light
dragoons, on the 27th December 1833, and was promoted major on
the 30th Apiil 1841. On the 31st December 1841, he received the
rank of lieutenant-colonel by brevet, and was appointed second lieu-
tenant-colonel of the FouBTEENTii light dragoons, on the decease of
Lieutenant- Colonel Townsend, on the 23rd April 1845.
78
APPENDIX.
SUCCESSION OF MAJORS
OF THK
FOURTEENTH, or the KING'S LIGHT DRAGOONS.
NAMES.
Dates of
Appointment.
T. O'Brien O'Loghlin
Hon. James Butler
Henry Browne
James Gambier
Neil Talbot. . . .
Richard Pigot . . .
Thomas Smith . . .
F. B. Hervey . . .
Hon. Charles Butler ,
John Chapman. . .
Charles Massey Baker
Thos. W. Brotherton .
19 Feb. 1799
14 October 1799
14 October 1800
14 August 1801
25 June 1802
4 August 1804
14 Nov. 1805
8 May 1806
9 July 1807
2 August 1810
90 January 1812
26 March 1812
Dates of Removal, &e.
Exchanged to Ist life guards
on 14 August 1801.
Retired from the service on
14 October 1800.
Retired from the service in
August 1804.
Retired 25th June 1802.
Promoted in August 1805 to
be lieut.-colonel in the regi-
ment.
Promoted to the lieut.-co-
lonelcy of the 21st dragoons
on the 1st Mav 1806.
Retired (torn the service in
July 1807.
Promoted to be lieut.-colonel
in the regiment on 2nd
August 1810.
Retired from the service on
30th January 1812.
Exchanged to the 3rd dra-
g)on guards with Major
rotherton on 26th March
1812.
Promoted to be lieut-colonel
in the regiment.
Promoted to be lieut.-colonel
by Brevet on the 19th May
1814, and exchanged to the
half-pay of the 22nd light
dragoons, on the 25th ^p-
tember 1820. He was no-
minated Aide-de-Camp to
the King, with the rank of
colonel, on the 22nd July
1830, and appointed Com-
mandant of the Cavalry
Dopot at Maidstone on the
8th February 1832. He
was promoted major-ge-
neral on '^''rd November
1841, f;.<i o.i the 17th
August 1842 wos appointed
/
APPENDIX.
79
NAMES.
Dates of
Appointment.
Dates of Removal, &c.
Thos. W. Brotherton .
•
•
to the Staff of the Northern
District and stationed at
York. On the 1st January
1847, he was nominated
Inspecting-(ieiieral of the
Cavalry in Great Britain.
T. P. Milles . . .
30 Sept.
1819
Retired from the service in
February 1828.
Hon. Henry Percy
12 October 1820
Ketired from the service in
September 1824.
William Beckwith. .
14 Feb.
1828
Promoted to be lieut.-colonel
unattached in 1833.
Edward Tiane Parry .
16 April
1829
Retired from the service in
July 1835.
J. W. Simmons Smith .
17 July
1835
Retired in June 1838.
Charles Barton. . .
1 June
1838
Retired from the service in
November 1842.
Edward Harvey . .
30 April
1S41
Promoted to be lieutenant-
colonel on the augmentation
"^*
of the regiment in May
1845.
Francis H. Stephens .
25 Nov.
1842
Exchanged to the 1st dra-
goons on 3rd February,
1843
Charles P. Ainslie
3 Feb.
1843
At present serving in the
regiment
Thomas Jones . . .
16 May
1845
Retired in May 1845.
Wm. Heury Archer .
16 May
1845
Exchanged to the 5th dra-
goon guards in September
1846.
John Wallace King .
8 Sept.
1846
At present serving in the
regiment.
I- J
^'
APPENDIX.
81
The following list of the principal Battles, Sieges, and Actions
which took place in the Peninsular War from 1808 to 1814,
was prepared by the special command of His late Majesty
King William the Fourth :—
[N.B. Honorary distinctions were granted for the nineteen action! marked tlius *.]
Adjutant- Generars Office, Horse Guards, 7th Nov., 1835.
1808.
Lourinha • . • I5th August.
* Koleia 17th ditto.
* Vimiera 2l8t ditto.
* Sahagun, Benevente, &c. (Cavalry actions) . 20th and 29th December
1809.
* Corunna 16th January.
Passage of the Vouga 10th May.
Grigon, Heights of 11th ditto.
Passage of the Dourol
and > 12th ditto.
Capture of Oporto J
Salamonde 16th ditto.
* Talavera 27th and 28th July.
1810.
Barba del Puerco 19th March.
Ciudad Rodrigo surrendered to Marshal Ney 10th July.
Almeida surrendered 24th ditto.
Affair on the Coa 24th ditto.
Taking up the Lines at Busaco ;. . . . 25th and 26th Sept.
* Busaco 27th ditto.
Coimbra, Capture of 8th October.
1811.
* Barrosa 5th March.
Pombal, Redinha, Casal Nova, and Fozi 11th, 12th, 14th, and
d'Arrouce } 15th ditto.
Campo Mayor 25th ditto.
Guarda 29th ditto.
Sabugal 3rd April.
01iveu9a 1 5th ditto.
* Fuentes d'Ouor 3rd and 5th May.
Badajoz, Siege of (raised 15th May). . . 8th to 15th ditto.
Barba del Puerco 11th ditto.
* Albuhera 16th ditto.
Usagre (Cavalry Action) 25th ditto.
a
82 APPENDIX.
1811.
Badajoz, Second Siege (raised 11th June)
Affair near Canipo Mayor . . .
El Bodon
Aldea de Ponte
Arroyo dos Molinos
Tarifa
30th May to 11th June.
22nd Juue.
25th September.
27th ditto.
28th October.
31 St December.
1812.
* Ciudad Rodrigo, Siege of (taken 19th January)
* Badajoz, Third Siege of (taken 6th April) .
Almaraz
Llerena * .
Villares, Heights of
Forts of Salamanca (taken 27th June)
Castrajon .
* Salamanca
La Serna • . •
Ribera
Majalahonda (Cavalry Action) . .
Occupation of Madrid ....
Fort Retiro, Madrid, capitulated
Seville, Capture of
Burgos, Fort St. Michael, near . .
— — Siege of (raised 20th October)
Actions on the Retreat from Burgos .
Puente larga, on the Xarama
Alba de Tormes
8th to 19th January
1 7th March to GthApril.
19th May.
1 1th June.
22nd ditto.
18th to 27th ditto.
iSth July.
22nd ditto.
23rd ditto.
24th ditto.
11th August,
12th ditto.
14th ditto.
27th ditto.
19th September.
20th Sept. to 20th Oct
1 23rd, 25th, 27th, >
1 28th, and 29th ("*'**
30th October.
10th and 11th Nov.
1813.
Castalla 13th April.
Salamanca 26th May.
Morales (Cavalry Action) 2nd June.
Tarragona, Siege raised by Sir John Murray 13th ditto.
fHormaza 12th ditto.
*^™'^Josma 18th ditto.
*^*"^^( Bayas 19th ditto.
Vittoria 21st ditto.
Villa Franca and Tolosa 24th and 25th ditto.
Bastan, Valley of 4th, 5th, and 7th July.
St. Bartholomew, near St. Sebastian . . 1 7th ditto.
Pass of Maya 25th ditto.
Roncevalles 25th ditto.
St. Sebastian, Assault of (failed). . . . 25th July.
Attack on General Picton's Division . . 27th ditto.
APPENDIX.
m
1813
ine.
pril.
Pyrenees
St. Sebastian, Assault and Capture
St. Marcial, Heights of . .
Ordal, Pass of
Bidassoa, Passage of . . •
forcing Enemy's Lines
Nivelle
Nive
1814
Hellette
Garris, near St. Palais, Heights of
Arrivarette ditto
Passage of the Adour . . •
* Orthes
I Aire ....
Vic Bigorre . .
Tarbes . . .
St. Gandens . .
Cavalry AflFair near Toulouse
* Toulouse
Sortie from Bayonne . . •
28th July to 2ud Aug.
31st August
31st ditto.
12th and 13th Sept.
7th October.
9th ditto.
lOth November.
9th to 13th December.
1 4th February.
15th ditto.
17th ditto.
23rd and 24th ditto.
27th ditto.
2nd March.
18th ditto.
20th ditto.
22nd ditto.
8th April.
10th ditto.
14th ditto.
Oct.
Oct
o.
uly.
I^ndou: Printed by W. Clowes and Sona, Stamford Street,
For Fler Majesty's Sutionery Office.