IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V // < ^^ "^^ :a i/.x % ^ 1.0 I.I If ilM IIM 2.2 163 li£ IIM 11:25 ill 1.4 1.6 V <^ /a Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 V/EST MAIN STREET WIBSTER.N.Y. 14580 (7n ) 97': -4503 (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de chaque microfiche, s«}lon le cas: le symbole —^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film^s d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film6 A partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ■r n: ■ / i ■ ■f '" I; > 1 X RECORDS «*". '^ /7 '^' ir SIXTY-NINTH, .^/^V OS 4 -»V SOUTH LINCOmSHIRE REGIMENT. -/ COMPILED FROM THE ORIGINAi RECORDS. r L*fc By MAJOB SMTTH, 69th Begiment. \ V^' " ^ '^' m i m»m m m % i ^Uea ^M ■9f '% i "House Gpards, 2 K ! RECORDS OF THB SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT. The present record is written in obedience to the General Orders and Regulations for the Army, dated Adjutant- General's ofFice, Horse Guards, 12lh August, 1811, directing a Record Book to be kept at the Head-Quarters of every Rec-irnent in the service in which the formation and military operations the corps has shared in, are to be detailed, together with ihe names of such individuals who have distinguished themselves, and the honorary badges or devices the Regiment maj at any time have been permitted to wear. FORMATION, The 69th or South Lincolnshire Regiment was one of many levies raised for the war with France in 1756, and was ori<'inally the second battalion of the twenty-fourth. It was firs'! commanded by the Honorable Charles Colville, and successively by The Honorable Philip Sherwood. Sir Ralph Abercrombie. Henry Walker Powell. Sir Cornelius Cuyler, Bart. William Carr. Lord Beresford. Sir John Hamilton, Bart. Thomas Biisbane, 1801. 4 l\ 01 ■% 1 i William Mcl.eod, 21st February, 1805. Thomas Browne, 30th May, 1805. Archibald Campbell, 27th August, 1805. Ralph Darling, 8th May, 1806. Miles Nightini^ale. The Honorable St. Ledger. Phineas Rial), 27th May, 1810. Walter Syms, 27th August, 1811. Clarges, . Charles Morice, 4th June, 181S. Price Robbins, 4th June, 1813. George Muttiebury, lOlh August, 1815. Pitzler, June, 1817. John Sturt, 11th December, 1817. Henry Doulope, 1st January, 1819. Charles Bruce, 29th March, 1821. Sir Charles Cuyler, 3rd October, 1826. Eaton Monins, 2nd October, 1835. William Blackburne, 3rd September, 1847. C. J. Coote, 10th November, 1848. F. W. Dillon, 2nd October, 1849. J. W. L. Paxton, 22nd February, 1850. D. iE. Mackirdy, 25th August, 1853. E. Hiclvey, 17th November, 1857. P. Fenwick, 22nd April, 1859. G. H. Messiter, 2l9t February, 1868. G. Bagot, 3rd February, 1869. On the recommencement of hostilities with the French in 1778, the 69th, being stationed in the West Indies, was present at the reduction of St. Lucie and St. Kitts, and for their conduct in these engagements received very honorable mention. It likewise took an import, int oart, while actin"- as marines on board Lord Rodney's fleet, in the brilliant victory obtained by that Admiral over the Count de Gras, on April 12, 1782, for which services a vote of thanks was passed by Parliament, and received special permission to add the i ' m I . u honorable badge of an embroidered laurel on the colors and on the straps of the officers' epaulets. The regiment returned to Ireland in 1785, where it remained till 1793. At the commencement of the revolutionary war, in 1793, the 69th was ordered to the West Indies again ; but ihe destination being changed, it proceeded to the INIediterranean, in company with the fleet commanded by Lord Hood. Was present at the surrender of Toulon, and was several times engaged with the enemy during the occupation of Toulon by the British, being particularly conspicuous in driving the French from the heights of Tara, and in the capture of Fort La Breunne. From Toulon the regiment proceeded to the Island of Corsica, and was engaged under Gen. Dundas, in reducing Martella Fort, in Martella Bay, in 1794, the obstinate defence of which caused the erection of similar forts on the coast of England. Detachments were also sent to Elba, from whence they were moved, in February, 1794, to St. Fiorenzo, and were engaged in the capture of the works that defended the harbor. The regiment afterwards accompanied Lord Hood to Bastia, where it was severely engaged. On this occasion Capt. Clarke lost his arm by a cannon-shot in reconnoilering the enemy's works, in company with Admiral Lord (then Capt. Nelson). In October, same year, three detachments from the regiment embarked on board the Britannia, Agamemnon, and Courageux, to act as marines ; and were engaged in Lord Nelson's action and capture of the ^a-Ira, 84-gun ship, and Cens' ir, 74, in April, 1795. In May, 1795, a 2nd battalion was formed at Hilsea, and, when completed, sailed for Gibraltar, and landed there in the June following, where it was stationed until the remainder of the 1st battalion came down the Mediterranean, from Corsica, and joined it, when the 2nd was incorporated with the 1st battalion. The regiment was ordered to England, and while on their way home were captured off Cadiz by a French squadron, when Capt. O'Doherty, the senior officer, i i If «>>.' ■••^^ ^■"^^ A i« i\ sunk the colors of the regiment to prevent their falling into the enemy's hands ; but shortly after, the vessel having struck, gallantly returned to Gibraltar in possession of the ship and the whole of his men. At Gibraltar, the 1st battalion became 1300 effective by the consolidation of the 2nd battalion. In February, 1796, tho 66th and 69th Regiments landed at Port-au-Prince, in the West Indies, to take part in the expedition against St. Domingo, and were soon actively engaged against the enemy, and drove them from tiieir position to the hills. During their two years' stay in the West Indies, the mo lality was frightful, the 69ih having in that time lost 25 oflicers and 1,000 men, when they were ordered to England. The detachments which had been left on board the fleet in the Mediterranean, consisting of 300 men, which had never joined the regiment at Gibraltar, were engaged in Sir John Jervis's (afterwards Earl St. Vincent) action, on the 14th February, 1797, off Cape Sl.Vincent, when a party under the command of Lieut. Pearson had the honor to serve on board the Captain, 74 (Commodore Nelson), in her severe conflict with the Santissima Trinidada, of 136 guns. In boarding the San Nicholas, Private John Ashcroft particularly distinguished himself by striking the Spanish and hoisting the British colour, before the boarders had established themselves on the deck of that ship ; and Private (afterwards Quartermaster) Stevens broke the upper quarter-gallery-window, and jumped in, followed by Nelson himself, and by others, as fast as possible. The unparalleled exploit of boarding and capturing two line-of-battle ships at once, the one across the other, is thus described by the great hero himself, and appears in Allen's Life of Nelson : " The San Nicholas luffing up, the San Jose/ fell aboard of her, ud the Captain resumed her station abreast of them and i ^^ wm I \ M' iff close alongside. At Ihis time, the Captain having lost her foretopmast, not a sail, shroud, or rope left, her wheel shot away, and, incapable of further service in the line or in chase, I directed the helm to be put a-starboard, and, calling for the boarders, ordered them to board. " The soldiers of the 69th regiment, with un alacrity which will ever do them credit, and Lieut. Pearson, of the same regiment, were amongst the foremost in this service. " The first man who jumped into the enemy's mizen chains was Captain Berry, late my First Lieutenant. " A soldier of the 69th Regiment having broken the upper gallery-window, jumped in, followed by myself and others as fast as possible. I found the cabin doors fastened, and the Spanish oflicers fired their pistols at us through the windows ; but having burst open the doors, the soldiers fired, and the Spanish brigadier (commodore with distinguishing pennant) fell, as retreating to the quarter-deck. I passed with my people and Lieut. Pearson, on the larboard gangway to the forecastle, where I met two or three Spanish officers, prisoners to my seamen, and they delivered me their swords. At this moment, a fire of pistols, or muskets, opening from the Admiral's stern-gallery in the San Josef, I directed the soldiers to fire into her stern. Ordering more men into the San Nicholas, I directed my brave fellows to board the first-rate, the San Josef, which was done in an instant. And on the quarter-deck of a Spanish first-rate (extravagant as the story may seem) did I receive the swords of the vanquished Spaniards. I was surrounded by Captain Berry, Lieut. Pearson (69th regiment), John Sykes, John Thompson, Francis Cook, and William Fearney, all old " Agamemnom,^'' and several other brave men, soldiers and sailors. Thus fell their ships. The Victor, passing, saluted us with three cheers, as did every ship in the fleet." In the year 1799, the regiment joined the expedition to Holland, under Sir Ralph Abercrombie, and on its landing f '(I ^ '.yr \h 8 near the Tcxel, on August 27th, were warmly engaged with the enemy before [\\vhinh were opposite, and within a distance of 20 yards. The Europeans, taken by surprise, whilst naked and unarmed, sheltered tlipmselves from tlie fire in the best manner they could ; they, however, kept possession of the barrack-gate, from which they made some successful sallies. The mutineers then brought forth Futtah Ilyder, the second son of Tippoo Sahib (supposed to be the only one of the princes implicated in this plot), proclaimed him in the palace-square as Sultan, and then hoisted the standard of Tippoo on the flag-staff of the Fort. In the mean time, some of the officers made a rush from their quarters to the barracks, ;i'H, being assisted by the soldiers within, broke a window, !y which they entered; and rallying about 150 men, they sallied forth, and gained the ramparts, which were ' ' .^e by, and commanded by Captain Barrow, they fought their \'/ay towards a cavalier at one angle of tl'e fort, which th' y guinod and left a party in possession of; while the lem.ilnder drove the mutineers a'ong the rampart to the gate, beliind which were some houses, where they effected a lodgment, which aconred their post. A party of sixty men then pushed boldly along the ramparts, and, after some hard fighting, gained the flag-staff; but the standard being nailed to the staff, a soldier of the 69th, named Philip Bottom, mounted the pole, under a heavy fire of musketry, and tore it down. This was the slate of affairs when Colonel Gillespie, commanding 19th Dragoons, arrived from Arcot with a squadron of that regiment : finding the gate in possession of the 69th, he caused himself to be hoisted upon the ramparts, and assuming the command, kept possession of the rampart and the gateway until the arrival of the remainder of the 19th Dragoons with their gallopers or light guns, when he ordered the gate to be blown open, and the 19th Dragoons to charge into the fort. A strong resistance was at first made by the mutineers ; but the king's troops were eventually successfal, and regained possess ^n of the fort. I ^* 10 f The General Orders issued by G-overnment, however, after the minutest inquiry inic all the circumstances attending this unhappy event, most cloarly explain the perfidious intention of the insurrection, and at the same time convey a high sense of the firmness displayed '>y the troops in subduing it. The following extracts, relative to the subject of the present memoir, are worthy of record : "UENERAL ORDERS OF GOVERNMENT. " 2ith July, 1806. " While, however, the mutineers were successful in accomplishing the deatli of the commanding officer oi the garrison, and of many other valuable officers and men, it pleased Providence to permit that their disastrous progress should be arrested by the efforts of the brave troops of His Majesty's 69lh regiment, who were so fortunate as to be enabled to elude and resist the murderous intentions of the mutiacers, until the arrival of succours which were hastened to their relief." Extract of a letter from Colonel Gillespie, H. M. 19,iiuuji,inpjiiii«|j I iv': w Hamilton, Baronet, the 4tli of August — being the anniversary of the landing of the 69ih on the Island of Java — was arranged for the presentation. The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Barbadoes (Dr. Coleridge) performed the imposing ceremony of consecration. In January, 1839, the regiment sailed for Halifax, Nova Scotia, and at once moved from thence to New Brunswick, then occupied by an American force, who held possession of the disputed territory in that Province. After the withdrawal of the American forces from the Province, the 69th concentrated at St. John, N. B. For the highly meritorious services performed by the 69th on the frontier during the border troubles with the Americans, a vote of thanks was on March 23, 1840, passed by the House of Assembly for New Brunswick. The regiment embarked for home and arrived in Cork, on Sepienibcr Id, 1842, and renialned in England and Ireland until 1847, when it sailed for Malta and arrived there on Dec. 12, in that year, where it was stationed until the Service companies were ordered to the "West Indies in 1851, and were stationed in Barbadoes, when H. M.'s screw frigate Dauntless anchored in Carlisle Bay, with the yellow fever raging on board, the officers and crew of which were removed to the shore, and every assistance shown them by the medical and other officers of the regiment. For the kindness shown on this occasion, a piece of plate was presented by the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines in grateful remembrance thereof. The following is a copy of a letter addressed by Vice- Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth, to Colonel Mackirdy in 1854, with his reply thereto : — " Admiralty House, Portsmonth, 7th April, 1854. " Sir, — It ia with peouliar gratiflcation that I obey the wishes of the officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, in requeatiag that the officers of the regiment under your command will accept the accompanying piece of plate, ia grateful remembrance of the kindness shown to the officers and crew of Her Majesty's ship Dauntless, when suffering from fever at Barbadoes, in 1862. " I have the honour to be, Sir, " Tour most obedient servant, " (Signed,) Thomas GooBRiNB, "Vice-Admiral, Commander-in-Chief and Presideat of the Committe*. " Lieut.-Colonel Mackirdy, GHh Regiment." 1 > ^ 1^ F ; ' ^Il ^ :-^ >5 17 "Trinidad, 10th Angnet, 1854. " Sir,— III accepting the very beaatiful piece of plate, presented by the ofQcers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines to tbc ofBcers of the regiment under my command, I have the honor to cxprocs through you the grateful sentiments of my brother oflScers, on receiving a gift so splendid and affecting and which mast ever be priced in the 69th Regiment, as a memorial of that friendship and esteem which has always prevailed between the Navy and Army, whether in the hour of joy, or the day of grief. " The melancholy suffering from pestilence of the officers ana crew of Her Majesty's ship Banntlesi, which we all deplore, and which gave rise to thia graceful token of remembrance, afforded a sorrowful opportunity to the officers and men of the 69th Regiment, of displaying that affection and sympathy for the Sister Service which they are peculiarly entitled to exhibit, and amongst whose proudest records are their services on board the fleet at Rodney's Victory, of the I2th April, 1782, in the Agamemnon at the capture of the Ca-Ira and Censeur in 1795 ; and in the Captain at the boarding of the San Josef and San Nieholaa, at St. Vincent, under Nelson himself ; events which have always associated the feelings of the 69th Regiment with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. « I have the honour to be, &c., &o., "(Signed,) D. E. Mackirdt, " Llent.-Gol. Commanding 69th Regiment. " To Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Oochrane, G.C.B., Ac., litc., " Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth." The 69lh was absent on foreign service for nine years and five months, and reached home on 14th May, 1857. Being barely six months in England, it again received a foreign route, arriving in Alexandria on the 1st, and Cairo on the 3rd of December, 1857, from which they proceeded to the station in the Desert, twenty-seven miles from Suez, and embarked for Madras, reaching that place on 27th December. This is the first British regiment which ever undertook the most arduous duty of proceeding overland from England to India in uniform , and is supposed to be the first regiment that has the credit of serving in the four quarters of the globe within the year, haviiig been in the West Indies (South America), England, Egypt, (Africa), and East Indies, a record which shows of itself the amount of labor that must have been performed within that period. After a service of six years and five months in Burmah and India, the 69lh received f 18 orders to return home, and reached England May, 1864. Prior to its departure from India, on this occasion, the monument to the officers and men who fell at the mutiny at Vellore in 1806, was replaced by one of granite bv the Madras Government, the inscription on which is as follows : " Sacred to the Memory of Lieuts. Popham and Eley, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 1 Drummer, and 70 Privates of Her Majesty's 69th Regiment, who fell while bravely resisting the mutineers at Vellore, on the lOih July, 1806." This monument, erected in 1863-64, previous to the second departure of the regiment from India, marks the spot where they rest. The 69th remained in England and Ireland until their embarkation for Canada on the 19th August, 1867, the present being their first service in Canada. During its stay at Brantford, Col. Mackirdy, who was in command, received his promotion to Major General, and Major Messiter was placed at the head of the 69th as its Lieut.-Colonel in April, 1868. The Regiment moved from Brantford to London in May, 1868, and was again moved to Montreal in November of the same year. Colonel Messiter retired from the service on full pay in February, 1869, was succeeded in the command of the 69th Regiment by Lt.-Col. Bagot, and in June, 1869, the Regiment moved to Quebec. On the morning of the 24lh May, 1870, the regiment was employed at the great fire in Quebec from 3 to 9 a.m. (This fact is inserted, as it is significant with regard to what followed.) On the same day, at 7 p.m., the regiment received orders to proceed with the least possible delay, to Montreal, where it was required in reserve of troops employed on the frontier against the Fenians. Marched at 2 am., on the 26th, 570 strong; arrived at Montreal at 5.30 p.m., where it bivouacked in the Grand Trunk drill shed for the night. Next day received orders to proceed to the Huntingdon "-^ T 19 frontier, — Lieut. Colonel Bagot being appointed Brigadier of a combined force of 1,800 men. Loft by train (Major Smyth commanding) at 2 p.m. Reached Huntingdon at 12.30 a.m., on the 27th, where having encarftped, it received orders from the Brigadier to take an hour's rest, and be ready to move at 4 a.m. The combined force marched at 4.45 a.m., and after a rapid 12 miles to Hinchinbrooke (or Trout River,) attacked the Fenians at 8.15 a.m., and drove them in the utmost disorder across the frontier, the latter throwing away their arms, ammunition, clothing, &c., &c. One company of the Regiment was engaged (Capt. Mansfield's,) it having formed a portion of the advanced guard. The 69th Regiment moved in support. After remaining a couple of hours in observation on the frontier it moved back some three miles to Hendersonville, where it encamped. The regiment then had — between 2.15 p.m. the day before, when it left Montreal, and 8.15 next morning — travelled 36 miles by railway; one hour and a half by steamer, and 24^ miles by road, loaded and unloaded 10 tons of baggage, four times, without a man falling out, and be it remembered that for the last four nights it had been practically with little or no sleep. " It may be here remarked that the Regiment although three days on the frontier did not lose a man by desertion. The Regiment returned from the frontier and arrived at Quebec on the morning of the 31st May, 1870 — on which occasion the following address was presented to the Regiment by the Mayor, Aldermen, Councillors and Citizens of Quebec : — * To Colonel Bagot and to the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men of Her Majesty's 69th Regiment of Foot. We, the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the city of Quebec, in the name of the Citizens of Quebec, hasten to welcome you back to this garrison whence you were so precipitately summoned about a fortnight since to the defence of our frontier, endangered by the incursions, as cowardly as they are unjustifiable, of a band of lawless marauders called i*?» jumm wmm 20 r m 't i, ! is Fenians. You brarely responded to the call of doty to c(v operate with our Militia force, then also on their way to the scene of action. True to the well-merited and unsullied reputation of British regular troops, you quickly joined our brave, though less experienced, volunteers, and led them to the front to protect the homesteads of their countrymen, invaded by these lawless banditti ; and the victory you achieved on the occasion was as complete as could have been desired and well worthy of a more honorable enemy. It is with feelings of no ordinary pride that we read in our city journals, the opinion you entertain of our volunteers, expressed in the following language, attributed to your worthy Colonel, ' that whether on.the march or side by side in action, ihe 69th need no better comrades than the Canadian Volunteers ;' which flattering testimonial we appreciate the more as coming from one so competent to judge. Hoping that circumstances may prolong the stay in our midst of the 69th, whose conduct since their arrival has been, on the part of the officers, most deserving of their world-renowned name of gentlemen, and on the part of the non-commissioned officers and men, most irreproachable and honourable, we trust that the same good feeling and cordiality between the military and the citizens, for which Quebec has always been remarkable in the past, will continue to exist in the future. P. Garneau, Mayor of Quebec. L. A. Cannon, City Clerk, City Hall, Quebec, 8th June, 1870.» Colonel Bagot, replied as follows : — ' Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen, — ^The 69th Regiment, with great pride and most grateful thanks, acknowledges the honour you have this day conferred on it. This document will be deposited in the records of the 69th Regiment, a precious keepsake from this ancient city, and men who read it in after time will learn the lesson, that active service has proud rewards, with which it repays soldiers for the toil or privations it requires them to undergo. You have done me the honour of quoting my words. I had good reason to use them. I regret that the exigencies of service prevented me from carrying with me I I- 1 i ^ ^J . w 1 I J ;; 3 I I !t I 21 my own Quebec Brigade ; but I am bound to say that, in the Volunteers placed under my command on the frontier, I found the same unswerving loyally, the same irresistible enthusiasm, that distinguished the corj^s here ; — on the march, in the bivouac, in action, their proud bearing was that of free soldiers of a free country. You have expressed a wish that circumstances may prolong the stay of the 69lh Regiment in this garrison. That desire every individual of Uie corps cordially returns ; but should that stay te destined to be of shorter duration than our wishes would lead us to hope, we shall at least carry away with us the recollection of a friendship which each month of our stay has served to increase. The cordiality which has existed between the citizens and the military of this city, is the natural result of that glorious past which lies behind Quebec. The man would be dull indeed whose heart did not acknowledge a livelier throb at the memories which lie so thickly around these time-worn walls. I have deemed it fortunate that we shall be able to consecrate the new colors which we are so soon to carry upon a spot which has been long consecrated to glory by some of the grandest deeds in our nation's history ; and it is my hope that the colors we bear this day, and which we have carried through four continents, may repose at length in your midst, to add an additional link to the memories which will bind us together. — Signed, Geo. Baoot, Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding 69th South Lincolnshire Regiment, Quebec, June 8th, 1870.' The regiment was inspected by Lieut.-General the Honourable J. Lindsay on the Plains of Abraham on the 17th June, 1870. At the conclusion of his inspection, the Lieutenant-Qeneral expressed great approbation of the mancBUvres executed, particularly the marching past, the bayonet exercise, the advance in line, the manner of standing under arms, and the skirmishing. The Lieutenant-General went on to add that he regretted the Regiment had not a nobler ioe to contend with in the late operations against the Fenians, but that they had displayed qualities which, in his ■.'VO, f^ r 22 opinion, were very much to their credit, namely, a capacity of enduring toil and fatigue, and a rapidity of movement which was very remarkable. He was aware that, commencing with the great fire at Quebec in the early morning of the 24th May, for four nights the regiment was practically without sleep, and yet their advance to Trout River was rapid and cheery in the extreme, without one man falling out. He was glad to learn that in a force of 600 men there was not one to take advantage of their proximity for soma days to the frontier to leave their colors. They were trusted by their commanding officer, and they proved themselves worthy of his confidence. PRESENTATION OT NEW COLORS. The interesting ceremony of presenting new Colors to the 69th, whch would have been gone through on the 1st June, but for the call of the regiment to the frontier to repel the recent Fenian invasion, took place on the 21st June, 1870, Under most auspicious circumstances. From an early hour the citizens began to congregate, and the surrounding country parishes, as well as Quebec, furnished their crowds in holiday attire, anxious to be present on the occasion. The part of the Esplanade selected for the ceremony was the hollow bastion at the lower end, and few sites in Canada or elsewhere ■ afford the same commanding view. With the terre-pleins and higher parts of the fortifications fully occupied, and the slopes densely crowded, the scene presented ■was that of a perfect amphitheatre. Thousands of ladies and gentlemen were spectators, not only in these places, but in all the windows and on the very house*tops of the residences on the Esplanade. The ladies ii^ their gayest attire of course predominated, and a general holiday given to the schools contributed to swell the immense concourse. The 69th Regiment arrived on the ground about eleven o'clock, and were drawn up in line, facing westward. They •^:-^-»..fr,'it.:;^-,^jlK ! r 23 were in review order, and the officers, wearing their gorgeoas new full dress uniform, presented a splendid appearance. A large and brilliant staff of ofHcers of all branches of the service, was assembled in full uniform. Among them General Lindsay, Commander of the Forces, Col. Earle, Military Secretary, Col. Elphinstone, Governor to His Royal Highness, Lieut. Pinard, K. H. A., equerry, Mr. Turville, Governor General's Secretary, Capt. Gascoigne, A. D. C. Lieut. Fitzgeorge, A.D. C, Col. Gibbon, C. B., Commanding Royal Artillery in Canada, and Lieut. French, acting A.D. C, Colonel Bourchier, C. B., R. E., Commandant of the garrison, Colonel Martindale, R.E. Controller, Colonel Lord Alexander Russell, 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, Col. Chandler, Royal Artillery, Capt. Hickley, R.N., H.M.S. " Tamar," Colonel Williams, 4th Brigade Royal Artillery, Capt. Gore, R. A., Assist. Commissary General Rogers, Capt. Russell, Military Store Department, Acting Deputy Adjutant General, Col. Duchesnay, Town Major Pope, Deputy Assist. Commissary General Prissick, Staff Surgeon Major Smith, Capt. Price, Major Taschereau, A. D. C, &c., &c. General Arnold, United States Artillery, commanding at Plattsburg, also occupied a prominent position, in full uniform. At the hour previously fixed, half-past eleven o'clock, a salute of nineteen guns' from the Citadel announced the approach of the royal cortege from Spencer Wood, and a few minutes afterwards the carriages containing the Governor General, Prince Arthur and the Lieutenant-Governor and staff, arrived on the ground. In the first carriages were His Royal Highness with Sir John Young and Sir N. F. Belleau ; in the second. Lady Young and Lady Belleau, and Colonel Elphinstone, followed by other carriages containing the members of their suites. A royal salute was given by the 69th as the Prince and the Governors took up their position opposite, about the centre of , the line, the regiment presenting arms, and the band playing the national anthem. The order war then given by Colonel .a^- • m< t^t f 24 Bagol to " troop," and the band, as is usual at the ceremony of trooping the colors, played a slow march down and then a quick march up the front of the regiment. The first company, under Captain Charleton, was ordered to form a company of grenadiers as an escort for the colors, which was commanded by Lieut* Thewles. Freceded by the band, playing that old and spirit-stirring air, " The British Grenadiers," the company marched to the left of the line, where the old colors had been posted, and where they were given by the Serge ant-Major to Ensigns Gaowski and Butler* This guard of honor, the line having saluted, marched in slow time between the opened ranks from left to right, th^" band playing " The Grenadier's March." After the company reached its original position, it agaia marched in front ol the line, now bearing the tattered old colors before the regiment for the last time, the band slowly playing " Auld Lang Syne." The scene was extremely interesting at this moment, and produced a marked effect upon all present. Such an attractive military ceremonial is seen but once in a lifetime. The old colors having been placed at the left of the line, the ceremony of the consecration of the new colors was proceeded with. For this purpose the regiment was formed into three sides of a square, with two companies on each flank. The new colors were carried to the front of the hollow square by the two senior Color-Sergeants, and having been unfurled by the two Majors, Smyth and Turner, and the senior Ensigns, Hclmes and McLean, were laid upon aa altar of drums. The Bishop of Quebec, in his robes, attended by the Clergy in their surplices, then came to the centre of the square. The clergy were fifteen in number, including the Rev. Q-. V. Housman, the Rector, Rev. W. Bullock, Rev. C. Wetherall, Rev. R. G. Plees, Rev. W. King, Rev. M. M. Fothergill, Rev. C. Hamilton, Rev. A. A. Von Iffland, Rev. E. A. W. King, M.A., Rev. A. J. Woolryche, Rev. W, Vial, Rev. Mr. Plenderlsath, &c., &c. .«. f I 1 25 I - I ;■ The Prince, the Governor General and Lieutenant Governor, occupied the foremost positions near the altar, and they were surrounded by the staff of officers and many ladies. The usual service on such occasions was then commenced by the Rev. Mr. Bullock, Chaplain of the Forces at Halifax, saying the following prayers, the line being called to attention, and the Prince and all the gentlemen present remaining uncovered : "Almighty and most merciful Father, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, we come before thee with a deep sense of thine exceeding majesty and our own unworthiness, praying thee to shed upon us the light of thy countenance and to sanctify the work in which we are this day engaged. We thank thee for the many mercies vouchsafed to the British Army in past years, and the victories which have crowned our arms. Look with thy special favour upon the ranks now before thee. Grant to each soldier a spirit of loyalty to his sovereign and of obedience to his officers. Give him courage to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner, against sin, the world, and the devil, and to continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end ; and make us all to be faithful to the great Captain of our salvation, Jes- is Christ our Saviour, to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. " Our Father, which art in heaven. Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil ; For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and evor. Amen." The following portion* of the 44th and 46th Psalms wera o mmmmamammi 26 then intoned by the Rev. C. Welherall, the remainder of the Clergy responding .- — 1 We have heard with our cars, O God, oar fathers have told us Tvhat thoa hast done io their time of old ; 2 How tbou hast driven out the heathen with thy hand, and planted them in ; how thou bast destroyed (be nations, and cast tbem oat. 3 For they gat cot the land in possession tbrongh their own sword : neither was it their own arm that helped them ; 4 But thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance : be- cause tbou hadst a favour unto them. 5 Thou art my King, God : send help unto Jacob. 6 ThroQgh thee will we overthrow our enemies ; and in thy Name will W9 tread them under, that rise up against us. 7 For I will not trust in my bow : it is not my sword that shall help me ; 8 But it is tbou that savest ua from our enemies : and pattest them to confusion that hate us. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us : thB Lord of Jacob is our refuge. 8 Gome hither, and behold the work of the Lord : what destruction he bath brought upon the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease in all the world : be breaketh the bow, and snappetb the spear in sunder, and burueth the chariots in the fire. 10 Be still then, and know that I am God ; I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The Lord of hosts is with us ; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son ; and to the Holy Ghost ; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. The regiment was then ordered to " shoulder arms," when the following Prayer of Consecration was offered up by Bishop Williams, in the iinavoldable absence of the Metropolitan at the Synod at Montreal : — " We beseech thee, O heavenly Father, to bless the Standards now to be presented to this Regiment, to be henceforth carried in their ranks. We desire to consecrate the same in thy great name, to the cause of peace and ! ^^f^ #* happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety. We earnestly pray that the time may come when the sound of war shall cease to be heard in the world, and especially among Christians ; but until that blessed period, we beseech thee so to order the course of events that these colours shall never be unfurled but for a righteous cause. May no stain or disgrace ever fall upon them, but being borne aloft as emblems of loyalty and truth, may they be the means of maintaining the honour of the British Crown and ihe glory of thy name. Be pleased to take under thy Fatherly care the officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of this Regiment. If called 1*^10 action, do thou cover their heads in the day of battle, or if any should fall before the enemy or sink through disease, do thou receive them to thyself through the atoning merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." The Revd. C. Wetherall Chaplain to the Forces, then said these prayers : " Lord our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings. Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth ; Most heartily we beseecli thee with thy favor to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Victoria ; and so replenish her with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that she may al way incline to thy will, and walk in thy way : Endue her plenteously with heavenly gifts ; grant her in health and wealth long to live ; strengthen her that she may vanquish and overcome all her enemies; and finally, after this life, she may attain everlasting joy and felicity ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." " Almighty Grod, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supjilications unto thee ; and dost promise, that when two or three are gatliered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of lliy servants, as may be most expedient for them : granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth and in the world to come life everlasting, ilmen." f 1 aSSSlS^ ... -.i '■ > JI..«l!,Ji.— II WH W mmm 28 The episobpal Benediction concluded, the two Majors of the Regiment then advanced with the new colors unfurled to the Prince, and saluting His Royal Highness, gave them into his hands. Prince Arthur, who wore the full dress uniform of an officer of the Rifle Brigade, then handed the colors to Ensigns Holmes and Maclean, on their knees, and his Royal Highness in presenting them, delivered the following address, which he read in a very audible and distinct manner : " Colonel Bagoi, Officers, Non-Commiasioned Officers, and Men of the 69th Begiment: " It affords me sincere gratification to present new Colors to a Regiment that has served with such distincttoa tbroughoat the four quarters of the globe, aod that once had the honor of being commanded bj Sir Ralph Abercrombie. " From the year 1756, when the Regiment was first raised, up to the present time, your records notice numerous gallant exploits, not only on shore, but liltewise in connection with, and in support of the Navy. " At the famous action off Cape St. Vincent, in 1797, your men had the honor to serve on board the same ship with Nelson ; and in 1782 a vote of tbanlis was passed in Parliament for the brilliant victory obtained under Lord Rodney, la which you took so active a part. " I notice the presence of yonr regiment at the reduction of several of tb« West India Islands, and at the taking of the Mauritius ; while your conduct fa the attack upon the Isle of Bourbon, and your gallantry in the brilliant operations in Java, caused the Prince Regent to permit you th« distinction of inscribing those names on your Colors. " No one can read without sympathy of the heavy loss sustained by your Regiment during the Indian mutiny of 1U06 ; and glad am I that an opportunity occurred, at a later period, of adding the name ' India' to those on your Colors, for your conduct in the Mahratta war and other campaigns. " The part that your Regiment took at Quatre Bras and Waterloo, and the loss it there sustained, are well known. " Although no opportunity has since occurred of yonr taking part fn any operations of war, yet the admirable slate of efficiency and discipline displayed by the Regiment, the other day on the frontier of Canada, shows that a true military spirit still exists in you. "It gives me particular tatisfaotioa to notloe that your courage and cndoranoe have been shown not only in the praaenoe of the enemy, bat / ) ■h. ■ f ^. Pfm" 29 % % llkewlte la olroamstanoea even more trjtog and oneroai. Woni the officers and orew of H. M. S. Dauntless were dying of yellow fever, the noble ipirit In which you sacrlflced yonr own personal comfort, and braVed contagion, to tend upon the crew, deserves tbe highest praise. " So oonspicuous a proof of discipline, combined with true courage, when directed by eeal and capacity in ofiBcers, are irresistible. "I feel assured, therefore, these British Colors will be confided to tbe gnardtansbip of men who will at all times nobly do their duty to their Queen and Country." Colonel Bagot returned thanks as follows : " Your Royal Highness : " I feel great difficulty in replying to your Royal Highness'a observations, la the preseire of your Royal Highness and that of tbe Governor-General of Canada, the eminent statesmen and distinguished military officers of this great Dominion, — honored by the presence ot a dignitary of our own Church of leading men, and of at least one distinguished General of that Great Republic which has shown to the world that the principles of constitutional freedom which its people have inherited from their Anglo-Saxon forefathers hare spread and fructified under the segis of the American eagle, — graced by the presence of this large assemblage of the fair sex, — impressed with tbe traditions that cling to these old walls, where two chivalrous races, having learned to respect and honor each other in war, have not failed afterwards harmoniously to cultivate the mighty arts of peace ; — I say, your Royal Highness, impressed with these feelings and reflections, I experience great difficulty in fitting phrase to respond to your remarks. But I feel no doubt or difficulty in assuring you of the spirit that animates my mi^n. Pure as those folds of silk that you have this day entrusted to our willing and grateful hands, reigns in the hearts of the 69th Regiment a spirit of loyalty, chivalry, and devotion ; of loyalty to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and your royal house; of chivalry with regard to their noble profession; of devotion, a personal devotion, to yi iir Eoyal Highness. In the words of that noble prayer which was oflfered up in our behalf this day, I can assure your Royal Highness, on the part of the 69th Regiment, that no stain or disgrace shall ever fall upon our new colors. And should the time ever come when this Regiment will be engaged with an overpowering multitude of foes, in such a terrible and unequal contest its officers will know well a battle cry that will steel every heart and brighten every eye— that will carry inspiration to every soul, and a terrible significance to every enemy,— a battle-cry that will resound from centre to flank and from flank to centre, and that is — " Remember who presented these Colors,— remember Prince Arthur I" (Cheers.) The Regiment, on the call of Colonel Bagot, then gave three cheers and a lusty one more for Prince Arthur. The cheer was taken up by the people lining tbe fortifications and lasted for some time. The new colors were then marched towards the line, and were received with a salute. The regiment then marched past His Royal Highness and the Governor General in slow and quick time. In slow time it marched past in successive divisions of companies from the front, and at quick time in grand divisions. After an advance in line and another royal salute, the regiment left the ground. The Prince and other distinguished personages tool, their departure soon afterwards. Among the most prominent gentlemen present were Chief Justice Meredith, Hon. Jos. Cauchon, Speaker of the Senate, Hon. Dr. Tapper, C.B., Hon. Messrs. Ghauveau, Irvine and Beaubien, His Worship the Mayor, the Recorder, Mr. Fry, President of the Board of Trade, Messrs. Allan, A. M. Delisle, Consuls Gaulier, A. Joseph, Tilstone, Faliienberg, Hon. J. G, Blanchet, C. E. Levey, Esq., Hon. C. DeLery. The ground was well kept by a party of the Royal Artillery, under Captain Farrell, a detachment of Rifles, and a number of sailors from H. M. S. •' Tamar," The Quebec Police, under Captain Voyer, also lent valuable assistance in performing this duly. The Cadets of the Military School were specially paraded for the occasion, and a number of Militia officers were also assembled on the Esplanade in full uniform. DEPOSITING THE OLD COLORS OF THE 69tH REGIMENT IN THE ENGLISH CATHEDRAL. These sacred emblems of loyalty, Christianity and civilization, to use the words of the gallant Captain who handed them over to the Rector and authorities of the Anglican Cathedral, in that city, June 22nd, it is to be hoped, will " find a fitting resting place within the walls of this sacred building." Long before the hour announced for the arrival of the old colors, every pew in the church was occupied by the leading citizens of Quebec, to witness this highly interesting and imposing ceremony. The Church-Wardens, assisted by the Verger, had taken the necessary precautions to preserve order and accommodate all visitors. I li i { 31 His Royal Highness Prince Arthur, His ExceTlency the Governor.General, His Excellenoy the Lieut.-Governor, Col. Elphinstone, Mr. Pickard and other gentlemen, entered the Cathedral as the service was about to commence, and occupied the Governor's pew on the eastern gallery. At half-past eleven the clergy of this diocesej preceded by the Rev. Mr. Housman, entered the body of the church in processional order, through the vestry door, taking up a position inside the Communion rails. This done, the following dialogue took place between the Rector and the officiating Church-Wardens, Messrs. Hall and Wurtele : — The old colors and guard of honor from the 69th Regiment, commanded by Captain Thos. Henry Charleton, had, in the mean time taken up their position at the west door. The Rector desires the Church-Wardens to enquire who knocks. Mr. Church-Warden Wurtele, having inquired, returned and informed the Rector that it was Captain Thomas Henry Charleton, of the 69th Regiment, who craved speech of the authorities of this Cathedral. The Rector desired Captain Charleton to be admitted. Captain Charleton, on reaching the Communion rails, addressed the Rector as follows : — " I have been commanded by Lieut.-Col. George Bagot to repair with the old colors of the 69th Regiment, under a sufficient escort, to this Cathedral, in the hope that its authorities will permit these venerated emblems of loyalty, Christianity, and civilization, to find a fitting resting place within the walls of this sacred building, in the midst of a loyal and God-fearing population." The Rector replied : " Inform Lieut.-Col. Bagot that we receive these colors as a sacred trust, not only as emblems of loyalty, Christianity and civilization, but in remembrance of a regiment which has been conspicuous in repelling a recent invasion of this Province, whose conduct has been : \ h characteriaii by a singular regard to order and regularity, and which, l^y its general bearing, has deservedly wou the highest esteem.of every member of the community." The clergy then in procession, advanced to the west door of the Cathedral, and returned followed by the escort and colors. When the clergy assumed their places within the Communion rails, the colors were given to the Rector, the escort presenting arms, the organ playing the National Anthem. SERVICE. HYMN. « Lord of all power and might, God of the quick and dead, Who through the tumult of the fight, Coverest the Soldier's head, Banners Thy servant blessed, Ere the stern contest came ; Lord, let their fragments ever rest. Where dwells Thy Holy Name. With them we bring to Thee, All that our hearts can give. Praise, honor, for the victory. Praise, honor, that we live. If,- when the tempest roared, A ready help was nigh. If near us the devouring sword Flashed, and passed harmless by ; These were thy works, oh King, Thine, Thine, the glory be, Here while Thy ransomed people sing Eternal praise to Thee. Lord, as on that dark day, Be with Thy servants still — Hear, when they lift their void* to pray— Hear, and defend from ill. « ! ^^ i: '^ "Wi 33 Ob, in the trying boar When guilty pleaRure emiles, Rise Ttiou, and brcalc the tempter'8 po' Rise, and diiperse hia wiles. So when life's march is o'er, From sin and danger free, Our souls may dwell, for evermore, Saviour and God, with Thee." THE PRAYERS. The following prayers were then read by Mr. Fothergill, St. Peter's, in a clear and audible voice, the people kneeling : " Prevent us, Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and farther us with thy continual help : that in all our works begun, continued and ended in thee, we may glorify thy Holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. " Most gracious God, who hast set thy servant Victoria our Queen upon the throne of her Ancestors, we most humbly beseech thee to protect her on the same from all the dangers to which she may be exposed : Hide her from the gathc Jng together of the froward, and from the insurrection of wicked doers ; Do thou weaken the hands, blast the designs and defeat the enterprises of all her enemies, that no secret conspiracies, nor open violences, may disquiet her Reign : but that, being safely kept under the shadow of thy wing, and supported by thy power, she may triutnph over all opposition : that so the world may acknowledge thee to be her defender and mighty deliverer in all difficulties and adversities : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. " Almighty God, who art a strong tower of defence unto thy servants against the face of their enemies, we yield thee most humble and hearty thanks, for that it hath pleased thee to go forth with our armies : and here we offer and present unto thee, Lord, these colors, consecrated in thy Name, and carried as the tokens of thy presence, to be laid up in 1 '^ t^^HPn** '''■■' ■"P^li^lipWI" "VVPMIliP 34 r thy House, 1^ a memorial of 'thy mercies for ever. And humbly we %pMeob thee, who art the only giver of all victory, to defiKi, evermore, with the power of thy presence, all, of all orders, rank, and degree, in the 69th Regiment ; let thy Fatherly hand ever be over them : cover their heads in the day of battle : and all those who shall fall before the enemy, or who shall sink through sickness, do thou, of thy merciful goodness, receive to thyself, through the atoning merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord Amen.** At the conclusion of the above prayers, the Rev. Rector delivered the following ADDRESR. The ceremony you have now witnes^ved suggests some thoughts, which I take this opportunity of giving expression to. And I would address myself more especially, in the first instance, to those who have borne these colors, these honored and glorious colors, to this sacred building. The event which you have now witnessed must bring vividly to your recollection the past career of the Regiment to which you are attached. As you look upon these colors, now so tattered and titne-worn, you cannot but recall the occurrences of the many years you have rallied around them in every quarter of the globe. As you have marched beneath their shadow they have reminded you of your most Gracious Sovereign, and of the country to which you have the privilege to belong ; they have reminded you of the loyalty you owe to your Queen, and they have served to tell you further, that *' England expects every man to do his duty." That these feelings have ever been in your minds, the achievements of the Regiment fully testify. The names inscribed on your colors call back the past, and tell you as well as ourselves, that they were carried forth on many occasions in a righteous cause, and that as you rallied around them, shielded by an Almighty arm, and animated by a brave and noble spirit, you achieved the victory and won the praises of a grateful people. On the occasion to which I refer, many of year 4 mimr 7 inppiiHpp 9S T i I comrades, or predecessors in arms, fell beneath flp force of the contending enemy. Peace be with them,-dpMrouId say ; and may the cairn and peaceful place of rettteipied for these faded and well-used banners remind you of that " rest which remaineth to the people of God." Havin£^ deposited these colors in our Cathedral, you will return to perform your respective duties under new banners, presented by a Prince of the Royal blood, proving thereby that there is a link, a close and indissoluble link, between the Queen and the 69th Regiment ; banners, too, consecrated by the Chief Pastor of the Church of this Diocese, and thereby reminding you that you owe allegiance to One even higher than her whose name we venerate, and who ever lives enshrined in the hearts of a loving and loyal community. See then, that in the future you strive earnestly to maintain that marked position you have hitherto held amongst those who are enrolled for the preservation of peace, and, if need be, for the suppression of hostile nations and aggressive foes. See too, that you never lose sight of the fabt that you are Christian men, and that if you would be faithful and dutiful to an earthly Sovereign, the surest guarantee is that you bear true allegiance to a heavenly one. An occasion like this should not be passed over by any of us without producing some serious thoughts. We all profess to be the soldiers and servants of the Lord Almighty, and have all engaged to fight manfully under the banner of Christ against the world, the flesh and the devil. As we look, then, upon these time-honored colors, let us ever remember how true and loyal the 69th Regiment has been to its Queen, and may we often ask ourselves whether we are, with equal zeal and equal diligence, endeavoring to please and serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And may Grace be given us ever to fight under the Captain of our Salvation, keeping our eye fixed upon that standard whereon " Excelsior" is inscribed in indelible letters. In conclusion, I would say that it is with feelings of gratitude we accept the trust this day committed to us of preserving these venerable colors. They will always serve to remind us of i I A 1 36 our oonneeHknHth the mother country, while they will also^ ^rove a bo^Bl'UUon between the residents of Quebec and the 69th Rflbpit, ever recalling to our memories those for whom we hat* % deep regard, when far removed from us, and gaining ptfohance additional laurels. If I might add another word, it would be to quote those spirit-stirring words which the Gbrittkm soldier may well lay to heart : f Vfom atrength to ttrength go on, Wrtttle and fight and pray, ^ VrMd all the powera of darkness dowa, Am win the well-fougbt day. n«n having all things done, , And all yoar confliota paat, Te may obtain, through Ghciat alone, A, orown of joy at last." Many a vttteran soldier of the gallant Regiment, present yesterday, felt the deepest emotion on beholding these venerable emhiems, which have for so long a period added lustre to its lame, part from the hands of the young ensign into those of t|ie church authorities. The colors which they had followed over the four quarters of the globe, which they swore to defend with their lives when they first took office under the red cross of St. George, and which they have now — unsullied and unstained — parted with forever. The 69th Regiment bears on its colors the words " Bourbon," "Java," " Waterloo," and " India," in commemoration of its very distinguished and brilliant services at these plaoes.^ 4 IH msmm