NOTES OF INSPECTION RETURNS FROM THE RECORD OFFICE
S. M. Milne, Esq., of Calverley House, Calverley, Leeds, has most kindly given me the following interesting notes:
Rough Index and Notes of Inspection Returns to be found at the Public Record Office, Fetter Lane, London:—
2nd DRAGOONS
1750. Canterbury, May 9th. Gen. Sir Philip Honeywood.—"Have grenadier caps, and wear them well; drums of wood in good order, buff accoutrements coloured white, the sergeants sashes striped red, blue and yellow, the standards and belts indifferent. Uniform red, faced blue, white buttons, and button holes, blue waistcoats, and breeches."
1750. Maidstone, October 6th. "Two standards good." (Evidently new since last inspection.)
1751. Wells, April 30th. "2 Standards good."
1755. November 4th. Standards as last mentioned. "Officers' uniforms all new, quartermasters, and sergeants' horses, have hunters tails, accoutrements coloured white, men have white gaiters, sergeants have sashes, Caps all new and remarkably fine. The whole regiment has grey horses, uniform red, lined blue, blue waistcoats and breeches, white buttons and button holes, grenadier caps."
1756. October 14th. The light troop has 65 swivel belts, 65 cartouche boxes and belts, 63 spades, 32 hand bills, 31 axes, dress red faced and lined blue, blue waistcoats, and breeches, white buttons, and button holes—caps.
1757. October 14th. Recruit horses cost £21 each, for the Light Troop horses £15 19s. each. The sergeants have sashes.
1758. Bury St. Edmunds. June 30th. "blue shag breeches. Caps, no hatts."
1764. Manchester. November 2nd. "Horses of great size."
1765. Worcester, November 13th. "Two standards in bad condition recd in 1752. Officers have blue cuffs embroidered with gold, blue waistcoats and breeches. There are two new Standards in store."
1768. Blackheath (no date). Two standards new in 1766.
1769. Musselburg, May 10th. Gen. Oughton.—"Officers' uniforms embroidered with gold."
1770. Coventry, May 15th. Major-Gen. Murray.—"two standards 1766. A very fine regt, and perfectly fit for service."
1771. Newbury, April 15th. Two standards 1766. "The regiment is fit for immediate business in all respects has a very serviceable and soldier like appearance, at the same time the latter might be improved by more air and addition of quickness in the movements."
1772. Salisbury, May 4th. Standards good.
1773. Blackheath, May 18th. (As above.)
1774. Colchester, May 2nd. Gen. Preston. (As above.)
1777. Worcester, May 10th. Major-Gen. Parker.—"The regiment is very fit for service, and though the men are not particularly upright, makes a handsome appearance, the men are to be supplied with bearskin caps at their next clothing, and the officers are to be provided likewise with bearskin caps, it was said in excuse for the badness of the horses tails, that on account of the colour their tails were frequently plucked, and the hairs stolen. The officers mess together and seem to live in harmony. The trumpeters when the regiment dismounted and formed in battalion, played two of them on clarionettes, two French horns and two on bassoons, and there is besides a music master paid to instruct them, who was present in the field."
Note.—I expect the hairs were stolen for fishing purposes, silk-worm gut not yet having come into use.—S. M. Milne.
1779. Salisbury, October 6th. Gen. Johnston.—Officers' uniform "royal facings, gold embroidered button holes, although the men have white, and caps with black bearskin fronts, handsomely embroidered and ornamented."
Note.—These caps had just superseded the tall cloth fronted old established Grenadier caps, fronted with blue cloth, displaying the "White Horse" and the Star of the Order of the Thistle.—S. M. Milne.
1781. Blandford, October 6th. By Gen. Warde.
1782. Durham, September 12th. Lord Adam Gordon.—"Has three standards one good and two bad. I do not recollect, in the thirty five years I have known the regiment, ever to have seen it finer; if the horse furniture was scarlet, instead of blue, it would shew better, in my humble opinion."
1783. Musselburgh, May 27th. Gen. Mackay.
1784. Manchester, June 3rd. Gen. Johnstone.—"New standards given out in 1783. Royal facings with gold embroidered button holes, two epaulettes, as grenadiers have, and black bearskin caps."
Note.—At this period all other heavy cavalry officers had only one epaulette!—S. M. Milne.
1786. Gloucester, May 31st. Gen. Phillipson.
1788. Ashford Common, May 9th. Gen. Douglas.
1790. York, May 10th. Gen. Tonyn.—"two standards and belts in 1783."
1791. Musselburgh, May 25th. Lord Adam Gordon.
1792. Manchester, June 7th. Gen. Hyde.
1801. Dorchester, September 28th. Gen. Garth.—"Five standards in good order."
Note.—The regiment had been increased to eight, or perhaps ten, troops.—S. M. Milne.
1802. Croydon, October 11th. Major-Gen. Cartwright.—Reviewed by "His Majesty" on Ashford Common, September 24th, 1801. "White stable jackets are made with the regiment, and paid for by the men, price 11/-. In marching order the men wear their fur caps—the horse cloth is placed on the saddle, cloak before water deck over the saddle bags, and collar chain in the horse shoe case,—in watering order the men wear Russia duck trousers, and make use of the bridoon as a bridle—reason assigned for placing the 'chain' in the horse shoe case is that when worn on the neck it stains the colour (grey) of the horse—no overalls are in use in the regiment, four standards are in use."
1803. Croydon, May 25th. Gen. Gwynn.
1803. Canterbury, December 16th. Gen. Staviley.
1804. Canterbury, June 11th. Gen. Staviley.—"Four standards in use."
1807. "Five Standards."
1814. Piershill had "five standards."
Regimental Standards, the property of Capt. D. W. Milne Home, of Wedderburn, used by the Regiment during the service of his ancestor, Gen. David Home, of Wedderburn, who died 1809.
No. 1. Original of dark blue silk; Scottish Crown and Thistle with Motto surmounting Regimental Motto. Regimental Badge of the White Horse and "II.D." ("Second Dragoons") at opposite corners.
No. 2. Original of rose-coloured silk, with Scottish Crown over Thistle and Rose, surmounting Motto on Scroll. Regimental Badges and "II.D." as above.
No. 3. Original of dark blue silk, with Imperial Crown over Scottish Thistle on rose-coloured ground in garter, with Motto "NEC SUNT TIBI MARTE SECUNDI." Regimental Badges and "II.D."
1815. Note.—I could not find any Inspection Return, but I gather from other returns of this year, in France, that no cavalry regiments took their standards to the Waterloo campaign at all, nor, for that matter, to France afterwards!! (pace Lady Butler!)—S. M. Milne.
Newspaper cutting kindly sent by Captain Lindsay—
"For Those in Peril.
"The medal struck by Napoleon to commemorate the invasion of England, which has come into the sale-room again, would have fetched a far higher price when it was first cast could his contemporaries have had guarantee of the falseness of the prophecy which it expresses. Those were the days when the Volunteer movement was born; those the days when Pitt promised an importunate squad that they should not be sent out of the country—except in case of actual invasion. At about this time a notable prayer was published. It begins by invoking a blessing upon 'a' in this house, and a' within two miles ilka side this house, the cow, the kail-yard, and the muckle town o' Dumbarton.' The Scots Greys lying in Hamilton Barracks are commended to favour. 'They are braw chiels—they are not like the English whalps, that dash their foot against a stone, and damn the soul of the stone, as if a stone had a soul to be saved.'"
The following, all kindly transcribed by Captain Lindsay from the originals still at Binns, by generous permission of the present owner:—
Holograph.
Charles by the Grace of God etc. to the High & Mighty prince etc.
Most high and most mighty prince our deare Brother Cousin and freind. Knowing the esteem your highness has of men of valour and being persuaded by the repeated assurances of your good will towards us, we have been induced to recommend to your Highness the bearer hereof our most faithfull and well beloved subject Thomas Dalyell Lieut:Generall of foot who now desires to go to Polland in order to dedicate himself to your highnesse's service in your armys, and seeing he has behaved himself with all the fidelity bravery and conduct in ye post of Lieutenant Generall in our armys we doubt not that by his good & faithfull service he shall deserve your highness's favour, Wherefor we earnestly intreat your highns you would receive him kindly into your service and allow him your favour and protection, and whatever advantage he shall receive from this our recommendation we shall entirely owe it to your highness and shall loose no ocasion or opportunity to aknowlege it and so we recomend your highness to ye care of the eternall and almighty God. Given at Colloign the seventeenth day of Aprile yeare of God 1656 and of our reign the seventh year
Your highness
Most dear brother & cousin
Ch: R.
Holograph the 2nd.
Charles by the Grace of God etc. to ye Most illustrious & prince etc. Lord John Razivile prince of ye holy Roman Empire ... of ye great Dutchy of Lithuania and Great Generall of ye Armys of Polland our most dear frend and Cousin.
Most illustrious and prince our most dear cousin and freind. Seeing our most faithfull and well beloved subject ye noble and brave Lietenant Generall Tho: Dalyell resolves to go to Polland in order to serve in ye army of ye most high and mighty prince our dearest Brother the King of Polland and has behaved himself in ye post of Luetenant Genall in our army always undoubted fidelity conduct and courage we have thought fitt to recommend him who has served us so well to your Excellence that he may have your favour and protection and earnest entreat your excellence that you would so make use of your power and authority that he may not be disappointed in his design but by your interest may get such a post in your armys as one of his courage and conduct deserves, in doing of which your highness will not only intirely oblige him, but likewise do us such a favour as we shall take all occasions to acknowledge.—Given at Colloign the 17th day of August.
Your excellence's
Good Cousin
Ch: R.
(The date of this must be 1665.)
The Translation of General Thomas Dalyell's Russian Commission. Copy of this translation 1762. Original is lost, but there is an enrolment of this deed in the Russian Records.
"By the Grace of God We the Great Sovereign Czar and Great Prince Alexis Michaelovitch, self-upholder of All the Russias, the great, the little and the white, of Muscovy, Kiovia, and Novo Grodia, Czar of Cazan, Czar of Astracan, Czar of Siberia; Lord of Pscovia and Great Prince of Litovia, of Smolensk, of Twerr Wolsynia, Podolia, Jugovia, Permia, of Wiatca, Bulgaria and of others; Lord and Great Prince of Novegorode, of the country of Nizovia, Chernigovia, Rezania, Polovia, Rostovia, Jaroslavia, Belozeria, Udovia, Obdovia, Condia, Witebia, Mstislavia and Ruler of all the Northern Countries; Lord of the Iberian Nation, which is under the Castalinian and Georgian Czars; and of the Cabardinian Country which is under the Chercassian and the Mountainious Princes; and of many other Kingdoms and Nations of the East, West and North, to our Forefathers belonging, Lord, possessor and Heir.—
"Declare by this patent of our Czarian Majesty to the Great Sovereign Kings, to the Ministers of State, Dukes, Counts, and to all free Gentlemen, whom it may concern
"That Thomas Daliel Leutenant Generall, formerly came over hither in order to serve our Great Czarian Majesty; and whilst he was with us in our Dominions, he did serve our Great Sovereign and Czarian Majesty: He stood against our Enemies and fought valiantly. The Military men that were under his command, he regulated, disciplined and led them to the Battle himself: and he did and performed everything Faithfully, and becoming a Noble Commander.
"And for those his faithful services, We the Great Lord and Czarian Majesty were pleased to order the said Leutenant General to be a General, he being worthy of that honour through his Merit: and he accordingly served our Czarian Majesty as General, and he stood against our Enemies and fought them courageously. In consequence of which, we our Czarian Majesty granted him a stipend according to his Dignity for his Table and for his pay. And now he the General has petitioned our Czarian Majesty that we would please to give him Leave to return in to his own country. Therefore we the Great Sovereign and Czarian Majesty were pleased to order that the said Noble General, who is worthy of all Honor, Thomas, the son of Thomas Dalyel should have leave to go in to his own country. And, by this patent of our Czarian Majesty, we do testify of him That he is a man of Virtue and Honor, and in the Military operations of great experience. And in case he should be willing again to serve our Czarian Majesty he is to let us know of it before hand; and he shall come in to the Russian Dominions of our Czarian Majesty with our safe passports. And in Testimony of his services, We ordered to give him this Patent of our Czarian Majesty, under our Great Seal of State.
"Given at our Court in the Mitropolis City of Moscow in the year from the Creation of the World 7173 Jany 6th. (A.D. 1665.)
[N.B.—The inscription on the seal contains all the titles, as in the first paragraph of the Patent.]
"The foregoing Translation being entirely and truly conformed with the original Patent in Russian Dialect and Character, it is certified by the underwritten Counsellor of the Embassy and Chargé D'Affaires of His Imperial Majesty of all Russia in London
"the 30th day of March 1762.
"Signed Theodore Luders."
N.B.—The record of this in Russian is titled Recueil des Chartes de l'Etat et Traités publiés aux frais du Chancelier de l'Empire Comte Roumianzow. Volume iv., page 143. Moscou, 1828.
The following is transcribed from the original MS. in the General Register House, Edinburgh, under date 1685:—
- The order of the March of the troops
- att Generall Dalyell his funerall
- The officers are all to have Black scarffs and the troops are
- to march with there armes in the posture appointed
- for these occasiones and the trumpettes drums and
- collors are to be ordered as is useuall in the like caises.
- The march is to begin from the Abbay church in this maner
- Major Wedersburnes troop of dragoons
- Earle of Drumlangrig's troop of horses
- The one halfe of the regiment of ffoot guards
- six peece of Cannon guarded by the
- Company of Matrosses
- the other halfe of the regiment of ffoote guards
- The Magistrates of Edinburgh
- my Lord Chancellor (if his Lordship pleases)
- wt the Nobility and Gentry
- The horse of Wair led by two ffoot men
- a gentleman with the Generalls Baton
- The hearse adorned as shall be thought fitt
- with the corpes
- His Majesties Life guard
- dureing the procession there are guns to be fyred
- from the Castle from tyme to tyme
- att the first convenient place beyond
- the West port the troopes are to sett and
- give thre salvies in order as they march
- the castle in the meantyme fyreing a whole round
- Thereafter the horse and dragoons are to martch forwards to the
- buriall place in the same order they martched through the town
- and after the corps are past
- the ffoot and Cannon are to return
A large thin folio volume lettered outside: "Papers connected with the Royal Scots Dragoons, 1696 to 1704-6." The first writing in the book (it is really a guard book for insertions) is—
The following old papers and letters were given to me by Sir William Wallace, Bart., and with his permission I now present them to the Royal Scots Greys.—Geo. Cleghorn, Weens, Roxburghshire. Late a Captain in the regiment. April, 1870.
The two following letters from General Dalyell do not relate to the Greys, but are charming specimens of written language. It may be well to remember that the great Duke of Marlborough was almost devoid of education.
General Dalyell to the Earl of Lauderdale.
My Lord, ...
I moist confes I could not hev thoight this cuntray so il prinsiplit as I find tham, and am confedent if foren forsis or armis cum this laind vil all go in Rebelion, and it simis this laist if it had not bein mistymed had bein muth moir terible, and no piple heve with moir egernes soight after marterdom then thir Roigis to karay thair desyn on deye; mane of the vimen upbraden thair husbends and childen for not deyen on the pleis; and that vhith is to me strange to see even thois vho profesis muth for his Maieste so mersefule inclynit to thois damnet crue.
My Lord,
I am your Lordships humble servent
Dalyell.
Kilmanoh, the 27 decembr 1666
Lieut.-General Dalyell to the Duke of Lauderdale.
Edeinburgh, 4 June [1680]
May it pleis your Greis,
The trust his Maieste hes honorit me with of his forsis in this kingdom forsis me to reyou the acompt of the troupe bestaued on the Erle of hume, whois karitha is so od that it uil onle rander the troup euslis to his Maiesty bot thingis may probable fal out to ingadg them against his Maiestes forsis, yai his Liutinant the Mr of Rois ken hardle stay on his imploiment nather is his quarter cliret nor his troup payit as is doon be the reist of the forsis. I kno the foilt is myn that he is not trayit be a court of uar: this I shun it for the honor of his famile and leist it migh damp his loialte. Remiting it to your greis to taik what couers you pleis to precrayne[?] in it
*****
May it pleis your Greis of ever mois humble servant
T. Dalyell.
In the Record Office under the date 30th October, 1684, is the following order, which is of particular interest as incidentally illustrating that the Dragoon was neither Cavalry nor Infantry, but the chosen hero of modern story—the Mounted Infantryman.
For the preventing of all disputes that might arise concerning the Rank of our Royall Regiment of Dragoons or of any other Regiment of Dragoons that shall be employed in our Service; Wee have thought fit hereby to declare Our Pleasure—
That our own Royall Regiment of Dragoons, and all other Regiments of Dragoons to be employed in our Service shall have precedency both as horse and Foot as well in Guarrison an in the Field as in all Counsells of Warr and other Military occasions; and the Colonells and Officers of the said Regiments of Dragoons shall command as Officers of Horse and Foot according to the nature of the place where they shall be (that is to say) that in the Field the said Regiments shall take place as Regiments of Horse, according to the date of their commissions; and that in Guarison they command as Foot Officers, and their Regiments take place amongst the Foot according to their respective seniorities from the time they were raised.
An Account of Moneys disburst for the Ld Tiviots Regt of Dragns on their March from Scotland to Deptford & Greenwich to embark for Flanders in March 1693/4 and on their March from Harwich where they landed again from Flanders in Decr 97, to Berwick upon Tweed in their way to Scotland.
| £ s d | ||
|---|---|---|
| Feb 93/4 | For 4 wagons for the Regt from Harwich to Southwark, being one wagon to two troops—300 miles at 8d a mile for each waggon comes to | 40:0:0 |
| 27 Apr 94 | For 1 Waggon for 2 Troop from S'wark to Gravesend. 20 miles | 0:13:4 |
| For 1 waggon for a Troop from do. to Dartford and Crayford 14 | 0: 9:4 | |
| For 1 wagn for 2 Troops from do. to Croydon & Bromley 10 | 0: 6:8 | |
| For 1 wagn for two troops from do. to Putney & Wandsworth 5. | 0: 3:4 | |
| For wagons from the several places above mentioned to Deptford & Greenwich for Flanders | 2: 0:0 | |
| For fire and candle on their March from 8 Feb 93-4 to the last of March following | 15: 6:0 | |
| 58:18:8 | ||
| Andrew Agnew | Major & Capt |
| Patt: Robinson | Lieut |
| William Crawfoord | Cornet |
| James Douglas | Qr Mr |
| Thos: Taitt | Sarjants |
| And: Ffordyce | |
| John Vanmorgan | Hoyboyes |
| Henrick Bastine | |
| William Pattan | Drummers |
| David Jolly | |
| Walter Graham | Corpll |
| William Murray | Corpll |
| Robert Douglas | Corpll |
| Tho: Agnew | |
| James Agnew | |
| Anthony Alisone | |
| James Alexander | |
| Duncan Blair | |
| Halbert Broun | |
| John Blackburn | |
| James Bannerman | |
| George Cannon | |
| John Craig | |
| John Campbell | |
| Alexander Gordon | |
| Nathaniell Gordon | |
| Samuell Gordon | |
| Walter Graham | |
| Thomas Graham | |
| James Gray | |
| John Halling | |
| John Hunter | |
| William Hartley | |
| Andrew Hartley | |
| William Johnstoune | |
| David Kennedy | |
| David Kiddy | |
| Alexander Lawsone | |
| James Murdoch | |
| Thomas Manwell | |
| Andrew Mcffadrick | |
| John McMichan | |
| James Mcdonald | |
| Stephen Oliphantt | |
| John Portteous | |
| Quintine Robisone | |
| Thomas Ronnan | |
| John Simpsone | |
| John Smith | |
| James Stewartt | |
| Robertt Stewartt | |
| William Shirilaw | |
| William Simpsone | |
| George Steill | |
| John Taylor | |
| James Tellfoord | |
| John Weir | |
| George Wrightt | |
| George Duncan | |
| Archibald ffleming | |
| James fforbes | |
| James Knox | |
| John Lawrence | |
| John Moore | |
| John Buchanan | |
| John Thomsone | |
| William Stewartt |
Att Tyell y 1st of Dec 1702
Mustered in in Major Andrew Agnews Troop in her Majesties Royall Regiment of Scots Dragoons Commanded by the Right Honorable the Viscount of Teviott ye Capt, Lieut, Cornett and Qr Mr with their led horses two sarjants three Corplls two Hauttboyes two drummers with fifty four private dragoons Mounted. These comenceing the first of Decr to ye last of Janry both inclusive being sixty two daies.
G. Marshall
The following, by kind permission of the Editor of the Globe, and the author, Colonel R. M. Holden, F.S.A.Scot., is reprinted from the Globe of 14th June, 1906:—
THE WATERLOO BALL
The Congress of Vienna was about to break up, not in the best possible humour, when the announcement fell like a thunderbolt that Napoleon had escaped from Elba, which had been assigned to him on his abdication in 1814, that he had landed in France, had entered Paris, and had re-ascended the throne. The Allied Sovereigns soon silenced their differences in a harmonious resolution to combine against the disturber of the peace. Napoleon was declared the common enemy of Europe, his sovereignty was ignored, and preparations for war at once entered upon. It is estimated that by June a million of men were ready to fall upon France.
The Duke of Wellington established his headquarters at Brussels, where he had with him in and about the city over 25,000 men. The city was filled with fashionable non-combatants of all nations, including numbers of British who had long been cut off from the Continent, and had been drawn thither by curiosity, or from having relations in the army. The whole place teemed with intrigue, for there were still a large number of officials who had served under Napoleon, and were ready to return to him. However, everything outwardly remained quiet, and there was no sense of immediate danger. Parties were common, "and all went merry as a marriage bell." Among the social entertainments none was so much talked about as the now historic ball which was given by Charlotte, Duchess of Richmond, wife of Charles, fourth Duke of Richmond and Lennox, K.G., who, with their family, had occupied a villa in Brussels since the Duke relinquished the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland in 1813. The Duchess was a daughter, by his beautiful wife, Jean, of the fourth Duke of Gordon, known by the Highlanders as the "Cock of the North." The daughter of a soldier, the wife of a soldier, and the mother of one, her Grace was in close touch with the army. In her youth there were few more attractive girls than Lady Charlotte Gordon when she used to appear in the feather bonnet and Gordon tartan plaid, in compliment to the 92nd Highlanders and Gordon Fencibles, which her father had raised.
The much-talked-of ball took place on the 15th June, 1815, ninety years ago yesterday. At three o'clock in the afternoon of that day a messenger arrived with important news for the Duke of Wellington that Napoleon at the head of his army had crossed the Sambre that morning, and had forced the Prussians to retire through Charleroi and Fleurus to a position near Ligny. The Duke immediately sent off orders for his troops to hold themselves in readiness to move, but not to advance. The latter he delayed until the evening, when reports from Mons had satisfied him that the attack was not a feint, and that Napoleon really had taken the Charleroi road. The critical state of affairs did not prevent the Iron Duke from attending the ball. On the contrary, he not only went himself, but he encouraged his officers to attend, thinking that their presence there would have a reassuring effect on the people of Brussels. In the room, the coachmaker's store improvised for the occasion, were assembled some two hundred guests, including ladies well known in English society, and most of the Duke of Wellington's staff—the Prince of Orange, the Duke of Brunswick, Lord Hill, Sir Thomas Picton, Sir Henry Clinton, the Earl of Uxbridge, Lord Edward Somerset, Sir Hussey Vivian, Sir William Ponsonby, Sir Denis Pack, and others. The news had spread that the French army was about to cross the frontier, and it caused a very natural sensation, but the dancing was not interrupted. Indeed, we are told that it was maintained with unusual spirit, as if to make the most of the enjoyment which was so soon to be interrupted. An interesting incident occurred which does not appear to have been recorded. During an interval in the dancing, a party of non-commissioned officers of the 92nd Highlanders, headed by their pipers, proudly marched into the room, having been specially invited to give an exhibition of the reel to her Grace's British and foreign guests; never did these Gay Gordons dance with greater grace, or to a more appreciative audience.
The imperturbable Duke of Wellington remained at the ball till past midnight, constantly receiving messages and giving orders privately to the staff. He then quietly withdrew for the desperate encounter which was destined to be the crowning scene in a military career of unequalled brilliancy. The other officers gradually left the room and joined their regiments, many in their dancing pumps. The Duchess of Richmond and her daughters took no further part in the ball; her husband and two of her sons had accompanied the troops. But the girls generally are said to have shown great heartlessness. After saying farewell to their partners, many of them for the last time, they continued dancing for some hours. Meanwhile, drums, bugles, and pipes sounded the assembly through the silent streets; the soldiers came swarming out like bees, and Brussels was soon astir at the unwonted bustle. What followed is well known. Two days later Napoleon's pride was crushed by the most glorious victory ever won by British arms; and, alas, the voice of many a gallant soldier who, but a few hours before, had been a welcome guest at the historic ball in Brussels, was silent in the grave.
The identity of the famous ball-room in Brussels has been the subject of much controversy. For many years it was assumed that the house had been pulled down and the ground built over. The villa occupied by the Duke and Duchess of Richmond has disappeared in the sense that it has been absorbed in the Hospital of the Augustinian Sisters; but it was established by the late Sir William Fraser to his own and the general satisfaction of the public, that the ball was never held in the villa. It took place in the store-room, hired for the occasion, of Mons. Simon, the coachmaker, he who built the famous carriage which Napoleon used in the campaign. It was separate from the villa, and still stands in the Rue de la Blanchisserie, in the lower part of the town, being part of the building which had returned a few years back to its original purpose of a coachmaker's factory and depôt. The room is a long barn-like one, with smooth, old-fashioned pillars, and a polished floor, and has been likened to the Lower School at Eton under Long Chamber—the same square, solid pillars, a low ceiling, and brick, whitewashed walls.
From the "Military and Biographical Notices of the Fallen Heroes" (pamphlet):
ROYAL SCOTS GREYS
"Honour to the Memory of the Brave."
The following is a list of the officers and men killed in action on the 18th June, 1815, belonging to the 2nd N. B. Dragoons (Scots Greys) given by Sir James Steuart, their Colonel:—
| 8 | Officers killed | 8 | Officers wounded |
| 4 | Sergeants killed | ||
| 84 | Privates killed | 89 | Privates wounded |
Memorandum relative to the Cavalry at Waterloo from a pamphlet printed at the time:—
| Corps, Etc. | Officers | Rank and File | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killed | Wounded | Missing | Killed | Wounded | Missing | Total | Effective Force | |
| General Staff | 12 | 46 | 3 | — | — | — | 61 | — |
| 1st Life Guards | 2 | 4 | — | 24 | 49 | 4 | 83 | 227 |
| 2nd Life Guards | 1 | — | 1 | 16 | 40 | 97 | 155 | 232 |
| Royal Horse Guards | 1 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 61 | 20 | 106 | 239 |
| 1st Dragoon Guards | 7 | 4 | — | 120 | 115 | — | 246 | 529 |
| 1st or Royal Dragoons | 4 | 9 | 1 | 86 | 88 | 9 | 197 | 395 |
| 2nd or Royal N.B. Dragoons | 6 | 8 | — | 96 | 89 | — | 199 | 391 |
| 6th Dragoons | 1 | 5 | 1 | 72 | 111 | 27 | 217 | 397 |
| 7th Hussars | — | 7 | 3 | 62 | 109 | 15 | 196 | 386 |
| 10th Hussars | 2 | 6 | — | 20 | 40 | 26 | 94 | 390 |
| 11th Light Dragoons | 2 | 5 | — | 10 | 34 | 25 | 76 | 398 |
| 12th Light Dragoons | 2 | 3 | — | 45 | 61 | — | 111 | 402 |
| 13th Light Dragoons | 1 | 9 | — | 11 | 69 | 19 | 109 | 390 |
| 15th Hussars | 2 | 3 | — | 21 | 48 | 5 | 79 | 389 |
| 16th Light Dragoons | 2 | 4 | — | 8 | 18 | — | 32 | 387 |
| 18th Hussars | — | 2 | — | 13 | 72 | 17 | 104 | 396 |
| 23rd Light Dragoons | — | 5 | 1 | 14 | 26 | 33 | 79 | 397 |
| 1st Light Dragoons K.G.L. | 3 | 11 | — | 30 | 99 | 10 | 153 | 498 |
| 2nd Light Dragoons K.G.L. | 2 | 4 | — | 19 | 54 | 3 | 82 | 518 |
| 1st Hussars K.G.L. | — | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 618 |
| 2nd Hussars K.G.L. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 487 |
| 3rd Hussars K.G.L. | 4 | 8 | — | 40 | 78 | — | 130 | 640 |
The Editor is indebted to Colonel Williams, commanding the Greys, for the following:—
Major Ker Fox, late 19th Hussars, to Colonel Williams, 14th December, 1905.
Dear Sir,—In looking through some family papers the other day I came across the enclosed letter written to an ancestor of mine, nearly 150 years ago, by a trooper in the North British Dragoons....
"Revd. Sir—Experiencing your wellwishes for me when presant & Expecting A Continuance of the same emboldens me to send you word of my welfare being assured that it will be acceptable. I have long since Designed to do what I am now about, That I might be answered By the good account that you and all my acquaintances are well. I have the greatest reason to bless God that I am still Alive For truely Sir since we have been Abroad many have fallen By Death some by the fatigues of War & number in ye Field, yet to me has the Lord been Sufficient having as yet saved my health & covered me from all the Dangers Ive been exposed to. I might here tell you of our transactions During this Campaign but being persuaded you are no stranger to them I will only say that our Fatigue has been great, For ever since the 20th of last March that our Regiment left winter quarters we have moved up & down. First from Paderborn to Bergen where we fought the French & the Battle being as it were Drawn on both sides we could not live there being then no forage on the ground & what was in the houses the French had it forraged into their Maggazins so that for want of forrage we were forced to Leave the Frontiers of the enemy & march for Hess Castle where we abode 3 weeks, till the Forrage appear'd in the Field, the French came down after us with one Army & Formed another near Lipstadt where we open'd the Campaing. It is strange indeed to hear the various accounts of the enemy amongst us for the perhaps not 3 miles Distant from others their Number will by talk Increas or decreas 50000 in a Day, here they were given out for 190000 Men which I beleve Did not amount to more than 100000. Which was by far the supperior Number for ours was never 80000. So that at the eve of the Battle & for some weeks before All was Hush non knew aney thing till directly put in Execution. So great was the conduct of our Brave Prince Ferdinand, Orders for marching on the 1st of August was no sooner given than the French began to cannonade the Princes Quarters thinking to draw our army there when they would have flank'd us. But the Prince Left the Place, & March'd us to the Left. That with the Blessing of God altered the whole for they were briskly Repulsed & By the same means there great numbers was put to a Wofull Flight. It is true the sight and presence of the Field is terrable, But the Victory soon Dispell'd it. Altho many suffer'd on Both sides, Here the face of affairs were chang'd And we are almost so far advanc'd After them as where we fought at Bergen. There is scarce a Day but we gain some Advantage over them & with Little Loss on our side, so that if God continues his Favours on our army the enemy will soon Leave Germany. Marbourg surrendered the 1st Days Seige & Never a Man lost on our side. About 4 days ago we forc'd the out Posts of their flying Camp & got 800 prisoners. We Rejoiced here yesterday for the Good News from England & Saxony By fireing all the Cannon & small arms in the Field 3 times. The French Ly about 6 miles from us, we march foreward the morrow, so that if they dont Abandon their Campment we expect another engadgement soon. I have here Dear & Revd Sir I am afraid taken to much time in telling you the thing you have long since been acquaint with; But I hope you will excuse Me in so Doing and Remember me with my comerades at the Throne of Grace, Being confident of your care, I pray that God give your endevours the Blessing of Turning Many that Dwell in Darkness to Him, And that your Reward may be great, is the ernest Prayer Rev. Sir of your Most Obedient Servant—William Knox Dragoon.
"If you Please Turn oer
"I will be obliged greatly if you would Answer this soon Derecting to Wm Knox Dragoon in the Royl. North British Dragoons Col. Prestons Troop With the Grand Alied Army—Germany. And Remember me earnestly to all my Worthy Friends that are your Hearers.
"N.B.—I had this By me since the 17th and has had no opertune of sending it away before this Date. We are now just by the French and its Beleved that we wont seperate Before we engadge again, we having been close to them these 7 days. A small River only parts us. The French head quarters is at Geeshen and ours at Stroffsdorf. Their Campment is strong and ours is the same. We saddle every Night & doe not unsadle till we see the enemy's Camp when the fog is off in the morning. Our Piquets and advanc'd Posts Lys by theirs all night & Returns to Camp when assured they are still.
"Kroffsdorf Camp 25th Sept 1759."
Frampton, North Berwick,
25th November, 1906.
Dear Colonel Williams,
I do not know whether you ever heard of the following, or not—if not, then perhaps it may serve its purpose....
During a big day at Aldershot, "the Greys," one of the cavalry regiments engaged, was missed from the scene of action in the Long Valley. A.D.C.'s, gallopers, and mounted orderlies were sent all over the place to find them.
The commanding officer had simply dismounted his men, and got them into the "Cocked Hat" wood, and told them they might get their pipes out and take it easy. When at length found, an A.D.C. rode up to the colonel, and said that the general had missed the regiment, and was extremely put about in consequence, and told the commanding officer that he (the general) wished the regiment to retire behind the crest of some rising ground.
It is reported that the commanding officer at that time, not being very good at handling his regiment, thought he saw his way out of the difficulty, and with great dignity said, "Young man, go back to your general, and tell him that the Greys never retire." ...
Montague Johnstone.
Somerset, Coleraine, Ireland,
25th November, 1906.
My dear Williams,
We were on the Curragh ... and next us were the old Gordons. We were always pointing out to them that, for Scotchmen in the ranks, they could not hold a candle to us. One day some of them came to us, and told us they had a batch of recruits coming, real Highlanders, such as we had not, "none of 'em had seen the English," and the band and pipes had gone to Newbridge to "march 'em up." So down we all went to the outlet of the Newbridge road to see the arrival on the Curragh. Sure enough, soon we heard the pipes and saw the sporrans swinging, always a glorious sight! and on the boys came, straight from their mountains and glens. But, alas! as they passed us and came in full view of the Curragh, a young recruit in the ranks turned to his comrade and said, "Why, bust me, Billy, if this ain't Putney 'Eath without the pubs." Tableau! and triumphal march home of the old Greys.
At the same period as this, one night the old Gordons poured through windows and doors into our mess and fairly wrecked us. So we joined forces and went for the 9th Lancers together in the same fashion. When all was smashed, all lights out, and everybody was leaning up against walls in torn and tattered mess uniform trying to get breath, in came a frightened mess waiter with a candle stuck in a ginger-beer bottle. This revealed a tablecloth on the floor still heaving up and down, the last struggle of a glorious fight. This was slipped away, and underneath was found the Junior Sub. of the Gordons tightly gripping the Colonel of the 9th Lancers by the throat—the chief nearly black in the face. But a more good-natured man never lived. He made it a subject of chaff, and a bond between all three regiments was thereby forged which I know will never be broken....
J. A. Torrens.
At Dundalk in 1868 during a good run with the Regimental Drag Hounds, a grey horse, Barabbas, owned and ridden by Lieutenant Bashford, pounded the field over a very boggy brook. At dinner the same evening, while discussing the extraordinary cleverness of the horse (after clearing the brook a native having roared out "Begorra, he changed on a trout"!), Mr. Wilkinson, the resident magistrate of Castle Bellingham, made a bet of £25 that Barabbas could not jump the mess-room table. The bet was at once accepted, and Mr. Bashford getting permission of the Colonel, went straight off to the stable, put on the saddle and bridle, and brought the horse into the mess-room. Captain Hicks, the paymaster, jumped on his back, and in a second had cleared the table.
Scene—The Crimea, two or three days before the charge of Balaclava. The Scots Greys are mounted and drawn up in line behind a hill waiting for orders. Lieut.-Colonel Darby Griffiths is sitting on his horse in front of the centre of the line. To him comes a young and very excited staff officer at full gallop, who says: "Colonel, ten men who dare go anywhere and know no fear are wanted at once. They must be desperate fellows, as they have a desperate job to perform. Please let me have them as soon as possible." Old Darby Griffiths, scarcely turning in his saddle, and without a moment's hesitation: "Greys, from your right number off ten!"
H. S.
THE LOST DUCKS
Some years ago a famous and historic cavalry regiment was moving from England to Ireland, marching by detachments, mostly of a troop each, to embark at Liverpool. These were billeted at nights in some town, foot and horse billets often widely scattered, and sometimes far separated one from the other. In the mornings, at the time appointed for marching away, all assembled at the rendezvous, usually the market-place, or a main street near the hotel where the officers were quartered. There a dense crowd watched the parade, the inspection, and the march off. On a certain occasion, the captain of C Troop, just before turning out, was interviewed by an angry, excited inn-keeper, who declared that the troopers billeted on him had stolen two of his fine, fat, white ducks. The captain assured him he must be mistaken, but that every means would be taken, if it were so, to detect and punish the culprits, and promised compensation. Owing to the great crowd round the parade, nothing could be done until clear of the town. On these marches, when horses were liable to sore backs and rubs from careless saddling, packing kit, girthing, etc., it was usual, after a trot, to halt a mile or so away from the billets, dismount, and carefully examine each horse and its equipment. On this occasion, the captain ordered kits to be unpacked, cloaks to be unrolled sufficiently to prevent the possibility of ducks being concealed in them. He then rode round the ranks drawn up on both sides of the road, and made a careful inspection. It revealed not even a feather of the ducks. From the next town he wrote to the aggrieved complainant, proving him to have been mistaken, and saying that such a charge should not have been brought against his men, who were incapable of stealing.
It was some years before the truth became known to the captain. In those days, officers on the line of march sent their light baggage by train with their servants, and carried nothing on their horses except brushes and stable rubbers for smartening up before entering a town, but they were ordered to carry behind the saddle a long-shaped valise, supposed to hold the kit, but usually filled with hay or straw to prevent rubbing the horse's back.
On that day the missing ducks were packed away in the captain's valise, and during his inspection and the whole of the day's march, he carried behind him the theft he was seeking to discover.
A. C. E. Welby.
The following by very kind leave of the author, an old officer of the Greys:—
THE BONNIE SCOTS GREYS.
(Air—"Bonnie Dundee.")
Come Highland, come Lowland, lend ear to the praise
Of the bravest of horsemen, your own gallant Greys;
Ye Scots far away from your native land, come,
Hear the fame of the Jocks, ever "Second to none."
Come, Scots, drink a health to your "Second to none";
To your own bonnie Greys, to their victories won;
Come, drink to the luck of your Jocks, one and all,
Wherever their trumpet of duty may call.
O, see the grey horses come stepping along,
So proud in their glory, so famous in song;
Black bonnets of bearskin; O, where are the peers
Of the men on grey horses, the Scots Grenadiers?
Come, Scots, drink a health, etc.
Their deeds are enshrined in the annals of war;
They have rode down the French, times a hundred and a',
And of standards and colours have ta'en such a store,
Not a corps in the world that has ever won more.
Come, Scots, drink a health, etc.
Many hundreds of French they at Blenheim did chase,
Penned them back in the village and made to cry grace;
Then at Ramillies captured the Corps of the King
And of standards a score with them homeward did bring.
Come, Scots, drink a health, etc.
See the white broider'd flag of the Household of France,
Like its thunderbolt emblem, at Dettingen glance;
"The giants have felt it," true motto that day,
When the hands of the Scotsmen had borne it away.
Come, Scots, drink a health, etc.
Now fill a full glass to the old ninety-twa,
So leal in their friendship, so gallant in war,
With a "Scotland for ever," the Waterloo shout,
When the Greys and the Gordons drove Frenchmen to rout.
Come, Scots, drink a health, etc.
"Ah, the beautiful Greys, I must crush them, I ween";
But the Greys reached the hill where Napoleon had been,
While the brave Sergeant Ewart an Eagle has ta'en,
And the Union Brigade gathered laurels of fame.
Come, Scots, drink a health, etc.
Balaclava resounds with the shouts of the Greys;
All the horsemen of Russia stand still with amaze;
Each Grey hews a path through the dense-crowded horde,
And the Russians spur homeward with willing accord.
Come, Scots, drink a health, etc.
Their deeds were their duty to Scotland, and a';
Should the trumpet again sound the charge in a war,
Not a Russian or Frenchman will e're dare to stay,
When they hear the wild war shout of "Scotland for aye."
Come, Scots, drink a health to your "Second to none";
To your own bonnie Greys, to their victories won;
Come, drink to the luck of your Jocks, one and all,
Wherever their trumpet of duty may call.
Alfred C. E. Welby.
On the eastern wall of the north transept of Norwich Cathedral is a memorial tablet as follows:—
To the memory of
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Thomas Pate Hankin, Kt.,
who died at Norwich
October 26th, 1825,
in the 60th year of his age.
This tablet is placed here as a tribute of respect
by the
Officers of the Royal Scots Greys,
in which regiment he had passed the greater part of his life, and commanded it
at the time of his death.
Extract from letter by the Honourable Charles Hamilton to his brother, George Baillie, during the Westphalian campaign. The original letter belongs to Lord Binning, who allowed his cousin, Captain Lindsay, to have this extract carefully made for him by the Honourable Hen. Dalrymple, brother of the Earl of Stair.
Buna Camp, Aug. 28th, 1760.
The Army stays where it was at Warburg. The Duke changed his quarters to Bunay a few days ago, it is about eight miles from Warburg. We are to march this day. The French marched from ground some time ago towards Cassel. The Hereditary Prince attacked their rearguard, the Grays & Inniskillings attacked some Cavalry, they were the only British Cavalry with the Prince, & tore them like pork & made dogs of them. In the persuit they were saluted with a fire from some infantry that killed several & wounded a good many. Col. Preston had his horse killed upon a bridge both he and his horse fell over, he was a good deal bruised.