SEVENTH BATTALION.

The Seventh Battalion of the Royal Artillery was formed on the 1st April, 1801. The Act for the Union between England and Ireland received the Royal assent on the 2nd July, 1800, and came into force on the 1st January, 1801. From this measure arose, as has been mentioned in a former chapter, the incorporation of the Royal Irish Artillery with the older Corps; and it was transferred as the Seventh Battalion of the Royal Artillery, consisting, at the date of transfer, of ten companies, with a proportion of Field and Staff officers. The incorporated officers took rank according to the dates of their respective commissions; but they were also allowed the option of retiring on full pay, or of taking commissions in the Line. The non-commissioned officers and gunners who were approved for transfer received each a bounty of three guineas.

The following table shows the proportion of ranks, total numbers, and rates of daily pay, in the Battalion when first formed.

Daily pay each.
One Colonel-Commandant240
One Colonel140
Three Lieutenant-Colonels, each100
One Major0150
Ten Captains, each0100
Ten Captain-Lieutenants, each070
Twenty First Lieutenants, each060
Ten Second Lieutenants, each050
One Adjutant050
One Quartermaster060
Forty Sergeants and two Staff SergeantsPay of various rates.
Forty Corporals, each023¼
Seventy Bombardiers, each0110¼
980 Gunners, each013¼
30 Drummers, each013¼

Some of the companies were in the West Indies when the transfer was effected; and on reference to the appended list it will be seen that much of the active service of the Seventh Battalion was carried on in these islands. It was in connection with West Indian service that the Battalion obtained a distinctive mark, as containing among its companies one known always, until the Brigade system was introduced, as

"The Battle-Axe Company."

The story of the circumstances under which this title was earned is worthy of reproduction. The company in question was originally No. 8 of the 7th Battalion, but in the year 1819, No. 7 Company being reduced, No. 8 became No. 7. Under the altered nomenclature of 1859, it became and now is

No. 2 Battery, 5th Brigade.

In the year 1808 the company was quartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In December of that year it was ordered on an expedition for the capture of Martinique; forming part of the force under Sir George Prevost, which included the 7th Fusiliers, 8th King's, and 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

The force arrived at Martinique on the 30th January, 1809, and remained brigaded together during the attack, quite distinct from the West Indian division under General Maitland, which had arrived in company with Admiral Cochrane and his fleet. On the 2nd February, 1809, the French met the Halifax brigade under General Prevost, about half-way between the bay where they landed and the town, but were driven back with considerable loss. In one day, this company prepared and armed a battery of six 24-pounders, and four 10-inch mortars, and opened fire on the day following. On the 24th February the Garrison capitulated, for "the British Artillery was so well served, that most of the Fort guns were quickly dismounted."[[62]] The officers of the company were assembled by the General to consult as to what should be bestowed on the company as a reward of bravery and good conduct. It was first contemplated to give a one-pounder French gun, beautifully mounted, but the officers, knowing that the company was about to return to Halifax, and a war with America likely to take place, when they would be unable to take the gun with them, chose an axe and a brass drum. A brass eagle was affixed to the axe, which was always carried by the tallest man in the company, who in virtue of his office was permitted to wear a moustache.

This version of the story was committed to paper by one who was present with the company at Martinique, Master-Gunner Henry McElsander, who joined it three years after the amalgamation, and remained in it until promoted to be Sergt.-Major at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. It is completely corroborated by the Records of the Seventh Battalion, from which the further history of the company may be obtained. It returned to Halifax in April, and remained in that station until May, 1813, when it sailed for Quebec. It served in the campaigns of 1813 and 1814 in Canada. In the winter of the former year it was collected in Kingston, Upper Canada, watching the enemy. Acting-Bombardier James Keating, being detached with seven gunners to Michilimackinac, distinguished himself in an affair with the enemy, and his conduct was rewarded by a commission from the Provincial Government. The company was present at the operations against Fort Erie in August, 1814, and at the enemy's attack on the English position before that place on the 17th September. It was also engaged in the defence of the Log Bridge on the Chippawa. The two officers present with the company during these hostilities, Captain Walker and Lieutenant Carter,[[63]] were specially mentioned in despatches, and received permission to wear "Niagara" on their appointments. The company returned to Woolwich in 1823, and in 1831 again proceeded on foreign service to the West Indies, whence it returned in 1837. Its only additional foreign service prior to the introduction of the Brigade system was at Gibraltar, where it served from January, 1845 to January, 1851, and to which station it again proceeded in May, 1855.

The history, present designation, and succession of Captains, of all the companies, will now be given.

No. 1 COMPANY, 7th BATTALION,
Now "C" BATTERY, 1st BRIGADE.

Battles, Sieges, and other Military operations in which this Company has been engaged.
1803Capture of the French, Danish, and Dutch possessions.
1809Reduction of Fort Dasaix.
1809Reduction of Martinique.
1810Expedition to Guadaloupe.
1855Expedition to the Crimea.
List of Captains who have successively commanded the Company, as far back as can be traced, down to introduction of Brigade System, in 1859.
1794Captain George Lindsay.
1804Captain Edmund Curry.
1804Captain H. Douglas.
1804Captain Richard S. Brough.
1812Captain George Forster.
1816Captain J. Bettesworth.
1817Captain Charles Gilmour.
1821Captain W. T. Skinner.
1829Captain James Evans.
1831Captain Francis Haultain.
1843Captain John Dyson.
1844Captain J. Sydney Farrell.
1844Captain Hy. H. D. O'Brien.
1846Captain H. C. Stace.
1854Captain E. H. Fisher.

No. 2 COMPANY, 7th BATTALION,
Became 1 Company, 3rd Brigade; was afterwards reduced; the
non-commissioned officers and men being formed into
"I" BATTERY, 1st BRIGADE.

Battles, Sieges, and other Military operations in which this Company has been engaged.
1809Battle of Corunna.
List of Captains who have successively commanded the Company, as far back as can be traced, down to introduction of Brigade System, in 1859.
1795Captain Robert Thornhill.
  *       *       *       *       *
1810Captain Blaney T. Walsh.
1818Captain Charles Tyler.
1820Captain Charles G. Alms.
1821Captain Stephen Kirby.
1827Captain William G. Power.
1835Captain R. Andrews.
1845Captain John Low.
1851Captain John F. Cator.
1852Captain J. B. Dennis.
1857Captain W. E. M. Reilly.

No. 3 COMPANY, 7th BATTALION,
Now "3" BATTERY, 12th BRIGADE.

Battles, Sieges, and other Military operations in which this Company has been engaged.
1815Expedition to Guadaloupe.
1843Served in the several Campaigns in the Kaffir Wars.
List of Captains who have successively commanded the Company, as far back as can be traced, down to introduction of Brigade System, in 1859.
1800Captain O. Jackson.
1804Captain C. H. Fitzmayer.
  *       *       *       *       *
1819Captain J. P. Cockburn.
1822Captain J. St. Clair.
1827Captain J. Longley.
1833Captain P. V. England.
1843Captain R. Shepherd.
1845Captain C. H. Burnaby.
1853Captain R. C. Romer.
1856Captain C. N. Lovell.

No. 4 COMPANY, 7th BATTALION,
Now "A" BATTERY, 1st BRIGADE.

Battles, Sieges, and other Military operations in which this Company has been engaged.
1809Battle of Corunna.
1815Expedition to the Netherlands: engaged in the reduction of the French fortresses in the north of France.
List of Captains who have successively commanded the Company, as far back as can be traced, down to introduction of Brigade System, in 1859.
1801Captain Edward Pritchard.
1807Captain Blaney T. Walsh.
1808Captain Adam Wall.
1818Captain James E. Grant.
1819Captain R. F. Cleaveland.
1828Captain Hon. W. Arbuthnott.
1830Captain George B. Fraser.
1842Captain H. Stow.
1844Captain T. P. Flude.
1851Captain H. P. Christie.
1856Captain H. Bent.
1856Captain C. H. Morris.

No. 5 COMPANY, 7th BATTALION,
Now "3" BATTERY, 6th BRIGADE.

Battles, Sieges, and other Military operations in which this Company has been engaged.
1815Expedition to Guadaloupe.
List of Captains who have successively commanded the Company, as far back as can be traced, down to introduction of Brigade System, in 1859.
1801Captain L. O'Brien.
1802Captain A. Duncan.
1803Captain Frederick Walker.
1808Captain Thomas Masson.
1811Captain Alexander Tulloh.
1820Captain Stephen Kirby.
1821Captain C. G. Alms.
1822Captain R. Gardiner.
1829Captain Henry Blachley.
1838Captain Mark Evans.
1846Captain W. E. Heitland.
1847Captain E. W. Crofton.
1854Captain J. C. Childs.
1856Captain R. H. Crofton.
1858Captain G. R. C. Young.

No. 6 COMPANY, 7th BATTALION,
Now "D" BATTERY, 11th BRIGADE.

Battles, Sieges, and other Military operations in which this Company has been engaged.
1809Engaged at Vouga River.
1809Engaged at Redouda Egrega.
1809Engaged at the Passage of the Douro.
1809Expedition to Spain. Battle of Talavera.
1810Battle of Busaco.
1810Battle of Sobral.
1811Battle of Foz d'Arouce.
1811Battle of Fuentes d'Onor.
1812Expedition to Spain.
1813Battle of Castella.
1813Siege of Tarragona.
1813Blockade of Barcelona.
1855Expedition to Crimea, but did not disembark.
List of Captains who have successively commanded the Company, as far back as can be traced, down to introduction of Brigade System, in 1859.
1801Captain James Gilbert.
1804Captain C. F. Napier.
1804Captain C. D. Sillery.
1809Captain G. Thompson.
1814Captain J. Briscoe.
1817Captain H. Trelawney.
1826Captain C. Cruttendon.
1827Captain J. Darby.
1837Captain A. W. Hope.
1846Captain W. B. Young.
1850Captain Edward Price.
1854Captain R. W. Brettingham.
1855Captain Hon. D. M. Fraser.
1858Captain F. W. Hastings.

No. 7 COMPANY, 7th BATTALION,
Reduced 1st March, 1817.

Battles, Sieges, and other Military operations in which this Company has been engaged.
1809Reduction of Fort Dasaix.
1809Reduction of the Island of Martinique.
1810Expedition to Guadaloupe.
List of Captains who have successively commanded the Company, as far back as can be traced, down to introduction of Brigade System, in 1859.
1801Captain Thomas Dodd.
1801Captain Charles Neville.
1802Captain Charles Gold.
1809Captain J. A. Clement.

"The Battle-Axe Company."
No. 8 COMPANY, 7th BATTALION
(Became No. 7 on that Company being reduced),
Now "2" BATTERY, 5th BRIGADE.

Battles, Sieges, and other Military operations in which this Company has been engaged.
1809Capture of the Island of Martinique.
1813-14Campaigns in Canada, including operations against Fort Erie, and the engagement on the Chippawa in defence of the Log Bridge.
List of Captains who have successively commanded the Company, as far back as can be traced, down to introduction of Brigade System, in 1859.
1801Captain James Viney.
1808Captain Richard Dyas.
1808Captain William Stewart.
1809Captain R. J. J. Lacy.
1809Captain James St. Clair.
1821Captain H. Light.
1822Captain J. St. Clair.
1822Captain J. P. Cockburn.
1825Captain S. Rudyerd.
1837Captain J. Eyre.
1846Captain F. Dunlop.
1854Captain J. C. W. Fortescue.
1856Captain H. Heyman.

No. 9 COMPANY, 7th BATTALION
(Became No. 8 on that Company being reduced),
Now "K" BATTERY, 4th BRIGADE.

Battles, Sieges, and other Military operations in which this Company has been engaged.
1803Engaged in the capture of the enemy's possessions in West Indies from the recommencement of hostilities.
1810Expedition to Guadaloupe.
1855Expedition to the Crimea and Fall of Sebastopol.
List of Captains who have successively commanded the Company, as far back as can be traced, down to introduction of Brigade System, in 1859.
1801Captain R. W. Unett.
1802Captain G. Mann.
1806Captain James Power.
1823Captain J. E. Grant.
1832Captain W. R. E. Jackson.
1837Captain P. Sandilands.
1839Captain H. R. Wright.
1846Captain G. R. H. Kennedy.
1854Captain A. C. Hawkins.

No. 10 COMPANY, 7th BATTALION,
Reduced 1st February, 1819.

Battles, Sieges, and other Military operations in which this Company has been engaged.
1803Engaged in the capture of the enemy's possessions from the recommencement of hostilities.
1810Expedition against Guadaloupe.
List of Captains who have successively commanded the Company, as far back as can be traced, down to introduction of Brigade System, in 1859.
1801Captain C. Walker.
1808Captain G. W. Unett.
1810Captain W. Cleeve.

N.B.—In the lists of the Captains who commanded the various companies, the names and titles borne by them at the date they commanded have alone been given. Very many of these officers afterwards received distinguishing titles and orders,—but it would not have been historically correct to anticipate their receipt of such honours.

[52]. The Peninsular operations in which this Troop was engaged are copied from Sir Hew Ross's MSS.

[53]. This officer was transferred to D Troop on the reduction of L Troop.

[54]. Lieutenant T. F. Strangways commanded at this action.

[55]. This officer commanded when it consisted merely of Rocket detachments, and was not yet organized into a Troop. He was killed at Leipsic.

[56]. Captain Geary was killed in command of the Company at Roleia.

[57]. Killed in action during Kaffir War.

[58]. Captain Hardy was killed at the relief of Lucknow.

[59]. Detachments of the Company had been previously employed in the several captures of the enemy's possessions in that quarter since the recommencement of hostilities in 1803.

[60]. N.B.—This was the only battery engaged at the Battle of the Tchernaya.

[61]. Thanked in Orders by Sir S. Achmuty.

[62]. Cust.

[63]. Lieutenant Carter had been taken prisoner by the enemy's fleet on Lake Ontario in 1813, and was closely shut up to be hanged in retaliation for deserters. He succeeded, however, in making his escape, and after travelling 1500 miles of country, joined his company previously to the opening of the campaign of 1814.