FOOTNOTES:
[1] A company of 200 men would appear thus:—
 | |||||||||
| 20 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 20 | |
| Harquebuses. | Muskets. | Halberds. | Muskets. | Harquebuses. | |||||
| Archers. | Pikes. | Pikes. | Archers. | ||||||
The musket carried a ball which weighed 1/10th of a pound; and the harquebus a ball which weighed 1/25th of a pound.
[2] The 30th, 31st, and 32nd Regiments were formed as Marine corps in 1702, and were employed as such during the wars in the reign of Queen Anne. The Marine corps were embarked in the Fleet under Admiral Sir George Rooke, and were at the taking of Gibraltar, and in its subsequent defence in 1704; they were afterwards employed at the siege of Barcelona in 1705.
[3] The brave Sir Roger Williams, in his Discourse on War, printed in 1590, observes:—“I persuade myself ten thousand of our nation would beat thirty thousand of theirs (the Spaniards) out of the field, let them he chosen where they list.” Yet at this time the Spanish infantry was allowed to be the best disciplined in Europe. For instances of valour displayed by the British Infantry during the seventy Years’ War, see the Historical Record of the Third Foot, or Buffs.
[4] Vide the Historical Record of the First, or Royal Regiment of Foot.
[5] “Under the blessing of Divine Providence, His Majesty ascribes the successes which have attended the exertions of his troops in Egypt to that determined bravery which is inherent in Britons; but His Majesty desires it may be most solemnly and forcibly impressed on the consideration of every part of the army, that it has been a strict observance of order, discipline, and military system, which has given the full energy to the native valour of the troops, and has enabled them proudly to assert the superiority of the national military character, in situations uncommonly arduous, and under circumstances of peculiar difficulty.”—General Orders in 1801.
In the General Orders issued by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope (afterwards Lord Hopetoun), congratulating the army upon the successful result of the Battle of Corunna, on the 16th of January 1809, it is stated:—“On no occasion has the undaunted valour of British troops ever been more manifest. At the termination of a severe and harassing march, rendered necessary by the superiority which the enemy had acquired, and which had materially impaired the efficiency of the troops, many disadvantages were to be encountered. These have all been surmounted by the conduct of the troops themselves: and the enemy has been taught, that whatever advantages of position or of numbers he may possess, there is inherent in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows not how to yield,—that no circumstances can appal,—and that will ensure victory, when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any human means.”
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,
OR
THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS.
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,
OR
THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS:
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
In 1793,
AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
To 1853.
COMPILED BY
RICHARD CANNON, ESQ.,
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE, HORSE GUARDS.
Illustrated with Plates.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY GEORGE E. EYRE AND WILLIAM SPOTTISWOODE,
PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY,
FOR HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE.
PUBLISHED BY PARKER, FURNIVALL, AND PARKER,
MILITARY LIBRARY,
30, CHARING CROSS.
1853.
THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,
OR
THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS,
BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR AND APPOINTMENTS
THE PLUME OF THE PRINCE OF WALES, WITH THE MOTTO,
“ICH DIEN” AND THE “HARP,”
IN CONSEQUENCE OF ITS HAVING BEEN ORIGINALLY DESIGNATED
THE “PRINCE OF WALES’S IRISH REGIMENT;”
ALSO THE WORDS, “MONTE VIDEO,”
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE GALLANTRY DISPLAYED
BY THE FIRST BATTALION AT THE CAPTURE OF THAT PLACE,
ON THE 3RD OF FEBRUARY, 1807;
THE WORD, “TALAVERA,”
IN TESTIMONY OF THE CONDUCT OF THE SECOND BATTALION IN THAT
BATTLE, ON THE 27TH AND 28TH OF JULY, 1809;
AN EAGLE WITH A WREATH OF LAUREL ABOVE THE HARP,
AND THE WORD, “BARROSA,”
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE GALLANTRY OF THE SECOND BATTALION,
AND OF THE TROPHY ACQUIRED IN THAT BATTLE,
ON THE 5TH OF MARCH, 1811;
ALSO THE WORD, “TARIFA,”
FOR THE DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY OF THE SECOND BATTALION
IN THE DEFENCE OF THAT PLACE,
ON THE 31ST OF DECEMBER, 1811;
AND
THE WORDS, “VITTORIA,” “NIVELLE,” “ORTHES,”
“TOULOUSE,” AND “PENINSULA,”
IN TESTIMONY OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICES OF THE SECOND BATTALION
IN THE SEVERAL ACTIONS FOUGHT DURING THE WAR
IN PORTUGAL, SPAIN, AND THE SOUTH OF FRANCE,
FROM 1809 TO 1814;
AND
THE WORD “AVA,”
TO DENOTE THE MERITORIOUS CONDUCT OF THE REGIMENT DURING
THE BURMESE WAR, IN 1825-26.
THE
EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,
OR
THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS.
CONTENTS
OF THE
HISTORICAL RECORD.
| Year. | Page | |
| Introduction | [1] | |
| 1793. | Formation of the regiment | [2] |
| 1794. | Names of officers | [4] |
| ” | Embarked for Flanders | [5] |
| ” | Action at Alost | ib. |
| 1795. | Proceeded to Bergen-op-Zoom | ib. |
| ” | Marched prisoners into France | [6] |
| 1796. | The regiment again recruited | ib. |
| ” | Embarked as part of a secret expedition to the North Sea | ib. |
| ” | Return of the troops to England | ib. |
| ” | The regiment embarked for the West Indies | ib. |
| 1797. | Capture of Trinidad | ib. |
| ” | Expedition against Porto Rico | [7] |
| ” | The regiment proceeded to St. Lucia | ib. |
| 1798. | Stationed at St. Lucia | [8] |
| 1799. | Proceeded to Martinique | ib. |
| 1800. | Removed to Dominica | ib. |
| 1801. | Embarked for Barbadoes | ib. |
| ” | Proceeded to Curaçoa | ib. |
| 1802. | Peace of Amiens | ib. |
| 1803. | Renewal of hostilities | ib. |
| 1804. | The regiment returned to England | [9] |
| ” | Proceeded to Guernsey | ib. |
| ” | War with Spain | ib. |
| ” | Formation of the second battalion | ib. |
| 1805. | The first battalion removed to Portsmouth | [10] |
| 1806. | Proceeded to Plymouth | ib. |
| ” | Embarked for Monte Video | ib. |
| 1807. | Capture of that place | [11] |
| ” | Authorised to bear the word “Monte Video” on the regimental colour and appointments | ib. |
| ” | The light company engaged at Colonia, near Buenos Ayres | ib. |
| ” | Assault of Buenos Ayres | [12] |
| ” | Withdrawal of the British troops | [15] |
| ” | The first battalion embarked for the Cape of Good Hope | ib. |
| 1808 } | ||
| and } | Stationed in that colony | ib. |
| 1809 } | ||
| 1810. | Embarked for the Mauritius | [16] |
| ” | Capture of that island | ib. |
| 1811 } | ||
| to } | Stationed at the Mauritius | ib. |
| 1814 } | ||
| 1815. | Embarked for Bengal | ib. |
| 1816. | War with the Rajah of Nepaul | [17] |
| ” | Affair on the heights of Sierapore | [18] |
| ” | Termination of the campaign | [19] |
| ” | Return of the battalion to Bengal | ib. |
| ” | Stationed at Cawnpore | ib. |
| 1817. | Engaged in the siege of the Fort of Hattrass | ib. |
| ” | Returned to Cawnpore | [20] |
| ” | The Pindaree campaign | ib. |
| ” | Casualties from cholera | ib. |
| 1818. | Conclusion of peace | [21] |
| ” | Return of the regiment to Cawnpore | ib. |
| 1820. | Marched to Fort William | ib. |
| 1821. | Meritorious conduct of the regiment at the fire in the East India Company’s Dispensary at Calcutta | ib. |
| ” | Presentation of testimonials, in consequence, to the regiment | [22] |
| 1822. | Similar conduct of the regiment at another alarming fire in Calcutta | [23] |
| ” | Embarked for the Upper Provinces | ib. |
| 1823. | Decease of Lieut.-Colonel Miller | ib. |
| ” | The regiment stationed at Ghazeepore | ib. |
| 1824. | Removed to Berhampore | ib. |
| 1825. | Proceeded to Calcutta | [24] |
| ” | Decease of Lieut.-Colonel Browne | ib. |
| ” | Commencement of the Burmese War | ib. |
| ” | The regiment embarked for Ava | ib. |
| ” | Engaged with the Burmese near Prome | ib. |
| 1826. | Capture of Melloone | [25] |
| ” | Operations against Moulmein | ib. |
| ” | Termination of the Burmese War | ib. |
| ” | Authorised to bear the word “Ava” on the regimental colour and appointments | [26] |
| ” | Decease of Lieut.-Colonel Shawe | [27] |
| ” | The regiment embarked for Calcutta | ib. |
| ” | Reviewed at Calcutta by General Lord Combermere, Commander-in-Chief in India | [28] |
| 1827. | Complimentary order on the embarkation of the regiment for England | ib. |
| 1827. | Stationed in the Isle of Wight | [29] |
| ” | Application from General Sir John Doyle for the regiment to be constituted a light infantry corps | [30] |
| ” | Styled the “Prince of Wales’s Own Irish Regiment of Fusiliers” | [32] |
| ” | Facings changed from Green to Blue | [33] |
| ” | Styled the “Eighty-seventh, or Royal Irish Fusiliers” | ib. |
| 1828. | Reviewed by General Lord Hill, Commanding-in-chief | [34] |
| ” | Marched to London | ib. |
| ” | Proceeded to Chester | [35] |
| ” | Services of the regiment at a fire | ib. |
| 1829. | Three companies employed in aid of the Civil Power in Wales | ib. |
| ” | Marched to Stockport | [36] |
| ” | Stationed at Manchester | [37] |
| 1830. | Embarked for Ireland | [38] |
| ” | Returned to England | ib. |
| 1831. | Formed into service and depôt companies | ib. |
| ” | Service companies embarked for the Mauritius | ib. |
| 1832 } | ||
| and } | Remained at the Mauritius | ib. |
| 1833 } | ||
| 1834. | Major-General Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., K.C.B., appointed Colonel of the regiment | ib. |
| 1835. | The depôt companies embarked for Ireland | ib. |
| 1836 } | ||
| to } | Stationed in Ireland | [39] |
| 1839.} | ||
| 1840. | Returned to England | ib. |
| 1841. | Major-General Sir Hugh (now Viscount) Gough, K.C.B., appointed Colonel of the regiment | ib. |
| 1843. | The service companies returned to England from the Mauritius | ib. |
| ” | The regiment proceeded to Glasgow | ib. |
| 1844. | Marched to Edinburgh | ib. |
| 1846. | Proceeded to Monmouthshire | [40] |
| 1847. | Removed to Weedon | ib. |
| 1848. | Augmented to the India establishment | ib. |
| 1849. | Embarked for Calcutta | ib. |
| 1853. | Conclusion | ib. |
CONTENTS
OF THE
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SECOND BATTALION
OF
THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,
OR
THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS.
| Year. | Page | |
| Introduction | [41] | |
| 1804. | Formation of the second battalion | ib. |
| 1805. | Embarked for Ireland | [42] |
| 1806. | Returned to England | ib. |
| 1807. | Proceeded to Guernsey | ib. |
| 1808. | Embarked for Portugal | [44] |
| 1809. | Battle of Talavera | [45] |
| ” | Authorised to bear the word “Talavera” on the regimental colour and appointments | [47] |
| 1810. | Embarked for Cadiz | ib. |
| 1811. | Battle of Barrosa | [48] |
| ” | Capture of a French Eagle by the battalion | ib. |
| ” | Styled “The Eighty-seventh, or Prince of Wales’s Own Irish Regiment,” and authorised to bear on the regimental colour and appointments the word “Barrosa,” and an Eagle with a Wreath of Laurel, above the Harp | [53] |
| ” | The second battalion embarked for Tarifa | [54] |
| ” | Siege of Tarifa by the French | [55] |
| 1812. | Gallant defence of the place | [58] |
| ” | Authorised to bear the word “Tarifa” on the regimental colour and appointments | ib. |
| ” | The battalion returned to Cadiz | ib. |
| ” | Action at the bridge and fort of Puerto Largo | [59] |
| 1813. | Battle of Vittoria | [60] |
| ” | Bâton of Marshal Jourdan taken by the battalion | [62] |
| ” | Authorised to bear the word “Vittoria” on the regimental colour and appointments | [63] |
| 1813. | Actions in the Pyrenees | [63] |
| ” | Battle of the Nivelle | [64] |
| ” | Authorised to bear the word “Nivelle” on the regimental colour and appointments | ib. |
| 1814. | Action near Salvatira | [65] |
| ” | Battle of Orthes | ib. |
| ” | Authorised to bear the word “Orthes” on the regimental colour and appointments | ib. |
| ” | Affair at Vic Bigorre | [65] |
| ” | Battle of Toulouse | [66] |
| ” | Authorised to bear the word “Toulouse” on the regimental colour and appointments | [67] |
| ” | Termination of the Peninsular War | ib. |
| ” | Authorised to bear the word “Peninsula” on the regimental colour and appointments | [68] |
| ” | Embarkation of the battalion for Cork | ib. |
| ” | Removed to Portsmouth | [69] |
| ” | Proceeded to Guernsey | ib. |
| 1815. | Stationed in that island | ib. |
| 1816. | Removed to Portsmouth, and subsequently to Colchester | ib. |
| 1817. | The second battalion disbanded | [74] |