FOOTNOTES:
[1] This treaty was conducted, on the part of Great Britain, by Sir William Temple, whose memoirs and correspondence on the subject are extant.
[2] "In this siege the Prince and the Rhingrave were ever at the head of the attacks, and made great use as well as proof, of the desperate courage of the English troops."—Sir William Temple's Memoirs.
"Amongst the rest of the troops that lay before the town, the English under Colonels Fenwick, Widdrington, and Ashley, to the number of 2600 men, petitioned his Highness to assign them a particular quarter, that they might be commanded separately, that so, if they behaved themselves like valiant men, they might have all the honour, and if otherwise, all the shame to themselves. This request his Highness readily granted, and they made it appear, by their fierce attacks, that they deserved this distinction."—Boyer's Life of King William.
[3] The English made their attack in the following order:—
2 Serjeants and 10 Firelocks.
1 Serjeant and 12 Grenadiers.
1 Officer, 1 Serjeant, and 12 Grenadiers.
1 Lieutenant, 2 Serjeants, and 30 Firelocks.
1 Serjeant and 12 men with Half-pikes.
1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 2 Serjeants, and 50 Firelocks.
1 Serjeant and 12 men with Half-pikes.
1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Serjeant, and 28 men with spades and shovels.
The support:
1 Captain, 1 Serjeant, and 58 Men.—London Gazette.
[4] "The English Brigade being frequently put on the most desperate attacks, and always behaving themselves according to their accustomed bravery; his Highness, after a very sharp night's service performed by them, gave each regiment a fat ox, and six sheep, which they killed and hung upon poles in sight of the army, to divide into equal parts to each company. Some of the Dutch murmuring at this bounty to the English in particular, were told that the same was given to save Dutchmen's lives, and therefore they ought to be thankful to his Highness for it."—Life of Major John Bernardi.
[5] "The Earl of Ossory with his troops performed wonders."—London Gazette, No. 1329.
Brussels.—"Many wounded men have been brought hither, which are most of the Prince of Orange's Guards, and the English and Scots regiments, who did things to the admiration of those that beheld them."—London Gazette, No. 1330.
"The Earl of Ossory, with the English and Scots regiments, engaged in the attack on the side of Castehau, in which the Officers and Soldiers, in imitation of his Lordship, who always charged with them, behaved themselves with that courage and bravery which is so natural to them, and consequently suffered much."—Account of the Battle of St. Denis.
"Whitehall, 4th July, 1685.
"This day three Scots Regiments of Foot, consisting of about 1500 men, lately come from Holland, marched through the city, on their way to Hounslow Heath, where they are to encamp. They are the best men, and best prepared for service, that ever were seen, having their tents, and all other necessaries of their own with them. To-morrow the three English Regiments are expected from Holland.
"I send your Grace the Articles of War, prepared by his Majesty's order for the present occasion.
"William Blathwayte,
"Secretary at War.
"To the Duke of Albemarle."
War-Office Records.
[7] While the Fifth was in England one of its officers, Cornet George Carleton, quitted the Dutch service, and obtained a commission in a newly-raised regiment on the English establishment. This officer served as a volunteer with the Fleet under the Duke of York in 1672 and 1673; and in the same capacity with the army, commanded by the Prince of Orange, from 1674 to 1676, when he obtained a commission in the Fifth. He saw much service in the reign of King William III.; and served during the war of the Spanish succession, as engineer, with the army in Valencia and Catalonia; and was made prisoner at the surrender of Denia in 1708. In 1728 he published an interesting narrative of his services, interspersed with many curious anecdotes, under the title of Military Memoirs, which are allowed to contain the best account extant of the services of the Earl of Peterborough in Spain. These memoirs were reprinted in 1741 with the title of History of the two last Wars, and again in 1743, with that of Memoirs of Captain George Carleton; and a new edition appeared in 1809, with the latter title.
[8] One of the officers who quitted the Dutch service on this occasion was Captain John Bernardi, of the Fifth. He obtained a commission in the regiment at its formation in 1674; had distinguished himself on several occasions, and had received many honourable wounds.
At the Revolution in 1688, he adhered to King James, and served in his cause in Ireland and Scotland. He subsequently resided in London, and being implicated in the plot to assassinate King William, in 1696, he was imprisoned. Although his guilt could not be established, and he was never brought to trial, yet he was detained in prison by authority of an Act of Parliament passed expressly for that purpose. After remaining upwards of thirty years in confinement, he wrote his life, which was published in 1729; and contains many interesting particulars relative to the early services of the regiment.
[9] Life of Major John Bernardi.—Rapin says only forty declared for King James.
[10] This officer's name is sometimes written Talmash.
[11] Boyer's Life of King William.
[12] Dalrymple.
[13] Boyer.
[14] Afterwards the celebrated General Wood, who was many years Colonel of the 4th Horse, now 3rd Dragoon Guards.
[15] London Gazette, No. 2661; Dublin Intelligencer; and Story's History of the Wars in Ireland.
[16] Inquiry into the Management of the War in Spain, Part II. Account of Embarkations, page 9.—London Gazettes, 4340, 4347, and 4348.
[17] "Estremos.—The enemy, having resolved to besiege Olivenza, or oblige the Portuguese to a battle, had all their heavy cannon and fascines in readiness before the town; but upon the approach of the four regiments lately arrived from Ireland, they retired in great precipitation, and sent away their cannon to Badajoz. These regiments are in very good condition, and will be able to do great service."—Ibid. No. 4350.
[18] In 1706, six hundred and sixty men of the Thirteenth Foot were formed into a regiment of Dragoons by the Earl of Peterborough, in Catalonia, and the Colonelcy conferred on the Lieutenant-Colonel, Edward Pearce. The remainder of the regiment returned to England to recruit, and, having completed the establishment, arrived in Portugal as above stated. The regiment of Dragoons thus formed was disbanded at the peace of Utrecht.
[19] Annals of Queen Anne, and London Gazette.
[20] The Monthly Mercury for May, 1709.
[21] London Gazette.
[22] Annals of Queen Anne, Vol. 10, page 95.
[23] London Gazette.
[24] The Marquis of Granby's Despatch.
[25] "The Brigade formed of the English Grenadiers and Scotch Highlanders greatly distinguished itself, performing wonders."—Operations of the Allied Army, page 161.
[26] "The Fifth Foot behaved nobly, and took above twice its own numbers prisoners."—Letter from an Officer of the Artillery.
"Prince Ferdinand pursued and pressed upon them as close as possible: and they would, without doubt, have been entirely routed, if M. de Stainville had not thrown himself, with the Grenadiers of France, the Royal Grenadiers, the regiment of Aquitaine, and other corps, being the flower of the French infantry, into the woods of Wilhelmstahl to cover their retreat. That resolution cost him dear; his whole infantry having been taken, killed, or dispersed, after a very gallant defence, excepting two battalions which found means to get off; some of these troops had before surrendered to Lord Granby's corps, and upon the coming up of the army, the remainder, after one fire, surrendered to the Fifth regiment of Foot."—London Gazette.
[27] Return of Prisoners taken in the action at Groebenstien, and in the woods of Wilhelmsthal, on the 24th June 1762.
| Corps. | Number of Men. |
| Grenadiers of France | 635 |
| Royal Grenadiers. Rochelambert | 208 |
| "L'Espinasse | 135 |
| "Le Camus | 121 |
| "Narbonne | 60 |
| Aquitaine | 432 |
| Poictou | 29 |
| Royal Deux-Ponts | 30 |
| Waldner | 108 |
| D'Epring | 55 |
| Choiseul,—Dragoons | 64 |
| Royal Picardy,—Cavalry | 30 |
| Fitz-James',—Cavalry | 77 |
| Chamboran | 28 |
| Monnet | 112 |
| Of different corps | 446 |
| —— | |
| 2570 | |
| Officers | 162 |
| —— | |
| Total | 2732 |
Also one standard, six pair of colours, and two pieces of cannon, were taken.—Operations of the Allied Army.
[28] According to the embarkation return the strength of the regiment when it quitted Germany was, 27 officers, 692 men, 54 women, and 67 horses.
[29] A full account of these medals is given in a work published in America by General Donkin in 1777.
[30] How the badge of St. George and the Dragon with the motto "Quo fata vocant" above mentioned, were first acquired by the regiment, has not been ascertained. There is a tradition in the corps that they were conferred as an honorary distinction for gallant conduct either in the German war or that of the Spanish succession; but it is probable they might have been assumed when the regiment in 1675 was given to Colonel John Fenwick, and became English. A portrait of Major Bernardi (who was an Ensign in this corps at its formation in 1674, and rose to the rank of Captain in it) prefixed to his Memoirs published in 1729, is surmounted by the motto "Quo fata trahunt," evidently a metamorphosis of, and borrowed from the "Quo fata vocant" of the regiment. The Royal Warrants of the 1st of July, 1751, and 19th of December, 1768, while they recognise and confirm the badge, are silent respecting the motto; an omission, however, not confined to the Fifth Regiment only, for the warrants do not notice the motto of any one infantry regiment, though others (the Royal Scots for instance,) must have had mottoes. It will be seen in the text that the motto surmounted the badge on the medal of merit, one of which from the original die with the date 10th of March, 1767, is now (1837) in possession of Colonel Sutherland, commanding the regiment. This motto and badge has for many years been borne on the officers' and men's appointments, and there is no doubt but they form one whole, and are coeval with each other.
[31] "Lord Percy now formed his detachment into a square, in which he enclosed Colonel Smith's party, who were so much exhausted with fatigue that they were obliged to lie down for rest on the ground, their tongues hanging out of their mouths like those of dogs after a chase."—Stedman's History of the American War.
[32] London Gazette.
[33] London Gazette.
[34] "If any thing had been wanting to show the bravery and discipline of the British troops, the action at Bunker's Hill furnished an ample proof of both. Twice they were stopped and twice they returned to the charge. In the middle of a hot summer's day; encumbered with three days' provisions, their knapsacks on their backs, which, together with cartouch-box, ammunition, and firelock, may be estimated at 125lbs; with a steep hill to ascend, covered with grass reaching to their knees, and intersected with walls and fences of various enclosures; and in the face of a hot and well-directed fire,—they gained a complete victory over three times their own numbers."—Stedman.
[35] Stedman.
[36] London Gazette.
[37] Lieutenant-Colonel Smith continued in the command of the fortress of Niagara until the 19th November, 1795, when he died, and was buried with military honours, in a vault prepared for the family on the Canada side of the Niagara River. His son, Sir David William Smith, baronet, was born in the regiment, and having obtained a commission at an early age, he attained the rank of Captain in it before he quitted the service; he afterwards settled in the province of Upper Canada, and was called to the bar there. He communicated to the compiler of this record, with great zeal and kindness, several interesting particulars relative to the history of the regiment. He died on the 19th of May, 1837, at Alnwick, in Northumberland.
[38] Now (1837) Lieutenant-General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe, Bt.
[39] Marshal Soult, Duc de Dalmatia.
[40] Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, K.B., was created a Peer on the 26th August, 1809, by the titles of Baron Douro of Wellesley, and Viscount Wellington of Talavera.
[41] Late Scots Brigade, formed from the three Scots regiments, mentioned at [page 10].
[42] "Ridge fell, and no man died that night with more glory:—yet many died, and there was much glory."—Napier.
[43] The chivalrous spirit displayed throughout these campaigns by private James Grant, of the second battalion, deserves to be recorded in these memoirs. This brave fellow was a native of Strathspey; being a musician in the band, he was, as usual, left with it in the rear whenever there was any expectation that the battalion might be seriously engaged. On such occasions, however, Grant uniformly stole away from the band, appropriated to himself the arms of the first man he found in the field disabled from using them himself, and, being a tall, fine-looking soldier, fell in on the right of the grenadier company, and there fought till the day was won, when he returned to his instrument. In this manner he took part in the actions of Busaco, Sabugal, Fuentes D'Onor, El Bodon, and Salamanca, the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo, and was amongst the foremost in the escalade of the castle of Badajoz. From all these he escaped without a wound: he was appointed serjeant-major of the regiment in 1828; and he died in 1835 from the effects of a fall, at Malta, where a handsome tomb was erected by the regiment, on which his achievements were recorded.
[44] On the 21st May, 1831, Captain Spence (being a magistrate) was directed to proceed with his company to Kilfenora, by the following letter, viz.:—
"Ennis, 21st May, 1831.
"Sir,
"I am desired by Major-General Sir Thomas Arbuthnot to acquaint you, that as it is very desirable to have a magistrate stationed at Kilfenora, and as, moreover, he was extremely pleased with your zeal and exertions, while in command of a post, he has directed Lieutenant-Colonel Tovey to send your Company to Kilfenora, having every expectation that your services there will prove of much benefit to the country.
"I have, &c.
(Signed) "W. Vincent, Lt.-Col., A.Q.M.G.
"To Captain Spence, Fifth Foot."
[45] The Fifth regiment for many years carried a small green silk banner, inscribed with the badge, motto, number, and designation of the corps, at the head of the regiment, amidst the corps of band and drummers. This distinction is supposed to have originated from the battle of Wilhelmsthal, where the regiment took the colours of the French grenadiers—as stated at [page 34].