Historical Record of the Seventieth, or, the Surrey Regiment of Foot / Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1758, and of its subsequent services to 1848

by Richard Cannon

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE SEVENTIETH,

OR

THE SURREY REGIMENT OF FOOT.

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1756

The repose granted to Europe by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was interrupted by the aggressions, made by the French, on the British territory in America. War between the two kingdoms speedily followed; and a considerable augmentation was made to the strength of the British army in the winter of 1755, and in the spring of 1756. On that occasion a second battalion was added to the THIRTY-FIRST regiment, then commanded by Major-General Henry Holmes, and stationed in Great Britain.

1758

In 1758 the second battalion of the THIRTY-FIRST foot was constituted a regiment, which was numbered the “SEVENTIETH” in the British line. It was stationed in North Britain; its facings were light grey; it contained in its ranks many men who were natives of Scotland, particularly of Glasgow, and they were commonly called the “Glasgow greys.”

The colonelcy of the SEVENTIETH regiment was conferred on Colonel John Parslow, from captain and lieut.-colonel in the first foot guards; the lieut.-colonelcy on Charles Vignoles, from major in the thirty-first regiment; and the majority on Robert Pigot, senior captain of the thirty-first. The officers appointed to the SEVENTIETH regiment were:—

Colonel John Parslow.
Lieut.-Colonel Charles Vignoles.		Major Robert Pigot.
Captains.
William Piers.	D. Hamilton.	William Nesbit.
Hector Munro.	George Grant.	Captain Lieut. Jno. Fowle.
Hon. Spencer Compton.	T. Grueber.
Lieutenants.
John Crofton.	John Stevens.	William Smith.
Rob. Clements.	M. Johnston.	Edward Hicks.
J. Dumarsque.	A. Lysaght.	Geo. Whichcot.
A. Thompson.	R. Bristow.	Cha. Sutherland.
Anthony Morgan.	H. Norman.	U. Pendergrast.
William Tullock.	Jas. Cusack.	W. L. Hooker.
Ensigns.
Geo. Williamson.	Geo. Kinlock.	Rob. Jephson.
Cha. Gordon.	Rob. Orrock.	Wm. Talbot.
Robert Wilson.	J. Rosenhagen.
Chaplain, Tho. Parslow.	Adjutant, W. L. Hooker.
Surgeon, Sam. Bright.	Quarter-Master, Geo. Williamson.

1759
1760

From Scotland the regiment was removed to South Britain, in 1759, and remained there during the seven years’ war. Colonel Parslow was removed to the fifty-fourth regiment, in September, 1760, and the colonelcy of the SEVENTIETH was conferred on Lieut.-Colonel Cyrus Trapaud, of the Third or Buffs.

1763

Peace having been concluded, the establishment of the regiment was reduced in 1763; at the same time it was removed to Ireland.

1764

In 1764 the regiment embarked from Ireland for the West Indies, where it was stationed ten years.

1768

By the Royal Warrant of the 19th December, 1768, the facings were directed to be black.

1774

The regiment sustained severe loss from the climate of the West India Islands during the period it was employed there; and in 1774 it returned to England much reduced in numbers.

1775
1776

During the year 1775 the regiment was employed recruiting its numbers in England, and in 1776 it marched to Scotland.

1778

The regiment was stationed in Scotland until the early part of the year 1778, when it embarked for North America, and was employed in that part of the British dominions during the remainder of the American war, which commenced in 1775, and ended in 1782.

Lieut.-General Trapaud was removed in 1778 to the fifty-second regiment, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the SEVENTIETH by Major-General William Tryon, from major in the first foot guards.

1779
1780

The battalion companies of the regiment were stationed in the northern provinces of America; but the flank companies were detached southward.

1781

In 1781 the regiment was stationed in Nova Scotia, and it remained in that country during the two following years.

1782

In 1782, the SEVENTIETH was designated the SURREY regiment, county titles being adopted at this period in the army, pursuant to His Majesty’s command, with a view of promoting the recruiting service by cultivating a connexion with distinct parts of the kingdom.

1783

Lieut.-General Tryon was removed, in 1783, to the twenty-ninth regiment, and King George III. appointed Colonel the Earl of Suffolk, from the ninety-seventh (afterwards disbanded) to the colonelcy of the SEVENTIETH regiment.

1784

Having been relieved from duty in North America, the regiment returned to England in 1784.

1785
1786
1787

The regiment occupied various quarters in England during the years 1785 and 1786, and in 1787 it proceeded to Ireland.

1793

While the regiment was stationed in Ireland, the French Revolution involved Great Britain in war with France; and in 1793, the SEVENTIETH regiment embarked from Ireland, under the command of Colonel Eyre Coote, for the West Indies, to take part in an attack on the French West India Islands.

1794

An armament was assembled at Barbadoes in the beginning of 1794, under the orders of General Sir Charles, afterwards Earl, Grey, for the capture of Martinique, and the SEVENTIETH regiment had the honor to take part in this enterprise. The grenadiers and light infantry were formed in flank battalions, and Lieut.-Colonel Coote commanded the first battalion of light infantry; the regiment was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Johnston. A landing was effected, at three different points, on the island of Martinique on the 5th, 6th, and 8th of February; and the first light infantry, under Lieut.-Colonel Coote of the SEVENTIETH, distinguished themselves at the capture of the heights of Morne le Brun. The battalion companies had also an opportunity of signalizing themselves. Sir Charles Grey stated in his despatch,—“I received intelligence of the enemy’s landing troops, and taking post on Morne Pied, to cut off the communication between Brigadier-General Whyte and head-quarters at Salée, and I ordered the SEVENTIETH regiment, with two howitzers, to march on the same night and dislodge them, which was executed with great spirit, and the post taken possession of early on the morning of the 9th, under the good conduct of Adjutant-General, Colonel Dundas, the SEVENTIETH regiment being commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Johnston, and the enemy completely defeated at the first charge.” The loss of the regiment on this occasion was limited to a few private soldiers wounded.

After a series of brilliant successes, possession was gained of the greater part of the island; Fort Bourbon and Fort Royal were besieged, and the garrisons forced to surrender,—the French troops in the former delivering up five stand of colours, and those in the latter two. These colours were sent to England, and lodged in St. Paul’s Cathedral by a party of life guards and foot guards on the 17th of May. Thus the British flag waved a second time over Martinique, the island having been captured by the English in 1762, but restored to France by the peace of Fontainebleau in the following year.

In these successes of the British arms, in which the SEVENTIETH regiment had the honor to share, the commander of the expedition stated—“The spirit, unanimity, and perseverance of the navy and army never were more conspicuous; nor has more cordial co-operation ever been manifested between His Majesty’s naval and land forces. In a word, the general and field officers, and the commanding officers of corps, have set such an example of zeal, activity, and animation in this service, which has been so laudably imitated by all the officers and soldiers of this little army, that they merit the greatest praise.”

1795

Having sustained severe loss from the climate of the West Indies, the SEVENTIETH regiment returned to Europe in May, 1795; it was speedily recruited, and embarked for Gibraltar under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Coote.

1796
1800

The regiment performed garrison duty at Gibraltar until February, 1800, when it embarked for the West Indies; six companies, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Arthur Wolfe, arrived at their destination, and were stationed at Trinidad. The vessel containing four companies, under Lieut.-Colonel Nichol, sprung a leak at sea, and put into Lisbon harbour, from whence they were ordered to proceed to the island of Jersey.

1801

The six companies, which had proceeded to the West Indies, arrived at Jersey in May, 1801, and the regiment proceeded to Dover. It was one of the regiments forming the army of observation at Shornecliff camp under Major-General (afterwards Sir John) Moore.

1802
1803
1804
1805

Peace was concluded with France in 1802; but hostilities were resumed in 1803, and in the autumn of the same year the regiment again embarked for the West Indies, under Lieut.-Colonel Andrew Ross. It arrived at its destination in December, and was stationed at the island of Antigua during the years 1804 and 1805.

1806

In June, 1806, the head-quarters were removed to St. Christopher, leaving two companies at Antigua, under Lieut.-Colonel Lewis Grant, for one month, and they afterwards joined the regiment.

1807

The policy of the Court of Denmark having become favourable to the interests of the French, that country became involved in war with Great Britain, in 1807, and in December of that year a detachment of the SEVENTIETH regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel Ross, embarked from St. Christopher with the expedition, under General Henry Bowyer, against the Danish islands of St. Thomas and St. John, which surrendered to the British arms without firing a shot. The regiment followed the detachment soon afterwards, and was stationed at the island of St. Thomas.

1808
1809

During the years 1808 and 1809 the regiment was stationed at the island of St. Thomas and its dependencies.

1810

In 1810 the flank companies of the regiment were selected to form part of an expedition, under Lieut.-General Sir George Beckwith, K.B., against the island of Guadaloupe, which had been restored to the French at the peace of Amiens. The expedition arrived before the island in January, 1810. The troops employed on this service were formed into two divisions of two brigades in each: on the 30th of January, Major-General (afterwards Sir Thomas) Hislop reported, that the enemy having retained possession of the sea-batteries commanding the anchorage in the Grande Aine, from which they continued to fire on the British men of war, the Light Company of the SEVENTIETH regiment was sent to dislodge them, which was instantly effected, the party of the enemy escaping along shore. The conquest of this important settlement was accomplished in nine days; the Governor, Captain-General Ernouf, surrendering the colony and its dependencies to the British arms, by articles dated the 6th of February.

In June of the same year, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and drummers of four companies proceeded to Europe, in order to replace the casualties arising from a long course of colonial service, and formed a recruiting depôt, which was established at Ayr, in Scotland, under the orders of Colonel Andrew Ross. This officer was placed on the Staff of the army in the following year, and proceeded to Cadiz, from whence he was removed to Carthagena, where he died of an illness brought on by fatigue and service: he attained the rank of Major-General before his decease.

1811

From Ayr the depôt was removed, in 1811, to Stirling Castle, under Lieut.-Colonel Grant.

1812

The regiment was relieved from duty in the West Indies in the early part of 1812, and, returning to Europe, joined the depôt at Stirling Castle, in April and June of that year.

On the 22nd of October, 1812, the Prince Regent, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, was pleased to approve of the SEVENTIETH being styled the Glasgow lowland regiment.

1813

From Stirling Castle the regiment marched in January, 1813, to Montrose, to assist the magistrates in suppressing riots: in February it proceeded to Perth, and performed duty over French prisoners about four months.

In July the regiment proceeded to Ireland, where it only remained a few days, before it received orders to embark for Canada, to reinforce the British troops in that country in consequence of the war between Great Britain and the United States. The regiment embarked from Cork, on the 31st of August, under Major MacGregor, and, arriving in Lower Canada in November, was stationed at Quebec.

1814

Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole, K.B., was appointed Colonel of the SEVENTIETH regiment, from the 103rd foot, in January, 1814, in succession to General the Earl of Suffolk, who was removed to the forty-fourth regiment.

After performing garrison duty at Quebec eight months, the regiment proceeded to Montreal, from whence it was removed to Cornwall in Upper Canada, and in August it was brigaded with the ninth, sixteenth, and fifty-seventh, under Colonel Grant, on the line of communication from Montreal to Kingston in Upper Canada.

1815

Peace was concluded with the United States in 1815, and in June of that year the SEVENTIETH regiment was ordered to proceed to Kingston.

1816

Lieut.-General Sir G. Lowry Cole was removed to the thirty-fourth regiment in May, 1816, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the SEVENTIETH by Lieut.-General Forbes Champagné, from colonel-commandant of a battalion of the Rifle Brigade.

During this year the regiment remained at Kingston, and Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Evans, C.B., assumed the command in August.

Lieut.-General Champagné died in the autumn of the year 1816, and the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on Major-General Sir Kenneth Alexander Howard, K.C.B., afterwards Lord Howard of Effingham.

1817

In April, 1817, the regiment was removed, under the command of Colonel Grant, to Fort George, Drummond’s Island, Amherstburg, the posts on the Niagara frontier, and York, now called Toronto.

1819
1820

The regiment was removed to Kingston, in June, 1819, and was stationed at that place, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel MacGregor; in November, 1820, Colonel Ottley arrived and assumed the command of the regiment.

1821
1822

From Kingston the regiment was removed in May, 1821, to Quebec, and in May, 1822, Colonel Ottley proceeded to Europe on leave, when the command again devolved on Lieut.-Colonel MacGregor.

1823
1824

The regiment continued to occupy quarters in Canada during the years 1823, 1824, 1825, and 1826.

1825
1826

In 1825 the SEVENTIETH was permitted to resume the County title of the Surrey regiment, conferred upon it in 1782, and to discontinue the title of the Glasgow Lowland regiment.

1827

In the summer of 1827 the regiment was relieved from duty in Canada, and returning to Europe, arrived in Ireland in September; it was stationed in that country six years.

1832

The Earl of Effingham was removed to the third foot in 1832, and the colonelcy of the SEVENTIETH was conferred on Lieut.-General Gage John Hall, from the ninety-ninth regiment.

1834

After occupying various stations in Ireland until the spring of 1834, the regiment was divided into six service, and four depôt companies. The service companies embarked at Cork in March and April, for Gibraltar, where they were stationed two years.

1835

In 1835, the depôt companies were removed from Ireland to South Britain, and were afterwards stationed at the island of Guernsey.

1836

On the 16th of June, 1836, the service companies embarked at Gibraltar for Malta, where they landed on the 3rd of July.

1838

The service companies remained at Malta until January, 1838, when they embarked for the West Indies, and were stationed at Barbadoes.

In September of the same year the depôt companies returned to Ireland. Previously to the depôt companies quitting Guernsey, the following testimonial of the Royal Court of the Island was presented to Major White, complimentary of that portion of the regiment:—

“Court-house, Guernsey, 24th August, 1838.

“Sir,—To mark their high sense of the very meritorious conduct of the depôt of the 70th regiment, under your command, the Royal Court have passed, and entered on the public records, an Act, which will convey to the latest posterity the grateful remembrance of the inhabitants, of the honorable bearing of the regiment since its arrival in this island. I have now the honor to enclose a copy of that Act, under the seal of the bailiwick, and to express the pleasure I feel in transmitting such a testimonial of the esteem and consideration of the Court for the regiment, knowing it to be so well merited.

“It only remains for me, in conformity with that Act, and in the name of the Royal Court, to thank you, Major White, and, through you, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the 70th regiment, for the uniform tenor of your and their conduct, as honorable to the regiment, and as conducive to the peace and harmony of the island. The good wishes of the inhabitants of Guernsey will accompany the 70th at all times and in all places.

“I have the honor to be, Sir,
“Your very obedient humble servant,
“Daniel De Lisle Brock,
“Bailiff of Guernsey.

“To Major White, commanding the depôt
of the 70th regiment, in Guernsey, &c.”

“Island of Guernsey. The 23rd of August, 1838, before Daniel De Lisle Brock, esq., Bailiff; present, John Guille, James Cary, John Hubert, esqrs., Sir William Collings, knight, Hillary O. Carré, Peter Bonamy, Dobrée Thomas, William Gosselin, Thomas Le Retilley, and Harry Dobrée, esqrs., Jurats.

“The Royal Court specially assembled, advised of the approaching departure of the depôt of the 70th regiment, deem it right to express how much they have been flattered and gratified by their honorable conduct during the time they have been in garrison in this island,—conduct so honorable, that a simple letter from the President would be inadequate to render the regiment the justice that is due, were it not accompanied by an authentic Act extracted from the insular archives. In consequence, the Court, after having heard the opinions of the Crown Lawyers, have unanimously framed the present Act, to record publicly their esteem and thanks to Major White, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the regiment, for their discipline, good order, and the manner in which they have contributed to maintain a good understanding between themselves and the inhabitants.

“Charles Lefebvre,
Her Majesty’s Greffier.”

“In testimony of the above, the seal of the bailiwick of the said island of Guernsey is affixed to this present Act.

“Daniel De Lisle Brock,
Bailiff of the island of Guernsey.
“P. B. Dobrée, }
“Thomas Le Retilley }  Jurats.”

1841

From Barbadoes the service companies were removed, in May, 1841, to Canada, and landed at Montreal in June. On their embarkation for North America, Lieutenant-General Maister, commanding in the West Indies, issued the following General Order, expressive of his approbation of the appearance of the Regiment:—

“The Lieutenant-General was much gratified with his Inspection of the SEVENTIETH regiment this morning (1st May, 1841) on board Her Majesty’s troop-ship Sapphire.

“The appearance of the men on board, as well as of the two companies which the Lieutenant-General had an opportunity of seeing on shore previous to their embarkation, reflects much credit upon Major White, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the corps; and although the Lieutenant-General had not the opportunity of making his Inspection so minutely as he could have desired, he is most willing to believe, that, had he done so, it would have added to the satisfaction he has experienced.”

1842
1843

The service companies were stationed in Canada during the year 1842. In May, 1843, they embarked at Quebec for England, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Joseph Kelsall, in Her Majesty’s troop-ship Resistance; and, landing at Portsmouth on the 24th of June, were afterwards joined by the depôt companies from Ireland. Previous to leaving Canada seventy-two men of the SEVENTIETH volunteered for permanent service to other regiments stationed in North America. The regiment was moved from Portsmouth, in September following, to Manchester, from whence it marched to Leeds in October, with detached companies to Bradford, Sheffield, Halifax, Huddersfield, and Keighley.

1844

Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Kelsall retired on full pay on the 23rd February, 1844, and was succeeded by Major Edward James White, who was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.

In October, 1844, the regiment returned to Manchester, where it remained till April following.

1845

In April, 1845, the regiment proceeded to Ireland and was stationed at Newry, from whence it marched in September to Dublin. On the 30th December, 1845, Lieut.-Colonel E. J. White retired on full pay, and Major Thomas Reed was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment.

1846

The regiment was removed from Dublin to Templemore in August, 1846.

1847

On the 1st April, 1847, the regiment was augmented to an establishment of 57 serjeants, 21 drummers, and one thousand rank and file. Major William Matthew Bigge was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel on the 23rd April, 1847, on the retirement of Lieut.-Colonel Reed.

1848

Events in the East Indies having rendered reinforcements necessary, the sixty-fourth, SEVENTIETH, and eighty-third regiments have been selected for embarkation for India,—the SEVENTIETH being ordered to proceed to the Bengal Presidency, where the regiment may probably have an opportunity of distinguishing itself in a more signal, though not less useful, manner than a long tour of Colonial Service has afforded.

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The foregoing statement of the services of the SEVENTIETH regiment shows the long, and unavoidable, detention of the corps on West India service, and that such was the cause of its not having had an opportunity of sharing in the splendid victories obtained by other regiments which were engaged in the Continental wars:—While the regiment was employed in an apparently inactive state on Colonial duty, the Government, and the Commander-in-Chief, were enabled to send other disposable regiments to combat the enemy in the Peninsula, and on various expeditions in Europe; the conquered Islands in the West Indies were consequently entrusted to a few corps, of which the SEVENTIETH regiment was one, and on which full reliance could be placed by the Sovereign, and by the Country.

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1848.

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SEVENTIETH REGIMENT