Historical Record of the Thirteenth Regiment of Light Dragoons / Containing an Account of the Formation of the Regiment in 1715, and of Its Subsequent Services to 1842

by Richard Cannon

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE THIRTEENTH

REGIMENT

OF

LIGHT DRAGOONS.

---

1715

During the summer of 1715, when treachery, treason, and mistaken notions of duty, united with the intrigues of foreign courts, menaced Great Britain with domestic war, and when the expectations of the friends of the Pretender were become sanguine of effecting his speedy elevation to the throne, King George I. augmented the regular army, and the Thirteenth Regiment of Dragoons was raised in the midland counties of England, by Brigadier-General Richard Munden, whose valour, loyalty, and devotion to the house of Hanover were undoubted. The following officers were appointed to the regiment by commissions dated the 22nd of July, 1715.

Captains.	Lieutenants.	Cornets.
Rich. Munden, Col.	Hen. de Grangues,	Gerald Fitzgerald
	Capt. Lt.
Clem. Neville, Lt.-Col.	Philip Bridgman	Chas. Greenwood
Sam. Freeman, Maj.	Thomas Mason	William Freeman
Francis Howard	Francis Hull	William Williamson
Lutton Lister	Henry Dawson	John Watson
—— Heblethwayte	John Molyneux	Martin O'Bryan.

After its formation the regiment occupied quarters in Cheshire, where it was stationed, under the command of Major-General Wills, when the rebellion in Scotland, headed by the Earl of Mar, commenced. When the insurgents, under General Forster and Brigadier-General Mackintosh, advanced into Lancashire, the regiment was directed to proceed towards Manchester, to confront and fight the rebel bands; it was formed in brigade with Stanhope's dragoons (afterwards disbanded), under the command of its colonel, Brigadier-General Munden, and at break of day on the 12th of November, it advanced towards Preston, where the rebels had taken post, and had barricaded the avenues of the town. After driving in the rebel piquets, the king's troops formed, about three in the afternoon, opposite the main streets; a squadron of the regiment dismounted, to take part in storming the avenue leading to Wigan, and the other two squadrons supported the storming party which attacked the avenue leading to Lancaster. The first barrier was carried in gallant style; but the inner barricade could not be forced for want of cannon. The soldiers took possession of some buildings, threw a breastwork across the road, and set the houses between the breastwork and barricade on fire; thus blockading the insurgents in the town. Major-General Carpenter afterwards arrived with some additional forces, and the rebel bands surrendered at discretion. The regiment had four men and twelve horses wounded in this service, and its colonel was thanked for his gallant conduct at the head of one of the storming parties.

After escorting the rebel prisoners to the nearest gaols, the regiment was placed in cantonments in Lancashire, where it was stationed until the final suppression of the rebellion in Scotland, by the troops under the Duke of Argyle, in the early part of 1716.

1716
1717

The regiment assembled in April, 1716, at Manchester, where it was inspected, and afterwards marched into dispersed quarters in Wiltshire; in April, 1717, it marched into the counties of Berks and Hants, and passed the following winter at Worcester and Bromsgrove.

1718

In the spring of 1718 the regiment marched to Gloucester and Tewksbury: a reduction in the army took place, and in the autumn of this year, the Thirteenth Dragoons embarked at Liverpool for Ireland, to replace a regiment ordered to be disbanded in that country.

1719
1722
1725

The Thirteenth Dragoons were stationed in Ireland during the remainder of the reign of King George I., and also during the first fourteen years of the reign of King George II. Their colonel, Brigadier-General Munden, was removed, in 1722, to the eighth dragoons, and was succeeded by Brigadier-General Sir Robert Rich, Baronet, whose regiment of dragoons, raised in 1715, had been disbanded. On the decease of Brigadier-General Munden, in 1725, Sir Robert Rich was removed to the eighth dragoons, and was succeeded by Colonel William Stanhope, afterwards Earl of Harrington, who raised a regiment in 1715, which was disbanded in 1718.

1730

Lord Harrington was appointed Secretary of State, and the colonelcy of the Thirteenth Dragoons was conferred, on the 7th of July, 1730, on Colonel Henry Hawley, from the thirty-third foot.

1735
1739
1740
1741

Colonel Hawley was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general in 1735, to that of major-general in 1739, and was removed to the Royal Dragoons in May, 1740, when he was succeeded by Colonel Robert Dalway, from the thirty-ninth foot. This officer died in November of the same year, and in January, 1741, King George II. conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Colonel Humphrey Bland, from the thirty-sixth foot.

1742

In 1742 a British army was sent to Flanders, to support the house of Austria against the combined efforts of the King of France and the Elector of Bavaria, and the Thirteenth Dragoons were withdrawn from Ireland, and stationed in South Britain.

1743

Brigadier-General Bland was removed to the third dragoons in April, 1743, and King George II. promoted Lieut.-Colonel James Gardiner, from the Inniskilling Dragoons, to the colonelcy of the Thirteenth dragoons.

1744

Colonel Gardiner left the sixth dragoons in Germany, and joined his regiment in England, and being a most zealous and efficient officer, he bestowed much care on its discipline, equipment, and the condition of the horses.

1745

The Thirteenth Dragoons were stationed in Scotland when the rebellion, headed by Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, broke out in that country in the summer of 1745, and they were ordered to take post at Stirling, from whence Lieut.-General Sir John Cope, the commander-in-chief in Scotland, advanced with a small force into the Highlands, but he was unable to stop the progress of the numerous bands of mountaineers which had joined the Pretender's standard, and he embarked with some infantry from Aberdeen for Leith. When the rebel army advanced to cross the Firth, the Thirteenth Dragoons moved to Falkirk, and their commanding officer, Colonel Gardiner, was desirous of being reinforced by other troops, in order to be enabled to make some effectual opposition; but he was suddenly ordered to proceed with his own and Hamilton's (fourteenth) dragoons, by forced marches, to Dunbar, to join Sir John Cope. This hasty retreat before an enemy which the soldiers were desirous of attacking, produced a bad effect on the minds of the men, and they were further disheartened by hearing that the rebels had gained possession of Edinburgh, towards which city they were directed to advance. The young Pretender put the clans in motion to meet the king's troops, who were not half so numerous as their opponents; and on the 20th of September the two armies confronted each other near the village of Preston-pans, seven miles from Edinburgh. When the Thirteenth Dragoons had formed in line, Colonel Gardiner rode along the ranks and addressed the men in the most animated manner; the soldiers desired to be led against the enemy, and Colonel Gardiner suggested to Sir John Cope the advantages which would probably result from an immediate attack on the insurgent bands; but a defensive plan was adopted, which proved another source of discouragement to the dragoons[1].

The troops passed the night in the fields, and the Thirteenth Dragoons furnished videttes and patroles to watch the motions of the rebel army, which advanced to the attack before day-light on the following morning. A chosen band of Highlanders was discovered through the thick atmosphere advancing against the right; and two other columns of mountaineers were in motion to join in the attack; as they drew near, they raised a loud shout, fired a volley, threw down their muskets, and rushed sword in hand upon the soldiers guarding the artillery on the right, who, finding themselves assailed by more than three times their own number, gave way and fled. The dragoons, seeing the artillery lost, became disheartened; the Thirteenth fired their carbines, and then advanced to charge a column of Highlanders, so numerous, that the dragoons were dismayed, and being seized with a sudden panic, the greater part of them fled. A few, however, including Colonel Gardiner, and Lieut.-Colonel Whitney, charged manfully; Colonel Gardiner highly distinguished himself, and though shot in the breast, refused to retire; Lieut.-Colonel Whitney was shot in the arm, and was forced to withdraw; Lieutenant Grafton and Quarter-Master Burroughs were wounded and taken prisoners; Quarter-Master West, a man of distinguished bravery, and about fifteen dragoons rallied round their colonel, but were overpowered, the quarter-master was taken prisoner, and few of the men escaped. Colonel Gardiner afterwards rode towards some infantry, and while in the act of encouraging them to make a resolute stand, he was cut down by a Highlander with a scythe fastened to a pole, and as he fell, another Highlander gave him a mortal blow on the head; thus terminated the career of a most meritorious officer, who was distinguished for strict attention to duty, personal bravery, and christian virtues.

The infantry having been overpowered, the whole fled from the field. The Thirteenth Dragoons passed through Preston, and were rallied at the west end of the town, from whence Lieut.-General Sir John Cope retired with them to Berwick.

The loss of the battle of Preston-pans proved a serious disaster, as the rebels obtained possession of a train of artillery, and a great quantity of arms, and were afterwards enabled to penetrate into England. The Thirteenth Dragoons joined the troops under Field-Marshal Wade, at Newcastle, and afterwards returned to Scotland, and the colonelcy was conferred on Colonel Francis Ligonier, from the forty-eighth foot, an excellent officer, conspicuous for zeal for the service and personal bravery.

1746

After the retreat of the rebels from Derby back to Scotland, the regiment marched to Edinburgh, where a small army was assembled under Lieut.-General Hawley, and the rebels having besieged Stirling Castle, the troops advanced, in the middle of January, 1746, to raise the siege, and halted near Falkirk, where a camp was formed. The rebels advanced to meet the King's forces, and a general engagement was fought on Falkirk Moor on the 17th of January. Colonel Francis Ligonier, of the Thirteenth Dragoons, was taken ill of a pleurisy; he was bled and blistered on the 14th of January, but no consideration could keep him from his duty, and he quitted his bed and commanded the brigade of dragoons at the battle on the 17th of January. The action was commenced by a charge of the cavalry; Colonel Ligonier led the Thirteenth Dragoons forward with great spirit, broke the first line of rebels, and cut down a number of opponents, but he was unable to force the second line, and a heavy storm of wind and rain beat so violently in the soldiers' faces as to produce some confusion. Lieut.-Colonel Whitney, who had recovered from his wounds received at Preston-pans and resumed his duty, was killed fighting in the midst of a crowd of Highlanders; several other officers and a number of men were also killed and wounded. The torrent of battle flowed in favour of the rebels, and one wing of the King's army retired; a few regiments, however, maintained their ground with the most heroic bravery, and were supported by Colonel Ligonier with a party of dragoons; after dark, the King's troops being exposed to a heavy rain, retired to Linlithgow. Colonel Ligonier covered the retreat with his dragoons to Linlithgow, and being drenched with rain and benumbed with cold, he was seized with an inflammation in the throat, of which he died on the 25th of January, much regretted by the regiment.

The Thirteenth Dragoons withdrew from Linlithgow to Edinburgh, and when the Duke of Cumberland took the command of the army and advanced against the rebels, the regiment was left at Edinburgh, and directed to patrole along the roads leading westward to prevent the insurgents receiving intelligence.

On the 17th of February, 1746, the colonelcy was conferred on Philip Naizon, from the lieut.-colonelcy of the first royal dragoons.

The rebellion in Scotland was suppressed by the decisive battle of Culloden, on the 16th of April, 1746.

1748
1749

In 1748, a treaty of peace was concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle; the dragoon regiments on foreign service returned to England, and in the early part of 1749, the Thirteenth Dragoons embarked for Ireland.

1751

Colonel Philip Naizon died in January, 1751, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the Thirteenth Dragoons by Major-General Sir Charles Armand Powlet, K.B. from the ninth regiment of foot. This officer died in November of the same year, and was succeeded by Colonel the Honorable Henry Seymour Conway, from the thirty-fourth regiment of foot.

The following particulars respecting the uniform and guidons of the regiment, have been extracted from a royal warrant, dated the 1st of July, 1751.

Coats,—scarlet, double-breasted, without lappels, lined with light green; slit sleeves turned up with light green; the button-holes ornamented with narrow yellow lace; the buttons flat, of yellow metal, set on three and three; a long slash pocket in each skirt; and a yellow worsted aiguillette on the right shoulder.

Waistcoats and Breeches,—light green.

Hats,—three-cornered, bound with gold lace, and ornamented with a black cockade and a yellow loop. The forage cap red, turned up with light green, and 13.D. on the little flap.

Boots,—of jacked leather.

Horse Furniture,—of light green cloth; the holster caps and housings having a border of white lace, with a yellow stripe down the centre; XIII.D. embroidered, in white, upon a red ground, within a wreath of roses and thistles, on the housings; and upon the holster caps, the King's cipher and crown, with XIII.D. underneath.

Cloaks,—of scarlet cloth, with a light green cape and lining; the buttons set on three and three upon white frogs, or loops, with a yellow stripe down the centre.

Officers,—distinguished by gold lace and embroidery, and a crimson silk sash worn across the left shoulder.

Quarter-Masters,—to wear a crimson silk sash round their waists.

Serjeants,—to have narrow gold lace on their cuffs, pockets, and shoulder straps; gold aiguillettes, and light green and yellow worsted sashes tied round their waists.

Drummers and Hautboys,—light-green coats, lined with scarlet, and ornamented with white and yellow lace; scarlet waistcoats and breeches.

Guidons,—the first, or King's guidon, to be of crimson silk, with a silver and yellow fringe; in the centre, the rose and thistle conjoined, and crown over them, with the motto, Dieu et mon Droit, underneath; the white horse in a compartment in the first and fourth corners, and XIII.D. in silver characters, on a light green ground, in the second and third corners: the second and third guidons to be of light-green silk; in the centre XIII.D. in silver characters on a crimson ground, within a wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk; the white horse on a red ground, in the first and fourth corners; and the rose and thistle conjoined, upon a red ground, in the second and third corners; the third guidon to have a figure 3, on a circular red ground, under the wreath.

1754

On the removal of Lieut.-General Conway to the fourth Irish horse, now seventh dragoon guards, in July, 1754, Colonel John Mostyn was appointed to the colonelcy of the Thirteenth Dragoons, from the Seventh Royal Fusiliers.

1757
1758
1759
1761

Colonel Mostyn was promoted to the rank of major-general, in 1757, and was removed in 1758, to the Fifth Royal Irish Dragoons,—when His Majesty conferred the colonelcy of the Thirteenth on Archibald Douglas, from the lieut.-colonelcy of the fourth dragoons. This officer was one of the King's aides-de-camp and a member of parliament, and he was promoted to the rank of major-general in 1759, and to that of lieut.-general in 1761.

1768
1770

In the clothing warrant of 1768, the facings of the regiment are directed to be of deep green, and the waistcoats and breeches of buff, instead of light-green. White waistcoats and breeches were adopted a few years afterwards, and a small red and white feather was introduced into the cocked-hats.

1778

Lieut.-General Douglas died at Dublin, in October, 1778, and was succeeded by Lieut.-General Richard Pierson, from the thirty-sixth foot. This officer was rewarded with the dignity of a Knight of the Bath.

1779

In 1779, the regiment proceeded by forced marches to the north of Ireland, in consequence of disturbances in that quarter, and its presence soon restored order.

1780

The Thirteenth Dragoons encamped in 1780, with the army in the neighbourhood of Ardfinnan,—and, on the breaking up of the encampment, moved into quarters at Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, and Cappoquin.

1781

Lieut.-General Pierson expired suddenly on the morning of the 13th of February, 1781, and was succeeded by Lieut.-General Francis Craig, from the lieut.-colonelcy of the First regiment of Foot-Guards.

In 1781 the regiment marched to Charleville and Bruff, and was subsequently stationed at Cork, where it received orders to proceed, with some other regiments and artillery under the command of Colonel Ralph Abercromby, against George Robert Fitzgerald, who had fortified his family residence near Castlebar, in the county of Mayo, and was in open rebellion against the laws. On the arrival of the forces at Castlebar, they proceeded on the service assigned to them,—but Fitzgerald had fled and quitted the country: some ship guns, which he had mounted, were seized and brought into the barracks at Castlebar,—where the Thirteenth remained,—sending detachments to Ballinrobe and Sligo.

1782
1783

Soon after the termination of the American war, in 1782, the regiment underwent a change of clothing and equipment, and was constituted a corps of Light Cavalry. The cocked-hats were replaced by helmets, and appointments of a lighter description than formerly worn. These alterations were completed in 1783. In the spring of this year the regiment was stationed at Belturbet and Sligo; and, in consequence of the barracks at the former place falling down in the winter, a detachment was sent to Cavan.

1784

In 1784 the colour of the clothing was changed from scarlet to blue, and the facings to light buff.

In May the regiment—then designated the "Thirteenth Light Dragoons" in the Annual Army List—again assembled at Belturbet, and, after the usual inspection, marched into quarters at Athlone, Roscommon, and Cloghan, when the horses were turned out to grass for the first time since the commencement of the American war. After the peace the establishment had been reduced to one hundred and forty-four men, and one hundred and thirty-eight horses.

1785

The Thirteenth were reviewed at Athlone, in June, 1785, and marched into quarters at Kilkenny, Ballyragget, and Carrick-on-Suir.

1786

In June, 1786, the regiment assembled for inspection at Kilkenny, and marched to Mallow, Bandon, and Tallow.

During the winter of this year the troops were moved from Mallow to Cork, in consequence of disturbances; and they, as well as those at Bandon and Tallow, were constantly on duty, and greatly harassed; the gaols were filled with their prisoners of "White Boys," "Peep-o'day-Boys," &c., as the different bands of these misguided men called themselves.

1787

In May, 1787, the regiment marched to Cashel, where it was inspected, and in June it was quartered in Maryborough, Mountmelick, and Thurles.

1788
1789

The regiment proceeded to Dublin in June, 1788, and subsequently moved into the Phœnix Park barrack, Navan and Man of War.

1790

In June, 1790, the Thirteenth were stationed at Clonmel, Clogheen, Mallow, and Charleville, and at the end of this year a draught of men was sent to the Twentieth Dragoons at Jamaica.

1791

The regiment was inspected in June, 1791, and the detachment at Mallow was withdrawn to Clonmel.

1792

After the inspection in May, 1792, the regiment marched to Athlone, Roscommon, and Portumna.

In the mean time a revolution had taken place in France, where the destructive principles of democracy had overthrown all legitimate authority, divested the sovereign of regal power, and threatened to involve Europe in war. Under these circumstances the British army was augmented, and five men and horses were added to each troop of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons.

1793

The French republicans having added to their numerous atrocities the decapitation of their sovereign, war commenced in 1793, and the establishment of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons was further augmented.

After the inspection in October, the regiment changed its quarters to Belturbet and Sligo. It was called upon to furnish thirty-six mounted men to complete the cavalry regiments augmenting for foreign service.

1794

In the beginning of 1794 the regiment marched to Ballinrobe and Castlebar, part of it remaining stationed in Sligo.

1795

The violence of party in France soon kindled a corresponding sensation in the colonies of that country in the West Indies, where the whites, mulattoes, and blacks, became inflamed against each other, and when the decree of "Equality" passed, an open rupture followed. The blacks revolted, particularly in the island of St. Domingo. Anarchy, massacre, and devastation followed, and several planters obtained aid from the English, and transferred their allegiance from France to the British crown. Additional forces were ordered to the West Indies. Two troops of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons were withdrawn from Ireland in June, 1795; they remained a few weeks in England, and embarked, in September, for Jamaica.

1796

The regiment, having received orders to prepare for service in the West Indies, assembled at Mallow, and there delivered over its horses for the use of other corps; it afterwards embarked at Cork and sailed to Bristol, where it met the Fourteenth Dragoons, destined for the same service. It subsequently proceeded into quarters at Warminster and Frome, thence to Salisbury, Winchester, and Southampton, where it embarked in transports; and joining other vessels containing troops belonging to the expedition, the whole proceeded to Cove Harbour, and in February, 1796, seven troops of the regiment sailed for Barbadoes, where they arrived in the beginning of April.

Captain Bolton of the Thirteenth was sent to purchase horses in America.

From Barbadoes the regiment sailed to St. Domingo; but the reduction of that island was found to be impracticable, as the health of European troops could not be preserved long enough to reduce the blacks and French revolutionists to obedience. The Thirteenth Light Dragoons, partly mounted on horses sent from America, had a few skirmishes with the armed bands which possessed the country, and a party of the regiment which accompanied the expedition against the town of Bombarde, had an opportunity of charging the enemy with great effect; but the climate soon reduced the regiment to a skeleton: it lost twenty officers, seven troop quarter-masters, and two hundred and thirty-three soldiers in six months, and the few remaining officers and soldiers were removed to Jamaica in December.

A part of the regiment, under the command of the Honorable Colonel Walpole of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons, who was promoted to the local rank of major-general, shared in the dangers and fatigues of the harassing warfare against the Maroons in Jamaica, until its successful termination, which, with the consequent safety of the island, was attributed to the talent, energy, and courage displayed by the major-general; and a sword of the value of five hundred guineas was voted to him by the house of assembly.

1798

The regiment remained at Jamaica until July, 1798, when it transferred a few of the surviving men to the Twentieth Light Dragoons, and the remainder, amounting only to fifty-two individuals, embarked for England, where they arrived in October, and landed at Gravesend.

1799

The Thirteenth were stationed at Trowbridge, and subsequently at York. Every exertion was made under the active superintendence of Lieut.-Colonel Bolton, to complete the establishment, which was soon effected; and in August, 1799, the regiment marched to Birmingham. It was shortly afterwards stationed at Coventry, Warwick, and Stratford-on-Avon. About this period the strength of the regiment was increased to nine troops, amounting to eight hundred and two men, and the same number of horses.

1800

In 1800 part of the regiment occupied Leicester and Nuneaton, and the establishment was increased to ten troops. In the autumn of this year, the Thirteenth were quartered at Norwich, Aylsham, Walsham, Beccles, Bungay, and Wymondham.

1801
1802

In the beginning of 1801 the establishment was increased to nine hundred and two men and the same number of horses; the regiment was distributed, at different periods during this and the following year, in quarters at Atleborough, Dedham, Maningtree, Norwich, Colchester, Ipswich, Sudbury, Stowmarket, Needhammarket, Hadleigh, Woodbridge, and Boston.

Hostilities with France having been terminated by the treaty of Amiens, in the summer of 1802 the establishment was reduced to eight troops, amounting to five hundred and sixteen men, and four hundred and thirty-six horses. The quarters were changed to Romford and Hornchurch.

1803

The conduct of General Bonaparte, then first consul of France, soon produced another war, which commenced in 1803, when the regiment was augmented to six hundred and four men and the same number of horses; it was quartered at Hounslow, Windsor, and Hampton Court, and held in readiness to assist in repelling the threatened French invasion by an army assembled at Boulogne.

1804

The French armament continuing at Boulogne, and the preparations for invading England being augmented, in 1804, the regiment occupied Sandwich, Stonar, and Ramsgate, with an establishment increased to eight hundred and fifty-four men, and seven hundred and fifty-four horses, which was subsequently augmented to one thousand and sixty-four men, and the same number of horses.

1805
1806

In the autumn of 1805, the French army marched for Germany, and the project of invading England was laid aside. Towards the end of the year, the regiment was quartered at Canterbury; and in September, 1806, it occupied Deal, Sandwich, and Ramsgate, its strength being reduced to eight hundred and fifty-four men and horses.

1807
1808

In the summer of 1807, the Thirteenth were distributed in quarters at Kingston, Richmond, and Twickenham. The regiment was reviewed by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York, and, in consequence of the high opinion formed of it by their royal highnesses, the order for its march to Dorchester was countermanded, and it was detained to form, with the Twelfth Light Dragoons, a brigade, under the command of Colonel Bolton of the Thirteenth, which brigade was reviewed by His Royal Highness the Duke of York. The Thirteenth afterwards proceeded to Dorchester and Weymouth, from whence detachments were sent to Radipole, Wareham, Bridport, and, in the beginning of 1808, to Blandford, Trowbridge, and Gosport.

The regiment was reviewed by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland at Dorchester. Its establishment of horses was reduced to seven hundred and fifty-four: it assembled at Exeter for review, and was distributed in quarters at Totness, Modbury, Truro, Taunton, Honiton, Tiverton, and Exeter.

1809

In the summer of 1809, the regiment was quartered at Hounslow, Hampton Court, Richmond, Twickenham, Chertsey, Staines, and Egham, and was reviewed by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, and subsequently by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, attended by their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of York, Clarence, Cumberland, and Cambridge, the Duke of Brunswick Oels, &c.

1810

Portugal and Spain had, in the mean time, become the theatre of war; the French emperor had overrun those countries with troops, and had placed his brother Joseph on the throne of Spain; and a British army, commanded by Lord Wellington, was aiding the inhabitants of the Peninsula in their resistance to the gigantic power of Napoleon. The Thirteenth Light Dragoons were selected to join the Peninsular army. Eight troops, mustering about nine hundred officers and soldiers, embarked at Portsmouth in February, 1810, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Michael Head; they sailed to Lisbon, from whence one squadron was detached to Cadiz, which fortress was invested on the land side by the French, and the Spanish regency had solicited the aid of British troops. The other six troops landed at Lisbon,—Portugal having been delivered, by British skill and valour, from the power of the enemy.

After a short halt at Belem to refresh the men and horses after the voyage, the regiment marched to the Alemtejo, and was attached to the division commanded by Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, which it joined in May, in the neighbourhood of Portalegre. At this period a powerful French army was about to invade Portugal under Marshal Massena, Prince of Esling, who boasted he would drive the English into the sea, and plant the eagles of France on the walls of Lisbon; but he was ignorant of the qualities of British soldiers, and of the abilities of their commander. The allied army withdrew, before the very superior numbers of the enemy, towards Lisbon, in front of which city the celebrated lines of Torres Vedras were forming to arrest the torrent of invasion. The movements of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons were connected with those of the division under Sir Rowland Hill, and eventually with the Portuguese cavalry under Brigadier-General Henry Fane.

After withdrawing from the frontiers of Portugal, the head-quarters were established at Escalhos de Cima, and a troop of the regiment, commanded by Captain William White, with a troop of the Fourth (Portuguese) Dragoons, were stationed at Ladoera, to watch the movements of General Reynier's corps.

On the morning of the 22nd of August, Captain White, when foraging with about fifty of his troop, received information of the approach of a reconnoitring party of about sixty French dragoons, whom he pursued, and attacking them with the most distinguished bravery, wounded several, and captured two officers, the whole of the men, and fifty-eight horses, without sustaining any loss.

Captain White, on perceiving the enemy, sent for the troop of Portuguese cavalry, who promptly advanced to his support, but they could not arrive in time to take an active share in either the conflict or capture.

The following report of this occurrence was forwarded to head-quarters.

"Escalhos de Cima, 22nd August, 1810.

"Sir,

"I have the honour to report to you that the troop of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons, and one of the fourth Portuguese dragoons, under the command of Captain White of the Thirteenth, at Ladoera, this morning, fell in with a patrole of the enemy's dragoons, consisting of one captain, two subalterns, and about sixty men. Captain White fortunately succeeded in coming up with them, when he immediately charged and overturned them; and the result has been the capture of two lieutenants, three serjeants, six corporals, one trumpeter, and fifty privates, and about sixty horses: the captain was also a prisoner, but escaped, during the bustle, on foot.

"I am happy to say, this has been performed without the loss of a man on our side: six of the enemy are wounded.

"Captain White expresses his obligations to Major Charles A. Vigoureux[2] of the thirty-eighth regiment, who was a volunteer with him; and to the Alferes Pedro Raymando di Oliviera, commanding the Portuguese troop (which he states to have done its duty extremely well, and to have shown much gallantry), and also to Lieutenant Samuel Charles Turner, of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons, to whose activity and courage he reports himself to be indebted for several of his prisoners. I trust the whole will be considered to have merited the approbation of the commander-in-chief.

"I am, &c.,
"H. Fane, Brigadier-General.

"To Lieut.-General Hill, &c. &c."

And the following orders were subsequently published:—

"Lazados, 23rd August, 1810.

"Lieut.-General Hill has received, with much satisfaction, from Brigadier-General Fane, the report of an attack made yesterday morning by a squadron consisting of one troop of the Thirteenth British Light Dragoons and one troop of the Fourth Portuguese Dragoons, under the command of Captain White of the former, on a body of the enemy's cavalry at Ladoera, the result of which was the capture of two lieutenants, three serjeants, six corporals, one trumpeter, and fifty dragoons, and about fifty-eight horses. The conduct of Captain White and the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the two services engaged in this affair, merits the lieut.-general's best thanks, and he will not fail to lay the particulars before the commander of the forces.

"The brigadier-general has much pleasure in communicating the preceding order, and he congratulates the officers and soldiers concerned on having merited the approbation of the lieut.-general commanding the division."

"Escalhos-de-Cima, 28th August, 1810.

"Major-General Fane has received the orders of His Excellency Lord Wellington, Commander-in-Chief, &c. to convey to Captain White[3] and Lieutenant Turner of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons, and to the Alferes Pedro Raymando di Oliviera, of the Fourth regiment of Portuguese Dragoons, and to the non-commissioned officers and soldiers engaged in the affair of the 22nd instant, near Ladoera, His Excellency's approbation of their conduct, and to inform them, that His Excellency will not fail to report his sense of their behaviour in the most favourable terms to His Majesty and to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent."

The captured horses were sold by auction, and the proceeds of the sale divided among the Thirteenth Light Dragoons.

1811

After some further retrograde movements, Lord Wellington resolved to oppose the enemy's forces on the rocks of Busaco, and during the hard-fought battle on the 27th of September, the Thirteenth Dragoons were posted in front of Alva to observe and check the movements of the French cavalry on the Mondego. The squadron detached to Cadiz had, in the mean time, returned to Portugal, and it joined the regiment about this period.

After sustaining a severe repulse at Busaco, the enemy turned the position by a flank movement, and the allied army withdrew to the lines of Torres Vedras. During the skilful performance of these difficult operations, the numerous cavalry of the enemy were effectually kept in check by the British squadrons, who, by their bold front and noble daring, whenever an opportunity occurred, succeeded in instilling into their adversaries a dread of their superior prowess. The French marshal viewed the stupendous works of Torres Vedras with astonishment and dismay, and finding it impossible to accomplish his threat of driving the English into the sea, he withdrew to Santarem, when the Thirteenth Light Dragoons advanced, and having crossed the Tagus in boats at Valada, they proceeded to Chamusca, a village, situated on the left bank of the river.

The Thirteenth Dragoons were stationed some months at Chamusca and its neighbourhood, where Marshal Sir William Carr Beresford fixed his head-quarters, having under him a strong body of troops to prevent the passage of the Tagus, and to intercept all communications between Marshal Massena and Marshal Soult. In this service the regiment was employed until the 6th of March, 1811, when the French army having retired from Santarem, it moved forward in pursuit, and the scenes of devastation, slaughter, and confusion it witnessed on the line of the enemy's disastrous retreat, exceed description. After following the French a considerable distance, the regiment was detached, with other forces under Marshal Beresford, to the relief of Campo Mayor, which fortress was besieged by a detachment from Marshal Soult's army.

Campo Mayor surrendered before the arrival of the troops sent to its relief, and the French, having dismantled the works, were marching out of the town as the British approached it on the morning of the 25th of March,—they consisted of nearly nine hundred cavalry, three battalions of infantry, some horse artillery, and a battering train of sixteen guns, under the command of their celebrated general, Latour Maubourg. One squadron of the Thirteenth Dragoons was attached to the light division on this occasion; a troop was with a brigade of Portuguese infantry, and five troops were at the head of the column. Having turned the town by the left, the regiment sent forward one troop to skirmish with the enemy, who retreated by the Badajoz road. The British pressed forward in a semi-circular form, to enclose the French, who halted with their infantry in square, and their cavalry formed in their front and rear. Colonel Michael Head was directed to attack with the two squadrons of the Thirteenth, amounting to two hundred and three officers and soldiers, and he led them forward with the most distinguished gallantry[4]; a regiment of French hussars advanced to meet the Thirteenth, and the opposing horsemen raised a loud shout and rushed upon each other. Several men were overthrown by the shock; the combatants pierced through on both sides, and facing about, charged each other again with the most heroic bravery. A sharp sword conflict ensued, in which the valour of the Thirteenth proved victorious, and many of the hussars having been cut down, the remainder fled. In the mean time, a French squadron formed on the enemy's right, wheeled inwards, and, attacking the British left, did some mischief; but the Thirteenth promptly opposed, and overthrew them after a short contest. The French continued their flight, the Thirteenth followed, and such was the ardour of these brave swordsmen, that the fire of the French infantry could not stop them; they galloped forward, cut down the French gunners, and, believing the other brigades would easily dispose of the French troops thus passed, they continued the pursuit. For some time the French dragoons resisted, but their formation soon became so completely broken, that they surrendered as soon as they were overtaken. The pursuit was continued at a rapid rate, the object being to gain the front, and capture the whole, as well as the enormous quantity of baggage on the road; but the dragoons were not aware of what was taking place in the rear. Marshal Beresford was informed that the Thirteenth Dragoons were cut off; the loss of one regiment appeared to be a serious disaster, and he did not permit the heavy cavalry to charge. The French infantry retiring steadily, recovered their artillery, and effected their retreat. Meanwhile the Thirteenth and some Portuguese squadrons, commanded by Colonel Otway, who formed as a support during the attack, were pursuing the French troopers at a rapid pace; on arriving at the bridge of Badajoz, they were fired upon by the guns of that fortress. The regiment then halted and retired to secure the prisoners, and captured artillery and baggage. Some of the French drivers, refusing to surrender, were sabred, and the mules were mounted by men of the Thirteenth. The retreat was continued several miles, the men in high spirits at their wonderful success; at length they were met by the retiring French infantry, and by all the beaten cavalry which could find refuge with it. For a few exhausted dragoons to have engaged that body of troops would have been madness, and the Thirteenth were forced to abandon their captures and make a detour to the right to join the army, which they effected, and went into bivouac in the neighbourhood of Campo Mayor. The loss of the regiment was twelve men and seven horses killed; Lieutenants William Slater Smith and Frederick Geale, Adjutant Holmes, Quarter-master Greenham, one serjeant, twenty-eight rank and file, wounded; one serjeant, nineteen rank and file, and forty-four horses missing. Three hundred French were killed, wounded, and taken prisoners; the French colonel, Chamarin, of the Twenty-sixth Dragoons, was killed in single combat by Corporal Logan, of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons, which, with many other instances of individual bravery in this sharply contested affair, is recorded in the books of the regiment[5].

The Thirteenth, on this occasion, evinced the superiority of their discipline over their equally brave and numerically superior adversaries, by their greater quickness in rallying after the different attacks,—and this circumstance, with the skilful and determined use of their weapons, greatly tended to their brilliant success in this well-fought field.

An officer, who made his escape from Badajoz a few days after this affair, reported that the French infantry had brought in a great number of severely wounded cavalry soldiers—chiefly sabre wounds[6].

Preparations were subsequently made for besieging Badajoz, and the Guadiana was passed in boats in the early part of April; on the night of the 16th of April an outpost of the Thirteenth Dragoons, which had been relieved by a squadron of Portuguese cavalry, was surprised by a body of French troops from Olivenza, and only twenty men escaped. The loss was three men wounded, Captain Morris, Lieutenant Moss, fifty soldiers, and sixty-five horses taken prisoners. The imagined security of their position, induced by the Portuguese squadron being in their front, and their consequent neglect of due precautions, led to the surprise of this party, by an overwhelming force of the enemy, when totally unprepared for resistance. This was not forgotten,—and the Thirteenth never gave occasion for the repetition of a similar severe but wholesome lesson during the remainder of the war.

The siege of Olivenza was undertaken by the fourth division, and the army advanced to drive the French detachments from the province of Estremadura. The British and Portuguese cavalry arrived at Los Santos on the 16th of April, and fell in with a body of French heavy cavalry, when the leading troops of the Thirteenth, under Captains Boyse and Macalister, promptly formed and checked the advance of the enemy. The remainder of the regiment, commanded by Colonel Head, quickly formed line,—charged,—cut down many of the enemy,—took two officers and a number of men and horses,—and continued in close and rapid pursuit for several miles, successfully frustrating every attempt of the French to rally, and driving them from the field in utter confusion. The enemy suffered a very severe loss in killed and wounded. The left squadron of the Thirteenth, partly formed of the men who had escaped on the 6th instant, had the satisfaction of recapturing some of their horses and accoutrements, and severely revenging their own and their comrades' mischance on some of the very authors of it, who were among their opponents on this occasion. It was observed that these men displayed the most determined gallantry: nothing daunted by the superior numbers of the enemy immediately opposed to them, they rushed fearlessly into their ranks, and committed terrible havoc with their sabres. Captain Doherty had a horse shot under him in this affair. The French commander, whose gallant bearing in leading his men to the attack was long a theme of admiration among the officers who witnessed it, was killed by private James Beard of the regiment, much to the regret of those who had observed his gallantry.

On the 19th of April eighteen men, who had escaped from the enemy, rejoined the regiment.

The Thirteenth Regiment of Light Dragoons remained in advance when the siege of Badajoz was undertaken; but withdrew, with the other cavalry, on the advance of Marshal Soult, (who had collected an army to succour that fortress,) and joined the forces under Marshal Beresford at Albuhera, at which place a general engagement was fought on the 16th of May. Two squadrons of the Thirteenth were posted near the river above the bridge, with orders to defend it, and had opportunities of making some successful charges against the enemy's cavalry, who attempted to cross the stream. The other two squadrons were posted to keep in check a considerable body of the enemy's cavalry, but they were not seriously engaged, and their loss was limited to one horse killed, and one man wounded.

Marshal Soult, having been repulsed, retired, and the Thirteenth Dragoons were sent in pursuit of the enemy. The French rear-guard having been driven from Usagre, that post was occupied, on the night of the 24th of May, by a portion of the troops under Major-General Lumley; the Thirteenth being in bivouac near the town. The French advanced on the following day, when some sharp fighting occurred, in which the third dragoon guards and fourth dragoons distinguished themselves. The conduct of Colonel Head, of the Thirteenth Dragoons, as well as of every officer and soldier present, was commended in Major-General Lumley's despatch.

The siege of Badajoz having been resumed, Marshal Soult's army, strongly reinforced, again advanced; Marshal Massena's army also marched into Estremadura, and the allies again raised the siege of Badajoz, and took up a position behind the Caya, where the enemy did not venture to attack them. When the French armies retired, the Marquis of Wellington proceeded towards the Agueda, leaving the Thirteenth Dragoons in the Alemtejo, under Lieut.-General Hill; they were formed in brigade with the ninth dragoons and second hussars, of the King's German Legion, under Major-General Long, and were stationed at Villa Viciosa, and afterwards at Monforte, a small town nineteen miles from Portalegre.

From Monforte, the Thirteenth Dragoons marched, towards the end of October, to the Spanish frontiers, and with other troops under Lieut.-General Hill, were engaged in the surprise of a French force under General Girard at Arroyo de Molinos. By forced marches, performed in stormy weather, the British arrived in the vicinity of the village at day-break on the morning of the 28th of October; a storm of rain with a thick mist concealed the advance, and the French were surprised in the act of assembling to commence their march. The cavalry marched with every precaution to avoid giving the alarm. The enemy's troops were soon broken; their artillery was captured by a squadron of the Thirteenth, commanded by Captain Mansell Bowers, and their infantry, attempting to escape by climbing steep mountains, were intercepted, and the greatest part made prisoners. Captain Bowers, with his troop of the Thirteenth, pursued a body of French cavalry, and captured a number of men and horses. The conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Muter, who commanded the regiment on this occasion, was commended in Lieutenant-General Hill's public despatch.

Towards the end of December Lieut.-General Hill again advanced, and the Thirteenth Light Dragoons were employed in an attempt to surprise a body of French troops under General Dombrouski at Merida. On arriving at La Nava, three hundred French infantry and a party of hussars were found in the town; they immediately retired,—the infantry in square; and the Thirteenth and second hussars of the King's German Legion pursued. Some sharp skirmishing occurred, but the ground favouring the French, they made good their retreat to Merida, and informing General Dombrouski of the approach of British troops, he retreated during the night. The regiment afterwards returned to Monforte; its loss, in the skirmish between La Nava and Merida, was three horses killed; eleven men, five officers' horses and fifteen troop horses wounded; one man missing.

On the decease of Lieut.-General Francis Craig, the colonelcy was conferred on Lieut.-General the Honorable Henry George Grey, from lieut.-colonel of the Seventh Light Dragoons, by commission dated the 30th of December, 1811.

1812

While the regiment was occupying quarters at Monforte, Ciudad Rodrigo was besieged and captured by storm in January, 1812. When Badajoz was besieged, the regiment advanced and formed part of the covering army. During the advance and the subsequent operations, the Thirteenth were employed in the arduous outpost duties of the army, and engaged in affairs and skirmishes, which were of frequent occurrence, owing to the constant alerts occasioned by the enemy's cavalry in their front, who took every opportunity of endeavouring to cut off the foraging parties, patroles, &c.

In the advance to Merida, in March, the German hussars, having fallen in with the French cavalry, commenced skirmishing, and pushed them through the town and across the bridge. Major-General Long ordered the Thirteenth to gain the front at a gallop, which they did, and, crossing the Guadiana at a deep ford, formed and charged the enemy, who broke and fled, the regiment following, and constantly skirmishing with them till near dark, when it was ordered to discontinue the pursuit.

In April the fortress of Badajoz was taken by storm, and the army afterwards quitted Estremadura, when the Thirteenth Dragoons were again left with Lieut.-General Hill.

The regiment was employed in the enterprise against the enemy's works, which protected the bridge across the Tagus at Almaraz. These were destroyed on the 19th of May, to render the communications between the French armies more difficult. On this occasion the Thirteenth advanced to the high road by the pass of Mirabete, and were in reserve while the forts were stormed.

During the summer and autumn of this year, the services of the regiment were connected with the movements of the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill; it performed many long marches, took part in a few skirmishes, and penetrated into the interior of Spain.

In July the Thirteenth, in brigade with the ninth dragoons and second German hussars, were engaged in a second successful affair with the enemy at Usagre; and in one of the several skirmishes, Serjeant Shaw of the Thirteenth distinguished himself by his gallantry. Honourable mention is also made of the firm and orderly retreat of a squadron of the regiment, commanded by Captain Shapland Boyse, before a vastly superior body of the enemy's cavalry, by whom they were hard pressed for a considerable distance in the neighbourhood of Ocana.

A singular circumstance occurred when the regiment was bivouacked in the neighbourhood of Aranjuez: the horses, being unbridled for the convenience of feeding, were linked, and the officers and men were reposing from their fatigues, when the Second German Hussars, who had been ordered to join Lord Wellington's army, filed past; the Thirteenth immediately sprung up, and actuated by the impulse of the moment, greeted their old comrades with a hearty parting cheer, which so alarmed the horses that four troops broke loose, notwithstanding every exertion made to detain them, and dispersed over the open country, galloping about in squads, and scattering bridles, pistols, carbines, &c., in every direction. The scene was truly ludicrous; but this inconsiderate act might have been attended with serious consequences, as the enemy was in force, particularly in cavalry, in Aranjuez. The horses, some of which had strayed to a distance of four or five leagues, and had been secreted by the Spaniards, were all brought back in the course of the day, and scarcely an article of equipment was lost. The exertions of Adjutant Holmes on this occasion are particularly mentioned.

At the close of the campaign, when the main army withdrew from Burgos, the troops under Lieut.-General Hill also fell back, and the whole were united at Salamanca.

The Thirteenth were in reserve in the affair at Alba de Tormes, and were engaged, with the rear guard, in skirmishing with the enemy during the retrograde movement of the army to the Agueda. The horses suffered severely from want of forage. After retiring beyond the confines of Spain, the regiment marched to the Alemtejo, and was quartered at Crato, where it received a reinforcement of officers, men, and horses, from England in December.

1813

In February, 1813, the regiment was removed from Crato to Monforte, where it received a draught of one hundred and thirty-six horses from the Ninth Dragoons, who were ordered to return to England; at the same time a serjeant and ten men were attached to the staff corps of cavalry.

At the opening of the brilliant campaign of this year, the regiment marched towards Salamanca, and was employed in the operations by which the French troops were driven from that city on the 26th of May. The numbers and improved organization of the allied army enabled the British commander to drive the enemy before him with a strength and violence which the French could not withstand. Rivers were crossed, rocks and mountains were climbed, and barren tracts traversed, with so little opposition, that the power of the enemy appeared to be paralyzed; but in the plains of Vittoria Joseph Bonaparte made a stand, and the Thirteenth Dragoons took part in the engagement on the 21st of June, when the French army sustained a decisive overthrow. The regiment supported the attacks of the infantry on this occasion, and subsequently received orders to advance and act as opportunities might occur. After clearing various obstacles in their front, the Thirteenth approached Vittoria, when the royal carriages were perceived, and Major-General Long instantly ordered a squadron, commanded by Captain Doherty, to pursue them; this was promptly executed, and the whole were captured after a sharp skirmish, in which private Michael Sullivan distinguished himself, cutting down a French officer and capturing his horses. In the mean time, the remainder of the regiment had formed in front of a compact body of the enemy, whom they vigorously charged and routed. Captain Doherty, observing this movement, left the royal carriages in charge of serjeant Scriven and twelve men, and joined the regiment, with which he continued in close pursuit of the enemy during the remainder of the day. Serjeant Scriven reported his having given up the royal carriages to an officer, with a party of infantry, who said he had orders to take charge of them, but he omitted taking a receipt or demanding the officer's name. The commanding officer of the regiment, Major Patrick Doherty, received a gold medal for this battle.

Following the rear of the French army, the regiment arrived at the foot of the Pyrenees, and entering the pass through these celebrated mountains, near Pampeluna, to furnish posts of correspondence between the different divisions, it proceeded to the valley of Roncesvalles,—a place celebrated for the defeat of Charlemagne by the Duke of Gascony, assisted by the Saracens; a pillar erected on the spot, to commemorate the victory, was destroyed by the French in 1794. Up this valley the French army, commanded by Marshal Soult, advanced on the 25th of July, and some sharp fighting occurred, which ended in the retreat of the British to a position in the mountains in front of Pampeluna. The regiment, excepting one troop detached to assist in the blockade of Pampeluna, was formed in support of the sixth division during the severe contest in the Pyrenees, and when the French were repulsed they were pursued to the confines of their own country.

The passage of the Bidassoa was effected in the early part of October; the French were driven from their position on the Nivelle in November; and the Thirteenth, with the Fourteenth Dragoons, were engaged in the operations by which the passage of the Nive was effected on the 9th of December. On the following day the regiment was at Hasparen, observing the movements of the French troops under General Paris. Some fighting took place on the three subsequent days, and the posts at Hasparen were attacked on the 13th of December. The gallant conduct of private James Armstrong of the Thirteenth, on this occasion, obtained for him the distinguished honour of Sir Rowland Hill's particular notice, and he was immediately promoted. Being one of a small party posted to keep up the communication, he dashed forward and rallied some British skirmishers, who had been forced back, placed himself at their head, and attacked and repulsed the enemy, cutting down some, and taking others prisoners.

1814

The severity of the season detained the allies in their cantonments for a short time, during which period the Thirteenth were employed in the outpost duties, and Lieutenant Phillips is mentioned in the books of the regiment, as having shown great prudence and judgment in bringing off his piquet, when attacked and hard pressed by the enemy's cavalry. In consequence of the want of forage, pounded furze was given as food to the horses.

In February, the army again commenced operations, and the Thirteenth Dragoons were employed in the movements connected with the forcing of the line of the Bidouze and the Gave de Mauleon; and in a sharp affair with the enemy's rear-guard, private Shreenan of the regiment distinguished himself by his great gallantry. The regiment was engaged, on the 17th of February, at Sauveterre, where Lieutenant Geale and several men and horses were killed; serjeant-major Thomas Rosser[7] particularly distinguished himself on this occasion. Being detached with twelve men, he fell in with a party of the enemy of more than double his numbers, whom he charged three times, cutting down three himself, and capturing some men and horses. The same morning, previous to this affair, the mare on which serjeant-major Rosser was mounted was killed by a shell striking her in her side, and he escaped without injury.

After several other movements, the Thirteenth Light Dragoons were engaged in forcing the French position at Orthes, on the 27th of February, 1814. The right and centre of the army assembled opposite the village of Orthes, and the Thirteenth Dragoons, forming part of the body of troops destined to turn and attack the enemy's right, assembled near the junction of the Gave de Pau with the Gave d'Oleron. The village of St. Boës was carried; but the nature of the ground required a change to be made in the plan of the action. The narrow passage behind the village was opened, a body of troops, including the Thirteenth, pushed through, and spread a front beyond, and the French army was forced back with loss. Lieutenant Robert Nesbit was severely wounded; two men and two horses were killed, and six horses wounded, on this occasion. In a charge of the enemy's cavalry, which was gallantly met and repulsed by the Thirteenth, a personal rencontre took place between Lieutenant Doherty and the French officer who led it; the latter was cut down, and surrendered. Many of the enemy were sabred, and captured by the regiment. The commanding-officer of the regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Doherty, received a gold clasp, inscribed with the word "Orthes," to be attached to the riband to which his Vittoria medal was suspended.

On the following day the Thirteenth Dragoons pursued the enemy in the direction of Mont de Marsan; and on the 2nd of March, they were engaged in a slight affair at Ayre.

The British divisions continued to move forward, and the French were everywhere driven before the allied army.

The Thirteenth shared with their old comrades of the "ragged brigade[8]," the gallant Fourteenth, in the advance-duties of the army, which brought them repeatedly into collision with the enemy.

On the 22nd of March, as three troops of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Patrick Doherty, with Major Boyse, Captain Macalister, Lieutenants Doherty, Drought, and Lawrence, and Brigade-Major Dunbar, approached St. Gaudens, four squadrons of French cavalry were discovered drawn up in front of the town. Undismayed by the superior numbers of the enemy, the Thirteenth advanced to the charge, and such was the ardour and determined bravery with which they rushed upon their numerous opponents, that the French horsemen were overthrown at the first shock, and they galloped in disorder through the streets; but they rallied at the other side of the town, and prepared to resist the few British troopers whose audacity they were desirous to punish. The Thirteenth being supported by the Third Dragoon Guards, dashed through the town, and rushing sword in hand upon the French squadrons, broke them in an instant, and pursued them for two miles, cutting many down, and taking above a hundred prisoners, and sixty horses. The ground was covered with cavalry equipments, arms, and dead and wounded men and horses. The conduct of the Thirteenth was highly commended in Major-General Fane's report of this action; the officers and soldiers were also thanked in orders by Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, and the signal gallantry evinced by Captain James Macalister, who commanded the advance on this occasion, was rewarded with the rank of major in the army. The Thirteenth nobly upheld, on this occasion, their well-earned fame as bold horsemen and dexterous swordsmen; and, by their promptitude in rushing to the attack, showed that they possessed the true spirit of good cavalry, adding another to the many proofs they had already given of the insufficiency of the mere preponderance of superior numbers to resist the shock of a determined charge[9].

The Thirteenth Light Dragoons continued to form part of the force in advance in the immediate presence of the enemy; every encounter gave additional proof of the ascendancy which the British troops had acquired over their opponents, and as the war drew towards a close, this became more apparent.

On the 10th of April the enemy's fortified position at Toulouse was attacked. The Thirteenth were at their post, but no opportunity to charge the enemy occurred.

When the French withdrew from Toulouse, the regiment advanced through the town in pursuit, and occupied a chain of posts in front of the allied army.

The war was soon afterwards terminated by the treaty of Paris, and the Bourbon family was restored to the throne of France.

Thus the conquering arms of Britain had rescued kingdoms from the tyrannical power of the usurper; and the Thirteenth Dragoons, who had largely shared in the attendant toils and dangers, saw the cause in which they had been engaged, triumphant over all opposition.

After reposing in quarters a short time at Grammont, the regiment sent its dismounted men and baggage to Bourdeaux, and commenced its march through France to Boulogne, where it embarked for England, and landed at Ramsgate on the 7th of July, after an absence of four years and five months, during which period it had marched about one thousand five hundred leagues (principally Spanish); it had been engaged in thirty-two affairs, many of which were sharp and contested, besides the general actions; it had been one hundred and ninety-seven nights in bivouac, and its casualties amounted to two hundred and seventy-four men, and one thousand and nine horses.

The Thirteenth Light Dragoons marched from Ramsgate to Hounslow and its neighbourhood; and having been inspected by His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, they proceeded to Weymouth. The establishment was reduced to eight troops.

1815

The regiment embarked at Plymouth, and arrived at Cork in November. During the end of this year and the beginning of 1815, the regiment was distributed in quarters at Cork, Fermoy, Mallow, Bandon, Limerick, Clogheen, Gort, and Tallow.

On the 6th of April, 1815, the royal authority to bear on its guidons and appointments the word "Peninsula," as a mark of the Prince Regent's approbation of its conduct in Portugal, Spain, and France, under Field Marshal His Grace the Duke of Wellington, was communicated to the regiment; and shortly afterwards the veterans of the Peninsula were again employed on foreign service; the return of Bonaparte to France, his resumption of the imperial dignity, and the flight of Louis XVIII. to Flanders, having rekindled the flame of war on the continent.

The Thirteenth were augmented to ten troops; and six troops, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Patrick Doherty, embarked at Cork at the end of April and in the beginning of May; they landed at Ostend, marched up the country, and were formed in brigade with the Third Hussars, King's German Legion, under Colonel Sir Frederick Arentschildt, K.C.B.

On the 29th of May the Thirteenth were present at Grammont at the review of the British cavalry and artillery, commanded by the Earl of Uxbridge, by His Grace the Duke of Wellington, accompanied by Prince Blucher.

While the regiment was reposing in quarters, waiting for the army to commence operations, Bonaparte endeavoured, by a rapid advance, to surprise the allies and beat them in detail. The post at Quatre Bras was attacked, and this position being fixed upon as the point of concentration for the army under the Duke of Wellington, the Thirteenth Light Dragoons marched in that direction, and joined the army during the night of the 16th of June.

The regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Shapland Boyse, was employed in covering the retreat from Quatre Bras to the position in front of the village of Waterloo, on the 17th of June, which had been rendered necessary by the defeat and retrograde movement of the Prussians.

At the memorable battle of "Waterloo," on the 18th of June, 1815, the Thirteenth Dragoons, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Boyse, had the good fortune to acquire additional laurels. Eminent, as British troops ever have been, for those warlike qualities which lead to glory in the hour of battle, yet the field of "Waterloo" elevated their reputation above its former standard, and the Thirteenth have the honour of being numbered among the corps which signalized themselves in the "shock of steel." The regiment was posted with the Seventh and Fifteenth Hussars in the right centre of the position in the rear of Hugomont; it charged repeatedly during the day with the most distinguished success, the enemy's cavalry and infantry, having some sharp sword conflicts with the former; it also aided in the successful attacks upon the advancing columns, penetrated and completely routed a square of infantry, and thus materially contributed to the overthrow of the French army, which was driven from the field with the loss of its cannon, ammunition, waggons, and all its matériel.

The loss of the regiment was Captain James Gubbins, Lieutenants John Geale and John Pymm, eleven rank and file, and fifteen horses killed; Lieut.-Colonel Shapland Boyse, Captains Joseph Doherty and Gregorie, Lieutenants George Doherty, Charles Robert Bowers, John A. E. Irving, James Mill, George H. Packe, ten serjeants, two trumpeters, fifty-seven rank and file, and forty-six horses, wounded: eight rank and file and fifty-two horses missing.

Captain Brooks Lawrence, upon whom the command of the regiment devolved in the course of the day, had two horses killed and one wounded under him.

The gallant conduct of troop serjeant-major Wells, who commanded Captain Gubbins' troop after all the officers had fallen, was particularly remarked; he was promoted into the second West India regiment, and retired from the Fifty-fourth regiment as a captain in 1841.

Lieutenant Doherty, besides being severely wounded in the head, was struck by a ball which was stopped by the interposition of his watch, which it flattened. He had taken out his watch to remark the time, when the regiment was ordered to advance, and not being able to return it, he put it into the breast of his jacket, and thus providentially his life was saved.

The regiment was subsequently rewarded with the royal authority to bear the word "Waterloo" on its guidons and appointments; every officer and soldier present received a silver medal, and the privilege of reckoning two years' service for that day was also conferred on the troops. Colonel Patrick Doherty and Lieut.-Colonel Shapland Boyse, of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons, were made Companions of the Bath.

The following officers received silver medals for the Battle of Waterloo:—

Lt.-Col. Patrick Doherty, Col.
Maj. Shapland Boyse, Lt. Col.
Capt. Brooks Lawrence
Capt. Joseph Doherty
" James Macalister
" Mansell Bowers
" Charles Gregorie
" Frederick Goulbourne
Lieut. G. H. Packe
" John Wallace
" John A. E. Irving
" John J. Moss

Lieut. George Doherty
" John H. Drought
Lieut. Charles Robt. Bowers
" Allan T. Maclean
" Robert Nesbit
" William Turner
" James Mill
Surgeon Thomas G. Logan
Vet.-Surg. John Constant
Paymast. Alexander Strange
Quartermast. Wm. Minchin.
Cornet Joseph Wakefield

After passing the night on the field of battle, the regiment advanced in pursuit of the French army on their retreat to Paris, which city surrendered to the British and Prussian armies. This event terminated the campaign, Louis the XVIIIth was restored, and the British troops received the thanks of both houses of Parliament for their distinguished conduct during this short and most important struggle. The Thirteenth Light Dragoons were stationed in the vicinity of Paris, and took part in several grand reviews at which the Emperors of Russia and Austria, and the Kings of France and Prussia, were present. On the formation of the army of occupation in France, the Eleventh, Thirteenth, and Fifteenth Light Dragoons constituted the third brigade of cavalry under Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant, K.C.B.

1816

In the spring of 1816, the regiment having received orders to return to England, it embarked at Calais, and landed at Dover on the 13th of May, after an absence of one year and a few days, during which period its casualties amounted to three officers, sixty-five men, and one hundred and four horses.

The regiment marched to Romford, where it was reviewed by His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief. In June it was distributed in quarters at Newmarket, Bury St. Edmonds, Ely, Peterborough, and Cambridge; and in July it marched to York, sending, at different periods during the latter part of this and in the beginning of the following year, detachments to Carlisle, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Tadcaster, Stockton-on-Tees, Hull, Pontefract, Leeds, Halifax, and Wakefield, where they were occasionally employed in quelling riots. The establishment had been reduced in October, 1816.

1817

The quarters were changed in July, 1817, to Brighton, with detachments at Chichester, Arundel, Hastings, and Eastbourne.

1818

In the summer and autumn of 1818, the regiment was stationed at Manchester, Stockport, Blackburn, Bolton, and Preston, and was engaged in quelling riots.

1819

Having received orders to prepare for embarkation for India, the regiment marched to Romford, where it was quartered a short time, and in February, 1819, eight troops, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Boyse, sailed from Gravesend; they were four months on the voyage, and landed at Madras on the 13th of June following. After a short halt, the regiment marched seventy-three miles up the country to Arcot, the capital of the Carnatic, where it was stationed during the remainder of the year.

1820
1826

From Arcot the regiment was removed, in the early part of 1820, to Bangalore, a military station in Mysore, about two hundred miles from Madras. At this station the regiment remained upwards of six years, and in 1826, it was removed to Arcot.

1828

In February, 1828, the regiment was encamped at Arcot, from whence it was removed to Arnee, a town of the Carnatic, fourteen miles south of Arcot, and was stationed at that place during the remainder of the year.

1829

The regiment left Arnee in March, 1829, and once more traversed the country to Bangalore, where it was quartered during the remainder of its stay in India.

1832

In 1832, the regiment was again clothed in scarlet with buff facings.

The Mahommedans of Mysore entered into a combination, in which some Sepoys of the force at Bangalore joined, for the destruction of the English officers and soldiers, and the subversion of the British government in October, 1832; but the discovery of this conspiracy on the day fixed upon for its execution, caused immediate precautions to be taken, which prevented the outbreak. Many of the mutineers were taken, tried, and sentenced,—some to death,—and the remainder to transportation. The Sepoys were executed in front of the assembled force.

1833

In January, 1833, the royal authority was given for the Thirteenth Light Dragoons to retain on their appointments the motto, "Viret in æternum." This motto was borne by the regiment when it was a corps of heavy cavalry, and known by the name of the "the green dragoons," but was discontinued on its being made light. The motto was subsequently resumed, and the privilege of bearing it was confirmed to the regiment by King William IV., as above stated[10].

1836

In December, 1836, King William IV. was pleased to command that the facing of the regiment should be altered to green.

1839

Two squadrons of the regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Maclean, were detached to Bellary in February, 1839, and formed part of the force employed in the expedition against the Nuwaub of Kurnool. In the affair at Zorapoor, a party of the regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Cameron, pursued the fugitives across the river Toombuddra, and took several prisoners; for which they were thanked in orders. The regiment lost one man, drowned, on this occasion. The two squadrons returned to Bangalore on the 28th of November. They lost thirty-two men, principally from cholera, and six horses, on this service.

1840

After passing upwards of twenty years in performing the important duty of protecting the British possessions in the south of India, the regiment received orders to prepare to return to England, and it marched to Madras in the beginning of 1840[11], where it was reviewed by Major-General Sir Robert Dick, K.C.B. and K.C.H., and on the following day transferred its horses to the Fifteenth Hussars; such non-commissioned officers and soldiers as volunteered to remain in India were then permitted to transfer their services to other corps.

At the frequent reviews and inspections of the Thirteenth, during their service in India, the regiment was invariably complimented on its admirable system of interior economy, its high state of discipline and efficiency, and the following orders were issued previous to its leaving Madras:—

"Head-Quarters, Centre Division, Madras,
29th January, 1840.

"Major-General Sir Robert Dick was much gratified this morning to find Her Majesty's Thirteenth Light Dragoons in such high order. The major-general will not fail to report to the general commanding-in-chief the soldier-like appearance and steadiness of the men, and the serviceable condition of the horses; the movements were made with precision and celerity, notwithstanding the heavy sandy ground the regiment moved over; the horses were well in hand; the advances in line and trotting past were admirable. The major-general cannot help regretting the services of so efficient a regiment will be so soon lost to the Indian army. He sincerely wishes Colonel Brunton, the officers, and men of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons a safe passage to England."

"Head-Quarters, Fort St. George,
17 February, 1840.

"General Order.—The Thirteenth Light Dragoons being ordered to embark, the major-general commanding-in-chief cannot allow the corps to quit this command, without recording the high sense he entertains of its merits and conduct during the period of its service in the East. Although opportunities for adding to its long-established fame and reputation in the field have so rarely presented themselves to this arm of the service since the Thirteenth formed a portion of the Madras army, the major-general is well assured, that had occasion called forth a display of its energies against the enemy, it would have nobly sustained the high character of the British cavalry. Good conduct and discipline are qualities, however, as essentially necessary to mark the meritorious soldier out of the field as gallantry in it; and in these attributes of the profession the Thirteenth Light Dragoons have at all times shone conspicuous.

"From having been in the division under his own immediate command during a period of more than two years, the major-general is enabled to bear testimony (as well as from the reports of his predecessors) to the uniform correctness of its conduct, and throughout the course of its lengthened service in Mysore, he believes it may safely be asserted, that not an instance has occurred of a complaint or appeal being preferred against an officer, non-commissioned officer, or private, of this distinguished corps, to the civil authorities. In taking leave, therefore, (for a time he hopes only) of the Thirteenth Light Dragoons, the major-general begs Lieut.-Colonel Brunton will accept himself, and convey to the officers and soldiers under his orders, the assurance of the esteem the major-general feels for, and the warm interest he shall ever take in, the prospects and fair fame of the regiment; and it will constitute a pleasing part of his duty to make the general-commanding-in-chief of Her Majesty's army acquainted with the sentiments he has thus felt to be due to the corps to express, of its character and merits, neither of which are unknown to Lord Hill already, and are in no wise diminished by a twenty years' absence from its native land.

"By order of Major-General Sir Hugh Gough, K.C.B.

"(Signed) R. B. Fearon,
"Deputy Adjutant-General of
Her Majesty's Forces."

The regiment embarked from Madras in February, and landed at Gravesend in June, after an absence of twenty-one years and three months, during which period its casualties amounted to fifteen officers and one thousand and fifty-one men.

The regiment marched to Canterbury, and the establishment was reduced to six troops.

In June of this year the regiment resumed wearing blue clothing with buff facing.

1841

During the election at Canterbury in February, 1841, the regiment was quartered at Deal, Sandwich, and Walmer; and when the general election took place in June, it occupied Whitstable, Herne Bay, and Margate, where it received a vote of thanks from the inhabitants for its orderly and exemplary conduct.

On the 11th of May the regiment was inspected, mounted, by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who was pleased to express in very strong terms, to Lieut.-Colonel Brunton, his approbation of the appearance and forward state of training of both men and horses. On this occasion nearly one half of the men present had joined as recruits since the return of the regiment from India (ten months), and all were mounted on young horses, which had been bought and trained during that time.

The friendship of the "ragged brigade," which had commenced with, and had continued throughout the eventful careers of the two regiments in the Peninsula, was cemented afresh by the arrival of the Fourteenth at Canterbury, to prepare for service in India; when the Fourteenth presented the regiment with their handsome mess tables, to perpetuate in the Thirteenth a kindly remembrance of their old companions in arms.

Lieut.-Colonel Brunton's exertions to complete the regiment in men and horses had been attended with the most favourable results; and having attained a state of efficiency, it marched, in August, to Ipswich and Norwich, crossing the Thames at Gravesend.

1842

In January, 1842, on the occasion of the visit of the King of Prussia to England to attend the christening of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the regiment was removed to Hampton Court and Slough; and on the 4th of February the troops at the former place marched, during the night, to Woolwich, and were present in the morning at a review of the artillery previous to the embarkation of the King of Prussia. The regiment returned from Hampton Court and Slough to Ipswich and Norwich.

The Thirteenth regiment of Light Dragoons, during its long and faithful services to its sovereign and country in various quarters of the globe, has, in peace and in war, under every circumstance of service, vicissitude of climate, and the trials incident thereto, distinguished itself by the display of those qualities which ever acquire unfading laurels in the field of action, and gain respect and esteem for the British soldier.

SIC "VIRET IN ÆTERNUM."

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