FOOTNOTES:
[152] This list (copied from Simmons’ ‘Narrative’) is not perfect. Captain William Johnston was at Waterloo. He was probably with the detachment which had been in Holland, and which joined on the advance from Ostend to Brussels. Captain Glasse, who was acting as Deputy Judge Advocate, did not join till after the battle of Waterloo.
[153] General FitzMaurice’s letter to the ‘Times.’
[154] Leach’s company, under the command of FitzMaurice, who thus ‘opened the ball’ on that memorable day.
[155] Siborne, i. 106.
[156] Ibid. 109.
[157] He was shot through the abdomen, and died, in a house at Quatre Bras, next morning.
[158] He died of his wounds.
[159] Major-General FitzMaurice, K. H., died December 24, 1865.
[160] ‘Supp. Desp.’ x. 751.
[161] Kincaid, ‘Adventures in the Rifle Brigade,’ p. 353.
[162] I have extracted the above return from the ‘Wellington Despatches,’ xii. 487, and it is signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Waters, Assistant Adjutant-General, but it is certainly incorrect as regards the 1st Battalion. Two Field Officers were certainly present, Barnard and Cameron: both were wounded, and are so returned (‘Army List,’ August, 1815), nor is it easy to account for the number (185) reported as ‘sick absent.’ A note to the original states that the large number of ‘sick absent’ in this (and some other regiments) is owing to their losses at Quatre Bras; yet the 1st Battalion had only forty-eight men wounded there. It will be seen on comparing this return with the lists of casualties that the 1st Battalion lost of all ranks in killed and wounded more than three-eighths of its numbers; the 2nd Battalion rather less than one-third; and the 3rd Battalion a little more than a fifth, and the whole Regiment (fourteen companies) about a third.
[163] I presume as Kincaid calls Worsley, then residing on his estate in Nottinghamshire, as a living witness to the truth of this statement, it may here be recorded. It has been confirmed to me by independent testimony.
[164] A memoir of General Beckwith has been published by M. Meille, of which there is an English translation, London, 1873.
[165] Simmons’ MS. Narrative.
[166] He was placed on half-pay at the reduction of the 3rd Battalion, and after serving in some other regiments, died in the Norwich Military Lunatic Asylum, July 6, 1847.
[167] I cannot mention George Simmons’ name here for the last time without recording how much I have been indebted to his Journal in the Peninsula from 1809 to 1814, and to his Narrative of Quatre Bras and Waterloo, in compiling this History. After a service of nearly thirty years in the 1st Battalion he left it in 1838, on promotion to an unattached majority, and died March 5, 1858.
[168] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ x. 537.
[169] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ x. 545.
[170] Colonel Logan, 63rd Regiment, died September 1, 1844. Lieutenant-Colonel Humbley (retired) died 1857.
[171] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ x. 624.
[172] Ibid. xi. 311.
[173] Return, April 10, 1816, ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ xi. 357.
[174] Ibid. xi. 360.
[175] I copy this from a French return in the ‘Wellington Supplementary Despatches,’ xi. 412-3, where it is styled Brigade de Carabiniers, le 1 Bataillon. Le 2 Bataillon was still at Lecelle.
[176] ‘Supplementary Despatches,’ xii. 706.
[177] ‘Annual Register,’ lx. 168.
[CHAPTER VII.]
The 1st Battalion marched from Shorncliffe in three divisions on December 24, 26 and 28, 1818, for Chichester; and after halting there for two days proceeded to Gosport, and was quartered there, and at Haslar barracks.
It remained here till the autumn; when the disturbed state of the northern parts of the kingdom requiring the presence of a military force, the 1st Battalion embarked at three or four hours’ notice, on board the ‘Liffey,’ frigate, and the ‘Hind,’ sloop, on September 18, 1819, and landed at Leith on the 27th; and marching from thence on the next day arrived at Glasgow, the principal seat of the disturbance, on the 30th and was quartered in the Infantry barracks. Here they remained during the rest of the year.
On its arrival in England the 2nd Battalion received orders the very day after reaching Shorncliffe to march to Hastings; and starting on November 2, 1818, and halting successively at Romney and Rye, arrived there on the 4th. Its stay at Hastings however did not much exceed a month. For marching on December 7, through Hailsham, Lewes, Shoreham, Arundel, and Chichester, it arrived at Hilsea on December 12. On the 24th of that month it was inspected, previous to embarkation, by Major-General Lord Howard of Effingham; and on the 26th embarked at Portsmouth on board the ‘Fame’ and ‘Sir George Osborne’ transports; and sailing on the 28th arrived at Cove on the 31st; and disembarking immediately marched to Middleton. And on the day following, January 1, 1819, it marched to Fermoy, and after three days’ halt here, on the 5th the Battalion proceeded by Mitchelstown, Cahir, Thurles and Roscrea, and arrived at Birr barracks on the 9th; relieving there the 3rd Battalion which was being then disbanded, and from which the 2nd Battalion received by transfer on January 11, 213 non-commissioned officers and privates.
From Birr the Battalion detached two companies to Roscrea, one company to Maryborough, and smaller parties to Frankford and Banagher. In August another company was detached to Tullamore, and three companies under a major to Mullingar. These companies proceeded to Athlone on February 18, 1820; and three other companies with the Staff of the Regiment under Lieut.-Colonel Mitchell re-inforced them at Athlone on the 24th in consequence of the disturbed state of the country. On this account too the companies at Maryborough and Roscrea were pushed forward to Loughrea on the 27th; and another company from Birr followed them there on March 27. Meanwhile, three of the companies at Athlone had marched to Tuam.
On February 19, in this year, Field-Marshal The Duke of Wellington was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment, on the death of Sir David Dundas. On this occasion the Officers of the Regiment presented to him the following address:
‘May it please your Grace,
‘We, the Lieutenant-Colonels Commanding, Field-officers, Captains and Subalterns of the two Battalions of the Rifle Brigade, beg leave to represent to your Grace with what feelings of pride and satisfaction we viewed your appointment to be our Colonel-in-Chief.
‘Assuredly so high a distinction could not fail to make a deep impression on the minds of any corps in His Majesty’s service; but we cannot conceal from ourselves that, in the breast of the majority of us, every sentiment of joy and exultation was in no slight degree augmented when memory recalled the days of active service under your Grace’s command, as well in that series of brilliant campaigns which terminated in the emancipation of the Peninsula, as during the last grand struggle, which, sealing the destruction of the common enemy, purchased for Europe tranquillity and for your Grace the title of its deliverer.
‘Whatever henceforth may be the destinies of this Corps—whether its exertions shall be for some time confined to the humbler, less inspiring, but not less imperative duty of protecting our fellow-citizens against the criminal attempts of flagitious and designing men in our native country, or whether our better fortune shall again direct us to the more enviable and spirit-stirring occupations of foreign war—we entreat your Grace to believe that the lustre of your high example will ever be present before our eyes, animating us all, each in his degree, and within the sphere of his activity, to renewed exertions; imparting to our humble efforts a character of a loftier emulation, and teaching us unceasingly to aim at results not unworthy to be associated with a name which history will indissolubly blend with the fairest and most enduring triumphs of a free and independent people.
‘We have the honour to be,
‘Your Grace’s most obedient humble servants,
‘1st and 2nd Battalions Rifle Brigade.
A. Norcott, Col. and Lieut.-Col. Com.
D. Little Gilmour, Lieut.-Col.
J. Ross, Major and Lieut.-Col.
S. Mitchell, Major and Lieut.-Col.
J. Leach, Major and Lieut.-Col.
Geo. Miller, Major and Lieut.-Col.
W. Gray, Capt. and Major.
Morgan Brent, Major.’[178]
This address was forwarded to the Duke by Colonel Gilmour, then commanding the 2nd Battalion, with the following letter:—
‘Tuam, May 31, 1820.
‘My Lord Duke,
‘As senior Lieutenant-Colonel of the Rifle Brigade, I have the honour of forwarding to you a letter from the officers composing the two Battalions of it, and in doing so I beg leave to express the high sense I entertain of the honour which has now devolved upon me, as also to embrace this opportunity of acknowledging the many obligations personally conferred upon me by your Grace, and which I beg leave to assure you shall ever be held in my most grateful recollection.
‘I have the honour to be
&c., &c.
D. Little Gilmour,
Lieut.-Col., 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade.’
During the time the 1st Battalion remained at Glasgow, they were frequently engaged, if not in actual conflict with the insurgents, yet in repressing acts of violence by the populace of Glasgow and Paisley, during the political excitement, then known as ‘The Radical War.’ Thus, among other occasions, I find that on April 2, 1820, the people of Glasgow, Paisley and the surrounding villages having left work and assembled for illegal and riotous objects, the Battalion was under arms from before day-break and posted in St. George’s Square; but the assemblage dispersed without acts of overt violence.[179]
On the removal of the Battalion from Glasgow, it received, by District Order dated November 12, 1820, the approbation of Major-General Reynell, commanding the district, for its conduct ‘upon those trying occasions when its steady, temperate deportment was so mainly conducive to the restoration and maintenance of tranquillity in that populous city.’[180]
A letter from the Provost of Glasgow, dated October 28, conveyed to Colonel Norcott the approbation of the magistrates of that city of the conduct of the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Privates of the Battalion, ‘during a period of great anxiety and alarm,’ for their ‘admirable discipline and propriety of conduct under very trying and harassing circumstances.’
The 1st Battalion left Glasgow in three Divisions on November 15, 16 and 17, 1820, and arrived at Belfast on the 24th and 27th and were there quartered, furnishing detachments to Downpatrick, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Castle-Dawson, Ballycastle, Dungiven, Maghera, Newtown-Glens and Ballymoney.
About this time reference was made to the Duke of Wellington as to the Peninsular actions the names of which were to be borne by the Regiment, and on December 7, 1820, the Duke addressed the following letter to the Adjutant-General:
‘Sir,—In returning to you the letter of Colonel Norcott, commanding the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, which I had the honour to receive from you some time ago, I beg leave to state, for the Commander-in-Chief’s information, that, according to the rule to which I have confined myself in recommending regiments for honorary distinctions, I conceive that the Rifle Brigade may be permitted to bear on its appointments the following inscriptions, in commemoration of the distinguished services of the several Battalions of that Brigade on those occasions, viz.: Roliça and Vimiera; Busaco; Barrosa; Fuentes de Honor; Ciudad Rodrigo; Badajoz; Salamanca; Vittoria; Nivelle; Nive; Orthes; Toulouse.[181]
‘I have the honour to be, &c.,
‘Wellington.’
In compliance with this recommendation an order was issued from the Horse Guards dated January 4, 1821, directing the names of those victories to be borne on the appointments.
A further order dated Horse Guards, March 1, 1821, authorised the Regiment to bear the word ‘Corunna’ on its appointments in commemoration of its gallantry on January 16, 1809. And a third order, dated Horse Guards, March 22, 1821, authorised the words ‘Copenhagen’ and ‘Monte Video,’ in commemoration of the distinguished services of the Corps in the action of April 2, 1801 (its first service at Copenhagen), and of three companies of the 2nd Battalion at Monte Video in January 1807.
On March 7, 1821, the 1st Battalion marched from Belfast and the several detached stations, and arrived at Armagh on the 9th, whence it furnished detachments to Strabane, Lifford, Omagh, Monaghan, Aughnacloy, Derg-bridge, Gortin, Dungannon, Cookstown and Clones.
On November 13 the Battalion marched from Armagh and the neighbouring cantonments, and arrived at Naas on the 18th, sending out detachments to Kilcock, Baltinglass, Maryborough, Philipstown, Wicklow, Carlow, Glencree, Laragh, Gold-mines, Aughavanagh, Drumgoff and Leitrim, and subsequently to Athy.
The Head-quarters, consisting only of two companies, marched from Naas on December 20, and arrived at Kilkenny on the 22nd, where some of the detachments soon afterwards joined them; and whence they subsequently sent out detachments to Duncannon Fort and Callan.
The 2nd Battalion having had detachments from Tuam (where Head-quarters were stationed) besides those before mentioned, at Kilcurren, Moylagh, Mount Bellew, Cong, and Shrule, moved in two divisions on April 9 and 10 through Athenry, Loughrea, Portumna, Nenagh, Limerick, Bruff, Charleville and Doneraile, and arrived at Fermoy on the 19th where they were quartered; and shortly afterwards sent out detachments to Youghal, Dungarvan, Mitchelstown, Killorglin, Ross-Castle, Bantry, Bere Island, Mill Street, Cloyne, Buttevant, Kilworth, Tralee and Dingle.
On September 15 the Head-quarters, consisting of three companies, marched from Fermoy, through Clogheen, Clonmel, Callan, Kilkenny, Carlow and Ballitore, and arrived at Naas on the 22nd, furnishing detachments to some of the out-stations, which the 1st Battalion afterwards occupied from the same head-quarter station. On November 12 the Head-quarters of the Battalion returned by the same route to Fermoy, being relieved at Naas, by the 1st Battalion. On its arrival at Fermoy on the 18th it sent out detachments to Kildorrery, Castletownroche, Liscarrol, Newmarket and Mitchelstown; and subsequently to Kanturk and Doneraile.
The Head-quarters of the 1st Battalion consisting of two companies marched from Kilkenny on February 3, 1822, (having previously detached one company to Mitchelstown) and arrived at Fermoy on the 6th, sending out a detachment to Cappoquin. Soon afterwards, some of the detachments from Kilkenny having joined head-quarters, four companies marched from Fermoy to Charleville and detached parties from thence to Kilmallock, Bruree, Kilfinane and Gibbon’s Grove.
The Head-quarters of the Battalion marched from Fermoy on February 16, and arrived at Newcastle on the next day. On this march a most violent outrage occurred. Some non-commissioned officers’ and soldiers’ wives preceded the Battalion on three jaunting cars. About half-past six in the evening of Sunday, the 17th, when about a mile and a half from Kildorrery, the cars were stopped by about a dozen men, and some of the women, being seized and dragged off the cars, were violated by more than one man. Others of them fled from their assailants and ran back and met the Battalion. For this outrage three men were tried at the ensuing Cork assizes, and being clearly identified by the women were found guilty, and executed.[182]
One of the victims of this outrage, the wife of a non-commissioned officer, was with the Battalion when I served in it. She was flighty; having lost her senses in consequence of the violence inflicted on her, and never perfectly recovered. This assault was intended as a direct affront to the Regiment; for the miscreants enquired whether any officer’s wife was on the cars; whether there was any ammunition in them; and on leaving said that they would let the Riflemen know that they were Captain Rock’s men.
The late hour of the march, and its being on Sunday, show that it took place in consequence of the disturbed state of the country.
On its arrival at Newcastle the Battalion furnished detachments to Abbeyfeale, Athea, Drumcollogher, Ruskey, Mount Catherine, Hospital, Ballygran, Kilmedy and Glenduff.
The Head-quarters of the Battalion marched from Newcastle to Rathkeale on July 23, and, the former detachments being withdrawn, sent out parties to Ballingarry, Croome, Shanagolden, Glyn, Youghal, Askeaton and Kildemo.
Early in the year some of the detachments furnished by the 2nd Battalion formed part of a moveable column under Colonel Straton, 6th Dragoons, and two companies of the Battalion marched from Fermoy to Cork.
On January 24 Colonel Mitchell with a party consisting of Captain Pemberton and fifty men of his company, a subaltern and a few men of the 11th Foot, and a few men of the 6th Dragoons, were engaged with a large body of the insurgents, about a thousand in number, posted on the hills near Carrigamanus, and completely routed them, some being killed and wounded, and twenty-two taken prisoners.
On the next day Colonel Mitchell received information from a magistrate of the County that the insurgents were in force on the hill of Dasure, and would attack his party on his march from Fermoy to Macroom. He therefore reinforced his small force with Captain Macnamara and Lieutenant Woodford’s detachments and Captain Eaton’s company, with his two subalterns, making his force of Riflemen three captains, three subalterns, four sergeants and 110 rank and file. They marched towards Dasure and found the insurgents posted on that hill, fully a thousand strong, while an equal number occupied the surrounding hills. As Mitchell’s small party approached, they rushed furiously down the hill with the object of surrounding them. But Mitchell had thrown out skirmishers in his front, and to his flanks, and completely defeated their attempt. They fired a few shots; but finding that their proposed charge had failed, fled panic-struck, leaving many killed and wounded (some accounts made the number forty, others from twenty to thirty) and about thirty were made prisoners. This attack on the Riflemen was made with a fury and determination not usual in combats of this kind,[183] and their steadiness and zeal called forth the warm commendations of Colonel Mitchell.
Two more companies moved at this time to Cork; and parties were detached thence to Macroom, Inchigeelagh, Firmount, Derry, Larchfield, Mount-rivers, Warren’s-court and Nettleville.
And on January 27 the Head-quarters of the Battalion marched from Fermoy to Bandon, leaving the heavy baggage at Cork, and sent out detachments to Dunmanway, Skibbereen, Rosscarbery, Clonakilty and Bantry.
At this time a party of the Battalion proceeding in charge of cars conveying ammunition from Macroom to Bandon was attacked by the insurgents at Clara Mountain, near Kilmurry; but they were driven off with the loss of some killed and wounded.[184]
On March 12 the Head-quarters, consisting of one company and some attached men only, marched from Bandon to Kinsale, the detachments continuing as before with occasional reliefs and changes; and additional parties being sent to Crowhowley, Millstreet and Ballyvourney.
On August 25, 1822, Sir Andrew Barnard, who had been promoted Major-General from the command of the 1st Battalion on August 12, 1819, was appointed Colonel Commandant of a Battalion.
The 1st Battalion, besides the detachments already mentioned, furnished parties to Abbeyfeale, Tarbert, Athea and Mountpleasant.
The Battalion marched from Rathkeale and the out-stations in two divisions on October 25 and 27, 1823, and arrived in Dublin on November 1 and 3, and occupied Richmond barracks until December 30, when they moved into the Royal barracks.
Previous to their leaving Rathkeale Major-General Sir John Lambert, who then commanded the district, issued a district order very complimentary to the discipline and services of the Battalion during more than a year and a half, during which it had been under his command, and stationed in a part of the county of Limerick which had been in a most disturbed state.
On July 23 the 2nd Battalion marched from Kinsale in two divisions which arrived at Limerick on the 28th and 30th, being again broken up in detachments to Newcastle, Glyn, Athea, Drumcolliher, Mayne and Glenduff, and subsequently to Abbeyfeale and Rathkeale.
The 1st Battalion marched from Dublin in three divisions on September 7, 8 and 9, 1824, and arrived at Belfast on the 16th and furnished detachments to Downpatrick, Carrickfergus and Ballymena.
The Head-quarters of the 2nd Battalion marched from Limerick on May 29 by Tipperary and Cashel, and arrived at Templemore barracks on June 1, where they remained until September 6, when they marched by Mountrath, Monasterevan and Naas and arrived in Dublin on the 9th and occupied Richmond barracks. Here the detachments left in the county of Limerick shortly afterwards joined, and the Battalion was at last re-united; and soon after the 1st Battalion, also re-united, arrived in the same barracks, and for many months both were quartered in Dublin.
By an order from the Horse Guards dated April 25, 1825, the strength of the two Battalions was augmented from eight to 10 companies each, and those of the 1st Battalion were divided into six Service and four Depôt companies. This division was carried into effect on July 25; and on the 28th 29th and 30th the six Service companies embarked at Belfast for Nova Scotia, on board the ‘Arab,’ ‘Speke,’ and ‘Joseph Green,’ and arrived at Halifax about September 1, and were quartered in the South barracks.
The Depôt companies remained at Belfast until August 24 when they marched for Newry, arriving there on the 26th. After a brief stay there they marched on September 17, and reached Cavan on the 20th, where they were quartered during the remainder of the year.
The 2nd Battalion marched from Dublin in four divisions on July 5, 6, 7 and 8, detaching two companies to Cavan, and a party to Maguire’s bridge. After a three months’ station at Enniskillen, these detachments having been called in, the Battalion marched in three divisions, on October 3, 4 and 5, and arrived at Birr on the 10th and proceeded to Buttevant which they reached on the 16th.
Here the division into Service and Depôt companies took place on October 25, and on the 27th the six Service companies (leaving the Depôt at Buttevant) marched to Cork, and were there quartered. The Depôt on December 12 marched from Buttevant to Kinsale.
During the year 1826 the Service companies of the 1st Battalion continued to occupy the South barracks at Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Depôt companies marched from Cavan on March 23, and arrived at Drogheda on the 25th sending a Captain’s detachment to Dundalk, another to Trim, and a small party to Kilcock.
On May 4 they marched to Naas, the detachment from Dundalk having previously rejoined; but the other detachments remained out, and a party was also detached to Robertstown.
On August 8 the Depôt companies marched from Naas to Dublin, and occupied George Street barracks; but they returned to their former quarters at Drogheda, on October 14 sending out detachments to Swords and Garristown.
On January 10, 11 and 13 the Service companies of the 2nd Battalion embarked at the Cove of Cork, on board the ‘Vibilia,’ ‘Cato,’ and ‘Sovereign,’ transports, for Malta where they arrived on February 22; and were placed, four companies in the Lazaretto and two companies (Head-quarters) in Fort Manuel under quarantine. On receiving pratique they removed to Fort St. Elmo; where they were quartered, with detachments at Fort Manuel, Fort Tigné, and a company at Gozo.
During the general election in this year a company from the Depôt of the 2nd Battalion under Captain Ferguson, stationed at Tralee, were called out on June 24, in consequence of a riot and attack on some of Lord Ventry’s tenantry. The Riflemen were ordered to fire, and five of the rioters were killed and thirteen wounded, many of them dangerously. At an inquest held on two of the persons killed, a father and son named Sullivan, a verdict was returned that the order to fire was ‘unjustifiable and unnecessary.’[185] I do not know whether any further proceedings were taken; but the conduct of the Riflemen was approved by the Duke of York, Commander in Chief; and Sir Herbert Taylor, then Military Secretary, states in a letter dated July 14, that ‘The cool and determined conduct of Captain Ferguson, and the detachment of the Rifle Brigade under his orders at Tralee, appears, from the reports made to His Royal Highness, to have been deserving of his entire approbation, which he desires may be communicated to them.’
On January 27, 1827, Major-General Sir Thomas Sidney Beckwith, K.C.B., who had so long served in the Regiment, and had so gallantly led it in many a hard-fought field, was restored to its roll as Colonel Commandant of the 2nd Battalion, Sir Andrew Barnard becoming Colonel of the 1st Battalion by the death of the Honourable Sir William Stewart, at his residence, Cumloden, Kirkcudbright, on January 7.
On July 27, the Service companies of the 1st Battalion moved from the South to the North barracks at Halifax, and furnished detachments to Annapolis, Prince Edward’s Island, Windsor, Cape Breton, and York redoubt.
The Depôt companies of this Battalion marched from Drogheda on October 9 to Dublin, and on their arrival there were quartered in George Street barracks.
On the departure of the Depôt from Drogheda the Mayor and Corporation presented Major William Eeles, who commanded it, with the freedom of their Corporation, ‘not only as an evidence of their personal regard for him,’ but also ‘to record their high sense of the gentlemanlike demeanour of the officers, and steady, soldier-like conduct of the non-commissioned officers and privates.’
The Depôt companies marched to Kingstown on October 21, and embarked in the ‘Amphitrite’ and ‘Maria’ transports for Devonport, where they arrived on the 31st, and occupied Stonehouse barracks.
The Service companies of the 2nd Battalion remained at Malta during this year; no change beyond the reliefs of detachments taking place until December 21, when they removed from Cottinera district to the lower St. Elmo barracks at Valeria, with a small party detached to Fort Tigné.
The record of this Battalion does not specify the movements of the Depôt companies; but I find that they were stationed at Clare Castle in March, and had moved before June to Cashel.
The Service companies of the 1st Battalion remained at Halifax during the year 1828, the various detachments mentioned in [p. 228] rejoining the Head-quarters in May, June and August.
On July 29 His Royal Highness, the Duke of Clarence (afterwards King William IV.) on his visit to Plymouth as Lord High Admiral, reviewed the Depôt companies of both Battalions, with the other troops in garrison.[186] The day was very unfavourable, the rain falling in torrents; but His Royal Highness went through the review, which occupied some hours. Addressing the Riflemen, he traced the history of the Regiment and its principal deeds of arms from its foundation (as was his wont on such occasions), concluding with these words: ‘And what more can I say to you, Riflemen, than that wherever there has been fighting you have been employed, and wherever you have been employed you have distinguished yourselves?’
Immediately after this review the Depôt companies embarked on board the ‘Amphitrite’ transport at Devonport, and on the 31st landed at Gosport, and occupied Forton barracks. On December 21 they furnished detachments to Tipner and Hilsea.
No change (except the relief of detachments) took place in the Service companies of the 2nd Battalion, which remained at Malta; but its Depôt companies were (with those of the 1st Battalion) at Devonport during the spring and summer; and in September were stationed at Portsmouth; but before the end of the year returned to Devonport.
The Service companies of the 1st Battalion remained at Halifax until October 1829, on the 17th and 18th of which month they embarked in the ‘Ann,’ ‘Amelia,’ and ‘Wellington,’ transports; and sailing on the 21st, arrived at St. John’s, New Brunswick, where they disembarked on the 29th and 31st. They immediately furnished detachments to Fredericton and St. Andrew’s; and on November 7 the Head-quarters with Captain Hope’s company embarked on board the ‘St. George’ steam-boat, and moving up to Fredericton, occupied the new barracks with the detachment of the Battalion already there.
On March 13 the Depôt companies calling in the detachments at Tipner and Hilsea, moved to Cambridge barracks, Portsmouth. On August 11 they embarked on board the ‘Amphitrite’ and disembarked at Dover on the 13th, where they occupied the Western heights barracks.
The 2nd Battalion remained at Malta during this year, changing its quarters on December 18 from the St. Elmo to the Floriana barracks.
During the year 1830 the 1st Battalion remained at St. John’s and Fredericton, New Brunswick; and the Depôt continued in its quarters at Dover.
The only change in the quarters of the Service companies of the 2nd Battalion this year was their removal from Floriana barracks to the Cottinera district on December 20.
The Depôt companies moved about April to Deal and soon afterwards to Dover, where they were quartered with the Depôt of the 1st Battalion.
No change took place in the quarters of the 1st Battalion during the year 1831; the Service companies continuing in New Brunswick, and the Depôt at Dover.
The Service companies of the 2nd Battalion remained at Malta during the whole of this year, and the Depôt continued at Dover.
Lieutenant-General Sir T. Sidney Beckwith, K.C.B., Colonel Commandant of the 2nd Battalion, died January 19, 1831, at the Mahabuleshwar hills, Bombay, of which Presidency he was Commander-in-Chief. He was the last of the original officers of the Regiment remaining in it.
The Head-quarters of the 1st Battalion with three companies left Fredericton in two divisions on August 14 and 17, 1832; and the whole of the Service companies embarked at St. John’s in H.M.S. ‘Winchester,’ and the ‘Arachne’ and ‘Chebucto,’ brigs, on the 21st and 22nd and disembarking at Halifax, Nova Scotia, were quartered in the North barracks.
The Depôt companies continued at Dover, furnishing a detachment for a short period to Shorncliffe.
On February 12 the Head-quarters of the 2nd Battalion with two companies embarked at Malta for Corfu, where they landed on the 19th, and on the 23rd the remaining six companies embarked, landing at Corfu, two on the 1st March and two on the 6th.
On April 6 the Battalion moved to the Island of Vido, sending out small parties to the Lazaretto Island, Paleo Castrizza, Fano and Paxo.
On August 1 the Battalion returned to Corfu, calling in these parties; but, shortly afterwards sending out a detachment to Cephalonia.
The Depôt of the 2nd Battalion remained at Dover.
On April 1 in this year a change was made in the clothing of the non-commissioned officers and private Riflemen, the coats being made double-breasted, instead of single-breasted as heretofore; black horn-buttons being substituted for white metal; and black lace and chevrons being adopted instead of those before worn by sergeants.
No change took place in 1833 in the station of the Service companies of the 1st Battalion, which continued to occupy the North barracks at Halifax.
Early in the year 1833 Captain Horatio Stewart’s Depôt company was ordered to proceed from Dover by forced marches to Hastings. The whole of that part of the coast was in a state of great excitement in consequence of the proceedings of smugglers, who had not long before had an affray with the coastguard, in which one of the latter was killed and others wounded. On the arrival of the company at Hastings the men, after being allowed to rest and refresh themselves for about an hour, were ordered to fall in, and were divided into parties, under officers and non-commissioned officers, which were directed to patrol the beach for many miles in various directions during the night. This unpleasant duty continued for six weeks; patrolling by night and target practice by day. This was watched by numbers of the people; and no doubt the practice made at the target was observed with good effect by the smugglers and their friends; for no smuggler was ever met with by the patrols, nor was any attempt made, while the Riflemen continued at Hastings, to land contraband goods. The company then rejoined the Depôt.[187]
The Depôt companies, calling in the detachment at Shorncliffe, marched from Dover to Chatham on April 1, whence they furnished in June a strong detachment under a Field officer to Gravesend, in aid of the Civil power. And ‘their excellent conduct,’ and ‘the unceasing attention of the officers,’ received the thanks of the Mayor in behalf of the inhabitants.
These companies embarked at Chatham on November 11 on board H.M. steam-vessel ‘Salamander,’ and arriving at Jersey on the 14th, disembarked at St. Aubin’s, from whence they proceeded to occupy quarters in Fort Regent, at St. Helier’s.
The Service companies of the 2nd Battalion were moved from Corfu to Vido on August 1, sending out detachments to Lazaretto Island and Fano; but on December 1 returned to Corfu. The Depôt companies continued at Dover.
In consequence of the breaking out of cholera in the 1st Battalion, the Service companies were moved from Halifax on August 24, 1834, and encamped at Sackville, whence they returned to their former quarters in the North barracks, Halifax, September 30. In this outbreak of cholera the Battalion lost 31 men, 6 women and 5 children.
The Depôt remained during the whole of this year at Fort Regent, Jersey.
The Head-quarters of the Service companies of the 2nd Battalion embarked at Corfu for Cephalonia on October 8, and landed there on the 9th. Two companies had preceded them on June 20, and two others on September 26. From hence detachments were furnished to Calamos, to Ithaca, to Paxo, to Lixuri, to Fort San Georgio and Sta. Euphemia. About March the Depôt companies removed from Dover to Guernsey.
During the year 1835 no change of quarters took place in either Battalion or in their Depôts.
The Service companies of the 1st Battalion sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the ‘Stakesley’ and ‘Katherine Stewart Forbes,’ on August 20 and 26, 1836, and arrived at Chatham and disembarked on September 15 and 29, and occupied quarters there.
The Depôt companies had sailed from Jersey in the ‘Katherine Stewart Forbes’ on May 24, and arrived at Gosport on the 28th, where they disembarked, and were quartered in Fort Monckton till June 17; when they crossed to Portsmouth, and occupied Forehouse barracks, with detachments at Tipner and Hilsea.
On August 1 the Depôt companies marched from Portsmouth, through Chichester, Petworth, East Grinstead, and arrived at Chatham on the 8th to await the arrival of the Service companies; and on their landing on September 15 and 29, they were again reunited into a Battalion of ten companies.
No change took place in the quarters of the Service companies of the 2nd Battalion, except the occasional relief of the many detachments they furnished from Cephalonia. But the Depôt companies in September embarked at Guernsey for Dover, where they awaited the arrival of the Service companies, and were reunited with them on their arrival in June following.
Early in the year 1836 Lieutenant Wilbraham,[188] then Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, was selected to proceed to Persia, with eight sergeants of the Rifle Brigade, in charge of two thousand stand of rifles, intended by the Foreign Office as a present to the Shah on his accession to the throne. Four of these sergeants, belonging to the 1st Battalion, were sent out from England; the other four, belonging to the 2nd Battalion, joined the expedition at Cephalonia, where their Battalion was then stationed.
Lieutenant Wilbraham was promoted in July 1836 to an unattached company, and subsequently the local rank of Lieutenant-Colonel was conferred upon him. For nearly three years he and the eight sergeants were employed in organising and instructing the Persian troops, but at the end of that time a rupture took place between England and Persia, in consequence of the Shah’s advance upon Herat, and they returned to Europe. The rifles had under one pretext or another been withheld, as it was foreseen that they would probably be used against ourselves, but as they were too bulky to be carried, they were rendered useless by the removal of the locks, which were brought away.
Of the sergeants who were selected for this duty Sergeant Peter Macdonald afterwards rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and retired from the Service in 1865; and Colour-sergeant Johnson, 2nd Battalion, subsequently became Captain in the 41st Regiment, and died at Balaclava as Provost-Marshal of the Army.
The 1st Battalion marched from Chatham in two divisions on May 1 and 2, 1837, and arrived at Woolwich and Deptford on the 2nd and 3rd. Seven companies with Head-quarters were stationed at Woolwich, and three companies at Deptford.
During the time the Battalion was quartered at Woolwich, Lieutenant-Colonel William Eeles died in command of it on October 11. He had served in the Regiment thirty-two years, having been appointed to it in 1805; and had accompanied it through its Peninsular and other campaigns, and had been present at Waterloo. He was succeeded in the command of the Battalion by Lieutenant-Colonel Hope, who had been promoted after twenty-eight years’ service in the Rifles to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 21st Fusiliers; and was now brought back to his old Corps.
On April 8 and 13 the Service companies of the 2nd Battalion embarked at Cephalonia on board the ‘Parmelia’ and ‘Prince Regent,’ transports, and landed at Dover on June 3 and 13.
And on August 14, 15 and 16 the Battalion marched from Dover to Portsmouth in three divisions, arriving there on the 24th, 25th and 26th, and detaching one company to Tipner Magazine.
The 1st Battalion embarked in steam-vessels at Woolwich early in the morning of June 28, 1838, and attended the Coronation of Queen Victoria. This and the 2nd Battalion lined Piccadilly from Hyde Park Corner to the corner of St. James’ Street in extended order.
After the procession had returned from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace the 1st Battalion marched back to Woolwich and Deptford.
On July 9 the Battalion again embarked in steam-vessels and was conveyed to London, and took part in the review in Hyde Park on that day under the command of General, the Marquis of Anglesey, and in presence of the Queen. Marshal Soult was present at this review.
At its conclusion the Battalion was billeted in the neighbourhood of Hanover Square until the 11th, when it marched to the Tower of London and was there quartered. Three or four days after their arrival there the Battalion was inspected by the Colonel-in-Chief, Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington, accompanied by Marshal Soult. They proceeded down the ranks and inspected the Battalion together.
On June 16, 17 and 18, the 2nd Battalion marched in three divisions from Portsmouth to Chelsea and was there billeted. And on the 28th attended the Coronation of Queen Victoria as above stated; and on July 9 was present at the review in Hyde Park.
On the next day, it moved from Chelsea to Woolwich relieving the 1st Battalion, and like it, having Head-quarters and seven companies at Woolwich and three companies detached at Deptford.
The 1st Battalion marched on February 1 and 2, 1839, by wings, from the Tower to Paddington, and thence proceeded by Railway to Windsor, where they were quartered in the Infantry barracks.
On March 11 and 12 the left wing of the Battalion marched from Windsor and arrived at Weedon on the 15th; and they were followed by the right wing and Head-quarters which left Windsor on the 18th and arrived at Weedon on the 22nd.
In consequence of the disturbed state of the country, detachments were furnished by the Battalion to aid the Civil power, to Birmingham, Nottingham and Warwick; the two former continuing detached (with occasional reliefs) for about a year; the latter from July till December. During the chartist disturbances the detachment at Birmingham was on more than one occasion called out to disperse the mob. Rioting having more or less continued from the 4th to the 8th July, the detachment was called out on the latter evening, and took their station in the Bull-ring. Here fighting with the police took place, and the mob, having got the worst of it, assembled in the Holloway road. The Riflemen were ordered to disperse them, and were pelted with stones. Then an order to load and to make ready was given; but fortunately before they fired, the 4th Dragoon Guards arrived and dispersed the people, taking many prisoners.
A few days later similar harassing services were required of them. On July 15 a mob assembled in the evening, in the Bull-ring, and attacked the houses of several citizens and tradesmen and set some of them on fire. The mob would not let engines approach, and compelled the firemen, under pain of death, to take off their horses and retreat. At this moment a party of 200 Riflemen made their appearance (accompanied by a magistrate), and under their escort the firemen brought up, and worked their engines; while the 4th Dragoon Guards charged the people and cleared the streets.
Among the parties sent out to clear the neighbouring streets was one consisting of a section commanded by Sergeant Robert Macdonald. It was arduous work, for the mob assailed them with stones and every description of missiles. The men became so exasperated under this provocation (for some were severely hurt) that they could hardly be restrained from retaliating by attacking their assailants with their swords, which were fixed on their rifles. Sergeant Macdonald did what he could to prevent mischief; but in the tumult one or two persons were killed or died of wounds, and several were wounded. A coroner’s inquest, however, returned a verdict of ‘justifiable homicide,’ thereby exonerating Macdonald, who was amenable as having been in command at this post, from all blame.[189]
On the next day, the Riflemen were engaged in patrolling the town; and in the evening, it having been announced that another chartist meeting was to be held, they were brought down in force, accompanied by a Squadron of the 4th and some artillery with guns. The mob did not care to come into collision with them, and the riots subsided.
On this detachment returning to Weedon, a very strong and favourable representation was made by the mayor and magistrates of Birmingham to the Home Secretary of its services and conduct, and of the indefatigable zeal and humanity with which it had performed the duties required of it. This was transmitted by the Marquis of Normanby, then Home Secretary, to General Lord Hill, Commanding in Chief, and by him to the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, both adding their expression of satisfaction and approval of the conduct of the detachment.
The following address was also forwarded by the Mayor of Birmingham to the Commanding Officer:
‘To the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Privates of Her Majesty’s Rifle Brigade, now stationed at Weedon barracks.
‘We, the undersigned the Mayor and magistrates of the borough of Birmingham, having heard with regret of your intended early removal from this neighbourhood, cannot permit your departure to take place without tendering to you this cordial and respectful assurance of our esteem and gratitude. For a considerable period during which we were indebted to you for aid and protection, we had frequent occasions to admire the order, courage and humanity which marked your performance of some of the most painful duties which it falls to the lot of a British soldier to fulfil. Nor can we forget that alike by officers and men these duties, often dangerous and always irksome, were discharged with uniform cheerfulness and alacrity.
‘As a very inadequate, though warm and grateful return, allow us to repeat the expression of our heartfelt thanks and to offer our best and earnest wishes for your future happiness and welfare.
‘Signed by the Mayor and ten magistrates.
‘Birmingham, April 30, 1840.’
In November 1839, the flint-lock Baker rifle was replaced by the percussion Brunswick rifle, a supply of which was forwarded from the Tower to Weedon, together with swords, &c.
The 2nd Battalion marched in two divisions from Woolwich on October 9 and 10, for Windsor and arrived there on the 12th and were quartered in the Infantry barracks.
On November 1 the Battalion was reviewed in the Home Park by Queen Victoria.
In consequence of the disturbed state of South Wales, and the attack on Newport in November, two companies of the Battalion, under the command of Major Irton,[190] were ordered to march from Windsor on December 18 to Monmouth, where they arrived on the 28th of that month.
The 1st Battalion remained at Weedon till November 1840, when an order having been received to prepare for foreign service, the Battalion was divided into six Service companies and four Depôt companies.
And on November 9 and 10 the Service companies proceeded by rail-road to London; and embarked at Deptford on board the ‘Abercrombie Robinson’ transport for Malta, where they arrived in January following.
The Depôt companies continued to be quartered in Weedon barracks during the remainder of the year.
The trial by Special Commission of the ringleaders of the attack on Newport having concluded, the two companies of the 2nd Battalion which had been detached to Monmouth, marched on March 2 and rejoined Head-quarters at Windsor on the 10th of that month.
On May 22 a company of the Battalion marched to Esher to furnish guards and duties at Claremont, during the Queen’s residence there; and returned to Windsor on the 25th, and on June 1 a similar detachment proceeded to Esher, for the same duty, rejoining Head-quarters on the 5th.
South Wales continuing in a disturbed state, two companies marched from Windsor to Brecon, one to Pontypool, one to Swansea, and one to Merthyr Tydvil on August 22, and arrived at their destinations on September 1 and 2. And on August 24 the Head-quarters marched to Newport, Monmouthshire, and arrived on September 1; furnishing additional detachments to Newtown and Montgomery.
On October 26 the detachment at Brecon was broken up, one company marching to Abergavenny, and the other to Usk.
The Service companies of the 1st Battalion disembarked at Malta on January 13, 1841, and were quartered at Fort Manuel, with detachments at St. Salvador and another to the Zabbar gate.
On January 28 the Head-quarters moved to Fort Ricasoli, detaching another company to St. Salvador. But the Battalion only remained in these quarters till February 13, when they removed to Isola barracks, with one company at St. Francis de Paolo, and one at St. Salvador.
On May 7 the Battalion left the Cottinera district, and moved to lower St. Elmo barracks, with a company detached at St. James’ Cavalier.
The Depôt companies removed from Weedon to Chester Castle on May 5, and were there quartered until 20th of the same month, when they proceeded to Liverpool; and embarking for Dublin, arrived there on the 21st. They disembarked on the following day and occupied Beggar’s-bush barracks until the 25th when they moved into Richmond barracks.
On July 10 a detachment of five officers and about a hundred men were sent to Wicklow, in aid of the Civil power, during an election. They returned to Richmond barracks on the 23rd.
No alteration of quarters (except the change and relief of detachments) took place in the 2nd Battalion until August; on the 28th, 30th and 31st of which month the Battalion left its cantonments in Monmouthshire and in Wales, and was reunited at Bristol preparatory to embarking for foreign service.
On this occasion an address was presented to the Commanding Officer, signed by the Mayor of Newport and five other magistrates, commending the ‘peaceable, orderly and soldierlike manner in which the men had conducted themselves.’ An address was likewise presented, signed by five magistrates of Newtown, thanking the detachment there for its ‘efficient assistance in preserving the peace of the town,’ and for ‘protecting the property of many of its inhabitants.’ And another signed by forty inhabitants (magistrates and tradesmen) testified to the good conduct of the detachment stationed there.
On September 3 the Battalion was divided into six Service and four Depôt companies; and on the 9th and 10th (leaving the Depôt companies at Bristol) the Service companies proceeded by Great Western railway to Paddington, and thence to Deptford, where they embarked on board the ‘Abercrombie Robinson’ for Bermuda. They arrived on November 5 and disembarked at St. George’s.
The 1st Battalion remained in its quarters at Malta during the whole of the year 1842, furnishing detachments to Forts Ricasoli and Tigné.
The Depôt companies marched from Richmond barracks to the Pigeon-house Fort, near Dublin, on January 20; where they remained until October. On the 17th of that month the first division marched for Drogheda through Ashbourne, and on the 19th the Head-quarters through Balbriggan; and on arrival at Drogheda were quartered, three companies in Millmount barracks, and one company in Fair Street barracks.
On May 7 an order was issued from the Horse Guards increasing the 2nd Battalion to twelve companies, six of which were to be called the Reserve Battalion. The Depôt companies were therefore increased to six companies, eighty men having volunteered from the 1st Battalion to complete them. This was effected at Dover.
The six companies at Bermuda embarked on board the ‘Java’ transport on July 30, and landed at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on August 12.
On September 6 the Reserve Battalion arrived at Halifax. And in October the Battalion, thus completed, sent out detachments to Prince Edward’s Island, Cape Breton, and Annapolis.
Lieutenant-General Sir Dugald Little Gilmour, K.C.B., who had served in the Regiment nearly twenty years, during many of which he had commanded the 2nd Battalion, was appointed Colonel Commandant of it April 25, 1842.
The right wing of the 1st Battalion, recalling the detachments, embarked at Malta, on board the ‘Boyne,’ transport, on March 2, 1843, and landed at Corfu on the 6th. The left wing did not leave Malta till April 1, when it embarked, also in the ‘Boyne,’ and arrived at Corfu on the 7th. The Battalion furnished detachments to Santa Maura, Vido, Paxo and Fano.
The Depôt companies continued at Drogheda, whence a detachment of 3 officers and about 70 men marched to Carrickmacross on April 5, in aid of the Civil power, and rejoined on the 27th.
A detachment consisting of one company proceeded on May 23 to Dundalk, and occupied quarters, with the cavalry, in the barracks there. On June 7 it marched to Carrickmacross, to aid the Civil power, and returned to Dundalk on the 15th. Two months afterwards, on August 15 it marched to Castle Blaney again to aid the Civil power; but returned the following day. On September 12 it moved to Longford, and on the same day another company marched from Drogheda to Granard; and the Head-quarters of the Depôt followed to Longford on the 16th, arriving there on the 21st, where they occupied the Line and the Artillery barracks. In the meanwhile a detachment had been sent to Trim, to aid the Civil power; and this rejoined at Longford on October 3.
Detachments were soon afterwards sent out to Athlone and to Roscommon; and that at Granard was called in.
The numerous detachments, in aid of the Civil power, and the frequent removals of the Depôt, were caused by the Repeal agitation, which was at its height during this year; and by the ‘Monster Meetings’ held by O’Connell at Trim, Roscommon, and other towns.
No change seems to have taken place in the quarters of the 2nd Battalion during this year, when it continued at Halifax.
The Service companies of the 1st Battalion continued at Corfu during the year 1844, the only changes in them being the relief of detachments, and the furnishing an additional one to the Lazaretto.
The Depôt companies marched from Longford on January 8 to Athlone, where they arrived on the following day, and were soon joined by the detachment from Roscommon.
The 2nd Battalion continued at Halifax, the detachments at the out-stations being relieved, by another regiment, and rejoining Head-quarters in July.
The Service companies of the 1st Battalion remained at Corfu during the year 1845; the only change in its quarters being the occasional relief of the detachments.
The Depôt companies marched from Athlone on April 14 and 15, and arrived in Dublin on the 19th and 21st, and were quartered in Beggar’s-bush barracks, furnishing a detachment for a short time to the Pigeon-house fort. The Depôt Head-quarters removed to this fort on June 2, leaving a small detachment only in the Beggar’s-bush barracks. But to these barracks the Head-quarters returned on October 27.
The 2nd Battalion remained during the whole of this year stationary at Halifax.
About the beginning of August 1846 the Service companies of the 1st Battalion were directed to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to Jamaica; but very shortly afterwards a letter was received from Lord FitzRoy Somerset, Military Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, stating that the destination of the Battalion was changed; that it was to be held in readiness to embark for the Cape of Good Hope; and that steamers were on their way from England to convey it to Gibraltar.
The Detachments at Lazaretto, Santa Maura and Fano were therefore immediately called in; and the Battalion prepared for active service.
Shortly before embarkation the Service companies were inspected by Lieutenant-General Lord Seaton, then Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian islands, who after witnessing a few battalion movements ordered square to be formed and thus addressed them:
‘Rifle Brigade, or old 95th, I have known the Regiment more than forty years and have taken part with them in battles and sieges in the Peninsular war, and at Waterloo. My old regiment, the 52nd, and the 43rd, formed the famous Light Division under his Grace the Duke of Wellington, who always led them to victory. Your Queen and country now call upon you to uphold her honour in Southern Africa, against hordes of savages; and I feel quite sure that the Battalion will sustain the undying fame that it gained in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, and add more laurels to its wreath. Riflemen, old 95th, I bid you good bye with my heartfelt and best wishes for you all.’
Lord Seaton also issued a farewell order, highly commending the state of their discipline and general good conduct, and expressing his regret at their removal from his command, and his wishes for their future welfare.
The Service companies were ordered, by letter from the Horse Guards, July 23, 1846, to embark 560 strong including musicians, and to take out only 540 rifles and accoutrements; and the supernumerary men and arms were to be sent to England to form part of the Depôt.
Though the Service companies were thus reduced to 560 men, the total strength of the Battalion was actually increased by 200 men, by a Horse Guards order dated March 27, 1846.
On August 21 the Service companies embarked; the Head-quarter division under Major Egerton[191] in H.M. steamship ‘Retribution;’ and the left wing, under Captain Horsford,[192] in the ‘Terrible;’ and steaming away at once (through the Straits of Messina) arrived at Gibraltar at twelve P.M. on the 27th and disembarked on the following day, and occupied barracks.