This casualty return exemplifies the lack of system in the method of distributing battle honours. The losses in the cavalry amounted to 129 killed and wounded, in the infantry to 376, yet the latter have no "distinction" to show the part they played at Warburg.
Wilhelmstahl, June 24, 1762.
The Northumberland Fusiliers
is the only regiment authorized to bear this honour; but here, as in so many other instances, it is difficult to understand why one regiment should be singled out for a battle honour to the exclusion of others which have borne an equally meritorious part in the same engagement.
Wilhelmstahl was one of the closing actions in Prince Ferdinand's campaigns. As at Warburg, the Valley of the Diemel was the scene of the fight, and, as at Warburg, the honours of the day rested with the English. The French, some 70,000 strong, had their right resting on the forest of Rheinhardswald, with their headquarters at the village of Wilhelmstahl. Ferdinand detached Generals Luckner and Sporcke to attack the flank of the enemy, whilst he with the ten battalions of English infantry—some Brunswickers and Hessians—supported by Lord Granby's cavalry, made a direct attack on their front. With the other columns I have no concern. That under the personal command of the Prince consisted of the three battalions of the Brigade of Guards—one of Grenadiers, one of the Coldstreams, and one of the Scots Guards; a brigade under Colonel Beckwith, of the 20th (Lancashire Fusiliers), comprising a composite battalion, made up of the flank companies of the Brigade of Guards, a second battalion of the grenadier companies of the Northumberland Fusiliers, the 8th (King's), 11th (Devons), 24th (South Wales Borderers), the 33rd (West Riding Regiment), and the 50th (Royal West Kent), commanded by Major Welsh, of the Devons. The third battalion in Beckwith's brigade was under Major Maxwell, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, and was made up of the flank companies of the Suffolks, Lancashire Fusiliers, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, King's Own Scottish Borderers, 37th (Hampshire Regiment), and the 51st (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry). The 5th (Northumberland Fusiliers), 8th (King's Liverpool Regiment), and the two Highland regiments of Keith and Campbell (then the 87th and 88th), completed the English portion of Prince Ferdinand's column.
The combined movement was well executed. The central column was in presence of the enemy before they had the least apprehension of being attacked. Finding themselves threatened in front, flank, and rear, they struck their tents and fell back in some confusion. Prince Ferdinand, to quote an officer who was present, "pursued and pressed upon them as close as possible. They would have been entirely routed had not Monsieur de Stainville thrown himself forward with the Grenadiers of France, the Royal Grenadiers, and the Regiment of Aquitaine (the flower of the French infantry), to cover their retreat. His resolution cost him dear, his whole infantry having been either killed or dispersed after a very gallant defence. Two battalions only succeeded in escaping. Some of these troops surrendered to Lord Granby's cavalry, and when the infantry came up, the remainder, after one fire, laid down their arms to the 5th Fusiliers, having been driven out of the forest at the point of the bayonet by Beckwith's Grenadiers." Amongst the prisoners taken were 58 officers of the Grenadiers of France, 38 of the Royal Grenadiers, and 22 of the Regiment of Aquitaine, "the flower of the French army." In all 162 officers and 2,570 men.
In his official despatch Prince Ferdinand wrote:
"All the troops behaved exceedingly well, and showed great zeal and willingness, but particularly the battalions of Grenadiers belonging to Colonel Beckwith's brigade, which distinguished themselves exceedingly."
Casualties at Wilhelmstahl.
| Regiments. | Officers. | Men. | ||
| K. | W. | K. | W. | |
| Royal Horse Guards | - | - | 1 | 5 |
| 15th Hussars | - | - | 2 | 3 |
| Royal Artillery | 1 | - | 2 | 5 |
| Grenadier Gds. | 1 | - | 8 | 28 |
| Coldstream Gds. | - | - | 9 | 11 |
| Scots Guards | - | - | 11 | 17 |
| Grenadier Batt. of the Guards | - | 1 | 8 | 25 |
| King's Liverpool | - | - | - | 1 |
| Northumberland Fusiliers | 1 | - | 1 | 11 |
| Welsh's Gren. | - | - | 3 | 41 |
| Maxwell's Gren. | 2 | - | 3 | 58 |
| Keith's Highlanders (87th) | - | - | 9 | 23 |
| Campbell's Highlanders (88th) | - | - | 5 | 22 |
| Fraser's Chasseurs | - | - | 1 | 12 |