2nd Dragoons.
[1] Sergt.-Maj. Wm. Crawford.
[2] Sergt. Charles Ewart.
[1]. Promoted cornet and adjt. same regt., 17th Aug., 1815. Lt. 25th June, 1819. Paymaster, 24th March, 1829. Held this appointment for 20 years. H. p. 1849. Living in 1855.
[2]. Captured the Eagle of the 45th French Regt. at Waterloo. This daring act won the admiration of the whole British Army. Ewart was rewarded with an ensigncy in the 5th Royal Veteran Battalion, 22nd Feb., 1816, and on the reduction of this regt. in 1821 he recd. a retiring pens. of 5s. 10d. per day. He was a native of Kilmarnock. D. at Davyhulme, near Manchester, 17th March, 1846. The Edinburgh Advertiser for 21st June, 1816, has the following:—
“Extract of a letter from Sergt. Ewart, of the Scots Greys, dated Rouen, 16th Aug., 1815:—
“The enemy began forming their line of battle about nine in the morning of the 18th. They came down to the left, where they were received by our brave Highlanders. No men could ever behave better; our brigade of cavalry covered them. Owing to a column of foreign troops giving way, our brigade was forced to advance to the support of our brave fellows, and which we certainly did in style; we charged through two of their columns, each about 500. It was in the first charge I took the Eagle from the enemy; he and I had a hard contest for it; he thrust for my groin—I parried it off, and I cut him through the head; after which I was attacked by one of their Lancers, who threw his lance at me, but missed the mark by my throwing it off with my sword by my right side; then I cut him from the chin upwards, which cut went through his teeth. Next I was attacked by a foot soldier, who, after firing at me, charged me with his bayonet; but he very soon lost the combat, for I parried it, and cut him down through the head; so that finished the contest for the Eagle. After which I presumed to follow my comrades, Eagle and all, but was stopped by the General saying to me, ‘You brave fellow, take that to the rear; you have done enough until you get quit of it,’ which I was obliged to do, but with great reluctance. I retired to a height, and stood there for upwards of an hour, which gave me a general view of the field, but I cannot express the sight I beheld; the bodies of my brave comrades were lying so thick upon the field that it was scarcely possible to pass, and horses innumerable. I took the Eagle into Brussels, amidst the acclamation of thousands of the spectators that saw it.”
On 18th June, 1816, Ensign Ewart, and other Waterloo officers, were entertained at a public banquet in Edinburgh. “Nearly 400 noblemen and gentlemen sat down to an elegant dinner in the Assembly Rooms, the Rt. Hon. Wm. Arbuthnot, Lord Provost of the city, in the chair. After several toasts had been given and duly honoured, Sir Walter (then Mr.) Scott proposed a bumper to the health of Ensign Ewart, late of the Scots Greys, whose bravery was conspicuous where he took a French Eagle, and killed with his own hand three of Napoleon’s guard. The toast was drank with great acclamation, and a general expectation prevailed that Ensign Ewart, who was present, would address the company. After a short pause, the Lord Provost rose, and, at the request of Mr. Ewart, stated how much he felt honoured by this mark of the company’s approbation, but that he would much rather fight the battle over again and take another Eagle, than make a speech.”