In July, 1814, the Regiment was reduced to 8 troops, amounting to 584 officers and men, including 16 dismounted men for each troop. In a few months the Regiment went into winter quarters at Bristol and Trowbridge.
Early in 1815 Napoleon was once more in France, and the Greys establishment was again made up to 10 troops, comprising in all 946 officers and men. Six troops were to be held in readiness to go abroad, and the other four were marched to Ipswich.
[CHAPTER IV.]
Before giving the several interesting contemporary records of 1815 in possession of the Regiment, allusion must be made to the two touching original records now belonging to the Regiment, relating to Colonel Hamilton, the commanding officer killed at Waterloo. One is a letter of May 15th, 1793, acquainting a Mr. Anderson that "the King had been pleased to appoint Jamie a cornet in the Royal North British Dragoons."
The other letter is dated July 10th, 1815, and is from James Swan, 53, York Place, Edinburgh, to Mr. McLachlane, Writer, Glasgow. The letter records Colonel Hamilton's (son Jamie's) death.
A folio volume, lettered outside:—
"Royal Scots Greys, Waterloo, 18th June, 1815, letters, etc., connected with Lieutenant-Colonel Inglis Hamilton, who was killed in action, in command of the regiment at Waterloo."
Inside is:—