Memoirs and Services of the Eighty-third Regiment, County of Dublin, from 1793 to 1907 / Including the Campaigns of the Regiment in the West Indies, Africa, the Peninsula, Ceylon, Canada, and India

by Edward William Bray

On the morning of the 13th, an attack on the brigands was decided on, and Lieutenant Johnson and a party, with the marines under Lieutenant Parker, reinforced by a number of volunteers, proceeded to attack them. The men advanced under a galling fire from the walls at some distance from the mill, and speedily expelling them from this position, compelled them to seek refuge in the mill and houses. Lieutenant Johnson then attempted to storm one of the houses filled with brigands, and in the act of doing so was killed, and four rank and file wounded. Being destitute of artillery to batter the houses, the party was ordered to retire. In this affair the brigands sustained a loss of about 40 killed and 28 prisoners.

On the 16th of this month, Colonel Dundas and four companies of the regiment, with some heavy artillery, landed at Prescott, and at once took up position about 500 yards from the mill. The guns were brought to bear on the houses with great effect, and it being now late, and daylight wearing away, the lieutenant-colonel ordered the regiment to advance, when a smart fire was opened by the brigands from one of the houses, and as quickly replied to. The buildings on the left of the mill being by this time gained, were set fire to, and the enemy, seeing no prospect of escape, threw out a “white flag,” and about 130 of them surrendered unconditionally.

Their killed in this affair amounted to about 30. The only loss sustained by the regiment on this occasion was one private killed. The four companies returned to Kingston the day following.

1839.

During this year the regiment remained stationary at Kingston.

1840.

On the 19th May, 1840, the officer named in the margin[13] died at this station, and he was succeeded first by Lieutenant B. H. Browne, and on his promotion Ensign William Nott was appointed adjutant. Ensign Nott was promoted from the ranks, and performed the duties of adjutant most efficiently for eleven years, when he became captain by seniority in 1851, at Kurrachee.

The regiment remained at Kingston, N. S., until the 20th and 21st May, 1840, when it embarked in steamboats for London and St. Thomas, N. S., and marched into quarters at these stations on the 29th and 30th of the same month.

1841.

On the 14th May, 1841, Lieutenant Wynniatt was accidentally drowned while endeavouring to ford the River Thomas on horseback.