Ibid. dated 22 Aug. 1815.
After the fall of Philippeville, Major Carmichael’s company, with the advanced division of the battering-train, consisting of thirty-three mortars and howitzers, reached a point near Rocroy, on the 15th August:—followed by Major Michell’s and Major Wall’s companies with ten 24-pounders, and a large supply of ammunition. The Prussians opened the trenches on the night of the 15th, and batteries were prepared for twenty-one mortars and howitzers. With such effect were these opened on the morning of the 16th, that before 9 A.M. Rocroy capitulated. After this event, Prince Augustus expressed himself highly satisfied with the exertions of the British Artillery attached to the battering-train; and orders reached Sir Alexander Dickson from the Duke of Wellington to bring the second battering-train, which was at Antwerp, to Brussels, and to land it forthwith. The next operation of any importance was against the town of Givet, against which no fewer than one hundred guns were collected. Before the bombardment commenced, however, the Governor consented to give up the place, and retire into Charlemont; which he did on the 11th September.
A force under Sir Charles Colville had been sent against Cambray, immediately after Waterloo, and the place—after a short siege—was carried on the 25th June. Of the conduct To the Duke of Wellington, 26 June, 1815. of the Artillery on this occasion, Sir Charles wrote: “The three brigades of Artillery under Lieutenant-Colonel Webber Smith, and Majors Unett and Brome, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Hawker, made particularly Sir George Wood to D.-A.-G., Paris, 4 Sept. 1815. good practice.” The services of Major Unett’s brigade (now 3 Battery, 7th Brigade) received special mention in a report from Sir Charles Colville to Sir George Wood; and the following extract from a letter written by its gallant commander may interest the officers and men now serving in Major Unett to Sir G. Wood, dated 3 Aug. 1815. the battery. “My brigade, being in reserve, had not an opportunity of witnessing the late glorious battle of Waterloo, but it afterwards proceeded with the 4th Division of the army for the purpose of reducing the fortress of Cambray; and, in justice to my officers, I must be permitted to say that my three subalterns, never having been under fire before, deserve much praise for their cool and steady behaviour at their guns (within four hundred yards of the curtain of the citadel, in an open field), and which was clearly evinced by the uncommon good practice made, which so completely silenced the enemy as to cause (by driving them from their guns and ramparts) a most trifling loss to our Infantry when they stormed the place.” The French king entered Cambray on the day after it was taken: and on the same day, Peronne was taken by General Maitland and the Guards.
Arrangements for concluding hostilities, and entering upon a treaty, were soon made in Paris. One of the conditions inflicted on the French people was that an army of occupation should be left in France for five—afterwards reduced to three—years; and considerable difficulty was found in apportioning the various arms in the English contingent of that army.
The Duke of Wellington decided on reducing the Artillery share to a point far below what Sir George Wood thought desirable; and the latter urged his views very strongly, but, as he said, “What can a Lieut.-Colonel do against a Field-Marshal?”[49] However, his importunity succeeded in obtaining an addition of two companies to the Artillery force which was at first intended to remain in France.
MS. Return to B. of Ordnance, dated Paris, 10 Dec. 1815.
The following was the number ultimately decided upon:—
1 Colonel for duty as the Regimental Staff of the Royal Artillery in the Army of Occupation. 1 Assistant Adjutant-Gen. 1 Brigade Major Three troops of Royal Horse Artillery to be attached to the Cavalry, and to amount to 542 of all ranks, with 516 horses.
Seven brigades of Foot Artillery, having a company of Artillery to each; six of which were to be attached to the three divisions of the army, and one to be in reserve. The total of all ranks, with these brigades, amounted to 790; and there were in addition 599 officers and men of the Royal Artillery Drivers, and 770 horses.
For duty with the small-arm ammunition brigades for the three divisions of the army, there were three officers of Royal Artillery; 150 non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Artillery Drivers; and 210 horses.
There was also a company of Royal Artillery in reserve, numbering 111 of all ranks.
One Lieut.-Colonel and one Major were attached to the Royal Horse Artillery.
Two Lieut.-Colonels and one Major were attached to the Royal Artillery.
And one Lieut.-Colonel was attached to the Royal Artillery Drivers.
| 1 Colonel | for duty as the Regimental Staff of the RoyalArtillery in the Army of Occupation. |
| 1 Assistant Adjutant-Gen. | |
| 1 Brigade Major |
The following were the five troops of Horse Artillery selected to return to England, when the above establishment was decided upon:—