1695
Taking the field to serve the campaign of 1695, the regiment was formed in brigade with the Fifth, Seventh, Twenty-third, Collingwood's (afterwards disbanded), and La Melonière's regiment of French Protestants, in the English service, under Brigadier-General Fitzpatrick.
When King William undertook the siege of the important fortress of Namur, the regiment formed part of the covering army under the Prince of Vaudemont, against which a French force of very superior numbers advanced under the orders of Marshal Villeroy. During the night of the 14th of July, the hostile columns confronted each other; the French, confident of success, detached a body of troops to gain the rear of the allies, and anxiously waited for daylight to commence the action. The Prince of Vaudemont ordered his cavalry forward; the dragoons dismounting and forming on foot, while the artillery, and infantry with pikes trailed, withdrew unobserved. The French prepared for the attack, when the dragoons of the confederate forces retired a few paces, mounted their horses, and retreated, presenting to the surprised French what appeared to be the magic spectacle of an army vanishing out of sight. The enemy pursued, but the allies retreated in good order, and took up a position in front of Ghent. This retreat has been celebrated by historians as a fine specimen of the art of war.
The EIGHTEENTH were afterwards engaged in several manœuvres for the preservation of the maritime towns of Flanders; in the early part of August they were encamped between Genappe and Waterloo, and afterwards joined the forces under King William. In the mean time the town of Namur had surrendered; but the castle, a strong fortress situate on a rock, still held out, and, on the 11th of August, the EIGHTEENTH relieved one of the regiments which had suffered severely in the siege, and took its turn of duty in the trenches. A breach having been effected, arrangements were made for a general assault. Three thousand British, under Lord Cutts, were to attack the counterscarp and the breach of the Terra Nova; three thousand Bavarians the breach of the Cohorn; two thousand Brandenburgers (Prussians) the upper point of the Cohorn; two thousand Dutch the Casotte; and six hundred men were to storm the lower town: the EIGHTEENTH formed part of the British storming party.
The regiment marched into the trenches on the 20th of August, to take part in storming the Castle of Namur, and the soldiers were elated with the expectation of distinguishing themselves under the eye of their Sovereign. The trenches being crowded with troops, the EIGHTEENTH and two other regiments were ordered to Salsine Abbey, half a mile from the breach to be attacked. A little before mid-day the assault was made with heroic ardour, but, owing to some mistake in the signal, all the corps did not advance simultaneously, and the British grenadiers, who headed the storming party, were opposed by very superior numbers, and sustained severe loss; Lord Cutts being among the wounded. Hurrying from Salsine Abbey to share in the assault, the EIGHTEENTH approached the scene of conflict a few moments after the grenadiers had been repulsed and forced to retire; the regiment, however, rushed forward, stormed the breach with signal gallantry, and planted the regimental colours on the summit; but the enemy had constructed a strong work within the breach, which the utmost efforts of the officers and soldiers could not force, and after performing "prodigies of valour" they were obliged to retreat with severe loss. The other attacks were more successful; and lodgments were effected in the works. Captain Parker states—"The King saw this action from a rising ground at the back of Salsine Abbey, and took particular notice of the behaviour of our regiment; for ours, only, mounted the top of the breach, and we planted our colours thereon, but could not proceed farther, because a strong retrenchment had been thrown up on the inside, which we could not see till we had mounted the very top of the breach, so we were obliged to follow the crowd. His Majesty, on this occasion, was pleased to honour us with the title of 'THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT OF IRELAND.'"[16] The King also conferred on the regiment the privilege of bearing his own arms, "the Lion of Nassau," on its colours (on which the cross of St. Patrick had previously been displayed); also the "Harp in a blue field and a crown over it," and the motto, "Virtutis Namurcensis Præmium."
The title was afterwards changed to "ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT."
The regiment sustained severe loss on this occasion; Lieut.-Colonel Ormsby, Captains Purefoy, Pinsent, and Cateret, Lieutenants Fitzmorris and Ramme, Ensigns Fettyplace, Blunt, Baker, and Hayter, with eighty-six non-commissioned officers and soldiers, were killed: Captain John Southwell and Ensign Lister died of their wounds; Colonel Frederick Hamilton, Captains Kane, Duroure, Seymour, and William Southwell, Lieutenants La Planche, Brereton, Hybert, Arphaxad, and Rolleston, Ensigns John Gifford, Ormsby, and Blakeney, with one hundred and eighty-five non-commissioned officers and soldiers, were wounded.[17]
The fire against the castle was continued, and preparations were made for another assault, which was prevented by the surrender of the garrison. Thus was captured the celebrated fortress of Namur, which reflected great credit on the confederate armies.
This conquest terminated the campaign, and the regiment passed the winter in garrison at Ghent.