The regiment was placed upon a peace establishment; and, in 1698, it proceeded to Ireland, where it was stationed during the two following years.
The respite from war, ceded to Europe by the treaty of Ryswick, was of short duration. The French monarch, continuing to pursue schemes of aggrandizement, by which he had long agitated Christendom, procured the accession of his grandson, Philip Duke of Anjou, to the throne of Spain,—seized on the Spanish provinces in the Netherlands,—and detained the Dutch troops which were in garrison in the barrier towns. These proceedings produced a violent sensation throughout Europe: the house of Austria claimed the Spanish monarchy, and declared war against France; the Dutch solicited British aid; and the Fifteenth Foot was one of the corps which proceeded to Holland on this occasion.
1701
The regiment was augmented to eight hundred and thirty, officers and soldiers; and embarking from Cork on the 15th June, 1701, arrived at Helvoetsluys, on the island of Voorn, in South Holland, on the 8th of July. From this place the regiment proceeded up the Maese, in small vessels, to Gertruydenberg and Huesden, where it was stationed two months, and afterwards proceeded to the vicinity of Breda, and encamped on the heath. On the 21st of September, the regiment was reviewed, with the other British troops in Holland, by King William III., on Breda heath, and afterwards returned to its former quarters, where it was stationed during the winter.
1702
On the 10th March, 1702, the regiment marched out of garrison, and proceeded to Rosendael, where the British infantry encamped under Brigadier-General Ingoldsby. At this place, the troops received information of the death of King William, on the 8th of March, and of the accession of Queen Anne, to whom they took the oath of fidelity.
The fortress of Kayserswerth, on the Lower Rhine, was occupied by the French, and this place was besieged by the Germans, under the Prince of Saarbruck, in the middle of April; the British marched across the country to the duchy of Cleves, joined a body of Dutch and Germans under the Earl of Athlone, and encamped at Cranenburg, on the Lower Rhine, to cover the siege.
A French force of superior numbers, commanded by the Duke of Burgundy and Marshal Boufflers, made a rapid advance through the forest of Cleves, and along the plains of Goch, to cut off the communication of the troops at Cranenburg, with Grave and Nimeguen; when the allied army struck its tents a little before sunset, and making a rapid march throughout the night, arrived within a few miles of Nimeguen about eight o'clock on the morning of the 11th of June; at the same time, the French appeared on both flanks and the rear, hurrying forward to surround the allies. Some sharp skirmishing occurred, and the British corps, forming the rear-guard, evinced great gallantry; they took possession of some hedges and buildings, and held the enemy in check while the army effected its retreat under the walls of Nimeguen.
The regiment remained at Nimeguen a short time. Queen Anne declared war against France and Spain; additional troops arrived from England; and the Earl of Marlborough assumed the command of the allied army. The Fifteenth foot took part in the operations of this campaign: the French avoided a general engagement, and retired from the frontiers of Holland, and the British general commenced operations against the fortresses in possession of the enemy, on the banks of the Maese.