1794

After occupying winter quarters in Flanders, the regiment took the field under the orders of Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable R. Taylor, and entered on a scene of action in a part of Europe where it had, nearly a century before, acquired numerous honours under the great Marlborough, and its conduct did not derogate from its ancient reputation. It was first employed in the attack of the enemy's post at Prêmont, on the 17th of April, 1794, but was not called upon to charge; and it subsequently formed part of the covering army during the siege of Landrécies.

While this siege was in progress, the British troops, under the Duke of York, were encamped at Cateau. On the morning of the 26th of April, which was gloomy and dark, and a thick mist covered the face of nature, the advance of an hostile force was heard, but its movements could not be discerned. At length, the rays of the sun revealed the movements of a French force of thirty thousand men, under Lieutenant-General Chapuy; and a body of cavalry, of which the Fifth Dragoon Guards formed part, was detached, under Lieutenant-General Otto, against the enemy's left flank, while a sharp attack was made on the enemy's front. This movement was conducted with great caution, the enemy's flank was turned, the trumpets sounded a charge, and the British horsemen rushed with irresistible fury upon the ranks of the hostile legions. The French were overthrown and defeated; their commander, Lieutenant-General Chapuy, a number of officers and men, and thirty-five pieces of cannon were captured, and their flying divisions were pursued with immense slaughter to the gates of Cambray. The Duke of York passed the highest commendations on the Fifth Dragoon Guards and other troops detached against the enemy's left flank, and declared they had "all acquired immortal honour to themselves." His Royal Highness further stated, "the conduct of the British cavalry was beyond all praise." The loss of the regiment on this occasion was nine men and twenty-three horses killed; one officer, one quarter-master, eight men and nine horses, wounded; four men and twenty-three horses missing.

After the surrender of Landrécies, the British forces took up a position in front of Tournay, where they repulsed an attack of the enemy on the 10th of May. During the action, a favourable opportunity presented itself for attacking the enemy's right flank; Lieutenant-General Harcourt was detached with sixteen squadrons of British and two of Austrian cavalry, and attacked the enemy with so much resolution and intrepidity, that they immediately began their retreat, in the course of which they were soon broken, and they sustained great loss, including thirteen pieces of cannon, and above four hundred officers and men taken prisoners.

A combined attack was made on the French positions on the 17th of May, but failed from some of the columns not arriving in time at the posts allotted to them.

On the 22nd of May, the French attacked the British position in front of Tournay with an immense force. The Fifth Dragoon Guards were formed up ready for action on their camp ground all the day; but the French did not attack that part of the line; and they were repulsed in their attempts in the other parts of the field.

At length, the defeat of the Austrians having rendered the position occupied by the British in front of Tournay no longer tenable, the troops were withdrawn, and the campaign degenerated into a series of retreats, which were ably conducted under numerous difficulties.

1795

During this short but eventful campaign the British troops had maintained their ancient reputation; but the army was not of sufficient numbers to cope with the enormous masses of the enemy, which darkened the land like a gloomy tempest. In the retreat through Holland, and in the distresses and privations of the winter campaign amidst snow and ice, the Fifth Dragoon Guards took part, and in the early part of 1795 they arrived in Germany.

The regiment remained in Germany during the following summer, and encamped in one of the plains of the Duchy of Bremen, under the orders of Major-General Sir David Dundas; and in November it embarked for England.