1761
In February, 1761, it again advanced, and, having crossed the Dymel, proceeded through a deep snow into Hesse-Cassel, where it had great success in several actions with the enemy; but returned to its former quarters in March.
The regiment again took the field in June, forming part of the Marquis of Granby's corps, and, after some manœuvring and skirmishing, it was encamped upon the heights in front of Kirch-Denkern in the bishopric of Paderborn. This post was attacked on the 15th of July, and was defended by the British troops with admirable firmness and resolution, and eventually the enemy was driven back with great loss. The attack was renewed by the enemy on the following morning with great fury, when the Fifth displayed its usual spirit and determination in the defence of its post; and, after five hours' sharp fighting, some disorder appearing in the enemy's ranks, the regiment advanced to the charge and routed the enemy; at the same time the grenadier battalion, of which the company of the Fifth formed a part, took prisoners the regiment of Rouge (formerly Belsunce) with its cannon and colours. The Fifth lost in this action, Lieutenant Lillewood, 2 serjeants, and 9 men killed; also two officers, 5 serjeants, and 12 men wounded.
The regiment remained at its post near Kirch-Denkern until the 27th of July; it was afterwards employed in manœuvring and skirmishing in various parts of the bishopric of Paderborn and on the river Weser, and in September, it was employed in a diversion in the country of Hesse. It was engaged, on the 5th of November, in forcing the enemy's post at Capelnhagen, and on the 6th and 7th it took part in slight skirmishes at Eimbeck in the Electorate of Hanover. The grenadier company of the Fifth was also engaged in a skirmish at Foorwohle on the 7th of November, and again on the 10th of that month, when the combatants were knee deep in snow. On the 12th the regiment encamped on the banks of the Huve near Eimbeck, from whence it proceeded in the early part of December into cantonments in the bishopric of Osnaburg.
1762
Having passed the winter amongst the rude peasantry of Osnaburg, the regiment again took the field, and joined the camp on the heights near Blumberg on the 4th of June 1762, from whence it proceeded to Corbeke.
The enemy took post at Groebenstien, and Prince Ferdinand formed a design of surprising them in their camp. For this purpose the army was formed into several columns. The Fifth forming part of the centre column, left its camp before daylight on the morning of the 24th of June, and crossed the Dymel at Liebenau at four o'clock; then, advancing a distance of nine miles through a rugged and woody country, arrived in front of the enemy's camp, and commenced a sharp fire. The French, surprised and confounded, abandoned their camp, leaving their tents standing, and commenced their retreat: at the same time General Stainville threw himself with his division into the woods of Wilhelmsthal to favour the movement. Against this division, the right column of the allies, commanded by the Marquis of Granby, and the centre column under Prince Ferdinand, immediately advanced.
The Fifth, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Marlay, taking the lead of the centre column, threw itself into the wood, and opened its fire with good effect; at the same time the Marquis of Granby's column attacked the enemy's rear. The French made a spirited resistance; but the Fifth pressed forward with a conquering violence which overcame all opposition, while the main body followed in full career, and the Marquis of Granby intercepting the enemy's retreat captured many prisoners; when the remainder of the French division (excepting two battalions that escaped) after one fire, surrendered to the Fifth[26]. After the French had surrendered, an officer of the Fifth regiment, who went up to receive their colours from their standard-bearer, was shot dead upon the spot by a French serjeant who was standing near. This circumstance might have led to much bloodshed, but, fortunately, little confusion resulted; the serjeant was instantly put to death, and the colours were quietly taken possession of[27]. The loss of the regiment was Lieutenant Robinson, killed; and 1 serjeant, and 11 men wounded; also six men taken prisoners in the skirmish at the commencement of the action. Its conduct on this occasion excited much admiration;—as a mark of distinction the men were permitted to exchange their hats for the French grenadier caps; and the regiment for many years afterwards, wore a fusilier's cap instead of the hat then used by the infantry of the line. In commemoration of the gallantry displayed by the Fifth Regiment on this occasion, his Majesty King William IV. was graciously pleased, in 1836, to authorize the regiment to bear the word 'Wilhelmsthal' on its Colours and Appointments.
After the action the Fifth encamped on the heights of Wilhelmsthal; it was subsequently employed in several operations; and on the 23rd of July, the grenadier company was engaged in a gallant affair at Lutterberg, when the Saxons under Prince Xavier were driven from their post and thirteen pieces of ordnance were captured. On the 24th of the same month one hundred men of the regiment were engaged with other corps in dislodging a detachment of the enemy from the heights of Homburg. The regiment was subsequently employed in operations on the Ohm, and the Lahn, and in several skirmishes in which it lost many men. It also formed part of the covering army during the siege of Cassel, which was terminated by the surrender of the place on the 1st of November. Shortly afterwards a suspension of hostilities took place; which was followed by a treaty of peace, concluded at Fontainbleau, and the regiment was ordered to return to England.
1763