Historical Record of the Fifty-Third, or the Shropshire Regiment of Foot / Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1755 and of its subsequent services to 1848

by Richard Cannon

At the passage of the Nive river, on the 9th of December, and in the actions which followed, the FIFTY-THIRD were in reserve, and did not sustain any loss: they subsequently went into cantonments during the severe weather which followed.

Some movements were made by the FIFTY-THIRD in the early part of January, 1814; and on the 6th of that month they advanced to attack a body of French troops; but were prevented engaging by a brook, the stream of which was so swollen by the rains as to be impassable. The battalion was afterwards stationed at Ustaritz, where it remained until the middle of February, when active operations were commenced against the French army. After taking part in several movements, the FIFTY-THIRD marched to St. Jean de Luz, where they arrived on the 22nd of February, and were supplied with new clothing at that place.

On the 25th of February the FIFTY-THIRD commenced their march to re-join the army; but were not in time to take part in the battle of Orthes on the 27th of that month. They passed the Adour at St. Sever on the 3rd of March, and joined the fourth division at Grenade, where they remained a week, and afterwards marched in the direction of Bordeaux, which city was taken possession of by the troops under Marshal Beresford; the population renounced their allegiance to the Emperor Napoleon, and declared themselves in favour of the Bourbon dynasty.

1814

In the meantime the six companies which returned to England in January, 1813, had been so successful in recruiting, and in obtaining volunteers from the militia, that they were reported fit for service, and embarked at Portsmouth on the 1st of March, 1814, to join the allied army; they landed at Passages in Spain under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Mansel, and advancing through the mountains into France, continued their march to Tarbes, where they arrived on the 30th of March, and were halted for the purpose of carrying on operations against the castle of L'Ourde, which remained in the possession of the enemy. Lieut.-Colonel Mansel joined the army and took the command of the second provisional battalion, Lieut.-Colonel Bingham having returned to England on leave of absence about two months previously.

The four companies of the FIFTY-THIRD, forming part of the second provisional battalion, had been withdrawn from the road to Bordeaux, and proceeded to the vicinity of Toulouse, where Marshal Soult had assembled the French army to arrest the progress of the allies, who did not receive the news of the abdication of Napoleon until the 12th of April. Marshal Soult's position was attacked on the 10th of April, on which occasion the four companies formed part of the force which turned the enemy's right, and carried the heights on that flank. On ascending the heights, the second provisional battalion encountered a French brigade, in column, which was soon routed. The enemy was driven from his positions; and the word "Toulouse" on the colours of the regiment commemorates the gallant bearing of the officers and soldiers of the FIFTY-THIRD on this occasion. The four companies had a few men killed and wounded; Lieutenant Hamilton died of his wounds, much regretted, being an officer of great promise. Captains Mackay and Mansel, and Lieutenant Impett, were wounded, and recovered.

Names of officers who served at the battle of Toulouse. Lieut.-Colonel J. Mansel. Major O. G. Fehrszen. Captains J. Giles (Major), James Mackay, and R. C. Mansel. Lieutenants C. F. Hunter, J. Hamilton, Thomas Impett, J. Fraser, and G. Fitzgerald. Adjutant J. Wilton. Assistant-Surgeons J. Dunn and C. MacLean.

Marshal Soult having retired from Toulouse, the allied army advanced a short distance beyond the town; and the six companies of the FIFTY-THIRD, from England, arrived and joined the fourth division.

Hostilities were soon afterwards terminated; the island of Elba was ceded to Napoleon Bonaparte in full sovereignty, with the imperial title for life; the Bourbon family was restored to the throne of France; and the victorious soldiers of the allied army were thus rewarded with a complete triumph over the enemies of their country. The Royal authority was afterwards given for the word "Peninsula" to be added to the honorary inscriptions on the colours of the FIFTY-THIRD, to commemorate their meritorious services in Portugal, Spain, and the south of France, where they had fought and conquered for the welfare of Europe.

After reposing a few weeks in convenient quarters, the FIFTY-THIRD marched to the vicinity of Bordeaux, where they were encamped a short period, and received the thanks of Lieut.-General Sir Lowry Cole, commanding the fourth division, in orders;—Colonel Bingham and Lieut.-Colonel Mansel being particularly mentioned. They were also reviewed by the Marquis of Wellington, whose congratulations and expressions of approbation were communicated to the army in general orders, and they afterwards embarked for Ireland. They landed at Monkstown on the 7th of July, and marched to Kinsale, but re-embarked on the 23rd of that month, for England, and landing at Portsmouth, proceeded from thence to Hilsea barracks, where Colonel Bingham joined and assumed the command.