After the capture of Landrécies the Royal Dragoons marched to the vicinity of Tournay, where they were again engaged with the enemy on the 10th of May; and the Duke of York observed in his public despatch, that the troops had "well supported the reputation acquired on the 26th of last month." The loss of the Royals was only two horses killed, and one man and three horses wounded.
The Royals were in reserve when the attack was made on the French positions on the 17th of May. The army afterwards resumed its post before Tournay, where it was attacked on the 22d of May by General Pichegru with an immense force. The British heavy cavalry had, it appears, become a terror to the enemy, for Brown, in his Journal, observes (22d May), "A column of five or six thousand men made its appearance towards our left, on which account the brigade of guards and the British heavy cavalry remained ready for action on their camp ground; but the French, observing our advantageous situation, and dreading the thought of meeting the British cavalry a second time on an open plain, thought proper not to approach." Finally the French were repulsed at every point of attack, and retreated in the evening.
At length the enemy defeated the Austrians, and brought forward such immense numbers that the English army had no chance of success: the Duke of York retreated, and the final evacuation of Flanders followed.
In the mean time another squadron of the Royals embarked for foreign service; but having been driven back by severe weather, the officers and men were ordered to disembark and remain in England. In July that part of the regiment which was in England marched from Salisbury to Weymouth, in consequence of his Majesty visiting that place; and in October, when the King returned to London, they marched to Dorchester barracks.
During the winter the four troops on foreign service were exposed to privations and inclement weather, which occasioned the death of many men and horses. The winter was particularly severe, the Dutch people were favourable to the French, and the British troops, in their retreat through Holland during a hard frost and storms of snow and sleet, were treated as enemies by the inhabitants; at length the troops arrived in the duchy of Bremen, where they had repose and kind treatment.
1795
The Royal Dragoons were not engaged in any further hostilities on the continent. During the summer of 1795 they were encamped on one of the plains of Westphalia, and in the winter embarked for England.
1796
Meanwhile, that part of the regiment which was on home service was again employed on King's duty at Weymouth, during his Majesty's stay at that place, and afterwards proceeded to Dorchester, where the four troops returning from the continent arrived in January, 1796. In July of the same year the regiment encamped on Barham Downs, near Weymouth, and in September marched into quarters at Canterbury.
1797
1798
1799