"All other regiments of heavy cavalry on the British establishment are to be mounted on nag-tailed horses of the colours of bay, brown, and chestnut.
"The custom of mounting trumpeters on grey horses is to be discontinued, and they are in future to be mounted on horses of the colour or colours hereby prescribed for the regiment to which they belong.
"Harry Calvert,
Adjutant General.
"Horse Guards,
10th August, 1799."
[55] 28th Aug. "A piquet of this regiment (Royals) made a gallant and successful charge on a party of the enemy's cavalry and infantry, and took some prisoners."—Lord Wellington's Despatch.
[56] "I have received a report of a gallant action of one of our patroles yesterday evening, under the command of Lieutenant Persse, of the 16th Light Dragoons, and Lieutenant Foster, of the Royals, who attacked a detachment of the enemy's cavalry between Alverca and Guarda, and killed and wounded several of them, and took the officer and 37 men prisoners."—Lord Wellington's Despatch, 27th March, 1811.
[57] "It is with great pleasure I have to mention the very admirable conduct of the Royals under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton, and one troop of the fourteenth light dragoons, which being all that were employed in covering the front from Villa de Egua to Espejo, were assembled at Gallegos, and retreated from thence agreeably to my directions. And notwithstanding all the efforts of General Montbrun (who commanded the French cavalry) to outflank the British, pressing them at the same time in front with eight pieces of cannon, their retreat to Nave d'Aver merits the highest commendation.
"Major-General Slade speaks in much praise of Major Dorville, of the Royal Dragoons, and of Captain Purvis, of the same regiment, who had opportunities of distinguishing themselves."—Lieutenant-General Sir Brent Spencer's Despatch.
[58] "Nothing could exceed the gallantry displayed by the officers and men on this occasion. Sir Granby Calcraft, and Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton, commanding the two regiments, particularly distinguished themselves, as well as all the officers present.
"I beg particularly to report the conduct of Brigade Major Radclyffe, of the Royal Dragoons, to whom I feel particularly indebted for his assistance on this occasion."—Major-General Slade's Despatch.