[59] Journal of Major Radclyffe, of the Royal Dragoons—MS.
[60] "The infantry complained they had suffered much from our absence and tardy arrival, though, God knows, we had lost no time."—Major Radclyffe's Journal.
[61] Now Colonel A. K. Clark Kennedy, C.B. and K.H., lieutenant-colonel of the seventh dragoon guards.
[62] Francis Stiles was rewarded with an ensigncy in the sixth West India regiment on the 11th of April, 1816, and was placed on half-pay on the 28th of December, 1817: he died in London on the 9th of January, 1828.
[63] "I was in command of the centre squadron of the Royal Dragoons in this charge. While following up the attack, I perceived, a little to my left, in the midst of a body of infantry, an Eagle and Colour, which the bearer was making off with towards the rear. I immediately gave the order, 'Right shoulders forward,' to my squadron, at the same time leading direct upon the Eagle, and calling out to the men with me to 'Secure the colours.' The instant I got within reach of the officer who carried the Eagle, I ran my sword into his right side, and he staggered and fell, but did not reach the ground on account of the pressure of his companions. As the officer was in the act of falling, I called out, a second time, to some men close behind me, 'Secure the colour; it belongs to me!' The standard coverer, Corporal Stiles, and several other men, rushed up, and the Eagle fell across my horse's head, against that of Corporal Stiles, who came up on my left. As it was falling I caught the fringe of the flag with my left hand, but could not at the first pull up the Eagle: at the second attempt, however, I succeeded. Being in the midst of French troops, I attempted to separate the Eagle from the staff, to put it into the breast of my coatee; but it was too firmly fixed. Corporal Stiles said, 'Pray, Sir, do not break it!' to which I replied 'Very well; carry it off to the rear as fast as you can,' which he did. Though wounded, I preferred remaining in the field in the command of my squadron, which I did until near seven o'clock in the evening, when I was obliged to withdraw; having had two horses killed under me, and having received two wounds, which confined me to my quarters at Brussels nearly two months."—Captain Clark's Narrative of the Capture of the Eagle.
[64] This respected and lamented officer (Major-General Sir William Ponsonby), beloved by all who served with or under him, met his death in a manner which conferred upon it an interesting character. When the order was given for attacking the enemy, he led the three regiments forward with that noble ardour for which he had been distinguished in the campaigns in the Peninsula. Having cut through the first column, he proceeded where the Royals were so hotly engaged, and found himself outflanked by a regiment of Polish lancers in a newly-ploughed field, the ground of which was so soft that his horse became blown, and was unable to proceed. He was attended by only one aide-de-camp. At this instant the lancers were approaching him at full speed. His own death, he knew, was inevitable, but supposing his aide-de-camp might escape, he drew forth the picture of his lady and his watch, and was in the act of delivering them to his attendant to be conveyed to his family, when the enemy came up and they were both speared upon the spot.
[65] Now Lieutenant-General Sir Joseph Straton, K.C.H. and C.B., colonel of the eighth royal Irish hussars, who was authorised to take and use the surname of Straton, instead of Muter, on the 28th of September, 1816.
[66] Major Radclyffe was wounded in the first charge, and taken from the field. He was an excellent swordsman, and had taught many of his men his peculiar method of giving point, and he was afterwards much delighted on being informed that the troopers, by adhering to his instructions, had been signally successful in their attacks. The decease of this gallant and excellent officer, clever man, and good scholar, took place on the 24th of February, 1827: the following is an extract from a periodical work respecting him:—
"Died on the 24th of February, 1827, in Connaught-square, Lieutenant-Colonel Radclyffe, Major of Brigade to the Cavalry in Great Britain, aged 53.—This distinguished officer served in all the campaigns of the late revolutionary war, commencing with the Duke of York's, in Flanders, in 1793, and ending with the sanguinary battle of Waterloo. There he received a severe wound from a musket-ball, which lodged in his knee, the constant pain and irritation of which (as it could not be extracted) has thus prematurely destroyed his valuable life. His Lieut.-Colonelcy took its date from that glorious day. He was present at the battles of Salamanca, Vittoria, Busaco, Fuentes d'Onor, the blockade of Pampeluna, and the attack of Bayonne, besides numerous engagements of minor note. He was Major of Brigade during the campaigns in Spain to the battle of Toulouse in April, 1814; after which he was appointed Assistant-Adjutant General to the Cavalry, and accompanied it as such through France to England. So entirely was his mind devoted to his profession, that almost the last words he spoke (only two hours before his death), in answer to a question from his physicians as to how he felt, were, 'I am retreating, retreating, retreating: I cannot advance.' He was a most scientific and dexterous swordsman, a skilful officer, and able tactician. Witness a small work which he printed on those subjects. He was a sincere and ardent friend, a conscientious Christian, and a brave and good man. He lived highly and universally respected, and died sincerely lamented."
[67] A guard of honour, consisting of one major (Major Marten), two captains, two subalterns, four serjeants, and one hundred rank and file, with the royal standard, was ordered, by the king's special command, from Canterbury to Windsor Castle, for the purpose of escorting their majesties on the occasion of the presentation of a new standard to the royal horse guards (blues) by King William IV. on the 13th of August, 1832.