1678
Tangier had by this time so increased in strength and importance, that its occupation by the English was become an object of jealousy, not only to the natives of the country, but to all European powers. The fortifications had been rendered secure, and the harbour had been improved, and now afforded a safe anchorage. These important points had not been attained without great opposition from the Moors, and much credit was given to the garrison for their conduct and steady perseverance in the arduous duties they had to perform. We find acknowledgment made of them by the journals of the day in the following terms:—'Many and various have been the warlike exploits of the heroic English against the barbarians, during the possession of this famous garrison of Tangier, so much renowned throughout the world, standing as commandress of those seas, and a protection to shipping from the Turkish pirates.' The Oxford Gazette of the same period also contains a letter from Tangier, reporting a threatened attack from a French fleet, and adds, 'the soldiers, far from being surprised at the news, are infinitely rejoiced at it, expecting them with much impatience.' Thus we find the Queen's Regiment was ever at its post, and had for eighteen years, almost single-handed, maintained this important fortress, in defiance of numerous assaults from the equally destructive effects of war and climate.
1680
Towards the termination of the Earl of Inchiquin's[11] command Tangier became an object of still greater attention in England. The Emperor of Morocco had joined with the forces of Fez, and a crusade was carrying on against the Christian occupants of this part of Africa; Europeans were found ready to direct the operations of the savages, and the war assumed an importance hitherto not bestowed on it. The following is an account given at the time:—
'The Moors being vexed, knowing it was impossible to make their approaches against Tangier above ground, resolved to effect it by drawing lines and working underneath the earth; which stratagem of war, it is supposed, they learnt from several French and Spanish mercenaries whom they keep in pay: this practice they were before quite ignorant of.'—The public journals also speak indignantly of some English who clandestinely imported 1500 barrels of gunpowder to the enemy, and say, ''Tis too often the custom of our nation to give away their swords, and fight with their teeth, and furnish our foes with means to cut our own throats.' Numerous losses sustained by the garrison, together with the increased force of the assailants, rendered it requisite to send reinforcements to the relief of the former. For this purpose a detachment left Ireland in the spring of 1680, consisting of four companies of the Royal Regiment of Foot; twelve other companies of the same regiment followed in the same year; five companies of the Foot Guards also sailed for the same destination under the Earl of Mulgrave.
In addition to the above reinforcements, a new regiment was raised in 1680, of which Charles Fitz Charles, Earl of Plymouth, (a natural son of King Charles II.) was appointed Colonel, and embarked on this service. This latter corps was called 'the Second Tangier Regiment,' and is now the 4th, or King's Own Regiment.
It has been stated that the Duke of Marlborough was initiated at Tangier in the first rudiments of war. The same theatre for the display of British valour and enterprise was at this time chosen by several other volunteers, among whom were Charles Lord Mordaunt, the afterwards celebrated Earl of Peterborough, and others of rank and celebrity.
In the year 1680 the Earl of Inchiquin vacated his appointment on being made Governor of Jamaica. Colonel Sir Palmes Fairborne[12], of the Queen's Regiment, who succeeded to the command of the fortress on the departure of the Earl of Inchiquin, was, in consequence of his gallant and meritorious services, confirmed in the appointment by his Majesty. The demise of this brave officer, however, occurred before the commission for his appointment was signed; he was wounded in an action with the Moors on the 24th of October, 1680, and died three days after, leaving the charge of the garrison to Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Sackville, of the Coldstream Foot Guards[13]. On the 27th of October the garrison attacked the enemy's lines with determined bravery, and the Queen's Regiment is reported to have 'behaved to admiration[14].' Considerable loss was however sustained by the English; 'not above fifty men were left in one of the battalions of Lord Inchiquin's Regiment (the Queen's): the English and Scotch behaved as brave and gallant men, and the Gentlemen Volunteers have alike proved themselves men of courage.'
The Queen's Regiment had Ensign Watson, Ensign Trent, and thirty-four men killed; and Captain Philpot, Lieutenants Guy and Tate, Ensigns Roberts, Thomas, Fitzpatrick, Webster, Norwood, Beckford, and Elliott, with 124 men wounded.