Taking the field in the spring of 1712, the regiment formed part of the army commanded by his grace the duke of Ormond, which advanced to the confines of France, and was ready to carry the war into Picardy; but the French monarch, finding his generals overmatched, and his armies beaten and dispirited, agreed to the conditions of a treaty of peace. A suspension of hostilities was proclaimed, and the army retired to Ghent, and after encamping a short period went into quarters.
1713
In the summer of 1713 the regiment was ordered to embark at Dunkirk for Ireland. The royal dragoons had, in the mean time, returned from Spain dismounted[4], and the government, contemplating the disbanding of Kerr's regiment, directed its horses to be embarked for Dover and delivered to the royal dragoons. The following order was received on this subject:—
"ANNE R.
"Our will and pleasure is, that upon the embarkation of our regiment of dragoons under your command, for our kingdom of Ireland, you cause all the horses belonging to the non-commissioned officers and private dragoons thereof to be delivered over to such person or persons as shall be appointed to receive the same; your said regiment being to continue unmounted until further orders.
"Given at our court at Kensington, this 6th day of June, 1713, in the twelfth year of our reign.
"By Her Majesty's command,
"William Wyndham."
To our trusty and well-beloved Colonel William Kerr,
commanding one of our regiments of dragoons,
Flanders.
The regiment arrived at Dunkirk on the 15th of August, and having delivered up its horses, embarked for Ireland on the 21st of that month.