In the early part of 1689 the Prince and Princess of Orange were elevated to the throne by the titles of King William the Third and Queen Mary; and soon afterwards the SIXTEENTH regiment received orders to proceed to Holland, to aid the Dutch in their war with France. It embarked for the United Provinces in April, and served the campaign of that year under Prince Waldeck; in August it was in position in the province of Namur.
Early on the morning of the 25th of August, the musketeers of the regiment, with the piquets of several other corps, commanded by Colonel Hodges of the SIXTEENTH, advanced to cover the numerous foraging parties sent to the villages and fields in front of the army, and Colonel Hodges posted his men at, and in front of, the village of Forgé. About nine o'clock the French army under Marshal d'Humières was seen advancing to attack the confederate forces, when three guns were fired to call in the foragers, and Colonel Hodges prepared to resist the leading corps of the enemy to give time for the several parties to withdraw. The Dutch and Danish horse in front were speedily driven in; but the musketeers of the SIXTEENTH and other corps under Colonel Hodges lined the hedges, and held a force of very superior numbers in check nearly two hours, when, the foraging parties having all returned to camp, Colonel Hodges withdrew to a mill, and, posting his men behind walls and out-buildings, he held the French army in check nearly an hour, the shots of his marksmen smiting the leading companies of the enemy with sure aim. At length he received orders to retire, and withdrew fighting, until he came to the village of Walcourt, where a regiment of Lunenburgers was posted. The French attempted to carry the village by storm; but were repulsed, and were eventually forced to retreat, with severe loss. Colonel Hodges' party had Lieut.-Colonel Graham, Captain Davison, and thirty men, killed.
In October the regiment marched to Bruges, where it was stationed during the winter.
1690
The regiment marched for Brussels in June, 1690, in order to join the Dutch forces; but Prince Waldeck engaged the French at Fleurus, without waiting for the arrival of the British troops, and his army was nearly annihilated; which reduced the confederate forces to the necessity of limiting their services to defensive operations during the remainder of the campaign.
1691
Leaving its winter quarters in March, 1691, the regiment joined the army in South Brabant, and was formed in brigade with the Scots foot guards, a battalion of the royals, and the Scots regiments of Ramsay, Angus, and Mackay; but the confederate army was not sufficiently numerous to prevent the French capturing Mons. During the summer the regiment took part in various manœuvres; but no general engagement occurred.
1692
In the spring of 1692, when the French besieged Namur, the SIXTEENTH were called from their winter quarters, and joined the army under the command of King William III., who advanced to relieve the besieged fortress, but was delayed by heavy rains, and the garrison surrendered before the end of June.
After several movements King William resolved to attack the French army, under Marshal Luxemburg, at its camp at Steenkirk, on the 3rd of August. The leading corps penetrated along difficult roads, and attacked the French army with great gallantry; but the main body of the confederate troops was too far in the rear to afford timely support, and the King ordered a retreat. The SIXTEENTH were brought into action on this occasion, and exposed to the enemy's fire, when Colonel Hodges was killed at the head of the regiment by a cannon-ball: his death was much regretted, he being a gallant and intelligent officer, much esteemed and beloved by the soldiers.