The Inniskilling dragoons returned from the pursuit and bivouacked near the scene of conflict. Their loss was two men and eighteen horses killed; and one man and nine horses wounded. On the following day they continued their march to Hanau, where they were encamped until the beginning of August, when they proceeded towards the Rhine, and having passed that river, were employed in West Germany; the King having his head-quarters at the episcopal palace of Worms, and afterwards at Spire. In October His Majesty marched the army back to Mentz, from whence the Inniskilling dragoons continued their route to Flanders, where they passed the winter.
1744
The regiment served the campaign of 1744 with the army commanded by Field-Marshal Wade; and after encamping for some time behind the Scheldt, was employed in an incursion into the French territory, and in collecting contributions. In October the regiment went into winter quarters at Ghent.
1745
Having been withdrawn from their cantonments in April, 1745, the Inniskilling dragoons encamped near Brussels, where they were reviewed by the Duke of Cumberland, and subsequently advanced with the army commanded by His Royal Highness to attack the French, who had commenced the siege of Tournay with an immense body of troops under the command of Marshal Saxe. One squadron of the regiment formed part of the force which drove in the enemy's out-guards, on the 28th of April (O.S.).
The French occupied a fortified camp, protected by immense batteries, near the village of Fontenoy; and the Inniskilling dragoons supported the infantry in their attacks on this formidable position; on which occasion the English foot-guards, and several regiments of the line, displayed signal valour and intrepidity, and carried the enemy's trenches in gallant style; but the Dutch having failed in their attempt on the village of Fontenoy, and the French battery in the wood of Barri not having been stormed according to order, the troops, which had forced the position, were unable to maintain their ground. Towards the close of the action, the cavalry was ordered forward, and several corps charged with great spirit and resolution, but were unable to retrieve the fortune of the day; and a retreat having been ordered, the army withdrew to Aeth. In this action the Inniskilling dragoons evinced the same forward bearing and firmness as on former occasions. Their loss was Quarter-master Baird, three men, and nineteen horses killed; eleven men and seven horses wounded.
The army encamped on the plains of Lessines; and while the Inniskilling dragoons were at this camp, their Colonel, Field-Marshal the Earl of Stair, was removed to the Scots greys, and was succeeded by John Earl of Rothes, by commission dated the 29th of May, 1745.
After the surrender of Fontenoy the French army advanced, and having an immense superiority of numbers, the allies withdrew, and took up a position to cover Brussels. The Inniskilling dragoons encamped near Meerbeck, and subsequently on the canal between Ghent and Brussels.
1746
Meanwhile a rebellion, headed by Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, had broken out in Scotland, and many British regiments were ordered to return home. The Inniskilling dragoons marched, during the winter, to Williamstadt, in North Brabant, and towards the end of February, 1746, embarked for England; but the transports were driven by tempestuous weather back into the harbour, and the troops disembarked. The rebellion having been suppressed shortly afterwards, the order for their return was countermanded, and they went into quarters on the frontiers of Holland.