In the beginning of 1746 the Fourth Horse marched to York, and, after the decisive overthrow of the rebel army at Culloden, the regiment furnished escorts to guard parties of prisoners to Lincoln, and other places, in which service it was partially engaged throughout the summer; and in September it was stationed at Bristol.
The suppression of this rebellion having been effected, His Majesty resolved, as a measure of economy, to reduce this and two other regiments from the pay and quality of Horse to that of Dragoons. The establishment was accordingly changed on the 25th of December, 1746, and, the pay of the non-commissioned officers and private men being reduced by this alteration, every man received a gratuity of three pounds, with the option of his discharge; and the men who accepted their discharge received fourteen days' pay each, to defray the expense of their journey home. The regiment was now armed with long muskets and bayonets, also with swords and pistols, as before. A slight alteration was at the same time made in the uniform;—the officers were distinguished by gold lace and embroidery on their regimentals, and a crimson silk sash worn over the left shoulder; the quarter-masters by gold lace, and silk sashes round their waists; and the serjeants by narrow lace on the lappels, sleeves, and pockets, and a worsted sash round the waist. When this change had taken place His Majesty conferred on the regiment the title of Third Dragoon Guards, by a warrant dated the 9th of January, 1747, of which the following is a copy:—
1747
'GEORGE R.
'Whereas We have thought fit to order Our Own Regiment of Horse, commanded by Our trusty and well-beloved General Sir Philip Honeywood; The Queen's Royal Regiment of Horse, commanded by our right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin and Counsellor, Lieutenant-General John Duke of Montague; and Our Regiment of Horse, commanded by Our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor, Field-Marshal George Wade, to be respectively formed into regiments of Dragoons, and their establishment and pay, as Dragoons, to commence the 25th of December, 1746: And,
'Whereas it is become necessary, by the said Regiments being formed into Dragoons, that their former titles as Regiments of Horse should be altered; We are hereby graciously pleased to declare Our Royal Will and Pleasure, that Our Regiment of Dragoons, now under the command of General Sir Philip Honeywood, shall bear the title of Our First Regiment of Dragoon Guards; Our Regiment of Dragoons, now commanded by the Duke of Montague, the title of Our Second Regiment of Dragoon Guards; and Our Regiment of Dragoons, now commanded by Field-Marshal Wade, the title of Our Third Regiment of Dragoon Guards, and have rank and precedency of all other regiments of Dragoons in our service. Nevertheless,
'Our further Will and Pleasure is, that the said three Regiments of Dragoon Guards shall roll and do duty in Our army, or upon detachments, with Our other forces, as Dragoons, in the same manner as if the word Guards was not inserted in their respective titles.
'Whereof the Colonels above mentioned, and the Colonels of Our said Regiments for the time being, and all others whom it may or shall concern, are to take notice and govern themselves accordingly.
'Given at our Court at St. James's, this 9th day of January, 1746-7, in the twentieth year of our reign.
'By His Majesty's Command,