The colonelcy of the King's Own Dragoons was conferred in March 1797 on Major-General Francis Lascelles from the eighth dragoons, in succession to Lord Southampton, deceased.
During the summer, the King's Own were again encamped at Weymouth; and on the breaking up of the camp, marched to Northampton, where the ninth troop was reduced.
1798
In May, 1798, the regiment marched to Nottingham, where an entire change took place in the arms and clothing; the long skirt was abolished, and instead of the musket and brace of large pistols before used, the men received the carbine and single pistol.
1799
On the 10th of June, 1799, the regiment marched to form part of the cavalry camp on Swinley Downs, near Windsor, at which place it received orders to join the armament under Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby, then about to proceed to the Helder. These orders, however, were countermanded; and, at the breaking up of the camp, the regiment marched to Reading. During the time of encampment, Lt.-Colonel Callow[30] being appointed deputy governor of Quebec, was succeeded by Lt.-Colonel Waller, and on the 4th of September, General Sir Charles Grey from the eighth dragoons succeeded General Lascelles as colonel. At this period the tails of the horses were again shortened, having been worn of the natural length since 1764.
1800
1801
In February, 1800, the King's Own marched to Trowbridge, but only remained there a few weeks, and then proceeded to Chester to be reviewed. At this place an augmentation of two troops took place, making a total of ten; and on the 22nd of September, the whole regiment marched to Lancashire, thence to Carlisle, and, in December, to Scotland, the head-quarters being established at Hamilton; three troops, under the command of Major Wade, being detached to Carlisle and Penrith. At Hamilton, the regiment was reviewed by Major-Generals Erskine and Vyse, and the present system of casting horses annually first introduced; and as it was considered the peculiar privilege of the regiment to have black horses exclusively, those that had the slightest shade of brown, were sent to the fourth dragoon guards, none but black horses being retained, with the exception of one white for the kettle-drums.
1802