History of the Royal Sappers and Miners, Volume 1 (of 2) / From the Formation of the Corps in March 1712 to the date when its designation was changed to that of Royal Engineers

by T. W. J. Connolly

“4. The Field Marshal requests the General Officers commanding divisions in the British army, and the General Officers commanding the corps of each nation of which the army is composed, to report to him in writing, what officers and men (the former by name) are now, or have been, absent without leave since the 16th instant.

“5. The Field Marshal desires that the 14th article of the 14th section of the Articles of War may be inserted in every orderly book of the British army, in order to remind officers and soldiers of the punishment affixed by law to the crime of creating false alarms.”—‘Gurwood,’ viii., p.156, edit. 1847.

Nearly 2000 men were returned “missing,” the greater number of whom were said to have gone to the rear with wounded officers and soldiers.—'Gurwood, viii., p.151, edit. 1847. But the probability is, that very few of this strength returned into the battle, but, worked upon by the alarm, helped to swell the force of the renegades. Under the circumstances, the retreat of the company of sappers is fairly exonerated, pressed as it was by masses of troops of all nations, who fled from the field in infamous haste and terror.

It is right to go a step further, and show what was the effect of the alarm at Brussels—24 miles away from the position; and thus notice the conduct of one who should be recognized in these pages. Some hours before the company arrived at Brussels, the panic was so complete, that the inhabitants flew in all directions from the horrors of an anticipated calamity, and not a few of the soldiers quartered in the place swelled the rout. Sergeant-major Hilton in charge of a detachment of sappers, prepared for the worst by packing the plans, charts, &c., of the engineer department, and also the military baggage of the commanding royal engineer. As all his own drivers had disappeared, he harnessed a couple of horses in readiness to move should necessity force him. A Belgic servant of Colonel Carmichael Smyth’s, who had been in the French service, ought to have assisted, but showing signs of treachery, an altercation ensued, in which, to save himself from the cut of a sabre, the sergeant-major wounded the shins of the Belgian with a stroke from a crowbar. Expecting no aid from this faithless foreigner, the sergeant-major looked about for more reliable intelligence respecting the rumoured reverse at Waterloo. While doing so the Commandant of Brussels accosted him, which led to his explaining the course he intended to pursue to preserve the plans, &c., from falling into the hands of the enemy. After remarking that there was no fear of the French reaching the city, the Commandant desired him to order the provost, with all the disposable men of his guard, to wait upon him immediately at the Rue Royale. Sergeant Hilton promptly complied; but the provost—this paragon of order and discipline—could not be found; and his irresolute men were only too desirous of following in the wake of the winged crowd. At last about nine of the guard accompanied the sergeant-major to the Rue Royale, where the Commandant ordered him to station the men across the road leading to Antwerp. “Stop every waggon,” he roared, furious at the insane sight that everywhere met his gaze, “and run any one through who attempts to pass in violation of your orders!” The terror of the citizens was at its highest, soldiers of every country were pouring into the capital; all was confusion and haste; the streets were lined with vehicles in endless variety, and each owner was striving to out-ride his neighbour in the frantic chase. It required to be firm at such a time, and the sergeant-major, quite as stern as the Commandant, drew his sword, and opposing himself and his small guard to the onward movement of the vans, stemmed with difficulty the flight. Quickly the horses were withdrawn from the shafts, to prevent the possibility of whipping them forward; and turning a waggon with its broadside to the stream, the outlet was thus partially closed. So great now was the pressure from behind that waggon drove on waggon, and smashing in the roadway, the passage was at length blocked up with an impenetrable barricade, which effectually checked the efflux of the fugitives to Antwerp, and calmed the agitation of the people.

[226]. The only soldier of the corps actually in the battle was lance-corporal Henry Donnelly, who was orderly to Captain and Brigade-Major, now Major-General Oldfield, K.H. He was present on the 17th and 18th, and Colonel Carmichael Smyth, who was seriously indisposed on the night of the 17th, was much indebted to him for his care and attention. His claim to a medal was warmly advocated by the Major, who testified to his presence in the field for two days, but Colonel Smyth never would allow that he was entitled to it. At the final rejection of his just right corporal Donnelly was so much affected, that shortly after he went into hospital, and died on the 25th July, 1817.

The claim of corporal Donnelly had been officially recognized at one time in the following order by the officer commanding his company:—

“Company orders. Argenteuil, August 6, 1815. In consequence of private Henry Donnelly being present at the battle of Waterloo, he is entitled to two years advance of service. He will therefore be mustered according to the regulations of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, dated 29th July, 1815.—(Signed) Ed. Covey, Lieutenant Royal Engineers.” And he was so mustered until July 1816, when Colonel Smyth ordered its discontinuance, making at the same time these remarks:—“The sapper in question rode out a horse of Major Oldfield’s on the 17th, and returned to Brussels on the morning of the 18th, without having seen an enemy or heard a shot fired. He was in Brussels during the actions of the 16th and 18th; and under these circumstances I should have been guilty of a dereliction of duty to have certified that he was entitled to a medal, and which he could hardly have worn on the parade of his company, in preference to the very good non-commissioned officers and men of that company, who have constantly done their duty much to my satisfaction and their own credit; and who could not but have felt aggrieved to have seen a mark of distinction bestowed upon private Donnelly without his having in any way deserved it.”

[227]. Pasley’s ‘Elementary Fortification,’ i., note F, p. xii.

[228]. Ibid.

[229]. Ibid.