TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE

Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources.

More detail can be found at [the end of the book.]

HISTORICAL RECORDS

OF

THE BRITISH ARMY.

GENERAL ORDERS.

HORSE-GUARDS,

1st January, 1836.

His Majesty has been pleased to command, that, with a view of doing the fullest justice to Regiments, as well as to Individuals who have distinguished themselves by their Bravery in Action with the Enemy, an Account of the Services of every Regiment in the British Army shall be published under the superintendence and direction of the Adjutant-General; and that this Account shall contain the following particulars, viz.

—— The Period and Circumstances of the Original Formation of the Regiment; The Stations at which it has been from time to time employed; The Battles, Sieges, and other Military Operations, in which it has been engaged, particularly specifying any Achievement it may have performed, and the Colours, Trophies, &c., it may have captured from the Enemy.

—— The Names of the Officers and the number of Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates, Killed or Wounded by the Enemy, specifying the Place and Date of the Action.

—— The Names of those Officers, who, in consideration of their Gallant Services and Meritorious Conduct in Engagements with the Enemy, have been distinguished with Titles, Medals, or other Marks of His Majesty's gracious favour.

—— The Names of all such Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates as may have specially signalized themselves in Action.

And,

—— The Badges and Devices which the Regiment may have been permitted to bear, and the Causes on account of which such Badges or Devices, or any other Marks of Distinction, have been granted.

By Command of the Right Honourable

GENERAL LORD HILL,

Commanding-in-Chief.

John Macdonald,

Adjutant-General.

PREFACE.

The character and credit of the British Army must chiefly depend upon the zeal and ardour, by which all who enter into its service are animated, and consequently it is of the highest importance that any measure calculated to excite the spirit of emulation, by which alone great and gallant actions are achieved, should be adopted.

Nothing can more fully tend to the accomplishment of this desirable object, than a full display of the noble deeds with which the Military History of our country abounds. To hold forth these bright examples to the imitation of the youthful soldier, and thus to incite him to emulate the meritorious conduct of those who have preceded him in their honourable career, are among the motives that have given rise to the present publication.

The operations of the British Troops are, indeed, announced in the "London Gazette," from whence they are transferred into the public prints: the achievements of our armies are thus made known at the time of their occurrence, and receive the tribute of praise and admiration to which they are entitled. On extraordinary occasions, the Houses of Parliament have been in the habit of conferring on the Commanders, and the Officers and Troops acting under their orders, expressions of approbation and of thanks for their skill and bravery, and these testimonials, confirmed by the high honour of their Sovereign's Approbation, constitute the reward which the soldier most highly prizes.

It has not, however, until late years, been the practice (which appears to have long prevailed in some of the Continental armies) for British Regiments to keep regular records of their services and achievements. Hence some difficulty has been experienced in obtaining, particularly from the old Regiments, an authentic account of their origin and subsequent services.

This defect will now be remedied, in consequence of His Majesty having been pleased to command, that every Regiment shall in future keep a full and ample record of its services at home and abroad.

From the materials thus collected, the country will henceforth derive information as to the difficulties and privations which chequer the career of those who embrace the military profession. In Great Britain, where so large a number of persons are devoted to the active concerns of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, and where these pursuits have, for so long a period, been undisturbed by the presence of war, which few other countries have escaped, comparatively little is known of the vicissitudes of active service, and of the casualties of climate, to which, even during peace, the British Troops are exposed in every part of the globe, with little or no interval of repose.

In their tranquil enjoyment of the blessings which the country derives from the industry and the enterprise of the agriculturist and the trader, its happy inhabitants may be supposed not often to reflect on the perilous duties of the soldier and the sailor,—on their sufferings,—and on the sacrifice of valuable life, by which so many national benefits are obtained and preserved.

The conduct of the British Troops, their valour, and endurance, have shone conspicuously under great and trying difficulties; and their character has been established in Continental warfare by the irresistible spirit with which they have effected debarkations in spite of the most formidable opposition, and by the gallantry and steadiness with which they have maintained their advantages against superior numbers.

In the official Reports made by the respective Commanders, ample justice has generally been done to the gallant exertions of the Corps employed; but the details of their services, and of acts of individual bravery, can only be fully given in the Annals of the various Regiments.

These Records are now preparing for publication, under His Majesty's special authority, by Mr. Richard Cannon, Principal Clerk of the Adjutant-General's Office; and while the perusal of them cannot fail to be useful and interesting to military men of every rank, it is considered that they will also afford entertainment and information to the general reader, particularly to those who may have served in the Army, or who have relatives in the Service.

There exists in the breasts of most of those who have served, or are serving, in the Army, an Esprit de Corps—an attachment to every thing belonging to their Regiment; to such persons a narrative of the services of their own Corps cannot fail to prove interesting. Authentic accounts of the actions of the great,—the valiant,—the loyal, have always been of paramount interest with a brave and civilized people. Great Britain has produced a race of heroes who, in moments of danger and terror, have stood, "firm as the rocks of their native shore;" and when half the World has been arrayed against them, they have fought the battles of their Country with unshaken fortitude. It is presumed that a record of achievements in war,—victories so complete and surprising, gained by our countrymen,—our brothers,—our fellow-citizens in arms,—a record which revives the memory of the brave, and brings their gallant deeds before us, will certainly prove acceptable to the public.

Biographical memoirs of the Colonels and other distinguished Officers, will be introduced in the Records of their respective Regiments, and the Honorary Distinctions which have, from time to time, been conferred upon each Regiment, as testifying the value and importance of its services, will be faithfully set forth.

As a convenient mode of Publication, the Record of each Regiment will be printed in a distinct number, so that when the whole shall be completed, the Parts may be bound up in numerical succession.

HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SEVENTH,
OR
THE QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT OF
HUSSARS:

CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF

THE ORIGIN OF THE REGIMENT

IN 1690,

AND OF

ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES

TO

1842.

ILLUSTRATED WITH A PLATE OF THE UNIFORM.

LONDON:

JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND.

M.DCCC.XLII.

LONDON:
HARRISON AND CO., PRINTERS,
ST. MARTIN'S LANE

Seventh (or Queen's Own) Hussars. To face Title-page.

THE SEVENTH,

OR

THE QUEEN'S OWN

HUSSARS,

BEAR ON THEIR APPOINTMENTS
THE WORDS

"PENINSULA," AND "WATERLOO,"

TO COMMEMORATE
THEIR GALLANTRY IN SPAIN AND THE SOUTH OF FRANCE,
IN 1813 AND 1814,

AND AT THE MEMORABLE BATTLE OF WATERLOO,
IN 1815.

CONTENTS.

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF
THE SEVENTH,
OR,
THE QUEEN'S OWN REGIMENT
OF
HUSSARS.

1688

The Queen's Own Regiment of Hussars was originally a corps of heavy cavalry, and was formed of independent troops of horse and dragoons, raised in Scotland during the commotions which followed the Revolution of 1688, when a number of patriotic Scots arrayed themselves, under the banners of William and Mary, and fought against the adherents of King James II., who sought to establish papacy and arbitrary government.

1689

After King James's flight to France, England became comparatively tranquil, and the establishment of the Prince and Princess of Orange on the throne, in February, 1689, was hailed with public rejoicings. In Scotland, the Catholic clans, and other partisans of King James were numerous; and, while the chivalrous Viscount Dundee aroused the Highlanders to arms, the Duke of Gordon held the castle of Edinburgh, of which he was governor, in the interest of the Stuart dynasty.

King William sent Major-General Mackay, an experienced officer, who had served in the armies of France and Holland, to take the command of the forces in Scotland; and, while Viscount Dundee was organising a plan of co-operation among the clans, additional corps were embodied by the government.

The Earl of Annandale, who was one of the first of the Scottish noblemen to advocate the principles of the Revolution, raised a troop of horse; a second was raised by the Lord Belhaven, a nobleman distinguished for his steady opposition to the tyrannical measures of King Charles II., and King James II.; and a third troop was raised by William, Laird of Blair: independent troops of dragoons were also embodied by several gentlemen who were zealous for the interests and welfare of their country; also several regiments and independent companies of foot.

While these corps were being embodied, Viscount Dundee descended from the mountains with several bands of Highlanders, seized on the town of Perth, and took the Laird of Blair, and his lieutenant, the Laird of Pollock, prisoners. These gentlemen were carried about like felons, in an ungenerous triumph, for six weeks, and afterwards sent to the Isle of Mul, where the Laird of Blair died, in consequence of the barbarous treatment he received.

The Earl of Annandale's and Lord Belhaven's troops of horse, having been completed and equipped, took the field, and formed part of the force under Major-General Mackay, which engaged the Highlanders and Irish, under Viscount Dundee, at the pass of Killicrankie, on the 27th of July, 1689, and were the only cavalry corps with the army on that occasion[1]. For a short time after the commencement of the action, the advantage was on the side of Major-General Mackay. When the infantry began to give way before the superior numbers of the clans, the two troops of horse were ordered forward,—one on the right, and the other on the left,—to attack the flanks of the opposing army; but, being untrained men, instead of dashing, sword in hand, upon the adverse ranks, they halted at a short distance, and commenced a straggling fire with carbines and pistols. This mode of attacking a body of men on foot of very superior numbers, could not fail to prove disastrous; and the two troops were speedily driven from the field with loss. The army was defeated; but the ability evinced by Major-General Mackay, in conducting the retreat, and in assembling another army, with the loss of the Jacobite commander, Viscount Dundee, who was killed at the commencement of the action, occasioned the result to be less disastrous than was anticipated, and the Highlanders were forced to take refuge in their mountain fastnesses.

1690

In the beginning of 1690 the newly-raised horse were formed into a regiment, of only three troops, of which the Earl of Eglintoun was appointed colonel,—the Honorable William Forbes (eldest son of Lord Forbes), lieut.-colonel,—and Sir George Gordon, of Edinglassie, major; the dragoons were also formed into a regiment of three troops, under the command of Lord Cardross,—Jackson, lieut.-colonel, and—Guthrie, major; at the same time three of the newly-raised regiments of foot were incorporated into one, which were placed under the orders of Colonel Cunningham.

During the subsequent contest the two cavalry corps performed much harassing and faithful service; they took part in several skirmishes, and evinced intrepidity and valour; the clans were repulsed and driven back to the mountains; garrisons were placed in the heart of the Highland districts, and the adherents of King James lost all hope of success.

In the following winter the Scots army was remodelled; several corps of infantry were disbanded; and the two regiments of cavalry, of three troops each, were incorporated and constituted a regiment of dragoons, of six troops of fifty men each, of which Robert Cunningham was appointed colonel by commission dated the 30th of December, 1690; William Forbes was appointed lieut.-colonel; and Patrick Hume, major. The corps thus formed now bears the distinguished title of the Seventh, or Queen's Own, Regiment of Hussars, and its services form the subject of the following pages. Until the reign of King George II., it was distinguished by the name of its colonel.

1691
1692

Being constituted of men of approved fidelity and devotion to the principles of the Revolution, Cunningham's regiment was held in estimation by the government; it was quartered near the confines of the Highlands, to hold in check the disaffected clans; and was afterwards removed to the vicinity of Edinburgh. In August, 1691, a proclamation was published, proffering indemnity and pardon to all persons who would submit to the government and take the oath of allegiance to King William and Queen Mary. Before the end of January, 1692, the heads of clans had ratified their submission, and hostilities ceased in Scotland.

1693

The British monarch had, in the mean time, engaged in a war with Louis XIV., and on His Majesty's return to England, after the termination of the campaign of 1693, the two Scots regiments of dragoons (Livingstone's, now Second, or the Scots' Greys, and Cunningham's, now Seventh Hussars) were selected to proceed on foreign service.

1694

Cunningham's dragoons commenced their march from Scotland in February, 1694, and on arriving at Berwick they were placed on the English establishment; at the same time exertions were made to complete an augmentation of two troops, and of ten additional men and horses to each of the six old troops. The augmentation troops left Scotland in the spring, and the six old troops continued their march southward until they arrived at London, where the eight troops were united in May, and the whole embarked at Greenwich for the Netherlands.

The regiment, commanded by its colonel, Robert Cunningham, landed at Williamstadt, in North Brabant, on the 31st of May; advanced up the country to the vicinity of Arschot, and was reviewed by King William on the 16th of June, together with Livingstone's regiment: and the hardy and warlike appearance of the Scots troopers elicited the commendations of His Majesty, and of the British and foreign general officers present at the review.

After several marches the regiment was encamped at Mont St. André, where an army of eighty-eight thousand men of several nations was assembled under the command of the British monarch, and Cunningham's dragoons were formed in brigade with Eppinger's (foreign), Essex's (now fourth), and Wynne's (late fifth), regiments of dragoons, under the orders of Brigadier-General Wynne. No general engagement occurred; and after taking part in the operations of a toilsome campaign, the regiment went into cantonments for the winter among the Flemish peasantry, in the villages between Ghent and Sas van Ghent.

1695

From its winter quarters, the regiment marched in April, 1695, to Dixmude, in West Flanders; it joined the army in May, at the camp at Arseele, and was formed in brigade with Dopf's (Dutch) dragoons under Brigadier-General Wynne.

In the beginning of June, the army advanced to Becelaer. On the 14th of that month five hundred dragoons (among whom was a large detachment from Cunningham's regiment) under the command of the Earl of Portland and Brigadier-General Wynne, left the camp with the view of intercepting a numerous French force, which was moving quietly across the country to attack the bread-waggons of the confederate army, on their way from Bruges to the camp. On arriving at Moorsleede, the French detachment was found in the village, with the streets barricaded with waggons and implements of husbandry. The dragoons instantly dismounted and attacked the barricades with signal gallantry, Cunningham's men evincing true Scottish heroism; and in a few moments the French gave way and fled, leaving a number of killed and wounded behind them, and one captain and thirty men prisoners. Count de Soissons, brother of Prince Eugene of Savoy, served as a volunteer on this occasion, and expressed, in the strongest terms, his admiration of the valour of the dragoons. Lieutenant Webb, and several men were killed; Captains Collins and Holgate were wounded. Brigadier-General Wynne, who commanded the brigade of which Cunningham's dragoons formed part, received a severe wound of which he afterwards died.

When King William undertook the siege of the important fortress of Namur, the regiment formed part of the covering army under Charles Henry of Lorraine, Prince of Vaudemont, and on the evening of the 14th of July, it was formed in order of battle, while the immense columns of the enemy, commanded by Marshal Villeroy, were seen in the open grounds in front. The two armies confronted each other during the night, and the French commander, having an immense superiority of numbers, detached a division to turn the right flank of the confederate army. The Prince ordered a retreat, which he masked with judgment; the cavalry advancing to the front—the dragoons dismounting and forming on foot at extended files, while the artillery, and infantry, with their pikes trailed and colours furled, quietly withdrew. The enemy prepared for the attack, and sent forward a cloud of light musketeers to commence the action; but the dragoons retired a few paces and mounted their horses, and when the enemy thought to have commenced the battle, the skeleton squadrons withdrew; presenting to the astonished French what appeared to be the magic spectacle of an army vanishing out of sight. The enemy's horsemen galloped forward in pursuit; but the allies effected their retreat in good order to Ghent, from whence Cunningham's dragoons were detached, with Rosse's troopers, and twelve battalions of infantry under Lieut.-General Sir Henry Bellasis, to cover Nieuport, a place celebrated for the victory gained by the English and Dutch, over the Spaniards under Archduke Albert, on the 2nd of July, 1600[2].

The regiment was stationed between Bruges and Nieuport, until Marshal Villeroy advanced towards Namur with the view of raising the siege, when it proceeded to Brussels, which city the French had, a short time previously, bombarded. The enemy's designs were frustrated; Namur was captured; the regiment left Brussels, and, after encamping a short time on the Bruges canal, went into cantonments in the villages on the banks of the canal of Ostend, in the Pays du Nord.

1696

When the army took the field to serve the campaign of 1696, the excellent condition of this corps excited admiration; it mustered four strong squadrons, and when King William saw the regiment, he promoted its colonel, Robert Cunningham, to the rank of brigadier-general.

During the summer of this year the regiment served with the army of Flanders under the Prince of Vaudemont, and was brigaded with the regiments of Eppinger and Miremont, commanded by its colonel. It was employed in defensive operations for the preservation of Ghent, Bruges, and the maritime towns of Flanders. It passed the winter in the villages behind the Bruges canal.

On the 1st of October, 1696, Brigadier-General Cunningham was succeeded in the colonelcy by William, Lord Jedburgh, eldest son of the Marquis of Lothian.

1697

The regiment, bearing the title of Jedburgh's dragoons, served the campaign of 1697 in Flanders with the army commanded by the Elector of Bavaria, and was formed in brigade with the regiments of Nassau-Sarbruck, and Opdam, under the orders of Brigadier-General Pyper. It took part in several operations; and in May joined King William's army in Brabant, but, subsequently, returned to Flanders. In September tranquillity was restored in Europe by the treaty of Ryswick.

During the winter Jedburgh's dragoons embarked from Flanders, and after landing at Harwich in December, proceeded to London, where they occupied quarters for several weeks; at the same time their numbers were reduced to a peace establishment.

1698

The regiment left its cantonments in Southwark, in February, 1698, on route for Scotland, where it arrived towards the end of March.

1702
1703
1704
1705
1706

The accession of Queen Anne, in 1702, was followed by another war on the continent; but the exertions made by the friends of the Pretender to effect his elevation to the throne, rendered it necessary to detain an efficient force at home, and Jedburgh's was one of the corps selected to remain in Scotland, where it was stationed, while the army under the renowned Marlborough was gaining laurels in Germany and the Netherlands[3], the fields of Blenheim, Ramilies, &c., giving dreadful proof of British valour.

1707

In April, 1707, Patrick Lord Polwarth was appointed colonel of the regiment, in succession to the Marquis of Lothian, who was removed to the colonelcy of the Scots foot guards.

1708

The king of France having fitted out a fleet and embarked troops in the early part of 1708, for the invasion of Britain by the Pretender, Lord Polwarth's regiment was held in readiness to take the field at a moment's notice, and the establishment was augmented to fifty-four men per troop; but the French fleet was driven from the Scottish coast, and the country was preserved from the horrors of civil war.

1709

In October, 1709, Lord Polwarth was succeeded in the colonelcy by William Kerr, brother of the duke of Roxburgh.

1710
1711

The gallant achievements of the forces under the great duke of Marlborough had, in the mean time, removed the theatre of war from the frontiers of Holland to the confines of France; Louis XIV. assembled an immense army to preserve the interior of his kingdom from the power of his opponents; and Queen Anne sent additional corps to the scene of contest. Kerr's dragoons were selected to proceed to the Netherlands; their establishment was augmented, in March, 1711, to sixty men per troop; and in the same month they embarked at Leith, but were driven back to the Frith and detained by contrary winds until the end of April, when they sailed for Holland.

Having been detained by the weather, the regiment did not arrive until the army had taken the field, and the men and horses had suffered by being so long on board of ship; they consequently remained in Holland for a short time in quarters of refreshment, and afterwards commenced their march for the frontiers; but when passing through Brabant, they were ordered to halt at Brussels. The regiment appears to have remained in reserve during the campaign of this year.

1712

Taking the field in the spring of 1712, the regiment formed part of the army commanded by his grace the duke of Ormond, which advanced to the confines of France, and was ready to carry the war into Picardy; but the French monarch, finding his generals overmatched, and his armies beaten and dispirited, agreed to the conditions of a treaty of peace. A suspension of hostilities was proclaimed, and the army retired to Ghent, and after encamping a short period went into quarters.

1713

In the summer of 1713 the regiment was ordered to embark at Dunkirk for Ireland. The royal dragoons had, in the mean time, returned from Spain dismounted[4], and the government, contemplating the disbanding of Kerr's regiment, directed its horses to be embarked for Dover and delivered to the royal dragoons. The following order was received on this subject:—

"ANNE R.

"Our will and pleasure is, that upon the embarkation of our regiment of dragoons under your command, for our kingdom of Ireland, you cause all the horses belonging to the non-commissioned officers and private dragoons thereof to be delivered over to such person or persons as shall be appointed to receive the same; your said regiment being to continue unmounted until further orders.

"Given at our court at Kensington, this 6th day of June, 1713, in the twelfth year of our reign.

"By Her Majesty's command,
"William Wyndham."

To our trusty and well-beloved Colonel William Kerr,
commanding one of our regiments of dragoons,
Flanders.

The regiment arrived at Dunkirk on the 15th of August, and having delivered up its horses, embarked for Ireland on the 21st of that month.

1714

After the conclusion of the treaty of Utrecht, the strength of the army was reduced, and Colonel Kerr's regiment of dragoons was disembodied in Ireland in the spring of 1714.

1715

At the time this regiment was reduced, the royal dragoons and Scots greys were augmented, and many men from Kerr's dragoons entered these two veteran corps. Few months, however, elapsed after the decease of Queen Anne, (1st August, 1714,) and the accession of King George I., when a change took place in the circumstances of the British court. His Majesty arrived from Hanover on the 17th of September. The result of the measures pursued by the ministry of Queen Anne, during the last three years of her reign, was soon manifested in the prevalence of Jacobin principles, and the king found it necessary to augment the army. One of the first acts of His Majesty on this occasion, was the restoration of Kerr's regiment of dragoons, now the Seventh, or Queen's Own Hussars, by a warrant under the sign manual, of which the following is a copy:—

"GEORGE R.

"Whereas we have thought fit that a regiment of dragoons be immediately formed to be under your command, to consist of one colonel, one lieut.-colonel, one major, one chaplain, one adjutant, one chirurgeon, and six troops, each consisting of one captain, one lieutenant, one cornet, one quarter-master, one serjeant, two corporals, one drummer, one hautboy, and thirty private dragoons, (including two for widows.) And, Whereas we have directed our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin Thomas, Earl of Strafford, to deliver over unto you the two youngest captains, two youngest lieutenants, two youngest cornets, and the two youngest quarter-masters, together with the non-commissioned officers and private men of the two youngest troops of our royal regiment of dragoons under his command, with the horses, arms, clothing, and accoutrements; and also our right trusty and right well-beloved cousin David, Earl of Portmore, to deliver unto you the three youngest captains, three youngest lieutenants, three youngest cornets, and three youngest quarter-masters, together with the non-commissioned officers and private men of the three youngest troops of our regiment of dragoons under his command, with their horses, arms, clothes, and accoutrements; our will and pleasure is, that you receive from the said Earl of Strafford, and the said Earl of Portmore, the commissioned and non-commissioned officers and private men directed to be delivered over unto you as aforesaid, towards forming the said regiment of dragoons. And we do hereby authorize you, by the beat of drum, or otherwise, to raise so many volunteers as shall be wanting to complete and fill up the said regiment to six troops, each consisting of the numbers aforesaid. And all magistrates, justices of the peace, constables, and other of our officers, whom it may concern, are required to be assisting unto you, in providing quarters, impressing carriages, and otherwise, as there shall be occasion.

"Given at our court at St. James', this 3rd day of February, 1714-15, in the first year of our reign.

"By His Majesty's Command,
"William Pulteney."

To our trusty and well-beloved
Colonel William Kerr.

In compliance with this order, Captains Lewis Dollon's and Peter Renourds' troops from the royal dragoons, and Captains William Crawford's, George Dunbar's and James Levingtone's troops from the greys, (being augmentation troops raised when Kerr's regiment was disembodied,) with a sixth troop raised near London, were constituted a regiment, which now bears the designation of Seventh, or Queen's own Hussars; but was then styled "KERR'S DRAGOONS."

Soon after its second formation, the regiment marched into quarters in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the county of Durham; and in July His Majesty was pleased to confer upon it the distinguished title of "Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales' own Royal Regiment of Dragoons"[5] in honour of Wilhelmina Carolina, consort of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

The augmentation of the army, and other measures adopted by the government for the preservation of tranquillity, did not sufficiently intimidate the disaffected so as to prevent an appeal to arms. In the early part of September the Earl of Mar raised the standard of the Pretender in the Highlands, and summoned the friends of the Stuart dynasty to his aid. At the same time, the Princess of Wales's dragoons were ordered to march to Scotland and join the troops commanded by Major-General Whetham, encamped at Stirling.

At this camp the regiment remained several weeks; additional forces arrived; the establishment was augmented, and the Duke of Argyle took the command of the army. The rebel forces, ten thousand strong, advancing with the view of penetrating southward, the King's troops, not four thousand men, proceeded to the vicinity of Dumblain, to oppose the progress of the clans. On the morning of Sunday, the 13th of November, the two armies confronted each other on Sheriff-muir, and the Princess of Wales', with Carpenter's (third), and a squadron of the Inniskilling (sixth) dragoons were on the left of the line, under Major-General Sabine and Brigadier-General Newton. The action commenced on the right, where the royal forces overthrew their opponents and chased them from the field. On the left the fortune of the day was in favour of the rebels; six hundred select Highlanders surprised the infantry in the act of forming, and put them into confusion. The gallant Colonel Kerr led his regiment of dragoons (the Seventh) to the charge with signal intrepidity; his horse was killed under him; but he speedily mounted another, and his brave troopers, with some gentlemen volunteers and Carpenter's squadrons, drove the rebel horsemen before them, capturing a standard. Colonel Kerr had a second horse killed under him, and a rebel trooper fired a pistol at his breast, which did him no harm, although his coat was torn. The royal infantry on the left were unable to recover from the disorder into which they had fallen; they retired before the clans; their communication with the remainder of the army was cut off; and mingling with the cavalry, both became confused, and fell back a short distance to gain an opportunity of re-forming their ranks. They retired beyond Dumblain, and took possession of the passes, to prevent the clans penetrating to Stirling. Meanwhile, the right wing of the king's army had returned from the pursuit of the left wing of the rebel forces: the Earl of Mar withdrew with the clans during the night, and the Duke of Argyle returned with the royal forces to Stirling.

Colonel Kerr lost three horses on this occasion; the regiment had also two troop horses killed, and one man and four horses wounded.

1716

In January, 1716, the royal army, having been augmented, advanced against the rebels, who fled in every direction. The Pretender and his principal officers escaped to the continent; the common men dispersed; and the rebellion being suppressed, the regiment went into quarters in Fife.

In the following spring, the Princess of Wales' dragoons returned to England, and occupied quarters in Yorkshire; but proceeded southward during the summer; and in December one troop was ordered to attend His Majesty on his landing from Hanover.

1717
1718

The regiment occupied quarters in Lincolnshire in the summer of 1717; passed the following winter in Yorkshire; and in July, 1718, was reviewed by Major-General Macartney, at Leicester.

1719
1720

In July, 1719, one troop was employed in suppressing riots at Halifax. In December, 1720, the regiment was occupying quarters in Lancashire, and received orders not to permit any person to land from the Isle of Man, in consequence of a report that the plague was in that island.

1721
1722
1723
1724

The regiment marched to Scotland in April, 1721; it returned to England in April, 1722; and after encamping several months near Manchester, went into quarters in the town. It encamped near York in June, 1723, from whence it marched, in the autumn, into Berkshire; and in January, 1724, detachments were employed on revenue duty on the Hampshire and Dorsetshire coast; in April following, the remainder marched into Yorkshire and Durham.

1725
1726

Lieut.-General Carpenter reviewed the regiment at York, in September, 1725; and Lieut.-General Sir Charles Wills, in April, 1726.

1727

On the prospect of war between Holland and the Emperor of Germany, the regiment was augmented, in February, 1727, to nine troops, and four regiments of cavalry and eight of infantry were held in readiness to assist the Dutch; but no embarkation took place.

King George I. died in June of this year, on his journey to Hanover; and his son, George, Prince of Wales, succeeded to the throne: the Princess of Wales became Queen, and this regiment was honoured with the title of "The Queen's Own Regiment of Dragoons." It marched to the vicinity of Hounslow in October, and was reviewed on the heath, on the 28th of that month, by King George II., who was pleased to express his high approbation of its appearance and discipline. After the review it marched into cantonments in Dorsetshire and Somersetshire, with a detachment on revenue duty on the Sussex coast.

1728

A detachment attended the Princess Amelia at Bath, in May, 1728; in July the regiment was reviewed at Salisbury; and in the autumn another detachment was ordered to attend the Princess Amelia at Bath.

1729
1730
1731

In 1729 the establishment was reduced from nine to six troops. In 1730 the regiment occupied cantonments in Dorsetshire, Somersetshire, and Wiltshire; and was reviewed on Hounslow-heath, on the 15th of May, 1731, by King George II., attended by several noblemen and general officers; its warlike appearance, the condition of the horses, and the discipline of the regiment, were commended.

1732
1733
1734

After the review, the Queen's Own Dragoons returned to their former quarters; in 1732 they were removed to Gloucestershire and Herefordshire; and in April, 1733, they commenced their march for Scotland, where they remained during the following year.

1735
1736
1737
1738
1739

Returning to England in April, 1735, the Queen's Own dragoons proceeded into quarters in Leicestershire and Staffordshire, with detachments on revenue duty on the coasts of Lincolnshire and Norfolk, in which duties they were employed during the remainder of that and in the two succeeding years; and in 1738 they marched into quarters in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. In 1739 they furnished detachments on coast duty in Sussex; at the same, war having been declared against Spain, the establishment was augmented to four hundred and thirty-five men.

1740
1741

During the summer of 1740, the Queen's Own dragoons were encamped, with four other regiments of cavalry and four of infantry, near Newbury, under the orders of Lieut.-General Wade; and subsequently near Kingsclear; in October the regiment marched from the camp to cantonments in Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire. In 1741 they marched into Scotland.

The Honourable William Kerr, after commanding the regiment upwards of thirty years with reputation to himself, and advantage to the service, was succeeded in the colonelcy by Major-General Sir John Cope, K.B., by commission, dated the 12th of August, 1741.

In the mean time, the death of Charles VI., Emperor of Germany, had been followed by war on the continent; and the Elector of Bavaria, aided by the French monarch, was endeavouring to deprive the Archduchess, Maria Theresa, of the kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia.

1742

The Queen's Own dragoons left Scotland in April, 1742: and soon after their arrival in England, they were selected to form part of an army of sixteen thousand men, sent to the Netherlands under the command of Field-Marshal the Earl of Stair, to support the interests of the Queen of Hungary and Bohemia. The regiment embarked in the early part of August; and after landing at Ostend, marched a few stages up the country, where it halted until the beginning of the following year.

1743

In February, 1743, the regiment commenced its march for Germany; and after taking part in several manœuvres, it was encamped at Aschaffenburg, where King George II. and the Duke of Cumberland joined the army. On the 26th of June, as the troops were marching along the bank of the river Maine, a French force was discovered in position near Dettingen, a village in the Bavarian States, in the circle of the Lower Rhine; and King George II. commanded the British, Austrians, and Hanoverians to form line opposite the enemy. After a severe cannonade of several hours' duration, the French advanced from their formidable position, and a series of charges of cavalry, with a heavy fire of musketry, commenced on the left of the allied army, and extended along the front. During the heat of the engagement, the regiment which forms the subject of this memoir, had an opportunity of displaying its intrepidity and prowess in close combat with the cavalry of the opposing army, and obtained the approbation of its sovereign. The British dragoons encountered the French gens d'armes and household cavalry, and, though without armour, they fought their steel-clad opponents with signal gallantry. Twice the British horsemen were forced back; but, rallying and returning to the charge, at the third onset they overthrew the opposing squadrons, and chased them from the field with great slaughter, and with the loss of several standards and kettle drums. The infantry of the allied army evinced great bravery, and a complete victory was gained over the enemy.

The Queen's Own regiment of dragoons had Lieutenant Falconer, Cornet Hobey, one serjeant, ten rank and file, and twenty-two horses killed; Lieutenant Frazer, Cornet St. Leger, one quarter-master, two serjeants, thirteen rank and file, and thirteen horses wounded: Cornet St. Leger afterwards died of his wounds.

After passing the night in the open grounds near the field of battle, the regiment marched on the following day to Hanau, and was subsequently encamped with the army on the banks of the Kinzig. In the early part of August the king proceeded towards the Rhine, passed that river beyond Mentz, and advanced to Worms. The Queen's Own dragoons were employed in West Germany, but nothing of importance occurred; and in the autumn they re-passed the Rhine, and marched back to Brabant and Flanders, where they remained during the winter.

1744

The regiment served the campaign of 1744 under Field-Marshal Wade, and was employed in several movements, but no general engagement occurred, and in the autumn it marched into winter quarters at Bruges.

1745

The establishment having been augmented, the regiment was joined in the spring of 1745, by a number of men and horses from England. Soon afterwards it took the field, and advanced with the troops commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, to the relief of Tournay, which fortress was besieged by an immense French army. On the 10th of May, two troops of the Queen's Own dragoons were employed in driving back the enemy's out-guards and piquets; and on the following day, they were engaged in supporting the attack of the infantry on the formidable position, occupied by the French, near the village of Fontenoy. The centre of the position was twice forced by the British regiments; but the Dutch having failed in their point of attack, a retreat was ordered. Towards the close of the action, several squadrons of cavalry charged with signal intrepidity, but were unable to retrieve the fortune of the day, and the army withdrew to Aeth.

The regiment lost, on this occasion, ten men, and forty-six horses killed; Lieut.-Colonel Erskine, Captain-Lieutenant Ogilvy, Lieutenant Forbes, Cornet Maitland, Quartermaster Smith, thirty-five men, and forty-seven horses wounded; one man and two horses missing.

After the capture of Tournay, the French army advanced with such overwhelming numbers, that the allies were unable to prevent the loss of several important towns. The Queen's Own dragoons were employed in defensive operations, and were encamped a short time before Brussels.

1746

Meanwhile, a rebellion had broken out in Scotland, and Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, was at the head of the insurgent clans. Several corps were ordered to return to England; and in February, 1746, the Queen's Own dragoons proceeded to Williamstadt and embarked; but some delay was occasioned by severe weather, and one transport was stranded. The regiment disembarked to wait for more favourable weather; in the mean time, the prospect of a speedy termination to the rebellion occasioned the order for its return to be countermanded.

The war on the continent was continued; the regiment, having received a remount of one hundred and two men, and one hundred and fifty-six horses, took the field in the summer of 1746, and served on the Dutch frontiers, under the command of General Sir John Ligonier, and afterwards under Prince Charles of Lorraine. On the 11th of October, the regiment was formed in line, with the Greys and Inniskilling dragoons, with its right behind Roucoux, a village near the city of Liege, while the infantry occupied the houses and streets of several hamlets along the front. An immense French force, commanded by Marshal Saxe, advanced and attacked the left of the allied army; and by superior numbers, succeeded in carrying the villages, and a retreat was ordered. As the enemy's infantry emerged from among the houses, the Greys, Inniskilling, and Queen's Own dragoons, dashed forward, broke their ranks, and chased them back in gallant style. The army afterwards withdrew to the vicinity of Maestricht; and the regiment passed the severe winter months in cantonments in the country along the Lower Maese.

1747

In the spring of 1747, the regiment encamped a short period near the banks of the Scheldt, and was subsequently employed in operations on the Great Nethe and the Demer, during which period a remount of fifty men and one hundred and twenty horses, joined from England. On the 1st of July, it confronted the French army in one of the valleys in the province of Liege, and passed the night in a state of constant readiness for action.

The French infantry descended from the hills on the following morning, and made a furious attack on the troops stationed in the village of Val. After much severe fighting, the enemy, by means of a great superiority of numbers, forced the centre of the Allied army. The cavalry of the left wing was ordered forward, and the Queen's Own dragoons had another opportunity of distinguishing themselves. Having broken the enemy's first line, the British dragoons continued their victorious career, and overthrew a second line with terrific violence; then, mixing with the French horsemen and musketeers, used their broad swords with dreadful execution. While pursuing their opponents, they received a volley from some French infantry posted in a hollow, and behind hedges, and several men and horses fell mortally wounded. The survivors rushed furiously upon the infantry, drove them from behind the hedges, and pursued them across the fields with great slaughter. This brilliant success enabled the Duke of Cumberland to make arrangements for a retreat; and the army withdrew to Maestricht, where it arrived on the same evening.

The regiment lost several men and horses on this occasion; and had Cornet Bulmere, five men, and ten horses captured by the enemy. It was subsequently stationed a short time in the province of Limburg, and was employed in various operations until the winter.

1748

In the spring of 1748, the army again confronted the enemy in the province of Limburg. Preliminary articles for a treaty of peace were agreed upon; a suspension of hostilities took place, and the British troops went into cantonments among the Dutch peasantry.

1749

During the following winter, the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was concluded. The British troops left Holland; and the Queen's Own dragoons, after landing at Purfleet in January, 1749, were reduced to a peace establishment, and quartered at Norwich and Yarmouth, with detachments on coast duty.

1750

The regiment was inspected by Lieutenant-General Campbell at Wells, in April, 1750, and at Gloucester in October following; and by Lieutenant-General Onslow at Gloucester in April, 1751.

1751

On the 1st of July, 1751, King George II. issued a warrant relative to the colours, standards, and clothing of the several regiments, from which the following particulars have been extracted respecting the Seventh, or Queen's Own Regiment of Dragoons.

Coats,—scarlet, double-breasted, without lapels, lined with white; slit sleeves turned up with white; the button-holes ornamented with narrow white lace; the buttons flat, of white metal, set on three and three; a long slash pocket in each skirt; and a white worsted aiguillette on the right shoulder.

Waistcoats and Breeches,—white.

Hats,—bound with silver lace, and ornamented with a white metal loop and a black cockade.

Boots,—of jacked leather, reaching to the knee.

Cloaks,—of scarlet cloth, with a white collar, and lined with white shalloon; the buttons set on three and three upon yellow frogs, or loops, with a blue stripe down the centre.

Horse Furniture,—of white cloth; the holster-caps and housings having a border of royal lace, with a blue stripe down the centre; the Queen's cipher within the garter, embroidered on each corner of the housing; and on the holster-caps, the King's cipher and crown, with VII. D. underneath.

Officers,—distinguished by silver lace; their coats and waistcoats bound with silver embroidery; the button-holes worked with silver; and a crimson silk sash worn across the left shoulder.

Quarter-Masters,—to wear a crimson sash round their waists.

Serjeants,—to have narrow silver lace on the cuffs, pockets, and shoulder-straps; silver shoulder-knots, or aiguillettes, and blue and white worsted sashes tied round their waists.

Drummers and Hautboys,—clothed in scarlet coats lined with blue, and ornamented with royal lace with a blue stripe down the centre; their waistcoats and breeches of white cloth.

Guidons,—The first or King's guidon to be of crimson silk, embroidered and fringed with gold and silver; in the centre the rose and thistle conjoined and crown over them, with the motto Dieu et mon Droit underneath: the white horse in a compartment in the first and fourth corners, and VII. D., in gold characters, on a blue ground, in a compartment in the second and third corners. The second and third guidons to be of white silk, in the centre the Queen's cipher within the garter on a crimson ground: the white horse on a scarlet ground in the first and fourth compartments, and VII. D. within a wreath of roses and thistles upon a scarlet ground in the second and third compartments.

1752
1753
1754

The regiment was inspected at Birmingham, in October, 1751, by Lieutenant-General Sir Philip Honeywood; at Lichfield, in April, 1752, by Lieutenant-General Campbell; and at Manchester in April, 1753, by Major-General Cholmondeley. In October following it commenced its march to Scotland, and remained in that part of the kingdom upwards of four years, during which period the undetermined limits of the British territory in North America had given rise to another war with France.

1755
1756
1757

Hostilities commenced in 1755, and the establishment of the Queen's Own dragoons was augmented to three hundred and forty-seven officers and men. A seventh troop was also added, of which Captain-Lieutenant William Erskine was appointed captain by commission dated the 25th of December, 1755, and the officers and men of this troop were mounted on small horses and equipped as light dragoons. The establishment of the light troop was fixed, by a royal warrant dated the 29th of January, 1756, at three officers, one quarter-master, two serjeants, two drummers, and sixty-three rank and file; but it was subsequently augmented to upwards of one hundred officers and men.

1758

In the spring of 1758 the Seventh dragoons quitted Scotland, and were stationed in Yorkshire, the head-quarters being at York; from whence the light troop was detached to Portsmouth to take part in an expedition against the French coast, under the orders of Charles Duke of Marlborough. A brigade was formed of the light troops of nine regiments of dragoons, under the orders of Colonel Eliott, of the horse grenadier guards; and when a landing had been effected (6th June) on the coast of Brittany, the light horsemen gave signal proof of their activity and usefulness on several occasions. They took a distinguished part in the capture of the suburbs of St. Maloes, and in the destruction, by fire, of the privateers and other vessels, amounting to upwards of one hundred sail, in the harbour; also in the destruction of extensive magazines of maritime stores. The light cavalry subsequently advanced several miles up the country, and evinced zeal and activity in skirmishing with the French troops. The expedition not being of sufficient strength to undertake the siege of St. Maloes, the troops re-embarked and returned to England. The light cavalry subsequently took part in a second enterprise against the French coast, under the orders of Lieutenant-General Bligh, when Cherbourg was captured, and the works, with the shipping in the harbour and iron ordnance were destroyed, and the brass ordnance sent as trophies to London. A second landing was also effected near St. Maloes; but no advantage resulted, and considerable loss was sustained on re-embarking.

1759

After landing at Portsmouth in September, the light troop of the Queen's Own proceeded to Hackney, and afterwards to Romford; the remainder of the regiment occupying cantonments in Essex and Middlesex, from whence it marched, in November, 1759, to Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire.

1760

In the mean time Hanover and the adjoining states had become the theatre of war, and a British force, commanded by the gallant Marquis of Granby, was serving with the troops of Hanover, Hesse, and Brunswick, the whole commanded by Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick; and in March, 1760, the six heavy troops of the Seventh dragoons received orders to proceed to Germany.

The Queen's Own dragoons, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel George Lawson Hall, embarked on the river Thames, and sailed for Germany in the beginning of April: having a quick passage, they arrived in the river Weser, landed above Bremen, the capital of a duchy of the same name in Lower Saxony, and joined the allied army commanded by Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, at the camp on the heights of Fritzlar, in the principality of Lower Hesse, on the 21st of April. They were formed in brigade with the dragoons of Price-schenik, under the orders of Colonel Bremar.

Being opposed by a French army of very superior numbers, the allies were restricted to defensive operations, and the Seventh took part in several toilsome marches and skirmishes. At length thirty thousand French troops crossed the river Dymel to cut off the communication of the allies with Westphalia, and a favourable opportunity occurring to attack this detached force, the Queen's Own dragoons, with several other corps, under the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick, advanced to Liebenau, where they passed the Dymel, and making a detour of many miles, gained the left flank of the enemy's position at Warbourg, on the 31st of July. Prince Ferdinand was advancing with the main body against the enemy's front; but before his arrival, the enemy had been attacked in flank and rear, and were retiring. The cavalry under the Marquis of Granby and Lieut.-General Mostyn arrived at a favourable moment; a gallant charge of the British squadrons decided the fortune of the day, and the French made a precipitate retreat across the Dymel. The Seventh dragoons supported the infantry in the attack of the enemy's flank, and by a spirited charge towards the close of the action, contributed to the success of the day. The conduct of the British cavalry was commended by the Marquis of Granby, in his public despatch, and Prince Ferdinand declared in general orders, that "all the British cavalry performed prodigies of valour." The regiment being eager in the pursuit, had four men and horses captured by the enemy; three of the men, however, escaped and rejoined the regiment.

Lieut.-General Sir John Cope, K.B., died on the 28th of July, 1760; and King George II. conferred the colonelcy on Lieut.-General Mostyn, from the fifth, royal Irish, regiment of dragoons.

The Seventh dragoons were encamped near the banks of the Dymel, until winter, when the soldiers were directed to build huts to protect themselves and horses from severe weather. They subsequently went into cantonments in the villages in that part of the bishopric of Paderborn.

1761

The army was suddenly called from its winter quarters in February, 1761, and penetrating, during a heavy snow, into the enemy's cantonments, captured several towns and extensive magazines of forage and provision; but afterwards returned to its former quarters, and the Seventh were again quartered in villages in the bishopric of Paderborn.

On taking the field in the beginning of May, 1761, the Seventh were formed in brigade with the Scots greys and Ancram's (eleventh) dragoons, commanded by Colonel Harvey. After much manœuvring, some skirmishing, and many long and toilsome marches, they were encamped on the heights of Denkernberg, between the rivers Asse and Lippe, and formed part of the Marquis Granby's corps, which had its right in front of the village of Kirch-Denkern. This post was attacked on the 15th, and again on the 16th of July; the Seventh were formed in column behind the centre of this part of the position, and supported the infantry; the enemy was repulsed; the cavalry dashed forward, but were prevented charging by the nature of the ground.

The regiment was subsequently employed in operations which brought on slight skirmishes; but no general engagement occurred. In August it was employed on the Dymel. In the early part of November it was engaged in dislodging a French corps from a strong camp near Escherhausen, in the duchy of Brunswick; and afterwards marched to Eimbeck, where another skirmish occurred. These movements were designed to surprise the French army in dispersed quarters; but the enemy having gained time to assemble his forces, this regiment, with several other corps, marched during the night of the 7th of November, through a heavy snow to Foorwohle, where another skirmish occurred, and the British dragoons evinced signal gallantry. The Seventh were encamped in the snow until the following morning, when the British had another skirmish with their opponents; and they subsequently marched to the heights between Mackensen and Lithorst. When the army went into winter quarters, the regiment was cantoned in East Friesland.

1762

The season for military operations having arrived, the Queen's Own dragoons again took the field, and were encamped at Brackel, and subsequently on the heights of Tissel: they were formed in brigade with the Eleventh dragoons, under Lieut.-Colonel George Lawson Hall, of the Seventh. They left their camp before day-break on the morning of the 24th of June, 1762, and having crossed the Dymel, advanced against the French camp at Groebenstein. The enemy was surprised, and made a precipitate retreat upon Cassel, with the loss of their tents and baggage; and one division being surrounded in the woods of Wilhelmsthal, surrendered. The Seventh pursued the French in the direction of Cassel, and took several prisoners; they subsequently encamped near Holtzhausen.

During the remainder of the campaign, the regiment continued actively employed, and was frequently engaged in detached services; the enemy was forced to abandon several important positions, and Cassel was captured by the allies. Preliminary articles for a treaty of peace having been agreed upon, a suspension of hostilities took place, and the Queen's Own dragoons, and other British cavalry, went into quarters in the bishopric of Munster.

1763

Peace having been concluded, the thanks of Parliament were communicated to the army, and in February, 1763, the Seventh commenced their march from Germany, through Holland, to Williamstadt, where they embarked for England. After landing at Harwich they were stationed at Chelmsford, Springfield, and Colchester. The light troop, which had not been on foreign service with the other troops of the regiment, was disbanded; and the establishment was reduced to six troops of three officers, one quarter-master, two serjeants, two corporals, one drummer, and twenty-eight private men each; eight men per troop were equipped as light dragoons, and the remainder as heavy dragoons.

In May, 1763, Lieut.-General Mostyn was removed to the First dragoon guards; and Major-General Sir George Howard, K.B., was appointed colonel of the Seventh dragoons, from the third foot, or buffs.

1764

In January, 1764, a squadron was employed on revenue duty on the Suffolk coast. On the 9th of April following, King George III. reviewed the regiment in Hyde Park, and expressed his high approbation of its appearance and discipline. In the same year, orders were received for the regiment to be mounted on long-tailed horses;—for epaulettes to be worn on the left shoulder instead of aiguillettes, and for the men's boots to be of a lighter description than formerly.

1765
1766

The regiment occupied quarters in Sussex, in 1765, and was removed to Northampton and Leicestershire in 1766; at the same time, the Drummers on the establishment were directed to be replaced by Trumpeters.

1767
1768
1769

From Leicestershire, &c., the regiment was removed to York in May, 1767, and to Scotland in the spring of 1768, but returned to England in the early part of 1769, and was quartered in Warwickshire.

1770
1771
1772
1773

In April, 1770, the regiment marched into Dorsetshire and Somersetshire; in June, 1771, it was removed to Canterbury, and employed on coast duty until April, 1772, when it marched into Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire. In the spring of 1773 it commenced its march for Scotland, where it was stationed during the succeeding twelve months.

1774
1775
1776
1777

Returning to England in the summer of 1774, the regiment was stationed in Lancashire; in 1775 it was removed into Worcestershire and Staffordshire; in 1776 it was employed on revenue duty on the Sussex coast; and in 1777 it was engaged in similar duties on the coasts of Norfolk and Suffolk.

1778

In the summer of 1778 the Queen's Own dragoons were encamped near Bury St. Edmunds, together with three other regiments of dragoons and two battalions of militia, under the command of Major-General Warde.

1779

Lieut.-General Sir George Howard, C.B., was removed in April, 1779, to the first dragoon guards, and King George III. conferred the command of the Queen's Own dragoons on Major-general Sir Henry Clinton, K.B.

An augmentation had, in the mean time, been made to the strength of the regiment, in consequence of the American war; and in April, 1779, the men, equipped as light dragoons, were incorporated, with detachments from the second, third, fifteenth, and sixteenth, into a regiment, which was numbered the twenty-first light dragoons.

1780
1781
1782
1783

Soon after this event the Seventh dragoons marched to Scotland, where they remained two years, and on their arrival in England, in May, 1781, they were quartered at Durham. In the summer of 1782 they were removed to Salisbury, and in 1783 to Newbury.

The great usefulness of light cavalry had been fully proved during the reign of King George II., and also during the American war; and after the conclusion of a treaty of peace in 1783, the Queen's Own dragoons underwent a change of clothing and equipment;—the cocked hats were replaced by helmets; boots, saddles, belts, and other articles of equipment, of a light construction, were adopted; carbines of a smaller size than those before used, were received; the standard height for men and horses was reduced; and the regiment was constituted a corps of Light Dragoons.

1784

The change of equipment having taken place, the regiment was employed in the travelling escort duty for the royal family; it was quartered at Hounslow, and other villages, on the road from London to Windsor; and during the summer of 1784 it was reviewed, on Hounslow heath, by His Majesty, when its appearance and discipline procured the expression of his royal approbation.

Regulations for the Clothing of the
Light Dragoons.—April, 1784.

The clothing of a private light dragoon to consist of a jacket and shell, under-waistcoat, and leather breeches.

The jacket and shell to be of blue cloth, the collars and cuffs of the royal regiments to be red, and those of the other regiments to be of the colour of the facing of the regiment, looped upon the breast, and edged with white thread cord, and to be lined with white, the Eleventh and Thirteenth regiments excepted, which are to be lined with buff.

The under-waistcoat to be of flannel, with sleeves, and made so as to be buttoned within the waistband of the breeches.

The breeches to be of buckskin.

N.B.—The make of the dress, and method of placing the cord upon the breast of the jacket, to be exactly conformable to the pattern approved of by His Majesty.

Officers and Quarter-Masters,—The dress uniform of the officers and quarter-masters of the light dragoons to be made according to the King's regulation of the 19th of December, 1768, excepting that the coats are to be blue, and faced with the same colour as the private men, and that the royal regiments are to be faced with scarlet.

Field Uniform of the Officers and Quarter-Masters,—The jacket and shell to be made up in the same manner as those of the men, excepting that the shell is to have sleeves, and that the looping is to be of silver, the Thirteenth regiment excepted, which is to be of gold.

Serjeants,—To be distinguished by gold or silver looping.

Corporals,—To be distinguished by a gold or silver cord round the collar and cuff.

Trumpeters,—To have a jacket and shell the colour of the facing of the regiment, with lace instead of looping in front and down the seams.

N.B.—A pattern suit of clothing, made up according to these regulations, will be deposited at the Army-Comptroller's Office, Horse Guards.

1785

The Seventh Light Dragoons marched, in the summer of 1785, into quarters in Sussex, where the following order, dated Horse Guards, February 6, 1786, was received:—

Sir,—His Majesty has been pleased to order, that the colonels commanding regiments of Light Dragoons shall, for the future, supply them with blue cloaks, instead of red, in proportion as the red ones, now in use, wear out, and that new cloaks shall become necessary.

I have, &c.,
(Signed)William Fawcett,
Adjutant-General.

1786
1787
1788
1789

In May, 1786, the Seventh dragoons were removed to Guildford, and in July to Maidstone; in 1787 they marched to Canterbury; and afterwards to Greenwich and adjacent villages, from whence they proceeded to Norwich; they passed the summer of 1788 in Nottinghamshire; in the following winter they proceeded to the vicinity of London, and after occupying cantonments at Staines a few months, resumed their former quarters at Hounslow, &c., in April, 1789, and took part in the escort duty for the royal family.

1790
1791
1792

Having been relieved from escort duty, the regiment marched, in June, 1790, into cantonments in Sussex, the head-quarters being established at Lewes, from whence they were removed, in April, 1791, to Brighton, and in June of the same year to Canterbury. In the summer of 1792 the regiment marched to Nottingham.

1793

A revolution had in the mean time taken place in France, and the tyrannical and barbarous proceedings of the republicans, who had seized on the powers of the government in that kingdom, filled Europe with wonder and with abhorrence of the ruthless perpetrators of the numerous tragedies which took place; their crimes were increased by the execution of their sovereign Louis XVI.; the British ambassador consequently received instructions to quit Paris, and active preparations were made for war. Two troops were added to the Queen's Own light dragoons, and in the spring of 1793 four troops, under the command of Major Osborne, embarked for the Netherlands, to form part of the army under His Royal Highness the duke of York, designed to co-operate with the allies in repelling the aggressions of the French republic on Holland and the Austrian Netherlands. The depôt troops were stationed at Manchester.

Having joined the forces commanded by the duke of York, the two squadrons of the Seventh took part in the operations of the army. After retiring from before Dunkirk, the troops re-assembled at Furnes and Dixmude, and were stationed for some time on the frontier of West Flanders. His royal highness having resolved to make every possible effort for the protection of the Austrian Netherlands, determined to re-capture Menin, and, as a diversion to favour this design, Major-General Abercromby was directed to attack Lannoy with a body of troops, of which a squadron of the Seventh formed a part. The attack was made on the 28th of October: the French having been driven from the town by the artillery, the light dragoons galloped forward in pursuit with distinguished gallantry, overtook their opponents, cut down one hundred with their sabres, took fifty-nine prisoners, and captured five pieces of artillery, besides tumbrils and baggage waggons, for which they were honoured with the approbation of Major-General Abercromby and of His Royal Highness the duke of York. The only loss sustained by the Seventh, on this occasion, was two men wounded.

The regiment performed much hard service on out-post duty during the following winter.

1794

On the 16th of April, 1794, the regiment advanced to the heights above Cateau, where it was reviewed by the emperor of Germany, and on the succeeding day, supported the attack of the infantry and artillery on Prémont, Vaux, &c.

When the siege of Landrécies was undertaken, the Queen's Own formed part of the covering army encamped at Cateau. At day-break, on the 26th of April, while a thick fog covered the fields and villages near the British camp, a few pistol-shots in front gave indication that the advance-posts were engaged, and soon afterwards the piquets were seen retiring before crowds of French, whose movements were partly concealed by the fog. The Seventh were speedily mounted and formed in front of their camp-ground; the cannonade became louder and louder, and the fog clearing, the duke of York detached the cavalry of the right wing to turn the enemy's left flank, while the Seventh and Eleventh light dragoons' and two squadrons of Archduke Ferdinand's hussars, supported by several other corps, moved forward to reconnoitre the French column advancing from Prémont and Marets. Encountering their opponents in the plain of St. Celian, the Seventh and Eleventh light dragoons raised a loud shout and dashed furiously against the adverse ranks of war, while the German hussars joined gallantly in the charge, and the enemy was overthrown and pursued with dreadful carnage. The Seventh were distinguished for their heroic ardour and contempt of danger, and Lieutenant O'Laughlin eminently signalized himself. Twelve hundred Frenchmen fell in the charge and pursuit, and ten pieces of cannon, with eleven tumbrils filled with ammunition, were captured, exclusive of those taken by the remainder of the army. A writer who was present at this engagement (Robert Brown of the Coldstream guards), states in his Journal, published in 1795, "the Seventh and Eleventh light dragoons performed prodigies of valour on our left." The Duke of York observed in general orders, after complimenting several other corps, "Nor is the determined gallantry with which the Seventh and Eleventh light dragoons attacked the enemy on the left (notwithstanding their numbers), less worthy of every commendation." The loss of the regiment on this occasion was one man and seven horses killed, nineteen men and six horses wounded.

After the fall of Landrécies, the regiment proceeded by forced marches to the vicinity of Tournay; and on the 10th of May, when the French attacked the British position with thirty thousand men, it had another opportunity of signalizing itself. The enemy having failed in his attempt to turn the British left, directed his efforts against the centre. A favourable opportunity presenting itself, sixteen British and two Austrian squadrons were detached, under Lieut.-General Harcourt, against the enemy's right, and by a determined charge broke the French columns. A second charge proved decisive; the French were defeated, and the British troops were thanked in general orders for their excellent conduct. The Seventh had six horses killed; four men and four horses wounded; and two horses missing.

A general attack having been resolved upon, with the view of compelling the French to evacuate Flanders, the Queen's Own light dragoons were selected to take part in this enterprise, and were attached to one of the columns, under His Royal Highness the Duke of York, which advanced at an early hour on the morning of the 17th of May, to the vicinity of Lannoy, where the troops halted a short period, until a thick fog cleared off, when they resumed their march. Arriving at Roubaix, the place was gallantly captured, and the troops reposed a few hours in the town. As the sun was declining in the western horizon, and the shades of evening were gathering over the provinces of Flanders, Lieut.-General Abercromby received orders to attack a village two miles distant, called Mouvaux, which was situated on a rising ground, surrounded by palisades and entrenchments, protected by flanking redoubts, and defended by a strong body of republican troops. This enterprise was undertaken with cheerful alacrity; the flank battalion of the foot guards stormed the works, and the Seventh light dragoons, led by Lieut.-Colonel William Osborne, (a most gallant officer, who had been twenty years in the regiment[6]), made a detour round the village, followed by the Fifteenth light dragoons, under Lieut.-Colonel Churchill. As the French soldiers began to give way before the furious onset of the foot guards, and issuing from among the houses, attempted to escape by the rear of the village, they were charged by the two cavalry regiments with the most distinguished bravery. The Seventh were in front on this occasion; arriving at a chevaux-de-frise, a few men of the regiment dismounted, and, though exposed to a sharp fire of musketry, cleared a space for the troops to pass, when the two regiments rushed with terrific violence upon the French infantry, broke their ranks, and cut them down with a dreadful slaughter, capturing three guns. When the two regiments returned from the pursuit, the evening was far advanced, and they passed the night in the village.

The Austrians having failed in several of their points of attack, the enemy was enabled to bring nearly his whole force against the daring Britons who had thus attacked his position; and the morning of the 18th of May was ushered in by a tremendous cannonade. Multitudes of French cavalry, infantry, and artillery, appeared advancing in every direction; and by nine o'clock, Lieut.-General Abercromby found the few men he had with him nearly surrounded by crowds of opponents; at the same time he received orders from the Duke of York to retire to the heights behind Roubaix. He fell back fighting; and as he passed through the town, his rear was pressed by hosts of enemies, who followed, shouting and assailing the British with grape and musketry. From Roubaix the division proceeded towards Lannoy; being beset by superior numbers, the soldiers had to dispute every foot of ground, and to keep up a running fight. The Seventh and Fifteenth light dragoons were constantly engaged on the flanks and in the rear. Lannoy being found occupied by the French, the British division took to the fields, passing over hedges and ditches, constantly fighting crowds of opponents, the light cavalry evincing the most noble ardour and intrepidity; and the Seventh thus exhibiting, under accumulated disasters and difficulties, the innate bravery of Britons, and the great value of light cavalry. One of the foot guards who was present (Browne), observes in his Journal, "Our British light cavalry which were with us (the Seventh, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth) performed wonders of valour, charging the enemy with unexampled courage whenever they approached; it was no uncommon thing to see one of them attack three of the French dragoons at once, in order to rescue the prisoners they were carrying off. It was owing to their bravery that so few prisoners were taken; they also retook numbers from the enemy. As soon as we reached the village of Templeuve, we halted and formed; and from thence marched to our former position, behind the village of Blandin. Our loss proved to be very inconsiderable to what might have been expected, for it was rather to be wondered at that one of us escaped." The loss of the Seventh was, four horses killed; six men and ten horses wounded; and fifteen men and thirty-two horses prisoners of war and missing. The conduct of the British on this trying occasion was highly commended by the Emperor of Germany; and the Duke of York expressed his approbation of the valour and firmness of the corps engaged.

The troops returned to their former position in front of Tournay, where the British were attacked on the 22nd of May; they repulsed their opponents, who were forced to retire with the loss of seven pieces of artillery. The loss of the Seventh on this occasion was limited to one troop horse.

The immense numbers which the enemy was enabled to bring forward, at length forced the allies to retreat from the Austrian Netherlands to the United Provinces; and during this retrograde movement the Seventh were frequently engaged in out-post duty, in covering the retiring army, and in numerous rencounters with detachments of French cavalry.

Tn August the army was encamped near Breda, on a large plain bestrewed with the vestiges of war, to give the Dutch an opportunity of putting the fortress in a state of defence. While at this camp, a piquet of the Seventh and Sixteenth light dragoons surprised one of the enemy's out-guards. The French dragoons fled at the first onset; and many of them forsook their horses to escape across walls and other fences where mounted troopers could not pursue them; seven men were, however, made prisoners, and forty horses were captured.