The Project Gutenberg eBook, Historical Record of the Sixth, or Inniskilling Regiment of Dragoons , by Richard Cannon

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HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SIXTH, OR INNISKILLING REGIMENT
OF
DRAGOONS:

CONTAINING

AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
In 1689,

AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
To 1846.

COMPILED BY

RICHARD CANNON, Esq.

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, HORSE-GUARDS.

ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES OF THE GUIDONS, AND OF THE UNIFORM
IN 1742, 1825, AND 1843.

LONDON:

PARKER, FURNIVALL, & PARKER,

30, CHARING CROSS.

M DCCC XLVII.

London:—Printed by W. Clowes & Sons, Duke Street, Stamford Street,
For Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

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.

INTRODUCTION.

The ancient Armies of England were composed of Horse and Foot; but the feudal troops established by William the Conqueror in 1086, consisted almost entirely of Horse. Under the feudal system, every holder of land amounting to what was termed a "knight's fee," was required to provide a charger, a coat of mail, a helmet, a shield, and a lance, and to serve the Crown a period of forty days in each year at his own expense; and the great landholders had to provide armed men in proportion to the extent of their estates; consequently the ranks of the feudal Cavalry were completed with men of property, and the vassals and tenants of the great barons, who led their dependents to the field in person.

In the succeeding reigns the Cavalry of the Army was composed of Knights (or men at arms) and Hobiliers (or horsemen of inferior degree); and the Infantry of spears and battle-axe men, cross-bowmen, and archers. The Knights wore armour on every part of the body, and their weapons were a lance, a sword, and a small dagger. The Hobiliers were accoutred and armed for the light and less important services of war, and were not considered qualified for a charge in line. Mounted Archers[1] were also introduced, and the English nation eventually became pre-eminent in the use of the bow.

About the time of Queen Mary the appellation of "Men at Arms" was changed to that of "Spears and Launces." The introduction of fire-arms ultimately occasioned the lance to fall into disuse, and the title of the Horsemen of the first degree was changed to "Cuirassiers." The Cuirassiers were armed cap-à-pié, and their weapons were a sword with a straight narrow blade and sharp point, and a pair of large pistols, called petronels; and the Hobiliers carried carbines. The Infantry carried pikes, matchlocks, and swords. The introduction of fire-arms occasioned the formation of Regiments armed and equipped as infantry, but mounted on small horses for the sake of expedition of movement, and these were styled "Dragoons;" a small portion of the military force of the kingdom, however, consisted of this description of troops.

The formation of the present Army commenced after the Restoration in 1660, with the establishment of regular corps of Horse and Foot; the Horsemen were cuirassiers, but only wore armour on the head and body; and the Foot were pikemen and musketeers. The arms which each description of force carried, are described in the following extract from the "Regulations of King Charles II.," dated 5th May, 1663:—

"Each Horseman to have for his defensive armes, back, breast, and pot; and for his offensive armes, a sword, and a case of pistolls, the barrels whereof are not to be und^r. foorteen inches in length; and each Trooper of Our Guards to have a carbine besides the aforesaid armes. And the Foote to have each souldier a sword, and each pikeman a pike of 16 foote long and not und^r.; and each musqueteer a musquet with a collar of bandaliers, the barrell of which musquet to be about foor foote long, and to conteine a bullet, foorteen of which shall weigh a pound weight[2]."

The ranks of the Troops of Horse were at this period composed of men of some property—generally the sons of substantial yeomen: the young men received as recruits provided their own horses, and they were placed on a rate of pay sufficient to give them a respectable station in society.

On the breaking out of the war with Holland in the spring of 1672, a Regiment of Dragoons was raised[3]; the Dragoons were placed on a lower rate of pay than the Horse, and the Regiment was armed similar to the Infantry, excepting that a limited number of the men carried halberds instead of pikes, and the others muskets and bayonets; and a few men in each troop had pistols; as appears by a warrant dated the 2nd of April, 1672, of which the following is an extract:—

"Charles R.

"Our will and pleasure is, that a Regiment of Dragoones which we have established and ordered to be raised, in twelve Troopes of fourscore in each beside officers, who are to be under the command of Our most deare and most intirely beloved Cousin Prince Rupert, shall be armed out of Our stoares remaining within Our office of the Ordinance, as followeth; that is to say, three corporalls, two serjeants, the gentlemen at armes, and twelve souldiers of each of the said twelve Troopes, are to have and carry each of them one halbard, and one case of pistolls with holsters; and the rest of the souldiers of the several Troopes aforesaid, are to have and to carry each of them one match-locke musquet, with a collar of bandaliers, and also to have and to carry one bayonet[4], or great knive. That each lieutenant have and carry one partizan; and that two drums be delivered out for each Troope of the said Regiment[5]."

Several regiments of Horse and Dragoons were raised in the first year of the reign of King James II.; and the horsemen carried a short carbine[6] in addition to the sword and pair of pistols: and in a Regulation dated the 21st of February, 1687, the arms of the Dragoons at that period were commanded to be as follows:—

"The Dragoons to have snaphanse musquets, strapt, with bright barrels of three foote eight inches long, cartouch-boxes, bayonetts, granado pouches, buckets, and hammer-hatchetts."

After several years' experience, little advantage was found to accrue from having Cavalry Regiments formed almost exclusively for engaging the enemy on foot; and, the Horse having laid aside their armour, the arms and equipment of Horse and Dragoons were so nearly assimilated, that there remained little distinction besides the name and rate of pay. The introduction of improvements into the mounting, arming, and equipment of Dragoons rendered them competent to the performance of every description of service required of Cavalry; and, while the long musket and bayonet were retained, to enable them to act as Infantry, if necessary, they were found to be equally efficient, and of equal value to the nation, as Cavalry, with the Regiments of Horse.

In the several augmentations made to the regular Army after the early part of the reign of Queen Anne, no new Regiments of Horse were raised for permanent service; and in 1746 King George II. reduced three of the old Regiments of Horse to the quality and pay of Dragoons; at the same time, His Majesty gave them the title of First, Second, and Third Regiments of Dragoon Guards: and in 1788 the same alteration was made in the remaining four Regiments of Horse, which then became the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Regiments of Dragoon Guards.

At present there are only three Regiments which are styled Horse in the British Army, namely, the two Regiments of Life Guards, and the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, to whom cuirasses have recently been restored. The other Cavalry Regiments consist of Dragoon Guards, Heavy and Light Dragoons, Hussars, and Lancers; and although the long musket and bayonet have been laid aside by the whole of the Cavalry, and the Regiments are armed and equipped on the principle of the old Horse (excepting the cuirass), they continue to be styled Dragoons.

The old Regiments of Horse formed a highly respectable and efficient portion of the Army, and it is found, on perusing the histories of the various campaigns in which they have been engaged, that they have, on all occasions, maintained a high character for steadiness and discipline as well as for bravery in action. They were formerly mounted on horses of superior weight and physical power, and few troops could withstand a well-directed charge of the celebrated British Horse. The records of these corps embrace a period of 150 years—a period eventful in history, and abounding in instances of heroism displayed by the British troops when danger has threatened the nation,—a period in which these Regiments have numbered in their ranks men of loyalty, valour, and good conduct, worthy of imitation.

Since the Regiments of Horse were formed into Dragoon Guards, additional improvements have been introduced into the constitution of the several corps; and the superior description of horses now bred in the United Kingdom, enables the commanding officers to remount their regiments with such excellent horses, that, whilst sufficient weight has been retained for a powerful charge in line, a lightness has been acquired, which renders them available for every description of service incident to modern warfare.

The orderly conduct of these Regiments in quarters has gained the confidence and esteem of the respectable inhabitants of the various parts of the United Kingdom in which they have been stationed; their promptitude and alacrity in attending to the requisitions of the magistrates in periods of excitement, and the temper, patience, and forbearance which they have evinced when subjected to great provocation, insult, and violence from the misguided populace, prove the value of these troops to the Crown, and to the Government of the country, and justify the reliance which is reposed on them.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] In the 14th year of the reign of Edward IV. a small force was established in Ireland by Parliament, consisting of 120 Archers on horseback, 40 Horsemen, and 40 Pages.

[2] Military Papers, State Paper Office.

[3] This Regiment was disbanded after the Peace of 1674.

[4] This appears to be the first introduction of bayonets into the English Army.

[5] State Paper Office.

[6] The first issue of carbines to the regular Horse appears to have taken place in 1684; the Life Guards, however, carried carbines from their formation in 1660.—Vide the 'Historical Record of the Life Guards.'

THE SIXTH,

OR

THE INNISKILLING DRAGOONS,

BEAR, AS A REGIMENTAL BADGE,

THE CASTLE OF INNISKILLING;

WITH THE WORD "INNISKILLING" UNDERNEATH,
COMMEMORATIVE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE
REGIMENT WAS FORMED IN 1689;

ALSO THE WORD

"WATERLOO,"

AS A TESTIMONY OF THEIR DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY
AT THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO,
ON THE 18th OF JUNE,

1815.

CONTENTS.

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS.

Colours of the Sixth (Inniskilling) Dragoons.

[To face page 1.

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE SIXTH,

OR,

THE INNISKILLING REGIMENT

OF

DRAGOONS.

The circumstances under which the formation of the Sixth, or the Inniskilling Regiment of Dragoons, took place, derived their origin from the political events of the reign of King James II., and from the diversity of religious sentiments entertained by His Majesty's subjects in Ireland.

1172
1370
1534
1660
1684

In the twelfth century (1172) Ireland, which had been divided into a number of independent states, of which Munster, Leinster, Meath, Ulster, and Connaught were principal sovereignties, submitted to the authority of the English monarch Henry II. The religion of the people was the Roman Catholic, the same as generally prevailed in other parts of Europe; but two centuries afterwards, the introduction of the reformed religion commenced (1370), and was completed in England in 1534, in the reign of Henry VIII.; it, however, made little progress in Ireland, where the majority of the inhabitants continued Roman Catholics. The English, having embraced the Protestant religion, extended their reformed ecclesiastical institutions to Ireland, where many Protestant families fixed their residence and obtained possessions. The differences in religion, unfortunately, created hostile feelings between the English and Irish; commotions occurred, and a military establishment was found necessary. This consisted of various numbers at different periods: after the Restoration in 1660, the Army of Ireland was composed of twenty troops of horse, a regiment of foot guards, and seventy companies of foot; which were formed into three regiments of cavalry and eight of infantry, including the (Irish) foot guards[7], in 1684. In the following year King James II. ascended the throne, and instead of overlooking the nominal distinctions among his subjects, and seeking to promote the welfare of all, he commenced his endeavours to re-establish the Roman Catholic religion in the three kingdoms, by the most arbitrary proceedings in Ireland. Opposite views and interests were thus brought into collision; evil passions were called forth, which produced effects contrary to those designed, and the results embroiled Ireland in intestine war, and involved many families in misery. The King also commenced arbitrary proceedings in England, where a number of noblemen and gentlemen of property and influence, united in soliciting the Prince of Orange to come to England with an army to aid them in opposing the measures of the Court.

1688

In the autumn of 1688 the Prince of Orange prepared an armament for England, when the army in Ireland was augmented with men of the Roman Catholic religion, who, not obtaining regular pay, were permitted to seize on the property of Protestants for subsistence: persecutions were also commenced against the latter, and a report was circulated of a design to massacre all persons of the reformed religion, on a named day, when many families fled to England, and others prepared to defend themselves.

Appearing on the western coast of England, as the supporter of civil and religious liberty, the Prince of Orange landed his army on the 5th of November; he was welcomed by the people,—joined by many noblemen,—by officers of rank and distinction, and by a number of soldiers, and he advanced by triumphant marches to the capital, where his arrival was celebrated with public rejoicings: King James vacated the throne, and escaped to France.

These events afforded the strongest encouragement to the Protestants of Ireland to make a bold resistance to the proceedings of their opponents, and to join in the same Revolution which had secured the blessings of a constitutional monarchy, and of religious liberty, for England. The principles of self-defence stimulated them to make a daring effort for the preservation of their liberties, in the hope of being aided from England; and from the opposition thus made to illegal aggression, the Sixth, or the Inniskilling, Regiment of Dragoons, derived its origin.

The city of Londonderry, so called in consequence of a number of Londoners having settled there in the reign of James I., was garrisoned by Lord Montjoy's regiment, which had many Protestants in it: this corps was ordered to march towards Dublin, and the Earl of Antrim's newly-raised corps, all Catholics, was expected to be ready to take charge of the garrison; but some delay occurring, a town guard was organised; and when the Earl of Antrim's regiment approached, it was refused admittance: the gates of the city were closed on the 7th of December, and the most determined resistance evinced by the inhabitants, who were encouraged by David Cairnes, Esq., of Knockmany, and other zealous gentlemen.

About the same period the inhabitants of Inniskilling refused to allow two companies of Sir Thomas Newcomen's regiment to enter their town. Thus two important places were preserved from the power of the adherents of King James, and a military force was organised for their protection. Gustavus Hamilton, Esq., was elected governor of Inniskilling, and colonel of the troops of horse and companies of foot formed there, and Thomas Lloyd, Esq., lieutenant-colonel. Colonel Lundy was governor of Londonderry, situate about fifty-five English miles from Inniskilling. The Protestant inhabitants of the north of Ireland enrolled themselves for their mutual defence; but those who fell into the power of the adherents of King James were deprived of their arms and property, and treated with great severity.

1689

The early part of the year 1689 was spent in active preparations for defence: a corps of horse, another of dragoons, and eight battalions of foot were formed, and applications were forwarded to England for military stores.

In February, the Prince and Princess of Orange were elevated to the throne, by the title of King William and Queen Mary, and their accession was proclaimed at Inniskilling on the 11th of March. On the following day King James landed at Kinsale from France; he was accompanied by five thousand French troops, and made his public entry into Dublin on the 24th of March, three days after the accession of William and Mary had been proclaimed at Londonderry.

In the mean time several encounters had taken place between the forces of King James and the newly-raised Protestant corps in the north of Ireland, in which many of the latter were overpowered; but the Inniskilling men were conspicuous for personal bravery, which they evinced on several occasions, and by their valour they preserved themselves from many of the calamities which befel others. On the approach of Lord Galmoy with a detachment of King James's army, the country people, fearing a general massacre, fled with their cattle and effects to Inniskilling. King James's troops besieged Crom Castle; but were driven from before the place with loss; and a party of his dragoons was seized at Armagh; a most gallant action was performed by two troops of horse and three companies of foot, under Mr. Matthew Anketill, by which Monaghan Castle was preserved; and on the 12th of March Lord Blayney defeated a body of the Irish at Ardtray bridge. The success was, however, not always on one side: Captain Henry Hunter and a band of armed Protestants were surprised and destroyed, near Comber; and a party of Inniskilling men were slaughtered on the banks of the Aughaclane.

The army of King James advanced against Londonderry, to which city the Protestants of that part of the country fled as to their last refuge, and they defended the place with heroic gallantry against the numerous army by which it was besieged.

Colonels Thomas Cunningham and Solomon Richards arrived at Lough Foyle in the middle of April, with their regiments, the ninth and seventeenth foot, for the support of Derry; but in consequence of the misrepresentations of the governor, Colonel Lundy, who stated that there was not provision in the town for more than ten days, and that an army of 25,000 men was near the gates, they returned to England. The governor and town-council were desirous of surrendering; but when King James approached the town with his army, the garrison broke through all restraint—fired on the besieging force, killed several men, threatened to hang the governor and council for tampering with the enemy, and declared their resolution to defend the place to the last extremity. The governor escaped in disguise; a new council was chosen; and the Reverend George Walker and Major Thomas Baker were nominated joint-governors during the siege.

The attack made by the army of King James having been repulsed, the town was invested on the 20th of April. The garrison of Londonderry consisted of seven thousand untrained countrymen, without engineers; the town was not well fortified; twenty guns only were on the walls, and not one of them well mounted; yet the city was successfully defended, for more than three months, against a formidable army, which proves how much depends on bravery and resolution. The garrison made several gallant sorties, and inflicted severe loss on the besieging troops.

Meanwhile the Inniskilling men under Gustavus Hamilton were not inactive. Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd made a successful incursion into the enemy's quarters, took and burnt the fortifications of Augher, and returned to Inniskilling with an immense number of cattle. The same officer routed a body of King James's troops at Belleek, killing a hundred soldiers, taking thirty prisoners, and capturing two guns; and he threw a relief into Ballyshannon on the 8th of May, without the loss of a man, which proved a brilliant commencement of aggressive warfare: he also captured the enemy's garrison at Redhill, and the castle of Ballynecarreg, in the county of Cavan; and Captains Francis Gore and Arnold Crosbie brought off two hundred troop horses from a pasture at Omagh, which mounted three troops of Inniskilling men.

The garrison of Londonderry becoming distressed for want of provisions, the Inniskilling men advanced to its relief; but the approach of a body of troops, under Major-General Sarsfield, to besiege Ballyshannon, and of another, under Colonel Sutherland, to Belturbet, with the view of besieging the town of Inniskilling, obliged them to return and defend their own quarters. The gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd was detached against Belturbet, from whence Colonel Sutherland fled, on the 15th of June, leaving a detachment of dragoons to defend the church, who surrendered, and the Inniskilling men gained possession of a supply of ammunition and provisions, eighty troop horses with accoutrements, and seven hundred muskets, which enabled them to equip themselves better than before, and to add several new companies to their levies.

Meanwhile the garrison of Londonderry continued to defend that fortress with sanguinary perseverance, and few days passed without King James's army sustaining severe loss from the sallies of the resolute defenders of the place. The want of provisions occasioned the loss of many men from dysentery; and Governor Baker dying on the 30th of June, Colonel Mitchelburne was elected joint-governor with the Reverend Mr. Walker. The cruelties exercised on the inhabitants of the neighbouring towns and villages, to induce the garrison to surrender, stimulated the men to resistance. Major-General Kirke arrived on the 30th of June with two regiments of foot (the second and eleventh), and a supply of arms, ammunition and provisions, but was prevented from approaching the town by forts on the banks, and a boom across the river. After waiting a few days, he landed on the island of Inch, where he threw up entrenchments, and being joined by a number of countrymen, he formed the design of assembling a sufficient force for relieving the town by land. On the 12th of July he was visited on board his vessel by the Reverend Andrew Hamilton, and Mr. John Rider, who represented to him the state of affairs at Inniskilling, and obtained a supply of arms, ammunition, and eight field-pieces; also commissions for a regiment of horse to be commanded by Colonel William Wolseley,—a regiment of dragoons of twelve troops, commanded by Colonel James Wynne (afterwards the fifth, or Royal Irish dragoons), and three regiments of foot, commanded by Colonels Zachariah Tiffin (now twenty-seventh), Gustavus Hamilton, and Thomas Lloyd, with a troop of cavalry to be attached to each battalion of infantry.

Before these corps were embodied, King James's generals, designing to crush the intrepid Inniskilling bands at once, sent three bodies of troops against them. Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd, by a forced march of twenty miles, surprised one division, under Major-General Sarsfield, in their camp by night, and although his opponents were five times more numerous than his own party he routed them with a dreadful slaughter. The Duke of Berwick, advancing with the second body of King James's army, destroyed two companies of Inniskilling foot sent forward to secure a pass, but when he came to the defences made to cover the approach to the town, he did not venture to attack them, but withdrew, and was soon afterwards ordered to join the army before Londonderry: he subsequently skirmished with a body of men which Major-General Kirke had landed at Rathmetan, but failed to dislodge them.

The third division of King James's army advancing against Inniskilling was commanded by Major-General Justin M'Carthy, who had been created Viscount Mountcashel, and it was more formidable than the other two; but the Inniskilling men had become emboldened by success, and they fearlessly advanced to meet their more numerous antagonists. Their leading column encountered and routed the Viscount Mountcashel's advance-guard, between Linaskea and Inniskilling on the 30th of July, slew two hundred men, and took thirty prisoners. In the afternoon of the same day, the Inniskilling forces, amounting to about two thousand men, under Colonel Wolseley, attacked the opposing army, of very superior numbers, in a formidable position at Newton Butler. By forcing their way over numerous difficulties, and traversing a dangerous bog, the Inniskilling men were enabled to assail the front of the adverse host, and their attack was made with so much audacity and heroic ardour, that the opposing ranks were panic-stricken, and fled in dismay. The gallant Inniskilling men pursued at speed, and overtaking their adversaries among the bogs and loughs, slaughtered two thousand fugitives; about five hundred were drowned in attempting to escape across the deep waters, and nearly five hundred more were taken prisoners, including Viscount Mountcashel, and Colonel Anthony Hamilton. This surprising victory was gained with the loss of twenty men killed, and fifty wounded. Among the trophies of the day were one iron and seven brass guns, a number of standards and colours, a quantity of military stores, and the whole of the enemy's baggage.

Many of the Inniskilling men, who had evinced great personal bravery, had not been regimented, and Sir Albert Cunningham, a gentleman highly esteemed in the county, and who had been deprived of the appointment of Lieutenant-General of the Ordnance in Ireland, by King James, for his adherence to the reformed religion, was authorized to embody six hundred men, into a regiment of dragoons of twelve troops, of which he was appointed colonel; and the corps, thus formed of the distinguished champions for the institutions of their country, having been retained in the service of the Crown to the present period, now bears the title of the Sixth, or the Inniskilling, Regiment of Dragoons.

While the most signal success attended the gallant Inniskilling men, the garrison of Londonderry was distressed for want of provisions, and on the day that the battle of Newton Butler was fought, the ships Montjoy of Londonderry, and Phœnix of Coleraine, convoyed by the Dartmouth frigate, forced the boom under a heavy fire from the banks of the river, and, after encountering many difficulties, anchored at the ship-quay, to the great joy and relief of the brave defenders of the town. King James's generals were so dispirited by this success, and the loss at Newton Butler, that on the night of the 31st of July they raised the siege, which had occupied one hundred and five days, and retired, having lost from eight to nine thousand men, and many officers, in their fruitless attempt to reduce the city.

Thus terminated the siege of Londonderry, which from the circumstances of its commencement, the sufferings endured during its progress, and the determined conduct of its brave defenders, ranks among the glorious achievements recorded in the annals of war. Governor Walker proceeded to England with an address, on the occasion, to King William and Queen Mary, and was received at Court with all the honour due to his distinguished services.

In the mean time an army was raising in England to aid in rescuing Ireland from the power of King James, and was placed under the orders of the veteran Marshal Frederick Duke Schomberg, who arrived in Ireland in August, with ten thousand men, and besieged Carrickfergus, which surrendered before the end of the month.

Twelve troops of Wolseley's horse, six troops of Wynne's (late fifth Royal Irish), and six of Cunningham's (now Sixth) dragoons, Tiffin's (now twenty-seventh) Inniskilling foot, and Mitchelburne's Londonderry regiment (afterwards disbanded), joined the army commanded by the Duke Schomberg, and were employed in the operations of the campaign. The Inniskilling troopers had made their name a terror to their opponents, and were highly esteemed in the English army. Story, the historian of these wars, states, 'I went three miles beyond the camp, where I met the Inniskilling horse and dragoons, whom the Duke had ordered to be an advance-guard to his army. I wondered much to see their horses and equipage, hearing before what feats had been done by them. They were three regiments in all, and most of the troopers and dragoons had their waiting-men mounted upon garrons (small horses); some of them had holsters, and others their pistols hung at their sword-belts.'

The same author adds, 'If these men had been permitted to go on in their old forward way, it is probable they would have saved the town of Newry being burnt.'

The Inniskilling cavalry performed several feats of gallantry, on detached services, during the period the army was at the unhealthy camp at Dundalk; and subsequently returned to their own country for winter quarters.

1690

Previous to the 1st of January, 1690, the Inniskilling cavalry had been considered more as corps of mounted militia, or of yeomanry cavalry, than as regular troops; but at that period the Inniskilling and Londonderry forces were placed on the establishment of the regular army. The following is an extract from King William's warrant on the occasion:—

'WILLIAM R.

'Whereas we have thought fit to forme a regiment of horse, together with two regiments of dragoons, and three regiments of foot, out of Our Inniskilling forces, and to take them into our pay and entertainment, we do hereby pass this Our establishment of the said forces, to commence on the 1st day of January, 1689-90, in the first year of our reign[8].'

Cunningham's Inniskilling dragoons formed part of the force with which Colonel Wolseley captured the town of Belturbet, which was occupied as a frontier garrison. The colonel having afterwards learnt that his opponents were about to assemble at Cavan, to attack his quarters, left Belturbet on the evening of the 10th of February, 1690, with three troops of horse, two of the Inniskilling dragoons, and seven hundred foot of Kirke's (now second), Wharton's (now twelfth), Tiffin's (now twenty-seventh), and proceeded by a circuitous route towards Cavan, with the intention of surprising his opponents in their quarters, before the arrival of their expected reinforcements. Having passed the river at midnight, at a ford two miles above Ballyhaise,—the infantry on horseback behind the troopers,—he moved quietly towards Cavan, but met with obstructions which delayed his march, and the day had dawned when he drew near the town, when, to his great astonishment, he saw upwards of three thousand men, commanded by the Duke of Berwick, formed on a rising ground to oppose him. The disparity of numbers was great; but trusting to the innate valour of his soldiers, he sent forward a hundred Inniskilling dragoons to commence the action. As they advanced along a narrow lane, they were galled by the fire of musketry from behind the hedges, charged by a body of cavalry, and driven back; but a volley from the musketeers checked the enemy, and the troops continued their march. After deploying in front of the enemy, a reserve was ordered to halt, and Colonel Wolseley advanced with the remainder in order of battle. As he ascended the position, the enemy raised a loud shout and fired a volley; but the balls passed over the heads of Wolseley's men, who continued to advance until they arrived within forty paces of their opponents, and then opened a sharp fire with good effect. The infantry, slinging their muskets, were about to charge sword in hand, when, the smoke clearing away, they discovered King James's infantry flying to the fort in a panic, and the cavalry galloping towards the town. Wolseley's men rushed forward, and entering the town, found stores of provisions, shoes, ammunition, and brass money; the temptation being great, they commenced plundering, when the enemy's infantry sallied out of the fort, and resumed the fight. Wolseley attacked them with his reserve, and the soldiers hurrying out of the town, and joining in the contest, their opponents were driven back with the loss of three hundred men killed, and about two hundred taken prisoners; the Duke of Berwick narrowly escaped, having had his horse killed under him.

Colonel Wolseley had about thirty men killed. He observed, in his public despatch, 'Our men showed on this, as on former occasions, a very great forwardness to engage the enemy, notwithstanding the inequality of their numbers, and gave new proofs of their courage and bravery, particularly Major-General Kirke's men[9].' After destroying the stores and ammunition which they were unable to remove, the detachment returned to its quarters; and the enemy, having discovered the resolute character of the troops in Belturbet, laid aside the design of attacking them.

On the night of the 4th of March, a detachment of Inniskilling cavalry, with fifty men of Colonel Erle's regiment, scoured the country to the vicinity of Cavan; and on the following morning attacked and carried a fortified post at Butler's bridge, killing twenty men and taking sixteen prisoners; then joining another detachment, drove a body of the enemy from the houses of Cavan, and completed the destruction of the town.

Provisions becoming scarce at Belturbet, Colonel Wolseley sent out two hundred Inniskilling horse and dragoons, who scoured the country beyond Cavan and captured a thousand head of cattle. Returning with their booty, they found four hundred of the enemy formed up at the river to oppose their passage; undaunted by superior numbers, the Inniskilling troopers rushed, sword in hand, upon their antagonists, and a few moments' conflict decided the fortune of the day; forty of King James's soldiers lay dead on the field, eight were taken prisoners, and the remainder escaped; the Inniskilling men proceeded with their booty to Belturbet.

On the 6th of April another detachment of seven hundred men, from the regiments of Kirke, Erle, and Groven's Danes, with a party of Inniskilling horse and dragoons, advanced from Belturbet to the castle of Killeshandra, which they besieged and captured after a slight resistance; and in May a detachment of Cunningham's Inniskilling dragoons was engaged in the capture of the castle of Ballinacargy. Thus these gallant horsemen succeeded in every enterprise in which they were engaged, their fame spread to distant parts, and they were a terror to their adversaries. They ventured on the most dangerous undertakings, and a detachment scoured the country to Kells, within twenty-seven miles of Dublin, and returned with a supply of cattle and provisions.

In June, King William arrived in Ireland, accompanied by Prince George of Denmark, and a number of noblemen; the eyes of all Europe were fixed on that country, where two kings were to contend for a crown on a public theatre, and the singular spectacle was exhibited of two princes (the Prince of Orange and the Prince of Denmark) fighting against the father of their wives (King James), and of a nephew at the head of an army against his uncle; it was, however, a contest between liberty and slavery,—between constitutional freedom and despotism. King William headed his army of English, Dutch, Brandenburgers, Danes, and French; and King James took up a position behind the river Boyne, with his own forces, and six thousand French and Swiss troops, furnished by Louis XIV.

On the 1st of July a general engagement took place, when the Inniskilling dragoons had the honour of distinguishing themselves under the eye of their sovereign. On this occasion, the right wing of the English army, under the Count de Schomberg, and the centre under the Duke Schomberg, had forced the passage of the river, and were engaged, when King William drew his sword, and placing himself at the head of four troops of the Inniskilling cavalry, told them, that having heard a great deal of their bravery, he had no doubt of witnessing it, and he led them towards the river, followed by several other corps of cavalry and infantry. The four captains requested His Majesty not to expose his person by crossing the river within shot of the enemy, but his reply was, "I will see you over." When in the middle of the stream, a volley from a regiment of the enemy's dragoons brought down one man, killed Captain Blashford's horse, and one bullet struck one of His Majesty's pistols[10]. Arriving on the opposite bank, the King threw off the bandage from his shoulder, which had been wounded on the preceding day, and brandishing his sword, led the Inniskilling men, and other troops which had passed the river with him, against a body of King James's soldiers, three times more numerous than themselves, who were advancing towards him with fury. Intimidated by the dauntless bearing of the soldiers with King William, the enemy halted, faced about, and fled towards Donore; and the Inniskilling cavalry rushed forward, sword in hand, with great intrepidity. The other corps which had followed His Majesty, pursued the enemy as far as Donore, where they were charged by superior numbers, and forced back. The King again placed himself at the head of the brave Inniskilling soldiers, and while leading them forward, sustained a volley of musketry, from which several men and horses fell; he then turned to his left to enable his men to charge; this was mistaken for a signal for them also to wheel to the left, and they fell back a short distance; but quickly discovering their error, they confronted their adversaries, and dashing forward with distinguished gallantry, overthrew the opposing ranks. The battle exhibited all the horrors of civil war; English fought with English, Irish with Irish, and French against French; at the same time Dutch, Danes, Swiss, and Brandenburgers were mingled in the fray,—the colours and standards of various nations floating over the scene of combat. The Duke of Berwick's horse was killed, and he was trampled upon by the combatants. King William was in the hottest of the fight, encouraging his men, and the Inniskilling dragoons were seen bravely contending for the victory.

Scarcely had Sir Albert Cunningham's dragoons (now Sixth) reformed their ranks after the charge, when General de Ginkell, and a party of Dutch dragoons, were seen retreating in disorder along a narrow lane, followed by crowds of the enemy, shouting and brandishing their swords; part of the Inniskilling regiment instantly dismounted, also a detachment of Leveson's (now Third) dragoons, and throwing themselves into an old house, and lining the hedge of the lane, opened such a brisk fire, that the pursuing Irish faced about and fled. The cavalry returned to the charge; the adverse army sustained a decisive overthrow, and fled from the field. Story observes of this action, "Those of our English forces that were engaged, and had opportunity to show themselves, gave signal demonstrations of their courage and bravery; the Inniskilliners and French (protestants in King William's service), both horse and foot, did good service; and the Dutch guards deserve no small honour for their conduct on that day[11]."

No return of the loss of the regiment on this occasion has been met with; but at the muster at Finglas, seven days after the battle, it brought three hundred private dragoons into the field, which is nearly one hundred less than the establishment.

King James fled to Dublin, and immediately afterwards embarked for France; and King William, directing his march to the capital, gained possession of that city without loss. After this success, the Sixth dragoons formed part of a body of troops detached under Lieutenant-General Douglas against Athlone. Arriving before the town, a summons to surrender was sent to the governor, the veteran Colonel Grace, who fired a pistol at the messenger and declared his determination to defend the place. Not having artillery and ammunition sufficient to prosecute the siege, the troops withdrew from before the town, and rejoined the army.

The regiment was subsequently employed before Limerick, which city was besieged by the English army. On the 11th of August, as the regiment lay encamped near Limerick, information arrived of the destruction of the battering train on its march to join the army by a numerous body of Irish cavalry under Brigadier-General Sarsfield (formerly an officer of the English life guards); Sir Albert Cunningham instantly issued from the camp with two squadrons of his dragoons, and dashing across the country, intercepted one of the enemy's detachments, which he charged with signal gallantry, slew one major, one captain, and twenty men; but their main body escaped.

When King William raised the siege of Limerick and returned to England, Cunningham's dragoons were ordered into winter quarters; but were suddenly recalled in consequence of Brigadier-General Sarsfield having invested the castle of Birr, in the King's County:—after the flight of the enemy from before this post, they remained encamped near Birr, while additional fortifications were being raised, and subsequently went into quarters.

1691

In the month of May, 1691, several ships arrived at Dublin from England with men and provisions, and great diligence was used in preparing for an early and vigorous campaign: the Inniskilling dragoons took the field this summer, and joined the army commanded by Lieutenant-General de Ginkell, on the 6th of June, on its march towards Ballymore, which place was captured after a short resistance. Athlone was also taken, and the army advanced against the French and Irish forces under General St. Ruth, in position near Aghrim, in the county of Galway, about three miles beyond Ballinasloe.

Arriving in front of the enemy about mid-day on the 12th of July, the English and Dutch regiments of horse guards, and a squadron of Cunningham's dragoons, were sent forward to force the enemy from a pass in the middle of a bog which lay in front of the Irish army, in which service they succeeded; and two hundred men of the regiment drove the enemy from a ford on the right of the opposing army in gallant style, and from the pass of Urachree. St. Ruth sent forward fresh troops, and the Inniskilling dragoons being also supported, a considerable body of troops was soon engaged at this point, and the enemy was eventually driven back. The English generals met, and after some deliberation, resolved on a general engagement, and between four and five in the afternoon the battle began. After several hours' sharp fighting, in which the Inniskilling men gave fresh proofs of their innate bravery and contempt of danger, the adverse army sustained a decisive overthrow, and was chased from the field of battle until the darkness of the night and a thick misty rain put an end to the pursuit. During the action, the French general, St. Ruth, was killed by a cannon ball, as he rode down Kilcommoden hill, and his fall so dismayed King James's army that it was soon thrown into confusion and routed.

Cunningham's Inniskilling dragoons had one lieutenant, one cornet, and forty-one non-commissioned officers and private soldiers killed; one captain, one lieutenant, and twenty-seven men wounded on this occasion.

After the victory at Aghrim, the army advanced to Galway, and the Inniskilling dragoons were employed before this fortress during the siege, which was terminated on the 21st of July, by the surrender of the place. The English forces subsequently moved towards Limerick, where the wreck of King James's army was assembled; but Sir Albert Cunningham was left with his regiment of dragoons in the county of Galway.

Sligo was subsequently invested by a circular chain of posts at a distance from the town, and one troop of the Inniskilling dragoons was stationed at the abbey of Ashro, near Ballyshannon, and the remainder at Loughrea, Hedford, and Shrewl. The governor of Sligo, Sir Teague O'Regan, proposed conditions for surrendering the town; but afterwards receded, when a closer blockade of the place was resolved upon.

At the same time Sir Albert Cunningham was directed to proceed with his regiment to Castlebar, to join the Irish forces under Sir Baldearg O'Donnel, who had agreed to abandon the interests of King James, and to join the English army with his brigade.

This Baldearg, or Balderick, O'Donnel, was descended from one of the branches of the Tyrconnel family; his ancestors having fled to Spain after the rebellion of 1607, he was born and educated in that country. The Irish, with their characteristic superstition, cherished an idle prophecy, that a descendant of that old family, who would be distinguished by a red mark, as this man was, would free their country from the English yoke. The coincidence of his family and name,—Derg, or Darg, signifying red, induced them to send for him from Spain, and he arrived at Limerick in September, 1690, when thousands flocked to him; but he disappointed their expectations, and achieved nothing worthy of record. After the battle of Aghrim, he was so alarmed, that he kept, with his followers, in the mountains in the county of Mayo for some time, and at length tendered his submission to the government of King William, and promised to bring a considerable number of men over with him, for a stipulated reward.

When the Inniskilling dragoons arrived at Castlebar, O'Donnel's men were found in a state of mutiny, many of them resolving to adhere to the interest of King James; but the commotion was eventually appeased, and they arrayed themselves under King William's banners. On the 4th of September Sir Albert Cunningham took post with part of his regiment at Coloony, five miles south of Sligo, intending to join O'Donnel on the following day, and approach nearer the besieged town. During the night seven hundred select men of King James's army, commanded by Colonel Scott, issued from Sligo, and, being favoured by a foggy morning, surprised the detachment of Inniskilling dragoons in their camp near Coloony, at day-break on the following morning. The troopers finding themselves suddenly assailed by superior numbers, mounted their horses and galloped to Abbey Royle, in the county of Roscommon. The enemy killed about twenty men, took Sir Albert Cunningham prisoner, and captured the tents, cloaks, and baggage belonging to the dragoons.

After the brave and humane Sir Albert Cunningham was made prisoner, an Irish serjeant approached him and said, 'Albert is your name, and by an H—albert you shall die,' and instantly speared him on the spot. 'Thus fell Sir Albert Cunningham, as gallant and worthy an officer as any in the King's service[12].'

Part of O'Donnel's brigade arriving on the following day, the enemy was driven back into Sligo, and all the baggage, &c., was recaptured.

After the death of Sir Albert Cunningham the Regiment was commanded, until King William's pleasure was made known, by the lieutenant-colonel, Robert Echlin.

A body of troops was assembled for the reduction of Sligo, and placed under the orders of the Earl of Granard, and Colonel Mitchelburne, to whom this fortress was delivered up on the 13th of September.

In the meantime the army commanded by General De Ginkell had besieged Limerick, and the surrender of that city, and of all other forts and garrisons, in September, terminated the war in Ireland; the champions of constitutional liberty having triumphed over all opposition.

Thus the gallant Inniskilling men, who composed the Sixth regiment of dragoons, had the satisfaction of witnessing the deliverance of their country from the continued effects of civil war, and the blessings of peace once more diffusing themselves over the land. They had purchased these advantages with their swords, many of them had toiled, and fought, and bled in the cause of civil and religious liberty, and they had the proud distinction of receiving the expressions of their Sovereign's approbation and their country's gratitude. King William also rewarded the services of their lieutenant-colonel, Robert Echlin, with the colonelcy of the regiment, by commission dated the 30th of December, 1691. The thanks of Parliament were communicated to Lieutenant-General De Ginkell, and the officers and soldiers who served under his orders, and the lieutenant-general was afterwards created Earl of Athlone, Viscount Aghrim, and Baron of Ballymore.

1692

Although the war in Ireland was terminated, yet the known hostile spirit of a great portion of the inhabitants to the established government, and the attempts made from time to time by Louis XIV. to replace King James on the throne, rendered the presence of a considerable number of troops, in whom the utmost reliance could be placed, necessary in that country; and Echlin's Inniskilling dragoons, having proved their attachment and fidelity to King William, their devotion to the principles of the Revolution, and their usefulness in every description of service, were employed in Ireland during the remainder of His Majesty's reign.

1694

The first of the two regiments of Inniskilling dragoons, commanded by Colonel James Wynne, served under King William in Flanders, and obtained the title of 'The Royal Irish Regiment of Dragoons;' Colonel Echlin's regiment received no change of designation; but has retained its title of "Inniskilling Dragoons" to the present time; it was numbered the "Sixth Dragoons" in the reign of George II.

1702
1703

During the early part of the reign of Queen Anne the Inniskilling Dragoons remained in Ireland; they were reviewed at Athlone, in July, 1703, by the lord-lieutenant, General the Duke of Ormond, who was pleased to compliment the commanding officer on their appearance and discipline.

1706

In the summer of 1706, the regiment was encamped on the Kurragh of Kildare.

1708

The King of France having made preparations, in the spring of 1708, for landing the Pretender with a body of troops in Scotland, to aid him in his projected attempt to ascend the British throne, the Inniskilling dragoons were held in readiness to embark for Scotland; but the French fleet having been chased from the British shores, the regiment remained in Ireland until the following autumn, when it landed on the English coast, and was stationed, during the winter, in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

1709
1710
1711
1712

The regiment was withdrawn from its cantonments in the early part of 1709, and proceeded to Scotland, where it remained during the three following years.

1713

Returning to England after the peace of Utrecht, the regiment was stationed in Cumberland.

1714

In September, 1714, the regiment again occupied quarters in Scotland, and the officers, with those of Brigadier-General Hans Hamilton's (now Sixteenth foot), celebrated at Stirling the arrival of King George I. from Hanover, with public rejoicings.

1715

Lieut.-General Echlin retired from the regiment in March, 1715, and was succeeded by John Earl of Stair, who had been removed from the Scots Greys, by Queen Anne's ministry, in April of the preceding year.

The regiment was stationed in Lancashire in the spring of 1715, and in June one squadron was employed in suppressing riots at Manchester. Soon afterwards the Regiment marched to Scotland, and in the autumn, it was encamped at Stirling, under Major-General Wightman.

Encouraged by promises of aid from the Continent, the Earl of Mar raised the standard of the Pretender in the Highlands, and assembled an army of ten thousand men. The camp at Stirling was afterwards augmented by additional forces, and the Duke of Argyle assumed the command; but the rebels exceeded in numbers the king's troops.

Ten thousand rebels, headed by the Earl of Mar, were on the march to cross the Forth and penetrate towards England, when the Duke of Argyle quitted the camp at Stirling, with a body of troops of less than four thousand men, to oppose the progress of the rebels, and on the morning of Sunday the 13th of November the two armies confronted each other on Sheriffmuir near Dumblain. The Inniskilling dragoons formed two strong squadrons; the first squadron was posted, with the Royal North British (second) and Evans' (fourth) dragoons, on the right of the king's army; and the second squadron, with Carpenter's (third) and Kerr's (seventh) dragoons, was stationed on the left. The rebels attempting to turn the right, the dragoons on that flank dashed forward sword in hand, and commenced the action by a furious charge on the left wing of the rebel army. A sharp conflict ensued; but soon the clash of swords and report of pistols ceased, and the insurgent bands were seen falling back in confusion; while the Greys, Evans', and Inniskilling dragoons, resolute men on powerful horses, rode onward, sabring the astonished Highlanders, who fled in dismay, and the Buffs (third foot) and other infantry corps on the right, followed the victorious dragoons in their triumphant career. The rebels, having great superiority of numbers, attempted to rally several times; but the dragoons galloped forward with admirable courage, and breaking through every opposition, pursued their adversaries to the banks of the river Allan, where they were ordered to halt.

In the mean time the left wing of the King's army had been defeated; six hundred Highlanders surprised the infantry in the act of forming, and put them into confusion; but Carpenter's, Kerr's, and the squadron of Inniskilling dragoons on the left flank, charged and defeated the rebel horsemen opposed to them, and captured a standard. The infantry of this wing being in disorder, the advantage gained by the dragoons was not pursued any further. Both armies claimed the victory, each having a wing victorious and a wing defeated; but the King's forces succeeded in preventing the march of the rebels southwards, and consequently the advantage was on the side of the Royal army.

The Inniskilling dragoons had seven men and twelve horses killed; six men and fifteen horses wounded. In some of the numerous accounts of this battle which were published at the time, the Inniskilling dragoons are styled the black dragoons, from which it is presumed they were mounted on black horses exclusively.

1716

Returning to Stirling with the army, the Inniskilling dragoons resumed their former station in the camp near that city, where they remained until January, 1716, when, additional forces having arrived, they advanced through snow and over ice to Perth. The rebel army dispersed, and the leaders in the rebellion fled to France.

1717

After the suppression of this commotion, the regiment was quartered at Aberdeen, from whence it marched southwards, and was stationed in Cumberland; but returned to Scotland in June, 1717; and in the autumn of that year occupied cantonments near Glasgow. At the same time the establishment was fixed at six troops, of three officers, one quarter-master, and forty-five non-commissioned officers and soldiers each.

1718
1725
1726

The regiment appears to have passed the succeeding ten years in Scotland. In July, 1725, it was employed in suppressing riots at Glasgow, and was encamped near that city; and in October, 1726, the Greys and Inniskilling dragoons were reviewed in brigade at Musselburgh by Lieutenant-General Wade.

1728

Leaving Scotland in the spring of 1728, the regiment proceeded to Carlisle, Penrith, and Kendal, where it halted a week, and afterwards continued its march southwards, and was quartered in Berkshire. On the 3rd of June it was reviewed on Datchet Common by King George II., who expressed his approbation of its appearance and discipline.

1729
1730
1731
1732

After the review the Inniskilling dragoons marched back to Lancashire; in December their quarters were extended to Northumberland; and in March, 1729, they were ordered to return to Scotland, where they passed the succeeding three years.

1733

In the spring of 1733, the regiment was ordered to march for England, and in June furnished detachments on coast duty in Essex, on which service it was employed during the following year.

1734

The Earl of Stair having joined the opposition against Sir Robert Walpole was removed from the regiment, and was succeeded in the colonelcy by Charles Lord Cadogan from the Fourth foot, by commission dated the 19th of June, 1734.

1735
1736
1737
1738

The regiment remained in the south of England, and was employed on coast duty during the years 1735 and 1736; in May, 1737, it marched to Nottingham and Derby; and in April, 1738, into Lincolnshire, and furnished detachments for the prevention of smuggling along the coast.

1739

At this period the establishment was six troops of three officers, one quarter-master, two sergeants, three corporals, two drummers, one hautboy, and forty-nine private men per troop; but on the breaking out of the war with Spain, in 1739, an augmentation of one sergeant and ten men per troop was ordered, making a total of four hundred and thirty-five officers and men, including the staff.

1740

The regiment continued to occupy quarters in Lincolnshire in 1740.

1741

In the summer of 1741, when the Elector of Bavaria, aided by the French monarch, attempted to deprive the Archduchess Maria Theresa, of Hungary and Bohemia, the Inniskilling dragoons were directed to hold themselves in readiness to proceed on foreign service, and were encamped on Lexden Heath, with six other regiments of cavalry and seven of infantry; but no embarkation took place, and in the autumn they went into quarters.

Sixth (Inniskilling) Dragoons, 1742.

[To face page 39.

1742

In 1742 King George II. sent sixteen thousand men to Flanders, under Field-Marshal the Earl of Stair, to support the interests of the house of Austria; and the Inniskilling dragoons were selected for this service. After landing at Ostend, the regiment marched to Ghent, where it was quartered several weeks, and subsequently proceeded to Brussels.

1743

From Brabant, the Inniskilling dragoons marched, in the beginning of 1743, for Germany, and in May they formed, with the Third dragoons, three battalions of foot guards, and two regiments of the line, a detached camp below the town of Hochst.

While in Germany, the lieutenant-colonel, James Gardiner, was promoted to the colonelcy of the Thirteenth dragoons[13].

Lord Cadogan, having been removed to the second troop (now second regiment) of life guards, was succeeded in the colonelcy by Field-marshal the Earl of Stair, by commission dated the 25th of April, 1743.

In the early part of June the Inniskilling dragoons crossed the Maine and encamped at Aschaffenberg, where King George II. and His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland joined the army.

Leaving Aschaffenberg on the morning of the 16th of June, the army moved in columns along the banks of the Maine to join the Hanoverians and Hessians at Hanau. The French under Marshal Noailles crossed the river, and taking up a formidable position between the Maine and the mountains near Dettingen, prepared to oppose the march of the allies: at the same time the French commander seized the bridge at Aschaffenberg, to cut off the retreat of his opponents. These movements brought on a general engagement, and the Inniskilling dragoons had an opportunity of signalizing themselves under the eye of their sovereign.

While the allied army was forming for battle, the Inniskilling dragoons and other cavalry covered the operation, and were exposed to the enemy's cannon. The French household troops, headed by the princes of the blood, became impatient of inactivity, and quitting their advantageous position, galloped forward to commence the action. The British cavalry advanced to meet their antagonists, and were repulsed; but a volley from the British infantry destroyed several French squadrons, and the English troopers returning to the charge, drove back their opponents. The battle extended along the line, and the British, Austrian, and Hanoverian infantry, fiercely encountering the French battalions, gained advantage after advantage, until the fortune of the day was so evidently in their favour that the result was no longer doubtful. Meanwhile the charges of the cavalry were frequent and sanguinary. Bland's (third) dragoons, and the Inniskilling troopers charged and overpowered a superior body of horse, then rushed sword in hand upon a line of French cuirassiers, whose polished armour proved ineffectual against the prowess and resolution of the British dragoons fighting in the presence of their King. The life-guards, blues, King's horse (now first dragoon guards), and Ligonier's troopers (now seventh dragoon guards), behaved nobly; the royals and greys captured each a standard[14]; and Rich's (fourth) and Cope's (seventh) dragoons had their share in the combat. Unable to withstand the fury of the charging Britons, the French gave way, and were driven across the Maine with such precipitation, that many men were drowned in the river.

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.

Quitting their cantonments in the spring of 1746, the Inniskilling dragoons were employed in the operations of the army commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir John Ligonier. In May they were encamped behind the Dyle: the French having a great superiority of numbers, the allies were forced to retire towards Antwerp; subsequently to Breda; and many fortified towns were captured by the enemy. In July, Prince Charles of Lorraine took the command of the army, and the British dragoons were employed in manœuvring and skirmishing with the French cavalry, in order to retard the operations of the adverse army.

During the forenoon of the 1st of October (O.S.), the allies were in position on the plain of Liege; several villages were occupied by the infantry, and the Inniskilling dragoons stood in line on some open ground near the village of Roucoux. About mid-day numerous columns of the enemy appeared advancing under Marshal Saxe; and being emboldened by their superior numbers, their artillery opened a tremendous cannonade, and about fifty battalions attacked three villages on the left of the allied army with great fury. Having carried the villages, the French infantry diverged upon the open ground, where the Greys, Inniskilling, and Seventh dragoons appeared in line, headed by the gallant Earls of Rothes and Crawford. As the enemy advanced in crowds, as if confident of success, the three regiments dashed forward, overthrew the opposing ranks, and chased the French musketeers to the hedges and thickets near the village in gallant style. A retreat having been ordered, the army withdrew across the river Maese, and encamped near Maestricht.

The regiment was commended in orders for its conduct on this occasion; it had three men wounded: and six horses killed and seven wounded: one horse fell into the hands of the enemy.

After encamping a short time in the province of Limburg, the regiment went into quarters in the country along the Lower Maese.

1747

During the campaign of 1747 the allied army was commanded by the Duke of Cumberland; and after encamping a short time near the banks of the Scheldt, the Inniskilling dragoons were employed in operations on the Great Nethe, and on the Demer. The 1st of July was passed in skirmishing near the frontiers of Liege; the two armies confronted each other, and on the following day a sharp action was fought, on which occasion the regiment acquired new laurels.

Under the cover of a heavy cannonade, the French infantry attacked the village of Val, which was occupied by four battalions (three British and one Hanoverian), and the Inniskilling dragoons were formed behind the houses. Eventually the village was captured, and the enemy broke the centre of the allied army. The cavalry of the left wing was led forward by Sir John Ligonier, and charged the French horsemen with signal intrepidity. The Greys particularly distinguished themselves. The Inniskilling dragoons, vying in heroism with the Scots troopers, overthrew and routed the squadrons opposed to them; and a sanguinary sword fight ensuing, the British horsemen made great havoc among the discomfited ranks of their opponents. Following up their first success, the Greys, Inniskilling, and other British dragoons, dashed forward; a volley from some French musketeers posted on the low grounds, and behind hedges, emptied several saddles; but the survivors rushed upon the infantry and chased them from behind the hedges and from the low grounds, with dreadful carnage. While pursuing the fugitives, a new line of combatants appeared; but, with ranks confused and blended together, the British dragoons galloped forward and dispersed these also. This astonishing gallantry of the British cavalry produced important results; but the enemy having broken the centre of the allied army, the Duke of Cumberland ordered a retreat.

When the Inniskilling, and other British dragoons, faced about to retire, the enemy came down upon them in crowds, and they sustained considerable loss. The army retreated to Maestricht, where it arrived in the evening.

The casualty-return of the regiment on this occasion exhibited a serious loss, viz., Lieutenant Armstrong, Quarter-master Seaman, forty men, and twenty-two horses wounded; Lieutenant Gordon, Cornet Hay, seventy-eight men, and ninety-eight horses killed and missing. The conduct of the British cavalry on this occasion, was highly commended in the accounts of the battle published at the time.

The Inniskilling dragoons were subsequently encamped at Richel, near the Maese, in the province of Limburg; in October they proceeded to North Brabant, and pitched their tents behind the lines at Terheyden; and at the end of the campaign they went into cantonments among the Dutch peasantry.

1748

A strong remount of men and horses having joined to replace the losses of the preceding year, the regiment took the field to serve the campaign of 1748 in a high state of efficiency, and according to the publications of that date its warlike appearance was much admired. It was employed in the province of Limburg, and was encamped a short time near Ruremonde. Meanwhile preliminary articles for a treaty of peace had been agreed upon; the regiment proceeded to North Brabant, where it remained a short time, and during the winter, returned to England.

1749

After the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle the establishment was reduced to two hundred and eighty-five officers and men.

1750

The Earl of Rothes was removed in January, 1750, to the Royal North British dragoons, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the Inniskilling dragoons by Major-General the Honourable James Cholmondeley from the Third Irish horse, now Sixth dragoon guards.

1751

In 1751 a regulation was issued for insuring uniformity in the clothing, standards, and regimental distinctions of the British army, from which the following particulars have been extracted relating to the Inniskilling Dragoons.

Coats,—scarlet; double-breasted; without lappels; lined with full yellow; slit sleeves, turned up with full yellow; the button-holes worked with narrow white lace; the buttons of white metal, set on two and two; a long slash pocket in each skirt; and a white shoulder-knot, or aiguillette, on the right shoulder.

Waistcoats and Breeches,—full yellow.

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

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

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

Horse Furniture,—of full yellow cloth; the holster caps and housing having a border of white lace with a blue stripe down the centre; the castle of Inniskilling embroidered upon a red ground within a wreath of roses and thistles, on each corner of the housing; and on the holster caps the king's cipher and crown, with VI. 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-Master,—to wear a crimson sash round the waist.

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

Drummers and Hautboys,—clothed in full yellow coats lined with scarlet, and ornamented with silver lace with a blue stripe down the centre; their waistcoats and breeches of scarlet 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 VI. D. in silver characters on a yellow ground in a compartment in the second and third corners. The second and third guidons to be of full yellow silk, in the centre the castle of Inniskilling within a wreath of roses and thistles on a crimson ground; the white horse on a scarlet ground in the first and fourth compartments, and VI. D. within a small wreath of roses and thistles upon a scarlet ground in the second and third compartments.

1752

During the succeeding seven years, the regiment was employed on home service in Great Britain, and was distinguished as an efficient and well-conducted corps.

1755
1756

In 1755, when the aggressions of the French in North America led to acts of open hostility, the establishment was augmented one corporal and fifteen men per troop. Shortly afterwards a light troop was added on the same principle as light companies to infantry corps: and the regiment consisted of six heavy troops and one light troop. The light dragoons were sometimes styled hussars. A periodical of this date (June, 1756) has the following paragraph: 'On Monday morning the newly-raised light horse, or, as they are commonly called, hussars, were exercised in Hyde Park, as were also some life guards and horse grenadiers. The hussars in particular made a very pretty and genteel appearance; went through their peculiar method of exercise, both on horseback and on foot, with the greatest vivacity and exactness, to the satisfaction of many thousands of spectators.'

War was proclaimed, and the French monarch made such extensive preparations for invading England, that some alarm was occasioned.

1757

These preparations being continued in 1757, the country was placed in a posture of defence. Seven battalions were encamped on Barham Downs under the Duke of Marlborough; five at Chatham under Lord George Sackville; six at Amersham under Lieutenant-General Campbell; a regiment of cavalry and six battalions of infantry at Dorchester under Sir John Mordaunt; another camp was formed on the Isle of Wight; and the Inniskilling dragoons, with the third dragoon guards, and first, third, fourth, and eleventh dragoons were encamped on Salisbury plain, under Lieutenant-General Hawley. The formidable attitude assumed by the government, with the increased military power prepared to oppose the invasion, induced the French monarch to lay aside his design of landing troops on the British coast, and he resolved to attack the possessions of his Britannic Majesty in Hanover.

1758

The increased naval and military establishments of Britain enabled King George II. to assail the coast of France, and an expedition was prepared for that purpose under the command of Charles Duke of Marlborough. The light troop of the Inniskilling dragoons was selected to take part in this enterprise, and having been encamped some time on Southsea Common, and formed in brigade with the light troops of eight other regiments, under the command of Brigadier-General Eliott, (afterwards Lord Heathfield,) it embarked towards the end of May, 1758, and sailed for the coast of France on the 1st of June. On the evening of the 5th a landing was effected in Cancalle Bay, in the province of Brittany; on the 7th the troops advanced to Paramé; and during the following night the light dragoons and piquets of the infantry regiments proceeded to the harbour of St. Maloes, and destroyed by fire one hundred vessels with extensive magazines of maritime stores. The light cavalry afterwards advanced to the town of Dol, and evinced signal intrepidity in skirmishing with detachments of French troops. After remaining five days in France the British re-embarked, and severe weather rendering another descent impracticable, they returned to Portsmouth. The light troop of the Sixth dragoons having landed, was encamped a short time at Portsmouth, and subsequently on Southsea Common. In the beginning of August it sailed on a second expedition under Lieutenant-General Bligh. A landing having been effected in the Bay des Marées, Cherbourg was taken, and the fortifications and vessels in the harbour were destroyed. The troops returned on board the fleet, and another landing was effected in the bay of St. Lunar; but no advantage resulted from this enterprise, and before the whole were re-embarked, the enemy attacked the rear with such fury that the grenadiers and foot guards sustained considerable loss. The expedition returned to England, and the light troop of the Sixth dragoons went into cantonments in villages along the coast.

Disastrous events had, in the mean time, occurred in Germany; the Hanoverian, Hessian, and Brunswick troops commanded by the Duke of Cumberland, had been subject to a capitulation, and the electorate of Hanover was taken possession of by the enemy. The French having violated the conditions of the capitulation, the Hanoverians, Hessians, and Brunswickers reassembled under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick; a body of British troops was sent to Germany under Charles Duke of Marlborough; and the six heavy troops of the Sixth dragoons were selected for this service. The light troop of the regiment was left in England on coast duty; and it was subsequently employed in the travelling escort duty for the royal family.