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.]

BY COMMAND OF His late Majesty WILLIAM THE IV^TH.
and under the Patronage of
Her Majesty the Queen.
HISTORICAL RECORDS,
OF THE
British Army
Comprising the
History of every Regiment
IN HER MAJESTY'S SERVICE.
By Richard Cannon Esq^re.
Adjutant Generals Office, Horse Guards.
London
Printed by Authority:

GENERAL ORDERS.

HORSE-GUARDS,

1st January, 1836.

His Majesty has been pleased to command that, with the 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 Honorable

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 honorable 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, being 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 everything 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
TO
THE INFANTRY.

The natives of Britain have, at all periods, been celebrated for innate courage and unshaken firmness, and the national superiority of the British troops over those of other countries has been evinced in the midst of the most imminent perils. History contains so many proofs of extraordinary acts of bravery, that no doubts can be raised upon the facts which are recorded. It must therefore be admitted, that the distinguishing feature of the British soldier is Intrepidity. This quality was evinced by the inhabitants of England when their country was invaded by Julius Cæsar with a Roman army, on which occasion the undaunted Britons rushed into the sea to attack the Roman soldiers as they descended from their ships; and, although their discipline and arms were inferior to those of their adversaries, yet their fierce and dauntless bearing intimidated the flower of the Roman troops, including Cæsar's favourite tenth legion. Their arms consisted of spears, short swords, and other weapons of rude construction. They had chariots, to the axles of which were fastened sharp pieces of iron resembling scythe-blades, and infantry in long chariots resembling waggons, who alighted and fought on foot, and for change of ground, pursuit or retreat, sprang into the chariot and drove off with the speed of cavalry. These inventions were, however, unavailing against Cæsar's legions: in the course of time a military system, with discipline and subordination, was introduced, and British courage, being thus regulated, was exerted to the greatest advantage; a full development of the national character followed, and it shone forth in all its native brilliancy.

The military force of the Anglo-Saxons consisted principally of infantry: Thanes, and other men of property, however, fought on horseback. The infantry were of two classes, heavy and light The former carried large shields armed with spikes, long broad swords and spears; and the latter were armed with swords or spears only. They had also men armed with clubs, others with battle-axes and javelins.

The feudal troops established by William the Conqueror consisted (as already stated in the Introduction to the Cavalry) almost entirely of horse; but when the warlike barons and knights, with their trains of tenants and vassals, took the field, a proportion of men appeared on foot, and, although these were of inferior degree, they proved stout-hearted Britons of stanch fidelity. When stipendiary troops were employed, infantry always constituted a considerable portion of the military force; and this arme has since acquired, in every quarter of the globe, a celebrity never exceeded by the armies of any nation at any period.

The weapons carried by the infantry, during the several reigns succeeding the Conquest, were bows and arrows, half-pikes, lances, halberds, various kinds of battle-axes, swords, and daggers. Armour was worn on the head and body, and in course of time the practice became general for military men to be so completely cased in steel, that it was almost impossible to slay them.

The introduction of the use of gunpowder in the destructive purposes of war, in the early part of the fourteenth century, produced a change in the arms and equipment of the infantry-soldier. Bows and arrows gave place to various kinds of fire-arms, but British archers continued formidable adversaries; and, owing to the inconvenient construction and imperfect bore of the fire-arms when first introduced, a body of men, well trained in the use of the bow from their youth, was considered a valuable acquisition to every army, even as late as the sixteenth century.

During a great part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth each company of infantry usually consisted of men armed five different ways; in every hundred men forty were "men-at-arms," and sixty "shot;" the "men-at-arms" were ten halberdiers, or battle-axe men, and thirty pikemen; and the "shot" were twenty archers, twenty musketeers, and twenty harquebusiers, and each man carried, besides his principal weapon, a sword and dagger.

Companies of infantry varied at this period in numbers from 150 to 300 men; each company had a colour or ensign, and the mode of formation recommended by an English military writer (Sir John Smithe) in 1590 was:—the colour in the centre of the company guarded by the halberdiers; the pikemen in equal proportions, on each flank of the halberdiers: half the musketeers on each flank of the pikes; half the archers on each flank of the musketeers, and the harquebusiers (whose arms were much lighter than the muskets then in use) in equal proportions on each flank of the company for skirmishing.[1] It was customary to unite a number of companies into one body, called a Regiment, which frequently amounted to three thousand men: but each company continued to carry a colour. Numerous improvements were eventually introduced in the construction of fire-arms, and, it having been found impossible to make armour proof against the muskets then in use (which carried a very heavy ball) without its being too weighty for the soldier, armour was gradually laid aside by the infantry in the seventeenth century: bows and arrows also fell into disuse, and the infantry were reduced to two classes, viz.: musketeers, armed with matchlock muskets, swords, and daggers; and pikemen, armed with pikes from fourteen to eighteen feet long, and swords.

In the early part of the seventeenth century Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, reduced the strength of regiments to 1000 men. He caused the gunpowder, which had heretofore been carried in flasks, or in small wooden bandoliers, each containing a charge, to be made up into cartridges, and carried in pouches; and he formed each regiment into two wings of musketeers, and a centre division of pikemen. He also adopted the practice of forming four regiments into a brigade; and the number of colours was afterwards reduced to three in each regiment. He formed his columns so compactly that his infantry could resist the charge of the celebrated Polish horsemen and Austrian cuirassiers; and his armies became the admiration of other nations. His mode of formation was copied by the English, French, and other European states; but so great was the prejudice in favour of ancient customs, that all his improvements were not adopted until near a century afterwards.

In 1664 King Charles II. raised a corps for sea-service, styled the Admiral's regiment. In 1678 each company of 100 men usually consisted of 30 pikemen, 60 musketeers, and 10 men armed with light firelocks. In this year the King added a company of men armed with hand grenades to each of the old British regiments, which was designated the "grenadier company." Daggers were so contrived as to fit in the muzzles of the muskets, and bayonets, similar to those at present in use, were adopted about twenty years afterwards.

An Ordnance regiment was raised in 1685, by order of King James II., to guard the artillery, and was designated the Royal Fusiliers (now 7th Foot). This corps, and the companies of grenadiers, did not carry pikes.

King William III. incorporated the Admiral's regiment in the second Foot Guards, and raised two Marine regiments for sea-service. During the war in this reign, each company of infantry (excepting the fusiliers and grenadiers) consisted of 14 pikemen and 46 musketeers; the captains carried pikes; lieutenants, partisans; ensigns, half-pikes; and serjeants, halberds. After the peace in 1697 the Marine regiments were disbanded, but were again formed on the breaking out of the war in 1702.[2]

During the reign of Queen Anne the pikes were laid aside, and every infantry soldier was armed with a musket, bayonet, and sword; the grenadiers ceased, about the same period, to carry hand grenades; and the regiments were directed to lay aside their third colour: the corps of Royal Artillery was first added to the Army in this reign.

About the year 1745, the men of the battalion companies of infantry ceased to carry swords; during the reign of George II. light companies were added to infantry regiments; and in 1764 a Board of General Officers recommended that the grenadiers should lay aside their swords, as that weapon had never been used during the Seven Years' War. Since that period the arms of the infantry soldier have been limited to the musket and bayonet.

The arms and equipment of the British Troops have seldom differed materially, since the Conquest, from those of other European states; and in some respects the arming has, at certain periods, been allowed to be inferior to that of the nations with whom they have had to contend; yet, under this disadvantage, the bravery and superiority of the British infantry have been evinced on very many and most trying occasions, and splendid victories have been gained over very superior numbers.

Great Britain has produced a race of lion-like champions who have dared to confront a host of foes, and have proved themselves valiant with any arms. At Crecy, King Edward III., at the head of about 30,000 men, defeated, on the 26th of August, 1346, Philip King of France, whose army is said to have amounted to 100,000 men; here British valour encountered veterans of renown:—the King of Bohemia, the King of Majorca, and many princes and nobles were slain, and the French army was routed and cut to pieces. Ten years afterwards, Edward Prince of Wales, who was designated the Black Prince, defeated, at Poictiers, with 14,000 men, a French army of 60,000 horse, besides infantry, and took John I., King of France, and his son Philip, prisoners. On the 25th of October, 1415, King Henry V., with an army of about 13,000 men, although greatly exhausted by marches, privations, and sickness, defeated, at Agincourt, the Constable of France, at the head of the flower of the French nobility and an army said to amount to 60,000 men, and gained a complete victory.

During the seventy years' war between the United Provinces of the Netherlands and the Spanish monarchy, which commenced in 1578 and terminated in 1648, the British infantry in the service of the States-General were celebrated for their unconquerable spirit and firmness;[3] and in the thirty years' war between the Protestant Princes and the Emperor of Germany, the British Troops in the service of Sweden and other states were celebrated for deeds of heroism.[4] In the wars of Queen Anne, the fame of the British army under the great Marlborough was spread throughout the world; and if we glance at the achievements performed within the memory of persons now living, there is abundant proof that the Britons of the present age are not inferior to their ancestors in the qualities which constitute good soldiers. Witness the deeds of the brave men, of whom there are many now surviving, who fought in Egypt in 1801, under the brave Abercromby, and compelled the French army, which had been vainly styled Invincible, to evacuate that country; also the services of the gallant Troops during the arduous campaigns in the Peninsula, under the immortal Wellington; and the determined stand made by the British Army at Waterloo, where Napoleon Bonaparte, who had long been the inveterate enemy of Great Britain, and had sought and planned her destruction by every means he could devise, was compelled to leave his vanquished legions to their fate, and to place himself at the disposal of the British Government. These achievements, with others of recent dates, in the distant climes of India, prove that the same valour and constancy which glowed in the breasts of the heroes of Crecy, Poictiers, Agincourt, Blenheim, and Ramilies, continue to animate the Britons of the nineteenth century.

The British Soldier is distinguished for a robust and muscular frame,—intrepidity which no danger can appal,—unconquerable spirit and resolution,—patience in fatigue and privation, and cheerful obedience to his superiors. These qualities, united with an excellent system of order and discipline to regulate and give a skilful direction to the energies and adventurous spirit of the hero, and a wise selection of officers of superior talent to command, whose presence inspires confidence,—have been the leading causes of the splendid victories gained by the British arms.[5] The fame of the deeds of the past and present generations in the various battle-fields where the robust sons of Albion have fought and conquered, surrounds the British arms with a halo of glory; these achievements will live in the page of history to the end of time.

The records of the several regiments will be found to contain a detail of facts of an interesting character, connected with the hardships, sufferings, and gallant exploits of British soldiers in the various parts of the world where the calls of their Country and the commands of their Sovereign have required them to proceed in the execution of their duty, whether in active continental operations, or in maintaining colonial territories in distant and unfavourable climes.

The superiority of the British infantry has been pre-eminently set forth in the wars of six centuries, and admitted by the greatest commanders which Europe has produced. The formations and movements of this arme, as at present practised, while they are adapted to every species of warfare, and to all probable situations and circumstances of service, are calculated to show forth the brilliancy of military tactics calculated upon mathematical and scientific principles. Although the movements and evolutions have been copied from the continental armies, yet various improvements have from time to time been introduced, to insure that simplicity and celerity by which the superiority of the national military character is maintained. The rank and influence which Great Britain has attained among the nations of the world, have in a great measure been purchased by the valour of the Army, and to persons who have the welfare of their country at heart, the records of the several regiments cannot fail to prove interesting.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] A company of 200 men would appear thus:—

20	20	20	30	20	30	20	20	20
Harquebuses.		Muskets.		Halberds.		Muskets.		Harquebuses.
	Archers.		Pikes.		Pikes.		Archers.

[2] The 30th, 31st, and 32nd Regiments were formed as Marine corps in 1702, and were employed as such during the wars in the reign of Queen Anne. The Marine corps were embarked in the Fleet under Admiral Sir George Rooke, and were at the taking of Gibraltar, and in its subsequent defence in 1704; they were afterwards employed at the siege of Barcelona in 1705.

[3] The brave Sir Roger Williams, in his Discourse on War, printed in 1590, observes:—"I persuade myself ten thousand of our nation would beat thirty thousand of theirs (the Spaniards) out of the field, let them be chosen where they list." Yet at this time the Spanish infantry was allowed to be the best disciplined in Europe. For instances of valour displayed by the British Infantry during the Seventy Years' War, see the Historical Record of the Third Foot, or Buffs.

[4] Vide the Historical Record of the First, or Royal Regiment of Foot.

[5] "Under the blessing of Divine Providence, His Majesty ascribes the successes which have attended the exertions of his troops in Egypt to that determined bravery which is inherent in Britons; but His Majesty desires it may be most solemnly and forcibly impressed on the consideration of every part of the army, that it has been a strict observance of order, discipline, and military system, which has given the full energy to the native valour of the troops, and has enabled them proudly to assert the superiority of the national military character, in situations uncommonly arduous, and under circumstances of peculiar difficulty."—General Orders in 1801.

In the General Orders issued by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope (afterwards Lord Hopetoun), congratulating the army upon the successful result of the Battle of Corunna, on the 16th of January, 1809, it is stated:—"On no occasion has the undaunted valour of British troops ever been more manifest. At the termination of a severe and harassing march, rendered necessary by the superiority which the enemy had acquired, and which had materially impaired the efficiency of the troops, many disadvantages were to be encountered. These have all been surmounted by the conduct of the troops themselves: and the enemy has been taught, that whatever advantages of position or of numbers he may possess, there is inherent in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows not how to yield,—that no circumstances can appal,—and that will ensure victory, when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any human means."

HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,
OR
THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

CONTAINING

AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT
IN 1678,

AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
TO 1849.

COMPILED BY

RICHARD CANNON, Esq.,

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, HORSE GUARDS.

ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES.

LONDON:

PARKER, FURNIVALL, & PARKER,

30, CHARING-CROSS.

MDCCCXLIX.

London: Printed by William Clowes and Sons, Stamford Street,
For Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

OR

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS,

BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR

"THE THISTLE"

WITHIN THE CIRCLE AND MOTTO OF SAINT ANDREW,

"Nemo me impune lacessit;"

SURMOUNTED BY
THE IMPERIAL CROWN.

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

OR

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH REGIMENT,

CONTENTS

OF THE

HISTORICAL RECORD.

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS

OF

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

OR

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

APPENDIX.

PLATES.

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT OF FOOT,

OR

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

TWENTY FIRST REGIMENT.

Madeley lith 3 Wellington Street Strand
THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.
1742
For Cannon's Military Records

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF

THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT OF FOOT,

OR

THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

1678

The Royal North British Regiment of Fusiliers derives its origin from the commotions in Scotland, during the reign of King Charles II., who attempted to establish Episcopacy in that country; but was opposed by the Presbyterians, who wished to adhere to their religious institutions, and prosecutions being used in Scotland by the Government, to enforce obedience, collisions occurred between the inhabitants and the military, which were sometimes attended with loss of life. Several Highland clans were called out, in 1678, and quartered upon the Presbyterians, and in the autumn of the same year a regiment of foot was added to the military establishment of Scotland, of which Charles, Earl of Mar, was appointed Colonel, by commission dated the 23rd of September, 1678: this corps, having been retained in the service, now bears the title of the TWENTY-FIRST Regiment of Foot, or the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.

Regiments of infantry, at this period, were generally armed with pikes and muskets; but the practice was introduced of arming every man, of a few select corps, with a fusil, or a light musket, and these regiments were called FUSILIERS. The Earl of Mar's regiment was one of the first corps which obtained this distinction.

1679
1680

In the following year, Archbishop Sharp, who had become particularly obnoxious to the non-conformists, was murdered. This event was followed by severities against the Presbyterians, and a meeting for public worship, at Loudon-hill, having been attacked by a body of horse and dragoons, under Captain Robert Graham, of Claverhouse, afterwards Viscount Dundee, the countrymen, being numerous, and provided with arms, gained some advantage over the military. The persons, who had thus committed themselves, resolved to keep together in arms, and to seek by their valour, that redress to which they considered themselves entitled. They were soon augmented in numbers, and taking post behind the river Clyde, they barricaded Bothwell Bridge. The Earl of Mar's regiment was called upon to take the field against the insurgents, and it formed part of the army, commanded by James, Duke of Monmouth, which attacked the rebels on the 22nd of June, and gained a decisive victory. The rebels made a feeble resistance on this occasion; twelve hundred foot laid down their arms without striking a blow, and the other divisions of their army fled in dismay; about four hundred were killed by the King's troops in the pursuit, and the rebellion was suppressed. Several parties, however, kept together in arms for some time, and gave the military much trouble in that and the following year.

1685

In the early part of 1685, King Charles II. died, and was succeeded by his brother, King James the Second of England, and Seventh of Scotland. The King being a Roman Catholic, some disaffected persons supposed the people would not submit to his government; and the Earl of Argyle and the Duke of Monmouth, who were both in exile on the Continent, for their political conduct, agreed to raise the standard of rebellion,—the former in Scotland, and the latter in England. The Earl of Argyle landed in Argyleshire in May, and assembled a body of men; when the Earl of Mar's regiment was again called into the field. The King's troops were commanded by the Earl of Dumbarton; and on the night of the 19th of June, the two armies encamped in sight of each other. The rebels attempted to avoid an engagement, by a night march; but they were led into a bog in the dark; alarm and disorder followed; and the insurgents, proceeding some in one direction and some in another, left the Earl of Argyle without an army; he was captured and executed. The Duke of Monmouth met with a similar fate, and the rebellion in England was suppressed without the Earl of Mar's regiment being required to pass the border.

1686

The Earl of Mar was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment, in 1686, by Colonel Thomas Buchan, from a regiment of horse.

1688

When the attempts made by King James to establish papacy and arbitrary government had alarmed his subjects, and the Prince of Orange was preparing an armament for the invasion of England, the regiment was one of the corps which marched from Scotland to support the authority of the King; and in the early part of November, 1688, it arrived in the vicinity of London, when it was ordered to occupy quarters in Spitalfields and the Tower Hamlets. The Prince of Orange landed on the 5th of November; King James discovered that he had alienated the affections of his subjects, both civil and military, and he fled to France. Colonel Buchan's regiment was ordered, by the Prince of Orange, to occupy quarters at Witney, in Oxfordshire.

1689

The Prince and Princess of Orange were elevated to the Throne by the titles of King William and Queen Mary; and Colonel Buchan having adhered to the interests of King James, King William conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Colonel Francis Fergus O'Farrell, by commission dated the 1st of March, 1689.

From Oxfordshire, the regiment marched to Gravesend, where it embarked for Holland, and joining the Dutch army commanded by Prince Waldeck, served the campaign of that year with the division under the Earl (afterwards Duke) of Marlborough. The regiment took part in a sharp action with the French troops, commanded by Marshal d'Humières, at Walcourt, in the province of Namur, on the 25th of August, on which occasion the French were repulsed in their attacks on the allied army, with considerable loss.

1690

The regiment passed the winter in Flanders, and in the summer of 1690 again took the field; it was on its march for Brussels on the 21st of June, in order to join the allied army; but Prince Waldeck engaged the French at Fleurus, without waiting for the arrival of the British troops, and was defeated. This disaster occasioned the services of the army to be limited to defensive operations during the remainder of the campaign.

1691

In March, 1691, the regiment was encamped at Halle, in South Brabant, and formed in brigade with the second battalion of the Royals; the French besieged Mons, and the allies were too few in numbers to prevent the capture of the place by the enemy. After the surrender of Mons, the regiment was placed in quarters until May, when it encamped near Brussels, and was formed in brigade with the Royals, and the Scots regiments of Mackay, Ramsay, and Angus, under the orders of Brigadier-General Ramsay.

In a list of the army in Flanders, printed in July, 1691, the regiment is styled "O'Farrell's fusiliers;" and its uniform is stated to be red, faced and lined with the same colour.

At the termination of the campaign, the regiment was again placed in winter-quarters.

1692

A numerous French army appeared in the Netherlands in the spring of 1692, and besieged Namur; when O'Farrell's fusiliers were called from their quarters, and advanced with the army, commanded by King William III., to the relief of the place; but the march having been delayed by heavy rains, the garrison surrendered on the 20th of June. A few days afterwards, a detachment of the regiment was employed in an attempt to surprise Mons; but the garrison was found prepared. On this occasion, Colonel Sir Robert Douglas and Colonel O'Farrell, having proceeded a short distance to consult with the Prince of Wirtemberg, who commanded the party, mistook their way in the dark, and were made prisoners by a detachment of French cavalry: they were released on paying the regulated ransom.

O'Farrell's fusiliers formed part of the advance-guard at the battle of Steenkirk on the 3rd of August; and were severely engaged with the superior numbers of the enemy under the Duke of Luxembourg. The regiment distinguished itself on this occasion, and sustained the loss of many brave officers and soldiers. D'Auvergne states, in his history of this campaign,—"Our van-guard behaved in this engagement to such wonder and admiration, that though they received the charge of several battalions of the enemy, one after another, yet they made them retreat almost to their camp." The corps in advance were not supported in time to enable them to persevere in their career of victory; and King William commanded the army to retreat.

The regiment had Major Keith, Captains White, Cygnoe, Mackenzie, and Sharp, Lieutenants Charles King and Edward Griffith killed; and Lieutenant Newton wounded. The regiment was not engaged in any service of importance during the remainder of the campaign, and it passed the winter at Ghent.

1693

Again taking the field in the summer of 1693, the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were formed in brigade with the regiments of Leven (twenty-fifth), Monro (twenty-sixth), Mackay, and Lander (afterwards disbanded), under the command of Brigadier-General Ramsay, and, after taking part in several manœuvres, were engaged at the battle of Landen on the 29th of July. At sunrise on the morning of that day, a French force of very superior numbers, commanded by the Duke of Luxembourg, appeared before the position occupied by the confederate army under King William III., when the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, and other regiments of their brigade, were ordered to occupy some hedges and narrow roads, beyond the village of Laer, on the right of the line. This village, and the ground occupied by General Ramsay's brigade, being attacked by a numerous body of the enemy, the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were engaged in a sharp musketry battle in the fields and open grounds. At length the Third foot, and other corps in the village of Laer, were forced to retire; but they rallied, and, being joined by Brigadier-General Ramsay's brigade, the whole charged, and by a gallant effort recaptured the village; the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS distinguished themselves on the occasion. The French afterwards carried the village of Neer-Winden, and forced the position; the regiments at Laer then became separated from the main body of the confederate army; they gallantly defended their post some time, and eventually retired, fighting, to the Gheet, forded that river, and joined several corps which had crossed the bridge of Neer-Hespen. The army was retreating, and the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS accompanied King William to the vicinity of Tirlemont. The regiment had Captains Campbell and Strayton, Lieutenants Douglas and Dunbar, and Adjutant Walle wounded; Captain Paterson taken prisoner; also a number of soldiers killed, wounded, and prisoners.

At the end of the campaign, the regiment was placed in garrison at Bruges.

1694

During the summer of 1694, the regiment performed many long marches in Brabant and Flanders; but was not engaged with the enemy, and in the autumn it marched to Deinse.

This year the King commanded a board of General Officers to assemble and decide upon the rank of the several corps of the army. This board gave precedence to the English regiments, and gave the Scots and Irish regiments rank in the English army from the date of their first arrival in England, or from the date when they were first placed on the English establishment. The NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, not having entered England until the Revolution in 1688, received rank as TWENTY-FIRST regiment. Numerical titles were not generally used until the reign of King George II.

1695

When the army took the field to serve the campaign of 1695, the TWENTY-FIRST were left in garrison at Deinse, where some stores of provision were formed. King William undertook the siege of Namur, and the regiment was directed to join the covering army under the Prince of Vaudemont; but it subsequently returned to Deinse, of which place its colonel, Brigadier-General O'Farrell, was commandant.

The French commander, Marshal Villeroy, detached a strong body of troops, under the Marquis of Feuqueres, to reduce the town of Deinse where the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were stationed. This town was situate on the river Lys; it was only slightly fortified, and in many places there was only an entrenchment and some palisades as defensive works; eight pieces of cannon were the only ordnance in the town. Under these circumstances Brigadier-General O'Farrell considered it impossible to make a successful defence of the place, and he surrendered on the 21st of July without having fired a shot. The FUSILIERS became prisoners of war on this occasion.

Brigadier-General O'Farrell was afterwards tried by a general court-martial, and cashiered: and King William conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Colonel Robert Mackay, from a Scots corps, which was afterwards disbanded.

After the surrender of Namur, the regiment rejoined the allied army, and was again stationed at Bruges.

1696

From Bruges the regiment proceeded to the camp at Marykirk, and it served the campaign of 1696 with the army of Brabant: in the autumn it went into village cantonments.

1697

In December, Colonel Robert Mackay died; and on the 1st of January, 1697, King William conferred the colonelcy of the regiment on Lieut.-Colonel Archibald Row, from the Sixteenth foot.

Quitting its village quarters on the 13th of March, 1697, the regiment entered upon the operations of another campaign. While the troops were in the field, negotiations for a general peace commenced at Ryswick, and the treaty was signed in September. Thus the British monarch witnessed his efforts for the liberties of Europe, and for the preservation of the balance of power in Christendom, attended with success.

The regiment returned to Scotland during the winter, and was stationed there during the remainder of King William's reign.

1702

Queen Anne succeeded to the throne on the 8th of March, 1702; and the French monarch, having violated the conditions of existing treaties, by procuring the accession of his grandson, Philip, Duke of Anjou, to the throne of Spain, war was declared against France soon afterwards. At the commencement of hostilities the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were selected to proceed on foreign service, and they embarked from Scotland for Holland, to serve with the allied army commanded by the Earl of Marlborough. The regiment did not join the army immediately on its arrival in Holland, but was stationed some time at Breda, and in September it marched towards Flanders.

1703

Quitting its winter-quarters in April, 1703, the regiment marched towards Maestricht, where the allied army was assembled, and the second battalion of the Royals, with the Tenth, Sixteenth, TWENTY-FIRST, and Twenty-Sixth regiments, were formed in brigade, under Brigadier-General the Earl of Derby.

The regiment took part in the operations of the campaign, and its services were connected with the reduction of Huy, a strong fortress on the Maese, above the city of Liege, which was besieged and captured in ten days. The regiment was afterwards detached from the main army, to take part in the capture of Limburg, a city of the Spanish Netherlands, situate on a pleasant eminence near the banks of the Wesdet. The siege of this place was commenced on the 10th of September, and the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were employed in carrying on the approaches, and in making the attacks; and in seventeen days the garrison surrendered at discretion.

1704

In October the regiment marched back to Holland, where it was stationed during the winter.

From Holland the regiment marched, in the months of May and June, 1704, to the interior of Germany, to arrest the progress of the French and Bavarians, who had gained considerable advantage over the Imperialists. A junction was formed with the Germans under the Margrave of Baden; and on the 2nd of July the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS took part in the attack of the enemy's position on the lofty heights of Schellenberg on the north bank of the Danube; when the entrenchments were carried, and the French and Bavarians, commanded by the Count d'Arco, were driven from their post with severe loss.

The regiment had a few private soldiers killed and wounded; also Captain Kygoe, Lieutenants Johnston and John Campbell, wounded.

After this victory the regiment penetrated the Electorate of Bavaria to the vicinity of the enemy's fortified camp at Augsburg, which was found too strong to be attacked with any prospect of success, and the army retired a few stages to undertake the siege of Ingoldstadt. At the same time a numerous reinforcement of French troops arrived at the theatre of war.

These events were followed by the battle of Blenheim, on the 13th of August, when the French and Bavarians, commanded by Marshal Tallard and the Elector of Bavaria, were overpowered by the allies under the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene of Savoy, and a victory was gained which reflected lustre on the British arms. The NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were selected to lead the attack against the French troops in the village of Blenheim, and their colonel, Brigadier-General Row, placed himself at the head of his regiment, which was followed by four other corps. In the Annals of Queen Anne it is stated—"The five English battalions, led on by Brigadier-General Row, who charged on foot at the head of his own regiment with unparalleled intrepidity, assaulted the village of Blenheim, advancing to the very muzzles of the enemy's muskets, and some of the officers exchanged thrusts of swords through the palisades;"—but the avenues of the village were found strongly fortified, and defended by a force of superior numbers. Brigadier-General Row led the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS up to the palisades before he gave the word "fire," and the next moment he fell mortally wounded; Lieut.-Colonel Dalyel and Major Campbell, being both on the spot, stepped forward to raise their colonel, and were both instantly pierced by musket-balls; the soldiers, exasperated at seeing the three field officers of the regiment fall, made a gallant effort to force their way into the village, but this was found impossible, and the regiment was ordered to retire. The moment the soldiers faced about, thirteen squadrons of French cavalry galloped forward to charge them, and one of the colours of the regiment was captured by the enemy; but the French horsemen were repulsed by the fire of a brigade of Hessians, and the colour was recovered.

Another attempt to capture the village of Blenheim having failed, the firing was continued against this post, and the army advanced against the enemy's line, which was driven from the field with great slaughter, and the loss of its cannon, and of many officers and soldiers made prisoners, among whom was the French commander, Marshal Tallard. Additional forces were then brought against the French troops in Blenheim, and they surrendered prisoners of war. The Germans, who attacked the enemy's right, were also victorious; and the gallant achievements of the allied army raised on the banks of the Danube a trophy which time cannot destroy.

The regiment had Lieut.-Colonel Dalyel, Captain Stratton, jun., Captain Stratton, senior, Lieutenants Vandergracht, Hill, Campbell, and Travallion killed; Brigadier-General Row and Major Campbell died of their wounds; Captains Craufurd and Fairlee, Lieutenants Dunbar, J. Douglas, Elliott, Ogilvy, Maxwell, Stuart, Primrose, and Gordon wounded.

The number of the enemy captured on this occasion was so great, that the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, and four other corps, were sent to Holland in charge of prisoners. These corps marched in charge of the captured French and Bavarians to Mentz, where they embarked in boats and sailed to Holland, under the orders of Brigadier-General Fergusson; and having delivered them into the charge of other regiments, went into quarters.

1705

The colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on John, Viscount Mordaunt, who had distinguished himself at the head of the foot guards which commenced the attack on the heights of Schellenberg. A number of recruits from Scotland having replaced the losses of the preceding campaign, the regiment appeared complete and in good order when it took the field to serve the campaign of 1705. It was employed in the expedition up the Moselle: and returning to the Netherlands, was afterwards engaged at the forcing of the French lines at Helixem and Neer Hespen, on the morning of the 18th of July, when the superior tactics of the British Commander, and the gallantry of his troops, were very conspicuous.

1706

The regiment had also the honor to take part in gaining another splendid victory over the combined French, Spanish, and Bavarian forces, at Ramilies, on Whit-Sunday, the 23rd of May, 1706. During the early part of the action the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, the Third foot, and three regiments of cavalry, were stationed on the heights of Foulz, where they had a view of the field of battle. An important crisis in the battle arriving, these corps descended from the heights,—the FUSILIERS and Third Foot forced their way through a morass, crossed the Little Gheet, ascended the acclivity between that river and the Jauche, and charging the enemy's left flank, forced three French regiments into some low grounds, where the greater part of them were either killed or taken prisoners. The allies were successful at every part of the field, and the legions of the enemy were overpowered, and pursued from the plains of Ramilies with great slaughter until the following morning, by which time nearly all the enemy's cannon, with many standards, colours, and kettle-drums, had been captured.

This victory augmented the reputation of the British arms; and was followed by very important results. Spanish Brabant, and many of the principal towns of Flanders, were rescued from the power of the enemy. The services of the regiment are connected with the capture of Ostend, Menin, and Aeth; and it passed the winter in garrison in Flanders.

In June of this year Viscount Mordaunt exchanged with Colonel Sampson de Lalo, a French gentleman of the Protestant religion, who had been forced to quit his native country by the Edict of Nantes; Colonel de Lalo had served as Lieut.-Colonel and Colonel of the Twenty-eighth regiment several years, and had the reputation of being an excellent officer.

1707

During the campaign of 1707, the services of the regiment were limited to marches and occupying positions; and it passed the winter in West Flanders.

The Union of Scotland and England took place this year, which occasioned St. George's cross to be added to the colours of the Scots regiments, and St. Andrew's cross to the colours of the English regiments. The corps, previously designated Scots regiments, took the title of North British regiments.

1708

In May, 1708, the regiment again took the field, and on the 11th of July it had an opportunity of acquiring fresh laurels at the battle of Oudenarde, which was fought in the broken grounds near the river Scheldt. On this occasion the regiment was engaged in a severe musketry action, and it succeeded in driving the French corps opposed to it from field to field, until the darkness of the night put an end to the conflict. Before the following morning the wreck of the French army had retreated in disorder towards Ghent.

After this victory, the siege of Lisle, the capital of French Flanders, was resolved upon. This fortress was deemed almost impregnable; it was garrisoned by fifteen thousand men, commanded by Marshal Boufflers, who resolved upon making a desperate defence. The NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were selected to take part in the attack of this important fortress, under the orders of Prince Eugene of Savoy; the covering army was commanded by the Duke of Marlborough. The regiment had several men killed and wounded in carrying on the approaches, and at the attack of the counterscarp it had thirteen men killed; three officers, four serjeants, and sixty-six rank and file wounded. The progress of this siege was a subject of peculiar interest throughout Europe; and the besieging army witnessed its extraordinary efforts for the capture of the place, attended by complete success, on the 9th of December, when the citadel surrendered.

1709

Having reposed a few months in quarters, and received a body of fine recruits from Scotland, the regiment joined the army, and was employed in covering the siege of Tournay, in July and August, 1709. The citadel of Tournay surrendered in the beginning of September, and the army afterwards marched in the direction of Mons.

A numerous French army, commanded by Marshals Villars and Boufflers, took up a position at Malplaquet, and strengthened the post by entrenchments and other works of art. The Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene had confidence in the valour and perseverance of the troops under their orders, and they attacked the enemy's formidable position on the 11th of September, on which occasion the heroic valour of the troops was conspicuous; the enemy's entrenchments and abatis-de-bois were stormed with distinguished gallantry, the determined resistance of the French was overcome, and another trophy was acquired; but with the loss of many brave officers and soldiers, including the Colonel of the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, Brigadier-General de Lalo, who was killed at the head of a brigade, and his fall was much regretted.

In addition to the loss of its Colonel, the regiment had also Captains Monroe, Wemys, and Farley killed; Captains Montressor and Lowther wounded.

After the death of Brigadier-General de Lalo, Viscount Mordaunt was re-appointed on the 4th of September to the colonelcy of the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, from the Twenty-eighth regiment.

The regiment was afterwards employed in covering the siege of Mons, which was terminated by the surrender of the garrison on the 20th of October; when the regiment marched into quarters.

1710

On the 14th of April, 1710, the regiment marched out of its winter-quarters towards the frontiers of France, and was engaged in the movements by which the French lines were passed at Pont-à-Vendin: it was afterwards selected to take part in the siege of Douay, where it performed much severe service. It was employed in carrying on the approaches, in storming the outworks, and other duties connected with the siege, and sustained considerable loss in killed and wounded. The garrison beat a parley on the 25th of June, and afterwards surrendered the fortress.

After the capture of Douay, the regiment was employed in covering the siege of Bethune, which place was surrendered in August. The regiment was also with the covering army during the sieges of St. Venant and Aire; the former place surrendered on the 30th of September, and the latter on the 9th of November.

Viscount Mordaunt died this year, and was succeeded in the colonelcy by Major-General Meredith, from the Thirty-seventh regiment. This officer was succeeded, in December, by Major-General the Earl of Orrery, from a newly-raised regiment, which was afterwards disbanded.

1711

After passing the winter in quarters at Dendermond, the regiment joined the army in May, 1711, and it took part in the movements by which the boasted impregnable French lines were passed at Arleux on the 5th of August. The regiment was afterwards employed in the siege of Bouchain, in which service obstacles of the greatest magnitude had to be overcome, and the abilities of the commanders, with the valour of the troops, were put to a severe test. These qualities were found in the besieging army; on more than one occasion the soldiers fought up to their middle in water, and by a gallant perseverance, which reflected honor on all the corps engaged in the siege, every difficulty was overcome; and the garrison surrendered on the 13th of September.

1712

The regiment joined the army commanded by the Duke of Ormond, in the campaign of 1712, and advanced to the frontiers of Picardy; but a suspension of hostilities was soon afterwards proclaimed, preparatory to a general peace, when the British army marched to Ghent, and afterwards went into quarters.

1713

A treaty of peace was concluded at Utrecht, and the soldiers of the NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS could look back with exultation at the career of victory and honor which had attended their corps during these memorable campaigns. At this period the regiment is designated by historians, and in official documents, by the title of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS; but the date when this honorary distinction of "ROYAL" was conferred upon it, has not been ascertained.

1714

The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were stationed in Flanders until the decease of Queen Anne, on the 1st of August, 1714, and the accession of King George I., when they were ordered to embark for England. They landed at Gravesend on the 23rd of August, and were afterwards directed to march to Scotland.

1715

In 1715 the Earl of Mar[6] erected the standard of rebellion in Scotland, and summoned the Highland clans to aid him in establishing the Pretender on the throne. The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were encamped at Stirling, under the command of the Duke of Argyle, and advanced with the Royal army to Dumblain, to defeat the attempts of the enemy to march southward. On the morning of the 13th of November the two armies confronted each other on Sheriff-muir. On the approach of the clans, it was found necessary for the Royal forces to change position, and this movement was executed at a critical time with steadiness; but several corps were suddenly attacked by the clans while in the act of forming, and suffered severely. The left wing of the rebel army was overpowered, and driven from the field with great slaughter; and the left wing of the Royal army was also forced to retire; thus each commander had one wing victorious, and one wing defeated: the rebels were prevented marching southward, and retired; and the King's troops returned to their camp at Stirling.

The regiment had one captain, two lieutenants, three serjeants, and eighty-five rank and file killed; one captain, one serjeant, and twenty-four rank and file wounded.

1716

Reinforcements having arrived, the King's troops advanced, in January, 1716, to attack the insurgents, who made a precipitate retreat. The Pretender, and several leaders in the rebellion, escaped to the Continent, and the clans separated. The rebellion was thus suppressed.

In July of this year the Earl of Orrery was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment by Colonel George Macartney, whose regiment of foot had been disbanded at the peace of Utrecht.

1727

The regiment was employed on home service many years; and in 1727 it was held in readiness to embark for Holland, to aid the Dutch in their approaching war with the Emperor of Germany; but the presence of British troops was not required.

In the same year Colonel Macartney was removed to the Seventh horse, now Sixth Dragoon Guards, and the colonelcy of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS was conferred on Brigadier-General Sir James Wood, from the Dutch service.

1728
1729

The order for embarking for Holland having been countermanded, the regiment afterwards proceeded to Ireland, and was placed upon the establishment of that country.

1738

Major-General Sir James Wood died in 1738, and King George II. nominated Colonel John Campbell, afterwards Duke of Argyle, to the colonelcy of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, from the Thirty-ninth regiment.

1739
1740
1741

War having been declared against Spain, in the autumn of 1739, the regiment was withdrawn from Ireland, and landing at Liverpool, was stationed in South Britain during the year 1740; in the summer of 1741 it was encamped on Lexden Heath, where seven regiments of cavalry and seven of infantry were assembled, and held in readiness for foreign service.

1742

In the summer of 1742 King George II. sent sixteen thousand men to Flanders, to support the interest of the House of Austria against the aggressions of France and Bavaria: the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS formed part of this force, and were stationed some time at Ghent.

1743

Early in 1743 the regiment commenced its march for Germany, and after taking part in several movements in the field, had the honor to distinguish itself, under the eye of its Sovereign, at the battle of Dettingen, on the 27th of June, when the French troops, under Marshal Noailles, were driven from the field of battle with great slaughter, and the loss of a number of standards and colours.

The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS had Lieutenant Yonge, one serjeant, and thirty-five rank and file killed; Lieutenant Levingstone, one serjeant, two drummers, and fifty-three rank and file wounded.

The regiment was afterwards encamped near Hanau; in August it crossed the Rhine, and was employed in West Germany; but in the autumn it returned to Flanders.

1744

During the campaign of 1744 the regiment served with the army under Field-Marshal Wade; it was encamped between Asche and Alost, afterwards on the banks of the Scheldt, and subsequently penetrated the French territory to the vicinity of Lisle; but returned to Ghent for winter-quarters.

1745

Quitting its cantonments in April, 1745, the regiment marched, with the army commanded by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, to the relief of Tournay, which fortress was besieged by a numerous French army, which took up a position near the village of Fontenoy. The enemy had a great superiority of numbers; but the Duke of Cumberland, trusting to the innate bravery of his troops, resolved to hazard a general engagement on the 11th of May, when the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS had their valour and endurance put to a severe test, and they proved themselves not unworthy successors of the gallant officers and soldiers who triumphed at Blenheim and Ramilies under the great Duke of Marlborough.

Soon after nine o'clock the British infantry advanced in the face of a heavy fire of grape and musketry, and by a gallant charge broke through the French lines; but the Dutch failed to carry the village of Fontenoy, and a brigade under Brigadier-General Ingoldsby did not capture the battery it was appointed to attack; the troops, which had forced the enemy's centre, were thus exposed to so severe a cross fire, that they were ordered to retire. A second attack was made; British valour and intrepidity were again triumphant; but the failure of the Dutch a second time, produced disastrous results, and the British regiments, which had carried the enemy's entrenchments, and forced the centre, were nearly annihilated by a destructive cross fire. The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS suffered severely on this occasion. The Duke of Cumberland afterwards ordered a retreat, and the army withdrew from the field of battle to Aeth.

Lieutenants Campbell, Houston, and Serjeant, of the regiment, were killed; Major Colville, Captains Latan, Olivant, and Knatchbull, Lieutenants Maxwell, Colville, Ballenden, Macgaken, and Townsend, wounded; Captain Sandilands, Lieutenant Stuart, and Quarter-Master Stewart prisoners; eleven serjeants and two hundred and fifty-nine rank and file killed, wounded, and prisoners.

The severe loss which the regiment had experienced occasioned it to be placed in garrison at Ostend. This place was besieged by a numerous French force; and the garrison defended their post some time; but the works were not in repair, the stores were defective, and the garrison not sufficiently numerous: under these circumstances the governor surrendered, on condition that the garrison should join the allied army.

While the regiment was in Flanders, Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, arrived in Scotland, and being joined by a number of Highland clans, he made a desperate attempt to overturn the existing government, and establish his father's authority in the kingdom. The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were ordered to return to England; they arrived in the river Thames on the 4th of November, and after landing, marched northward: the efficiency of the regiment was increased by a body of fine recruits enlisted in Scotland.

1746

The regiment arrived at Edinburgh in January, 1746, and advanced with the army commanded by the Duke of Cumberland, towards Stirling, when the young Pretender raised the siege of Stirling castle and made a precipitate retreat. The pursuit was retarded by severe weather; but the army continued its advance when the season permitted, and on the 16th of April encountered the clans on Culloden moor. The regiment was in the front line on this occasion, and took part in repulsing the attacks of the Highlanders, and in driving them from the field of battle with great slaughter. This victory proved decisive, and the rebellion was suppressed.

The loss of the regiment was limited to seven private soldiers killed and wounded. It was encamped a short time at Inverness, and afterwards removed to Glasgow.

1747

From Scotland, the regiment was again removed to the theatre of the war in the Netherlands, where it arrived in time to take part in the operations of the campaign of 1747; and it was engaged at the battle of Val, on the 2nd of July. On this occasion the allied army was very inferior in numbers to the enemy, and although the gallantry of the British infantry was very conspicuous throughout the action, the Duke of Cumberland was obliged to order a retreat to Maestricht.

Eight rank and file of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS were killed; one serjeant and fifteen rank and file were wounded; and five men missing.

1748

The regiment was again in the field in the summer of 1748. Hostilities were this year terminated by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, and during the winter the regiment returned to England.[7]

1751

In the Royal Warrant, issued on the 1st of July, 1751, for ensuring uniformity in the clothing, standards, and colours of the army, the following directions are given for the TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT, OR THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS:—

"In the centre of their colours, the THISTLE within the CIRCLE OF ST. ANDREW, and the CROWN over it; and in the three corners of the second colour, the KING'S CIPHER AND CROWN.

"On the grenadier caps, the THISTLE as on the colours; the WHITE HORSE, and motto over it, Nec aspera terrent, on the flap. On the drums and bells of arms, the THISTLE and CROWN to be painted, as on the colours, with the rank of the regiment underneath."

During the period the regiment was stationed in England, where it remained until 1751, it received the commendations of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, on account of its good conduct in quarters, and of its former gallantry in the field.

The TWENTY-FIRST regiment embarked for Gibraltar towards the end of the year 1751, in order to relieve the Eighth, or King's Regiment.

1752

Lieut.-General Campbell was removed to the Scots Greys, and King George II. nominated Colonel the Earl of Panmure, from the Twenty-fifth regiment, to the colonelcy of the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, by commission dated the 29th of April, 1752.

1760

The regiment remained at Gibraltar until 1760, when it was relieved from duty at that fortress, and returned to England.

Madeley lith 3 Wellington S^t. Strand.
XXI.
THE ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS.
1742
For Cannon's Military Records.

1761

In the meantime another war had commenced between Great Britain and France, and in 1761 the ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS, mustering eight hundred men, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Edward Maxwell, sailed with the expedition under Major-General Hodgson, for the attack of the French island in the Bay of Biscay, called Belle-Isle. The fleet appeared before the island on the 7th of April; but the coast was found like a vast fortress,—the little which nature had left undone by rocks and crags, having been supplied by art. A landing was, however, effected on the following day; the TWENTY-FIRST was one of the regiments which leaped on shore, and stormed the works of Port Andro, under a heavy fire of cannon and musketry; the works were found too steep to be ascended, and although the officers and soldiers made a gallant effort, one attempting to lift another up, it was found impossible to succeed, and they were ordered to return on board of the fleet. The regiment had three serjeants, one drummer, and eight rank and file killed; eight rank and file wounded; Lieutenants Innis and Ramage, and thirty-five rank and file, prisoners;—many of the officers and soldiers taken prisoners were severely wounded, and were unable to return on board of the fleet when the order was given to retire.

A landing was effected on the 22nd of April at a rugged spot near Point Lomaria, where the difficult ascent had occasioned the enemy to be less attentive to that part of the coast; and the troops, under Brigadier-General Lambert, having landed, gained the summit of the rock, and repulsed the attempts of the enemy to dislodge them,—capturing three brass field-pieces. The cannon was afterwards landed from the ships, and dragged up the rocks; the lines which covered the town of Palais were captured, and the siege of the citadel commenced. The ROYAL NORTH BRITISH FUSILIERS took part in the siege of the Citadel of Belle-Isle, which was prosecuted with so much vigour, that the governor, the Chevalier de St. Croix, was forced to surrender on the 7th of June. The capture of the island was thus effected, with the loss of about eighteen hundred men killed and wounded.