Part 5
“The meritorious conduct of His Majesty’s Twenty-fifth Light Dragoons, and EIGHTY-SIXTH Regiment of Foot, in every situation where they have been employed during the long period of their services in India, has been brought under the notice of government, in a particular manner, by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, as establishing for them strong claims to its consideration; and the honourable mention which has been made by his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, has been coupled with the expression of his Excellency’s wish, that their services may meet with the same acknowledgment, on their approaching departure, as, in general orders, dated 27th August, 1805, and 11th October, 1806, marked the close of the distinguished career of His Majesty’s Seventy-fourth Regiment, and Nineteenth Light Dragoons, then returning to England; concurring entirely in the commendations which His Majesty’s Twenty-fifth Light Dragoons, and EIGHTY-SIXTH Foot, have received from the Commander-in-Chief, and entertaining the same high sense of their merits and services, the Governor in Council is pleased to extend, to the officers of those corps, the indulgence recommended by his Excellency, and, accordingly, directs that a donation of three months’ full batta be passed to them on the occasion of their embarkation for Europe.”
Five hundred and sixty non-commissioned officers and soldiers having volunteered to remain in India, transferring their services to other corps, the remainder of the regiment sailed for England in April, and in October anchored off the Nore, where the ship was placed under quarantine, Lieutenant John Campbell and several soldiers having died during the voyage.
On the 23rd of October, the regiment landed at Gravesend, after an _absence from England of twenty-three years and four months_, bringing back only _two individuals_, MAJOR D. MARSTON and QUARTER-MASTER R. GILL, who embarked with it in June, 1796, the latter as a private.
The regiment joined the depôt companies at Canterbury, where Lieut.-Colonel John Johnson succeeded to the lieut.-colonelcy, on the promotion of Colonel Fraser, C.B., to the rank of major-general.
[Sidenote: 1820]
During the winter, the regiment marched to Chichester, sending two companies to Brighton, and in April, 1820, it was removed to Weedon and Northampton, where two hundred and fifty recruits joined from Ireland.
[Sidenote: 1821]
[Sidenote: 1822]
In February, 1821, the regiment proceeded to Chatham; in October it embarked at Bristol, for Ireland, and, after landing at Waterford, occupied quarters at that place, having nine detached parties, until April, 1822, when the head-quarters were removed to Naas, and in July, the regiment occupied Richmond barracks, Dublin.
[Sidenote: 1823]
From Dublin, the regiment proceeded, in May, 1823, to Athlone, and in October to Armagh, where the authority of His Majesty, King George IV., was received for bearing the word “INDIA” on the colours and appointments, “in consideration of the distinguished conduct of the regiment during the period of its service in India, from the year 1799, to the year 1819.”
[Sidenote: 1824]
[Sidenote: 1825]
[Sidenote: 1826]
In March, 1824, the head-quarters were removed to Newry; in January, 1825, the regiment proceeded to Naas; in June it was removed to Clonmel[12], and in the spring of 1826, it marched to Buttevant,--furnishing numerous detached parties. On quitting the south-west district, Major-General Sir Charles Doyle expressed, in a letter to the commanding officer, his “entire satisfaction” at the conduct of the regiment, while under his orders.
Lieut.-Colonel Johnson retired on half-pay, and was succeeded as commanding officer, by Lieut.-Colonel Mallett, C.B., from the Eighty-ninth regiment.
In the autumn, the regiment was formed into six _service_, and four _depôt_ companies, preparatory to its embarkation for the West Indies[13]. In October, the service companies proceeded to Cork, leaving the depôt under Captain Stuart, at Buttevant, and embarking on board the “Princess Royal,” “Waterloo,” and “Thetis,” transports, sailed for Barbadoes, from whence they were ordered to Trinidad and Tobago, to relieve the Ninth Regiment, which was about to return home. The retirement of Major Baird occasioned Major Michael Creagh to return from the West Indies, to take command of the depôt.
[Sidenote: 1827]
At Trinidad, the regiment occupied the Orange-Grove Barracks, until the completion of the new barracks at St. James’s. During the year 1827, Ensign Selway died at Tobago, and the loss by deaths, at the two islands of Trinidad and Tobago, amounted to three serjeants, forty rank and file, and eleven soldiers’ wives.
[Sidenote: 1828]
In January, 1828, the regiment was relieved by the first battalion of the Royal Regiment, and proceeded to the island of Barbadoes, where Adjutant Dolman, three serjeants, and fifty-six rank and file, died of fevers contracted at Trinidad and Tobago.
[Sidenote: 1829]
[Sidenote: 1830]
The regiment remained at Barbadoes during the year 1829; in January, 1830, it was removed to Antigua, St. Kitts, and Montserrat.
On the 2nd of December, Major W. Richardson died at Antigua, universally regretted by the officers and soldiers of the regiment, who testified their regard for his merits, by erecting a monument to his memory in the church of Newry, County Down. He was the last of the three brothers who served with distinction in the corps.
[Sidenote: 1831]
In March, 1831, the slaves of Antigua, being opposed to the abolition of the Sunday market, set fire to several plantations, when a strong detachment was sent to protect the town of St. John’s, where it remained until tranquillity was restored.
[Sidenote: 1832]
Colonel Mallet, C.B., after having assumed charge of the civil government at St. Lucia, died at that island, very much regretted by the regiment; and was succeeded, in February, 1832, by Lieut.-Colonel MICHAEL CREAGH, from the half-pay, whose services are recorded in the preceding pages.
In the spring of this year, His Majesty, King William IV., was graciously pleased to approve of the regiment bearing on its colours and appointments the Irish “HARP AND CROWN” and the motto “QUIS SEPARABIT?”. The harp and crown only was assumed when the corps obtained the title of ROYAL COUNTY DOWN REGIMENT.
During this year, detachments were employed in controlling the disposition to violence evinced by the slave-population at Tortola, Barbuda, and other places.
On the decease of General the Earl of Kilmorey, the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on Major-General William George Lord Harris, K.C.B. by commission, dated 3rd December, 1832.
[Sidenote: 1833]
In February, 1833, the regiment was removed to Demerara and Berbice, with detached companies at Fort Wellington, Mahaica, and Fort D’Urban.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Michael Creagh, K.H., arrived from England, on the 1st of March, bringing with him the new colours, presented to the regiment by the late Earl of Kilmorey, bearing the “HARP AND CROWN” with the motto “_Quis Separabit?_” also the “SPHINX,” and the words “EGYPT,” “BOURBON,” “INDIA;”--distinctions reflecting honour on the corps, and calculated to stimulate the youthful soldiers of the regiment to emulate the noble example of their predecessors.
[Sidenote: 1834]
The regiment remained at Demerara and Berbice during the years 1834 and 1835.
[Sidenote: 1835]
[Sidenote: 1836]
In December, 1835, Major-General Lord Harris was appointed to the Seventy-third Regiment, and Major-General the Honourable Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby, K.C.B., was appointed to the colonelcy of the EIGHTY-SIXTH Regiment. This officer was removed to the Royal Dragoons, in March, 1836, and was succeeded by Major-General James Watson, C.B.
From Demerara and Berbice, the regiment was removed in May, 1836, to Barbadoes.
[Sidenote: 1837]
On the 20th of February, 1837, the regiment was inspected, preparatory to its return to England, by Lieut.-General Sir Samford Whittingham, who stated in a letter to Lieut.-Colonel Sir Michael Creagh, that he had “reported the EIGHTY-SIXTH, as about to embark for England, after ten years’ service in the West Indies, in a state of hardy, soldier-like efficiency, fit, if necessary, for immediate service in the field: a circumstance alike creditable to the commanding officer and to the corps.” On the embarkation of the regiment, on the 21st of March, the following appeared in general orders:--“The Lieutenant-General Commanding the Forces, having in person witnessed the embarkation of the EIGHTY-SIXTH Regiment this morning, it gives him sincere satisfaction to express in general orders his acknowledgements of the soldier-like and orderly manner in which it was conducted. The arrangements were perfect, and the whole proceeding reflects the highest credit on Lieut.-Colonel Sir Michael Creagh, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, of the Royal County Down Regiment. They carry with them the Lieut.-General’s best wishes for their future honour and welfare.”
In May the service companies arrived at Chatham, having sustained a loss of five officers, and two hundred and ninety-nine soldiers, during the period they had been absent from Great Britain, and bringing back four hundred and twenty-four effective men. The depôt companies arrived at Chatham from Ireland, on the following day[14].
On the 24th of May, Lieut.-General Watson was removed to the Fourteenth Foot, and was succeeded by Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Brooke, K.C.B.
In June the regiment marched to Weedon, where it was inspected on the 8th of August by General Lord Hill, Commanding-in-Chief, who expressed to Lieut.-Colonel Sir Michael Creagh, in front of the regiment, his approbation of the highly efficient state of the corps, after so long a service in the West Indies.
After the inspection, the regiment marched into Lancashire, and occupied Salford-barracks, Manchester, detaching one company to the Isle of Man. During the Chartist disturbances, the EIGHTY-SIXTH were much employed, and frequently received the thanks of Major-General Sir Charles Napier, and Colonel Wemyss.
[Sidenote: 1838]
[Sidenote: 1839]
[Sidenote: 1840]
In April, 1838, the head-quarters and flank companies were removed to Stockport, in Cheshire; but returned to Manchester, in June, 1839; and in June, 1840, the regiment embarked at Liverpool for Ireland, and landed at Belfast; in September it was removed to Dublin.
[Sidenote: 1841]
The regiment was employed in the summer of 1841, at Templemore, Clonmel, Cork, and other places, aiding the civil power in the preservation of the public peace, during the election of members of parliament, and were particularly thanked for their conduct and forbearance.
The regiment received orders to form their depôt companies preparatory to proceeding on service.
[Sidenote: 1842]
The Gazette of January 7, 1842, announced the exchange of Lieut.-Colonel Sir Michael Creagh, K.H., with Lieut.-Colonel Derinzy, K.H., of the Eleventh regiment.
At the period of the conclusion of this record, the EIGHTY-SIXTH, or the ROYAL COUNTY DOWN REGIMENT, is under orders again to proceed to India. Although comparatively a young corps, it has performed much valuable service to the country in all quarters of the globe; it had not the good fortune to serve in the Peninsular War, in which so many corps acquired honorary inscriptions; but it has earned distinctions for its colours, which furnish a powerful incentive to perseverance in the path of duty and honor to all who may have their names recorded in the books of this distinguished regiment.
1842.
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF
THE EIGHTY-SIXTH,
OR
THE ROYAL COUNTY DOWN REGIMENT OF
FOOT.
CORNELIUS CUYLER.
_Appointed 30th October, 1793._
CORNELIUS CUYLER was appointed ensign in the fifty-fifth foot, on the 31st of May, 1759, and, immediately proceeding to North America, joined his regiment before the fort of Ticonderoga, on the west shore of Lake Champlain, in July of the same year, in time to take part in the reduction of that post. In 1760 he served at the reduction of Isle-aux-Noix and at the capture of Montreal, which completed the conquest of Canada. In 1764 he was appointed captain in the forty-sixth foot, with which corps he served two years on the frontiers of North America, one year at New York, and eight in Ireland. On the breaking out of the American war in 1775, he was appointed first aide-de-camp to Lieutenant-General Sir William Howe, who proceeded to Boston with reinforcements. In 1776, he was promoted to major in the fifty-fifth, but continued to perform the duty of first aide-de-camp to Sir William Howe, then commanding-in-chief in North America, and served at the reduction of Long Island, the capture of New York, and the battle of White Plains. He also accompanied the expedition to Pennsylvania in 1777, and served at the battles of Brandywine, and Germantown, and in November of that year he succeeded Colonel Meadows, who was removed to the fifth foot, in the lieutenant-colonelcy of the fifty-fifth, which corps he commanded in the retreat from Philadelphia to New York in 1778, and was at the battle of Freehold, under Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton. In November of that year he proceeded with his regiment to the West Indies, and was engaged in the capture of St. Lucie. He performed the duties of adjutant-general to the troops in the West Indies, under Major-General Christie, in 1781; he afterwards performed the duties of quarter-master-general in the West Indies until 1784 when he returned to England, and took the command of his regiment, then in Ireland. In 1787 he was appointed to the situation of quarter-master-general in the West Indies, which he held until 1792, when he succeeded to the command of the forces in the Windward and Leeward Islands. He commanded an expedition against Tobago, and, having captured the principal fort by storm, on the morning of the 15th of April, 1793, the island submitted. Returning to England soon afterwards, he was promoted to the rank of major-general, and appointed colonel of the EIGHTY-SIXTH Regiment, then first raised, and styled “Cuyler’s Shropshire Volunteers.” He was also placed on the staff of Great Britain, and in April, 1794, he obtained the appointment of lieutenant-governor of Portsmouth: in June of that year he was removed from the EIGHTY-SIXTH to the sixty-ninth regiment. In June, 1796, he was appointed commander-in-chief in the West Indies, with the local rank of lieutenant-general; in January, 1798, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general in the army, and returned to England in May following. In June he was appointed to the command of the Sussex district; and in January, 1799, he was nominated commander-in-chief in Portugal,--the government of that country having refused to ratify a treaty of peace with France, and agreed to receive British troops into the ports: he returned to England in November, the greater part of the troops being sent to the Mediterranean. The rank of general was conferred on this distinguished officer in 1803; he was also appointed governor of Kinsale, and, in July, 1814, he was further rewarded with the dignity of BARONET.
General Sir Cornelius Cuyler, Baronet, died at St. John’s Lodge, Herts, on the 8th of March, 1819, after an honourable service of sixty years.
RUSSELL MANNERS.
_Appointed 20th June, 1794._
This officer was appointed cornet in the royal regiment of horse-guards, in May, 1755; captain in the seventh dragoons, in February, 1758, and in April, 1760, he was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the twenty-first dragoons, or royal foresters. He served in Germany under Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, and, at the peace in 1763, when the royal foresters were disbanded, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the second dragoon guards. On the breaking out of the American war, in 1775, he was appointed colonel of the nineteenth light dragoons,--then newly raised; in 1777, he was promoted to the rank of major-general, and, in 1782, to that of lieutenant-general; in 1783 his regiment was disbanded. The colonelcy of the EIGHTY-SIXTH foot was conferred on Lieutenant-General Manners in 1794; in 1795 he was removed to the twenty-sixth light dragoons, and in 1799 he was promoted to the rank of general.
On the 23rd of May, 1800, as General Manners was riding, accompanied by two other gentlemen, in a post-chaise, to Cambridge, he was stopped by two highwaymen, who demanded his money, when he shot one dead on the spot, and the other rode off. In September of the same year, he was residing at Southend, for the benefit of his health, and, having a presentiment of his approaching death, he set off for London, alone, to obtain medical advice, but he was taken ill on the road, and died at an inn, at Billericay, in Essex, on the 11th September, 1800.
WILLIAM GRINFIELD.
_Appointed 25th March, 1795._
WILLIAM GRINFIELD was appointed ensign in the third foot guards, in 1760; he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and captain in 1767, to that of captain and lieutenant-colonel in 1776, and in 1782 he was promoted to the rank of colonel in the army. In 1786 he obtained the commission of second major in his regiment. He commanded the first battalion of the third foot guards, under His Royal Highness the Duke of York, in Flanders, and evinced great personal bravery and ability on several occasions, particularly at the siege of Valenciennes, and at the re-capture of the post of Lincelles on the 18th of August, 1793, for which he received the thanks of the Duke of York in general orders. He had been appointed lieutenant-colonel of the third foot guards a few days before this action occurred, and in October of the same year he was promoted to the rank of major-general. In 1795 he was rewarded with the colonelcy of the EIGHTY-SIXTH foot; in 1798 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general, and at that eventful period he was called upon to transfer his services to the West Indies, with the important appointment of commander of the forces in the Windward and Leeward islands. On the renewal of hostilities with France in 1803, he commanded an expedition against St. Lucie, and, having captured the fort of Morne Fortuné by storm on the 22nd of June, the island submitted. He landed on the island of Tobago on the 30th of June, and, by a spirited advance upon Scarborough, forced the French General, Berthier, to surrender. He captured the islands of Demerara and Essequibo, from the Dutch, on the 19th of September, and Berbice, in a few days afterwards. On the 25th of September he was promoted to the rank of general. He died at Barbadoes on the 19th of October, 1803, of the yellow fever, surviving his lady only three days. It is recorded, that a short time before he left England for the West Indies, Mrs. Grinfield’s brother died, leaving them £20,000; the general, finding two cousins of the deceased were left unprovided for, observed to his lady, that, as themselves possessed an ample fortune, he purposed making provision for the unfortunate relatives; she readily assenting, he sent for them, and divided the whole legacy between them.
SIR JAMES HENRY CRAIG, KB.
_Appointed 5th January, 1804._
JAMES HENRY CRAIG obtained a commission of ensign in the thirtieth foot on the 1st of June, 1763, and he served with his regiment several years at the fortress of Gibraltar. In March, 1771, he was promoted captain in the forty-seventh foot, with which corps he served in the American war. The forty-seventh were at Boston when hostilities commenced; they took part in the actions at Concord and Bunker’s Hill in 1775, and in 1776 they served in Canada. In December, 1777, Captain Craig was promoted major in the eighty-second regiment, then serving in America, and in 1781 he obtained the lieutenant-colonelcy of that corps, from which he was removed, in 1783, to the sixteenth foot. In 1790 he was promoted to the rank of colonel, in 1794 to that of major-general, and in 1795 his services were rewarded with the colonelcy of the forty-sixth foot. In 1801 he was advanced to the rank of lieutenant-general, and was removed to the EIGHTY-SIXTH regiment in 1804. On the 25th of March, 1805, he was appointed commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean, with the local rank of general; he was also honoured with the dignity of a Knight of the Bath, and nominated governor of Blackness Castle; in 1806 he was removed to the twenty-second regiment. The services of General Sir James Craig were afterwards transferred to British North America, of which country he was appointed governor, with the local rank of general in Upper and Lower Canada, dated the 21st of August, 1807. In 1809 he was removed to the colonelcy of the seventy-eighth highland regiment, or Ross-shire buffs. On the 1st of January, 1812, he was promoted to the rank of general in the army, which he only held a few days, his decease occurring on the 12th of the same month.
SIR CHARLES ROSS, BART.
_Appointed 30th October, 1806._
CHARLES ROSS, son of Admiral Sir Lockhart Ross, of Balnagown, Bart., who signalized himself during the seven years’ war, obtained a commission of cornet in the seventh dragoons, in January, 1780, and in May, 1784, he was promoted captain in the third Irish horse, now sixth dragoon guards, in which corps he remained three years, when he was advanced to the commission of major in the thirty-seventh foot. On the 16th of March, 1791, he was promoted to the lieut.-colonelcy of his regiment, and he performed the duty of commanding officer several years with reputation to himself and advantage to the service. He afterwards took an active part in raising the hundred and sixteenth regiment, but this corps was disbanded in 1796. On the 18th of June, 1798, he was promoted to the rank of major-general, and to that of lieut.-general, in October, 1805. In December of the same year, he was appointed colonel of the eighty-fifth foot, from which he was removed, in October, 1806, to the EIGHTY-SIXTH, and in June, 1810, he was appointed to the thirty-seventh regiment. He was endowed with many amiable qualities, which rendered him an ornament to his country; he was eminently useful in every relation which connected him with society, particularly courteous in public life, and affectionate and valuable as a friend. He died at Balnagown Castle, in the county of Ross, on the 8th of February, 1814.
THE HONORABLE FRANCIS NEEDHAM.
_Appointed 25th June, 1810._