Part 2
[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 THIRTY-NINTH,
OR THE
DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT:
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT In 1702,
AND OF ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES To 1853.
COMPILED BY
RICHARD CANNON, ESQ., ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE, HORSE GUARDS.
Illustrated with Plates.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY GEORGE E. EYRE AND WILLIAM SPOTTISWOODE, PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, FOR HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE.
PUBLISHED BY PARKER, FURNIVALL, AND PARKER, MILITARY LIBRARY, 30, CHARING CROSS.
1853.
ERRATA.
Page 86, line 30,--_for_ “Thansi,” _read_ “Jhansi.”
Do. line 34,--_for_ “Kurnool,” _read_ “Kurnaul.”
Page 94, line 24,--_for_ “Captain Charles Campbell (Major of Brigade)” _read_ “Captain Marmaduke George Nixon (Major of Brigade).”
THE THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT
BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR AND APPOINTMENTS
THE MOTTO “PRIMUS IN INDIS,”
TO DENOTE ITS HAVING BEEN THE FIRST KING’S REGIMENT EMPLOYED IN INDIA;
AND THE WORD “PLASSEY,”
IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS GALLANTRY IN THAT BATTLE, ON THE 23rd OF JUNE, 1757;
THE WORD, “GIBRALTAR,” WITH THE DEVICE OF THE “CASTLE AND KEY,”
AND THE MOTTO, “MONTIS INSIGNIA CALPÉ,” IN TESTIMONY OF ITS SERVICES DURING THE DEFENCE OF GIBRALTAR, FROM 1779 TO 1783;
THE WORDS “ALBUHERA,” “VITTORIA,” “PYRENEES,” “NIVELLE,” “NIVE,” “ORTHES,” AND “PENINSULA,”
IN COMMEMORATION OF ITS GALLANTRY IN THE SEVERAL ACTIONS FOUGHT DURING THE WAR IN PORTUGAL, SPAIN, AND THE SOUTH OF FRANCE, FROM 1809 TO 1814;
AND THE WORD “MAHARAJPORE,”
IN TESTIMONY OF ITS DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN THAT BATTLE, ON THE 29th OF DECEMBER, 1843.
THE
THIRTY-NINTH,
OR
THE DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.
CONTENTS
OF THE
HISTORICAL RECORD.
Year. Page
1702. INTRODUCTION 1
” Formation of the regiment 2
” Colonel Richard Coote appointed its Colonel _ib._
” War declared against France and Spain _ib._
1703. Colonel Nicholas Sankey appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1704. Siege of _Gibraltar_ _ib._
1705. Capture of _Barcelona_ 3
1706. Occupation of Madrid by the Allied Troops _ib._
1707. Battle of _Almanza_ _ib._
” The THIRTY-NINTH and other regiments embarked for Spain _ib._
1708. Operations of the campaign 4
1709. Action at the passage of the _Caya_ 5
1710. Storming of _Xeres de los Cabaleros_ 6
1711. Passage of the Guadiana at Jerumenha 7
” The regiment engaged in the capture of several towns in Spain _ib._
1712. Suspension of hostilities proclaimed _ib._
1713. Treaty of Utrecht signed 8
” The regiment proceeded to Gibraltar, and afterwards to Minorca _ib._
1714 } to } Stationed at Minorca _ib._ 1719. }
” Brigadier-General Thomas Ferrers appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
” Embarked for Ireland _ib._
1720 } and } Stationed in Ireland 8 1721. }
1722. Colonel William Newton appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1723 } to } The regiment remained in Ireland 9 1725. }
1726. _Gibraltar_ besieged by the Spaniards _ib._
” The regiment embarked for that fortress _ib._
1727. Successful defence made by the garrison of _Gibraltar_ 10
1729. Peace concluded between Great Britain, France, and Spain _ib._
” The regiment proceeded from Gibraltar to Jamaica 11
1730. Colonel John Cope appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1732. The regiment returned from Jamaica to Ireland _ib._
” Colonel Thomas Wentworth appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1733 } to } The regiment stationed in Ireland _ib._ 1736. }
1737. Colonel John Campbell, afterwards Duke of Argyle, appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1738. Colonel Richard Onslow appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1739. Lieut.-Colonel Robert Dalway appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
” War declared against Spain _ib._
1740. Lieut.-Colonel Samuel Walter Whitshed appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1741. War of the Austrian Succession 12
1742. Support rendered by the British to the Queen of Hungary _ib._
1743. Colonel Edward Richbell appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
” Battle of _Dettingen_ _ib._
1744. The regiment proceeded from Ireland to Great Britain _ib._
” War declared against France _ib._
1745. The regiment employed as Marines _ib._
1746. Arrival of Prince Charles Edward, eldest son of the Pretender, in Scotland 13
” Battle of _Culloden_ _ib._
” Expedition against the coast of Brittany, of which the THIRTY-NINTH formed part _ib._
” Affairs near _Port L’Orient_ _ib._
” Return of the expedition to England _ib._
1747 } The regiment again employed as Marines on board the and } fleet _ib._ 1748. }
” Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle concluded 14
1749 } to } The regiment stationed in Ireland _ib._ 1751. }
” Royal Warrant respecting the clothing, standards, and colours of the army, and for regulating the number and rank of regiments _ib._
1752. Colonel John Adlercron appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1754. The regiment proceeded from Ireland to the East Indies _ib._
1755. Stationed at Madras 14
1756. Aspect of affairs in India 15
” Part of the regiment selected to serve in Bengal under Lieut.-Colonel Robert (afterwards Lord) Clive _ib._
” Defeat of Monickchund, the Governor of Calcutta, near the Fort of _Budge-Budge_ 16
1757. Advance of the British towards _Calcutta_ _ib._
” Expedition against _Hoogly_ _ib._
” Expedition against _Bandell_ 17
” Action with the Nabob Surajee Dowlah near _Calcutta_ 18
” Treaty of peace concluded with the Nabob 19
” Renewal of hostilities _ib._
” Investment of _Chandernagore_ by the troops under Lieut.-Colonel Clive _ib._
” Surrender of that place _ib._
” Capture of the fort of _Cutwah_ 20
” Battle of _Plassey_ 21
” The motto “_Primus in Indis_,” and the word “PLASSEY” conferred by Royal authority on the regiment 23
” Support rendered to the Nabob by Mr. Law, the French chief at Cossimbuzar _ib._
” Party despatched in pursuit of the French troops 24
” Manner in which the remainder of the regiment left at Madras had been employed _ib._
” Expedition against _Nelloure_ _ib._
” Relief of _Trichinopoly_ _ib._
” Fortress of _Wandewash_ invested by the British 25
” March of the troops to Conjeveram _ib._
1758. Return of the regiment to Ireland _ib._
1759. Detachment of the regiment employed in Germany _ib._
1760 } to } The regiment stationed in Ireland 26 1763. }
” Treaty of peace concluded at Paris _ib._
1766. Colonel Robert Boyd appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1767 } and } The regiment employed in Ireland _ib._ 1768. }
1769. Embarked for Gibraltar _ib._
1770 } to } Formed part of the garrison of that fortress _ib._ 1779. }
” War with Spain _ib._
” Siege of _Gibraltar_ 27
1780. Progress of the siege 29
1781. Successful _sortie_ of the garrison 30
1782. Renewed efforts of the enemy 32
” The combined forces of France and Spain defeated 35
1783. Termination of the siege 36
” Conclusion of peace _ib._
” The word “GIBRALTAR,” with the “_Castle and Key_,” and the motto “_Montis Insignia Calpé_,” conferred on the THIRTY-NINTH regiment 37
” The THIRTY-NINTH designated the EAST MIDDLESEX regiment _ib._
” The regiment returned to England 38
1783 } to } Stationed in South Britain 38 1789. }
” Proceeded to Ireland _ib._
1790 } to } Stationed in Ireland _ib._ 1792. }
1793. War of the French Revolution _ib._
” The regiment embarked for the West Indies _ib._
1794. Expedition against _Martinique_ _ib._
” Capture of _Martinique_, _St. Lucia_, and _Guadeloupe_ 39
” Major-General Nisbett Balfour appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
” Gallant but unsuccessful defence of _Guadeloupe_ against the French 40
” Surrender of the garrison _ib._
” Escape of certain of the officers of the regiment, and their arrival in Ireland 41
1795. The regiment recruited by drafts from several corps _ib._
” Again embarked for Barbadoes _ib._
1796. Capture of _Demerara_, _Essequibo_, and _Berbice_ _ib._
1796 } to } The regiment stationed at Demerara 42 1800. }
” Proceeded to Surinam _ib._
1802. Peace of Amiens _ib._
” Evacuation of Surinam 43
” The regiment embarked for Barbadoes _ib._
” Proceeded to Antigua _ib._
1803. Embarked for England _ib._
” Renewal of the war with France _ib._
” A second battalion added to the regiment _ib._
1804. The first battalion stationed on the coast of Sussex 44
” The second battalion embarked for Guernsey _ib._
1805. The first battalion selected for service in the Mediterranean _ib._
” The flank companies detached to Naples 45
1806. The flank companies proceeded to Sicily _ib._
” The flank companies returned to Malta 46
” The second battalion proceeded to Ireland _ib._
1807. Embarked for England _ib._
” The County title of the regiment changed from EAST MIDDLESEX to DORSETSHIRE _ib._
1808. The flank companies of the first battalion proceeded from Malta to Sicily _ib._
” The second battalion embarked for Guernsey _ib._
1809. The flank companies of the first battalion employed in the capture of the islands of _Ischia_ and _Procida_ 47
” Attempted reduction of the _Castle of Scylla_ _ib._
” The second battalion joined the army in the Peninsula 48
1810. The battalion companies of the first battalion proceeded from Malta to Sicily 49
” The second battalion present at the battle of _Busaco_ _ib._
” Pursuit of the French towards Santarem _ib._
” Investment of _Badajoz_ 50
” Battle of _Albuhera_ _ib._
1810. Received the Royal Authority to bear the word “ALBUHERA” on the regimental colour and appointments 51
1811. Affair of _Arroyo dos Molinos_ _ib._
” The first battalion joined the army in the Peninsula 52
” The second battalion transferred all its effective men to the first battalion _ib._
” Embarkation of the remainder of the second battalion for England 53
1812. _Badajoz_ again invested _ib._
” Capture of the fortress _ib._
” Advance to Burgos _ib._
1813. Battle of _Vittoria_ 54
” Received the Royal authority to bear the word “VITTORIA” on the regimental colour and appointments 55
” Actions in the Pyrenees 56
” Received the Royal authority to bear the word “PYRENEES” on the regimental colour and appointments 57
” France entered by the Pass of _Maya_ _ib._
” Passage of the _Nivelle_ 58
” Received the Royal authority to bear the word “NIVELLE” on the regimental colour and appointments _ib._
” Passage of the _Nive_ _ib._
” Received the royal authority to bear the word “NIVE” on the regimental colour and appointments 59
1814. Affair at _Garris_ _ib._
” Gallantry of the first battalion particularly noticed by the Marquis of Wellington 60
” Battle of _Orthes_ 61
” Received the Royal authority to bear the word “ORTHES” on the regimental colour and appointments _ib._
” Battle of _Toulouse_ _ib._
” Termination of the Peninsular War 62
” Received the Royal authority to bear the word “PENINSULA” on the regimental colour and appointments _ib._
” The first battalion proceeded to North America _ib._
” Expedition against the state of New York 63
” Operations on Lake Champlain _ib._
” Part of the first battalion employed as Marines 64
1815. The battalion returned to Chambly _ib._
” Embarked for England _ib._
” Proceeded to Ostend _ib._
” Joined the British army at Paris _ib._
” The second battalion disbanded _ib._
1816 } The regiment formed part of the “Army of Occupation” to } in France 65 1818. }
” Embarked for Ireland _ib._
1819 } to } Stationed in Ireland _ib._ 1823. }
” Lieut.-General Sir George Airey, K.C.H., appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1824. The regiment stationed in Ireland 66
1825. Proceeded to Chatham for embarkation, by detachments, for New South Wales _ib._
1826 } to } Embarked as guard over convicts proceeding to New 67 1830. } South Wales
1830. Employed in the Bathurst district 68
1831. Presentation of new colours to the regiment 69
” Address of Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Darling on that occasion 70
1832. Embarkation of the regiment for Madras 72
1833. Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir Robert William O’Callaghan, K.C.B., appointed Colonel of the regiment 73
1834. The regiment engaged in active field operations against the Rajah of Coorg _ib._
” Submission of the Rajah 75
1835. The conduct of Brigadier-General Lindesay, C.B., commanding the force employed in that campaign, honored by the Royal approval 77
” The Royal authority granted for resuming the motto “_Primus in Indis_,” and the word “PLASSEY;” also the device of the “_Castle and Key_,” in addition to the word “GIBRALTAR.” 78
1836. Testimonial presented to Colonel Lindesay on his departure for England 79
1837. A detachment of the regiment employed in Canara and Malabar _ib._
” Return of the detachment to Bangalore 80
1838. Complimentary order on the regiment quitting Bangalore _ib._
” Arrived at Bellary 81
1839. Ordered on field service 82
” Advanced to Coodamoor _ib._
” Operations against the Fort of _Kurnool_ 83
” Affair at _Zorapore_, near Kurnool 84
” Return of the regiment to Bellary 85
1840. Arrival at Kamptee _ib._
” Lieut.-General Sir Frederick Philipse Robinson, G.C.B., appointed Colonel of the regiment 86
1841. The regiment ordered to march to Cawnpore _ib._
” Destination changed to Agra _ib._
1842. Ordered to proceed to Ferozepore _ib._
1843. Returned to Agra 87
” Presentation of new colours to the regiment _ib._
” Address of Lord Ellenborough, the Governor-General of India, on that occasion _ib._
” The regiment formed part of the “Army of Exercise” assembled at Agra 90
” Aspect of affairs in the Gwalior state 91
” Battle of _Maharajpore_ 92
” Received the Royal authority to bear the word “MAHARAJPORE” on the regimental colour and appointments 94
” Honors conferred on the officers and men _ib._
1844. Return of the regiment to Agra 96
1843. Gallant conduct of certain volunteers from the Thirteenth to the THIRTY-NINTH regiment, at the storming of the heights of Truckee 97
1846. Volunteering of the regiment to other corps in India 99
1847. Embarked for England 100
” Complimentary orders by the Commander-in-Chief in India on the regiment quitting that country 101
1848. Removed from Portsmouth to Hull 102
” Proceeded to Preston, in Lancashire _ib._
1849. Stationed at Preston _ib._
1850. Removed to Ireland _ib._
1852. Lieut.-General George Burrell, C.B., appointed Colonel of the regiment 103
1853. Major-General Richard Lluellyn, C.B., appointed Colonel of the regiment 104
” CONCLUSION _ib._
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS OF THE THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
Year. Page
1702. Richard Coote 105