Part 3

On the 6th of June, 1691, the regiment joined the army commanded by Lieut.-General De Ghinkel (afterwards Earl of Athlone) on its march for _Ballymore_, which fortress was speedily forced to surrender.

From Ballymore, the regiment marched to _Athlone_, and had the honour to take part in the siege of that fortress, which was captured by storm on the 1st of July. The grenadier company of the regiment formed part of the storming party, which forded the river Shannon under a heavy fire, and carried the works with great gallantry. The capture of Athlone is one of the many splendid achievements which have exalted the reputation of the British arms, and its reduction proved a presage of additional triumphs.

Astonished and confounded by the capture of Athlone, General St. Ruth retreated, with the French and Irish army under his orders, to a position at _Aghrim_, where he was attacked on the 12th of July. On this occasion, the regiment formed part of the brigade commanded by its Colonel, Brigadier-General Sir Henry Bellasis, and it contributed towards the complete overthrow of the army of King James, which was driven from the field with severe loss, including its commander, General St. Ruth, who was killed by a cannon-ball.

The regiment had one Ensign and two private soldiers killed; one Major, and twenty-three soldiers wounded.

On the 19th of July the army approached _Galway_; after sunset six regiments of foot and four squadrons of horse and dragoons passed the river by pontoons, and on the following morning they captured some outworks. On the 21st the garrison surrendered. Brigadier-General Sir Henry Bellasis was nominated Governor of Galway, and he took possession of the town with the TWENTY-SECOND and two other regiments of foot.

The surrender of Galway was followed by the siege and capitulation of _Limerick_, which city was surrendered in September, and completed the deliverance of Ireland from the power of King James.

[Sidenote: 1692]

[Sidenote: 1695]

After the reduction of Ireland, the regiment was employed in garrison and other duties of home-service, until 1695, when it proceeded to the Netherlands, to reinforce the army commanded by King William III., who was engaged in war for the preservation of the liberties of Europe against the power of Louis XIV. of France. After landing at Ostend, the regiment was placed in garrison.

[Sidenote: 1696]

Some advantages had been gained over the French arms; to counteract which, Louis XIV. attempted to weaken the confederates by forming plans for causing England to become the theatre of civil war. With this view the Duke of Berwick and several other officers in the French service were sent to England in disguise, to instigate the adherents of King James to take arms; a plot was also formed for the assassination of King William, and a French army marched to the coast to be in readiness to embark for England. Under these circumstances the TWENTY-SECOND regiment and a number of other corps were ordered to return to England, where they arrived in March, 1696, and the TWENTY-SECOND landed at Gravesend. The conspirators for the assassination of King William were discovered; several persons were apprehended, the British fleet was sent to blockade the French ports, and the designs of Louis XIV. were frustrated.

[Sidenote: 1697]

In the following year a treaty of peace was concluded at Ryswick, and the British Monarch saw his efforts for the civil and religious liberties of Europe attended with success.

[Sidenote: 1698]

[Sidenote: 1700]

The TWENTY-SECOND regiment was afterwards sent to Ireland, where it was stationed during the remainder of the reign of King William III.

[Sidenote: 1701]

On the 28th of June, 1701, the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on Brigadier-General William Selwyn, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir Henry Bellasis, who was removed to the Second foot, then styled the Queen Dowager's regiment.

[Sidenote: 1702]

King William died in March, 1702, and was succeeded by Queen Anne, who declared war against France. Brigadier-General Selwyn was nominated Governor of Jamaica, and promoted to the rank of Major-General on the 10th of June, 1702. The TWENTY-SECOND regiment was ordered to proceed to Jamaica, and several other corps also embarked for stations in the West Indies: the British government designing to make a general attack on the possessions of France and Spain in South America.

Major-General Selwyn died at Jamaica, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment by the Lieut.-Colonel, Thomas Handasyd, by commission dated the 20th of June, 1702.

[Sidenote: 1703]

A considerable body of troops arrived in the West Indies in 1703: but they were afterwards recalled to take part in the war in Europe. The TWENTY-SECOND regiment was left at the island of Jamaica, and during the reign of Queen Anne the regiment was employed in protecting Jamaica, and the other British settlements in the West Indies, which important duty it performed with reputation.

[Sidenote: 1704]

[Sidenote: 1705]

While employed on this duty, the regiment received drafts from several other corps, and in 1705 an augmentation of two companies was made to its establishment.

[Sidenote: 1712]

Colonel Handasyd was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General in December, 1705, and to that of Major-General in January, 1710. In 1712 he retired from the colonelcy, resigning his commission in favour of his son, Lieut.-Colonel Roger Handasyd, of the regiment.

[Sidenote: 1713]

[Sidenote: 1714]

In the following year the treaty of Utrecht gave peace to Europe; and on the 31st of May, 1711, an order was issued for the men of the regiment fit for duty to be formed into two independent companies for service at Jamaica: the officers and staff returning to Europe to recruit.

The two independent companies thus formed from the TWENTY-SECOND were the nucleus of the FORTY-NINTH regiment, which was formed of independent companies at Jamaica in 1743.

[Sidenote: 1715]

[Sidenote: 1718]

The officers and the serjeants not required for the independent companies, having arrived in England, were actively employed in recruiting in 1715; and in 1718 the regiment proceeded to Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1719]

[Sidenote: 1726]

The regiment was stationed in Ireland during the eight years from 1719 to 1726, and in the spring of the last-mentioned year, it proceeded to the island of Minorca, which had been captured by the English, in 1708, and was ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of Utrecht in 1713, together with the fortress of Gibraltar.

[Sidenote: 1727]

In the beginning of 1727, the Spaniards besieged _Gibraltar_, and a detachment of the regiment, being sent to reinforce the garrison, had the honor to take part in the successful defence of that important fortress. When the Spaniards raised the siege, the detachment rejoined the regiment at Minorca.

[Sidenote: 1730]

Colonel Handasyd commanded the regiment with reputation until 1730, when he was removed to the Sixteenth foot, and was succeeded by Brigadier-General William Barrell, from the Twenty-eighth regiment.

[Sidenote: 1734]

Brigadier-General Barrell was removed to the Fourth foot in 1734, when King George II. conferred the colonelcy of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment on Colonel the Honorable James St. Clair, from Major in the First foot-guards.

[Sidenote: 1737]

On the 27th of June, 1737, Colonel the Honorable James St. Clair was removed to the First, the Royal regiment of foot, and his Majesty nominated Major-General John Moyle, from the Thirty-sixth, to the colonelcy of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment.

[Sidenote: 1738]

Major-General Moyle died on the 3rd of November, 1738, and the colonelcy was afterwards conferred on Colonel Thomas Paget, from the Thirty-second regiment.

[Sidenote: 1739]

[Sidenote: 1741]

In 1739 Colonel Paget was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. He died on the 28th of May, 1741, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the regiment by Lieut.-Colonel Richard O'Farrell, from the Ninth foot.

[Sidenote: 1748]

[Sidenote: 1749]

The TWENTY-SECOND regiment was employed in the protection of the island of Minorca, during the whole of the War of the Austrian Succession, and, peace having been concluded, it was relieved from that duty in 1749, and proceeded to Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1751]

In the Royal Warrant for regulating the uniform and distinctions of the several regiments of the army, dated the 1st of July, 1751, the facings of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment were directed to be of _pale buff_. The First, or King's colour, was the Great Union; the Second, or Regimental colour, was of pale buff silk, with the Union in the upper canton; in the centre of the colour, the Number of the Rank of the regiment, in gold Roman characters, within a wreath of roses and thistles on the same stalk.

[Sidenote: 1755]

[Sidenote: 1756]

The peace of Aix-la-Chapelle was interrupted in 1755 by the aggressions of the French on the British territory in North America; and on the 18th of May, 1756, war was declared against France; in the same year the TWENTY-SECOND regiment embarked from Ireland for North America.

[Sidenote: 1757]

In 1757 the regiment was formed in brigade with the Forty-third, Forty-eighth, and fourth battalion of the Sixtieth, under Major-General Lord Charles Hay, with the view of being employed in the attack of _Louisburg_, the capital of the French island of _Cape Breton_, situate in the Gulf of St. Lawrence; but the expedition was deferred until the following year, and the regiment was stationed in Nova Scotia during the winter. Major-General O'Farrell died in the summer of this year, and the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on Brigadier-General Edward Whitmore, from the lieut.-colonelcy of the Thirty-sixth regiment.

[Sidenote: 1758]

Embarking from Halifax, in May, 1758, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Andrew Lord Rollo, the regiment proceeded with the expedition commanded by Lieut.-General (afterwards Lord) Amherst, and a landing was effected on the island of Cape Breton, on the 8th of June, when the British troops evinced great gallantry. The TWENTY-SECOND had Lieutenants Pierce Butler, John Jermyn, and William Hamilton wounded; also several private soldiers killed and wounded.[6]

The siege of _Louisburg_, the capital of the island, was afterwards commenced; and in carrying on the approaches the troops underwent great fatigue with cheerful alacrity. By their perseverance, and the co-operation of the fleet, the town was taken in July, and two other islands in the Gulf were surrendered. The troops received the thanks of Parliament, and the approbation of the Sovereign, for their conduct on this occasion.

[Sidenote: 1759]

During the year 1759 the TWENTY-SECOND regiment was stationed at Louisburg. Major-General James Wolfe proceeded up the river St. Lawrence, with a small armament,[7] and Quebec was captured; but the nation sustained the loss of Major-General Wolfe, who was killed in the battle on the heights of Abraham, in front of Quebec, on the 13th of September, 1759.

[Sidenote: 1760]

In the spring of 1760 the TWENTY-SECOND and Fortieth regiments proceeded from Louisburg, under Colonel Lord Rollo, of the TWENTY-SECOND, up the river St. Lawrence, to Quebec, from whence they advanced upon _Montreal_, with the troops under Brigadier-General the Honorable James Murray. The French possessions in Canada were invaded at three points, and the Governor concentrated his forces at Montreal; but he was unable to withstand the valour and discipline of British troops, commanded by officers of talent and experience; he therefore surrendered Montreal, and with it all Canada, the French battalions becoming prisoners of war. The TWENTY-SECOND had thus the honor of taking part in the conquest of the two fine provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, which have since continued to form part of the possessions of the British Crown.

[Sidenote: 1761]

After the conquest of Canada, the TWENTY-SECOND were removed to Albany, from whence they proceeded to New York, in April, 1761, and afterwards embarked, under Lord Rollo, for the West Indies.

The island of _Dominica_ had been declared neutral; but it was found to be so much under the influence of France, and proved a refuge to so many privateers of that nation, that the British government resolved to take possession of it. The TWENTY-SECOND, and other corps under Lord Rollo, landed on the island on the 6th of June, under cover of the fire of the men-of-war, and drove the enemy from his batteries: the grenadiers of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment distinguished themselves on this occasion. In two days the island was reduced to submission with little loss.

[Sidenote: 1762]

From Dominica the TWENTY-SECOND proceeded to Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes, and joined the troops assembled at that place under the orders of Major-General the Honorable Robert Monckton, for the attack of the French island of _Martinique_. After several attempts on other parts of the island, a landing was effected in Cas des Navières Bay, on the 16th of January, 1762; the works on the heights of _Morne Tortenson_ were captured on the 24th of that month; _Morne Garnier_ was carried on the 27th; and the citadel of _Fort Royal_ surrendered on the 4th of February. These successes were followed by the surrender of the opulent city of St. Pierre, and the submission of the whole island to the British Crown. The Commander of the expedition stated in his despatch--"I cannot find words to render that ample justice which is due to the valor of his Majesty's troops which I have had the honor to command. The difficulties they had to encounter in the attack of an enemy possessed of every advantage of art and nature were great; and their perseverance in surmounting these obstacles, furnishes a noble example of British spirit."

The capture of Martinique was followed by that of _Grenada_, _St. Lucia_, and _St. Vincent_; and the acquisition of these islands gave additional honor to the expedition of which the TWENTY-SECOND regiment formed part.

Additional forces arrived in the West Indies, and the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, mustering six hundred and two rank and file, under the command of Major Loftus, joined the expedition commanded by General the Earl of Albemarle, for the reduction of the wealthy and important Spanish city of the _Havannah_, in the island of Cuba The TWENTY-SECOND, Fortieth, Seventy-second, and five companies of the Ninetieth, were formed in brigade under Brigadier-General Lord Rollo.

Proceeding through the Straits of Bahama, the armament arrived within six leagues of the Havannah on the 6th of June. A landing was effected on the following day, and the _Moro_ fort, being the key-position of the extensive works which covered the town, was besieged. This proved an undertaking of great difficulty; but every obstacle was overcome by the spirited efforts of the land and sea forces, and the fort was captured by storm on the 30th of July. An extensive series of batteries was prepared, and opened, on the 11th of August, so well-directed a fire on the works which protected the town, that the guns of the garrison were soon silenced, and the important city of the Havannah was surrendered to the British arms. Nine Spanish men-of-war were delivered up; two were found upon the stocks; and three sunk at the entrance of the harbour.

In March of this year Major-General Whitmore, who was drowned at sea, was succeeded in the colonelcy by Major-General the Honorable Thomas Gage, from the Eightieth regiment, a provincial corps which was raised in 1758, and disbanded after the treaty of Fontainebleau.

[Sidenote: 1763]

At the peace of Fontainebleau the _Havannah_ was restored to Spain, in exchange for the province of Florida, on the continent of America; and in 1763 the TWENTY-SECOND regiment proceeded to _West Florida_.

[Sidenote: 1764]

[Sidenote: 1765]

The regiment was stationed in Florida during the year 1764, and in 1765 it was relieved from duty in that province, and embarked for Great Britain.

[Sidenote: 1766]

[Sidenote: 1770]

[Sidenote: 1772]

[Sidenote: 1773]

From 1766 to 1769 the regiment was employed at various stations in England; during the years 1770, 1771, and 1772, it performed duty in Scotland; and in 1773 it proceeded to Ireland.

[Sidenote: 1775]

While the TWENTY-SECOND were stationed in Ireland the misunderstanding between the English government and the British provinces in North America, on the subject of taxation, was followed by hostilities. The regiment embarked from Ireland for North America in 1775, and joined the troops at Boston under General Gage.

During the night of the 16th of June the Americans commenced fortifying the heights on the peninsula of Charlestown, called _Bunker's Hill_; and on the following day they were attacked by the flank companies of the British corps, and by a few regiments, and driven from their works. The TWENTY-SECOND lost their commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel James Abercromby, who died of his wounds. He was succeeded by Major James Campbell.

[Sidenote: 1776]

General Sir William Howe assumed the command of the British troops in North America, on General Gage returning to England in October, 1775; in March, 1776, Boston was vacated, when the TWENTY-SECOND proceeded to Nova Scotia.

From Nova Scotia, the regiment sailed with the expedition to Staten Island, near New York; and, additional troops having arrived from Europe, it was formed in brigade with the Forty-third, Fifty-fourth, and Sixty-third, under Brigadier-General Francis Smith.

A landing was effected on _Long Island_ on the 22nd of August; and on the 27th of that month the TWENTY-SECOND were engaged in driving the Americans from their positions at _Flat Bush_ to their fortified lines at _Brooklyn_. The flank companies had several men killed and wounded on this occasion; the loss of the battalion companies was limited to two men.

The Americans abandoned their lines at Brooklyn, and passed the river to New York. They were followed by the British, who gained possession of New York, captured Fort Washington, and reduced a great part of the Jerseys.

During the winter the regiment was detached, with several other corps, under Lieut.-Generals Clinton and Earl Percy, against _Rhode Island_. The regiment embarked on this service in the beginning of December, and a landing being effected at daybreak on the 9th of that month, the island was speedily reduced to submission.

[Sidenote: 1777]

During the year 1777 the regiment was stationed in Rhode Island. On the 10th of July the American Colonel, Barton, arrived at Rhode Island with a few active men, surprised Major-General Richard Prescott in his quarters, and conveyed him from the island a prisoner.

[Sidenote: 1778]

In May, 1778, it was ascertained that Major-General Sullivan had taken the command of the American troops at Providence, with the view of making a descent on Rhode Island; and on the night of the 24th of May the battalion companies of the TWENTY-SECOND, the flank companies of the Fifty-fourth, and a company of Hessians, embarked under Lieut.-Colonel Campbell of the TWENTY-SECOND, to attack the enemy's quarters. After landing three miles below _Warren_, early on the following morning, a detachment under Captain Seir of the TWENTY-SECOND destroyed a battery at Papasquash Point, making a Captain and six American artillery men prisoners. Another detachment destroyed a number of boats, a galley of six twelve pounders, and two sloops, in the Kickamuct River. The party then marched to Warren, destroyed a park of artillery, a quantity of stores, and a privateer sloop. Afterwards proceeding to Bristol, a further quantity of stores was destroyed. The Americans assembled in great numbers, and fired on the British from a great distance, but did little injury. Lieutenant HAMILTON of the TWENTY-SECOND, eight British, and four Hessian soldiers were wounded.

On the 30th of May another detachment, under Major Eyre of the Fifty-fourth, made a successful incursion to a creek near Taunton River, and inflicted a severe loss on the Americans.

The King of France having united with the Americans, a French armament arrived off the coast, and formidable preparations were made for the re-capture of Rhode Island. The French fleet, however, sustained some severe losses from a storm, and from the English navy. A numerous American force under Major-General Sullivan landed at Howland's Ferry, on the 9th of August, and commenced the siege of _Newport_, in defence of which place the TWENTY-SECOND were employed. The place being defended with great resolution, and the Americans being disappointed of aid from the French fleet, they raised the siege, and retired on the 29th of August. The TWENTY-SECOND, Forty-third, and flank companies of the Thirty-eighth and Fifty-fourth regiments, marched under Brigadier-General Smith, by the east road, to intercept the retreating enemy. A stand was made by the Americans, and some sharp fighting occurred, in which the TWENTY-SECOND, under Lieut.-Colonel Campbell, highly distinguished themselves. The Americans were driven from _Quakers' Hill_, when they fell back to their works at the north end of the island, from which they afterwards withdrew. Major-General Pigot stated in his public despatch,--"To these particulars I am, in justice, obliged to add Brigadier-General Smith's report, who, amidst the general tribute due to the good conduct of every individual under his command, has particularly distinguished Lieut.-Colonel CAMPBELL and the TWENTY-SECOND regiment, on whom, by their position, the greatest weight of the action fell." The regiment had eleven rank and file killed; Lieutenant Cleghorn, Ensigns Bareland, Proctor, and Adam, two serjeants, and forty-eight rank and file wounded; one man missing.

[Sidenote: 1779]

The British Commander-in-Chief in North America, Lieut.-General Sir Henry Clinton, having resolved to vacate Rhode Island, the regiment embarked from thence on the 25th of October, 1779, and proceeded to New York, where it arrived on the 27th of that month.

[Sidenote: 1780]

During the remainder of the American War the regiment was stationed at New York and the posts in advance of that city.

[Sidenote: 1782]

General the Honorable Thomas Gage was removed to the Seventeenth Light Dragoons in April, 1782, and King George III. conferred the colonelcy of the TWENTY-SECOND regiment on Major-General Charles O'Hara, from captain and lieut.-colonel in the Second foot-guards.

A letter, dated the 31st of August, 1782, conveyed to the regiment His Majesty's pleasure that it should be designated the TWENTY-SECOND, or the CHESHIRE regiment, in order that a connexion between the corps and that county should be cultivated, with the view of promoting the success of the recruiting service.

[Sidenote: 1783]

The American War having terminated, the regiment returned to Europe in 1783 and was stationed in South Britain.

[Sidenote: 1785]