Part 2
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 EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,
OR
THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS.
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,
OR
THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS:
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT In 1793,
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.
THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, OR THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS,
BEARS ON THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR AND APPOINTMENTS THE PLUME OF THE PRINCE OF WALES, WITH THE MOTTO, “ICH DIEN” AND THE “HARP,” IN CONSEQUENCE OF ITS HAVING BEEN ORIGINALLY DESIGNATED THE “PRINCE OF WALES’S IRISH REGIMENT;”
ALSO THE WORDS, “MONTE VIDEO,” IN COMMEMORATION OF THE GALLANTRY DISPLAYED BY THE FIRST BATTALION AT THE CAPTURE OF THAT PLACE, ON THE 3RD OF FEBRUARY, 1807;
THE WORD, “TALAVERA,” IN TESTIMONY OF THE CONDUCT OF THE SECOND BATTALION IN THAT BATTLE, ON THE 27TH AND 28TH OF JULY, 1809;
AN EAGLE WITH A WREATH OF LAUREL ABOVE THE HARP, AND THE WORD, “BARROSA,” IN COMMEMORATION OF THE GALLANTRY OF THE SECOND BATTALION, AND OF THE TROPHY ACQUIRED IN THAT BATTLE, ON THE 5TH OF MARCH, 1811;
ALSO THE WORD, “TARIFA,” FOR THE DISTINGUISHED GALLANTRY OF THE SECOND BATTALION IN THE DEFENCE OF THAT PLACE, ON THE 31ST OF DECEMBER, 1811;
AND THE WORDS, “VITTORIA,” “NIVELLE,” “ORTHES,” “TOULOUSE,” AND “PENINSULA,” IN TESTIMONY OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICES OF THE SECOND BATTALION IN THE SEVERAL ACTIONS FOUGHT DURING THE WAR IN PORTUGAL, SPAIN, AND THE SOUTH OF FRANCE, FROM 1809 TO 1814;
AND THE WORD “AVA,” TO DENOTE THE MERITORIOUS CONDUCT OF THE REGIMENT DURING THE BURMESE WAR, IN 1825-26.
THE
EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,
OR
THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS.
CONTENTS
OF THE
HISTORICAL RECORD.
Year. Page INTRODUCTION 1
1793. Formation of the regiment 2
1794. Names of officers 4 ” Embarked for Flanders 5 ” Action at Alost _ib._
1795. Proceeded to Bergen-op-Zoom _ib._ ” Marched prisoners into France 6
1796. The regiment again recruited _ib._ ” Embarked as part of a secret expedition to the North Sea _ib._ ” Return of the troops to England _ib._ ” The regiment embarked for the West Indies _ib._
1797. Capture of _Trinidad_ _ib._ ” Expedition against _Porto Rico_ 7 ” The regiment proceeded to St. Lucia _ib._
1798. Stationed at St. Lucia 8
1799. Proceeded to Martinique _ib._
1800. Removed to Dominica _ib._
1801. Embarked for Barbadoes _ib._ ” Proceeded to Curaçoa _ib._
1802. Peace of Amiens _ib._
1803. Renewal of hostilities _ib._
1804. The regiment returned to England 9 ” Proceeded to Guernsey _ib._ ” War with Spain _ib._ ” Formation of the second battalion _ib._
1805. The first battalion removed to Portsmouth 10
1806. Proceeded to Plymouth _ib._ ” Embarked for Monte Video _ib._
1807. Capture of that place 11 ” Authorised to bear the word “_Monte Video_” on the regimental colour and appointments _ib._ ” The light company engaged at _Colonia_, near Buenos Ayres _ib._ ” Assault of _Buenos Ayres_ 12 ” Withdrawal of the British troops 15 ” The first battalion embarked for the Cape of Good Hope _ib._
1808 } and } Stationed in that colony _ib._ 1809 }
1810. Embarked for the Mauritius 16 ” Capture of that island _ib._
1811 } to } Stationed at the Mauritius _ib._ 1814 }
1815. Embarked for Bengal _ib._
1816. War with the Rajah of Nepaul 17 ” Affair on the heights of _Sierapore_ 18 ” Termination of the campaign 19 ” Return of the battalion to Bengal _ib._ ” Stationed at Cawnpore _ib._
1817. Engaged in the siege of the Fort of _Hattrass_ _ib._ ” Returned to Cawnpore 20 ” The Pindaree campaign _ib._ ” Casualties from cholera _ib._
1818. Conclusion of peace 21 ” Return of the regiment to Cawnpore _ib._
1820. Marched to Fort William _ib._
1821. Meritorious conduct of the regiment at the fire in the East India Company’s Dispensary at Calcutta _ib._ ” Presentation of testimonials, in consequence, to the regiment 22
1822. Similar conduct of the regiment at another alarming fire in Calcutta 23 ” Embarked for the Upper Provinces _ib._
1823. Decease of Lieut.-Colonel Miller _ib._ ” The regiment stationed at Ghazeepore _ib._
1824. Removed to Berhampore _ib._
1825. Proceeded to Calcutta 24 ” Decease of Lieut.-Colonel Browne _ib._ ” Commencement of the Burmese War _ib._ ” The regiment embarked for Ava _ib._ ” Engaged with the Burmese near _Prome_ _ib._
1826. Capture of _Melloone_ 25 ” Operations against _Moulmein_ _ib._ ” Termination of the Burmese War _ib._ ” Authorised to bear the word “_Ava_” on the regimental colour and appointments 26 ” Decease of Lieut.-Colonel Shawe 27 ” The regiment embarked for Calcutta _ib._ ” Reviewed at Calcutta by General Lord Combermere, Commander-in-Chief in India 28
1827. Complimentary order on the embarkation of the regiment for England _ib._ 1827. Stationed in the Isle of Wight 29 ” Application from General Sir John Doyle for the regiment to be constituted a _light infantry_ corps 30 ” Styled the “_Prince of Wales’s Own Irish Regiment of Fusiliers_” 32 ” Facings changed from Green to _Blue_ 33 ” Styled the “EIGHTY-SEVENTH, _or Royal Irish Fusiliers_” _ib._
1828. Reviewed by General Lord Hill, Commanding-in-chief 34 ” Marched to London _ib._ ” Proceeded to Chester 35 ” Services of the regiment at a fire _ib._
1829. Three companies employed in aid of the Civil Power in Wales _ib._ ” Marched to Stockport 36 ” Stationed at Manchester 37
1830. Embarked for Ireland 38 ” Returned to England _ib._
1831. Formed into service and depôt companies _ib._ ” Service companies embarked for the Mauritius _ib._
1832 } and } Remained at the Mauritius _ib._ 1833 }
1834. Major-General Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., K.C.B., appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1835. The depôt companies embarked for Ireland _ib._
1836 } to } Stationed in Ireland 39 1839.}
1840. Returned to England _ib._
1841. Major-General Sir Hugh (now Viscount) Gough, K.C.B., appointed Colonel of the regiment _ib._
1843. The service companies returned to England from the Mauritius _ib._ ” The regiment proceeded to Glasgow _ib._
1844. Marched to Edinburgh _ib._
1846. Proceeded to Monmouthshire 40
1847. Removed to Weedon _ib._
1848. Augmented to the India establishment _ib._
1849. Embarked for Calcutta _ib._
1853. CONCLUSION _ib._
CONTENTS
OF THE
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE SECOND BATTALION
OF
THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,
OR
THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS.
Year. Page INTRODUCTION 41
1804. Formation of the second battalion _ib._
1805. Embarked for Ireland 42
1806. Returned to England _ib._
1807. Proceeded to Guernsey _ib._
1808. Embarked for Portugal 44
1809. Battle of _Talavera_ 45 ” Authorised to bear the word “_Talavera_” on the regimental colour and appointments 47
1810. Embarked for Cadiz _ib._
1811. Battle of _Barrosa_ 48 ” Capture of a French _Eagle_ by the battalion _ib._ ” Styled “THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH, _or Prince of Wales’s Own Irish Regiment_,” and authorised to bear on the regimental colour and appointments the word “_Barrosa_,” and an _Eagle_ with a _Wreath of Laurel_, above the _Harp_ 53 ” The second battalion embarked for _Tarifa_ 54 ” Siege of _Tarifa_ by the French 55
1812. Gallant defence of the place 58 ” Authorised to bear the word “_Tarifa_” on the regimental colour and appointments _ib._ ” The battalion returned to Cadiz _ib._ ” Action at the bridge and fort of _Puerto Largo_ 59
1813. Battle of _Vittoria_ 60 ” Bâton of Marshal Jourdan taken by the battalion 62 ” Authorised to bear the word “_Vittoria_” on the regimental colour and appointments 63 1813. Actions in the _Pyrenees_ 63 ” Battle of the _Nivelle_ 64 ” Authorised to bear the word “_Nivelle_” on the regimental colour and appointments _ib._
1814. Action near _Salvatira_ 65 ” Battle of _Orthes_ _ib._ ” Authorised to bear the word “_Orthes_” on the regimental colour and appointments _ib._ ” Affair at _Vic Bigorre_ 65 ” Battle of _Toulouse_ 66 ” Authorised to bear the word “_Toulouse_” on the regimental colour and appointments 67 ” Termination of the Peninsular War _ib._ ” Authorised to bear the word “_Peninsula_” on the regimental colour and appointments 68 ” Embarkation of the battalion for Cork _ib._ ” Removed to Portsmouth 69 ” Proceeded to Guernsey _ib._
1815. Stationed in that island _ib._
1816. Removed to Portsmouth, and subsequently to Colchester _ib._
1817. The second battalion disbanded 74
SUCCESSION OF COLONELS
OF
THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Year. Page 1796. Sir John Doyle, Bart., G.C.B. 75
1834. Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., K.C.B. 83
1841. Hugh Viscount Gough, G.C.B. 89
APPENDIX.
Page List of troops in South America in 1806-7 91
Memoir of Lieut.-General Sir Charles William Doyle, C.B., and G.C.H. 92
Memoir of Lieut.-Colonel Matthew Shawe, C.B. 95
List of battalions formed from men raised in 1803 and 1804, under the “_Army of Reserve_” and “_Additional Force Acts_” 97-100
PLATES.
Page Costume of the regiment in 1793 _to face_ 1
Colours of the regiment 40
The French Eagle captured at the battle of Barrosa on the 5th of March 1811 50
Costume of the regiment in 1853 74
[Illustration: ORIGINAL UNIFORM OF THE 87^{TH} REGIMENT 1793
FOR CANNONS MILITARY RECORDS
_Madeley lith 3, Wellington S^t. Strand._]
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE EIGHTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT,
OR
THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS.
[Sidenote: 1793.]
The disturbed state of affairs on the continent of Europe in 1793, particularly in France, arising from the principles of the Revolution in that country, which threatened surrounding nations with universal anarchy, occasioned preparations to be made throughout the several countries, in order to oppose the dangerous doctrines which were then diffused under the specious terms of “Liberty and Equality.”
On the 1st of February 1793, the National Convention of France, after the decapitation of King Louis XVI. on the 21st of the previous month, declared war against Great Britain and Holland. Augmentations were immediately made to the regular army, the militia was embodied, and the British people evinced their loyalty and patriotism by forming volunteer associations, and by making every exertion for the maintenance of monarchical principles, and for the defence of those institutions which had raised their country to a high position among the nations of Europe.
Upwards of fifty regiments of infantry were authorised to be raised, on this emergency, in the several parts of Great Britain and Ireland, by officers and gentlemen possessing local influence, sixteen of which regiments, viz. from the Seventy-eighth to the Ninety-third, continue at this period on the establishment of the army.
Of the officers thus honored with the confidence of their Sovereign and his Government, Lieut.-Colonel John Doyle (afterwards General Sir John Doyle, Bart., and G.C.B.) was selected, to whom a letter of service was addressed on the 18th of September 1793, authorising him to raise a regiment, to consist of ten companies of sixty rank and file in each company. The corps was speedily completed, and was designated the EIGHTY-SEVENTH, or THE PRINCE OF WALES’S IRISH REGIMENT.
The following is a copy of the _Letter of Service_, addressed by the Secretary-at-War to Major John Doyle, on the half-pay of the late One hundred and fifth regiment, dated
“_War Office,_ “_18th September 1793._ “SIR,
“I am commanded to acquaint you, that His Majesty approves of your raising a regiment of foot, without any allowance of levy money, to be completed within three months, upon the following terms, viz.:
“The corps is to consist of one company of Grenadiers, one of Light Infantry, and eight battalion companies. The Grenadier company is to consist of one captain, two lieutenants, three serjeants, three corporals, two drummers, two fifers, and fifty-seven private men. The Light Infantry company of one captain, two lieutenants, three serjeants, three corporals, two drummers, and fifty-seven men; and each battalion company of one captain, one lieutenant, and one ensign, three serjeants, three corporals, two drummers, and fifty-seven private men, together with the usual staff officers, and with a serjeant-major and quartermaster-serjeant, exclusive of the serjeants above specified. The captain-lieutenant is (as usual) included in the number of lieutenants above mentioned.
“The corps is to have one major with a company, and is to be under your command as major, with a company.
“The pay of the officers is to commence from the dates of their commissions, and that of the non-commissioned officers and privates from the dates of their attestations.
“His Majesty is pleased to leave to you the nomination of the officers of the regiment; but the lieut.-colonel and major are to be taken from the list of lieut.-colonels or majors on half-pay, or the major from a captain on full pay. Six of the captains are to be taken from the half-pay, and the other captain and the captain-lieutenant from the list of captains or captain-lieutenants on full pay. All the lieutenants are to be taken from the half-pay; and the gentlemen recommended for ensigns are not to be under sixteen years of age.
“No officer, however, is to be taken from the half-pay who received the difference on going upon the half-pay, nor is any officer coming from the half-pay to contribute any money towards the levy, but he may be required to raise such a quota of men as you may agree upon with him.
“The person to be recommended for quartermaster must not be proposed for any other commission.
“In case the corps should be reduced after it has been once established, the officers will be entitled to half-pay.
“No man is to be enlisted above thirty-five years of age, nor under five feet five inches high. Well-made, growing lads, between sixteen and eighteen years of age, may be taken at five feet four inches.
“The recruits are to be engaged without limitation as to the period or place of their service.
“The non-commissioned officers and privates are to be inspected by a general officer, who will reject all such as are unfit for service, or not enlisted in conformity to the terms of this letter.
“In the execution of this service, I take leave to assure you of every assistance which my office can afford. “I have, &c., &c., (Signed) “GEORGE YONGE.
“_To Major John Doyle, on the half-pay of the late One hundred and fifth regiment._”
The following officers were appointed to commissions in the EIGHTY-SEVENTH regiment, viz.:—
[Sidenote: 1794.]
_Lieut.-Colonel Commandant_—John Doyle. _Lieut.-Colonel_—Edward Viscount Dungarvan (afterwards Earl of Cork). _Major_—Walter Hovenden.
_Captains._
Honorable George Napier. Nathaniel Cookman. Honorable Robert Mead. Percy Freke. Richard Thompson. Howe Hadfield.
_Captain-Lieutenant_—James Magrath.
_Lieutenants._
John Thompson. William Aug. Blakeney. John Wilson. Thomas Clarke. James Henry Fitz Simon. William Warren. William Magrath. Barton Lodge.
_Ensigns._
Fleming Kells. William Murray. John Carrol. —— Walker. Benjamin Johnson. —— Salmon.
_Adjutant_—John L. Brock. _Surgeon_— —— Hill. _Quartermaster_—Wm. Thomson. _Chaplain_—Edw. Berwick.
The effective numbers were quickly recruited, and the regiment was so far formed as to be considered fit to be employed on
## active continental service. It was consequently embarked in the
summer of 1794, as part of a force under Major-General the Earl Moira, and was sent to join the British army in Flanders, under the command of His Royal Highness the Duke of York. While on the march the EIGHTY-SEVENTH regiment was attacked on the 15th of July 1794, at the outpost of _Alost_, by a strong corps of the enemy’s cavalry, which it repulsed, and for which act of bravery it received the thanks of the general officer in public orders. It is a circumstance worthy of being recorded in the regimental history, that the first individual of the regiment who was wounded, was the Lieut.-Colonel by whom it was raised. In the general orders of the Earl of Moira upon this occasion, “he expressed his admiration of the cool intrepidity with which the EIGHTY-SEVENTH regiment repulsed an attack from the enemy’s cavalry, at the bridge of Alost, where its commander, Lieut.-Colonel Doyle, received two severe wounds, but would not quit his regiment, until the enemy had given up the attack.” The Duke of York, in his public letter, thus mentioned the affair:—
“_Head-quarters, Cortyke,_ “_15th July 1794._
“Lord Moira speaks highly of the conduct of the officers and men of the EIGHTY-SEVENTH regiment on this occasion, particularly of Lieut.-Colonel Doyle, commanding the corps, who was severely wounded. (Signed) “FREDERICK.”
[Sidenote: 1795.]
In 1795 the EIGHTY-SEVENTH regiment was sent into Bergen-op-Zoom to be drilled; but soon after its arrival, the Dutch garrison revolted against the government, opened the gates, and joined the French, who entered with twenty thousand men, and made a capitulation with the EIGHTY-SEVENTH, the only British corps in the town, then commanded by Lord Dungarvan (afterwards Earl of Cork), Lieut.-Colonel Doyle having been sent to England for the recovery of his wounds. The capitulation was however broken by the French, and the EIGHTY-SEVENTH were marched prisoners of war into France.
[Sidenote: 1796.]
The regiment was again filled up, and, with the Tenth foot, and some marines, was sent upon a secret expedition to the North Sea, under the command of Brigadier-General John Doyle, who had been promoted Colonel of the EIGHTY-SEVENTH, on the 3rd of May 1796, to co-operate with Admiral (the late Lord) Duncan; but, having been delayed in England until the end of September, the tempestuous weather, usual at that season of the year in those seas, dispersed the ships and small craft by which the troops were to be landed, and put an end to the object of the expedition. The troops returned to England in the ships of war, in which they embarked under the orders of Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton.
On the 14th of October 1796, the regiment embarked for the West Indies.
Spain having united with France in hostility to Great Britain, an expedition under Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., proceeded against the Spanish island of _Trinidad_, which capitulated on the 18th of February 1797. No men were killed or wounded. Lieutenant R—— Villeneuve, of the Eighth foot, major of brigade to Brigadier-General Hompesch, was the only officer wounded, and he died of his wounds.
[Sidenote: 1797.]
After the reduction of Trinidad, the force (of which the EIGHTY-SEVENTH formed part) destined for the expedition against _Porto Rico_, being assembled, the fleet sailed from Martinique on the 8th of April 1797, and on the 10th arrived at St. Kitt’s, where it remained for a few days. On the 17th the fleet anchored off Congrejos Point, and a landing was effected on the island of Porto Rico on the following day. The troops advanced, when it was perceived that the only point on which the town could be attacked was on the eastern side, where it was defended by the Castle and Lines of St. Christopher, to approach which it was necessary to force a way over the lagoon which formed that side of the island. This passage was strongly defended by two redoubts and gun-boats, and the enemy had destroyed the bridge connecting, in the narrowest channel, the island with the main land. After every effort the British could never sufficiently silence the fire of the enemy, who was likewise entrenched in the rear of these redoubts, to hazard forcing the passage with so small a number of troops. It was next endeavoured to bombard the town from a point to the southward of it, near to a large magazine abandoned by the enemy. This was tried for several days without any great effect, on account of the distance. Lieut.-General Sir Ralph Abercromby, seeing that no act of vigour, or any combined operation between the sea and land services, could in any manner avail, determined to re-embark the troops, which was effected during the night of the 30th of April. Four Spanish field-pieces were brought off, but not a sick or wounded soldier was left behind, and nothing of any value fell into the hands of the enemy. Sir Ralph Abercromby in his despatch alluded to the troops in the following terms: “The behaviour of the troops has been meritorious; they were patient under labour, regular and orderly in their conduct, and spirited when an opportunity to show it occurred.” The EIGHTY-SEVENTH had two rank and file killed, three wounded, and thirteen missing.
The regiment subsequently proceeded to St. Lucia, which had been captured from the French in May 1796.
[Sidenote: 1798.]
During the year 1798, the regiment remained at St. Lucia.
[Sidenote: 1799.]
In December 1799, the regiment proceeded from St. Lucia to Martinique.
[Sidenote: 1800.]
The regiment was removed, in April 1800, from Martinique to Dominica.
[Sidenote: 1801.]
In April 1801 the regiment embarked from Dominica for Barbadoes, and in August following proceeded to Curaçoa.
[Sidenote: 1802.]
The preliminaries of peace, which had been agreed upon between Great Britain and France in the previous year, were ratified on the 27th of March 1802; but the peace which had been thus concluded was but of short duration. Napoleon Bonaparte, who had been elected First Consul of the French Republic, showed, on several occasions, that he continued to entertain strong feelings of hostility against Great Britain.
During the year 1802, the regiment continued to be stationed at Curaçoa.
[Sidenote: 1803.]
After a few months, during which further provocations took place between the two countries, war was declared against France on the 18th of May 1803. The preparations which had been making in the French ports, the assembling of large bodies of troops on the coast, and the forming of numerous flotillas of gun-boats, justified the British government in adopting the strongest measures of defence, and in calling upon the people for their aid and services. Numerous volunteer associations were formed in all parts of the kingdom in defence of the Sovereign, the laws, and the institutions of the country. The militia was re-embodied, and the regular army was considerably augmented, under the “_Army of Reserve Act_,” as shown in the Appendix, page 97.
The EIGHTY-SEVENTH regiment embarked from the island of Curaçoa for England on the 12th of January 1803, on board of the ship “De Ruyter,” which, meeting with tempestuous weather, was obliged to put into Jamaica, from whence it proceeded to Antigua, where it arrived in April 1803. The regiment proceeded to St. Kitt’s in June following.
[Sidenote: 1804.]
On the 28th of July 1804 the regiment embarked from St. Kitt’s, and on the 28th of September following it landed at Plymouth, after a service of eight years in the West Indies, having lost during that period, by the diseases incident to the climate, many officers, and between seven and eight hundred men.
On the 31st of October the regiment embarked, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Sir Edward Butler, from Plymouth, for Guernsey, of which island Major-General Doyle had been appointed to the command and to the Lieutenant-Governorship.