CHAPTER XXXIV.

On the 29th of October we broke up our encampment on the banks of the Seine, and that evening our brigade occupied Saint Germain, a town which the good people declared to us Bonaparte never entered. On the 2d of November we marched into Mountain Ville, Neuf-le-Veux, Mere, &c.; and on the 8th we removed to Montfort, and some villages in the neighbourhood.

In the vicinity of Mountain Ville, Captain H--bs and myself were billeted on an opulent and friendly family, with whom we spent two very pleasant days. The family having, unknown to us, directed the servants to have breakfast ready for us the morning we were to leave them, we were not a little surprised to find the table groaning under a load of cold fowls, veal, ham, tea, coffee, wine, &c. After doing ample justice to the viands before us, we strolled out to look after the men and baggage animals. On our return, the servants were all busy wrapping up the cold meat in strong brown paper. Not knowing what they intended with it, we could not help smiling. By and bye, however, we were let into the secret by the butler, who respectfully inquired where he should place the parcels. On recovering from the surprise which his query occasioned, we told him that British officers never accepted presents of any kind from families on whom they were billeted; and putting a piece of money in his hand, desired him to express to the family how much we felt ourselves obliged by their kindness and attention. Apparently astonished at our refusal, though probably more so at what we had given him, the butler remained dumb for some time, and then with a smile, said, "Oh! you British officers are not like the Prussians."

We remained very comfortably cantoned in Montfort, &c. till the following brigade order compelled us to move to Meulan.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

Port Chartrain, _Nov. 29, 1815_.

The fourth battalion of the Royals, the 42d, and 92d regiments, are to march to-morrow for Meulan, on their route for Boulogne.

The corps are to march independently, under orders from their respective commanding-officers, who will please to send forward, very early, an officer to Meulan, to receive directions respecting the quartering of their corps there, and in the vicinity, for the night.

The Staff-Surgeon has been instructed to give directions respecting the sick, and the Commissary of brigade will afford all the means of transport in his power.

Major-General, Sir Denis Pack, cannot allow these corps to pass thus from under his command, without expressing his regret at losing them. The conduct of the fourth battalion of the Royals, both in camp and quarters, has been like that of the third battalion; and that of the two regiments, "orderly and soldier-like;" and he is confident, that from the high state of discipline the corps appears in, they would have imitated their comrades in the third battalion, had the same glorious opportunity been afforded them.

The services rendered by the 92d regiment, in the Duke of Wellington's campaigns in the Peninsula, and his Grace's late short and triumphant one in Belgium, are so generally and so highly appreciated, as to make praise from him almost idle, nevertheless, he cannot help adding his tribute of applause. And to the 42d regiment, he really thinks he would seem ungrateful, as well as unmindful of the best feelings of a soldier, did he not, in taking leave, assure them that he will ever retain, with sentiments of admiration, the remembrance of the invincible valour displayed by the corps on so many memorable and trying occasions.

On the 30th of November, the 42d and 92d regiments marched into Meulan agreeable to orders, where being joined by the 28th, the three corps formed into one brigade, under Sir Charles Belson, of the 28th regiment, were ordered to move to Pont-Oise on the 1st December, and thence by Beauvais, Abbeville, Montreuil, and Boulogne, to Calais.

On our arrival before the gates of Calais, on the 17th December, we were not a little surprised to find them closed upon us, and that it was not the intention of the authorities to open them, unless our Commandant would agree to make every company march at the distance of one hundred yards from the one preceding it,--the men reverse their arms,--keep their colours cased,--and prevent the bands playing on entering the town. Irritated at such conduct, instant admittance was demanded. This being refused, a second message was dispatched to the Governor, giving him a quarter of an-hour to deliberate. This brought the hot-headed fool to his senses. On the gates being opened, the leading battalion entered, and was instantly followed by the others at the usual distance, with colours flying, bayonets fixed, and the bands playing the _Downfall of Paris_, all the way to the place of embarkation.

On our way from Meulan to the coast, the following General Order was issued to the different regiments. I insert it because it shews the number of British battalions which were then in France, the number retained in the country by the Duke of Wellington, and the number that he sent home.

GENERAL ORDERS.

_Head Quarters, Paris, Nov. 30, 1815._

No. 1. The British troops which are to remain in France, are to be formed as follows:--

2. The 1st and 2d Dragoon Guards, and 3d Dragoons, are to be the first brigade of cavalry.

3. The 7th and 18th Hussars, and 12th Light Dragoons, are to be the second brigade of cavalry.

4. The 11th and 13th Light Dragoons, and 15th Hussars, are to be the third brigade of cavalry.

5. The third battalion 1st Guards, and second battalion Coldstream Guards, are to be the first brigade of infantry.

6. The third battalion Royals, first battalion 57th, and second battalion 95th regiment, are to be the second brigade of infantry.

7. The first battalions 3d, 39th, and 91st regiments, are to be the third brigade of infantry.

8. The first battalions of the 4th, 52d, and 79th regiments, are to be the fourth brigade of infantry.

9. The first battalions of the 5th, 9th, and 21st regiments, are to be the fifth brigade of infantry.

10. The first battalions of the 6th and 71st, and 29th regiment, are to be the sixth brigade of infantry.

11. The first battalions of the 7th and 43d, and 23d regiment, are to be the seventh brigade of infantry.

12. The first battalions of the 27th, 40th, and 95th regiments, are to be the eighth brigade of infantry.

13. The first battalions of the 81st and 88th regiments are to be the ninth brigade of infantry.

14. Major-General Lord Edward Somerset is to command the first brigade of cavalry.

15. Major-General Sir Hussey Vivian is to command the second brigade of cavalry.

16. Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant is to command the third brigade of cavalry.

17. Major-General Sir Peregrine Maitland is to command the first brigade of infantry.

18. Major-General Sir Manley Power is to command the second brigade of infantry.

19. Major-General the Honourable Sir R.W. O'Callaghan is to command the third brigade of infantry.

20. Major-General Sir Denis Pack is to command the fourth brigade of infantry.

21. Major-General Sir Thomas Brisbane is to command the fifth brigade of infantry.

22. Major-General Sir Thomas Bradford is to command the sixth brigade of infantry.

23. Major-General Sir James Kempt is to command the seventh brigade of infantry.

24. Major-General Sir John Lambert is to command the eighth brigade of infantry.

25. Major-General Sir John Keane is to command the ninth brigade of infantry.

26. The first division of infantry is to be composed of the first, seventh, and eighth brigades, and is to be commanded by Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir Lowry Cole.

27. The second division of infantry is to be composed of the third, fourth, and sixth brigades, and is to be commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton.

28. The third division of infantry is to be composed of the second, fifth, and ninth brigades, and is to be commanded by Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir Charles Colville.

29. Lieutenant-General Lord Combermere will take the command of the cavalry.

30. Lieutenant-General Lord Hill will take the command of the infantry.

31. The British troops to return to England, are to be brigaded as follows, for their march:--

32. The 1st and 2d Life-Guards, Royal Horse-Guards (blue), and 3d Dragoon-Guards, under the command of Colonel Althrope of the Royal Horse-Guards (blue).

33. The 1st, 2d, and 6th Dragoons, under the command of Colonel Muter.

34. The 10th Hussars, 16th and 23d Light Dragoons, under the command of Colonel Quentin.

35. The second battalions 1st and 3d Guards, under Colonel Askew, 1st Guards.

36. The 36th, 38th, second battalion 73d, and third battalion 95th regiment, under Colonel the Honourable Sir Charles Greville of the 38th regiment.

37. The second battalions 12th and 30th, and 33d regiment, under the command of Colonel Stirke, 12th regiment.

38. The first battalions 41st and 90th regiments, and a detachment of the Royal Waggon Train, under Lieutenant Colonel Evans, 41st regiment.

39. The third battalions 14th, 2d, 35th, and 51st regiment, under Colonel Mitchell, 51st regiment.

40. The 54th, second battalions 59th and 69th regiments, under Lieutenant-Colonel Austin, 59th regiment.

41. The fourth battalion Royals, the 28th, 42nd, and 92d regiments, under Colonel Sir C. Belson, 28th regiment.

42. The 32d, third battalion 27th, and detachment of Staff Corps, under Colonel Sir John M'Lean, 27th regiment.

43. The 16th regiment, 2d, 44th, and first battalion 82d regiment, under Colonel Tolley, 16th regiment.

44. The 58th and 64th regiments, and second battalions 62d and 81st regiments, under Colonel Walker, 58th regiment.

45. Notwithstanding these orders, the troops are to continue with their divisions, and commanded as at present, till those ordered to England will march; and the Quarter-Master General will, in concert with the General Officers, have assembled those destined by this day's order to remain in France.

46. When the troops of the German Legion and the Hanoverians will march, it will be under the command of the officers commanding the several brigades of infantry and cavalry.

47. Major-General Sir James Lyon will be so kind as to give orders for the formation of the Hanoverian contingent, at a place which will be made known to him by the Chief of the Staff of the allied army.

48. Upon breaking up the army which the Field-Marshal has had the honour of commanding, he begs leave to return thanks to the General Officers, and the Officers, and Troops, for their uniform good conduct.

49. In the late short but memorable campaign, they have given proofs to the world that they possess, in an eminent degree, all the good qualities of soldiers; and the Field-Marshal is happy to be able to applaud their regular good conduct in their camp and cantonments, not less than when engaged with the enemy in the field.

50. Whatever may be the future destination of those brave troops, of which the Field-Marshal now takes his leave, he trusts that every individual will believe that he will ever feel the deepest interest in their honour and welfare, and will always be happy to promote either.

On the 18th, we quitted the harbour of Calais, and sailed for Dover; but the wind becoming foul, we were forced to make for the Downs, where we anchored for the night. Next forenoon we landed at Ramsgate, and proceeded to Margate. Here the late Sir William Curtis was most indefatigable during the disembarkation of the troops. He not only rendered personal assistance to the females on quitting the vessels, but placed a piece of money in the hand of each. But this was not all; the warm-hearted Baronet gave all the officers a pressing invitation to dine with him. Such patriotic conduct deserves to be recorded.

On the 20th we bade adieu to Margate, and proceeded, the right wing to Deal, and the left to Sandwich, thence on the following day to Dover, and on the 22nd to Brabourne-Lee temporary barracks. Here we remained but a few days, when an order arrived for us to march to Colchester, where we arrived at the end of the month, and were warmly welcomed by the whole population.

On entering the barrack-gate, we were received by a guard of honour composed of wounded soldiers belonging to almost every regiment engaged at Waterloo. They were about 150 in number, and almost every one of them had lost a leg or an arm, and not a few of them one of each. Formed in two single lines, one on each side of the street through which we had to pass, the gallant fellows greeted us as we moved along with the most enthusiastic cheers, many of them actually leaping with joy. The spectacle was at once beautiful, and mournfully impressive.

A few days after our arrival at Colchester, Major-General Sir John Byng, whose defence of Hougomont will remain recorded in the page of British history, till time shall be no more, kindly agreed to forward a memorial for two months leave of absence for me, which, being granted, I quitted Colchester on the 24th of January 1816, for my native hills.

Around my fire an evening group to draw, And tell of all I felt, and all I saw; For as the hare whom hounds and horns pursue, Pants to the place from whence at first he flew, _I still had hopes_, my long vexations past, _Here to return and die at home at last_.

FINIS.

Transcibers note:

The errata below has been corrected in the text above. g.m.

ERRATA.

Page 60, line 10, _for_ new _read_ non. 66, -- 2, -- Minorca _read_ Minerva. 66, -- 14, -- horn _read_ horse. 117, -- 28, -- suit _read_ suite. 117, -- 29, -- Almeida _read_ Alemeida. 132, -- 3, -- Bonito _read_ Benito. 132, -- 27, -- Blacur _read_ Blacier. 138, -- 6, --Aginda _read_ Agueda. 140, -- 1, -- draw _read_ drive. 161, -- 20, } 166, -- 19, } 11th May _read_ 16th May. 252, -- 10, -- Tagus _read_ Ebro. 271, -- 6, -- who from _read_ that something besides. 315, --12, After which _read_ "on awaking from a long nap". 337, -- 9--16, --Firth _read_ Frith. 374, -- 16, -- Renetria _read_ Renteria. 391, -- 9,-- frontier _read_ position. 429, -- 15, -- after from _read_ the.

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