Historical Record of the First Regiment of Foot

Lieut. – Colonel Wetherall observed in his despatch: – "Every officer and man behaved nobly. Major Warde carried the right of the position in good style, and Captain Glasgow's artillery did good execution. He is a most zealous officer. Captain David's troop of Montreal cavalry rendered essential service during the charge."

After this success the detachment retired, on the 27th of November, to St. Hilaire, and advanced on the following day towards Point Olivière, to attack a body of rebels who had taken post at that place, and constructed an abatis, for the purpose of cutting off the retreat of the detachment; but when the troops formed for the attack, the rebels, after exchanging a few shots, fled, leaving two guns mounted on carts behind them. The detachment returned on the same day with 25 prisoners to Chambly, the men having suffered much from heavy rains, roads knee-deep in mud, and also from frost and snow.

In the meantime the detachments under Colonel Gore had, from obstructions of a formidable nature, and from the severe state of the weather, failed in the attempt on St. Denis, and had retired. The conduct of Lieutenant Lysons of the Royal Regiment, attached to the Quarter-Master General's department, who was employed on this service, was spoken of in terms of commendation, and also the exertions of Surgeon Farnden, in rendering assistance to the wounded. After the success of the Royals at St. Charles, the rebels broke up from their post at St. Denis.

The rebellion was, however, not arrested in its progress, and the troops had much harassing duty to perform in severe weather. On the 13th of December Lieut. – General Sir John Colborne proceeded with all his disposable force (including the companies of the Royal Regiment) towards St. Eustache, to put down the revolt in the country of the Lake of the Two Mountains, where the insurgents had driven the loyal inhabitants from their homes, and had pillaged an extensive tract of country. The Royals, with the Montreal rifles, and Captain Globinsky's company of volunteers, formed a brigade under Lieut. – Colonel Wetherall. The volunteers were detached to the woods bordering on the upper road to St. Eustache, to drive in and disperse the rebel piquets. The remainder of the brigade, with the other disposable troops, crossed the north branch of the Ottawa river on the ice, on the 14th of December, advanced upon St. Eustache, and entered the village at several points. The Royals and Montreal rifles advanced up the main street, and took possession of the most defensible houses. An officer was detached to bring up the artillery; but he was driven back by the fire of the rebels, who had taken post in the church. The artillery entered the village by the rear, and opened their fire on the church door, while some companies of the Royals and rifles occupied the houses nearest to the church. After about an hour's firing, and the church doors remaining unforced, a party of the Royals assaulted the presbytery, killed some of its defenders, and set it on fire. The smoke soon enveloped the church, and the remainder of the battalion advanced; a straggling fire opened upon them from the Seignior's house, forming one face of the square in which the church stood, and Lieut. – Colonel Wetherall directed the grenadiers to carry it, which they did, killing several, taking many prisoners, and setting it on fire. At the same time part of the battalion commanded by Major Warde entered the church by the rear, drove out and slew the garrison, and set the church on fire. 118 prisoners were made in these assaults. The Royals had 1 man killed and 4 wounded in this service.

On the 16th the Royals advanced with the remainder of the disposable force to St. Benoit, where no opposition was offered; and the rebels sent delegates to say they were prepared to lay down their arms unconditionally. The Royals returned to Montreal, where they arrived on the 17th of December with the prisoners. The good results of these movements were the return of the peasantry to their usual occupations, and the disappearance of armed parties of the rebels.

18381st Batt

In May, 1838, the first battalion proceeded from Ireland to Scotland.

18391st Batt

In November, 1839, the first battalion was again directed to prepare for foreign service, and the six service companies were embarked from Greenock for Gibraltar on the 11th and 25th of that month, on board the troop ships Athol and Sapphire.

1841

The four depôt companies remained in Scotland until May, 1841, when they were embarked for Ireland.

18432nd Batt

In September, 1843, three companies of the second battalion were embarked at Toronto for the West Indies; and on the 28th October the head-quarters, with the other three companies, under the command of Major Bennett, were embarked at Quebec for the same destination on board of the Premier transport, which was wrecked in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but fortunately no lives were lost, and the three companies returned to Quebec on the 12th November.

On the 18th December, 1843, General Lord Lynedoch died, and the colonelcy of the regiment was conferred by Her Majesty on General the Right Honourable Sir George Murray, G.C.B., from the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment.

1844

The head-quarters and the three companies of the second battalion, under the command of Lieut. – Colonel Bell, again embarked from Quebec on the 20th May 1844, and arrived on the 1st June at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where they remained until November, when they proceeded from Halifax to the West Indies, and arrived at Barbadoes on the 8th and 17th November.

1846

The service companies of the second battalion returned from the West Indies in January, 1846, and arrived at Leith on the 21st March, from whence they proceeded to Glasgow, where they were joined by the depôt companies, which embarked from Belfast in May, 1845.

1st Batt

The service companies of the first battalion embarked from Gibraltar for the West Indies, on the 17th February, 1846, and arrived at Barbadoes on the 21st March. The depôt companies, which proceeded from Glasgow to Dublin in 1841, remained in Ireland.

On the 28th July, 1846, General the Right Honourable Sir George Murray, G.C.B. died, and Her Majesty was pleased to confer the colonelcy of the First or Royal Regiment of Foot on General the Right Honourable Sir James Kempt, G.C.B., from the Second, or Queen's Royal Regiment of Foot.

The head-quarters of the first battalion are at Trinidad: the depôt companies at Newbridge: the second battalion is at Edinburgh, at the close of the year 1846, at which period this record is concluded.

1846

The foregoing account proves the antiquity of the First, or Royal Regiment of Foot, and gives a statement of its services for a period of more than 200 years, during which it has acquired laurels under the great Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden, and under the French Marshals, Turenne, the Prince of Condé, Luxembourg, and De Crequi: it has since formed a part of the British army which has fought and conquered under King William III., Marlborough, Abercromby, Moore, and Wellington, the most celebrated warriors and consummate generals of their periods; thus establishing a fame and distinction which, it is presumed, few, if any, other military bodies in Europe can claim. The career of the Royal Regiment has not evinced a feverish and uncertain valour, sometimes emitting sudden flashes which startle and surprise, and at others betraying weakness and pusillanimity, but it has proved uniform and invincible; and whether employed against the barbarous tribes of Asia, Africa, and America, or the disciplined legions of Europe, the officers and men of the Royal Regiment have, on all occasions, displayed the native energy, firmness, and contempt of danger peculiar to Britons; and by their victories in every quarter of the globe, they have established a reputation for future ages to emulate.

Posterity, looking back at the splendid achievements of the British arms in various parts of the world, will naturally inquire what regiments won honour and fame in the several fields of glory where British valour was sternly proved. To this it may be answered that, in the seventeenth century, when Gustavus Adolphus stood forth the champion of the Protestant princes of Germany, this regiment fought and conquered in that glorious cause; and it claims the honour of having fought at the battle of Leipsic, famous in the history of Sweden, and at Roucroy, celebrated in the annals of France.

In the succeeding century, when the balance of power in Europe was destroyed by the union of France and Spain, and Louis XIV. sought to dictate laws to Christendom, this regiment was one of the first which appeared at the scene of conflict, and it shared in the victories of Blenheim, Ramilies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet, also in the honour of capturing the fortresses which that ambitious monarch had erected as bulwarks to his kingdom; and thus purchased peace for Europe.

When Bonaparte, whose hatred and jealousy of England were unalterable, sought to become more than the dictator of Europe, this regiment met the legions of the usurper, and fought and triumphed in battles, which are inscribed on its colours as monuments to stimulate to deeds of valour the men of future generations, who shall enrol themselves under the banners of the Royal Regiment. Besides these leading features of its career, in which the national character and influence have been elevated, this regiment has evinced equally brilliant qualities in actions which, though less important in their bearing on the affairs of Europe, have attested the intrinsic merit of the corps, and have purchased numerous advantages to the commerce, power, stability, and happiness of Britain.

SUCCESSION OF COLONELS OF THE FIRST, OR ROYAL REGIMENT OF FOOT

Sir John Hepburn, Appointed 26th January, 1633

John Hepburn139 descended from the Hepburns of Bothwell, an ancient and distinguished family, which for many ages had extensive possessions in East Lothian. His father was proprietor of the lands of Althestaneford, and gave young Hepburn a liberal education. From his earliest youth he was remarkable for spirit and resolution. When he quitted college he made the tour of part of Europe (in 1615), and the rising fame of Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, of whose character he heard frequent commendations, gave birth to a spark of military ardour within his breast which was never extinguished till his death. Soon after his return from his travels, when the attempt was made to rescue Bohemia from the power of Austria, he engaged in the cause of liberty, and commanded a company of foot at several sieges and actions in Bohemia, Alsace, and Germany, and at the battle near Fleurus. When the King of Bohemia's forces were disbanded, he entered the service of the Swedish monarch. In his first essay in arms he displayed an ardour which procured him the favour and approbation of Gustavus, whose vigilant eye soon detected in this aspiring youth all the qualities requisite to constitute an excellent soldier. After a short service in the subordinate commissions he was quickly advanced to the command of a regiment, and was employed in services which required a considerable portion of skill and valour. He was invariably either at the head of his regiment, or at the head of the brigade of which his regiment formed part, and, as his regiment was incorporated into a Scots corps in the French service, now the First, or Royal Regiment of Foot, his services are set forth in the historical record of this corps, where his name will be found associated with deeds of valour and heroism of particular brilliancy. He appears to have been celebrated equally for bravery, skill, and humanity: he was beloved and esteemed by Gustavus Adolphus, and also by his companions in arms, both officers and soldiers; and his presence inspired confidence in the ranks of the brave Scots who fought under his command.140

That innate spirit and fire which constituted a part of his character, rendered him incapable of brooking even an imaginary injury; and Gustavus Adolphus, who was equally remarkable for the fiery temperament of his constitution, having uttered one or two sharp expressions to the brave Scottish warrior, he declared he would never more unsheath his sword in the Swedish quarrel. The king is said to have placed more confidence in this officer than in any other colonel in the Swedish army; and some days before their disagreement his Majesty had appointed him to the command of half the infantry in the camp at Nuremberg. The king afterwards made several condescensions to Hepburn, and appeared particularly desirous of retaining this valuable officer in his service; but the Scottish hero was inflexible, and he quitted the Swedish army in 1632. On his arrival at the British court, his fame having preceded him, he was knighted. He soon afterwards tendered his services to the king of France, who was too well acquainted with the character, capabilities, and experience of this renowned Scot, not to give him employment, and he was placed at the head of a regiment, constituted of some new levies and old Scots companies in the French service, now the First, or Royal Regiment of Foot, in the British line. His commission was dated the 26th of January, 1633; and at the head of this corps he distinguished himself in Alsace and Germany, and had the satisfaction of seeing many of the veterans of his former regiment incorporated in his new corps. He commanded a division of the French army on the Rhine, and was on the point of being advanced to the dignity of a Marshal of France; but he was killed at the siege of Saverne, before the diploma reached him. Thus terminated the career of one of the best officers Scotland ever produced. He was known in France by the title of the Chevalier Hebron; and such was the fame of his gallantry, that, although he was killed in the reign of Louis XIII., a monument was erected to his memory some years afterwards by Louis XIV., in the cathedral of Toul. A contemporary historian (Lithgow) states "he was one of the best soldiers in Christendom, and, consequently, in the world."

James Hepburn, Appointed 26th August, 1636

This officer was cousin to Sir John Hepburn, and heir apparent of the ancient house of Wachton. He was one of the gallant Scots, who, led by a native ardour for military fame, sought renown in foreign lands, and fought under the great Gustavus Adolphus in the glorious attempt made by that monarch to rescue the Protestant princes of Germany from the power of the emperor. In toils, dangers, and triumphs, he was the companion of Sir John Hepburn. He rose to the rank of Lieut. – Colonel in the Swedish army; and having transferred his services to the crown of France, he succeeded Sir John Hepburn in the Colonelcy of the Scots corps, now the Royal Regiment. He was killed in action in Lorraine a few months afterwards; but the particular circumstances connected with his fall have not been ascertained.

Lord James Douglas, Appointed in 1637

Lord James Douglas, second son of William, first Marquis of Douglas, acquired celebrity in the wars between the house of Austria and the Protestant league, and distinguished himself in France, Flanders, Italy, and Germany. He obtained the Colonelcy of the Scots corps, now the Royal Regiment of Foot, in 1637; and was killed while in the command of a flying camp between Douay and Arras in October, 1655. A monument was erected to his memory in the church of St. Germain de Prez, at Paris, with an inscription in Latin.

Lord George Douglas, Appointed 21st October, 1655

Lord George Douglas was the son of William, first Marquis of Douglas, by his second wife Mary, daughter of George, first Marquis of Huntly. In his youth he was page of honour to Louis XIV. Having made choice of the profession of arms, he entered the service of the king of France, and succeeded his brother in the Colonelcy of the Scots Regiment, now the Royal Regiment, in the British line. In 1672 he served with the French army in the Netherlands, and was attached to the division commanded by Marshal Turenne. He afterwards served several campaigns with the French army on the Rhine; highly distinguished himself in the defence of Treves, and was promoted to the rank of Major-General in France. He was created Earl of Dumbarton on the 9th of March, 1675.

In the early part of the reign of King James II. the Earl of Dumbarton was Commander-in-Chief in Scotland; and he commanded the troops which suppressed the rebellion of the Earl of Argyle in the summer of 1685. He was subsequently elected a Knight Companion of the Order of the Thistle. He held the rank of Lieut. – General in England, and was second in command of the army encamped on Hounslow Heath in 1687 and 1688. At the Revolution he adhered to King James II., whom he followed to France, where he died in 1692.

Frederick Duke Schomberg, Appointed 31st December, 1688

Frederick de Schomberg descended from an ancient and noble family of that name of the Palatinate, or Lower Rhine; and, during the struggle made by the Protestant states of Europe against the power of Austria and Spain, he served under Frederick Henry Prince of Orange, after whose death he engaged in the service of the King of France.

Portugal, after having been subject to Spain many years, asserted its independence in 1640; and a sanguinary war commenced between the two kingdoms. The Spaniards had penetrated into the heart of Portugal, and were anticipating its speedy subjugation, when Louis XIV. sent General de Schomberg secretly to the aid of the house of Braganza. He was already famous for his successful defence of Bourbourg against two powerful armies, and for his conduct in the wars in Rouissillon; and, when placed at the head of the Portuguese forces, his name at once aroused the desponding adherents of the Braganza family, and inspired them with new hopes and new expectations. While his presence infused courage into the army, his discretion, for which he was always remarkable, directed its energies to advantage; towns were taken, battles were won, and finally a powerful army headed by Don John of Austria was defeated, and the Spanish monarch forced, in 1668, to acknowledge the independence of Portugal, and to conclude a peace with the house of Braganza. His success excited the surprise of Europe, and his achievements were celebrated by poets and orators in several languages.141

After his success in Portugal he commanded a French force against the Spaniards in Catalonia; and his merits became so conspicuous, that in 1675 he was promoted by Louis XIV. to the dignity of a marshal of France. He subsequently commanded the French army in the Netherlands, and in 1676 he forced the Prince of Orange to raise the siege of Maestricht. In a few years afterwards the king of France endeavoured to suppress the Protestant religion in his kingdom, when Marshal de Schomberg, refusing to become a papist, his services appear to have been, to a certain extent, forgotten. Various means had formerly been used, and prospects of advancement to the highest honours held out, to induce him to change his religion, but in vain; and he now obtained liberty to quit France on condition of his proceeding to Portugal. Soon afterwards he obtained permission to proceed to Germany; and the emperor designed to have placed this distinguished veteran at the head of his armies, but was prevented by the influence of the Jesuits. The Elector of Brandenburg availed himself of the services of Marshal de Schomberg, and appointed him a minister of state, and Generalissimo of Prussia.

When William Prince of Orange (afterwards William III.) was preparing an army for a descent on Britain, to oppose the proceedings of James II., his Highness was desirous of obtaining the services of Marshal de Schomberg, who was considered one of the greatest captains of his time, and, being devoted to the Protestant interest, he consented to accompany the Prince. The success which attended this enterprise enabled his Highness to reward the veteran commander, who was appointed Colonel of the Royal Regiment, and Master-General of the Ordnance. He was also constituted a Knight of the Garter, and created Baron of Teyes, Earl of Brentford, Marquis of Harwich, and Duke Schomberg. During the summer of 1689 he was sent Commander-in-Chief to Ireland to relieve the persecuted Protestants, and to rescue that kingdom from the power of King James; and he was killed at the battle of the Boyne, in July, 1690, while gallantly advancing with a regiment of foot to charge the enemy. Thus terminated the life of this distinguished veteran in the 84th year of his age. He was buried at St. Patrick's, Dublin, where a stone with an inscription was placed over his tomb by the Dean and Chapter of the church.

Sir Robert Douglas, Appointed 5th March, 1691

Amongst the many officers which Scotland has produced, who have signalized themselves in war, few have evinced brighter military virtues than the brave Sir Robert Douglas of Glenbervie. He was second cousin to the Earl of Dumbarton; he served many years in the Royal Regiment, in which he rose to the rank of Lieut. – Colonel; and he was known as a brave and generous aspirant to military fame, when King William III. promoted him to the Colonelcy of the Regiment. Bright prospects of future glory were before him. He had already given astonishing proofs of personal bravery at the battle of Steenkirk, when he saw one of the colours of his regiment in the hands of the French. He instantly rushed forward into the thickest of the enemy's ranks, and rescued the colour at the expense of his life, as more fully detailed in the historical record of the Royal Regiment. He lived beloved and admired, and fell regretted by his sovereign and country, but more particularly by the officers and men of his regiment, with whom he had served in various parts of the world, and in whose breasts his memory was cherished with particular tenderness. By his fall he purchased a renown which more fortunate commanders have failed to acquire; and the story of his gallantry will survive to the remotest ages.

Lord George Hamilton, Appointed 1st August, 1692

Lord George Hamilton, fifth son of William Duke of Hamilton, was an officer in the Royal Regiment in the reign of Charles II., and also of James II.,142 and, adhering to the Protestant interest at the Revolution in 1688, he was advanced to the rank of Lieut. – Colonel, and on the 1st of March, 1690, to the brevet rank of Colonel. He served under King William III. in Ireland, and distinguished himself at the battle of the Boyne; and in 1691 he was at the siege of Athlone, at the battle of Aghrim, and at the capture of Limerick. In January, 1692, he was appointed Colonel of the 7th Royal Fusiliers, at the head of which corps he distinguished himself at the battle of Steenkirk, and his gallantry was rewarded with the Colonelcy of the Royal Regiment. Continuing to serve under King William in the Netherlands, he distinguished himself in 1693 at the unfortunate battle of Landen, and in 1695 at the siege and capture of Namur, and while engaged in this service he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General. On the 3rd of January, 1696, he was advanced to the peerage by the title of Baron Dechmont, Viscount of Kirkwall, and Earl of Orkney; and in March, 1702, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. He served the campaign of this year under the Earl of Marlborough, and was engaged in the siege of Stevenswart. He commanded a brigade of infantry during the campaign of 1703, was advanced to the rank of Lieut. – General, and invested with the Order of the Thistle in 1704; and, having proceeded with the army into the heart of Germany, took part in gaining the glorious victories of Schellenberg and Blenheim. In 1705 he distinguished himself at the siege and capture of Huy; and in the following year at the battle of Ramilies, and the siege of Menin. He also took a distinguished part in the battle of Oudenarde; in covering the siege of Lisle; and in forcing the passage of the Scheldt in 1708. In 1709 he distinguished himself in the movements which preceded and led to the battle of Malplaquet, and during this hard contested action he signalized himself at the head of fifteen battalions of infantry. He also signalized himself at the siege of Douay in 1710; and in the beginning of the following year he was promoted to the rank of General. He was also engaged in passing the French lines in 1711, and commanded twenty battalions of infantry at the siege of Bouchain.