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A History of the Coldstream Guards, from 1815 to 1895 cover

A History of the Coldstream Guards, from 1815 to 1895

Chapter 35: APPENDIX VI.
By J. Ross
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About This Book

A regiment-focused history that follows the Coldstream Guards from the immediate postwar occupation of France through later nineteenth-century service. It recounts operational involvement in continental occupation, field campaigns, colonial disturbances, and Egyptian expeditions, together with periods of garrison duty and organizational change. The narrative draws on official orders, diaries, regimental records, and contemporary illustrations, and includes appendices of notes and corrections and plates of uniforms and scenes. Throughout, attention centers on duty and endurance, documenting selected episodes of discipline, hardship, and acts of gallantry that the regiment regards as constitutive of its traditions.

APPENDIX VI.

1.
GENERAL ORDER TO THE ALLIED ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
NOVEMBER 10, 1818.

“Ordre du Jour.

“Il est impossible au Feld Maréchal Duc de Wellington de prendre congé des troupes qu’il a eu l’honneur d’avoir sous ses ordres, sans leur offrir ses remercîmens pour la bonne conduite, par laquelle elles se sont distinguées pendant tout le temps de son Commandement. Trois ans se sont presque écoulés depuis que les Souverains Alliés ont bien voulu confier au Feld Maréchal le Commandement de cette partie de leurs forces militaires que les circonstances du moment leur avaient rendu nécessaire de continuer en France. Si cette mesure adoptée par Leurs Majestés s’est effectuée d’une manière qui leur a paru satisfaisante, ce succès ne doit être attribué qu‘à la conduite conciliante observée en toute occasion par leurs Excellences les Généraux Commandans en Chef; au bon exemple qui a été donné par elles à leur subordonnés, les Généraux et autres Officiers de l‘Armée, et à l’assistance que ceux-ci leur ont rendue; comme aussi à l’exacte discipline qui a toujours regnée dans tous les Contingents. Ce ne peut être qu’avec des sentimens de regret que le Feld Maréchal voit le moment arrivé où la séparation de l‘Armée doit terminer les relations de service, et les liaisons, qu’il a eues avec Leurs Excellences les Généraux Commandans, et avec les autres Officiers de leurs Corps. Le Feld Maréchal ne peut se dissimuler combien ces relations ont été avantageuses pour lui; et il prie les Généraux Commandans en Chef des différens Contingents, de vouloir bien agréer eux-mêmes, et communiquer aussi à ceux qui sont sous leurs ordres, les assurances du vif intérêt qu’il ne cessera de prendre à tout ce qui les regarde, et combien lui seront chers les souvenirs des trois années pendant lesquelles il a eu l’honneur d‘être placé à leur tête.

“Le Lieutenant-Général,
“Chef de l‘Etat Major Général de l‘Armée Alliée.”[479]

2.
GENERAL ORDER, CAMBRAI, NOVEMBER 10, 1818.

“Upon the return to England of the troops which have so long served under the command of the Field Marshal, he again returns them his thanks for their uniform good conduct during the period in which they have formed part of the Army of Occupation. The Field Marshal has, in another Order, addressed to the Army of Occupation at large, expressed his sentiments regarding the conduct of, and his obligations to, the General Officers and Officers of the Army. These are especially due to the General Officers and Officers of the British Contingent; and he begs them to accept his best acknowledgments for the example they have given to others by their own good conduct, and for the support and assistance they have invariably afforded him to maintain the discipline of the Army. After a service of ten years‘ duration, almost without interruption, with the same Officers and troops, the Field Marshal separates from them with regret; but he trusts that they will believe that he will never cease to feel a concern for their honour and interest.

“Wellington.”[480]

3.
GENERAL ORDER, PARIS, DECEMBER 1, 1818.

“The Field Marshal has great satisfaction in publishing to the troops which have lately served under his command the following letter from H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief, conveying the Prince Regent’s gracious approbation of their conduct while serving in France.

“‘Horse Guards, November 27, 1818.

“‘My Lord Duke,

“‘The Army of Occupation having now finally returned from France, I have the Prince Regent’s commands to convey to your Grace the thanks of His Royal Highness for the discipline and good order which has been so successfully maintained, to the honour of the British arms, during the period it has been stationed in that country. I have frequently had occasion to address your Grace, by command of the Sovereign, in the language of just commendation of the brilliant victories achieved under the guidance of your genius; but although the events of peace do not furnish the grounds for conveying the warmth of expression which a sense of the distinguished actions of warfare so strongly called forth, yet the conduct of the army, while stationed in the country of their former enemy, where the discipline and good order established by your Grace were calculated to conciliate the inhabitants, and to uphold the character of the British arms in the view of surrounding nations, cannot fail to draw forth the Prince Regent’s cordial approbation and thanks, as well as the gratitude of the country to your Grace and to them. I am commanded to request that your Grace will be pleased to make these sentiments known to the General and other Officers who have been under your command, in any manner you may think proper.

“‘Frederick,
“‘Commander-in-Chief.’”[481]

479. Supplementary Despatches, etc. , xii. 795.

480. Supplementary Despatches, etc. , xii. 826.

481. Supplementary Despatches, etc. , xii. 856.